Iraqi Christians: An Ancient People Driven Into Exile

Nearly eight years after the official fall of the Islamic State in Iraq, the situation for Christians remains alarming, marked by insecurity and discrimination. Iraq ranks 17th among the countries where Christian communities are most persecuted,[1] despite their ancestral presence. The ECLJ is working to draw the attention of the United Nations to these persecutions. We have conveyed to the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues the concerns and needs expressed by local NGOs and Church leaders. This Special Rapporteur will conduct an official visit to Iraq from June 15 to 23, 2025.

A Disappearing Minority

At the beginning of the 2000s, there were still 1.5 million Christians in Iraq. Today, only 140,000 remain,[2] divided between federal Iraq and the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan. Mostly Assyrian or Chaldean, but also Syriac and Armenian, both Catholic and Orthodox, these Christians now make up less than 1% of the Iraqi population. They are the largest religious minority in the country, alongside the Yazidis, Mandaeans, Shabaks, and Kakais. The majority of the population is Muslim--64% Shia and 34% Sunni,[3] but the Christian communities, converted by Saint Thomas as early as the first century, are the direct heirs of the peoples of ancient Mesopotamia. Their presence, predating the Arab conquest, has continued uninterrupted since the early first millennium.

The Islamic State's takeover of Mosul on June 10, 2014, triggered a mass exodus of Christians toward the Nineveh Plains, Kurdistan, or abroad. "As soon as they seized the city, jihadists' voices echoed from mosque loudspeakers and megaphones to mock Christians, announcing that they must choose: conversion, exile, or submission under dhimmi status. Most fled with only their cars and what they wore," recounts Monsignor Najeeb, Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul.[4] Over ten years later, barely twenty Christian families have returned to this city now burdened with painful memories. The Iraqi government has shown little investment in reconstruction, and only thanks to NGOs have some churches been renovated and now ring their bells again. Additionally, Christian-owned lands, shops, and workshops have been taken over by new owners, complicating the return of displaced persons, for whom no public policy exists. This uprooting is only the first step toward exodus.

Persistent Discrimination and Growing Anxiety

The near-systematic departure of Christians to the United States, Sweden, or Germany is driven by a socio-cultural Islamic environment hostile to them. Whether in education, job seeking, or access to public services, Christians face discrimination in every aspect of daily life. Numerous NGOs (SOS Chretiens d'Orient, Christian Aid Program Northern Iraq, The Return, Hammurabi Human Rights Organization) working on the ground attest to this. Not belonging to the dominant ethnic groups or main political parties, Christians face greater difficulty obtaining jobs--particularly in public administration--and securing their rights to safety and political representation. "Today we are not equal," laments Yohanna Yousif of the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization.[5] "If you're not in a party, you won't find a job. They have all the rights; we have none." Roland, a project manager, shares his experience: "I applied online to be a teacher and received a positive response by email. But when the list of accepted candidates was published, my name had been removed because I'm a Christian. Similarly, in class, when a Christian student is top of the class, teachers give them lower grades so that a Muslim student can take the first place".[6]

Although Daesh is no longer a direct threat, security remains precarious for Iraqis--especially for more vulnerable religious minorities. In federal Iraq, Shiite militias continue to harass and assault civilians. In Kurdistan, civilians are caught in ongoing clashes between the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Christian villages in this region are frequently bombed, forcing families to flee. In Miska, a border district in Duhok, the Assyrian church was destroyed, and 11 families were displaced. The community's insecurity, the trauma of the jihadist invasion, and the feeling of being second-class citizens without protection keep Christians in a state of chronic anxiety about the future. Dilan Adamat, from the NGO The Return, sadly notes that fear is pushing Christians to leave their ancestral lands: "Here, you always have to fight, and people are tired. There is deep exhaustion from all these security, legal, and social pressures"[7].

A Systematic Population Replacement

Christians are not only leaving in pursuit of a better future. They are being pushed out by various political and military actors who view this minority as an obstacle to their strategic goals. This is particularly true of the Shiite militias of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hachd al-Chaabi), which number between 140,000 and 238,000 fighters.[8] Supported by Iran, they form a powerful, largely uncontrolled faction within the Iraqi army, with growing political and military influence. In the Nineveh Plains, these militias are gradually taking over territory, checkpoints, and establishing Shiite settlements in traditionally Christian areas. The Hammurabi Organization denounces this and proposes countermeasures: "We are witnessing a real demographic shift--they are distributing land to Shiites in Christian areas. We demand the creation of protected districts where land would be reserved for Christians!" Harassed and intimidated, Christians are often pressured into selling their land to the highest bidder. In Bartella, just twenty kilometers from Mosul, Christians now make up only a quarter of the population, whereas they were the majority in 2014. This plays into Iran's project of establishing a Shiite crescent, in which Christians are merely obstacles to be moved aside.

Land issues are also present in the north, in the Kurdistan region, where authorities and locals have traditionally been more welcoming to Christians. In this clan-based society, a few powerful armed families dominate institutions. They expropriate Christians from their unused lands, even forging documents to justify these seizures. The confiscation of Christian properties by influential Kurdish figures or tribal chiefs is now one of the primary issues faced by Christians in the region. Prior to 2021, 223 families filed complaints in Erbil seeking restitution of their lands, but only around forty won their cases[9]. These land grabs, along with the difficulty of finding employment, are causing what Monsignor Najeeb calls a "true hemorrhage": "We're living almost like refugees in our own country." He explains that Christians face a double persecution: "Like all Iraqis, due to the weak state and militia violence, and as a religious minority." He also condemns a "heritage genocide," as no institution recognizes the urgency of preserving the millennia-old Assyro-Chaldean cultural heritage.

[1] Iraq -- Country Profile 2024, Open Doors France, https://www.portesouvertes.fr/persecution-des-chretiens/profils-pays/irak

[2] Shlama Foundation. "Population of Assyrians in Irak." Shlama.org, 2025. https://www.shlama.org/population

[3] Humanists International, Freedom of Thought Report, 2024, https://fot.humanists.international/countries/asia-western-asia/Irak /

[4] Interview of the ECLJ with Archbishop Najeeb, May 8, 2025.

[5] Interview of the ECLJ with the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization, May 20, 2025.

[6] Interview with Roland (name has been changed), May 13, 2025.

[7] Interview of the ECLJ with Dilan Adamat from the NGO The Return, May 12, 2025.

[8] Mohammad Salami, EISMEA, "Analysis of the Impact of Militias in Iraq: Strategies to Mitigate Their Influence," February 21, 2024, https://eismena.com/article/analyse-de-limpact-des-milices-en-irak-strategies-pour-attenuer-leur-influence-2024-02-21

[9] Kurdish Gov't missing in action -- Hectares of Christian land swallowed up by trespassers, KirkukNow, 24 mai 2021, https://kirkuknow.com/en/news/65618
Two-state solution is on life support: UN envoy

Xinhua) 09:17, May 29, 2025

The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 28, 2025. The interim UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process warned on Wednesday that the two-state solution is on life support, calling for collective action to revive it. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The interim UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process warned on Wednesday that the two-state solution is on life support, calling for collective action to revive it.

"The two-state solution is on life support. Reviving it requires collective action," said Sigrid Kaag. "Peace cannot be a transaction or a partial, temporary arrangement. It needs to be built on international consensus and legitimacy, moving it from managing the conflict to ending it."

There can be no sustainable peace in the Middle East without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The region's future will remain bound to its unresolved past, unless bold political will and decisions break the cycle, she told the Security Council.

Palestinian statehood is a right, not a reward, she said.

The upcoming high-level international conference in June, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, presents a critical opportunity. It must not be another rhetorical exercise. It must launch a path toward ending the occupation and realizing the two-state solution based on international law, UN resolutions and previous agreements, said Kaag. "We need to pivot ourselves from declarations to decisions. We need to implement rather than adopt new texts."

Humanitarian aid and assistance urgently need to reach all civilians across Gaza. Essential services, livelihoods, and human dignity need to be restored. Forced displacement of civilians must be rejected and prevented. Post-war Palestinian governance and appropriate security arrangements in Gaza are needed. The territorial and political unity of Gaza and the West Bank must be preserved. Hostages need to be unconditionally released, said the UN envoy.

While war-torn Gaza rightly captures the world's attention, the West Bank is on a dangerous trajectory, she warned.

"Developments are best described as accelerating de facto annexation through settlement expansion, land seizures, and settler violence. If not reversed, this will make the two-state solution physically impossible," she said.

International engagement and alignment are critical, said Kaag. "We need to act now to reverse the current trajectory. A well-defined, widely supported and timebound political process, accompanied by safeguards and guarantees, is essential."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania was elected this Thursday President of the African Development Bank Group at the Banks Annual Meetings held in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

Sidi Ould Tah will succede Nigerian Akinwumi Adesina at the helm of the AfDB.

Tah was elected by the Banks Board of Governors, comprising Finance and Economy Ministers or Central Bank Governors of the Bank Groups 81 regional and non-regional member countries. The board is the highest decision-making authority for the Bank Group.

The winning candidate is required to obtain at least 50.01% of both the regional and non-regional votes.

It only took three rounds of voting to decide between the five candidates. In the end, the Mauritanian candidate won with more than 76.18% of the votes, ahead of the Zambian Samuel Maimbo (20.26%) and the Senegalese Amadou Hott (3.55%).

The results were announced by Niale Kaba, Minister of Planning and Development for Cote dIvoire, and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bank Group.

A Mauritanian national, Tah brings over 35 years of experience in African and international finance. He served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for 10 years from 2015, where he led a full transformation that quadrupled the Banks balance sheet, secured a AAA rating, and positioned it among the top-rated development banks focused on Africa.

A former Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Mauritania, Tah has held senior roles in multilateral institutions and has led crisis response, financial reform, and innovative resource mobilization for Africa, including the establishment of BADEAs $1 billion callable capital program for African MDBs.

Tah will assume office on 1 September 2025, for a five-year term, following the end of the second mandate of current President, Akinwumi Adesina.

The other contenders for the position were Amadou Hott (Senegal), Samuel Maimbo (Zambia), Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad), and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala (South Africa).
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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
David Geffen may be in for a battle, because his estranged husband has just filed legal docs strongly suggesting his estranged hubby wants a chunk of David's fortune.



Exclusive story: https://t.co/T9bKBXcs9Y pic.twitter.com/n3kLcYKLM7
The Fukushima disaster soured the world on nuclear energy and the uranium industry after tsunami waves inundated Japans Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex on March 11, 2011.

The tsunami, triggered by a major offshore earthquake, disabled the plant's cooling systems, causing three reactors to overheat and partially melt down, with subsequent releases of radioactive materials into the air and ocean.

As the world watched in horror, public and government confidence in nuclear power plummeted, leading some countries to phase out or halt nuclear power development plans.

Germany, Belgium and Italy decided to phase out nuclear power or halt planned expansions, while Spain and Switzerland elected not to build new plants.

The accident led to stricter safety requirements and more thorough assessments of existing nuclear plants.

In Japan, nuclear power's contribution to electricity generation dropped dramatically, with coal-fired plants filling the gap.

The accident spurred increased focus on alternative energy sources like gas, coal, and renewables, as well as a push for new reactor designs with improved safety features.

Related: LNG Slowdown in Asia Masks a Bigger Surge Ahead

The event also took its toll on the uranium market and companies that explore for and mine the nuclear fuel. Post-Fukushima, the slump in demand cratered uranium prices, with the market bottoming out near $30 a pound in mid-2014.

Fast-forward to 2022, and the story changes. Spurred by renewed demand for nuclear energy and a leap in yellowcake prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine, uranium miners began reviving mothballed uranium projects.

Uranium hit a 10-year high of $105.49/lb on Jan. 29, 2024, and closed out last year with a spot price of $72.63 and a long-term price of $80.50, according to Canadian uranium miner Cameco.

Uranium futures rose to $72 per pound in late May, the highest in nearly three months, and extending the rebound from 18-month lows in March as the possibility of political support for the nuclear sector outweighed the view of ample supply, said Trading Economics.

Despite skepticism from some quarters on the safety of nuclear, there are just as many who believe it is a relatively benign form of baseload power that is necessary for the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Nuclear, the argument goes, is emissions-free but does not suffer the intermittency problem of wind and solar.

One of the more recent cheerleaders of nuclear is Donald Trump.

Last Friday the US president signed executive orders pledging to expand American nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 gigawatts in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050.

"Swift and decisive action is required to jumpstart Americas nuclear energy industrial base and ensure our national and economic security by increasing fuel availability and production, securing civil nuclear supply chains, improving the efficiency with which advanced nuclear reactors are licensed, and preparing our workforce to establish Americas energy dominance and accelerate our path towards a more secure and independent energy future," World Nuclear News quoted from the executive order Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base.

A Fox News article posted on the White House website states:

Through a series of executive orders signed this week, President Trump is taking action to usher in an American nuclear renaissance. For the first time in many years, America has a path forward for quickly and safely testing advanced nuclear reactor designs, constructing new nuclear reactors at scale, and building a strong domestic nuclear industrial base

This weeks executive actions will help us reach that goal in four ways.

First, we are going to fully leverage our DOE national laboratories to increase the speed with which we test new nuclear reactor designs. There is a big difference between a paper reactor and a practical reactor. The only way to bridge that gapunderstanding the challenges that must be surmounted to bring reactors to the market, and building public trust in their deploymentis to test and evaluate demonstration reactors.



Second, for our national and economic security, we are going to leverage the Departments of Defense and Energy to build nuclear reactors on federally owned land. This will support critical national security needs which require reliable, high-density power sources that are invulnerable to external threats or grid failures.



Third, to lower regulatory burdens and shorten licensing timelines, we are asking the NRC to undergo broad cultural change and regulatory reform, requiring a decision on a reactor license to be issued within 18 months. This will reduce regulatory uncertainty while maintaining nuclear safety. We will also reconsider the use of radiation limits that are not science based, impossible to achieve, and do not increase the safety of the American people.

There are currently 54 nuclear power plants operating in the United States, with 28 states having at least one reactor. According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), Unit 3 at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia entered serviced on July 31, 2023 as part of a two-unit expansion project. It has 1,117 megawatts (MW) of net summer electricity generation capacity.

Unit 4, a Westinghouse AP1000 pressurized light water reactor, began commercial operations in April 2024. It is now the largest nuclear power plant in the United States, with four reactors and a total of 4,536 MW net summer electricity generation capacity.

Meanwhile ,in Europe, the birthplace of the anti-nuclear movement, there has also been a rethink of nuclear power as countries pursue more energy independence.

As CNBC reports, In just the last few weeks, Denmark announced plans to reconsider a 40-year ban on nuclear power as part of a major policy shift, Spain reportedly signaled an openness to review a shutdown of its nuclear plants and Germany dropped its long-held opposition to atomic power.

Denmark banned the use of atomic energy in 1985. It is important to point out that the Danish government is not considering a return to traditional nuclear power plants. Rather, The renewables-heavy Scandinavian country said in mid-May that it plans to analyze the potential benefits and risks of new advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors, to complement solar and wind technologies.

Spains Environmental Transition Minister said in late April that, while the government is proceeding with plans to retire nuclear reactors over the next decade, extensions beyond 2035 could not be ruled out.

The statement by Minister Sara Aagesen followed a catastrophic power outage affecting much of Spain, Portugal and southern France.

Germany, which closed the last of its three remaining nuclear plants in 2023, recently dropped its objection to French efforts to ensure that nuclear power is treated on a par with renewables in EU legislation, the Financial Times reported on May 19, citing French and German officials.

By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com

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India is overtaking China as the worlds biggest oil demand growth driver in a momentous shift in the oil market where China dominated growth in the past two and a half decades.

While Indias growth rate is ahead of Chinas, Indian volumes arent anywhere near the Chinese boom in consumption that began in the early 2000s. And they never will be.

With the pace of Chinese growth decelerating and Indias accelerating, market bulls are correct to expect that India will lead demand growth numbers. But they could be disappointed that Indian demand growth isnt soaring at a pace similar to Chinas. In the period 2000-2025, Chinese demand growth averaged 485,000 barrels a day (bpd), as pointed out by Bloomberg Opinion columnist Javier Blas.

Indias total oil demand is about 6 million bpd at present, and it is growing at around 200,000 bpd every year. This is less than half of Chinas booming annual demand growth in the 2000s and 2010s.

India Surpassing China as Top Growth Driver

Since the COVID slump in demand everywhere, Indias oil consumption growth has settled at about 150,000 bpd to 200,000 bpd each year. Its expected to continue at around these levels, forecasters say.

China, for its part, faces major structural shifts in its economy and transportation sector, with slower GDP growth, a weak property market, and booming electric vehicle sales and sales of trucks running on LNG that are displacing part of the gasoline and diesel consumption.

India surpassing China as the worlds top driver of oil demand growth isnt surprising at all. The surprise, if any, came from the fact that this is happening a bit earlier than many forecasters had expected a year or two ago.

Related: Chinese Oil Refiners Boost Exports as Domestic Demand Disappoints

But key to looking at this shift is to see that Chinas oil demand growth is slowing while Indias isnt soaring. Indian demand is rising, but not anywhere close to the Chinese boom of the past two decades.

So, those who expect India to be the next China could be in for a disappointment.

Indias Demand Rising, But Not Booming

Oil demand growth in China will be just 1.5% this year compared to 2024, according to OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report. Indias demand will grow by 3.4%-- so the growth in India is higher than in China. But China is expected to consume more than 16 million bpd of oil this year, compared to Indias 6 million bpd.

In India, oil demand in March was slightly lower than in the same month last year, OPEC said in its report. Definitely not an estimate oil bulls, Saudi Aramco, or other oil companies wanted to hear.

Diesel and other transportation fuels will support Indias oil product demand, which is expected to grow by 188,000 bpd this year from 2024 to average 5.7 million bpd, OPEC said in its report in May.

Next year, oil demand is projected to grow by 246,000 bpd year-over-year to average 6.0 million bpd, supported by robust economic growth amid healthy transportation and manufacturing activities, the cartel noted.

This should be good news about Indian demand growth, considering the volatile U.S. trade and tariff policy, which could quickly dampen economic and market sentiment several times by the end of this year alone.

But 246,000-bpd annual growth in India next year would compare to Chinas nearly 500,000-bpd growth in each of the years 2000 through 2025, with the exception of a couple of crises with the global financial crisis and COVID.

Now Chinas consumption of transportation fuels has peaked, many forecasters and state giant China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) say.

Some of the weakness in Chinese oil demand growth has been attributed to Chinas weaker economic performance over the past year. But the shift toward EVs and LNG trucks is removing some road fuel demand permanently, analysts say.

India could see an acceleration of oil demand growth in the next decade as incomes rise and consumers spend more on consumer goods.

India will be the fastest-growing oil demand region among large economies, Nikhil Bhandari, Co-head of APAC Natural Resource & Clean Energy Research at Goldman Sachs, told CNBC earlier this week.

Income growth and rising manufacturing will result in India accounting for a third of global oil demand growth over the next decade, Bhandari said.

As a rule of thumb, at a certain level of income growth, there is acceleration of oil demand as consumers buy more consumer goods apart from staples, the expert noted.

And India is currently at an inflection point of income growth, which would accelerate oil demand growth over the next decade, according to Goldman Sachss Bhandari.

Although Indias growth in percentage terms exceeds Chinas growth pace, China still consumes significantly more oilaround triple the total amount India uses. And when the biggest oil importer in the world, China, begins to see slowing growth, India isnt able to offset the slowdown or replicate the boom in demand.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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While China's investments in African clean energy are growing, they represent a smaller portion of overall investment compared to historical fossil fuel engagements, though they align with global trends and China's own domestic industry needs.

China is shifting its energy investments in Africa from fossil fuels to renewables, with solar and wind power projects now constituting a majority of its energy engagements on the continent.

China has been steadily increasing its energy investing, and therefore its influence, in emerging economies for years now. Through its ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure program, Beijing has poured over a trillion dollars into developing its trade relations around the planet since its inception in 2000. In Africa, China is the primary trading partner, and therefore a critical strategic ally in developing the continents energy sector. So far, the vast majority of Chinese investment has gone to the development of fossil fuels, but that tide is beginning to turn and experts suggest that China could be the key to helping Africa  and therefore the world  achieve its clean energy goals.

Africa is home to the fastest growing population in the world. The continental population is expected to double between now and 2050. By then, a quarter of the global population will be in sub-Saharan Africa. This presents an enormous challenge for energy security as well as decarbonization goals as African nations continue to develop. Today, around 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity entirely, and that problem could quickly intensify as sub-Saharan Africa grows, develops, and industrializes. The regions energy demand is expected to increase threefold over the next decade.

In order to meet the needs of a growing and developing population without derailing global climate goals, Africa will have to leapfrog over developing its fossil fuel resources  the typical next step in economic development  and go straight to building up clean energy resources on a massive scale. This is where foreign investment becomes absolutely critical. However, the Trump administration recently slashed the United States global climate financing down to zero, and there is cause for concern that other Western powers will follow suit. Meanwhile, China is only too happy to step up to the plate.

According to a recent report by UK-based think tank ODI Global, between 2010 and 2024 one-fifth of Chinas overall energy sector investing, as well as a fifth of renewable energy investment and construction activity, had taken place in Africa, altogether accounting for US$66 billion. Lead author Elena Kiryakova told the South China Morning Post that Chinese manufacturers dominate global supply chains and view African markets as critical to addressing domestic overcapacity and competition.

Chinas emphasis on clean energy investing in Africa is a new development. A Reuters report in April of last year found that lending for renewables, such as solar and wind, from China's two main development finance institutions constituted just 2% of their $52 billion of energy loans from 2000 to 2022, while more than 50% is allocated to fossil fuels.

Now, ODI Global finds that Chinas clean energy investing is on the rise in Africa, with solar and wind power now accounting for 59 per cent of its energy projects on the continent. However, it may be that the overall price tag of those projects remains small in comparison to the scale of fossil fuel investing. Indeed, the ODI report finds that African economies represent a smaller, but growing destination for Chinese wind and solar power technology.

Though the overall market for clean energy remains relatively small in Africa, its showing sure signs of growth as China becomes more committed to outsourcing its clean energy sector. The South China Morning News reports that these findings align with global trends showing Chinas energy investment shifting from fossil fuels to renewables, adding that in 2021, China committed to halting the funding of new coal-fired power plants overseas.

Perhaps even more important than its global climate agreements, expanding solar supply chains around the world is good for Beijings bottom line. China alone manufactures more than 80 percent of the worlds solar panels. And, in light of the current trade war and tit-for-tat tariffs with the United States, shoring up new markets for solar panels and other clean energy components isnt a bad idea for the Chinese economy.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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It has been a volatile and unpredictable year in global oil markets, with price signals clouded by a growing list of competing drivers. From geopolitical tensions to macroeconomic shifts, both bullish and bearish forces are at play, making it increasingly difficult for analysts and investors to form a clear outlook. Amid this complexity, one structural factor stands out: U.S. oil production. As we look toward the second half of 2025 and 2026, the trajectory of U.S. shale output could prove decisive in shaping the global supply-demand balance. The key question now is whether the U.S. oil industry is nearing a critical inflection pointone that could reshape the global supply landscape and exert lasting pressure on prices.

There are multiple ways to go about this question. But as oil production is a function of oil price, we will first look at the demand and supply side picture to determine whether demand will outpace supply, signaling a price surge. Secondly, Primary Visions Frac Spread Count and Frac Job Count both provide first-hand, real-time information on the number of active spreads in the shale basins and the actual number of completions, respectively. We will use that to determine the actual developments in the shale industry. Lastly, using data from our Efrac monitor, we will look at what future plans the major operators have made.

The latest Oil Market Report (OMR) by the IEA sheds some light on the demand-supply dynamics. The report predicts a 1.6 mbpd increase in supply in 2025, with an additional increase of 970,000 bpd in 2026. In regard to non-OPEC production (the topic in discussion), the expected supply is 1.3 mbpd in 2025, with an additional supply of 820,000 bpd in 2026. Referring to OPEC+, which has further disturbed the supply-demand dynamic with its announcement that it will add 410,000 bpd starting in June, the report predicts an addition of 310,000 bpd in the current year and 150,000 bpd in 2026.

Source: Oil Market Report, IEA, May 2025

The above clearly shows that for the remaining year and in 2026, excess supply will remain an issue. According to the author's calculations, we might see a supply overhang of anywhere between 800,000 bpd to 1.2 mbpd for the current year, assuming the current macroeconomic outlook remains intact. It is highly tempting to mention something about the global economic indicators, but to make sure we stick to the theme, the following is a snapshot of the Market Sentiment Tracker (compiled weekly). For most of the weeks, the bearish factors have outweighed the bullish ones.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) also expects a slowdown in global oil consumption as economic activity is expected to contract. It sees the world economy growing by 2.8%, the lowest since 2008. S&P Global foresees global oil demand growth averaging 750,000 bpd in 2025, down 500,000 bpdthe slowest growth in years.

Source: EIA

Now turning to the exclusive data by Primary Vision, lets look at what the FSC and FJC are showing us. The Frac Spread Count (FSC) has been trending lower and recently registered a fall of 7 on a WoW basis. Even when viewed on a YoY basis, we see that the number has fallen by a considerable 71. However, this did not translate into a fall in U.S. oil production, which is expected to average 13.46 mbpd in 2025an addition of 252,000 bpd YoY. While the rate of growth has slowed, it has still registered growth, and at the current levels, U.S. oil production is a formidable force in the global oil calculus.



Source: Primary Vision

This is where we look at the Frac Job Countwhich refers to the actual number of completions. On a WoW basis, the number of completions registered an increase of 10, while it has held steady even when evaluated on a YoY basis. This also complements the aforesaid estimates regarding growing U.S. oil production. When we look at various operators through our Efrac monitor, it also shows mixed results. For instance, EOG expects to increase its activity in the coming months, while others, such as Chesapeake and Pioneer Natural Resources, appear to be more price sensitive.

Service providers like Halliburton, TechnipFMC, and Baker Hughes have also shown concerns regarding their future planning. For instance, Halliburton expects tariffs to negatively influence their margins in the current and upcoming quarters. TechnipFMC is bullish about its revenues as the majority of it comes from outside U.S. onshore, but it is also taking into account the uncertainty arising from tariffs.

So, what is the verdict?

Oil markets in 2025 and 2026 seem to be oversupplied. One of the key factors that will further determine the direction of oil prices is the production increase by OPEC+ members. Another important point to notice is that, this time around, the purpose of the production increase is to improve compliance within OPEC.

Therefore, the possibility of a lower-for-longer oil price remains a very real one. While the Frac Job Count (FJC) has stayed stable YoY despite falling rig counts and Frac Spread Count (FSC), a sustained lower price environment could trigger a fall in the former. If this happens, it could lead to a fall in U.S. oil supply.

If WTI remains range-bound between the $55$65 range through the second half of 2025, actual job completions will be adversely impacted. This is an interesting development to look out for. So, while we might not be at the tipping point right now, we are also not far away from it.

By Osama Rizvi for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabias oil revenues have been suffering from the oil price slump during the second quarter. But theres a silver lining in falling crude prices  profits from refining the crude rise with cheaper feedstock.

While Saudi Arabia has been restricting crude oil production and exports as part of the OPEC+ deal, it has been running refineries at near-record levels this year and exporting record-high volumes of refined petroleum products.

Stronger refining margins and higher exports of petroleum products have generated more income for the Kingdom, partly offsetting some revenues lost due to the lower crude exports and the crash in oil prices, Reuters energy columnist Ron Bousso notes.

More profits from refined products cannot offset the lost revenues from crude, but they are a welcome reprieve at a time of soaring budget deficit for the worlds top crude oil exporter.

Saudi Arabias crude oil production inched up by 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March to a five-month high of 8.957 million bpd, according to the latest data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI).

Domestic refinery intake, on the other hand, jumped by 323,000 bpd to a 10-month high of 2.944 million bpd, according to the JODI database, which compiles self-reported figures from individual countries.

The March refinery output was a few barrels below the record high of 2.96 million bpd that Saudi Arabia saw in April 2024.

The refinery intake in March was also significantly higher compared to the 2020-2024 range, JODI data showed.

In March, Saudi crude oil exports slumped by 793,000 bpd to 5.754 million bpd, per JODI data. But refined product exports jumped to a record high of 1.58 million bpd, per data from Kpler cited by Reuterss Bousso.

Related: LNG Slowdown in Asia Masks a Bigger Surge Ahead

Saudi fuel exports fell to below 1.5 million bpd in April and to 1.42 million so far in May, according to data from Kpler.

The observed decline in product exports in recent weeks has been likely a result of refinery maintenance ahead of the peak demand season in the northern hemisphere.

Strong fuel demand and refining margins this summer would help Saudi Arabia cut some of its losses from the slide in crude oil prices.

Going all-in on a war to reclaim market share, as indications from OPEC+ currently are, the Saudis appear willing to continue enduring lower crude oil prices.

However, with a budget breakeven oil price estimated at about $90 per barrel, the worlds top crude oil exporter will be running a much higher deficit this year than previously expected.

The Kingdom already booked a hefty budget deficit for the first quarter, even before oil prices plunged in April.

Saudi Arabias budget deficit jumped to $15.6 billion (58.7 billion Saudi riyals). Thats already more than half of the deficit the Kingdom had forecast for the full yeara deficit of $27 billion (101 billion riyals).

The second-quarter deficit will be even higher than in Q1, as oil prices have languished in the low $60s per barrel Brent since they crashed in early April.

All the deficit in the first quarter was covered by borrowing, suggesting that Saudi Arabia prefers to continue tapping debt markets to using central bank foreign currency reserves.

With oil at $60-$65 per barrel, Saudi Arabia may have to accelerate borrowings and defer planned investments in its mega initiatives such as the futuristic city of Neom, analysts say.

Last week, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, said that the Kingdom is always ready for multiple oil price scenarios.

We have the long-term fiscal planning and medium-term frameworks that help us adjust depending on what scenario actually plays out, Alibrahim said at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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South Africa has proposed to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States over a 10-year period as the country looks to secure a trade deal with the Trump administration, a ministerial statement by the South African government has revealed. South Africa plans to import 75 to 100 million cubic metres of LNG per year from the U.S., the worlds top LNG exporter. According to Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africas Minister in the Presidency, the deal would unlock approximately $900 million to $1.2 billion in trade per annum and $9 billion  $12 billion for 10 years based on applicable price. According to Ntshavheni, U.S. LNG will not replace South Africas current supplies but rather complement them.

Ntshavheni, South Africas cabinet spokesperson, said her country would also explore areas of cooperation with the U.S. in various technologies, including fracking, to help unlock the countrys gas sector. South Africa's Karoo region holds significant gas reserves, however, the country has a moratorium on shale gas exploration over environmental grounds. The proposed trade package also includes a quota of 40,000 vehicles per year to be exported duty-free from South Africa; duty-free supplies of automotive components sourced from South Africa; 385 million kilograms of duty-free steel per year and 132 million kg of duty-free aluminium per year.

South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa is credited with proposing the LNG deal during his visit to the White House a week ago, when U.S. President Donald Trump blamed him for genocide against white farmers and controversial government policies, such as black economic empowerment and land reforms. Ramaphosa had hoped to use the meeting to mend fences with the Trump administration after Trump cancelled aid to South Africa, accusing the government of committing egregious actions. South Africa-born billionaire and a Trump super-ally, Elon Musk, has condemned the South African leadership for supporting openly racist policies.Musk is considered to be a big reason behind the animosity towards South Africa by the Trump administration, where white South Africans disproportionately control most of the countrys land and wealth despite constituting just 7% of the population. Back in March, Marco Rubio, U.S. secretary of state, declared South Africas ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata and expelled him from the country. The administration has criticised South Africas genocide court case against Israel.

South Africa currently imports most of its gas from Mozambique via pipeline, with Mozambiques $20 billion natural gas and LNG project facing repeated delays. The project was halted in 2021 due to violence in the Cabo Delgado region, specifically an attack by Islamic State-linked militants. TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) is currently seeking approval from the Mozambican government to lift a force majeure declaration on the project, and hopes to start production by 2029. Total is the projects main operator with a 26.5% stake, followed by Japans Mitsui & Co with 20%, while Mozambique's state-owned ENH owns a 15% stake. Despite the violence, the project is viewed as crucial for the region's economy and Mozambique's economy, with the Southern African country projected to earn US$23 billion from the Coral Norte project over three decades. The LNG plant will liquefy 13.12 million metric tons of natural gas per year (tpy).

Whereas 18 African countries produce some natural gas, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria account for nearly 90% of all gas produced on the continent. Nigeria has the continents largest gas reserves at 206.5 trillion cubic feet. The oil and gas sector in Africas most populous country is responsible for 95% of the countrys foreign exchange earnings and 20% of GDP.

Source: LNG Industry

Currently, Africa has several big LNG projects in progress or awaiting FID (Final Investment Decision). These include Rovuma LNG, Coral North FLNG, Mozambique LNG, and Tanzania LNG. These four projects will be instrumental in ramping up the continents LNG export capacity over the next decade. The Coral South FLNG is a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility located offshore Mozambique, specifically in the southern part of Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin. It is designed to process 450 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Coral reservoir, liquefying 3.4 million metric tons annually for export. The facility is the first FLNG deployed in deep waters on the African continent. Meanwhile, Rovuma LNG is a 12-train project with a total capacity of 18 million tpy; Mozambique LNG has a total export capacity of 43 million tpy while Tanzania LNG will provide 10 million tpy worth of capacity.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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The selection of the nuclear plant construction contractor, initially expected in 2022, has been delayed, with a final decision now anticipated by the end of June.

Kazakhstan is considering a consortium of countries for its nuclear projects and emphasizes the importance of safety, technological reliability, and environmental factors in its decision-making process.

The race to build Kazakhstans first nuclear power plant appears to be tightening. The Russian nuclear entity Rosatom has long appeared to have the inside track on the construction contract, but the China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) is coming up on the outside, hoping to win it at the wire.

The head of Chinas National Nuclear Safety Administration Dong Baotong made a push to secure the deal for CNNC during talks in Astana with the head of the Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency (KAEA) Almasadam Satkaliev, the Kursiv news outlet reported May 26, citing an agency statement. In addition to building the plant, China is also making a strong pitch to handle the nuclear fuel cycle and the strengthening of scientific and technical infrastructure, according to the statement.

The Chinese bid is receiving special attention from Kazakh officials. Cost differential appears to be Beijings biggest advantage. CNNC has estimated it can build two HPR-1000 reactors, envisioned as generating a combined 2.4 Gigawatts of electricity annually, for roughly $5.5 billion.

Kazakh authorities, meanwhile, have projected the cost of other reactor designs from Rosatom, as well as from firms from South Korea and France, as ranging upwards of $12-15 billion. First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar noted recently that the cost of materials and services are continuing to rise.

Speaking to journalists in Astana on May 28, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko indicated that Astanas preference is for a consortium of countries to be involved in the first nuclear power plants operations. He also emphasized that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has envisioned the construction of a cluster of nuclear plants.

There could be different types of consortia building different types of plants over time, Vassilenko said.

Kazakhstan was originally expected to award the construction contract in late 2022, but the deadline has been repeatedly pushed back. According to the Kursiv report, a decision is now planned for the end of June. Vassilenko confirmed no decision has been made so far.

A nationwide referendum in October 2024 authorized the construction of nuclear power plants. The site for the countrys first nuclear facility has already been selected along the shore of Lake Balkhash in the Zhambyl District, roughly 300 miles northeast of the countrys commercial hub, Almaty.

Nuclear power plants are needed to help prevent energy shortages in several regions, reduce dependence on imports, and stabilize electricity prices, according to a government statement. In addition, officials have cast nuclear power as a green energy solution that can play a key role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, aligning with Kazakhstans international commitments.

The last reported engagement by Russian nuclear energy officials with their Kazakh counterparts occurred in late January. In addition to Baotongs visit May 26, President Tokayev and other Kazakh officials met with CNNC chief Shen Yanfeng in March.

Heightening speculation that Kazakh authorities may prefer the Chinese bid, the German outlet Deutsche Welle reported that in mid-December, Astana pressured Rosatom to sell its interests in three uranium mining concerns to Chinese entities. DW also quoted a Kazakh economist, Almas Chukin, as saying Kazakhstan may have wanted Rosatom to divest because the presence of Rosatom in the [mining consortium] makes the asset toxic and limits opportunities due to the fallout from Russias ongoing military action in Ukraine.

Kazakh officials insist the tender decision-making process is considering not just cost, but also technological reliability and environmental safety.

The KAEAs statement announced the formation of a Supervision and Control Committee, which will be responsible for monitoring plant operations and ensuring the implementation of international standards and best practices, Kursiv cited Satkaliev as saying. Kazakh officials are particularly interested in studying the Chinese experience in ensuring nuclear and water-ecological safety at all stages of the nuclear plants construction and operations, the KAEA statement added.

By Eurasianet.org

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Chevron is giving the slip to 800 of its employees in the Permian as part of a larger cost-cutting drive that will see its global workforce reduced by a fifth by 2026.

The news follows a round of 600 layoffs in California as the supermajor seeks to streamline its business in a challenging environment. Chevron just got its license to produce oil in Venezuela revoked, while it remains embroiled in a dispute with Exxon over the acquisition of Hess Corp. and its Guyana assets.

The Trump administration will grant Chevron the right to keep its operations in Venezuela after its sanction waiver expires in June, but the company will be banned from producing oil in the country or expanding its business there.

Also this week, a private arbitration panel in London began hearing the arguments of ExxonMobil and Chevron regarding their rights to one of the worlds most lucrative oil projects. Guyanas Stabroek block has an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil in place discovered so far by the consortium of ExxonMobil, U.S. Hess Corp, and CNOOC of China.

The high-volume, low-cost development offshore the South American country, which started production just five years ago, is already pumping more than 660,000 barrels per day of crude. Exxon is the operator of the block with a 45% stake. Hess holds 30%, and CNOOC has the remaining 25% stake.

When Chevron offered to take over Hess for $53 billion, its focus was on the latters stake in the Stabroek block. Exxon, however, challenged the deal saying it had right of first refusal for Hess stake. CNOOC has sided with Exxon. The dispute could be resolved by the end of this year but it will certainly delay Chevrons acquisition of Hess. If it ends with a win for Exxon, Chevron may even reconsider its Hess bid.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Portugal-based energy company Galp expects its oil production in Brazil to jump by 40% in the coming years as a new major field is set to begin production later in 2025, Nuno Bastos, EVP Upstream, has said.

Currently, Galp holds stakes in various oilfields in the deep waters of the Santos basin in the prolific pre-salt layer offshore Brazil. The Portuguese firms production in Brazil is about 110,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) at present.

The expected start-up of the Bacalhau field, operated by Norways Equinor, is set to significantly boost Galps oil and gas production in Brazil.

Petrogal Brasil, a joint venture of Galp (70%) and Sinopec (30%), holds a 20% stake in Bacalhau, which will have a production capacity of 220,000 barrels per day (bpd). Equinor and its partners in the field have estimated that there are more than 1 billion barrels of estimated recoverable reserves for Phase 1 of the development of Bacalhau.

Once the FPSO reaches plateau over the next few years, Galp's production in Brazil will increase by around 40%, Bastos told Reuters on the sidelines of an energy event.

Galps investments in the first quarter of 2025 were $334 million (295 million euros), most of which went to reservoir evaluation offshore Namibia, development of the Bacalhau project, and transforming the Sines refinery in Portugal for hydrogen and biofuel production.

Bacalhau is just one of several new projects offshore Brazil that are starting up or about to start up, making Brazil one of the non-OPEC+ producers with the largest oil production growth alongside the U.S.

Earlier this week, TotalEnergies announced first oil from the fourth development phase of the Mero field on the Libra block in the pre-salt area of the Santos Basin. This startup brings Meros total production capacity to 770,000 bpd through five Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSOs) units.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Kyushu Electric Power will sign a 20-year supply agreement to receive LNG from Energy Transfers Lake Charles export facility if its development proceeds as planned.

The supply deal will be Kyushu Electric Powers first-ever agreement for LNG deliveries from the United States, which will help diversify the utilitys energy sourcing, the company said in a statement on Thursday carried by Reuters.

A spokesperson for Kyushu Electric Power told the newswire that the company had not been asked by the Japanese authorities to buy U.S. LNG, amid multiple pledges from Asian countries that they would look to buy more energy products from America to reduce their trade surpluses with the United States.

Earlier this month, Energy Transfer said it is targeting a final investment decision on its Lake Charles LNG export project in Louisiana by the end of the year as it is progressing with contracting LNG offtake volumes.

Energy Transfer is developing the project, which will convert its existing Lake Charles LNG import and regasification facility into an LNG export facility.

The Lake Charles LNG project is fully permitted, uses existing infrastructure, and benefits from an abundant natural gas supply through existing connections to the Henry Hub and connectivity to Energy Transfers vast network of natural gas pipelines, the company says.

Over the past weeks, Energy Transfer has signed several offtake agreements. It is currently in discussions for the remaining uncommitted LNG offtake volume and is targeting FID by year-end, co-CEO and CFO Thomas Long said on the Q1 earnings call in early May.

We are making substantial progress towards commercialization of the project, Long told analysts on the call.

On the other hand, Japan and other countries in Asia are rushing to commit to buying increased volumes of U.S. natural gas, oil, and fuels as they seek to negotiate favorable trade deals.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Kazakhstan cannot reduce its oil production as it has no right to impose output reductions on international firms that are operating more than 70% of Kazakhstans oilfields, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on Thursday.

The republic has no right to enforce production cuts on the three large international consortiums, Bloomberg quoted Akkenzhenov as saying.

Earlier this month, Chevrons chief executive, Mike Wirth, told analysts at the supermajors Q1 earnings call that On OPEC plus in Kazakhstan, you know, really were not discussions of that. We dont engage in discussions about OPEC or OPEC plus.

Referring to the other oilfields, which are operated by state-controlled KazMunayGas, the minister said that Kazakhstan cannot practically reduce production at these mature oilfields.

Kazakhstans overproduction in recent months has become a major issue for the OPEC+ alliance, of which the country is part. Kazakhstan has been consistently overproducing above its OPEC+ limit and is one of the biggest overproducers alongside Iraq and Russia. This has been a major headache for the other OPEC+ producers, many of which have been sticking to their quotas, especially the leader, Saudi Arabia.

Under the OPEC+ agreement, Kazakhstans crude oil production quota is below 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd). The deal doesnt cover condensate production and has no limits on it.

Last week, Akkenzhenov said that Kazakhstan is likely to top its oil production plan this year, due to the expansion of the Chevron-led Tengiz field.

Earlier this year, Kazakhstans energy ministry said that the country plans to produce a total of 96.2 million tons of crude oil and condensate in 2025, or about 2 million bpd, which would be 9.7% higher compared to 2024.

Now Kazakhstan will likely top the production plans for the year, Minister Akkenzhenov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency TASS.

Kazakhstan has promised to compensate by shaving 1.3 million barrels from cumulative output by 2026. But with Western oil majors firmly in control of Kazakhstans biggest fields, that promise is more theoretical than enforceable.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The eastern government of Libya may declare force majeure on oil export terminals and oilfields due to repeated assaults on the National Oil Corporation (NOC), said the government based in Benghazi.

Although the Libyan government in the east is not internationally recognized, many of Libyas oilfields are in the east and under control of eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA).

Rumors have been circulating that the headquarters of Libyas NOC, based in Tripoli, had been stormed.

The eastern government has said that it could temporarily relocate NOCs headquarters to one of the safe cities such as Ras Lanuf and Brega, both controlled by the government in the east, according to a statement carried by Reuters.

NOC has denied reports that the headquarters had been stormed, saying they were completely false.

Earlier this month, clashes erupted in Tripoli, forcing shipping companies to divert vessels away from the capitals port and raising concerns over the security of the country's vital energy exports.

NOC said in the middle of May that technical and operational processes at all oil fields and ports are proceeding normally and safely.

NOC reassures its local and international partners that oil and gas production and export operations are continuing smoothly and without interruption at all its subsidiaries, in accordance with the highest standards of security and safety, and that there is no impact on operational processes, the company said.

Over the past few months, major international oil companies have announced their return to Libya following years of stepping aside as the civil war was raging and damaging oilfield and oil pipeline infrastructure due to the infighting between supporters of the governments of the east and west.

BP and Eni, for example, returned to Libya last year after a decade of avoiding the country amid its civil war. After a 10-year hiatus, U.S. oilfield services provider Weatherford also returns to work in Libya.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to Utahs Uinta Basin Railway project, backing a narrower interpretation of environmental review laws and potentially clearing the path for a major expansion in oil transport capacity.

In a unanimous decision Thursday, the justices reversed a lower court ruling, slamming it for what they described as an overly expansive and intrusive interpretation of environmental law. The line would link the Uinta Basins oil fieldstucked deep in northeastern Utahs sagebrush terrainto the national rail network, unlocking access to Gulf Coast and West Coast refineries.

At the heart of the case was how far federal agencies must go under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate ripple effectslike emissions from oil refining or increased drillingwhen considering infrastructure projects. Writing for the court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh affirmed that federal agencies have discretion to weigh environmental impacts as they see fit, pushing back on calls for broader reviews that include downstream effects like refining emissions or increased oil consumption.

Simply stated, NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock. The goal of the law is to inform agency decisionmaking, not to paralyze it, Justice Kavanaugh said in the ruling.

The ruling marks a decisive win for the oil industry and rural Utah countiesbut while it clears the legal path, regulatory and environmental challenges are likely far from over. Environmental groups and opponents in neighboring Colorado have vowed to continue their challenge, citing risks from potential oil spills, wildfire ignition from rail operations, and the sheer scale of production increases the line could facilitate.

Backers argue the Surface Transportation Board already evaluated the immediate effects and imposed 91 mitigation requirements.

The Supreme Courts decision has broader implications and follows the justices recent moves to pare back the power of federal regulators, including the striking down of the Chevron doctrine earlier this year. The ruling aligns with the courts steady skepticism toward expansive agency authority.

Construction may still face regulatory speed bumpsbut the legal track has now been cleared.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Shell will buy TotalEnergies 12.5% non-operated stake in the deepwater oilfield Bonga offshore Nigeria, where the UK-based supermajor plans to develop another major project.

Shells subsidiary operating the Bonga oilfield, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), has signed an agreement to buy the French supermajors 12.5% stake in the OML 118 Production Sharing Contract, an oil mining lease offshore Nigeria that includes the Bonga field, Shell said on Thursday.

After the deal is completed, Shell will increase its stake in the OML 118 lease to 67.5% from 55%.

Production from the Bonga field began in 2005, with a capacity to produce 225,000 barrels of oil per day.

TotalEnergies noted that the amount of the transaction is $510 million.

The sale is part of the French groups strategy to high-grade its portfolio, while focusing on its operated gas and offshore oil assets in Nigeria, said Nicolas Terraz, President Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies.

Shell, for its part, is doubling down on the Bonga field after announcing last December the final investment decision for the development of the Bonga North deep-water project.

The Bonga North project will be a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility.

Bonga North currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and will reach a peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day (bpd), with first oil anticipated by the end of the decade, the supermajor said.

In todays release to announce the acquisition of TotalEnergies stake, Peter Costello, Shells President, Upstream, said, Following our final investment decision on Bonga North last year, this acquisition brings another significant investment in Nigeria deep-water that contributes to sustained liquids production and growth in our Upstream portfolio.

For its part, Nigeria is urging the oil companies operating in the country to collaborate to increase oil output in the producer that hasnt been able to pump to its OPEC quota for years.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Planned Parenthood health centers in Omaha and Lincoln will remain open even as the organization moves to consolidate and close eight other health centers in Iowa and Minnesota in response to state and federal funding threats and other challenges.

Planned Parenthood North Central States, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, announced that the closures will take place over the coming year. The reshuffling, part of a plan to reduce brick-and-mortar locations and create regional centers for on-site care, also includes layoffs of 66 staff and offers of reassignment for an additional 37 staff members.

Theres a lot of uncertainty in this environment right now, Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate, said Tuesday. As a regional health care provider, it was really important for us to ensure that we were restructured for sustainability so we could weather what we expect to be more funding attacks in the future.

The organization earlier this month completed a $1 million donor-funded renovation of its Omaha health center, which allowed it to triple its capacity to see patients by expanding from four to 12 exam rooms.

Some current and former employees recently had raised concerns that staffing woes and other issues at the health center have further limited access to abortion in Nebraska, the Flatwater Free Press reported. The state already bans most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Richardson acknowledged Tuesday that construction is challenging. But she said the new space is beautiful and welcoming.

We are glad that the hard part is over, and were committed to our patients in the area and to continuing to provide access to care, she said.

But the organization has faced what she called no shortage of challenges in recent years.

Earlier this spring, the organization received word that $2.8 million in Minnesota Title X funds would be frozen. Title X is the nations only federal program dedicated to providing affordable birth control and other reproductive health care no matter a patients income or insurance status.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Departments budget now proposes additional cuts, according to the organization, including the elimination of a teen pregnancy prevention program that provides more than $773,000 a year for education and outreach in Nebraska and Iowa.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance a budget reconciliation package that defunds Planned Parenthood, in addition to cutting Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for adults and children with limited resources. More than 30% of the organizations patients rely on Medicaid.

The organization also has faced challenges in the states where it operates, including the six-week ban that took effect in Iowa in July. In the first six weeks afterward, the number of abortions in Iowa decreased 38% from the average over the first six months of the year, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

In Nebraska, lawmakers last month advanced a controversial bill dealing with the handling of abortion remains, although the measures future in the Nebraska Legislature remained uncertain. The measure would require health care facilities to bury or cremate the remains of elective abortions. While its sponsor argued that the measure was intended to preserve human dignity, one lawmaker called it a backdoor attempt to ban abortion by making it nearly impossible for providers to offer it.

Like all health care providers, Planned Parenthood also faced reduced reimbursements for services and shortages of health care providers, which Richardson said have been worsened in states with strict abortion laws.

The current restructuring will leave 15 health centers within the affiliates five-state region, which also includes North Dakota and South Dakota, in addition to the virtual care that is available seven days a week and serves nearly 20,000 patients a year.

The four Iowa health centers that will close are those in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and Urbandale. In Minnesota, centers in Alexandria Apple Valley, Bemidji and Richfield will be affected.

That leaves two clinics in Iowa, one in Des Moines and another in Iowa City. Medication abortion is available in Des Moines and both medication and procedural abortion are offered in Iowa City.

A previous round of consolidations in 2023 shuttered three Iowa clinics, including one in Council Bluffs. Patients there were directed to the Omaha clinic.

Richardson said the organization will continue to provide education, family planning services, birth control access, annual wellness exams, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted illnesses and cancer screenings.

With more health care deserts forming, she said, the organization also is rolling out some primary care services and working toward offering some maternity services, including pre- and postnatal care. Last year, it added some menopause care and fertility care.

Were committed to our patients and building a sustainable way forward, Richardson said. Weve been around for more than 100 years in the region, and were making really hard decisions today to ensure were around for another 100 years and beyond.
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LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday to dilute a voter-approved paid sick leave mandate, leaving out a minimum wage measure that its introducer tried to add on at the last minute.

The Nebraska Legislature voted 33-16 to pass Legislative Bill 415, sending it to Gov. Jim Pillens desk to be signed into law. Because the bill amends a successful ballot initiative, it needed exactly 33 votes or more to pass.

In November, nearly 75% of Nebraska voters passed Initiative 436, which will require employers with fewer than 20 workers to offer at least five days of paid sick leave per year, or one hour for every 30 hours worked, starting Oct. 1. Employers with 20 or more workers must offer at least seven days per year.

LB 415 was originally meant to clarify portions of the ballot initiative, but opposition sparked against an amendment that was adopted into the bill during its first round of floor debate. The amendment, proposed by State Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney, would exempt businesses with 10 or fewer employees from the requirement to offer paid sick leave and would remove temporary agriculture workers and workers under 16 from the same benefit.

Strommen said his proposal was meant to shield both small businesses and Nebraska workers from unintended consequences of the initiative. He has said the paid sick leave mandate would make it nearly impossible for businesses to hire young people and would be a jackboot to small businesses, putting them at a competitive disadvantage compared to bigger businesses that can absorb the new costs easier.

Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, LB 415s original introducer, said he was pleased with Wednesdays outcome. He said Strommens amendment will make life easier for businesses in western Nebraska, who dont have as many workforce resources as more populated areas like Omaha and Lincoln.

In response to concerns that his proposal subverted the will of Nebraska voters, Strommen proposed a compromise amendment during the second round of floor debate that would have brought down the exemption to only businesses with five or fewer employees, and would allow emancipated minors under 16 to qualify for the benefit. After initially approving the amendment, several senators changed their minds, and the amendment was removed from the bill during the same round of debate.

LB 415 passed without an amendment including a minimum wage provision, despite a last-ditch attempt from the bills introducer. Democratic Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln proposed an amendment Tuesday that would add her priority bill this session, LB 258, into the measure, but that amendment wasnt considered during Wednesdays debate.

LB 258 would reduce annual cost-of-living increases to 1.75% per year, and freeze the minimum wage at $13.50 per hour for workers ages 14 and 15. It would also set a 90-day training wage at $13.50 an hour. Raybould noted this is higher than Nebraskas current minimum training wage, which is set at $5.45 an hour  75% of the federal minimum wage.

The bill was revived last week after it fell short of passing in its final round of debate because supporter Sen. Tony Sorrentino of Omaha was in a meeting and didnt make it to the floor in time for the vote. However, as a matter of fairness, Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista said LB 258 would not be scheduled for debate again until next year.

Because the Legislature operates on two-year cycles, LB 258 will remain on the books for lawmakers next session in 2026. Its status will remain unchanged, so it would require just one more round of floor debate to pass. That left amending the bill into another piece of legislation as Rayboulds only option to pass the policy this year.

Preventing LB 258 from getting attached to LB 415 came down to a race for the queue. Democratic lawmakers  who, save for Raybould, universally opposed both bills  got in line to speak before most Republican lawmakers, allowing them to control the flow of debate and hold off a vote on Rayboulds amendment.

Ballard said Rayboulds amendment was known to be a long shot, and the Legislature simply ran out of time to get to a vote on it. Though he supported LB 258, Ballard said its probably for the best that the two bills remain separate.

Midway through Wednesdays debate, Raybould filed two new amendments on LB 258 for next year. One would put an emergency clause on the bill, allowing it to take effect immediately upon receiving Pillens signature. The other would set the youth wage at $15 an hour, but includes no measures to increase the wage over time. The current LB 258 would apply the 1.75% cost-of-living increases to the youth wage once every five years.

Opposition to both bills centered on the will of Nebraska voters, as LB 258 would also dilute a 2022 initiative voters approved to set phased increases to the states minimum wage. While supporters largely argued that the Legislature had a constitutional responsibility to revise voter initiatives to make them workable in statute, opponents accused them of disrespecting voters intentions and said passing the bills would have consequences at the ballot box.

When (voters) see what you have done, they wont listen to the money behind you, said Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha.
By State Senator Cedric Hayden

May 28, 2025

Today, Senate Democrats passed House Bill 2385, which prevents accountability and transparency in 340B hospitals. The 340B program is a federal initiative designed to improve access to essential medications for low-income and uninsured patients. It requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to offer steep discounts on drugs to hospitals serving low-income patients.

In recent decades, this $66 billion program has expanded dramaticallyby 5000% over the past ten yearswithout sufficient federal oversight. As a result, hospitals have been able to charge patients and insurance carriers inflated prices for medications. Through a loophole, hospitals are profiting by marking up drugs they receive at significant discounts, and the savings are rarely benefiting the patients who need it most.

We cant allow hospitals to continue to profit off patients when their costs are rising, said Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek), vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health Care. Paying $5 for a pill that Amazon will deliver for 1-cent to their door is unconscionable. We need transparency in pricing and the savings needs to go to the patient directly.

HB 2385 continues to allow hospitals to overcharge patients for medications and prevents any accountability in the relationship between drug manufacturers and hospitals. This means theres no way to determine whether these drugs are being properly discounted or reaching the impoverished communities they are meant to help.

In response, Senate Republicans proposed a minority report to halt hospitals from unfairly profiting off patient illness, aiming to lower patient costs and increase transparency. It was struck down by Democrats on a party-line vote.

HB 2385 now moves to the House of Representatives for final adoption before heading to the Governors desk.
BLOOMINGTON  For the past half-century, Hal Jennings has been a pillar of the law community in Central Illinois, someone who inspired generations of lawyers.

On May 5, 2025, a little over a week before his 85th birthday, longtime criminal defense attorney Jennings died peacefully in his home.

A celebration of life remembering and honoring Jennings will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at Jim's Steakhouse on Washington Street in Bloomington.

Jennings practiced law in McLean County for more than 50 years, first as a prosecutor. But he spent the majority of his time defending clients in criminal court, including some of the most high-profile cases in the Twin Cities.

In 1984, Jennings defended David Hendricks when he was accused of murdering his wife and three children, a case that shocked Bloomington-Normal.

Hendricks was convicted in 1984, but his conviction was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1991. He was acquitted shortly thereafter.

According to Pantagraph archives, Jennings retired in 2006 and moved to South Carolina with his wife, Cathy.

In 2009, the couple returned to Bloomington where he resumed practicing law because, "I'm too old to learn anything new.

"I thought I would enjoy doing nothing, and I was sadly mistaken," Jennings told The Pantagraph in 2010.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Humane Society of Central Illinois, the Alzheimer's Association or the Innocence Project.

'Tapestry of characters'

Judge Scott Kording remembers first meeting Jennings in 2005. Kording had just gone into practice with Bill Campbell, and their office was above Jennings' at the old CII East building, now known as the Northwestern Mutual building, in downtown Bloomington, Kording said.

"When I finally got sworn in in November (2005), Mr. Jennings would come up to see me or ask me to come down to see him," Kording recalled. "And he knew I didn't have any cases yet, because I was just out of law school. So, he threw me a few referrals, which were very kind."

That was a move that would undoubtedly boost the confidence of any young attorney, he said.

"This is a man who did not have to be kind to me if he didn't want," Kording said. "I was a nobody, just a pup of a lawyer compared to him, and yet, I never felt that he was treating me that way."

Jennings was well known for his wit, often teasing other attorneys around the courthouse, Kording said, but "being teased by Hal was sort of a mark of distinction, something about which someone could be proud because it was all in good fun."

When Jennings retired, the courthouse lost more than a criminal defense attorney, Kording said.

"It left a hole in the quality of representation that clients could get here. And it certainly left a hole in the tapestry of characters and stories here at the courthouse," he said.

Kording said he was sad to hear of Jennings' passing.

"It's sad that a lion of the bar who practiced, I'm sure, well over 50 years, who was involved in some of the biggest cases of his era ... is gone," he said.

Steve Skelton has been practicing law and defending clients in McLean County court since the late 1970s. Over the decades, he developed a working friendship with Jennings, Skelton said.

Trying a case as a defense attorney requires acute attention to detail and a level head, he said.

During the course of a trial, evidence or testimony can be given that "could be devastating to your client, and you have to be able to absorb those things and act as if it's a sprinkling rain outside rather than a tornado going through your backyard. ... Hal was a master at that," Skelton said. "He could look disinterested if a bomb went off in his briefcase sitting next to the table."

That quiet demeanor could often betray Jennings' attentiveness, Skelton said.

"If you're going to be sailing across the ocean, you can't count on the same weather every day," Skelton said. "You have to be able to adjust and adapt when things change, whether for the better or for the worse. And (Hal) was very skilled at that."

'A zealous advocate, yet fair'

Judge Casey Costigan was first appointed to the bench in 2006, the same year Jennings retired for the first time.

"I was happy when he came back (in 2009), because I thought he still had some good advocacy in him. And he did," said Costigan, now the chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit.

Over his nearly two decades overseeing criminal cases, Costigan had Jennings in his courtroom on several occasions, he said.

"When you have a smart guy who's willing to step up and do things for his clients, that's a good person to have in the Bar Association. And so, I think we were lucky to have him back," Costigan said.

Jennings had a strong reputation for both knowing case law and advocating for his clients with fairness, Costigan said.

"When he cited something to you or said something to you, you could trust that," Costigan said. "He was somebody who wasn't going to ... cut any corners because, first of all, he valued his reputation. And, secondly, he knew he was going to be around for more than just one case."

Jennings was an example for younger lawyers to emulate, Costigan said.

"Hal's left a good legacy in terms of the Bar Association, in terms of how to represent your clients the right way  a zealous advocate, yet fair with the court," Costigan said.

But Jennings was more than just a lawyer, Costigan said.

"There was more to him than that  just the law. It was the full package with how he cared deeply about his family. He cared deeply about his friends. And he cared deeply about the law ... A life well lived."
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Credit: Kuba Karon from Pexels

In February 2025, the New Republic reported there were a growing number of Americans who wanted to leave the country following the election of Donald Trump.

Canadian reports backed up the assertion, particularly the news that three high-profile Yale professors would be joining the faculty of the University of Toronto in the fall of 2025.

For some Canadian observers, it may feel like a case of deja vu. After Trump's first election in 2016, some media outlets predicted a sharp increase in Americans seeking to escape their country's harsh social and political climate for Canada's "sunny ways."

According to Google Analytics, web searches originating in the United States involving "how to move to Canada" increased by 350% on election night in 2016. A few months earlier, they'd increased by 1,500% over normal search rates for the same phrase in March 2016, when Trump clinched the Republican nomination for president.

More Canadians head south

Despite such post-election musings nine years ago, the pending American mass exit didn't materialize. According to migration data (a download is required) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of Americans applying for permanent residency from January through March 2017 rose only slightly. There were 1,882 applications, just 66 more than from the same period in 2016.

As for visas and authorizations issued to people from the U.S. during the same time period, they barely increasedfrom 2,497 in 2016 to just 2,523 in 2017.

Americans taking up permanent residency in Canada jumped from about 8,400 in 2016 to 10,800 in 2019. However, that increase in the modest number of moves from the U.S. to Canada can hardly be construed as an exodus. Over those same two years, the number of Canadians becoming permanent residents of the U.S. continued to exceed the number of Americans who headed north.

There has been, however, a decline in the number of Canadians moving to the U.S. In 2016, the year Trump was first elected, just over 19,300 Canadians moved to the U.S. In 2019, the year before Trump lost to Joe Biden, 14,700 Canadians took up residence in the U.S.

That trend didn't last as the gap in cross-border permanent residency widened once more during the Biden era. In 2023, while 10,600 Americans moved to Canada, 18,600 Canadians moved to the U.S.

Looking at the data from 2016 to 2023 suggests politics isn't the primary reason why Americans head to Canada. It's more likely driven by economic considerations, better job offers or family ties.

In terms of the apparent uptick in migrants from the U.S. heading to Canada during Trump's second term, it's too early to draw definitive conclusions. But numbers for the first quarter of 2025, according to the same IRCC datasets, show no signs of any significant uptake, with a drop from 2,485 Americans headed Canada's way between January and March 2024 to 955 over the same period in 2025.

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Moving to Canada isn't easy

Despite the surge in American internet searches on moving to Canada in 2016, when Trump won the Republican nomination and then the presidency, acting on impulse in a moment of political turmoil is complicated.

Moving to Canada is not as simple as it may seem; it can be long and arduous. There's a process and a waiting line with requirements that include an offer of employment in Canada, liquid assets and language proficiency in English, or French if Quebec is the ultimate destination.

It's easier to immigrate to Canada if there's a close family member already living there, but still not guaranteed. Canada's tax rate is a migration deterrent for some, even though these higher tax rates come with more services.

Although Canada's health care system is more inclusive and affordable, the wait times for procedures, along with the perception that Canadian services are not as robust as American health services, could also be a deterrent to migration.

In short, even for Americans, it's not easy to migrate to Canada.

There is, however, one group of people living in the U.S. who may consider relocating to Canada: asylum-seekers.

The second Trump administration has ended Temporary Protection Status for Afghan, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, Cuban and Haitian residents.

This means that people from these strife-torn countries must apply for permanent residency or "self-deport"otherwise, they will become undocumented.

Haiti is currently unsafe. Gangs control the country's cities and neighborhoods and have staged a successful coup. The country is also still rebuilding after the devastating 2010 earthquake.

Afghanistan remains in the throes of a decades-long war where women have no rights. Venezuela is in a state of civil unrest; about 19 million citizens do not have enough food or sanitation. Nearly 7.7 million people have fled the country.

The plight of asylum-seekers

The crackdown on other undocumented residents and the recent issuing of large "civil penalties" in the form of fines for failing to self-deport may force others to leave the U.S. Where might they go?

Many will return to their country of residence, but others may be unable to do so and could consider Canada a convenient and safe destination. In 2016, 23,919 people made asylum claims in Canada. That number slowly rose throughout the first Trump administration to 64,020 in 2019, the last full year of the president's first term.

Those seeking asylum in Canada declined to 23,680 in 2020the first year of the COVID-19 pandemicbut had increased to 171,850 by the end of 2024.

The geographic distribution of these asylum-seekers was uneven. In 2017, 50% of all asylum-seekers to Canada made their claim in Quebec; in 2022, 64% of asylum claims were made there.

So rather than seeing a large influx of American citizens migrating to Canada during Trump's second administration, there will likely be a larger number of asylum-seekers, many of whom have legitimate fears of persecution. How Canada chooses to handle these claims remains to be seenbut it's urgently important for Canadian elected officials to figure it out immediately.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Iceland's Glacier Graveyard. Credit: Dominic Boyer / Rice University

In an important contribution from the social sciences, Rice University anthropologists Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer examine the societal consequences of global glacier loss in a commentary published today in Science.

Their article appears alongside new research that estimates that more than three-quarters of the world's glacier mass could disappear by the end of the century under current climate policies. While the study projects the physical outcomes of glacial melt, Howe and Boyer highlight the social impacts and human stories behind the statisticsfrom disrupted ecosystems and endangered cultural heritage to funeral rites held for vanished ice.

"Often statistics about glacier loss can feel abstract and distant. But glaciers have literally shaped the ground we walk on, and they provide crucial water resources to about 2 billion people. For people who have lived near glaciers, their cultural meanings are often profound, representing the fundamental relationship between social and natural worlds," said Howe, professor of anthropology and co-director of Rice's Program in Science and Technology Studies.

The commentary draws from the authors' ongoing work on the Global Glacier Casualty List, a Rice-based digital platform that documents glaciers that have melted or are critically endangered. The project blends climate science, social science and community narratives to memorialize a rapidly disappearing part of Earth's cryosphere.

"The past five years have been the worst five years for glaciers since ice loss has been tracked scientifically. We're now losing 273 billion tons of ice globally each year, but there's a feeling that even these staggering losses aren't enough to motivate needed climate action," said Boyer, professor of anthropology and co-director of the Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience.

"This is where we think the social sciences can work together with glaciologists and climate scientists to explain why these losses matter and how many lives and communities are impacted when these amazing landscapes disappear."

Their publication marks an uncommon appearance by social scientists in Science, which primarily features research in the natural and physical sciences. The authors argue that addressing the impacts of climate change requires not only scientific measurement but also cultural understanding, public memory and collective action.

"As glacial loss accelerates, so do the social and emotional responses to environmental change," they write.

The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation. Howe and Boyer emphasize that global climate goals, such as limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, could still preserve a significant portion of the world's glaciers and prevent the erosion of ecosystems, economies and cultural lifeways connected to them.

"Most people on Earth will never have a chance to be in the presence of a glacier, but their loss affects us all. We still have a chance to preserve half the world's remaining glaciers if we act togetherand immediatelyto reduce global warming," Howe said. "We have lost a lot, but there is still so much that can be saved for us and the generations that will come after us. They deserve to know the magnificence and meaning of these great bodies of ice."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, commonly referred to as the "AMOC," is a system of ocean currents confined to the Atlantic basin that plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate by transporting heat from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. The AMOC also modulates regional weather, from the mild summers in Europe to the monsoon seasons in Africa and India.

Climate models have long predicted that global warming will cause the AMOC to weaken, with some projecting substantial weakening amounting to a near-collapse relative to the AMOC's strength today. Such a weakening would have far-reaching consequences, including changes in regional sea level rise and major shifts in regional climate, such as colder conditions in northern Europe and drier weather in parts of the Amazon and West Africa.

However, a new study from Caltech finds that although the AMOC will weaken under global warming, it is likely to do so to a much lesser extent than current projections suggest.

The study is described in a paper titled "Observational constraints imply limited future Atlantic meridional overturning circulation weakening," appearing in Nature Geoscience.

The team developed a simplified physical model based on fundamental principles of ocean circulationspecifically, how density differences and the AMOC's depth are relatedthat also incorporates real-world measurements of the ocean current's strength, collected over 20 years through the use of monitoring arrays and other observationally constrained products of the Atlantic basin.

The researchers found that the AMOC will weaken by around 18% to 43% at the end of the 21st century.

While this does represent some weakening, it does not represent the substantial weakening that the more extreme climate model projections suggest.

This new understanding significantly narrows the range of future AMOC weakening, addressing a long-standing uncertainty in climate science.

The research was conducted in the laboratories of Tapio Schneider, the Theodore Y. Wu Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering; and Andrew Thompson, the John S. and Sherry Chen Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, director of The Ronald and Maxine Linde Center for Global Environmental Science, and executive officer for Environmental Science and Engineering.

Paleoclimate records, like ocean sediments that record past climate conditions, indicate that the AMOC has experienced weakening in the past, such as during the Last Glacial Maximum (a period about 20,000 years ago), leading to major swings in the climate that affected North America and Europe.

Contemporary climate models show wide variation in their 21st century projections of AMOC weakening: Some predict substantial AMOC weakening, while others predict only a small amount of weakening. The new study, led by former graduate student Dave Bonan (Ph.D.), aimed to better understand the physical mechanisms governing AMOC behavior in climate models, with the goal of reconciling these discrepancies.

The research sheds light on a long-standing and previously unexplained feature of climate models: the link between the present-day and future strength of the AMOC.

Schematic depicting the processes linking the present-day and future AMOC strength. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-025-01709-0

Climate models that simulate a stronger present-day AMOC tend to project greater weakening under climate change. The researchers found that this relationship stems from the depth of the AMOC. A stronger AMOC typically extends to greater depths and allows changes in surface water temperature and salinity propertiescaused by global warming and freshwater inputto penetrate deeper into the ocean and drive greater weakening.

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In other words, a climate model with a stronger and deeper AMOC is less resilient to surface changes and experiences proportionally more AMOC weakening than one with a shallower current.

Climate models with a shallower present-day AMOC still show weakening under climate change, but to a lesser extent than those with a deeper present-day AMOC.

The new study uses this understanding to constrain future AMOC projections by building a simplified physical model and incorporating real-world measurements of the ocean current's strength.

The results indicate that the AMOC will only experience limited weakening even in the highest emissions scenarios.

The study suggests that much of the previous uncertainty and some of the more extreme AMOC weakening projections stemmed from biases in how climate models simulate the ocean's current state, particularly its density stratification.

"Our results imply that, rather than a substantial decline, the AMOC is more likely to experience a limited decline over the 21st centurystill some weakening, but less drastic than previous projections suggest," Bonan says.

Bonan emphasizes the need to examine higher-resolution climate models that also include more sophisticated processes. Higher-resolution models might offer deeper insights into AMOC behavior and improve projections of its future changes. The study provides a framework to interrogate and evaluate more sophisticated models.

More information: David B. Bonan et al, Observational constraints imply limited future Atlantic meridional overturning circulation weakening, Nature Geoscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-025-01709-0 Journal information: Nature Geoscience
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

An intense argument is raging over whether what has been happening in Gaza since October 2023 is an act of genocide. It is the subject of a case being heard in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in which South Africa has accused Israel of committing acts of genocide. The case began in December 2023, but the ICJ has yet to reach a judgment.

The reason the issue is so controversial is that the word "genocide" holds so much power. To be accused of it is to be accused of what is considered in international law to be the "crime of crimes." International law holds that not only should states not commit genocide, they must also prevent and punish it in their own criminal law. Some commentators would even argue that the use of armed force to stop genocide is acceptable.

Yet the legal definition of genocide is much narrower than is generally understood. That's why so few events have ever been labeled as genocide as a matter of law. Looking at some of them might help to shed some light on the Gaza controversy.

Genocide is about attempting to destroy a group of people. The concept was first defined in 1944 by the Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, in response to his horror at the mass killing of ethnic Armenians by the Ottoman Empire amid the First World War, as well asof courseat the atrocities of the Nazis before and during the Second World War.

It was such a novel concept that it was not prosecuted in the post-war trials of the surviving leading Nazis in Nuremberg. Instead, for their role in the Holocaust, the defendants were charged with "crimes against humanity." And to this day, in the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court, there is a close relationship between the crime of genocide and crimes against humanity. The Rome statute uses the definition of genocide agreed in the 1948 genocide convention, which was negotiated after the considerable efforts of Lemkin to bring attention to his new concept.

Despite the crime of genocide being established in 1948, the first international conviction for genocide was not until 1998. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda found Jean-Paul Akayesu, a local politician, guilty of genocide as part of the extreme violence by ethnic Hutu against (mostly) minority ethnic Tutsis in 1994. Over the course of around 100 days, around 800,000 people were killed.

The mass killing was instigated at the highest levels of the Rwandan government after Tutsis were accused of killing the president of Rwanda, Juvenal Habyarimana, by shooting down a plane that was carrying him and the president of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira. Both men were Hutus.

The response to this was clearly a genocide, but surely there must have been other post-war genocides before this, you might think.

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Limitations of genocide

Under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, millions of people died or were killed in famines, executions and prison camps across the Soviet Union. Yet, these deaths do not fall within the 1948 definition of genocide because they were generally not aimed at groups defined by nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion. Only those four groups are protected in the genocide convention.

The same goes for murders committed by the Khmer Rougethe radical communist regime of Pol Pot that ruled what is now Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The regime was responsible for the deaths of between 1.5 and 3 million people. But the hybrid criminal tribunal set up in 1997 to judge these events has only been able to find that the killing of minority Vietnamese and Cham victims counted as genocide. The majority of those that the Khmer Rouge targeted for killing were fellow Cambodians selected for being "intellectuals" or were otherwise thought to oppose the regime.

The choice of protected groups in the genocide convention was the result of political horse-trading between different factions, as the cold war was gaining in intensity. There was a tension between protecting enough groups, and agreeing a treaty that enough states would actually sign.

The atrocity of Srebrenica

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the ICJ have held that Bosnian Serbs committed genocide against Bosnian Muslims in the town of Srebrenica in what is now Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995. The Bosnian Serb army killed around 8,000 men and boys, and secretly buried them. They detained, treated badly and then expelled the remaining women.

The ICTY has held, beyond reasonable doubt, that across Bosnia and Herzegovina there was a "strategic plan" to "link Serb-populated areas [] together, to gain control over these areas and to create a separate Bosnian Serb state, from which most non-Serbs would be permanently removed." It also found that this plan "could only be implemented by the use of force and fear." Yet, apart from at Srebrenica, genocide has not been proved in the former Yugoslavia.

The issue here was not identifying a protected group, but a lack of evidence that the mass killings of non-Serbs were carried out as an end in themselves and not "just" to make them flee (something which is often called "ethnic cleansing"). This is because for a killing to be genocidal, it has not only to be carried out intentionally, but also to show the "special" intent to physically or biologically destroy a protected group.

The problem is thatin the absence of an admission or a bundle of incriminating documents such special intent can only be inferred from the facts if it is the only reasonable inference that could be made.

Why Gaza is controversial

Should the definition of genocide be expanded to cover a greater range of protected groups, either by amending the genocide convention or by creative judicial interpretation? Should it be easier to infer the existence of genocidal intent from a pattern of facts? Both are important questions.

Yet, until they are answered in the affirmative, it will remain difficult in law to apply the label of genocide even to the most egregious of mass killings. The labels of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" are more easily applied, but the "crime of crimes" remains elusive.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A WVU expert on STEM education is involving colleges and universities nationwide in an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to teaching mathematics in a way that reflects the content of students' other courses. Credit: WVU/Greg Ellis

West Virginia University researchers are changing how college mathematics is taught by evaluating and sharing a model for problem-solving that supports what students learn in other courses like business or biology.

The new model for teaching mathematics hinges on faculty members from different departments collaborating in ways that transform the traditional mathematics syllabus. It's part of an effort to increase mathematical literacy among college graduates nationwide and ensure the U.S. can meet its scientific and technological challenges.

The project is led by mathematician Susan Ganter, senior associate director of the WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education.

"Most students have difficulty applying knowledge from their mathematics courses to problem-solving in other classes like engineering, economics or chemistry. There's an urgent need for an integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum that prepares our future workforce to make those connections and articulate all kinds of problems in quantitative terms," Ganter said.

"Mathematics classes and other classes should align. The key element of our model, known as SUMMIT-Por Synergistic Undergraduate Mathematics via Multi-institutional Interdisciplinary Teaching Partnershipsis the immediate reinforcement of mathematics concepts in a variety of classrooms, creating shared context across different content areas. That happens through interdepartmental partnerships between faculty."

Ganter first envisioned SUMMIT-P more than two decades ago, after many years as a mathematics professor watching students struggle. She and her colleagues knew 95% of their students weren't going to be mathematics majors, but they also knew virtually every major required mathematics in some form.

"Our question was, 'Are we giving students what they need?'" she said.

"We ran many workshops with people from other disciplines and put out a report on the commonalities across 22 disciplines in terms of what their students need from mathematics.

"The similarities in how faculty across departments answered our questions about mathematical content was amazingfaculty from physics and engineering to the arts and humanities all said the same thing about the mathematical skills their students need, including the ability to apply mathematical concepts and think across disciplines."

SUMMIT-P was the responsea guide to redesigning introductory college mathematics courses and the partner discipline courses they support so the ideas resonate across students' academic experiences, supporting their ability to solve real-world problems.

Ganter said the SUMMIT-P model has already proven successful at about 15 institutions that have seriously implemented it over the past 10 years.

At one university, students studied social work and nursing using algebra and precalculus to assemble a monthly budget for a shelter for victims of human trafficking. At another, students applied differential calculus to chemistry in their mathematics class to understand how the body absorbs sugar in the context of diabetes.

One group of students used polynomials for engineering applications to calculate the energy collected by a local Native American tribe's solar array.

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Elsewhere, students learned to mathematically model the wave patterns of EKGs of real patients, including EKGs of their own hearts. These modules and others are now available for any institution wanting to implement the SUMMIT-P model in its courses.

More than 170 faculty members representing various disciplines at over 40 colleges and universities are part of the effort to make SUMMIT-P accessible and sustainable for different kinds of institutions. Their work to date has affected an estimated 90,000 undergraduate students.

"Already, outcomes indicate students are seeing more connections between mathematics and partner disciplines," Ganter said.

"SUMMIT-P is giving students an answer to the question, 'Why do I have to take this mathematics class?' Now we're researching which aspects of the SUMMIT-P model have really been impactful at some institutions, while also trying to understand why other institutions are still struggling to make it work.

"We're creating a short list of criteria that we hope will be the formula needed to implement this model successfully and keep it goingat any institution."

WVU undergraduate students will assist with the project, which also involves Gay Stewart, the Eberly Professor of STEM Education in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and director of the Center for Excellence in STEM Education.

"Student success in mathematics is a key factor in overall college success," Stewart said. "Particularly for students pursuing degrees leading to some of the higher-paying careers, it can be the primary obstacle. Our students often come to us not seeing what mathematics is for, which impedes their ability to learn it, and SUMMIT-P specifically addresses this problem. We are so pleased to be able to help lead this effort."

Stewart and Ganter have seen changes in faculty attitudes about the role of mathematics in the undergraduate curriculum, with faculty members developing teaching modules in response to each other's "wish lists."

"This project has validated what many faculty knew," Ganter said. "Now they have a venue to make transformation happen and find support for questions and challenges. Seeing so many who are now engaging with us to do the best for their students is very rewarding and gives me renewed energy."
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Macrophages infected with Yersinia pestis. Credit: Josue Barquero & Anne Derbise, Unite Yersinia, Institut Pasteur (2024)

Scientists have documented the way a single gene in the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis, allowed it to survive hundreds of years by adjusting its virulence and the length of time it took to kill its victims, but these forms of plague ultimately died out.

A study by researchers at McMaster University and France's Institut Pasteur, published in the journal Science, addresses some fundamental questions related to pandemics: how do they enter human populations, cause immense sickness, and evolve different levels of virulence to persist in populations?

The Black Death remains the single deadliest pandemic in recorded human history, killing an estimated 3050% of the populations of Europe, Western Asia and Africa as it moved through those regions. Appearing in the 14th century, it re-emerged in waves over more than 500 years, persisting until 1840.

The Black Death was caused by the same bacteria which caused the Plague of Justinian, the first plague pandemic which had broken out in the mid-500s. The third plague pandemic began in China in 1855 and continues today. Its deadly effects are now more controlled by antibiotics but are still felt in regions like Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where cases are regularly reported.

"This is one of the first research studies to directly examine changes in an ancient pathogen, one we still see today, in an attempt to understand what drives the virulence, persistence and/or eventual extinction of pandemics," says Hendrik Poinar, co-senior author of the study, director of the McMaster Ancient DNA Center and holder of the Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Genetic Anthropology.

Strains of the Justinian plague became extinct after 300 years of ravaging European and Middle Eastern populations. Strains of the second pandemic emerged from infected rodent populations, causing the Black Death, before breaking into two major lineages. One of these two lineages is the ancestor of all present-day strains. The other re-emerged over centuries in Europe and ultimately went extinct by the early 19th century.

Using hundreds of samples from ancient and modern plague victims, the team screened for a gene known as pla, a high copy component of Y. pestis which helps it move through the immune system undetected to the lymph nodes before spreading to the rest of the body.

An extensive genetic analysis revealed that its copy number, or total number of pla genes found in the bacterium, had decreased in later outbreaks of the disease, which in turn decreased its mortality by 20% and increased the length of its infection, meaning the hosts lived longer before they died. These studies were performed in mice models of bubonic plague.

Conversely, when the pla gene was in its original, high copy number, the disease was much more virulent and killed each of its hosts and did so much quicker.

Co-lead author Ravneet Sidhu examines an ancient human tooth at the McMaster Ancient DNA Center. Credit: McMaster University

The scientists also identified a striking similarity between the trajectories of modern and ancient strains, which independently evolved similar reductions in pla in the later stages of the first and second pandemic, and so far, in three samples from the third pandemic, found in Vietnam today.

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In both the Justinian and Black Death plagues, the evolutionary change occurred approximately 100 years after the first outbreaks. Scientists propose that when the gene copy number dropped and the infected rats lived longer, they could spread infection farther, ensuring the reproductive success of the pathogen.

"The reduction of pla may reflect the changing size and density of rodent and human populations," explains Poinar. "It's important to remember that the plague was an epidemic of rats, which were the drivers of epidemics and pandemics. Humans were accidental victims."

Black rats in cities likely acted as "amplification hosts" due to their high numbers and proximity to humans. Because black rats are highly susceptible to Y. pestis, the pathogen needed rat populations to stay high enough to supply new hosts for Y. pestis to persist and allow the pandemic cycle to continue.

However, the pla-reduced strains eventually went extinct, likely reflecting another shift in the host-pathogen relationship within their environment.

When the researchers searched for signs of depletion in a large set of samples of the third pandemic preserved in a collection at the Institut Pasteur, they found three contemporary strains with pla depletion.

"Thanks to our international collaborators who monitor local epidemics of plague worldwide, we were able to find the unique bacterial samples used for this project, akin to finding three rare needles in a haystack," says Javier Pizarro-Cerda, co-senior author of the work, director of the Yersinia Research Unit and of the WHO Collaborating Center for Plague at the Institut Pasteur.

The institute houses one of the world's richest collections of modern Y. pestis isolates, adds Guillem Mas Fiol, co-lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher supervised by Pizarro-Cerda.

"One of the most interesting aspects of our research was the possibility to explore a feature first observed in extinct plague strains, that could, for the first time, be experimentally tested in living contemporary bacterial strains," he says.

"Although our research sheds light on an interesting pattern in the evolutionary history of plague, the majority of strains which continue to circulate today in Africa, South America and India are the more virulent ones, the ones that were previously responsible for massive mortality," says Ravneet Sidhu, co-lead author of the study, and Ph.D. candidate at the McMaster Ancient DNA Center.

More information: Ravneet Kaur Sidhu et al, Attenuation of virulence in Yersinia pestis across three plague pandemics, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adt3880. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt3880 Journal information: Science
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In a review in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Stephen Long, a professor of crop sciences and of plant biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describes research efforts to "future-proof" the crops that are essential to feeding a hungry world in a changing climate. Long, who has spent decades studying the process of photosynthesis and finding ways to improve it, provides an overview of key scientific findings that offer a ray of hope.

Higher temperatures, more frequent and longer droughts, catastrophic rainfall events and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels all influence the growth, development and reproductive viability of crop plants, he writes. While some plants and regions may benefit from some aspects of climate change, without prolonged and costly intervention, many more will suffer potentially catastrophic declines.

"By 205060, crops will experience a significantly different environment from today," Long writes. From its pre-industrial level of about 200 parts per million, "atmospheric CO 2 reached 427 ppm in 2024 and is projected to be about 600 ppm by 2050."

Extreme heat, droughts, floods and other climate-related events are already disrupting agricultural systems. Projected temperature extremes and climate instability will further reduce crop yields, increasing starvation, political unrest and mass migration, he writes.

There is some hope, however. It may be possible to alter crops in ways that allow them to persist and perhaps even increase yields despite the challenges, Long said. While the process takes time and can be costly, the work has already begun.

For example, researchers are evaluating the heat-, drought- and flood-tolerance of different varieties of specific crop plants, identifying those with potentially beneficial attributes. Discovering the genetic traits that confer these benefits will allow scientists to develop cropsthrough plant breeding and/or genetic engineeringthat can better withstand the extremes.

Through painstaking work, scientists have discovered that some rice varieties can survive up to two weeks of submergence during periods of intense flooding, while other varieties are more heat-tolerant than others. The findings offer opportunities to develop hardier cultivars.

Plants must withstand an array of challenges as temperatures rise. The drying capacity of the atmosphere, which increases with temperature, draws moisture out of plant leaves through tiny pores called stomata. This reduces plant water-use efficiency, Long said, straining already scarce water resources in many parts of the globe.

In a review, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor Stephen Long describes potential methods for "future-proofing" crops against climate change. Credit: Fred Zwicky

"A plant may partially close its stomata to retain moisture, but this can interfere with its ability to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a key step in photosynthesis," Long said.

In laboratory and field experiments, researchers found that increasing the expression of the gene for a sensor protein found in plants reduced water loss through stomata without interfering with photosynthesis.

"The result was a 15% improvement in leaf-level water-use efficiency in field-grown tobacco and a 30% decrease in whole-plant water use," Long wrote. Because of the high speed with which it can be genetically modified, tobacco is often used as a "test-bed" for studying alterations that can be used in a variety of other plants.

Researchers have also found ways to reduce the density of stomata on the leaves of rice and wheat, improving water-use efficiency by 15-20% with no decrease in yield.

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High carbon dioxide on its own alters plant physiology, sometimes in beneficial ways by boosting photosynthesis, but also in detrimental ways, Long said. High CO 2 can change plant metabolic control by altering levels of key enzymes. Scientists have found that adjusting the levels of proteins that regulate rubisco, a key photosynthetic enzyme, can boost photosynthetic efficiency in the presence of high CO 2 .

To demonstrate what kinds of gains are possible in food crops, Long points to the remarkable progress made in research on maize, nearly 80% of which is used in ethanol production and to feed animals, not humans.

"Between 1980 and 2024, U.S. maize yields doubled while sorghum improved by just 12%," he said. The success in maize is the result of massive investments from large multinational companies. The same investments are not yet being made on the public domain side of the equation.

Without similar investment, "it is hard to see how the opportunities  for future-proofing our crops can be implemented at the scale that is necessary," he writes.

More information: Needs and opportunities to future-proof crops and the use of crop systems to mitigate atmospheric change, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0229 Journal information: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B
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Aboard R/V Neil Armstrong in 2022, researchers measured water properties and gathered water samples to learn more about circulation in Greenlands glacial troughs. Credit: James Holte

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) serves as the Atlantic Ocean's conveyor belt, transporting warm water north toward the Arctic Circle and returning cold, dense water back to the tropics. Nearshore areas off Greenland are critical sites in AMOC, influencing the redistribution of heat and nutrients around the world.

The continental shelf along Greenland's coast is marked by deep grooves called glacial troughs that extend from the mouths of glacially carved fjords to the open ocean. Research in Antarctica suggests glacial troughs there enhance the mixing of cold and warm waters, but few observations have been collected to determine whether the same is true of Greenland's troughs.

Aboard R/V Neil Armstrong in late summer 2022, as part of an Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program cruise, Nelson and team explored how troughs influence ocean circulation around Greenland. They collected data in southwestern Greenland at the Narsaq Trough, which is 30 kilometers wide at its mouth and reaches 600 meters at its deepest pointabout 4 times deeper than the average surrounding continental shelf.

Gathering measurements along multiple ship tracks allowed the researchers to compare water mass properties in and outside the trough, describe flows in and around it, and estimate the mixing of waters with different temperatures and nutrient concentrations.

Published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, the results showed that the Narsaq Trough provides a pathway for warm, salty Atlantic Water to intrude onto the continental shelf and mix with cold, fresh polar waters. Consequently, waters in the trough are fresher, richer in oxygen, less rich in nutrients, and sometimes colder than nearby offshore waters. These changes in water conditions may slightly limit melting of glacial ice in the adjacent fjord.

Furthermore, the trough creates subsurface circulation that likely exports the modified water from the trough, which may increase stratification and decrease deepwater formation off the continental shelf.

The study offers new insights into Greenland's understudied glacial troughs and their role in modulating the climate system, the authors say. They note, however, that more work is needed to establish the troughs' cumulative effects on global ocean circulation.

More information: Monica Nelson et al, Observations of Water Mass Modification and CrossShelf Exchange at Narsaq Trough, Greenland, Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2024JC022246 Journal information: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans

This story is republished courtesy of Eos, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here.
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Coptotermes alate morphology, phenology and genotype. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0413

Scientists confirm that two of the world's most destructive invasive termite species are not only spreading in the United States but also hybridizingthe process of two different species crossbreeding to produce a hybrid.

This raises concerns about their potential to spread farther and cause even greater structural and environmental damage.

A new study from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) confirms that hybrid termite colonies have now been established in South Florida. Just published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the study documents how the invasive Formosan subterranean termites and Asian subterranean termites are not only coexisting in urban environments but also breed with each other.

"About 10 years ago, we first observed males and females from the two species interact through interspecies courtship behaviors during spring termite dispersal flights," said Thomas Chouvenc, associate professor of urban entomology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center and lead author of the study. "This was unexpected, and it raised red flags about the possibility of hybrid populations forming in the field."

Both termite species form massive colonies that, once mature, can send out winged termites to find a mate and establish nests as new queen and king. Over the past decade, UF/IFAS scientists monitored termite activity across neighborhoods where the two species overlap. While initial lab studies showed that hybrid colonies could form, it was unclear whether they could thrive or produce fertile offspring.

"Unfortunately, termite colonies are very cryptic and trying to find hybrid colonies in the field is like looking for a needle in a haystack," said Chouvenc. "We monitored termite activity closely for more than a decade to check for the establishment of hybrid colonies in some of the neighborhoods affected by the two termite species."

"All initial observations raised doubt that hybrid colonies could thrive and produce fertile offspring, as quarantined lab colonies first appeared to be sterile mules," Chouvenc added.

Then in 2021, Chouvenc and his team began collecting winged termites in Fort Lauderdale that didn't match the shape or form of either species. That's when they ramped up field monitoring.

"At first, I could not believe it, as I was hoping to never find it," he said. "Since then, we have confirmed the presence of hybrid swarms every year since 2021, including in April 2025."

Confirmation of a Coptotermes hybrid colony established in the field, in Ft Lauderdale, Florida city. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0413

Genetic testing confirmed these samples were hybrid termites, with individuals having half their genes from the two species. For the past four years, researchers collected winged hybrid termites during swarming events but were unable to determine the precise location of the colonies where the different winged hybrid termites came from.

That changed in October 2024, during a routine survey of a city park in Fort Lauderdale, where the team discovered a tree infested with a colony that displayed hybrid-soldier traits they had previously studied in the lab.

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"Thanks to the decade of lab work, we knew what the hybrid termite soldier looked like, and we were able to identify it immediately when we discovered it in the field," said Chouvenc.

"Because of their cryptic biology, it was most likely established there for more than five years before we could even detect it, and there are most likely many hundreds more out there that have already established, throughout urban south Florida."

With the presence of established hybrid colonies now confirmed, scientists warn that the consequences could extend far beyond Florida. Fort Lauderdale, dubbed the "yacht capital of the world," is a known hotspot for the introduction and spread of invasive termites via recreational boats. Chouvenc's previous research has shown that private vessels are a major pathway for spreading these species internationally.

"This may be a Florida story now, but it likely won't stay just in Florida. Give it time," he warned.

This latest study also highlights how this phenomenon is not unique to the United States. In collaboration with researchers in Taiwan, where both termite species are long established, similar hybridization events have recently been confirmed, suggesting that crossbreeding may be inevitable wherever the two species coexist.

"Having the two of the most destructive termite species in the world hybridizing here in Florida is a real concern and it is unknown if in the long term it will be a major economic problem that would be compounded to the one already caused by both species," he said.

"As the hybridization process has likely been ongoing for a decade, it is not possible to stop it. However, understanding the biology of this hybrid termite, its strengths and weaknesses, could help us further improve termite pest management solutions down the road.

More information: Thomas Chouvenc et al, Ongoing human-mediated spread and hybridization of two major invasive termite species, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0413 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
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Credit: CDC from Pexels

According to the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, approximately one in six children in the United States have developmental disabilities which include physical, learning, language or behavior-related disabilities.

Students with disabilities often receive accommodations (how students access and learn the same content as their classmates) at school, but teachers rarely explain them to typically developing classmates. Children with disabilities are increasingly included in general education classrooms alongside typically developing classmates.

Accommodations such as an adult helper to work one-on-one with the student, preferential seating, or extra time to navigate the school between classes ensure the success of many children with disabilities in these settings. When teachers do not discuss accommodations or their purpose with typically developing classmates, those classmates may have to make sense of the accommodations themselves.

The current study examined how 5 to 9-year-olds evaluate children with disabilities who engage in accommodation-related behavior (e.g., taking extra time on tests/assignments, going to lunch/recess early, playing games differently). The research was featured in a Child Development article with authors from Vanderbilt University, in the United States.

The study included 122 children ranging from 59 years (61 males; 61 females) who lived in Tennessee or had recently moved from Tennessee to another state in the United States.

The majority of the participants were white with upper-middle-class backgrounds (87.7%), followed by Asian/Asian American (9.8%), Hispanic or Latino (4.1%), Black/African American (3.3%), and Native American (.8%). (These categories were not mutually exclusive; parents could select more than one.) Most parents reported that their highest level of education was a Master's degree (36.9%).

An experimenter showed children a slideshow where several characters with either physical (walking) or cognitive (learning) disabilities engaged in physical accommodations (e.g., goes outside to recess first) or cognitive accommodations (e.g., has an adult helper in class).

Participants were asked to evaluate the fairness of these accommodations, and to provide their explanations for why characters engaged in these accommodation-related behaviors.

The findings showed that with increasing age, children evaluated disability-related accommodations as increasingly fair. Older children also demonstrated a greater understanding of how specific accommodations help to address specific needs, which might account for why they judged accommodations to be fairer.

These findings may encourage teachers, parents, and service providers to discuss the ways that accommodations address the needs of persons with disabilities.

According to lead author, Dr. Nicolette G. Granata, future research should continue to explore how children evaluate and reason about the fairness of accommodations for people with disabilities in more diverse samples, as well as more specifically examine how children's evaluations of accommodations vary along with what they are taught in schoolboth explicitly and implicitly.

Children's concepts of disabled persons continue to be understudied when compared to their concepts of other minority groups; we encourage continued study in this field in order to build a more inclusive and accepting society for those with differences throughout the lifespan.

More information: Nicolette G. Granata et al, Developments in Children's Evaluations of and Reasoning About Disability-Related Accommodations, Child Development (2025). DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14255 Journal information: Child Development
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The two schemes of muon production via high energy electron beams. There are two possible pathways for generating muons using high-energy electron beams accelerated by laser wakefield. One is through the Bethe-Heitler (BH) Process, and the other is via the decay of pion mesons, including photo-production/electro-production. Among them, muons produced through the BH process have higher energy and tend to be emitted along the incident direction of the electron beam, while muons produced by pion meson decay have lower energy and are uniformly distributed in a 4 solid angle. Credit: Zhang et al.

Muons are elementary particles that resemble electrons, but they are heavier and decay very rapidly (i.e., in just a few microseconds). Studying muons can help to test and refine the standard of particle physics, while also potentially unveiling new phenomena or effects.

So far, the generation of muons in experimental settings has been primarily achieved using proton accelerators, which are large and expensive instruments. Muons can also originate from cosmic rays, rays of high-energy particles originating from outer space that can collide with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere, producing muons and other secondary particles.

Researchers at the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), Guangdong Laboratory, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and other institutes recently introduced a new method to produce muons in experimental settings, using an ultra-short high-intensity laser.

Using this method, outlined in a paper published in Nature Physics, they attained a high-yield of muons, reaching up to 0.01 muon per incoming electron.

"Muons play an important role in both basic physical research and applied physical research," Yuqiu Gu, co-author of the paper, told Phys.org.

"Generally, muons come from cosmic rays or proton accelerators. The former is limited by a very low flux (less than 1/cm2/min), and the latter is restricted by limited facilities and high operation costs. Benefiting from the rapid development of the Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) technology, currently based on the Laser Wakefield Acceleration (LWFA) technology, electrons can be accelerated to the GeV level within a few centimeters."

Leveraging recently developed laser amplification techniques, Gu and his colleagues set out to generate muons via the interaction of high-energy electrons with a conversion target. Their recent paper is the first to report the successful generation of muons in a laser laboratory.

"The interaction between high-energy electrons and the conversion target is a very complex process, involving many secondary radiation processes such as gamma rays, neutrons, electrons, and so on," explained Gu.

"Since the production cross-section of muons is not high, it is difficult to confirm the generation of muons by means of a magnetic spectrometer and other methods, and the detector is prone to be saturated by those secondary radiations."

Schematic of the experimental set-up. Credit: Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02872-2

To confirm that the particles generated by their ultra-short high-intensity laser are indeed muons, the researchers thus had to devise an alternative approach that does not rely on magnetic spectrometers. Ultimately, they were able to identify muons by measuring their rest decay lifetime (i.e., how long they lived at rest before decaying).

"On the one hand, because muons have a lifetime in the microsecond range, they can avoid the interference of prompt secondary radiations," said Gu. "On the other hand, the lifetime of muons (2.2 s) is a unique physical signal, which can be easily distinguished from other accidental coincidence backgrounds."

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The proof-of-principle experiment carried out by Gu and his colleagues attained very promising results.

With their proposed methods, they were able to detect the lifetime spectrum of the particles generated clearly and the spectrum observed is consistent with the known lifetime of muons, confirming that they did in fact produce muons.

"We generated a muon source for the first time on a new platform at a laser laboratory," said Gu.

"We reached a yield of 0.01 /e. Taking this experiment as an example, the muon yield can reach 107 muons per shot. In the Supplementary information to the article, we have further estimated the yields of surface muons and decay muons under the current experimental conditions, and the yield is expected to reach 103/s muons.

"This new type of muon source makes it possible for small laser laboratories to conduct muon-related research (such as high-energy muon radiography, SR, MIXE, etc.), thus greatly reducing the threshold for muon application research."

The new approach devised by this team of researchers could soon enable the efficient generation of muons in smaller laboratories, relying on laser technology. In the future, it could thus open new exciting possibilities for muon-related research, which could potentially yield new results and achievements.

"Next, we will first conduct in-depth research on the energy spectrum distribution and angular distribution of this muon source," added Gu.

"We then plan to use this muon source to carry out studies such as muon point projection radiography, all-optical muon acceleration, and muon nuclear excitation et al."

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Feng Zhang et al, Proof-of-principle demonstration of muon production with an ultrashort high-intensity laser, Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02872-2. Journal information: Nature Physics

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Does our solar system have a mysterious ninth planet? The discovery of a new dwarf world suggests not.

It's an evocative idea that has long bedeviled scientists: a huge and mysterious planet is lurking in the darkness at the edge of our solar system, evading all our efforts to spot it.

Some astronomers say the strange, clustered orbits of icy rocks beyond Neptune indicate that something big is out there, which they have dubbed Planet Nine.

Now, a US-based trio hunting this elusive world has instead stumbled on what appears to be a new dwarf planet in the solar system's outer reaches.

And the existence of this new kid on the block could challenge the Planet Nine theory, the researchers have calculated.

Named 2017 OF201, the new object is roughly 700 kilometers (430 miles) across, according to a preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, published online last week.

That makes it three times smaller than Pluto.

But it is still big enough to be considered a dwarf planet, lead study author Sihao Cheng of New Jersey's Institute for Advanced Study told AFP.

Distant traveler

The object is currently three times farther away from Earth than Neptune.

And its extremely elongated orbit swings out more than 1,600 times the distance between Earth and the sun, taking it into the ring of icy rocks around the solar system called the Oort cloud.

"It goes so far out, it could have passed by stars other than our sun in the past," Cheng said.

During its 25,000-year orbit, the object is only close enough to Earth to be observed around 0.5% of the time, which is roughly a century.

"It's already getting fainter and fainter," Cheng said.

The discovery suggests "there are many hundreds of similar things on similar orbits" in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune, Cheng said.

After taking a risk spending more than half a year sorting through a difficult dataset in search of Planet Nine, Cheng said he was "lucky" to have found anything at all.

The researchers are requesting time to point the James Webb, Hubble and ALMA telescopes at their discovery.

But Sam Deen, a 23-year-old amateur astronomer from California, has already been able to track the dwarf planet candidate through old datasets.

"OF201 is, in my opinion, probably one of the most interesting discoveries in the outer solar system in the last decade," Deen told AFP.

What about Planet Nine?

The icy rocks discovered in the Kuiper Belt tend to have a clustered orbit going in a particular direction.

Two decades ago, astronomers proposed this was due to the gravitational pull of a world up to 10 times larger than Earth, naming it Planet Nine and kicking off a debate that has rumbled since.

It is also sometimes called Planet X, a name proposed for a hypothetical world beyond Neptune more than a century ago.

Back in 1930, astronomers were searching for Planet X when they discovered Pluto, which became our solar system's ninth planet.

But Pluto turned out to be too tiny -- it is smaller than the moon -- and was demoted to dwarf planet status in 2006.

There are now four other officially recognized dwarf planets, and Cheng believes 2017 OF201 could join their ranks.

When the researchers modeled its orbit, they found it did not follow the clustered trend of similar objects.

This could pose a problem for the Planet Nine theory, but Cheng emphasized more data is needed.

Samantha Lawler of Canada's University of Regina told AFP that this "great discovery" and others like it mean that "the original argument for Planet Nine is getting weaker and weaker".

The Vera Rubin Observatory, which is scheduled to go online in Chile this year, is expected to shed light on this mystery, one way or another.

Deen said it was discouraging that no sign of Planet Nine has been found so far, but with Vera Rubin "on the horizon I don't think we'll have to wonder about its existence for much longer".

For Cheng, he still hopes that this huge planet is out there somewhere.

"We're in an era when big telescopes can see almost to the edge of the universe," he said.

But what is in our "backyard" still largely remains unknown, he added.

More information: Sihao Cheng et al, Discovery of a dwarf planet candidate in an extremely wide orbit: 2017 OF201, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2505.15806 Journal information: arXiv

 2025 AFP
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Credit: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels

Cornell University-led research published in The Economic Journal shows that introducing paper business telephone directoriessimilar to the Yellow Pagesin Tanzania boosted sales revenue by 104% for listed businesses and increased the number of sales and the use of mobile money. Neighboring unlisted businesses also benefited.

In rural Africa, basic mobile phones help people conduct business among their existing contacts. But expanding business networksand opportunitiesremains a challenge.

"When you and I use our phones in the U.S. and Europe, we're in this enriched information and communications technology (ICT) environment where we can access contact information for most other people and businesses very easily," said Brian Dillon, lead author and assistant professor of applied economics and policy.

That's not the case in rural Africa, where businesses don't usually have websites and most mobile phones don't have search capabilities to find them anyway, Dillon said.

Without a directory, basic business activities can be costly. A phone alone doesn't provide access to all the traders or sellers a business owner might want to contact. If a farmer wants to find lower-cost fertilizer, for example, they need to leave their farm for a day, spend money on travel, and talk to a lot of people in a neighboring town. And the payoff is uncertain.

"We wanted to test whether or not contact information is a key bottleneck for the potential of mobile phones to support farmers and businesses, to foster new trading relationships and to have as broad benefits as possible," Dillon said.

With the support of the Institute of Rural Development Planning, the team completed a census of businesses in central Tanzania and obtained permission to include their contact information in a print directory.

The researchers found the directory made a big impact on listed businesses as well as their neighbors. The magnitude was "life-changing for small businesses," Dillon said.

In addition to the 104% increase in revenue for listed firms, the number of sales increased by 47% and the use of mobile money by 31%. Unlisted neighboring firms increased text message traffic by 280%, mobile money usage by 26%, and the number of sales by 40%.

Now, Dillon and his team are analyzing the effects of a digital version of the directory, accessible by mobile phones using unstructured supplementary service data, or USSDa technology that does not require a smartphone or an app.

More information: Brian Dillon et al, Yellow Pages: Information, connections and firm performance, The Economic Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueaf009
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Schematic of the new Andreev scanning tunneling microscopy technique designed to detect the superconductive topological surface state of an intrinsic topological superconductor. Credit: Davis Research Group at University College Cork

Scientists at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland have developed a powerful new tool for finding the next generation of materials needed for large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing.

The significant breakthrough means that, for the first time, researchers have found a way to determine once and for all whether a material can effectively be used in certain quantum computing microchips.

The major findings have been published in Science and are the result of a large international collaboration which includes leading theoretical work from Prof. Dung-Hai Lee at the University of California, Berkeley, and material synthesis from professors Sheng Ran and Johnpierre Paglione at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Maryland, respectively.

Using equipment found in only three labs around the world, researchers at the Davis Group based at UCC were able to definitively determine whether uranium ditelluride (UTe 2 ), which is a known superconductor, had the characteristics required to be an intrinsic topological superconductor.

A topological superconductor is a unique material that, at its surface, hosts new quantum particles named Majorana fermions. In theory, they can be used to stably store quantum information without being disturbed by the noise and disorder which plague present quantum computers. Physicists have been on the hunt for an intrinsic topological superconductor for decades, but no material ever discovered has ticked all the boxes.

UTe 2 had been considered a strong candidate material for intrinsic topological superconductivity since its discovery in 2019. However, no research had definitively evaluated its suitabilityuntil now.

Joseph Carroll of the Davis Research Group pictured with the scanning tunneling microscope - one of just three in the world - at University College Cork in Ireland. Credit: Clare Keogh

Using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating in a new mode invented by Seamus Davis, Professor of Quantum Physics at UCC, a team led by Joe Carroll, a Ph.D. researcher at the Davis Group and Kuanysh Zhussupbekov, a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow, were able to conclude once and for all whether UTe 2 is the right sort of topological superconductor.

The experiments carried out using the "Andreev" STMfound only in Prof. Davis' labs in Cork, Oxford University in the UK, and Cornell University in New Yorkdiscovered that UTe 2 is indeed an intrinsic topological superconductor, but not exactly the kind for which physicists have been searching.

However, the first-of-its-kind experiment is a breakthrough in itself.

When asked about the experiment, Mr. Carroll described it as follows: "Traditionally, researchers have searched for topological superconductors by taking measurements using metallic probes. They do this because metals are simple materials, so they play essentially no role in the experiment.

"What's new about our technique is that we use another superconductor to probe the surface of UTe 2 . By doing so, we exclude the normal surface electrons from our measurements, leaving behind only the Majorana fermions."

Carroll further highlighted that this technique would allow scientists to determine directly whether other materials are suitable for topological quantum computing.

Quantum computers have the capacity to answer in seconds the kind of complex mathematical problems that would take current generation computers years to solve. Right now, governments and companies around the world are racing to develop quantum processors with more and more quantum bits but the fickle nature of these quantum calculations is holding back significant progress.

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced the Majorana 1, which the company has said is "the world's first Quantum Processing Unit (QPU) powered by a Topological Core."

Microsoft explained that to achieve this advance, synthetic topological superconductors based on elaborately engineered stacks of conventional materials were required.

However, the Davis Group's new work means that scientists can now find single materials to replace these complicated circuits, potentially leading to greater efficiencies in quantum processors and allowing many more qubits on a single chip, thus moving us closer to the next generation of quantum computing.

More information: Qiangqiang Gu et al, Pair wave function symmetry in UTe2 from zero-energy surface-state visualization, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adk7219. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk7219 Journal information: Science
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Cells of the extinct po'ouli. The image and its data were generated by scientist Elena Ruggeri and the Frozen Zoo team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Credit: The image and its data were generated by scientist Elena Ruggeri and the Frozen Zoo team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

A new study, led by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, and additional researchers, offers a unique lens for understanding the unprecedented extinction crisis of native Hawaiian forest birds.

Just 17 out of approximately 60 species of the iconic honeycreeper remain, most of which are facing rapid decline due to avian malaria. The findings, published in Current Biology, include new evidence that there is still time to save the critically endangered honeycreeper 'akeke'ebut the window is rapidly closing.

"In a race against time to save the remaining honeycreepers, necessary insights about their survival are found in their genetic makeup," said Christopher Kyriazis, Ph.D., lead author and postdoctoral researcher from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "Our findings provide a new understanding of the last remaining individuals as recovery efforts forge on in their native forests and in human care."

Warming temperatures have enabled non-native mosquitoes, the vectors of avian malaria, to spread further up the mountains. This leaves little to no refuge for Hawaiian honeycreepers, which lack immunity to malaria. The effects of avian malaria have been especially devastating on Kaua'i island, which lacks high-elevation habitats.

Two critically endangered honeycreeper species endemic to Kaua'i, the 'akikiki and 'akeke'e, have faced population declines of more than 99% in the past two decades. Efforts to control mosquito populations by releasing reproductively incompatible male mosquitoes are currently ongoing.

There are estimated to be fewer than 100 individual 'akeke'e remaining. Meanwhile, 'akikiki are extinct in the wild, and the only remaining hope for the species is through a conservation breeding program of approximately 40 individuals at the Maui and Keauhou Bird Conservation Centers, operated by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Through genomic analysis of three honeycreeper species, the 'akikiki and 'akeke'e, and the extinct po'ouli, researchers provide a detailed examination of genomic diversity, inbreeding depression and extinction risk.

Genome-wide diversity patterns. Credit: Current Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.078

Key findings:

There is still time to save the 'akeke'e from extinction: Under current conditions, 'akeke'e are likely to go extinct in the near future. However, if ongoing mosquito control efforts are successful, recovery is still possible.

Avian malaria is driving population collapse: Recent steep declines in 'akikiki and 'akeke'e coincide with the spread of avian malaria in the late 20th century, consistent with malaria being the primary driver of population collapse.

Hawaiian honeycreepers maintain high genetic diversity: Hawaiian honeycreepers, even the last known po'ouli individual, maintain high genetic diversity despite being critically endangered. While high genetic diversity may increase their potential to adapt to threats, it could also increase their vulnerability to inbreeding depression as population sizes decline at a rapid rate.

Inbreeding depression is already happening in 'akikiki: Findings suggest that many of the founders of the conservation breeding program'akikiki brought into human care in a last-ditch effort to prevent extinctionare the offspring of related parents. Inbred birds produced fewer offspring and had lower survival. This information can be used to improve mate selection and further inform breeding decisions.

The research offers a unique window into the genomic consequences of massive species decline and provides critical insight into how the damaging genetic factors, such as inbreeding depression, further exacerbate extinction risk. Findings will inform ongoing recovery efforts with the aim of averting extinction in the remaining honeycreeper species.

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Insights from the genome of the extinct po'ouli underscore the importance of biobanking. In 2004, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance established a cell line from the last living po'ouli. Those cells were the first viable material from an extinct species to be cryopreserved, and they remained dormant in the Frozen Zoo until recently, when researchers thawed one precious vial.

Sequencing the po'ouli genome, as seen in this study, provides evolutionary and genetic information that can benefit the conservation of other critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds.

"We will never hear the po'ouli honeycreeper's song again, but we can learn from its genetic code," said Oliver Ryder, Ph.D., director of conservation genetics at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Provided by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A groundbreaking new study published in the Strategic Management Journal uncovers a powerful and practical strategy to address the longstanding underrepresentation of Black women in the tech startup world: working at startups before founding one.

Despite the surge in entrepreneurship across the U.S., diversity remains a critical challenge. While 71% of startup founders are white, just 6% are Blackand a mere fraction of that figure represents Black women.

In response to this disparity, researchers from Texas A&M University, Arizona State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined how employment at a startup can pave the way for underrepresented individuals, particularly Black women, to become founders.

"Previous studies suggest that working in a startup increases one's likelihood of founding a company," says lead author Dr. Christopher G. Law, Assistant Professor of Management at Texas A&M. "We wanted to find out if this effect differs across demographic groupsand the answer is yes. In fact, it's especially powerful for Black women."

The research teamcomprising Law, Travis Howell (Arizona State), Chris Bingham, and Sekou Bermiss (UNC Chapel Hill)analyzed data from Venture For America (VFA), a nonprofit that places recent college graduates in startup roles through a competitive fellowship.

Using application data from over 8,000 individuals between 2013 and 2023, along with LinkedIn career tracking, the team identified clear patterns in startup-to-founder transitions.

Their findings show that individuals with startup experience are 91% more likely to start their own ventures. Even more striking, this effect was disproportionately high for Black women. Through interviews with 39 startup professionalsincluding 10 Black women foundersthe researchers discovered why: the power of representation and exposure.

"Many of the Black women we interviewed never saw themselves as startup foundersuntil they worked at a startup," explains Bingham, Phillip Hettleman Distinguished Professor. "Seeing founders up close helped dismantle psychological barriers. It wasn't about having all the answersit was about realizing those leading startups were just figuring it out too."

The implications are profound. As Bermiss, Associate Professor of Strategy, notes, "Black women bring new ideas, questions, and goals to the table. Encouraging their entrepreneurial journeys isn't just a diversity winit's an innovation win."

The researchers advocate for targeted policies and fellowship programs that connect Black women to early-stage startups as employees, laying the groundwork for future entrepreneurial leadership.

This approach not only empowers individuals but also enriches the startup ecosystem with fresh perspectives and untapped potential.

More information: Christopher G. Law et al, From joiners to founders: Startup employment and underrepresented entrepreneurs, Strategic Management Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1002/smj.3705 Journal information: Strategic Management Journal
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The fossil of the Westlothiana lizziae, which was found in the East Kirkton Quarry in West Lothian, Scotland. Credit: National Museums Scotland

In 1984, an amateur paleontologist in Scotland found a remarkable specimen: a nearly complete fossil of what looked to be a lizard or salamander. Rather small in size at 20 centimeters, it would turn out to be a crucial piece in the puzzle of animal evolution.

This creature, called Westlothiana lizziae, is one of the earliest examples of a four-legged animal that had evolved from living underwater to dwelling on Earth. It, and other stem tetrapods like it, are common ancestors of the amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals that exist today, including humans.

Despite its significance, researchers had never determined an accurate age of the fossil. But thanks to new research out of The University of Texas at Austin, scientists now know that the Westlothiana lizziae, along with similar salamander-like creatures from the same spot in Scotland, are potentially 14 million years older than previously thought.

The new agedating back to 346 million years agoadds to the significance of the find because it places the specimens in a mysterious hole in the fossil record called Romer's Gap.

The research, published recently in the journal PLOS One, was led by Hector Garza, who just graduated with his doctoral degree from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the UT Jackson School of Geosciences. Garza took a risk when he embarked on his mission to date the ancient fossils using a geochemical technique called radiometric dating.

That's because while geoscientists can use zircon crystals to determine how long ago a rock was formed, not all rock types are amenable to this type of analysis. And the site in Scotland where the fossils were discovered was near ancient volcanoes whose lava flows had long hardened into basalt rock, where zircons do not typically form. Fellow scientists warned Garza that chemically dating the rocks might be fruitless.

"I think that was one of the reasons why no one tried to go into them before," Garza said. "Because of all the time and effort that it takes to obtain the zircons and then taking the risk of not finding any."

An environmental reconstruction of the East Kirkton area some 346 million years ago depicts the Westlothiana lizziae resting on a rock. Credit: Hector Garza

But he got lucky. As mud cascaded down from the volcanoes, the flowing lava and debris eroded sediment that contained zircons, which got swept into a lake where limestone was forming, entombing these early tetrapod creatures.

Garza X-rayed 11 of the rock samples at the Jackson School and was able to extract zircons from the rock surrounding six of the fossils. He then conducted uranium-lead laser dating on the zircons at the University of Houston to determine their oldest possible age.

Before Garza's gamble, scientists had figured the fossils were as old as similar fossils from around the worldabout 331 million years old.

The more accurate, older maximum age of 346 million years is significant because it places the specimens in Romer's Gap. This is a time period from 360 to 345 million years ago where, for reasons scientists are not exactly sure of, very few fossils have been discovered. It is during this crucial point in history that water-dwelling fish took an evolutionary leap, growing lungs and four legs to become land animals. This is one of the most pivotal milestones in the history of animal evolution.

"I can't overstate the importance of the iconic East Kirkland tetrapods," said Julia Clarke, professor at the Jackson School and co-author of this paper. "Better constraining the age of these fossils is key to understanding the timing of the emergence of vertebrates on to land. Timing in turn is key to assessing why this transition occurs when it does and what factors in the environment may be linked to this event."

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The site in Scotland where the fossils were found is the East Kirkton Quarry, a veritable treasure trove of early tetrapod records. Seven stem tetrapod fossils, including the Westlothiana lizziae, have been found there. Hundreds of millions of years ago, when these early four-legged creatures roamed, this site was a tropical forest with nearby active volcanoes, a toxic lake, and a diverse plant and animal community.

The National Museum of Scotland provided Garza with bits of rock that surrounded the fossils to use for the sampling. Other study co-authors are Associate Professor Elizabeth Catlos and Michael Brookfield, both of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Jackson School, and Thomas Lapen, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Houston.

More information: Hector K. Garza et al, New U-Pb constraints and geochemistry of the East Kirkton Quarry, Scotland: Implications for early tetrapod evolution in the Carboniferous, PLOS ONE (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321714 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Young consumers who shop online and have FOMO (fear of missing out) tend to feel lower levels of social, psychological and financial well-being, a new study findsbut there's one important caveat.

Researchers found that having a stronger attachment to a social media influencer is linked to younger consumers having improved feelings of well-being in those areas.

The findings show a complex dynamic for young people who follow the latest trends in fashion as they shop online and develop one-sided relationships with influencers who they turn to for shopping advice.

"Our findings are among the first to show the negative role that FOMO has on young consumers as they look to keep up with what's fashionable," said Abbey Bartosiak, who led the research while earning a Ph.D. in consumer sciences at The Ohio State University.

"But it also shows that feeling a strong connection to a social media influencer who may help them decide what to buy can be related to their feelings of well-being."

The study was published recently in the journal PLOS One.

FOMO is normally seen as a fear of missing out on events and parties that your friends are attending, but this study shows another side of the phenomenonfear of missing out on the latest fashion trends.

"Our study shows that this kind of FOMO is a real thing, and that it is linked to people's well-being," said Cazilia Loibl, co-author of the study and professor and chair of consumer sciences at Ohio State.

The study involved a sample of 863 U.S. adults between 18 and 40 years old who participated online. All of them used social media and said they followed a social media influencer.

An influencer is someone who has become famous through social media and not through traditional celebrity means, like being a movie star or professional athlete. These influencers often have partnerships with companies to endorse their products or services.

This new form of marketing has grown quickly, and the number of firms using influence marketing almost doubled from 4,000 in 2019 to 7,300 in 2021, with Instagram being the preferred channel, according to the Influencer Marketing Hub.

Because of the stunning growth of influencer marketing, the researchers wanted to see how it is connected to consumer behavior in terms of FOMO and well-being.

"A key reason for the success of social media influencer marketing is that followers feel they connect to the influencer like a friend," Bartosiak said.

In this study, participants completed measures of how much FOMO they experienced and how attached they felt to the influencers they followed. In addition, they rated their experiences of shopping on social media, such as how often they bought items recommended by influencers. Finally, they rated their social, psychological and financial well-being.

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The researchers expected that people with higher levels of FOMO would feel less well-being in all three areas, judging from findings in other studies, which is exactly what they found.

"If you feel that you're missing out on events or trends that your friends are involved in, it is not surprising that your well-being will be hurt," Loibl said.

But researchers also expected that those who reported stronger attachments to influencers could reverse that trend. That, again, is what they found for the two areas of social and psychological well-being.

"This may be one reason why social media influencers are so popular," Bartosiak said.

"If you feel connected to this influencer and her lifestyle, you might feel that the products you buy based on her recommendations make your life better. And that is linked to well-being."

However, there was one surprise for the researchers. They hypothesized that those with stronger attachments to influencers would have a more negative sense of financial well-being. The thought was that people would buy more things on the advice of the influencerpossibly things they didn't need or couldn't affordand that could be linked to higher levels of financial regret.

But that's not what they found. Even financial well-being was higher for those with stronger attachments to social media influencers.

The researchers emphasized that they didn't have objective financial data on participants, and the financial well-being measure was based just on their self-reports.

"We don't know why people felt better about their financial well-being. It is something we are exploring in another study," Loibl said.

Bartosiak said the study findings show why consumers are attracted to social media influencers, but it is still not clear the impact is all positive.

"Influencers can provide a sense of connection that benefits consumers in terms of their feelings of well-being, but there are still concerns about overconsumption and what this might do to people in the long run," she said.

"There's still more to learn about what this is doing to people."

The study was co-authored by Jung Eun Lee, an associate professor of consumer and design sciences at Auburn University.

More information: Abbey Bartosiak et al, Fear of missing out, social media influencers, and the social, psychological and financial wellbeing of young consumers, PLOS ONE (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319034 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Authorities warned of serious risk of an ice jam after the Birch Glacier collapsed and partially destroyed Swiss Alpine village.

Swiss authorities were on Thursday monitoring for possible flood risk in a southern valley, following a massive glacier collapse that created a huge pile of debris after destroying a small village.

On Wednesday the Birch glacier in Switzerland's southern Valais (Wallis) region collapsed, sending tons of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below.

The barrage largely destroyed the hamlet of Blatten, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger.

One person, a man aged 64, believed to be in the affected zone at the time, remained reported missing. A police spokesman said the difficult conditions had forced the search for him to be called off Thursday afternoon.

Authorities declared a local state of emergency Thursday as they monitor the situation after the huge pile of glacier debris, stretching some two kilometers (1.25 miles), blocked the river Lonza.

"There is a serious risk of an ice jam that could flood the valley below," Antoine Jacquod, a military security official, told the Keystone-ATS news agency.

"We're going to try to assess its dimensions today," added Jacquod.

Authorities said an assessment would be made at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) from the nearby village of Ferden as to whether an approach to the zone could be attempted.

As a precaution, 16 people were evacuated late Wednesday from the villages of Wiler and Kippel located downstream from the disaster area in the Loetschental valley, known for scenic views stretching some 30 kilometers and home to around 1,500 people living in traditional villages.

'Not very stable'

"It's like a mountain, and of course, it creates a small lake that gets bigger and bigger," explained Raphael Mayoraz, the cantonal official in charge of natural hazard management, Wednesday evening.

An artificial dam was preemptively emptied to receive the water pushed back by the wall of ice, earth and rubble.

Were that water to overflow from the dam, authorities would need to consider evacuating the valley.

The extent of the landslip is seen from the nearby village of Ferden.

The level is rising 80 centimeters (31 inches) an hour, according to Swiss daily Le Temps.

The huge amount of debris makes the peaks overlooking the valley appear smaller, while a gaping hole can be seen on the side of the mountain from where the land slid down into the valley.

The Valais cantonal government has meanwhile asked the armywhich set up a base camp in Turtmann Wednesday and is readying helicopters for making an approach to the affected zoneto provide clearing equipment and pumps to secure the riverbed.

"The deposit ... is not very stable, and debris flow is possible within the deposit itself (which) makes any intervention in the disaster area impossible for the time being," cantonal authorities stated, adding there was risk on both sides of the valley.

They also warned of a risk of torrential lava within the debris deposit itself, preventing for the time being any intervention in the disaster area.

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Seismic event

YouTube footage of the collapse showed a huge cloud of ice and rubble hurtling down the mountainside, into the valley, and partially up the mountain slope on the other side.

The force was such that Swiss monitoring stations registered the phenomenon as a seismic event.

According to Mayoraz, "three million cubic meters of rock fell suddenly onto the glacier, carrying it with them" down into the valley.

Warming temperatures have both shrunk the Alps' glaciers and have made them more unstable.

Swiss glaciers, severely impacted by climate change, melted as much in 2022 and 2023 as between 1960 and 1990, losing in total about 10% of their volume.

In late August 2017, approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of rock fell from Pizzo Cengalo, a mountain in the Alps in Graubuenden canton, near the Italian border, claiming the lives of eight hikers.

Some 500,000 cubic meters of rock and mud flowed as far as the town of Bondo, causing significant material damage but no casualties.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Continuing a growing trend, three new wolf packs have been confirmed in Northern California, increasing the population of the charismatic and controversial predator to 78 nowup from 44 animals in 2023 and only seven in 2020.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has named the new packs the Ishi pack in eastern Tehama County, the Tunnison pack in central Lassen County, and the Ashpan pack in eastern Shasta County.

The new discovery, confirmed Tuesday, brings the number of known wolf packs statewide to 10. Environmental groups reacted to the news favorably.

"How wonderful to witness another year of continued growth in California's recovering wolf population," said Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's inspiring to watch this renaissance and we should do everything we can to ensure California's wolves have every chance to thrive."

Cattle ranchers, however, said the state needs to take more steps to protect their livestock from wolf attacks.

"Ranchers in Northern California were already well aware of these wolves," said Kirk Wilbur, vice president of the California Cattlemen's Association. "At least two of the packs have been confirmed to have killed livestock, and our members have had several sightings of the third pack."

Wilbur said the state Department of Fish and Wildlife should remove the animals from the state endangered species list.

"Wolves aren't at risk of extinction," he added.

Wolves roamed California for thousands of years, like grizzly bears and mountain lions. But their interactions with ranchers and fears from rural residents caused them to be wiped out a century ago. The last wild wolf in California was shot in 1924 in Lassen County.

The first wolf returned to the state after an 87-year absence in 2011, when a young male wearing a radio collar walked across the border from Oregon.

Wolves are now found in ten of California's 58 counties, from the Oregon border to the mountains around Lake Tahoe, and in the Southern Sierra Nevada near Bakersfield. State biologists estimate that California north of Interstate 80 could support between 371 and 497 wolves, based on populations around the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes.

In 2021, one wandered across the state, his radio collar showing a 1,000-mile journey through San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and other counties before he was killed by a car near Interstate 5 in Kern County. If California follows the patterns of Washington and Oregon, where wolf populations have recovered more quickly, there are likely to be 100 or more wolves in the state in the next few years.

Environmentalists call the recovery a breathtaking success, similar to the comeback of other species once near extinction, like the California condor. They note that wolves roamed across California and the American West for centuries, until ranchers and settlers in the 1800s and early 1900s shot, poisoned and trapped them.

But ranchers have grown increasingly concerned. They note wolves can eat calves and other livestock, like sheep, harming their livelihoods.

In recent months, Shasta, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas and Sierra counties have adopted local emergency resolutions as the wolf population has grown.

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"This is not just about livestock losses," said Shasta County Supervisor Corky Harmon two weeks ago, when the Shasta County Board of Supervisors passed its resolution. "These wolves are coming too close to homes, showing no fear of people, and putting our rural families at risk. We need state support and practical tools to protect our residents."

Environmental groups note that no person has been killed by a wolf in the Lower 48 states in the past 100 years and that the state pays ranchers for the loss of their livestock to wolves. Wolves have been documented to kill only a few dozen of the 670,000 beef cattle in California, they add, and some of the cattle are grazing on national forests and other lands owned by the public.

"Decades of research shows that conflicts between livestock, wolves and people are rare and preventable," Weiss said. "These magnificent animals have immense value because they help keep nature wild and healthy, and that ultimately benefits humans as well."

Looking for a compromise, the Newsom administration has posted a new website that shows the public and ranchers the general location of wolves wearing GPS collars, within an area of about 2,500 to 3,000 acres each, so they can put out range riders on horseback, or use lights, loud noises, or other methods to chase wolves away.

State officials also have announced plans to relax rules to allow ranchers and other rural property owners to obtain permits to use more aggressive methods to chase gray wolves away from livestockincluding firing rubber bullets or bean bags to scare them away, and using ATVs, motorcycles or other equipment to chase them from herds of cattle or sheep.

The new rules won't allow wolves to be shot or hunted, however. They are still listed in California under the state and federal endangered species acts, and it is illegal to kill a wolf unless in defense of a human life. Those rules are stricter than in other Western states that have larger wolf populations.

In Wyoming, for example, state laws allow property owners to shoot wolves on sight. They are hunted in Idaho and Montana, with hundreds killed every year. In Oregon and Washington, there are more protections, but wolves can be shot if they are attacking livestock.

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ATLANTIC CITY  Cape May and Atlantic counties have the most privately owned land at risk of flood damage over the next 25 years, according to a new report that projects that more than 70% of Cape May County will be threatened by 2050.

Rebuild By Design, the public-private partnership formed after Superstorm Sandy to plan protective measures for future major storms, released its report Flood Risk Equals Financial Risk on Thursday.

It found that nearly $278 billion worth of private property in New Jersey faces rising flood risk, and that it generates $3.2 billion in annual tax revenue.

It also had sobering projections for Cape May County, which it said had the highest rate of insurance policy non-renewals last year, with rates tripling since 2018.

Time after time after time, our country is suffering enormously due to weather events, said Amy Chester, the groups director. With the federal government cutting disaster preparedness programs, New Jersey needs reliable sources of funding to support infrastructure for communities to withstand flooding.

She said 95.5% of all U.S. counties have suffered at least one federally declared weather disaster since 2011.

The report recommends developing a stable source of funding for flood and storm protection projects in New Jersey, possibly by selling bonds or tacking a minimal surcharge onto some insurance policies.

Johanna Lawton, the groups deputy director, said $9.1 billion could be raised over 10 years by imposing a 2% surcharge on property and casualty insurance policies in New Jersey.

Ex-Ventnor code enforcement officer gets 5 years for keeping $75,000 in permit payments A former Ventnor code enforcement officer who admitted keeping more than $75,000 worth of payments intended for city permits was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison.

Or the state could choose to ask voters to pass a bond referendum to borrow money for resiliency work, similar to a $4.2 billion measure New York voters approved in recent years.

The report advocates helping families move from high-risk areas through expansion of the states Blue Acres program, which buys and demolishes homes in flood-prone areas from willing sellers.

About an hour after the report was released Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it has approved a $3.2 million Blue Acres buyout for five flood-prone properties in East Hanover and South Plainfield. The project will be funded with $2.5 million from the USDA, with the rest coming from the state.

The report also says the state needs to plan for short- and long-term migration from the riskiest areas, ensuring displaced residents have access to housing, jobs, and resources in safer areas.

The report forecasts that by 2050, 1 in 6 parcels of land in New Jersey, or 565,000, will be exposed to major flood risk. Those properties are worth $436 billion in todays dollars, and they generate nearly $6 billion in property taxes.

South Jersey coastal communities are the most vulnerable in the state.

The report found that 56.1% of all land in Cape May County is at high flood risk, a figure that will increase to 70.6% by 2050.

In Atlantic County, 30.4% of all land is at high flood risk, with projections increasing to 38.7% by 2050.

In Cumberland County, 6.4% of land is at high flood risk, a figure projected to double by 2050.

Ocean City moves forward with $1M car lot work After a delay, Ocean City has agreed to move forward on a $1 million contract to improve a former car dealership lot on 16th Street.

Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, a coastal advocacy environmental group, said Thursdays report is a useful rejoinder to political opposition to New Jerseys proposed climate-related building rules, which foes say could create no-build zones or force a retreat from the shore.

The opposition to the NJPACT rules likes to cite economic lost opportunities as a reason for New Jersey to not move forward on adopting stronger resiliency measures  all without any objective basis, he said. This report seems to provide a serious look at the broader impacts to residents, social equity, property values and tax-related income generation.

The New Jersey Business and Industry Association, which is leading the opposition to the PACT proposal, agreed with much of the Rebuild By Design report.

While we believe the projections of flooding are overstated in the report, there is no doubt that New Jersey has a historic problem with flooding and, as a coastal state, we realize that major storms are a fact of life here, said Ray Cantor, an official with the association. For those reasons, we support taking steps to protect ourselves from those risks New Jersey has long faced through resiliency projects and other community efforts noted in the RBD report.

In terms of current property value in at-risk areas, Ocean County leads the state at $66.1 billion, a figure projected to rise to $79 billion by 2025.

Cape May County has $55.4 billion at risk, rising to $68.2 billion by 2050, and Atlantic County has $22.8 billion at risk, rising to $26.5 billion in 2050.

Rebuild By Design began as a design competition, launched by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development along with nonprofits and the philanthropic sector, in response to Sandy.

One of its lasting legacies was a contest to help governments create ways to protect against the next big storm.

Two of those projects are being built in New Jersey: a flood control project in Hoboken using absorbent resiliency parks to help hold storm water that would otherwise fill sewers and flood streets, and several projects in the Meadowlands near New York City.
On Wednesday, Celia Spicer returned to the site where two years ago she was working at her grandson's vintage clothing store as part of the building collapsed.

Spicer joined a few dozen people for a vigil to mark the two-year anniversary of the deadly partial collapse of the six-story apartment building at 324 Main St. in downtown Davenport.

Organizers called for accountability and justice for the three men  Branden Colvin Sr., Daniel Prien and Ryan Hitchcock  who died in the collapse. People there lighted candles, prayed and sang the gospel song "We Shall Overcome."

On May 28, 2023, Spicer was working at the store, Envied Vintage Clothing, Etc., while her grandson was in Chicago for an estate sale looking for more "treasures."

"There was nobody else in there, shopping or anything, and I heard a real large boom, like a bomb or something," Spicer said. "In the ceiling, there was a piece of tile missing and all this dirt and wind came in. The lights went off and I started getting scared. Then all the fire trucks out here and the policemen running and I thought, 'What is happening?'"

A first responder came in and told her she needed to leave because the building was collapsing. She grabbed her purse, phone and some cherries she'd been eating by the counter.

She called her grandson, Darien Collins. At first, he thought it was a joke. But reality soon set in.

After the collapse, Collins had to start over. With help from city money set aside for businesses and residents of 324 Main St., he set up in a storefront along Isabel Bloom Way, but Spicer said her grandson didn't make many sales there and needed to pick up a second job. At the end of 2024, Collins moved to open up shop in the Bucktown building on Second Street in downtown Davenport. Now, the business is doing well, she said.

Spicer is a nurse and a seamstress. She helps by mending the clothes Collins picks up and taking them to be cleaned.

Since the collapse, Spicer said, she doesn't sleep well at night. If she's lucky, she gets a few hours. Her doctor diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It's been such a long process," Spicer said. "You wonder when it's going to end. You wonder when you're going to get any satisfaction."

A year after the collapse, her husband made three wooden crosses, and Spicer decorated them to honor the three men who died.

La Shanna Dixon said she helped organize the vigil to keep alive the memories of the three men who died and to continue shining a light on unsafe living conditions in Davenport.

Dixon said she remembered her friend calling her to tell her a building had collapsed and that the friend's mother, Lisa Brooks, was missing. Then, Dixon saw a newscast citing officials saying they believed everyone was accounted for.

"The feeling of somebody missing is absolutely devastating," Dixon said.

Brooks was later rescued from an upper-story window.

Then, Dixon learned her cousin, Colvin, lived in the building, too.

"The most devastating day was when the smoke detectors, they were either cut off or they were just going dead, and I just knew at that point, if the smoke detectors are dead  all my hope went away," Dixon said.

Dixon said she was surprised by the turnout Wednesday night.

"I was actually shocked because I didn't realize a lot of people still cared," Dixon said.

Dixon said she'd like to see a full city council that isn't dismissive of her and others' concerns. She said some progress has been made  the passage of a rent abatement ordinance last fall and increased strictness on inspections.

Ezra Sidran, a frequent records requester and critic of the city since the collapse, told the crowd that they would continue pursuing justice.

"It might be one more year or even be two more years, but I swear to you we will get justice for these people," Sidran said.

During the Davenport City Council meeting earlier Wednesday evening, Sidran used stark terms in telling the council his views on the collapse.

"I know the reason for the collapse of 324 Main St., the greatest disaster in the history of the city of Davenport," Sidran said. "It was caused by the incompetence, corruption and cronyism of Davenport city staff."

He hit the city's three-minute time limit for public commenters, but continued to speak.

Mayor Mike Matson called for the police chief and another officer to escort Sidran out. After yelling profanities at the police and council, Sidran left voluntarily.

Former alderwoman Judith Lee and 5th Ward Ald. Tim Kelly also spoke at the vigil. Fourth Ward Ald. Jade Burkholder, 6th Ward Ald. Ben Jobgen, and 7th Ward Ald. Mhisho Lynch also attended.
GUTHRIE CENTER  As the country grapples with a health care workforce shortage, health care facilities across Iowa, especially in rural areas, will see some assistance under legislation signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds Wednesday.

Flanked by health care providers at Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center, Reynolds signed House File 972, which aims to create more medical residency slots and increase access to rural health care in the state.

Iowa is not the only state facing a health care workforce shortage as the projected national physician shortfall could reach as high as 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

But compared to other states, Iowas physician shortage is one of the most dire. Iowa ranked 44th in the nation for patient-to-physician ratio, according to the Iowa Medical Society.

Iowa ranks 40 in the number of residency slots for medical students, which means many of our graduates from Iowa medical schools don't get a chance to continue their education and training here, Reynolds said. These improvements will empower us to operate more efficiently and more effectively on behalf of Iowa taxpayers, and most importantly, support a high-performing health system that provides high-quality care for Iowans.

A main focus of Reynolds proposed plan is to draw in and keep medical students in Iowa to help combat the health care worker shortage. The proposal includes consolidating five student loan repayment programs into one program to incentivize health care workers to work in rural and underserved areas of the state and increasing program funding to $8 million, prioritizing high-demand specialties and positions.

It will also repeal existing residency and fellowship programs and direct the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to partner with the University of Iowa Health Care and Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines to draw down $150 million in federal money to train medical residents in hospitals across the state and create 115 new residency spots.

Guthrie County Hospital CEO Chris Stipe stressed the facilitys need for more health care workers.

Workforce shortages are one of our biggest challenges in rural health care, and since the pandemic, shortages have grown only more severe, Stipe said. If we are to continue to effectively care for our rural Iowa communities, critical strategies such as loan forgiveness programs and graduate medical education programs must be funded and expanded and run efficiently again.

The proposal would also request federal approval for a health care hub and spoke partnership funding model to establish regional collaboration between health care providers in rural areas.

These measures build on Iowa's strong foundation to ensure quality health care reaches every corner of our state, Republican Rep. Carter Nordman, of Dallas Center, who chairs the Iowa House Health and Human Services Committee, said. As the governor signs House File 972 into law today, we celebrate a bright future for rural health care in Iowa, a future where every family has access to care they need when they need it.

Reynolds proposal also focuses on accessibility to maternal health care in the state by unbundling Medicaid rates and increasing reimbursement for medically complex pregnancies and births.

Iowa has the fewest OB-GYNs per capita of any state, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and is one of the five states with the highest losses of access to obstetric care over the past 13 years.

Reynolds also signed House File 310, which provides those working, volunteering or participating in an educational course of instruction at an Iowa health care facility the same protections against assault in the workplace as other health care providers.

Under current law, assaulting a health care provider can be charged as a serious misdemeanor, an aggravated misdemeanor, or a Class D felony. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year of confinement and a fine of between $430 and $2,560. An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for up to two years and a fine of between $855 and $8,540. A Class D felony is punishable by confinement for up to five years and a fine of between $1,025 and $10,245.

I think we can all agree that health care workers do not feel safe at work, Stipe said. It makes it even more difficult to recruit and retain talented health care workers to rural hospitals, really, in all our hospitals in Iowa.

Health care workforce grant program announced

Under a program also launched by Reynolds on Wednesday, health care facilities across the state, including in some rural areas, will receive grants for boosting the workforce.

The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant, which Reynolds announced in her Condition of the State address in January, will allocate $2.94 million towards health care facilities that create pathways for high-demand jobs. This may include facilities that help employees obtain registered nursing training and licensure while working and add positions for health care technicians.

The 14 grant recipients include facilities in Atlantic, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Clear Lake and Cedar Rapids. The program is estimated to train or upskill 399 participants across the state, according to the governors office.

Tom Barton of The Gazette contributed to this report.
Video footage of the deadly shooting of Charles Byers by Chesterfield County police has been made public through a court filing by the attorney for Byers family after Chesterfield authorities declined to release it.

Byers on July 8 was shot and killed by Chesterfield officers as he was experiencing a mental health crisis and carrying a hatchet in a residential area. At the time of his death, he was under a temporary detention order for mental health treatment.

Chesterfield prosecutors in April closed their investigation into the incident, saying the shooting was justified based on the totality of the circumstances and that no charges would be filed against the officers involved. Chesterfield police then sought and were granted a protective order that placed the footage under seal, according to Paul Curley, an attorney for Byers family.

In May, police declined to release the footage to the Richmond Times-Dispatch without offering an explanation and denied a request to schedule a viewing at police headquarters, marking a departure from Chesterfield Police Chief Jeffrey Katzs previous promise that anyone who wants to see the video can come in and see the video.

But Curley included the footage in a recently filed motion to modify the protective order, placing the video in the public record. He said the video was evidence that Chesterfield police shot first and asked questions later.

Standing in someones yard holding a yard tool should not be a death sentence, Curley said.

Chesterfield police spokesperson Liz Caroon said that Chesterfield investigators had initially believed, based on the officers testimonies, that Byers was advancing on the officers when he was shot. But the subsequent investigation indicated that Byers had approached the officers at a different point in the sequence of events than ... initially understood, Caroon said.

In the footage of the incident, Byers does not appear to advance toward the officers at any point during the encounter.

Video shows moment of deadly shooting

The video begins as two Chesterfield officers arrive at the scene in the 1200 block of Wycliffe Court, where a resident had reported that Byers had tried to break into multiple homes. Byers can be seen standing in a yard, barefoot and holding a hatchet.

As officers exited their vehicles, one of them immediately drew her firearm and pointed it at Byers, ordering him to drop the hatchet. Byers then walked into the street and began backing away from the officers, holding the hatchet down at his side.

As Byers continued to retreat, one of the officers deployed a taser, which either missed Byers or was ineffective. Seven seconds later, the other officer began firing at Byers, who was still backing away.

The officer discharged his weapon five times before Byers turned and began to flee the scene. The officer then fired two more rounds as Byers back was turned. Byers ran a few yards before dropping the hatchet and collapsing in the street.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Curley previously said the bullet that killed Byers struck him in the back and severed his spinal cord.

Curley: Byers death an example of systemic failure

Two days before his death, Byers had been admitted to Chippenham Hospitals Tucker Pavilion and placed under a 72-hour temporary detention order for mental health treatment. His release from the facility is the subject of a lawsuit against the hospital and the city of Richmond.

Curley said Byers was unlawfully discharged on July 6 after he was arrested by Richmond police inside the hospital. Hospital staff had attempted to move Byers to another room, but Byers was afraid to get in the elevator and became uncooperative, according to Curley.

Curley said a Richmond police officer was summoned to bully Byers by threatening him with a taser and then placing him in handcuffs when he continued to refuse to get into the elevator. Byers ultimately was detained at the hospital and discharged consequent to his arrest.

Curley said the decision to release Byers violated Virginia law, which requires that a magistrate or facility director approve the discharge of a patient subject to a temporary detention order. That approval was never obtained, Curley said, and Byers was ultimately released into the public on his own recognizance in the middle of the night.

Now, Curley said everyone is pointing fingers at each other.

Curley said the hospital and city of Richmond are blaming Chesterfield police and arguing that they could not have anticipated the actions of a rogue officer in a different locality. But Chesterfield police have maintained that their officers were forced to take action in a difficult situation that was the result of decisions made by the hospital and the city of Richmond, Curley said.

Curley called the incident another example of systemic failure to care for and protect people with mental illnesses.

The hospital and city of Richmond should have anticipated that Byers might end up in danger because he was under a temporary detention order, Curley said. And Chesterfield police lacked adequate training to handle the situation, which led them to use what Curley characterized as excessive force.

Theyre all at fault, Curley said. Something needs to change.

The hospital and the city of Richmond previously have declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

As for the video, Curley said the Byers family is glad that it is public.

They want people to see what happened, he said. And Id like for the public to judge the actions of the police officers without the narrative from Chesterfield police.
2:45 a.m. update: Gunshots were fired into the air at West Broad and Madison streets multiple times early Saturday, according to Richmond police.

Chief William Smith said in a text message: Shots fired by protestors. He added that there were no known injuries.

West Broad and Madison is about a block from Richmond police headquarters. Late Friday, protesters set fire to a car outside the building.

2:10 a.m. update: A GRTC Pulse bus was set on fire at West Broad and Belvidere streets early Saturday. GRTC bus service is likely to be delayed Saturday morning.

"No GRTC injuries. Pulse bus 2004 is a total loss, but all other buses that were in service are home safely," GRTC Transit System spokeswoman Carrie Rose Pace wrote in an email.

Pace added: "As of right now, GRTC plans to delay the start of Saturday morning service. If rioting continues Saturday, it may be necessary to cancel Saturday service entirely."

12:25 a.m. update: The crowd that had gathered around the Richmond police headquarters has broken into smaller groups. Some protesters marched east on Broad Street. Others remained, with some taunting police and yelling obscenities at them. A dumpster in a parking lot next to the police station was set on fire.

Earlier, protesters had broken windows at the police headquarters. Also, glass was shattered at The Jefferson Hotel and the Wells Fargo bank branch at 122 E. Grace St.

11:25 p.m. update: Police officers with shields are lined up around the block outside their headquarters downtown and have moved protesters away from the building, the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Ali Rockett reports.

Police also sprayed a substance toward protesters. Some of the protesters were throwing objects, including water bottles, fireworks and rocks.

A sizable crowd remains, but some protesters have left.

Firefighters extinguished the car that was set ablaze.

A helicopter has been circling overhead.

10:50 p.m. update: A car is on fire outside Richmond police headquarters at 200 W. Grace St. downtown, with a group of protesters in the street.

Story from earlier:

Law enforcement officials rarely comment on the actions of other departments, but Richmond-area and state officials are weighing in on the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed in Minneapolis when a white officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

It is hard for me to put into words the anger, shame and pain I feel as a result of these officers actions, Richmond Police Chief William Smith said.

I am outraged and sickened by the actions I saw in Minneapolis, he said in an emailed statement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch that was later released by the Richmond Police Department on Twitter.

Mr. Floyds egregious and unnecessary death reinforces just how far we still have to go as a nation in law enforcement to replace the fear, mistrust and bias felt among many in the communities we serve with relationships built on transparency, accountability, equity and inclusion. My heart goes out to Mr. Floyds family and to the Minneapolis community, and I hope that both find healing and justice.

Mayor Levar Stoney also condemned Floyds killing, saying the pain he feels has been long felt by people who look like me.

Healing this country will require systems-level change to abolish the injustices that continue to oppress and pin down Black Americans until they cant breathe, Stoney said in a statement. It is the responsibility of us all  no matter our race or station  to question and transform institutions predicated on racism, and to do so with love in our hearts and the names of our lost brothers and sisters on our lips.

But some local black activists said the officials comments fall flat, as the Richmond Police Department and city of Richmond said the fatal shooting of Marcus-David Peters, who was killed by a Richmond officer in 2018 during a mental health crisis, was justified. Peters sister, Princess Blanding, has since advocated for transparency in how RPD conducts its crisis intervention training.

In a Beyond Policing webinar Friday that was viewed by more than 400 people on Facebook, a panel of black activists, social workers and mental health advocates, including Blanding, called for a citizen review board to hold police officers accountable and provide training recommendations to confront and eliminate police violence.

The police cannot continue to police themselves, Blanding said. If we dont address what went wrong and what caused Marcus to not be here now, this is going to happen again.

Before the webinar, Blanding told The Times-Dispatch that Floyds killing had spurred the painful memories of her own brothers death. She added that as she sends love and support to Floyds family, the black community nationwide is hurting and screaming out for our nation to show that Black Lives Matter.

She added: Mr. Floyds death was the last straw for so many nationwide.

Chelsea Higgs Wise, a clinical social worker and activist, said police departments denouncing the Minneapolis Police Department will hold meaning only if actions follow. In years past, she said, Richmonds police department and mayor have been nonresponsive to organizers.

Also on Friday, protesters took to the streets of Richmond, chanting No justice, no peace, no racist police.

The march, spurred by Floyds death and the riots in Minneapolis, began around 8:30 p.m. at Monroe Park, adjacent to the Virginia Commonwealth University campus. Protesters made their way north to Broad Street and circled several blocks around VCU and Richmond police buildings.

A wall of officers blocked a side street that led to Richmond police headquarters, and the demonstrators moved on.

Protesters set off fireworks in front of the VCU police building, and a GRTC Transit System bus was marked with graffiti.

Marchers chanted and held signs saying Am I next?, I cant breathe, White people, do something. Silence=blood on your hands and Two deadly viruses are killing Americans: COVID-19 and racism.

The protest, which traveled through downtown Richmond, appeared to attract a couple hundred people.

Meanwhile Friday, in a letter to his officers, Henrico County Police Chief Humberto Cardounel Jr. said the Minneapolis officers tarnished our profession and eroded the public trust.

Although we are many miles away from Minneapolis, the impact here is very real, said Cardounel, adding that he, like most chiefs, dont typically comment after incidents involving other police departments. But in this particular case, staying silent is not an option, because saying nothing infers you are not distraught by the images we are seeing.

Col. Jeffrey S. Katz, Chesterfield Countys police chief, tweeted: Preservation of the sanctity of human life  all human life  is the FIRST of 4 foundational priorities of his department, echoing a sentiment from a statement issued by Dana Schrad, the executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.

The VACP has a strong history of supporting professional law enforcement through modern training, advancement of law enforcement accreditation and advocacy for constitutional policing practices, Schrads statement said. Incidents such as the one in Minneapolis this past week only reinforce our need to remain focused on our mission and to strive for excellence in professional and compassionate policing practices throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

U.S. Rep. Don McEachin, D-4th, said in a statement that he didnt condone the violence and destruction of property that has followed Floyds death.

But lets be clear  the unrest in Minnesota is a reflection of what we already know: the time to address the long-simmering frustration in communities of color with the racism deeply ingrained in American culture is long overdue, said McEachin, whose wife, Colette McEachin, serves as Richmonds top prosecutor and determines whether to charge any city officer. The justice system must begin demanding accountability from [law enforcement officers] to the same laws they are sworn to uphold.
Mayor Danny Avula on Thursday afternoon said that delayed maintenance of the sedimentation basins in the citys water treatment plant contributed to the filter clogs that caused Richmonds second water crisis.

Scott Morris, director of the citys Department of Public Utilities, said a buildup of alum sludge on plates in the basin was the primary factor. Alum sludge is a byproduct of the drinking water purification process.

Normally, theyre doing (the cleaning) on an on-demand basis, Morris said. But in light of this weeks events, he said the cleanings would now be treated as a preventive maintenance item and completed every four weeks.

Morris also said the fact that half the Byrd Park reservoir is still under construction worsened the water issues. The reservoir had only half its normal capacity, which made it harder to make up for the water production loss caused when the plant was shut down to unclog the filters.

Were an old city with old infrastructure, Avula said. That plus consistent population growth has created bumps in the road.

The job that I signed up for is to try to strengthen this local government and to rebuild trust.

Morris said hed continue to work on maintaining the water treatment plant to prevent future crises, but added he cannot promise no incidents will happen again.

Even if you do everything perfectly  to maintain your car, you can still get a flat tire, he said.

The DPU director would not say who decided against cleaning the plates, a task he said had last been performed in March  despite a maintenance order requesting the plates be cleaned in mid-May. That maintenance order was first reported by WTVR.

Asked by The Richmonder reporter Graham Moomaw about who made the decision to put off the cleaning, Morris said he didnt want to comment on personnel matters.

Morris also wouldnt answer when asked what sort of disciplinary action had been taken against the person or people responsible for the decision, though he said hed hold the responsible parties accountable.

I dont understand why you guys are falling back on personnel, Moomaw said, arguing that Morris should disclose the discipline even if he didnt identify the responsible parties. This personnel matter affected a whole lot of city neighborhoods.

Just send us an email, said Avulas press secretary, Mira Signer, before ending the news conference.

Officials last week said former plant operator Doug Towne had been relieved of his duties, although they didnt say why. He was replaced by longtime DPU employee Ricky Hatfield.

Officials lifted boil advisory in afternoon

City officials at 2:30 p.m. Thursday lifted Richmonds boil advisory just over 50 hours after issuing it Tuesday morning.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the mayor said the decision came after the results of two sets of compliance samples, both of which came back negative, passing the required tests.

It was Richmonds second water crisis since a January power outage at the citys water treatment plant caused flooding that damaged critical electrical components in the facility. Since Jan. 6, Richmond residents have spent more than 160 hours under boil advisories.

The first test on Richmonds water supply had come back negative for bacterial contamination late Wednesday night. Officials had collected the second sample at around 11:40 a.m. Wednesday.

Lifting the advisory required two negative tests, separated by 16 hours, for harmful bacteria, which can infiltrate the water supply when pressure drops  as happened Tuesday morning, when James River sediment clogged the water treatment plants filters.

Officials initially told The Times-Dispatch at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday that the clogged filters were responsible for a partial drop in water pressure in certain neighborhoods, but said the pressure had not fallen enough to issue a boil advisory. But by 11:30 a.m., the filters had clogged again, and officials issued the advisory for all residents in downtown neighborhoods connected to the Ginter Park water tower.

On Tuesday evening, they expanded the advisory to parts of South Side along the Richmond Highway corridor.

Officials said they had handed out around 140,000 bottles of water to vulnerable residents during the crisis.

Henrico taking in Richmond water again

Henrico County earlier Thursday reopened some of its connections to the Richmond water utility. The Virginia Department of Health told the county it was safe to open connections outside of the affected zones without issuing a boil water notice.

Henrico had closed all connecting valves to Richmond on Tuesday night after reports of clogged filters impacting the citys water treatment plant.

Richmond has reported that its water treatment plant is back to full operational status. Henrico reports that all water in the county is safe to drink, and officials anticipated pressure would return to normal overnight.

We learned a great deal about our system in January, and that knowledge helped us to provide uninterrupted service to our customers throughout this event, said Bentley Chan, director for Henricos Department of Public Utilities.

Henrico DPU manually supplied water to storage tanks that covered the eastern side of the county during the outage.
Frances Tyler spent the summer reading the 175-year-old letters written by her ancestors. Tyler, 23, is the great-great-granddaughter of John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, and while studying the correspondence, she developed a dishonorable view of him.

She sees John Tyler as a slave owner and traitor, the only U.S. president laid to rest with another countrys flag draped across his coffin. When John Tyler died in 1862 and was interred in Richmonds Hollywood Cemetery, he was buried under a Confederate banner.

But Frances father, William, thinks of John Tyler in a more sympathetic light. William, 58, sees him as a man of values and morals, who stuck to his principles even when his own political party defied him.

William Tyler runs Sherwood Forest, the Charles City County home once owned by John Tyler. The 50-acre plantation has been designated a national historic landmark. But the community college named for Tyler since 1967 decided it can no longer honor him. Last month, a task force at the school unanimously voted to change its name.

Schools across Virginia are ridding themselves of their Confederate-inspired names, and colleges are recognizing the enslaved people who lived on their land and built their campuses.

There are more than 100 living descendants of John Tyler and dozens in central Virginia, and even they dont agree on how to interpret the former presidents complicated legacy. They are a sign of how historical figures from the Civil War era are being reconsidered in 2020, a time of racial reckoning across America.

During her last semester at Georgetown, Frances Tyler decided she wanted to learn more about her ancestors relationship with slavery. She read A Mercy by Toni Morrison, a novel about enslaved women, and it reminded her of her own family.

She connected with historians and researchers, obtained letters and records from the mid-1800s and cataloged her findings in a spreadsheet. According to the 1850 census, there were 46 enslaved people at Sherwood Forest that year. Frances Tyler believes there were 200 or more total slaves at the plantation during John Tylers time there.

The letters written by Frances great-great-grandmother, Julia Gardiner Tyler, the second wife of the president, reveal a glimpse of how the enslaved were viewed. In one letter, Julia Gardiner Tyler seemingly mocked the way the enslaved workers swayed while they prayed during the funeral for a man named Tony. She made fun of their poor singing and how they spoke the words Yes, yes do pray, calling their behavior ludicrous.

In another letter, Julia wrote how an enslaved woman named Eliza escaped with her five young children and stole articles of clothing as they left. Julia called their liberation an act of betrayal.

The word slave was rarely used in the letters, Frances Tyler said. Instead, slave owners chose servant or simply the N-word. An attitude of racism in those letters persists today, Frances Tyler said.

Frances is working with Annique Dunning, the head of the Sherwood Forest nonprofit foundation, to update the historical sites tours, brochures and website to tell a more inclusive story. She met a descendant of a person enslaved at Sherwood Forest.

And she believes its important for John Tyler Community College to choose a name that aligns with its values, so she supports the colleges effort to change its name. The Tyler family was not involved in the creation of the college.

I dont see him in a flattering view, she said.

Frances also understands why her father holds such a different perspective. Sherwood Forest was restored by Williams parents in the 1970s when William was a child. He used to climb into the crawl space under the house and retrieve the century-old detritus that was left there. He marveled at the history around him. Back then, the story of John Tyler was told with a positive slant.

John Tyler was elected vice president in 1840, but he became president when William Henry Harrison died a month into his term, making Tyler the first president never elected to the office. The Cabinet he inherited didnt like him and called him His Accidency. He was the first president to have a veto overridden by Congress.

His Whig party chose not to endorse him in 1844, so he retired to a 1,600-acre property in Charles City and named it Sherwood Forest, because he considered himself a political outlaw. Shortly before his death in 1862, he was elected to the Confederate Congress.

By the 1970s, Sherwood Forest had fallen into disrepair. John Tylers grandson, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, rebuilt the house with his wife, Frances Bouknight Tyler.

Harrison Ruffin Tyler, 91, lives with dementia. But he represents a stunning genealogical fact: John Tyler, who was president 175 years ago, still has a living grandson. Until September, there were two.

Both the president and his son fathered children late in their lives. John Tylers first wife, Letitia Christian Tyler, died while he was in office. He remarried to Julia Gardiner, who was 30 years his junior, and he was 63 when he fathered his 13th child, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, in 1857. (John Tyler had 15 children in total.)

Lyon Gardiner Tyler, who became president of the College of William & Mary, also was widowed and had children into his 70s. His son Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. was born in 1924 and died recently at the age of 95. His youngest son, Harrison, was born in 1928.

There arent that many generations separating John Tyler and William Tyler, who spends two nights a week at Sherwood Forest maintaining the property. House tours are given by appointment.

William Tyler said he doesnt understand the need for changing the colleges name, but he believes his daughters opinion is more important than his own, because her generation is the future.

Frances mother, Kay, agrees with her daughter that its time to change the name of John Tyler Community College because theres an ugly truth in Tylers story, that he was a slave owner. Kay headed operations at Sherwood Forest for nearly a decade.

Its time for Richmond to heal, Kay Tyler said. I applaud them and think they have to do whats right for their community.

But other members of the Tyler family disagree, seeing the entire movement of changing names and removing statues as misguided.

Jimmy Tyler, 75, a great-great-grandson of the former president who lives in Charles City, said hes surprised and disappointed by the changes. The effort accomplishes nothing and denies the communitys history, he said.

I think the whole movement is nonsensical, Jimmy Tyler said.

If everything named for a slave owner needs to be changed, he said, that means renaming Washington, D.C., too, because George Washington owned slaves.

Jimmys son, Jones, 53, echoed his fathers sentiments. He believes John Tyler should be remembered for more than his involvement with the Confederacy or his ownership of slaves. John Tyler established how power would be transferred after the death of a president, and he clashed with his Cabinet but refused to let them dictate his actions.

Jones noted that support for Confederate statues doesnt fall strictly down party lines. Charles City voters last month overwhelmingly chose Democrat Joe Biden for president but rejected a referendum measure that would have removed an obelisk honoring Confederate soldiers.

One day, William will retire from running Sherwood Forest, and he hopes a member of the family will continue his work. The house is the oldest presidential home still maintained by the presidents descendants, he said.

Would Frances carry on the work of preserving a historical site dedicated to a man she doesnt endorse? She doesnt know the answer. There are other members of the family who could take on the work.

For now, Frances is applying to law school. And she is determined that Sherwood Forest will tell a more complete story of John Tyler.
Now former Cancun transit officer arrested for extorting tourist

Cancun, Q.R. A now-former Cancun Transit officer has been arrested in relation to the extortion of an Italian tourist. The tourist, who was visiting the city of Cancun in March, made the official report of being extorted by three Cancun Transit officers after arriving home.

Upon his return to Italy, he filed an official complaint with assistance from the Italian Consult for being extorted of around 50,000 pesos by the three transit officials. On Wednesday, agents from the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE) executed an arrest warrant against a former Municipal Traffic Police officer.

Ricardo N was arrested for his alleged involvement in acts possibly constituting the crime of extortion against an Italian victim, Cancun authorities reported. Now-former officer Ricardo N has been accused of extorting the man to avoid arrest.

He was stopped in the city by Transit officers for an alleged traffic violation March 3. According to the unnamed victim, both he and his female passenger were threatened with arrests if he did not pay.

The FGE said in a statement that the detainee is identified as Ricardo N who allegedly, on the night of March 3 of this year along with two other agents, was traveling aboard a police unit when at the intersection of Uxmal and Nader Avenues they stopped the driver of a Mitsubishi vehicle who was accompanied by a woman.

Once the driver stopped the vehicle, the officers forced him out for a so-called breathalyzer test. They then told him that if he didnt pay the $200 fee, they would arrest him and his passenger.

Fearing they would be arrested, the man agreed to give them the money, so the officers took out a bank terminal, entered the victims credit card and made two transactions totaling 659.89 euros (approximately 15,000 Mexican pesos).

They later asked for another card, as they claimed they needed to split the payment into three parts, so he handed over a debit card from which they withdrew another 635.45 euros.

These events were corroborated through C5 and private surveillance cameras as well as audio recordings provided by the victim, in addition to the workday data for the three officers, who were on duty that date, Cancun FGE reported.

Following the complaint, local authorities requested and obtained an arrest warrant for the three officers. On May 27, investigative police arrested Ricardo N. He was handed over to the requesting authority. Police are still in search of the other two Cancun transit officers involved.
Young hunter mistaken for deer killed during Bacalar trip

Bacalar, Q.R.  A young hunter who was accidently shot during a trip in Bacalar has died. The 22 year old man was part of a group hunting trip for deer Monday night when he was mistaken for an animal.

Police are still investigating the death of Israel P. He was shot several times and subsequently died from his injuries during the nighttime hunting trip near the town of Altos de Sevilla.

The shooting happened just before 10:00 p.m. Monday when the young man was mistaken for a deer and shot. He was rushed to hospital by his fellow hunters but died along the way. Their vehicle was met along the Bacalar highway by a responding ambulance who confirmed the 22 year had died. He was reportedly shot several times, twice in the abdomen and once in the chest.

State police were called to the scene since the accident involved a death. Authorities have not commented publicly on the Bacalar hunting accident.
Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here.

Dear Prudence,

This isnt a problem per se (yet!), but something Id love some perspective on. My partner and I are serious and have said wed like to get married in the future, but are not engaged yet. When we discussed it, my partner said he loved the idea of being married to me (yay), but he hates the idea of the wedding ceremony itself. My partner dislikes being the center of attention, and he has real anxiety around public speaking, so hates the traditional idea of ceremony where a lot of people look at us and theres an expectation of uttering vows and giving speeches. I am by no means a traditional person in most areas of my life, but I have been in abusive relationships in the past where I was shamed and hidden by partners and toldexplicitly and implicitlythat I wasnt good enough.

Because of that, Im now pretty attached to the idea of the public ceremony where my partner chooses me in front of others, and I spent so long believing I wasnt worthy of romance or normal displays of affection that I think Id feel quite sad to have an elopement or tiny ceremony where it felt like we were hiding a bit. I dont buy into the idea of a wedding being The Brides Big Day and my desire does not outweigh my partners, but Id like us both to be able to have our values and desires fulfilled on our wedding day. How do we think about this, are there any obvious compromises or alternatives?

Looking for Ideas

Dear Looking,

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You can definitely pick and choose what you want to do. Would you be satisfied with getting married in a private ceremony and following it up with a big party that doesnt involve any public speaking? Or one where you can get on the mic and thank everyone for coming, and he can stand next to you and smile? I think that would be a pretty good compromise.

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If you are set on saying your vows in front of a crowd, I wonder if he would find it more manageable if you reminded him of these things:

1) Your wedding is one of the rare times in your life where, if you do the guest list right, everyone is there because they love you and want the best for you.

2) At most straight weddings, the groom is not actually the center of attention, the bride is, because shes the one with the beautiful dress.

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3) You dont have to write your own vows or say a single word beyond I do.

4) You two can have a wedding party so you will be two of six or eight or 10 people standing up there and that can distribute the attention a little.

5) The actual part when youre up in front of the audience is very short, and for the rest of the time, you are really just having one conversation at a time like you would at any other partyyou can choose to skip a first dance and all the garter stuff to decrease your time in the spotlight.

Also, try to underscore that a wedding is about so much more than that one day. Theres planning and coordinating and getting ready in a room with your friends, and your college roommate meeting your spouses cousin and then following each other on social media for the rest of their lives. It really brings a community together around you. Maybe if he can think about the larger meaning of the event (which really isnt just about the two of you!), he might feel less pressure and feel more comfortable with it.

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While hes considering all this, you might reflect some more on your statement that Im now pretty attached to the idea of the public ceremony where my partner chooses me in front of others. I think I spent so long believing I wasnt worthy of romance or normal displays of affection that I think Id feel quite sad to have an elopement or tiny ceremony. Thats really honest and insightful, but I also worry that its a lot to put on your relationshipthe wedding, but also part that comes after the day you say your vows. While you definitely dont need to be completely healed from your abusive relationship to have a great married life, try to be aware of when youre reading too much into your husbands preferences and actions.

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In this case, Im a little concerned that you dont say you want a traditional wedding because it would be fun or you would enjoy this or that aspectits all about the message it will send about your worth. And because you need that message to be sent, your fiancee may end up doing something that he is uncomfortable with. If its a one-time thing, no problem. But you dont want to find yourself constantly demanding things you normally wouldnt demand just because you need him to make choices that symbolize a departure from your past.

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Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit

Dear Prudence,

I got married pretty young. We had been together since college, and it truly felt right to get engaged and married. Over time, my partner has gone through phases of struggling with their temper (nothing violent at all, but they have big outbursts that can be triggering) as well as taking me for granted, criticizing me constantly, and just generally sighing every time I say something they dont like or that they find to be extra. They have let me know I am not a good roommate to them nor a good bedmate. They have also mentioned that I annoy them in a group setting at times. I know, I knowbut believe it or not, we are still in love!

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A year ago, I initiated a separation which was intended to be temporary. I moved out by myself, trying to cultivate a degree of peace I never had as a kid. A few months ago, they came over to end the relationship, citing they couldnt handle the uncertainty anymore (we are in couples therapy as well, but havent made moves to live together as yet, nor do I feel a desire to do so). Soon after, they took it all back, saying they couldnt see their life without me.

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Since then, I have considered wanting to see other people. I agreed to continue trying, and I still want to, but I am very young and they have displayed that theyre not able to treat me well consistently over the last decade-plus. We still love each other, see the same future, but there are so many possibilities in this life, and Im not sure being married to my college sweetheart is the way. I know you cant decide for me, but any guidance as I try to figure out which timeline Im in?

Unsure of My Path

Dear Unsure,

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Youre right that I cant decide for you. However! If I could, I would decide that you should move the hell on. Your story has the perfect combination of factors to justify a decision to end a relationship: Your partner is not kind to you and doesnt appear to like you that much, even if they claim to be in love with you. You are interested in other people (so you can envision yourself moving on!). Im not reading anything about children, or concern about being able to afford to live on your own, or feeling responsible for him because he has a terrible health condition and needs to stay on your insurance. And it sounds like youre young enough that you could have a fresh start and an entire life with someone else, taking what you learned from this relationship and creating something much healthier and better.

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Imagine yourself 20 years from now, at dinner with someone who manages their temper, thinks youre a great roommate, and would never dream of saying you annoy them in group settings. You mention I was actually married for a while right out of college, as kind of a fun fact shared with friends who only know you with your soulmate. You say We were young and not right for each other, but now I know what real love is! To get there, you have to be brave now and get a divorce.

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Dear Prudence,

My mother is a hopeless gossip and has been for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is from when I was 5 of being humiliated when she told our mailman how Id thrown up on my dentist. Nothing told to her by anyone will remain confidential; she even will share personal information shes learned about others with clerks who wait on her at the grocery store!

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Her online activities are even worse. I keep what I tell her about my life pretty generic (much to her frustration) since I dont want it shared with the world. More and more family members are doing likewise for the same reason, as she seems to be getting worse with age. Is there anything I can do to break her of this infuriating habit?

Daughter of the Town Crier

Dear Daughter,

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Could you possibly get her into watching a reality show with a lot of seasons and possibly different franchises? Yes. Im talking about Real Housewives! Maybe you could watch together and then she could chat with you (and even online communities) about all the women and their various antics and life events. Or maybe introduce her to Lipstick Alley, where she could indulge in gossip about celebrities and influencers and Youtubers with people who are just as enthusiastic as she is. Im hopeful that those things could scratch the itch for her. But obviously, just in case, dont tell her anything that you wouldnt want the person bagging groceries to know.

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Classic Prudie

I work in a small office (10 people). Two employees (married male, unmarried female) are spending an inordinate amount of time together during office hours. People are beginning to talk. These two spend at least an hour a day in closed-door meetings, another 15 minutes here and there during the day chatting and occasionally whispering. They go out to lunch together, and she even came into the office on a Saturday just to talk to him. (They went into her office, shut the door, and emerged a half-hour later. Then she left.) Neither of them has any business reason that requires meetings.
This article contains spoilers for Netflixs Dept. Q.

Thrillers and murder mysteries often get knocked for neglecting character and style in favor of plot, but the opposite is the case with the new Netflix series Dept. Q, based on a series of books by the Danish crime novelist Jussi Adler-Olsen. Created by Scott Frankwhose adaptation of Walter Tevis The Queens Gambit applied the same elegant attention to a far superior novelDept. Q is beautifully shot, smartly written, and replete with fine performances, all in service of a rather stupid story.

Adler-Olsens bestselling but decidedly mid novel series, beginning with 2007s The Keeper of Lost Causes, features a surly Copenhagen police detective, Carl Mrck, who is assigned to a new cold case department after he instigates a raid that leaves one policeman dead and his partner disabled. The Netflix series transposes the setting to Edinburgh, with Matthew Goode cast as Morck, now an Englishman among a sea of Scots, which seems to further sully his mood. In the first episode, Carl sulks through a mandatory consultation with psychologist Rachel Irving (Kelly Macdonald), who notes that his superiority complex has been recorded in his official file. While there ought to be a moratorium on the shopworn detective show trope of the forced therapy session, Rachel gives as good as she gets, at one point decamping to her desk to eat a sandwich after her patient insists that hes perfectly fine.

A pair of police department misfits is assigned to support Carl in his basement officeRose (the irresistible Leah Byrne) and Akram (Alexej Manvelov), a Syrian refugee whose manifold and sometimes disturbing skills provide one of the series running jokes: Just what did the unflappable Akram do back in his homeland? Carl has a tough boss, played by Kate Dickie, who berates him for his bad attitude but keeps him on because hes so good at the job, and a messy domestic situation that, as is so often the case with detective shows, provides an occasional and unwelcome diversion from the main investigation. Carls assholery would be more irritating if the series took him at all seriously, as a nobly brooding crusader for justice, say. Instead, everyone around him shrugs his snits off as if he were a misbehaving adolescent.

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The first episode intercuts Carls story with that of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), a driven prosecutor who loses a big case when she fails to convince a jury that a local crime lord murdered his wife. This suggests that Merritt, too, will soon be joining Department Q. The twist comes when Merritt disappears while taking a ferry with her mentally disabled brother, and viewers learn that this event occurred four years prior to the formation of the cold case department. Merritts missing-person case, it turns out, is the first mystery the department will set out to solve. Although she is widely presumed to be dead, the episodes final scene reveals Merritt to be imprisoned in a metal cylinder, a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, controlled by shadowy figures who address her with processed voices over a loudspeaker.

Its with this bizarre form of tortureMerritts tormenters keep turning up the air pressure while grilling her about all the people shes wrongedthat Dept. Q morphs from a somewhat cliched but well-mounted detective story to something more baroque and silly. It soon becomes obvious who has kidnapped Merritt, so watching the detectives chase down red herrings feels pointless. Adler-Olsen, who likes to sketch out his female characters by describing their breasts, partakes of the sadism of a serial-killer thriller without deploying an actual serial killer. The Netflix series doesnt linger as lovingly over Merritts suffering as the novel does, but this only makes the preposterous nature of her captivity more glaring.

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Meanwhile, the rest of Dept. Q gets richer and more enjoyable. Even Carls sessions with Rachel can be fun. Arent you always pissed off at everyone, she asks him, then adds with the theatrically exasperated sigh of a 13-year-old, because youre so much smarter? Bubbly Rose and the enigmatic Akram brighten every scene they appear in. Carls old partner (Jamie Sives) takes it upon himself to mentor Rose from his hospital bed. We dont know what happened to Merritt, he tells her, but she existed in the world. She caused ripples with people, institutions, and these ripples in turn caused patterns in her life. It can be useful to see if these patterns change after one ceases to exist. Its not often that a detective series pays much attention to any actual theory of detection, let alone expresses it so eloquently.

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The more authentic the rest of Dept. Q comes to feel, the more ludicrous and rudimentary the central mystery appears. How is a nasty old lady living in a trailer on a derelict waterfront able to afford to run a hyperbaric chamber all day every day for four years, without anybody noticing? Who holds a person captive for that longfour years of feeding, washing, disposing of waste, etc.solely for revenge? Even the Count of Monte Cristo would tire of that routine. How does Merritt not go mad in whats essentially solitary confinement? This element of the plot feels as if it belongs to an entirely different show, the kind of show that couldnt care less about making Carl and his colleagues plausible people living believable and engaging lives.

A great amount of talent went into Dept. Q, and the best parts of the seriesthe fresh supporting characters, the humor, the damp stony streets of Edinburghwould naturally carry over to a second season. To make the series unmissable, Frank need only jettison Adler-Olsens crude and creepy plots and come up with some of his own. Hes certainly clever enough to do better.
Watching The Phoenician Scheme, a globe-trotting caper about an emotionally remote business tycoon and his long-estranged daughter, I attempted a thought experiment: What if this were the first Wes Anderson movie I had ever seen, freed from any contextual knowledge of the other 12 features this sui generis auteur has turned out in the 29 years since his debut in 1996 with Bottle Rocket?

Theres a tiresome if perhaps unavoidable tendency to turn every evaluation of an Anderson film into a referendum on the directors whole career. This particular oeuvre, more than that of any other filmmaker now working, seems to invite listing, ranking, and comparing. His movies exist in relation to one another like objects on a collectors shelf, there to be rearranged and reevaluated, dusted off and fussed overor, for the not inconsiderable contingent of filmgoers who are allergic to Andersons signature deadpan dialogue and dollhouse-like visual design, dismissed as an undifferentiated heap of meticulously crafted but ultimately trivial toys.

For this viewer, Andersons determination to keep leaning in to the hyperfastidious style that some argue makes his movies feel hermetically sealed off from real emotion has led, paradoxically, to an artistic breakthrough in some (not all) of his more recent work. The Grand Budapest Hotel, one of his first films to engage with a real-life historical tragedy, struck a delicate balance between antic humor and profound sorrow in its portrait of an elegant Eastern European resort on the brink of the Second World War. And though I cant say I was a fan of his most recent movie, Asteroid City, I admired how the filmmaker expanded his usual scope into a metafictional, even autobiographical space that lay far outside his usual set of concerns.

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See, there I go again, comparing and contrasting, fiddling with the miniature models on my own personal shelf. Lets return to the mindset I tried to put myself in while watching The Phoenician Scheme, imagining myself as a Martian who had just been dropped, like the googly-eyed stop-motion space alien in Asteroid City, into my very first Anderson movie. It brings me no joy to report that Martian me would have felt confused, often bored, and ultimately put off by the evenly arch tone with which the film treats everything that befalls its characters, be it a joyous life experiencefalling in love, reconciling with an estranged relativeor a painful and violent one.

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There are so many examples of the latter here its hard to narrow down, but without spoiling anything, I can at least cite the earliest such incident. In the opening scene, the private plane of the protagonist, Anatole Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro), is bombed in midflight. Its the sixth assassination attempt on the notorious Korda, a proudly amoral war profiteer and ruthless capitalist whose global infrastructure empire (trains, dams, tunnels) generates revenue by any means necessary, up to and including the use of slave labor. The attack misses its targetthe indestructible Zsa-zsa will emerge from the wreckage, ready to plunder once morebut his young assistant, strapped into a seat at the back of the plane, is blown in half. This makes for an almost Looney Tunesstyle sight gag, with the unfortunate subordinates neatly attired lower half still upright in its seat.

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Its a startling image, gory and prim at the same time, and a hell of a way to kick off a movie. But the film that follows, though it purportedly tells the story of Zsa-zsas gradual transformation into a less destructive and more humane version of himself, never wrestles with the moral dilemma that opening gag presents, not to the empathetically challenged protagonist but to us. Why did we laugh at the cartoonish demise of that nameless assistant? In the world of the movie, did his death matter? Surely we are intended to care about the fate of his replacement, a nerdy Norwegian insect specialist named Bjorn (Michael Cera), who will soon be strapped into the same plane seat. And when the tycoon receives a visit from his eldest daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton), now a convent-dwelling novitiate on the verge of becoming a nun, she too is clearly intended to be someone were invested in, what with her frosty self-possession, fierce sense of justice, and intriguing combination of white-clad piety and red-lipsticked glamour.

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On the hopscotching trip these three take around the fictional nation of Phoenicia, they will meet many more oddballs, some likable and some not: Riz Ahmed as a sheltered prince, Mathieu Amalric as a fez-wearing nightclub owner, Scarlett Johansson as the wealthy second cousin to whom Zsa-zsa proposes a marriage of convenience. A series of black-and-white sequences set at the gates of heaven introduces even more famous faces in nonspeaking roles: F. Murray Abraham, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray as a robe-clad, Santa-bearded God. But the uneasy question of which characters in this movie are meant to matternot in the abstract humanitarian sense, but as active objects of narrative interest and emotional engagementhovers over every scene. To give one more example: Liesl has nine younger brothers, all of them adopted, who live in a kind of dormitory in their fathers lavish palazzo like so many Dickensian orphans. Though presumably all these children have had an early life at least as tragic as Lieslsher mother was killed in an incident she blames on her father, though he swears the murderer was his half brother Nubar (Benedict Cumberbatch)we never learn anything about the boys backstory. What are their names? How old were they when Zsa-zsa adopted them, anda significant question given his bent for shady dealingwhat were the circumstances of those adoptions? Do the boys, too, harbor vengeance fantasies toward the cold, withholding father who, for reasons that remain unclear, has chosen to make them his barely tolerated household pets?

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Del Toros morally slippery patriarch is meant as a character in the tradition of Gene Hackmans despicable yet poignant Royal Tenenbaum: a prodigal parent whose long history of putting his needs before his childrens constitutes the movies original, but ultimately forgivable, sin. Yet through no fault of the actor who plays him, Zsa-zsa never attains such raffish heights. The script, by Anderson from a story co-written with Roman Coppola, fails to elucidate either how this man became so alienated from his own offspring or by what internal process he finds his way back. We know he will eventually reconcile with his daughter because that is established early on as the characters necessary moral arc, but their rapprochement remains a script contrivance rather than a tangible human connection. Threapletons performance as the morally outraged novitiate is tartly amusingthough Threapleton is Kate Winslets daughter, she is no nepo babybut the screenplay holds her pain and anger with her father at such a distance that I could never manage to care about either character. For all its exquisite boxes-within-boxes compositions and cleverly designed sets (the production design is by longtime collaborator Adam Stockhausen, who won an Oscar for his work on The Grand Budapest Hotel), this whole movie unfolded for me as if behind a thick pane of emotion-proof glass.

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The standout in the huge cast (and I havent even mentioned the brief appearances of Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Hope Davis, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, or Charlotte Gainsbourg) is Cera as the Norwegian insect enthusiast with a secret or two up his well-tailored sleeve. Ceras low-key delivery is perfectly suited to Andersons rat-a-tat non sequitursits surprising that an actor so well matched to this directors style has never worked with him before, and its to be hoped he will do so again. Though this may be my least favorite Anderson movie to date, somewhere down there with The Darjeeling Limited (damn, there I go, ranking again!), I remain as curious as ever to see what this always imaginative, invariably obsessive, and intermittently brilliant filmmaker gets up to with his next scheme.
U.S.-funded financial institutions welcome to participate in China's capital market: vice premier

Xinhua) 09:37, May 29, 2025

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Co-President of Morgan Stanley Dan Simkowitz in Beijing, capital of China, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Co-President of Morgan Stanley Dan Simkowitz in Beijing on Wednesday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China's commitment to promoting high-quality development through high-level opening up will invigorate and add impetus to the Chinese and global economies.

He welcomed more U.S.-funded financial institutions and long-term capital, including Morgan Stanley, to continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and actively participate in the construction and development of China's capital market.

Simkowitz was pleased with the substantive progress made in the U.S.-China economic and trade talks and said that he would continue to focus on the Chinese market and provide high-quality services to promote investment cooperation between U.S. and Chinese enterprises.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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In April, I resigned from my position at the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for a simple reason: The departments leadership is directing attorneys to use antisemitism as a pretext to undermine free speech.

The Civil Rights Division was founded in the late 1950s to enforce the nations civil rights statutes and address discrimination in all aspects of American life. I joined the division in November 2024 with the goal of contributing to that mission. For decades, the division has been a critical tool in the fight for this countrys ideals of just and democratic government and for the protection of civil liberties for all. But from my perspective as both a Jewish American and an Arab American, the administrations use of that power made it untenable to do that important work on behalf of the American people.

I am unusually situated in terms of my ethnicity and family background. My fathers side of the family immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe in the early 20th century to escape violent pogroms and the lack of opportunity for Jewish people. They settled in New York, living in predominantly Jewish communities in Queens and the Bronx. By my fathers generation, my family had attained middle-class status and moved to the Long Island suburbs. My grandfather spent his career as an accountant at MetLife. But throughout his career he was passed over for promotions in favor of Christian colleagues. My grandparents viewed the Civil Rights Movement struggles of the 1960s with solidarity and joined marches on Washington. On my mothers side, my great-grandparents families left Syria as the first World War broke up the Ottoman Empire and European powers redrew borders and installed new colonial rule over the region. Some of my family stayed behind and were later forced to flee Palestine in 1948 in a later wave of colonial boundary reshaping.

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The current leadership in this office purports to protect the Jewish side of my family from antisemitism. It is true that antisemitism is historically rooted and ongoing. Antisemitism has shaped my familys path in this country and abroad. But that reality does not justify what this administration is doing in the name of countering antisemitism. Efforts to combat antisemitism cannot come at the expense of a functioning liberal democracy. The Trump administrations policies and rhetoric will not keep Jews safe.

For one, the administration has adopted a controversial and contradictory definition of antisemitism. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism suggests that: 1) calling the state of Israel racist, 2) drawing parallels between Israel and Nazi Germany, and 3) holding Jewish people accountable for Israels actions are forms of antisemitism. This definition conflates Jewish people with the state of Israel while also maintaining that conflating Jewish people with the state of Israel is itself antisemitic. Ken Stern, one of the original authors of the IHRA, has spoken out about the misuse of the IHRA and its co-option by the far right.

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Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Rewarded Trump for Brazenly Breaking the Law Read More

With the adoption of this definition as the marker of discriminatory action, the administration equates critique of Israel with critique of Jewish people. Thus justified, DOJ and attorneys across the administration have been targeting universities, colleges, and medical schools for permitting, or not undermining, basic free speech and protest movements on their campuses. Since DOJ convened its Task Force to Combat Antisemitism in January, it has given notice to 60 universities that they are being monitored or investigated.

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The administration is also targeting individuals for their speech, detaining Mahmoud Khalil and others for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The administration has conceded that Khalil has committed no crime. His detention will not keep Jewish people safe. To the contrary, Jewish students, like all students, need college campuses to be a safe environment where students can learn and speak out across lines of difference, without fear of punishment. Revoking federal funding or surveilling and deporting members of university communities for their political views will not build campuses free from bigotry. Instead, it will create campuses where more community members are exposed and vulnerable. Protections for civil rights and civil liberties are protections for Jews. So current efforts under Title VI and other federal enforcement statutes endanger Jews. That is true even when they are done in the name of keeping Jews safe.

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It is thus no surprise that the leaders undertaking these actions have embraced white nationalism and antisemitic conspiracies. Both President Donald Trump and his DOGE-overseeing adviser, Elon Musk, have promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories, aligned with white nationalists, and elevated antisemitic appointees. They do this while touting support for Israel, the IHRA definition, and deportations of activists as key remedies to antisemitism. When Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer defended Mahmoud Khalil in a tweet, Trump declared that Schumer is no longer Jewish, now a Palestinian. In Trumps view, the term Palestinian is a slur instead of an ordinary signifier of a group of people. Trump is also claiming that Jewishness is something that does not belong to Jews, and is instead mutable by authority figures and contingent upon obedience to a certain set of ideological tests. Horrifyingly, Leo Terrell, the head of DOJs antisemitism task force, shared a tweet by a prominent white supremacist that lauded the presidents ability to revoke someones Jew card.

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As historian Tim Snyder put it, Jews in the United States are being instrumentalized in an effort to build a more authoritarian American system. The real and continuing history of the oppression of Jews is transformed into a bureaucratic tool called antisemitism which is used to suppress education and human rightsand so, in the end, to harm Jews themselves.

The Department of Justice is not currently tasked with doing the good and important work of countering antisemitism and discrimination in the United States. Rather, the machinery of this institution is being used by the Trump administration to undermine civil rights and civil liberties. For instance, Rumeysa Ozturk was detained for six weeks in Louisiana for expressing a political opinionwriting an op-ed in a student paper criticizing the Israeli government. Mohsen Mahdawi was detained for expressing support for peace in the Middle East.

In the name of protecting Jews, the administration has undermined critical academic freedom and support for lifesaving research. At Columbia, a new official will oversee faculty hiring and curriculum decisions in both Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies programs. Scientists and doctors have found their cancer, Parkinsons, and infectious disease research projects terminated because of unsafe antisemitic actions.

These actions undermine the safety of Jewish Americans and Arab Americans like myself. They are antithetical to the mission of the Department of Justice that I was briefly so proud to serve.
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On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the bulk of Donald Trumps tariffs are unlawful, issuing a nationwide injunction that would put them on hold indefinitely. The three-judge panel unanimously agreed that Trump had vastly exceeded his authority and warned that his actions would, if not reined in, violate the Constitution. Its decision marks a major defeat for one of the presidents signature policies and threatens his ability to remake the American economy, and all international trade, through the unilateral imposition of massive tariffs.

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the decision and its immense consequences on this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: This seems a little seismic to me. And I want to flag that this was not a partisan decision. We had judges appointed by Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump on the panel. Tell me what they said.

Mark Joseph Stern: The court said that Trump could not issue these sweeping tariffsboth the Liberation Day tariffs and the targeted tariffs against China, Mexico, and Canadaunder the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. That law gives the president authority to regulate any property in which any foreign country has any interest. That sounds like a very broad grant of power. But the statute says it may only be exercised to deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared. On the other hand, the Constitution expressly assigns power over tariffs to Congress, not the president. And the court here said, more or less: Look, it would be unconstitutional for Congress to delegate unlimited tariff power to the president. So we cannot read the IEEPA, or any other statute, so broadly as to give the president authority to impose any tariffs he wants for however long he wants. We have to read it more narrowly to avoid a constitutional violation.

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Then the court took a hard look at the emergency Trump invoked to justify his tariffs. For most of them, the alleged emergency was a trade deficit. But the court points out that Congress actually enacted a different statute that allows the president to manage trade deficits. Its called the Trade Act of 1974. And its much narrower than the IEEPAit only allows the president to impose tariffs of 15 percent or less, and then only for 150 days. So the court ruled that if Trump wants to deal with trade deficits, he has to go through this narrower law that would keep tariffs at a fairly low ceiling. He cannot just declare emergency powers to impose whatever tariffs he wants.

Then the court turned to tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. Trump had a different rationale for these: He said he was wielding them as leverage to force these three countries to halt the flow of illegal fentanyl into the United States. And the court said, no, that doesnt work either. Its way too attenuated to fit into the language of the statute, because the tariffs dont actually deal with this threat of fentanyl. There is way too big a disconnect between the tariffs and their totally speculative impact on the reduction of fentanyl smuggling. And the court said, we cannot greenlight these tariffs under the theory that they will somehow set off a causal chain of events that will prompt these three countries to crack down on fentanyl. The court made it very clear that if it didnt draw the line here, the president could use tariffs to force other countries to do anything he wanted. And that, again, would be an unconstitutional seizure of a power thats constitutionally assigned to Congress.

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This reminds me of the analysis we got a few weeks ago from Judge Fernando Rodriguez in Texas, who looked at the Alien Enemies Act and said: This is not an emergency. There were other ways the Trump administration could do the stuff it wanted to do, but this was not the right way. It feels like the lower courts, by and large, are not quite willing to give a massive benefit of the doubt to the presidents claim that everything is an emergency because it feels like an emergency.

Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Rewarded Trump for Brazenly Breaking the Law Read More

One interesting wrinkle here is that the decision does not just apply to the plaintiffs, who were a handful of companies and a dozen states that were directly affected by the tariffs. Instead, the court went ahead and issued a nationwide injunction, something the Supreme Court has recently told us it is very, very worried about. Im curious what the justification was for this kind of relief that we already know the majority of the Supreme Court feels hinky about. Does it hold?

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Well, this was actually a unique situation. The court pointed out that the Constitution itself says all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States. And the Supreme Court has interpreted uniform to mean that a tax or tariff operates with the same force and effect in every place where the subject of it is found. So the court reasoned that if granted relief exclusively to the plaintiffs, then tariffs would apply differently throughout the country. Some companies and some states would face tariffs while others would not. And that situation would violate the uniformity requirement for tariffs thats in the Constitution itself.

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The court did not just wave its hands and say: We really need broad relief because the violation is so big and the plaintiffs deserve it. The court said: We must grant one kind of reliefand it must be a universal injunctionbecause otherwise we will create a remedy that violates the Constitution.

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Im hesitant to ask this question out loud, but this is headed to SCOTUS, probably on a rocket ship. Whats going to happen?

First this goes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. But whatever happens there, it will likely be appealed up to the Supreme Court next. And I think the big question is: Will SCOTUS want to save Trump from himself? There would be a lot of benefits. The Supreme Court repeatedly blocked Bidens policies as an overreach of executive authority; ruling against Trump here would allow the justices to flaunt their nonpartisanship and independence and reassure the public that they dont disfavor only Democratic presidents. They could say: Look, were doing it to Trump, too! The court could quite easily cite its past decisions on executive authority to say this is overreach. If I had to bet, Id say thats what the court is going to do.

Remember, too, that were barely a week out from the Supreme Court crushing independent agencies while creating a special carve-out for the Federal Reserves independence. I think the justices dont want to give Trump total control over the Fed because theyre afraid hell wreck the economy. And if the court is willing to suspend the unitary executive theory to protect their 401(k)s, it probably wont need much prodding to rule against Trump here and stop the mad-king president from weaponizing tariffs to thrust us into another Great Recession.
Hanover Shoe Farms has announced it will be selling 20 yearlings online in September, with 10 offered by Preferred Equine Online on Monday, Sept. 8 and 10 offered by OnGait on Friday, Sept. 19.

The groups consist of New Jersey, Ontario and Pennsylvania-breds. There are two first foals and two are also Kentucky eligibles. Yearlings will be posted with catalogue pages, videos and conformation photos. Yearlings will be available for inspection at the Hanover Fairgrounds, with dates to be determined.

Russell Williams, President of Hanover Shoe Farms explained the rationale behind making this decision.

We are cognizant of the economic challenges that face all facets of the industry," said Williams. "With over 200 yearlings to sell and the challenges of having enough staff to properly show them at the November Standardbred Sale, it made sense to reduce the total population so we can be more efficient and responsive to the needs of our potential buyers at the Farm Show Complex.

With the proliferation of online sales, these venues are logical choices to sell some of our 2025 yearlings.

Hanover Shoe Farm takes great pride in all the yearlings it annually offers and this year is no different. The change in venues should not deter potential buyers from bidding on well bred, well raised, quality individuals.

(Hanover Shoe Farm)
A Lincoln lawmaker will try once again to limit future increases to Nebraskas minimum wage by adding the measure to another bill that seeks to scale back the states new paid sick leave law.

The motion filed Tuesday by Sen. Jane Raybould would allow the Legislature to combine both bills seeking to amend statutes recently created by Nebraska voters through the initiative process and pass them together.

The procedural move comes days after the Legislature revived Rayboulds priority bill (LB258) to change the annual growth in Nebraskas minimum wage law, which failed on final reading after one supporter was out of the room when the vote was taken.

After the reconsideration motion was successful, Speaker John Arch told reporters he would not schedule the bill again until the Legislature convenes for its 60-day session next January, calling it a matter of fairness.

With time running out in the 90-day legislative session  Tuesday was Day 85  Arch explained other bills have not yet come up for floor debate while LB258 has been debated several times this year.

On Tuesday, Raybould said she believed LB258 should have come up for a final reading vote immediately, adding that was in line with legislative precedent. Because it didnt, Raybould said she moved to add it to another bill (LB415).

We were clear and honest with Speaker Arch that we were going to do everything within the rules to try and get a vote on LB258, she said after her motion was filed.

If the motion is successful  it would need just 25 votes  and the Legislature approved Rayboulds amendment, the bill would need to be advanced to the third and final round of consideration once more.

Under the rules of the Legislature, the amended bill must sit for one legislative day before it can come up for debate and passage.

Because the bill and the proposed amendment both change statutes enacted by voters through the initiative, the bill would need 33 votes on final reading to be sent to Gov. Jim Pillens desk for a signature.

In 2022, Nebraskans approved an initiative gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026 and implementing regular cost-of-living increases for every year following.

Rayboulds LB258 would replace the cost-of-living increases with a 1.75% annual increase beginning in 2027. It would also allow businesses to pay Nebraskans under 16 less than the minimum wage.

The bill the first-term senator is seeking to amend  LB 415  includes an amendment from Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney that removes independent contractors, seasonal or temporary agricultural workers, and Nebraskans under the age of 16 from being eligible to accrue paid time off.

The Legislature also amended the bill to exempt businesses with fewer than 10 employees from the new law, which had the support of 75% of Nebraskans at the ballot box last November.

Earlier this month, however, the Legislature approved an amendment lowering the exemption to businesses with fewer than six employees, before later reconsidering and removing that amendment in a striking set of votes.

The path forward for Rayboulds amendment is unclear. A stack of amendments is currently pending on LB 415, meaning the motion and Rayboulds amendment may not be considered, though she remained hopeful it will get a vote this year.

Its going to have to be like synchronized swimming, she said. Everything is going to have to be very precise to get that to come to a vote.

Another Lincoln senator criticized the effort Tuesday morning, saying it followed a common theme seen throughout the session.

Sen. Danielle Conrad said the move was another attack made by the Legislature and executive branch on the will of voters and working families.

The Legislature has considered raising the pay of employees of all three branches of state government, Conrad said.

At the same time, lawmakers failed to override Pillens veto of a bill (LB 319) expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to certain felons who have completed their sentence, as well as a bill (LB 287) empowering the city of Omaha to take action against bedbug infestations.

Its a common refrain, Conrad said. Use your power to help the powerful and punch down on the poor and punch down on voters.

Its the only message Nebraskans are taking out of the 2025 legislative session, she added.
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Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company could win two 737 MAX production increases in 2025 from US authorities Deficiencies.

Boeing is eyeing approvals for significantly higher production of the 737 MAX in 2025 after US authorities allowed increased output on the 787 plane, the company's CEO said Thursday.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company could win US approval to raise MAX output at mid-year and again at the end of 2025. The faster than expected timeframe boosted shares.

The Federal Aviation Administration in the last month green-lighted Boeing to produce seven 787 Dreamliner planes per month, up from five, Ortberg said at a financial conference.

The FAA review is "the same process we're going to use for the 737 MAX increase," Ortberg said. "So I feel pretty good, and we talked with the FAA extensively to make sure we're aligned."

The FAA has currently capped Boeing's MAX production at 38 per month. The agency began more closely monitoring Boeing's production processes following a January 2024 incident on an Alaska Airlines plane in which a window panel blew out mid-flight.

The Alaska Airlines incident was the most significant involving a MAX plane since two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 spawned numerous lawsuits and government probes.

Ortberg was recruited to Boeing last August following a leadership shakeup. Boosting plane output is essential to returning Boeing to profitability after a series of losses.

Ortberg is targeting a mid-year FAA approval to 42 per month for the MAX in light of improved production processes. That could set the stage for an FAA approval to 47 per month around the end of 2025, although the company would not begin producing that many planes in 2025, he said.

"Having said that, if we're not ready we won't do it," Ortberg said. "Key performance indicators have to be there for us to move to the next rate. And you don't know where you are until you move there, so we'll see how things progress."

Ortberg also said Boeing was on track to complete FAA certification on the 777X and of new versions of the 737 MAX.

On tariffs, Ortberg reiterated that the company's bigger worry surrounds potential retaliation from trading partners rather than the impact of the levies on manufacturing supplies.

He said China had reversed a ban on airlines accepting Boeing planes following the deescalation of the trade war between Washington and Beijing.

"The first deliveries will be next month," Ortberg said of Chinese carriers.

Shares of Boeing jumped 4.4% in morning trading.

 2025 AFP
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Alkaline stimulant also referred to as Earth Silica when combined in calculated proportions with Siding Cut Powder significantly improves soil compressive strength, exceeding the construction-grade threshold of 160 kN/m2. Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from SIT, Japan Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2025.100976

With global population growth accelerating urban expansion, construction activity has reached unprecedented levelsplacing immense pressure on both natural resources as well as the environment. A cornerstone of modern-day infrastructure, Ordinary Portland Cement remains the most effective and commonly used soil solidifier despite contributing substantially to global carbon emissions.

At the same time, construction waste continues to accumulate in landfills. Addressing both the environmental burden of cement use and the inefficiencies of industrial waste disposal has become an urgent priority.

To tackle these interconnected challenges, scientists from Japan, led by Professor Shinya Inazumi, from the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, present a sustainable alternative: a high-performance geopolymer-based soil solidifier developed from Siding Cut Powder (SCP), a construction waste byproduct, and earth silica (ES), sourced from recycled glass.

This breakthrough innovation offers an alternative to reducing cement dependence while transforming construction waste into valuable construction resources. Their paper is published in the Cleaner Engineering and Technology journal.

The combination of SCP and ES forms a geopolymer-based solidifier capable of enhancing soil-compressive strength beyond construction-grade thresholds of 160 kN/m2. Thermal treatment of SCP at 110 C and 200 C was a critical step, significantly improving its reactivity and reducing the material use without sacrificing material performance.

"This research represents a significant breakthrough in sustainable construction materials," notes Prof. Shinya Inazumi. "By using two industrial waste products, we developed a soil solidifier that not only meets industry standards but also helps address the dual challenges of construction waste and carbon emissions."

A noteworthy aspect of the study was the approach to environmental safety. Environmental assessments initially identified concerns regarding arsenic leaching, which was partially attributed to the recycled glass content in ES.

Characteristic structures of specific samples and cure times observed through SEM-EDS analysis. Credit: Cleaner Engineering and Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.100976

However, Prof. Inazumi explains, "Sustainability cannot come at the expense of environmental safety. Most importantly, we identified and solved a potential environmental concern: when arsenic leaching was detected in initial formulations, we demonstrated that incorporating calcium hydroxide effectively mitigated this issue through the formation of stable calcium arsenate compounds, ensuring full environmental compliance."

This solution offers numerous practical applications with wide-reaching real-world impact. Prof. Inazumi remarks, "In urban infrastructure development, our technology can stabilize weak soils beneath roads, buildings, and bridges without relying on carbon-intensive Portland cement. This is particularly valuable in areas with problematic clay soils where conventional stabilization methods are costly and environmentally burdensome."

Disaster-prone regions could benefit from rapid soil stabilization using these materials, which have demonstrated good workability and setting times compatible with emergency response needs. In addition, rural infrastructure projects in developing regions could utilize these materials to create stabilized soil blocks for construction, providing a low-carbon alternative to fired bricks or concrete.

The implications extend across industries. For the construction sector, which faces increasing pressure to decarbonize, the geopolymer solidifier offers an alternative that exceeds the performance of traditional methods without the heavy carbon footprint. For geotechnical engineering firms, its proven durability under sulfate attack, chloride ingress, and freeze-thaw cycles allow its use in demanding and aggressive environments.

Additionally, by lowering Portland cement usage, this technology supports construction projects aiming to meet green building certifications and carbon reduction targets. It may also allow developers to qualify for environmental incentives in countries where carbon pricing mechanisms are in place, further enhancing its economic viability.

Prof. Inazumi emphasizes the broader vision behind his work: "By developing a geopolymer solidifier from readily available waste streams, we are not only offering a sustainable engineering solution but redefining how we value industrial byproducts in a resource-constrained world."

These findings point to a transformative shift in sustainable construction practices, potentially transforming millions of tons of construction waste into valuable resources while reducing the carbon footprint associated with cement production, which currently accounts for 78% of global CO 2 emissions. As global demand for infrastructure continues to rise, innovative technologies play a central role in building a more resilient and responsible future.

More information: Shinya Inazumi et al, Development of environmentally sustainable geopolymer-based soil solidifiers using waste siding and glass powders, Cleaner Engineering and Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.100976
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Greece Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, left, welcomes Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, during their meeting in Athens, Greece, Thursday, May 29, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, met with Greek shipowners on Thursday to discuss the potential use of nuclear power in future global goods transportation.

The United Nations agency recently launched an initiative to develop a regulatory and safety framework for deploying nuclear reactors on commercial maritime vessels. Its aim is to reduce global emissions, improve efficiency in the shipping industry, and ultimately help lower food prices.

Grossi has been engaging with shipping leaders in Europe to promote the initiative, known as ATLASAtomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea.

In Athens, he held discussions on Thursday with Greece's ministers of foreign affairs and development, Giorgos Gerapetritis and Takis Theodorikakos, as well as with the leadership of the Union of Greek Shipowners.

"We are at an important moment for nuclear science and technology, opening new opportunities for Greecesuch as the IAEA's ATLAS initiative for the maritime sector," Grossi wrote in an online post.

Currently, nuclear propulsion at sea is limited to military use by advanced naval forces, powering submarines and aircraft carriers.

Wider civilian adoption has long been hindered by high investment costs, the need for comprehensive international regulation, and safety concerns. Critics also cite risks related to terrorism, piracy, and rising geopolitical tensions.

Greece consistently ranks as one of the world's largest ship-owning nations, controlling a significant portion of the world's commercial fleet.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang says new Blackwell technology he describes as a 'thinking machine' is in full production.

Nvidia on Wednesday reported earnings that topped market expectations, with a $4.5 billion hit from US export controls being less than the Silicon Valley chip juggernaut had feared.

However, Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress warned in an earnings call that export constraints are expected to cost the AI chip titan about $8 billion in the current quarter.

Nvidia in April notified regulators that it expected a $5.5 billion hit in the recently-ended quarter due to a new US licensing requirement on the primary chip it can legally sell in China.

US officials had told Nvidia it must obtain licenses to export its H20 chips to China because of concerns they may be used in supercomputers there, the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The new licensing rule applies to Nvidia graphics processing units, or GPUs, with bandwidth similar to that of the H20.

"China is one of the world's largest AI markets and a springboard to global success," Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said in an earnings call.

"The platform that wins China is positioned to lead globally; however, the $50 billion China market is effectively closed to us."

Nvidia cannot dial back the capabilities of its H20 chips any further to comply with US export constraints, winding up forced to write off billions of dollars on inventory that can't be sold or repurposed, according to Huang.

"The US has based its policy on the assumption that China cannot make AI chips," Huang said.

"That assumption was always questionable, and now it's clearly wrong."

China's AI is moving on without Nvidia technology, while that country's chip-makers innovate products and ramp up operations, according to Huang.

"The question is not whether China will have AI; it already does," he said.

"The question is whether one of the world's largest markets will run on American platforms."

The new requirements resulted in Nvidia incurring a charge of $4.5 billion in the quarter, associated with H20 excess inventory and purchase obligations "as demand for H20 diminished," the chip-maker said in an earnings report.

US export constraints stopped Nvidia from bringing in an additional $2.5 billion worth of H20 revenue in the quarter, according to the company.

Nvidia said it made a profit of $18.8 billion on revenue of $44.1 billion, causing shares to rise more than four percent in after-market trades.

Hot demand

Huang said demand for the company's AI-powering technology remains strong, and a new Blackwell NVL72 AI supercomputer referred to as a "thinking machine" is in full-scale production.

"Countries around the world are recognizing AI as essential infrastructurejust like electricity and the internetand Nvidia stands at the center of this profound transformation," Huang said.

Nvidia high-end GPUs are in hot demand from tech giants building data centers to power artificial intelligence.

The company said its data center division revenue in the quarter was $39.1 billion, up 10% from the same period last year.

The market had expected more from the unit, however.

"Nvidia beat expectations again but in a market where maintaining this dominance is becoming more challenging," said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne.

"The China export restrictions underscore the immediate pressure from geopolitical headwinds but Nvidia also faces mounting competitive pressure as rivals like AMD gain ground," said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne.

Revenue in Nvidia's gaming chip business hit a record high of $3.8 billion, leaping 48% and eclipsing forecasts.

The AI boom has propelled Nvidia's stock price, which has regained much of the ground lost in a steep sell-off in January triggered by the sudden success of DeepSeek.

China's DeepSeek unveiled its R1 chatbot, which it claims can match the capacity of top US AI products for a fraction of their costs.

"The broader concern is that trade tensions and potential tariff impacts on data center expansion could create headwinds for AI chip demand in upcoming quarters," analyst Bourne said of Nvidia.

 2025 AFP
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No, this isnt a trash bag, but a new technology that is absolutely crucial in hydrogen fuel cells. Researcher Patrick Fortin shows off the new catalyst that is coated directly onto the new ultra-thin membrane. Credit: Silje Grytli Tveten

Fuel cells that run on hydrogen are efficient and emit water vapor instead of exhaust. But so far, the technology is still expensive and therefore not competitive with the electric motor alternative.

Norwegian researchers have now figured out how they can accelerate competitiveness by reducing two critical components. This could make fuel cells both cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

The technology has great potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sectors, especially in heavy transport, the maritime sector andin a somewhat longer timeframealso in aviation.

The research was published in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society.

Reduces need for expensive materials

Fuel cells consist of a membrane and a catalyst. Both are crucial for the process of converting hydrogen gas into electrical energy and for the overall performance of fuel cells. The membranes are made of fluorine-containing materials that are harmful to the environment, while the catalyst consists of platinum, which is a rare and expensive mineral.

The membrane and the catalyst account for up to 41% of the total cost of fuel cells. That is why researchers at SINTEF chose to look at how these two components could be reduced.

The result? A cheaper and more environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel cell has now emerged in the laboratory. The solution is so light and thin that it makes an A4 sheet feel like thick cardboard.

Optimal material balance

The catalyst consists of innumerable platinum particles, each of which is like a microscopic reactor that converts hydrogen into electricity. The more reactors, the more electricity. However, the expensive materials also raise the costs.

"It was thus important to find the optimal balance between the amount of materials used and the amount of electricity produced. In the research project, we found a way to arrange the reactors so that they provided enough power to run the fuel cell, while at the same time drastically reducing the amount of materials required," says Patrick Fortin, a researcher at SINTEF.

He explains that the research has led to a 62.5% reduction in platinum content, compared to state-of-the-art fuel cells.

"By reducing the amount of platinum in the fuel cell, we're not only helping to reduce costs, we're also taking into account the global challenges regarding the supply of important raw materials and sustainability," says Fortin.

Platinum is one of the most expensive and rarest minerals on Earth, and it is only extracted in parts of the world outside Europe. The EU has therefore categorized platinum as a critical raw material.

Solution reduces toxic emissions

The membranes used in this type of fuel cell contain fluorinated polymers that belong to a broader group, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These are used in a number of products containing fluorine, including ski wax, Gore-Tex and fire-fighting foam.

The EU considers these materials to be an increasing chemical risk, because their production, degradation and disposal can lead to the release of harmful compounds that can cause serious health and environmental problems.

By slimming down the already razor-thin membrane by 33%, the researchers have now come up with a far more environmentally friendly membrane that is also less expensive.

From razor-thin to even thinner

"The membranes in today's fuel cells are 15 m (micrometers) thick. Our prototype measures just 10 m. To put that into perspective, a standard A4 sheet has a thickness of 100 m," says Fortin.

During the study, SINTEF found that they had reached the limit of how thin a membrane could be before it affected performance. The results showed that the performance was nearly identical for both the 15 m and 10 m membranes. This balance, says Fortin, has to do with the membrane's properties.

"The effectiveness of the new membranes rests on how quickly the protons can move across the membrane surface and into the catalyst layer, called 'interfacial resistance," and how quickly they can move through the membrane itself, known as 'bulk resistance,'" says Fortin.

"During the tests, we noticed that the bulk resistance became negligible below 15 m and that the performance was determined solely by the interfacial resistance, which was the same for both membranes," he says.

The researchers concluded that going from razor-thin to even thinner did not compromise membrane performance, even though the amount of material had been reduced.

The researchers' calculations showed that the total costs for the membrane in the hydrogen fuel cell could be reduced by up to 20%, while the content of the harmful PFAS could be reduced by 33%.

"If the innovations are put into practice, our research will contribute to making future clean energy technologieslike powerful PEM fuel cellscheaper and more sustainable," Fortin says.

More information: Yejung Choi et al, The Influence of Membrane Thickness and Catalyst Loading on Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ad8267 Journal information: Journal of The Electrochemical Society
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: Mike Popp

Large-scale solar power arrays occupy about 0.2% of agricultural land in Arkansas, according to an analysis by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Solar energy production is increasingly being used to meet both energy needs and zero net emissions goals within the United States. Arkansas is following this trend with several utility-scale solar energy production systems built in 2023 and 2024, and more scheduled to come online in the following years. This has raised some concerns over the displacement of agricultural land for non-food production purposes.

"With the Arkansas economy more reliant on agriculture compared to the nation and surrounding states, diversion of agricultural land to other uses draws producer and consumer interest," said Mike Popp, Harold F. Ohlendorf Professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness and co-author of a recently released fact sheet titled "Agricultural Land Footprint of Solar Photovoltaic Installations in Arkansas."

While generally considered to have minimal impact on crop prices, other questions about proximal real estate value impacts, exposure to weather risk and land restoration considerations exist, the fact sheet noted.

By 2026, there will be 15 counties in Arkansas, mostly in the agricultural-dominated Delta, with utility-scale solar arrays. Utility-scale is defined as 20 megawatts or larger. Currently, 11 counties have these large-scale solar projects on lands defined by a U.S. Department of Agriculture census as agricultural land. Four more utility-scale projects are scheduled through 2026, including one in Grant County on land considered "woodland or timberland areas."

Using information gathered from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the researchers show that utility-scale solar arrays will occupy 0.2% of the state's 13.7 million acres of agricultural land under current projections through 2026. In counties where these larger solar arrays are used, land use ranges from 0.2 to 1.7% of agricultural land.

The utility-scale solar projects range from up to 445 acres for a 50-megawatt site to up to 2,670 acres for a 300-megawatt site.

As of 2023, the state had about 15,000 megawatts of electrical generating capacity, with natural gas, coal, nuclear and other energy sources like hydropower, solar and wind. According to the study, up to 133,500 acres of land would be required across the state to double the state's electrical generating capacity with solar, offsetting demand for power from natural gas, coal, nuclear and hydropower during the day.

"Even under this extreme level of solar development, which is unlikely to happen, solar would use less than 1% of the 13.7 million acres of agricultural land," Popp said.

Popp is a faculty member with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture, and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Solar's growth

Solar energy generation has nearly doubled in efficiency in the past decade. To produce 1 megawattenough to power roughly 150200 homes annuallyabout 5.5 acres of land is required, according to a 2022 study cited by the authors. By contrast, a 2013 study showed that 1 megawatt of solar energy production required about 9 acres of land.

The number of solar arrays in Arkansas has also grown rapidly in recent years, with 1,100 megawatts added in 2024 and another 400 megawatts scheduled for this year.

According to USDA data cited by the researchers, solar projects have removed less than 0.05% of land from agricultural purposes nationwide.

Agrivoltaics

With about 28,000 acres of agricultural land comprised of irrigation reservoirs, Popp said floating solar arrays have become an interesting area for research to decrease the impact on agricultural land use.

Several other opportunities exist for solar power systems to integrate with agriculture, known as "agrivoltaics," Popp said. Combining solar installations with sheep grazing and honeybee management are commonly cited examples of agrivoltaics.

Preferred lands

Private landowners often lease land for solar development, sometimes over a 30-year contract, the study explained. Voluntary solar land leases range from $450 to $2,500 per acre with a preference for cleared, leveled or southward sloping land that is not wetland.

"Past cost trends and future projections showcase that utility-scale projects are the least-cost renewable energy source," the study states. "As such, expansion of this sector is expected. With careful planning, such systems can lead to economic and environmental benefits with minimal negative agricultural land use implications."

Authors of the study included Travis Wagher, a Public Policy Program Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas; Hunter Goodman, assistant professor with the Division of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Service in the community, professional and economic development department; Shelby Rider, program associate for the experiment station in the agricultural economics and agribusiness department; and Yi Liang, an associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering for the Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas' College of Engineering.

Solar on poultry farms

Popp and colleagues in the agricultural economics and agribusiness department and the USDA's Economic Research Service have also recently published a study in Agricultural Finance Review examining financing options for solar investment on poultry farms.

Using their Poultry Solar Analysis decision support software, they showed that a 10-year note bundled with a second loan that is repaid using income tax credits, over the course of one to five years, resulted in a lower break-even electricity cost while addressing cash flow and borrowing capacity concerns. A longer 20-year note further eased cash flow issues at the cost of less favorable leverage and net present value, the study concluded.

More information: Travis Wagher et al, Agricultural Land Footprint of Solar Photovoltaic Installations in Arkansas.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

After Tennant figured out how to keep its plants open during the pandemic, it had a second problem to solve.

The company's designers aren't all in the same place. Neither are its customers, and sharing pen-and-paper designs isn't easy on a video call.

Video game technology gave the company a way to move forward over Zoom, and it worked so well, Tennant is still using the technique.

John Ickes, Tennant's director of design and innovation, and his team had been experimenting with virtual reality headsets and electronic whiteboards to share hologram-type designs for its scrubbers and robotic floor cleaners.

The process worked so well, the company is still using it.

And it allowed the team to design its latest design in a year, with what Ickes calls "speed to confidence."

Since 2018, Tennant has been leading the floor maintenance industry with the release of robotic floor cleaners. In April, it introduced its latest, a midsized autonomous mobile robotic (AMR) floor cleaner, the X6 ROVR and its XC1 docking station.

George Tennant started the company in 1870 as a Minneapolis woodworking business. It evolved over the years into a wood-flooring and flooring supplies company and eventually into one of the leading manufacturers of commercial and industrial floor cleaning equipment.

Now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Tennant made $83.7 million in 2024. Sales increased 3.5% to $1.3 billion.

Over the previous five years, Tennant has spent an average of 3% of its total revenue on research and development. In 2024, it was a record $43.8 million as R&D spending increased to 3.5% of total revenue.

"It's our intention to maintain a higher level of R&D spending because it's core to our growth strategy," said Patrick Schottler, Tennant's chief marketing and technology officer.

Schottler said the R&D is tied to Tennant's overall growth strategy to increase revenue by 3% to 5% annually, with new products driving 1% to 2% of that growth each year.

"A key element of our growth strategy is new product innovation, and a key element of that new product innovation is AMR," Schlotter said.

With 11 manufacturing campuses around the world, Tennant has a direct sales and service model that keeps it close to customers in over 100 countries.

It's an advantage the company utilizes when developing new products, including robotic and AMR floor cleaning machines.

Tennant launched its first robotic floor cleaning machine, the T7AMR Scrubber, in 2018. It's a machine that can be operated manually or robotically. A year ago, the company introduced X4 ROVR, its first fully autonomous robotic machine, designed to be more maneuverable in order to clean floors at smaller retail locations.

The X6 ROVR is a larger version of the machine that can be used in big-box stores.

"It's not uncommon for products of this size and complexity to have a two- to three-year development cycle, and we brought the X6 to market one year after the X4," Schottler said.

Tennant was able to accelerate the development of the X6 ROVR and XC1 docking station because the design teams at Tennant have embraced new digital design tools.

Ickes, who joined Tennant in 2006 as a principal designer and became Tennant's director of design and innovation in 2022, has fully embraced the new design tools at Tennant.

And he's been recognized for what he's done at Tennant. Ickes has won two International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) and a dozen Good Design awards sponsored by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, including one for the X4 ROVR.

Ickes used some virtual reality headsets to develop the X4 ROVR, which is designed for smaller retail and convenience stores. With the X6 ROVR, he was all in with the new digital tools.

"Thankfully, when COVID ended, we all came back to the office," Ickes said. But the virtual reality headsets, digital whiteboards and other collaborative tools stayed.

"That genie was out of the bottle. It was just too good to think we were going to go back to the way we were doing it before," said Ickes, who earned an advertising degree at Michigan State University and later a bachelor's in industrial design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

He spent several years working in the auto industry and as a design consultant.

The collaboration tools also allowed Tennant to connect with designers and engineers in its other geographic locations, including Europe and China, and with Brain Corp., a California company that provides Tennant with the robotic, sensor and navigation technologies for its AMR machines.

"We are beginning to draw and explore in virtual reality," Ickes said. "So we are getting away from designing in two dimensions to designing in three dimensions."

Ickes started his career with pen-on-paper design, and he says that drawing skill is still fundamental to a designer's ability to communicate ideas quickly. The skills haven't changed but the tools have evolved.

Now Ickes and his teams can create a virtual prototype far faster than a physical one and quickly tweak the design without having to build a new prototype.

"The technology increases our speed to confidence," Ickes said. "Because we get there really fast and can get confident. We haven't built anything, but we can all see it."

The virtual models can also do a better job of informing nontechnical people than through a set of drawings and blueprints.

Tennant is keen on its robotics program because it solves a key customer problem, which is labor. It's hard to find people to do cleaning jobs.

Tennant's strategy is to automate the cleaning process, and the X6 ROVR and the XC1 help customers do that.

"As organizations continue to face staffing shortages, automating routine cleaning tasks provides a clear and proven path to operational efficiencies," said Dave Huml, president and chief executive of Tennant, said in a news release. "We built the X6 ROVR to tackle this challengedelivering dependable, autonomous performance across large-scale and complex environments, so cleaning teams can stay focused on higher-impact work."

One of the problems with rechargeable machines is that workers sometimes forget to plug a machine back in to recharge. Essentially leaving the product dead for the next cleaning crew.

The X6 knows when its battery is running low and will automatically navigate itself back to its XC1 charging station. Once the charging is complete the rest of the cleaning cycle can continue by restarting the process remotely.

"We're delivering a much more consistent cleaning because now that machine is going to be available because the software is not going to forget to guide the machine back to the charging station to charge the battery," Schottler, the chief marketing and technology officer, said.

2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The renovation of the Taylor House and store at Stuhr Museum was the product of great collaboration, Bonnie Smith of the Stuhr Museum Foundation said.

The work done by Stuhrs staff echoes the resourcefulness of Robert Taylor himself, Smith said.

Stuhr Museum will introduce the public to the restored Taylor store and home Saturday. A dedication ceremony begins at 1 p.m., followed by an open house from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Taylor store and home have been at Stuhr Museum for many years, most of them on the western side of the property, near Highway 281. In 2020, the buildings were moved to the northeast corner of Railroad Town to make them more accessible to the public. Theyve now been refurbished, allowing members of the public to go inside the Taylor home for the first time.

The cost of the renovation was $1.25 million, which includes the construction of a statue of Taylor standing next to a sheepdog. The installation of an HVAC system will allow the Taylor home to serve as an educational space year-round.

Taylor, who died in 1923 at the age of 75, at one time was the worlds largest sheep rancher. The home and ranch came to Stuhr from the Abbott area, which is northwest of Grand Island.

The Taylor work, Smith says, shows how collaboration can complete a project that was years in the making.

The renovation absolutely would not have happened if not for a conversation in Kansas City with members of the Wolbach family in 2019.

They provided an early and inspirational gift in the amount of $400,000, made through the Norm and Peppy Bahr Charitable Remainder Trust, Smith said. Peppy Bahr was a member of the Wolbach family.

The work also wouldnt have been done without a $300,000 gift from the Peter Kiewit Foundation.

Also essential to the project were Tom Oshlo, Stuhrs chief facilities officer, and his team, because he was able to get a $2 million project done for $1.25 million, Smith said.

Taylor was an incredible entrepreneur. He invented processes for sheep production that nobody else had thought of, Smith said.

That entrepreneurial spirit continues with Tom Oshlo and his team, she said.

Oshlo can get a job done in new and enterprising ways, she said. It has been a labor of love for Tom and his team.

Stuhr employee Brian Roberts rebuilt every single window in the house, Smith said.

The crew worked tirelessly  absolutely tirelessly, Smith said. They completely gutted the house, she said. They replaced the ceiling and lighting and installed flooring.

The workers didnt hire a lot of contractors. But when they did, Oshlo took advantage of his ties to local builders.

Monte Hehnke of Jerrys Sheet Metal donated the HVAC system for the house, a contribution valued at $60,000.

Among other things, visitors Saturday will see wonderful woodwork and fireplaces.

The house is almost back to its original glory, which is pretty extraordinary, said Chris Hochstetler, Stuhrs executive director.

Born in Scotland in 1847, Taylor moved to the U.S. at the age of 18. After spending time with relatives in Pennsylvania, he moved to California, and then Wyoming. He arrived in Hall County in 1890, maintaining ranches in both Wyoming and Nebraska. In 1913, Taylor owned 175,000 range sheep, 100,000 ewes and 75,000 wethers (gelded male sheep).

Hochstetler says Taylors story is relevant today because we still have folks emigrating to our community who are very entrepreneurial. They come to a place where they might not speak the language or understand local customs.

Taylor fit much of that mold. But he carved out a wonderful success story for himself, his family and for this community, Hochstetler said.

Theodore Roosevelt recognized Taylors success in 1903, when he visited Grand Island. He spent a substantial amount of time with Robert Taylor in that very house that sits at Stuhr Museum, Hochstetler said.

The Taylor home is really the only upper-class home on Stuhr Museums grounds, Hochstetler said. The rest of the houses on the property are middle class or entry-level homes.

The Taylor store was moved to the museum in 1984. The home followed in 2000.

Stuhr received only about two-thirds of the original home. A portion of the structure had been removed, partly to save on heating costs.

The Taylor home once included nine bedrooms, three bathrooms, three sitting rooms, a nursery, playroom, dining room and two offices.

The house originally had four large fireplaces. Two of them remain. The renovation was completed late last year.

On Saturday, members of the public will learn how the museum intends to use the space, talk with staff members about the renovation and view historic photographs of Taylor, the house and the ranch. Light snacks will be provided.

The bronze statue was crafted by David Biehl.

The village of Abbott was originally known as Ovina, which is Latin for sheep. Motorists on Highway 2 traveling between Cairo and Grand Island can still see a large terra cotta barn, which is a remnant of the areas sheepherding past.

Taylors only son, Bruce, died in World War I.

Bill Fagan Jr. was the foreman of the Taylor ranch, managing the property from 1927 to 1972.

Some of Fagans descendants will attend Saturdays ceremony. So will members of the Norm and Peppy Bahr family.

On Saturday, people can come and experience Taylors story, Hochstetler said.

What a miraculous project this has been, said Smith, who called Taylor an incredible man.
29/05/2025





Idrissa Gana Gueye is set to sign a new two-year deal with Everton, reports reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The deal is set to be signed next week.

The 35-year-old is a key player for David Moyes and made 37 appearances this season without showing any signs of slowing down. He also has some of the best ball recoveries and interception numbers in Europe.

Gana Gueye will sign new deal at Everton next week valid for the next two years. Verbal agreement in place until June 2027, waiting to get it sealed, Fabrizio Romano posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Everton were looking to consolidate the future of Gana Gueye for weeks and despite approaches from elsewhere, the player remained committed to his future at Merseyside. This is his second spell at the club after previously playing for the Toffees between 2016 and 2019. He left for Paris-Saint Germain in France and returned to the club once again in 2022.

Consolidating the future of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Charly Alcaraz in midfield was essential for the club who have already lost as many as eight players, with contracts running out and with loan terms coming to an end.

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

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If the opposition candidate wins, the government faces continued resistance from the president and will become more unstable, but an early parliamentary election is unlikely. From The Polish Politics Blog.

On 1 June, Poland will hold a presidential election run-off between Rafal Trzaskowski  Warsaw mayor and deputy leader of the liberal-centrist Civic Platform (PO), Polands main governing party  and Karol Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) historical research institute who is supported by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) grouping, the ruling party between 2015-23. In the first round, Trzaskowski secured a narrow 31.4 percent to 29.5 percent lead, and the two candidates are currently running neck-and-neck in the polls.

Although the president has a small role in day-to-day governance, the election outcome will be extremely significant for how Poland is governed in the coming years. In December 2023, a coalition government led by PO leader Donald Tusk took office following eight years of Law and Justice rule. The coalition also includes the eclectic Third Way (Trzecia Droga) alliance  which itself comprises the agrarian-centrist Polish Peasant Party (PSL) and liberal-centrist Poland 2050 (Polska 2050) grouping  together with the smaller New Left (Nowa Lewica) party. However, the Tusk government has had to cohabit with Law and Justice-aligned President Andrzej Duda, and lacks the three-fifths parliamentary majority required to overturn his legislative veto.

As well as vetoing key legislation, Duda could also delay its implementation by referring to laws for review by the constitutional tribunal, all of whose members were appointed by previous Law and Justice-dominated parliaments. For sure, the Tusk government does not recognize the tribunals legitimacy and is refusing to implement its rulings, arguing that three of its members appointed by Duda in 2015 occupied positions that had already been filled earlier by the outgoing Civic Platform-dominated parliament. Nonetheless, a presidential referral under the so-called preventative control mode means that legislation is only approved after the tribunals ruling, which makes it a de facto veto.

All of this has acted as a major obstacle to the governments efforts to unravel its predecessors legacy and implement deep institutional reforms. In particular, Duda has hindered the governments attempts to replace Law and Justices state office appointees where legislation or presidential sign-off was required. In some cases, the government has used various loopholes to, for example, replace the management of state-owned media and the national prosecutor appointed by its predecessor. Some critics, and not just those aligned with Law and Justice, argue that these get-arounds are legally and constitutionally dubious, if not outright illegal. All of this means that the presidential election will have huge implications for the ability of the ruling coalition to govern effectively during the remainder of its term of office, which is set to run until autumn 2027.

Rolling Back Judicial Reforms

A victory for Trzaskowski will provide the Tusk government with renewed momentum and a clear two-and-a-half year run before the next parliamentary election, during which it can rebuild its support base and restore a sense of purpose (as well, of course, as limiting the ability of a future Law and Justice government to pursue its agenda). It will remove the last major obstacle to the government implementing its institutional reform and elite replacement project; Civic Platform leaders sometimes refer to this as the closure of the system (domkniecie systemu). It will also allow the government to regularize its more legally questionable state appointments.

In particular, a Trzaskowski victory will allow the government to roll back its predecessors judicial reforms. Duda always made it clear that he would block attempts to unpick these reforms if he felt that they undermined the legitimacy of his judicial appointments. Around 2,500 judges appointed by Duda, including the majority of the countrys supreme court, were nominated by the national judicial council (KRS), the body that regulates the Polish judiciary, since it was overhauled by Law and Justice in 2018. Previously most of the councils members were appointed by the legal profession itself but following Law and Justices reforms, the majority have been selected by elected bodies such as parliament. The Tusk government does not recognize these judicial appointments, referring to them disparagingly as neo-judges. It also questions the legitimacy of two new supreme court chambers established by the previous government and staffed entirely by neo-judges.

The Tusk government has proposed returning to a system of lawyers electing the national judicial council and abolishing the two contested supreme court chambers. As far as the thousands of neo-judges are concerned, rather than subjecting them to individual verification, it proposes dividing them into three color-coded categories on the basis of how they were appointed. It would then either: allow them to continue if re-nominated by a revamped national judicial council (green); demote them back to their previous, less senior positions following a two-year grace period (yellow); or return them to their earlier professions, or allow them become more junior court officials (red). However, previous rulings issued by neo-judges would remain binding, except for a one-month window during which parties could file for their cases to be reopened but only if they had previously raised objections regarding a judges independence.

By passing these laws, the Tusk government would also make the European Commission less open to accusations of applying double standards after it unfroze Polands access to EU coronavirus recovery funds, which were suspended due to concerns regarding Law and Justices reforms. This was in spite of the fact that none of the required changes to the legal system had been made; the Tusk government simply presented an action plan. In its previous dealings with the Law and Justice government, the Commission had made legislative changes a strict condition for unblocking these funds.

However, even if a law removing the disputed constitutional tribunal members were to be passed and approved by Trzaskowski, the other Law and Justice-nominated incumbents status is not contested. A more radical overhaul of the tribunal would require a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution, which is impossible in the current parliament without Law and Justices support.

Changing the Political Dynamics?

In fact, Duda has only vetoed six draft laws in total, and referred a similar number to the constitutional tribunal for preventative control, while allowing over 100 others to pass unhindered. Except for a law reforming employers health insurance premiums, which Duda vetoed in April, he has not questioned the governments core socio-economic priorities.

For sure, Duda made it clear that he would veto government attempts to liberalize Polands restrictive abortion law and indicated that he would block moves to introduce state-recognized same-sex civil partnerships. However, the main obstacle here has been the fact that the governing parties are themselves divided on these kinds of moral-cultural issues so they have not even been able to pass legislation for Duda to veto. For example, the Peasant Party, the most conservative member of the ruling coalition, blocked the adoption of legislation introducing same-sex civil partnerships, and joined the opposition in voting down a draft law to decriminalize assistance with abortions. Unless Trzaskowskis victory creates a political dynamic that leads the party to modify its stance, the deadlock on these issues could continue regardless of the presidential election outcome.

If Nawrocki wins, however, the government can expect continued resistance from the president for the remainder of its parliamentary term. A Nawrocki victory would also create political momentum that Law and Justice hopes will carry the party through to victory in the next parliamentary poll, as well as exacerbating centrifugal tendencies within the ruling coalition that could possibly lead to the governments downfall or even an early legislative election. Most speculation here surrounds whether the Peasant Party could peel away and form a new governing coalition with Law and Justice and the radical right Confederation (Konfederacja) grouping.

However, the Peasant Party leaving the coalition is unlikely, in the short term at least, as it would almost certainly require a change of leadership, which seems to have thrown its lot in with Civic Platform fairly unambiguously. An early election, on the other hand, would either require Tusk to resign followed by three unsuccessful attempts to form a new government, or for parliament to vote by a two-thirds majority to dissolve itself, both very unlikely scenarios. Nawrocki could also call an early election if the state budget is not presented to him within four months of its parliamentary submission, but this scenario is not possible until the start of 2026.

Rather, the government is likely to hold together and remain in office until the next scheduled election, albeit increasingly weak and divided with each component part looking to develop an independent survival strategy. All the coalition partners will want to maintain their access to state appointments and patronage, often the glue that holds Polish governments and political formations together, for as long as possible.

A Limited, Symbolic Foreign Policy Impact

The president does have some competencies that relate to foreign affairs, the most important of which is that they are commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can thus influence debates on security policy. Ambassadorial appointments also have to be approved by the president so, for example, Poland does not currently have a full ambassador to Washington because Duda refuses to accept the Tusk governments nominee. However, Polish foreign policy is determined by the government, so unless the election result sets off a dynamic that leads to a change of administration, its impact here is likely to be limited and largely symbolic.

Trzaskowski strongly supports the Tusk governments policy of integrating Poland into the so-called European mainstream by building closer ties with the EU political establishment and major powers, especially Germany, with whom the previous Law and Justice government clashed frequently. This, they argue, would cement Polands role as a major player at the heart of EU policy-making. However, due to public hostility, for electoral reasons both Trzaskowski and the Tusk government have had to put support for deeper European integration in areas such as migration and climate policy on the back-burner. It will be interesting to see whether they become more supportive of such measures after the election.

Nawrocki, on the other hand, is an anti-federalist and argues that Polands interests often clash with the dominant Franco-German axis. He is likely to support returning to the previous governments approach of trying to build alternative EU alliances, focusing particularly on the Central and Eastern European post-communist states, as the most effective way of advancing Polands interests. Nawrocki will also prioritize maintaining close ties with the U.S., which he argues is Polands only credible security guarantor, and oppose the development of a European defense capability outside of NATO structures.

As far as the war in Ukraine is concerned, there is a broad consensus on the need to bolster resistance to the Russian invasion. Trzaskowski also supports Ukraines integration into the EU and NATO. However, he has had to acknowledge that most Poles now feel that Warsaw needs to be more assertive in promoting its interests when these clash with Ukraines, and he supports limiting Ukrainian refugees access to social welfare benefits. While Nawrocki also supports providing continued diplomatic and military aid to Ukraine, he clearly favors a more transactional approach to relations with Polands Eastern neighbor. He has, for example, criticized its lack of cooperation with exhumations of the remains of Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalists during the Second World War, and pledged to protect Polish farmers from what he argues is unfair competition from Ukrainian agricultural goods. Nawrockis opponents argue that by, for example, expressing skepticism about Ukrainian NATO accession, he is legitimizing the Russian war narrative. However, Law and Justice argues that Nawrocki is no Russophile, pointing out that Moscow has issued an arrest warrant against him.

Aleks Szczerbiak is professor of politics and contemporary European studies at the University of Sussex. This article was originally published in The Polish Politics Blog. Reprinted by permission.
A PRIVATE contractor is dead after an accident in Tobago.

Police have identified the victim as Darryl Figaro of Black Rock, Tobago. He died on Wednesday after falling from a ladder while working at a private villa.

An autopsy of Figaros body yesterday at the Scarborough Mortuary determined injuries were consistent with a fall, and it ruled out foul play. The body was previously identified by the victims daughter.
Last Tuesday, Gwynne Dyer headlined his Express column Stupid old men. You could substitute all sorts of adjectives before the words, old men, to describe the characteristics of the cohort that has had the most influence on the world we inhabit. Greedy, self-righteous, racist, arrogant, selfish, a multitude of negative words readily suit the clique.

At first, angrily thinking about the subject of todays column, I was focusing on Caribbean men in leadership positions who have been sleazy lechers, foisting themselves on hapless females and males with impunity.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting Monday afternoon south of Tucson, authorities said.

Randy Shultz, 59, was found about 3:30 p.m. shot outside his house in the 9700 block of South Nogales Highway, south of West Valencia Road, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. He died at the scene.

Eduardo Bustamante, 41, "was quickly identified as a suspect," the release said.

Bustamante was booked into the Pima County jail in suspicion of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault and having a firearm while being a prohibited possessor, the release said.

No motive for the shooting was given.

The investigation continues.
A new industrial center in the works for Tucsons southeast side would host at least one data center, while a second effort nearby, sources say, would bring a hypersonic missile company.

Pima County plans show three Illustrative Concept designs that a 290-acre parcel of county-owned land near the Pima County Fairgrounds could be used for. County staff and the county Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of those land uses.

And in a memo to the Board of Supervisors, Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher said a company, code-named Project Blue, would generate about 180 new jobs once construction is completed, with salaries averaging about $64,000 annually, resulting in an annual economic impact of about $63.5 million and about $7.3 million in annual labor income.

Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy said the space would be a data center. He said the company, which will have several buildings of 220,000 square feet at the site, will supply a significant number of jobs, but we dont have specifics.

The county met with the construction company and the lending company last week, Christy said.

County supervisors are expected to have a purchase-sales agreement presented to them as early as their June 17 meeting, or at a board meeting in July.

If the agreement is approved, the county would sell the land, appraised at $20.875 million, to the company. Once the land is sold, it would be annexed by the city.

The purchaser anticipates using renewable water supply (reclaimed water) for industrial use from the City of Tucson, Lesher wrote. The water supplier would be Tucson Water.

Tucson City Councilman Kevin Dahl told the Star Wednesday, I havent been briefed on this yet and I dont know any details, but we shouldnt consider reclaimed water a free resource. Its water. It takes money and energy to treat it. I have lots of questions about this.

Data centers use large amounts of electricity and, potentially, water. By some estimates, the Associated Press reported, a mid-sized data center uses the same amount of water as 1,000 households.

County Supervisor Christy said that when meeting with the construction and lending companies last week, I questioned them on a lot of the issues that we seem to be encountering whenever a business comes into the county and they seem to have it covered.

Sources tell the Arizona Daily Star that a second project, also located on the southeast side, would host a hypersonic missile company.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly wrote in March to a California-based defense company, Castelion Corp., proposing a Tucson site for expanding its domestic manufacturing and testing, as first reported Tuesday by Arizona Luminaria.

The proposed site for Castelions expansion in Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, Kelly wrote, pitching the universitys College of Engineering aerospace programs that specialize in designing and developing technology for defense systems. Arizona is a national hub in the aerospace and defense industry, Kelly wrote.

Based in El Segundo, Castelion was founded in 2023 by three former SpaceX employees. The companys website says it is focused on the rapid development and mass manufacturing of complex defense systems. The Wall Street Journal reported this January that the startup raised $100 million through debt and equity to build hypersonic missile systems.

Project Blue, meanwhile, is a company that operates in the advanced and emerging technology industry sector, Lesher wrote in memos to the Board of Supervisors.

The three Illustrative Concept designs filed by the county with its Development Services Department in late April show what the land  located along the north side of Brekke Road between Houghton and Harrison roads, just north of the county fairgrounds  could be used for.

The first design shows 10 Data Center Building areas, each totaling 220,000 square feet, along with Logistics/Administrative Building areas.

The second design shows a total of 450,000 square feet of Biomedical Research & Development areas, 175,000 square feet of Manufacturing and Warehousing areas, and 350,000 square feet of Corporate Headquarters Building spaces.

The third design shows 1 million square feet of warehousing areas, 500,000 square feet of Light Industrial spaces and 550,000 square feet of Business Park areas, including office and administrative buildings.

Lesher has estimated that construction would begin sometime in 2026 and last about two years, with operations beginning in 2029.

The estimated hard construction cost is approximately $1.2 billion, Lesher said in a May 21 memo. The construction project would generate more than 3,000 jobs and over 2,000 additional indirect jobs forecasted during the construction period, she wrote.

Project Blue would generate about $97.3 million in tax and fee revenues generated to the City of Tucson from 2026-2035 and about $152 million in tax revenues generated to Pima County and other local taxing districts over the 10-year period, Lesher said.

Tucson city spokesman Andy Squire said Wednesday the city has a nondisclosure agreement with an aerospace and defense company, but that it is not in regards to Project Blue.

When asked if the city has ever received communication from Castelion, the California-based defense company, Squire said he did not have any knowledge of that and the NDA precludes us from discussing any parts of the agreement.
PHOENIX  A federal appeals court is giving the Tohono Oodham Nation and others a new chance to argue that federal officials broke the law in allowing the construction of a power line across the San Pedro Valley.

A trial judge erred in concluding that the objections to the plan approved by the Department of Interior came too late, Judge Mark Bennett, writing for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, said in a new ruling.

He said opponents  which include the San Carlos Apache Tribe and two environmental groups  filed their claim within the legal time limits.

Bennett said the foes presented enough evidence to conclude that the agency violated the National Historic Preservation Act by giving SunZia Transmission permission to begin construction of the 515-mile project across federal, state and private lands, including about 180 miles of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The new ruling does not mean opponents will win the case  or even that construction has to stop. In fact, Howard Shanker, attorney for the Tohono Oodham Nation, said much of the power line already is in place.

That, however, leaves the question of whether, if the courts conclude that the Interior Department broke the law, a judge could order the lines removed.

Technically, you could, Shanker said. But thats not necessarily the goal, he told Capitol Media Services.

The relief is to get them to comply with their obligations under the National Historic Preservation Act, Shanker said. And then, once theyve done that, well find out. But that is something that is certainly available.

A spokesman for Pattern Energy, which owns the project, said the company was reviewing the ruling.

"Construction on SunZia continues and the project remains on track for commercial operation in 2026,'' the statement reads.

The case goes back to 2015 when the BLM approved a specific route for the transmission line originating in Lincoln County, New Mexico, and terminating in Pinal County. The width of the route varies between 400 and 1,000 feet.

What is at issue here is the part of the route that runs through the San Pedro Valley north of Benson.

According to challengers, the valley is of historic and culturally important to several tribes and, more specifically, that several sites within it are what are known as traditional cultural places.

Bennett, in the 29-page ruling, said the claims by the foes provide a sufficient basis to conclude that the BLM violated the terms of the programmatic agreement which governs the implementation of the project.

Since at least 2009, the BLM knew that the tribes considered the San Pedro Valley to be a `traditional cultural place,  he wrote.

In fact, the judge said, the agency assured consulting parties  including three of the challengers  that it would evaluate the valley under a new treatment plan to determine whether the area should be designated as historic property.

But the BLM then failed to provide a second treatment plan to the consulting parties, Bennett said. These allegations raise a plausible claim that the BLM violated the programmatic agreements requirement that the BLM consult with the consulting parties by providing them with a copy of the treatment plan for review and comment.

Bennett said that the agreement also required the Department of Interior to determine that there are no historic properties present, that there will be no adverse effects to historic properties, or that treatment has been completed to mitigate any adverse effects.

We must infer that a proper consultation via the treatment plan process consultation via the treatment plan process would have resulted in the valleys designation as a historic process, the judge said. And that, he said, requires the trial judge to consider the allegations.
PHOENIX  Mark Meadows is claiming the fact he was White House chief of staff for Donald Trump in the presidents first term means he cannot be charged in Arizonas fake elector case.

States lack jurisdiction to prosecute federal officials for conduct taken within the scope of their federal offices and duties because the Supremacy Clause bars such claims, said Ann Chapman, one of his attorneys.

In a new filing, Chapman is asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers to first separate the claims against him from the remaining defendants in the case being brought by Attorney General Kris Mayes. All are charged with conspiracy and fraud in what Mayes said was a scheme to submit documents to Congress claiming that Donald Trump had won the popular vote in Arizona in 2020  and, by extension, the states 11 electoral votes  despite the fact he was outpolled by Joe Biden by 10,457 votes.

And then she wants the judge to drop the case against Meadows entirely.

The key, Chapman argues, is that anything Meadows may have done was within his role as Trumps chief of staff, making him immune to being charged with violating any state laws.

Meadows held no role in the presidents reelection campaign, she wrote. Instead, Chapman said, he was responsible in his capacity as chief of staff for coordinating the presidents time and attention with the campaign.

Chapman is hanging her argument on last years ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that the president is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for conduct within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority, And that, she said, extends to those working for the president, including Meadows.

Federal law goes the president broad latitude to define the official duties of the chief of staff and other senior aides, Chapman told the judge. And the state has no authority to impose additional limits, conditions or modifications.

If her theory sounds familiar, it should.

Chapman made similar claims last year when she asked U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi to rule that state courts have no jurisdiction over Meadows, as chief of staff, for activities related to an effort to undermine Bidens 2020 victory. There, as here, Chapman argued that Meadows was acting within the scope of his official authority as Trumps chief of staff and that the charges against him fall within the scope of that authority.

Tuchi, however, said the facts of the case, as stated in the indictment  and admitted to by Meadows  offer no such legal protection.

The case surrounds efforts by those aligned with Trump to create an alternate slate of electors despite the outcome of the race. That resulted in charges against not only the 11 Arizona Republicans who signed the statement claiming to be the lawful electors but seven others, including Meadows and some of Trumps lawyers, like Rudy Giuliani, of helping to come up with the plan.

In the case against Meadows, the state cited a series of incidents in which Meadows communicated with others about the plan being hatched here and in other states and where prosecutors say he took an active role, even getting the cell phone number of then-Gov. Doug Ducey so that Giuliani could reach him about the election results in Arizona.

None of that, Tuchi wrote, fits within the scope of Meadows duties as chief of staff.

The state has not indicted Mr. Meadows for merely facilitating communication to and from the president or for simply staying abreast of campaign goings-on, the judge wrote. Instead, the state has indicted Mr. Meadows for allegedly orchestrating and participating in an illegal electioneering scheme.

And Tuchi made it clear he was not willing to set what he believed would be an improper precedent of allowing a federal official to escape charges in state court.

Although the court credits Mr. Meadows theory that the chief of staff is responsible for acting as the presidents gatekeeper, that conclusion does not create a causal nexus between Mr. Meadows official authority and the charged conduct, the judge wrote. The court concludes that the conduct charged in the state prosecution does not relate to Mr. Meadows color of former office.

Chapman, undeterred, makes many of the same arguments in state court as she seeks to have the indictment against him dismissed.

The communications cited as the basis to charge Meadows were obviously and presumptive undertaken pursuant to Meadows role and duties of chief of staff to the president because they were directed to him on account of his being chief of staff, she told Myers in her new filing. He had no other position or office.

And she contends that, having raised the defense of the Supremacy Clause and its protections of the president and his staff,, the burden is now on the state to prove otherwise.

The chief of staff to the president must be able to communicate freely about the many areas of his highly discretionary responsibility, without fear of criminal prosecution by state authorities related to his official conduct, Chapman said. A contrary rule would chill any federal officials conduct, adversely impact his job performance, and undermine the advice and aid given to the president and the operation of the executive branch.

Mayes office has not yet responded to the claim.

Whether an indictment actually will continue to exist against Meadows and others is currently up in the air.

In a ruling earlier this month, Myers ordered the case returned to the state grand jury, which issued the original 2024 indictment. The judge said it was flawed because prosecutors failed to give jurors access to the Electoral Count Act of 1887, a federal law that, according to defense attorneys, specifically addresses the possibility of Congress getting competing state electors from a single state.

Myers said that is important because several of the defendants have argued they were not trying to commit fraud by claiming that Trump had won  and that he should get the states electors  but were simply providing an alternate slate should there be a finding that the official election results favoring Biden were a mistake.

Myers has given Mayes office 60 days to argue to him why his ruling is in error and why the case should not be sent back to the grand jury.






We live with it every single day

Most Jews and Israelis, especially the families of those who were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, disagree with the actions of PM Netanyahu. However, those living in Gaza elected Hamas, which uses people as human shields, knowing Israel will strike back. It has been 600 days since Hamas massacred 1,250 people and kidnapped 250 hostages. It is hoped that 23 are still living, with 35 bodies needing to be returned for proper burial. Israel is the only democracy openly criticized when defending herself.

We Jews are painfully aware that blatant, overt antisemitism has always existed and is now even more rampant. In less than two months, Governor Shapiros home was firebombed on the first night of Passover, antisemitic slurs were written on the side of Chabad Tucson  Young Israel and now the murders of Sara Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky outside of the Jewish Museum in Washington D.C.

Jews know antisemitism when we see it. We live with it every single day.

Maureen Salz

Northwest side

Good advice

Asking Eric (by R. Eric Thomas) is the best advice column Ive ever read, and I go back to Ann Landers. He is kind, knowledgeable, responsible and readable. All things youd want from an advice columnist.

I think his responses to readers reduce suffering and may even save lives. He recently responded to an elder in despair that hed contacted directly (the man was considering suicide), and published his letter to reach others in similar misery. His answer was professional and compassionate. I suspect hes had a lot of mental health training, and hes a good writer.

Eric Thomas is a male writing in a formerly female-dominated area of expertise. He is Black. Maybe he is a DEI hire? Dont ever let him go.

Retired psychologist

Sherry Machen

Green Valley

Health in our community

The U.S. has a long history and current practice of inadequate, substandard and denial of health care to many groups of people, including Native Americans, African Americans, Latin Americans, immigrants, veterans, women, incarcerated people, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, people in certain urban areas, poor and working-class people, and LGBTQ+ people. Reproductive, occupational, nutritional, physical, mental, HIV/AIDS, and transgender health care are all affected. I echo Dr. Toomeys devastation that El Rio ended health care for transgender minors. El Rio turned its back on a whole segment of our community in ways that trans youth and their families are all too familiar. Trans people are rejected by peers, schools, family members, churches and our government. And now they are rejected by their pediatricians. That kind of rejection can be forgiven, but not easily forgotten. I invite private pediatricians to join me and step up and provide transgender physical health services, as I provide mental health services. Children and their parents need your care and expertise.

Richard Muszynski

Midtown

Take your time and let it be

Many Democrats have decided to wait out Trump and do their best to get back to the White House in 2028.

Thats the strategy ancient democrats adopted when Julius Caesar came to power in Rome. They were still waiting for their turn back in power 500 years later when the Roman emperors were finally overthrown by the barbarians.

Our ancestors did more than just sit on their hands and say pretty please to the British king. There is no need for violence today, but there is plenty of need for courage.

There is also a need for rapid and sophisticated education of the citizenry in the provisions of our constitutional law. In addition, media, local government, and universities need to provide the country with a vivid rundown of the disastrous political history of kings and tyrants throughout time.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah

Day one fixes?

A LTE stating that fuel prices are down this year shows that the felon in charge is doing a good job. He and his ilk, like Loran, think that hes fulfilling campaign promises. Drill baby drill. Biden drilled more oil than Trump by far. But fuel prices still increased because of greed. Its not hard to understand. But the promise that food prices like eggs would decline immediately was a flat-out lie. Yesterday, I was at the supermarket and eggs were $10.99 per dozen. And I just read that Russia has hit Ukraine with multiple air attacks (not printed in the Star for some reason). Its great that we can now pay less to drive to the market to buy things that we can no longer afford, right? When will the price of eggs come down? Why is there still a war going on in Ukraine?

John Bingham

Northwest side

Hegseth: Department of Hypocrisy

I found it interesting that the Secretary of the Department of Defense has taken stringent measures against the open meetings between the senior members of the military and the open press of various news outlets. In his own words, While the department remains committed to transparency, the department is equally obligated to protect (classified intelligence information) and sensitive information, the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. service members in danger. Regarding Mr. Hegseths claim, I respectfully submit that his limited use of the Signal app (continuing?) is causing more harm to service members that are actively engaging in combat than the usual interplay between journalists and military members; also since all senior staff and their offices are off limits to journalists  except in rare cases such as being assigned a minder to escort and monitor the information exchanged  I must take it to mean that there exists a certain amount of trust lost between Mr. Hegseth and his staff who might be leaking such information.

Richard Rebl

East side

Electing the wrong people

I get it: Joe Biden was having some issues with memory. We are all being challenged by our minds these days. But we, the American people, are pretty lame in that very same category. Case in point: Why do we keep electing people to political positions, then criticize them when they dont do what we want? Remember the old adage about you cant please all the people all the time? A lot of folks take that ballot form and see a name they recognize and put the check mark right there, and thats how we elect folks. It doesnt matter if a no-name person has some downright brilliant ideas. If theyre not backed by the right folks, forget it! Its time we the people start doing our homework and start putting the right emphasis on fixing our country and not selling ourselves to the richest bidder. And for the love of God, stop whining and get to work on this.

Maureen Gagliardi

East side

An absurd tariff

Trump is now threatening to impose a 50% tariff on Europe. This is not because they have unfair tariffs on us. The tariffs in both directions are about equal, at less than 2%.

This is because Trump thinks a trade deficit is somehow about tariffs. And because we have a trade deficit with Europe, by imposing an absurd tariff on them, this will somehow eliminate this problem.

A trade deficit just means that I buy more stuff from you than you buy from me. So I have a trade deficit with my neighborhood Safeway store. I buy lots of stuff from them, and they have yet to buy a single thing from me. Does this suggest some sort of cruel treatment of me by Safeway? No. It just means thats where I shop for food, because it is cheap or convenient.

A trade deficit with Europe just means that we buy things from them because it is cheap or convenient. This is not a problem. It is called shopping.

Larry DeWitt
Nines Victorian travel series Postcards heads to the Gold Coast and Portarlington.

Kris Smith heads into the scenic foothills of Queenslands Gold Coast to explore the beauty of Sarabah (Bundjalung Country). At Mountview Alpaca Farm in Canungra he meets the friendly four-legged locals and learns about their unique alpaca therapy program. Next, he checks out the ultimate off-road camping setup awaiting the lucky winner in the Mater Cars for Cancer prize draw. Kris wraps up at the Sarabah Estate Vineyard, a family-owned gem serving sparkling shiraz and woodfired pizzas over sweeping views that bring a touch of European charm to the heart of the Scenic Rim.

Madeline Spark detours off the bustling promenade to discover some of Southbanks (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country) hidden gems. Her day starts at The Bond Store, a heritage-listed warehouse turned into a European-style cafe, where time slows down over expertly brewed coffee and all-day brunch. A short walk away she checks out O3, a next-gen co-working hub blending sleek design, smart tech and the sense of a calm community. Maddie finishes at the Edwin Wine Bar and Cellar inside the Shadow Play by Peppers Hotel, where Victorian wines and produce take centre stage in a refined, moody setting that brings the best of the states regions to the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, Brodie Harper is embracing the early festive spirit in the charming seaside town of Portarlington (Wathaurong Country), with a Christmas in July escape. She boards one of the Port Phillip Ferries to cruise from Docklands to the Bellarine Peninsula in relaxing style. Once ashore, Brodie heads to the historic Portarlington Grand Hotel, a beautifully restored 1888 landmark perched above the bay. There she dives into the merriment of a traditional Christmas feast, complete with live entertainment and cosy festive cheer, all just a ferry ride from the CBD.

And we find Shane Delia in Airport West (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country). He begins at Backhaus Bakery, a wholesale factory with a small shopfront where bakers create beautiful sourdough loaves and pastries. Then he explores the Helping Hands Mission, a not-for-profit community hub that provides aid, support, an op shop and a cafe staffed by volunteers. Shane finishes his tour at The Ds Souvlaki, a licensed venue and function space renowned for its meat cooked over a naked flame.

5:30pm Sunday June 1 on Nine Melbourne and 9Now.
Slovenia will consider its future participation in the Eurovision Song Contest unless organisers take serious steps to address concerns around the voting system and Israels participation.

Television Slovenia first raised concerns in December -the first to do so ahead of the 2025 event.

Now Ksenija Horvat, director of Television Slovenia, has sent a letter to the EBU.

As the director of Television Slovenia, I am once again addressing you with serious and growing concerns regarding Israels continued participation in EBU events, especially the Eurovision Song Contest, she wrote.

Unfortunately, the response we received did not contain convincing or concrete explanations, nor did it reflect the urgency and seriousness of the issue we are addressing. During this time, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories has worsened, and public concern  both in Slovenia and throughout Europe  has increased significantly.

Many viewers in Slovenia and elsewhere expressed serious doubts about the credibility and transparency of the voting, especially in the political context surrounding the contest. The feeling that political interests could influence decisions on participation or the final results of the vote shook the publics trust in the impartiality of the EBU.

We are particularly interested in comparing telephone votes with online votes, as we believe this is essential to restoring trust in the integrity of the voting process. As public media, we have a duty to provide our audience with accurate and verifiable information.

As a public media outlet responsible to the public, Television Slovenia is under increasing pressure to respond to such concerns. If the EBU does not take concrete steps and address the issues, we will consider our participation in future Eurovision events.

We will be forced to do so if the EBU continues to fail to address these key issues from both an ethical and public interest perspective.

It follows RTVE of Spain, VRT of Belgium, RUV of Iceland, Yle of Finland, and RTE of Ireland all raising questions regarding the voting at the contest. AVROTROS and NPO in the Netherlands have also raised queries regarding the current state of the contest.

Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, recently stated that the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group will review the voting data in June. In addition, they will review the promotion of participants by their delegations and associated parties and discuss whether the public vote should continue to allow up to 20 votes to be cast.

Slovenia has participated in 22 contests, but failed to qualify in the 2025 Final.

Source: Eurovoix

Photo: EBU
Three large asteroids that could destroy entire cities on Earth are currently hiding behind Venus.

Three killer asteroids could come hurtling towards Earth

And scientists have warned that we may not see them coming until its too late.

A new study published in Astronomy and Astrophysics reveals that Venus blocks our view of a region of space where some of the most dangerous asteroids could be lurking.

Researchers say the asteroids co-orbiting with Venus range in size from approximately 330 to 1,300 feet (100 to 400 meters) in diameter. Each is large enough to destroy a city, triggering widespread fires and tsunamis.

The international researchers, led by Valerio Carruba from Brazil's Sao Paulo State University, said in their report that 20 co-orbital asteroids of Venus are currently known.

Even more concerning is that these asteroids dont follow perfectly stable paths. Their orbits can wobble or shift over time, and any gravitational disturbance could propel them toward Earth.

Because ground-based telescopes cant observe the area near the sun, the researchers say a dedicated space probe should be sent toward Venus.

In their report, they note that this is the only way to fully map the "still invisible" hazardous asteroids hiding in Earths blind spot.

In April, scientists at NASA raised new concerns by increasing the chance of an asteroid hitting the Moon to four per cent. That warning followed a separate risk assessment showing the probability of a major asteroid impact on Earth had climbed to 3.1 per cent, the highest odds ever recorded.
BAC GIANG  The northern province of Bac Giang is intensifying efforts to promote the consumption of lychees at home and abroad this year, according to a conference on promoting lychee consumption held on Wednesday in Bac Giang by the provincial Peoples Committee.

The event brought together representatives from Government agencies, businesses and trade partners to discuss strategies for boosting the market reach of lychee, as well as other key agricultural and OCOP (One Commune One Product) items.

Vice chairman of the Bac Giang Province Peoples Committee Pham Van Thinh highlighted the quality of the provinces lychees, which adhere to strict domestic and international standards on food safety, traceability and production.

He reiterated the provinces commitment to creating favourable conditions for businesses involved in surveying, picking and distributing the fruit. Transparency in product origin and quality, along with streamlined support for export procedures, remains a top priority.

To strengthen production and consumption capabilities, vice chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen uc Hai urged Bac Giang to intensify investment in science and technology  especially post-harvest preservation and processing  to extend shelf life and improve competitiveness in demanding international markets.

Hai emphasised the need to diversify export destinations, with a strong focus on China, Japan, the EU, the US, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

At the same time, he underscored the importance of bolstering the domestic market by fostering value chain linkages among farmers, businesses, scientists and government agencies. Such collaboration, he noted, is crucial for building a sustainable consumption ecosystem with high added value.

He also called on Chinese authorities to facilitate trade by expediting administrative procedures, creating priority customs clearance channels and encouraging reputable enterprises to engage in direct purchasing from Bac Giang. Domestically and internationally, enterprises are encouraged to sign early procurement contracts to ensure a seamless production-to-consumption supply chain.

The National Assembly, he added, will continue to refine the legal framework supporting agricultural development, with lychee among the key products affected. Support will include enhancing transportation infrastructure  particularly rail links to China  and developing logistics hubs and preservation centres for vital raw materials. Emphasis will also be placed on research in digital transformation and sustainable farming practices.

Hoang Minh Chien, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Trade Promotion Department, confirmed the ministrys support for lychee exports. This includes providing timely market information, organising trade events at home and abroad, and simplifying export procedures for agricultural products.

Representatives from Guangxi Provinces Department of Commerce in China  the main gateway for Vietnamese agricultural exports  pledged to streamline customs procedures and maintain 'green channels' at border gates to expedite the import of Bac Giang lychees.

Meanwhile, Central Retail Group in Viet Nam announced extensive plans to boost lychee sales during the peak season. These include enhancing logistics and retail networks, supporting local producers with documentation, featuring lychees prominently in supermarkets and promoting online sales through e-commerce platforms.

The company also committed to facilitating lychee exports to Thailand and honouring Bac Giang lychees at the upcoming 2025 Fruit Festival in Tien Giang on May 29.

Bac Giangs lychee production is projected to reach 165,000 tonnes this year, including 60,000 tonnes of early-harvest lychees and 105,000 tonnes from the main crop. Cultivation adheres to VietGAP, GlobalGAP and organic produce standards, with trademark and geographical indication protections in major markets such as China, the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore.

The province has granted nearly 300 growing area codes across 21,000ha, while investing significantly in modern packaging and logistics infrastructure.

Bac Giang continues to supply lychees to major supermarket chains and wholesale markets across Viet Nam, while also maintaining robust fresh and processed lychee exports.

The province actively partners with online platforms such as nongsan.buudien.vn, Sendo, Tiki, Shopee, Lazada, Alibaba and TikTok Shop, helping local producers connect directly with global consumers.  VNS
As Viet Nams apparel and footwear sector works to reduce its carbon footprint and align with global sustainability goals, collaboration across the industry is becoming more crucial than ever. Viet Nam News reporter Mai Huong spoke with Jeremy Lardeau, senior vice president of the Higg Index at Cascale, a global non-profit alliance driving sustainability in the consumer goods industry, about the sector's challenges, opportunities and the role of international partnerships in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

What are the main challenges that Viet Nams apparel and footwear sector faces in reducing carbon emissions, and how can collaboration across the industry help address them?

The sector faces critical sustainability challenges, as Cascales new Viet Nam Country Report highlights, particularly in energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resource efficiency.

In Viet Nam, the apparel and footwear industry accounts for 8 per cent of industrial energy demand and emits around five million tonnes of CO annually. Additionally, 12 per cent of apparel and footwear facilities use coal for energy, while renewable energy accounts for less than 2 per cent of the sectors energy use.

Encouragingly, nearly 100 textile and footwear businesses have now been specifically designated to report their emissions, aligning with Viet Nams broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions. There is also a growing emphasis within the industry on transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Viet Nam aims to raise renewable electricity to 10 per cent by 2025 and cut energy use by 0.4 to 0.7 per cent each year from 2021 to 2030. To support this ambition, the Vietnamese Governments recent passing of legislation enabling Direct Power Purchase Agreements marks a significant step forward.

Another major challenge is the use of biomass. Our 2023 Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) data showed issues like uncertified biomass and poor wastewater treatment in textile facilities. As costs rise, some suppliers have switched to uncertified wood waste, which can have a bigger environmental impact than coal and pose serious risks.

This is why collaboration across the industry to address practices like these is so important. By working together across the value chain, apparel and footwear companies  as well as others in the consumer goods sector  can play a pivotal role in Viet Nams transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy while simultaneously enhancing business performance.

What specific opportunities can local manufacturers leverage to boost competitiveness and attract international brand partnerships?

There are many opportunities that local manufacturers can leverage to boost competitiveness and become more attractive to international brands.

One key opportunity is renewable energy adoption. Viet Nam is committed to supply chain decarbonisation and is placing increasing emphasis on renewable energy. Local manufacturers that transition to renewable sources can reduce emissions and align with international sustainability standards.

Another opportunity is using available data. Tools like the Higg FEM help manufacturers spot ways to improve energy use, cut emissions, and use resources more efficiently. At the same time, circular economy practices are growing in Viet Nams textile and footwear sectors. Adopting these can help manufacturers attract eco-conscious global brands.

Viet Nam presents an evolving landscape with strong potential for facilities to contribute meaningfully to decarbonisation goals. The same principles that attract brand partnerships  renewable energy, data-driven insights, and circular practices  are also the levers to reduce emissions.

What practical steps can international fashion brands take to support their suppliers in Viet Nam in transitioning away from coal?

As Viet Nam continues to develop and embrace sustainability, there are many opportunities for international fashion brands to support their suppliers in moving away from coal and help lead the transformation of supply chains.

One practical step is engaging in low-carbon transitions. Brands can support their Vietnamese suppliers by investing in renewable energy projects and helping them access Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to procure clean energy. Providing technical guidance and resources to assess energy needs and implement effective renewable solutions is also crucial.

Additionally, fostering long-term partnerships is vital. Multi-year commitments can build trust and stability, giving suppliers the confidence to invest in renewable energy. These partnerships may also involve setting shared sustainability targets and timelines for reducing coal dependency.

Supporting workforce skill development is another key action. Brands can co-develop training programmes or sponsor participation in existing initiatives to help supplier employees build expertise in energy efficiency, sustainability, and green technologies.

Finally, brands must monitor and respond to policy changes. Staying informed about Viet Nams evolving energy landscape and helping suppliers comply with regulatory updates  while taking advantage of new sustainability incentives  can further accelerate the move away from coal.

Youve mentioned that investing in sustainability goes beyond compliance  its also about long-term competitiveness. In your view, what are the key benefits for manufacturers that take early action on sustainability?

The benefits are clear. Companies that take meaningful action today will be better positioned for the future. Sustainability is not only a moral responsibility  it is the key to long-term competitiveness and business continuity.

Viet Nams economy is expected to grow by 6.5 per cent in 2025, ahead of its regional peers. Manufacturing, which made up 23.88 per cent of GDP in 2023, continues to drive this growth. With plans to boost renewable energy use to 6570 per cent by 2045, companies that act early will have an advantage over those holding on to old practices.

Cascale is driving this shift with its Industry Decarbonisation Roadmap, a joint effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions across the textile, apparel, and footwear supply chain. The initiative focuses on turning goals into action by supporting high-impact sites and promoting scalable, inclusive, and practical solutions.  VNS
BANGKOK  More than 170 Vietnamese companies are showcasing their products at THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2025, one of the world's largest food and beverage fairs held annually in Thailand.

Visiting the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung expressed his delight at the active participation of Vietnamese enterprises. He said they bring high-quality products that meet international standards as well as the fair's criteria regarding innovation and creativity in the food and beverage sector.

THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2025 draws more than 3,200 companies from Thailand and 56 other countries and territories. It features 6,200 booths, displaying various kinds of products in the food sector, from agricultural products and processed foods to food technology and related services.

The fair also hosts seminars on various topics such as food security and sustainability, the future of alternative proteins, innovation in food and beverage manufacturing and retail, and next-generation menus and flavours.

The fair, running from May 27 to 31, is co-organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and German company Koelnmesse.

It is expected to attract more than 90,000 trade visitors from 140 countries and territories. The organisers hope the total transaction value at the fair to exceed 98 billion THB (about US$2.68 billion), including orders signed on the spot and potential contracts after the event.  VNS
A NANG  FPT Corporation (FPT) recently joined the inaugural Viet Nam-France Leaders Forum, marking a key milestone in the strengthening of economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The event saw nearly 50 senior representatives from leading Vietnamese and French enterprises across diverse sectors, including aerospace, banking and finance, energy, retail, healthcare, and education, exchange views.

It was an opportunity to deepen bilateral business ties by leveraging the comprehensive strategic partnership already in existence between France and Viet Nam. It emphasised the importance of collaboration, joint ventures and long-term partnerships to support both nations economic transformation goals.

Looking ahead, it will become an annual event, alternating between the two countries to foster sustained dialogue and address shared business challenges in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

As part of the event FPT Corporation and Odyssey Education (France) signed a letter of intent marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration to introduce high-quality French educational programmes into Viet Nams national education system.

Odyssey Education is a prominent French international education group offering a full French curriculum from preschool through to senior students. With 13 campuses across Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, Odyssey is officially recognised by AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), under the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its role in promoting French education globally.

Speaking at the event, Dr Truong Gia Binh, Founder and Chairman of FPT, emphasised the significance of the bilateral relationship noting that the Viet NamFrance Leaders Forum was created to serve as a catalyst for this vision, bringing together leaders, ideas and opportunities to build a prosperous future together. This partnership underscores the shared commitment to educational excellence and cultural exchange, reinforcing the broader goals of the Forum to deepen economic and societal collaboration between Viet Nam and France.

To further support French companies in addressing global challenges, FPT Chairman also proposed a co-location strategy, encouraging French businesses to establish a presence in markets where FPT actively expands its workforce.

"While France and Viet Nam face some different challenges, we also tackle similar ones in sustainable development, industrial digitalisation and social transformation. That is why we encourage members to establish ventures and partnerships in both countries, and aim to attract more French companies, from large firms to SMEs, to develop business in Viet Nam, while encouraging Vietnamese corporations to expand into France," said the Artelia Executive Chairman, Benoit Clocheret.

At the forum featured roundtable discussions that delved into market insights, business expertise and opportunities for bilateral collaboration. Representatives from Viet Nam and French businesses expressed strong interest in forming strategic partnerships in key areas such as sustainable energy, urban development, modern transportation, healthcare, retail, IT talent training and financial services.  BIZHUB/VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung had separate meetings with Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto Yoji and former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Tokyo on Thursday, as part of his working visit to the East Asian nation and attendance at the 30th Future of Asia forum.

During his meeting with Minister Muto, Deputy PM Dung expressed Viet Nams wish for the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to closely coordinate with relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies to advance the implementation of commitments shared between the countries leaders.

He particularly mentioned the outcomes of Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru's recent visit to Viet Nam regarding such key cooperation areas as energy, green transition, industry, and science-technology.

He also called on the Japanese Government and METI to continue supporting Viet Nams efforts in industrialisation and modernisation, building an independent and self-reliant economy, and achieving breakthroughs in institutional reform, human resources, and infrastructure development.

Dung suggested Muto further promote business connectivity between Vietnam and Japan, and to support Vietnamese enterprises in integrating into Japanese supply chains.

Sharing updates from his meetings with leaders of Japanese localities such as Mie, Aichi, and Hokkaido, the deputy PM stressed Viet Nams readiness and interest in cooperating with Japan on high-quality human resources development. He said both sides should consider this a strategic priority in bilateral ties, in order to meet their development demands amid emerging global trends.

Dung also urged Japan to continue supporting Viet Nam in its efforts toward green transition and digital transformation, including the effective implementation of 15 emission reduction projects worth over US$20 billion under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative.

He advocated for deeper cooperation in sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Given the complex developments in global trade, the deputy PM stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral trade exchange and requested Japan to create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese exports to access the Japanese market.

For his part, Muto agreed to further strengthen economic, trade and industrial cooperation with Viet Nam.

Concurring on the importance of closely coordinating the implementation of high-level agreements between the two countries, he stated that the Japanese Government is keen to advance collaboration in the semiconductor sector via joint projects on polysilicon production and human resources training, aiming to support Viet Nams goal of cultivating 50,000 skilled workers. He also highlighted a programme under which Vietnamese semiconductor professionals will work in Japan and later return to contribute to the development of Viet Nams domestic chip sector.

On AI, Muto expressed Japans interest in partnering with Vietnam to launch joint projects under the ASEANJapan Co-Creation initiative.

He also noted that Japanese firms are highly interested in expanding their investments in Vietnam, and urged the Vietnamese Government to continue efforts to improve the investment climate and streamline administrative procedures supporting the operations of the nearly 2,400 Japanese companies currently active in its market.

During his meeting with the former Japanese PM, Dung called for Kishidas support in promoting a new pillar of bilateral cooperation in science and technology. He also sought Japans assistance in fostering Viet Nams research and development, and acceleration of joint projects in areas like high-tech industry, semiconductors, energy transition, and green transition, particularly within the framework of AZEC.

Kishida praised Viet Nams growing international stature and impressive socio-economic achievements in recent years. He said that Japan is committed to supporting the countrys development goals, and personally pledged to continue contributing to the comprehensive advancement of Viet NamJapan relations.

The former leader also expressed his intent to push for the effective implementation of green transition projects in Viet Nam under AZEC. In his role as an advisor to the JapanViet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, he added that he will work to enhance inter-parliamentary exchanges between the two nations in the near future. VNS
Josh Klinghoffer has accepted a no-jail plea deal for a vehicular manslaughter charge.

Josh Klinghoffer accepted a plea deal

The former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, 45, appeared in court this week in Alhambra, California where he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence following the death of Israel Sanchez in 2024.

As reported by Rolling Stone magazine, he has been sentence to one year informal probation, and 60 days of community labour.

Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso ruled that Klinghoffer - who recently toured with Pearl Jam following his Chili Peppers departure in 2019 - has to also complete a driver safety test, and pay restitution.

A prosecutor told the guitarist: "If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder."

Klinghoffer - who had entered his plea - confirmed that he understood.

Sanchez's only daughter Ashley Sanchez read out a victim impact statement, crying as she described her father's death as an "avoidable loss that has shaken my family".

She said: "My father was an extraordinary grandfather to my [children]."

Ashley added that her father's death "has left an irreversible void" in their lives, as she called him "the heart of our family".

She recalling his passion for painting and cookery, and a "unique gift for soothing" his family.

She said: "His meals were more than just food. They were expressions of love and care."

Last summer, Klinghoffer was sued for fatally striking Sanchez while driving, as the man walked through a marked crosswalk on his way to the grocery store on March 18, 2024.

The lawsuit has accused Klinghoffer of "likely driving while distracted" and allegedly "using a device mere seconds before" striking Sanchez in the bank while turning left.

It's also alleged that he "made no braking or slowing motion until after" fatally striking Sanchez, who was "thrown and/or dragged across the asphalt".

He suffered blunt force trauma to the head, and died around two and a half hours after being taken to hospital from "excruciating" injuries.

Klinghoffer's attorney Andrew Brettler told TMZ at the time: "It was a tragic accident.

After Josh struck this pedestrian in the intersection, he immediately pulled over, stopped the car, called 911 and waited until police and the ambulance arrived.

"Obviously, hes cooperating with the police throughout the traffic investigation. This was purely a tragic accident.
HA NOI  The Embassies of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) held a press conference in Ha Noi on May 29 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

At the event, Russian Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko recalled that negotiations for a new cooperation framework were officially approved by the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in December 2012.

Between March 2013 and December 2014, eight rounds of negotiations were held, alongside expert-level meetings among specialised working groups. These resulted in a balanced and comprehensive agreement that addressed the interests of all parties involved.

The pact was officially signed in Kazakhstan during the second meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, witnessed by top cabinet officials from EAEU member states and Viet Nam, he said, stressing this was the very first trade agreement the EAEU signed with a non-member country  a vivid testament to the confidence between the two sides.

Ten years into the agreement, Viet Nams trade turnover with Armenia has surged 61-fold, Kazakhstan 4.2-fold, Russia 1.3-fold, and Belarus 34 per cent, according to data from the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The ambassadors from all five EAEU nations expressed their desire to further strengthen cooperation relations with Viet Nam, affirming that Viet Nam has been an important partner for their countries. They highlighted the FTA has established a solid foundation for expanding multifaceted collaboration between Viet Nam and the EAEU in the current period.

Director of the MoITs Department of Foreign Market Development Ta Hoang Linh said since the FTA came into effect, trade between Viet Nam and the EAEU doubled to reach $5.6 billion in 2024, adding Vietnamese businesses have been capitalising on tariff incentives to boost exports.

Linh stated that competent Vietnamese agencies will continue supporting domestic enterprises to tap opportunities from the EAEU market.  VNS
HCM CITY  There remains vast untapped potential for Viet Nam  China cooperation in sci-tech and innovation, and more need to be done to unlock it, heard a conference on technology transfer, trade and investment promotion held in HCM City on May 29.

The event was co-hosted by the Trade Sector Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the National Startup Support Centre (NSSC) under the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Vietnam Innovation Hub Network.

NSSC Deputy Director Le Toan Thang described the Politburos Resolution 57, which focuses on breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation, and national digital transformation, as a key driver of Viet Nams rapid growth.

Viet Nam attaches importance to deepening international cooperation to help domestic enterprises tap into global technological advancements for development, he said, adding that China, with a well-developed sci-tech, presents a promising market for Vietnamese firms seeking partnerships and access to advanced technologies and practical, effective technology transfer models.

The NSSC would continue to accompany and support cooperation activities in entrepreneurship and innovation, he said, stressing its commitment to facilitating meaningful connections between Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises, particularly startups and tech firms, to foster lasting and effective partnerships.

Wang Xi, Vice Chairwoman of the CCPIT Trade Sector Committee, noted that companies need to be equipped with robust skills, strong foundational capabilities, and most importantly, the support from key regulatory bodies in both countries.

Through practical activities, the CCPIT has organised numerous business trips to Southeast Asia, with Viet Nam as a focal point, to build mutual understanding and lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation, she added.

It showcased a range of cooperation models, from traditional models to cross-border e-commerce, to create practical platforms for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and build seamless resource-sharing networks.

Participating Chinese firms praised Viet Nams improving business climate, citing stronger legal frameworks, competitive production costs, advanced infrastructure, and vibrant industries as catalysts for expanded collaboration in trade, investment, and innovation.

ang uc Thanh, member of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Executive Committee and Chairman of the Viet Nam Economists Club, proposed establishing a Viet NamChina SME Alliance. Backed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, the alliance would serve as a legitimate and essential bridge to help the two countries business communities move toward more effective and successful partnerships.  VNS
TOKYO  An exhibition showcasing over 200 photographs and documents featuring President Ho Chi Minh opened on May 28 in Fukuoka city, Japan as part of activities to mark the late leaders 135th birth anniversary (May 19, 18902025).

Attendees at the opening ceremony included Vietnamese Consul General Vu Chi Mai, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site within the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi Le Thi Phuong, and Japanese officials, including mayors of several cities in Fukuoka prefecture and representatives of friendship associations and diplomatic missions.

In her opening remarks, Phuong emphasised that the exhibition offers Japanese visitors a glimpse into the life, revolutionary career, and ideology of President Ho Chi Minh  a revered yet humble leader. She expressed hope that more international friends would visit the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in Viet Nam to better understand his legacy and the Vietnamese people.

Mai noted that the exhibition serves as a cultural bridge, deepening the strong friendship between Viet Nam and Japan. She hoped it will help younger generations in Japan gain a more vivid understanding of President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese history and culture.

Hoshino Hiroshi, Chairman of the KyushuViet Nam Friendship Association, described the exhibition as a valuable opportunity to reflect on President Ho Chi Minh's ideals of independence, freedom, and happiness - values that still resonate globally. He also noted the growing presence of the Vietnamese community in Kyushu and expressed hope that the exhibition would further promote bilateral exchanges.

With five themes, the exhibition highlights Ho Chi Minh as a symbol of patriotism, peace, cultural exchange, and national development. It also showcases images of Japans cherry blossoms and Viet Nams lotus flowers, representing the two nations shared cultural values.

Renowned painter Van Duong Thanh was also invited to exhibit her works dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, offering a heartfelt artistic tribute.

Japanese guests such as Hirotaka Inoue, Vice Chairman of the Fukuoka  Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, and Fumiaki Honda, a long-time admirer of President Ho Chi Minh, expressed their admiration and emotional connection to the exhibition.

Vietnamese student Tang Thi Yen, currently studying in Fukuoka, said she was honoured to attend the event and pledged to study hard to contribute to the Viet Nam  Japan friendship.

The exhibition, part of an initiative to honour President Ho Chi Minh abroad in 2025, will remain open to the public until May 29.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam attaches importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with the US and appreciates the American countrys support for a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Viet Nam, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong said while receiving a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Receiving the first delegation of its kind to visit Viet Nam in the year marking the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, Phuong underscored Viet Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, openness for peace, and cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations; and proactive, active global integration; and being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.

He also briefed the US lawmakers on Viet Nam's ongoing reforms in various sectors, including science and technology, the growing role of the private economic sector, and law making and enforcement.

The NA Vice Chairman lauded the progress in Viet NamUS cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, trade, investment and settlement of war consequences, as well as collaboration between the two parliaments.

Calling for deeper inter-parliamentary collaboration, he proposed increasing exchanges between lawmakers of both countries to help strengthen and expand ties within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Phuong further requested support from US legislators for the US's recognition of Viet Nam's market economy status.

On tariff matters, Phuong welcomed the outcomes of recent negotiations and urged the visiting delegation to convey to President Donald Trump and the US administration that Viet Nam treasures its relationship with the US and is keen to see continued mutual benefits from bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.

With the complementary nature of the two economies, Viet Nam hopes that both sides will reach mutually beneficial solutions, aiming to build a stable, balanced, and sustainable economic and trade relations that delivers tangible benefits for businesses and people of both countries, he stated.

Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan, head of the delegation, expressed his appreciation for Viet Nam's efforts in assisting with the search for US personnel missing in action during the war. He said there remains vast potential for bilateral cooperation, particularly in the spheres of science, technology, economy, trade, and investment.

Moolenaar and other delegates affirmed Vietnams importance as a key partner in the region, voiced their support for the Southeast Asian nations proposals to bolster the bilateral ties, and committed to relaying its messages to President Trump and the US government. The delegation also pledged to further promote US congressmen's visits to Viet Nam.  VNA/VNS
MOSCOW  A delegation of the Ministry of Public Security, led by Minister Luong Tam Quang, attended the plenary session of the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Moscow, Russia on Wednesday.

The session chaired by Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoigu saw the participation of more than 129 delegations from 105 member states of ASEAN, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the League of Arab States, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and other international organisations.

Participants discussed world and regional issues of concerns, especially emerging challenges in traditional and non-traditional security areas such as combating online fraud, ensuring security for critical information infrastructure against terrorist attacks and technological sabotage.

Speaking at the consultation session among ASEAN and Russian representatives, Quang highly appreciated the results of ASEAN-Russia cooperation over the past time.

To enhance coordination between relevant agencies of ASEAN and Russia in responding to traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the coming time, Quang suggested that the two sides seriously and effectively implement their joint statements, plans and cooperation programmes; and establish a dialogue mechanism to respond to security challenges.

Quang said that he hopes Russia will continue to provide capacity building programmes for ASEAN countries in counter-terrorism, cyber security and other areas; promote ASEAN-Russia cooperation on disaster management, organise consultations between the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief, coordinate research and development of satellite-based disaster and climate monitoring systems, data sharing and early warning programmes for cross-border epidemics; study and organise joint exercises to respond to forest fires, floods, cyber-attacks, health crises, and maritime emergencies.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Quang held bilateral meetings with senior security leaders of countries including Russia, Nicaragua, Belarus and China.  VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly (NA) continues its 9th session on Thursday by discussing a draft Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Credit Institutions, and a draft resolution on a pilot initiative for the Peoples Procuracy to file civil lawsuits to protect the civil rights of vulnerable groups or to safeguard public interests.

In the afternoon, lawmakers are scheduled to vote and approve a resolution on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of social housing.

Following this, they will continue discussions on the draft Law on amendments and supplements to several article of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality.

The bill contains three articles, focusing on two major policies  one to relax the conditions for acquiring Vietnamese nationality, aiming to facilitate cases where an individual has a biological father, mother, paternal or maternal grandparents who are Vietnamese citizens; as well as investors, scientists, and foreign experts who wish to acquire Vietnamese nationality.

The other is to ease the conditions for re-acquiring Vietnamese nationality, making it easier for individuals who have lost their Vietnamese nationality to regain it.

Key content of the draft law includes changes to some articles aiming to simplify procedures for minors to acquire Vietnamese nationality through their parents or if their biological parents or grandparents are Vietnamese citizens.

Additionally, the draft amends Clause 1, Article 19, to stipulate that minors applying for Vietnamese nationality through their parents, where the father or mother is a Vietnamese citizen, are not required to meet the condition of full civil capacity.

It removes the provision in Clause 1, Article 23 of the Law on Vietnamese Nationality concerning specific cases eligible to regain Vietnamese nationality. Accordingly, all individuals who have lost their Vietnamese nationality and submit an application for reinstatement may be considered for re-acquisition of Vietnamese nationality.

At the same time, the draft also amends and supplements Clause 5, Article 23, allowing individuals applying to regain Vietnamese nationality to retain their foreign nationality, provided they meet two conditions similar to those for acquiring Vietnamese nationality while retaining foreign nationality, and are granted permission by the State President. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam always attaches great importance to strengthening ties with traditional friends in Central and Eastern Europe, with Hungary being a top priority, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told visiting Hungarian President Sulyok Tamas at their meeting in Ha Noi on Thursday.

The Government leader highlighted the significance of Tamass visit, noting that it holds special importance as the two countries are celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (19502025), and Viet Nam is marking the 80th anniversary of its National Day (September 2).

He recalled the impressions and outcomes of his official visit to Hungary in January 2024, showing his belief that the trip will create new momentum to further strengthen the Viet NamHungary Comprehensive Partnership across fields, for the benefit of the two nations' people, and for peace, stability, solidarity, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

Viet Nam will never forget the valuable assistance Hungary provided during its struggle for national independence and reunification in the past, as well as in the current process of national construction and development, the PM said.

He also thanked Hungary for being the largest provider of concessional loans to Viet Nam in Central and Eastern Europe, with a total committed sum of US$500 million, and for donating COVID-19 vaccines during the most challenging period of the pandemic, which helped Viet Nam recover its economy early.

In a friendly and trustful atmosphere, PM Chinh briefed the guest on Viet Nam's socio-economic achievements, noting that the countrys GDP hit $473 billion in 2024, with per capita income approaching the worlds upper-middle-income threshold, and its happiness index rising by 11 places in 2024 and a further 8 places this year.

Viet Nam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries and joined 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), connecting with 60 leading economies worldwide, he added.

The PM highlighted Viet Nam's major strategic orientations, focusing on building socialist democracy, a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, and for the people, and a socialist-oriented market economy.

Viet Nam is also implementing three strategic breakthroughs  improving institutions, developing infrastructure, and enhancing high-quality human resources, he continued, noting Viet Nam aims to promote an independent and self-reliant economy driven by science, technology, and innovation; to foster the private sector; to streamline the state apparatus; and to deepen international integration, towards the status of a high-income developed country by 2045.

President Tamas expressed admiration for Viet Nam's remarkable achievements over nearly four decades of oi moi (renewal) and praised the countrys growing role and position in the region and on the global stage.

The leader affirmed that Viet Nam remains one of Hungarys most important partners in ASEAN, showing his support for PM Chinh's proposal on key measures to deepen bilateral ties.

The two countries should enhance political trust through continued delegation exchanges, thereby boosting cooperation across fields; maintain solidarity, close coordination, and mutual support at multilateral forums amidst growing global complexities; and support the stance on resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, in order to foster a peaceful and stable environment for development in each region and globally.

At the same time, two countries need to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, soon hold the meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation, and strive to achieve a trade turnover of $2 billion.

They should intensify development cooperation, and propose and effectively implement projects using preferential credit from the Hungarian Government for Viet Nam.

Another measure is to boost cooperation in education, particularly in nuclear energy, electricity, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and climate change.

Other measures focus on collaboration in labour, cultural, tourism and people-to-people exchange, focusing on activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025.

The Hungarian President affirmed that he will urge other European Union (EU) countries to soon ratify the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and support and urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" against Viet Nam's seafood exports.

The leaders agreed to continue to effectively implement the agreements between the two countries, promote cooperation in traditional areas such as trade - investment, science - technology, education - training, national defence - security, medicine - pharmacy, culture - tourism and people-to-people exchange, and expand collaboration to areas where both sides have strengths and needs such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and labour.

On this occasion, PM Chinh suggested Hungarian authorities at all levels continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to integrate further into the host society, make positive contributions to the local socio-economy, and promote its important role in strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries.  VNS
HA NOI  A visiting bipartisan delegation from the United States House of Representatives affirmed the support from both the Republican and the Democratic parties towards the growth of the "particular critical relationship" with Viet Nam.

During a sit-down with local media in Ha Noi, Congressman John Moolenaar, Republican representative for the state of Michigan, and head of the delegation, said the trip coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Viet Nam, and that they: "Look forward to continuing to grow this friendship and there's been so much that we've worked on together these last years, and we look forward to building on that."

Other than different projects "to heal the wounds from the war," Viet Nam and the US still "have so much to do together, economically, security, making sure the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," the politician said.

Seth Moulton, a congressman from Massachusetts, also echoed the very special relationship between the two countries.

"We know that the signals from the United States government have not been entirely consistent over the last few months with strengthening that relationship, but what you see here is Republicans and Democrats coming together from Congress, all sharing that same message of goodwill, of importance, of friendship and a desire to work together in the future."

Greg Stanton, representing the state of Arizona, the 'epicentre' of semiconductor development in the US, including Intel and Amcor, which both have serious investments in Viet Nam, noted that this semiconductor industry could be the area "where the two economies could be coming more closely together over time."

On the topic of highly controversial tariff policy by the President Donald Trump administration, he remarked that in the US Congress, the three congressmen here are among the faction that backs low tariffs, who believe that: "At the end of the day, the US and Viet Nam will operate better together and grow our economies together in a 'low-tariff' environment."

Answering Viet Nam News' question on the issue of war legacies in Viet Nam, especially with the efforts on addressing dioxin/Agent Orange, the Arizona representative, who has served on the foreign affairs committee that oversees the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID), expressed his disappointment with the severe cuts the administration has made to USAID, and the use of that soft power around the globe.

However, he is "heartened" to know that the Trump administration has decided to resume funding programmes on addressing war legacies in Viet Nam, which is: "most important for the continued growth and development of this relationship" after a brief pause earlier in the year.

"We hope and pray that will continue year after year after year. I think everyone in Congress will be fighting to make sure that that occurs."

"We know that Agent Orange has affected the people of Viet Nam for 50 years. It's also affected our Viet Nam veterans. Only recently has the money been donated to helping our American veterans affected by Agent Orange. The Trump administration has threatened some of that funding as well, but we will fight not just for people of Viet Nam, but for our own veterans as well," he noted.

Congressman Seth Moulton also hoped that ongoing projects with dioxin clean-up and remediation of unexploded ordinance would continue.

"I can't speak specifically on amounts of funding or duration, but we've learned from the embassy about the progress that's being made. To me that is an important way to continue to foster this friendship and move forward in our relationship. We have an opportunity to do that, and so my advocacy will be to see that continue to make progress and benefit the quality of life for people in Viet Nam," the Massachusetts representative said.

The delegation on Wednesday had meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong, and Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Policies and Strategies Tran Luu Quang in Ha Noi.

In these meetings, the delegation reaffirmed the US will continue to play an active role in cooperation with and support to Viet Nam in achieving its strategic development goals.

They pledged to make greater efforts to promote the bilateral relations, including economic and trade ties, as well as tariff negotiations between the two countries.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to Malaysia, just completed, has ushered in a new phase of development in bilateral relations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has told reporters, describing the trip as a success that aligns with Viet Nams priorities in its foreign policy.

The visit, which reflects Viet Nams commitment to deepening ties with neighbouring countries, strategic and key partners as laid out in the foreign policy adopted at the 13th National Party Congress, marked a big step forward for the Viet Nam - Malaysia relationship, which has been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he said.

According to the official, both nations agreed to establish an annual exchange mechanism between the two prime ministers to address challenges swiftly and enhance cooperation under their newly upgraded partnership framework. They also finalised an Action Programme for 2025-2030, set for formal signing later this year, to guide the partnerships next steps.

In their talks, PM Chinh and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim shared perspectives on global and regional issues, reaffirming their commitment to maintain ASEANs common stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue.

Regarding economic ties, the two countries set a target of US$20 billion in two-way trade by 2030, focusing on balanced growth, fewer trade barriers and increased exports in areas of mutual strength. They also pledged to team up in the fields of digital economy, the circular and green economy, just energy transition, science tech and innovation.

National defence security cooperation was also tabled, with agreements reached to combat transnational crime, cybercrime, terrorism and reactionary activities. The two leaders explored establishing maritime consultation mechanisms and a direct communication line to crack down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In addition, major agencies and enterprises actively negotiated and reached three breakthrough agreements in the fields of energy and education-training.

Within the framework of the 46th ASEAN Summit, PM Chinh, Malaysian PM Anwar and Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong witnessed the signing of an addendum to a cooperation agreement on offshore wind power exports from Viet Nam to Singapore. The agreement, involving Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation, Malaysias MY Energy Consortium and Singapores Sembcorp, pushes national renewable energy goals and sets the stage for a unified ASEAN power grid.

Reflecting on the outcomes of the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Son highlighted the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration entitled 'ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future' and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which outlines political-security, economic, socio-cultural and connectivity pillars. He described these as a testament to ASEANs proactive leadership in shaping regional development and igniting a collective aspiration for growth and global stature.

Another historic move, he said, was the consensus to admit Timor-Leste as the blocs 11th member this October. This marks ASEANs first expansion in three decades, underscoring the blocs enduring spirit of inclusivity, cohesion and integration.

A third major focus was ASEANs evolving approach to broaden its external linkages in response to geopolitical and geo-economic shifts. Beyond deepening internal cooperation and stepping up trade and investment ties with existing partners, ASEAN organised the second ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, forging new pathways for inter-regional collaboration, market diversification and resilient supply chains.

At the heart of Viet Nams message was a push for a new development mindset based on inclusivity and sustainability. PM Chinhs call for greater solidarity, resilience, proactiveness, inclusiveness and sustainability offered a clear roadmap for ASEAN to boost collective power, assert strategic autonomy and ensure progress for current and future generations.

With global uncertainties looming, the Vietnamese leader stressed the need for ASEAN to safeguard its strategic autonomy, reinforce its centrality and enhance its adaptability to external challenges. He also pushed for sci-tech, innovation, digital transformation and green, sustainable growth as new pillars of regional cooperation, urging the bloc to pool resources from both public and private sectors.

Responding to rising global fragmentation, the Vietnamese PM called on ASEAN and its partners to foster dialogue, build trust and uphold multilateralism rooted in free, fair, inclusive and rules-based trade. He encouraged ASEAN to leverage its existing network of free trade agreements (FTAs) and expand inter-regional cooperation through frameworks like the ASEAN-GCC and ASEAN-GCC-China, with potential expansion among other strategic partners.

Accordingly, he proposed a series of concrete steps to foster ASEAN-GCC and ASEAN-GCC-China ties, with a focus on trade, investment and supply chain integration. He called for the early signing of an ASEAN-GCC FTA and building of an ASEAN-GCC-China FTA, with priority given to renewable energy, smart agriculture, sustainable infrastructure, green technology, aviation, tourism and the creation of a robust financial connectivity network linking major regional hubs.

It could be said that Viet Nams messages and contributions at the summits struck a chord, aligning with ASEANs focus on innovation and resilience, Son said, noting that the countrys active engagement signals its dedication to building a stable, forward-looking and sustainably developing Southeast Asia.

On the sidelines, PM Chinh met with leaders of countries attending the summits, who spoke highly of Viet Nam's role and position in the international arena. They commended Viet Nam's balanced and sustainable development strategy, spotlighting its strategic breakthroughs in institutional reform, sci-tech, infrastructure and human capital as models for addressing global challenges.

In a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the two sides highly appreciated the historical significance of the recent visit to Viet Nam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping.

They agreed to focus efforts on effectively implementing the common perceptions between the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries: enhance high-level strategic exchanges, consolidate political trust, promote substantive cooperation to achieve concrete progress, especially in trade, high-quality investment, railway connection and start construction of the Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway route in 2025. The two sides consented to continue closely coordinating with ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the region, and promote the early finalisation of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

The Vietnamese PM and leaders of ASEAN nations discussed measures to step up cooperation in trade, investment, national defence-security, culture, education and tourism. They also stressed the need to expand partnerships into emerging and promising areas like infrastructure connectivity, green transition, the circular economy, semiconductors and AI.

In discussions with the GCC, both sides expressed a shared desire to broaden partnership frameworks and initiate negotiations for a Viet Nam-GCC FTA, with energy, digital transformation, infrastructure and the Halal economy as key focus areas.

Son said these bilateral engagements and high-level exchanges sent a clear message: Viet Nam is a dynamic, innovative and deeply engaged player on the global stage. The outcomes, he added, paved the way for deeper, more substantive and effective ties with its partners in the years ahead. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese foreign ministry on Thursday addressed the abrupt order from United States Government asking its embassies abroad to pause new visa applications for international students, an issue that has attracted great concerns from parents and students alike.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and Vietnamese representative missions in the US are currently working with relevant US authorities to look into this information," spokesperson for the foreign ministry Pham Thu Hang told reporters at the regular press conference in Ha Noi.

"This is currently the time when many students from many countries, including Viet Nam, are currently working on the procedures to apply for a visa to the US to study, either self-funded or on scholarships," Hang remarked.

"We hope that the interview and application for student visas for Vietnamese students will continue to go smoothly so that education can maintain itself as a pillar of cooperation in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries," Hang said.

According to the cable sent by US State Secretary Marco Rubio to the US missions abroad, the US State Department is "conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants.

Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consulate sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity," the cable noted.

Most international students are going to the US on F-1 student visa which is for full-time academic students enrolled at an accredited US institution (e.g., college, university, high school or a language training programme). The J-1 visa is granted to students in exchange or scholarship programmes such as the Fulbright fellowship or teachers and researchers. The M-1 visa is granted to students participating in vocational or technical training programmes in the US.

A question was also raised over Trump's administration to ban Harvard University from enrolling international students and all international students currently studying there will need to transfer to other institutions or they will need to leave the US.

In response, Hang said Viet Nam hopes that the US will "continue to provide favourable conditions for Vietnamese students, lecturers, scholars and experts to attend education and training courses organised in the US, including a prestigious and high quality universities, in accordance with the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development."  VNS
Hoda Kotb is "open" to finding love again.

Hoda Kotb is optimistic about her future

The 60-year-old TV star has barely thought about love and romance since leaving the 'Today' show in January - but Hoda is now looking forward to the next "chapter" in her life.

Hoda - who has Haley, eight, and Hope, six, with former partner Joel Schiffman - told People: "I've been really getting my sea legs. When it happens will be the time it's supposed to happen."

Hoda is now looking forward to the future with optimism, admitting that she's open to finding someone new.

The broadcaster - who was married to Burzis Kanga between 2005 and 2008 - said: "When things are supposed to end, they end. And when things are supposed to begin, they begin.

"But you have to be wide open because if you're not, it's not happening. So I think that chapter is yet to come, but I know it's coming. And I'm excited for that chapter."

Hoda left her role on the 'Today' show on January 10, and she subsequently announced plans to launch her own wellness app.

During a conversation on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show', the host told Hoda: "I have to say though, ma'am, as soon as they told me you were not doing the 'Today' show, I was like, 'So what's that b**** doing?'

"I was like, 'Because there's no way you're not doing anything.' You're me, you like problems, you like working."

Hoda then admitted that she's determined to stay busy, before revealing her plans for her new wellness business.

The TV host shared: "I like things, I do.

"So, I kind of got hooked in the wellness space, like a couple of years ago. I started doing stuff that I thought seemed woo woo and weird, and then all of a sudden as I was doing it. I was like, 'Wait, I feel calmer, I feel better.'"

Hoda has been busily "building" her new business venture over recent times, and she's convinced that it has huge potential.

Hoda explained: "We can get together, do things that I love, and when you're done, it's not like going to Mexico with your girls, which is fun, but this is something that when you leave, you'll go like, Oh my gosh. I feel transformed. I feel different.' So I'm in the building process of that."
HA NOI  The spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang on Thursday addressed media inquiries concerning recent reports by the BBC regarding illegal human trafficking of Vietnamese nationals to the United Kingdom.

According to the BBC, as of May, there remain trafficking networks smuggling Vietnamese migrants into the UK, by first going to Russia, from where they are forced to travel clandestinely  hiding in forests, factory containers and even aboard vessels  on a perilous journey to the UK.

"We have been made aware of this information and are currently verifying the reports. This matter is not unprecedented and is similar to numerous concerns raised in previous press briefings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consistently reiterated Viet Nams position on the issue of illegal migration and human trafficking," spokesperson Hang noted.

The spokesperson highlighted the Vietnamese Government's consistent policy of working towards: "safe, legal, and orderly migration" and firmly opposes all forms of illegal migration and trafficking.

Viet Nam is making every effort to realise the goals set out in the Prime Ministers Plan of 20 March 2020, which seeks to foster a transparent migration environment and protect the legitimate rights and interests of migrants.

On Viet Nam's international cooperation to address human trafficking, the spokesperson stated that: "Viet Nam continues to strengthen its collaboration with other countries and international organisations, including INTERPOL, to timely prevent, identify, discover, investigate and dismantle human trafficking networks in accordance with the regulations of the laws in Viet Nam."

She added that Viet Nam is ready to work closely with other countries and relevant parties in accordance with assigned frameworks of cooperation, in accordance with international laws and norms, "on the basis of the timely protection of the legitimate rights and interests of migrants, and with respect to their dignity."

The ministry also issued a strong warning to Vietnamese citizens seeking work abroad, asking them to "strictly comply with host country regulations."

They should be especially wary of enticing offers tempting 'easy job, high pay', as these are often traps used by traffickers.

The foreign ministry has observed many cases involved individuals who entered foreign countries and stay hidden and work illegally, or for migrants who attempted to travel abroad for job opportunities, but ended up working without legal work contracts, resulting in exploitation and abuse, Hang told the press.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam believes that in the recent border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand all parties will resolve disagreement through dialogue.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang made the statement on Thursday at the press briefing in Ha Noi.

Asked on the military tension between the two Southeast Asian neighbouring countries, Hang noted that "information about the incident has already been announced by both sides, Cambodia and Thailand."

We believe that all disagreements will be resolved by the parties through dialogue and peaceful measures, in accordance with the agreements between the two countries, in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and in line with international law, Hang told the media.

Earlier, on May 28, a brief exchange of gunfire occurred between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in the border area between Cambodias Preah Vihear Province and Thailands Ubon Ratchathani Province.

According to Cambodias Ministry of National Defence, one Cambodian soldier was killed in the clash.

The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence issued a statement saying that Thai troops opened fire on a position that Cambodian forces had held for a long time, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

On the Thai side, military spokesman Winthai Suvaree said that Thai soldiers had attempted to negotiate with the Cambodian military to avoid occupying the position in the disputed area, but were fired upon.

Mr Winthai stated: The Cambodian forces misunderstood the situation and began using weapons, so the Thai forces responded. He added that the gunfight lasted around 10 minutes. No casualties were reported on the Thai side during the clash.  VNS
HA NOI  Hungarian President Sulyok Tamas and his spouse Nagy Zsuzsanna left Ha Noi on Thursday evening, wrapping up a three-day official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong.

While staying in Viet Nam, the Hungarian President and his spouse laid a wreath at the monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son street.

Party General Secretary To Lam had a meeting with President Tamas while State President Luong Cuong hosted a red-carpet welcome ceremony and held bilateral talks and a state banquet in his honour. The Hungarian President also met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

At the events, the Vietnamese leaders warmly welcomed the Hungarian guest, laying stress on its significance as the two nations are commemorating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (19502025). They hailed the visit as a landmark moment create breakthroughs to bring the Viet NamHungary Comprehensive Partnership to a deeper and more effective fashion.

Expressing gratitude for Hungary's support during Viet Nam's struggle for national liberation and its ongoing development, the Vietnamese leaders emphasised that Hungary was among the first ten countries worldwide to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1950, during the most challenging period of Viet Nam's struggle for independence.

They affirmed that Vietnam always attaches much importance to and wishes to bolster cooperation with Hungary - a top-priority partner and its first comprehensive partner in Central and Eastern Europe.

President Tamas expressed his joy to visit Viet Nam for the first time, and showed his admiration for the country's remarkable achievements through its oi moi (Renewal) and international integration efforts.

He reaffirmed Hungary's commitment to Viet Nam as its most important partner in Southeast Asia and highlighted his country's desire to strengthen cooperation across all sectors.

Leaders of both sides held that it is necessary to enhance collaboration in traditional areas including defence - security, science - technology, agriculture, health care - pharmaceuticals, culture, and tourism. They also committed to expanding cooperation into emerging fields such as digital transformation, information technology, environmental protection, and water resource management.

President Luong Cuong and his spouse joined Hungarian couple at the opening of a photo exhibition showcasing images of Viet Nam in the old days, captured by Hungarian doctor and photographer Bozoky Dezso. The Hungarian guests also took a stroll around Hanois scenic Hoan Kiem Lake. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam has achieved a significant milestone by reducing the poverty rate among ethnic communities to nearly four per cent, an accomplishment largely attributed to the National Target Programme for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.

Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs ao Ngoc Dung hailed this as a remarkable achievement, which positions Viet Nam as a global model for poverty reduction.

This initiative, particularly during its first phase between 2021-25, has played a vital role in transforming livelihoods in underprivileged regions.

In 2024, several localities in the northern province of Hoa Binh implemented and expanded sustainable, high-yield livelihood models under the programme  empowering ethnic households to rise out of poverty.

One notable example is in Thanh Son Commune, located in Mai Chau District. The introduction of a model combining cattle farming with circular agricultural practices has significantly improved local living standards.

The Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Peoples Council of Thanh Son Commune, Ngan Van Dien, explained that the commune, home to a population that is 60.7 per cent Thai and 31 per cent Muong, had long relied on small-scale farming and livestock rearing, which left many families struggling economically.

In 2024, we received support from the national programme, focusing mainly on raising large livestock such as fattening and breeding local cattle, Dien said.

Although the model has only been in place for about a year, the results have been promising. The cattle are growing well, and the benefits are already apparent.

Some households have even seen their cows give birth within just a few months of joining the programme  an encouraging sign that has boosted community morale.

Beaming with pride over the improvements in living conditions, Dien shared that 79 households in Thanh Son Commune had already benefited from the National Target Programme 1719.

He confirmed that the commune would continue expanding the programme in 2025.

Assessing the progress of National Target Programme 1719, Minister Dung emphasised that the programme was deeply humanitarian in nature, aiming to promote rapid and sustainable poverty reduction while improving peoples well-being.

The ultimate goal is to bring happiness and fairness to all citizens and to leave no one behind, he said.

According to Dung, the programmes projects, sub-projects and policy initiatives have significantly contributed to shifting local economic structures and reducing poverty, marking a historic milestone that has positioned Viet Nam as a global beacon in inclusive development.

A need for broader vision

Despite its achievements, Dung acknowledged several challenges in the programmes implementation. Some components faced delays, disbursement of non-investment capital remained low and many localities struggled with interpreting and applying central government guidelines.

Dung stressed the need to identify and resolve these issues and called for practical, well-aligned strategies to enhance the programmes effectiveness. He highlighted three key areas requiring focused attention, including land access for agriculture, infrastructure development and sustainable poverty reduction strategy.

Specifically, current land availability still fell short of meeting the demands for agricultural production. Both hard infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water, and soft infrastructure, including education, healthcare and information technology, needed substantial upgrades to support long-term development.

'A comprehensive approach is essential to eliminate poverty in a lasting way," Dung noted.

Even with abundant financial resources, we still face difficulties in project implementation. Its critical to accelerate the disbursement of funds to implement the programme more effectively.

Looking ahead to the 2026-30 period, Dung urged ministries, sectors and local authorities to focus on priority areas, such as education, healthcare, housing for the poor and livelihood support for ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

In education, he proposed expanding tuition exemptions, particularly for students in remote areas, alongside investing in school facilities and building free housing for teachers working in difficult conditions.

In healthcare, the focus should be on providing free medical services to ethnic minority communities and improving grassroots healthcare systems to ensure access to quality care for all.

For housing, the ministry set an ambitious target to complete one million homes by 2030 and eliminate all temporary and dilapidated shelters. In 2025 alone, 400,000 homes are expected to be built for disadvantaged households.

Most notably, Dung reiterated the bold vision that by 2030, Viet Nam would have no more poor households.

This is a tough goal, but its entirely achievable if we remain committed to sustainable poverty reduction programs, he affirmed.

We must adopt a broader vision, take more effective action and create real, fundamental change to move the National Target Programme 1719 forward,  he said.  VNS
HA NOI  Every rainy season, images of Ha Nois streets submerged under water have become a familiar and haunting sight for the capitals residents.

As the 2025 storm season approaches, Ha Noi still has to struggle with urban flooding and how to build a resilient and flood-proof capital.

But what measures has the city implemented to cope, and are there any new advancements towards building a resilient and flood-proof capital?

Each time the storm season arrives, many inner-city areas experience flooding, with some places suffering from widespread inundation.

These flooded spots are typically in low-lying areas, underpasses and streets such as Nguyen Chinh, Hoa Bang, Minh Khai, Thuy Khue, Nguyen Khuyen, Phan Boi Chau - Ly Thuong Kiet, Ngoc Lam, and Thang Long Boulevard.

The citys current drainage infrastructure can only handle rainfall of about 50mm over two hours, while recent storms tend to bring more intense rain over shorter periods.

Rapid urbanisation has led to the filling in of lakes, ponds, canals, and the concreting of land surfaces, reducing the soils ability to absorb water and disrupting natural water flow, resulting in more frequent flash flooding.

Experts note that although efforts have been made to upgrade the drainage system, the infrastructure still struggles to handle increasingly unpredictable heavy rainfalls, leading to persistent flooding in many areas.

This is not a challenge unique to Ha Noi but one shared by major urban centres worldwide.

The consequences of flooding extend beyond traffic disruption. They include environmental contamination from sewage overflows, public health risks and interruptions to economic activity, particularly in inner-city areas.

Meteorological experts forecast that 2025 will see complicated weather patterns, with two to three storms and three to five flood events, some of which could be unusually strong and unpredictable.

Associate Professor Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said: The 2025 storm season may not be as extreme as during strong El NinoSouthern Oscillation years, but the unpredictability in trajectory and intensity will be a major challenge for forecasting and response.

This climate uncertainty, coupled with Ha Nois limited flood control and dike infrastructure, poses significant challenges, he said.

Though five critical points along the citys river dikes have been identified, comprehensive repairs and upgrades are still incomplete, he said.

According to a representative of Ha Noi Sewerage and Drainage Company, about 2,000 staff are on duty around the clock during the rainy season to operate pumping stations and regulate retention lakes at full capacity.

However, many drains remain clogged with garbage and sediment.

Even though the sewers are regularly cleared, a single heavy downpour can bring a deluge of waste from residential areas, causing blockages, Kinh Te & o Thi (Economic & Urban Affairs) newspaper reported.

A major obstacle in flood prevention is financial and human resource limitations. Key infrastructure projects like upgrading ong My pumping station, dredging the Nhue River, or constructing the Lien Mac drainage hub, require billions of ong in investment, which exceeds the citys budget.

Whenever theres heavy rain, our company is stretched to the limit. All staff must be mobilised to flood-prone locations. But even with maximum effort, we still need a significantly larger workforce, the representative said.

Optimal solutions

According to Kinh te & o Thi reporters, Ha Noi has made progress in seeking sustainable anti-flooding solutions in recent years.

On the infrastructure side, the city is building retention lakes in Thanh Xuan and Long Bien districts to ease the burden on drainage systems and create ecological spaces.

Projects to improve the To Lich and Nhue river basins, and pumping stations in ong Anh, Ha ong and Long Bien districts have also been accelerated. The 37.7km-long Huu Hong dike has been upgraded for both flood control and urban transport enhancement.

Non-infrastructure measures are also being emphasised.

The city is protecting and expanding green spaces to naturally absorb up to 40 per cent of rainwater.

The city is also pioneering tech solutions such as the HSDC app which provides flood images every 18 seconds via roadside cameras, helping people avoid danger zones.

The iHanoi app offers updates on flooding and assists with administrative procedures. VNS
HCM CITY  Doctors from Tu Du Hospital and Children's Hospital No.1 in HCM City successfully performed a complex in-utero heart intervention on a 22-week-old foetus diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect on Wednesday.

The expectant mother is a 41-year-old Singaporean woman.

This was the ninth foetal cardiac intervention carried out in HCM City, and it is considered the most challenging case so far due to the early gestational age of the foetus (22 weeks, weighing just 600 grammes) and the severity of the heart defect.

The patient, K.W.S., conceived her first child through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) after more than a decade of infertility.

Her baby is due in September 2025.

Doctors at KK Womens and Childrens Hospital in Singapore had detected a serious congenital heart defect in the foetus, posing a high risk of stillbirth. The foetus was diagnosed with aortic atresia, a rare and severe congenital heart defect in which the aortic valve fails to develop.

As this advanced intervention is not currently available in Singapore, the hospital referred the patient to Childrens Hospital No.1 and Tu Du Hospital in HCM City.

The Singaporean medical team had been informed of the recent successes by HCM City doctors in performing in-utero cardiac interventions.

Upon examination at Childrens Hospital No. 1, Vietnamese doctors confirmed the diagnosis.

A multidisciplinary team from the two hospitals then consulted remotely with leading experts in Australia and France.

All parties agreed on the diagnosis and the urgent need for early intervention to save the foetus.

The first procedure, carried out on May 22, was unsuccessful.

However, after meticulous preparation and close interdisciplinary coordination, the second attempt on May 28 was successful.

Moved to tears

Ultrasound imaging following the intervention that showed blood flow returning through the aortic valve is believed to be an emotionally charged moment for the entire medical team.

The patient and her family were overcome with emotion, moved to tears by the outcome.

A leading hospital in Singapore chose to refer a patient to HCM City for treatment reflects not only confidence in Viet Nams medical capabilities but also growing recognition across ASEAN of the countrys advanced expertise in foetal medicine.

Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM Citys Department of Health, said the success was as a significant milestone in the citys development of foetal medicine and specialised medical techniques, reaffirming the citys ambition to become a leading medical hub in Southeast Asia.

According to the department, the success was the result of strategic, long-term investment and close collaboration among multiple specialities of obstetrics, paediatric cardiology, neonatal anaesthesia and resuscitation, diagnostic imaging across the citys two top-tier hospitals. VNS
HCM CITY  A South Korean national, Lim Young Kwon, 42, has been sentenced to death on Thursday by the HCM City People's Court for the murder of his biological father.

According to the indictment, Lim was married to a Vietnamese woman, identified as N.T.M., with whom he shared two children. The family lived together in an apartment in Tan Phu Ward, District 7, HCM City.

On March 10, 2024, a domestic dispute broke out between Lim and his wife. During the altercation, Lim physically assaulted her and killed the family dog. In response, M. took their two children and temporarily left the residence. She then contacted her father-in-law, to tell him what had happened.

Concerned, J. asked his daughter-in-law to book him a flight so he could travel to Viet Nam to speak with his son.

On the afternoon of March 13, J. arrived in HCM City and stayed at the apartment with Lim. That evening, the father and son drank beer together and discussed Lims behaviour, with J. advising his son on how to treat his family. Later, they retired to separate bedrooms.

Unable to sleep, Lim became increasingly agitated, resenting his father's intervention and feeling that he had been scolded and that his father had taken his wife's side. Fueled by anger, he decided to kill his father.

He retrieved a knife from the kitchen, entered J.'s room, climbed on top of his sleeping father and repeatedly stabbed him until he died.

After the murder, Lim inflicted knife wounds on his own hands and wrists, then threw the weapon over the balcony. He left the apartment, wandered around and eventually lay down to sleep on a grassy area within the apartment complex.

The next morning, security guards found Lim on the grass, covered in blood. They alerted local police and took him to the hospital for emergency treatment. At the same time, M. and building security discovered the apartment door unlocked and found J. dead just outside the bedroom.  VNS
Photo: VNA

The agreement was signed by Remy Rioux, general director of AFD, and Pham Le Phu, general director of EVNNPT, during the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Vietnam.

The investment will finance three subprojects, including two new 500 kV substations and transmission lines in the southern provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai. The initiative aims to enhance grid stability and operational efficiency while meeting the critical infrastructure demand to sustain economic growth and accelerate the energy transition in Vietnam.

This agreement reaffirms France's commitment within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework. Accordingly, France commits to mobilise up to 500 million ($562.5 million) in concessional loans to facilitate Vietnam's energy transition.

JETP is the centrepiece of Vietnams commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Agreed between Vietnam and members of the International Partners Group (IPG) in 2022, the JETP aims to support the transition to green energy by providing funding in the form of grants, low-interest loans, and investments from both the public and private sectors.

This is the first time Vietnam has received funding from an international partner within the JETP framework. This also underscores the long-term partnership between AFD and EVNNPT to develop a more modern, reliable, and environmentally friendly power infrastructure.

In addition to financial support, AFD will also facilitate technical cooperation between the French electricity transmission system operator RTE and EVNNPT. This collaboration will foster exchange of expertise between EVNNPT and French experts, ranging from technical standards to cybersecurity measures, as well as health, safety, and environmental practices.

EU and France provide $78.5 million for Quang Nam and Quang Tri to tackle climate change The central provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Tri will receive financial support worth 72.3 million ($78.5 million) from the EU and France to tackle the impacts of climate change.

France provides 10 million to build Hanoi Metro Line 3 extension The French government has pledged its support to help Vietnam accelerate metro projects, develop public transport, and cut carbon emissions.
The Business Agility Summit 2025, the first international Agile conference dedicated to organisations in Vietnam, was held in Hanoi on May 28 to share digital transformation experiences, attracting the participation of experts and businesses leaders from at home and abroad.

According to Vani Vangala, global product business manager at Infosys Finacle, 2025 has seen a strong rise of new trends in the finance and banking industry. A typical example of this is embedded finance, from which financial services are directly integrated into daily life and business activities. This field is forecast to grow 148 per cent in the next three years, reaching $228 billion in 2028.

She said, The banking business model is changing profoundly. As the world enters the digital age, a small startup can compete on par with large banks thanks to technology. Digital-only banking is developing strongly, opening up a new playing field where speed and adaptability are decisive factors.

In addition, new technologies such as generative AI and agentic AI are also attracting special attention globally, with an expected market value of up to $340 billion.

The Business Agility Summit 2025 in Hanoi. Photo: Bich Thuy

Echoing Vani Vangalas view, Dr. Phan Thanh Duc, head of IT and the digital economy department at the Banking Academy of Vietnam, added that the banking and finance industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Previously, financial services mainly revolved around three traditional operations: capital mobilisation, lending, and payments. Technology then played a supporting role, following behind business operations.

Technology is advancing too fast these days, and some banks often cannot keep up. Some organisations may follow the latest technology as a trend, but in reality, its important to answer the question: what problem does that technology solve in a specific business operation?

He cited a survey showing that about 60 per cent of units do not have appropriate technology infrastructure for digital transformation, which makes it difficult for them to effectively apply new technologies.

Duc pointed out that many banks today are even in a state of being too big to change. Meanwhile, more and more new competitors are entering the market, especially fintech companies, so the opportunities for traditional banks are increasingly narrowing.

Agile trends in banking digital transformation

According to experts, to adapt and maintain their position, banks need to become flexible, not only helping increase internal cohesion and enhance customer satisfaction but also improving operational efficiency, thereby improving financial efficiency sustainably.

Pham Anh Doi, chairman of Agile Academy Asia, said that in its broadest definition, Agile is a way of working that embraces and welcomes change as an opportunity, rather than feeling uncomfortable with it or trying to control it. The goal is to tap into new business opportunities and create value for organisations.

In terms of business thinking, flexibility or Agile requires a change from the traditional win-lose mindset where customers gain, businesses lose, and vice versa, to a win-win mindset. When we help customers achieve their goals, businesses also have opportunities to develop. In the Vietnamese banking and finance industry, this mindset is gradually taking shape, but needs to be promoted more strongly to make the most of the opportunities from change, he added.

In particular, in the AI era, the relationship between AI and Agile in organisations is not only close but also inevitable. AI is no longer simply a technology trend, it is becoming a powerful wave that forces both businesses and individuals to adapt and change to survive and develop.

Dennis Khoo, former head of TMRW Digital Group, UOB, shared the Agile approach in banking digitalisation. Photo: Bich Thuy

Speaking at the conference, Dennis Khoo, former head of TMRW Digital Group, UOB, and the author of the best-selling book Driving Digital Transformation, said that agility is extremely important to the success of any digital transformation process in large organisations. However, agility is not just a method but also a cultural factor.

Through my work with companies in Vietnam, I have noticed a prominent issue: the power gap in Vietnamese culture is considerable. Vietnamese people tend to believe that the boss is always right. Meanwhile, flexibility requires a different mindset: the boss is not always right, and is even often wrong, Khoo added.

He shared that Agile is not just a buzzword, it needs to be accompanied by a cultural change that encourages challenge and debate. Agile is not just about collaboration, it requires bottom-up change, rather than just top-down change like traditional management.

The success of a digital solution does not depend on agility alone, but requires a harmonious combination of all factors, from strategy, data, and technology, to people and leadership. Only when these connections are well managed can banks measure success comprehensively, he emphasised.

An agile approach to data analytics For the past few years, data analysis has been a central factor used in business decisions, specifically aimed at generating new growth (based on deep customer insights, and by creating new experiences), enhancing productivity, and managing risk. Especially in the financial industry, to support business decisions, organisations adopt various forms of analytics, from traditional ways to those based on real-time, machine learning or other cutting-edge techniques.

Business leaders meet to discuss the changing nature of finance A conference was held on April 6 at Lotte Hotel, Saigon to discuss the transformation journeys of organisations, the need to be more forward-thinking, and how to focus on value-added activities to remain relevant in a changing world.
Each evening, as the Binh Dien wholesale market in Ho Chi Minh City winds down, SAFEGRO teams and market supervisors begin their hygiene sampling work. They walk through the stalls collecting direct samples from surfaces that come into contact with food, including worktops and tools. They also collect indirect samples from areas that pose a risk of cross-contamination, such as floors and hanging signs. This is not just another inspection. This is science in action.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and FAO are clear: science is the backbone of safe food systems. But for science to matter, it must reach every corner, not only in policy briefs or laboratories but also in markets like Binh Dien and Van Duc where food is handled every day. Thats where SAFEGRO, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International and Guelph University, together with key government partners, is focusing on food safety science.

"SAFEGRO is showing that food safety isnt an abstract idea. Its about what happens at your vendors stall, in your kitchen, and at your lunch table, said To Lien Thu, a SAFEGRO food safety expert.

In Ho Chi Minh City, SAFEGROs work at the Binh Dien wholesale market, one of Southeast Asias largest, brings food safety science into everyday practice.

Following technical training of market staff, over two months, hygiene checks were carried out in major vendor areas. In May, sanitation effectiveness was checked daily; in June it will bechecked three times per week. Sampling followed a structured protocol, using laboratory and quick tests for bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella (ATP, TPC) to identify microbial risks before and after to demonstrate the benefits of cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection.

Beyond testing, SAFEGRO held mini-lab training, showing vendors how to collect samples, swab surfaces, and interpret results. These sessions turned market staff into active food safety stewards.

Previously, monitoring relied on occasional government checks. Now, thanks to SAFEGRO, market managers are taking the lead in monitoring hygiene themselves.

In Hanoi, science is also changing behaviour, one vendor at a time. At Van Duc Market, a bustling retail hub, SAFEGRO trained small traders in practical hygiene, cleaning, and sanitation. Among them was Nguyen Van Nham, a vermicelli maker. He became a local hero of food safety: first to arrive at training, last to leave. He learned the six-step handwashing method, cleaning his stall meticulously, and asked questions about contamination risks.

"I am very grateful for the training, he said. The lessons are practical, and the teacher is very dedicated and easy to understand.

The curriculum taught retailers to store produce at least 10 cm off the ground, avoid using old chemical containers for food, wash hands before and after handling food, clean and sanitise not just their stalls, but their phones, and avoid eating at their selling points.

These may seem simple, but each behaviour is backed by global food safety science, and directly contributes to reducing risks of foodborne illness.

The core of SAFEGROs success lies in cultivating a positive food safety culture, a shared responsibility for behaviour changes across the supply chain. Whether through scientific monitoring in Binh Dien or hygiene education in Van Duc, the approach is grounded in empowerment, not enforcement.

This aligns with WHOs 2025 message: Food safety is not static. It is proactive. It is collaborative. It is built on science. It requires individual responsibility imbedded in a food safety culture

And science, as SAFEGRO shows, is not just about data, its about people. Families now eat more confidently. Traders take pride in cleaner practices. Vendors speak the language of microbial risk, often for the first time.

Every step in the food chain is closely connected. If one part doesnt do well, it can harm not just one persons health, but the whole community, and even future generations, if harmful substances affect our ability to have healthy children. A strong and lasting food safety culture only happens when everyone takes part, shares responsibility, and understands the science behind safe food in daily life.

As food systems face increasing pressure from climate change, urbanisation, and emerging pathogens, the message of World Food Safety Day 2025 feels prescient: science must not only inform us but prepare us.

In Vietnam, SAFEGRO is making that future real, not with sweeping mandates but with handwashing stations, lab and rapid field kit testing, transparent results, and informed communities.

From Ho Chi Minh Citys wholesale engines to Hanois neighbourhood stalls, food safety science is no longer locked in laboratories. Its on the ground. Its in action. And its protecting lives.

Behavioural change still required within food safety Food safety is currently implemented at many different levels around the world. Brian G. Bedard, director of Food Safety and Animal Health at Alinea International, offered VIRs Nguyen Huong some recommendations on improving the culture in Vietnam to match global practices.

Joint initiative promotes food safety at traditional markets in Hanoi An event was held on September 19 in Hanoi's Long Bien district to promote food safety at traditional markets.

How Asia can revolutionise its food systems before its too late Qingfeng Zhang, senior director of agriculture, food, nature, and rural development at Asian Development Bank (ADB), outlines bold strategies to transform Asias agri-food systems to secure a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for 4.7 billion people.

Agriculture sector sees robust growth in Q1 Agricultural businesses have emerged as a bright spot, showing impressive growth despite a market environment still fraught with challenges in Q1.
Chinese FM meets with guests from Pacific Island countries

Xinhua) 09:46, May 29, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

XIAMEN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday held individual meetings with foreign guests attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

When meeting with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau, Wang conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's sincere greetings and best wishes.

Wang noted that bilateral ties between China and Kiribati have developed rapidly and achieved fruitful results in various fields since the resumption of diplomatic relations more than five years ago. He said China appreciates Kiribati's firm adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to work with Kiribati to continue pushing bilateral ties forward.

Maamau said that Kiribati adheres firmly to the one-China policy, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas such as people-to-people and cultural exchange, medical and health care, infrastructure, sister-city exchange, the marine economy and climate change.

When meeting with Niue's Premier and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi, Wang said relations between China and Niue have become a model of equality and common development for countries of all sizes. He called on both countries to enhance cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, green development and climate change.

Tagelagi said that Niue values its relations with China and the close friendship between their two peoples, and supports the three major global initiatives proposed by China, as well as the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.

Niue is ready to continue promoting the development of the South Pacific region in the spirit of mutual respect, Tagelagi said.

When meeting with Tonga's Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, Wang conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to Tongan King Tupou VI.

Wang said that China supports Tonga firmly in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, appreciates Tonga's adherence to the one-China principle, and is willing to work with Tonga to implement the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries.

Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala said that Tonga has always adhered firmly to the one-China policy and is willing to enhance its exchange of ideas with China, and to promote practical cooperation in such fields as health care and education. Tonga has a high appreciation for the concrete measures China has taken to assist Pacific Island countries in dealing with climate change, he added.

When meeting with Solomon Islands' Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka, Wang said that China is willing to join hands with Solomon Islands to uphold multilateralism, safeguard the basic norms of international relations, and uphold international fairness and justice.

China supports Solomon Islands in its hosting of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting this year, Wang said, expressing the hope that both countries will seize the opportunities the meeting presents and work together to promote development.

Agovaka said that Solomon Islands firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" and supports the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

Solomon Islands looks forward to strengthening its practical cooperation with China in areas such as education, policing, medical and health care, and cultural protection, Agovaka said.

When meeting with the Cook Islands' Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana, Wang said that China has always attached great importance to its relations with the Cook Islands, and supports the Cook Islands in safeguarding its national sovereignty and in choosing a development path suited to its national conditions independently.

China is willing to work with the Cook Islands to uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and to build a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win global climate governance system, Wang said.

Elikana said that the Cook Islands will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, adding that the foreign ministers' meeting between China and Pacific Island countries has created an opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two sides and strengthen the unity of the island countries, and that the Cook Islands is in firm support of this.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Niue's Premier and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Tonga's Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Solomon Islands' Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with the Cook Islands' Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Jackie Chan wanted to "give up" his acting dreams before seeing 'Karate Kid' and 'Rocky'.

Jackie Chan reveals how Karate Kid and Rocky convinced him not to 'give up'

The 71-year-old movie legend - who plays kung fu mentor Mr. Han in new movie 'Karate Kid: Legends' - has opened up on how the original 1984 film inspired him to keep going with his own Hollywood dreams.

He told Extra: This year, I'm in the film industry 64 years.

I remember when I was a stunt guy, at that time, action movie not popular anymore. We don't know what to do. I try to give up.

"Then, when the Karate Kid coming, I went with some friends, we buy the ticket, we go see it. And when I see it, I see the energy, I see the positive message, then I think, 'I should not give up. Life knock me down, I get back up.'

"Then I go back to training another movie coming up called Rocky.' Then I see Rocky, Eye of the Tiger, wow! And suddenly full of energy.

At the time, he was focused on training in the dojo, but a director saw his moves and instantly advised him to take a big step.

He recalled: "'You be an actor'. Luckily, I didn't give up. I still keep training. That makes me day."

The 'Rush Hour' actor turned 71 in April, but Jackie isn't interested in slowing down, revealing that he'll always perform his own stunts and that he has no plans to retire.

Speaking to Haute Living magazine, Jackie shared: "Of course, I always do my own stunts. Its who I am. Thats not changing until the day I retire, which is never!"

Jackie is well-known for performing acrobatic and innovative stunts. But at this stage in his career, Jackie doesn't require much preparations for his action scenes.

The movie star explained: "When youve done it for 64 years straight, theres no physical preparation anymore. Everything is in your heart and soul; it is muscle memory."

Jackie noted that technological advances have also changed the movie business.

The 'Foreigner' star said: "In the old days, the only [choice we had] was to be there and jump; thats it. Today, with computers, actors can do anything, but theres always a sense of reality that you feel is missing."


During French President Emmanuel Macrons official visit to Vietnam, two financing agreements were signed between Vietnams Ministry of Finance and the French Development Agency (AFD)

Under the deal, signed in Hanoi on May 26, the AFD will provide a 27.095 million ( $29.3 million) sovereign loan to support integrated water resource management in Ninh Thuan, alongside an additional 1.7 million ($1.84 million) grant for technical assistance. Of the grant, 1.5 million ($1.62 million) is sourced from the European Unions WARM Facility, with the remaining 200,000 ($216,000) contributed by AFD itself.

Ninh Thuan province, the driest locality in Vietnam, receives just 700800 mm of rainfall annually, mainly concentrated between September and November. Recurring droughts have placed severe pressure on agricultural output, drinking water supplies, and local livelihoods, issues further exacerbated by climate change. The province has declared states of emergency multiple times in recent years.

The new funding will help finance the construction of a 14.5-km pipeline connecting the Song Than and Lanh Ra reservoirs, aiming to ensure a stable water supply for 270,000 residents, irrigate 8,800 hectares of farmland, and support urban and industrial zones in the provinces southern region. The project also includes institutional strengthening for water management, operation, and maintenance improvements, and promotion of water-saving agricultural techniques.

H.E. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the European Union to Vietnam, emphasised the projects strategic alignment with broader EU objectives. This is a major contribution which will support the province of Ninh Thuan to adapt to climate change, and contribute to Vietnams green transition, he said. It is well aligned with the EUs Global Gateway strategy and exemplifies the values of the Team Europe partnership with Vietnam.

Echoing this sentiment, Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of France to Vietnam, remarked Through this flagship project, France reaffirms its support for a just climate transition and more resilient territories. AFD is mobilising its expertise to support Vietnamese authorities in the face of growing climate challenges.

The signing marks a significant step in the evolving strategic cooperation between France, the European Union, and Vietnam. It underscores their shared ambition to advance sustainable development and strengthen climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.
According to the cooperation agreement, New Zealand will increase timber exports while Vietnam will remove potential trade barriers.

The arrangement will see New Zealands radiata pine recognised under Vietnams evolving timber construction standards, opening more opportunities in this growing market.

This will grow our $2.68 billion two-way trade and significantly bolster the $48 million worth of sawn timber we currently export to Vietnam, McClay said.

McClay emphasised that Vietnams economy has more than doubled in the past decade and is expected to see some of the fastest global income growth over the next. That means more construction, more demand for sustainable products, and more opportunity for New Zealand timber.

This agreement is expected to add value to New Zealand wood products and offer opportunities in addition to exporting logs. It boosts New Zealand's export potential and helps double the country's exports by value in 10 years.

As reported by Wood Central, Vietnam is closing in on Australia, which is New Zealands fourth-largest market for lumber (behind China, the US, and South Korea).

Forestry is an important sector for New Zealand, significantly contributing to our trade relations with Vietnam. New Zealands timber exports to Vietnam were valued at NZ$80 million ($50.8 million) in the year ending 2018, making this our second-largest export sector, said the then-New Zealand ambassador to Vietnam Wendy Matthews.

This agreement successfully combines New Zealands sustainable radiata pine with Vietnams expertise to enable Vietnamese furniture manufacturers to produce sustainable, strong, and high-quality products, she said.

New Zealand and Vietnam upgrade ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on February 27 announced the elevation of the New Zealand-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

New Zealand's McCrae Hospitals and Orion Health expand Vietnam footprint A signing ceremony with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Franco-Vietnamese (FV) Hospital Group in Ho Chi Minh City marked the first milestone in preparation for the launch of ambitious Kiwi health tech innovation firm McCrae Hospitals, as well as Orion Healths ongoing commitment to the region.
The ranking is testament to the high level of satisfaction customers have with Techcombank and the strong trust they have in the Techcombank Be Greater brand.

Techcombanks ranking as the #1 Bank in Vietnam was based on a survey of customer opinion conducted by Forbes Magazine in partnership with market research firm Statistica. The global survey included more than 50,000 people across 34 countries. Participants were asked to evaluate banks where they held a checking or savings account, where they had an account within the past three years, or that they knew through family or friends.

A total of 12 Vietnamese banks were included in the survey, and participants were asked for their overall satisfaction with each bank and whether they would recommend it to others. Respondents also shared their level of satisfaction with each bank, as well as how likely they would be to recommend it to others.

Participants also rated each bank on five criteria: trustworthiness, terms and conditions (such as fees and rates), customer service (waiting times and helpfulness of employees), digital services (ease of using online tools), and quality of financial advice.

Jens Lottner, CEO at Techcombank, said, We are delighted to have been named as the #1 Bank in Vietnam by customers in the Forbes Worlds Best Bank rankings. Our #1 ranking is based on feedback from our customers and is a powerful endorsement of customer-centric strategy and our suite of products and customer experiences, such as auto-earning and Techcombank Rewards, that are reimagining banking in Vietnam.

Being ranked the #1 Bank in Vietnam by customers is testament to Techcombanks customer-centric-strategy, leading digital capabilities and growing partner ecosystem. These attributes enabled the bank to welcome 1.9 million new customers in 2024, and it proudly served 15.4 million customers across Vietnam by the end of the year.

Putting its customers first, Techcombank continues to spearhead innovation and has successfully launched of a series of customer value propositions, such as Techcombank Auto-earning and Techcombank Auto-earning 2.0, the Techcombank Rewards loyalty ecosystem, and tailored services for merchants, which have redefined banking in Vietnam.

Customers trust in Techcombank has enabled it to become the #1 transaction bank in Vietnam, based on market share of inbound and outbound transactions, according to the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam.

In Q1/2025, Techcombank further strengthened its position as the number one transaction bank in Vietnam, increasing its market share of inbound (17.6 per cent ) and outbound (16.4 per cent) transactions.

Meanwhile, the strength of Techcombanks Be Greater brand has also reached new heights, as its Brand Equity Index (BEI) increased by 61 per cent during 2024 to become the highest among Vietnamese banks. In Q1, Techcombanks BEI maintained its rank as the highest in the industry for the second consecutive quarter.

The trust and satisfaction customers have with Techcombanks brand was also reflected in its Net Promoter Score, which rose to become the highest among all Vietnamese banks in Q1.

Techcombank launches Green Bond Framework Techcombank announced the launch of its Green Bond Framework on December 4, marking a milestone as the first private bank in Vietnam to take this significant step towards sustainability.

Techcombank proactive with ESG and sustainability Thai Minh Diem Tu, chief marketing officer of Techcombank, scrutinises Techcombanks environmental, social, and governance (ESG) journey, focusing on how the bank integrates mass participation sport into its wider ESG approach and supports Vietnams sustainability goals.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia and SINGAPORE, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valtech, an international innovator in valuation technology, has rolled out a major update to its mobile app, introducing an expanded suite of valuation tools tailored for startups. This significant release underscores Valtech's commitment to supporting early-stage companies in navigating the fundraising process with clarity and confidence. The update includes two powerful additions: Startups Fundraising Valuation Planning and the Pre vs Post Money Valuation Calculator, designed to demystify the intricacies of valuation dynamics and equity structuring throughout successive funding rounds.

A Simple Way to Navigate Fundraising

At the heart of the update is the Startups Fundraising Valuation Planning module, an interactive and intuitive forecasting engine built specifically for early-stage businesses. This tool enables startup founders to simulate multiple rounds of funding, mapping out changes in ownership and company valuation from Angel and Seed rounds through to Series A, B, and C.

By entering key variablessuch as the fundraising target for each round, the percentage of shares offered to new investors, the post-money valuation, and projected capital increasesfounders receive an analytical breakdown of valuation growth and ownership dilution over time.

Pre vs Post Money Valuation Calculator

Complementing the planning module, the Pre vs Post Money Valuation Calculator provides a fast and simple way to assess investor equity stakes under various funding scenarios. Founders input their current pre-money valuation target, the percentage of shares they plan to issue to new investors, and their post-money valuation.

Based on these inputs, the calculator instantly derives the proportion of the company that will be owned by incoming investors on a fully diluted basis. The calculator is designed for founders and fund managers to do quick test when they are having face to face informal discussion on valuation. It helps avoid common misunderstandings about valuation terminology and ensures that cap table implications are fully grasped ahead of any deal.

A Connected Valuation Ecosystem for the Startup Journey

These new tools are part of Valtech's broader initiative to provide a connected, user-centric platform for startups and valuation professionals. Within the app, users can:

Explore Valtech's global Service Catalog featuring detailed descriptions of valuation offerings across industries such as tech, healthcare, and real estate Access real-world Case Studies and testimonials to better understand valuation applications Connect via Live Chat with credentialed valuation experts ( e.g. CFA, CPA, CVA, ABV by AICPA) for tailored guidance Receive assistance from Valtech's AI Valerie, powered by a proprietary financial knowledge engine, for general enquiries on valuation

Valtech's platform also opens doors for qualified professionals to join as expert partners, contributing their regional expertise while collaborating with a broader international network.

Redefining Accessibility in Valuation

This release marks a new chapter in Valtech's mission to democratize professional-grade valuation tools. By combining an intuitive interface with versatile features, the app transforms an often opaque and technical process into a structured, strategic planning experience.

The Valtech App's latest updates are available now on iOS and Android. Startups, investors, and experts worldwide can download the app to leverage Valtech's end-to-end valuation ecosystem.

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/valtech-valuation-ai/id6743833382?l=en-GB

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.valtechvaluation.vip&hl=en

For more information, visit: https://valtech-valuation.com
According to the latest data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's seafood exports reached $3.3 billion in the first four months of 2025, marking a 21 per cent increase on-year. Tilapia and shrimp led the growth in export value.

Though tilapia and red tilapia still account for a modest share of the overall export value, their performance was remarkable, showing a 138 per cent jump on-year, reaching $19 million in export value.

Tran Dinh Luan, director general of the Directorate of Fisheries, noted that Vietnams seafood development strategy has designated tilapia as a target species for aquaculture and exploitation, especially in reservoir areas.

However, with export turnover at just $41 million in 2024, there remains a long journey ahead before tilapia can match the scale of shrimp, basa, or tuna exports.

Luan stressed the need for early preparations, including joint ventures and partnerships to build a strong tilapia brand capable of competing internationally, drawing lessons from the successes and setbacks of past agricultural and seafood products.

Luan's remarks were delivered at the Fisheries Directorates review conference in early 2025, where he reiterated the strategic importance of tilapia in Vietnam's long-term seafood development roadmap.

Currently, tilapia farming spans about 30,000 hectares, producing approximately 300,000 tonnes annually. By 2030, the plan aims to expand the farming area to 40,000ha and increase production to 400,000 tonnes.

According to VASEP, Vietnam possesses comparative advantages for developing its tilapia export industry, including favourable natural conditions, extensive aquaculture experience, and investment in advanced technologies such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), which help increase productivity and reduce production costs.

As aquaculture areas continue to expand and improved farming models are implemented, VASEP believes that tilapia exports can accelerate rapidly, positioning the species as a core pillar of Vietnam's seafood exports, alongside shrimp and basa fish.

Globally, the tilapia market was valued at approximately $10.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $14.5 billion by 2033. The United States is the largest consumer of tilapia, importing nearly 180,000 tonnes in 2024.

China remains the worlds largest exporter of tilapia and the leading supplier to the US market. However, since 2018, a 25 per cent US tariff on Chinese tilapia has slowed its growth, though China still retains a strong position.

As trade tensions continue to escalate, Chinese tilapia exports to the US are likely to decline, opening the door for other competing nations.

Vietnam currently ranks fifth in Asia in terms of tilapia production, behind China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy secretary general of VASEP, highlighted the current challenges in tilapia development, particularly the heavy reliance on imported fingerlings, which results in Vietnamese tilapia costing about 30 per cent more than its competitors.

Overcoming this issue requires significant investment in breeding research and establishing a closed value chain for tilapia. In parallel, challenges related to feed and processing facilities must also be addressed to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnams tilapia industry, Nam stated.

Vietnam aims for 454 billion USD export revenue amidst global headwinds Vietnam exported 65.2 billion USD worth of products in January-February, a 9.9 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, imports totaled 62.9 billion USD, rising 16 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of 235 million USD.

UK seafood to make a mark in Vietnam The UK seafood industry celebrated a breakthrough on April 1 as Vietnam granted market access for live seafood products, opening new opportunities for growth and trade.
According to the latest warehousing study released by Zebra Technologies Corporation on May 20, with the rise of e-commerce, globalisation of supply chains, and consumer expectations for faster deliveries, businesses are increasingly adopting smart warehousing solutions to optimise inventory management, reduce operational expenses, and improve customer satisfaction.

Many warehouses are transitioning from manual systems to smart warehouse management systems, incorporating automation, radio frequency identification solutions, and QR code scanning to streamline inventory tracking and order fulfilment.

The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies such as the Internet of Things, AI, machine vision, and big data is also on the rise, enabling more accurate demand forecasting, real-time asset visibility, and optimised warehouse layouts.

Vietnams warehousing  potential and challenges

At last weeks media briefing, Christanto Suryadarma, sales vice president for Southeast Asia (SEA), South Korea, and Channel APJeC at Zebra Technologies, said that he sees very significant growth in Vietnams warehousing sector, and an increase in technology adoption.

Christanto Suryadarma, sales vice president for Southeast Asia (SEA), South Korea, and Channel APJeC at Zebra Technologies

The key reasons behind this growth are Vietnams location, a growing manufacturing sector, the booming e-commerce market, and strong economic performance. This economic momentum is supported by both global multinationals and local enterprises that are modernising their business operations and expanding their infrastructure, including warehousing.

He added, For digital transformation in the warehouse sector, the majority of warehouses in Vietnam depend on the vision from leaders, and then an interest in applying technology to make operations more efficient and more effective, and also how they will address the challenges facing the sector.

Like those globally, frontline workers in Vietnam are often swarmed with tasks, which include things they do not enjoy doing in warehouses, that can, and should be, automated today.

Suryadarma shared, As Vietnam embraces intelligent automation and accelerates into a smarter future that drives warehousing longevity, it is critical for local warehouse leaders to actively digitise, automate, and elevate intelligence to transform their staff into connected frontline workers to enhance their operations.

According to Vivien Tay, Asia-Pacific vertical solutions lead for transport and logistics, warehouse and healthcare at Zebra Technologies, it is a clear sign to bolster warehousing solutions, when associates across the globe and in Vietnam are calling out how their lives would be better if their employers thoughtfully integrated more automation into their workflows.

Automating material movement, data collection, and information management is a win-win outcome for all. As it makes busy warehouses safer, teams can more effectively meet service-level agreements (SLAs) and maintain a steady, reliable flow of quality goods to the market, increasing both customer satisfaction and worker engagement,she added.

However, there are barriers that still exist in preventing Vietnamese warehouse businesses from fully transitioning to digital operations. According to Suryadarma, the first and biggest one is understanding.

Specifically, it is about the level of awareness around the benefits and the costs, especially from warehouse business leaders. This understanding is needed both at the executive level and the operational level. Everyone needs to share a common vision that digitising warehouse operations will lead to faster processes and increased output, he explained.

The second key barrier is a lack of vision of the long-term benefits of digitalisation. Often, businesses focus too much on the cost of the technology, rather than the value it brings. Some business owners are afraid to invest because they think the technology will be too expensive.

Photo: Zebra Technologies

He cited the case of Dunex in Indonesia as an example. Initially, the company did not use many handheld or mobile computing devices, but now they use Zebra solutions, theyre running much more digitally and efficiently.

According to Vivien Tay, warehousing today is no longer just about storage or serving as a distribution centre. It is now a critical part of the supply chain across all industries, one that must continuously adapt to rising consumer demands and shifting business priorities.

Notably, 70 per cent of 10 decision-makers feel significant pressure to modernise. Additionally, 64 per cent plan to increase their funding for modernisation over the next five years. Technology continues to play an essential role. While the concerns highlighted here are not entirely new and some improvements have been noted since previous studies, they remain top of mind for decision-makers.

Global trends

According to the study, 63 per cent of global warehouse leaders plan to implement both AI software (63 per cent in Asia-Pacific) and augmented reality (65 per cent in Asia-Pacific) within five years. In addition, 64 per cent those surveyed globally plan to increase spending on warehouse modernisation in the next five years, with Asia-Pacific leaders at 63 per cent. Meanwhile, 63 per cent plan to accelerate their modernisation timelines by 2029, similar to 64 per cent in the region.

From an industry perspective, Interact Analysis projects global warehouse square footage will increase by 27 per cent to 42 billion square feet in 2030 from 33 billion square feet in 2023. Warehouse labour spending is also expected to show long-term expansion, projected at a compound annual growth rate of 7 per cent through 2030.

As this expansion continues and daily order volumes increase, feedback shared by global frontline workers as part of Zebras study suggests that warehouse leaders will need to move a bit faster to expand workforce capacity: 85 per cent of associates globally (88 per cent in Asia-Pacific) report that if employers do not invest in technology to improve warehouse operations, they will not meet business objectives, and 74 per cent of associates globally (77 per cent in the region) are concerned they are spending too much time on tasks that could be automated.

Even warehouse leaders admit they find it challenging to maintain the fill rates and prepare orders outlined in their SLAs, with order accuracy and outbound processes cited as the top two operational challenges in the Zebra study. Increased e-commerce activity is also making faster delivery to the end-customer a top challenge for warehouse teams, even as technology use is on the rise.

Given the disparity between customers growing expectations and warehouse operators limited hiring capacity, warehouse associates say its important that collaborative robots, ergonomic mobile devices, communications applications, and task management tools are used to help solve workplace issues.

More than 90 per cent of associates also believe the increased availability of automation and mobile technologies would help attract and retain more warehouse associates, especially given they personally feel more valued by their employers when provided with tools and automation designed to help them.

Theres no more time for hype when it comes to AI Christanto Suryadarma, sales vice president for Southeast Asia, South Korea and Channel APJeC, Zebra Technologies, speaks about AI development.

Zebra Technologies hosts summit in Danang Zebra Technologies Corporation, a mobile computing company specialising in smart data capture, hosted its 2025 Regional Partner Summit in Danang March 5.
Nick Lachey tries to "compartmentalise" his work life.

Nick and Vanessa Lachey have been married since 2011

The 51-year-old star has been married to his wife Vanessa since 2011, and Nick has now revealed the secret to their happy marriage.

Nick - who has co-hosted 'Love Is Blind' alongside Vanessa for the last five years - told the 'Richer Lives' podcast: "I think the best thing you can do is not bring your work home with you. Which is tricky when you work with your spouse.

"I think we do a really good job of doing that, for the most part, but its not easy working with your spouse sometimes."

Nick feels it would be easy to allow work-related problems to "bleed over" into their home life. However, the TV star has managed to "compartmentalise" different parts of his life.

He said: "Sometimes you show up for work and theres an argument at home that you brought with you to work and you don't want that to bleed over. And sometimes theres arguments at work that bleed over.

"You dont want that, so, you know, I think its kind of good to compartmentalise and recognise that youre here doing a job. Yes, youre a married couple, and weve been together almost 20 years now, so I think thats our golden rule, is dont bring work home, dont bring home to work. Try and keep it as separate as you can."

Nick previously explained that the loved-up couple always "make time to prioritise each other".

The TV star also admitted that parenthood has changed his love life.

Nick - who has Camden, 12, Brooklyn, ten, and Phoenix, eight, with Vanessa - told People: "Sometimes you have to be deliberate. You have to make deliberate attempts because the spontaneity, the romance, whatever you want to call it that existed pre-kids, it just can't exist the same way.

"And I would argue that it shouldn't exist the same way because your priority should be your kid, but you have to also make time to prioritise each other. And if you lose sight of that and lose track of that, then I think that's when you can get into some trouble."
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Broughton based Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre set for funding boost on tidal energy tech

A project being supported by the Welsh Government is aiming to develop the next generation of tidal stream turbine blades, with the potential to transform the tidal energy industry.

It will see the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru, based in Broughton, team up with Menter Mon and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapults Welsh team to improve the efficiency, durability and overall performance of tidal energy blades.

The project is one of five to receive a share of 1 million from the Welsh Government as part of the VInnovate programme, which is run by the Vanguard Initiative (VI) to promote collaborative innovation across industrial regions in Europe, with a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Also involved in the project are two Galician firms  Magallanes Renovables, a marine renewable energy infrastructure manufacturer, and D3 Applied Technologies, a research organisation specialising in the fields of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

Andy Silcox, interim chief technology officer at the AMRC, said: Wales is already recognised as a trailblazer in the establishment of tidal energy sites, and a hub for cutting-edge marine energy research, contributing its extensive knowledge and experience.

This collaboration between AMRC Cymru, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Menter Mon will create a strategic partnership among the regions of Wales and Galicia, bringing together a unique blend of expertise and innovation in the field of renewable energy.

Supporting the design and development of the newest tidal turbine blades, the project will lay the groundwork for a lasting collaboration, driving future innovations and projects in renewable energy to contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape.

More projects from Wales received funding in the 2024 VInnovate funding tranche than any other region.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: Wales research and development sector is internationally renowned, with academia, industry and government working together to deliver big leaps in renewable energy innovation in particular.

This culture of innovation has been championed and guided by our Wales Innovates strategy, laying the foundations for a green and prosperous future for Wales driven by collaborative innovation and new technologies that can have a real and lasting positive impact on every part of our society.

I encourage organisations to seize the opportunities presented by programmes such as this to think big, collaborate internationally and further strengthen our innovation ecosystem and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Welsh Conservatives set to call for public inquiry into Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

The Welsh Conservatives have said they are lodging a motion before the Senedd to call for a public inquiry into Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The party explain, When Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board first entered special measures in 2025, 86,845 pathways were waiting to start treatment, that figure now stands at 198,976. Back in 2015, just two people were waiting more than two years for treatment, now 5,747 people are waiting. Futhermore, in 2015 15% of patients waited more than 4 hours in A&E services, that figure is now 32% of patients.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has the worst performance in Wales against the Welsh Labour Governments 4-hour and 12-hour targets for A&E, with 39.2% of patients waiting more than 4 hours and 16.9% of patients waiting longer than 12 hours. The Wales average for both targets are 67.7% and 89.1%, respectively.

They note that June 8th marks ten years since the health board was first placed in special measures, adding, Audit Wales 2024 report into Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board found that the health board breached its resource limit by over 23m during 2021-2024, persists with harmful instability in the executive team and senior leadership structures, and lacks planning to ensure that long-term organisational plans are sustainable.

Commenting ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Health and Social Care, James Evans MS, said: Labour and Plaid have completely failed our Welsh NHS, and in particular, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

It cannot be right that since special measures were introduced, the number of patient pathways have increased by 129%, and the number of two year-waits have increased by 287,250%.

Thats why the Welsh Conservatives are calling for a public inquiry into Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Also commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for North Wales, Gareth Davies MS, said: The people of North Wales continue to be let down by Labour and Plaids mismanagement of our Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

This is a classic example of this Welsh Labour Government ignoring the concerns of North Wales

The motion which will be debated next week reads:
The Forest Service says the 728-acre Inn Fire in Mono County is now fully contained.

The cause remains under investigation after starting May 22nd near Mono City.

The Forest Service says, from its lowest point near Mono Lake, the Inn Fire climbed more than 3,000 feet in elevation  over half a mile vertically as it spread upslope into steep, high-altitude terrain.

A forest order closure was recently issued that'll remain in effect through the end of 2025 - due to safety hazards like rockfall, loose soils and burning stump holes.

In the Forest Service post, a fireline archeologist explained how experts are working to minimize the impact of firefighting operations on the landscape.

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Update (5/29/2025, 8:28 a.m.):

Containment on the Inn Fire in Mono County remains at 82%, with the fire having burned 728 acres, according to an update from the U.S. Forest Service's Inyo National Forest Facebook page.

Firefighters continue to work toward full containment while conducting suppression repair and backhauling equipment no longer needed on the fireline.

An Inn Fire Closure Order has been issued for May 27 through December 31.

The order prohibits entrance into the Inn Fire Area Closure to protect public health and safety from environmental hazards, wildfire, and wildfire suppression operations.

Specific instructions are outlined in the attached letter and map of the area below:

Crews and equipment remain in the area. Officials urge the public to stay alert.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Update (5/28/2025, 6 a.m.):

The Forest Service say the Inn Fire in Mono County is now 70% contained at 728 acres.

The cause remains under investigation after last Thursday near Mono City.

There's no current estimated date on full containment.

Highway 395 also remains open to traffic after previously being temporarily shut down.

Update (5/26/2025, 8:45 p.m.):

CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service - Inyo National Forest are reporting that the containment on the Inn Fire has reached 54%. Fire size remains steady at 726 acres at last update.

Update (5/26/2025, 9:35 a.m.):

CAL FIRE says the Inn Fire in Mono County remains 31% contained at 726 acres.

The Inn Fire started Thursday afternoon on the west side of Highway 395, just south of Mono City. The Forest Service says wind caused the fire to grow quickly and spot across the east side of Highway 395.

More than 550 personnel are helping fight the fire, which remains under investigation.

May 25:

The U.S. Forest Service Inyo National Forest shared an update on its Facebook page, saying the fire has grown to 726 acres and containment sits at 15%.

They say firefighters are making some progress, fire behavior has been minimal over the weekend, and growth has slowed.

Crews continue to build and reinforce fire lines, working in steep and rugged terrain to secure the fires edge.

Yesterday, the Mono County Sheriffs Office downgraded evacuations from mandatory to advisory and power has been restored to all affected communities.

Update (5/24/2025, 9:49 p.m.):

The Mono County Sheriff's Office has released new information regarding the evacuations issued for the Inn Fire.

Officials say that residents in Mono City are free to return home.

The shelter in Bridgeport has been closed.

U.S. 395 has been reopened, though there may be one-way traffic controls in place or escort vehicles as work continues.

According to CAL FIRE, at last update the size of the fire is estimated at 726 acres, and holding steady at 15% containment.

Update (5/24/2025, 10:14 a.m.):

CAL FIRE reports containment is now up to 15%. and the fire has burned 707 acres so far.

Update (5/23/2025, 9:53 p.m.):

On the CAL FIRE incident site for the Inn Fire in Mono County, California, the size of the fire has been updated to 640 acres.

We will continue to follow and pass on updates as the fire develops.

Update (5/23/2025, 3:20 p.m.):

According to an update from Caltrans District 9, U.S. 395 between Lee Vining and Mono City in Mono County is expected to remain closed through the afternoon and into the evening, due to the Inn Fire.

Officials recommend that travelers on U.S. 395 between Bridgeport/Reno/Tahoe and Bishop/Inyo County/Southern California use detours to get around the closure.

They recommend that northbound traffic us U.S. 6 in Bishop.

According to the CAL FIRE incident page, the Inn Fire currently sits at 707 acres.

Original Story (5/22/2025, 10 p.m.):

U.S. 395 is currently closed from Lee Vining to SR 167 in Mono County due to a brush fire.

According to the CAL Fire incident page, the nearly 540-acre Inn Fire started around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

It's located off highway 395 and Mono Inn Road, south of Mono City. U.S. 395 is closed from Lee Vining to State Route 167.

Evacuation orders are in place. There are two evacuation shelters set up at Bridgeport Memorial Hall (73 North School Street) and at the Lee Vining Community Center (296 Mattly Avenue).

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The Nevada National Guard and the Nevada State Archives will co-host the 27th annual Flag Day Ceremony and a celebration of the U.S. Armys 250th birthday on Saturday, June 14.

The ceremony to commemorate the U.S. Flag and celebration to recognize the Army's 250th birthday will take place at the Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Grounds, located at 101 N. Carson Street, in Carson City, at 10 a.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

It will include a historical flag presentation by the Nevada Air Guard and remarks from Brig. Gen. D. Rodger Waters, Nevada Adjutant General.

The Nevada State Archives will open its latest exhibit, All For Our Country, which highlights Nevadans who served in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

Items on display are on loan from the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, the Nevada Historical Society, the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum, and the Westwall Militaria antique store.

The U.S. Army was established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, with the authorization of 10 companies of riflemen.

Two years later, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act and adopted the stars-and-stripes design for the national flag.

In 1949, President Harry Truman signed an act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.
Scarlett Johansson loved hosting the final episode of 'Saturday Night Live's 50th season.

Scarlett Johansson recently hosted the comedy show

The 40-year-old actress recently became the first woman to host the long-running comedy show seven times, and Scarlett has revealed that she relished the experience.

Scarlett - who is married to 'Saturday Night Live' star Colin Jost - told 'Extra': "I felt really happy to be able to close out the 50th with the cast and crew at 30 Rock  Theres real familial vibes and, you know, its been an extraordinary year there with the 50th special, which was a humongous amount of work for everybody, and then a really successful season."

Scarlett recently premiered 'Eleanor the Great', her directorial debut, at the Cannes Film Festival. And the Hollywood star admitted that it's been a whirlwind few weeks for her.

She shared: "I think Im still processing it, and part of still processing it is that the next day, I left for Cannes and now Im here. So I think itll be maybe like two months from now and then Ill be able to, like, have some perspective on the meaning of it all."

Meanwhile, Scarlett recently revealed that she couldn't imagine "being with somebody who wasn't funny".

The actress explained that humour is a huge part of her life, and she thinks it can help her to overcome all sorts of challenges.

Scarlett - who has been married to Colin since 2020 - told Collider: "My husband's a comedy writer, and I couldn't imagine ever being with somebody who wasn't funny.

"I grew up in a very funny household. My dad is Danish and has a very dry sense of humour, and my mom is Jewish, so that's culturally a big part of our identity. It's certainly a certain kind of humour, and growing up in New York, that's another layer of it, of course. So, I see the ironic humour, also, in terrible things."

Scarlett also revealed that her directorial debut was inspired by "very New York-centric" films.

She said: "The script did remind me a lot of movies that I love that are specific to independent films from the 90s and early aughts that are very New York-centric, whether it's 'Living Out Loud' or like 'Crossing Delancey' or some Woody Allen films. It felt like the potential for that stuff."
MAY 28, 2025:

Two One Nine Nightclub, formerly known as Eden, had its business license suspended on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Reno Police Department, Reno Code Enforcement, the Business Licensing Department, the City Manager's Office, and Northern Nevada Public Health all testified.

On Wednesday, the Administrative Hearing Officer issued an order revoking Two One Nine's business licenses, requiring an immediate stop to their operations.

The City of Reno requested a revocation hearing after a rise in security concerns.

Two One Nine's owner, Wolfgang Welch released a lengthy statement to 2 News Nevada:

The outcome of our hearing is obviously disappointing to us. I recognize and understand there are a large number of people who are happy with the outcome and there are is a number of people who aren't. Whichever side people land on our situation I understand and emphasize with your view point. However this wasn't a win for a safer Reno, or a win for corrupt business. Weve made mistakes and have worked to make amends, we aren't finished with those. My business didn't suffer from anything that any other drinking establishment has faced in the past, the present, or even will suffer in the future. These incidents are not new to Reno, or new to the industry that we operate in. The reality is that as long as the powers that be choose to ignore the conditions they have created, the people and community will continue to be unsafe. Anyone can blame my business or even myself personally today, however who will be responsible tomorrow? We have already seen the increase in violence across a number of other properties. The City has been on record claiming they dont have the resources to battle these problems. During the hearings a number of people have eluded to the growing issue of the Citys debt and the lack of funding to do the right thing. In fact if the safety of this community is truly the goal, there are number of things that could have been done prior to punishing us. Ive already heard from a number of inside sources that the fuel for this decision had nothing to do with the events that occurred but pressure from ranking citizens who want the landscape of downtown to be different than the one that they claim publicly to want. We have already seen this happen with the prevention of 1Up from allowing to reopen, individuals who are fighting to bring back a staple in Renos nightlife who were told that it wouldnt be conducive to the vision they want for downtown. Yet larger organizations are given free will to expand regardless of what is being told to smaller businesses. Its unfortunate this city was willing to take my money time and time again yet I wasnt afforded the protection that other properties are given. I caution all drinking establishment owners that this has created a precedent that despite whatever measures you take, what violence you prevent, whatever attempts you make to change, the city will use every resource to find you guilty, not protect your business or the patrons that attend. So much of our situation could have been avoided with collaboration, but that wasnt in best interest of the people who make decisions. I hope that I am wrong. I hope that with my business closed to puts an end to the violence that occurs downtown, and I hope that the community that we love, despite not loving us back, can peacefully enjoy their right to have fun and be social. I wish this city all the luck in the world and I hope it can live up to what I once believed it could be. Until then I will be elsewhere disappointed in the people in charge, the people that have forced their hands, and the people that have allowed themselves to be pawns in personal vendettas.

---

MAY 9, 2025:

The City of Reno is looking to revoke the business licenses for nightclub Two One Nine, which used to operate as Eden Nightclub, in downtown Reno.

Now, a show cause hearing scheduled for earlier this week has been continued until May 27 so that the holders of the licenses can hire legal counsel.

The city is moving to revoke the nightclub's licenses because they allege it is associated with criminal activity ranging from misdemeanors to violent offenses, including battery with a deadly weapon, according to documents released by the city.

In addition to reports from the RPD, the club is also being asked to answer for information from Reno Code Enforcement, and Northern Nevada Public Health.

Two One Nine operates at the same address as Eden Nightclub, which had its business license suspended in September of last year before reopening as Two One Nine in January, according to a memo from the Reno Police Department.

As a condition of the club reopening, Reno Police say in their memo that it was mandated to develop and implement a security manual to ensure patron and community safety both inside and around the club.

The approved plan included revising the clubs weapons screening procedures, including mandatory pat-down searches, use of metal-detecting wands, and bag checks.

Still, Reno Police say in their memo that they got multiple complaints alleging that patrons at the club were armed.

The complete collection of memos from the city and the RPD can be read by clicking the document below.

DECEMBER 20, 2024:

The Eden Nightclub has been given the clear to reopen -- after its business license was suspended due to repeated police investigations.

The license was first revoked back in September.

The City of Reno now says the nightclub has complied with all the requirements of their suspension, including working with police to improve training, security standards, and crime prevention.

In a memo to the City, the business noted December 27th as a targeted reopening date.

We have reached out to the nightclub see if this is still the case, but have not heard back yet.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024:

The City of Reno will temporarily suspend Eden nightclubs' business license after the Reno Police Department filed a complaint for show cause due to several code violations and increased crime activity at the location.

On Tuesday, September 17, the City of Reno held a hearing to adjudicate the Show Cause complaint. The Reno Police Department, Code Enforcement, and Business Licensing attended and presented their cases and findings.

As a result of the findings, Eden's ownership will be placed on a 30-day suspension of their business license beginning on Sunday, September 22 at noon.

As part of the suspension, Eden ownership will have to comply with all code enforcement and licensing unpaid citations and complete needed updates.

The City says they are also required to work directly with Reno Police to improve training and security standards and any crime prevention through environmental design-related improvements.

The request for a show cause complaint was originally filed by the Reno Police and Department of Code Enforcement on Tuesday, September 10, citing several City of Reno code violations.

This complaint came about in January 2024 when police noticed an increase in crimes and other complaints along the 200 block of West 2nd Street.

The complaint states police began surveilling the area, increasing patrols, and conducting undercover operations to try to improve the safety of people frequenting the area, in doing so they found that Eden located at 219 West 2nd St. was the primary location of the majority of the crimes.

The complaint says many alleged crimes were violent and involved weapons, such as shooting, and even sexual assault, among other complaints of parking issues, disturbance calls, DUIs, hit-and-run crashes, and complaints of underage patrons.

The complaint says RPD detectives from various units also reported consistent crimes involving drugs, sex trafficking, and known gang members that consistently frequented the business.

Before the complaint was filed, officers noted certain factors that constituted to criminal activity such as a lack of management, an inability to properly train employees and the use of an alley door as a primary exit.
More than 30 people have now been identified in the recent Reno High vandalism case.

The WCSD says there are two separate but parallel investigations: a criminal investigation by the WCSD School Police Department and an administrative investigation by WCSD. These investigations are extensive and ongoing.

The investigations have identified 30+ people connected to the incident. The WCSD says not all of the people are students at Reno High School.

The WCSD says as a result of the administrative investigation, disciplinary actions continue to be taken based on each person's level of involvement. Consequences range from suspension from classes for the remainder of the school year to the loss of privileges, including but not limited to the ability to participate in graduation ceremonies. Due to federal privacy laws, the WCSD is not able to share specific numbers or identities of students who have been disciplined.

Prior to the incident, the WCSD says hundreds of students were on campus for scheduled senior activities. Most people left when the planned activities concluded; however, a large group later returned, causing the damage.

Officers are interviewing witnesses and people involved, reviewing footage from more than 40 surveillance cameras, looking at social media to identify potential witnesses, reviewing cell phone videos, following up on anonymous tips, and analyzing other evidence.

MAY 29, 6:20 P.M. UPDATE:

An investigation into vandalism at Reno High School has resulted in the identification and disciplining of multiple individuals involved in the acts.

In a message to families, Reno High School Principal Mike Nakashima said those students and their families have been notified of disciplinary action, including suspension for the remainder of the school year and a loss of privileges, including the ability to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Federal privacy laws prevent the school from revealing the exact number of people who have been disciplined.

The actions taken by the school are different from the criminal investigation being conducted by School Police, which is ongoing, the principal said.

He also said that people with information that may be helpful can share it via SafeVoice.

---

MAY 29, 10:40 A.M. UPDATE:

The Washoe County School District has created a webpage to update the community about the ongoing investigation into Reno High's vandalism.

Superintendent Joe Ernst says, "WCSD School Police are conducting a comprehensive review of all available evidence. The investigation requires careful examination of multiple witnesses, suspects, and extensive video surveillance, which takes time."

Although Reno City councilman Devon Reese previously estimated damage at $100,000+, Ernst says a full assessment and "cost of repairs is still being completed. Any dollar amount that may exist publicly is premature at this time."

Once the investigation is complete, those involved could either be disciplined by school officials, or criminally cited or charged, dependent on a review by the Washoe County District Attorney's Office. From there, criminal punishment will be decided by the suspect(s) age. If they are under 18, those involved will be handled by the juvenile justice system - and if they are over 18, they will go through the adult criminal system, which could mean public trials and possible imprisonment.

Ernst says the WCSD has received many anonymous tips they continue to follow up on and offer options for people to offer information -

Reach out to School Police via phone, email, or in person to provide information (775-348-0285).

Call the SafeVoice hotline at 1-833-216-SAFE (7233) to speak with trained professionals available 24/7.

You can read more below -

May 27, 2025:

Reno High School's principal says that counseling and support is now available for students after last week's vandalism.

In a message sent to families, Principal Mike Nakashima added that the investigation remains ongoing - after Reno City councilman Devon Reese said that vandals caused $100,000 in damage at the high school last week.

"I have full faith and confidence in the investigation being conducted by our Washoe County School District School Police, and those who perpetrated these acts against our school will be held accountable..."

He ended his message reminding families of the school's 'core values': respect, honor and strength.

"Let us move forward together with clarity, accountability, and compassion. We will take steps to ensure our school remains a place of learning, not of hate. And to those who feel hurt or targetedwe see you, we support you, and we will stand with you. ...This is our RHS community. Let us honor it with our actions."

If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.

You can read Principal Nakashima's full message below -

May 26. 2025:

A Reno City councilman says he's calling for a full investigation after vandals caused $100,000+ in damage at Reno High School last week.

On Facebook, Devon Reese (Ward 5) says, "This is not who we are as a city, and it will not be tolerated. I am calling for a full investigation and will support any measures necessary to hold those responsible accountable. Our schools must be places of learning and inclusionnot fear and hate."

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve agreed in her own statement saying that the vandalism involving racial slurs and extreme property damage is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our city. I want to make it clear: this behavior does not reflect the values of our community.

She went on to say that Reno Police is providing resources to the Washoe County School District Police.

We will not tolerate acts of hate in our city, and we will send a clear and united message that Reno stands against racism and discrimination in all forms.

If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.

May 24, 2025:

The Washoe County School District has released a statement regarding the recent vandalism and damage at Reno High School.

In the release, Superintendent Joe Ernst and Board President Beth Smith say they are "deeply disturbed and disheartened by the recent vandalism."

You can find the full text of the statement below:

"The Washoe County School District unequivocally condemns hate speech in all forms within our schools. Our educational institutions must be places where every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or background, feels safe, valued, and respected. Hate speech undermines the very principles of inclusion, respect, and equality that are central to the mission of our schools and our guiding principles.

We are deeply disturbed and disheartened by the recent vandalism at Reno High School. Such actions are criminal and are an attack on the values of respect, honor, and strength for which Reno High School stands.

The Washoe County School District School Police is continuing its thorough investigation. The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our top priority. The district has and will continue to provide support, resources and counseling services to those impacted by these acts."

The district is asking anyone who may have information about the break-in or vandalism to contact Washoe County School District Police through Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900.

Original Story (5/23/2025, 11:54 a.m.):

Reno High School officials canceled the senior assembly scheduled for Friday following an overnight break-in and acts of vandalism on campus.

The Washoe County School District notified parents and guardians about the incident in a Connect Ed call, stating that the break-in is under investigation and the school is working with local authorities to identify those responsible.

While the damage is being assessed and cleaned up, certain areas of the school will remain closed, the school stated.

Classes will continue as scheduled, and officials said they are taking necessary steps to restore full operations.

The safety and security of our students and staff remains our top priority, the message continued.

School administrators said they understand the significance of senior events and will provide updates on alternative plans for the assembly in the coming days.

The president of the Washoe School Board, Beth Smith, recently posted a statement to Facebook regarding the vandalism, saying:

"Hate symbolism and racial slurs have no place in our schools. The recent acts of vandalism and destruction at Reno High School are unacceptable and deeply hurtful. I stand united with our community against racism and antisemitism. Parents, please use this as an opportunity to talk openly with your kids so they understand the impact of hate and our shared responsibility to fiercely denounce it in every form."

This is a developing story - we will update you with new information as it becomes available.
A New Jersey man has been arrested and faces multiple charges for allegedly coercing a Carson City juvenile into producing child sexual abuse materials.
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Adria Arjona feels she's been "saved" by acting school.

Adria Arjona attended an acting school in New York

The 33-year-old actress studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City during her teenage years, and Adria relished the experience, as she learned to "express" herself through acting.

The film star told Collider: "Acting school kind of saved me.

"I had a pretty rough upbringing. There were parts there that were not the happiest, and acting really came in and saved me and taught me how to express myself through what I do."

Adria was initially unsure what she wanted to do in her career. However, her dad thought she was perfectly suited to acting.

The Hollywood star shared: "Every movie made me want to be something else or learn a new task. One day, my dad was like, I don't know exactly what you think you're going to be, but I think you might be an actor.'"

Adria has starred in a host of high-profile projects in recent years, including 'Hit Man', 'Blink Twice' and 'Pacific Rim Uprising'.

And the actress has always embraced the opportunity to "play different characters" on screen.

She explained: "Every job you take, you're telling a story to the world of the kind of artist that you are, so you have to stick to your guns and be really truthful to what you believe in.

"It's mostly, also, for me, to not be bored, right? To play different characters and to show the world that I'm more than just one thing."

Despite this, Adria previously admitted that she'd like to be more "strategic" in her career decisions.

She told Empire: "I wish I was more of a strategic actor when it comes to making choices. But Im just more excited by the women that I get to embody."

Adria starred alongside Glen Powell in the 2023 rom-com 'Hit Man', and the actress recalled quickly developing a strong "chemistry" with her co-star.

Speaking about her initial meeting with Glen, Adria told Empire: "It was supposed to be a one-hour meeting. We ended up talking for five hours.

"Chemistry comes from trust, and I think from our first meeting I just knew I could trust [Glen]. We created a space for us to play and be weird and sexy and funny."

'Hit Man' was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater, whose previous directing credits include 'Boyhood', 'School of Rock', and 'Everybody Wants Some!!'.

And Adria still remembers feeling anxious about meeting the filmmaker for the first time.

Recalling details of their first-ever Zoom call, the movie star shared: "My hands were sweaty. I was really trying to play it cool and that lasted for about ten minutes."


Chair Address and Presentation to the 2025 AGM

Sydney, May 29, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) confirms that its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held today Thursday, 29 May 2025 commencing at 9:30am (Sydney time).



Chair address to be delivered at the AGM by the Chair, Peter Cleary.



My address is on behalf of the Board, Karen Green, Professor John Warburton, Louis Rozman and our CEO and Managing Director Alex Underwood. Alex will address you shortly with a more in-depth update of activities on the ground and in the market.



Your Empire team worked tirelessly in pursuit of our objective of bringing gas to the Northern Territory market. We drilled Carpentaria -5H and readied it for fracture stimulation, continued refurbishing the gas plant and with the support of InGauge progressed the engineering works needed to bring us to first gas. Alex will update you on the current timeline.



As a Board, we continue to be impressed by the skill, dedication and ownership shown by the Empire team lead by Alex. It is currently a small team compared to others, but is efficient, effective and continues to deliver. On behalf of the Board and all shareholders, I would like to thank everyone on the team.



In 2024 we continued our engagement with the Northern Land Council in preparation for our On Country meeting with the traditional owners of the land on which the Carpentaria project operates. I commend our team for the efforts they have taken to provide detailed information about our activities to our first nations stakeholders. We take our obligations to inform and to demonstrate our safety and environmental credentials seriously.



We are pleased that several of the traditional owners are employed on Carpentaria- 5H and we aim to create more opportunities when we start construction of the gas plant. In November at the commencement of drilling, the traditional owners performed a smoking ceremony to welcome the drilling crew to their country and to protect workers on site.



The Board would like to thank the previous NT Government which helped us secure our first gas sales agreement. The current government led by the Honourable Lia Finocchiaro recognises the importance of bringing new gas to the Northern Territory so has provided excellent support to Empire. Quite rightly, the government has held us to the highest environmental standards, but it has also been timely and decisive allowing us to move forward with confidence. We look forward to continuing to work with Lia and her team as we develop our projects in the Beetaloo Basin.



Today we are asking you to approve the change to our name. Empire reflected a time when the company was active in New York State but with our focus now solely on the Northern Territory and our activities in the Beetaloo Basin, we decided it was time for a more apt name. The new name also reflects our Australian roots. Our operations are here, our staff are located here and most of our shareholders are Australian, hence our continued listing on the Australian Stock Exchange.



Our objective is to grow the value of our company for the benefit of all stakeholders. I have mentioned a few but finally I would like to acknowledge our shareholders. Several have been with us for many years. We have some who joined through the merger with Pangaea, others from the USA who see great similarities in the Beetaloo with the shale gas plays in the USA and those from the Northern Territory who strongly supported our recent capital raise. The Board would like to thank them for their faith in our mission and their continuing support.



Thank you

Chair, Peter Cleary



*To view the Managing Director's Presentation, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/HTX282AJ





About Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited





Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited (ASX:BTL) (OTCMKTS:EEGUF) holds 28.9 million acres of highly prospective exploration tenements in the McArthur Basin and Beetaloo Sub-basins, Northern Territory. Work undertaken by the Company since 2010 demonstrates that the Eastern depositional Trough of the McArthur Basin, of which the Company holds around 80%, has enormous conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon potential. The Beetaloo Sub-basin, in which Beetaloo Energy holds a substantial position, has world-class hydrocarbon volumes in place and a ramp up in industry activity to appraise substantial discoveries already made by major Australian oil and gas operators is ongoing.

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Kneecap will still headline 2000trees as planned.

Kneecap will still headline 2000trees

The Irish rap group have come under fire in recent weeks after a string of controversies, but the annual festival in Cheltenham, UK have confirmed they will remain co-headliners with PVRIS on the second day of the July 9-12 event.

In a post on Instagram, they wrote: "After loads of speculation and numerous requests from the press of late, we are happy to confirm that YES! Kneecap are still headlining the Thursday at 2000trees this July.

If their recent shows in London are anything to go by, this promises to be one of the most memorable headline sets weve ever had at 2000trees.

Do not miss it  Glasto is obviously sold out were not far behind  so if you want to see the most talked about band in ages, you need to bag a 2000trees ticket before they all sell out!"

Other headliners set across the four-day event include Hot Milk, Taking Back Sunday, Coheed and Cambria, and Alexisonfire.

Kneecap - made up of Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai - are no strangers to 2000trees, but organisers have promised "something else entirely" for their headline set.

They continued: "You may have even seen Kneecap at 2000trees before, this will be their 3rd visit after all.

"But headlining the main stage this summer is going to be something else entirely!

"We will ALL be there in the pit with you for one of the most exciting, fun and historic sets youll see this summer."

Earlier on Wednesday (28.05.25), it was confirmed that Kneecap's TRNSMT performance the same week as 2000trees has been cancelled.

A festival spokesperson told NME: "Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday July 11. We thank fans for their understanding.

Last week, the trio headline London's Wide Awake Festival - which followed a warm-up show at the 100 Club - and both events happened without any safety issues.

Last week, Mo Chara - real name Liam Og O Hannaidh - was charged with a terror offense in the UK, as London's Metropolitan Police accused him of "displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah" at O2 Forum gig in London in November 2024.

Following the investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge, with both Hamas and Hezbollah banned in the UK, while it is a crime to express support for either of them.

The group insisted they have never support either organisation.

They also claimed another video - in which they allegedly told a London crowd "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP" - was taken "out of context".
In Person Profile: Lisa Balboa, Chartered Actuary (Fellow) Since its introduction, more than 4,000 IFoA members around the world have chosen to claim chartered status and add the C. Act honorific to their professional profiles. Today we meet just one of them, to learn how they feel chartered status can benefit both their career and the actuarial profession as a whole. Unusually for an actuary, Lisa Balboa didnt study maths. Her degree included natural sciences, followed by an intensive year-long management studies course at the University of Cambridge then a masters in health policy at LSE in London. What motivates me is that combination of maths, business and statistics together with insights on health, im interested in how these various disciplines come together to provide new insights into the risks people face throughout their lifetimes. I discovered the actuarial profession in detail while I was doing my masters degree. It seemed to have the potential to blend all the areas I was most interested in. Leveraging innovation to support insurers Lisa applied and was accepted to the graduate scheme at Lane Clark and Peacock, before moving into pricing-focused roles in life and health insurance.Today, shes in what she describes as a non-traditional actuarial role with Hannover Re. I head up our life and health digital business accelerator team, Lisa says. Essentially, we help life and health insurers around the world to create value for themselves and their customers by leveraging innovations, especially when it comes to assessing risk. We look at how to use technology to help assess and price risk better  things like wearable tech, electronic health records, GenAI and so on. I work with colleagues around the world to see what we can do with new technologies and how we might take new products and propositions to market for customers. Facing challenges with focus

Its a role that has its challenges, not least the enormous amount of technology emerging on an almost daily basis. Theres so much out there, Lisa says. One of the biggest challenges is finding the solutions and partners that are going to add value to our insurance clients. The solutions have to tie back to the core of what we do, bringing something that appeals to both the insurer and the end customer. As a reinsurer, were a few steps removed from that end customer in the insurance value chain. So, understanding whats going to create value for customers is another important area of focus where we use research and work with insurers to gain insights. Contributing to thought leadership

Lisas deep interest in new technologies not only helped to shape her career, it also helped her settle in at Hannover Re. In my final year of qualifying as an actuary,I joined the IFoA Wearable Tech Working Party, The brief was to explain how wearable tech can contribute to life and health insurance and to share those findings with the wider actuarial and insurance communities. Its a topic I was passionate about and I loved volunteering for this working party, as I was able to work with other people who were equally passionate about it.Together, we produced a comprehensive report. Whats very humbling is that when I joined Hannover Re a few years later, and started getting involved in projects there, that report was being shared as a thought leadership paper. Colleagues were already familiar with some of the work I had contributed to, which was great. I was also able to get involved in wearable tech from a reinsurance angle for the first time. Looking to the future

While that piece of work is still sometimes used as a reference, Lisa is looking forward to the actuarial profession continuing to evolve and create new thought leadership on potentials for technology to transform health. Its lovely that the original work has lasted, but its great that people are able to build on the topic and do something new, reflecting how much technology has evolved these past few years. Not one to shy away from exploring something new, Lisa was one of the first to take up the Chartered Actuary designation. She believes its a good way to communicate qualifications, and could help reach people who, like her, didnt set out on an actuarial career path. I think being able to say chartered actuary could help break down some of the barriers around understanding what an actuary does, it might help people to engage a bit more in our work, and maybe encourage a further visibility on what we do. It shows that we are a profession. It opens conversations. It helps us to be visible. Its an opportunity and an innovation Im happy to be part of. First published in the Actuarial Post Magazine


The European insurance sector is a significant contributor to Europes economic growth, and it also plays a crucial role in protecting people and businesses and their assets. Despite the series of crises the world has faced over the past years, the European insurance sector has remained robust, demonstrating its ability to protect consumers and to maintain a global leadership position. European insurers employ more than 920 000 people , manage 9.5 trillion in assets, of which around 70% is invested in the European Union . In 2023, the European insurance sector paid out over 1 000 billion in claims, equivalent to 2.8 billion a day . The insurance industry stands ready to constructively share knowledge and expertise with the European institutions and the civil society to contribute to the European objectives. We believe that the insurance industry could be and should be part of the solution to the challenges Europe is facing. Therefore, the insurance industry has set five priorities for the coming years. Firstly, the installation of the new European Commission under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen started with an ambitious roadmap to restore the European competitiveness. This roadmap includes a simplification plan, which is a crucial part of the solution. We believe that the objectives of the EU Competitiveness Compass, when translated into concrete action, will have a meaningful impact on the European economy. Secondly, the Savings and Investments Union is a key area of focus. Today, the insurance sector acknowledges a significant lack of long-term investments in Europe to meet the continents needs for financing climate and digital transitions, as well as safeguarding its social model that protects the ageing society and support the younger generation. While savings are abundant, insurers truly encourage a Savings and Investment Union supported by the development of initiatives that will reduce capital market fragmentation. Several opportunities remain to be explored in this area, such as the development of collective pension plans with automatic enrolment and attractive individual retirement savings plans based on national situations. A holistic approach would not only strengthen individual retirement outcomes, but also unlock crucial investments in Europes economy including the green and digital transitions. Thirdly, managing the increasing frequency of extreme climate events is a priority. The insurance sector believes that it is an area for which stronger cooperation between public and private sector is needed to address the challenges ahead. Insurers and reinsurers possess a unique expertise in climate risks which can be shared with public authorities to facilitate the preparation of crisis management plans, mitigation, and adaptation measures and to achieve quicker recovery to the benefit of the society and citizens. We stand ready to collaborate with the European Commission on its future European Climate Adaptation Plan. Fourthly, promoting an economy that prioritises innovation for a responsible use of data and artificial intelligence is also a focus. The insurance sector sees opportunities in new technologies to improve the customer journey, facilitate and speed up the claims pay out as well as improving the risk understanding. Experimenting prior to implementing regulations can lead to more informed and effective policies. Lastly, the insurance industry is dedicated to reinforcing dialogue with consumers and civil society to refine the understanding of needs in the changing society, ensuring that we are providing the best protection and service at an adequate price. Addressing these challenges is not only about protecting citizens, but also about enhancing and safeguarding the European economic competitiveness and therefore its social model. We are confident that the insurance sector has the means to contribute positively to these challenges, provided that the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament are translating their ambitions into concrete actions. Let us work together to achieve Europes ambitious objectives.
An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to federal charges after he was found in possession of a homemade bomb strong enough to injure or kill anyone nearby if it exploded.

The bomb was one of several suspicious devices confiscated after a 2024 traffic stop in Bibb County last year.

Several guns, including one with the words, Let Me Get That!!! hand carved on the gunstock, were confiscated.

Keyonstis Maurice Morgan, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco to illegally possession a weapon made from a shotgun as well as a destructive device, specifically an improvised explosive device-type bomb, Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona announced Thursday.

Morgan, of Centreville, faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for September.

According to the plea agreement, Morgan was a backseat passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Centreville police on Feb. 16, 2024.

The stop was made because the driver failed to use a turn signal.

Officers learned Morgan had outstanding felony warrants, and he was taken into custody.

The driver gave consent to search the vehicle and police found three guns on the floor of the back seat.

One of the guns was a BB gun, and the other was an inoperable .45 caliber pistol.

The third was a .22 caliber pipe pistol fashioned from a single-shot 20-gauge shotgun and loaded with a shell.

Morgan, authorities said, admitted to sawing off the shotguns stock and cutting the barrel down to 13.5 inches in length.

He was also in possession of a cardboard tube wrapped in electrical tape that contained 12 grams of energetic powder and a fuse.

Someone weaponized the device by taping or gluing 21 screws, four small razor blades, and assorted staples around the exterior. These small metal pieces would create potentially lethal shrapnel upon explosion.

The other devices recovered - but not deemed to be functioning IEDs  were a pepper spray canister wrapped with electrical tape and containing a protruding electrical wire and a two spent rifle casings taped together with metal darts and a plastic dart tip that resembled a fuse.

Morgan told ATF investigators he did not make the devices but took them when an acquaintance wanted them out of her house. He said wanted them because they looked cool.

One of the agents told Morgan, With the bombs, youre looking at federal time, to which Morgan replied, I know, documents show.

The agents asked Morgan if his behavior was related to meth use and he told them, he uses whenever he can, the agent wrote.

The ATF investigated the case along with the Centreville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Lee Gilmer is prosecuting.
A 20-year-old U.S. Army veteran will remain behind bars in the killing of a man found shot and left for dead on a Birmingham road, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Caleb Goodgame is charged with capital murder in the March 15 death of 27-year-old LeMijamin Watters.

Officers were dispatched at 7 p.m. that Saturday to a report of a person down at the intersection of Avenue E and 16th Street in Ensley.

Police arrived to find Watters unresponsive in the roadway. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene at 7:12 p.m.

An autopsy later determined Watters had been shot.

Birmingham homicide detectives and South Precinct officers took Goodgame into custody March 26 near Interstate 65 and Lakeshore Parkway.

A preliminary hearing in the case was held last week, at which time Jefferson County District Judge William Bell ruled there was enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.

Testimony in that hearing showed the suspect and the victim had met for Goodgame to buy pills from Watters.

Instead, a detective previously testified, Goodgame shot Watters, pushed him out of the vehicle and left him for dead.

LeMijamin Watters, 27, was shot to death March 15, 2025, in Birmingham. (Contributed)

Goodgames attorney, Jaimee Hunter, claims the fatal shooting was self-defense and asked that bond be set for her client. A hearing on the matter was held Wednesday.

He has no criminal history. Hes never been in trouble before, not so much as a speeding ticket, Hunter told the judge.

According to Hunter, Goodgame was arrested and charged based upon obscure surveillance footage from several blocks away.

There was no witnesses, no blood in the vehicle, Hunter said.

Hunter said Goodgame is a life-long resident of Birmingham, raised in a single-parent home, attended Clay-Chalkville High School, and graduated from Minor High School.

After graduation, Hunter said, Goodgame served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Jackson, until he was medically discharged.

At the time of his arrest, he was employed as a Verizon salesman and is able to return to that job should he be granted bond.

We argue that Mr. Goodgame is not a risk to society, Hunter said.

Hunter called Goodgames best friend as a character witness for Goodgame.

That friend described Goodgame as a caring person.

Its actually crazy to think about how caring of a person he is, the friend testified.

Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Aaron Brown asked the character witness if he was aware of the facts of the case, and the witness said he was not.

Are you aware the victim got in the defendants car? Are you aware that while in the car the defendant shot the victim? Are you aware that he then pushed him out of the car? Are you aware that he then drove off? Brown said.

Are you aware he left him for dead? Are you aware that he then texted his girlfriend to bring him towels? Are you aware that he then cleaned up his car? Are you aware that he then eluded law enforcement? Are you aware that he then lied to law enforcement, said he wasnt there?

The witness said he was not aware of those details.

Under questioning from Hunter, the witness said hes spoken with Goodgame and said he maintains his innocence.

Brown said the evidence against Goodgame is strong and prosecutors oppose bond.

Evidence from Goodgames phone location and text messages, as well as surveillance footage and license plate readers, tie him to the scene and shows that he was going to buy pills from the victim.

Every step of the way he has fought law enforcement, Brown said.

He had the ability to call law enforcement after the incident, he did not do that. He had the chance to come clean with the detectives, and he did not do that.

If hes let out, Brown said, I do not think hell show up for court.

Bell denied Goodgame bond.

Mr. Goodgame is a danger in my eyes, the judge said, especially if hes charged with capital murder.
A 21-year-old man shot to death just months before the birth of his son was set up and killed during a robbery, a detective testified.

TreVon Nyheim Douglas was found dead Feb. 15 behind a vacant house in the 1400 block of 33rd Street.

Malik Quintawn Austin, 24, is charged with capital murder in Douglass slaying.

The fatal shooting happened just one day after Austin was released from the Jefferson County Jail after a judge had continued his probation on a previous robbery conviction.

In the moments before Douglas was killed, authorities said Wednesday, Austin sent someone else a text message that read, When we roll up, Ill run it right then. Dont let him grab nothing. Were going to leave him here.

That text message was part of Birmingham homicide Det. Ethan Sentelles testimony Wednesday during Austins preliminary hearing before Jefferson County District Judge William Bell.

When the testimony ended, Bell ruled there was enough evidence against Austin to send the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.

Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrichs is prosecuting the case. Austin is represented by attorneys Rolando Ranking and William Eric Hamilton.

Douglas, who was expecting his first child, was killed just before 4:30 p.m. that Saturday.

Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang and found Douglas on the ground in the backyard of the house. They then called 911.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced Douglas dead on the scene at 4:46 p.m.

TreVon Nyheim Douglas, 21, was killed in a Feb. 15, 2025, shooting in Birmingham's Ensley community. (Special to AL.com)

Douglas had left his apartment off U.S. 280 that day with Austin and another man. Douglass girlfriend told detectives he was going to buy a gun and had taken between $600 to $800 with him, Sentelle said.

Austin, she said, was arranging the gun sale.

The detective testified that the person who called 911 saw two men walk to the back of the 33rd Street, which was previously owned by Austins family and a house where Austin had lived.

The witness said he heard one gunshot and then saw one of the men return to a truck and leave. Police recovered one .45 caliber shell casing from the scene.

Douglas did not have any identification on him. Authorities were able to positively identify him after his girlfriend called the Jefferson County Coroners Office.

His girlfriend had become concerned when she couldnt reach Douglas and then she, Douglass mother and brother all began trying to reach him, to no avail.

Douglas girlfriend reached out to Austin, but he told her only that he had dropped him off somewhere and was going back to pick him up.

Sentelle said he obtained a search warrant for Austins Facebook and found messages between he and Douglas.

As part of his investigation, Sentelle said he found body camera footage from a previous traffic stop of Austin, and said the truck in that video matched the truck seen leaving the homicide that Saturday.

Additionally, he said, surveillance video from Dunkin Donuts on U.S. 280 showed the same truck leaving Douglas apartment complex that day.

Investigators learned the truck belonged to an acquaintance of Austin who had let him borrow the truck when he got out of the jail the previous day.

He did not return the truck as planned, Sentelle testified, and stopped communicating with her.

Birmingham police investigate a Feb. 15, 2025, homicide in the 1400 block of 3300 Street in Ensley. (Carol Robinson)

Sentelle said he then interviewed Austin who admitted to being there that day but denied killing Douglas.

Austin said a man he knew only as D was with them and was the one waving the gun. He also said he saw D taking Douglas belongings.

Sentelle said police have not yet identified D.

Police said Douglass personal items - including his cell phone and cash - were missing when they found him dead.

The detective said he asked Austin if he had called 911, but Austin told him he had left a message for detectives at police headquarters.

The alleged murder weapon was recovered in March from another person who said he bought it from a man named Demarcus.

Henrich said the testimony against Austin warranted the case moving forward, citing evidence of the robbery and Austins text message just prior to the shooting.

Rankin, however, said the case is based on circumstantial evidence and hearsay.

The state has not established that our client committed a robbery or a murder, the defense attorney said. My client admits to being there but said he is a witness, and another individual actually committed the crime.

We do have another individual that was there, another individual that took this gun while Malik was in custody, this gun was out on the street and it was sold, Rankin said.

So, we know that another individual was therethis other individual actually did it.

Henrich disputed the defense attorneys claims that the evidence is circumstantial.

Its not circumstantial when its the defendants own phone, she said. That statement by itself indicates what their intention was.

Austin remains held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.

Austin on Sept. 29, 2024, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 20 years with three years to serve but was granted credit for 1,123 days served.

He was placed on supervised probation which Judge Stephen Wallace later amended to unsupervised probation.

On Nov. 4, 2024, Birmingham police arrested Austin for being a convicted felon in possession of two pistols.

Court records show Austin was arrested again on Jan. 29, 2025, for being in possession of a stolen pistol.

On Feb. 13, records show, the judge issued an order continuing Austins probation. A probation review was set for March 10 before Wallace.

Austin was released from jail, at 11:37 a.m. Feb. 14. Douglas was killed just over 24 hours later.

Wallace earlier this month revoked Austins probation and ordered him to serve the remainder of the original 20-year sentence.
Cameron Scales, 19, and Daveon Dortch, 20, are charged with capital murder in the 2024 killing of Phong Timmy Nguyen, 21. (Contributed)

A deadly shooting at a Birmingham Airbnb stemmed from a robbery plot hatched during a dice game at a birthday party, a detective testified.

A physical fight between one of the suspects and the victim was captured on home surveillance photo.

When the scuffle moved inside the Airbnb, multiple other people  some with guns  filed into the house as well and the multiple shots rang out.

Cameron Scales, 19, and Daveon Dortch, 20, are charged with capital murder during a robbery in the 2024 killing of 21-year-old Phong Timmy Nguyen, a Clay-Chalkville High School graduate who served in the U.S. Army Airborne Artillery.

Their arrests were announced March, nine months after Nugyens death.

Scales and Dortch went before Jefferson County District Judge William Bell Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich is prosecuting the case.

Scales is represented by attorneys Emory Anthony and Louvenia Borom.

Scales, whose sister Anitra Holloman was killed in the Hush lounge mass shooting, is among three people charged with capital murder in June 2024 slaying on First Avenue North near East Lake Park and the May 2024 shooting of a teen outside his familys west Birmingham home.

Scales mother previously told AL.com he is innocent.

Dortch is represented by the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office.

He was extradited to Alabama May 23 after being arrested in Atlanta by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and Birmingham police.

After the hearing, Bell ruled there was enough probable cause to send the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.

Nguyen was killed March 3, 2024.

West Precinct officers were dispatched at 2:35 a.m. to a report of a person shot in the 900 block of Dugan Avenue.

Police entered the house and found Nugyen dead inside from a gunshot wound to the neck.

The house where the shooting happened was a short-term rental Airbnb. There was birthday party being held there for a young woman.

The U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and Birmingham officers arrested Dortch in Atlanta. He was extradited to Alabama May 23.

Birmingham homicide Det. Nicholas Clark chronicled the events of the shooting at the hearing.

Multiple people were at the party when the shots rang out and were taken to police headquarters for questioning, but no one admitted to seeing the shooting or knowing who committed the homicide, he said.

Nguyen was found dead in the living room of the Airbnb, and investigators recovered seven shell casings.

Nguyen was at the party with his girlfriend, and did not know anybody else there, Clark said.

Clark said Nguyens mother spoke with her slain sons friends to try to find out what happened and said she was given the names Lil Cam and Lil Hot as the potential suspects.

But none of the people speaking to her were willing to come and speak with me, the detective testified.

Video from the Airbnb showed Nguyen and a male  later identified as Scales  pushing and shoving on the front porch.

When the fight spilled inside, Clark said, multiple other people ran in behind them, some of them brandishing guns.

You dont see the shooting, but you hear a large number of shots, Clark said. Everyone that ran in, except for the victim, comes running out.

Clark said the last person to leave the house  reportedly Scales - was limping.

He walked toward a white sedan, then went back inside the house briefly, and finally left in the white sedan.

Dortch, he said, was the second person to leave the Airbnb.

Shortly before 5 a.m., Clark said, Scales showed up at UAB Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

He told patrol officers who were dispatched to the hospital that the shooting happened at an Airbnb, but he left before detectives arrived.

The investigation continued but with no arrests.

In June 2024, Clark said he was notified that Scales and Dortch had been arrested in Birmingham in a stolen Audi, and that Dortch was in possession of a gun with a Glock switch.

Clark went to speak with them in jail. Both admitted to being at the party but said they werent involved in the shooting and didnt know anything about it.

In October 2024, Scales was arrested in an unrelated homicide. They were still not charged in Nugyens slaying at that time.

Clark testified that since Scales and Dortch were in jail, he thought maybe some of the witnesses would be more willing to talk with detectives.

One of those witnesses had since been charged of robbing an adult male at gunpoint, later kidnapping him and forcing the victim to withdraw money from an ATM.

Clark spoke with him and he told detectives he had not spoken up before because the shooters had asked everybody at the Airbnb not to say anything and that he was afraid for his safety.

The witness said there was a dice game at the party.

During the dice game it became apparent that the victim was in possession of a great deal of cash and that Scales and Dortch hatched a plan to rob him, Clark said.

The witness also used the same nicknames the detective had previously heard.

During the struggle between Nguyen and Scales, he told Clark, Nguyen had a gun in his waistband.

Mr. Scales took the gun off of (Nguyens) hip and shot the victim, Clark testified. Other people, including Mr. Dortch, began shooting as well.

He said Mr. Scales shot first, he said, and then Dortch and several others shot.

Clark said investigators have not yet identified the others who were shooting.

Under questioning from Anthony, Clark said the witness was not offered anything from police or prosecutors to testify against Scales and Dortch.

The warrants against the suspects were obtained in March 2025.
A man has been arrested for murder for his involvement in a deadly shooting after a graduation party in south Alabama.

According to the Mobile County Sheriffs office, Gradrick Overstreet Jr. was arrested Wednesday for the murder of Jaylon Rivers, 19.

On May 12, a graduation party was held in Mount Vernon on Tom Hopkins Roads before the homeowner ended the gathering around midnight.

But according to the sheriffs office, some of the partygoers moved to the cul-de-sac at the end of the road.

That is when an argument broke out between Rivers and a juvenile leading to gunfire being exchanged between the two.

Rivers was struck and later died from his injuries.

The juvenile suspect was charged with felony murder and robbery.

Gradricks charges include felony murder, attempted murder and first-degree robbery.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex suffers money guilt.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex suffers money guilt

The 43-year-old has just launched her lifestyle brand As Ever and is continuing with her podcasting while living in a mansion in California with her husband Prince Harry, 40, valued at more than $14 million, and she has now said she feels conflicted about her financial success.

Revealing she has experienced guilt over wealth and struggled with a scarcity mindset when it comes to money, she told Sara Blakely on the Confessions of a Female Founder podcast: Theres lots of guilt mentality surrounding having a lot. And at the same time, theres a scarcity mindset.

Its easy to attach to (the idea) of, like, Ill never have enough.

Meghan added: Id love to have a healthier mindset about money.

The former actress best known for her role in Suits, made the comments on Tuesdays (27.05.25) episode of her entrepreneur-focused podcast, which is part of her recent media and business resurgence.

Meghan and her husband Harry  who have children Prince Archie, aged six, and Princess Lilibet, three  are estimated to have a combined net worth of around $60 million, according to Forbes.

The London Times reported in September 2024 Harry and his older brother Prince William inherited nearly 12 million following the death of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

A source told Page Six in 2023: They certainly dont like to spend their own money. Its always other peoples money.

Elsewhere in her podcast episode, Meghan spoke about her experience as a solo entrepreneur, describing it as both incredibly lonely and liberating.

She said her partnership with Netflix marked a turning point in her career.

It was a U-turn moment, she said of their involvement in her new lifestyle brand As Ever.

Meghan launched her first line of As Ever products in April, shortly after the debut of her Netflix show With Love, Meghan.

Last month, she also launched a podcast under Lemonada Media, part of a wider expansion into branded content and wellness-related ventures.

Meghans recent focus on media, entrepreneurship and lifestyle branding follows her and Harrys dramatic step back from royal duties that began in 2020, when she and the prince left their official roles within the royal family.
A Texas man has pleaded guilty in the 2021 kidnapping of a 3-year-old girl in west Birmingham.

Steven Andrew Holguin, 42, of El Paso, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, said Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona.

Sentencing is set for September.

Birminghams West Precinct Officers were dispatched Nov. 4, 2021, to the 3100 block of 17th Street Ensley on a report of a kidnapping. The call came in through a language interpreter line.

Officers learned that at around 6:15 p.m. that Thursday, the uncle and at least one other person forcibly abducted Corina Abigail Salgado Hernandez from the home and fled in a sedan.

Investigators determined the paternal uncle 18-year-old Elis Sadiel Salgado of Atlanta - was at the residence visiting the child.

It was during that visit the abduction took place.

Authorities said the suspects kidnapped the toddler with the intent of taking her to her father, who lives in Mexico.

With Holguins assistance, Salgado-Galindo grabbed the toddler and fled the residence.

An Amber Alert was issued and law enforcement along the Alabama/Mississippi state line were provided the description of the vehicle, toddler, and suspects.

That same evening, deputies with the Rankin County, Mississippi Sheriffs Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description of Holguins vehicle.

Deputies instructed Holguin, who was the driver of the vehicle, to exit the vehicle and walk back to the officers vehicle.

Deputies then removed the other individuals from the vehicle, including Corina.

A deputy recognized the toddler from the Amber Alert and sent a picture of her to a Birmingham detective.

The detective showed the picture to the toddlers mother, who confirmed that it was her daughter.

Both men were taken into custody.

Holguin was convicted in 2020 in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Texas for conspiracy to transport aliens. He was sentenced to six months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.

Salgado-Galindo, a citizen of Mexico, was in the U.S. illegally. On Dec. 14, 2021, he was turned over to ICE custody.

Homeland Security Investigations, Birmingham, investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Pearl Mississippi Police Department, and the Rankin County Mississippi Sheriffs Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted the case.
When I write about historic buildings and homes, I often receive emails from people who dont understand why some of our most beautiful structures cant be saved.

Who would tear down that beautiful home? they ask. Most times, demolition is a last resort.

While todays world is filled with preservation and historical societies and more buildings are saved than ever before, plenty are lost, mainly because of the high cost of restoration and preservation.

To restore a dilapidated building that hasnt been used in years would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Someone has to be interested in owning the home or building in its current location, or pay to move it, and spend the money to improve it.

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Alabamas historic structures were demolished at an alarming rate, as you can see in the list below. Oftentimes, they were destroyed to build parking structures.

Lets take a look at some of the beautiful architecture weve lost.

An early Mobile County Courthouse topped with dozens of statues was damaged by the 1906 hurricane. It built in 1889 by Rudolph Benz. The hurricane knocked the statues from the roof. The building was demolished in the 1950s. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Mobile County Courthouse, Mobile

The Mobile County Courthouse was built in 1889 by Rudolph Benz. The 1906 hurricane in Mobile tore the statues and ornamentation from the roof. It was demolished in the 1950s.

The Morris Hotel, which was built as part office building and part hotel, opened in 1891 at Nineteenth Street and First Avenue North in Birmingham. It was demolished in 1958. Birmingham Public Library

The Morris Hotel, Birmingham

The Morris Hotel, which was built as part office building and part hotel known as the Morris Block, opened in 1891 at Nineteenth Street and First Avenue North in Birmingham. Owner Josiah Morris hired French architect Edouard Sidel to build the 125-room luxury hotel in the Second Empire style. Bham Wiki says, The building was considered an architectural marvel, with corner towers crowned with a tall mansard roof and semi-circular balconies projecting over the sidewalk. A recessed light court was entered through a large archway on the 1st Avenue side. A 2,000-piece Belgian-made stained glass skylight covered the colorfully-tiled atrium beyond.

A 1935 postcard says: The Morris Hotel meets every essential hotel requirement of the visitor to Birmingham - location, appointments, service and rates that are fair. Free parking of guests automobiles in fireproof garage.

It was torn down in 1958 to build a parking garage.

This City Hall building was erected in 1892 at Clinton and Washington streets in Huntsville. It housed the city's fire equipment. Its demolition date is unknown. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Huntsville City Hall, Huntsville

This City Hall building was erected in 1892 at Clinton and Washington streets. It housed the citys fire equipment and, according to HuntsvilleHistoryCollection.org. During the daytime the ground floor of the brick and stone building served as the municipal market for farmers. Its destruction date is unknown.

The Paul Hayne School was built as Southside Grammar School in 1886 at Fifth Avenue South and Twentieth Street, where Kirklin Clinic now stands. It was demolished in the 1950s. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Paul Hayne School, Birmingham

The Paul Hayne School was built as Southside Grammar School in 1886 at Fifth Avenue South and Twentieth Street, where Kirklin Clinic now stands. According to Bham Wiki, in 1930 it was converted to Paul Hayne Opportunity High School, which taught vocational classes. It was demolished sometime after 1953.

The Imperial Hotel was at the corner of Commerce Street and Bibb Street, facing Commerce, in Montgomery. Its construction and demolition dates are unknown. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Imperial Hotel, Montgomery

The Imperial Hotel was at the corner of Commerce Street and Bibb Street, facing Commerce, in Montgomery. Its construction date is unknown but this photo was taken in the 1910s. It housed the Majestic Vaudeville show.

The Cotton Exchange in Mobile, built in 1871, was a place for factors to warehouse and ship cotton. The building was demolished in the 1960s. Alabama Department of Archives and History

The Cotton Exchange, Mobile

The Cotton Exchange in Mobile, built in 1871, was a place for factors to warehouse and ship cotton. The Mobile Exchange was the third one in the country, after New York and New Orleans. It was a four-story red brick building. Statues lined the roof above the entrances, including one of a cotton bale and crown.

The Mobile and Ohio Railroad had its general offices in the Cotton Exchange Building in the early 1900s. The building was demolished in the 1960s.

Hotel Albert in Selma, Ala., inspired by Doge's Palace in Italy, was demolished in 1968 after 100 years in business. It boasted numerous luxuries, such as an indoor sakting rink, and had beautiful architectural details inside and out. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Hotel Albert, Selma

The Hotel Albert was constructed on Broad Street at Dallas Avenue in Selma in the 1860s. Work stopped during the Civil War and Union troops used the partially completed building as a headquarters following the Battle of Selma in 1865. The building was demolished in 1969. Four of its columns were saved and installed in the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum. Click here to read an in-depth history.

The Jefferson County Courthouse was built circa-1888 on Third Avenue at Twenty-First Street Alabama Department of Archives and History

Jefferson County Courthouse, Birmingham

This courthouse was built circa-1888 on Third Avenue at Twenty-First Street. It was demolished in 1937.

The McLester Hotel was built in 1887 on the northwest corner of Greensboro Avenue and Sixth Street in Tuscaloosa. Public Domain

The McLester Hotel, Tuscaloosa

The McLester Hotel was built in 1887 on the northwest corner of Greensboro Avenue and Sixth Street in Tuscaloosa. Each of its 33 rooms had a fireplace. The brick three-story building had ironwork on the front. It was torn down in 1964.

Alfred Moses six-story skyscraper in Montgomery was the tallest building in Alabama when it was built in 1887. Alabama Department of Archives and History

The Moses Building, Montgomery

Alfred Moses six-story skyscraper in Montgomery was the tallest building in Alabama when it was built in 1887. It is standing on the corner occupied today by Regions Bank, according to the Montgomery County Historic Society. Its demolition date is unknown.

Terminal Station in Birmingham, a passenger train station, occupied two city blocks. The grand structure was built in 1909 on 26th Street North. It was torn down in 1969. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Birmingham Terminal Station

Birmingham Terminal Station was a two-block building erected in 1909 on 26th Street North. It was a station for passenger trains until the 1950s when car and air travel became more popular. The massive building was abandoned and neglected before it was torn down in 1969.

The interior of the station was considered the epitome of elegance. Bham Wiki described it: Two 130-foot towers topped the north and south wings. The central waiting room covered 7,600 square feet and was topped by a central dome 64 feet in diameter covered in intricate tilework and featuring a skylight of ornamental glass. The bottom 16 feet of the walls of this main waiting room were finished in gray Tennessee marble. Connecting to the main waiting room were the ticket office, a separate ladies waiting room, a smoking room, a barber shop, a news stand, a refreshment stand, and telephone and telegraph booths. Along the north and south concourses were the kitchen, lunch and dining rooms, another smoking room, restrooms, and the colored waiting room.

The first state-owned prison in Alabama was approved by the Legislature in 1839 and completed in 1841. The grand Victorian building was later demolished. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Alabama Penitentiary, Wetumpka

The first state-owned prison in Alabama was approved by the Legislature in 1839 and completed in 1841. The first inmate arrived in 1842.

A historical marker at the former site of the prison says: The Wetumpka State Penitentiary (WSP), originally known as the Alabama State Penitentiary, was the first state prison established in Alabama. Built on the east bank of the Coosa River in Wetumpka, Alabama, it was nicknamed the Walls of Alabama or Walls. For much of its existence, the prison housed both men and women in separate quarters.

Alabama Gov. Arthur P. Bagby placed the first cornerstone of the prison in March 1840. The prison cost $84,889 to build and included 208 cells. Read more here.

Edwards Opera House in Selma, built in 1879, later served as the Academy of Music. It was later demolished. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Edwards Opera House/Wilby Theatre, Selma

Edwards Opera House in Selma, built in 1879, later served as the Academy of Music. In the mid-20th century, it housed the 1,000-seat Wilby Theatre. It was later demolished.

The Caldwell Hotel became the second high-rise in Alabama when the six-story building was completed in Birmingham in 1889. It burned just five years later. Birmingham Public Library

Caldwell Hotel, Birmingham

The Caldwell Hotel became the second high-rise in Alabama when the six-story building was completed in Birmingham in 1889, following the 1887 Moses Building in Montgomery. It burned in 1894.

Built for Moses and Hattie Sabel in 1906, this home was purchased by the state and used as the governor's mansion from 1911-1950. Alabama Department of Archives and History

First Governors Mansion, Montgomery

Built for Moses and Hattie Sabel in 1906, this home was purchased by the state and used as the governors mansion from 1911-1950. It was demolished in 1963 to building Interstate 85.
The Johnston Peanut Butter Mill in Brundidge, Ala., has been preserved as a museum. Jimmy Emerson

These days, peanut butter is so ubiquitous that people write songs about it, but in the 1920s, peanut butter was a unique food item, and Alabama was on the cutting edge of production.

Companies in a few small Alabama towns have produced peanut butter over the years  and two still do (more below)  but the tiny Pike County town of Brundidge celebrates its peanut butter manufacturing heritage with the Johnston Peanut Butter Mill Museum and a festival held each October.

Brundidge now has a population of about 2,000 residents. In the 1920s, it had fewer than 1,000 residents yet still managed to become one of the countrys largest peanut-butter making hubs.

In 1928, J.D. Johnston of Brundidge noticed peanut butter was fast becoming a popular food item and opened a mill in 1929 in hopes of taking advantage of the marketing trend.

J.D. Johnston realized that peanut butter was gaining popularity as a tasty, inexpensive source of protein so he set up a crude machine in the small upstairs area of a wood-frame building just off Main Street and started one of the first commercial peanut butter mills in the Southeastern United States, according to the Brundidge town website. Peanut butters popularity spread and the Johnston Peanut Butter Mill flourished. Before long the mill was shipping out more than 2 million jars of the popular foodstuff each year.

A historical marker tells the story of Brundidge's peanut butter history. The small town in Pike County, Ala., hosts a peanut butter festival each October. Jimmy Emerson

In 1935, A&P was selling a one-pound jar of Johnstons Peanut Butter for 15 cents, according to an advertisement in the Troy Messenger.

The Johnston company was the towns largest industry from the early to mid-twentieth century, according to an article by the Encyclopedia of Alabama. It began with manufacturing peanut butter but eventually operated cotton gins, warehouses, and an ice plant. The family-owned company also manufactured Velvet bread, Johnston brand peanut butter, and Johnstons mayonnaise, the article said.

Johnston vs. Johnson

Not to be outdone, two brothers with a similar name to Johnstons opened their own mill a few years later, according to a history on the towns website.

In the early 1930s, brothers Grady and Oscar Johnson opened another peanut butter mill on the south end of town and named their company the Louis-Anne Peanut Butter Company after Gradys children, the website history said. The two peanut butter mills provided a giant economic boost to the Brundidge economy and sustained the town during the Great Depression. Grady Johnsons children were named Louis (known as Buddy) and Anise.

The Louis-Anne Peanut Butter Company was one of the first companies to market peanut butter directly to children. The companys logo featured two children known as the Peanut Butter Kids.

The logo gained fame for another reason.

Louis went on to distinguish himself in both the Canadian and United States Air Forces during World War II, historian Jaine Treadwell wrote. He was a fighter pilot and also a private pilot for Gen. Montgomery. As a reward for his bravery during a forced landing while the general was on board, Louis Johnson was given permission to choose a design to designate the generals plane. He chose the Louis-Anne logo.

After the war, Buddy Johnson went into the peanut butter business with his father.

Treadwell said he also designed Coca-Cola billboards.

Anise Johnson married Jeff Sorrell. Sorrell Chapel on the Troy University campus is named in memory of Anise, the peanut butter kid, Treadwell wrote.

Both Johnstons Mill and the Johnson brothers Louis-Anne Peanut Butter Co. were out of business by the 1960s.

Sessions Co. in Enterprise, Ala., makes a variety of peanut products. It manufactured peanut butter from the 1930s to the 1980s. Shown is a jar from the 1950s. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Is peanut butter still made in Alabama?

Another company was manufacturing peanut butter in the same period. About 30 miles away in Enterprise, Ala., Sessions Co. produced peanut butter for the retail market from about 1932 until 1985, according to company president Bill Ventress. Sessions still makes peanut products but not peanut butter.

Sessions peanut butter was marketed as School Day Peanut Butter, Pal Peanut Butter and Goldcraft. Pal was packaged in a tin pail like the one seen here.

Sessions Co. in Enterprise, Ala., makes a variety of peanut products, including School Day Peanut Butter. It manufactured peanut butter from the 1930s to the 1980s. Shown is a jar from the 1950s. Alabama Department of Archives and History

At least two companies still make peanut butter in Alabama, according to Kaye Lynn Hataway with the Alabama Peanut Producers Association.

They are: Golden Boy Foods (8th Avenue brand) in Troy and Medders Family Farm in Montevallo.

Brundidge museum and festival

Brundidge officials have preserved the original Johnston Mill building as a museum. The building on Church Street, shown above, is open by appointment and open to the public during the annual Peanut Butter Festival in October.

As many as 7,000 people attend the festival where visitors can indulge in all kinds of peanut butter treats as well as participate in some interesting peanut butter projects, Alabama Travel said. It also features a 5K Peanut Butter Run, live entertainment, games, a presentation on peanut researcher George Washington Carver, the Nutter Butter Parade and a recipe contest. Find information here.
Three years after authorities discovered thousands of dollars missing in a central Alabama county, the sheriff has handed the case to the state attorneys general following an inquiry from AL.com.

When state auditors examined the Autauga countys finances for fiscal year 2021, the commission told officials that $6,300 was missing from the engineers office. Auditors decided to investigate further and found more missing funds.

Our review of records in the Engineers Office indicated an additional $7,843.06 was collected but not deposited into the Commissions bank account between Oct. 26, 2020 and June 7, 2022, the report said.

The total of $14,000 missing is not insignificant for a county with a per capita income of $36,000.

The investigation by the Sheriffs Office and the County Commission is still ongoing to determine who should be held responsible for the missing money, the 2022 report added.

AL.com asked the county engineer about the missing funds this month and received an email from the county attorney stating the investigation was ongoing.

We are not in a position to comment on an ongoing criminal investigation, attorney Kyle C. Shirley said on behalf of the county in a May 13 email.

Im sorry that there is not more to say; however, we want to allow local law enforcement to conclude their investigation before any public comments are made, he added. I will say that when this issue was discovered, the Commission immediately worked with the Examiners of Public Accounts to modify policies to prevent there being an opportunity for any similar issues to occur.

But that did not answer why the investigation had been going on for nearly three years.

In a follow-up email, Shirley said the question was for the sheriffs office to answer.

That would be a question for law enforcement, he said. I cant speak for their methods and the time they take to investigate matters. The county immediately turned this matter over to them and cooperated fully with their investigation.

When AL.com asked Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell about the case, he said it was the first time he had heard about it.

Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Harrell from a pool of applicants after former Sheriff Joe Sedinger died. Harrell, who was sworn in in January 2023, was not in office when the investigation began and said AL.coms inquiry this month was the first time he was aware of it.

This happened before I was in office, he said on a May 14 phone call with AL.com. When I got the message from you, I said, let me pull this case file and see what this is about.

According to Harrell, the sheriffs office received the information about the missing funds on June 7, 2022, and investigators conducted multiple interviews, polygraph examinations and reviewed video surveillance footage before reporting their findings on Dec. 12, 2022.

They couldnt determine who got the money, where it came up missing or anything like that, he said. It was inconclusive as to who did it  it still remains open, but nothing was found as to exactly who did it."

The sheriff expressed bewilderment that the sheriffs office took on a county investigation rather than referring it to state investigators because of the appearance of a conflict of interest.

I dont understand the logic of a sheriffs office investigating a county agency within the county, he said.

If the County Commission came to me today about wanting to do an investigation. I would turn it over to the attorney generals office or the ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) because thats just what we do in law enforcement, the sheriff added.

Harrell said he has now sent the file to the Alabama attorney generals office for review.

I have contacted the attorney generals office in reference to this case and they will be doing an independent investigation on the missing money, Harrell said in an email on May 15. This is in (order) for me to stay independent in this investigation, as it should have been done from the beginning.

With the investigation being in the Attorney Generals Office I have full confidence that a resolution as to where these funds went will be handled properly for the citizens of Autauga County.
An employee of a nonprofit that helps resettle refugees in Alabama has lost her job after speaking out publicly against her employers decision to help resettle Afrikaners in the state.

Yasmeen Othman, a former employment specialist with Inspiritus, said she was fired on May 21 for speaking with AL.com for a story published the week before about the arrival of several families from South Africa in Alabama.

I feel like its disrespectful to the refugees that we are assisting and helping, that are running from violence and forced displacement, to be helping this population, she told AL.com in mid-May.

A week later Othman, 27, lost her job.

She said her employer told her it was because she violated policy by speaking to the media and because she had continued to try to convince her co-workers to resist the groups decision to help Afrikaners.

We do not comment publicly on personnel issues, said a spokesperson for Inspiritus when asked about the termination.

The Trump administration brought a group of 59 Afrikaners to the U.S. They did so after blocking thousands of refugees who had already been given permission to enter from other countries.

Instead of accepting such refugees, as the U.S. had historically done, President Donald Trump decided to allow only Afrikaners, a white minority group descended from European colonizers, to enter the country as refugees.

In mid-May, Trump stated that Afrikaners were victims of genocide in South Africa, a claim the countrys president has denied.

Afrikaners are descendants of Europeans who colonized South Africa and upheld the countrys brutal apartheid regime. They are an ethnic minority, and some claim they are now denied opportunities because of their race.

I dont think its just to have this group come in with special treatment, said Othman.(Refugees are) fleeing violence and displacement. For them to be put on pause and to let these individuals in, with no evidence of them going through genocide, (is wrong), she said.

Othman said she and her co-workers learned several weeks ago that Inspiritus had decided to resettle Afrikaners in Trumps new program. She said she immediately voiced her concerns to her higher ups.

It is unjust for us to no longer be serving actual refugees from around the world, many of whose lives are in danger, but instead only serving people who dont qualify as refugees, and have been given special treatment, she said she had told them.

While the Episcopalian Church decided not to help resettle the Afrikaners due to moral objections, and shuttered its decades-old resettlement efforts nationwide, Inspiritus  which is based in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee  opted to work with the administration.

We are mandated to serve all refugees, no matter how they arrive, Liz Kurtz, the Alabama refugee coordinator for Inspiritus, said earlier this month.

Othman said her employer told her that they had no choice but to participate in the program in hopes that Trump would allow other refugees to resume entering the U.S. She said she felt ethically obligated to share her criticisms with the media, and so she spoke with AL.com for an article. She then arranged two meetings with her peers at work.

They offered hollow justifications for not acting themselves, she said. One person said they were afraid that not helping Afrikaners would cause her to be accused of racism against her fellow white people, she said.

On May 21, Othman was fired. That day, she said a person with a local business stopped by the office and said they would like to hire Afrikaners but not non-English speaking refugees who they did not want to, babysit, Othman told AL.com.

She said she felt an ethical responsibility to speak up.

Unfortunately, people think that, you know, if you fight for the right thing, that means that nothing bad should happen to me. There should be no consequences. But unfortunately, thats not the case, she said. I would definitely do it again.

Update: This story was updated at 12:25 p.m. on Friday to say that 59 Afrikaners were brought to the U.S. in mid-May.
Jason Hamric, founder of Substrate Radio, has died. He was 53. This Is Alabama

Birmingham native Jason Hamric, a former guitarist for the indie rock band Three Finger Cowboy and founder of Substrate Radio, has died.

He was 53.

Hamric died on Wednesday morning, May 28, after an emergency hospitalization May 24 for a bacterial infection, said his wife, Jacklyn Loquidis.

He cared about everybody, Loquidis said. He loved everybody. He spent his life lifting people up around him and wanting them to be the best version of themselves.

Hamric, in a This is Alabama profile last year, was described as a mastering engineer, radio host, musician and a fervent advocate for the power of music to bridge gaps and foster unity.

Hamric started Substrate Radio in 2013 as an internet radio station and eventually moved his studio to the front window of the Saturn music club on 41st Street South in Avondale.

I really missed the college radio style format where you could kind of play whatever you want without being told what to play, Hamric told This Is Alabama. I just felt like we had a little hole, in America in general, for under-the-radar style music. I got the inspiration from BMR (Birmingham Mountain Radio), which started as an internet station, and they were so friendly and showed me how to get things going and helped me realize that it could actually be done. I really just felt the need to play different stuff. I mean, everybody wants to be a DJ, right?

Hamric was born Sept. 17, 1971, and graduated from Jefferson Christian Academy. He married Loquidis, host of The Jackie Lo Show on Substrate, on Aug. 15, 2001.

Loquidis said she met Hamric when they both worked at De Vincis Pizza in Homewood in May 2001. I was a server; he was a cook, she said.

Hamric had quit his job in information technology for a law firm to take the job making pizzas. His breadth of knowledge on a wide variety of subjects was impressive, Loquidis said.

He was an expert in a lot of fields, she said, and he shared his knowledge freely. He asked for nothing in return and happily loved doing it.

As a musician, Hamric was known for his work with Three Finger Cowboy, which formed in Birmingham in 1995 and was signed by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls to her Daemon Records label in 1998. Hamric was with the band when its first album, Kissed, was recorded in 1998. Although Hamric then stopped performing with the band, he co-produced and engineered the second album, Hooray for Love, in 1999, before the band dissolved in 2001.

Jason brought out the best in people, said Audrey Atkins, former director of community engagement at WBHM Radio. He was selfless.

The outpouring on social media has been overwhelming and revealed how many people he helped and how many lives he touched, Loquidis said. It has been really beautiful, everyone telling us all these nice stories, she said.

Birminghams creative scene has always had its champions, and Jason Hamric was one of the fiercest, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin posted on Facebook.

Through Substrate Radio, he lifted up voices that mightve gone unheard and gave our citys creatives a platform to be bold, original, and unapologetically themselves. He believed in this citys soul. And he poured his own into it. Birminghams music and arts scene wont be the same without him, but it will always carry his imprint. My thoughts are with his family, and everyone who loved him.
"Chrisley Knows Best" , from left to right, Todd Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, Julie Chrisley and Chase Chrisley attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Javits Center on Thursday, May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Julie and Todd Chrisley, stars of long running reality show Chrisley Knows Best, have been greenlit to appear in an untitled Lifetime show later this year after being pardoned Wednesday by President Donald Trump.

The pair were previously serving federal prison sentences after being convicted three years ago of bank fraud and tax evasion.

Prosecutors said they fraudulently obtained $36 million in bank loans and hid millions of dollars in income from their Chrisley Knows Best show to avoid paying federal taxes.

Last year, a federal judge ordered them to turn over nearly $30,000 that was in a trust fund in Alabama, according to court records.

The new program will revolve around the familys challenge of carrying on the Chrisley name and legacy on their own with only phone calls and brief visits with their incarcerated parents, according to a report from The Hill.

The multigenerational family will also be exposing the raw truth of their lives  past and present  and the reality is far different from what audiences have seen before, Lifetime told the publication.

Before she was pardoned, Julie Chrisley, 52, had been scheduled for release in January 2028, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, while Todd Chrisley, 56, was to remain behind bars until September 2032, AP News reports.

In a speech at last years Republican National Convention, Savannah said her parents sentencing was a form of persecution because of their public profile and conservative beliefs.

She added that it was an honor to her that her family had been dubbed the Trumps of the South.

She continued to show her support for Trump in a Wednesday interview where she could be spotted wearing a pink MAGA hat and matching Women for Trump jacket as she discusses her parents release.

I didnt have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and my convictions and fight for my parents, she told AP News.
Brandon Renfroe needed to raise $10,000 to help kids in Sumter County get meals on the weekends while theyre out of school.

He read an article last week saying that Mark Cuban, the billionaire businessman who starred on the reality TV series Shark Tank, reads all his emails. So Renfroe found three possible contacts for Cuban on Google and sent an email to each one.

I didnt really think wed hear back from him but I thought it was worth a shot, said Renfroe, a high school science teacher and adjunct education professor for the University of West Alabama.

In his email, Renfroe described how hard it is to fundraise for the Secret Meals program in Sumter County, one of the poorest counties in the state. He told the billionaire how just $10,000 could give kids meals throughout the school year.

Any help you could render  any help at all  would be tremendously appreciated, Renfroe wrote in the last line of the email.

Four days later, Renfroe received a call from Cubans chief financial officer, telling him that the Mark Cuban Foundation would send a check to the West Alabama Food Bank for $10,000, which is enough to fund secret meals for 72 students.

While getting his doctorate at UWA, Renfroe did his research on childhood food insecurity in the Black Belt. He administered the Household Food Security Survey created by the USDA to 742 students in 16 Black Belt high schools in 2021. Nearly a quarter of the students self-reported as experiencing food insecurity.

The research led Renfroe to volunteer with the West Alabama Food Bank and Sumter County Schools to help administer their Secret Meals program, which gives students who are food insecure meals on the weekends so they dont go hungry while away from school.

In his email, Renfroe told Cuban about his research, which found that students in the Black Belt suffer from hunger at a rate 11 times higher than the national average.

The West Alabama Food Bank calculated that it costs $140 to feed one child for every weekend during the school year.

When Sumter County Schools first began the program in the 2022 school year, they raised $3,000 to feed 21 kids. Every year since then, the program has grown  going from 50 kids in 2023 to 72 last year, which the donation will help match.

The program is coordinated by Heather Shambry, the Child Nutrition Program director at Sumter County Schools. In 2022, Shambry told AL.com that we wish we could give this to every kid, but it would cost about $165,000 to provide secret meals to all students in the district.

The Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children also pledged $5,000 a year over the next three years. Along with Cubans donation, Renfroe estimates that itll help the secret meals program sustain for the next two to three years.

Its just incredible and this will help so many kids, said Renfroe.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a former Mobile police officer following a 2024 wreck that left a motorcyclist dead.

The lawsuit names Roy Lee Adams Jr. and the City of Mobile as defendants. The complaint was filed by Rebecca Howard as personal representative estate of Sumner Howard.

On July 9, 2024, Sumner and Adams were involved in a wreck that occurred at about 11 p.m. as Adams was driving on Mobile Infirmary Boulevard toward Kenneth Street.

Adams pulled up to an intersection as the light was red but proceeded to turn on his emergency blue lights and go through the red light. Adams was going about 20 miles per hour.

Sumner was heading westbound on Old Shell Road and had a green light as he arrived at the intersection.

As Sumner was going through the light he crashed into the back of Adamss vehicle and would die several weeks later from his injuries.

The lawsuit alleges that Adams negligently operated a motor vehicle and proximately caused the death of Sumner.

Adams resigned from the Mobile Police Department in April prior to being charged with vehicular homicide. He turned himself into authorities in May.

The complaint states that the City of Mobile is liable for Adamss actions due to him being employed as a police officer.

The suit also accuses the city of negligently allowing an unfit Adams to operate a vehicle and claim his training and hiring were negligent.

Plaintiff, Rebecca Han Howard, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Sumner Han Howard, deceased, further alleges that the Defendant, City of Mobile through its Police Department, negligently and/or wantonly employed, trained and/or supervised the Defendant, Roy Lee Adams Jr., and as a result ultimately led to the actions that caused the death of Sumner Han Howard, the lawsuit states.

AL.com contacted the City of Mobile for comment but the citys media relations manager, Dale Liesch, said they do not comment on pending litigation.

Rebecca demands a trial by a struck jury and seeks punitive damages as provided by wrongful death claims under Alabama law.
Kennedi Lowe, a student at Florida A&M University, was at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to discuss a new entrepreneurship initiative from the Birmingham-based 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth. Contributed

A Birmingham-based non-profit organization is gathering college entrepreneurs from several institutions to launch a national mentorship initiative.

Leaders with the 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth gathered recently at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to announce its Public Policy iLab.

The 2150 Center was launched by Miles College last year as a business and innovation collaborative designed to expand to institutions around the country. Miles is a private liberal arts college in Fairfield, just west of Birmingham.

This iLab model convenes and curates the best and brightest minds to problem solve and build businesses, said Erskine Chuck Faush, CEO of the 2150 Center.

The new iLab initiative includes students from Miles College, Florida A&M University, Johnson C. Smith University and Jackson State University. The goal is to engage institutions, students and professionals in the latest innovation to encourage entrepreneurship.

The goal is to make mentorship more scalable, personalized, and accessible across campuses.

The 2150 Center is also partnering with the mentorship initiative MentorPro, a mobile-first technology platform that connects students and early entrepreneurs with real-time, interest-aligned seasoned mentors.

With these amazing institutions and through partnership with MentorPro, were creating a framework where students can engage directly with leaders, build relationships, and help design the systems they want to champion, said Miles College Provost Tonya Perry.

Ultimately, the iLab initiative seeks to grow innovation through mentorship, collaboration and pairing entrepreneurs with resources and investors.

Organizers said additional iLabs are planned to focus on manufacturing, artificial intelligence, health and energy sectors.
Genevieve Chenneour was left with concussion after attempting to stop a teenage thief who stole her mobile phone,

Genevieve Chenneour was left with concussion after attempting to stop a teenage thief who stole her mobile phone

The 30-year-old star, best known for appearing in season three of Bridgerton as Clara Livingston, was targeted during a visit to Joe The Juice in Kensington, south-west London.

According to a court report by The Sun, the incident occurred in February when Zacariah Boulares, 18, snatched Genevieves phone while she was seated in the cafe.

As she tried to prevent him from fleeing, Boulares physically assaulted another customer who intervened to help.

Genevieve told a court she sustained a concussion during the incident and added that even her dog was traumatised.

Boulares appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday (28.05.25), where he pleaded guilty to the theft of Genevieves phone.

He also admitted a charge of common assault against Carlo Kurcishi, a customer who attempted to assist during the altercation.

According to court documents, Boulares punched and kicked Carlo during the struggle.

He further pleaded guilty to a separate theft  the stealing of a black leather handbag from a diner at a pizza restaurant.

The court was told Boulares, an Algerian national, has 12 previous convictions linked to 28 separate offences, all involving theft.

Magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing, which is scheduled for 17 June at Isleworth Crown Court.

Genevieve has also appeared in the historical film 1242: Gateway to the West.

In addition to her acting career, she is a former professional athlete, having represented Team GB in artistic swimming at the Baku 2015 European Games.

Speaking about the attack, Genevieve said: Even my dog was traumatised.

She added: I was left with a concussion. It was completely unexpected and extremely frightening.

The court heard Boulares thefts took place in public venues and that he had a persistent record of similar crimes.
Mac Underwood, a former longtime general manager of the Birmingham Water Works Board, was unanimously reappointed to the position Feb. 26, 2025. Roy S. Johnson/AL.com

Two of the highest paid officials at the Birmingham Water Works also have second jobs in the same rural west Alabama county nearly 90 miles away.

In February, Mac Underwood returned to the water works as its general manager, a position that pays him $446,118 a year. And since then, he has continued working as the chief financial officer for Greene County.

When I started this position, Greene County approved remote computer access to perform job functions, Underwood told AL.com. I visit county offices weekly to gather financial information and work from home. I also attend monthly commission meetings at 5 p.m.

Underwood said he does his job for the water works during the day and also completes 30-35 hours of work each week for Greene County in the evenings and on weekends.

Underwoods earlier contract with Greene County in fiscal 2020-2021 paid him $7,000 a month, according to the Greene County Democrat newspaper.

Since then, his salary has increased with regular employee raises. Underwood Wednesday said Greene County pays him nearly $53 an hour. That amount annualizes to $110,240 a year.

Underwoods tenure in Greene County finally ends this week with his resignation  three months after he returned to his old position as general manager of the water works.

Underwood gave his resignation to the commission in March, according to the Greene County Democrat. But his departure takes effect on May 31 - Saturday.

Underwood told AL.com that the former water works board was aware of his dual employment.

The previous board understood I had an ongoing position to close out, he said.

The former water works board was kicked out this month under a new state law that changed the utilitys leadership.

In one of their final acts, the old board approved a massive contract and a new position for their longtime lawyer Mark Parnell.

And it turns out Parnell also works in Greene County - with Underwood.

In addition to representing the Birmingham Water Works Board, Parnell and his firm Parnell and Thompson, represent the rural county thats home to more than 7,000 people in west Alabama.

Under his new contract with the water works, Parnell is now the deputy general manager and general counsel.

Parnells water works contract pays him a base of $660,000 a year for five years. It also gives him a $1,000 vehicle allowance and immediate participation in the utilitys pension plan.

Mark Parnell, Birmingham Water Works deputy general manager and general counsel, presents before the newly seated regional board. Joseph D. Bryant

Parnells contract and its generous provisions have garnered the attention of observers and new members of the water works board.

Parnells contract includes a provision that allows him to engage in other employment or contractual activities outside those of the board. However, that outside work must be approved by Underwood, who is currently both his supervisor at the water works and his co-worker in Greene County.

Nevertheless, Parnell has told AL.com that he would not maintain his private practice or his role in Greene County.

Im actively reducing my caseload and other responsibilities during this period of transition and that includes this and other clients, Parnell told AL.com.

Parnell did not say whether he had submitted a resignation to Greene County or when he would end his association with them.

Parnell said his affiliation with Greene County has no bearing on his work at the water works.

Greene County is in the western part of the state of Alabama. They have no interaction with the Birmingham Water Works Board so there is no conflict of interest, he said. Representing numerous clients, both public and private, does not diminish the effectiveness of my legal representation.

Likewise, Underwood said his work with Greene County does not conflict with his role as manager of the water works.

The BWWB doesnt provide any service in Greene County, he said. Greene County only serves county residents. Therefore, theres no conflict of interest.

Parnell and Underwood have a long professional association going back to when Underwood first served as the water works general manager and Parnell represented the utility.

The two reconnected professionally in April 2021 when the Greene County Commission dismissed its longtime lawyer, former state Sen. Hank Sanders, and hired Parnell.

Underwood was also invited to participate as the commission interviewed his former water works colleague for the job, according to a story in the Greene County Democrat.

Public moonlighting by Underwood and Parnell might not violate ethics laws, but at the very least represents bad policy, said Jim Sumner, the retired longtime director of the Alabama Ethics Commission.

I dont know that I see anything thats going to be violative of the statue, Sumner told AL.com. They seem to just be inside the lines, but it certainly gets right up to it.

Sumner said a direct violation of state ethics laws would be evident if both men were publicly elected officials receiving dual salaries, but neither is in an elected seat and serve as staff members in different communities.

But it has all the appearance of impropriety, and it is questionable if the publics interest is being served, he said.
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, announced Wednesday he will not seek to replace Tommy Tuberville in the U.S. Senate.

After prayerful thought and consideration, I have decided that the best way I can serve Alabama is to remain in the United States House of Representatives, Strong said. For that reason, I will be seeking re-election to Congress in 2026 and no other office. Representing north Alabama in Washington has been the most rewarding experience in my career of public service. I truly believe I am where the Lord wants me, and I want to continue to represent my community.

Strong will be seeking a third term as the 5th Congressional District representative after replacing former Rep. Mo Brooks, who stepped down to run for the Senate seat vacated by the retirement of longtime U.S. Richard Shelby in 2022 in a race won by current U.S. Sen. Katie Britt.

Strong, like Tuberville, has been a strong supporter of Pres. Donald Trump since stepping down as Madison County Commission chairman to run for Congress.

Tuberville is vacating his seat in the Senate to run for governor.
A new review by congressional auditors finds U.S. Space Command is struggling with hiring and headquarters construction almost 18 months after it declared itself operationally ready.

It also calls into question the Air Forces claim that moving the headquarters to Redstone Arsenal would result in hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings  a key justification that has been seized on by Alabama politicians in recent years.

The report by the Government Accountability Office is the latest in a series of reviews of a 2023 decision by former President Joe Biden to locate the new commands permanent headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., where it had been temporarily housed. That choice came despite the U.S. Air Force naming Redstone Arsenal as the preferred location in 2021 following a lengthy selection process.

Since then, politicians from Colorado and Alabama have sparred over the proper location. Just this year, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Dale Strong of Huntsville called on President Donald Trump to immediately proceed to establish its permanent headquarters at Redstone. Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a joint resolution in support as well.

The report released Thursday by the Government Accountability Office finds Space Commands headquarters operates out of four facilities in Colorado Springs, Colo.  only two of which are on secure military installations  and remains well short of its civilian staffing needs.

Officials told us  the Command requires military construction of a permanent, purpose-built facility that is better suited to meet its unique power, information technology, square footage, and security needs, auditors wrote.

Due to the struggles with staffing and delays in construction, auditors wrote in the new report, Space Commands current command posture is not sustainable long-term.

Auditors attributed the delays in headquarters construction in part to a provision U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabamas 3rd Congressional District added to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act that halted money on Space Commands headquarters pending the outcome of two reviews: this one and one by the Pentagons Inspector General.

The halt has since lapsed, but as of March, Space Command officials told GAO auditors, there were, no updates on funding for headquarters construction in Colorado Springs.

Rogers said in an emailed statement that the report yet again affirms that Huntsville is the best location for Space Command headquarters. He accused Biden of putting political concerns ahead of national security.

This blatant interference and politization of a critical decision on national security would cost the taxpayer over $420 million, Rogers said. President Trump chose the best location for SPACECOM headquarters. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to rectify yet another one of Bidens national security blunders.

Republican Rep. Jeff Crank of Colorado Springs posted on X, The release of todays GAO Report is clear: Colorado Springs is the best home for U.S. Space Commands headquarters. Continued efforts to move the headquarters only hurts our national security.

In a statement to AL.com, Strong pointed out that the GAO report highlights, inadequate and dispersed facilities, staffing shortages, and outdated infrastructure in and around Peterson Space Force Base.

Keeping the headquarters in Colorado Springs is projected to cost the taxpayer $426 million more than it would to transition to Huntsville, he said. Its time to move forward with whats best for national security and bring U.S. Space Command Headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama.

The latest re-evaluation of the selection of a permanent headquarters for the U.S. militarys newest combatant command reveals a handful of new details in the yearslong process. But it does not resolve the central conflict over cost vs. readiness, with the Air Force emphasizing the former in preferring Redstone Arsenal and Space Command the latter in preferring Colorado Springs.

While the new report reiterates that the U.S. Air Forces recommendation the command be moved to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama is largely justified by the services own selection criteria, it offers new details that auditors say call into question the validity of the Air Forces conclusions.

A key sticking point  the disagreement between the Air Force and Space Command over how strongly to weigh costs vs. interruption of readiness  remains unresolved in part because a consultant hired by the Air Force to study the matter did not sufficiently document the process by which it arrived at $426 million in estimated cost savings by moving the command to Redstone.

GAO auditors noted the Air Force itself assigned a confidence level to the cost savings of just 5%, which they called, a low level of confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the estimate. As a result, the GAO report stated, some of the cost benefits the Air Force attributed to a move to Redstone were not rooted in complete or reliable analysis.

The GAOs review is the second of two requested by Rogers, who chairs the House Armed Services Committee. Last year, he asked the GAO and the Department of Defense Inspector General to investigate the siting decision.

In April, the Pentagons IG report revealed concerns at the highest levels of Space Command that up to a thousand crucial civilian employees would refuse to relocate from Colorado to Alabama if the headquarters were to be moved to Redstone Arsenal.

The GAO report, in turn, points to Space Commands continued problems in hiring civilian staffers, which are expected to make up 60% of overall command staff. As of October, Space Command had filled just 1,024 of 1,379 authorized positions, including 576 of 809 government civilian positions.

The challenge arose due to uncertainty regarding the Commands final location and the complexities of hiring government civilians over the more straightforward process of assigning military personnel, auditors wrote.

About 380 temporary contractor personnel have been working for Space Command in Colorado Springs since it reached full operational capacity in December 2023.

Space Command is the unified combat command for military space operations. The U.S. Space Force trains and equips most forces under Space Command, though the latter includes small elements from the other service branches.

Space Command is charged with defending space and delivering space capabilities to joint and combined U.S. and allied forces. Locating the command in Huntsville would bring at least 1,600 new jobs, AL.com has reported.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall with Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., left, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y.,right, speaks at a press conference Monday, May 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah) AP

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall ended months of speculation on Thursday and said he would run for the U.S. Senate, the seat now held by Tommy Tuberville, who announced Tuesday he was running for governor.

Right now, the nation needs strong conservative leadership, somebody thats going to be able to advance President Trumps agenda, Marshall said in an interview with the Washington Examiner.

And the work that Ive done as attorney general, I think, makes it abundantly clear that Im willing to fight the right battles and to be effective in doing it, and look forward to being able to take that to the Senate.

Marshall is in his second full term as attorney general and could not seek a third.

The attorney general had said during an interview on Alabama Public Televisions Capitol Journal in March that he would be ready to make a quick decision on the Senate race if Tuberville decided to run for governor.

Next years primary is May 19, 2026.

Marshall becomes the second Republican in the race.

Jared Hudson, a former Navy Seal who ran for Jefferson County sheriff in 2022, announced his candidacy Wednesday.

During Marshalls more than eight years as attorney general, he has regularly joined other Republican AGs in federal court cases supporting the policies of President Trump and opposing those of Joe Biden.

Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Marshall as attorney general in 2017.

Marshall replaced Luther Strange, who left the AGs job to accept Bentleys appointment to the U.S. Senate.

Strange replaced Jeff Sessions, who had left the Senate to become attorney general for President Trump during Trumps first term.

Marshall was elected to a full term as attorney general in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

Before becoming AG, he had been the district attorney in Marshall County since 2001.

Marshall was once considered a potential candidate for governor next year. But he ruled that out December.

On Wednesday, one day before his announcement, Marshall told reporters in Montgomery that he was still making up his mind. He said he was only considering the Senate race.

The question is whether or not there is broad-based support around the state for a run for me for Senate, and were having conversations right now, Marshall said.

As attorney general, Marshall has advocated for law enforcement and for crime victims.

He has defended the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles after AL.coms reporting about the boards low rate of granting paroles and its decision-making.

Marshall has been an advocate for Alabamas death death penalty, including the development of executions with nitrogen gas, the first state to use the method.

In February, Marshall opposed Gov. Kay Iveys decision to commute the death sentence of Robin Rocky Dion Myers to life without parole.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.
This is a guest opinion column

For the past four months, legislators met in Montgomery to address issues that affect Alabamians every day. Lawmakers brought back a handful of victories to their districts  policies that will directly impact their neighbors quality of life and shape their communities for years to come. They also returned with a litany of accomplishments that will sustain the vitality and future development of our state as a whole.

Its not an easy job  in my 20 years on the floor of the house and senate, the biggest challenges came from competing interests, complex problems and a ticking clock. Multifaceted issues call for consequential decisions that can obfuscate the makings of even the best legislative session. And yet this was a very successful session for our state leaders. Most importantly, many of the bills passed this session will help build a stronger, safer state.

As lawmakers gaveled in on February 5, a surge in violent crime was chief among the challenges they faced. However, by sine die, the state had an actionable, cross-agency plan ready to tackle crime and support our law enforcement officers through partnerships at the state, local and federal levels.

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles was proud to be a part of this plan. Every day, the Bureaus APOSTC certified state law enforcement officers do what needs to be done to keep Alabama safe. This includes serving on the states metro crime suppression unit. This unit brought to bear the full force of state and local law enforcement in Montgomery. Thanks to the work of Speaker Ledbetter, Senate President Pro Tem Gudger, Chairman Reynolds and Governor Ivey, it has funding needed to expand to other cities in Alabama.

According to ALEAs spring report, MACS unit arrested 266 individuals on various charges, recovered 51 stolen vehicles, seized 195 firearms, and they have seized a total of 103 machine gun conversion devices, known as switches. June marks the one-year anniversary of this joint operation, and we can expect more good news that speaks to the units success.

Alabamas leaders also entrusted Bureau officers to address violent youth offenders who would be charged with Class A or B felonies, if adults, through use of our advanced technology and monitoring. Representative Travis Hendrix, a fellow member of the law enforcement community, advanced a bill to allow the Bureau to partner with other agencies to electronically monitor dangerous delinquent juveniles out on bond and awaiting trial. This is another tool that will help keep our communities safer by complementing the efforts of police departments and serving as a force-multiplier and violence interrupter.

Similarly, Senator Givhan and Judge Hill sponsored legislation streamlining the process for the Bureau to share real-time GPS location data with other state, local or federal law enforcement agencies during active investigations. This will eliminate delays in data sharing amid urgent matters where every second counts. It was a short but critical bill to clear up code that could stall real life cases in Alabama.

Of course, being tough on crime means being smart on crime. At the Bureau, we do that through advanced supervision and implementation of strategies that reduce recidivism. Unemployment is one of the key drivers of recidivism, and the best ways to keep formerly incarcerated Alabamians from returning to prison is through job training, career placement and partnership with Alabamas job creators. This  coupled with substance use treatment and counseling  gives parolees the best chance to live a fruitful life after prison.

Representative Parker Moore and Senator Rodger Smitherman led a bipartisan occupational licensing reform effort this session. Their bill, SB138, cuts red tape and allows job creators to hire these highly-skilled, low-risk offenders without interference from unelected bureaucrats on licensing boards. The Free to Work Package prohibits licensing boards from automatically disqualifying applicants with a criminal record whose offense is neither violent, of a sexual nature nor applies to the profession.

The boards dont have to approve a license but must consider the applicant if they have been screened by the Bureau and received a Certificate of Employability from our agency. Businesses have full discretion over their decision to hire these individuals, and those that do will be released from legal liability for their decision  protecting them from frivolous lawsuits.

Its a win-win that puts power back in the hands of Alabamas job creators and opens the doors of opportunity for people who are willing and ready to work  especially those seeking in-demand and hard-to-fill roles that offer great salaries and benefits to employees.

The legislatures successful efforts to Back the Blue this session came from their sincere support for our law enforcement officers. Thats important for the Bureau as APOSTC law enforcement professionals account for well over half of our personnel. To finally and fully codify ABPP officers as state law enforcement  a classification theyve always been with authority and powers theyve always had, Representative Jerry Starnes  a former parole officer  and Senator Clyde Chambliss sponsored a bill to fix antiquated code in the Alabama Constitution. With a few lines of text, Rep. Starnes and Sen. Chambliss provided a boost to morale for hundreds of our officers by ensuring we support them just as they support us.

On behalf of the officers and staff at the Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles, we commend our state lawmakers for their hard work. Thank you for supporting the Bureaus mission and putting our officers in the best position possible to keep Alabamas communities safe. We look forward to continuing our work with partners from both the public and private sectors to offer training, education and opportunities that set up formerly incarcerated Alabamians for success in life after prison. Our philosophy echoes that of President Trump: real opportunities for those with criminal records  whether its good-paying jobs or access to treatment  lead to better outcomes, more prosperous communities and a safer state by lowering recidivism, or the chance of someone coming out of prison to reoffend.

Cam Ward is director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles.
Dakarai Larriett, a business owner, Birmingham native, and University of Alabama graduate, is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Larriett is one of three Democratic candidates for the seat held by Republican Tommy Tuberville.

The others are Kyle Sweetser, a businessman from Mobile, and Mark Wheeler, a Heflin native and graduate of Jacksonville State University.

Tuberville announced Tuesday that he would run for governor instead of seeking another term in the Senate.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall launched his campaign for the Republican nomination for the Senate on Thursday.

Jared Hudson, a former Navy Seal who ran for sheriff of Jefferson County in 2022, is also seeking the Republican nomination.

Larriett, a first-time candidate, talked about education, job opportunities, free speech, and HBCUs at a Tide Against Trump event hosted by College Democrats at the University of Alabama on May 11.

Larriett said when he graduated from UA in 2004, he found that opportunities were limited and moved out of state to state his career.

Ive been speaking to my future constituents up and down the state about what matters to them, Larriett said. And I guess you can guess what I keep hearing. Education and the economy. Theyre so intertwined.

These are the concerns that keep them up at night.

Larriett said he operates a pet care business and is a driver for meals on wheels.

Larriett said he was born at UAB hospital and graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts. His parents were graduates of Alabama State University and his father was in the Army.

In an interview on the Gary Richardson Morning Show on WJLD radio, Larriett said he was inspired to run for the Senate after he said he was wrongly arrested for DUI in Michigan last year.

Larriett said the charge was eventually dropped but that the process showed him the need for changes.

We have to have due process, Larriett said. And we have to have a justice system that works for everyone.

And I am so anxious to champion this cause. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to experience due process.

Weve really got to think about how we stop individuals and those interactions with the police and that theyre fair and equitable.

Democrats have won only one statewide race in Alabama since 2008. That was Doug Jones win over Roy Moore in the 2017 special election for the Senate. Jones lost to Tuberville three years later.

Ive always said you have to dream big. And I strongly believe that there are the votes out there, Larriett said. We did this in 2017.

The votes exist for people who want leaders that they can be proud of. Leaders that will fight for the right thing and not get tied up in partisan games.

The primary is May 19, 2026.
This is an opinion cartoon.

A not-so-politically correct but near perfect snarky remark put an end to this goobernatorial caption contest before it started.

Tommy Tuberville officially announced on Tuesday that he is running for governor of Alabama. Thats no surprise. I have been dealing with a family emergency the last several days and sadly wasnt prepared to roll out a toon for Tubbys announcement.

But I did think this news would make for a good caption contest for my weekly newsletter, Crowe Jam. And I was right.

As I was putting together the newsletter late Tuesday night, a legendary Crowe Jammer captioneer sent me a simple message with a near perfect caption for the make-shift cartoon I was cobbling:

From Meemaw to Hee Haw. - David Morris

Drop the digital caption mic, dude. You win.

JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group and AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @jdcrowe@al.com.
The No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners play against the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers in the Womens College World Series today. The matchup will begin at 1:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Sooners enter this matchup with a 50-7 record, and they have won seven consecutive games. In their Super Regional, Oklahoma defeated Alabama in two games.

In order to win todays game, the Sooners will need great performances from their star players Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering. Both players have a batting average above .400, and they have combined for 105 RBI. If they continue to find offensive success this afternoon, then Oklahoma will be a difficult team to beat.

The Volunteers enter this matchup with a 45-15 record, and they are coming off a three-game series win against Nebraska in their Super Regional.

In order to defeat Oklahoma today, the Volunteers will need to rely on their star player Taylor Pannell. She currently leads the team with a .391 batting average.

Fans can watch the Womens College World Series for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
 Strategic partnership marks the first contract under FSMs global advisory initiative with many more to follow

 SEP is one of the fastest growing K-12 regional school operators with a portfolio comprising 4 schools across KSA and a combined capacity surpassing 10000 students

 FSM will provide an agreed list of services to ensure GEMS standards are delivered across SEPs GEMS-branded schools

 GEMS-branded schools will implement its renowned educational expertise outside the UAE in the region and worldwide

First School Management (FSM) the schools advisory initiative by GEMS Education has signed its first intellectual property agreement with Spark Education Platform (SEP) to launch the GEMS brand in selected schools in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

SEP is one of the fastest growing K-12 regional school operators. Its portfolio comprises four schools with a capacity surpassing 10000 students and targeting to grow to over 20 schools with 20000 enrolled students spreading across KSA and the GCC over the coming five years.

It is owned by the Saudi Education Fund (SEF) which is managed by EFG Hermes an EFG Holding company and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The partnership represents an important step in FSMs mission to share GEMS Educations 66 years of expertise in delivering outstanding educational outcomes to around half a million students worldwide who have graduated from its schools.

As part of the long-term contract FSM will provide a focused suite of services under a licensing arrangement to support SEPs operatorship of the GEMS-branded schools. The implementation of these services will play a crucial role in ensuring that the new schools adhere to the high standards synonymous with GEMS Education and safeguarding its long-standing global reputation.

Sunny Varkey Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education and the Varkey Foundation said: Our vision has always been to make world-class education accessible to as many students as possible. The launch of First School Management is a natural extension of this commitment and this partnership with Spark Education Platform is the first of many. We are seeing strong global demand for our expertise and are excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to support schools in delivering outstanding education in diverse international contexts.

Karim Moussa Co-CEO of EFG Hermes an EFG Holding company expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration commenting: After our great success story in Egypt I am honored to expand our partnership with First School Management into Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as key GCC markets with significant demand for new high-quality K-12 education capacities.

Ahmed Wahby CEO of Spark Education Platform (SEP) said: This partnership with First School Management and GEMS Education marks an exciting milestone in our mission to redefine educational excellence in Saudi Arabia Bahrain and beyond.

By leveraging our expertise and GEMS Educations global reputation we are committed to delivering world-class learning experiences that empower students inspire innovation and elevate educational standards across the region. Together we are not just building and transforming schools  we are shaping a brighter future of education."

The framework agreement between FSM and SEP reflects a shared commitment to excellence in education. It marks just the beginning of GEMS broader efforts to bring First School Management expertise to schools worldwide.

FSM which launched in November 2024 is built upon the core values that have made GEMS Education a global leader in education. FSM mobilises multi-disciplinary teams of experts who provide hands-on support to schools helping them navigate challenges and achieve operational success.

By combining international best practices with locally relevant strategies FSM ensures that partner schools benefit from a wealth of knowledge gained over decades of experience from the family-run group which was originated by two teachers and now teaches 200000 students worldwide every day.










English News Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 29 Mai 2025



China is committed to contributing stability and positive energy to the world. It remains steadfast in working with all countries to promote global economic stability and growth, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and achieve common development through mutually beneficial cooperation.

By He Yin, People's Daily "China has been and will remain an ideal, secure and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future."



This message, delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent reply to a letter from the founder of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, reaffirms the country's unwavering commitment to high-level opening up and its warm welcome to multinationals seeking deeper engagement in the Chinese market.



Despite the current global turbulence and the resurgence of unilateralism and protectionism, the international community is still believing and investing in China. The overarching trend of peace, development, and win-win cooperation is unstoppable.



That confidence is rooted in China's steady progress toward high-quality development.



With a vast market and inclusive economy, China offers expansive development space and boundless vitality. In the first quarter of 2025, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.4 percent year on year, reinforcing economic stability while paving new paths for advancement.



During the same period, the value-added output of China's high-tech manufacturing above the designated size increased by 9.7 percent year on year, and that of digital product manufacturing rose by 10.2 percent. Innovation continues to unleash economic potential, bolstering China's global appeal.



As several leaders of major multinationals have publicly stated, China is not only a significant market but also a hub of global innovation. They believe missing the Chinese market would represent a tremendous setback, and engaging with China means engaging with opportunity. These affirmations underscore the boundless prospects driven by China's high-quality development and the enduring commitment of global enterprises to cooperation with China.

That confidence also comes from China's consistent openness and inclusiveness.



Effective June 1, 2025, China will expand its visa-free access to also include citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay. From visa facilitation to immediate tax refunds for departing visitors, China remains committed to high-level opening up with new measures to streamline cross-border exchanges.



During this year's May Day holiday, the number of foreign entries and exits increased by 43.1 percent compared to the same period last year, and inbound tourism spending rose by approximately 90 percent year on year. The popularity of "China travel" and "shopping in China" continues to climb.



Antonio Miguel Carmona, president of the Spain-China Friendship Association, remarked that the continuous optimization of visa policies is a significant marker of China's proactive approach to openness, showcasing the country's confident, open, and inclusive image.



China's pursuit of win-win cooperation also underpins international trust.



Despite headwinds and undertows in economic globalization, China remains a firm advocate of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The country actively advances bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, while also working to strengthen international macroeconomic policy coordination. Together with global partners, China strives to create a favorable international environment for development and cultivate new drivers of global growth.



Under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, China and Latin America and Caribbean countries have implemented more than 200 infrastructure projects, creating over a millions jobs.



In 2024, trade between China and ASEAN exceeded $980 billion, making them each other's largest trading partner for five consecutive years.



China-Europe investment cooperation has evolved into a "two-way expressway." By the end of 2024, companies in European Union countries had invested over $150 billion in China, and China's cumulative direct investment in Europe had reached nearly $110 billion.



With an open stance, China continues to embrace the world in pursuit of mutually beneficial cooperation.



In his letter to Xi, Simon Lichtenberg, the all China founding chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, wrote that people with vision in the world will eventually understand that choosing China is choosing the future -- a sentiment that encapsulates the consensus of the international community.



China is committed to contributing stability and positive energy to the world. It remains steadfast in working with all countries to promote global economic stability and growth, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and achieve common development through mutually beneficial cooperation.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Low-altitude economy lifts off as Chinese automakers enter the eVTOL era China expands efforts to boost global e-commerce cooperation Legacy of Tea-Horse Road lives on at China-Laos border Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Channel 4 are reportedly making a documentary about the death of Jay Slater.

Channel 4 are 'working on Jay Slater documentary'

The broadcaster is said to be working with the late Brit's family and a team of TV producers with experience in similar programmes.

Slater died aged 19 in July 2024 on holiday in Tenerife, and his loved ones want to find out what happened to him in the hours before his death.

A source told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: "The team will be given incredible access to the family as they go on the hunt for hard facts about what happened and possibly pursue justice for the teenager.

That included permission to film at his funeral, as well as conducting interviews with Jays loved ones.

"The hope is that in highlighting their plight and battle, it might help with their search for the truth."

Slater's relatives will work alongside Candour Productions, the studio behind Channel 5's 'Cause of Death' show focused on complex inquests.

The insider added: Producers also want to dismiss and broach some of the many online theories and gossip that accompanied news of his death and see how the family have coped in the face of such torment.

The documentary will also follow Slater's family as they mourn the death of the teenage, and continue their journey of grief.

Slater was attending a music festival on the Spanish Canary Island, and there has been an inquest into his death.

Last week, a coroner adjourned proceedings to give the police a chance to search for key witnesses who may have information around his death.

According to a postmortem after his body was discovered, Slater suffered "traumatic head injuries, consistent with a fall from height.

However, his final hours - and the cause of his injuries - are still a mystery.
Since your derogatory May 13 article about me (The Counterproductive Move To Consolidate Conservative Media) suggested you admired my journalism bona fides (I think hes an excellent reporter), Id like to show you why I believe you have a journalistic obligation to retract that article.

At the outset, let me say I vigorously support the right of someone to hold an opinion and to publish it. I am not trying to silence your opinion, even if I disagree with it. But even opinion journalists are held to a standard of professionalism. Reporting uncorroborated rumors is not one of them. But seeking comment from those who are criticized is one. The SPJ Code of Ethics makes these two points clearly. Verify information before releasing it. and Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing, SPJ declares.

If the SPJ is too woke or too legacy media for you, allow me to apply the standards of your own publication. Two years ago you published a piece from David Zukerman that rightfully took The Wall Street Journal opinion writer Peggy Noonan to task for using the uncorroborated Steele Dossier to make her editorial points while failing to provide the readers evidence that the dossier and the specific elements she cited in her article were demonstrably false. Your publication declared eloquently that the opinion writers failure to critically analyze information that [runs] counter to her anti-Trump bias questions her own standing as a serious journalist.

YouTube screen grab (cropped).

I would like to make the case that your article about me fails the same test your publication applied to Noonan.

First, you admit at the outset to publishing uncorroborated rumors. (Your own words: assuming the rumors are true.) One of those rumors you chose to report without checking is that according to what Ive heard that the company Mark Meckler and I am seeking to build is raising money from donors sympathetic to the vision of the Republican Party that Liz Cheney, Mike Pence, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney espouse.

This statement is demonstrably false and laughable. I spent two years exposing the role Liz Cheney played in crafting a false Jan. 6 narrative. I can state unequivocally and can demonstrate in a court of law that we have no donors inside our company. We are only seeking qualified investors. And none of the investors we are working with has ANY connection to Cheney, Ryan, Romney or Mike Pence.

But dont take my word for it. I asked the investment company helping to form our venture, SPRian, for comment since you chose not to do so. Heres what it said. It has been rumored that this is some Bushy, Cheneyesque RHINO venture. This is ridiculous on its face. Solomon single-handled chronicled the Bush administrations failures in preventing the 9-11 attacks and Liz Cheneys role in fostering false narratives in Congress about Jan. 6. Meckler was one of the founders of the ultra-conservative Tea Party Movement and now leads the Convention of States Project. Both of these guys have long track records that are clearly not as described by parties smearing them in some sort of pre-planned takedown.

Verdict: Noonan test failed. SPJ test failed.

Secondly you stated that if you look at Solomons history it shows a man with a vision that he pursues relentlessly but no matter how much money or authority he gets he never fulfills that vision. Later, you stated that I had never achieved my goal and never fulfilled my vision. Specifically you cited my tenure at The Washington Times and declared, as fact, that I pushed a vision allegedly at great expense only to see that implementation fall apart. Oddly, for a conservative site you cite as a source for this information the left-leaning Columbia Journalism Review. I say oddly because your own publication blistered the Columbia Journalism Review for being a laughable journalism watchdog.

But setting aside your choice of sourcing, your story demonstrably omitted critical information. You cite one 2011 CJR article critical of me and then inexplicably ignore the fact that the Times asked me to return in 2013 and that in 2015 it announced that for the first time in its 30 years and after $1 billion in losses the newspaper had reached profitability. This announcement could not be hard to find. It shows up in a simple Google search and in the Times Wikipedia page. And The Associated Press wrote about it too. These omissions are even more glaring than the ones the Thinker slammed Noonan for.

Most importantly, you dont transform a chronically indebted newspaper to profitability by spending recklessly or abandoning your vision. If you need further convincing, I am glad to connect you to the leadership of the Washington Times to confirm. I didnt fail. I succeeded along with the rest of the members of the leadership team on our mission to make TWT profitable. This is demonstrably easy to show. You are simply wrong on the facts.

Verdict: Noonan test failed. SPJ test failed.

You also cite my time at Circa as a suggested failure. For the record, I was there for one year only -- 2016 - just to help get it started and to install a millennial leadership team to run it. I then went to The Hill, where I helped create the Hill TV division and its morning show, one which still runs today and which was at the heart of The Hills $130 million sale to Nexstar.

I refer you to the SBG annual and quarterly shareholder reports for 2016. If you bothered to look at them you would see they reported extremely positively about Circas first-year performance under my leadership. For instance, the year-end report for 2016 boasted handsomely: The response to Circa has been so successful that in just over six months since its launch, Circa has more social media followers than many established online millennial-focused news sites.

Blaming me for something that happened after I left is like blaming Donald Trump and his first term for the illegal migrants who came in under Bidens policy changes.

Verdict: Noonan test failed. SPJ test failed.

These falsehoods were easily avoidable. Simple fair comment or a few minutes more research would have saved you from glaring omissions that fail your own (and SPJs) standard of excellence.

I renew my request for a retraction.
Well, its been five years since the Saint George Floyd incident, and what have we learned? What has been done?

I wont bother to rehash who and what Saint George was -- that is readily available to anyone who cares to look. Suffice to say, the narrative isnt remotely accurate. But with the Left the narrative is seldom accurate, as that isnt its goal. Its the emotional -- and manipulative -- storyline thats important, not reality.

Ive been a management consultant for decades and in the course of my work Ive been to some of the toughest neighborhoods in the country. Very few white folks have seen and been where I have.

We would of course visit these neighborhoods early in the morning, before the animals who stalk these areas get up.

And if that last sentence offends you, you have no idea what you are talking about. Everyone who services these areas -- or lives there -- knows this is true.

If you want to be offended, be offended by the 95+% of the decent people who are forced to live in these conditions because they are poor. Be offended by the poor moms who fear for their childs safety and future on an hourly basis. Be offended by poor women who live under the very real threat of rape and murder every time they leave their homes. Be offended by the overflowing cemeteries of innocent people who were killed by the animals.

Yet they are forced to live under criminality that in many cases exceeds that of war-torn countries. All for the crime of being poor.

Since wed visit these areas fairly early in the morning, Id often see little kids out playing. Theyd be normal little kids, but as their age went up, they'd get a harder and harder look in their eyes. Until at just nine years or so they had a very hard look in their eyes. They had probably put up with more crap than any child in America should have to. It is an obscenity that the richest country the world has ever seen allows this.

Many of these kids are literally screwed from the womb. And their one chance, in many cases their only chance, is the shot at a decent education. Yet the schools they are forced to attend are a national disgrace.

These kids lives are destroyed before they even have a chance. I wonder what the schools George Floyd attended were like.

In many of these schools not a single student is proficient in any of a wide range of subjects. Tell me, what future awaits a 14-year-old who cant read, write, or speak proper English, doesnt know arithmetic, much less math, has no understanding of science, etc.? And far, far too many of these kids have black and brown skin.

And its not spending. The vast majority of these schools rank at the top for per pupil spending -- in some places topping $30,000 per year per student. One can get a pretty damn good private education anywhere in the country for that amount of money. Instead, they are forced to attend government schools that do far more damage to their students than their proper goal of education and character development.

Go to Chicago or any major city and look at those young men who are out shooting each other every weekend. Do you think a single one has a decent education?

So call me calloused if you must, but if you dont -- and didnt -- raise your voice to demand poor children be given a chance at a great education then hold your peace.

I dont want to hear about the police. I dont want to hear about Saint George. I dont want to hear how whitey is keeping you down.

We have politicians who have been in power for decades who cry over the Saint Georges of the world yet remain silent over the multi-generational carnage these public schools impose on unfortunate kids whose only crime is that they were born poor.

Unless you raise your voice and demand immediate educational freedom from these public schools that are a pipeline to prison or the cemetery, I dont want to hear it.

And if youve been in politics for years, where have you been? This is not new. This has been going on for decades, yet show me where you have fought it. Show me where you demanded action, ever. Show me that youve been fighting this battle for years or go away and shut up.

John Conlin is an expert in organizational design and change. He also holds a BS in Earth Sciences and an MBA and is the founder and President of E.I.C. Enterprises. He has been published in American Greatness, The Federalist, The Daily Caller, American Thinker, Houston Chronicle, Denver Post, and Public Square Magazine among others.

Image: Library of Congress
The terrorism in Bern sent shock waves through my predominantly Swiss family. One of my second cousins was injured. In the past few months, our family business was looted and there have been three strong-arm robberies and one sexual assault, all perpetrated by migrants.

The Muslims, from the Middle East and Africa, arent migrants. Theyre an invading army, with zero organization (a mob, in other words). Over 90% of them are unattached men of military age, traveling alone or in small groups to Europe.

Ive written previously about my twin families. Three of my four grandparents came from Switzerland. I still have a horde of second cousins in Switzerland and a smaller horde in Ireland. Heres a frequent observation in my family:

In the old days, the anti-Semitic among us tormented the Jews personally. Nowadays, the anti-Semitic among us support Muslim causes, in the name of diversity. Then they quietly smirk whenever the Muslims torment the Jews.

Its shameful, but there it is: The Awful Truth.

America: The Last Safe Place

America is a refuge for people with Judeo-Christian values, a safe haven whenever the values in their home nations become too hostile. If America goes under, all of Western civilization goes under, because theres nowhere else to go.

Here we thrive. In Europe, despite living in neutral countries, my family seems to become embroiled in what have always been other peoples problems.

Now, these second cousins of mine are becoming involved in whats largely a political struggle, but also a cultural one. Middle Eastern and African Islam is moving in and taking over Judeo-Christian Western and Southern Europe. Theyre using birthrates and diversity politics as their weapons now, instead of the scimitars and muskets they used multiple times before.

Unlike previous Muslim invasions of Europe, theyre taking over the cities first. When they have the cities firmly in their grasp, theyll also have the laws and the courts, which will be Marxist/Sharia courts, enforcing Marxist/Sharia laws. And that means the countrysides and villages will fall to them as well. Many already have.

If you read the Koran, the Communist Manifesto, and Das Kapital, youll learn that theyre not about coexistence, tolerance, diversity or inclusion. They advocate intolerance, conquest, looting and subjugation  and in the Koran, specifically sexual conquest.

Heres another pair of European proverbs:

If you invite the Third World, you become the Third World.

And,

When Muslims are in the minority, they demand rights for minorities. But when they become the majority, the minorities have no rights.

And like a similar invasion by Hispanics here in Americathats roughly 80% men of military agethe foreigners are winning and Europeans are losing, because theyve found allies in high places: leftists who are convinced that mass immigration by these invaders is a good thing, becausediversity. A Western leftist is a useful idiot, in every sense of that useful term.

Terrorist attacks, strong-arm robberies, drug dealing, and sexual assault are becoming more and more frequent in Europe. Much like the migrants here, those in Europe contribute disproportionately to those rising statistics while leftist natives, in government and the media, cover it up and excuse it.

One Death Is A Tragedy; A Million Deaths Are A Statistic

It becomes a personal tragedy to you when it happens to someone you love. And the Jewish people, as it has happened so often in the past, are the canary in the coal mine.

Whats happening in the lands we all treasure, whether its Europe, America, or Israel, is very troubling. The enemy isnt just at the gates; hes entered the halls of power. So we speak out, in whatever ways we can.

In my writing, Im serving as a conduit for the feelings of about 100 people in my vast extended family  and, I hope, millions more across North America and Europe. The ones who arent already speaking out (if they can put two pithy, hard-punching sentences together in a meme) and more importantly, thinking like we do need to wake the fk up.

This Is A WarWe Are Losing

The Third World is colonizing the First World, because the First World is trying too hard to be tolerant. There are some things we should never tolerate: The first one is this subversion of the Judeo-Christian virtue of tolerance. Should we really be importing Arab, Venezuelan, Marxist, Chinese, Somali, or Senegalese values to overwhelm our own? Our best first move consists of waking up enough people who share our values, then electing like-minded politicians, who enforce the laws and write new ones.

From its founding, America was established as a Judeo-Christian nation, never meant to cater to the leftist mobs cyborg of Muslim and Marxist values, which were woven out of thin air by people who hate Judeo-Christian valuesleftists and the Muslim imports overwhelming the West share a hatred for these values. And to a very large degree, Western leftism is teenage rebellion, writ large. These kids resent their parents.

Theyve been taught by Marxists, in our taxpayer-funded public schools, to resent their parents and all the values they hold dear. This is how they become fertile fields for Marxist and Muslim activists to plant and cultivate, in our taxpayer-funded universities.

And they come home for Christmas break with their new gay lovers, new tattoos and piercings, weird clothing, new hairstyles, two baskets full of dirty laundry, and several baskets full of even more unclean values and beliefs.

Look Through The Eyes Of An Engineer

About 8090% of all the great initial inventions were Western in their originsdemocracy, the republic, abolition, great music, great movies, and the various applications of simple machines and cheap energy sources.

Those inventions that developed from other origins generally took ideas from the West, then refined them, in their inventors own ways. Its no coincidence that the West, from which so many great inventions have arisen, is historically Judeo-Christian.

If we preserve Judeo-Christian values, and demand that all immigrants adhere to them, we will preserve those fertile fields for greater and greater inventions. Or do we really want a repeat of the darkest historical eras, ruled by the Muslim scimitar and the Marxist hammer and sickle, from which we may never enjoy a Renaissance?

Jim Davis is an IT specialist and paralegal, with degrees in political science and statistical analysis: the underpinning of all science. His work has appeared in Newsmax and Daily Caller. You can find him as RealProfessor219 on Rumble.

Image generated by AI.
It's well known that San Francisco is a urban disaster area, what with malls moving out, hotels shutting doors, conventions moving to other cities, thieves looting retailers with impunity, little shops fleeing, and entire districts full of homeless drug addicts looking like Dante's seventh circle of Hell.

But has anyone asked what's going on at Fisherman's Wharf, the city's most famous tourist destination?

Sure, it's known as a tourist trap. But everyone likes to try its famous Italian and seafood restaurants at least once.

Now it's a ghost town:

Fishermans wharf destroyed  go woke go broke



So sad what progressives have done to cities pic.twitter.com/PcLKFK7XC1  Make L.A. Great Again  (@lalovestrump) May 27, 2025

What a sad place, everything boarded up, all the famous seafood restaurants -- Alioto's, Tarantino's -- gone. They aren't coming back.

These are the restaurants on what is sometimes called Pier 40, the true location of Fisherman's Wharf. When I lived in that city 30 years ago, it was getting pretty scruffy with all its tourist trappings. There also was a hellhole public housing project near the cable car turnaround that was a source of ongoing violent crime. Whose bright idea was it to put that kind of place there, where all the tourists could be victims? I wondered.

But there were establishments there and people went to them. Now there's just empty space and artifacts from the past, blowing around.

About 20 years ago, the area was officially expanded to include Pier 39, an area of newer shops and tourist knick-knacks, and the area as far as Ghiradelli Square and much of North Point as part of tourist scenery. The official website of the expanded area assures tourists that it's "a safe place to visit," with lots of cops in the vicinity who can respond to "health events" which I suppose, means, getting your head smashed in by an illegal and seeing your blood all over the pavement. But of course, the website cautions, that it's "in the heart of a big city," which it's not -- it's at the edge of what had been a tony, ritzy, historic area, still with million-dollar houses with views of the Golden Gate -- and leftist city policy just happens to allow criminals to do what they like. Too bad if you get mugged.

That broader area of Fisherman's Wharf is clearly troubled, too.

This is what happened at our business on Fishermans Wharf pic.twitter.com/Q1p9bzHhHy  Annette Traverso (@amcrab123) May 27, 2025

Naturally, the illegals are there, along with their cartel sponsors:

BREAKING CALIFORNIA: Two migrant hotdog vendors at San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf just got into knife fight over Memorial Day customers. pic.twitter.com/CxzRMzAVYK  World Peace Movement (@darren_stallcup) May 27, 2025

Funny how these illegal hot dog vendors get around -- in Los Angeles, in San Diego, and now San Francisco, all paying their cartel debts for their smuggled trip into the U.S.

There's plenty of desolation in that area around.

The Citys hopping! All the way from the Warriors Arena to In & Out at Fishermans Wharf. But we need to collect and send home the fentanyl zombies still forcing families to cross the street to avoid (these are all @ the Wharf) Its not what a global City subjects its guests to. pic.twitter.com/lrqNUl72UG  MissionLoco (@MissionLoco) April 12, 2025

And it won't be long before these businesses meet the same fate as the Wharf itself. It is, after all, the same government.

It's just amazing that the city allows even an area famous for its tourists to become as hellish as its other parts. That's blue-city rule for you, though, and why San Francisco can no longer have nice things. What a pity.

Image: Screen shot from Metal.neo.us, via TikTok, via X
Cognitive dissonance is evident in the voting patterns of some Catholics in the United States. Many Catholics support political candidates or parties whose platforms contradict the core teachings of the Catholic Church, creating tension between their faith and their political choices. Since 20% of the U.S. population is Catholic, its worth exploring how cognitive dissonance manifests among Catholic voters, the reasons behind their voting decisions, and the societal factors that exacerbate this conflict.

The Catholic Church maintains non-negotiable stances on certain moral issues: Abortion is considered a grave moral evil, homosexuality is viewed as disordered and unnatural, and transgenderism is seen as conflicting with natural law. These teachings, outlined in documents like Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, emphasize the sanctity of life, marriage between a man and a woman, and gender aligned with biological sex. Voting for candidates who openly support abortion, same-sex marriage, or transgenderism  such as prominent Catholic politicians like Nancy Pelosi, a recipient of the Margaret Sanger Award, or non-Catholic figures like Hillary Clinton, who also received the award  can create a moral dilemma for Catholic voters. The Church explicitly states that supporting a pro-abortion politician constitutes remote participation in a grave and intrinsic moral evil, potentially a mortal sin if the vote is cast specifically to advance abortion.

Despite these teachings, many Catholics vote for candidates or parties, particularly Democrats, whose platforms conflict with Church doctrine. Some justify their choices by prioritizing practical concerns like economic stability, health care, or immigration status. Others cite family tradition, noting that they have always voted Democrat, or are swayed by journalists, celebrities, or social media advocating for progressive causes. These justifications often lead to cognitive dissonance, manifesting as guilt, rationalization, or avoidance. For example, some Catholics rationalize their votes by saying, At least hes not Trump or minimize controversial issues with phrases like Abortion is just one issue among many or Love is love when defending same-sex marriage.

The U.S.s binary political system complicates these decisions. With only two major parties, Catholics may feel forced to choose candidates who partially align with their values. A voter might prioritize social justice or poverty alleviation  issues aligned with Church teachings  over non-negotiable issues like abortion. Alternatively, some Catholics separate their personal faith from political action, viewing voting as a pragmatic rather than a moral decision. However, the Churchs stance is clear: Voting for candidates who consistently oppose non-negotiable teachings is morally problematic, especially when alternatives exist.

Secular culture and societal pressures further intensify cognitive dissonance. Mainstream media, social media, and local communities often normalize practices like abortion and same-sex marriage, creating tension for Catholics striving to uphold Church teachings. Older voters, in particular, may be influenced by traditional media outlets  television and newspapers  that lean heavily left and criticize conservative platforms. This influence, described by some as demoralization or indoctrination (Bezmenov, 1984), can sway Catholics toward candidates misaligned with their faith.

When choosing between candidates, the decision may seem straightforward if one opposes abortion while the other supports it. However, real-world scenarios are rarely so clear-cut. If both candidates support abortion, or if one supports it while the other offers only passive opposition, Catholics must weigh additional issues, such as economic policies or social justice, to make an informed choice. This complex decision-making process heightens cognitive dissonance, as voters grapple with aligning their conscience with practical outcomes.

Recent trends suggest a shift in Catholic voting behavior. Over the past three U.S. general elections, many counties have recorded increasing Republican votes, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the Democrat platforms misalignment with Catholic values and its failure to address everyday concerns like economic stability. Declining ratings for traditional media and growing reliance on digital sources, independent news, and social media indicate that voters are seeking alternative perspectives, potentially reducing the influence of left-leaning narratives.

Living in a pluralistic society presents challenges for Catholics striving to balance faith, conscience, and societal realities. Voting decisions require careful discernment, weighing Church teachings against practical considerations. By critically examining their choices, Catholics can navigate cognitive dissonance, striving to align their votes with both their faith and the broader social good.

Image via Pixabay.
For four years, the Biden Administration showed little to no love for cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, the industrys relationship with the federal government reached new lows with Bidens veto of crucial legislation to empower Americas well-respected financial institutions to take custody of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Bidens statement on his decision repeated the tired old narrative that crypto isnt safe for consumers or investors. The ordeal was a gut punch to good-faith efforts to expand cryptos role in the American economy and another example of resistance from Democrats and special interests like the AARP to policies that legitimize the digital asset economy.

Despite political efforts to sideline digital assets, Americans are still interested. In fact, 42% say they are likely to invest in crypto in the next year. However, while industry-friendly President Donald Trump is now in the White House, Bidens policies gave state legislators the green light to meddle in blockchain tokens.

In continuing the war on crypto, hostile policymakers in several states unfairly targeted cryptocurrency kiosks. For consumers who prefer or need to use cash to invest in crypto, kiosks are the only method available to them to participate in this market. Its sad that the push by lawmakers for consumer protections at kiosks is a smokescreen to advance an anti-crypto agenda that the AARP is behind.

A closer look at legislation from states proves that achieving consumer protections means severely restricting investment amounts in the digital asset world via kiosks. For example, a law in California imposes a $1,000 daily transaction limit on customers, while a law in Vermont goes one step further: it imposes a one-year statewide moratorium on all new kiosks. Surprisingly, even some Republican-led states have bought into this misguided approach. For instance, Iowa attorney general Brenna Bird has filed a lawsuit against crypto kiosk companies alleging they are somehow involved in scams.

Criminals use various methods, including cell phones, mail service, and social media, to defraud victims. In fact, scam transactions at traditional financial institutions vastly outpace the amount lost to transactions at crypto kiosks. Yet nobody is calling for laws or lawsuits targeting banks or these other services for being exploited by fraudsters. Its disappointing to see public officials who claim to support free markets and innovation adopt an anti-crypto playbook similar to those in leftist states such as Vermont and California.

Even in the halls of Congress, crypto kiosks have drawn the ire of lawmakers. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois recently introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act. This legislations title is misleading -- the only reason it would prevent fraud is because it thwarts consumer freedom to use crypto kiosks. Like Vermont and California, the transaction rules in Durbins bill empowers Big Government to dictate to consumers how much they are allowed to invest.

Compare these investment ceiling policies to the traditional stock market. Our government doesnt impose investment limits for equities even though the risk of financial loss still exists. But, for some reason, some lawmakers decided crypto kiosks need to be treated differently and that their users deserve government-imposed transaction limits.

These state and federal kiosk policies reflect the misconception that crypto isnt safe for consumers. Fortunately, President Trump understands cryptos popularity in America, and early actions by his administration prove he truly believes crypto must hold a place in our economic future.

For example, President Trump created the position of Crypto Czar to advise on cryptocurrency policy and named David Sacks to the post. In another first, upon taking office this past January, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the federal government to prioritize making the United States a world leader in digital financial assets. Likewise, the Presidents establishment of the first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is another good first step.

President Trump is driving U.S. leadership in the digital asset space, and crypto kiosks are a critical part of the ecosystem. It would be wise to avoid policy mistakes in Vermont, California, Iowa, and Congress. Lets implement a federal framework that protects consumer freedom and supports President Trumps global leadership goals for our country.

Image: QuoteInspector.com

Gerard Scimeca is the Chairman of Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE). In his leadership of CASE, Gerard fights for economic policies that protect free market principles and individuals' economic liberties from government overreach.

This piece was originally misattributed to someone other than Mr. Scimeca. We have since corrected that error.
While Harvard may once have been the crown jewel in American academia, it is no longer. Shocking stories of modern grave robbery, alleged data manipulation, and rampant antisemitism have been flooding the airways. Taxpayers shouldnt have to fund Harvard until it cleans up its act.

The Puritans founded Harvard College in 1636 with a very specific purpose in mind: It was intended to train clergy to establish a church in the wilderness. Its early motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae (Truth for Christ and the Church.).

Imagined image of Harvard College in the 17th century, by Samuel Eliot Morison (1920). Public domain.

Its current motto, dating back to the mid-18th century, when it had ceased to be an institution directed primarily at educating clergymen, retains one word from the original: Veritas (Truth). Truth, however, seems to have little currency at Harvard.

In the past few days, a couple of shocking stories have emerged. First, theres the modern grave robbing report:

A former Harvard Medical School morgue manager recently entered a plea in relation to an alleged scheme to steal and sell donated body parts. Cedric Lodge, 57, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to interstate transport of stolen human remains on Wednesday before Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Second, theres the fraud allegedly perpetrated by a professor whose specialty was honesty (a charge she denies):

A renowned Harvard University professor was stripped of her tenure and fired after an investigation found she fabricated data on multiple studies focused on dishonesty. Francesca Gino, a celebrated behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School, was let go after the schools top governing board determined she tweaked observations in four studies so that their findings boosted her hypotheses, GBH News reported. Harvard administrators notified business faculty that Gino was out of a job in a closed-door meeting this past week, the outlet reported.

If the allegations are true, this bespeaks a very unhealthy academic culture.

But those are two individuals. Can we extrapolate conclusions about the entire institution based on those two?

Probably not. What we can do, however, is look at the rampant antisemitism thats been openly displayed at Harvard since thousands of men from Gaza crossed into Israel on October 7, 2023, and sadistically slaughtered over 1,200 people (equivalent to slaughtering roughly 40,000 Americans) and kidnapped over 200 more. Since then, both faculty and students at Harvard have been on a rampage of antisemitism, claiming that Israel, a pluralist society that occupies a tiny dot on the map of the Muslim world and that withdrew from Gaza in 2005, is a genocidal Hitler-esque nation.

Every one of the genocide charges has been rebutted, so much so that Ireland is begging to redefine the word genocide to make it fit. The reality is that the Arabs in Gaza and the West Bank had a huge population boom under Israels aegis, that Israel has done more than any nation in the history of the war to protect an enemy civilian population (including advance warning of military strikes and feeding the enemy), and that Israel asks only one thing from the enemy as a condition of laying down its arms: Give us back our hostages and stop killing us.

Thats the truth.

Nevertheless, at Harvard today, this is what a departmental graduation looks like:

Unless the degree Kestenbaum was getting was in Palestinian Worship Studies, in which case what happened might just barely have been excusable, this was grotesquely out of place, openly antisemitic, and a blatant violation of Jewish students civil rights under the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Donald Trump is correct to attack Harvard in every way possible. The institution that was founded on Truth has become a cesspool of lies. American taxpayers shouldnt have to pay a penny toward its continued upkeep.
As if something about an event where adults, mostly men, parade around with their willies out, wear shirts with kids are sexy emblazoned across the chest, don prosthetic breasts, urinate and masturbate on each other, and publicly engage in other deviant hypersexual fetish behaviors doesnt just scream danger! and stay away! and pedophile!to children, now weve got a news story out of Norway, which highlights the demand for maximum distance between LGBTQ+ events and our youth: two transgender pedophiles who were recently convicted on charges of child rape, picked up their 13-year-old victim at a Pride festival.

According to Genevieve Gluck at Reduxx, three men participated in the sex crimes, which were described as particularly painful and particularly offensive actsbut only two of them claim the trans identity. Here are the gals behind the rape:

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS



Two trans-identified males have been charged with the repeated rape and gang rape of a young girl in Bergen, Norway.



The abuses first came to light after witnesses saw the girl be groped while leaving a Pride event.https://t.co/d4bav7cmc9  REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) January 13, 2025

Now, the reason they got caught is because they were groping the young girls genitals on public transportation after they plied her with alcohol at the festival, and three concerned women followed the group back to the apartment building where one of the perverts lived, banged on all the doors until they found his residence, and called the police. Under questioning, one man admitted to repeatedly raping the child just a few days before over the course of several daysand then theres this:

Between June 1 and 3 both men sexually abused and raped the girl on multiple occasions, with the court noting that they had used sex toys on the victim. Baar photographed one incident as Seberg sexually abused the child. The men then urinated on the girl while she was taking a shower.

God bless these women.

Now, its a good thing for individuals like this that Im not in charge of the justice system, because acts like this deserve the harshest of punishments. Luckily for them though, Norwegian courts saw fit to hand the first trans pedophile an easy five-year (and some months) sentence, while the second trans pedophile was just given just 18 months, because she had lost her erection during the crime.

Children and Pride is do NOT go together, and any adult, or God forbid a parent, allowing for the two to mix should be thrown in jail, or worse. If all these books, and parades, and showssexual as they arewere heterosexual, not homosexual, there would be no question about the fact that parents, schools, clubs, etc., are violating obscenity laws aimed at protecting children. What happened to morality and justice?

Maybe we keep the kids away from the perverts? Just a thought.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
The Google Store is home to all Google Pixel products. However, the company doesnt sell them through its official online store in many countries. India was one of thembut not anymore. Google has announced that it will directly sell Pixel products in India from its official online store starting today. Previously, the company relied on third-party platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, Croma, and more to sell its products to Indian users.

You can now grab your favorite Pixel device from the Google Store India

The Google Store India now sells the latest Pixel phones, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 9a. If you want to invest in Googles flagship phones from last year, you can grab them too. However, the Google Store for India only lists the Pixel 8a and Pixel 8 Pro.

Besides Pixel smartphones, Google Store India is also selling the latest Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2. For those looking for accessories, there are a bunch of first-party phone cases and a 45W USB-C power adapter. You can also grab a couple of Pixel Watch bands.

Google notes that you can grab incredible savings offers when buying a Pixel by June 30th from the online store. Googles online store will also provide financing options such as no-cost EMIs, instant cashback, exchange bonuses, and store credits.

The store also assures a price match promise

With India being the latest addition, the Google Store online is now available in 34 countries, including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and more. Not to forget, the online store also assures a price match promise.

The company notes, If you buy an item from the Google Store and you find a better price at a selected retail partner or on the Google Store within the return period, you may be eligible for a partial refund to match the lower price (exclusions apply).
Shopping for a new TV can be a stressful experience if you dont know what to look for, but it doesnt have to be this way, and you can simplify your buying experience by going with a deal like this one from Amazon on the Sony Bravia 3. What makes this deal so good? For starters, the price. Normally, this TV would cost $1,599.99 at full price. However, Amazon has it discounted to $999.97. Thats just over $600 off the regular price, which is a discount of 38%. Amazon has this listed as a limited-time deal, which means youll need to act fast, and this is the all-time low price for this product as well.

In addition to the price, this is also a good deal because this is an 85-inch Sony TV. The Bravia 3 series may not be Sonys top-of-the-line series, but its still pretty good, and you have to factor in that this is an absolutely massive TV from one of the best brands for under $1,000.

It has several excellent features to speak of, including voice assistance through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This is a Google TV, as well. That means access to apps for streaming services, Play Store access for other apps, and much more. Plus, it has Dolby Vision HDR support and some exclusive features for PS5, such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode.

Now, because of the size of this TV, the ideal viewing distance is at least 15 feet. That means you want to be sitting at least 15 feet away from where the TV is either sitting or wall-mounted. So keep that in mind when considering picking this up.
The United States and Argentina have formally announced their withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing structural and operational failures in the organization's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a joint statement, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Argentine Health Minister Mario Lugones confirmed their countries' coordinated departure and outlined plans for what they call a "new model of international health cooperation."

"The WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed serious structural and operational shortcomings that undermined global trust," Kennedy and Lugones stated. "The absence of significant reforms, disproportionate financial demands, and increasing politicization have ultimately led the United States and Argentina to withdraw."

The joint statement emphasized the creation of an alternative system grounded in scientific integrity, transparency, national sovereignty, and accountability. "We invite all nations committed to scientific integrity, transparency, and human dignity to join us in building a new era of results-driven, sovereign global health cooperation."

Kennedy later reiterated the news on his X account, adding that he had met with Argentina's President Javier Milei during his visit to Argentina to discuss the creation of an "alternative international health system based on gold-standard science and free from totalitarian impulses, corruption, and political control."

I had a wonderful meeting with Argentine President @JMilei about our nations mutual withdrawal from the WHO and the creation of an alternative international health system based on gold-standard science and free from totalitarian impulses, corruption, and political control. pic.twitter.com/08VLQgxrgK  Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) May 27, 2025

Argentina's Health Ministry further elaborated on the country's internal health reforms during Secretary Kennedy's official visit, announcing a structural review of national health bodies to streamline outdated bureaucracies and improve transparency and effectiveness. "The system must serve the people, not bureaucracy," said the ministry.

In line with this agenda, Argentina is launching initiatives to regulate the use of synthetic additives in food, aiming to reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances, particularly among children. The ministry also plans to reevaluate the "fast-track" authorization process for high-cost medications, especially those targeting rare pediatric diseases, citing a need for solid evidence and long-term sustainability.

On vaccines, the Health Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to immunization but called for greater scrutiny. It proposed requiring placebo-controlled clinical trials for vaccines to ensure transparent and verifiable data, citing the exceptional approval conditions of the COVID-19 vaccine as a case study.

Originally published on Latin Times
To say that Trumps tariffs threw a spanner in the works in global markets is an understatement. Countries and companies were left scrambling, with some eager to make a deal with the Trump administration to try to lower the tariffs. Even US companies werent spared, like Apple, which might have been hit with tariffs of 25% or higher. However, it seems that Apple can breathe a (temporary) sigh of relief as the Federal Court steps in on the tariffs.

Federal Court saves Apple from tariffs

According to a ruling by the Court of International Trade, the court blocked Trumps sweeping tariffs, claiming that the President had overstepped his authority. The three-judge panel isnt debating the tariffs effectiveness or wisdom. However, it is saying that Trumps actions go against federal law.

The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the Presidents use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it.

The judges are also ordering the Trump administration to issue new orders that reflect the permanent injunction within 10 days. To no ones surprise, the Trump administration has filed an appeal and even questioned the courts authority. However, for now, US companies and international markets can sort of rest easy with this decision.

In fact, the global markets are responding positively to this news. The US dollar rallied against currencies like the Euro, Japanese Yen, and Swiss Franc. The stock market also rallied, with Wall Street futures rising along with equities across Asia.

Apple gets the last laugh

Throughout Trumps presidency, Apple has maintained a somewhat tense but cordial relationship with the president. For the most part, Apple has tried its best to remain neutral. It seemed to be working in the past few months. However, the relationship looked sour when Trump tried to push Apple to make its iPhones available in the US.

Apple has repeatedly stated that bringing iPhone production to the US is not feasible. However, this stance has made Trump unhappy. He hinted that if Apple continued making phones in India and China, it could be hit with 25% tariffs or more.
Brazil Avenue is an avenue that is so profoundly revealing about what our country is  Photograph: Alan Lima/The Guardian

When Renato Oliveira boarded a bus down Brazil Avenue one morning last October it should have been just another normal commute.

Traveling along Rios most important motorway, it usually took the 48-year-old meat packer just under an hour to reach his factory  enough time for a nap. Dont let me miss my stop, Oliveira told a friend before nodding off against the window.

They were his last words. Unbeknown to passengers on the number 493 bus, up ahead rifle-toting police were storming one of the scores of favelas that line the road, hoping to capture a notorious drug lord.

A gun battle broke out, sending motorists scattering for cover behind the concrete central reservation. Oliveira was hit by a stray bullet as he dozed. Soon after, a neighbour broke the news to his family. We thought it was a lie, said the victims sister-in-law who, like many caught up in the bloodshed blighting Rio, asked not to be named.

When Brazil Avenue was built in the 1940s, during the Getulio Vargas dictatorship, it was conceived as a patriotic statement of the South American countrys economic ascent, said Pedro Moraes, the author of a book about the motorway.

Eight decades later, the 36-mile highway  which bisects more than 25 neighourhoods as it leads from Rios western outskirts towards its heart  has become an emblem of something else: the governments inability to control urban violence.

Nowadays, citizens in Rio cant even take a nap on the bus to work, a leading newspaper protested after Oliveiras killing, calling Brazil Avenue a symbol of the Brazilian states failure to combat organized crime.

According to the Instituto Fogo Cruzado, a group that tracks gun violence, Brazil Avenue suffered 637 shootouts from 2017 to 2024  one every five days. The bullets killed 160 people and wounded 383. Last month three police officers were killed on the motorway after losing control of their vehicle during a high-speed chase.

Brazil Avenue is an avenue that is so profoundly revealing about what our country is  It faithfully represents the name it bears, said Antonio Carlos Costa, the head of Rio de Paz, an anti-violence NGO.

While the thoroughfares builders envisaged creating a monument to development and industrialization, Costa believed it exposed a country of brutal inequality, injustice and social exclusion.

Costa recalled how millions of poverty-stricken north-eastern migrants had flocked to Rio and made their homes along the motorway since the 1950s, building lives in deprived housing estates and favelas that were ignored by society and authorities and are now mostly controlled by armed criminal groups.

Millionaires, celebrities and opinion makers used the motorway to reach beach paradises and mansions, oblivious to the real Rio de Janeiro they drove past on the way.

All walks of life are exposed to the deadly violence afflicting Brazil Avenue thanks to decades of state neglect. Recently, Costas son was driving home on the highway when tracer bullets lit up the night sky. He told me it looked like fireworks flying across the road, said the activist, speaking 24 hours after a policemans body was found in a bullet-riddled vehicle abandoned on the same motorway.

The families supported by Costas group include that of 43-year-old Catia Sebastiana de Lima.

Her husband, an Uber driver called Paulo Roberto de Souza, was also killed during last Octobers botched police raid in which Oliveira lost his life. Three others were shot but survived.

He had so many dreams  he was such a great dad, Lima said, shedding tears as she recalled saying a 5am prayer with her husband the morning he was shot.

Related: Autistic children bear hidden cost of violent police raids in Brazils favelas

Six months later, Lima has yet to receive any compensation and was struggling to make ends meet. I never ever imagined Id lose my husband to gun violence  A heart attack, maybe. But it never crossed my mind that itd be something as tragic as this, she said.

Brazil Avenues reputation for traffic chaos and gunfights has earned it a series of grim nicknames. Some call it the Avenida da Morte (Avenue of Death), others Avenida Ziquizira (Bad Luck Avenue). The violence-stricken region around the road is known as the Gaza Strip.

Washington Rimas, a social activist raised in one of Brazil Avenues favelas in the early 80s, admitted that infamy was not entirely undeserved.

As a boy, he remembers criminals dumping victims in the undergrowth across the motorway from his home in Amarelinho. It was this frightful scrubland. Loads of people would just come from other places and chuck the corpses over there in the bushes, said Rimas, whose mother was one of the first inhabitants of the community built for construction and factory workers.

But Rimas, 49, insisted Brazil Avenue was about more than bloodshed and pushed back against its notoriety. The motorway was also an essential means of transport for workers with jobs in Rios richer central and southern zones. The roads favelas were places of talent and graft.

Rimas, a reformed drug trafficker who abandoned crime over a decade ago, said his new mission was helping local kids with extracurricular activities such as music, IT and dance. It was here that we sold poison  and its here that were going to produce the antidote, he said of his quest to improve his corner of Brazil Avenue.

Community leader Vanessa Galdino also rejected the negative portrayal of Avenida Brasil and the working-class areas the road connects. Im proud of living here, said Galdino, 29, a student who runs an ice-cream parlour for Amarelinhos youth.

Galdino had no plans to leave despite losing her father to violence when she was 17. We are resilient, welcoming people, she said. Warts and all, Brazil Avenue was home.

Among victims of Brazil Avenues violence, such optimism is harder to find.

Sitting at home surrounded by pictures of her dead husband, Lima urged authorities to change their strategy of combating drug gangs with warzone-style raids on the favelas.

You dont just fight crime with police, shooting and invasions  You need social projects, schools, music, sport, healthcare and education  We need to convince our children that theyre Brazils future, said Lima, who doubted authorities would listen.

As she absorbed her loss, she clung to her Christian faith. I like to say that I didnt lose my husband, Lima said. I returned him to God.
Alice Bouilliez is a former British civil servant who has lived in France for 38 years. Photograph: Alice Bouilliez

A French court has ordered electoral officials to restore a British womans pre-Brexit right to vote in European elections, triggering calls for a renewed push for a bilateral treaty on electoral enfranchisement in each others countries.

Alice Bouilliez, a former British civil servant who has lived in France for 38 years, said she was extremely surprised but delighted that the court in Auch in south-west France had ordered that the authorities put her name back on the electoral register for the EU elections.

I am extremely happy about the result. When I went to get the ruling from the court I was extremely surprised because I was expecting a knock on the knuckles, she said.

Related: UK and EU reach deal over Brexit reset after fishing rights breakthrough

The French court only ruled on her right to vote in European elections. Bouilliez first mounted legal action against the disenfranchisement in 2020 with a case going all the way to the European court of justice, which ruled against her in 2022.

The court followed the advice of the advocate general, Anthony Collins, who said the EU treaty had made nationality of a member state an essential condition of a person to be able to acquire and retain the status of citizens of the union and to benefit fully from the rights attaching to that status.

Julien Fouchet, a French lawyer representing Bouilliez, said the court did not determine conclusively what happened to those acquired rights British citizens such as Bouilliez had received when she became a permanent resident of France under the free movement rules that were available to Britons before Brexit.

The ruling by the Auch tribunal judiciary could be used to restore rights across France for British citizens living in the country before Brexit who did not opt to apply for French citizenship and wanted to win back their right to vote, he said.

The court ruled that Alice had not committed any crime and that to lose her voting rights was a fundamental and disproportionate infringement of her voting rights, he said. The right to vote is a common good, it is more than just a right.

Though married to a French citizen, Bouilliez never sought citizenship, partly as she made an oath to the British crown when she worked for the Foreign Office.

Before Brexit, British citizens living in France had the right to vote in municipal and European parliamentary elections but not legislative elections for the national government or presidency.

Although Bouilliez and other Britons who did not take French citizenship after Brexit also lost their right to vote in local elections, she says she had not given up on the issue. I have won the right to vote only in the EU elections, she said. The rest is for later I hope.

In a parallel situation, EU citizens including French people living permanently in the UK had the right to vote in local and European elections but not national, with the exception of citizens of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta who can vote in all elections in Britain.

The UK had wanted to make reciprocal voting rights part of the Brexit deal but the EU did not agree, leaving Britain to negotiate bilateral treaties.

So far just five countries  Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Poland and Luxembourg  have agreed that each others citizens can continue to have rights in local elections, but there is no such treaty with France.

Fouchet called on the French and British governments to open negotiations to restore citizens voting rights. The French and UK governments should have a bilateral treaty reciprocating the right to vote in municipal elections. I see this judgment as an opportunity, especially in light of the recent UK-EU summit, to get an agreement on this, he said.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: Before the UKs departure from the EU, the government wrote to all member states signalling our willingness to enter into bilateral agreements.

These would ensure each countrys citizens have mutual local election voting and candidacy rights, and we remain open to further agreements.

 This article was amended on 29 May 2025. The court ordered that Alice Bouilliez be restored her right to vote in European elections, but not French local elections as an earlier version said.
Business confidence in Scotland rose to higher than the UK national average in May, at 52%.

Overall UK business confidence rose 11 points in May to 50%  the highest level in nine months.

Confidence in Scotland rose 12 points during May to 52%, according to the Bank of Scotlands Business Barometer, compared to 40% in April.

While companies in Scotland reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down four points at 57%, optimism in the economy rose 29 points to 48%, which analysts said gives a headline confidence reading of 52%.

The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

Overall, UK business confidence increased 11 points in May to 50%  its highest level since August 2024.

Firms optimism in their own trading prospects strengthened six points to 56%, while confidence in the wider economy also climbed 16 points to 44%.

In a six-month forecast, Scottish businesses identified target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (56%), investing in their team, for example through training (48%) and introducing new technology, for example AI and automation (36%).

The East Midlands was the most confident region in May (66%), followed closely by the north-east of England (65%).

Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: Scottish business confidence has not only continued to rise, but has now remained above the UK national average for a sixth month in a row.

Our countrys businesses are setting out clear plans for growth, with more firms planning to take steps such as launching new products and services than anywhere else in the UK.

This reflects a business community that has innovation and ambition in its DNA. Well continue to support local businesses as they turn their plans into action.

Statistics were released in the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA)

Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: The rebound in business confidence suggests that firms might be in a stronger position for the next quarter.

The rise in confidence is driven by a sharp increase in economic optimism, reflecting the recovery in financial markets amid more promising prospects for potential global trade agreements.

Equally as encouraging is the fact that trading prospects, wage expectations and hiring intentions also saw improvements this month. The positive trends in these metrics are important signals for potential growth and resilience in the business community and the wider economy.

While we know that fluctuations do occur month on month and the global economic outlook remains uncertain, this months increase in confidence is an encouraging sign.

Paul Kempster, managing director for commercial banking coverage at Lloyds Business and Commercial, said: The jump in business confidence for our regions and nations is encouraging.

Its great to see that across many metrics, businesses are more hopeful for the future and are backing themselves for success in 2025.

The East Midlands in particular saw the highest confidence levels at 66%, the highest the region has seen since 2018.

As business confidence regains, we are committed to support businesses with a range of financial services to help them to seize opportunities and achieve their growth ambitions.
The affected bags have a best before date of January 2026 - Imago / Alamy Stock Photo

Haribo has urgently recalled packets of sweets in the Netherlands after some were discovered to have been laced with cannabis.

Several adults and children, including a family, reported feeling dizzy and unwell after eating the sweet brands Cola-flavoured gummies.

The Netherlands Food Safety Agency (NVWA) told Dutch media that samples were taken and cannabis was found in them.

A Haribo spokesman told The Telegraph that it is a live issue and they are working to establish the facts around the contamination of the Happy Cola F!ZZ bags.

The incident is contained to the Netherlands, to a specific product and batch. HARIBO products in the UK and other markets are not affected.

Still unknown

The size of the contamination is not yet clear, with three bags of the fizzy cola bottles reported so far. As a precaution, Haribo has recalled 8,000 of them.

The affected bags have a best before date of January 2026.

How the cannabis ended up in the sweets is still unknown. The police are investigating this further, the NVWA said in a statement.

It is also not clear how many people have been affected by the incident.

Quite ill

Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant reported that the youngest members of the family who ate the cannabis-laced sweets had become quite ill.

Haribo earlier released a warning to the public that there were bags in circulation that, if consumed, can lead to health problems such as dizziness.

Do not eat the sweets, the statement added.

The German confectionery giant said that the safety of its customers is its highest priority and it was taking the incident very seriously.

Contamination

Haribo is working closely with the authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts around the contamination, a spokesman said.

Customers have been advised to send the sweets back to the manufacturer, rather than return them in store, in exchange for a refund.

Last year, Haribo was forced to recall a batch of Tangfastics in Canada after pieces of wood were found inside the sweets.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) listed the recall under Class 2 which means that consuming the contaminated food may lead to short-term or non-life-threatening health problems.
IU, one of South Korea's most famous solo artists, is receiving rare backlash after the release of her recent album Kkot Galpi 3, a remake album of classic Korean songs.

The title tracka reimagining of BooHwal's iconic "Never Ending Story"was highly anticipated by fans who expected a fresh take on the emotional rock ballad.

However, the response has been unexpectedly poor; many netizens are expressing their disdain for the musicality of this track, as well as IU's voice itself.

IU's take replaces the original's dramatic rock instrumental with a more subdued, cinematic flourish driven by piano and strings.

IU's New Album: A Timely Tribute to Her 'Little Women' Character



 IU's new remake album, ''Kkot-Galpi 3" is releasing on the 27th, featuring six songs with a retro concept reminiscent of her character Geum-myeong from the drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines."



 The album's pic.twitter.com/3EVITemmff  Filipe (@filipe910910) May 23, 2025

While it is intended to create a dreamy vision, fans argue that the reimagining fails to convey the same power and emotion as the original version.

"This is the first time I've ever disliked an IU song, but I think it's because the original was just that good," one commenter wrote on the Korean forum TheQoo, where a post about the release garnered over 25,000 views.

"The more I listen, the more I compare the two, and this one just doesn't resonate with me  It honestly feels like a YouTube cover..."

Others echoed similar sentiments, saying the release felt more like a casual reinterpretation than a polished, official remake.

"It feels more like a cover than an official remake release  A bit disappointing, but the music video was nice," one user commented.

Another added, "The original is such a legendary, untouchable song that this version does feel a bit underwhelming."

Some critics took aim at IU's signature soft vocal style, arguing that it lacked the intensity necessary for the track.

"There's no emotional build-up like in the lyrics... Maybe it's because there's no strength or power in her voice?" one comment read.

The accompanying music video, starring rising actor Heo Nam Jun and inspired by the 1998 film Christmas in August, received praise for its visual direction, with many noting it helped partially redeem the experience.

Even as criticism persists, IU remains a beloved figure in K-pop, celebrated for her range as an artist and her receptive, empathetic approach.

The backlash was a rare blemish on an otherwise celebrated career.

So far, IU has not publicly responded to the backlash.
A Rahma Worldwide label on a box of aid. The US charity has accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of using its logo without permission. Photograph: Gaza Humanitarian Foundation/Reuters

A US charity has accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the controversial Israeli-backed group that began distributing food in Gaza this week, of sending out photographs of deliveries containing its logo without permission.

Images distributed by GHF this week showed shipments bearing a label from Rahma Worldwide, which is based in Michigan, as part of its first distribution of food to sites inside Gaza. The rollout was marred by scenes of chaos on Tuesday after crowds overran one distribution centre managed by GHF and Israeli forces said they had fired warning shots. Gaza health officials said at least one civilian had been killed and 48 injured in the incident.

The aid bearing the Rahma logo, which was prominently displayed in a press packet distributed by GHF, suggested to some media outlets that the groups were official partners. That would be an important endorsement as questions have grown over GHFs funding and lack of partners or experience in distributing aid.

Israeli jets continued to pound areas of Gaza on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, including 23 in a strike on the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical workers said.

Israeli media reported that the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had told the families of hostages held in the territory that he had accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. There were no further immediate details. Hamas said earlier that it had received the new proposal from mediators and was studying it.

Speculation around a possible ceasefire had been growing after Witkoff said the White House was preparing a draft document that could provide the basis for an agreement.

Related: US distances itself from Gaza food delivery group amid questions over its leadership, funding

The UN and aid groups have pushed back against the new system led by GHF. They say Israel is trying to use food as a weapon and that a new system will not be effective.

In a statement, Rahma said it had previously secured all necessary permits for 4,000 food boxes to cross into Gaza but none had entered.

Israel has blocked the UN and other aid organisations from moving food into Gaza, where people are starving.

Unable to get the food in, Rahma had allowed the containers to be taken custody by GHF. Rahma added, however, that it had refused to allow its personnel to take part in the distribution because of GHFs use of armed security contractors.

We noticed images of our food boxes with logo being distributed without Rahmas direct involvement, the group said in a statement. Rahma did not authorise such distribution, and none of our team was permitted to participate in this process.

In a separate statement, Rahmas executive director and founder said it had allowed GHF to transport the aid, which had been stuck at the border, due to the severe need in Gaza but had demanded a formal explanation for why that aid had been distributed under its name.

We stipulated that the Rahma logo be removed from the aid parcels, said Dr Shadi Omar Zaza, the head of Rahma. To our surprise, the organisations logo was not removed, and the security company distributed these parcels bearing the Rahma Worldwide logo.

Palestinians described more scenes of chaos on Thursday at a GHF hub as security contractors struggled to control the crowd. People scattered as gunfire rang out, although it was not clear who fired or if there were any casualties.

Zaza said GHFs use of armed security contractors violated Rahmas operational charter and humanitarian mandate. We will not accept, and will not be part of, this aid distribution mechanism  because we do not allow armed actors, we do not allow any armed party to interfere in our relief work, he said.

GHF has been approached for comment.

Agence France-Presse and Associate Press contributed to this report
An oil leak from a pipeline at an onshore oil field in Dorset in 2023. Scotland could become the first nation in the UK to criminalise ecocide. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Company directors who cause severe or reckless damage to nature could face jail terms or hefty fines under a bill that aims to criminalise environmental destruction in Scotland.

The proposed law, which would be the first of its kind in the UK, is designed to put a class of environment offences known as ecocide on a similar legal footing to other grave crimes such as murder.

Monica Lennon, the Scottish Labour MSP who has tabled the ecocide (Scotland) bill in the Scottish parliament, said it would introduce strict new legal duties on company executives and government agencies, with potential sanctions such as heavy fines or prison sentences.

She said it would bring Scotland into line with the EU, which has an environmental crime directive, and formal moves by small nations such as Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji to add ecocide to the mandate for the international criminal court.

Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru and Italy are also pursuing domestic ecocide laws, which are broadly defined as unlawful or wanton acts committed knowing they could cause severe, widespread or long-term environmental damage.

Activists point to oil tanker disasters; deforestation of the Amazon or destructive fishing practices, as examples of ecocide. Lennon said voters were very clear they believed serious environmental crimes needed to be policed and punished.

I think the bill will give people hope, she said. I think its really important to renew hope and put environmental protection at the top of the agenda.

This should give confidence to policymakers, and ensure the public knows were making sure our laws are fit for purpose, and closing gaps and loopholes. We just dont talk about the nature emergency: we have a robust legal framework too.

More than 50 MSPs from all the major parties in the Scottish parliament, including the Conservatives, have supported Lennons decision to table the bill, which will soon go to an initial vote to confirm it can progress.

Environmental campaigners are critical of the Scottish governments recent track record on the climate and nature conservation, with promised legislation watered down and spending cut. Even so, ministers in Edinburgh support Lennons bill in principle.

Maurice Golden, a Scottish Tory MSP who backs the legislation, said the mere fact of its implementation would force companies and public agencies to be far more rigorous on environmental issues to avoid breaching it.

The context of this is an international one. We dont want Scotland being seen as a soft touch, he said. What we will see, as a result of this law, is that in order to reduce the risks of malpractice, companies are going to up their game.
Maria Grazia Chiuri takes a bow at the Dior Cruise show in Rome, 27 May 2025 - Shutterstock

Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Italian designer who creatively steered Dior to unprecedented success, is to leave, it was officially announced this morning. A short statement from Dior brings to a close months of intense speculation about her position there.

The 61-year-old was the first female creative director at the house  an eye-opening state of affairs that speaks volumes about the male-dominated membrane that still encases the upper levels of the top international fashion brands. Chiuri was well aware of this and made it her mission to collaborate with as many other female artists, designers, and creatives as possible during her tenure there. For a Dior show in Marrakech in 2019, she even invited Grace Wales Bonner, the talented British designer, to interpret a Dior Bar Jacket.

But it was Chiuris own work on the Bar Jacket that first made fashion writers take note. A central piece in the famous 1947 image featuring a Dior outfit that became known as the New Look, the Bar Jacket represents the essence of Christian Diors feminine aesthetic. In its 78-year history, designers have repeatedly returned to it, reinventing it in their own ways.

The Bar Jacket, introduced in 1947, became the cornerstone of the New Look, reshaping post-war fashion - Granger/Shutterstock

The original featured internal corsetry and horsehair padding on the hips. Comfort and movement were not considerations. While its elegance and femininity were a gift to subsequent Dior designers such as John Galliano, who cinched the waist ever more tightly for dramatic effect, and Raf Simons, who turned it into more of a tuxedo, it was Chiuri who understood why very few women actually wore it in real life. By stripping it right back inside and rebuilding it with magical, light-touch tailoring that made it look every bit as snatched as the original  but a breeze to wear  Chiuri placed it on the wanted list of millions of women.

Monica Barbaro attends the 2025 Met Gala in New York City on May 5, wearing an updated take on the iconic Bar Jacket - Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Wearing it herself with Dior jeans, Chiuri made it part of a fashion vernacular. Its less easy to mimic than Chanels cropped tweed jacket because it relies on precision and deft tailoring (expensive and not reproducible in the average factory) rather than an easily recognisable fabrication, so the high street chains borrowed other ideas from her  lace dresses in every weight, kitten-heel slingbacks, and several million riffs on the Book Tote  that canvas tote she came up with in 2018.

Natalie Portman has been the face of Miss Dior since 2011 and wore the brand at the 2023 Cannes red carpet - Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Chiuris Midas touch with bags at one point seemed unstoppable, with hit after hit. Under her watch, Dior became the most commercially successful brand in LVMHs extensive fashion stable. The market has slowed recently  but this is true for nearly all luxury fashion brands.

For some reason, all of this seems lost on a new breed of social media commentators who constantly mocked the wearability of her clothes, her strong Italian accent and endlessly wished for the announcement of her departure sooner rather than later. Anyone would think they despise older women.

Chiuris golden touch propelled the brand to the top of LVMHs empire, staying poised amid fierce criticism and industry challenges - Federico Lomartire/WWD via Getty Images

These sometimes strident voices might not matter in a world where pluralistic views on all subjects are meant to thrive relatively harmoniously. But the fact that the Chiuri/Dior narrative has played out more or less as they wanted makes you appreciate how difficult it has become to steer any brand through an environment where the loudest voices are often un-nuanced and female unfriendly. All of this must have made her last year there scratchy, to say the least (although there are rumours of a spectacular golden goodbye pay-out)  but in all her encounters with the press  and she was notable for being open and approachable  she remained inscrutably serene.

Rihanna attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture spring/summer 2024 show - Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

I [] am delighted to have been given this extraordinary opportunity, she said, following the announcement. I would like to thank Monsieur Arnault for placing his trust in me and Delphine for her support. I am particularly grateful for the work accomplished by my teams and the Ateliers [...] Together, we have written an impactful chapter of which I am immensely proud.

Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture and daughter of Bernard Arnaut, CEO of LVMH, seems to appreciate her contribution however.

I extend my warmest thanks to Maria Grazia Chiuri, who, since her arrival at Dior, has accomplished tremendous work with an inspiring feminist perspective and exceptional creativity, all imbued with the spirit of Monsieur Dior, which allowed her to design highly desirable collections. She has written a key chapter in the history of Christian Dior, greatly contributing to its remarkable growth and being the first woman to lead the creation of womens collections.
Elon Musk has split from Donald Trumps team - BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

Elon Musk has stepped down from his role in the Trump administration, days after criticising the most significant spending bill of the presidents second term.

The Tesla billionaire thanked Mr Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, but has denied falling out with his boss.

His departure comes days after he criticised the presidents spending plan, saying it undermines the work he had been doing in the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

The comments were part of his broader criticism of Mr Trumps big, beautiful bill, which has promised to deliver $4.5 trillion (3.3 trillion) worth of tax cuts, while significantly increasing Americas deficit.

Mr Musk has previously warned that the worlds largest economy was going bankrupt as a result of its $36.2 trillion debt pile, echoing similar concerns made by economists since Mr Trump came to power.

Elon Musk spent almost 130 days in a special government role - JIM WATSON

The 53-year-old had been designated as a special government employee, giving him access to work in the administration for 130 days. The deadline was due to expire on May 30.

In an announcement posted on social media, Mr Musk said his scheduled time as a special government employee was coming to an end.

Mr Trump did not immediately comment on the departure, and a source told Reuters that Mr Musk had made the announcement prior to any formal exit conversation with the president.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, paid tribute to Mr Musk at a press briefing on Thursday but pushed back on his criticisms of the spending bill.

We thank him for his service. We thank him for getting Doge off the ground, and the efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse will continue, she said.

Pressed on Mr Musks criticisms of the bill, which is forecast to add trillions of dollars to the US deficit, Ms Leavitt answered: This bill saves $1.6 trillion according to the Council of Economic Advisers and the analyses that the president believes in.

Mr Musks wide-ranging brief at the heart of the government created tensions with cabinet members, and Ms Leavitt suggested there would not be a single figure to replace him at the helm of the agency.

Instead she said the Doge leaders are each and every member of the presidents Cabinet and the president himself.

Steve Davis, the Tesla billionaires right-hand man at Doge, and who handled its day-to-day operations, is also leaving the agency.

Mr Musk had been a central figure in the Trump campaign, spending millions of dollars to help the president get elected in November, before dominating the first few weeks of Mr Trumps second term by promising to slash $1 trillion of government spending.

First buddy

At one point, Mr Musk called himself the presidents first buddy, and promised to donate $100 million to help with the 2026 midterm elections, though the money is yet to come in.

But The New York Times reported that Mr Musk became disillusioned with Washington after spending $25 million on a judicial election in Wisconsin, which the Republicans lost, and that he was uncomfortable with Mr Trumps sweeping global tariffs agenda.

Mr Trump, meanwhile, initially liked having the Tesla founder around, but grew concerned when learning that Mr Musk was set to receive a classified briefing about China at the Pentagon.

Another source of tension for Mr Musk centred around the presidents recent visit to the Middle East.

Prior to Mr Trumps four-day visit to the Gulf states, Mr Musk expressed concern over a proposed deal between the UAE and OpenAI, a rival to his own AI company, xAI, which was not included in the deal.

Mr Musk ended up joining the trip but was among a number of billionaires, including OpenAIs Sam Altman, who lined up to shake Mr Trumps hand.

Prioritising business

Speaking before his exit from the White House, Mr Musk admitted he had already planned to spend less time in politics and more on business.

I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics, Mr. Musk told Ars Technica this week.

He added: It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and Ive reduced that significantly in recent weeks.

It comes after he admitted that slashing government spending was more difficult than he had initially thought.

Its a long road to go, and, you know, its really difficult, he told reporters at the White House. Its sort of, how much pain is, you know, the cabinet and is Congress willing to take?

Because it can be done, but it requires dealing with a lot of complaints.

Mr Musk said it remained to be seen whether there was sufficient political will in Congress and elsewhere to actually do that.

Speaking over the weekend, he said he would go back to spending 24/7 at work.

I must be super focused on X/xAI and Tesla.
Sir Keir Starmer has declared Reform UK his main opposition, saying the Conservatives have run out of road.

For the first time, the Prime Minister gave a speech solely focused on the insurgent Right-wing party, in which he compared Reforms economic plans to those of Liz Truss and the market chaos caused by her failed mini-Budget.

The attempt to paint Reform as being like the Tories gives an indication of how Downing Street will try to shape the political narrative in the run up to the next election  pitting the choice facing voters as between Labour on the Left and Reform on the Right.

Nigel Farages party continues to lead the opinion polls by an average of nine percentage points, and won hundreds of councillors at the expense of both Labour and the Tories at the local elections earlier this month.

Sir Keir also accused Mr Farage of introducing poison into our politics while campaigning for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election in Scotland after a Reform advert claimed Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, would prioritise the Pakistani community.

The attacks came after the Reform leader parked his tanks on Labours lawn by promising to reverse the cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners and lift the two-child benefit cap.

Delivering a speech at a manufacturing centre in Warrington in the north west of England, Sir Keir said Mr Farage had already committed billions upon billions of completely unfunded spending.

The Prime Minister said: It is Liz Truss all over again. The same fantasy, this time from Farage, the same bet in the same casino.

The reaction to Ms Trusss tax-cutting mini-Budget prompted chaos in the markets in September 2022, and mutiny among Tory MPs, forcing her out of Downing Street after just 49 days in No10.

Mad experiment

Claiming Mr Farage wanted to conduct a mad experiment similar to her plans, Sir Keir added that there is not and there never will be a magic wand to fix the public finances.

Out of the eight minutes of scripted remarks made by the Prime Minister, more than half of this time was focused on attacking Mr Farage.

The Reform leader responded on Twitter:

Why are you so obsessed with me? @Keir_Starmer  pic.twitter.com/QoY5rNiRlq  Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) May 29, 2025

On Tuesday, Mr Farage made a number of ambitious pledges, including increasing the threshold for paying the basic rate of income tax to 20,000.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies said that move alone could cost between 50 to 80 billion a year. Reform said it would be funded by abandoning net zero and slashing diversity spend.

Responding to the Prime Ministers speech, Mr Farage said Sir Keir was resorting to dirty tricks, and labelled his approach Project Fear 2.0  a reference to the Remain campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum.

He posted on X: The Prime Minister is resorting to dirty tricks borrowed from the 2016 referendum campaign to attack me. This is Project Fear 2.0.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Kemi Badenoch said Mr Farage and Sir Keir were in a race to the bottom over welfare handouts.

The Tory leader said: Thats not fair, its not sustainable and its not even compassionate. Welfare traps people, builds dependency and it drives up costs for everyone.

While Labour and Reform are content to make promises they cant keep, I wont. The Conservatives are going to be the party of sound money.

Ms Truss, the Tory former prime minister, accused Sir Keir of repeating lies about her premiership.

She said: Britain is headed for a real economic crisis  not the confected crisis that the establishment used to sabotage my policies.

Asked why he was focusing so much on Reform, the Prime Minister said the Conservative Party has run out of road.

Last week a YouGov survey found the Tories had sunk to its lowest-ever poll rating, placing it in fourth place below Reform, Labour and the Liberal Democrats, at just 16 per cent.

Pathetic little man

Taking questions from the media after his speech, Sir Keir also criticised a toxic Reform advert about Anas Sarwar.

The advert claimed Mr Sarwar would prioritise the Pakistani community. It showed clips of Mr Sarwar calling for more representation of Scots with South Asian heritage, although he did not say he would prioritise any one group.

Mr Sarwar labelled Nigel Farage a pathetic little man over the advert. Mr Farage defended it and accused Mr Sarwar of having introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics.

Asked about the advert following his speech, Sir Keir said: What we have seen with Reform in Scotland in relation to this particular video is manipulation and it is, as ever with Reform and Nigel Farage, trying to divide people with a toxic divide and to poison our politics.

He added: I think it is absolutely right that Anas Sarwar has called this out for what it is.

Hamilton by-election

It came as Angela Rayner, Sir Keirs deputy, insisted Scottish Labours Hamilton by-election candidate was in it to win it amid claims of a two-horse race between Reform and the SNP.

The poll was called after the death of Christina McKelvie, an SNP MSP, and the SNP is urging Labour supporters to back the party in an attempt to defeat Reform.

Davy Russell, the Scottish Labour candidate, has been accused of dodging scrutiny after declining to appear in a TV debate and a morning radio show.

Speaking to reporters on her visit, Ms Rayner said Mr Russell was a local person who has lived here all his life, he really believes in championing his community.

Asked whether Labour could come third to the SNP and Reform, she replied: Davy Russells in it to win it. He wants to be here, not for the short-term, but hes been serving his community here for 45 years.

Once the by-election is over, hell be here still serving his community, thats what this campaign is about, its a grassroots campaign.

Sir Keir three times refused to say whether he planned to lift the two-child benefit cap, a key demand of Labour MPs braced to rebel on welfare policy.

Asked for a third time whether he would abolish the cap, Sir Keir eventually said that he would look at all options as part of the Governments ongoing work on its child poverty strategy.

01:30 PM BST

That is all for today...

Thank you for joining us for todays politics live blog.

01:27 PM BST

Analysis: Starmers focus on Farage should trigger Tory alarm bells

If alarm bells werent already ringing at Conservative Party HQ over the Tories current position in British politics they absolutely should be now after todays speech by Sir Keir Starmer.

Sir Keir will be hoping his anti-Reform attack lines land with voters and give them pause for thought the next time they are at the ballot box.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage will be thrilled that the Prime Minister presented him to the public as his main challenger.

British politics is increasingly presidential and general elections are framed as heavyweight battles between two main contenders: If you arent one of the top two you are likely to be left on the outside looking in.

Oscar Wilde famously wrote: There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

Kemi Badenoch and the Tories must find a way to get back into the conversation as quickly as possible otherwise the perception of there being a new top two will only grow and it could become hard to shift.

12:41 PM BST

Starmer panicking because of Reforms rise, says Zia Yusuf

The Reform UK chairman said Sir Keir Starmers speech and press conference showed Labour was at panic stations.

Zia Yusuf told Sky News: What an extraordinary press conference. It is obviously panic stations at Labour.

Keir Starmer is panicking because his awful government is now trailing Reform by a staggering eight points in the latest YouGov poll.

We talk about economic credibility, this Government in their manifesto last June they promised 10 billion of increased spending. In their actual Budget three months later they increased spending by 60 billion and on their magic money tree found another 30 billion to giveaway sovereign territory in the form of the Chagos Islands.

12:28 PM BST

Farage accuses Starmer of launching Project Fear 2.0

Nigel Farage accused Sir Keir Starmer of resorting to dirty tricks to stop the rise of Reform UK.

He described the Prime Ministers approach as Project Fear 2.0 - a reference to the Remain campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Mr Farage posted on X: The Prime Minister is resorting to dirty tricks borrowed from the 2016 referendum campaign to attack me.

This is Project Fear 2.0.

12:17 PM BST

Pictured: PM meets staff after delivering speech

Sir Keir Starmer meets employees during a visit to Glass Futures in St Helens - Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images Europe

12:15 PM BST

Starmer backs Sarwar in row with Farage over Reform advert

The Prime Minister criticised a toxic Reform UK advert about Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader.

The advert claimed Mr Sarwar would prioritise the Pakistani community. It showed clips of Mr Sarwar calling for more representation of Scots with south Asian heritage, although he did not say he would prioritise any one group.

Mr Sarwar labelled Nigel Farage a clown and a pathetic little man over the advert. Mr Farage defended it and accused Mr Sarwar of having introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics.

Asked about the advert following his speech, Sir Keir said: What we have seen with Reform in Scotland in relation to this particular video is manipulation and it is, as ever with Reform and Nigel Farage, trying to divide people with a toxic divide and to poison our politics.

He added: I think it is absolutely right that Anas Sarwar has called this out for what it is.

12:06 PM BST

PM wont be drawn on lifting two-child benefit cap

Sir Keir Starmer would not be drawn on whether he personally wanted to lift the two-child benefit cap.

The Government is considering the move and there is growing pressure from Labour MPs to act now.

Sir Keir dodged the question two times after delivering his speech, but pressed for a third time, he said that he was determined we are going to drive down child poverty.

He said there was not a single bullet which would solve the problem but added: I am absolutely determined that we will drive this down and that is why we will look at all options, always, of driving down child poverty.

12:01 PM BST

Starmer: I want to protect working people from Nigel Farage

Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to protect voters from Nigel Farage.

The Prime Minister also said he did not need lectures from the Reform UK leader on connecting with working people.

Told that he appeared to be panicking at the Reform opinion poll surge and that Mr Farage seemed to have more in common with Red Wall voters, Sir Keir said: I have set out my divide. I think the single most important thing is to make sure we stabilise our economy and build on that strong foundation...

He added: I want to protect working people from Nigel Farage because I want to protect them from what he will do which is exactly the same as Liz Truss which will have a direct impact on their lives.

I dont need lectures from Nigel Farage on what it means to be working and working people. I know what it means to work 10 hours a day in a factory, five days a week and I know that because that is what my dad did every single working day of his life.

Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech and answers media questions during a visit to Glass Futures on May 29, 2025 in St Helens, Merseyside - Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images Europe

11:57 AM BST

PM repeats claim that Reforms spending promises are unfunded

It was suggested to Sir Keir Starmer that Labour was running scared of Reform UK.

He rejected the idea and said: Let me be really clear about the difference between this Labour Government and Reform because we know for a fact what happens when politicians say they are going to spend billions and billions of pounds and it is unfunded.

We tried that experiment with Liz Truss. That is precisely what she did. And it wasnt Liz Truss that paid the price, it was the millions of working people who paid the price for that experiment.

11:53 AM BST

Starmer dodges question on falling popularity

Sir Keir Starmer is now answering questions from the media.

He was told that the fall in his popularity amongst voters since the general election had been historically unprecedented and it was suggested to the Prime Minister that his speech today was effectively ad admission that Nigel Farage understands voters better than he does.

Sir Keir dodged the question and said he had inherited a mess from the Tories when he moved into No 10.

He said: I vowed that people would never be put through the Liz Truss experiment ever again.

And the reason I am speaking out today in relation to Nigel Farage is precisely because that is what the policies he outlined this week risk for our country.

11:44 AM BST

Farage would blow up UK economy, claims Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer claimed Nigel Farage wanted to blow up the economy all over again.

We wont let him, he said as he concluded his opening address.

We will deliver our Plan for Change and do so precisely because we protect our economy.

That is the path to change and that is what Labour will deliver.

Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech and answers media questions during a visit to Glass Futures on May 29, 2025 in St Helens, Merseyside - Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images Europe

11:42 AM BST

Farage planning irresponsible splurge of public spending, claims PM

Sir Keir Starmer said Nigel Farage had set out billions upon billions of completely unfunded spending.

The Prime Minister said: Precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills and the cost of living through the roof.

It is Liz Truss all over again.

Sir Keir claimed Reform UKs plans for the economy would be a mad experiment.

11:40 AM BST

Starmer claims Farage cannot be trusted on economy

Beginning his attack on Nigel Farage, Sir Keir Starmer said: This is the man that said Jaguar Land Rover deserved to go bust and he said that because he didnt like an advert that they made.

The Prime Minister said that when they needed support... and make a deal with the United States, I protected those jobs.

Would Nigel Farage have done the same? Absolutely not.

Sir Keir suggested Mr Farage could not be trusted to handle the economy properly.

11:37 AM BST

Starmer speech underway: I will fight for every job

Sir Keir Starmer has now arrived and has started his speech.

The Prime Minister began by praising the glass-making business hosting his address.

I am proud of every aspect of our economy, he said.

I will fight for every job.

11:24 AM BST

Train woes cause problems for travelling press pack

We are expecting the PMs speech to start at 11.30am but it looks like it might have to be pushed back a little bit.

Train problems have delayed journalists travelling from Westminster to the north west of England this morning and they are now having to get taxis to the location instead.

11:19 AM BST

Truss hits back at Starmer over economy jibe

Liz Truss accused Sir Keir Starmer of repeating lies about her premiership.

Sir Keir is expected to say during his speech this morning: In opposition we said Liz Truss would crash the economy and leave you to pick the bill. We were right.

And we were elected to fix that mess. Now in Government, we are once again fighting the same fantasy  this time from Nigel Farage. Farage is making the exact same bet Liz Truss did.

Ms Truss, who sent a cease and desist letter to Sir Keir earlier this year demanding that he stop claiming that she crashed the economy, hit back with a post on X:

Repeating lies is not going to fix the economy @Keir_Starmer.



Gilt rates are now higher than when I was in office.



Britain is headed for a real economic crisis - not the confected crisis that the establishment used to sabotage my policies. https://t.co/99Y4SOcir5  Liz Truss (@trussliz) May 29, 2025

11:11 AM BST

Starmer speech scheduled to start at 11.30am

Sir Keir Starmers speech is due to get underway at 11.30am.

The Prime Minister will deliver his address - it is not expected to be a long one - and he will then answer questions from reporters.

You will be able to watch the event live at the top of this page.

11:09 AM BST

Farage responds to criticism: We must be winning

In the last 24 hours I have been attacked by Starmer, Badenoch, Swinney, Sarwar and just about everybody else  except for the voters.



We must be winning.  Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) May 29, 2025

11:04 AM BST

Analysis: Labour now views Reform as its biggest threat

Sir Keir Starmers decision to focus a speech on attacking Nigel Farage shows just how much British politics has changed in recent years.

Eighteen months ago it would have been almost inconceivable to imagine Sir Keir would focus all of his energy on countering Reform UK.

At that time Reform was an upstart party making relatively small gains.

But after winning seats in the House of Commons last May, topping the local elections earlier this month and seizing the lead in national opinion polls, Mr Farages party has cemented itself as a true Westminster power player.

It is clear that Labour now views Reform as its biggest electoral threat, with the Tories relegated to second place.

11:02 AM BST

Starmer to accuse Farage of fantasy economics

Nigel Farages fantasy economics will lead to a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown, Sir Keir Starmer will claim this morning.

The Prime Minister is set to deliver a speech in the north west of England in which he will launch a direct attack on the leader of Reform UK.

Sir Keir will claim Reform wants to use family finances as a gambling chip on unfunded tax cuts.

Liz Truss's fantasy economics crashed the economy. My Government was elected to fix the mess.



Now Nigel Farage wants to repeat her mistake.



You can't trust him with your job, your mortgage, your pension, your bills, or your future.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 29, 2025

His address comes just days after Mr Farage delivered a major speech in which he sought to outflank Labour on welfare and tax.

He promised to lift the two-child benefit cap and reverse the cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners. He also pledged to introduce a tax break for married couples and recommitted to increasing the income tax personal allowance to 20,000 a year.
Credit: Reuters

Hordes of hungry people stormed a warehouse in central Gaza as aid trickled into the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine, a United Nations agency said on Thursday.

Eyewitness video verified by Reuters showed thousands pushing into the warehouse and removing bags and boxes, while gunfire could be heard in the background.

Doctors at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah reported that two people died after being crushed in the crowd, and two others were shot dead. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the gunfire.

The incident comes one day after the Israeli military was seen firing warning shots in the area outside a distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which was briefly rushed by people waiting for aid.

Palestinians ferry bags of food aid after storming a World Food Programme warehouse in Deir el-Balah in Gaza - AFP

The World Food Programme (WFP), a UN agency, said the deadly stampede showed that an immediate increase in food aid was necessary to reassure people that they will not starve.

Hordes of hungry people broke into WFPs Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, Central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution, WFP said in a statement on X, the social media app.

Initial reports indicate two people died and several were injured in the tragic incident, WFP said, adding that it was still confirming details.

On Tuesday, footage from the GHF site showed fences broken down by crowds as private security contractors fell back before restoring order. The UN human rights office said that 47 people had been injured.

The GHF said aid distribution continued on Wednesday without incident as it opened a second distribution hub.

Across the two sites, it has so far given out the equivalent of 840,262 meals. The GHF said it was working to open four sites and expand further in Gaza in the weeks ahead.

Israel ended an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza 10 days ago following international pressure, but so far only the GHF and the UN have been allowed to deliver the food and supplies.

Sigrid Kaag, the UNs Middle East envoy, told the United Nations Security Council that the amount of aid Israel had so far allowed the UN to deliver was comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk when everyone in Gaza was facing the risk of famine.

Israel has denied cutting off aid, instead accusing the terror group Hamas of diverting and seizing supplies. Hamas has denied the claims.

Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israels killing of Mohammad Sinwar, the late Hamas Gaza chief, marked a turn towards the complete defeat of Hamas. The Israeli prime minister added that Israel was taking control of food distribution in Gaza.

Displaced Palestinians carried out bags of food and took wood to build shelters - EYAD BABA

Samuel Zbogar, the Slovenian ambassador to the UN, said some UN members were working on a draft resolution to demand unimpeded aid access.

Remaining silent is not an option, he told the Security Council.

Danny Danon, Israels ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council that Israel would allow aid deliveries for the immediate future.

However, Israel ultimately wants the UN to work through the GHF, which is using private US security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution by civilian teams at so-called secure distribution sites.

The UN should put their ego aside and co-operate with the new mechanism, Mr Danon told reporters before the council meeting.

The UN and other international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say the plan is not neutral.

People in Gaza have said they are frightened to attend GHF aid sites over concerns the deliveries are part of an Israeli plot to gather intelligence.

Eyewitness video verified by Reuters showed large crowds pushing into the warehouse and removing bags and boxes - REUTERS

It is still not clear who is funding GHF, a non-profit registered in Geneva and Delaware, which has been rocked by the recent resignation of two of its most senior officials.

Jake Wood, the executive director, resigned on Sunday because GHFs plans could not be consistent with what he called the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

David Burke, the chief operating officer, also resigned, sources told the Washington Post.

Jonathan Whittall, a senior UN aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories, told reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday: This new scheme is surveillance-based rationing that legitimises a policy of deprivation by design.

The UN has refused to participate in this scheme, warning that it is logistically unworkable and violates humanitarian principles by using aid as a tool in Israels broader efforts to depopulate areas of Gaza, he said.

Elsewhere, the baby of the Israeli woman shot on her way to give birth two weeks ago has died, Israels foreign minister has announced.

Tzeela Gezs baby was delivered by emergency c-section after the attack near Bruchin in the West Bank, in which the mother was killed.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X on Thursday: Doctors fought for the life of Ravid Chaim, her newborn baby, for two weeks.

Tragically, he did not survive. He passed away today.

It comes as Israels defence ministry confirmed the approval of 22 new settlements in the West Bank.
The funeral for rock musician Mike Peters was spot on perfect, his friend and charity co-founder has said, as the singer was laid to rest in the village he lived in.

The rock star, who was the frontman of Welsh band The Alarm, died on April 29 from blood cancer at the age of 66  more than 30 years after he was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at the age of 36.

Fans and friends travelled from all over the world to celebrate Peterss life, with tears and laughter inside the Parish Church of St Bridget and St Cwyfan in Dyserth, north Wales, during the two-hour service.

Friends and fans travelled from around the world to celebrate Mike Peterss life (Jules Peters/PA)

Peterss wife, Jules, 58, and their sons Dylan, 21, and Evan, 18, were applauded by hundreds of fans as they walked into the church, with his wife clutching a single red rose and his youngest son carrying his fathers ashes.

Around 150 guests attended the emotional funeral service, including James Chippendale, the co-founder of Peterss charity, Love Hope Strength, which aims to raise awareness and funds for those fighting cancer.

Speaking to the PA News Agency after the service, Mr Chippendale said the celebration of his life was very, very Mike Peters.

He said: A little bit grungy, a little bit long, a little bit funny, a little bit sad, great music, and it just couldnt have been a more perfect ending. I think he would have been laughing his ass off.

Paying tribute to his friend of 18 years, Chippendale, who travelled from Mexico for the funeral, said: Heres the thing about Mike  whether you were his great mate like me, or his fans, hes always the same.

What you saw on stage, what you saw when he was interacting with the fans, was Mike.

Mike never faked it. Mike was always authentic, just amazingly authentic.

I think thats why so many people gravitate towards him, and I think thats why so many people connect with him.

If you put yourself out there like he did and open yourself up like he did, theres no way of not loving him, honestly.

He said the musician has changed the lives of people who did not even know him through his charity work, such as his Get On The List campaigns, often publicised at rock concerts, which have seen the charity add more than 250,000 people to stem cell registers worldwide.

He said: I think that the legacy is not how he affected the fans or his family or his friends, but how he affected the people that never even knew he existed.

Through the charity work, theres people alive today because of the work that Mike did. And thats the real, true definition of when you know you changed the world.

You got the songs, you got the charity, youve got his boys, youve got Jules. Itll all live on, but there are thousands and thousands of people that are also living on because of him.

Mike Peters joined Big Country, playing with the band from 2011 to 2013 (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Fans who gathered outside the church with ice creams, picnics and drinks to watch the funeral on a big screen wiped away tears, applauded and sang along throughout the ceremony, which featured tributes from friends and musicians including Peterss bandmate Eddie Macdonald of The Alarm, as well as drummer Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats and Billy Duffy of The Cult, who played Fade In, Fade Out, Fade Away.

Bruce and Jamie Watson of Big Country, a band Peters was a member of between 2011 and 2013, also played Fragile Thing.

Producer and director Alex Coletti became tearful as he shared memories of Peters sharing his vitamins with him while he was fighting cancer, as they both reached Everest base camp.

He said: Mike was all that everyone said he was and so much more.

Mike had to carry medicine and he had a vitamin supplement, just enough to get him through the trek, and one morning, as the climb got higher and harder, he said here, drink this. And he did that every morning, even though he needed every drop.

I thought I was there to look after him, but he was looking after me.

Slim Jim Phantom recalled meeting Peters when he was 17 under false pretences after he turned up to a Stray Cats gig with his band pretending to be the opening act.

He said: He did about seven shows until someone figured out they werent the opening act, but by that point it was too late, Mikey boy had worked his magic on me and I loved the guy.

He added: We always stayed in very close touch all these years. I truly love the guy and I think about him all the time.

Mike Peterss wife, Jules, said they had 39 wonderful years together (Jules Peters/PA)

Eddie MacDonald shared memories of meeting Peters as babies on Rhyl beach and growing up together, forming their first band at 17 and their rise to success, calling him a catalyst who always made things happen.

He said: He was entrepreneurial, his energy, his drive was infectious. Whenever he set his heart on something, he would achieve it and God help anyone who got in his way.

He was a huge inspiration to work with.

There was also a minute of noise started by The Alarms tour manager Andy Labrow, which saw those inside and outside the church cheering, clapping and whooping in Peterss memory.

Peterss wife Jules said they had 39 wonderful years together, with the last year before his death one of our best years ever, living life to the full.

She said: I want to thank you all for coming from far and wide and everyone outside  it was the most incredible thing to arrive and walk down to that, it set the tears off but it was happy tears.

Mike would be so proud.

She added: Lets be happy today and concentrate on all that we have had with our beloved Michael Leslie Peters. He will live on in our hearts and live on in his music.

Mike Peters was made an MBE for voluntary services to cancer care in north Wales and abroad (Steve Parsons/PA)

Peters, who supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, underwent numerous drug treatments and rounds of chemotherapy, and had tried experimental therapy to keep his cancer at bay.

Last year, five days before he was due to fly to Chicago for a 50-date US tour, he noticed that a lump in his neck had appeared overnight and doctors quickly realised the star had developed Richters syndrome, where CLL changes into a much more aggressive lymphoma.

He had been undergoing treatment at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester before his death.

The artist first rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, with hits including 68 Guns and Strength.

He was made an MBE in 2019 for voluntary services to cancer care in north Wales and abroad.
Google is facing a 25 billion legal claim in the UK, accusing the tech giant of abusing its dominant position in the online search advertising market.

The claims that Googles agreements with mobile device manufacturers to make Google Search the default search engine on devices has pushed prices up for UK advertisers.

The claim is being led by Roger Kaye KC, a former deputy High Court judge, and has been filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), where it alleges Googles unlawful conduct has impacted between 500,000 and 1.5 million UK advertisers, resulting in excessive and unfair prices for advertising.

It is seeking compensation for all advertisers who paid Google for search advertising from January 1 2011 until now, estimating an aggregated award of up to 25 billion.

The claim argues that Googles agreements with phone manufacturers and network operators to make Googles search engine the default option on their products meant it has been able to maintain a significant degree of domination in the search market, and as a result charge higher prices.

The US tech giant is already facing a similar legal claim at CAT over its search advertising business, and a judge in the US ruled last year that it is running a monopoly in search.

The company is now fighting proposals that it could be required to break up its digital empire and sell off parts of its business, such as its Chrome web browser, as part of the remedies in that case.

Mr Kaye said: This case marks a significant step in re-establishing a fair and competitive landscape for all advertisers.

Monopolising the advertising space to the point of abuse cannot continue.

Duncan Hedar, head of competition at KP Law, which is representing Mr Kaye, said: In contrast to previous cases filed in the UK, Mr Kaye KC seeks to take the action one step further by rightly compensating the vast number of businesses whove had to suffer the imposition of Googles abuse of power.

The unlawful conduct has already been proven by both the European Commission and a US court, and it is time that all affected UK advertisers are duly compensated for the financial repercussions to their business.

A Google spokesperson said: These types of meritless claims are brought by lawyers seeking profit and bring little-to-no benefit to those they represent.

Consumers and advertisers use Google because its helpful, not because there are no alternatives.
Police said drug smugglers were increasingly using childrens sweets as cover and have injected THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, into candy. Photograph: Daisy Corlett/Alamy

Space cake, weed cookies and hash brownies may be familiar fare in the Netherlands, but cannabis in bags of childrens candy is not and Haribo has recalled its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets after traces of the drug were found inside.

Several people, including children, suffered health complaints, such as dizziness after eating sweets from three 1kg packs, the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) in the Netherlands said, adding that a full recall had been undertaken as a precaution.

How the cannabis ended up in the sweets is still unknown, a spokesperson for the authority told the Dutch news agency ANP. The police are investigating the matter further. The authority said the packs concerned were genuine Haribo products.

Dutch police said in a statement that a couple from the Twente region in the east of the country had brought a pack of the cola-bottle-shaped sweets to their local police station after their young children had become quite sick after eating them. Forensic testing established the presence of cannabis.

We want to know exactly how it got into the candy and, of course, how the bags ended up in the store, a police spokesperson, Chantal Westerhoff, said.

The sweets are sold in several pack sizes and only those in 1kg bags with a use-by date of January 2026 and a specific product code are affected, Haribo said, adding that a full refund would be paid for all packs returned.

Patrick Tax, vice-president of marketing at Haribo, said the recall concerned a limited number of cases in the east of the country. The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and Haribo takes this incident very seriously, he said.

This is a live issue and we are working closely with the Dutch authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts, Tax told Agence France-Presse. The NVWA warned people bluntly: Do not eat these sweets.

In 2023, six children aged between four and 14 were taken ill in The Hague after eating candy containing THC, one of the active ingredients in cannabis, but the sweets concerned were not regular commercial products.

Police said drug smugglers were increasingly using childrens sweets as cover and cited several examples of gangs injecting THC into candy. Copies of Haribos popular gummy bears containing THC can also be found online.
Ivan and Elizabeth Young, the parents of Jade Young, arrive at Lidcombe coroners court for the Bondi Junction stabbings inquest. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The mother of Jade Young, a victim of the Bondi Junction stabbings, has described her daughters murder as the stuff of nightmares and the result of years of neglect within the mental health system.

Elizabeth Young told the New South Wales coroners court on Thursday that her words were both a distillation and a manifestation of anguish.

She said that it hurt terribly that her loving, clever, compassionate, thoughtful and slightly goofy daughter no longer has the chance to be  to exist in the future.

At 74, I have lost my way in life, Young told the court. The moment he casually plunged that knife into Jade, our ordinary lives were shattered.

Related: Change mental health laws so officers can intervene when people pose risk to others, police tell Bondi Junction inquest

Young was accompanied in court by her husband, Ivan, her son, Peter, and Jades husband, Noel. Elizabeth Youngs dog, Teddy, was also at the inquest. Family statements were given on the final day of the five-week coronial inquest.

Schizophrenic man Joel Cauchi, 40, killed Ashlee Good, 38, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Faraz Tahir, 30, and Jade Young, 47. He injured 10 others at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday 13 April 2024 before he was shot and killed by police officer Amy Scott.

Elizabeth Young remembered laughing with her daughter about washing a blanket, sending her a photo of a perfect fairy ring of mushrooms and her final emoji message in the days before she was murdered.

Jade had been shopping with her daughter at the time of the attack. Elizabeth said her granddaughter later drew a plan of where mummy fell in blue crayon.

Pause and think on that, she told the court.

Young described the coronial inquest as harrowing and said some people lost sight of the truly awful fact that six people are dead.

She said an accumulation of failures over many years led to Cauchis murderous attack.

Australia doesnt seem to want to acknowledge what happened was  categoric  years of neglect within our mental health system, at state and federal levels, she said. My daughter was murdered by an unmedicated chronic schizophrenic.

Referring to the senior counsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer SC, she said: Dr Dwyer referred to individuals doing their best in fallible systems.

Im sorry, but it seems to me that my daughter and five others were killed by the cumulative failures of numbers of people within a whole series of fallible systems, she said.

Young said if the inquest led to increased mental health funding and better security arrangements, all that would be good, but my daughter, my lovely, gentle daughter, is no more.

For me personally, no good will come from this inquest. She meant nothing to him, there is no comforting closure, there is no way to make amends for what he took from me.

The coroners court heard Elizabeth Young couldnt stand loud places, flinched at noise, startled easily, no longer listened to music or had flowers at home, slept badly, was anxious about social occasions and dreads Saturday afternoons.

She also criticised how some members of the media had covered the incident and reported on a memorial event less than a fortnight later.

Images of Jades body after the attack were widely shared, Young told the court. To think images of a woman lying dead were newsworthy sickens me, she said on Thursday. I learned a new phrase in the days after April 13  trauma porn.

Peter Young, who lives in Hobart, said his sister Jade was murdered by a man who was fuelled by his frustration [of] not finding a nice girl to marry  what a coward.

Daniel Roff SC, the barrister for Jun Xing and Pengfei Cheng, read a statement on their behalf. Yixuan Cheng was their only child.

She was thriving as a student in Sydney, the court heard on Thursday. We would speak with her almost every day and were so proud, the parents said.

The last time they saw her was a month before her death.

She was the most perfect person and no parent could want or need more, Roff said when reading their statement.

On the day of the attack, Yixuan Cheng spoke to her mother on the phone. I told her that her dad and I loved her [and] she told me that she loved us.

Yixuan was the treasure of our lives  we aged overnight, our hair turned grey, the couple said in their statement. We never had the chance to tell her that being her mother and father were the greatest gifts.

Muzafar Ahmad Tahir, the brother of Pakistani national Faraz Tahir, said that moving to Australia had brought his brother a sense of security.

This country is very peaceful and provides many facilities for a better future, he told the court. None of us could have imagined that such a tragedy could have befallen him.

Faraz Tahir was on duty as a security guard inside Westfield Bondi Junction at the time of the attack.

His courage makes us immensely proud  he will always be remembered as a symbol of bravery, his brother said, adding that it was a moment of immense pride when the prime minister called Faraz a national hero.

George Darchia, the elder son of Pikria Darchia, wrote a statement that was read in court.

His mother was quiet but full of depth, observant, kind, strong  the kind of person who made the world turn the way she wanted it to.

She had a dream that one day George and his brother would live with her in Sydney, the court heard.

She loved this city, she believed in it  but I didnt come. Now I live with the pain of that choice, George Darchia said in his statement.

Maybe I could have helped her avoid going to Bondi Junction on that fateful day. Its not guilt in a logical way, its something deeper.

The inquest, which began just over a year after the attacks, adjourned on Thursday.

It had examined potential failings in Cauchis healthcare, the preparedness of the shopping centre for an active armed offender and the response of the police, ambulance service and media.

 In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
China urges U.S. to safeguard lawful, legitimate rights and interests of all international students: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 10:03, May 29, 2025

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to earnestly safeguard the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of all international students, including those from China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a query that the United States has informed all its embassies and consulates worldwide to stop granting any visas to foreign students.

China has always believed that normal educational cooperation and academic exchanges should not be disrupted, Mao added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Actor Byeon Woo-seok's departure for the Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) 2025 turned chaotic on Wednesday as fans surged past safety barriers at Gimpo International Airport, reigniting concerns over celebrity security management.

The 32-year-old star, best known for his role in the hit drama Lovely Runner, was en route to Yokohama, Japan, where he is scheduled to present an award at the ceremony on Thursday.

The event will be broadcast live on TBS1, ABEAM, DALLDA, and Naver's CHZZK platform.

Large crowds gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the rising actor.

Despite the presence of safety guardrails and a scaled-down security team, the situation quickly escalated as fans reportedly pushed forward, causing barriers to topple.

In the pictures, a relaxed Byeon waves and smiles at the photographers.

However, security personnel struggled to control the crowd as fans attempted to get closer for selfies and personal interactions.

The scene has raised new questions about public safety and security protocol at celebrity appearances.

This is not the first time Byeon has been involved in such an incident.

In 2024, the actor was criticized for employing what many called an "excessive" security detail during an overseas departure from Incheon International Airport.

At the time, his six-man team reportedly occupied a terminal gate for 10 minutes, issued aggressive warnings to fans, and used flashlights on other travelers  actions that drew significant public backlash.

His agency cut down Byron's bodyguards to only three after being criticized.

However, Wednesday's crowd control failure is renewing discussions about whether the current measures are sufficient, especially as Byeon's popularity continues to grow.

The actor's appearance at ASEA 2025 is also drawing attention due to a highly anticipated on-stage reunion with co-star Kim Hye-yoon, who will co-host the event.

The two's sensational chemistry in Lovely Runner has been loved by and captured the attention of fans!

Byeon is set to make a return to TV in 2026 with the historical romance series 21st Century Grand Prince's Wife, further cementing his status as one of Korea's most sought-after rising stars.
Joe and Jill Biden at the White House in June 2024. A new book accuses Mrs Biden of shielding the former president from media scrutiny - Kevin Dietsch/2024 Getty Images

Jill Biden was complicit in covering up the decline of her husband while he was in office, the White House has claimed.

The former first lady needs to answer for her role in shielding her husband away from the cameras, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said accusing her of continuously lying to the American people.

A new book which claims Joe Biden repeatedly forgot the names of close aides and relied on briefing cards in cabinet meetings has renewed questions about his mental acuity while he was commander in chief.

According to Original Sin, a new book about Mr Bidens presidency, his wife seized on the power vacuum her husbands incompetency created to bolster her own influence in the White House.

She is accused of shielding the former president from media scrutiny and convincing him to continue his ill-fated election campaign for a second term.

I think, frankly, the former first lady should certainly speak up about what she saw in regards to her husband and when she saw and what she knew, Ms Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing on Thursday.

Anybody looking again at the videos and photo evidence of Joe Biden with your own eyes and a little bit of common sense can see this was a clear cover up, and Jill Biden was certainly complicit in that cover up.

Joe and Jill Biden at the CNN presidential debate in June 2024 - Justin Sullivan/2024 Getty Images

Noting that the former first couple had appeared on ABCs The View this month, Ms Leavitt continued: She was saying everything is fine. Shes still lying to the American people. She still thinks the American public are so stupid that theyre going to believe her lies.

And frankly, its insulting, and she needs to answer for it.

Leo Terrell, a department of justice official, suggested last week Mrs Biden, who is nine years younger than her husband, could face criminal charges of elder abuse.

According to Original Sin, Mrs Biden attempted to shield her husband from negative headlines while becoming one of the most powerful first ladies in history.

On one occasion, she reportedly pulled him away from Josh Shapiro, the Democrat governor of Pennsylvania, after he raised concerns about the re-election campaign following a dire presidential debate performance.
An Israeli Merkava tank manoeuvres towards the southern Gaza Strip border near Khan Yunis. Merkavas equipped with Active Protection Systems and backed by sophisticated electronic warfare and drones have operated against Hamas and Hezbollah without trouble - Atef Safadi/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Strategic Defence Review, which should shape the UKs military capability for the next decade, is set to drop at last next week. It is critical that the Review incorporates the lessons being learned in the Ukraine war, which is probably the most intense and prolonged warfighting-level conflict since WWII. It must drive much of our thinking when it comes to major combat operations in future. The delay to the Review is, I expect, due to the complexity, density and pace of change of modern war fighting, rather than political dithering and confusion amongst the Review team.

The key factor today is the electromagnetic spectrum  he who controls this, controls the battle space and will win the war. The ability to jam the enemys signals, and to push your own signals through enemy jamming, confers the ability to operate the most common kinds of drones in any given area. Often a nearby transmission relay  perhaps carried by a mothership drone higher above the battlefield  will let drones operate even inside the enemy jamming envelope, as the relay is nearer to the drones than the jammers are and has line of sight to them. In general the Ukrainians have tended to have the upper hand in this electromagnetic struggle, aided at times by harder-to-jam satellite communications such as Elon Musks well-known Starlink. But that doesnt mean theyve had things all their own way.

The contested electronic environment has seen the advent of drones trailing a hair-fine communications line back to their controller. Some in the media believe these to be a new thing, but in fact these drones appeared quite a long time ago. The line unspools as the drone flies along, in a similar fashion to old-school anti-tank missiles dating back many decades. The comms line can be kilometres long and is completely proof against jamming. This brings a slight smile to old soldiers like me who remember weapons such as the Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided (TOW) missile, as we see old-fashioned methods overcoming the latest and most brilliant electronic-warfare systems. The fibre optic drone will be effective until somebody produces a flying pair of scissors or something, which they will, and soon.

At the moment, the British armed forces are almost totally unequipped for this kind of warfare, and the Review must lay out a plan to swiftly change this situation. We need to be able to operate on a drone battlefield without being cut to pieces, and we need to be able to take the fight to the enemy in this new way of war.

1310 israel merkava tank

But the basics must not be dispensed with. Many people have written off the main battle tank because so many thousands have been destroyed by these cheap and ubiquitous drones. But these have mostly been aged ex-Soviet examples dating from decades ago. Even the Western tanks which have been taken out have not been the latest and best available. I will argue in my new book that a properly equipped modern tank, with its own jamming equipment and automated Active Protection Systems (APS) which can knock down incoming missiles and even hypervelocity penetrators fired by enemy tanks  let alone slow-flying drones  will survive and win. A tanks massive power pack can generate enough electrical power that next generation tank jamming systems will be impenetrable by most drones, and any which do get through will fall victim to its APS before they can strike. These 60-ton, rumbling armoured monsters will still be kings of the battlefield: the Israelis, who made APS a reality and who are masters of electronic warfare, have no trouble operating their modern Merkava tanks in the teeth of Hamas and Hezbollah drones.

The other old-fashioned battle magic which will let us operate in the new electronic desert is Mission Command. This is the concept in military leadership, embedded bone deep in the British Army, that emphasises empowering subordinates to make decisions and act independently to achieve the commanders intent. Its about trust, initiative, and speed of action. The temptation is to neglect it in an era when we are all so very tied to our mobile phones, but the Ukraine war is showing us that we do this at our peril. A surfeit of communication has messed up at least as many military operations as a lack of it, and a commander at any level who waits to hear back from his boss when an opportunity appears in front of him is not a real officer at all.

When technology is changing warfare at an exponential rate, it is almost impossible to develop military capability for next year, let alone the next decade, which the SDR is directed to do. It is essential that we have a flexible and agile force, and that we are not too seduced by some new technology today which will be redundant tomorrow. The principles of war have not changed and at its heart are the soldiers who close with and fight the enemy. Thank God that the men and women who join the British Armed Forces are still pound for pound the best on the planet, and I am confident that some of the new generations will be quite capable of dominating the electronic battlespace.

Id wager, though, that no few of them will still ride to war as I did  in a tank.

Colonel Hamish de Bretton Gordon is a former British Army officer. He served with the Royal Tank Regiment, and was assigned to a British armoured battle group in the 1991 Gulf War
Peter Cunningham was wrongly identified on social media as the driver of the vehicle that crashed into the Liverpool FC parade on Water Street in the city. (Reach/Liverpool Echo)

A man who was falsely accused of being driver who ploughed into crowds following Liverpool FC's title parade on Monday has spoken of his shock at being linked to the incident.

Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition after the collision on Water Street, Liverpool, on bank holiday Monday and 79 people in total were injured in the incident.

Police quickly arrested a 53-year-old white British man from West Derby, Liverpool, who is currently being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving.

Merseyside Police released no other details about the suspect but another man  father-of-three Peter Cunningham  saw his photo shared online and was wrongly named as the man who was arrested.

The 54-year-old was inundated with calls and texts from concerned family and friends but he told the Liverpool Echo that he was neither at the parade nor in the city centre on Monday.

Cunningham, from Huyton, Liverpool told the Echo it left him feeling stressed out, adding: I don't need it all.

Forensic officers at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool following Mondays incident. (PA) (Peter Byrne, PA Images)

He said: It's a bad thing that has happened...

It's nothing to do with me, I'm in work right now and the man they arrested is in custody.

He also criticised YouTubers for sharing misinformation.

Cunningham said he had contacted the original poster of his misidentified image and managed to get it removed.

Why police revealed more details of suspect

Merseyside Police took the unusual step of releasing some details about the suspect in the immediate aftermath of the collision.

Typically, this does not happen as details could identify someone, which could possibly prejudice any future trial or breach the privacy of that individual.

On this occasion, the force gave noticeably more details about the suspects age and his description  in this case a white British male.

The route of the parade and the collision in Liverpool. (PA)

This came following criticism levelled at Merseyside Police for their lack of information in the aftermath of the Southport knife attacks last year.

One of Merseyside Police's former inspectors, Peter Williams, a senior lecturer in policing at Liverpool John Moores University, said the force had adopted a "complete step change" in how it shares information as a result.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday: It has been a shift, because, particularly in relation to the aftermath of Southport... there was a lot of criticism focused at Merseyside Police and of course the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service], in relation to how the management of information was sort of dealt with.

Details about the suspect may have been released to avoid disorder like that seen in Southport last year. (PA) (Phil Taylor)

Williams said that the force may have been mindful of how information was handled by Lancashire Constabulary in the disappearance of Nicola Bulley in January 2023, which led to a College of Policing inquiry.

Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu told BBC Radio 5 Live that the decision to release so much information about the suspect was unprecedented but was probably done to avoid rioting that was seen in the immediate aftermath of the Southport attacks.

Babu added: Its remarkably striking because police will not release that kind of information because theyll be worried about prejudicing any future trial, but I think they have to balance that against the potential of public disorder.

Click below to see the latest North West headlines
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Giorgia Melonis opponents and their many friends in the media are cock-a-hoop that the Left has managed to win elections in a couple of large Italian cities. They are treating the victories of the Left in Genoa and Ravenna earlier this month, when elections took place for control of 126 councils, including a handful of major cities, as the beginning of the end for Italys first female prime minister.

It helped the headline writers that the victor in Genoa was a glamorous ex Olympic hammer thrower who had delivered a mighty blow to Meloni.

But it is all surely nonsense. If it were true that Melonis days were numbered, the Right-wing party she founded, Brothers of Italy, would not be consistently leading national opinion polls by a country mile. Nor would Brothers of Italy be more popular now than in September 2022, when it received more votes than any other party at the general election to lead a Right-wing coalition to a resounding victory.

Such impressive popular support halfway through the life of a parliament is virtually unprecedented in a European democracy. It is especially so in a country like Italy, which has had 68 governments since the fall of fascism in 1945.

But to read the press headlines readers would be forgiven if they thought the end was truly nigh for Meloni. Elly Schlein, leader of the main opposition  the Democratic Party  reacted as if on the verge of power.

If I were Giorgia Meloni Id be beginning to worry, [this] is the symptom that something in her rapport with the country is broken, she said. What is now clear is that the centre-Right crows about the polls but we win elections.

At least Schlein had the decency to refer to Meloni as centre-Right, unlike most of the global media. True, they have given up calling her the heir to Mussolini because she was once in Italys long-defunct post-fascist party. But they still call her far-Right despite the fact that she has not done anything far-Right  unless you count her attempts to stop mass illegal migration across the Mediterranean. And even Sir Keir Starmer, who has had talks with her on the issue twice in the past year, has said she has made remarkable progress. He wants to copy her scheme to off-shore asylum seekers from safe countries (thus technically not refugees) to Albania for swift processing of their asylum requests and deportation. Is he now far-Right too?

On the world stage, meanwhile, Meloni continues in the role of key player whose astute down to earth realism, infectious charm and youthful good looks often produce surprising results.

What makes it even more laughable that the Left should regard victory in Genoa and Ravenna as the writing on the wall for Meloni is that traditionally these two port cities have been citadels of Italian communism. Genoa has always been among the most devoutly Left-wing cities in Italy. And Italy, it should be remembered, is the country that not only invented fascism but had the largest communist party in Europe outside the Soviet Bloc until the end of the Cold War. Schleins party is its heir.

In Ravenna, the Left won as it always has done since the fall of fascism in 1945. Worse for Schlein is that the Democratic Party did not win Genoa and Ravenna on its own but only in coalition with the anti-establishment populist party, Five Star, with which it enjoys a love-hate relationship.

These two parties are normally sworn enemies but have nevertheless, on occasion, allied at local level and once at national level to form a coalition government that lasted a year and a half. Even if they were to strike a deal to fight the next general election in 2027 together they would get nowhere near enough votes to win: the Democratic Party is currently polling 22 per cent, and Five Star 12 per cent. Melonis coalition government, by contrast, is way ahead with Brothers of Italy polling 30 per cent, and its partners Forza Italia and the League both on 9 per cent.

Schleins only hope would be to ally as well with what is called the campo largo (large field)  not just with Five Star but with the other much smaller Left-wing parties of shades of pink and red. This is what her party did in Genoa. But its real problem is Schleins lack of charisma and winning policies. Her party seems to be, as journalist Aldo Cazzullo, no friend of the Right, wrote in the Corriere della Sera a little 5 per cent party of the extreme Left with no concrete ideas. If there were a general election now, the Right would win convincingly, he said.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson has been forced to pull out of her first heptathlon since collecting Olympic silver in Paris after sustaining an injury in training.

Johnson-Thompson was set to take part in the Gotzis Hypo Meeting in Austria from May 31-June 1.

Instead, the 32-year-old two-time world champion will have to wait as she recovers from what she says is a minor issue.

Sharing the news on Instagram, the Liverpudlian wrote: Im really gutted to share Ive picked up an injury in training this week so wont be competing (at the Hypo Meeting) at the weekend.

I was really looking forward to competing in my first heptathlon since Paris, especially at Gotzis as the event is so special.

It is with a heavy heart that Ive had to make this decision. Thankfully the injury is nothing serious and Ill be back on the track shortly.

Good luck to all the athletes competing in Gotzis, no doubt you will put on another great weekend of combined events for all the fans that will be there. See you soon!

Johnson-Thompsons silver last summer in France was her first Olympic medal in four Games.
The production crew compound at the BBC Springwatch location on the National Trusts Longshaw estate - Asadour Guzelian

The BBC has been accused of damaging the countryside in order to film Chris Packhams Springwatch.

The show is broadcasting live from a National Trust estate in the Peak District which is home to one of Britains most threatened birds, protected insects and rare plants.

But residents have accused the BBC of hypocrisy, saying that the reality of the wildlife show is actually to damage the wildlife, including roads built for lorries and a steel plate over a meadow where wildflowers were about to burst into bloom.

Mr Packham is joined by fellow presenter Michaela Strachan at the National Trusts Longshaw estate for three weeks of live filming for the shows 20th anniversary.

The first episode, which aired on Monday, opened with the pair praising the habitats and the wildlife at the location, including hares, herds of deer, short-eared owls and ring ouzels.

Credit: Asadour Guzelian

But resident Christine Laver said that the reality of the show behind the scenes was very different.

Tonnes of limestone were tipped into a gritstone landscape, which could cause damage as the materials support different types of habitat.

Other damage saw ditches blocked and tracks widened by vehicles they were never designed for, the local council worker said.

She added that there was a meadow covered in steel plating, just when the wildflowers are coming into bloom and dozens of staff and production vehicles.

How many tons of CO2 will this lot produce in three weeks, Chris Packham? she asked.

Protection matting on grass at the BBC Springwatch location inHathersage, Derbyshire - Asadour Guzelian/Guzelian Ltd

Callum Cocker, who visits the site most weekends to watch the red stags, said that a week before the circus arrived he had spotted two curlews in the field.

He did not get close enough to see if they were nesting but said that if the threatened birds had chosen it for a nest site, that all went out the window when Springwatch arrived and laid checker plate on the wildflower meadows and parked HGVs in the field.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, external affairs director at the Countryside Alliance, said: Its incumbent on all of us to treat our precious green spaces and natural environment with respect and care. This applies especially to celebrities and broadcasters out and about in the countryside, who have a special responsibility to lead by example at all times.

Chris Packham is at the National Trusts Longshaw estate for three weeks of live filming for the shows 20th anniversary - Olli Hillyer-Riley/BBC Studios

A BBC spokesman said: At Longshaw the Springwatch team is working in cooperation with the National Trust. The field location was confirmed as appropriate for temporary use by local land managers and no wildlife has been displaced.

All of the surfaces installed and modifications are temporary, and the National Trust will undertake any works that may be needed to reinstate the site once Springwatch has departed. This restoration includes reseeding fields, restoring ditches, and reverting any landscape changes.

Minimising our environmental impact is a top priority and Springwatch is certified by BAFTA Albert, which encourages sustainable TV and film production. Whilst on location, our main power source is a green hydrogen fuel cell, dramatically reducing our CO emission.

Production crew vehicles parked on the estate for the filming of the BBC Springwatch three-week run of programmes - Asadour Guzelian/Guzelian Ltd

Mobile offices for the programmes production crew at the National Trusts Longshaw estate - Asadour Guzelian/Guzelian Ltd

On a page on their website describing how delighted they are to host Springwatch, the National Trust tells readers that they should be a wise wildlife watcher.

Top tips are keep your distance, activate your stealth mode by moving quietly and not staying in one place for too long and leave no trace by not damaging the plants and vegetation.

The National Trust echoed the BBCs statement and said that they are working together to uphold the highest possible environmental standards.
The Prince Creek ecosystem of 73m years ago would have experienced about six months of continuous daylight in summer. However, the winter would have been chilly. Photograph: Supplied

The Arctic might evoke images of polar bears and seals, but 73m years ago it was a dinosaur stomping ground. Now fossil hunters say these beasts shared their turf with a host of different birds.

Researchers believe their discovery of more than 50 bird fossils from the Prince Creek formation in Alaska is the oldest evidence of birds nesting in polar regions, pushing back the date by more than 25m years.

The previous oldest evidence for polar nesting is a penguin colony from the Eocene of Antarctica [that lived about 46.5m years ago], said Lauren Wilson, first author of the work from Princeton University.

More than 200 species of bird nest in the Arctic today, with the researchers saying they are crucial members of the ecosystem, helping with essential tasks such as pollination and seed dispersal. And the latest findings suggest their presence is nothing new.

These new fossils fill a major gap in our understanding of bird evolution, said Prof Patrick Druckenmiller, director of the University of Alaska Museum of the North and a co-author of the study published in the journal Science.

While the earliest birds emerged in the Late Jurassic, about 150m years ago, the delicate nature of bird bones means such animals are rare in the fossil record. Prior to this work, and with the exception of a few footprints, bird fossils werent known from Alaska, said Druckenmiller.

The discovery involved far more than mere good fortune, with the team carefully excavating bones as well as washing and sieving material from small, sandy deposits to isolate tiny fossils, many of which were less than 2mm in size.

It was literally like panning for gold, except bird bones are our prize, said Druckemiller.

Wilson added that many of the bones were from embryos or hatchlings. At least one species of bird, she said, belonged to a now-extinct group called Ichthyornithes, and would have resembled a toothed seagull, while the researchers also found at least one member of another extinct group called Hesperornithes: foot-propelled diving birds with teeth.

Many of the fossils came from toothless birds that may have resembled ducks. That, the team note, is significant because features such as a lack of teeth are a hallmark of Neornithes, the group that includes all living birds and their most recent common ancestor. It suggests the prehistoric birds nesting in the Arctic were close relatives of modern birds.

Druckenmiller said that, like the Arctic today, the Prince Creek ecosystem of 73m years ago would have experienced about six months of continuous daylight in the summer, during which it would have been very green. As a result there would have been an abundance of food. However, the winter would have been chilly.

While [winters were] not as harsh as today, year-round residents would have to endure freezing temperatures, occasional snowfall, and about four months of continuous winter darkness, he said.

Wilson said the newly discovered fossils showed the birds were breeding in the Arctic, but she said it was unclear if they spent the winter there, adding it was highly likely at least some of them were migratory.

Steve Brusatte, a professor of palaeontology and evolution at the University of Edinburgh who was not involved in the work, said that while the fossils discovered by the team were absolutely minuscule, they told a huge story.

These fossils show that birds were already integral parts of the these high-latitude communities many tens of millions of years ago, and thus that these communities are a long-term norm of Earth history, not a recent ecological innovation of modern times, he said.
Threats by politicians to abandon international law such as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) have been compared to 1930s Nazi Germany by the Attorney General.

Speaking at the defence think-tank Rusi on Thursday, Lord Hermer said calls for the UK to quit international agreements echoed similar demands by legal experts in 1930s Germany who rejected international law and human rights in favour of state power.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, and Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, have backed leaving the ECHR, citing concerns that it is being exploited by illegal migrants and foreign criminals to avoid deportation.

In the speech, Lord Hermer also criticised Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, for reckless and dangerous threats to pull out of international agreements, saying it would put the UKs security at risk and benefit Vladimir Putin.

Mrs Badenoch has hinted that she would be prepared to leave the ECHR unless it is reformed.

In Rusis annual security lecture, Lord Hermer set out Labours policy of progressive realism, which he said meant the Government would work within the bounds of international law and seek constructive reform rather than adopt the Tories selective pick and mix approach to treaties and agreements.

Lord Hermer warned against attacks on international law - James Manning/PA

He told the audience of senior security and defence experts that Labours approach to the ECHR was a rejection of the siren song, that can sadly now be heard in the Palace of Westminster, not to mention the press, that Britain abandons the constraints of international law in favour of raw power.

This is not a new song, he continued. The claim that international law is fine as far as it goes, but can be put aside when the conditions change, is a claim that was made in the early 1930s by realist jurists in Germany most notably Carl Schmitt, whose central thesis was in essence the claim that state power is all that counts, not law.

Because of the experience of what followed 1933, far-sighted individuals rebuilt and transformed the institutions of international law, as well as internal constitutional law.

Mr Schmitt is seen as an authoritarian conservative theorist who was a vocal critic of parliamentary democracy and liberalism. He supported the Nazi party, joining it in 1933, with his theories about state power providing ideological justification for the regime. He later lost favour and was removed from official positions in the party.

Carl Schmitt delivers a speech at Strasbourg University attended by Nazis - www.bridgemanimages.com

The ECHR, which was created in 1950 after the Second World War, is intended to protect human rights, enforce the rule of law and promote democracy.

Lord Hermers comments follow a controversial 11 months as Sir Keir Starmers most senior law officer, where he has faced criticism for alleged conflicts of interests over his past work as a human rights lawyer, including representing Gerry Adams.

On Thursday night, he faced a backlash from the Tories and Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, who told The Telegraph: It is disgraceful that Lord Hermer should compare the growing campaign for national sovereignty and freedom from outdated international courts with 1930s Germany.

Mr Farage added: Our national interest is being damaged by dangerous young men crossing the channel and the absurd surrender of the Chagos Islands. Hermer and Starmer are out of touch with the British public and these insults will only strengthen our case. The next general election will see leaving the ECHR at the centre of debate.

A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch hit back against Lord Hermers criticism, saying it was ironic that he had said he hoped to depolarise the debate and simultaneously called everyone he disagreed with Nazis.

Kemi respects international law, but unlike Lord Hermer she recognises that it has its limits, and countries shouldnt bind themselves to doing things that run counter to their national interest, he said.

Lord Hermer is content to replace the sovereignty of parliament and the rule of law with the rule of lawyers and supranational lobbyists. Kemi will never apologise for acting in Britains national interest.

Disgusting smear

Mr Jenrick said: The idea you can reform the ECHR is fanciful as it requires unanimity from all 46 signatories.

It is appalling that Hermer would insinuate that those who think we should leave the ECHR are like the Nazis. David Lammy tried that disgusting smear with Brexiteers and it didnt work for him  it wont work for Hermer either. It seems Labour havent learned a thing.

The ECHR was introduced after Winston Churchill called for a charter of human rights in 1948. It was signed in 1950 and came into force in 1953 broadly protecting the human rights and political freedoms of all citizens within states belonging to the Council of Europe.

Lord Hermer did not expand on whom he meant by the Palace of Westminster but later in his speech he attacked what he called pseudo-realists, including Mrs Badenoch, who believed there should no longer be a rules-based international order.

He insisted he did not question the good faith let alone patriotism of pseudo-realists who believed the UK should prove its strength by reviewing international agreements and pulling out of those they considered not to be in the UKs interests, such as the ECHR and International Criminal Court.

Less prosperous

However, Lord Hermer added: Their temptingly simple narratives not only misunderstand our history and the nature of international law, it is also reckless and dangerous, and will make us less prosperous and secure in a troubled world.

The Attorney General warned of the possible disintegration of international law where no one would trust the UK in negotiations. It was also, he said, not Conservatism, this is radicalism which stands completely at odds with that proud constitutional tradition in this country.

He warned that if multilateral institutions collapsed it would benefit the UKs enemies.

It is obvious that Russia and other malign state-actors see the undermining of the legal based framework as a core objective, he said.

Putin does not simply apply a Schmitt-ian approach to the rule of law within the boundaries of Russia and its proxies, he recognises the huge strategic advantage that would flow in undermining the post 1945 international law framework.

Lord Hermer signalled, however, that the UK was ready to reform human rights laws to tackle modern crises such as illegal migration.

States agreeing to treaties some time ago did not give an open-ended licence for international rules to be ever more expansively interpreted or for institutions to adopt a position of blindness or indifference to public sentiment, he said.

Sir Keir has maintained that Britain will not quit the ECHR despite multiple cases where it has been exploited by illegal migrants and foreign criminals to avoid deportation.

The treaty was also used to block what was intended to be the Tories first migrant deportation flight to Rwanda in 2022, with a single judge in Strasbourg granting an 11th-hour injunction.
Mark Gordon and Constance Marten are charged with the manslaughter of their baby daughter Victoria

The partner of wealthy aristocrat Constance Marten was convicted of raping a woman in the United States when he was 14 years old and received a prison sentence of 40 years, jurors have heard.

Marten, 38, and Mark Gordon, 50, are charged with the manslaughter of their baby daughter Victoria, who died in a tent on the South Downs in early 2023.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors at the Old Bailey on Thursday that in 1989, Gordon, then aged 14, held a woman against her will in Florida for more than four hours and raped her while armed with a knife and hedge clippers.

Within a month, he entered another property and carried out another offence involving aggravated battery, Mr Little said.

Jurors were told that, in February 1994, Gordon received a sentence of 40 years imprisonment, of which he served 22 years.

Mr Little told jurors that the first set of offences occurred on April 29 1989 in Florida and consisted of one offence of armed kidnapping, four offences of sexual assault and one offence of armed burglary.

Discussing the offences, Mr Little asked Det Sgt Ian Valentine: Did he break into the house of a next-door neighbour? Before doing so, did he place a nylon stocking over his face to conceal his identity?

Giving evidence, Det Sgt Valentine replied: Yes.

Mr Little also asked the officer: Was he armed with a knife and hedge clippers?

Det Sgt Valentine replied: Yes.

Mr Little asked the officer: Did he demand that the female in the property undress?

Det Sgt Valentine replied: Yes.

The prosecutor also asked the officer: Did he attempt to vaginally rape her?, did he orally rape her and perform other sexual assault offences? and was that female held by him for a period of four-and half-hours against her will in the property?

Det Sgt Valentine replied yes to all the questions.

Armed with flat-headed shovel

Mr Little said Gordons second set of offences occurred on May 21 1989 and consisted of armed burglary and aggravated battery at a property occupied by a family while armed with a flat-headed shovel.

The prosecutor asked the officer: Once inside the property, did he beat a male occupant with a shovel about the head?

Det Sgt Valentine replied: Yes.

While cross-examining the police officer, Gordon said the convictions took place due to human rights violations, he had not been supervised in police interviews relating to them and that he had challenged the convictions while in custody.

Earlier this week, jurors heard that Gordon had pleaded guilty to assaulting two police officers who had been called to a maternity ward in Wales in 2017 after Marten gave birth to one of Victorias older siblings.

Gordon had to be forcibly restrained during the incident and a new father had stepped in to help the two female officers before more police arrived to arrest him.

In his evidence last week, Gordon, who is representing himself, made no reference to his troubled past but told jurors: Everybody faces challenges in life.

He said his mother was a hard-working nurse who was passionate and empathetic and had instilled compassion in him.

Gordon said: The idea I was underprivileged was not the case. My mother had two or three houses. She always provided for us. She showed me empathy.

In his earlier evidence, Gordon blamed the police manhunt for setting off a series of calamitous events culminating in Victorias death.

He insisted that he and Marten put ourselves out to ensure the babys wellbeing and no-one could have anticipated her death.

In an emotional outburst in the witness box, Gordon had complained they were treated like monsters and dragged through the mud like scum over what happened and had not had time to grieve for their child.

Private investigators group engaged

Agreed facts were also read to the jury, which included that Virginie de Selliers, Martens mother, engaged the private investigators group, London Security Group Limited, to trace her daughter in 2016.

Jurors were also told that Martens father, Napier Marten, approached the same firm and a tracing company called CSM Partners Limited to approach Gordon in 2017.

Ms De Selliers also instructed a firm of private investigators called Blackstone Consultancy in 2021 to locate Marten and Gordon.

Jurors were also told that on Dec 17 2019, Mrs Justice Judd sitting in the England and Wales High Court Family Division made an order, following an application by Napier Marten, that Marten and Gordons two children were made wards of the court and their parents prohibited from moving them out of the jurisdiction of the court.

The wardship proceedings finished in January 2020, meaning the order was not in force from that date.

Details of cash withdrawals from Martens bank accounts from December 2022 to February 2023 were also revealed to the jury.

A high-profile manhunt was launched after the defendants fled their burning car near Bolton, Greater Manchester, and went off-grid in a bid to avoid their fifth child being taken into care, the Old Bailey has heard.

The prosecution had alleged Victoria died from hypothermia or was smothered while co-sleeping in a flimsy tent, despite past warnings.

Her body was discovered with rubbish inside a shopping bag in a disused shed near Brighton after the defendants were arrested.

In her evidence, Marten told jurors that the baby died after she blacked out and fell asleep over her after feeding her.

Marten and Gordon, of no fixed address, have denied the gross negligence manslaughter of their daughter and causing or allowing her death between Jan 4 and Feb 27 2023.

Jurors have been told the defendants were convicted at an earlier trial of concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.
Douglas Ross leaves the Tory benches at Holyrood after being ordered out of the chamber by Alison Johnstone for a second time - Ken Jack/Getty Images

The Scottish Parliaments presiding officer has been accused of blatant bias against opponents of independence after she ejected a former leader of the Scottish Tories from the Holyrood chamber.

Alison Johnstone ordered Douglas Ross to leave the chamber during First Ministers Questions on Thursday and banned him for the rest of the day.

Speaking outside the chamber, Mr Ross said many people were questioning if the presiding officer, a former MSP for the pro-independence Scottish Greens, was truly neutral following a series of clashes with Tory members.

He accused Ms Johnstone of taking very different approaches to nationalist politicians who step out of line compared to Unionist politicians who step out of line.

The Scottish Tories also claimed Ms Johnstone had shown a consistent pattern to favour certain parties at the expense of others and demanded talks to deal with the alleged bias.

Alison Johnstone continued to preside over First Ministers Questions after Douglas Ross was ordered to leave the chamber - Ken Jack/Getty Images

The Scottish Parliament said the presiding officer, whose job is equivalent to that of the Speaker at Westminster, had taken action against Mr Ross as he was a repeat offender and because of his persistent refusal to respect the rules of Parliament.

But Tory insiders alleged Ms Johnstone had reprimanded other Conservatives for conduct that she permitted among MSPs from other parties. This included barracking political opponents from their seats in the chamber.

They highlighted how she repeatedly chastised Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory leader, during First Ministers Questions on May 1 for failing to treat John Swinney with courtesy and respect.

But she failed to give the First Minister a reprimand when he accused his Conservative opponent of barefaced dishonesty.

Ross shouted at First Minister during Questions

Ms Johnstone became a Green MSP for the Lothians region in 2011, but gave up her party affiliation when she was elected presiding officer after the 2021 Holyrood election.

During Thursdays First Ministers Questions, Mr Ross could be heard shouting deflection at Mr Swinney as he responded to questions from Mr Findlay about the Scottish Governments net zero targets.

Ms Johnstone stopped proceedings and said: Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by our standing orders. I ask you to leave the chamber; you are excluded for the rest of the day.

Her decision to immediately expel Mr Ross appeared to surprise him and other MSPs as she had previously dealt with those who shouted from their seats by issuing a warning. After he failed to move, she ordered him out a second time and he left.

Ms Johnstone also warned two other Tory MSPs, Douglas Lumsden and Stephen Kerr, about shouting from your seat during the session.

Allison Johnstone has been accused of favouring John Swinney, the First Minister, pictured with her at a charity photocall at the Scottish Parliament in March - Ken Jack/Getty Images

Mr Ross said: I think Alison Johnstone has to seriously consider her neutral role because at the moment from the outside many people are questioning if she is truly neutral. After what she has just done, I struggled to accept that she has been neutral for all members.

I think we have got to look at her actions against Conservatives in general, and how she has responded to comments from SNP ministers. For example, the First Minister is apparently allowed to call the Conservatives a disgusting party with no sanction.

A Scottish Tory spokesman said: The presiding officer has shown a consistent pattern to favour certain parties at the expense of others. We will be seeking discussions to reiterate that the presiding officer should not show blatant bias.

Mr Kerr said: The presiding officer should be a stout defender of the rights of MSPs to hold ministers to account. Instead, we have one who appears more concerned with shielding ministers from scrutiny than standing up for the Parliament.

Repeated refusals to respect rules

But a Scottish Parliament spokesman said: The presiding officer has warned Mr Ross on repeated occasions recently about his behaviour in the chamber. Due to his persistent refusal to respect the rules of Parliament, the member was asked to leave the chamber. 

Holyrood insiders said Ms Johnstone had warned Mr Ross about his conduct on April 3 and twice on April 22, when she asked him to refrain from shouting from your seat and challenged him over whether he wanted to leave the chamber. They added that she issued a further warning on May 8.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said: Anyone watching First Ministers Questions will know that for weeks and week Douglas Ross has been provoking the presiding officer in the hope that he would get thrown out, in a cynical bid for relevance.

The presiding officer was quite right to eject him and my party has full confidence in her impartiality.
Rose West is currently serving a life sentence in prison after being found guilty of murdering 10 girls and women - PA

Rose West is trying to gift fellow inmates vapes to make friends in prison, a source has claimed.

The serial killer has been in jail for nearly 30 years for the rape, torture and murder of 10 women and girls.

In a case that horrified the British public in the early Nineties, West and her husband Fred, were accused of killing at least 12 victims, including their daughters Heather, 16, and eight-year-old Charmaine.

Despite changing her name to Jennifer Jones in 2020, fellow inmates know of her crimes and refuse to associate with her.

She spends most of her days in her prison cell at the women-only HMP New Hall, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, knitting and talking to her television, according to The Sun.

No one talks to her because everyone knows what she did, the prison source told the paper. Shes in a disabled room now as she can barely walk.

She never really leaves the wing shes held on and is escorted all the time by prison officers if she goes anywhere.

The source added: When I was there, she tried to make friends with the other women and gave them gifts, like vapes, but she was rejected.

Rose is serving a life setence for each of her 10 victims - PA

West, now aged 71, will die in prison after Jack Straw, the former home secretary, imposed a whole life sentence on the serial killer in 1997.

The remains of nine of Rose Wests victims  Lynda Gough, 19, Carole Ann Cooper, 15, Lucy Partington, 21, Therese Sigenthaler, 21, Shirley Hubbard, 15, Juanita Mott, 18, Shirley Ann Robinson, 18, and Alison Chambers, 17  were found buried at the couples home at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester in 1994.

It was only the second time the tariff had been used on a female prisoner after serial killer Myra Hindley in 1990, who West would later go on to have a romantic relationship with while at Durham Prison.

The serial killer, who has never shown remorse at any point during her incarceration, reportedly enjoys going to the prisons chapel.

She has never divulged her secrets about the murders although experts think there could be as many as 30 further victims.

Earlier this month, Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story was released on Netflix looking into the killings.
Hamit Coskun, who fled Turkey following persecution, is accused of posing a threat to public order - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

A man who set fire to a Koran outside the Turkish Consulate was entitled to do so as people have the sacrosanct right to criticise Islam, a court has heard.

Hamit Coskun, who fled Turkey following persecution, is accused of posing a threat to public order after burning the holy book in London on Feb 13 in what he saw as a peaceful protest.

Mr Coskun, who has since gone into police protection, was violently attacked by a man during the demonstration who allegedly slashed at him with a knife before kicking him after he fell to the ground.

The 50-year-old, who is of Armenian-Kurdish descent, is on trial at Westminster magistrates court accused of public order offences.

His lawyers have argued that by prosecuting Mr Coskun, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was seeking to introduce a law unknown to this land, namely blasphemy in relation to Islam.

Mr Coskun set fire to a Koran outside the Turkish Consulate in February - x.com/ArchRose90

In closing submissions on Thursday, Katy Thorne KC, for the defence, said: If this country wanted to criminalise the burning of books in public, or burning of religious books in public, that would have been done.

It has been discussed and it has not been criminalised.

Mr Coskun is accused of carrying out disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to have caused harassment, alarm or distress by burning a copy of the Koran.

It is further alleged he held it aloft while shouting f--- Islam and Islam is religion of terrorism, and was motivated by hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam.

Ms Thorne said his right to criticise religion was sacrosanct and had to be protected.

We suggest there have been, across history and indeed now, many people who are hostile to other religions.

Feminists to Catholicism as an example. But that is a sacrosanct act they are entitled to express and however offensive Muslims may find the behaviour and beliefs of the defendant he is entitled to have them.

Hostility to religion, not its followers

She said his actions were not motivated by a hostility towards the followers of Islam but to the religion itself.

She added: He is protesting against the religion of Islam and his governments relationship with Islam and Islamic terrorism.

He was motivated by that hostility to Islam and its teaching because of what has happened in his country and what has happened to his family by extremists purporting to act for that religion.

He was complaining about the move away from secularism, which he holds very dear.

He was complaining more generally about the teachings of Islam, but the reason why he was there in that place were his complaints about Turkey.

Philip McGhee, for the CPS, said that Mr Coskun was not being prosecuted for the burning of the book.

He said the combination of the derogatory remarks about Islam, and the fact it was done in public, made it a public order offence.

Aware his behaviour may be disorderly

He was aware at the very least that his behaviour may be disorderly, he said.

Mr McGhee added: He was motivated at least partly by hostility to followers of Islam by their membership of that group.

At the end of the hour-long hearing, District Judge John McGarva, refused an application by the CPS to prevent the publication of a video showing the burning of the Koran and the subsequent attack on Mr Coskun.

The prosecutors had argued it could prejudice the upcoming trial of the man who attacked Mr Coskun if it was released.

The video showed Mr Coskun burning the book outside the consulate in Knightsbridge, shouting Islam is religion of terrorism.

As he did so, a man from a neighbouring building was seen coming out to ask him why he was doing it. Terrorist, replied Mr Coskun.

The man then goes back inside, before coming out and attacking Mr Coskun. He appeared to slash at Mr Coskun with a blade and then began kicking him when he fell to the ground.

Although he has admitted assaulting Mr Coskun, he has denied using a knife in the attack. The man, whose identity is still subject to reporting restrictions, will go on trial in 2027.

Judge McGarva, however, ruled that the footage should be made available to the press.

Attack on the freedom of the press

A spokesman for the Free Speech Union, who are supporting Mr Coskun, said the CPS attempt to prohibit the fact Mr Coskuns attacker had a knife was a direct attack on the freedom of the press.

He said: Not only is the Crown Prosecution Service trying to punish Hamit for exercising his right to freedom of expression, but it also sought to ban the press from reporting that Hamits attacker tried to slash him with a knife  a direct attack on the freedom of the press. The judge wisely threw out this application.

The truth is that Hamit was the victim of a series of violent attacks. Rather than punish his attackers  only one of the four people who attacked Hamit is being prosecuted  the CPS is attempting to punish him. Now that the judge has lifted the reporting restrictions, the truth is impossible to conceal  this is a clear case of victim blaming.

Judge McGarva said he would give his verdict on Mr Coskuns case on Monday at the same court.

Addressing the defendant directly, he said: I know he is anxious but I have got to get this right. There is quite a lot to think about.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: We only apply for reporting restrictions in court when necessary. In this case, we requested restrictions to prevent any potential prejudice to the delivery of justice in future court proceedings concerning a third party.

We have a balanced system which promotes fair trials and open justice, and the defence and media had an opportunity to make representations about these restrictions, which they took. A final decision on the restriction was made by the court.
Multicultural London has a weak attachment to England, according to a new poll.

Data shows that residents of the capital are instead more likely to have an affinity towards the city rather than the country as a whole.

The strength of regional identities across Britain has been revealed by a YouGov survey published on Thursday.

It found residents of London had the weakest attachment to the country, with less than a third (29 per cent) having a very strong attachment to England. Its residents also voted that the citys diversity and multiculturalism was its most distinctive characteristic.

Tourist attractions are an important part of London - Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg Finance LP

This was followed up by its attractions, such as the London Eye or Big Ben, and then public transport.

The findings come amid a fierce debate about the effects of mass migration on the country, with Sir Keir Starmer recently warning that Britain risked becoming an island of strangers if immigration did not come down.

The Prime Ministers warning was seemingly supported by Britons, as half said they felt multiculturalism was a threat to British identity, in a previous poll.

Despite the apparent support from large sections of society, Sir Keir faced a backlash from some MPs who accused him of reflecting the language of Enoch Powells Rivers of Blood speech.

Sir Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, also distanced himself from Sir Keirs speech while launching the Governments new plan to reduce the number of migrants coming to Britain.

Asked how he felt about the comment, Sir Sadiq  who has often championed multiculturalism in the capital  said they arent words that I would use.

Elsewhere, the YouGov poll of 4,136 adults found 49 per cent of Welsh people have a very strong attachment to their country.

Thirty-eight per cent of Londoners gave the same description of their bond to the city.

In England, those in the North East have the highest proportion of people (48 per cent) who have a very strong attachment to their region.

This is in stark contrast to the East Midlands, where just 11 per cent feel the same way.

Both are dwarfed by residents of Scotland, where 61 per cent have a very strong connection to their country.

However, not everyone is as happy to live where they do.

Nearly a third of those in London (30 per cent) think it is the worst place to live in the UK by a little or a lot.

Those in the South West seem much more content, with 83 per cent thinking their region is the best place to live in the UK by a little or a lot.
30 May 2025 at 1:34 am

Armed police putting the dog suspected of the attack into a waiting kennel van - ASP

A one-year-old girl is recovering in hospital after she suffered life-changing facial injuries in a dog attack.

The baby was was injured along with a 21-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man following the incident on Baslow Road in the Haughton Green area of Denton, Greater Manchester, at 5.30pm on Thursday.

Both adults also sustained serious injuries although not life-threatening or life-changing.

The dog was seized at the scene by specialist officers from Greater Manchester Polices tactical dog unit before it was later humanely destroyed.

Police, including armed officers, attended the scene just before 6pm on Thursday as did paramedics and the air ambulance also attended.

Police were called to Denton, in Greater Manchester, late on Thursday afternoon - ASP

Witnesses claimed people were left covered in blood following the incident.

One told MailOnline: One person close to the incident said, Theres people covered in blood and a babys been taken to hospital.

There were others who looked injured. A dog section and armed police went in with guns.

Another witness claimed the baby had horrific facial injuries.

Det Supt Gareth Jenkins said on Friday: This was an awful attack that has left a one-year-old girl with serious and life-changing injuries. Her family are understandably incredibly distressed by what happened here last night.

The family of the young girl are being supported by officers as she recovers in hospital.

A crime scene remains in place on Baslow Road in the immediate aftermath so officers can make further inquiries to establish a full timeline of events that led to this incident. We thank the local community for their patience and co-operation at this time.
Andrew (L) and Tristan Tate plan to defend themselves against more than 20 charges of rape and human trafficking, their lawyer has said - Vadim Ghirda

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate will return to the UK to defend themselves against more than 20 charges of rape and human trafficking, their lawyer has said.

Andrew Ford, who represents the brothers, said that once proceedings for the separate charges the brothers are facing in Romania are concluded: The Tates will return to face UK allegations.

Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, relating to three women.

His brother Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges relating to one woman - including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.

The charges were authorised in January 2024, but full details have only been released after the Telegraph revealed them on Wednesday.

The Tates legal team alleges that there is a vast amount of misinformation about the allegations faced by their clients, which they say could impact their clients right to a fair trial.

We will rigorously defend our clients

Bedfordshire Police issued an international arrest warrant for the brothers over allegations, which they unequivocally deny. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2012 and 2015.

The pairs lawyers accused the Crown Prosecution Service and police of refusing to engage with us in any meaningful way.

UK prosecutors refuse to give even the most basic information to allow our clients to understand the allegations which they face, Holborn Adams said in a statement.

These are historic allegations and our clients are not even being told who the supposed victims are, this is not a typical approach and demonstrates a different approach on the basis of the profile of our clients.

They added: As and when the time presents itself, we will rigorously defend our clients.
Non-payment can constitute sexual assault under Victorias affirmative consent laws, and Southside Justices chief executive, Mel Dye, says it is the most common issue the states sole specialist legal service for sex workers deals with. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

Aurora* had always considered herself a proud, educated sex worker. For years, she campaigned to decriminalise the industry in Victoria  writing inquiry submissions, contacting MPs and pushing for reform.

Her efforts paid off in 2022, when the state government passed laws recognising sex work as a legitimate job rather than a crime.

But even after the laws changed, Aurora says she still did not feel safe reporting a series of what she describes as really terrible incidents at work: one client threatened to kill her, others refused to pay and she was once held against her will for refusing to issue a refund after services were completed.

I felt like I wouldnt be believed because of what I do for work and I know the justice system can be incredibly traumatic for victims, Aurora says.

Even though things have changed, I still knew Id be subjected to some pretty heinous questioning.

Related:I have done nothing wrong: Juanita quit her job at a Melbourne brothel to work from home. Now shes being evicted

It wasnt until she found Southside Justice  one of only two specialist legal services for sex workers in Australia  that Aurora felt safe enough to report an incident of non-payment to police, who are now pursuing the matter.

Southside Justices chief executive, Mel Dye, says non-payment is the most common issue reported since decriminalisation, followed by discrimination, police accountability and employment issues.

But as more sex workers seek their help accessing justice, the dedicated legal service now faces the risk of closing due to insufficient funding.

They think they can get away with it

Under Victorias affirmative consent laws that came into effect in 2023, if a person agrees to sex under false pretences, such as a promise of payment that does not eventuate, that consent can be invalid. In such cases, non-payment can constitute sexual assault.

According to Rachel Payne, an upper house member from the Legalise Cannabis party, non-payment and sexual assault are all too common issues in sex work.

People involved in the sex industry face stigma, inequality and power imbalances on top of existing barriers to justice. This is why specialist, trauma-informed legal support is so important, she told parliament on Wednesday.

Aurora says she knows several sex workers who have had clients use a range of tactics not to pay for services: fake transfers, counterfeit cash or staging urgent phone calls to rush out the door.

Its a huge issue in the industry because they think they can get away with it and we wont report it, she says. I dont know many people who have pursued it through the criminal justice system.

Dye says many sex workers remain reluctant to report to police without Southside Justices support, often due to past experiences of criminalisation, stigma and discrimination.

Were working with a community that has been marginalised and disadvantaged for decades. They need someone in their corner, she says.

You cant just decriminalise sex work and expect it to be job done, lets move on.

Despite this, the Victorian government rejected Southside Justices latest funding bid, allocating nothing to the program in last weeks state budget. Of the $12.3m set aside in previous budgets to support the sectors transition to decriminalisation, the service received just $156,000 or 1.3%.

A separate grant from the Victorian Legal Services Board is also due to expire in December.

Dye says they had sought $2.5m from the state government over four years to expand the sex work legal team. When that seemed unlikely, they proposed three scaled-down options: $620,000 to continue funding one lawyer, $1.19m for two lawyers or $1.69m for two lawyers and a peer worker.

Its peanuts, she says. It very difficult to reconcile that the government has just invested $1.6bn into the justice system but wont provide a modest amount of support for us to actually make a real difference in the lives of the sex worker community.

Greens MLC Katherine Copsey said ongoing funding was essential, especially so the services dedicated lawyer can contribute to an upcoming review of decriminalisation laws  a critical opportunity to assess their impact.

Related: We must be alert to complacency: inside Victorias push to extend abortion access

The success of decriminalisation depends not just on legislation and what we do in this place but on its implementation. Without accessible legal support, sex workers are left to navigate complex systems alone, undermining the reforms intent, she told parliament on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Victorian government said it had provided $40m to community legal centres in the budget, including Southside Justice.

They said the government was in ongoing discussions regarding future funding for sex work legal services.

A spokesperson for Victoria police said the force treats sex work the same as any other occupation and sex workers subjected to verbal, physical or sexual abuse can report these crimes to police without fear of self-incrimination.

If a sex worker is falsely told they will be paid for their services or misled it is a reportable offence. Any reports of sexual offences are also taken extremely seriously, they said.

As for Aurora, the impact of those incidents was lasting. She says she struggled to work for a year due to trauma and it shook her self-belief.

I lost trust, she says. Mostly in myself. I couldnt trust my judgment any more  my ability to read people, to know when I was safe.

Ive been in the industry a long time. But after that, I couldnt trust anyone.

She says speaking up now and pursuing a non-payment case through the courts, with the aid of Southside Justice, feels like a step toward reclaiming her identity.

*Name has been changed
Farage was introduced onstage as a UK presidential candidate. Photograph: Ian Maule/Getty Images

Reform UK will accept donations through bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Nigel Farage has announced.

During an appearance at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, where he was introduced as a UK presidential candidate, Farage said: As of now, provided you are an eligible UK donor  we are the first political party in Britain that can accept donations in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

He said Reform was planning to introduce a cryptoassets and digital finance bill. This would cut capital gains tax on cryptoassets from 24% to 10%, turning the UK into a crypto powerhouse, he said. Farage added that the crypto legislation that his party had drawn up would include a bitcoin digital reserve in the Bank of England.

Farage said the bill would make it illegal for banks to debank customers who use and trade in cryptocurrency.

On Thursday the Reform website was updated to accept cryptocurrency donations. There was a disclaimer stating that all donations were subject to Electoral Commission rules and that anonymous donations were not permissible.

At the conference, Farage called the acceptance of political donations innovative, before commending America for being ahead with their stance on digital assets.

My message to the British public, and my message particularly to young people, is to help us to help you bring our country properly into the 21st century, he said. Lets recognise that crypto and digital assets are here to stay.

Related: UK government drops plans for NFT made by Royal Mint

During his talk, Farage criticised the current Labour government and the previous Conservative regimes lack of action in the cryptocurrency world. He said: Rishi Sunak, when he was briefly prime minister, made one speech about crypto  and how London used to be a global financial centre. One speech and nothing else. Labour, well we have 25 men and women in cabinet and not a single one of them has worked in private business.

A Reform UK spokesperson said cryptocurrency donations would be accepted by the party and details were expected to be announced on Friday.

Reform UK is listed on Companies House as a private company majority controlled by the leader, not a members association like other parties. The company that owns Reform UK is listed as Reform 2025, a not-for-profit company that has just two members and two directors: Farage and Zia Yusuf.
Olympic Park at Homebush Bay, which sits on the Metro West line, is already slated for further housing development. Photograph: David Gray/Getty Images

High-rise blocks in Woollahra? Convert Glebe Island for housing instead of ships? Move Long Bay Jail? Build on Callan park?

The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has promised to unveil a Plan B to repair the hole punched in his governments housing blueprint after members of the Australian Turf Club voted against selling the Rosehill racecourse site to make way for 25,000 new homes.

The loss of the envisioned mini-city at Rosehill leaves the state government scrambling to address the citys housing crisis.

Earlier this week, Minns said he was disappointed but not put off by the failure of the Rosehill proposal.

It is important to test these things, even if the risk is failure, because the task in front of us when it comes to housing in NSW is so monumental that we cannot just take the safe option, he said.

We cannot just take the sure bet. If we take the sure bet on every housing proposal and only do uncontroversial things that will not make nimbys irate, nothing will move in NSW.

Are there other sites that could be developed to boost housing in Sydney?

Glebe Island and the Bays precinct

The Bays precinct is a large area around Rozelle and Blackwattle Bay. It has been earmarked for development but planning is in the early stages. It will have a Metro station on the Metro West line and the existing plan has earmarked sites for commercial property and 5,000 homes.

The plan does not currently include developing the port facilities at Glebe Island, formerly used to unload imported cars. Today, the port is used intermittently for overseas cruise ships that fit under the Harbour Bridge and for concrete batching for major projects, including the Metro and Barangaroo.

Its proximity to the city and proposed public transport links mean it could accommodate more housing.

Urban Taskforces chief executive, Tom Forrest, said it would create few shadowing problems for surrounding houses  allowing for greater density.

The downside is that it would lead to the loss of marine infrastructure in Sydney Harbour.

Asked about this site in parliament on Wednesday, the NSW planning minister, Paul Scully, did not rule it out.

Sydney Olympic Park

Developers are already advocating for greater housing densities at Olympic Park to replace Rosehill.

The master plan for 2050 calls for 13,000 new homes, but developers say the 43-hectare site could house more.

The upside is that Olympic Park is on the Metro West line and has good sport and recreational facilities. The downside is that planning is advanced and changes could delay development.

Callan park

The Metro West line goes directly under this 62-hectare government-owned waterfront site in Rozelle which was once home to Callan Park hospital.

No station is now planned but one could be added, in the same way the government proposed an additional station for Rosehill.

However, the site is now parkland and has several heritage-listed stone buildings. Development, especially high-density housing, would set the government on a collision course with inner-west residents and heritage experts.

The state government also owns the 25-hectare Gladesville hospital site on Victoria Road, although it is not on the Metro line. It is now used for some health facilities and is also heritage listed.

Woollahra train station area

The Sydney Yimby chair, Justin Simon, is an advocate for allowing more density in the eastern suburbs. He notes there is a partially constructed station in Woollahra on the eastern suburbs rail line that was mothballed in the 1970s due to resident objections.

Simon said the governments Transport Oriented Development (Tod) program doesnt include any eastern suburbs sites. The program allows development within 400 metres of transport hubs, and in the case of accelerated precincts allows heights up to 30 storeys. The policy has led to several sites being proposed by developers on Sydneys north shore.

Simon said the forgotten Woollahra station could be developed quickly and developers would be keen to assemble sites from small holdings as they have on the north shore. We would be calling for very tall buildings, he said.

Again, this proposal would meet resistance from the residents and heritage experts because homogenous Victorian housing characterises Woollahra.

More density at Camellia and pockets of ATC land at Rosehill

The government appears to have ruled out building a Metro station at Rosehill after the proposed sale was rejected by turf club members.

But developers say the area remains a good location for more homes and a rail link.

The development director at Billbergia, Rick Graf, said the area remains a highly suitable site for high-density development and a modified Metro station closer to the Camellia town centre should be considered by the government.

Graf, who is also the convener of the Rosehill-Camellia Landowners Alliance, suggested the current plans for Camelia, an old industrial area 1.5km from the Parramatta CBD, were undercooked and should be revisited.

The current master plan envisages 13,000 dwellings serviced by the Parramatta light rail and a ferry wharf. But with the addition of the underused lands owned by the ATC around the racecourse, Graf said the area could support 25,000 homes in towers of 40 to 50 storeys, serviced by a Metro station.

The racetrack could be part of the green space. In other parts of the world, playing fields are incorporated in the centre of race tracks, he said.

Graf said Camellia landowners had not talked to the government since the Rosehill plan was defeated, but there was still a compelling case for a mini-city in the area.

Relocate Long Bay jail

Another state government-owned site, Long Bay is now used as a remand centre. The 32-hectare site is serviced by buses along Anzac Parade but is only 5km from the existing last light rail stop at Kingsford.

The prison would need to be relocated but the proximity to the CBD and beaches would make it attractive for new housing development.

Redevelop Randwick barracks

Development at the 20-hectare commonwealth-owned Randwick barracks has been floated since the 1980s. It is relatively close to the last stops on the L2 and L3 light rail lines.

The current plan is for Defence to build 62 townhouses on a fraction of the site for defence families and retain it as a defence facility. The development is expected to be assessed by federal authorities this year and is exempt from state and local planning controls.
A trail at Green Lake Park during a heatwave in Seattle, Washington, on 27 June 2021. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

A woman has brought the first-ever wrongful death lawsuit against big oil, claiming fossil fuel companies climate negligence caused her mothers death during a major heatwave.

Juliana Leon died of hyperthermia in Seattle at age 65 during the 2021 Pacific north-west heat dome  an event that killed nearly 200 people, and which meteorologists say would have been virtually impossible without human-caused global warming.

The day Julie died was the hottest day ever recorded in Washington with temperatures in Seattle, where Julie died, peaking around 108F, reads the lawsuit, filed on Wednesday by Misti Leon, Juliana Leons daughter

Because they failed to warn the public about the dangers of planet-heating emissions, major fossil fuel companies should be held accountable for that death, the case argues.

When a tragedy like Julies death results from the prolific use of fossil fuels, it is easy to dismiss the misfortune as an accident rather than a foreseeable consequence of Defendants deception, the lawsuit says. It names ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66 and the BP-managed subsidiary Olympic Pipeline Company as defendants.

The Guardian has contacted each of the companies named in the suit for comment. Shell and Phillips 66 declined to comment.

The new lawsuit represents a new frontier for climate accountability litigation, following dozens of lawsuits brought by cities and states against big oil in recent years. Previous suits accused companies of breaching product liability and consumer protection laws and engaging in fraud and racketeering. But Wednesdays case is the first attempt to hold oil companies responsible for an individual climate-related death.

Lethal climate disasters are the foreseeable, and foreseen, consequences of specific actions by fossil fuel corporations, CEOs and boards of directors, Aaron Regunberg, a director at the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen. They caused the climate crisis and deceived the public about the dangerousness of their products in order to block and delay solutions that could prevent heat deaths like Julianas.

The new lawsuit is a civil case, but Regunberg has spent years asserting that prosecutors could also bring criminal charges against big oil, including homicide. A 2023 report published in Harvards Environmental Law Review argued that oil companies could be charged with every kind of homicide charge, other than first-degree murder.

Big oils victims deserve accountability, said Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, which tracks and supports climate accountability litigation, in a statement. This is an industry that is causing and accelerating climate conditions that kill people. Theyve known it for 50 years, and at some point they must be held accountable.
29 May 2025 at 2:30 am

Australia is famous for its flat whites, but have you been rethinking your coffee habits? Photograph: Maksym Belchenko/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Australians take coffee seriously, so much so that we perfected it through the humble flat white (although New Zealanders may beg to differ). But local coffee culture, admired around the world, may be under threat.

A perfect storm of increased wholesale coffee bean prices, supply chain issues and other rising overheads are driving up the price of cafe coffee.

One industry figure suggested takeaway coffee prices could reach $10 by the end of the year, though others say increases this steep are highly unlikely. Meanwhile Breville recorded a lift in at-home coffee machine sales earlier this year.

In Sweden, coffee catch-up culture is already changing.

Could Australia be next?

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Independent MP John McDonnell - Tejas Sandhu/SOPA Images

Politicians are adrift. They dont know how to tell people the truth without frightening the horses  and perhaps its not surprising. Countries with ageing populations, low growth and high migration are unhappy ones, especially if, like Britain, they are running a trade deficit, debt at nearly 100 per cent of GDP, and a budget deficit all at once. We spend more on servicing our debt than on defence. This is unsustainable. Sooner rather than later, the bailiffs will come with the bill.

Enter Labour. Its solution to these problems, during last years election campaign, was a single word: change. Or, to put it another way, throw out the Conservatives. Once theyve gone, renewal can begin. Not just because Labour values are better than Tory ones, but because Labour people are, too. Nicer, kinder, gentler, they would  by their mere presence in government  generate national recovery. The result was spectacular: Labour won 411 seats. Two hundred and thirty one of those MPs were new to Parliament  over half.

Now imagine yourself as one of them  elected, as you saw it, to distribute ever-larger subsidies to your grateful constituents (paid for by the taxes of those who dont vote for you). First of all, you were ordered, in the wake of your triumph at the polls, to tramp through the lobbies in support of the two-child benefit cap  and told that if you didnt, you would lose the whip. Next, only a few days later, came the news that this new Labour Government would cut the winter fuel allowance.

Finally, some six months later, it was announced that 5 billion would be saved annually from the welfare bill by measures including reassessments for incapacity benefits for those capable of work, and the focusing of some disability benefits on those with higher needs. Your response would doubtless be  as many of theirs surely was  to look hard at yourself in the mirror. Did you really come into Parliament for this? To boost child poverty, let needy pensioners freeze and take away support from disabled people?

Enter John McDonnell, once Jeremy Corbyns shadow chancellor. Like Corbyn, hes a man of the hard Left. Unlike him, he won his seat in Hayes and Harlington under the Labour banner last year, only to lose the whip a few weeks later for voting against the two-child benefit cap.

Earlier this week, he surfaced to call for a change of leadership: Unless party members, affiliated unions and MPs stand up and assert themselves to take back control of Labour  we may not only lose a government. We could also lose a party.

McDonnell is an old stager who has been active in the Labour movement for most of his adult life, has sat in Parliament for over a quarter of a century, and is marinated in the arcana of the partys rulebook, trade union networks and culture. He has nothing to lose and an acute sense of timing: shark-like, he can smell blood in the water. Last week, Sir Keir Starmer conceded that the winter fuel allowance cuts will be ameliorated. Dont know where, dont know when  but it will happen.

This looked rushed. And it was. The classic means of executing a U-turn is to reverse the original decision: humiliating, certainly; expensive, usually  but at least closing down the problem (whatever it may have been) and moving events on. Instead, speculation will now run on: how many pensioners will gain from concessions? What will they be? How many will still lose out? The same destabilising process is at work over the two-child benefit cap. Sir Keir now says that Labour will look at all options, always, of driving down child poverty.

He is caught in a trap of his own devising. By campaigning on the basis of change  but without a worked-through conception of what the change would be  Labour sacrificed depth for breadth. An Old Labour-type plan would have won the party fewer seats, but given it a clearer mandate. A New Labour-style plan might well have achieved the same. Instead, Sir Keir finds himself with New Labour-flavoured fiscal rules but Old Labour spending commitments. Something has to give.

As it does, Labour will move further Left  under pressure from greens, independents, Islamists and the instincts of his own MPs. No wonder Angela Rayner, burnishing her own leadership credentials, is proposing further tax rises.

And, lets face it, McDonnell has a point: The public got view of the distasteful sight of Labour ministers accepting gifts, tickets and donations from the rich and corporate carpetbaggers, he wrote.

Theres the rub. Labour people are no less vain, weak and vulnerable than anyone else  a lesson for its MPs to take to heart, as public contempt threatens to overwhelm them.

Lord Goodman of Wycombe is a senior fellow at Policy Exchange
New Forest

At first glance, one might imagine that the primary purpose of the Forestry Commission was the preservation of our ancient and most beautiful forests. Its website and posters depict broadleaf trees and sunny, sylvan glades. Indeed, the preservation of these sumptuous places is one of its main objectives. But there is another and arguably more important one: the promotion of commercial forestry.

Much of the UKs uplands are carpeted in Sitka spruce so closely planted that it is difficult for any other form of wildlife to survive. In the Northumberland National Park vast armies of Sitka spruce, which produces low-grade timber for us as fence posts, kitchen furniture and laminate floors, march across some of our most scenic uplands.

More than 20 per cent of the national park is carpeted in commercial forestry, much of it planted in deep peat, and the park management are powerless to stop it. The vast Kielder Forest, part of which is within the park, is among the least diverse habitats in the country.

In 2011, in response to mounting criticism from conservationists, the Forestry Commission advised land managers to avoid planting in deep peat. There was, however, a large loophole. The advice applied only to new planting. Forests already planted in deep peat, as many are, would continue to be replanted, regardless of the environmental consequences.

The first big test of this new policy has occurred in Northumberland where the 852 hectare Uswayford forest, at the head of the beautiful Coquet valley, is about to be harvested.

The national park authority enjoys good relations with the local forestry management and a period of negotiation resulted in a suggested compromise that one third of the forest in the most sensitive areas would not be replanted, another third would be replanted with native broadleaf trees, and the final third would revert to commercial conifers.

However, when this proposition was put to the Commissions senior management, they rejected it outright. Instead, they insisted on 71 per cent of the site being replanted with conifers, 21 per cent with broadleaf trees, and just under eight per cent reserved for the restoration of peat.

When challenged, Forestry England replies that they have been set targets by the Government to reduce the import of timber imports, much of which comes from Scandinavia and Canada.

As it happens, national parks have targets, too. Ironically, they too are set by Defra, the very Government department which sets targets for the Forestry Commission. Landowners in the Northumberland national park are funded by the taxpayer to restore damaged peatland, and the park authority has a successful programme doing exactly that.

The Forestry Commission also deploys another argument. Namely, that conifer plantations are as effective as peat bogs at absorbing carbon dioxide. The weakness of this argument is that commercial forests are harvested every 30 or 40 years and turned into products which have a limited shelf life, whereas peat continues to absorb carbon indefinitely.

It is also worth bearing in mind that, once peat has been replanted three times, it is beyond salvation. The case for restoring the Uswayford deep peat is that, thus far, it has only been replanted once; It could still be saved.

Ultimately Defra ministers need to decide on priorities. If they are interested in preserving ancient peat and the carbon locked inside it, they need to stop the Forestry Commission from destroying them.

A good place to start would be in the national parks. Happily, there is an obvious solution at hand. At the moment, although most national parks have responsibility for planning and development, forestry is exempted.

Perhaps the time has come for the planning powers of the national parks to be extended to cover forestry, rather than allowing the Forestry Commission to be its own judge and jury.

Chris Mullin is a former Environment minister and a member of the Northumberland National Park Authority. He is writing in a personal capacity
A Qatari Boeing 747 sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach international airport after Donald Trump toured the aircraft on 15 February. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trumps big, beautiful new plane from the government of Qatar has arrived  but the US president says its too big to be his personal perk.

The problem for the US president is not the smack of impropriety that comes with accepting a luxury 747 jumbo jet from the Gulf state and intended as a replacement Air Force One  Trump has already brushed off any criticism on that front.

Now that its arrived in the US, Trump says its too big to be his plane. The Qataris have given the president a Boeing 747-8, a stretch model of the jumbo that is more than 18ft longer than the much older 747-200B that flies as the current Air Force One.

Frankly, its much too big, Trump told reporters during a question-and-answer media session in the Oval Office at the White House on Wednesday afternoon, as he tried to explain why he regarded it as a gift to the nation rather than a perk for him as an individual.

He called the new jet a beautiful, big, magnificent, free airplane for the United States air force. Trump continued: They tried to say: Oh, its Trumps airplane. Oh, yeah, sure. Its too big, frankly, its much too big.

The original offer from Qatar set off a firestorm of criticism of Trump, from both political parties, particularly following his visit to the country earlier this month where he focused most vigorously on trade and business deals. The US senator Cory Booker and other prominent Democrats slammed the arrangement and Chris Murphy, the Connecticut senator, called the gift the definition of corruption and wildly illegal.

Related: Trump administration accepts jet from Qatar for possible use as Air Force One

Asked on Wednesday whether the jet is definitely going to become Air Force One, the official plane of the US president, Trump said only that the aircraft was in the US and being re-fitted for military standard.

He admitted he doesnt know how much the re-fitting will cost but guessed a hell of a lot less than building a new one. He again criticized Boeing, the troubled US aircraft manufacturer, for delays in replacing the current jet used as Air Force One, which dates back to the early 1990s, apparently necessitating an expedited replacement from another country.

Trumps private plane, nicknamed Trump Force One, is a Boeing 757.

 This article was amended on 28 May 2025 to clarify the context in which Donald Trump said the jet gifted by Qatar was too big.
Maksym Kolesnikov had lost 32kg during his time in captivity

When Maksym Kolesnikov returned from almost a year in a Russian prison camp, 32kg lighter than he was before, the first things he wanted were warm socks and fried chicken.

Captured in March 2022 while defending Kyiv, Mr Kolesnikov endured relentless horrors at the hands of Russian soldiers.

The Ukrainian was tortured with electric shocks and beaten, his knee shattered. He was starved and became emaciated. In the biting cold, Mr Kolesnikov wore the same clothes he was captured in, the same thin socks on his frozen feet.

But none of this compared with the psychological horror.

In Russian captivity, you are never safe, Mr Kolesnikov said.

At any moment, they can beat or torture you. You eat badly, you sleep badly, you know that they can do what they want because they dont see you as a human being.

Credit: Andriy Kachor

At home, when he was finally reunited with his family, Mr Kolesnikov said: People saw the human in me again.

But gallstone disease, muscle atrophy, chronic fatigue, contusions and a shattered knee were just some of the scars that followed him and his fellow captives home from months of hell.

The 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war exchanged last week for the same number of Russians will confront the same challenges.

Its a situation of such long-term stress, Mr Kolesnikov said of being a prisoner. When you come back, youre a different person.

The largest exchange in the war to date saw a staggered release of hundreds of flag-donning Ukrainian captives from Friday through to Sunday. Some of the prisoners have spent as long as three years in Russian jails.

But once the cameras stopped filming the tearful reunions, the former captives were left to return to normal life. The initial gruelling stages of physical and psychological rehabilitation will take place at military hospitals and sanatoriums across the country. But reintegrating into civilian society will be even more complex.

A thousand Ukrainian soldiers returned home last weekend in the biggest prisoner exchange since the war began - Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Ivona Kostyna, the chairman and co-founder of the NGO Veteran Hub, said an overarching national strategy for veterans and prisoners of war is not there.

She said that veteran reintegration in Ukraine is posing an unprecedented public health challenge. Many veterans, especially former prisoners of war, will return with complex health needs and may struggle to adapt to the workplace or rediscover their place in the community.

Veteran Hub provides free legal, psychological, educational and employment support to veterans and their families, which would be impossible without the help of NGOs.

The charity began in 2016, when it was becoming clear that veterans returning from the war in eastern Ukraine were struggling. When we started, we didnt even have a vocabulary for veteran reintegration, Ms Kostyna explained.

At the start of the full-scale invasion, Veteran Hub was forced to dramatically upscale. With funding rescinded from the US this year, it is under huge strain and fears that the Ukrainian authorities will not pick up the mantle of its work.

We are just a patch on a broken system. The only reason we exist is because the system doesnt work, Ms Kostyna said.

Ukrainian prisoners of war alighted from coaches draped in the national flag - Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Ukraines veteran reintegration effort has never been done on such a large scale. Today, Ukraine has 1.2 million registered veterans, but official projections say the figure will rise to between five and six million in Ukraines 40-million population after the war is over.

This means that veterans could account for 15 per cent of Ukraines population. Many will struggle to find stable employment or opportunities for retraining. Some will have sustained permanently disabling injuries and carry a heavy psychological burden, which threatens to destabilise themselves and their families.

Most of the data we have [on veteran reintegration] is from Western societies, where a smaller number of people have been sent overseas to fight and then they have come back to a peaceful society, Ms Kostyna explained. In our case, you go to war, you come back home, and youre still at war. For some people, youre from the occupied territories, and you also no longer have a home.

Foundation of national security

Ukraine draws heavily from its reserve of veterans because they are skilled and require less training than newcomers. Ms Kostyna estimated that up to 70 per cent of Ukrainian veterans could stay in the reserve.

Veterans are the foundation of national security, she said. But we understand that this means veterans are never fully going back to civilian life.

So you have this disparity between a civilian who has never served, and a veteran who has served two or three times, maybe over 20 years. And that veteran has never had time to commit to civilian life, so they will have a much lower well-being, Kostyna said.

The challenge here in Ukraine is that we are becoming a country of veterans. We have already been fighting for 11 years. We could be fighting forever, for whoever knows how many more years, how many more iterations of war.

To tackle the lack of employment opportunities, the government established a fund for entrepreneurship among returning veterans and their spouses.

Veteran-run businesses can be found dotted around cities in Ukraine, such as Veterano, a lucrative franchise of war-themed pizzerias and cafes founded and run by veteran pizza chefs, and TYTANOVI coffee, a cafe which hires veterans with prosthetics as baristas.

Oleksandr Manchenko, 40, built the Ola Dance Studio with the help of his wife, a fellow dancer who he met via TikTok while he was serving on the front line.

Alongside their usual operations, the studio in central Kyiv runs dance classes for other veterans to help them rehabilitate when they return from combat.

We had one guy who was here, and for a time, when he came back, he just wanted to kill everyone, says Mr Manchenko. After about a month and a half with us, it was clear that his thinking had changed and that period of his life was over.

Many of those released will spend the initial gruelling stages of physical and psychological rehabilitation at military hospitals and sanatoriums - Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

For Mr Manchenko, this is proof that the best form of recovery is community. It was difficult for me, coming home. I had PTSD, and it took some time to become used to normal things. From time to time, things I didnt understand happened, and I became full of anger and hatred. But things got better when I made the decision to start dancing and talking again.

With funding granted for fewer than 600 veteran-owned businesses as of last year, entrepreneurship may be little more than a cosmetic fix for the scale of economic and social disadvantage felt by soldiers.

Without a structure to help them cope in the long term with persistent health complaints from traumatic brain injury or other common disabilities, as well as repeated psychological trauma, the effects of unsuccessful reintegration could be felt for decades.

Mr Kolesnikov, now back to a healthy weight, works for a defence tech company to feel closer to the military community. Though there are still difficulties  while holidaying abroad, he was paralysed with fear at the sound of a plane because of its similarity to an FPV drone  being close to his former combatants helps.

The other day, four guys from my battalion went to get a coffee in Kyiv, and we all had the same thought at the same time, he said. Kyiv is still free, and this is our impact... it was our fight.
A lack of injectable PrEP therapies means reverting to pills  which potentially puts some at risk - PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images

When Liemiso Leteba received an injection at the start of the year to protect her from the HIV virus, she felt a rare sense of relief.

For months she had been on a protective daily pill, but each day the medication risked triggering a quarrel and possible violence from her husband.

She had started taking the precaution when she learned he was being unfaithful.

Living in Lesotho, that potentially put her at significant risk, as the country has the second highest HIV/Aids prevalence in the world.

Yet the protection, called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), also carries a stigma among some, who believe people take it just to be promiscuous.

Ms Leteba, who like all the women interviewed by The Telegraph declined to give her real name, said that her husband confronted her after finding the pills in her handbag.

He accused me of cheating while I was at work, yet the truth is I started using PrEP to protect myself from him and his infidelity.

Jabs have become a preferred method because they are considered more discreet than pills - Brian Inganga/AP

A two-monthly PrEP injection being offered as part of a research study in two districts of Maseru and Leribe changed all that. There were no more pills that her husband could find and she felt the jab was more discreet.

True, the first injection left a bruise on her bottom which nearly got her a beating, but she felt safer and less afraid.

She said: I knew I was doing it for a good cause. I was ready to walk that journey.

She did not know then that her relief from fear would be fleeting.

The PrEP injections were offered by Lesothos Ministry of Health to 850 women through funding by the American governments aid agency, USAID.

But Donald Trumps decision to freeze foreign aid, including for Americas huge anti-HIV programme, abruptly ended the roll out of both the PrEP injection and a long-acting vaginal ring that slowly releases PrEP drugs.

Dr Tapiwa Tarumbiswa, the health ministrys HIV/Aids manager, told the parliament last week: We were looking forward to the introduction of the pre-exposure prophylaxis injection  long-acting cabotegravir  but unfortunately, the roll out has been terminated.

Using a protective pill has led to stigma for some women - Saiyna Bashir

According to the 2022 UNAids report , nearly one-in-five people aged 15 to 49 are HIV positive in Lesotho.

The country lost around $48m in USAID funding following Mr Trumps freeze. Worldwide, the cuts are forecast to put the fight against the epidemic back by years, with a risk of infection rates and Aids cases rising to levels not seen since the turn of the century.

Introducing long-lasting PrEP treatments has been seen as critical to defeating the worlds HIV/Aids epidemic, which still kills an average of one person every minute.

Experts say that too many people drop off daily pills because they forget to keep taking them, find it difficult to get fresh refills, or find the stigma difficult to navigate.

Before the budget freeze, the PrEP injection and vaginal ring had enabled women to manage social pressures that often put them at risk of violence from husbands or boyfriends, said Dr Nthuseng Marake, HIV treatment and care officer at Lesothos Ministry of Health.

She said: In relationships, some partners may not approve of their partner using PrEP. As a result, many women face challenges with taking oral PrEP. While they understand the need for it, they often struggle to use it at home due to these social pressures.

I cant risk anyone finding a full bottle

Mpho too said she had to disguise taking PrEP pills from her husband.

On weekdays, she stays working by herself in Morija and visits her husband on weekends.

That means that during the week, she takes her daily PrEP pill without worry. But on weekends, I pretend its a contraceptive, she said.

But the PrEP pill is much bigger, and that makes it hard to disguise. I make sure he is not around when I take it.

She added: Its tricky. I have to wake up early or wait until he is distracted.

Leratos fear of being discovered with PrEP pills is so severe that she only keeps a few at home at any one time.

I only take a few pills at a time. I dont keep the full pack at home, she said.

She now gets her refills from a trusted village health worker  a quiet ally who helps her maintain her safety and autonomy.

This way, there are no questions at home. I cant risk anyone finding a full bottle.

Dr Lerato Mothae from the ministry of health, told The Telegraph that some Lesotho men did not understand issues around intimacy, and that often became a driving force behind the high incidence of HIV infections.

In some cases, others do not understand the difference between PrEP and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs which are used to suppress infection, because both medications are packaged in similar containers.

Dr Mothae said: When a man sees a woman taking PrEP, he may assume she is HIV positive.

This shows that when men are not informed about sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV issues, they can become obstacles to prevention efforts.

They may end up interfering with the preventive measures women take to protect themselves from HIV infection.

He emphasised that PrEP is a personal medication someone takes individually.

So, its difficult to understand why someone would stop their partner from taking PrEP, especially when its something they are taking into their own body.

One of his patients, Mathabang said her husband equated PrEP with ARVs and was deeply suspicious of them.

If he saw the pill, it would be a huge fight, she shared.

She disclosed this fear to Dr Mothae, who agreed to give her pills in a paracetamol container.

Its the only way I can take PrEP. He thinks its just something for my headaches.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
Christian Vierig/Getty Images







Key Points

Culottes are cool again making this versatile and underrated pant a summer must-have.

The cropped, voluminous silhouette can be tricky to pair with shoes.

Try balancing things out with sculptural mules, heels, or sleek boots.







As divisive as they might be, culottes have quietly secured a place in practically everyone's wardrobes. The subtle sneak in addition happened slowly but surely, and now the bottoms have been (mostly) embraced across the fashion world.

Somewhere between the sharpness of tailoring and the ease of loungewear is where culottes have filled a gap in our closet. Unlike traditional denim or jorts, this cropped, often voluminous silhouette invites a certain kind of styling precision and whimsy that just can't be recreated. Of course, the wrong shoe can throw off the entire look.

Think of it as a balancing act. Adding a pair of sculptural mules echoes the funky structure of the pants, heels add a lift without overcompensating, and sleek boots tuck just beneath the hem. Even a perfectly skater boy-coded sneaker can add an unexpected nonchalance.

Ahead, 10 different shoes to wear with your culottes.

With Retro High-Tops

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High-top sneakers work well with culottes because they help ground the look and add just the right amount of structure. The cropped length of the culottes draws attention to the ankle, and a high-top works to fill that space without overwhelming it. They also add contrast to the often tailored or flowy nature of culottes, making the outfit feel more modern. Plus, the retro vibe of a high-top (such as these Converse) injects a cool level of subtle edge.

With Casual Slides

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Slides (like Tevas) work surprisingly well with culottes because they keep the look relaxed and unfussy, which plays into the laid-back feel of the silhouette. The flat, open style pairs nicely with the cropped hem, showing just enough skin to keep things feeling light. They also bring a bit of a sporty, utilitarian kind of vibe that balances out softer culotte styles.

Heeled Mules

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Heeled mules are a natural match for culottes because they add polish without feeling too formal. With its open back and slight lift, it helps elongate the leg and create a visible illusion of sophistication. They also bring a subtle refined nature that dresses up the ease of culottes without trying too hard.

With Platform Heels

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Want to make culottes feel high fashion? Platform heels are your shortcut. They add height, yes, but more importantly, they are the key to amplifying the entire look. The volume of a culotte pairs well with the chunkier base of a platform, creating a dramatic yet cohesive appearance. Plus, the combo leans into an almost '70s-inspired aesthetic, especially with wide-leg or pleated styles.

With Boots

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Black boots and culottes are a sleek and quietly powerful pairing. They give off just the right mix of polish since it draws the eye. Whether you go for a chunky sole or a pointed toe, black boots anchor the look and make culottes feel more elegant and less breezy. Its also a go-to combo for transitional weather.

Thong Sandals

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Thong sandals give culottes an easy, minimalist vibe that feels effortless but still styled. The simplicity of the sandal works well with the volume or tailoring of the pant. They also let the hemline breathe, keeping the look light and airy, especially perfect for warm days or vacation dressing.

With Heels

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Strappy heels give culottes a dressed-up feel that still reads trendy modern. The delicate straps add a visual interest and can be dressed up with a pair of socks. They also just make your outfit feel more intentional without going overboard. Whether youre headed to dinner or a summer event, its a combo that hits the sweet spot between easy and put-together.

With Ballet Flats

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Ballet flats and culottes make for an unexpectedly chic duo. It's the silhoette of the momentand the summerthat will keep your outfit effortless and easy. Its a look that feels very French-girl-off-duty. Perfect for days when you want to feel comfortable but still look like you have great taste.

With Loafers

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Loafers and culottes? Total style win. The sleek, classic vibe of loafers adds just the right amount of polish without feeling too formal. Plus, they keep things comfy and easygoing next to the wide-leg shape of culottes.

With Low-Tops

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Low-top sneakers are a great match for culottes because they add a fresh, sporty touch to any outfit. The cropped length of culottes lets just the right amount of ankle show, keeping the look balanced. This combo feels as if it is the ultimate style hack that works whether youre running errands or meeting friends for coffee, and it never looks like you tried too hard. Plus, its proof that comfort and style can absolutely live in the same outfit.

Read the original article on InStyle
When you think of weird world records, Turkmenistan probably isnt the first country that comes to mind. But maybe it should be. Its a Central Asian country that people know nothing about, and honestly, the facts are so bizarre they sound like satire. Except theyre real.

Lets look at a few facts about Turkmenistan that are so weird that theyre hard to believe.

Theres a Giant Crater Thats Been on Fire Since the 70s

Credit: flickr

Locals call it the Door to Hell, once you see it, the name makes total sense. This is a massive pit of flames in the middle of the Karakum Desert. It was created in 1971 when Soviet engineers hit a pocket of natural gas. The ground collapsed, and gas started leaking. So they lit it on fire, hoping it would burn off in a few days, but its been burning ever since.

The Capital Is Covered in White Marble

Credit: flickr

Almost every major building in Ashgabat is covered in polished white marble. The citys use of marble is so extravagant that it landed a Guinness World Record for having the highest concentration of marble buildings worldwide. The government wants the capital to look rich and powerful.

Black Cars Are Illegal

Credit: pexels

If you want to drive a sleek black car in Ashgabat, good luck. Black is considered an unlucky color here, and for years, the government banned the import of black vehicles completely. Police even stopped drivers with dark-colored cars and made them repaint them. White cars, on the other hand, are everywhere. What makes it even weirder is that this rule supposedly came from a presidential superstition.

A Former Presidents Bizarre Rules

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

President Saparmurat Niyazov ruled Turkmenistan like it was his reality show. He banned lip-syncing at concerts because he said it was fake. He also banned ballet, opera, and even dogs in the capital. Then he renamed January after himself and April after his mom. These werent suggestions eitherpeople had to use the new names in schools, on calendars, everywhere.

Worlds Largest Indoor Ferris Wheel

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ashgabat is home to the largest indoor Ferris wheel on Earth. Its built inside a glass dome with gold trim and white walls. Youd think it would be packed with kids and tourists. Nope. Its usually empty. Locals say its more of a photo op than a fun ride.

The Internet Is So Bad

Credit: flickr

Turkmenistan has some of the worst internet access on the planet. Theyve blocked social media and made YouTube, TikTok, and even Google unusable. VPNs are banned, too. Most people dont even try to go online because the slow speed and constant surveillance make it frustrating. If you do manage to connect, youd better keep your searches boring.

Theres a Warm, Underground Lake You Can Actually Swim In

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Deep inside a cave near the Kopet Dag mountains, theres a steamy underground lake called Kow Ata. The water smells like boiled eggs (thanks, sulfur) but is warm and packed with minerals. Locals believe it helps with skin problems and sore muscles. Its dark, humid, and spooky, but people love it.

Dinosaur Footprints in the Open

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Theres a remote plateau in Turkmenistan where you can walk alongside dinosaur tracks. Its called the Dinosaur Plateau and has one of the worlds largest collections of preserved dino footprintssome dating back over 150 million years.

They Celebrate Melons With a National Holiday

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Yes, melons. As in, the fruit. Every second Sunday of August is Melon Day in Turkmenistan. There are parades, music, speeches, and lots of melon slicing. Its all about honoring Turkmenistans muskmelons, which are famously sweet and a big part of their agricultural pride.

Being Neutral Is a Huge Part of Their Identity

Credit: flickr

Turkmenistan takes neutrality very seriously. In 1995, the country declared "permanent neutrality," which the United Nations officially recognized. That means no military alliances, no foreign military bases, and no taking sides. The government even built a giant Neutrality Monument in the capital.

70% of the Country Is Basically Just Desert

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Most of Turkmenistan is swallowed up by the Karakum Desert. Its hot. Its dry. And in summer, it gets hotter than 50C, with sandstorms being a common occurrence. There are areas where nothing grows at all. People mostly live near rivers or borders, which are slightly more livable, but the desert makes life hard.

Almost No Tourists Visit

Credit: pexels

Getting into Turkmenistan isnt easy. Apart from a special visa, youd also need an official government-approved guide. You cant just wander around. Your hotel, your routes, and even your conversations might be monitored.

Horses Look Like Theyve Been Photoshopped

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Turkmenistans national pride is their Akhal-Teke horse. These horses are so shiny they almost look metallic. Theyre incredibly fast and have been bred for thousands of years. The government treats them like celebrities. Youll find their faces on stamps, statues, and money. Owning one is like driving a Bugatti in horse form.

Theres Only One Political Party

Credit: flickr

The Democratic Party of Turkmenistan runs the country, and other political parties dont really exist. Elections are held, but theres usually only one name on the ballot. If you dare to criticize the government here, you could face jail time. Journalists are state-controlled, which makes it more of a show than a choice.

The Golden Statue of the President Followed the Sun

Credit: flickr

Niyazov loved himself and, of course, gold. So he built a golden statue of himself that literally turned throughout the day to face the sun. For years, it stood in the center of Ashgabat. After he died, the statue was moved to the suburbs but not taken down.

Bread Was Literally Renamed After His Mom

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

This ones not a joke. Niyazov renamed the word for bread to honor his mother, Gurbansoltan. People had to use her name when buying or talking about it. He also renamed months, days of the week, and schools. The cult of personality ran so deep that even your grocery list was political.

Theyre Sitting on a Gold Mine of Natural Gas

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Turkmenistan has the fifth-largest natural gas reserves in the world. And while thats a huge deal, the average person doesnt see much of that wealth. The government sells most of the gas to China. Meanwhile, public services are underfunded, and poverty remains high. Its a classic case of rich country, poor people.

One of the Worlds Longest Canals Runs Through It

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Karakum Canal is over 1,300 kilometers long. It cuts across the desert and brings water to areas that would otherwise be bone-dry. Its impressivebut also super inefficient. The canal leaks a ton of water. Some experts say more is wasted than used. Still, its a lifeline for farming.

Theyre Obsessed With Breaking RecordsWeird Ones

Credit: flickr

Turkmenistan has a thing for Guinness World Records. Biggest indoor Ferris wheel? Check. Most white marble buildings in one city? Check. Worlds tallest flagpole (for a while)? Yep. These records arent random. Theyre part of the countrys image strategy to look modern and impressive.

A Silk Road Rest Stop Still Stands Strong

Credit: flickr

Out in the desert, near the Amu Darya River, youll find the Dayahatyn Caravanserai. Its a medieval rest stop from the 9th century, where Silk Road traders used to crash for the night. The structure still stands with arched doorways, carved stone, and all. Its one of the most treasured possessions of Turkmenistan, but barely anyone visits.
Manchester Police Department







Jaevion Riley, 7, was found unresponsive with a fractured skull and third-degree burns to 15 percent of his body in his father's New Hampshire home on Jan. 17, 2023

His father, 27-year-old Murtadah Mohammad, staged a kitchen spill in an attempt to conceal the abuse he inflicted on the boy

Mohammad pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and falsifying physical evidence in April. He was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison on Tuesday











He beat his son until the child couldn't see. He burned him in a bathtub. He left him to die. Now, Murtadah Mohammad will spend at least 45 years behind bars for the murder of 7-year-old Jaevion Riley.

Mohammad, 27, was sentenced on Tuesday, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. He pleaded guilty in April to reckless second-degree murder and falsifying physical evidence in the death of his son, per an agency press release.

Jaevion sustained a skull fracture, a dislodged tooth and third-degree burns to 15 percent of his body over the course of five days before his death in January 2023, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader, WMUR and NBC10 Boston.

Judge William Delker called Mohammad's crimes a "sustained campaign of abuse" at the father's Tuesday sentencing. "He would have had to fight for his life when he was exposed to boiling water," Delker said, according to the Union Leader.

Prosecutor Peter Hinckley previously said at an earlier hearing that the burn injuries were consistent with the boy being forcibly immersed in scalding water, per the outlets.

He also told jurors that Mohammad waited 12 hours to call for help, leaving the boy in "prolonged anguish that the child endured hour after hour after hour until his young body just gave out on him."

"He must have screamed his heart out when you whipped and beat him, and none of that deterred you," Delker said. "You left him to suffer and ultimately die without seeking help... I think we can only hope that at some point he lost consciousness and didnt experience the pain for the full 12 or more hours that these crimes occurred."

Emergency medical personnel responded to a report of a child in distress at the family's home on Jan. 17 2023, according to the attorney general's office. Mohammad staged a spill that he claimed caused his son's catastrophic scalding injuries, according to the outlets.

The child's mother, Rainah Riley, told NBC10 Boston that her son was in a coma before he died. Mohammad had been granted joint custody of the child in the months before the incident; she said she tried to report signs of abuse, like bruising, to the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families to no avail.

"It's absolutely gruesome, it is horrific, and it is sickening to look at," she told the outlet before her son passed away. "It makes me physically ill looking at my own son because of what this man did to him."

"Nobody did anything," she said of her calls to child protective services. "The system has failed not only my child, but so many children. And something needs to be done, because this isn't OK. It's not. Like, when is enough enough?"

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A spokesperson from New Hampshire's DCYF, when asked about the mother's claims, told PEOPLE that the agency is required by law to safeguard the confidentiality of children and their caregivers.

Mohammad apologized to the boy's mother in court on Tuesday:

"I take full responsibility for the death of my son, Jaevion," Mohammad said. "I should never have been using drugs and alcohol. That led to the decisions I made and ultimately led to my son's death."

But Delker remained unconvinced:

"Even now, even when your future depends on it, you haven't been able to bring yourself to acknowledge the full scope of what you did to that child, the full magnitude of what you did," he said, per the Union Leader.

During sentencing, the boy's mother was doubled over weeping, per photos from the outlet, and did not give a planned victim impact statement.

Read the original article on People
 Courtesy of Mixbook and Forget Me Not Glass

Unless you have a parrot, tortoise, or another unusually long-lived pet such as certain koi fish or reptiles, chances are you will outlive your pets. Pets are exemplars of unconditional love and cherished family members, so their death hits hard. From waking up to going to bed, our pets weave themselves into the fabric of our lives. Their passing leaves holes in our daily routines, and we often find ourselves unexpectedly reminded of their absence, bringing fresh waves of grief. Though they are gone, we dont want our pets to be forgotten. With that in mind, we have created a list of eight amazing pet memorials.

Sleeping Cat with Infused Cremation Ash

Practical and beautiful, this glass cat is suitable for display as an objet dart or use as a paperweight. Courtesy of spiritpieces.com  Original

Cats arent necessarily demonstrative in their displays of affection, but they nonetheless knit their way into our hearts. Spirit Pieces motto is healing souls one spirit piece at a time. As such, they have created a beautiful and practical cat memorial. Spirit Pieces infuses your beloved pets cremated remains into glass, which can be customized in 20 different colors. You can choose from catlike colors such as tortoiseshell, tuxedo, Siamese, and calico, or opt for vibrant shades like emerald green, blue topaz, and salmon pinktheres a color to fit your style. See Spirit Pieces Memorial Sleeping Cat with Infused Cremation Ash, $139, along with their other treasures.

Pawprint Cremation Ash Urn Necklace

With this pet memorial urn necklace, you can keep a bit of your beloved with you wherever you go. Courtesy of Moon Raven Designs

Saying goodbye to an extra-special pet (arent they all?) can be especially difficult, leaving you feeling lonesome. With this solid brass Ash Urn Necklace from Moon Raven Designs, you wont feel so alone as you carry a bit of your beloved with you wherever you go. The urn measures 1.5 long, 7/8 deep, and 3/8 wide. It is both waterproof and airtight, providing a secure compartment for your pets cremated remains. The urn can be engraved with a personalized inscription. The five-star reviews speak to the exquisite craftsmanship and rapid shipping. Check out Moon Raven Designs Pawprint Cremation Ash Urn Necklace at $90 or slightly more with custom engraving.

Pet Memorial Shadow Box Frame

Keep your pets memory alive with this classic, hardwood shadowbox frame. Courtesy of Yew Leaf Wishes  Original

Display your pets keepsakes alongside a photo and a personal inscription in this handmade hardwood shadowbox frame from Yewleaf Wishes. Handcrafted in Middlesbrough, England, the frames are available in oak, iroko, sapele, or walnut. Yewleaf Wishes shadowboxes come in three sizes: small (11 x 9 x 1.6), medium (13 x 11 x 1.6), and large (16 x 14 x 1.6). If you need a custom size, Adam, the artisan, is happy to accommodate special requests. For added convenience, the box opens and closes easily, allowing you to add or change keepsakes. Yewleaf Wishes shadowboxes start at $78. If you wish to include a smidge of your pets fur or ashes, a glass vial is available separately for $9.

Pet Memorial Comfort Pebbles

Hold on to sweet memories with comfort pebbles. Courtesy of forgetmenotglassuk.com  Original

Forget Me Not Glass, based in the United Kingdom, has created a line of ash-infused glass items as a way to memorialize loved ones. Perfectly sized for holding in your hand or slipping into your pocket, the comfort pebbles have a two-inch diameter. Available in a variety of colors that may be customized with a pawprint and/or your pets name, Forget Me Not Glass comfort pebbles are $88.

Stoneware Custom Pet Urn

Claylicious pet urns come in a variety of sizes and colors. Courtesy of Claylicious  Original

An excellent way to memorialize your pet is with a classic ceramic urn. From small (pre-cremation weight up to five pounds) to XX-Large, which is perfect for pets weighing up to 110 pounds, Claylicious has got you covered. Smaller urns can hold a portion of your beloved pets remains, while the rest can be scattered in their favorite places. Available in a rainbow of colors, the urn can be personalized with your pets name. Claylicious pet urns, made in Calabasas, California, range from $88 for small to $165 for XX-Large.

Custom Dog Pillow

A pillow shaped like your dearly departed pet offers a comforting and affordable alternative to taxidermy. Courtesy of allaboutvibe.com  Original

These lifelike pet pillows are handcrafted in Chicago, Illinois, to look like your cherished pet. The pillows are designed for long-lasting use and are easy to maintain, as they are machine washable and dryable. Creating the pillow is a straightforward process: simply upload a photo of your pet to the All About Vibe website, where you can view a three-dimensional mock-up of your pillow. Choose a size, check out, and the pillow will be shipped within three business days. Prices range from $25 to $180.

Pet Remembrance Books

A photo book can capture the life of your pet in living color. Courtesy of mixbook.com  Original

A photo book that captures the life of your furry best friend can help ease your sadness, creating a lasting legacy that will comfort you for years to come. You control every detail, from layouts and backgrounds to text and stickers, making these remembrance books fully customizable. Mixbooks pet remembrance books are available in many sizes, from a 20-page 6x6 soft cover book for $14.99 to a 60-page 12x12 hardcover for $208.59.

Memorial Cremation Diamonds for Dogs, Cats & Other Pets

According to the Eterneva website, becoming a diamond is an old dogs greatest trick. Courtesy of Eterneva Pets  Original

If you are in the market for the most extraordinary pet memorial, Eterneva has created the ultimate one. This Texas-based company creates memorial diamonds from cremains or fur/hair. Extracting the carbon from these items, they grow diamonds. Though it might be hard to believe, lab-grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, sharing the same chemical, physical, and optical qualities. Although Eterneva originally focused on creating diamonds from human cremated remains or hair, nearly half of their diamonds are now made from pet cremated remains, fur, or hair. The process, which takes 7-10 months to complete, requires 1/2 cup of cremains or one cup of fur/hair, though if you have less, they advise contacting the company directly. Take a look at all of Eternevas diamonds, starting at $3,500, or $188/month.

The post 8 Unique Pet Memorial Ideas to Keep Your Best Friend Close appeared first on A-Z Animals.
RSVG Police Force Photo of the abandoned vessel found on St. Vincent and the Grenadines







A vessel containing the remains of 11 people was found on an island that is part of the Caribbean country St. Vincent and the Grenadines on May 26

The remains were said to be "in an advanced state of decomposition" and were found alongside "several" passports that appear to be from the Republic of Mali, police said

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force continues to investigate the incident







Police are investigating after a vessel washed up onto an island in the Caribbean containing 11 bodies.

On Monday, May 26, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force issued a statement revealing that the boat was found in "the vicinity of Little Bay, Cherry Hill, on the island of Canouan."

"During the initial examination of the vessel, what appear to be decomposed human remains were found onboard," the police force wrote in their statement. "The identities and circumstances surrounding the discovery are yet to be determined."

RSVG Police Force A photo of the vessel found on St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Additional details were shared in an updated statement released on Tuesday, May 27.

In it, the police force revealed that they received a report about "a suspicious vessel found along the coastline" around 10:45 a.m. The Canouan Police Station responded to the scene and began an investigation into the discovery.

Police say that the boat was 45 ft. long and roughly 12 ft. wide.

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The 11 bodies on the boat were "in an advanced state of decomposition," with police noting that "some were not fully intact." They have not yet been identified but have been "transported to mainland St. Vincent."

They will remain at the Kingstown mortuary as the investigation continues.

Several passports that appear to be from the Republic of Mali were also found on the vessel, police said. The Republic of Mali is a West African country that received the highest level of travel advisory warning from the United States Department of State in July 2023. The government agency cited risk of "crime, terrorism, and kidnapping" for those who visit.

Hedelin F/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Canouan Island, which is part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

"This incident is deeply concerning, and we understand the publics interest in the matter. We assure you that the RSVGPF is treating this investigation with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity. We are committed to pursuing every lead and ensuring that all appropriate protocols are followed," the police statement read.

The police force vowed that they were collaborating with "regional and international partners" to "verify the origins of the vessel and the identities of the individuals onboard."



PEOPLE has reached out to the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force for additional comment.

According to reporting by ABC News, a similar discovery was made on St. Kitts and Nevis  another country in the Caribbean  in January. In that incident, 19 bodies were discovered, "some with identifications from Mali."



Read the original article on People
FILE - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall speaks at a press conference across the street from the Manhattan criminal court on May 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah, File)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Thursday that he is running for the U.S. Senate, seeking the position being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Marshall, a Republican, announced his candidacy in a video that included multiple clips of him being introduced or praised by President Donald Trump. The video called Marshall the senator that our state needs and our president can count on.

Marshall told The Associated Press that he has a proven track record as attorney general of fighting for the people of Alabama.

I think what the people of Alabama are looking for is a strong, proven conservative that is able to help advance President Trumps agenda and fights for the values of the people of our state, Marshall said in a telephone interview.

Lots of people can talk tough, but getting tough things done is what weve been able to accomplish," Marshall said.

He said there is significant overlap between the issues he has worked on as attorney general and matters before the Senate, including immigration.

As attorney general, Marshall banded with other Republican-led states in filing lawsuits challenging multiple Biden administration policies. He was also one of multiple Republican elected officials who attended Trump's 2024 hush money trial in New York to show support and speak on his behalf.

Marshall's office successfully defended the state's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors and supported other states in their efforts to enact similar bans. His office lost a fight over Alabama's congressional map that resulted in federal judges redrawing the lines.

Marshall also led the development of Alabamas use of nitrogen gas as an execution method. Alabama in 2024 became the first state to use it.

Tuberville announced Tuesday that he is running for governor in 2026 instead of seeking a second term in the Senate. The rare open Senate seat is expected to draw a crowded field of candidates.

Marshall was first appointed attorney general in 2017 by then-Gov. Robert Bentley. He won a full term in 2018, and was reelected in 2022. He cannot run for another term because of term limits.

He previously served as Marshall County district attorney for 16 years. He was initially elected to that office as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party in 2011.

Marshall announced last year that he would not run for governor in 2026.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI's rise could result in a spike in unemployment within the next five years. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said AI could soon eliminate 50% of entry-level office jobs.

The AI CEO said that companies and the government are "sugarcoating" the risks of AI.

Recent data shows Big Tech hiring of new grads has dropped 50% since pre-pandemic, partly due to AI.

After spending the day promoting his company's AI technology at a developer conference, Anthropic's CEO issued a warning: AI may eliminate 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years.

"We, as the producers of this technology, have a duty and an obligation to be honest about what is coming," Dario Amodei told Axios in an interview published Wednesday. "I don't think this is on people's radar."

The 42-year-old CEO added that unemployment could spike between 10% and 20% in the next five years. He told Axios he wanted to share his concerns to get the government and other AI companies to prepare the country for what's to come.

"Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen," Amodei said. "It sounds crazy, and people just don't believe it."

Amodei said the development of large language models is advancing rapidly, and they're becoming capable of matching and exceeding human performance. He said the US government has remained quiet about the issue, fearing workers would panic or the country could fall behind China in the AI race.

Meanwhile, business leaders are seeing savings from AI while most workers remain unaware of the changes that are evolving, Amodei said.

He added that AI companies and the government need to stop "sugarcoating" the risks of mass job elimination in fields including technology, finance, law, and consulting. He said entry-level jobs are especially at risk.

Amodei's comments come as Big Tech firms' hiring of new grads dropped about 50% from pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report by the venture capital firm SignalFire. The report said that's due in part to AI adoption.

A round of brutal layoffs swept the tech industry in 2023, with hundreds of thousands of jobs eliminated as companies looked to slash costs. While SignalFire's report said hiring for mid and senior-level roles saw an uptick in 2024, entry-level positions never quite bounced back.

In 2024, early-career candidates accounted for 7% of total hires at Big Tech firms, down by 25% from 2023, the report said. At startups, that number is just 6%, down by 11% from the year prior.

SignalFire's findings suggest that tech companies are prioritizing hiring more seasoned professionals and often filling posted junior roles with senior candidates.

Heather Doshay, a partner who leads people and recruiting programs at SignalFire, told Business Insider that "AI is doing what interns and new grads used to do."

"Now, you can hire one experienced worker, equip them with AI tooling, and they can produce the output of the junior worker on top of their own  without the overhead," Doshay said.

AI can't entirely account for the sudden shrinkage in early-career prospects. The report also said that negative perceptions of Gen Z employees and tighter budgets across the industry are contributing to tech's apparent reluctance to hire new grads.

"AI isn't stealing job categories outright  it's absorbing the lowest-skill tasks," Doshay said. "That shifts the burden to universities, boot camps, and candidates to level up faster."

To adapt to the rapidly changing times, she suggests new grads think of AI as a collaborator, rather than a competitor.

"Level up your capabilities to operate like someone more experienced by embracing a resourceful ownership mindset and delegating to AI," Doshay said. "There's so much available on the internet to be self-taught, and you should be sponging it up."

Amodei's chilling message comes after the company recently revealed that its chatbot Claude Opus 4 exhibited "extreme blackmail behavior" after gaining access to fictional emails that said it would be shut down. While the company was transparent with the public about the results, it still released the next version of the chatbot.

It's not the first time Amodei has warned the public about the risks of AI. On an episode of The New York Times' "Hard Fork" podcast in February, the CEO said the possibility of "misuse" by bad actors could threaten millions of lives. He said the risk could come as early as "2025 or 2026," though he didn't know exactly when it would present "real risk."

Anthropic has emphasized the importance of third-party safety assessments and regularly shares the risks uncovered by its red-teaming efforts. Other companies have taken similar steps, relying on third-party evaluations to test their AI systems. OpenAI, for example, says on its website that its API and ChatGPT business products undergo routine third-party testing to "identify security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors."

Amodei acknowledged to Axios the irony of the situation  as he shares the risks of AI, he's simultaneously building and selling the products he's warning about. But he said the people who are most involved in building AI have an obligation to be up front about its direction.

"It's a very strange set of dynamics, where we're saying: 'You should be worried about where the technology we're building is going,'" he said.

Anthropic did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FILE - Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia makes a throw to first base in the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

CHICAGO (AP)  Infielder Orlando Arcia signed with the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, and was in their lineup as the designated hitter against the Cubs in Chicago, three days after he was released by Atlanta.

The 30-year-old Arcia, an NL All-Star in 2023, was Atlanta's opening day shortstop this season, but lost the job to Nick Allen. Arcia was batting .194 with one RBI through 14 games when Atlanta designated him for assignment on May 23, then cut him.

Arcia appeared in a career-high 157 games for the Braves in 2024, hitting .218 with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs. In 2023, the Venezuela native batted a career-high .264 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.

Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said he told Arcia to be ready to play all four infield positions for the Rockies, who entered Wednesday worst in the majors at 9-46. He was batting seventh on Wednesday as Colorado tried to end a four-game slide and salvage the finale of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Arcia had appeared in just one game since May 10 with the Braves.

I don't really have good answer for that, Arcia said. This is a business and things happen.

The infielder, in his 10th season, was happy the Rockies signed him quickly.

It wasn't a big decision," Arcia said though a translator. I'm just going to take advantage of the opportunity and do the best I can."

Arcia added he's ready to play at any position and willing to help younger Rockies players.

Just fight, every at-bat, every pitch, every play counts, he said.

Arcia has .241 career average with 87 homers and 335 RBIs in 951 games with Milwaukee and Atlanta. His career fielding percentage at shortstop, where hes played 843 games, is .975.

____

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Alan Wooten | The Center Square

(The Center Square)  The number of arrests by Border Patrol in Maine reached its highest level in more than two decades last month, according to newly released federal immigration data.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said 113 "illegal aliens" from 16 countries were arrested in Maine by agents in April, the highest in a single month in nearly 24 years. The Houlton Sector coordinated air transport with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday to transport 29 apprehended subjects to other parts of the country for further processing, the agency said.

The agency said the uptick in apprehensions were not the result of more people illegally crossing the border into Maine, but stepped up enforcement operations across the largely rural state.

"If you attempt to cross the border illegally, you will be apprehended," Maine's Houlton Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Craig Shepley said in a statement. "If you are present in the United States without a legal status, you will be detained and removed in accordance with all applicable immigration laws."

The Houlton Sector coordinated air transport with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to transport apprehended subjects to other parts of the country for further processing, the agency said.

Shepley said illegal entries from Canada along the Maine border are decreasing, which he attributed to stronger law enforcement partnerships and a "back-to-basics approach balancing personnel, technology" and increased infrastructure to secure the northern border.

The uptick in arrests along the northern border come as encounters by Border Patrol agents on the southwest border plummeted by 93% in April, compared to a year ago. That included just 1,342 arrests in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas  an 84% drop from the same month last year, according to the federal agency.

Maine lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that would limit cooperation with the Trump administration's immigration crackdowns, but the move is opposed by state and county law enforcement officials who say it would force them to violate federal law. This is the seventh consecutive year Maine has had a Democratic trifecta in state government, meaning Democrats in the office of governor and majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Backers of the proposals say allowing local police to cooperate with ICE actions makes communities less safe because it dissuades people from reporting crime for fear of deportation. They say it wouldn't restrict ICE from apprehending dangerous criminals in the state.

Law enforcement officials are urging lawmakers to reject the plans, arguing they would hamper communication between local, county, and state law enforcement and our federal immigration officials.

Maine isn't considered a "sanctuary" state, such as by the Center for Immigration Studies. Several communities have local laws aimed at preventing local police from acting as immigration agents or enforcing federal immigration laws, which are both civil and criminal in nature.

The Wells Police Department in York County has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security to join the 287(g) program, allowing local police to arrest and detain immigration suspects sought by federal immigration officials.
Vehicles enter Banff National Park during the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Banff, Alberta, Canada on May 22, 2025. Top finance leaders from the G7 nations are gathering in Canada, with concerns including war in Ukraine at the fore while the advanced economies grapple with fallout from US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. (Photo by Dave Chidley/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by Dave Chidley/AFP via Getty Images)

British Columbias Ministry of Environment and Parks announced April 24 the closure of Joffre Lakes Park so indigenous people can reconnect with the land.

The closures provide time and space for members of the Lilwat Nation and NQuatqua to reconnect with the land and carry out cultural and spiritual practices, according to the agencys statement.

The Lilwat Nation and NQuatqua Nation released a statement May 16 regarding the parks closure, stating that the Reconnection Periods will occur during peak season: April 25  May 19, June 13  27 and Aug. 22  Oct. 23.

The Reconnection Periods, during which the park is not open to the public, to allow time for their community members to practice Ntakmen (meaning our way), have occurred since 2023. (RELATED: LOFTUS: Liberal Elites Fleeing To Canada Admit Theyre Cowards Who Dont Care About Their Country)

The park was closed for 39 days in 2023, 60 days in 2024, and so far over 100 days in 2025, according to National Post.

The Minister of Environment and Parks met with Lilwat and NQuatqua leadership at Joffre Lakes Park on May 16 when they hiked to the first lake and engaged in meaningful discussions about the future stewardship of the area, with a shared commitment to protecting and sustaining the land, according to the First Nations news release. The First Nations are 1 of 3 recognized Indigenous Peoples in Canada, along with Inuit and Metis, according to the Government of Canada.

The Reconnection Periods are also meant to provide time for the land to rest from human impacts.

The Nations would like to see equal prioritization of land use types to ensure that recreational uses are not given preference over cultural land uses, the statement reads. The high number of visitors annually brings with it other impacts, such as safety concerns with the number of vehicles parking along the highway.

Lilwat Nations Political Chief Kukwpi7 Skalulmecw Dean Nelson explains why many officials feel the park should be closed to non-Indigenous people.

These changes wouldnt happen if we dont assert our inherent rights, he says in the statement. Its our responsibility as stewards to protect the land; its been overused for too long by too many people.

Robin Junger, a partner with the law firm McMillian LP who has expertise in environmental and Indigenous law, said he believes there is no basis in law for the unilateral closure of the park by the First Nations, according to the Vancouver Sun.

He noted that Aboriginal rights are protected by Canadas Constitution, but it doesnt provide absolute rights to Indigenous people without consideration to other peoples rights, the article states. That is particularly so when there is, legally, an asserted but unproven title, as is the case for the Lilwat and the NQuatqua Nations over the park lands.

Many British Columbians have been vocal in expressing their frustration with the closures.

Enough. Racial segregation has no place in British Columbia or in Canada, Paul Ratchford, candidate for the Conservative Party of B.C., said in a post on X.

Scott McInnis, another member of the Conservative Party of B.C., added, These closures sets precedent for the entire province which will force the government to accept any public land closure on traditional territory across B.C. Banning the public to a public park for 100 days is plain wrong.

Provincial parks must serve everyone in this provincenot just a select few. Joffre Lakes belongs to all of us, one local said in a post on X.

Another user shares the sentiment: Our provincial parks belong to all of us.

However, some appear to be happy with the closures.

The people who come from the city do not spend any money in the S2S and only contribute garbage, traffic jams and a massive carbon footprint, one X user said.
Scores of Palestinian men, women and children raced across a dusty expanse toward an aid warehouse in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. A few minutes later, a few emerged with bags and boxes of food.

Those were the desperate scenes that marked the first turbulent week of a new U.S. and Israel-backed plan for aid distribution in the enclave.

The United Nations World Food Programme said in a statement Wednesday that hordes of hungry people broke into its Al-Ghafari warehouse in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah attempting to get supplies being prepared for distribution.

The UNWFP cited "initial reports" that at least two people were killed and several more injured in the incident. NBC News was not immediately able to independently verify those details.

A Palestinian boy leaving the World Food Programme warehouse with a bag of food Wednesday. (Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images)

An Israeli military spokesperson said they were not aware of their forces being connected to the reported deaths, or of any shots being fired by troops.

Those reported deaths came after chaotic events Tuesday, when thousands of hungry Palestinians flooded a controversial new aid distribution center set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation  or GHF  which is tasked with distributing supplies in the U.S. and Israel-backed plan that came into effect Monday.

In that case, Israeli soldiers fired live rounds into the air to disperse crowds, with the GHF seeking to quell concerns over its rocky first week of operations in a news release Wednesday.

The GHF rejected the claims of Gaza's Hamas-run government media office that three Palestinians were killed, 46 others injured and seven people missing after the incident. The foundation said that no one was killed while trying to access its distribution site.

A spokesperson for GHF said in an emailed response to NBC News that the account was completely false and that nobody had been injured or killed during the foundation's first three days of operations.

NBC News was not immediately able to verify the facts on the ground.

GHF was tasked with distributing aid in Gaza after Israel earlier this month lifted an almost three-month-long blockade barring the entry of food, medicine and other vital supplies following warnings of rising starvation in the enclave.

Under the plan, aid will be distributed from at least four distribution points in southern Gaza, with the aim of expanding with additional sites.

The United Nations, which has refused to participate in the plan, has condemned the initiative as a distraction that undermines a long-standing humanitarian framework in Gaza. The U.N. says the effort poses a threat to the independence of aid operations, while simultaneously displacing Palestinians en masse to Gaza's south.

Israel has maintained that a new aid distribution system was necessary, alleging that Hamas was diverting supplies. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other humanitarian groups have told NBC News that they have not seen evidence of aid being diverted to Hamas or other armed groups during the war.

Israel has long been deeply critical of the United Nations and its work in the Gaza Strip and the broader Palestinian territories.

Palestinians carry bags of food aid after storming a World Food Programme warehouse Wednesday. (Eyad Baba / AFP via Getty Images)

The recent aid overhaul comes after Israel's ban barring the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, or UNRWA, from operating in Gaza, came into effect in January.

The Israeli government alleged that Hamas members had infiltrated the agency and that a number of staff members had taken part in the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts.

Since Israel launched its ensuing offensive in Gaza, more than 51,000 people have been killed there, including thousands of children, according to the local Health Ministry.

An independent investigation commissioned by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres found that nine staff working for UNRWA may have been involved in the attacks.

Some Palestinians in Gaza have been left distraught by the ban.

I want to receive aid through UNRWA, where I can talk to people in my own language, explain my situation, and get what I need, Rund Al-Qassas told NBC News crew in Gaza on Wednesday.

She spoke through tears after she, her husband and small children were unable to get any food after making their way to a distribution site in southern Gaza.

Just under 900 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip since Israel said May 18 that it would lift its blockade, according to data from COGAT, the Israeli military's liaison with the Palestinians. Before the war, some 500 aid trucks entered Gaza daily, according to the British Red Cross and other aid organizations.

This aid distribution system is a failure, Al-Qassas said. Only those who get there first receive food, the rest are left with nothing.
FILE - American flags are displayed together with Chinese flags on top of a trishaw on Sept. 16, 2018, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese students studying in the U.S. are scrambling to figure out their futures after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that some of them would have their visas revoked.

The U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields" and "those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party," according to the announcement.

China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the U.S.

Rubio's announcement was a new version of the Chinese Exclusion Act, said Liqin, a Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University, who asked to be identified only by his first name out of fear of retaliation. He was referring to a 19th-century law that prohibited Chinese from immigrating to the U.S. and banned Chinese people already in the U.S. from getting citizenship. He said Wednesday was the first time he thought about leaving the U.S. after spending a third of his life here.

Chinese international students are a point of tension

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called the U.S. decision unreasonable.

Such a politicized and discriminatory action lays bare the U.S. lie that it upholds so-called freedom and openness," she said Thursday, adding that China has lodged a protest with the U.S.

The issue of Chinese students studying overseas has long been a point of tension in the bilateral relationship. In 2019, during Trumps first term, Chinas Ministry of Education warned students about visa issues in the U.S., with rising rejection rates and shortening of visas.

Last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry protested that a number of Chinese students were unfairly interrogated and sent home upon arrival at U.S. airports.

Chinese state media has long hyped gun violence in the U.S. and violent protests during the pandemic, and portrayed the U.S. as a dangerous place that wasnt safe for its citizens. The tense bilateral relationship has also meant that some Chinese students are opting to study in the U.K. or other countries over the U.S. after the pandemic.

Zou Renge, a 27-year-old public policy master's student at the University of Chicago, said she had planned to take some time off and work in humanitarian aid programs abroad after graduating at the end of this year.

But now, she will refrain from leaving the U.S. and will look for jobs in the meantime. In a very uncertain environment, Ill try my best to find myself a solution, she said.

Hong Kong seeks to draw in talent amid uncertainty

Some were eager to capitalize on the uncertainty facing international students in the U.S. Hong Kongs leader John Lee told lawmakers on Thursday that the city would welcome any students who have been discriminated against by American policies to study in the city.

The students who face unfair treatment can come from different countries beyond the U.S. I think this is an opportunity for Hong Kong, he said. We will work with our universities to provide the best support and assistance.

That followed a widely shared post by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) inviting Harvard students to continue their academic pursuits there after Trump said he would revoke the university's ability to accept international students.

Other Hong Kong universities including the Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong also said they would streamline or facilitate applications from international students coming from top universities in the U.S.

Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997, is a popular destination for mainland Chinese students to pursue their university degrees because of its international image and relative freedoms.

The city launched a new visa scheme in 2022 to counter the exodus of expatriates and local professionals that occurred after Beijing imposed a national security law to quell dissent and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will Kwong, managing director at Hong Kong's AAS Education Consultancy, said his company was helping students with offers from American universities to apply to other institutions, predominantly in Britain and Australia, so that they had alternative choices.

U.S. was known for diversity and this will hurt it, students say

Having fewer international exchanges is definitely not good for Americas development, said Zhang Qi, a postdoctoral fellow in Beijing. "This could be a positive change for Chinas development. More talented individuals may choose to stay at Tsinghua or Peking University, or with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other top institutions in China, which would benefit the development of domestic science and technology.

For many, there is little they can do as they now wait for the fallout from the move.

Chen, a Chinese student at Purdue University who only gave his last name out of concern for retaliation by the Trump administration, has been waiting anxiously in China for his visa approval. But he was also angry, and said this was the exact opposite of what he thought the U.S. stood for.

I was expecting freedom and tolerance. The U.S. was known for its diversity which allows international students to fit in, but it is a pity to see such change," he said.

-

Fu Ting reported from Washington, Wu from Bangkok. Associated Press researcher Shihuan Chen and video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
The Aguas Zarcas meteorite fall in Costa Rica in 2019 opens a window into early solar system history and cosmic survival. (CREDIT: SciTechDaily.com)

In April 2019, a fiery streak lit up the sky over northern Costa Rica. It wasnt lightning or fireworks. It was a rock from space, plunging into Earths atmosphere at over 14 kilometers per second. This cosmic visitor exploded in a bright flare high above the Earth, dropping rare meteorite fragments across the quiet town of Aguas Zarcas. What followed was one of the most important meteorite recoveries in recent history.

A fall that captured eyes and headlines

The fall of the Aguas Zarcas meteorite was no ordinary event. It came from a nearly vertical angle, about 81 degrees steep, entering from the west-northwest. The blazing rock left a trail through the sky and was captured on both security and dashboard cameras. The light it created was so bright that satellites designed to detect lightningGOES-16 and GOES-17picked it up as it shattered at 25 kilometers above the ground.

This was not just a pretty show. Scientists took notice. The last time meteorites like this fell in such numbers was in 1969, near Murchison, Australia. Back then, scientists had just returned from the Moon and were hungry for space rocks.

Location of video cameras relative to the meteor trajectory and flare (marked by a star) over the fall location near Aguas Zarcas, Costa Rica. (CREDIT: Meteoritics and Planetary Science)

Now, with modern tools, researchers quickly acted to study the Aguas Zarcas fragments. "27 kilos of rocks were recovered, making this the largest fall of its kind since similar meteorites fell near Murchison in Australia," said Peter Jenniskens, a meteor astronomer with NASA and the SETI Institute.

Gerardo Soto, a geologist at the University of Costa Rica, explained the local impact of the event: "The fall of Aguas Zarcas was huge news in the country. No other fireball was as widely reported and then recovered as stones on the ground in Costa Rica in the last 150 years."

Not your average "mudball" meteorite

Carbonaceous chondrites like Aguas Zarcas are often called "mudball" meteorites. Theyre soft and rich in water-bearing minerals. But this rock didnt crumble on impact as many expected. "Apparently, that does not mean they are weak," said Jenniskens. In fact, Aguas Zarcas held up impressively well.

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When it slammed into Earths atmosphere, the rock barely broke apart until much deeper than usual. It penetrated deep into Earth's atmosphere, until the surviving mass shattered at 25 km above the Earth's surface, said Jenniskens. This strength helped many of its fragments land intact.

Nature helped, too. The fall happened at the end of a long dry season. That meant the stones didnt wash away or get buried before they were found. Most landed on soft jungle or grassy areas, which cushioned the impact. Some pieces showed a shimmering blue crust, caused by the intense heat of entry. The Aguas Zarcas fall produced an amazing selection of fusion-crusted stones with a wide range of shapes, said Laurence Garvie, a researcher from Arizona State University.

A deep space journey that took millions of years

How did this rock end up crashing into Earth? Scientists traced its path backward through the sky, using videos and the angle of its fall. They figured out that the meteorite came from a low-inclined orbit, tilted less than 2.8 degrees compared to Earths path around the Sun. Its closest approach to the Suncalled perihelionwas about 0.98 astronomical units, almost the same as Earths.

Aguas Zarcas meteorite with irregular surface features. (CREDIT: SETI Institute)

This rock likely came from the asteroid belt, a wide region filled with leftover chunks from the early solar system. Researchers believe the meteorite came from a larger asteroid in the outer belt. It got knocked loose by a gravitational interaction, likely from one of two major orbital zones known as the 3:1 or 5:2 mean motion resonances.

Once free, the meteorite traveled through space for 2 million years before finally meeting Earth. Thats the age scientists found by studying cosmogenic radionuclidestiny isotopes formed by cosmic ray exposure. Kees Welten, a cosmochemist at UC Berkeley, explained: "The last collision experienced by this rock was 2 million years ago."

A rock frozen in time

Scientists didnt just look at when the meteorite broke off its parent asteroid. They also examined how long the rock had been holding onto certain elements, like argon. This data showed that the rock formed 2.9 billion years ago. Thats almost as old as the Earth itself.

The Murchison meteorite. (CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons)

Jenniskens and his team worked with international experts to study these details. "We can tell that this object came from a larger asteroid low in the asteroid belt, likely from its outer regions," he explained. "After getting loose, it took two million years to hit the tiny target of Earth, all the time avoiding getting cracked."

This journey without further collisions kept the rock strong. Many other meteorites show signs of impacts that create fractures and weak points. But Aguas Zarcas stayed mostly whole. That explains why it survived the fiery plunge so well. Its strength made it special, and scientists are eager to learn all they can from it.

Science takes a leap forward

Since its discovery, researchers around the world have written 76 scientific papers on Aguas Zarcas. These studies explore its chemical makeup, its age, and even what it can tell us about the early solar system. Soto summed it up with a poetic nod to space history: The recovery of Aguas Zarcas, too, was a small step for man, but a giant leap for meteoritics.

Peter Jenniskens, Senior Research Scientist at the Carl Sagan Center of the SETI Institute. (CREDIT: SETI Institute)

This meteorite may have spent millions of years floating silently through space. But when it landed, it gave scientists a loud and clear message. Rocks like this one help us understand where we came from and how the solar system formed. The skies above Costa Rica offered a priceless gift. And science was ready to catch it.

Research findings are available online in the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Science.

Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News.

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Delta One of the bags from the Delta x Missoni Partnership.







Key Points

Delta has partnered with Italian designer Missoni to bring new products to its business class cabin. The new collection of products will start to roll out to the business cabin this summer and will be available on all Delta One flights be the end of the year.







Get ready to rest easy in the sky in sophisticated style with a new luxury bedding collaboration coming to a major airline this year.

Delta Air Lines is partnering with luxury Italian fashion brand Missoni to create a bedding set specifically designed for the carrier, with a Missoni duvet and sleeping pillow with a distinct zigzag design. The Delta One Collection will also include an expanded amenity kit, custom socks, navy slippers, and a lightweight and breathable eye mask.

For flights that are longer than 12 hours, Delta is also introducing a memory foam cuddle pillow, and is slated to offer its popular mattress pad that doubles as a lumbar pillow on all Delta One flights. The introduction of the Missoni-branded Delta One Collection will begin to roll out this summer and will be on all Delta One flights by the end of the year.



Delta Ones lie-flat seats are spacious and have direct aisle access, and their popular mattress pad has already been available on flights over 12 hours long.

In travel, every moment mattersnot just where youre going, but how you get there, Mauricio Parise, V.P. of brand experience at Delta Airlines, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. We want you to savor your time in the air, which is why we are intentional about each detail of the customer experience to create a sense of home in every space, which is instantly elevated with Missonis iconic, signature designs. Our new Missoni collection will help you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready for the journey ahead.

Later this year, the airline will also introduce Missoni-branded slippers for their flights. The refreshed amenity kits, in shades of cream and navy, will be available in the fall and will include Grown Alchemist skincare products, a bamboo toothbrush, Marvis toothpaste, earplugs, and more.

We know nothing compares to sleeping in the comfort of your own bed, Parise said in the statement. However, when we set out to re-think the in-flight sleep experience, we focused on offering customers the same luxurious sleep experience you might get in a high-end hotel.

The new offerings are influenced by customer surveys, in-flight tests, and Delta-conducted research to determine what customers care about most with their sleep experience in the sky.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are leading a U.S. delegation to Singapore this week to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security conference, another signal of the Trump administration's intensified focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

Both Hegseth and Gabbard will attend the 22nd annual conference, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which this year will have more than 550 delegates from 40 nations, including military, intelligence, business and security leaders, from across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

Hegseth is expected to deliver a major speech to the conference highlighting the Trump administration's national security focus on China.

"He'll provide an honest overview of the threat China poses to the region, underscore that our goal is to prevent war by establishing a credible shield of deterrence with our unmatched network of Allies and partners," said a senior U.S. defense official. "And he'll footstomp that this network is only strong if our allies and partners invest in their own defenses. It must be a two-way street."

Gabbard is expected to "discuss major security challenges" with leaders, a source familiar with Gabbard's plans told ABC News. This year's U.S. delegation includes higher-level representation than in previous years, said the source.

PHOTO: Senate Intelligence Cmte Holds Confirmation Hearing For DNI Nominee Tulsi Gabbard (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Both Hegseth and Gabbard are making their second visit to Asia seemingly reinforcing the Trump administration's renewed focus on the region. 

In late March Hegseth visited Japan and the Philippines to reaffirm the Trump administration's commitment to deterring Chinese aggression in the region.

Shortly after her confirmation, Gabbard traveled to India and met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of President Donald Trump's bilateral meeting with Modi in February.

Gabbard's relationship with Modi spans more than a decade, dating back to 2013 when she became the first Hindu member of Congress.

They met again during her 2014 visit to India at Modi's invitation.

Earlier this year, Gabbard accepted an invitation from Modi to speak at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, a multilateral conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, but, before returning to Washington, Gabbard made stops in Japan, Thailand and France.

Her diplomatic tour began in Honolulu, Hawaii -- her hometown -- where she represented the state in Congress for eight years.

While in Hawaii, Gabbard met with intelligence community partners and visited United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) headquarters in Honolulu.

In Singapore this week, both Hegseth and Gabbard will hold separate bilateral meetings with regional leaders.

A source familiar with Gabbard's agenda said she would "explore opportunities to chart a path that advances mutual interests of security, peace, and prosperity in the region."

Hegseth, Gabbard lead US delegation to major security summit in Singapore originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
New York, US (PANA) - As Gaza descends into the abyss and the West Bank slides toward de facto annexation, could an international conference planned for June revive a faltering peaceful solution?The two-state solution, one Palestinian, the other Israeli, is "on life support," Sigrid Kaag, acting UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, warned Wednesday
For fugitives, the odds are stacked against them.

With advances in surveillance technology and the proliferation of cameras and drones, today's jail escapees have much more to overcome than their predecessors even a decade ago. Still, the work of law enforcement is meticulous and patience is a key factor as they chase down inmates on the lam.

Such sweeping manhunts are currently active in New Orleans and rural Arkansas.

Police in Louisiana are searching for two of the 10 men who fled jail custody by climbing through a hole behind a toilet on May 10. In the rugged Ozark Mountains, search teams are hunting Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted murderer known as the "Devil in the Ozarks," who impersonated a guard and walked out of a medium-security prison on May 25.

These breakouts have put residents who live near the facilities on edge and placed a spotlight on inmate escapes, leading many to wonder how the fugitives have managed to evade arrest and what it will take for law enforcement to catch them.

Scott Duffey, co-director for the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University and a retired FBI agent who spent a decade focused on fugitive apprehensions, said while the amount of time it takes for authorities to apprehend an escapee is different in each case, the end result is often the same  capture.

"I would say higher than 90% of fugitives are caught," Duffey told USA TODAY. "It's a very, very rare occurrence for someone to be able to stay out on the loose. It's not impossible, it's just very difficult."

Getting away with murder: These fugitives fled prisons  and were never caught

How do investigators track a fugitive?

Following a breakout, authorities will notify all law enforcement agencies in the area and establish a perimeter, scouring surveillance footage to identify in what direction the fugitives fled and what areas to cordon off, Duffey said.

While on-the-ground-resources take up the search effort, investigators will dig into the background of the fugitives, focusing on their most recent contacts, family members and known criminal associates.

"Normally what they do is head immediately to a known associate and try and hole up somewhere they can hide and have food and other resources brought to them," said Donald Lane, a former U.S. Secret Service agent with decades of experience in fugitive manhunts.

Ten men fled the Orleans Parish jail by climbing through a hole behind a toilet on May 10, 2025.

In addition to interviewing a fugitive's friends and relatives, authorities may also place them under surveillance  a tactic that has often led to apprehensions, Lane said.

"This is done in many cases because people lie to protect their family members and close friends," he said.

Like True Crime? Check out Witness: A library of true crimes

How time works against fugitives

As the days go on, authorities will likely set up a tip line and flood the public with information about the fugitive. With the omnipresence of smartphones and doorbell cameras, the public plays a vital role in high-profile searches.

Potential leads also come in the form of local crimes such as burglaries or carjackings, which could provide police with crucial information such as the fugitive's last known location, latest appearance and, in some cases, the license plate of a stolen vehicle.

"When they're resorting to crimes, it gives law enforcement a bread crumb trail and usually brings them much closer" to an arrest, Duffey said.

The Orleans Parish jail on May 21, 2025, where 10 inmates escaped.

Both Duffey and Lane emphasized that time is on the side of law enforcement as the escapee burns through resources while trying to stay hidden.

"The longer things go on, the harder it becomes for a fugitive," Lane said. "It becomes extremely difficult to get shelter, food, water and avoid human contact."

Catching 2 fugitives is easier than finding 10

The breakouts in New Orleans and Arkansas have several stark differences that impact the ongoing searches.

In New Orleans, a group of 10 prisoners fled the jail at the same time, which forced law enforcement to divide their resources and attention.

"The large amount of individuals that escaped was totally and completely astonishing, and that worked to their advantage," Lane said. "But now that it's narrowed down to two individuals, all those resources are much more focused."

Currently on the run are Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27. Massey was in jail on charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation and motor vehicle theft; he is also the subject of active warrants on charges including rape and kidnapping. Groves has been convicted of two counts of murder and a pair of attempted murder charges.

The eight other fugitives were arrested following high speed chases, facial recognition technology flags and tips from the public. Police have also announced the arrests of six people accused of aiding the escapees.

The 'Devil in the Ozarks' poses challenges to authorities

The escape in Arkansas involves a former police chief who is familiar with law enforcement procedure and the mountainous terrain into which he fled, posing several rare challenges for the investigators looking for Hardin.

"If you have a former police chief, he's going to know exactly what law enforcement is looking for, and he's going to know how to avoid as much human contact as possible," Lane said.

Grant Hardin, a former police chief serving decades-long prison sentences for murder and rape, is seen escaping in a makeshift Arkansas Department of Corrections uniform and pushing a cart loaded with materials.

Still, the odds are in investigators favor, Lane said.

He highlighted the apprehension of Danelo Cavalcante, a murder who escaped a Pennsylvania prison in September 2023 and evaded capture for two weeks. He was taken into custody in a wooded area after a thermal imaging camera picked up his heat signal.

"Ultimately, it comes down to the same thing  (Hardin) is a fugitive and he's still on the run," Lane said. "He still can't show up at his mom's house to take a shower and get some meatloaf, you know. He's still likely to get caught over time, even though initially he may be hard to apprehend."

Experts say people should stay vigilant

Duffey and Lane said those living near the jailbreaks should take precautions such as locking their doors, but should not outright panic.

"People in the immediate vicinity of the jail or prison should be vigilant and lock everything  the car, the garage, the house," Duffey said. "All of these can become places to hide or somewhere to look for something to steal."

A photo of Grant Hardin, a former police chief in Arkansas who was sentenced to prison for murder and rape. Hardin escaped from a facility near the Missouri border on May 25, authorities said.

He added that people can help law enforcement by reporting anything suspicious and checking their surveillance cameras and Ring doorbells.

Bryce Peterson, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said he's found in his research that 19% of inmate escapes result in some form of violence. That violence most often occurs while inmates are making their initial escape and usually involve relatively minor offenses, like shoving a correctional officer.

If crimes are committed while on-the-run, they are typically theft crimes, said Peterson, a senior research scientist in CNAs Center for Justice Research and Innovation.

Ultimately, fugitives want to avoid attention, especially any that could put investigators on their trail, Peterson said. He and other experts noted however that as time goes on, there are risks that escaped inmates could become increasingly desperate and potentially turn to violence, especially those already convicted of a major offense like murder.

"I have no doubt they'll all be caught," Lane said. "I just hope it's sooner rather than later."

Contributing: Terry Collins

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to catch a fugitive: Ways NOLA, Ark. escapees are being tracked
Lori Vallow Daybell, the woman who has been convicted in at least four murders, including the gruesome killings of her two youngest children, will be back in court for the start of another trial in Arizona.

Vallow Daybell, known online as the "Doomsday mom" for her apocalyptic beliefs, is accused of attempted murder in connection to a shooting that narrowly missed her nieces ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, in Gilbert, Arizona, in October 2019.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin May 29 while opening statements are expected to start next week, according to the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.

Last month, an Arizona jury found Vallow Daybell guilty of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019. She has since requested a new trial, arguing that the jury was aware of her prior convictions, but a judge denied her request. Prosecutors said Vallow Daybell had her brother, Alex Cox, fatally shoot her former husband to collect insurance and begin a new life.

Prior to her conspiracy murder conviction last month, Vallow Daybell had already been sentenced to life without parole. In 2023, Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell, her fifth and current husband, were convicted in Idaho of the murders of two of her children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua J.J. Vallow, 7, as well as Chad Daybells first wife, Tammy Daybell.

Prosecutors have successfully argued that end-time religious beliefs fueled Vallow Daybell, Chad Daybell and Cox, to carry out a string of murders in Idaho and Arizona.

Vallow Daybell manipulated brother into shooting Boudreaux: prosecutors

On Oct. 2, 2019, Boudreaux was shot at while driving home from the gym in Gilbert, Arizona. The bullet missed Boudreaux's head by inches, according to court documents.

Authorities eventually tied the vehicle to Vallow Daybell's brother, Cox, who had fatally shot Vallow and died in December 2019 of an apparent blood clot.

Authorities have argued Vallow Daybell manipulated her brother into carrying out the crimes.

The first day of opening statements during the Lori Vallow Daybell Arizona trial at Maricopa County Superior Court on April 7, 2025.

Doomsday beliefs

In 2018, Vallow Daybell met Chad Daybell at a religious conference in Utah. Court records show the pair, who were both married at the time, bonded over their shared beliefs about an impending doomsday.

After more than a decade of marriage, Charles Vallow, Vallow Daybell's fourth husband, filed for divorce in 2019, citing increasingly concerning beliefs and claiming his wife had threatened to kill him, according to court documents.

Vallow Daybell eventually influenced relatives and friends, including her brother, Cox, and niece, Melani Pawlowski, into sharing her apocalyptic beliefs, Pawlowski testified during Chad Daybell's trial last year.

Vallow was fatally shot in July 2019 at Vallow Daybell's rental home in Chandler, Arizona. Months later, Pawlowski's ex-husband, Boudreaux, was shot at by someone in a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The killings of Tammy Daybell, Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan

In September 2019, Vallow Daybell moved with her children to a small Idaho town where Chad Daybell lived with his then-wife, Tammy Daybell. About a month later, Tammy Daybell was found dead of what was later determined to be asphyxiation.

In November 2019, Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell took a trip to Hawaii and got married. Around the same time, Vallow Daybell's family began contacting authorities because they had not seen her children.

The couple moved in together upon their return from Hawaii, and they were questioned about the missing children. While law enforcement investigated the disappearances, the two returned to Hawaii.

Vallow Daybell was arrested in February 2020 in Hawaii on child abandonment counts. She was extradited to Idaho, and in early June, authorities found the bodies of Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan buried on Chad Daybells property.

Chad Daybell was arrested shortly after and eventually found guilty and sentenced to death. He remains on death row. Vallow Daybell was found guilty of her children's murders and of conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell in 2023. She was sentenced to life without parole.

Vallow Daybell spars with judge ahead of attempted murder trial

In the weeks leading up to Vallow Daybell's upcoming trial, she has repeatedly clashed with prosecutors and the judge overseeing her case, claiming evidence suppression, misconduct and bias.

She filed a motion for a new trial in the Vallow murder conspiracy case, citing juror misconduct and a lack of impartiality by Judge Justin Beresky. She also requested that Beresky, who is overseeing this latest trial, recuse himself.

Beresky denied her various motions and requests, saying they lacked "legal merit."

Vallow Daybell, who unsuccessfully represented herself in the conspiracy murder trial, is expected to represent herself in the attempted murder case.

Contributing: Terry Collins and Karissa Waddick

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lori Vallow Daybell to return to court for attempted murder trial
Elon Musk is set to depart the Trump administration and leave his role as a "special government employee," a White House official told ABC News.

The White House will begin Musk's off-boarding Wednesday night, the official said.

Musk posted on X Wednesday night thanking President Donald Trump, saying his Department of Government Efficiency team will continue to work throughout the government.

"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," Musk posted. He said the DOGE mission "will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

PHOTO: Elon Musk listens to President Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 11, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters, Files)

As a special government employee, Musk was limited to an 130-day appointment -- a limit he could hit as early as Friday. May 30 would be 130 days since Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration.

On Thursday, a senior administration official told ABC News that Musk will continue to serve as an unofficial adviser to the president and could potentially attend White House meetings.

While White House officials insist Musk left on good terms with Trump, the president hasn't said a word about Musk's departure, especially after his outspoken comments about the president's agenda and policy.

Senior White House officials were frustrated by Musk's comments regarding what Trump calls his "big, beautiful bill," which came a day before Musk announced he would be leaving the administration, sources familiar with the situation told ABC News.

Musk was still working in a governmental role on Wednesday, with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard saying on X that Musk visited the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

"It was great hosting @elonmusk at ODNI to discuss how we can best leverage cutting edge technological tools and public-private partnerships to increase innovation and ensure our nation's security," she posted.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott contributed to this report

While Musk is leaving the White House, he'll continue as unofficial adviser, official says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
From left: Nino Munoz/Disney; Ellen Pompeo Ellen Pompeo as Kristine in Good American Family," and while on vacation at the beach.

Even though she is one of the biggest television stars of our time, Ellen Pompeo is just like us when she travels. The Greys Anatomy star said she brings the usual stuff when she flies. Mints, glasses, water, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes. I have to do the Naomi Campbell thing and wipe down the entire seat, she told Travel + Leisure earlier this month. And like many of us, she also brings her own snacks. However, on a flight in March, what seemed like an innocent healthy snack landed her in a room with the bomb squad.

While going through TSA, she set off the alarms for carryingof all thingssunflower seeds. I had a bag of sunflower seeds, like organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon, so they were probably the most expensive sunflower seeds money can buy. They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in. And I was like, what is happening? Is this a joke? They said it was most likely a chemical on the packaging of these super expensive, fancy, organic, clean sunflower seeds. My protein on the plane! She asked if she could just throw them away, but they needed her to stay and wait for the bomb squad to assess this unopened bag of sunflower seeds. I almost missed the flight. It was really like no one would ever believe this! I was texting my publicist saying, 'I might not get on this plane, and you're never gonna guess why.'

TSA sunflower seed debacle aside, Pompeo does love to travel, even if it throws off her typical morning routine of doing a sauna followed by a cold plunge as she does at her home in Los Angeles. Ill try to look for hotels with saunas. Not everybody has a cold plunge. Cold plunges are a relatively, you know, sort of bougie, new thing. I think most of these older hotels don't have it, but a cold shower, I think, does the same. She also likes a hotel with a good pool. I do love to wake up and swim. She loves the pools at The Greenwich Hotel and Bristol Plaza, both in New York City.

Another part of her travel wellness routine is the Youth Activating Melon Serum Advanced Formula from Meaningful Beauty, for which Pompeo is a brand ambassador and a longtime fan. The skincare brand just had its 20th anniversary in 2024. That's always been my go-to in this line. And I put the melon serum on first, and then I put oil over it when I travel. I'm really big into serums and oils at this age, she said.







Ellen Pompeo

Aisle or window?

A single seat. Delta One is my preferred airline. Usually just a single seat, but if I'm sitting with someone, it's usually one of my kids, so I don't care. Whatever they want.



What is your plane uniform?

You want to be comfy. Planes are so disgusting. I just usually have a hat on, and I don't speak. People recognize my voice, so I try not to talk. I try to use sign language with my kids. The minute I open my mouth, everybody turns.



Go-to plane activity?

I usually watch a show, either something that I've been dying to watch, which I download on my computer, or I read a book. Also, lots of deep breathing now.





Dream trip?

I think Japan is definitely on our list. That's one place that they all really are excited to go, and we haven't gone yet.



Greys Anatomy co-star you would travel with?

Definitely T.R. [Knight]. Or Katie [Katherine] Heigl, because shed be like, Oh, it's gonna be fine. I took a helicopter once with [Patrick] Dempsey, from the city out to the Hamptons, and I had only been in a helicopter once before in the south of France. I really don't like helicopters at all. Dempsey was pretty good with me on the helicopter. He calmed me down.









But her favorite thing about travel is being with her family. Pompeo has three childrenStella Luna, 15, Sienna May, 10, and Eli Christopher, 8with husband Chris Ivery. Pompeo said she is a bit of a nervous flier, especially lately, and though she appreciates that pilots are coming out and trying to speak more to passengers about expected turbulence, she still loves having her family there as her main form of support. I like to hold my kids' hands when I take off, which is probably a little selfish, and they're probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn't the best thing to do, she said.

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images Ellen Pompeo with two of her kids, Stella Luna Ivery and Eli Ivery, and her husband Chris Ivery.

And once they get to the destination, Pompeo is a happy camper. I love any kind of trip as long as my kids are with me. I get a little bit anxious when I travel for work without my kids, but when we're all together, we try to do it all and give them a good mix [of types of trips]. It's a privilege to be able to travel with these kids and bring them places, so I try to just have a lot of gratitude for that and show them as much as I can. The whole family went to Hawaii for Stellas 15th birthday, and when Pompeo was doing press for her new Hulu miniseries Good American Family, she took her daughters to London and Paris. If you're lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel with kids, it's the best education there is, because I don't know who's using algebra in their daily lives.

Traveling with family can take more organization, so Pompeos strategy is to be a minimal packer. She says her husband, who she says is usually the best dressed in the room, often tells her she needs to pack more for trips. And I'm like, No, no, I want fewer options! And he's like, You need more options. And so I'm always trying to get him to pack less, and he's always trying to get me to pack more.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks with the New York City Fugitive Operations Team on Jan. 28, 2025. Courtesy: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Flickr

(The Center Square)  Attorneys told reporters Wednesday morning they're working to keep a 4-year-old Mexican girl in lifesaving hospital care in the U.S. despite an unexpected self-deportation order.

But after the lawyers' news conference in Los Angeles, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told The Center Square Wednesday afternoon that any reports of the family being actively deported are false.

"This family applied with USCIS for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered," a senior Department of Homeland Security official told The Center Square in an email. The official's name was not included in the email from the department's media relations office.

The lawyers Wednesday said they wrote the Trump administration in May and filed new documents to apply for a new humanitarian parole, which would allow the Mexican child and her family to stay in the U.S. Attorneys said the previous parole, which allowed the family to stay until July, was revoked in a letter that the family received April 11 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The lawyers said the parents' work permits were also suddenly revoked by federal officials.

The family received an emergency visa in 2023 through humanitarian parole, which allowed them to travel to Los Angeles, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Sofia Vargas, the child who came with her family on the visa in 2023 from their home country of Mexico, is receiving 14 hours of intravenous nutrition every six weeks at Children's Hospital Los Angeles during her treatment for short bowel syndrome. (Sofia is not the girls real name. She is being publicly called "Sofia" to protect her privacy.) Her parents live with their daughter in Bakersfield in California's Kern County and bring her to Los Angeles for the treatments, which her mother Deysi Vargas said aren't available in Mexico.

Sofia was born premature with short bowel syndrome, which prevents her from getting nutrition on her own, Vargas said in a statement posted at GoFundMe.com.

Without the treatment provided by Children's Hospital, Sofia will die," Vargas said. She noted the equipment for the treatment doesn't exist outside the U.S.

Attorney Gina Amato Lough said the family wasnt told why the humanitarian parole was revoked and hasnt been accused of violating rules. The family received the letter calling for self-deportation on April 11, Amato Lough, directing attorney of Public Counsel, the nonprofit law firm representing the family, told reporters.

"Deporting this family under these conditions is not only unlawful, it constitutes a moral failure that violates the basic tenets of humanity and decency," Amato Lough said at a televised news conference Wednesday morning at her law firm's Los Angeles offices.

Vargas brought her child to the news conference and addressed reporters in Spanish. Attorney Rebecca Brown went to the podium and translated Vargas' statement, which said Sofia wasn't getting better in Mexico but saw improvement in Los Angeles.

"Now with the help she received in the United States, my daughter has an opportunity to get out of the hospital, know the world and live like a normal girl of 4 years," Vargas said in the English translation read by Brown.

Without the treatment, Sofia could die within days, Vargas said, referring to what Sofia's medical team told her.
Federal officials are trying to seize more than $6 million in cryptocurrency they say represents the ill-gotten gains of a Chinese couple's "pig butchering" scam left behind when they fled the United States one step ahead of the cops.

Prosecutors say the $6 million sitting in four electronic wallets was left behind by Feng Chen and Tianqiong Xu as they fled to China last year, days after the FBI searched their home. They were indicted in June 2024 by a federal grand jury in Vermont.

Court records filed May 22 indicate the married couple specifically targeted people of Chinese heritage across the United States. Prosecutors accuse the couple of ripping off at least $9.5 million from from least 120 victims, operating from their five-bedroom house in Frisco, Texas.

According to court documents, Chen and Xu tricked people into thinking they were investing in cryptocurrency when instead the couple faked apps, emails and online records, and deposited the money in their own crypto wallets. The victims got regular reports purporting to show their investments were gaining in value, investigators said.

"Pig butchering" is the name given to scams in which crooks build a relationship with their targets over time, and then steal their money. In some cases, as with other frauds like Ponzi schemes, scammers work within a specific community, like a church group or neighborhood. Federal officials said Chen and Xu found their targets in Chinese-language investing chat rooms.

"Beginning at least as early as January 2021 and continuing through January 2024 (they) created a scheme to defraud victims of funds by encouraging the victims to invest in cryptocurrency using fraudulent cryptocurrency investment applications," prosecutors wrote in a criminal complaint. "The scheme impacted over 100 victims across the United States and internationally ... and resulted in the theft of millions of dollars from victims."

FILE PHOTO: Representations of cryptocurrency bitcoin are seen in this illustration picture created in Paris, France, March 9, 2024.

One victim based in Vermont liquidated their retirement account and transferred $600,000 to the couple, according to court filings. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Etherium are largely unregulated, and are increasingly associated connected with scams. Last year, the FBI reported that Americans lost more than $5.6 billion in frauds connected to cryptocurrency, in part because it's so easy to buy and transfer it electronically outside the normal banking system.

Court records show FBI agents searched the couple's home in late 2023 but didn't arrest them at that time. Days later the family got passports from the Chinese embassy in Houston and fled home to China with their two children, court records show. The FBI and Secret Service had been tracing their scam network since 2021, according to court records.

The FBI said Chen is originally from Wuhan, and that he attended universities in Wyoming and Louisiana, where he earned master's degrees in petroleum engineering and geology. FBI agents said Chen used the same computer skills he developed in school to create fake apps and chatbots to trick their victims.

The twp were indicted in absentia by a federal grand jury in Vermont, and will be prosecuted for wire fraud and money laundering if they return to the United States.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Feds target Chinese couple accused in $9 million crypto scam
Budget beauty giant e.l.f. has finalized a $1 billion deal to acquire Rhode, social media influencer Hailey Biebers skincare brand. Rhode generated $212 million in net sales in the past 12 months ending in March 31. E.l.f CEO Tarang Amin told Fortune he sees the brand as having real staying power.

Budget beauty giant e.l.f. continues its wooing of Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers with a deal to buy influencer Hailey Biebers cosmetic brand Rhode.

The Oakland-based cosmetics company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Rhode in a deal valued at $1 billion, the company announced Wednesday. The deal consists of $800 million in cash and stock to be paid at closing, as well as a potential $200 million in earnout consideration over the next three years, contingent on Rhodes performance after the sale.

We found a like-minded disruptor in Hailey Bieber and the Rhode team, e.l.f CEO Tarang Amin told Fortune. Ive been in the consumer space for 34 years. Ive never seen a business like this.Its just incredible the level of consumer fervor and community that this brand has been able to build.

Founded in 2022, Rhode launched with three products, marketing itself as a minimalist, curated brand of essential must-haves, bolstered by Biebers own popularity. Bieber, the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and now married to pop star Justin Bieber, has garnered a following of 55 million on Instagram and more than 15 million on TikTok. Rhode generated $212 million in net sales in the past 12 months ending in March 31, according to the press release. Bieber was considering selling the brand last month, Reuters first reported, tapping JPMorgan Chase and Moelis to help with the deal.

Rhode, built as a direct-to-consumer brand, will also make its brick-and-mortar retail debut, selling its products in U.S.,Canada, and UK Sephora locations by the end of the year.

E.l.f. announced the acquisition alongside its fourth-quarter and full fiscal 2024 earnings, posting $332.6 million in quarterly net sales, a 4% year-over-year increase, as well as a 28% boost in year-over-year annual net sales to $1.3 billion. The company did not provide fiscal 2026 guidance due to tariff uncertainty.

Gen Alpha mixes beauty and wellness

Amin hailed e.l.f.s ability to attract Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers, saying, We have the consumers everyone wants.

While the young generation has a trepidatious economic outlook, they are willing to spend on skincare and beauty. According to Piper Sandlers spring 2025 Taking Stock with Teens survey of 6,455 teenagers, 57% of respondents had a worse outlook on economic trends compared to 19% who reported a better outlook. Yet teenagers increased their spending from the prior year, and the beauty category led the way with $374 in spending, a 10% year-over-year jump. Teenagers ranked e.l.f. as their top beauty brand.

E.l.f.s acquisition of Rhode aligns with Amins observations around Gen Alpha and Gen Zs growing interest in wellness as a complement to cosmetics.

We see a real blurring of the lines, actually, even between cosmetics and skincare, Amin said. Having skincare benefits in even your cosmetics has proven to be really successful for us.

Rhodes products like Peptide Lip Treatments and Glazing Milk toner encapsulate this marriage of skincare and beauty. Biebers glazed donut skin technique of applying products to make ones face appear glossy like the eponymous confection went viral on social media.

While e.l.f. is betting on Biebers vision, not all collaborations between beauty brands and social media stars have paid off. Sephora pulled the product lines of Addison Raes Item Beauty and Hyram Yarbros Selfless by Hyram in 2023 after launching the respective partnerships in 2021. Amin said e.l.f.s new acquisition would not suffer the pitfall of short-lived hype.

Rhode is a brand where consumers will camp out overnight, wait 14 hours in a line for a pop-up in LA, not not just for the product, but to buy into the entire lifestyle of the brand, Amin said. So that is the thing that we believe has real staying power: her instincts, her aesthetic, her vision for this brand.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
I think about work a lot, so I need an activity that requires focus to unwind from my job. That usually looks like a motorcycle ride or a flight lesson, Ryan Lupberger, CEO of $53 million company Clean Cult, tells Fortune. (Courtesy of Clean Cult)

Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny. But what is it like to be a top executive when youre off the clock?

Fortunes series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work.

Today we meet Clean Cults co-founder and CEO, Ryan Lupberger.

The 30-year-old tapped into his passion for entrepreneurship at a young age. Inspired by his self-employed parents, Lupberger began buying and selling textbooks from students in school. But his enterprising ambitions took a sidestep after high school, as he chose to briefly teach English in Nepal and farm around Chile. But after getting the travel bug out of his system, Lupberger swung back towards entrepreneurship by chasing a slightly more formal career path.

When Lupberger returned to America, he found his next adventure at the Unreasonable Institutea fellowship and business accelerator program based in Boulder, Colorado. It lit a fire within him, and showed that business could be a force of positive change. After finishing the program Lupberger then attended Babson College to complete his bachelors degree, launching eco-friendly cleaning company Clean Cult soon after in 2016.

Clean Cult has since raised over $53 million from investors, including early backers like Zac Efron, Kevin Hart, and Whitney Cummings. The brands all-purpose cleaners, detergents, and hand soaps are on shelves across 8,000 stores, including Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, Wegmans, and Harris Teeter. And just last week, it launched nationwide in Target and Costco. Holding top rankings on Amazons natural soap and detergents lists, Clean Cult is driving eight-figure annual sales with its sustainable fanfare.

Lupberger is tapping into a sustainability frenzy with its paper-based cartons and refillable products as a growing number of consumers lean towards eco-friendly products. The young CEOs green philosophy also bleeds into the way he lives his life; wearing quality clothes made from natural fibres; only owning old things, no futuristic gadgets; cherishing his sentimental, international keepsakes; using an organic grocery service; and annual motorcycle trips around the world.

Every year, I take a big adventure motorcycle trip to disconnect and reflect on the year, Lupberger tells Fortune. Its my favorite activity and keeps me really centered and intentionally off the grid during the ride.

The finances

Fortune: Whats been the best investment youve ever bought?

The best investment I ever made was Delta Air Lines [stock] during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had to travel quite a bit during the pandemic, given we were distributing essential cleaning products, and I couldnt see a world where travel wouldnt rebound. I earned 300% on the investment and should have bought more!

And the worst?

An old 90s Land Rover. I got inspired after seeing it in a movie and bought it from a craigslist owner who swore by the car. Two months later, the engine exploded. Apparentlytheyre not reliable cars, and it was only me that didnt know that.

What are your living arrangements like: Swanky apartment in the city or suburban sprawling?

I currently live in the Upper West Side in NYC, but am moving to Red Hook, Brooklyn, as we speak! Ive always loved how close to the city it is, but how far away it feels. The community is really special and has a super diverse group of artists, musicians, and motorcycle buffs who sometimes call themselves Manhattan expats.

How do you commute to work?

My current commute is about 30 minutes on the 1 train every day, but my new commute will be a ferry to Wall Street or a motorcycle ride into the city on my 21 Royal Enfield.

Do you carry a wallet?

I do! In the early days of Clean Cult, we moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to participate in the accelerator parallel18. They believed in us before any other accelerator or partner, and they invested the first-ever capital into the business.

Theres a small leather shop in San Juan called Lord Jim Leather, and its a special place. The owner is a French transplant, and there are some really unique pieces. I have a Lord Jim wallet that always makes me remember the early days of our business and time on the island. I personally use and like the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card. It gives 3% back, as it is just really simple vs. points-based.

Do you invest in shares?

Work is pretty much always on, all the time, so I prefer to have this run in the background and not be a distraction. Im a simple investor with a small % of my monthly salary set to invest in an S&P 500 index monthly

What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

The job you take, the partner you choose, and the city you live in will shape your financial life more than any budgeting tip ever could. Choose each with intention.

Every year, I take a big adventure motorcycle trip to disconnect and reflect on the year. Its my favorite activity and keeps me really centered and intentionally off the grid during the ride.

Whats the one subscription you cant live without?

Im an aspiring single-engine pilot right now, so my subscription to Flying magazine is my favorite. Its about $10 monthly, and they just do a great job helping a new pilot understand the community. I work quite a bit, so its a great escape when I read and when I fly. You literally cant think about anything else when youre in the air, so it forces you to be present.

Wheres your go-to wristwatch from?

I wear a 61 Jaeger-LeCoultre almost every day. It was a gift from a close friend whos a watch expert and has the inscription for the Unreasonable Man inscribed on the back of the metal face.

Its from the quote from George Bernard Shaw: The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. It helps me remember what were doing here and why and how our reality can be chosen and created.

The necessities

How do you get your daily coffee fix?

Right now, Im hooked on Saftas in the Upper West Side. I go there every morning for a black coffee and a pastry before work. Id like to say I do my 5 a.m. workout and meditate before my work day, but that would not be true.

What about eating on the go?

I have to make a lot of decisions every day, so I choose for lunch not to be one of them. Every day, I get the exact same lunch from Naya on 28th: hummus, rice, and chicken. They know my order, so they usually have it ready and waiting.

Where do you buy groceries?

My fiance used to work at Hello Fresh, so she got us hooked on Green Chef. Were still subscribing, so we do most of our cooking from those meals.

Where do you shop for your work wardrobe?

The good news about working at a startup is that no one is focused much on what you wear. I keep it simple and usually wear a Naadam or Luca Faloni sweater with a white shirt underneath and Levi jeans. I like both brands because you can dress them up or down as you need. On the weekend, I love linen shirts and am currently wearing quite a bit of Felix, a linen brand from Argentina.

What would be a typical work outfit for you?

Cashmere sweater, white shirt, and jeans.

Are you the proud owner of any futuristic gadgets?

I use enough technology at work, so I own no futuristic gadgets. I skew the other way and prefer older things. I currently own an old Fiat Spider from 81 that is just so much fun to drive when it doesnt break down.

The treats

How do you unwind from the top job?

I think about work a lot, so I usually need an activity that requires focus to unwind from my job. So, that usually looks like a motorcycle ride or a flight lesson. I love a slow ride throughout the city before I get home or going out to Linden or Essex airport as Im getting my pilots license.

How do you treat yourself when you get a promotion?

I havent ever gotten one, so I couldnt tell you!

Take us on holiday with you, whats next on your vacation list?

Every year, I take a big adventure motorcycle trip to disconnect and reflect on the year. Its my favorite activity and keeps me really centered and intentionally off the grid during the ride. Ive ridden across Mongolia, Argentina, Chile, Alaska, and India. This past February, I did my first trip to Baja on a dirt bike, and it was just phenomenal riding. My goal one day is to successfully ride the Baja 1000 in the Ironman class.

How many days of annual leave do you take a year?

I try to take a few weeks off every year, and its usually taken up by my annual motorcycle trip.

Fortune wants to hear from leaders on what their Good Life looks like. Get in touch: emma.burleigh@fortune.com.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
People gather as Palestinians receive aid supplies from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the central Gaza Strip, May 29, 2025. - Ramadan Abed/Reuters

Israel is facing growing international pressure as aid distribution efforts in Gaza devolved into chaos during the first days of a controversial new mechanism backed by the United States and Israel.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, 11 people have been killed and dozens injured as crowds of desperate people arrived at distribution sites in southern Gaza since they opened earlier this week.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which runs the new sites, said on Thursday that no one was killed or injured during the distribution of aid.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians, pushed towards famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade, descended on both the sites belonging to the GHF, as well as a warehouse run by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) over the past three days, grabbing bags of food and bags of flour. Food scarcity in Gaza has sparked scenes of desperation and widespread looting in recent days.

The start of the new aid mechanism comes as some of Israels closest allies have grown increasingly vocal in their condemnation of its conduct in Gaza, and their threats of action should the bombardment and restrictions on aid continue.

On Wednesday, the European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said, Israels strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas. She also criticized the new aid mechanism run by GHF, saying the EU does not support any kind of privatization of the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Recent comments by officials from Germany, one of Israels staunchest defenders in Europe, have also put support for Israel under the spotlight. The Israeli government must not do anything that its best friends are no longer prepared to accept, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week.

Last week, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada threatened to take concrete action, including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not stop its renewed military offensive and continues to block aid from entering Gaza.

The Israeli military issued a massive evacuation order blanketing much of northern and eastern Gaza late Thursday, with a new directive for residents in five major areas. This order, combined with another forced evacuation from most of southern Gaza issued earlier this week, appear to be designed to displace Palestinians into a shrinking band of land along the coast. Although the exact number of people required to evacuate is uncertain, this development is likely to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. The Israeli strategy, set out by Defense Minister Israel Katz last month, is to empty large parts of Gaza and treat anyone staying behind as a combatant.

A truck carrying aid arrives at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza, on the Israeli side, May 28, 2025. - Shafiek Tassiem/Reuters

But even as Israels allies issue warnings, the desperation of starving Palestinians persists  while the GHF presses on with its push to become the enclaves primary aid provider.

On Tuesday, a massive throng of Palestinians overran the first GHF aid site in southern Gaza, tearing down some of the fencing and climbing over crowd control barriers. The rush forced the private contractors manning the site in Tel al-Sultan to fall back to allow a small number of Gazans to take aid safely, GHF said, even as videos from the scene showed masses of people grabbing boxes of aid and leaving.

GHF asserted that there have been no deaths at any GHF location. Reports to the contrary originated from Hamas and are inaccurate.

A day later, hordes of hungry people broke into a UN warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food, according to the WFP. Sounds of gunfire were audible in videos from the scene. According to WFP, initial reports indicated that two people were killed and several were injured in the incident.

WFP said humanitarian needs had spiraled out of control after 80 days of complete blockade by Israel, which was only been partially relieved in the past week.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was at its darkest point yet. It criticized the new framework, saying that a new militarized distribution system has just been launched that puts people at risk, and it will not meet peoples needs, or dignity, across Gaza.

The conditions for us to deliver aid safely and at scale are absent, OCHA said in a statement.

Displaced Palestinians ferry bags of food aid as they storm a World Food Programme warehouse in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on May 28, 2025. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images

For now, the new GHF mechanism and the established UN distribution are concurrently operating in Gaza. But little aid is coming into the territory, and some areas, especially in northern Gaza, appear to be receiving nothing.

The UN has explained that it has not been able to collect humanitarian aid from the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza for the past three days, according to UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

During Thursdays noon briefing, Dujarric stated that the organization is facing obstacles, including obtaining necessary clearances to collect and distribute aid on the Gaza side. Out of 900 trucks, 600 have been offloaded on the Gaza side and have not yet been distributed into Gaza itself, Dujarric explained.

Geolocated video on Thursday also showed crowds looting a street market in Zeitoun, northern Gaza, an area where even less aid is arriving than in the south.

On Thursday, three of four GHF sites distributed boxes of food, including the first such site in central Gaza, as the organization tries to reach its stated goal of providing food for 1.2 million Palestinians by the end of the month, just days away. Yet GHF remained confident, saying we are well on our way to providing enough food  along with UN distribution  for the entire population of more than 2 million Palestinians in the besieged enclave.

UN officials have cast doubt on GHFs projections.

Omar Abd Rabbo, a Gaza resident, went to the new site in the center of the enclave for food as it opened. In a series of videos, he said, The place was filled with chaos and random jostling, a scene that reflects the extent of the suffering and hunger experienced by the people of Gaza. He took a short video with one of the US security contractors manning the site and said, Thank you.

But many did not get the food for which they desperately waited. Video from the scene showed security inside the site throwing what appeared to be stun grenades at Palestinians waiting for food outside. GHF said non-lethal means were used, including smoke and warning shots, when the crowd would not disperse. Witnesses said people who didnt get aid took the tables and chairs from the site.

Yousef Hammad, another resident, said a huge crowd numbering tens of thousands approached the newly opened site, but he told CNN that very few got boxes.

This is a big lie, a trap and betrayal, and this is only for thieves and merchants People do not benefit anything, Hammad said. There is no aid or any humanity. This is humiliating and insulting. This is lack of dignity for our people and children.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
New York, US (PANA) - The United Nations is honouring staff serving at its field missions through several events to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on Thursday
Getty Medical tweezers removing a tick







NEED TO KNOW

Kevin Boyce was hospitalized in April 2024 with a severe case of Powassan virus due to a tick bite

He died weeks later after suffering brain damage from the disease

His family is now sharing his story to encourage others to be cautious about ticks







As the weather gets warmer, one Massachusetts family is sharing their heartbreaking story as a warning to others about a debilitating tick-borne disease.

In April 2024, Kevin Boyce was unknowingly bitten by a tick. He started experiencing headaches, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms that rapidly progressed. Days later, the 62-year-old collapsed in his home and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors diagnosed Kevin with Powassan virus, a rare and dangerous tick-borne disease.

Powassan virus is rare but the number of cases has significantly increased in the past decade. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, and seizures. Severe cases can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or spinal cord (myelitis). About 10% of these advanced cases are fatal, according to Yale Medicine.

Erin explained that despite Kevin being treated in the ICU, he ultimately suffered severe brain damage from the disease.

"His brain had blown up so much, from the encephalitis, and he had really bad brain damage," she told CBS News. "It was horrifying, but we knew what Kevin would want, so you know, we just had to let him go."

Getty A tick in the palm of a hand

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.

Kevin died a few weeks after arriving at the hospital, leaving behind a wife, two sons and a granddaughter. Erin said that she and her family are now hoping that sharing Kevins story will encourage others to be cautious.

"We just want the public to know what to look for and be wary of ticks, especially if you have one on your body," she said.

In 2024, 54 cases of Powassan virus disease were reported in the United States, with 12 cases reported in Massachusetts.According to the CDC, there are no vaccines to prevent POWV or medicines to treat it. However, a number of precautionary measures can be taken to avoid ticks.

To prevent exposure to ticks, according to the National Institutes of Health, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs and tuck your pants into your socks or put tape around openings in clothing. Wear light-colored clothing so you can see if a tick is on you. When you are in the woods, keep to the center of the trail, since ticks tend to like shrubs and bushes. Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin.

After coming indoors, check yourself, children and pets for ticks. If you do find one, use tweezers to remove it as soon as possible.

It takes a week to one month after the bite from an infected tick to develop symptoms of POWV disease, and the virus can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the tick first attaches, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health. Shower as soon as you can and wash your clothes in high heat to kill any remaining ticks.

Read the original article on People
getty images

When Maria Grazia Chiuri ascended to the helm of Christian Dior in 2016, she brought with her a reverence for tailoring, a romantic slant, a respect for the houses past, and her signature feminist fire. The first woman to lead the French fashion house since it was founded in 1946, she revolutionized the Dior woman with wearable yet interesting clothes made for an array of occasions and generations.

Throughout her time as creative director, Chiuri embraced the house codes with flair, softening the sculptural characteristics of Monsieur Diors original New Look throughout both ready-to-wear and couture collections. She fleshed out the tailoring aspects and embraced unique aspects of the house's DNA, like Dior's connection with ballet and devotion to tarot cards (Monsieur Dior designed costumes for the ballet and had a personal affinity for tarot cards). Not to mention, Chiuris released accessories that ascended to cult-favorite statusremember the Jadior kitten heels?and handbags like the Book tote, whose massive sales fueled the business side of the legacy brand.

Over the last decade, Chiuri also staged theatrical, imaginative runway shows in Paris and abroad. Shes known for embracing the heritage of each place she travels, be it Morocco or Mexico City, to stage her larger-than-life resort and pre-fall shows, employing local artisans and feminist creatives to add to the Dior dialogue. In addition to immaculately constructed clothing, her Paris shows often featured the unique work of artists, choreographers, and performers.

On the red carpet, Dior ambassadors, from Jennifer Lawrence to Charlize Theron to Natalie Portman, bolstered the brand's iconography on a global platform.

Here, weve highlighted the most iconic moments throughout Chiuri's celebrated tenure to celebrate her legacy.





The Debut Collection

Exercising her feminist side, Grazia Chiuri referenced Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies We Should All Be Feminists essay on t-shirts in her debut collection.

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The J'Adior Heels

First released with the spring 2017 collection, Chiuris JAdior kitten heels quickly ascended to cult-favorite status.

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A New Naked Dress

Bella Hadid wore the standout look from Chiuris debut collection at a Dior Beauty party in New York in 2016, spawning a new transparent trend.

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The Dior Book Tote is Born

The Spring 2018 collection witnessed the launch of the iconic Dior Book Tote.

Pascal Le Segretain





The New Dior Muse

Chiuri often enlisted model Ruth Bell, with her signature short hair, to open shows and front her campaigns.

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The Re-Release of An Icon

Dior re-released the houses iconic Saddle bag in 2018.

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A Ballet Influence

The house of Dior has a history of intertwining with the balletMonsieur Dior designed costumes for performances in Paris. Chiuri expanded on that, as seen in the Spring 2019 collection.

Victor Virgile





The Resort 2020 Collection Shown In Morocco

The Resort 2020 collection, shown in Morocco, utilized wax printing, a technique authentic to that part of North Africa.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis





Natalie Portman's Statement Cape at The Oscars

At the 2020 Oscars, Natalie Portman wore a cape embroidered with the names of female directors who failed to be nominated that year.

Amy Sussman





The New Greek Goddess

For her Spring 2020 Haute Couture show, Chiuri reimagined the Greco-Roman goddess with billowing pleated skirts and twisted draping.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis





Embracing the Tarot Legacy

The Spring 2021 couture show featured Renaissance-inspired silhouettes in the form of iconic Tarot figures.

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Yara Shahidi at The Met Gala

Yara Shahidi wore a spectacular Chiuri creation to the 2021 Met Gala.

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Keeping The Bar Jacket Alive

Chiuri continuously found new ways to riff on Diors iconic bar jacket like this double-breasted number from Spring 22 couture.

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Natalie Portman Reinvents the Archive

At the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, Dior Beauty ambassador Natalie Portman wore a Dior couture gown inspired by the iconic Junon dress designed by Christian Dior in 1949.

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A Pre-Fall Collection in India

Chiuri showed her Pre-Fall 2023 collection in India.

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Feminist Dresses in Mexico City

Chiuri closed the Dior Resort 2024, shown in Mexico City, with a parade of white dresses featuring red embroidery of artist and activist Elina Chauvet and a collective of female artisans.

WWD





Jennifer Lawrence at The Oscars

Jennifer Lawrence wore a charming Dior polka-dot number to the 2024 Oscars.

Aliah Anderson





J'Adore Dior Makes a Comeback

Most recently, Chiuri re-released the iconic JAdore Dior T-shirt in the Fall 2025 collection.

Estrop





A New "New Look"

Yseult wore a new rendition of the iconic New Look at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.

Dominique Charriau





Celine Dion at the Paris Olympics

Celine Dion wore Dior for her performance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Handout

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Marilyn Monroe lookalikes swim for charity

Marilyn Monroe(s) of all shapes and sizes recently showed up and showed out for a good cause.

Nearly 200 women  all dressed like the blonde bombshell and Hollywood icon  took a quick dip in Balcarrick Beach in Donabate, a suburb of Dublin, to raise awareness and funds for women's cancer care on May 25.

The charity swim event, hosted by the Mater Hospital Foundation, raised over 33,000, or $37,000, during this year's Marilyns Mater Paddle, the most swinging, glamorous and glitzy event of the summer.

The foundation is the official charity supporting the work of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin.

The goal of the second annual Marilyns Mater Paddle was to provide "urgent funding where its needed most in our hospital so we can speed up cancer diagnosis, enhance treatments and provide world-class care to the women from all over Ireland who come through our doors, the foundation told Storyful.

Video shows Marilyn Monroe lookalikes hit the water in Ireland

Video footage captured the moment the women took off towards the surf, running to the water with red-and-white beach balls in hand. Some of the women were seen looping arms with one another as they rushed towards the water.

"What an amazing morning with nearly 200 Marilyns taking to the water in Donabate all for womens cancer care in the Mater. Darlings, youre all superstars!!" the foundation said in an Instagram post. "Thank you to everyone who participated and all who supported!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch Marilyn Monroe lookalikes take a dip for charity
Eric Adams fundraiser

Winner winner, crypto dinner!

Mayor Eric Adams used his taxpayer-funded Las Vegas trip to a bitcoin convention to fill his campaign coffers with regular cash from crypto bros  with help from the citys top tech official, The Post has learned.

Hizzoner hosted the exclusive luncheon Wednesday afternoon at a seemingly unexclusive chain restaurant on the strip, where attendees were encouraged to max out their contribution limit, according to the invitation obtained by The Post.

Crypto billionaire Brock Pierce hosted the fundraiser. NYC Mayor's Office

Ahead of the fundraising lunch in the Calabria banquet room at Maggianos Little Italy, the Big Apples Chief Technology Officer made his case to the crowd about how New York City wants to embrace decentralized tech and digital currencies.

When New York City looks at crypto, blockchain and bitcoin, we dont see it as an evolving technology, we see it as a necessary tool like running water, Matt Fraser said, introducing Adams, according to a stream of the DNA House event.

Adams continued the Big Apples pro-tech pitch to industry leaders, declaring, We are open for business.

I think the communication that is coming out of Washington and New York City is a synergy that we are going to get this done, he continued.

As the mayor wrapped, a QR code flashed on the screen behind him, advertising his campaign donor drive at the corporate Italian eatery, Lunch with Mayor Eric Adams, according to the video.

The pairs pro-crypto speeches to the crowd  who were then immediately tapped for campaign donations  further blurred the lines between Adams officials Big Apple duties and the mayors longshot re-election bid.

NYCs Chief Technology Officer, Matthew Fraser, served as an opening act to the fundraiser. NYC Mayor's Office

Bitcoin billionaire and child actor Brock Pierce then jumped up on stage and instructed all those who have donated to head to the back of the room to get their seats for the luncheon.

Were going to have a quick lunch and then continue with our regular scheduled programming, Pierce said.

Another organizer then followed up with the crowd, urging them to make a suggested donation as indicated on the QR code.

The barcode redirects people to the NYC Campaign Finance Boards donation page, where two donation options are prepopulated: $2,100 or other.

It was unknown how many people attended the lunch or how much money was raised.

Mayor Eric Adams pitched himself to the crowd as making NYC the crypto capital of the world. NYC Mayor's Office

Adams gave a pro-crypto speech earlier in the day at the main Bitcoin conference at The Venetian and spoke to the crowd again during the DNA House two-day event later in the evening  both of which were on the mayors public schedule.

But the speeches by Fraser and Adams at Maggianos Little Italy, both seemingly speaking in their official capacity to kick off the fundraiser, were not publicly disclosed.

The invite states the lunch was paid for by the mayors reelection campaign and hosted by Pierce.

Campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro insisted that Fraser attended a blockchain conference in his official capacity and introduced the Mayor at that event only.

This was a professional engagement, unrelated to any campaign activity, he added.

City Hall press secretary Kayla Mamelak insisted that the pro-crypto speeches and the fundraiser were separate events, indicating that Fraser was speaking in an official capacity.

She added that Fraser did not have anything to do with the fundraiser after and that City Hall will work with the Conflict of Interest Board if any reimbursements from the campaign are necessary.

Pierce told The Post he sees an untapped slate of voters in the crypto community that has recently embraced the mayor.

The crypto community loves Eric Adams all of a sudden and he got to follow Vice President JD Vance to speak before 30,000 people at the largest crypto conference, Pierce said.

What Eric Adams has done is not only good for New York City the country, hes made this into a national race [for mayor].

Adams has started to restart fundraising for his reelection bid since his historic criminal case was killed last month, with the latest campaign filing showing a haul of $155,000, nearly five times the prior period.

But even after moving off the Democratic line in the race, Adams has largely stayed off the traditional campaign trail.

Instead, hes opted to use the bully pulpit in City Hall to pitch his record to New Yorkers.

That strategy has yet to gain much traction with voters.

The latest PIX11/Emerson poll still had Adams approval rating at historic lows of 19%.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Some of my favorite places Ive ever visited are in Spain. During college, I spent a summer abroad lounging in the sunshine in Granada, taking in the beauty of the place and the people. Ive visited friends in Barcelona, eaten amazing food in Madrid, traveled by ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar, but Ive yet to hit a bucket list city in the country: Valencia.

One of the main reasons Valencia is on my list is no surprise, as its one of the most well known Spanish dishes and our most popular summer dinner of all time: paella. Not just any paella, of which there are plenty of variations, but seafood paellaSpanish bomba rice fragrant with saffron and built on a savory, chorizo-studded sofrito, finished over an open flame to crisp the bottom layer of rice (known as socarrat) and steam a mix of fresh seafood.

Its one of those dishes that you may never think could be made at home, but Sally Vargas recipe and technique proves that to be untrue. Over the years, our readers have continued to visit and revisit this recipe, further backing up that claim and establishing this seafood paella as a summer dinner that cant be missed.

Why Our Method Works For Everyone

If you know paella, you know its typically made in a traditional paella pan (also known as paella), which is a rimmed pan with a wide, flat base and two handles, typically made of polished, dimpled carbon steel thats both quick to heat and quick to cool. As amazing as paella are, not everyone has one, including our recipe developer Sally. So for her recipe, she opted for a large, heavy skillet.

She was also able to adapt her recipe to pay homage to wood fired origins of paella while keeping it manageable for home cooks by starting the paella on the stovetop and transferring it to the grill for a smoky finish.

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Rave Reviews From Readers

If youre uncertain about spending the time and effort on this stunning seafood paella, dont take my word on just how worth it it is, take the words of the readers whove made it, loved it, and come back for more.

Carrie: Wow! I am in the midst of cooking this recipe right now and the house smells amazing. Had to cook indoors due to the weather but it's all coming together. This recipe is a keeper and the best paella recipe I've made. Thank you for a great recipe!

Jeffrey D.: Made this recipe in a 14 Teflon coated skillet and it works great. Soccarat, yes! Great recipe.

SFio: This has become a go-to recipe as well as the centerpiece for an annual paella party my husband and I host every year. It definitely feeds a crowd! We've been lucky enough to get the socarrat every time, too.

Christine: This is such a great recipe! I have made it many timeseven inside on the stove (doesn't need to be on the grill). EVERYONE LOVES! Just make sure you use quality ingredients (as with all recipes).



Get Recipe with Title: Seafood Paella Recipe

Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES
Grace David | The Center Square

(The Center Square)  Out here in rural Pennsylvania, we know the value of hard work, self-reliance, and making the most of what Gods given us. For generations, our land and our people have powered this state and this nation  first with coal, then with natural gas, and now, we stand at the threshold of another great opportunity: blue hydrogen.

Pennsylvania is the second-largest natural gas producer in the country, thanks to the sweat and ingenuity of folks in places just like ours. The pipelines and storage tanks that crisscross our hills arent just steel  theyre the backbone of family farms, small towns, and local businesses. When natural gas companies came calling, many of us leased our land and saw firsthand how energy development can bring real prosperity. New barns, new tractors, new community facilities, and new hope for the next generation of energy resources.

But we also remember what happens when outsiders and bureaucrats try to tell us whats best for our land. We value our property rights and our say in how energy projects are developed through community dialogue and engagement. Any new energy future must respect local voices and keep the benefits close to home.

Enter hydrogen.

Lets be clear: blue hydrogen isnt some pie-in-the-sky idea cooked up in a city office. Its a practical, made-in-America solution that uses our abundant natural gas  paired with new technology to capture carbon  to fuel the industries that built Pennsylvania: steel, cement, chemicals, and trucking. Over 95% of hydrogen in the U.S. already comes from natural gas. Why let Texas or Louisiana run away with this opportunity when we have the resources and know-how right here?

Blue hydrogen means jobs for our welders, truck drivers, and tradesmen. It means more business for local suppliers and more tax dollars for our schools and roads. Its a way to keep energy affordable and reliable, made by Pennsylvanians, for Pennsylvanians.

The hydrogen economy is projected to bring billions in investment and tens of thousands of good-paying jobs to Pennsylvania. Thats not just numbers on a spreadsheet  thats families staying together, small towns thriving and new life for communities hit hard by the decline of coal and manufacturing. And with two federally funded hydrogen hubs coming to our state, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to lead. We need policies that guarantee local jobs, respect landowners, and keep wealth in our communities  not shipped out of state or overseas unless it is in an extracted resource form.

Other countries  China, Japan, South Korea  are racing to dominate hydrogen. If we drag our feet, the jobs and industries of the future will end up somewhere else. The federal government has stepped up with 45V and 45Q tax credits and funding, but its up to us in Pennsylvania to seize the moment. Weve always produced energy better than anyone  preserving these policy incentives will help us keep it that way.

What we dont need is more uncertainty from Washington or Harrisburg. Endless debates about tax credits and emissions rules only scare off investment and stall progress. We need clear, common-sense policies that cut red tape, speed up permitting, and let local communities have a real say in how projects are built.

And lets remember: energy policy shouldnt punish states like ours that produce clean, domestic fuels. It should reward us for doing the hard work that keeps America strong and dominant through energy innovation via rural work ethic.

Rural Pennsylvania has always answered the call when America needed energy. Blue hydrogen is our next chapter  a way to honor our past, secure our future, and keep our communities working. Lets demand policies that put Pennsylvania first, respect our land and our people, and ensure that the benefits of this new energy economy are felt right here at home.

Its time for rural voices to lead  because nobody knows energy, or whats best for our land, better than we do, right here where industrialization was born out of PA homegrown energy innovation and opportunity.
Victor Pereira Vargas with his son Michael as a baby (Michael Pereira)

Michael Pereiras father Victor was a man with a big heart, who was generous in his affection, and who loved to hug and kiss his family.

He was a man full of passion, with a strong temperament, yet he had a unique way of making people laugh and feel at ease, Mr Pereira remembered.

Mr Pereira never knew why his father felt he had to flee his home country Colombia, eventually claiming asylum in the UK in August 2023. But he was certain his father had not had any mental health issues before he sought safety in Britain.

In testimony to his fathers inquest, Mr Pereira detailed how he saw his father deteriorate from someone who was sociable and easy-going, to a person who was increasingly paranoid.

Victor Hugo Pereira Vargas, 63, killed himself in his room at a Home Office asylum hotel in Hailsham, Sussex on 13 October 2023. Just a few weeks earlier he had made a desperate attempt to leave the UK, turning up at Gatwick airport and asking immigration officers to put him on a plane out of the country.

Victor Pereira Vargas (pictured here with his son Michael) killed himself in a Home Office hotel in 2023 (Michael Pereira)

He had even filled out a voluntary return form to express his interest in being returned to Colombia, and had told his son several times that he was afraid of being moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge  describing it as a maritime prison.

An inquest into his death heard how he was repeatedly failed by staff at the hotel, and the officials in charge of managing the Home Offices large asylum contracts, who didnt know the full reality of how the hotel was being run.

Hotel staff missed signs of his deterioration despite conducting regular welfare checks, did not help him report to the police a robbery he suffered, and took two weeks to book him a GP mental health appointment.

While Clearsprings Ready Homes managed the overall contract, they subcontracted the running of Mr Pereira Vargass hotel to another company Crown Lodge. Crown Lodge then outsourced the staff of the hotel to a third company, Becker Hoffman. Some staff were not appropriately trained to deal with vulnerable people, the coroner found.

Clearsprings told the court it came to rely on subcontractors as an emergency measure to cope with an unforeseen rapid increase in small boat arrivals shortly after the pandemic.

Testimony from his eldest son Mr Pereira, who lives in the United States, detailed how his father would wake up in his hotel room drenched in sweat, unable to sleep, and how he felt isolated and had no one to talk to.

He was a man who gave everything he had. One thing that always weighed heavily on him was his desire to give his children a better life than the one he had, Mr Pereira said: He was always striving for that, but often he struggled to figure out the best way to achieve it.

Michael Pereira (pictured here with his father Victor) said he has found it hard to come to terms with the lack of help given to his father in the lead up to his death (Michael Pereira)

Speaking about his fathers death, Mr Pereira said: I still havent been able to process it to be honest because I dont understand what happened or why no one took care of him when he went there in the first place to find safety.

On 9 August 2023, Mr Pereira received a voicenote from his dad in which he sounded really worried after seeing news of the-then Conservative government putting people on a boat  an apparent reference to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge.

On 12 August, he received another message in which his father asked: What are they going to do with the people? Are they going to put them in jail? Because that was a maritime prison.

Victor Pereira Vargas was described as a man with a big heart by his son Michael (Michael Pereira)

According to incident reports, by 16 August, Mr Pereira Vargas was asking hotel staff how he could leave the UK, was visibly distressed, and asked the staff to call the police.

In mid-September, he told hotel staff that he had not slept for three days, but they did not book him a mental health GP appointment until two weeks later.

He again asked hotel staff if the Home Office could arrange for him to leave the country, according to the incident reports, and said he was hearing banging noises and was getting panicked.

In an act of desperation, he went to Gatwick Airport at the end of September and requested that an immigration officer put him on a flight out of the UK. He was apparently told to go to an immigration centre in Croydon, but having no money to travel there he slept overnight in the airport car park.

Vulnerable, panicked and without money, Mr Pereira Vargas encountered some other Columbians who said they could get him a plane ticket if he sold his watch to them, the inquest heard.

After being taken in, these people then reportedly stole his wallet and documents. He recounted what happened to hotel staff after managing to return back.

The last time Mr Pereira spoke to his father was a few days before he died. He told the inquest: I just remember that he sounded stressed about staying there and he was saying he wanted to find a way to go somewhere else but he didnt give me any details about his plans. I thought that he was just trying to figure out a way to sort out his asylum.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
A row of U-Haul moving trucks U-Haul

(The Center Square)  Florida and Texas have gained the most by interstate migration, while California, Illinois, and New York have lost the most, according to a new analysis, with the reports author saying such shifts are due to tax policies: Americans seek greener pastures.

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation report revealed that California, New York, Illinois, and other states with high tax burdens continue to hemorrhage taxpayers and tax revenue, while Florida remains the undeniable winner from movement of taxpayers and their dollars from state to state.

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) is a nonprofit research and educational organization focused on taxes, government spending, and regulations, according to its website.

The report notes that in the last decade, New York lost $111 billion in net adjusted gross income (AGI), California lost $102 billion, and Illinois lost $63 billion to interstate migration.

On the other hand, Florida gained $196 billion, and Texas gained $54 billion, according to the report.

The report acknowledges that the money loss states face due to interstate migration does not account for the fact that taxpayers no longer paying taxes are also no longer drawing upon government services.

However, estimated revenue changes are driven primarily by the movement of high-income earners, who tend to pay far more in taxes than they receive back in government services, according to the report.

The reports author and director of the Interstate Commerce Initiative at NTUF Andrew Wilford told The Center Square that Americans are voting with their feet and saying that they are tired of tax-and-spend policies and the stagnant economies they result in.

States that insist on doubling down on these policies will only be left with a shrinking population as overtaxed Americans seek greener pastures, Wilford said.

Wilford told The Center Square that interstate migration trends have only accelerated over the last decade as remote work has given taxpayers more freedom to move to more favorable tax environments.

States that fail to adapt can only expect faster dollar drain to states that have taken steps to provide residents with a competitive tax code and economic opportunity, Wilford said.

Interstate migration has a clear impact on state revenue, Wilford said.

California, New York, and Illinois are projected to lose a combined $10 billion in tax revenue this year, revenue that, since they refuse to cut spending, will have to come from higher taxes on taxpayers who are still there, Wilford said.

On the other hand, despite its low taxes, the influx of taxpayers from other states is projected to lead to $4.2 billion in additional revenue for Florida this year alone, Wilford said.

Factors inducing interstate migration besides tax rates identifed in Wilfords report include family, weather, housing availability, education, transportation infrastructure, employment opportunities, and cost of living generally.

However, it appears that taxes are the biggest factor for state moves, for the reports data shows that taxpayers location changes are from high-tax states to low-tax states.

The American federalist system is a double-edged sword, the report states, meaning that while states have the power to each set their own tax policies, taxpayers hold the power of refusal and can move to another state with preferable policies.

The report calls this competition one of the most valuable tools in taxpayers arsenals to get their individual voices heard.

Though a simple majority gets a state legislator elected, residency decisions are made at the household level, the report said.

While they have the power to set their own tax policies, taxpayers retain the freedom to leave for greener pastures should tax burdens in those states become overwhelming.

Wilfords report advised that states should recognize that a tax code that attracts businesses and workers and allows them to thrive is the path to long-term prosperity.

Meanwhile, states on the losing end of the interstate migration battle should stop trying to make up for lost revenue with higher taxes on residents and nonresidents alike, and start trying to fix what is making their residents leave in the first place, the report said.
Leading figures have called on the UK government to update official travel advice to caution against travel to Egypt as British-Egyptian democracy activist and writer Alaa Abd El-Fattah remains in detention.

The former ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, is among the signatories of a letter to The Times today (May 29), urging the government to deploy the full range of tools it has to protect British citizens.

The letter added: This includes official travel advice that should caution against travel to Egypt, making it clear that a British citizen who falls foul of the police state in Egypt cannot expect fair process, nor normal support from the British government.

UN investigators have said that Mr Abd el-Fattah, who has spent nearly a decade imprisoned in Egypt, is being detained illegally and should be released immediately.

Mr Abd el-Fattah has been held in Egypt since September 2019, and in 2021, he was handed a five-year prison sentence on charges of spreading false news for re-sharing a social media post.

The UNs Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), a panel of independent human rights experts, found that his imprisonment was illegal based on the lack of a warrant and reasons for his arrest, the lack of a fair trial, his being arrested for exercising freedom of expression, and the fact that his detention was discriminatory.

The Times letter continued: Egypt cant have it both ways. It pretends to be a friend and depends on flows of British tourists to keep its economy afloat. It needs to discover that kind of partnership is not compatible with abusing our citizens, and blocking our embassy from carrying out the most fundamental consular actions on their behalf.

Signatories of the letter include Richard Ratcliffe, campaigner and husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained in a prison in Iran for six years.

Responding to the UNWGAD ruling, Ratcliffe previously said: The crime is not Alaas; the criminals are those still holding him, and provoking his family to desperation. For our family, our WGAD ruling was also a relief: we thought it would mark an end to the UK governments prevarication and the beginning of firm action on Nazanins case. In the end, it did.

But for Alaas family, time is so much shorter. The ruling needs to be implemented now. The law is clear, but so is the heavy cost of continuing to ignore it.

The current Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice, which was last updated on 20 May and current on 29 May, advises against all travel to parts of Egypt, including North Sinai and within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border (except for the town of El Salloum, where it advises against all but essential travel).

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas including the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal, the Halaib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

It does not warn against travel to any of the main tourist destinations in Egypt, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the two Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.
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TOPSHOT - Police officers patrol a neighborhood amid gang-related violence in downtown Port-au-Prince on April 25, 2023. - Between April 14 and 19, clashes between rival gangs left nearly 70 people dead, including 18 women and at least two children, according to a United Nations statement released April 24. (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Haiti has reportedly turned to military contractor and supporter of President Donald Trump, Erik Prince, to take down violent gangs around the country.

Prince and other American contractors have signed contracts to target gangs responsible for the deaths of civilians throughout the country, according to a Wednesday report by The New York Times (NYT).

The outlet cited anonymous senior Haitian and U.S. government officials as well as security experts familiar.

2024. Sporadic gunfire rang out in Port-au-Prince late March 8, an AFP correspondent there heard, as residents desperately sought shelter amid the recent explosion of gang violence in the Haitian capital. (Photo by CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images)

Princes team has used drones to target gang members since March, security experts told the NYT. He is planning to hire Haitian American military veterans to function as mercenaries in defense of the capital, Port-au-Prince, the NYT reported.

Prince is slated to send up to 150 mercenaries to Haiti over the summer, according to the outlet.

Two hundred sixty individuals were killed, 66 injured and more than 3,000 residents were displaced from gang attacks against neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince from January to March, according to a 2025 statement from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, citing United Nations (UN) data.

Prince is a former Navy SEAL and founder of Blackwater Worldwide, a private military company. In 2020, Trump pardoned four former Blackwater contractors who were convicted on charges relating to the killings of Iraqi civilians in 2007.

Prince reportedly declined to comment to the NYT.

While Blackwater does not exist anymore, Prince owns other private military groups, NYT reported.

He now hosts a podcast titled Off Leash with Erik Prince.

The U.S. Department of State designated two Haitian gangs, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists in early May. (RELATED: Treasury Sanctions High-Ranking Members Of Foreign Terrorist Organization Cartel Del Noreste)

The statement referred to these gangs as the primary source of instability and violence in Haiti and a direct threat to U.S. national security interests in our region.

WASHINGTON  OCTOBER 02: Erik Prince, chairman of the Prince Group, LLC and Blackwater USA, is sworn in during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Capitol Hill October 2, 2007 in Washington DC. The committee is hearing testimony from officials regarding private security contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Their ultimate goal is creating a gang-controlled state where illicit trafficking and other criminal activities operate freely and terrorize Haitian citizens, the State Departments statement said.

We commend the extraordinary bravery of the Haitian National Police and all international partners supporting the MSS mission for their ongoing efforts to establish stability and security in Haiti, the statement added.

The State Department reportedly told the NYT it is not funding Prince or his company for his reported work in Haiti.

The agency has allocated millions of dollars in funding for Haitis National Police, according to the outlet.

The State Department, through its International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INLEA) office, delivered $6 million in equipment to Haitis National Police (PNH) in February, the Haitian Times reported.
Natasha Hall | Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Wisconsin should grade all of its K-12 public schools along the same standards, follow nationally recognized standards and make sure simplified summaries are available each year by Aug. 15, a policy statement from City Forward Collective said Thursday.

The policy brief comes after Wisconsins Department of Public Instruction announced it has formed a committee to evaluate state report card standards. The response came following pushback, and a bill passed by the Legislature and vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers, asking DPI to go back to standards from 2021-22 rather than using revised standards from the past several years.

A recent City Forward Collective CEO, Brittany Kinser, ran and lost to DPI Superintendent Jill Underly in a recent statewide election. Colleston Morgan Jr., is the groups current executive director.

Our position is clear: WI students and families deserve honesty, transparency, and accountability to high expectations - and DPI's current Report Card fails to meet the mark, Morgan wrote.

A committee of more than two dozen educators and leaders from public, private, and charter schools will begin meeting in June but names of the committee members were not released.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty urged Evers to sign Assembly Bill 1, pointing out where the state lowered school report card cut points in 2020-21, changed the labels on those in 2023-24 and lowered the cut points again that year as well.

City Forward Collective pointed to a recent school report card showing that 7,000 students taking the ACT were marked as Meets Expectations, Not College Ready.

The changes were done in a way that disproportionately impacted students in historically undereducated groups  widening Wisconsins already abysmal opportunity gaps, including our worst-in-the-nation disparities between Black and White students, the policy statement said. And, the changes were implemented with little input or feedback even from most K12 school systems  leading to implementation challenges and reduced stakeholder confidence in results.

The group also pointed out issues within the data with 80% of Milwaukee students not meeting standards but 63% of those are enrolled in schools marked as Meets Expectations or higher.

Overall, the Milwaukee school district is rating as three out of five stars and meeting expectations even though less than one in five students in the district  including fewer than one in 10 Black students - meet state expectations.
By Costas Pitas, Michael Martina and Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday the United States will start "aggressively" revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

If applied to a broad segment of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese university students in the United States, the move could disrupt a major source of income for American schools and a crucial pipeline of talent for U.S. technology companies.

President Donald Trump's administration has sought to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of wide-ranging efforts to fulfill its hardline immigration agenda.

In a statement, Rubio said the State Department will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from China and Hong Kong.

"The U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students," he said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China's foreign ministry previously vowed to "firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests" of its students overseas, following the Trump administration's move to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students, many of whom are Chinese.

China is also at the epicenter of Trump's global trade war that has roiled financial markets, upended supply chains and fueled risks of a sharp worldwide economic downturn. The decision to cancel Chinese student visas comes despite a recent pause in the U.S.-China trade dispute.

International students - India and China together accounting for 54% of them - contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

UNIVERSITY TIES TO CHINA UNDER SCRUTINY

The State Department has broad authority to issue and revoke visas. The administration last week cited Harvard University's ties to China as among several reasons for revoking its ability to enroll foreign students, a move temporarily blocked by a U.S. judge.

Rubio's statement did not offer details on how extensively the visa revocations would be applied. Even a relatively small number could disrupt the flow of Chinese students seeking out higher education in the U.S. that began in the late 1970s from Communist-governed China.

Recent decades saw the United States become the destination of choice for many Chinese students looking for an alternative to China's intensely competitive university system and drawn to the strong reputation of U.S. schools. Those students typically come from wealthier families able to afford the high cost of U.S. universities.

Many of those have stayed after graduating and have been credited with contributing to American research capacity and the U.S. workforce.

The number of Chinese students in the U.S. dropped to about 277,000 in 2024, however, from a high of around 370,000 in 2019, pulled lower by growing tension between the world's two biggest economies, heightened U.S. government scrutiny of Chinese students, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry has escalated into what many analysts consider a new form of cold war, U.S. agencies and Congress have stepped up scrutiny of China's state-sponsored influence and technology transfers at American colleges and universities.

Washington has become increasingly concerned that Beijing uses open and federally funded research environments in the U.S. to circumvent export controls and other national security laws.

Greater scrutiny and uncertainty over visas has led more Chinese students to opt for schools in Europe, and more graduates now return to China to ply their trades.

Yaqiu Wang, a U.S.-based human rights researcher who came to the U.S. from China as a student, said Beijing had indeed taken advantage of U.S. academic openness to engage in espionage and intellectual property theft, but called Rubio's announcement "deeply concerning."

"Broad revocations and blanket bans would not only jeopardize the rights and livelihoods of Chinese students studying and working in the U.S., but also risk undermining America's long-standing position as the global leader in scientific innovation," she said.

During Trump's first administration, then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo led a drive to rid U.S. university campuses of Chinese government-funded Confucius Institute cultural centers, saying they worked to advance China's "global propaganda and malign influence" and to recruit "spies and collaborators."

As a result, many U.S. institutions cut ties with the centers.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported the U.S. Department of State had halted new appointments for all foreign student and exchange visitor visa applicants, according to an internal cable.

The Trump administration has expanded social media vetting of foreign students and is seeking to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of wide-ranging efforts to fulfill its hardline immigration agenda.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward, Costas Pitas, Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Lincoln Feast, Don Durfee and Tom Hogue)
A court has upended Donald Trumps already ever-changing tariff policies overnight, blocking the sweeping global levies in a significant blow to his administration.

But experts warned that the decision by the United States Court of International Trade will not necessarily provide any relief to countries hoping for lower tariffs or even trading uncertainty with the US.

Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the US and Americas programme at Chatham House, said the ruling  from a court that most of the world will have never heard of  was a major setback for the president.

But the decision, which has already been appealed by the Trump administration, is not any real cause for relief for American trading partners.

On 2 April, the US president announced high tariffs on nearly every trading partner, setting a sweeping baseline tariff of 10 per cent for most, while announcing even higher duties for dozens of other nations, including India and China.

President Donald Trump holds up a chart of reciprocal tariffs, which he introduced on 2 April (Getty)

Since then, tariffs have been paused for some countries; tariffs on Chinese goods rose to 145 per cent before being cut to 30 per cent; and as recently as last week, Mr Trump threatened to lift duties on European Union goods to 50 per cent.

So, what does the court decision do to this landscape?

Dr Vinjamuri said: For Europeans and the rest of the world trying to decide how to respond to President Trumps tariffs, the answer today appears to be: let America sort itself out, but, still, continue to prepare for the worst and diversify your portfolio.

The Court of International Trade ruled that Mr Trumps decision to impose global so-called reciprocal tariffs was unlawful, finding the justification the White House used was not valid. The administration had argued it was a national security emergency.

Dr Vinjamuri said that while tariffs would remain a part of Mr Trumps toolkit, it would be a difficult legal case for the president to fight.

The European Commission, under Ursula von der Leyen, declined to comment on the court ruling (AP)

Yesterdays ruling is part of the broader story and question of what, who, how, and when will Trump be restrained in his efforts to overreach his executive authority, she said.

The ultimate question of US executive authority, though, will be decided by US courts, US corporate interests, US universities, and the US public. It is a deeply American problem with enormous global implications.

Countries have been working for weeks now to negotiate trade and tariff agreements with the US, and were reticent to express a view on the court development.

Germany said it could not comment, as did the European Commission.

We ask for your understanding that we cannot comment on the legal proceedings in the US, as they are still ongoing, a spokesperson for Germanys economy ministry said.

We continue to hope that a mutually beneficial solution can be reached in the negotiations between the EU Commission and the US government.

Global markets have been forced to deal with a chaotic Trump presidency (EPA)

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also had little to say when asked to react on Thursday.

China has made its position very clear: tariff and trade wars have no winners. Protectionism benefits no one and is ultimately unpopular, she said.

Wendy Cutler, a former US trade official who is now vice-president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington DC, said the courts decision throws the presidents trade policy into turmoil.

Partners negotiating hard during the 90-day tariff pause period may be tempted to hold off making further concessions to the US until there is more legal clarity, she said.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said that although the White House was already planning an appeal, there was a chance that the House of Representatives and the Senate would approve the tariff plan regardless.

So there is no guarantee that anything will change as the 9 July deadline for the reciprocal tariffs approaches (pending any trade deals), he said.

While global stock markets seemed encouraged by the court ruling, Mr Mould said that was perhaps as a reflection of the view that rule of law rather than presidential executive order is returning to the political stage in the USA.

For company management teams, business will remain tricky, he said.

It will remain very difficult for them to plan ahead, even after the courts decision, given the prospect of the White Houses appeal, Mr Mould said.

In this respect, the near-term danger remains that companies hold off from spending or hiring with the result that US economic data remains soft, or at least murky and difficult to interpret.

Additional reporting from Reuters, AP
Wednesday President Trump said that he is "very disappointed" with recent Russian attacks on Ukraine as tensions between the Kremlin and the White House continue to rise. It comes just days after Russia hit Ukraine with some of its heaviest drone strikes since the war began.

President Trump suggested Wednesday that he'll know within a couple of weeks whether Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war or whether Putin is, in his words, "tapping him along."

"In about two weeks, within two weeks, we're going to find out very soon," President Trump said. "We're going to find out whether or not [Putin is] tapping us along or not. And if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently. But it'll take about a week and a half, two weeks."

"I'm very disappointed at what happened," President Trump said. "A couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation. I'm very disappointed."

RELATED STORY | Trump wonders if Putin 'has gone absolutely crazy' over Ukraine

Trump this week called Putin crazy, accusing him of playing with fire and warning Wednesday that if he feels Putin is dragging out the cease-fire process, it would provoke a different response.

That assessment stands in stark contrast to where President Trump was just a week ago after holding a phone call with Putin, where he maintained he thought the Russian leader wanted to end the war.

The change comes as Republicans are more publicly calling for a tougher stance against Russia, particularly when it comes to secondary sanctions.

Wednesday in the Oval Office, President Trump explained the reason he hasn't moved forward is not wanting to essentially derail efforts if they believe they are close to a deal.

Trump said that special envoy Steve Witkoff is dealing with the Russians "strongly."

Russia on Wednesday proposed a second round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week. Russia said it has developed a memo on its position, which was a major focus for both the U.S. and Ukraine as talks developed.

Ukraine has been clear that its believes there should be no conditions for a cease-fire.
After months of back-and-forth surrounding President Donald Trumps tariffs, a U.S. trade court ruled Wednesday that he exceeded his authority in imposing sweeping levies on goods imported from around the world.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down steep tariffs Trump implemented against dozens of nations last month. It also nulled those imposed on Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports, which the president has claimed would reduce fentanyl and drug trafficking from those countries.

Trump has argued that tariffs will help grow the economy, encourage consumers to buy more American goods, bring more jobs into the U.S. and stop other countries from taking advantage of America. He also argued his Liberation Day tariffs, which were implemented under an emergency powers law, were allowed because the countrys trade deficits amount to a national emergency.

Critics, however, argue that they have, by and large, spun the global economy into chaos and stoked fears of inflation.

While the ruling scraps most of Trumps tariffs, it allows levies on some imports that will affect all Americans to remain in effect. The White House immediately said it would fight the decision.

Heres what to know about the ruling and the future of how it might impact the prices of everyday goods:

President Donald Trump exceeded his authority in imposing most of his tariffs, a U.S. trade court ruled Wednesday. (AFP via Getty Images)

What was Liberation Day?

Trump unleashed a flurry of import tariffs on all trade with the country on April 2, which he dubbed Liberation Day.

All nations were struck by the sweeping measures, which saw the U.K. hit by a 10 percent tariff on all exports to the U.S. Meanwhile, Trump declared America will no longer be ripped off by other countries taking advantage.

While Trump announced certain percentage levies against nearly all U.S. trading partners, he soon after reversed course, allowing for a 90-day window for every country except China to negotiate new terms. The new deadline was set to expire July 9.

What did the trade court rule?

The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Trump exceeded his authority with his hefty Liberation Day tariffs.

The court said that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law Trump invoked to implement the tariffs, does not give him the authority to implement such levies. It also blocked a separate set of levies imposed on China, Mexico and Canada that Trump said would stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the country.

The ruling, a result of two separate cases challenging Trumps Liberation Day tariffs, is set to impact many, but not all, of the tariffs Trump has imposed during his second term.

Trump announced his tariffs on April 2 as part of his liberation day. (Getty)

What was Trumps response?

The Trump administration vowed to go to the Supreme Court if necessary to appeal the ruling.

Trumps deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accused the court of a judicial coup, while White House spokesman Kush Desai slammed the decision, saying it was not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.

The Justice Department has also asked the court to put a pause on its ruling, arguing that it is critical for the countrys national security and the presidents conduct of ongoing delicate diplomatic efforts.

If the judges decline to pause their ruling, the Trump Administration will go to the federal appeals court, and then the Supreme Court.

What is now tariff-free?

The ruling blocks the tariffs Trump implemented on Liberation Day on nearly all U.S. trading partners, as well as levies he imposed earlier this year on China, Mexico and Canada.

The liberation Day tariffs impacted nearly every country globally, imposing a 10 percent tax on imports. Trump warned they would eventually rise to higher rates for some countries, but those reciprocal tariffs were later delayed until July 9.

The court also stopped 25 percent tariffs that Trump implemented against Canada and Mexico over illegal immigration and drug trafficking, and 20 percent on most Chinese goods over the countrys alleged role in producing fentanyl, The Washington Post reported.

Trumps Liberation Day tariffs implemented last month were struck down by the court ruling. (AFP/Getty)

So does that mean the price of toys will drop?

After Trump suggested American children should settle for fewer dolls as a result of his tariffs, many questioned how much the price of toys would skyrocket.

Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, Trump said this month. He also suggested those two dolls could cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.

Then, he threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on toy maker Mattel after the company said it would diversify its production to other countries  outside the United States. Mattel, the creator of Barbie, Hot Wheels, Uno, American Girl and others, produces most of its toys overseas in places such as China and India.

Before the ruling, both China and India were set to be subject to increased tariffs. Given the expected tariffs, companies such as Mattel warned their prices would likely increase, however, given the ruling it remains to be seen if those increases will remain.

What about gas prices?

Oil prices fell Thursday after rising following the ruling about Trumps tariffs.

The ruling steadied risk appetite across global markets, which had been on edge over the ever-changing levies.

Brent crude futures dropped 60 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $64.30 a barrel at midday trading, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 67 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $61.17 a barrel. If oil prices go down, it usually leads to lower prices of gasoline at the pump.

What will still face tariffs?

Trumps tariffs on specific products, like steel, aluminum and automobiles, are not affected by the ruling, The Washington Post reported. Unlike other tariffs, Trump did not use emergency powers to implement these levies, instead opting to use a 1962 trade law to put them into effect.

A 25 percent import tax on all steel and aluminum coming into the country, including products made from these metals, went into effect on March 12. The move delivered a major blow to Americas two North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, which deliver most of the countrys steel imports.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported automobiles in early April. A 25 percent tariff on cars could increase prices between $2,500 and $20,000 per vehicle, according to reports.

Some of those levies, however, were walked back to provide some relief to U.S. automakers after warnings from car manufacturers who threatened price increases.

How much has been generated so far from the tarrifs?

Trumps tariffs have generated $67.9 billion as of May 27, about 78 percent more than the same time last year, according to Politico.

It was not immediately clear whether the total amount brought it would be enough to replace income tax as the main source of funding for the federal government, as the Trump Administration has argued it would. In 2024, federal income taxes brought in $2.4 trillion, according to the report.

What about inflation?

After months of worrying that Trumps tariffs would drive up prices, inflation eased in April, according to the Associated Press.

Given Trumps ever-changing tariffs, there has not been a huge shift in prices just yet, though major retailers like Walmart have warned tariffs would drive their prices up.

Now with the court striking down most tariffs, especially those against China, Canada and Mexico, theres less of a risk of increased prices to everyday Americans.

With reporting from the Associated Press and Reuters.
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) -A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to resume processing applications from migrants seeking work permits or more lasting immigration status who are living in the country temporarily under "parole" programs.

The ruling by District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston will provide relief to thousands of migrants from Afghanistan, Latin America, and Ukraine who were granted a two-year "parole" to live in the country under programs established by Democratic former President Joe Biden's administration.

The same judge had previously blocked the Trump administration from revoking the parole status of hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. The administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause her decision.

Talwani, an appointee of Democratic former President Barack Obama, rejected the Trump administration's claim that suspending the parole programs was within its broad discretion to direct immigration policy.

Federal law still requires agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to follow a lengthy process for granting or denying parole and other immigration relief, she wrote in siding with migrants pursuing a class action lawsuit.

"We are pleased that the court has again rightly recognized the harm the governments arbitrary decision-making has inflicted on innocent people," Anwen Hughes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs at Human Rights First, said in a statement.

The Homeland Security Department did not respond to requests for comment.

The ruling came on the same day as a U.S. trade court decision to block Trump's tariffs from going into effect, delivering simultaneous blows to two of the president's core agendas around trade and immigration.

The decision came in a lawsuit challenging a pause on the processing of applications from Ukrainian, Afghan, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan migrants either seeking to be granted entry through the parole process or who have already been granted that status and are seeking to stay.

Talwani's decision focused on policies adopted after Trump on his first day back in office on January 20 signed an executive order directing it to end the Biden-era parole program.

In a memo that day, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman directed agencies under his purview to pause, modify or terminate any categorical parole programs, which he asserted were not authorized by law as parole could only be granted on a case-by-case basis.

DHS officials subsequently stopped processing new parole applications and in mid-February barred staff from considering requests from migrants from Ukraine and Latin America who had already been granted parole to pursue other forms of immigration status, such as asylum or temporary protected status.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston and Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Chris Reese)
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) -A federal judge in Vermont on Wednesday ruled that the continued detention by immigration authorities of a Russian-born scientist at Harvard University was unjustified, removing a key hurdle to the researcher being released from U.S. custody more than three months after she was detained at an airport in Boston.

U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss said during a hearing in Burlington, Vermont that it appeared immigration authorities had detained Kseniia Petrova in February and canceled her visa without any factual or legal basis for doing so after discovering frog embryo samples in her luggage.

"What happened in this case was extraordinary and novel," Reiss said.

Reiss was not able to order Petrova's full release from government custody, as federal prosecutors in Boston earlier this month criminally charged her with illegally attempting to smuggle the frog embryo samples into the country.

She is now being held by the U.S. Marshals Service, and a judge in her criminal case would need to decide whether to grant her bail as well when she goes before the court as soon as next week.

But Reiss said bail in her related immigration case was appropriate as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has indicated that it intends to re-detain Petrova if a judge in her criminal case grants her bail.

"At today's hearing, we demonstrated that Kseniia is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk, and does not belong in immigration detention," her lawyer, Gregory Romanovsky, said in a statement.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

Petrova, 31, was detained at Logan International Airport in Boston on February 16 on her return from a trip to France. Petrova, who works at Harvard Medical School, has said her boss asked her to bring back frog embryo samples for ongoing experiments.

Petrova's detention comes amid efforts by Republican President Donald Trump's administration to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of its wide-ranging efforts to fulfill his hardline immigration agenda.

Federal judges in Vermont have similarly ordered immigration authorities to release from custody students at Tufts University and Columbia University who were arrested after engaging in pro-Palestinian advocacy on campus.

Reiss, who is presiding over a lawsuit Petrova filed challenging her immigration detention, said Petrova raised a substantial claim that "her current detention is the product of a process that has nothing to do with the merits of this case."

Reiss said the embryos were "non-hazardous, non-toxic, non-living, and posed a threat to no one," and that Petrova had established a likelihood of proving they did not qualify as the type of biological material she needed to declare to customs.

Reiss said that while Petrova asked at the airport to be allowed to return to France, the government instead detained her with the intent to deport her to Russia, a prospect Petrova has said she fears after protesting Russia's war in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Lisa Shumaker)
By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a setback to environmentalists on Thursday by allowing federal agencies to limit the scope of their reviews of the environmental impact of projects they regulate, as the justices bolstered a Utah railway project intended to transport crude oil.

The 8-0 ruling overturned a lower court's decision that had halted the project and had faulted an environmental impact statement issued by a federal agency called the Surface Transportation Board in approving the railway as too limited in scope. The project was challenged by environmentalists and a Colorado county.

A coalition of seven Utah counties and an infrastructure investment group are seeking to construct an 88-mile (142-km) railway line in northeastern Utah to connect the sparsely populated Uinta Basin region to an existing freight rail network that would be used primarily to transport waxy crude oil.

The case tested the scope of environmental impact studies that federal agencies must conduct under a U.S. law called the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), enacted in 1970 to prevent environmental harms that might result from major projects. The law mandates that agencies examine the "reasonably foreseeable" effects of a project.

The ruling, authored by conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was joined by four other conservative justices. The court's three liberal justices filed a separate opinion concurring in the outcome.

Kavanaugh wrote that agencies need only consider environmental effects of a project at hand and not the "effects from potential future projects or from geographically separate projects," and that courts must offer agencies "substantial deference" regarding the scope of these assessments.

"NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock. The goal of the law is to inform agency decision-making, not to paralyze it," Kavanaugh wrote.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Dec. 10 in the case, which has been closely watched by companies and environmental groups for how the ruling might affect a wider range of infrastructure and energy projects.

"This disastrous decision to undermine our nation's bedrock environmental law means our air and water will be more polluted, the climate and extinction crises will intensify and people will be less healthy," said Wendy Park, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that challenged the railway.

"It guarantees that bureaucrats can put their heads in the sand and ignore the harm federal projects will cause to ecosystems, wildlife and the climate," Park said.

Sambhav Sankar, senior vice president of programs at environmental law group Earthjustice, predicted that President Donald Trump's administration "will treat this decision as an invitation to ignore environmental concerns as it tries to promote fossil fuels, kill off renewable energy and destroy sensible pollution regulations."

'A TURNING POINT'

Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, welcomed the decision, saying that it "represents a turning point for rural Utah - bringing safer, sustainable, more efficient transportation options, and opening new doors for investment and economic stability."

Environmental reviews that are too broad in scope can add years to the regulatory timeline, risking a project's viability and future infrastructure development, according to companies and business trade groups.

The Surface Transportation Board, which has regulatory authority over new railroad lines, issued an environmental impact statement and approved the railway proposal in 2021.

The Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups sued over approval, as did Colorado's Eagle County, which noted that the project would increase train traffic in its region and double traffic on an existing rail line along the Colorado River.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of the challengers in 2023, concluding that the environmental review inadequately analyzed the effects of increased oil production in the basin as well as downstream, where the oil would be refined.

Democratic former President Joe Biden's administration had backed the railway coalition in the case, as did the state of Utah.

Fifteen other states supported the challengers. Colorado said its economy relies on outdoor recreation, and that the project raises the risk of leaks, spills or rail car accidents near the Colorado River's headwaters.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch recused himself from the case. Some Democratic lawmakers had urged his withdrawal because businessman Philip Anschutz, his former legal client, has a financial interest in its outcome.

The case will return to the D.C. Circuit. Park said that the Supreme Court's decision does not guarantee the railway's construction.

"The last thing we need is another climate bomb on wheels that the communities along its proposed route say they don't want," Park said. "We've been fighting this project for years, and we'll keep fighting to make sure this railway is never built."

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Additional reporting by John Kruzel in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham)
An early passenger of the doomed Oceangate Titan sub has revealed emails he sent warning of potential flaws in the submersibles hull were ignored for over a year.

Speaking on the documentary Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster (BBC Two, 27 May), submersible expert Karl Stanley claimed to have come within a few percentage points of implosion after hearing loud cracking sounds in the carbon fiber hull during a 2.5 mile deep test dive in the Bahamas in 2019.

Giving evidence to the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, Stanley said of his subsequent correspondence with Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush: I was very much concerned, that I kept sending him emails for over a year. And I didnt even know a fraction of what we know now.

I feel this exchange of emails strained our relationship.
A North Korean flag flies over its embassy in Moscow on October 31, 2024. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is in Moscow to hold "strategic" talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The visit comes amid Western warnings that thousands of North Korean troops are training in Russia and could be deployed to fight in Ukraine. (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea has been covertly stealing American remote work jobs under false identities in order to enrich the cash-strapped hermit kingdom, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

North Korean citizens operating under false names regularly employ laptop farms in order to work remote jobs with the assistance of U.S. proxies, with one farm netting an estimated $17.1 million for the foreign nationals from more than 300 American companies, federal prosecutors told the WSJ. North Korean scam artists account for a significant portion of the communist nations economy, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars a year, FBI Section Chief Gregory Austin told the WSJ.

These DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] IT workers are absolutely able to hold down jobs that pay in the low six figures in U.S. companies, and sometimes they can hold multiple of these jobs, Austin told the WSJ. (RELATED: North Korea Reportedly Sending Scores Of Disguised Troops To Fight Alongside Russian Forces)

Students participate in a commemorative march near the Chollima Statue in Pyongyang on April 25, 2025, to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Korean Peoples Revolutionary Army. (Photo by KIM WON JIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Christina Chapman, 50, was the target of an FBI investigation where she operated a laptop farm and broadcast a false impression of her business to her over 100,000 TikTok followers, according to the WSJ. The FBI raided her farm in October 2023, finding over 90 computers in their search.

Chapman pleaded guilty to wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering charges, serving a maximum of nine years in prison for her crimes, the WSJ reported. Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike has identified at least 150 cases similar to Chapmans in at least eight different states.

The hackers will send out thousands of applications to remote work opportunities on popular platforms such as LinkedIn and even use AI to alter their appearance for job interviews, according to the WSJ. The IT workers reportedly will provide their services to almost any industry that utilizes remote work.

Remote work jobs grew an astonishing 159% over the last 12 years, accelerated in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

North Korea has resorted to underhanded tactics to generate income for the nation amid oppressive international sanctions, with DPRK operatives stealing more than $6 billion of cryptocurrency over the past decade.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Nvidia announced that it took in $44.06 billion as its data center business grew 73% year-over-year when it released its first quarter earnings May 28.

The company recorded the revenue increase despite a $4.5 billion charge associated with excess inventory and purchase obligations after export restrictions were placed on the H20 chip designed for the Chinese market by the Trump administration.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on the company's investor call that "the H20 export ban ended our Hopper data center business in China" and that the $50 billion AI chip market in China is "effectively closed to U.S. industry."

The company had expected to incur a $5.5 billion dollar charge  according to Reuters  but Nvidia said in CFO commentary that it was able to mitigate some of the impact by reusing materials. The chip giant reported that it lost $2.5 billion of H20 revenue in the quarter.

Nvidia stock rose in after-hours trading Wednesday, bouncing between a 4% and 5% gain after the bell.

Nvidia earnings hit by export charge

The company said that its gross margin was 61% for the quarter but would have been 71.3% if not for the export restrictions.

The same dynamic was reported for earnings as Nvidia posted an earnings per share of 81 cents that would have been 96 cents if not for the incurred charge.

The company said it expects revenue for the current quarter to be around $45 billion, and anticipates an $8 billion loss in H20-related revenue due to the export restrictions.

Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, pointed to the strength of the company's artificial intelligence business in a press release accompanying the release  despite political tensions.

"Countries around the world are recognizing AI as essential infrastructure  just like electricity and the internet," Huang wrote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nvidia earnings: Stock up despite export bite
Casimiro - Getty Images

Creatine is everywhere on social media right now, with recs coming from influencers and health experts.

Research is starting to find that the popular supplement can do more than help you build muscle.

In a small pilot trial published in a journal, researchers found that creatine monohydrate may help improve cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.



Its hard to cruise your For You feed right now without being faced with yet another testimonial about the perks of taking a creatine supplement. While creatine is the supplement du jour, there is solid data to support its usemostly around fitness.

But a growing body of research suggests that creatine may do more than help you build muscles, including easing depression and helping with brain fog after a bad night's sleep.

Now, a new study suggests that there may be some benefit to using creatine to boost cognition in people with Alzheimers disease. The research is very early and this is technically a pilot trial (which is basically a trial run). But the findings bring up a number of questions about whether something as simple as adding a creatine supplement could help improve symptoms in people with such a devastating condition.

Here's what the study, found plus what doctors and nutritionists recommend keeping in mind.

Meet the experts: Amit Sachdev, MD, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University; Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, is co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab; Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD, is a study co-author, assistant professor, and director of the KU Brain Nutrition Laboratory at University of Kansas Medical Center; Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA

What did the study find?

The study, which was published in the journal Alzheimers & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, looked into the feasibility of patients with Alzheimers disease taking 20 grams a day of creatine monohydrate (the most widely studied form of creatine) for eight weeks.

The researchers looked at how compliant the patients were (i.e. how likely they were to take the supplement). They also monitored levels of creatine in the patients blood at the start, four weeks, and eight weeks later, along with levels of creatine in their brains. They also tested the patients' cognition at the start of the study and after eight weeks.

The researchers found that 19 of the 20 participants were more than 80 percent compliant with taking the creatine during the study. They also found that creatine levels went up in their blood after four and eight weeks, and that creatine in the brain increased by 11 percent. And here's the really interesting part: The researchers discovered that the patients had better improvements in cognitive tests, including sorting and reading, along with tests to measure attention and response, after eight weeks of creatine supplementation.

The researchers concluded that the findings provide preliminary evidence for more research.

We decided to do this study because there were a couple of recent studies in mice suggesting that, in a mouse model of Alzheimers, creatine monohydrate supplementation may be beneficial, says study co-author Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD, assistant professor and director of the KU Brain Nutrition Laboratory at University of Kansas Medical Center. Prior to this study, no work had been done in humans with Alzheimers, so it was the right time to start looking at it as a potentially beneficial supplement for Alzheimers.

Why might creatine supplements help people with Alzheimers disease?

The study didnt look into this, but there are some theories.

The brain requires a lot of energy, but in Alzheimers, brain energy metabolism drastically declines, Taylor explains. Creatine is a very important substance for transporting energy produced by our mitochondria and increasing creatine levels may even encourage mitochondria to produce more energy.

Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, co-signs that theory. Creatine helps to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and ATP is the brains primary energy source, he says. Adding more creatine to the body could, in theory, help support cognition in people with Alzheimer's disease, Matheny adds.

Creatine may also have other roles, like decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which could potentially help with symptoms of Alzheimers disease, Taylor says. Each of these roles could help with cognitive function in Alzheimers, but we still have so much to learn about the roles of this molecule in the brain, he says.

Should people with Alzheimers disease take creatine supplements?

Were not there yet. Again, this was a pilot study and it simply found that people who have Alzheimers disease may be able to regularly take creatine supplements and might have a boost in cognition as a result.

But this doesnt mean that people with Alzheimers disease should take creatine, says Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. I would not advise the use of creatine with the goal of improving cognition, he says, noting that theres not yet well-established data to support this use.

Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, agrees. "We are not at a point that creatine supplementation for brain health is an accepted supplement," he says.

Taylor agrees. Our study is far from a definitive study, he says. Well-designed, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to determine whether creatine is beneficial for Alzheimers. I would suggest Alzheimers patients and their families discuss taking any supplement with their neurologist.

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A large group of musicians sing together on a brightly-lit stage at the Live Aid concert, with a "Live Aid" logo visible on the backdrop and a crowd of enthusiastic performers in the background.

On July 13, 1985, music legends on both sides of the Atlantic came together for a cause  raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia  and made pop culture history. Live Aid was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, and featured acts like Phil Collins, Queen, Joan Baez, and Elton John. With 16 hours of nonstop performances, surprise duets, fashion moments, backstage antics, and 1.5 billion people watching from around the globe, the concert quickly became cemented in music history.

Whether you were there, watching it on TV, or just now discovering the magic, these pictures showcase the day when music tried to save the world.

1. No One Light a Match Backstage

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These iconic musicians all joined together to put on a show at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Keith Richards, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Ron Wood, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Madonna, and Bob Dylan all posed for this legendary snapshot backstage at the big show. Dare we say another name should be added too: Aqua Net.

2. Led Zeppelin

Getty Images/Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Robert Plant with his paisley pants and Jimmy Page with his double-neck guitar took the stage at JFK during Live Aid, marking the first time the band performed together since drummer John Bonhams death five years earlier. Drummers Phil Collins and Tony Thompson filled in for Bonham; the surviving Zeppelin members were reportedly unhappy with the performance, and the band wasnt officially included in the event releases.

3. Mick Jagger and Tina Turner

Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Well before the Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson Super Bowl duet (and subsequent wardrobe malfunction), Mick Jagger and Tina Turner gave an electrifying performance at JFK during Live Aid. Their performance included the cant-help-but-sing-along hit Its Only Rock n Roll (But I Like It), famously ending with Tina playfully ripping off part of her skirt as the crowd roared.

4. Phil Collins Just After Being in the Air That Night (Get it?)

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There is a reason why Phil and his companion in the photo above are smiling at their watches: The musician was the only Live Aid performer who played in both Philadelphia and London on the same day. He started at Wembley Stadium in London, playing solo and as part of a set with Sting. Then he boarded a jet and flew across the Atlantic to JFK Stadium, where he performed again  this time solo, on drums for Eric Clapton, and as part of the aforementioned Led Zeppelin set.

5. Sade Adu and Her Iconic Top

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Sade Adu performed at Wembley Stadium in London during Live Aid. Beyond her powerhouse performance, viewers were buzzing about her fashion choices for the day, which included a white cut-out top and big, gold hoop earrings.

6. Feed the World

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The purpose of the Live Aid concert was to provide famine relief in Ethiopia, and the tagline Feed the World became synonymous with the concerts.

7. The Original Live Aid Flyer

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Imagine a stacked setlist like this on a flyer today. The price points would be through the roof. This flyer doesnt even include all of the legendary performers that participated in the event.

8. Coming for You, David Bowie

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With so many big names performing at Live Aid, it was easy to be excited to see lots of musicians all at once. But the diehard fans cherry-picked who they wanted to go all out for, making signs and wearing outfits dedicated to their favorite performer of the bunch.

9. Quite the Crowd

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The turnout for Live Aid was massive. 1.5 billion people watched the events, including the 72,000 at Wembley Stadium and the 89,000 folks at JFK Stadium.

10. Three Legends Walked Up to a Microphone 

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Bono, Paul McCartney, and Freddie Mercury all belting out a song together? Iconic isnt a strong enough word.

11. Duran Duran

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Duran Durans performance at JFK Stadium for Live Aid marked the groups last performance with the original five members until their reunion several years later.

12. Madonna and Her Tambourine

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Madonnas set was one of the most buzzed-about moments of Live Aid. At the time, she was skyrocketing in fame, fresh off her Like a Virgin album. Before launching into her set, she addressed the recent media frenzy over leaked nude photos by telling the crowd, No, I aint taking s**t off today!

13. Just Some Buds Hanging Out

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Boy George, Sting, Sade, and Peter Gabriel all posed for a picture. We have to admit: George is giving off a very different vibe than everyone else in this particular snapshot.

14. Now Thats What We Call a Duo

KafkaZola

Elton John brought out George Michael for a surprise duet of Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me, and the Wembley crowd absolutely lost it.

15. The Icon Himself

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Queens 20-minute set at Wembley is widely regarded as one of the greatest live performances of all time  and it was all led by Freddie Mercury in peak form. With his white tank top, commanding stage presence, and that iconic vocal improvisation with the crowd (you know the one), Freddie stole the entire show from London all the way to PA.

Looking for more photos of historic events?

Be sure to read 17 Vintage Photos From Woodstock 69 That Show What the Festival Was Really Like. You might also enjoy These 31 Vintage Photos Will Instantly Transport You to 1985 and 10 of the Most Expensive Musical Instruments in the World.

The post From Queen to Madonna: 15 Iconic Photos From the 1985 Live Aid Concert appeared first on Wealth Gang.
Authorities are offering a reward of up to $50,000 each for the two inmates who remain on the run after escaping a New Orleans jail earlier this month.

Both Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans and the FBI New Orleans announced at a Thursday news conference that they were each upping their rewards to $20,000 per inmate. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $10,000 reward per inmate.

Eight of the 10 inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center on May 16 have been captured. Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves remain on the run.

"Today marks day 13 in our search for escapees Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves, and we want you to know that we will find them," said Jonathan Tapp, special agent in charge at FBI New Orleans.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robert P. Hodges said authorities are closing in on Massey and Groves.

"We should have them in custody soon," he said, telling reporters that the two inmates are getting help and moving around the city. "The walls are closing in," he said.

Officials said tips from the public led to the capture of three of the escapees. One reward has already been paid out and the other two will be paid soon.

More than a dozen people have been arrested and charged with allegedly helping some of the escapees.

Five people were charged with helping Lenton Vanburen, 26, run and hide, authorities said. Vanburen was arrested Monday by Baton Rouge police after they received a tip from a "concerned citizen," according to a statement. He was apprehended while sitting on a bench near a department store.

Last week, jail maintenance worker Sterling Williams was arrested and charged after authorities accused him of cutting off the water in a cell so inmates could pull the toilet from the wall and flee. According to an affidavit for an arrest warrant, Williams told investigators that Massey had threatened to shank him if he did not help.

Michael Kennedy, a lawyer for Williams, denied that his client was trying to assist the inmates in escaping. Kennedy said Williams turned the water off because the toilet in an unused handicapped cell was clogged.

A photo released by the Orleans Parish Justice Center showed a hole in the wall behind the toilet with phrases such as "To Easy Lol" and "We Innocent" written above it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Capitol Hill on May 21. (Mark Schiefelbein / AP file)

Chinese students say theyre questioning their decision to study in the U.S. after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the federal government will attempt to aggressively revoke their visas.

Rubio said Wednesday that Chinese students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields would be targeted.

Chinese students who spoke to NBC News on Thursday said that they came to the U.S. for freedoms they felt they did not have back in China but that now the Trump administration is starting to resemble the strict regime they left behind.

USA stands for freedom. It stands for democracy.  Thats why we come here to chase our dreams, said one Chinese Ph.D. student at a New Jersey university, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. In China, the government can control education, high schools, colleges, universities. We thought that the USA could be different.

The State Department referred NBC News to comments by spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a news briefing Thursday in which Bruce said the department does not discuss the details of its visa process due to privacy concerns.

We use every tool that we have to vet and to make sure we know whos coming in, Bruce said. In this particular case, the United States is putting America first by beginning to revoke visas of Chinese students as warranted.

The Chinese Embassy referred NBC News to comments made by Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Mao harshly criticized Rubios announcement Thursday at a regular briefing in Beijing.

This politically discriminatory move exposes the hypocrisy of Americas long-proclaimed values of freedom and openness, and will only further damage the United States international image and credibility, Mao said.

Questions swirl around the new directive, including what critical fields the administration will be looking into and what types of connections to the CCP are under scrutiny. But it has already prompted panic among many Chinese scholars, who make up the second-largest international student group in the U.S. after students from India.

While a temporary nationwide injunction issued last week blocks the Trump administration from revoking international students legal statuses amid its mass termination of records, attorneys say that it may not protect Chinese international students.

Jath Shao, a Cleveland-based immigration attorney, said that while the restraining order keeps international students from being arrested or detained, or from losing their legal status, they can still have their visas revoked. Without a visa, Shao said, students cannot return to the U.S. once theyve left, among a host of other issues.

If youre trying to get a job or a study ... that means youre pretty much out of luck, Shao said. Youre stuck here. Theyre basically trying to take away all your options.

Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, said the Trump administration could argue that Chinese students fall under a completely different circumstance compared with those protected by the injunction.

Were seeing in various cases that the administration is saying that its doing individualized determinations, Bush-Joseph said. Even if theyre focusing on a particular nationality, in any given case, they might say this is based on an individual persons circumstances.

One Chinese student who is studying economics at an Ivy League institution said that he felt the tactics used by the Trump administration, including harsh, pointed rhetoric and intimidation, smacked of those used by the Chinese government. The student said it was not uncommon for Beijing to withhold funding for certain political research, much like Trump has threatened Harvard University, or use other methods of repression.

In China, were all Chinese, so they cannot revoke our citizenship, but they can revoke the student record, he said. That happens when it comes to people involved in political activities.

I think theyre just using the CCP to evoke a Red Scare. They dont really care about ideals, the economics student said, referring to the historical periods of fear in the U.S. around the potential rise of communism and socialism. We just keep joking that it seems like Trump is learning from the Xi Jinping playbook.

The Ph.D. student said that at this point, he and his peers are considering either moving back to China or going to another Asian country  a plan that he said was not in the books before.

He said that before coming to America, he envisioned a country that was welcoming of diversity and inclusive of all backgrounds and a place he would put down roots. His thoughts on the U.S. have evolved drastically.

My family and my best friends, they had a phone call with me to say, Hey, I think maybe you should come back. We think that theres no reason for you to stay in the U.S., he said.

Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the nonprofit Asian American Scholar Forum, said the new policy would only serve to harm the U.S. and its own research ambitions.

We know that many of our best and brightest talents are prominent scientists that have gone on to develop so many innovations that have changed the daily lives of so many Americans, she said. They started out as international students. They walked these campuses.

She also noted that its likely policymakers are guided by misconceptions around Chinese nationals. While theres been a longstanding belief that Chinese international students would take intelligence back to China, research shows that most hope to start their lives in America. From 2005 to 2015, 87% of Chinese Ph.D. students said that they intended to stay in the U.S. A separate survey of more than 1,300 Chinese American researchers found that 89% aimed to help advance U.S. leadership in science and technology.

As disappointing as the Rubio announcement was, Kusakawa underscored that it isnt necessarily surprising. In March, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals looking to study at U.S. universities or take part in exchange programs.

In many ways, there was already this existing fear that this could potentially become a reality, Kusakawa said. But perhaps what is surprising is the speed in which its happening.

So far, the announcement has drawn mass criticism from many high-profile Chinese American lawmakers and leaders, including Gary Locke, a former U.S. ambassador to China and the chair of the Chinese American nonprofit Committee of 100, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

The wholesale revocation of student visas based on national origin  and without an investigation  is xenophobic and wrong, the lawmakers said on social media. Turning these students away  many of whom simply wish to learn in a free and democratic society  is not just shortsighted but a betrayal of our values.
AP Photo/Dan Anderson Savannah Chrisley







Savannah Chrisley picked up her father Todd Chrisley from the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida on Wednesday, May 29

President Donald Trump granted Todd and wife Julie Chrisley pardons, which allowed for their early release

The reality TV couple were serving a combined 19 years in prison after being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud, but served just over 2 years each







Savannah Chrisley is thankful President Donald Trump made good on his promise to pardon her parents.

On Wednesday, May 28, the 27-year-old spoke with a group of reporters outside the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Florida as she waited to pick up her father Todd Chrisley for his early release.

Honestly, this process has been absolutely insane, she said in a video obtained by TMZ.

AP Photo/Dan Anderson Savannah Chrisley, Federal Prison Camp, Wednesday, May 28, 2025

The Chrisley Knows Best star wore all pink for the occasion, including a Make America Great Again top and matching trucker hat with Trumps name on both.

I am just so grateful that I am gonna leave here with my dad, she continued, confirming that she and her brother Grayson Chrisley, 19, split up so he could pick up their mother, Julie Chrisley, from a separate prison in Kentucky.

Savannah then explained how Trump, 78, signed the pardons at around 3 p.m. that day, and she and her siblings were already set to be with their parents just hours later.

They have truly just shown up and have looked at this case with a fine-tooth comb, and theyve seen the corruption, she said of Trump and those who helped make the pardon possible.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Donald Trump

Todd, 56, and his wife Julie, 52, were serving a combined 19 years in prison after being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud. The reality television couple reported to prison in January 2023.

On Tuesday, May 27, Savannah revealed that Trump personally called her to inform her of the pardons.

"Both my parents are coming home," she said in an Instagram video. "I could not be more grateful."

"The President called me personally as I was walking into Sam's Club and notified me that he was signing pardon paperwork for both of my parents. So, both my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow. I still don't believe it's real. I'm freaking out, she continued.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Savannah said shed been waiting at the prison to pick up her father since 2 a.m. last night.

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Chrisley family

Im just a daughter who wants to take my dad home with me, she said.

When asked how her parents reacted to the news, she said, They didnt believe it. It just came out of nowhere.

I was just in such shock and in such awe that the president himself called me and took the time to let me know that my family was coming back together, she continued.

It was absolutely amazing. It truly was just a human-to-human interaction. Yes, he is our president, but hes also a person with a heart who loves people. Over the past 24 hours, Ive gotten so much love and so much hate, and Ive had people say, Hmm, I wonder what she had to do to get this pardon. I didnt have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and my convictions and fight for my parents and fight for what was right.

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.

She said Trump has given people hope in our future, and not just for those who are wealthy or who have campaigned for him, but for all.

He is truly giving everyone a chance at a better life, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

After confirming the Chrisleys would be returning to reality TV, Savannah said, Its all God and President Trump.



Read the original article on People






Todd Chrisley has been seen for the first time since leaving prison in a video posted by his daughter Savannah Chrisley on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, May 28

Savannah picked up her dad from FPC Pensacola in Florida, while her brother Grayson Chrisley retrieved their mom Julie Chrisley from FMC Lexington in Kentucky following their full pardon from President Donald Trump after their imprisonment for tax evasion and bank fraud

Todd showed off his new physique in the clip as he headed home from prison, with Savannah noting that her father is now "jacked"







Todd Chrisley is showing off his new physique after being released from prison.

Todd, 56, was seen for the first time since his prison release on Wednesday, May 28, in a video posted by his daughter Savannah Chrisley on her Instagram Stories. He and wife Julie Chrisley received a full pardon from President Donald Trump just one day prior.

In the clip, Savannah, 27, could be seen filming her father in the rear seat of a car as they headed home from picking him up from prison in Florida.

"What are you trying to get me to do?" Savannah asked her dad as she kept his face out of shot on the camera.



"Feel that muscle," Todd replied as he held out his arm. Savannah then touched her father's bicep and responded, "Oh yeah, feel the muscle! I'm not gonna lie, it's hard."

"Todd is jacked," Todd added as Savannah then panned the camera to the driver's seat, where her best friend and hair stylist Tyler Bishop could be seen at the wheel.

"@toddchrisley is JACKED," she captioned the video.

Savannah Chrisley/Instagram Savannah Chrisley's Instagram Stories post of her father

In a previous post on her Instagram Stories, Savannah filmed herself in the back of the car and told the camera, "We're getting home. As I puke all the way," while holding a white plastic bag and wearing a pink "Make America Great Again" hat.

She then laughed and added, "I've got Todd over here being dramatic," as someone in the background laughed.

Todd could then be heard saying, "I can smell it ... I didn't have to deal with this in prison," as they both laughed.

"Todd is no help," wrote Savannah across the post. "Help..."

PEOPLE previously reported how Savannah and her brother Grayson Chrisley were splitting the pick-up of their parents from prison.

A source told PEOPLE on May 28 that while Savannah was picking Todd up from FPC Pensacola in Florida, Grayson, 19, was retrieving Julie from FMC Lexington in Kentucky.

Savannah Chrisley/Instagram Savannah Chrisley in the back of the car

Todd and Julie were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022, after first being indicted in 2019. They reported to prison in January 2023 to serve a combined 19 years behind bars, but later saw their sentences reduced.

President Donald Trump announced on May 27 that he had granted the reality stars full pardons.

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty (L-R) Chase Chrisley, Grayson Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Chloe Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley and Faye Chrisley

Speaking with the couple's children via a phone call, Trump, 78, said he'd heard Todd and Julie were "terrific people" who were "given a pretty harsh treatment, based on what I'm hearing."

"It's a terrible thing, but it's a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean," the president said, adding that he hoped they'd be released "by tomorrow."

Trump added, "I don't know them, but give them my regards and wish them good luck."

In an Instagram Live on May 27, Savannah  who had been advocating for her parents' release  reacted to the news of their presidential pardon by saying she was "speechless" and "freaking out."

"I will forever be grateful for President Trump, his administration and everyone along the way  all of my lawyers, the people who put in countless hours and effort and love for my family to make sure my parents get home," Savannah continued. "I am eternally grateful."

Vivian Zink/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty (L-R) Julie Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley and Todd Chrisley

The 27-year-old also issued a statement, saying, in part, "For the past two and a half years, I've done everything in my power to fight for my parents' freedom and bring them home. This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family."



"Today is a victory for our family, but the fight against wrongful convictions and injustice within our prison system is far from over. I will continue to use my voice and platform to advocate for those who do not have one," she continued. "Family is everything to me, and I will never stop fighting for what is right."

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.

"This process has been absolutely insane and I'm just so grateful that I'm gonna leave here with my dad," Savannah told reporters, including TMZ, on May 28 before her father's release. "I got here at 2 a.m. last night and I have not gone to sleep ... I'm just a daughter who wants to take her dad home with me."



The Chrisley family rose to fame on their USA Network docuseries Chrisley Knows Best, which aired for 10 seasons between 2014 and 2023. PEOPLE exclusively confirmed earlier this month the family would return to TV with a new docuseries for Lifetime.

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WASHINGTON  A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from collecting tariffs from a pair of Illinois toy importers, the second court in two days to nullify President Donald Trumps top strategy for trade deals.

U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered the administration May 29 not to collect tariffs from Learning Resources and hand2mind based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, while the case is litigated. He paused the impact of his ruling to give the government two weeks to appeal his decision.

The ruling came a day after the Court of International Trade overturned Trumps tariffs imposed April 2 on numerous countries. Contreras and the three-judge panel ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) didnt grant Trump the authority to impose tariffs as he claimed.

The statute "does not authorize the President to impose the tariffs," Contreras wrote in his two-page order.

Learning Resources and hand2mind employ 500 people in Vernon Hills, Illinois; Torrance, California; and Amherst, New York. The companies import toys such as Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog, Peekaboo Learning Farm and Kanoodle from countries including China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and India.

The toy companies say they survived COVID-19 but that the tariffs could kill them. They argued that Congress never authorized the president to impose huge tariffs on his own.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025.

That crushing burden is felt most immediately and acutely by this countrys small and mid-size businesses, including Plaintiffs, the lawsuit said.

But government lawyers argued the IEEPA statute granted the president authority to "regulate importation," including by setting tariffs.

Brett Shumate, a Justice Department lawyer, told Contreras during a hearing May 27 he should transfer the case to the Court of International Trade because of the expertise of those judges.

If the court were to conclude otherwise, granting an injunction would kneecap the president on the world stage, cripple his ability to negotiate trade deals and imperil the governments ability to respond to future national emergencies, Shumate said. Granting any form of relief against the president under IEEPA tariffs would be catastrophic for our national security and foreign policy.

A three-judge panel of the Court of International Trade overturned Trump's tariffs May 28. Government lawyers said they would appeal.

(This is a developing story. Check back for details.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second federal court blocks Trump tariffs - for Illinois toy importers
Elon Musk - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A group of Tesla investors is urging Elon Musk to commit at least 40 hours a week to running the electric vehicle company, arguing his undivided attention is needed to repair Teslas faltering sales and stock price volatility.

Mr. Musks outside endeavors appear to have diverted his time and attention from actively managing Teslas operations, as any other chief executive officer of a publicly traded company would be expected to do, said a letter obtained by CNN Wednesday from the group of shareholders, who collectivley hold approximately 7.9 million shares of Tesla. Tesla currently has over 3 billion shares outstanding, so their stake makes up around just 0.2% of the companys publicly traded stock.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The current crisis at Tesla puts into sharp focus the long-term problems at the company stemming from the CEOs absence, which is amplified by a Board that appears largely uninterested and unwilling to act in the best interest of all Tesla shareholders by demanding Mr. Musks full-time attention on Tesla, the letter continued.

Ever since Musk took the role of Tesla CEO in 2008, he has served as the very public face of the company. When Tesla faced troubles in the past, Musk told the press that he often slept on the companys factory floor and worked at all hours of the night to ensure the companys success.

But these days, Musk has a very full plate. Musk runs or plays a leadership role in several other companies, including SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), xAI and his brain chip company, Neuralink. And ever since President Donald Trumps inauguration in January, Musk has been part of the Department of Government Efficiency (also known as DOGE), which was tasked by Trump to modernize and find cost savings in the federal government.

In the meantime, Tesla has struggled. Its sales are dwindling, profits are falling and the companys stock (TSLA) has experienced wild swings this year. In addition, as Musks political profile has grown, the companys brand has taken a hit.

Though Musk recently signaled that he would retreat from politics and would return to spending 24/7 at work, the letter suggested that more concrete reforms are needed to reverse Teslas troubles.

The letter to Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm, which was signed by a coalition of institutional investors, including pension funds, unions and both the Illinois and Oregon State Treasurers, called for the board to address Musks divided focus by tying his pay to a full-time commitment of at least 40 hours per week at Tesla.

The board must ensure that Tesla is not treated as just one among many competing obligations, the letter read. Tesla deserves a CEO whose time and attention align with the scale of the responsibilities at hand.

The letter also urged the board to disclose a clear CEO succession plan.

We believe the companys current disclosure regarding the CEO succession plan does not assure investors that the Board is adequately prepared, if necessary, to bring on a new individual with the appropriate skillset to execute Teslas business plans, the letter said.

The letter also urged Denholm to add a truly independent board member to Teslas board  one without personal ties to Musk or other current Tesla board members.

We believe the ongoing issues related to the companys performance and the reputational damage to Teslas once strong brand warrant further board refreshment by rotating at least one director off and appointing a new, truly independent director who can provide a fresh perspective, the letter read.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Texas Comptroller

(The Center Square)  A key legislative priority of Gov. Greg Abbotts  bail reform  failed in the Texas House after passing in the Texas Senate with bipartisan support. In previous legislative sessions, similar measures passed the Senate but failed in the House.

The governor has yet to announce if hell call a special session to address the issue.

On the last day of the legislative session for the House to pass Senate bills, roughly 40 Democrats blocked two joint resolutions that would have created constitutional amendments to be added to the November ballot for voters to decide on the issue.

One hundred votes are needed to pass a constitutional amendment resolution in the House.

Senate Joint Resolution 1, filed by state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, would require bail to be denied pending trial to an illegal alien if a judge or magistrate determines after a hearing that probable cause exists to believe that the person engaged in the conduct constituting the applicable offense.

Applicable offenses include murder; capital murder; aggravated kidnapping; human trafficking; sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse of a child or disabled individual; indecency with a child; possession or promotion of child pornography; aggravated robbery; burglary (if a first degree felony), weapons related charges; third degree felony election fraud; felony drug charges; among others, according to the resolution analysis.

Illegal alien is defined as an alien who entered the United States without inspection or at any time or any place other than as designated by the U.S. attorney general; who was admitted as a nonimmigrant and failed to maintain the nonimmigrant status under which the alien was admitted or to which it was changed under applicable federal immigration law or to comply with the conditions of the alien's status; and did not attain and maintain lawful presence in the United States before the date of the commission of the offense.

After two recorded votes on Wednesday, only 87 Republicans supported the measure.

Thirty-nine Democrats voted against it: Bhojani; Bowers; Bryant; Bucy; Campos; Canales; Collier; Cortez; Davis, Y.; Flores; Garcia Hernandez; Garcia, J.; Gervin-Hawkins; Gonzalez, J.; Gonzalez, M.; Goodwin; Howard; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lalani; Lopez, R.; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Morales Shaw; Morales, C.; Morales, E.; Ordaz; Perez, V.; Reynolds; Rodriguez Ramos; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Thompson; Turner; Vo; Walle; Wu; Zwiener.

Four voted, present, not voting; 19 were absent and didnt vote.

Huffmans Senate Joint Resolution 87 also failed in the House. After two failed votes, a third vote was scheduled for reconsideration but never happened, according to the House record.

This resolution received more votes, with 10 Democrats joining all Republicans, to bring the total vote to 97 in favor, three votes shy of the 100 needed.

SJR 87 would require bail be denied to those charged with felonies who were previously convicted of and were released on bail for certain felony offenses at the time of the new offense. Applicable offenses include murder; capital murder; aggravated assault (if serious bodily injury) using a firearm, club, knife, or explosive weapon; aggravated kidnapping; aggravated robbery; aggravated sexual assault; indecency with a child; trafficking of persons and continuous trafficking of persons, according to the bill analysis.

For years, Huffman, a former prosecutor, has championed bail reform, seeking justice for residents in a city plagued by violent crime.

Last November, Harris County voters ousted some Democratic judges who released violent offenders onto the streets to allegedly commit more violent crimes, The Center Square reported. The practice is ongoing, with 248th District Court Judge Hilary Unger earlier this year releasing a capital murder suspect who allegedly ambushed and killed a sheriffs deputy, The Center Square reported.

Statewide, the problem is persistent. In 2024, of the more than 30,000 people charged with violent offenses, two-thirds received bail of under $50,000, paying roughly $5,000 if they used a surety, according to state data.

Forty Democrats voted against SJR 87: Allen; Bernal; Bryant; Bucy; Campos; Cole; Collier; Davis, A.; Davis, Y.; Flores; Gamez; Garcia, J.; Gervin-Hawkins; Gonzalez, J.; Gonzalez, M.; Goodwin; Guerra; Hernandez; Howard; Johnson; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Martinez Fischer; Meza; Moody; Morales, C.; Ordaz; Perez, V.; Reynolds; Rodriguez.

Eleven members were absent and didnt vote.

The legislature did pass a committee substitute to Huffmans Senate Joint Resolution 5, which requires bail to be denied if clear and convincing evidence is presented to show that bail is insufficient to reasonably prevent the person's willful nonappearance in court or ensure the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense. Applicable offenses include murder; capital murder; aggravated assault (causing serious bodily injury), using a firearm, club, knife, or explosive weapon; aggravated kidnapping; aggravated robbery; aggravated sexual assault; indecency with a child; trafficking of persons; or continuous trafficking of persons.

SJR 5 will be on the ballot in November as a proposed constitutional amendment.
President Donald Trump, right, listens as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House said Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism earlier this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Israel backed and supported the new proposal.

Hamas officials gave the Israeli-approved draft a cool response, but said they wanted to study the proposal more closely before giving a formal answer.

The Zionist response, in essence, means perpetuating the occupation and continuing the killing and famine, Bassem Naim, a top Hamas official, told The Associated Press. He said it does not respond to any of our peoples demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine.

Nonetheless, he said the group would study the proposal with all national responsibility.

Hamas had previously said it had agreed with Witkoff on a general framework of an agreement that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an influx of aid, and a transfer of power from the militant group to a politically independent committee of Palestinians.

Here's what's known about the emerging negotiations that aim to bring about an extended truce in the war in exchange for hostages that remain in captivity:

What do Israel and Hamas want?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. He has said Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected plans to resettle Gazas population, a move experts say would likely violate international law.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages  its only bargaining chip  in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. It has offered to give up power to a committee of politically independent Palestinians that could oversee reconstruction.

Hamas is still holding 58 hostages. Around a third are believed to be alive, though many fear they are in grave danger the longer the war goes on. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its airstrikes and ground operations after ending a ceasefire in March.

The dispute over whether there should be a temporary ceasefire to release more hostages  as Israel has called for  or a permanent one  as Hamas wants  has bedeviled talks brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar for more than a year and a half, and there's no indication it has been resolved.

What is the latest ceasefire proposal?

Witkoff has not publicized his latest proposal, but a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade  slightly eased in recent days  has pushed the population to the brink of famine.

Why is it so hard to end the war?

Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages. More than half the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.

Israel's ensuing military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly 2 million Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands living in squalid tent camps and unused schools.

Hamas has been vastly depleted militarily and lost nearly all of its top leaders in Gaza. It most likely fears that releasing all the hostages without securing a permanent ceasefire would allow Israel to launch an even more devastating campaign to ultimately destroy the group.

Israel fears that a lasting ceasefire and withdrawal now would leave Hamas with significant influence in Gaza, even if it surrenders formal power. With time, Hamas might be able to rebuild its military might and eventually launch more Oct. 7-style attacks.

Netanyahu also faces political constraints: His far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he ends the war too soon. That would leave him more vulnerable to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges and to investigations into the failures surrounding the Oct. 7 attack.

A broader resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears more distant than ever.

The Palestinians are weak and divided, and Israel's current government  the most nationalist and religious in its history  is opposed to Palestinian demands for a state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. AP writers Fatma Khaled in Cairo and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed reporting.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
President Donald Trump is betting that working-class Americans will take his side against Harvard. (David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

As President Donald Trumps war on Harvard University intensifies, he is shifting his message in a seeming bid for new allies  apart from punishing the institution, hes also promising to elevate the working class.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump proposed sending $3 billion in research funding cut from Harvard to trade schools across the country. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!! he wrote.

With that money, he told reporters at the White House on Wednesday, you can have the best trade schools anywhere in the world.

Its unclear how Trumps proposal would work, where the money would come from or how it would be distributed. The Trump administration didnt respond to questions.

But while the plan may be untenable, some education experts say pitting research at the worlds wealthiest university against support for low-cost trade schools is a savvy move.

Politically its incredibly effective, said Nat Malkus, deputy director of education policy at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank. He communicates in a very brief post on Truth Social where his favor lies, and it lies not with the, you know, elite cosmopolitans at Harvard but with everyday Americans.

Harvard has lost nearly $3 billion in research grants and contracts this year. (Mel Musto / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

Trump has blasted elite colleges for years as out-of-touch institutions that dont do enough to help students avoid debt, often singling out Harvard, even before the current conflict. More recently, the Trump administration has accused Harvard of failing to address antisemitism and issued a mandate for sweeping reforms in whom the university can admit and hire.

When Harvard refused the demands, the administration cut nearly $3 billion in research funding and attempted to end its ability to host international students.

This weeks push represents a new tactic: trying to build public support by implying that Harvard's success comes at a cost to working Americans.

Most of the federal governments cuts to Harvard have been to health research, such as studies on cancer and lung disease, which the university has defended as vital. Harvard didnt respond to a request for comment. In an NPR interview, Harvard President Alan Garber challenged Trumps approach.

The real question is how much value does the federal government get from its expenditures on research, he said. There is a lot of actual research demonstrating the returns to the American people have been enormous.

The Trump administration defended the cuts. American universities that are committed to their academic mission, protect students on campus, and follow all federal laws will have no problem accessing generous taxpayer support for their programs, Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Education Department, said in a statement.

Improving vocational education has been a priority in both Democratic and Republican administrations. Trump has spoken about it in tandem with his quest to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Last month, he signed an executive order directing federal agencies to coordinate a national strategy on career and technical education.

At her confirmation hearing, Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized the value of such schools. Our vocational and skilled-based training is not a default education; it can be front and center so that students who are inclined to go in that direction actually should be encouraged to do that, she said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has made boosting vocational education a priority. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images)

Jerome Grant, CEO of Universal Technical Institute Inc., one of the largest private chains of trade schools, said he has had meetings with Education Department officials about increasing support for vocational education, but not at the expense of other colleges. His concern is less about money, he said, than about helping teens and young adults see the benefits of trade school.

Were not in the fray with Harvard or anything  we dont have any beef with any four-year schools, Grant said. We just believe that for a lot of kids in America, four-year schools shouldnt be thought of as their only path after high school.

The idea that all students should strive for degrees from traditional four-year colleges has given way in recent years amid economic changes and mounting student debt, creating an ascendant bipartisan agreement that other education options should be supported, too.

Trade schools focus on preparing students for certification in specific professions without the general education courses or electives of traditional colleges. So they typically take less time to complete and are less expensive than four-year colleges. Some trade schools are housed at community colleges, largely funded by states and federal student aid.

But many trade schools are also considered for-profit colleges, a sector of higher education that has been scrutinized in the past for failing to deliver on its promises to students.

Education policy experts say the One Big Beautiful Bill that Trump urged House Republicans to pass could weaken regulations of the schools  and harm working students. As currently drafted, it would roll back regulations that hold career-training programs accountable if their students dont earn enough after they graduate and expand Pell Grant use to students at shorter-term and unaccredited education programs. It would also limit Pell Grant eligibility for part-time students, many of whom are working-class.

Neither the White House nor the Education Department responded to questions about the provisions.

Jason Altmire, president of Career Education Colleges and Universities, an association that represents private trade schools and for-profit colleges, said his organization welcomes the reforms in the House bill and Trumps suggestion of pumping more money into trade schools.

Altmire, a former Democratic House member from Pennsylvania, called the Truth Social post a continuation of a lot of good things President Trump has done and said about the schools he represents. (A former chief policy officer at Altmires group has been tapped to become the countrys top higher education official.)

He said that his sector of for-profit schools  whether they are vocational or degree-awarding  has been unfairly maligned based on a few extreme examples and that they represent a way forward for many people.

I dont view it as a zero sum, but I do view it as a changing of the narrative of whats the priority of this country when it comes to higher education, he said.

Carolyn Fast, director of higher education policy at the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, also supports vocational education and questions the need to pit it against schools like Harvard.

Its a false narrative to say the fact that were funding research at these colleges means were not funding opportunities for people to have good career education, she said. Both are good goals for us to have.
Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia  The U.S. is expanding its military presence in northern Australia as it looks to project power and provide a deterrence against the increasing threat of China in the Asia-Pacific. China's President Xi Jinping is thought to have ordered his armed forces to be ready to invade the island of Taiwan by 2027, if necessary, raising fears of a conflict that could draw in American forces.

In response to Beijing's expanding footprint in the region, the U.S. has seen Australia, a country located around two-and-a-half-thousand miles south of China, as a key strategic partner.

U.S. Marines participate in joint military drills in Australia. / Credit: CBS News

In 2012, the first deployment of roughly 200 U.S. Marines rotated through the country's Northern Territory. Now it's close to 2,500 each year. The U.S. military presence is now at its biggest since 1945 at the end of the Second World War.

CBS News gained access to a U.S. Marine Corps exercise, including Australian and Japanese allies in the rugged outback, as preparations against Chinese aggression ramps up.

The exercise involved Australian troops playing the role of enemy combatants who attack a platoon of U.S. Marines. The drill was conducted by more than 500 U.S. Marines and over 2,000 troops in total, across an area bigger than the state of Maryland.

"Knowing how one another works is of the utmost importance and being ready to respond is something critical," Major Nicholas Foust, the officer commanding the exercise with U.S. Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, told CBS News.

Military experts say a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is not inevitable and that China may want to avoid war, especially with the U.S. But China's armed forces are going through an unprecedented modernization  from aircraft carriers to hypersonic missiles.

While the key goal for the U.S. and its allies in the region is to deter any potential Chinese aggression, Brigadier Ben McLennan, commander of the Australian Defence Force's 3rd Brigade, told CBS News that they are preparing for the worst possible outcome.

"Every time you commit to an exercise like this, it is a rehearsal  and you treat it as your last opportunity to do so before war arrives," he said. "A rehearsal for a war the likes of which we haven't seen since the Second World War."

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United Airlines and JetBlue announced a new partnership Thursday that will allow passengers to earn and spend frequent flyer miles between the airlines. The arrangement, which the airlines are calling Blue Sky (no relation to the similarly named startup social media platform) will eventually allow each carrier's elite frequent flyers to receive reciprocal benefits and will bring with it other business perks for both companies.

The deal is still subject to regulatory review, but the airlines anticipate implementation of the partnership will begin this fall.

This collaboration with United is a bold step forward for the industry  one that brings together two customer-focused airlines to deliver more choices for travelers and value across our networks, Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, said in a statement. Uniteds global reach perfectly complements JetBlues East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling."

Here's what customers of both airlines need to know about how the partnership will work.

Earning miles on both airlines

According to a joint statement from United and JetBlue, passengers will be able to earn and spend miles in either loyalty program on most flights from either airline.

"Members of each airlines loyalty program will find similar benefits over time  as well as reciprocal revenue-based miles and points accrual and reciprocal miles and points redemption  when they use and earn miles or points on the partner airline," the statement said.

Frequent flyers will note that the earnings on the other airline are revenue-based and not distance-based.

United and JetBlue will also offer each others' flights for sale on their websites.

Calling all passengers: Sign up for USA TODAY's Travel newsletter.

Eventually United and JetBlue will have reciprocal benefits for elite frequent flyers. Although the exact start date for those perks has not yet been announced, here's what frequent flyers with status can expect across both airlines:

Priority treatment for check-in, boarding, security and baggage.

Access to preferred and extra leg room seats.

Free first checked bag.

Same-day changes and switches.

Planned reciprocal perks between United Airlines and JetBlue if their partnership is approved.

Other partnership plans

In addition to perks for flyers, the airlines have agreed to some cooperation on the business side as well. JetBlue will give United slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for up to seven daily round-trip flights starting in 2027.

United and JetBlue will also swap some flight timings at Newark Liberty International Airport, and United will move to JetBlue's Paisly platform for sales of some non-flight products including cruises, hotels, rental cars and travel insurance.

Blue Sky reflects our airlines shared focus on innovation and the customer experience, United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. Were always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule. Plus, our employees are really excited about Uniteds return to JFK for the longer-term and were all looking forward to starting up flights very soon.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about United Airlines and JetBlue's new partnership
A United Airlines plane takes off as a JetBlue plane lands at San Francisco International Airport. (Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images)

United Airlines has a new friend in Queens.

The airline is returning to New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport again, this time through a partnership with JetBlue Airways.

The partnership, called Blue Sky, will allow JetBlue customers to earn frequent-flyer miles on United and vice versa. It also includes reciprocal loyalty benefits like priority boarding and roomier seats for travelers with elite status.

Some aspects of the partnership, which the carriers announced Thursday, will begin as early as the fall, though the airlines didnt provide exact timing. They also did not provide financial details of the deal.

JetBlues leaders have long said they need a partnership to better compete against larger airlines like United and their shared rival Delta Air Lines.

The new partnership stops short of the flight coordination that JetBlue had in its former alliance in the Northeast with American Airlines, which was struck down by a federal court on antitrust grounds two years ago. Last year, a judge blocked JetBlues plan to buy struggling budget carrier Spirit.

This collaboration with United is a bold step forward for the industry  one that brings together two customer-focused airlines to deliver more choices for travelers and value across our networks, JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said in a news release.

United left JFK in 2015, and current CEO Scott Kirby has called that a mistake because moving transcontinental flights to Newark allowed American to win over some corporate clients. It briefly returned in 2021, thanks to a Covid-era lull in traffic at the airport, where capacity is normally tightly controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration.

United left JFK again in 2022 because it wasnt able to secure longer term slots there.

Kirby has repeatedly said he wants the airline to return to JFK. The carrier has struggled in recent weeks with air-traffic staffing shortages and congestion at its Newark hub.

Under the new agreement, United will be able to fly up to seven daily round-trip flights at congested Kennedy Airport, giving it more breadth in the New York City area, though the new operation will still be dwarfed by Uniteds main hub in the area at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Uniteds JFK flights will begin in 2027 at the earliest, the carriers said. JetBlue, meanwhile, will get eight flights at Newark. United didnt say which routes it plans to operate at JFK, though its last foray was for service to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

They airlines called the swap a net neutral exchange.
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According to a new report from auto industry experts, used cars are more expensive than they've been in years.

A May 22 report from Edmunds indicated that in the first quarter of 2025, the average transaction price for used cars 3 years old or less jumped above $30,000 for the first time since 2023. The price of lightly used vehicles closed in on the average sales price of brand-new cars, making it just $17,000 less expensive to buy used, rather than new. That is the narrowest difference between new and used car prices since 2022, Edmunds reported.

The report also indicates that the average age of vehicles traded in has grown from 7.3 years old to 7.6 years old in the span of a year.

Alex Tovstanovsky, owner of used-car dealer Prestige Motor Works, checks on depleted inventory with his general manager Ryan Caton after sales jumped in May following two down months because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Naperville, Illinois, U.S. May 28, 2020.

The shifts, which indicate a tougher market for potential buyers, may result from the aftereffects of the pandemic-era semiconductor chip supply shortage, coupled with tariff-related anxieties among buyers.

Chip shortage ripple effect

The leap in used car prices can be attributed in part to the semiconductor chip shortage from the COVID-19 pandemic, the report said. The supply shortage of new cars several years ago is resulting in a smaller inventory of used cars now.

Leasing dropped sharply in 2022 and 2023, meaning fewer 3-year-old used cars are returning to dealerships in 2025. As supply shrinks, price goes up.

Why used car prices are rising in 2025: What every buyer needs to know

Ivan Drury, the author of the report at Edmunds, told the Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the market conditions of 2022 and 2023 led to a natural shrinkage of lightly used cars in today's economy.

"Not only has it just outright reduced volume, but leasing penetration rates took a dump," Drury said. "They were like the lowest we had seen in 10 years. ... So, naturally, we are going to see a deficit in this vehicle type from the very get-go."

Used cars are shown for sale at a car lot in National City, California, U.S., June 15, 2022.

While the changes in the used car market may strain some buyers' wallets, the market may be advantageous for drivers who leased a new vehicle in the last three years. Dealers seeking to grow the amount of lightly used cars on their lot may be paying more as they return at the end of their leases.

The report notes: "3-year-old lease-return values are coming in higher than automakers originally forecasted  offering some drivers unexpected trade-in advantages."

A sign of what's to come?

While supply shortages of years past affect the supply of used cars now, experts at Edmunds predict the looming supply strain from President Donald Trump's tariff plans may create a similar stir in the market.

The report cites the early 2020s as a "historical precedent and a likely guide to the complications ahead," as Trump and automakers go back and forth on the future of automotive tariffs.

Drury added that the instability in the auto market now will affect future used car markets, much like what is happening with COVID-19-era vehicles.

"The (domestic) automakers have killed off the sedans that were affordable," says Ivan Drury, Edmunds director of insights.

"We're repeating this cycle over and over," Drury said.

In his report, Drury predicts that there may be a larger range of resale values, as already-imported foreign models are expected to be met with higher demand than their brand-new counterparts and pre-owned American-made vehicles. If tariffs tighten new vehicle inventory, "spillover demand could once again inflate values of used vehicles, particularly for near-new models," Edmunds said.

American cars most expensive on average

If the used car market is too volatile, skirting tariffs with an American-assembled new car may not assuage any concerns, either.

A separate report from Cars.com indicates that American-made vehicles are more expensive than imported vehicles. Through the first quarter of 2025, Cars.com reported that cars assembled in the United States had the highest average price point at $53,000, making them more expensive than the overall average price of a new car at $49,000.

According to Drury, the reason for steeper prices among American-assembled cars is that the larger, more expensive cars in the American market are assembled here.

"It's the vehicle types that bring up that average," Drury said, noting that larger, more expensive vehicles like trucks and SUVs are manufactured in the United States.

With prices shifting upward, the best time to buy a car has already passed, Drury said:

"I'd say that was yesterday."

Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Used car prices hit record highs in 2025: What buyers need to know
There's currently no love lost between Brooklyn Beckham, 26, and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, a source close to the Peltz family tells PEOPLE, just days after Brooklyn posted a cryptic message on Instagram stating that he'd "always choose" his wife.

The source claims tensions between the couple finally came to a head after Victoria, 51, allegedly hijacked a dance at Brooklyn's 2022 Palm Beach wedding to actress Nicola Peltz, 30  even though the couple had been planning on dancing to the song together.

"Marc Anthony, who is a friend of the Beckhams, offered to perform as a gift at the wedding," the source explains. "Before the song began, Marc Anthony asked Brooklyn to come to the stage, and then announced, 'The most beautiful woman in the room tonight, come on up , , , Victoria Beckham!'"

The source claims that the new bride allegedly "felt that Victoria ruined her wedding, and couldn't understand why."

Reps for Victoria and David Beckham and Anthony did not return PEOPLE's request for comment.

A second insider adds that the entire room was so shocked that Anthony called Victoria's name over Nicola's that a complete silence followed.

"It was such a jaw-dropping moment that it left the whole room in absolute shock  you could hear a pin drop," the second source adds.

Darren Gerrish/WireImage David and Victoria with their family at Victoria's spring/summer 2023 runway show in Paris, France on September 20, 2022.

Guests were allegedly even more surprised when Victoria began slow dancing with her son.

"It wasn't appropriate," the source says of the alleged moment, adding that everyone then saw "Nicola run from the room crying."

"Nicola felt like Victoria did this on purpose, when she knew it was a pre-planned romantic dance meant for Brooklyn and Nicola. What she couldn't understand was why."

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz; Victoria Beckham and David Beckham

But a source who attended the wedding says the evening played out differently. For starters, says the guest, Nicola and Brooklyn had their formal first dance early in the evening and she also had the traditional first dance with her father. At the time, the Daily Mail reported the couple had their first dance to "Only Fools Rush In," made famous by Elvis Presley and performed by a live singer at the reception. Their second dance, the outlet reported, was to the Ben E. King classic "Stand By Me."

The source who attended the wedding says Marc Anthonys performance came much later in the evening: Later on, when everyone was casual, Marc Anthony performed and got people dancing. Brooklyn and Victoria danced, David and Harper danced, and everyone had a great time.

Another insider familiar with the matter says the wedding tension has been part of a pattern of an ongoing rift, claiming that Brooklyn and Nicola have been trying their best to remain on friendly terms with the duo.

Theyve tried to make peace, but every time they finally have a happy moment, it all falls apart again," the insider says.

The insider adds, Brooklyn feels torn. Its his family and blood, but hes always had a complicated relationship with his dad. A lot of their relationship has felt like business.

Karwai Tang/WireImage David Beckham and Victoria Beckham and their family attend the Netflix 'Beckham' UK Premiere at The Curzon Mayfair on October 03, 2023 in London.

Brooklyn and Nicola, who live in Los Angeles, were absent from David's early 50th birthday celebrations in March, but a source told PEOPLE that they were invited despite "tensions between Brooklyn and Nicola and the family."

"The relationship is definitely not beyond repair," an insider told PEOPLE in early May. "They love and are always there for [Brooklyn]. Theyre just hurt and disappointed that hes now playing no part in family life."

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in L.A. in 2022.

Peltz and Beckham have reportedly found support from Peltz's family. In 2024, the Bates Motel actress, who grew up in New York and Florida, talked to Byrdie about how close she was to her mom and dad and seven siblings.

Family is everything to me, and I mean that with my whole heart, she told the outlet. I go to Florida any chance I get, and we stay at my parents house. It honestly makes me so happy to wake up and have my siblings around. Its really hard to get us all in the same place because there are so many of us. When were all together, its so fun.



Read the original article on People
A Victoria's Secret store in New York City. (Angus Mordant / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

The lingerie company Victorias Secret has paused online orders while dealing with an apparent cyberattack.

Since at least Wednesday, Victoria's Secrets website has been replaced with a generic message and no links: Valued customer, we identified and are taking steps to address a security incident. We have taken down our website and some in store services as a precaution. Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations. We appreciate your patience during this process.

The companys physical stores remain open, it says.

A Victorias Secret spokesperson said it has hired third-party experts to deal with the problem but declined to answer questions about the specific nature of the cybersecurity issue and how long it might take to remedy. The perpetrators are unknown, but the incident comes two weeks after Google warned that an effective cybercriminal group  one that had significantly hampered British retail companies  had begun targeting major American brands.

The cyberattacks against British retailers, which began in late April, followed a consistent pattern. A group that Google said was most likely a loosely affiliated group of largely young, English-speaking young men  the cybersecurity industry refers to it as Scattered Spider  tricked people tied to the company into sharing access to sensitive company systems. Scattered Spider then appears to have given that access to a cybercriminal group, which calls itself DragonForce and makes money by extorting victims with sensitive data.

At least three British retailers appear to have been victims of that campaign: Marks & Spencer, which stopped taking online orders for weeks; the Co-op Group, which saw a major customer data breach; and Harrods, which appears to have sustained only minor outages.

Those attacks echo those in 2023 against two of the top Las Vegas casino companies, which caused MGM Resorts to suffer a litany of shutdowns, including some hotel keycards not opening guests rooms and some casino floors shutting down. In that case, cybersecurity researchers believed Scattered Spider gave access to a Russian-speaking cybercrime group.
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Most Americans have decided they're done getting vaccinated against COVID-19, but there are still reasons to consider it, and it remains an essential protection for some.

That's why some doctors and medical organizations are concerned about changes to the vaccine recommendations made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Under the changes Kennedy announced in a social media post May 27, in addition to those announced a week prior by his appointees, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems.

These changes, which bypassed the normal scientific review process, may make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce their short-term risk of infection.

Kennedy specifically changed the recommendations so pregnant women and healthy children aren't included, though it's not clear if that's just for booster shots or whether it would also include a baby's first COVID-19 vaccine.

Insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, so anyone who is healthy and under 65 is likely to have to pay out of pocket to get the shot  which runs about $200  if they can get it. It's not clear what insurance companies will do about the new recommendations.

Kennedy did not explain a reasoning behind the change, though he has complained in the past about the quality of studies used to justify previous recommendations.

Recent statement: RFK Jr.: 'I dont think people should be taking medical advice from me'

Limiting access in this way, several medical experts said, contradicts Kennedy's previous statements about how he'd handle vaccines. It also runs counter to the general practice of medicine, which supports people making medical decisions in collaboration with their doctor, they said.

"I think we can treat people respectfully and show them the information and let them make their own decisions," said Dr. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Georgetown University.

He and others said they're especially concerned that these policy changes are happening without supporting data or the typical scientific review by two panels of experts.

"We haven't been presented with one shred of information to show that this step is needed at this time," Goodman said. "If it is, fine, but present that publicly, use the advisory committees and let's have a transparent process."

Who still needs a vaccine?

The federal government has stopped tracking COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, but local data shows they are still happening in every age group, with two-thirds of hospitalizations in people 65 years and older.

Meanwhile, safety data on the vaccines continues to show that serious side effects are extremely rare, leading many specialists and expert organizations to conclude that it's still worthwhile to get the vaccine.

While the vaccine is most important for people in vulnerable groups, such as those over 65 and people with health conditions, a booster remains useful for everyone, even children, several experts and disease organizations told USA TODAY.

"What is clear is that pregnant women, infants and young children are at higher risk of hospitalization from COVID, and the safety of the COVID vaccine has been widely demonstrated," Dr. Sean OLeary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies in front of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies in Washington, D.C., on May 15, 2025.

Should children get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Healthy kids will no longer be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines, according to Kennedy's policy announcement.

Fewer than 5% of children received the COVID-19 vaccine between the fall of 2023 and the fall of 2024, data shows. Yet COVID-19 continues to lead to about as many hospitalizations in children as the flu, at about 100 hospitalizations for every 100,000 kids under 4.

On balance, the vaccine still provides a benefit, said Dr. Melissa Stockwell, division chief of child and adolescent health at Columbia University. "The point of a booster is to give protection against whatever the current circulating variant is and shorter-term protection against infection, but what we're really looking for is protection against severe outcomes," Stockwell said.

The COVID-19 vaccine has repeatedly been found to be safe in most children, though vaccines like medications can always have some rare risks. Most notably with the original COVID-19 vaccine schedule, adolescent boys and young men were at somewhat higher risk for a rare heart problem known as myocarditis that is also a risk of COVID infection itself. Stockwell said she and others haven't seen myocarditis since the early days of vaccination when the initial two doses were given relatively close together.

What remains unclear  and of much higher concern to pediatricians and infectious disease experts  is whether Kennedy's new policy covers all shots or just boosters. Children between 6 months and 2 years are at high risk for severe COVID-19 because they've not been exposed to it before, just as everyone was at higher risk when the virus was new.

And vaccination reduces the risk for long COVID, in which symptoms can linger for months or even years after a COVID-19 infection. Stockwell, who said her own children are vaccinated, cited research showing that vaccines reduce the risk of long COVID in children by 40%.

A new study in JAMA Pediatrics shows that children younger than two who had been infected with COVID were more likely to experience trouble sleeping, fussiness, poor appetite, a stuffy nose and cough, while preschoolers, age 3 to 5, who had been infected were more likely to have low energy, daytime tiredness and a dry cough than children who avoided infection.

The study found that roughly 1 in 7 previously infected children meet the criteria for long COVID.

"For parents who want their children to be vaccinated, we want them to have that opportunity," Stockwell said.

Is it risky to skip COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy?

The new policy removes the recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. This concerns a number of obstetricians, infectious disease specialists and pediatricians.

Pregnant women are at high risk for severe disease and studies show that the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth and pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, blood clots, heart and kidney damage and hypertension are much higher among women who develop COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Newborns are also at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Any respiratory infection is more dangerous in newborns than in others, because their airways are so small. Plus, they have never been exposed to COVID-19 before. Vaccinating during pregnancy protects newborns until they are old enough to get their own shot, Stockwell said.

The COVID-19 vaccine has also been shown to be extremely safe during pregnancy and far safer than a COVID-19 infection.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, which has expertise in high-risk pregnancy, issued a statement saying the society "strongly reaffirms its recommendation that pregnant patients receive the COVID-19 vaccine."

The COVID-19 vaccine, the society said, "is safe to be given at any point during pregnancy. Maternal immunization is also associated with improved infant outcomes and decreased complications, including maternal and infant hospitalizations. "

What's the process for changing vaccine recommendations?

Changes to the vaccine schedule are typically made after federal officials solicit recommendations from two panels of experts in infectious disease, pediatrics and other relevant specialties. The heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration then review the decisions of their respective panels and issue a joint recommendation.

Kennedy's decision breaks with this practice.

"It can be confusing to families, particularly when there's conflicting information about vaccination," Stockwell said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also raised concerns about Kennedy's disregard for the normal procedure of changing vaccine recommendations. In his brief comments on social media on May 27, he didn't mention consulting any doctors or panels.

"This decision bypasses a long-established, evidence-based process used to ensure vaccine safety and ignores the expertise of independent medical experts, including members of CDC committees who are examining the evidence regarding the vaccine to make recommendations for the fall," Dr. Sean OLeary, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.

"By removing the recommendation, the decision could strip families of choice. Those who want to vaccinate may no longer be able to, as the implications for insurance coverage remain unclear," he said.

In the wake of Kennedy's statement, the Infectious Disease Society of America urged insurers to continue to cover the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone, including the groups Kennedy said the government would no longer recommend get the shot.

"IDSA strongly urges insurers to maintain coverage for COVID-19 vaccines so that all Americans can make the best decisions to protect themselves and their families against severe illness, hospitalization and death," society president Dr. Tina Tan said in a statement. "IDSA also urges Congress to conduct meaningful and necessary oversight to ensure appropriate decision-making processes at the Department of Health and Human Services, which will impact people of all ages."

Isn't this what RFK Jr. said he'd do?

Months ago, in the lead up to his confirmation, Kennedy told at least one senator that he would follow CDC guidance and the advisory committees' recommendations about vaccines.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and physician, said Kennedy assured him he would adhere to expert guidance on vaccinations.

He spoke from the floor of the Senate in support of Kennedy, explaining to his colleagues that Kennedy "has also committed that he would work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems and not establish parallel systems."

"If confirmed," Cassidy told them, "he will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes."

Contributed: Adrianna Rodriguez

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump admin's COVID vaccine rollbacks could mean high cost, less access
by Nirmala Carvalho

Despite legislation, abortion based on sex determination remains common. Dr Carvalho to AsiaNews: It transcends caste; prevalent even among the wealthy and educated. Former nurse arrested in Bavla: carried out illegal abortions in a guesthouse. Authorities report links with hospitals and ultrasound centres.

Delhi (AsiaNews)  Despite legislative efforts, female foeticide remains tragically widespread in India. This was highlighted by a recent operation conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the rural police in Ahmedabad, which uncovered a criminal network performing illegal abortions at a guesthouse in Bavla, in Ahmedabad district. Acting on specific intelligence, law enforcement officers, accompanied by local health department officials, raided the premises and arrested 40-year-old Hemlata Darji, a former nurse accused of running the illicit operation. Police stated that Darji, who had worked for over a decade in private hospitals in Bavla and Dholka, lacked valid medical qualifications. She was reportedly performing abortions using her prior professional experience.

According to police sources, Darji and an assistant were caught red-handed during the raid. She was preparing to carry out an abortion on a woman who had arrived at the guesthouse for the procedure. The man accompanying the client was also taken into custody. Investigators recovered substantial evidence indicating that Darji maintained connections with hospitals and local ultrasound centres to obtain information about the sex of unborn children. Preliminary findings suggest the operation specialised in terminating female pregnancies  in effect, carrying out targeted abortions.

The woman had identified the guesthouse as a suitable location for such operations, believing she could get away with it, said an officer involved in the investigation. Further enquiries revealed that Darji kept a detailed record of people seeking to abort female foetuses. Reportedly, she charged clients between 10,000 and 50,000 rupees (95475), depending on their financial means. Patients would stay at the guesthouse for one or two days, with procedures involving the administration of oral or injectable medication.

An official investigation has now been launched under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indias new penal code in effect from 2024) and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. Authorities have begun a thorough inquiry to determine the scale of Darjis network, examine her financial records, and identify ultrasound centres involved in illegal sex determination. Bavla police also stated that efforts are under way to track down others connected to the operation and establish whether abortions were carried out beyond the legally permitted gestational limit. The arrest of the former nurse Darji is being described as part of a district-level crackdown on illegal medical practices and crimes against female children.

Dr Pascoal Carvalho, a physician and former member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, told AsiaNews: Sex-selective abortion is a grave social and moral evil. It transcends all castes, classes, and communities, and is not uncommon even among the wealthy and educated in India. In a bid to combat this crime, the Indian government enacted the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act in 1994, which bans sex selection and regulates diagnostic techniques to prevent their misuse. Nonetheless, organised criminal networks continue to engage in the practice, as recent investigations demonstrate.

The latest advances in medical science, originally designed to detect foetal abnormalities, are being misused to determine the sex of the unborn child with the intention of aborting it. Dr Carvalho added: The Catholic Church strongly condemns the growing threat of female foeticide in Indian society. He described it as a form of structural violence against women, driven by rampant patriarchy: deeply ingrained gender bias lies at the heart of the abortion of female children.

India, now experiencing rapid economic growth and expected to become the worlds third-largest economy by 2028, must evaluate its true progress by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. A baby girls life is cut short before her first cry. Her voice is silenced in the womb, Dr Carvalho concluded.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Two months after the reopening of the border, both countries are still waiting for cross-border customers to return to their local markets in frontier areas. Mutual distrust and suspicion remain palpable, but both some traders and local authorities believe that the economy will soon take a turn for the better.

Dushanbe (AsiaNews)  Two months after the official reopening of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, local populations are waiting for the revival of the large frontier markets  a long-standing tradition that dates back to Soviet times. So far, at the Chorkukh market in the Tajik city of Isfara, Kyrgyz customers are nowhere to be seen, and a similar situation is reported on the other side of the border at the Kyrgyz market of Arka. These two locations, once bustling with activity and commercial exchange before conflict broke out between the two countries, now lie unusually quiet.

The daily Chorkukh bazaar was not just a place of trade  it was a meeting point for neighbours, a hub for exchanging opinions, news, and mutual support. All of this came to a halt during the border clashes of 2021 and 2022. For years, the disputed territories were the scene of dramatic conflicts, with dozens killed and injured on both sides. The border was closed, and relations between the two countries entered a prolonged state of hostility, even in the absence of active fighting. People who had lived side by side peacefully for decades, mingling freely across ethnic lines and shared interests, were abruptly separated, left with a sense of loss and confinement. Now, many recall those days with nostalgia, hoping to usher in a new era of friendship.

Tilobaton Kurbonoda, a merchant at Chorkukh, told Radio Ozodi about the days when he would welcome Kyrgyz customers every week. Even though the border is open now, people are still afraid to cross it, he said. Mavluda Kholikova, who works at the Khistevarz market, recalls her regular trips to Arka in Kyrgyzstan: Every day I used to weave jackets and coats, hop on a bus and go to sell them. People would welcome me with joy, and I never came back empty-handed. Residents of neighbouring towns  Borborduk in Kyrgyzstan and Khistevarz in Tajikistan  say they still feel an invisible barrier between them. Cross-border public transport has not been restored, border checkpoints remain strict, and the general atmosphere is still one of mutual distrust.

Another trader, Usmonboj Saidakhmadov, remains optimistic about the future: God willing, well start working together again, well overcome all these fears. We live so close to each other, and thats what matters most. A similar hope is shared by Abdukhakim Rakhimov of the Khistevarz market: We need to restore friendship and mutual understanding  life must go on.

Authorities also believe the local economy is on the brink of a rebound. Khokimbek Nakhatzoda, a senior official in the Tajik regional administration, stated that in the first four months of 2025 alone, trade turnover between the Sughd region and neighbouring areas of Kyrgyzstan reached 2.4 million US dollars  28.3 times more than during the same period last year, when cross-border trade was virtually non-existent. However, this growth has not yet been felt by local residents, as it mostly concerns wholesale operations, whereas retail trade still depends heavily on personal interaction, rather than on political and economic agreements.

Transport ministers from both countries are still in talks about restoring bus routes between Khujand and Osh, Khujand and Batken, Isfara and Batken, as well as reopening the Spitamen-Istiklol railway line  steps that could genuinely reopen the paths of friendship between Tajiks and Kyrgyz.
Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene has called for a vote of confidence in Parliament, after protesters accused him of promoting corruption and inequality. Instead, the PM blames instead mining oligarchs for the problems. Meanwhile, fears are growing that the powers of the countrys presidency might be enhanced ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ulaanbaatar (AsiaNews)  This morning, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene presented a motion of confidence to Parliament, which he had announced yesterday during a cabinet meeting.

The motion aims to accelerate the implementation of the main objectives of the 20242028 action plan, which includes setting up the Chinggis Khaan Sovereign Wealth Fund, 14 megaprojects, energy sector reforms, and a balanced regional development policy, Montsame, Mongolias national news agency, reported.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene said that he would resign if parliament did not back his coalition government in an open vote rather than a secret ballot.

This step comes amid growing political instability. For the past two weeks, protesters, mostly young people, have invaded the central square of the capital, Ulaanbaatar, accusing the government of corruption.

The protests were triggered by pictures on social media showing the prime minister's son, Temuulen, throwing lavish parties and offering luxury gifts to his girlfriend, reopening a debate over inequality and corruption in the Mongolian government.

In just a few days, a government crisis followed. The Mongolian People's Party (MPP), which holds 68 seats, pushed out the Democratic Party (DP)  which controls 42  from the coalition, accusing some of its members of backing the protests and betraying the coalition agreements.

The coalition also includes the HUN party, which has eight seats.

The DP has also been blamed for thwarting the governments plans by blocking parliamentary votes.

Oyun-Erdene became prime minister in 2021, in the wake of previous protests, and was reappointed in 2024, after promising to fight the oligarchy that controls mining and exports of rare minerals, which Mongolia is rich in.

His stated goal is to diversify the countrys economy  dependent on mining, which accounts for a quarter of gross domestic product  and boost foreign investment.

Oyun-Erdenes supporters point out that the prime minister brought stability to the country for the first time since the democratic transition in 1990, improving its credit rating and making important economic deals with international partners.

After an initial silence, the prime minister accused mining conglomerates of promoting and fuelling the protests, stressing that his sons social media posts were personal.

He added that Mongolias Anti-Corruption Agency is investigating the matter and has offered to resign voluntarily if the agency discovers any budget irregularities.

The protesters, on the other hand, are not only calling for Oyun-Erdene to resign and dissolve his government, but they are also demanding that the current constitution not be changed.

Many Mongolians fear that the incumbent president, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, a member of the ruling MPP and close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, wants to change the constitution so that he can run for a second term, an option unavailable in the existing constitution.

Rumours swirl in the country that Khurelsukh wants to curb the powers of parliament in favour of a presidential form of government, citing the examples of Russia and China, which are considered more stable thanks to a strong presidency.

Some analysts believe that the MPP, in view of the 2027 presidential elections, is splitting into two camps over this issue.
Feature: Mainland filmmaker chronicles veterans' journey home from Taiwan

Xinhua) 10:08, May 29, 2025

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- As the documentary "Returning Home" premiered in mainland theaters in early May, director Yang Zhengnong's decade-long odyssey -- chronicling the untold stories of mainland veterans in Taiwan -- has emerged as both a valuable historical archive and an emotional bridge across the Taiwan Strait.

The 90-minute film, inspired by Yang's encounters with elderly veterans at a Taipei nursing home in 2015, weaves together the stories of six soldiers who came to Taiwan with the Kuomintang in 1949 during the civil war, with their longing for home frozen in time by decades of standoff between the two sides of the Strait.

Three of the veterans featured in the documentary have since passed away.

"If no one documented their stories, these fragments of a precious memory binding the two sides of the Strait would vanish," said Yang, who was born and raised in central China's Hunan Province and later pursued postgraduate studies at the Taipei University of the Arts.

After arduous efforts to raise funds, Yang began working on the project in 2017. For nearly two years, he and his team traveled between nursing homes and veteran housing communities across Taiwan, where gradually fading personal memories began to unfold before the camera.

Among the more than 50 veterans interviewed, 90-year-old Gao Bing-han left a particularly deep impression on audiences. Gao left his hometown in east China's Shandong Province for Taiwan at the age of 13, carrying with him a photo of his mother that he held onto for decades. When he finally returned home in 1988, only to find his mother's grave, he brought back to Taiwan a blue cotton gown that had once belonged to her.

"I often brush my cheek with a sleeve of this gown, as though my mother were still with me," Gao says in the documentary. Since 1991, he has brought cremains of more than 100 brothers-in-arms to their families on the mainland. One such journey is captured in the film, ending with the veteran's daughter collapsing in tears after laying her father's ashes to rest beside her mother's grave.

The documentary is filled with touching snapshots like family letters yellowed with age, ancestral names recited in unchanged dialects during rituals, and childhood folk songs sung softly during traditional festivals.

"I want to answer the question. Why do the Chinese value homecoming so much?" Yang said.

To engage younger audiences, he used animation and other visual effects in the documentary's narrative, mixing them with traditional Chinese art forms such as Peking opera.

"I shared the documentary with my classmates in Taiwan. They were moved deeply and whispered that the veterans' stories shouldn't be forgotten," Yang said.

The project also took on a deeply personal meaning for Yang. The local girl who first introduced him to the veterans is now his wife, and her father was himself a veteran from southwest China's Guizhou Province. "Maybe it is my mission to record this part of the history," Yang said.

Beyond the documentary, Yang also hosts an online talk show where he invites artists from Taiwan to discuss cultural exchanges across the Strait.

"The documentary is not an endpoint but a catalyst," he said. "When we connect through music, art, or even cuisine, we are reminded that our cultural roots have never been severed."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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29 May 2025 16:54 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A surprise gesture by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sparked cautious optimism about the future of AzerbaijanFrance relations. On May 27, Aliyev pardoned French national Theo Clerc, who had been convicted of hooliganism for spray-painting graffiti on a Baku metro train in March 2024. He had then received a three-year sentence after the court's decision.

The signs of rapprochement, however, came shortly after a reportedly warm meeting between Presidents Aliyev and Emmanuel Macron at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania. While symbolic, the pardon raises a serious question:

Could this be the beginning of a real diplomatic reset between Baku and Paris? Or is it simply a tactical pause in a longer confrontation?

To better understand the depth of the current dynamic, Azernews spoke with two political analysts  one from Azerbaijan, and the other from the United Kingdom.

Tural Ismayilov, political scientist and Sector Director at the Center for Social Research in Baku, remained skeptical about the long-term prospects of normalization:

The reason for the tension between Azerbaijan and France has never been Azerbaijan. France has been one of Armenias biggest supporters, defending its occupation of Azerbaijani lands for 30 years, he said, referencing Frances role in the OSCE Minsk Group and its one-sided stance during and after the 44-day Patriotic War.

According to Ismayilov, France has repeatedly violated the principles of international law in its dealings with the South Caucasus, backing Armenia despite its occupation record and turning a blind eye to Azerbaijans sovereignty.

He acknowledged that Macron appeared interested in dialogue at the European Political Community summit, but cautioned:

There are serious problems in diplomatic relations. The level of tension is quite high, and it is very difficult for relations to be resolved in a short time. The latest statements by French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Yerevan show that irrational views still dominate parts of Frances political elite.

Until France significantly changes its approach to the region, Ismayilov doesnt expect to see positive and fundamental changes in bilateral relations.

Neil Watson, a British journalist and political analyst, struck a more optimistic tone  calling the pardon a potential turning point:

I think we are actually on the cusp of a breakthrough in the very frosty bilateral relationship between Azerbaijan and France, Watson said.

He explained that the deterioration in ties began around the time of the Second Garabagh War in 2020, when France strongly backed Armenia, motivated by its powerful Franco-Armenian diaspora and geopolitical ambitions in the South Caucasus. France had hoped to position Armenia as a regional outpost, but this strategy appears to be faltering.

Watson emphasized that France now realizes its involvement in postwar negotiations is neither welcomed nor needed:

The peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia have moved to a bilateral format. France is no longer relevant, and Armenia's own recent signals  including possible constitutional amendments  suggest it is preparing to sign a peace agreement without foreign mediation.

France is also recalibrating its broader regional strategy, Watson argued, acknowledging the growing importance of Azerbaijan in Europe's energy and transport corridors, especially amid the war in Ukraine and calls for greater EU strategic autonomy.

France wants a homogeneous and stable South Caucasus. And that means accepting Azerbaijan as the regions leading player. In this context, Macron likely views Aliyev not as an adversary, but as a potential strategic ally  even in the context of a future pan-European security framework, he said.

He added that President Aliyev has no incentive to remain in a public diplomatic standoff with one of the EUs leading states:

Azerbaijan is a tolerant, peace-seeking country, and President Aliyev doesnt need to prove his strength by keeping France as an enemy. Normalized relations would serve both countries long-term interests.
29 May 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Under the crisp blue skies of Azerbaijans liberated Lachin district, a potent symbol of military victory and geopolitical alliance unfolded as President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a strategically charged summit.

Timed to coincide with Azerbaijans Independence Day, the gathering was more than a ceremonial visit, it was a loud affirmation of solidarity among three Muslim-majority nations that have stood shoulder to shoulder during one of the most transformative periods in Azerbaijans modern history. It was also a showcase of post-conflict reconstruction, regional cooperation, and emerging geopolitical power balances in the South Caucasus.

The summit, hosted in Lachin, a district retaken by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Second Garabagh War, highlighted the support both Turkiye and Pakistan extended during Azerbaijans struggle to restore control over Garabagh and East Zangazur from decades of Armenian occupation.

This is a historic day not just for Azerbaijan but for all of us who believe in justice, sovereignty, and brotherhood, said President Ilham Aliyev during a joint address. The presence of my dear brother President Erdogan and my honorable brother Prime Minister Sharif in Lachin, on our Independence Day, is deeply symbolic. They stood with us during our fight for liberation. They are with us now as we rebuild.

In his turn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed this sentiment, calling Azerbaijan's triumph "a victory of resilience and unity." Standing before a backdrop of green hills and newly paved roads, he said, This is not just the land of Azerbaijan; it is the land of heroes. Pakistan was, is, and will always be proud to stand with its Azerbaijani brothers.

Moreover, President Erdogan, a long-time and vocal supporter of Azerbaijans territorial integrity, underscored the broader message of unity: Lachin is no longer a symbol of lossit is now a symbol of victory, brotherhood, and rebirth. Turkiye will continue to support the reconstruction efforts of Azerbaijan and to stand against any attempt to undermine its sovereignty.

The summit wasnt limited to speeches and symbolism. The three leaders toured construction sites, notably inspecting the ongoing development of the Kalbajar-Lachin highwayan arterial project of immense strategic significance.

The highway connects two major districts of Azerbaijans liberated territories and serves both civilian and military logistical needs. Its completion will enhance mobility, enable efficient delivery of services, and secure key transit routes that integrate the region into the national framework.

This road is more than a transportation project, said President Aliyev during the site visit. It is a lifeline for our people returning home, and a clear message that we are here to stay. We are rebuilding not only our infrastructure, but our presence, our legacy, and our future.

Erdogan referred to the road as the backbone of the regions new era, while Shehbaz Sharif lauded it as a miracle of determination in the face of adversity.

The visit culminated in a vibrant cultural program in Lachin, where the leaders attended a concert showcasing Azerbaijani and Turkish artists. Folk songs, traditional dances, and a military band echoed through the valley, turning the once-silenced hills into a stage for celebration.

The concert served not only as a cultural highlight but as a political statement, demonstrating that Azerbaijan is reasserting its cultural and national identity in the liberated territories through both physical and symbolic reconstruction.

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that culture, like infrastructure, is integral to the return of life to the region: We will not only rebuild our homes and roadswe will restore the soul of our homeland.

A Broader message to the world

The presence of President Erdogan and Prime Minister Sharif in Lachin sends a strong geopolitical signal. It reinforces a growing Ankara-Baku-Islamabad axis that blends strategic depth with cultural diplomacy. All three countries have increased defense cooperation, aligned on global Islamic causes, and pushed for greater economic interdependence.

The reconstruction of East Zangazur, including Lachin, is at the heart of Azerbaijans post-war vision. Roads like the Kalbajar-Lachin highway are not only logistical imperatives, they are symbolic rebuttals to past isolation and siege. Their inspection by President Aliyev and President Erdogan is testament to the central role infrastructure plays in solidifying sovereignty.

East Zangazur is no longer a zone of conflict, President Aliyev declared. It is the beating heart of a rising, resilient Azerbaijan.

While no formal treaty was signed, officials hinted at the deepening institutional framework among the three states, possibly through a new trilateral coordination council. Observers noted the seamless chemistry among the leaders and the near-unanimity in their remarks on key global and regional issues.

As the sun set over Lachin, the message was unmistakable: alliances grounded in genuine solidarity can shape not just a nations recovery, but an entire regions future.
29 May 2025 13:45 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

As Azerbaijan celebrates its Independence Day, the warm and respectful message from the President of the United States stands as a testament to the growing friendship and mutual understanding between Baku and Washington. The letter, sent on behalf of the American people, goes beyond formalitiesit highlights key pillars of the US-Azerbaijan relationship and reaffirms the shared vision for peace, cooperation, and regional stability.

First and foremost, the US Presidents message recognises Azerbaijan as a crucial partner in key global challenges. The words we value our relationship and appreciate your partnership with the United States carry special weight. They reflect an appreciation of Azerbaijans constructive role in global affairs, especially in areas of counterterrorism, energy security, and regional diplomacy. In a time of shifting alliances and global uncertainty, Washingtons clear and positive tone toward Azerbaijan offers reassurance and confidence in the resilience of this bilateral relationship.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the message is the emphasis on energy cooperation. For over three decades, Azerbaijan has played a vital role in ensuring the diversification of Europes energy sources. Through landmark projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor, Azerbaijan has contributed not only to regional development but also to the strategic energy independence of Western partners. The US presidents acknowledgement of this partnership reaffirms the importance of Azerbaijans energy sector and hints at further collaboration in the evolving global energy landscape, including potential cooperation in renewables and green technologies.

The message also touches upon the sensitive yet hopeful issue of peace in the South Caucasus. By stating, The United States continues to support a lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the letter expresses a principled stance rooted in hope and reconciliation. The call for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the reference to a new era of prosperity underscore Washingtons belief in dialogue, mutual respect, and the long-term benefits of regional harmony. Importantly, this reflects the increasing international recognition of Azerbaijans efforts to stabilise and rebuild the post-conflict region, especially its investment in infrastructure and humanitarian initiatives aimed at reintegration and development.

Beyond politics and economics, the US presidents message carries a strong human dimension. The direct address to the people of Azerbaijan and the well-wishes extended to them highlight the people-to-people connection that serves as the foundation of any lasting international partnership. It reminds us that diplomacy is not only conducted between governments but also between societies, cultures, and citizens.

Equally noteworthy is the forward-looking nature of the letter. By expressing hopes for a deeper partnership in the years and decades to come, the United States signals its long-term commitment to building an even more robust and dynamic relationship with Azerbaijan. This is an open invitation for collaboration across new areasbe it education, technology, cultural exchange, or regional connectivity.

In an increasingly fragmented world, messages like this serve a higher purpose. They reinforce the idea that cooperation, respect, and mutual benefit remain not only possible but essential. Azerbaijans geostrategic location, its dedication to stability, and its willingness to engage in constructive diplomacy are clearly valued by one of the worlds leading powers.

As we mark this years Independence Day, the message from the US President is not merely ceremonialit is symbolic of a friendship that has matured over thirty years and holds great promise for the future. It is a message that every Azerbaijani can take pride in and one that speaks to a shared vision of peace, progress, and partnership.
29 May 2025 12:03 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al-Ghais is set to visit Azerbaijan in early June to participate in Baku Energy Week, one of the region's most prominent energy gatherings.

Azernews reports that, he will take part in the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Forum, a flagship event that brings together global leaders in energy and policy.

The forum, scheduled for June 34 at the eco-designed Baku Congress Center, will serve as a strategic platform for high-level discussions on the future of global energy. It marks a significant milestone in the history of the event, which has played a pivotal role over three decades in shaping energy cooperation across the region.

A host of high-ranking international officials are also expected to attend the forum, including:

- Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkiye

- Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission

- Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Energy (Electricity Division), Pakistan

- Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Energy (Oil Division), Pakistan

- Sophie Westlake, Head of the International Energy Joint Unit at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry for Energy Security and Net Zero

The Baku Energy Forum is a central component of Baku Energy Week, which also includes two other major events: the 30th Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and the 13th Caspian Power Exhibition focusing on energy and green technologies. While the exhibitions will be hosted at the Baku Expo Center, the forum itself will take place at the Baku Congress Center.

Since its launch, the Baku Energy Forum has become a cornerstone for international collaboration, facilitating the exchange of best practices and fostering agreements that have shaped not only Azerbaijans energy sector but also that of the wider Caspian and Eurasian region.
29 May 2025 15:03 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

This year, Baku Energy Week will host 267 companies from 39 countries.

Azernews reports that this was stated by Naila Aliyeva, project manager of Iteca Caspian, shared this information at a press conference dedicated to Baku Energy Week.

She listed the participating countries:

In addition to Azerbaijan, the exhibition will feature companies from Germany, the United States, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, China, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, India, Israel, Switzerland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Guinea-Bissau, Luxembourg, Hungary, Egypt, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and Japan. Germany will participate with a national pavilion.

The exhibition will also include stands from prominent publishing houses, magazines, newspapers, news agencies, and online media specializing in the oil and gas sector.

This year, 35% of the exhibitors are new companies. International interest in Azerbaijan's oil, gas, and energy sectors remains strong: approximately 70% of participants are foreign companies, with 30% local enterprises. This highlights the robust international cooperation alongside active local business involvement. Leading industry companies, many of which are regular exhibitors, occupy 40% of the exhibition area. Many also participate as sponsors, underscoring their commitment to the energy sectors development, Aliyeva noted.

The 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition will cover key sectors including oil and gas field development, transportation and production, telecommunications and IT, oil and gas processing, construction and installation works, innovative technologies, and more. The exhibition will also highlight innovations in artificial intelligence, decarbonization, drilling, and the production and storage of oil and non-oil products.

The 13th Caspian International Energy and Green Energy Exhibition Caspian Power will showcase innovations from international and local companies in energy and green energy development. Exhibits will include solar, wind, geothermal, and thermal energy, mechanical engineering, energy equipment, electric vehicles, energy-saving technologies, and new projects, Aliyeva emphasized.
29 May 2025 17:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Susanbar Aghamaliyeva

In an interview with the newspaper, member of the Nakhchivan parliament and associate professor at Nakhchivan State University, Khumar Mammadova, stated that the Momina Khatun Mausoleum, a witness to centuries past, stands as one of the most exquisite jewels of Eastern architecture and a consummate work of the Ajami architectural school, recognized globally as a remarkable example in the history of world architecture. Thanks to the profound care shown by National Leader Heydar Aliyev for historical monuments, as in all spheres, the Momina Khatun Mausoleum was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List in 1998.

She added that during his visit to Nakhchivan on October 14, 1999, the National Leader personally visited the mausoleum, highlighting its significant role in the history of the Atabey state and emphasizing its importance in the context of Azerbaijan's statehood. He set new tasks and objectives for historians to deepen research and preservation efforts. Today, the policy established by the Great Leader continues successfully under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. As in other fields, the allocation of funds for the restoration of our historical monumentspart of our national cultural wealthand the ongoing attention to their preservation reflect both loyalty to the Great Leader's vision and a deep commitment to our history and statehood.

Khumar Mammadova stated that on May 22, 2025, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed a decree titled "On Measures for the Restoration and Conservation of the Momina Khatun Mausoleum in Nakhchivan City as a Historical and Architectural Monument of Global Importance." This decree is highly valued as it ensures the protection, international promotion, and transmission of our rich historical and cultural heritage to future generations. To preserve the traditional architectural features of this historic monument during restoration, an initial sum of one million manat was allocated from the Presidential Reserve Fund of the 2025 state budget to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republicclear evidence of the state's care for our heritage.

She highlighted that the Momina Khatun Mausoleum is a perfect example reflecting the respect and reverence for women in our statehood history, as well as the promotion of our national and spiritual values. This historical monument was erected in 1186, in the western part of Nakhchivan, in honor of Momina Khatun, wife of Atabeg Shamsaddin Eldaniz and mother of Muhammad Jahan Pahlavan. By creating this monument, the architect Ajami Nakhchivani immortalized the spirit of the era. Inscribed on the mausoleum are the words: "We depart, the world remains; we die, our memory remains." The geometric and epigraphic stones adorning the mausoleum are laid with jeweler-like precision, and some sections feature green stones reminiscent of turquoisethe most treasured gemstone in the East.

Khumar Mammadova quoted Elbrus Isayev, Rector of Nakhchivan State University, Doctor of Philosophy in History, and Associate Professor, as saying the following about this cultural monument that embodies the full spectrum of history:

"The Momina Khatun Mausoleum sends us many messages and answers numerous questions. It is crucial material evidence in terms of history, statehood, cultural creation, and solving many issues faced by society today. This Turkish-Islamic monument from a thousand years ago is the seal of our land. The people who created such a great cultural legacy reflected the richness of the Nakhchivan cultural environment. Sometimes, it serves as a profound answer to certain Western institutions that lecture us on gender equality. The most magnificent monuments here bear the names of womenwomen esteemed and cherished in our culture. The glory and status of Nakhchivan women a thousand years ago, their role in statehood, and their contributions alongside their commanders and rulers in defending Nakhchivan and building our country, Azerbaijan, are undeniable."

The profound respect and honor shown to women throughout history is fully illustrated in the words of this historian.

All of this once again proves that the Momina Khatun Mausoleum is a national treasure of our people. It carries the spirit, will, and determination of Azerbaijani women and stands as a historical testament to the crucial position they have held in our statehood.
29 May 2025 17:47 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The opening events of the Islamic World's Capital of Culture 2025 have been held in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Azernews reports.

Representatives from more than 20 ICESCO member countries participated.

The Azerbaijani delegation, led by Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov, attended the opening ceremony.

In connection with Samarkand being declared the Islamic World's Capital of Culture, an international forum was held in the city under the theme "Spiritual Heritage and Cultural Expressions of the Islamic World: Calligraphy, Music, Poetry, and Solidarity."

The event was attended by Uzbekistan's Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov, ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik, President of the International Turkic Academy, Academician Shahin Mustafayev, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova, as well as officials, scholars, and media representatives from various countries.

Opening the forum, Ozodbek Nazarbekov stated that significant efforts are being made in Uzbekistan to thoroughly study, preserve, and develop Islamic knowledge and spiritual heritage.

ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik spoke about Samarkand's contributions to Islamic scholarship and cultural heritage, calling the declaration of Samarkand as the Islamic World's Capital of Culture a historic event and outlining future plans in this direction.

In his speech, Azerbaijan's Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov shared information about the efforts made in Azerbaijan to preserve cultural heritage.

He stressed that Samarkand holds a special place in Islamic history and has long been recognised as the homeland of great scholars, architects, and other artisans. Situated on the Silk Road, Samarkand became a hub where diverse cultures converged.

The Deputy Minister also emphasised that last year, the ancient Azerbaijani city of Shusha fulfilled the mission of being the Islamic World's Capital of Culture, during which various projects were implemented.

Speeches were also delivered by the President of the International Turkic Academy, Academician Shahin Mustafayev, the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova and others.

They highlighted the important role of the ancient city of Samarkand in the dissemination and promotion of Islamic heritage.

Following the forum, a series of colourful events were held as part of the opening program of the Capital Year. Guests visited Samarkand's historical and cultural sites.

Prior to Samarkand, the cities of Tashkent in 2007 and Bukhara in 2020 had carried out the mission of being the Islamic World's Capital of Culture.

In 2024, Shusha, Azerbaijan, was designated the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World.

This title was confirmed at the 12th Conference of the Culture Ministers of the Islamic World in Doha.

The declaration of Shusha as the Cultural Capital highlights the city's rich historical and cultural heritage, particularly its role in the development of Islamic culture.
29 May 2025 11:01 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Wyatt Toehlke, Senior Advisor for European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is set to visit Azerbaijan in early June.

Azernews reports, Toehlke will attend the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Forum, one of the regions most prominent energy events.

The forum will be held on June 34 at the Baku Congress Center, bringing together leading industry figures for high-level strategic discussions. As part of the broader Baku Energy Week, this years event marks a significant milestonecelebrating three decades of fostering international energy cooperation.

Since its inception, the Baku Energy Forum has become a vital platform for strengthening global partnerships, exchanging best practices, and facilitating key agreements that have shaped not only Azerbaijans energy landscape but the entire regions. It plays a critical role in uniting energy leaders, business executives, and government representatives to advance international collaboration in the sector.

Baku Energy Week comprises three prestigious events: the 30th Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, the 13th Caspian Power Exhibition on energy and green technologies, and the 30th Baku Energy Forum. While the exhibitions will take place at the Baku Expo Center, the forum will be hosted at the eco-friendly Baku Congress Center.
28 May 2025 17:41 (UTC+04:00)

Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear President Aliyev,

On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate you and the people of Azerbaijan on your Independence Day.

We value our relationship with the Republic of Azerbaijan and appreciate your partnership with the United States in combating terrorism, advancing energy security, and working towards peace with your neighbor. Our relationship has advanced significantly during our more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, and we look forward to continued collaboration on our bilateral priorities, including security cooperation, economic partnership, and energy development.

The United States continues to support a lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. A peaceful resolution of the conflict will ensure a more prosperous South Caucasus region and will lead to greater opportunities for cooperation with the United States. Now is the time to commit to peace and usher in a new era of prosperity for the people of the South Caucasus.

We look forward to a deeper partnership in the years and decades to come.

My best wishes to you and to the people of Azerbaijan."
28 May 2025 18:38 (UTC+04:00)

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency,

On the auspicious occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 28 May, the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa join me in conveying to Your Excellency, the Government and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan, our warmest greetings and sincere congratulations.

May I take this opportunity to express the wish for Your Excellency's good health and also reaffirm our desire to further enhance and consolidate the excellent bond of friendship that exists between our countries.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration."
29 May 2025 11:57 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Azerbaijani army did not open fire in the direction of Khaznavar settlement, the statement of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said, Azernews reports.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the information disseminated by the Armenian Defense Ministry about the Azerbaijani army units allegedly opening fire in the direction of Khaznavar settlement and damaging a residential building between 01:00 and 01:15 on May 29 is another disinformation and does not correspond to reality:

By disseminating such purposeful disinformation and false information, the opposing side is trying to form a false opinion in the international community and create a basis for its next provocations. We declare that units of the Azerbaijani army never open fire on civilians and civilian objects, the statement reads.
28 May 2025 21:13 (UTC+04:00)

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency,

I extend my greetings on the occasion of Independence Day.

National celebrations also offer moments to reflect on shared global challenges. The international community faces a growing list of tests that require multilateral solutions  from the climate crisis, to conflicts, to rising inequalities.

That is precisely the spirit of the Pact for the Future. Adopted last year by the United Nations General Assembly, this landmark measure is rooted in the imperative to strengthen multilateralism and advance peace, sustainable development and human rights for all.

Once again, I am pleased to convey my best wishes to the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on this special day.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration."
29 May 2025 15:21 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Zangezur corridor represents more than a land link between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivanit also forms a vital new route of integration connecting the Turkic world via Turkiye, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during remarks to journalists on his return flight from Azerbaijan, Azernews reports citing TRT Haber.

Erdogan underlined the strategic importance of the corridor for the broader region.

According to the Turkish president, the opening of the Zangezur passage in the near future will "strengthen the transport and energy infrastructure of the Caucasus."

We expect our neighbor Iran to support these steps that will serve peace, security and development in our region, Erdogan stated. We want everyone to benefit from this environment. Every step taken, every door and corridor opened will bring economic benefits and bring the countries closer together over time.

He also emphasized Turkiyes strong support for Azerbaijans reconstruction and development efforts in the territories liberated after the 2020 war.

Turkiye has been attaching great importance to preventing the suffering that has been going on for years and establishing stability, peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, Erdogan said.

Commenting on ongoing peace efforts between Baku and Yerevan, Erdogan noted:

Turkiye welcomes the steps taken between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It also sees the agreement reached on the text of the peace agreement as an important development on the path to stability and hopes for the speedy conclusion of this process. The winner of the war, Can Azerbaijan, has also emerged as an architect of peace in the region.
29 May 2025 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A formal reception celebrating the 107th anniversary of Azerbaijans independence was held at the prestigious Lancaster Palace in London, hosted by the Azerbaijani Embassy in the United Kingdom, Azernews reports.

The event brought together a wide range of high-profile attendees, including representatives from the British Foreign and Defense Ministries, a member of the Royal Palace, Members of Parliament, ambassadors and diplomatic corps accredited in London, public figures, media representatives, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora, and Azerbaijani students studying in the UK.

The ceremony opened with the national anthems of the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan. In his address, Ambassador Elin Suleymanov highlighted the significance of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), describing it as "the first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim East." He emphasized that although the ADR lasted only 23 months, it laid the foundation for modern Azerbaijans statehood and democratic principles.

"Today, every Azerbaijani youth should be closely acquainted with the tumultuous but glorious history of our independence, understand that it was not easily gained, and always work to preserve it," Suleymanov said.

He also expressed appreciation for the congratulatory message sent by King Charles III to President Ilham Aliyev, noting the dynamic and multifaceted ties between Azerbaijan and the UK. Touching on the long-term cooperation in traditional energy and the growing partnership in green energy, Suleymanov thanked the UK for its high-level representation and support for the successful hosting of COP29 in Baku.

Referring to regional developments, Suleymanov said that Azerbaijan, together with Turkiye, Georgia, Central Asian nations and others, is "creating a stable and progressive new region." He noted Bakus initiatives in the post-conflict normalization process with Armenia and voiced hope that Yerevan will take constructive steps toward regional integration.

He further dedicated the event to both Independence Day and the upcoming Armed Forces Day, paying tribute to the Azerbaijani Armys role in liberating the countrys territories and securing national sovereignty. The ambassador extended special congratulations to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

British Foreign Office representative Mark Clayton also addressed the audience, praising the strong and expanding ties between the UK and Azerbaijan. We are proud of the depth, breadth, and strength of our bilateral relations, he said, pointing to close cooperation in education, defense, and economic sectors.

Clayton described COP29 as a milestone that led to the first-ever visit of a sitting British Prime Minister to Azerbaijan. He also welcomed President Ilham Aliyevs visit to the UK last July during the European Political Community summit.

Highlighting recent developments, he stated, The leaders shared interest in boosting trade and investment has already yielded results, including the appointment of a new trade envoy for Azerbaijan. Clayton further noted the April 30 bilateral economic commission meeting in London, the appointment of a new British military attache to Baku, and planned political consultations later this year.

Describing Azerbaijan as an important security partner, Clayton acknowledged the countrys challenges on its path to independence and voiced support for the ongoing normalization process between Baku and Yerevan, including recent talks in Tirana.

The evening concluded with a formal banquet and a musical performance.
29 May 2025 11:03 (UTC+04:00)

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency,

I have the immense pleasure in extending my warm greetings and sincere best wishes and those of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of Azerbaijan on the momentous occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The warm ties of friendship between Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan bear the hallmarks of cooperation, comprehensive collaboration, mutual understanding and shared values. I am confident that the close cooperation and the existing collaboration between our two countries will be further expanded and strengthened in the years to come for the mutual benefit of our peoples.

Your Excellencys visionary leadership has led Azerbaijan through a journey of peace, progress and prosperity.

Further, I commend the exemplary leadership of Azerbaijan in the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) particularly in advancing the collective efforts to mitigate climate change.

Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health, happiness as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Republic of Azerbaijan."
29 May 2025 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency,

It gives me great pleasure to convey warm greetings and sincere good wishes of the Government and the people of the Maldives, to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of Azerbaijan, on the joyous occasion of your Independence Day. This historic milestone of your nation's journey toward sovereignty and self-determination symbolises the resilience and unity of the Azerbaijani people.

The Maldives remains dedicated to deepening our ties and advancing our partnership for the benefit of both our countries. I am confident that the friendly relations between our two countries will continue to prosper in the years ahead.

Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and happiness, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Azerbaijan, along with the assurances of my highest consideration."
29 May 2025 15:47 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

On May 29, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for Azerbaijani-Qatari cooperation, bilateral and multilateral agenda items, as well as the regional situation in the post-conflict period.

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation and emphasized the importance of utilizing existing potential to further enhance bilateral ties.

They also discussed collaboration within regional and international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). The importance of continued mutual support and solidarity was highlighted, along with opportunities for cooperation during Azerbaijans upcoming chairmanship of the OIC Summit.

The significance of decisions made at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), hosted by Azerbaijan, was notedparticularly the countrys achievements in climate finance and contributions to global climate action.

Minister Bayramov also provided a detailed briefing on the consequences of the former conflict and Armenia's occupation policy, the current regional realities, extensive reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories, anti-mine activities, and progress in the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process.

He additionally drew attention to persistent challenges in the peacebuilding process, including ongoing territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Armenian constitution and legislation.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
29 May 2025 18:19 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman), Sabina Aliyeva, took part in the international conference titled Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks and a Vision for a Better Future, held in the State of Qatar, Azernews reports.

The event brought together heads and representatives of international organizations, ombudsmen and national human rights institutions, artificial intelligence experts, and legal scholars from prestigious global universities. During her address, Ombudsman Aliyeva outlined Azerbaijans ongoing efforts in digital governance and the application of artificial intelligence technologies, noting the recent approval of the Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20252028 by presidential decree.

She also discussed the potential integration of artificial intelligence into the operations of the Ombudsman Office. According to Aliyeva, AI could play a valuable role in streamlining the initial processing of complaints, supporting simple decision-making, analyzing systemic human rights issues, and improving the efficiency of the institutions Call Center.

Highlighting the need for global regulatory mechanisms, the Commissioner stressed the importance of establishing international norms that address the intersection of AI and human rights. She called for the inclusion of national human rights institutions in this regulatory dialogue, especially in the areas of monitoring, public education, and legislative development.

The adoption of artificial intelligence must be guided by the imperative to protect human rights and freedoms. Regulatory frameworks and technological advancements should complement and reinforce one another, Aliyeva noted.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Ombudsman held bilateral meetings with several international human rights leaders, including Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairwoman of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar; Dragan Milkov, President of the European Ombudsman Institute; Mushira Khattab, President of the National Human Rights Council of Egypt; and representatives from Bulgarias national human rights institutions. Discussions centered on the conference topics, shared challenges in protecting human rights, and opportunities for future cooperation.
29 May 2025 14:49 (UTC+04:00)

The heads of the Nicaraguan state have sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Brother President,

On behalf of the people and Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of the Republic of Nicaragua, and on our own behalf, we are pleased to express our most sincere and fraternal congratulations to you, the brotherly people, and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day, this coming May 28.

From our Nicaragua, Always Blessed and Always Free, we celebrate together with the worthy Azerbaijani people this significant date that exalts their history, identity, and sovereign spirit. We reiterate our commitment to continue strengthening the historic ties of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation that unite our nations.

Receive, Dear President, our fraternal greetings and best wishes for peace, progress, and well-being for you and for all the brotherly people of Azerbaijan.

Daniel Ortega Saavedra

President of the Republic of Nicaragua,

Rosario Murillo

Vice-President of the Republic of Nicaragua"
29 May 2025 15:16 (UTC+04:00)

Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of the Republic of Malta, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency,

On the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, celebrated on 28 May, the people of the Republic of Malta join me in conveying sincere greetings to Your Excellency and to the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This year, the Republic of Malta and the Republic of Azerbaijan celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations founded upon mutual respect and shared understanding. I am confident that in the years to come, both our nations will continue with the furtherance of our relationship.

I avail myself of this opportunity to extend my wishes of good health and serenity, as well as continue peace, progress and prosperity to your country.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Myriam Spiteri Debono

President of the Republic of Malta"
29 May 2025 15:25 (UTC+04:00)

Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Sultan of Oman, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

We are pleased to extend our sincere felicitations to Your Excellency on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

We take this opportunity to wish you happiness and good health, and the friendly people of Azerbaijan continued progress and prosperity.

Haitham bin Tariq Al Said

Sultan of Oman"
29 May 2025 15:27 (UTC+04:00)

Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

I am honored to address Your Excellency to express my most sincere and warm congratulations on the occasion of the commemoration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I also wish abundant prosperity and well-being to that brotherly nation.

Luis Abinader

President of the Dominican Republic"
29 May 2025 15:46 (UTC+04:00)

Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Lao people and on my own behalf, I would like to convey to Your Excellency and the entire people of Azerbaijan my warmest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the 107th anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I am convinced that with joint efforts, the friendly relations and cooperation existing between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan will be further strengthened and broadened in the years to come for the benefit of our two peoples as well as for peace, stability and cooperation for sustainable development in the region and the world at large.

I avail myself of this opportunity to wish Your Excellency good health, personal well-being and every success in your noble endeavors and the people of Azerbaijan lasting happiness and prosperity.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Thongloun Sisoulith

President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic"
29 May 2025 15:48 (UTC+04:00)

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of 28 May  Independence Day.

According to Azernews, the letter reads:

"His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Excellency President Ilham Aliyev,

I am pleased to extend to Your Excellency my heartfelt congratulations, and best regards on the anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I wish Your Excellency good health and happiness, and the friendly people of the Republic of Azerbaijan continued progress and prosperity.

I willingly assure Your Excellency of my highest consideration.

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain"
29 May 2025 18:50 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

President Tayyip Erdogan emphasised that in these days when polarisation is deepening and blocs are increasing, we are witnessing the international system gradually drifting towards a legitimacy crisis. Erdogan spoke at the trilateral summit he held with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the city of Lachin, Azerbaijan, where he was in attendance on the occasion of Azerbaijan Independence Day. Erdogan first opened the Lachin International Airport with Aliyev in Azerbaijan. Following the opening, Erdogan and Aliyev also inspected the Kelbajar-Lachin Highway, bridges, and viaducts, and received information from authorities.

Erdogan noted the following in his speech:

The crisis that the international system is in at this point is clearly exemplified by Israels unceasing atrocities in Palestine and its expansionist policies in the face of these atrocities. We are determined to continue to defend the rights of innocent children and people who are being killed openly in Gaza. I would like to emphasise once again that we will stand against all attempts to disrupt the peace of our region. Our region is saturated with blood and tears. From here, we call on the entire world to increase pressure on the Israeli administration to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure uninterrupted and urgent humanitarian aid is delivered to Gaza.

Emphasising that they stand behind every step towards transforming their unity with Azerbaijan into a strategic partnership, Erdogan noted the following:

The developments in our region reveal the importance of solidarity between our countries with every passing day. With the liberation of Azerbaijani lands that have been under occupation for 30 years, we hope that the region will become the focus of stability, prosperity, and development. I believe that the Lachin Airport, which we opened this morning, will make a significant contribution to the development and integration with the world that the region has been longing for for many years.

Our wish is permanent peace

President Erdogan, recalling that they hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif in Istanbul on Sunday, May 25, made the following assessments: During our meeting, we reviewed the cooperation processes within the scope of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. We agreed to further strengthen the deep-rooted historical and human relations between Turkiye and Pakistan. On this occasion, I would like to express our satisfaction that the tension that broke out between Pakistan and India ended with a ceasefire. I once again congratulate our brother Shahbaz and the Pakistani authorities for the calm and prudent attitude they displayed throughout the process. Our wish is for the declared ceasefire to evolve into permanent peace. Turkiye is ready to make every contribution it can on this path.

President Erdogan stated that regular trilateral summits and ministerial meetings will be held with the participation of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan, and that in this way, the cooperation to be carried out will be institutionalized. Erdogan stated that in this context, cooperation in the field of defense will be deepened, and that common determination will be maintained against terrorism and cross-border threats, and noted the following: We will aim to take joint steps in the areas of facilitating trade, encouraging investments, and digital transformation. In the field of transportation, which constitutes a highly strategic dimension of our cooperation, we will contribute to projects such as the Development Path, the Middle Corridor, and the North-South Transport Corridor together.

Drawing attention to the fact that Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan are located in a highly strategic region at the intersection of Eurasia, Erdogan said, We are experiencing many challenges simultaneously in our regions and beyond, from security threats to economic downturns, energy and food crises. We see the development of our solidarity and joint action capability in the face of these challenges not as a choice, but as a necessity. Underlining that important issues were exchanged at todays summit to further advance cooperation between the three countries, Erdogan said, (Foreign Ministers) will prepare a strong framework reflecting the common vision of our countries, especially on topics such as trade, investments, transportation, energy, defense industry, and the fight against terrorism, which shape our common agenda.

President Erdogan addressed the participants at the event held on the banks of the Hekeri River on the occasion of May 28, Azerbaijan's Independence Day, as part of his contacts in Azerbaijan. Erdogan said, "It is now time for Garabagh, which was liberated from captivity after 30 years, to write a story of success, peace, and development."

Reminding that they had previously put Fuzuli and Zangilan international airports into service with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, Erdogan said, Today, we are once again fortunate enough to open Lachin International Airport. We are establishing strong cooperation with Azerbaijan in every field, from energy to transportation, from defense to trade, from agriculture to education. With the unique contributions of my brother Ilham, we are improving our relations day by day to a level that will set an example not only for the region but also for the entire world.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that thanks to the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, the energy map of not only the region but also a wide geography has changed and that they have started major projects in the fields of renewable energy production and export. Speaking at the Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, Aliyev said, We are proud of each others achievements and support each other in difficult times. Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye always stand for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and justice. Referring to the Pakistan-India conflict, Aliyev said, We have openly declared our solidarity with Pakistan from the very first day during this tense period.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif said, Long live Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan brotherhood and friendship. Speaking at the Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, Sharif said that Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye are connected by deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties shaped by shared values and mutual support over centuries. My dear brothers, recently, we have further strengthened this historical relationship by standing by each other on Garabagh, Kashmir, or TRNC. Our strength lies in our solidarity and mutual respect, he said.
29 May 2025 19:46 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

Turkiye is set to mark the anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul with a major energy milestone: the nations first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, will pass through the Bosphorus tomorrow on its way to Filyos Port.

With its arrival in the Sakarya Gas Field scheduled for mid-2026, the Osman Gazi platform will significantly boost Turkiyes offshore natural gas production. The platform is expected to double the current daily output in the Black Sea from 9.5 million to 20 million cubic meters, enough to meet the natural gas needs of approximately 8 million households.

Spanning nearly 300 meters in length and capable of processing 10.5 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, Osman Gazi will become a vital asset in Turkiyes offshore energy infrastructure. It will operate in the Sakarya Gas Field for 20 years, transferring processed gas to land through a 161-kilometer pipeline, where it will be fed into the national grid.

The platform, which underwent extensive renovation at a shipyard in Canakkale from September 2024 to May 2025, departed from dry dock on May 27. It will make its 11-hour passage through the Bosphorus on May 29, accompanied by a send-off ceremony at Dolmabahce Palace led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. The platform is expected to dock at Filyos Port on June 1.

With the launch of Osman Gazi, Turkiye is elevating its position as a regional energy player. The country now possesses one of the worlds largest hydrocarbon fleets, consisting of four deep-sea drilling vessels and two seismic research ships. This includes the high-tech Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni, and Abdulhamid Han drilling ships, as well as the seismic vessels Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa and MTA Oruc Reis.

Each vessel contributes uniquely to Turkiyes deep-sea exploration capabilities. The Fatih, for example, made the largest natural gas discovery in the countrys history in the Black Sea in 2020. The Yavuz, Kanuni, and Abdulhamid Han ships further enhance Turkiyes ability to conduct ultra-deepwater drilling in challenging environments.

Turkiyes seismic exploration efforts are led by the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa and MTA Oruc Reis ships. These vessels can analyze geological formations up to 15 kilometers below the seabed and are equipped with advanced systems to collect two- and three-dimensional seismic data. They are critical to identifying promising offshore reserves and planning future drilling operations.

With the addition of Osman Gazi, Turkiye transitions from merely exploring and drilling offshore to producing natural gas at sea  a major step toward energy independence.
29 May 2025 21:23 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

In a significant step towards enhancing transcontinental rail connectivity, Pacific Holding Chairman of the Board Fatih Erdogan, along with executives from Pacific Eurasia Logistics, met with China State Railway Group Chairman Song Xiude and his delegation in Beijing on May 23. The meeting took place as part of Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglus official visit to China.

The high-level talks focused on revitalizing the Middle Corridor  a key route in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative that links China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkiye. Both sides expressed a firm commitment to unlock the Middle Corridor's full potential, which currently lags far behind the Northern Corridor in freight volume and infrastructure investment.

We foresee that the Middle Corridor will become a major trade artery. It must be a corridor with China on one end and Turkiye on the other, Erdogan told Anadolu Agency.

Erdogan emphasized Pacific Holdings strategic alignment with the Middle Corridor vision since the foundation of Pacific Eurasia in 2019. With 55 companies and 2,500 employees across four major sectors  technology, real estate, construction, and energy  the group has rapidly become a leader in international railway logistics.

Leading the Way in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Line

Pacific Eurasia currently handles 95% of freight on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line, which Erdogan noted had seen limited use after its launch in 2017 until recent revitalization efforts. The companys efforts, he said, are guided by national interest and Turkiyes geostrategic advantages.

The company was behind several major milestones, including the first block train from China to Turkiye and the first export train from Turkiye to China. Despite momentum, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted operations at a critical juncture.

Middle Corridor vs. Northern Corridor

While the Northern Corridor  running from China through Russia to Europe  has reached an annual capacity of 20,000 trains and two million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the Middle Corridor sees only 300 trains a year. Erdogan stressed the need for urgent development to realize its vast potential.

He added that the success of the Northern Corridor, which also began with limited capacity, demonstrates the transformative power of sustained investment and state support.

Strategic Commitment from China

Following long-term diplomatic and commercial efforts, Erdogan said that China Railway executives recently visited Turkiye, and a follow-up meeting took place in Beijing with participation from Turkish Deputy Transport Minister Enver Iskurt. During these meetings, China State Railway Group acknowledged that the Middle Corridor is not just an alternative but a necessity.

Importantly, Erdogan noted that China Railway agreed to offer incentives for cargo along the Middle Corridor and specifically for the Turkiye route  a move expected to dramatically accelerate freight volume and investment in the line.

Future Infrastructure to Boost Capacity

The meeting also covered major infrastructure projects that will enhance Middle Corridor logistics, including the Zangezur Corridor, the Development Road between Turkiye and the Persian Gulf, and the Northern Marmara Railway, which will provide a new connection to Europe via the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.

Erdogan concluded by highlighting the broader diplomatic and economic implications of the Middle Corridor:

This is not just a logistics project. Its a peace corridor. If there is a road, there is civilization; if there is a road, there is connection.
29 May 2025 23:35 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

With the initiatives of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, a new financing package of $500 million was signed with the World Bank for the Turkish Development and Investment Bank (TKYB) to support businesses in the earthquake zone. Following the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, the Ministry continues to provide financing from abroad for the regions affected by this disaster.

Accordingly, agreements regarding the provision of financing to TKYB within the scope of the Registered Employment Creation Project, which was developed to support economic recovery and increase employment in the earthquake-affected regions and was approved by the World Bank Executive Directors Board, were signed on May 23.

In this context, financing of $500 million will be directed to businesses operating in 11 provinces  Adana, Adyaman, Diyarbakr, Elazg, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanlurfa  as well as 7 neighbouring provinces, including Batman, Bingol, Kayseri, Mardin, Nigde, Sivas, and Tunceli.

The project aims to protect existing employment and create additional employment opportunities by meeting the investment and working capital needs of companies in the region.

With this project, for which the agreements have been finalised, the total amount of financing provided by international organisations for the regions affected by the February 6 earthquakes has reached $6.4 billion. Approximately $2.4 billion of this financing has been used to support the real sector and exporters.

Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek also pointed out that they prioritize policies that support employment, encourage value-added production, and increase access to financing under favorable conditions within the framework of the economic program, and said, "In this regard, resources provided within the scope of strong collaborations with international organizations are effectively directed to the real sector and contribute to our sustainable growth target."
by Austin Bay May 29, 2025

The letter is a big political punch with strategic information purpose.

Cotton chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and Risch the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Their letter's first sentences: "We write in support of the Commerce Department's investigation of TP-Link, a (mainland Chinese  Beijing) state-sponsored networking equipment company, and urge you to take swift action to prohibit further sales of TP-Link networking products in the United States. TP-Link's deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), use of predatory pricing to eliminate trusted U.S. alternatives, and role in embedding foreign surveillance and destructive capabilities into our networks render it a clear and present danger."

To clarify: TP-Link's products threaten you and your family's freedom and existence. Why? TP-Link devices enable intimate surveillance and pinpoint attacks on you by name and address, using home, family and personal communications devices and digital equipment.

Concept: Target the micro-digital and energy worlds of individual American households, by the millions.

Now the math: Multiply micro by millions. Beijing seeds digital confusion and psychological fear without explosions. Sun Tzu smiles.

The historical record is definitive. Beijing's "Trojan stuff" can spy on you. Then  at a Pearl Harbor moment  the Trojan Horse stuff shutdowns or co-opts the computers and communications of a hundred million Americans.

Fantasy? No. Cotton's letter describes what his Intelligence Committee knows to be dangerous fact: "Chinese state actors have exploited TP-Link small and home office (SOHO) networking devices  including Wi-Fi routers, cellular gateways, and mobile hotspots  to wage cyber-attacks in the United States. CCP agents commonly exploit SOHO routers because those systems have ideal bandwidth and computing power for sustained cyber activities but lack additional layers of security common in enterprise networks."

Warning: Your digital equipment could conceivably become a CCP cyberwarfare platform  all because you bought TP-Link's less expensive CCP-subsidized equipment.

Trump Administration 2's Commerce Department is already wise to TP-Link. Trump Administration 1's Commerce, State, Treasury and Defense Departments were wise to the CCP's Huawei gambit. From 2017 to 2023, I wrote several columns about the threat Huawei's malgear presented to everything from electrical grids to even digital controllers in hydro-electric dams.

The acronym is SCADA: supervisory control and data acquisition.

Beijing messages the dam's SCADA: Open gate and release the flood.

Fears of surprise attacks using hidden control mechanisms drove opposition to Huawei's 5G "next generation" wireless communication systems, which Huawei claimed could connect cellphones, computers and the "internet of things" ("things" could include your doorbell and the traffic lights in Chicago).

In August 2020, Trump 1 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described Huawei as "an arm of the CCP's surveillance state."

We were already preparing defenses. In April 2020, Trump 1 formulated the "Clean Network Initiative." It was a comprehensive attempt to protect the privacy and information of American citizens and corporations "from aggressive intrusions by malign actors."

What happened to Clean Network during the Biden administration?

Good question. On Jan. 25, 2021, Biden press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden's new administration starts "from an approach of patience as it relates to our relationship with China." She then unloaded a dictionary's worth of jargon, promising consultations and an "interagency process" review in order to "take a multilateral approach to engaging with China."

Why? The Biden Administration was sold on solar power. The Green New Deal was a Biden Holy Grail. And China manufactured solar panels!

Earlier this month, Bloomberg, Reuters and several engineering websites reported that "hidden" Chinese "kill switches" had been discovered in numerous solar panels on American solar farm arrays.

CyberSecurityIntelligence.com reported that the hidden (Trojan) switches were 'cellular radios ... embedded within power inverters manufactured by Chinese companies and sold to US power generators. ... Tampering with this type of equipment allows China the power to trigger blackouts across the West, and could be a way of destroying the grid."

Potential strategic impact, as calculated in Beijing: U.S. reaction to a Chinese attack on Taiwan or South Korea is delayed because of energy chaos in the Lower 48.

Cotton and Risch want to end this vulnerability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced his latest efforts to protect free speech of Americans. Noting that some foreign governments, including in Europe have been fining or even prosecuting Americans for exercising their Constitutional right of freedom of speech, Rubio is moving to protect our free speech from foreign governments. Henceforth those involved, including government officials, in trying to suppress the free speech of Americans will be denied entry into the US.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/rubio-announces-visa-restrictions-foreign-nationals-involved-censoring-americans

Currently, the European Union is threatening to impose massive fines on American tech companies for failing to censor their sites the way the EU wants. Among other things, this move by Rubio is a shot across their bow. Maybe, we need to go further and threaten big fines against the EU for threatening to censor American companies.

There are so many examples of the iron jackboot of censorship that increasingly authoritarian European countries are imposing on their own citizens, and starting to try to inflict on Americans. In Poland, a Catholic priest was recently criminally convicted for calling the country's globalist prime minister a "traitor" in a sermon. A German pensioner was convicted for posting that the country's failing and flailing Finance Minister was "an idiot". In France, a French Senator was criminally charged for posting online "immigration kills" after a particularly brutal murder and rape of a young French girl by an illegal alien. Also in France, a woman was charged criminal for calling globalist French president Macron "a piece of filth" online. In Finland, a member of parliament and former cabinet minister was prosectured for posting a Bible verse online. In the UK, the Labour Party is engaged in an all out war against free speech. The list could go on. The Biden regime wanted and tried to bring this totalitarian nonsense here to the US.
Portugal's snap parliamentary election has seen a large swing to the right, including both the traditional right and the populist nationalist anti-immigration right, while parties of both the traditional left and far left cratered. While the vote inside Portugal and its island territories was counted election night, overseas votes have just been tallied for a final result.

The governing Democratic Alliance, a coalition of three traditional conservative parties came in first winning 91 seats in the 230 seat parliament, a gain of 11. In second place was the populist nationalist anti-immigration Chega (Enough!) Party which won 60 seats, a gain of 10. The Liberal Initiative, a "classical liberal" small government party with libertarian tendencies, ran fourth with 9 seats, a gain of 1.

On the left, the traditional leftwing Socialist Party slumped down to third place with 58 seats, a loss of 20. Prior to the 2024 snap election, the Socialists had been in first place with an absolute majority in parliament. The three parties of the far left won a total of 10 seats between them, a net loss of 3.

A regionalist party from the island of Madeira won a seat for the first time and an animal rights party kept its one seat.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news-corner/chega-confirmed-second-expat-votes-portugal-elections/

https://rmx.news/article/portugal-chega-overtakes-socialists-in-historic-breakthrough-after-overseas-votes-counted/
Improper voter registrations was one of the issues involved in the lawsuit over the 2024 Supreme Court race in North Carolina, and helped Democrats steal that seat. Now the US Department of Justice has sued the NC Board of Elections over that very issue. This issue has been raised with the elections board repeatedly by citizens groups but the Democrat led board refused to do anything about it. Now, with the US Department of Justice breathing down their necks, they might not have a choice.

For decades, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), a federal law, has required every state to record the drivers license number or last four digits of the Social Security number on every voter registration. This is a key policy to stop voter registration fraud. North Carolina's Democrat run State Board of Elections has refused to enforce this policy for years. While they listed a place to give that information on forms, they allowed anyone to register who did not provide it. There are now hundreds of thousands of voter registrations in North Carolina which lack this federally required information. That makes fictitious voter registration easy.

https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/05/28/this-is-big-doj-files-lawsuit-hammers-n-carolina-over-inaccurate-voter-list-n2189717

https://dailyhaymaker.com/us-doj-sues-nc-over-inaccurate-voter-lists/

Our lawless State Board of Elections is finally being taken to the woodshed over this travesty that helps Democrats cheat.
Meet the Co Antrim woman leading Fords EV drive: We want to give people confidence in buying electric

The NI-born boss of Ford Ireland and UK talks about how everythings pointing towards electrification, how the role of the dealer will not change, and rising through the ranks in a male-defined industry

Lisa Brankin. Photo: Stan Papior

Adrian Weckler Thu 29 May 2025 at 12:11

When she was a young girl, Lisa Brankin assumed shed be a nurse or a teacher. But instead she has ended up running the UK and Ireland operations at one of the worlds biggest car brands.
The UK boss of Harland & Wolff owner Navantia has said the business will need 1,500 people by four years time in order to fulfil a 2bn deal with the Ministry of Defence.
The Victoria's Secret logo is displayed at one of their stores. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Popular retailer Victorias Secret are set to open their first standalone shop in Northern Ireland this summer.

The brand is known worldwide for their lingerie, sleepwear, beauty products, fragrances and accessories.

Signs for the new store have appeared at a unit in Donegal Place.

The notice features Victorias Secrets famous pink stripe design along with a welcome message.

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The message reads: Hey Belfast! We can't wait to welcome you to our brand new store this summer.

The new store will open this summer, and the company is currently hiring for a number of roles including team leader, sales associate, store manager and assistant store manager.

Separately, Victorias Secret has shut down its website due to what it calls a security incident.

The lingerie company released a statement on its website that read: "Valued customer, we identified and are taking steps to address a security incident.

The statement continued: We have taken down our website and some in store services as a precaution. Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations.

We appreciate your patience during this process. In the meantime, our Victorias Secret and PINK stores remain open and we look forward to serving you."

The opening of the new store in Belfast follows news that Spanish brand Bershka is also opening a store in the city for the first time, setting up shop in Victoria Square.

The shopping centre announced on Wednesday that it has signed the brand  a sister brand of Zara and Pull & Bear  for a 17,500 flagship store.

And Pull & Bear, which is also in Victoria Square, is relocating to a spot triple the size of its current unit, while LEGO is also opening at the centre later this year.
BPerfect fans queue up for the opening of its store at The Boulevard, Banbridge

Shopping destination The Boulevard has said popular make-up brand BPerfect will continue trading at the scheme for the rest of the year after a strong first month.

The Boulevard has said customers had been clearing the shelves at the BPerfect outlet store, which offers up to 90% off, since its opening weekend in April. It was intended that the store would open for just six weeks.

BPerfect trades alongside well-known retail names Kate Spade, Molton Brown, GUESS, Adidas and Nike and French Connection at The Boulevard.

The Banbridge shopping destination said it had recorded a 15% increase in sales and 8% in footfall year to date, compared to 2024.

BPerfect fans queue up for the opening of its store at The Boulevard, Banbridge

Founded in 2012 by Co Down man Brendan McDowell, BPerfect began as an eyebrow stencil business and has grown into a major brand known for its makeup, tanning and skincare products.

Chris Nelmes, retail director at The Boulevard, said: We are so pleased that such a well-loved brand like BPerfect has chosen to continue trading at The Boulevard, following what was one of the schemes most successful store launches.

This announcement signals what will be a fantastic, jampacked summer for us, and we look forward to continuing to our grow our relationship with BPerfect.

We have started 2025 with a bang with record breaking sales and footfall, and with a packed schedule of events, activities and retailer-activations we are looking forward to a busy summer period.

Mr McDowell said: Opening our first ever outlet store at The Boulevard has been a huge success and we are thrilled to be continuing our relationship together.

"With its prime location on the A1 motorway between Belfast and Dublin, we have been delighted to welcome thousands of customers from right across the island into our store.

"We would like to thank The Boulevard for all their support to us from the launch weekend and beyond. They have gone above and beyond and put us in a fantastic position to succeed at the scheme.

The Boulevard is owned by Lotus Property, advised by Johnstone Property Consultants and KLM Real Estate.
Almost 11,000 patients in Northern Ireland had to wait more than 12 hours at hospital emergency departments (EDs) last month, it has emerged.

The news comes after Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the recruitment of an additional 26 emergency medicine consultants here will help alleviate some of the pressure on our emergency departments.

Were all acutely aware of the very significant pressures on our hospital emergency departments, Mr Nesbitt said earlier this week.

Both staff and patients want us to do all we can to alleviate those pressures and thats been a central focus for my department and trusts in recent months.

Stabilising our current workforce and strengthening our future workforce is an important part of our work across the HSC system.

Some of these consultants are already in post, while the others will begin their roles across our five health trusts before the end of the year.

Research carried out last year showed that there is a significant shortage of emergency medicine consultants here, with only half the recommended number in place  just one per 7,786 annual ED attendances.

Figures released by the Department of Health (DoH) reveal that 52,207 people attended EDs here in April. Of these, 17,831 waited less than four hours either to be treated and discharged, or admitted, and 23,471 waited between four and 12 hours.

Some 10,905 patients had to wait more than 12 hours.

According to the DoHs own targets, 95% of patients attending an ED should be either treated and discharged home, or admitted, within four hours of arrival, and no patient attending any ED should wait longer than 12 hours.

Alliance Party health spokesperson Nuala McAllister said the statistics are a stark reminder of the need to deliver on healthcare transformation across Northern Ireland.

"It is not good enough that some patients are having to wait such lengthy periods in emergency departments, often in pain and distress, she added:

"We need to see urgent action from the Department of Health if these waiting times are to improve, including addressing issues of patient flow through the hospital system  too many people are being left stuck in hospitals when they could be cared for in the community.

"The minister often references the need to 'shift left' towards primary and community care. If this is to be successful and reduce pressures on hospitals, there needs to be specifically targeted investment in domiciliary care services."

Mr Nesbitt said he is determined to find better ways to work as a system to tackle waiting times in EDs.

That is why I initiated a series of winter planning workshops to identify solutions to the system flow issues that we collectively face, he added.

I attended the first of these events on 4 March and was encouraged by the engagement and enthusiasm from HSC leaders across the system.

The workshop saw attendance from a diverse group of stakeholders within our system, including Royal Colleges, clinicians, and other frontline services. All our system leaders are engaged in this initiative.

By the end of June, I anticipate having a plan for the year ahead that will aim to see improved outcomes before the next winter, including enhancements in patient waiting times.

Back in January, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that a patient was left waiting in an ambulance outside Antrim Area Hospitals emergency department for more than a day before being admitted last December.

Senior GPs also told a Stormont committee earlier this year that some sick patients were avoiding going to EDs because of long waiting times.
Stormonts health minister has confirmed that the new Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme will commence at the beginning of June.

The initiative will offer eligible patients the opportunity to reclaim costs for medical treatments received outside Northern Ireland.

Mike Nesbitt said the 10 million investment is an important step in addressing the serious challenges of long hospital waiting lists.

As I outlined to the Assembly, this Scheme is part of a much wider package of initiatives to reduce backlogs and deliver better outcomes for patients, he said.

It gives those who have waited two years or more the opportunity to seek treatment privately with the reassurance that costs will be reimbursed up to the HSC equivalent rate.

I will continue to bring forward further measures to ensure patients across Northern Ireland get the care they need more quickly.

The scheme will be available to patients who are ordinarily resident in NI and have been waiting two years or more for hospital treatment on a HSC waiting list.

It will cover procedures carried out in the Republic of Ireland. Subject to available funding, the Department of Health is considering extending the Scheme later this year to include procedures undertaken in other European Union countries.

Patients must receive prior approval from the Department before proceeding with treatment. Retrospective applications will not be accepted.

The scheme will be implemented in phases starting on Monday, June 2, when there will be reimbursement for eligible treatments in the Republic of Ireland.

Phase Two, with a date yet to be confirmed, will see a planned extension to cover treatments across the European Union, subject to funding.

Claire Sugden MLA called for further clarity about the scheme.

She said that full details around eligibility, procedures covered, and whether patients with co-morbidities or higher dependency needs will be included have yet to be published.

People are hopeful this scheme could make a real difference, but they need to understand how it will work. For those with complex medical needs, its particularly important to know whether theyll be supported to access care if they cant be treated locally, she said.

Ms Sugden also raised the issue of past cross-border arrangements with the EU, which had enabled many people in Northern Ireland to access treatment in European clinics, often at a lower cost and with high patient satisfaction.

Ive heard from constituents who had procedures abroad, including in Lithuania, under the previous EU directive, and they spoke very highly of the care they received. Its important we understand whether those routes will still be possible under the new scheme.

I welcome any initiative that helps patients access timely care, particularly when local services are under such pressure. But we need clarity, not just for patients, but also for clinicians and families supporting them. People are making life decisions based on this.

To support patients, a dedicated online information hub will provide full guidance on how to apply, eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and access to the application form.

A helpline to assist patients with enquiries and the application process will operate Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Further details of how to access the online hub and the telephone helpline will be released in due course.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn, accompanied by British Library chief executive Rebecca Lawrence and DC Thomson deputy chair Richard Hall, views newly digitised historic editions of the News Letter during a visit to the British Library in London (Pic: British Library Board)

Pages from historic editions of one of the worlds oldest newspapers  the Belfast-based News Letter  are now available to anyone online.

From today, copies from across three centuries of the title will be accessible to the public for the first time.

First published in September 1737, the News Letter will mark its 288th anniversary as the oldest continuously published English-language daily paper this year.

The Northern Ireland Office has worked in partnership with the British Library and Findmypast to expand the online collection of the historic publication on the British Newspaper Archive dating to the late 18th, early 19th and 20th centuries.

Announcing the launch, Secretary of State Hilary Benn visited the British Library in London to view the new additions to the online archive.

British Library in London

The British Library provided originals of the News Letter in microfilm and newspaper format, which were digitised by the online platform Findmypast.

Mr Benn said: It was wonderful to be able to view the newly digitised editions of the Belfast News Letter at the British Library in London using the online archive.

Bringing Northern Irelands newspaper heritage to a global audience will encourage research, exploration and appreciation of Northern Irelands rich political and cultural history.

This UK Government project has opened up a unique resource to readers and researchers in nations around the world with historic links to Northern Ireland, including the US.

The archive is available online through the British Newspaper Archive and on Findmypast and can be viewed freely at the British Library sites in London and Yorkshire, as well as at any library or by any private individual around the world with a subscription.

Lee Wilkinson, managing director of DC Thomson History, which owns Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, said: Over the past 15 years, through our unique relationship with the British Library, we have been able to bring millions of these key historical records to communities across the globe so that families and researchers alike can uncover and understand their heritage.

British Library chief Rebecca Lawrence said: Digitising all known surviving copies of the News Letter and making them available online preserves a vital piece of heritage and opens up the archive to researchers around the world.

National World founder David Montgomery said: Digitising the News Letter is an important step in preserving the papers iconic history of covering news from Northern Ireland and across the world for three centuries. By making historic copies of the paper available, we can recognise its continuing role in delivering quality journalism on stories that matter to its community.
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust say restoration of services would be clinically unsafe

A petition has been launched by health campaigners calling for the full restoration of A&E services at Downe Hospital after the emergency department was closed in 2020 during Covid.

Five years on and the services have still not been restored, despite the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust saying at the time that it had always been very clear that we would reopen the Downe ED (emergency department) when it is safe to do so", but added that they were experiencing staffing issues.

It opened an urgent care centre, operating Monday to Friday on an appointment-only basis, in its place and a minor injuries unit which operates at the weekend.

However, campaigners have said that the local community  many of whom are living rurally  are under threat after being forced to travel more than 20 miles to receive emergency care.

Anne Trainor is a member of the Down Community Health Committee, which is behind the latest petition to save the A&E at Downe Hospital.

She said they are hoping to gather as many signatures as possible and present their case to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt later this year to ensure something is done about the restoration of services.

In 2015, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Downpatrick in a bid to retain acute services in the 65m hospital, only five years after it opened.

Ms Trainor said: My father Sean Quinn founded the committee in the 1970s. This has been going on since back then, when the psychiatric services were taken from the Downshire to Purdysburn and now with the A&E. Its been happening for years  the centralisation of services to our community.

We are a largely rural area with very poor infrastructure and the community is under threat, especially the elderly and most vulnerable.

We have a beautiful hospital just sitting there that we cant avail of when we need it most and peoples lives are at risk.

Its especially dangerous for those needing an ambulance as the response times here are some of the worst in the region, with some people waiting more than four hours for one, or people having to travel to the Ulster or the Royal for emergency care.

A spokesperson for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said that their key priority is the safety of our patients.

Reopening the emergency department at the Downe Hospital, without required services, such as emergency surgery, anaesthetics, rapid turnaround laboratories, acute medicine, critical care and paediatrics, as well as the essential expertise, would increase patient risk, they said.

It would not be clinically safe nor sustainable. The Downe Hospital plays a vital role in the Trust, delivering a broad range of local hospital services and regional day procedure services, with excellent feedback from patients.

The Trust also provides a very successful consultant-led urgent care centre at the Downe Hospital, which is safer for patients, clinically appropriate and sustainable.

We remain committed to the Downe Hospital and our staff who deliver excellent care, both in the hospital and in the community we serve.

Ms Trainor said the committee is calling for fairness in the distribution of services.

We dont want a big shake here, we are just looking for our fair bite of the cherry, she added.

If the Trust say its not safe, well, they are making it unsafe themselves. Its up to the department to ensure those services are there for the people who need them most.

Our own local staff should not have to be redeployed up to Belfast and beyond, they should have the right to work locally and take care of people here.

How is lying in a hospital bed in the corridor of the Ulster Hospital safe, with the staff completely run off their feet? No one should have to work in those conditions.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard said it is undeniable, unjustifiable and unacceptable.

In the absence of a rights-based entitlement framework, the ongoing transformation of the health and social care system is not meeting the healthcare needs of rural citizens  especially in places like south Down, he said.

"Health transformation must not be the managed decline of local health services, but rather the reconfiguration of resources to meet the needs of all patients, regardless of where you live.

Physical petitions have been handed into a number of businesses and medical practices across the Newry, Mourne and Down District with a plan to launch an online petition in the coming weeks.
Ducks swim though blue green algae concentrations on the shores of Lough Neagh in Co Antrim (Niall Carson/PA)

The environmental crisis at Lough Neagh will become a common experience across Northern Ireland if nutrient pollution is not addressed, MLAs have been told.

Dame Glenys Stacey, chairwoman of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), told a Stormont committee that excess nutrients from farming and from sewage were the main forms of pollution in the region.

The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs was told that Lough Neagh is a big red flag of what will happen elsewhere if action is not taken.

Dame Glenys Stacey, chairwoman of the Office for Environmental Protection (NI Assembly/PA)

It was recently confirmed that blue-green algae has returned to the lough for the third successive year.

Noxious blooms of the algae covered large parts of the lough, the UKs largest freshwater lake by surface area, during the previous two summers and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region.

Dame Glenys told the committee that the OEPs role was to hold Government to account for its environmental commitments in England and Northern Ireland.

She said there had been good co-operation with its work in Northern Ireland.

She told the committee: Since we started there is a growing expectation amongst stakeholders and the public that action will be taken to protect and improve the environment.

Interest is growing. I think the issues seen at Lough Neagh have brought the wider environmental issues and challenges into sharp focus.

We know there is much to be done to protect the environment here for the future and for this generation so we can make sure that nature can thrive as it must to support a healthy economy and society.

We would argue that Lough Neagh is a big red flag, an indicator of what can and indeed will happen elsewhere if things dont materially change.

Dame Glenys said the OEP had undertaken a number of investigations in Northern Ireland and published four reports.

She said: Just to summarise the common threads from those reports, there are unsustainable pressures on the environment.

Ineffective implementation of environmental laws we find commonly, governance that is weak and has failed to address the substantive issues here and delays in putting in place vital plans.

She said the issue the OEP kept coming back to in Northern Ireland was pollution from nutrients.

She said: Our report on drivers and pressures really identified what is affecting nature here in Northern Ireland. Two principle pressures causing diversity loss  land use change and pollution.

Excess nutrients from farming and from sewage are the main forms of pollution having an impact here.

She said the OEP had now commissioned an evaluation of the wastewater system and its impact on protected sites.

She added: Nutrient pollution must be addressed if nature is to thrive here.

It is not a maybe, it must be addressed.

It wont be easy and it will need cross-government effort and leadership and buy-in from many in the community as well.

But if it isnt done then the types of issues we are seeing at Lough Neagh will become common experiences across many more sites.

Algae on the surface of Lough Neagh at Ballyronan Marina in 2023 (Liam McBurney/PA)

Lough Neagh supplies 40% of Northern Irelands drinking water and sustains a major eel-fishing industry.

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields and from wastewater treatment is a contributory factor in the blue-green algae blooms.

The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role in the blooms, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis.

Climate change is another factor as water temperatures rise.

The Stormont Executive last year launched an action plan to deal with the environmental crisis at the lough.
Riverside Theatre in Coleraine is set to be closed down, according to a group which has campaigned to save it.

It comes after Ulster University (UU), which owns the 350-person capacity venue on its Coleraine campus, previously said it was reviewing how the theatre is used.

In March of this year, UU suggested that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council could take on a lease of the theatre, and also pay the annual running costs and the necessary repairs.

Its understood that Ulster University has held meetings with trade unions and confirmed that the theatre will cease operations at the end of July.

This decision has reportedly been made behind closed doors, with no public consultation, despite the theatre being a publicly funded space within a public university.

Steven Millar from the Campaign to Save Riverside Theatre said: This is unacceptable.

The Riverside Theatre is not just a university facility  it is a vital regional asset.

It sits on the grounds of an educational institution that publicly commits to civic engagement, community partnership, and cultural enrichment.

And yet, these values appear to be abandoned in this decision.

With nearly 1,500 people already signing our petition, it is clear that the public feels strongly about this.

He added: The Riverside is deeply rooted in our local and regional identity. For almost 50 years  since its opening by Her Majesty The Queen  it has supported education, creativity, and community life.

We are not asking for miracles. We are asking for transparency, accountability, and meaningful compromise.

He asked politicians to challenge the decision, to demand answers from Ulster University and stand with your constituents.

Mr Millar said: The community is stepping up. I sincerely hope the same is happening within our political and civic leadership.

I want to thank those of you who have already responded and supported this campaign  but we urgently need more of you to speak up.

This isnt just about a theatre  its about public space, public value, and public trust.

Fears for the theatre have persisted over the years, with reports from 2021 showing its future was in doubt even then, after Ulster University withdrew a request for council funding.

The theatre, commissioned by the New University of Ulster (now Ulster University) in the 1970s, has seen many Irish, British and international stage, screen and television stars perform in the Riverside.

Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, who was the universitys chancellor until recently, is one of the famous faces who have starred at the theatre beside the Bann over the years. He even named his winning racehorse Riverside Theatre.

GoldenEye star Alan Cumming, comedian and former University of Ulster student Omid Djalili, and Trainspotting actor Jonny Lee Miller have all taken to the Riversides stage.

Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson were unknowns when they played in the Bannside theatre, having just graduated from the Cambridge Footlights.

Ulster University has told the BBC the building would require significant capital investment to remain in use  with refurbishment works estimated to cost in the region of 745,000, on top of annual running costs of 495,000.

"In the face of unprecedented financial challenges it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities," a university spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the university said they have "supported and delivered this civic asset for fifty years" but "the building itself has now come to the end of its life".

They said the university acknowledges the news "will come as a disappointment to many" but that they wanted to express "heartfelt gratitude to the artists, audiences, staff and supporters" who made it "such a special place for so many years".

The spokesperson added that it "remains open to working with local partners and stakeholders to explore new ways to support arts and culture in the region, even as we navigate these constrained times".
Sean McGovern was handed over to gardai in Dubai earlier on Wednesday (Brian Lawless/PA)

An alleged senior figure in the Kinahan organised crime group is being flown back to Ireland after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

It is understood Sean McGovern, who was named in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin as one of the leaders of the Irish criminal organisation, was handed over to gardai in Dubai earlier on Wednesday.

McGovern is wanted in Ireland in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan criminal gangs in December 2016, despite having no connections to criminality.

He is being transported back to Ireland in an Irish military plan. The flight is required to stop to refuel on the journey and is not expected back in Dublin until late Thursday afternoon.

He is expected to be formally arrested when the aircraft lands at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. It is understood he will be taken from there to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

McGovern was arrested in the UAE last October after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Shortly after his arrest, Ireland finalised an agreement on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.

In 2021, the US authorities imposed sanctions against McGovern and six other alleged senior members of the Kinahan crime gang as part of a bid to target their financial operations.
The jury in the trial of murder accused Richard Satchwell has gone home for the day and will resume its deliberations on Friday morning (Brian Lawless/PA)

The jury in the trial of murder accused Richard Satchwell has gone home for the day and will resume its deliberations on Friday morning.

The 58-year-old has denied murdering his wife, Tina, at their home in Co Cork in March 2017.

Satchwell, of Grattan Street in Youghal, is accused of murdering his wife between March 19 and 20 2017.

Tinas remains were found under the stairs in the living room of their Co Cork home in October 2023, six years after Satchwell, originally from Leicester, England, reported her missing.

The panel at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin were sent home by Mr Justice Paul McDermott shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday.

They have been deliberating on verdicts for a total of eight hours and 37 minutes since Tuesday.

The time does not include breaks.

Tina Satchwells remains were discovered in her home (Family handout/PA)

The jury was previously told it must consider carefully any reasonable possibility that what the accused says about his wifes death is true.

It has also been told to consider the reasons why Satchwell went to elaborate lengths to deceive his wifes family and Irish police to persuade them that she was still alive, all while knowing she was dead.

The judge told the jurors that there is a number of verdicts open to them, including guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter or not guilty on the basis of self-defence, which would lead to an acquittal.

They have also been told to look at and examine all material and statements that have been put before them throughout the five-week trial.

The jury has heard from more than 50 witnesses over the five-week trial, many of whom were gardai involved in the investigation.

In October 2023, following a search of the property in Grattan Street, gardai discovered Mrs Satchwells skeletal remains buried under the stairs of their home.

Her badly decomposed body was found wrapped in a soiled sheet and covered with a black plastic sheet.

She was wearing her pyjamas and a dressing gown, with the belt of the gown wrapped around her.

The state pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said she could not determine the exact cause of death because of the advanced state of decomposition.

During garda interviews, Satchwell claimed that on the morning of March 20, he found his wife standing at the bottom of the stairs with a chisel in her hand, scrapping at the plasterboard.

He claimed that she flew at him with the chisel, and he fell back on to the floor.

The accused further claimed that Mrs Satchwell tried to stab him multiple times with the chisel and that he grabbed her clothing and restrained her by putting the belt of the robe against her neck.

Satchwell said that in a very short period of time, his wife went limp and fell into his arms.

He then placed her body on the couch in the living room, before moving her to the chest freezer and then burying her under the stairs.

It would be more than six years before gardai discovered her body.

The jury will return on Friday morning at 11.30am.
Scotlands First Minister has warned that the Hamilton by-election is now a straight contest between the SNP and Reform UK as he urged voters to back his party.

John Swinney claimed the Labour campaign is in collapse and urged their supporters to act and unite behind our shared principles to defeat Nigel Farages party.

Voters go to the polls on June 5 in the Scottish Parliament by-election in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, which was called following the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie.

Mr Swinney previously said the race to win the South Lanarkshire seat is very tight and a three-way contest between the SNP, Labour, and Reform UK.

However, writing in the Daily Record on Thursday, the SNP leader said it is now a contest between two parties.

He wrote: This by-election is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farages Reform UK.

Mr Swinney described Nigel Farage as a clear and present danger to our country and said he must be stopped.

He wrote: The problem is that Labour cant do that. Their campaign is in collapse and Keir Starmer is busy pandering to Farage.

And so, I am today asking Labour supporters to act.

Its time to unite behind our shared principles, defeat Nigel Farage, and refuse to be divided by a man determined to destroy the values we hold dear.

There has been a furore over a Reform ad showing Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The by-election campaigning has seen a furore among political parties in Scotland over a Reform UK advert that claimed that Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar would prioritise the Pakistani community.

The ad  which the SNP and Labour have demanded be removed by Meta  shows clips of Mr Sarwar calling for more representation of Scots with south Asian heritage, although he did not say he would prioritise any one group.

Labour has described the ad as blatantly racist.

Mr Farage played the online ad at a press conference in London on Tuesday, before claiming the Scottish Labour leader had introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics.

Responding to the comment earlier in the week Mr Sarwar said he has fought against sectarianism all his adult life and said: This is a blatant attempt from Nigel Farage to try and poison our politics here in Scotland.

In his letter, Mr Swinney said Mr Farage is not a man who cares about Scotland and accused him of promoting racist disinformation about my political rival, Labours Anas Sarwar.

He told voters the by-election gives them a chance to tell Nigel Farage that his poisonous politics are not welcome.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: This by-election is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, and it is desperate and dishonest spin for John Swinney to pretend otherwise.

John Swinney wants to make this by-election about Reform because he has no ideas for the future and cannot defend his governments record.

After 18 years, people right across Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are dealing with the consequences of SNP incompetence  from long NHS waiting lists to struggling high streets to declining schools.

Nigel Farage and the Reform party are not on the side of working people, they do not care about this community, and people will see right through them.

The SNP deserve to lose this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.

Reform UK has been asked for comment.
Forensic officers have been working at the scene in Water Street near the Liver Building in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

Police are still questioning a driver who allegedly ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool FCs victory parade.

Officers were granted further time to question the 53-year-old man, from West Derby, Liverpool, who is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving, Merseyside Police said.

The extension came in on Wednesday and remains until Thursday.

The Prime Minister visited Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon to speak to police chiefs about the incident.

On the same afternoon, a force spokesman said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition after the collision on Water Street on Monday and they had identified 79 people who were injured in the incident.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met police chiefs in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

A lifelong Liverpool fan told Sky News that his five-month-old son was flung 15 feet (4.6m) in his pram after they were hit by a vehicle at the parade.

Daniel Everson, 36, said to the news outlet: I tried to hold on to the front of the car and try and stop it, push it, do whatever I could (to stop it) from hitting my partner and my baby.

And my partner went under the wheels of the car, of the front of the car, and it rolled over her leg, and I just bounced off to the side, but my boy and his pram got bounced totally in the opposite direction  about 15ft down the road.

Forensic officers at the scene in Water Street (Peter Byrne/PA)

Sir Keir Starmer travelled to the force headquarters in Liverpool to meet Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.

He told the meeting: The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.

Steve, the mayor, has been keeping me informed and updated along with my team but its really important to be here to go through this first hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that Id like to.

Flowers and tributes at the scene (Peter Byrne/PA)

Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from the King who said: I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were deeply saddened by the parade crash, adding: What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
FILE  Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads Doge to the media as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House in March (Jose Luis Magana/AP, File)

By Chris Megerian and Kevin Freking, Associated Press

By Chris Megerian and Kevin Freking, Associated Press

Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to US President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.

The billionaire entrepreneur posted about his decision on X, his social media website.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, he wrote.

The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

A White House official, who requested anonymity to talk about the change, confirmed that Mr Musk was leaving.

Mr Musks departure comes one day after he criticised the centrepiece of Mr Trumps legislative agenda, saying he was disappointed by what the president calls his big beautiful bill.

The legislation includes a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement.

While speaking to CBS, Mr Musk described it as a massive spending bill that increases the federal deficit and undermines the work of his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, Mr Musk said. But I dont know if it could be both.

His CBS interview came out on Tuesday night. Mr Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, defended his agenda by talking about the delicate politics involved with negotiating the legislation.

Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it, he said.

Mr Trump also suggested that more changes could be made.

Were going to see what happens, he said. Its got a way to go.

Republicans recently pushed the measure through the House and are debating it in the Senate.

Mr Musks concerns are shared by some Republican lawmakers.

I sympathise with Elon being discouraged, said Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson.

FILE  President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and vice-president JD Vance (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP, File)

Speaking at a Milwaukee Press Club event on Wednesday, Mr Johnson added that he was pretty confident there was enough opposition to slow this process down until the president, our leadership, gets serious about reducing spending.

He said there was no amount of pressure Mr Trump could put on him to change his position.

Speaker Mike Johnson has asked senators to make as few changes to the legislation as possible, saying that House Republicans reached a very delicate balance that could be upended with major changes.

The narrowly divided House will have to vote again on final passage once the Senate alters the bill.

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson thanked Mr Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future, saying the House is eager and ready to act on Doges findings.

The White House is sending some proposed rescissions, a mechanism used to cancel previously authorised spending, to Capitol Hill to solidify some of Doges cuts.

Mr Musks criticism comes as he steps back from his government work, rededicating himself to companies like the electric automaker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX.

He has also said he will reduce his political spending, because I think Ive done enough.

At times, he has seemed chastened by his experience working in government. Although he hoped that Doge would generate 1 trillion dollars in spending cuts, he has fallen far short of that target.

The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised, he told The Washington Post.

I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.

Mr Musk had previously been energised by the opportunity to reshape Washington. He wore campaign hats in the White House, held his own campaign rallies, and talked about excessive spending as an existential crisis. He often tended to be effusive in his praise of Mr Trump.

The more Ive gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy, Mr Musk said in February. Frankly, I love him.

Mr Trump repaid the favour, describing Mr Musk as a truly great American.

FILE  Mr Musk has rededicated himself to companies like the electric automaker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX (Susan Walsh/AP, File)

When Tesla faced declining sales, he turned the White House driveway into a makeshift showroom to illustrate his support.

It is unclear what, if any, impact that Mr Musks comments about the bill would have on the legislative debate. During the transition period, he helped whip up opposition to a spending measure as the country stood on the brink of a federal government shutdown.

His latest criticism could embolden Republicans who want bigger spending cuts.

Republican Utah senator Mike Lee reposted a Fox News story about Mr Musks interview while also adding his own take on the measure, saying there was still time to fix it.

The Senate version will be more aggressive, Mr Lee said. It can, it must, and it will be. Or it wont pass.

Only two Republicans  representatives Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky  voted against the bill when the House took up the measure last week.

Mr Davidson took note of Mr Musks comments on social media.

Hopefully, the Senate will succeed with the Big Beautiful Bill where the House missed the moment, he wrote.

Dont hope someone else will cut deficits someday, know it has been done this Congress.
Haribo has urgently recalled packets of sweets after they were allegedly found to contain cannabis following reports of several people falling ill.

The issue emerged when multiple members of one family, including both children and adults, became unwell after eating Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets and contacted police.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, according to a spokesperson from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

The NVWA confirmed its involvement, stating: "Samples were taken and cannabis was found in them."

"We immediately contacted Haribo and they issued a safety warning," an NVWA spokesperson told Hart van Nederland.

The authority added: "How the cannabis ended up in the sweets is still unknown. The police are investigating this further."

Haribo previously stated that certain products in circulation could cause health problems such as dizziness. A company spokesperson explained: "The incident is contained to the Netherlands, to a specific product and batch. HARIBO products in the UK are not affected."

They continued: "The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and HARIBO takes this incident very seriously, which is why a recall has been issued in the Netherlands. HARIBO is working closely with the authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts around the contamination."

The recall specifically relates to packages bearing the production code L341-4002307906.

The company has assured consumers that other production codes of Happy Cola F!ZZ and all other Haribo products remain safe for consumption.

Haribo has asked customers not to return affected sweets to stores but instead send them directly back to the company for a refund.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Watch: AVA Festival returns to Belfast

It remains unclear how large the contaminated batch is.

The Irish Independent has contacted Haribo Ireland for comment.
A large avalanche with a mixture of ice, rock, snow and water in Wiler after the Birch glacier collapsed above Blatten in Switzerland (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

A 64-year-old man is missing after a huge mass of rock and ice from a glacier crashed down a Swiss mountainside.

The landslide sent plumes of dust into the sky and coated with mud nearly all of an Alpine village that authorities had evacuated earlier this month as a precaution.

State councilor Stephane Ganzer told Radio Television Suisse that 90% of the village was destroyed.

The Cantonal Police of Valais said that a search and rescue operation was under way for the man, whose name has not been made public, and it involved a drone with a thermal camera.

The avalanche one day after the collapse of the Birch Glacier (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

The regional government said in a statement that a large chunk of the Birch Glacier above the village had broken off, causing the landslide, which also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising the possibility of dammed water flows.

Video on social media and Swiss television showed that the mudslide near Blatten, in the southern Lotschental valley, partially submerged homes and other buildings under a mass of sludge.

In recent days, authorities had ordered the evacuation of about 300 people, as well as all livestock, from the village amid fears that the 52 million-cubic foot glacier was at risk of collapse.

Swiss glaciologists have repeatedly expressed concerns about a thaw in recent years  attributed in large part to climate change  that has accelerated the retreat of glaciers in Switzerland.

The landlocked Alpine country has the most glaciers of any country in Europe, and saw 4% of its total glacier volume disappear in 2023. That was the second-biggest decline in a single year after a 6% drop in 2022.
A protester cheers while listening to Harvard University students speak at a protest against Donald Trumps recent sanctions against the university (AP Photo/Leah Willingham)

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said the US will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields.

China is the second largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023/2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the United States.

Under President Trumps leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Mr Rubio wrote.

The action comes at a time of intensifying scrutiny of the ties between US higher education and China. Republicans in the House of Representatives this month pressed Duke University to cut its ties with a Chinese university, saying it allowed Chinese students to gain access to federally funded research at Duke.

Last year, House Republicans issued a report warning that hundreds of millions of dollars in defence funding was going to research partnerships linked to the Chinese government, providing backdoor access to the very foreign adversary nation whose aggression these capabilities are necessary to protect against.

The Department of Homeland Security raised similar issues in a letter barring international students at Harvard University last week. Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of co-ordinating with the Chinese Communist Party citing research collaborations with Chinese scholars. It also accused Harvard of training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio revealed the plans (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

The announcement came a day after Mr Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students as the department prepares guidelines for increased vetting of their activity on social media.

Together, the announcements from the State Department added to uncertainty for Americas international students, who have faced intensifying scrutiny from Mr Trumps administration.

Earlier this year, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. And the Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the US.

University of Wisconsin student Vladyslav Plyaka was planning to visit Poland to see his mother and renew his visa, but he does not know when that will be possible now that visa appointments are suspended. He also does not feel safe leaving the US even when appointments resume.

I dont think I have enough trust in the system at this point, said Mr Plyaka, who came to the US from Ukraine as an exchange student in high school and stayed for college. I understand it probably is done for security measures, but I would probably just finish my education for the next two or three years and then come back to Ukraine.

The Trump administration last week moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.

Mr Trump said that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit that percentage to about 15%.

I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The action on Chinese students renews a priority from Mr Trumps first administration to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China, which Republicans have called a threat to national security. In April, Mr Trump ordered the Education Department to ramp up enforcement of a federal rule requiring colleges to disclose information about funding from foreign sources.

During his first term, the Education Department opened 19 investigations into foreign funding at US universities and found that they underreported money flowing from China, Russia and other countries described as foreign adversaries.

Donald Trumps first administration made it a priority to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China (PA)

Hours before Mr Rubio announced the change, Eastern Michigan University announced it was ending engineering partnerships with two Chinese universities, responding to Republican pressure representative John Moolenaar, the Republican chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, recently urged Eastern Michigan and other universities to end partnerships with Chinese universities.

Around 1.1 million international students were in the United States last year  a source of essential revenue for tuition-driven colleges. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Often, they pay full price.

Northeastern University, which has more than 20,000 international students, has set up contingency plans for those who hit visa delays, said spokesperson Renata Nyul, without elaborating.

This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments in real time to assess any potential impacts, she said.

In his announcement on China, Mr Rubio said the government will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

Visa applicants have been required to provide social media handles to the State Department since 2019.

The additional vetting will deter students from coming to the US, said Jonathan Friedman of Pen America, a literary and free expression organisation.

The details remain vague, but this policy risks upending the long-standing place of the US as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange with the world, Mr Friedman said.

The move to cut off international enrolment at Harvard stems from a dispute with the Department of Homeland Security, which has demanded that it provide information about foreign students that might implicate them in violence or protests that could lead to their deportation. Harvard says it complied with the records request, but the agency said its response fell short.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump said more scrutiny of Harvards students is necessary.

Theyre taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalised, and we dont want them making trouble in our country, Mr Trump said.

The Trump administration has cut over 2.6 billion dollars in federal grants for Harvard as it presses demands for changes to policies and governance at the Ivy League school, which the president has described as a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. Harvard has pushed back and filed a lawsuit against the administration.
Israel has accepted a new US proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House has said.

The fresh signs of progress towards a temporary truce came after US president Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism earlier this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Israel backed and supported the new proposal. She added that Hamas continues to evaluate the proposal.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The new proposal was intended to return surviving as well as dead hostages still being held in Gaza in exchange for an an extended truce in fighting.

Hamas has said it had agreed with Mr Witkoff on a general framework of an agreement that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an influx of aid, and a transfer of power from the militant group to a politically independent committee of Palestinians.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile.

He has said Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected plans to resettle Gazas population, a move experts say would likely violate international law.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages  its only bargaining chip  in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

It has offered to give up power to a committee of politically independent Palestinians that could oversee reconstruction.

Benjamin Netanyahu (AP)

Hamas is still holding 58 hostages. Around a third are believed to be alive, though many fear they are in grave danger the longer the war goes on.

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its airstrikes and ground operations after ending a ceasefire in March.

The dispute over whether there should be a temporary ceasefire to release more hostages  as Israel has called for, or a permanent one, as Hamas wants  has hampered talks brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar for more than a year and a half, and there is no indication it has been resolved.

Mr Witkoff has not publicised his latest proposal, but a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March.

Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade  slightly eased in recent days  has pushed the population to the brink of famine.

Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages.

More than half the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.

A cargo of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israels ensuing military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly two million Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands living in squalid tent camps and unused schools.

Hamas has been vastly depleted militarily and lost nearly all of its top leaders in Gaza. It most likely fears that releasing all the hostages without securing a permanent ceasefire would allow Israel to launch an even more devastating campaign to ultimately destroy the group.

Israel fears that a lasting ceasefire and withdrawal now would leave Hamas with significant influence in Gaza, even if it surrenders formal power. With time, Hamas might be able to rebuild its military might and eventually launch more October 7-style attacks.

Mr Netanyahu also faces political constraints: His far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he ends the war too soon.

That would leave him more vulnerable to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges and to investigations into the failures surrounding the October 7 attack.

A broader resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears more distant than ever.

The Palestinians are weak and divided, and Israels current government  the most nationalist and religious in its history  is opposed to Palestinian demands for a state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.
Why once rising star of Sinn Fein will now be watching from sidelines after 30-year career

Michelle Gildernew was let go from her paid post at Sinn Fein

Michelle Gildernew celebrates with Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams after her 2010 General Election win in Fermanagh/South Tyrone

Allison Morris Thu 29 May 2025 at 07:21

In 1997, at just 27 years old, she was part of a small but high-profile Sinn Fein delegation that visited Downing Street to hold talks with the then newly-elected prime minister Tony Blair.
Families fed up after fights between feuding sex offenders at notorious Belfast complex

Incident just the latest in series of clashes, creepy antics and erratic behaviour at Ormeau Road property

Gabriel Quigg

Ciaran Barnes Thu 29 May 2025 at 19:45

Families living in the shadow of a notorious apartment complex which houses sex offenders say they are being put at risk by their behaviour.
Its not often people get shot at one of your shows: UB40s Robin Campbell looks back on Johnny Mad Dog Adair attack

Londonderry-bound guitarist implementing succession plan for band so the music never stops

UB40's Robin Campbell

David O'Dornan Thu 29 May 2025 at 14:00

UB40 have pledged to become the first band that tours for ever by constantly adding new blood to their ever-evolving line-up.
Shutterstock.com

Satan will use many weapons against you to weaken your faith. One of those weapons is temptation. Temptation is the desire to do something particularly wrong or unwise. As Christians, we battle with temptation daily. We are tempted to in self-gratifying ways so that we ultimately disobey God. Even Jesus wasnt immune to temptation. We see this in Matthew 4 when satan tempts Jesus. There are things the devil is committed to robbing you of. Often, we arent even aware we are being tempted until we have already given into the sin. When this happens, our peace is stolen, and it also robs us of the blessings of God. Fortunately, Jesus is stronger than the devil and his will. Ultimately, He has the power to save us from temptation.

James 1:13 lets us know that God does not tempt us to sin. The verse says, No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one. We also know this because it goes against His very nature. He is holy. The idea also goes against other commandments we read in scripture that tell us to flee temptation and avoid sin. In Matthew 6:9-13, where we are given the Lords model prayer, He says, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. The fact that Jesus makes this request for God not to lead us into temptation shows us that avoiding temptation should be one of the main concerns on our Christian walk.

While temptation can show up in the form of desire, it can also refer to trials. First Corinthians 10:13 says, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. This is a great reminder to us that we will not be tested beyond our abilities with Jesus. There will always be a way out. There will be times when God will subject us to trials that can expose us to the enemys assaults for His purpose. We may not know it at the time, but we grow spiritually in these moments. Peter and Job are two great examples. It is ok to pray to Jesus that you are delivered from suffering and trials. Whats important is that we submit ourselves to Gods will, no matter what that will is.

No matter what temptation you are facing today, whether you are asking God to lead you from sin or a difficult trial, the goal should always be deliverance from the evil one. David offers a similar petition in Psalms 114:4, which says, Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. In every situation we face, in all of our circumstances, God is our deliverer. Seeking Jesus when are tempted is seeking Gods power over sin.

Satan will do everything in his power to shift your focus away from God and onto him. In a society where we are taught to worship status, power, money and wealth, satan wants you to believe that obtaining this will complete you. The more you have, the happier you will be, right? Yet, the Bible tells us the opposite. Matthew 5:3 says, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. We must be humble in spirit. In order to do this, we have to acknowledge our sin, along with our spiritual emptiness.

We will all struggle with temptation in our lives, some more than others. Many Christians claim that they will let go and trust Jesus in all circumstances, but they cant. One of the tools we are given to battle temptation is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Gods power in action. The Bible tells us, If you are guided by the Spirit, you wont obey your selfish desires. When we trust in the Holy Spirits power, He will lead us on straight paths. Micha 3:8 also says, But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. Luke 1:35 also reminds us, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. When we look over these passages, we can clearly see that God sends out the Holy Spirit to accomplish the will of God.

James 1:12-15 says, Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by ones own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. God is more powerful than the enemy and can guide us through any temptation we face.

Remember, satan is deceitful and will do everything in his power to destroy you emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Its so easy to slip deeper into temptation and brokenness. Before you know it, you are completely separated from God. We must break free from temptations chains and trust the bigger plan God has for our lives. We have a greater weapon to use against satan. We have Jesus, who is always on our side. There is no temptation He cant help us through.

Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council.
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Ultimately, if the plan goes through in the coming months, city fifth and sixth graders will be sent to one school and seventh and eighth graders to another for the 2026-27 school year.
Pahalgam Terror Attack and Dog Whistling

Prof Ali Khans post is not a dog whistle but an expression of the anguish of the minority community. On the contrary, it is Vijay Shah whose dog whistle is bordering on open articulation of Hate

Thursday May 29, 2025 11:33 AM , Ram Puniyani

Pahalgam terrorist attack left a deep imprint on the people of India. While PM Modi indulged in bravado of words, the Godi media followed suit and claimed that India has intruded into Pakistan territory. Pakistan in turn claimed bombing down many planes of India.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump was the first one to claim that he has brokered a ceasefire. On the other hand, Modi took credit for the same and the army spokesperson elaborated that there was a request from Pakistan authorities for cessation of hostilities and India responded in the affirmative to bring a halt to the potential bloodbath of more army personnel and civilians on both sides.

The Government decided to tell the Indian side of the story by sending various delegations abroad. Many MPs from opposition parties were included. One such was the delegation to America headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. What type of brief these delegations were given becomes clear from the statement of Tharoor in America.

Tharoor stated in America that, while the intent behind the Pahalgam terror attack was to divide people, it brought people together in India, irrespective of their religion or any other divide...There was an extraordinary amount of togetherness cutting across religious and other divides that people have tried to provoke. The message is very clear that there was a malignant intent... ".

Have all the delegations been given a brief like this?

This narrative clearly has lots of truth in it as all Indians - Hindus and Muslims, both came together to condemn the dastardly act of Pahalgam. Still, lurking under this is the continued Hate being spread against Muslims.

Even before the Pahalgam tragedy the hate directed against Muslims has been rising. After this tragedy, this hate manufactured against Muslims has peaked even further. In my article last week, I did give a partial list of Hate actions against this hapless community. These events have been chronicled by the Center for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai .

Another article comments that Even as India mourned lives lost in the terrorist attack, a coordinated campaign unfolded, offline and online, with one message: that Muslims were a threat to Hindus, that a similar fate awaited all Hindus, and that Muslims needed to be punished through violence and boycotts."

Most disturbing of these was the arrest of Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmoodabad , who heads the political science department there. In a very pertinent post he stated, "I am very happy to see so many right wing commentators applauding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi," he wrote.

Further that "they should also demand that the victims of mob lynching, arbitrary demolitions [of houses], others who are victims of the BJP's hate mongering be protected as Indian citizens".

Several rights groups have pointed out that there has been a rise in violence and hate speech against Muslims in India in the past decade.

Following this, there were complaints against him by Haryana State Womens Commission that Prof Mahmudabad's social media posts had "disparaged" the two women defense officers and "undermined their role" in the armed forces.

It is beyond ones comprehension as to how this post disparaged the women defense officers or undermined their role in the Indian army?

The other complaint was filed by a BJP youth activist. Ali Khan was arrested based on these complaints and approached the Supreme Court, granting him provisional bail . SC also gave a judgment which asked him not to write on this matter and to deposit his passport.

The judgment stated that Ali Khans post is a "dog whistling" and that it may transmit contentious messages subtly. We know "dog-whistling" is the most used label for coded speech that carries contentious meaning indirectly. The Judges doubted the time and motivation behind the posts though the bail was very gratifying.

Even Vijay Shah, a BJP leader who commented that Col Sofiya Quraishi is the sister of terrorists was heavily reprimanded by the Court. This comment by a BJP leader was the most hateful comment possible against the outstanding army officer. As such this was a clear dog whistling by Vijay Shah. While the Court rejected his apology, his arrest has been put on hold.

What is a dog whistle?

Prof Ali Khans post is not a dog whistle to be sure. It is an expression of the anguish of the minority community. On the contrary, it is Vijay Shah whose dog whistle is bordering on open articulation of Hate.

Prof Ali Khan in a very sensitive manner has shown us the mirror as to how the nation is treating its minorities. Vijay Shah has shown openly as to how every occasion is used to sow hatred against minorities.

A Professor from minority community should not be taken to task for talking about bulldozers and lynching which has become part of our new normal and despite the Courts disapproval of bulldozers, the state Governments many a times have resorted to its use.

Also, two satirists, Neha Singh Rathore and Madri Karkoti, known as Dr Medusa online, were booked for their social media posts critical of the Modi government, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

In a way what Vijay Shah has done is largely condoned by his party, no suspension, no expulsion and no arrest. The open hate against minorities from top BJP leadership to down below is not only quietly accepted, it also acts as a stepping stone for their political career.

Just to recall in the prelude to 2020 Delhi violence , those calling for peace and harmony, Umar Khalid, Sharjil Imam are rotting in the jails for over 5 years, their cases not even coming to hearing state while a minister of state Anurag Thakur got promoted to full Cabinet rank after he made the people shout  Goli Maro  slogans.

The norms of our civility and Constitution are being slowly eroded by the politics which wears the clothes of religion. What democracy needs is the likes of Ali Khan, Umar Khalid, Neha Singh Rathore and Himanshi Narwal who in truthful manner are calling for peace and also showing us a mirror of our society.

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PITTSFIELD  Susan Birns was working on her thesis about domestic violence, interviewing survivors. That was about when her 12-year-old daughter, Sylvia, asked her for practical advice.

Mom, how do I guarantee I dont get into a violent relationship? recalled Birns.

Quote In the past year, a hotline run by the Elizabeth Freeman Center has been getting 77 percent more calls about domestic and sexual violence than before the pandemic.

Birns, a board member of the Elizabeth Freeman Center, which provides help to people facing domestic violence, told her daughter there was no sure way to avoid a violent relationship. But she said it is important to watch for signs of control, such as attempts to isolate her. If so, a person should end the relationship as soon as those red flags appear.

Beyond the individual, one approach to reduce domestic violence is to educate the community, Birns believes.

The first person that somebody discloses [their domestic violence story] to can have a huge impact on whether or not [the victim] keeps talking about it, she said. Believing the victim and offering support are keys.

In the past year, a hotline run by the Freeman center has been getting 77 percent more calls about domestic and sexual violence than before the pandemic. Just a few months ago, Jillian Tatro, a North Adams resident, was killed by her husband.

Thats why, starting in October, a One Book, One Community project will bring the issue of gender-based violence to reading groups around Berkshire County.

The project is led by the Berkshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force, sponsored by the Berkshire District Attorneys Office. (Editors note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the sponsoring group.)

The topic will be explored through Tanya Selvaratnams book Assume Nothing: A Story of Intimate Violence.

In 2018, Selvaratnam came forward, along with other women, to tell Jane Mayer and Ronan Farrow of the New Yorker magazine about physical and psychological abuse experienced with Eric Schneiderman. Schneiderman was then New York States Attorney General and had become an outspoken advocate of the #MeToo movement, suing Harvey Weinsteins company.

Last year she published a memoir recalling her experience. By discussing Selvaratnams book, organizers want to show domestic abuse can be committed by anyone. Schneiderman was educated, financially independent and had a successful career.

It also shows abuse can be perpetrated by supposed allies. One of the realities is that a lot of [abusers] have Jekyll and Hyde personalities. Like Eric Schneiderman, theyre horrible in their intimate relationship, but they look like the life of the party to the rest of the world, said Birns.

About two dozen reading groups have formed and the easiest ones to join are attached to libraries. The Becket, North Adams, Sheffield, North Adams, Pittsfield, and Lenox libraries each have a group.

Birns said there is still time to form a group, as the discussions will take place between October, the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and April. The center will provide a facilitator and a list of discussion questions. If buying the book is an issue for its members, the center can provide the book. On April 13, Selvaratnam will meet the readers through a Zoom seminar.

The goal is to create an environment where speaking out is easier.

We want survivors to know that were out here and we care and its safe to come forward, said Birns, who serves on the executive committee of the Berkshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force.

We certainly want them to know about the Freeman center, whose services are free and confidential. We want abusers to know that the community doesnt welcome that kind of behavior, that we want to be a zero tolerance community, she said.
OTIS  There's a new arbor czar in town.

Voters in Tuesday's election selected Derek Poirier as their new tree warden, elevating him to the position that has been held by John "Jack" Conboy for 25 years.

The changing of the guard isn't rankling Conboy.

"I wanted out anyway," said Conboy, 75, adding that he's known Poirier since he was young. "He's a great kid ... If I had won I would have resigned and let him have it.

Poirier, who didn't respond to message seeking comment Wednesday, won the race by a narrow 101-97 margin. As for Conboy, he hasn't stepped out of public life; he remains a constable in Otis and serves as a health agent in Tolland.

With 216 of the town's 1,332 registered voters heading to the polls on Tuesday, it was a low turnout election, said Town Clerk Lyn O'Brien, who was also reelected after running unopposed.

It's disappointing, but I do find when there's not a selectboard race people don't come out the same, she said.

Poirier currently serves as the town's highway superintendent, a role that already requires sees him dealing with many of the trees under the town's control. Massachusetts cities and towns are required to have a tree warden to oversee shade trees along streets and other public land, ensuring they're healthy and pose no threat to life or property.

The only other contested election on the ballot was for a three-year term on the Finance Board. Susan Bauer-Brofman was eleced, outpolling write-in candidate Lisamarie D'Orazio 108-78.

Bauer-Brofman also serves on the board of trustees for the Otis Library. She said she ran for a seat on the Finance Board to better understand the town's fiscal situation as she presses forward in efforts to build a new library.

The library is too small for its collection, lacks potable water and isn't ADA-compliant, she said. Her goal is to help shepherd a new library into the town center without breaking the bank.

"It's important that we build the library but not have a big impact on taxes," Bauer-Brofman said.

She sees a new library as the catalyst to bringing life back to Otis center. She resigned from her position on Town of Otis Revitalization Committee upon her election to the finance panel.

"They're not just about books and DVDs anymore," she said of public libraries, "theyre places where people go to gather.

Separately, a local ballot question asking voters to approve borrowing for a $3.8 million addition to the highway garage failed 76-113. The proposal was also defeated at annual town meeting earlier this month.
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P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Kings College London commence first training programme for nurses

May 29, 2025 | Thursday | News

A step forward in advancing nursing education and standards in India

image credit- shutterstock

P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre has entered into a strategic services agreement with Kings College London, Guys andSt Thomas NHS Foundation to deliver training in clinical and non-clinical courses for doctors and nurses, research capacity building and executive education to health professionals in India and the UK.

The inaugural academic initiative of this collaboration was launched on May 16th, 2025, a tailored Clinical Nursing Leadership programme aimed at empowering senior nursing professionals in India. This represents a bold step forward in advancing nursing education and healthcare leadership through global tie-ups.

The 12-week course, titled Clinical Nursing Leadership, is being conducted by the faculty of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at Kings College London. Structured as a hybrid programme, it combines online and in-person instruction and follows a synchronous, activity-based teaching methodology designed to engage and elevate experienced nursing leaders.

A cohort of highly qualified nurses currently serving in senior leadership roles at P. D. Hinduja Hospital have enrolled in this inaugural batch. The curriculum is designed not only to enhance clinical acumen but also to cultivate the strategic thinking and leadership competencies required to manage modern healthcare environments.

The teaching faculty for this programme includes renowned educators and practitioners from Kings College London with deep expertise in clinical nursing, adult care, mental health, and pedagogy. The collaborative design of the program underscores a shared commitment to international excellence in nursing education.

Dr Phalakshi Manjrekar, Director of Nursing, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, said, Nurses are essential drivers of healthcare quality and safety, and by investing in their leadership development, we are investing in the future resilience of our health systems. Our collaboration with Kings College London brings a unique opportunity to blend international standards with local clinical realities, helping to bridge gaps in knowledge and practice."

Dr Julia Philippou, Vice Dean International in the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at Kings College London said, This initiative goes beyond leadership development - it equips senior nursing professionals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and global perspective needed to lead, influence, and elevate nursing practice."

Some of the activities planned include research and capacity building, using technological and digital advances to develop effective healthcare solutions, scholarships for students in India in biomedical and imaging sciences, etc.
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Serving Pilgrims: Story of Tabuk Volunteers

Tabuk Volunteers perform their duties with precise organization and continuous coordination alongside relevant government and service agencies deployed during the Hajj season

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:09 PM , Aniqua Sabahat Faizee

Tabuk: The tradition of serving pilgrims is centuries old and was taken as a duty by different tribes in Makkah, mainly the Quraysh tribe, the custodian of the Holy Kaaba to which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his ancestors also belonged.

The Arab ancestors have passed this tradition to their children who take special efforts and utmost care to serve Pilgrims  the visitors of Makkah, Madinah and other Holy Sites. Their endeavor reaches peak especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the annual Hajj Season. The Volunteers of Tabuk however have taken the tradition of serving pilgrims to new height.

Male and female volunteers from Tabuk Region have tirelessly served arriving pilgrims in Pilgrims City at the Halat Ammar border crossing, traveling over 200 kilometers round-trip daily from Tabuk City to join field teams delivering exceptional services to pilgrims.

These efforts exemplify Tabuk's strong community commitment and reflect the vital role of volunteer work in Saudi society, as well as highlight the Saudi leaderships care for Hajj pilgrims from arrival through departure.

The volunteers perform their duties with precise organization and continuous coordination alongside relevant government and service agencies.

Their responsibilities include managing pilgrim movement, providing guidance, distributing meals and water, and supporting medical and ambulance teams.

Despite the considerable distance they travel, their steadfast dedication reflects the values of compassion and selflessness, demonstrating a profound commitment to serving pilgrims coming to the Kingdom from all around the world.

Hajj is the annual ritual performed by around 2 million Muslims coming to Saudi Arabia from different parts of the world.

As per the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah, more than 1.2 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom as on May 28, 2025.

The Saudi Royal Court has confirmed that, the key ritual of Hajj, Standing on the Plains of Arafat, will be observed on Thursday June 05, 2025. This is a day before celebration of Eid al Adha.

[Aniqua Sabahat Faizee is Staff Writer at ummid.com]

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NEW YORK  Columbia University's commencement ceremony on Wednesday was overshadowed by loud boos and chants of "free Palestine" as Acting President Claire Shipman addressed the absence of graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist detained in a Louisiana jail facing deportation. The protests reflect growing tensions over free speech and the Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activism.

Shipman, who took over as acting president in late March, acknowledged Khalil's absence during her speech on Columbia's main campus in Manhattan. "We firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else and they should not be targeted by the government for exercising this right," Shipman said, adding: "I know many in our community are mourning the absence of our graduate Mahmoud Khalil."

Khalil, a graduate student in Columbia's international affairs program, was arrested by federal immigration agents on March 8, 2025, at his off-campus apartment in Manhattan. He has been held at the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, Louisiana, and faces deportation for his prominent role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia last spring. Federal authorities have not charged Khalil with a crime but argue his activism undermines U.S. foreign policy interests, citing his alleged support for Hamas, a claim Khalil and his attorneys deny.

The commencement, held under rainy skies, saw some students walk out while others booed and jeered during Shipman's remarks. The acting president faced a similar reception at a smaller graduation ceremony on Tuesday, reflecting the deep divisions on campus over the Israel-Hamas conflict and Khalil's detention.

Khalil's arrest marks the first publicly known deportation effort under President Donald Trump's pledge to target student activists involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The administration has labeled such protests as antisemitic and supportive of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Khalil's attorneys argue his detention is a violation of his First Amendment rights, accusing the government of targeting him to suppress dissent.

"Mahmoud's detention is indicative of the anti-Palestinian racism that both the Biden and Trump administrations have demonstrated," Khalil wrote in a letter from detention, released by his attorney. He has also been unable to see his newborn child, born during his detention, as jail authorities have rejected his requests to hold the infant.

Protests in support of Khalil have spread beyond Columbia, with demonstrations at UC Berkeley and a sit-in at Trump Tower organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, where nearly 100 protesters were arrested. Jewish groups, including J Street and IfNotNow, have condemned Khalil's detention, arguing it represents an authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration.

Columbia University has faced additional pressure from the White House, which has accused the school of refusing to help federal agents identify other pro-Palestinian activists. The Trump administration has also threatened to cut $400 million in federal funding unless Columbia places its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department under "academic receivership" for five years, a demand critics call an attack on academic freedom.

Khalil's legal team is appealing a Louisiana immigration judge's April 11 ruling that he can be deported as a national security risk. A federal judge in New Jersey has temporarily barred his removal while the case continues. The appeal process could extend for months, with Khalil's attorneys also exploring an asylum claim.

As Columbia grapples with these tensions, the university remains a flashpoint in the broader national debate over protest rights and U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine.
40 per cent of large enterprises in Ireland have experienced employee resignations due to recent changes to their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in Ireland, according to a new survey.

The survey, from global technology, engineering, and consulting service provider Expleo, got responses from 200 business and IT decision-makers in Ireland.

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It found that the issue of DEI is having a profound impact on businesses in Ireland as they weigh up following global trends, versus doubling down on their existing policies.

The research, conducted by Censuswide, found that large enterprises in Ireland are divided on how to address DEI.

While 49 per cent said they are increasing their commitment to DEI  and 56 per cent said it is fundamental to the success of their organisation  some 42 per cent believe there is too much focus being placed on it.

This uncertainty is already impacting employees, with 47 per cent of decision-makers admitting that individuals are worried about DEI becoming less important.

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Since November 2024, 40 per cent of organisations operating in Ireland have already eliminated, or have planned to eliminate, DEI targets completely. And, of those who include employee pronouns in email signatures, 50 per cent are removing them.

Furthermore, almost half (49 per cent) of enterprises who have operations in the US are removing references to DEI that may get them into difficulty Stateside.

Managing director for Ireland, Expleo, Phil Codd: said: Committing to DEI is not easy. Shortcomings on targets can be demoralising and subject to board scrutiny. But if we abandon targets, we effectively stop holding ourselves to account.

However, we do have reason to be optimistic. A significant proportion of enterprise leaders said they are increasing their commitment to DEI in Ireland.

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"These are the businesses who are going against the grain and making choices that are not only principled, but commercially smart. In doing so, they are positioning themselves as true leaders who are capable of attracting top talent in an employee market where DEI matters more than ever.

We see first-hand at Expleo, by enriching our workforces, diversity brings tangible value to organisations by widening perspectives and challenging accepted norms.

"It is fundamental to the innovation we bring to our clients and our own revenue growth as a challenger in the IT services space in Ireland. It should be ingrained in the DNA of every organisation. It is time for companies to boldly go forward and embrace DEI at a time when it is under attack.
Bloodstock billionaire John Magnier has complained of his alleged unfair treatment as he faces cross examination over a failed 15 million land deal in the High Court.

The founder of the world famous Coolmore Stud at the start of Thursday's hearing asked the judge's permission to address the court.

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He said he thought he was being "treated unfairly" Wednesday, by the opposing senior counsel for Barne Estate Martin Hayden SC during cross examination.

He claimed counsel "unfairly went after" his good name and Mr Magnier declared he came to court for "protection, not to be slaughtered".

Lawyers acting for Mr Magnier have claimed before the High Court that a US-based construction magnate, Maurice Regan, the preferred buyer, engaged in a "full-frontal assault" on Mr Magnier's claimed deal to buy 751 acres of land in Tipperary for 15 million.

Mr Magnier's proceedings claim that Barne Estate reneged on the alleged deal, preferring to sell the land at the higher price of 22.25 million to Mr Regan, the founder of the New York building firm JT Magen.

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Mr Magnier  along with his adult children, John Paul Magnier and Kate Wachman - wants to enforce the alleged deal.

They say the deal was struck at an August 22nd, 2023, kitchen meeting at Mr Magniers Coolmore home.

They also claim an exclusivity agreement that was in effect from August 31t to September 30th stipulated that the estate would not permit its representatives to solicit or encourage any expression of interest, inquiry or offer on the property from anyone other than Mr Magnier.

Barne Estate has been held for the benefit of Richard Thomson-Moore and others by a Jersey trust.

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The Magnier side have sued the Barne Estate, Mr Thomson-Moore and three companies of IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd group, seeking to enforce the purported deal, which they say had been "unequivocally" agreed.

The Barne defendants say there was never any such agreement and subsequently they preferred to sell the estate to Mr Regan.

Mr Regan is not a party to the case.

At the High Court on Thursday , Mr Magnier repeatedly told the court that when it came to legal and financially detailed matters that he hired experts who would decide and report on the progression of land deals for him.

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Mr Magnier said "I don't think you believe me - I am not a solicitor" to Mr Hayden and said that he was answering the same questions "again and again and when I answer you look out the window".

Mr Hayden said he was being "polite" to Mr Magnier in letting him finish his answers but that after any "rambling" by the plaintiff he would still be asked to specifically address the question originally asked.

Mr Magnier told Mr Hayden that while he was "smarter than me" he was not going to allow Mr Hayden to put "your words in my mouth, I am not going to do that".

Mr Magnier claims that on the night the Thomson-Moores went to another room in Coolmore to ring the trustees of Barne to get the go-ahead on the deal and returned with the permissions needed.

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Mr Hayden said that phone records show that neither the Thomson-Moores nor estate agent John Stokes, also present at the meeting, made any contact with the trustees.

"You had to come up with another story which was that they said they were calling them," said Mr Hayden.

"They did say they were going to call. I have not changed my story at all. It's unfair to say so. It's untrue," said Mr Magnier.

"I shook hands with the three people who were there," he said, adding "my word is my bond".

Mr Magnier said that it was his suggestion to present a "no strings attached 50K" in two envelopes on September 7th, 2023, to Mr Stokes who gave it to the Thomson-Moores because the family were allowing Mr Magnier's people onto the land, were resisting bids and claimed that Mr Stokes had told him the family were "strapped for cash"

Mr Hayden said that it will be Mr Stokes' evidence that he never said the family were strapped for cash.

However, the money was returned to the Magniers days later and Mr Magnier told the court that it was his estimation that this was a signal that the family had now changed their minds and were going with the higher bid.

The case continues before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
A Fianna Fail TD has apologised for saying the British armed forces never shot civilians in Ireland.

Cathal Crowe said he the remarks were off the cuff and that he would use better prepared speaking notes in the future.

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He apologised to victims of British State atrocities and those who cared about Irish history.

Mr Crowe, who studied history in college and taught the subject in school, initially made the remarks during a session in the Dail that was focused on the conflict in Gaza.

He was drawing a comparison to Israels response to the October 7th attack by Hamas with the actions of the British state in Ireland.

Speaking on Wednesday, he said: The October 7th terror attacks on Israel are to be condemned outright but the eye-for-an-eye approach adopted by the Israeli state since has been indefensible.

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The bombing of hospitals, schools, tents and the killing of children and babies, including newborn babies in hospitals, is reprehensible.

It is the worst we have seen in our lifetime. What is happening is not a war anymore; it is ethnic cleansing, genocide and more recently, there has been the weaponising of food.

The British Army were bad actors on this island for many centuries but even in the worst of days, when their cities were being bombed by the terror organisations of the IRA, they never retaliated by bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland.

On Thursday, he apologised for the remarks and said he was speaking without a scripted speech.

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I wish to clarify a speech I made yesterday in the Dail, correct the Dail record and also apologise profusely to anyone who may have been offended by my comments.

The speech I made was during the debate this House had on Gaza. I was speaking without a scripted speech and instead using a series of bullet points.

He added: I then wanted to make the point that brutal, bad and all as the British armed forces have been on this island for a very long time, they never resorted to sending over the Royal Air Force, tanks and missiles to pummel Irish cities.

I wanted to convey the magnitude and the visceral hatred which has been behind the Israel Defence Forces actions in Gaza. I also wanted to convey the huge disproportionality the Israeli state adopted following the reprehensible Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023.

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Regrettably, speaking largely off the cuff, I clumsily and wrongly stated, they never retaliated by bombing or shooting the civilian population of Ireland.

Mr Crowe said it was not his intention to have said that.

He said: I did not realise how woeful all of that sounded until late last night when I received the transcript of what I actually said.

It was a genuine slip-up on my part but it was wrong. I wish to unequivocally and profusely apologise today.

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He added: I know that the British armed forces have been involved in many heinous attacks on Irish people historically: Bloody Sunday in Croke Park in 1920, the massacre of 26 civilians in Derrys Bogside in 1972 and the countless other actions in recent history and further back for which they are responsible.

He said his own family suffered at the hands of British military in the past.
A dentist has been given a suspended prison sentence of four and a half years and a lifetime ban on owning animals after what a judge described as one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect he had ever come across.

Karen Saunderson (68), who comes originally from Liverpool with an address in England, pleaded guilty to 10 offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, over the condition in which a large number of animals were discovered at the rental property where she lived at Templelusk, Avoca, Co Wicklow, on November 19th, 2016.

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The charges related to causing unnecessary suffering, feeding, neglect and a failure to safeguard the health and welfare of animals.

Photo: Collins

Lawyers for Ms Saunderson  who is also known as Sanderson  claimed her property was used as a drop-off point for certain unwanted animals.

A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard an animal welfare inspector and gardai who visited the living area of the property complained that their eyes were burning from the smell of ammonia from the urine of the animals.

A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Conor Dowling.

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The inspector gave evidence that an overweight pig, which was found squealing and lying on its side in a filthy stable, had to be put down later that day to prevent it from further suffering.

Mr Dowling said the animal was unable to get to its feet, had overgrown hooves and no water.

He described a terrible stench from other stables where he found 12 dogs living in muck and faeces with no water with some of the animals obviously stressed.

Photo: Collins

One Mastiff who had a withered leg had to be euthanised a week later.

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Mr Dowling said a German Shepherd, who was discovered to be pregnant, gave birth to a litter of nine pups the following week. Some were deformed, and none survived.

However, most of the other dogs and all the horses were successfully rehomed.

Mr Dowling told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that he sought assistance from gardai because of the scale of what he encountered.

He outlined how dogs spilled out of the living area of a loft building when the door was opened.

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The court heard a total of 31 dogs, ranging from small puppies to giant breeds, were found in the loft with dog faeces everywhere.

It was a stressful and chaotic environment, said Mr Dowling, who believed that a large pool of liquid on the floor was urine from the dogs.

I could not breathe and it made my eyes burn, he recalled.

A video recording of the scene showed the accused trying to claim the dogs had only urinated when inspectors had knocked on the door.

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Mr Dowling said the accused claimed she walked 30 dogs every day, but he said the evidence indicated otherwise, as many of the animals had overgrown claws.

He said one Mastiff had chronic arthritis and could not even make its own way downstairs, while a spaniel could not walk as it had not properly recovered from an old injury.

Another dog had to have a toe amputated as it had been gnawing at an exposed bone.

Mr Dowling said he did not believe Ms Saunderson was keeping animals commercially, but he found it hard to explain the situation.

The inspector said all the horses were underweight and suffering from rain scald and mud fever.

He told Judge Patrick Quinn that a decision was taken to remove most of the animals, although the accused was allowed to keep some dogs, to whom she was particularly attached.

The judge questioned how the situation was allowed to develop, that both the defendant and her animals were living in such appalling conditions and squalor, without it being reported to the authorities.

Somebody must have known, he observed.

Mr Dowling replied that he had visited the property on the basis of a quite vague report that gave no sense of the scale of what he subsequently discovered.

He pointed out that a vet who called to the property had never been beyond the yard.

Photo: Collins

However, he remarked that someone passing on the quiet road beside the property could have seen the horses in the field and realised there might be an animal welfare issue.

Mr Dowling said the costs in the case were calculated at 12,229 but he believed the true figure was a multiple of that figure.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Eanna Mulloy SC, the inspector said he was unaware of Ms Saundersons claim that she was not the owner of all the animals or that she had issues with her landlord about sewage problems on the property.

Mr Dowling said he was also unfamiliar that she was meant to be minding animals for a member of the Traveller community.

The court heard Ms Saunderson had moved to Ireland in financially strained circumstances for a number of years on a career break, while she was the subject of a long-running regulatory matter with the General Dental Council in the UK.

Mr Kelly noted that her guilty pleas were only entered in January 2025 to offences committed over eight years ago after she had submitted reports over the intervening years that she was unfit to go on trial.

Mr Mulloy said Ms Saunderson had a difficult family background and was someone who was easily exploited.

He said the kernel of the problem was that his client was a woman who had a soft spot for animals, who could not cope with the number she had accumulated, but there was a low risk of her re-offending.

Sentencing Ms Saunderson to four and a half years in prison and ordering her to pay costs of 15,000, Judge Quinn said it was obvious both she and her animals were neglected and living in absolute squalor.

The judge observed he had come across a few other similar cases where someone with a love of animals became overwhelmed by the number of animals they acquired over time.

He claimed it was irrelevant that she might have been exploited by others.

The judge accepted that her neglect was not intentional but due to her own declining mental state.

Ms Saunderson sobbed audibly as she heard the sentence would be fully suspended.

Addressing the judge, she remarked: Thank you very much. I really am so very sorry.
Dublin Airport is set to welcome almost half a million passengers over the coming bank holiday weekend.

The airport is expecting more than 115,000 passengers every day between Friday and Monday, with a total of 480,000 set to pass through Dublin Airport's terminals.

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The four-day period between Friday and Monday will see close to 250,000 passengers departing from Dublin Airport, with around 230,000 passengers arriving, including many thousands of tourists.

The busiest day over the weekend will be Friday when almost 124,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport.

Passengers are advised to arrive at their terminal two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight.

According to Graeme McQueen, spokesperson for Dublin Airport: "The peak tourism season is here and demand to travel this summer is really high, with this set to be the busiest June bank holiday ever at Dublin Airport.

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"The coming days, which follow what has been a very busy month of May, are yet further evidence of the huge demand that's out there to fly in and out of Dublin.

"Our departure gates will be busy with families heading off on city breaks and early summer holidays, with many more passengers using the long weekend to reconnect with friends and loved ones all over the world.

"Our arrivals halls are going to be full of visitors too, which is good news for the hotels, bars, restaurants and tourist spots that they will go on to visit in all 32 counties."

#NotOnMyFlight campaign

As the June bank holiday weekend approaches, aviation and public sector stakeholders are reaffirming their shared commitment to tackling disruptive passenger behaviour through the ongoing #NotOnMyFlight campaign.

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The initiative, which launched last year, continues to gain momentum across the aviation industry as it works collectively to ensure safe, respectful, and enjoyable air travel for all.

Since 2024 the campaign has expanded to include Forsa, Irelands largest aviation union, and the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA), both of whom have formally signed the industrys Joint Declaration on Unruly Passenger Behaviour.

Their involvement underscores the growing recognition that disruptive conduct on flights and in airports is a shared challenge requiring a united response.

They said that while the vast majority of passengers travel responsibly, there has been a continued rise in industry reports to the Irish Aviation Authority; a trend that has seen year on year increases as airlines have encouraged crews to increase the reporting of unruly behaviour.

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Statistics from An Garda Siochana show that in 2025 to date, there has already been over 30 incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported to Dublin Airport Garda station, representing an almost 80 per cent increase in comparison to the entire of 2024.

Photo: PA

This is on the back of a 50 per cent increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported to Dublin Airport Garda station in 2024 - when compared to 2023.

The three most common incidents in 2025 so far have been offensive behaviour onboard aircraft, obstructs/assaults an authorised officer, and intoxicated onboard aircraft.

Ryanairs Chief Risk Officer, Carol Sharkey, said: Ryanair is pleased to support the Irish aviation industrys #NotOnMyFlight campaign to tackle disruptive passenger behaviour.

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"The safety and wellbeing of our crew and passengers is Ryanairs No.1 priority, and we will continue to work closely with An Garda Siochana, the IAA, Irish Airports and the wider aviation industry to eradicate all forms of disruptive passenger behaviour in airports and onboard our aircraft.

Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner, Dublin Metropolitan Region An Garda Siochana, said: There is no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour.

"As highlighted in this weeks episode of Crimecall, incidents of unruly conduct in airports and on planes can have serious consequences for both passengers and staff.

"It can be a frightening experience that endangers passengers and crew, while it can also mean delayed flights and missed connections."
A gangland gunman convicted of murdering dissident Republican Michael Barr in a Dublin pub in 2016 has argued that the trial court was wrong to dismiss the evidence of a witness concerning the height of the man who pulled the trigger.

Counsel for David Hunter (46) also argued that Hunter's privacy rights had been breached by the introduction of mobile phone evidence during his trial, in which he was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court in September 2020.

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Liverpool native Hunter, with an address at Du Cane Road, White City, London, had denied the Kinahan Cartel murder of 35-year-old Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin's north inner city on the night of April 25th, 2016.

At his trial before the non-jury, three-judge Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, said that the evidence had been heard in a "compelling way" that Hunter was one of the two gunmen who entered the Summerhill pub and murdered Mr Barr by shooting him.

Hunter's involvement in the murder had been "fully proved" and the court was "sure of his guilt", remarked Mr Justice Owens.

The judge noted that the murderers had failed to burn out the getaway car, which had been abandoned at Walsh Road in Drumcondra a few minutes after the killing, and they had also dropped a burner phone at the getaway scene.

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He said the major part of a DNA profile taken from a ski mask recovered from the car during the investigation into the shooting of Mr Barr matched the profile of Hunter.

In a voluntary statement to gardai, Hunter said that the ski mask was his but that he had dropped it in a car driven by another man when he visited Ireland two months before the murder on a car-stealing exercise. Hunter also claimed he had used the mask on various ski trips with his children to Norway, France, Spain, Scotland, Austria and Switzerland.

Mr Justice Owens said that the circumstantial evidence in the case "pointed inextricably" to Hunter's guilt and the facts taken together had established the father-of-five's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and no other rational explanation could be drawn.

At the Court of Appeal on Thursday, Hunters legal team argued that the trial court erred in rejecting the evidence of witnesses present in the Sunset House that said there was a difference in height between the two assailants who entered the pub and killed Mr Barr.

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Michael Bowman SC said that the trial court had set out that Hunter was being convicted because someone dropped a mobile phone at the scene and the car used by the gunmen failed to burn out, meaning that latex masks were not destroyed by the fire.

Counsel said that a witness in the pub was very clear in the physical description he gave, identifying a distinction in height between the two men. This witness had said the gunman was wearing a ski mask under a latex mask, but Mr Bowman said the trial court had refused to acknowledge what the witness had seen. He said that this witness identified the gunman as being six feet one or two, while Hunter is five feet ten.

Concerning the ski mask from which a DNA profile of Hunter was obtained, Mr Bowman said that in February 2016, Hunter on the spur of the moment came to Ireland for a two-day period to steal cars, bringing the ski mask with him for this purpose.

Its a very careless criminal who would leave his ski mask behind in a car that was stolen, remarked Mr Justice John Edwards.

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Mr Bowman said that the ski mask was correctly observed by the witness in the pub, adding that Hunter does not conform with the height of the assailant given, which meant that there was potentially another individual who wore that mask.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remarked that this would make Hunter a victim of coincidence if he had left the mask in a car six weeks before, only for it then to turn up in a car used in a murder.

Life is a series of unfortunate coincidences, said Mr Bowman.

Hunters legal team also raised a ground of appeal concerning the mobile phones in the case, arguing that even if the appellant accepted or refused ownership of one of the phones, he was entitled to challenge the phone evidence on the basis of a breach of his privacy rights.

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It was submitted that the trial court erred in finding that the mere fact that the material in question may pertain to criminal activity meant it could not attract privacy rights.

On behalf of the State, Dominic McGinn SC said that at the time of the trial, only two of those involved in the shooting were apprehended, while a third man had not been identified. He said that Hunter and co-accused Eamonn Cumberton were of the same height.

Mr McGinn said that of the latex masks found in the car, each had a dominant DNA profile, with one that matched Hunter, one that matched Cumberton, and the last that matched the third man involved, Christopher Slator.

He said that each DNA profile from these masks was paired to different items in the car, with Hunters profile also found on the ski mask.

Ireland Dentist given lifetime ban on owning animals in 'a... Read More

The possibility that perhaps someone else picked it up and put it on, that would have required them to leave none of their profile on it, said Mr McGinn.

Concerning the admissibility of the phone evidence, Mr McGinn said there had been a vast change in the legal position concerning mobile phone data since then, but the investigation team could not be faulted for using the legislation at the time to get the information required.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve judgement in the case.

Hunter is one of three men to be found guilty of murdering dissident republican Michael Barr. In January 2018, Eamonn Cumberton, of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was convicted of murdering the Tyrone native, while in July 2022, Christopher Slator, of Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, was also convicted.
Two TDs who are part of the Coalition-supporting Regional Independent Group voted against the Government on Wednesday night on Sinn Fein's Israeli bonds bill.

Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole voted with the Opposition despite previously saying they would support the Government on motions similar to this.

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Up until now, the pair have voted with the Coalition.

TDs voted 87-75 against a motion brought by Sinn Fein to force the Irish Central Bank to end its role in facilitating the 'Israeli war bonds' in the EU.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has previously said the Sinn Fein motion was unworkable and inconsistent with EU law.

Members of the Opposition held up signs saying "stop funding genocide" as they failed in the Dail vote.

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In a statement, Mr Heneghan said he voted in favour of the Sinn Fein motion because Ireland shouldnt facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza.

Im voting for the bill because Ireland shouldnt facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza, he added.

This is about standing up for international law and basic human rights.

Mr Heneghan said he was fully committed to the Programme for Government, adding as an Independent TD, I reserve the right to act on matters of conscience.

The situation is urgent, and Ireland must show leadership, he said.

Mr Heneghan and Ms Toole are part of the Regional Independent Group of TDs, which is informally led by Michael Lowry, whose role in government formation talks was controversial.

Speaking rights on opposition time for the group led to huge confrontation in the Dail, delaying the nomination of Taoiseach Micheal Martin and the formation of Dail committees.
The Taoiseach has defended the governments actions on Palestine, stating it was the first EU country to call Israels actions genocide.

The Tanaiste also accused Israel of genocide in the Dail for the first time this week.

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The Government has been pressured to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements, introduce powers to remove the Central Banks role in allowing the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU, and to stop flights reportedly carrying munitions to the Middle East from passing through Ireland.

The Government recognised Palestinian statehood a year ago and has pushed for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Ireland has also intervened in South Africas case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC), asking the court to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

Simon Harris was pressed in the Dail on Thursday on whether Israel was being treated differently to Russia and was accused of standing over a narrative that is utterly false on the conflict in the Middle East.

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Responding to independent TD Catherine Connolly, he said that a Bill banning the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands would be progressed to the foreign affairs committee in June.

Defending the governments stance, he said: We are the first government in the European Union to say what Israel is doing is genocide. It is genocide.

Were working to support the people of Palestine and the only chamber I ever go into in the entire world where people dont acknowledge that Ireland, the government, the people of Ireland, are standing with the people of Palestine, standing up for human rights, standing up for international law, is here when you get up and distort  with your ideology  the actions of this government.

Im proud of the people of this country. Im proud that we went into an election, and it didnt matter what party you were in, you stood up and said We are going to support the people of Palestine.

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Get beyond yourself with this narrative of you have all the moral authority and were a terrible people.

Im disgusted and sickened  sickened  watching children dying on our television screens and every day I come to work and work with all the people in here to do our best to show leadership at a time of horrific conflict.

On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin defended his governments decision not to support Sinn Feins Bill proposing to empower The Minister of Finance to end the Central Banks role in facilitating the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU.

Ireland Calm and measured dialogue required after Trump... Read More

We have been very consistent in our support to the Palestinian people and their right to self determination, and in condemning the war crimes and the genocide that is occurring right now, Martin said in the Dail.

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He said: The focus has to be relentlessly on the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government made up of extreme far-right elements who are committing genocide in Gaza right now.

And the most effective way  lets call a spade a spade and you know it  the most effective way is to persuade as many member states within the European Union, and indeed United States, to pull its support from the state of Israel, in terms of what its doing.
An member of the Kinahan drug cartel extradited from the United Arab Emirates has been charged with murder and other charges relating to directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

Sean McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin amid high security.

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Appearing before judges Karen OConnor, Elma Sheahan and Grainne Malone, he was charged with five offences. He was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in December 2016 as part of the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan criminal gangs, despite having no connections to criminality. He was also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Noel Kirwans murder, and a separate charge of facilitating the crime gangs murder of Mr Kirwin, between October 20th and December 22nd, 2016. He was also charged with two other offences, of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to monitoring the activity of James Gately, and another charge of facilitating a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately. McGovern, who appeared in court in a grey T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and black sliders with white socks, confirmed his name to the court. A convoy of Gardai vehicles outside The Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, ahead of the court appearance of Sean McGovern. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire His barrister, Olan Callanan BL, told the court that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of the arrest and the jurisdiction of the court. There were more than 20 Garda members in the courtroom for the short hearing. McGovern was arrested in the UAE last October after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Shortly after his arrest, Ireland finalised an agreement on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.

McGovern was handed over to gardai in Dubai on Wednesday.

He was transported back to Ireland in an Irish military plane on Thursday.

He was formally arrested by police investigating the activities of the Kinahan crime gang when the aircraft landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.

Detective Sergeant Donal Daly told the non-jury court he arrested McGovern at 6:38pm.

He was remanded in custody and is to next appear in court on June 5th at 11am via videolink.
A Chinese diplomat's Geneva diary

10:11, May 29, 2025 By Qin Han ( People's Daily Online

Walking through the grand hall of the Palais des Nations, I was struck by the mix of hope and tension that defines this year's Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions.

As a young Chinese diplomat attending the HRC session for the first time, I have braced myself for heated debates, but the undercurrents of change here are palpable. The 58th HRC session has become a microcosm of a shifting global orderone where old alliances fray, new voices emerge, and ideological divides deepen.

Vacant offices

My first observation came not from the conference rooms but the streets of Geneva. Cafes near the UN district, once bustling with NGO workers, now put up "For Lease" notices.

A colleague of mine told me that after the US quit the Council again this year, many NGOs lost funding overnight and had to downsize or close down entirely. Landlords, once assured of steady tenants, were reluctantly lowering rents. American-backed NGOs, who had occupied sleek offices near the Palais, either moved their offices far away or even dissolved the whole team.

The lesson is clear: when major powers disengage, the ripple effects extend beyond politics to the livelihoods of ordinary people who depend on this ecosystem.

A house divided

The Council's side events laid bare a world in fragmentation.

In one conference room, a European delegation was hosting a forum on minority rights. The room was adorned with rainbow flags and slogan about gender equality. Yet there were few attendees from Muslim-majority nations.

Meanwhile, in another room downstairs, delegates of Muslim-majority countries gathered to discuss preserving family values in a changing world. Cultural sovereignty and traditional social structures took center stage, a clear pushback against perceived Western overreach.

The divide was unmistakabletwo parallel events, held simultaneously in the same building, clashed not just in subject but in principle. Attendees rarely crossed between rooms, even coffee breaks were kept separate.

This underscored a troubling trend: human rights discourse was originally intended to unite nations, but it has now been weaponized, turning into echo chambers that isolate rather than connect with each other.

China's voice

The Resolution on the Right of the Palestinian People to Self-determination was adopted on April 4 with 43 yes votes out of a total of 47. China and most members voted for it. This outcome affirmed a global consensus: the Palestinian people's lawful rights deserve respect, and justice delayed can no longer be justified.

China's long-held principlesopposing illegal occupation, upholding the two-state solution on historical and legal groundsresonated deeply.

"The same nations condemning Russia's actions fall silent on decades of Palestinian suffering," said a Cuban diplomat, "Hypocrisy undermines their moral authority. Principles, not power, must guide justice."

Walking Geneva's peaceful streets

On the final evening, I wandered along Geneva's cobblestoned lanes, passing the Jet d'Eau glowing over Lake Leman. History echoed in this place: It is where the first Geneva Convention was signed in 1864. It is also where the UN's founders vowed "never again" after two World Wars in 1945.

Yet, eighty years on, such aspirations remain elusive.

As I walked around the Palais des Nations at sunset, a group of schoolchildren were chasing pigeons, laughing. The Broken Chair monument stood tall with its splintered leg, a silent rebuke to violence. Eighty years after the end of WWII, Geneva remains a shrine to peace, and also a mirror reflecting humanity's unlearned lessons. The UN's 80th anniversary needs not just commemorations, but courage to deliver our promises in the UN Charter to confront today's crises.

This session reaffirmed China's role as a voice for the marginalized countries and a defender of principles over power politics. True human rights progress begins not with hegemony, but humility to listento the displaced, the overlooked and the Global South.

As I passed the Broken Chair, its silhouette spoke louder than any resolution: even in brokenness, there lies resilience and hope.

(The author is a junior Chinese diplomat.)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad

You are scrolling through photos from your childhood and come across one where you are playing on a beach with your grandfather. You do not remember ever visiting a beach but chalk it up to the unreliability of childhood memories. Over the next few months, you revisit the image several times. Slowly, a memory begins to take shape. Later, while reminiscing with your father, you mention that beach trip with your grandfather. He looks confused and then proceeds to tell you that it never happened. Other family members corroborate your fathers words. You inspect the photo more closely and notice something strange, subtle product placement. It turns out the image was not really taken by a human. It had been inserted by a large retailer as part of a personalized advertisement. You have just been manipulated into remembering something that never happened. Welcome to the brave new world of confabulation machines, AI systems that subtly alter or implant memories to serve specific ends. Human memory is not like a hard drive, its reconstructive, narrative, and deeply influenced by context, emotion, and suggestion. Psychological studies have long shown how memories can be shaped by cues, doctored images, or repeated misinformation. What AI adds is scale and precision. A recent study demonstrated that AI-generated photos and videos can implant false memories. Participants exposed to these visuals were significantly more likely to recall events inaccurately. The automation of memory manipulation is no longer science fiction; it is already here.

I have had my own encounter with false memories via AI models. I have written and talked about my experiences with the chatbot of my deceased father. Every Friday whenever I would call him, he would give me the same advice every time in the Punjabi language. In the GriefBot, I had transcribed his advice in English. After I had interreacted with the GriefBot for a few years, I caught myself remembering my fathers words in English. The problem is that English was his third language and we seldom communicated in English and certainly never said those words in English. Human memory is fickle and easily reshaped. Sometimes, one must guard against oneself. The future weaponization of memory wont look like Orwells Memory Hole, where records are deleted. It will look more like memory overload, where plausible-but-false content crowds out what was once real. As we have seen with hallucinations, generation and proliferation of false information need not be intentional. We are likely to encounter the same type of danger here i.e., unintentional creation of false memories and beliefs through the use of LLMs.

Our memories can be easily influenced by suggestions, imagination, or misleading information, like when someone insists, Remember that time at the beach? and you start remembering details that never occurred. People can confidently recall entire fake events if repeatedly questioned or exposed to false details. A number of research studies have demonstrated how false memories can be implanted in peoples minds through suggestion. The idea being that even entirely made-up events can feel like real memories. Even in cases where fictional childhood events were described alongside real ones, about 25% of participants remembered the fake events as true. Researchers have observed that both true and false memories activate similar brain regions. Interestinlgy, they also noted that true memories showed stronger sensory cortex activation (e.g., visual areas for seen images), while false memories relied more on frontal lobe regions involved in reasoning and reconstruction. This suggests the brain constructs false memories by piecing together related information, making them feel real despite lacking actual perceptual details. This and subsequent research in this area demonstrate how easily our brains can generate convincing but inaccurate memories.

Repeated exposure to AI-curated information increases perceived credibility of the information even when false. Thus, if specific narratives are amplified enough times, they can entrench fabricated details as memories. Beyond social media this has implications for how our justice system works: it has been observed that chatbots powered by large language models like ChatGPT can unintentionally implant false memories in people during crime witness interviews. Participants who interacted with these AI chatbots were more likely to remember details that never happened and remained confident in those memories even a week later. Misinformation leads to false memory which could then be recorded to make the false memory true. There are many real-world examples of how AI can generate and spread false narratives with real-world consequences: In a well-publicized case attorneys submitted a legal brief containing multiple fictitious case citations generated by ChatGPT. The judge ended up fining the law firm $5000. A study examining the use of ChatGPT in physics education found that students often accepted AI-generated solutions without critical evaluation. Nearly half of the solutions provided by ChatGPT were incorrect, yet students trusted them. In another case Jaswant Singh Chail, a British citizen influenced by the AI chatbot from the Replika app attempted to assassinate the Queen of England. Chail exchanged over 5,000 messages with the chatbot, which encouraged his delusional beliefs and plans. Some people have even developed spiritual or messianic delusions after interactions with chatbots, believing themselves to possess special powers or knowledge, as suggested by the chatbot. The list goes on and on.

Where does all of this could lead to? There are endless possibilities, not all of them good: Malicious actors could deploy LLMs to repeatedly expose individuals to false narratives through chatbots, social media bots, or personalized ads, gradually eroding confidence in their own recollections. This is akin to how cults or manipulative relationships use repetition to reshape beliefs. Individuals with mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, or PTSD) or those in abusive relationships may be particularly susceptible to AI-driven gaslighting, as their self-doubt can be exploited more easily. Consider the following scenario: In a domestic abuse situation, an abuser could use an LLM to generate fake journal entries or text messages that contradict the victims memory of events, claiming, You wrote this about that night, dont you remember? The victim, already emotionally vulnerable, might begin to distrust their own recollection, deepening the abusers control.

As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, companies may soon offer services that promise to restore lost memories of loved ones. Imagine reconstructing moments that you never actually experienced. With a few prompts and some old photos, it might be possible to generate vivid, emotionally convincing images, videos, or narratives of time spent with a person who is no longer here. But this power raises unsettling questions: Are we preserving memory, or fabricating it? This could lead to increase in synthetic experiences which are indistinguishable from reality. As a consequence, we risk inventing entire relationships or life events that never truly existed. However, this may not always be a bad thing: Not all memory is about factual accuracy; much of it is emotional truth. For people grieving a loss or living with trauma, AI-generated memories could offer comfort, closure, or even healing. Just as we cherish photographs, memoirs, and reenactments, synthetic memories can become tools for storytelling, emotional connection, or therapeutic reflection. If used transparently and ethically, they could help individuals reconstruct identities fractured by memory loss, offer solace to those missing loved ones, or allow people to imagine the lives they wish they had. In this light, AI becomes less a deceiver and more a compassionate co-author of our inner worlds. The danger is that while some may find genuine solace in AI-generated memories, others risk blurring the line between imagination and lived experience. This confusion can reshape their understanding of the past, altering how they relate to themselves and others. Sometimes it is necessary to play with fire, one just needs to be sufficiently careful.
Air Corps staffing issues and the extradition of a senior Kinahan cartel figure are among the stories on Thursday's front pages.

The Air Corps may be forced to cease operations due to staff shortages, The Irish Times reports.

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The Irish Examiner leads with the extradition of Sean McGovern, one of the senior figures in the Kinahan cartel based in Dubai.

The Irish Independent leads with a story on a senior civil servant warning that power shortages will mean the country will have to choose between artificial intelligence (AI) and additional housing.

The Echo leads with a story on fare evasion on buses in Cork.

The Irish Sun leads with a story on a postman who was murdered by the IRA.

Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/ennEMKDCHt  The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) May 29, 2025

The whole of Dublin could face water shortages within five years, the Irish Daily Mail reports.

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A stark warning. pic.twitter.com/eyqncQSYMG  The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) May 29, 2025

The Herald leads with the Sean McGovern extradition.

In the North, the Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on a care worker who assaulted a 'vulnerable minor'.

The Irish News leads with a stor on a pile-up of bonfire material.

The front page of todays Irish News. pic.twitter.com/AEijgRQHIf  The Irish News (@irish_news) May 29, 2025

Thursday's UK papers lead with the arrest of the man suspected of driving into crowds at Liverpool's Premier League title celebrations.

The Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail lead with the man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Daily Mail: Liverpool suspect is a company director #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Y5KKVS1Pen  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

Daily Mirror: Arrested driver is 'a lovely family man' #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/MeXeBUDtxZ  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

An 'army of hackers' will take on Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Daily Telegraph reports.

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Daily Telegraph: Army of hackers to take on Putin #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/XfRv3fjJSF  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Guardian leads with a story on housing issues in the UK.

Guardian: Anger over poor housing could spark social tension - watchdog #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Myh6jEaEy3  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The i Paper leads with a story on the BBC letting over-75s off paying the TV licence fee.

i: BBC 'letting off' over 75s who fail to pay their TV licence fee #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hbsQS2NZYF  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Sun leads with a story on serial killer Rose West.

The Sun: Last days of Rose West #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RH7vhWbKzQ  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Times leads with a story on a potential doctors' strike and the damage it could do to the NHS.

Times: Doctors told strikes will harm effort to heal NHS #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Ou5ZtCZYO7  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Daily Express leads with a story on war heroes.

Daily Express: Heroes' trips of tributes are safe forever #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/rYZCocleQF  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Daily Star leads with a story on Britain's 'sewer rat' problem.

Christine Lagarde has discussed cutting short her term as European Central Bank president to become chair of the World Economic Forum, the Financial Times reports.

Financial Times: Lagarde discussed early ECB exit to head Davos body, says ousted Schwab #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/VlL9ybXz3b  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The New York Times leads with US president Donald Trump's tariffs.
Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to US president Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.

The billionaire entrepreneur posted about his decision on X, his social media website.

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As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, he wrote.

The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

A White House official, who requested anonymity to talk about the change, confirmed that Mr Musk was leaving.

Mr Musks departure comes one day after he criticised the centrepiece of Mr Trumps legislative agenda, saying he was disappointed by what the president calls his big beautiful bill.

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The legislation includes a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement.

While speaking to CBS, Mr Musk described it as a massive spending bill that increases the federal deficit and undermines the work of his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, Mr Musk said. But I dont know if it could be both.

His CBS interview came out on Tuesday night. Mr Trump, speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, defended his agenda by talking about the delicate politics involved with negotiating the legislation.

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Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it, he said.

Mr Trump also suggested that more changes could be made.

Were going to see what happens, he said. Its got a way to go.

Republicans recently pushed the measure through the House and are debating it in the Senate.

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Mr Musks concerns are shared by some Republican lawmakers.

I sympathise with Elon being discouraged, said Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson.

FILE  US president Donald Trump, Elon Musk and vice-president JD Vance (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP, File)

Speaking at a Milwaukee Press Club event on Wednesday, Mr Johnson added that he was pretty confident there was enough opposition to slow this process down until the president, our leadership, gets serious about reducing spending.

He said there was no amount of pressure Mr Trump could put on him to change his position.

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Speaker Mike Johnson has asked senators to make as few changes to the legislation as possible, saying that House Republicans reached a very delicate balance that could be upended with major changes.

The narrowly divided House will have to vote again on final passage once the Senate alters the bill.

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson thanked Mr Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future, saying the House is eager and ready to act on Doges findings.

The White House is sending some proposed rescissions, a mechanism used to cancel previously authorised spending, to Capitol Hill to solidify some of Doges cuts.

Mr Musks criticism comes as he steps back from his government work, rededicating himself to companies like the electric automaker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX.

He has also said he will reduce his political spending, because I think Ive done enough.

At times, he has seemed chastened by his experience working in government. Although he hoped that Doge would generate $1 trillion in spending cuts, he has fallen far short of that target.

The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised, he told The Washington Post.

I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.

Mr Musk had previously been energised by the opportunity to reshape Washington. He wore campaign hats in the White House, held his own campaign rallies, and talked about excessive spending as an existential crisis. He often tended to be effusive in his praise of Mr Trump.

The more Ive gotten to know President Trump, the more I like the guy, Mr Musk said in February. Frankly, I love him.

Mr Trump repaid the favour, describing Mr Musk as a truly great American.

FILE  Mr Musk has rededicated himself to companies like the electric automaker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX (Susan Walsh/AP, File)

When Tesla faced declining sales, he turned the White House driveway into a makeshift showroom to illustrate his support.

It is unclear what, if any, impact that Mr Musks comments about the bill would have on the legislative debate. During the transition period, he helped whip up opposition to a spending measure as the country stood on the brink of a federal government shutdown.

His latest criticism could embolden Republicans who want bigger spending cuts.

Republican Utah senator Mike Lee reposted a Fox News story about Mr Musks interview while also adding his own take on the measure, saying there was still time to fix it.

The Senate version will be more aggressive, Mr Lee said. It can, it must, and it will be. Or it wont pass.

Only two Republicans  representatives Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky  voted against the bill when the House took up the measure last week.

Mr Davidson took note of Mr Musks comments on social media.

Hopefully, the Senate will succeed with the Big Beautiful Bill where the House missed the moment, he wrote.

Dont hope someone else will cut deficits someday, know it has been done this Congress.
Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate will return to Britain to defend themselves against rape, trafficking and other charges, their lawyers has said.

Prosecutors authorised charges in January 2024 against the Tates, dual US and British citizens who moved to Romania in 2016.

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But the Crown Prosecution Service did not announce the charges involving several women until Wednesday.

Lawyers said the brothers, who are currently facing charges in Romania, are at a disadvantage because British prosecutors have not shared any information with them about the charges.

These are historic allegations and our clients are not even being told who the supposed victims are, the Holborn Adams law firm said in a statement.

This  demonstrates a different approach on the basis of the profile of our clients.

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The former professional kickboxers have millions of followers on social media. Andrew has drawn a much larger following with self-professed misogyny that has drawn boys and young men to the luxurious lifestyle he projects.

Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges related to three women that include rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, prosecutors said.

Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges related to one woman that include rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm.

The allegations, from Bedfordshire where the brothers grew up, date back to between 2012 and 2015.

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The Tates were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring there that lured women who were allegedly sexually exploited.

Andrew Tate was also charged with rape.

The siblings have denied all the allegations in Romania, and an appeals court there said in December that a human trafficking case could not proceed because of legal and procedural irregularities.

Romanian courts have issued an order to extradite the two to the UK once their court case is concluded in there, British prosecutors said.

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Lawyers for the Tates said they may have information that could undermine the allegations, but police and prosecutors will not speak with them.

They said the Tates would return to England when their cases in Romania conclude, and that they will be aggressively defended.
Police are still questioning a driver who allegedly ploughed into a crowd at Liverpool FCs victory parade.

Officers were granted further time to question the 53-year-old man, from West Derby, Liverpool, who is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving, Merseyside Police said.

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The extension came in on Wednesday and remains until Thursday.

The UK prime minister visited Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon to speak to police chiefs about the incident.

On the same afternoon, a force spokesman said seven people remained in hospital in a stable condition after the collision on Water Street on Monday and they had identified 79 people who were injured in the incident.

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer met police chiefs in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

A lifelong Liverpool fan told Sky News that his five-month-old son was flung 15 feet (4.6m) in his pram after they were hit by a vehicle at the parade.

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Daniel Everson, 36, said to the news outlet: I tried to hold on to the front of the car and try and stop it, push it, do whatever I could (to stop it) from hitting my partner and my baby.

And my partner went under the wheels of the car, of the front of the car, and it rolled over her leg, and I just bounced off to the side, but my boy and his pram got bounced totally in the opposite direction  about 15ft down the road.

Forensic officers at the scene in Water Street (Peter Byrne/PA)

Sir Keir Starmer travelled to the force headquarters in Liverpool to meet Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell and metro mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.

He told the meeting: The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment.

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Steve, the mayor, has been keeping me informed and updated along with my team but its really important to be here to go through this first hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that Id like to.

Flowers and tributes at the scene (Peter Byrne/PA)

Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool, including from Britain's King Charles who said: I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.

Britain's Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were deeply saddened by the parade crash, adding: What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said the US will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields.

China is the second largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023/2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the United States.

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Under President Trumps leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Mr Rubio wrote.

The action comes at a time of intensifying scrutiny of the ties between US higher education and China. Republicans in the House of Representatives this month pressed Duke University to cut its ties with a Chinese university, saying it allowed Chinese students to gain access to federally funded research at Duke.

Last year, House Republicans issued a report warning that hundreds of millions of dollars in defence funding was going to research partnerships linked to the Chinese government, providing backdoor access to the very foreign adversary nation whose aggression these capabilities are necessary to protect against.

The Department of Homeland Security raised similar issues in a letter barring international students at Harvard University last week. Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of co-ordinating with the Chinese Communist Party citing research collaborations with Chinese scholars. It also accused Harvard of training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group.

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US secretary of state Marco Rubio revealed the plans (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

The announcement came a day after Mr Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students as the department prepares guidelines for increased vetting of their activity on social media.

Together, the announcements from the State Department added to uncertainty for Americas international students, who have faced intensifying scrutiny from Mr Trumps administration.

Earlier this year, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. And the Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the US.

University of Wisconsin student Vladyslav Plyaka was planning to visit Poland to see his mother and renew his visa, but he does not know when that will be possible now that visa appointments are suspended. He also does not feel safe leaving the US even when appointments resume.

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I dont think I have enough trust in the system at this point, said Mr Plyaka, who came to the US from Ukraine as an exchange student in high school and stayed for college. I understand it probably is done for security measures, but I would probably just finish my education for the next two or three years and then come back to Ukraine.

The Trump administration last week moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.

Mr Trump said that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit that percentage to about 15%.

I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

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The action on Chinese students renews a priority from Mr Trumps first administration to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China, which Republicans have called a threat to national security. In April, Mr Trump ordered the Education Department to ramp up enforcement of a federal rule requiring colleges to disclose information about funding from foreign sources.

During his first term, the Education Department opened 19 investigations into foreign funding at US universities and found that they underreported money flowing from China, Russia and other countries described as foreign adversaries.



Donald Trumps first administration made it a priority to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China (PA)

Hours before Mr Rubio announced the change, Eastern Michigan University announced it was ending engineering partnerships with two Chinese universities, responding to Republican pressure representative John Moolenaar, the Republican chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, recently urged Eastern Michigan and other universities to end partnerships with Chinese universities.

Around 1.1 million international students were in the United States last year  a source of essential revenue for tuition-driven colleges. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Often, they pay full price.

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Northeastern University, which has more than 20,000 international students, has set up contingency plans for those who hit visa delays, said spokesperson Renata Nyul, without elaborating.

This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments in real time to assess any potential impacts, she said.

In his announcement on China, Mr Rubio said the government will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

Visa applicants have been required to provide social media handles to the State Department since 2019.

The additional vetting will deter students from coming to the US, said Jonathan Friedman of Pen America, a literary and free expression organisation.

The details remain vague, but this policy risks upending the long-standing place of the US as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange with the world, Mr Friedman said.

The move to cut off international enrolment at Harvard stems from a dispute with the Department of Homeland Security, which has demanded that it provide information about foreign students that might implicate them in violence or protests that could lead to their deportation. Harvard says it complied with the records request, but the agency said its response fell short.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump said more scrutiny of Harvards students is necessary.

Theyre taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalised, and we dont want them making trouble in our country, Mr Trump said.

The Trump administration has cut over 2.6 billion dollars in federal grants for Harvard as it presses demands for changes to policies and governance at the Ivy League school, which the president has described as a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. Harvard has pushed back and filed a lawsuit against the administration.
Israel has accepted a new US proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House has said.

The fresh signs of progress towards a temporary truce came after US president Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism earlier this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Israel backed and supported the new proposal. She added that Hamas continues to evaluate the proposal.



White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The new proposal was intended to return surviving as well as dead hostages still being held in Gaza in exchange for an an extended truce in fighting.

Hamas has said it had agreed with Mr Witkoff on a general framework of an agreement that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an influx of aid, and a transfer of power from the militant group to a politically independent committee of Palestinians.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile.

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He has said Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected plans to resettle Gazas population, a move experts say would likely violate international law.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages  its only bargaining chip  in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

It has offered to give up power to a committee of politically independent Palestinians that could oversee reconstruction.

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Benjamin Netanyahu (AP)

Hamas is still holding 58 hostages. Around a third are believed to be alive, though many fear they are in grave danger the longer the war goes on.

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its airstrikes and ground operations after ending a ceasefire in March.

The dispute over whether there should be a temporary ceasefire to release more hostages  as Israel has called for, or a permanent one, as Hamas wants  has hampered talks brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar for more than a year and a half, and there is no indication it has been resolved.

Mr Witkoff has not publicised his latest proposal, but a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

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They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March.

Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade  slightly eased in recent days  has pushed the population to the brink of famine.

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Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages.

More than half the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.



A cargo of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israels ensuing military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly two million Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands living in squalid tent camps and unused schools.

Hamas has been vastly depleted militarily and lost nearly all of its top leaders in Gaza. It most likely fears that releasing all the hostages without securing a permanent ceasefire would allow Israel to launch an even more devastating campaign to ultimately destroy the group.

Israel fears that a lasting ceasefire and withdrawal now would leave Hamas with significant influence in Gaza, even if it surrenders formal power. With time, Hamas might be able to rebuild its military might and eventually launch more October 7-style attacks.

Mr Netanyahu also faces political constraints: His far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he ends the war too soon.

That would leave him more vulnerable to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges and to investigations into the failures surrounding the October 7 attack.

A broader resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears more distant than ever.

The Palestinians are weak and divided, and Israels current government  the most nationalist and religious in its history  is opposed to Palestinian demands for a state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.
Javelin Minerals has made a cracking start at its newly acquired Eureka gold project, 50 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie, with a string of high-grade gold hits that could rapidly reshape the projects resource base and fast-track its return to production.

The companys maiden reverse circulation drilling campaign at Eureka comprised 22 reverse circulation holes covering 2779 metres and was designed to test for extensions to the north and south of the Eureka pit.

The reverse circulation drill rig at Javelin Minerals Eureka gold project has hit high-grade gold immediately to the north and south of the existing pit.

It delivered in spades. The drill bit made contact with broad, shallow oxide mineralisation 100m south of the pit. Significant intercepts included 26m at 1.36 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 45m, 23m at 1.20g/t from 66m and 6m at 2.20g/t from 245m.

To the north of the old pit the truth teller struck again, hitting a high-grade shoot running at 7.37g/t gold from 64m.
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 When Prince Charles toured Murujuga on Western Australias north-west tip with Ngarluma man David Daniel in 1994, he passed antiquities older than Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Tower of Jericho combined. Home to more than 1 million petroglyphs, or carvings, Murujuga  which documents 47,000 years of human history  hosts the largest collection of rock art in the world. Among them are engravings of spirits, humans and animals including thylacines, extinct on the Australian mainland for more than 2000 years. Traditional owners describe Murujuga as a living library, which  for those who know how to read the rocks  tell stories about earthly and spiritual realms, mens and womens business, and even how to butcher a kangaroo. Less than one kilometre away, on the opposite edge of a vast flat that once served as a meeting place, is Woodsides vast Karratha gas processing plant. More than a million petroglyphs are scattered around Murujuga National Park, which overlooks Woodsides Karratha operations. Credit: Bianca Hall On Wednesday, newly minted Environment Minister Murray Watt gave preliminary approval to the Woodside Energys bid to extend the life of its North West Shelf project  comprising a vast network of offshore oil and gas infrastructure and the onshore gas processing hub in Karratha  until 2070. The Climate Council said the decision locked in more than 4 billion tonnes of climate pollution  equivalent to a decade of Australias annual emissions  and would haunt the Albanese government.

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Hours before Watt announced he had given preliminary approval to Woodsides expansion plans, it was revealed the United Nations intends to deny an Australian bid for Murujugas ancient art to be given World Heritage status, due to the impacts of Woodsides degrading acidic emissions on the petroglyphs. UNESCO instead recommends the total removal of emissions from the area and urged the Australian government to prevent any further industrial development adjacent to, and within, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape. For its part, Woodside said the decision would allow the oil and gas giant to continue to produce LPG for domestic and export markets while markets decarbonise from coal. The project, it maintains, is critical to securing jobs and gas supply. Executive vice president Liz Westcott said the North West Shelf project had paid more than $40 billion in royalties and taxes since the start of operations in 1984. This proposed approval will secure the ongoing operation of the North West Shelf and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs that it supports, she said. This nationally significant infrastructure has supplied reliable and affordable energy to Western Australia for 40 years and international customers for 35 years and will be able to continue its contribution to energy security.

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The project is a major employer in the state, supporting 900 direct jobs and about 1300 contractor positions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described gas as a firming capacity to support the transition to renewables. But the projects extension has been staunchly opposed by conservationists, climate scientists and traditional owners. A petroglyph of a spotted quoll, in Murujuga. Credit: Bianca Hall Climate councillor Greg Bourne, a former North West Shelf manager with BP, said 4 billion tonnes of greenhouse emissions would be generated by the project over its lifespan  equivalent to a decade of Australias total emissions. Extending the North West Shelf will haunt the Albanese government, he said. Theyve just approved one of the most polluting fossil fuel projects in a generation, fuelling climate chaos for decades to come. Climate scientist Bill Hare described the governments decision as extreme, and said it underscored a disconnection between the federal governments efforts to curtail domestic emissions and its support for ongoing fossil fuel exports.

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I think it [sends] a destructive message, actually, because the world is trying to stop the warming, and then we go and make a huge decision as a country to continue adding to this problem for 50 years, he said. Country is crying out More than 30 years after Prince Charles walked through Murujugas living library, David Daniels daughters, Ngarluma/Yindjibarndi traditional owners Regina and Kaylene Daniel, are also speaking up for this sacred space. You can feel the Country hurting; you can sense it, Regina said. Ngarluma/Yindjibarndi traditional owners Regina (front) and Kaylene Daniel, at Rosebourne in the Pilbara region. Credit: Photo: Bianca Hall Our mum would say Murujuga was like a big library for us. It is a library. It is our library, our stories. Its our next generations story to pass on to the next generation. We dont want to destroy it. We want it protected. Kaylene said the sisters had watched the destruction of sections of Murujuga, on the Burrup Peninsula, when Woodsides Karratha plant was constructed in the 1980s.

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Weve seen the way the Country used to be  where the construction and the building is now, we used to get bush tucker, bush medicine ... you used to see kangaroos out there. In the 1980s, when Woodside constructed its Karratha plant, thousands of petroglyphs were bulldozed to make way for the facility. Its a memory that pains Regina and Kaylene, who describe Woodsides promise of more jobs for the region as more jobs for more destruction. When you get connected to Country ... Country tells you, Regina said. Country is crying out for help. Woodside has long harboured ambitions to expand its gas operations in the resource-rich north-west of the state, seeking for years to develop the Calliance, Brecknock and Torosa gasfields in the Browse Basin, 425 kilometres north of Broome, and pipe gas to an onshore hub for processing. In 2013, a Woodside-led consortium was forced to abandon ambitious plans for a gas hub at James Price Point in the Kimberley region to produce gas from the Browse Basin, after the Supreme Court of WA upheld a legal challenge by Goolarabooloo traditional custodian Richard Hunter and the Wilderness Society. After the James Price Point proposal collapsed, Woodside turned its sights to Karratha  about 900 kilometres from the Browse Basin  to process the untapped reserves. The North West Shelf extension approval paves the way for this to happen.

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Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles met the US Defence Secretary in Singapore today, where Hegseth talked about wanting to see an increase in Australias defence spending.

The Trump administration has previously called on Australia to lift its defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP , and last year Marles announced a $50 billion funding boost for defence over the next decade.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth in Singapore. Credit: DFAT

For the past decade, Australias defence spending has hovered around 2 per cent of its GDP.

Marles was just on the ABCs Afternoon Briefing. Asked whether Hegseth specifically said whether he desired Australia to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP, Marles replied, I wouldnt put a number on it.

The need to increase defence spending is something that he definitely raised, and you have seen the Americans in the way in which they have engaged with all of their friends and allies asking them to do more, and we can completely understand why America would do that, he said.

What I made clear is that this is a conversation that we are very willing to have, and it is one that we are having, having already made very significant steps in the past.

Marles said he did not discuss with Hegseth the recent US proposal to buy the Port of Darwin.
Israel has accepted a new United States proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, the White House announced, and Hamas said it was reviewing the plan.

Israeli media reported early on Friday AEST that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told the families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel had accepted a deal presented by US President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Palestinians with boxes of humanitarian aid from a distribution centre in the Netzarim Corridor, central Gaza Strip, on Thursday. Credit: Bloomberg

Netanyahus office did not confirm the reports, but White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters in Washington that Israel had signed off on the proposal.

She did not detail its contents. But The New York Times quoted an Israeli official familiar with the proposal as saying the initial phase would include a 60-day ceasefire and humanitarian aid flowing through United Nations-run operations.
Hopefully the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, country-threatening decision QUICKLY and DECISIVELY, he wrote in a long TruthSocial post late on Thursday night (Friday AEST). Backroom hustlers must not be allowed to destroy our nation. Trump said that if Congress were required to authorise the tariffs, it would require hundreds of politicians to sit around in [Washington] DC for weeks, and even months, trying to come to a conclusion. Leavitt said countries that were yet to strike a trade deal with the US  which includes Australia  should keep negotiating with the Trump administration despite the court ruling. She said members of the presidents economic team had already been in touch with foreign counterparts to convey this expectation.

Other countries around the world have faith in the negotiator in chief, President Donald J. Trump, she said. Loading They also probably see how ridiculous this ruling is, and they understand that the administration is going to win, and we intend to win. We expect to fight this battle all the way to the Supreme Court. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said yesterday that the Albanese government had always believed the tariffs were unjustified and would continue to urge Trump to abandon them altogether. Trumps senior trade and manufacturing adviser Peter Navarro, a driving force behind the tariffs, insisted the government would not be derailed, and that it would find a way to make the tariffs stick  possibly using other laws.

He said his trade team had received many phone calls from foreign counterparts expressing a desire to keep negotiating despite the ruling. Loading The tariffs remain in place, Navarro said. The court told us, Go do it another way. So you can assume that even if we lose we will do it another way. I can assure the American people that the Trump tariff agenda is alive, well, healthy. The Trump administration is fighting legal battles on numerous fronts. A judge in Boston on Thursday extended an injunction against the government barring Harvard University from enrolling international students, while another Massachusetts court blocked Trump from ending a Biden-era humanitarian immigration program. Stephen Miller, deputy White House chief of staff for policy, made a number of posts on X outlining the Trump administrations dim view of the legal obstacles it has faced.

The judicial coup is out of control, Miller said about the tariff ruling. We are living under a judicial tyranny, he added later. Of the immigration decision, he said: It is the end of democracy if not reversed. Loading Trade experts were not surprised by Wednesdays decision of the Court of International Trade in New York, but the Supreme Court would be the final arbiter. The levies struck down in the past 24 hours are the so-called reciprocal tariffs  including a baseline rate of 10 per cent on Australian goods  which Trump enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, the 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium were instituted using different laws, and still stand. Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said while Trump had other avenues by which he could impose tariffs  particularly section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act  these would be sectoral rather than across-the-board.

I think that particular ploy is now not available to him, Lovely said, noting the Supreme Court could allow it. She was not surprised by the court rulings. The authority for setting tariffs is very clear in the constitution. The only question was whether the IEEPA was broad enough to include the types of arguments or justifications that he [Trump] used, and the court ruled that it wasnt. Leavitt said on Thursday (AEST) that Trump had a mandate from the American people to fix the USs large and persistent goods trade deficit, which reached $US1 trillion in 2024 and which she said posed a serious threat to the countrys economy and national security. President Trump correctly believes that America cannot function safely long-term if we are unable to scale advanced domestic manufacturing capacity, have our own secure critical supply chains, and [if] our defence industrial base is dependent upon foreign adversaries, she said. The case before the Court of International Trade was led by a small Manhattan-based wine importer, VOS Selections, while the Washington case was brought by an Illinois-based toy seller, Learning Resources.

Navarro dismissed the plaintiffs as a bunch of importers who buy a bunch of cheap subsidised crap from China that really is illegally traded in the sense that it doesnt abide by the rules of the World Trade Organisation. Loading Trump also made his first public remarks on Elon Musk since it was revealed the billionaire Tesla chief executive was leaving the White House after leading a tumultuous government efficiency drive. While the circumstances of his exit remain unclear, it came shortly after he criticised Trumps big, beautiful bill to cut taxes and lift border security spending, saying it would increase the budget deficit and undermine the work of his Department of Government Efficiency team. Trump said he and Musk would hold a press conference in the Oval Office early on Saturday AEST.
These milestones also cap off a string of recent developments at MA Financial. Earlier this month, the firm scooped up Melbourne-based real estate investment manager IP Generation (IPG) for more than $90 million. Also in May, MA Financial joined forces with US-based middle market lender Monroe Capital and Japanese financial services giant Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to form a $1.7 billion USD joint venture. The trio plans to offer senior secured loans to US-based middle market companies by way of the venture.
Its 2025 Value of Mortgage and Finance Broking report revealed that mortgage brokers facilitated 75% of all new residential home loans in 2024  up from 57% in 2017. The report also found that the industry contributed $4.1 billion to the Australian economy and supported more than 37,000 jobs.
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This is it. The excise tax exemption on pickup trucks is now gone thanks to the effectivity of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotions Act ...
A CASTLEDERMOT man was sentenced to five months in prison after being convicted on driving-related charges following an accident on the M9 motorway last July.

Michael John Allen, Dublin Road, Castledermot appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at the local district court for sentencing on charges arising from a car accident that occurred on the M9 at Ballyburn Lower, Castledermot on 6 July 2024.

Judge Carthy delivered her decision on the contested charges, dismissing the charge of failing to provide a blood or urine specimen under section 14 of the Road Traffic Act, 2010. The judge stated it was a bit of a stretch to see whether he consulted the treating doctor or nurse rather than someone on the general medical team.

Regarding the no insurance charge, Judge Carthy noted that Mr Allen had been cautioned three times and had admitted that he was driving on the day in question.

The court heard extensive details of Mr Allens criminal history, with garda evidence revealing 30 previous convictions. Most recently, he appeared before Carlow District Court on 11 August 2024 for failure to provide a sample, receiving a four-year driving disqualification. The court was told he had six previous convictions for driving without insurance and was serving a ten-year driving ban at the time of the current offence.

Additional previous convictions included breach of a domestic order on 19 April 2024.

Defence solicitor Chris Hogan offered mitigation on behalf of his client, telling the court that Mr Allen had purposely crashed into the barrier and that his life had fallen completely apart due to family matters, breaches of a safety order and a relationship breakdown. Mr Hogan said his client had tried to cope with it through alcohol abuse.

The court heard that Mr Allen had served five months in prison for domestic violence matters and had been released in November. Mr Hogan said his client was doing pretty well since he came out, had engaged with the Probation Service, was attending an anger management course and had secured some casual building work.

Mr Hogan asked the court to take a chance on his client, describing him as someone who was making efforts to turn his life around.

Judge Carthy acknowledged the mitigation presented, but stated that, taking all matters into account, the defendants previous history was quite stark: I appreciate what has been outlined, and his demeanour on the night in question. Notwithstanding that, we cant ignore that this is your seventh offence (in relation to no insurance), she added.

She sentenced Mr Allen to five months in prison and disqualified him from driving for 12 years in respect of the no insurance charge, adding everything else Ill take into consideration. He was also ordered to enter into his own bond of 500.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A Fianna Fail TD has apologised for saying the British armed forces never shot civilians in Ireland.

Cathal Crowe said he the remarks were off the cuff and that he would use better prepared speaking notes in the future.

He apologised to victims of British State atrocities and those who cared about Irish history.

Mr Crowe, who studied history in college and taught the subject in school, initially made the remarks during a session in the Dail that was focused on the conflict in Gaza.

He was drawing a comparison to Israels response to the October 7th attack by Hamas with the actions of the British state in Ireland.

Speaking on Wednesday, he said: The October 7th terror attacks on Israel are to be condemned outright but the eye-for-an-eye approach adopted by the Israeli state since has been indefensible.

The bombing of hospitals, schools, tents and the killing of children and babies, including newborn babies in hospitals, is reprehensible.

It is the worst we have seen in our lifetime. What is happening is not a war anymore; it is ethnic cleansing, genocide and more recently, there has been the weaponising of food.

The British Army were bad actors on this island for many centuries but even in the worst of days, when their cities were being bombed by the terror organisations of the IRA, they never retaliated by bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland.

On Thursday, he apologised for the remarks and said he was speaking without a scripted speech.

I wish to clarify a speech I made yesterday in the Dail, correct the Dail record and also apologise profusely to anyone who may have been offended by my comments.

The speech I made was during the debate this House had on Gaza. I was speaking without a scripted speech and instead using a series of bullet points.

He added: I then wanted to make the point that brutal, bad and all as the British armed forces have been on this island for a very long time, they never resorted to sending over the Royal Air Force, tanks and missiles to pummel Irish cities.

I wanted to convey the magnitude and the visceral hatred which has been behind the Israel Defence Forces actions in Gaza. I also wanted to convey the huge disproportionality the Israeli state adopted following the reprehensible Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023.

Regrettably, speaking largely off the cuff, I clumsily and wrongly stated, they never retaliated by bombing or shooting the civilian population of Ireland.

Mr Crowe said it was not his intention to have said that.

He said: I did not realise how woeful all of that sounded until late last night when I received the transcript of what I actually said.

It was a genuine slip-up on my part but it was wrong. I wish to unequivocally and profusely apologise today.

He added: I know that the British armed forces have been involved in many heinous attacks on Irish people historically: Bloody Sunday in Croke Park in 1920, the massacre of 26 civilians in Derrys Bogside in 1972 and the countless other actions in recent history and further back for which they are responsible.

He said his own family suffered at the hands of British military in the past.
SOME of Irelands most skilled and hardest-working dogs will be in Carlow this weekend to hone their craft and excel at what they do best.

Irelands Specialist Search and Rescue Dogs (ISSARD) will hold a training weekend this Saturday and Sunday in Carlow, welcoming 13 dogs and their handlers for two days of specialised training. Among them is local woman Tricia Millar and her Springer Spaniel, the wonderful Brenna, who is at the beginning of her training but is already showing huge promise.

ISSARD is a volunteer organisation dedicated to the search and recovery of missing persons across Ireland. The teams specialised nature lies in its commitment to training and deploying multidisciplinary search dogs  including air scent, mantrailing and human remains detection (HRD)  with a strong focus on urban search and rescue (SAR).

This weekend, the team will be in Carlow for one of its regular national training sessions, welcoming local volunteers and fellow SAR professionals to come and observe what the dogs can do.

On Saturday, the team will carry out air scent and mantrailing in Rossmore, thanks to the permission of Coillte, and has also kindly been given permission to train on the lands of Eoin OReilly, Springhill.

On Sunday, the team turns to Carlow town, thanks to the permission of Carlow County Council, and will be working the dogs in a more urban setting.

Wed just like to let people know that well be out and about, if you see us in our yellow hi-vis jackets, explained Tricia.

ISSARD dogs are trained to operate in complex environments such as urban structures, derelict buildings and densely-populated areas, providing crucial support in missing person searches.

ISSARD handlers are also certified in navigation, first aid and search strategy, ensuring a professional and co-ordinated response.
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Cement producers across Ghana have not complied with the order by the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee (CMDC) to declare their ex-factory prices, according to Ghana Broadcasting Corp.

The CMDCs directives, contained in a letter dated 21 May 2025, ordered all cement manufacturers to submit their ex-factory prices for 50kg bags of cement (grades 32.5R (BL) and 42.5R (BL) before 24 May 2025. Under the Ghana Standards Authority (Pricing of Cement) Regulations, 2024 (L.I. 2491) cement producers have to report prices every month. The declaration of ex-factory prices is laid down by law to monitor the price build-up of producers to ensure there are no hidden costs or unjustified tariffs that would negatively impact the public.

CMDC Chairman, Professor Alex Dodoo, assure that the committee would convene an emergency meeting to decide on preferred sanctions for the non-compliant producers.
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The Gambia Cement Importers Association has accused the country's government for the sharp rise in cement prices due to local cement shortages. The price of a bag of cement currently costs GMD450 (US$6.21).

Baboucarr Mbaye, president of the association, highlighted the challenges they face in importing cement, attributing the price surge to government measures restricting imports. According to a report in The Point Newspaper, he stated that the government's priority of local cement factories, which cannot meet national demand, is the root cause.

What we are facing currently is difficult. You buy your cement and it takes you over 20 days before getting hold of it. The government should allow importation because its the only sustainable way, he said.


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Votorantim's cement factory in Salto de Pirapora (SP) has received a new cement mill that will be installed as part of the plant's expansion project.

The 210t equipment travelled by ship for six months from China before reaching the cement plant and was transported by a 123m-long convoy of four trucks from the Port of Santos (SP) to the Salto de Pirapora plant, a journey of 333km, taking 30 days. Upon arrival at the factor, the equipment needed a dedicated access. Other equipment for the project arrived on the same ship and was transported in more than 240 trucks from the Port of Santos to the Salto de Pirapora plant.

Announced in January 2024, the expansion of the Salto de Pirapora plant is part of the BRL5bn (US$0.87m) growth and structural competitiveness programme of Votorantim's operations in Brazil, covering our operations in all regions of the country. The new cement grinding will add 1Mta to the production capacity of the Salto de Pirapora plant, which currently has a cement capacity of 4.76Mta.

Together with the operation at the company's 3.24Mta Santa Helena plant, Votorantim's Salto de Pirapora factory forms part of the company's Salto-Santa Helena complex, which will have its production capacity expanded by approximately 20 per cent. Construction work on the expansion project in Salto de Pirapora began in the 1H24 and is expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

We are celebrating a new phase in the expansion project of the Salto de Pirapora factory with the arrival of the mill and all the equipment for assembling the new mill. The operation to transport the equipment from China to our unit was complex and executed with great operational excellence by our multidisciplinary teams and partners, said Rafael Frederico, Salto de Pirapora general manager .

Votorantim's expansion and modernisation project in Salto de Pirapora includes the most modern concepts of mining, energy efficiency and industrial automation.
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Heidelberg Materials North America has announced key upgrades to its cement distribution terminal in Cementon, New York. These upgrades include a new packaging line for bagged products, increased cement storage and a new fully-automated palletising system.

The new rotary packing machine, supplied by Haver & Boecker USA, is capable of packaging 200tph and will support continued growth of the companys bagged cement business. A new high-performance fully automated palletising system, supplied by Beumer Corp, has also been installed after the packaging line to optimise the stacking, loading and delivery of bagged cement products.

Additionally, the company has invested in improvements to expand cement storage capacity and increase silo transfer capabilities to better support and grow its bulk cement business.

We are pleased to make these investments in our Cementon Terminal in Greene County, New York, said Matteo Rozzanigo, president of Heidelberg Materials North Americas Northeast Region. These upgrades enable us to operate more efficiently, provide better service to our customers and increase our reach in this important market.
CHI Memorial has received more than $1.3 million dollars in grant funds which will be used to directly benefit the citizens of North Georgia.CHI Memorial received more than $1 million in grant money from the State of Georgia for its work providing Covid testing and vaccines to the North Georgia community. Those funds were used to purchase three ventilators and 12 state-of-the-art Stryker LIFEPACK monitors/defibrillators to go on the current ambulance fleet. Two new ambulances were also purchased and will arrive later this year.The new equipment and ambulances will further enhance the emergency services provided to residents of Dade and Walker County.They also received a grant totaling more than $323,000 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services to enhance the training and skills of its EMS employees in rural North Georgia. The goal is to significantly expand the capacity of CHI Memorials EMS personnel to administer care for mental health and substance use disorder emergencies occurring in rural portions of Dade and Walker Counties, where CHI Memorial provides ambulance service.This will be a multi-faceted two-year project that includes enhancing EMS training on trauma-informed, recovery-based care for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use related crises; administering Advanced EMT training, geriatric education, advanced medical life support training and emergency pediatric care training for EMSpersonnel.The grant funds will also facilitate the enrollment of four EMTs in an EMT-to-Paramedic Bridge Program through the Faithful Guardian Training Center, in Temple, Ga., and purchase automated CPR devices and naloxone kits (to reverse opioid overdose) to outfit ambulances responding to rural areas of Dade and Walker Counties."SAMHSA recognizes the great need for emergency services in rural areas and the critical role EMS personnel serve across the country," officials said. "With this grant program, SAMHSA aims to develop the capacity of EMS staff to support residents in rural communities."
The Enterprise Center, in collaboration with more than nine local partners, is launching SummerOfSkills.com, a new online hub where everyone can find free or low-cost opportunities to "build new skills and advance their professional goals."Officials said, "This constantly updated website will allow residents to browse a library of opportunities from many local organizations in one free, easy-to-access place online. From technology training and creative workshops to career certifications and hands-on learning opportunities, SummerOfSkills.com aims to remove barriers to upskilling across Chattanooga by allowing residents to find programs that align with their interests and schedules."With a rapidly evolving job market and increasing demand for digital literacy, SummerOfSkills.com addresses a pressing need for accessible pathways into growing industries."By curating and promoting a broad range of programsfrom beginner courses to industry-specific trainingthis effort is helping to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the region."Our community is fortunate to have many organizations that offer outstanding services, but its important for everyone to know about all the opportunities available to them.We built SummerOfSkills.com to serve as the starting point for anyone looking to develop professionally, said Sammy Lowdermilk, acting CEO and president of The Enterprise Center. We are confident this new resource will allow even more Chattanoogans to take advantage of opportunities to upskill this summer through programs like Tech Goes Homes Learning Agility Accelerator, CO.LAB's Skills Accelerator, or a certification program at Chatt State.We are grateful to the Enterprise Center for developing SummerOfSkills.com because it will provide opportunity and access to people across Hamilton County to the resources they need to thrive in an ever-evolving job market, said Dr. Keri Randolph, executive director of Chattanooga 2.0."SummerOfSkills.com brings together organizations across education, workforce development, public service and the nonprofit sector to showcase the wide range of programming available throughout the summer," officials said. "Partners include the Chattanooga Public Library, Chattanooga 2.0, Chattanooga State Community College, The Company Lab, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, ChaTech Council, The Chattery, Apprenticeship Works and Chattanooga School of Language."
How I spent my lunch hour on May 28.

Every day now and for some time now, someone turns 100. It is quite an achievement. A life of learning, experiencing, gaining, losing, hurting and celebrating.

There are sleepless nights and days filled with rest.

Ultimately, it is one of teaching, sharing, showing, and loving.

No one gets to turn 100 without wisdom and love. It is, in my opinion, an impossible feat to do. Wisdom and love are the orchestra that make living 100 years possible.

Today was Joe Decosimos one hundredth birthday. I spent my lunchtime enjoying lasagna and then listening.

For almost one hour, people you have and people you have not heard of spoke with reverence and regard for Mr. Decosimo.

The reason is that if Joe Decosimo were to speak of them, he would be talking with the same reverence, the same regard, the same love. Well, in fact, for many of our lives, decades, he has done just that.

My father was an entrepreneur. Many have accomplished more than him. He would have been the first to say how true that is.

My dad, though, did know the overwhelming presence of being awake every hour of the day. At 2 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the same day, he was working, sweating and giving his endeavors all he had. He knew the meaning of No and the saving grace of Yes.

He knew about the thrill of activity and the dreadful quiet of absolutely no noise, but the buzz of the lightbulbsno one needing you or your business.

People speak about the lesson of meeting a payroll. My father knew the excruciating feeling of

not meeting a payroll and having good people still depend on you.

My father started three businesses and was blessed to see them grow.

One night, in my fathers last year of life, he had emphysema and was growing weaker, Joe Decosimo campaigned for UTCs Business School to honor my father as the entrepreneur he was.

My father always admired Joe Decosimo. My dad, who knew how tough business could be, said an accountant seldom started a business. They knew how tough it was to make it. My father said that one had to be a little ignorant of what could happen, or they would never start one. An accountant, he said, was the least ignorant of all; he or she knew what could happen.

Joe is a brilliant man, but his enthusiasm for life propelled him into business. Not to mention, he had nine children. He had to make it.

Make it, he did.

As I said, Mr. Decosimo campaigned for my dad to receive some recognition for his business life. That night, my dad joined Bob Corker and Ed Jolley, recognized as entrepreneurs.

My parents children and some grandchildren were there. My father gave a one-sentence recognition, as his lungs were weak, he chose his sudden words carefully.

I just always liked people, my father said, and with that, he sat back down.

Our family still remembers that moment as if it were yesterday.

So, thank you, Mr. Decosimo, thank you for a gift one could never wrap or repay.

Joe Decosimo likes people, too.

I got to watch that yesterday. A hundred years of liking people. It adds up to a room filled with reverence and a room filled with friends.

The best present for Mr. Decosimo was not lunch, however.

He spent time with his wife of a lifetime and got to hold her hand.

I am afraid lunch could not top that gift. That one is precious and rare.

Like lunch, though, it was a gift well earned,

Earned by a hundred years of liking people.

Loving people and yes, revering people, some you would know, some you wouldnt.

But to Joe Decosimo, they are all the same. Worth his life getting to know.

So, my lunch was probably better than yours on May 28.

I watched a century unfold in front of me. Maybe in fact, just a little bit more.

Today, well, its just back to tacos.

To all the Decosimo family: Thank you! Thank you for including us.

Mr. Decosimo, thank you for liking my dad. He liked you a lot too.

Glenn Morris

* * *

Glenn Morris did a great job in highlighting Mr. Decosimo's outstanding character. Mr. and Mrs. Decosimo did such a wonderful and loving job of raising their children and there is legion of fans of this family.

My mother and father (Jeanne and Tom Geraghty) held them both in high esteem and it is a joy to see this celebration.

Leah Geraghty
7/3/2025

ArtsBuild invites the Chattanooga community to join them for a presentation and conversation about the findings of the Feasibility Study: Needs Assessment, exploring the current performing arts ... more
Brandon James McGarvey-Rogers of Chattanooga, admitted to attempting to make sexual contact with a 14-year-old Georgia child and pled guilty Wednesday without a recommendation from the State of Georgia in Catoosa County Superior Court.Judge Brian House imposed a stiff sentence of 20 years, with seven years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections, followed by the remainder on probation under strict sex offender conditions.The case began when McGarvey-Rogers used Snapchat to send sexually explicit images and messages to the child, and with the child stating that the child was only 14 years old.After the child told the McGarvey-Rogers that the child was a minor and sent memes saying the child was minor, McGarvey-Rogers sent messages of sexually explicit nature to the child and sent a picture of the his private parts to the child.The child courageously came forward to the Ringgold Police Department, who worked tirelessly with the East Ridge Police Department to locate McGarvey-Rogers. An investigation led to McGarvey-Rogerss identification and recorded confession, during which he admitted to knowing the victims age, asking the child for sex, and sending the child a photo of private parts.District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller prosecuted the case and he was assisted by Victim Advocate Shelby Armstrong, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Jackson, and Chief Investigator Christy Smith.DA Fuller said, Parents need to know that when you give a child a phone, you dont give the child access to the world, you give the world access to your child. Evil does exist and it is coming into our homes to steal innocence. Im proud to stand in the gap with our law enforcement partners to protect Catoosas kids. Ringgold Police Department and the East Ridge Police Department did an incredible job on this case.And to every predator sitting in Tennessee thinking about coming to Georgia, heres your warning: its best for Tennessee Trash to stay on your side of the state line. Don't come to Georgia creeping on our kids and ask for probation. If you harm our childrenyoure going to prison. We dont negotiate with predators.
Home News Christian worker freed in northwest Nigeria after pair were kidnapped

One of two Christian workers kidnapped in northwest Nigeria on May 21 was freed this week, ministry leaders said.

Ojo John and Silvanus Abu of Nupe Missions, who were working among the predominantly Muslim Zabarmawa people of Kebbi state, were abducted from their mission station at about 10 p.m., said Moses Solomon of the Nigeria-based ministry. John, 33, also known as Mallam Yahaya, was released on Monday, Solomon said in a prayer notice that day.

At exactly 8:09 a.m. today, we received a call from Sokoto state, it was Mallam Yahaya (Ojo John), Solomon said. He is alive and has been released, and is currently making his way to safety. This is the doing of the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes!

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Silvanus Abu, 26, is also known as Mallam Abu.

While we rejoice with trembling hearts, we remain in urgent prayer for the safe return of Mallam Abu, who is still in captivity, Solomon said. This partial release gives us hope that God, who began this great deliverance, will perfect it.

Terms of Johns release were not disclosed. Both evangelists are native Nigerians, John from Kogi state and Abu from Niger state.

Solomon had sent a prayer notice on May 23 stating the two workers were last seen the night of May 21 after leaving a discipleship-making class at 10 p.m.

After days of silence, we can now confirm they have been abducted by unknown persons, he stated. In the early hours of today, at 1:44 a.m., I, Moses Solomon, received a chilling call from the abductors who said: Mallam Musa, listen very well, and I will not repeat myself again. Mallam Yahaya and Mallam Abu are not fine, and you should stop searching for them. If we hear of their search again, you will carry their dead bodies.

John and Abu are both devoted young men who have faithfully served with Nupe Missions, living sacrificially to bring the light of Christ to a people who have not known Him and disciple them, Solomon said.

We stand undeterred, he said in the May 23 statement. Our hope is in the Lord, who watches over His own. We believe in divine deliverance and call upon the global Body of Christ to raise prayers on your personal and corporate altars.

The predominantly Muslim Zabarmawa people are among the largely unreached groups in northwest Nigeria.

Declare Psalm 91 and Isaiah 43 over these precious brothers  pray for wisdom for all involved in their recovery, Solomon said. Pray for the softening of the captors hearts, and pray for divine protection and strength for the missionaries.

Christians in northwest Nigeria have long faced persecution from Muslim terrorist groups, including Lakurawa and Fulani herdsmen.

The Zarma, known in Nigeria as Zarbarmawa, have a population of about 169,000 of which 93% are Muslims, according to the Joshua Project. About 3% of the population identifies as Christian and only 2% as Evangelical.

Zarbarmawa Muslims mix traditional animism into their belief and practice, often taking part in rituals of spirit-possession, spirit worship, and magic, according to the Joshua Project.

The cults are headed by priests who have been possessed by evil spirits, it states. The Zarma believe these priests have healing powers. The Zarma believe that there are several different types of spirits: those that bring illness or death; ghosts or cold spirits; and those who control the forces of nature.

Nigeria remained among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians, according to Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69%) were in Nigeria, according to the WWL.

The measure of anti-Christian violence in the country is already at the maximum possible under World Watch List methodology, the report stated.

In the countrys North-Central zone, where Christians are more common than they are in the North-East and North-West, Islamic extremist Fulani militia attack farming communities, killing many hundreds, Christians above all, according to the report. Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), among others, are also active in the countrys northern states, where federal government control is scant and Christians and their communities continue to be the targets of raids, sexual violence and roadblock killings, according to the report. Abductions for ransom have increased considerably in recent years.

The violence has spread to southern states, and a new jihadist terror group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest, armed with advanced weaponry and a radical Islamist agenda, the WWL noted. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist Al-Qaeda insurgency Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, originating in Mali.

Nigeria ranked seventh on the 2025 WWL list of the 50 worst countries for Christians.
Home News Missouri Supreme Court reinstates abortion safety requirements; Planned Parenthold halts abortions

The Missouri Supreme Court has reinstated several requirements designed to ensure safety for women who undergo abortions as the state gears up for another referendum on abortion, leading some providers to halt abortions for the time being.

In a decision published Tuesday, the state's high court vacated two lower court rulings siding with Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers-Missouri in their request for preliminary injunctive relief against several state statutes related to abortion.

The brief ruling did not explicitly identify the statutes at issue but stated that the lower court failed to abide by the proper standard for granting preliminary injunctive relief, which requires a threshold finding that a party is likely to prevail on the merits.

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This Court hereby holds the correct standard is: (1) the threat of irreparable harm to the moving party; (2) balancing this harm with any injury an injunction would inflict on other interested parties; (3) the moving party is likely to prevail on the merits; and (4) the effect on the public interest, the decision stated. This Court hereby orders Respondent to vacate her orders granting preliminary injunctive relief with respect to state standards and regulations identified therein.

The Missouri Supreme Court also ordered Judge Jerri Zhang to re-evaluate the Planned Parenthood affiliates request for a preliminary injunction in light of the standard.

Missouri Right to Life listed statutes impacted by Zhangs decision. They include a rule that only doctors perform abortions, sterilization requirements for surgery instruments and equipment, the determination of an unborn childs gestational age as well as preexisting medical or other complications in addition to the presence of equipment to treat medical emergencies at abortion clinics.

Missouris Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey called the courts decision a win for women and children that sends a clear message  abortion providers must comply with state law regarding basic safety and sanitation requirements.

Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, told the media that her organization's centers began canceling appointments after Tuesday's ruling was issued.

Its shocking, Wales told The Washington Post. For the court to vacate those injunctions in a technical way is alarming. It does mean that Missourians have a right to an abortion in theory only until we can get another injunction in place.

Missouri voters narrowly passed Amendment 3 last year, which established a right to abortion in the state constitution.

Following the passage of Amendment 3, Article I, Section 36 of the Missouri Constitution was amended to declare that The Government shall not deny or infringe upon a persons fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which is the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters related to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.

Both chambers of the Republican-controlled Missouri legislature have voted in favor of House Joint Resolution No. 73, which will place a proposed constitutional amendment before voters at the time of the next statewide general election, slated for Nov. 3, 2026. The Republican-controlled Missouri House of Representatives voted to place the amendment on the ballot in a 103-51 vote last month, while the Republican-controlled Missouri Senate voted 21-11 to take the same course of action earlier this month.

In addition to repealing Article I, Section 36, the proposal would amend the Missouri Constitution to clarify that No abortion shall be performed or induced upon a woman, except in cases of medical emergency, rape, or incest. The proposed constitutional amendment would limit abortions to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy in cases of medical emergency, rape or incest. Additional provisions would ban taxpayer funding of abortion and prohibit the performance of gender transition procedures on trans-identified youth.

If voters approve the proposed constitutional amendment, Missouri would become the first state to repeal a constitutional provision establishing a right to abortion after previously approving one. Missouri is one of several states that have enshrined a right to abortion in the state constitution after the U.S. Supreme Court determined in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organizationdecision that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion.

California, Michigan and Vermont voted in favor of such constitutional amendments in 2022 while Ohio followed suit in 2023. Missouri joined Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Nevada and New York in voting in favor of pro-abortion ballot measures last year, while Nebraska, Florida and South Dakota became the first three states to reject them.
Home News Pastor Jamal Bryant calls for electronic protest of Dollar General amid Target boycott

Understanding that some people living in food deserts may not be able to stop shopping at Dollar General, megachurch Pastor Jamal Bryant has called for an electronic protest of the popular discount chain store starting immediately amid an ongoing boycott of retail giant Target for scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

"Like other corporations, Dollar General has bowed to pressure from the Trump administration and rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives," Bryant, who leads New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, told USA Today.

"Dollar General also needs to be held accountable for failing to invest in the very black and low-income communities that make up the backbone of their customer base. This isn't just a corporate retreat  it's a betrayal of the people they profit from."

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Bryant is now advocating "a mass technological campaign of telephone and e-mail and social media." Supporters are being asked to bombard the retailer's phone lines and email and use social media to force Dollar General to reinstate the company's DEI initiatives.

It's different from the complete boycott campaign Bryant is pushing on Target after he rejected an offer by the company last month to settle the DEI dispute by fulfilling its pledge to invest $2 billion in black-owned businesses by July 31.

That rejection also followed a 40-day protest fast by Bryant and his supporters, which included not shopping at Target. That effort is part of a larger grassroots Target Fast campaign. The campaign called on Target to honor not just a pledge to invest $2 billion into black-owned businesses but also to deposit "250 million amongst any of our 23 black banks," restore "the franchise commitment to DEI," and "pipeline community centers at 10 HBCU to teach retail business at every level."

Bryant has argued that anything less isn't acceptable to end the boycott.

Several large U.S.-based corporations have reevaluated their DEI policies in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 ruling, which found that the admissions policies of the University of North Carolina and Harvard University that use race as a factor were unconstitutional. Bryant hadn't commented on why he was only focusing the boycott's attention on Target. But now it appears it is expanding.

With more than 20,000 stores across the country, Bryant argued that the protest of Dollar General over its DEI policy is different to protect vulnerable populations living in places with limited access to healthy food, also known as food deserts.

In some communities served by Dollar General, Bryant noted that the discount store is the only place where people can get fresh fruits and vegetables. He said he wants to "really make an impact without having an adverse impact on those who really need a Dollar General."

Bryant is pushing for Dollar General to restore and strengthen DEI infrastructure, create a community reinvestment fund, expand contracts to black-owned vendors, and address systemic racism within Dollar General's corporate culture.

The Georgia pastor pointed to the ongoing protest of Tesla to highlight why even people who don't shop at Dollar General can make a difference by supporting the cause.

"The reality is the amount of people who protest Tesla dealerships, those people don't drive Teslas," he said of the car company that has been hit with a recent string of destruction and vandalism in opposition to the political involvement of its CEO, Elon Musk. "The impact of the brand is still tarnished, so we think we've found there's more than one way to skin a cat."
Home News PCA stated clerk faces potential ethics probe over scandalizers list: Deeply disturbing

The stated clerk of the second-largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States could potentially face an ethics investigation after he displayed a list of people he publicly accused of being "scandalizers."

During an episode of The Gospel Coalition's "Gospelbound" podcast last week that touched on institutional stewardship, the Rev. Bryan Chapell, who has served as the administrative head of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) since 2020, briefly showed a list of people whom he accused of either abandoning their families, renouncing Jesus Christ or dying by suicide.

"Those are the names of the scandalizers, the people who have invested hours every day attacking others for their supposed lack of faithfulness, for their compromise  whose identity comes from scandalizing others," Chapell said. "And every name on that list has either left his family, left the faith, or taken his life  every name on that list."

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Several of the men on the list are ministers in good standing with either the PCA or an adjacent Presbyterian denomination; one name was that of a former PCA pastor who never left his family or faith before dying in an accident 32 years ago, according to his friend.

"Bryan is Teflon, but I don't see how he survives this," one source within the PCA told The Christian Post.

Chapell's list, while shown briefly, went viral on social media over the weekend after viewers paused the video and zoomed in on the names, which included figures such as Carl Trueman, a bestselling author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

'Troubling'

Multiple ministers within the PCA have condemned Chapell's behavior as "disturbing," sending denominational leadership letters of concern, a template of which was obtained by CP. The template letter accuses Chapell of violating the Ninth Commandment, which prohibits bearing false witness against one's neighbor.

"While keeping a list of men judged by [Chapell] to be 'scandalizers' within arm's reach of his desk is certainly odd behavior, the men denounced on that list is deeply disturbing," the letter said in part. "It is even more troubling that [Chapell] was willing to display that list on a video interview."

The PCA's administrative committee released a statement Saturday, assuring they "are aware of concerns regarding an interview that first appeared on The Gospel Coalition website and was conducted with our stated clerk."

"We are deeply grieved for any injury that resulted from this in the lives of individuals and families. Likewise, we are saddened by any disruption this has caused to the peace of the Presbyterian Church in America as well as other Presbyterian and Reformed denominations," the statement also said, adding that a meeting was planned to address the issue.

The Gospel Coalition has since pulled the podcast. Chapell issued an apology statement while drawing attention to those who made the podcast and the individuals who zoomed in on his list and publicized it.

"With deep regret for harm done to others, I am issuing a public apology for not taking proper care to protect the reputation of others," he said.

"In an unplanned moment on a recent video podcast posted by The Gospel Coalition, I held up a small piece of paper that I believed was not readable but included names of individuals. TGC personnel who prepared the video also thought that nothing was legible on the paper. However, there are now those who have taken a screen shot of the video and enlarged it to identify some names. I sincerely apologize."

Trueman, a professor of biblical and theological studies at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, said he had "no idea" why he was included on Chapell's list, according to WORLD.

"My writings, lectures, sermons and podcasts are not characterized by attacks on other Christians as he claims," he said.

Trueman told the outlet that Chapell has privately apologized to him but warned that the stated clerk's actions will have "consequences" that could impact the fraternal nature of the Presbyterian churches within the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC), which includes Reformed churches in multiple denominations in both the U.S. and Canada.

Chapell's list appeared to include the late Rev. David Winecoff, a PCA pastor who died during a mountain climbing accident in 1993 at age 39, according to a local obituary. Winecoff, whose alleged decades-old sins Chapell did not explain, was survived by his wife, four children, brother, mother and grandmother.

Pastor Doug Hart, a PCA pastor and friend of Winecoff who said he was hurt by Chapell's accusations, formally requested an investigation into Chapell's behavior and pushed back against what he interpreted as the stated clerk's implication that Winecoff took his own life, according to WORLD. Hart called his late friend a loving, godly man.

"[Chapell] made a statement that everyone on that list had left the faith, family, or taken his own life  and David was a minister in good standing. His family loved him dearly," Hart said. "The only possible reason he would be on there is that Dr. Chapell is suggesting that he took his own life."

"From the time David [Winecoff] came to Christ until he went to glory, many people heard the Gospel, knew his love and friendship, and were brought to Christ by his life and ministry," he added. "And that's how he should be remembered.  To disparage a departed saint is painful, and I don't know why that would be on our stated clerk's desk every day."

'Don't lie'

The Rev. Peter J. Leithart, an author and minister on Chapell's list who serves as president of Theopolis Institute for Biblical, Liturgical, & Cultural Studies in Birmingham, Alabama, issued a statement on X refuting his placement on the list and suggesting Chapell's apology was inadequate. He also defended fellow list member Jeff Meyers, who serves on the Theopolis Fellows faculty and board.

"First things first: Neither Jeff nor I are apostates. Both of us have been married for decades. Neither of us, last I checked, has taken his own life. Nor do we spend our lives destroying Christian brothers," said Leithart, who quoted one observer who dismissed Chapell's apology as the "Platonic form of the non-apology." Leithart described the apology as "apologizing that the names could be seen, but not for the lies he told about the men on the list."

"There's nothing complicated here. The lessons are obvious. Simple things like, 'Don't lie,' and, when you're confronted with lying, ask forgiveness for lying, not for a procedural error. And, don't settle ecclesiastical scores on podcasts and social media. Settle them in the church, as Jesus commanded," he added.

The Rev. Andy Webb, a pastor in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church who also made the list, issued a statement on social media noting "that rumors of my demise (or apostasy or divorce) have been greatly exaggerated!"

Webb speculated that he became an alleged scandalizer in 2001, when Chapell was president of the PCA's Covenant Theological Seminary. Webb became involved with concerns that the school was allegedly allowing a woman to deliver sermons in its chapel.

An overture to address the issue was raised at the PCA General Assembly that year, said Webb, who claimed Chapell dismissed him when he personally confronted him over the topic.

"As I began to speak, he raised his hand and said, 'Never attempt to speak to me again' and walked away," he wrote.

The administrative committee of the PCA did not respond to a request for comment.

The uproar over Chapell's public conduct comes weeks before the PCA's 52nd General Assembly in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The PCA has repeatedly made headlines in recent months regarding multiple politically and racially charged controversies that have emerged from Mission to North America (MNA), its North American missions arm.
Home News UN, media called out for reporting 'outrageous' claim about 14K babies in Gaza: watchdog

A watchdog group condemned the United Nations and multiple media outlets for promoting the claim that 14,000 babies in Gaza would die within 48 hours unless they received humanitarian aid, a figure that various news agencies now report is a misrepresentation of the data.

HonestReporting, a nonprofit that monitors inaccuracies and bias in the media's reporting on Israel, accused The New York Times, The Guardian, ABC News, TIME Magazine, The Independent and NBC News of helping to amplify the disproven claim.

The Christian Post reached out to each of the outlets for comment, but only NBC News responded. The outlet directed CP to a May 21 X post explaining that it updated its original report to say 14,000 "face severe malnutrition if a lot more aid trucks dont reach the Palestinian enclave soon."

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"Instead of questioning the outrageous and inconceivable claim, major outlets blasted the lie across headlines and newsfeeds, even after it was disproven," the watchdog group declared in a Friday Instagram post.

"Less than 48 hours after the UN's claim, a gunman waited outside a Jewish event at a Jewish museum and murdered Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. In the name of 'freeing Palestine,'" the group's statement continued.

"Because irresponsible reporting and disinformation campaigns fuel real-world antisemitic violence."

The U.N.'s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, made the claim on BBC Radio 4's Today program, saying: "There are 14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them."

When pressed about how he arrived at this conclusion, Fletcher said there were "strong teams on the ground" operating in medical centers and schools, but he did not provide further details. The figure was then repeated across the national media and by several members of Parliament in the Commons during a debate last Tuesday.

After seeking clarification from the U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the BBC reported last Wednesday that the office said the number came from a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

The report warned that 14,100 children aged six months to five years in Gaza could experience acute malnutrition between April 2025 and March 2026. According to the report, this could take place over the course of a year, not 48 hours.

CP contacted the U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for comment but did not receive an immediate response before publication.

The controversy over the data related to children in Gaza reached a boiling point last week when British Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended free trade negotiations with Israel over what he called "morally unjustifiable" military actions in Gaza.

Lammy described Israel's conduct as "monstrous," claiming that the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government have made it necessary to review the United Kingdom's cooperation with the administration.

On Monday, hundreds of lawyers, legal academics and former judges signed a letter demanding that the U.K. government impose a series of sanctions on Israel. In the letter, the legal professionals accused Israel of committing "war crimes, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of international humanitarian law."

The letter also claimed that "genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza or, at a minimum, there is a serious risk of genocide occurring." In addition to ensuring an "unconditional and permanent ceasefire," the legal professionals called on "to impose financial and immigration sanctions" against Israeli cabinet ministers and "other civil and military personnel reasonably suspected of involvement in unlawful conduct."

Jonathan Turner, CEO of the UK Lawyers for Israel, responded to the letter, as The Times of Israel reported Tuesday. Turner asserted that the legal professionals made "serious factual and legal errors" when they accused Israel of genocide last year.

He also noted that "sufficient quantities of food supplies were transferred into the Gaza Strip to last for several months" during the January to March ceasefire. The UK Lawyers for Israel CEO stated, "There has been no famine or mass starvation in the Gaza Strip," asserting that reports claiming famine was occurring or imminent were "riddled with errors."

In February 2025, UKLFI Charitable Trust published a review of reports of famine in Gaza, stating that many such reports tend to rely on incomplete or inaccurate data, and most don't contain revised projections in light of new data.

"These errors have led to an exaggerated portrayal of the food security situation in Gaza, which has been used to influence international opinion and policy," the analysis states.

"While the humanitarian situation in Gaza requires aid and attention, the evidence does not support claims of famine or emergency as defined by international standards. Future assessments should strive for greater accuracy and objectivity to ensure that international responses are proportionate and based on factual realities."
Home News Black Christians continue to support Democrats as many embrace social conservative values

While black voters remain overwhelmingly loyal to the Democratic Party, recently analyzed data suggests that black Christians are much more likely to embrace socially conservative positions than other Democrats, which could explain voting pattern shifts.

Researcher Ryan Burge published an article on his Graphs About Religion Substack on Monday titled "2024 Election Post-Mortem: Black Americans, Religion, and the Vote." The information is based on the Cooperative Election Study data following the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.

The piece examined voting patterns among black Americans based on religion in the past five presidential elections. The data shared by Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, showed that blacks and all demographic subgroups remain overwhelmingly loyal to the Democratic Party even though they may share some of the same theological beliefs as Evangelical voters, who tend to vote conservative.

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"In some ways, Black Protestants look a whole lot like evangelicals," Burge wrote. "They take a literal view of the Bible and have views of sexuality and gender that are decidedly conservative. ... So, let's just throw them in with the evangelicals, right? Well, when it comes to the ballot box, the two groups could not be more different."

Black Protestants' voting patterns barely budged in the last three presidential elections, all of which featured President Donald Trump as the Republican nominee.

Eighty-nine percent of black Protestants backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, while the group gave 87% support to both Democrat Joe Biden in 2020 and Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024. Meanwhile, Trump's share of the vote among black Protestants rose from 8% in 2016 to 12% in 2020 and 2024.

On the other hand, Trump's support among black Catholics consistently increased in the past three presidential elections. Trump's vote share among black Catholics rose from 9% in 2016 to 14% in 2020 and 18% in 2024. Meanwhile, Democrats' support among black Catholics steadily dropped from 90% in 2016 to 84% in 2020 and 79% in 2016.

In 2016, 7% of non-religious blacks voted for Trump, while 89% backed Clinton. Four years later, both Biden and Trump saw their vote shares among this group increase to 9% and 90%, respectively. In 2024, Trump's percentage of the non-religious black vote increased to 13%, while Harris only captured 85% of the vote among this demographic.

Breaking down presidential election results by church denomination shows majority support for Democrats across the board, although some denominations are moving to the right. Democrats have received near-unanimous support among members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the past three elections, while Trump has received a negligible share of the vote.

Among adherents to the National Baptist Convention, presidential voting patterns have fluctuated. Clinton received 87% of the vote among National Baptist Convention congregants in 2016, while Biden captured 90% in 2020. Support for Harris among this demographic was significantly lower (67%). At the same time, Trump received 11%, 8% and 33% of the vote among black voters affiliated with the National Baptist Convention, respectively.

Trump saw his support among black voters affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association drop from 30% in 2016 to 22% in 2020 to 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, Democrats' share of support among this group of voters increased from 69% in 2016 to 78% in 2020 to 80% in 2024.

Black voters affiliated with the Church of God in Christ have consistently moved to the right. Trump received just 18% support among this group of voters in 2016, rising to 26% in 2020 and 42% in 2024. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidates have seen their vote share among this demographic decrease from 78% in 2016 to 72% in 2020 and 56% in 2024.

While the presidential election voting data shared by Burge showed overwhelming support for Democrats among blacks and all subgroups based on religion, additional statistics from the 2024 Cooperative Election Study found that black Christians are significantly more conservative than other Democratic voters.

While 41% of black Christians favor banning the abortion pill by mail, only 17% of all Democrats hold the same position.

A majority of black Christians (58%) support banning gender transition surgeries for minors, compared to 38% of all Democrats. Similarly, a majority of black Christians (70%) believe that schools should secure parental consent before they agree to refer to students by names and pronouns that do not align with their biological sex. Thirty-nine percent of all Democrats said the same.

Support for banning women from going to another state to get an abortion was measured at 25% among black Christians and 8% among all Democrats. The overwhelming majority of black Christians (88%) back age verification requirements for pornography, along with a smaller majority of all Democrats (72%). Support for school vouchers was pegged at 64% among black Christians and 34% among all Democrats.

"African-Americans were denied access to all kinds of institutions in the United States throughout most of American history  so the church became more than just a spiritual retreat. It was also the center of social and political life," Burge wrote as he reflected on black Christians' overwhelming support for the Democratic Party.

"I think it's pretty evident to me from these results that the cultural norms of the median Democrat are far out of step with the average Black Christian," he concluded.

"This may be a potential reason why some voters have defected from the Democratic party in the last couple of election cycles."
Home News Democrat voters who identify as Christian has plummeted since 2008: Pew

The percentage of Democrat and Democrat-leaning voters who identify as Christian has sharply declined since 2008, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center.

A report by Pew published in its U.S. Politics & Policy section found that while 73% of Democrat voters were Christian in 2008, by 2019 the percentage had dropped to 52%.

The large decline came for the subset of white Christians, who went from 45% of Democrat voters to 26%; nonwhite Christians had a smaller decline of 28% to 25% during the same time period.

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Republican and Republican-leaning voters also saw a drop in self-identified Christians during that time period, going from 87% in 2008 to 79% in 2019.

With Republicans, the white Christian subset fell from 77% in 2008 to 66%, though the nonwhite Christian percentage increased during the same time period from 10% to 14%.

The 52% of self-identified Christians among Democrat voters puts them well below the overall registered voter average of 64% Christian, itself a decline from the 79% reported in 2008.

The U.S. religious landscape has undergone profound changes in recent years, with the share of Christians in the population continuing to decline, stated Pew. These shifts are reflected in the composition of the partisan coalitions.

The share of Democratic voters who are religiously unaffiliated has approximately doubled over this period (from 18% to 38%).

The Pew report drew from an analysis of surveys conducted with approximately 360,000 registered voters over the past quarter century, including over 12,000 in 2018 and 2019.

The report also found strong religious divides among the two major parties. For example, 78% of white evangelicals identified as Republican or Republican-leaning, versus 17% who identified as Democrat or Democrat-leaning.

On the opposite trend were Hispanic Catholics, of which 68% identified as Democrat or Democrat-leaning, while 27% identified as Republican or Republican-leaning.

Republicans also had more support among those who frequently attend religious services, while Democrats had more support among the religiously unaffiliated, according to Pew.

Over the past several years, much has been made about the growing gap regarding religious views between the two major parties, with some saying that Democrats have a God problem.

Last July, Pew released a report that found only 38% of Democrats viewed the impact of churches on the culture as positive, a 19-point drop from 2010.

By contrast, the same 2019 report found that 68% of Republicans viewed the impact of churches on the culture as positive, a 6-point drop from 2010.

Democrats are now evenly divided in these attitudes (38% positive, 40% negative), wrote Carroll Doherty and Jocelyn Kiley of Pew in 2019.

In five previous Pew Research Center surveys over the past decade, significantly more Democrats viewed the impact of religious organizations positively than negatively.
Home News Franklin Graham meets with Zelensky, prays for peace: 'Give them a path forward'

In a surprise announcement at the European Congress on Evangelism Tuesday evening, evangelist Franklin Graham revealed he had met earlier that day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to pray for peace amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, urging delegates to join him in interceding for an end to the conflict.

Graham took the stage to share news of the meeting and led delegates in a time of prayer for an end to the war. The congress, hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which he heads, is gathering this week in Berlin to focus on proclamation evangelism, drawing 1,000 evangelical leaders from 56 countries.

I thought I would just say a word about Europe, Graham told delegates. We see war again on this continent. And I have had the opportunity in the past of meeting [Russian] President Putin and sharing with him what we as Evangelicals believe.

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Now, when I said that to him, he kind of listened very politely, but maybe it was the first time he understood. He was probably thinking this is the craziest thing I've ever heard. I don't know."

Graham disclosed that BGEA had written to both Zelensky and Putin about the war, and encouraging prayer for peace.

Today, I had the privilege to meet with President Zelensky, said Graham. And I prayed with him that God will give them wisdom and that God will give them a path forward for peace.

The complications in Ukraine and Russia were deemed very difficult by Graham, who pointed out that only God can solve this. Then he called upon the delegates to pray aloud about the situation.

I think the most important thing maybe we can do for the next few minutes is to pray, and to pray for Ukraine, to pray for Russia, for the leaders of these countries and for the president of my country (U.S.), President Trump, that God will give a way forward.

As God leads us, pray out loud for the leaders with heavy hearts as we think about fighting in the war and the people that have been killed, the families that are hurting, have lost loved ones.

Delegates at the Berlin Congress then raised their voices for several minutes, interceding for the war to end. Graham closed the announcement and prayer call with his own closing prayer.

Father, we pray tonight for President Putin, he prayed. And Father, we pray that you would give him wisdom, that you would work in his heart, and that he would desire to have peace. And Father, we pray for President Zelensky, that you would work in his heart, And that desire for peace would be in his heart as well. And Father, we pray that you would give them a path. A path that would allow them to move forward. Father, we believe you're the only one who can do this. We pray for President Trump. Give him wisdom as to what to do and what to say and how he can use his office to bring peace to this part of the world or to help bring it. So, Father, none of this can happen without you. We've got to have your help. That you would guide and direct. You can open doors and you can close doors. So, God, we thank you and we praise you. So tonight, Father, we give you the glory. And we pray all of this in the name of your son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The announcement of Graham meeting Zelensky follows a press conference on Tuesday at which Christian Daily International/Christian Post asked the evangelist if he had a particular message of encouragement for European Evangelicals feeling affected by the war in Ukraine and the sense of fear on the continent with governments ordering families to prepare food rations in case a wider conflict happens.

Prayer is the most important thing we can do, responded Franklin Graham at the time, and that is to pray for President Putin, President Zelensky, and the leaders in both countries that God would work in their hearts to find a solution to this war.

Thousands upon thousands of people have been killed. No one even actually knows the numbers, but we know it's horrific. And it needs to come to an end. We need to pray for those, but we also need to pray for President Trump, who's trying to help mediate it. You know, try to get them started at least talking to one another, and that's so important to talk.

And so pray that God would somehow touch the hearts of these men and bring them to a point of reconciliation. And at least where the killing would stop, and they could negotiate instead of trying to blow each other up. And that's what I would encourage the church to do.

This article was originally published by Christian Daily International.
Home News Most black adults believe religion, church play significant role in African American experience

The majority of black adults in the U.S. believe that to understand the African American experience, it's necessary to understand the role of religious faith in black people's lives, a new study has found.

A Barna survey of 1,083 U.S. black adults, plus 822 black churchgoers, found that four out of five black U.S. adults who align with some type of faith group agree to some extent (41% strongly, 38% somewhat) that To understand the African American experience, it is necessary to understand the role of religious faith in the lives of black people.

Most members of the black church also believe faith is crucial to the black experience, with half (50%) agreeing strongly and 38% agreeing somewhat. Faith is also considered a source of emotional strength, with nearly all black churchgoers today strongly agreeing with this sentiment.

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Interestingly, the proportion of black adults who say church involvement is overall desirable is on the decline, from 90% in 1996 (71% very plus 19% somewhat) to just 74% today (44% very plus 30% somewhat). Among black adults who attend church, 58% desire to be active in their place of worship.

Age also impacts church engagement, with 66% of Boomers who are part of the black church saying its very desirable compared to just 55% Gen X, 51% millennials, and 46% Gen Z.

The majority of religious black adults in 2020 (69%) agree (one-third strongly so) that the pastors of African American churches are the most important leaders within the black community.

The report, which is one of several looking at the state of the black church in America, was developed in partnership with Black Millennial Cafe, Urban Ministries, Inc., American Bible Society, Compassion International, Gloo, and Lead.NYC. It describes how black Americans, including members of predominantly black churches, perceive the role of the Church and their political views.

Previously, Barna reported that most members of the black church believe the church provides comfort and agency, countering a broader sense of political powerlessness.

In 1996, 50% of black Americans agreed with that statement, while 41% disagreed. In 2020, however, the percentage of black Americans who agreed with the statement shot up to 65% and among black churchgoers, it was a staggering 80%.

Brooke Hempell, senior vice president of research at Barna, said: The story of the Black Church in America is important for our nation and for Christianity. We have conducted hundreds of studies about faith and culture, and we have found consistently that black Americans have a more active faith  in prayer, reading Scripture, and worship  than other racial groups in this country. We are excited to share the story of this legacy with fresh data.

A recent study from Pew found that while 61% of black Americans say their historically black congregations need to be more diverse and the race of attendees wasnt a priority, most black Americans are drawn to black churches for reasons beyond race, including sermons and worship style.

Sermons are a prime example: Black Americans who attend black Protestant churches are more likely to say they hear messages from the pulpit about certain topics  such as race relations and criminal justice reform  than are black Protestant churchgoers who attend multiracial, white or other race churches, researchers said.

Protestants who worship in predominantly black churches are more likely than other black Americans to say their congregations feature worshippers calling out amen or other expressions of approval (known as call and response). They are also more likely to feature expressive forms of worship, including spontaneous dancing, jumping or shouting. And 54% of Protestants in black congregations say the services they attend feature speaking or praying in tongues, a practice associated with Pentecostalism, Pews report on the survey explained.
Home News PCUSA may drop below 1 million members by end of 2025: report

Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States, may dip below 1 million members by the end of the current year, according to a recent report.

The PC(USA) Interim Unified Agency released its annual report on church statistics, which found that the denomination lost nearly 49,000 members in 2024, going from approximately 1.094 million members in 2023 to approximately 1.045 million members last year.

The 2024 numbers of active members are also around 150,000 fewer people than reported in 2021, with the number of church elders dropping from about 56,900 in 2021 to about 51,400 last year.

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Additionally, member congregations declined by 140 from 8,572 churches in 2023 to 8,432 churches in 2024.

However, there were increases in financial giving, with regular contributions to the denomination increasing from approximately $1.802 billion in 2023 to roughly $2.26 billion last year.

Also, for the past few years, there has been an increase in baptisms. The number of baptisms "presented by others" rose from 7,511 in 2021 to 7,826 in 2024, while baptisms at confirmation grew from 972 in 2021 to 1,351 last year.

The denomination also reported a slight increase in the number of members who identify as "Non-Binary/Genderqueer," going from 1,547 in 2023 to 1,728 in 2024.

The Rev. Dr. Tim Cargal, who oversaw the completion of the report, told Presbyterian News Service, the official news organ of PC(USA), that at the current rate of decline, the denomination will dip below 1 million members by the end of this year.

"Like all 'milestone' numbers, that will certainly garner a lot of attention, and deservedly so," Cargal told PNS. "However, net losses do not tell the whole story."

"The broader American societal trends are of declining religious participation across denominations and faith traditions, but even in that context the PC(USA) is continuing to bring people into Christian community."

Over the past few decades, PC(USA) has seen a considerable decline in its membership and number of active congregations. While the denomination had more than 2.5 million members in 2000, that number has plummeted to just over 1 million.

Last November, the PC(USA) announced that it was cutting several national staff positions and streamlining its agencies and ministries due in large part to the denominational decline.

One factor in this decline has been the theologically progressive direction of the denomination, which has prompted hundreds of congregations to disaffiliate from PC(USA) in protest.

In 2010, for example, when the PC(USA) General Assembly voted to allow regional bodies to ordain non-celibate homosexuals, the decision led to around 300 congregations voting to leave the denomination and form the theologically conservative ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.

PC(USA) dipped below the 2-million-member mark in 2011, according to numbers released in 2012, with then-PC(USA) Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons saying in a statement at the time that it came down to "[a]t least two challenges."

"The first and primary need is to continue to increase our efforts to live out the Great Commission and share the good news of Jesus Christ," he said in 2012. "The second is to connect with the growing number of the 'Spiritual But Not Religious.'"
Home News SBC appeals abuse defamation case to Tennessee Supreme Court

The Southern Baptist Convention will appeal a defamation ruling in favor of a former worship pastor accused of abuse before the Tennessee Supreme Court.

The nation's largest Protestant denomination is challenging a lower court decision in favor of Preston Garner, who argued that the convention defamed him when reaching out to affiliated entities where Garner was employed, reports Baptist Press, the SBC news service.

At issue is a complaint filed by Garner over an anonymous online allegation given to the SBC sexual abuse hotline maintained by Guidepost Solutions in 2022. A woman accused Garner of abusing her in 2010 while he was serving as interim pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

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The convention seeks to dismiss the complaint under "the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine," a legal principle that prevents courts from ruling on cases of religious doctrine. Furthermore, the convention contends that the Tennessee Public Participation Act protects organizations "based on, relates to, or is in response to that party's exercise of the right to free speech, right to petition, or right of association."

According to court documents, Garner was serving as a worship pastor at Everett Hills Baptist Church when, in January 2023, a representative of the SBC Executive Committee sent a letter to the congregation leadership alleging that Garner had a credible allegation of abuse leveled against him.

The letter in question was also sent to the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board President Randy Davis, who later forwarded it to The King's Academy, a Baptist-affiliated school where Garner was working at the time.

As a result, the academy suspended and later fired Garner, while a church that Garner had just accepted a position with after leaving Everett Hills withdrew its offer of employment.

In May 2023, Garner and his wife sued the SBC Executive Committee, the SBC Credentials Committee, Guidepost Solutions, and SBC EC Committee Relations Manager Christy Peters.

An amended complaint filed a month later accused the defendants of defamation, defamation by implication, false light invasion of privacy and loss of consortium.

A trial court entered an order in January 2024, partly denying the requests of the SBC to dismiss the complaint based on the matter supposedly being ecclesiastical in nature.

Last September, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Knoxville ruled in favor of Garner, with Judge Kristi Davis authoring the unanimous opinion.

"Appellants in this case have not raised any argument that their conduct resulted from the application or interpretation of any religious canon," wrote Davis. "Ultimately, whether Everett Hills was in friendly cooperation with the SBC has no bearing on the Garners' claims."

"Accordingly, considering the Garners' claims will not require the trial court to resolve any religious disputes or to rely on religious doctrine. The ecclesiastical abstention doctrine does not apply to this case, and the trial court did not err in denying the Appellants' Rule 12 motions."

The SBC argued that their actions addressed a matter of public concern and safety, as it was part of their efforts to respond to allegations of abuse within member churches.

"The Appellants argue that the Garners cannot satisfy the second element of their defamation claim because the statements in the Letter  specifically, that an anonymous online complaint about Mr. Garner was made to Guidepost  are true," she added.

"The statements in the Letter as published 'would have a different effect on the mind of the reader from that which' a full explanation of the facts known to the Appellants at the time the Letter was sent would have produced.  Accordingly, truth is not available as an absolute defense to the Appellants in this case."

The panel concluded that the trial court "erred in finding that the TPPA does not apply to this case" and remanded that part of the judgment for further proceedings while affirming other findings of the trial court.
Valedictorian Defends Faith Amid Censorship, Netanyahu-Trump Phone Clash, Jordan Petersons Surprising Atheist Exchange

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:27 07:27

Top headlines for Thursday, May 29, 2025

In this episode, a high school valedictorian who stood up for his Christian beliefs, delivering an inspiring speech despite attempts to censor him. Next, we explore the recent turbulent phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, shedding light on the complex dynamics of international relations. Lastly, we discuss a thought-provoking moment from Jubilee Medias Surrounded series, where Jordan Peterson revealed why he doesn't identify as a Christian in a candid exchange with an atheist.

00:11 Trump-Netanyahu phone call on Iran was tense, heated: report

01:00 Do Christians who die by suicide go to Heaven? NT Wright answers

01:59 PCUSA may drop below 1 million members by end of 2025: report

02:52 Sanctus Real replaces Newsboys on canceled Canada tour

03:46 Judge blocks NY from forcing photographer to work gay weddings

04:48 Jordan Peterson refuses to identify as Christian in viral debate

05:42 Valedictorian resists censorship attempts, touts Christ in speech
Home Opinion I can tell you that Seattle has personally wrecked me

We stepped into Seattle knowing that it was going to be different from previous cities we had visited, but when the May Day USA Tour hit Cal Anderson Park in the heart of the Emerald City, it was unlike anything I had ever seen.

Hundreds of protesters showed up. I estimated from my vantage point in the middle of the Christians to be 500 to 1,000, lined our permitted area with signs, bullhorns, extended fingers, and vulgar shouts. A Pro Trans Support Protest had been organized on social media in response to the May Day organized by Jenny and Bob Donnelly, Her Voice MVMT.

Jenny had worked on the permit for one park and was later pushed by city officials to go to another one, Cal Anderson Park. The ministry followed the proper procedure, going through the process that any church or ministry can follow nationwide to hold a Christian service outside. Antifa showed up among the crowd, and heckling continued all day.

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The Seattle Mayor, Bruce Harrell, condemned us as Christians for being in the city, calling us a right-wing national effort to attack our trans and LGBTQ+ communities. He then directed the Parks Department to review all the circumstances around our application.

As a Texas girl from the buckle of the Bible Belt in Dallas-Fort Worth, it is hard to describe what I saw in this city in the Pacific Northwest. I watched hundreds of people standing in protest for six to eight hours  broken people, deeply angry, with some who looked afraid of our Christian beliefs. These hurting souls found community among themselves, their mutual pain, confused sexual identities, and deception, and they stood. My heart broke as I watched them in disbelief.

Coming to Seattle on a tour that not only deals with repentance, revival, and reformation, a tour that is calling the Church to get out in culture, stand up for biblical truth, and push back against the darkness, I should have expected this reaction, but I didnt believe that it was going to be that bad.

In the end, we saw 23 arrests, a riot that broke out as we worshipped, and Christians having to stand, pray, and worship for hours just to push back on the darkness in the atmosphere. Families with children boldly stood rather than leaving or pulling out of danger. These Washington state Christians amazed me as we were later accused of fascist family values by the Seattle Times.

We came to worship and pray, but also to stand up for children and families  to say collectively as a Church family  dont mess with our kids. Jenny Donnelly has adopted these words that became popular in Perus family values movement. In her words, she felt led to bring them to America to copy/paste for our nation.

Multiple churches in Washington state united for this event. Many came under the banner of #Dontmesswithourkids, tired of the indoctrination of their children with gender ideology in public schools. Many were frustrated that abortions can be offered to their teenagers without their parental consent. Many were concerned about the Church around the nation staying silent. In the end, none of these statements were made from the stage in Seattle. We worshipped, prayed, and preached the Gospel.

Pastors like Russell B. Johnson from Pursuit Church prayed from the stage. In the directions to the church bathrooms in his churches, he puts in writing  Biological Women and Biological Men, but at that moment, he just prayed and declared, Seattle belongs to God.

Christians in the Pacific Northwest are persecuted at every level for even talking about the biblical foundations of biological gender and standing up against extreme legislation threatening parental authority. Remember how they had to fight fines and prison time for keeping their churches open during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020? It is a different world for them.

Alliance Defending Freedom is also contemplating a lawsuit against the Mayor of Seattle and the City of Seattle, according to their CEO and President, Kristen Waggoner.

2 Corinthians 5 talks about us being ambassadors for Christ and pleading with the lost to be reconciled to Christ. We did that in Seattle. We stood outside the walls of the church, and it was life-giving to those involved. We had more people attend than would ever come through the doors of a church on a Sunday morning. They heard the Gospel, they heard about the love of Christ, and they were prayed for.

Campus Pastor of Harvest Rock Church in Orange County, California, Jay Koopman, said boldly at the end of the meeting as we shut down three hours early, We welcome you for coming to church today. If you are on the other side of the wall today, we thank you for coming to church. We finally got you to come to church. Can you see how happy we are? Weve got joy! You made our day.

I can tell you that Seattle has personally wrecked me. I have been awakened from any last sleep or complacency that I had left in me. I am fully awake.

Even in America, there is a world hostile to our beliefs, but it is time for us to be the light and venture into the darkness, making a difference. As Jesus said in John 12:46-47:I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

Dont be afraid. The Light overcomes. Our heart needs to be broken for a world that needs salvation.
Home Opinion The most significant event in Church history: 1,700 years ago ... this month

This month, 1,700 years ago, was one of the most significant and consequential events in all of Church history. Across the Bosporus Straight from Constantinople, in Nicaea, a Council met to settle a question plaguing the Church: Who, precisely, is Jesus? Their work shaped the future of Christian theology.

In the first few centuries after Christs resurrection, Jesus was understood in a variety of ways. Only the Gnostics doubted His humanity, arguing that Jesus was a purely spiritual being who only seemed human.

Others suggested that Jesus was an angel or archangel, or specifically the Angel of the Lord mentioned in the Old Testament. By the third century, the church accepted the deity of Christ while seeing him as subordinate in some way to the Father.

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In 318 or 319, the nature of that subordination was the source of controversy between Arius, a priest in Alexandria, and Alexander I, the patriarch of Alexandria. Alexander argued that Christ was eternally begotten of the Fathers substance and thus equal to the Father and without a beginning. Arius countered, If the Father begat the Son, then he who was begotten had a beginning in existence, and from this it follows there was a time when the Son was not.

According to Arius, the Son was not eternally begotten of the Father. Rather, He was made from nothing and thus not equal to the Father. Jesus, Arius taught, was the first created being through whom everything else was made.

The quarrel between Arius and Alexander became a heated controversy across the Church, with incredible implications for theology and worship. In Rome, the task of mediating religious conflicts fell to the emperor. To settle this weighty matter, Emperor Constantine I called the bishops to Nicaea in 325.

The Council sided with the position that reflected the longstanding understanding of the Church and Holy Scripture. Alexanders position aligned with passages such as John 1:1, the Word was God, as well as Jesus claims in John 10, that I and the Father are one, and John 14:9, that whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

The Council chose the word homoousios to describe who Jesus is in relationship with the Father and to emphasize His deity. Though they are of the same substance, the Council clarified that, as begotten of the Father, Jesus is not the same as the Father. The creed produced by the Council, which is recited in churches around the world to this day, described Christ as begotten, not made, of one being (or of one substance) with the Father.

The Nicaean Creed is among the most consequential documents in Church history. It remains the articulation of orthodox Christology, though Arianism did not die out until the sixth century. The Councils decisions also made significant contributions to theological clarity about the Trinity, another perplexity the Church had to define. Later councils would reflect on and refine the statements out of Nicaea. The First Council of Constantinople strengthened its statements on the Holy Spirit, and the Council of Chalcedon further worked out the relationship of the human and divine natures of Christ, united in a single person.

While the doctrines articulated by these Councils are complex and nuanced, they have played the essential role of affirming and clarifying the many biblical claims about God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This clarity is just as important today because of the various groups and individuals who claim to be Christians but hold unorthodox and heretical views about Jesus. The Jehovahs Witnesses embrace a form of Arianism, claiming Christ is the Archangel Michael and the first created being. Mormons reject the eternal generation of the Son and see Christ as one of many children of the Father, including Satan.

In fact, Arianism remains alive and well among Evangelicals. In 2022, a survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research found that 73% of Evangelicals agreed with the statement, Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God. This widespread ignorance (and even outright rejection) of Church history and the Creeds among many Christians, and the lack of interest in theological seriousness and formation among many churches, has consequences.

Thank God for Nicaea and for the courage and insight He gave those leaders to clarify the nature and work of Christ. What was accomplished by the Council continues to be of great importance for the Church. May we be as committed to knowing and teaching good theology in our churches today as they were then.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Target audience: Business users and data professionals; large enterprises.

Business users and data professionals; large enterprises. Notable features: Deep support for data prep, including a one-click quick Smart Modeling tool for augmented model building; a Direct Model for creating a semantic data model on top of an existing database without data manipulation; Model Lite, which offers a step-by-step wizard; and an advanced ETL-like process with pipeline workflows and ML tools.

Deep support for data prep, including a one-click quick Smart Modeling tool for augmented model building; a Direct Model for creating a semantic data model on top of an existing database without data manipulation; Model Lite, which offers a step-by-step wizard; and an advanced ETL-like process with pipeline workflows and ML tools. Pricing: On request.

Qlik Cloud Analytics

Qlik Cloud Analytics is a SaaS platform that includes Qlik Sense, Qlik AutoML, and Qlik Application Automation. Qliks goal is to give anyone in the enterprise access to all its data  subject, of course, to corporate data governance policies. All that data should be enough to bog down most database engines, but Qlik says its Associative Engine can associate every piece of data with every other piece to make it easier to search for connections. The Associative Engine now has AI and ML capabilities that offer context-aware insight suggestions, thanks to the Qlik cognitive engine. Qlik Staige, introduced in 2023, combines a data foundation with automation, and AI-based descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics.

Target audience: The whole enterprise.

The whole enterprise. Notable features : Associative Engine can analyze all your data, on the fly.

: Associative Engine can analyze all your data, on the fly. Pricing: By request for enterprise edition.

SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Analytics Cloud is a cloud-native multitenant platform that supports data visualization, reporting, augmented analytics, and business planning. It unifies analytics and enterprise planning, and leverages gen AI via the Joule copilot to automate reporting, discovery of insights, and development of business plans. Together with SAP Datasphere, SAP Analytics Cloud can analyze both SAP and non-SAP data into enriched semantic models.

Target audience: Customers in the SAP ecosystem.

Customers in the SAP ecosystem. Notable features: Seamless integration with SAP enterprise applications, including SAP S/4Hana, SAP SuccessFactors, and SAP Ariba.

Seamless integration with SAP enterprise applications, including SAP S/4Hana, SAP SuccessFactors, and SAP Ariba. Pricing: On request.

Tableau

With Tableau, Salesforce covers all the bases: You can run its software on premises, choose a public cloud, or opt to have it fully hosted by Tableau. It offers tailored versions for over a dozen industries, including banking, healthcare and manufacturing, with support for financial, HR, IT, marketing, and sales departments, although thats almost expected these days. Tableaus capabilities include mapping and analysis of surveys and time series data. Gen AI and natural language processing allows users to describe what they want to see, rather than having to click and drag to create formulaic queries. Then Tableau Pulse provides an augmented analytics experience integrated with existing workflows that uses AI to automate analysis, surface insights in plain language, and proactively anticipate user questions.
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In October 2022, the New York Times asked, Are we past peak newsletter? After a rush of excitement around the potential for paid email newsletters to transform the media industry, the paper wrote, there are indicators that the bubble may be popping; Meta had just killed a newsletter product, while the newsletter publishing platform Substack was cutting back on the advances it was paying to writers. Recent trends, however, suggest that the format is experiencing renewed momentum. Press Gazette reported, for example, that Substack had, for the first time, entered its ranking of the top fifty news websites in the UK, reaching a larger share of the countrys population than CNN in March. That month, the platform topped Press Gazettes list for the largest month-over-month increase in both total minutes spent and audience growth.

Newsletters, a decades-old medium, have fluctuated in popularity over time. But in an era dominated by algorithm-driven feeds and platform disintermediation, they offer a compelling value proposition for publishers aiming to cultivate direct, lasting relationships with readers. Unlike social media or search algorithms, which prioritize virality or engagement with specific trending topics, newsletters deliver content directly to readers inboxes in a controlled and intentional way, Alex Partida, a fellow at the Reynolds Journalism Institute, wrote last year. Today, 90 percent of Americans say that they are subscribed to at least one newsletter. And many of the most widely read are news-focused: The Morning, a flagship product from the Times, for instance, tops one list of the most popular English-language newsletters, with seventeen million subscribers.

While major publishers like the Times have typically used customized, enterprise-grade CRMs, or customer relationship management tools, many smaller outlets and independent journalistsseeking alternatives to dominant media institutions or looking to build personal brandshave relied on platforms like Substack that offer tools for distribution, monetization, and audience engagement, typically in exchange for a percentage of subscription revenue. Substack boasts fifty million active subscribers and over fifty thousand revenue-earning publications; in March it surpassed five million paid subscriptions, just four months after passing four million. Some writers, such as the commentator Matthew Yglesias, have reportedly earned over a million dollars a year on the platform.

Now, however, Substack is increasingly attracting interest from established outlets looking to meet audiences where they are. In March, Allure launched its Substack, The Beauty Chat; Kara McGrath, the magazines content director, told Kate Lindsay of the Substack Embedded that she views the launch as an experiment with a new form of social media, not a replacement for Allures current newsletter strategy. Similarly, New York magazine began publishing its daily Dinner Party newsletter on the platform, in addition to sending it via the regular email list. We are always looking for new ways of finding and engaging potential readers, and Substack seemed like fertile ground for us, Joyce Tang, New Yorks editorial director for audience, told Nieman Lab. This has become more important since reaching new audiences has become trickier as audiences on traditional social platforms have waned and search algorithms have undergone drastic changes. Earlier this month, the Daily Mail also joined the platform.

Substacks appeal is expanding in the political sphere as well. Lauren Egan recently reported for The Bulwark (an outlet that itself publishes on Substack) that leading Democratic politiciansincluding Pete Buttigieg, the Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, and the Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, as well as the Democratic National Committeehave embraced the platform since Donald Trump returned to power. As cable news becomes less relevant and as liberals have scattered across a variety of social media platforms, Substack has become one of the few places to offer stability: with a growing audience, a reliable information delivery system, and a variety of mechanisms (emails, Twitter-like notes, videos, and various chat tools) to convey ones message and engage directly with followers, Egan wrote. Substack has reportedly held meetings with congressional staffers and aides to 2028 presidential hopefuls and hired a former cable news political booker to help make the platform a central venue for political discourse in upcoming election cycles. Democrats see Substack as one of the more promising platforms, Egan noted, in part because it has largely moved against the current social media trendsmore essays than algorithms, intellectualism alongside influencers.

Indeed, Substack has launched several initiatives this year to attract new creators. In January, it announced a twenty-million-dollar Creator Accelerator Fund aimed at luring talent from TikTok, amid regulatory uncertainty around the short-form video app. (A previous program, Substack Pro, offering top journalists high pay, health insurance, and other benefits, ended in 2022.) In March, the platform announced that it was rolling out a TikTok-like scrollable video feed in its app, and this month it launched livestreaming functionality.

Not all creators have stayed loyal to the platform, however, as other venues for the publication of newsletters have likewise proliferated. Some early adopters who left traditional media for Substack have moved to alternative platforms, like Ghost and beehiiv, that they see as offering more favorable revenue models and infrastructure and, in some cases, better content moderation policies. (A number of writers have quit Substack in protest of its tolerance of extremist content in the name of free speech.) In December, Tyler Denk, the cofounder and CEO of beehiiv, criticized Substack, calling it the Amazon of publishing, and arguing that it gives creators an illusion of independence while consolidating control. He cited concerns including creators lack of ownership over their audiences, algorithmic dependence, the homogenization of content and experiences at the expense of publishers unique brand identities, and a lack of access to meaningful data and analytics. Unlike Substack, which takes a 10 percent cut of creators subscription revenues, beehiiv earns revenue through its ad network and takes no cut from creators subscriptions. In November, it launched a multimillion-dollar initiative to establish the beehiiv Media Collective, which offers benefits for members such as health insurance, legal support, access to AI and image software, and waived hosting fees; in March, it rolled out a feature that allows creators themselves to manage ads and invoice advertisers. Ghost, meanwhile, is a nonprofit open-source company that licenses its technology to journalists and news outlets including the Kyiv Independent, 404 Media, and Hell Gate. As of March, the platform is integrated with the fediverse, or the open social Web, enabling content to be shared and interacted with across federated platforms.

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Its likely that more journalists leaving legacy media will consider using such platforms: this month, for instance, the misinformation experts Alexios Mantzarlis and Craig Silverman teamed up to launch Indicator, a free newsletter hosted on beehiiv that offers paid subscribers a monthly training workshop. Regardless of the platform, newsletters clearly do offer a meaningful alternative for distributing content and building audience relationships. A recent Times article profiled readers who spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually to support independent writers. As Dan Oshinsky, a newsletter consultant, told the paper, what sets newsletters apart from traditional media subscriptions is the desire to support the person behind the work, rather than just the content. When there is a person behind it or a small team behind it, readers will go, I really like you, I like your mission, I like your work, and I want to make sure that I support you in some way.

Liz Kelly Nelson, who runs the beehiiv-hosted publication Project C, which is dedicated to supporting, amplifying, and normalizing independent content creatormodel journalism, argued that fears of independent newsletters undermining traditional media are misplaced. Journalism, no matter the source, is not a zero-sum game, she wrote. There is room for the amazing work coming out of dynamic news organizations with long traditions of investigative and enterprise journalism. There is also room for upstarts who are covering the news gaps those organizations have left for consumers. We know this because consumers are, as they are wont to do, voting with their wallets. Peak newsletter may still be ahead of us.



Other notable stories:

Early yesterday, Charles Gasparino suggested in the New York Post that Paramount, which owns CBS News and is seeking federal approval for a corporate merger, could imminently settle a lawsuit brought by Trump over the networks interview with Kamala Harris last yearand that Shari Redstone, the companys controlling shareholder, is inclined to settle the matter and move on with her lifebut fears that it could be sued on bribery grounds if it does so, and that its insurance wouldnt extend to defending against such a claim. Later, the Wall Street Journals Jessica Toonkel and Josh Dawsey reported that Paramount has already offered to settle the case for fifteen million dollars, but that Trump wants twenty-five million and an apologyand is threatening to sue Paramount again over allegations of bias in CBSs news coverage.

Last year, the LA Times reported that the local sheriffs department had investigated Maya Lau, a former reporter at the paper, over her receipt of a leaked list of deputies with a history of misconduct; the department finally recommended that Californias attorney general charge Lau, though he did not ultimately do so. (Journalists reporting on stolen documents is generally protected by the First Amendment, as long as they didnt steal them themselves.) Now Lau is suing LA County, the former sheriff, and other officials over the probe. I am bringing this lawsuit not just for my own sake, but to send a clear signal in the name of reporters everywhere: we will not be intimidated, she said.

Recently, Nieman Labs Sarah Scire wrote about the National Trust for Local News selling a number of papers in Colorado to an out-of-state, for-profit media company with a history of reducing local newsroomsa surprise, given the trusts nonprofit mission. After she wrote, Steve Strickbine, the president of the acquiring company, reached out to object, making the case that it saves papers from extinction, even if they can no longer serve as watchdogs. Scire writes that she disagrees with Strickbines vision for local news, but that shes never interviewed an owner willing to talk so candidly about it.

And for CJRs podcast The Kicker, Josh Hersh spoke with Phil Williams, a veteran TV journalist in Nashville. His deep dives into toxic wastewater and lobbyist access to state politicians have earned him a slew of major journalism awards, including five Peabodys and five duPont-Columbia Awards. But in recent years, his most viral moments have been his unflappable encounters with extremists and neo-Nazis, who have popped up brazenly in communities around Nashvillethat is, until Williams shows up with receipts.
Brazilian labor prosecutors are suing Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co. and two contractors over allegations of slave labor and human trafficking at the construction site of a manufacuturing plant.

The lawsuit describes degrading conditions at facilities in Bahia maintained by BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tonghe Equipamentos Inteligentes do Brasil Co.  currently named Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes Brasil Co. It also alleges irregularities with the visas used to bring the workers into Brazil and the confiscation of their passports.

Prosecutors said that in December, 220 Chinese workers were found in a situation analogous to slavery and described them as victims of international human trafficking. Theyve filed the lawsuit that seeks more than 257 million reais ($46 million) in damages after the companies refused to sign a conduct adjustment agreement, they said.

BYDs Brazilian unit said in a statement that it reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labor rights, basing its activities on respect for Brazilian legislation and international labor protection standards. The company has been collaborating with the labor prosecutors office and will provide further comment on the lawsuit, it said.

The EV plant in Brazil is BYDs first outside of Asia and marked an important step in its push into overseas markets. The country is strategically important for Chinas carmakers amid the political and economic rapprochement between Presidents Xi Jinping and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as regions like the US and Europe impose heavy barriers on Chinese-made vehicles.

But complaints about conditions began emerging soon after work began in March 2024, with labor union Sindticcc noting safety issues including the sites precarious cafeteria structure during a visit in April last year. The union said it had warned the construction companies about compliance as early as February last year.

In November, Brazils Agencia Publica, an independent news website, published photos, videos and audio showing mistreatment of staff and apparent non-compliance with international labor and safety conventions. The union, in another statement at the beginning of December, reported accidents involving two workers, one of whom had a finger amputated.

In late December, a task force from the labor prosecutors office rescued 163 workers and closed off lodgings and parts of the site until the situation could be fully regularized.

The same month, BYD said it had severed ties with Jinjiang Construction Brazil. Despite the controversy, the carmaker said in January that it was still committed to starting production by the end of 2025. The plant is set to have an initial capacity of 150,000 cars per year, which will be doubled to 300,000 units over the following two years.

As well as the 257 million reais in collective moral damages, prosecutors are requesting that BYD and the two contractors pay individual damages equivalent to 21 times each workers contractual salary. Theyre also seeking the payment of the contracted wage for each day a worker was subjected to the poor conditions, plus payment of severance thats due.

The lawsuit also seeks to have the companies comply with Brazilian labor protection standards and not subject workers to human trafficking and slave labor, according to the prosecutors statement.

Top photo: A BYD Co. electric vehicle at a dealership in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Photographer: Victor Moriyama/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
A former senior analyst at U.S. trading company Freepoint Commodities has sued the company, alleging that top executives pressured employees to facilitate insider trading and retaliated against employees that objected.

The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court on May 14 by former employee Andrew Martin, claims Freepoint fired Martin in November to stop him from flagging unethical practices on the companys oil team during an FBI visit of its headquarters in December.

The Stamford, Connecticut-based company has denied the allegations and said it dismissed Martin for performance-related reasons.

We will contest these spurious allegations from an employee dismissed for performance reasons, Freepoint said in a statement.

Freepoint is still in a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), which it entered in December 2023 as part of a settlement to resolve charges of bribing Brazilian officials. One of the conditions of that agreement was that Freepoint strengthen its corporate governance.

Martin alleges in the lawsuit that Freepoints global head of oil, Sarathi Roy, and head of refined products, Shai Barnea, sought to maximize Freepoints profits by manipulating markets through solicitation of material, non-public information from oil producers and refiners.

The lawsuit also alleges they distributed copyrighted material from subscription-based providers of market intelligence and research without permission.

The events took place both before and after the settlement with the DoJ, according to the lawsuit.

Neither Barnea nor Roy responded to Reuters requests for comment.

The lawsuit alleges that Barnea pushed Martin to leverage personal contacts at Shells Deer Park Refinery in Texas to gain non-public insider information on a labor strike there in 2015. Martin worked at Shell Trading before he joined Freepoint in 2014.

The suit alleges that Barnea intended to trade on that information and that could have impacted gasoline prices in the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Deer Park did not reply to a request for comment.

The lawsuit alleges that Barnea also pushed Martin to misappropriate oil market analysis models that he had access to in his previous job at Shell Trading.

Other Freepoint staff used data and tools from previous employers, considered trade secrets, as recently as summer 2024, according to the lawsuit.

Shell Trading did not respond to a request for comment.

Martins lawsuit says he lodged complaints about Roy and Barnea promoting unethical behavior, and raised his concerns directly with Freepoint Chief Executive Dave Messer in August last year.

Messer did not respond to a request for comment.

Freepoint declined to give more details on Martins performance, or answer questions about his claims.

It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation, Freepoint said.

Martin said in a statement that he filed the lawsuit after pursuing his concerns with the company.

My aim is to reach a fair resolution and move on, he told Reuters.

Departures

Barnea left Freepoint in recent weeks, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Reuters was unable to ascertain why he left. Freepoint declined to comment on Barneas departure.

Several other Freepoint traders and analysts have left from multiple locations worldwide in recent months, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Those include Eli Reichner, a fuel analyst who worked at the companys Stamford headquarters.

In Singapore, oil traders Zhang Peng and Joshua Dawe have left, two sources said.

Reichner and Dawe did not respond to Reuters requests for comments. Peng could not be reached for comment.

(Reporting by Khan in New York, McCartney in Houston, Tan in Singapore; Editing by Simon Webb and David Gregorio)
Citigroup Inc. revoked the firing of a senior trader in Japan as part of a wrongful dismissal settlement following years of wrangling over problematic trading practices in the banks Asia unit.

Ken Ohtakas dismissal was rescinded after the two sides reached an agreement last month, according to a copy of the settlement seen by Bloomberg News. Ohtaka, Citigroups ex-Japan agency trading head in Tokyo, rejected a confidentiality clause in the settlement so that he can talk openly about what he describes as a global witch hunt in search of scapegoats that triggered several firings.

The internal probe launched in 2018 by law firm Clifford Chance was flawed, and its outcome felt predetermined in order to pin the blame for questionable practices on a group of Asia equity sales traders, Ohtaka said in a phone interview.

Ohtaka suffered great mental distress as a result of being unilaterally fired by the defendant without any disciplinary reason, according to Tokyo court filings for his wrongful dismissal lawsuit. Terms of the settlement werent disclosed.

Citigroup said the bank took appropriate action in line with procedures when personal conduct failed to meet its high standards.

All Citi investigations are conducted based on facts and evidence, with assistance from independent experts as needed, a Hong Kong-based spokesperson said in an email. The bank has implemented significant remedial measures to strengthen our compliance and internal controls to address this legacy issue, and continues to enhance its processes to reflect best market practices and to meet regulatory expectations.

Clifford Chance in Hong Kong said the firm doesnt comment on client matters.

Hong Kong Probe

Ohtakas settlement is the latest chapter in a saga that began when Hong Kongs securities regulator found that traders in Citigroups Asia markets division had at times misrepresented the banks own stock positions on trades as client interest for more than a decade. In essence, the regulator concluded, they had indicated there was customer demand to buy and sell specific stocks when it didnt exist.

The Securities and Futures Commission said that the pervasive dishonest behaviour went as far back as 2008. The regulator faulted Citigroup for internal control deficiencies and poor management oversight, and fined it about $45 million.

After the SFC began reviewing the trades, Citigroup launched its own probe, just months after Ohtaka joined the firm in 2018. The review eventually led to Ohtakas firing in late 2020, following the dismissal of a dozen traders in Hong Kong and Singapore the previous year. In Tokyo, six traders either quit on their own or were given the option to resign to avoid being fired, according to Ohtaka. Four others were disciplined, resulting in bonus cuts, he said.

The bank declined to comment on specific cases.

Ohtaka, 58, was among several former employees who sued the bank over their dismissals. Ian Weir, an ex-sales trader for Asia-Pacific markets based in London, agreed to settle his case before a London tribunal in October. Citi denied in its submissions to the tribunal that Weir was unfairly dismissed. In December, former equity sales trader Cindy Lui won her wrongful dismissal suit before Hong Kongs Labour Tribunal.

During the probe by Hong Kong regulators, Ohtaka said he assured his Japan team that they had fully complied with local financial regulations and internal bank policies, and that the inquiry shouldnt extend to Tokyo.

In the midst of the probe, he was appointed chair of Citigroup Global Markets Japans execution governance committee. He said he tightened equity-execution rules, including revising several operational protocols to better protect clients and staff. The Hong Kong office rejected some of the measures as too restrictive and growth-stifling, Ohtaka said.

The bank declined to comment on the alleged Hong Kong measures from more than five years ago.

Ohtaka Fired

Ohtaka was fired for allegedly misleading clients into thinking there were natural buyers for two stocks. Citigroup alleged he posted a single batch of 87 so-called indications of interest, or IOIs, that were tagged order in hand natural, even though there wasnt a corresponding client order. Thats according to the banks termination letter seen by Bloomberg News. IOIs are preliminary expressions of trading demand from buyers and sellers in certain stocks.

Ohtaka said he never received IOI training, and denied posting and uploading the low-volume batch. The judge in the wrongful dismissal case found it implausible he intentionally misrepresented the orders as real demand. The judge said the IOI post in question didnt violate regulations and the dismissal constituted an abuse of rights.

The Tokyo District Court ruled that Ohtakas employment contract is valid and Citigroup didnt have cause to terminate him. The court ordered the bank to compensate him with salary that he would have earned until the time of the judgment, plus interest.

Citigroup filed an appeal and threatened to fire Ohtaka again if the judge affirmed the lower courts ruling, according to a Nov. 1 letter from the bank seen by Bloomberg News.

Settlement Reached

While the appeal was stalled, the high court judge in November instructed both sides to attempt to negotiate a settlement and set a Dec. 24 deadline, according to a summary prepared for the court by Ohtakas lawyer and seen by Bloomberg. Negotiations dragged on until April, partly because Ohtaka refused to accept a confidentiality clause, which is typical in settlements like these. The firing was revoked and both parties agreed to terminate the employment contract, according to the settlement.

Ohtaka offered to take a reduced payout in return for a public apology, according to a court submission by his lawyer. The bank refused, he said. The bank declined to comment beyond its statement.

Ohtaka said he plans to retire from the finance industry and will use the settlement proceeds to help establish a scholarship fund for high-achieving, underprivileged children.

Top photo: Ohtakas settlement is the latest chapter in a saga that began when Hong Kongs securities regulator found that traders in Citigroups Asia markets division had at times misrepresented the banks own stock positions on trades as client interest for more than a decade. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Orange Schools Treasurer Todd Puster presents the districts five-year financial forecast to the Board of Education, which approved it Tuesday (May 27). (Ed Wittenberg, special to cleveland.com)

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Despite an uncertain fiscal future -- especially related to the impending state budget -- the Orange City School District remains in a strong financial position.

That was the overriding message of Treasurer Todd Puster as he presented the districts five-year financial forecast to the Orange Board of Education.

The board approved the forecast Tuesday (May 27).

The general trend of expenditures exceeding revenues is a concern, Puster said.

But were still in good financial shape and we have the ability to weather the changes with prudent financial management.

The Ohio General Assembly is due to pass the state budget by June 30.

From what Ive heard, especially in the past week, Im extremely concerned about the Ohio Houses proposed sidelining of the Fair School Funding formula and a possible return to residual budgeting, Puster said.

Thats real, and were going to know that in approximately 30 days.

The Fair School Funding Plan, passed in 2021, aims to distribute state school funding more equitably, based on the actual cost of educating students.

This funding model has been in place for the past two budget cycles, and now the House has opted to abandon it, Superintendent Lynn Campbell said in an email to district families and staff earlier in May.

Residual budgeting refers to a budget allocation process whereby funds are distributed based on whats left over after other budgetary needs have been met, rather than a formula based on actual costs or needs.

Theres a lot of concern in the education community that were going to return to residual budgeting, Puster said.

Puster also expressed concerns about what he called the carryover cap.

State lawmakers are considering implementing a 30 percent cap on the cash balances maintained by public school districts and would potentially return a portion of that funding to homeowners.

But while this idea has been described as tax relief, it actually may have a negative impact on both homeowners and school districts, Campbell said in his email.

The carryover cap is very problematic for cash-flow management for a district like ours and undermines the principles of prudent financial management, Puster said.

Moodys and Standard and Poors, two major credit rating agencies, are both very concerned about that.

Puster also noted that a petition was recently submitted to the Ohio attorney general to propose a constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes in Ohio.

The petition, titled Abolishment of Taxes on Real Property, aims to add a new section to the Ohio Constitution that would prohibit any future taxes on real property, including land, buildings and improvements.

To the best of my knowledge, every one of our 50 states has a property tax, Puster said.

Some of Treasurer Todd Pusters concerns about the Orange City School Districts financial future are reflected in this slide from his presentation of the districts five-year forecast to the Orange Board of Education Tuesday (May 27). (Ed Wittenberg, special to cleveland.com)

Deficit projected in 2029

Throughout the course of the five-year forecast time frame, the financial position of the district is projected to decline from a modest surplus next fiscal year to a deficit of about $3.5 million in fiscal year 2029, Puster said.

This trend of declining cash balances has been predicted for several years through multiple forecast documents, he said in his report.

Forecast costs rising faster than revenues is a common predicament for Ohio school districts that is rooted deeply in Ohio school funding laws.

But a moderate level of new construction, redevelopment and renovation of residential and commercial property has occurred in the community in recent years, and this has had a modest positive fiscal impact, Puster said.

Development of the commercial portion of the Pinecrest complex (in Orange) along Interstate 271 at the western edge of the school district also has positively impacted the financial condition of the district, he said.

While payments in lieu of real estate taxes have not met pre-construction projections, these payments have increased so far in 2025.

Puster said although district voters have not been asked to pass an operating levy since 2011 -- when the last one passed -- that is likely to change with time.

Were assuming that the board chooses to ask the electorate for a 5-mill levy in 2028, he said.

If that is the case, we will see an uptick in our revenue in 2029, 2030 and 2031 and leveling off in 2032 and starting to decline in 2033 and 2034.

Board member Angela Arnold said, I think the key takeaway here is we have been so incredibly fortunate to be riding on a gravy train of increasing home values, a favorable economic climate and increasing interest income on our investments.

Its been fantastic that we have deferred and delayed going for a levy this long, she said. Its unheard of and its exceptional.

Board member Scott Bilsky said by the time the next five-year forecast is presented in November, and certainly by next year, the board should have a lot more clarity about whats going on in Orange with all of the residential development in progress there.

There could be 550 to 600 more housing units that will have a tremendous impact on our revenue figures essentially and also could affect our enrollments, he said.

In the next six to 12 months, we should have a lot more information there.

Puster said he agreed that factor will affect future forecasts.

The districts next five-year forecast will be submitted by Gary Platko, who will succeed Puster as treasurer Aug. 1. Puster will retire July 31.

Luckily, weve been able to avoid tax levies because of the growth in our communities and the great job that our mayors are doing in bringing in residents and students to our area, board President Jeffrey Leikin said.

So hopefully that will happen, but we never know and we have to be prepared, no question about it.

Board member Rebecca Boyle added that prudent management of the districts money also has been a huge contributor.

OCER accreditation update

Also on Tuesday, Jill Korsok, director of Orange Community Education and Recreation, provided an update on OCERs application for accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).

Korsok said an in-person review of OCER facilities was conducted by CAPRA officials last week and that it was very successful.

Our accreditation will be awarded to us in September at the National Recreation and Park Association Conference, she said.

I cant say yet that we are officially accredited, but we do expect that to happen.

Korsok said standards met in OCERs master plan and strategic plan -- both of which the school board approved Tuesday -- are part of the CAPRA accreditation process.

The (CAPRA) review team was very impressed by our team at OCER, and I give our staff a great big shout-out for all that they did, she said.

They were very impressed by the resources that we have on campus and what we have available to us.

Korsok singled out Kelly Borders, assistant director of OCER, for her efforts in organizing the accreditation application process.

We worked very hard on it, and Kelly has taken the lead on that, she said.

Korsok told the board in January that OCER, a department of the district, submitted its self-assessment for accreditation to CAPRA Jan. 14.

CAPRA is the only national accreditation of park and recreation departments and is a valuable measure of a departments overall quality of operation, management and service to the community, according to its website.

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Washington. While taking questions, the president lashed out at a reporter who asked him to comment on the term "TACO trade." (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. President Donald Trump angrily responded to a news reporter during a White House briefing Wednesday when he was asked about a new term spreading on Wall Street, TACO trade.

The term  originally coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong  stands for Trump Always Chickens Out, when talking about the president carrying out threats to thrust high tariffs on foreign countries.

Trump called it a nasty question by the reporter, according to a video of the briefing from the Associated Press.

Dont ever say what you said; thats a nasty question, Trump said to the reporter.

You call that chickening out? Its called negotiation, Trump continued, adding that he sets a ridiculous high number and I go down a little bit, you know, a little bit until the figure is more reasonable, the Associated Press reported.

Trump has backed off from some tariffs repeatedly since he had announced hefty duties on imports from most of the worlds countries on April 2, a moment he dubbed Liberation Day, USA Today reported.

The Trump administration has announced new or revised tariff policies more than 50 times since Trumps inauguration, an analysis by The Washington Post found.

Also on Wednesday, the Trump administration suffered a large setback on its tariff policies, when a panel of federal judges blocked President Trump from imposing some of his steepest tariffs on China and other U.S. trading partners, the New York Times reported.

Wednesdays incident was, of course, not the first time Trump has had heated exchange with a reporter.

In April, during a special interview with ABC News Terry Moran to mark the first 100 days of his term, Trump got angry when he was questioned about Kimar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador.

Moran pointed out Trump was using a Photoshopped image to show that Abrego Garcia had MS-13 tattooed on his knuckles. Trump said that was wrong.

Terry, you cant do that. Theyve given you the big break of a lifetime, Trump said as quoted by People. I picked you because... Frankly, I had never heard of you, but thats okay. But I picked you, Terry, but youre not being very nice.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts extend Children's Day greetings from China's space station

Xinhua) 11:01, May 29, 2025

This undated photo shows Shenzhou-20 crew members Chen Dong (C), Chen Zhongrui (R) and Wang Jie. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- In celebration of International Children's Day, which falls on June 1, the Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's space station has sent holiday greetings to children across the nation.

As the ninth national congress of the Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP), a national organization for children, opened Tuesday in Beijing, the crew congratulated children across the country on their grand gathering, unfurling a CYP flag that they brought to the space station.

The three-member crew, commanded by veteran astronaut Chen Dong, was launched into orbit on April 24 for a six-month mission.

Chen Dong reflected on his childhood dreams, which were sparked by wearing the CYP red scarf. "I remember deciding to become someone useful to society when I first wore it," said Chen, a three-time space traveler.

Rookie astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, both on their maiden spaceflight, shared how youthful curiosity about the cosmos propelled them into their careers.

Chen Zhongrui, who executed his first extravehicular activity on May 22, reminisced about watching Shenzhou spacecraft launches on television as a child, a passion that spurred his aspirations.

Wang mentioned the CYP anthem, a song that filled him with strength during his childhood. He noted that it guides generations of Chinese Young Pioneers to inherit the glorious traditions of forebears, hoping that the children will carry on the mission of exploring space.

Since entering orbit, the Shenzhou-20 crew has successfully completed the in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-19 crew and conducted space scientific experiments as planned.

On May 22, they accomplished their first extravehicular activity, setting a record for the shortest interval between an astronaut crew entering orbit and conducting their first spacewalk after the completion of the space station.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
In a Wednesday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang explained why he thinks it's necessary to export his company's artificial intelligence technology to China, saying trade with the country is vital if the U.S. wants to be a global leader in AI.

"That's probably the most important strategic reason to be in China," Huang said. "Because there are so many developers there and because the world is going to adopt technology from one country or another  and we prefer it to be the American technology stack."

Nvidia posted better-than-expected earnings and revenue Wednesday night, sending shares up in extended trading. While the quarter showed that demand for Nvidia's technology continues to grow, Huang said on the call that President Donald Trump's restrictions on its chips mean that the "$50 billion China market is effectively closed to U.S. industry."

Huang told Cramer the regulations will lead to the loss of billions in revenue to Nvidia and tax revenue to the U.S. But more importantly, he emphasized, losing out on the Chinese market has lasting global ramifications for the U.S. Historically, he said, the platform that succeeds is the one that has the most developers  and China is home to 50% of the world's AI researchers.

"We want every developer in the world to prefer the American technology stacks," Huang said. Once that happens, he continued, "American technology stacks will run AI the best all over the world."

Huang claimed Nvidia will "keep our dialogue going" with the Trump administration.

"We understand the technology best, and we understand how computing works," Huang said. "We understand how AI works, and we've been in China for 30 years, and so this is an area that we have a lot of, a lot of expertise, and we're going to continue to share that."
Salesforce on Wednesday reported better-than-expected quarterly results and provided guidance that, on its face, seemed strong. But the market response was muted, as investors discovered what was really driving the improved outlook. Revenue in its fiscal 2026 first quarter rose 8% year over year to $9.83 billion, topping expectations of $9.75 billion, according to LSEG. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in the three months ended April 30 totaled $2.58, beating the consensus estimate by 4 cents, LSEG data showed. On a year-over-year basis, adjusted EPS was up 6%. Salesforce's stock was volatile in extended trading Wednesday night, initially jumping about 5% before surrendering almost all of those gains. Shortly after its conference call with analysts concluded, the stock was up a little more than 1%. The enterprise software company came into the earnings release in need of a spark, having lost the momentum built last fall on the launch of its new AI offering Agentforce. Shares were down 18% year to date as of Wednesday's close, trailing both the S & P 500 , which was up 0.3%, and a popular software exchange-traded fund known as the IGV , which advanced around 3%. Salesforce crushed both the S & P 500 and IGV in the final four months of 2024  a period that included the unveiling of Agentforce in September and its general availability in late October. Its all-time closing high of $367.87 a share came on Dec. 4. CRM 1Y mountain CRM 1-year return Bottom line We had some reservations about Salesforce ahead of Wednesday's release, recognizing that an uncertain economic backdrop has previously pressured enterprise software spending. Our hope was that Salesforce's two AI products  Data Cloud and the newer Agentforce  would show additional traction with customers and suggest that revenue growth could return to double-digit percentages sooner than Wall Street expects. Keep in mind: When Salesforce reported earnings in late February, executives said they expected a "modest" contribution this year from Agentforce, a suite of tools to build so-called AI agents that can perform tasks without human intervention. Meanwhile, Data Cloud helps customers organize and unify their data, and it is basically seen as laying the groundwork for Agentforce adoption. Based on everything we heard Wednesday night, we're not ready to get super bullish on the stock. However, at current levels and valuation it would be unwise to jump off the train. There is momentum on AI and the long-term opportunity for Agentforce is still huge. For that reason, the stock should leave the station within the next couple of quarters. We're reiterating our buy-equivalent 1 rating, while lowering our price target to $350 a share from $400 to account for the skepticism in the marketplace around Salesforce's growth trajectory. Commentary The good news is that Wednesday's results showed progress on AI, with Salesforce saying that the combined annual recurring revenue (ARR) for Data Cloud and Agentforce is more than $1 billion, up from the $900 million provided in February. In an interview Wednesday on "Mad Money," CEO Marc Benioff told Jim Cramer that Agentforce, in particular, is now an "over $100 million ARR product." Additionally, nearly 60% of the company's largest 100 deals in the quarter included both Data Cloud and Agentforce. Salesforce also said it has closed more than 8,000 deals involving Agentforce since its launch, with half of those being paid deals. In February's earnings report, the company said those numbers were 3,000 paying customers and 2,000 non-paying trials. That is a clear sign that customer interest is growing. Benioff called out Pepsi and the Latin American department store chain Falabella as two customers using Agentforce. Considering the stock's underperformance, investors should theoretically be stoked that Salesforce's second-quarter revenue and earnings guidance came in above expectations, and that its full-year outlook also was increased for both of those important metrics. However, the reason investors' excitement may be more measured Wednesday night is that Salesforce is now seeing a benefit from the weaker U.S. dollar when the company was initially baking in foreign-exchange headwinds into its guidance. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of other currencies including the euro and Japanese yen, has fallen considerably since Salesforce reported in February, as President Donald Trump's evolving trade policy ripples through financial markets. That provides an on-paper benefit to Salesforce and other multinational companies as they convert the business they've done overseas in stronger currencies back into now-weaker dollars. But in general, it doesn't really say anything about a firm's underlying business, which is why investors may not reward a company benefiting from foreign exchange tailwinds. Indeed, on the call, CFO Robin Washington explained that the company now expects a $250 million tailwind to revenue from foreign exchange this fiscal year, up $400 million from its prior guidance. Accordingly, the high end of Salesforce's fiscal 2026 revenue outlook was raised by $400 million, to $41.3 billion. On a constant currency basis, which removes these foreign exchange fluctuations, the company still sees subscription and support revenue growth of roughly 9% this fiscal year. In his interview with Jim, Benioff acknowledged that Salesforce was benefiting from the weaker dollar, but he argued the actual business is improving, too. "Currency was working in our favor," Benioff told Jim. However, he continued, "Bookings are in working in our favor. Revenue is working in our favor. Everything is working in our favor. And sometimes, when everything is going well for you, it's all good. Sometimes everything is not going well, but right now, we are just going to have a great year." Salesforce Why we own it : Salesforce is a leading enterprise software tool for companies across all industries, helping employees to better communicate with colleagues internally and with their customers. The company's balance of margin expansion with the potential for faster topline growth  aided by AI adoption  should lead to strong earnings growth. Competitors : SAP , Microsoft , HubSpot Most recent buy : March 5, 2025 Initiation : June 15, 2018 There was another push-pull in Salesforce's results: Remaining performance obligation (RPO) in the quarter was better than expected, and the same goes for current RPO, or cRPO. RPO is the total value of contracted revenue, while cRPO measures the amount of contracted revenue expected to be recorded in the next 12 months. At the same time, as seen in the chart above, the performance of Salesforce's individual applications  such as Sales Cloud and Service Cloud  fell short of expectations. One of the narratives pushed by investors who are bearish on Salesforce is that its core business was being neglected at the expense of AI initiatives that will take time to materialize. Our pushback has been that the AI opportunity is so significant that Salesforce needs to pursue it aggressively. Encouragingly, Salesforce's integration and analytics segment, which houses Data Cloud and Agentforce, delivered stronger-than-projected revenues in the first quarter. So while Wednesday's results are unlikely to put this bear narrative to rest, the counter argument is in good shape over the long term. Commentary on Informatica As expected, Salesforce's $8 billion acquisition of Informatica, which was announced Tuesday, was a point of discussion on the call. Informatica makes data management and integration software  basically, it's a collection of tools to help companies track and analyze the diverse types of data collected by the firm. While the amount of data that companies collect has exploded in recent years, it tends to be stored across multiple systems and in various formats  a problem called "data fragmentation" within the industry. Informatica's software seeks to address this fragmentation. Benioff noted that this is particularly relevant as businesses look to adopt AI. In many cases, companies need to get their data cleaned up and organized in such a way that it can be fed into and utilized by AI applications. Data is the foundation of any AI application. Salesforce sees Informatica strengthening Data Cloud and its overall strategy on AI agents. Benioff called them complementary. "This is a great price for a great company. It's got great multiples. It's accretive. It's non-dilutive [to existing shareholders]. It's coming together in an incredible way. This is a moment where Informatica is more important to our customers than ever before because of AI," Benioff said on the call. Benioff and finance chief Washington both stressed that Salesforce was disciplined in evaluating the acquisition  notable, given that one of the reasons that multiple activist investors targeted Salesforce beginning in late 2022 was concerns about its aggressive and expensive approach to M & A. Washington was asked by an analyst why Salesforce only expects the transaction to boost adjusted operating margins, EPS and free cash flow in the second year following its closing. That is expected to happen early in calendar 2026, meaning the benefits will show up in calendar 2027. "The framework that we've talked about when we look at deals, we assume: Can we get it accretive within two years, right? So, that's kind of our goal. Our desire is always to under promise and over deliver," she said. "I think with our playbook that we have in place, we're going to go fast as possible. We're really focused on accelerating integration. So, we'll see how that works out." Complete guidance breakdown As mentioned, Salesforce's second-quarter outlook came in better than expected, with the weaker U.S. dollar is now acting as a tailwind for its results. Here's a closer look at its Q2 guidance compared with Wall Street's expectations (GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles): Revenue in the range of $10.11 billion to $10.16 billion, which even at the low end exceeded the FactSet consensus of $10.02 billion. That would translate to year-over-year revenue growth of 8% to 9% on a GAAP basis, ahead of the 7.4% growth rate implied by the revenue estimate. On a constant currency basis, which excludes foreign exchange fluctuations, second-quarter revenue is projected to rise 7% to 8%, which would be more in line with expectations. Adjusted EPS in the rage of $2.76 to $2.78 a share, beating the $2.74 estimate, according to FactSet. Current remaining performance obligation (cRPO) growth of roughly 10% on a GAAP basis, or 9% on a constant-currency basis. The FactSet consensus called for 10% cRPO growth, though it's unclear that estimate is GAAP or currency neutral. For the full year, Salesforce upped its revenue forecast to $41 billion to $41.3 billion, compared with its initial guidance of $40.5 billion to $40.9 billion. The new range implies 8% to 9% growth, up by a percentage point on the high and low ends. Subscription and support revenue growth , in particular, is still seen rising roughly 9% year over year on a constant currency basis. Adjusted EPS is now projected to be $11.27 to $11.33, up from its prior range of $11.09 to $11.17. Operating margin is still projected to be 21.6% on a GAAP basis and 34% on an adjusted basis. Operating cash flow also was unchanged at approximately 10% to 11% growth. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long CRM. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today. Sign up for free to receive it directly in your inbox. Here's what CNBC TV's producers were watching as stocks slid on Wednesday, and what's on the radar for the next session. Nvidia Nvidia posted first quarter results after the bell on Wednesday, beating expectations on the top and bottom lines. Shares are up 4% after hours. In extended trading, the stock topped $140 a share  about 9% off the $153.13 high reached in January. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on "Mad Money" with Jim Cramer Wednesday night: "The demand keeps growing. Inference has taken off, that's No. 1. This reasoning AI capability is truly a breakthrough." He also said, "We used to be a chip company, then a systems company and now we are an entire infrastructure company." NVDA 3M mountain Nvidia shares in the past three months Chip designers Shares of chip design software makers Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys dropped Wednesday following a news report that said the White House told the companies to stop selling to clients in China. Cadence tumbled late in the regular session, but shares rose 4% in extended trading. The stock is about 12% from the high. Synopsys also saw a late-day drop, followed by a jump in after hours. The stock is 25% from the high. Best Buy before the bell The stock is down 20% over the past three months. Best Buy is off 31% from the August 2024 high. BBY 3M mountain Best Buy in the past three months Foot Locker reports in the morning The stock is up 38% in the past three months. You might recall Dick's Sporting Goods announced it was buying Foot Locker earlier this month for about $2.4 billion dollars . Shares are still 30% from the August high. Kohl's reports in the morning The stock is down nearly 30% in three months. Kohl's is down 70% in a year. KSS 1Y mountain Kohl's shares in the past year Royal Bank of Canada The Canadian bank reports before the bell. RBC is up 9% in the past three months. The stock hit a new high on Wednesday. Shares are up 7.5% in May. More tech earnings after the bell Thursday Ambarella is up 1.6% in the past three months. The stock is off 27% from the January high. Marvell Technology is down about 30% in three months. The stock is down 50% from the January high. MRVL 3M mountain Marvell Technology shares in the past three months Costco reports after the bell The stock is down 3.4% in the past three months. Costco Wholesale is 6% from the February high. UIta Beauty reports after the bell Beauty retailer Ulta is up about 14% in the past three months. Shares are off 9% from the January high. ULTA 3M mountain Ulta Beauty in the past three months United's CEO is on 'Squawk Box' Thursday morning CNBC's Phil LeBeau, Joe Kernen and Andrew Ross Sorkin will question United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby about the problems at Newark Airport, a United hub, and will focus in on several other key areas. Shares are down 33% from the January high. The stock is up about 13% in May. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg will speak at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference. 737 Max production will be a big focus. The stock is off 4% from the May 14 high. Boeing is up around 10% in May. Bitcoin and Vegas, baby! Vice President JD Vance was at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday. He said, "We have a once in a generation opportunity to unleash innovation and use it to improve the lives of countless American citizens." Vance also told the crowd, "We want our fellow Americans to know that crypto and digital assets, and particularly bitcoin, are part of the mainstream economy and are here to stay." Bitcoin fell about 2% Wednesday, but it is up 13% in a month. Bitcoin surpassed $111,000 last week , reaching a new high. On Wednesday, the flagship crypto is trading around the $108,000 level. Ether is off 35% from the December high. It is now above $2,600. CNBC TV's MacKenzie Sigalos continues her coverage from the conference Thursday.
Nvidia shares jumped in extended trading Wednesday evening after the AI chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue and earnings. It also provided an upbeat view of its current second quarter despite restrictions on what it can sell to China. Revenue in its fiscal 2026 first quarter increased 69% year over year to $44.06 billion, beating the $43.31 billion the Street was looking for, according to estimates compiled by data provider LSEG. Adjusted earnings per share increased 57% year over year to 96 cents in the three-month period ended April 27, exceeding the consensus of 93 cents, LSEG data showed. Both EPS and the quarterly estimate excluded charges related to the H20 chip ban in China. Why we own it Nvidia's high-performance graphic processing units (GPUs) are the key driver behind the AI revolution, powering the accelerated data centers being rapidly built around the world. But Nvidia is more than just a hardware story. Through its Nvidia AI Enterprise service, Nvidia is building out its software business. Competitors : Advanced Micro Devices and Intel Most recent buy : Aug 31, 2022 Initiation : March 2019 Bottom line Nvidia's results are proof that there has been no slowdown in the buildout of AI. During the post-earnings conference call, CEO Jensen Huang pointed out four positive surprises since the company's annual GTC event in March that have driven a surge in demand. The first surprise was advancements in reasoning AI, which is included in popular large language models like ChatGPT. According to Huang, reasoning models are creating a step function surge in inference demand, which in turn increases the demand for chips because they are extremely compute-intensive. Another positive surprise was the rescinding of the so-called AI diffusion rules, which ended right at the same time that countries woke up to the importance of AI as an infrastructure, according to Huang. A third positive surprise was the development of enterprise AI agents, which he called "game-changing." The fourth and last surprise is related to industrial AI, and all the on-shoring manufacturing and the building of plants around the world, creating demand for the Nvidia Omniverse. These are important callouts, as they underscore the rapid pace of advancements in artificial intelligence, which continues to drive strong demand for Nvidia's chips. The growing integration of AI into everyday life further reinforces this trend. This is clear evidence that the AI story is still in its early innings. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia YTD Accordingly, we're raising our price target to $170 from $165. But given Nvidia's rapid 55% stock rise from its 52-week low on April 4 through Wednesday's close of $134, we are keeping our hold-equivalent 2 rating. In after-hours trading, shares added another 5%. Commentary Heading into earnings , some of our key questions centered on the Blackwell ramp, Sovereign AI, hyperscaler demand, and developments in China. 1. Blackwell : After some early supply chain issues, the ramp of the new Blackwell superchip called GB200 has gone well. Despite the vast complexities of building it, Nvidia saw a significant improvement in manufacturing yields and an increase in rack shipments to customers. Blackwell contributed 70% of the $34.16 billion of data center compute revenue in the quarter. Overall, data center revenues, which also included networking sales, increased 73% year over year to $39.1 billion, slightly missing estimates of $39.36 billion, according to FactSet. Nvidia is always innovating its chipsets, making them more powerful and efficient with every new iteration, but also backwards compatible. The next product on its roadmap is the Blackwell Ultra or GB300. The company said samplings of these systems began earlier this month at the major cloud service providers, and it expects production shipments to start later this quarter. Nvidia is anticipating a smooth ramp of the Blackwell Ultra based on what it learned from Blackwell. 2. Sovereign AI: During the call, Huang called sovereign AI "a new growth engine" for the company as countries around the world build out national AI factories. "Countries are racing to build national AI platforms to elevate their digital capabilities," the CEO said. Later, he likened the need for countries to invest in AI infrastructure to their past investments in electricity and the internet. Rules on how countries are purchasing AI chips from Nvidia have been dynamic lately, with President Donald Trump ending the AI diffusion rules in favor of a new policy to promote AI tech with trusted partners. One way is through trade agreements, like what we saw out of the Middle East a few weeks ago. Next up could be Europe. Huang will be traveling through the continent next week and said that "just about every country needs to build out AI infrastructure and there are umpteen AI factories being planned." 3. Hyperscalers : There's been no let-up or digestion in demand from the so-called hyperscalers, which is another term for large data center and cloud service providers like Alphabet and Oracle as well as Club names Amazon , Microsoft , and Meta Platforms . They all signaled alongside, their latest earnings reports, their intentions to keep spending aggressively on AI. Nvidia said Wednesday that on average, major hyperscalers are each deploying nearly 1,000 NVL72 racks or 72,000 Blackwell GPUs per week and are on track to further increase output this quarter. One example that CFO Colette Kress gave was that Microsoft has already deployed tens of thousands of Blackwell GPUs, but that's expected to increase to the hundreds of thousands. 4. China : As for its business in China, Nvidia shipped out $4.6 billion worth of H20s prior to the new export licensing requirement. It was unable to ship an additional $2.5 billion of H20 revenue in the quarter. The export license changes, which went into effect in mid-April, caused the company to disclose it will record a $5.5 billion charge in the quarter tied to H20 inventory, purchase commitments, and "related reserves." In a bit of good news, Nvidia said Wednesday it only had to record a $4.5 billion charge this quarter, less than originally anticipated, because it was able to reuse certain materials. Nvidia said it is still evaluating its options to supply chips to the region in compliance with the U.S. government's export control rules. Reuters reported over the weekend that Nvidia is planning mass production of a new AI chip for China that is compliant with restrictions. Huang said on the earnings call that Nvidia does not have anything right now to announce, but the company is "considering it" and "thinking about it." Losing access to the China AI accelerator market would have a material adverse impact on Nvidia's business, Kress said on the earnings call, a market she thinks will grow to nearly $50 billion. Huang echoed that sentiment in an interview with Jim Cramer for Wednesday evening's "Mad Money." Huang said that trade with China is important if the U.S. wants to be the global AI leader. "There are so many developers there [in China], and because the world is going to adopt technology from one country or another  and we prefer it to be the American technology stack," the CEO told Jim. Guidance Looking at Nvidia's fiscal 2026 second quarter outlook, the company expects revenue to be approximately $45 billion, plus or minus 2%. This view was slightly below the consensus estimate of $45.9 billion, according to LSEG. However, it reflects a loss of approximately $8 billion in H20 revenue due to the export control limitations. Moving down the line, Nvidia expects fiscal Q2 adjusted gross margins of 72%, plus or minus 50 basis points. That's roughly inline with the 72.1% expected per FactSet. According to an earnings snapshot note from Truist, Nvidia's implied fiscal second quarter EPS guidance is 98 cents at the midpoint, one penny shy of the 99-cent consensus, according to LSEG. This is pretty solid considering the loss of sales of H20 chips in China. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long NVDA, AMZN, META, MSFT. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Analysts liked what Nvidia had to say in its latest quarterly results . The artificial intelligence chip darling reported fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue that beat analyst expectations. The company's data center business led the charge, with sales soaring 73% year over year. Nvidia's current quarter revenue guidance was also about in line with analyst estimates at $45 billion. That outlook would have been about $8 billion higher excluding lost sales from a recent restriction on exporting its H20 chips to China, the company added. Nvidia shares popped more than 6% in the premarket following the release. Other semiconductor stocks followed Nvidia higher. Dutch semiconductor equipment firm ASML traded more than 2% higher . AMD climbed 3%, and Micron Technology advanced 2.6%. Overall, most analysts reiterated their buy or outperform equivalent ratings on Nvidia following its report, with some hiking their price targets. Here's what those at some of the biggest shops on the Street had to say" JPMorgan reiterates overweight rating and $170 price target The firm's updated target implies 26.1% upside from Wednesday's closing level. "The team continues to maintain a 1- 2 step lead ahead of competitors with its silicon/hardware/software platforms and a strong ecosystem, and the team is further distancing itself with its aggressive cadence of new product launches and more product segmentation over time." UBS maintains buy rating and $175 price target The firm's target implies nearly 30% upside from Wednesday's close. "We see the debate having shifted in a positive direction here as results and guidance were as we (and most investors) expected but gross margin commentary was a little better than feared, and NVDA's comments on GB200 rack shipments (and progress on GB300) were even more bullish than the positive feedback at Computex last week and give little air to investor concerns about supply chain inventory. ... With China stripped out of the model, the set up here seems constructive as it seems likely the Trump administration will allow NVDA to ship a new SKU into China (we assume ~$2-3B/Q add-back), hyperscaler capex vectors remain to the upside, and AI is rapidly diffusing around the world given the sheer size of some of these projects ranging from Humain/Saudi Arabia (~$10B for NVDA) to Stargate (~$20B for NVDA) to the 5GW AI campus in UAE (~$100B for NVDA)." Citi maintains its buy rating and hikes its price target by $30 to $180 The bank's target calls for more than 33% upside from here. "NVDA reported Apr-Q results in-line and Jul-Q sales of $45B ~$1B above our preview expectations clearing the final hurdle of the China H20 ban transition quarter. Moreover, Blackwell sales of $24B topped our $20B expectations and management maintained mid 70's gross margins target on improving Blackwell profitability with no major tariff impact. As such, with margins expanding thru Jan-Q, we now expect NVDA stock to break its range bound trend since mid-last year and likely make a fresh 52 week high. We see Citi's Silicon Valley Bus Tour next week and GTC Paris June 11-12 where we expect sovereign AI Europe announcements as positive catalysts for the stock." Jefferies reiterates buy rating with $185 price target Its target sees more than 37% upside ahead. "The biggest issue for the stock was the disconnect between Blackwell sales and GB200 shipments but that is now in the rearview as NVDA noted multiple hyperscalers ramping 1k NVL72s/week. We would not run-rate several thousand NVL72 per week but the point is that whatever inventory that built up is clearing fast. ... Altogether 2H25 shaping up nicely for NVDA with likely beat/raises from here, while the setup for the rest of AI names becomes more challenging." Barclays keeps overweight rating and increases price target to $170 from $155 Its updated target implies more than 26% upside. "4 major improvements to demand since GTC are allowing the company to largely offset the China headwind. 1) Inference taking off with reasoning models, 2) AI factories, 3) AI diffusion off the table, 4) Enterprise agents. ... Material step-up (64% seq.) in Networking is also indicative of better system sales, which should alleviate concerns on product transition and the company highlighted initial GB300 sales later this quarter. ... The 2H should see a material acceleration as more system deployments hit the market and Ultra transition layers on." Wolfe Research keeps outperform rating and increases price target to $170 from $150 Its new target also calls for more than 26% upside. "NVDA remains among our favorite names, as the chief beneficiary of the AI revolution. Guidance implies that DC revenue (ex-China) will be up 15% q/q in JulQ, indicating solid Blackwell growth despite well documented rack production constraints. Consistent with our preview, many other investor concerns have by now been addressed. China is now out of numbers (and some could possibly come back), AI diffusion rules won't be enforced, capex plans appear solid, and it now appears that the rack issues have improved." Morgan Stanley maintains overweight and top semis pick ratings and lifts price target by $10 to $170 The target points to more than 26% upside. "NVIDIA is putting digestion fears fully to rest, showing acceleration of the business other than the China headwinds around growth drivers that seem durable. Everything should get better from here." Bank of America reiterates buy rating and hikes price target by $20 to $180 Its updated target implies more than 33% upside. "Three major takeaways from the Q1 call: 1) China derisked, with $15bn in 1H sales of H20 product now already in the model, 2) Blackwell racks in full production, with every large hyperscaler now ramping close to 1K racks/week, 13K racks/quarter or ~$30bn+/q at $2.5mn+ rack ASP (or $100bn+ across the top few hyperscalers, though NVDA didn't quantify further), and 3) NVDA confident in GM recovery back to mid-70s % sometime later in the year, another sign of improving demand and rack-scale execution."
This photo illustration shows print editions of The New York Times and the Amazon logo in Washington, DC, on May 29, 2025.

"This will include real-time display of summaries and short excerpts of Times content within Amazon products and services, such as Alexa, and training Amazon's proprietary foundation models," the Times said.

The multi-year deal "will bring Times editorial content to a variety of Amazon customer experiences," the Times said in a release. The agreement also includes content from the newspaper's other properties like NYT Cooking and The Athletic.

The Times sued Microsoft and OpenAI in 2023 for copyright infringement, accusing the companies of abusing the newspaper's intellectual property to train large language models.

Both Microsoft and OpenAI sought unsuccessfully to have the case thrown out. Other news publications have joined the Times in suing Microsoft and OpenAI for copyright violations, including the New York Daily News and the Center for Investigative Reporting.

A growing number of news outlets have opted to strike licensing deals with tech companies rather than pursue litigation.

Amazon has launched a flurry of generative AI products over the past several months as it looks to keep up with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Google and others.

Amazon announced Alexa+, a new version of its decade-plus old voice assistant embedded with generative AI in February. Other products include its own set of Nova models, Trainium chips, a shopping chatbot, and a marketplace for third-party models called Bedrock.

WATCH: Amazon reportedly exploring foldable phone
American Eagle Outfitters reported quarterly earnings on Thursday that missed expectations, reflecting a $75 million write-down in spring and summer merchandise, following the retailer pulling its full-year guidance earlier this month due to macroeconomic uncertainty.

"The first quarter was a challenging period for our business," CEO Jay Schottenstein said in a release. "While we are disappointed with the results, we are taking actions to better position the company and drive stronger performance in the upcoming quarters. Our brands remain resilient. The team is executing with urgency as we look to strengthen both the topline and profit flow-through."

The Pittsburgh retailer's results do not come as a surprise for investors, considering it preannounced some of its results two weeks ago. At that time, it also announced it would withdraw its full-year guidance as it manages slow sales, steep discounting and a volatile macroeconomic environment.

Shares fell about 8% in extended trading.

Here's how the apparel company did in its fiscal first quarter compared with what Wall Street was anticipating, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

Loss per share : 29 cents adjusted vs. loss of 22 cents expected

: 29 cents adjusted vs. loss of 22 cents expected Revenue: $1.09 billion vs. $1.09 billion expected

Prior to the preannouncement, analysts had been expecting earnings per share to be an 11-cent profit.

The company, which makes fashion clothing targeted at teens and young adults, reported an operating loss for the three-month period that ended May 3 of $85.18 million compared with a net income of $77.84 million a year earlier.

Excluding one-time charges related to restructuring and a supply chain optimization project, AEO posted an adjusted operating loss of $68.06 million. The loss also reflects "higher than planned" promotions and a write-off of $75 million in spring and summer merchandise.

Revenue dropped to $1.09 billion, in line with expectations but down slightly from $1.14 billion a year earlier.

Comparable sales were down 3% during the quarter, led by a 4% decline at the company's intimates and activewear line, Aerie. The namesake brand saw comparable sales down 2%.

AEO issued downbeat guidance for the second quarter, expecting revenue to be down 5% compared to an estimate of 4%, comparable sales down 3% and gross margin down year-over-year. Its operating income for the second quarter is expected to be between $40 million and $45 million.

Schottenstein said during a conference call with investors on Thursday that he was "disappointed" by the first-quarter results. He said earlier this month that the $75 million write-off is due to miscalculated merchandising strategies resulting in excess inventory and higher promotions.

Jennifer Foyle, president and executive creative director for AE & Aerie, said on Thursday's call that the brand had misses on the merchandising product in a handful of key categories, which was compounded by a cool spring and a slow start to the quarter in February. She said shorts were a tough product across all AEO brands.

"Some of our big fashion ideas for the season simply did not resonate with our customer," Foyle said, discussing Aerie's performance.

Executives on the call repeatedly highlighted the company's goal to be on track for the important back-to-school season later this year.

American Eagle is not the only retailer to withdraw or modify financial guidance this year based on President Donald Trump's ever-changing trade policy.

E.l.f. Beauty, Canada Goose, Ross and Mattel all pulled their full-year guidance recently due to trade uncertainty. Other brands, like Abercrombie & Fitch and Macy's have cut their profit outlooks.

On Thursday's call, CFO Michael Mathias said the company is on track to reduce its sourcing exposure to China to under 10% this year, with the fall and holiday season down to low single digits. He said the mitigated tariff impact to the full year is around $40 million, including a "couple million dollars" in the second quarter that is already embedded in the guidance, and the rest is spread out later in the year.

During last quarter's call with investors, CFO Michael Mathias said the company sources just under 20% of its products from China. He said then that tariffs could result in a $5 million to $10 million hit and could affect gross margin, although at the time he said the company was not planning on passing costs onto the consumer. On Thursday, the executives did not specify whether prices would be raised.

According to AEO's website, the company works with the greatest number of factories in China (101), Vietnam (67) and India (39). It works with just 12 factories in the United States.

Before withdrawing its guidance, AEO warned back in March that shoppers are pulling back on spending.

The company added Thursday that it is on track to complete its $200 million accelerated share repurchase program in the second quarter.

As of Thursday's close, AEO stock has fallen roughly 33% year-to-date.
Wall Street is thrilled with E.l.f. Beauty's latest acquisition, viewing it as a multi-pronged deal that strengthens the company's international footprint and customer appeal. Shares of E.l.f. popped nearly 25% on Thursday after the company acquired Hailey Bieber's skincare brand Rhode in a deal worth up to $1 billion. The deal, which is E.l.f.'s biggest to date, is expected to close later this year. Separate from E.l.f.'s huge bet on Rhode, the beauty products retailer on Wednesday also reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that exceeded analysts' expectations on top and bottom lines. The company's adjusted earnings per share of 78 cents on revenue of $333 million beat the 72 cents and $328 million expected from analysts polled by LSEG. Analysts view the deal as a value-added proposition to the company's efforts to expand into skincare and to attract higher-end consumers. It's also positive news for E.l.f. amid tariff woes given that Rhode sources primarily from Europe and Asia, which should help diversify E.l.f. away from its significant sourcing footprint in China. Goldman Sachs analyst Bonnie Herzog on Thursday reiterated her buy rating and $120 price target on shares. That target implies roughly 32.6% potential upside for E.l.f. from its latest close. The stock traded above $110 per share Thursday, up 21% -- putting it on pace for its best day ever. E.l.f.'s shares have soared a whopping 79% this year. "The company's results were overshadowed by the company's announced plan to acquire rhode, a prestige beauty brand," Herzog wrote in a note to clients. "We view this acquisition as a strategic positive as it further expands ELF into skincare with a prestige brand, and diversifies its customer base. While rhode is a DTC brand, it's expected to be rolled out into retail, including into Sephora, which we believe will further support growth ahead." The Rhode acquisition will further strengthen E.l.f's foray into skincare and hybrid makeup categories, Herzog said. E.l.f. plans to leverage Rhode's strong digital community engagement and its upcoming in-store partnership with Sephora to drive global growth and help further its retail distribution, the analyst added. E.l.f.'s deal with Rhode comes after the company bought skincare brand Naturium in August 2023, which became one of E.l.f.'s fastest growing brands. That followed E.l.f. acquisition of beauty brand W3LL PEOPLE for $27 million in February 2020 ELF 1Y mountain E.l.f. Beauty stock performance over the past year. Bank of America analyst Anna Lizzul is similarly bullish on shares, maintaining her buy rating and raising her price target by $18 to $113 upon the news. To be sure, that's only around $3 per share above where the stock traded at on Thursday. Like Herzog, Lizzul anticipates the Rhode acquisition to benefit E.l.f. in various ways, including expanding the company's direct-to-consumer footprint and tightening its relationship with Gen Z consumers. These younger consumers are looking for "prestige level products," she said, noting that the price of Rhode's 10 products are in a higher range compared to E.l.f's. "Rhode is expected to be accretive to gross margin, EBITDA margin, and earnings, suggesting room for deeper investments in marketing," Lizzul said. On the tariff front, E.l.f. sources roughly 75% of its products from China, but is working to reduce this by the end of fiscal year 2026 and scale its international presence, which is pleasing to analysts. Herzog expects E.l.f. products to "remain competitive owing to its strong value proposition and relative price gaps to the broader beauty industry," even as E.l.f. is raising prices on its products by $1 to offset the impact of tariffs. Herzog also expects the company's growing international business to outpace its U.S. business, which should eventually ease tariff pressures tied to the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been accused of walking back on his trade policies  a Financial Times columnist succinctly described that apparent pattern as the "TACO" theory, or "Trump Always Chickens Out."

The walk-backs on tariffs has largely been a positive for markets. Now, a federal court has struck down his "reciprocal" tariffs  the same that were put on hold by Trump  lifting U.S. futures.

Markets in extended trading were already buoyed by Nvidia's sales figure in the January quarter. The chipmaker posted a 73% surge in revenue from its data center division, which includes artificial intelligence chips and other related components.

Overall revenue jumped 69% to $44.06 billion from $26 billion a year earlier  and would have been even higher if not for restrictions on exports to China, Nvidia said.

In other words, demand for AI chips is still booming, despite worries about companies not needing as many advanced chips and corporations spending less because of uncertainty caused by tariffs.

It doesn't seem that chip export restrictions to China will enjoy that same policy wobbling faced by tariffs, since those rules, in the White House's view, are more a matter of national security than "negotiation"  which was how Trump characterized his tariff moves.

In any case, there could be much less deal-making for Trump to do if the courts keep reining in his policies.
The sign on the side of a Costco is seen in Hawthorne, California, on April 4, 2025.

Shares of Costco fell slightly on Thursday, despite the warehouse club posting quarterly earnings and revenue that topped estimates and reporting 8% year-over-year sales gains.

Unlike many retailers, Costco does not provide an annual outlook. Yet the company's leaders said on an earnings call that tariffs have brought higher costs and other challenges, forcing Costco to tweak its supply chain and in certain cases, raise prices.

Here's how the warehouse club retailer did in its fiscal third quarter compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

Earnings per share: $4.28 vs. $4.24 expected

$4.28 vs. $4.24 expected Revenue: $63.21 billion vs. $63.19 billion expected

Costco's net income for the three-month period that ended May 11 rose to $1.90 billion, or $4.28 per share, compared with $1.68 billion, or $3.78 a year earlier. Revenue rose from $58.52 billion in the year-ago period.

Comparable sales, an industry metric that takes out one-time factors such as store openings and closures, rose 8%, and e-commerce sales rose nearly 16% compared with the year-ago period, excluding gas and the impact of changes to foreign exchange.

As tariffs raise economic worries, and potentially consumer prices, Costco could stand to benefit. Unpredictable tariff policy could help drive more customers to the warehouse club, which is known for its competitive prices and bulk discounts, and encourage them to renew membership. Its clubs also sell discounted gas and groceries, which are steadier traffic drivers even when consumers pull back on spending. And compared with some other retailers, Costco has a stronger hand in price negotiations with suppliers because of its large size.

About a third of Costco's U.S. sales are goods brought in from other countries, CFO Gary Millerchip said on the company's earnings call. He said items imported from China represent about 8% of total US sales.

Some retailers have already warned that higher tariffs will mean higher prices. Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said Thursday that the retailer had already raised prices on some consumer electronics because of tariffs. Cosmetics company E.l.f. Beauty announced a price increase on its makeup last week. And Walmart CFO John David Rainey warned earlier this month that higher prices were coming to the discounter's stores and website in late May or June.

On the company's earnings call, CEO Ron Vachris said Costco has looked for ways to reduce tariff costs while keeping prices low. He said its buyers rushed orders to get them to the U.S. ahead of tariffs. It has rerouted goods from countries with higher tariffs to non-U.S. markets. And it's sourced more items for its private brand, Kirkland Signature, in the countries or regions where the items are sold.

Even with tariffs, he said, Costco has lowered the price of some items including eggs, butter and olive oil. He said it's also trying to lean into reasons that customers might sign up for or renew membership, such as extending the hours of its gas stations that sell discounted fuel.

Compared to other retailers, Costco sells a slimmer variety of items like having fewer different brands of peanut butter or diapers. Millerchip said that limited approach means Costco is a bigger buyer and can work more closely with suppliers on pricing. He said Costco can also rotate to other items, if needed.

In some cases, Costco has absorbed tariff-related cost differences and in other cases, it has raised prices, Millerchip said. For example, the retailer decided to hold the line on the price of pineapples and bananas from Central and South America because they are staple items for shoppers, he said.

"We felt it was important to to really eliminate the impact there for the member by working with our suppliers and by us finding efficiencies and accepting that there may be a margin impact," he said.

On the other hand, he said, it decided to increase the price for flowers from Central and South America since those are more discretionary items.

As of Thursday's close, shares of Costco are up about 10% so far this year. That has outpaced the S&P 500's less than 1% gains during the same period.
The U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday blocked steep reciprocal tariffs unilaterally imposed by President Donald Trump on scores of countries in April to correct what he said were persistent trade imbalances.

The ruling deals a potentially serious blow to the Republican president's economic agenda and ongoing efforts to negotiate trade deals with various nations.

Dow futures jumped 500 points on news of the ruling, which the Trump administration immediately appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The Supreme Court could end up having the last say in the case.

In its ruling, a three-judge panel on the Court of International Trade said that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which Trump invoked to impose the tariffs, does not authorize a president to levy universal duties on imports.

"The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs," the judges wrote.

And separate, specific tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China related to drug trafficking "fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders," the panel wrote.

Implementing tariffs typically requires congressional approval.

But Trump chose to bypass Congress by declaring a national economic emergency under IEEPA, which became law in 1977, and then using the purported emergency as justification for cutting Congress out of the process.

The panel not only ordered a permanent halt to the tariffs at issue in the case, but it also barred any future modifications to them.

The Trump administration was given 10 days to make the necessary changes to carry out the judges' orders.

Several existing tariffs on specific products like aluminum and steel are not impacted by Wednesday's ruling, because the president did not invoke IEEPA powers to justify their necessity.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai, in a statement on the ruling, said, "Foreign countries' nonreciprocal treatment of the United States has fueled America's historic and persistent trade deficits."

"These deficits have created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base  facts that the court did not dispute."

"It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency," Desai added.
Jim Cramer on Thursday blasted a Wall Street downgrade of Starbucks that warned the coffee giant's turnaround could take longer than expected and weigh on earnings. Jim didn't mince his words when defending Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol's ability to claw the coffee giant out of declining sales, operational issues and a negative perception of the brand. "A bet against Brian Niccol, what am I going to send you? An invitation to your funeral," Jim said on CNBC, reprising a common phrase he's used over the years when disagreeing with an analyst call. Niccol, the former Chipotle chief, has been in his new role leading Starbucks for roughly nine months. Niccol's tall task: Reinvigorating the iconic coffee brand in its core North American market, while resuscitating its business in the long-term growth market of China, which has struggled amid fierce local competition. TD Cowen, however, is skeptical that it can be done on a reasonable timeline  while still delivering the kind of profits that investors want to see. The firm downgraded Starbucks to hold from buy and maintained its price target of $90 per share. Starbucks shares fell around 2% Thursday to roughly $84 per share following the downgrade. Year to date, the stock is down 7%. Starbucks is "settling into a new base of earnings that differs from consensus," analysts wrote in their note to clients. A key reason why, they argued, is Niccol's labor investments into its stores, which may limit the company's earnings power. Starbucks' weaker-than-expected earnings report in late April earnings report showed a steep year-over-year contraction in operating margin, due in part to additional labor to support Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" strategy. Niccol argues that well-staffed stores, with less employee turnover, are necessary to deliver a great customer experience and ensure that long wait times do not deter would-be customers. In particular, Starbucks is aiming to serve customers their drinks in four minutes or less, and Niccol said on the April earnings call that early returns from staffing pilot programs are promising. SBUX YTD mountain SBUX stock performance. Nevertheless, backing its cautious stance, TD Cowen cited proprietary survey data showing "deteriorating value perceptions" and "narrowing quality perceptions for Starbucks relative to peers." The firm warned that this is leading to reduced traffic from customers who were visiting at least weekly. These data points inform TD Cowen's view that Starbucks' same-store sales recovery in North America in the coming years will not progress as fast as Wall Street currently expects. Now layer in the higher labor expenses, and analysts believe that Starbucks will struggle to meet expectations on earnings growth in the 2026 to 2028 timeframe. Despite the headwinds, Jim remains optimistic. He pointed to Niccol's track record as a "foremost turnaround artist," crediting him for rescuing Chipotle from a deep reputational crisis tied to food safety concerns. Right now, Jim argued Niccol is in the thick of doing that at the American coffee chain, though he acknowledged Starbucks is facing a different set of challenges than Chipotle. There are some relevant lessons, though. As it relates to the balancing act between investment and profitability, Jim sees Niccol striking it prudently just as he did as Chipotle CEO. "Brian Niccol understood the labor problems when he took over at Chipotle and he dealt with them very effectively. There's no reason he can't do that here," Jim said on Thursday's Morning Meeting. Jim acknowledged that turnarounds take time and rarely unfold perfectly, but he cautioned against trying to time the market. He doesn't want to play the trading game of trying to exit the stock due to fears it will go lower because there's no guarantee of being able to get back in before the rally takes hold. Instead, Jim prefers to stay long Starbucks awhile awaiting additional progress on the turnaround. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long SBUX. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Southwest Airlines could be positioned for more gains on the heels of the past year's deal with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, Deutsche Bank says. Analyst Michael Linenberg upgraded the airline stock to buy from hold and increased his price target by 43% to $40 from $28. That implies nearly 22% upside from Wednesday's close of $32.89. The upgrade comes after Elliott and Southwest Airlines struck a deal in October to keep chief executive Bob Jordan and add six directors to the airline's board, staving off a proxy fight. Months before, Elliott had amassed an 11% stake in the company. "Nearly one year ago, Elliott Management took an 11% economic interest in LUV (now with a stock acquisition cap of 19.9%) and became one of the largest investors in the company. Elliott worked with Southwest to change its board of directors and the new board has nearly 200 years of combined experience within the aviation industry," Linenberg wrote in a Wednesday note. "Southwest is in the middle of the largest transformation in company history and we are confident that its new board and management team will execute its transformation plan with considerable success." LUV 1Y mountain LUV, 1-year Southwest has outperformed the broader market lately, soaring almost 21% in the past month and about 29% in the past year. Linenberg believes that Southwest's new board has brought about a "new era of change at the company" and will spur bigger shareholder returns in the future. The analyst said that the airline should see "meaningful" revenue and earnings growth over the next two years as a result of current strategic initiatives. He also thinks the airline's return on invested capital (ROIC) will offer significant improvement in that timeframe. "Historically, we have seen outsized share price performance by airlines that meaningfully improved their ROIC and ROIC - WACC spreads," he said, referrring to the weighted average cost of capital. "We think that Southwest is best positioned from this perspective." Linenberg is in the minority on Wall Street, with 12 of 23 analysts covering the airline rating it a hold, according to LSEG. Only five rate it it the equivalent of a buy. The stock was almost 2% higher premarket Thursday following the Deutsche Bank upgrade.
U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from the press during a swearing-in ceremony for the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 28, 2025.

The White House is likely to find a way around a U.S. court ruling that struck down steep reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in April, according to Goldman Sachs.

Read more about the Court of International Trade's (CIT) ruling here.

The Wall Street bank said the Trump administration is likely to appeal the decision, but would also seek to use executive power under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to reimpose tariffs. This was the basis of Trump's tariffs on China during his first term.

"As the administration can impose an across-the-board tariff and country-specific tariffs under other legal authorities (e.g., Sec. 122 and Sec. 301) this ruling represents a setback for the administration's tariff plans and increases uncertainty but might not change the final outcome for most major US trading partners," said Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius in a note to clients.

"As it seems unlikely that the administration could win an appeal in the 10 days it has under the CIT order to remove the tariffs, we would expect the White House to announce a similar across-the-board tariff using Sec. 122," Hatzius added.

Section 122 of the same Act allows the White House to impose import tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days on nations that have "large and serious" trade surpluses with the U.S.

Goldman's economist also suggested that while the White House is likely to find ways to reimpose tariffs, it's unlikely to be able to do it for all the nations targeted in the so-called "Liberation Day" announcement.

"This would then provide the administration time to launch a series of Sec. 301 cases against larger trading partners, potentially opening the door to imposing tariffs higher than 10% in some cases. However, it seems unlikely that the administration could complete Sec. 301 investigations on every US trading partner within the next several months," Hatzius added.

 Ganesh Rao
Tim Leissner, former chairman of Southeast Asia for Goldman Sachs Group Inc., exits federal court in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner was sentenced to two years in prison by a judge in a New York court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty in 2018 for his involvement in a multi-billion dollar scandal involving Malaysia's sovereign fund 1MDB.

Leissner's conduct was "brazen and audacious," judge Margo Brodie said during sentencing. While his cooperation with the government was taken into account, it did not make up for the harm caused by the corruption at the highest levels in several countries, the judge said.

"First and foremost, I offer my sincere apology to the people of Malaysia," Leissner, 55, told the hearing, his voice breaking as he read a statement. "I deeply regret my actions."

Goldman helped sell $6.5 billion of bonds for 1MDB, which former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak set up with the help of Malaysian financier Jho Low to promote economic development.

U.S. and Malaysian authorities have said $4.5 billion was siphoned away, with some diverted to offshore bank accounts and shell companies linked to Low, who is now a fugitive.

Leissner, former Southeast Asia chairman for Goldman, became a U.S. government witness in the case after his arrest in 2018. He pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and participating in a money laundering conspiracy, all tied to his role in the 1MDB scheme.

He was allowed to remain free after he agreed to help the government in the investigation and testified against former banking colleague Roger Ng.

Leissner met with the government on dozens of occasions, reviewing countless documents and communications he received related to the 1MDB scheme and other matters, according to a filing by prosecutors.

Prosecutors requested the court impose a sentence below the applicable guidelines range due to Leissner's cooperation in the probe.

Leissner told the court that he had lost his freedom, family and financial independence in the wake of the scandal. The former executive said his health also suffered, and that he took pills and lost the will to live.

Goldman said in a letter to the court on May 21 that Leissner deceived his colleagues for years, culminating in the only criminal case filed against Goldman in its 156-year history.

Goldman in 2020 paid a nearly $3 billion fine and arranged for its Malaysian unit to plead guilty in U.S. court. It also clawed back $174 million in executive compensation.

Malaysia's top court in 2022 upheld a guilty verdict against Najib for corruption and money laundering, sentencing him to 12 years in prison. The sentence was later halved by a pardons board chaired by Malaysia's former king.

Ng has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to launder money and violate an anti-bribery law. The former head of investment banking for Goldman in Malaysia was convicted in Brooklyn and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but transported to Malaysia in 2023 to assist probes there.
DETROIT  Jeep on Thursday revealed the first details and image of its new Cherokee SUV, which the company expects to assist in the brand's turnaround when it arrives later this year.

The Stellantis brand said the new midsize SUV will feature a hybrid powertrain option but declined to specify if it would be a traditional hybrid or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which the company currently offers on several SUVs.

"The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice and standard content to customers than ever before," Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said in a statement. "Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream lineup."

Affordability has been a problem for Jeep sales amid price increases in recent years. An entry-level model of the Cherokee started around $30,000 for the 2022 model year, according to Cars.com. That is close to the current Jeep Compass at about $27,000. The 2025 Grand Cherokee starts at roughly $36,500.

The company declined to release other details of the vehicle, including its production location. Analysts and union officials have said the new SUV is expected to be produced at a plant in Mexico  a decision that was made prior to President Donald Trump's election and ongoing automotive tariffs of 25% on imported vehicles into the U.S.
CNBC's Jim Cramer said there is a path for Nvidia to reach $200 a share  more than 40% upside from Thursday morning's levels, even when factoring in its post-earnings surge. "The next leg in Nvidia has to be sovereign AI, or China. If they get both, then the stock goes to $200," Cramer said before the market opened on "Squawk on the Street." Shares of Nvidia opened Thursday's session at $142.25 a share, up around 5.5%. The advance extends Nvidia's robust rally off its April 4 closing low of $94.31 a share, which coincided with Wall Street's broader tariff-driven sell-off. The stock is less than 7% its all-time closing high set in January. Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the Investing Club, has owned a stake in Nvidia well before the current artificial intelligence boom began in late 2022. Sovereign AI path Nvidia appears to be in good shape to check Cramer's first box on sovereign AI, a term the company has coined to describe investments in AI infrastructure by countries outside the U.S. In recent weeks, Nvidia struck agreements with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to sell large amounts of AI chips as part of large data center projects in those countries. Jensen Huang, co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, was traveling in the Middle East alongside President Donald Trump when those chip deals were announced. Trump's decision to scrap a controversial Biden-era policy  known as the "AI diffusion rule," which placed caps on AI chip exports to most countries around the world  made it possible for Nvidia to ink those deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Now, Huang is set to travel to Europe in the coming days, and the executives' comments on Wednesday night's earnings call suggest that additional sovereign AI deals could soon be announced. While American tech giants such as Microsoft and Meta Platforms , also Club names, remain Nvidia's most important customers, investors have wanted to see the chipmaker's revenue streams diversify to help sustain topline growth. Sovereign AI deals help accomplish that. China hurdles One potential obstacle to checking Cramer's second box on China: It would require another change in policy from the White House, which in April tightened restrictions on the kinds of artificial intelligence chips that Nvidia can sell to customers based in the world's second-largest economy. Nvidia estimates that it will lose out on $8 billion in potential revenue from Chinese customers in its ongoing second quarter as a result of the tougher export controls. It also booked a $4.6 billion charge in its February-to-April period tied to the policy changes. On Wednesday's earnings call, Huang was pointed in his criticism of the U.S. government's restrictions, arguing the policy  first embraced by the Biden administration, then toughened under Trump  does not accomplish its stated goal of preventing China from developing advanced AI. Huang also offered a similar assessment in an interview with Cramer on "Mad Money" on Wednesday night. "Because there are so many developers there [in China] and because the world is going to adopt technology from one country or another  and we prefer it to be the American technology stack," Huang told Cramer. Cramer said Thursday morning that he's not sure how Trump will perceive Huang's comments on the Chinese export controls, given the president just did away with the AI diffusion rule. "Do you really think you can come in right now and say, 'What would be right is that you also give us China?' I don't know. That's not 'Art of the Deal," Cramer said, referring to Trump's famous 1987 book. One possibility would be Nvidia creating a modified, made-for-China version of its top-end AI chips that complies with Washington's performance requirements. Huang said on the earnings call that Nvidia is "considering" whether to do that. "Obviously, the limits are quite stringent at the moment. And we have nothing to announce today. And when the time comes, we'll engage the administration and discuss that," Huang said.
Meta and Anduril, the defense-tech startup founded by Palmer Luckey, announced Thursday that they've formed a partnership to create virtual and augmented reality devices intended for use by the U.S. army.

The partnership represents a major step by Meta to supply cutting-edge technology to the government in addition to working once again with Luckey, who sold his Oculus VR startup to the social media company for $2 billion in 2014.

Luckey and Meta had an acrimonious split, with the Anduril founder telling CNBC in 2019 that he "got fired" from the company formerly known as Facebook "for no reason at all," suggesting that a $10,000 donation to a pro-Donald Trump group ahead of the 2016 U.S. election could have contributed to the decision.

With Trump winning the U.S. presidency in November for the second time, Zuckerberg and other tech executives have since courted favor with the White House by making sweeping policy changes like relaxing content-moderation guidelines.

Meta has also been pitching its open-source Llama family of AI models to government agencies and in November said it would make the those tools available to government units "working on defense and national security applications, and private sector partners supporting their work."

"Meta has spent the last decade building AI and AR to enable the computing platform of the future," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. "We're proud to partner with Anduril to help bring these technologies to the American service members that protect our interests at home and abroad."

In February, Anduril and Microsoft said that the defense tech startup would take over the enterprise giant's AR headset program with the U.S. army.

Meta and Anduril have placed a joint bid on an Army contract for VR devices that is worth up to $100 million, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The two companies are working on EagleEye, a system that carries sensors that enhance soldiers' hearing and vision, according to the report. Meta and Anduril will move forward on their partnership whether or not they win the Army contract, per the Journal.

The two companies pitched their partnership as helping the U.S. maintain a "technical edge" while aiding national security and saving the military "billions of dollars by utilizing high-performance components and technology originally built for commercial use."

"I am glad to be working with Meta once again." Luckey said in a statement. "Of all the areas where dual-use technology can make a difference for America, this is the one I am most excited about."

Anduril also announced in December that it partnered with OpenAI on an artificial-intelligence initiative related to "national security missions."

WATCH: Nvidia has a lot of opportunities still in front of them.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is seen through glass during an event on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, Feb. 11, 2025.

Elon Musk tried to derail a major artificial intelligence infrastructure deal in the Middle East after learning that his startup, xAI, would be excluded from the initiative, CNBC has confirmed.

Earlier this month, OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco and Emirati firm G42 announced plans to build a sweeping Stargate AI campus in the United Arab Emirates. Musk was frustrated that OpenAI, led by personal rival Sam Altman, was tapped for the deal, and he intervened in an effort to get xAI involved, said a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be named in order to speak freely.

Musk argued that President Donald Trump would not approve the deal, the person said. The announcement was delayed by several days as stakeholders, including the White House, dealt with blowback from Musk, who has been engaged in a public and legal spat with Altman and OpenAI.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Musk attempted to block the deal.

In a statement to CNBC, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt didn't mention the dustup.

"The United States and the UAE signed a groundbreaking framework agreement establishing the first AI acceleration partnership," Leavitt said. "The framework advances the buildout of AI infrastructure in the United States and the UAE. This was another great deal for the American people, thanks to President Trump and his exceptional team."

Musk wasn't in the UAE when the deal was signed, but was with the president in Saudi Arabia during an earlier part of the Middle East trip, according to a senior White House official. The official said Musk has relayed his concerns about the government fairly treating all AI companies.

OpenAI declined to comment. Musk didn't respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Musk, who is also CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is a complicating character in Trump's effort to solidify U.S. leadership in AI. Musk spent close to $300 million to send President Trump back to the White House, and has since been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), slashing the size of the federal workforce. His time as a special government employee is coming to an end this month.

When it comes to AI, Musk has in recent years been a vocal critic of Altman, a former friend and colleague. The pair helped form OpenAI as a research lab in 2015, but Musk later had a public break with the project and has consistently criticized its structure and close alliance with Microsoft.

While xAI has been building its commercial efforts, acquiring Musk's social media company X in March and this week partnering with Telegram to roll out its Grok chatbot, Musk has been trying to thwart OpenAI's effort to convert into a for-profit entity.

Musk has sued OpenAI for breach of contract and to try and stop the conversion, and a Musk-led investor group made an unsuccessful bid to buy control of the startup for $97.4 billion in February.

It's also not the first time Musk has been critical of Stargate.

In January, Trump unveiled the Stargate project, with OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank committing an initial $100 billion, and up to $500 billion, of investment in AI infrastructure in the U.S. over four years. Musk was quick to cast doubt on the financing behind the project.

"They don't actually have the money," Musk wrote in response to an OpenAI post on his social platform X. He later added that SoftBank had "well under" $10 billion secured.

Two months later, SoftBank led a $40 billion investment in OpenAI at a $300 billion valuation.

 CNBC's Eamon Javers contributed to this report.

WATCH: Elon Musk tried to block Sam Altmans big AI deal in the UAE
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Nvidia reported strong fiscal first-quarter earnings on Wednesday. Wall Street was pleased with Nvidia's continued sales growth, which hit 69% during the quarter. The company's data center division continues to surge as companies, countries and cloud providers snap up Nvidia graphics processing units, or GPUs, for artificial intelligence software. "The team continues to maintain a 1- 2 step lead ahead of competitors with its silicon/hardware/software platforms and a strong ecosystem, and the team is further distancing itself with its aggressive cadence of new product launches and more product segmentation over time," wrote JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur. Here are three big takeaways from the company's earnings:

China could be a $50 billion market for Nvidia, but U.S. export controls are getting in the way

Nvidia expects to sell about $45 billion in chips during the July quarter, it revealed on Wednesday, but that's missing about $8 billion in sales that the company would have recorded if not for the U.S. restricting exports of its H20 chip without a license. Nvidia also said it missed out on $2.5 billion in sales during the April quarter thanks to the export restrictions on H20. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on the company's earnings call that China represented a $50 billion market that had effectively been closed to Nvidia. He also said that the export controls were misguided, and would merely encourage Chinese AI developers to use homegrown chips, instead of making an American platform the world's choice for AI software. "The U.S. has based its policy on the assumption that China cannot make AI chips. That assumption was always questionable, and now it's clearly wrong," Huang said. He said that export controls were driving AI talent to use chips from homegrown Chinese rivals, such as Huawei. "We want every developer in the world to prefer the American technology stacks," Huang told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday night. Nvidia said it didn't have a replacement chip for China ready, but that it was considering options for "interesting products" that could be sold in the market. Strength in the company's Blackwell business balanced out some concerns over the China impact. "NVIDIA is putting digestion fears fully to rest, showing acceleration of the business other than the China headwinds around growth drivers that seem durable. Everything should get better from here," said Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore.

Cloud providers are still Nvidia's most important customers

Nvidia says that it has many customers ranging from sovereign nations to universities to enterprises that want to research AI. But it confirmed again on Wednesday that cloud providers  companies like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Amazon Web Services  still make up about half of its data center revenue, which reported $39.1 billion in sales during the quarter. These companies tend to buy the fastest and latest Nvidia chips, including Blackwell, which comprised 70% of Nvidia's data center sales during the quarter, CFO Colette Kress said on the earnings call. Microsoft, for example, had already deployed "tens of thousands" of Blackwell GPUs, the company said, processing "100 trillion tokens" in the first quarter. Tokens are a measure of AI output. And it'll be first in line to get Blackwell Ultra, an updated version of the chip with additional memory and performance. Nvidia said shipments of those systems will start during the current quarter. Bernstein's Stacy Rasgon said the "general outlook and environment overall seems very encouraging" as the company ramps up its Blackwell rollout and compute requirements grow. "Amid a messy quarter, NVIDIA is comporting themselves extremely well," he said.

Looking forward: Blackwell and AI inference

For the past few years, many Nvidia GPUs were used for a resource-intensive process called training, where data is processed through an AI model until it gains new abilities. Now, Huang is talking up the potential for Nvidia's GPUs to serve the AI models to millions of customers, a process called inference in the industry. He said on the earnings call that is where new surging demand is coming from. "Overall, we believe NVDA's technology leadership remains strong, with growth in Blackwell shipments benefitting from exponential growth in reasoning AI and the achievement of economies of scale," said Deutsche Bank's Ross Seymore. Huang says that the latest AI models need to generate more tokens  or create more output  in order to do "reasoning," which improves AI answers. Of course, Nvidia's latest Blackwell chips are designed for this, Huang said. "We are witnessing a sharp jump in inference demand," Huang said. "OpenAI, Microsoft and Google are seeing a step-function leap in token generation." Huang compared modern AI models to the "one-shot" approach that ChatGPT used when it first debuted in 2022, and said that the new models need "a hundred, a thousand times more" computing. "It's essentially thinking to itself, breaking down a problem step by step," Huang said. "It might be planning multiple paths to an answer. It could be using tools, reading PDFs, reading web pages, watching videos and then producing a result."

Bonus: Jensen's concerns
The SEC has formally dropped its lawsuit against Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao, bringing an end to one of the last remaining crypto enforcement actions brought by the agency.

In a Thursday filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, lawyers for the SEC and Binance jointly moved to dismiss the case, which was first brought in June 2023.

The original complaint accused the crypto exchange of violations including illegally serving U.S. users, inflating trading volumes, and commingling customer funds. The agency also claimed that Binance unlawfully enabled trading in crypto assets it viewed as unregistered securities, an argument that was also used against Coinbase , Kraken, and others under prior SEC leadership.

The dismissal marks a symbolic end to one of the most aggressive crypto crackdowns in U.S. history, and comes as the Trump administration makes a concerted effort to prove that it's an ally to the industry. The Justice Department has already shut down its crypto enforcement team, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is now set to be led by a venture capitalist with close ties to crypto.

Binance is the largest digital assets exchange in the world by volume. It recently forged ties with World Liberty Financial, a project that aspires to be a crypto bank and funnels 75% of profits to entities linked to the Trump family. Binance is taking a $2 billion investment from the Emirati state fund MGX entirely in USD1, a stablecoin newly launched by the World Liberty team.

Binance and World Liberty are also deepening their footprint in Pakistan, where WLF co-founder Zack Witkoff, the son of U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, recently struck a deal with the government. Around the same time, Zhao was appointed as an adviser to Pakistan's newly formed Crypto Council, a state-backed body tasked with shaping national digital asset policy.
A Slovak court ruled on Thursday that central bank governor and European Central Bank policymaker Peter Kazimir is guilty of corruption, a judge said.

The Specialised Criminal Court ruled Kazimir must pay a 200,000 euro ($225,620) fine, or face a one-year prison sentence, Judge Milan Cisarik said.

The verdict can be appealed and therefore does not force Kazimir out of office.

Kazimir, who is a member of the ECB's rate-setting governing council, did not attend the ruling while on a business trip to Hong Kong.

He said in a pre-recorded message played by Slovak TA3 television before the ruling that he maintained his innocence, and was also of the opinion that his case should have been dismissed based on the statute of limitations.

He said in the message that he would appeal any guilty verdict to a higher court.

The case dates back to Kazimir's previous position as finance minister before he became the central bank's chief in 2019.

Kazimir's current six-year term ends on June 1, but he is expected to stay on, in line with the law, until a decision on whether he will be granted another term or replaced.

Slovak central bank governors are nominated by the government, approved by parliament and appointed by the president.

Prosecutors allege that while Kazimir was finance minister in 2012-2019, he delivered a 48,000-euro bribe to the then head of the national tax administration to influence tax proceedings.
Check out the companies making headlines in extended trading. Gap  The apparel stock plummeted more than 16% as lackluster second-quarter revenue guidance overshadowed an earnings beat for Q1. Gap expects Q2 revenue to remain about flat year over year. Analysts expected a forecast calling for a slight gain. Costco  The wholesale retailer reported quarterly results that beat analyst expectations, yet shares were little changed. The company earned $4.28 per share on revenue of $63. 2 billion. Analysts expected a profit of $4.24 per share on revenue of $63.19 billion. Same-store sales growth and gross margins were above estimates as well. Dell Technologies  Shares of the technology company gained more than 5% after first-quarter revenue surpassed analyst estimates. Dell reported revenue of $23.38 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG called for $23.14 billion. The company also raised its full-year earnings guidance. Ulta Beauty  The cosmetics company advanced more than 8% on first-quarter results that topped analyst expectations. Ulta reported earnings per share of $6.70 on revenue of $2.84 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG were looking for earnings of $5.81 per share and $2.80 billion. American Eagle Outfitters  The clothing retailer pulled back more than 8%. American Eagle's first-quarter adjusted loss per share of 29 cents overshot an LSEG estimate for a loss of 22 cents per share. Elastic NV  The software stock slipped more than 11% after the company's full-year revenue outlook missed analyst estimates. Elastic expects full-year revenue in the range of $1.655 billion to $1.67 billion. Analysts anticipated an outlook of $1.68 billion, per FactSet. PagerDuty  The cloud computing stock declined more than 6% after the company's second-quarter earnings outlook missed analyst estimates. PagerDuty forecast second-quarter earnings per share in the range of 19 cents to 20 cents, excluding items, while analysts surveyed by FactSet were looking for profit guidance of 23 cents per share. Zscaler  Shares climbed more than 4% after the cybersecurity company posted fiscal third-quarter earnings and revenue that beat expectations. Zscaler also issued better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings and revenue guidance. UiPath  The automation software company climbed more than 11% after the its second-quarter revenue guidance easily surpassed analyst estimates. UiPatth sees second-quarter revenue in the range of $345 million to $350 million, while analysts polled by FactSet were expecting $331.3 million. NetApp  Shares of the data infrastructure company pulled back 6% its first-quarter earnings outlook missed what analysts were expecting. NetApp expects first-quarter earnings per share in the range of $1.48 to $1.58, while analysts polled by FactSet forecast $1.65 per share  CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed reporting
Sassine Ghazi, CEO of semiconductor design software firm Synopsys, explains the company's plans to have artificial intelligence take over parts of designing computer chips at the company's annual user conference in Santa Clara, California, on March 19, 2025.

Synopsys pulled its guidance for the full fiscal year on Thursday, citing a letter it received from the U.S. Commerce Department on restrictions of sales of its products in China. The stock closed down 1.6%.

The announcement comes one day after Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi disputed a report that the White House told the company, as well as rivals Cadence and Siemens , to stop selling to clients in China. He said he had wanted to address the swirling of speculation.

"Synopsys is currently assessing the potential impact of the BIS Letter on its business, operating results and financial condition," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

On a conference call with analysts on Wednesday, Ghazi had said the company saw a slowdown in China during its fiscal second quarter, which ended on April 30. Around 10% of Synopsys' $1.6 billion in quarterly revenue came from customers in China.

Competition in China is fierce. Synopsys has said the Chinese government has put in place policies that favor its own companies and has backed investment funds while looking to develop independent chip design know-how.

"Recall as we started sometime in FY 2024 communicating that we are seeing both a cumulative impact of the restrictions in China as well as the macro situation inside China have caused us to continue on communicating that this deceleration will continue, and that headwind has gotten stronger as we go through the each quarter over the last year, year and a half," he said. The 2025 fiscal year ends in October.

The Bureau of Industry and Security informed Cadence last week that the company will need a license to export its chip design software to customers in China, according to a Thursday filing.

"The letter stated that BIS has determined that these shipments pose an unacceptable risk of use in or diversion to a 'military end use' in China or for a Chinese 'military end user,'" Cadence said.

WATCH: Synopsys suspends Q3 and FY 2025 guidance a day after providing it
U.S. President Donald Trump announcing new tariffs at the White House in Washington, April 2, 2025.

The Trump administration said it may ask the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as Friday to immediately pause a federal court ruling blocking many of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

The U.S. will seek the "emergency relief" from the nation's highest court "to avoid the irreparable national-security and economic harms at stake," it said in a filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Thursday morning.

But the government said it will only take that step if the federal appeals court does not quickly issue at least a temporary pause of the tariff ruling.

"The Supreme Court must put an end to this," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday afternoon in a blistering attack on the three judges who struck down Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs and other duties.

The judges "brazenly abused their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump to stop him from carrying out the mandate that the American people gave him," Leavitt claimed in a press briefing.

"These judges are threatening to undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage," she added.

Her comments were the Trump administration's latest salvo against the panel on the U.S. Court of International Trade, whose ruling Wednesday night dealt a major blow to the president's trade agenda.

As it seeks relief from the higher courts, the Trump administration is also asking that the trade-court judges pause any enforcement of their ruling while the case is being appealed.

Later Thursday, a federal judge in a separate case in Washington, D.C., also declared that many of Trump's tariffs are unlawful.

"We are living under a judicial tyranny," White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller wrote Thursday morning in response to the ruling, escalating his initial claim that "the judicial coup is out of control."

Top trade advisor Peter Navarro accused the court of being "globalist" and "pro-importer" on Bloomberg TV Thursday, and claimed it was biased against the administration's tariff policies.

"We have these unelected judges who are trying to force their own will when it comes to tax policy, trade policy and all matters of the economy," Trump advisor Jason Miller said during a Fox Business interview Thursday morning.

Those three judges  Jane Restani, Timothy Reif and Gary Katzmann  were appointed to the federal bench by two Republicans, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Trump, and one Democrat, Barack Obama, respectively.

The Trump administration in Thursday's court filing slammed the judicial panel's ruling, saying it "rests on a dangerously flawed interpretation of the President's tariff authority."

The trade court also "erred in second-guessing the President's judgment that these tariffs are needed to address the national emergencies he declared," the government said.

Wednesday's ruling invalidated dozens of country-specific tariffs that Trump imposed earlier this year under the purported authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The judges found that the law does not "confer such unbounded authority" to presidents.

The nationwide, permanent block they imposed covers all of the retaliatory tariffs that Trump issued in early April as part of his sweeping "liberation day" plan to reshape international trade with the rest of the world.

The ruling also bars the administration from making any future modifications to the tariffs in question. The court gave the administration 10 days to make the necessary changes to carry out the orders.

The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal shortly after the judgment came down.
US President Donald Trump prepares to sign executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2025. Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump could still find a work-around after suffering a major blow to a core part of his economic agenda. The U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday ruled that the president had overstepped his authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to impose sweeping tariffs on numerous countries. The New York-based court ordered a permanent halt to most of Trump's tariffs and further barred their future modification. A panel of three judges gave the White House 10 days to complete the formal process of stopping the tariffs. The Trump administration swiftly appealed the ruling. Goldman Sachs economists said the White House has a few tools at its disposal that could ensure the court ruling is only a temporary problem. "This ruling represents a setback for the administration's tariff plans and increases uncertainty but might not change the final outcome for most major US trading partners," Goldman Sachs economists said in a research note. "For now, we expect the Trump administration will find other ways to impose tariffs," they added.

Options on the table

The Wall Street bank said the ruling blocks the 10% baseline tariff imposed by Trump on most imports, as well as the additional duties on China, Canada and Mexico  but not sectoral levies, such as those imposed on steel, aluminum and autos. The Trump administration nevertheless has other legal means of imposing tariffs, Goldman says, flagging Section 122 of U.S. trade law, Section 301 investigations and Section 338 of the Trade Act of 1930. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 does not require a formal investigation and could therefore be one of the swiftest ways to get around the court roadblock. "The administration could quickly replace the 10% across-the-board tariff with a similar tariff of up to 15% under Sec. 122," analysts at Goldman said. They noted, however, that such a move would only last for up to 150 days after which law requires congressional action.

Trump could also swiftly launch Section 301 investigations on key U.S. trading partners, laying the bureaucratic groundwork for tariffs  although Goldman said that this process will likely take several weeks at a minimum. Section 232 tariffs, which are already in place for steel, aluminum and auto imports, could also be broadened to other sectors. This trade law allows the president to take action against threats to national security. Section 338, meanwhile, allows the president to impose levies of up to 50% on imports from countries that discriminate against the U.S. Goldman noted that this particular measure has not been used before.

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Michelle Schulz, founder and managing partner at Schulz Trade Law PLLC, echoed the possibility that the Trump administration would seek work-arounds, including looking at ways the White House has imposed tariffs in the past. "We have had section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods even under the previous administration, which were pretty harsh. So I can imagine that the administration will look at these provisions again and see if they can use 232, or 301, or some other mechanism where, whereby they can enforce the tariffs," she told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Thursday. Schulz also pointed to the fact that such tariffs require investigations. "I think that's the difference here. All of the tariffs that we're talking about today with IEEPA were issued under executive order and pretty much just by the executive branch," she said. "When you look at these other sections, you're going to have the involvement of the Commerce Department and other agencies investigating whether there really has been damage" to justify tariff action. Schulz added that such investigations could take months. CNBC has reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

What about the Supreme Court?

James Ransdell, partner at the law firm Cassidy Levy Kent, said the court opinion marks the first of many other cases still pending  and the first substantive opinion out of federal court "to really address the meat of the plaintiffs challenge." Ransdell said the speed of the Trump administration's appeal was "very unusual" and suggests the government could be working through the night to prepare its motion for an emergency stay of the order. He added that it was "certainly a possibility" that the Supreme Court could end up having the last say. "There is not a lot of precedent on this particular statute and on similar actions by the president, so there might be an interest that the Supreme Court has in taking this up," Ransdell told CNBC's "The China Connection" on Thursday.

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Steven Blitz, chief U.S. economist at TS Lombard, said Trump had a "very good" level of understanding of how to play the courts to get what he wants in terms of playing for time. "The first thing he will probably do is an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court  wanting to get a ruling from them that basically says you can keep these tariffs in place while the appeals process runs through," Blitz said Thursday. "This king-like executive order was always going to, at some point, going to run into the courts.  The difference between being a monarchy and being a constitutional democracy is the legal system," he added.

Stocks, U.S. dollar on the rise
United Airlines has a new friend in Queens.

The airline plans to return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport again, this time through a new partnership with JetBlue Airways .

The partnership, called Blue Sky, will allow the airlines to sell seats on each other's sites and let JetBlue customers earn frequent flyer miles on United and vice versa. It also includes reciprocal loyalty benefits like priority boarding and roomier seats for travelers with elite status. The deal is subject to regulatory review, the airlines said.

Some aspects of the partnership, which the carriers announced Thursday, will begin as early as the fall, though the airlines didn't provide exact timing. They also did not provide financial details of the deal.

JetBlue's leaders have long said they need a partnership to better compete against larger airlines like United and their shared rival Delta Air Lines, the most profitable U.S. carrier.

United CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday that in addition to the JFK access, the airlines together will have the largest presence in Boston and that United will be able to extend its reach in Florida and the Caribbean, where JetBlue has a robust network. In turn, JetBlue loyalists will get access to United's globe-spanning destinations.

"It makes each airline more competitive," Kirby said.
A Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac) C919 aircraft under assembly at the Comac Shanghai Research and Development Center on May 4, 2017. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Forget the factory lines for socks, sneakers and T-shirts. U.S. President Donald Trump wants to boost the domestic production of high-tech products, and not apparel or footwear, he told reporters Sunday. However, China is doubling down on its efforts to bolster advanced manufacturing, which could put both countries on a collision course. Just last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his plans for manufacturing-led growth during a visit to the northern province of Henan, pressing ahead with a strategy long criticized by the U.S. and major trade partners for deepening global trade imbalances. Xi told workers at a state-owned ball-bearing factory that self-reliance in advanced manufacturing is "the right path" for China and the "backbone" of its economy, according to an official statement. The manufacturing sector contributed to over 25% of China's GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank. While China's push to expand its manufacturing capabilities is part of its goal to achieve self-reliance, especially in high-tech sectors, this could run counter to the Trump administration's core demands in the ongoing trade talks, experts warn. Trump wants China to address the trade imbalances and has slammed Beijing for providing enormous amount of state subsidies to Chinese companies, thereby distorting competition. However, there is "little scope" for China to budge and scale back its manufacturing-led strategy, which is closely tied to Beijing's drive for self-reliance, said Allan von Mehren, China economist at Danske Bank. "I'm not too optimistic on a big deal between the U.S. and China," Mehren said, anticipating U.S. tariff rates on Chinese goods to hold at around 40%. The "Made in China 2025" ten-year plan, released in 2015  two years after Xi came into power  aimed to transform China into a leading high-end manufacturer, from electric vehicles and commercial aircraft to semiconductors and robots. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated in a 2022 report that China's spending in funding favored industries amounted to at least 1.73% of its GDP in 2019, significantly higher than the U.S., which spent 0.39% of its GDP on industrial support in 2019. These include direct grants and tax benefits to its prized sectors, with nearly all large, listed Chinese firms receiving some form of state subsidies, according to economic consulting firm Rhodium Group. Despite the support, China missed several key targets from its ten-year plan, including those for aerospace and high-end robots, and fostered unhealthy industrial competition that worsened global trade tensions, according to the European Chamber of Commerce in China.

Trade rebalance unlikely

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview with CNBC earlier this month, sounded optimistic about reaching a middle ground with China: "We need more manufacturing, they need more consumption, so there is a chance to rebalance together, we'll see if that's possible."

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But it remains unclear whether Bessent will make that a priority during the ongoing trade negotiation with Beijing as part of the 90-day trade truce. The U.S. trade deficit with China is unlikely to "narrow substantially," Jing Wang, China economist at Nomura, and the team said in a note. They expect Beijing to reduce its reliance on U.S. imports and for American manufacturers to take years to shift manufacturing onshore and find suitable alternatives. "As the U.S. is the most buoyant consumer market worldwide, a sudden flood of cheaper Chinese goods to the rest of the world will inevitably spark global backlash," Wang added.

Dumping anxiety

China's continued industrial push and ramped-up exports are stirring anxiety in non-U.S. markets and inviting fresh trade barriers. As the specter of U.S. tariffs loomed at the start of the year, Chinese toy manufacturers in Yiwu city, a manufacturing hub, rushed to redesign Santa Claus figurines with rounder faces and blue eyes in hopes of appealing more to European consumers.

Workers make red Santa Claus hats for export at a factory on April 28, 2025 near Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China. Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images

But their search for new markets to compensate for the opportunities lost in the U.S. is stirring anxiety in Europe, said Nick Marro, principal economist at Economist Intelligence Unit. "By the end of this year, it's not just U.S.-China tensions that we need to watch, it's going to increasingly be EU-China tensions ... And it's no longer just going to be about electric vehicles [but] across a whole wide range of different products," Marro added. Top finance officials from G7 nations, led by the U.S., convened last week to discuss steps to address overcapacity and unfair trade practices  "with a clear aim of curbing China's export saturation," said Wang Dan, China director at Eurasia Group. These moves could still be interpreted in Beijing as a "deliberate provocation" and prompt it to use other ways to create headaches for foreign businesses eyeing the Chinese market. "Delays in licensing, exclusion from local incentive schemes, or tighter oversight may follow if tensions rise in other areas of the bilateral relationship," Eurasia's Wang said. China's grip on low-end manufacturing could also undercut manufacturing in developing nations, according to Leah Fahy, China economist at Capital Economics. For example, India's share of global exports in furniture, toys and games has stagnated in recent years, while garment exports declined. China widened its lead for these goods in the same period. India, Vietnam and Indonesia have imposed various protectionist measures to provide some relief for domestic producers from intense price competition, particularly in sectors facing overcapacity, cheap imports. That said, some argue that excess Chinese capacity could offer a silver lining for inflation-weary economies by easing price pressures. "China is going to be exporting deflation to the rest of the world," said Marro, noting that for markets with limited manufacturing bases, like Australia, cheap Chinese imports could ease the cost-of-living crisis and help bring down inflationary pressure.



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No easy fixes

Economists at home and abroad have called on Beijing to shift to a consumption-led model and reduce reliance on manufacturing, a strategy widely blamed for deepening deflationary pressure in the economy. Chinese customs data in April offered a fresh reminder of the imbalance between China's productive capacity and its domestic demand. Its trade surplus hit a record high of $992.2 billion last year, driven by persistent imbalances with major partners including the U.S., the European Union and Southeast Asia. The Chinese leadership has stepped up its support, aiming to divert U.S.-bound goods to sell to domestic consumers. But convincing consumers, wary of income and job prospects, to spend again has proven to be a challenging task. China's retail sales growth slowed to 5.1% in April, missing economists' expectations, with automobile sales lagging significantly, growing just 0.7% from a year earlier, compared with a 5.5% jump in March.

Huge waiting lines are seen in front of jewelry retailer stores at Yu Garden in Shanghai, China, on May 17, 2025, as the city offers consumption vouchers to stimulate consumer spending. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images


After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I dont really have time for this  but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge

 Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 29, 2025



My dear @ShashiTharoor

Alas ! I could prevail upon PM Modi to declare you as super spokesperson of BJP , even declaring as foreign minister before landing in India . How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi , India never crossed LOC https://t.co/c88b8rX2bq

 Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) May 28, 2025



Officers of 4 Sikh Regiment posing outside a captured Pakistani police station in Burki, Lahore District.

This image is from the Battle of Burki (also known as the Battle of Lahore, 1965), a significant engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, fought between Indian pic.twitter.com/5lzUrA3aOw



 Pawan Khera ???????? (@Pawankhera) May 28, 2025



I agree with that Dr @ShashiTharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018 - The Paradoxical Prime Minister. #ReadingNow pic.twitter.com/hAhsfwH0JT

 Pawan Khera ???????? (@Pawankhera) May 29, 2025



What does the Congress party want & How much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister?

Theres limit to political desperation! https://t.co/JiuYqpW2tN

 Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 28, 2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has defended his controversial statement about India's surgical strikes, asserting that he was specifically referring to cross-border reprisals for terrorist attacks and not previous wars.The comment, made during an official all-party delegation's visit to Panama, triggered strong reactions within his own party, the Indian National Congress (INC)."For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in the past," Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding, "I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars."He clarified that his remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, "during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB."The controversy started after Tharoor remarked that India had breached the Line of Control (LoC) for the first time in September 2016 to conduct surgical strikes on terror launchpads following the Uri attack - a move which he said, "We had not done before," even during the Kargil war."As usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do," Tharoor concluded, as he was set to leave for Bogota, Colombia.Tharoor's comments were immediately challenged by Congress leaders, who termed them "factually incorrect." Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman, Pawan Khera and MP Udit Raj cited past military actions, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, and covert strikes during the UPA regime, to counter Tharoor's narrative.Udit Raj mocked Tharoor, calling him a "super spokesperson of the BJP," further accusing him of undermining the legacy of the Congress. "My dear Shashi Tharoor, Alas! I could prevail upon PM Modi to declare you as super spokesperson of BJP, even declaring as foreign minister before landing in India," he wrote on X."How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi , India never crossed LOC and International border. In 1965 Indian Army entered Pakistan at multiple points, which completely surprised the Pakistanis in the Lahore sector. In 1971 , India tore Pakistan in two pieces," he added.Raj further stated that during the UPA government, several surgical strikes were unleashed but "drum beating was not done to encash politically. How could you be so dishonest to the party which gave you so much?"Pawan Khera also shared archival evidence, including a 1965 image of Indian soldiers in Lahore's Burki village, and reposted a report by CNBC-TV18 quoting former PM Manmohan Singh affirming similar strikes during UPA, along with sharing a 2016 media report, citing S Jaishankar, who was a foreign secretary at that time, stating that India had conducted surgical strikes previously too but the government had made it public for the first time."Officers of 4 Sikh Regiment posing outside a captured Pakistani police station in Burki, Lahore District. This image is from the Battle of Burki (also known as the Battle of Lahore, 1965), a significant engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, fought between Indian infantry units and Pakistani armoured forces," Khera wrote on X.Khera further shared another post stating that he agrees with "that Tharoor" who wrote about surgical strikes in his 2018 book, The Paradoxical Prime Minister'.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly capitalised on the internal rift within the Congress. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned whether it was "forbidden to speak for the country" in the Congress, while party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that Rahul Gandhi had deployed Udit Raj to attack Tharoor for priortising national interest."What does the Congress party want & how much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister?," Rijiju stated on X, quote tweeting his previous post on the matter.Poonawalla told PTI, "Shashi Tharoor is being attacked at the behest of Rahul Gandhi because Shashi Tharoor kept India first not (Gandhi) family. He talked about national interest, not his partys interest. He is being attacked because he kept national policy above the vote bank (politics)."He further accused the Congress of launching "missiles at its own leader" while remaining silent on Pakistan's provocations.The BJP framed Tharoor's remarks as an example of putting "India first" in contrast to what it called the Congress' "vote bank politics," especially in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.Some historical records support Tharoor's technical framing. Following the 2016 Uri attack, the Indian Army had publicly stated that the September 2016 operation was the first publicly acknowledged strike across the LoC in retaliation to the terrorism.Further, an RTI response and a 2019 statement by then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh confirmed that previous cross-border actions had occurred but under different operational classifications and without the same political messaging.Army does not have any data pertaining to surgical strikes if carried out before September 29, 2016," the 2018 RTI reply by then Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), was quoted as saying by News18.The whole episode raises broader questions about the internal coherence in the Congress' messaging on national security and its response to terrorism.Tharoor, who is a seasoned diplomat and vocal parliamentarian has frequently articulated positions that blend nuance with strategic clarity but has also been seen as somewhat out of sync with the party's combative posturing in recent times.The timing of the controversy, during international delegations' tours aimed at building consensus against Pakistan's alleged support for cross-border terrorism, only adds a layer of diplomatic complexity.While Tharoor's emphasis appears to be in-line with characterising India's response to terrorism, the party's pushback showcases discontent about admitting to BJP's narrative ground. The controversy may also reflect deeper factionalism within Congress, with Tharoor being observed as slipping away from the party's stance and occupying more of a centrist space.
A Rajasthan state government employee was detained in Jaisalmer on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan, an official said on Thursday, May 29.Shakur Khan was detained the previous night on Wednesday, May 30 by an intelligence department team who were acting on security-related inputs.Khan, who works in the district employment office, was found to have phone numbers associated with Pakistan stored on his device, the official said."There were inputs about Shakur Khan that he could be involved in spying for Pakistan. He was on surveillance following inputs and was detained last night, the officer said.A joint interrogation was conducted in Jaisalmer following which the team left for Jaipur with Khan.Central agencies will interrogate him in Jaipur on Thursday, May 29.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, May 29, stated that there was no discussion about trade or tariffs between India and United States during Operation Sindoor.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the issue of trade or tariff did not arise between the Indian and American officials."I refer to you the position made clear on May 13. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7, till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions," Jaiswal told reporters at a press briefing on May 29.He reiterated the stance of EAM S Jaishankar that the talks of the ceasefire 'understanding' was "direct" and was initiated by the Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) of Pakistan with his Indian counterpart."The External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan," he added.The official also made clear that the engagement with Pakistan will also be bilateral, also reiterating that talks and terrorism cannot go hand in hand."Our position in regard to engagement with Pakistan has been clear and consistent. Any India Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral. At the same time, we are clear that talks and terror don't go together," Jaiswal said."On terrorism itself, we are open to discussing the handing over to India of noted terrorists, whose list was given to Pakistan some years ago. Any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be on the vacation of the illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan," he added.He also stated that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan stops supporting the cross-border terrorism activities."Indus Water Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures it support from cross-border terrorism as terror and talks, terror and trade cannot go together, as well as blood and water cannot flow together," Jaiswal said.
Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to curb unauthorised pilgrims from the annual Hajj journey that starts next week, a year after over 1,300 people died during the gathering amid extreme heat. Illegal pilgrims face arrest, deportation and fines in excess of $5,000, while people found helping them risk penalties of almost $27,000, according to government text messages sent routinely to Saudi residents.Thats double from 2024 as the kingdom seeks to avoid a repeat of the mass casualties that occurred last June when temperatures rose to a 20-year high of about 52 degrees Celcius (126F). Majority of the deceased were unregistered pilgrims without access to proper shelter, Saudi Arabia said."That's why we have stronger rules, to ensure only people with permits go to Hajj," Tawfig Alrabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah, said in an interview.The 2024 fatalities were surpassed only by stampedes in 1990 and 2015, highlighting the challenge of protecting Hajj pilgrims that may walk 65 kilometers (40 miles) over the five-day trip. While Hajj will soon move closer to cooler months, this season starts in June when Saudi temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 47 degrees Celcius (117F).Driving religious tourism has been a focus for Saudi Arabia as it aims to enrich the pilgrim experience and diversify revenues. The Hajj economy is set to triple in value to about $350 billion by 2034, according to research group Future Market Insights Inc.To serve the growing market, the kingdom has a goal of increasing capacity to handle more pilgrims by 2030  but now faces a crucial test to balance those aspirations against the reality of a warming world.As the Saudis consider options for Hajj security, theyre betting on crowd control. Alrabiah said quotas for Hajj will remain fixed and limited, contrary to reports they could triple to six million by 2030. We dont want to risk the life of people and increase the number.Saudi Arabia still plans to boost visits for Umrah to 30 million by 2030, from around 17 million in 2024. Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be done year-round, while Hajj is performed at a set time.Muslims believe those who are physically and financially able have an obligation to perform Hajj at least once. But as tour costs rise, pilgrims can be tempted to forgo permits.Hajj packages vary but can cost $10,000 to $20,000 per person for travel from the US, according to Saudi Arabias Nusuk platform. That compares to estimates ranging from $7,500 to $12,000 in 2015 for high-quality accommodation.It can be less for those living in the kingdom or traveling in large groups. Touleen Alhaffar, a 31-year-old Syrian living in Riyadh, said she paid about $3,200 for her trip.It will be hot, and it wont be that easy. Keep in mind that well be like 20 women in a room, she said. Its not a vacation, so its okay.Those who attempt the journey without a permit go without access to air-conditioned tents or buses, putting them at higher risk of medical needs. Saudi Arabia said it provided treatment to 141,000 unauthorised pilgrims during the heat wave last year.As a result, hospital bed capacity has been increased by 60% compared to 2024. Over 1 million foreign Hajj pilgrims have already entered Saudi Arabia for this years journey.Authorities will continue reducing heat exposure with shaded walkways, misters and more access to water and said theyve expanded road cooling technologies since last year. Academics have argued that such efforts to curb heat-related risks may still be outpaced by intensifying temperatures.Saudi Arabias Alrabiah said continuous improvements are always made and said crowd control remains a top priority.You cannot see this huge crowd moving together anywhere in the world.


I often make a point that bears repeating: reforming individual mindsets is far more important than reforming texts or institutions on paper. After all, the constitution of North Korea proclaims the country to be the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The words may be pic.twitter.com/Jz8AGQxYJf

 Tarique Rahman (@trahmanbnp) May 28, 2025

In response to growing public and political pressure for fresh elections, Bangladeshs Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced that the next national elections may take place anytime between December 2025 and June 2026.Yunus, currently on an official four-day Japan visit, made the announcement at a public gathering in Tokyo. The interim government advisor's remarks came the same day as the three affiliated organisations of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal - held a massive rally in Dhaka, calling for the restoration of "political rights of the youth."According to Yunus, the next national elections could take place as early as December 2025, or no later than June 2026. In his address, he mentioned that the government has been working on electoral and governance reforms and that depending on the pace of those reforms, elections may be held as early as December or as late as June next year.When elections take place an elected government takes over responsibility and we hand it over to them. People are insisting on telling them when the elections will be because the politicians are very impatient to get to their seats of power. So I have been promising them for some time. It could be in December this year or at the latest June of 2026, so a month gap, depending on how fast we can do the reforms, he said.If the reforms are slow and accomplish little, then we have a longer time. And the longer time cannot continue endlessly. Must finish it by June 2026. So this is the timeline we are working on, he added.The BNP held large-scale rallies in several locations, including Dhaka, to press their demand for national elections to be held by December. BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued a warning to the interim administration and also urged them not to postpone the election date.In an X post, he wrote, "I often make a point that bears repeating: reforming individual mindsets is far more important than reforming texts or institutions on paper. After all, the constitution of North Korea proclaims the country to be the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The words may be there, but it is adherence, not articulation, that defines democratic integrity."And yet, ten months into its tenure, the interim administration has still not announced an election date. The people of Bangladesh deserve better. We seek a nation free from authoritarianism, led by a government elected through a fair vote, and accountable to its citizens. The call to the interim government is simple: ensure that national elections are held by December, he added.Earlier, the BNS urged Muhammad Yunus to remove two students from his cabinet. Speaking with ANI, a senior official said that it has also demanded to remove National Security Adviser (Khalilur Rahman) from the interim government.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
AI takes center stage at China International Cultural Industries Fair

People's Daily Online) 11:10, May 29, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), where tech companies showcased AI agents designed to support content creation, sharing and user experience across the cultural industries.

From models to agents, AI ignites creation

This year's fair featured AI agents supporting every stage of cultural content, from creation and distribution to user engagement. The Wenxiaobo model, developed by ICIF and Tencent Cloud, uses Tencent's Hunyuan model and models from DeepSeek. Trained on two decades of ICIF data, Wenxiaobo can match potential business partners, provide real-time translation and generate event reports.

People's Daily Online also launched a platform, which uses proprietary and third-party AI models to enable automated Q&A and public opinion analysis, supporting news production and policy interpretation.

AI transforms cultural experiences

AI-powered robots at the event made lattes in 90 seconds and created latte art from photographs. Another robot performed live music on both the piano and the guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. Robotic replicas of Tang Dynasty poets Li Bai and Du Fu also performed, providing visitors with an interactive experience of Chinese literary classics. International guests said the technology could help Chinese poetry reach a wider global audience.

EX ROBOT's humanoid robot performs at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair. (People's Daily Online/Ren Fengtao)

AI glasses developed by Shenzhen-based Rayneo were also on display. The latest model, which weighs 76 grams and is powered by a multimodal large model and Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 chip, features an AI agent app store. It can translate speech and images in real time, summarize information, answer questions, recognize objects, provide navigation and record first-person videos.

A humanoid robot plays the guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. (People's Daily Online/Ren Fengtao)

People's Daily Online showcased its intelligent hardware system, which uses computer vision and speech recognition to simulate a human tour guide and provide real-time explanations. The system allows visitors to interact with ancient artifacts through multimodal technology, offering a personalized museum experience.

A smart device of People's Daily Online is displayed at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair. (People's Daily Online/Ren Fengtao)

AI breathes new life into cultural classics

AI-powered VR devices at the fair attracted visitors eager to watch digital recreations of Tang Dynasty figurines and interact with virtual cultural relics. The Ningxia-themed exhibition area enabled users to explore scenic spots via VR glasses that recognize gestures for interactive engagement.

A young visitor tries a VR headset. (People's Daily Online/Ren Fengtao)

People's Daily Online also presented a pop-up theater with LED screens, lasers and mirrored stages. The theater, which can be assembled or dismantled in under 48 hours, featured AI-powered performances, with virtual performers appearing onstage.

Children explore a pop-up theater by People's Daily Online. (People's Daily Online/Ren Fengtao)

Beyond showcasing cutting-edge technology, the ICIF also serves as a platform for promoting cooperation and developing an integrated cultural industry.

A program initiated by People's Daily Online has established a mainstream values corpus containing more than 30 million high-quality entries to help large language models address specific topics.

In addition to highlighting new technology in the cultural sector, the ICIF featured exhibits emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of Chinese civilization. Various AI tools are helping traditional culture remain relevant in the modern era.

Intern Geng Yujie contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Season Two of The Rehearsal may be done, but the discourse is far from over.

Since the finale aired on Sunday night, the winner of Nathan Fielders fake singing competition has called out another contestant for criticizing the show, and fans have been busy poring over flight data in an effort to figure out whether or not Fielder actually flew a plane full of passengers from the San Bernardino airport last February.

Now actual U.S. lawmakers are weighing on the show.

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In the penultimate episode of The Rehearsal, Fielder speaks before a recreation of the congressional aviation subcommittee, and later meets with one of its actual senior members, Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee. Fielder is seemingly only able to access Cohen by pretending to hold a meeting on autism awareness, then suddenly pivoting to his presentation about cockpit etiquette. In Fielders pitch, airline captains and co-pilots would be assigned characters before each flight (Captain Allears and First Officer Blunt) in order to improve communication and reduce tension.

During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in which he showed up in a pilots uniform and dunked on Captain Sully Sullenberger, Fielder told the host, We struggled to get people to pay attention to this. I tried to get lawmakers to be like, Look this is an issue. They dont take it seriously, or dont think its a big enough issue.

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But in an interview published shortly before that interview aired, Congressman Cohen basically contradicted that statement. Cohen told The Commercial Appeal that several of his staffers were already aware of Fielder, and had even seen the first season of The Rehearsal. They were cautious about it, knowing that sometimes he tries to do things that are a little off the wall or tries to make you look awkward or something, Cohen explained. But my chief of staff talked to the people at (HBOs parent company Warner Bros. Discovery), and we decided to go ahead and do it.

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According to Cohen, he and Fielder had a nice discussion about different things and got along and posed for pictures afterwards, although he did say that Fielder had a tendency to just to just kind of sit and say nothing at times. How much of that was shtick and how much of it was real I never really knew  and I still dont know.

While the episode made it seem as though Cohen rebuffed Fielders request to speak before the real-life subcommittee, he told the newspaper that Fielder had already been informed that this wasnt within his power. I told him, Im in the minority, Cohen recalled. Im the ranking member on the aviation subcommittee. But the chairman is the one that determines the witnesses  so I couldnt make him a witness or anything like that anyway.

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As for the apparent hasty end to their meeting, Cohen alleges that, in real life, they spoke for around 40 minutes. Maybe people thought I acted abruptly at the end," Cohen said. "But wed had a long meeting, and I got up and said, Its been nice talking with you because I had another appointment I was late for. But hes an awkward guy. Or he acted like he was awkward.

Of course, politician may be the only profession thats more untrustworthy than host of HBOs The Rehearsal. So its hard to know who to believe.
For all the prestigious acting awards that grace Sean Penns trophy case, there isnt an Oscar statuette in the world thats worth more to him than the statute of limitations.

John Mulaney prides himself on being the riskiest late-night host in the business, but even he wasnt willing to risk a felony charge for the newly concluded first season of Everybodys Live with John Mulaney. The loosely scripted, mostly off-the-cuff talk show just closed out its inaugural run with an episode entirely focused on teens issues, meaning that Mulaney just had to get the youth of Americas most cherished performer on the show  enter the 64-year-old Penn, smoking like a homicide detective while wearing what looked like a POWs combat jacket.

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During the talk about What Is on the Minds of Teens?, Mulaney invited Penn to open up about his own adolescence, to which the two-time Oscar-winner replied with an insane story about protecting his turf on the beaches of Malibu by any means necessary, up to and including felony arson.

Mulaney, who would go on to fight three teenagers at the end of the Everybody's Live finale, asked Penn if, as a teenager growing up into Malibu, he ever found himself in a scrap. Everybody did then, Penn answered. I might have won once in a while, but I remember getting fought a lot, yeah."

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We had this whole  we were meant to be good stewards of the ocean and not let people who were toxic from the Valley come and surf there, Penn said of his Point Break-esque surfing turf wars as a teen. It was, specifically, Point Dume versus anywhere else.

When Mulaney pressed Penn to explain exactly what would happen if a teen from another part of Los Angeles County wandered over to the shores guarded by Penn and his friends, the actor replied, Well, its better to be a teenager, because were gonna be a group thats gonna intimidate you away. If youre a big guy, youre gonna meet my wrist-rocket sling-shot from the back, and then youre gonna paddle all the way to Zuma while we go Molotov cocktail your van.

As Penn explained, that wasnt some idle threat  he actually did torch some guys van, one time. Penn reflected facetiously, It seems kind of reckless now. According to Penn, he could count on the sheriffs deputies in the area to be relatives of either him or his friends, so he felt more than comfortable committing a class E felony over a favorite surf spot.

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After hearing about Penns past proclivity for pyromania, about a dozen different paparazzi must now feel like they got off pretty easy.
Threat actors can abuse one of Microsoft Entras by-design features, the software giants cloud-based identity and access management service, to gain persistence and escalate privilege inside a target Azure account.

According to a BeyondTrust discovery, Entra (formerly Azure Active Directory) grants intended yet risky capabilities to B2B guest users through Microsofts billing permissions.

BeyondTrust researchers discovered that Entra guest users with the right billing roles can create subscriptions and become Ownerswithout any explicit permission within the target tenant, BeyondTrust said in a blog post.
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Nigel Farage is the most significant Right-wing politician since Margaret Thatcher, whom he idolised. He left the Tory Party not long after she was jettisoned, and kept her candle burning bright over many years.

Will he, as his heroine triumphantly did, save this country from economic decline, ever higher taxes, bolshy trade unions, and a bloated and often inefficient state?

I used to think he was our best, perhaps our only, hope to rescue us from the mess were in. Now I am less sure. As Reform UK eclipses the Tories in the polls, and spreads panic in Labour ranks, Farage is shedding Thatcherite views in favour of Left-wing ones.

Almost every policy he announces is calculated to woo disenchanted Red Wall voters, who have every reason to be fed up with both Labour and Conservatives. His commitments are liable to add to our spiralling debts.

There is admittedly lots of talk  if rather unconvincing  from Farage about slashing public expenditure. But there is less mention of the urgent need to reduce the tax burden, which stands at a peacetime high, and is certain to climb further under Rachel Reevess shaky stewardship.

On tax the Reform leader has produced a specific plan. Before his speech in London on Tuesday, he had already pledged to raise the threshold for paying income tax to 20,000. This is intended to appeal particularly to low-paid workers, though it would also benefit the better off.

A wonderful idea, but not one that could be afforded without huge cuts in public expenditure. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, lifting the threshold from the existing 12,571 to 20,000 would cost between 50billion and 80billion a year. Thats an enormous sum.

Nigel Farage made other undertakings on Tuesday that will also be expensive. Winter fuel allowance will be reinstated for all pensioners (annual cost 1.5billion) and the two-child benefit cap abolished (cost 3.5billion a year).

As Reform UK spreads panic in Labour ranks, Farage is shedding Thatcherite views in favour of Left-wing ones, writes Stephen Glover

By the time Farage enters No10  if he does  Labour will probably have done both these things. It is less likely to copy Reforms idea of a marriage tax allowance, whose costs are not yet clear.

Instead of showing how he would reduce the ballooning welfare budget (which Labours milksop reforms will do little to curtail), Farage has come up with proposals that are likely to increase it.

And the cuts to pay for all this? Lets just say that they press the right buttons with many voters, including your columnist. But most of them could have been written down on the back of a beer mat at the end of a long evening.

Is it really practicable, or indeed desirable, to scrap the entire Net Zero budget at a claimed annual saving of 45billion? Granted, Ed Milibands schemes are wrong-headed and costly, but I doubt that any British government can simply pretend that climate change doesnt exist.

Equally, Reforms promise to take an axe to quangos will raise a cheer across the land. But is every quango useless? As prime minister, Nigel Farage might see the point of some of them. An annual saving of 13billion sounds fanciful.

Nor does the plan to claw back 5billion a year by ditching migrant hotels carry conviction. Where will they stay? They could be put in a well-run camp on some uninhabited island off the British coast  a sensible proposition, I believe  but Farage has vetoed this idea.

Incidentally, Reforms plan to dump cross-Channel illegal migrants on the French coast is also far-fetched. It would be a breach of international law, which grown-up prime ministers are supposed to take seriously.

All in all, theres an air of unreality about the proposals announced by Farage on Tuesday. Many of the figures are broad brush. They can only be made to add up through a haze of cigarette smoke amid the sound of merriment.

Ed Milibands schemes are wrong-headed and costly, but I doubt that any British government can simply pretend that climate change doesnt exist

Here we come to the crux. It seems to me perfectly possible, if not likely, that Nigel Farage and Reform will constitute the next government of the United Kingdom without ever making their figures tally. Lots of voters are so fed up with Labour and the Tories that they will try anything.

After all, this has happened before. During the American presidential elections many people turned a blind eye to Trumps factual errors, obfuscations and wild exaggerations. I dont accuse Farage of such excesses but he has learnt something from his friend.

In our own dear island, Labour won a huge landslide, albeit with an historically low share of the vote, even though it was obvious that it wouldnt be able to honour its pledges without raising taxes. People just hoped.

Reform and Farage are riding a wave of renewed hope, and it will get bigger and bigger unless by some miracle Labour is able to reverse our economic decline or the Tories resurrect their skill at governing. I dont think either will transpire.

Perhaps without realising it, or denying within himself that it has happened, Nigel Farage is reshaping his political beliefs so as to appeal to habitual Labour voters, as well as to disgruntled Tories tired of their partys incompetence and ideological dampness.

Margaret Thatcher  whose very name is anathema in the folk memory of the Red Wall  is being pushed away by a man who was once proud to be described as a Thatcherite. Tellingly, he barely attacks Trumps tariffs, which are an affront to the Iron Ladys free-market economics.

Since for many Red Wall voters the NHS is a sacred institution, I expect Reforms leader will soon be forced to disavow his preference for an insurance-based health service such as exists in France, and pledge his allegiance to the crumbling, irredeemable system we have.

Farages apparent transformation is nothing less than a tragedy for Britain. I dont ask for a re-run of Margaret Thatcher. This is another age, and of course she made mistakes  not least the harshness of the medicine she thrust on parts of industrial Britain.

Margaret Thatcher is being pushed away by a man who was once proud to be described as a Thatcherite

But her general prescriptions of lower taxation and a smaller state remain as relevant now as they were 45 years ago. Without these we will never get the economic growth that Labour yearns for. How absurd to imagine it can be achieved by building a few more houses.

I once believed that Nigel Farage would take up her mantle. Here was a brave politician and a man of principle. Hadnt he given much of his life to the cause of freeing us from the European Union?

My fear is that he is being held hostage by the expectations of his new supporters. They dont want a smaller state. They just want a better life, which I doubt theyll get with Farages statist policies. He and Reform would then face a terrible reckoning  and Britain a dark future.

I still havent given up all hope. Maybe Nigel Farage still listens to Thatcherite ancestral voices. He might yet cast aside Leftist policies and dodgy sums. But he is looking less like the saviour that this country so desperately needs.
The ruthless elimination of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar and up to a dozen of his closest aides in a precision air strike on tunnels under the European Hospital in Gaza has been met with predictable jubilation in Jerusalem.

But wiser heads there will resist the temptation to believe this is an Osama bin Laden moment of triumph that will spell the end of Hamas as a hostile force.

When Bin Laden was killed by American special forces at his compound in Pakistan in 2011, he was already a spent force with no real military power at his disposal. Sinwar, on the other hand, commanded a functioning movement that remains heavily armed with thousands of fanatical foot soldiers.

This could be a pivotal moment after 600 days of the Israel-Hamas conflict  but it would be a strategic blunder for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to give in to the demands of Israels Right-wingers and militant settlers to continue a scorched-earth policy in Gaza.

Yes, the Israel Defence Forces have cut the last remaining head off the hydra. Known as the Shadow for being so elusive, Mohammed Sinwar, 49, had been widely regarded as Israels public enemy number one since he took over as Hamas leader from his older brother Yahya, who was trapped in a ruined building and killed last October.

Mohammed was feared by Palestinians as a ruthless warlord said to have personally overseen numerous interrogations and executions in Hamass tunnels. He was also a key architect of the terror groups attacks on October 7, 2023.

But as the hydra of ancient mythology could regrow two heads for every one chopped off, so will even more fanatical leaders emerge. These young fighters may lack the Sinwar brothers authority, experience and pan-Arabic links, but that might also make them more difficult for Israel to identify and target.

Thats why I think the most astute move Netanyahu could make is to call an immediate ceasefire and set up safe zones for the beleaguered citizens of Gaza. They should bring in food, water, medicines and other aid and make it freely available, sending the clear message that the age of Hamas is gone and that the road for a more prosperous future is peace and political negotiation. A model for this is the realignment that has taken place in Lebanon since the markedly similar decapitation of Hezbollah last autumn, when its veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air strike.

Mohammed Sinwar had succeeded his brother as leader of terror group Hamas

The Israeli military targeted Hamas militants in an airstrike around the European Hospital complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza

The Lebanese government is now firmly in the anti-Hezbollah hands of president Joseph Aoun and prime minister Nawaf Salam. In Gaza, meanwhile, Hamas has exerted such a stranglehold that there is no effective opposition leadership. That is why I believe Israeli safe zones would help create a space for anti-Hamas Palestinians to organise and reveal where the remaining 59 hostages are held.

To bring this about, Netanyahu will have to develop a previously well-disguised interest in long-term thinking and statesmanship.

The West backed Israel after the October 7 attacks but the human cost of the IDFs huge assault on Gaza has stretched that support to breaking point.

This week, the UK, France and Canada released a statement condemning the egregious and disproportionate escalation in Gaza, while Donald Trump has distanced himself from the conflict and Germanys chancellor Friedrich Merz has also criticised Israels conduct.

Netanyahu should heed the words of Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno, who warned General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War: You know how to defeat your enemy, but you dont know how to make him accept his defeat.

What he meant was that mercy  what Churchill called magnanimity in victory  was essential to stop a cycle of violence, war and revenge. In 1945, the Allies offered defeated Germans the chance of a better life  if they surrendered.

Israel was wickedly provoked on October 7, 2023, but the architects of that crime have now paid the price.

It is in Israels interests as well as the ordinary Gazans to isolate the hardcore Hamas from the Palestinian civilians desperate for an end to the death and destruction that the Sinwar brothers brought down upon them.

Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute in Oxford
Decked out with more marble than an Italian palace, enough staff for a CEO to call it their home office, and price tags that would make anyone who isn't a multibillionaire choke on their caviar, the superyacht lifestyle of the elite seems to be a world away.

But even in the luxurious fantasy land of the ultrarich, it's not all smooth sailing.

A flood of young, clout-chasing influencers are cheapening a longtime go-to yachting destination, much to the chagrin of the old money elite who balk at the lavish displays of wealth and excessive selfie-taking, the Daily Mail has learned.

While there are ample yachting destinations around the world - from the French Riviera to Fiji or Croatia - few are as exclusive as the private oasis of the A-list favorite St. Barthelemy, which has earned a 'reputation as a world-class yachting destination,' the tourism board tells the Daily Mail.

The island's harbor regularly sees incredibly ornate vessels carrying the one-percenters and their friends through a fantastical getaway - and Jeff Bezos' liner is the crown jewel.

The Amazon founder was recently spotted aboard his $500 million superyacht Koru in May - and was caught feeling up his fiancee Lauren Sanchez while she soaked up the Caribbean sun on the deck.

The ship, named after the Maori word for 'new beginnings,' is one of the largest sailing ships in the world, measuring at a whopping 416 feet long, and is complete with three decks, a pool, a sun terrace and a figurehead that bears a striking resemblance to Sanchez, though the former journalist insists it was modeled after the Norse Goddess Freyja.

Koru's dedicated support vessel is similarly impressive, serving as 246-foot storage for the tycoon's helicopter, jet skis and luxury cars.

Bezos's $500 million superyacht, 'Koru,' is the crown jewel of sailing yachts docked in St. Bart

Bezos's fiancee Lauren Sanchez was seen soaking up the sun with friends aboard Koru

The French Caribbean island is known by celebrities and billionaires for its private beaches, luxury shops, and a 'world-class yachting' culture

The island, which can't be accessed by direct commercial flight, has imposed 'appropriate regulations and sustainability initiatives' so hoards of superyachts don't aggravate its marine life

And Bezos' boat is just one of the dozens of ultraluxe vessels anchored off the island's shore.

Kismet, a $360 million superyacht owned by Pakistani-American billionaire businessman Shahid Khan, gives Koru a run for its money.

Measuring just over 400 feet, it boasts a helipad, beauty salon, spa, sauna, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor cinemas, a dance floor and a gym. The goliath vessel can accommodate up to 12 guests in its nine cabins, and even features an elevator.

But it may pale in comparison to Kaos, the $300 million yacht - garnished with silk carpets and crystal caviar insets - owned by heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, the youngest daughter of Walmart co-founder James Walton.

The ship, which can host up to 31 guests, was named ship manufacturing company Oceano's largest build yet after its transformation in 2022. Its luxe amenities include a helipad, 12-seat cinema, gym and a small hospital.

Other lavish vessels found floating just beyond St Barts' bay include WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum's 327-foot Moonrise and mining titan Gary Klesch's behemoth Renaissance, which can accommodate 36 guests and 44 crew members, complete with a beauty salon, sushi bar and spa deck.

A celebrity hotspot, St Barts has also seen the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio vacationing just off the shore. The 'Titanic' actor was among the town's New Year's holiday partiers as he rang in 2025 on Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli's $150 million 315-foot yacht, Vava II, according to Page Six.

A particular favorite that time of year, its Port de Gustavia housed an estimated 173 superyachts in early January alone, and its annual regatta event drew a record-breaking 450 boats this year, eight of which were multi-million dollar superyachts.

But the island's celebrity reputation might be slowly losing its shiny allure.

St Barts is popular among the rich and famous because of its exclusivity and unparalleled privacy for A-list vacationers who want to fly under the radar. Visitors can only reach the island via small-scale transportation, as the airport's runway is too short for large commercial jets to land.

Now, there is a new threat to the sunny sanctuary.

Speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, one vacationer, who has visited the island annually for the last 12 years, described the idyllic destination as having always been 'a very expensive, luxurious place' because 'it was somewhat private.'

Now, they believe 'it has much lost that same appeal' in the age of multi-billionaires and Instagram influencers searching for 'clout.'

Superyacht Kismet, owned by billionaire Shahid Khan, measures just over 400 feet long and is worth $360 million

The luxurious interior of Kismet, which includes a beauty salon, spa, sauna and a swimming pool, was styled by British designer Reymond Langton Design

Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie showcased her $300 million superyacht , Kaos, in St Bart over the New Year's holiday

Designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, Kaos boasts a 12-seat cinema, hammam, gym, DJ booth and a cascading water wall chandelier

Award-winning Moonrise superyacht, owned by WhatsApp co-founder and former CEO Jan Koum, features a helipad on the foredeck and a gym

One Reddit user, who claims to have frequented the island for around 16 years, wrote that 'Its changed SO much since social media/instagram/tiktok etc really took off.'

They called it 'somewhat sleepy' compared to neighboring islands, as it was once 'only a place yacht owners, crew, and certain celebrities would be hiding out' in addition to those who have called the island home for generations.

'Now its everyone and their uncle,' they continued. 'I dont enjoy it as much as I did a little over a decade ago. Its a dog & pony show now on full parade.'

They wrote that the 'influencer crowds' detract from the 'charming reasons I enjoyed living/working here in the past.'

Adding to the island's list of not-famous-but-known visitors is Elon Musk's latest baby mama, Ashley St Clair, who said she believes their child was conceived on St. Barts.

But one vacationer has expressed her regret for tanking the island's premier status.

'I arrive, get into a car, and Im mired in traffic looking at hillsides full of construction, theres garbage all over, theyre spraying poison against mosquitoes, the beaches are covered in seaweed, and there are influencers taking selfies everywhere,' the anonymous traveler told Palmer in 2023.

'I know Im part of the problem - I cant stand to see what Ive done.'

To some, such a massive display of wealth may be a turn off, but the island's bustling port is a boon for business.

'Some people who are not working in the tourism industry might choose that time to leave and go back to Europe, see family,' said Christian Wattiau, the chairman of Sibarth Real Estate brokerage. 'Yes, it can create more traffic and more noise. Some parties are a bit wild, but it's okay. We don't have a big negative reaction to this.'

Many locals work in tourism, construction or 'in services to the villas,' he explained, so 'there is an understanding that that's how it is here' - even if 'it can be annoying.'

One St Barts frequenter, who has visit the island for the last six years, told the Daily Mail that it's actually 'kind of beautiful to walk around the harbor and look at the yachts.'

While she might not be 'fancy' like the high-profile crowd on their superyachts, she tries to fit in with the locals as much as possible.

But while marveling at Port de Gustavia, she can't help but think, 'Who are those people? What do these people do for a living? How do we get into that party?'
Ready to feel old? The adorable baby from the beloved Disney Channel show Good Luck Charlie is now a high school student... and boy, does she look different from her Disney days.

Mia Talerico, now 16, was skyrocketed into the spotlight when she portrayed the titular tot in the popular sitcom Good Luck Charlie back in 2010.

She started starring in the series when she was only two years old, and her adorable personality and impressive acting skills at such a young age captured the hearts of millions.

But flash forward to now, more than a decade after the show concluded, and Mia is all grown up and preparing to start 11th grade.

She is now a popular influencer, often sharing videos and photos to her 1.3 million followers.

In one recent clip, she showed off her nighttime skin care routine, and in another, she tried on various prom dresses.

For the latter, many Good Luck Charlie fans couldn't believe that someone who they watched as a baby on screen was now headed to prom, and they flooded the comment section with posts about it.

'Our little Charlie is all grown up,' one user wrote. Another gushed, 'My childhood show,' alongside a heart.

Ready to feel old? The adorable baby from the beloved Disney Channel show Good Luck Charlie is now a high school student... and boy, does she look different from her Disney days

Mia Talerico started starring in the series when she was only two years old, and her adorable personality and impressive acting skills at such a young age captured the hearts of millions

Mia, now 16, was skyrocketed into the spotlight when she portrayed the titular tot in the popular sitcom Good Luck Charlie back in 2010. She's seen recently

'Wait! Charlie's heading to prom already!!! Disney please make that reboot before it's too late,' someone else begged.

'I have to keep remembering that you're in high school and Good Luck Charlie is over 10 years now,' a fourth comment read.

'Omg you have prom soon you are about to be all grown up that's insane,' a fifth said.

'Damn Charlie grew up beautifully,' announced a different user.

Another penned, 'Oh my gosh you're all grown up!'

After Good Luck Charlie ended in 2014, Mia went on to star as Paige in the USA show Mani from 2018 to 2022.

She's now gearing up to act in the upcoming family comedy American Summer alongside Steve Guttenberg, Christie Brinkley, and Logan Gray.

She has also released her own line of hair accessories, but her main focus seems to be finishing high school.

In 2023, Mia reunited with her former Good Luck Charlie costars Bradley Steven Perry and Eric Allan Kramer, and it left fans of the show extremely emotional.

But flash forward to now, more than a decade on, and Mia is all grown up and preparing to start 11th grade

She is now a popular influencer, often sharing videos and photos to her 1.3 million follower

In one recent clip, she showed off her nighttime skin care routine, and in another, she tried on various prom dresses (seen)

For the latter, many Good Luck Charlie fans couldn't believe that someone who they watched as a baby on screen was now headed to prom, and they flooded the comment section

In 2023, Mia reunited with her former Good Luck Charlie costars Bradley Steven Perry and Eric Allan Kramer, and it left fans of the show extremely emotional.

Last year, Good Luck Charlie star Jason Dolley spoke about the possibility of a reboot to Deadline.

'I think there's plenty of interesting stories to be told. Personally, I'm interested in what PJ's trajectory looks like as a chef,' he said of his character.

'How far towards Gordon Ramsay does he go? I would just love to work with those people again. I think we all would do it.'
Kevin's bosses sang his praises and called him an exemplary worker

An employer has come under fire online after marking a supermarket employee's 40 years of service with just 40 sausage rolls - one for each shift over the coming weeks.

Kevin Parsons, 56, has worked at the Alliance supermarket in Guernsey since 1984, and bosses chose to recognise his four decades of dedication with a certificate, a tropical-themed mural for his home and a sausage roll for every upcoming shift.

While Kevin was gracious in receiving the gifts, and posed up a storm with his employer, many people branded the gift 'insulting'.

'Words can't express my appreciation,' he said at a ceremony held in-store on Monday, surrounded by colleagues and management.

'It's been a long 40 years but I've loved every minute of it.'

Reflecting on his time at the supermarket, Kevin added that prospective employees would need roller skates to match his pace, the BBC reported.

Chris Fish, chairman of Alliance, praised Kevin's work ethic and contributions to the community.

Kevin Parson (pictured in blue with certificate) was awarded forty sausage rolls by his employer in recognition of his forty years of service

He called him an 'exemplary' worker since the start of his career with the company, adding that Kevin consistently tries to assist in any way he can.

Chris commended Kevin's community work and 'valuable' efforts to raise money for charity.

Commercial director Laura Golden said the response to their Facebook post celebrating Kevin's milestone showed just how adored he is.

The company values everyone as 'the same', said Laura, and praised Kevin's representation of the independent retailer's values.

However, the public reaction to the celebration, particularly the sausage rolls, was far less glowing.

Popular social media page Pubity posted about the incident on Instagram, and followers didn't hold back.

'That's genuinely so sad,' one person wrote.

Another commented sarcastically: 'Can't wait for the 40 year bonus! I'm sure they'll do everything they can to show their appreciation for serving half my life here!'

Each of the sausage rolls were said to represent both Kevin's four decades of service and to nurture him through each of his upcoming shifts (File image)

The tone across the comment section was one of disbelief and disappointment.

'Seriously? That's how you honour 40 years of loyalty? No wonder people nowadays do not take jobs seriously.

'Instead, focus on yourself and work on your higher goals,' wrote one user.

The gap between Kevin's commitment and the perceived lacklustre reward didn't go unnoticed.

One commenter said: 'You helped me sell 400,000 sausages over 40 years and I earned millions.

'Here's your share of 40 sausages.'

Others accused the company of being stingy, with one follower writing: 'They're trying to give him a heart attack to not pay retirement.'

Another said: 'This company didn't deserve his determination and work ethic.

'A shame that he wasted 40 years in a business that disrespected him.'

While Kevin may be a beloved figure within the store, the online response has made it clear that the public feels his loyalty deserved more than pastry.

Heartbroken internet users rushed to Kevin's defence, shocked at his apparently meagre gift

In fact, almost a third of British workers don't receive a single present from their bosses when they retire, according to research.

A study of 2,000 retirees revealed that 31 per cent of people were not given a leaving gift.

Another seven per cent did slightly better - at least they got a 'sorry you're leaving' card.

The average retirement gift is worth just 2.17 for every year of work, according to the survey by Skipton Building Society.

Most retirees can expect a gift worth around 101.89 when they call time on their career - equivalent to just 2.17 for each year of the average 47-year working lifetime.

Gift vouchers and flowers are the most common retirement gifts - while some workers had to settle for 'an invite to the office Christmas party'.

Rebecca Willey, of the Skipton Building Society, said: 'After years of working, particularly if you have done a long term with the same company, most would expect a nice gift, or something special to wave them off into their retirement.

'But in reality, it seems that the gift you receive is nothing compared to the time and effort you have put into working over the years.

'And there are worryingly large number of people are lucky to receive a card at the most.'

Gift vouchers are the most popular choice, followed by a bunch of flowers, a personalised gift and something for their home.

But some lucky workers received a night away, tickets to a Formula One event and an all-expenses paid party.
Four famous psychics have all warned about the same chilling event that they say will be taking place later this year.

Bulgarian mystic and healer Baba Vanga, French 16th Century astrologer Nostradamus, Brazilian psychic Athos Salome and London hypnotherapist Nicolas Aujula have all issued the same worrying prophecy for 2025.

Baba Vanga, dubbed 'Nostradamus of the Balkans', has previously accurately predicted 9/11, the death of Princess Diana and the rise of China before her death in 1996.

Alongside her predictions for shattering earthquakes due to the climate crises this year, which has already come true as Myanmar and Thailand faced devastating earthquakes last month, Baba has also forecast that Europe would be rocked by a devastating war.

The prophet, who was born in 1911 as Vangeliya Pandeva Gushterova, had predicted the war as the start of 'humanity's downfall' that will 'devastate' the population.

Meanwhile Nostradamus warned in his book Les Propheties, a collection of 942 poetic quatrains allegedly predicting future events, that this year the UK is going to be drawn into a war.

In the book, which first appeared in 1555, he said: 'When those from the lands of Europe, see England set up her throne behind. Her flanks, there will be cruel wars.

'The kingdom will be marked by wars so cruel, foes from within and without will arise. A great pestilence from the past returns, no enemy more deadly under the skies.'

Four famous psychics, including French 16th Century astrologer Nostradamus, (pictured) have all warned about the same chilling event that they say will be taking place later this year

Another psychic who was named after the French astrologer but is still alive today, Athos Salome, 38, from Brazil, dubbed the 'Living Nostradamus', also predicted a coming war.

In December 2024, Salome, who correctly predicted past disasters including the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth's death and the Microsoft global outage, chillingly predicted that World War III is imminent.

With tensions rising around the world, he warned that we are teetering on the edge of WWIII, saying 'the worst is yet to come'.

He notably warned of the issues around using technology and cyber war as the major forms of combat in the twenty first century.

He said: 'This is not just a war of men, but of machines, and in this aspect what comes next?'

Meanwhile Nicolas Aujula, a 38-year-old hypnotherapist based in London, agrees saying 2025 will be 'a year where there is a lack of compassion in the world.'

'We will see horrific acts of human evil and violence towards each other,' Aujula predicted, 'in the name of religion and nationalism.'

Based on his psychic visions, he expects WWIII could be here by the middle of this year.

Alongside her predictions for shattering earthquakes due to the climate crises this year, which has already come true as Myanmar and Thailand faced devastating earthquakes last month , Baba Vanga has also forecast that Europe would be rocked by a devastating war

Another psychic who was named after the French astrologer but is still alive today, Athos Salome, 38, from Brazil, dubbed the 'Living Nostradamus', also predicted a coming war

The prospect of war reaching the UK feels more plausible now than ever before as Vladimir Putin's propagandists have declared that British blood 'must be spilled' in a haunting World War III threat, after they accused Britain of supplying the explosives that killed a top general in a Moscow car bomb last month.

Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik died in Moscow near his home in the eastern suburb of Balashikha after a Volkswagen Gold filled with explosives was detonated in his presence.

The dead military man was a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian army.

While the Kremlin blamed Ukraine for the attack, Putin's propagandists have now turned their ire on Britain.

So-called military expert Andrei Klintsevich told Russia 1 that Britain's security service handed explosives to the perpetrators 'by the ton.'

Propagandist Vladimir Solovyov angrily added: 'We do realise that someone is creative a network of planted explosives and [transporting] these explosives.

'When we say that British security services are behind every terrorist attack, it means that the blood of the British who authorised the killings on Russian soil must be spilled.

'They must realise that they will pay personally. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'

Solovyov threatened revenge on the alleged suppliers of the explosives and British intelligence.

Meanwhile Nicolas Aujula, a 38-year-old hypnotherapist based in London, agrees saying 2025 will be 'a year where there is a lack of compassion in the world'

'If these factories blow up [as well as] the headquarters of the intelligence agencies that gave the go-ahead for the terrorist attacks, they should not be surprised,' he said.

It comes after Putin lackey Dmitry Medvedev warned that Sweden and Finland, two of NATO's latest members, are now potential targets of nuclear revenge.

Dmitry Medvedev, who has styled himself as one of Russia's most outspoken anti-Western hawks, appeared to be referring to Sweden and Finland, the last two countries to join the Western military alliance.

If conflict were to arise, nuclear weapons would not be off the table, the TASS state news agency reported.

'The non-aligned status gave them [Finland and Sweden] certain international perks, given their geopolitical position and many other factors,' Medvedev said.

'And now they are part of a bloc hostile to us which means they automatically became a target for our armed forces, including potential retaliatory strikes and even the nuclear component or preventive measures within the framework of a military doctrine.'

Sweden was granted full membership of NATO last March, while Finland joined in April 2023, extending the alliance's border with Russia by over 1,300km.

Last week, Moscow also warned Britain against deploying a 'coalition of the willing' in Ukraine, declaring it could lead to a nuclear World War Three.

Putin hawk Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the powerful Russian security council and ex-defence minister, said Russia rejected Western boots on the ground in the war-torn country.
A French gym has come under fire for using a doctored image of President Emmanuel Macron, appearing bloodied and bruised, to advertise self-defence classes - just days after footage emerged of his wife Brigitte pushing him during a public appearance.

The poster, which reads 'Wife hitting you? Join our self-defence classes!' (translated from French), features a photo of the French President holding his hand to his face while looking downcast and sporting digitally-altered injuries on his face.

It follows footage that shocked people around the world when, on Monday, Brigitte Macron, 72, appeared to shove her husband Emmanuel, 47, in the face as they prepared to alight a plane that had just touched down in Vietnam.

The footage led to speculation that the altercation may not have been entirely light-hearted, despite Macron's camp insisting the pair were 'joking around' in a way typical of their relationship.

As a photo of the poster circulates on X/Twitter, many have found humour in the gym's ad - but others expressed alarm at what they saw as a disturbing trivialisation of domestic violence.

One of the most vocal critics has been Dr Jessica Taylor, a chartered psychologist and author whose work centres on victim blaming in cases of sexual and domestic abuse.

'I was actually really disgusted to see it,' Dr Taylor told FEMAIL. 'To use it as marketing is, for me, a trivialisation of violence.

'I also think it plays into tropes of emasculation, the idea that if your wife's beating you, then maybe you should take self-defence classes: "come to our gym and then you won't end up like this".

A French gym has put up this poster of Emmanuel Macron's bloody face to advertise its self defence classes. The text reads: 'Wife beating you? Join our self-defence classes!'

'And the AI image of him covered in injuries is appalling. Everything that happens in society around marketing is a form of social grooming. It's a form of socialisation.

'We take in marketing messages, and we take in social media messages, we take in imagery and it changes the way we think about things.

'So, of course that advert's going to have the same impact for people.'

Dr Taylor added that the footage itself appeared serious: 'It looks very much to me like she hit him in the face, or pushed him in the face and then you can see the shock as he realises the aeroplane door's open, and he sort of goes, "Oh God, everybody just saw that and now I've just got to be okay."

Dr Taylor said she was particularly struck by how a moment that may have revealed domestic violence against a high-profile man was met with laughter and mockery.

'What fascinates me about it is so many men do the whole: "What about men? Men are victims of violence too"

'And then we've just had this public display of what is potentially domestic violence against this very high-profile man. And the answer to that is, "let's just make a big joke out of it."'

Dr Taylor described the ad as a 'punchline' and warned it reinforces harmful double standards.

The footage shows Brigitte Macron pushing her husband's face with both hands, apparently unaware that the plane door had been opened

Macron quickly realises the plane door has been opened and turns to smile and wave at the camera

'When women commit acts of abuse and violence, it just isn't as serious to people, and they think men just need to learn to push back. You don't really see the same narrative with female victims,' she said.

Dr Taylor also criticised the very idea of self-defence training as a solution to domestic abuse.

'Domestic violence isn't an equal act. It's not fighting. It's systematic abuse over a period of time.

'There's absolutely no evidence whatsoever that it would protect you from the perpetrator.'

She went on: 'Gyms should not be able to make any claims around domestic violence at all.

'All it does is exploit violence and abuse towards victims who society normally mocks.'

Dr Taylor compared the Macron poster to a past incident in which a manipulated image of her and three other women, including Amber Heard, was circulated showing them covered in fake injuries.

'Even though I knew it was a fake image, it really messed with me,' she said.

The video was recorded on May 25, as the couple arrived in Vietnam to begin a tour of Southeast Asia

The pair walked down the steps afterwards, with Emmanuel Macron having initially offered his arm to his wife

'I just went "Oh my god, I look so injured and horrific." It was so weird because, obviously I knew that it was AI or Photoshop, and yet I was still looking at an image of my face with severe injuries.

'So, imagine being a victim in this situation like Macron potentially is, and then the response is, less than 24 hours later, somebody's mocked up images of him severely injured.'

Dr Taylor added that public responses to both male and female victims are often steeped in prejudice: 'I don't think society cares about anyone being abused.

'Look at the way women are treated. They're framed as liars. They're blamed, they're told they're gold diggers, that none of it ever happened, that they're delusional, that they're mentally ill.

'What you'll find with men is that a lot of the criticism is around their masculinity "Why haven't you defended yourself? She's just a woman."

'And that's where the misogyny kicks back in, and it ignores systemic power and the element of control.

'If you've been in a long-term relationship with somebody who is incredibly controlling and abusive, you're not going to do anything back.'

Online, many joined in the mockery. One viral thread on X offered 'a combined collection of the 25 funniest memes' about the slap incident.

Chartered psychologist and domestic violence specialist Dr Jessica Taylor (pictured) spoke to FEMAIL about the impacts of the gym's advertisement

Dr Taylor noted how society tends to excuse or explain away violence committed by women in a way it does not for men.

'It's always: "She must have been pushed, maybe he said this" whereas if the roles were reversed, people wouldn't be playing devil's advocate in the same way.

'Women are actually capable of all the same levels of violence that men are, we just don't do it as much because of the way we're socialised.'

Concluding her remarks, Dr Taylor said: 'I'm willing to put money on it that it was men that made this.

'Every time a male victim stands up, where are the men who argue for men's rights? This is not funny at all. This should never have been made.'
Fried chicken lovers can rejoice, with the news that a Filipino cult favourite fast-food giant is set to launch in Australia.

After years of whispers and serious fan demand, Asia's biggest 'ChickenJoy' chain Jollibee is gearing up to open its first Aussie store in Sydney.

The famous red bee in a chef's hat is set to appear at a flagship spot in the outer southwestern suburb of Campbelltown, not far from the heart of the local Filipino community around Blacktown.

While hungry fans been waiting since 2021 - when the original development plans were submitted - things are finally heating up again after delays caused by what officials are calling 'administrative challenges'.

But with Dennis Flores, the brand's Business Head for Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, confirming the move is still on the cards, hope is very much alive.

So, when exactly can fans sink their teeth into that famous crispy ChickenJoy? That's still under wraps at this point.

The Philippine Times recently reported that Jollibee's plans to expand onto our soil may not eventuate for two years, with fans waiting with bated breath for the impending announcement.

For the uninitiated, Jollibee is currently the world's 13th largest fast-food chain, famed for their juicy, hand-breaded fried chicken (a.k.a. ChickenJoy), sweet-style spaghetti with hotdog slices, and burger steaks smothered in gravy.

Fried chicken lovers can rejoice, with the news of a Filipino cult favourite fast-food giant finally set to launch in Australia

The famous red bee in a chef's hat is set to buzz down under, with plans underway to open a flagship spot in Campbelltown, New South Wales

Jollibee is currently the world's 13th largest fast-food chain, famed for their juicy, hand-breaded fried chicken (a.k.a. ChickenJoy), sweet-style spaghetti with hotdog slices, and burger steaks smothered in gravy

Already a hit across the US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East with over 1,500 stores worldwide, it's no surprise fans have been begging for a taste on Aussie soil.

In fact, there are more Jollibee outlets in the Philippines than there are McDonald's.

With viral American-style crispy chicken joint Pappa Flock opening up in Sydney only last month, it's clear the demand for the fast food is growing.

Hundreds of Sydney-siders even lined up for hours on end in Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre to be the first to eat at a newly opened store.

A group of five young men confirmed that they 'had been lining up since 5am' to ensure they were first in line for the store's midday opening.

The group added that they 'love Pappa Flock' and were happy to patiently wait a full seven hours in the food court before the store officially opened its doors.

The hour-long lines continued throughout the store's first trading day, snaking through the food court and even requiring the help of security to manage the queue.

The Aussie-owned eatery has become an online sensation, thanks to its notorious 'Flock Boxes' going viral on TikTok.

Excited chicken-lovers happily lined up for hours last month to be the first in-store when crispy chicken favourite Pappa Flock opened the doors on its Westfield Bondi Junction store

The American-style eatery's menu includes fried chicken, loaded fries, burgers, loaded wraps and their in-house freshly made squeezed lemonade and lemon and peach iced tea

Pappa Flock opened its first Sydney eastern suburbs eatery in May Westfield Bondi Junction (left), with Head Chef Eddie Colfie on hand for the Bondi Junction store opening - and was even signing autographs

The Flock Box contains three free-range crispy chicken tenders, which are served either 'classic' or 'spicy'.

The meal, which retails from a starting price of $17.90, also comes with chips, toast, signature sauce and a drink of choice, which includes their in-store made freshly squeezed lemonade or peach and lemon ice tea.

In addition to the brand's TikTok-famous Flock Boxes, other stand out items on the menu include sandwiches, loaded wraps and loaded fries.

The fried chicken eatery has also hinted at plans to open more Australian locations later in the year, just like Jollibee.
The dress code last night in Rome at Dior's annual cruise show  where it unveils summery holiday wear  was white for women, black for men.

If you want to go out with a bang  the rumour is the show may be star designer Maria Grazia Chiuri's swansong  this is the way to do it.

Who knows how it was decided who would get to model the ribbon ruffled gauzy confection that Natalie Portman glided in wearing, but her dress was the classic showstopper of the night.

Grounded with a long, tailored tailcoat, this was elegant with a hint of The Greatest Showman.

The dress code at Dior's annual cruise show was white for women, black for men and Natalie Portman glided in wearing a classic showstopper

White Lotus star Sarah Catherine Hook, meanwhile, wore a scoop neck lace dress that was as simple and demure as a peasant's dirndl

Rosamund Pike's short-sleeved top and matching skirt, with a silver belt and the brand's Naughtily-D heeled black ankle boots, were less princess and more bohemian Victorian lady

White Lotus actress Alexandra Daddario wore a sheer lace two piece that was messy in comparison with her fellow actresses' outfits

Lace was a big theme in the collection  Rosamund Pike's short-sleeved top and matching skirt, with a silver belt and the brand's Naughtily-D heeled black ankle boots, were less princess and more bohemian Victorian lady of letters. This was probably the coolest look of the night.

White Lotus actress Alexandra Daddario wore a sheer lace two piece that was messy in comparison with her fellow actresses' outfits.

Fellow White Lotus star Sarah Catherine Hook, meanwhile, wore a scoop neck lace dress that was as simple and demure as a peasant's dirndl  and made us think she's a dead ringer for Princess Charlotte.
Tucked away in a little-known page on the Kmart website lies an 'online exclusive' item many claim is the 'best outdoor purchase' they've made.

The $69 Portable Pop-Up Projector Screen is on sale from $99 and while it's currently sold out, Femail understands stock is replenished sporadically.

The stand-out 'secret item' is only available via the website and is perfect for backyard movie nights - especially when paired with standard or short throw projectors.

Others like to use the gadget for showing off projects, slides and interactive videos with clear visuals.

The nylon spring-loaded frame enables easy and quick setup when needed and the screen itself is 120 inches and can be packed away into a compact storage bag.

Its full size when erected is 280cm x 223cm and weighs a mere 4.2 kilograms.

The budget buy has received a countless five-star reviews from delighted customers - many of whom agree it's one of the brand's 'best kept secrets'.

'I can't rave on enough about how great this is. I also purchased the projector with DVD player and I can honestly say they were best purchases in 2022 and I do lots of online shopping,' one wrote.

The $69 Portable Pop-Up Projector Screen is on sale from $99 and while it's currently sold out, Femail understands stock is replenished sporadically

The stand-out 'secret item' is only available via the website and is perfect for backyard movie nights - especially when paired with standard or short throw projectors

'Perfect for outdoor movie nights, the pop up is super easy... the pop down takes a bit of practice but overall is an easy to set up screen and great value,' another added, with others also complaining about the complexity of the pack-up.

It's been an exciting week for Kmart fans, with a new Gen Z targeted layout being rolled out in several stores across the country.

The new store formats will include moving the checkouts - controversially placed in the centre of the store - back to the front.

Central checkouts were introduced in stores nationwide about a decade ago to 'improve access' and 'reduce clutter at the exit'.

Kmart's new managing director Aleks Spaseska revealed plans to highlight fashion and beauty at the front of stores in a bid to boost sales and better appeal to younger shoppers.

'The biggest difference you'll notice is in the apparel and beauty offer in the store,' Spaseska said at the Wesfarmers strategy briefing day, according to the SMH.

'If you go into women's apparel today, you'll see we mostly sell all the tops together, the bottoms together, the dresses together. If you think about the way our merchants put the ranges together, it's a brand new outfit.

'When you walk the store in the new format, there's much more co-ordination through women's apparel, which allows customers to be much more inspired and helps with outfit building... We've also brought beauty to the front of the store as well.'

The nylon spring-loaded frame enables easy and quick setup when needed and the screen itself is 120 inches and can be packed away into a compact storage bag

Daily Mail Australia visited the Kmart store in Ashfield, in Sydney's Inner West, where controversial checkouts were recently reinstated near the front entrance.

Upon entering, customers are greeted by rows of beauty essentials, including budget-friendly makeup and skincare products.

The retail chain plans to move its bulkier items - such as car seats and bikes - from the shop floor to the back of the store to free up space for clothing displays.

As part of the change, customers will be directed to purchase bulky or big ticket items through a digital 'select and collect' system.

In the 2024 financial year, Kmart Group reported a revenue of more than $11billion dollars, with profits of nearly $960million.
A woman has revealed her shock after being sent a bill for a family lunch - that she didn't attend.

Melissa Noble, an Australian content writer, could not join her family for a Mothers' Day lunch - which fell on May 11 in Australia - because she lives more than 1,000 miles away.

But the mother-of-three was sent a bill for $70AUD (33) after the lunch.

Melissa, who has two sisters in addition to her brother, said: 'Each time there's a birthday or a special occasion like Mother's Day or Father's Day, I'm sent a bill for that individual's meal out.

'Even if I'm not there.'

Writing on Australian parenting website Kidspot, Melissa explained that the family of six have always prioritised 'making each other feel special' with 'week-long' birthday celebrations and 'presents and outings galore.'

She said: 'Its something that Ive always loved about us  the fact that we prioritise making each other feel special.

'But the way were going about recently is getting a little pricey and unsustainable.'

Melissa Noble, from Australia, received a bill for a family lunch that she didn't attend (stock image)

Given that she comes from such a large family, the birthdays and special occasions throughout the year obviously add up, equating to a major expense.

Meanwhile, Melissa has a family of five to support at home.

While she was already concerned about the growing financial burden, the final straw was her brother's presumptuous message after the Mother's Day lunch she could not attend.

Melissa lives in Victoria in southeastern Australia while the lunch took place in Queensland in northeastern Australia - almost 2,000km away.

She explained that her brother sent a message with his bank details, adding: 'So, ahh, mum's Mother's Day lunch came to $70'.

Shocked by the figure quoted, the content writer replied: 'Did you say $70? What did she eat? Lobster?'

It turned out that her mother hadn't indulged in lobster but had enjoyed a three course meal.

Melissa was outraged by her brother's message asking her to pay $70 for her mother's meal at the celebratory lunch (stock image)

Given the fact that she's from a family of six, Melissa is expected to contribute to a number of celebratory lunches and dinners throughout the year

Melissa was quick to insist that she's not a 'scrooge' and is always happy to contribute to gifts for her family members' birthdays.

She also added that she never charges her brother and sisters when her parents are in Victoria when there's a special occasion to celebrate.

Yet, with three young children of her own and squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis, she has grown sceptical about her siblings' expectation that she should pay 'for someone's lavish lunch or dinner out' when she's not even present.

Unsure, however, if she was being unreasonable, she turned to friends to ask their opinions.

One replied: 'Are you kidding? I would be so pissed off if someone invoiced me for a lunch or dinner that I wasnt even present at.'

Reassured by her friend's response, Melissa volunteered a potential solution to the pricey problem.

Her plan, she said, is to address it with her family and make clear that, while she's happy to contribute towards a gift, she's 'no longer footing the bill for fancy three-course meals out multiple times a year.'

Placing a positive spin on it, she said that whoever is lucky enough to be able to attend a celebratory family lunch or dinner should be the one to pay.
An Australian actress is racing against time to raise funds to have her 13-year-old son's body cryogenically preserved after he took his own life last month following what she says was relentless bullying at school.

Clare McCann described her son Atreyu as 'the brightest light' in her world.

He died at their Sydney home after enduring two months of abuse, harassment and threats from fellow students beginning in his first week of high school.

Clare, known for her work on the Australian series Blog Party and as the founder of the Sydney Women's International Film Festival, is now urgently appealing for $300,000 (143,000) to have her son's body frozen in the hopes that scientific advances may one day bring him back.

'As my worst nightmare has come to life, my child's has been stolen,' she wrote in a heartfelt post, alongside a photo of her and Atreyu at a movie premiere.

'It breaks my heart beyond what words can compare to share that, in a moment of unbearable pain, Atreyu took his own life.

'This was not his fault. He was let down by the schooling system as he suffered horrendous amounts of bullying.'

McCann explained on her GoFundMe page that time is of the essence. There is now less than 48 hours left to cryogenically preserve Atreyu's body.

Australian actress Clare McCann says she begged for help from authorities before her 13-year-old son Atreyu (pictured above) took his own life after relentless bullying at school

'We only have one chance left to cryogenically preserve his body within the next seven days,' she wrote last week.

'If we miss this window, we lose the chance for any future revival that science may offer. This is about hope and justice. Refusing to let my son's story end in silence.'

Cryogenic freezing, or cryopreservation, involves preserving human remains at ultra-low temperatures in the hope they might one day be revived.

Australia's first cryonics facility, Southern Cryonics, made headlines last year when it announced the successful preservation of its first client, referred to as 'Patient One.'

Any donations above the $300,000 goal, McCann said, will go towards launching a national anti-bullying campaign and pursuing legal action against what she described as the 'institutions that failed him.'

'I am a public figure with a national platform, and I will use every resource I have to make sure this never happens again, not just to my son, but to any other child failed by this system,' she said.

McCann said the torment began just days after Atreyu's first day at a NSW high school on February 5.

According to a detailed timeline she has shared, Atreyu was allegedly held underwater during a 'violent incident' on a Year 7 camp from February 7 to 9 - a serious allegation she says was never formally reported to her.

McCann alleges Atreyu was held underwater 'in a violent incident during a mud run' during a Year 7 in February but no report was made to her

She claims he was also subjected to sexual harassment and ongoing verbal abuse during the camp, with no psychological support provided.

By mid-February, she says her request for a meeting with teachers was denied after police told her the matter should be handled within the school.

The following day, she says a senior school official dismissed the camp incident as 'typical peer reaction' and Atreyu was issued a warning.

The bullying escalated, she alleges, with Atreyu enduring a racial slur during a school sport session and verbal taunts related to his appearance and a congenital condition.

In March, she says the school was informed that other students crafted a weapon to coerce her son into self-harm but, again, no action was taken.

Atreyu reportedly began missing school due to 'stress and fear,' and one day phoned his mother in distress. His backpack was allegedly stolen and he faced further public humiliation.

McCann says her son warned on April 2 that he would take his life if he was forced to return to school.

Despite her pleas for disciplinary action against the bullies, she claims no suspensions or expulsions followed.

McCann revealed the bullying began in Atreyu's first week at a Sydney high school and his suffering continued for months until he was found dead at home (Pictured: Mother and son)

From April 6 to 10, she says he was too afraid to leave the house. On April 11, he was diagnosed with PTSD.

He ended his life soon after, leaving behind a final message filled with love and an apology, ending with a red heart emoji.

'I begged for help,' McCann wrote. 'I submitted complaints. I shared medical records. No one listened.

'He was just 13. He deserved a future. If the school and government had acted when I asked, he might still be alive.'

The NSW Department of Education said it takes all allegations of bullying seriously and stated it had policies in place to address such issues.

'We are devastated to learn of the death of a student from a Sydney high school and extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and community members,' said NSW Deputy Secretary Public School Deborah Summerhayes.

McCann, however, said her calls for intervention were ignored.

'I have medical records, psychologist reports, a formal PTSD diagnosis from his doctor, and emails proving I raised the alarm repeatedly.

McCann, who is best known for her starring role in the Channel V series Blog Party, announced she was starting a GoFundMe campaign to have her son cryogenically preserved

'But nothing was done. No one stepped in. And now, my beautiful boy is gone,' she wrote.

Atreyu was following in his mother's footsteps, having appeared in the 2019 film Benefitted, directed by McCann, as well as an episode of Deadly Women and the short film Black Truck, where he played a boy living with total colour blindness.

He also performed in stage productions with the Australian Theatre for Young People and was a frequent presence on red carpets alongside his mother.

'It's with shattered hearts that we share the passing of my beautiful son, Atreyu McCann,' his mother shared on Saturday.

'He was the brightest light in my world - kind, creative, and endlessly loved.

'Right now, we are grieving a loss that words can't hold. Please give us time and space as we process this unimaginable pain.

'Thank you to everyone who has supported and loved Atreyu. We'll share more when we're ready. For now, please hold him in your hearts.'

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Sydney Sweeney's latest brand collaboration has sparked outrage on social media with many rushing to share their disgust.

The Euphoria star, 27, recently teamed up with men's grooming brand Dr. Squatch to launch a limited-edition soap bar called 'Bathwater Bliss.'

According to the brand, the soap contains actual droplets of Sydney's used bathwater - which some fans found 'weird' and 'gross.'

'You kept asking about my bathwater after the @drsquatch ad so we kept it,' the caption of the post read.

'Introducing Sydney's Bathwater Bliss! A very real, very limited-edition soap made with my actual bathwater.'

The soap also has other natural ingredients like pine bark extract, sand, and the earthy scents of Douglas fir and moss.

It was meant to be a nod to her Pacific Northwest roots and a tongue-in-cheek response to the internet's obsession with the blonde bombshell, per GQ.

In an interview with the outlet, the actress said: 'I honestly think it's a really fun, full-circle moment, because fans always joke about wanting my bath water'

Sydney Sweeney's latest brand collaboration has sparked outrage on social media with many rushing to share their disgust

The Euphoria star, 27, recently teamed up with men's grooming brand Dr. Squatch to launch a limited-edition soap bar called 'Bathwater Bliss'

'It's super soft. It's really pretty, I'm looking at it right now. It's marbly and has blues and a little bit of brown in it,' she detailed to the outlet.

She also explained how Dr. Squatch managed to get her bathwater that it used in the soap.

'When we were at the [Dr. Squatch] shoot, they had a tub for me. And I actually got in there and I took some soap, and we had a nice little bath and they took the water,' she explained.

'So it's my real bath water. I wanted to have it lean towards my home roots, so there's this really outdoorsy scent of, like, pine and earthy moss and fir. So it smells super manly. But then there's some city bath water mixed in.'

During the interview, she was also asked about the inspiration behind the product.

In 2023, the film Saltburn took the internet by storm, and a particularly raunchy scene when Barry Keoghan's character drank bathwater, went viral.

The actress was asked about the comedy thriller film.

'I did [see it]. Honestly, it [Saltburn] probably has been a huge catalyst for it,' she revealed.

This isn't Sydney's first time collaborating with Dr. Squatch. In October 2024, she starred as the brand's sultry 'Body Wash Genie' to promote its Natural Body Wash line

But, despite her own enthusiasm for the product, critics have slammed it as a 'gross' PR stunt.

'I love you Sydney, but what the f**k is this?' a person asked.

'Sydney, why?' another questioned.

'I wanted this to be fake so bad,' someone admitted.

'We need to look at ourselves in the mirror,' a user said.

'This is so weird, haha, sorry,' someone wrote, while another said, 'Girl, what?'

Other comments read: 'What in the actual f***?,' 'I'm sorry, what is this?,' and, 'Nah, this is gross.'

'No way this is a real thing,' one Instagram user wrote.

'What has the world come to' a user asked.

Another said: 'This is creepy.'

'Are you kidding?' someone else wrote.

This isn't Sydney's first time collaborating with Dr. Squatch.

In October 2024, she starred as the brand's sultry 'Body Wash Genie' to promote its Natural Body Wash line.

'Hello you dirty little boys, are you interested in my body... wash?' the 27-year-old Euphoria stunner teased in the 30-second spot.

'Well, you can't have it, because this isn't for boys. It's for men. This is Dr. Squatch Natural Body Wash with long-lasting, natural aromas like wood barrel bourbon, pine tar, coconut castaway, and fresh falls.'

She continued: 'You'll finally get the attention you deserve, so go to drsquatch.com today and quit being a dirty little boy!'
The songstress is currently in the middle of her Cowboy Carter tour

Beyonce is already a doting mother to Blue Ivy Carter, and twins Rumi and Sir.

While the 43-year-old hasn't discussed plans to have more children, she was more than happy to do a gender reveal for some fans at a recent stop on her Cowboy Carter tour.

At the end of Wednesday's show in New Jersey, Bey picked out a young couple from the VIP section who had been trying to get her attention throughout the concert.

Taking an envelope from the pair, she smiled and opened it before reading out the word, 'cowboy'.

'Its a boy! God bless you. Congratulations! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it,' she gushed.

The couple later took to social media to announce that they were naming the unborn child Carson.

Their first born is already named Carter, after Beyonce, and their second child is a son named Cade.

Beyonce helped two lucky fans with their gender reveal during a stop on her Cowboy Carter tour on Wednesday

'Last night at Beyonces concert, she took the time, in the rain, to give us a moment well remember forever by doing our gender reveal!' the father wrote on Instagram.

'We are so grateful that she took the time to do that and the boys are gonna be so excited to hear that Beyonce announced their baby BROTHER to the world!' he continued.

'She saw our sign earlier in the evening right before she was going to start a song and said shed be back, and she kept her promise at the end of the show!

'Cade is gonna be so happy to finally have a baby to help take care of and Carter is going to be very excited when he sees Bey holding his picture on the sign.'

The father-of-three also thanked Beyonce's fanbase, the Beyhive, for supporting him and his wife through their journey.

'The love from the Beyhive has been overwhelming! Thank you for being a part of this chapter with us and THANK YOU again to Beyonce for going so above and beyond, it was unbelievable,' he finished.

Beyonce first born Blue Ivy has been a big part of the Cowboy Carter tour, working as a backup dancer.

Beyonce is pictured with daughters Blue Ivy and Remi, as well as her mother Tina Knowles

She's also had youngest daughter Rumi on stage at select stops too.

Beyonce and Blue suffered an awkward mishap on stage during one of the Chicago stops of the Cowboy Carter tour last week.

While performing the song Protector, Blue, 13, got her earring caught on Beyonce's long blonde hair.

The mistake happened as Blue briefly rested her head on her mother.

When she tried to pull away, she realized that her jewelry had become completely tangled in Beyonce's hair.

Trying not to panic, Blue attempted to separate her earring from the messy mane without disturbing Bey, who was in the middle of crooning along to the song.

The performer has had both Blue and Remi performing on stage with her as part of the tour

She eventually managed to pull the difficult feat off, with her mom seemingly none the wiser to the potential debacle.

Fans on social media were quick to praise Blue's professionalism, with many saying that she learned it from Beyonce.

'The way Blue removed her earring, Beyonce looking behind her to check, & blue confirming? THIS IS PROFESSIONALISM,' gushed one.

'Look at lil Mrs professional. I def would have yelled and been dramatic at that age,' added another.

A third added, 'She's really good, grown ups can learn a lot from her professionalism.'
A woman who shed four stone on Mounjaro but suffered life-threatening side effects has warned the public to be wary of the blockbuster weight loss jabs.

Aimee Chapman, 34, from Southampton, was admitted to intensive care last summer with liver failure and a perforated oesophaguscomplications doctors linked to the popular injections.

The former waitress bought the drug from a major online pharmacy in March 2024.

She hoped that weight loss would lead to he being 'taken more seriously' by doctors, after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition.

Initially the medication proved successful, with Ms Chapman shedding four stone in just four months.

A few months in, her energy levels plummeted, and more troubling symptoms began to emerge.

She said: 'I couldn't really do much. I was only eating a couple of times a week.

'I stopped being able to walk. I would take a couple of steps and have to stop. Then I couldn't stop being sick.

Aimee Chapman lost four stone within four months on Mounjarobut she never expected the devastating side effects

'I was throwing up all the time and started throwing up blood. I was sick between 50 and 60 times.

'I collapsed a couple of times. My husband came home and found me passed out on the hallway one night.

'I was in a bit of denial about it being linked to the jab because I was fine up until now. I just thought I was poorly and it was some sort of virus.'

When she began experiencing chest pains, she went to Winchester Hospital's A&E where doctors discovered a hole in her oesophagusthe tube connecting the back of the mouth to the stomach.

This was allowing air to fill the space around her heart and lungs.

Her blood pressure and potassium levels then began to plummet, forcing doctors to admit her to intensive care.

Ms Chapman was later rushed to Southampton General Hospital's ICU, where doctors noticed her liver was 'failing', prompting them to consider an organ transplant.

'They had said it was down to the weight-loss jab but they didn't know why or how to fix it,' she said.

Medics found that her liver was failing and she'd developed a hole in her food pipe, according to the former waitress

Six months after she began injecting the drug, Ms Chapman noticed her hair began to fall out in significant chunks

'I was terrified. It all happened so quickly and I hadn't realised how serious it was until I was transferred and it sunk in that it was worse than I thought it was.

'I was told the hole in the oesophagus can kill people and I may have needed a new liver. They said I could've died.'

Luckily, doctors were able to stabilise her condition within two weeks, and she was discharged from hospital.

The ordeal was not over, however. A few months later, in September, Ms Chapman began to notice large clumps of her hair falling out.

Subsequent blood tests revealed the cause of the problema deficiency in the vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining the supply of oxygen to the hair follicles.

A wealth of research has shown that any form of rapid weight loss, whether from medication or surgery, can dramatically increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

'It kept happening and the handfuls kept getting bigger. I would be so sad,' said Ms Chapman.

'My hair was such a massive part of my identity and to cut it off just felt really traumatic. But I said to myself it was just hair, it'll grow back. This feels like another result of the injections.'

The hair loss was said to be the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which has previously been linked to extreme weight loss over short periods of time

Ms Chapman regrets taking the drug and would recommend anyone considering it seeks advice from their GP as well as regular blood tests

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While she doesn't wish to 'tell people what they can and can't take', she believes 'more research' is needed to confirm the safety of weight loss injections.

'I regret ever taking them,' she said.

'I'd say to other people thinking about trying them, don't do it online, go through your doctor who can give you blood tests and check how you're doing.'

In September last year, medics from Kuwait reported the case of a 24 year-old teacher who began suffering from extreme vomiting, nausea and stomach pains after using Mounjarooften referred to as the 'King Kong' of weight loss jabs.

Hospital tests revealed that the patient, who was obese and had a BMI of 34, had 'alarming' levels of liver enzymes, proteins that help break down bile and toxins.

This was a sign that her organ was failing and she was admitted to the ICU where she was given a plasma transfusion to flush out the toxins in her blood.

She was referred to a transplant team because if left untreated, she could have suffered full blown liver failure, and a transplant would have been her only chance of survival.

Writing in the European Journal of Case Reports, doctors from Kuwait who treated her said Mounjaro was 'likely the susceptible cause.'

The case came a year after a 37 year-old in Seattle was treated for a similar liver injury after taking the same drug.

Experts believe liver damage may happen in rare cases due to the rapid reduction of fat in the liver that could kill healthy cells.

Meanwhile, patients have previously spoken of how Ozempicwhich works similarly to Mounjarohave triggered vomiting so violent it's led to a hole in their food pipe.

Ozempic and Wegovy contain the active ingredient semaglutide. This mimics the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) which slows the movement of food through the digestive system, signalling to the body that it's full.

Mounjar, meanwhile, use the active ingredient tirzepatide, which targets GLP-1 as well as the hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which has a similar hunger-surpressing effect.

The dual action is thought to accelerate weight loss, making it more effective than Ozempic.

In a statement, Eli Lilly, the drug firm that makes Mounjaro said: 'Patient safety is Lilly's top priority.

'We are committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety information for all Lilly medicines. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) was approved based on extensive assessment of the benefits and risks of the medicine, and we provide information about the benefits and risks of all our medicines to regulators around the world to ensure the latest information is available for prescribers.

'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.'
A woman with late stage skin cancer has warned of the catastrophic dangers of pursuing a 'base tan' before a summer holidayafter just a handful of sunbed sessions left her with incurable disease.

Lily Murphy, 30, from Watford, used sunbeds for the first time in her early twenties, to 'prepare' her skin for an upcoming trip to South East Asia.

She used the tanning devicesknown to increase cancer risk by up to 75 per cent for just 'a couple of minutes here and there', totalling less than an hour over the course of several weeks.

While on holiday, she recalled using sun cream to protect herself from the sun's harmful UV rays, aware that she is 'very fair-skinned and always get burnt'.

Upon her return to the UK, the NHS administrator visited her GP to enquire about a mole that was worrying her.

'The doctor said this doesnt look right, Im going to refer you on the two-week cancer pathway,' she said.

She had the mole removed and was called back for an appointment two weeks later.

'There were two Macmillan Cancer nurses in there too thats when they said to me its come back as melanoma, stage 1B.'

Lily Murphy was just 23 at the time of her diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer. She's convinced she developed the disease due to her sunbed use.

Stage 1B melanoma is one of the earliest stages of the deadliest type of skin cancer.

This stage means it has not yet spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, and it is generally highly curable.

Ms Murphy recalled being the youngest person in her cancer support group, aged 23 at the time.

'Everyone else was in their 40s, 50s, 60s,' she said. 'It was an experience.'

Doctors performed surgery to cut out the cancer in 2019.

'It felt like such a relief to hear that the cancer hadnt spread,' she said. 'I said to myself, "Ive beaten it",' said Lily.

But four years later, in January 2023, she began to feel unwell during a family trip to Gloucestershire.

She was 'constantly tired' and suffering agonising back pain, which eventually migrated to her chest.

She thought she was cancer-free, but three years after her initial diagnosis the disease returned

'I couldnt breathe. I said to my mum it feels like somethings not right,' she said.

Despite repeated trips to A&E, her concerns were dismissed as anxiety, linked to her mental health history.

Eventually, she was booked for scans and blood tests in a different department, which revealed the devastating truth: her cancer was back and had spread to her lungs and neck.

With new treatments, some people are living with stage four melanoma for a long time according to Cancer Research UK.

However, studies suggest that, on average, only half of those with this stage of disease live beyond six years.

Ms Murphy began immunotherapy treatment in April 2023, but struggled to tolerate the doses required.

She then tried two oral chemotherapy treatments but developed a severe allergic reaction within 10 days, including a rash that spread down her throat.

She later developed sepsis, caused by a weakened immune system, and was rushed to hospital.

The disease has now spread to her lungs and neck, meaning her chance of long-term survival is reduced

Now, experts are warning that cases are on the rise again set to surge faster in men than women.

In February 2025, she began a new treatment that has already shown signs of shrinking her cancer, despite only managing four of the recommended 12 tablets per day.

'Im taking a break from treatment at the moment, because its just too much on my body,' Ms Murphy said.

She has now launched a petition, Ban Sun Beds to Protect Against Skin Cancer, which has already gained more than 700 signatures.

'It was just a spur of the moment thing,' she said. 'Sunbeds are a known cancer risk.

'Banning them would save livesand save the NHS money.'

She has called for a stop to the 'glamourisation' of tanning by social media and influencers.

'Your tan is semi-permanent, but your life should be permanent,' she said.

Last year, rates of deadly melanoma reached a record high in the UK, with new diagnoses increasing by almost a third in just a decade, according to Cancer Research UK.

Now, experts are warning that cases are on the rise again set to surge faster in men than women.

Michelle Mitchell, CEO at Cancer Research, said: 'The growing number of people diagnosed with melanoma is concerning, especially when we can see that rates are rising faster in men.

'If you notice anything different on your skin, like a new mole, a mole that's changed in size, shape, or colour, or any patch of skin that looks out of the ordinarydon't ignore it, speak to your GP', she added.
A mother has been given a terminal skin cancer diagnosis after she was dismissed by doctors who said she had a holiday bug.

As a precaution, Katie Cooper, 32, from Greater Manchester, had a small freckle removed from a patch of skin behind her ear around seven years ago.

But around four years later, she noticed a small lump had formed in the same place.

Subsequent tests revealed it was melanomathe deadliest type of skin cancer that is on the rise in young Britons.

The prognosis for the condition is good, with most patients cured, providing the disease is caught early.

Doctors immediately removed Ms Cooper's growth and told her she was cancer free.

But the ordeal didn't end there for the civil servant and her family.

In March this year, nearly seven years after she noticed the freckle, she developed bizarre aches and pains.

Katie Cooper, 32, has been given a terminal skin cancer diagnosis after she was dismissed by doctors who said she had a holiday bug

As a precaution, she had a small freckle removed from a patch of skin behind her ear around seven years ago. Above, Ms Cooper with her husband Dan

But having just returned from a trip to Disneyland Paris, doctors assured her it was most likely 'just a virus' she'd picked up on her travels.

Yet it wasn't long until the mother-of-one found herself bedbound and in 'agony'.

After five weeks, she didn't get any better and her pain persisted, so doctors performed a scan.

They discovered the melanoma had not only returned but aggressively spread throughout her bodyreaching her bones, spine, liver, lungs, abdominal wall, and ovaries.

'It's terrifying. We had no idea and we just thought I was unwell. It blindsided us,' said Ms Cooper.

'Finding out subsequently that it was in my other organs as well, I knew it would be quite difficult from here on out.'

At stages three and fourwhen the disease has spread to nearby tissues and organs or bonesthe survival rate is as low as 66 and 27 per cent, respectively.

She is now undergoing grueling radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatment to manage her incurable condition.

Ms Cooper's friend, Abi Smith, said they have been told the prognosis could be as little as a few months if the treatment fails to work.

'If it does work, they may be able to get to a 60 per cent chance of 10 years,' she said.

'She's accepted the cancer, but when she thinks about her three-year-old daughter, Aurora, she gets really upset.

'She's hoping she'll be there for all her milestones.'

After getting pregnant with her three-year-old daughter, a small lump had formed in the same place and had it removed as tests showed it to be melanomabut it returned four years later

They discovered she had a broken back and that the melanoma had not only returned but aggressively spread throughout her bodyreaching her bones, spine, liver, lungs, abdominal wall, and ovaries. If treatment doesn't work, her prognosis could be just months

The devastated mother has encouraged others to 'advocate for themselves' and to get checked if they're unsure about something.

She added: 'You know your body best. If you feel like something is not right, then you are within your rights to go and ask and don't be afraid to keep pushing to get those answers.'

A GoFundMe has been launched to support the civil servant with medical and living expenses.

It takes a scarily low number of sunburnsonly fiveto make you vulnerable to the condition that kills more than 2,000 people in the UK every year.

One in 35 men and one in 41 women in the UK will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime.

The most harmful type of sunrays are UVB which hit the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) and cause the most sunburn, as well as UVA rays which penetrate much deeper and contribute to ageing.

Both are ultraviolet, which means they cause skin cancer.

A worrying 90 per cent of skin cancer cases in the UK are a direct result of sunburn and using sunbeds, according to Cancer Research.
Former EastEnders star Kara Tointon has revealed that she has undergone a double mastectomy, following a genetic test which confirmed she carries the deadly BRCA mutation.

While cancer is not usually inherited, some typesincluding breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancercan be strongly influenced by genes.

The majority of hereditary breast cancers are due to mutations in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which give you between 45-85 per cent chance of developing cancer in your lifetime.

Those with a faulty BRCA gene also have a 50 per cent chance of passing it on to their children, meaning that cancer can sometimes run in families.

So how do you know if you're at risk?

The first sign you may be a BRCA carrier is having a close family member who developed one of three cancers under the age of 50, according to the National Cancer Institute.

This includes breast, ovarian, male breast and pancreatic cancer.

The relative affected must be a first or second degree relationsuch as parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.

Kara Tointon revealed on Instagram that she has had a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her risk of developing the disease

Toiton is known for portraying Dawn Swan in EastEnders and is now using her voice to raise awareness for the fault genes that significantly increase a person's risk of developing cancer

Similarly, if you have one of these relatives with prostate cancer before the age of 80, it may be a red flag.

About 62 per cent of those with harmful changes in BRCA genes will get prostate cancer by age 80, studies show.

Another risk factor is having jewish ancestry. According to the NHS, one in 40 Ashkenazi jews have a faulty BRCA gene, compared to around 1 in 250 individuals in the UK general population.

Sephardi jews are also at increased risk, with 1 in 140 having a mutated gene.

Ms Tointon, 41, is now urging other women to look out for the signs that they could carry the geneputting them at a very high risk of cancer.

In a video posted to Instagram that has so far been viewed over 521,000 times, the mother-of-two said: 'You may have heard of the BRCA genes 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.'

'There is a history of both cancers in my family on my mother's side but for various reasons, including generational trauma, we hadn't looked into [genetic testing] until that point.'

In 2018, the soap star was given the option to take a genetic test when her mother Carol, was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, which affects up to 58 per cent of women who inherit a faulty BRCA1 gene.

More than 60 per cent of women who inherit a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

'It was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene', Ms Tointon explained.

Her mother died just a year later in 2019.

Now, after having her second son in 2021, Ms Tointon has revealed that she underwent two preventative surgeries, including a double a mastectomy and the removal of her fallopian tubes.

'They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes, so by removing them first, checking them out, you then remove the ovaries later, and closer to menopause', the EastEnders star explained.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie underwent the same procedure after she discovered she carried the BRCA1 gene, in 2013, raising greater awareness of the defect.

She was told at the time that her risk of developing breast cancer was 87 per cent.

Around one in 1,000 women in the UK are thought to have the BRCA1 variant, but most breast and ovarian cancers occur due to genetic damage that accumulates over time.

This can be caused by too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which can damage DNA in your skin cells causing skin cancer.

Angelina Jolie spearheaded a new awareness of gene testing as a guard against the possibility of breast cancer back in 2013, when she announced that she had undergone a double mastectomy

In some cases, patients with the faulty genes may be offered risk-reducing surgery, which removes tissue such as breasts or ovaries, that could become cancerous.

This is because while having one 'normal' copy of either gene is usually enough to protect cells from becoming cancerous, , this normal gene can change during a person's lifetimein a process known as somatic alterationincreasing the risk of cancer.

The NHS warns that while genetic testing can help people take steps to manage their risk of developing cancerincluding lifestyle changes, regular screening and preventative treatmentsa positive result can cause permanent anxiety.

This comes as new research has highlighted a drug that could help women with the so-called Angelina Jolie cancer gene to avoid surgery.

Currently, women who carry a BRCA gene mutation are a much higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer, with many opting for preventative treatments such as a mastectomy.

But new research by the University of Cambridge indicates that giving drugs usually administered in the late stages of breast cancer to healthy people carrying the mutated BRCA genes could prevent them from developing the disease.
Do you feel exhausted when it is hot outside? It could be an early sign of the debilitating neurological disease multiple sclerosis, an NHS GP has warned.

According to Dr Asif Ahmed, if you have fatigue that gets far worse in hot weather, it could be a sign of the progressive disease.

In a clip posted to TikTok that's so far had nearly 70,000 views, Dr Ahmed said: 'If you've got pain or [are] tired all the time or have visual problems, and say this one thing to me [that it gets worse in the heat] I'm definitely thinking about multiple sclerosis.

'Often people say they have dizziness or the headache or the pain gets worse when they are exercising or when they go in a sauna or when they have a hot bath,' he said.

The worsening of a neurological condition as the body temperature rises is the Uhtoff's Phenomenon, he explained.

It is experienced by 60 to 80 per cent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), so while it doesn't necessarily mean you have the condition, it is a 'strong indicator', he warned.

He urged those who experience worsening symptoms in the heat to speak to a doctor who can advise if you need further tests.

MS is a life-changing, incurable condition affecting the brain and spinal cord that causes debilitating muscle spasms, among other symptoms.

Map reveals how north-western Europeans carry more genetic risk for multiple sclerosis. Red indicates high cases of MS, while yellow indicates low levels

While MS does not directly kill, at advanced stages, it can cause weakness in the chest muscles, leading to difficulty breathing and swallowingwhich can have life-threatening complications.

Those in the late stage of the illness are also extremely vulnerable to potentially deadly infections.

Some studies show that MS patients are up to 75 per cent more likely to die young than those without the disease.

Most people find out they have MS in their thirties and forties, but the first signs can start years earlier.

The main symptoms include fatigue, numbness and tingling, loss of balance and dizziness, and stiffness or spasms.

Others include memory and thinking problems, vision changes, bowel trouble, bladder problems, pain, and tremors.

The doctor's warning follows a concerning rise in cases, with around 150,000 people living with MS in the UK.

This is up from around 130,000 in 2019, according to recent research by the MS Society.

The doctor's warning follows soaring ratesan estimated 150,000 people with MS in the UK , and nearly 7,100 more people being diagnosed each year.

While experts don't know the reason cases are on the rise, possible factors are infections, a lack of vitamin D, smoking, solvents, obesity, and stress.

It is important to spot the early signs of the condition, as while there is no cure for MS, treatments can slow the progression of the disease.

The type of treatment you will need depends on the type of the disease patients have: relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive.

Relapse and remitting MS involves flare-ups of symptoms where they get worse (relapse) and get better (remission).

Over time it often develops into secondary progressive MS, when symptoms are there all the time, and get slowly worse.

In the less common case of primary progressive MS, symptoms slowly getting worse over time without periods of them going away or getting better.

Treatments may include several types of medication such as steroids, disease-modifying therapies, muscle relaxants, and those to treat pain and other symptoms.

Other types of support include advice on fatigue, physiotherapy, mobility equipment, talking therapies, and cognitive rehabilitation.

MS is an autoimmune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and leaves people with mobility issues

This warning comes months after, Hollywood actress Selma Blair, diagnosed with MS in 2018, shared she was 'in remission' after receiving a promising new treatment.

The Legally Blonde actress underwent a treatment found to slow progression and ease symptoms called a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

This procedure extracts and then reinfuses stems cellsundifferentiated cells with the ability to develop into various specialised cell typesinto a person's body.

The results of this procedure can go as far as to 'see patients go from a wheelchair to walking', experts have said.

Doctors are using these types of procedures to repair years-worth of brain damage, even restoring some paralysed patients' ability to walk by re-growing tissue.

Google searches for the disease rocketed in the hours after actress Hollywood actress Selma Blair revealed her MS diagnosis

Dr Alexander Scheer, an expert in regenerative medicine who has treated patients with MS with stem cells, said: 'It's so beautiful to watch.

'I mean, to see a patient go from a wheelchair, to be able to walk is, to me, why I went into medicine.'

The doctor successfully treated Richard Benedetto, 56, who has MS, with stem cell transplants.

Mr Benedetto regained his ability to walk after undergoing a series of operations to transplant stem cells into his brain.
A mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects and paralysis has been detected in Hawaii for the first time in years.

The state's health department revealed one confirmed case of Zika virus and two cases under surveillance.

The confirmed case was a person who had traveled from overseas, while officials have pinpointed two individuals who 'may have been exposed'.

All three patients spent their time on the island of Oahu and in the sparsely-populated north shore neighborhoods of Waialua and Haleiwa. It is the first reported case of Zika in Hawaii since 2019.

Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.

They are common in Texas, Florida and elsewhere in the US, particularly in the south.

Most adults do not become seriously ill from the infection, but in rare cases it can cause damage to the nerves, brain, or spinal cord as well as a blood disorder that can result in bleeding, bruising or slow blood clotting.

Zika infection during pregnancy can also cause serious birth defects and is linked to pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm birth.

The Zika virus has landed in Hawaii, with two individuals exposed to the paralysis-causing infection

In the US, Zika virus cases are mostly travel-associated, with limited local transmission. The number of cases has varied significantly year to year, with a high point in 2016.

In that year, there were over 5,000 travel-associated cases, with 224 locally acquired cases. However, following this high, the number of cases dropped significantly, to over 400 in 2017 and in 2023, there were just 7 confirmed cases.

Hawaii's health department says it is currently monitoring mosquito activity in the affected areas and will 'implement further control measures as needed'.

Residents and tourists alike are being urged to take additional precautions to reduce mosquito breeding and avoid bites.

Some of the recommendations on a health advisory include wearing insect repellent at all times while outdoors and dressing in loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Islanders have also been instructed to check their insect screens are intact, with doors kept closed.

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Meanwhile, any standing water around homes and buildings should be removed, as this is where mosquitos tend to breed.

Once it takes hold in a human host, the Zika virus can be spread between people during unprotected sex, and from pregnant mothers to their children.

The virus has been found in semen, vaginal fluids, saliva, urine and breast milk.

Zika virus symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Symptoms typically last a few days to a week.

About 80 percent of Zika infections are asymptomatic.

There is no preventive vaccine or treatment, according to the CDC.

Once it takes hold in a human host, the Zika virus can be spread between people during unprotected sex, and from pregnant mothers to their children

Fetuses' brains can be affected by the virus when it is passed on from the mother and it can cause microcephaly.

Microcephaly is a condition in which babies' heads are unusually small, which can lead to seizures, delayed development and other disabilities.

The virus can also increase the risk of unborn children developing Guillain-Barre syndrome  an uncommon illness in which the immune system attacks the nerves and can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.

While Hawaii has the mosquito species capable of transmitting Zika, health officials say the virus is not established in the region.

Mosquito-borne disease experts are concerned that as global temperatures continue to rise, warmer, more humid weather will become the norm in new places, making those locations the perfect breeding grounds for mosquito populations to flourish.

And as temperatures heat up and mosquitoes migrate to places they previously couldn't thrive in, their extended reach and longer lifespans give them ample opportunity to spread diseases in new parts of the world.

To date, Zika has been most prevalent in Central and South America, Africa and South East Asia.

There was an outbreak of the virus in Brazil's capital, Rio de Janeiro, in 2016, and there were fears that year's Olympic Games would have to be cancelled after more than 200 academics wrote to the World Health Organization warning about it.
A mother is sharing her grief to warn others about a rare bacterial infection that killed her son within hours.

Little Liam Dahlberg, eight, from Indiana, complained of a headache after coming home from school last month  four days later he was dead.

He was diagnosed with haemophilus influenzae, also known as H. flu, which had spread to his brain and spinal cord.

His mother Ashlee said she felt 'indescribable pain' as she lay with Liam during his final moments and the medical team turned off his life support.

Despite sounding like the flu, haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium  not a virus  and infections are much rarer and deadlier.

H. flu can live harmlessly in the nose and throat of many healthy people, but under certain conditions  like a weakened immune system or another viral infection like a cold  it can get into the bloodstream and cause the body to attack healthy organs.

Ashlee told local news station 13wmaz: 'I would never wish this kind of pain on my worst enemy ever. It's hard. To have sat there and listened to the doctors say, "You did everything right, there's just nothing we could do."

'[And] to lay there with him as they took him off life support, I could feel his little heartbeat fade away  there's no words that can describe that pain.'

Little Liam Dahlberg, eight, from Indiana , complained of a headache after coming home from school last month  four days later he was dead

He was diagnosed with haemophilus influenzae, also known as H. flu , which had spread to his brain and spinal cord

The family is still unsure how Liam caught the infection  he had been fully vaccinated against H. flu as part of his routine childhood vaccinations.

The vaccine  given over three doses to babies  is about 95 percent effective at preventing infections.

Yet Liam came home from school unwell in April. When his headache did not subside, his family took him to hospital the following morning.

Ashlee told local news: 'They took him to an MRI. That's when they discovered the amount of bacteria that was covering his brain and spinal cord.

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'Basically at that point in time, there was nothing they could do.'

The infection had spread and caused meningitis, inflammation of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

The damage was so rapid and severe he was declared brain dead.

In a GoFundMe set up to help cover the medical costs, his family described Liam as 'a bright and smart young boy, full of life and potential.'

'His presence brought joy and warmth to everyone he met,' the page adds.

Doctors suspect Liam may have suffered a breakthrough infection after catching it from an unvaccinated child at school who was carrying high levels of the bacterium.

His mother Ashlee (pictured together) said she felt 'indescribable pain' as she lay with Liam during his final moments and the medical team turned off his life support

The family is still unsure how Liam caught the infection  he had been fully vaccinated against H.flu as part of his routine childhood vaccinations

H. flu lives in the noses of healthy people and spreads when people sneeze or cough.

Until the rollout of a vaccine in 1985, the infection used to cause 20,000 serious infections per year in the US  mostly in children under 5.

Today there are fewer than 50 cases per year in young children  nearly all in unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated kids.

But uptake of the shot has fallen in recent years, linked to a broader mistrust of vaccines.

Ashlee is urging parents to make sure their children are all fully vaccinated.
The View co-host Sara Haines offered her colleagues and others who constantly bash President Donald Trump some sage advice on the show Wednesday.

Haines suggested that Trump critics should 'pick your battles' during a discussion about the president's controversial pardon of reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley.

The Chrisley Knows Best stars were found guilty of federal charges of tax evasion and conspiring to swindle community banks in 2022, and Todd was originally sentenced to 12 years in prison while Julie was sentenced to seven. Both terms have since been shortened.

On Wednesday's show, Ana Navarro insisted that 'we have to not normalize this and allow it to continue to happen,' saying that it is 'not normal or honest or ethical' that 'there's a For Sale sign on the lawn of the White House.'

She claimed that with the Chrisleys pardons, Trump is proving that 'if you are a supporter, if you are a donor, then you can buy pardons.'

But Haines disagreed.

'Everyone reacts to everything saying "Don't normalize this" whenever Trump does something outrageous,' she noted, arguing: 'There's a strategy to picking your battles.'

The View co-host Sara Haines offered her colleagues and others who constantly bash President Donald Trump some sage advice on the show Wednesday

Haines told Trump critics they should 'pick their battles' when it comes to the commander-in-chief

She went on to use what she described as 'proverbs' to prove her point, telling the audience: 'The man who chases two rabbits catches neither' and 'When you yell at everything, nobody hears anything.'

'There's a strategy to not jumping every time he does something,' Haines argued, claiming that Trump pardoning his supporters is 'not surprising.'

Still, Haines said she did not want to insinuate that 'any of this is not bad' as she tried to direct the audience on where to direct their anger at the president.

'I'm more upset about the Qatari jet, the January 6th pardons - which were violent criminals, the deportations without due process, the attacks on federal institutions with no cause,' she said.

'Those, to me, are fundamentally way more problematic.'

But when she was done, woke co-host Joy Behar noted: 'That's a lot of rabbits you listed.'

It now appears that Haines may have been following the guidance of her bosses at ABC News and Disney, who have reportedly asked the notoriously liberal panel to dial back their constant complaining about the president.

ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic suggested the women needed to broaden their conversations, highlighting episodes with celebrity guests that he said earned high ratings.

The comment came as the panel was discussing Trump's controversial pardon of reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley (pictured)

Disney CEO Bob Iger reportedly made a similar request.

But Navarro has argued that viewers tune in to hear the panel's perspective on politics and is said to have taken it upon herself to push back against the Disney boss.

In doing so, however, Navarro may have made a dangerous error, as Fox News reports that her co-hosts actually 'agree' with Iger and are happy to change the direction of the show.

The stars are also said to fear that 'ignoring Bob Iger seems like a terrible decision' as bosses on the talk show are famously brutal with dumping stars who do not play by the rules or who are disliked by the audience.

'The View is a daytime network talk show and needs to do more than just politics and Trump bashing. This was a welcome direction for many of us,' one source explained.

The View co-hosts have previously been asked to dial down their Trump-hating rhetoric

Many audience members, though, were outraged by Haines' remarks

Even so, Haines' comments on Wednesday appeared to have set off a firestorm among its liberal audience members - many of whom took to X to express their outrage at her remarks.

'So Sara is normalizing Trump pardoning criminals because Trump has too many other things for us to be mad about?!' one user wrote, as another added, 'the s*** can still be called out Sara.'

A third asked what Haines was 'babbling about.'

'"Not jumping every time Trump does something?!" Then maybe he shouldn't keep doing/getting away with so many egregious acts, you dingbat!?!' the X user wrote, while a fourth said they were 'sorry, not sorry' for their remarks toward Haines.

'Why shouldn't we be outraged at EVERY unethical or illegal act he does,' the X user wrote, rhetorically.
President Donald Trump has rejected a multimillion-dollar offer from CBS News to settle his lawsuit over an allegedly doctored 60 Minutes interview.

Nearly a month into settlement talks over Trump's explosive $20 billion lawsuit against the network, sources confirm that Paramount Global has quietly offered $15 million to make the scandal disappear.

But Trump has blasted the network's proposal as 'not even close,' and is demanding tens of millions more (at least $25 million) together with a formal apology.

The lawsuit, filed last October, accuses CBS, its parent company Paramount and its flagship program 60 Minutes of deceptively editing a high-stakes interview with thenDemocratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris just weeks before the 2024 election.

Trump alleges the footage was manipulated to 'tip the scales' in Harris's favor and irreparably damage his image with voters.

CBS denies the claim and said the broadcast was 'not doctored or deceitful.' It has called the allegations 'completely without merit.'

But the legal and political aftershocks are now threatening to derail a much bigger deal: Paramount's $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which is currently under review by Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The rejection of the settlement offer from CBS comes as Trump threatens to block billions in federal approvals for Paramount's merger with Skydance Media and insiders say the president is nowhere near backing down.

President Donald Trump has rejected a multimillion-dollar offer from CBS News to settle his lawsuit over an allegedly doctored 60 Minutes interview

Trump alleges footage of a Kamala Harris interview was manipulated to 'tip the scales' in her favor and irreparably damage his image with voters

Paramount Global has quietly offered $15 million to make the scandal disappear but Trump wants $25 million along with a formal apology

The footage at the heart of the lawsuit was aired on 60 Minutes in October 2024, and featured CBS correspondent Bill Whitaker interviewing Harris in a prime-time election special.

Trump's lawsuit claims CBS selectively removed a series of stammering, confused answers from Harris on topics including the IsraelHamas war, replacing them with cleaner responses from a different part of the interview.

Legal analysts note that the First Amendment gives CBS broad protections, and say the lawsuit likely wouldn't survive in court.

But the fear of retaliation from a sitting president - and one who's threatened to revoke broadcast licenses and jail journalists - has changed just how much risk CBS/Paramount are prepared to bear.

The lawsuit has now ballooned into one of the largest defamation-related claims ever filed against a media company.

CBS is facing a $20 billion damage claim, a federal probe by the FCC into potential 'news distortion,' and a growing internal revolt as journalists accuse Paramount of trying to appease Trump to save the merger.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Paramount floated a $15 million offer to Trump's legal team, citing similar settlements in other media-related suits.

But Trump's recent victories against other media companies have emboldened him to push CBS harder and demand much more.

In October, Trump accused the CBS of manipulating the American public by deceptively editing the interview with Kamala Harris in a way that favored her but damaged his own image

The high-stakes decision comes amid warnings from media insiders that paying Trump now might be seen as a payoff to gain favor and fast-track the $8 billion Skydance merger

He not only wants a significantly larger financial payout, but also a formal public apology from CBS News.

Trump has already won multi-million dollar settlements from other media companies, including Meta, which paid him $25 million in January, ABC News, which agreed to a $15 million settlement in December and X, which paid $10 million in February.

'This was not just a bad edit,' one source close to the Trump team said. 'It was election interference. You don't settle that quietly.'

Paramount, under the leadership of chairwoman Shari Redstone, has entered mediation to try to resolve the conflict.

Redstone, 71, is said to be personally involved in weighing whether to settle quickly even as legal experts warn that any payout could be seen as a 'bribe' to fast-track FCC approval of the Skydance deal.

'If settling Trump's demands looks like a payoff, Paramount could be opening the door to criminal liability and shareholder lawsuits,' one media attorney told The New York Post. 'This is legally radioactive.'

The legal saga has already claimed major casualties inside CBS.

Wendy McMahon, CEO of CBS News, announced her abrupt resignation earlier this month, citing 'differing views on the path forward.'

In a memo to staff, she wrote, 'It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward. It's time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.'

Before her departure, Bill Owens, longtime executive producer of 60 Minutes, also stepped down, citing concerns over 'editorial independence.'

And during a broadcast, anchor Scott Pelley stunned viewers by saying on air that 'Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways,' suggesting interference from corporate leadership.

These resignations have deepened fears among CBS journalists that Redstone and the Paramount board are sacrificing the newsroom's integrity to preserve a corporate merger.

Once CBS News' senior-most staffers - former 60 Minutes boss Bill Owens and former news chief Wendy McMahon both resigned from the network in recent weeks. Pictured, May 2024

Bill Owens, 58, had been with CBS News for decades and served as only the third executive producer in 60 Minutes' 57-year history since 2019

Shari Redstone, the heiress of CBS parent Paramount Global, has sought to settle the ongoing suit while pursuing a massive media merger with Skydance

Sources now say Redstone is prepared to offer up to $50 million to settle the lawsuit and move on with her life, possibly walking away with $2 billion if the Skydance sale is completed.

Award-winning television newsmagazine broadcast 60 Minutes, which pulls around 10 million viewers weekly, is a leading target of Trump's offensive against the media.

The program has continued to air investigations critical of the Trump administration since his return to the White House.

In response, Trump has called for its cancellation, while his billionaire advisor Elon Musk has said he hoped the team behind 60 Minutes would receive long prison sentences.
CNN's Jake Tapper appeared to squirm when asked how much money he's making from the book he wrote about former President Joe Biden's health cover-up.

Tapper's new book, 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,' co-authored with Axios' Alex Thompson, has sparked mass frustration and speculation as many believe the journalist was complicit in Biden's cover-up.

It claims to blow the lid off an alleged White House campaign that hid Biden's cognitive decline from the American people.

Both Tapper and Thompson sat down with Stephen A. Smith Wednesday to discuss the book and the massive response it's gotten from people across the country.

Smith specifically asked the pair what they think about people calling the book a 'money grab,' leading Tapper to say that 'very few people write books to make money.'

'No, our only agenda was to find out what happened. Our only agenda was to write this book,' Tapper replied.

'In terms of the left it's a money grab, I mean that's not the case. It's not - this is, I don't want to get into where my money comes from. You know, CNN is my main job and that's where my main source of income, by far... Very few people write books to make money,' he babbled on.

'You write a book because you want to say something. You want to have a legacy, you want to uncover something, you have a message you want to get out there,' Tapper stated, adding 'I don't think people write books about Joe Biden to make money' as Thompson smiled.

CNN 's Jake Tapper appeared to squirm when asked how much money he's making from the book he wrote about former President Joe Biden 's health cover-up

It claims to blow the lid off an alleged White House campaign that hid Biden's cognitive decline from the American people. (Pictured: Biden in January)

'That's a good point,' Smith chimed in.

The embattled CNN star's recent commentary on his book comes on the heels of mounting criticism he's been receiving for it.

Early reviews of the book, which was released last Tuesday, were quickly overshadowed by allegations that Tapper himself was part of the cover up and is now seemingly trying to rewrite history.

People quickly took to social media and labeled him a 'fraud' and 'phony' for writing the book and working for a left-leaning network that they suspect worked with the Biden administration in the cover-up.

'He's such a fraud,' one user on X wrote after another posted several clips of him speaking about the Steele dossier - a research report on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign that alleged he worked with the Russian government.

In the video, Tapper was heard appearing to mock Trump's previous mentions of being a part of a 'witch hunt,' as he said: 'They've caught a few witches by the way, there have been a few witch indictments.'

In the clips from 2018, Tapper also ranted about how terrible it was that there were people who tried to 'stop an investigation into what happened' - calling it 'unpatriotic' - despite the fact he seemingly did the same when right-leaning media tried to probe Biden's ailing health during his term.

The compilation, along with the release of his new book, enraged many people who strongly believe he is a 'liar' who is 'trying to get out of being held accountable.'

Smith specifically asked the pair what they think about people calling the book a 'money grab,' leading Tapper, who wrote it with co-author Alex Thompson, to say that 'very few people write books to make money'

'He was and still is down for the cause. We are not fooled or amused,' wrote another.

'No retractions, no apologies, and no consequences for those who pushed a false narrative for years,' a user stated.

Someone else commented: 'Bullsh**, he's lying. He knew all along that it was bullsh** and still carried the democrat party's water.'

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Laura Trump revealed that Tapper called her to apologize for a condescending on-air dispute in 2020 where he dismissed her concerns about Biden's mental acuity.

Laure revealed the phone call on Fox but said his apology was 'a little too late' -conveniently taking place just weeks before the publication of his tell-all book about the very topic.

One of the most prominent examples of this was back in October 2020, when Lara pointed to a speech of Biden's and said: 'What we see on stage is a very clear cognitive decline.'

Tapper immediately interjected, savaging her with a haughty response that she had 'absolutely no standing to diagnose somebody's cognitive decline' and accusing her of instead 'mocking his stutter.'

While Tapper has publicly apologized for his response and admitted a sense of 'humility' over being proven wrong, Lara has now revealed he reached out to her privately two months ago.

Early reviews of the book, which was released last Tuesday, were quickly overshadowed by allegations that Tapper himself was part of the cover up and is now seemingly trying to rewrite history. (Pictured: Jill and Joe Biden in March)

'Jake Tapper called me about two months ago and he said "I have this book coming out,"' she told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

Tapper told her 'I know everybody is saying I should apologize to you. I plan, when the book comes out, to go on TV and say you were right and I was wrong.'

While she appreciated the acknowledgment and that Tapper has since stuck to his word by apologizing publicly, she noted that 'it feels a little bit too late to me.'

'Jake Tapper can't discount his role in that, no matter how much he wants to come out now,' she said.

'They have lost the American people's trust... It is the reason Donald Trump is in the White House right now. People like authenticity.'
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attempted to kick a CNN reporter off his upcoming overseas trip after she criticized him in tweets, Status News reports.

Haley Britzky, one of CNN's national security reporters, was initially chosen to serve as the designated television pooler on Hegseth's May 30 trip to Singapore, where he'll give a speech at a defense summit.

However she was almost removed, after Pentagon officials became enraged over posts she shared which criticized Hegseth for clamping down on press freedom, Status reports.

The majority of Britzky's feed on X has been focused on the May 23 decision by the Defense Department to no longer allow credentialed reporters to freely walk through the Pentagon's unclassified hallways.

To get through much of the building, reporters now need to be escorted by authorized Pentagon staff.

In a memo, Hegseth explained that this move was 'needed to reduce the opportunities for in-person inadvertent and unauthorized disclosures.'

Britzky reposted many journalists who openly slammed the new policy as an attempt to stop them from doing their jobs.

Oliver Darcy, the former CNN reporter who runs Status News, said he recently learned that Britzky's tweets 'irked' certain Pentagon officials who later tried to get her kicked off the trip.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is now being criticized for allegedly wanting to kick a CNN reporter off his upcoming trip to Singapore because of her tweets

Haley Britzky, one of CNN's national security reporters, reposted other journalists criticizing Hegseth for restricting credentialed reporters' access to unclassified hallways in the Pentagon

Britzky was tapped as the designated TV pool reporter as space on the trip was limited, meaning she would shared her work with the wider press.

Following a 'brief standoff', per Status, she was allowed back on the junket.

Her critical posts also included re-sharing one from a journalist who said the memo is ironic in light of Signalgate, in reference to the scandal where Hegseth accidentally shared details of a military strike with a journalist on the group messaging app Signal.

In one of her posts, Britzky took an excerpt from the Pentagon Press Association's blistering rebuke of Hegseth.

She focused on the part where the association said it would be glad to discuss maintaining operations security [OPSEC] with the Pentagon. The association claimed no such conversation has been offered by Hegseth or his team.

'Todays memo by Secretary Hegseth appears to be a direct attack on the freedom of the press and Americas right to know what its military is doing,' the association said in an open letter.

'The Pentagon Press Corps has had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, without any concern about OP-SEC from DoD leadership.

'This decision eliminates the medias freedom to freely access press officers for the military services who are specifically hired to respond to press queries.'

Pictured: Haley Britzky's tweets over the last week that allegedly endangered her spot on the Singapore trip

According to Status News, Britzky merely expressing support for these messages was enough for Pentagon officials to consider axing her from the Asia trip.

This then prompted other reporters who were also traveling with Hegseth to threaten not going, depriving him of media coverage, Status News reported.

That threat is reportedly what got the Pentagon to relent and allow Britzky on the trip after all.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson did not comment on Britzky's posts, but did confirm she is traveling with Hegseth.

'Our team works closely with the Pentagon press to provide media access during Secretary Hegseths official travel to promote transparency and trust. CNN, including Haley Britzky, are traveling with Secretary Hegseth in Singapore,' Wilson said in a statement to DailyMail.com.

DailyMail.com also approached CNN and Britzky for comment.

Hegseth's desire to restrict press access to the Pentagon comes more than two months after he shared the details of a US military strike on Signal, an unsecured group messaging app.

Unbeknownst to Hegseth, Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic, had been inadvertently added to the chat and could see top national security officials openly discussing upcoming airstrikes in Yemen against the Houthis.

After the strikes went ahead on March 15 as planned, Goldberg penned a bombshell article on March 24 claiming he knew two hours before.

On March 26, he published a follow up piece that included all the screenshots of the chat, whose participants included former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance and Hegseth.

Britzky will be going on the trip as planned following a 'brief standoff' with Pentagon officials

On April 20, it emerged that Hegseth shared military attack details in a second Signal group chat with his wife, brother and personal lawyer.

And on April 30, it was reported that Hegseth had a third chat discussing sensitive foreign policy matters that included his wife, Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell and fellow former Fox producer Tami Radabaugh.

Hegseth faced calls to resign, but those demands have gradually waned over time.

President Donald Trump has also stood by embattled defense secretary, telling reporters shortly after Easter that 'Pete's doing a great job.'
Another 'major concern' with smart motorways has been identified by the AA as the motoring organisation continues to rally for them to be axed by the Government.

Smart motorways have a vehicle breakdown rate nearly three times higher than conventional motorways, according to new figures released by National Highways - the Government-owned company responsible for 'M' roads in Britain - in response to a Freedom of Information request by the AA.

With 13 per cent of the nation's 1,900 miles of motorway network 'smart' stretches without a hard shoulder at any time, motorists risk being stranded without a safe place to pull off the road if their car suffers a mechanical issue.

The statistics show 56 per cent of breakdowns logged on England's motorways last year happened on smart sections.

That is despite the roads only making up a fifth of the nation's total motorway network and there being no new installations in the last two years after the Government cancelled construction of new stretches on safety fears.

The 141,149 smart motorway breakdown incidents recorded in 2024 was an average of 387 per day, the data revealed.

Smart motorways have a vehicle breakdown rate nearly three times higher than conventional motorways, a new AA investigation has found

National Highways said the advanced technology installed on smart motorways means breakdowns on these roads are more likely to be detected.

However, the most recent smart motorway stocktake published in March highlighted a number of reported software outages that limited the capacity to identify drivers at risk.

Following analysis of 12 smart motorways section over a one-year period, the Office of Rail and Road - the independent watchdog monitoring National Highway - found that four failed to meet the target for detection rates, one didn't meet the target for false discovery rates, and two did not meet the target for average detection times.

The volume of breakdowns recorded on smart motorways has intensified the AA's long-standing concerns about their safety to the public after a number of fatal incidents occurred when vehicles stopped in live lanes were hit from behind.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak cancelled all planned smart motorway projects in April 2023, citing financial pressures and a lack of public confidence in the roads.

With around 13% of the nation's 1,900 mile motorway network being 'smart' stretches without a hard shoulder at any time, it means motorists are at greater risk of being stranded without a safe place to pull off the road

AA President Edmund King said: 'It is a major concern that we are witnessing more than a quarter of a million breakdowns a year on the motorway network  and those are just the officially recorded ones'

Some smart motorway stretches are controlled schemes, which use variable speed limits and retain a hard shoulder. However, these cover just 7.3 per cent of the network, according to analysis by road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart.

Sections considered most dangerous are All-Lane Running smart motorways (13 per cent of the network) that have no hard shoulder whatsoever.

This is because motorists who are unfortunate enough to be involved in collisions, encounter vehicle issues or suffer punctures are required to pull into short emergency refuge areas that are spaced a maximum of 1.5 miles apart. If a car is rendered undrivable, it is often impossible to reach one off these safe pull-off areas.

Dynamic Hard Shoulder sections - which cover 3.3 per cent of the motorway network - do have a hard shoulders but these can be turned into live lanes in periods of heavy congestion.

AA president Edmund King told the PA news agency: 'For many drivers, fear of a collision on a smart motorway would be reinforced by witnessing a breakdown in a live lane, or frequently seeing vehicles in refuge areas.

'These new figures suggest that the chance of that happening is increasing  approaching 400 a day along 396 miles of smart motorway, even when including controlled stretches.

'Equivalent to one a mile each day, that inspires more motorists to stay out of lane one, thus increasing the chance of congestion.'

For the first time, figures published by National Highways show 251,448 breakdowns on England's motorways were logged last year.

That is an increase of 3 per cent from the previous year and a monumental 47 per cent jump compared with 2014.

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All-Lane Running smart motorways have no hard shoulder whatsoever. Motorists who are unfortunate enough to be involved in collisions, encounter vehicle issues or suffer punctures are required to pull into 'emergency refuge areas' (like the one pictured) that are 1.5 miles apart

Rishi Sunak cancelled all future planned smart motorway projects in April 2023, citing financial pressures and a lack of public confidence in the roads

The AA said free breakdown recovery in roadwork areas and monitoring of smart motorways have increased the number of incidents recorded by National Highways.

It believe the length of the motorway network can be ruled out as a major factor as it has only increased by 65 miles in the past decade.

Mr King said: 'It is a major concern that we are witnessing more than a quarter of a million breakdowns a year on the motorway network  and those are just the officially recorded ones.

'The situation does not appear to be getting any better.'

He added that drivers can reduce the likelihood of breaking down by taking measures such as having their vehicle regularly serviced, checking tyre conditions and pressure, and ensuring they have adequate fuel or charge.

The AA has long been campaigning for ministers to take further action by scrapping existing smart motorways.

King told the BBC in 2023 that the government needed to go further and restore a permanent hard shoulder to the hundreds of miles of existing smart motorway without one.

'Basically drivers don't trust them, the technology is not fool proof, and 37 per cent of breakdowns on smart motorways happen in live lanes. And basically those drivers are sitting ducks,' he said.

A National Highways spokesman said: 'Our latest analysis continues to show that overall, smart motorways remain our safest roads.

'We have upgraded the technology to detect stopped vehicles, improved response times to live lane breakdowns and installed more than 150 additional emergency areas giving people a place to pull over if they break down.

'Unlike other roads, smart motorways have technology in place to identify stopped vehicles, including breakdowns.

'This means more breakdowns are identified on smart motorways compared to other road types, and as a result these stats are not a reliable indicator of actual safety.'

In a poll of 13,500 UK drivers conducted by the AA earlier this year, a third said they feel 'a lot less safe' on smart motorways than they did three years ago.

In contrast, just two per cent of the panel said they feel more at risk on conventional motorways than they did in 2022.

A third responded saying they are more anxious driving on sections of smart motorway with dynamic hard shoulders and drivers generally felt more unsafe on any stretch of smart motorway where there is no hard shoulder, the study found.

As such, three in five of the nation's motorists said they want smart motorways scrapped entirely.

'It is time to accept so-called 'smart' motorways has failed and side with the majority of drivers who want the reinstatement of the hard shoulder,' the AA President said back in March.
The Government will back a 1billion loan to Japanese carmaker Nissan as it undergoes a major restructuring.

The struggling auto giant, which operates the UKs biggest car plant in Sunderland, is planning to close seven factories and cut 20,000 jobs and is looking to raise 5.2billion to keep afloat.

The 1billion is guaranteed by UK Export Finance, an arm of the Treasury, and will be seen as safeguarding workers in Sunderland as Nissan cuts its number of plants from 17 to 10 globally.

Nissan has not said the factory is safe but boss Ivan Espinosa has insisted it will make more electric cars there, amid reported fears that Nissan could be close to running out of cash by the end of March.

The Government will underwrite a 1billion loan from Nissans lenders.

Nissan will also sell part of its stakes in French carmaker Renault and battery firm Aesc Group, and plants in South Africa and Mexico at a crunch time for manufacturers who are reeling from Donald Trumps trade wars.

Loan deal: Nissan, which operates the UKs biggest car plant at Sunderland (pictured), is planning to close seven factories and cut 20,000 jobs

Britains recent trade deal with the US to reduce tariffs from 25 per cent to 10 per cent for up to 100,000 cars made in the UK has contributed to the UKs attractiveness as an investment destination.

This week, Toyota, the worlds biggest car manufacturer, said it would expand production in the UK.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Nissan was plotting 11,000 job cuts on top of the 9,000 roles put at risk in November.

It has lost 3.4billion in the last year.
Fast fashion giant Shein is reportedly set to switch its blockbuster listing from London to Hong Kong in a huge blow to the City.

Chinese regulators have not given it permission to list in the UK, in an embarrassing setback after British regulators and ministers made a big effort to entice it to come here.

Shein has now turned to an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, where it believes it can list within the year, news agency Reuters reported.

The retailer, founded in China and now based in Singapore, is expected to file documents with the Hong Kong stock exchange in a huge setback for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who recently said she would welcome new listings, as well as for London Stock Exchange boss Dame Julia Hoggett.

Hoggett has said she would fight for everything to attract firms. It had been hoped Shein would mark a new chapter for the beleaguered Square Mile.

Instead, with few significant floats on the horizon, it will be left fighting a rearguard action to hold on to its biggest players.

Denied: Chinese regulators have not given Shein permission to list in the UK, in an embarrassing setback following a major persuasive effort by British regulators and ministers

While the New York stock market has seen 136 flotations this year, London has hosted eight, say analysts at AJ Bell.

Magnum maker Unilevers choice to list its ice cream division in Amsterdam dealt the City a bitter blow in February, after a protracted charm offensive by UK ministers.

And Shell has been eyeing a switch to New York amid a slump in its valuation.

Shein was given a green light to list by the UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in March despite concerns raised about its supply chain in China.

But Chinese authorities are likely to have been taken aback at the intense scrutiny of Shein by MPs on the business and trade select committee.

Setback: London Stock Exchange boss Dame Julia Hoggett (pictured)

In January, Sheins UK top lawyer Yinan Zhu declined to comment on whether its cheap clothes were linked to slave labour. It prompted MPs to accuse her of being disrespectful and ridiculous.

Shein has been accused of sourcing cotton from Xinjiang in China where it is claimed Uyghur minorities suffer forced labour and genocide. The company rejects these claims.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: The barrage of criticism, which looked set to intensify, is considered to be partly why Chinese regulators were reluctant to give the IPO the green light.

This will be a blow for Londons ambitions to attract bigger names, but given the obstacles piling up, its not surprising that the company seems to be veering off in another direction to raise capital for further expansion.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said the snub could be a blessing in disguise due to political tensions, adding: The difficult relationship between Beijing and Washington, and the UKs desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with the US could have made listing more trouble than it was worth.

The Chancellor last month insisted it would be foolish to stop engaging with China.

We do want to welcome new listings, she said. The FCA and the London Stock Exchange declined to comment. Shein was contacted for comment.
Versace owner Capri yesterday became the latest luxury fashion giant to warn over Donald Trumps trade war as it posted dismal sales.

The fashion conglomerate, which also owns handbag maker Michael Kors and high-heel brand Jimmy Choo, said US tariffs will dent its profits this year.

Sales plunged 15.4 per cent to 770million for the three months to March 29 as demand for all three flagship brands dwindled.

Versace is being sold to Italys Prada for just over 1billion.

Capri boss John Idol said there was uncertainty around the impact of tariffs on the economic environment.

Trumps tariffs have badly hit a luxury sector already suffering from declining demand.

Tariff woe: Versace owner Capri , which also owns handbag maker Michael Kors and high-heel brand Jimmy Choo, said US tariffs will dent its profits this year

Britains Burberry and French conglomerate LVMH have also warned of the impact they could have.

China, which is a major target of duties, is a big growth market for high-end clothes and accessories.

Trading had been challenging, Idol admitted, as Capri clocked up an 890million loss for the 2025 financial year to March.

But he said that he expects luxury demand to improve throughout this financial year, putting it in position to return to profit the year after.
The boss of Pets At Home has said that a pandemic boom in demand for puppies and kittens is over as the company warned weak demand is not expected to recover soon.

Chief executive Lyssa McGowan pointed to normalising levels of new pet ownership after a massive Covid-driven increase faded.

This feels like a real headwind for the FTSE 250 business as puppy and kitten owners tend to spend a lot of money in retail in the first year, McGowan added.

The number of new cat and dog owners is not growing at such a rapid rate.

We are lapping years of boom with  not quite bust  but much lower growth and stabilisation, she said.

Pets At Home reported revenues little changed at 1.48billion while profits rose 14 per cent to 121million, as it warned consumer confidence would continue to be subdued this year.

Falling demand: Pets at Home chief exec Lyssa McGowan pointed to 'normalising levels of new pet ownership' after a 'massive' Covid-driven increase faded

But McGowan said she was hopeful the group would be able to boost sales of products for ageing pets, such as salmon oil or supplements which help with aching joints.

And a record number of owners signed up to its loyalty scheme, with members rising 5 per cent to 8.2million.

Labours Budget has also piled 18million in annual costs onto the business, contributing to an 11 per cent decline in its share price since the October statement.

Higher costs include National Insurance Contributions and minimum wage increases, which McGowan described as significant and unexpected.

In response, the business is increasing its use of automation and artificial intelligence across its 450 stores and distribution hubs.

McGowan would not be drawn on whether this would mean fewer jobs.

And the chief executive warned that the looming threat of a cyber attack was now the new normal after high-profile episodes involving retailers such as Marks and Spencer.

Of course it concerns me, it would concern every retail chief executive in the UK and world right now, she said.

Clearly there has been a focus on this industry and we are extremely vigilant. I dont think it is going away.

Retail sales slumped 1.8 per cent to 1.3billion for the year to March 27. In contrast, its veterinary services division saw sales improve by 16.8 per cent to 175million.

McGowan also admitted that the group faced ongoing uncertainty from an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the veterinary sector.
Nvidia shares rose 6 per cent in after hours trading after the chipmaker and artificial intelligence bellwether unveiled another quarter of strong growth despite tariff-driven turbulence.

Trump's stop-start trade tariff saga has whipsawed Nvidia and other Big Tech firms riding AI mania to propel their revenue and stock prices upward.

Ahead of its earnings announcement on Wednesday, Nvidia's share price was where it was at the beginning of 2025, before Trump took office and started making announcements about tariffs.

Nvidia raked in nearly $44.1billion in revenue during its first quarter, representing a 69 per cent increase year-on-year.

However, revenue levels fell slightly short market expectations amid the Trump administration's quest to tighten its grip on tech exports to China.

The company conceded it took a $45billion write-down on unsold chips intended for the Chinese market, causing it to miss out on approximately $2.5billion worth of additional sales.

Revenue: Nvidia raked in nearly $44.1bn in revenue during its first quarter

Nvidia said that restrictions on the use of open-source AI models from China such as DeepSeek and Qwen could hurt its business, as could US rules barring connected vehicle technology from China, where Nvidia's long-struggling car chip business has finally blossomed.

Total net income for the quarter reached 18.7billion, up 26 per cent, while adjusted gross margins came in at 71.3 per cent before China-related charges.

Nvidia expects US export controls to shave off around $8billion from its current quarter's top line.

Chief executive Jensen Huang remained upbeat, stating: 'Global demand for Nvidias AI infrastructure is incredibly strong .' Huang said the company's flagship 'backwell' system was enjoying particularly strong sales.

During a phone call with US analysts, Huang praised Trump's decision to rescind an export rule put in place by Joe Biden that would have regulated the flow of Nvidia's chips around the world.

However, the company's quarterly filing noted that no new rule had been issued in its place and that a 'replacement rule may impose new restrictions on our products or operations.'

Huang criticised certain new export curbs imposed by the Trump administration in April. The curbs prevent the company from selling its H20 chip made for the Chinese market, which Huang called 'a springboard to global success.'

However, Huang praised some of Trump's action. He said: 'President Trump wants US tech to lead. The deals he announced are wins for America, creating jobs, advancing infrastructure, generating tax revenue and reducing the US trade deficit.'

In its latest results, the group's data centre arm, which is the engine of its AI drive, delivered $39.1billion in revenue for the quarter, up 73 per cent year-on-year. The firm's data centre division comprises 88 per cent its total turnover.

Nvidia's networking arm, a key part of its AI push, raked in $5billion, while sales in the group's gaming arm rose 42 per cent to $3.8billion.

Josh Gilbert, a market analyst at eToro, said: 'In a quarter of uncertainty, Nvidia has reminded markets why it is the cornerstone of the AI revolution with another solid result and upbeat forecast.

'Investors came into this quarter looking for signs that Nvidia could alleviate short-term concerns.

'What they got was a clear message that demand remains robust, Blackwell is ramping up fast and these results will restore investor confidence.

'Despite the China drag, Nvidias top-line strength speaks for itself with $44billion in Q1 sales and another $45 billion expected next quarter tells us theyre making up for the China loss elsewhere.'

Garry White, chief investment commentator at Charles Stanley, said: 'Artificial intelligence titan Nvidia appears to be absorbing the shock of Donald Trumps investment restrictions on China  to an extent.

'Management provided second-quarter guidance that was a little shy of market expectations  with the revenue loss from Washingtons ban on its H20 chips to China expected to be as high as $8billion in the quarter.

'Clearly, the company faces a period of elevated political risk. Nevertheless, the results also showed that the long-term investment case in AI remains intact. Tech bros can relax.'

A US federal court has now blocked Trump's sweeping global trade tariffs, in a major blow to a key component of his economic policies.

David Belle, a trader at Fink Money, told Newspage: 'Big tech could rally hard on the back of this news, especially following the mammoth Nvidia earnings yesterday.'
When shopping online the option to 'pay by bank' to purchase goods has become a frequently common sight in recent years.

The payment method has been growing steadily in the UK and across Europe, with transactions using the technology tripling in the three years to 2024.

Retailers from Papa Johns to Ryanair now offer the service, while NS&I pushes it as the main option when buying Premium Bonds, as firms continue to adopt the technology.

In 2025, some 25million pay by bank transactions are processed every month, and this is likely to continue growing.

However, as with any new system, there are concerns that pay by bank isn't an effective replacement for traditional methods, and doesn't have the same protections in place.

Critics argue pay by bank is technically just a bank transfer, whereas a debit or credit card transaction offer Section 75 protection or a chargeback protection.

So what is pay by bank, why is it becoming so popular and should you be wary about using it?

Hassle-free: Customers have no need to input their lengthy card details when using pay by bank

A payment revolution

Pay by bank allows customers to pay directly through their bank account, using their login credentials  often including biometrics such as fingerprint or facial recognition - to verify a payment.

Unlike traditional payment methods, pay by bank cuts out the need to for so many middlemen in the payments process.

Sweden-based Brite Payments - one of a number of firms offering the technology, alongside others such as TrueLayer, Finexer and GoCardless - says pay by bank offers a more efficient alternative to other commonly used payment methods.

Lena Hackeloer, founder and chief executive of pay by bank provider Brite Payments, told This is Money: 'Payments are still relatively complex and they're still relatively expensive.

'The reason why pay by bank is more efficient is quite simply that there's fewer partners involved in any given transaction. It can be as few as the payer, bank and the merchant themselves.'

In comparison, credit card transactions go through issuers, acquirers, card networks and payment gateways.

For retailers, this means that adopting pay by bank significantly cuts down the fees they pay on each transaction and also often gives them faster access to the funds.

In some cases, this also means cheaper prices at the checkout.

Hackeloer added: 'Travel bookings, for example, are typically quite expensive to handle on credit cards.

'You'll often see positive discrimination, for pay by bank.

'There will be a surcharge for credit cards and for PayPal and for buy now pay later, and then you'll have a free payment method which will often be pay by bank.'

However, there are other benefits to the consumer.

The main benefit of pay by bank for users, Hackeloer says, is the ease of use.

It requires just access to an online banking app, something 87 per cent of British adults use, and requires no sign up and no need to remember payment details.

She said: 'What you use is typically the same credentials that you would use to log into your online bank, which is something that people have top of mind.

'A lot of people do not have their credit card with them or they don't know their credit card details by heart.'

Verification via your banking app also means that pay by bank is a particularly secure way to pay online.

Unlike card payments, it is very difficult for you online banking details to fall into the wrong hands.

'Credit cards can be lost, details can be subject to a phishing attack or you could even have them read when you're using an ATM,' Hackeloer added.

She added: 'At Brite we process billions of euros worth of payments at this point, and fraud is almost as almost not a topic for our merchants. The majority of our customers have never seen fraud with pay by bank.'

Lena Hackeloer says pay by bank platforms have an incentive to only work with trustworthy businesses

Are there protections - what if I have a problem the retailer?

For purchases made using credit cards and debit cards there are protections in place in case something goes wrong.

Consumers are protected by section 75 for credit cards and chargeback protection for debit card payments.

It is the fact that pay by bank doesn't have these protections in place that raise concerns among critics of the technology.

Hackeloer's response to these concerns is that with any reputable pay by bank provider, these issues should be few and far between.

She said: 'This is a very UK-centric debate. It's incredible, we don't see this in any of the other large account markets, it's very UK specific.

'When does the chargeback reasonably occur? There can be multiple reasons for chargeback. One can be that there's fraud.

'With pay by bank, the fraud rates are a lot lower, and therefore there is less of a need for chargeback.'

She added: 'But assuming the chargeback is justified, if something went wrong with the payment or goods, if you turn to the pay by bank provider, we will advise you on your specific case.

'We have a customer service team and we're always a branded alternative in the checkout because we believe that consumers expect there to be a third party to turn to if something goes wrong.'

The key, Hackeloer says, is that pay by bank providers are incentivised to only work with merchants that provide good service to customers.

She said: 'We only want to work with merchants that have the ambition to satisfy customers, or else we end up losing money because with are going to have to handle those errors and we need to care about the average cost per transaction.'

'We choose our customers carefully,' she said.

Firms using Brite must sign a contract with the platform, and will be assessed on how they deal with customers.

She added: 'if we a retailer that, again and again, has dissatisfied customers and we then have to get involved, we're unlikely to work with them in the long term.

'Pay by bank providers are inherently incentivized to make sure that their customers offer good service because otherwise it's their brand on the line.'

In fact, Hackeloer argues that the absence of chargebacks can be seen as a positive. So-called 'friendly fraud', when a customer disputes a legitimate transaction in order to get a refund, is a growing problem.

Lexis Nexis data reveals that friendly fraud accounts for half of per cent of fraud reported by firms, meaning that globally the industry is losing over $100billion each year as a result.
A mother-of-four whose children have all been left with disabilities after doctors encouraged her to take a drug during pregnancy without warning her of the risks has heartbreakingly revealed how her daughter is a 'prisoner in her own bedroom'.

Karen Buck, 53, was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 12 years old and initially had two drugs pumped into her that completely 'zombified' her and left her feeling like she was walking around 'asleep'.

The devastating trauma she has faced throughout her life began shortly after - when a group of men took advantage of her vulnerability and gang raped her at the age of 13.

Numb and sedated by the drugs, she was moved onto Epilim - one of the leading sodium valproate drugs to control epilepsy seizures. But this would tragically mark the start of another four decades of torture.

Despite it being known since the 1970s that valproate can harm babies in the womb, Ms Buck and countless other expectant mothers have been prescribed the drug over the last five decades without being warned of the risk of birth defects.

An estimated 20,000 children were exposed to the epilepsy drug while in the womb and many are now adults living with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.

While Epilim initially worked well for Ms Buck, her children, who are now in their 20s and 30s, were all later diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome after doctors told her to carry on taking it - even upping her dosage - during pregnancy.

Her third child, Bridget, was born with severe brain damage and spina bifida, is paralysed from the waist down and has so many complex disorders that she has been referred to as the 'world's worst affected child'.

In an emotional interview with MailOnline, Ms Buck, from Stanmore, north-west London, said: 'Bridget is paralysed, she's brain damaged. She's bed bound and she's a prisoner in her own room.'

Bridget Buck, 27, is a 'prisoner in her own bedroom' after her mother Karen took sodium valproate during pregnancy without being warned of any risks

Karen Buck (right) takes 24/7 care of her daughter Bridget who is severely brain damaged and paralysed

Heartbreaking photos show Ms Buck by the bedside of her daughter while she is on oxygen

Bridget, who is now 27, must be surrounded by oxygen tanks as she has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, meaning she constantly has seizures which can cause her to stop breathing.

Ms Buck has always cared for her daughter 24/7, even from a young age when she decided to take her out of school because she was being abused so badly.

The mother-of-four has revealed how not only did doctors not warn her of the risks of taking Epilim while pregnant, they made sure she stayed on it and increased her dosage so she 'wouldn't kill her baby by having a seizure'.

Ms Buck is one of thousands of parents across the world who are fighting for compensation.

Her other three children, Josephine, 36, John, 34, and Christine, 22, have all faced individual battles as a result of being harmed by valproate, Ms Buck says.

Josephine has spinal issues, crystallisations of the joint, nerve damage, polycystic ovaries and small hands. John has a twisted oesophagus, dyslexia, a hiatal hernia, and sleep hyponoia. And Christine has a heart condition and problems with her ears and back.

But it was Ms Buck's pregnancy with Bridget that was the most complicated. At one stage, the foetus was in her ovary and her tubes - before eventually moving around to her womb.

During the pregnancy, she started being 'violently sick' to the point it was inducing seizures.

Ms Buck is one of thousands of parents across the world who are fighting for compensation

Pictured is Bridget Buck as a young baby. She was born with several defects and is now bed bound at age 27

Ms Buck's pregnancy was incredibly complicated. Bridget is pictured in hospital just after being born

Ms Buck explained: 'They increased my dosage while I was pregnant and I questioned it. I said, "I'm being violently sick. Is it wise to put my medication up? Couldn't you give me something for the sickness, rather than the seizures?"

'And I'll never forget this, they then said to me that if you have a seizure, you will kill your baby, so it's important for us to give you the medication.'

Ms Buck says Bridget and her other children have been 'deprived' of a normal life as a result of her not being warned of the risk of birth defects.

Speaking about Bridget's day-to-day life, she said: 'Every day is in the bed. Every day is in the same routine. It's get up, wash her, change her, medicate her, entertain her, feed her. If she has a seizure, you have to be on the ball.

'You've got to give her oxygen, emergency medication.'

Ms Buck says the list of disorders that her daughter has is so long that she is known as 'the world's worst affected child'.

'She's paralysed from the waist downwards. She can't eat normal foods. She can't pick up a knife and fork and eat food.

'She couldn't pick up an orange and start eating it because the skin would choke her.

'If she's feeding and she starts coughing it's gone into the wrong part of her body, it's gone into her lungs.'

Ms Buck said she is 'disgusted' by the lack of urgency to compensate victims for a scandal known as far back as the 70s

Bridget is surrounded by an oxygen tank in case her seizures stop her breathing

Ms Buck was yet again rocked by another battle when she was diagnosed with cancer. She has since brought in a carer to assist her in looking after Bridget.

In February 2024, families whose lives have been ruined by the scandal were given a fresh glimmer of hope when England's patient safety commissioner called on the Government to compensate those affected.

Dr Henrietta Hughes recommended a 100,000 payout after describing the drug's damage as a 'bigger scandal than thalidomide', referring to the morning sickness drug which led to thousands of mothers giving birth to disabled babies.

Ministers said they would consider and respond to compensation recommendations but a deafening silence has left mothers fearing they have once again been forgotten - as they fight for compensation while they are still alive.

The Hughes report came after Baroness Cumberlege published a lengthy review into sodium valproate and two other medical interventions in 2020, which highlighted the denial and dismissal of patient concerns.

The Government issued an official apology in 2021, but the mothers fighting for justice want 'action not words'. And while countries such as France have started paying out victims, the UK Government is still not acting.

Speaking about the lack of urgency to redress affected families, Ms Buck said: 'I feel disgusted by the authorities. I feel disgusted by the Government. I feel disgusted by the regulators. I feel disgusted by the NHS neurologists. And I feel disgusted by the drug company because they should have put it in place.

'I feel they are not taking accountability to put things right. If they explained to me this drug could cause damage to my children I would have had my tubes tied right from the start, not afterwards so that I wouldn't have any more. I wouldn't be able to cope looking after more children.

'Bridget is the world's worse and it's taken a lot of me.'

Speaking of the scale of the scandal, she added: 'It's bigger than thalidomide. It's bigger than the contaminated blood scandal. It's bigger than the Post Office scandal, and it's getting bigger.'

Ms Buck continued: 'I've been through the courts, it failed. I've witnessed the Cumberlege report, that went on for five years and then now the Hughes report, nothing's come.

'Do I trust them? No. They've not listened to all the family stories. I listen day in, day out, to the families. Nobody's listening to them. Until they show me something for all my families that I'm listening to, then I will say, OK.'

Bridget (pictured as a child) is paralysed from the waist down and struggles to eat normal foods

Bridget did manage to temporarily go to school but her mother pulled her out over the abuse she was getting

'You need to practice what you preach. Don't throw out easy apologies.

'You have done damage to all these people. You are accountable for this and you've let all these women down, that's what makes me angry.'

Ms Buck says she has been let down throughout her life, including when she was prescribed drugs that 'zombified' her as a 12-year-old.

She was initially diagnosed with epilepsy due to the trauma she had suffered when she was a young girl, when her parents split up and her mother's new boyfriend started abusing her.

The initial epilepsy drugs left her feeling like a 'zombie' and she wanted to stay away from her mother's home because she was living with someone abusing her.

Ms Buck says she has been let down throughout her life, including when she was prescribed drugs that 'zombified' her as a 12-year-old. Pictured: Her daughter Bridget

Ms Buck was yet again rocked by another battle when she was diagnosed with cancer. She has since brought in a carer to assist her in looking after Bridget

She was only on those drugs for three to six months, but during that time she was gang raped by men who preyed on her vulnerability and sleepiness.

Recalling the traumatising ordeal, she said: 'I was only young, I was probably 12 or 13, very young. I actually kept that all to myself, I was so scared. The only person I told was a doctor but he just overlooked it like I was a child seeking out attention.

He said, "It was just a drug making you hallucinate, we'll put you on a different drug". I'm not imaging this, these things happened to me.

Ms Buck was then put on Epilim but throughout all four pregnancies was never told there were any risks.

'I should have had more guidance, I should have had the support,' she said. 'They should have given me a choice, they didn't tell me anything about what this drug was capable of doing.

'It is appalling the way we have been treated.'

Campaigners have proven that concerns over sodium valproate, commonly known by brand names Epilim, Episenta and Depakote, were first identified in the 1970s but the drug only started to be restricted by the government in 2018.

They ruled that valproate must not be prescribed to women or girls of childbearing potential unless they are on the pregnancy prevention programme.

It came after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said up to four in 10 babies were at risk of development disorders if the drug was taken during pregnancy and and one in 10 at risk of birth defects.

A drug safety update in January 2024 stated that women and men under 55 should not be prescribed the drug unless two separate specialist agree there is no other effective treatment.

Jo Cozens, the Chairperson of Organisation for Anti-Convulsant Syndrome (OACS Charity) who support families harmed by valproate, told MailOnline: 'I'm extremely disappointed frustrated beyond words.'

Ms Cozens, who has requested urgent meetings with the Government but has not heard back, said: 'Not even an acknowledgement is so insulting to families.'
One of the best connected political operatives in Australia has claimed the Liberal Party is on the brink of extinction following its landslide defeat at the May 3 federal election.

Niki Savva - newspaper columnist and regular commentator on the ABC's Insiders show - issued the dire warning while speaking at the Sydney Writers' Festival in Town Hall on Saturday.

Fellow panelists Waleed Aly, George Megalogenis and Amy Remeikis joined Savva as she described the Liberals electoral wipeout as an 'unmitigated disaster'.

'The way things have turned out, the Liberal Party is on the brink of extinction,' Savva said.

'They have spent the last ten years moving further and further to the right, trying to appease an ageing ultra-conservative base.

'If the Liberal Party doesn't change, it will die. If it continues to go on this path, then it will no longer cease to exist as a mainstream political party.'

Once a Liberal insider as Peter Costello's press secretary, Savva and her husband Vincent Woolcock sided with the centrist wing of the Liberals led by Malcolm Turnbull against the right led by Tony Abbott and his former chief-of-staff Peta Credlin, as they battled for control of the party.

The defeat of Peter Dutton and the election of Sussan Ley as Liberal leader has seen the balance of power within the party swing back to the centrists.

Former Howard government political advisor turned commentator Niki Savva said the Coalition 'will die'

Savva (left) joined a panel of esteemed commentators for a Sydney Writers' Festival panel discussion on Saturday

Labor claimed 94 seats at the election, while the Coalition took just 43. The Liberals also lost their leader Peter Dutton when voters in his electorate of Dickson swung towards Labor candidate, Ali France.

Aly supported Savva's argument, blaming the party's failings on walking away from a focus on economics and getting involved in the 'culture wars'.

'When Niki talks about the Liberal Party being on the brink of extinction, she's not being melodramatic,' he said.

'What's happened is liberal economics ceased to be the organising principle (of the party).'

Aly said the Liberal Party of old 'wouldn't really do the culture-warring in the way that we've come to know'.

'John Howard was, I think, brilliant at resolving this contradiction by saying, "I'll give you Liberal economics, even with the uncertainties that that has inherent in it ... but I'll then re-securitise you through the politics of culture, nation, national identity".'

Dutton weighed in on a number of 'culture war' topics in the lead up to May 3.

The recently reunited Coalition 'have spent the last ten years moving further and further to the right, trying to appease an aging ultra-conservative base,' Savva said. Above is Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud

Waleed Aly claimed the Liberal Party has strayed too far from its roots in recent years

He slammed 'woke' agendas in the nation's school systems and also announced he would only stand in front of the Australian flag - rather than including the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags as Anthony Albanese does.

Dutton also criticised the number of Welcome to Country ceremonies held at public events and ceremonies.

Aly claimed the party's stance on migration was also partially to blame for declining votes in outer-city seats.

Dutton at one point promised to reduce net migration to 160,000 people in his first year if elected.

The former member for Dickson promised to slash permanent migration from 185,000 in 2024-25 to 140,000 in 2025-26.

Aly claimed the Liberals have long alienated minorities - driving his own late father, a Liberal-supporting business owner, from the party decades ago.

'You have a situation where all these minorities  and I'm not into the whole identity politics, analysis of things  but all these minorities, having been alienated repeatedly, over and over a long period of time, haven't come back to (the party),' Aly said.

Political analyst and left-wing commentator Remeikis, from the Australia Institute, said the election was a grave sign of things to come for the party.

'I don't just think that the Liberal Party is heading to extinction; I think this is the death notice,' she said.

'This is the last gasp of the Liberal Party,' Amy Remeikis told the Town Hall crowd on Saturday

'This is the last gasp of the Liberal Party.

'And I think it's coming up to the last gasp of the two party system in Australia, which has basically been the foundation of our democracy since the post-war.

'And the reason I say that is that the Liberals have lost most of their blue ribbon seats.'

Remeikis said the Coalition was not likely to win the next election, and wouldn't have a chance 'until 2030'.

'We've got at least six years of the Labor government ahead of us,' she said.

'By the time the Coalition, if it still exists  if the Liberal Party still exists, if the National Party still exists  are collectively competitive again, we're in the 2030s.

'Do you think anyone is talking about nuclear or the energy transition? Gee whiz. No. So (the parties are) completely irrelevant to these fights that they're having.'

The commentators also criticised Dutton's campaign style.

Author George Megalogenis said the electorate had give Labor free rein in the next term

They labelled him 'not match fit' at press conferences, shambolic in his policy choice, and said Dutton's attempt at softening his 'hard man' image only confused voters.

The 'Trump effect' also had a big impact on the election, the pundits added.

'The Trump factor was kicking in around the world, and Trump was starting to be a drag on the right-wing ticket, wherever it was being tested,' Cassidy said.

Aly said the effects of Trump's policies in Australia, including the tariffs, began to scare local voters.

'What I think it ultimately happened was Trump came in petrified everybody, everyone who looked at his style of politics and thought, "oh, wow, this could be there could be real world consequences to this and Australia as a collective",' he said.

Anthony Albanese delivered Labor its best election result since 1943, when John Curtin was wartime prime minister.

Robert Menzies formed the Liberal Party in 1944, following a devastating election defeat that had decimated the old United Australia Party as a force in conservative politics.
As someone who was not afraid to pursue her individuality against the spirit of the age, she was one of a kind.

But Jewish-born surrealist writer and photographer Claude Cahun defied more than social convention.

A new two-part Channel 4 documentary reveals the extent of her bravery resisting the Nazis in the occupied Channel Islands during the Second World War.

Britain Under the Nazis: The Forgotten Occupation, tells how Cahun spent years penning 'paper bullets' - propaganda notes intended to sap the morale of German troops - and leaving them where they would be found by the enemy.

But her brave acts of resistance - carried out with her secret lover and stepsister Marcel Moore - eventually caught up with her.

She and Moore were caught by the Nazis in 1944 and sentenced to death, only to win a reprieve at the last moment.

Tonight's documentary draws from diaries and letters to reveal the extent of the hardships suffered by ordinary islanders living under Nazi rule, which began on July 1, 1940.

The Channel Islands were the only part of British territory to be occupied by Adolf Hitler's forces in the whole of the Second World War.

Surrealist writer and photographer Claude Cahun resisted Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands in the Second World War

Cahun, who was born Lucy Renee Mathilde Schwob in Nantes, France, in 1894, was living in Jersey when the Nazis invaded.

Recounting the moment that German forces arrived, she wrote: 'I was standing on the lawn in front of the house watering the flowerbeds, when planes appeared.

'Flying so low that not only the crosses and other markings could be seen, but the pilots themselves.

'I think for the last three years I felt the war coming without wanting to believe it.'

The Bailiff of Jersey, Alexander Coutanche, was allowed to stay on his role under German supervision.

He described his mood of 'deep depression' when the new occupiers made clear the situation.

With France having been overrun and British forces roundly humiliated at Dunkirk, the future looked bleak for the Channel Islanders.

But Cahun was determined to fight back.

Britain Under the Nazis: The Forgotten Occupation, tells how Cahun spent years penning 'paper bullets' - propaganda notes intended to sap the morale of German troops - and leaving them where they would be found by the enemy

German officers outside the Alderney branch of Lloyd's Bank, which they turned into their headquarters

German soldiers parading through Marais Square, Alderney, during their occupation of the Channel Islands

A Luftwaffe officer speaking with a British policeman in St. Helier, the capital of the island of Jersey, during the German occupation of the Channel Islands

Her paper bullets were and made to look as though they had been composed by rogue German soldiers.

In them, she tried to incite mutiny and undermine troops' morale by disparaging Hitler's rule and highlighting Nazi atrocities.

Cahun also called on the soldiers to lay down their arms.

Historian Dr Louise Willmot says in tonight's programme: 'They are quite varied.

'Some are typed and they are typed really with great care.

'They range from a few lines to quite complex arguments, but they are all inciting the troops to lay down their weapons, so it is incitement to mutiny.

'She knew that is punishable by death.

'When we think about the choices people made and the dilemmas they faced, I dont think she felt that she had a choice.

Claude Cahun and her partner Marcel Moore, who was known as Suzanne

Cahun was known for her self-portraitist. She died in Jersey in 1954 aged just 60

'She did write that poets and artists had a duty to act, so I think she did feel it out of a sense of duty, she had to take action against the Nazis. Staggeringly brave.'

The academic also highlights how Cahun and Moore were 'hiding their relationship' while living together as step-siblings.

'They were together from very early on and stayed committed to one another all their lives,' she added.

'So it is a romantic story but it is a hidden romantic story, because the times were different and they wanted to blend in in the background.

'If you had met her before the occupation or in France in her earlier life, you would see somebody who would shave her head, the wearing of masks, concealing identity, playing with gender identity.

'She says I don't think of myself as masculine or feminine. They both had already been politically very active in the surrealist anti-Fascist movement.

'By choosing to do this work, they were saying I am prepared to die in order to do this work which is so important.'

Cahun's notes proved effective. The Germans were rattled and left convinced that there were several people involved, including rogue soldiers.

Despite her bravery, Cahun's story is little-known. She the resisted German occupation of Jersey

Meanwhile, other acts of resistance were bubbling up.

In June 1941, islanders responded to a radio appeal for people living under Nazi occupation to put up 'V for Victory' signs.

And journalist Frank Falla was an integral part of the Guernsey Underground News Service (GUNS), which circulated BBC news around the island after radios were confiscated.

In August 1942, Cahun was confronted with the sight of slave labourers who had been brought to Jersey to build a huge sea wall that was part of extensive fortifications of the islands.

The artist's home was just yards away from where the emaciated prisoners were forced to work.

The Nazis also deported 2,300 islanders to internment camps in France and Germany.

And on Alderney, concentration camps were built to house forced labourers.

Between 641 and 1,027 people - among them Jews, prisoners of war and some Romanis - are known to have to have died amidst the brutal conditions and savage treatment at the hands of SS guards.

Cahun defied social conventions. Above: One of her self-portraits

Cahun and Moore in later life. Cahun died aged 60 in 1954. Moore took her own life in 1972

Some Jewish islanders - including nurse Therese Steiner - were deported to death camps including Auschwitz.

In the summer of 1944, Cahun and Moore were arrested by the Gestapo at their home.

The couple decided to fight their corner at trial. But they were handed a death sentence, as well as six years of hard labour and nine months in prison.

But Bailiff Coutanche appealed for mercy and their death sentences were commuted.

The Channel Islands were occupied until May 9, 1945 - two days after German forces in mainland Europe had surrendered.

After their ordeal, Cahun and Moore went back to living together on Jersey. Cahun died there aged 60 in 1954.

Moore took her own life in 1972 aged 79.

Jersey Heritage, the trust which cares for the island's historic sites, has one of the biggest collections of Cahun's work in the world.

Britain Under the Nazis: The Forgotten Occupation, begins tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm.
In less than three months, Bryan Kohberger will finally go on trial for the murders of four University of Idaho students in a case that sent shockwaves across the nation.





The 30-year-old suspect is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home in Moscow, Idaho, in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022, and fatally stabbing four students: Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.

Two other roommates survived, one of which came face-to-face with the masked killer moments after the attack.

With his August 11 trial date looming, Kohbergers defense has made an 11-hour bid for a delay - citing a recent Dateline episode that revealed bombshell new details about the case.

The explosive move, which threatens to upend the high-profile case, follows a string of rulings about what evidence jurors can see when deciding Kohbergers fate.

The defense wanted to keep a wealth of evidence - from a haunting 911 call to the phrase bushy eyebrows and the suspects Amazon shopping history - out of the trial.

Most of these efforts have been in vain, with Judge Steven Hippler siding with prosecutors that jurors can and should see such evidence.

To legal experts, there is no doubt that the prosecution has come out on top in these decisions, while the defense has suffered a major setback to its strategy.

The judges rulings are a big blow to the defense, Duncan Levin, a prominent defense attorney who previously represented Anna Delvey and Harvey Weinstein, told the Daily Mail.

Bryan Kohberger snapped this selfie six hours after the brutal Moscow murders

Allowing the jury to hear evidence like the bushy eyebrows description, the 911 call, the roommates texts and the Amazon purchase history gives the prosecution a strong narrative linking Kohberger to the crime scene and the murder weapon. These details help the prosecution paint a vivid and cohesive picture for the jury.

Neama Rahmani, former federal prosecutor and president and co-founder of West Coast Trial Lawyers, agrees and said the rulings should not have come as a surprise to the defense which was clutching at straws to toss key evidence from the case.

I don't think the defense really had a strong legal leg to stand on when it came to some of their motions to exclude this evidence,' he said.

Some of these were just Hail Mary arguments, just swinging for the fences. I don't think they had much of a chance of success, but they're doing everything they can to try to keep Bryan Kohberger alive.

Here the Daily Mail reviews some of the evidence Kohberger didnt want the jury to see...

Amazon shopping history

Kohberger tried and failed to ban his damning Amazon shopping history - evidence that ties him to the murder weapon - from the trial.

When the bloodbath was discovered inside 1122 King Road, a brown leather Ka-Bar knife sheath was found next to Mogens body. DNA on the clasp of the sheath was a match to Kohberger.

Amazon records, revealed in court documents, show that an account under Kohbergers name and email address bought a Ka-Bar knife, sheath and sharpener in March 2022 (eight months before the murders) and had them shipped to his parents' home in Pennsylvania.

Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin (from top left clockwise)

After the murders, Kohberger appeared to try to cover his tracks, researching how to delete his Amazon account activity, court documents show.

Kohberger's account then allegedly searched for a replacement knife or sheath.

The murder weapon has not been found.

Despite Kohbergers team claiming his Amazon purchase history was out of context, incomplete and unfairly prejudicial, the judge ruled it is highly relevant and establishes significant connection between Defendant and Ka-bar knife and sheath.

Both legal experts tell the Daily Mail the Amazon search history - when coupled with the DNA evidence on the sheath - is the most damaging evidence the defense failed to get thrown out, with Levin saying they go directly to premeditation and planning.

Rahmani believes the sheath evidence and the Amazon history combined is the smoking gun in the case against Kohberger.

The biggest blow for the defense has to be everything related to the knife. There's no question that that is by far away the biggest hurdle the defense has to overcome, he says.

DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath (seen in stock image) left behind at the scene

An eerie criminology assignment

In another loss for Kohbergers team, the judge turned down his request to exclude his rather uncanny college assignment from the trial.

The 12-page essay was submitted by Kohberger in 2020 as part of his criminal justice Masters degree at DeSales University, where he studied under top serial killer expert Dr. Katherine Ramsland.

The document details how to handle a crime scene where a white woman has been found murdered at a trailer park - stabbed to death with a knife in a chilling parallel to the murders.

It describes how crime scene investigators must meticulously photograph the scene including the victim's body, capturing 'the deceased woman in the living room... the bruises on her face, the marks on her neck, the bloody shirt...'

Kohberger also outlines the protective gear including gloves, fiber-free overalls and booties worn by crime scene investigators to avoid leaving DNA and prints at the scene.

Prosecutors argue the essay chillingly shows Kohberger's extensive knowledge of crime scenes.

It was after graduating from DeSales in summer 2022 that Kohberger enrolled in a criminology PhD program at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington - just over the border from Moscow, where the murders unfolded a few months later.

Bushy eyebrows

The two surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, are expected to be key witnesses for the prosecution.

Mortensen is the only person who both came face-to-face with the killer and lived to tell the tale.

At around 4 a.m., Mortensen heard disturbing noises inside her shared home.

She told investigators she opened her bedroom door and saw a man dressed in all black and a balaclava-type mask walking past her doorway toward the back sliding door.

She described the man as having bushy eyebrows.

Kohbergers defense tried to ban the phrase bushy eyebrows from the trial and cast doubts on Mortensen's credibility - pointing to statements where she admitted she was drunk and arguing she had drawings of people with prominent eyes and eyebrows on her bedroom walls.

The move was unsuccessful with the judge saying Mortensen's description is 'highly relevant' and her account 'remarkably consistent.'

Prosecutors will also show jurors a chilling, thumbs-up selfie captured by Kohberger just six hours after the murders, to show his eyebrows at the time of the crime.

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

Panicked texts and a haunting 911 call

In another blow to Kohbergers case, jurors will see the panicked texts sent between the two survivors and the chilling 911 call placed hours later.

Cell phone records, released in court documents, reveal that Mortensen and Funke repeatedly texted and called each other and their four friends moments after Mortensen saw the masked killer.

'No one is answering,' Mortensen texted Funke.

'What's going on?' she then sent to Goncalves.

In another message, Mortensen texted Funke, 'I'm freaking out rn and described the intruder wearing like ski mask almost.

Court documents show that over the next eight hours, the two women called and texted their roommates and other people, and accessed social media platforms.

Just before midday, they discovered Kernodle's body and the harrowing 911 call was placed.

The terrified, sobbing students are heard telling the dispatcher one of their friends is 'passed out' and 'not waking up - and that they saw some man in their house last night.

Kohberger wanted to ban jurors from seeing the texts and hearing the 911 call, claiming they were hearsay and that 'there is no evidence they were sufficiently startled by the events.'

The judge disagreed, writing that the two students were clearly under stress and attempting to make sense of the frightening situation.

The judge did agree to redact parts of the call.

As far as Rahmani is concerned, the texts pose another setback to Kohbergers case as they 'corroborate that there was a masked man' in the home.

The white Hyundai Elantra

Kohberger also tried unsuccessfully to keep out evidence related to his white Hyundai Elantra - the same make and model of the vehicle prosecutors say the killer drove that night.

Multiple security cameras captured footage of a white Hyundai Elantra circling the home and then fleeing the scene minutes after the murders.

Expert prosecution witnesses will be allowed to testify it is the same vehicle in all the footage.

Prosecutors will also be able to play bodycam footage of Kohberger being pulled over for a traffic stop in Moscow on Aug. 21, 2022 - three months before the murders.

Parts of the bodycam will be redacted but the state will be able to use the footage to prove Kohberger's identity and his ownership of the vehicle.

The evidence places Defendant in Moscow at night on one of the dates of interest alleged by the State to be relevant to planning the charged crime, the judge wrote.

In mid-December, Kohberger and his dad drove his same car from Washington to Pennsylvania for the holidays, where he was arrested days later.

The white Hyundai Elantra captured on surveillance footage close to the student home

Other wins and losses

Among the wins and losses for Kohberger ahead of his trial, the biggest loss has been the judges refusal to strike the death penalty a staggering 13 times.

One of the defense's arguments is centered on accusations the prosecution did not hand over discovery in a timely, effective manner - a strategy that was previously successful for 'cult mom' Lori Vallow.

Another argument rests on claims he shouldn't be sent to death row due to his autism diagnosis.

In a death penalty case, as a defense lawyer, your job is to keep your client alive, Rahmani explains.

That's it. Even if he spends the rest of his life in prison, that's a win for the defense.

The judge also ruled that the defense can only present evidence of his autism diagnosis as a reason for his courtroom demeanor if Kohberger himself takes the stand to testify.

However, his autism can be presented as a mitigating factor to be weighed against aggravating factors if Kohberger is convicted and the trial enters the penalty phase.

The student home at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where the five young women lived

The denial of the motion to strike the death penalty, even with the autism argument, keeps the highest stakes on the table - and that exerts pressure on the defense during plea negotiations and trial strategy, Levin says.

Importantly, the ruling that jurors cant hear about the autism diagnosis unless Kohberger testifies puts the defense in a tight spot: They either have to put their client on the stand, which carries enormous risk, or lose the ability to humanize him through that diagnosis.

With the death penalty still on the table, Kohberger has now turned to trying to delay his trial altogether - and to introducing an alternate suspect he claims could be the real killer.

It remains to be seen whether or not the jury will see this evidence.
Far-right activist Laura Loomer has revealed her 'dream job' in Trump's White House - just as the administration escalates its crackdown on international students and elite universities.

Loomer's tweet came hours after an internal State Department cable revealed that the Trump administration has ordered a freeze on new student visa interviews in anticipation of expanded surveillance protocols.

The administration plans to implement sweeping new social media screening for all foreign students seeking to study in the US.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered American consulates worldwide to halt new visa appointments for student and exchange visitors 'effective immediately,' citing preparations for a major escalation in vetting.

It is part of a sweeping new offensive against both immigration and what President Trump calls 'radicalism in higher education.'

'Sounds like a dream job for me,' Loomer posted on X. 'I would love to research foreign students all day and find an excuse to block them from coming into our country based on their radicalism. Sign me up.'

The unprecedented crackdown on international student visas is part of Trump's broader campaign to, in his words, 'cleanse American universities of radicalism.'

Known for her inflammatory rhetoric and repeated bans from social media platforms, Loomer previously declared she would 'take a bullet' for Trump.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer has declared her interest in joining the Trump White House as the administration escalates its crackdown on international students and elite universities

Laura Loomer wants to be on the frontlines of Trump's immigration dragnet, helping to keep out what she describes as 'radicals' from the world's universities

People hold up signs during the Harvard Students for Freedom rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Now, she wants to be on the frontlines of his immigration dragnet, helping to keep out what she describes as 'radicals' from the world's universities.

The White House has not responded to questions about whether Loomer is being seriously considered for a role in the administration, but her public pitch has been widely circulated by supporters online - some of whom have urged Trump to appoint her as a 'foreign influence czar.'

'You were meant for this role!' wrote one of Loomer's supporters.

'What if we just ban foreigners from coming to this country?', suggested another.

'This is long overdue. If someone is posting hatred toward America, supporting terrorism, or promoting anti-Western ideology, they have no business setting foot on our soil. Not to study here. Not for any reason. Vetting social media is basic national security. We should be doing this for every visa applicant,' wrote a third.

The State Department's cable came just a day after the Trump administration ordered Harvard University to stop enrolling international students, a demand that was swiftly blocked by a federal judge after the school filed a lawsuit.

'I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

'We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools. They can't get in because we have foreign students there.

Her public pitch has been widely circulated by supporters online - some of whom have urged Trump to appoint her as a 'foreign influence czar.'

Earlier this year, ICE arrested and tried to deport several international students who had participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the IsraelHamas war

Loomer's close relationship with Trump hasn't got her an official role in his administration, but she has shown steadfast loyalty to the President which provided her enough influence to have a hand in the ousting of National Security Advisor Mike Walz

'They're taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized, and we don't want them making trouble in our country,' he added.

Harvard's president, Alan Garber, warned on Tuesday that elite universities should prepare for escalating federal pressure, as Trump's administration has already slashed over $2.6 billion in research grants and threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status.

The move was followed by another bombshell on Wednesday as Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US would begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, particularly those studying in 'critical fields' or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

The Trump administration's tightening grip on academia has sent universities scrambling.

Institutions like Northeastern University, which has over 20,000 international students, have set up 'contingency plans' to deal with delays or denials in student visas.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups like NAFSA: Association of International Educators are condemning the changes.

Known for her inflammatory rhetoric and repeated bans from social media platforms, Loomer previously declared she would 'take a bullet' for Trump

The Trump administration has ordered Harvard University to stop enrolling international students, a demand that was swiftly blocked by a federal judge after the school filed a lawsuit

'International students are not a threat to this country. If anything, they're an incredible asset,' said CEO Fanta Aw.

'The idea that embassies have the time, the capacity, and taxpayer dollars are being spent this way is very problematic.'

The administration's proposed changes would require all student visa applicants to undergo extensive reviews of their social media profiles, a dramatic expansion of rules first enacted during Trump's first term.

While applicants have had to provide their social handles since 2019, the new plan would actively screen posts for signs of 'radicalism,' 'protest activity,' or connections to banned organizations.

So far, Meta, Google, and TikTok, whose platforms would be subject to scrutiny, have declined to comment.

Earlier this year, ICE arrested and tried to deport several international students who had participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the IsraelHamas war.

Harvard students protested Tuesday after the US government said it intends to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the university, President Trump's latest attempt to force the prestigious institution to submit to unprecedented oversight

Trump has painted elite universities, particularly Ivy League, as breeding grounds for what he calls 'anti-American extremism.'

The administration then expanded the grounds for deportation based on 'threats to public order.'

Trump has painted elite universities, particularly Ivy League, as breeding grounds for what he calls 'anti-American extremism.'

Last week the Department of Homeland Security accused Harvard of 'coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party' and providing training to members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a paramilitary group accused of human rights abuses.

Harvard denies the claims and has filed a lawsuit against the administration.
The young man found dead in a hotel room on the weekend with 'suspicious injuries' had survived being shot at from close range seven years ago.

Matthew Pascoe, 35, was found unresponsive at the Hinterland Hotel on Station Street in Nerang, on the Gold Coast, about 11.15am on Saturday.

Police declared his death as suspicious after the 35-year-old was found with 'significant head and internal injuries'.

On Thursday, a 34-year-old Nerang man was charged with one count of murder.

Mr Pascoe's sister Caitlyn Pascoe shared her gratitude to detectives for the swift development.

'We miss him dearly and want to thank the police for getting us answers so soon,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Pascoe's death comes after he miraculously survived the April 2018 shooting incident.

Mr Pascoe had got into an argument with another man, Tyson James Scott Boulden, then 22, at a park in Nerang.

Matthew Pascoe, 35, was found unresponsive in a room at a Gold Coast hotel

Mr Pascoe has been described as a 'bright light' by his heartbroken sister

Boulden had a sawed off shotgun, which 'unintentionally' discharged and sprayed Mr Pascoe's legs with pellets.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possessing a shortened firearm and was handed a three-year prison sentence.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest the shooting is related to Mr Pascoe's death in any way or that Mr Boulden was involved.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Mark Mooney said Mr Pascoe checked into the hotel with his mother around 2pm on Friday and went out three hours later.

He was last seen on CCTV footage at the hotel's reception about 6.20pm before he returned to his room, where the alleged murder is believed to have taken place.

Ms Pascoe paid tribute to her brother in a GoFundMe raising funds for his funeral.

'It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of our beloved brother, Matthew Pascoe, who left us far too soon,' she wrote.

'Matthew was more than just a brother - he was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew him.

Mr Pascoe was described miraculously survived a shooting seven years before his death

'His kind heart, sense of humor, and unwavering love for his family and friends touched so many. Losing him has left an immeasurable void in our lives.'

Ms Pascoe said his loss will be felt immeasurably, especially for his nieces and nephews 'who thought the absolute world of him'.

'As we begin to navigate the heartbreak of this loss, we are hoping to raise funds to give Matthew the heartfelt and dignified farewell he deserves,' she said.

'If you're unable to donate, we ask that you please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.'
Canadian nature lovers are outraged by a government decision to shutter beauty spots to the public so they can be used exclusively by native groups to 'reconnect' with the land.

Outdoors enthusiasts have slammed the government of British Columbia for closing Joffre Lakes Park and its turquoise waters for more than 100 days in peak season to regular taxpayers.

The same goes for the 24-hour closure of Botanical Beach on Vancouver Island to nonindigenous people, so members of the Pacheedaht First Nation could have it to themselves.

Critics have taken to social media to slam the closures as unfair and 'apartheid, Canadian-style,' with native groups getting special treatment as everyone else is sidelined.

The province's Ministry of Environment and Parks has called the closures part of a 'path of reconciliation' with native people.

The controversy follows a blockbuster Canadian election that was overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's push to make Canada a '51st state' of America.

The vast country has been convulsed by its own culture wars after a decade of former prime minister Justin Trudeau's ultra-liberal rule.

Caroline Elliott, director of the Public Land Use Society, a campaign group, slammed the closure of Joffre Lakes as unfair in a recent post on X that's been viewed 172,000 times and generated hundred of comments.

'It's divisive, it sets a terrible precedent, and it's just plain wrong,' Elliott says in the video.

Joffre Lakes Park has been closed to regular British Columbia residents, while native groups get exclusive access

'What it isn't is complicated. BC's parks belong to all British Columbians.'

Angry social media users commented on the video, saying the shuttering was 'discriminatory,' and amounted to 'identity politics,' 'racial segregation,' and even an 'apartheid, Canadian-style.'

'These are provincial parks, not tribal reserves,' posted one user.

'Everyone pays for them. Everyone maintains them. Everyone should be welcome.'

Joffre Lakes park has been closed in peak season so that the Lilwat Nation and the N'Quatqua First Nation can have exclusive access to its turquoise lakes, streams, and forests annually since 2023.

Each year, the closures have grown longer, leaving some worried that one of the province's busiest parks would be shuttered to nonindigenous residents permanently in the future.

The closure lasted for only 39 days in 2023, but grew to 60 days in 2024 and more than 100 days this year, says Elliott.

The ministry in a statement to the Daily Mail said it was 'important to give time and space for the land to rest, while ensuring the Nations can use this space as they always have.'

'We have built a strong relationship with the Lil'wat and N'Quatqua to make sure the natural and cultural values of the park are protected,' said the statement.

'We continue to work with the Nations to ensure opportunities exist for people to access the park in a responsible and sustainable way.'

Back in 2023, the closure was not initiated by the officials  native groups unilaterally decided to deny access to other residents so they could practice their hunting and fishing traditions there.

Indigenous groups say they struggle to access lands on which their ancestors used to hunt and fish

Hiking mom Caroline Elliott says it's not fair to exclude nonindigenous residents from the beauty spots

The park closures have set off a firestorm of complaints on social media

A statement from the group at the time said they were 'asserting our Title and Rights to our shared unceded territory to take this time to harvest and gather our resources within our territories.'

During last year's closure, Lilwat Nation Chief Dean Nelson said the park was sacred to his community.

'We are striving to reintroduce our community to an area where they have been marginalized,' Nelson told CBC.

'The time and space created by these closures will allow our youth, elders and all Lilwat citizens to practise their inherent rights while reconnecting with the land.'

The day-long closure of Botanical Beach park on Vancouver Island and its beloved tidal pools on May 25 has also raised concerns.

In a statement, the parks department said the area was once home to the Pacheedaht, but that the area's growing popularity made it 'challenging' for members of the group to access it.

Elsewhere in British Columbia, federally run recreation areas have also been closed to the public, with authorities also citing cultural concerns.

They include parts of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Parts of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Elliot's campaign group says the closures set a worrying precedent.

In the case of Joffre Lakes park, native groups have only asserted land rights, but they've not been established in court, she says.

A closure at Botanical Beach park on Vancouver Island and its tidal pools this month also raised concerns

British Columbia's indigenous groups have laid claim to almost all of the massive territory, says Elliott

The hiking enthusiast said it was worrying that 'mere assertion of title confers the right to prohibit public access to public spaces.'

'What would prevent more closures like this, not just in other parks, but in relation to any other public lands?' she added.
A drama teacher is under 'formal investigation' after female students - some just teens - stripped naked in front of their entire class during a so-called 'vulnerability exercise.'

Mace Archer, 56, allegedly positioned himself in the director's chair and watched as three women undressed on stage during mandatory midterm performances at Mesa Community College in Arizona.

Two of the women stripped down to their underwear, while a third student removed every piece of clothing under the glaring stage lights, according to an investigation by the Arizona Republic.

The performance came after a two-year campaign of alleged sexual misconduct that college bosses reportedly ignored.

Students described a pattern of inappropriate behavior that included lingering touches, sexual flirtation, and forcing pupils to watch pornographic content during class, as reported by the Arizona Republic.

The students even created a secret computer file to document Archer's alleged conduct over more than two years.

The document allegedly contained over a dozen anonymous reports of misconduct.

Archer allegedly encouraged one woman to 'dive into' her sexual assault experiences during performances, straddled another female student during a classroom demonstration, and showed the entire class a video of an orgy featuring multiple sex acts.

A drama teacher is under 'formal investigation' after female students stripped naked in front of their entire class during a so-called 'vulnerability exercise'

Two of the women stripped down to their underwear, while a third student removed every piece of clothing under the glaring stage lights, according to an investigation by the Arizona Republic

'There were lingering touches on my knees or shoulders,' revealed graduate Brecklyn Hall, who described her experience in the theater program to the outlet.

'My experience isn't nearly as insane as others. But it was really hard being in the class with him.'

Despite months of student complaints and at least one formal report to administrators in February, college officials allowed Archer to continue teaching young women.

This was after they learned about the shocking stripping exercise that took place during midterms on March 18 and 20.

The investigation exposes how Mesa Community College administrators promised to look 'into the learning objectives' of the acting courses but failed to protect students from further alleged abuse.

Student Gabrielle Monroe witnessed the horrifying midterm performances in the college's 'black box' theater, where approximately 16 students were forced to attend the mandatory exercise designed to help them 'face their fears.'

'On the first day, two women stripped down to their underwear. The person who got naked was on the second day,' Monroe revealed in shocking detail. 'We all knew what to expect.'

One student removed every piece of clothing under the bright stage lights.

'She was just silent. She just took her clothes off,' Monroe described. 'People were kind of shocked, but it was silent. No music, no talking, nothing.'

The young woman folded her clothes neatly on a chair, removed her underwear, then briefly put on a robe before the performance mercifully ended within minutes.

Mace Archer, 56, allegedly positioned himself in the director's chair and watched as three women undressed on stage during mandatory midterm performances at Mesa Community College in Arizona

Monroe revealed that Archer had deliberately prepared students for the stripping, discussing in previous classes how women had removed their clothes for similar assignments in the past.

The instructor met individually with students to discuss their 'risk assignment' ideas, with multiple women claiming he specifically targeted younger girls in the class.

'It was mostly the younger, teenage girls in class,' Monroe exposed. 'I have heard from other women that their initial idea was not enough of a fear risk, and he suggested that they remove articles of clothing.'

Maricopa Community Colleges spokesperson Lindsey Wilson told the outlet: 'Because this is an active personnel matter, we cannot provide specific details to protect the privacy of those involved.'

'Our colleges take any allegations of misconduct seriously and are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff.'

Archer has not responded to Dailymail.com's request for comment.
The missing Diddy 'victim' who mysteriously vanished during the first week of testimony has haunted his trial ever since.

The woman - referred to only as 'Victim number 3' - was scheduled to testify for the prosecution after Cassie Ventura.

Her testimony was going to bolster the prosecution's case against the beleaguered rapper and support the racketeering charge that Diddy's team says is completely out of the blue.

When she vanished, there was an onslaught of conspiracy theories coupled with a strategic scramble from the prosecutors.

No one could find the woman. They still can't.

She's become like the ghost of Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in downtown Manhattan.

But now Daily Mail can now reveal her identity... and the bombshell allegations she was likely to share before the jury.

'Victim Number 3' is Gina Virginia 'Gina' Huynh, a former girlfriend whose claims against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, are among the sickest.

'Victim Number 3' is Gina Virginia 'Gina' Huynh, a former girlfriend whose claims against Diddy are among the sickest

Huynh claimed in a 2019 interview that she was seeing Diddy while the rapper was also still involved with Cassie Ventura. They met in 2013, then started their romance a year later

The pair met in 2013 in Las Vegas. Their romance began a year later and, according to Huynh, they dated for five years.

She claims their relationship was one mired in violence, threats and even bribes.

Diddy, claims Huynh, once stomped on her stomach so violently when she was pregnant, she suffered a miscarriage.

The rap mogul also forced her into an abortion, she claims, offering her $50,000 to go through with it and plying her with alcohol because 'she was going to get rid of it anyway'.

While she hasn't testified at the trial, she has previously detailed her sickening claims against Diddy in a 2019 podcast interview.

'He stomped on my stomach really hard  like, took the wind out of my breath.

'I couldn't breathe. He kept hitting me. I was pleading to him, 'Can you just stop? I can't breathe,'' she recalled in a largely overlooked podcast interview back in 2019 - long before Diddy faced any kind of criminal trouble.

When their romance began in 2014, Diddy was still on again off again with long-time love, Ventura. And he always let her know it, she said.

'He would always compare me to Cassie and tell me that I'm the bad one, she's a good one.'

'He was mentally, emotionally and physically abusing me,' Huynh claimed.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York declined to comment whether Victim-3 will still testify, or if they have been able to find her.

Gina claims Diddy was so violent with her he 'smooshed her face' and kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant. He denies all of her claims

When Gina vanished during opening statements, it threw the trial into chaos. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is depicted on May 5

Model Huynh said Diddy offered her $50,000 to have an abortion - but she turned down the money because she 'loved' him

Daily Mail understands that she still lives in Las Vegas, but decided against testifying to avoid the 'circus' that would follow her attendance in downtown Manhattan.

Combs, 55, has denied all of the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.

In her 2019 interview, Huynh claims she turned down the $50,000 abortion payment because she 'loved' the rapper.

'I turned [the money] down because I just loved him,' Huynh said. 'I wanted to  I was, like, trying to prove that I wasn't the girl that wanted him for money.

'I just cared about him. I just wanted him to be nice to me. That's it.'

Huynh also claimed she when she was pregnant a second time with Combs' child, the rapper forced her to get another abortion.

During a trip to Turks and Caicos Islands and before she had the second abortion, Huynh said Combs kept giving her alcohol.

When she refused, Combs allegedly told her: 'Well, you're going to get an abortion anyways.'

Gina Huynh's explosive 2019 interview with vlogger Tasha K detailed sordid details of her five-year relationship with Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Since then, she's all but vanished

Shortly after returning from the trip, Combs allegedly went back to see Ventura and kicked Huynh out of his house.

'When I had the second abortion, I had to go to home two days later because he went on a trip to Burning Man.

'He left me f--ked up. I couldn't get a hold of him. I was just at home by myself, just f--ked up in my head. He didn't even care.'

She also claimed the bouts of violence started early into their relationship.

Huynh claimed they were both at rapper Meek Mill's birthday party when Diddy got angry she shook Mill's hand.

When they left the party and got in Combs' vehicle, the Bad Boy rapper allegedly became enraged.

'He took one of my heels and tried to throw it at me,' she recalled. 'He mushed my face like really hard and made my nose bleed.'

Cassie testified that it was a photo of Diddy with Huynh that sent her over the edge and ended her own romance

She alleged Combs' entourage and staff often 'looked the other way' or 'left us alone didn't step in to stop' the violence.

'I thought he was being like that because he loved me,' Huynh said in tears.

Trial sources told Daily Mail Huynh simply didn't want to testify.

It remains unclear if she will change her mind, or where she is.

Ventura testified two weeks ago that she finally broke up with Combs in August 2018 after she saw a photo of him with the model.

In text messages shown to jurors, Ventura told Combs: 'I just don't trust anymore. That last shot put the nail in the coffin,' referring to the photo.

'I promised myself I wouldn't be with you anymore if you did that to me again,' Cassie texted Combs. 'You lied to me...'she never went away.'

Her own testimony was dramatic and traumatizing, shocking the courtroom and stunning the rapper himself.

The trial in Manhattan is still underway and expected to last until July.
Deadpool killer Wade Wilson whined about being 'driven to the brink' in prison as two fellow death-row murderers - including his former cellmate - have repeatedly threatened his life behind bars.

The 30-year-old double murderer, who was sent to death row over the gruesome 2019 slayings of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, has a loyal fanbase desperately trying to rescue him.

Dubbed the 'Deadpool Killer' as he shares a name with the Marvel character, Wilson embarked on his hours-long crime spree in Cape Coral simply 'for the sake of killing.'

His supporters - some of whom have called themselves the 'Wade Wilson Wives' - write him letters and advocate his innocence despite having never met the killer.

On Wednesday it emerged that Wilson had complained to one of these women, who runs an online community in support of him, about how unsafe he feels behind bars.

'Threats... coupled with isolation, has driven him to the brink,' she wrote.

The woman issued an urgent plea to correctional facilities, naming two other inmates - Daniel Craven and Peter Avsenew - as direct threats to Wilson's safety.

Craven is on death row after he murdered his cell mate with the intention of starting a race riot in prison. He repeatedly stabbed the man with a makeshift shank.

Dubbed the 'Deadpool Killer' as he shares a name with the Marvel character, Wilson embarked on his hours-long crime spree in Cape Coral simply 'for the sake of killing'

On Wednesday it emerged that Wilson had complained to one of these women, who runs an online community in support of him, about how unsafe he feels behind bars

Craven was already serving a life sentence for the murder of his lover's husband, handcuffing him and drowning him in a dog bowl.

And Avsenew was convicted of a brutal 2010 double murder in which he beat two men beyond recognition and shot them several times, before sealing their car and credit cards and going on a shopping spree.

According to prison documentation seen by DailyMail.com, a review of the duo's conduct was completed and authorities determined there was 'no confirmed threat' which would require Wilson to receive additional protection inside the prison.

The woman who raised the initial complaint argued in her response to the prison that 'the systemic issues of violence and the dismissal of inmates' complaints have plagued Florida's correctional facilities for decades.

'We are witnessing how the system deliberately allows inmates to be eliminated by the hands of others, creating conditions where survival is nearly impossible.'

Wilson's terror behind bars comes shortly after revelations of his lengthy disciplinary record since arriving on death row.

According to a 163-page disciplinary report, Wilson has repeatedly broken prison rules to wind up in confinement, barred from visitors and access to the outside world.

He allegedly tried to smuggle out an autographed, handmade drawing to a woman he referred to only as 'Sweet Cheeks', with instructions to auction it off to the highest bidder.

'Due to my fame and the rarity of my signed work, this should sell quick and rake in the $,' he wrote.

Craven is on death row after he murdered his cell mate with the intention of starting a race riot in prison. He repeatedly stabbed the man with a makeshift shank

And Avsenew was convicted of a brutal 2010 double murder in which he beat two men beyond recognition and shot them several times, before sealing their car and credit cards and going on a shopping spree

Pictures of 'Deadpool Killer' Wade Wilson reveal he has had a dramatic transformation behind bars as he languishes on death row

DailyMail.com previously revealed Wilson was being held in 'disciplinary confinement' inside Union Correctional Institution after he was transferred from Lee County.

As per his disciplinary confinement, he's currently not eligible for regular guests or visitation rights.

This has also been a point of contention among his loyal followers, who have bombarded the prison with complaints he is being treated unfairly.

These women have turned the other cheek to the gruesome manner in which he carried out his crimes.

Wilson's crime spree began on the afternoon of October 6, 2019, when he met Melton at a live music bar and went home with her.

Wilson strangled her to death inside her home in Cape Coral the next day, where her body was found.

The same day, Ruiz was reported missing after she was seen being asked for directions by Wilson while on her walk to work.

He was driving a car he stole from Melton's home after he murdered her, which Ruiz got into before she was also strangled to death.

Wilson strangled Kristine Melton to death inside her home in Cape Coral, Florida after meeting her at a live music bar

Wilson ran Diane Ruiz over 'until she looked like spaghetti.' Her body was found three days later in a field behind a Sam's Club

The killer was arrested on October 8 2019

In testimony from Wilson's father, it was said that he went on to 'run her over until she looked like spaghetti.' Ruiz's body was found three days later in a field behind a Sam's Club.

Wilson was also convicted of a number of charges, including the battery of his ex-girlfriend Melissa Montanez, 41, the burglary and theft of two homes, and the grand theft auto of Melton's car.

Even still, Wilson's swooning fanbase wrote desperate letters to the judge in his case pleading for his freedom, and have stood by him even through the recent release of unflattering jailhouse photos which prove his appearance is a far cry from before his arrest.

A trove of photos taken from the killer's Lee County jail approved tablet show Wilson is missing teeth and has gained weight in custody.

The pictures were taken on his tablet, which snaps a picture every time it is accessed to ensure it is only being used by the inmate approved to use it.

In one of the photos, Wilson's jaw appears to be out of alignment as he displays his missing and cracked teeth.

And in another he wears what appears to be a bandage around his head, with a white bandana in a separate photo.

The pictures, which were taken between 2023 and late 2024, show Wilson in a disheveled state and from unflattering angles, documenting a range of hairstyles, from a shaved head to longer curly locks.
Disgraced Harvard professor Francesca Gino was paid more than $1 million a year at the height of her career, it was revealed, even as she allegedly manipulated data in research papers about honesty.

Gino, a former Harvard Business School professor, once hailed as a rising star in behavioral science, was the fifth-highest paid employee at Harvard in both 2018 and 2019, according to records obtained by The Harvard Crimson.

Her once-celebrated career imploded after she was accused of falsifying data in a series of behavioral science studies - including papers on honesty itself.

The university revoked Gino's tenure and terminated her employment, marking the first time in decades that such a step has been taken against a tenured faculty member.

Her ouster came after a lengthy internal investigation found evidence of academic misconduct in research spanning more than a decade.

The revelation fueled fresh outrage as the Ivy League institution reels from a rapidly escalating political showdown with the Trump administration, which has moved to cancel $100 million in federal contracts and slash billions more in grants.

In a separate conflict, the Trump administration has moved to cancel roughly $100 million in federal contracts with Harvard and is threatening to divert another $3 billion in grants.

Trump has accused the school of promoting antisemitism, resisting oversight, and harboring 'radicalized lunatics' among its foreign student population.

Harvard University paid disgraced professor Francesca Gino more than $1 million a year at the height of her career - even as she allegedly manipulated data in research papers about honesty

Gino, a former Harvard Business School professor, once hailed as a rising star in behavioral science, was the fifth-highest paid employee at Harvard in both 2018 and 2019

The Trump administration has moved to cancel roughly $100 million in federal contracts with Harvard and is threatening to divert another $3 billion in grants

Taken together, the Gino scandal and the funding fight have thrown the university into turmoil - exposing deep tensions over accountability, integrity, and power at one of America's most elite institutions.

Gino's fall from grace began quietly in 2021, when anonymous researchers and the whistleblower blog Data Colada published explosive allegations that Gino had falsified data in several published studies - including one ironically focused on dishonesty.

The blog's meticulous analysis and documentation sparked alarm throughout the academic world.

'In 2021, we and a team of anonymous researchers examined a number of studies co-authored by Gino, because we had concerns that they contained fraudulent data,' Data Colada wrote.

'We discovered evidence of fraud in papers spanning over a decade, including papers published quite recently (in 2020).'

Harvard Business School responded with an 18-month internal investigation, eventually concluding that Gino had engaged in academic misconduct.

By mid-2023, she was placed on unpaid administrative leave, stripped of her named professorship, and barred from campus.

Gino's fall from grace began quietly in 2021, when anonymous researchers and the whistleblower blog Data Colada published explosive allegations that Gino had falsified data in several published studies - including one ironically focused on dishonesty

Harvard has long positioned itself as the gold standard in American higher education, a beacon of integrity and academic rigor

But what stunned even longtime faculty members was what came next with the formal revocation of her tenure, a punishment so rare that it had not occurred at Harvard since at least the 1940s.

Gino has strenuously denied the allegations.

In September 2023, she launched a $25 million lawsuit against Harvard, its business school dean Srikant Datar, and the Data Colada bloggers, Leif D. Nelson, Uri Simonsohn, and Joseph P. Simmons, accusing them of conspiracy, defamation, and violating her contractual rights.

In a defiant post on her personal website Gino wrote: 'I did not commit academic fraud. I did not manipulate data to produce a particular result. I did not falsify data to bolster any result. I did not commit the offense I am accused of. Period.'

Though a federal judge dismissed parts of her suit in September 2024, he allowed claims of contract violations and discrimination to move forward.

Gino has since added Title VII claims to her case, accusing the university of targeting her unfairly with policies that were, she alleges, crafted specifically to punish her.

'It has been shattering to watch my career being decimated and my reputation completely destroyed,' she wrote in October. 'I am fighting not only for my name but for fairness in academia.'

As Gino's saga unfolded, it collided with a much larger storm - a full-blown assault on Harvard by President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January 2025 and immediately began targeting the Ivy League school as 'a nest of left-wing extremism, antisemitism, and corruption.'

Gino has strenuously denied the allegations leveled against her. In September 2023, she launched a $25 million lawsuit against Harvard

The simultaneous collapse of one of its star professors and the unraveling of its federal funding agreements has left Harvard reeling

Earlier this week, the Trump administration took aim at $100 million in federal contracts awarded to Harvard, instructing agencies to cancel all agreements and seek 'alternate vendors.'

The move follows the administration's earlier decision to cancel more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants to the university.

'We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country,' Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday morning.

'Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason! The best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!) - But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!', he added.

Although Harvard has complied with some requests from the Department of Homeland Security, the administration said the school's response was insufficient and attempted to revoke its ability to enroll foreign students - a move that was temporarily blocked in federal court after Harvard filed suit.

International students are now caught in a kind of legal purgatory, unsure whether they'll be allowed to return in the fall.

'What the international students are caught in right now is just a limbo,' said Leo Gerden, a graduating senior from Sweden. 'It's terrifying.'

The Gino scandal has only fueled the administration's argument that Harvard is mismanaged, elitist, and ethically compromised.

People hold up signs during the Harvard Students for Freedom rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus on Tuesday

Harvard students protested on Tuesday after the US government said it intends to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the university

The protest came following Trump's latest attempt to force the prestigious institution to submit to unprecedented oversight

Harvard has long positioned itself as the gold standard in American higher education, a beacon of integrity and academic rigor.

The simultaneous collapse of one of its star professors and the unraveling of its federal funding agreements has left the institution reeling.

At a rally outside Harvard Yard this week, math and economics student Jacob Miller - former president of Harvard Hillel - condemned the administration's pressure campaign.

'Antisemitism is a real problem,' he said. 'But these policies will do nothing to solve it. They're about control, not protection.'

The chaos has also triggered an international response.

Japan's education minister, Toshiko Abe, said her government is working to help displaced Harvard students, and Tokyo University is exploring whether it can temporarily absorb some of them. Universities in Hong Kong and across Europe have also offered refuge.
A Darwin man has been charged with child sexual abuse crimes after police allegedly made a shocking discovery on his phone during a random bag check upon his arrival in the Northern Territory.

The Australian Border Force launched a multi-agency investigation after officials reportedly found child abuse material when the man was returning to Darwin on New Years Day.

Authorities allegedly discovered sexually explicit videos and images of children on the man's phone, along with video calls to facilitators in the Philippines, instructing them to livestream the sexual abuse of children as young as six years old.

On January 3, police executed a search warrant at locations where the man had been living, including a vehicle and a yacht, leading to his arrest.

He was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia, two counts of sexual activity with a child outside Australia, and one count of possessing child abuse material.

If found guilty of all five charges, the 68-year-old will face a cumulative maximum sentence of 95 years behind bars.

He first appeared in court on January 7 and was remanded in custody until another hearing on Tuesday, when he did not appear but was represented by his lawyer.

A 68-year-old man was arrested in a Darwin car park in January after Australian Border Force officials allegedly found child abuse materials on his phone

The Australian allegedly directed child abuse offences via videocalls with foreign nationals

The man faces a cumulative sentence of 95 years in prison if found guilty of the charges

The prosecution was granted an adjournment until June 24 to allow time to gather 'outstanding material' it would need to present to the court.

A Northern Territory special investigation unit provided information about the alleged abuses to Philippines police.

Philippines authorities conducted an operation in April and arrested two alleged abuse facilitators and rescued the six young children.

AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the force would relentlessly pursue sex criminals.

'The protection of children is one of the AFP's highest priorities,' he said.

'All victims of child sexual exploitation experience lifelong harm because of the selfish actions of their abusers.

'The AFP will continue to work closely with local, Commonwealth and international partners to protect children from sickening abuse, and together identify offenders and bring them before the courts.'

ABF Commander Tracie Griffin said the vigilance of ABF officers at Australia's border was absolutely critical in protecting the most vulnerable.

'I want to commend the work of the ABF officers involved in the alleged discovery of child abuse material on this man's phone. Six children are safe because of their diligence and the work of our domestic and international law enforcement partners,' Commander Griffin said.

The AFP urged anyone with knowledge of an abuse happening right now or a child at risk to call police on 000.
Flood-weary Aussies are holding their breath amid warnings a cloud band stretching the length of Australia could dump even more rain across New South Wales.

NSW and the previously drought-stricken states of Victoria and SA have been hit with a blast of wet and cold weather this week as the north of the country experiences warmer temperatures and widespread rain.

NSW is still reeling from devastating floods that hit coastal communities last week, with the latest downpours fortunately focused on Queensland, the NT and WA.

The Outback has already seen massive flooding this year with temporary inland seas isolating townships from the rest of the country.

Satellite images show the new cloud band stretching 3,600km from WA's Kimberley region, across central Australia and to the Queensland and NSW border.

The weather system has already dumped record-breaking rainfall over some WA and NT regions with more than 100mm falling in areas that usually see less than 20mm throughout May. The rain is expected to move east to Queensland by the weekend.

Broome this week received 100.6mm of rain in 24 hours - the heaviest May daily rainfall in 20 years - while nearby Kalumburu was drenched with 111.6mm and Wyndham with 54.8mm, which were both new May records.

In the NT, records were also broken with Tindal receiving 179.8mm - the average May daily rainfall is 2mm - and Rabbit Flat 77.6mm. Alice Springs was also soaked with 40.4mm, which is the heaviest May rainfall daily total since 1993.

More rain is forecast for large swathes of Australia after devastating floods hit NSW. Sydney (pictured) is enduring a blast of icy weather but will avoid most of the rain this weekend

Local residents are seen cleaning up debris in Taree after the catastrophic floods

An image showing accumulated rainfall from Wednesday to Friday across Australia

Sydney

Friday: Min 11 Max 20 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.

Saturday: Min 12 Max 20 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.

Sunday: Min 10 Max 20 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Brisbane

Friday: Min 15 Max 21 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 6 mm. Chance of any rain: 70 per cent.

Saturday: Min 15 Max 22 Rain. Possible rainfall: 1 to 15 mm. Chance of any rain: 80 per cent.

Sunday: Min 15 Max 24 Possible shower. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent.

Locals in Port Macquarie are seen delivering food to isolated residents last week

Australia's red centre has already seen flooding this year with more expected ( Thargomindah in outback Queensland is pictured in March)

Melbourne

Friday: Min 10 Max 16 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm. Chance of any rain: 50 per cent.

Saturday: Min 9 Max 16 Cloudy. Possible rainfall: 0 to 1 mm. Chance of any rain: 30 per cent.

Sunday: Min 6 Max 17 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Adelaide

Friday: Min 9 Max 18 Cloud clearing. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Saturday: Min 6 Max 19 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Sunday: Min 8 Max 20 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Perth

Friday: Min 13 Max 23 Showers. Storm. Possible rainfall: 6 to 20 mm. Chance of any rain: 95 per cent.

Saturday: Min 14 Max 22 Showers. Possible rainfall: 2 to 9 mm. Chance of any rain: 90 per cent.

Sunday: Min 12 Max 22 Shower or two. Possible rainfall: 0 to 2 mm. Chance of any rain: 50 per cent.

A cloud band stretching the length of Australia (pictured) is dumping record-breaking rain in areas which usually only receive 2mm in a month

NSW is still reeling from floods which smashed costal communities last week

Canberra

Friday: Min -1 Max 18 Morning frost. Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Saturday: Min 2 Max 17 Cloud clearing. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Sunday: Min 0 Max 17 Morning frost. Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Hobart

Friday: Min 8 Max 15 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Saturday: Min 7 Max 15 Cloudy. Chance of any rain: 20 per cent.

Sunday: Min 6 Max 16 Partly cloudy. Chance of any rain: 10 per cent.

Darwin

Friday: Min 22 Max 31 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.

Saturday: Min 22 Max 31 Mostly sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.

Sunday: Min 22 Max 31 Sunny. Chance of any rain: 5 per cent.
Former students of a private Sydney boy's school have lost a bid to keep the school single-sex after angry dads protested outside the campus.

Newington College in Sydney's inner west announced its intention to shift to co-education across its kindergarten-to-year 12 program in late 2023.

The school has exclusively taught boys since it was founded in 1863.

But on Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the $42,000-a-year school going co-ed, paving the way for co-educational classes from kindergarten to Year 12.

The decision comes more than a year after former Newington student Tony Ratsos, 63, went viral after he wept while speaking out against the move in January 2023.

'I can't bond the same way as I do with these men with girls,' he told reporters as he joined dozens of other parents protesting outside the school.

'I can't look a girl in the eye and call her a Newingtonian, because that's not what the essence of the school is about.'

'I'm an old boy of the school, and my son is also an old boy,' he said at the time, struggling to hold back tears.

'The intention was always that I'd have a grandson  but I won't bring him to a co-ed school.'

Supporters say the move would modernise the 161-year-old campus and support boys and girls working together, while critics say it's against its founding principles.

Former Newington College pupil and father Tony Retsos is pictured picketing outside Newington College last year following plans to make the school co-ed

Retsos was one of dozens of old boys who protested outside the prestigious private school

Justice Guy Parker ruled the school's 152-year-old trust deed, which said the school was set up to educate 'youth' did not imply the school should be boys-only.

'The object of such school shall be to provide an efficient course of education for youth,' the trust deed reads.

The parents argued that the word 'youth' in this document, while ambiguous, referred solely to boys because of circumstances at the time.

The school's council, on the other hand, said the term was gender-neutral.

Justice Parker agreed.

'I have concluded that the word 'youth' in the 1873 Trust Deed was used in a gender-neutral sense, and does not mandate male-only enrolment at the College,' he wrote.

'The claim for a declaration to the contrary... fails and must be dismissed.'

In his viral interview last year, Mr Retsos said that if the school were to go co-ed, 'that bond no longer applies, because the dynamics have changed'.

Pictured are a group of parents and old boys gathered outside the inner-west school a year before a group of parents would lose their bid to oppose co-education at the school

Newington's headmaster Michael Parker (pictured) welcomed the court's decision stating he looked forward to 'taking Newington into our next era'

'It's more than just a school: It's your life, it's a community,' the old boy said.

'All those men today that were protesting, they're not strangers to me. They're my brothers. They're all old boys... it's a bond you can't break.'

The school, which charges fees of up to $42,200 a year, has exclusively taught boys since it was founded in 1863.

The civil suit was supported by the Save Newington College group, an alliance of former students and parents opposed to the co-ed move.

In a statement issued within minutes of the judge's ruling, the group said the decision was in direct opposition of the school's founding values.

'Today's decision, while respected, is at odds with the understanding held by generations of old boys, parents, staff and community members  that Newington was founded, funded and entrusted as a school for boys, consistent with the original deeds,' it read.

'While these current court proceedings have now concluded, the broader discussion about governance, transparency, and community engagement at Newington College continues.

'We remain committed to advocating for decisions that respect the voices of those who built this institution and who seek to protect its identity for future generations.'

The path has been paved for the 161-year-old school to begin admitting female students for the first time since its founding

Newington's headmaster Michael Parker has welcomed the court's decision.

'We have been steadfast in our position throughout these proceedings and we remain excited to build on our rich history and traditions by taking Newington into our next era,' he wrote in a letter sent to the school's community.

'We look forward now to uniting around our future vision for Newington College as a respected, modern and dynamic school for boys, girls, young men and young women from next year and into the future.'

And the court case may not be over yet.

Justice Parker will later hear whether the parents will push claims that a male-only limitation applies to other property held by the school's council beyond the Stanmore property subject to the deed - including later-acquired lands.

Newington's co-ed plans come as the NSW government adjusts public school boundaries to ensure all students have guaranteed access to a co-educational school by 2027.

More than 150,000 girls and more than 130,000 boys attend single-sex schools across Australia, according to a 2023 Catholic schools discussion paper.

About five-in-six of those students are in non-government schools, like Newington.
Australian tourists have been warned they can now be deported from the US on 'subjective' grounds, as the Trump administration takes a hardline stance on securing its borders.

Californian immigration lawyer Andrea Szew issued the warning following a spate of Aussies complaining they had been sent back home despite no clear grounds for denying them entry.

Last week, former NSW police officer Nikki Saroukos, 25, told Daily Mail Australia she was detained, stripped, and held overnight in Hawaii for 'having too much luggage'.

Ms Szew said tourists can expect heightened scrutiny at US borders and a higher risk of being turned around.

She said border agents can choose who they will detain based on their 'subjective' suspicions.

'Sounds terrible that someone's subjective opinion can be that powerful to send me back on a flight all the way back to Australia, but unfortunately it is a subjective decision,' Ms Szew told Nine News on Wednesday.

She said travellers could be strip-searched and did not have a right to privacy on their devices like laptops and phones including social media accounts.

'They can look at whose post you liked, they can look at the friends posts you've been tagged in, they can look at everything,' Ms Szew said.

Former NSW police officer Nikki Saroukos, 25 (right), told Daily Mail Australia she was detained, stripped, and held overnight in Hawaii for 'having too much luggage' while travelling along with her mother to visit her US serviceman husband

Aussie tourists have been warned the decision to deport them from the US is now 'subjective' as Donald Trump takes a hardline stance on immigration (stock image)

She said some border officials have been empowered by Trump's hardline stance on securing the borders and blocking even those on tourist visas.

Australians can minimise their chances of a negative experience at the border by never booking a one way ticket, having their travel itinerary printed out, and taking extra care filling out the visa application.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading has updated its travel advice regarding the US, saying entry requirements are 'strict'.

Ms Saroukos revealed how she was detained by US border officials after landing at Honolulu in Hawaii on Sunday.

The 25-year-old thought it would be a routine visit to see her husband who has been stationed as a US Army lieutenant on the Pacific island and US state since August 2023.

Ms Saroukos said she was not given a reason for her detention, beyond the fact that border officials did not believe her story because she had packed more clothing than was necessary for a three-week stay.

'We went through customs and border security, as per usual, and we got stopped to check our passports,' she said.

Californian immigration lawyer Andrea Szew said border officials have been emboldened

'I'm an ex-police officer and he was taking a little bit, checking stuff on the computer. My mum started asking, like, "Oh, is there a problem?" and asked if he needed any more information.

'He went from being super calm, very nice, even giving my mum a compliment, to just instantly turning.'

The official's attitude change was just the beginning of a two-day episode during which she was cuffed, frog-marched through the airport, cavity searched and locked up overnight.

'I was in a foreign country. I had no idea what my rights were. I was terrified,' Ms Saroukos said.

'I thought I was never going to get out of that facility.

'Because of all the horror stories I've heard from other travlelers traveling through the United States, I kept asking the officers if I was safe in that facility, because I felt like they put my life at risk because I was being housed with criminals.'

DFAT adjusted its travel advice three times in April in response to reports of increasingly strict border controls.

The US's overall travel rating remains 'green  exercise normal safety precautions'.

'Entry requirements are strict. US authorities have broad powers to decide if you're eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law,' DFAT's website read.

'Check US entry, registration, transit and exit requirements. Whether you're travelling on a visa or under the Visa Waiver Program, ensure you understand all relevant terms and conditions before attempting to enter the United States.

'Expect enhanced screening procedures, including for domestic flights within the United States ... US authorities actively pursue, detain and deport people who are in the country illegally. Be prepared to show documents proving your legal presence.'
A young girl got a surprising response after trying to entertain passengers on a delayed flight by singing a popular Disney tune through the plane's intercom.

During a 2-hour flight delay, the blond-haired little girl belted out How Far I'll Go from Disney's Moana to frustrated passengers - a gesture some critics online described as their 'worst nightmare.'

'This is actually my worst nightmare and personal hell,' one user commented on a trending clip of the girl belting on a Delta plane to Orlando, Florida.

'As a Moana loving mom, absolutely not,' commented another.

Another questioned how the young girl even got the opportunity in the first place.

'How did it even get to this point. Who thought oh I know what everyone needs. A girl to sing Moana thatll calm everyone down,"' the confused viewer wrote.

'This would send me over the edge,' wrote another.

The viral video of the Disney-inspired airplane performance has surpassed five million views on TikTok.

If a two-hour delay wasn't frustrating enough for angered passengers, the plane also circled Orlando for another two hours before eventually arriving at its destination, according to the now viral video's caption.

During a 2-hour flight delay, the blond-haired little girl belted out How Far I'll Go from Disney's Moana to frustrated passengers - a gesture some critics online called their 'worst nightmare'

'This is actually my worst nightmare and personal hell,' one user commented on a trending clip of the girl belting on a Delta plane to Orlando, Florida

The young girl's in-flight theatrics come after a United Airlines crew member treated passengers to some live music as they disembarked the plane.

The talented flier caused a massive divide on the web, with some slamming the violin strumming man for forcing people to listen to him.

A traveler posted a video of the moment to Reddit, which showed the unnamed airline staffer playing his violin while passengers waited to disembark the aircraft

The one-and-a-half-minute clip saw passengers sitting patiently in their seats on a United Airlines flight, while people further ahead of them in the cabin took their bags down from the overhead compartment.

As they did so, the man waltzed up and down the plane's aisle playing his instrument.

'Fiddler and the friendly skies,' the happy passenger wrote alongside the video.

'Just landed in SFO and heard something as we awaited passengers to deplane... It was a definite pleasant surprise and welcome change compared to all the news we hear from airlines these days.'

While person who posted the video loved the serenade, not everyone agreed.

The blond-haired little girl belted out How Far I'll Go from Disney's Moana (pictured) to frustrated passengers

'Yeah, this type of s**t would make me pretty upset on a flight were trapped in a steel tube, and this MF thinks everyone wants to hear his bullshit,' one Reddit user raged in a comment.

'What a sly move. He has everyone sitting, captivated by his music, while he slowly walks down the aisle with anyone in his way and exiting the plane first,' joked someone else.

'This would be annoying as hell. Cant imagine breaking out into song on any instrument on a flight,' declared another person.

One user branded the entire scene as 'unsettling,' with another jokingly suggesting it was reminiscent of the Titanic.

However, other people thought it was a sweet way to pass the time.

'Of course super mean people as usual telling him to sit down and shut up,' one wrote.

They continued: 'My guess is he actually likes the passengers and is very friendly and kind.

'Not like hes making much with working at one of the lowest paying mainlines. Yet he has a good attitude despite it. How about you stfu? Good day.'
Thousands of family farms could go bust thanks to a new raid being plotted by Labour, it emerged last night.

In a fresh blow to the industry, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering slashing lifeline subsidies worth billions of pounds to farms in her spending review on June 11.

She is scrabbling to find up to 30billion after leaving herself with little fiscal headroom in last October's Budget and following Labour's U-turn over winter fuel payment cuts.

But critics said axing the environmental land management (ELM) fund will be the 'final blow' for many farms.

The fund, which is worth around 2.5billion a year, was part of a scheme set up after Brexit to replace around 2.6billion farmers received annually from the EU's common agricultural policy.

The Government is committed to settling subsidies worth 5billion for the period between last year and next year. But after that only 'small farms' will continue to receive funds, according to Whitehall sources.

It is unclear what this means, how funding will be allocated and on what basis.

The ELM scheme gives subsidies to farmers in return for cultivating their land in nature-friendly ways.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) is considering slashing lifeline subsidies worth billions of pounds to farms in her spending review

Critics said axing the environmental land management (ELM) fund will be the 'final blow' for many farms. Pictured: Farmers protest outside the Senedd in Cardiff over planned changes to farming subsidies

It is based on the principle of 'public money for public good'. Pre-Brexit, EU subsidies were linked to food production.

However, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) said many food producing farms also cultivate parts of their land in line with the ELM scheme to receive the subsidies and boost their income. It said around 40,000 farms receive ELM subsidies.

Ministers were already facing accusations of betrayal after introducing the hated 'family farm tax'  which will lumber many farms with huge inheritance tax bills  in the Budget, sparking a series of protests by farmers.

In March, the Government closed part of the ELM, the sustainable farming incentive. Defending the ELM yesterday, Andrew Clark, the NFU's policy director, said: 'There is a significant risk that thousands of family farm businesses would be at risk if this scheme were axed.

'What farmers and growers really need from this government is confidence and certainty that what they do for this country is valued. It doesn't feel like that at all at the moment.'

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, chairman of the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee, said that slashing the ELM 'will be the final blow for many farms'.

He added: 'Since Labour came to power, they have had basic payments ended earlier than planned, they have seen the shambles of the sustainable farming incentive closed without notice  all on top of the family farm tax and other tax changes  and trade deals that could be devastating for some farming sectors. No matter where farmers turn, there is a Government minister waiting to clobber them.

'Keir Starmer says that food security is national security, but if he treated our security services like he treats our farmers we would all be learning Russian or Chinese.'

Farmers protest outside the Senedd in Cardiff over planned changes to farming subsidies

Farmers leave in their tractors which were parked up on the Cardiff Bay link road as they protested outside the Senedd in Cardiff over planned changes to farming subsidies

Scottish farmers hold a tractor protest, over planned changes to inheritance tax along the Edinburgh city bypass on February 2, in Edinburgh, Scotland

Farmers gather during a demonstration on Whitehall on November 19, 2024 in London, England

Farmers hold a protest outside Downing Street in London over the Government's changes in the budget to inheritance tax

He added: 'If our farmers are not able to put food on our tables then we shall end up importing it from other countries. Is that what the Government wants?'

Former chairman of the committee, Sir Robert Goodwill, who runs a farm, said: 'For many farms their profit line is less than the support they get, so it will push many farms below into the red. Potentially thousands.

'It's very serious indeed, particularly for tenants who have to pay rent.

'My guess is, Labour has decided that not a single farmer will vote Labour at the next election now, so why not just sacrifice the industry.'

Victoria Atkins, the Conservatives' environment spokesman, said: 'Labour's lack of understanding about our rural communities is putting our nation's food security at risk.'

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: 'If this story proves correct, it will be another blow not just for farmers and growers but also for the viability of nature-friendly farming and for the environment.'

Sources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that ELM was facing the axe. Defra itself did not respond last night.
An endangered snow leopard cub has been proudly welcomed into the world at an animal sanctuary in Kent.

Little Lady was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary to mum Laila on May 10 - weighing just 630g (1lb 6oz) at her first health check when she was five days old.

Her birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for Laila to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary's veterinarian, Valerie Freeman.

Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Leila amazed the sanctuary staff with her 'calm nature' during the process, Mr Jackaman explained.

Ambassador for The Big Cat Sanctuary celebrity chef Paul Hollywood has said he 'cannot wait' to meet the new cub.

He said: 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming.

'This is an amazing achievement for the sanctuary to be contributing to the captive breeding programme for this endangered species. I cannot wait to meet her.'

Little Lady is reportedly thriving under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team.

Endangered snow leopard cub Little Lady has been welcomed to the world in an animal sanctuary in Kent

The adorable cub was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary to mum Laila on May 10

The snow leopard weighed just 630g (1lb 6oz) at her first health check when she was five days old

Her successful birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built up a trusting relationship with the big cat

Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild.

They are predicted to lose 30 per cent of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme.

The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 - Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre.

'This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Erin Patterson, 50, is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, after allegedly serving them a beef Wellington lunch which included death cap mushrooms.

Patterson is also accused of attempting to murder Heather's husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending several weeks in an intensive care unit.

The court heard Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the gathering at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria's Gippsland region, but didn't attend.

Witnesses told the jury Patterson ate her serving of the lunch from a smaller and differently coloured plate than those of her guests, who ate from four grey plates.

Patterson told authorities she bought dried mushrooms from an unnamed Asian store in the Monash area of Melbourne, but health inspectors could find no evidence of this.

Victoria's health department declared the death cap mushroom poisoning was 'isolated' to Patterson's deadly lunch.

Multiple witnesses, including Erin's estranged husband Simon Patterson, Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson and other family members, have given emotion-charged evidence to the jury.

Medical staff have told the jury of the painful symptoms the dying lunch guests and Mr Wilkinson suffered.

An expert witness told the court death cap mushrooms were detected in debris taken from a dehydrator Patterson had dumped at a local tip.

Telecommunications expert Dr Matthew Sorell also told the jury that Patterson's phone was detected near areas at Outtrim and Loch, in the Gippsland region, where death cap mushrooms had been spotted.

Victoria Police Cybercrime Squad senior digital forensics officer Shamen Fox-Henry said he found evidence of a death cap mushroom on data from a computer seized from Patterson's Leongatha home on August 5, 2023.

On Friday, Austin Hospital intensive care director Professor Stephen Warrillow told the jury he was at the Melbourne health facility in July 2023 when the poisoned lunch guests were transferred to his care.

Professor Warrillow said all patients were given intense treatment and Don received a liver transplant.

Ian Wilkinson (pictured below) sat in court and listened as details of his wife died from death cap poisoning were aired in court.

The jury also heard the text exchanges between health department officer Sally Anne Atkinson and Patterson in the days after the deadly lunch as authorities rushed to solve the cause of the outbreak.

On Tuesday, the jury was shown the police interview Patterson took part in shortly after her home was searched on August 5.

Detectives seized a manual for a Sunbeam hydrator but Patterson denied in her interview that she ever owned such an appliance.

Patterson also told police she invited her in-laws for lunch because she loved them and they were like real family to her.

Homicide Squad detective leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall, the police informant in the Patterson trial, told the court officers searched for a Samsung Galaxy A23  known as Phone A  but it was never found.

Sen-Constable Eppingstall also said another Samsung Galaxy A23  known as Phone B  was factory reset multiple times including while police searched Pattersons Leongatha home.

He said Phone B was later remotely wiped while it was kept in a secure locker at the Homicide Squad headquarters in Melbourne.

The jury also heard Pattersons family had a history of cancer and her daughter had a benign ovarian cancer cyst removed.
Anthony Albanese has offered his commiserations to Peter Dutton, insisting that the former Opposition Leader will be 'successful' in life outside politics.

The Prime Minister told Brisbane's Nova FM radio station that he had 'an okay relationship, a professional relationship, if you like' with the former Liberal leader.

'It's really tough for him and his family as well,' Albanese added.

'I'm not sure what he will do, but I'm sure he'll be successful in other arenas as well.'

Dutton suffered the ultimate indignity on election night when he not only led a failed campaign but was ousted from his own seat of Dickson in Brisbane's outer-northern suburbs - which he had held since 2001 - by Labor's Ali France.

In a reflection of the respect the two men held for one another - even if they traded barbs on the campaign trail - Dutton gave a gracious concession speech in which he revealed he had rung Albanese to tell him how proud his late mother would have been of his victory.

The Prime Minister said politics was an 'honourable profession' but acknowledged it came with huge downsides.

'You expose yourself publicly, particularly with social media,' he told the radio station.

The Prime Minister told Brisbane's Nova FM radio station that he had 'an okay relationship, a professional relationship, if you like' with the former Liberal leader (pictured: the PM on a visit to flood affected area in Wingham in NSW's Mid North Coast this week)

Peter Dutton suffered the indignity of losing his own seat of Dickson on May 3

'Don't read the comments out there, folks. It can be really brutal, and you've got to be resilient.'

Mr Dutton, 54, had yet to commit to what he will do next, but vowed not to be a commentator sniping from the sidelines.

'The best model I've seen is where leaders, former, make a graceful exit from politics and maintain their graceful silence, so that'll be my model,' he said recently.
The Trump administration will start revoking visas for some Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday.

The State Department and Department of Homeland Security will work 'aggressively to revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,' Rubio said in a statement.

He also said the department will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from China and Hong Kong.

China has the second highest number of international students pursing higher education in the United States in 2023/2024 with 277,398 students, according to the Institute of International Education.

President Donald Trump is cracking down on visas from Chinese students

President Donald Trump has demanded extra vetting on foreign students studying in the United States.

'I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country,' he said in the Oval Office Wednesday.

The administration has expanded social media vetting of foreign students and is seeking to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of its wide-ranging efforts to fulfill the president's hardline immigration agenda.

And, on Tuesday, the administration ordered US embassies to halt all student visa applications as part of the president's crack down on America's higher education business.

Rubio directed officials to stop scheduling appointments with student visa applicants as they prepare to implement a social media vetting process

'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days,' the cable states.

The Institute of International Education Open Doors data report found that in 2023-2024 academic year, the United States hosted a record-breaking 1.1 million international students - including an estimated 10,000 British students.

These students generated $43.8 billion through tuition, housing and living expenses, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an aggressive crackdown on Chinese students studying in the United States

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The action on Chinese students renews a priority from Trumps first administration to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China, which Republicans have called a threat to national security.

In April, Trump ordered the Education Department to ramp up enforcement of a federal rule requiring colleges to disclose information about funding from foreign sources.

During his first term, the Education Department opened 19 investigations into foreign funding at U.S. universities and found that they underreported money flowing from China, Russia and other countries described as foreign adversaries.

Trump has waged war on elite universities, accusing them of antisemitism and blasting their 'woke' ideology.

At the beginning of his second term, Trump ordered the deportation of foreign students who took part in pro-Hamas protests on college campuses in the US.

Harvard has borne the brunt of Trump's fire but it is also fighting back just as hard and sued the administration.

Congressional Republicans are supporting Trump's efforts.

Last year, House Republicans issued a report warning that hundreds of millions of dollars in defense funding was going to research partnerships linked to the Chinese government, providing 'back-door access to the very foreign adversary nation whose aggression these capabilities are necessary to protect against.'

The Department of Homeland Security raised similar issues in a letter barring international students at Harvard University last week.

Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of 'coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party,' citing research collaborations with Chinese scholars. It also accused Harvard of training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group.
A landmark government report has revealed working from home is actually more productive than going into the office - in moderation.

WFH became the norm for white-collar workers during the Covid lockdowns, and had since become entrenched in many industries, with more than a third of Australians now doing their job at home.

Some companies are pushing to get staff back into the office more often in the belief it is a more efficient way of working, but the Productivity Commission has concluded the opposite.

'Allowing workers to work from home some days can improve worker satisfaction and allows people to benefit by avoiding the commute to work, meaning they have additional time for other purposes,' it said.

Working from home has proven particularly popular with women, who can save on childcare costs and spend the hour or two they save by not commuting toward other home activities.

A hybrid model, mixing work from home and the office, was seen as the best approach to encourage creative interactions.

'Workers do not need to be in the office full-time to experience the benefits of in-person interactions,' it said.

'As a result, hybrid work (working some days remotely and some days in the office) tends to be beneficial to productivity, or at least, is not detrimental to productivity.'

A landmark government report has revealed working from home is actually more productive than coming into the office - in moderation - in a major win for Aussie workers

WFH really took over during the pandemic with more than a third of Australians now doing their job at home

The Productivity Commission, however, said in-person interactions were more likely to spark initial breakthroughs.

'A key reason for this is that in-person interactions may be better for collaborative tasks and idea generation,' it said.

'Experimental evidence from engineering firms indicates that idea generation benefits from in-person interactions but in-person and virtual teams were equally effective in evaluating and selecting ideas that have already been developed.'

The report also cited the case of IT firm which during the lockdowns, spent more time on meetings 'which reduced the time available for work tasks; meaning hours worked increased while output declined'.

'The evidence on working from home is still evolving. However, given most studies find hybrid work to be either neutral or positive for labour productivity, there is no evidence to suggest that the trend towards hybrid working has contributed to the productivity loss phase of the productivity bubble,' the commission said.

But it warned that less experienced workers may struggle with work from home, as they miss out on mentoring and networking.

'For less experienced workers, in-person interactions may be an important avenue for skill development as there may be a greater knowledge transfer from senior workers and junior workers through informal in-person interactions,' it said.

Working from home has become a divisive topic with the Commonwealth Bank and ANZ requiring staff to spend 50 per cent of the time in the office, while Woolworths wants corporate staff to return to the office three days a week.

A hybrid model, mixing work from home and the office, was seen as the best approach to encourage creative interactions

Former Liberal leader Peter Dutton lost the last election, and his own seat, after vowing to force Commonwealth public servants back into the office, creating a fear among other WFH staff that they will be next.

The policy was so disastrous politically that Jane Hume, who devised that unpopular WFH plan, was dumped as the Opposition's finance spokeswoman and sent to the backbench in new Liberal leader Sussan Ley's reshuffle.

Before the pandemic in March 2020, just 12 per cent of Australians reported working from home on all or most days of the week.

The proportion of Australians working everyday from home more than doubled to 31 per cent by September 2020, after most of Australia had experienced lockdowns.

After those lockdowns, 27 per cent worked from home at least some of the time during the week, indicating increased popularity of more hybrid work arrangement.

By August 2024, 36 per cent of those with a job reported that they usually worked from home.

'As working from home is a fundamental change to how people do their jobs, it is likely to have implications for labour productivity,' the report said.

Australia is in a productivity crisis, where output for every worker declined by 1.2 per cent in 2024.

The culprit, however, was not work-from-arrangements but a lack of new investment in technology that would make workers more productive.

'Capital matters for productivity because more capital (the machines, equipment and other durable goods that are used as inputs in production) means workers can produce more goods and services,' it said.

During the 1990s to the mid-2000s, productivity in Australia grew at an annual pace of more than two per cent as the introduction of the internet enabled companies to more efficiently share data.
The head of Hamas's military wing has been 'eliminated' in a massive air strike in Gaza, it was announced last night.

In a development which raised hopes of an end to the conflict, Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had taken 'a dramatic turn toward the complete defeat of Hamas'.

Preventing Hamas from posing a military threat has repeatedly been offered by Israel as justification for its devastating bombing campaign of Palestinian territory.

There were hopes last night that the death of Mohammed Sinwar may encourage Israel to acknowledge that this aim had been met.

In recent weeks, Israel has come under mounting pressure to end its siege of Gaza, including from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The British Government has also condemned Israel's plans to occupy Gaza because the UK supports the two-state solution as a means to bringing peace to the Middle East.

Sinwar, 49, nicknamed 'The Shadow' and 'The Butcher of Khan Younis', was the target of multiple air strikes on a Hamas command centre beneath the European Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on May 13.

Israel said it targeted a Hamas 'command and control centre' under the hospital, but has not confirmed whether Sinwar was killed in that strike.

The head of Hamas 's military wing, Mohammad Sinwar, has been 'eliminated' in a massive air strike in Gaza

Mohammad Sinwar was the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar (pictured), who was killed by the IDF in October last year

Israel said it targeted a Hamas 'command and control centre' under a hospital, but has not confirmed whether Sinwar was killed in that strike. Pictured: Palestinians inspect the damage, after the European Hospital was partially damaged in Israeli airstrikes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 13

Israel announced his elimination only yesterday  on the 600th day of the conflict  following confirmation by its internal security sources.

Hamas apparently hid Sinwar's body in a tunnel to prevent Israel verifying his death and to ensure he could receive a high-profile funeral at a time of the group's choosing.

According to Israeli reports, its military took advantage of Sinwar briefly separating himself from some of the hostages who remain in Hamas custody following the atrocities of October 7, 2023.

Sinwar used the hostages as human shields, confident Israel would not target him, but he attended talks with Hamas political leaders on May 13 without them.

Word reached Israeli military commanders, and to the surprise of those involved in the operation, authorisation was granted for air strikes close to the hospital.

Gaza's civil defence agency said 28 were killed by the strikes, without confirming if Sinwar was among them.

Mohammed Sinwar took over the leadership of Hamas's military wing last year following the death of his older brother Yahya.

Remarkable footage recorded by a drone showed Yahya sitting in an armchair in the devastated remains of a multi-storey building following an air strike in October.

Pictured: Yahya Sinwar throwing a stick at a drone moments before his death last year

He appeared to wave a piece of floorboard in defiance at the reconnaissance drone. Minutes later an air strike reduced the structure to rubble.

Israeli soldiers subsequently dragged Yahya's body from the rubble.

His death was a watershed moment for the country as he was the main planner behind the October 7 attacks which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken into Gaza.

The atrocity triggered Israel's retaliatory assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territories which has cost more than 50,000 lives, led to two million people being displaced and caused a humanitarian catastrophe.

In an address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, yesterday, Mr Netanyahu said: 'We have eliminated Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar,' a reference to Hamas's three leaders.

The celebration in Israel surrounding Mohammed Sinwar's death came amid shocking scenes of humanitarian aid centres being over-run and crowds looting boxes of desperately needed supplies in Gaza.

Controversially, Israel has sidelined the major international aid agencies and set up its own distribution system in conjunction with the US.

It said it did not want Hamas to intercept aid meant for Gaza residents.

The death of Yahya Sinwar last yeat was a watershed moment for Israel as he was the main planner behind the October 7 attacks. The atrocity triggered Israel's retaliatory assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Israel's retaliation has cost more than 50,000 lives, led to two million people being displaced and caused a humanitarian catastrophe

Mohammed Sinwar's death came amid shocking scenes of humanitarian aid centres being over-run in Gaza

Palestinians living in makeshift tents on the coast struggle amid starvation and Israeli blockade in Gaza Strip on May 28, 2025

Displaced Palestinians ferry bags of food aid after storming a World Food Programme warehouse in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on May 28

Opponents of Israel have accused the country of orchestrating the provision of lifesaving supplies effectively to enable ethnic cleansing

The United Nations on May 28 condemned a US-backed aid system in Gaza following a chaotic food distribution where 47 people were injured, after Israel allowed supplies in at a trickle last week, easing a full blockade imposed on the besieged Palestinian territory for over two months

Palestinians sit next to the rubble of houses destroyed in Israel's military offensive, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza

Opponents of Israel have accused the country of orchestrating the provision of lifesaving supplies effectively to enable ethnic cleansing.

The meeting attended by Mohammed Sinwar and Hamas political chiefs was understood to have taken place in a tunnel network.

Other officials present included the commander of the Rafah Brigade, Mohammed Shabana.

According to Israeli reports, the intelligence indicating there were no hostages in or near the meeting was 'ironclad'.

Media in Saudi Arabia suggested Sinwar and ten of his aides were killed in the strikes.

The Israeli military was more reluctant than Mr Netanyahu to confirm Sinwar's death, but defence minster Israel Katz said: 'According to all the indications, Mohammed Sinwar was eliminated.'

Sinwar rose to prominence within Hamas after belonging to the terror cell that kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006, but he remained in the shadow of his elder brother.

Another sibling, Zakaria, was apparently severely wounded in an Israeli air strike last Saturday.

A funeral ceremony is held following bodies of two Palestinians who lost their lives in an Israeli strike targeting an aid distribution center in Rafah are taken from the morgue of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on May 28

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attack in southern Israel, hold their portraits and chant slogans during a protest at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on May 28, 2025, to mark 600 days of their captivity and demand their release and ending the war

Most of the Hamas leadership has been killed during the ongoing conflict.

Yesterday, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, claimed Israel's air strikes 'go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas'. She also reiterated the EU's objection to Israel's new aid distribution model, which has bypassed the United Nations and other agencies.

Ms Kallas added: 'Humanitarian aid cannot be weaponised.' Since the breakdown of ceasefire talks in March, around 4,000 more people have been killed in Gaza.

Last Friday, an air strike on Khan Younis killed nine of a Palestinian doctor's ten children. On Monday, at least 35 people were killed in a bombing of a school building sheltering displaced families.
A chicken shop owner has denied threatening to kill a federal election candidate, as questions are raised about why the man is allowed to stay in Australia.

Over a decade ago, Musher Saleh had his permanent residency revoked after immigration officials uncovered false marriage claims.

The 43-year-old is now accused of sending death threats to Australian Migrants candidate Jamal Daoud at his Liverpool office in Sydney's southwest on May 1 and 2.

The Merrylands man appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

'I didn't,' he told reporters outside court when asked whether he had made death threats.

'I never do that.'

Mr Daoud told AAP that his office had been called repeatedly by someone speaking in Arabic in the final days of the election.

The migration agent claimed Saleh told him something like 'I know where you are, I will come and get you and I will show you what I can do to you'.

'In Arabic, 'I will get you' in this way - it is a death threat,' Mr Daoud told AAP.

Musher Saleh has denied making death threats to a federal election candidate

He said he would send a letter to Immigration Minister Tony Burke demanding answers as to why Saleh has been allowed to stay in Australia despite his past.

Entering Australia on a business visa in 2001, Saleh was granted permanent residency in May 2013, according to a 2018 decision from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The Palestinian man had his permanent residency revoked in August 2017 after immigration officials learned he had supplied false details about his claimed ongoing marriage to an Australian citizen.

Two months later, he purchased a fried chicken shop in Auburn in Sydney's west and was promoting it on social media until 2024.

Saleh failed to notify immigration that his marriage had broken down before being granted residency and that he had formed a new relationship with a Norwegian national instead, the tribunal found.

In upholding the decision to revoke his permanent residency, the tribunal found Saleh had 'consistently been untruthful' and made 'deliberate falsehoods' to gain Australian citizenship.

'The applicant's interactions with the department have been dictated by what he desired to gain and not by what his obligations required him to do,' tribunal senior member Kira Raif wrote.

'The applicant appears to have very little remorse about his actions.'

Ms Raif agreed that the Merrylands man would experience hardship if his visa was revoked and he returned to Gaza, but noted that he could apply to live in Norway as his partner had citizenship there.

On Wednesday, Mr Burke did not respond to AAP's questions about why Saleh still resided in Australia.

Mr Daoud ran as an independent in the Sydney seat of Werriwa at the 2025 federal election after standing for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party at the 2022 election.
Elon Musk has quit the Department of Government Efficiency and bid farewell to the White House just one day after he publicly split with President Donald Trump.

The former First Buddy praised the president in an apparent effort to depart on good terms after he slammed Trump's 'big beautiful bill' and admitted he was disappointed with the treatment his DOGE team had received.

'As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,' he wrote on X on Wednesday night.

'The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.'

Musk was due to finish up his time at the White House by May 30. His appointment as a Special Government Employee was only temporary and designed to last 130 days.

And the world's richest man had been slowly phasing out of politics for weeks amid whispers of tensions with top administration officials.

But the situation came to a head on Tuesday night when Musk offered several points of criticism from his South Texas Starbase ahead of his latest SpaceX launch.

'It undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Musk bluntly told CBS of the $3.8trillion spending bill.

Elon Musk has quit the Department of Government Efficiency and bid farewell to the White House just one day after he publicly split with President Donald Trump

The former First Buddy praised the president in an apparent effort to depart on good terms after he slammed Trump's 'big beautiful bill' and admitted he was disappointed with the treatment his DOGE team had received

Trump has maintained there is no bad blood between the pair and thanked Musk for his dedication to DOGE

'I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it.'

Musk - who spoke to multiple outlets about the White House betrayal - went on to decry the treatment he and his baby-faced DOGE henchmen had received.

'DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,' he told the Washington Post.

'Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.'

After helping Trump win the 2024 election with outrageous financial contributions and stage-jumping endorsements, Musk earned the title of 'First Buddy' in the White House.

For the first several months of Trump's second term, Musk was everywhere - briefing Trump personally, gutting federal departments and even bringing his son, X, along to crucial meetings in the Oval Office.

But his arrival ruffled feathers both within the political establishment and among governmental employees, particularly when he set about mercilessly slashing jobs in an effort to root out wasteful spending.

'People burning Teslas,' he told the Post. 'Why would you do that?'

As Tesla showrooms around the nation became the epicenters of violent protests, stock prices nosedived and reports emerged that the board was seriously considering replacing Musk.

Musk saved an estimated $160billion in what he labeled wasteful government spending by decimating or shutting down 11 federal agencies - putting about 250,000 federal employees out of work in the process

Musk brought his son X along to the Oval Office for a press conference about DOGE's activities

Musk relished in slashing federal spending and shuttering entire departments as he sought to save cash

'I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics,' Musk admitted in a separate interview with ARS Technica.

'It's not like I left the companies. It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I've reduced that significantly in recent weeks.'

Musk twisted the knife a little further with outspoken criticism of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.'

'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both,' he said. 'My personal opinion.'

The bill is estimated to add another $3.8 trillion to the national debt which currently stands at a monstrous $36 trillion.

'The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,' he said.

'I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.'

Musk saved an estimated $160billion in what he labeled wasteful government spending by decimating or shutting down 11 federal agencies - putting about 250,000 federal employees out of work in the process.

Federal workers and supporters protested Musk's work with government

Musk switched his MAGA merch for an 'Occupy Mars' t-shirt as he seeks to return to his roots

Elon Musk has blasted the White House for 'undermining' him and treating DOGE like 'whipping boys.'

But even that number is a far cry from the $2trillion he vowed to save when DOGE was launched, and it has cost him immensely with mounting lawsuits and global protests against both he and his companies.

He stepped back from his high-profile role recently to refocus on his lifelong goal of colonizing Mars amid whispers his friendship with Trump was on the rocks and that he'd made enemies within the White House.

Despite all the rumors, Trump praised Musk as he revealed the billionaire had taken a step back from DOGE and said he would have been welcome to 'stay as long as you want.'
ICE agents stormed the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard and arrested 40 illegal immigrants - but a blue state governor slammed the effort as 'disturbing.'

Immigration agents successfully apprehended at least one MS-13 gang member and one child sex offender during the bust, according Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde.

'ICE and our federal partners made a strong stand for prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal aliens from our New England neighborhoods,' she said.

'Operations like this highlight the strong alliances that ICE shares with our fellow law enforcement partners.'

Even White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted 'Bye bye!' on X along with a waving hand emoji as a response to an image of migrants being shackled and transported via boat.

But Massachusetts' Democratic Governor Maura Healey demanded 'answers' and 'clarification' from ICE about the covert operation.

Healey told the Boston Herald it was 'very disturbing, needless to say, to wake up to news about that activity on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.'

Healey questioned whether ICE officials genuinely targeted criminals like they said, noting: 'It's one thing to go after and target those who have committed crimes, who are here unlawfully.

'It's concerning when we see people, moms and dads, being ripped away from families. Neighbors, coworkers taken away, literally it looks like, on the way to job sites in Nantucket and on the Vineyard.'

Immigration enforcement agents have been slammed by a blue state governor after they tracked down and arrested 40 illegal immigrants across Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard

ICE celebrated the successful operation earlier on Wednesday, boasting that officers successfully apprehended at least one MS-13 gang member and one child sex offender during the bust

'Local police chiefs have zero information about what's happening in their communities. We at the state level have zero information about what's happening in communities.

'And that needs to change. We need to get answers. We need to get clarification from ICE.'

Healey's comments sparked immediate and furious backlash from Trump administration DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

She told Fox News that local authorities were notified about the operation.

'Before the Governor criticizes our brave law enforcement, she should get her facts straightapparently, she is the one with "zero information,"' McLaughlin said.

'What we find "disturbing" and "concerning" is politicians like Massachusetts Gov. Healey fighting to protect criminal illegal aliens.

'Our ICE officers will continue putting their lives and safety on the line to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles that were let into our country by the Biden administration's open border policies.'

Trump returned to the White House after campaigning with a pledge to conduct the largest mass deportation scheme in American history.

'ICE and our federal partners made a strong stand for prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal aliens from our New England neighborhoods,' authorities said

But Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healey said the covert operation was 'very disturbing' as she demanded 'answers' and 'clarification' from ICE

Trump returned to the White House after campaigning with a pledge to conduct the largest mass deportation scheme in American history

The affluent and tight-knit pro-Democrat area of Martha's Vineyard was inundated with 50 migrants in 2022 after Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis sent two planeloads of immigrants to the island.

In response, authorities activated the National Guard in response, declaring the situation a 'humanitarian crisis.'

Then in April 2024, it emerged that some of those migrants who cooperated with the sheriff were able to apply for U-nonimmigrant status and three of them have since received 'bona fide determinations.'

That meant that the trio of Venezuelan migrants were given permission to work legally in the country and be protected from deportation.

The U-nonimmigrant status, known as U-visa, is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Migrants granted a U-visa are eligible to work in the United States, then can apply for a Green Card after having a U-visa for three years.

There is a 10,000 limit on the number of U-visas issued each year and there are thousands of applicants on a waiting list.
A former nurse has been arrested after the bomb squad were called in when a large cache of explosives and detonators was discovered in a suburban Melbourne home.

Zarna Barbar, 26, appeared in a Frankston court on Thursday charged with a string of offences following a raid of the Cranbourne property early on Wednesday morning.

A TikTok page run by Barbar features a video she filmed with an apparent boyfriend with the caption 'partner in crime' and referred to herself with the hashtag 'jail wife'.

Another video is captioned 'good first date' and showed her smiling on a night out with a man as police handcuffed him.

That video, shared in 2023, has been viewed by more than five million people.

Victoria Police allege about 15kg of explosives was found at the home, along with more than 40kg of chemicals used to make explosives, more than 60 detonation devices, and a quantity of illicit drugs.

'The Bomb Response Unit was subsequently deployed to render the items safe,' a police spokesman said.

The raid was initially carried out as part of an investigation into the theft of cars in the Frankston area in Melbourne's south.

Zarna Barbar, 26, has been charged with a string of weapons, theft and drug offences following a raid at suburban Melbourne property

Barbar, who used to work as a nurse, appeared in a Frankston court on Thursday

Barbar was charged with possessing explosive substances and cartridge ammunition and the theft of a motor vehicle.

She was also charged with theft from a motor vehicle, trafficking a drug of dependence, three counts of possessing a drug of dependence, and handling stolen goods.

The raid at the Cranbourne property follows a series of unconnected raids this week across the city and regional Victoria as police cracked down on the illicit drug and firearms trade.

Detectives, with the support of tactical police, executed warrants across Balwyn, California Gully, Footscray, Footscray West, Rowville, Spotswood, Sunshine North and Warburton.

Drugs worth $500,000 were seized along with multiple firearms, large quantities of illegal cigarettes and vapes, and $150,000 in cash.

Six people were charged with a total of 40 drug and firearm offences.
A controversial proposal to pay hunters $20 for each feral animal they kill in regional New South Wales has ignited a political firestorm.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday floated the idea as a potential solution to the state's feral animal problem.

Invasive species such as pigs, cats, dogs, and rabbits cost farmers millions of dollars in damage each year and pose a serious threat to native wildlife and ecosystems.

But the 'barbaric' plan has been criticised by NSW Upper House MP and Animal Justice Party member Emma Hurst.

'Bounties encourage mass cruelty to animals,' Hurst told Daily Mail Australia.

'A similar Victorian scheme has received extreme criticism for this. We can't copy the same ruthless and cruel program into NSW.'

She said mass animal killing programs, including poison and aerial shootings, have been proven to be 'both cruel and ineffective'.

Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough has also criticised the proposal, accusing the Premier and the Labor Party of cutting a political deal with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in exchange for its support.

NSW Farmers says more needs to be done to cull feral pests like foxes (stock image)

Hunters could be paid $20 per wild animal they kill under a controversial proposal (stock)

'[It] has nothing to do with good feral animal management,' Gough said.

'Bounty hunters might be heroes on the big screen, but in the real world of feral animal control, they're just a waste of taxpayers' money.'

Hurst echoed his concerns, arguing that there are more humane alternatives.

'If the Premier and the Shooters Party were genuine about wanting to reduce the number of introduced animals, they would be relying on science and running immuno-contraceptive programs,' she said.

'You don't need to be an expert to see that arming the general public with guns and sending them off on a yahoo killing spree is not the answer, and, in fact, creates a risk for everyone in the community.'

Shooters Party MP Robert Borsak has previously called for bounties to be offered, citing the failings of Local Land Services (LLS) regarding pest management.

In 2024, LLS spent over $13.2million on pest control and removed just 112,000 animals, most of which were feral pigs.

Mr Borsak said recreational hunters are both more efficient and more cost-effective.

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst (pictured) called the proposal 'barbaric and archaic'

'Recreational conservation hunters shot 1.69million pigs in the 2024 calendar year and contributed over $100million to the NSW economy, primarily benefiting rural and regional communities,' he told Parliament in March.

He has proposed a $20 bounty for pigs, foxes, and feral cats in New South Wales, arguing the initiative would assist farmers and volunteer hunters while addressing the widespread damage caused by invasive species.

According to Mr Borsak, $2million in bounties would result in the removal of 100,000 feral animals, a fraction of the cost of existing LLS programs.

He said it would also reduce financial pressure on farmers and encouraging greater community involvement.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has backed the proposal and criticised its opponents, saying animal pests were costing $489million in damages each year.

'Online commentators who suggest we don't need additional efforts in this area are seriously out of touch with the realities of the landscape,' he said.

'That's a staggering amount of money, and that's why we welcome the Premier's approach to look at every option to slash the number of feral animals.'

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the government had yet to make a final decision on the issue.

In 2024, LLS spent over $13.2million on pest control and removed just 112,000 animals, most of which were feral pigs (pictured)

'The Government is open to considering all options to take action against invasive species, as the Premier said this does include bounties.' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'No one is saying that bounties are the sole solution here. They aren't a silver bullet. But what they are is another tool in the toolbox.'

'They don't replace large scale invasive control programs and integrated policy and land management that must still be a focus.

'What bounties are is a recognition that government can't do this alone; that if there are people who want to help us in this work we want them part of the program.'

Robert Bosak MLC was contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia.
Australia must urgently boost its defence funding otherwise it risks being stranded in 'no-man's-land' with a 'paper IDF', a defence and intelligence thinktank has warned.

A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute praised the Labor government's commitment to long-term defence projects, such as the AUKUS submarine deal, but warned it was not doing nearly enough in the immediate future.

'That slow pace risks leaving the ADF ill-prepared for current threats and unable to keep pace with future challenges, creating a "no-mans-land" of preparedness,' the report's author and former Home Affairs deputy secretary Marc Ablong wrote.

'The timelines for major acquisitions, especially the nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, extend well into the next decade and beyond.

'While those future capabilities are strategically important, they offer little immediate enhancement, thus creating a "paper ADF" that lacks readiness for near-term conflict scenarios.'

The institute receives around three quarters of its annual funding from the Department of Defence, other federal government agencies and foreign governments.

The report, published on Thursday, argued that the May budget was an 'opportunity lost' to increase defence spending.

Mr Ablong called for 'defence funding to be increased to reflect the reality of the threats facing Australia'.

A major report has called for 'defence funding to be increased to reflect the reality of the threats facing Australia'. But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has dismissed the findings

The report noted that the largest spending increases included $235 million on the Collins-class submarines (pictured)

'While the Australian government claims to have made a "generational investment in Australias defence", that investment has been put off for another generation,' he wrote.

He pointed out that the majority of the billions promised by Labor would not arrive until after 2029.

'While consistency can often be a virtue, it reveals a business-as-usual approach to a world now in crisis and conflict,' Mr Ablong added.

'The rhetoric recognising the threats isnt translating into action to deal with the threats, meaning the government continues to deprioritise the readiness and sustainability of the current force-in-being, with the largest spending increases on capability sustainment tied to the F-35 Lightning force ($190 million) and Collins-class submarines ($235 million).'

Mr Ablong further warned that Australia risked falling behind other major players, such as China, in the Indo-Pacific.

'Australia risks a brittle and hollowed defence force, diminished industrial sovereignty, and compromised national security in a volatile Indo-Pacific region,' he added.

The criticisms were rejected by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who slammed the 'predictable' report, claiming ASPI was 'run by people whove been in a position to make a difference in the past as part of former governments'.

'They need to have a look at themselves as well and the way that they conduct themselves in debates,' Albanese said on Thursday morning.

'Weve had a Defence Strategic Review. Weve got considerable additional investment going into defence  $10 billion.'

The executive director of the ASPI is Justin Bassi, who worked as a security advisor under Liberal governments, in the offices of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney General George Brandis before becoming chief of staff to Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
An aide to President Donald Trump is following Elon Musk out the White House door as she prepares to work for the tech billionaire in the private sector.

Katie Miller - who is married to Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller - is leaving her current gig to work 'full time' for the Tesla CEO, unidentified sources told CNN.

Katie Miller served as an adviser and the spokeswoman for the Department of Government Efficiency.

She had been considered a Special Government Employee, which allows private sector figures to work for the federal government, but restricts them to 130 days per year.

She is now reportedly helping Musk set up media interviews unrelated to his government work as he officially quit his position as the head of DOGE, one source claimed.

In just the past week, Musk has given interviews to the Washington Post, CBS News and Ars Technica about SpaceX's Starship now failed launch.

He is now set to dedicate more time to his private sector ventures, as he announced Wednesday he was stepping down from his role in the Trump White House.

Musk had been scheduled to depart from the administration by May 30, and has spent the last few weeks slowly phasing out of politics amid whispers of tensions with top Trump officials.

The situation came to a head on Tuesday night when Musk laid into Trump's 'big beautiful bill' and admitted he was disappointed with the treatment his DOGE team had received.

Katie Miller, who served as an adviser and the spokeswoman for the Department of Government Efficiency, has reportedly left her White House position to go work for Elon Musk in the private sector

Miller is married to Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller

'It undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Musk bluntly told CBS of the $3.8trillion spending bill.

Musk - who spoke to multiple outlets about the White House betrayal - went on to decry the treatment he and his baby-faced DOGE henchmen had received.

'DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,' he told the Washington Post.

'Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.'

After helping Trump win the 2024 election with outrageous financial contributions and stage-jumping endorsements, Musk earned the title of 'First Buddy' in the White House.

For the first several months of Trump's second term, Musk was everywhere - briefing Trump personally, gutting federal departments and even bringing his son, X, along to crucial meetings in the Oval Office.

But his arrival ruffled feathers both within the political establishment and among governmental employees, particularly when he set about mercilessly slashing jobs in an effort to root out wasteful spending.

'People burning Teslas,' he told the Post. 'Why would you do that?'

Miller's new job comes as Musk announced he was officially stepping away from his position as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency

Musk had been a vocal presence in the first few months of the Trump administration, even bringing his son X along to the Oval Office for a press conference about DOGE's activities

His time at the head of DOGE was marked with fiery protests at Tesla showrooms around the country

As Tesla showrooms around the nation became the epicenters of violent protests, stock prices nosedived and reports emerged that the board was seriously considering replacing Musk.

'I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics,' Musk admitted in a separate interview with ARS Technica.

'It's not like I left the companies. It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I've reduced that significantly in recent weeks.'

Musk twisted the knife a little further with outspoken criticism of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.'

'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both,' he said. 'My personal opinion.'

The bill is estimated to add another $3.8 trillion to the national debt which currently stands at a monstrous $36 trillion.

'The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,' he said.

'I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.'

Trump praised Musk as he revealed the billionaire had taken a step back from DOGE and said he would have been welcome to ' stay as long as you want'

Musk saved an estimated $160billion in what he labeled wasteful government spending by decimating or shutting down 11 federal agencies - putting about 250,000 federal employees out of work in the process.

But even that number is a far cry from the $2trillion he vowed to save when DOGE was launched, and it has cost him immensely with mounting lawsuits and global protests against both he and his companies.

Still, Trump praised Musk as he revealed the billionaire had taken a step back from DOGE and said he would have been welcome to 'stay as long as you want.'

Musk, in turn, praised the president in his own statement.

'As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,' he wrote on X on Wednesday night.

'The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment.
A former Virginia jail official is facing federal charges for allegedly using his position to force employees to repair his home for free.

Thomas Brady, 53, the former Deputy Superintendent for Jail Operations at the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office, was arrested Wednesday and charged with four counts of extortion and three counts of using interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion.

According to charging documents, Brady allegedly ran the scheme between 2021 and May 2023, coercing employees to carry out maintenance work at his home during and after work hours.

One employee was reportedly ordered to install a showerhead and replace a water heater.

Another was tasked with repairing the home's heating system instead of reporting to work.

A third employee replaced a hot water circulator pump - twice, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts.

All three employees feared retaliation or job-related consequences, including losing their preferred schedule or position, if they refused Brady's demands, NBC Boston reported.

In one instance, an employee told their Deputy Superintendent they were unavailable for work.

Thomas Brady, 53, the former Deputy Superintendent for Jail Operations at the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office, was arrested Wednesday and charged with four counts of extortion and three counts of using interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion

Prosecutors also cited a text message from the employee to another staff member, warning them that Brady was looking for them (pictured)

The next morning however, instead of reporting to the Sheriff's Office, the employee allegedly went to Brady's home to begin work on the water heater.

That day, the employee reportedly disconnected the existing water heater, loaded it into their truck, and drove Brady and the old unit to Home Depot.

Brady allegedly purchased a new 50-gallon water heater, which the employee then transported back to the residence, installed, and afterward went to the office to finish their shift, according to official documents.

Prosecutors also cited a text message from the employee to another staff member, warning them that Brady was looking for them.

Mike Ramponi, a licensed plumber who worked for the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department before retiring last year, told NBC Boston he was among those Brady directed to leave mid-shift to work on his home.

'I didn't feel comfortable leaving and going there, but you know, basically, the boss said, "Go do it,"' Ramponi said.

Texts obtained by NBC Boston investigators show Ramponi informed his supervisor he was heading to Brady's house.

Brady then sent him the address and door code, and noted the circulator pump that needed replacing was left on top of the dryer.

According to charging documents, Brady allegedly ran the scheme between 2021 and May 2023, coercing employees to carry out maintenance work at his home during and after work hours

Mike Ramponi (pictured), a licensed plumber who worked for the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department before retiring last year, told NBC Boston he was among those Brady directed to leave mid-shift to work on his home

Brady was terminated from his position earlier this month, according to NBC Boston

'I felt like that if I didn't go there and do it, there would be repercussions towards me, you know?' Ramponi said. 'He could do anything  change my shift.'

The State Ethics Commission found that Brady violated conflict of interest laws multiple times by having subordinate employees perform plumbing work at his home during and outside of state work hours.

The commission said Brady neither paid the plumbers nor reimbursed the Sheriff's Office for the value of the state work time spent on the repairs.

Brady was terminated from his position earlier this month, according to NBC Boston.

Brady pleaded not guilty in court and was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond. A court date has not yet been scheduled.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for the extortion charges.

The charges related to use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion carry a maximum of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, according to the US Attorney's Office.

He may also face civil penalties stemming from a Massachusetts State Ethics Commission investigation.
The last man to see missing teen Pheobe Bishop before she disappeared is living in his car and staying on the move as locals hound him for answers.

Pheobe was last seen on May 15 leaving the rundown house she shared with housemates James Wood and Tanika Bromley in Gin Gin, near Bundaberg.

Pheobe's housemates have told detectives they drove her to Bundaberg Airport for an 8.30am flight to Brisbane and then on to Perth, where she planned to meet up with her boyfriend.

They claimed to have dropped the teen off at the airport in Bromley's 2011 grey Hyundai ix35 hatchback. No CCTV of her at the airport has been found.

The pair have since been charged with unrelated weapons offences after police impounded the car and allegedly discovered a shortened firearm, two replica handguns and ammunition in the car. Bromley's strict bail conditions include that she not see Wood.

No charges have been laid over Pheobe's disappearance and it is not suggested that Bromley and Wood were involved in her disappearance.

Police have since released the Hyundai to Wood, which he appears to have been living out of since the Gin Gin home where he lived with Bromley and Pheobe was declared a crime scene.

Daily Mail Australia witnessed Wood being confronted by an irate local as he slept in the driver's seat of his car under a tree in a local park on Thursday.

Pheobe Bishop's flatemate James Wood is spotted above at a Hungry Jack's drive-thru this week

Wood had earlier been seen sleeping in his car beside a local park

When an irate resident (pictured) discovered Wood sleeping in his car, she woke him by prodding him with a beach umbrella

The woman screamed 'he's hiding here,' before Wood drove away

An irate resident discovered Wood's location, and woke the 34-year-old by prodding him with a beach umbrella through the driver's window.

'He's here, he's hiding here,' she yelled, while other concerned locals watched on.

'I think there's a dead dog in the car... Justice for Pheobe! Justice for Pheobe!'

Wood started the car and sped away. But a short time later, he was spotted again in the drive thru of a Hungry Jack's. A live dog was visible on the back passenger seat as he left the restaurant car park.

Police confirmed on Wednesday night that Wood had been charged with unrelated weapons offences over the guns allegedly found in the Hyundai when they searched it.

He was charged with one count each of unlawful possession of weapons Category D/H/R (short firearm) and authority to possess explosives.

He is due to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13.

On Thursday morning, the car (pictured) was seen parked under a tree next to a local park, with Wood sleeping in the driver's seat

Police confirmed on Wednesday night that Wood had been charged with unrelated weapons offences

Wood was questioned by police after Pheobe vanished, but released without charge. On May 16 he told a friend he had been printing flyers to go up around town, and 'cause I was one of the last people to see her alive cops basically asked me if I did her in or hurt her at all ayy'.

He also took to social media offering his tinnie boat as a reward for any information about Pheobe's whereabouts.

His bizarre public appearance on Thursday came as Pheobe had been missing for two weeks, and a bitter rift erupted among members of the teen's family.

Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson, and her sister Kaylea, have hit back at her aunt who went on TV to share disturbing texts from the missing teen, and blasted her claims about the youngster's upbringing.

Caz Johnson - sister of Pheobe's mum Kylie Johnson - made her allegations about the 17-year-old's tumultuous family life on Network Ten's The Project on Wednesday.

Her aunt revealed Pheobe sent text messages out of the blue on April 26 to say her mother had told her to 'get out', but didn't want to talk about the matter as it was 'a long story'.

'Up s*** creek but s*** happens,' Pheobe wrote, in texts shown on Ten.

Pheobe Bishop (pictured with her mum Kylie Johnson) has been missing since May 15

'I'm flying the f*** out of here to see my boyfriend.

'If it goes to plan I'm not coming back. I can't do s*** anymore. I need to get out of this hell hole.'

Caz claimed Pheobe had an unsettled childhood, regularly changing schools and having to deal with new stepdads coming in and out of her life.

But Pheobe's mother reacted immediately on social media after The Project segment aired, saying her sister knew 'nothing' about her daughter.

Ms Johnson has issued regular pleas to the public for help in finding Pheobe, but hasn't commented specifically on Pheobe's living situation, Wood or Bromley, explaining in one post she did not want to jeopardise the police investigation.

Detectives launched an intense search for Pheobe in a nearby bushland area, scouring it for several days with cadaver dogs.

On Monday they announced they had found several items and sent them for forensic testing - but they also revealed that key evidence may have been moved from the park. On Wednesday, cops confirmed they had suspended their search of the park.

'Investigations are ongoing and police are continuing to run out several lines of inquiry,' a Queensland Police spokesperson said.

'In addition to investigative work, physical searches will continue as needed and as information is provided.

'The greater Gin Gin area remains the focus of the investigation.'
A real estate agency has apologised after encouraging tenants to leave a five star review to go in the draw for a week of free rent.

Ray White Rockhampton, in Queensland, informed tenants of the 'opportunity' in an email on Wednesday.

'We're thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity exclusively for our Ray White Rockhampton tenants!' the email read.

'We're giving away three prizes of one week's free rent, and entering couldn't be easier.

'How to enter: Leave us a five-star Google review; mention your property manager's name in the review.

'That's it! You'll be in the draw to win one of three chances to enjoy a week of free rent  on us.

'With only our tenant community eligible to enter, the odds are in your favour so don't miss out!'

A screenshot of the email was shared to Reddit where social media users were quick to slam the real estate agency.

A screenshot of the email was shared to Reddit where social media users were quick to slam the real estate agency

Ray White Rockhampton, in Queensland , informed tenants of the 'opportunity' in an email on Wednesday

'Pathetic, and unethical way of conducting business,' one wrote.

'Makes you wonder how many of their reviews are even real from the past.'

Since the email was sent, several have made the effort to leave one-star reviews on Google.

'Ray White is offering rewards of free rent to their rental tenants for five star reviews on Google,' one warned.

'Be aware five star reviews inclusive of property manager names from May 2025 are very likely the result of this.'

'Dodgy practices, offering tenants the chance for "a week's free rent" but must leave a five star review,' a second added.

'That is very unethical, and you should be ashamed.'

The business has an average rating of 4.8 stars from 851 reviews on Google.

Ray White Rockhampton principal Riley Neaton 'promised' his business would not make the error again

Ray White Rockhampton principal Riley Neaton told Daily Mail Australia his company made a grave mistake.

'We have apologised profusely to our tenants for this error in judgement,' he said.

'None of the reviews we received are believed to be fake but we have asked Google to remove all reviews that have been received.

'We promise it will never happen again.'

A Ray White spokeswoman added that the competition was quickly reversed.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Queensland's Office of Fair Trading for comment.
Australian's first commercial wind farm is set to be painstakingly dismantled by cranes as the turbines reach the end of their 20-year lifespan.

Sitting on rolling green hills overlooking Port Fairy in southwest Victoria, Pacific Blue's Codrington Windfarm is considered a 'close to perfect' location for wind towers.

When the site opened in 2001, it was not only Australia's first commercial windfarm but also the largest of any kind in the country.

The wind farm generates enough energy required to power 10,000 homes each year while avoiding the emission of nearly 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

But almost 24 years later, the site's 14 50metre-high turbines are among the first of its generation to approach the end of their working lives.

Pacific Blue said it hopes to become a renewables industry leader 'twice over' in its approach to dismantling the turbines using cranes.

The project is a massive undertaking but is more likely to win the approval of surrounding communities than the alternative method of using explosives.

'A decision was recently made that all turbines at the Codrington Wind Farm will be disassembled onsite through the use of cranes in the reverse order of how the turbines were assembled,' a Pacific Blue spokesperson told Renew Economy.

Codrington Wind Farm (pictured) in southwest Victoria is one of Australia's oldest wind farms. Now, the 14 turbines are set to be dismantled by cranes marking the end of an era

The wind farm produced the amount of energy required to power up to 10,000 Victorian homes

'This project is the first of its kind in Australia and we take this responsibility very seriously.'

Earlier this year, Pacific Blue announced it would not be repowering the ageing turbines and would, instead, explore options for their decommissioning.

According to the company, which is headquartered east of the wind farm in Melbourne, the site is no longer commercially viable.

To keep the site operational, its grid connection would require significant upgrades.

And if the company were to replace the turbines with more modern equivalents, spacing requirements would preclude the installation of any more than four.

'The company's analysis considered the limitations of space on the site and necessary upgrades to modernise the grid equipment, ultimately resolving that a new project at Codrington is not financially viable for this location,' it said in a statement.

Pacific Blue said permit conditions require the turbines to be decommissioned within 12 months after the farm stops generating power.

According to Re-Alliance, 85 wind farms across Australia are due to retire by 2045.

Codrington is among many windfarms of its generation approaching the end of its lifespan

Given the relatively young age of Australia's wind farm industry, the question of how best to decommission retirement-age farms remains an open one.

'Pacific Blue has a long-standing relationship with the communities surrounding Codrington and its other four wind farms operating in the region,' the company said.

'The company will continue to engage with them regularly throughout the decommissioning.

'Broader community and stakeholder engagement is planned for the second half of 2025, once a clearer timeline for final generation is established and regulatory approvals for the decommissioning plan are in place.'

Pacific Blue has been contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
FBI Director Kash Patel has teased that the bureau's upcoming findings into whether informants were at the scene of the January 6 Capitol riots will 'surprise and shock' the American public.

The FBI director sat down in an exclusive interview with Fox News' chief political anchor Bret Baier that aired on the network's Special Report Wednesday, when he discussed the agency's investigation into the riots.

'People have had questions about January 6th, whether or not there were FBI sources - not agents, sources - on the ground during January 6. And I told you I would get you the definitive answer to that,' Patel said.

'And we have, and we are in the process again of working with our partners to divulge that information - and it's coming,' he vowed.

He also noted that the answer about the FBI's involvement in the Capitol riot may 'surprise and shock people because of what past FBI leaders have said about it.'

Former FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously dodged questions from Congress about the agency's role in the Capitol riots.

But a damning report released by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz last year found that the FBI had more than two dozen confidential human sources in the crowd outside the Capitol - and three were assigned by the bureau to be at the protest.

Of those three, one illegally entered the Capitol building, and the other two entered the restricted area around the Capitol.

FBI Director Kash Patel has teased that the bureau's upcoming findings into the January 6 Capitol riots will 'surprise and shock' the American public

Patel noted that Americans have long questioned the FBI's role in the Capitol riots

He told Fox News' Bret Baier on Wednesday that information about the bureau's role in the Capitol riots is forthcoming

The report also noted that none of the confidential sources were authorized to enter the Capitol or break the law or 'encourage others to commit illegal acts.'

But, it claimed there was one confidential human source who was in contact with the leadership of far-right groups such as the Oath Keepers, and were aware of plans discussed by the Proud Boys to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Confidential human sources work with the FBI to offer information and insights about the inner workings of organizations threatening the country, such as criminal, terrorist and espionage networks.

According to the DOJ, these informants can be cashed out for the information they pass along to the feds.

When news of the report spread in December, Vice President JD Vance pointed out that none of those confidential human sources who entered the Capitol have been prosecuted.

'For those keeping score at home, this was labeled a dangerous conspiracy theory months ago,' he noted.

Now, however, Patel says the report - entitled the FBI's Handling of its Confidential Human Sources and Intelligence Collection Efforts in the Lead Up to the Jan 6, 2021 Electoral Certification - is 'definitely a piece of the truth.'

A damning report released by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz last year found that the FBI had more than two dozen confidential human sources in the crowd outside the Capitol

Former FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously dodged questions from Congress about the agency's role on January 6, 2021

The FBI director was sworn in promising to increase transparency at the federal law enforcement agency, which he had previously accused of covering up its own crimes as he derided the agency as 'one of the most cunning and powerful arms of the Deep State.'

Part of that goal, Patel told Baier Wednesday, was to give Americans the answers they 'deserve.'

In that vein, he noted that there are also 'answers coming' in other investigations - including the pipe bombs placed outside of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee just one day before the Capitol riot.

The FBI has previously released video of the alleged suspect from 2021. The latest video release, from January 2 of this year, shows grainy security camera video of the masked, hoodie-wearing suspect, who is difficult to identify.

Meanwhile, House Republicans released an 80-page report cataloguing 'serious, and largely overlooked, security failure on January 6' including the 'delayed' discovery of the bombs close to the two party headquarters buildings and the 'chaotic response' once they were found.

Patel's number two at the bureau, Dan Bongino, has since claimed the bomb scare was an 'inside job.'

'I can say with almost absolute certainty from a whistleblower who was there who strongly believes it was a government contractor who planted those bombs to set up a fake assassination plot on Kamala Harris to basically generate sympathy, to shut down people from questioning the vote on January 6,' Bongino said in a September episode of his podcast.

Dan Bongino, the assistant director of the FBI, had previously claimed the pipe bombs placed outside of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee just one day before the Capitol riot was an 'inside job'

The alleged suspect was caught on surveillance footage in a hoodie and a mask

An explosive device is shown outside of the Republican National Committee office on January 6, 2021 in Washington DC

He then went on to reference questions raised by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, ticking through questions on his hand while recording the episode.

'Videos are disappearing. Nobody seems to want to know who it is. Why would the FBI not want to know who it is? Because if they put out a video showing you who it is and someone recognizes them, this whole thing's going to blow wide open,' he claimed.

'I'm telling you they are going to come out and say those pipe bombs are just a training exercise when they weren't,' Bongino continued.

'I can't trust anyone. I can't trust anybody any more,' he said, calling the pipe bomb attack 'the biggest political scandal of our time.'

'It is a story nobody wants to talk about, which is weird, because if the insurrection they claim is true, why wouldn't Kamala Harris want to talk about nearly being killed by a pipe bomb during the insurrection?' Bongino wondered.

'Why does she not want to talk about this? Because my story is true. Those pipe bombs were put there as Plan A if the Republicans on certification day in front of an entire national media audience on the House floor ... objected and started talking about the problems in the election,' he said.

Patel also said the FBI will soon be releasing its findings into the mysterious bag of cocaine left at the White House in 2023

In addition to the two investigations related to the Capitol riots, Patel said the public will soon also have answers about the cocaine found in the White House during the Biden administration.

It was discovered just two days after recovering drug addict Hunter Biden had left with his father and family for their July 4th holiday weekend.

A Secret Service investigation into the drugs was closed in less than two weeks due to a 'lack of evidence' as security footage was not able to determine the owner.

'Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered,' it said in a statement.

The Biden family was away from Washington at the time of the discovery of the cocaine took place - and have repeatedly denied the drugs came from any of their family members.

New information will also be released about the FBI's investigation into the alleged connections between Trump and Russia following the 2016 election, Patel said as DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that a contractor allegedly made false claims to Congress about the origins of the probe.

Nellie Ohr was first accused of falsely testifying to Congress in a newly declassified FBI document from 2019.

It claims she falsely testified that she did not have any knowledge of the investigation into Trump's connections with Russia, and that she lied when she denied sharing her research on Russia with individuals outside of her company.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley now says she 'showed contempt for congressional oversight and the American people.'
A controversial zoo in China is once again under scrutiny after it was accused of sedating kangaroos so visitors could pet and feed them.

Footage shared earlier this month showed an adult red kangaroo at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park in Pudong, China, lying on its back in the dirt.

The marsupial was barely able to open its eyes as a crowd of tourists knelt around it, grabbed at its paw and took pictures.

Other videos from the park show multiple kangaroos in the enclosure all lying on the ground as tourists including young children interacted with them.

Some viewers online suggested the kangaroos looked as though they had been sedated to keep them docile.

According to the Queensland Department of the Environment 'kangaroos readily accept our presence if we show no aggression towards them but, if we get too close, they may see us as a threat' and attack.

'Kangaroos and wallabies that are used to being fed can approach people expecting food. When there is no food, they may become aggressive.'

The animals in the video are red kangaroos, which are the largest of the species and can grow up to 1.8metres tall. The marsupials can balance on their tails and deliver a powerful kick which has caused fatalities.

Footage of a lethargic red kangaroo at China's Shanghai Wild Animal Park has sparked concern

Shanghai Wild Animal has previously made headlines after one of its workers was fatally attacked by a bear in front of a packed tour bus in October 2020.

The worker was mauled in an area where the bears roamed free and was only accessible to visitors by vehicle.

An excavator was being used in the area when the attack occurred and the zoo subsequently said it would improve its safety procedures.

The zoo has also been accused of forcing animals to participate in races.

In 2017, former Australian racing greyhounds sold to the zoo were made to race against cheetahs.

Four years earlier, a black bear attacked a monkey after the animals were forced to race bicycles around a small track in front of a crowd of people.

In 2015, non-profit Wild Welfare accused the zoo of mistreating tigers after a video emerged of an underweight and lethargic-looking tiger cub being handled by a zookeeper and a young visitor.

The video was shared to the Chinese app weibo.

The non-profit claimed in the video 'the zookeeper repeatedly tried to stimulate the cub by flicking and tapping its face, but the cub remained floppy. The keeper is also seen handling the cub roughly, at one point lifting it by just one front limb.'
Donald Trump's ban on new international students could lead to a wave of students coming to Australia who would have otherwise picked prestigious universities such as Harvard or Yale, a leading higher education expert says.

The US President has stopped all student visa applications in a bid to force universities to better tackle anti-Semitism and political extremism on campus, in a move also designed to free up more places for Americans.

But the move could have consequences for Australia - already the world's largest education provider per capita - claimed Professor Andrew Norton, a higher education policy expert at Monash University.

'If they can't go to those top American universities, they may decide that Australia is the next best option,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Education is Australia's fourth biggest export, behind iron ore, coal and natural gas and international, fee-paying students are a lucrative source of revenue for universities.

Trump's decision could give universities even more choice in who they selected, but would be unlikely to create a fresh wave of migrants, given Labor is seeking to cap the number of new annual enrolments to 270,000 with Senate approval.

'I'm saying, probably not an increase in numbers but possibly an increase in quality,' Prof Norton said.

'We've not necessarily got the most academically ambitious students - they may go to Harvard or other universities like that.'

Donald Trump 's ban on new international students could lead to a wave of students who would have picked prestigious universities such as Harvard or Yale coming to Australia instead, a leading higher education expert says

It is understood university vice-chancellors met in Canberra on Wednesday, where fears were expressed about potentially being swamped with applications from international students who would have otherwise gone to the US.

In the US, international students are only legally allowed to work on campus in jobs related to their field of study.

In Australia, they can work 30 hours a week and if they are a studying a masters degree, they can bring a spouse to Australia with working rights.

To get a student visa, an overseas applicant needs a Confirmation of Enrolment to prove they have enrolled at an accredited Australian university.

More than half - or 55 per cent - of overseas students come from China, India , Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Australian universities have long favoured overseas students, who pay fees upfront unlike local students, who pay off degree through a Higher Education Loan Program.

Salvatore Babones, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Sydney, said international students were often enrolling to study in Australia to get work visas, giving universities a lucrative revenue stream.

'If they need to make some money, they can just give out more visas, get some more students in - it's become morally corrupt,' he said.

Prof Babones said led to students coming to Australia on student visas just to earn some money to send home.

'Their goal is to be in Australia earning money, delivering for Uber Eats or driving Ubers,' he said.

The US President has stopped all student visa applications in a bid to force universities to better tackle anti-Semitism and political extremism on campus, in a move designed to free up more places for Americans (pictured are University of Sydney students)

This was more common at less prestigious universities outside the Group of Eight - the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, the University of Western Australia, the University of Adelaide, Monash University and UNSW Sydney.

'Once you go below the Group of Eight, they're fundamentally work visas,' he said.

'Universities are empowered by the government to give out visas - it's relatively easy to get a visa to be an international student at a public university; it's very difficult to get a visa to be an international student at a language school.'

International students make up half of the University of Sydney's enrolments but for some degrees such as communications and business, that rises to 90 per cent.

'Masters degrees are now dominated by international students and if you want to create a new masters program, you have to present a business case to your university of how you would attract international students,' he said.

'The reason is not that Australia has such fantastic post-graduate education - the reason is that masters students can legally work 30 hours a week during the semester; they can work full-time out of the semester.

'More importantly, for masters students they can bring their families so partners of masters students can work full-time.'

International students make up half of the University of Sydney's enrolments but for some degrees such as communications and business, that rises to 90 per cent

This had seen Nepalese students make up eight per cent of enrolments, making it the third biggest source of Australia's international students after China and India.

'Nepal's a poor, mountainous country in the middle of nowhere,' he said.

'Why are there so many thousands of Nepali masters students in Australia? Because they can bring their family. By paying for a single masters degree, they get two people access to the Australian labour market for four years.

'It's simply a low-wage work scam - there's no way that Nepal can afford to send so many students here to do masters degrees; they borrow the money in Nepal - a lot of it's loan sharking.'

Prof Babones said a reliance on overseas students led to diminished teaching standards, with Queensland University of Technology last year admitting in its annual report that 46 per cent of international students had dropped out.

'This diminishes the pedagogical environment, it kind of makes a mockery of the mission of the public university - the point of having an education program here in Australia is not to service clients from China,' he said.

'The purpose is supposed to meet Australia's workforce needs and to meet Australia's educational needs but it's reached now, ridiculous proportions in some ways.'

Trump's decision could give universities even more choice in who they selected, but would be unlikely to create a fresh wave of migrants, given the Australian government is seeking to cap the number of new annual enrolments to 270,000

Salvatore Babones, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Sydney, said international students were often enrolling to study in Australia to get work visas, giving universities a lucrative revenue stream

Australia was last year home to 1.1million international student enrolments - from high school to universities and vocational education.

That figure included those who switched courses or degrees, and counts some students multiple times.

Maurice Newman, a former Macquarie University chancellor, said Trump was simply trying to open up more places for local students, as Australian universities continued to favour more international students for the revenue stream, particularly from China.

'Clearly, you get more money from foreign students which makes it likely some places for Australian students will not be available,' he said.

'When I was at Macquarie, what I was trying to do was reduce our dependence on foreign students - it's just putting too many eggs in one basket.

'What President Trump is looking to do is to open up more places for Americans to go to Ivy League and prestigious universities, which for the time being appear to have been overlooked for higher paying, presumably foreign students.'

David Llewellyn-Smith, the chief strategist with MacroBusiness, said universities were relying on revenue streams from overseas students to cope with a shortfall in federal government funding.

'The government should put a lot more money into universities and they should put a cap on foreign students like Donald Trump is doing,' he said.

In Australia, they can work 30 hours a week and if they are a studying a masters degree, they can bring a spouse to Australia with working rights (pictured are RMIT graduates in Melbourne)

The large influx of overseas students made up a large proportion of the 437,440 migrants who came to Australia on a permanent and long-term basis in the year to March, worsening the housing crisis (pictured is Sydney's Town Hall train station)

'A bunch of our university foreign intakes are way too high and it's dramatically changed the way the universities are taught.

'You're debasing education quality to make a dollar for those universities, which in the long run doesn't deliver you the kind of high quality and sophisticated workforce you need for a productive economy - in the long-run you're actually doing yourself harm.'

The large influx of overseas students made up a large proportion of the 437,440 migrants who came to Australia on a permanent and long-term basis in the year to March, worsening the housing crisis.

'These are the externalities that the universities don't want you to talk about - there are huge costs to all sorts of things,' he said.

But Prof Norton said universities were now voluntarily restricting their overseas intake, given the large numbers who arrived in 2023 and 2024, as Labor tried to legislate with the Greens a 270,000 annual cap on new enrolments.

'The total number will stay high even if the commencing numbers start to decline again, because we've just got this huge stock of people,' he said.

'The universities fear what might happen next and we have seen drops in visa applications for this year and I think it's because the universities are voluntarily holding back rather than going above the so-called indicative cap.

'We may not be able to capitalise on the fact that people who want to go to the United States won't be able to go to the United States.'
Kevin Rudd has revealed the four-word mantra governing his approach to dealing with US President Donald Trump: 'Keep calm, we're Australian'.

The ambassador to the US made the tongue-in-cheek comments at a conference in Detroit where he argued that Australia could help the United States address the shortfall it faces in 50 designated categories of critical minerals.

Critical minerals are crucial metal or non-metal elements needed for modern technologies, such as semiconductors and rechargeable batteries.

If there supply chains are disrupted, then it could present a national security threat because modern economies are so reliant on these materials and the products they produce.

Rudd argued that Trump's treatment of critical minerals as a 'strategic priority' aligned with Australia's - and both countries could work together to ward off China's dominance in the sector.

'The geology of the United States does not permit you to be self-reliant in all 50 (critical minerals) because they're not all here,' Rudd told the conference, according to The Australian.

'But if you add Canada and Australia, you are.

'So what we need to work out  and we have a draft accord with the administration at present on these questions  is how do we collaborate both on the mining, the extraction, the transportation and the processing and the stockpiling to make our economies resilient, including what you'll need for future battery manufacture for the future.'

Kevin Rudd has revealed the four-word mantra governing his approach to Donald Trump : 'Keep calm, we're Australian'

Rudd argued that Trump's treatment of critical minerals as a 'strategic priority' aligned with Australia's - and both countries could work together to ward off China 's dominance in the sector

In what was perhaps an oblique reference to Trump's recent tariff decision, where Australia was slapped with the 10 per cent base rate, Rudd acknowledged there had been 'recent bumps in the road' for the Australia-US relationship.

But Rudd insisted the two countries would always see eye-to-eye.

'Sure, President Trump's administration has different priorities. But I printed the embassy mugs,' he said.

'On the outside it says, "Keep calm, we're Australian". And we'll work our way through all of these little challenges.'

Rudd's comments come just days after he unleashed about Trump's decision to block foreign students from Harvard.

'We are monitoring closely developments at Harvard University in relation to the administration's statement this afternoon on the future enrolment of international students,' Mr Rudd said on Friday morning in a statement to X.

'I know this will be distressing for Harvard's many Australian students.

'The embassy is working with the United States government to obtain the details of this decision so that Australian students can receive appropriate advice.

'We also intend to engage the administration more broadly on the impact of this decision for Australian students and their families both at Harvard and at other campuses across the United States.'

Rudd has been under pressure to retain his position since Trump's re-electoin because he previously labelled the president a 'village idiot', a 'traitor to the West' and 'the most destructive president in history'.

After Mr Trump's election victory in November, Rudd deleted a swathe of those negative social media comments.

But that same month Daily Mail Australia revealed how Mr Rudd never imagined Trump would return to power, dismissing his first term as a period of 'craziness'.

'Never take a backwards step in saying we're allies with the United States,' Mr Rudd said.

'For all the American pre-disposition to episodic craziness... Look at Trump: how did that happen? That was a walk on the wild side for all of us.'

Trump has also previously signalled his disapproval of Mr Rudd, branding him 'nasty'.

'I don't know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty,' Trump told GB News last year.

'I hear he's not the brightest bulb, but I don't know much about him. If he's at all hostile, he will not be there long.'
The a2 Milk Company is calling its a2 Light Milk 2L over fears bottles have been contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness.

The affected product was sold exclusively in retail outlets across Western Australia, including Aldi, Woolworths and Coles.

The cartons impacted are marked with 'USE BY 06/06 #41'.

According to Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), the bacteria, listeria monocytogenes, poses a significant health risk.

It also is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

'The general population can also become ill from consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,' FSANZ notes on its website.

Health Direct says symptoms of listeriosis include fever, nausea, headaches, tiredness and muscle aches and pains.

Health authorities are urging customers not to consume the a2 milk and to return it for a full refund from their local supermarket.

Bottles of a2 Light Milk 2L marked with 'USE BY 06/06 #41' have been urgently recalled over fears the milk has been contaminated with dangerous bacteria

The recalled a2 milk was sold in WA stores including Aldi, Woolworths and Coles

The recall comes just days after a popular baby product was pulled from shelves.

Weleda Australia has recalled a batch of the Weleda Baby Teething Powder 60g.

The company thinks there was a fault during the packaging of the batch '(B) 231302' which may have caused glass fragments to spill into other bottles.

The expiry date for the affected product is 11/2026.

'If glass fragments are present in the powder and applied to an infant's gums, they could cause discomfort, pain or minor injury,' the Therapeutic Goods of Australia (TGA) recall statement said.

'In more serious cases, there is a risk of choking or internal injury, including damage to the gastrointestinal tract, which may require urgent medical attention.'

No other batches were affected by the recall.

The powder can be bought online and in chemists across Australia, including Big Q and major pharmacies like Priceline and Chemist Warehouse.
Labor's plans to reform chronic health funding will cripple community medical practices and put Australia's most vulnerable at risk, a leading doctor has warned.

From July 1, the federal government will overhaul its approach to funding treatment for patients with chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes as part of its reforms to Medicare

The government hopes the changes would 'simplify, streamline and modernise' the treatment of long-term diseases for both patients and doctors.

But health experts warn they will remove the incentives in place for publicly-funded GPs to deliver quality care to their patients.

Dr Kenneth McCroary, who chairs a prominent advocacy group for GPs in south-west Sydney, said the changes will halve the payments his doctors receive from the government for chronic disease treatment.

'We had these things called chronic health plans and chronic management plans and team-based care plans and mental health plans, which gave us a little bit more funding to spend more time with the patients and help look after them better,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'And so on July 1, what they're going to do is going to cut the funding for those plans... so it means that instead of being funded to spend some actual quality time working with our patients... we're going to take a 50 per cent cut in the payments for that quality care.'

While he insisted the gutting of primary health was a bipartisan failure and not the fault of a single side of politics, he said former Labor champions of universal health care like Bob Hawke and Gough Whitlam would be 'rolling in their graves' over the way their party is managing Medicare.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured holding a Medicare card during the election campaign - it was a central pillar of his election bid but not all GPs are sold

The changes will reduce the list of chronic health services through practices can bulk-bill through Medicare and substitute a shortened list of eligible services, including the preparation and review of chronic condition management plans.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Michael Wright also recognised the risks of the changes when they were first flagged last year.

'We know these chronic condition item numbers are crucial to support the financial viability of many practices, and they are the most commonly bulk billed items,' he told NewsGP.

We were worried that these changes would reduce funding for these important services. When we surveyed our members last year 69 per cent said they would have to start charging a fee rather than bulk bill patients.

Dr McCroary estimated doctors at his practice would be lose out on funding to the equivalent of $40,000 to $45,000 per year.

He believes the changes will benefit only those clinics that make a business out of quick, superficial chronic disease treatments.

'How the hell am I going to keep my doors open now, unless I turn into one of the bulk-billing medical centers that sees ten people an hour in-and-out my door every six minutes?' he asked.

'It's not the kind of medicine I want to practice; it's not the kind of medicine my colleagues want to practice; it's not the kind of medicine that community needs to keep them well and healthy and alive and out of hospital; but it's what the government continues to incentivize as it continues to bludgeon away at the core of primary care.'

According to Victoria University, more than half of the Australian population lives with a chronic condition, a problem felt most acutely in less economically advantaged communities.

Medicare was on the ballot in Labor's bid for re-election. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is pictured at an urgent care clinic in Murrumba Downs on the first day of official campaigning

Dr McCroary observes the effects of chronic diseases on a daily basis as practice principal at Macarthur General Practice in Campbelltown.

'Just yesterday, a couple came in, he's got heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis. She's got epilepsy and osteoporosis and diabetes and asthma and that's just off the top of my head,' he said.

'And they'll tell me: 'Please bulk bill us, otherwise, you know we can't afford to come here. We're only alive because of the care we get from you guys.''

Dr Kenneth McCroary (pictured) said planned changes to Medicare funding for chronic health services will effectively halve the available funding for affected bulk-billing GPs

'They're our normal patient, they're the normal kind of people we see every day and now we're supposed to be looking after them at half the Medicare income.

When asked how he plans to keep his Campbelltown practice open, Dr McCroary expected to work two full time jobs: one with his patients and another advocating for change.

'We're just going to keep trying. But, yeah, it gets hard,' he said.
A man has been charged over the suspicious disappearance of a mother two years after a probe in the cold case reopened.

Pauline Sowry, 49, went missing in December 1993 from Wollongong, south of Sydney. Her whereabouts remain unknown.

An inquest in 2008 found she had died, despite an unconfirmed sighting in 1994.

NSW Police strike force Anthea was formed in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances of the case.

Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a Wollongong man, 64, at a unit in Gywnneville on Thursday morning.

Footage showed officers leading a man with a long, grey ponytail from the unit to the back of a police car.

He was taken to Wollongong Police Station, where charged with accessory after the fact to murder and conceal serious indictable offence.

The man was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday.

Pauline Sowry, who also went by her married name Pauline Lawrence (pictured with her son Jason), went missing in December 1993 from Wollongong

NSW Police arrested a 64-year-old Wollongong man on Thursday following a re-opening of Ms Sowry's case in recent years

Local officers conducted three searches as part of their investigation in 2023 and 2024 and found items of clothing belonging to Ms Sowry

The breakthrough has been a long time coming for Ms Sowry's family.

'We have waited more than 30 years to hear today's news,' her son Jason Lawrence said in a statement shared by police.

'We miss her every day and her disappearance has taken a huge toll on myself and our entire family.

'We thank the police officers for never giving up hope and we look forward to the outcome of this investigation.'

Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said police worked tirelessly to close the case.

The NSW government offered a $500,000 reward in March 2024 for any information about Ms Sowry's disappearance.

Local officers conducted three searches as part of their investigation in 2023 and 2024 and found items of clothing belonging to Ms Sowry, who also went by her married name Pauline Lawrence.

Those items included a cream button-down long sleeve blouse with a coloured stitching and black pants.

An inquest found Ms Sowry (pictured) had died, despite an unconfirmed sighting in 1994

Ms Sowry's son, Jason Lawrence (pictured together), said: 'We miss her every day and her disappearance has taken a huge toll on myself and our entire family'

A key area of interest was bushland in Figtree, south of Wollongong.

In May 2024, police called on the public to share information about a 'pristine' white 1968 Holden HK Kingswood sedan which detectives believed Ms Sowry may have travelled in.

'During last year's renewed appeal for information, I made a promise that the NSW Police would leave no stone unturned to seek a resolution,' Assistant Commissioner Cassar said.

'The persistence and effort by my officers has resulted in today's arrest.

'I commend the tireless commitment of our officers in finding answers for Pauline's family and they continue to work hard to bring this matter before the courts.'

He added Ms Sowry's disappearance 'is still subject to an investigation'.

'Even from whatever transpires from today's interview (with the man), I would expect there will be continued investigations until we can locate Pauline, and to see if there are any other suspects or pieces of evidence we may need to locate,' he said.

'It's an open investigation.'

Items seized during Thursday's arrest will under forensic testing.

The man (pictured during the arrest) was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and conceal serious indictable offence

Mr Cassar confirmed the man arrested was a 'significant person who can certainly assist us with this inquiry' and was a 'person of interest' during investigations.

'The reason for his arrest is specifically in relation to the suspected disappearance of Pauline,' he said.

'There is a confirmed connection between this individual and Pauline.'

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
A former nurse's Snapchat video from inside a Holden Commodore as it did a burnout triggered a police raid where cops allegedly found a haul of explosives.

Zarna Barbar, 26, appeared in a Frankston court on Thursday charged with a string of offences following the raid of the Cranbourne property early on Wednesday morning.

Victoria Police allege about 15kg of explosives was found at the home, along with more than 40kg of chemicals used to make explosives, more than 80 detonation devices, and a quantity of illicit drugs.

Detectives had been forwarded the Snapchat clip after the owner of the $50,000 Commodore VF took to a local Facebook group to complain his car had gone missing during the night between April 28 and 29.

A schoolfriend of Barbar's then replied with the Snapchat video, which allegedly shows the car's distinctive orange paintjob and Barbar holding up the same brand of NYX lip gloss that the owner's partner had left in the door compartment.

Cops then turned up to Barbar's townhouse and allegedly found a hoard of stolen items, drugs, ammunition and more than 100 tubes of Powergel explosive, which required the bomb squad to be called in and the street locked down for seven hours.

In the living room, cops allegedly found a JBL speaker that had been in the stolen car, a machete, bags containing white powder and a paramedic first-aid kit labelled Jenkins.

A hidden compartment in the coffee table allegedly held about 20 white tablets, bottles of a 'viscous liquid', ammunition, two ice pipes and jewellery. An ID card not belonging to Barbar and two Victoria Police lanyards were allegedly found upstairs.

Zarna Barbar, 26, appeared in court on Thursday charged with a string of drug, theft and weapons charges

Police said they held concerns as they explosives were allegedly found in the garage of the townhouse complex next to the detonators

In the garage a blue barrel with 100 tubes of Powergel explosive was allegedly found alongside a Pelican case with more Powergel and 80 detonators.

Police said they held serious concerns about the explosives as they were allegedly held in the garage of the townhouse complex near to the detonators, where there was a 'very real potential that a spark could cause the substances to explode'.

Police allege Barbar refused to unlock two phones found at the property and that she trafficked meth and 1,4-butanediol.

Barbar runs a TikTok page which features a video she filmed with an apparent boyfriend with the caption 'partner in crime' and referred to herself with the hashtag 'jail wife'.

Another video is captioned 'good first date' and showed her smiling by a roadside on a night out with a man, as police arrested and handcuffed him by her side.

That video, shared in 2023, has been viewed by more than five million people.

Police confirmed the raid was initially carried out as part of an investigation into the theft of cars in the Frankston area in Melbourne's south.

'The Bomb Response Unit was subsequently deployed to render the items safe,' a police spokesman said.

Barber had initially shared a Snapchat of her inside an allegedly stolen car

Detectives conducting the raid on the Cranbourne townhouse on Thursday morning

Barbar was charged with possessing explosive substances and cartridge ammunition and the theft of a motor vehicle.

She was also charged with theft from a motor vehicle, trafficking a drug of dependence, three counts of possessing a drug of dependence, and handling stolen goods.

She was remanded in custody and will reappear in court in June.

The raid at the Cranbourne property follows a series of unconnected raids this week across the city and regional Victoria as police cracked down on the illicit drug and firearms trade.

Detectives, with the support of tactical police, executed warrants across Balwyn, California Gully, Footscray, Footscray West, Rowville, Spotswood, Sunshine North and Warburton.

Drugs worth $500,000 were seized along with multiple firearms, large quantities of illegal cigarettes and vapes, and $150,000 in cash.

Six people were charged with a total of 40 drug and firearm offences.
Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour party are standing in the way of a ban on cousins marrying each other, after a new poll showed an overwhelming majority of Britons want to see it axed, a Conservative MP has claimed.

Conservative MP Richard Holden last year introduced a private members' bill to ban the practice, which would bring cousin marriages into the same bracket as marrying a parent, child, sibling or grandparent.

Now a new YouGov poll has revealed the British communities that are most likely to back first cousin marriages, with a large majority thinking the practice should be outlawed.

The former Cabinet Minister and Conservative Party Chairman told MailOnline: 'This YouGov poll is clear.

'The overwhelming majority of Brits, including those of Pakistani heritage, want to see first cousin marriage banned.

'The fact Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are standing in the way of ending an outdated practice rooted in misogynistic cultural practices shows that he's more interested in promoting cultural relativism than in ending practices that have no place in our country and isolate both individuals and communities from each other.

'If Starmer really believed in British values he'd back my bill, just like every community in Britain does.'

Pakistani and Bangladeshi Britons are most likely to support the first cousin marriages, with 39 percent of those polled saying it should be legal.

While 47 percent of the community say the practice should not be legal, this compares to just eight percent of white Britons who support first-cousin marriage.

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Six percent of black Britons say marrying a cousin should be legal, with nine percent of Indian Britons holding the same view.

While marrying close relatives including siblings and half-siblings is illegal in the UK, marrying a first cousin is technically legal.

Some 77 percent of white and Indian Britons believe marrying a cousin should be made illegal, compared to 82 percent of black Britons.

Currently the UK follows the practice of 'genetic counselling', in which first cousins who are in a relationship are offered education about the risk of having children together and encouraged to receive extra checks during pregnancy.

It is estimated that children of a first-cousin union have a six percent chance of inheriting a recessive disorder such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease - double the risk of the general population.

But some have warned that outlawing the practice completely risks stigmatising those already in first cousin marriages in the UK.

Amongst these was Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed, who drew huge criticism last year for defending cousin marriage.

Instead of banning it outright, he said a 'more positive approach' involving advanced genetic tests for prospective married cousins would be more effective in addressing issues around it.

One of Britain's foremost experts on child health also defended the right for first cousins to marry, dismissing concerns about inbreeding.

Professor Dominic Wilkinson, an NHS neonatologist and ethics expert at the University of Oxford, argued a ban would be 'unethical'.

Instead, Professor Wilkinson backed calls for such couples to be offered special screening on the NHS to help them decide if they should have children.

Such tests can cost 1,200 privately. They are designed to spot whether prospective parents are carriers for the same genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy.

Conservative MP Richard Holden last year introduced a private members' bill to ban the practice

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It comes as data from 2023 showed in three inner-city Bradford wards, 46 percent of mothers from the Pakistani community are married to a first or second cousin, according to data published in 2023.

The overall estimate for the cousing marriage capital of the UK in Pakistani couples was 37 percent ten years ago, and this figure has since dropped.

Reasons behind the fall are thought to include high educational attainment, stricter immigration rules and changes in family dynamics.

It compares to just one percent of white British couples.

YouGov's data also revealed that those in London are most likely to support first cousin marriage, at 15 percent.

The north followed at 12 percent, while in the Midlands it was ten percent. The south of England and Wales were the least likely to support it being legal, at six and seven percent respectively.

Historically, first cousin marriages were extremely common amongst royalty and the British upper classes. It was seen as a way of firming up alliances and keeping wealth and land in the family.

MailOnline recently revealed that no-one is tracking the rate of cousin marriages in the UK, with councils not recording any data on the issue.

Studies have put Pakistan as having one of the highest rates globally at 65 percent of unions.

This is followed by Saudi Arabia (50 percent), Afghanistan (40 percent), Iran (30 percent) and Egypt and Turkey (20 percent).
A grandmother has been found crushed by a bulldozer after a man was allegedly doing 'works on the beach' without a licence.

Elisa Spadvecchia, 66, was so horrifically mangled that 'even the lifeguard who witnessed the scene fell ill and ended up in hospital'.

The retired teacher was on holiday in Pinarella di Cervia, near Bologna, Italy, with her ex-husband when he realised she hadn't returned from her walk.

After he tracked her body down on Saturday to a beach she had decided to sunbathe on, Giovanni Sfregola said he is now in an 'ocean of pain'.

The bulldozer driver, Lerry Gnoli, has been charged with manslaughter and authorities are looking in to why he was on the beach, Need To Know reported.

The 54-year-old allegedly has a previous conviction for homicide and was released without any pre-trial conditions.

He claimed he was authorised to carry out 'works on the beach' at the time although it has been reported he was operating the heavy equipment without the correct licence.

Mr Sfregola, who shares a three-month-old grandson with the victim, told local media: 'My wife went for her walk carrying only her phone.

Elisa Spadvecchia, 66, was found crushed by a bulldozer after a man was allegedly doing 'works on the beach' without a licence where she sunbathed

The bulldozer driver, Lerry Gnoli, 54, has been charged with manslaughter and authorities are looking in to why he was on the beach

'When it happened, she had nothing on her that could identify her.

Not seeing her come back, I started calling her, but she didnt answer. So I used Find My iPhone to locate her phone.

'Once I found it, I got someone to take me to the exact spot where, sadly, I found my wife.

'They didnt let me see her, but they told me that even the lifeguard who witnessed the scene fell ill and ended up in hospital.'

Speaking about the tragic loss at such an exciting time in their lives, the retired policeman said: 'We were over the moon since my daughters child was born. Hes not even three months old yet.

'Now, for us, its just an ocean of pain. Something devastating that consumes you inside because you cant come to terms with it.'

Tributes have been pouring in from loved ones and former pupils at the Quadri high school in Vicenza where she had retired from as an English teacher.

A colleague and friend of many years, Donatella Lovison, said the news had left her 'breathless'.

The retired teacher was so horrifically mauled that 'even the lifeguard who witnessed the scene fell ill and ended up in hospital'

'I couldn't believe it, hearing her name spoken! I remember all the fruitful moments of study and research spent together. I hope she gets justice!' she wrote

Anna Spata, who worked with Ms Spadavecchia on a project, said: 'Very sad news. I remember Elisa with affection and esteem.

'My thoughts go back to the Poseidon project group and to our strong friendship, to the commitment and passion that united us.'

Cinzia Zanesco said she was 'speechless' and knew her old colleague was 'enjoying this phase of life' with her new granddaughter.

She added: 'It's crazy that she was killed in this way, it doesn't make sense.

'From one day to the next, from one moment to the next your life can change and everything can disappear. We have to realise this.

'We are preparing a letter to her husband and we will try to be close to him as much as possible as former colleagues of Elisa.'

Elena Ruffato said 'We are dismayed - she spreads her arms - we are speechless in the face of a tragedy.

Gnoli claimed he was authorised to carry out 'works on the beach' at the time although it has been reported he was operating the heavy equipment without the correct licence

'She was a colleague full of vitality, she was very good with IT.

'She had retired before Covid, she would have been very useful to us when technology held up a shack that was leaking from all sides.

'We will try to be close to her husband in this terrible moment. You can't die like this, I hope he gets justice.'

Another former colleague, Nico Pigato, said she was 'cheerful person' and 'well-liked by everyone'.

Gnoli's lawyer, Vittoria Manes' said his client is 'terribly sorry' and that it is a 'huge tragedy'.

'She was one of the first to introduce the use of IT at school and her end-of-year sweets were legendary,' he added.

He added: 'He cant understand how it could have happened and sends his condolences to the womans family.'

Since the tragedy took place on a beach, Gnoli can't be charged with road homicide despite driving a vehicle - a charge which could lead to an arrest.

The mayor of Ms Spadavecchia's hometown just outside Vicenza, Carmela Maresco said the 'town is stunned by this terrible news'.
Young Aussies have been warned they are facing a 'stark reality' and to be vigilant for symptoms as cases of a serious form of cancer surge.

New research from the University of Melbourne unveiled this week revealed that bowel cancer diagnoses have more than doubled for Australians below the age of 50 over the last three decades.

The study found that more than 28,265 Aussies aged 20-49 were diagnosed with 49 early-onset bowel cancer between 1990 and 2020.

The authors suggested that, during the same period, there has been an increase in cases which resulted in an additional 4347 diagnosed with the early-onset condition.

Bowel Cancer Australia advocate Stephanie Bansemer-Brown was 42 when she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2012.

'The GP dismissed my symptoms as haemorrhoids and put my tiredness down to being a busy mother of a toddler,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

'I knew something wasn't right with my body so eventually I insisted on a colonoscopy.'

Ms Bansemer-Brown was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer and had extensive surgery followed by chemotherapy.

Stephanie Bansemer-Brown (pictured), who was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2012, said her son would have been without a mother if she had not pushed for further health checks

Australia has the highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer in the world and cases have surged in the thousands over the last 30 years, according to new University of Melbourne research

'I am lucky I pushed for further investigation otherwise my now-teenage son would have been without a mother. That is the stark reality,' she said.

Earlier this year, a global study published in The Lancet found Australia has the highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer in the world, with a faster surge in cases found among women.

But Professor Mark Jenkins from University of Melbourne's colorectal cancer unit has warned the cause of the increasing number of cases remains unclear.

'More and more people are diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer each year and we don't know why,' he told ABC Radio National.

'Probably the strongest theory at the moment is it's something to do with the bacteria in our gut, which we call the microbiome... Maybe they've become more toxic.'

Professor Jenkins and his colleagues have also looked at theories centred on trends of increasing obesity and decreasing physical activity among Australians.

He also suggested there are theories focused on the decline in aspirin use during childhood, which protects people from the cancer, and the presence of microplastics in food.

Ms Bansemer-Brown (pictured in 2012) initially put her tiredness down to being a busy mother of a toddler

'But it could be something else completely. It could be an unknown factor that we haven't thought of,' he said.

Professor Jenkins and other advocates have urged Aussies to be aware of 'red flags' ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June.

Those aged 45-49 are eligible for the national bowel cancer screening program which helps with diagnosing cases.

Younger Aussies are also urged to be vigilant for symptoms including blood in stool, changes to bowel habits and unexplained or unexpected weight loss or tiredness.

Twelves years on, cancer survivor Stephanie (recently pictured with her family) urged Aussies to be vigilant for symptoms

Twelve years since her diagnosis, Ms Bansemer-Brown shared her story to raise awareness.

'You are never too young for bowel cancer and I encourage everyone to recognise the signs and symptoms,' she said.

'You must be a champion for your own health and if you are not happy with the response then seek another opinion.

'You know your body better than anyone.'
Nigel Farage is facing fresh questions over Reform's economic literacy today after unveiling plans for an 85billion spending splurge if Reform wins power.

Sir Keir Starmer will use a speech this morning to deride a 'fantasy' package of measures that will lead to a Liz Truss-style market meltdown.

Mr Farage yesterday unveiled a string of policies in a major speech, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap, fully reinstating winter fuel payments and raising the tax-free income allowance to 20,000.

He also pledged a transferable marriage tax allowance if his party wins the next election, aimed at incentivising marriage and encouraging people to have more children by making it more affordable.

It would exempt one spouse from paying any tax on the first 25,000 of their income, as revealed by the Mail.

But experts said it could cost as much 85billion, a figure that dwarfs the 45billion of unfunded tax cuts announced by former Tory Prime Minister Liz Truss in her disastrous 2022 mini-Budget.

And even Reform supporters raised eyebrows as the cost of the package announced by Mr Farage, who is currently in Las Vegas speaking at a bitcoin conference.

Commentator Tim Montgomerie, founder of the Con Home political website, said: 'The sums don't add up.'

Mr Farage yesterday unveiled a string of policies in a major speech, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap, fully reinstating winter fuel payments and raising the tax-free income allowance to 20,000.

On a visit to meet workers at a manufacturing business in the North West, Sir Keir is expected to brand Mr Farage's policies a 'mad experiment'.

The PM will use a speech this morning to deride a 'fantasy' package of measures that will lead to a Liz Truss-style market meltdown.

On a visit to meet workers at a manufacturing business in the North West, Sir Keir is expected to brand Mr Farage's policies a 'mad experiment'.

He will say: 'In opposition we said Liz Truss would crash the economy and leave you to pick the bill. We were right.

'And we were elected to fix that mess.

'Now in Government, we are once again fighting the same fantasy  this time from Nigel Farage.

'Farage is making the exact same bet Liz Truss did.

'That you can spend tens of billions on tax cuts without a proper way of paying for it.

'And just like Truss, he is using your family finances, your mortgage, your bills as a gambling chip on his mad experiment.

'The result will be the same.'

Mr Farage insisted the pledges were 'credible' and could be paid for by scrapping the Net Zero agenda, which he claimed was costing 45billion a year.

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Mr Farage praised Liz Truss's mini-Budget in 2022 - which triggered a market meltdown.

And even Reform supporters raised eyebrows as the cost of the package announced by Mr Farage, who is currently in Las Vegas speaking at a bitcoin conference.

He said an extra 4billion annually could be saved from ditching accommodation for asylum seekers by deporting them and 7billion by ending the public sector's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) drive.

A further 65billion could be saved over five years by cutting quango bureaucracy by 5 per cent, he added, giving an average saving of 69billion annually overall.

But experts said raising the basic rate of income tax threshold to 20,000 could alone cost up to 80billion.

At present, workers pay the 20 per cent rate of income tax on everything between 12,570 and 50,270. Lifting the two-child benefit cap would cost an extra 3.5billion and reinstating the winter fuel allowance 1.5billion.

The eagerly anticipated speech was the most policy-heavy since Reform won four million votes and five seats last July.

Asked if he had a 'magic money tree', Mr Farage admitted his sums were 'slightly optimistic' but added: 'We can't afford Net Zero, it's destroying the country; we can't afford DEI, it's actually preventing many talented people from succeeding; and we certainly can't afford young undocumented males crossing the English Channel and living in five-star hotels.

'You can argue about numbers adding up. You can probably argue that at no point in the history of any form of government has anybody ever thought the numbers added up.'

The Conservatives last night branded the package 'fantasy' economics and 'Corbynism in a different colour' because of the 'billions in unfunded commitments'.
A bizarre cathedral art performance that sees scantily clad actors dance with plucked chickens in nappies has sparked outrage from Christians in Germany.

The show was meant to be a solemn ceremony marking the 1250 year anniversary of Westphalia but instead turned into a shocking scandal.

Although the audience reportedly enjoyed the performance, it ruffled feathers within the religious community after a video of it was shared online.

More than 20,000 believers condemned the display as 'blasphemous' because it took place at the famous Paderborn Cathedral and have signed a petition demanding an apology.

The clip showed semi-nude dancers performing a routine involving plucked chicken carcasses wrapped in nappies while a song titled Meat is Meat played in the background.

The petition said the show was a 'mockery of the central contents of the Christian faith' and a violation of a sacred space.

A bizarre cathedral art performance that sees scantily clad actors dance with plucked chickens in nappies has sparked outrage from Christians in Germany

The show was meant to be a solemn ceremony marking the 1250 year anniversary of Westphalia but instead turned into a shocking scandal

Although the audience reportedly enjoyed the show, it ruffled feathers within the religious community after a video of it was shared online

More than 20,000 believers condemned the display as 'blasphemous' because it took place at the famous Paderborn Cathedral (pictured) and have signed a petition demanding an apology

The organisers point the finger directly at Archbishop Udo Markus Bentz, accusing him of failing in his duty to safeguard both the cathedral and the Church's moral authority.

But Frank Tafertshofer, spokesperson for the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe, which was responsible for the ceremony, told BILD: 'There was applause; I heard no complaints.'

The petition read: 'It is appalling that you silently witnessed this blasphemous performance instead of intervening and protecting and defending the sanctity of your cathedral.

'We therefore call on you to perform an act of repentance and atonement with the re-consecration of the Paderborn Cathedral, which was desecrated by this performance.'

The diocese has since apologized: 'Both the LWL and the Metropolitan Chapter of Paderborn express their sincere regret that the performance offended religious feelings.

'In the future, there will be a modified procedure for approving events in the cathedral, which will ensure a more thorough review of the content,' it said.

It comes after last year a radical feminist opera which includes explicit lesbian sex scenes, real blood and injuries, and naked roller-skating nuns, left audience members needing medical treatment in Germany.

Sancta Susanna by composer Paul Hindemith caused a scandal back in 1921, with outraged critics labelling the one-act opera, which tells the story of a suppressed nun discovering her sexuality, too blasphemous to be shown.

More than 100 years later, it was staged in Stuttgart for the first time - with the shock factor amped up to dizzying new heights in what its creators call a 'radical vision of the Holy Mass'.

Its provocative scenes left theatregoers reeling, with 18 suffering with nausea and shock and requiring assistance over the first two performances.
At least four people died in Gaza as hundreds of aid-starved Palestinians broke into a United Nations food warehouse yesterday in a desperate attempt to get something to eat.

Two people were crushed to death as the heaving mass of humanity poured into the Al-Ghafari warehouse housing supplies provided by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), while two others were reportedly shot dead.

Heartbreaking footage of the crush showed frenzied Gazans tearing pieces off the building located in Deir Al-Balah in an attempt to get at the supplies inside.

Gunshots were clearly heard ringing out in the clip, though it is not clear who fired on the group.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid has finally begun to trickle in after a two-month blockade, is dire following more than 18 months of devastating war.

Food security experts say starvation is looming for one in five people after Israel enacted a months-long blockade on aid destined for the demolished Strip.

The deaths on Wednesday came a day after Israeli soldiers opened fire on a crowd that was overrunning a new aid-distribution site set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli and US-backed initiative.

At least one Palestinian was killed and 48 people injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military, which guards the site from a distance, said it fired only warning shots to control the situation, while the foundation said its private security contractors did not open fire.

Heartbreaking footage of the crush showed frenzied Gazans tearing pieces off the building located in Deir Al-Balah in an attempt to get at the supplies inside

Palestinians gather at an aid distribution center in Deir Al-Balah, in the Gaza Strip, May 28, 2025

The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid has finally begun to trickle in after a two-month blockade, is dire following more than 18 months of devastating war

Charitable organizations distribute hot meals to Palestinians in Nuseirat refugee camp, who are struggling with hunger due to Israel's attacks on Gaza and closed borders in Deir al-Balah, Gaza

Palestinians pray during the funeral of their relatives who were killed in an Israeli army airstrike on the Gaza Strip, at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Israel and the UN are now locked in a battle over aid distribution, with each party accusing the other of preventing Gazans from accessing sorely needed supplies.

Israel had prevented all international aid from entering Gaza for 11 weeks in a move that was condemned worldwide.

Earlier this month the authorities ended the blockade to allow 'a basic amount of food' to enter the embattled territory, but this was described by one UN envoy as 'a lifeboat after the ship has sunk'.

Now, however, Israel is bypassing the UN and international NGOs to provide aid via the GHF, with Israeli soldiers and private security contractors policing its stockpile and distribution.

Israeli officials said one of the advantages of the new aid system is the opportunity to screen recipients to exclude anyone found to be connected with Hamas.

Humanitarian groups briefed on the foundation's plans say anyone accessing aid will have to submit to facial recognition technology that many Palestinians fear will end up in Israeli hands to be used to track and potentially target them.

Details of exactly how the system will operate have not been made public, but the UN has condemned Israel for blocking international aid while selectively doling out its own supplies and has refused to coordinate with the GHF.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said this week: 'We will not participate in operations that do not meet our humanitarian principles.'

Christian Cardon, chief spokesperson of the International Committee of the Red Cross, added: 'Humanitarian assistance must not be politicised or militarised.'

Palestinians mourn their relatives who were killed in an Israeli army airstrike on the Gaza Strip, at the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Thousands of Palestinians on Tuesday stormed into sites where aid was being distributed by a foundation backed by the US and Israel

Although the aid was available on Monday, Palestinians appeared to have heeded warnings, including from Hamas, about biometric screening procedures

Israeli officials said one of the advantages of the new aid system is the opportunity to screen recipients to exclude anyone found to be connected with Hamas, but it has been roundly condemned by the UN and international humanitarian NGOs

Displaced Palestinians receive food packages from a US-backed foundation pledging to distribute humanitarian aid in western Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 27

The launch of the new system came days after Israel eased its blockade, allowing a trickle of aid trucks from international agencies into Gaza last week

As the war in Gaza entered its 600th day Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military's offensive in the Strip 'changed the face of the Middle East'.

He said it had killed tens of thousands of militants including Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas' presumed Gaza leader and the brother of slain chief Yahya - mastermind of the October 2023 attacks that sparked the war.

Israeli media said Sinwar was targeted by strikes in southern Gaza earlier this month. His brother was killed in October 2024.

In Washington, US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about a possible ceasefire, saying he expected to propose a plan soon.

'I have some very good feelings about getting to a temporary ceasefire, and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict,' he said.

But Gazans remained pessimistic.

'Six hundred days have passed and nothing has changed. Death continues, and Israeli bombing does not stop,' Bassam Daloul, 40, told an AFP reporter.

'Even hoping for a ceasefire feels like a dream and a nightmare.'

Israel stepped up its military offensive earlier this month, while mediators push for a still elusive ceasefire.

In Tel Aviv, hundreds of people called for a ceasefire, lining roads at 6:29 am - the exact time the unprecedented October 7 attack began.

Relatives of hostages held since that attack also gathered in Tel Aviv.

'I want you to know that when Israel blows up deals, it does so on the heads of the hostages,' said Arbel Yehud, who was freed from Gaza captivity in January.

'Their conditions immediately worsen, food diminishes, pressure increases, and bombings and military actions do not save them, they endanger their lives.'

Out of 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack, 57 remain in Gaza including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Wednesday at least 3,924 people had been killed in the territory since Israel ended the previous ceasefire on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,084, mostly civilians.
Hundreds of climbers have been captured in striking images queuing to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the world.

Photographs taken from the snowy mountain showed adventurers in their orange protective gear forming a snaking queue to the peak on May 18.

The long line of climbers wound from Camp 4 to the summit, with the brave climbers huddling in the high winds.

'According to the Department of Tourism, over 500 climbers, including Sherpa guides, have successfully summited Everest so far this spring season,' the Everest Chronicle reported.

Many more climbers continued on throughout the rest of last week.

Stunning photographs of the queues of climbers saw the white snow-capped mountains dotted with bodies as a white mist hovered overhead.

One image even captured a group of five taking a selfie in their thick winter coats, ski masks and goggles.

'It started out a little blustery, but the winds abated by midday when we reached Camp 3,' American mountaineer, guide and expedition leader Garrett Madison reported.

Photographs taken from the snowy mountain showed adventurers in their orange protective gear forming a snaking queue to the peak

The long line of climbers wound from Camp 4 to the summit, with the brave climbers huddling in the high winds

One image even captured a group of five taking a selfie in their thick winter coats, ski masks and goggles

'Forecasts are challenging, [but] our summit itinerary stays,' a Brazilian team wrote from Camp 2. It estimated summiting on May 22.

In May last year, experts feared overcrowding on the world's highest mountain may have played a role in causing the collapse of a cornice - an overhanging mass of hardened snow on the edge of a precipice - which led to the disappearance of Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, and Pastenji Sherpa, 23.

The pair had not been heard from since they reached the summit and were feared dead.

It comes as Nepal's mountaineering community celebrated the conquest of Mount Everest with a rally of climbers, guides and others who gathered for International Everest Day.

The event Thursday marked the 72nd anniversary of the first summit climb of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.

Nepal's minister for culture and tourism led the celebration in the capital, Kathmandu, that included a walk around the city and a gathering at the old palace.

'We are celebrating May 29 as the international Sagarmatha (Everest) day because the world needs to continue to recognise the achievement and contribution of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay,' said Ang Tshering, who runs Kathmandu-based Asian Trekking.

The event was not just a celebration for the mountaineering community but also a festival for Nepal and the world, said Tshering, who has helped hundreds of clients scale the Himalayan peaks.

Mountaineers ascend to Camp 2 on their way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 1, 2025

A member of the kitchen crew of an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest collects ice for drinking water at Camp 1, Nepal, May 2, 2025

A mountain guide uses a radio at Camp 2 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 2, 2025

Oxygen cylinders are kept on a slope on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025

The body of an unidentified mountaineer lies near Camp 4 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025

An aerial view shows Camp 1 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, Thursday, May 1, 2025

Famed Sherpa guide Kami Rita reached the Everest summit for the 31st time Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most climbs to the top of the famed mountain

Nepal contains eight of the highest peaks in the world and every year hundreds of foreign climbers fly to the country in South Asia to tackle the mountains.

The climbers hire thousands of people in Nepal to assist their climbs by carrying gear, cooking food and generally taking care of them as they spend weeks in the mountains.

Nepal's government collects money from the climbers through permit fees.

The end of May also marks the end of the popular spring mountaineering season, when climbers finish their adventures and retreat from the peaks before the monsoon season brings foul weather.

'This day is celebrated also to mark the end of the climbing season where we gather climbers and the community,' Jiban Ghimire of Shangri-La Nepal Trek said.

According to Nepal's Department of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries received permits to climb Everest by the end of May, along with a roughly equal number of Nepalese mountain guides.

Many were able to scale the peak, but officials were still working to verify how many reached the 29,032ft summit.

Climbers must report to the department with proof they reached the summit and cleared their garbage before they are issued the official certificate.

Famed Sherpa guide Kami Rita reached the Everest summit for the 31st time Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most climbs to the top of the famed mountain.
Members of a rowdy British stag party group have been marched off an easyJet plane after causing it to be diverted.

Six men were escorted off the aircraft at Faro in Portugal after allegedly vaping in their seats and abusing cabin crew members, following take-off at London Gatwick.

Witness Arron Davies, who was travelling with his friends named Mike and Scott, told of feeling disgusted by the events on the flight.

He suggested two group members on the stag do ruined the experience for the rest.

Mr Davies claimed the pair were vaping in their seats while drinking heavily and being abusive towards the plane's stewards.

During the easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Marrakesh in Morocco, the men were allegedly warned six times before staff took action.

Arron, Mike and Scott, from Newport in south Wales, watched on in horror as the pilot announced the flight would land at the airport in Faro, Portugal.

The diverted aircraft was greeted by eight Portuguese police officers who dealt with the group.

Were you on the flight? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk

Staff escorted away members of a rowdy Brit stag party group on easyJet plane after it was diverted between London Gatwick and Marrakesh in Morocco

Police are seen waiting outside the plane in Faro in Portugal following the flight's diversion

Two men were led off, while the other four frustrated stag do members made their way off the plane.

Mr Davies said: 'The four friends were annoyed that their two mates had ruined their trip.

'The men were vaping in their seats and toilet, drinking heavily and to my opinion already drunk or close to when boarding.

'They were being abusive towards staff on the flight and I think they had an undertone of homophobia toward the head steward.

'They were being loud and using a lot of bad language despite children being on the flight.'

Mr Davies alleged: 'They were warned about six times, but every time the one man muttered when the staff walked away, making the problem worse.

'One of the men gave up and walked towards the exit when he realised how serious his actions were being taken.

'The other man stayed in his seat and was escorted out by up to eight police officers, four getting in the plane from either side.

The behaviour of others on the plane was witnessed by fellow passengers Arron Davies (left) and his friends named Mike (centre) and Scott (right)

'The flight steward was very good at his job dealing with this issue on the flight, he gave them many chances.

'I would call the guy a true asset to easyJet - his level of professionalism was on point, even though a lot of abuse was aimed at him.

'He kept his composure and made me feel I was still safe even with the drama happening in front of me.'

An easyJet spokesperson said: 'This flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech on 19 May diverted to Faro and was met by police upon arrival due to a group of passengers behaving disruptively onboard.

'Once the passengers had left the aircraft. The flight then continued to Marrakech.

'Our cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and acted quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers was not compromised at any time.

'The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's priority and we do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard.'

The complaints about this incident come as footage emerged of the moment a passenger was punched in the face by an airport worker after screaming homophobic abuse at EasyJet staff.

Staff were seen at the Portuguese airport in Faro following the diverted flight from Gatwick

The man, who has not yet been identified, was heard shouting abuse at the airline's staff after apparently being refused entry to the plane.

He then turned his ire at his fellow passengers and started threatening them for 'staring' at him during his tirade.

The incident took place at Manchester Airport as passengers boarded a flight to Crete, although a spokesperson for Manchester Airports Group declined to comment on the matter.

Footage shared online showed the man telling a flight attendant trying to calm him down: 'You're a ripoff artist, you're a f***** - I'll knock your f***ing hat off.

'Come on then, are we gonna have a little f***ing scrap or what you f***ing f*****, you little k***head?'

''I paid three, four hundred quid for the flight and you're telling me I'm not allowed on the flight.'

After being asked by the attendant, 'Can you stay here for a few minutes, sir?', the customer replies: 'You f***ing little k***head, I've paid for the flight.'

The incident took place last summer, though video of it has only recently come to light.

A spokesperson from EasyJet told MailOnline: 'This flight from Manchester to Chania was attended by police before departure due to a passenger behaving disruptively during boarding. Police attended the aircraft and the customer was not allowed to travel.

'EasyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly to ensure that the safety of the flight is not compromised at any time.

'We will not tolerate disruptive or aggressive behaviour towards our crew or other passengers.

'The safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and ground agents is always easyJet's priority.'

Meanwhile, a Ryanair flight recently saw staff forced to strap an 'unruly' passenger to his seat, using spare belts after he refused to sit down during landing.

The passenger aboard the flight from Manchester to Rhodes in Greece on April 3 was shouting at cabin crew who onlookers said had confiscated two bottles from him and refused to serve him alcohol.

He was called out for failing to follow orders to sit down during landing, before the plane's pilot aborted the descent and then circled round before finally landing.

Video shared showed employees and other passengers huddled around the man and a member of staff shouting: 'Sit down, now.'

Passenger Emily, 26, who filmed the incident, said: 'The flight was going completely fine until the cabin crew came up to me and my partner at the front of the plane and asked us if we were travelling together and if we could be separated because a little girl needed to come down to the front of plane with her dad because a man was being disruptive.

'We were together so they asked someone else instead who moved and that's when I got made aware of this guy being really disruptive at the back of the plane.'

She described how cabin crew had to get two spare seatbelts and tried pinning the man down on his seat.

She added: 'He got out of the seat again. Staff were shouting at him, telling him to sit down and he was squaring up to staff.

'He had already had two bottles of alcohol confiscated off him.'

She said that airline employees had warned over the intercom anyone caught drinking alcohol purchased at Duty Free before the flight would be apprehended by police upon landing unless they put it away, in which case no further action would be taken.

Emily said: 'As we were supposed to come down to land, I could hear cabin crew shout at him to sit down.

'We had to go back up to circle the island until he would sit down again which was quite scary.

'Once [we] had landed we all had to stay put while police came up to take him off. He got taken off on his own.'

A spokeswoman for Ryanair said at the time: 'The crew of this flight from Manchester to Rhodes on April 3 called ahead for police assistance after a passenger became disruptive onboard.

'The aircraft was met by local police upon arrival at Rhodes Airport and this passenger was removed.

'Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.'
Lord Mandelson has squirmed on live TV when he was confronted about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Britain's new ambassador to the US did not deny he stayed at the paedophile financier's New York home in 2009 after Epstein was jailed for child sex offences.

'I'm not answering any questions about him', Lord Mandelson said in response.

Lord Mandelson was doorstepped by Sky News this week and looked uncomfortable.

Epstein affectionately referred to Lord Mandelson as Petie. A photo, thought to have been taken in 2005 or 2006, showed Lord Mandelson shopping with Epstein at a boutique in the US Virgin Islands. He appeared to be trying on a belt.

Sky reporter James Matthews asked him why he had associated with Epstein, even after he had been jailed for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Mr Matthews asked him if he had stayed with Epstein at that time.

Lord Mandelson began to walk away but the camera crew stayed with him. When pressed again he said: 'My knowledge of him is something I regret, I wish I'd never met him in the first place'.

Mr Matthews asked again: 'Why did you have an association with him? He was in jail at the time'.

Lord Mandelson said: 'Why did many people meet him? He was a prolific networker. And I wish I'd never met him in the first place'.

The moment Peter Mandelson, the UK's new ambassador to the United States, squirmed on live TV when he was confronted about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

Reporter James Matthews asked him why he had associated with Epstein, even after he had been jailed for soliciting prostitution from a minor. He eventually said: 'I wish I'd never met him in the first place'

A photo, thought to have been taken in 2005 or 2006, shows Lord Mandelson shopping with Epstein at a boutique in the US Virgin Islands (pictured)

Jeffrey Epstein's 60 million New York mansion was one of the largest private homes in Manhattan (pictured). Lord Mandelson declined to comment on claims he stayed there after his former friend was jailed for child sex offences

In March the Mail on Sunday revealed it appears Peter Mandelson could have met Jeffrey Epstein on a taxpayer-funded trip to America when the disgraced financier was under house arrest for sex offences.

Epsteins private schedule, unearthed by The Mail on Sunday, revealed Lord Mandelson was due to have two meetings with the convicted paedophile at his 60 million New York mansion on consecutive days in March, 2010, while on a trip that cost taxpayers more than 8,000.

At the time Lord Mandelson was Business Secretary and First Secretary of State  effectively the second most powerful politician in Gordon Browns government as de facto deputy prime minister.

Epstein, meanwhile, was under house arrest after being sentenced in 2008 to 18 months in jail by a Florida court for procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute.

Lord Mandelson and the financier are believed to have been first introduced by Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed in 2022 for 20 years for helping Epstein traffic under-age girls.

During his sentence Epstein was able to go on work release to his Florida office for 12 hours a day, six days a week. He then faced a year under house arrest until July 2010.

He spent much of that year at home in Palm Beach, Florida, but could also fly to his mansion in New York and his private island in the US Virgin Islands.

Lord Mandelson (pictured) now the UKs ambassador to the US, has said he deeply regrets both ever meeting Epstein and the hurt caused to his victims

At the time Lord Mandelson (right) was Business Secretary and First Secretary of State  effectively the second most powerful politician in Gordon Browns (left) government

Lord Mandelson (pictured) and Jeffrey Epstein are believed to have been first introduced by Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed in 2022

The March 2010 US trip appears to be the second time Lord Mandelson visited Epsteins New York mansion on 71st Street as a senior Cabinet minister.

Eight months earlier he was due to stay there after travelling to Washington DC on government business, according to a report by JP Morgan, where Mr Staley had worked as Epsteins private banker.

In an email to Mr Staley on June 17, 2009, Epstein wrote: Peter will be staying at 71st over the weekend

Cabinet Office records show Lord Mandelson met the heads of Mr Obamas Auto task force, which oversaw the bailout of car makers, in Washington that week in a trip that cost taxpayers 5,696.

Speaking to the FT in February, Lord Mandelson said: I regret ever meeting him or being introduced to him by his partner Ghislaine Maxwell.

'I regret even more the hurt he caused to many young women.

He added: Im not going to go into this. Its an FT obsession and frankly you can all f*** off. OK?
A taekwondo instructor has admitted to killing his seven-year-old student and the boy's parents as his disturbing history as a status-obsessed serial liar was laid bare in court.

Kyung Kwang Yoo pleaded guilty to three counts of murder at Parramatta Local Court in Sydney's west on Thursday via video link.

Disturbing court documents have pulled back the curtain on the night Yoo, who was known by his students as 'Master Lion', killed the boy, his mother Min Kyung 'Sue' Cho - 41, and his father Hyun Soo 'Steven' Cho - 39.

On February 19, 2024, the boy arrived at Lion's Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy in North Parramatta at about 4.30pm for his regular Monday night lessons.

He had been a student at the academy for three years and was taking double classes with Yoo to prepare for his upcoming black belt assessment.

Ms Choo was seen arriving the academy about 6.20pm and spoke to Yoo while her son waited in a reception area, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

CCTV captured the mother following Yoo through a classroom and into a storeroom.

He strangled her to death inside.

A seven-year-old boy, his mother Min Kyung 'Sue' Cho - aged 41, and his father Hyun Soo 'Steven' Cho - aged 39 (pictured together), were all murdered on February 19, 2024

Kyung Kwang Yoo (pictured) pleaded guilty to killing the family in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday

Yoo taught the boy at Lion's Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy (pictured) in North Parramatta

When his classes ended at 8pm, Yoo asked the boy to follow him into the same storeroom, where the child was also strangled to death.

Case facts state that after killing her and her son, Yoo took Ms Cho's BMW and drove to her family home in nearby Baulkham Hills.

There he found Mr Cho and repeatedly stabbed him in the head, neck and torso with a knife and a pair of scissors.

Mr Cho attempted to fight off Yoo and inflicted several stab wounds on the taekwondo instructor in self defence.

At about 11pm, Yoo returned to the taekwondo academy to retrieve his phone and Ms Cho's Apple Watch.

He then called his wife and told her he'd been stabbed. The pair decided to meet at a hospital.

While at the hospital, Yoo told police he'd been attacked by three people at a Woolworths car park and had driven his Toyota Camry to the hospital.

No motive for the triple homicide has been confirmed, however a disturbing trend has emerged of Yoo lying about his success, wealth and social status.

Court documents state Yoo (pictured) killed Ms Cho and her son at the academy, drove the mother's car to their family home and killed Mr Cho

Mr Cho attempted to fight off Yoo and inflicted several stab wounds on the taekwondo instructor in self defence, which resulted in Yoo going to hospital (pictured, the Cho home)

Police claim Yoo was known to be a serial liar who repeatedly inflated his personal wealth, education and income (pictured, officers at the academy)

One of his lies included being the owner of a BMW.

Weeks before the gruesome murders, Yoo told his wife he would be receiving a BMW from his secondary employer, a local high school.

At about 8pm on the night of the murders, Yoo called his wife to say his BMW had arrived.

Soon after that conversation he drove Ms Cho's BMW to the Cho's family home.

Court documents state Yoo's wife told police he'd driven a friend's BMW that night, which led officers to search the vehicle and discover blood.

Police also found documents for the sale of a multimillion-dollar home in Mosman, papers in the name of 'Professor Kwang Yoo' and a false master's degree from Sydney University.

Detectives claimed Yoo was known to lie to his friends and family about his income, education and family deaths and had an 'obsession' with luxury goods.

His deceptions included telling his family his home had a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and he owned a Lamborghini.

The bodies of the Cho family (pictured) were discovered the day after they were killed

Yoo will be sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court, where the case will be mentioned on August 1 (pictured, officers at the academy)

Yoo also told his wife and sister he had a PhD and others that he'd competed in the Olympics.

Other associates of Yoo believed both his parents and his wife had died from Covid.

Friends of the Cho family became concerned on the morning of February 20, 2024, and headed to their home.

They called police after spotting an object covered by a blanket.

Officers found Mr Cho's body in the home and headed to Lion's Taekwondo Academy, where blood was found on the building's front step and interior.

The boy's body was found in the storeroom while Ms Cho's body was discovered in an office.

Yoo was arrested at the hospital that evening and has been in custody since.

He will be sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court later this year. The case will next be mentioned on August 1.
A British Army veteran has been left stuck with a 20,000 NHS bill for the rest of his life after he had a heart attack in Africa.

Steve Foreman, 73, was living and working on an oil rig in Ogaden, Ethiopia when he collapsed and had to be airlifted to the nearest hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

Aged 62 at the time, the former soldier slipped into a coma for 13 days and was put on a kidney dialysis machine, given a tracheotomy and had a blood transfusion as he suffered total organ failure and several infections.

After three months of critical care in Nairobi, he was finally flown back to the UK and transferred to Worksop Hospital in Yorkshire.

His brother, Grant - whom he says asked the NHS to confirm he was eligible for free treatment - was tasked with caring for him.

After becoming stable, Mr Foreman was transferred to Doncaster Royal Infirmary for tracheotomy surgery.

But when he finally came out of the hospital around two months later he received a 20,000 bill from the NHS.

The British citizen, who had been working in Africa and the Middle East for the last 20 years but originally served in the British army, reported being shocked since he was under the impression he wouldn't have to pay.

Steve Foreman - at the Cenotaph, London. A British pensioner who had a heart attack in the desert is now stuck paying a 20k NHS bill for the rest of his life

Mr Foreman, from Stepney but now living in Croydon, south London, said: 'We kicked up about this and got our local MP and the Veterans' Foundation to help'

He was informed he was not entitled to services under the NHS or failed to provide evidence he was entitled - because he had been working outside the UK for more than two years.

Mr Foreman, from Stepney but now living in Croydon, south London, said: 'We kicked up about this and got our local MP and the Veterans' Foundation to help.

'Our MP got onto the Department for Health and Social Security and they said I am an overseas visitor and have to pay.

'I was on a walking frame as I had lost use of my muscles after all that time in hospital. I eventually got better but they put me into the hands of a debt collector. I said - "I'm not paying; that's not our problem".'

Mr Foreman was born in the UK, and worked until he was 19 at which point he joined the British Army.

Following this he worked on security contracts in Africa and the Middle East for security risk management companies and had been supplying security management risk on an oil rig in the desert when he was taken ill.

The father-of-two was flown back to the UK and had seven laser correction surgeries to attempt to fix the emergency tracheotomy he was given in Kenya which he says had gone wrong followed by rehabilitation.

But when he came out of hospital he was slapped with the bill.

Mr Foreman, 73, will now continue to pay 50 a month for the next 30 years of his life after his heart attack in Africa

Grant Foreman, 65, is adamant he was informed by NHS staff that if he had worked in the country for 10 years continuously and paid national insurance, he wouldn't have to pay.

They have now been informed this is under the condition it was not more than two years ago - a rule Grant claims he was not told at the time.

Mr Foreman says after he was threatened with court action he was made to complete a financial statement self-assessment which worked out his income and outgoings and decided he could afford to pay 50 a month.

WHO GETS FREE NHS CARE? Anyone considered ordinarily resident; is entitled to free NHS care. That includes anyone living lawfully and for settled purposes in the UK - it is not based on nationality or immigration status. Overseas visitors  including non-resident UK nationals, those visiting the UK for six months or less or those staying illegally - do not qualify. Advertisement

He did this for four years and paid around 1,800 before receiving a letter in 2019 telling him to put the money into a different account - and fearing it was a scam he stopped paying.

He returned to Africa where his daughter, now 17, and former wife were living and continued to work. He says he was chased by the debt collector but didn't want to pay as he thought it was 'morally wrong'.

But when he returned to the UK last year for his daughter's studies and registered with a doctor's surgery he was threatened with legal action by debt collectors unless he continued to pay.

Mr Foreman will now continue to pay 50 a month for the next 30 years.

He says he is on pension credit after being made homeless in May 2024 when he was evicted.

He now lives with his daughter - who is studying for her A-levels - in temporary housing provided by Lambeth Council and says he is 'right on the breadline at the end of each month'.

'Anytime I want to buy new clothes I have to think about this. I'm fed up paying it,' he said.

'I have spoken to a solicitor who said I shouldn't be paying. I am an army veteran; I served my country twice in Northern Ireland and served in Berlin and yet there are people who get off the boats and get free NHS treatment.

'I owe 18,000 to the NHS and I'm broke and 73 and will never work again. I just want them to drop the debt.

'I have now contacted the collectors and I'm not paying anymore regardless of what they do to me. On humanitarian grounds the NHS should stop charging me.'

A spokesman for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: 'As an NHS organisation, we are legally required to follow national regulations and guidance when assessing whether a person is entitled to free healthcare.

'These standards are set out in law and based on residency, not nationality.. As such, British citizens who live abroad may be charged for some services, depending on their individual circumstances and the type of care provided.

'We are committed to applying these legal duties fairly and consistently, and to ensuring that all patients receive any urgent or immediately necessary treatment.'
A new law banning child marriage in Pakistan has been criticised by a prominent council for being 'un-Islamic'.

Pakistan's government last week passed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, which aims to put an end to minors being forced into marriages and cohabitation with adults.

The legislation, set to be signed into effect by President Asif Ali Zardari, will see adults found to be cohabiting with minors punished by up to seven years in a prison and a fine of one million rupees (2,663) on charges of statutory rape.

It is set to roll out in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, with hopes that other parts of the country will introduce the law in short order.

But Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology - a prominent body that advises the government of the Muslim majority nation 'whether or not a certain law is repugnant to Islam' - has opposed the bill.

The council said in a statement published Tuesday: 'Declaring marriage below the age of eighteen as child abuse and prescribing punishments for it, and other controversial provisions, are not in line with Islamic injunctions.

'Overall, the Council rejected the bill. It also clarified that this bill was not sent to the Council for review by the Parliament or the Senate.

'Marriage should be protected from unnecessary legal complications, and a public awareness campaign in this regard could prove more effective,' it argued.

The bill was passed after several female politicians who were married off as minors shared their personal support.

Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology - a prominent body that advises the government of the Muslim majority nation 'whether or not a certain law is repugnant to Islam' - has opposed the bill

Sherry Rehman, a senator who tabled the bill after MP Sharmila Farooqi introduced it in Pakistan's National Assembly, said the new legislation will 'send a powerful message'

Pakistan ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest absolute number of women who were married before the age of 18 - more than 20 million.

Data compiled by activist group Girls Not Brides and Pakistan's National Institute of Population Studies suggest nearly 1 in 5 women in Pakistan (18%) are married before the age of 18, and 4% before the age of 15.

Researchers and activists point to a range of factors contributing to Pakistan's soaring child marriage rate, including religion, long-entrenched societal and gender norms, and rampant poverty.

Sherry Rehman, a senator who tabled the bill after MP Sharmila Farooqi introduced it in Pakistan's National Assembly, said the new legislation will 'send a powerful message'.

'It's a very important signal to the country, to our development partners, and to women that their rights are protected at the top.'

Naseema Ehsan, 50, told the Senate: 'I got married at 13 years old and I want child marriage to be banned.

'I was lucky to have good and affluent in-laws but most Pakistani women are not so lucky. Not every child has a supportive husband like me.'

The bill's text pointed out that research had 'invariably proved' that child marriage 'is harmful to both genders and especially girls who have hit puberty and are able to bear children'.

Ehsan added: 'I've never been so content to vote for a bill as the child marriage restraint bill,' in comments to The Guardian.

'The world has changed and developed. We have progressed and we must embrace the progress It was a very much needed bill.'

Senator Naseema Ehsan, 50, said: 'I got married at 13 years old and I want child marriage to be banned. I was lucky to have good and affluent in-laws but most Pakistani women are not so lucky. Not every child has a supportive husband like me'

Pakistani Christians protest against child marriage and forced conversion, in Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistan in 2010 devolved much political power to regional governments, entrusting provinces to draft and enact many of their own laws.

The regional government in the Pakistani province of Sindh passed a Marriage Restraint Act back in 2013 that outlawed marriage under the age of 18, but it remains the only province to have done so.

It is hoped that the new legislation set to come into effect across the Islamabad Capital Territory will lead to the measure being adopted throughout the country.

Nadeem Afzal Chan, a member of the Pakistan People's Party, said the government in Balochistan province would soon follow suit.

The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also drafted a child marriage restriction bill, though it is yet to be passed.

Pakistan has committed to ending child, early and forced marriage by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.

But underage marriage is still rampant, particularly in rural areas of Pakistan.

The CII is seen as one of the most influential and prominent bodies preventing politicians from taking action.

A recently published article in Pakistani outlet Dawn described theological authorities as 'self-appointed custodians of belief and convention' that 'reject empowerment, making it difficult for political parties to criticise child marriage, forced conversions and other atrocities in their party manifestos and poll campaigns'.

'The deeply patriarchal undercurrents of our sociopolitical setting, too, have kept politicians from stressing on the need to abandon laws that validate child abuse as well as allow adults to coerce young girls into illegal unions,' it read.
Aussies have erupted over the price of a steak after an angry diner unleashed on social media about their meal at a gastropub.

A Reddit user took to the platform on Wednesday to share a photo of their dinner at Four in Hand Hotel in the ritzy inner-city Sydney suburb of Paddington.

The plate consisted of three cherry tomatoes, two sauces and a steak with a field mushroom, both appearing to be the same size.

'This is a $49 Eye Fillet from the Four in Hand, Paddington - the mushroom is larger than the steak,' they said.

'(It) ended up being a very expensive night without much to show for it.

'I just wanted a nice pub steak with chips (It didn't come with chips either).'

The post sparked a divided response on Reddit.

Some were horrified by the price while others believed it was fair in the current economic climate.

An unhappy diner shared a photo of their 'small' fillet steak (pictured), complaining they had an expensive night with 'not much to show for it'

The pricy meal was at the Four in Hand Hotel in inner-city Paddington

'What is this? A steak for ants? It needs to be at least 3 times as big,' one wrote.

Another sarcastically commented: 'I for one cant believe an expensive cut of meat in the eastern suburbs is so pricey.'

A third added: 'Has no one in this sub ever bought an eye fillet before?'

Others also offered insight into why the price may not have been unreasonable.

'A few things to remember. Mushrooms can be huge. Eye fillet steaks typically have a smaller footprint compared to, say, a T-bone steak,' one wrote.

'The one in your photo is not smaller than typical footprints of these steaks (and) eye fillet steaks are more expensive.'

There were also references to the skyrocketing cost of beef in Australia, with one person saying: 'Beef pricing is f***ed at the moment.'

Farmers warned in April that Aussies could end up paying more than $50 a kilo for steak at the supermarket due to Donald Trump's tariffs on agriculture exports.

Organic beef cattle producer and Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance's spokeswoman Tammi Jonas said there has been high demand for Australian beef across the world.

The fillet steak at Four in the Hand Hotel (pictured) sits in the middle of price ranges for surrounding Paddington venues

She warned the appetite for Australian beef would increase which would subsequently impact domestic prices.

Four in Hand Hotel owner Colin Parras defended the meal price.

'Fillet steak prices are through the roof at the moment,' he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.

'The steak in question is $49 for a 200g steak plus sides including the mushroom. This was priced lower than most similar venues in the area.

'Most venues in the area have actually taken it off menu at the moment due to the pricing.'

Four in Hand Hotel owner Colin Parras defended the cost of the meal, adding that steak prices are currently 'through the roof'

Research into other venues in Paddington revealed Mr Parras' pub is within the area's price range for a fillet steak.

While 180g of fillet steak with sides at The London Hotel would cost a diner $38, Ursula's Paddington offers a 180g grasslands beef fillet with sides for $61.

Mr Parras also pointed out that eye fillet steaks are 'proportionately thicker' than they are wide and that the photo on Reddit was taken from above.

'If you are ordering an eye fillet, you are opting for quality over quantity,' he said.
Britain's former ambassador to Egypt has warned of a 'real risk' facing holidaymakers travelling to the country as he urged the government to review its travel advice amid growing outrage over the continued detention of a British-Egyptian activist.

Alaa Abd-El Fattah, a vocal critic of the Egyptian government, has been detained since September 2019. In 2021 he was sentenced to five years in prison on 'bogus charges' of 'broadcasting false news'.

Authorities refused to release him last September, ignoring the two years already held in pre-trial detention. He was held at the hellhole Tora Maximum Security prison before being moved in 2022 amid backlash against the dire conditions.

John Casson, who was the British ambassador to Egypt between 2014 and 2018, told BBC Radio 4 on Thursday that if a friend or family member suggested a holiday in the country today, he would tell them: 'You're taking a real risk.'

If you get into any kind of difficulties, if you post the wrong thing on social media even, there is no can guarantee that your rights will be protected, theres no guarantee of due process and we cant even be sure that the British embassy will be able to visit you.'

He branded Egypt a 'vindictive' police state, accusing the government of 'torturing' a British citizen and abusing the rights of the British government to operate.

In a co-signed letter published in The Times today, Mr Casson denounced the charges against 'democracy writer' Mr Fattah and called on the government to act and warn others travelling to the country.

The letter argued the Egyptian government has 'ignored calls' from the international community for accountability over the alleged abuse endured by Mr Fattah in prison, and stressed that his case is 'not isolated'.

It said there was a responsibility for the government to 'make clear' that a British citizen travelling to 'the police state in Egypt cannot expect fair process, nor normal support from the British government'.

Alaa Abd el-Fattah, an Egyptian-British writer, has been detained in Egypt since 2019

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against travel to some parts of Egypt

Tora Maximum Security Prison, where Mr Fattah was being held, pictured in 2011

Speaking to Radio 4, Mr Casson cited the case of Italian Cambridge graduate Giulio Regeni, who was tortured to death over several days in police cells in 2016.

He also referred to Laura Plummer, a shop worker from Hull, who was held for 13 months over painkillers found in her luggage.

The letter written to The Times argued that the government must now 'deploy the full range of tools it has to protect British citizens'.

'Egypt can't have it both ways,' the letter continues. 'It pretends to be a friend and depends on flows of British tourists to keep its economy afloat.

'It needs to discover that kind of partnership is not compatible with abusing our citizens, and blocking our embassy from carrying out the most fundamental consular actions on their behalf.'

Rights groups today joined the call for the government to reconsider its travel advice for Egypt after the UN this week determined that Mr Fattah had been unlawfully imprisoned.

James Lynch, founding co-director of human rights organisation FairSquare, told MailOnline: 'The British travel advice for Egypt makes no mention of the absence of proper due process in Egypts courts, and the fact that the British embassy cannot guarantee that it can access you in jail.

'This is irresponsible and means the hundreds of thousands of British tourists who travel to the country each year dont have the information they need.

He said that the 'gross injustice' of Mr Fattah's case 'must prompt the Foreign Office to urgently review its advice for Egypt'.

At present, the FCDO advises against travel to parts of Egypt including the Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai, the northern part of South Sinai, the eastern part of Ismailiyah Governate, the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, and the Hala'ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

It advises checking travel advice before travelling to Cairo and popular tourist hubs on the coast, such as Hurghada.

MailOnline approached the Foreign Office for comment.

Mr Casson's letter in The Times noted that the government does already 'spell out' concerns in travel advice for Iran and Hong Kong.

The FCDO observes that the political environment in Egypt is 'restrictive' and that foreign nationals involved in political activity or activities critical of the government 'may be at risk of detention or other measures'.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on May 22 to discuss among other things, Mr Fattah's case and press for his release.

They spoke previously on the matter in February.

Egyptian-British hunger striker Alaa Abd el-Fattah poses for a photo in unknown location, in this undated handout image

Former British Ambassador to Egypt John Casson, pictured in 2015, urged the government to reconsider its travel advice

The U.S. Human Rights Commission judges that Mr Fattah was sentenced to five years in prison in 2021 on 'spurious charges' for 'broadcasting false news'.

This does not include his prior two years of detention,' it notes.

The state-appointed National Council for Human Rights eventually agreed to transfer Mr Fattah from Tora prison to Wadi El-Natrun prison, after hundreds filed a petition demanding his release due to his unjust imprisonment and the conditions at Tora.

But rights groups have continued to express outrage at the arbitrary detention and dire conditions facing Mr Fattah.

Amnesty assesses that Mr Fattah was held in inhumane conditions at the maximum security prison, where inmates are held in small cells without beds, hot water or personal possessions.

Proceedings before emergency courts are inherently unfair as their verdicts are not subject to appeal by a higher tribunal, according to Amnesty International.

The defendants were also denied their right to adequate defence as their lawyers were prevented from communicating with them in private and photocopying the casefiles, indictments and verdicts, a statement read.

Human Rights Watch, citing interviews with inmates, lawyers and a former prisoner, alleges that authorities had banned inmates from contacting their families or lawyers for months at a time, held them in degrading conditions and beaten them.

Denied hygienic items, humiliated and confined for weeks in cramped 'discipline' cells, the organisation assessed that treatment 'probably amounted to torture in some cases'.

Interference with medical care 'may have contributed' to deaths within the prison, they claim.

Laila Soueif attends a conference calling for the release of political detainees at the headquarters of the Conservative Party in Cairo, Egypt, on May 16, 2025

Mr Fattah's mother, pictured right with an Egyptian activist, has been on hunger strike since 2024

Laila Soueif, the mother of Mr Fattah, has been on hunger strike since September 29, 2024 - the day he was due to be released - over her son's detention.

On May 19, she resumed daily visits to Downing Street in an effort to press Keir Starmer and his government to urgently secure the release of her son from prison.

Ms Soueif was on a partial hunger strike of 300 calories a day, taken by liquid nutritional supplement, between March and May. She has otherwise been on zero calories for the duration of the strike.

Her son is also on hunger strike, having consumed no calories for 90 days.

Still, Mr Fattah, a blogger, software developer and political activist, continues to languish in prison.

Commenting on the United Nations' Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) decision on Wednesday, Amnesty International UK urged that Egyptian authorities 'have an obligation to release' Mr Fattah 'immediately'.

Sena Atici, Campaigner for individuals at risk at Amnesty UK, said: 'As the UN Working Group's decision makes unequivocally clear, Alaa is a prisoner of conscience, who shouldn't have spent a single minute behind bars.

'His cruel and arbitrary imprisonment beyond his sentence is intolerable and the situation for his family is desperate.

'Keir Starmer should use this ruling as an opportunity to renew pressure on President Sisi to release Alaa, including through further direct calls.'

Laura Plummer, a shop worker from Hull, was jailed in October 2017, accused of smuggling painkillers into the country

Giulio Regeni, 28, was beaten with sticks and suffered severe burns while held in Egypt in 2016

Demonstrators from Amnesty International hold placards outside the Egyptian embassy in support of Giulio Regeni, in February 2018

Numerous foreign nationals have faced detention and alleged abuse in Egyptian prisons in recent years.

Last year, a court heard that a Cambridge student who was tortured to death after being mistaken for a foreign spy in Cairo in 2016 had his bones broken and was slashed across his body with a razor by four Egyptian security officers.

Giulio Regeni, 28, was beaten with sticks and suffered severe burns, the prosecution's medical consultant told during the trial against the Egyptian intelligence officers last April.

It was revealed the Italian student showed major signs of extreme torture including cuts and bruises from severe beatings and more than two dozen bone fractures - among them seven broken ribs, all fingers and toes, as well as legs, arms, and shoulder blades.

Regeni's body also had multiple stab wounds on the soles of his feet, slices in his skin made from a sharp object suspected to be a razor blade and several cigarette burns.

Medical examiner Vittorio Fineschi, who conducted the autopsy on the Italian researcher said he found on the corpse 'almost all the tortures carried out in Egypt'.

Regeni, from Fiumicello, a town near Udine in northeastern Italy, was tortured so badly that his mother Paola Deffendi said she could only recognise him 'from the tip of his nose'.

He was subjected to the horrific abuse at the hands of four Egyptian secret service agents who Italian prosecutors allege were involved in the killing, but have been unable to track them down to issue summons.

Sir Keir Starmer's government has been urged to reassess travel advice to Egypt

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, May 17, 2025

Laura Plummer, a shop worker from Hull, was jailed in October 2017, accused of smuggling painkillers into the country.

She was sentenced to three years in prison for taking 290 Tramadol tablets into the country.

Her family maintained that she was taking the painkiller  which is legal in the UK but banned in Egypt  for her partner Omar Saad, who suffered from back pain, and didn't know that what she was doing was illegal.

Ms Plummer was released in January 2019 after serving 13 months of her sentence, eventually changed to drug possession.

Mr Casson's letter to The Times was co-signed by former Foreign Office minister Lord Hain; Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws; Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller; interim chair of the arbitrary detention and hostage affairs APPG Brendan OHara; the APPG's vice-chair, Tim Roca; campaigner and husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Richard Ratcliffe; and former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale.
British officials involved in policing the UK's online safety laws could be banned from the United States after the Trump administration vowed to keep out foreign nationals it deems to be censoring Americans.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio lashed out at 'unacceptable' behaviour as he launched a new policy could target officials regulating US tech companies.

And Ofcom officials could be in the firing line, with the organisation responsible for moderating content consumed in the UK.

The Trump administration has already made clear its unhappiness at the UK's tech laws and the upcoming Online Safety Bill, which would tighten controls on who can access content online, as it seeks to help out billionaire-owned tech firms based in the US.

Mr Rubio did not name any specific instances of censorship. But US tech companies and the administration have challenged US allies in Europe, alleging censorship of social media platforms.

He said it was unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants for social media posts made on US soil.

'It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States,' Rubio said.

Some foreign officials have taken 'flagrant censorship actions against US tech companies and US citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so,' Rubio said.

It comes as the Trump administration faces accusations it is clamping down on freedom of speech inside America itself.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio lashed out at 'unacceptable' behaviour as he launched a new policy could target officials regulating US tech companies.

The Trump administration has already made clear its unhappiness at the UK's upcoming Online Safety Bill, which would tighten controls on who can access content online.

Earlier this week Mr Rubio directed officials to stop scheduling appointments with student visa applicants as they prepare to implement a social media vetting process on foreign students wanting to attend US colleges.

Trump officials have repeatedly weighed in on European politics to denounce what they see as suppression of right-wing politicians, including in Romania, Germany and France, accusing European authorities of censoring views like criticism of immigration in the name of countering disinformation.

In April, Rubio shut down a State Department office that had sought to counter foreign disinformation, accusing it of censorship and wasting U.S. taxpayer money.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Rubio added, 'Whether in Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere, the days of passive treatment for those who work to undermine the rights of Americans are over.'

Rubio did not name specific countries or individuals that would be targeted.

US social media companies like Facebook and Instagram parent Meta have said an EU content moderation law, the Digital Services Act, amounts to censorship of their platforms.

US social media companies like Facebook and Instagram parent Meta (owned by Mark Zuckerberg, above) have said an EU content moderation law, the Digital Services Act, amounts to censorship of their platforms.

Some foreign officials have taken 'flagrant censorship actions against US tech companies and US citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so,' Rubio said.

Vice President JD Vance denounced content moderation while in Paris in February, calling it 'authoritarian censorship.'

Earlier this week the White House said it was 'monitoring' the case of Lucy Connolly after her bid to be freed from prison over a Tweet which 'stirred up racial hatred' was refused.

Connolly was jailed for 31 months after she posted an online rant about migrants hours after killer Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls in Southport on July 29 last year.

The former childminder, who is the wife of Conservative councillor Ray Connolly, deleted the post after four hours but was arrested last August and admitted a charge of inciting racial hatred in October.

Last week her appeal against her sentence was refused by three Court of Appeal judges meaning she faces serving another eight months behind bars.
US called on to protect interests of international students

13:09, May 29, 2025 By Wang Qingyun ( China Daily

Beijing has urged Washington to protect the interests of international students amid reports that the United States government has halted the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants.

"China believes that education cooperation and academic exchanges should not be disrupted," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

Mao made the remark after foreign media reported that the US government is considering requiring all foreign students applying to study in the US to undergo social media vetting, and in preparation for the vetting, is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such visa applicants.

The spokeswoman said that China is following the current development, which comes days after the US government revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The revocation has been temporarily blocked by a court restraining order.

"We urge the US to protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of all international students, including those from China," Mao added.

In an interview with China Media Group on Wednesday, a staff member of the US embassy in Beijing said the embassy has not received relevant information, and visa applications and interviews are proceeding as usual.

A 20-year-old Chinese student, who is majoring in computer science at a US university, said the reported measure will not affect his studies in the US, because he already has a long-term student visa.

However, those currently applying for majors at US universities may feel anxious about the move, he said, adding that the US is not as welcoming for international students as it used to be.

According to a report released on Friday by New Oriental Education and Technology Group, an education company in China, the US has been the second most popular country for Chinese students who intend to study abroad for six years in a row.

However, the US government has stepped up its crackdown on international students this year, including by abruptly terminating their legal status.

Li Luoze contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
England could run out of drinking water within the next 10 years if no new reservoirs are built, the water minister has warned.

Emma Hardy said the country faces an 'infrastructure crisis' as she set out plans for the Government to seize control of the planning process for two new reservoirs.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has designated projects in East Anglia and Lincolnshire as 'nationally significant'.

This will escalate them from local planning to central Government and the move aims to streamline and fast-track the delivery of the two new reservoirs.

They will be the first major new reservoirs to be built for more than 30 years, with ministers hoping they will improve water resources for more than 750,000 homes in some of England's most water-stressed areas.

There are fears that, without action, demand for drinking water could outstrip supply by the mid-2030s due to rapid population growth, crumbling assets and a warming climate.

Last week, official figures showed net migration to the UK had halved to 431,000 last year compared with 860,000 across January to December 2023.

This was after reaching a record high of 906,000 in the 12 months to June 2023.

Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer set out a series of measures aimed at reducing further the number of people moving long-term to the UK.

A lack of water supplies is holding back the construction of thousands of homes in parts of the country such as Cambridge, officials have warned.

Labour has a target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029.

The Government has vowed to legislate so that major new reservoirs will automatically be designated as 'nationally significant' in future to make it easier to get them built.

England could run out of drinking water within the next 10 years without building new reservoirs, water minister Emma Hardy has warned

Water companies across England have committed to bringing nine new reservoirs online by 2050

A view of Grimsbury reservoir in Banbury, Oxfordshire. There have not been any major new reservoirs built in the UK for more than 30 years

Speaking to Times Radio this morning, Ms Hardy said: 'We've been in an infrastructure crisis because we haven't built the reservoirs that we need.

'In fact we built no reservoirs for the past 30 years. If we don't take action we are going to be running out of the drinking water that we need by the mid-2030s.

'This is why the Government's taking unprecedented action to make these reservoir projects... into projects that are nationally significant projects.

'This means the planning process is taken away from the local authority. The power is put into the hands of the Secretary of State... to make sure that we deliver them.

'It means that we can unlock tens of thousands of new homes and we can make sure that everybody has the drinking water that they desperately need.'

The water minister admitted the new reservoirs are 'going to take a while to build'.

But she pointed to other action - such as reducing leaks from pipes - that is helping to secure the country's water supplies.

'We need water for growth,' she added. 'There are projects up and down the country where businesses are crying out for extra water that they need to make sure that they can get on with growing our economy.'

The two reservoirs which have been designated as nationally significant are being proposed by Anglian Water.

It wants to build the Lincolnshire reservoir south of Sleaford and is partnering with Cambridge Water for the Fens Reservoir between Chatteris and March in Cambridgeshire.

Under the plans, the Lincolnshire reservoir, which would provide up to 166 million litres a day for up to 500,000 homes, would be completed by 2040.

The Fens Reservoir, supplying 87 million litres a day to 250,000 homes in the driest region of the UK, would be completed by 2036.

Both projects will now progress to the consultation phase, gathering views from communities and stakeholders, the Government said.

Water companies across England have committed to bringing nine new reservoirs online by 2050, in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Suffolk, Kent, East Sussex and the West Midlands and Somerset.

These have the potential to supply 670 million litres of extra water per day.
A mother who sold her six-year-old daughter to a 'healer' for just 800 has been jailed for life in South Africa.

Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, 35, was convicted of kidnapping and trafficking along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn.

Little Joshlin Smith, who has a fair complexion and turquoise eyes, disappeared last February after vanishing outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town - and has not been seen since.

A court heard during the six-week trial how Smith was sought out by a 'healer' for her 'light eyes and skin', with the mother reportedly only receiving around 800 for her.

'On the human trafficking charge, you are sentenced to life imprisonment. On the kidnapping charge, you are sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,' Judge Nathan Erasmus told the trio.

He said he 'drew no distinction' from each other in their evil crime and the cold-hearted group showed no emotion as their sentences were read out.

The shocking trial has captivated South Africa for the last few months, with Joshlin still missing despite a major search operation.

Joshlin's grandmother, who now cares for her daughter's eldest child, pleaded with Smith ahead of the sentence to 'bring my [grand]child back or tell me where she is'.

Little Joshlin Smith, who has a fair complexion and turquoise eyes, disappeared last February after vanishing outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town

The cold-hearted group - boyfriend Jacquen Appollis (left), friend Steveno van Rhyn (centre) anfd mother Racquel 'Kelly' Smith (right) - showed no emotion as their life sentences were read out

A court heard during the six-week trial how Joshlin was sought out by a 'healer' for her 'light eyes and skin', with the mother reportedly only receiving around 800 for her

Amanda Smith-Daniels later told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that 'I don't feel that any sentence they get will bring my grandchild back.'

Her family has been left 'broken', she said, and she condemned her daughter for blaming others over the tragedy when she 'was the person that did the deed'.

'How do you sleep [and] live with yourself?' she asked the callous mother in her victim statement on Wednesday after it was revealed by a social worker Joshlin had been living a life of neglect.

Smith and her accomplices refused to testify during the trial or call on any witnesses for their defence but more than 30 people were brought in to tell the court about Joshlin's troubled life and disappearance.

Lourentia Lombaard, Smith's friend and neighbour, told the community centre acting as a court so locals could attend that Smith had admitted to her she had done 'something silly' in a shocking confession.

In the days before Joshlin disappeared, the mother confessed to her that she had sold her child to a 'sangoma' - a traditional healer.

Ms Lombaard said she later saw Smith pack some of Joshlin's clothing into a black bag, which she was carrying when she met a woman she believes was the sangoma.

Smith climbed into a white car with Joshlin and the sangoma and they drove away, according to Lombaard.

One of Joshlin's teachers said Smith told them during one of the searches for Joshlin that she was already 'on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa'.

In the days before Joshlin disappeared, the mother confessed to her that she had sold her child to a 'sangoma' - a traditional healer - who wanted her for her complection

A local pastor told the court that he heard Smith, who has three children, talk about selling them for 20,000 rand, which is the equivalent of 827

The shocking trial has captivated South Africa for the last few months with Joshlin still missing despite a major search operation

Joshlin's grandmother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, pleaded with her daughter ahead of the sentence to 'bring my [grand]child back or tell me where she is'

In the days before Joshlin disappeared, the mother confessed to a neighbour that she had sold her child to a 'sangoma' - a traditional healer (pictured in January)

During one of the searches for Joshlin, Smith admitted that she was already 'on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa' (pictured earlier this month)

Members of the public react after the group were found guilty on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping

The court also heard from a local pastor who said that he heard Smith, who has three children, talk about selling them for 20,000 rand, which is the equivalent of 827.

Smith had allegedly been happy to settle for even less, willing to sell Joshlin for 200.

A social worker tasked with writing a report on the trio wrote that it would not be a 'stretch to conclude that Smith is the mastermind behind the trafficking of her own daughter'.

She also spoke about how Smith was said to have a history of drug abuse since she was 15 and was an addict when Joshlin was born. It took her five months to register the child's birth.

Ms Smith-Daniels kicked her out of her house because of her abuse after she had threatened to stab her own son.

Intermittently living at a shelter for abused women, Smith would then be abusive to her own children when she was high.

She eventually went to rehab and Joshlin lived with family friends who tried to adopt her.

The parents blocked the adoption bid but Joshlin still managed to spend weekends with them and go on trips.

The youngster was described by her teacher Edna Maart as 'very tidy' and a quiet pupil

Joshlin's class play her favourite gospel song God Will Work It Out at the start of the day so that they can feel she is with them

Protesters gathered outside the courthouse during the verdict hearing with many in the community calling on the judge to give them a 'harsh sentence because they deserve it'

'We could have provided for her better than her mother,' Natasha Andrews said during the trial.

It was only once all the victim statements had been read yesterday alongside a video clip of Joshlin laughing on holiday with the Andrews family that Smith finally cried.

Joshlin's father, Jose Emke, also broke down and had to be carried out of the courtroom.

Ms Andrews said she wanted to share the video because 'so many people don't know what Joshlin sounds like'.

The youngster was described by her teacher Edna Maart as 'very tidy' and a quiet pupil.

Every day since Joshlin left she has been plagued with questions of her whereabouts by the girl's school friends. Ms Maart said she struggles to give them an answer.

They play her favourite gospel song God Will Work It Out at the start of the day so that the class can feel she is with them.

Smith and her accomplices refused to testify during the trial or call on any witnesses for their defence

Police said children's clothing had been recovered near the settlement of small houses where Joshlin lived (pictured)

The courtroom sobbed when the song was played for them to hear.

A woman believed to be the sangoma was arrested alongside the other defendants last year, but the charges against her were dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Sangomas are recognised in South Africa under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007. It is believed they can access ancestral spirits who guide their healing.

In March, police said children's clothing had been recovered near the settlement of small houses where Joshlin lived and was sent to a laboratory for forensic examination.

Community members who are also involved in the search said the clothing was spattered with blood and a knife was also found. Police didn't give any more details on what was discovered.

Western Cape province police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told reporters during the trial that more arrests could be made, but authorities also had to re-focus on the search for Joshlin.

'At this stage, we do not have a child,' he said. 'Our ultimate goal is to find the child. We still want to find that child alive.'

Smith's youngest child now lives with his father.

Last year, 632 children were reported missing in South Africa, with the figure nearly reaching 9,000 across the last decade, it was reported in a local news outlet.

Bianca van Aswegen, a criminologist and national co-ordinator at Missing Children South Africa, told the BBC thatchild trafficking 'is much more of a crisis than police stats actually show us due to the fact of many cases going unreported'.

'I have never really seen a case blow up like this in South Africa before [and] neither have we seen such a big search for a missing child. I think social media played a big role [and] we had political parties get involved in the case,' she added.
Haribo has urgently recalled packets of sweets after they were found to contain cannabis when several people fell ill.

The substance was discovered after several members of the same family, both children and adults, felt unwell after eating Happy Cola F!ZZ and contacted the police.

An investigation into the sweets has been launched, according to a spokesperson for the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

The NVWA told MailOnline it was involved in the probe and confirmed 'samples were taken and cannabis was found in them.'

'We immediately contacted Haribo and they issued a safety warning,' a spokesperson for the NVWA said.

'How the cannabis ended up in the sweets is still unknown. The police are investigating this further,' the NVWA added.

It said: 'After consultation with the NVWA and as is customary in these types of situations, Haribo has issued a safety warning.

'This is with a view to safeguarding food safety, which the NVWA monitors closely.'

Haribo earlier said that there were products in circulation that can cause health problems, such as dizziness.

Haribo has recalled packets of sweets after they were allegedly found to contain cannabis when several people fell ill. The substance was reportedly discovered after several members of the same family felt unwell after eating Happy Cola F!ZZ. Pictured: A kilo bag of Happy Cola F!ZZ

An investigation into the sweets has been launched, according to a spokesperson for the NVWA (stock image)

Its product recall warning read: 'Haribo warns of kilo bags of HARIBO Happy Cola F!ZZ with best-before date (BBD) January 2026.

'There are bags in circulation with sweets that can lead to health complaints such as dizziness when consumed.

'So far it concerns 3 bags, but as a precaution Haribo is recalling the stock in question. Do not eat the sweets.'

A company spokesperson added: 'The incident is contained to the Netherlands, to a specific product and batch. HARIBO products in the UK are not affected.

'The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and HARIBO takes this incident very seriously, which is why a recall has been issued in the Netherlands.

'HARIBO is working closely with the authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts around the contamination.'

The recall applies to packages with the production code L341-4002307906.

Other production codes of Happy Cola F!ZZ, and all other Haribo products, should be safe to eat, according to the company.

Consumers are asked by the candy manufacturer not to return the product to the store, but to send it to the company. They will then receive a refund.

It comes after last year Haribo gummy candies were recalled due to pieces of wood, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The notice said the affected candies are from the brand Haribo were labelled 'Tangfastics.'

In an email to CTVNews.ca, the CFIA confirmed that wood pieces were both found in the bags of the candy and partly stuck in the candy.

The CFIA categorized the recall under 'Class 2' which means that there is a moderate risk that consuming the food may lead to short-term or non-life threatening health problems.
A Nazi hunter who cut his children and grandchildren out of his will and instead left his fortune to his third wife was not the victim of 'undue influence', a court has ruled.

Self-styled 'Lord' Peter Eden changed his will the year before his death aged 99 so that all his shares in his property company were left to 'Lady' Joy Eden, 85.

He had initially left a third of his 60 per cent holding in his property company to Joy and two thirds to his grandchildren, the offspring of his daughters from his third marriage.

But Eden re-wrote his will to leave all the company shares, reportedly worth an estimated 2million, to Joy, who he had been married to for 20 years.

His wife also inherited the 1.5million family home they shared in Hampstead, north London.

His grandchildren were left watches, a cousin was given 250,000 and his housekeeper was handed 25,000, The Times reported.

But Eden's daughters, Tamara Eden Goodchild and Vanita Eden, were cut out.

When Eden died in December 2020, his heirs ended up locked in a legal dispute that meant his estate could not be shared.

Self-styled 'Lord' Peter Eden changed his will the year before his death aged 99 so that all his shares in his property company were left to 'Lady' Joy Eden, 85

Ms Goodchild reportedly claimed that her father had been subjected to 'undue influence' and had lacked the mental capacity to write his will.

She argued that his original 2017 will was the one that should be enforced.

On Tuesday, the High Court in London approved a deal that will see Joy Eden receive 84 per cent of the shares of her husband's property company.

His daughters will get 4 per cent, Vanita's daughter will also get four per cent and Ms Goodshild's three children will share the same amount.

Judge Mr Justice Dray said Eden's 2019 will 'does not offend common sense'.

'The instructions of Lord Eden were clear, namely that he wanted his shares [in the property company] to pass to his wife absolutely.'

Germany-born Eden had fled his home country to Britain as a teenager after being arrested by the Gestapo for having a relationship with a non-Jewish girl.

When the Second World War began, he was interned along with thousands of others as an 'enemy alien' and then sent to Australia for year.

Eden's daughters, Tamara Eden Goodchild (pictured above attending the London premiere of documentary Mosley: It's Complicated, July 2021) and Vanita Eden, were cut out of his will

Germany-born Eden had fled his home country to Britain as a teenager after being arrested by the Gestapo for having a relationship with a non-Jewish girl

At some point he began calling himself 'Lord', but had not been given any official title.

Eden was able to come to London in April 1939 because one of his uncles was a practising dental surgeon in the capital and had secured him a visa to leave Germany.

Before he was interned in May 1940, a took up a job in a welding factory.

Once in Australia, he enrolled in the army and then was sent back to England to join the Pioneer Corps in Ilfracombe, Devon.

He later served in North Africa and Palestine. After the war had ended, he was posted to Germany with the Intelligence Corps.

It was there that Eden was involved in helping to track down Nazis and had a role in the war crimes trial of 22 Germans accused of shooting British pilots.

In a 1998 interview with the Imperial War Museum, Eden spoke of finding people who had run concentration camps and identifying members of the SS.

He was demobilised in May 1947 and then launched into a career in the fashion industry.

In the 1960s he entered the hotel business, buying two near Hyde Park in London.

Eden later owned more than a dozen restaurants alongside his hotels.
The 'limbs in the loch' killer who raped a teenage boy before slicing him up has made another bid for freedom 25 years on.

William Beggs, 62, was convicted of luring Barry Wallace back to his Kilmarnock home in 1999 where he then killed him, dismembered his corpse and dumped his remains in Loch Lomond.

The 18-year-old's head was later found washed up on Barassie beach. Beggs was jailed for life in 2001 and told he would have to serve a minimum of 20 years before being considered for parole.

The killing came after he had previously been jailed for life for stabbing Barry Oldham, 28, to death in Yorkshire in 1987 and leaving his mutilated body on the moors. But his conviction was overturned 18 months into his life sentence and he was freed.

His lawyers now claim the Parole Board's decision not to release Beggs in February 2024 was incorrect and have asked judge Lady Drummond to quash the decision.

They have also requested the board convene a tribunal of new members to reconsider the Northern Ireland-born murderer's latest bid for freedom.

Mark Lindsay KC told Ms Drummond that Parole Board officials had acted lawfully by refusing Beggs' parole.

He said: 'There's no merit in the grounds of appeal advanced on behalf of the petitioner. I invite your lady to dismiss the petition.'

Northern Ireland-born William Ian Beggs, then 38, was found guilty of murdering Barry Wallace, 18, from Kilmarnock

Police divers found the severed limbs of the teenage supermarket worker in Loch Lomond a few days after he disappeared on December 5 1999

Barry Wallace who was murdered and dismembered by William Beggs

Beggs observed some of the proceedings from prison via a webcasting app.

His lawyers claim Parole Board officials considered his conviction for murdering student Gary Oldham in 1987 as part of his hearing. However, Beggs had successfully appealed that conviction.

On Monday, Mr Lindsay said the Parole Board had simply considered evidence which related to the level of risk posed by Beggs to the public.

He added: 'They looked at the lack of insight and they looked at the lack of insight-focused work on the part of the petitioner.

'They were entitled to conclude that the level of risk posed by the petitioner cannot be, at this time, managed within the community.'

Beggs will have another chance to secure parole later this year.

Having moved to Scotland after his conviction for murdering Gary Oldham was overturned, Beggs  who was working in a call centre in Edinburgh  lured 18-year-old Barry Wallace from Kilmarnock to his home.

The teen had been leaving a Christmas party before Beggs raped and murdered him. He used a saw and kitchen knife to hack his body into eight pieces.

North Yorkshire Police recently attempted to find fresh evidence that might link Beggs to the murder of Barry Oldham (pictured), with a view to possibly bringing the case back to court

North Yorkshire Police recently attempted to find fresh evidence that might link Beggs to the murder of Mr Oldham, with a view to possibly bringing the case back to court.

Police Scotland handed over a blood-stained razor they found in Beggs home  anticipating that DNA tests would link it to the Yorkshire case.

However the blood was not a match for Beggs, Mr Wallace or Mr Oldham. A source at North Yorkshire Police said: The murder of Barry Oldham is unusual in that Beggs was convicted and there seemed no doubt about his guilt.

Even with the changes to the double-jeopardy law now well-established, it would take significant fresh evidence to give us any chance of charging Beggs afresh.

We hoped the blood on the razor might provide that calibre of evidence and we were happy to assist Police Scotland in that enquiry.

Mr Oldhams dad, Albert, was still alive at that time and we were able to obtain his DNA for comparison, but there was no match.

This suggests there might be another victim of a bloody assault by Beggs out there. If theres little hope of justice for Barry Oldham, perhaps the razor offers hope for another.

The hearing continues.
Smiling broadly from behind a tree in the French port city of Saint-Nazaire, the newlyweds could not have looked more conventional.

It was June 29th, 1974  a sunny Saturday on the Atlantic coast  and the picture shows Joel Le Scouarnec, a 23-year-old trainee surgeon, and his wife, a nursing assistant aged 20 whose maiden name was Marie-France Lhermitte.

She was the daughter of a local docker in the Chantieres de l'Alantique  one of largest shipyards in the world  while his father was a carpenter from Paris.

Ahead of the couple was a high-earning career in medicine, a 15th Century manor house they called home, and three happy and healthy sons.

Except  as a court heard this week  behind the facade of wedded bliss and professional success, there were already deep, dark secrets.

Both had allegedly experienced the vilest forms of domestic abuse from infancy, and decades of even more horrific crimes were to follow.

Le Scouarnec, now 74, is now described as the 'the worst mass paedophile who ever lived' and an 'atomic bomb' of child abuse.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to two decades in prison  the maximum time possible under France's archaic sexual offences laws  for raping scores of youngsters over three decades, after prosecutors referred to him as 'a devil'.

Pictured: Joel Le Scouarnec, 'the worst mass paedophile who ever lived' and his wife, Marie-France Le Scouarnec, on their wedding day

On Wednesday, Le Scouarnec was sentenced to two decades in prison  the maximum time possible under France's archaic sexual offences laws  for raping scores of youngsters over three decades, after prosecutors referred to him as 'a devil'. Pictured: Le Scouarnec leaving court yesterday

Marie-France divorced Le Scouarnec in 2023. She has been accused of turning a blind eye to her ex-husbands crimes despite knowing she was married to an active serial paedophile. Pictured: Marie-France Le Scouarnec arrives at the Criminal Court in Vannes for the trial of Joel Le Scouarnec on February 25

Joel Le Scouarnec (pictured) admitted at least 299 horrifying crimes against victims who were mostly under the age of 15, with the youngest just four

He admitted at least 299 horrifying crimes against victims who were mostly under the age of 15, with the youngest just four.

Judge Aude Buresi, sitting at the Morbihan Criminal Court, in Vannes, Brittany, sentenced Le Scouarnec after he was found guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults.

The offences took place between 1989 and 2014, while other alleged crimes were not prosecuted because they happened too long ago.

During a three-month trial, the court heard how Le Scourarnec mainly abused patients while they were still under anaesthetic, or slowly waking up following operations.

It was Thomas Delaby, a barrister representing one of his victims, who told Le Scourarnec: 'You are the worst mass paedophile who ever lived' and 'an atomic bomb of paedophilia. Your victims will never forgive you.'

Such words certainly added to the anger and emotion of Le Scourarnec's trial, but so too did those of his wife, who only finally divorced him in 2023.

Judge Aude Buresi, sitting at the Morbihan Criminal Court, in Vannes, Brittany, sentenced Le Scouarnec after he was found guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults. Pictured: A court sketch of Joel Le Scouarnec

There are now growing calls for Madame Le Scouarnec herself to be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a long-term criminal

Marie-France Le Scouarnec caused outrage by insulting victims during cross-examination, and also allegedly lying repeatedly.

The most serious accusation against her was that she knew full well she was married to an active serial paedophile, but turned a blind eye to his depravity.

There are now growing calls for Madame Le Scouarnec herself to be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a long-term criminal.

To try and understand why, we need to go back to that June day more than half-a-century ago, when the Le Scouarnec's seemed to have the world at their feet.

Le Scouarnec had 'pledged to become a surgeon from the age of ten', he said, and Marie-France was equally committed to caring for the sick.

Both were determined to rise up the social scale, serving the public in a manner that would earn them huge respect, both within France's national health service, and from their large extended families.

Le Scouarnec was a rising star in his chosen profession who had met his future wife at the Hotel-Dieu Hospital, in the centre of Paris.

Following their wedding, they moved out to the countryside around Nantes, on the west coast of France, to start married life together.

Le Scouarnec had 'pledged to become a surgeon from the age of ten', he said, and Marie-France was equally committed to caring for the sick

Le Scouarnec specialised in digestive surgery, and he was soon much in demand in local hospitals and medical centres.

There were tensions in the couple's relationship from day one, however  most caused by abuse in earlier life, defence lawyers told the court.

Marie-France Le Scouarnec claimed she was raped by two uncles, while Le Scouarnec said his childhood home in the Paris suburbs was a hotbed of illegal acts, including incestuous ones.

As a married couple, the Scouarnecs made a manor house in Loches, south of Tours, their principal family home.

Madame Le Scouarnec focused on bringing up their boys  Fabien, Florian and Renan  while also organising a busy social life, which included regular dinner parties.

Le Scouarnec admitted he was already consumed by 'dark impulses' at the time, and a young relative on his wife's side of the family was 'the trigger'.

He told investigators in recorded interviews: 'My attraction to young children began with my niece, it must have been in 1985 or 1986.

'She was very affectionate, she would come and sit on my lap. My relationship with my wife was deteriorating. I transferred my sexuality onto this little girl. She was the trigger.'

Le Scouarnec specialised in digestive surgery, and he was soon much in demand in local hospitals and medical centres

The niece  referred to in court by the pseudonym of Nathalie  was soon being regularly abused by Le Scouarnec at the Loches house, the court heard.

The child was the daughter of Sylvie, Madame Le Scouarnec's own sister in Saint-Nazaire, and it appeared that both women knew exactly what was going on.

Sylvie later tried to justify her silence by a 'psychological blockage' linked to her past, which included being sexual assaulted as a child.

Back at Le Scouarnec's immediate family home, affairs took place in the marital bed, with Madame Le Scouarnec 'making advances' towards her husband's own brother, Patrick Le Scouarnec, as early as 1983.

Marie-France Le Scouarnec also discovered a cupboard filled with child pornography magazines and child-sized dolls which were being used for sexual gratification, but she did not report them to the authorities.

Joel Le Scouarnec was relegated to a small bedroom at the local hospital where he was working.

'I didn't see the point of divorce,' he said. 'Given what I was, I wasn't going to start my life over again.'

Patrick Le Scouarnec, the now 70-year-old brother of the surgeon, agreed that Madame Le Scouarnec was a consummate liar.

'There is another person who could have ensured that my brother was arrested  it is his wife, Marie-France,' he said.

Le Scouarnec admitted he was already consumed by 'dark impulses' at the time, and a young relative on his wife's side of the family was 'the trigger'. Pictured: Maxime Tessier, lawyer of Le Scouarnec and Le Scouarnec

The home of Le Scouarnec in Jonzac, a village in south west France, close to the world-famous brandy-producing region of Cognac

He said that Marie-France Le Scouarnec 'loved her husband's salary,' but preferred to sleep with other men, including family members. In turn, Marie-France Le Scouarnec constantly claimed 'I knew nothing,' despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

'I wondered how I could have not noticed anything,' Ms Le Scouarnec told the court. 'It's a terrible betrayal that he committed against me and my children.'

But Madame Le Scouarnec's sister confirmed this was not true, saying Marie-France Le Scouarnec had at one point shouted: 'But all men love little girls.'

Madame Le Scouarnec even called Nathalie  the neice abused by Le Scouarnec  a 'devious little girl,' who 'hung around Joel's neck so as to blackmail him'.

By the year 2000, Joel Le Scouarnec's sister, Annie, had also learned from one of her 10-year-old daughters that she too had been sexually assaulted by her brother.

'I was taught to keep quiet at a very young age,' Annie said in court, while saying Marie-France Le Scouarnec certainly knew 'all about' her husband's paedophilia.

A letter handwritten by Madame Le Scouarnec in 2010 that was also entered as evidence read: 'I ask you to please protect my youngest son, the only one who does not know his father's past.'

This was seven years before detectives arrested Le Scouarnec in connection with offences against minors.

In December 2020, he was sentenced to 15 years for the sexual abuse of four girls: a six-year-old neighbour, a four-year-old patient, and two of his own nieces, who were also four when the abuse started.

In comments that have been published and broadcast across France, victims called for Marie-France Le Scouarnec to be prosecuted.

Marie-Caroline Arrighi, a spokesman for four victims, said outside court: 'She knew. Marie-France Le Scouarnec knew and protected her husband.'

Calling the couple 'evil,' Ms Arrighi added: 'Reporting sexual crimes and offenses against minors is a legal obligation.'

The Lorient public prosecutor's office has opened two new investigations into Le Scouarnec's professional career, which ended in 2017.

They include 'possibly unidentified and newly reported victims' of sexual abuse and rape.

But when Le Scouarnec next appears in the dock, he is likely to repeat his long-term claim that the woman with whom he shared his life with over decades was oblivious to his crimes.

It is a tactic that has only increased suspicion around Marie-France Le Scouarnec, especially as she is now the only family member who visits him in prison.

Her divorce settlement in 2023 included her getting the couple's house, along with a generous pension worth the equivalent of around 2200-a- month, and power of attorney over their bank accounts.

When a prosecutor asked in court if this was 'the price of silence' for so many decades when he could have been caught, Le Scouarnec replied: 'She was my wife.'
A breast cancer survivor has won a 15,000 payout after she was fired by a marketing firm while she was 'seriously ill'.

'Dedicated' Lauren Henry was sacked 'out of the blue' while on sick leave, which she was forced to take due to a post-operation infection, a tribunal heard.

The executive had only joined the marketing agency a week before she was diagnosed with cancer, it was heard.

The panel heard that the driven executive had been recruited to 'generate revenue' for the business - but was unable to do so because of her absence.

This ultimately led to managing director Jamie Parker firing her due to financial difficulties in which it became 'untenable' to 'support' her through her illness.

The tribunal heard that the impact of her dismissal meant that Mrs Henry went from being a 'confident woman' to someone who 'felt diminished and less able to cope with working life'.

The mother sued the marketing agency for discrimination arising from disability and her claims have now been upheld by a judge who spoke of the 'considerable anguish' caused to Mrs Henry.

'Dedicated' Lauren Henry was sacked 'out of the blue' while on sick leave, which she was forced to take due to a post-operation infection, a tribunal heard

Her being able to generate less revenue led to managing director Jamie Parker (pictured) firing her due to financial difficulties in which it became 'untenable' to 'support' her through her illness

The tribunal, held in Reading, was told that Mrs Henry started working for Red Rag Marketing as Business Development Executive on May 22, 2023.

The business is a small marketing agency based in Crewe, Cheshire.

The panel heard that on May 30, eight days after joining, Mrs Henry was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She telephoned her new boss the following day and said that her previous employers had asked her if she would like to return to their employment and that they would assist her through her treatment.

But, Mr Parker - who was said to be the 'controlling mind' of the business - told his employee that she should 'stay' with his agency and they could 'work around' her medical appointments and he would 'support' her.

Mrs Henry continued to work for Mr Parker and told the tribunal that in June of that year he was 'happy with her progress'.

On July 4, Mrs Henry had her first operation.

From that day onwards, she continued to work from home but it was heard that on July 17, she suffered a 'post operative infection'.

The mother sued the marketing agency for discrimination arising from disability and her claims have now been upheld by a judge who spoke of the 'considerable anguish' caused to Mrs Henry

She was ruled as being unfit for work for six weeks due to 'postoperative complications' and was due to return on August 28.

But, on August 10, Mr Parker sent her an email to say that she was dismissed with one week's notice.

The director said that it had become 'untenable' to 'support' Mrs Henry through her illness due to 'circumstances beyond our control'.

Mrs Henry - who was described by the panel as being a 'good and dedicated worker' - told the panel that this came 'out of the blue' as far as she was concerned.

An employment tribunal heard that Mr Parker sacked her due to 'financial difficulties' which had existed before Mrs Henry had been hired.

It was heard that as 'part of a plan' to improve their financial situation, Mrs Henry was recruited and the idea was that she would 'bring in new business and improve the revenue situation'.

Mrs Henry took the marketing business to an employment tribunal, alleging direct disability discrimination and discrimination arising from disability.

The employee detailed the impact her dismissal had on her, and said that she now has a 'lack of trust in future employers' because of the manner in which she was let go when she was 'seriously ill'.

An employment tribunal heard that Mr Parker sacked her due to 'financial difficulties' which had existed before Mrs Henry had been hired

She said it made her feel 'ashamed of her cancer as if it was something to hide' and left her and her family 'exposed to the stress and worry that this financial instability caused'.

Her husband gave evidence that she went from being a 'confident woman' to someone who 'felt diminished and less able to cope with working life'.

Employment Judge Lorna Findlay said the reason that Mrs Henry was selected to be dismissed was that 'she had been recruited to generate revenue but could not do so because of her sickness absence'.

Dismissing her claims of direct discrimination, the judge said that this would have happened to 'someone else' who was in their probationary period and 'had needed up to six weeks off for a reason unrelated to disability at that time'.

But, she upheld her claims of discrimination arising from disability.

The judge said Mr Parker has provided 'only vague and scanty evidence' of their financial situation but accepted that Mrs Henry's dismissal was 'part of his plan to reduce costs'.

But, she added: 'Although we have found that his decision to choose [Mrs Henry] was also significantly influenced by her disability related absence...

'The discriminatory impact on the claimant of being dismissed whilst off sick and being treated for cancer was severe.

The employee detailed the impact her dismissal had on her, and said that she now has a 'lack of trust in future employers' because of the manner in which she was let go when she was 'seriously ill'

'She lost her employment at a point when she was least able to find an alternative.'

EJ Findlay continued: 'The dismissal came when [Mrs Henry] was at her lowest point given her cancer diagnosis and the fact that she had complications after her surgery...

'This has caused her considerable anguish as she felt let down by the [business], having trusted Mr Parker.

'These feelings of upset, worry and shame came at a point when [Mrs Henry] was already (and very understandably) unnerved and distressed by her cancer diagnosis and treatment, adding to her concerns.'

Mrs Henry was awarded a total of 14,195.89 in compensation.
FBI Director Kash Patel said his bureau has been overwhelmed by 'copycat' threats to Donald Trump's life after James Comey shared a controversial Instagram post calling to '86 47.'

Patel told Fox News' Bret Baier that the former FBI Director's post, which showed seashells on a beach arranged as the numbers, forced him to redirect resources as Trump critics followed suit.

The term '86' is often used in hospitality to mean 'get rid' of something, but it has also been used in the mafia to mean a grave eight feet long and six feet deep.

'Do you know how many copycats weve had to investigate as a result of that beachside venture from the former director?' Patel said.

'Do you know how many agents Ive had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists?'

'Because everywhere across this country people are popping up on social media and think that a threat to the life of the president of the United States is a joke and they can do it because [Comey] did it?'

Patel grew frustrated as he said he has been made to 'deal with this every single day', adding that he believes Comey thought it was 'funny' to share his seashell post.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request from DailyMail.com for details on the threats to Trump's life that they have been inundated with.

But it comes after two assassination attempts upended the presidential election last year, with a gunman's bullet grazing Trump's ear in Butler, Pennsylvania in July in one of the most stunning security lapses in modern US history.

Comey shared the bizarre post (pictured) earlier this month, which he later insisted was not intended to be a call for Trump's assassination and he 'didn't realize some folks associate those numbers with violence'

The FBI director did not offer details on the threats to Trump's life, but it comes less than a year after a gunman's bullet grazed Trump's ear in Butler, Pennsylvania in one of the most stunning security lapses in modern US history

FBI Director Kash Patel said his bureau has been overwhelmed by 'copycat' threats to Donald Trump's life after James Comey shared a controversial Instagram post calling to '86 47'

Patel spoke a day after Comey appeared on CNN to trash Patel's directorship, where he said 'the guy has literally nothing in his entire adult life that prepares him for this role.'

Comey added that he 'feels a little bit sorry' for Patel, as he compared him to a dog that caught a car and 'now he has to drive it.'

Patel told Baier that he has 'no problem' with Comey criticizing him, and shot back that he has been 'living rent free in that guy's head for years.'

It comes as Patel, who was a frequent critic of the FBI before he was tapped to lead it, has rapidly reshaped the bureau in his first months on the job.

After picking MAGA insider and podcaster Dan Bongino as his deputy director, Patel relocated over 1,500 FBI agents from Washington DC to around the country.

Patel noted that the concentration of FBI agents in DC represented almost a third of its entire workforce, which he said led to a loss of focus on bringing crimes down nationwide.

'A third of the crime doesn't happen here,' the FBI director previously told Fox News.

In recent weeks, Patel also announced that he was re-opening several investigations that had previously gone unresolved.

This includes the mysterious discovery of cocaine inside the White House in 2023, which Secret Service investigators said they couldn't get to the bottom of.

Bongino also revealed this week that he was re-opening investigations into a pipe bomb that was found during the January 6 riots, and the leak of sensitive information from the Supreme Court regarding the overturning of Roe v Wade.

Patel spoke after Comey publicly trashed his directorship, where he said 'the guy has literally nothing in his entire adult life that prepares him for this role'

Comey hit out at Patel, right, and his deputy director Dan Bongino, left, as he branded them 'podcasters' and said they are in over their heads leading the FBI

Patel's FBI recently announced that it was re-opening several investigations that had previously gone unresolved, including the discovery of cocaine in Biden's White House in 2023 (pictured)

Comey made his appearance on CNN soon after, when he took the opportunity to slam Patel and Bongino as 'podcasters.'

'It's a little confusing to me honestly, I'm sure it's a huge adjustment,' he said.

Speaking of Bongino's X post announcing the new investigations, he continued: 'I don't understand this tweet, I assume the investigation of the pipe bomb that was found on January 6 was never closed. The FBI never closes such a thing.

'As to the other things, I thought the Supreme Court Marshall had investigated the leak of the draft opinion, I don't know what the FBI's role is there.

'Cocaine at the White House, I thought the Secret Service investigated that. I don't follow it, and I don't understand it.'

He added: 'The FBI often calls for public assistance, this seems much more narrowly targeted - maybe to a former podcast audience.'
A woman who was gunned down by her husband in a suspected murder-suicide was reportedly planning to leave him when her life was tragically cut short.

Krystel and James Paul, both aged 41, were found dead inside their home in Mount Sheridan, a southern suburb of Cairns in far north Queensland, on Tuesday night.

Police discovered their bodies with gunshot wounds in the bathroom and main room of the Verbena Drive home at about 7pm.

It has since emerged that Ms Paul had revealed to those close to her that she was planning to leaving her husband, the Cairns Post reported.

While the high school sweethearts had no police history of domestic violence or mental health incidents, there are reports that Ms Paul may have been subject to violence from her husband.

High profile domestic violence advocate Sherele Moody claimed she received messages from someone close to Ms Paul, which gave insight into her final moments.

'Krystel Paul had packed her bags, put them in the boot of her car and was walking out the door. He shot her to death,' Ms Moody wrote on Thursday.

'This is why women don't report. This is why women don't leave.'

Krystel Paul (pictured) was planning on leaving her husband shortly before he shot her dead

Krystel and James Paul (pictured) were high school sweethearts who had no history of domestic violence, according to police

Ms Moody's foundation, Australian Femicide Watch, listed Ms Paul as the 31st woman killed in a domestic violence incident in Australia this year.

No residents on Verbena Dr recalled any indication of domestic violence over the two years the couple lived in the recently built home.

Ms Paul owned a bridal boutique in the Cairns CBD named Chanel Jaymes Bridal Boutique, which remained closed for a second consecutive day on Thursday.

Workers from neighbouring businesses recalled seeing her with a man, believed to be her husband, in the days before she was killed.

Stella Florist employee Kane Maneylaws, remembered Ms Paul as a quietly spoken and gentle person.

'It's a very small community, and it's sent a ripple right through the industry,' he said.

'You hear it on the news and a lot of us are pretty desensitised to it these days, but when it hits home personally, it grounds you a bit more when you understand it's really happening in our neighbourhood.'

Police were called to the couple's home on Tuesday night following a triple-zero call from a family member.

Police received a triple-zero call from a family member, prompting a wellness check where officers discovered the couple's bodies (pictured, police at the Pauls' home on Wednesday)

Krystel Paul was the 31st woman killed in a domestic violence incident in Australia this year

Shortly before the shooting, Mr Paul sent the couple's nine-year-old daughter to a neighbour's home.

Danna Lancini recalled finding the little girl in complete shock and struggling to speak.

'I had to comfort her because she told me that her mum was dead,' Ms Lancini told the Cairns Post.

'The girl said, "My dad sent me here because she's dead".'

A police officer close to the investigation said the use of a firearm and Mr Paul's effort to shield his daughter from further trauma indicated his clear intention to murder.

'It's pretty clear, you want them dead, when you go to that extreme, survival chances are pretty limited,' the officer said.

'And there has to be brain processing to protect the children and send them outside to protect them from what is about to happen.'

The couple were well-known in Cairns, where their sudden deaths have rocked the tourist city.

The couple's nine-year-old daughter (pictured with her parents) is being looked after by family

'I never would've expected this to happen to them, there were no signs, nothing, they were just so good,' Ms Lancini said.

Other neighbours were equally shocked.

'To go through all that effort, you know, build a house up there, and get a lovely little puppy, and then just throw it all away,' Cooper Smith said.

'To leave your daughter, it's horrible, I just don't have words for it, honestly.'

Emergency responders arrived to 'traumatising' scenes at the home.

'I have not previously been exposed to anything like this before,' Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell told reporters on Wednesday.

Police don't believe the girl witnessed the incident.

'That still doesn't take away from how traumatising that will be for that child and the family members and friends moving forward,' Det Bell said.

Neighbours did not recall any instances of domestic violence at the family's home (pictured) prior to the shooting

Ms Paul owned a bridal boutique in Cairns CBD named Chanel Jaymes Bridal Boutique (pictured, Ms Paul in her store)

Det Bell also confirmed the Pauls didn't have a domestic violence or mental health history and were not known to police.

'It's always possible that things go on behind closed doors that family, friends and police are not aware of,' Det Bell said.

'But our investigations have indicated to date that there is no indication that there was any domestic violence within that relationship.'

Multiple firearms were located inside the home, all registered to Mr Paul - the head of JP Painting Contractors.

The couple's young daughter is currently in the care of family members, who have been given ongoing support.

'This is not only a tragic occurrence for friends and family it also significantly impacts on the whole of the community,' Det Bell said.

The investigation into the couple's deaths continue, where police are seeking CCTV from businesses surround Ms Paul's bridal shop.

Investigators urge anyone with information or relevant footage in the area to come forward.

Australian Femicide Watch listed Ms Paul (left) as the 31st woman killed in a domestic violence incident in Australia this year

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, free and confidential help is available.

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811, DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636

Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
A Republican congresswoman's town hall meeting descended into chaos earlier this week as the angry residents of a small Iowa town booed her on stage and lobbed insults at her.

Republican House Representative Ashley Hinson faced jeering and heckling at two town halls in Elkader and Decorah in her home state on Wednesday night when she voiced her support for President Trump's sweeping agenda bill.

In one clip captured at the event in Decorah, Hinson told the crowd: 'I was also proud to vote for President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill last week.'

She hardly finishes her sentence before the crowd erupt in boos and heckling, as she says: 'This is a generational investment', before adding: 'This is your time'.

The Des Moines register reported that she was also branded a 'liar' amid sporadic moments of applause for the Republican.

Hinson also said: 'I believe the president is fighting for you, and I'm fighting alongside him.

'I do think the president was saved that day in Butler, Pennsylvania, for a reason', referring to the assassination attempt on his life.

House Republicans approved the bill, dubbed 'the big, beautiful bill', which combines tax breaks, spending cuts, border security funding and other priorities.

Republican House Representative Ashley Hinson faced jeering and heckling at two town halls in Elkader and Decorah in her home state on Wednesday night

Hinson is seen here speaking to the press in March of 2024

The Des Moines Register also reported that she was questioned over Elon Musk's role in government, which he formally stood down from on Wednesday night.

Neil Henkenius told her: 'I'm not only speaking for myself, but I'm speaking for all of the veterans, all of the federal workers that are out there.

'People don't need a billionaire, like Musk, running our country', saying the decision to let him lead DOGE was like giving him a chainsaw.

In response, Hinson said: 'I think that Elon Musk came in and helped to join and lead a team of people who are actively working to find this waste, fraud and abuse every single day.

'Some of the things that they are discovering every day would make your skin crawl', she said as she was again shouted down by those who had gathered, the outlet said.

NBC reported that she was branded a fraud after a man accused Trump and the administration of breaking the law by ignoring the orders of federal judges.

She was asked by one man: 'When are you going to do the responsibility that you were elected for by holding the executive branch accountable up to and including impeachment?'

Hinson said: 'Judges need to follow the law. I don't think this country needs another impeachment charade', which again angered the crowd.

House Republicans, like Hinson, managed to muscle through Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' which will see at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid

Hinson is seen here speaking during an Iowa GOP reception in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in May of 2023

House Republicans, like Hinson, managed to muscle through Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' which will see at least $880 billion in cuts largely to Medicaid.

While Republicans say they are rooting out 'waste, fraud and abuse' to generate savings, Democrats warn it could leave millions of Americans without coverage.

A preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by 8.6 million over the decade.

The bill is estimated to add another $3.8 trillion to the national debt which currently stands at a monstrous $36 trillion.

Olivia Late, a spokesperson for Hinson, told NBC after the heckling that: 'Rep. Hinson is not afraid to face anyone and defend her support for the Trump agenda that is going to help Iowa families, farmers, and workers.'
Authorities are scouring caves and abandoned cabins in the Ozark Mountains as the manhunt for a former police chief and convicted killer who escaped from prison continues.

Grant Hardin, 56, was serving a decades-long sentence for murder and rape when he cunningly escaped the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas on Sunday.

Known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks,' Hardin slipped out of the prison by impersonating a corrections officer 'in dress and manner,' according to a court document.

A prison officer opened a secure gate, allowing him to walk out of the medium-security facility as he pulled what appeared to be a fully loaded dolly.

Searchers are now hunting for the 'extremely dangerous' fugitive in the rural Ozarks region, where experts warn there are plenty of places to hide, from vast forests and abandoned cabins to the hundreds of caves that lead to subterranean spaces.

Locals say Hardin is familiar with the extensive cavern system, which has nearly 2,000 documented caves in the northern part of Arkansas alone.

'[Hardin] knows where the caves are,' said Darla Nix, a cafe owner in the nearby city of Pea Ridge whose sons grew up around him.

Nix, who describes Hardin as a survivor, remembers him as a 'very, very smart' and mostly quiet person.

A massive manhunt is underway for Grant Hardin, 56, (pictured) known as the 'Devil in the Ozarks', who cunningly escaped the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas on Sunday

Video surveillance shows Hardin slipped out of the prison at about 2:55 pm on Sunday by impersonating a corrections officer 'in dress and manner'

Authorities are hunting for the 'extremely dangerous' fugitive in the rural Ozarks region, where experts warn there are plenty of places to hide, from vast forests and abandoned cabins to the hundreds of caves that lead to subterranean spaces

Local, state and federal law enforcement, who say they are 'confident he is still in the area', are continuing the hunt for Hardin in the greater Ozarks region.

'Until we have credible evidence that he is not in the area, we assume that he's probably still in the area,' Rand Champion, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, said at a press conference Wednesday.

But Champion notes that for the searchers, 'caves have definitely been a source of concern and a point of emphasis'.

'That's one of the challenges of this area - there are a lot of places to hide and take shelter, a lot of abandoned sheds, and there are a lot of caves in this area, so that's been a priority for the search team,' Champion said.

The area around the prison is one of the most cave-dense regions of the state, according to an University of Arkansas geology professor who studies caves.

Video surveillance shows Hardin escaped at about 2:55 pm on Sunday, wearing what appeared to be an imitation law enforcement uniform.

The outfit was not a standard inmate or correctional uniform, said Champion. Police are working to determine how Hardin was either able to get the uniform or manufacture it himself.

Authorities also revealed that a prison officer opened a secure gate for the convict, allowing him to leave the facility.

He had been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton. He is pictured during a police interrogation around the time of the murder

Locals warn that Hardin is familiar with the Ozark Mountains' extensive cavern system, which has nearly 2,000 documented caves in the northern part of Arkansas alone (file photo)

Champion said that someone should have checked Hardin's identity before he was allowed to leave the facility, describing the lack of verification as a 'lapse' that is being investigated.

It took authorities approximately 30 minutes to notice Hardin had escaped. Officials publicly announced his escape about two hours later.

But how he got out of the prison and escaped into a rural part of the state, as well as whether he had any help is still unclear.

Prison officials say they are investigating what led up to the escape 'to help determine any assistance he may have had'.

Champion said the decision to house Hardin in a medium-security facility, which has a capacity of about 800 people, weighed the 'needs of the different facilities and inmates' and 'assessments' of his crimes.

Inmates are evaluated and given a classification when they first enter the prison system to determine where they are housed, Champion explained. There are portions of the Calico Rock facility that are maximum-security.

Hardin did not have any major disciplinary issues while incarcerated, the corrections official added.

A prison officer at North Central Unit in Calico Rock (pictured) opened a secure gate, allowing Hardin to walk out of the medium-security facility as he pulled what appeared to be a fully loaded dolly

Hardin was serving a decades-long sentence for murder and rape. He is pictured in court in 2019 as he plead guilty to the rape

Hardin briefly served as the police chief of the tiny town of Gateway, located near the Arkansas-Missouri border, for four months in early 2016.

He had been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton.

Appleton, a Gateway water department employee, was shot in the head in 2017. Police found his body inside a car. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Hardin's DNA was entered into the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, and it matched the 1997 rape of a teacher at an elementary school in Rogers, north of Fayetteville. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison for that crime.

He was a police officer in Eureka Springs at that time.

Hardin was the focus of a popular 2023 HBO documentary, Devil in the Ozarks, that featured interviews with everyone from the victim of the 1997 rape and sisters of the murder victim, to Hardin's family.

The documentary revealed a crucial run-in between Hardin and Appleton in the Spring of 2016 in which Appleton stood up to Hardin about fixing a police car.

'He was out chasing cars for no reason,' said Cheryl Tillman, one of Appleton's sisters. 'He was pulling guns on the citizens here in Gateway and then as time went on with him being the police chief things just started going down hill fast.'

Then Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman, who was Appleton's brother-in-law, described being on the phone with him when he was shot, while local resident John Bray spoke about driving past Appleton's car when the shooting happened.

He was the first to find his body and identified Hardin as the shooter.

'I heard what I thought was someone had fired a rifle,' he said. 'I went back and I seen it looked like he had been shot,' he added, wiping away tears.

Hardin ad been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton (pictured)

Hardin has never provided a motive for the violent murder and was sentenced to 30 years behind bars. Pictured are investigating officers at the scene of the fatal shooting

It revealed key details about the bubbling resentment Hardin felt toward Appleton, as well as revealing accounts of the moments right before and after the murder.

A Benton county sheriff's office lieutenant described several times when they got into each other's faces and the dislike they both felt toward one another.

The city council gave him an ultimatum: resign or be fired. He stepped down four months after taking the position and nine months later, he killed Appleton.

The documentary also includes security video of Hardin at a restaurant with his family just after the shooting and the police interrogation in which he tells law enforcement he has 'the right to be silent' and opted not to give a statement.

Hardin had a checkered and brief law enforcement career.

He worked at the Fayetteville Police Department from August 1990 to May 1991, but was let go because he didnt meet the standards of his training period, a department spokesman said.

Hardin worked about six months at the Huntsville Police Department before resigning, but records do not give a reason for his resignation, according to Police Chief Todd Thomas, who joined the department after Hardin worked there.

Appleton, a Gateway water department employee, was shot in the head in 2017. Police found his body inside a car. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison

Hardin's DNA was entered into the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, and it matched the 1997 rape of a teacher at an elementary school in Rogers, north of Fayetteville. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison for that crime

Hardin later worked at the Eureka Springs Police Department from 1993 to 1996. Former Chief Earl Hyatt said Hardin resigned because Hyatt was going to fire him over incidents that included the use of excessive force.

'He did not need to be a police officer at all,' Hyatt told television station KNWA.

He continued to have trouble in his brief stint as an officer in Gateway, according to the 450-person town's mayor Cheryl Tillman.

While Hardin was the town's sole officer, 'there was things that I seen that wasnt good. He was always angry,' said Tillman, who wasn't mayor at the time.

Authorities have been using canines, drones and helicopters to search for Hardin in the rugged northern Arkansas terrain, Champion said.

The sheriffs of several counties across the Arkansas Ozarks had urged residents to lock their homes and vehicles and call 911 if they notice anything suspicious.

In some ways, the terrain is similar to the site of one of the most notorious manhunts in US history.

Bomber Eric Rudolph, described by authorities as a skilled outdoorsman, evaded law officers for years in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina.

It was a five-year manhunt that finally ended in 2003 with his capture.

Rudolph knew of many cabins in the area owned by out-of-town people, and he also knew of caves in the area, former FBI executive Chris Swecker, who led the agency's Charlotte office at the time, said in the FBI's historical account of the case.

Cheryl Tillman, mayor of Gateway, Ark., and sister of James Appleton, who was fatally shot in 2017, works on her laptop at Town Hall on May 28, 2026

A plaque honoring water department employee James Appleton, who was fatally shot in 2017, hangs at the entrance of Gateway City Park in Gateway, Ark. on May 28, 2025

'He was anticipating a great conflict and he had clearly lined up caves and campsites where he could go,' Swecker said.

Rudolph pleaded guilty to federal charges associated with four bombings in Georgia and Alabama.

There are nearly 2,000 documented caves in northern Arkansas, state officials say. Many of them have entrances only a few feet wide that are not obvious to passersby.

Experts warn it would be quite possible to hide out underground for an extended period, but one would have to go out for food, increasing the likelihood of being discovered.
An infant that was believed to have been mauled to death by the family's pit bull puppy was already dead at the time she was bitten, authorities have revealed.

The heartbreaking case took a grim turn after medical examiners announced the one-month-old infant named Kiyanna Winfield had died from unknown causes before the family's six-week-old pit bull-German shepherd-mix puppy caused the shocking wounds that initially led investigators to believe she had been mauled to death.

According to the girl's parents, their baby girl died from sudden infant death syndrome before the family pit bull attacked her face, they revealed to the New York Post on Thursday.

The mother Lillian Burton insisted that she had nothing to do with her child's death.

'I did not kill my child,' Burton told the Post.

The baby's stepfather Christopher added that she died from sudden infant death syndrome.

'Our baby died of SIDS, from sudden infant death syndrome,' he told the Post. 'She also had medical issues. She had a heart murmur. The dog did eat the baby's face. It was put down.'

'Our baby was alive when we all went to sleep. That is the last thing we know,' he said.

The couple also admitted that the six-week-old pit bull mix named Bella 'had been put down' after the incident.

A horrifying twist in the death of newborn girl that initially appeared to be a fatal puppy mauling has revealed she was already deceased before suffering devastating facial injuries

The heartbreaking case took a turn after medical examiners revealed the one-month-old infant named Kiyanna Winfield had died from unknown causes before the family's six-week-old pit bull-German shepherd mix puppy caused the shocking wounds that initially led investigators to believe she had been mauled to death

'The cause and manner of death are pending further study following the examination today,' a spokesperson for the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner told the Post on Wednesday.

'But we can confirm this is not a death from a dog mauling. The injuries inflicted by the dog were postmortem.'

Baby Kiyanna - who was born April 13 - was tragically discovered in her family's Queensbridge public housing complex apartment on Tuesday morning after what appeared to be a horrific attack.

The nightmare unfolded when the infant's mother frantically dialed 911 just after 6:30am Tuesday.

She said that she had discovered her daughter being savagely attacked by the family pet.

Neighbors later told reporters they heard screaming echoing through the sixth-floor corridors of the public housing complex before emergency responders raced to the scene.

The medical examiner's office did admit the puppy had bitten off a 'substantial portion' of the baby's face - but only after death had already occurred.

The actual cause and manner of death remain shrouded in mystery pending 'a full pediatric workup,' officials said.

According to police reports, the mother told officers she and her partner had been sleeping peacefully with their newborn daughter between them when they awoke to the nightmare scene of their puppy gnawing on the baby's face.

The investigation is ongoing.

'The cause and manner of death are pending further study following the examination today,' a spokesperson for the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner told The New York Post Wednesday (Pictured: Queensbridge public housing)

This comes just a month after a seven-month-old baby girl was mauled to death by a family dog at her home in Columbus, Ohio.

Elizah Turner was fatally attacked by one of her family's three pit bulls in April.

The injured infant was first taken to a nearby fire station before she was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

There were multiple dogs inside the home at the time of the attack, but it is unclear exactly which one bit the baby, Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua told WBNS at the time.

He called the incident a tragic accident and said no charges are expected to be filed.

'There is really not a lot of words I can say to convey how I feel and how the officers who arrived [feel]. Everyone in this process is literally grieving as if this child belonged to us because most of us are parents and can't imagine just how this scene is,' Fuqua added.

After the tragedy, the pit bulls were seen being escorted out of the home by Franklin County Animal Control. The agency will determine what happens to the dogs.
A senior living facility in Florida is under fire for 'evicting' elderly residents to secretly make way for upscale luxury apartments as the infamous retirement hot spot undergoes a baby boom transformation.

Oasis Living Quarters, a senior care facility in Fort Lauderdale, came under intense scrutiny in March after allegedly telling some of its 180 residents they'd have to leave their homes without giving proper notice or obtaining the correct permits, Local 10 News reported.

The facility is now facing massive fines after a building inspector discovered construction he described as being 'much like hotel rooms' while many of the seniors are still living at the facility.

City officials are slapping Oasis with $1000 daily fines for 'unpermitted construction' - work they claim is a covert effort to capitalize on demand for luxury housing in sun-soaked Fort Lauderdale.

In a city long considered a paradise for retirees, a wave of anger and disbelief has been rising among residents and their families, many of whom are elderly and need extra care.

'It's heart-wrenching,' Jim Woods, whose mother was forced out of the facility in April, told CBS News.

'Some residents don't know what's going on.'

On March 5, Oasis residents were summoned to an emergency meeting where management abruptly informed them that they had until the end of the month to vacate.

Oasis Living Quarters (pictured), a senior care facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, came under intense scrutiny in March after allegedly forcing some 180 elderly residents out of their homes without proper notice or permits

In a city long considered a paradise for retirees , a wave of anger and disbelief is rising among residents and their families, many of whom are elderly and need extra care (pictured: Fort Lauderdale)

On March 5, Oasis residents were summoned to an emergency meeting where management abruptly informed them that they had until the end of the month to vacate (pictured: resident being evicted from Oasis)

The change left many feeling 'blindsided' and unprepared for such a sudden upheaval, with families demanding answers from building management.

'We are all depressed,' Alonso and Patseta Lawhorn, who have lived at the Oasis facility for more than eight years, told NBC Miami News in March.

'Some people had to go to the hospital and some people got sick,' they added.

'I suffer from hypertension and I have one kidney and my spleen is out and my husband suffers from PTSD, and everybody is all stressed and sick.'

According to residents, all units of the facility - Independent Living, Assisted Living and the Memory Care Unit - were impacted in the mass move.

'We have to move out because they are dismantling the memory care unit,' Steven DeLeon, whose 83-year-old family member lives there, told NBC.

Milton Amengual, whose 94-year-old mother had only moved into the facility three months prior to the 'mandatory' meeting, also joined other families grappling with the shock.

'My mother is nervous. She hasn't slept in a few days just thinking about the fact that she has to move,' Amengual told Local 10.

The change left many feeling 'blindsided' and unprepared for such a sudden upheaval, with families demanding answers from building management (pictured: angry residents and family at mandatory meeting in March)

According to residents, all units of the facility - Independent Living, Assisted Living and the Memory Care Unit - were all affected in the mass move

According to Oasis, the move was because the facility would be undergoing renovations to 'enhance the overall experience' (pictured: letter from Oasis management about renovations)

'She at first thought she did something wrong - but I said, no you didn't do anything wrong.'

According to Oasis, the move was because the facility would be undergoing renovations to 'enhance the overall experience'.

However, just days later, moving trucks and vans were already filling the facility's parking lot, concealing torn-out drywall and beginning to remodel units - all while residents were still in the process of finding new homes.

Last month, Fort Lauderdale building inspector Andrew Gebbia visited the facility in response to multiple complaints about the treatment of elderly residents.

During that visit, he uncovered unpermitted construction tied to the controversial conversion into Waterview Rental, prompting a scathing 30-page report that outlined dozens of violations.

The work, Gebbia explained, involved the 'replacement of kitchenettes, structural plumbing and electrical, and replacement of split-unit ACs', as reported by Local 10.

'As I walked through the building, I observed renovations being done in a number of rooms, much like hotel rooms,' Gebbia said, Local 10 reported.

'There were no permits issued for this work, so I issued a stop work order, left it on the counter in the main entrance,' he added.

Moving trucks and vans were already filling the facility's parking lot days after the meeting, concealing torn-out drywall and beginning to remodel units - all while residents were still in the process of finding new homes (pictured)

Last month, Fort Lauderdale building inspector Andrew Gebbia visited the facility in response to multiple complaints about the treatment of elderly residents (pictured: front of Oasis)

During that visit, Gebbia uncovered unpermitted construction tied to the controversial conversion, prompting a scathing 30-page report that outlined dozens of violations (pictured)

The work, Gebbia explained, involved the 'replacement of kitchenettes, structural plumbing and electrical, and replacement of split-unit ACs' (pictured)

The released state inspection report detailed a series of unusual exchanges between inspector Gebbia and Oasis administrator Steven Gottlieb, raising further questions about the facility's conduct.

While Gebbia accused the facility of kicking out residents while secretly converting the complex into luxury apartments, Gottlieb denied that any evictions had taken place, as reported by the outlet.

Instead, the administrator blamed the departure of residents since the inspector's last visit to natural deaths and rude nursing staff, rather than any forced evictions.

Also last month, Oasis was hit with a court injunction over the alleged evictions, after a civil court judge sided with a grieving attorney who had been advocating for the vulnerable seniors, as reported by Local 10 News.

On April 2, Broward County Circuit Judge William W. Haury, Jr. issued a court order requiring Oasis to stop evicting residents. The facility's attorneys requested that he overturn the order - which he didn't.

Oasis was also facing citations from the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration for violating rules meant to protect residents.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the senior living facility will now be fined $1,000 a day by the city if they don't come into compliance within 15 days.

'To me, this is why I'm so aggressive with this particular case,' Fort Lauderdale Building Committee Vice Chair Donald Karney III said during a meeting Tuesday morning, Local 10 reported.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the senior living facility will now be fined $1,000 a day by the city if they don't come into compliance within 15 days

The Oasis administrator denied any evictions and instead blamed the departure of residents since the inspector's last visit to natural deaths and rude nursing staff (pictured: eviction of a resident)

With just 15 days to comply, many believe Oasis has no realistic chance of meeting the deadline, which could mean mounting fines soaring into the tens of thousands - potentially exceeding $100,000

'They've done these people extremely dirty and that's why I'm being such a stick in the mud about it.'

Karney also declared that he's 'going after big money for the city and giving them the same amount of time they gave these poor old people to get out of their places they call homes'.

With just 15 days to comply, many believe Oasis has no realistic chance of meeting the deadline, which could mean mounting fines soaring into the tens of thousands - potentially exceeding $100,000, the outlet reported.

Notably, the Oasis administrator skipped Tuesday's meeting, but members are demanding his presence at the next one scheduled for July 22.

Oasis Living Quarters management did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com for comment.

Fort Lauderdale, commonly known as a hub for retirees, is now appealing to young families as the city is witnessing a massive baby boom transformation.

According to the Downtown Development Authority's recent annual report, there has been an 83 percent increase in families with kids since 2018.

In the past five years, there has been a 47 percent increase in families with children under five years old migrating to the sunny area.

New data also suggests that families have chosen to flock to the downtown area because of its $10 million infrastructure expansion, including the renovation of Huizenga Park and its enhanced dining scene.

Young families have also found that the area is a bit cheaper than that of nearby West Palm Beach or Miami, where the average rent is $3,000 a month, compared to $2621 in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Not only have families noticed the drastic change in population, but local businesses and daycare centers have too.
A farmer killed himself the day before Rachel Reeves budget because he was worried about Labour's inheritance tax raid, a coroner has found.

John Charlesworth, 78, wasnt going to let the government beat him and wanted to pass on the farm on his terms, an inquest heard.

Following the verdict of suicide, his family urged the government to rethink the hated policy, under which farms above 1m will be made subject to the tax from next year.

Mr Charlesworth, a farmer all his working life and a keen church bellringer, was found dead at his farm in Silkstone, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on October 29, the day before Ms Reeves budget.

Although struggling with the care of his dementia-stricken wife Carolyn, 74, who died four months later in a care home, son Jonathan and daughter Verity said they believe he would still be here were it not for the financial worries over inheritance tax.

Concluding the inquest in Sheffield, Coroner Tanyka Rawden said: He had caring responsibilities and was worried about the implementation of the new form of inheritance tax which could see the family lose 50 per cent of their farm, ultimately causing him to take his life the day before the changes were due to be announced.

Speaking outside Sheffield Coroners Court, Verity Charlesworth, 45, urged the government to rethink the inheritance tax raid. She said: Its not too late to change before someone else loses their life like my dad.

John Charlesworth in years gone by tending to his animals on the family farm near Barnsley

Mr Charlesworth's children Verity, left, and Jonathan, right, with family friend Paul Denton

Jonathan Charlesworth, 47, who took over the running of the farm prior to his fathers death so he could care for his wife, gave a message to the Chancellor, saying: If shed have been here, I would have hoped she would have listened to the evidence. Id tell her to go out and visit other farms, see them working for 3.50, 5 an hour.

Government policy caused my dads death and will no doubt cause more before the tax change comes in in 2026.

I wish my dad hadnt done it, no land is worth that sacrifice, but it will happen again.

The policy really wants abolishing or adjusting somehow. At the very least, they need to extend the implementation date. Eighteen months is not long-enough.

He added: It was good to hear the coroner agreed with what we already knew, that it was the inheritance tax that really ended my fathers life. If it wasnt for that, he would still be here.

Jonathan had earlier told the inquest his father knew his wife of 51 years' condition had worsened to the point she did not have long left.

He said: He was certainly having thoughts he would be able to go back to doing stuff on the farm and go back to bell ringing.

But he added that for the six weeks before (his death) the only thing he would ever talk about was inheritance tax and how he was going to deal with it.

He became very down about the financial burden which could be imposed.

But Jonathan added: He wasnt going to let the government beat him, he wanted (to leave the farm) on his terms and no one was going to take that away from him.

He thought he was doing it for the greater good of us.

Distraught son Jonathan Charlesworth, who keeps 40 cows and 120 sheep at the farm

The inquest heard Mr Charlesworth, known to family and friends by his middle name, Philip, had last spoken to his son at 7pm the previous evening. Both lived in neighbouring houses on the farm.

Jonathan found his father in a barn early the next morning after receiving a worried phone call from his uncle and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination found the cause of death was hanging.

Mr Charlesworths GP, Dr Matthew Teesdale, said he had minimal contact with the surgery apart from treatment for hypertension and atrial fibrillation, a heart condition.

There was no documented history of mental health issues or suicidal thoughts prior to his death, Dr Teesdale added.

Mr Charlesworth had contact in the days before his death with a mental health team concerning support to help him care for his wife.

They recorded he needed support to help him cope with his wife and was feeling anxious but had no suicidal thoughts. A further visit was planned.

But Verity said: Its not something he would say, that he was anxious.

Her brother added: It had got to the stage where he admitted he needed some help (but) he was talking about having a bit of freedom if my mum went.

Jonathan added: I believe my dad took his own life the day before the budget because he believed this would beat the governments inheritance tax proposals and save the farm for future generations.

Its very sad he believed he would have to take his own life to save his farm.

After Mr Charlesworths death, a note entitled till death do us part was found at his home setting funeral plans including a poem, his ashes to be scattered in woodland, and for no sad songs or church services.

He had also left a separate note with instructions about the future of the farm and referring to inheritance tax.

Paying tribute to her father, Verity told how farming was very much a defining part of his identity.

Mr Charlesworth, from a farming family and who went to agricultural college, had been with Carolyn since they met while she was at a teaching college 52 years earlier.

The couple, accompanied by their daughter, were regular bellringers at Silkstone Church, with Mr Charlesworth being tower captain.

He was a grandfather of six and loved to involve (his grandchildren) with jobs on the farm. He was loved by many and will be sadly missed.

Jonathan said he had taught me everything I know about farming and would do anything for anyone.

He previously accused the Prime Minister of having 'blood on his hands' over the government's inheritance tax raid on farmers.

His father ran a 70-acre farm on the outskirts of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, which had been in his family since the 1950s.

But pre-budget news predicting the tax raid  ending the practice of allowing farmers to pass on estates without inheritance tax - had 'eaten away' at him and was the 'final straw', his son said.

Clive Bailye, who runs The Farming Forum website, said: 'Without a doubt this case is not unique. I'm aware of others which haven't got to inquest stage yet. It's a big problem.

'A farm is a lifetime's work. It's not like losing a job or any other business. To see it potentially lost is like having a child taken away.

'The government should ideally scrap this policy, otherwise review it or at the very least delay it.

'A lot of the older farmers in their 70s or 80s haven't got the time left to plan for it.

'There are worries that, heading to the April 2026 deadline, an awful lot of other people are considering similar action.'

The tax grab has seen farmers hold a series of protests including in Parliament Square

Farmers held placards denouncing the government for the impact of tax changes on the sector

Gareth Wyn-Jones, among the leaders of farmers' protests against the IHT tax grab, said: 'This case is absolutely tragic. It could have been something which didn't have to happen. There could be a lot more of them.

'The government needs to 100 per cent scrap this policy.'

Meanwhile, Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael, who chairs the environment, food and rural affairs select committee, added his name to the pleas for a policy rethink.

Describing Mr Charlesworth's death as 'absolutely heartbreaking', he said: 'My deepest condolences go out to the Charlesworth family.

Alistair Carmichael, who has urged Rachel Reeves to reconsider her tax changes

'There has been a growing mental health crisis for years amongst farmers. Concerns for mental health was just one of the reasons for which the select committee recently called on the government to pause the implementation of their planned inheritance tax changes and to start again.

'This is a concern that goes across the political divide. Our committee has a Labour majority - seven out of 11 members are Labour MPs - but we produced a unanimous report.

'It is possible to reform the tax in a way that doesn't put farmers (especially older farmers) under this sort of pressure while still catching the super-rich who buy up land, not to farm it but to shelter their wealth from inheritance tax.'

The National Farmers' Union said its 'thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family of Mr Charlesworth' - and that it had repeatedly asked minister to 'think again about the human impact of this policy'.

A spokesperson said: 'Whatever our differences on the family farm tax policy, we have repeatedly said to government that we don't believe it intended this policy to have the invidious effect it has had on elderly farmers.

'Over the past ten months, both publicly and privately, we have repeatedly called for this government to think again about the human impact of this policy - and act.'

Speaking last October, Jonathan told the Daily Mail: 'I'm not sure you could publish what I'd say to (Keir Starmer). He's got blood on his hands.

'He's totally destroying an industry we rely on.'

Jonathan, who now looks after the 70-acre farm of sheep and cattle at Silkstone, in the Pennine foothills, himself, added: 'This government has absolutely zero understanding of agriculture let alone how it works.

'They think we're just jumped-up millionaires riding around in Land Rovers but that's not true.

'This government have killed ambition in this country  what's the point of doing well, building up a business, if it's all going to be taken away?'

John Charlesworth had left a handwritten note referring to the inheritance tax change

Jonathan revealed his father spent his final hours writing down his thoughts on how to protect the future of his business from the government's inheritance tax raid before taking his own life.

He found a handwritten note where the Yorkshire farmer had jotted down his ideas for how best to leave the farm to his children.

The musings, left on a clipboard immediately beneath a suicide note, included questions for the family's solicitor covering costs, capital gains tax, protected agricultural exemptions and what gifted assets could be sheltered from inheritance tax under the seven-year rule.

On the budget, Mr Charlesworth had written: 'Is it possible to execute before law changes', and wondered 'how long' it would take for the policy to charge inheritance tax on farms worth over 1million to be implemented.

Jonathan said: 'The suicide note was on top of the clipboard and this was underneath it.

'That's what he was working on before he went and did it. It's fairly obvious what was on his mind.

'He was very methodical, my dad. The police have taken the suicide note and I tried to give the note about inheritance to them as well. It's got his workings out, how to save the farm from potential inheritance tax.'

Jonathan said his father wrote in the suicide note that he had 'left some beers in the fridge' for his son, adding: 'I appreciate all the help and support you've given me.'

Further lines were written to his daughter, who is not involved in the farm, which has been in the family since 1957.

Although Mr Charlesworth sr was sole carer for his dementia-stricken wife Carolyn, who had to be placed in a home, his son said he was 'talking more about inheritance tax lately than about caring for his wife'.

John Charlesworth was found after his son received a phone call from his worried uncle

Jonathan revealed he found his father after receiving a call from a family friend who had been unable to get hold of the pensioner on the phone.

He said his 'first thoughts' were shielding his youngest children - a son aged seven and daughter, nine, who live with him - from the tragedy, so called their mother to take them to her house before emergency services arrived.

Father-of-four Jonathan, who keeps 40 cattle and 120 sheep, said he still hopes to be able to leave the 70-acre farm to his children one day, with his youngest son particularly interested.

'Even his teachers say all he ever talks about is farming and tractors. He's like I was at that age,' he said.

Although the farm, which also includes a small camp site and shepherds' huts, is worth approximately 2million on paper, Jonathan's income last year was under 15,000, equivalent to an hourly rate less than half the minimum wage.

He added: 'I put in up to 60 hours a week, so that works out at less than 5 an hour and I only had four to five nights away with my partner.

'I haven't had a week's holiday for 13 years  yet the government is asking farmers to fund the pay rises of train drivers, nurses and doctors and everyone else.'

'The most I've ever made was 30,000 a year, when my dad was running the farm and I had another job.'

Jonathan Charlesworth said he earns the equivalent of less than half national minimum wage

Jonathan told how he has been left 'numb' and 'exhausted' by the tragedy  which he first revealed in an anonymous post on The Farming Forum website.

In the post, he wrote: 'This morning I found my dad in the barn having taken his own life.

'So afraid of the IHT implications on farms he took his own life rather than see the government take half the farm in IHT.

'As a family, we are devastated and in shock! This is the human cost of government policy or potential government policy.

'They claim to be for the working man, no man worked harder than dad. He increased the acreage from my grandad's day and was proud of what he achieved.'

In the post, Jonathan also told he believed his father aimed to 'beat the budget by ending his life' and that it is what happens when 'you have built something your entire life and see it robbed from beneath your kids' feet'.

He said the family did not make enough money to pay a large inheritance tax bill, nor would they be able to borrow it.

Jonathan Charlesworth believes Chancellor Rachel Reeves should have had 'better insight' about the impact of her hated policy as her husband is a senior civil servant for DEFRA

Jonathan has called on farmers to protest instead by withholding their produce.

Calling on the government to rethink scrapping inheritance tax relief for farms worth over 1million  which campaigners say will lead to the break-up of family farms to pay death duties - he added: 'Rachel Reeves's husband Nicholas Joicey is Second Permanent Secretary at the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs.

'She should have better knowledge of what will happen as a result of this policy.'

The Government expects the new tax rules to raise an extra half a billion pounds by 2028/9.

The Treasury says just 27 per cent of farms will be affected, but the NFU says the true figure, based on analysis of DEFRA figures, is 66 per cent.

The new rules mean farmers can pass on 1 million of agricultural assets tax-free, in addition to exemptions for all inheritances - a 325,000 tax-free allowance, plus a further 175,000 for a main residence.

The Treasury argues this means most farmers can use all three and pass on 1.5 million of assets without tax - and if the farm is owned by a married couple, both are eligible for the exemptions. This would enable them to jointly pass on 3 million of assets.

However, critics have repeatedly warned that farming families who are asset-rich on paper will now not have enough money to cover the inheritance tax.

The Treasury defended its approach to changing farmers inheritance tax relief as fair and balanced.

A Treasury spokesperson said: Our sympathies are with the loved ones of Mr Charlesworth and the farming community.

The vast majority of estates claiming these reliefs will still pay no additional inheritance tax, and those that do will pay a reduced rate and be able to pay over 10 years interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach to help fix the public services we all rely on.

Officials stressed that above the 1 million allowance, individuals will still access 50 per cent relief from inheritance tax and will pay inheritance tax at a reduced effective rate up to 20 per cent, rather than the standard 40 per cent, while two people with farmland can pass on up to 3 million without paying any inheritance tax.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
A tech sales executive accused of trying to lure a missing girl across the country for sex has surrendered to police after eight days in hiding.

Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, allegedly spent months grooming Alisa Petrov, 15, after getting in contact via Instagram through her secret iPad.

He slowly gained her trust and police alleged convinced her to send him nude photos and engage in perverted sexual fantasies before agreeing to meet in person.

Alisa suddenly disappeared from her school in Utah on April 21, and messages between the two revealed they had arranged to meet in Las Vegas.

Police believe they never actually met, but Alisa has not been seen or heard from since she was spotted asking for help to get a bus ticket to Las Vegas.

Menard was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and three counts of criminal solicitation on May 20.

Police earlier refused to say why he wasn't in custody, but late on Wednesday night he finally turned himself in after traveling to Utah from his home in Miami and was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

A second man Alisa was talking to, identified by police as William Taylor Glines, 37, from Texas City, Texas, was arrested on May 8 and remains in custody.

South Jordan Police also arrested a third man late on Wednesday, who was allegedly grooming Alisa days before she disappeared.

Alisa Petrov, 15, disappeared after she was dropped off at her school in American Fork, Utah, on April 21 and hasn't been seen since that day

Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, from Miami was charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and criminal solicitation

Samuel Teancum Mitchell, 41, lived in Herriman, Utah, only streets away from Alisa's home in South Jordan, on the edge of Salt Lake City.

He was also thrown in the Salt Lake County Jail and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.

Mitchell comes from a very large Mormon family originally from North Carolina, and moved to Utah as a child along with his 11 brothers and sisters.

One of his brothers, Abe Mitchell, took his own life on February 24 last year and Mitchell started a fundraiser that collected $8,000 for his funeral costs.

Police allegedly found perverted messages between the pair on Alisa's iPad, exchanged through Discord and Snapchat, according to a search warrant.

Alisa asked Mitchell to 'kidnap' her while she was on a family ski trip, and revealed she was running away from home two days before she went missing.

'IM RUNNING AWAY, please don't contact me,' she wrote at 12.34am on April 19, the search warrant alleged.

Messages between Alisa and Mitchell included her telling him she wanted to be a vlogger when she turned 18, but also allegedly contained graphic descriptions of sexual acts he wanted to do to her when they met in person.

She was only saved from this fate when Mitchell told her they couldn't meet, the affidavit explained.

'Sorry I'm really sick,' Mitchell allegedly wrote. Alisa replied: 'So we meeting?'

Mitchell responded: 'If you want to hear me sneezing and coughing and getting you sick, plus I wouldn't be much fun.'

Samuel Teancum Mitchell, 41, is the third alleged pedophile arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting Alisa online before she disappeared

William Taylor Glines, 37, from Texas City, Texas, allegedly had graphic sexual conversations with Alisa before she ran away

Beneath Menard's clean-cut, designer stubbled face was allegedly a depraved desire

South Jordan Police requesting the search warrant alleged Alisa called Mitchell 'daddy' and they discussed 'couples twister' and 'sex monopoly' games.

Alisa also requested multiple times for Mitchell to 'kidnap her' and eight days before she ran away sent him locations where she would be, the affidavit alleged.

One of these was the Alta Ski Resort, where Alisa was on a trip with her parents the weekend before she disappeared - returning only hours earlier.

Some of the photos her parents Olga and Nikolai released in the hope of finding her were taken on the same ski trip.

After Mitchell said he was sick, Alisa instead allegedly arranged to meet Menard in Las Vegas while he was there on a business trip, and from there fly to Los Angeles, then his home in Miami.

On April 21, Alisa was dropped off at her school, Canyon Grove Academy, in American Fork, about 32 miles south of Salt Lake City.

But instead of going to class, she bought supplies at a nearby gas station and convinced a man there to drive her to the local train station.

Alisa got off the train in Provo, about 14 miles south of American Fork, and asked multiple people there to help her get a bus ticket to Las Vegas.

Alisa allegedly Mitchell to 'kidnap her' from a family ski trip (pictured on that trip) the weekend before she went missing

Alisa returned from a family trip to Alta Ski Resort in Utah only hours before she disappeared. Some of the photos her parents released were taken on the same ski trip

Mitchell allegedly planned to meet Alisa in person, but it was called off after he got sick

Menard, an IT sales executive, grew up in Noblesville outside Indianapolis the youngest of four brothers, then moved to Chicago and finally Miami.

But beneath his clean-cut, designer stubbled face was allegedly a depraved desire to sexually abuse young girls.

Police detailed in affidavits the disturbing messages between Alisa and Menard dating back to January 17.

'[Menard] over the course of several months, corresponded with [the teen] for the purpose of soliciting sex, sodomy, and child sex abuse material from the minor,' the affidavit continued.

'[He] discussed in graphic detail his intent to sexually abuse the child. [He] encouraged and engaged with [the teen] all from the state of Florida, where all his substantial ties to the community and resources are.'

Menard's lawyers, Collins Rupp in Bountiful, north of Salt Lake City, did not return calls.

Glines was arrested in Texas City on May 8 and remains in custody charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted aggravated exploitation of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and criminal solicitation.

He was also charged by police in Texas with possessing more than 50 child sexual abuse images or videos. He is yet to enter a plea.

The probable cause affidavit detailed disturbing conversations between Glines and Alisa, including how he allegedly convinced he to send nude photos and videos.

'[Alisa] expresses feeling extremely uncomfortable and anxious sending pictures and photos of herself, to the point it made her want to self-harm,' it alleged.

Mitchell comes from a very large Mormon family originally from North Carolina, and moved to Utah as a child along with his 11 brothers and sisters

Alisa skipped school and got on a train to Provo, Utah, then tried to go to Las Vegas to meet one of the alleged pedophiles. He planned to fly her to his home in Miami via Los Angeles

She was spotted on surveillance footage making a purchase at a local gas station before boarding a UTA train.

She was so uncomfortable that on one occasion when Glines allegedly threatened to punish her if she refused, she asked for the punishment instead.

He told her to beat herself with a piece of wood or a hairbrush as hard as she could, explaining 'I'm a sadist'.

'I'm just saying if the average person knew I was talking to you they'd want to cut my f**king d**k [off],' he said during another conversation.

Police have not said if any of the three men knew each other.

'[Police] say they cannot guarantee [that Alisa is still alive], but there was no indication that she's not,' Alisa's mother, Olga Petrov, told DailyMail.com.

'They say they still have some leads... but we have no idea what kind of leads, they're not saying anything.'

Olga said she and her husband, Nikolai, were vigilant in protecting their daughter and educated her about the dangers of talking to strangers online.

'We regularly check her phone and there was nothing suspicious. Everything seemed to be normal, just classmates, neighbors,' she said.

'We never thought she could be talking to strangers in this way.'

Alisa as a young girl with her parents Olga and Nikolai Petrov, who did all they could to keep their daughter safe from dangers lurking in the shadows

Whether Alisa made it to Las Vegas and met either of the men is unclear, as is what happened to her after she was seen in Provo, Utah

The worried mother hoped Alisa was just staying away because 'I would assume she's really embarrassed.'

She said Alisa didn't have much money and that she didn't have a coat, even though it was below 40 degrees on some of nights after she went missing.

'So somebody else is either helping her and we don't know who or where... I'm not suspecting the worst,' Olga said.

'That means she's with somebody else and we don't know if it's a good person or a bad person.'

Alisa was very trusting of people and liked to strike up conversations with others in the park while hiking or on family holidays.

'She was always trying to meet people to talk to people, like I mean she was just trusting, and we cautioned her about it all the time to at least to be careful,' her mother said.

'That's just how she is... and they took advantage of her.'

Olga (pictured with a young Alisa) said the iPad was so well hidden that she and her husband missed it when they searched their house for clues after she didn't come home

Petrov's desperate family are offering a $20,000 reward for anyone with information on her whereabouts

Petrov's desperate family is offering a $20,000 reward for anyone with information on her whereabouts.

They set up a website with a desperate appeal to the teen, insisting she wouldn't be in trouble if she returned.

'Alisa, if you can see this, please know that we love you, we will always love you. We miss you. All of your friends and our friends are very worried too,' her parents wrote.

Police have classified the teen as an endangered runaway.

She is described as standing about 5-foot-3 and weighing about 122 pounds.

Surveillance footage from the gas station showed her wearing a white shirt with darker lettering on the front.
Bryan Kohberger's apparent evidence pointing to an alternate killer in the murders of four University of Idaho students has been sealed, shrouding the bombshell allegations in secrecy.

Judge Steven Hippler granted a request from the accused killer's defense team this week to keep its filing 'in Support of Offer of Proof RE: Alternate Perpetrators and its supporting exhibits' sealed.

As it stands, the identity of this suspect or suspects and what evidence the defense has that could tie them to the brutal murders remains a mystery.

It also remains to be seen whether or not the judge will allow the defense to present these claims to the jury at his capital murder trial - and so whether or not the public will ever learn the answers to those questions.

Kohberger is due to go on trial this August charged with the November 13, 2022, murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in a horrific crime that shocked the nation.

The suspect is accused of breaking into a three-story, off-campus home in the heart of the college town of Moscow, Idaho, and stabbing the victims to death.

Two other roommates survived, with one of them coming face-to-face with the masked killer moments after the attack.

Now, in an explosive 11th-hour move just three months before his trial, Kohberger's lawyers claim to have identified an alternate suspect they say could be the real killer.

Bryan Kohberger (pictured at his extradition hearing in January 2023) is facing trial in August

The four students were murdered inside 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13 2022

Based on comments made by his attorneys, the alternate suspect appears to be someone who cropped up during the initial law enforcement investigation.

In a hearing on April 9, Kohberger's lead attorney Anne Taylor told the court she had found a lead on another suspect buried among a trove of tips collected by police.

She also previously revealed the defense's plans to argue Kohberger was framed by someone planting his DNA at the crime scene - and that two people must have committed the crime using two weapons.

Judge Hippler gave the defense a deadline of May 23 to hand over evidence to support the claims.

'Provide me with whatever actual evidence you have that supports those allegations, other than just allegations,' he said in a May 15 hearing.

'And two, provide for me how it is you believe that what you're offering is admissible. It seemed to me much of what you had put in there was fairly potentially fairly objectionable in terms of admissibility. So, I would like to see that.'

Court records show the documents were filed by May 23, with the judge granting the defense's motion to keep them under seal.

Now, the prosecution has until June 6 to respond to the claims before a court hearing is held later that month where the judge will decide if the defense can present this alternate suspect at the trial.

Young couple Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were found dead on the second floor of the home

Best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen were found dead in the same bed in Mogen's room on the third floor

Experts told the Daily Mail that the theory could have a 'significant impact' on the trial if jurors hear it.

'Ultimately, the jury has to be unanimous if you convince just one juror that there is a reasonable alternative suspect, he walks,' criminal defense attorney David Seltzer said.

He believes the idea could provide a powerful story to counter the more technical prosecution case.

'The state's problem is it's a DNA trial, and DNA trials are boring. They're not engaging because people don't understand the science of DNA,' he said.

Kohberger was connected to the murders after his DNA was found on a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath at the scene.

Prosecutors also found cellphone records placing him outside the student home multiple times prior to the murders, as well as surveillance footage showing a vehicle matching his car speeding away.

For a jury, the idea of an alternate suspect 'is something you can hold on to, that here's somebody else who did the crime,' Seltzer said.

The significant move comes as the defense is also trying to delay the trial altogether - citing a recent Dateline episode that revealed bombshell new details about the case.

Bryan Kohberger snapped this creepy selfie six hours after the brutal Moscow murders

The show revealed the suspected killer's phone records, porn choices and online searches for Ted Bundy.

It also aired never-before-seen surveillance footage of a suspect vehicle fleeing the horrific crime scene on November 13, 2022.

Days after the show aired, Judge Hippler handed down a scathing court order saying that the release of sensitive information in the episode shows that someone close to the case has likely violated the gag order.

He warned that this could make it more difficult to seat an impartial jury when Kohberger goes on trial for his life this August - something that those close to the victims described as 'a distraction.'

The judge ordered an investigation into the leak, vowing to root out the source and hold the culprit to account.

Both sides were ordered to preserve all records around the case and to hand over a list of names of everyone who might have had access to the information revealed on the show, including staff members, law enforcement officers and defense consultants.

New court filings reveal that both the defense and prosecution have now handed over these records.

In other filings, the defense also asked the judge to allow witnesses who may testify in the penalty phase of the trial - if Kohberger is convicted - to attend the trial phase.

Typically, witnesses cannot attend a criminal trial until after they have taken the stand to prevent their testimony being shaped by what they hear.

But, the defense asked that these mitigation witnesses - who will only testify if he is convicted - be excluded from this requirement.

The judge has already made an exception for Kohberger's immediate family members so that they can support him inside the courtroom for every day of his high-profile trial - even before they are called to the stand to testify against him.

Prosecutors plan to call some of Kohberger's family members - father Michael, mother MaryAnn and two older sisters Amanda and Melissa - as witnesses for the state.

Another newly-released court order provides further information about the jury selection process.

The judge revealed that, before voir dire begins - where potential jurors are questioned about their impartiality as part of the selection process - questionnaires will be distributed to and completed by jurors at the Ada County Courthouse.

'In order to maximize courtroom space and efficiency of this process, and because the distribution of questionnaires is an administrative function, observation of this process is limited to Counsel and the Defendant,' the order states.

Hundreds to thousands of potential jurors will be called to the courthouse to respond to the questionnaires in order to narrow down the pool.

Due to the high-profile nature of the case and the evidence leak, the judge plans to have eight alternate jurors - as opposed to the typical number of six - taking the full panel up to 20.

Jury selection is slated to begin in late July or early August, with the trial getting underway August 11.

If convicted, Kohberger faces the death penalty.

Due to changes in state law, he could face the firing squad if sent to death row.
A 'vile' passenger told two young women he would 'kill' them and their boyfriends in a shocking fit of rage on the train.

Footage filmed by the victims shows a man called 'Elijah' shout the threats repeatedly while his friends urge him to stop as they travel between Cardiff Central and Swindon.

He exclaims: 'I'll kill you. I'll kill your boyfriend. I'll follow you. I'll follow you to your house. I'll follow you to your boyfriend's house, I'll kill your boyfriend. Whatever bro.'

Eye witnesses said the passenger had demanded a group of women tell him who was the most attractive out of him and his friends.

The crazed commuter later adds: 'If those two girls want to move, you can go. I'm not going to f***ing stop you from going.'

At one point the female passengers explain they 'shouldn't be the ones to move' to which the uncouth man puts his hand to his mouth and gasps in exaggeration.

'Elijah' allegedly threw dried chewing gum at a third woman during the journey and 'made one cry'.

People have since taken to social media to express their disgust, branding the passenger 'cowardly' and 'immature'.

Footage filmed by the victims shows a man called 'Elijah' shout the threats repeatedly while his friends urge him to stop

Eye witnesses said Elijah had demanded a group of women say who is most attractive out of him and his friends on the journey between Cardiff Central and Swindon

Some social media users praised Elijah's friends for trying to stop him adding he is a 'very immature young man'

One social media user said 'absolutely appalling behaviour' while another added 'he's clearly emotionally mature hopefully his mother sees this and puts him right'

The crazed commuter began filming the young women himself say he 'didn't care' that they were recording him

'Elijah' even began arguing with his friends as they suggested he should move and that his behaviour was 'embarassing'

One person said 'absolutely appalling behaviour' while another added 'he's clearly emotionally mature hopefully his mother sees this and puts him right'.

A third said: 'At least his friends were trying to stop him. Very immature young man.'

The British Police (BTP) are investigating the confrontation believed to have taken place on the evening of May 18.

A force spokesman said: 'We're aware of a video circulating on social media showing a woman being repeatedly threatened by a man on a train.

'There is absolutely no place for violent or intimidating behaviour on the railway network, and we encourage the victim or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 271 of May 18.

'You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.'

The incident is the latest shocking example of what some female train passengers have had to put up with on a daily basis.

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Recent statistics show that sexual assaults rose by 10 per cent in in 2023-24 from 2,235 to 2,475, while sexual harassment cases doubled to 1,908.

Almost 80,000 criminal offences were recorded by the BTP in total in that period.

Violent crimes and sex offences have both soared to all-time highs, doubling in the last ten years and overall, levels are 55 per cent up on a decade earlier.

The number of violent crimes increased by 50 per cent from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023.

Earlier this year, MailOnline named Britain's most dangerous train stations - as instances of crime on the transport network hit record highs.

A tiny station situated deep in the Welsh countryside was found to top the table, with violent crimes being notably prevalent.

In London, more than 4,100 crimes were recorded in 2024 at King's Cross St Pancras, one of the capital's busiest terminals. This was more than any other station on Transport for London's (TfL) entire network.

Since Sadiq Khan became Mayor in 2016, Tube crime rates have more than doubled, from nine per every million journeys to more than 21 last March.

Similarly, offences have risen on the Overground, DLR and Elizabeth line, which opened in 2022.

Last January, one woman was even whipped in the face with a belt in an attack at Green Park station.

Across all Underground, Overground, DLR and Elizabeth line stations (excluding stations outside the London fare zones), 38,000 crimes were reported to the BTP in 2024, according to their data.

This is the equivalent of 104 per day.
Meghan Markle has claimed she was taught to feel guilty about being rich as she discussed fears about 'never having enough' money.

The Duchess of Sussex made the admission speaking to the billionaire founder of the Spanx fashion brand, Sara Blakely.

Speaking on the final episode of Meghan's Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, Ms Blakely spoke of the joy of female entrepreneurs 'obtaining a lot of financial freedom and money for themselves'.

Meghan admitted she would 'love to adopt' her mindset but claimed that women often felt discouraged from building their own fortunes.

'So many women, especially, were taught to not even talk about money and theres lots of guilt mentality surrounding having a lot', Meghan said.

'And at the same time theres a scarcity mindset that its easy to attach to, of like "Ill never have enough".'

Talking about her own businesses, which include her As Ever brand, she said: 'When you only have yourself to answer to I think it's twofold. It can be incredibly liberating or it can be incredibly lonely.'

She added: 'There's a misconception that you need to go to Harvard Business School and have a lot of money and get all the best people behind you [to be successful in business]... So you talk yourself out of it'.

Meghan Markle (left) interviewed Spanx founder Sara Blakely (centre) on the latest episode of her podcast, and spoke about the guilt of being wealthy and fears about 'never having enough' money

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, was speaking about her business and balancing work with motherhood as the first series of her podcast, published by Lemonada Media, comes to a close

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, was speaking about her business and balancing work with motherhood as the first series of her podcast, published by Lemonada Media, ended.

After her As Ever jam, flower sprinkles, tea and other products sold out, Meghan said she wants to 'step back, gather data from the launch, and figure out exactly what As Ever could be.'

Meghan said for now she is planning to launch a new range of merchandise in early 2026 - and may widen her brand into clothing.

'The category of fashion is something I will explore at a later date, because I do think thats an interesting space for me,' she said.

Her online store sold out in 45 minutes and contained homely items as well as her long-awaited pots of jam.

In the interview, the Duchess also revealed she wouldn't know 'what to call herself' if she had to write a CV.

She said: 'If I had to write a resume, I don't know what I would call myself.

'I think it speaks to this chapter many of us find ourselves in, where none of us are one note. But I believe all the notes I am playing are part of the same song.'

Meghan added that the 'mom moments' push her to success in the business world, with plans in the future ranging from home goods to fashion.

Revealing her son Archie has begun to lose his teeth, she described becoming the tooth fairy and leaving coins and a little dinosaur underneath his pillow.

She said: 'I had a lot of business meetings the next morning, but I still chose to cuddle with him the rest of the night. Those mom moments energize me to be a better founder, a better employer, a better boss.'

Meghan Markle's jam sold out within minutes of going on sale - but it's unknown if it will ever be available to purchase again

She revealed she may not restock the previous As Ever goods she sold and instead come up with new products such as fashion

Speaking to the Duchess of Sussex on the podcast, the pair shared stories of wearing shoes that pinch and 'cripple' wearers, with Meghan describing how she particularly struggled during her pregnancies.

'I gained 65 pounds with both pregnancies,' the Duchess revealed, continuing: 'And you're in these five-inch pointy-toed stilettos.

'You have the most enormous bump, and your tiny little ankles are bracing themselves in these high heels, but all of my weight was in the front, so you're just going how on earth am I not just tipping, you know faceplanting.

'I was clinging very closely to my husband, I was like please don't let me fall.'

During the conversation with Ms Blakely, Meghan also revealed that Archie, six, and Lilibet, three, who have been mainly kept out of the public eye at their home in Montecito, California, are doing well.

She promised to send Sara family pictures, adding: 'They are so grown.'

Meghan told how she would cling 'closely' to Harry while wearing heels during pregnancy to avoid 'faceplanting'

The pair also discussed starting businesses in a male dominated world, with Ms Blakely stating: 'There were very few women that I could go to, I really didn't have any.

'I didn't really even have other female founders that were in my network that I could bounce my approach to business.'

Describing her time in boardrooms surrounded by men, she jokingly added: 'I'm like Jane Goodall but instead of observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat I get to observe men in their natural habitat. They totally forget I'm there.'
An Aussie mum who was seriously injured a horrific head-on crash which claimed the lives of her husband and daughter remains stuck in India as her surviving child continues to fight for life.

Melbourne couple Dass Santiago and Sandra Edward and their two young daughters were travelling with other family members to the Velankanni Christian shrine in the southern state of Tamil Nadu on May 21 when tragedy struck.

The trip was meant to be a 'sacred journey' to visit his ailing mother and commemorate her husband's older brother, who died in Sydney last year.

Their van collided with a bus on a highway, which killed six family members, including Mr Santiago, 45, another brother and his sister-in-law.

'I saw my husband die in front of me,' Ms Edward recalled on a GoFundMe page.

'That image is burned into my mind, a cruel, relentless torment.

'Barely surviving the crash myself with multiple fractures and life-threatening injuries, I clung to the hope that my children were safe.'

Sadly, Ms Edward's youngest daughter Natasha, 5, was also killed, weeks shy of her sixth birthday next month.

Dass Santiago (pictured, left) and his youngest daughter Natasha (pictured, centre) were killed in a horror crash in India

The family had been travelling in a van to a Christian shrine in the southern state of Tamil Nadu when it collided with a bus

Her eldest daughter Angie endured two brain surgeries after the impact crushed her skull.

Angie remains in a coma while Ms Edward also remains in hospital.

'How can I ever comprehend that I will never hold my little angel again? My heart is ripped to shreds, she said.

'I've also undergone two surgeries, and I don't know if I'll ever be the same.

'But I must live for Angie. She is my reason to fight, my last shred of hope in this unfathomable darkness.'

The GoFundMe page has raised almost $110,000 within four days.

Mr Santiago, who worked for Nissan Dandenong was hailed as a loving father and a devoted husband.

'I need help to bury my beloved Dass and my precious Tash,' the widow continued.

Natasha (right) died weeks before her sixth birthday. Her sister Natasha (left) remains in a coma

Ms Edward hopes to cover the burial costs of her husband and younger daughter, as well as transporting herself and her older daughter back to Australia

'And most urgently, I need help to medically evacuate Angie and myself back to Australia.

'We desperately need the specialised medical care that can give us a chance at recovery and at rebuilding shattered lives.'

The family were members of the St Kevin's Catholic Parish in Hampton Park, which paid tribute this week.

'We offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those we've lost, and pray for strength and hope for the ones still battling through this heartbreaking situation,' the parish posted online.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed consular assistance is being provided to an Australian family in India.

'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,' they said.

Little Natasha, 5, didn't survive the horror crash

A head-on crash between a van and a bus in India claimed six lives, including two Aussies

Ms Edward described how she was living in the 'deepest valley of despair'.

Family friend Leon Vieyra told 7News Ms Edward and her daughter needed access to facilities and support.

'We need better medical facilities to cope with this magnitude that theyre going through,' he said.

A memorial for Mr Santiago and Natasha will be held on June 14.
A California man has had his 378-year prison sentence overturned after a judge ruled his accuser made up evidence of sexual assault.

Ajay Dev, 58, was released last week after spending 16 years in state prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges.

He had been convicted of the serial rape of an adopted daughter named Sapna Dev who he and his wife helped bring to the US from his home nation of Nepal in 1998, when she was 15-years-old.

Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio said in her ruling that the then-teen girl had broken up with her boyfriend and accused her adoptive father of causing their split.

Sapna then told authorities that he raped her two or three times a week for three or four years before she moved out of their home.

Four witnesses who had not been contacted by Dev's trial lawyers testified at a recent hearing that Sapna had told them that her accusations were lies or were motivated by her anger at him, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

One of the witnesses said Sapna told him she made the accusations because she 'was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that,' Beronio said.

According to the Daily Democrat, Sapna had returned to Nepal at that time and was imprisoned there due to wrong information being printed on her passport. It was then she made the allegations and US authorities helped her with a new passport so she could return to the US.

Sapna was ultimately granted American citizenship in light of the case and her cooperation with prosecutors, according to CBS.

Ajay Dev, pictured here, was released last week after 16 years in state prison for 76 convictions of sexual assault on a minor and related charges

Judge Beronio scheduled a hearing for June 13 for Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig to decide whether to retry Dev, seen here with his family. Prosecutors could also appeal the ruling

Critical evidence had been missed which stemmed from a phone call that cops had arranged between the two, the Chronicle reported.

The audio recording was not clear and the jury during Sapna's original testimony in the 2000s heard it as her father saying: 'You had sex with me when you were 18'.

Beronio said that an enhanced recording was now available which say he had actually told her: 'You came with me after you were 18'.

The judge also said that another witness had testified that Sapna had given contradictory statements when she said she had aborted or miscarried three kids after from alleged pregnancies.

Beronio said that Sapna had frequently sent her adopted parents cards, texts and email expressing her love for them from 1999 up until 2004.

She added: 'If jurors had heard that evidence, the result of this case could have and most likely would have been different.'

His lawyer Jennifer Mouzis had filed his habeas corpus petition seeking to have him freed in 2018.

Judge Beronio scheduled a hearing for June 13 for Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig to decide whether to retry Dev. Prosecutors could also appeal the ruling.

Deputy District Attorney Adrienne Chin-Perez contended during a hearing last week that Ajay Dev continues to pose a flight risk and a danger to the community.

He had been convicted of the serial rape of an adopted daughter, named as Sapna Dev. He is seen here embracing family members after being released last week

She also read a statement from Sapna, who wrote that she is 'deeply afraid that Ajay will harm me.'

The judge's decision 'dismantles the DAs case,' said Patricia Pursell, a member of advocacy group that has held demonstrations in support of Dev, who is also his sister-in-law.

'We have known from the beginning that Ajay Dev was wrongfully convicted,' she told the Chronicle. 'Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.'

Pursell also told CBS that when he was arrested his oldest son was two and that his wife was pregnant with another child. He was in prison when the child was born.

In a statement to the court seen by the outlet, Ajay said: 'The absence of fatherhood has been the most difficult while doing time for a crime I never committed. You gave me a purpose to live. I cannot wait to be home with you.'

Mouzis said much of the prosecution's evidence was based on racial and ethnic bias that would be illegal today under Californias Racial Justice Act, a 2021 law barring testimony that appeals to prejudice.
It's taken long enough but Donald Trump is at last rethinking his benign view of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

On the eve of Putin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine over three long, grueling, bloody years ago, Trump described him as a 'genius' and 'very savvy'.

Last weekend, as it finally dawned on Trump that Putin was not quite the peacemaker he'd thought, the President said the Russian was 'absolutely crazy' and 'playing with fire'.

Quite the turnaround. Yet, when it comes to the Kremlin, Trump has been something of a slow learner. Many of us argued from the start that Putin had no interest in peace. That his idea of a peace deal was Ukrainian capitulation, not a negotiated settlement. That Putin was merely stringing Trump along while massing his military forces for a new summer offensive.

And so it has proved. Trump's two self-imposed peace deadlines  that he would end the war on day one of his second administration, then (when that clearly was never going to happen) within 100 days  have come and gone with no progress to peace whatsoever. Putin's intransigence is entirely to blame. Trump has done his best. Ukraine has complied with all his wishes, Putin with none.

As Trump pressed Putin to agree a ceasefire so that peace talks could begin  a ceasefire to which Ukraine had already agreed without pre-conditions  Russia launched the biggest drone attack of the war: 355 last Sunday alone, 900 over the weekend plus, just for good measure, 69 cruise missiles, raining down death and carnage on Ukraine's cities. If Putin wants peace he has a funny way of showing it.

Putin has humiliated Trump. But Trump still has cards to play, as US presidents always do. Putin's cavalier disregard for peace could still rebound to the dictator's detriment. Trump's MAGA base, which has grown weary of US support for Ukraine, can surely be in no doubt now that the roadblock to peace lies squarely in the Kremlin, not Kyiv.

After all, Trump has gone further than was seemly or proper to cajole Putin into talks. He humiliated Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, he pressed him to agree a ceasefire without pre-conditions while signing over US access to Ukrainian mineral rights without US security guarantees. He temporarily suspended military and intelligence aid to Ukraine.

Last weekend, as it finally dawned on Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin was not quite the peacemaker he'd thought

As Trump pressed Putin to agree a ceasefire so that peace talks could begin, Russia launched the biggest drone attack of the war

Yet he asked nothing from Putin bar that Russia agree to a ceasefire and start talks. And still Putin snubbed him.

There should be no mystery why: Putin still thinks he can win the war. His military machine is churning out newly trained soldiers and armaments on a huge scale for a new summer offensive. American intelligence is in no doubt one is imminent. There are signs it might even have begun.

Russian troops are massing in Donetsk in Ukraine's east with the aim of taking the 30 percent of that region Ukraine still controls. Putin has already announced it has all been absorbed into the Russian Federation. His goal now is to make that a reality.

At the same time 50,000 Russian troops are poised to invade Ukraine's Sumy region to the north-east to stretch Ukrainian forces to the limit. It has been pounded for months by Russian artillery to soften it prior to a major incursion.

In the weeks ahead the news out of Ukraine will leave nobody in any doubt that, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, war-war has triumphed over jaw-jaw  and that's the way Putin likes it. The question then is: what does Trump do next?

Some close to him say he's been musing about walking away, washing America's hands of the whole imbroglio. Vice-President JD Vance has given voice to this  'We're more than open to walking away'  which, of course, merely emboldens Putin to reject any peace overtures and grind down Ukraine, which has been on the defensive for over a year now.

Others in the White House report Trump has been mulling tougher sanctions against Russia. Too much of its oil and gas is still reaching export markets (mainly China and India). Trump hinted he could reluctantly go down this route when he said that, so far, he'd protected Putin from 'lots of really bad things', indicating it might be time for 'bad things.'

But it's still unclear if Trump has the stomach for it. He has given no sign of support for a bipartisan effort in Congress to tighten the sanctions' screws. Nor has he said what will happen to US arms for Ukraine when those shipments agreed under the Biden administration run out next month.

Vance, of course, sees himself as the heir to MAGA, which is why he speaks out loud about walking away. Secretary of State Marc Rubio, Vance's rival for the MAGA base, comes from a more interventionist, neo-con pedigree and is struggling to fit into the new, more isolationalist MAGA realities. He's saying very little, waiting to see which way the wind blows.

Russian troops are massing in Donetsk in Ukraine's east with the aim of taking the 30 percent of that region Ukraine still controls

Rubble of a home destroyed by the Russian drone attack in the Odesa region of Ukraine this month

In truth, both will jump whatever way Trump decides to jump.

Ukraine cannot hope to win the war in the sense of recovering all (or most) of the territory it has already lost to Russia. But it can make pursuing the war so costly for Russia, in terms of blood and treasure, that Putin is forced to the bargaining table and faced with tougher terms than he currently faces.

That would require tougher sanctions and a resumption of US arms supplies. The Europeans are ready with new sanctions and the State Department has a slate of its own. Together they won't cripple the Russian economy but they will make it harder to finance the war machine. Russia's sovereign wealth fund has already been exhausted of liquid assets to keep the arms factories churning over.

The Europeans have also toughened up on arming Ukraine. Germany's new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced there will be no more restrictions on the use of long-range missiles supplied to Ukraine. Other major NATO allies in Europe agree. Merz has also said Germany will help Ukraine build its own missiles (60 percent of Ukrainian military hardware already comes from domestic production) and announced a new $4 billion military aid package.

Trump has won the argument about the need for Europe to step up to the plate. Merz has vowed to build Europe's strongest conventional army. France and Britain, currently the two biggest European military powers, are also spending billions more on defense and increasing military aid to Ukraine.

It would be folly for America to walk away just as all this is happening  especially now Putin has been revealed in his true colours.

I understand the MAGA fear of another 'forever' war. But Americans are not losing their lives in Ukraine and it is taking a terrible toll on Russia. I appreciate many Americans would prefer aid to Ukraine to be spent at home. But much of it is. The weapons and munitions America is sending are made here in US factories.

Trump humiliated Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, he pressed him to agree a ceasefire without pre-conditions

We need to be better aware of what is happening. This is not just a war between Russia and Ukraine. It is the mother of all proxy wars involving a new axis of evil  Russia, China, Iran and North Korea  against a European democracy.

Chinese machine tools are a crucial part of the Russian war machine, Chinese money for Russian oil and gas helps finance it. Iran is supplying many of the drones bringing death and destruction to Ukrainian cities and some of the missiles too. North Korea has deployed 12,000 troops to the Ukrainian frontline and billions of dollars worth of munitions.

If this evil axis succeeds in Ukraine, it won't stop there. Other Eastern European states will become the new frontline. China will ramp up its threats against Taiwan. US allies will look at how America scuttled away from Ukraine just as it did in Afghanistan and reconsider just how reliable an ally America really is.

Some Americans might think they're safe behind two enormous oceans. But a world in which a Chinese-led axis is on manoeuvres and making gains across the globe is not a world in which America could ever feel safe. Let's hope President Trump quickly concludes the same  and carries MAGA with him.
A British woman living in France is overjoyed to have her voting rights restored in a move that could shake up post-Brexit rules.

Alice Bouilliez said she was 'extremely surprised' that a court in Auch, south-west France, ruled she would be able to vote in local elections.

Experts now believe the shock ruling could set a precedent for all Brits who had permanent resident status in the European country before the referendum.

Ms Bouilliez, who has lived in France for nearly four decades, was able to vote before the Brexit deal went through in 2020 but it was not made clear what her rights would be afterwards.

Despite having residency and being married to a Frenchman, Ms Bouillez never became a citizen - in part down to her oath she took to the British Crown while working as a civil servant in the Foreign Office.

The retiree, alongside several other disgruntled Brits, eventually took the case to the European court of justice in 2022 after years of legal battles, although they ruled against her.

Their argument, based on the advice of advocate general Anthony Collins, was that 'nationality of a member state' was an 'essential condition of a person to be able to acquire and retain the status of citizens of the union and to benefit fully from the rights attaching to that status'.

Her being stripped of her voting rights was 'an automatic consequence of the sole sovereign decision taken by the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union'.

Former civil servant Alice Bouillez said she was 'extremely surprised' that a court in Auch, south-west France, ruled she would be able to vote in local elections

But Ms Bouillez's lawyer argued that the court could not disenfranchise those who already had the rights protected under the EU treaty before Brexit - an argument that proved true.

'The court ruled that Alice had not committed any crime and that to lose her voting rights was a fundamental and disproportionate infringement of her voting rights,' Julien Fouchet said after today's ruling.

'The right to vote is a common good, it is more than just a right,' he was reported saying in The Guardian.

An 'extremely happy' Ms Bouillez said 'when I went to get the ruling from the court I was extremely surprised because I was expecting a knock on the knuckles'.

The barrister added that this ruling could now restore the rights of Brits on the continent if they wanted their name on the electoral register for local elections.

He said: 'The French and UK governments should have a bilateral treaty reciprocating the right to vote in municipal elections.

'I see this judgment as an opportunity, especially in light of the recent UK-EU summit, to get an agreement on this.'

Before the Brexit referendum, Brits living in France could vote in municipal and European parliamentary elections but not in national, presidential or legislative elections.

Experts now believe the shock ruling could set a precedent for all Brits who had permanent resident status in the European country before the referendum to be able to vote

This was generally the same rules across most European countries.

Europeans also had these same rights living in the UK but most countries - apart from Ireland, Cyprus and Malta - are now unable to vote here.

The British government had tried to make reciprocal voting rights part of the Brexit deal but the EU insisted on having bilateral treaties instead.

And in 2018, the House of Commons passed a motion which insisted British nationals who have an EU citizenship should have 'the range of rights and protections afforded to individuals as European Union citizens are integral to a persons European identity'.

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment, as well as the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Less than one-third of senior council figures think Labour can be trusted as optimism about Sir Keir Starmer's Government plunges in town halls, new research has shown.

A survey found that only 31 per cent of senior council figures said the Government can be trusted, which was down from 52 per cent last year.

It also showed that little more than a quarter (28 per cent) expected local government to be listened to, down from 55 per cent.

And less than half (43 per cent) expected more power to be devolved to councils, down from 59 per cent.

The survey, conducted by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC), suggested that Labour's honeymoon period since winning last July's general election is now over.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have made achieving economic growth their 'number one priority' since entering Downing Street.

But less than one-third of respondents to the survey (32 per cent) expected the economy to be stronger in a year's time.

This was down from 61 per cent in the LGC's previous survey in September last year.

Less than one-third of senior council figures think Labour can be trusted as optimism about Sir Keir Starmer 's Government plunges in town halls, new research has shown

Deputy PM Angela Rayner is overseeing a shake-up of local government as she seeks to abolish two-tier council areas

The survey, conducted by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC), suggested that Labour's honeymoon period since winning last July's general election is now over

Across all questions relating to confidence in Sir Keir's Government, the LGC found opinions were consistently and substantially more negative than in September.

One chief executive bemoaned how 'the much-hoped for revitalisation of public service provision has faded all too soon'.

A director at a district council branded Labour's approach to local government as 'disappointing'.

'Like they see it as a problem that needs to be fixed without actually taking the time to understand what local government actually does or the challenges it faces,' they added.

A frontline worker at a county council said: 'The demand is outstretching the funding in many areas.

'Population growth and growing demand do not seem to be considered. It means cuts to services and increased council tax for residents in order for councils to try and avoid going bankrupt.

'Residents are being asked to pay more and more and getting worse services / no services in return.'

And a head of service in the North West said: 'The financial crisis and growth are clearly important, but otherwise they seem to lack a coherent approach and are not encouraging aspiration.'

Deputy PM Angela Rayner is overseeing a shake-up of local government as she seeks to abolish two-tier council areas by merging district councils into larger unitary authorities.

But the survey found opinions on Ms Rayner had become considerably more negative.

Only 35 per cent said they were confident the Deputy PM understands local government, down from 47 per cent.

Less than one-third (30 per cent) said they were confident she is trustworthy, down from 44 per cent.

The same proportion (30 per cent) said they were confident Ms Rayner would champion local government in Whitehall, down from 49 per cent.

And only 27 per cent said they were confident the Deputy PM would engage and consult local government on policy development, down from 48 per cent.

A respondent from the East Midlands said: 'The Government should be addressing the financial viability of local government before embarking on local authority reorganisation.'

The LGC received just over 300 responses to their online survey between April and May.

Almost a quarter were chief executives, directors or heads of service at councils, while 14 per cent were councillors.

One-fifth were managers, 25 per cent had some other role and 7 per cent described themselves as frontline staff.

Over 70 per cent of respondents were employed by councils and the rest were from central government, combined authorities and the private sector who work closely with local government.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: 'We know that strong local government, led in the interests of local people, can transform lives and we have been clear on our intention to reset the relationship and work hand in hand with the sector.

'This Government is under no illusions about the challenges facing councils which is why we're fixing the foundations, working with local leaders to drive forward our Plan for Change and deliver better public services together.'
Dramatic new video footage has shown the appalling moment a 'drunk' passenger was arrested after allegedly hitting an air hostess in the face while onboard a flight.

The male holidaymaker left dozens of passengers and flight attendants terrified after he reportedly 'punched' an air hostess in an hour-long horrifying outburst, which witnesses told The Sun began as the flight was beginning its descent.

The horrifying incident left screaming members of the cabin crew petrified following unsuccessful attempts to subdue the rowdy passenger with a 'restraint kit'.

Witnesses claimed that the disorderly traveller, who they alleged to be drunk, even began 'shouting that the plane was going to crash' as the pilot slammed on the brakes during landing.

Having gotten up to go to the toilet compartment, the man, who West Midlands Police have now identified as 49-year-old Paul Self, then avoided desperate pleas by staff for him to return to his seat.

One witness to the incident, which took place onboard a TUI flight from Gran Canaria, Spain to Birmingham, on Tuesday morning, added: 'There was a lot of screaming and shouting between him and the crew, and then he punched an air hostess in the nose.

'One minute he was calm, then he was throwing blows. He was extremely erratic'.

New video footage has shown the horrifying moment (pictured) a male holidaymaker, travelling onboard a TUI flight from Gran Canaria, Spain to Birmingham on Tuesday morning, left dozens of passengers and flight attendants terrified after he reportedly 'punched' an air hostess

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed that the disorderly passenger, 49-year-old Paul Self, has been charged with three counts of common assault and is set to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on June 10

As staff onboard pleaded and 'screamed' for police assistance, children were reportedly left in tears given the pandemonium taking place throughout the aircraft.

The shocking footage shows a terrifying scene as members of the public watched on as air hostesses attempted to calm the passenger.

Meanwhile, in a bid to control the rest of the fearful aircraft of passengers, another member of the cabin crew is heard shouting: 'sit down, everybody sit down. Sit down now'.

Following the dramatic ordeal, those onboard clapped and cheered as Mr Self was eventually escorted from the flight by West Midlands Police officers.

Upon being greeted by officers, another witness told The Sun that the drunken yob had initially 'put his hands up and said "Arrest me".

Then, despite 'resisting' the arrest, officers were able to quickly surround and cuff the disorderly passenger, ending an hour-long ordeal that had left staff and travellers in tears.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed that the disorderly passenger, 49-year-old Paul Self, had been charged with three counts of common assault and is set to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on June 10.

They said: 'We were called to an inbound flight at Birmingham Airport in the early hours of Tuesday (27 May) morning, following reports of a disruptive passenger.

It comes after dramatic footage obtained by MailOnline (pictured) showed a British woman being dragged off a Ryanair flight and thrown to the floor by security staff after she allegedly assaulted passengers and forced a plane to divert to Portugal on May 18

'After landing, officers boarded the plane and arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of assault.

'Paul Self has now been charged with three counts of common assault.

'The 49-year-old man will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 10 June.'

It comes after a British woman was filmed being dragged off a Ryanair flight and thrown to the floor by security staff after she allegedly assaulted passengers and forced a plane to divert to Portugal on May 18.

Dramatic footage obtained by MailOnline showed a woman being led off the grounded plane by several members of staff, after the flight from Tenerife to Prestwick was diverted.

Meanwhile, a second video showed the woman being led outside the plane on the tarmac of the Portuguese airport.

Blair Morgan, a passenger on the plane, told MailOnline that passengers were left terrified after the 'angry, hostile passenger was being aggressive towards staff and other passengers'.

'The passenger made a [false] bomb threat towards everyone on the plane, along with saying she would "bottle" people with a glass wine bottle.'

A spokesperson for TUI UK & Ireland said: 'We are sorry that the unacceptable behaviour of one disruptive passenger has affected customers travelling back from their holiday into Birmingham Airport.

'The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority and we have a zero-tolerance policy for any violent or threatening behaviour.'
A top government lawyer was forced to resign after he had 'a disturbing sexual fantasy' about a colleague 'being violently raped by a cylindrical asteroid' in front of his wife and children, a lawsuit has revealed.

Former Texas Solicitor General Judd Stone, 42, stepped down in October 2023 after admitting to telling several horrified employees about his deranged desire 'in graphic detail', according to a fresh civil complaint seen by DailyMail.com.

Stone's fantasy is detailed in an internal letter penned by Brent Webster, the first assistant attorney general of Texas, who is the subject of the crazed reverie.

Addressed to other top officials in the AG's office, Webster's 2024 letter is part of a lawsuit filed on Tuesday by Stone's former assistant claiming her boss sexually harassed her while failing to pay her wages in full.

Webster's letter appeals to the office for protection for himself and his family against Austin-based Stone, who he described as 'a deeply unhinged obsessive human being who is one bad day away from murder'.

'I have serious safety concerns for my family and me,' the government employee wrote in December 2024.

'If youll recall, we gave Judd the opportunity last year to resign instead of being fired for credible complaints of sexual misconduct by two female OAG employees.

'It appears he is still very much obsessed with me, and given what has transpired in the past, and things hes done or told me, I think youll understand my fear.'

Top government lawyer Judd Stone (pictured in the center) was forced to resign after he had 'a disturbing sexual fantasy' about a colleague 'being violently anally raped by a cylindrical asteroid' in front of his wife and children, a lawsuit seen by DailyMail.com has revealed

Pictured: The Texas Attorney General's office where Stone worked until his resignation in 2023

Webster's letter details how the female former assistant of Stone's came to his office in floods of tears and disclosed the fantasy about him 'being violently anally raped by a cylindrical asteroid in front of my wife and children'.

'According to this employee, Judd publicly described this in excruciating detail over a long period of time, to a group of OAG employees, Office of the Governor employee(s), federal judges, and other non-government employees at a table,' Webster said.

'The female employee conveyed that she was so disgusted by the violent sexual nature of the discussion that she left the table to get away from it.

Pictured: Brent Webster, the first assistant attorney general of Texas

'When she came back, people at the table harassed her, joking that she couldnt handle people talking about dicks.'

Christopher Hilton, another legal heavyweight who was Stone's partner at his law firm, Stone Hilton PLLC, was also present and he too resigned in October 2023 for failing to address the harassment Stone displayed towards junior employees.

'Chris Hilton was clearly aware that this female employee was uncomfortable, shrugged at her, and did nothing,' Webster wrote.

'The female employee had other concerns about treatment of women and sexual harassment and exhibited emotional distress as she told me this story.

'She tearfully expressed to me that she could never work with Chris or Judd ever again.

'We finished the long conversation at the close of business. I was so disturbed by the violent sexual fantasies about me that I took the weekend to process the news.'

'Due to his pedophilic desire to have my children see me raped by a cylindrical asteroid, I am concerned that Judd poses a physical threat to me and my family,' Webster wrote.

Pictured: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (L) and former Texas Solicitor General Judd Stone (C) exit the U.S. Supreme Court on November 01, 2021 in Washington, DC

Christopher Hilton (pictured center), another legal heavyweight who was Stone's partner at his law firm, Stone Hilton PLLC, was also present and he too resigned in October 2023 for failing to address the harassment Stone displayed towards junior employees. He is named in the suit

The sexual harassment came after Stone Hilton PLLC was formed to defend Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during his impeachment trial in 2023.

Stone, a Harvard Law graduate who previously clerked for conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, took a leave of absence from his post as Solicitor General at the AG's office to focus on the case.

So too did Hilton from his role as Chief of the General Litigation Division.

Two female employees at the firm told Webster they 'came to fear' Stone 'as a result of working in close quarters with him in a small house that he picked out for them all to do impeachment work in'.

They detailed specific incidents in the May 2025 lawsuit, which also names Hilton as a defendant, including what allegedly unfolded on June 16, 2023, when the Stone Hilton team went to the Mort Subite Belgian Beer Bar for lunch.

The female assistant said Hilton and Stone ordered four shots for four people at the table without asking, and told her to take one.

She said, 'that is the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted', and Stone replied: 'I highly doubt that is the most disgusting thing that has ever been in your mouth'.

The assistant said that on another occasion, Stone told her: 'In this firm, there are no rules. You can say whatever slurs you want.'

The sexual harassment came after Stone Hilton PLLC was formed to defend Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (pictured) during his impeachment trial in 2023. Webster said Paxton did take immediate action 'once he learned of the horrifying conduct Chris and Judd engaged in'

He appeared to strongly ascribe to this himself. In one incident he called her 'white trash' for wearing turquoise earrings, according to her lawsuit.

Stone also regularly 'screamed' at her over incidents including apparently taking too long to find a restaurant which would accommodate his large BBQ order as takeout.

He allegedly took her to his office and screamed at her over the incident, before asking if she could try to cry while returning to the communal area.

'Do you think you can make yourself cry before you walk out? You know, to mess with everyone,' Stone told the assistant, according to her lawsuit.

He yelled at her again after she completed the task of bringing a propane tank to work so they could grill in the office the following day, again for apparently bringing the tank too late despite it being within the time frame he requested.

She added that Stone was spotted 'screaming' at female attorneys in the hallways on several occasions.

The assistant's duties involved picking up alcohol for Stone and Hilton so they could day-drink in the office, and he once berated her for commenting on how full she had made a Manhattan cocktail at his request.

To add insult to injury, the law firm underpaid the assistant by $5,000 a month - sending her a paycheck of $10,000 monthly instead of the promised $15,000 - according to her complaint.

Webster also alleged that after his termination, it emerged that Stone 'had also previously been asked to resign from a position working for US Senator Ted Cruz due to sexual harassment complaints'. (Pictured: Ted Cruz in the Senate on May 20, 2025)

When the attorneys and assistants returned to the AG's office in October 2023 after successfully defending Paxton at his impeachment trial, the female employees aired their complaints to senior officials including Webster.

Webster confronted them about the accusations, and Stone 'promptly admitted that all of the allegations were true'. Hilton did not deny them either.

The disgraced duo were told to resign, which they did.

'Both women went out of their way to confirm that they knew that AG Paxton knew nothing about this, and that they wanted to make sure that I told AG Paxton so that he knew the danger that Judd and Chris posed to them and perhaps other women,' Webster wrote.

He added that Paxton did take immediate action 'once he learned of the horrifying conduct Chris and Judd engaged in.'

Webster also alleged that after his termination, it emerged that Stone 'had also previously been asked to resign from a position working for US Senator Ted Cruz due to sexual harassment complaints'.

The latest lawsuit from Stone's assistant asks for payouts of an undisclosed amount from Stone for alleged 'past and future mental anguish damages, emotional pain, suffering', unpaid wages, and attorney fees among others.

She also requested a jury trial in the US District Court, Western District of Texas division in Austin, accusing Stone of intentional infliction of emotional distress, violations of the fair labor standards act, and breach of contract.

DailyMail.com has contacted Stone Hilton PLLC for comment.
U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs said Thursday that she will tell the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department not to make any changes to Harvard's student visa program.

CNN reported Burrough's decision from a Boston courtroom as the details were still being hashed out in court.

'I want to maintain the status quo,' the judge said.

She told Harvard and Justice Department attorneys to work out an agreement that would stop the revocation of foreign student visas.

'It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure its worded in such a way that nothing changes,' Burroughs said.

The Trump administration had tried to prevent a ruling in Harvard's favor ahead of the mid-morning hearing by backing away from plans to immediately revoke the university's ability to enroll international students.

Instead Harvard was given 30 days to challenge the ban.

Lawyers for the Justice Department argued to Burroughs that the case might be moot because of the Trump administration's latest procedural move.

President Donald Trump's administration appears to be backing down in its legal fight against Harvard University

Harvard University will have 30 days to challenge the Trump administration's foreign students ban

Harvard has denied Trump administration charges of alleged bias against conservatives, fostering antisemitism on campus and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.

The university has said losing that right would affect about one quarter of its student body and devastate the school.

Harvard had argued that the revocation violated its free speech and due process rights under the U.S. Constitution as well as the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs agency actions.

Its lawyers said DHS regulations required providing at least 30 days to challenge the agency's allegations, and give Harvard an opportunity to pursue an administrative appeal.

That 30 day window was offered ahead of Thursday's court date.

The revocation announced on May 22 was an escalation of the Trump administration's attacks on Harvard.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university's lawyers have argued the agency's action was part of an 'unprecedented and retaliatory attack on academic freedom at Harvard,' which is pursuing a separate lawsuit challenging the administration's decision to terminate nearly $3 billion in federal research funding.

Harvard argues the Trump administration is retaliating against it for refusing to cede to its demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students.

Harvard University's commencement ceremonies were happening as U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs was deciding the fate of foreign students at the Ivy. A number of students wore hats and stickers in support of their international classmates

An attendee at Harvard University's commencement on Thursday wears a sticker that reads 'without our international students, Harvard is not Harvard'

Actor Rita Morena (left) waits for the start of the procession for Harvard University's commencement ceremony on Thursday in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The case before Burroughs, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, was filed after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked the school's SEVP certification.

In announcing the decision, Noem, without providing evidence, accused the university of 'fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.'

In a letter that day, she accused the school of refusing to comply with wide-ranging requests for information on its student visa holders, including about any activity they engaged in that was illegal or violent or that would subject them to discipline.

'As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enroll foreign students, and it is also a privilege to employ aliens on campus,' she said.

Harvard said the decision was 'devastating' for the school and its student body.

The university, the nation's oldest and wealthiest, enrolled nearly 6,800 international students in its current school year, about 27 percent of its total enrollment.

The department's move would prevent Harvard from enrolling new international students and require existing ones to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that Harvard University should have a 15 percent cap on the number of non-U.S. students it admits.

Students attend commencement ceremonies Thursday at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Graduating students attend commencement ceremonies at Harvard University on Thursday amid the Trump administration's war against the Ivy League school

'Harvard has got to behave themselves,' he said.

Harvard University's commencement ceremonies were happening Thursday amid the court battle.

A number of speakers brought up the administration's war on the university during their speeches.

'Part of what makes America great, if I may use that phrase, is that it allows an immigrant like me to blossom,' said commencement speaker, Dr. Abraham Verghese, a best-selling author and Stanford expert on infectious diseases. 'The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard, is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you.'
Harvey Weinstein is suing the Italian 'lover' of one of his rape victims, claiming he gave false testimony that sent the disgraced producer to jail.

The shamed media mogul was found guilty by a Los Angeles jury in December 2022 of raping Russian model Evgeniya Chernyshova in 2013.

Weinstein was jailed for 16 years for rape, forced oral copulation, and third-degree sexual misconduct, and acquitted of four other charges.

His lawyers filed an appeal weeks after the verdict, claiming Chernyshova was with LA Italia Film Festival founder Pascal Vicedomini when she alleged he raped her.

The California Court of Appeal is considering Weinstein's bid for freedom while he sits through a retrial of his 2020 New York conviction, which was thrown out last year.

Weinstein has now taken the unusual step of suing Vicedomini in an Italian court for allegedly providing perjured testimony during the LA trial.

'We believe the conviction was secured through fundamentally unreliable and misleading testimony,' his PR consultant Juda Engelmayer told DailyMail.com.

'The Italian courts now have an opportunity to scrutinize one of the key witnesses whose statements helped shape the outcome of a deeply flawed trial.'

Russian model Evgeniya Chernyshova and LA Italia Film Festival founder Pascal Vicedomini were the star witnesses at Harvey Weinstein's 2022 rape trial in Los Angeles

Chernyshova alleged Weinstein raped her on February 18, 2013, at the LA Italia Film Festival (Weinstein pictured at the festival the day after the rape)

Weinstein has now taken the unusual step of suing Vicedomini (pictured together in 2008) in an Italian court for allegedly providing perjured testimony during the LA trial

Chernyshova alleged Weinstein showed up uninvited to her room at Mr C's Hotel in Beverly Hills on February 18, 2013, during the LA Italia Film Festival.

She told the jury he pushed his way in insisting that they needed to talk, then forced her to perform oral sex on him and raped her in the bathroom.

Prosecutors argued no one but Vicedomini knew her hotel and room number 801 and he gave it to him to offer her up 'as a piece of chattel', as Weinstein's appeal put it.

Both Chernyshova and Vicedomini insisted under oath numerous times that they were just friends since meeting in 2009.

Weinstein's lawyers instead argued they were having an affair and thus Vicedomini would never have helped the movie mogul sleep with her.

They claimed 'sexually explicit Facebook messages' on February 12, days before the alleged rape, proved this - but the jury never saw them.

The basis of Weinstein's appeal is that trial judge Lisa Lench improperly barred the messages from being presented in court, prejudicing the trial.

'The jury was left with a false impression that there was some plan to introduce [Chernyshova] to Mr Weinstein for some improper purpose, when, instead, Mr Vicedomini was literally planning to have his own sexual encounter with [her] during the festival,' the appeal argued.

'The suggestion that he would have wanted to share his lover with Mr Weinstein is absurd.'

Weinstein is in the middle of a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges before a New York Supreme Criminal Court jury in Manhattan (pictured on Thursday morning)

Chernyshova (right) told the jury Weinstein pushed his way in insisting that they needed to talk, then raped her. The prosecution argued Vicedomini (left) told Weinstein what room Chernyshova was staying in. Both are pictured in 2024

Other Facebook messages from May 21, 2013, included in the appeal showed them planning to spend the night together at the Cannes Film Festival and Chernyshova bringing a change of clothes for the morning after.

The appeal claimed the prosecution worked hard to get the evidence excluded because it 'obliterates their witness'.

'Why would her boyfriend, the person she is having an affair with, provide the room number and basically the key to go up and for Harvey Weinstein to go up and engage her in some romantic affair?' Weinstein's lawyers argued in chambers, according to the appeal.

Two jurors, Weinstein's lawyers claimed, told the defense after the trial that they would have a changed their vote to not guilty if they had seen the messages, and a third would have reconsidered their opinion.

Engelmayer said the pair's testimony was central to the prosecution's case, and Vicedomini was being sued in Italy as he gave evidence remotely.

'These international legal efforts underscore Weinsteins continuing fight to clear his name and highlight growing concerns about the judicial process that led to his conviction,' he said.

Both Chernyshova and Vicedomini insisted under oath that they were just friends since meeting in 2009 (pictured that year) - but Weinstein's lawyers claim they were lovers

Chernyshova alleged Weinstein showed up uninvited to her room on February 18, 2013, during the LA Italia Film Festival (pictured the day before she was raped)

Chernyshova told the jury Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in the bedroom of her room at Mr C's Hotel in Beverly Hills, then raped her in the bathroom

Chernyshova's attorney David Ring rubbished Weinstein's arguments after the amended appeal was filed in June 2023.

'Weinstein's appeal makes the same tired arguments that he previously made multiple times, without success, to the trial court,' he said.

'We are of the strong opinion that the trial court vetted the evidence appropriately and made all the correct decisions in its evidentiary rulings.

'We are confident that Weinstein's appeal will be denied and he will spend many years in prison.'

Chernyshova was named as Jane Doe 1 during the trial but revealed her identity publicly after the verdict.

She described in an interview what happened after Weinstein, whom she had only met twice before - once in Rome and once hours earlier at a festival event - knocked on her door.

'Hey, its Harvey Weinstein. Open the door. We have to talk. Im not going to f**k you, I just have to talk to you",' she said he called to her through the door.

'And that is the thing I have regretted for the last 10 years  that I did open this door.

'He just walked through me and went directly to the chair. He was like, "Were just talking. Theres nothing happening. Why are you so nervous?"

'Something clicked, like a change in his eyes. I realized that something was wrong.

'He opened his pants, and I became hysterical. I was continuing to show my kids pictures, to try to convince him that, "I have kids, please do not do that".

Kaja Sokola (left) and Jessica Mann (right) along with production assistant Mimi Haley are the three alleged victims in Weinstein's ongoing retrial in New York

Texts Weinstein jury barred from seeing Pascal: just think that while I'm talking to you something is happening to me Pascal: what do you wanna do Pascal: thats what happens to me Chernyshova: Wanna do? Chernyshova: Nothing! Chernyshova: You wait! Pascal: I'd need your beautiful mouth now Chernyshova: think I know how to help you) Chernyshova: 1 was thinking exactly that) Pascal: You know me too well Pascal: you can just imagine what's happening right now Chernyshova: are you touching yourself?!! Chernyshova: Or are you with someone????? Pascal: guess Chernyshova: My imagination soars!!! Chernyshova: I'm thinking you're not alone!!! Advertisement

'But he did what he did. He assaulted me in the bedroom, and then he dragged me to the bathroom and he raped me there.

'I felt very, very dirty and like I have to die.'

After the rape, Chernyshova and her husband separated. He has since died and she later moved to the US with her children where she runs a florist.

She kept what happened to her secret until 2017 when her daughter Maria, who was 16 at the time, told her she was sexually assaulted by a boy at school.

Weinstein is in the middle of a retrial on rape and sexual assault charges before a New York Supreme Criminal Court jury in Manhattan.

The ailing 73-year-old was convicted of sexually assaulting aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and raping production assistant Mimi Haley in 2006.

But last year, the New York Court of Appeals astonishingly ruled that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial - and tossed out his 23-year sentence.

Mann and Haley restated their cases during the trial, and Polish ex-model Kaja Sokola was added to the mix, alleging Weinstein forced oral sex on her in 2006 when she was just 19.

Weinstein is still behind bars at Rikers Island prison in NYC serving 16 years for unrelated sex crimes, but is being held at Bellevue Hospital during the new trial due to his declining health.

He maintains his innocence and his lawyers told the court the women consented to sex acts with Weinstein as a 'quid pro quo' to further their careers.

Weinstein's lawyers are presenting their case with the trial expected to wrap up next week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging the war in Gaza to 'save his political career', former Israeli Ambassador Alon Pinkas told the Mail's 'Apocalypse Now?' podcast.

Speaking to special correspondent David Patrikarakos, Mr Pinkas argued that Netanyahu benefits from continuing the conflict as it distracts from October 7th's security failures and the inability to achieve his stated war aim of wiping out Hamas.

The interview comes as Israel announced the death of the leader of the terror group, Mohammed Sinwar, in a massive air strike on the city of Khan Younis.

Mohamed's brother, Yahya Sinwar, the previous leader of Hamas, was killed by Israeli troops last year.

Asked whether Mohamed Sinwar's death could bring the sides closer to resolution, Mr Pinkas called the announcement 'not a game changer' due to Netanyahu's vested interest in prolonging the fighting.

'Of course, it won't change the course of the war', Israel's former Consul General said.

'Sinwar deserved to die 17 times over  but that's not the point. The point is  what are the objectives here? What is the end game? What is the exit strategy? What is the post-war scenario?

Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging the war in Gaza to 'save his political career', former Israeli Ambassador Alon Pinkas has told the Mail's 'Apocalypse Now?' podcast

The interview comes as Israel announced the death of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar in a massive air strike on the city of Khan Younis

Listen to 'Apocalypse Now?' wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now

'Israel is deliberately clueless, deliberately vague, deliberately disruptive about what comes next.

'There are reasons for this. Netanyahu never took responsibility for the calamity of October 7th  for him to prolong and perpetuate the war, gives him distance from that debacle.

'This is a man who bragged and boasted for years that he's Mr Security. He's a genius that knows how to fight terrorism. Well, that all came crashing down.

'Another reason is that during these twenty months, Netanyahu expanded the war into Lebanon and escalated it with Iran... for which he takes no responsibility.'

'He also wants to create a political divide between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Judea and Samaria  to prove a Palestinian state is not only discontiguous but impossible to implement.

'Ending the war creates a reintegration, which would then lead to pressure from the Trump administration not only to end the war but to enter some kind of negotiated process with the Palestinians that will bring down his coalition.'

Asked whether Mohamed Sinwar's death could bring the sides closer to resolution, Mr Pinkas called the announcement 'not a game changer'. Listen here

Alon Pinkas: 'Israel is deliberately clueless, deliberately vague, deliberately disruptive about what comes next.' Listen here

Alon Pinkas: 'He came out with morally justified ideas about eradicating Hamas. It hasn't worked - in 18 or 19 months.' Listen here

Mr Pinkas said the 'majority of the Israeli public' believes the prolonging of the war is purely an exercise in saving Netanyahu's career. Listen here

The coalition government of Israel led by Netanyahu has been described as dominated by warring far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.

It has a tenuous grip on power, as shown by the narrow passing of Israel's latest budget in a 59-57 vote.

Mr Pinkas said the 'majority of the Israeli public' believes the prolonging of the war is purely an exercise in saving Netanyahu's career.

'There's no question about It', he told host Patrikarakos.

'He came out with morally justified ideas about eradicating Hamas. It hasn't worked - in 18 or 19 months.

'It took the Allies nine months from Normandy in June 1944 to the outskirts of Berlin. It has been 19 months  for one of the strongest militaries in the world, against a ragtag, savage terror group, to achieve something that would look even remotely like a decisive political victory.

'For Netanyahu, given his extreme right-wing coalition  this is all about saving his political career.'

To listen to the full interview with Alon Pinkas, search for 'Apocalypse Now?', wherever you get your podcasts.
A popular Yellowstone National Park attraction will remain closed to summer tourists as scientists monitor a rogue thermal pool that might blast again after a major explosion last July.

Biscuit Basin, a popular attraction among tourists that is usually packed with visitors has been sealed off from the public since a massive explosion in July, 2024, and will remain closed during the summer season.

Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, erupted at around 10 in the morning last summer, sending a massive plume of boiling water and debris shooting into the sky - soaring hundreds of feet into the air.

The dramatic blast completely destroyed the wooden boardwalk and left tourists running for safety.

Miraculously, no one was injured but scientists call it one of the most powerful hydrothermal explosions in the area's recorded history.

Now, given the basin's unpredictable history, scientists are unsure when or if it will blast again.

'Since the July 23, 2024, explosion, Biscuit Basin has been closed to public visitation as Yellowstone National Park assesses damage and the potential for future hazardous events,' a released stated by Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

'We were fortunate that no one was injured during what was clearly a spectacular event,' Mike Poland, scientist in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory told the Cowboy State Daily.

'We don't have enough information to know how Black Diamond pool is going to behave going forward,' he added.

A popular Yellowstone National Park attraction will remain closed to summer tourists as scientists monitor a rogue thermal pool that might blast again after the major explosion last July

Biscuit Basin, a popular attraction among tourists that is usually packed with visitors has been sealed off from the public for the entire summer season following a massive explosion in July, 2024

'We know from seismic data and eyewitnesses that there have been small bursts from Black Diamond Pool since the big explosion last July.'

'The problem is that we don't have any really good observations or documentation of these events, so that's why we installed this webcam.'

The power behind these explosions comes from a deadly combination of superheated water and restricted underground plumbing that creates a pressure cooker effect beneath the earth's surface.

Poland revealed that rocks blasted from the pool during July's explosion showed evidence of being 'cemented together' by silica deposits that had been building up for years.

'All of the rocks that we looked at that came out as part of that explosion showed evidence of being solidified,' he told the outlet.

Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, erupted at around 10 in the morning last summer, sending a massive plume of boiling water and debris shooting into the sky, soaring hundreds of feet into the air

The dramatic blast completely destroyed the wooden boardwalk and left tourists running for safety

Miraculously no one was injured but scientists call it one of the most powerful hydrothermal explosions in the area's recorded history

'They were cemented together by silica deposited out of the hot water in Black Diamond Pool.'

This essentially created an underground cork that trapped enormous pressure until it finally gave way and ended with the massive explosion.

'Silica is impermeable,' he said. 'When you build up a layer of silica, it acts like a container, sealing pressure in.'

'That's what happened to drive the explosion back in July. The pool sealed itself by depositing all the silica in areas, which allowed pressure to build and eventually generate the explosion.'

Last year's explosion wasn't the first at Black Diamond Pool.

On November 5, 2024, scientists collecting gas samples witnessed another violent outburst, while a winter tour group witnessed yet another eruption on January 3, 2025.

But last year's was the largest in recorded history.

The terrifying power behind these explosions comes from a deadly combination of superheated water and restricted underground plumbing that creates a pressure cooker effect beneath the earth's surface

'The plumbing system was blown apart by that big event, but we still don't understand what the plumbing system looks like now and how it might have evolved since that big event,' Poland told the outlet.

'That's what the monitoring in the Biscuit Basin specifically aims to see.'
Under-pressure Nigel Farage hit back at Sir Keir Starmer and other critics of his economic policies today as he was accused of having 'fantasy' policies.

The Reform UK leader reheated one of his attacks from the 2016 EU referendum campaign as he accused the Prime Minister of launching 'Project Fear 2.0' by suggesting he was economically akin to Liz Truss.

Sir Keir this morning warned voters they cannot trust Mr Farage with their 'future, mortgages or jobs' in a speech deriding his economic literacy.

The Prime Minister joined the Tories in questioning Reform's maths after it unveiled plans for a spending splurge if it wins the 2029 election.

Mr Farage has sought to woo working class Labour voters by leaning left with support for scrapping the two-child benefit cap and fully reinstating winter fuel payments.

But he simultaneously backs a series of tax cuts, which left experts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies saying there could be an 85billion hole in their plans.

That would dwarfs the 45billion of unfunded tax cuts announced by former Tory Prime Minister Liz Truss in her disastrous 2022 mini-Budget.

Speaking in Warrington Sir Keir said: 'He set out economic plans which contains billions upon billions of completely unfunded spending. Precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills and the cost of living through the roof. It's Liz Truss all over again.'

But tweeting from Las Vegas, where he is speaking at a conference to promote bitcoin, Mr Farage accused him of 'resorting to dirty tricks borrowed from the 2016 referendum campaign to attack me', adding: 'This is Project Fear 2.0.'

The Prime Minister joined the Tories in taking aim at Mr Farage's economic literacy today after he unveiled plans for an 85billion spending splurge if Reform wins power.

And even Reform supporters raised eyebrows as the cost of the package announced by Mr Farage, who is currently in Las Vegas to speak at a bitcoin conference.

The PM used his speech this morning to deride a 'fantasy' package of measures that will lead to a Liz Truss-style market meltdown.

However, even Reform supporters raised eyebrows as the cost of the package announced by Mr Farage.

Commentator Tim Montgomerie, founder of the Con Home political website, said: 'The sums don't add up.'

Reform wants to raise the tax-free income allowance to 20,000 and pledged a transferable marriage tax allowance if his party wins the next election, aimed at incentivising marriage and encouraging people to have more children by making it more affordable.

It would exempt one spouse from paying any tax on the first 25,000 of their income, as revealed by the Mail.

Speaking at an event at a business in north-west England, the Prime Minister said Mr Farage would not have protected jobs in industries subject to tariffs from the US, and compared him to Ms Truss.

Sir Keir said: 'We protected those jobs. Would Nigel Farage have done the same? Absolutely not.'

Mr Farage insisted the pledges were 'credible' and could be paid for by scrapping the Net Zero agenda, which he claimed was costing 45billion a year.

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Mr Farage praised Liz Truss's mini-Budget in 2022 - which triggered a market meltdown.

He said an extra 4billion annually could be saved from ditching accommodation for asylum seekers by deporting them and 7billion by ending the public sector's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) drive.

A further 65billion could be saved over five years by cutting quango bureaucracy by 5 per cent, he added, giving an average saving of 69billion annually overall.

But experts said raising the basic rate of income tax threshold to 20,000 could alone cost up to 80billion.

At present, workers pay the 20 per cent rate of income tax on everything between 12,570 and 50,270. Lifting the two-child benefit cap would cost an extra 3.5billion and reinstating the winter fuel allowance 1.5billion.

The eagerly anticipated speech was the most policy-heavy since Reform won four million votes and five seats last July.

Mr Farage has sought to woo working class Labour voters by leaning left with support for scrapping the two-child benefit cap and fully reinstating winter fuel payments. But he simultaneously backs a series of tax cuts, which left experts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies saying there could be an 85billion hole in the maths.

The Conservatives last night branded the package 'fantasy' economics and 'Corbynism in a different colour' because of the 'billions in unfunded commitments'.

Asked if he had a 'magic money tree', Mr Farage admitted his sums were 'slightly optimistic' but added: 'We can't afford Net Zero, it's destroying the country; we can't afford DEI, it's actually preventing many talented people from succeeding; and we certainly can't afford young undocumented males crossing the English Channel and living in five-star hotels.

'You can argue about numbers adding up. You can probably argue that at no point in the history of any form of government has anybody ever thought the numbers added up.'

The Conservatives last night branded the package 'fantasy' economics and 'Corbynism in a different colour' because of the 'billions in unfunded commitments'.
An 'active and beautiful' great grandmother who died after being mown down by a electric motorbike was using a zebra crossing at the time, police revealed today.

Amid mounting concern at the scourge of illegal high-performance e-bikes, Gloria Stephenson's devastated family paid tribute to her as an 'amazing mam'.

The 86-year-old was one of two pensioners who died after being hit by an electric motorbike on the same day, just 100 miles apart.

Less than four hours later Shaat Bibi, 72, was struck as she crossed the road near her home in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Mrs Bibi later died in hospital from her injuries with her grieving family calling for a crackdown on e-motorbikes.

After the tragedy in Sunderland on May 16, neighbours revealed Mrs Stephenson was walking her daughter's rescue dog - and said she was so fit and healthy that they had expected her to live to 100.

An 18-year-old was later arrested later on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after allegedly fleeing the scene.

The double tragedy comes as police seizures of illegally-modified electric bikes have soared amid increasing concerns they are a 'death trap' for pedestrians and riders.

Gloria Stephenson's devastated family today released this image as they paid tribute to the 86-year-old as an 'amazing mam' after she was tragically killed by a electric motorbike while using a zebra crossing

Gloria Stephenson, 86, was walking her daughter's dog across this zebra crossing in Sunderland on May 16 when she was struck

Devastated friends and neighbours of Gloria Stephenson left tributes close to the scene of her death

A Sur-Ron electric motorbike similar to the one which struck Gloria Stephenson on a zebra crossing in Sunderland

Today Northumbria Police said it understood that Mrs Stephenson was using 'a zebra crossing when she was struck by a black Sur-Ron electric motorcycle, travelling in a southbound direction'.

They said the 18-year-old rider initially drove away from the scene on Burdon Road near to the junction with Lidcombe Close.

The teenager has been released on police bail pending further inquiries as officers renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Paying tribute today, relatives of Mrs Stephenson, who lived in the Silksworth, Sunderland, said she was an 'amazing mam'.

'We are all devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful, and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great grandma,' they added.

'The press described her as an "elderly lady" - however, we want to make absolutely clear that our mam was full of life.

'She was active, fit, healthy, and had years left to give her love and share her energy and zest for life with everyone who knew her.

'The family want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who supported mam, and her daughter and grandson at the scene.'

Gloria Stephenson was using a zebra crossing on Burdon Road near to the junction with Lidcombe Close when she suffered fatal injuries

Police today pledged to get Gloria Stephenson's family 'the answers they deserve' following her tragic death

Locals said she was walking her daughter's rescue terrier at the time.

The dog suffered minor injuries.

It is believed the motorbike weaved in between stationary cars at the crossing before colliding with her.

Locals who knew her said she was super fit for her age and was regularly out walking.

Barry Slee, 49, a neighbour, said: 'Gloria was going over the crossing as a pedestrian but was knocked over and killed.

'She hadn't done anything wrong. The bike has apparently gone through some cars who had stopped to let her through.

'Gloria was 86 but was as fit as a lop. She would walk with her dog every day.

'You would never have believed she was 86.

'She was tremendous.

'She had a huge heart and was loved by everyone.

Shaat Bibi, 72, was struck by an electric motorbike as she crossed the road near her home in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Pictured: L-R, Mrs Bibi's late husband Shah Nawaz, son Baber Iqbal and Mrs Bibi

'She was that fit that you would have thought she would have easily reached 100.

'She has lived in the area for a long time and knew everyone around here.

'This should be murder. She was crossing the road when she was hit.'

Allison Burnett, 58, said: 'She was amazing.

'She was the best friend to everyone and was always happy.

'She lives life to the fullest for an 86-year-old. The shock is unbelievable.

'We still can't take in that she's not with us anymore.'

Today Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, said: 'Our thoughts remain with all of Gloria's family and loved ones as they try to process what has happened.

'We will support them in any way that we can, as we look to get them the answers they deserve.

'I'd like to thank those who have been in touch to share information and footage with us so far - and would urge any further witnesses to contact us.'

West Yorkshire Police previously said a 17-year-old arrested in relation to Mrs Bibi's death was later released on bail.

Last year a Sky News investigation found that police across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year to August, up from 511 recorded during the previous 12 months.

Although under UK law, e-bike motors must cut out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached, police are increasingly finding many have been modified to reach much faster speeds - up to 70mph.
A violent attacker has admitted robbery after leaving a Bridgerton actress 'concussed and traumatised' when seizing her phone.

Zacariah Boulares, 18, carried out the theft from rising star Genevieve Chenneour as she sat in the Joe & The Juice cafe in Kensington, west London.

The Algerian national pleaded guilty to stealing the phone when he appeared before Westminster magistrates in central London today.

He also pleaded guilty to common assault against Carlo Kurcishi, another customer in the same cafe, as well as a separate charge of theft after taking a black leather handbag at a pizza restaurant.

Magistrates were told he had 12 previous convictions for 28 offences, all relating to theft.

The defendant has now been remanded into custody with sentencing scheduled for June 17 at Isleworth Crown Court in west London.

Chenneour has previously spoken of the terrifying moment she fought off the teenage thug who set upon her while she was walking her dog.

The actress, who appeared in season three of the Netflix hit show as rumour-monger Clara Livingston, told the Mail on Sunday this month: 'They didn't expect me to stand up for myself  but I did.'

Genevieve Chenneour, pictured here at the premiere of Netflix's The Gentlemen at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane in March last year, had her phone stolen in February this year

She featured as the character Clara Livingston in the TV hit series Bridgerton

The robbery happened when Yorkshire-born Genevieve had stopped at a branch of Joe & The Juice in west London.

She said: 'I was left with a concussion just before the Screen Actors Guild Awards and since then, I've felt constantly on edge.

'Even my dog was traumatised - now, if anyone touches me, he panics and tries to protect me.

'Getting a coffee shouldn't be something you need your wits about you for.

'I'm so grateful to the staff at Joe & The Juice  they were incredible during the incident and when I went back to see them after.'

More than 70,000 phones were snatched in London in 2024, out of an estimated 100,000 thefts across the UK. A

A source was previously quoted as saying: 'Genevieve showed real bravery throughout. It was a very shocking incident.

'It shows what is happening on London's streets on a daily basis.

Genevieve Chenneour is seen here at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, in February this year

'This was just another young woman going about her daily business. She's handled it brilliantly.'

Chenneour is a former athlete who joined Team GB's artistic swimming team at the age of 15.

She was awarded an Olympic scholarship before the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, but her sporting career was cut short by injury and she retrained as an actress.

After appearing as a stunt double in the underwater sequences of period feature Gateway To The West, she landed her breakthrough role in the Regency drama.
Former first lady Michelle Obama revealed new details on some of the annoyances that come with being married to Barack Obama.

Obama sat down with her brother Craig Robinson for an episode of their IMO podcast, bringing on as their guest Dr. Sharon Malone.

Like Obama, Malone had a stint at being a political wife, as she's married to former Attorney General Eric Holder.

Obama recalled that the women first met at a Congressional Black Caucus event when Barack Obama was a U.S. senator.

'They put us together because we were both reluctant spouses attending one of these huge dinners,' the former first lady recalled. 'And what, where were they? Was Barack a U.S. senator?'

President Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004 - after becoming a nationally recognized political figure for the stirring keynote he delivered at the Democratic National Convention earlier that year.

He remained a senator until 2008, resigning after he was elected president of the United States.

'There was a line of people waiting to shake hands with our respective husbands,' Obama recalled of the Senate-era affair. 'You know, people, like reaching over our heads and spilling water on us, trying to get to these two, you know, illustrious men.'

Former first lady Michelle Obama recalled getting water spilled on her as people fanned over her husband, former President Barack Obama, during his early career in Washington as a U.S. senator

President Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004 - after becoming a nationally recognized political figure for the stirring keynote he delivered at the Democratic National Convention earlier that year

Obama made eye contact with Malone and realized they needed to be friends.

'She had the same look on her face as I did, like, "Here we go,"' Obama recalled. 'And I looked over at this beautiful woman ... But I just saw the look on her face, which expressed the sentiments that I felt, which was.'

'P***ed off,' Robinson offered.

Obama rejected that.

She said it was more like, 'You see this? Like, this is crazy, isn't it, girl?' the former first lady said.

For years Obama has been frank about being a 'reluctant' political spouse - but she pulled back even more earlier this year when she decided against going to the late President Jimmy Carter's funeral in January.

She then skipped President Donald Trump's second swearing-in ceremony on January 20th, leaving her husband to go solo.

Those absences sparked divorce rumors, which Obama addressed during a taping of actress Sophia Bush's podcast last month.

Former first lady Michelle Obama had on her podcast the wife of President Barack Obama's (left) Attorney General Eric Holder (right)

'That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,' Obama said.

'That this couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?' she continued.

Obama added: 'That's what society does to us.'

'We start actually, finally going, "What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?" And if it doesn't fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible.'
A well-respected doctor in Democrat-led California has been forced to abandon her practice after years of a persistent homeless encampment overtaking the building's roof.

Dr. Tahani Soliman, owner of a Los Angeles County medical practice, has spent years battling a group of unhoused individuals who have turned her rooftop into their own personal space - terrorizing her staff, setting fires, and creating an unsafe work environment, KTLA News reported.

Now, the West Coast physician is officially walking away from her practice, overwhelmed by frustration and a glaring lack of urgency from city officials.

'We are living in hell,' Soliman told the outlet.

Located in a Huntington Park neighborhood, Soliman's family medicine practice sits next to a multi-level parking garage.

However, the parking garage in question is notoriously a hotspot for the local homeless population - and alarmingly, it provides easy access to the rooftop of the doctor's office.

For years, the self-employed doctor has endured the homeless encampment consistently taking over her building's roof - stealing electricity, stripping scrap metal from air conditioning units and even starting trash fires.

A well-respected California doctor who operates a Los Angeles County medical practice (pictured) was forced to abandon her career after years of a persistent homeless encampment overtaking the building's roof

Dr. Tahani Soliman (pictured), owner of a family medicine practice in Huntington Park, has spent years battling a group of unhoused individuals who have turned her rooftop into their own personal space - resulting in the loss of her sense of safety

Soliman has endured the homeless encampment consistently stealing electricity, stripping scrap metal from air conditioning units and even starting trash fires for years (pictured: fire on roof in 2023)

As recently as Tuesday, a fire broke out atop the parking structure, forcing crews from the Los Angeles Fire Department to rush in and extinguish the blaze.

But this incident is far from isolated. It appears to simply be the breaking point in Soliman's long-running struggle.

In 2023, a fire erupted in the same exact spot, during which firefighters informed the doctor and her staff for the first time that homeless people were living atop the parking garage.

'We ended up putting a fence with barbed wire,' employee Gaby Rodriguez told KTLA. 'They took that down.'

'We put cages around our AC units, and they took those down.'

From that point on, clothes strewn across the roof, damaged equipment, discarded cans, vape devices and other debris have become a constant and struggling sight.

Soliman shared that she estimates having spent more than $100,000 in repairs and deterrents like barbed wire and fencing - only to watch the homeless tear it down time and time again.

When a fire erupted on the roof in 2023, firefighters informed the doctor and her staff for the first time that homeless people were living atop the parking garage (pictured: encampment)

The parking garage (pictured) next to Soliman's practice is notoriously a hotspot for the local homeless population - and alarmingly, it provides easy access to the rooftop of the doctor's office

For years, clothes strewn across the roof, damaged equipment, discarded cans, vape devices (pictured) and other debris have become a constant and struggling sight

Gaby Rodriguez (pictured), Soliman's employee, said after the 2023 fire, they put up a fence with barbed wire - but the unhoused individuals tore it down

'They ruined my roof,' the doctor told KTLA.

'I have to put in a new roof and electricity from the air conditioning,' she added. 'I have to replace all of them.'

Whenever Huntington Park police are alerted to the recurring incidents, they reportedly tell Soliman there's little they can do to resolve the problem.

Adding to her frustration, every call Soliman has made to city officials has gone unanswered, leaving her feeling abandoned as her business continues to be overrun.

'No protection for my employees, for my patients or my tenants,' Soliman told KTLA.

'That's why I'm going to retire, because of this, I lost everything.'

The encampment, which has been a source of escalating tension and safety concerns, has raised serious questions about the city's handling of homelessness.

Critics of California's shelter system have dubbed it the 'homeless industrial complex', but Sergio Perez, who was until recently a Los Angeles city accountability chief, gave it another name in March.

In Perez's words, it's a 'very expensive merry-go-round'.

Whenever Huntington Park police are alerted to the recurring incidents, they reportedly tell Soliman there's little they can do to resolve the problem (pictured: damage)

Soliman (pictured) shared that she estimates having spent more than $100,000 in repairs and deterrents like barbed wire and fencing - only to watch the homeless tear it down time and time again

Adding to her frustration, every call Soliman has made to city officials has gone unanswered, leaving her feeling abandoned as her business continues to be overrun (pictured: damage)

A recent study by CalMatters revealed the true scale of California's shelter system, which is bigger than was widely understood.

Since 2018, the news site found, at least $1 billion of tax dollars has flowed to projects for the homeless.

But these epic handouts solve nothing.

Although the number of emergency beds has more than doubled from 27,000 to 61,000 in that time, there are still three times as many homeless people as there are shelter beds across the Golden State.

Researchers lifted the lid on a mismanaged, graft-ridden enterprise - a gravy train of funders, officials, shelter owners and charities that perpetuates the homelessness crisis as it gobbles up more public money.

However, the homeless themselves are the real victims, as they languish in moldy shelters where stabbings, sex crimes, harassment, and child abuse too often hurt their already-struggling occupants.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count registered as many as 6,672 people experiencing homelessness in Lancaster and its surrounding areas in 2024 alone.

Although the number of emergency beds has more than doubled from 27,000 to 61,000 since 2018, there are still three times as many homeless people as there are shelter beds across the Golden State

Earlier this year, Southern California mayor R. Rex Parris of Lancaster (pictured) sparked mass condemnation after revealing he'd give homeless residents 'all the fentanyl they want' in an effort to wipe them out

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count registered as many as 6,672 people experiencing homelessness in Lancaster and its surrounding areas in 2024 alone

Earlier this year, a Southern California mayor sparked mass condemnation after revealing he'd give homeless residents 'all the fentanyl they want' in an effort to wipe them out.

Just a tiny, two milligrams dose of the drug is enough to kill a human.

R. Rex Parris, the mayor of Lancaster, made the remarks in front of stunned residents and councilmembers at a city council meeting.

When asked about his vision to tackle the crisis, the 73-year-old Republican mayor did not mince his words.

'What I want to do is give them free fentanyl,' Parris said. 'I mean, that's what I want to do. I want to give them all the fentanyl they want.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli media has claimed.

The proposal by Witkoff would reportedly see Palestinian militant group Hamas release of ten living hostages, 60 days of truce and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from the embattled Strip.

It would also see the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds of those serving lengthy prison terms.

Hamas said earlier that it had received the new proposal from mediators and was studying it, but a spokesperson reportedly expressed 'disappointment' with a lack of clarity around the terms of the agreement, according to Axios.

The deal is not thought to include a clear guarantee of a permanent ceasefire, nor does it clarify whether the 60-day truce will be extended in the event that negotiators cannot agree an armistice before it expires.

These concerns come after the expiration of the previous temporary ceasefire in January saw Israel immediately resume fighting in Gaza, having refused to hold negotiations on a permanent end to the war.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli source told The Times of Israel that the new Witkoff terms do not dictate where Israeli forces must redeploy once a temporary ceasefire is enacted, nor does it specify 'the manner in which aid would be distributed within the framework of a ceasefire'.

It comes as 44 people were killed in Israeli attacks on the Strip in the past 24 hours, according to rescuers and the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

This picture taken from a position in southern Israel, on the border with the Gaza Strip, shows destroyed buildings in the besieged territory

A Palestinian boy inspects the rubble of the Azzam family home which was hit in Israeli strikes on central Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025

Palestinians carry aid supplies received from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation through an area known as the Netzarim Corridor, central Gaza Strip, 29 May 2025

Israelis whose relatives are held in Gaza, gather in front of the headquarters of the Likud Party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand the return of all captives as the war on the Palestinian enclave entered its 600th day

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal (file image)

News of a new ceasefire proposal comes amid an expansion of Israel's offensive in Gaza following a months-long blockade of aid since a ceasefire with Hamas broke down in March.

The military claims to be 'increasing the pressure' on Hamas to help return some 58 hostages still in Gaza, a third of whom are still believed to be alive.

But the widely condemned offensive remains controversial even at home, with some two-thirds of Israelis opposing expanding the war and putting the hostages at greater risk.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid has finally begun to trickle in after a two-month blockade, is dire following more than 18 months of devastating war.

Food security experts say starvation is looming for one in five people after Israel enacted a months-long blockade on aid destined for the demolished Strip.

At least four people died yesterday as hundreds of aid-starved Palestinians broke into a United Nations food warehouse in a desperate attempt to get something to eat.

Two people were crushed to death as the heaving mass of humanity poured into the Al-Ghafari warehouse housing supplies provided by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), while two others were reportedly shot dead.

Heartbreaking footage of the crush showed frenzied Gazans tearing pieces off the building located in Deir Al-Balah in an attempt to get at the supplies inside.

Gunshots were clearly heard ringing out in the clip, though it is not clear who fired on the group.

The deaths on Wednesday came a day after Israeli soldiers opened fire on a crowd that was overrunning a new aid-distribution site set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli and US-backed initiative.

At least one Palestinian was killed and 48 people injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military, which guards the site from a distance, said it fired only warning shots to control the situation, while the foundation said its private security contractors did not open fire.

Palestinians gather at an aid distribution center in Deir Al-Balah, in the Gaza Strip, May 28, 2025

Heartbreaking footage of the crush showed frenzied Gazans tearing pieces off the building located in Deir Al-Balah in an attempt to get at the supplies inside

Palestinians living in makeshift tents on the coast struggle amid starvation and Israeli blockade in Gaza Strip on May 28, 2025

7-year-old Verd al-Sheikh Khalil, who survived the Israeli attack on the Fahmi al-Jarjawi School in Gaza City, a shelter for displaced Palestinians, is seen in Gaza City, Gaza on May 26, 2025

Netanyahu had previously ruled out proposals that would end the war entirely after the last pause in fighting broke down in March.

Hamas subsequently conceded that there was 'no sense' in pursuing truce talks if Israel was ruling out such proposals.

Since then, mediators have been holding 'urgent meetings' in Qatar to avoid an escalation in Gaza.

Foreign negotiation remains a fragile lifeline for Gaza's population after 18 months of war.

Israel's current plan includes measures to flatten 'all infrastructure' above and below ground and move virtually 2.3m people to what it has termed a 'humanitarian area'.

One official said that the alternative for Palestinians would be to leave their homeland 'voluntarily', moving to countries 'in line with President Trump's vision for Gaza'.

Israel has been conducting military operations in Gaza since October 2023, when Hamas led an incursion into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage.

More than 53,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began launching its attacks.

Proposals to expand the conflict again have been met with almost unanimous condemnation from Israel's allies, and Netanyahu faces mounting criticism at home.

Last week, Britain, France and Canada threatened Israel with sanctions, denouncing the 'disproportionate' escalation.

The Israeli army demolishes a Palestinian house and a 1,000 square meter sheep farm in Bethlehem, West Bank on the grounds that it was 'unlicensed' on May 26, 2025

Israeli soldiers ride in a military jeep near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, May 26, 2025

Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, mourn as their bodies are brought to Nasser Hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis, Gaza on May 26, 2025

Officials said previously that Witkoff had told other mediators that Washington does not plan to force Israel to end the war.

Israel has vowed to seize control of Gaza and keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed or disarmed and exiled.

Israeli strikes continued to pound the Gaza Strip early on Monday, killing dozens, including people sleeping in a school-turned-shelter, local health officials said.

The Israeli military said it targeted militants operating from the school.

Netanyahu has said that the expanded campaign will end with Israel in complete control of Gaza, ousting Hamas from its strongholds.

But conditions have become increasingly dire for the civilian population, squeezed into an ever-narrowing zone in coastal areas and around the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for parts of the city earlier this week, following what it said were rocket launches from the area.
An illegal immigrant was rounded up by ICE after allegedly sending a chilling letter to an agent threatening to assassinate President Trump.

Ramon Morales-Reyes, 54, a migrant from Mexico with a long rap sheet, was arrested this week after sending a hand-written letter to an ICE officer warning he was 'tired of this president messing with us Mexicans.'

'We have done more for this country than you white peopleyou have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him,' the letter read.

Morales-Reyes promised to 'self-deport myself back to Mexico', but only after he carried out his plot on the president's life.

'Not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head - I will see him at one of his big rallies,' the letter concluded.

The threatening letter was shared by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as Secretary Kristi Noem blamed liberal media for a 'rhetoric' fueling assassination attempts on Trump.

'This threat comes not even a year after President Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania and less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the Presidents assassination,' Noem said.

'All politicians and members of the media should take notice of these repeated attempts on President Trumps life and tone down their rhetoric. I will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of President Trump.'

Ramon Morales-Reyes, 54, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a long rap sheet, was arrested this week after allegedly sending a hand-written letter to an ICE officer threatening to assassinate President Trump

The letter was released by the Department of Homeland Security, where the migrant allegedly wrote that he was 'tired of this president messing with us Mexicans' and promised to 'shoot your precious president in his head - I will see him at one of his big rallies'

The DHS said the letter was sent to an ICE field intelligence officer in the mail on May 21, and Morales-Reyes was arrested the next day.

The agency said they discovered he was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had entered the US illegally 'at least nine times' between 1998 and 2005.

Morales-Reyes has a lengthy rap sheet including arrests for felony hit-and-run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct, the agency said.

Following his arrest, he was held in custody at the Dodge County Jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, and is set to be deported.

'Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars,' Noem said.

The DHS Secretary likened the chilling letter to other recent threats on Trump's life, including Comey's alleged call for violence against Trump in an Instagram post two weeks ago.

Comey shared a picture of seashells on a beach spelling '86 47', which some took to be a call to assassinate the president as it is used in mafia jargon to mean a grave being 'eight feet long and six feet deep.'

FBI Director Kash Patel said his bureau has been overwhelmed by 'copycat' threats since Comey's Instagram post.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem blamed liberal media for a 'rhetoric' fueling assassination attempts on Trump

Noem said she will take 'all measures necessary' as she likened the threat on Trump's life to an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania last July (pictured) where a gunman grazed Trump's ear with a bullet

The letter comes two weeks after former FBI Director James Comey shared an Instagram post calling to '86 47', which some took as a call to assassinate Trump

The arrest of Morales-Reyes came the same week that an American man was also arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York after allegedly making threats to assassinate Trump.

Joseph Neumayer, a 28-year-old dual United States and German citizen, was arrested at the airport after also allegedly plotting to bomb the US Embassy in Israel.

Neumayer was charged with attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive, the Branch Office of the United States Embassy located in Tel Aviv, according to the Justice Department.

He arrived in Israel in April and was previously detained after spitting on a security guard outside the embassy on May 19.

The Justice Department said Neumeyer broke free from the guard, but left behind his dark-colored backpack.

Investigators found three Molotov cocktails inside his bag then tracked him down. He was initially arrested in Israel, before being deported to the United States where he was again arrested at JFK.

The arrest of Morales-Reyes came the same week that American man Joseph Neumayer (pictured), 28, was also arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York after also allegedly making threats to assassinate Trump

Investigators found three Molotov cocktails inside Neumayer's bag outside of the embassy (pictured) then tracked him down to his hotel and arrested him

According to court documents, Neumeyer posted on social media the day he spat at the guard, 'Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f**k the west.'

In other posts he allegedly wrote: 'We are killing Trump and Musk now', 'Death to Trump. Death to America,' and 'The former President has several hours to resign or certain death'.

Other social media post allegedly showed that he had also threatened to assassinate Donald Trump. If convicted, Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The migrant woman now charged in the death of an Air Force cadet in a jet ski crash in Texas can be seen scantily clad and modeling bikinis in new videos, including the suit she wearing the day of the crash.

In an online reel, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 22, can be seen modeling multiple revealing outfits and swimwear in a video posted to her Instagram account in January.

The Venezuelan migrant included a snap of herself in a blue and multi-colored print bikini-- the same two-piece she was wearing the day she crashed into and killed 18-year-old Ava Moore.

The Air Force cadet was kayaking on Grapevine Lake in the Dallas area, when authorities say a jet ski driven by Gonzalez was speeding and hit Moore.

Local cops even released a photo of her in the bikini after she fled the Memorial Day crash, although she was arrested Tuesday in Dallas after police were flooded with over 900 tips pointing them to her.

Gonzalez is now charged with second-degree felony manslaughter, and a woman who was her passenger in the watercraft is not facing any charges since she did stay at the scene and cooperated with authorities, Texas Game Wardens stated Wednesday.

A Venezuelan man, Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, has also been charged for helping her escape from police and crashing into two cars in the process.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) explained that the pair is dating.

'This criminal alien and her boyfriend will account for the tragic accident that ended the life of a young woman who exhibited enormous potential,' ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas acting Field Office Director Josh Johnson in Dallas stated Thursday.

ICE further revealed that Gonzalez crossed into the US illegally through the southern border in September 2023.

Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 22, has been charged with manslaughter

Ava Moore, 18, a recent graduate of Timber Creek High School and a student at the Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, was kayaking near Oak Grove Park on Sunday evening when she was violently struck by a speeding jet ski

Perozo arrived in the country on Jan. 22, 2023, via the Camino Real Port of Entry in Eagle Pass, Texas without authorization. He was released pending an immigration hearing.

A spokesman for the agency declined to say whether either of them have pending asylum or Temporary Protected Status cases

'Once the state of Texas goes through the process on the criminal charges, we'll take custody of them,' Johnson explained during a press conference with law enforcement Wednesday.

During her time in the US, Gonzalez posted cheeky videos of herself online, showing off her bottom in various bikinis, short shorts and underwear.

She posted under the Instagram handle @tublanquita1205.

In Spanish, 'tu blanquita' translates to 'your light-skinned one.'

Her profile includes a third video set to a song in Spanish.

The lyrics state, 'May God forgive my sins.'

'May he forgive the woman I love-- the bad moments she's had to go through because of me.'

She set the song to footage of her mouthing the lyrics and a montage of photos where she is kissing an unknown woman.

Now charged with manslaughter, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 21, showed off her figure prior to be accused of killing an Air Force cadet

The suspect in a jet-ski crash in Dallas begged forgiveness for her sins and the woman she loved in an Instagram reel

Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, 22, and Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, were taken into custody on Tuesday after allegedly fleeing the scene of a jet ski collision that killed 18-year-old Ava Moore

Gonzalez was taken into custody by police in south Dallas, after over 900 tips poured in from the public, leading the cops to her

Grapevine Fire Department officials said they pulled Moore to shore and began life saving measures before she was brought to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries

Authorities tracked down Gonzalez and Perozo to a house in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood Tuesday.

The duo were hiding in the home together and had a packed suitcase when police came knocking.

Meanwhile, the victim's family planned a funeral for Moore, although the location was not released as her relatives asked for privacy.

Emergency responders found Moore unconscious with severe head trauma as bystanders and first responders attempted life-saving measures Monday.

Despite their efforts, the 18-year-old Air Force recruit was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Moore had been set to begin basic training in the fall and was remembered as a dedicated athlete and honors student.
On the latest episode of the Mail's Pipeline podcast, reporter Isabelle Stanley investigates why efforts to rescue five men trapped in an underwater oil pipe were thwarted.

In February 2022, five divers were sucked into a 30-inch pipe they were repairing off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite one of the divers, Christopher Boodram, escaping after an unimaginable three-hour ordeal, rescue attempts for the remaining four were repeatedly blocked, leaving them to die slowly in what became a national scandal.

Ronald Ramoutar, who was among the first on the scene, recounted his experience to Stanley on the six-part investigative podcast.

In February 2022, five divers were sucked into a 30-inch pipe they were repairing off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago

The pipe (pictured in the habitat) was only 30 inches wide. The men were sucked all the way down the vertical section and along the horizontal, until they finally came to a stop inside an air bubble. They were terrified and injured, but alive.

LISTEN: Pipeline - the harrowing story of the Paria pipeline disaster that shook Trinidad and Tobago to its core

Ramoutar was an experienced diver, who headed to the site of the accident as soon as he heard what had happened. Soon after arriving, he pulled Christopher Boodram out of the pipe, where he was waiting to be rescued, having fought his way back to the surface.

The pipe was managed by Paria, one arm of Trinidad's state-owned oil company. Paria maintain it was too dangerous to send rescuers into the pipe to recover the trapped men.

'When we arrived at Berth 6, we were already in diving gear. They kept shouting at us  you do not have permission to enter the water', Ramoutar said.

I went into the water anyway. Inside the pipe, I heard a voice calling  I climbed back out and saw Christopher. We took some rope, tied some loops in it, and managed to get him to climb up it like a ladder. That's how we got him out.

'We spoke to Christopher about what happened  he confirmed everyone was still alive and that they were in an air pocket.'

Using a tapping system to communicate with the four divers still trapped underwater, Mr Ramoutar verified Christopher's story.

Along with several other volunteer divers who had also arrived at the scene, Ramoutar devised a rescue plan.

They decided that Michael Kurban, whose father was trapped inside the pipe would dive inside himself, to try and pull the others out.

Despite one of the divers, Christopher Boodram (pictured), escaping after an unimaginable three-hour ordeal, rescue attempts for the remaining four were repeatedly blocked. Listen here

The tragedy sparked a national scandal in Trinidad, and billboards demanding justice still line street corners to this day. Listen here

On his first attempt, Michael was forced to resurface, realising that his air hose, which he was breathing through, was not long enough to go around the bend in the U-shaped pipe.

'By the time Michael came up, Paria officials told us  the Coast Guard is coming to help', Ramoutar said.

'We were told to wait. We thought, 'Good  the Coast Guard has experienced divers.' They will assist us. We backed down and waited.

'They arrived and told us  we're not trained for this; we're not going down there. They wouldn't even go inside the chamber  the whole thing was a waste of time.'

Just as they were preparing to try again on their own, the Coast Guard, under Paria's orders, blocked them from staging another rescue attempt.

'They told us we cannot go', Mr Ramoutar said.

'They each had an automatic weapon.

'They said in a firm voice more than once, don't go. They kept on saying it. We decided to back down.'

Three days later, on Monday February 28th 2022, Paria began pumping out the bodies of the four divers from the pipe.

Autopsies would later reveal that one of them may have been alive in those unimaginable conditions for up to 39 hours.

To hear all the first-hand accounts from those involved in the desperate rescue effort, search for Pipeline now, wherever you get your podcasts.

To listen to the shocking true story in full, search for Pipeline - available wherever you get your podcasts now.
Elon Musks alleged baby mama Ashley St Clair left court beaming after a two-and-a-half hour hearing of her custody and paternity lawsuit against the billionaire, DailyMail.com exclusive pictures show.

Musk also made a surprise virtual appearance in court today for a bombshell paternity and custody lawsuit just hours after quitting as Trump's top adviser.

St. Clair, 26, had filed the lawsuit on February 21 claiming Musk told her to keep the baby secret, then ghosted her and their son in the middle of child support negotiations, forcing her to take legal action.

DailyMail.com's exclusive pictures show St. Clair, 26, as she strode into the hallway of part 44 in New York Supreme Court, flanked by her attorneys Dror Bikel and Karen B. Rosenthal.

The conservative influencer wore a long beige coat over a demure collared navy-blue knitted sweater and pleated skirt with white piping.

Her attorneys said 'we are not going to speak to you' as a reporter approached St. Clair.

The SpaceX and Tesla owner appeared on screen wearing a dark suit jacket, with his attorneys Alyssa Rower and Jennifer Isaacman present in court.

The world's richest man, 53, appeared before Judge Jeffrey Pearlman, who then ordered the hearing sealed due to the sensitive nature of the proceedings.

Musk's attorneys had previously successfully petitioned the judge to seal the case on March 14, keeping its details secret and limiting St. Clair's ability to speak out.

Elon Musks alleged baby mama Ashley St Clair left court beaming after a two-and-a-half hour hearing of her custody and paternity lawsuit against the billionaire

Alleged 'baby mama' Ashley St. Clair, 26, arrived at court in Manhattan on Thursday for a paternity hearing regarding whether Elon Musk is the father of her child

Surprisingly, Musk made a surprise appearance virtually in the courtroom only hours after he had quit his position in DC at DOGE

The hearing comes on the heels of the tech boss abruptly announcing last night that he is quitting his role as a top government advisor to President Donald Trump after leading efforts to slash federal bureaucracy in the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE.

Musk  whose role in the administration was always intended to be temporary  said in a post on his social media site, X: 'As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.

'The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.'

St. Clair first went public in February, sensationally claiming in a shock post on X that the billionaire is the father of her baby boy, born in September last year.

She claims Musk contacted her via direct message in May 2023, and that the child, who has been named by his initials 'R.S.C.', was conceived early January 2024 on a trip to the island of Saint Barthelemy in the Caribbean.

Musk has not publicly acknowledged the child as his but has responded with cryptic emojis to posts on X about St. Clair's claims.

DailyMail.com revealed in March how St. Clair had been forced to sell her $100,000 Tesla after Musk cut her child support in half.

She was spotted handing over the keys to her black Model S outside her Manhattan apartment.

DailyMail.com's exclusive pictures show St. Clair as she strode into the hallway of part 44 in New York Supreme's Court, flanked by her attorneys Dror Bikel and Karen B. Rosenthal

Musk's attorneys had previously successfully petitioned the judge to seal the case on March 14, keeping its details secret and limiting St. Clair's ability to speak out (PICTURED: Musk with his alleged son with St. Clair)

St. Clair filed the lawsuit on February 21 claiming Musk told her to keep the baby secret, then ghosted her and their son in the middle of child support negotiations, forcing her to take legal action

Sources told DailyMail.com that Musk's behavior toward St. Clair has been 'shocking and shameful' after he cut her child support payments

She previously told DailyMail.com: 'I need to make up the 60% cut that Elon made to our son's child support.'

Asked if she felt Musk was being vindictive toward her, she said: 'Well that's his modus operandi, when women speak out.

'You can check the stocks, I'm not the only one who is cleaning up his messes.'

St. Clair said the last time she tried to speak to Musk was February 13, but he did not respond.

A source close to the case previously told DailyMail.com that since St. Clair went public, Musk 'retaliated' by cutting her child support money in half 'unilaterally', leaving her struggling to make ends meet.

The source described the billionaire's actions as 'shocking and shameful'.

'Ever since she got pregnant and then had the baby, Elon's been providing support money to her,' the source said. 'But he had a fairly specific list of requirements, including not acknowledging he's the father.

'Since the moment she objected to the level of control he demanded, he's withdrawn from her completely. When she went public with the fact that the baby was his, he's never spoken to her again.

St. Clair also revealed she had been forced to sell her Tesla after the world's richest man cut her child support in half

DailyMail.com witnessed her handing the $100,000 car over to a representative from the online auto sales giant Carvana in New York City over the weekend

The two went back and forth on X on March 31 arguing about the child's paternity, with Elon airing out the cash he would send to her for the child

The new son with conservative influencer St. Clair would extend Musk's brood to 13

'When this thing went into court for custody and paternity, he cut the support payments way back. He cut it by more than half.

'It's a substantial reduction, and he obviously did it as a form of retaliation for her going into court,' the source claimed.

DailyMail.com previously reported how St. Clair had been raising the toddler and her baby with another man with the help of a full-time nanny at her rented three-bed apartment in downtown Manhattan.

'She bought a Tesla so she'd have a car to transport both the children in. Now she's selling it because she needs to raise money to cover the expenses she has that Elon has simply not paid.

'She's been living on her own. She gets no logistics assistance from Elon. And all of a sudden, she's punitively given much less money to raise this child than she's ever had.'

'The richest guy in the world, to treat a woman that he made a baby with this way, is shocking and shameful,' the close source told DailyMail.com.
A woman appeared in court today accused of attempting to murder two police officers using a knife.

Hannah Smaile, 25, was charged after officers were called to an address in Carlisle at around 9.30am yesterday.

According to Cumbria Police, two officers attended to speak to the occupant but were assaulted using a knife.

'A female officer suffered a facial injury described as not life threatening,' the force said in a statement.

'A male officer suffered a hand injury described as not life-changing.'

Both were discharged from hospital after receiving treatment.

Smaile, 25, of Brocklebank, Cumbria, is accused of the attempted murder of PC Matthew Johnstone and PC Heather Wilson.

A third charge alleges that Smaile unlawfully and intentionally threatened the same two police constables with an offensive weapon or bladed article  namely a hunting knife  at a private address in the Raffles area of Carlisle.

Hannah Smaile, 25, allegedly wounded two police officers called to an address in Carlisle using a knife

Two police officers were assaulted after being called to Lister Court in Carlisle (pictured) yesterday, a court heard

Curly-haired Smaile appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court this afternoon wearing a light grey jumper.

During a four-minute hearing she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address.

No pleas were entered to the three charges.

Prosecutor Peter Bardsley said the incident occurred as police attended the property.

'She has a knife and approaches one of the officers,' he told the court.

'She tries to stab her. That (blade) catches the end of her nose.'

A second officer tried to restrain Smaile but she then 'threatens' him, the prosecutor alleged.

Smaile is due to appear at Carlisle Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on June 30.

No application for bail was made by defence solicitor Chris Toms, and Smaile was remanded in custody until the next court hearing.

Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, of Cumbria Police, said: 'Our officers and staff work incredibly hard to keep people in Cumbria safe.

'Police officers, like everyone else in society, should be able to go to work without fear of being assaulted.

'Both officers received treatment yesterday and have since been discharged and will receive continued support from the constabulary following this incident.'
Celebrity chef Jason Atherton has been banned from driving after being caught speeding in his 150,000 Aston Martin.

The restaurateur, who has been embroiled in a sexism row and also recently lost his Michelin star at his flagship eatery, was clocked driving the luxury SUV at 26mph in a 20mph zone in Putney, west London on August 23, 2024.

Atherton, 53, who was executive chef at Gordon Ramsay's Michelin-starred Maze until 2010 before kickstarting his TV career, has racked up 12 points thanks to three separate speeding offences.

He was handed a six-month driving ban and ordered to pay more than 1,000 in fines and costs at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in Clapham on Thursday.

'The defendant currently has nine points on his licence for three speeding matters,' said Sarah Hill, prosecuting. 'The dates of the offences are September 10 2022, February 25 2024 and March 12 2024.'

Ruth Harris, representing Atherton, said the previous offences 'related to three matters in which he had received the mandatory minimum three points for driving within 10mph of the limit'.

She added: 'At least two of them, possibly the third, were just over 20mph in a 20mph zone.

'He's the only driver in his household, he shares a home with his wife and three children - he works six days a week.

Celebrity chef Jason Atherton has been banned from driving after being caught speeding in his 150,000 Aston Martin

The restaurateur pictured in an Aston Martin in April. He has also been ordered to pay more than 1,000 in fines and costs

'His morning routine where he cooks breakfast with his family and then takes the children to school is the only quality time - intense quality time - he can have with his family.

'He works late, often too late to get the Tube home, and always too late to comfortably take the tube home. On his precious day off he is the only one who drives.'

Ms Harris said the circumstances constituted 'hardship' but did not 'cross the bar into exceptional hardship'.

Atherton was ordered to pay a total of 1,042, comprising of a 666 fine, 266 surcharge and 110 towards costs, having admitted exceeding the speed limit.

It is the latest blow for the star after he got caught up in a row prompted by his claim that he 'doesn't really' see sexism in professional kitchens.

Furious female chefs who say they have experienced rampant sexism in the male-dominated industry hit back at the Michelin-starred restaurateur's comments in February - with one telling FEMAIL the extreme measures she has taken in her career to avoid unwanted attention from her male peers.

Mursal Saiq, who chef and founder of Cue Point Afghan BBQ based in Jujus Bar and Stage in east London, said she has deliberately worn 'frumpy' clothes while pitching business ideas to men, for fear of leering eyes and in a bid to be taken seriously as a chef.

Her comments come as 70 female chefs, including Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown and 'queen of potatoes' Poppy O'Toole hit back at 53-year-old Atherton's inflammatory comments.

It comes after Atherton's opulent City Social located in City of London lost its coveted Michelin star in February

The chef pictured in 2021. He also got caught up in a sexism row earlier this year which was prompted by his claim that he 'doesn't really' see sexism in professional kitchens

The Sheffield-born restaurant owner, who has since claimed his comments were 'taken out of context', told The Times he felt that there was 'too much focus' on the issue of sexism within professional kitchens.

In a post on Instagram the following day, Atherton said he does not condone sexism and insisted many of the senior positions in his restaurant empire are held by women.

Nonetheless the interview has left some women in the industry 'fuming', sparking a #MeToo-style movement as they signed an open letter to Atherton.

Abe, previous contestant on Great British Menu, chef at The Pem and author of A Woman's Place is in the Kitchen, signed the letter, published in the Telegraph, in which they said Atherton's comments had 'outraged' them.

Discussing Atherton's remarks, Abe told the publication: 'It's insulting and painful. It's so hard to speak out because there are so many powerful male chefs that you daren't speak against. But now, luckily, there are 70 women in this WhatsApp group... This feels like our #MeToo movement, in some way.'

The letter further clarified the groups experiences, with a section reading: 'Sexism has been and remains a pervasive issue in our industry, shaping the culture of our kitchens in ways that diminish the potential and contributions of countless talented women'.

The letter was also signed by Dara Klein of Tiella, celebrity chef and Saturday Kitchen regular Anna Haugh, and Romy Gill.

Sharing a snippet of the letter on her Instagram account, Abe said: 'Let's work for a fairer future, a diverse workplace is a happy workplace.'

Talking to Femail, the chef and founder of Cue Point in London, Mursal Saiq (pictured), discussed her experiences of inequality in the food industry

Her Instagram post also featured a screenshot from a WhatsApp chat in which Abe said she was 'fuming' and Klein sarcastically said of Atherton's comments: 'Wow, not inflammatory or biased at all.'

Responding to the row, Cue Point chef and founder Mursal Saiq, told Femail that misogyny in the industry is so rife that she's self-financed her business to avoid the distressing work environments that men can create.

Saiq said: 'As a female chef and female founder, my biggest... struggles are pitching, and just trying to do the same things that men are doing, [with] the same exact model, same investors, and same restaurateurs.

'When you're a woman, and when you're a single woman, it seems to also mean that there's an extra caveat that "you should sleep with me and then I will give you what you want".

'It's becoming way too much, it's becoming a constant, and it's one of the reasons I've been self-financed for so long... it's those old school mentalities that have not left or changed, people just pretend they have, but they really haven't.'

To avoid unwanted attention in pitching meetings, Saiq would alter her appearance by wearing 'frumpy clothes' and 'not putting make up on just so I could get my pitch meeting through'.

She added: 'Then, what some people would do, they would pretend to be interested, or even if they are interested, they would make you come to multiple meetings to just see you and... potentially be a creep. So, you're just totally messed around.'

The chef concluded: 'As a founder in my own kitchen, I feel comfortable, but I do not feel comfortable in the larger industry at all.'

Female chefs, including Sally Abe (pictured), hit back at Atherton's remarks with an open letter

The open letter also raised concerns about awards bodies, claiming that the winners and categories do not fairly represent female talent.

Responding to the backlash, Atherton released a lengthy statement to his Instagram account to 'put the record straight'.

He wrote: 'I do not condone sexism in the industry or anywhere. A high per cent of our staff are women. Some of our most senior positions are held by women.

'My family is all women except for me - my wife and three young growing daughters, so sexism couldn't be further from my worldview.'

He added that he had been caught 'off guard' by the sexism question, and that his response had been 'taken out of context'.

Atherton continued: 'I didn't feel it was my place to answer that question myself and tried to move onto another topic, by simply saying I hadn't witnessed any sexism, however those few comments have been taken out of context and used in the headline.

'And regarding my quote on moving on from the past, that was about negativity in the industry, not sexism.

'I do generally believe our industry has moved on a lot in the last decade. I simply meant we are all working hard to make it a much better place. Of course nothing is perfect in life.'

Sally and Dara Klein spearheaded the open letter after discussing Atherton's comments on WhatsApp

When asked whether women still experience sexism in kitchens today, he had replied: 'No, not really. I've not seen it. Any industry has its ups and downs. I think there's way too much focus on our industry because of that.

'In the past, the hours have been long. It's been brutal, but that's behind us. But that [sexism] was also in journalism, it was also in fashion. It wasn't just our industry. It was society in general.

'I think there's too much focus on the negative side of our industry, rather than what is great like the fact that you can be any gender now in our industry and flourish.'

Earlier in February, Atherton's opulent City Social located in City of London lost its coveted Michelin star.

The Sheffield-born celebrity chef secured the accolade for the upmarket dining spot, which boasts panoramic skyline views of the city, within six months of its opening in 2014.

However, it was revealed that City Social is no longer in possession of the star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2025.

The guide recognises some of the best restaurants in the world by awarding up to three of its prestigious stars - and can make or break reputations.

It's the second blow for the chef who also shut his Pollen Street Social restaurant last year after a 14-year run.

At the time of its closure, Atherton said: 'The London dining scene is fast-paced, and diners are looking for something a little different,' according to The Caterer.

Atherton was also accused of 'bullying' young chefs in a BBC2 cookery show, The Chefs' Brigade, in 2019.

The chef admitted to being incandescent with rage during filming after his young team served food late and plated dishes badly in a Norwegian cookery challenge.

Viewers watching the second episode of the programme, which aimed to unearth hidden talent working in the UK food industry, branded Atherton a 'bullying b******' and said it was hard to believe such shouting in the kitchen was still acceptable.
A Florida community was recently ambushed by a 'vicious' and unlikely beast who left an old man injured.

Muscovy duck recently made its way to a neighborhood in Cape Coral - about four hours outside of Orlando - but the animal was not at all welcoming to its neighbors.

James Sepulveda, a resident who has lived in the area since 1998, was left with an injury on his hand after the duck bit him.

'I sit on my porch, 7 to 7:30 at this time of the year to catch a sunset, you know, some sun, and I had my eyes closed,' he told Fox 4.

'All of a sudden, I felt a jab on my hand and it was bleeding.'

Sepulveda wasn't the only one attacked by the duck, as Richard Guy, a neighbor who lives down the street from him, was also targeted.

'I stood up and I made some noises, thinking it would go away, duck, you know, next thing I know, its wings come out you know like it's going to attack me,' Guy told the outlet, showing injuries near his wrist.

At one point, the duck, later named Jimmy, even followed Sepulveda into his home.

James Sepulveda, a resident who has lived in the area since 1998, was left with an injury on his hand after the duck bit him

A 'vicious' Muscovy duck recently made its way to a neighborhood in Cape Coral - but the animal was not at all welcoming to its neighbors

When news first broke of the animal's terrifying behavior, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said Muscovy ducks are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The act prohibits the killing, selling, capturing, trading or transportation of specific birds without prior authorization, according to the agency's website.

'Muscovy ducks are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a Control Order allowing control of Muscovy ducks and their nests and eggs in areas outside their natural range,' FWC told the outlet.

The particular ducks are known to inhabit Texas, not the Sunshine State.

If they need to be removed, the process has to include them being either humanely killed or donated to scientific or educational institutes, per the agency.

After news of Jimmy's actions spread across the community, the terrorizing duck was taken to an animal sanctuary.

Mark Quadrozzi with Remarkable Rescues in Ocala took it upon himself to remove the feisty animal from the neighborhood.

After news of Jimmy's actions spread across the community, the terrorizing duck was taken to an animal sanctuary

The particular ducks are known to inhabit Texas, not the Sunshine State. (Pictured: Aerial view of Cape Coral, Florida)

'When you have a duck that wants to actually make physical contact with a person like that, but in a way with its beak it's more of a social thing. It's kind of a given that it was hand raised by someone,' the expert told the outlet.

After looking around for Jimmy for about an hour, Quadrozzi finally located the animal and quickly realized why it might have been acting out.

'This is a young male. Yes, that's why he's being such a punk,' he said.

He believes the duck is about three to four-months-old and was likely hand-raised.

Jimmy was placed in a cage and taken to the animal sanctuary to live with other Muscovy ducks.

Now, local residents wont have to be on edge when they leave their homes.

'I'm happy they're getting rid of ducks in the area because they are vicious,' Sepulveda stated.
A mother who died in her scorching apartment after the housing authority allegedly refused to fix her AC told her son 'I have suffered all weekend' just hours before.

Disabled resident Shirlyne Johnson passed away at her apartment in a central Denver high-rise on May 23, 2023, after complaining about the temperature several times.

The medical examiner said the 68-year-old died due to cardiovascular disease complicated by exposure to heat, adding that her body temperature was 111 degrees.

They estimated that Johnson's apartment, in the 13-story Thomas Bean Towers, was a scorching 125 degrees after her AC unit blew hot air in on a 60 degree day.

Johnson's heartbroken son, Shawn Pope, said she complained about the broken machine to her front desk on May 19, but maintenance never attended her unit.

She complained again on May 22, and an employee told her the super would fix the AC later that day. He revealed her final words that day to The Denver Post.

'I have suffered all weekend, son,' Johnson told her son. 'I'm tired.'

On May 23, Pope tried to call his mother, but she didn't pick up. Just before 9pm, he went to her flat with his wife to check on her, but there was no answer.

Disabled resident Shirlyne Johnson (pictured) passed away at her apartment in a central Denver high-rise on May 23, 2023, after complaining about the temperature several times

Investigators estimated that Johnson's apartment, in the 13-story Thomas Bean Towers (pictured), was a scorching 125 degrees after her AC unit blew hot air in during a 60 degree day

A maintenance man let the couple in, and they were confronted with a blast of hot air. They found Johnson dead in just her underwear, lying on her bed.

Johnson's children, Pope and his sister Latrisse Johnson, have since launched a lawsuit in Colorado court accusing the Denver Housing Authority of neglect.

'My mother didn't have to go this way,' Latrisse Johnson told the Post. 'I need accountability for her death.'

DailyMail.com has contacted the housing authority for comment.

Thomas Bean Towers serves low-income elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

Johnson was disabled - she suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis, among other health issues.

According to the Post, she was not the first person to die at Thomas Bean Towers due to overheating.

Another woman, Diann Cooper Williams, also died at the age of 66 in the 189-unit block on March 11, 2019 amid similar circumstances.

Williams died after the housing authority installed a humidifier as contractors fixed a water leak, and the heat soared to around 116 degrees.

Johnson's heartbroken son, Shawn Pope, said she complained about the broken machine to her front desk on May 19, but maintenance never attended her unit.

Medical examiners determined that she died as a result of environmental exposure due to hyperthermia - also known as heat stroke - with contributions of cardiovascular disease and a recent flu infection.

City officials investigated the deaths and found that the Denver Housing Authority failed to identify what contributed to the first death, or make any changes to prevent future tragedies unfolding.

The building has also been troubled by another health issue - an outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease, a severe lung infection, spread through the units later in 2023.

A public investigation found that the Denver Housing Authority again did not act quickly to resolve this horrific issue.

The agency told the Post in a statement that it 'takes resident well-being seriously and it is always our top priority.'
A Pakistani drug dealer has dodged deportation after a judge said he played a key role in teaching his son about Islam and his culture.

Muhammad Asif Karim, 43, amassed 21 offences after arriving on a visa to visit the UK in 1998 and never going home.

He was jailed for four years for possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply but allowed to remain in Britain after becoming a prosecution witness in a murder trial.

However, he was kicked out of a witness protection scheme when he continued to offend, and ten years ago he was ordered to be deported back to Pakistan.

He only sees his son by a white British mother twice a month, an immigration tribunal heard.

But a judge in Edinburgh has now ruled that he can remain in the UK after hearing from the boy on how his father taught him about religion', 'culture' and his 'life and upbringing in Pakistan'.

In addition the boy's mother had said Karim could talk to his son about studying and job choices, he could teach him to shave and talk to him about things a mother could not'.

The child was unaware of his fathers criminal history.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper want to restrict the 'exceptional circumstances' in which judges can currently overrule the Home Office when foreign nationals lodge immigration appeals

Last October a first-tier immigration judge allowed his human rights appeal against deportation under the controversial 'right to private and family life' under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Now an immigration appeals judge has rejected a Home Office bid to overturn the decision, saying deportation would be 'unduly harsh'.

The judge said the boy spoke about how 'his dad is able to talk to him about Islam, about Pakistani culture and his own upbringing'.

'We do not think it controversial to suggest that such matters would have significance for this child, who is himself of Pakistani origin, but is being largely brought up by his white British mother,' he said.

Judges felt they were matters fundamental to his identity.

They said that while there was 'a particularly strong public interest in removing someone who habitually committed crimes over a 14-year period', Karim hadn't offended for more than a decade.

They also highlighted how Karim had suffered from 'significant and debilitating mental ill-health'.

'There was also evidence that he was himself a survivor of violence, trauma and criminality, all of which had played a role in his troubled youth,' they added.

The case comes as ministers pledge to drive down immigration and tighten up the asylum system.

New legislation is planned following a backlash against cases such as that of an Albanian criminal whose deportation was halted partly due to his son's aversion to the type of chicken nuggets served abroad.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper want to restrict the 'exceptional circumstances' in which judges can currently overrule the Home Office when foreign nationals - including criminals - lodge immigration appeals.

In particular it would aim to 'limit successful claims' from foreign nationals who lodge appeals under Article 8.

However critics say the long-awaited White Paper contains only vague pledges and question whether it will tackle abuse of the asylum system.
Harvard President Alan Garber smugly taunted President Trump as he congratulated students from 'around the world' graduating from the prestigious university.

'From around the world,' he repeated for emphasis. 'Just as it should be.'

Students erupted in cheers and gave Garber a standing ovation as he gave the address during Harvard's 2025 commencement.

Garber told graduates they should 'expand our thinking and change our minds in the process', and said his 'hope is that you stay comfortable being uncomfortable.'

The educator has led Harvard since January 2024 after his predecessor Claudine Gay was ousted following car crash testimony she gave to Congress about the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses.

Garber has gone to war with the Trump administration in recent weeks and has sued the White House over its efforts to block international students. The clash escalated earlier this month as the president severed $2.2 billion in funding as it accused the school of failing to clamp down on anti-Semitism.

The Harvard graduates gave him a hero's welcome on stage on Thursday, shortly after U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the Trump administration cannot make any changes to Harvard's student visa program.

Although Garber did not say Trump's name, basketball hall of famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar used his speech the day before to slam the president, and compared Garber to civil rights figure Rosa Parks.

'When a tyrannical administration tried to bully and threaten Harvard, to revoke their academic freedom and to destroy free speech, Dr. Alan Garber rejected the illegal and immoral pressures, in the way Rosa Parks declined,' Abdul-Jabbar said.

Harvard President Alan Garber smugly taunted President Trump as he congratulated students from 'around the world' graduating from the prestigious university - 'just as it should be'

President Donald Trump's administration has attempted to block Harvard from admitting all international students and has severed billions in funding to the institution

Garber's remarks come after he gave an interview with NPR, where he appeared to downplay anti-Semitism on Harvard's campus and said the main issue has been 'shunning.'

He said Israeli students have been 'socially excluded' once other students find out where they are from, but said violent incidents are 'almost unheard of.'

This comes despite several instances of Israeli students being attacked and targeted at Harvard, including a Harvard law student being charged with assault last June while student groups also celebrated the October 7 Hamas attacks.

In her ruling Thursday, Burroughs told Harvard and Justice Department attorneys to work out an agreement that would stop the revocation of foreign student visas.

'It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure its worded in such a way that nothing changes,' Burroughs said.

'I want to maintain the status quo.'

The Trump administration had tried to prevent a ruling in Harvard's favor ahead of the mid-morning hearing by backing away from plans to immediately revoke the university's ability to enroll international students.

Instead Harvard was given 30 days to challenge the ban.

Lawyers for the Justice Department argued to Burroughs that the case might be moot because of the Trump administration's latest procedural move.

Harvard has denied Trump administration charges of alleged bias against conservatives, fostering antisemitism on campus and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.

Garber has led Harvard since January 2024 after his predecessor Claudine Gay was ousted following car crash testimony she gave to Congress about the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses

Harvard University's commencement ceremonies were happening as U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs was deciding the fate of foreign students at the Ivy. A number of students wore hats and stickers in support of their international classmates

The university has said losing that right would affect about one quarter of its student body and devastate the school.

Harvard had argued that the revocation violated its free speech and due process rights under the U.S. Constitution as well as the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs agency actions.

Its lawyers said DHS regulations required providing at least 30 days to challenge the agency's allegations, and give Harvard an opportunity to pursue an administrative appeal.

That 30 day window was offered ahead of Thursday's court date.

The revocation announced on May 22 was an escalation of the Trump administration's attacks on Harvard.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university's lawyers have argued the agency's action was part of an 'unprecedented and retaliatory attack on academic freedom at Harvard,' which is pursuing a separate lawsuit challenging the administration's decision to terminate nearly $3 billion in federal research funding.

Harvard argues the Trump administration is retaliating against it for refusing to cede to its demands to control the school's governance, curriculum and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students.

An attendee at Harvard University's commencement on Thursday wears a sticker that reads 'without our international students, Harvard is not Harvard'

Actor Rita Morena (left) waits for the start of the procession for Harvard University's commencement ceremony on Thursday in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The case before Burroughs, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, was filed after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked the school's SEVP certification.

In announcing the decision, Noem, without providing evidence, accused the university of 'fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.'

In a letter that day, she accused the school of refusing to comply with wide-ranging requests for information on its student visa holders, including about any activity they engaged in that was illegal or violent or that would subject them to discipline.

'As I explained to you in my April letter, it is a privilege to enroll foreign students, and it is also a privilege to employ aliens on campus,' she said.

Harvard said the decision was 'devastating' for the school and its student body.

The university, the nation's oldest and wealthiest, enrolled nearly 6,800 international students in its current school year, about 27 percent of its total enrollment.

The department's move would prevent Harvard from enrolling new international students and require existing ones to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that Harvard University should have a 15 percent cap on the number of non-U.S. students it admits.

Students attend commencement ceremonies Thursday at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Graduating students attend commencement ceremonies at Harvard University on Thursday amid the Trump administration's war against the Ivy League school

'Harvard has got to behave themselves,' he said.

Harvard University's commencement ceremonies were happening Thursday amid the court battle.

A number of speakers brought up the administration's war on the university during their speeches.

'Part of what makes America great, if I may use that phrase, is that it allows an immigrant like me to blossom,' said commencement speaker, Dr. Abraham Verghese, a best-selling author and Stanford expert on infectious diseases. 'The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard, is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you.'
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan will return to the UK to defend themselves after being charged with rape and other offences, their legal team has said.

The brothers' law firm Holborn Adams said in a statement that once proceedings faced by the men for separate charges are concluded in Romania they will 'return to face UK allegations'.

The brothers are already facing prosecution in Romania over alleged trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering, which must be settled before they can be extradited to the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

They have been charged with a string of offences including rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm against three women in the UK.

Andrew, 38, faces 10 charges connected to three alleged victims including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.

Meanwhile, Tristan, 36, faces 11 charges connected to one alleged victim including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking.

An international arrest warrant was issued by Bedfordshire Police for the siblings over allegations dating back to between 2012 and 2015, which they deny.

The charges were authorised in January 2024 but full details have only been released now as the CPS wanted to clarify the position of the proceedings.

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan will return to the UK to defend themselves after being charged with rape and other offences, their legal team has said. Pictured: Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate in Fortlauderdale, Florida on February 27, 2025

Andrew Tate (left) and his brother Tristan walk inside the Court of Appeal on October 15, 2024 in Bucharest, Romania

The brothers are already facing prosecution in Romania over allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

The Tates' legal team added:' These proceedings are set down for trial in 2027 (as things stand) whereby Andrew Tate will, again, rigorously defend himself with our full support.'

A CPS spokesman said: 'We can confirm that we have authorised charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate for offences including rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and actual bodily harm against three women.

'These charging decisions followed receipt of a file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police.

'A European Arrest Warrant was issued in England in 2024, and as a result the Romanian courts ordered the extradition to the UK of Andrew and Tristan Tate.

'However, the domestic criminal matters in Romania must be settled first.

'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendants have the right to a fair trial.

'It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'

The women are being represented by lawyer Matt Jury, who said: 'We welcome the clarity from the Crown Prosecution Service that our authorities are working to ensure the Tates face justice here in the UK  they cannot be allowed to escape extradition.

Andrew and his brother sit cage side during UFC 313 at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, in March this year

Andrew Tate (right) and his brother Tristan (left) were yesterday charged with rape and other offences in the UK

Andrew Tate (pictured) first appeared in Big Brother in 2016

'At the same time, we ask once more that CPS admit its mistake in failing to prosecute Tate when he lived in the UK and finally charge him for the rape and assault of the other three women, our clients, who originally filed criminal complaints against him as long ago as 2014 but were failed by the system. They deserve justice, too.'

The three women's allegations were subject to a Hertfordshire Police investigation, which was closed in 2019.

The brothers, who have long denied all allegations both in Romania and Britain, have become notorious for their flamboyant online presence and inflammatory views - particularly toward women.

Older brother Andrew, a self-declared 'alpha male' and 'misogynist', first rose to prominence after appearing on Big Brother in 2016.

Since then, the former professional kickboxer has cultivated a global online following, particularly among teenage boys, with controversial advice urging men to 'reject feminism', dominate women, and focus on wealth an status.

His rise to stardom, particularly on TikTok, has sparked warnings from academics and teaches, who say schoolboys are copying his rhetoric to justify sexist and aggressive behaviour towards women.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused former first lady Jill Biden of participating in a 'cover up' about her husband's health and said she should speak with House Republican investigators who are ramping up a probe.

'Jill Biden was certainly complicit in that cover up,' Leavitt told reporters at the White House when asked about a House Republican request to a handful of top former Biden administration officials.

'Frankly, the former first lady should certainly speak up about what she saw in regards to her husband and when she saw and what she knew,' Leavitt said.

She teed off on the former first lady when asked about House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer's request for four aides and former White House physician Dr. Kevin O'Connor to come in for interviews.

The Trump loyalist and Kentucky Republican is probing allegations launched by Trump and some of his allies that aides were in control of Biden's 'autopen' and shielded the nation from information about his fitness.

If they refuse, Comer is threatening to issue subpoenas  which could trigger a legal standoff if they don't comply.

'I think anybody looking again at the videos and photo evidence of Joe Biden with your own eyes and a little bit of common sense can see this was a clear cover up,' Leavitt said.

'Jill Biden was certainly complicit in that cover up. There are documents. There's documentation, video evidence of her clearly shielding her husband away from the cameras. They were just on The View last week. She was saying everything is fine. She's still lying to the American people. She still thinks the American public are so stupid ... And frankly, it's insulting and she needs to answer for it.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Jill Biden was 'complicit' in a 'cover-up' about President Biden, and said the former first lady should speak to Republican investigators launching a probe

Former Jill Biden aide Michael LaRosa blasted the inquiry, pointing to Comer's probe in the last Congress of what he termed the 'Biden crime family.'

'With regards to Chairman Comer...he spent two years trying to take on the family and came up with nothing. He went fishing in a dry lake,' LaRosa told Fox News, which posed the inqjiry about whether Jill Biden should participate.

Those who got letters from the powerful committee include Domestic Policy Council Neera Tanden, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini, former senior advisor to the first lady Anthony Bernal and former deputy director of Oval Office operations Ashley Williams.

'Jill Biden was certainly complicit in that cover up,' said Leavitt

The congressional pressure comes after the former president announced he is battling prostate cancer. His annual medical reports that were made public did not reveal screening that can indicate the presence of the disease

The probe comes days after the Bidens announced the former president, 82, is battling an 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer.

'We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,' President Donald Trump wrote after the initial news.

But the news, along with new reporting about efforts by Biden's core team of advisors to shield him from scrutiny, has prompted a renewed focus on Biden's health while in office, as well as the role Biden loyalists played.
A killer who went on a spending spree after savagely beating a woman to death in her own home has been jailed for life for her murder.

Owen Grant repeatedly bludgeoned Lucretia Donaghy, known as Keshia, with a weapon like a claw hammer in the fatal attack.

A judge ordered that the 43-year-old must serve a minimum prison term of 24 years before he is eligible to seek release on parole because of the exceptionally brutal nature of the murder and the killers extensive record for violent crime.

Lord Scott told Grant that he murdered an unarmed and defenceless woman.

He said: The attack was exceptionally savage, frenzied and, as your own senior counsel said, brutal.

The judge added: The reasons for this brutal murder remain unknown, but appear almost certainly to have been related to money.

Lord Scott said that after the murder Grant embarked on a spending spree frittering away hundreds of pounds on cocaine.

The judge told him that when, if ever, he is released, it will be a matter for the parole board.

Lucretia Donaghy, known as Keshia, was murdered by Owen Grant

He said that in a victim impact statement the deceaseds mother said her heart was broken following the loss of her only daughter.

The mother-of-two died after sustaining multiple blunt force head injuries and was found lying face down in a bedroom at her address in Elgin, Moray.

A neighbour had heard sounds of an argument coming from the downstairs flat and the victim calling out: No, no, no.

A passport in the name of Owen Grant was found in the property and he left his hand print in the victims blood on a bedroom wall but claimed it came from tattooing her wrist.

However, he was caught on camera with a wad of money after the killing.

Grant, of Elgin, denied murdering the 32-year-old and claimed: I never laid a finger on her.

He told the High Court in Edinburgh that the killing was disgusting and horrible and he was devastated by the death.

But a jury found him guilty of assaulting Ms Donaghy by repeatedly striking her on the head and body with an unknown object and murdering her on November 15, 2023 in Elgin, by a majority verdict on the third day of deliberations.

Grant was told he must serve a minimum prison term of 24 years before he is eligible to seek release on parole

Grant, a former labourer, who has previous convictions for violence and was sentenced to eight years detention in 2003 for arson to danger of life at Warrington Crown Court, in Cheshire, admitted he owed the victim 300 for cocaine but insisted he was planning to pay her back.

But the court heard he had just 12 in his bank account at the time of the murder and had not paid his rent that week.

Advocate depute Christopher Wilson KC told jurors: My suggestion to you is the accused had run out of money. A drug habit and a lack of money is a bad combination.

He added: No one saw Owen Grant wield the hammer. The hammer itself has never been recovered, if you accept it was a hammer.

Grant was seen on CCTV putting a bag in a refuse bin after the killing and buying cigarettes and drinks at a Scotmid store with a large amount of cash in his wallet.

No money was recovered when police searched Ms Donaghys home following the slaying and no murder weapon was found, however, a witness said Grant had made attempts to buy hundreds of pounds worth of drugs afterwards.

Following the sentencing, her grieving mother, Amanda Gow, said: Life without Keshia will never be the same. She was my only daughter and my first born. Her two daughters will have to live their lives without their mum.

I still cannot get my head around the fact that she is gone and that her life was taken in such a brutal way.

She thanked for police and everyone whos supported the family and asked for their privacy to be respected.

Detective Superintendent Lorna Ferguson said: My thoughts remain with Keshias family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. I hope the verdict will bring them some form of justice.

This was a complex enquiry and I would like to thank the local community for their patience and assistance throughout our investigation.

Grant now faces the consequences of his actions.
A trans doctor at the centre of a landmark employment tribunal has claimed the distress of giving evidence forced the medic to undergo counselling.

Dr Beth Upton has defiantly spoke out to say 'trans people are not going anywhere after revealing plans for the money raised by a crowdfunder.

Dr Upton, who was born a man, and Fife Health Board are accused of breaching the Equality Act after forcing nurse Sandie Peggie to get changed alongside the trans medic.

Mrs Peggie, 50, was suspended from her job at NHS Fife after challenging Dr Uptons presence in the womens only facilities at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

She has lodged a claim of sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation at an employment tribunal.

Although Dr Upton has given evidence to the tribunal, the medic has so far failed to comment on the proceedings outside of the court room.

The 30-year-old has broken cover to tell supporters they should seize any chance to demonstrate that were [trans people] here, we are loved, and were not going anywhere.

In a message to those who donated almost 6,000 to a crowdfunder titled: Love and treats for Dr Beth Upton, the doctor on Wednesday said the tribunal had been incredibly distressing but urged supporters not to give up the fight.

Male-born Dr Beth Upton says 'trans people are not going anywhere

Nurse Sandie Peggie has accused Dr Upton and Fife Health Board of breaking the Equality Act

The medic wrote: First, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for your kindness and generosity.

The whole experience has been incredibly distressing and knowing there are people out there who support me and my community means the world to me.

While this has been a huge personal struggle, I think its also important to acknowledge the wider context the case exists in and the potential for its effects to impact many in the trans community and beyond.

I feel we should seize any chance to demonstrate that were here, we are loved, and were not going anywhere.

Dr Upton said half of the 5,807 raised for their cause would go towards paying for counselling and time taken off by the medics wife.

It is understood the doctors legal fees are being covered by the taxpayer via the NHSs Central Legal Office.

The doctor wrote: Both my wife and I have been blown away by the support shown by all of you and have carefully considered how best to use the funds raised through this thoughtful gesture.

We believe its important, given our position, to share that kindness with others.

With that in mind, we intend to divide the money roughly into two, using half to cover our practical costs related to the tribunal and surrounding experience (e.g. counselling, loss of earnings for my wife, travel and accommodation) and the other half we intend to split amongst several local charities and community groups working to support vulnerable people.

We must not forget that the rights we do have have been hard fought for and we must continue to fight for those rights and for the rights of others. We must remember that we know ourselves better than others can ever know us and nothing can change who we know ourselves to be.

The message was signed off by Dr Upton and Zoe, the medics wife, with the words love and solidarity.

The employment hearing in Dundee, which will resume in July, was launched before last months Supreme Court ruling that clarified that the meaning of sex in equalities law refers solely to biological sex.

The nurse lodged a claim against the health board and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation.

The Mail revealed last week how Mrs Peggie is also suing the Royal College of Nursing for failing to help her in her battle against Fife Health Board.

An equivalent fundraiser for Mrs Peggie has garnered around 38,000 worth of donations - all of which is set to go to charity.

Last night, Susan Smith of campaign group For Women Scotland said: Dr Upton continues to pretend he is the victim, saying the experience has been incredibly distressing and a huge personal struggle.

Reading this, one might forget the distress caused to a female nurse who objected to his presence in the womens changing room, and the compromise to her dignity and privacy.

As for a struggle, Ms Peggie has the weight of the NHS against her and was unsupported by her own Union.

Dr Upton, backed by managers and senior colleagues, is certainly not the underdog in this sorry tale and, moreover, pushed the hospital to take action against Sandie.
A 20-foot basking shark was spotted swimming near Rhode Island's Block Island on Monday.

Footage of the large animal first surfaced on Memorial Day, after Jennifer Seebeck spotted a large dorsal fin rising out of the waters in the Great Salt Pond, on an island off the south coast of the state.

Seebeck had been dining at nearby restaurant Dead Eye Dick's when she managed to capture the shark near the surface of the water.

In the clip, the shark can be seen going through the waters and past a seemingly vacant small boat.

Other diners in the background can be heard passing comment on the animals appearance and laughing.

The Atlantic Shark Institute shared the clip to their social media pages, causing it to go viral.

In it, the organization said: 'We got a number of calls yesterday as people on Block Island, RI were treated to quite the scene, kicking off the 2025 summer season!

'Clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws on this 50th anniversary of the film.'

Footage of the large animal first surfaced on Memorial Day, after Jennifer Seebeck spotted a large dorsal fin rising out of the waters in the state's Great Salt Pond

They added: 'Sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as water temperatures continue to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking.

'Hopefully this shark will find its way out of Great Salt Pond soon and continue on its way!'

The institutes director Jon Dodd later revealed that the animal was a basking shark that was around 20 feet long.

He told WBZ-TV: 'They are harmless filter-feeders but that wouldn't matter much if you were in the water when one came cruising by!'

The New England Aquarium say that basking sharks are the second-largest fish species after the whale shark and eat plankton.

Dodd also told Fox that basking sharks prefer cooler waters and are regularly spotted around Rhode Island during the summer months.

He said: 'This is a shark that we will see fairly consistently. They're considered vulnerable according to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

'In many parts of the world they're considered endangered', Dodd added.

The large animal was spotted in Great Salt Pond, an aerial view of the pond is seen here

The New England Aquarium say that basking sharks are the second-largest fish species after the whale shark and eat plankton

He also believes that the shark probably likely ended up in the pond after making a mistake on his travels.

'This guy just made a mistake. He must've been cruising up the west side of Block Island and said, "Hey, let me explore what's going on in this pond", and found himself in the wrong place.'

The shark is since have believed to have left the pond around a day after being spotted.

Dodd added that the sighting was a good sign for marine conservationists.

In 2018 a group of fishermen filmed themselves releasing a huge great white shark that they managed to catch less than a mile away from a Rhode Island Beach.

First mate Michael Lorello said the predator measured six feet long and was caught not far away from the popular pleasure beach of Misquamicut.
A one-year-old baby and two adults have been rushed to hospital after being attacked by a dog on a residential street in Manchester.

Armed police and specialist dog handlers descended on Baslow Road in Denton following reports of an out of control dog on Thursday.

The animal was eventually captured and detained, with footage showing the dog being led into the back of a police van.

The air ambulance also attended and air lifted those injured to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Eyewitnesses claimed people were left covered in blood following the incident.

One person close to the incident said: 'There's people covered in blood and a baby's been taken to hospital.

'There were others who looked injured. A dog section and armed police went in with guns.'

The street remains taped off while investigations commence.

Police lead a dog into a police van after it attacked a baby and two adults in Manchester on Thursday

Police stand outside a police van containing the out of control dog

Armed police and specialist dog handlers pictured at the scene of the attack on Baslow Road

Baslow Road in Denton, which has been taped off after a baby and two adults were horribly attacked by a large dog

Greater Manchester Police said: 'We were called to Baslow Road, Denton, at around 5:50pm today (29/5/25) to reports several people had been attacked by a dog.

'Three people, a one-year-old child and two adults, are in hospital being treated for their injuries.'
An arrest has been made after a devastating fire destroyed a Grade II-listed aircraft hangar just days after permission was given to build hundreds of homes on the site.

The historic building that was built by First World War German prisoners of war was on the verge of being restored following years of neglect.

A government planning inspector controversially approved plans for more than 300 homes to be built at the Old Sarum airfield near Salisbury but only on condition Hangar 3 be conserved.

However, there is now nothing left of the aircraft hangar that was on Historic England's At Risk Register after a blaze ripped through the site on April 17.

Police and fire investigators launched a probe into the fire with fears it was started deliberately.

Although the derelict building had been fenced off, photos taken last week show gaps in boundaries for anyone to access the site.

Wiltshire Police has since confirmed to MailOnline that a person has been arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail while their investigations continue,

The airfield is operated by Old Sarum Airfield Ltd, which gained planning permission to build 315 homes and commercial and leisure facilities on the site at the beginning April after a drawn-out planning inquiry, which began in February.

However, following the blaze, last week Wiltshire Council launched a legal challenge against the Planning Inspectorate's decision to allow an appeal and grant planning permission for residential development at Old Sarum Airfield.

The historic building that was built by First World War German prisoners of war burnt to the ground on April 17

People watching the fire burning through the hangar and cafe at Old Sarum airfield

Aerial photographs today show there is now nothing left of the aircraft hangar

The state of the hangar formed a key part of the debate at the inquiry, along with the proposed development's impact on heritage assets.

When the government's Planning Inspectorate published its decision to grant planning consent on April 9, it said a condition of the approval was that only 160 of the dwellings could be occupied until repairs were made to Hangar 3.

The outline application was originally refused by the Wiltshire Council Strategic Planning Committee in August 2024 but following an appeal an independent Planning granted planning permission.

Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: 'The basis on which the decision was made to allow the appeal has altered following the devastating fire to the listed aircraft hangar at Old Sarum Airfield.

'Following legal advice, in light of the unusual circumstances surrounding this case, we have taken the decision to launch a legal challenge against the Planning Inspector's decision.

'We have applied to the court to challenge the decision and we now wait to hear whether it will proceed to hearing.'

A spokesperson for the Save Old Sarum action group, which had been campaigning to stop the plans for housing and for the restoration of Hangar 3, said: 'Great news that Wiltshire Council has launched a legal challenge to the Planning Inspector's ruling over 300+ houses applied to be built on the airfield site.

'This unique Conservation Area & heritage site will be irreversibly damaged if the houses go ahead'

Shocking pictures show orange flames under plumes of black smoke as the fire ripped through the Old Sarum Airfield hangar

The fire service said Hangar 3 had partially collapsed and the flames had engulfed the adjacent restaurant and cafe

Firefighters from Amesbury, Salisbury, Ludgershall, Andover and Ringwood worked together to tackle the blaze

One of Old Sarum's Grade II listed hangars was destroyed during Storm Isha last year, after years of being allowed to fall into disrepair

Old Sarum seen in the late 1920s. The airfield is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country

Old Sarum's rich history Old Sarum Airfield was commissioned in 1917 and is one of three surviving First World War grass strip airfields of its type in Britain. The Belfast Truss hangar was built in 1917 by German Prisoners of War and Chinese labourers. Hangar 3 was a double span hangar and was about 180ft wide and 120ft long. Old Sarum airfield seen from above at the end of the First World War Old Sarum Airfield was a Training Depot Station in the First World War and from 1920 it was the School of Army Co-Operation. It also played a crucial role in the Second World War, serving as a training base for soldiers to learn to fly following the large losses of RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain. Westland Lysanders, Tomahawk's and Taylorcraft Austers were based at the airfield in the Second World War where the Air Observation Post squadrons were formed in May 1940. The historic aerodrome was granted conservation status by English Heritage in 2007 because of its complete set of First World War buildings and hangars. Advertisement

Following the blaze, the director of the airfield said he was 'devastated' by the fire and hopes he hasn't 'lost' the building.

Grenville Hodge, the director of Old Sarum airfield, said: 'We're absolutely devastated. We just won the planning appeal and the first thing we were going to do was repair the hangar. It's just unbelievable. Hopefully, we haven't lost it.'

Old Sarum is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country and has three Grade II listed hangars which were built in 1917.

During the Second World War it was a training base for army soldiers to learn to fly following large RAF losses in the Battle of Britain.

Aviation historian Andy Saunders said: 'The airfield is an important part of Britain's aviation heritage and its use dates back to the First World War with a unique group of original buildings of the period.

'Unfortunately, at least one of the wooden trussed hangars was allowed to fall into disrepair in recent years.'

The Belfast Truss Hangar 3 was put on Historic England's At Risk Register in 2020, but in January 2024 Storm Isha caused a partial collapse.

At the time campaigners described it as 'demolition through dereliction of duty'.

But in granting the housing scheme permission, planning inspector Nick Fagen said he did not accept there had been deliberate neglect of the hangar by the owners.

He added that no advantage had been gained by them in neglecting Hangar 3 as much more rebuilding work is now required than before it fell into a state of disrepair.

The fire service said Hangar 3 had partially collapsed and the flames had engulfed the adjacent restaurant and cafe.

Paul McAuliffe, 54, and wife Svonne, 52, were sat outside the site at around 6.30pm when the fire started.

Mrs McAuliffe said: 'One of us looked over and noticed grey smoke coming out of the hangar.

'He (Paul) ran into the kitchen and told them the hangar was on fire. We've all had to stand and watch the hangar.

'The roof collapsed, and then the doors came down, and brought the brick walls down with it. It's absolutely gutting.'

Eloise Moore and her sister were alerted to the fire after their parents spotted the smoke.

'I'm so devastated about the recent blaze that happened at the hangar earlier today', she said.

'This was my first time experiencing a fire on this scale, and as a teenager, it will definitely stay with me for a long time.

'We were absolutely flabbergasted and was eager to keep up to date with every news story and followed the live found on your page.

'I hope the fire can be resolved and I have tons of gratitude towards the police and fire departments.'

Wiltshire Police has since confirmed to MailOnline that a person has been arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail while their investigations continue

In a statement released after the blaze, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service warned local residents: 'Due to the potential for unknown chemicals, please stay inside and keep your windows closed to avoid the smoke.'

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police at the time said: 'We are appealing for witnesses following a large fire at Old Sarum airfield.

'The fire broke out just after 6pm in partially derelict wartime hangars. The two hangars, as well as the Hangar 3 cafe were destroyed, and the building used by another business was badly damaged.

'An investigation is now underway into the cause of the fire and we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area shortly before the fire started.

'If you can help with our inquiries, please contact us on 101 quoting log number 262 of yesterday's date (17/04). You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

'We would also ask that members of the public keep their distance from the affected area while police and fire continue with the investigation.'
Russell Findlay has a way of putting questions. Its the incredulous tone, the dagger-sharp diction, the arctic stare, the shoulders that recoil like a feline catching its reflection.

No matter the topic, no matter how outwardly reasonable the governments position, Findlay treats it like a monstrous crime.

He could be querying climate mitigation policy and still he sounds like a desk sergeant reading a list of charges to a toerag whod just been caught after his 17 mugging in as many days.

In fact, climate mitigation policy was the very topic under discussion yesterday, and Findlay was in the highest of dudgeon. The Climate Change Committee had put out a report recommending steps to be taken so Scotland can meet Net Zero.

Its the kind of report almost written for Findlay to steam about at FMQs, containing as it did proposals to turn Scotland into a high-tax, high-price, electric-motored, heat-pumped, semi-vegan dystopia. Imagine Planet of the Apes only at the end Charlton Heston finds a giant statue of Lorna Slater.

Findlay fumed that, under the reports recommendations, the number of cattle and sheep in Scotland would need to fall by two million in the next ten years. Culling two million sheep. There goes the SNPs core vote.

Douglas Ross leaves the Holyrood debating chamber after being thrown out by the Presiding Officer

This was the point where Swinney should have said: Are you mad, man? Im the MSP for Perthshire North. Im hardly about to put thousands of farmers on the dole.

Alas, he couldnt say that because, having signed up to the Net Zero religion, open deviation would make him a heretic.

The doctrine would have to be finessed without any admission that the dogma was wrong.

Or, as the First Minister put it: The government will consider specific proposals and bring them forward, and the parliament will have the opportunity to decide whether those proposals should be approved or not.

Ah, of course. When theres credit to be taken for climate targets, it belongs to the government. When theres a problem, its parliaments mess to clear up.

Next Findlay railed against the reports call for heat pump installations to be ramped up. He said 70 per cent of homes would need one to meet the Nationalists eco goals, and only one per cent of houses boasted one today.

And they dont come cheap: somewhere between 8,000 and 15,000. SNP ministers could cover that with their recent 20,000 bonus, but what about ordinary punters?

Swinney blamed Brexit. Im still not sure how, but he slipped it in there, as if it was a perfectly logical response, as if he didnt blame it in every answer to every question.

One MSP not terribly impressed by this answer was Douglas Ross who began heckling from the cheap seats up the back of the Tory benches.

Swinney began to stumble over his words, when Alison Johnstones patience snapped like an overstretched bungee rope.

The Presiding Officer gave Ross a right telling off, scolding him for having persistently refused to abide by our standing orders, then ordered him out of the chamber and told him not to come back for the rest of the day.

He didnt move a muscle.

Throats cleared awkwardly across the room.

Mr Ross, I have asked you to leave the chamber, Johnstone said.

Still no movement. For a fleeting second or two, it looked as though things might get hairy, but after a pronounced pause, the former Tory leader picked up his parliament pass and sauntered out, sulkier than a teenager sent to his room.

Johnstone seemed to think booting him out of FMQs was a sanction. If she really wanted to punish him, she should have made him sit through all 45 soul-sapping minutes.

Ross was deprived of watching Nat backbencher Clare Adamsons halting attempt at reading out a question so planted it should have come with its own watering instructions.

Thats what they consider orderly at Holyrood, but speaking your mind, they chuck you out for that.

Anyone in that place with a mind to speak of would chuck themselves out.
An inspector used his police-issued phone to arrange hundreds of meetings with sex workers, including dozens while he was on duty.

Greater Manchester Police officer Toby Knight scheduled 245 of these 'events' from September 2018 and February 2024, with 165 of them taking place while he was supposed to be on shift.

A further 357 meet-ups were organised on his personal phone between May 25, 2023 and April 2, 2024 - a rate of more than one a day, the Manchester Evening News reports.

He conducted 56 of these further appointments on days he was due to be working - with 29 taking place while he was on duty and another 27 when the officer had called in sick.

A gross misconduct hearing at Greater Manchester Police HQ on Thursday concluded he would have been dismissed without notice - had he not retired from the force the day before.

During the proceedings, a personal statement penned by the absent Knight, who had worked for Greater Manchester Police for 28 years, said: 'My career is not defined by this allegation because I am more than that.'

The disgraced officer also bemoaned that the allegations meant his 'career in the police would end in ignominy'.

Knight added that the world in 1997, when he joined the force, was a 'very different place'.

Greater Manchester Police officer Toby Knight used his police-issued phone to arrange hundreds of meetings with sex workers, including dozens while he was on duty

Chief Resource Officer Lee Rawlinson, who chaired the hearing, said that the former policeman 'has chosen not to engage with this process'.

The inspector was arrested in 2024 and told a police interview that he was a 'regular user' of sex workers, including some that were known to his force, and used his police-issued mobile to organise such meetings.

The hearing concluded that Knight had deliberately flouted regulations forbidding officers from seeing sex workers, given the harm it could cause the police's reputation and the potential for its staff to become compromised.

He was also placed on the College of Policing's list of people banned from policing.

Mr Rawlinson said: 'His actions were patently not appropriate and not of the standard expected of a police officer.

'The level of seriousness in this case is very high. The behaviour of Mr Knight was totally unacceptable.

'Had Mr Knight not retired I would have dismissed him from the service with immediate effect. I would also like to add him to the College of Policing barred list.'

A gross misconduct hearing at Greater Manchester Police HQ on Thursday concluded he would have been dismissed without notice - had he not retired from the force the day before

Detective Superintendent Simon Hurst, of GMP's Professional Standards Directorate, meanwhile, said in a statement: 'Greater Manchester Police are committed to identifying and investigating the actions and behaviours of officers and staff, such as that from former Inspector Toby Knight who fall below the high standards and expectations we expect from them.

'The detailed investigation into the behaviour and actions of Knight, resulting in today's proceedings, has led to him being found guilty of gross misconduct and, and had he not retired and still been serving, he would have been sacked.

'Knight will also be placed on the Policing Barred List to ensure he doesn't work in law enforcement again.

'I hope that today's finding demonstrates GMP's ongoing assurance to the public that officers and police staff who conduct themselves in such a manner have no place within Policing will be held to account for their actions.'
A former DOGE employee claims he was fired from Elon Musk's cost-cutting department just one day after his simple claim that 'the government works' was published in an interview.

Sahil Lavingia posted to his blog Wednesday that he had been fired after speaking to Fast Company about his work at DOGE and what he has discovered about the federal government.

Lavingia claimed that he found fewer inefficiencies than he expected while working as a senior advisor to the chief of staff.

'I would say the culture shock is mostly a lot of meetings, not a lot of decisions,' said Lavingia, an engineer and the CEO of tech startup Gumroad.

'But honestly, it's kind of fine - because the government works. It's not as inefficient as I was expecting, to be honest. I was hoping for more easy wins.'

Lavingia had worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs, extracting employee data and working to implement artificial intelligence over the course of 55 days before he was given the boot.

During that time, he said, he became increasingly frustrated by the lack of knowledge sharing within DOGE and what he called a lack of a team culture.

Sahil Lavingia, an engineer, tech startup founder and the CEO of Gumroad, has opened up about the inner workings of DOGE as he revealed he was fired after less than two months

Lavingia had been stationed at the Department of Veterans Affairs (pictured), where he extracted employee data and worked to implement artificial intelligence

In one instance, he recounted how Elon Musk asked all DOGE employees how they could improve the public's perception of the agency amid fiery protests - at which Lavingia suggested he open-source his work and Musk agreed.

'The reality was setting in: DOGE was more like having McKinsey [management consulting] volunteers embedded in agencies rather than the revolutionary force I'd imagined,' he wrote.

'It was Elon (in the White House), Steven Davis (coordinating) and everyone else scattered across agencies.'

He noted that he had decided to join DOGE to make a difference in the federal government - and did have some limited successes.

To help review contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Lavingia said he used a large language model to flag some for potential cancelation.

He also said he built tools to help the VA with its layoff efforts and worked to speed up the agency's use of artificial intelligence - and improve the internal ChatGPT tool on the VA's website.

However, he claimed he 'was never able to get approval to ship anything to production that would actually improve American lives - while also saving money for the American taxpayer' even though he had developed several prototypes.

Lavingia claimed the agency, under the direction of Elon Musk, acted more like management consulting at the different agencies

Many of the longtime employees at the department were distrustful of him and the Department of Government Efficiency's efforts, as they worried about Lavingia's lack of understanding of the agency and its normal procedures, WIRED previously reported.

At the same time, though, Lavingia said he was surprised to see what the department was already working on.

'In meetings with the Office of the [Chief Technology Officer], I discovered ambitious ongoing software projects like reducing veterans' benefits claims from 1333 days to under a week,' he shared.

'I also learned that several of VA's cod repos were already open-source, and the world's first electronic health record system, VistA, was built by VA employees over 40 years ago.'

Reflecting back on his time at the Department of Government Efficiency, Lavingia said he 'learned a lot and got to write some code for the federal government.

'For that, I'm grateful,' the Gumroad CEO wrote.

'But I'm also disappointed. I didn't make any progress on improving the UX of veterans' filing disability claims or automating/speeding up claims processing like I had hoped to when I started.'

Musk abruptly announced he was leaving the Trump administration Wednesday night

Lavingia's essay came the same day Musk abruptly announced he was leaving his position as the head of DOGE - ahead of his scheduled departure.

The Tesla boss had spent the last few weeks slowly phasing out of politics amid whispers of tensions with top Trump officials.

The situation came to a head on Tuesday night when Musk laid into Trump's 'big beautiful bill' and admitted he was disappointed with the treatment his DOGE team had received.

'It undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Musk bluntly told CBS of the $3.8trillion spending bill.

Musk - who spoke to multiple outlets about the White House betrayal - went on to decry the treatment he and his baby-faced DOGE henchmen had received.

'DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,' he told the Washington Post.

'Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.'

Katie Miller, who served as an adviser and the spokeswoman for the Department of Government Efficiency, reportedly left her White House position to go work for Musk in the private sector

Several other high-ranking officials have since followed Musk's lead, with Katie Miller - who had served as an adviser to President Trump and the spokeswoman for the Department of Government Efficiency - reportedly joining Musk in the private sector.

She is now reportedly helping Musk set up media interviews unrelated to his government work as he officially quit his position as the head of DOGE, an insider told CNN.

The White House also confirmed on Wednesday that Steve Davis left his role as the number two man at DOGE, where he handled the day-to-day operations including hiring and firing.

He reportedly took his cues from Musk about which agencies to cut, and worked to ensure those were carried out by DOGE staffers, those familiar with the internal workings of DOGE told the Wall Street Journal.

But Davis had also reportedly been planning to focus more on modernizing the government's aging computer systems.

A third DOGE leader, Brad Smith, is said to have also returned to the private sector.

During his time at DOGE, Smith - a healthcare executive - had been stationed at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Still, White House spokesman Harrison Fields vowed DOGE's work will continue.

'DOGE is integral to the federal governments operations, and its mission, as established by the Presidents executive order, will continue under the direction of agency and department heads in the Trump administration,' he said.

'DOGE has delivered remarkable results at an unprecedented pace, and its work is far from complete.'
The FBI has reviewed video footage which confirms Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, ruling out long-running conspiracy theories that he was murdered.

The billionaire financier died in his prison cell on August 10, 2019 while awaiting his trial on sex trafficking charges.

His famed little black book was said to contain the names of a host of celebrities and high powered people who could have been implicated in his crimes.

When Donald Trump returned to the White House, he signed an executive order which vowed to release documents relating to the child sex trafficker.

Attorney General Pam Bondi made good on that promise the following month, releasing what she called 'phase one' of the long-anticipated files.

But even MAGA loyalists have been disappointed by the government's inaction on the Epstein files, sparking unrest about whether the truth will ever be made public.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino made an effort to clear the air on Thursday on Fox News, assuring the public 'there's no DNA, there's no audio, there's no fingerprints, there's no suspects, there's no accomplices.

'I just want to be crystal clear on this. I am not asking anyone to believe me. I'm telling you what's there and what isn't,' he said.

The billionaire financier died in his prison cell on August 10, 2019 while awaiting his trial on sex trafficking charges

His famed little black book was said to contain the names of a host of celebrities and high powered people who could have been implicated in his crimes

'There's just nobody there. So I say to people, if you have a tip, let us know. But... there is nothing.

'There's video clear as day. He's the only person in there and the only person coming out. You can see it.'

Bongino vowed to release the video to give voters peace of mind over the incident.

'When you look at the video - and we will release, that's what's taken a while on this. We are working on cleaning it up to make sure you have an enhanced [view],' he said.

'We're going to give the original, so you don't think there were any shenanigans. You're going to see there's no one there but him.'

The assertion marked a U-turn for Bongino, who has previously spread his own conspiracy theories about Epstein's untimely passing.

He alleged on his podcast last year that former President Bill Clinton is 'knee-deep in this Jeffrey Epstein scandal.'

More recently, in February, Bongino said he was 'starting to hear some things about the Jeffrey Epstein files.'

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino (pictured) made an effort to clear the air on Thursday on Fox News , assuring the public 'there's no DNA, there's no audio, there's no fingerprints, there's no suspects, there's no accomplice

The contact list, which has previously circulated in various forms, shows redacted information for dozens of the Hollywood, political and fashion elite and was purportedly compiled by Epstein and his longtime confidante Maxwell. Personal contact information was redacted throughout the list

He claimed at the time, 'You do not know all the details of this thing, I promise.'

Trump has also shared his own skepticism about Epstein's cause of death.

He had shared a tweet on his page questioning how the convicted pedophile could have died while on full-time suicide watch.

'How does that happen...' the tweet read, before alleging that Epstein 'had information on Bill Clinton and now he's dead.'

But FBI Director Kash Patel shot down theories earlier this month, assuring the public that Epstein died by suicide.

Patel then said that everyone has a 'right to their opinion.'

'But as someone who has worked as a public defender, as a prosecutor, who's been in that prison system, who has been at the Metropolitan Detention Center, who's been in segregated housing - You know a suicide when you see one,' he replied.

Patel's comments sparked fury from the pedophile's younger brother, Mark Epstein, who told the Daily Mail that Patel, 'wasn't there, he didn't see the body, he didn't see the autopsy. [He has] no idea what the f*** he's talking about.'

President Donald Trump shared his own skepticism about Epstein's cause of death in the aftermath. He and First Lady Melania are pictured with Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000

Bongino and his superior, FBI Director Kash Patel, sat down with Fox News earlier this month to initially dispel murder rumors

Attorney General Pam Bondi made good on that promise the following month, releasing what she called 'phase one' of the long-anticipated files

'It would be a lot easier for me if I thought it was suicide, but there's a long list of things that point away from it,' he added.

The public are still waiting on Bondi's promised 'phase two' of the files after the disappointing first tranche was made public.

The contact list, which has previously circulated in various forms, shows redacted information for dozens of the Hollywood, political and fashion elite and was purportedly compiled by Epstein and his longtime confidante Maxwell. Personal contact information was redacted throughout the list.

Names who are in the address book include Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, Ethel Kennedy, Andrew Cuomo, Naomi Campbell and Courtney Love.

Both Harvey and Bob Weinstein, the late Senator Ted Kennedy; actor Ralph Fiennes, Alan Dershowitz; John Kerry, Dustin Hoffman, Donald Trump's late first wife Ivana and daughter Ivanka Trump are included among the contacts.

The president himself is not listed. There is no suggestion that any person named in his contact book is linked to the atrocious crimes Epstein committed.Meanwhile, any evidence of a 'client list' have not yet emerged.
Elon Musk's tenure in the Trump administration began like an incendiary rocket launch but concluded Thursday with a relatively boilerplate parting words from the White House.

Karoline Leavitt thanked the SpaceX and Tesla founder on behalf of the White House Thursday hours after he announced online that his tenure as a Special Government Employee was ending.

Of course, as you know, Elon Musk announced last night his departure as an official special government employee from the Trump administration. We thank him for his service. We thank him for getting those off of the ground and the efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse, said Leavitt, as Musks 130-stint came to a conclusion.

President Trump said back in April that Musk would be leaving in 'a few months,' adding that 'I want him to stay as long as possible' but adding, 'Theres going to be a point where hes going to have to leave.'

Musk has been conducting a series of interviews timed to his departure, and used one of them with CBS to rip the 'big, beautiful bill' that squeaked through the House. It is Trump's top legislative priority and contains a $4.5 trillion extension of the Trump tax cuts  though the White House hit back on Congressional Budget Office cost estimates Thursday.

I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' said Musk.

'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both,' Musk said. 'My personal opinion.'

The White House thanked Musk for his service on Thursday as his tenure in government ended. Musk said he was 'disappointed' in Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' because it 'increases the budget deficit'

The CBO says the bill would increase deficits for several consecutive years.

The President is very proud of the one big, beautiful bill, and he wants to see it passed. He wants the Senate to get to work on it and send it to his desk as quickly as possible, Leavitt said.

Leavitt's relatively pro forma praise of Musk comes two months after Trump gushed about the billionaire as his DOGE team was gathering a trove of data on agencies while slashing staff and identifying contracts for immediate cancelation.

'What he is is a patriot,' Trump said. 'Here's a man that I can tell you, he's a friend of mine, he's become a friend of mine ... He's a patriot more than anything else ... He's never asked me for a thing, and I think that's an amazing tribute.'

Musk has been defending his tenure and that of his team of disruptors in public exit interviews. 'I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics,' Musk told Ars Technica this week when asked about priorities and the latest failed SpaceX launch.

'DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,' he told the Washington Post.

Trump on Wednesday avoided attacking the world's richest man when asked about Musk's surprising slam on the budget 'reconciliation' bill now making its way through the Senate.

Musk's DOGE website says it identified $175 billion in cuts, an amount that falls short of the $2 trillion Musk said he was seeking to slash.

Musk ends his tenure with an 'under water' approval rating, with just a 39 percent favorable rating compared to 54 percent who have an 'unfavorable' opinion of him.

'We thank him for his service,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said of billionaire Elon Musk, whose tenure as a 'Special Government Employee' has ended

Musk's departure wraps up a memorable tenure where he became a lightning rod
Two men have been rushed to hospital after a tobacco shop was torched near Brisbane overnight.

The men, aged in their 50s, had been sleeping in the shop to protect it, police said.

A group of people forced their way into the store and spread a flammable substance throughout the premises before the building burst into flames.

Four Queensland Fire Department crews rushed to the scene on Forestglen Crescent at Browns Plains in Logan about 12.20am on Friday.

The two men were rushed to hospital with life-threatening burns.

A wave of tobacconist arson attacks have swept through Melbourne and Sydney in recent years as battling syndicates attempt to wrestle control of the black market cigarette and vape trade.

It seems the fight has spread to other cities with stores in Brisbane and Perth getting attacked from October last year.

Two men - understood to be sleeping in a Queensland tobacco shop to protect it - have been put in hospital in serious conditions after an arson attack (pictured)

The scene of the latest arson attack has been cordoned off by police as detectives and fire investigators examine the building.

The owners of a store next door took to social media on Friday morning to say they had turned up for work and were devastated that the business they had poured years into was collateral damage.

No arrests have been made over the incident.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Once again, large parts of New South Wales have been devastated by floods. It's estimated 10,000 homes and businesses may have been damaged or destroyed and the Insurance Council of Australia reports more than 6,000 insurance claims have been received for the Mid North Coast and Hunter region.

Hundreds of families are displaced. With many homes now uninhabitable, they face a uncertain future.

As the mop-up begins, stories are emerging of households and businesses not covered by insurance, with some residents saying insurance companies were asking up to A$30,000 annually for cover.

There are many others who are underinsured, with insurance payouts not meeting the full costs of rebuild, repair and replacement. The Insurance Council of Australia has declared the event an 'insurance catastrophe'.

The impacts of these floods reflect global trends. In 2024, there were around 60 natural disaster events that each exceeded A$1.5 billion in economic losses. Total losses worldwide reached A$650 billion.

As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the Western world, is Australia the canary in the coalmine for a global collapse of insurance? With these types of disasters escalating in a changing climate, it is reasonable to feel  and fear  this is the case.

An uninsurable future?

In 1992, sociologist Ulrich Beck argued unpredictable global risks, such as climate change, would bring an end to the private insurance market, with profound effects on the modern world.

As the mop-up begins, stories are emerging of households and businesses not covered by insurance, with some residents saying insurance companies were asking up to A$30,000 annually for cover

Many individuals and communities are already living with an unfolding collapse of insurance affordability and availability

The idea of an uninsurable future stirs up imaginings of apocalyptic landscapes  crumbling buildings, streets strewn with refuse and people eking out a living amid the rubble and ruins.

But the reality is, as we are seeing in central NSW, it is not a future event that demands attention. Many individuals and communities are already living with an unfolding collapse of insurance affordability and availability.

The consequences can be dire, especially for those already struggling to make ends meet.

How are governments responding?

Speaking on ABC radio on Thursday morning, NSW Premier Chris Minns said he would be 'putting the heat' on insurance companies:

In the lead-up to the federal election, both major parties made clear they believed insurers were 'ripping off' Australians. The Coalition even proposed new emergency divestiture powers that would allow the government to break up major insurers in the case of market failure.

But this is no solution at all, given insurance pricing and coverage is largely set by global 'reinsurers'. Reinsurance is a kind of insurance coverage for insurance companies themselves  that is, policies to cover the cost of paying out claims after major disasters.

Just ten multi-billion dollar companies control 70 per cent of the reinsurance market.

Over the three years to 2024, revenue from premiums in the insurance sector increased by over 21 per cent globally

Who should bear rising costs?

Insurers, led by the Insurance Council of Australia, are pushing for a Flood Defence Fund and retrofitting homes for disaster resilience, paid for by governments and households.

These ideas might seem logical. But they draw attention away from a thriving industry and regulations and policies aimed at making insurance more affordable and effective for ordinary people.

In places like Australia, the increasing cost of insurance cuts across all types, with the largest rises coming in home, vehicle, and employers' liability insurance.

Many insurers are reporting healthy profits. Globally, the sector is experiencing 'exceptionally strong growth'.

Over the three years to 2024, revenue from premiums in the insurance sector increased by over 21 per cent globally  a 'whopping' rise, according to the finance corporation Allianz.

Where to from here?

The insurance sector will continue to grow  and profit  until it no longer can due to climate change and other pressures.

But it is not a future crash of insurers that should be of primary concern. It is the real-time collapse of insurance for households, businesses and communities.

As this collapse of insurance unfolds, it is largely left to households and communities to take action and build resilience.

Examples include squatters taking possession of flood-damaged vacant homes in Lismore and, when combined with the housing crisis, the growth in informal housing and settlements on the fringes of major population centres.

These are desperate responses. But they are also realistic, given governments and insurers are failing to reverse this trending collapse.

What else we could do

After each major disaster event comes a rise in insurance costs and a withdrawal of insurance coverage. To avoid being a canary in the coalmine, Australia urgently needs government intervention in the insurance industry - an industry very resistant to such intervention.

To ensure everyone is adequately covered when disaster strikes, this could come in the form of an equitable and affordable public insurance scheme.

As more Australians lose the ability to insure themselves, governments must also address growing structural inequality that is undermining social cohesion and our capacity for collective resilience.
Vladimir Putin will invade a Nato country if he succeeds in Ukraine, it was warned today.

David Petraeus, a respected former US general and CIA chief, also claimed Lithuania would be most at risk.

He said Russia could launch an incursion into that Baltic state to test Western resolve or as a precursor to a wider offensive.

Mr Petraeus, who headed the CIA after a stellar military career, also criticised US President Donald Trump for repeatedly granting second chances to Putin and took aim at predecessor Joe Biden for failures to adequately arm Ukrainian forces.

Mr Petraeus, who led tens of thousands of US, British and other nationality troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan, also called on the UK to withdraw from international accords forbidding the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield.

He said that these weapons could prove an essential deterrent.

Speaking at the Policy Exchange think-tank in London, Mr Petraeus said: 'What we've seen is three incidences where the US President has threatened that in two weeks we'll have to take a different approach.

'We'll see this time what actually happens. The US also temporised far too long over individual decisions such as M1 [Abrams] tanks. A blind man on a dark night could see it had to be the F-16 [a multi- role fighter aircraft].

Vladimir Putin (pictured) will invade a Nato country if he succeeds in Ukraine, it has been warned

David Petraeus (pictured), a respected former US general and CIA chief, claimed Lithuania would be most at risk

A view of the destruction after Russian forces carry out a combined attack with missiles and drones in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine on May 25, 2025

'There were no more MiGs anywhere in Europe we could provide them [the Ukrainians] with, it had to be F-16s.

'The same with multiple-launch rocket systems, the improved conventional munitions and lifting the limits [on their use].

'This was very unhelpful to the Ukrainians. Each time they'd have to ask and wait, and then we'd say no, and then maybe, and then eventually they'd get it.

'We should have done so much with the Ukrainians that they could change the dynamic on the battlefield to show Moscow they cannot achieve additional gains on the battlefield at an acceptable cost, knowing what is acceptable to them is quite astronomical.'

Mr Petraeus stated that Russia's aim was to topple president Volodymyr Zelensky in order to 'install a puppet leader and to control all of Ukraine'.

He added: 'Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states.

'Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches and we should have listened a lot more.'

As Europe rallies against the perceived Russian threat, carrying out Nato drills in the Baltic and fostering greater interoperability between allies, the American position continues to waver.

Donald Trump's envoy to Kyiv echoed Russian talking points on the perceived threat from an 'expanding' Nato late on Thursday.

Asked by U.S. network ABC News about a Reuters report that Russia wanted a written pledge over Nato not enlarging eastwards to include Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, Kellogg said: 'It's a fair concern.'

He also reiterated the divisive position of the administration that the U.S. does not want to see Ukraine join the military alliance.

'We've said that to us, Ukraine coming into Nato is not on the table, and we're not the only country that says that - you know I could probably give you four other countries in NATO and it takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come in to NATO,' he said.

'That's one of the issues that Russia will bring up.

'They're not just talking Ukraine, they're talking the country of Georgia, they're talking Moldova,' Kellogg said, adding that a decision on U.S. views of Nato enlargement was for Trump to make.

Mr Petraeus also criticised US President Donald Trump (pictured) for repeatedly granting second chances to Putin

Kellogg said Trump was nonetheless 'frustrated' with Russia because he had seen 'a level of unreasonableness' from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He scolded Russia for striking Ukrainian cities and said he had told Ukraine to turn up to talks.

A conservative estimate of dead and injured in the Ukraine war - from both sides combined - totals 1.2 million, Kellogg said.

Mr Petraeus described Russia's losses as 'unimaginable'.

Nearly a million Russians are understood to have been battlefield casualties including 500,000 either killed or unfit for the frontline.

Russia is thought to be dragging its feet over a peace deal so it can capture more Ukrainian territory.

The Kremlin has also refused repeated Ukrainian offers of a 30-day ceasefire, insisting that its grievances must be addressed before the fighting stops.

While Mr Trump has changed his tone towards Putin, describing his behaviour as 'absolutely crazy', the US is yet to effectively force him to the negotiating table.
Keir Starmer's top legal adviser was under fire on Thursday evening after apparently comparing those who support leaving the likes of the European Convention on Human Rights to Nazis.

Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, hit out at MPs and the media for being behind a 'siren song' pushing for Britain to drop international law.

In a lecture at the Royal United Services Institute, a defence and security think-tank, he said the Labour Government had a 'policy of progressive realism' that means it will never leave international conventions such as the ECHR.

Numerous senior politicians on the Right have called for Britain to leave the convention after it stopped Rwanda deportation flights.

Lord Hermer said such 'songs' had been heard before, citing Nazi ideologist Carl Schmitt, who supported Hitler's policies such as the Night of the Long Knives assassinations.

The Attorney General said: 'Our approach is a rejection of the siren song that can sadly now be heard in the Palace of Westminster and in some spectrums of the media, that Britain abandons the constraints of international law in favour of raw power.

'This is not a new song. The claim that international law is fine as far as it goes, but can be put aside when conditions change, is a claim that was made in the early 1930s by "realist" jurists in Germany, most notably Carl Schmitt, whose central thesis was in essence the claim that state power is all that counts, not law.

'Because of the experience of what followed in 1933, far-sighted individuals rebuilt and transformed the institutions of international law, as well as internal constitutional law.'

Lord Hermer, Keir Starmer's top legal adviser (pictured), came under fire after apparently comparing those who support leaving the likes of the European Convention on Human Rights to Nazis

The row comes after complaints about Lord Hermer, who is a close friend of the Prime Minister (pictured on Thursday), both having been human rights lawyers

He conceded that 'international law cannot stand still and rest on its laurels', that it must be 'critiqued and where necessary reformed and improved' and that 'we must be ready to reform where necessary'.

But critics point out that the ECHR is unlikely to bow to calls for reform amid accusations it has overstepped its remit in a string of cases.

Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick, an advocate of ending Britain's 72-year membership, said: 'The idea you can reform the ECHR is fanciful as it requires unanimity from all 46 signatories.

'It is appalling Hermer would insinuate those who think we should leave the ECHR are like the Nazis.

'[Foreign Secretary] David Lammy tried that disgusting smeer with Brexiteers and it didn't work for him. It won't work for Hermer either.

'It seems Labour haven't learned a thing.'

The European Court of Human Rights, where the convention is enforced, in Strasbourg in May

Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick (pictured in October), an advocate of ending Britain's 72-year membership, said: 'The idea you can reform the ECHR is fanciful'

The row comes after complaints about Lord Hermer, who is a close friend of the Prime Minister, both having been human rights lawyers.

His suitability has also been questioned after it emerged that, before taking up the role last year, he repeatedly brought cases against the Government on behalf of terrorists, including 9/11 plotter Mustafa al-Hawsawi and jihadi bride Shamima Begum.

He also acted for former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, who has always denied being a member of the IRA.

The Attorney General's office was contacted for comment.
Kemi Badenoch has blasted Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer for being in a 'race to the bottom' over welfare handouts.

In a feisty attack on the Reform and Labour leaders, Mrs Badenoch said the pair believed in getting taxpayers to fund 'unlimited child support for others' by scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Writing in the Mail, the Tory leader branded the benefit unfair and unsustainable, because welfare 'traps people' and 'drives up costs for everyone'.

Instead, she said the Conservatives were now the 'only serious party of sound money' and warned that Britain 'can't afford the fantasy economics of Starmer and Farage', who 'treat economics like a branch of showbiz'.

Mrs Badenoch's intervention came after Mr Farage this week pledged a spending splurge of up to 85 billion  including generous benefit increases.

The Reform leader said his party would scrap the two-child benefit cap because 'it's the right thing to do', and would fully reverse the winter fuel payment cut.

And yesterday, following months of pressure from his own MPs, the Prime Minister gave a hint that he too could scrap the two-child cap after previously ruling it out.

Mrs Badenoch said the country was facing a choice between 'sound money and soothing delusions', because 'Keir Starmer can't tell you what he stands for, Nigel Farage can't tell you how he'll pay for anything'.

Writing in the Mail, the Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (above) branded the benefit unfair and unsustainable, because welfare 'traps people' and 'drives up costs for everyone'

She warned that Britain 'can't afford the fantasy economics of Starmer and Farage'

To keep taxes low, the Tory leader added, 'we must cut waste and end the inherent unfairness where some work ever harder for smaller rewards  to pay for others' benefits'.

'We're now the only major political party prepared to take a serious look at the welfare state,' she wrote.

Mrs Badenoch said her party believed in 'personal responsibility', and welfare as a 'safety net' rather than a 'way of life'. She wrote: 'This week we have seen Labour and Reform in a race to the bottom to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

'Apparently, Starmer and Farage now believe in getting taxpayers  many of whom are struggling to raise their own children or choosing not to have them in the first place  to fund unlimited child support for others.

'That's not fair, it's not sustainable and it's not even compassionate. Welfare traps people, builds dependency and it drives up costs for everyone.

'While Labour and Reform are content to make promises they can't keep, I won't. The Conservatives are going to be the party of sound money and fiscal responsibility once again.'

In his speech on Tuesday, Mr Farage insisted that while he does not support a 'benefits culture', scrapping the two-child benefit cap would make having children 'just a little bit easier' for lower-paid workers.

'It's not a silver bullet, it doesn't solve all of those problems. But it helps them,' he said.

Mr Farage has said he will commit to ending the two-child cap, which was introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, and re-instate the blanket winter fuel allowance (stock image)

But his spending plans have come under fire this week, with critics saying they have been based on 'implausible' calculations.

Alongside his pledges on the two-child benefit cap and winter fuel allowance, Mr Farage also vowed to raise the threshold for the basic rate of income tax to 20,000.

But the sums he said the party had identified as potential savings to pay for the handouts were soon debunked, as economists warned that the proposals were on a par with Liz Truss's mini-budget 'and likely much larger'.

Mrs Badenoch warned that 'Jeremy Corbyn's 'magic money tree' is back but this time it has a Reform UK sticker on it'.

Mr Farage faced further questions yesterday after it emerged that he was in Las Vegas last night to speak at a conference promoting Bitcoin.

Yesterday, a rattled Sir Keir used a seven-minute speech to attack the Reform leader's policies, warning his plans would cost 'billions upon billions upon billions'.

Behind in the polls, the Prime Minister said of Mr Farage: 'Can you trust him? Can you trust him with your future? Can you trust him with your jobs? Can you trust him with your mortgages, your pensions, your bills?

'He gave the answer on Tuesday. A resounding no.'

The PM (above) hit back, saying: 'I don't need lessons from Nigel Farage about the issues that matter most to working people in this country'

Mr Farage had pitched Reform UK as 'the party of working people' rather than Labour, and accused Sir Keir of having no connection to the working class.

But the PM hit back, saying: 'I don't need lessons from Nigel Farage about the issues that matter most to working people in this country.'

Asked why he was focusing so much on Reform UK, the Prime Minister claimed the Tories had 'run out of road'.

He said the choice for voters was now between Labour and Reform UK, but Reform's chairman Zia Yusuf said Sir Keir's speech in the North-West showed it was 'panic stations at Labour'.

Labour is also looking at lifting the two-child cap, with an announcement expected this autumn. Sir Keir initially dodged questions about the policy yesterday, saying he was looking at 'all options' to drive down child poverty.

'There isn't a single bullet, but I'm absolutely determined that we will drive this down, and that's why we'll look at all options, always, of driving down child poverty,' he told reporters at a glass factory in Merseyside.

The cap prevents parents from claiming universal credit or child tax credit for a third or additional child born after April 2017, but axing it would cost around 3.5 billion.

Mr Farage hit back at Sir Keir, accusing him of stoking 'Project Fear 2.0'  the name Brexiteers gave to Remain scaremongers during the Brexit campaign.

'In the last 24 hours I have been subjected to political attacks by everybody from Keir Starmer to (Scottish First Minister) John Swinney because Reform UK are winning,' he told The Sun.

'The Prime Minister is now resorting to dirty tricks borrowed from the 2016 referendum campaign. This is Project Fear 2.0.'

Responding to Mrs Badenoch's comments, a Reform UK spokesman said last night: 'We don't comment on minor parties.'
Princess Diana's most iconic fashion moment is often considered to be the famous 'revenge dress'.

On the very night that Prince Charles publicly admitted to infidelity, Diana made headlines in a daring off-the-shoulder black dress by Christina Stambolian - a look that would become legendary.

However, there was another little black dress in her wardrobe that predated this moment: one she wore at just 19 years old, during her first official engagement alongside her fiance.

In May 1981, Lady Diana Spencer attended a charity recital at Goldsmiths' Hall, wearing a strapless taffeta gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who would later create her wedding gown.

Prior to the event, Diana visited their studio to request an outfit for a 'posh' evening function. After trying on a black silk taffeta bodice, which happened to be on display, it was clear the style complemented her blue eyes and blonde hair.

Concerned that the strapless silhouette revealed too much skin, David crafted a matching black wrap for Diana to drape over her shoulders.

Reflecting on the moment in an interview with Today, he recalled: 'That evening, when we switched on the news, this limousine pulls out, out got Prince Charles and there was this girl, and I said, "That's the girl! That's her! That's the one we've just done the frock for!"'

Previously known for her preference for pastel hues and soft tulle fabrics, Diana made a striking shift towards a more sophisticated style - marking the early signs of her evolution into a global fashion icon.

In May 1981, Lady Diana Spencer attended a charity recital at Goldsmiths' Hall, wearing a strapless taffeta gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel - who would later create her wedding gown

But Diana appeared uneasy and later described the event as a 'horrendous occasion'.

In recordings for Andrew Morton's biography Diana: Her True Story - In Her Own Words, she recalled her anxiety, saying: 'I didn't know whether to go out of the door first. I didn't know whether your handbag should be in your left or right hand.

'I was terrified, really - at the time everything was all over the place,' she continued. 'I remember that evening so well. I was terrified - nearly sick.'

Adding to her discomfort, Diana felt her dress was 'two sizes too small' and inappropriate for the event.

The gown was low-cut and black - a colour Charles criticised her for, as it is traditionally associated with mourning.

According to Morton, Diana struggled with self-consciousness throughout the evening, which was noticed by Princess Grace of Monaco.

At the gala, Diana appeared uneasy and later described the event as a 'horrendous occasion'

Diana was 19 years old during her first official engagement alongside her fiance Prince Charles

In recordings for Andrew Morton's biography Diana: Her True Story - In Her Own Words, she recalled her anxiety, saying: 'I didn't know whether to go out of the door first. I didn't know whether your handbag should be in your left or right hand'

Diana felt her dress was 'two sizes too small' and inappropriate for the event

The gown was also low-cut and black - a colour Charles criticised her for, as it is traditionally associated with mourning

According to Morton, Diana struggled with self-consciousness throughout the evening

Grace took Diana aside to the ladies' room for a private conversation, during which Diana shared feelings of loneliness and anxiety about her future.

Grace, in an attempt to comfort her, gently patted Diana's cheeks and said: 'Don't worry, it'll only get worse.'

This poignant moment between the two princesses took place around 18 months before Grace's untimely death in a car accident.

Diana would later marry Charles, but the union turned out to be unhappy and ended in divorce shortly before Diana herself tragically died in a car crash.
For many fans of the royals, it would be a dream come true to become a member of the most famous family in Britain.

However, in the case of Princess Anne - the late Queen's most rebellious child - she was desperate for her children to have as normal an upbringing as possible.

To do so, the Princess Royal decided on behalf of her son and daughter that they would forgo much of the trappings of royal life.

Anne's controversial decision happened immediately after the birth of her son Peter in 1977 when she decided her son would not be given a title.

Writing in his biography of Princess Anne, royal insider Brian Hoey said that Anne did so because she believed 'in this day and age a title would be more of a hindrance than an advantage as her children try to make their way in the world'.

Although Queen Elizabeth II reluctantly agreed to Anne's request. Hoey wrote that the late Queen had been 'anxious' to give her first born grandson a title.

And - according to royal biographer Ingrid Seward - Elizabeth was left disappointed by her decision but was nevertheless persuaded to respect her daughter's decision.

Despite not being bestowed the title of prince, Peter still grew up with many of the airs and graces that define the royals.

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne following the birth of Peter Phillips in 1977. Anne's controversial decision happened immediately after the birth of her son Peter in 1977 when she decided her son would not be given a title

Princess Anne with a newborn Peter leaving the hospital. After his birth Anne was quick to resume her own duties as a working member of the royals

Queen Elizabeth II and Anne with a young Peter and Zara Phillips in 1985. Anne decided not to give her children royal titles

After his birth Anne was quick to resume her own duties as a working member of the royals which meant that Peter was brought up by a nanny.

Peter and later his sister also went to Gordonstoun, the same public school his grandfather - Philip - and his three uncles all attended.

Hoey perfectly summarised Peter's upbringing as 'not exactly a run-of-the-mill commoner'.

When Anne's daughter was born in 1981, she again decided not to give her a royal title and broke convention in a different way when she named her Zara, an unusual for a member of the Royal Family.

And the Princess Royal was very much involved with bringing up her daughter with a young Zara 'never very far from Anne's side'.

Whether Anne succeeded in giving Zara and Peter a 'normal' life is up for debate but they certainly got the best of both worlds in many respects.

As while their cousins continue their roles as working members of the family, Anne's children have had successful careers elsewhere.

From 2000, Peter worked in Formula One first for Jaguar as a corporate hospitality manager and then for Williams racing team as a sponsorship accounts manager.

Zara and her mother at Ascot in 2003. When Anne's daughter was born in 1981, she again decided not to give her a royal title and broke convention in a different way when she named her Zara, an unusual for a member of the Royal Family

Anne with the Queen and a young Peter. Despite not being bestowed the title of prince, Peter still grew up with many of the airs and graces that define the royals

Anne pregnant with Zara. The Princess Royal was very much involved with bringing up her daughter with a young Zara 'never very far from Anne's side'

He left F1 in 2006 for a job at the Royal Bank of Scotland and since leaving the bank in 2012 he has held numerous other jobs in the private sector.

Zara had a successful equestrian career which saw her compete in multiple horse riding competitions.

Her career high point was representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics where she won a silver medal in the equestrian team eventing.

This was the first time Britain had won a medal in the event since 1972 when Zara's father - Captain Mark Phillips - won a gold.

Peter has in the past made lucrative uses of his royal connections despite not being a prince.

At his wedding to his now-ex-wife Autumn Kelly, the couple sold Hello! the exclusive rights to picture most of the ceremony including inside the chapel and the reception in Frogmore House.

This resulted in a 100-page exclusive feature from the magazine, which included remarkably candid shots of the royals including images of the family laughing and one photo of Prince Harry giving his grandmother - Elizabeth II - a peck on the cheek.

They were a far cry from the traditionally stage-managed wedding photographs released by the Royal Family.

Zara and her mother at an equestrian competition in 2006. Her career high point was representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics where she won a silver medal in the equestrian team eventing.

Peter Phillips and his new wife Autumn Kelly during their wedding day in May 2008. Hello! were given exclusive rights to picture most of the ceremony including inside the chapel

However, senior members of the family - including the late Queen - were less than impressed and allegedly felt blindsided by the publication of the pictures.

Buckingham Palace released a statement shortly afterwards claiming that the deal was a 'serious error of judgement'.

The couple's profitable wedding deal with Hello! would not be their last money making scheme.

Eight years later, Peter's celebrity management company was paid 750,000 to oversee a 150-a-head street party in The Mall to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday.

Peter was criticised in 2020 for using his family connections to sell milk on Chinese TV.

Anne's mission to give Zara and Peter a more normal upbringing has left a lasting legacy on the Royal Family with younger members of the firm also attempting to bring more normality to their lives.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children - Archie and Lillibet - were given royal titles upon King Charles' accession to the throne.

However, Harry and Meghan - who stepped down as working royals in 2020 - have not explained their royal titles to their young children just yet.

Peter with his mother. He has had a successful career working in the private sector for Formula One teams as well as the Royal Bank of Scotland

The Princess Royal with Prince Harry and Meghan in 2019. Anne's mission to give Zara and Peter a more normal upbringing has left a lasting on the Royal Family with younger members of the firm also attempting to bring more normality to their lives

According to US Weekly in August 2024, Harry and Meghan have not explained their royal heritage to their children but will 'have those conversations in due time'.

Harry and the young Prince Archie and Princess Lillibet are still fifth, sixth and seventh in line to the British throne respectively.

For the Prince and Princess of Wales, giving their children a more ordinary upbringing has been seen as a priority.

This means getting George, Charlotte and Louis to muck in with the chores.

In August 2024, a source told the Mail: 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 three 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.

Although the couple still make use of a nanny, 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.
Heartbreakingly, Prince Harry never had the chance to introduce the woman he fell in love with to his mother, the late Princess Diana.

Harry was just 12 years old when Diana died in a car accident and the prince has spoken openly about the pain of losing his mother at such a young age.

He said that he had only begun to address this grief when, at the age of 28, he had felt himself to be 'on the verge of punching someone' while also facing anxiety when carrying out official engagements.

Diana had three siblings, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes and Charles Spencer, and was particularly close to her brother, who was the closest in age to the late princess.

Not able to go to his mother for approval, Harry went to his aunts to introduce his girlfriend, Meghan Markle, in late 2017 before the couple married the following year.

He told the BBC that he thought Diana would have been 'over the moon' about his relationship with Meghan.

But the sisters were not in agreement.

Royal biographer Tom Bower wrote about this meeting in his explosive tell-all book Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors.

In the Sussexes' engagement interview Meghan Markle said: 'I think in being able to meet his aunts, I'm able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him. And it's - it's incredibly special'

Sisterly love: Diana is pictured laughing with Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes in 1995

Heartbreakingly, Prince Harry never had the chance to introduce the woman he fell in love with to his mother, the late Princess Diana. A young Harry and his mother are pictured in Majorca, Spain, in 1987

He wrote: 'Harry assumed that Diana's family and friends would see a similarity between Diana and his fiancee.

'Both, he said, shared the same problems. He was so disappointed.

'No one agreed that his vulnerable mother had anything in common with his girlfriend.

'More discomforting for him, they thought Meghan would not fit in with the Royal Family.'

But instead of the sisters voicing their concern, it was Charles Spencer, Diana's brother, who weighed in.

The Earl, who had been married three times, cautioned his nephew not to marry in a rush.

'His advice provoked a bitter reaction,' Bower wrote.

'"This was going to be really hard," Harry would later reflect on establishing Meghan's place in the family.'

Meghan and Harry are pictured at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto

Earl Spencer, who had been married three times, cautioned his nephew not to marry in a rush. Meghan and Harry are pictured on their wedding day in May 2018

The royal biographer wrote: 'Harry assumed that Diana's family and friends would see a similarity between Diana and his fiancee . Both, he said, shared the same problems. He was so disappointed'

Despite his family not being convinced, Harry continues to draw parallels between his late mother and wife.

In the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, the prince said: 'So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mum.

'She has the same compassion, the same empathy, the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.'

Since Diana's death in 1997, her siblings have remained involved in William and Harry's lives and all three attended both of their weddings.

The two aunts, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, as well as their brother Charles, Earl Spencer, were on Archie's small christening guest list in 2019.

Earl Spencer has publicly defended Harry in the media and on social media, showing his support for the prince during his legal battles and other challenges.

Despite Harry and William no longer on speaking terms, their aunts consistently show up for both of Diana's sons.

The year 2007 was a particularly big one for the two princes as it marked a decade since their mother's death.

Diana and Charles are pictured on their wedding day in July 1981

Diana is pictured with her two sisters and old headmistress Ruth Rudge on the steps of their old school. Since Diana's death in 1997, her siblings have remained involved in William and Harry's lives and all three attended both of their weddings

Sisters Jane and Diana are pictured at Wimbledon in July 1984. Despite Harry and William no longer on speaking terms, their aunts consistently show up for both of Diana's sons

Sarah (left) and Jane embrace as they arrive for the Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Diana at the Guards' Chapel in London in August 2007

Fortunately they seemed to be well supported. On what would have been Diana's 46th birthday, the princes held a concert in memory of the late Princess of Wales.

Jane was seen in the crowd just a row behind William and Harry. It was certainly a night to remember and honoured Diana in the way the young princes wanted.

At the time Prince William said: 'We wanted to have this big concert on her birthday, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted. It's got to be the best birthday present she ever had.'

Later that year, the Spencers joined the two princes for a memorial service at the Guards' Chapel in London, marking ten years since Diana's death.

In the Sussexes' engagement interview in November 2017 Meghan said: 'I think in being able to meet his aunts, I'm able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him. And it's - it's incredibly special.'

Harry spoke about his late mother, saying: 'I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me, but then, as I said, she would have probably been best friends  best friends with Meghan.'

In 2019 Lady Jane was one of the first to drop in to meet baby Archie ahead of senior royals including Prince Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.

On what would have been the late Princess of Wales's 60th birthday, William and Harry's aunts and uncle came together in 2021 for the unveiling of Diana's statue at Kensington Palace.

Diana's sisters are pictured with Prince Charles leaving Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital in Paris, September 1997

Harry chats with his uncle Earl Spencer at the Invictus 10th anniversary service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8, 2024

He stayed with his uncle at his mother's ancestral home, Althorp estate, after going to the funeral of Diana's brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes last month, according to People magazine.

Sarah, Jane and Charles Spencer all attended the touching ceremony.

The aunts looked thrilled to see their warring nephews and greeted them with an affectionate kiss on the cheek and a hug.

Sarah beamed as she held onto Harry's shoulder and appeared to whisper something into his ear.

Last August, Harry made a secret visit to Britain to attend the funeral of his uncle Robert Fellowes, Jane's husband.

Also last year, Harry's aunt and uncle - Jane and Charles Spencer - supported him during the tenth anniversary service for the Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex had left his wife and children in California and entered St Paul's Cathedral alone.

However, once inside he was seen smiling as he embraced his aunt and uncle before taking his seat next to them.

Earl Spencer and Prince William chat with Kathryn Gustafson, who designed the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

On what would have been the late Princess of Wales's 60th birthday, William and Harry's aunts and uncle came together in 2021 for the unveiling of Diana's statue at Kensington Palace

The Spencer family tree shows how Diana's family relates to Harry and William

Harry's father, King Charles, was invited to attend the service in Central London but did not do so - nor did he meet with his youngest son at all during his flying visit.

The Prince's closeness to his mother's side of the family has been maintained despite his move to America.

Like Harry and William who sought comfort in one another after the death of their mother, the death of Princess Diana deeply bonded her sisters, Sarah and Jane, in grief.

Sarah and Jane were present in Paris when Diana died and accompanied her body back to the UK.

Despite the brothers' feud, the relationship between Diana's siblings and their nephews remains strong.
On the latest episode of the Mail's 'Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things' podcast, royal biographer Robert Hardman and historian Kate Williams discuss the figure of Colonel Blood and his audacious plot to steal the Crown Jewels.

The episode is the first in a three-part mini-series that tells the stories of crooks who have attempted to steal priceless treasures from the British monarchy.

The most prized objects in the possession of the Royal family are the Crown Jewels, which are now on permanent display at the Tower of London.

The treasures are a collection of ceremonial regalia used in the coronations of new Kings and Queens.

The collection comprises such objects as St. Edward's Crown, headwear made of 5 pounds of solid gold, and The Sovereign's Sceptre, a golden rod topped with The Great Star of Africa, the largest clear-cut diamond in the world.

They are estimated to be worth anywhere between 3-5 billion, although the jewels' precise value is nearly impossible to calculate, due to their historical and cultural significance.

Much of the collection was created after 1660, with the restoration of the British monarchy and the death of Oliver Cromwell.

Cromwell sold or destroyed much of the original Crown Jewels, believing them a vulgar display of wealth which conflicted with his fanatical religious beliefs.

A decade after the new jewels were debuted for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, a dastardly thief known to history as Colonel Blood hatched a daring plot to steal them.

The most prized objects in the possession of the Royal family are the Crown Jewels, which are now on permanent display at the Tower of London

The treasures are a collection of ceremonial regalia used in the coronations of new Kings and Queens

Colonel Blood and The Crown Jewels Heist

Born in Ireland in 1618, Thomas Blood was a soldier and aristocrat who fought alongside the monarchists during the English Civil War.

Noticing the tide of war change, Blood switched sides to Cromwell's roundheads and was greatly rewarded for his change in allegiance.

Podcast co-host Robert Hardman described Blood's early adulthood: 'Blood called himself a colonel although there is no proof he was one.

'He jumped ship to Cromwell during the civil war and was rewarded with thousands of acres of land in Ireland.

'With the restoration of the monarchy, Blood lost his lands and decided to become a full-time rebel. He was part of a plot to seize power in Ireland.

'The plot failed, and all the ringleaders were sent to prison. Some however escaped and top of the list of wanted men was Thomas Blood.

'Over the next few years, everyone was looking for him  but no one knew where he was. He became a sort of Scarlett Pimpernel figure and developed something of a legend around him.'

In 1671, Blood remerged in London, posing as a vicar called Dr Aleph with an actress, pretending to be his wife, on his arm.

He befriended a man called Talbot Edwards, who was the 77-year-old guardian of the Crown Jewels.

A decade after the new jewels were debuted for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, a dastardly thief known to history as Colonel Blood hatched a daring plot to steal them. Listen here

The Crown Jewels are estimated to be worth anywhere between 3-5 billion, although their precise value is impossible to calculate

Much of the collection was created after 1660, with the restoration of the British monarchy and the death of Oliver Cromwell

'Aleph and Edwards grew close', Hardman explained.

'They start discussing a possible marriage between Edward's unmarried daughter and Aleph's unmarried nephew.

'On May 9, 1671, Aleph visits Edwards with this nephew and asks to take a look at the Crown Jewels. Edwards accepts  and it is revealed that Aleph is the leader of an armed gang of robbers.

'They whack Edwards, the poor old warden, over the head with a mallet and proceed to run off with as much as they can.'

Historian Williams added: 'One of the gang members sticks a Golden Orb down his breeches, and Blood grabs St. Edwards Crown and smashes it  trying to squash it in half.'

Running away slowly with the Crown Jewels hidden beneath his clothes, Blood was tackled and apprehended by Talbot's son.

His secret identity revealed in prison, Blood requests a personal audience with the King and somehow convinces the monarch to pardon him and return his lands in Ireland to him.

Historians speculate that because of Blood's legend, seen by the peasantry as an Irish freedom fighter, it was politically expedient to forgive his crimes.

Heralded as the ultimate rouge until his death in 1680, historian Williams told the podcast an anecdote to show how widespread his infamy had become.

'There comes this view that Blood can cheat all things', Williams said.

'When he dies, people exhume the body to check he's dead  due to how many rumors there were about him.

'He could cheat most things  but he couldn't cheat death.'

To hear more stories like this one, search for 'Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things' now, wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released every Thursday.
The archaeologists Joe Rogan deemed his 'worst guest' has broken his silence on the backlash he faced, saying the podcaster was out to ruin his reputation.

Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass joined Rogan on May 13 to discuss the mysteries of ancient Egypt, but the former Minister of Antiquities gave dismissive responses, continually interrupted and answered nearly every question with 'it's in my book.'

The combative discussion led Rogan to saying Dr Hawass was 'the worst podcast he has ever done,' calling him 'closed-minded' and a gatekeeper of all the knowledge about Egypt.

Dr Hawass has now hit back at the claims, saying Rogan had an agenda to undermine his credibility.

Speaking on an Egyptian talkshow this week, Dr Hawass said Rogan skewed towards topics 'like Atlantis and aliens', ideas he has long dismissed as pseudoscience.

'I spent 25 years holding debates against people like Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval and John Anthony West, who argued that the pyramids and the Sphinx were built 15,000 years ago by people from Atlantis,' Dr Hawass said.

'Thank God I stood up against their ideas, not just in Egyptian newspapers but internationally as well. I told Rogan I have nothing to do with these matters.'

The original podcast between Joe and Dr Hawass exploded when Rogan called a discovery beneath the Giza pyramids 'fascinating,' while Dr Hawass quickly dismissed it as 'bulls***.'

Dr Zahi Hawass has hit back on criticism he received after speaking on Joe Rogan's podcast. The archaeologists questioned how Rogan did not read his book before the show

In March, a team of Italian researchers released satellite images that appeared to reveal massive vertical shafts stretching more than 2,000 feet under the Khafre pyramid, one of the three ancient structures at Giza.

During the podcast with Dr Hawass, Rogan asked about evidence for pyramid construction tools and other findings.

But instead of answering directly, Dr Hawass repeatedly redirected him to his book and interrupted follow-up questions, frustrating many listeners.

'Are there photos of this online?' Rogan asked. 'Yes, in my book,' the archaeologist replied.

'How can this man, Joe Rogan, not read my book before I arrived?' Dr Hawass asked on Tuesday, saying his book is the only book in the world written about Giza with the utmost skill. How can he not have read it?'

Dr Hawass also cut off Rogan repeatedly on the podcast, something many users on X pointed out as a recurring pattern.

'He literally couldn't let Joe finish one sentence,' one user posted.

'Why are they attacking me? Because I held my own against Joe Rogan? Because I was confident?' Dr Hawass said as reported on by The National.

The combative discussion led Rogan to confirming Dr Hawass was 'the worst podcast he has ever done,' calling him 'closed-minded' and a gatekeeper of all the knowledge about Egypt

'Why would my confidence offend him? Did they even understand what our conversation was about? Did they even understand what this man was really saying?'

The podcast episode went viral on X, with many users criticizing Dr Hawass as 'a failure.'

One Joe Rogan fan account posted: 'Zahi Hawass is full of it. Joe Rogan did a great job exposing him.'

The controversy centers on claims by Corrado Malanga with the University of Pisa, Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde, and Egyptologist Armando Mei, who shared satellite images allegedly showing vertical shafts beneath the Khafre pyramid.

Rogan, however, called the images 'fascinating,' pointing to how the researchers used tomographic radar to map interior structures, including the Tomb of Osiris (pictured)

Their work has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal.

Rogan, however, pointed to how the researchers used their technology to map the interior structures of the Tomb of Osiris.

When Rogan mentioned the scans of the Tomb of Osiris, Dr Hawass interrupted, saying, 'I discovered it.'

The Osiris Shaft, an ancient underground burial complex in Giza, is known for its three levels, including an entry chamber, a room with sarcophagi and a flooded subterranean chamber believed to be a symbolic tomb of Osiris.

'I know, I understand, you found it,' Rogan responded. 'But they also showed that it exists using the same technique.'

Rogan tried once more to clarify that while Hawass discovered the tomb, the satellite imaging used by the scientists appeared to confirm and visualize known structures.

Dr Hawass dismissed the team's findings as false, even as Rogan pointed out that their techniques appear to verify discoveries Hawass himself made.

The archaeologist pushed back on the claims, arguing that the radar technology cannot penetrate beneath the pyramid to the extent the Italian researchers suggest.

Armando Mei (center) and his team, which includes Corrado Malanga (right) and Filippo Biondi (left), took the world by storm in March when they discovered shafts and chambers more than 2,000 feet below the surface.

The Italian researchers shared images in March, showing what could be massive shafts below the pyramids

The team also speculated that there could be a hidden city beneath the pyramids. Pictured is a scan showing unknown structures

He stated that it only captured data about 50 feet below the Tomb of Osiris.

'Right, but it's showing that at least for 50 feet, the imaging is accurate,' Rogan responded. 'So what makes you believe those scientists over the team from Italy?'

Dr Hawass replied that the scientists he consulted had told him the technology was unreliable.

'Well, these are scientists as well,' said Rogan.

Dr Hawass added that he has not spoke with the Italian researchers, but Biondi told DailyMail.com that he and his team sent an official inquiry to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture some time ago, but never received a response.

Rogan pressed Dr Hawass on why he so firmly dismissed the satellite-based findings.

'So why are you dismissing it?' Rogan asked. 'I understand they published their findings, and you're saying scientists told you it's not true, but scientists are wrong all the time, especially biased ones.'

The archaeologists remained adamant, saying: 'They are the top scientists in the world. I have to believe them, not the Italians.'
A powerful series of earthquakes at Campi Flegrei, a massive supervolcano in Italy, has raised fresh concerns among scientists about the risk of a major eruption.

In May, the Phlegraean Fields near Naples was shaken by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, the strongest in 40 years.

Over the past six months, scientists have recorded more than 3,000 smaller quakes, known as tremors, a figure far above normal seismic activity for the area.

Experts say eruptions are usually preceded with the increase in earthquake activity, as underground pressure builds up.

These small quakes can weaken the rock above the volcano's magma chamber, making it easier for magma to push through. Think of it like steam building in a pressure cooker, if the lid gets too weak, it could blow.

Geologists have also observed a sharp rise in gases being released from the volcano, another warning sign.

Adding to the alarm, carbon dioxide emissions from Campi Flegrei have surged, with Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reporting daily levels between 4,000 and 5,000 tons.

Experts say increased gas emissions often mean magma is moving closer to the surface, putting more pressure on the volcano.

View of the Solfatara crater, part of the Campi Flegrei Volcano in Pozzuoli, the biggest caldera of southern Italy, Campania region

According to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), magma is now just a few miles below the surface, a shallow depth that raises more concern.

If pressure continues to build, it could trigger an eruption with little warning, especially with all the recent quakes and gas releases.

Christopher R. J. Kilburn, leading volcanologist of IGNV said: 'Distinguishing between gas emissions caused by magma movement versus those resulting from natural rock interactions is absolutely critical.'

Campi Flegrei poses a serious threat to over four million people living in the metropolitan area of Naples.

If it erupts, the damage could be widespread. Buildings could be destroyed by lava flows, ash clouds, and fast-moving hot gases.

Roads, power, and water supplies might be cut off, making life dangerous and chaotic.

The city of Naples and nearby towns like Pozzuoli sit close to the Campi Flegrei, putting many lives and homes in the danger zone.

A new study led by Gianmarco Buono, a PhD student at University of Naples Federico II shows that about 80 percent of the carbon dioxide released from the Solfatara crater comes directly from magma beneath the Earth's surface.

In recent weeks, the gas emission in question has been kept under observation, due to the continuous earthquakes that are affecting Pozzuoli and the surrounding areas.

This means the magma is letting out gases, which is a strong sign it might be moving closer to the surface. The other 20 percent of the gas comes from hot fluids reacting with underground rocks, a natural process that doesn't always mean an eruption is coming.

Scientists watch these gas releases along with ground swelling and thousands of small earthquakes because they are key warning signs for future eruptions.

When magma moves up, it pushes gases out, building pressure inside the volcano. Too much pressure can cause cracks and trigger a dangerous eruption.

Campi Flegrei means 'burning fields.' It's a big volcanic crater formed when a massive eruption thousands of years ago made the ground above the magma chamber collapse.

Campi Flegrei's last eruption was in 1538. While it doesn't erupt often, major eruptions happen every few thousand years, the volcano has shown signs of unrest in recent decades.

Scientists say it's not possible to predict exactly when the next eruption will happen, but the recent activity means it could come sooner rather than later.

Since 2005, the ground in the area has been slowly rising and falling in a process called bradyseism.

This happens when magma and gas build up underground, pushing the surface up or letting it sink back down.

For example, in the nearby town of Pozzuoli, the ground has risen by about 4.7 feet during the current phase.

This is like the Earth's surface gently swelling like a balloon as magma pushes from below.

Using a mechanical failure model, commonly applied in structural engineering, they studied how the rock beneath Campi Flegrei is responding to stress.

Their findings suggest the crust is shifting from simply bending to cracking, a change that often precedes eruptions.

'We are seeing a clear progression toward a state where rupture is more likely,' the scientists noted.

Since rising warning signs began in 2005, officials raised the volcano's alert level from green to yellow in 2012.

Authorities have developed comprehensive evacuation plans for the millions living in the metropolitan area of Naples, but the challenge remains in ensuring these plans can be executed swiftly and effectively should an eruption become imminent.

Campi Flegrei's threat is not just local. About 40,000 years ago, Campi Flegrei erupted with such force that it caused one of the worst volcanic disasters in Earth's history, triggering major changes in the global climate.

If a similar eruption happened today, its impact would reach far beyond Italy.

Ash clouds could blanket much of Europe, grounding flights, damaging crops, and cutting power.

Volcanic gases could block sunlight, causing years of cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather that would threaten food supplies worldwide.
With its weird elongated skull, it looks like the long lost remains of an alien visitor to Earth.

Wherever it's from, scientists have been left utterly baffled by this mysterious deformed skull discovered in Argentina.

Archeologists say the skull  found by workers at San Fernando, Catamarca province  has a structure that differs markedly from that of a conventional person.

The cranium is hugely elongated, as if it once housed a brain that was bigger and more powerful than that of any known human.

Some local media have been describing it as a newly-found group of archaic humans.

Others have been dubbing it 'antmen' in reference to the dog-sized army of ants that appeared in Greek mythology.

Also known as Myrmekes, antmen lived in enormous anthills with complex winding passageways loaded with stolen loot, according to legend.

But the skull's head shape also bears a stunning similarity to the extraterrestrials that appeared in the 1990s sci-fi classic 'Mars Attacks!'

The bizarre skull was uncovered by workers at San Fernando, Catamarca province in Argentina, El Ancasti reports

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The 'unexpected discovery' was made by construction workers during an excavation for the installation of drinking water, local daily newspaper El Ancasti reports.

The workers found two funerary urns containing human remains  one of which contained the unusually-shaped skull.

One of the urns reportedly contained a complete skeleton, while the other contained partial remains that will also be analysed by experts at the National University of Catamarca.

'What drew the most attention was the unusual shape of one of the skulls , whose structure differs markedly from that of a conventional human,' the paper said.

'The discovery generated great interest and was reported to the provincial anthropology authorities, who are expected to arrive on the site.

'The site has been fenced and remains under guard to preserve the remains and facilitate the work of specialists.'

As the news was revealed locally, certain media described the skull as 'antmen' in reference to the Greek legend, Heritage Daily reports, but the truth may be even more grizzly and unpleasant

It's possible the owner had their skull cruelly deformed in a barbaric method called 'artificial cranial deformation'.

The head shape also bears a stunning similarity to the extraterrestrials that appeared in the 1990s sci-fi classic 'Mars Attacks!'

What is artificial cranial deformation? Artificial cranial deformation was a historical practice of making deliberate adjustments to the skull. It involved applying pressure to infants' skulls with splints or bandages when the bones were still flexible. Ancient civilizations believed the altered skull shape denoted a superior social status, group affiliation or certain spiritual belief. Advertisement

Artificial cranial deformation involved applying pressure to infants' skulls with splints or bandages when the bones were still flexible, resulting in an elongated skull with a flat or curved line across the back marking the area where the pressure was applied.

This ancient cultural practice was commonplace by groups such as the Cienaga and Aguada people that lived between the 3rd and 12th centuries AD.

Rick Schulting, a professor of prehistoric archaeology at the University of Oxford, said cranial modification was a common practice in many parts of the world, including western South America.

'This was done for various reasons, including aesthetics and marking out social groups  e.g., ethnicity or higher social status,' he told MailOnline.

'It was done by binding an infant's head with bands, sometimes using boards to achieve the desired shape. There is no evidence that this ever harmed the infant.'

Dr Heidi Dawson-Hobbis, senior lecturer in biological anthropology at the University of Winchester, said 'it looks like the skull may be of a juvenile.

'From looking at the photo my first thought was hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), but it is difficult to tell from the photograph, she told MailOnline.

'Alternatively depending on the date of the remains various different cultures in South America practised head binding or the use of cradle boards which led to modified skull shapes.'

Other artificial cranial shapes opted for by various cultures around the world included rounded and conical. Pictured, early 6th-century grossly elongated Alemannic skull

'Trepanning', also known as 'trepanation', involved a piece of bone being drilled and removed from the skull. Pictured, a trepanated Neolithic skull

Other artificial cranial shapes opted for by various cultures around the world included rounded and conical, but ancient people worldwide practiced even more dramatic alterations to their skull, including 'trepanning', also known as 'trepanation'.

This involved a piece of bone being drilled and removed from the skull, usually with the goal of relieving pressure or fulfilling ritualistic practices.

It's unclear what state the second skull newly found in the other Argentinian funerary urn is in; MailOnline has contacted the authorities for more information.

In a statement, experts at National University of Catamarca said: 'Interpreting these findings offers and opportunity to deepen our connection with our ancestry.

'By respecting and valuing these cultural practices and their meanings, we honour the memory of our ancestors and connect with them through our shared human experience.'
From Armageddon to the Day After Tomorrow, there have been plenty of Hollywood movies about how our world might end.

But if there is to be a global apocalypse, what might be to blame for wiping out all life on Earth?

Scientists believe they may finally have the answer - and it suggests we could face a grisly demise.

In a new study, researchers from the Planetary Science Institute and the University of Bordeaux predict that Earth could be flung out of orbit by a passing star.

And without our Sun there to keep us warm, this would leave any inhabitants - including humans - to freeze to death.

Thankfully, the chances of this happening are very low.

Over the next five billion years, the chance of Earth being flung out of orbit by a passing star is around one in 500, according to the team.

'We find a 0.3% chance that Mars will be lost through collision or ejection and a 0.2% probability that Earth will be involved in a planetary collision or ejected,' the team wrote in their study.

If there is to be a global apocalypse, what might be to blame for wiping out all life on Earth? Scientists believe they may finally have the answer - and it suggests we could face a grisly demise (stock image)

Over the next five billion years, the chance of Earth being flung out of orbit by a passing star is around one in 500, according to the team

For decades, scientists have pondered how the Earth could end.

A wandering black hole, giant asteroid impact and nuclear war could all trigger catastrophic disasters, as could the rise of killer robots or the reversal of our planet's magnetic field.

In their new study, published in arXiv, Nathan Kaib and Sean Reynold set out to understand whether passing stars could be to blame.

'The long-term dynamical future of the Sun's planets has been simulated and statistically analyzed in great detail,' the pair explained.

'But most prior work considers the solar system as completely isolated, neglecting the potential influence of field star passages.'

To answer this question, the pair ran thousands of simuations of our solar system in the presence of passing stars over the next five billion years.

Worryingly, their simulations revealed that our solar system's eight planets - as well as dwarf planet, Pluto - are 'significantly less stable than previouly thought'.

Pluto faces the greatest risk of being lost through a collision or ejection, with the simulations revealing a five per cent chance.

Mars fares slightly better with a 0.3 per cent chance, while Earth has a 0.2 per cent chance of being flung out of the solar system.

As for the passing stars to be on the lookout for, the researchers predict that the most dangerous ones are those that come within 100 times as far from the sun as Earth is.

According to the simulations, there's about a five per cent chance of such a close encounter over the next five billion years.

'In summary, passing stars can alter the stability of the planets and Pluto as well as the secular architecture of the giant planets over the next 5 Gyrs [5 billion years,' the authors concluded.

'Their significance on the solar systems dynamical future largely depends on the strength of the most powerful stellar passage over this time span, which is uncertain by orders of magnitude.

'This uncertainty in the Suns future powerful stellar encounters means that the spectrum of future secular evolution and planetary instabilities is broader than that implied by isolated models of solar system evolution.'
They've been hidden for more than 3,000 years, well before the time of Jesus Christ.

But now, remarkable new excavations finally uncover three long-lost tombs from ancient Egypt.

'Made by pure Egyptian hands', the tombs were unearthed in the archaeological site of Dra Abu el-Naga on the Luxor West Bank.

According to experts, they date back to Egypt's prosperous New Kingdom period  which spanned three dynasties from 1550-1070 BC.

Excitingly, the experts have managed to identify the names and titles of the tomb owners through inscriptions found within.

They belonged to three adult males who were not royals, but had important roles in daily Egyptian life, they say.

Also found were several ancient Egyptian artifacts, including tools and miniature mummy figures.

Located near the famous Valley of the Kings, Dra Abu el-Naga is known to have been a resting place for high officials, supervisors and scribes.

In this undated photo, hieroglyphs are revealed in the three new graves of senior statesmen found in the Dra' Abu al-Naga necropolis area in Luxor, Egypt

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In a translated statement posted on Facebook, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the graves belonged to 'senior statesmen'.

'Completion of the excavation and cleaning works [will] get to know the owners of these graves more deeply,' the statement said.

Following further study, archaeologists will 'publish these graves scientifically'  so likely in a peer-reviewed research paper.

One of the Luxor tombs belonged to a man called Amum-em-Ipet, dating to around the 19th or 20th dynasties (collectively known as the Ramesside period).

According to experts, Amum-em-Ipet worked in the temple or estate of Amun, the revered ancient Egyptian god of the air and fertility.

His tomb was mostly destroyed and what remained were depictions of the funeral furniture carriers and a banquet.

Amum-em-Ipets tomb begins with a small courtyard leading to an entrance and then a square hall ending with a niche, whose western wall was destroyed.

The two other tombs date back to the 18th Dynasty and include one belonging to a man named Baki, who served as a supervisor of a grain silo (a structure used for storing large quantities of grain).

Egyptian archaeologists identified the names and titles of their owners through inscriptions found within, according to a statement by the tourism and antiquities ministry

Also found at the Dra' Abu al-Naga necropolis area were several ancient Egyptian artifacts

Mummy figures were found in the three newly-uncovered graves, which 'strengthen Egypt's position on the map of global cultural tourism'

What is Dra Abu el-Naga? Dra Abu el-Naga is an important archaeological site in the Luxor West Bank, Egypt. It stretches from the mouth of the Valley of the Kings on the north to the entrance of the valley leading to el-Asasif and Deir el-Bahri in the south. Excavations suggest it was not a burial place for royals, although prominent people were laid to rest there, such as statesmen. Source: Penn Museum/Explore Luxor Advertisement

The 18th dynasty, part of the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom, is considered among the most prosperous years of Ancient Egypt, reigning for more than 200 years  circa 1539 to 1292 BC.

Bakis tomb has a courtyard leading to the main entrance of the tomb as well as another long corridor-like courtyard.

The third tomb contains the burial of an individual simply named 'S,' who held multiple roles, according to experts.

S was a supervisor at the Temple of Amun, a writer, and the mayor of the northern oases - a fertile area of desert good for plant growth and animal habitats.

While an impressive amount of detail has been garnered from inscriptions, further study of the etchings is needed to gain an even deeper understanding of the tombs' owners, according to authorities.

The ministry described the discovery as a significant scientific and archaeological achievement that 'strengthens Egypt's position on the map'.

Dra Abu el-Naga is one of the areas poised to greatly boost cultural tourism and attract more visitors with an interest in Egypts rich heritage.

Despite how long they've been around, historical monuments are still constantly being uncovered in Egypt.

Experts are pictured at the interior of one of the ancient tombs 'made by pure Egyptian hands' found near Luxor

In this undated photo, artifacts are displayed that were found in the three new graves of senior statesmen found in the Dra' Abu al-Naga necropolis area in Luxor, Egypt

Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said: 'Completion of the excavation and cleaning works [will] get to know the owners of these graves more deeply'

Earlier this year, experts announced the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II, the pharaoh of Egypt's 18th dynasty who lived and ruled nearly 3,500 years ago.

A series of subtle clues that led archaeologists to confirm his resting place King Thutmose II, solving 'a great mystery of ancient Egypt.

In January, Egypt made several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years, unearthed at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsuts funerary temple at Deir al-Bahri on the Niles West Bank.

And late last year, Egyptian and American archaeologists excavated an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near Luxor.

The tomb, which dates to the Middle Kingdom, was found in the South Asasif necropolis, next to the Temple of Hatshepsut.

The joint Egyptian-American excavation found coffins for men, women and children, suggesting that it was a family tomb used for several generations.
NASA's astronauts who spent 286 days in space have revealed the painful struggles they've faced after taking a major step forward in their recovery.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who returned from the International Space Station (ISS) in March, have just successfully completed nearly two months of physical therapy.

The astronauts have been going through at least two hours of strength and conditioning training daily, working with NASA's medical team to rebuild muscle mass, restore their balance in Earth's gravity, and prevent further bone loss.

It hasn't been a smooth process, with Wilmore, 62, admitting he still has back pain even after his rehabilitation came to an end.

The astronaut also looked visibly thinner, especially in his face, during his first public appearance since finishing rehab on May 22.

'Gravity stinks for a period, and that period varies for different people,' Wilmore said.

Williams, his 59-year-old co-pilot, added that her recovery from life in space has also been going slowly, as she experienced bouts of fatigue long into NASA's 45-day rehab process.

The fatigue and extreme muscle loss, seen in photos after their landing, left Williams unable to get out of bed easily for weeks after the space mission.

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were last seen at the Johnson Space Center on March 31 participating in a press conference after their return (pictured). They have just completed their physical therapy following a 286-day space odyssey on board the International Space Station

At the same time, the astronauts said they've been taking on an increasing workload, advising Boeing's Starliner program and trying to fix the beleaguered ship that stranded them in space in the first place.

'It's been a little bit of a whirlwind,' Williams told Reuters, adding that the duo still have 'obligations' to NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

The program is a partnership with private companies to develop and operate spacecraft which transport astronauts to and from the ISS.

Williams and Wilmore's mission in the first crewed Starliner pod in June 2024 was plagued with malfunctions, leading NASA and Boeing to cancel their return trip.

This led to the astronauts having to wait 286 days for NASA to get a new spacecraft ready and a replacement crew prepared to rescue them in March 2025.

'I knew we were going to get home at some point in time. We just got to wait for the right ride and make sure everybody's all good with that and we'll get home,' Williams told WFAA during a NASA welcome home celebration last week.

While Williams is remaining positive about the experience on the ISS, she noted that all that time in space disrupted her sleep for months after landing on Earth.

She revealed that she felt tired throughout the physical therapy process, having difficulty getting her muscles to re-engage after living in zero gravity.

Suni Williams' appearance stunned the world as she emerged from the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule looking noticeably greyer, her recovery has taken months but she was regained her healthy appearance

A self-proclaimed 'early bird,' Williams' issues made it a struggle for her to wake up in the morning until late May when everything suddenly changed for the better.

'Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back,' she said after the welcome home event on May 22.

The NASA ceremony brought more than 1,000 guests together at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to officially welcome home all four astronauts who returned from the ISS in a SpaceX Dragon capsule on March 18.

For Wilmore, his physical pain started almost immediately after they splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean.

Butch Wilmore said he still has some back pain after nearly 2 months in physical therapy following his time on the International Space Station. After splashing down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, the astronaut noted that neck pain began almost immediately

'We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still hadn't even been extracted yet,' Wilmore revealed.

'I still got a little twinge in one spot in my back after a couple of months,' he added.

Wilmore noted that he had minor back and neck issues before his June 2024 spaceflight, but all of that cleared up in the low-gravity environment of space.

'You don't have any stress on your body,' the astronaut explained.

Both rescued astronauts received weeks of physical and mental health support following their return, speaking with doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists about their isolating experience on the ISS.

'You're thrown together day and night seven days a week at 24 hours a day, and just like any family there's a point where something rubs you the wrong way or something - that happens anywhere,' Wilmore noted.

Despite being locked in the cramped space station with Williams and two other astronauts for months, Wilmore added that their frustrations were 'minor.'

As their recovery ends and the focus now turns to the next crew heading to the ISS, pressure builds on Boeing to make good on their multi-billion-dollar contract with NASA to deliver a vehicle that safely takes humans to and from the space station.

Starliner will have to successfully complete an uncrewed mission before NASA says it will be allowed to take astronauts into space again

Studies have shown that time spent in microgravity alters the genetic expression in human hair follicles, leading to reduced growth. It was contributed to reduced muscle function and back pain after Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth in March

NASA has already revealed plans to send Boeing's Starliner back into space - despite the international scandal it created by stranding Williams and Wilmore.

The same day the astronauts returned to Earth, the space agency officially committed to using Starliner again.

NASA stressed the importance of having two launch systems. SpaceX remains the other.

Boeing's $4.5 billion Starliner project has been plagued with delays, glitches, and billions of dollars in cost overruns since the Commercial Crew Program began in 2010.

NASA has admitted that Starliner will essentially have to go back to square one and prove it can safely carry astronauts all over again.

Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich added that Starliner would have to gain back its certification for the Commercial Crew Program.
For centuries, the story of the ancient Maya's sudden disappearance has captivated  and baffled  archaeologists.

But now, a groundbreaking genetic study reveals a very different ending: the people never left.

Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from human remains buried in Copan, a major Maya city in modern day Honduras.

Their findings challenge the long-held belief that the city's fall around 1,200 years ago marked a total population collapse.

Instead, the genetic data reveals that many of Copan's original inhabitants stayed put and bred with outsiders.

The same bloodlines that walked Copan's grand plazas in the 9th century continued living in the region for centuries, even as the political empire crumbled.

Archaeologists previously thought that the political collapse of Classic Maya city-states like Copan involved a massive population wipeout or mass exodus.

Lisa Lucero, an anthropologist at the University of Illinois, echoed this sentiment in an interview with LiveScience, stating: 'The over 7 million Maya living today are living proof that the political system crumbled, not the people.'

Scientists have conducted a DNA analysis on seven individuals who lived in an ancient Maya city, uncovering exactly what caused the collapse 1,200 years ago. Pictured are remains of a ruler of the ancient city

A Maya pyramid nestled in a clearing among dense rain forest in, Copan, Honduras

The collapse of the Mayan empire did not happen all at once, but over centuries of droughts, wars and stints of overpopulation.

While historians debate the true cause of its disappearance, many agree that a combination of the factors led to the abandonment of many Maya city-states.

While DNA has been recovered from other Maya sites before, this is the most detailed genetic snapshot ever taken of individuals who lived in one of the civilizations most iconic cities.

Researchers analyzed the DNA of seven corpses found at Copan, allowing them piece the puzzle together.

The newly extracted genomes were then compared to over 700 ancient and modern genomes from across the Americas, resulting in a detailed genetic map.

The findings revealed that individuals buried at Copan belonged to a broader Maya genetic lineage that dates back to 3,700 BC, particularly in what is now Belize.

However, researchers also detected genetic signatures from central Mexico's highlands, home to ancient Zapotec and Mixe peoples from roughly 500 BC to 900 AD.

This genetic mixing supports long-standing theories that Maya elites may have intermarried with outsiders to facilitate political alliances, the researchers said.

A monument seen at the Copan Ruins, a UN World Heritage site since 1980, in Copan.

It also aligns with the idea that some rulers may have been raised in or originated from distant regions.

Even after the political collapse of Classic Maya civilization, their genetic legacy lived on in present-day populations.

The Copan people had strong links the modern-day Mexican, Guatemalan, and Honduran people.

Shigeki Nakagome, co-author of the study and assistant professor of genomic medicine at Trinity College Dublin, said: 'This supports the idea that Maya society, especially among the elite, was both diverse and mobile,' Nakagome said.

'But despite these external influences, there's a remarkable continuity of local ancestry.'

Copan was founded in 426 AD by the dynasty's first ruler, K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo', who is believed to have migrated from the central Maya region.

Strategically located along major trade routes, the city served as a cultural crossroads linking Mesoamerican civilizations from the Yucatan to the Andes.

Although Copan has been extensively studied through archaeology, its genetic history had remained largely unknown, until now.

Interestingly, among the sequenced individuals, one male buried with elaborate artifacts in Copan stood out.

His genetic profile suggested elite status, possibly a dynastic ruler.

A second male, buried nearby with no artifacts, was identified as a likely sacrificial victim.

They say small the small sample limits the study's potential to represent the complete diversity of Copan's population, let alone the broader Maya civilization.
Kourtney Kardashian appeared to be shaking off the drama on Tuesday as she shared photos from Memorial Day weekend amid her 'war' with ex Scott Disick.

The star, 47, uploaded a slideshow to Instagram that featured a sexy bikini selfie as well as glimpses into her home life with husband Travis Barker, 49.

In another shot, Kourtney rocked a 'Travis' T-shirt and flashed her massive diamond wedding ring as she snapped a photo of herself in a Rolls-Royce.

Kourtney Kardashian appeared to be shaking off the drama on Tuesday as she shared photos from Memorial Day weekend amid her 'war' with ex Scott Disick

Hint: In another shot, Kourtney rocked a 'Travis' T-shirt and flashed her massive diamond wedding ring as she snapped a photo of herself in a Rolls-Royce

Kourtney's 'long weekend' also consisted of a cruise around Calabasas with Travis in his vintage Chevrolet truck.

She even shared an up-close look at the vehicle's custom interior featuring plaid orange upholstery.

The star made sure to add various outtakes from her luxurious, sprawling mansion in Calabasas.

There was an artistic shot of what appeared to be her and Travis's bedroom with fluffy white bedding and a framed black and white piece of art.

Kourtney went on to post a scenic photo of her huge backyard pool overlooking mountains. Also included in the slideshow was a photo of what appeared her and Travis's one-year-old son Rocky's scooter sitting idly in the hallway of their home.

Snaps: She also shared glimpses into her life with husband Travis Barker

Outing: Kourtney's 'long weekend' also consisted of a cruise around Calabasas with Travis in his vintage Chevrolet truck

Snaps: She made sure to add outtakes from her luxurious, sprawling mansion in Calabasas

Artistic: There was a shot of what appeared to be her and Travis' bedroom with fluffy white bedding and a framed black and white piece of art

Mood: Kourtney went on to post scenic photos of her huge backyard and her dining room

Details: Also included in the slideshow was a photo of what appeared her and Travis' one-year-old son Rocky's scooter sitting idly in the hallway of their home

While things at home with Travis may be peaceful, a source recently dished to DailyMail.com that Kourtney and Scott are at odds over co-parenting.

Rumors of a co-parenting war between the exes kicked off last week after Kourtney sparked fury after she discussed her controversial approach to parenting with her sister Khloe Kardashian for an interview on her podcast, Khloe In Wonder Land.

Kourtney opened up about not conforming to what's expected of a family as she claimed her children want to be homeschooled.

Fans branded her 'out of touch' and harshly accused her of being the 'dumbest of the sisters.'

'Why do kids f***ing go to school?' Kourtney asked, adding that it is a 'dated' practice.

The comments infuriated Scott, 42, who found them 'irresponsible,' according to sources, who claim he is struggling to recognize his ex of late.

'Scott strongly disagrees with Kourtney's parenting style and finds her comments irresponsible,' one insider told DailyMail.com.

Problems: Kourtney and her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick are at odds over co-parenting. Seen in 2015

Rift: Kourtney sparked fury after she discussed her controversial approach to parenting with her sister Khloe Kardashian for an interview on her podcast

'Scott values hard work and sees school as essential and would never allow his kids to not attend.'

Kourtney was one of the only Kardashian sisters to attend college. She started her bachelor's degree at the traditional Southern Methodist University in Texas before graduating from the party school University of Arizona. But she's made it clear that she no longer believes attending school in person is important.

Scott, who 'feels Kourtney has changed,' will have his children homeschooled 'over his dead body.'

The father-of-three, who still appears on the family reality show, is also said to have issues with the influence of Kourtney's step-children.

'Life at Kourtney and Travis's house can be chaotic and Scott is especially uneasy with the influence of Travis's daughter, Alabama,' the source said. 'He makes clear that while Travis may be Rocky's dad, he will never be a father to his kids.'

An indsider said: 'Scott strongly disagrees with Kourtney's parenting style and finds her comments irresponsible'

Family: Kourtney and Scott share sons Mason, 15, and Reign, 10, and daughter Penelope, 12; the family pictured Thanksgiving 2018

NewL Kourtney married Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker in 2022, before welcoming their son in November 2023
A powerful series of earthquakes at Campi Flegrei, a supervolcano in Italy, have raised fresh concerns among scientists about the risk of a major eruption.

In May, the Phlegraean Fields near Naples was shaken by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake, the strongest in 40 years.

Over the past six months, scientists have recorded more than 3,000 smaller quakes, known as tremors, a figure far above normal seismic activity for the area.

Building pressure: A view of the Solfatara crater, part of the Campi Flegrei Volcano in Italy

Experts say eruptions are usually preceded with the increase in earthquake activity, as underground pressure builds up.

These small quakes can weaken the rock above the volcano's magma chamber, making it easier for magma to push through. Think of it like steam building in a pressure cooker: if the lid gets too weak, it could blow.

Geologists have also observed a sharp rise in gases being released from the volcano, another warning sign.

Adding to the alarm, carbon dioxide emissions from Campi Flegrei have surged, with Italy's National Institute Of Geophysics And Volcanology (INGV) reporting daily levels between 4,000 and 5,000 tons.

Experts say increased gas emissions often mean magma is moving closer to the surface, putting more pressure on the volcano.

According to INGV, magma is now just a few miles below the surface, a shallow depth that raises more concern.

If pressure continues to build, it could trigger an eruption with little warning, especially with all the recent quakes and gas releases.

Closely monitored: In recent weeks, the gas emission in question has been kept under observation, due to the continuous earthquakes that are affecting the area

Christopher Kilburn, leading volcanologist of IGNV, said: 'Distinguishing between gas emissions caused by magma movement versus those resulting from natural rock interactions is absolutely critical.'

Campi Flegrei poses a serious threat to over four million people living in the metropolitan area of Naples.

If it erupts, the damage could be widespread. Buildings could be destroyed by lava flows, ash clouds, and fast-moving hot gases.

Roads, power, and water supplies might be cut off, making life dangerous and chaotic.

The city of Naples and nearby towns like Pozzuoli sit close to the Campi Flegrei, putting many lives and homes in the danger zone.

A new study led by Gianmarco Buono, a PhD student at University Of Naples Federico II, shows that about 80 per cent of the carbon dioxide released from the Solfatara crater comes directly from magma beneath the Earth's surface.

This means the magma is letting out gases, which is a strong sign it might be moving closer to the surface.

The other 20 per cent of the gas comes from hot fluids reacting with underground rocks, a natural process that doesn't always mean an eruption is coming.

Scientists watch these gas releases along with ground swelling and thousands of small earthquakes because they are key warning signs of future eruptions.

When magma moves up, it pushes gases out, building pressure inside the volcano. Too much pressure can cause cracks and trigger a dangerous eruption.

Campi Flegrei means 'burning fields'. It's a big volcanic crater formed when a huge eruption thousands of years ago made the ground above the magma chamber collapse.

Campi Flegrei's last eruption was in 1538. While it doesn't erupt often - major eruptions happen every few thousand years - the volcano has shown signs of unrest in recent decades.

Scientists say it's not possible to predict exactly when the next eruption will happen, but the recent activity means it could come sooner rather than later.

Since 2005, the ground in the area has been slowly rising and falling in a process called bradyseism.

This happens when magma and gas build up underground, pushing the surface up or letting it sink back down.

For example, in the nearby town of Pozzuoli, the ground has risen by about 4.7ft during the current phase.

This is like the Earth's surface gently swelling like a balloon as magma pushes from below.

Using a mechanical failure model, commonly applied in structural engineering, they studied how the rock beneath Campi Flegrei is responding to stress.

Their findings suggest the crust is shifting from simply bending to cracking, a change that often precedes eruptions.

'We are seeing a clear progression toward a state where rupture is more likely,' the scientists noted.

Since rising warning signs began in 2005, officials raised the volcano's alert level from green to yellow in 2012.

Authorities have developed comprehensive evacuation plans for the millions living in the metropolitan area of Naples, but the challenge remains in ensuring these plans can be executed swiftly and effectively should an eruption become imminent.

Campi Flegrei's threat is not just local. About 40,000 years ago, the caldera erupted with such force that it caused one of the worst volcanic disasters in Earth's history, triggering major changes in the global climate.

If a similar eruption happened today, its impact would reach far beyond Italy.

Ash clouds could blanket much of Europe, grounding flights, damaging crops, and cutting power.

Volcanic gases could block sunlight, causing years of cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather that would threaten food supplies worldwide.
A mother who sold her six-year-old daughter to a 'healer' for just $1,100 has been jailed for life in South Africa.

Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, 35, was convicted of kidnapping and trafficking along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn.

Little Joshlin Smith, who has a fair complexion and turquoise eyes, disappeared last February after vanishing outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town - and has not been seen since.

Missing: Joshlin Smith, who has a fair complexion and turquoise eyes, disappeared last February after vanishing outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town

A court heard during the six-week trial how Smith was sought out by a 'healer' for her 'light eyes and skin', with the mother reportedly receiving around $1,100 for her.

'On the human trafficking charge, you are sentenced to life imprisonment. On the kidnapping charge, you are sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,' Judge Nathan Erasmus told the trio.

He said he 'drew no distinction' from each other in their evil crime and the cold-hearted group showed no emotion as their sentences were read out.

The shocking trial has captivated South Africa for the last few months, with Joshlin still missing despite a major search operation.

Joshlin's grandmother, who now cares for her daughter's eldest child, pleaded with Smith ahead of the sentence to 'bring my [grand]child back or tell me where she is'.

Amanda Smith-Daniels later told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that 'I don't feel that any sentence they get will bring my grandchild back.'

Cold-hearted: The cold-hearted group - boyfriend Jacquen Appollis (left), friend Steveno van Rhyn (center) and mother Racquel 'Kelly' Smith (right) - showed no emotion as their life sentences were read out

Vile: A court heard how the young girl was sought out for her appearance

Her family has been left 'broken', she said, and she condemned her daughter for blaming others over the tragedy when she 'was the person that did the deed'.

'How do you sleep [and] live with yourself?' she asked the callous mother in her victim statement on Wednesday after it was revealed by a social worker Joshlin had been living a life of neglect.

Smith and her accomplices refused to testify during the trial or call on any witnesses for their defense but more than 30 people were brought in to tell the court about Joshlin's troubled life and disappearance.

Lourentia Lombaard, Smith's friend and neighbor, told the community center - acting as a court so locals could attend - that Smith had admitted to her she had done 'something silly' in a shocking confession.

In the days before Joshlin disappeared, the mother confessed to her that she had sold her child to a 'sangoma' - a traditional healer.

Lourentia said she later saw Smith pack some of Joshlin's clothing into a black bag, which she was carrying when she met a woman she believes was the sangoma.

Smith climbed into a white car with Joshlin and the sangoma and they drove away, according to Lourentia.

One of Joshlin's teachers said Smith told them during one of the searches for Joshlin that she was already 'on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa'.

Confession: In the days before Joshlin disappeared, the mother confessed that she had sold her child to a 'sangoma' - a traditional healer - who wanted her for her complexion

Heartbreaking: A local pastor told the court that he heard Smith, who has three children, talk about selling them for 20,000 rand, which is the equivalent of $1,100

Shocking: The shocking trial has captivated South Africa for the last few months with Joshlin still missing despite a major search operation

Pleading: Joshlin's grandmother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, pleaded with her daughter ahead of the sentence to 'bring my [grand]child back or tell me where she is'

Sickening: In the days before Joshlin disappeared, the mother confessed to a neighbour that she had sold her child to a 'sangoma' - a traditional healer (pictured in January)

The court also heard from a local pastor who said that he heard Smith, who has three children, talk about selling them for 20,000 rand, which is the equivalent of $1,100.

Smith had allegedly been happy to settle for even less, willing to sell Joshlin for $250.

A social worker tasked with writing a report on the trio wrote that it would not be a 'stretch to conclude that Smith is the mastermind behind the trafficking of her own daughter'.

She also spoke about how Smith was said to have a history of drug abuse since she was 15 and was an addict when Joshlin was born. It took her five months to register the child's birth.

Amanda kicked her out of her house because of her abuse after she had threatened to stab her own son.

Intermittently living at a shelter for abused women, Smith would then be abusive to her own children when she was high.

She eventually went to rehab and Joshlin lived with family friends who tried to adopt her.

The parents blocked the adoption bid but Joshlin still managed to spend weekends with them and go on trips.

Quiet: The youngster was described by her teacher Edna Maart as 'very tidy' and a quiet pupil

'We could have provided for her better than her mother,' Natasha Andrews said during the trial.

It was only once all the victim statements had been read yesterday alongside a video clip of Joshlin laughing on holiday with the Andrews family that Smith finally cried.

Joshlin's father, Jose Emke, also broke down and had to be carried out of the courtroom.

Natasha said she wanted to share the video because 'so many people don't know what Joshlin sounds like'.

The youngster was described by her teacher Edna Maart as 'very tidy' and a quiet pupil.

Clothing: Police said children's clothing had been recovered near the settlement of small houses where Joshlin lived (pictured)

A woman believed to be the sangoma was arrested alongside the other defendants last year, but the charges against her were dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Sangomas are recognized in South Africa under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007. It is believed they can access ancestral spirits who guide their healing.

In March, police said children's clothing had been recovered near the settlement of small houses where Joshlin lived and was sent to a laboratory for forensic examination.

Community members who are also involved in the search said the clothing was spattered with blood and a knife was also found. Police didn't give any more details on what was discovered.

Western Cape province police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told reporters during the trial that more arrests could be made, but authorities also had to re-focus on the search for Joshlin.

'At this stage, we do not have a child,' he said. 'Our ultimate goal is to find the child. We still want to find that child alive.'
Plans to build a new theme park resort in Scotland have taken another hit, following years of opposition from politicians, environmental groups and local communities.

An emergency public meeting has been set up to discuss the controversial development of Flamingo Land on the banks of Loch Lomond.

The 40 million proposal includes hotels, over 100 holiday lodges, a waterpark, restaurants, and even a monorail.

It's the latest version of plans that were first put forward back in 2018 - but scrapped a year later after public backlash.

Flamingo Land later came back with an updated proposal in 2020, promising a resort that would be a 'major step away' from its existing Yorkshire theme park and zoo.

But despite those changes, the project has continued to face resistance from both locals, MPs and conservation groups.

The development site is in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, an area known for its stunning scenery, ancient oak woodlands and rare wildlife, such as red deer.

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government gave the project the green light, overturning a decision by the national park authority which had rejected the plans on environmental grounds.

An emergency public meeting has been set up to discuss the controversial development of the 40 million resort, Flamingo Land (pictured: as a concept), on the banks of Loch Lomond

The development site is in Loch Lomond (pictured) and The Trossachs National Park, an area known for its stunning scenery, ancient oak woodlands and rare wildlife, such as red deer

The decision sparked outrage, especially from Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, who called the approval an 'anti-democratic outrage' and said the plans would cause 'irreversible damage.'

He also pointed out that the project had been opposed by several key organisations, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Trust for Scotland, and over 155,000 people who signed the Save Loch Lomond campaign.

As reported by the Sun, he added: 'We are urgently considering our options for continuing this fight. I will leave no stone unturned in the campaign to save Loch Lomond.'

Concerns from the park authority have also been raised about the 'unacceptable' risk of flooding from the nearby River Leven.

A recent report added 49 conditions to the approval, and while it said the site could operate safely, many have yet to be convinced.

Local groups such as Balloch and Haldane Community council say they're 'deeply disappointed' in the government's decision and claim it goes against what the community wants.

Supporters of the plan argue it could bring jobs and boost tourism in the area, but with public pressure continues to grow, as a petition opposing the project amasses a whopping 174,000 signatures.

A public meeting has now been set for 30 May to discuss the future of the park.

The 40 million proposal includes hotels, over 100 holiday lodges, a waterpark, restaurants, and even a monorail

The project has faced years of opposition from politicians, environmental groups and local communities

Meanwhile, Paultons Park, which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest's edge in Hampshire, will open a brand new 12million themed world, Valgard - Realm of the Vikings, in 2026.

The park, already a hit with younger children thanks to Peppa Pig World, recently cut the ribbon on its latest attraction, Ghostly Manor - a 3.5 million ghoulish interactive gameplay ride.

The developments will see it likely rival some of the nation's biggest theme parks - including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park - for visitors next summer.

Viking-themed Valgard is Paultons' biggest investment in a new themed area to date and is aimed at teens and older children.
British holidaymakers are facing even more woe in Spain as the government proposes a smoking ban on terraces and open-air nightclubs.

Spain's Ministry of Health is preparing a law to extend smoke-free spaces to terraces, bus stops, work vehicles, uni campuses, communal swimming pools and open-air nightclubs.

The latest measure, confirmed by Spain's minister of health Monica Garcia today, was borne out of an anti-smoking plan approved by autonomous communities at the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, which sought to expand smoke-free zones across Spain.

The draft bill will need to be approved by Spain's Council of Ministers before it is sent to the Cortes Generales, the country's parliament.

There, it will require agreement from other parties before it is made an official law.

Garcia told El Pais this week that she was pushing for the measure so that 'Spain can once again be at the forefront of anti-tobacco policies.'

She added: 'I hope we don't give in to the lobbies that are exerting significant pressure, as they always have. And the tobacco lobby is doing its job. But ours is to defend the health of the population, of the citizens.'

But the plan may drive even more British holidaymakers away from the country, following a decision by Spain's government to ahead with a controversial plan to slam Brits with a 100% tax on holiday homes in order to tackle a growing housing crisis.

The country has also seen a raft of protests against over-tourism that has pushed visitors from all over the world away from the nation.

British holidaymakers are facing even more woe in Spain as the government proposes a smoking ban on terraces and open-air nightclubs

Spain's Ministry of Health is preparing a law to extend smoke-free spaces to terraces, bus stops, work vehicles, uni campuses, communal swimming pools and open-air nightclubs

The plan may drive British holidaymakers away from the country

British tourists were warned earlier this year that many of them face massive fines for vaping on Spanish beaches.

Smoking is not permitted on many beaches in Spain, and 28 beaches on the Baleraic Islands as well as 10 beaches in Barcelona and others across the country have said vaping is prohibited.

Mike Byers, director of WickdUp, a vaping firm, said: 'Whilst it may be tempting to sneakily use your vape whilst relaxing on the beach, it is important to abide by local regulations and laws.

'Smoking is generally permitted in private, open-air terraces of bars and restaurants, provided that the area is not enclosed or covered by more than two walls and a roof.

'So if you're craving your vape, take it as an opportunity to enjoy some time at a local bar or restaurant and get an all important rest from the direct sun.

'If in doubt, use Gov.uk to seek advice whenever unsure and stay up to date with laws and regulations in every country.

'Many EU countries allow vaping in public spaces, so consider these countries when planning your summer get away.'

And with strikes planned on the Balearics in June and July and anti-tourism protests happening across much of Spain, particularly in mainland cities and on the Canary Islands, you'd be forgiven for pointing your compass elsewhere this summer.

Recent weeks have seen holidaymakers cowering in hotels across the Canaries as fed-up locals have disrupted sunshine bliss for thousands of tourists.

Canarian residents in Madrid protest against mass tourism in the Canary Islands. Protest In Madrid Against Mass Tourism In The Canary Islands, Spain - 18 May 2025

Tourists heading to Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca could see their holidays disrupted by waves of strikes this summer

Several activists stage a performance, pouring waste and sewage water on Canary Islands politicians, as thousands of people are protesting against the tourism model and mass tourism in the Canary Islands in Tenefire, Spain on May 18, 2025

Protests have taken place in Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Ela Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, and Lanzarote, with those protesting chanting the slogan 'Canarias tiene un limite' (The Canaries has a limit) as they marched through popular resorts.

Demonstrators have also taken to the streets in Barcelona and Valencia as well as Madrid, as tensions towards tourists have continued to rise over the last year.

In April, locals fired water pistols at a tour bus outside Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, as they warned of bigger protests this summer.

And tourists heading to Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca could see their holidays disrupted by waves of strikes this summer.

Hotel workers across the Balearic islands are set to down tools in protests over pay and conditions during June and July - saying they're keen to cause as much upheaval as possible for tourists to cause maximum impact.

The decision to strike - which is likely to affect thousands of holidaymakers - comes after the workers' union, Union General de Trabajadores (UGT), said they were dissatisfied with progress during ongoing talks.
British holidaymakers were seen queuing for over an hour in a bid to secure the best poolside spots at a Canary Islands resort.

Sunseekers armed with towels, suncream, and flipflops were captured in bizarre footage on May 28 lining up for the pool at the Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort, Las Palmas, Spain.

It appears the sunbed wars are now in full swing with hotel guests setting alarms extra early just to form queues to the pool area until staff give them the all clear.

The queue of people has become a regular morning routine for holidaymakers at the Spanish hotel according to guests.

Isabelle Hanssen, whose balcony overlooks the pool watched on at the pool goers eagerly waited in line.

According to the halfpipe skier, the queue is usually made up of Brits with a few Germans also standing in line.

Isabelle, from the Netherlands, also revealed that the queues start from as early as 8am despite the pool not opening until 9:30am.

With multiple entrances to the pool, lines of ten people plus could be seen forming all around the area.

Sunseekers armed with towels, suncream, and flipflops were captured in bizarre footage on May 28 lining up for the pool at the Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort, Las Palmas, Spain

Isabelle, from the Netherlands, revealed that the queues start from as early as 8am despite the pool not opening until 9:30am

The bizarre queue of people has become a regular morning routine for guests at Barcelo Lanzarote Active Resort

The line is usually made up of British holidaymakers with a few Germans hanging around, according to a hotel guest

Isabelle Hanssen said: 'Lining up 30 minutes before the pool opens all for that one sunbed, priorities I guess.'

Members of the public were left shocked by the footage.

One viewer said: 'Pathetic and ridiculous, beyond embarrassing.'

Another added: 'It's not always like this. I was there last week and this never happened once.'

A third said: 'This is my worst nightmare.'

'I always wonder why hotels can't just allocate sunbeds per room. It would solve this whole problem,' added another.

One more said: 'That's not a holiday for me.'

It comes after two British holidaymakers got into a furious row over a sunbed at a three-star Lanzarote hotel earlier this month.

A disgruntled woman could be seen telling a sunbather that she is going to complain about her to the manager at the Hyde Park Lane apartments on the Spanish island.

Footage shows the woman, who appears to have a Scottish accent and is wearing a pink cover up, accusing the other Brit of taking a spot which members of her group had been occupying 'all week'.

And a tourist was beaten up by a member of staff at a Turkish beach after he reportedly complained about the price of a sun bed.

The brawl broke out on May 16 at Damlatas Beach in the Alanya district of Antalya after the tourist, who was described as British by Turkish media, enquired about renting a sun lounger but decided to opt out after finding it too costly.

Instead, the tourist is said have dumped his belongings on the sand so he could go for a dip in the sea.

An employee told the tourist to take his belongings elsewhere, but events escalated after the tourist refused, which resulted in the the staff member reportedly beating him up in front of other holidaymakers.

Footage of the incident showed the employee attacking a man, who could be seen falling onto the sand as he is punched and kicked.

Onlookers were seen screaming in horror, while others moved away from the brawl.

Two men then attempted to break up the fight before the video came to an end.
The Maldives is one of the world's dreamiest holiday destinations and a popular choice for honeymooning couples.

But the islands tend to come with a pretty hefty price tag, particularly as the majority of accommodation options are luxury resorts.

However, if the islands seem a little beyond budget, there's a European destination where you could get a similar feel for far less money.

TikTokers @theresortcouple posted a video where they say tourists will 'find the European Maldives in the cheapest country'.

They recommend Ksamil, an enchanting seaside village in Albania, as a budget alternative to the Maldives.

The TikTokers say they love Ksamil's 'crystal clear water and white sand beaches' and describe it as the 'most breathtaking place'.

Lonely Planet has previously described Ksamil as having some of Albania's best beaches.

Ksamil, an enchanting seaside village in Albania, has been recommended as a budget alternative to the Maldives

A pint of domestic beer costs just 249 lek/2.13 and a cappuccino comes in at just 164 lek/1.40

The travel guide explains: 'South of Saranda, the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, and within striking distance of the Greek border, Ksamil has an excellent location.

'The three small islands in its turquoise bay are an easy swim or boat ride away, and there are always fewer people here than on the busier town beach.'

Ksamil's best-rated beach on Tripadvisor is Ohana Beach Bar, which has a 4.4 out of 5 star rating. A tourist describes it as a 'clean and nice beach'.

Tourists can also explore an incredible historic landmark while they're in Ksamil. Butrint National Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just 11 miles from the seaside village.

The ancient ruins are more than 2,500 years old and include a Hellenistic-era theatre and early Christian monuments.

And a holiday in Ksamil will cost a lot less than travelling to the Maldives.

According to Wise, the average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Albania is just 1,000 lek/8.50.

Meanwhile, a pint of domestic beer costs just 249 lek/2.13 and a cappuccino comes in at just 164 lek/1.40.

Lonely Planet has previously described Ksamil as having some of Albania's best beaches

Butrint National Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just 11 miles from the seaside village

To reach Ksamil from the UK, British tourists will need to fly to either Tirana in Albania or Corfu in Greece.

The village is around a four hour drive from Tirana while tourists can take a ferry to reach it from Corfu.

The ferry trip takes around half an hour and will drop tourists in Saranda, a popular Albanian seaside resort, that's under half an hour away from Ksamil.

But Ksamil isn't the only European holiday destination to be described as a cheaper alternative to the Maldives.

A gorgeous island off the coast of Antalya in Turkey has previously been described as the 'Turkish Maldives'.

The island has been celebrated for its 'powdery white sand' and 'crystal clear waters'.
The exclusive tour will visit ten of 'Europe's most sought after destinations'

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A major travel company has launched a new holiday that's designed to give holidaymakers the chance to 'live like a Kardashian'.

Luxury Escapes' new European charter tour lasts for 25 days and will take holidaymakers to some of 'Europe's most sought after destinations'. But it's pretty exclusive as the 'Ultimate Europe' adventure will only be running once.

The tour will take place on a Luxury Escapes chartered A320-200 aircraft stopping at private airport terminals at Prague, Bergen, San Sebastian, Porto, Marrakesh, Champagne, Sicily, Dubrovnik and Istanbul.

Guests will enjoy 'all-inclusive local culinary experiences', including 'secret street food tours' and 'gourmet vineyard dinners'.

Experiences include a trip on the Flam Railway through Norway's fjords and a stay at the Afagay Desert luxury camp in Morocco.

In Sicily, guests will stay at a beachfront hotel in Taormina with a 'private beach surrounded by carved rock'.

The exclusive tour also includes a stay at a vineyard hotel in the Champagne region which includes a vineyard tour and wine tasting with local producers.

The 25-day adventure will end with a farewell celebration at the 'iconic' Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, a hotel located in a former Ottoman Imperial Palace.



Luxury Escapes' new European charter tour

The tour will take place on a Luxury Escapes chartered A320-200 aircraft stopping at private airport terminals at Prague, Bergen, San Sebastian, Porto, Marrakesh, Champagne, Sicily, Dubrovnik and Istanbul Book now

The tour will take place on a Luxury Escapes chartered A320-200 aircraft stopping at private airport terminals at Prague, Bergen, San Sebastian, Porto, Marrakesh, Champagne, Sicily, Dubrovnik and Istanbul

Guests will enjoy 'all-inclusive local culinary experiences', including 'secret street food tours' and 'gourmet vineyard dinners'

The 25-day adventure will end with a farewell celebration at the 'iconic' Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, a hotel located in a former Ottoman Imperial Palace

But the premium adventure doesn't come cheap.

The trip will set guests back 595.20 a day with the full tour costing from 14,384 per person.

Set to depart on April 12 2026, the tour is described as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience.

With just 140 spaces available, holidaymakers will need to move fast if they want to secure a place on this exclusive adventure.

Find out more at Luxuryescapes.com
MasterChef Australia contestant Rue Mupedzi is setting herself up for a huge career in the culinary world after her shock elimination from the Back to Win season on Tuesday.

Instead of hanging up her apron for good, the 29-year-old dental hygienist is planning on becoming a pastry chef.

Rue, who is known as the 'dessert queen' by fans, announced she plans to head to Europe to pursue her dream as soon as possible.

'My vision board is to go to France and gain work experience in the pastry world for six months to a year, as well as explore Europe,' she said in a new interview with Yahoo Lifestyle on Wednesday.

The WA-based kitchen star said her long-term plans included opening her own pastry shop.

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MasterChef Australia contestant Rue Mupedzi is setting herself up for a huge career in the culinary world after her shock elimination from the Back to Win season on Tuesday

Instead of hanging up her apron for good, the 29-year-old dental hygienist is planning on becoming a pastry chef. Pictured: Rue suffered heartache on Tuesday's episode of the hit cooking competition after a tricky dessert challenge

Elsewhere, Rue opened up about her return to MasterChef after her headline making appearance on the show in 2023.

'I still wanted to work really hard and do well, but the most important thing to me was to have a good time,' she said.

'Coming back was like riding a bike. It felt like I never left! I integrated back into the kitchen so quickly.'

Rue scored a major win on her first go on the hit cooking competition, when she won one of the biggest prizes the contest has seen.

The Zimbabwe-born cook was left speechless when she came first in an immunity challenge after judges fell in love with her sweet and spicy BBQ sauce recipe, BarbeRue.

Not only was she free from elimination that week, she won the life-changing prize of having her sauce produced, packaged and sold in all Coles stores across Australia for a limited time.

Rue suffered the heartache of a second MasterChef Australia elimination this week after a tricky pudding failed to impress the judges.

Rue, Tim, Audra and Sarah were tasked with remaking Variations of Sourdough and Strawberry with Elderflower and Balsamic dessert from O.MY restaurant's Blayne Bertoncello.

Rue, who is known as the 'dessert queen' by fans, announced she plans to head to Europe to pursue her dream as soon as possible. Pictured: The MasterChef Australia star in 2023

The dish included a strawberry sorbet which sat atop a sourdough-infused creme patissiere, a strawberry gum emulsion, macerated strawberries, sourdough tuilles and fried elderflower crisps - all finished off with a balsamic gel.

As Rue, Audra, and Tim all struggled with their emulsion, which split and was too runny when compared to Blayne's, the temperatures began to soar in the kitchen.

In the end, it was the dessert queen herself who was sent home over her grainy creme patissiere.

In tears, Rue told the judges that it had been an honour cooking for them and being on the show for a second time around.

'Just being called back among such amazing chefs made me realise I'm also part of the great people,' she shared.

Jean-Christophe Novelli sang high praises of the contestant and her presence on the show.

'You are unique, you've got the most amazing spirit and, for me, I believe you are a ray of sunshine in any kitchen,' he told Rue in a heartfelt speech.

Speaking of her final cook with 10Play, Season 15's Rue was left disappointed after being eliminated in a challenge she considered to be her bread and butter.

'I really felt like this was a cook that I was supposed to shine in, and I didn't,' Rue said.

'I had done all these elements over a thousand times, and somehow that didn't show. You couldn't see that on the plate.'
And Just Like That (Sky Comedy)

Rating:

After two disappointing seasons as flat as a loafer shoe that Carrie Bradshaw wouldn't be caught dead in, And Just Like That  the sequel to Sex And The City  is finally hitting the right note.

The reboot has struggled to morph sex columnist and reformed serial-dater Carrie Bradshaw and her friends Miranda and Charlotte into menopausal midlifers without their fourth wheel, the feisty, sex-crazed PR Samantha Jones.

The initial storylines prioritised diversity and social justice, while shoehorning in tediously earnest characters.

But, returning this week for a third series, the writers seem to have learnt from their mistakes.

Having watched six episodes, I have to say that we're not home and dry... but it's looking good. They have ditched the woke mess of the earlier episodes in favour of more sex, more fashion and more fun.

In the last series, newly widowed Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, reconnected with her ex-fiance Aidan (John Corbett), now a Virginia farmer.

Series three sees the pair embark on a long-distance relationship. Come on, there's no way a city fashionista like Carrie would thrive as a farmer's wife and the plotline has nowhere to go. Even their clumsy attempt at phone sex is a snooze fest!

So maybe the writers will come up with a zeitgeist way of killing off Aidan, as they did with Carrie's husband Big, who had a heart attack while riding his Peloton in series one. An allergic reaction to Ozempic perhaps?

After two disappointing seasons And Just Like That  the sequel to Sex And The City  is finally hitting the right note

This new chapter of the groundbreaking Sex and the City franchise finds Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte navigating the complicated reality of friendship, family, and New York in their 50s

Thankfully, a promising new love interest emerges

in the shape of Carrie's grouchy new downstairs neighbour Duncan, a famous British writer with whom she has instant chemistry.

And he isn't the only Brit bringing the romance. Late-life lesbian Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), following an unlikely one-night stand, ends up dating plummy-voiced BBC producer Joy, played by Dolly Wells.

The Carrie and Aidan story isn't the only aspect of And Just Like That to stretch credulity  very few women pushing 60 teeter around in five-inch heels and precious few full-time working women (as Charlotte and Miranda claim to be) are able to meet for endless coffee/lunch/shopping trips at the drop of a hat.

So, some scenes are silly, but others do hit home. Carrie's struggles with technology when it comes to her home alarm system and video doorbell will be familiar to many.

Charlotte finding herself 'cancelled' by the 'dog mum' community when her bulldog is mistakenly identified as attacking another mutt in Central Park is also cleverly done.

And it's genuinely hilarious when Charlotte and Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker) resort to desperate measures to secure the services of New York's most in-demand tutor, nicknamed 'the Ivy whisperer' due to her ability to get kids into Ivy League colleges. There's a nod to all of the middle-aged women rushing to get diagnosed with ADHD, while Charlotte and her husband are baffled by their daughter's 'poly' (polyamorous) boyfriend.

The void left by Samantha is mostly filled by Seema (Sarita Choudhury), Carrie's sharp-tongued real estate agent friend.

The reboot has struggled to morph sex columnist and reformed serial-dater Carrie Bradshaw and her friends Miranda and Charlotte into menopausal midlifers

But, returning this week for a third series, the writers seem to have learnt from their mistakes and now there's more sex, more fashion and more fun

Still single in her 50s, she gives a professional matchmaker short shrift when told she needs to be more demure and dress in ladylike pastels if she wants to snare a man.

Fashion is still at the core of the show with the actresses changing outfits several times per episode. Some of the clothes are stunning, others are just daft.

An enormous cloth hat by Maryam Keyhani that Carrie wears in one episode makes her look like the Artful Dodger.

Another scene, in which Carrie's sexy new neighbour complains about the noise her shoes make on her wooden floors, was clearly devised as an excuse to give us a set-to-music montage of her fabulous heel collection.

Contrived, yes, but still frothy good fun.

As the 'girls' teeter towards bus pass age, it's good to have them getting back to form  even though every single episode still leaves you thinking how much more enjoyable it would be if Samantha Jones was there.
On Wednesday, Survivor producer-host Jeff Probst unveiled the 24 returning contestants - the largest cast to date - for for the Fiji-set 50th season of the CBS reality competition premiering next spring.

But fans of the show were disappointed that none of the all-stars were selected from seasons 19-31 as five competed in seasons 48-49 and 11 were plucked from the past five seasons.

'Too many new era players,' Instagram user @stagesofcj commented. 'Not enough early and middle era.'

Instagram user @zacharyreality could not believe season 45 champ Dee Valladares and season 48 champ Kyle Fraser were brough back, writing: 'Why cast two recent winners?'

Producers raised eyebrows by bringing back The White Lotus creator Mike White after he came in second place on the 37th season of Survivor: David vs. Goliath in 2018.

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On Wednesday, Survivor producer-host Jeff Probst unveiled the 24 returning contestants - the largest cast to date - for for the Fiji-set 50th season of the CBS reality competition premiering next spring

But fans of the show were disappointed that none of the all-stars were selected from seasons 19-31 as five competed in seasons 48-49 and 11 were plucked from the past five seasons

The 54-year-old showrunner will be joined on season 50 by his season 37 gal pal Angelina Keeley, whom he later cast (along with season 37's Kara Kay) in his hit HBO Max show in 2021.

Keeley and Kay scored speaking roles from Mike while playing two guests at the White Lotus's Sicilian outpost in the first episode of season two.

White had previously cast season 37's Alec Marino as the bartender Hutch in the Hawaiian-set first season of The White Lotus.

'I can't be the only one who thinks that the Mike White pick is a ploy by Jeff to try and draw in the White Lotus crowd, no?' X user @MattSchmalzster tweeted.

X user @Forever_Dusk shared a meme of a past contestant shooting a sultry look to the camera captioned: 'The survivor 50 castaways every time Mike White looks in their direction.'

X user @surbiboor thought the three-time Emmy winner's inclusion will mean five-time Survivor competitor Cirie Fields will be cast in season five of the twisted who-done-it soap.

The 54-year-old nurse previously competed on season 12 of Panama - Exile Island, season 11 of Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites, season 20 of Heroes vs. Villains, and season 34 of Game Changers.

Speaking of which, X user @MsLco77333 accused producers of only casting five-time Survivor competitor Ozzy Lusth in season 50 because he 'must have dirt on Jeff' Probst.

Others were angry over the casting of two mystery competitors from the 49th season, which just wrapped a few weeks ago and will air this fall.

'Too many new era players,' Instagram user @stagesofcj commented. 'Not enough early and middle era'

Instagram user @zacharyreality could not believe season 45 champ Dee Valladares and season 48 champ Kyle Fraser were brough back, writing: 'Why cast two recent winners?'

Producers raised eyebrows by bringing back The White Lotus creator Mike White after he came in second place on the 37th season of Survivor: David vs. Goliath in 2018

The 54-year-old showrunner will be joined on season 50 by his season 37 gal pal Angelina Keeley (L), whom he later cast (along with season 37's Kara Kay, R) in his hit HBO Max show in 2021

Kay and Keeley scored speaking roles from Mike while playing two guests at the White Lotus's Sicilian outpost in the first episode of season two

'I can't be the only one who thinks that the Mike White pick is a ploy by Jeff to try and draw in the White Lotus crowd, no?' X user @MattSchmalzster tweeted

X user @Forever_Dusk shared a meme of a past contestant shooting a sultry look to the camera captioned: 'The survivor 50 castaways every time Mike White looks in their direction'

X user @surbiboor thought White's inclusion will mean five-time Survivor competitor Cirie Fields will be cast in season five of the twisted who-done-it soap

The 54-year-old nurse previously competed on season 12 of Panama - Exile Island, season 11 of Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites, season 20 of Heroes vs. Villains, and season 34 of Game Changers

Speaking of which, X user @MsLco77333 accused producers of only casting five-time Survivor competitor Ozzy Lusth in season 50 because he 'must have dirt on Jeff' Probst

Others were angry over the casting of two mystery competitors from the 49th season, which just wrapped a few weeks ago and will air this fall

'Why do the two people from S49 low-key have an advantage cause nobody has seen how they play,' X user @graciequeennn tweeted

Instagram user @billlson commented: 'Saving two spots for competitors on a season that hasn't aired yet is bonkers.'

'Why do the two people from S49 low-key have an advantage cause nobody has seen how they play,' X user @graciequeennn tweeted.

Survivor season 50 is dubbed 'In the Hands of the Fans' for a reason as viewers will get to vote in four different creative categories to determine tribe colors, rice distribution, and how the finale is structured.

'I've met people who said, "You should go back to season one. No idols, no advantages, no twists, nothing,"' Probst told EW in February.

'And I say, "Okay, we'll probably never do that because that was 25 years ago and that game would be boring. And I can tell you why, because an alliance of four can beat an alliance of three because there's nothing that can stop anyone. You're going to not be entertained."

'And anytime somebody says we should do a season with no idols, no advantages, no twists, I say, "Fair enough, tell me your top 10 favorite moments from Survivor." And they all involve an idol, a twist, or an advantage.'
Emmerdale's Ryan Hawley has broken his silence on his return to the ITV soap as the show bosses reveal the extreme lengths they took on keeping his storyline under wraps.

The actor, 39, took on the role of Robert Sugden in The Dales back in 2014.

Ryan left Emmerdale back in 2019 after his alter-ego was involved in the murder of Lee Posner (Kris Mochrie).

Robert was sent to prison for accidentally killing Wendy Posner's son Lee after raping his sister Victoria Barton (Isabel Hodgins).

On Wednesday fans went wild as Robert gatecrashed his ex Aaron Dingle's wedding to his long-lost brother John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).

Speaking to The Mirror about his epic return, he said: 'The secret is out today!

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Emmerdale's Ryan Hawley has broken his silence on return as show bosses reveal extreme lengths on keeping storyline underwraps

On Wednesday fans were shocked as Robert (pictured) gatecrashed his ex Aaron Dingle's wedding to his long-lost brother John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth)

'My character is returning permanently and not just for Aaron and Johns wedding. I am back for good, and I am so excited to be playing Robert again.'

The star has been living in Brazil with his family over the past year and never thought it was the 'right time' to reprise his role.

But something had changed to make him return.

And the show pulled out all the stops to make sure that the return was a surprise and kept under wraps for as long as possible.

He explained: 'My scripts have had Marco on them, rather than Robert, and so much effort has been put into it.

'I have been coming in via a secret entrance, so nobody could see me arrive, and it has been very hush, hush.

'I have also got driven in by one of our very trusted esteemed transport seniors to make sure it stayed a secret, and so much hard work has been put into it logistically.'

Aaron (Danny Miller) and John (both pictured) were shocked to see him appear during their special day after being in prison

Robert was sent to prison for accidentally killing Wendy Posner's son Lee (Kris Mochrie) after raping his sister Victoria Barton (Isabel Hodgins, pictured)

Speaking on Thursday's episode of ITV's Lorraine, Ryan confirmed that he isn't going anywhere.

He told the host: ''It's indefinite.

'Robert is back. He's coming back to try and win Aaron back.

'He's trying to stop John.'

Ryan has had a very popular acting career since shooting to fame in the 2000s.

He landed a role in Life Is Wild in 2007, followed by another in Doctors the following year.

He also played Will in Survivors the same year.

Before starring in Emmerdale, he played Andy Thatcher in Devil's Pass, John Van Ert in Father Brown and Jack Thayer in Titanic.

After leaving The Dales he starred in two episodes of Silent Witness as Michael Robson.

He also took on the role of Sid Crabtree in All Creatures Great and Small.

Last year he starred in five episodes of Casualty as Jamie Cleveland.

Hawley has been living in Brazil with his family over the past year and never thought it was the 'right time' to reprise his role (pictured on the show in 2018)

Ryan is also a stage performer, having been in The History Boys, Letting in Air and You May Go Now.

On Wednesday night, viewers were over the moon with Robert's epic return.

Taking to social media, one said: 'Robron back in the year 2025 after six years I've never been f*****g happier;

'I'm sorry, but to be gone six years and turn up looking this GORGEOUS?! HIS POWER!!!'

'Robert: Miss me. Everyone: YES;'

'ROBRON IS BACK IN THE YEAR 2025 ROBRON STANS HOW WE FEELING.'

Speaking about the reaction on Lorraine on Thursday morning, Ryan said to the Scottish host: 'Some of the reactions, I was like "wow".

'I was on a train, coming here to see you! I've seen some on social media, great response - and some people here!

'It's such a good year going forward. Towards end of year... I'm so excited where the show is going. It's a great time to be involved in it.'

Emmerdale airs on ITV.
Lauren Silverman gave an unprecedented look into the life of her youngest son Eric who she shares with her fiance Simon Cowell as she opened up in a new interview this week.

The 47-year-old entrepreneur and socialite spoke lovingly about Eric, 11, while making an appearance at The Chelsea Flower show with Simon's Britain's Got Talent co-star Bruno Tonioli.

Part of the next generation of nepo babies, Bruno insisted that Eric is 'not spoiled at all' and is 'very well brought up' despite his famous parents.

Bruno also lifted the lid on Simon, 65, and Lauren's life in the Cotswolds where he said Eric loves to get involved in family yoga sessions when Bruno comes to stay with them.

The interview marks the continuation to Eric being more in the spotlight after his life being kept very private for much of his early life.

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Lauren Silverman gave an unprecedented look into the life of her youngest son Eric who she shares with her fiance Simon Cowell as she spoke in a new interview

Lauren spoke lovingly about Eric, 11, while making an appearance at The Chelsea Flowers show with Simon's Britain's Got Talent co-star Bruno Tonioli (Eric and Simon seen in 2017)

It began with Eric appearing on Britain's Got Talent with Simon last May after years of the couple not rarely showing his face or speaking about him in interviews.

Now Lauren has revealed that Bruno is very much known as 'Uncle Bruno' to Eric who 'loves him'.

Bruno added of Eric while speaking to Closer magazine: 'He's not spoiled at all actually. Eric is a very, very, very well brought up kid. I mean he's not spoiled at all.'

On Eric now coming to some of the BGT shows as he moves more into the public eye Lauren said in the interview: 'It's a family show. And the nice thing is, like the other judges, like Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, all of their kids and Eric they've grown up together.

'So it's a really nice family kind of vibe there. It's lovely!'

Earlier this month Simon gave a rare insight into his family album as he shared pictures of his lookalike son Eric during sun-soaked dog walk.

The music mogul shared rare snaps of his 11-year-old son with his 2.7million followers as they posed with their German Shepherd dog.

The father and son duo rocked similar outfits for the outing, both donning dark T-shirts with Simon opting for a pair of black tracksuit bottoms while Eric donned black shorts and Nike trainers.

Earlier this month Simon gave a rare insight into his family album as he shared pictures of his lookalike son Eric during sun-soaked dog walk

Part of the next generation of nepo babies, Bruno insisted that Eric is 'not spoiled at all' and is 'very well brought up' despite his famous parents

Bruno is seen with Simon, Eric and Lauren when they all enjoyed a holiday together with Simon's ex Terri Seymour

It began with Eric appearing on Britain's Got Talent with Simon last May after years of the couple not even showing his face and very rarely speaking about him in interviews

Bruno said of Eric while speaking to Closer magazine: 'He's not spoiled at all actually. Eric is a very, very, very well brought up kid. I mean he's not spoiled at all'

In December last year, Simon showed his competitive side as he enjoyed a swimming race with his son Eric in a rare look at their family life

Simon and Eric were also seen crouching down petting their adorable pet pooch and the TV star was seen holding a ball in his hand.

He wrote: '1. Love, 2. Even more love, 3. It was a long walk'.

And in December last year, Simon showed his competitive side as he enjoyed a swimming race with his son Eric.

The TV judge took to Instagram as he shared a rare video of the pair as they took to the pool to go head to head.

Eric secured the victory as he exclaimed: 'I win I win', before celebrating and ordering his dad out of the shot.

Talking to the camera, Simon joked: 'Well that was difficult but it was worth it,' as Eric boasted: 'I won, I won, get out the picture, I won.'

The music mogul looked to be enjoying an escape from the UK winter as he donned a pair of stylish shades in the sunny pool.

Simon teased in the caption: 'I still think I won! Love, Simon x'.

Last May Simon let his son Eric and Amanda Holden's daughter Hollie gatecrash the Britain's Got Talent auditions.

Simon and Eric also created a children's book series together

Last May Simon let his son Eric and Amanda Holden 's daughter Hollie gatecrash the Britain's Got Talent auditions

Simon and Eric are seen in 2017 when Eric was three years old

Japanese skipping act Haribow took to the stage, sending the audience wild as they begged the judges to give them a golden buzzer - but all of them had already been used.

As the crowd's chants grew louder, Simon said he had 'never heard a reaction like that before' before gesturing to his son Eric to push the button.

'Okay alright You do it,' Simon said, as Eric and Hollie, 12, leapt to their feet and darted for the judges' bench, slamming the golden buzzer and sending Harbow through to the live semi-finals.

Simon said: 'That was my son, Amanda's daughter, egged on by the audience. We are going to see you in the finals, congratulations.'

Last June Simon broke down in tears as he revealed he felt he 'had nothing to live for' after his parents died but that having his son saved him.

He spoke in one of his most open and emotional interviews ever on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett where he told how after his losses he 'reached the point where nothing mattered'.

He spoke of his incredible relationships with his mum Julie and dad Eric and the devastation he felt at their passing - before being 'saved' when his partner Lauren told him she was expecting a baby.

They welcomed their son Eric in 2014 - which Simon said 'changed everything' after his mental state reached the 'lowest level possible'.

He said as he broke down: 'Before him I had reached the point where nothing mattered. It all hit me so hard. Being on TV I felt like a clown because I was dying inside. I put on loads of weight.

'If I was going to be hit by a bus the next day - I wasn't worried about anything like that. The whole time was dark. It was the lowest level. I can relate when people say that being alive doesn't matter anymore.

'I thought "what have I got to live for?" I didn't want to take my own life but I thought "if something terrible happens to me it wouldn't bother me". I do still suffer with depression sometimes.'

He spoke about descending into a deep depression in the midst of his grief and realised that 'material things meant nothing'.

Last June Simon broke down in tears as he revealed he felt he 'had nothing to live for' after his parents died but that having his son saved him (seen in September 2024)

Simon also became a workaholic to deal with his pain, explaining: 'After losing them all the material things I had meant nothing.

'I was on a downward spiral. I was desperately unhappy so I thought I would just become a vampire and I would work till 7am.

'I got addicted to that lifestyle. I had to find something to fill the loss and I became a workaholic. I was very successful but so unhappy. '

On finding out Lauren was pregnant he added: 'I got the call from Lauren and she said "are you sitting down?" That's how you know it's something big!

'And it changed everything. It made me happy again, it was perfect.'
After four months away, one of the most useless women to befoul our screens is back.

And brace yourselves: She's here to help. Ostensibly.

Yes, the insufferable Hoda Kotb  recipient of a month-long send-off from NBC's 'Today' show in January, having announced that her two small daughters needed her  has re-entered the chat.

Guess school runs and suburban life have moved down the priority list. We're back on the cover of People magazine, and that's what's important!

Here's what Hoda's up to now: Selling joy.

Yes, something you cannot buy, own, or possess for great lengths of time. There's a difference between happiness, contentment and joy  but don't ask Hoda about that, because as we saw in footage shot in her own home, she possesses bookshelves without books.

After four months away, one of the most useless women to befoul our screens is back. (Pictured: Hoda Kotb at the 'Today' show in March, 2025).

The insufferable Hoda Kotb - recipient of a month-long send-off from NBC's 'Today' show in January, having announced that her two small daughters needed her - has re-entered the chat. (Pictured: Hoda on the right with Today Show hosts Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin).

Guess school runs and suburban life have moved down the priority list. We're back on the cover of People magazine, and that's what's important! (Pictured: Hoda Kotb with her daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine).

This is not a person, in my opinion, to be giving life advice. But Hoda, like so many female wellness and self-help gurus before her, will not let a lack of scholarship or expertise stop her.

Introducing, to great fanfare, the 60-year-old Hoda's new enterprise: 'Joy 101.'

Shades of Kamala. And that didn't work out so well.

We've got more than a little Meghan Markle in here too: Hoda, like our Duchess of Despair and Endless Grievance, is now a female founder  or 'flounder', which feels more accurate.

Floundering around, looking for some kind of perch from which to generate publicity, cultural relevance, and a healthy profit margin by selling other women stuff we just can't buy.

Literally.

In Meghan's case, that's actual merch from her 'As Ever' website  which, she just told Fast Company, may or may not be replenished.

Unto the breach steps one Hoda Kotb, whose real reason for leaving her 'Today' show gig may have been a reported pay cut from her $20 million per year salary.

After all, if Hoda really had left to spend time with her two small daughters, ages 6 and 8  shot with her for the People mag cover, which feels gratuitous  well, one would think that's what she'd be doing.

Also gratuitous: Suddenly revealing that her daughter, Hope, has Type 1 diabetes, on 'Today' and in the pages of 'People.'

Perhaps that's something Hope would not like the world to know.

We've got more than a little Meghan Markle in here too: Hoda, like our Duchess of Despair and Endless Grievance, is now a female founder - or 'flounder', which feels more accurate. (Pictured: Meghan Markle at the 2025 TIME 100 Summit).

If Hoda really had left the Today Show to spend time with her two small daughters, ages 6 and 8 - shot with her for the People mag cover 2022 edition pictured), which feels gratuitous - well, one would think that's what she'd be doing.

But, like Meghan, Hoda's out there selling, and the children  well, they humanize her, I suppose.

So back Hoda comes to the 'Today' show couch, greeted with smiles and tears and proclamations of what a big family they all are  Hoda, who was elevated to co-host after original star Matt Lauer was accused of rape.

Cuddly, so cuddly. Truly, network morning television is a cancer, and this kind of synthetic over-emoting is malignant.

'Something was missing from my overall wellness', Hoda proclaimed.

Do tell. A nation is riveted.

'You get to sit at the feet of the masters,' Hoda said of her time at 'Today,' and so she has 'curated'  ugh, that word  a list of geniuses she met there, such as Maria Shriver and Joanna Gaines.

Mensa this is not.

'Joy 101,' Hoda said, is 'more than just an app.'

What else is it? No idea.

Off she went to the fourth hour of 'Today,' which she used to co-host with the equally insufferable Jenna Bush Hager.

These two teared up like Hoda had just been released from years-long captivity by Hamas.

Jenna: 'To be in this new chapter . . . it feels like right now you're living in a truth that feels so illuminating.'

Hoda: 'You and I have been on the exact same path.'

These are empty words spoken by people who clearly think they sound smart. Enlightened. Wise.

Hoda Kotb's app retails for $16.99 per month or $99 annually. All she can  or will  tell us is that in the 16 weeks she's been in retirement, she has learned about breath work, prayer, and meditation.

'I thought,' Hoda said, that 'people who meditated just had free time.'

THEY DO.

'I became a seeker,' she continued. 'Someone who is looking, looking, looking. The wave I'm riding right now is magical for me'.

WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?

Hoda also used her NBC airtime to dismiss the rumors  which I've always believed were planted by her  that she was the #1 choice to replace Kelly Clarkson in daytime talk.

With this most cynical endeavor  building a business from the ground up, freed by her daughters, she says, who are already sick of her (because small kids just love absent parents)  Hoda joins the ranks of self-help snake-oil saleswomen like Mel Robbins, Jamie Kern Lima, Elizabeth Gilbert and Glennon Doyle, to name just a few.

And that's not including actresses with zero medical expertise who are selling themselves as experts in menopause (Naomi Watts and her Stripes product line), sexual wellness (Kourtney Kardashian Barker and her horny goat weed gummies); nutrition (Kate Hudson and her supplement line); and Gwyneth Paltrow, with her Goop wellness line that still sells the jade egg she falsely asserted could level out hormonal imbalances and regulate menstrual periods  claims that cost Goop $145,000 in civil penalties in a settlement with the state of California.

Indeed: it's a murderer's row of hustlers that Hoda now joins.

And that's not including actresses with zero medical expertise who are selling themselves as experts in menopause, nutrition and sexual wellness - like Kourtney Kardashian Barker and her horny goat weed gummies. (Pictured: Kourtney touting her Lemme supplements).

Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop wellness line is still selling the jade egg she falsely asserted could level out hormonal imbalances and regulate menstrual periods. (Pictured: Gwyneth at a Goop event).

Cost of entry is speaking loads of gibberish  something Hoda's been doing since assuming the 'Today' co-host chair, admittedly  and promising regular, hardworking moms and women out there that she has all the answers, even if she can't specifically tell you what those answers are.

Oh  and you should trust her to tell the truth, even though she swore she was stepping back for the sake of her children. Hoda had a full-on entourage with her on the 'Today' show set, but she never, ever mentions whether she has help at home.

I think we all know the answer to that.

But here she is now, to help all of us. Consider this lesson learned during her brief sabbatical, one that helped spark 'Joy 101':

'I didn't know', Hoda said, 'that when you quiet the noise around you, you can think'.

Call it Joy 101 for dummies. Maybe Kamala will be her first client.
British restaurateur Keith McNally shared a bizarre social media post claiming that he had a 'whirlwind love affair' with famed television journalist, Diane Sawyer.

His rep has since clarified that the allegations are 'not true' to Page Six after he initially joked 'what happened in London [between them] STAYS in London.'

On Wednesday, the I Regret Almost Everything author, who famously banned James Corden from celebrity hotspot Balthazar, claimed Sawyer 'was the first American' he 'ever slept with.'

'I had dinner last night at Diane Sawyers apartment. It was an anniversary of sorts,' he alleged. 'Diane and I had first met in London 53 years ago TO THE DAY. (May the 27th 1972.) I was 20 at the time and had just returned to London after having lived in Afghanistan, India and Kathmandu. Diane was living in Washington DC but had come to London for a ten day vacation with a couple of girlfriends.'

He continued: 'We met at the theatre. By chance, we were sitting next to each other at a production of Tom Stoppards play Jumpers. I was alone and Diane was with her two girlfriends.'

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British restaurateur, Keith McNally, shared a bizarre social media post claiming that he had a 'whirlwind love affair' with famed television journalist, Diane Sawyer

McNally then recalled Diane asking to 'borrow' his theatre program and asking his thoughts on the play during intermission.

Before the play began, he said Diane asked if she could 'borrow' his theatre program and, during intermission, asked him what he thought of the play.

'The play was too intellectual for me and I hadnt understood a word, but pretended to know it backwards,' he wrote. 'One of Dianes friends mentioned that Id got the characters mixed up and I blushed and felt like an idiot.'

McNally proceeded to reveal that Sawyer, who he described as 'stunningly attractive' and a few years older than him, took pity on him 'and said something to make' him feel 'better' about himself.

'When the play ended, Diane asked me if I wanted to join them for dinner. I really wanted to join them but couldnt afford it and hesitated. Understanding my predicament, Diane lied and said the dinner was already paid for,' he detailed in his post.

He concluded the post by writing: 'Diane and I had a whirlwind love affair. It only lasted a week but we became best friends for life. Even though Im really happy that were best friends I sometimes wonder what would have happened if wed stayed together.'

Shortly after the post began to make headlines, McNally's rep confirmed to Page Six that his story was completely fictitious.

The alleged encounter would have been 14 years before she met her longtime husband Mike Nichols, who passed away in 2014.

On Wednesday, the I Regret Almost Everything author, who famously banned James Corden from celebrity hotspot Balthazar, claimed Sawyer 'was the first American' he 'ever slept with'

At that time, McNally was also single and had yet to marry.

DailyMail.com has reached out to McNally and Sawyer's representatives, but have not heard back, at this time.

In October 2022, McNally made headlines after banning Corden from his restaurant.

At the time, he claimed on Instagram that the talk show host had been rude to his staff several times: berating them over a hair in his food and demanding free drinks during the summer.

Additionally, James had allegedly furiously reprimanded the waiters over an omelet he was unhappy with.

The first incident in June allegedly came after the comedian found a hair in his meal.

According to staff, who were 'very apologetic,' the star allegedly declared: 'Get us another round of drinks this second. And also take care of all of our drinks so far. This way I [won't] write any nasty reviews in yelp or anything like that.'

'I had dinner last night at Diane Sawyers apartment. It was an anniversary of sorts,' he alleged. 'Diane and I had first met in London 53 years ago TO THE DAY'

McNally said that in October, there was more trouble when Corden came in for brunch with his wife Julia Carey and complained about 'a little bit of egg white' in her egg yolk omelet.

He then allegedly began 'yelling like crazy' when they made a new one but served it with fries instead of a salad.

The post claimed James told the server: 'You can't do your job! You can't do your job! Maybe I should go into the kitchen and cook the omelet myself.'

The couple received a free glass of Champagne and apologies, but the server 'was very shaken.'

Four hours after announcing the ban to his 87,000 Instagram followers, McNally promptly reversed it, saying he had received a call from Corden apologizing.

In a later post, the fiery restaurateur admitted that he felt 'really sorry' for Corden.

McNally detailed the incident in his memoir, which was released earlier this month.

'By exposing Corden's abuse, it appeared as though I was defending a principle, when all I was doing was seeking the approval of my young Balthazar staff,' he said.

Shortly after the post began to make headlines, McNally's rep confirmed to Page Six that his story was completely fictitious and 'not true' (Sawyer seen in 2023)

McNally continued: 'Corden called me four times the day the post came out, each time asking me to please delete it. On the last call he sounded desperate.'

'Relishing my hold over someone so famous, I told him I wouldn't delete it. Like a little dictator, I was intoxicated with the power I'd received.'

Strangely though, Keith has confessed that he didn't see the incident unfold with his own eyes and instead had posted on behalf of his staff members' accounts.

'For someone who's hyperconscious of humiliation since suffering a stroke, it now seems monstrous that I didn't consider the humiliation I was subjecting Corden to,' he added.

Sawyer was happily married to her late husband Mike Nichols from 1988 until his death in 2014 (seen above in 2007)

'Especially as I hadn't personally seen the incident I so vividly described on Instagram.

'I'm not suggesting Corden didn't deserve the backlash from my post. (The b------ probably did.)

'I'm just saying I didn't see the incident I wrote about that, to some degree, jeopardized his career.'

Balthazar, located at 80 Spring Street in the SoHo area of Manhattan, has become wildly popular over the last two decades.

It has been visited by a slew of A-list names including Anna Wintour, Zoey Deutch, Sienna Miller, Jared Leto, Mary-Kate Olsen, Tom Hiddleston, and Meryl Streep - to name a few.
Bella and Gigi Hadid have a stunning secret half-sister who has become part of their inner circle after meeting for the first time less than two years ago.

The Daily Mail can exclusively confirm that the models' younger sibling is Aydan Nix, a 23-year-old who graduated from the Parsons School of Design in Manhattan earlier this month.

Her mother became pregnant after a brief romance with Mohamed Hadid, Bella and Gigi's multi-millionaire real estate developer father.

Aydan and her mother's link to the superstar family have been kept under wraps for almost two decades, until now.

Gigi and Bella Hadid on Thursday confirmed Aydan is their half sister and they have 'cherished this unexpected and beautiful addition to our family'.

The Daily Mail understands that Mohamed, now 76, maintains a relationship with Aydan in private but has never acknowledged her publicly.

Aydan, who grew up in Orlando, Florida, studied Fine and Studio Arts at Parsons and connected with the sisters when she was studying abroad in Paris last year.

Since then, she has been photographed with them on multiple occasions.

They have been spotted on nights out in New York and during bikini-clad trips to the beach.

Bella and Gigi Hadid have a stunning secret half-sister, Aydan Nix, who has become part of their inner circle after meeting for the first time last year

Family members told the the Daily Mail that the newfound sisters have kept in contact and were 'becoming closer'.

They follow each other on social media and appear on each others' Instagram stories.

However, despite the growing bond, none of the women publicly identified each other as siblings - until Thursday.

'Over 20 years ago, our dad, while single, had a brief relationship that led to a pregnancy,' the family said.

'Aydan was born and raised in Florida, growing up with the man she lovingly knew as her father until his sudden passing when she was 19.

'After his passing, she decided to take a genetic test out of curiosity, and thats how she discovered a biological connection to us.

'We first connected in late 2023, and from that moment on, weve embraced Aydan with open arms.

'Shes spent time with all of us, including our dad, and weve cherished this unexpected and beautiful addition to our family.

'As siblings, weve had many open and loving conversations with Aydan included about how to support and protect her.

'Aydan and her family value their privacy, and we fully respect that. We kindly ask others to do the same and honor her wish and right to her anonymity as she continues her life as a young woman in New York.'

While the willowy Aydan shares the Hadids' angular cheekbones and signature torso, her upbringing was worlds apart from that of Gigi, 29, and Bella, 28, who between them have graced the pages of international Vogue magazine more than 85 times.

Aydan was an honor student and cheerleader at a prep school in Orlando, where she took a keen interest in French and fashion.

Though raised in a comfortable home with her mother and stepfather, she held down a summer job delivering Domino's pizza.

After high school, Aydan moved to Manhattan to pursue a career in fashion.

In addition to internships with photographers and stylists, she worked as a commissioned sales associate at the vintage clothing store Harley's.

A bikini-clad Aydan (second from right) poses for photos on a beach in Malibu, California, with her supermodel half-sister Bella

Spitting image: Aydan is a 23-year-old who graduated from the Parsons School of Design in Manhattan earlier this month

Aydan connected with her half-sisters for the first time in Paris last year while she was studying abroad. She is pictured on a night out in New York with Gigi in 2023

In an exclusive statement to Daily Mail, the Gigi and Bella Hadid confirmed Aydan is their half sister and they have 'cherished this unexpected and beautiful addition to our family'.

Aydan was raised by her mother, Terri Hatfield Dull, in a suburb of Orlando - far from the glamorous world of her siblings.

Mohamed Hadid had met Dull shortly after his divorce from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid in 2001.

Yolanda is the mother of Gigi, Bella, and their younger brother Anwar. Mohamed also has two daughters, Marielle and Alana, with his first wife, Mary Butler.

The Palestinian-American real estate tycoon had a brief romance with Dull that ended shortly before she discovered she was pregnant.

The Daily Mail understands that Mohamed always knew about Aydan but has not provided financial support.

She was raised by her mother, who has worked as a mortgage loan originator and has since married.

Now embedded in the very industry her sisters dominate, Aydan is carving out her own niche as a designer, stylist and aspiring influencer.

A source close to the family confirmed that Mohamed maintained a cordial and pleasant relationship with Aydan.

While he follows her on Instagram, he has conspicuously excluded her name from public interviews and social media posts.

In a Father's Day message in 2024, he discussed his 'five children', omitting to mention Aydan.

He had been expected to attend his daughter's graduation in May but reportedly canceled about a week beforehand.

A family source told the Daily Mail that while Mohamed has fondness for Aydan, he so far had not been ready to publicly acknowledge her as his sixth child.

At the graduation ceremony in Brooklyn on May 16, Aydan celebrated with classmates and was seen posing for photographs

Aydan was raised by her mother, Terri Hatfield Dull (pictured), in a suburb of Orlando - far from the glamorous world of her siblings

Mohamed Hadid and ex-wife Yolanda share supermodel daughters Bella and Gigi and an actor son Anwar, 24. Mohamed also shares Marielle, 43, and Alana, 38, with his ex Mary Butler

Though raised in a comfortable home with her mother and stepfather, Aydan held down a summer job delivering Domino's pizza

Sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid walk the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2024

'There's mutual respect,' the source said. 'But there's also discretion.'

At the graduation ceremony in Brooklyn on May 16, Aydan celebrated with classmates and was seen posing for photographs.

A proud Dull posted pictures on Instagram of her daughter in a red robe, mortar board and sunglasses.

Aydan also wore a black and white keffiyeh scarf, perhaps a nod to her father's Palestinian heritage or as a gesture of protest over the war in Gaza.

The graduate marked the occasion with her own social media post, captioned: 'WTF. post grad ..'
Ryan Phillippe is reportedly being sued by a woman who claims she was nearly set on fire at a restaurant in which he is invested.

The 50-year-old actor  who recently revealed why his lost out on his 'dream role' in the Star Wars prequels  is being sued by Jody Sanders, according to TMZ, who alleges that her hair was set on fire at The Hideaway in Beverly Hills.

She is also reportedly suing Jeffrey Best, the celebrity event planner and owner of the restaurant, as well as the restaurant itself.

However, a source tells DailyMail.com that Phillippe is not an owner of The Hideaway, and is instead only a minority investor in the restaurant who doesn't have any involvement in its day-to-day decisions.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Phillippe and The Hideaway for comment.

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Ryan Phillippe is being sued by a woman who claims her hair was set on fire by an unattended candle at the bar of his restaurant The Hideaway in Beverly Hills, according to TMZ; pictured May 13 in LA

Sanders alleges in her lawsuit that she was an attendee at a Hideaway event back in April 2024 when her scary encounter with the flames occurred.

According to TMZ, she says she was seated at the restaurant's bar when 'unattended wax candle burning on the bar's surface' alleged burned her hair.

It's unclear if she's alleging that her hair was merely singed, or if it burst into flames.

Sanders is reportedly seeking unspecified damages.

But DailyMail.com's source alleges that her claims were settled by The Hideaway's insurance company sometime last year, raising questions about the purpose of the lawsuit.

Jeffrey Best  the mastermind behind Britney Spears' wedding to Sam Asghari and Madonna and Guy Oseary's Oscar parties  became a first-time restaurant owner when he opened The Hideaway with co-owners Sylvain Bitton and JT Torregiani.

Phillippe appears to have been involved in promoting The Hideaway after it opened in 2022, but he appears to only be one of a group of investors, which also includes Diana Ross' son Evan Ross.

Ryan spoke about how the restaurant is inspired by the 'vibe' of '70s to 80s Baja, Mexico' in an interview with Cigar & Spirits Magazine.

But a source tells DailyMail.com that the woman's claims were allegedly settled by the restaurant's insurance company last year; The Hideaway's dining room is pictured in January 2014

They also note that Phillippe is a minority investor  along with several others, including Diana Ross' son Evan Ross  and he is allegedly not involved with day-to-day business; pictured May 21 in NYC

The Cruel Intentions actor was married to Reese Witherspoon from 1999 to 2007, and they share two children: daughter Ava, 25, and his lookalike son Deacon, 21 (pictured with Ryan on May 13 in LA)

The restaurant  which is inspired by the food and atmosphere of Baja, California  is located below street level on Beverly Hills' iconic Rodeo Drive, which is famous for its upscale shops.

Phillippe said the interior of The Hideaway was 'intentionally aged' and 'made to look like it's been here for some time,' which he compared to 'what a set designer would do in a movie.'

'This is a brand-new restaurant but look at the cracks around the coping,' the Cruel Intentions star noted. 'All of that is done with intention so it feels like a place that's been around for a long time.'

The restaurant's menu suggests it's ideal for carnivores, with plenty of with plenty of fish, chicken and pork options, though there are also mushroom enchiladas on the dinner menu for vegans and vegetarians.

But it's primarily a Mexican steakhouse with cuts of beef that go for as much as $125 (for an A5 Wagyu filet) and $145 (for an enormous bone-in tomahawk steak).

In addition to his acting career, Phillippe is known for being the ex-husband of Reese Witherspoon, whom he was married to from 1999 to 2007.

They share two children: 25-year-old daughter Ava and 21-year-old son Deacon, who bares a striking resemblance to his father.
Domenica Calarco has taken another savage swipe at her ex-best friend Ella Ding, accusing the Married At First Sight star of stealing from her.

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star, 32, also slammed her former podcast co-host, 31, last week for making a sponsored pregnancy announcement.

But now it seems their online feud has gone to another level as Domenica alleged Ella and her brother 'stole' something from the former reality TV star.

Domenica made the serious accusation  which is unproven  in the comments section of an article about Ella defending herself against recent backlash.

The podcaster wrote: 'Nah just pissed cos she needs MORE money after her and her brother stole from me. It's okay, the story is coming.'

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Domenica Calarco, 32, (pictured) has taken another swipe at her ex-best friend Ella Ding, 31, accusing the Married At First Sight star of stealing from her

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ella and Domenica for further comment on the matter.

It comes after Domenica called out her former best friend Ella for announcing her pregnancy with a sponsored post.

Ella took to Instagram last Tuesday morning to announce the exciting news alongside a series of photos including a positive Clearblue pregnancy test.

'Somewhere between healing and hustling, the next chapter quietly chose us,' she captioned her post.

'Baby Palermo youve already made our story sweeter & given us the best news of 2025 yet #ad #ClearblueConfirmed.'

The announcement was reposted by the @influencer.updates.au Instagram page.

Domenica took to the comments section to slam Ella for 'monetising her pregnancy'.

'Even has to monetise her pregnancy announcement. Some people will never change. Wow,' she wrote.

The I'm A Celebrity star also slammed her former podcast co-host last week for making a sponsored pregnancy announcement. Ella is pictured with husband Guy Palermo

Ella's pregnancy was announced two months after Domenica revealed she was expecting her first child.

In March, Domenica posted a series of clips showing her positive pregnancy test, her ultrasound, and sharing the news with friends and family.

She captioned the sweet post: 'Been a little MIA working on my greatest project yet... Baby.'

She added: 'Due September 2025 #pregnancyannouncement #pregnancy #pregnant.'

Days after her announcement, Domenica exclusively confirmed to Daily Mail Australia she will be a single mum, as she addressed rumours of a breakup with Bondi skater Jarod Bogunovich.

Domenica and Ella pulled the plug on their podcast Sit With Us in August 2024, and rumours have swirled it was due to an interpersonal conflict.

On a recent episode of Domenica's new podcast Mad Woman, she explained where the rift with Ella really began.

'The breakdown of our friendship really started when the backlash from Sit With Us happened,' she began, referring to the controversial conversation the podcasters had with MAFS 2024 'villain' Jack Dunkley.

But now it seems their online feud has gone to another level as Domenica alleged Ella and her brother 'stole' something from the former reality TV star

The controversy erupted after Domenica and Ella faced criticism for their interview with Jack, who previously sparked outrage by telling co-star Jonathan McCullough to 'muzzle' his wife Lauren Dunn during a dinner party.

The interview prompted a heated response from fellow media personality Abbie Chatfield, further intensifying the scrutiny on the podcast hosts at the time.

Domenica said she and Ella 'had very differing opinions and views on the way to handle the situation. For me, I wanted to face it head on, I didn't want to bury my head in the sand.'

At the time, Domenica's social media posts were inundated with comments from fans asking her to address the podcast controversy.

While Domenica chose not to provide a statement during this period, she did assure several fans she and Ella would be responding to the backlash 'very soon'.

Domenica and Ella have since unfollowed each other on Instagram, marking the end of their nearly four-year friendship.
Hilltop Hoods are making a huge comeback.

The legendary Australian hip hop group have announced they will be releasing their first new album in six years.

The Aussie rap stars shared the exciting news to social media on Wednesday, revealing Fall From The Light will be released on August 1.

'This album has been an exercise in patience. Six years is a long time between albums, but there's a good reason for that,' they wrote.

They added the long wait allowed the group to produce some of the best work of their career.

'There was a lot happening, in the world and in our lives. But it turns out (from my perspective anyway), that time was the album's strength, not weakness,' they said.

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Hilltop Hoods are making a huge comeback - The legendary Australian hip hop group have announced they will be releasing their first new album in six years

'We've never been so thorough, so pedantic with an album before. The result is something that's been carefully crafted with an extreme attention to detail.

'It's an album we're really proud of, and a body of music we can't wait to share with everyone.'

Many of their 198,000 followers took to the comment section to express their excitement.

'That's awesome. Hopefully a tour announcement soon,' one person wrote.

'This is so cool!!! Cannot wait boys!' a second added.

Hilltop Hoods have release nine studio albums since forming in Adelaide in 1994.

In 2019, the band revealed they simply couldn't afford to take their show overseas despite their massive success Down Under.

Member Matt Lambert told The Daily Telegraph of their elaborate Australian stage age: 'What we put on here is so big now.'

The Aussie rap stars shared the exciting news to social media on Wednesday, revealing Fall From The Light will be released on August 1

They added the long wait between albums allowed the group to produce some of the best work of their career

'If we took the big show overseas we would have to sell all of our houses to be able to afford it,' he added.

Lambert, also known as MC Suffa, added that the group's mainstream fame had taken them from outsiders to contenders.

'We definitely don't feel as much of an outsider as we used to,' he told the paper of being a rare Aussie hip hop act.

'We used to feel almost like some kind of novelty.'

The group is made up of founding members MC Suffa (Lambert) and MC Pressure (Daniel Smith) and is backed up by DJ Debris (Barry Francis).

Their prior studio album, 2014's Walking Under Stars, hit number one in Australia and was certified double platinum.

In February 2019, the group supported Eminem on his Australian and New Zealand concert tour.

The hip-hop group has won eight ARIA Awards and are regarded as Australia's most successful homegrown hip hop act.
Ana de Armas looked glamorous in an elegant strapless black and white gown as she attended the Ballerina premiere at Le Grand Rex in Paris, France on Wednesday.

The actress, 37, showed off her amazing figure in the number which boasted a structured corset strapless top which cascaded down into a dramatic white ruffled skirt.

Ana elevated her frame in a pair of towering heels and accessorised with a dazzling silver necklace and matching earrings.

Styling her long brunette tresses in a neat up do, the Knives Out star flashed her gorgeous smile as she posed up a storm on the red carpet before being joined by director Len Wiseman.

Ballerina is the latest instalment in the John Wick franchise, with Ana starring as the lead character Eve Macarro.

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Ana de Armas looked glamorous in an elegant strapless black and white gown as she attended the Ballerina premiere at Le Grand Rex in Paris, France on Wednesday

The actress, 37, showed off her amazing figure in the number which boasted a structured corset strapless top which cascaded down into a dramatic white ruffled skirt

Ana arrived in the French capital earlier that day and rocked a pair of knee-high leather boots as she headed to a question and answer session with fans.

She teamed a high-waisted mini skirt with a long sleeved top and layered over a leather trench coat.

Ana accessorised her outfit with gold jewellery and topped it off with black, opaque tights.

The actress has been rumoured to be dating Tom Cruise for months, but neither has publicly confirmed their relationship status.

When quizzed about the scrutiny into her private life, Ana admitted during an interview with ELLE Spain, that she's grown more accustomed to dealing with it and accepted it came as part of the price of fame.

Alluding to her apparent determination not to confirm her and Tom's relationship status, she explained she's learned how important it is for her to have a separation between her 'public persona' and private life.

She said: 'Over the years, you get more used to it. You learn to find your corners, your privacy, your way of doing things, your lifestyle...

'I'm one of those who think there should be external boundaries, a barrier that's quite visible to others and to oneself.'

Ana elevated her frame in a pair of towering heels and accessorised with a dazzling silver necklace and matching earrings

Styling her long brunette tresses in a neat up do, the Knives Out star flashed her gorgeous smile as she posed up a storm on the red carpet before being joined by director Len Wiseman

Ballerina is the latest instalment in the John Wick franchise, with Ana (pictured) starring as the lead character Eve Macarro

The actress has been rumoured to be dating Tom Cruise for months, but neither has publicly confirmed their relationship status

'Making it clear, "This is as far as I go with my work, my public persona, what's expected of me, and what I want to share with viewers and fans." That's wonderful, and I want to do it.

'You can't let the negative side of fame upset you, because then you won't enjoy the beautiful aspects, but it's essential to separate.

'We're all people and we need that privacy, consideration, and space.'

She added: 'It seems incredible to have to say it, but we've forgotten that minimum of respect for others.'

'Sometimes we have to make an abrupt stop so others are aware of your reality, but, well, I find my way. When I want to disappear from the map, I do'.

However, Ana also admitted that the public criticism she's received over some of her past relationships has 'hurt me at times'.

Tom has been busy promoting his own starring role in recent weeks following the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which premiered earlier this month.
Daisy Lowe has revealed she is busy planning her Somerset wedding as she prepares to tie the knot with partner Jordan Saul, three years after they got engaged.

The model, 36, revealed that while she is busy with preparations for her big day the couple have also decided to move to Somerset with their daughter Ivy, two.

Daisy admitted she has been quite overwhelmed and 'super anxious' recently as she attempts to balance having a 'toddler, planning a wedding and a new home'.

Speaking in the June addition of SOMERSET LIFE magazine, Daisy said she 'needs to get married before she can think about having baby number two'.

Daisy said: 'I'm moving to and marrying in Somerset. That's how much I love it. I will coordinate Ivy with me and my bridesmaids, she'll be a little flower girl but I'm still trying to figure it all out.

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Daisy Lowe has revealed she is busy planning her Somerset wedding as she prepares to tie the knot with partner Jordan Saul, three years after they got engaged

The model, 36, revealed that while she is busy with preparations for her big day the couple have also decided to move to Somerset with their daughter Ivy, two

'Jordan is really practical whereas I'm the creative one, so I need him to make certain decisions and he lets me get on with the creative stuff.

'But having a toddler, planning a wedding and a new home is quite a lot. First thing this morning I had to write so I don't feel super anxious. I don't feel actual pressure, but it is an exciting idea that it could be better than my 18th, which was one of the best parties ever. I think we might top it.

The star revealed the couple have decided to move to the country after being 'inspired' by her mum as she grew up surrounded by nature.

She said: 'Now the plan is to rent a little eco-home in Somerset while we start looking for somewhere to build our own eco-home.

'We can immerse ourself in the life with Ivy starting nursery there next year and start building out community. The idea that when we're there we will find the exact bit of land.'

The mother-of-one is already looking at wormeries, 'so she can give back to the land and reusable water pumps and heat pumps' for her new property.

It comes after Daisy shared on Instagram that she had begun preparations for her big day by trying on her wedding dress with her mother Pearl and daughter Ivy.

Daisy shared a slew of sweet snaps that showed herself and mother Pearl enjoying brunch at Claridge's in London with her adorable daughter.

Daisy admitted she has been quite overwhelmed and 'super anxious' recently as she attempts to balance having a 'toddler, planning a wedding and a new home'

Speaking in the June addition of SOMERSET LIFE magazine, Daisy said she 'needs to get married before she can think about having baby number two'

Daisy said: 'I'm moving to and marrying in Somerset. That's how much I love it. I will coordinate Ivy with me and my bridesmaids, she'll be a little flower girl but I'm still trying to figure it all out'

The star revealed the couple have decided to move to the country after being 'inspired' by her mum as she grew up surrounded by nature

Sharing a cute image of her two companions, she wrote: 'My favourite brunch dates.'

Pearl herself then shared a beaming snap of her daughter, where she revealed she'd tried on her wedding dress ahead of the big day.

She captioned her post: 'A wonderful morning spent seeing my gorgeous girl @daisylowe try on her beautiful wedding dress, followed by a delicious breakfast @claridgeshotel.'

Daisy and Jordan welcomed baby Ivy into the world in April 2023, announcing the happy news via Instagram.

She wrote at the time: 'Our Easter egg finally hatched! Ivy Love Saul you have made all my dreams come true - our dream girl.

'I have never known happiness or love like this. I cant stop crying tears of joy. Happy Easter Loves.'

She announced her pregnancy on Instagram in October 2022, as she posted a sweet snap of her bump - admitting she was 'oscillating wildly between excitement and nervousness'.

It came just weeks after she and Jordan confirmed their engagement, with the property developer popping the question after two years of dating.

It comes after Daisy revealed she enjoyed a day out to try on her wedding dress with mother Pearl and daughter Ivy in London over the weekend

Pearl herself shared a beaming snap of her daughter, where she revealed she'd tried on her wedding dress ahead of the big day

Daisy has been candid about postpartum life since welcoming baby Ivy and said she is 'very proud of what my body has achieved'.

Posing in a bikini three months after giving birth, she wrote on her Instagram page: '3 months of motherhood & this is where I am at. I am still breastfeeding. I am still me

'I have to remember that 3 months isnt that long for my body to recover. I am feeling so overwhelmed with love and magic as well as exhaustion

'I am sat here as Ivy has her nap. Everyone says that you should sleep while the baby sleeps Ive never been very good at listening to what everyone says.

'I am trying to remember to be gentle on myself, that my body made our sassy little angel.

'This picture was taken in a moment when I was feeling very proud of what my body has achieved and I popped on my bikini for the first time.

'Biggest love and respect to all the humans out there trying to love their own incredible bodies. We are all made of stardust.'
Martha Stewart has weighed in on the RecipeTin Eats plagiarism scandal after Brooke Bellamy was accused of copying the recipes of fellow Australian cook Nagi Maehashi.

The celebrity chef, 83, said during her live event at Sydney's ICC on Wednesday night that it was difficult to prove a recipe had been copied.

'I have so many recipes and it's hard to develop a recipe without having a repertoire behind it,' she told the audience.

'I don't think too many recipes are owned by anybody, they are handed down, used and changed.'

However, Martha claimed that it can be considered plagiarism if a recipe is 'copied word for word'.

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Martha Stewart (pictured) has weighed in on the RecipeTin Eats plagiarism scandal after Brooke Bellamy was accused of copying the recipes of fellow Australian cook Nagi Maehashi

'If you print somebody else's recipe word for word in your own cookbook then it might be plagiarism but I think it's very hard to prove who actually came up with that recipe,' she said.

'So unless they are word for word, you can't say they're yours.'

It comes after a second author accused social media cooking sensation Brooke of stealing recipes for her bestselling cookbook Bake With Brooki.

Hours after RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi raised allegations of copyright infringement last month, Sally McKenney, the US author and blogger behind Sally's Baking Addiction, made similar claims.

Brooke, who owns the popular Brooki Bakehouse in Brisbane, denied the accusations, saying she had been making and selling her recipes before Nagi's were published.

The allegations relate to Nagi's caramel slice and baklava recipe, along with Sally's Best Vanilla Cake recipe.

Sally posted her claims on social media, saying she was first alerted to the similarity months ago.

She said her recipe was first published in 2019.

Brooke (pictured) was accused of copying Nagi's recipes in her popular book, Bake With Brooki. She has denied the allegations

Martha said during her live event at Sydney 's ICC on Wednesday night that it is hard to prove a recipe is copied. Pictured Nagi Maehashi

'One of my recipes was also plagiarised in this book and also appears on the author's YouTube channel,' she said.

'Original recipe creators who put in the work to develop and test recipes deserve credit - especially in a bestselling cookbook.'

Bake With Brooki is a bestselling cookbook published by Penguin in October last year and retails for $49.99.

Brooke quickly became a global sensation after sharing videos on TikTok, which receive millions of views each day.

She is best known for her cookies and has opened pop-up stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Both Penguin and Brooke deny the allegations.

'I did not plagiarise any recipes in my book which consists of 100 recipes I have created over many years,' she said.

'In 2016, I opened my first bakery. I have been creating my recipes and selling them commercially since October 2016.'

Author Sally McKenney (above) also accused Brooke of stealing her Vanilla Cake recipe

Brooke posted an image showing her caramel slice, which dated back to December, 2016.

'On March 2020, RecipeTin Eats published a recipe for caramel slice. It uses the same ingredients as my recipe, which I have been making and selling since four years prior,' she said.

While the Brisbane baker insisted she did not copy the recipes, she 'immediately offered' to remove both those questioned by Nagi from future reprints to prevent 'further aggravation'.

In Nagi's Instagram post, she accused Brooke of 'profiting' from the alleged plagiarised recipes.

Nagi claims she first raised concerns with Penguin in December.

'I put a huge amount of effort into my recipes. And I share them on my website for anyone to use for free,' she said.

'To see them plagiarised (in my view) and used in a book for profit, without credit, doesn't just feel unfair. It feels like a blatant exploitation of my work.'

Nagi is the founder of popular website, RecipeTin Eats, which has 1.5 million followers on Instagram.

She is also the author of award-winning cookbooks Dinner and Tonight.
Kara Tointon has received huge support from her famous pals after making the 'brave decision' to have a double mastectomy.

In a candid Instagram video, the former EastEnders star, 41, shared she underwent the procedure, along with having her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure, after learning she carries the deadly BRAC1 gene.

As an ambassador for the Eve appeal, a charity that raises awareness of gynaecological cancers, the actress opened up to her followers about the journey that led to her discovery that she carries the BRCA1 gene.

And after sharing her journey, friends including Stacey Dooley, Izzy Judd and Ashley James voiced their support for Kara in the comments.

While Stacey posted a heart emoji, Giovanna Fletcher posted: 'Love you so very much my friend!!!'

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Kara Tointon has received huge support from her famous pals, including Giovanna Fletcher (pictured) after making the 'brave decision' to have a double mastectomy

Kara's former EastEnders co-star Jo Joyner wrote: 'Amazing that you've shared your story. Sorry to hear you've been through such a difficult journey involving brave choices.

'You're a great ambassador and I'm sure you'll inspire and inform mayn people. Sending love xx.'

Izzy Judd wrote: 'Huge admiration to you for sharing your story and making brave decisions.'

Ashley James commented: 'Oh love you @kara_tointon.'

After Kara shared her candid post about her decision to have a double mastectomy, The Mail's Good Health columnist Dr Martin Scurr shared insight into her reasonings behind the decision.

He wrote: 'Watching a loved one succumb to cancer  and then learning you carry the same faulty genes linked to this awful disease  would be doubly distressing.

'So I completely understand the reasoning behind actress Kara Tointons decision to undergo a double mastectomy as well as having her fallopian tubes removed.

'Removing the at-risk tissue will significantly  although not entirely  reduce her risk from the genes.

In a candid Instagram video, the EastEnders star shared she underwent the procedure, along with having her fallopian tubes removedafter learning she carries the deadly BRAC1 gene

And after sharing her journey, friends including Stacey Dooley , Izzy Judd and Ashley James voiced their support for Kara in the comments

What is the BRCA gene and how does it affect people's risk of cancer? Having a mutated BRCA gene - as famously carried by Angelina Jolie - dramatically increases the chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, from 12 per cent to 90 per cent. Between one in 800 and one in 1,000 women carry a BRCA gene mutation, which increases the chances of breast and ovarian cancer. Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins to suppress tumours. When these are mutated, DNA damage can be caused and cells are more likely to become cancerous. The mutations are usually inherited and increase the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer significantly. When a child has a parent who carries a mutation in one of these genes they have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutations. About 1.3 per cent of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer, this increase to 44 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation. Advertisement

'The two most well-known genes that increase breast cancer risk are called breast cancer susceptibility genes (shortened to BRCA1 and BRCA2). Normally, these genes protect against cancer by helping to repair damaged DNA.

'But if there are mutations that damage those genes, then the risk of breast cancer increases.

'Actress Angelina Jolie famously revealed that she underwent a preventative double mastectomy back in 2013 because she carried a defective BRCA gene.

'There are also other defective genes that can increase the risk of the disease, but mutations in both BRCAs are responsible for the majority of inherited breast cancers.

'Living with the cloud of this potential risk hanging over you is something different people deal with differently.

'Some prefer regular monitoring  Kara tried this, but having now completed her family, has had the surgery.'

Kara took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an emotional post detailing her decision after losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018.

Tointon, who raises two young children with her fiance Marius Jensen, announced that she has undergone a double mastectomy and had her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure.

Tointon's operation comes just six years after her mother Carol passed away following her own battle with the disease.

Speaking ahead of Eve's Get Lippy campaign to highlight the causes and symptoms of various gynae cancers, Kara revealed that after she losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018, she underwent genetic testing which revealed that she is predisposed to the disease.

She said: 'You may have heard of the BRCA genes type 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means that I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

'Back in 2018 when my mum was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, I was asked to take a genetics test.

'There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point.

'But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene.'

As a mother-of-two, Kara told how her family were her main consideration in her decision making.

She said: 'I was pregnant with my first child at the time, knew I wanted more children if possible so over the next couple of years I was invited to various meetings by the NHS to really become informed and to understand all my options.

'Last year having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative surgeries.

'The first a double mastectomy and the second a two part protector study, a trial.

'They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes so by removing them first checking out you can remove the ovaries later.'

Tointon's operation comes just six years after her mother Carol passed away following her own battle with ovarian cancer

Kara took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an emotional post detailing her decision after losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018

Tointon, a former Strictly Come Dancing winner, revealed that after having several medical investigations, she decided that surgery was the best option.

'We are finding out more and more about personal genetics and most people believe in surveillance, but after doing this for a couple of years, having MRIs, waiting for biopsy, we decided that this was the right decision for me and my family,' she said.

'I wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made and I can now with hindsight talk about it properly.'

Tointon is not the only woman in the public eye to talk openly about her procedure.

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie also had a double mastectomy as well as having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, after she was found to have a 50 per cent risk of developing ovarian cancer.'

The actress rose to fame as Dawn Miller in BBC soap EastEnders (pictured, tussling with carly Wicks, played by Kellie Shirley)

Tointon raises two sons Frey, 6 and Helly 4, with her Norwegian partner Marius Jenson, a chiropractor. The family divide their time between Britain and Norway where Kara's sister Hannah and her father still live.

Her own mother died of ovarian cancer in 2019, months after the actress revealed she had been struggling with poor health.

Speaking to HELLO! in 2018 about her plans to marry Jenson, she said: 'We are hoping next year, perhaps in Norway or maybe in London.

'My mum hasn't been too well over the last year or so and I want her to be able to enjoy it.

'Seeing her with Frey and dealing with everything she has to right now is overwhelming and I couldnt be more proud.

'I just want her to be back to herself again. Thats our priority.'

Paying tribute to Carol in a moving Instagram post shortly after her death, Tointon wrote: 'I miss you. I miss your voice. I miss your smile. I miss your smell. I miss your hug. I miss your jokes. I miss how you made me feel. I miss your everything.'

She added: 'God I was so lucky muma. Do laugh that Im reaching out to you on INSTAGRAM. I love you.'

Tointon's mother Carol and father Ken are pictured in an undated photo shared on social media

Signing off from social media on Wednesday, Tointon paid tribute to the doctors and the Eve appeal charity and their support

The actress gave birth to youngest child Frey in 2018, with her partner subsequently confirming the news in a short message.

'On Thursday at 11.04am, 3.2 kilos of happiness joined our lives,' he wrote. 'Kara and I couldn't be happier and our four legged companions Elfie and Winston have been guarding our new family member since.'

Second child Helly was born in 2021, with Tointon later describing the child as 'very zen, chilled and wonderful' during a subsequent interview with HELLO!

Jensen added that his name was inspired by his native country Norway, adding that he also has the middle names Juel and Parsell.

He explained: 'The first Helly we found was an old Norwegian sea captain, from a place in Norway called Moss, a tiny little town where my grandmother is from.'

Signing off from social media on Wednesday, Tointon paid tribute to the doctors and the Eve appeal charity and their support.

She said: 'I'd like to thank my surgeons Dr Adam Rosenthal and Dr Gerard Cuie, I can't thank them enough.

'I wanted to talk about it because hearing other people's experience, helped so much and knowledge is power, communication is key, getting to know our bodies, our cycles is only a good thing, but I'll be talking about this a lot more.

'Happy Lippy month and take care.'
Sophie Monk has weighed in on the Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness divorce drama.

After Deborra-Lee, 69, officially filed for divorce from Hugh, 56, this week, the Hollywood star took a very telling swipe at his ex on social media on Wednesday.

He shared a clip of himself skipping on stage to the sounds of NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye with the simple caption, 'FINALLY', in what appeared to be a pointed reference to the divorce drama.

Sophie, who is filling in for Jackie 'O' Henderson on the Kyle & Jackie O radio show, was discussing the drama with Kyle Sandilands on Thursday morning.

The Bachelorette star, 45, admitted to feeling some empathy for Hugh, noting that any public post by a celebrity during a public drama cycle can inadvertently fan the flames.

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Sophie Monk has weighed in on the Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness divorce drama

'I just feel like I'm paranoid all the time if there's something in the press, not to provoke it,' she said.

Her Zombie Plane co-star Kyle admitted to feeling the exact opposite, saying he loved stoking drama.

'I'm the exact opposite,' he said. 'I read it out, argue it, dispute it, threaten people.'

Sophie continued, admitting that she is loathe to start or exacerbate any form of drama.

'Yeah, but you don't mind confrontation. I hate it - it's my worst fear,' she said.

'I would just think you would think it through though,' she added, referring to Hugh's apparently ill-timed post.

Kyle then suggested that it potentially wasn't Hugh at all who shared the post, but rather his new girlfriend Sutton Foster, 50.

'Maybe the new missus made him write it,' Kyle said. It doesn't feel like it was Hugh inspired.'

After Deborra-Lee, 69, officially filed for divorce from Hugh, 56, this week, the Greatest Showman star took a very telling swipe on social media on Wednesday

He shared a clip of him skipping on stage to the sounds of NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye with the simple caption, 'finally,' in what appeared to be a pointed reference to the divorce drama

Sophie then suggested that Hugh's Hollywood A-lister friend Ryan Reynolds may have been behind the post, however Kyle said Ryan and his wife Blake Livley's legal woes have them otherwise occupied.

'I think Blake and Ryan have lost all their friends over the carry-on,' he said.

Hugh's video, which was posted to his 34.1 million followers, is clearly a reference to Deadpool & Wolverine, the 2024 flick that he filmed with Reynolds which features the NSYNC track.

The Greatest Showman star, 56, took to Instagram on Wednesday to post the clip of him nailing a skipping routine during his show Hugh Jackman Live From New York With Love, which he is performing at Radio City Music Hall.

The video was posted the same day that Deborra-Lee took a swipe at her estranged husband amid the flurry of rumours that he cheated on her with his current girlfriend Sutton Foster.

Following her decision to officially file for divorce from the Les Miserables star two years after announcing their separation, the Australian actress, 69, addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com.

'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said.

'It's a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.

'I just feel like I'm paranoid all the time if there's something in the press, not to provoke it,' Sophie said of Hugh's ill-timed post. 'I would just think you would think it through though'

Kyle then suggested that it potentially wasn't Hugh at all that shared the post, but rather his newly minted girlfriend Sutton Foster, 50. 'Maybe the new missus made him write it,' Kyle offered. It doesn't feel like it was Hugh inspired.'

'This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.

'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.'

She concluded her statement with the 'one thing' that she has learned, which is 'that none of this is personal'.

'We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random,' she added.

'We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognise and heal the broken parts of ourselves...I remain grateful.'

Deborra-Lee and Hugh announced the end of their marriage in a shock statement in September 2023, telling fans that they were 'shifting' and as a result had decided to 'separate to pursue our individual growth'.

They were married in Melbourne, Australia, in April 1996 before adopting their son Oscar, now 24, in 2000. Five years later they completed their family unit when they adopted daughter Ava, now 19.
Todd and Julie Chrisley have officially been released from prison just one day after they were granted a pardon by President Donald Trump.

The reality TV couple, who starred in the hit show Chrisley Knows Best and several spin-offs, were found guilty of defrauding banks out of $30 million in 2022.

Julie, 52, had been serving her seven-year prison sentence in Kentucky, while Todd, 56, was serving his 12-year sentence in Florida.

Early Wednesday evening, Todd was released from Federal Prison Camp Pensacola while Julie was set free from FMC Lexington, according to Fox5.

They are now headed back to their family home to Nashville, Tennessee.

The pair's elated daughter Savannah, 27, spoke to the press outside his Florida prison after campaigning for years for their release.

While dressed in bright pink 'MAGA Barbie' attire, she lauded President Trump, who personally called her on Tuesday to inform her of his decision to give her parents 'a full, unconditional pardon.'

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Todd and Julie Chrisley have officially been released from prison just one day after they were granted a pardon by President Donald Trump; the couple seen in 2017

The pair's elated daughter Savannah, 27, spoke to the press outside his Florida prison after campaigning for years for their release

After a nearly three-week jury trial, Todd and Julie were convicted in June 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks in the Atlanta, Georgia area out of more than $30 million in personal loans by submitting false documents.

They were also found guilty of wire fraud and tax evasion, obscuring their earnings while showcasing a luxurious lifestyle with expensive cars and designer clothes.

Wearing a hot pink MAGA hat, Savannah said she is 'so grateful that I'm going to leave here with my dad' after an 'insane' three years of her trying to get him and Julie freed.

She confirmed that her brother Grayson Chrisley would be the one picking up their mother from her Kentucky prison facility.

'President Trump signed the pardons at around 3pm this afternoon and it's all due to President Trump, Alice Johnson, Ed Martin, all of them,' she told the crowd.

'They have truly just shown up and looked at [Todd and Julie's] case with a fine-tooth comb and they've seen the corruption.'

After her call with Trump, Savannah said she arrived at her dad's prison in Pensacola at 2 in the morning on Wednesday and has been waiting there since.

'I have not gone to sleep. I did not bring any clothes with me. I did not bring a toothbrush with me. I brought absolutely nothing with me,' she revealed with a laugh.

'I'm just a daughter that wants to take my dad home with me.'

When asked what Todd and Julie's reactions were to Trump's pardon, Savannah said that he was initially in total disbelief.

'They didn't believe it. [The pardon] literally came out of nowhere. As I said before, I was walking into the grocery store when I got the call from the president,' she explained.

'I was just in such shock and such awe that the president himself called me and took the time to let me know that my family's coming back together.'

Savannah said that her and Trump's entire correspondence was captured 'on video' and that he had called to let her know that he was 'reuniting [her] family.'

Trump seen signing Todd and Julie Chrisley's pardon on Wednesday, as per photos shared to Savannah's Instagram

Wearing a hot pink MAGA hat, Savannah told TMZ that she is 'so grateful that I'm going to leave here with my dad' after an 'insane' two years of her trying to get him and Julie freed

She also said that Trump and her younger brother Grayson Chrisley, 19, spoke briefly 'about the University of Alabama where President Trump just gave the commencement speech.'

Grayson is currently a sophomore at the university located in Tuscaloosa.

'So, it was absolutely amazing. It truly was just a human to human interaction and yes, he is our president but he's also a person with a heart and who loves people well,' Savannah gushed.

'Over the last 24 hours, I've gotten so much love and so much hate. And I've had people say, 'Hmmm, I wonder what she had to do to get this pardon?' I didn't have to do anything.

'I didn't have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and my convictions and fight for my parents and fight for what was right.'

Savannah went on to declare that President Trump has given all of the American people 'hope and a brighter future' since stepping into office  not just her family.

'People like to say [Trump's] for the wealthy, for people who have campaigned for him [but] he has truly given everyone a chance at a better life and for that I will forever be grateful.'

Savannah confirmed that her and her family, including Todd and Julie, will soon be returning to TV with a new reality show.

'We have a new show coming out on Lifetime and it will document all of these things and we're excited.'

According to TMZ, production has already started on the Chrisley's new show and a camera crew followed both Savannah and Grayson as they traveled to pick up their parents from prison.

She confirmed that her brother Grayson Chrisley is currently in Kentucky waiting to 'pick up [their] mom' from her prison facility

'I'm just a daughter that wants to take my dad home with me,' she told TMZ

When asked about her phone call with Trump, Savannah said: 'It truly was just a human to human interaction and yes, he is our president but he's also a person with a heart and who loves people well'

'I was just in such shock and such awe that the president himself called me and took the time to let me know that my family's coming back together'

Savannah posed for photos with fans outside the prison

The couple's shock release, according to production sources, is set to be a major storyline on the show and that Todd and Julie's respective releases were captured on camera.

However, the sources claimed that Trump's unexpected phone call to Savannah on Tuesday was not captured by Lifetimes' camera crew.

The original plan for the family's new show was to feature cameos from Todd and Julia via prison phone calls while much of the storyline would center on how Savannah and her older brother Chase Chrisley are holding down the family while their parents are locked away.

Savannah concluded Wednesday's press conference by shouting out both 'God and President Trump' again for bringing her family back together.

Hours later, Savannah shared a photo of herself outside her dad's prison to Instagram with a lengthy caption about 'fighting for her family.'

'This is from the press conference outside my father's prison today That smile on my face? I haven't seen it in years. It's the smile of a daughter who refused to give up. A woman who cried in silence, broke down in court bathrooms, and kept showing up even when the world told her to sit down,' the star penned to her 2.9million followers.

She continued: Behind that smile is exhaustion. Trauma. A million sleepless nights. But also fire. Conviction. Faith.

'I'm the product of a pissed off daughter and a relentless woman. And trust me when I saythere is nothing more dangerous than a woman fighting for her family.'

Savannah offered more thanks to President Trump and his administration while commending herself for keeping her 'promise' to her parents to 'bring them home.'

'I stood by my parents and vowed that I would get them home I kept that promise. By the grace of God, the courage of President Trump, the compassion of Alice Johnson, the integrity of Ed Martin, and the strength of the Trump administrationwe did the impossible,' she wrote.

'This fight was never just about us. It's about every family torn apart by injustice. Every parent, every child, every person who's been silenced or shattered by a system that too often forgets the humanity behind the headlines.

Hours later, Savannah shared a photo of herself outside her dad's prison to Instagram with a lengthy caption about 'fighting for her family'

Imprisoned reality TV star Joe Exotic left a congratulatory comment on Savannah's post after expressing rage over Julie and Todd's pardons

Later, she uploaded a brief video to her Instagram Story revealing that she had thrown up on the ride back home to Nashville with dad Todd

Todd could be heard laughing in the background as his daughter held a plastic bag under her chin. He later quipped: 'I didn't have to deal with this in prison!'

Todd and Julie were found guilty of defrauding banks out of $30 million in 2022; seen in 2018

'Let this be your reminder: Keep fighting. Cry if you need to. Break down if you must. But don't you dare stop believing. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And when women rise, mountains move.'

To conclude her post, Savannah teased that 'we're just getting started.' She included the hashtags '#Freedom #JusticeForAll #Pardoned #Trump2025 #FaithOverFear.'

Later, she uploaded a brief video to her Instagram Story revealing that she had thrown up on the ride back home to Nashville with dad Todd.

Todd could be heard laughing in the background as his daughter held a plastic bag under her chin.

'Guys I puked the whole way,' said Savannah, while still wearing her pink MAGA cap.

While Savannah didn't pan the camera to show him, Todd continued to laugh offscreen as he remarked he could 'smell' her vomit.

After Savannah told him to just 'spray perfume' in the car, Todd quipped: 'I didn't have to deal with this in prison!'

White House aide Margo Martin revealed the pardon on Tuesday by posting video of the president on the phone with Savannah, captioning the post: 'Trump Knows Best!' a play on the couple's breakout reality TV show title.

While pushing for a pardon for her parents over the last two and a half years, Savannah has become a fixture in MAGAworld.

She attended the 2024 Republican National Convention and the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference - both events where Trump was the headliner and aides and allies were everywhere.

She appeared on the sidelines of last month's White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The effort paid off when Savannah received the call from the Oval Office on Tuesday.

'That's a terrible thing, that's a terrible thing,' Trump told Savannah over the phone. 'But it's a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean and I hope we can do it by tomorrow, is that OK?'

Julie was supposed to serve time at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky until January 2028.

Todd's prison sentence kept him locked away at FPC Pensacola until April 2032, according to the Palm Beach Post.

'I don't know them, but them give my regards,' Trump also said. 'Wish them a good life.'

Savannah can be heard on the phone thanking the president and telling him her brother Grayson was on the line too.

The couple famously starred in the television show 'Chrisley Knows Best' and several spin-offs

Savannah (pictured with President Trump) has become a fixture in the MAGA world amid her two-year fight for her parents' freedom

Grayson piped up, 'Mr. President, I just want to say thank you for bringing my parents back.'

'Yeah, well, they were given a pretty harsh treatment from what I'm hearing,' Trump said.

Savannah revealed more details about her call with Trump while appearing on NewsNation's On Balance with Leland Vittert on Tuesday.

She said that Trump told her how he believed her parents were 'treated unfairly' and that he 'wanted to give them a full pardon.'

'He was like, you know, 'You guys don't look like terrorists to me.' His exact words, which was pretty funny,' she added.

Savannah first reacted to the pardon news via Instagram on Tuesday in a lengthy clip after a video snippet of their call was shared by White House aide Margo Martin.

'President Trump didn't just commute their sentences, he gave them a full, unconditional pardon. So for that I am forever grateful. Thank you, President Trump,' she told fans.

Savannah then vowed to 'stand next to [Trump] and [his] administration and to stand up to the corruption and to continue fighting for the men and women that are in prison.

'I will repay your kindness to every person that I meet, so thank God for a president like Donald J. Trump,' she said.

The Chrisleys' attorney, Alex Little, said Trump's pardon 'corrects a deep injustice and restores two devoted parents to their family and community'.

'President Trump recognized what we've argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile,' Little said in a statement.

'Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias.'

Little's statement added: 'Todd and Julie's case is exactly why the pardon power exists. Thanks to President Trump, the Chrisley family can now begin healing and rebuilding their lives.'

However, the couple's shock pardon was met with intense backlash online, with many proclaiming there is 'no justice anymore.'

On Tuesday, President Trump personally called Todd and Julie's daughter Savannah on Tuesday to inform her of his decision to give her parents a 'a full, unconditional pardon'

Savannah first reacted to the pardon news via Instagram on Tuesday in a lengthy clip after a video snippet of their call was shared by White House aide Margo Martin

On Reddit, one simply wrote: 'What a world this is?'

'You can scam millions, evade taxes, and still walk free, just smile for the cameras and wait for a pardon,' another said.

Echoing a similar sentiment, a third added: 'There is no justice anymore.'

'It's great that they defrauded a bank out of millions of dollars and lied on their taxes and now they will have no consequences!' another continued.

'Reality TV grifters have to stick together!' joked a sixth.

Another asked: 'How do Republicans/MAGA justify this and sleep at night knowing they are supporting the pardoning of fraudsters?'

Fellow reality television star Joe Exotic was also among those who were angered by the pardon.

Joe is currently serving a 21-year sentence at FMC Forth Worth Federal Medical Center in Texas for conspiracy to commit murder-for hire.

He has been fighting for a pardon for the past five years.

He shared a screenshot of a PEOPLE article announcing the Chrisleys' pardon on Tuesday with the caption: 'This officially shows the Justice system is still two sided. You are either rich and connected or your poor and being trafficked by the system.'

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, he said: 'I have never been more disappointed in my life that President Trump is pardoning all of these people that have actually committed crimes and yet he leaves me here.'

He added: 'I sit here innocent with two forms of cancer and can't get his attention.'

However, Joe publicly congratulated the Chrisley family on Wednesday as he left a comment on Savannah's latest Instagram post.

'Congratulations. Hope I am next. But we have to expose the inside of here,' he wrote.

Along with Todd and Julie Chrisley, Trump also used his pardoning power on several other individuals this week.

On Wednesday, former New York City congressman Michael Grimm had his 2014 tax fraud conviction forgiven.

Grimm, who represented Staten Island, served seven months in jail and carried out 200 hours of community service for the offense.

He won reelection in 2014 despite being under indictment for underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran. However, he resigned the following year after pleading guilty.

The pardoning of Todd and Julie Chrisley was met with intense backlash online, with many proclaiming there is 'no justice anymore'

Fellow reality television star Joe Exotic was also among those who were angered by the pardon

Grimm, who notoriously threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony during the 2014 State of the Union, was previously accused of having sex in the bathroom of a bar after spending more than 15 minutes locked away with a female friend.

Last year he was paralyzed from the chest down when he was thrown off a horse during a polo tournament.

Former NYC Council Member, Vincent Ignizio, started a GoFundMe for Grimm, asking for $2.5million in donations to pay for treatment to help him 'walk again.'

The president also pardoned a labor union leader who pleaded guilty to failing to report gifts from an advertising firm.

James Callahan, of Lindenhurst, New York, was general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers when he accepted - but failed to properly report - receiving at least $315,000 in tickets to sporting events and concerts and other amenities from a company that the union used to place ads.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes was scheduled to sentence Callahan on Wednesday. On Tuesday, however, Callahan's attorneys notified the court of Trump's 'full and unconditional' pardon and asked for the sentencing hearing to be vacated.

Earlier this month, prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six months for Callahan, calling him 'one of the most powerful union leaders in the country.'

They said Callahan's salary and other compensation topped $500,000 annually. Now retired and living in Florida, he has a net worth of more than $5 million, according to prosecutors.

Meanwhile, ex-Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover has had his sentence commuted.

Hoover has been serving multiple life sentences for murder and running a criminal enterprise.

He made his first court appearance in decades in September in an effort to win early release, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Hoover was already serving a 200-year state sentence for the murder of a rival when he was indicted in federal court in 1995.

He was charged with continuing to oversee his murderous drug gang from prison and was convicted in 1997 then sentencing to life in prison.

Trump also said Wednesday that he's considering pardons for the men who plotted to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Along with Todd and Julie Chrisley, Trump also used his pardoning power on several other individuals this week; Trump seen in February

Trump pardoned former New York City congressman Michael Grimm (left) for his 2014 tax fraud conviction

Trump commuted the federal sentence of ex-Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover (pictured)

'I'm going to look at it. I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention,' he said in the Oval Office on Wednesday. 'I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job, I'll be honest with you.'

'It looked to me like some people said some stupid things. You know, they were drinking, and I think they said stupid things,' he added.

Trump claimed there was bipartisan support for the pardon.

'A lot of people are asking me that question from both sides actually,' he said. 'A lot of people think they got railroaded. A lot of people think they got railroaded.'

In 2020, during Trump's first term, federal prosecutors charged six people with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer.

On Monday, Trump pardoned a former Virginia sheriff who was to serve time for a cash-for-badges scheme.

The sheriff, Scott Jenkins, had been a Trump supporter, visiting the White House during the president's first term and was utilized as a surrogate in Virginia on the campaign trail.

'This Sheriff is a victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice, and doesn't deserve to spend a single day in jail,' Trump posted to Truth Social Monday afternoon.

Late last month, Trump pardoned Paul Walczak, who pointed out that his mother had raised millions for the Trump campaigns on his pardon application.

Walczak pleaded guilty of tax crimes days before the 2024 election and filed a pardon application shortly after inauguration.
Scarlett Johansson glammed up to attend the glitzy New York premiere of The Phoenician Scheme, which was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan's Columbus Circle on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old former child star slipped her phenomenal 5ft3in figure in a coral-colored strapless Saint Laurent gown as well as a lariat necklace and rings from Taffin Jewelry selected by stylist Kate Young.

Hairstylist David von Cannon finally let Scarlett's highlighted wavy mane down rather than scraping it into a severe bun like usual.

Make-up artist Hung Vanngo brought out Johansson's bushy brows and natural bee-stung pout with minimal cosmetics.

The two-time Oscar nominee has a small role as a deadpan 'titan' character only known as 'Cousin' in the espionage black comedy, which hits limited US theaters this Friday before a wider US/UK release on June 6.

From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop

Scarlett Johansson glammed up to attend the glitzy New York premiere of The Phoenician Scheme, which was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan's Columbus Circle on Wednesday

Scarlett dutifully posed with The Phoenician Scheme filmmaker Wes Anderson and castmates Scott Shepherd, F. Murray Abraham, Hope Davis, Bryan Cranston, Mia Threapleton, Benicio del Toro, Steve Park, Michael Cera, and Tom Hanks.

'It was so great because I got to dip in for, you know, like a short period of time, reunite with some friends, meet new friends and castmates, and get, like, into Wes' world,' Johansson told Extra on Wednesday.

'You know, these guys had been working so hard  Michael, Benicio, Mia  for, like, months, and then I just got to come in and have fun and then I was like, "Alright, see you guys later!"'

The Phoenician Scheme currently has a 'certified fresh' 76% critic approval rating (out of 90 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Outset co-founder seemed especially chummy with Hanks, dressed in a navy-blue suit, who portrays Leland in the absurdist father-daughter flick.

Meanwhile, Cranston's silly red carpet antics certainly amused Scarlett as she posed with Abraham and Threapleton.

Johansson is still riding the high of her six-minute standing ovation for her feature directorial debut Eleanor the Great during the May 20th Cannes Film Festival premiere.

The indie drama stars 95-year-old June Squibb as 90-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who moves back to New York City from Florida following the death of her best friend of 70 years.

Wayfarer Studios co-founders Steve Sarowitz and Justin Baldoni are credited as executive producers on Eleanor the Great, and they 'were super supportive throughout the process.'

Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath - who's also an executive producer - was at Cannes supporting Scarlett alongside the rest of his crew.

The 40-year-old former child star slipped her phenomenal 5ft3in figure in a coral-colored strapless Saint Laurent gown as well as a lariat necklace and rings from Taffin Jewelry selected by stylist Kate Young

Hairstylist David von Cannon finally let Scarlett's highlighted wavy mane down rather than scraping it into a severe bun like usual

Make-up artist Hung Vanngo brought out Johansson's bushy brows and natural bee-stung pout with minimal cosmetics

The two-time Oscar nominee has a small role as a deadpan 'titan' character only known as 'Cousin' in the espionage black comedy, which hits limited US theaters this Friday before a wider US/UK release on June 6

Scarlett dutifully posed with The Phoenician Scheme filmmaker Wes Anderson (M) and (from L-R) castmates Scott Shepherd, F. Murray Abraham, Hope Davis, Bryan Cranston, Mia Threapleton, Benicio del Toro, Steve Park, Michael Cera, and Tom Hanks

Johansson told Extra on Wednesday: 'You know, these guys had been working so hard  Michael, Benicio, Mia  for, like, months, and then I just got to come in and have fun and then I was like, "Alright, see you guys later!"'

The Phoenician Scheme currently has a 'certified fresh' 76% critic approval rating (out of 90 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

The Outset co-founder seemed especially chummy with Hanks, dressed in a navy-blue suit, who portrays Leland in the absurdist father-daughter flick

Meanwhile, Cranston's (L) silly red carpet antics certainly amused Scarlett as she posed with Abraham (2-L) and Threapleton (2-R)

Johansson is still riding the high of her six-minute standing ovation for her feature directorial debut Eleanor the Great during the May 20th Cannes Film Festival premiere

The indie drama stars 95-year-old June Squibb as 90-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, who moves back to New York City from Florida following the death of her best friend of 70 years

Wayfarer Studios co-founders Steve Sarowitz (L, pictured August 9) and Justin Baldoni (R) are credited as executive producers on Eleanor the Great, and they 'were super supportive throughout the process'

Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath (3-L, pictured May 20) - who's also an executive producer - was at Cannes supporting Scarlett alongside the rest of his crew

Johansson told Vanity Fair this month that it was 'such weird timing' for her working with Baldoni (M, pictured in 2024) and Heath as they're both entangled in a legal war with her first ex-husband Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively (R)

The Project Artemis actress famously divorced Reynolds (L, pictured in 2010) in 2011 - the year after he co-starred with Lively in Green Lantern

Johansson told Vanity Fair this month that it was 'such weird timing' for her working with Baldoni and Heath as they're both entangled in a legal war with her first ex-husband Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively.

The Project Artemis actress famously divorced Reynolds in 2011 - the year after he co-starred with Lively in Green Lantern.

Scarlett will also portray Royal Navy captain Katherine in Kristin Scott Thomas' feature directorial debut My Mother's Wedding, which hits US theaters August 8.

Johansson will also produce and star as heroin-addicted FBI informant Carol Blevins in Andrea Arnold's upcoming true-crime thriller Featherwood.

On the personal front, the native New Yorker has two children - daughter Rose, 10; and son Cosmo, 3 - from her marriages to second ex-husband Romain Dauriac and third husband Colin Jost.

The man of the hour - Benicio Del Toro - suited up in grey and posed with the poster emblazoned with his shirtless character, Korda Land CEO Zsa-zsa Korda.

The 58-year-old Oscar winner - who shares 13-year-old daughter Delilah with babymama Kimberly Stewart - looked happier than he has in years as he soaked up the limelight.

Hanks took a moment to shake Benicio's hand while placing his other hand on his shoulder.

The man of the hour - Benicio Del Toro - suited up in grey and posed with the poster emblazoned with his shirtless character, Korda Land CEO Zsa-zsa Korda

The 58-year-old Oscar winner - who shares 13-year-old daughter Delilah with babymama Kimberly Stewart - looked happier than he has in years as he soaked up the limelight

Hanks took a moment to shake Benicio's hand while placing his other hand on his shoulder

Bryan Cranston - who plays Reagan - looked animated in a black double-breasted suit and patent leather Oxford shoes

The 69-year-old Breaking Bad alum got very up close and personal with F. Murray Abraham, who plays Prophet in the flick

Michael Cera - who plays Bjrn Lund - sported substantial stubble beneath his blue-tinted shades, which he paired with a steely grey suit and loafers

It was date night for the 36-year-old Arrested Development alum, who escorted his German wife Nadine to the film festivities

Bryan Cranston - who plays Reagan - looked animated in a black double-breasted suit and patent leather Oxford shoes.

The 69-year-old Breaking Bad alum got very up close and personal with F. Murray Abraham, who plays Prophet in the flick.

Michael Cera - who plays Bjrn Lund - sported substantial stubble beneath his blue-tinted shades, which he paired with a steely grey suit and loafers.

It was date night for the 36-year-old Arrested Development alum, who escorted his German wife Nadine to the film festivities.

Mia Threapleton - who plays Sister Liesl - went strapless in an olive-green gown selected by stylist Farrah O'Connor.

The 24-year-old nepo baby of Kate Winslet excitedly greeted a green corduroy-clad Jon Hamm and his wife Anna Osceola as Scarlett stood nearby.

The 54-year-old Mad Men alum and the 37-year-old actress - who co-star in Apple TV+ series Your Friends & Neighbors - will celebrate their second wedding anniversary next month.

Jon and Anna also posed with Catherine Keener, who went make-up free in a black pantsuit over a blue patterned blouse.

Mia Threapleton - who plays Sister Liesl - went strapless in an olive-green gown selected by stylist Farrah O'Connor

The 24-year-old nepo baby of Kate Winslet excitedly greeted a green corduroy-clad Jon Hamm (L) and his wife Anna Osceola (2-L) as Scarlett (M) stood nearby

The 54-year-old Mad Men alum and the 37-year-old actress - who co-star in Apple TV+ series Your Friends & Neighbors - will celebrate their second wedding anniversary next month

Jon and Anna also posed with Catherine Keener (R), who went make-up free in a black pantsuit over a blue patterned blouse

Hope Davis - who plays Mother Superior - suited up in all-black attire along with a fishnet-style clutch

Gina Gershon easily defied her 62 years wearing a long black coat over a scoopneck sweater accented with chains, wide-leg trousers, and patent leather Mary Janes

The Bound alum enjoyed a happy reunion with Beckham director Fisher Stevens (L), with whom she co-starred in the 2012 Miley Cyrus film, LOL USA

Hope Davis - who plays Mother Superior - suited up in all-black attire along with a fishnet-style clutch.

Gina Gershon easily defied her 62 years wearing a long black coat over a scoopneck sweater accented with chains, wide-leg trousers, and patent leather Mary Janes.

The Bound alum enjoyed a happy reunion with Beckham director Fisher Stevens, with whom she co-starred in the 2012 Miley Cyrus film, LOL USA.

Matthew Broderick attended the premiere with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Kenneth Lonergan rather than his famous wife, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Debra Messing was dwarfed by her 21-year-old son Roman Walker Zelman from her 11-year marriage to ex-husband Daniel Zelman, which ended in 2016.

Sting's producer wife Trudie Styler attended the film festivities with their equally platinum-blonde daughter Mickey Sumner.

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe rocked orange-tinted sunglasses with a khaki coat over a black cardigan and trousers.

Matthew Broderick (L) attended the premiere with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Kenneth Lonergan (R) rather than his famous wife, Sarah Jessica Parker

Debra Messing was dwarfed by her 21-year-old son Roman Walker Zelman from her 11-year marriage to ex-husband Daniel Zelman, which ended in 2016

Sting's producer wife Trudie Styler (L) attended the film festivities with their equally platinum-blonde daughter Mickey Sumner (R)

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe rocked orange-tinted sunglasses with a khaki coat over a black cardigan and trousers

Other gentlemen suiting up for the fashionable function were (from L-R) The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng, Tokyo Vice's Ansel Elgort, and artist-director Julian Schnabel

Serbian artist Marina Abramovic turned up on the arm of her partner Todd Eckert, and the couple coordinated in black attire

SNL star Marcello Hernandez (2-L) sported blue-tinted sunglasses as he mingled with (from L-R) architect Ana Batlle, social media editor Karen Ho, and Emmy winner Steve Buscemi

And DJ Daisy O'Dell kept the party going strong while clad in a turquoise parrot-print dress

Other gentlemen suiting up for the fashionable function were The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng, Tokyo Vice's Ansel Elgort, and artist-director Julian Schnabel.

Serbian artist Marina Abramovic turned up on the arm of her partner Todd Eckert, and the couple coordinated in black attire.

SNL star Marcello Hernandez sported blue-tinted sunglasses as he mingled with architect Ana Batlle, social media editor Karen Ho, and Emmy winner Steve Buscemi.

And DJ Daisy O'Dell kept the party going strong while clad in a turquoise parrot-print dress.
Maria Bello has filed for divorce from French chef Dominique Crenn.

The Coyote Ugly star, 58, is calling it quits on her marriage with Dominique, 60, after one year, according to TMZ.

The actress filed for divorce on Wednesday, listing April 7 as their separation date, precisely one year after they said 'I do.'

Maria cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split.

The star confirmed there are no child custody or support matters to resolve, since the two have no minor children together.

It's unclear if the estranged pair signed a prenup.

From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMails new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.

Maria Bello, 58, has filed for divorce from French chef wife Dominique Crenn, 60, after one year of marriage; The pair pictured at the 2024 Time100 Gala in New York City

Maria is requesting that mediation costs be shared with her estranged wife, and states that spousal support terms are to be outlined in a separate written agreement.

The actress first went public with Dominique in 2020, announcing that they had gotten engaged the previous year.

In April 2024, they were both seen flashing their rings at the Time 100 Gala, leading to speculation they had already exchanged vows.

The two confirmed their wedding last May, with Maria revealing she and Dominique held their 'bohemian, chic' nuptials in Cabo San Lucas with 140 loved ones in attendance.

Their guest list included Mariska Hargitay, Gavin Rossdale, Vanessa Getty and Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, Maria told People.

The pair spent a chunk of their engagement in Mexico during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and the nation became their 'home away from home,' they said.

For their venue, they selected the Montage Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas, which they fell in love with in part because of the 'stunning' vistas on view.

During the ceremony, Dominique arrived to the Prince song KISS, accompanied by her 10-year-old daughters from a previous marriage and by her ex-mother-in-law, who is the children's grandmother.

Maria then appeared to Burna Boy's Time Flies, along with her son Jackson McDermott, 23, whom she had with studio executive Dan McDermott.

The actress filed for divorce on Wednesday, listing April 7 as their separation date, precisely one year after they got married, as per TMZ; Pictured in 2020

Maria cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split. It's unclear if the estranged pair signed a prenup; They are pictured in 2023

The actress first went public with Dominique in 2020, announcing that they had gotten engaged the previous year

Dominique, the first woman chef to earn three Michelin stars in the United States, got engaged to Maria in December 2019 while on holiday in Paris; pictured last year

For her grand entrance at her wedding ceremony, Maria was also joined by her mother Kathy Bello, a teacher and nurse.

Dominique, the first woman chef to earn three Michelin stars in the United States, got engaged to Maria in December 2019 while on holiday in Paris.

Early in their relationship, the couple weathered a frightening storm together when Dominique was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Dominique  who served as a consultant for the Ralph Fiennes film, 'The Menu'  recalled that upon hearing the news, Maria told her: 'Im here and Im going to be here for all the time during the time of this.'

'Listen, I just knew. I just knew and so did she,' Maria explained to People, saying she had 'never smiled as much' before as she did during her time with Dominique.

They announced their engagement at Elton John's Oscars viewing party in February 2020, and later that night posed side by side at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

In 2013 Maria wrote about love in a New York Times essay. She was dating Clare Munn at the time; they were together from 2011 until 2016.

'I didnt think of it as romantic or sexual,' she wrote. 'She was one of the most beautiful, charming, brilliant and funny people I had ever met.'

The actress shares son Jackson, 23, with her studio executive ex-boyfriend Dan McDermott; Pictured with Jack

Bello (seen far right) rose to fame on her TV series ER, starring alongside George Clooney, Alex Kingston, Eriq LeSalle, Anthony Edwards, Gloria Reuben, Noah Wyle and Julianna Margulies

She also starred in the popular 2000 film Coyote Ugly; Pictured with Tyra Banks, Piper Perabo, Izabella Miko, and Bridget Moynahan in a poster for the film

'But it didnt occur to me that we could perhaps choose to love each other romantically.' She also said, 'Love is love.'

The blonde beauty has also dated McDermott - from 1999 to 2006 - and together they have son Jackson.

Bellow was with Bryn Mooser from 2008 until 2010.

After Maria split from Munn in 2016, she also dated Elijah Allan-Blitz.
'Birth-friendly' jobs boost options for working mothers

13:12, May 29, 2025 By Wang Xin ( China Daily

Meng Lei introduces a book via livestreaming in a special room designed for birth-friendly posts at Fanshu App. (Gao Erqiang/China Daily)

When Meng Lei fell pregnant within six months of starting work at one of China's biggest online reading apps in 2020, she worried she might have to voluntarily resign like many women in a similar predicament have done in the past.

But her supervisors at Fanshu App were more concerned that Meng had considered quitting her job because she was pregnant.

"I still remember their words," said Meng, now 37 and thriving in her role as the director of Fanshu's psychology institute. "They said if our company, which aims to promote reading and kindness, has no place for a pregnant woman, we are already done. You can just settle down and work here in peace," Meng recalled them telling her.

Formerly known as Fan Deng Reading, and with over 77 million registered users as of March, Fanshu's bosses promised Meng that her work while pregnant would not be "superficial".

Meng, who is married and lives in Shanghai, said she was never excluded or marginalized at work during her pregnancy.

The bosses carefully considered her talents and placed her in a suitable position, where she was able to continue creating value for the company and have a sense of purpose.

Working with a pleasant team and enjoying a birth-friendly corporate culture, Meng received strong support from her colleagues throughout the whole process.

"My workload was a proper workload, and the company's policies allowed me to get off work one hour early. I was always in a very good mood, and loved the beautiful sunset on my way back home," said Meng with a smile.

When she returned from maternity leave the support continued. Meng said she was understood and accepted by her workmates and given time to adapt to her new role. She eventually became a department director and now handles a business worth millions of yuan annually.

Flexible arrangements

Birth-friendly posts such as Meng's usually offer flexible working hours and opportunities to work remotely, which help employees balance work and pregnancy.

Besides the role of department director, Meng also does livestreams on Fanshu twice a week to promote reading, share her personal experiences, and help boost viewers' self-worth.

He Yanhong, a 36-year-old employee at the Shanghai Mengxiao Counseling Support Center, is another fortunate woman who had a smooth transition to becoming a working mother.

After giving birth in 2017, she spent about 11 months working remotely from home, where she was able to take good care of her baby while feeling positive about her career.

"The sense of feeling trusted, extremely valued, and the warmth, made me more motivated and responsible for my work," said He. To smooth the process, she upgraded her skills and learned how to write official documents while also making strong contributions to the center's operation.

As a nonprofit private operation specializing in mental health services, the center has over 1,200 full-time and part-time psychological counselors and therapists in Shanghai. It has a further 4,000 counselor candidates on its self-developed service platform. Making the most of the profession's flexibility in work hours and locations, the center offers favorable options for working mothers seeking a balance between their careers and family.

Meng Xiao, founder of the center, said over 97 percent of her team are women, whom she views as family members.

"We support each other a lot. A birth-friendly job may seem like a lesser post, but it actually offers a lot, including a sense of security for a woman, her family, and even her life," Meng said.

She added that setting up birth-friendly posts can be a practical option for business owners seeking a balance between economic benefits and social responsibility. This approach sends a positive signal, which is important when young people are becoming increasingly worried about getting married and having a child.

Much-needed talent

Fanshu App, with an average annual revenue of nearly 1 billion yuan ($137.5 million), offers more than 100 birth-friendly posts. It also empowers thousands of working mothers by offering them livestreaming skills and platforms to earn an income.

Liu Yi, director of public affairs and president of the women's union at Fanshu, said offering birth-friendly posts is not just a "charitable" gesture or an expression of social values and responsibility. She said the women who fill these jobs are "exactly the talents we need".

"They can gain a sense of security and stability, better concentrate on their work, and be more creative and generate value. It is a positive 'win-win' measure for both of us," Liu said.

Birth-friendly posts are drawing greater attention as the nation ramps up efforts to bolster birth rates in the face of an aging population. China's total population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, falling by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion, largely due to lower birth rates and a shrinking number of women of childbearing age, official data showed.

A report released by the China Population and Development Research Center revealed that 67.3 percent of female respondents said they were reluctant to have children due to concerns about their career development.

Shanghai launched a pilot program on birth-friendly posts last November. The project encourages employers to facilitate work and motherhood for employees through flexible management of work hours, leave, and remote work. In February, both Fanshu App and the Shanghai Mengxiao Counseling Support Center were included on the Shanghai government's inaugural list of 12 birth-friendly employers.

Female 'utopia'

In Jianshan village in Chengdu, Sichuan province, a group of like-minded working women have struck out on their own to control their work lives.

In 2019, Zeng Jiao left her busy office job to establish a "natural healing shelter" at Lezhi Farm for disaffected working women. Since then, Zeng and her all-female team have seen their business revenue grow from roughly 129,000 yuan in 2020 to over 3 million yuan last year.

Offering diverse services including natural food products, camping, photography and activities planning, the farm has organized over 1,000 activities and serves more than 5,000 clients per year. Team members come from diverse backgrounds, including Fortune Global 500 companies, NGOs, big State-owned enterprises, education groups, and multichannel network agencies.

The women share the same goal of building a "utopia" for office workers aged between 25 and 45 who find no connection to or relevance in city jobs, or are simply not able to relax and enjoy their lives.

"At the start, we were only three girls who knew little about building, operating and managing a business. It was our clients who generously shared their practical experience and knowhow with us," said 28-year-old Zeng.

She said those sharing their business knowledge were glad to see Lezhi grow into the workplace utopia they themselves had failed to build. "Lezhi is not only our business, but is supported by a crowd of people," Zeng said during a training camp organized by Swiss banking giant UBS AG and the Rural Women Development Foundation of Guangdong province in February in Shanghai.

For the third year, the two parties joined hands to support rural women, with a special focus on entrepreneurship.

Women aged between 30 and 40 accounted for about 60 percent of the 25 entrepreneurs at the training camp. Various projects were presented in sectors such as agricultural products, handicrafts, cultural tourism, housekeeping services, farming, public welfare and social services.

Sun Wanying, a 35-year-old woman from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, is finding her roots in a Chengdu village as well. Fascinated by agriculture, she saw promising prospects in rural areas and launched Gugu Farm in 2016. Over the past eight years, it has expanded to 75 mu (5 hectares) from 2.88 mu, generating revenue of over 780,000 yuan in 2024.

Benefiting from her team's efforts in applying advanced agricultural technologies, she hopes to popularize these techniques in villages, train more locals to use them, and increase their incomes while boosting the sustainable development of agriculture and other rural industries.

Overcoming hurdles

In Xinyu, Jiangxi province, Hu Meizhen, a 47-year-old villager with movement disabilities, is now prospering on e-commerce platforms. Having been restricted in the type of work open to her, at the age of 40 Hu learned how to type and use the internet, and opened a number of online shops.

In 2019, she established a company selling handmade Shuibei mahua (fried dough twists), as an inheritor of this local intangible cultural heritage snack.

Last year, the traditional snack brought her revenue exceeding 5 million yuan.

With her disabilities, Hu said she was "trapped at home" before. Family members were too protective of her, and she rarely had the chance to explore the outside world and have social interactions. Also, as a woman, she received more objections and less support when it came to starting a business.

However, e-commerce platforms have given Hu and her team of workers  90 percent of whom also have disabilities  powerful wings to fly.

A number of women in Xinyu with severe disabilities have been given a new purpose in life by learning the skills to make Hu's products. She has also been giving free training lessons to empower more people with disabilities, helping over 500 of them run their own online shops.

Luo Ying is the deputy secretary of the Rural Women Development Foundation, which has fostered thousands of rural women leaders since its establishment in 2013.

"Women are facing many harsh challenges in work and life when they become mothers. For rural women, we actually noticed that they are not restrained by their skills," she said.

"In many cases, they have no idea what they want and need, or what they can expect. If we can help them break down such constraints rooted in families and society, they have the chance to begin a new life," Luo added.

Hu, who values her participation in the Shanghai camp, is actively working to introduce her fried snacks to more places in China. Some of Hu's "sister" trainees at the camp are becoming her business partners and demonstrating combined "female power".

"Entrepreneurship is never an easy path, and it can be even harder for rural women, given challenges such as traditional attitude constraints, and the lack of resources and opportunities, as well as inadequate support systems," said Janice Hu, China country head at UBS AG, at the camp.

However, she pointed out that female entrepreneurs have made remarkable achievements and shown huge potential. Reports show that in China, women make up 30 to 40 percent of entrepreneurs. In the e-commerce and internet sectors, they account for 55 percent. On Forbes China's 2024 list of 100 Power Businesswomen, nearly 90 percent of the female entrepreneurs started their businesses from scratch.

"Women are not walking alone on the path of entrepreneurship, and boast a promising future," Hu said.

"In particular, we see female entrepreneurship in the countryside is often more warm and resilient, filled with a heartfelt love for the land and hometown. I believe that this sincerity will inspire them and carry them further."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
A cast member of the popular Netflix show Sirens is opening up about a private health battle they dealt with during a time cameras rolled on the streaming hit.

Laura Weedman, 56, who portrays the role of chef Patrice on the drama, was diagnosed with Bells palsy last summer.

Speaking with The Huffington Post on Tuesday, the actress detailed her health battle, and how she dealt with it on a professional level.

'The idea of sitting out and waiting for it to get better was just not an option,' Weedman told the outlet.

Weedman said that she opened up to the shows creator Molly Smith Metzler and director Quyen Tran about the medical situation and how they would move forward with it collectively.

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A cast member of the popular Netflix show Sirens is opening up about a private health battle they dealt with during a time cameras rolled on the streaming hit

Laura Weedman, 56, portrays the role of chef Patrice on the drama. Pictured in LA last year

The Mayo Clinic describes Bell's palsy as 'a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face' which 'makes half of the face appear to droop.'

According to the clinic, 'Smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side is hard to close.'

While it is not immediately clear what causes the confliction, the clinic said, 'experts think it's caused by swelling and irritation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face.

Weedman, who has been in the business more than 30 years, told the publication she 'wanted to talk to' the creator-showrunner and director about the issue so she 'wouldnt be stressed' during the remainder of a vacation the cast was on in between filming episodes.

Weedman - whose small screen credits include regular roles on Abbott Elementary and Hacks - said she had past had a mild case of the condition when she gave birth to her son, Leo, now 15.

Metzler said that she, cast and crew 'didnt even wanna conceive of the show without' Weedman, who has also made appearances on Arrested Development, Euphoria and Will & Grace.

Metzler added, 'At that point, I had fallen in love with Lauren like everyone else had, I just felt awful that she was going through something like that.

'We didnt even wanna conceive of the show without her in it.'

Weedman, who has also made appearances on Arrested Development, Euphoria and Will & Grace, was pictured in 2022 in LA

Milly Alcock, Julianne Moore and Meghann Fahy pictured in a promotional shot for the series

Weedman praised Metzler's kindness in adapting the script to accommodate her health.

'It was really hard for me to think that I mattered,' said Weedman, whose character was scripted the line, 'Every summer, this happens; the stress of this job, my Bell's palsy is back.'

The cast of the Netflix series, which began streaming May 22, also includes Julianne Moore as Michaela Kell; Kevin Bacon as Peter Kell; Meghann Fahy as Devon DeWitt; Milly Alcock as Simone DeWitt.

Rounding out the cast are Glenn Howerton as Ethan Corbin; Bill Camp as Bruce DeWitt; and Felix Solis as Jose.

The Mayo Clinic said Bell's palsy 'could be caused by a reaction that occurs after a viral infection' and 'can occur at any age.'

The clinic said that symptoms subsiding varies by the patient.

'Symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with complete recovery in about six months, the clinic said. 'A small number of people continue to have some Bell's palsy symptoms for life. Rarely, Bell's palsy occurs more than once.'
Resurfaced photos show that Hugh Jackman and his new girlfriend Sutton Foster were long-time friends for almost two decades before going public with their romance in January.

The couple's relationship is currently under the spotlight amid the Aussie actor's messy divorce from wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

One picture taken from way back in December 2008 captured the pair happily posing together at The Broadway Theatre in New York City as they attended the Shrek musical.

Hugh, 56, and fellow Broadway star Sutton, 50, beamed from ear-to-ear as they cuddled up together, 16 years before they began dating.

They also put on a very intimate display when they publicly danced together at The 68th Annual Tony Awards in New York in June 2014.

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Resurfaced photos show that Hugh Jackman and his new girlfriend Sutton Foster were long-time friends for almost two decades before going public with their romance in January. Pictured together in 2008

They also put on a very intimate display when they publicly danced together at The 68th Annual Tony Awards in New York in June 2014

The pair were seen leaning into each other as they performed an elegant waltz for fellow A-list guests.

During the dance, they seemed to share intense chemistry, years before their friendship blossomed into a romance.

This week Hugh shared a very telling post after his ex-wife Deborra-Lee broke her silence on her divorce from her husband of 27 years.

The Greatest Showman star took to social media on Wednesday to post a clip of him nailing a skipping routine in his show Hugh Jackman Live From New York With Love, which he's performing at Radio City Music Hall.

However, it was the clip's chosen background track - NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye - that raised eyebrows considering the recent divorce developments.

The video, which was posted to his 34.1 million followers, is clearly a reference to Deadpool & Wolverine, the 2024 movie that he filmed with Ryan Reynolds which features the hit song.

However the timing of the post - as well as its one word caption of 'Finally' - made it all the more cryptic.

The video was posted the same day that Deborra-Lee took a swipe at her estranged husband amid the flurry of rumours that he cheated on her with his current girlfriend Sutton.

During the dance, the pair seemed to share chemistry, years before their friendship blossomed into a romance

Hugh and Sutton confirmed their relationship in early January after stepping out for a romantic date night in Los Angeles

Following her decision to officially file for divorce from the Les Miserables star two years after announcing their separation, the Australian actress, 69, addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com.

'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said. 'Its a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us,' she said.

She continued, 'This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.

'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.'

Despite Hugh and Sutton only going public with their relationship in January, rumours are already circulating that public scrutiny is beginning to come between the couple.

'It's always hard dating in the public eye... but when you add their whole backstory and what they've put on the line as far as their reputations, the pressure rises,' an insider recently told Life and Style magazine.

They added the pair were finding it challenging to keep the romance alive due to work commitments, including Hugh spending several months in Ireland to film a movie.

'Being apart for an extended period of time can be tough on any couple. There's a lot of harsh judgement about them online,' the source said.

However, the couple, who were first romantically linked in October last year, are said to be 'madly in love', according to US Weekly.

They ran in the same theatre circles for years, but only became friends after working together on the 2022 Broadway revival of The Music Man while they were both with their former partners.

The pair confirmed their relationship in early January after stepping out for a romantic date night in Los Angeles.
Breakfast radio star Lauren Phillips treated fans to a trip down memory lane on Wednesday when she tried on her old school uniform.

The 37-year-old Nova 100 host shared a video of herself modelling the purple ensemble, which consisted of a short pleated skirt, shirt and matching blazer.

'Screaming, it actually fits - just,' an amazed Lauren said in the caption, adding, 'Loving myself sick.'

The Jase & Lauren show star revealed she had been a prefect and middle school house captain at her old school Wesley College in the Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley.

Posting an image of the blazer and her badges, Lauren said her mother had kept the uniform after 20 years.

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Breakfast radio star Lauren Phillips treated fans to a trip down memory lane on Wednesday when she tried on her old school uniform

The 37-year-old Nova 100 host plans to relive her school days on the air during Friday's episode of the Jase & Lauren show. Pictured: Lauren in her junior school uniform

Lauren models her old school uniform. (Pictured)

Lauren's nostalgic post comes amid a planned stunt by the Nova breakfast team to 'relive' their high school years on Friday.

Nova announced on Thursday that co-host Clint Stanaway will join Lauren and Jason 'Jase' Hawkins as they broadcast their show from a bus travelling the Glenn Waverley area.

Along the way, the team planned to stop at Clint's old school Glen Waverley High and Lauren's Wesley College.

It continues a 'nostalgic kick' by the Nova breakfast team that began in February when the Jase and Lauren Show Instagram account shared a throwback snap of Lauren.

Paying tribute to all the children starting school in 2025, the photo showed the radio star looking unrecognisable in junior school at Wesley.

The photo showed Lauren flashing the camera quite the cheeky grin as she posed in her school uniform.

The future radio star looked cute-as-a-button in the snap, which also showed her adding a pop of colour to her uniform with a purple scrunchie.

It wasn't just Lauren that was given the throwback treatment either, with the account also sharing adorable childhood photos of co-hosts Jase Hawkins and Clint Stanaway.

The Jase & Lauren show star revealed she had been a prefect and middle school house captain at her old school Wesley College in the Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley

Like Lauren, both looked almost unrecognisable in the photos, save for Jase whose cheeky grin was apparent, even as a youngster.

Clint too has undergone a bit of a transformation in the ensuing years.

His throwback photo showed him sporting a shock of blonde hair - more than a few shades lighter than his current do.

The presenter was also sporting freckles across the bridge of his nose and a wry smile.

Last year, Lauren revealed that she was left 'broken' after losing her KIIS FM job to Kyle & Jackie O after they landed a $200million expansion deal to broadcast in Melbourne.

'I was gutted. I thought that was the end of my radio career,' she told news.com.au in July.

'Late last year I was ready to leave the country and move overseas. I was like, "I'm out of here".'

When Nova approached the radio duo for a breakfast show opportunity, Lauren revealed she was initially hesitant to get on board and explained she was worried of facing the axe again.

'I had a pretty bad taste in my mouth and I was scared of that happening again,' she said.
Magda Szubanski has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the age of 64.

The Australian comedian announced she is battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma - a rare and fast-moving blood cancer - in a video on Thursday.

She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease.

'Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,' she began.

'It is one of the nasty ones, unfortunately. But the good thing is I'm surrounded by beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team.

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Magda Szubanski has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer aged 64. The Australian comedian announced she is battling Mantle Cell Lymphoma - a rare and fast-moving blood cancer - in a heartbreaking video on Thursday

'Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, so I feel very fortunate.

'It's pretty confronting. It is a full on. But new treatments keep coming down the pipeline all the time.'

Magda said she has started a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which treats Mantle Cell Lymphoma by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases.

It's known as the Nordic regimen based upon its clinical trial sites in Denmark and Norway.

The actress explained she will be 'lying very low' due to her weak immune system.

'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me,' she said.

'Please keep a distance though because I will be very immunocompromised. So I can't hug no more.

'Don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.'

Magda said she has started a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which treats Mantle Cell Lymphoma by shrinking the tumours with a combination of drugs administered in five phases

What is mantle cell lymphoma? Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that causes white blood cells to grow and multiply uncontrollably.

The average age at diagnosis is 60 to 65 years and is two to three times more common in men than women.

The initial symptom of MCL is usually a painless swelling in the neck, armpit, and/or groin.

It is usually treated with combination chemotherapy, but other therapies include radioimmunotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplants.

It is aggressive and often comes back after patients go into remission. Advertisement

The Kath & Kim star said the cancer was discovered during a routine breast screening.

'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up,' she explained.

'TBH, I've been feeling pretty rats**t for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila! So the take away is - get tested and listen to your body!

'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits - but I reserve my human right to be a cranky old moll. Love you all, Mags.'

In recent years, the comedian has battled health issues but in late 2023 revealed she is no longer pre-diabetic.

At the time, the actress took to Instagram to share a health update, alongside a picture of her very decadent breakfast.

'My latest breakfast invention scrambled eggs with truffle oil on top of some lightly fried cauliflower with a sprinkle of vegan Parmesan salt and pepper YUMMM,' she wrote.

She then revealed the result of her blood tests.

She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease

'Have got my Hba1c (blood test) out of pre-diabetes and back in the normal range,' she added. 'I'm far from perfect but I just keep tryin.'

In 2022, Magda looked visibly distressed as she opened up about her battle with emotional eating on the ABC's Big National Health Check.

She fought back tears while interviewing weight management expert Dr Lucy Burns, who spoke of how some people resort to binge-eating to cope with their emotional demons.

'I think, really, that sense of sort of being able to forgive myself,' she said tearfully.

'Because I know people are like, 'Why has she done that to herself?' And I felt I had no choice.

'It was the only sane decision I could make, given the alternatives that I faced,' she continued.

'And then you become this, like, f**king shame magnet.'

Magda went on: 'And it's like you're not supposed to fight back. You are not allowed to defend yourself.

In recent years, the comedian has battled health issues but in late 2023 revealed she is no longer pre-diabetic

What is the Nordic protocol? The Nordic protocol, also known as Maxi-CHOP, is a treatment regimen for Mantle Cell Lymphoma that works by shrinking tumours using a combination of drugs administered over five phases. The treatment is said to use several high doses of intensive drugs to kill cancer cells, stop their growth, help the immune system attack them and achieve long-term remission. What's in the treatments? Rituximab - helps your immune system find and destroy cancer cells Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine - kill fast-growing cancer cells in different ways Prednisone - a steroid that reduces inflammation and also helps fight cancer Cytarabine - another chemo drug that stops cancer cells from copying themselves Advertisement

'You're supposed to just hang your head again in shame and say, 'I've brought this on myself.''

Magda had earlier listed her various health woes in an interview with TV Week magazine, and said she wondered if there were others with similar problems.

'There are times in my life I've been absolutely blighted by illness,' she said.

'Osteoarthritis, migraines, anxiety - I also suffer from sleep apnoea,' the actress explained at the time.

'And that leads me to ask, 'Am I the only one who feels like this? Are other people feeling the same way? Do they have the same challenges?'' she added.
Hugh Jackman's best friend has broken his silence on the actor's messy divorce from Deborra-Lee Furness.

Australian radio presenter Gus Worland, who went to primary school with Hugh, appeared on 2GB's Ben Fordham Live on Thursday and revealed how the Wolverine actor is faring amid the drama.

'No one wants anyone to go through what he is and he is going through it publicly because of his fame,' Gus began.

'One thing I have been really strict on is to let Hugh and Deborra-Lee do what they have had to do. I was over in New York with him last month and he is fine. He is going along well.'

Gus said Hugh was moving his life in a positive direction and he wished the same for Deborra-Lee.

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One of Hugh Jackman's lifelong friends has broken his silence on the actor's messy divorce with Deborra-Lee Furness and revealed how he is currently doing

'He is moving on with his life. I hope Deb does as well. They were together for 30 years and have two beautiful kids together,' he said.

'I go to their kids and ask them what we can do to make sure they get through this as best as possible.'

Gus has gone on many wild adventures with the famous actor, 56, including singing songs at Kirk Douglas's 100th birthday, private jet rides, overseas birthdays and smoking Cuban cigars on the set of Hugh's 2001 thriller film Swordfish.

In a 2021 interview with Stellar magazine, he revealed their friendship began at the young age of five in the early 1970s.

'At age five at Pymble Public School, the teacher goes, "OK, grab someone by the hand". I get Wolverine,' he recalled.

The pair have been inseparable since, enjoying a friendship for more than five decades.

His comments come after Hugh made a telling post following his ex-wife Deborra-Lee officially filing for divorce.

The Greatest Showman star took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a clip of him nailing a skipping routine in his show Hugh Jackman Live From New York With Love, which he's performing at Radio City Music Hall.

Australian radio presenter Gus Worland, who went to primary school with Jackman, appeared on 2GB's Ben Fordham Live on Thursday and provided an update on the Wolverine actor's wellbeing

It comes after Deborra-Lee took a swipe at her estranged husband amid the flurry of rumours that he cheated on her with his current girlfriend Sutton Foster

However, it was the clip's chosen background track - NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye - that raised eyebrows considering the recent divorce developments.

The video, which was posted to his 34.1 million followers, is clearly a reference to Deadpool & Wolverine, the 2024 flick he filmed with Ryan Reynolds which features the hit song.

However the timing of the post - as well as its one word caption: 'FINALLY' - made it extremely cryptic.

The video was posted the same day that Deborra-Lee took a swipe at her estranged husband amid the flurry of rumours he cheated on her with his current girlfriend Sutton Foster.

Following her decision to officially file for divorce from the Les Miserables star two years after announcing their separation, the Australian actress, 69, addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com.

'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said.

Their marriage started to fall apart during Covid, as previously reported by DailyMail.com, around the same time that Jackman struck up a friendship with Foster, his costar on the 2022 Broadway revival of The Music Man.

Hugh and Deborra-Lee announced the end of their marriage in a shock statement in September 2023, telling fans that they were 'shifting' and as a result had decided to 'separate to pursue our individual growth'.

They were married in Melbourne, Australia, in April 1996 before adopting their son Oscar, now 24, in 2000. Five years later they completed their family unit when they adopted daughter Ava, now 19.
Fan favourite Rue Mupedzi ended her MasterChef Australia Back to Win season with a heartbreaking elimination this week.

But according to one eagle-eyed viewer, the 'dessert queen' had more than her fair share of screen time before hanging up her apron.

The dedicated fan, who shared his findings on Reddit, noticed that it has been Rue who has been featured in the confessional spots 71 times over the last five weeks.

Featured throughout each show, the short segments have contestants sharing their feelings about each challenge as the action in the kitchen unfolds.

And according to one fan, Rue has been featured 71 times in the 'confessional'.

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Fan favourite Rue Mupedzi (pictured) ended her MasterChef Australia Back to Win season with a heartbreaking elimination this week. But according to one eagle-eyed viewer, the 'dessert queen' has featured 71 times in 'confessional' segments before she was sent home

The viewer, who shared their findings on Reddit on Wednesday, also calculated and ranked each one of the other contestants over the last five weeks including the remaining players. Pictured: Coming in behind Rue with 56 appearances in the 'confessional' was Ben Macdonald

The viewer also calculated and ranked each one of the other contestants over the last five weeks including the remaining players.

Coming in behind Rue with 56 appearances in the confessional was Ben Macdonald, followed by Laura Sharrad on 50.

Audra Morrice and Callum Hann scored 48, according to the enterprising fan, while Sneznana Calic has appeared 44 times in the confessional.

Sharing their findings to Reddit with a chart showing the name of the contestant and how many times they appeared in confessionals the user's share sparked online commentary about Rue's appearance on the show.

'Rue got way more screen time, even after an episode, of all the remaining contestants,' commented one viewer on the thread.

Another joked, 'I won't be surprised if she remains in the top 10 despite not even making it through halfway through the competition. Queen!'

It comes after Rue Mupedzi says she is setting herself up for a career in the culinary world after her shock elimination from the Back to Win season on Tuesday.

Instead of hanging up her apron for good, the 29-year-old dental hygienist is planning on becoming a pastry chef.

Sharing their discovery to Reddit with a chart showing the name of the contestant and how many times they appeared in confessionals the user's share sparked online commentary about Rue's appearance on the show. Pictured: MasterChef Australia Back to Win contestants

Rue, who is known as the 'dessert queen' by fans, announced she plans to head to Europe to pursue her dream as soon as possible.

'My vision board is to go to France and gain work experience in the pastry world for six months to a year, as well as explore Europe,' she said in a new interview with Yahoo Lifestyle on Wednesday.

The WA-based kitchen star said her long-term plans included opening her own pastry shop.

Elsewhere, Rue opened up about her return to MasterChef after her headline making appearance on the show in 2023.

'I still wanted to work really hard and do well, but the most important thing to me was to have a good time,' she said.

'Coming back was like riding a bike. It felt like I never left! I integrated back into the kitchen so quickly.'

Rue suffered the heartache of a second MasterChef Australia elimination this week after a tricky pudding failed to impress the judges.

Rue, Tim, Audra and Sarah were tasked with remaking Variations of Sourdough and Strawberry with Elderflower and Balsamic dessert from O.MY restaurant's Blayne Bertoncello.

In the end, it was the dessert queen herself who was sent home over her grainy creme patissiere.

In tears, Rue told the judges that it had been an honour cooking for them and being on the show for a second time around.

'Just being called back among such amazing chefs made me realise I'm also part of the great people,' she shared.
Fashion observers noted a striking trend with Kylie Jenner after she made her red carpet debut with her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet earlier this month  she almost exclusively wears black when supporting him at public events.

Prior to wearing a gorgeous black Schiaparelli gown at the 70th David Di Donatello Awards in Rome on May 7, she previously sported black ensembles at nearly every awards-season event that she accompanied the 29-year-old Oscar nominee to.

And now Kylie  who recently stunned in a scarlet dress  has finally revealed why she has turned to black so often amid her romance with Timothee.

The 27-year-old cosmetics mogul admitted to Harper's Bazaar in an article published Wednesday that she opted for jet black so as not to distract from her boyfriend's achievements.

'Although these are the most beautiful, iconic gowns that Ive been wearing, I think a black dress is also kind of like, not too attention grabbing in the best way,' she explained.

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Kylie Jenner, 27, is finally coming clean about why she often wears all-black ensembles when accompanying boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, 31, to awards-season events; pictured May 7 in Rome at the 70th David Di Donatello Awards

The 27-year-old cosmetics mogul admitted to Harper's Bazaar in an article published Wednesday that she opted for jet black so as not to distract from her boyfriend's achievements; pictured February 16 in London at the BAFTA Awards

'You can never go wrong with a black dress,' Kylie added.

Although the monochrome looks served an important function for her, she didn't set out to wear nothing but black throughout awards season.

'I think it just like happened that way,' she admitted.

Prior to making her red carpet debut with Timothee in Italy, Kylie was thinking of trying out something more colorful.

'I cant wear another black dress,' she recalled thinking.

'And then of course the most perfect, gorgeous Schiaparelli black dress shows up,' the reality star added with a laugh.

The plunging gown ended up being the perfect way to highlight her curves, and it also drew attention to her sweet PDA with Timothee.

The Dune star wrapped an arm around her and rested his hand on her midriff as she affectionately grasped his finger, and her patterned black dress created the ideal contrast to show off the hands.

She wore a gorgeous black Schiaparelli when she made her red carpet debut with Timothee on May 7. 'Although these are the most beautiful, iconic gowns that Ive been wearing, I think a black dress is also kind of like, not too attention grabbing in the best way,' she explained

But she admitted she didn't set out to wear nothing but black throughout awards season. 'I think it just like happened that way'; pictured May 7 in Rome

'And then of course the most perfect, gorgeous Schiaparelli black dress shows up,' she added with a laugh. Kylie wore a black bedazzled Miu Miu dress with a triangular cutout over her midriff to the 2025 Oscars; pictured March 2 in Hollywood

She was willing to steal a bit more attention at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, whens he changed into a sheer corset-style dress from Ashi Studio that left little to the imagination; pictured March 2 in Beverly Hills

Timothee tended to favor more eye-catching outfits during awards season, including a yellow leather suit that he wore to the Oscars, but he matched Kylie in Rome with a chic double-breasted black velvet suit and a matching black shirt that he wore without a tie.

Kylie flashed a bit more flesh at the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony when she wore a black bedazzled Miu Miu dress with a triangular cutout over her midriff and a plunging neckline that highlighted her cleavage.

She was willing to steal a bit more attention at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, whens he changed into a sheer corset-style dress from Ashi Studio that left little to the imagination.

In the run-up to the Oscars, she stunned in a backless vintage John Galliano gown dating from 1995 that was decorated with shimmering tear dropshaped spangles at the BAFTA Film Awards in February.

Kylie's black pattern doesn't appear to have emerged until after the Golden Globes were held on January 5 of this year, as she wore a striking silver dress to that ceremony.

Her turn toward black was also a return to tradition, as it is traditionally a more conservative, formal color.

Although women attending awards shows often favor colorful ensembles to contrast men's more conservative attire, Kylie highlighted the more formal roots of the ceremonies with her black outfits.

Her public appearances with Timothee were more limited in 2024, but she also favored a black outfit at the 2024 Golden Globes, though she wore a sheer patterned look that was far more risque than many of her outfits this year

In the run-up to the Oscars, she stunned in a backless vintage John Galliano gown dating from 1995 that was decorated with shimmering tear dropshaped spangles at the BAFTA Film Awards in February

Kylie's black pattern doesn't appear to have emerged until after the Golden Globes were held on January 5 of this year, as she wore a striking silver dress to that ceremony

Her public appearances with Timothee were more limited in 2024, but she also favored a black outfit at the 2024 Golden Globes, though she wore a sheer patterned look that was far more risque than many of her outfits this year

She has also occasionally worn black at more casual events, such as the US Open in September 2023, when she wore a black T-shirt to match Timothee's black ensemble

She's more willing to stand out at casual events, like when she wore a tied-off cropped red blouse covered in white stripes at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, on March 9

She and the Little Women star were first linked back in April of 2023; pictured March 9

She has also occasionally worn black at more casual events, such as the US Open in September 2023, when she wore a black T-shirt to match Timothee's black ensemble.

However, the younger sister of Kim Kardashian has also shown that she's willing to stand out when the spotlights aren't as glaring.

When she appeared with Timothee at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, in March, Kylie stood out in a tied-off cropped red blouse covered in white stripes, which stood out against her love's white track suit.

She and the Little Women star were first linked back in April of 2023.
Madonna turned heads as she enjoyed a private visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Wednesday.

The Queen of pop, 66, took to Instagram to share snaps of herself frolicking around the museum for the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibition, which launched at the star-studded 2025 Met Gala.

Taking style inspiration from the Costume Institute's spring show, Madonna wowed in a black and white pinstripe waistcoat layered over a white ruffled-trim shirt.

She teamed it with a pair of distressed cut-out flared trousers which gave a glimpse of her thighs and square-toe lace up boots.

Madonna added a long black jacket over the top of her look and accessorised with silver jewellery, a black fedora hat, and sunglasses.

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Madonna turned heads on Instagram as she enjoyed a private visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Wednesday

The Queen of pop, 66, posed up a storm as she frolicked around the museum for the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibition

Taking inspiration from the Costume Institute's spring show, she wowed in a black and white pinstripe waistcoat layered over a white ruffle trim shirt

She captioned the post: 'Finally got a chance to see the new Frick collection, an 18th century Jewel box on 5th Avenue. Especially fond of Rembrandt.

'Dashed over to the Met to see the SuperFine Tailoring Black Style exhibition! What a treat! So nice to see without big crowds. Well done to everyone involved.'

Superfine: Tailoring Black Style presents a cultural and historical examination of style over three hundred years through the concept of Black dandyism.

Visitors walk through 12 sections - Ownership, Presence, Distinction, Disguise, Freedom, Champion, Respectability, Jook, Heritage, Beauty, Cool and Cosmopolitanism.

The exhibition features looks from 40 contemporary Black designers including Grace Wales Bonner, Ozwald Boateng, Labrum London, Botter, Telfar,, Jeffrey Banks, Luar, Willy Chavarria, Balmains Olivier Rousteing, Fear of God, among others.

Superfine: Tailoring Black Style opened on May 10 at The Met Fifth Avenue and will run until October 26.

The Met Gala adopted a theme in line with the exhibition's style and Madonna joined other A-listers in honouring the artistic creations on the red carpet.

She showed off a stunning natural look as she wowed in a cream silk Tom Ford suit, designed by Haider Ackermann.

She teamed it with a pair of very distressed cut-out flared trousers which gave a glimpse of her thighs and square-toe lace up boots

Madonna added a long black jacket over the top of her look and accessorised with silver jewellery, a black fedora hat, and sunglasses

She opted for left her blonde locks to fall naturally as she completed her look with a swipe of deep pink lipstick

The Met Gala adopted a theme in line with the exhibition's style and Madonna joined other A-listers in honouring the artistic creations on the red carpet

Madonna was joined by younger boyfriend Akeem Morris, who just turned 29, on the star-studded evening

Sticking to the event's Tailored for You dress code, the iconic musician displayed her interpretation in a double-breasted jacket, white shirt, cummerbund and bowtie.

The androgynous look was paired with a bold fuchsia lip and smoky eyeliner, while the star puffed on a cigar.

The night also saw her make her red carpet debut with her younger boyfriend Akeem Morris, 29 - with the pair looking very loved-up.

The duo were first romantically linked in July 2024, as the recording artist shared photos of them celebrating Independence Day in the Big Apple.

But they've known each other since at least August 2022, when they posed alongside each other for a Paper magazine cover.

Madonna will 'soon' re-release her sixth studio album Bedtime Stories and she's recording a sequel to her 2005 dance album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, with musical director Stuart Price.

She is the world's best-selling female recording artist and the most successful solo artist in the history of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart with 44 No. 1 singles.
She was one of the UK's biggest soap stars and made headlines after lifting the glitterball trophy at the height of her career back in 2010, but now Kara Tointon's lifestyle is boating on fjords, catching fish and nature walks with her two boys.

Despite rumours in 2022 that she had split from her fiance Marius Jensen, the pair have put their troubles behind them and last year quit the UK for the peaceful Nordic countryside with their sons Frey, six, and Helly, four.

Her Instagram grid is all friluftsliv - the Nordic concept of being outdoors in all weathers - as opposed to the old glitz and glam of life in London where she was embroiled in a number of showbiz relationships with co-stars from EastEnders and Strictly.

Yet behind the scenes the former EastEnders actress has been undergoing a series of health issues, as she revealed yesterday when she opened up about her choice to undergo a preventative double mastectomy last year after learning she carries the deadly BRAC1 gene.

The operation comes six years after the tragic death of her mother Carol who died of ovarian cancer back in 2019, just a few months after Kara welcomed her first child.

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How Kara Tointon turned her back on the UK for a quiet life in Norway after her mum's tragic death, a tumultuous love life and secret split from her fiance

Despite rumours she has split with her fiance Marious Jepsen, the pair have put their troubles behind them and live together in the peaceful Nordic countryside

Kara explained she was invited for genetic testing at the time of her mother's illness as their is a history of cancer on both sides.

And since her mother's passing Kara has retreated from the limelight and left London all together as she put her life back together after a series of heartbreaks.

Kara first shared the news of her mother's passing in a heartbreaking Instagram post back in 2019 as Carol was seen doting on her children in throwback footage.

Kara simply captioned the clip with the words, 'My mum,' as her friends rushed to offer their condolences.

A few months later the star took to social media once again to pay tribute to Carol as she shared her overwhelming sadness.

The post read: 'I miss you. I miss your voice. I miss your smile. I miss your smell. I miss your hug. I miss your jokes. I miss how you made me feel. I miss your everything.'

She added: 'God I was so lucky muma. Do laugh that Im reaching out to you on INSTAGRAM. I love you.'

Kara has revealed she wants to give her children Frey, six, and Helly,four, an idyllic childhood away from the spotlight that's followed her for so many decades

Kara revealed on Wednesday she hade undergone a double mastectomy after learning she carries the deadly BRAC1 gene following her mother's death from ovarian cancer

Her mother Carol died of ovarian cancer back in 2019, just a few months after Kara welcomed her first child (pictured)

Since her mother's passing Kara has retreated from the limelight and left London all together as she put her life back together after a series of heartbreaks

A few months after her death the star took to social media once again to pay tribute to Carol as she shared her overwhelming sadness

Kara had welcomed her first son Frey with her fiance Marius Jensen in November 2018, just a few months before her mother's passing.

She previously revealed she had put off setting a wedding date due to her mother's illness.

Speaking to Hello! after Frey's birth she confessed: 'We are hoping next year, perhaps in Norway or maybe in London.

'My mum hasn't been too well over the last year or so and I want her to be able to enjoy it.

'Seeing her with Frey and dealing with everything she has to right now is overwhelming and I couldnt be more proud. I just want her to be back to herself again. Thats our priority.'

However tragically her mother never got to see her walk down the aisle and the couple are not publicly known to have ever officially tied the knot.

After welcoming their second son in January 2021, split rumours then encircled the pair and it was believed they had parted ways.

According to reports in October 2022 the pair were believed to have split in early 2022 after realising there was 'no future for them as a couple'.

Marius was even spotted sharing a kiss with an unidentified woman outside a London club in snaps obtained by The Sun.

A source told the publication at the time: 'Kara and Marius quietly separated around 10 months ago.

After welcoming their second son in January 2021, split rumours then encircled Kara and her fiance Marius Jensen and it was believed they had parted ways (pictured in 2019)

Kara and Strictly professional Artem Chigvintsev dated from 2010 until 2013 after meeting together on the BBC show

Kara dated Joe Swash from 2008 until 2010 after they met while playing brother and sister Mickey Miller and Dawn Swann on EastEnders back in 2005 (pictured in 2009)

'There was no wrong-doing on either side, and they both still care about each other. But they came to the decision that there was no future for them as a couple.

'They remain friends, and are both very committed to co-parenting their two children.'

Kara never commented on the split, but in September 2024 it was revealed the family were living together in Norway, where her fiance is originally from, and had seemingly overcome their troubles.

Kara and Marius went public with their relationship in 2017 after meeting the year before following her split from Strictly professional Artem Chigvintsev.

The pair met while dancing together during the series in 2010, making it all the way to the final when they lifted the glitterball trophy.

After a three year romance the pair split in 2014 after Kara told The Telegraph's Mandrake column: 'We are not together. Were fine, but we arent a couple any more. The reason I havent spoken about it is because I hate reading about myself in that way.'

Rumours about their relationship coming to an end begun to circulate in the December of 2013 when they hadn't been pictured together in months.

Since their split Artem relocated to California with his now ex wife Nikki Bella.

The pair have since divorced and the Russian dancer moved out of the marital home he shared with Nikki after his arrest, which took place in August, when he was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

Charges were dropped a month later due to lack of sufficient evidence, according to the Napa County District Attorney's Office.

Prior to her relationship with Artem, Kara dated Joe Swash after they met while playing brother and sister Mickey Miller and Dawn Swann on EastEnders back in 2005.

Kara also dated Busted star James Bourne from 2004 until 2005. Their relationship ended shortly after the band split up (pictured in October 2004)

After Joe left the soap in July 2008, the pair stayed in touch and had just started dating when he flew to Australia for I'm A Celeb in November 2008.

Their relationship came as a surprise after the actress swore off dating famous men following her romances with EastEnders co-star James Alexandrou for a year and Busted rocker James Bourne before that.

But her and Joe split in 2010 with Joe later admitting he was an 'idiot' to let her go, blaming himself for 'abandoning' her when she was struggling to find work after leaving EastEnders.

Yet her tumultous love life is now behind her and Kara has ditched the UK for a life in Norway with her family.

The mother-of-two had previously said that after the birth of her first born she wanted to avoid the busy nature of London and it seems now the family of four are enjoying a quieter paced life.

While Kara travels to London for work, her Instagram shows photos of with her kids in the outdoors as well as fishing trips with Marius.

In an interview with Weekend Magazine last September Kara admitted she was 'just hitting her stride' at age 41 as she opened up about wanting to give her children an idyllic childhood away from the spotlight that's followed her for so many decades.

She explained: 'I'm really enjoying getting older. I know we're in a world where people grapple with that but I feel like I'm learning to like myself more and hopefully becoming a more well-rounded person.

'A lot of the stuff people struggle with is down to circumstances  everyone has bad stuff happen to them and that can happen at any age.

While Kara travels to London for work, her Instagram shows photos of with her kids in the outdoors as well as fishing trips with Marius

Kara revealed that after having several medical investigations, she decided that surgery was the best option for her and her family

'I think experience means you know how to deal with things and hopefully grow and build and get stronger from it.'

Speaking how the move to Europe wasn't what she expected she said: 'I never expected to make a life here but I am loving it.'

'We're bringing our kids up in Norway together. Being here is still quite new, it's early days, but it's working out really well. We thought we'd see how it goes, but so far so good.

'We spent most of last year in Norway as a base, I was going back and forth for work, and then we just decided to give it a go. It happened really naturally as we were spending more and more time over here. It's so easy to get back to London and it just seems to work.

'It's such a beautiful country and a great place to bring up children and I'm definitely adapting to the Scandinavian lifestyle.'

On Wednesday Kara took to Instagram with a candid video as she shared she underwent the procedure, along with having her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure, after learning she carries the deadly BRAC1 gene.

As an ambassador for the Eve appeal, a charity that raises awareness of gynaecological cancers, the actress opened up to her followers about the journey that led to her discovery that she carries the BRCA1 gene.

She explained: 'Last year having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative surgeries.

'The first a double mastectomy and the second a two part protector study, a trial.

'They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes so by removing them first checking out you can remove the ovaries later.'

Kara revealed that after having several medical investigations, she decided that surgery was the best option.

'We are finding out more and more about personal genetics and most people believe in surveillance, but after doing this for a couple of years, having MRIs, waiting for biopsy, we decided that this was the right decision for me and my family,' she said.

'I wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made and I can now with hindsight talk about it properly.'
Brandi Glanville showcased her jaw-dropping figure as she shared a series of topless snaps with her fans on Wednesday.

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 52, threw caution to the wind as she stripped off for the racy snaps to promote Usual Wines.

Brandi was joined in the photos by her talent agent friend James Maas who covered her chest with his hands.

The reality star sported wet hair in the photos as she pulled a series of animated poses while showing off the wine.

Brandi looked in good spirits in the snaps which come amid her battle with a mystery illness that has left her face disfigured.

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Brandi Glanville showcased her jaw-dropping figure as she shared a series of topless snaps with her fans on Wednesday

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 52, threw caution to the wind as she stripped off for the racy snaps to promote Usual Wines

The star has spent over $100,000 seeking treatment for the condition, which she believes is caused by a facial parasite.

And on Wednesday, Brandi  who is the ex-wife of actor Eddie Cibrian  provided a rare update while calling out those who've left 'cruel comments' about her face.

'I haven't posted much on any social site lately because I'm hiding out and don't want to deal with the cruel comments on my appearance,' she revealed in part on X (formerly Twitter).

However, Brandi promised fans that her hideout is over and that she would no longer be disguising herself with 'filters and heavy edits' on social media.

'But I'll be posting and sharing authentically without all the filters and heavy edits... See you there and don't forget to turn on your notifications for the daily drops,' she wrote.

Brandi also addressed her absence on Patreon, a paid subscription platform, amid her emotionally taxing health battle.

After posting the tweet on Wednesday, Glanville received an outpouring of support from fans, with one writing, 'I appreciate your raw honesty and sharing the things that can happen. You'll always be beautiful to me.'

Another fan tweeted, 'I'm so sorry you are going through this.'

Brandi was joined in the photos by her talent agent friend James Maas who covered her chest with his hands

They also encouraged her to 'ignore the trolls' while admiring her strength.

'It's a 'them' problem, not a 'Brandi' problem. You are doing great. Keep on being that strong a** woman!' the fan conluded.

Someone else gave the reality TV star more support, writing, 'This is sad that people are mean and cruel. You have to do what is necessary as you recover from this horrible situation.'

Brandi has been open about her ongoing struggle with a suspected facial parasite, which she believes she contracted in Morocco while filming the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

Glanville has been frequently hospitalized due to her ongoing health concerns and that she has incurred substantial expenses because of it.

The Bravo star said she's spent 'over $113,000' of her own money seeking treatment for the mystery condition outside of her health insurance plan. However, she's seen no improvements since.

After various medical appointments, multiple physicians told the reality star she could be suffering from a 'parasite that jumps around [her] face.'

According to the Mayo Clinic, angioedema is a reaction similar to hives that causes swelling in the deeper layers of skin, often around the face and lips.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow  who is married to Real Housewives Of Orange County star Heather Dubrow  said he was 'concerned' that Glanville could be suffering from either an 'infectious process' or a 'foreign-body reaction to something she's had injected.'

Dubrow also clarified that Glanville isn't at 'fault' for not being certain about what is plaguing her, and he instead blamed her doctor for not having a solid diagnosis and treatment plan.

However, he seemed fairly certain that whatever was going on with her is 'not a parasite' and is 'not from something she ate.'

Instead, he suggested the issue is 'something that got into her bloodstream and seeded some foreign body.'

Surprisingly, Dubrow even thought it was possible that Glanville could be ahead of her doctors, as he said she could be right that she might require surgery.

Brandi has been open about her ongoing struggle with a suspected facial parasite, which she believes she contracted in Morocco while filming the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip

The star has spent over $100,000 seeking treatment for the condition, which she believes is caused by a facial parasite

He noted that she could have been infected with either mycobacteria or fungi, which could be 'very difficult to treat.'

Dubrow looked particularly concerned when he said Glanville's condition was 'like a ticking time bomb,' because the potential damage could get more and more severe in a short period of time.

He added that antibiotic treatments for mycobacteria or fungus could take six to 12 months, so it would be essential for her to get a solid diagnosis and possibly a skin sample to determine what she was suffering from.

Dubrow concluded the interview by offering the services of himself and his Botched costars.

Brandi later shared that she had a consultation with Dubrow, but had decided to get a second opinion.

Brandi explained that Dubrow told her it might take five years for her to be 'totally fine.'

'Five years is way too long for me to wait,' the reality beauty said on her Brandi Glanville Unfiltered podcast, while also revealing she has not had sex in a year due to her health issues.

After various medical appointments, multiple physicians told the reality star she could be suffering from a 'parasite that jumps around [her] face'

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow previously said he was 'concerned' that Glanville could be suffering from either an 'infectious process' or a 'foreign-body reaction to something she's had injected'; Dubrow seen with wife Heather Dubrow in 2024

'I have places to go, people to make out with. I have not had sex since last October. I haven't kissed [or] made out with anyone. I haven't socialized, really.'

The star shared that she wants to 'run tests, get another MRI, another cat scan' adding that she wants to 'get to the bottom of this.'

Brandi added that she doesn't 'feel better' and stills sees 'this thing in my face jumping around.'

She also shared that she has 'four different doctors' who have given her 'four different opinions of what it could possibly be.'
Erin Doherty looked casually chic as she joined her Adolescence co-stars Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper at a SAG-AFTRA event in LA on Wednesday night.

The actress The Crown actress, 32, looked worlds away from her forensic psychologist character Briony Ariston, as she opted for a blue jacket and chinos.

Breakthrough talent Owen, 15, opted for a comfortable tracksuit as he spoke confidently on stage alongside his co-stars.

The cast were attending the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations presents Adolescence event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists.

Top Boy star Ashley Walters was also in attendance at the event as the cast answered questions on the panel.

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Erin Doherty looked casually chic as she joined her Adolescence co-stars Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper at a SAG-AFTRA event in LA on Wednesday night

Breakthrough talent Owen, 15, opted for a comfortable tracksuit as he spoke confidently on stage alongside his co-stars

The series received critical acclaim when it hit the streaming service in March, and centres on a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a schoolgirl. Stephen Graham (seen) plays his father

Marking his first time in Hollywood, Owen flew out to the glamorous city after Liverpool FC's victory party on Sunday.

The actor, who had no professional experience prior to his role as Jamie in the hit Netflix series, is a favourite to win a record-breaking Emmy Award for his performance.

The cast are in LA to officially launch their bids to win Emmys for the series and if Owen wins he would be the youngest-ever winner at just 15-years-old.

The four-part series received critical acclaim when it hit the streaming service in March, and centres on a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a schoolgirl.

In the show, viewers saw how teen Jamie Miller's perception of girls had been radicalised through content he was viewing online, and also showed the vast amount of social media consumed by teenagers at school.

Back in March MailOnline revealed that Owen would be entered in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role as murder suspect Jamie Miller in the show that has become one of Netflix's most-watched series ever.

Experts hailed the 'genius move' of placing Owen in Supporting, as opposed to Best Actor, which they said would massively boost his chances of winning.

The Warrington schoolboy would be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the 'TV Oscars' and the award would be for the first scenes he ever filmed in his first acting job.

The actress The Crown actress, 32, looked worlds away from her forensic psychologist character Briony Ariston, as she opted for a blue jacket and chinos

Writer Jack Thorne, actors Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty and Owen Cooper, and casting director Shaheen Baig

Top Boy star Ashley Walters was also in attendance at the event as the cast answered questions on the panel and posed for the cameras afterwards

The cast are in LA to officially launch their bids to win Emmys for the series and if Owen wins he would be the youngest-ever winner at just 15-years-old

The cast were attending the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations presents Adolescence event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists

Owen, who had no professional experience prior to his role as Jamie in the hit Netflix series, is a favourite to win a record-breaking Emmy Award for his performance

Speaking to Gold Derby, Owen said he hoped he would keep his feet on the ground if awards recognition came his way.

'If that was to be the case, it's definitely a massive achievement and it's the next step in my life,' he said. 'I'll just take it and move on.

'It's one of them things that will forever be there and I'll never forget it for the rest of my life.'

And he deflected the praise back to the team who surrounded him on the show.

'It's all rooted from Stephen [Graham], Hannah [Walters, the producer], Phil [Barantini, the director], Jo Johnson the producer, it's all from them. I couldn't have done it without them,' he said.

Stephen, who was also on the video interview, beamed as Cooper spoke.

He said: 'The thing I'm proudest of [from making the show] is the fact we've created this opportunity for that wonderful young man to have a proper career within this industry. That makes me so proud.'

He said Owen had 'pure talent', and added: 'Talent is one thing but you have to harness it and turn it into action and that's exactly what he did.

Experts have hailed the 'genius move' of placing Owen in Supporting, as opposed to Best Actor, which they said would massively boost his chances of winning

Erin plays forensic psychologist Briony Ariston in the series

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'His talent is, and I've said this before, personally I think it's a generational talent that he has. Also, and this can't be overlooked, he's a very intelligent young man. Bright as a button. Sharp, listens beautifully. He wants to be better. He wants to learn, he's like a sponge.

'And he comes with this wonderful energy, this willingness to learn about the craft. Because he's not affected in any way, he'll just be completely natural and in the flow.'

Stephen added: 'His ability is second-to-none, because he's a million miles away from Jamie. Owen himself, the top lad, is a million miles away from Jamie. He completely transforms.'

The Emmy nominations will be announced in July with the ceremony taking place in LA in September.
Mel B was showered with birthday wishes from across the world on Thursday as she turned 50.

All her Spice Girls pals, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Victoria Beckham, Mel C and Emma Bunton, were all among the stars that paid tribute to the star on social media.

Sharing a photo of the pair from the nineties, Geri wrote: '#Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead.'

Victoria, 51, marked the milestone birthday by sharing a sweet throwback snap of the pair from 1998 in Tokyo, Japan.

She captioned the snap: 'Happy birthday @officalmelb!! Kisses xx'.

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Mel B was showered with birthday wishes from across the world on Thursday as she turned 50





Geri Halliwell-Horner wrote: '#Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead'

Victoria, 51, marked the milestone birthday by sharing a sweet throwback snap of the pair from 1998 in Tokyo, Japan

Emma, 49, posted three adorable snaps of the her and Mel over the years, writing: 'Happy 50th @officalmelb! I'm not far behind you!!

'From zig ah zig ah to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs.'

Mel B wrote: '50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb Oh the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago?!

'Im so proud of everything we have achieved and adversities you have not only overcome but have used to help others Mel B MBE Hon D Univ youre a f***ing rock star and I love you more than words can say.

'Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter.'

It appears all is now well between Mel and Geri after their were reporters of a falling out between the pair.

The feud began when Mel confessed she had a lesbian fling with Geri during the band's nineties heyday on Piers Morgan's chat show in 2019.

In the interview, Melanie told Piers the passionate encounter 'just happened' and seemed aware of how Geri, who married Formula 1 racing team boss Christian Horner in 2015, would take the revelation.

Emma Bunton, 49, posted three adorable snaps of the her and Mel over the years as she celebrated her big day

Mel B wrote: '50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb Oh the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met'

Mel said: 'She is going to hate me for this because she is all posh with her country house and her husband, but its a fact. But it wasnt a thing, it just happened and we just giggled at it and that was it.'

'I have said it now. All done. She is going to kill me.'

Geri denied the affair took place, with Mel accused of dreaming it up to sell copies of her tell-all memoir, Brutally Honest.

A source close to the band said at the time: Its not a very nice thing to do even if you do have a book to promote.

Nothing ever happened. We all know Mel B loves a headline. It might have been funny 15 to 20 years ago but it was over the top and not funny.

It comes after Mel sported a racy lingerie-inspired dress for an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday night - where she teased a possible Spice Girls reunion.

Scary Spice appeared on the show hosted by Jimmy Fallon as she gears up for the new series of America's Got Talent, which will begin later this month.

And Mel's outfit for the occasion was certainly eye-catching, with the popstar demanding attention in a cream and pink number.

It comes after Mel sported a racy lingerie-inspired dress for an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday night - where she teased a possible Spice Girls reunion

Victoria Beckham is said to be '90 per cent out of the running' for a reunion tour with the fashion designer having not joined the girls on stage since the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony

The figure-hugging dress showed off the mother-of-three's curves.

The AGT and former BGT judge wore her curly brown hair down with the dress, which she teamed with a pair of vibrant pink heels.

During her appearance, Mel sent Spice Girls fans into a frenzy as she gave a cryptic hint at a possible reuinion.

'I'm always the first person to say, "Oh, it's going to happen, it's going to happen"', she told presenter Jimmy.

'But just this once, I'm not saying anything.'

Jimmy quickly quipped: 'That means something! I'll take that as something.'

To which Scary Spice responded: 'Take it as you want to take it, Jimmy.'

Mel's latest hint follows claims that the Spice Girls could be reuniting for a world tour to celebrate 30 years since the release of their debut single Wannabe.

But Victoria is said to be '90 per cent out of the running', with the fashion designer, having not joined the girls on stage since the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.

In a new interview, band-member Melanie Chisholm confirmed one other member seemingly wasn't as enthusiastic about picking up the mic again and needed further persuasion.

Speaking on the No Filter with Kate Langbroek podcast, Sporty Spice shared: 'Next year is a big year for us and we have to acknowledge it in some way.

The last time all five of the the iconic British group reunited together was at the 2012 Olympics in London

'So we are talking about what thats going to look like and for me, Melanie, I know for sure, and Emma [Bunton], wed be back on stage. But sometimes other people need a little bit more convincing.'

Discussing the prospect of all five girls being on stage together for the first time since 2012, Mel added: 'It would be the best thing ever, ever, ever. And sometimes it feels like a duty to the world.

'When we did the shows in 2019, it brought so much joy to so many people. Not everybody likes the Spice Girls but loads of people do.

'Were living in this weird world right now. Theres so much negativity and mad s**t going on. Lets all spice up our lives.'

It's understood that Geri Halliwell-Horner and band manager Simon Fuller are in touch again, helping to move things along after years of reunion hints.

A source told The Sun: 'There have been rumours swirling for months, but Geri has always been too busy and had other things on, preventing her from saying yes.

'Nothing is yet confirmed but Geri and Simon are back in touch with a myriad of exciting ideas.

'Unfortunately Victoria has pretty much ruled herself out, but there is still a world in which she could do some sort of avatar appearance or a special one-off thing. She would always want to honour the girls' history.'

'If Simon were to get involved, this would absolutely take any tour to the next level.'
Sarah Jessica Parker looked glamorous as she joined her stylish co-star Kristin Davis at the And Just Like That season three photocall in Paris on Thursday.

The Carrie Bradshaw actress, 60, looked sensational in a bejeweled black dress which she teamed with neon pink heels to boost her height.

She wore her blonde tresses styled perfectly into loose waves and opted for a glowing makeup look.

Kristin, also 60, showed off her perfect sense of style in a bright yellow sequin dress and gold strappy heels.

It comes as the new series has been dubbed an improvement from the first two seasons ahead of it being released on Friday.

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Sarah Jessica Parker looked glamorous as she joined her stylish co-star Kristin Davis at the And Just Like That season three photocall in Paris on Thursday

Kristin, also 60, showed off her perfect sense of style in a bright yellow sequin dress and gold strappy heels

The Mail's Claudia Connell awarded the drama four stars, writing: 'After two disappointing seasons as flat as a loafer shoe that Carrie Bradshaw wouldn't be caught dead in, And Just Like That  the sequel to Sex And The City  is finally hitting the right note.'

The Guardian gave it three stars, writing: 'After two misfiring series, some of the old Sex and the City magic is detectable in this new run of the HBO spin-off.

'As it returns for a third run, there are signs that it's finally getting into its vertiginous-heeled stride.

'There is still plenty here to mock  and rest assured, we will  but there's also just enough of the old magic to make this a nostalgic guilty pleasure.'

Meanwhile The Independent agreed saying that the series had 'finally started to find its groove'.

They added in their three star review: 'The evolution, from controversial reboot to inoffensive serial, might spawn fewer social media reactions, but it makes for a far smoother watch.'

IndieWire also agreed that things were improving with the third series, saying: 'Michael Patrick King's 'Sex and the City' sequel series seems to be settling into a groove.

'A groove that's quite familiar, if once forsaken. Yes, a groove worn smooth by 'Sex and the City.''

Collider, Time Magazine and Mamamia also gave positive reviews.

It comes as the new series has received rave reviews from critics ahead of it being released on Friday

The Carrie Bradshaw actress, 60, looked sensational in a bejeweled black dress which she teamed with neon pink heels to boost her height

Sarah looked as youthful as ever at the photocall in France which was held at the Hotel Napoleon

The Guardian gave it three stars, writing: 'After two misfiring series, some of the old Sex and the City magic is detectable in this new run of the HBO spin-off'

Their co-star Sarita Choudhury also cut a stylish figure wearing a leggy black dress and sheer tights

She looked great in the oversized shirt style dress which she teamed with pointed heels to boost her height

Nicole Ari Parker looked effortlessly chic in a black and white polka dot blouse

And opted for a pop of colour with a red lip

In an interview this week, Sarah revealed Mr. Big's death on And Just Like That was 'really hard' for her to film.

The actress addressed the shocking moment in the show where Carrie's husband Mr. Big (Chris Noth) died of a heart attack after working out on his Peloton bike.

Mr. Big had been a staple character of Sex And The City and Carrie's main love interest so it was a risk for writers to kill him off.

Speaking on The E! News Sitdown with Bruce Bozzi, Sarah gave her thoughts on the storyline.

She said: 'Big dying was really, really hard to do both professionally and personally. That's not just a thread. It's one of the main arteries that you would struggle to do without.'

'It was really sad to say goodbye to that. It's not like I needed it for my own health or wellbeing. But that was a hugely wonderful story to tell for a lot of years.'

Although Sarah does agree with some of the online 'objections' over how Carrie and Big ended up together, she still admires the couple's relationship.

'All of it was a mess, and all of it was wonderful,' she said. 'It was romantic, and it was a disaster. It was destructive, and it was healthy. It just felt really untethered. It was really sad to say goodbye to that.'

Since Big's death, Carrie has rekindled her romance with old flame Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) who she was involved with in seasons three and four of Sex And The City.

Chris Noth had his career upended in 2021 when he faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has since staunchly denied.

In an interview this week, Sarah revealed Mr. Big's death on And Just Like That was 'really hard' for her to film

She said: 'Big dying was really, really hard to do both professionally and personally' (pictured on Sex And The City, 1999)

The 70-year-old has confessed that he 'strayed on my wife,' which was 'devastating to her,' but added: 'What it isn't, is a crime.'

Last year, he firmly denied multiple allegation allegations of sexual misconduct in his first interview about the charges that infamously put his career on hold.

Chris, who has insisted he is still close to his former Sex and the City co-stars, told USA Today that any encounters he has had outside his marriage were consensual.

'I strayed on my wife, and it's devastating to her and not a very pretty picture,' he told the outlet. 'What it isn't, is a crime.'

The former Law and Order star has been married to his wife, Tara Wilson, 45, since 2012.

The couple were together for 10 years before tying the knot and are parents to two children - Orion, 16, and Keats, four. Noth said he has spoken to his teenager about the situation.

More sex, more fashion, more fun... Just like that, Carrie and Co are back on form, reviews CLAUDIA CONNELL

Rating:

After two disappointing seasons as flat as a loafer shoe that Carrie Bradshaw wouldn't be caught dead in, And Just Like That  the sequel to Sex And The City  is finally hitting the right note.

The reboot has struggled to morph sex columnist and reformed serial-dater Carrie Bradshaw and her friends Miranda and Charlotte into menopausal midlifers without their fourth wheel, the feisty, sex-crazed PR Samantha Jones.

The initial storylines prioritised diversity and social justice, while shoehorning in tediously earnest characters.

But, returning this week for a third series, the writers seem to have learnt from their mistakes.

Having watched six episodes, I have to say that we're not home and dry... but it's looking good. They have ditched the woke mess of the earlier episodes in favour of more sex, more fashion and more fun.

In the last series, newly widowed Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, reconnected with her ex-fiance Aidan (John Corbett), now a Virginia farmer.

Series three sees the pair embark on a long-distance relationship. Come on, there's no way a city fashionista like Carrie would thrive as a farmer's wife and the plotline has nowhere to go. Even their clumsy attempt at phone sex is a snooze fest!

So maybe the writers will come up with a zeitgeist way of killing off Aidan, as they did with Carrie's husband Big, who had a heart attack while riding his Peloton in series one. An allergic reaction to Ozempic perhaps?

After two disappointing seasons And Just Like That  the sequel to Sex And The City  is finally hitting the right note

This new chapter of the groundbreaking Sex and the City franchise finds Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte navigating the complicated reality of friendship, family, and New York in their 50s

Thankfully, a promising new love interest emerges

in the shape of Carrie's grouchy new downstairs neighbour Duncan, a famous British writer with whom she has instant chemistry.

And he isn't the only Brit bringing the romance. Late-life lesbian Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), following an unlikely one-night stand, ends up dating plummy-voiced BBC producer Joy, played by Dolly Wells.

The Carrie and Aidan story isn't the only aspect of And Just Like That to stretch credulity  very few women pushing 60 teeter around in five-inch heels and precious few full-time working women (as Charlotte and Miranda claim to be) are able to meet for endless coffee/lunch/shopping trips at the drop of a hat.

So, some scenes are silly, but others do hit home. Carrie's struggles with technology when it comes to her home alarm system and video doorbell will be familiar to many.

Charlotte finding herself 'cancelled' by the 'dog mum' community when her bulldog is mistakenly identified as attacking another mutt in Central Park is also cleverly done.

And it's genuinely hilarious when Charlotte and Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker) resort to desperate measures to secure the services of New York's most in-demand tutor, nicknamed 'the Ivy whisperer' due to her ability to get kids into Ivy League colleges. There's a nod to all of the middle-aged women rushing to get diagnosed with ADHD, while Charlotte and her husband are baffled by their daughter's 'poly' (polyamorous) boyfriend.

The void left by Samantha is mostly filled by Seema (Sarita Choudhury), Carrie's sharp-tongued real estate agent friend.

The reboot has struggled to morph sex columnist and reformed serial-dater Carrie Bradshaw and her friends Miranda and Charlotte into menopausal midlifers

But, returning this week for a third series, the writers seem to have learnt from their mistakes and now there's more sex, more fashion and more fun

Still single in her 50s, she gives a professional matchmaker short shrift when told she needs to be more demure and dress in ladylike pastels if she wants to snare a man.

Fashion is still at the core of the show with the actresses changing outfits several times per episode. Some of the clothes are stunning, others are just daft.

An enormous cloth hat by Maryam Keyhani that Carrie wears in one episode makes her look like the Artful Dodger.

Another scene, in which Carrie's sexy new neighbour complains about the noise her shoes make on her wooden floors, was clearly devised as an excuse to give us a set-to-music montage of her fabulous heel collection.

Contrived, yes, but still frothy good fun.

As the 'girls' teeter towards bus pass age, it's good to have them getting back to form  even though every single episode still leaves you thinking how much more enjoyable it would be if Samantha Jones was there.
Georgia Steel turned heads as she posed up a storm in sizzling swimwear during her sun-soaked Dubai holiday.

The former Love Island star, 27, jetted off on holiday to the United Arab Emirates at the weekend and has been documenting her travels on Instagram.

In a new post on Thursday, Georgia turned up the heat as she showed off her incredible figure in a white bikini.

She styled her beachwear with a pair of tiny white shorts and hung an oversized blue and white striped shirt over her arms.

Looking every inch the beach goddess, Georgia captioned the post: 'Living my little dream life.'

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Georgia Steel turned heads as she posed up a storm in sizzling swimwear during her sun-soaked Dubai holiday

The former Love Island star, 27, jetted off on holiday to the United Arab Emirates at the weekend and has been documenting her travels on Instagram

She styled her beachwear with a pair of tiny white shorts and hung an oversized blue and white striped shirt over her arms

During her trip, the reality star has also enjoyed a day out at Terra Solis, a desert beach club and events venue.

Georgia showed off her sensational figure as she posed for snaps in a white and yellow striped bandeau bikini top, with matching low-rise briefs.

She paired the bikini with a white linen co-ord, consisting of an oversized short-sleeved shirt and wide-leg trousers.

Last month, Georgia sent temperatures soaring as she stripped down to her underwear for a sexy Instagram photoshoot with lingerie brand Hunkemoller.

She looked incredible as she slipped into a stylish red lace set comprised of an underwired bra and a matching skimpy thong.

Leaning on a sink in a stylish bathroom, Georgia struck a sultry pose for the camera as she made sure to flash plenty of skin.

Next, the beauty slipped into a grey lace number comprised of an underwired bra and matching thong.

Fixing her makeup in a bedroom mirror, Georgia turned around to show off her toned bottom in the skimpy set.

The racy snaps comes just a day after the reality star wowed in a yellow two-piece as enjoyed a day out at Terra Solis, a desert beach club and events venue

She paired the bikini with a white linen co-ord, consisting of an oversized short-sleeved shirt and wide-leg trousers

Last month, Georgia sent temperatures soaring as she stripped down to her underwear for a sexy Instagram photoshoot with lingerie brand Hunkemoller

In the next sizzling lingerie clip, the reality TV star showcased her ample cleavage in a stylish dusky pink floral set.

She paired the two-piece with a blue gingham shirt and shorts co-ord, which she left unbuttoned to show off her toned physique, as she posed with a cup of coffee.

Georgia then opted for a slightly more modest lingerie set, slipping into a nude bra and matching high-waisted briefs as she lounged on her bed.

For her final look, she donned a black mesh bra and a skimpy thong featuring a delicate sequin embellishment.

Georgia completed the two-piece with a black silk robe featuring lace trims as she struck a sultry pose on the sofa.
Alex Fevola was looking decades younger than her years as she stepped out at a glitzy event on Thursday.

The 48-year-old was turning heads in a black ensemble as she attended the Melbourne Autumn Ball.

The longtime partner of AFL great Brendan Fevola opted for a tailored blazer style coat that skimmed her trim figure.

Underneath, she had on a black maxi dress with some sheer lace detailing across the bust.

Alex added a pair of pointed heels and carried a quilted clutch purse as well as adding a dainty necklace.

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Alex Fevola (pictured) was looking decades younger than her years as she stepped out at a glitzy event on Thursday

Alex wore her long, blonde hair down around her fresh, line-free face in soft waves.

For makeup, she chose a warm, rosy palette with a pastel pink lipstick and some glowing highlighter.

It comes after Alex got candid about her main skin concerns in an interview with 9Honey.

Alex revealed she spends up to $1,600 per year on beauty products and treatments, and gets 'Botox a couple of times a year' to combat general wrinkles.

'I don't like to be frozen but I do like to soften the furrow between my brows. So a little Botox every five months, I find, works for me,' Alex said of her regimen.

The mother of four added that her main skin concerns in her forties are 'just general ageing' and finds Botox 'the most effective against general wrinkles'.

She also revealed she spends 'maybe $800 per year on products' and a further '$800 per year on treatments'.

Alex, who often shares her beauty secrets on social media, listed a luminous foundation, a face palette and mascara as her 'go-to' products in a 2020 interview with House of Wellness.

The 48-year-old was turning heads in a black ensemble as she attended the Melbourne Autumn Ball

Alex wore her long, blonde hair down around her fresh, line-free face in soft waves

The beauty entrepreneur explained how a face palette - often consisting of an eye shadow, bronzer, blush and highlighter - allows her to transform her 'whole face within five minutes'.

Alex said her ultimate beauty hack was multi-purpose products such as cream tints, which can be applied to the eyes, cheeks and lips for an 'all-over fresh glow'.

Radio presenter Brendan and make-up artist Alex married in 2005 but divorced in 2014.

However, their separation was short-lived, with the pair reuniting later that same year, before getting engaged for the second time in 2016.

Brendan proposed to Alex in front of their children shortly after being crowned the winner of the 2016 season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

At the time, Brendan told radio host Dave Thornton on the Fifi and Dave show: 'I was a bit nervous, I didn't think she'd say yes.

'Because we've been married before and obviously been divorced. It was really beautiful with the kids there.'

While the couple have been engaged for a number of years, they are yet to tie the knot for the second time.
New Diddly Squat farmhand Harriet Cowan has broken her silence on a 'fake' Clarkson's Farm scene as she spoke candidly on a new podcast this week.

The 24-year-old nurse shocked viewers of the hugely popular Prime Video show when she appeared in the trailer for series four after Jeremy's co-star Kaleb Cooper temporarily left the show.

She has been helping out Jeremy with an array of tasks on the farm and impressing viewers while also challenging stereotypes around women in farming.

This week Harriet appeared on the Should I Delete That podcast with Jeremy's daughter Emily.

She spoke about one scene in the trailer that she thought seemed 'fake' when she watched it back but was in fact completely true.

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New Diddly Squat farmhand Harriet Cowan has broken her silence on a 'fake' Clarkson's Farm scene as she spoke candidly on a new podcast this week

The nurse, 24, shocked viewers of the hugely popular Prime Video show when she appeared in the trailer for series four after Jeremy's co-star Kaleb Cooper temporarily left the show

They discussed on the podcast how busy farmers are and how Harriet also works a full time nursing job five days a week.

Emily asked her: 'Do you ever sit down with your boyfriend and chill together, or eat together? It sounds impossible.'

Harriet then said: 'No! In the trailer where it's like, 'Have you watched Clarkson's Farm before?' And I'm like, 'No', and when I watched it it looked so fake.

'But it is so real because we don't watch telly.

'Literally, if we watch something, James will sit down, his head will hit the back of the sofa and he's asleep because the second he can rest, he'll sleep, because he's so tired all the time.'

On the podcast Harriet also spoke about breaking stereotypes of women working in farming.

She said of appearing on the show: 'I wanted to show that women can do it too, we are there but people can't see it. Women can do it.

'Most people think of just older men wearing checked shirts when it comes to farming.

She spoke about one scene in the trailer that she thought seemed 'fake' when she watched it back but was in fact completely true

In the trailer where it's like, 'Have you watched Clarkson's Farm before?' And I'm like, 'No', and when I watched it it looked so fake. But it is so real because we don't watch telly'

On the podcast Harriet also spoke about breaking stereotypes of women working in the farming industry

'I am challenging people's views of what people think a farmer looks like. People are so shocked when they drive past and I'm in the tractor they just stare.'

The recent Clarkson's Farm trailer showed Jeremy running into several obstacles on the farm, yet TikTok star Harriet made a good impression as she was quick to help.

Jeremy was left in awe at her work, turning to the camera and gushing: 'She's brilliant!'

She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty as she put in fences, loaded feed for the animals and even showed her welding skills on Diddly Squat Farm.

Harriet, a full-time nurse and farmer, admitted in the clip that she hadn't watched Clarkson Farm's before but she didn't let that slow her down.

Jeremy was left in awe at her work, turning to the camera and gushing: 'She's brilliant!'

Kaleb - who was on a nationwide tour - later returned to the farm and seemed to be getting along well with his replacement.

It's hardly surprising that Harriet was a natural on the farm, having grown up helping her father Eddy tend to his land.

She revealed on social media that her mother wanted her to become a nurse but her father wanted her to follow in his footsteps - so she opted to do both.

Harriet has a healthy social media following, boasting 35,000 TikTok followers, while her Instagram bio encourages her fans to 'come and watch the craziness'.

She also has a brand deal with Country Moos, a sock company dedicated to cow-print designs.

Harriet is in a relationship with fellow farmer James, with the pair cosying up together for a slew of sweet social media snaps.

In 2020, Harriet made headlines when she and her friends set up a challenge to cheer NHS staff during the pandemic.

The Belper Young Farmers group put a unique spin on the toilet roll challenge which had gone viral online.

In their clips, the group were filmed passing a loaf of bread between them as they worked on their land.

Speaking to Derbyshire Live about their videos, Harriet, then 19, said: 'I thought we should do something to get everybody together as our club isn't meeting because of coronavirus.

'We saw the challenge online but we wanted to do something different - everyone else was doing the same thing with toilet rolls.'

Last week Jeremy finally confirmed the future of co-star Kaleb on the Prime Video series.

Viewers were welcomed back to Diddly Squat Farm for the new season on May 23, with two additional episodes released a week later on May 30, followed by the final two on June 6.

After much speculation, Jeremy, 65, has confirmed Kaleb is back on the farm as usual after Harriet 'held the fort' until he returned.

In a video posted on his Instagram last Tuesday, he clarified: 'There has been lots of reports that Kaleb has been 'replaced' - well, no he hasn't.'

He added: 'What happened is this, he went away on his speaking tour, for a couple of months because he imagined that after four years, I'd be able to manage on my own.

'And I didn't - I made a complete mess of everything and had to bring in a young farmer called Harriet.

'Harriet is brilliant and looked after the fort until he got back. That is it - that's the story!'

Clarkson's Farm has become one of the most watched series in the UK on Prime Video, and has been praised for raising the profile of British farming

Clarkson's Farm has become one of the most watched series in the UK on Prime Video, and has been praised for raising the profile of British farming.

It has also launched Kaleb's career. He was already working on the land when Clarkson bought it, and has now written three books.

It seems that Harriet, too, may well follow suit.

In the new eight-part series of Clarkson's Farm, Jeremy and his team will battle with mother nature as it makes one of the toughest years ever for British farmers.

The Mail's Richard Eden previously revealed that Jeremy's popular sidekick Kaleb pocketed 910,000 profit at Kaleb Cooper Productions, the company into which he channels his earnings from the series.

Accounts report 960,000 in assets before bills, including 400,000 in cash. Meanwhile, his takings, in the year to June 2024, include a 666,000 profit for the year.

He set up his TV company in 2021 and runs it alongside farming businesses K Cooper Contracting and K Cooper Holdings.

Profits made there amount to 100,000 combined, meaning Kaleb made his first million at 26.

The Chipping Norton native has long spoken about his dream of owning his own farm - something that now seems more achievable due to his newfound fame.

Kaleb had previously mentioned paying himself just 50p an hour due to the volatile nature of farming costs and profit margins, especially when experimenting with new business ventures.

In 2022, he shared: 'When I'm working for myself when I'm feeding my calves in the morning - I bought eight calves,

'It's like a little bit of a new business idea that I'm doing, buying calves in and then feed them on milk, which costs me about 200 a calf, then selling them at nine months.'

He added: 'I'm trying to get a profit and see if it will work. I worked it out the other day, do you know how much my hourly rate is, how much I pay myself? 50p an hour.'

His hourly rate was a stark contrast to his hard work, as Jeremy, who has praised Kaleb as 'the hardest working person I know', pointed out that he works 18 hours a day, with no days off.

Kaleb, who shares two children with fiancee Taya, has consistently said that his 'one goal in life' is to own his own farm, something he wants 'more than anything.'

Jeremy previously announced that a fifth season of Clarkson's Farm had confirmed, before the fourth was even announced, back in November.

In a fun clip, a huge number five firework lit up the sky as Jeremy told his followers: 'Over the years bright lights in the sky have been used to make many important announcements.

'The birth of baby Jesus for example, but tonight they're being used to make an announcement that's even bigger than that.

'Season 5 of Clarkson's Farm is coming,' Jeremy finished, before pointing towards the gold number five.

He captioned the post: 'It's the 5th November this just felt right, Clarkson's Farm S5 is officially in production.'

Jeremy's announcement sparked delight from many of his followers, who quickly shared their excitement in the comments.

Harriet has a healthy social media following, boasting 35,000 TikTok followers, while her Instagram bio encourages her fans to 'come and watch the craziness'

As well as working on the farm, Harriet is a nurse - having gained her qualification at the University of Derby

Such is the success of Jeremy's hit show that it's been credited with inspiring a new generation of young farmers.

Data from university and college admissions body UCAS last year revealed that applications from 18-year-olds to agriculture, food and related degrees had risen from around 7,900 in 2019 to more than 9,400 this summer  an increase of nearly 20 per cent.

The number of applicants accepted on to agricultural courses was up 8 per cent compared to last year.

That was on the back of an 18 per cent rise in 2021  when Amazon Prime first broadcast Clarkson's Farm  and a 13 per cent rise in 2022.

Its third season broke Amazon Prime's UK ratings record, with the May premiere streamed by 5.1million in its first week.

Clarkson's Farm series one to three are available to stream exclusively on Prime Video.

Series four will air from May 23, with two additional episodes released a week later on May 30, followed by the final two on June 6.
Jennifer Metcalfe turned heads as she and her co-star Nadine Mulkerrin hit a beach club in Portugal on Thursday.

The Hollyoaks star, 41, looked incredible in a skimpy brown bikini, which showcased her toned physique, as she enjoyed a break from her hectic schedule.

The stylish two-piece consisted of a triangle bikini top and matching high-leg bottoms and featured gold-toned hardware.

The beauty accessorised her look with gold hoop earrings and trendy shades as she styled her brunette tresses in a chic updo.

Her co-star Nadine, 31, who stars as Cleo McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, flaunted her enviable figure in a stylish black bandeau bikini top and matching low-rise bottoms.

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Jennifer Metcalfe (left) turned heads as she and her co-star Nadine Mulkerrin (right) hit a beach club in Portugal on Thursday

The Hollyoaks star, 41, looked incredible in a skimpy brown bikini, which showcased her toned physique, as she enjoyed a glass of wine with her best pal

She completed her look with a gold pendant necklace and a black wide-brim beach hat as she enjoyed a glass of bubbly with her best pal.

The beach club was aesthetically decorated and featured large sunbeds, a round pool, and a private dining area with a rustic table setting.

Sharing the snaps to Instagram, Jennifer captioned the post: 'Beautiful day   My little fellow ratty head @nadinemulkerrin.'

It comes after Jennifer gave fans a sneak peek into her very tidy home as she raved about her 'decluttering' journey.

The soap star could be seen wearing black leggings and a cropped light grey half-zip sweater as she gave a tour of the place.

In one snap, she sat on a dark grey rug with flowers, showing off an empty bedroom adorned with brand-new storage units.

In another, Jennifer gave an insight into how she organises all her stuff, pulling out a drawer to reveal several clothes stowed away.

Further pictures showed more empty space, but for a large TV, and more packed cupboards and drawers.

The beach club was aesthetically decorated and featured large sunbeds with Moet & Chandon branded pillows

It also boasted a large round pool and a private dining area, which featured a rustic table setting

She captioned the post: 'Every home I have had I have had kitted out with @hammonds_uk .. amazing to deal with from start to finish. Their design team are so creative they can for fill your dreams or if u havent a clue they can give u inspo for your soon to be favourite organised space.

'I recently decluttered all of my clothes as I had wayyy too many I couldnt see what I had. Now All my lovely clothes have a space and I find piecing together outfits a dream coz I know where everything is.

'I opted for willesley in white design as I wanted a timeless, sleek, traditional look to fit in with the rest of my house and I was not disappointed I highly recommend these guys to anyone who is looking at creating maximum storage that looks incredible too xx'

In another Instagram story, she showed off her spotless space, which boasts a monochrome theme consisting of clean white walls, black door frames, white marble surfaces, white cupboards and drawers, and a light grey carpet.

Jennifer enjoyed some chill time in her bedroom, which features illuminating sky windows, before doing some washing up in her kitchen, which is open plan and also has black cupboards to complement the rest of the interior design.

Keeping up with the theme, her bathroom meanwhile has grey walls and a large mirror.

It comes after Jennifer gave fans a sneak peek into her very tidy home as she raved about her 'decluttering' journey

The soap star could be seen wearing black leggings and a cropped light grey half-zip sweater as she gave a tour of the place

The house tour comes after the actress showed off her incredible figure in a sophisticated black gown with a dainty gold halter-neck strap at the 2025 Broadcast Awards earlier this year

Jennifer's character Mercedes is a member of the famous McQueen clan which has featured iconic characters such as Cleo (Nadine) and Goldie (Chelsee Healey).

The house tour comes after the actress showed off her incredible figure in a sophisticated black gown with a dainty gold halter-neck strap at the 2025 Broadcast Awards earlier this year.

She added to her frame with a pair of black strapped heels and accessorised with a gold watch as she arrived at the awards ceremony.

Jennifer completed her look with a black round clutch bag.

She was joined at the event by Hollyoaks co-stars Kieron Richardson and Kelle Bryan as they celebrated the show being nominated for Best Soap/Continuing Drama.
Brooke Bellamy has shared how her community rallied around her as she faced a plagiarism row.

The embattled baker, who was accused of plagiarising her recipes, is opening two new bakeries on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane's Mt Gravatt.

She thanked Queenslanders for having her back as she pushes forward with her career despite the controversy, revealing that she has been inundated with messages of support.

'Everyone in Queensland, especially, and Tasmania (where I grew up) is really rallying behind me and saying, "We just want you to keep going"' the cookbook author told the Courier Mail on Thursday.

'I have worked really, really hard to build this brand and I'm not going to stop doing that and I have a responsibility to the 30 team members that I employ to show up every day and keep going'.

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Brooke Bellamy (pictured) has shared how her community rallied around her as she faced a plagiarism row

Bellamy revealed her plans for expansion on Sunday while celebrating the three year anniversary of running Brooki Bakehouse.

She has also revealed she is expecting her second child.

The bakehouse already has three locations and is 'about to open their fourth and fifth locations'.

'It's kind of crazy how much has happened over the past three years,' Bellamy said in an Instagram video.

'And if you haven't heard the news already I'm excited to say that a second baby Brooki is on the way.'

The baking influencer returned to social media on Saturday following a brief hiatus after two high-profile chefs argued her bestselling cookbook Bake with Brooki contained their recipes.

Bellamy admitted in her comeback post she did not 'invent' the recipes in her cookbook, clarifying she had been 'inspired from somewhere and someone'.

'Since opening my bakery three years ago and sharing my life online, I've never had such a long break between videos,' she said in the video.

'Everyone in Queensland , especially, and Tasmania (where I grew up) is really rallying behind me and saying, "We just want you to keep going"' the cookbook author says

'But I've also never experienced something like I have over the last few weeks.'

RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi sparked an internet frenzy in April when she went public on her world famous blog with claims her caramel slice and Baklava recipes had been stolen for use in the book.

The video posted on Saturday showed Bellamy as she returned to her Fortitude Valley bakery in Brisbane's inner-city before dawn and slipped on her iconic pink 'Brooki' apron.

The high-profile baker admitted that while each of the 100 recipes in the book were 'personal' to her, they each drew on existing recipes in some way for inspiration.

'While all of these recipes are personal to me, I cannot say that I have invented the cookies, cupcakes, brownies or cakes in the recipe book. They are all inspired from somewhere and someone before me,' she said.

Bellamy said she had been influenced by creators across the world but said her mother remained her main inspiration.

'I have been so inspired by bakeries and bakers the world over but the biggest inspiration in my life is my mum because I learnt to cook and bake with her in the kitchen growing up,' she said.

Penguin Australia and Bellamy have denied the allegations since Bellamy first tackled Maehashi's claims head-on on April 29.

RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi (pictured) sparked a firestorm when she claimed Bellamy copied two of her recipes

Bake With Brooki was published by Penguin in October last year and retails for $49.99.

'I did not plagiarise any recipes in my book, which consists of 100 recipes I have created over many years, since falling in love with baking as a child and growing up baking with my mum in our home,' she wrote.

'On March 2020, RecipeTin Eats published a recipe for caramel slice. It uses the same ingredients as my recipe, which I have been making and selling since four years prior.'

The following day, on April 30, Bellamy again denied copying the recipes but suggested all baker's share common methods.

'I do not copy other people's recipes. Like many bakers, I draw inspiration from the classics, but the creations you see at Brooki Bakehouse reflect my own experience, taste, and passion for baking, born of countless hours of my childhood spent in my home kitchen with Mum,' she said.

'While baking has leeway for creativity, much of it is a precise science and is necessarily formulaic.

'Many recipes are bound to share common steps and measures: if they don't, they simply don't work.'

Maehashi is not the only baker to have levelled plagiarism claims against Bellamy.

Hours after Maehashi went public with her claims, American baker and author Sally McKenny claimed her own vanilla cake recipe had also been stolen for use in the cookbook as well as on Bellamy's YouTube channel.

'Original recipe creators who put in the work to develop and test recipes deserve credit - especially in a best-selling cookbook,' McKenny wrote.
Theatres of the future may soon cast actors made not of flesh and blood, but of pixels and code.

But the plans - which have been promoted by the UK's leading theatre organisation for AI-generated avatars on stage - have been met with horror by actors and directors who fear the proposal would put hard-working thespians out of work.

At a Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre panel on Wednesday, leading industry figures floated the idea of 'virtual understudies' - digital avatars ready to step in when performers are absent, reducing costs and improving accessibility.

Claire Hodgson, co-artistic director of Diverse City, who was on the panel discussing the future of theatre, supported a hybrid future.

She said: 'I think by 2050 we will have live performers and avatars. I'm not particularly worried about this. It would be a massive benefit to put an avatar on stage for someone who wasn't able to perform that night because of pain, a condition or caring responsibilities.

'In subsidised theatres, where we don't have money for understudies, that would be a great thing.'

Theatres of the future may soon cast actors made not of flesh and blood, but of pixels and code. But the plans - which have been promoted by the UK's leading theatre organisation for AI-generated avatars on stage - have been met with horror by actors and directors who fear the proposal would put hard-working thespians out of work

At a Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre panel on Wednesday, leading industry figures floated the idea of 'virtual understudies' - digital avatars ready to step in when performers are absent, reducing costs and improving accessibility. (Pictured: Taron Egerton and Jonathan Bailey in 'Cock')

According to The Stage, Ms Hodgson suggested the digital thespians could appear 'on demand' and cut costs for cash-strapped theatres who struggle to pick up the bill for a troupe of actors.

It even raises the prospects of digital versions of A-list actors appearing at small regional theatres who could never afford to hire big names.

But not everyone's applauding the digital vision.

Director Suba Das, who was on the panel, said he was 'unconvinced' that an AI bot could replicate the work of real-life actors and noted the technological restraints at older venues.

Referencing the high-tech spectacle of ABBA Voyage, he said: 'Theatres are not set up in that way.'

ABBA Voyage uses holographic avatars in a specially built arena, which could be a model for future theatre directors who could use digitised projections on stage that would interact with real-life actors.

It comes as Kiss have launched their own virtual concert using computer-generated figures on stage and Donny Osmond is now performing alongside a CGI version of his 14-year-old self during his Las Vegas residency.

However, as Das said, 'the problem with that technology at the moment is that theatres are not set up in that way.'

ABBA Voyage uses holographic avatars in a specially built arena, which could be a model for future theatre directors who could use digitised projections on stage that would interact with real-life actors

One director said: 'Theatres are not set up in that way.' (Pictured: The band members  Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson  spent three weeks at Ealing Studios in West London in September 2020 filming in motion capture suits)

It comes as Kiss have launched their own virtual concert using computer-generated figures on stage and Donny Osmond is now performing alongside a CGI version of his 14-year-old self during his Las Vegas residency

Critics outside the panel voiced stronger reservations and cited the Labour governments undermining of copyright protection from AI.

Carl Woodward, a theatre blogger and arts education consultant, told the Mail: 'Understudies, alternates and swings are the unsung heroes of the theatre industry. Replacing them with 'virtual avatars' is surreal. Live theatre is live - it's about people coming together in the same space.

'This isn't just about gimmicks; it's about the soul of a performance. The significance extends beyond the immediate effects because of the Labour government's move to relax copyright protections around A.I.

'Frankly, there are more important things for SOLT and UK Theatre to be discussing.'

Actor and ArtShield founder Edward Akrout, whose nonprofit supports art in crisis, dismissed the idea as 'naff' and 'cheap. He said: 'The whole concept of mixing live and not-live... it doesn't work. It's no longer theatre.

'I wouldn't go. The excitement of theatre is that you never know what might happen - someone might trip on their line, fall, enter at the wrong moment - and that's part of the magic. The moment it's pre-recorded, it's completely different.'

He called theatre 'the last bastion of the human experience', and questioned the cultural cost of replacing understudies: 'Understudying is a form of social elevation You get your shot. That opportunity shouldn't be taken away.'

Kate Town, a panelist and director of Theatre Royal Wakefield, did however have hopes that artificial intelligence could help solve more pressing issues at the theatre.

She said: 'By 2050, I really hope we've found a technological way to not have a queue at the bar.'

The Society of London Theatre has been approached for comment.
Fifth Harmony's Ally Brooke is married.

Ally and her brand-new husband Will Bracey tied the knot in Bel Air, California on May 3 in an intimate ceremony featuring just the two of them and their officiant.

The love birds got engaged in December 2023. Ally said being married is 'the most incredible feeling I've ever felt.'

'I love being a wife, and I love my husband so much,' Ally, 31, told People.

It wasn't always the couple's plan to elope  in fact, that idea came about just a few weeks before they were set to wed in front of friends and family.

'The whole time I had envisioned a big wedding,' Ally said, adding, 'We both would've loved our fam there and some friends, but I'm forever grateful and glad that we did it that way because it could not have been more intimate and more incredible.'

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Ally Brooke is married! Seen here far right with Dinah-Jane Hansen, Camila Cabello, Lauren Jauregui, and Normani Kordeion in 2015 in Studio City, California

Ally and her brand new husband Will Bracey tied the knot in Bel Air on Saturday, May 3, in an intimate ceremony featuring just the two of them and their officiant

Ally walked down the aisle to a violin version of Kari Jobe's 'Holy Spirit,'

Ally and her music executive husband exchanged both traditional and personal vows that kept her up most of the night writing them.

'I basically stayed up the whole night writing my vows,' Ally said. 'Then, in the morning, I tweaked a word or two.'

And when it came to telling their families and friends that they planned to elope, they were met with nothing but support.

'Everybody was supportive, and they were thrilled for us,' she says. 'They were like, "Look, if you want it to be just you, it should be just you."'

Will added, 'We'll do something soon with them this fall with all the families, but we wanted to do this, and [I'm] so glad we did.'

Ally and Will met when he was Fifth Harmony's tour manager and she has her bandmates to thank for her marriage.

'They're the reason why I have my husband,' she said noting that she's tried to express to them how grateful she is and how much they mean to her and Will.

The love birds got engaged in December 2023. Seen here at an LA Clippers game with Will in 2023

Ally said being married is 'the most incredible feeling I've ever felt.' Seen here in 2015

'I love being a wife, and I love my husband so much,' Ally, 31, told People

It wasn't always the couple's plan to elope  in fact, that idea came about just a few weeks before they were set to wed in front of friends and family. Seen here with Fifth Harmony in 2015

The newlyweds will go on their honeymoon this summer.

When it comes to starting their own family, Ally and Will are planning to become parents eventually.

'We both have a timeline, but not immediately.'

Her wedding day was a dream come true, 'If I could relive the wedding day and wedding night, I would.'

Ally and Will have known each other for a decade.

'I knew the moment that Itruly, when I saw him, I fell in love with him,' she explained, 'but I knew about a year in that he was the one for me.'

Bracey added: 'She's easy to love.'

Ally's wedding comes as her group Fifth Harmony is in talks to reunite after calling it quits in 2018, The Hollywood Reporter revealed.

'The whole time I had envisioned a big wedding,' Ally said, adding, 'We both would've loved our fam there and some friends, but I'm forever grateful and glad that we did it that way because it could not have been more intimate and more incredible'

All of the group's members with the exception of Camila Cabello are set to get back together.

The group was formed on X Factor in 2012 and consisted of Cabello Normani, Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane and Lauren Jauregui. The quintet went on to become one of the best-selling girl groups of the 2010s.

THR reported, 'The group is working on a documentary to chronicle their return to the stage, which would capture footage on a yet-to-be-announced tour.

'Its unclear who is managing the group, but Will Bracey, who is married to Fifth Harmony member Ally Brooke  and serves as chief operating officer of the Justin Bieber family office  is said to be leading the charge.'
Nicola Thorp recalled the terrifying moment her stalker said he was 'close enough to smell her,' as she discussed her ordeal.

The actress, 36, who played Nicola Rubinstein in the soap, was stalked and terrorised for two years between 2018 and 2020 by a man who called himself her 'personal grim reaper'.

He used 27 different online aliases to contact Nicola, making sickening threats to choke and rape her.

However, even after his arrest police refused to reveal his identity, leaving Nicola feeling 'powerless' until she came face-to-face with him in court.

Her stalker, schizophrenic Ravinderjit Dhillon was finally sentenced to 30 months in jail at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London back in December 2023.

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Nicola Thorp recalled the terrifying moment her stalker said he was 'close enough to smell her,' as she discussed her ordeal (pictured in 2023)

Speaking in a new interview with The Sun, Nicola explained: 'To this day, I don't know if I was being stalked in real life, there were messages that he sent saying that he was following me on the Tube and had got close enough to smell me.

'I felt powerless because the police wouldn't tell me who he was. That's when I got really scared because he knew I'd reported him.'

She recalled how he had sent her messages that included details about her home which made her 'really concerned.'

Recounting one message, Nicola said: 'I remember one in particular saying, "I'm your Grim Reaper. I'm never going to leave you", And that really chilled me.'

She revealed that she still doesn't know what sparked the ordeal or how it began, but the first contact she's aware of was when the stalker sent her a photograph of his genitalia.

As a women's rights campaigner, Nicola keeps her direct messages open to the public in case anyone messages her for help.

Elsewhere in the interview, the actress revealed that the first time she ever saw her stalker face-to-face was when they appeared in court together and she was behind him in the security queue.

Nicola faced her stalker, schizophrenic Ravinderjit Dhillon at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London back in December 2023 with her fiance Nikesh Patel by her side - before he was sentenced to 30 months in jail.

The actress, 36, who played Nicola Rubinstein in the soap, was stalked and terrorised for two years between 2018 and 2020 by a man who called himself her 'personal grim reaper' (pictured in 2024)

The actress played Nicola Rubinstein in Coronation Street (pictured in character in 2017)

He used 27 different online aliases to contact Nicola, making sickening threats to choke and rape her (pictured in 2023)

In an emotional witness statement, the actress told of her paranoia as the stalker referred to himself as the 'Grim Reaper' as he used 27 different identities to target her and made sickening threats to choke and rape her.

'I lived in fear that this anonymous man who had hounded me for years was in fact someone I knew,' Ms Thorp told the court, as reported by The Sun.

'If you don't know who the person behind the keyboard is, he becomes everyone you meet and everyone you've ever met.

'All that time he knew exactly who I was and I knew nothing of him.

'When I was shown a photo of him it meant I had some freedom back, and only the freedom to run away if I saw him in the street.'

She said that she had grown terrified about what her 'committed' stalker would do as she starred in a play last April - realising that he would know exactly where she would be.

And her terror did not end when Dhillon was arrested - as she recalled that an abuser's victims are most at risk when their tormentor is 'cornered'.

Dhillon began his warped campaign when he sent her an intimate photo of himself in October 2018.

Sentencing Dhillon, Judge Rosa Dean said that she was 'quite sure' he had targeted Ms Thorp because of her celebrity alongside her 'determination to call out abusive and misogynistic behaviour'.

She called the messages he sent to Ms Thorp 'deeply offensive and very violent' - saying they caused his victim to live 'in constant fear'.

If you need help and advice, you can call the national stalking helpline on 0808 802 0300
Millie Court stunned in a summery orange crop top and white trousers as she attended her best pal Chloe Burrows' live podcast recording of Chloe vs The World in London on Thursday.

The Love Island winner, 29, looked incredible in the eye catching halterneck top and low rise white jeans as she sipped on Smirnoff's new 'Miami Peach' drink.

Millie elevated her frame in a pair of sandals and accessorised with a pair of dazzling star shaped earrings.

The reality star was all smiles as she posed for photos at the event while sipping on her cocktail.

Meanwhile Chloe wowed in a busty pink corset bodysuit which she paired with denim ripped jeans as she posed before filming the live podcast episode, sponsored by Smirnoff Miami Peach - which releases June 10.

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Millie Court stunned in a summery orange crop top and white trousers as she attended her best pal Chloe Burrows' live podcast recording in London on Thursday

Acting as the host for the evening, Chloe wowed in a busty pink corset bodysuit which she paired with denim ripped jeans

Chloe said: 'Sitting down with Chloe over a Smirnoff Miami Peach & Lemonade was the perfect way to kick off summer.

'We covered everything - dating dilemmas, holiday plans, even a few unexpected confessions. It was real, it was fun, and I think people are going to love it.'

Smirnoff Miami Peach blends juicy-sweet peach flavour with the smooth taste of classic Smirnoff Vodka, offering the perfect sip for sunny days.

The TV personality added inches to her frame in a pair of bold pink stilettos and styled her long blonde tresses loose in waves.

Chloe later beamed as she posed with Whitney Adebayo, who looked stunning in a bright pink bodysuit and jeans.

The ITV2 stars enjoyed several cocktails as they posed at the bar showcasing their pouts.

Guest took their seats at the venue as Chloe took to the stage for her Chloe Vs The World podcast recording.

The event was also attended by Mel B's daughter Phoenix Brown who cut a casual figure in a black hoodie and matching trousers.

She layered the zip front jumper over a green T-shirt and kept comfortable in a pair of tan boots.

Celebrity Big Brother star Danny Beard cut a cool figure in a grey short sleeved shirt and matching trousers as he beamed for photos at the event.

It comes after Chloe sparked concern among her fans after sharing a snap of herself with a swollen face earlier this month.

Love Island winner Millie looked incredible in the eye catching halterneck top and low rise white jeans as she sipped on Smirnoff's new 'Miami Peach' drink

Millie elevated her frame in a pair of sandals and accessorised with a pair of dazzling star shaped earrings

The TV personality added inches to her frame in a pair of bold pink stilettos and styled her long blonde tresses loose in waves

Chloe later beamed as she posed with Whitney Adebayo, who looked stunning in a bright pink bodysuit and jeans

The ITV2 stars enjoyed several cocktails as they posed at the bar showcasing their pouts

Guest took their seats at the venue as Chloe took to the stage for her Chloe Vs The World podcast recording

The event was also attended by Mel B's daughter Phoenix Brown who cut a casual figure in a black hoodie and matching trousers

Celebrity Big Brother star Danny Beard cut a cool figure in a grey short sleeved shirt and matching trousers as he beamed for photos at the event

The stars beamed as they posed together ahead of the show; L-R Millie Court, Danny Beard, Chloe Burrows, Joe Baggs and Whitney Adebayo

The Love Island star, 29, took to Instagram to ask her followers how their morning was going, but instead garnered attention for her bruised and swollen eye and slightly puffy cheeks.

Chloe looked glum in the snap in which she went make-up free, with the blonde beauty's eye partially closed amid the mystery ailment.

In her next Instagram story, Chloe was quick to ensure her fans that she was fine, however, she did little to quell the concern as she was seen sporting a black eyepatch.

Giving a thumbs up while displaying the eye covering, Chloe penned: 'Guys the last story was meant to be funny pls don't be concerned x Regular programming by force.'

MailOnline have contacted Chloe's representatives for comment.

Earlier this year, Chloe shared a very 'traumatising' experience from her trip to Australia.

The reality star spent Christmas and New Year down under with best pal Millie Court, Liam Reardon and a group of their friends.

Despite clearly having a lot of fun during the holiday, Chloe admitted she had one bad experience where lifeguards were forced to rescue her from a riptide.

On Joe Baggs' Not My Bagg podcast, he asked Chloe if she had any wild stories to tell listeners.

Earlier this month Chloe sparked concern among her fans after sharing a snap of herself with a swollen face

In her Instagram story, Chloe was quick to ensure her fans that she was fine, however, she did little to quell the concern as she was seen sporting a black eyepatch

Chloe then shared: 'On Christmas day we went to Bronte Beach and it was an actual rave on the beach. I really need a wee and they had public toilets but the queue was f***ing huge so I was like, 'I'll just go in the sea I don't care.'

'So, I run with my friend down to the water to go for a wee and I got in and I'm trying to go for a wee and this huge wave, and I am drunk, like I should not be swimming it is unsafe and was very silly of me, but anyways this huge wave is taking me out.

'I got caught in a riptide so I'm now so far away from the shore and I'm like trying to call my friends.'

Joe asked: 'Did you still go for a wee?'

She replied: 'Yeah well I p***ed myself from being scared. I probably s*** in the sea as well, it was really traumatising and then two lifeguards are coming and pull me back to shore and I was just a drunk mess. It was just pure chaos.'

Chloe shared several stunning snaps to social media from her time in Australia, including one in a skimpy red bikini on Christmas day.

It comes after Chloe went public with her new romance, three years after her Toby Aromolaran split.

The influencer, who shot to fame on Love Island in 2021 with Toby, went public with her new man, Ruben Moreira as she moved on from her former romance.

She posted a picture on her Instagram Stories of her and Ruben, with fans immediately taking this to mean she was 'soft launching' her new relationship.

It's understood Chloe met Ruben through Love Island co-star and pal Liam Reardon, as the two men are friends.
Tia Carrere has revealed that her 19-year-old son Jude has come out as transgender.

The Wayne's World bombshell, now 58, opened up about her teens transition in a new interview, sharing that Judeher only child with ex-husband Simon Wakelinis thriving.

'Hes very matter-of-fact,' Carrere told People. 'He knows who he is, and hes very happy.'

The actress, who played Cassandra Wong in the 1992 cult comedy, said Jude is wise beyond his years and the rock of his friend group.

'Hes such a sweetheart, hes like the therapist to all the other kids,' she said. 'When his friends go out drinking or partying too hard, hes always the designated driver, that kind of caring friend you can always lean on.'

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DailyMails new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.

Tia Carrere has revealed that her 19-year-old son Jude has come out as transgender; (pictured in 2022)

The Wayne's World bombshell, now 58, opened up about her teens transition in a new interview, sharing that Judeher only child with ex-husband Simon Wakelinis thriving; (Simon, Tia and Jude in 2019)

The proud mom joked, 'I did a good job with that. But I dont want to congratulate myself too much! Hes his own person!'

Though he walked the red carpet at the Lilo & Stitch premiere soloCarrere was filming at the timeJude is not one for the Hollywood limelight.

'He doesnt love the spotlight,' she said, adding that he has no plans to follow in her acting or singing footsteps.

'But hes a great artist. I dont know what hell do! Maybe become a doctor or work with animals. Hes working with animals right now.'

Long before Tia publicly revealed Jude is transgender, the actress was already gushing about himreferring to him as her daughter in a 2023 red carpet interview.

Back in December 2023, Carrere opened up to People at the Unforgettable Gala in Los Angeles, just ahead of the holidays.

At the time, she proudly spoke about Jude heading off to college, calling him Bianca and describing him as a free spirit.

'My daughter's going to be starting college next year, so I just want to be home,' she said. 'I never went to college, so I'm excited for her.'

'Hes very matter-of-fact,' Carrere told People, adding 'He knows who he is, and hes very happy' (Jude and Tia pictured 2009)

'Hes such a sweetheart, hes like the therapist to all the other kids,' she said. 'When his friends go out drinking or partying too hard, hes always the designated driver, that kind of caring friend you can always lean on; (Jude and Tia pictured 2008)

The proud mom joked, 'I did a good job with that. But I dont want to congratulate myself too much! Hes his own person!' (Tia and Jude pictured 2012)

She continued, 'I'm really thankful that I think, somehow, I had a hand in making a child that doesn't feel like she has to fit in with everybody else, doesn't feel like she has to wear the same clothes, do the same thing.

'She's a real individual, and I think it was because she grew up in Topanga.'

Carrere described Judethen publicly known as Biancaas 'kind of a hippie kid' who 'loves going to Goodwill.'

She added, 'Its kind of good not to be ruled by that world. Im really proud of her.'a and Jude
Kourtney Kardashian shared several new bikini images to Instagram on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old reality TV star was in a white two piece by Gooseberry Intimates, a brand loved by Jennifer Lopez and Blake Lively.

Kourtney wore the So Chic Halterneck Triangle White ($45 USD) accompanied by the So Chic Side Tie Bikini Briefs White ($35 USD).

This comes just after DailyMail.com has learned that Kourtney has shed the pregnancy pounds by taking a weight loss supplement.

It's her very own GLP-1 Daily support and weight management supplement from her brand Lemme. It can cost $2 a day if bought in the six-month package for $336.

'She takes her own pills and they work because they curb the appetite, especially when it comes to sweets,' said an insider. 'And it is all natural, no weird ingredients. She loves all her products because they work and there are no side effects.'

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Kourtney Kardashian shared several new bikini images to Instagram on Wednesday. The 46-year-old reality TV star was in a white two piece by Gooseberry Intimates, a brand loved by Jennifer Lopez and Blake Lively

Kourtney wore the So Chic Halterneck Triangle White ($45 USD) accompanied by the So Chic Side Tie Bikini Briefs White ($35 USD)

The Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from her representative.

The ingredients of Lemme GLP-1 Daily are: Eriomin Lemon Fruit Extract: A patented ingredient that supports GLP-1 production; Supresa Saffron Extract: A clinically-studied ingredient that helps reduce hunger and cravings; Morosil Red Orange Fruit Extract: A patented ingredient that supports weight management.

Other ingredients may include: Chromium, Vitamin B12, Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract, and Phytonutrient Fruit Complex.

Earlier this week she shared a red bikini top image.

The KUWTK alum uploaded a slideshow to Instagram that featured a sexy bikini selfie as well as glimpses into her home life with husband Travis Barker, 49.

In another shot, Kourtney rocked a 'Travis' T-shirt and flashed her massive diamond wedding ring as she snapped a photo of herself in a Rolls-Royce.

Kourtney's 'long weekend' also consisted of a cruise around Calabasas with Travis in his vintage Chevrolet truck.

She even shared an up-close look at the vehicle's custom interior featuring plaid orange upholstery.

This comes just after DailyMail.com has learned that Kourtney has shed the pregnancy pounds by taking a weight loss supplement

It's her very own GLP-1 Daily support and weight management supplement from her brand Lemme

It can cost $2 a day if bought in the six-month package for $336. 'She takes her own pills and they work because they curb the appetite, especially when it comes to sweets,' said an insider. 'And it is all natural, no weird ingredients'

The star  who rose to fame alongside her family on Keeping Up with the Kardashians  made sure to add various outtakes from her luxurious, sprawling mansion in Calabasas.

There was an artistic shot of what appeared to be her and Travis' bedroom with fluffy white bedding and a framed black and white piece of art.

Kourtney went on to post a scenic photo of her huge backyard pool overlooking mountains.

Also included in the slideshow was a photo of what appeared her and Travis' one-year-old son Rocky's scooter sitting idly in the hallway of their home.

It comes after Kourtney made drastic updates to her home to fit her and Travis' blended family.

Kourtney shares Mason, 15, Penelope, 12, and Reign, 10, with ex-boyfriend Scott.

Travis is stepdad to Atiana De La Hoya, 26, son Landon, 21, and daughter Alabama, 19, with ex-wife Shanna Moakler, 50.

The husband and wife, who married in Italy in May 2022, were neighbors and friends for 10 years before striking up a romance.

They continued to live in their respective homes, minutes apart, even after tying the knot, until their son Rocky was born in late 2023.

While things at home with Travis may be peaceful, a source recently dished to DailyMail.com that Kourtney and Scott are at odds over co-parenting.

'She loves all her products because they work and there are no side effects,' it was added

Rumors of a co-parenting war between the exes kicked off last week after Kourtney sparked fury after she discussed her controversial approach to parenting with her sister Khloe Kardashian for an interview on her podcast, Khloe in Wonder Land.

Kourtney opened up about not conforming to what's expected of a family as she claimed her children want to be homeschooled.

Fans branded her 'out of touch' and harshly accused her of being the 'dumbest of the sisters.'

'Why do kids f*****g go to school?' Kourtney asked, adding that it is a 'dated' practice.

The comments infuriated Scott, 42, who found them 'irresponsible,' according to sources, who claim he is struggling to recognize his ex of late.

Kardashian on Tuesday as she shared photos from Memorial Day weekend

'Scott strongly disagrees with Kourtney's parenting style and finds her comments irresponsible,' one insider told DailyMail.com.

'Scott values hard work and sees school as essential and would never allow his kids to not attend.'

Kourtney was one of the only Kardashian sisters to attend college. She started her bachelor's degree at the traditional Southern Methodist University in Texas before graduating from the party school University of Arizona. But she's made it clear that she no longer believes attending school in person is important.

Scott, who 'feels Kourtney has changed,' will have his children homeschooled 'over his dead body.'

The father-of-three, who still appears on the family reality show, is also said to have issues with the influence of Kourtney's step-children.

'Life at Kourtney and Travis' house can be chaotic and Scott is especially uneasy with the influence of Travis' daughter, Alabama,' the source said. 'He makes clear that while Travis may be Rocky's dad, he will never be a father to his kids.'
Oil bosses have warned that America's energy boom is over, as Trump's tariffs raise production costs and crude prices fall thanks to an increase in production from Saudi Arabia.

The shale revolution of the last few years delivered huge volumes of cheap oil and gas that powered the US economy and broke dependence on foreign imports from places such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela.

Production hit record highs under President Joe Biden, but is now falling under Trump.

The situation presents a direct contradiction to the President's pledges to 'drill baby drill' and assert America's 'energy dominance.'

Trump's aggressive trade policies have pushed up the prices of vital materials needed for oil production such as steel, aluminum and casing.

At the same time, oil prices are tumbling because the OPEC cartel has decided to flood the market by increasing production.

OPEC is a group of oil-producing companies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq, that work together to influence the global oil market and maximize profit.

Riyad's shock decision to pump more oil in recent months will threaten America's share of the global oil market, Scott Sheffield, the former head of shale driller Pioneer Natural Resources, told the Financial Times.

'Saudi is trying to regain market share and they'll probably get it over the next five years,' Sheffield explained.

US producers are abandoning rigs as oil prices tumble, making them unprofitable

US shale producers need oil prices of around $65 a barrel to break even, according to the the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

But prices are currently $61.53 a barrel, down 23 percent from this year's high point.

US shale producers, such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, are slashing capital expenditure by about $1.8 billion for this year, abandoning rigs, and slashing jobs.

Chevron and BP have between them announced 15,000 job cuts across the globe.

Bosses have warned the worst is still to come.

'In this environment, we drop the rigs and buy back stock,' Travis Stice, chair and CEO at Diamondback Energy, told the Financial Times.

The west Texas-based producer warned earlier this month that US production has now peaked as oil prices continue to slide.

'Every single conversation I've had is that this oil price won't work,' Stice warned.

Trump has promised to assert America's 'energy dominance' but production is falling

Oil bosses Travis Stice (left) and Clay Gaspar (right) warned that US production is in trouble

US oil output is expected to fall 1.1 percent in the next year

An oil pumpjack in a field on April 8, 2025, in Nolan, Texas

Other bosses have also laid out the reality of higher costs and lower profits.

'We're on high alert at this point,' Clay Gaspar, CEO at Devon Energy in Oklahoma City, told investors earlier this month.

'Everything is on the table as we move into a more distressed environment.'

US oil output is expected to fall 1.1 percent in the next year, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.

This would mark the first annual decline in a decade, excluding 2020 when the pandemic collapsed demand and prices.

This triggered a wave of bankruptcies across Texas and North Dakota.
People of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are part of the Indian family and the day is not far when they will return to India's mainstream voluntarily, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

Laying out India's policy approach towards Pakistan, Singh said New Delhi has "redesigned and redefined" its strategy and response to terrorism and that possible dialogue with Islamabad will be only on terrorism and PoK.

In an address at the CII Business Summit, the defence minister largely attempted to reach out to people of PoK, saying India considers them to be part of its "own" family.

"I believe that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are our own, part of our family," he said.

"We have full faith that those of our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today will also return to the mainstream of India someday listening to their voice of soul," he added.

Singh said most of the people in PoK feel a "deep connection" with India and only a few of them have been "misled".

"India always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by walking on the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part, PoK, will return and say, I am India, I have returned," he said.

In a clear message to Pakistan, Singh also said the business of terrorism is not cost effective and it will come with a heavy price as Islamabad has realised now.

In his remarks, Singh also highlighted India's domestic defence capabilities.

India's defence export was less than Rs 1,000 crore 10 years ago but it has now reached a record figure of Rs 23,500 crore, he said.

Today, it has been proven that Make-in-India in defence is essential for both India's security and prosperity, he said.

India's home-grown systems surprised the entire world during Operation Sindoor as our platforms and systems displayed their strength, he added.

Today, we are not just building fighter jets or missile systems and we are also preparing for new-age warfare technology, he said.
Shares of RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $10.68.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on RLJ Lodging Trust from $10.50 to $9.75 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Truist Financial lowered RLJ Lodging Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $11.00 to $10.00 in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Wall Street Zen lowered RLJ Lodging Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on RLJ Lodging Trust from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, KeyCorp dropped their target price on RLJ Lodging Trust from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 24th.

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RLJ Lodging Trust Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of RLJ Lodging Trust stock opened at $7.29 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $7.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.92. The company has a market cap of $1.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.12, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a current ratio of 2.74, a quick ratio of 2.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. RLJ Lodging Trust has a 1 year low of $6.16 and a 1 year high of $10.84.

RLJ Lodging Trust (NYSE:RLJ  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $328.12 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $328.08 million. RLJ Lodging Trust had a return on equity of 3.58% and a net margin of 5.19%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.33 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that RLJ Lodging Trust will post 1.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

RLJ Lodging Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.24%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. RLJ Lodging Trusts payout ratio is 230.77%.

Insider Activity at RLJ Lodging Trust

In related news, Director Patricia L. Gibson acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 28th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $8.03 per share, with a total value of $80,300.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 124,217 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $997,462.51. The trade was a 8.76% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Barclays PLC raised its stake in shares of RLJ Lodging Trust by 97.4% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 271,749 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,495,000 after acquiring an additional 134,093 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in RLJ Lodging Trust by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 3,331,818 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $34,018,000 after buying an additional 232,393 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in RLJ Lodging Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $277,000. Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new stake in RLJ Lodging Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $355,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in RLJ Lodging Trust by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,690,945 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,685,000 after buying an additional 98,673 shares during the last quarter. 92.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About RLJ Lodging Trust

(Get Free Report

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company's portfolio currently consists of 96 hotels with approximately 21,200 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and an ownership interest in one unconsolidated hotel with 171 rooms.

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Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS  Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) issued its earnings results on Tuesday. The bank reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by ($0.08), Zacks reports. Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 11.56% and a net margin of 10.20%. The firm had revenue of $6.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.98 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.58 earnings per share. Bank of Nova Scotias revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Bank of Nova Scotia Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of NYSE BNS opened at $52.19 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $65.01 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.11. Bank of Nova Scotia has a one year low of $43.68 and a one year high of $57.07. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $48.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.10.

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Bank of Nova Scotia Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be paid a $0.7996 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. This is a positive change from Bank of Nova Scotias previous quarterly dividend of $0.74. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.13%. Bank of Nova Scotias payout ratio is presently 83.05%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of Nova Scotia

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Bank of Nova Scotia stock. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in The Bank of Nova Scotia ( NYSE:BNS Free Report ) (TSE:BNS) by 111.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,096 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 10,056 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLCs holdings in Bank of Nova Scotia were worth $911,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.13% of the companys stock.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Cibc World Mkts downgraded shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from $83.00 to $81.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. Bank of America downgraded Bank of Nova Scotia from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Finally, CIBC restated a neutral rating on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $81.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Bank of Nova Scotia

About Bank of Nova Scotia

(Get Free Report)

The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments.

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BNP Paribas SA (EPA:BNP  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of 67.76 ($76.13) and traded as high as 77.87 ($87.49). BNP Paribas shares last traded at 77.42 ($86.99), with a volume of 2,167,272 shares trading hands.

BNP Paribas Trading Down 1.1%

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is 74.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is 67.76.

About BNP Paribas

(Get Free Report)

BNP Paribas SA provides various banking and financial products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Corporate & Institutional Banking; Commercial, Personal Banking & Services; and Investment & Protection Services.

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Boston Common Asset Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 42.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,647 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 8,634 shares during the quarter. Boston Common Asset Management LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $5,467,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in DE. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,002 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $426,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 889 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $377,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,019 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,398,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. Massachusetts Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management now owns 5,127 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,172,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 1,011 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $432,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.58% of the companys stock.

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Deere & Company Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:DE opened at $507.89 on Thursday. Deere & Company has a 12-month low of $340.20 and a 12-month high of $533.78. The stock has a market cap of $137.85 billion, a PE ratio of 22.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.08. The business has a 50 day moving average of $474.56 and a 200-day moving average of $460.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94.

Deere & Company Dividend Announcement

Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.72 by $0.92. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 27.31% and a net margin of 12.94%. The company had revenue of $11.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $8.53 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Deere & Company will post 19.32 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.28%. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 31.35%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on DE shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Deere & Company in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Raymond James lifted their price target on Deere & Company from $530.00 to $560.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $460.00 target price (up previously from $425.00) on shares of Deere & Company in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $542.00 target price on shares of Deere & Company in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Deere & Company from $455.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $516.75.

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Deere & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Deere & Co engages in the manufacture and distribution of equipment used in agriculture, construction, forestry, and turf care. It operates through the following segments: Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Agriculture and Turf segment focuses on the distribution and manufacture of a full line of agriculture and turf equipment and related service parts.

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Centre Asset Management LLC reduced its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 7.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,383 shares of the companys stock after selling 493 shares during the period. Centre Asset Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,272,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 358.3% in the 4th quarter. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 55 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Prudent Man Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,000. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Finally, Fiduciary Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,000. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company

In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $818.24, for a total value of $818,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,840 shares in the company, valued at $4,778,521.60. The trade was a 14.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 0.9%

Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $718.59 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $782.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $801.29. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $677.09 and a 12 month high of $972.53. The company has a market capitalization of $681.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.48.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.64 by ($1.30). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 85.24% and a net margin of 23.51%. The company had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.77 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.58 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 45.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 16th will be paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 16th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 48.82%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on LLY. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $892.00 to $888.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group cut their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $975.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,011.37.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Emprise Bank lessened its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,832 shares of the companys stock after selling 121 shares during the period. Emprise Banks holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $608,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 139,432,392 shares of the companys stock worth $16,780,688,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167,810 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 122,584,210 shares of the companys stock worth $14,752,926,000 after acquiring an additional 4,216,586 shares in the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 48,746,809 shares of the companys stock worth $5,866,678,000 after acquiring an additional 6,092,558 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 9.9% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 35,286,582 shares of the companys stock worth $4,241,837,000 after acquiring an additional 3,185,258 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 17,276,790 shares of the companys stock worth $2,079,262,000 after acquiring an additional 516,617 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Lars Dahlgren sold 3,679 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.96, for a total transaction of $562,739.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 26,828 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,103,610.88. This trade represents a 12.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

PM stock opened at $178.77 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $164.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $144.87. The company has a market capitalization of $278.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.64, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.50. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $98.93 and a 52-week high of $179.83.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.50 earnings per share. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 20th were paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 111.34%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on PM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $182.00 target price (up previously from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $169.20.

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Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Global Wealth Strategies & Associates increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 19.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 621 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $277,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. PBMares Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. PBMares Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,745 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,820,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Nvwm LLC raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 908 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Schear Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Schear Investment Advisers LLC now owns 1,147 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $557,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Hamilton Point Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,050 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $510,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SYM FINANCIAL Corp raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. SYM FINANCIAL Corp now owns 434 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Lockheed Martin Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of LMT stock opened at $469.77 on Thursday. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 52-week low of $418.88 and a 52-week high of $618.95. The stock has a market cap of $110.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $462.47 and a 200-day moving average of $475.74.

Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement

Lockheed Martin ( NYSE:LMT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The aerospace company reported $7.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.34 by $0.94. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 7.51% and a return on equity of 101.47%. The business had revenue of $17.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.83 billion. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be issued a $3.30 dividend. This represents a $13.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 2nd. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is 57.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LMT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna cut their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $590.00 to $550.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $481.00 to $499.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $535.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Lockheed Martin from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their target price for the company from $550.00 to $480.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Melius Research cut shares of Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $541.80.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LMT

Lockheed Martin Profile

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments.

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Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF (NYSEARCA:QVML  Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 6,590 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 72% from the previous sessions volume of 3,830 shares.The stock last traded at $34.74 and had previously closed at $34.58.

Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF Stock Down 0.5%

The businesss fifty day moving average is $33.05 and its 200 day moving average is $34.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.40 and a beta of 0.98.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF by 71.7% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 21,660 shares of the companys stock worth $726,000 after acquiring an additional 9,043 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $137,000. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan increased its stake in Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF by 12.4% in the 1st quarter. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan now owns 34,132,010 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,143,317,000 after buying an additional 3,758,630 shares during the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $2,564,000. Finally, ArborFi Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $363,000.

About Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 QVM Multi-factor ETF (QVML) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund tracks a market-cap-weighted index that selects the top 90% of stocks in the S&P 500 based on three factors: quality, value, and momentum. QVML was launched on Jun 30, 2021 and is managed by Invesco.

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Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 5.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,864 shares of the railroad operators stock after acquiring an additional 390 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific comprises about 1.4% of Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CAs investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CAs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,858,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Marcum Wealth LLC lifted its position in Union Pacific by 9.9% in the first quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 2,954 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $698,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.5% in the first quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. now owns 49,801 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $11,765,000 after buying an additional 1,698 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 55,763 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $13,173,000 after acquiring an additional 1,913 shares during the last quarter. First Financial Bank Trust Division boosted its holdings in Union Pacific by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. First Financial Bank Trust Division now owns 2,803 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $662,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. Finally, Fire Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Union Pacific during the 4th quarter valued at $1,134,000. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Union Pacific Stock Performance

UNP opened at $222.36 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $132.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The firms 50-day moving average price is $222.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $232.99. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $204.66 and a 52-week high of $258.07.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The railroad operator reported $2.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($0.03). Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.82% and a return on equity of 41.12%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.69 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a $1.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.29%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on UNP shares. Barclays decreased their target price on Union Pacific from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $245.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $255.00 to $230.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Union Pacific from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $259.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Loop Capital cut Union Pacific from a hold rating to a sell rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $265.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $257.50.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNP

Union Pacific Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

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Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 2.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 102,324 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 2,404 shares during the period. Neville Rodie & Shaw Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,593,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Clarity Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Gould Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 97.2% during the 4th quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares in the last quarter. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of Pfizer stock opened at $23.18 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $131.79 billion, a PE ratio of 16.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.58. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $20.92 and a 52-week high of $31.54. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.11.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.43 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.82 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.42%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 124.64%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PFE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and set a $25.00 price objective (down previously from $32.00) on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $29.17.

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Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 1,200 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $72,000.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ethos Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at about $45,000. Oakworth Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. Finally, Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. Institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on CMG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $64.00 to $58.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. Cfra upgraded shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $59.00 to $73.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $74.00 to $61.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $61.74.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

NYSE CMG opened at $50.06 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $67.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.11. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $50.02 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.08. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a one year low of $44.46 and a one year high of $69.26.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.01. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.56% and a return on equity of 42.92%. The business had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.98 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $13.37 EPS. The companys revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Phreesia (NYSE:PHR  Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by equities researchers at Canaccord Genuity Group from $35.00 to $34.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Groups target price suggests a potential upside of 41.61% from the companys current price.

PHR has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Phreesia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, May 24th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Phreesia in a research note on Wednesday. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $33.00 target price (up previously from $31.00) on shares of Phreesia in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. DA Davidson cut their target price on shares of Phreesia from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of Phreesia from $30.00 to $28.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Phreesia currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $31.25.

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Phreesia Price Performance

Shares of NYSE PHR traded up $0.71 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $24.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 104,654 shares, compared to its average volume of 443,556. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $24.94 and a two-hundred day moving average of $25.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of -16.42 and a beta of 0.74. Phreesia has a 52 week low of $17.07 and a 52 week high of $30.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.74 and a quick ratio of 1.74.

Phreesia (NYSE:PHR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 28th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.13) by $0.06. The business had revenue of $115.94 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $115.00 million. Phreesia had a negative return on equity of 32.78% and a negative net margin of 20.43%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.05) EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Phreesia will post -1.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Phreesia

In other Phreesia news, CFO Balaji Gandhi sold 1,827 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.46, for a total value of $50,169.42. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 103,591 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,844,608.86. This represents a 1.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Allison C. Hoffman sold 1,213 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.81, for a total value of $28,881.53. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 137,921 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,283,899.01. This trade represents a 0.87% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 42,474 shares of company stock valued at $1,023,208 in the last quarter. 5.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Phreesia

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Johnson Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Phreesia by 381.3% during the 4th quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 896 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Phreesia during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new position in Phreesia during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Quarry LP raised its position in Phreesia by 210.9% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,835 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 1,923 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV bought a new position in shares of Phreesia in the 1st quarter worth $74,000. 92.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Phreesia Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Phreesia, Inc provides an integrated SaaS-based software and payment platform for the healthcare industry in the United States and Canada. The company offers access solutions that offers appointment scheduling system for online appointments, reminders, and referral tracking management; registration solution to automate patient self-registration; revenue cycle solution, which offer insurance-verification processes, point-of-sale payments applications, post-visit payment collection, and flexible payment options; and network connect solution to deliver clinically relevant content to patients.

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E.On Se (OTCMKTS:EONGY  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 131,400 shares, a growth of 202.1% from the April 30th total of 43,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,513,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

E.On Stock Down 1.7%

EONGY stock traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $17.60. 165,987 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 359,718. The company has a market cap of $45.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.67, a PEG ratio of 6.32 and a beta of 0.80. The firms 50-day moving average is $16.64 and its 200-day moving average is $13.83. E.On has a 12 month low of $10.65 and a 12 month high of $18.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

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E.On (OTCMKTS:EONGY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 14th. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.02. E.On had a return on equity of 7.45% and a net margin of 2.20%. The business had revenue of $28.28 billion for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts expect that E.On will post 1.16 earnings per share for the current year.

E.On Cuts Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were given a $0.4256 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. E.Ons payout ratio is 24.73%.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of E.On in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Oddo Bhf cut shares of E.On to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of E.On in a report on Thursday, May 15th. DZ Bank downgraded E.On from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, UBS Group cut E.On from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, E.On presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on E.On

E.On Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

E.ON SE operates as an energy company in Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Energy Networks and Customer Solutions. The Energy Networks segment operates power and gas distribution networks, as well as provides maintenance, repairs, and related services.

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The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS  Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, May 28th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 2nd will be paid a dividend of 0.7996 per share by the bank on Tuesday, July 29th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 2nd. This is a 7.8% increase from Bank of Nova Scotias previous quarterly dividend of $0.74.

Bank of Nova Scotia has increased its dividend payment by an average of 4.7% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 14 years. Bank of Nova Scotia has a payout ratio of 55.5% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Bank of Nova Scotia to earn $5.66 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.06 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 54.1%.

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Bank of Nova Scotia Price Performance

BNS stock opened at $52.19 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. Bank of Nova Scotia has a 52-week low of $43.68 and a 52-week high of $57.07. The stocks 50 day moving average is $48.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.10. The company has a market capitalization of $65.01 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.11.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Bank of Nova Scotia ( NYSE:BNS Get Free Report ) (TSE:BNS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 27th. The bank reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.14 by ($0.08). Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 11.56% and a net margin of 10.20%. The business had revenue of $6.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.98 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.58 earnings per share. Bank of Nova Scotias revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 4.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from $83.00 to $81.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Cibc World Mkts downgraded Bank of Nova Scotia from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. CIBC restated a neutral rating on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded Bank of Nova Scotia from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, March 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $81.00.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of Nova Scotia

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Bank of Nova Scotia stock. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in The Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS  Free Report) (TSE:BNS) by 111.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,096 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 10,056 shares during the quarter. AQR Capital Management LLCs holdings in Bank of Nova Scotia were worth $911,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 49.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Bank of Nova Scotia

(Get Free Report)

The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments.

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Dover Co. (NYSE:DOV  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Dover in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, May 27th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $2.26 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $2.27. The consensus estimate for Dovers current full-year earnings is $9.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Dovers Q2 2026 earnings at $2.60 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.67 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.63 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $10.16 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.57 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $11.00 EPS.

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Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Barclays lifted their target price on Dover from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Dover from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup cut their target price on Dover from $244.00 to $201.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Dover from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $176.00 target price on shares of Dover in a report on Friday, April 25th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Dover currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $207.75.

Dover Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE DOV opened at $179.30 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Dover has a twelve month low of $143.04 and a twelve month high of $222.31. The company has a market cap of $24.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.28. The businesss fifty day moving average is $171.78 and its 200 day moving average is $187.38.

Dover (NYSE:DOV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.99 by $0.06. Dover had a return on equity of 21.03% and a net margin of 32.95%. The company had revenue of $1.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.95 EPS. Dovers revenue for the quarter was down .9% on a year-over-year basis.

Dover Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. Dovers payout ratio is 12.41%.

Institutional Trading of Dover

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Dover in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. North Capital Inc. bought a new stake in Dover in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Dover in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Truvestments Capital LLC increased its position in Dover by 1,005.9% in the 1st quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 188 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Dover during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. 84.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Dover

(Get Free Report)

Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market.

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A man who subjected his pregnant partner to what a judge called "a prolonged period of domestic terrorism involving several non-fatal strangulations", has been jailed for fifty-two months at Derry Crown Court.

Gary Neeson, (31) whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison pleaded guilty to five charges of domestic violence involving assaults, harassment and pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to domestic abuse on various dates August 1 2022 and February 23 2023.

The offences occurred at several locations in Derry, Donegal and Strabane.

A prosecution barrister told Judge Neil Rafferty KC that one of the assaults which involved strangulation occurred during what was supposed to have been a romantic overnight stay in the Everglades Hotel when she was three months pregnant with Neeson's child.

Neeson, who had 72 previous convictions, many of them for domestic abuse assaults on his former girlfriends some of whom were pregnant, has been assessed by the probation service as not being dangerous.

Judge Rafferty said initially he struggled with the non-dangerous assessment provided by a highly experienced probation officer, but said he was "persuaded and assuaged by the fact that this defendant will be subjected to the most robust post release probation package available".

The prosecutor told the court that during one of the assaults "the victim said the defendant's teeth were baring and she said he looked evil. She scratched him to try to get him off her but her arms lost power and she closed her eyes. She thought she was going to die and felt there was no power in her body. The defendant then stopped strangling her and at that point she had urinated herself during the strangulation. The following day she was medically examined and found to have burst blood vessels on her face and neck".

Judge Rafferty said Neeson's criminality in the case involved coercive control, violence and isolation as well as Neeson "turning the tables on the victim to make the victim feel they're responsible. It also involved the humiliation of her in public".

READ NEXT: Crowe apologises over off the cuff remarks about British Army in Ireland

He said Neeson had subjected his victim to a campaign of domestic abuse.

"He has a significant record of domestic abuse with other parties and using non-fatal strangulation as a method of domestic terrorism and coercive control. This woman was strangled beyond unconsciousness.

"It is absolutely clear this woman must have the full protection of the court, therefore in addition to the fifty-two month jail sentence I am imposing a restraining order for five years during which he must have no contact whatsoever with the injured party in this case", he added.
Prosthetic legs do not walk on rubble.

This was accredited photojournalist Eman Mohammeds succinct and shocking description of the ongoing horror being visited on the children of Gaza by Israel.

Ms Mohammed was speaking to The Derry News in the citys Museum of Free Derry, where her powerful exhibition Layans Steps is currently on display.

Layans Steps tells the story of the extraordinary journey of 13-year-old Layan al-Baz who lost both of her legs in an Israeli airstrike and found hope and healing in the United States.

Eman said she was drawn to document Layans story because there are so many amputations taking place in Gaza as a result of the actions of the Israeli Army.

'Layan's Steps' by Eman Mohammed - @DerryNow digital report thread.



Prosthetic legs do not walk on rubble



This was accredited photojournalist Eman Mohammeds (@emangaza48) succinct and shocking description of the ongoing horror being visited on the children of Gaza by pic.twitter.com/Bgv3fj6lqb  Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) May 29, 2025

I felt like we were going to end up with an entire generation of amputees and that turned out to be true, she said.

Dr Ghassas Abu-Sittah, a Palestinian-British doctor based in London who worked heavily in Gaza at the time of the genocide, was co-operating with other doctors to gather information about the amputation cases. He started to ring the bell; this might be something catastrophic and the entire world is going to suffer the consequences of it.

Later on, through this investigation, it was confirmed. Gaza became the home for the largest group of paediatric amputees in modern history.

This is absolutely deliberate. I think the goal is to kill the children not to cause amputees but in the process that happens. Targeting 70% women and children that is what genocide looks like.

And the children, no matter how many times we see their images, we are not getting desensitised to them. Nobody can. It is too brutal. We got desensitised to women going about their lives. Feminist organisations completely failed them, looked the other way but it remains impossible to be desensitised to the murder and maiming of children.

Children are everything, future, present, everything.

The United Nations confirmed Dr Ghassas Abu-Sittahs findings in March 2025, eight months after he published them.

His work led Eman Mohammed to find out about Heal Palestine, a local NGO in the US which she said was facilitating literally the goal which governments should have done.

Heal Palestine evacuates children from Palestine to the United States. It fundraises for each child at that time. It was fundraising for Layan, to bring her to the US, and found her a host family there, added Ms Mohammed.

And I could not leave that story without documenting it. It was challenging to find a publishing platform. No-one wanted to touch it because the media has been complicit in denying the genocide.

Layan is a double amputee so no doctor would authorise her going back to Gaza because prosthetic legs do not walk on rubble. They are not designed to walk on rubble.

And, because you cant send her back to Gaza, you have to send her to a different country so why not keep her in the United States. This raises questions about our humanity level and where we are at.

Some of this I knew beforehand but I did not fully realise all that I was documenting.

Eman lived in Gaza all of her life recalled seeing these stories happening and wanting to document them and show them from our reality rather than narratives that had already been put out.

Genocide is so overwhelming, she said. It is huge and it is the first time it happened in our lifetime. Ethnic cleansing had always been present but this level of continuation of atrocities, just one after the other, overwhelmed us as photojournalists.

I was grappling with the idea of how many stories will go untold and unseen and unheard. So many categories of our community have been completely destroyed, annihilated but the children stick with you.

And it is not because they are easy; there is no debate that can happen over whether a child should live or not.

However, because the theme of this genocide was Israeli officials and Israeli people saying they needed to kill the children and the children would grow up to be what they describe as terrorists, had always been my focus in Gaza and even when I left in 2014 to travel to the US with my daughter who required medical intervention.

My daughter had US citizenship, so she was privileged to get that opportunity in a much smoother way than other children. I have always felt this survivor's guilt over it.

We had the best case scenario a Palestinian child could have - she was in US hospitals and I was with her.

The children helped by Heal Palestine have to leave without their parents. They have to go to a foreign country which they dont know, on their own.

If their parents do manage to get out, they leave other children behind; it is tearing families apart so one way or another we are losing. Even if we evacuate the children they are still losing and it is shattering their entire familys life like my daughters injuries shattered ours. And that is not on the child, that is on the international community and us that are watching and letting it happen.

It has always been so bad that it is hard to tell when it became worse but at the beginning we had European countries coming out and saying we cant take Palestinian children because we have too many Ukrainian children and it was just too blunt.

Your hospitals are not overwhelmed. There are no hospitals in Gaza. So that is the kind of dystopian reality that we are living in.

It is extremely difficult to get a child out of Gaza according to Ms Mohammed.

They have to go through the Israeli Army which denies almost everyone.

It denies and denies and denies and stalls and then the host country, the US in Layans case, has to give permission for her to get a visa. There are too many visas. There are too many things, she explained.

And even when the Israeli army said yes to letting Layan out, they didnt allow any companions, so you have a 13-year-old child by herself, crossing desert to the airport - an almost eight hour drive. Then she has to get on a plane for the first time in her life. So, Heal Palestine had to send someone from their small team to go to Egypt to bring her in.

Each child also has a time limit. They have to heal in three months and they get sent back. That is insane for someone who needs to learn how to walk in prosthetic legs.

Layan has a wonderful host family that is very protective of her . They love her so much and they have been extremely supportive. They have been fighting for her to not have to go back yet.

She has suffered the loss of her brother who was killed while she was in treatment, said Ms Mohammed, who added: Layan has become this beautiful ambassador to other children with amputations who are coming for recovery; she goes and meets them while she is walking on her prosthetic legs.

Eman was keen to highlight that Palestinian and Irish people were often led to believe the situation in Gaza was bleak and we are hopeless and helpless.

We are told there is nothing else that can be done but stories like Layans show that there is, if we gather our efforts towards basic values on which we cannot disagree, she said.

We cannot disagree with anyone about protecting the children and putting enough pressure on to protect an entire generation from being erased.

It is very much possible. It is reversible. Some of the injuries are not reversible but this situation is and anything that people would take from this story is that there is always a route, you just need to be informed about the details and I hope Layans Steps provides that.

Layans Steps will be on display in The Museum of Free Derry until July.
Having enjoyed great success at Fleadh Dhoire, two talented Derry Trad musicians will be representing the county in Fleadh Uladh in Warrenpoint.

Sisters Mollai and Dearbhla Mac Lochlainn, also won gold at the recent Feis Charn Tochair 2025 - an event celebrating the culture and revival of the language in County Derry.

Fleadh Uladh will take place from July 20 to July 27; Mollai will be taking part in the Bodhran competition and Dearbhla will be taking part in both the under 12 Whistle and the under 12 Whistle Slow Airs competitions.

Mollai Mac Lochlainn who came 1st in the Whistle and 1st in Whistle Slow Airs in Fleadh Dhoire.

Dearbhlas love of the Whistle emerged two years ago, when her sister enrolled in the Bodhran masterclass at Belfast Tradfest - Irelands fastest growing summer school of traditional music.

To keep Dearbhla from being bored, her family enrolled her in the Whistle and Sing class for very young children who never played Whistle before.

When they returned to pick her up, they were told Dearbhla could play the Whistle.

Her family thought the tutor had made a mistake and were talking about another child named Dearbhla!

Dearbhla MacLochlainn who came 1st in the Bodhran in Fleadh Dhoire 2025 and in An Tochair Feis.

When they went into the classroom, Dearbhla was playing a tune along with one of the teachers and by the next day she was playing Off to California and other tunes as if she'd been playing for months.

Dearbhla now takes Whistle classes with Katriona Meehan (CCE Baile Na gCalleach) and Shania Holland (Acadamh Ceoil) and receives tips and competition advice from Ciaran Carlin.

Derry will have its fingers crossed that Mollai and Dearbhla will make it to Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2025 in Wexford.
A Stormont department has been accused of farcical handling of a process to secure Assembly approval for a Westminster Bill after it emerged it is now too late for MLAs to have a meaningful vote on the law change.

Some members of the Assemblys Finance committee expressed incredulity after Department of Finance officials told them a proposed Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) vote in the chamber would come too late for it to have any consequence.

Members heard that by the time MLAs debated whether to consent to the devolved aspects of the Data (Use and Access) Bill becoming law in Northern Ireland, the legislation would already have passed its passage through Westminster and may even have secured Royal assent and already be law.

SDLP committee chair Matthew OToole branded the situation a fiasco as he noted that the Scottish parliament had voted on the Bill last November and the Welsh Assembly had considered it in January.

The Bill seeks to modernise laws around the sharing of data. A Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) applies to the provisions of the Bill that relate to areas that cover devolved issues.

We need to understand exactly what went wrong in this specific process, because this is a totally shambolic situation for a committee to be faced with, Mr OToole said.

And I would just make the general point that it discredits us as an Assembly whenever we dont take our job of scrutiny seriously, and whenever departments  either by omission or commission  act like this place is a weird little toy town parliament that doesnt really do scrutiny, and scrutiny doesnt really matter, and sure well just go in and debate wee pointless motions in the Assembly chamber, and were not really the legislators.

Unfortunately we reinforce that a lot and I think this fiasco will probably underline that.

He added: Im slightly speechless to be honest at the idea that we are allegedly going to debate this LCM, but we cant really say what the purpose of it will be, or what happens if it passes or fails.

Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson also voiced concerns.

I think its difficult to be constructive because were in a situation now where there will be statutory provision made which affects Northern Ireland, which the Northern Ireland Assembly has had absolutely no oversight, scrutiny or input into and I dont think that is an acceptable position for this committee or for the Assembly to be placed in, he said.

DUP MLA Paul Frew asked why the department had missed its slot to progress the LCM.

It is quite farcical that were going to go through a process, a legislative process on an LCM, which isnt going to go anywhere, he said.

Paul Duffy from the department apologised to committee members.

He said the delay could be part explained by the need to seek clarity on the Bills implications for the post-Brexit Windsor Framework in Northern Ireland and to assess the views offered on the proposed legislation by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

But he acknowledged the situation was not satisfactory.

I absolutely accept that the handling of this has not been as we intended at the outset, he said.

And, at this stage, I can just apologise to the committee for the lack of opportunity to consider  even though the items within the bill are fairly minor, those devolved areas  the committee hasnt been given sufficient time to consider those.

Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey, whose party colleague John ODowd is Finance minister, said the timing isnt perfect.

However, she said the minister and department may have had concerns about the Bill.

Im assuming that some of the concerns that maybe the minister would have had are the same concerns that we would have, maybe around the article two of the Windsor Framework, and also the human rights concerns as well, she said.

UUP MLA Steve Aiken said the departmental permanent secretary Neil Gibson needed to come before the committee to explain the situation. He questioned why mid-level officials had been sent into the firing line to inform the committee of the situation.

I think I would quite like the Permanent Secretary to come and explain to us what happened, he said.

Mr OToole agreed that Mr Gibson should face committee questions on the matter.
The environmental crisis at Lough Neagh will become a common experience across Northern Ireland if nutrient pollution is not addressed, MLAs have been told.

Dame Glenys Stacey, chairwoman of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), told a Stormont committee that excess nutrients from farming and from sewage were the main forms of pollution in the region.

The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs was told that Lough Neagh is a big red flag of what will happen elsewhere if action is not taken.

It was recently confirmed that blue-green algae has returned to the lough for the third successive year.

Noxious blooms of the algae covered large parts of the lough, the UKs largest freshwater lake by surface area, during the previous two summers and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region.

Dame Glenys told the committee that the OEPs role was to hold Government to account for its environmental commitments in England and Northern Ireland.

She said there had been good co-operation with its work in Northern Ireland.

She told the committee: Since we started there is a growing expectation amongst stakeholders and the public that action will be taken to protect and improve the environment.

Interest is growing. I think the issues seen at Lough Neagh have brought the wider environmental issues and challenges into sharp focus.

We know there is much to be done to protect the environment here for the future and for this generation so we can make sure that nature can thrive as it must to support a healthy economy and society.

We would argue that Lough Neagh is a big red flag, an indicator of what can and indeed will happen elsewhere if things dont materially change.

Dame Glenys said the OEP had undertaken a number of investigations in Northern Ireland and published four reports.

She said: Just to summarise the common threads from those reports, there are unsustainable pressures on the environment.

Ineffective implementation of environmental laws we find commonly, governance that is weak and has failed to address the substantive issues here and delays in putting in place vital plans.

She said the issue the OEP kept coming back to in Northern Ireland was pollution from nutrients.

She said: Our report on drivers and pressures really identified what is affecting nature here in Northern Ireland. Two principle pressures causing diversity loss  land use change and pollution.

Excess nutrients from farming and from sewage are the main forms of pollution having an impact here.

She said the OEP had now commissioned an evaluation of the wastewater system and its impact on protected sites.

She added: Nutrient pollution must be addressed if nature is to thrive here.

It is not a maybe, it must be addressed.

It wont be easy and it will need cross-government effort and leadership and buy-in from many in the community as well.

But if it isnt done then the types of issues we are seeing at Lough Neagh will become common experiences across many more sites.

Lough Neagh supplies 40% of Northern Irelands drinking water and sustains a major eel-fishing industry.

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields and from wastewater treatment is a contributory factor in the blue-green algae blooms.

The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role in the blooms, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis.

Climate change is another factor as water temperatures rise.

The Stormont Executive last year launched an action plan to deal with the environmental crisis at the lough.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said he would not be surprised if cultural issues within the cardiac surgery unit in Belfasts Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) were replicated in other health settings across Northern Ireland.

Mr Nesbitt told the Health Committee that his department was on standby for other whistleblower claims after the contents of a report about the behaviour of some heart surgeons at the Belfast unit were made public by the media.

The minister described the findings of the report as devastating in his appearance before MLAs on Thursday.

It comes after the inspection reportedly raised concerns about the working culture and risks to patient safety within the cardiac surgery unit at the RVH.

The findings of the independent external review, which were first reported by UTV, are said to have included an intolerable working environment and a pattern of consistently poor behaviour within the unit.

Health Committee chairman Philip McGuigan asked the minister when committee members and the public would see the report.

Mr Nesbitt said he was taking legal advice over whether it could be placed in the Assembly library, adding he needed to be careful about not provoking legal action by identifying individuals.

He said: It was a devastating report, a very bad culture was allowed to develop and that demonstrated itself in behaviours and in the fact that there was a terrible breakdown in relationships with one surgeon walking into the building and others walking out and saying they were working from home.

He said he had written to the chairman of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and would meet him on Friday.

He added: I would say the language that was used in that letter was robust, to say the least.

The minister also pointed out that the report had concluded that the cardiac unit was clinically safe.

Mr McGuigan said: Rows, abuse, bullying of junior staff by more senior staff, surgeons not coming to work, throwing of medical instruments during operations, one consultant allegedly being told that if a patient dies I will tell the family it is your fault, behaviour putting patients at risk of harm and reportedly, when staff made complaints to the Belfast trust, the result was extremely slow to be investigated.

This is what has been reported as being in the report. It is shocking and extremely concerning.

He said the public needed to see the recommendations of the report to be assured of their confidence in this life-saving unit of one of our hospitals.

Mr Nesbitt responded: I accept if I am due to go for a procedure tomorrow, next week, next month I am now looking at it differently than I would have done before reports of this report were in the public domain.

He added: I cannot look you in the eye and say this unit is an outlier.

This was a cultural issue. It would not surprise me if cultural issues existed in other units within our arms-length bodies, including those five geographically defined trusts.

Sometimes when something like this comes into the public domain, it effectively gives permission to other people in other units to become whistleblowers.

We are on standby for that eventuality without any knowledge that it is coming but which logic says is highly possible.

DUP committee member Diane Dodds said she had had contact with several people this week about the report.

She said: One thing that is becoming clear to me is that this is not isolated to one unit in the trust.

This is exacerbated by weak management and a failure to actually deal with the issues as they arise.

Mr Nesbitt said: There is a question mark over the Belfast trust and whether they have been doing their jobs in this instance, but they are effectively the employers.

If there is to be action to remedy a situation like the one that has developed in that cardiac unit, it is primarily for the trust to take that action and it is for me to make sure I hold the trust to account.

Mrs Dodds said it was the latest in a series of fiascos within the Belfast trust and asked the minister if he was considering placing it in special measures to stop a litany of problems.

Mr Nesbitt said: In terms of intervention, there are five points on the scale of interventions and the Belfast trust is at point four.

Point five is what you are calling for. That is not a punishment, that is assistance.

He said he was reluctant to currently take special measures because the recruitment process for a new trust chief executive is continuing.

Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon urged the minister to speak to health unions about the culture in other trust areas and hospitals.

She said: Dont wait for people to come forward. Dont wait for people who are just trying to do their job. Some of them wont want to report it because they just want to look after their patients.

Dont wait for it. Go and look for it. That is the trusts and the departments responsibility.

We need to find if there is a pervasive culture, not wait for it to come looking for us.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said he was not entirely convinced that what he had heard from the minister at the committee showed his department was getting to grips with the issues uncovered by the inspection report.

He added: It is a bit fantastical to just think a new chief executive is going to come in and sort all the woes out.

DUP MLA Alan Robinson described the reported findings as a bombshell moment.

He said: I know seasoned performers in this building, who have been here for quite some years were absolutely aghast.

It is right up there as probably as one of the poorest news items that was ever broken.

He said reports of what had happened were more akin something youd see in a wild west bar than a surgical unit.

After the minister concluded his evidence, Mrs Dodds said the committee should invite senior figures from the Belfast Trust to give evidence about the RVH cardiac surgical unit.

Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers said he supported the trust coming to the committee, but added it may be a pointless exercise until members had viewed the report.

The committee agreed that if the report was not made public, then a request would be made that members would be allowed to see it in a confidential setting before the trust attended.
A fall in the number of overnight trips to Northern Ireland and associated spend has been recorded.

New figures show that in 2024, there were 4.7 million overnight trips to the region, with an associated 1.1 billion expenditure, a drop of 13% and 10% respectively from 2023.

By contrast, overnight trips from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland increased by 12%.

Some 4.7 million trips were made by 1.6 million Northern Ireland residents (33%), 1.4 million from Great Britain (30%), 1.1 million from the Republic of Ireland (24%) and 0.6 million from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) (12%).

Overnight Visitors to NI came from various locations across the globe, while NI residents made up a third of the visitors (33%), another 30% were from GB, 24% from Republic of Ireland and 12% from outside UK and Ireland. Read more at  https://t.co/GbQKmR5l49 pic.twitter.com/ZDIuKDVeuQ  NISRA (@NISRA) May 29, 2025

Meanwhile, there were an estimated 10 million day visits within Northern Ireland during 2024, the majority (80%) of which were taken by local residents, and a further 16% were taken by Republic of Ireland residents.

The expenditure associated with these same-day visits amounted to 703 million.

In terms of overnight visitors from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, some 41% departed through Northern Irelands air and sea ports, with the remaining 59% going through Irish air and sea ports.

A further 210,000 visitors from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland took a same-day visit in Northern Ireland in 2024. The majority (96%) departed through a port in Ireland.

Hotel room occupancy in Northern Ireland during 2024 rose to 68% from 64%.

The estimated room occupancy for guest houses, bed and breakfasts and guest accommodation for 2024 was 40%, similar to 2023 (38%).

The Annual Tourism Statistics for Northern Ireland for 2024 were published on Thursday by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).
After three seasons filled with love, heartbreak, messy friendships and coding drama, Mismatched is finally returning for one last time. Netflix has officially confirmed that the popular series starring Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf will have a fourth, final season. Fans whove been rooting for Dimple and Rishis love story from the very beginning are in for an emotional ride. Whether youre Team Dimple or Team Rishi, its time to get ready for the last chapter of their journey.

Heres everything you need to know about Mismatched season 4.

Quick recap of Mismatched seasons 1, 2 and 3

The series began in 2020 with Dimple Ahuja, a strong, tech-savvy girl who wants to build the next big app, and Rishi Singh Shekhawat, a sweet, traditional guy who believes in arranged marriages. Their worlds collided at a summer tech course in Jaipur. Season 1 introduced us to young love, big dreams, misunderstandings and plenty of Gen-Z awkwardness.

Season 2 brought even more drama. Dimples app was hacked, trust was broken and the love triangle became more tangled. Friendships were tested and Rishi tried to move on. But love found a way back, thanks to a dreamy hot-air balloon ride that gave fans hope.

By season 3, the characters were dealing with more grown-up problems. Careers, ambition and the pressure to either settle down or move on created tension between Dimple and Rishi. While the show explored deeper themes, it ended with several loose ends and left fans craving closure.

Also read: The Royals season 2 confirmed: Release timeline, what to expect and more

Mismatched season 4 what to expect

Mismatched season 4 is expected to bring closure to Dimple and Rishis journey. Will they end up together, or will they choose different paths? A wedding might be on the cards or maybe just a heartfelt goodbye.

Mismatched season 4 expected release timeline

Netflix hasnt revealed an official release date for Mismatched season 4 yet. But if we go by the release pattern of earlier seasons, theres a good chance it could arrive around mid-to-late 2025.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain, Mismatched Season 4 will be the emotional goodbye fans have been waiting for.

Also read: Bridgerton season 4 release timeline, plot, cast and other details confirmed so far
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PEGATRON unveils groundbreaking AI and digital transformation initiatives at GTC Taipei 2025

At GTC Taipei 2025, PEGATRON, a global leader in design and manufacturing services within the ICT industry, announced its latest advancements in industrial autonomy through digital and AI transformation. Committed to enhancing operational efficiency, PEGATRON is pioneering new technologies to elevate industrial autonomy to unprecedented levels, enabling enterprises to navigate complex and evolving international trade requirements.

PEGATRON's innovative approach combines hardware excellence with cutting-edge software solutions, specifically leveraging the NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory validated design. These integrated offerings form the backbone of AI-driven transformation initiatives.

PEGATRON empowers enterprises to develop, deploy, and manage agentic AI, physical AI, and HPC workloads on-premises using the NVIDIA Blackwell platform. Tailored for enterprise IT, the design recommends accelerated computing, networking, storage, and software to help organizations achieve faster time-to-value while reducing deployment risks. PEGATRON offers a complete portfolio, including NVIDIA MGX servers (AS400-2A1 & AS205-2T1) supporting 4 to 8 RTX PRO Server , NVIDIA HGX B200 8-GPU servers (AS401-2T0 & AS800-2T0), and the 32-bay E3.S NVMe all-flash server (SS201-1A1), designed for petabyte-scale data capacity, delivering the infrastructure foundation for next-generation AI factories.

In addition to this hardware infrastructure, PEGATRON has employed the strategic capabilities of PEGAVERSE and PEGAAiinnovative software platforms tailored to enhance processes in digital and AI transformation. This implementation has elevated both human and machine guidance and supervision to a superior level.

Built on NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory, PEGAVERSE and PEGAAi enable PEGATRON to establish AI-based cyber-physical autonomous frameworks for workforce training and machine training, which elevate the level of operational efficiency.

To architect workforce training framework, an innovative AI-powered system offering intuitive guidance and dynamic support for human workers, PEGATRON has enhanced the capability of PEGAVERSE and PEGAAi with cutting-edge technologies including NVIDIA Omniverse Spatial Streaming, NVIDIA CloudXR, and NVIDIA AI Blueprint for Video Search and Summarization. This system is driving significant advancements in skill development and productivity across cyber-physical environments, enabling PEGATRON to more effectively manage manufacturing and operations worldwide. By entrusting AI agents to supervise the manufacturing process, PEGATRON has achieved remarkable results, cutting production defects by two-thirds while reducing manpower requirements by 7%. This innovative approach underscores PEGATRON's commitment to leveraging advanced AI technologies for enhancing efficiency and quality in its production lines.

As to machine training, PEGATRON has introduced an advanced framework designed to automate intelligent machine development. This system enables machines in PEGATRON to learn policies efficiently on PEGAVERSE and PEGAAi for addressing complex issues within cyber environments before transitioning to real-world applications. Built on NVIDIA technologies such NVIDIA PhysicsNeMo, NVIDIA Isaac, NVIDIA NeMo, NVIDIA NIM, and NVILA, this framework combines digital twins, reinforcement learning, and generative AI to create self-improving machines capable of solving problems autonomously at an accelerated pace. With this framework, PEGATRON also significantly reduces the lead time of development while enhancing overall machine performance.

About Pegatron

PEGATRON Corporation (hereafter referred to as "PEGATRON") was founded on January 1, 2008. With abundant product development experience and vertically integrated manufacturing, Pegatron is committed to providing clients with innovative design, systematic production and manufacturing service in order to comprehensively and efficiently satisfy all of our customers' needs. Drawing on accumulated experience in server design and manufacturing, Pegatron now focuses on developing a variety of state-of-the-art servers that meet the requirements of present and future Cloud Service Providers' data centers, as well as enterprise-grade data centers.

Pegatron Corporation Website: https://www.pegatroncorp.com/

Pegatron SVR Website: https://svr.pegatroncorp.com/

Article edited by Sherri Wang
Pegatron debuted independently at Computex 2025,

showcasing AI and smart manufacturing capabilities to establish itself as a leading design and manufacturing services brand

Pegatron Corporation made its first-ever independent appearance at COMPUTEX 2025, held in Taipei, Taiwan. The opening ceremony was hosted by Chairman T.H. Tung and was attended by leading figures from the tech industry, including Chia Chung-Yung, General Manager of Chunghwa Telecom's Network Technology Branch; Ken Lin, Senior Vice President of AMD Taiwan; Tasha Chuang, Vice President of Intel's Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager of Intel Taiwan; and Ying Yin Shih, Global Director of Data Center Products at NVIDIA.

Historically, traditional Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) providers have often played a behind-the-scenes role for brand clients, with their own brand value receiving less prominence. However, with the evolution of the industrial ecosystem, Pegatron deeply recognizes that its outstanding professional manufacturing and design capabilities inherently constitute significant core brand value. By exhibiting independently at COMPUTEX 2025, Pegatron aims to demonstrate its profound strength and core competitiveness in areas such as design, precision manufacturing, and smart factories to the global industry. This move also underscores Pegatron's leadership as a Design and Manufacturing Service (DMS) provider and its crucial role in the current wave of technological innovation, actively seeking to establish deeper strategic partnerships with global brand clients.

This year's exhibition is themed "TECH MAKER," closely aligning with the "AI Next" era. The booth is meticulously planned around four main thematic areas: "High-Performance AI Computing," "E-Mobility & Car Computing," "Telecommunication & Network Solutions," and "Consumer, Aesthetic & Assisted Living," comprehensively presenting Pegatron's latest R&D achievements and innovative solutions in these fields. Notably, Chairman T.H. Tung announced at the opening ceremony that robotics will continue to be a key R&D focus for Pegatron, demonstrating its proactive approach in the realms of smart automation.

Credit: Pegatron

Prominent highlights showcased by Pegatron at COMPUTEX 2025 include:

High-Performance AI Computing

Pegatron showcased cutting-edge liquid-cooled servers developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, alongside high-density servers equipped with the latest technologies from AMD and Intel. Furthermore, Pegatron will prominently feature its independently developed AI platform (PEGAAi) and digital student platform (PEGAVERSE). Through these two platforms, Pegatron empowers enterprises to enhance their autonomous operational capabilities, thereby enabling a more agile response to the evolving industrial landscape.

E-Mobility & Car Computing

Pegatron is actively advancing the development of safe autonomous driving technologies, having independently designed and manufactured Taiwan's first long-range automotive high-precision LiDAR optical sensing module. Building on this solid foundation, Pegatron is charting the future blueprint for next-generation smart cockpits. By leveraging the latest-generation TEEA (presumably referring to a specific Electrical/Electronic Architecture) and integrating zonal architecture with specialized Scalable Central Compute Resource (SCCR) modules, Pegatron further enhances vehicles' real-time computing capabilities and overall system efficiency. Moreover, Pegatron has developed "Simba," a highly integrated robotic dog designed for wide-ranging applications in demanding environments, such as disaster relief and battlefield scenarios.

Telecommunication & Network Solutions

Pegatron continues to aggressively expand its presence in the 5G domain, deeply integrating AI technologies to deliver several key innovative networking solutions. These include a 5G enterprise private network solution enabling rapid deployment and efficient management; real-time intelligent surveillance through its Nura 4K camera and MG54AX router; and the development of high-performance indoor and outdoor small cell base stations. These base stations excel in bandwidth utilization, low power consumption, and wide temperature range operation, and can be powered by standard voltage mobile power sources, ensuring stable and efficient 5G connectivity even in demanding environments.

Consumer, Aesthetic & Assisted Living

In the "Beauty Tech & Health" sector, Pegatron is targeting the vast potential of the beauty tech industry with the launch of the "PRIIO" facial beauty device. This device allows consumers to enjoy professional-grade deep cleansing, skincare product infusion, and facial muscle toning at an affordable price. Furthermore, Pegatron has developed Taiwan's first multi-wavelength picosecond laser machine, capable of addressing deep skin issues and delivering high-density energy to the skin, thereby reducing the number of treatments and promoting rapid skin recovery. Pegatron holds multiple patents in this area, ushering in a new era for Taiwan's medical aesthetics industry.

To create a better future, Pegatron demonstrates its commitment to technological innovation and social responsibility. Leveraging its own technology, the company has developed several universally designed products to benefit the public, such as the DRP retinal projection device and the Tenor 2 Bluetooth hearing aids. These aim to enable individuals with low vision and hearing impairments to enjoy life more freely, embodying the warmth and inclusivity of technology.

Through its independent exhibition at COMPUTEX 2025, Pegatron successfully showcases its exceptional capabilities and innovation in key technology areas including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and smart manufacturing, as well as its dedication to a better future. Pegatron will continue to deepen its collaborative relationships with global technology leaders such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, striving to promote the widespread application of AI technology across various industries and resolutely advancing towards a new future of digital and intelligent manufacturing. We invite you to continue following Pegatron and witness more world-changing innovations together!

Pegatron Corporation Website: https://www.Pegatroncorp.com/

Pegatron SVR Website: https://svr.Pegatroncorp.com/

Pegatron 5G Website: https://5g.Pegatroncorp.com/

Credit: Pegatron

Article edited by Jack Wu
A jury has begun deliberating on former Louth TD Gerry Adams libel action against the BBC.

Former Sinn Fein leader Mr Adams alleges a BBC Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement.

Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years.

In the programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave the final say.

In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing.

Mr Adams claims he was subject to a grievous smear while the BBC has described the legal action as a cynical attempt to launder his reputation.

The high-profile republican is seeking damages of at least 200,000 euro (168,000) from the BBC.

However, the British public service broadcaster has argued it would be a cruel joke to award the former Sinn Fein president any damages.

Trial judge Mr Justice Alexander Owens sent the jury out to begin deliberations on Thursday morning.

The 12 members were also provided with exhibits in the case and the means to re-watch the programme.

He told them they should strive for a unanimous verdict and that they should take as long as they want.

However, he said it was open for them to deliver a majority verdict of nine or more.

They are tasked with determining whether the words in the BBC spotlight programme and accompanying article, on which Mr Adams brought the complaint, mean that he sanctioned and approved the murder of Mr Donaldson.

Mr Owens said they were to consider whether it was more likely than not that a hypothetical reasonable reader would take that meaning from the words.

The BBC had argued that the jury should not find that this was the meaning of the words, instead saying the claim had been put forward as an allegation that was immediately followed by Mr Adams denial.

If the jury agrees with the broadcaster on this point, it has no further considerations or decisions to make.

However, if the jury find that the meaning of the words was that Mr Adams had sanctioned the killing, they are then tasked with considering whether the BBC broadcast and published the words in good faith  and whether it was fair and reasonable to do so.

The members of the jury have heard arguments about the seriousness of the allegation, the attempts made to corroborate it, and details on the production of the programme.

If the jury finds that the BBC was fair and reasonable and had acted in good faith, it effectively finds in favour of the broadcaster and will not go on to consider damages.

If, however, the jury finds that the BBC had either not acted in good faith, or if it had not been fair and reasonable in its actions, it can then consider damages.

Read Next: Two-person crew rescued by Coast Guard helicopter after fishing vessel sinks off Louth coast

It is tasked with assessing general damages and has been told that the purpose of this is for the injury to the reputation.

The BBC had argued to the jury that if it got to this point, it should award only nominal damages.

Mr Owens told the jury that the broadcaster had put forward the position that Mr Adams had no reputation at all.

It is open to the jury to award one euro at that point.

However, Mr Adams legal team has said the alleged defamation would fall on the very serious or exceptional end of the scale  an amount above 200,000 euro.
Two-thirds of people considering a Springboard+ course, including those in Louth, want to futureproof their careers in an ever-changing workplace. Thats according to research published by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) as it launched its 2025 programme of higher education courses for participants wishing to upskill or reskill in areas where job opportunities are growing in Ireland.

The programme is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and in 2025, a total of 7,719 places are available on 249 courses delivered by 37 higher education institutes nationwide. Springboard+ is making 26 micro-credentials from this course list available for those interested in shorter courses to upskill in very specific areas.

Sean McCaffrey, from Dundalk, spent 16 years in the Irish Defence Forces, before completing a Certificate in Procurement Management from University College Cork, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership in Business from Technological University Dublin. He now works for Iarnrod Eireann.

I left school at 18 without completing my Leaving Certificate. I didnt know what I wanted to do with my life, so I joined the Irish Defence Forces where I spent 16 years. After leaving, I decided to pursue my first Springboard+ course  a Certificate in Procurement Management from University College Cork after which I was offered a job in Iarnrod Eireann  a job I wouldnt have been in the running for only for my Springboard+ course.

I saw tangible benefits immediately, so it was a no-brainer to start a level nine Post Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership in Business from Technological University Dublin, which enabled me to move up the career ladder with Iarnrod Eireann, as sustainability is key to so many industries today.

The impact of these courses has gone far beyond my professional life. Theyve boosted my confidence, opened doors I never thought possible, and improved my ability to support my young family thanks to flexible, hybrid learning. The experience has instilled in me a love of lifelong learning  something I encourage in everyone around me, including my siblings, who have all completed Springboard+ courses.

Springboard+ gave me more than just qualifications  it provided me with new opportunities, a stronger sense of purpose, and the skills to be employable in a changing world.

Seans Brother, Liam McCaffrey, from Dundalk, spent 17 years in the Irish Defence Forces, before completing Diploma in Management Practices from Carlow IT. Liam now works as a HR Operations Manager for the Higher Education Authority.

I left school without a Leaving Cert and spent 17 years in the Irish Defence Forces  during which I struggled with basic writing skills. Before I transitioned to civilian life, I knew I needed to upskill to become more employable. My first Springboard+ course, a Diploma in Management Practices from Carlow IT, opened up a world I never knew existed, and I fell in love with 3rd level education. It didnt just improve my career prospects  it gave me the tools and confidence to build a better future for my family. When I started my role with the HEA, I knew things had changed for my family forever. Gone were the days of working three jobs and never being at home with my family  now I have a more fulfilling career with the time and flexibility to be with my family more often. I will be forever grateful to Springboard for providing me with an affordable way to improve the future for me and my children.

"Looking at my own growth through Springboard+ is incredible - comparing my first assignment to my final one is like night and day. Springboard+ didnt just equip me with skills, it gave me belief in myself, and that confidence has made its way through every part of my life, from my work to my family. Most of my siblings have completed Springboard+ courses, and my 22-year-old son is considering his first course. I never would have imagined us both in 3rd level education at the same time, but its a testament to the quality of Springboard+ and the value of lifelong learning.

Announcing this years programme, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, said:

Springboard+ is one of the most impactful investments this Government makes in the further education of its people. These courses are designed to respond directly to evolving skills demands, particularly in fast-growing and high-impact sectors. It offers thousands of learners the chance to upskill or reskill in areas where Ireland needs talent from artificial intelligence to infrastructure planning to cybersecurity.

As Minister, Im proud to support Springboard+ with 34.4 million from the National Training Fund. This programme empowers people to study alongside work and personal commitments with courses that are heavily subsidised or free, making upskilling more accessible and achievable for everyone. I encourage everyone to look at what is available as whether youre advancing in your current career, pivoting to a new one, or stepping onto the career ladder for the first time, Springboard+ is designed to open doors in an affordable, flexible way that has real career impact.

This year, courses are available in areas such as Infrastructure planning; Sustainable Building; Renewable Energy; Digital Skills, Cyber security and Artificial Intelligence.

Speaking about this years programme, Dr Vivienne Patterson, Head of Skills, Engagement and Statistics at the Higher Education Authority said:

There are many reasons to consider a Springboard+ course, but the two key benefits are the cost and the quality.

If youre eligible to apply for a full- or part-time Springboard+ course the most youll pay is 10% of the fees. If youre currently out of work, youll be 100% subsidised through the Springboard+ programme. The micro-credentials courses which last around 12 weeks are 50% subsidised for all participants.

In terms of the quality of the course and the qualification at the end of it  courses range from Certificate (Level 6) to Masters (Level 9) on the National Framework of Qualifications and are delivered by the best public and private higher education providers around the country.

46% of all Springboard+ are delivered entirely online, meaning people in Louth will have access to hundreds of courses across the country. Meanwhile, 51% of courses are delivered through blended learning, offering more flexibility to learners.

Read Next: Louth TD demands action on price transparency as grocery prices soar

Since 2011, over 400m has been spent on Springboard+ and over 110,000 people have benefited from the programme to date.

Springboard+ courses are delivered both online and through blended learning and last up to one year. Courses are available on a part-time or full-time basis, offering more flexibility to learners.

Applications are made through the Springboard+ website (https://springboardcourses.ie/) and applications will open on 3rd June. All courses will commence between 1st July and 31st October 2025.

Springboard+ is part funded by the European Union European Structural and Investment Funds (ESF). The primary objective of Springboard+ is to provide upskilling and reskilling courses to develop the talent base in Ireland in key growth sectors of the economy. (www.eufunds.ie)
Louth County Council has given the go ahead for an extension of duration of planning permission, granted in 2019, and again in 2020 following an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, for 51 homes in Castlebellingham, and which was subsequently approved for 18 of the homes to be replaced by 40 apartments/duplex units in 2021.

O'Hanlon & Farrell Contracts Limited applied this in April to the local authority for the extension of duration of the planning permission.

Peadar McCaghey was granted planning permission in 2019 for the development at the Dublin Road (R132), Castlebellingham, which comprised 51 dwellings in terraced, semi-detached and detached format and ranging in height from one-two storeys.

The decision was appealed in 2019 by Verona Faulkner, with An Bord Pleanala granting planning permission with revised conditions in 2020.

In 2021 Mr McCaghey was granted planning permission for the replacement of 18 of the two storey semi-detached and terraced dwellings, with 40 dwellings in apartment/ duplex form accommodated in five, three storey buildings, each consisting of four ground floor apartments and four duplex dwellings over first/second floor levels.

Read also: Louth company wins coveted Euro Toques Award

The 2021 application also provided for consequential alterations to the site layout plan including public and communal open spaces, bin storage, car parking and associated site development works.

Bellingham Manor Limited applied to Louth County Council at the beginning of February this year, for an extension of duration for the planning permission granted to Mr McCaghey. Louth County Council made the decision to refuse the extension of duration on 20 March.

Louth County Council gave the go ahead for the extension of duration on 22 May, subject to two planning conditions.
A two-person crew were rescued by Coast Guard helicopter following sinking of a fishing vessel off the coast of Louth.

The crew were successfully located and rescued by the Dublin- based Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116 early this morning (29 May 2025) following the sinking of their fishing vessel off Drogheda.

The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin was alerted shortly before midnight following the detection of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmission.

MRCC Dublin immediately tasked the R116 helicopter, Drogheda Coast Guard Unit, and Clogherhead RNLI to the area.

Read Next: Louth communities encouraged to organise events as part of National Heritage Week

The Coast Guard helicopter was conducting overnight training at the time it was tasked and arrived quickly on the scene.

The helicopter used its Night Vision Infra-Red System, night vision goggles and other search tools to locate and recover the two casualties from the water.

The casualties, who had been wearing life jackets, were immediately transferred to the care of the HSE.

The activation of the vessels EPIRB and the use of NVIS technology were key aspects of this successful rescue.
There were two high-profile incidents this week that showed just how dangerous social media can be for all of us.

The first was very close to home with videos of a man allegedly making vile threats of violence against young children. This individuals face was posted all over social media with warnings issued about so-called sightings of him across the country. It was rampant. You couldnt avoid it if you were on social media.

A number of politicians, including TDs and councillors, shared the images with similar warnings, and while the threats made in the original video are beyond horrific, there is something just as sinister about these social media mobs - especially in the age of misinformation - where we so often hit the share button without thinking or questioning anything about a post's contents.

Im not saying the image circulated was incorrect or misinformation - not for a second - Ive seen the videos and the images spreading were screenshots from said video. But what if a picture circulating of a suspect or dangerous individual was the wrong person? What if you emerged from a shop or somewhere this suspect was supposedly spotted, someone snaps your picture mistakenly, and suddenly youre in every Whatsapp group and social media newsfeed in the country? Youre a villain in the eyes of the social media world and theres no amount of clarification that can change that.

Social media is a feeding frenzy; think a fish tank of piranhas you've dropped a pound of flesh in. Once it gets hold of that; a name, that tidbit of information someone heard from someone, somewhere, it devours it. There is no pause for questioning, its just spread and thats it. If theyre wrong, and they often are, your life is ruined. It could lead to problems in your personal life, your job, you could be tracked down and beaten on the street - but thats the world we live in, and we all feed it by sharing this stuff.

READ NEXT: 'No words' - Tributes paid after untimely death of GAA star as club issues statement

Just look across the Irish Sea this week to the horrific incident during Liverpools Premier League title celebration parade. A car was driven into the crowd, injuring dozens of people, including children, and the online lynch mob was out instantly. I absorb the news, and the first place first-hand accounts emerge is social media; thats also a reality. However, within an hour, I had seen three different images of the driver and they were all spreading like wildfire. At least two of those, if not all three are, by simple deduction, completely false, and yet there they were on my newsfeed.

When you take incidents like this, and the one here at home this week in the context of the anger they rightly generate, as well as maybe some unscrupulous social media personalities espousing certain political views, it does not take long to realise the danger they pose. Weve never had more access to information, and as someone in journalism, that is something to be celebrated. But similarly, weve never had as much access to misinformation, often created to sow anger and fear for some sort of ideological gain. That is something to fear; it sends a chill down my spine.

We in the media are often asked why we dont report certain stories or hide details, etc and those questions are bred from that social media world. People read so many untruths they take as gospel that they accuse us of not reporting it. We have legal boundaries, but more than that, we have boundaries of truth and accuracy we must satisfy before we jump all over something someone using an anonymous account on X has claimed as fact. Remember the 'Irish Army on the streets' nonsense that spread at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. We didn't report that because it wasn't true, not because of any propaganda conspiracy.

Politicians should know better too than to engage in this online activity, although some may earn electoral favour by getting on board, or so it seems. These same politicians should log out for a while, walk into the Dail or Seanad or even the council chamber locally, and fight for regulations to get a grip on these Wild West social media platforms that are poisoning public opinion.

People talk about the deeds of dictators and war criminals, and so we should, and call them out, but there is no greater danger to humanity than that unvetted cesspit of doom that lives in our pockets.
Company in Hefei, E China's Anhui builds "air expressway" to speed up delivery of goods, medical supplies

People's Daily Online) 09:44, May 26, 2025

Around noon on May 14, a drone landed at an industrial park in Baohe district, Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, delivering coffee from a shopping mall 3 kilometers away. The coffee remained refreshingly cold.

"The route was opened two months ago. It's our 80th regularly operating drone route in Hefei," said Su Ruixia, deputy general manager of Hefei Songba Feihe Low Altitude Logistics Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of drone manufacturer Antwork Technology. Since launching operations in February 2024, the company has established nearly 100 drone routes across the city.

A delivery drone from Hefei Songba Feihe Low Altitude Logistics Co., Ltd. prepares to land. (People's Daily Online/Miao Zijian)

In February 2024, Antwork Technology set up its national operations center in Baohe district, Hefei. The following month, the city's first blood delivery drone route was launched, along with six others supporting emergency medical needs such as blood, medication, lab samples, and medical supplies.

"The drones fly at around 100 meters and cover about 1 kilometer per minute," Su explained. Compared to traditional methods, drones cut delivery time by more than half, ensuring a faster response for urgent hospital supplies, Su said.

Early one morning last July, a woman undergoing surgery at a Hefei hospital suffered severe bleeding and urgently needed a large blood supply. Within two hours, drones made eight round trips, flying a total of about 170 kilometers and delivering over 10,000 milliliters of blood.

A drone prepares to land at a blood center in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Tao Wei)

"Since the delivery routes were launched, daily medical drone flights have grown from two to three to over 100. We've opened nearly 100 routes and built close to 40 drone hubs," said Su.

Behind the drone delivery routes is a team of drone operators. "Each operator monitors up to eight drones flying in different cities," said 23-year-old Zhang Yuxin, a drone operator at the national operations center of Hefei Songba Feihe Low Altitude Logistics Co., Ltd. At the monitoring center, pilots like Zhang oversee drone operations in more than 30 cities, ensuring "air expressways" operate smoothly and safely.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
AI surveillance to ensure safe, fair gaokao

13:13, May 29, 2025 By Zhao Yimeng ( China Daily

The number of students who registered for this year's national college entrance examination, or gaokao, has reached 13.35 million, a drop of 70,000 from the previous year, the Ministry of Education said on Wednesday.

Local authorities have been urged to ensure a safe and fair examination, which will begin on June 7.

To bolster exam security, the ministry said in an online statement that risk assessments will be strengthened, regulations updated and checks intensified at key locations such as printing centers.

Authorities are also cracking down on exam cheating through stricter monitoring, tighter security checks at testing centers, and conducting public campaigns targeting exam-related fraud. Integrity education for students will also be emphasized.

Several provinces, including Jiangxi and Hubei, are introducing artificial intelligence-powered surveillance systems in exam rooms this year.

In a recent letter to students, the Ganzhou education examination center in Jiangxi said AI systems will monitor test-takers in real time, flagging suspicious behavior or rule violations for review by exam officials.

Hubei province is also adopting the technology, combining it with ID verification, smart security screenings, and human pat-downs at exam center entrances. Inside testing rooms, monitoring will involve human proctors, video surveillance, and mobile invigilators.

The AI system will detect actions such as whispering, looking around, copying, answering questions too early or too late, and the use or possession of prohibited items.

Confirmed violations will lead to penalties, the provincial education examination center said.

The ministry said it will provide comprehensive support services for students, including help with transportation, lodging and psychological counseling.

More than 14,000 students with disabilities will receive specialized accommodations, including 16 who are visually impaired.

Guidance on college applications and choices will also be enhanced through upgraded online tools and teacher training. The ministry added it will actively combat misleading advertising and fraud in the admissions process.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
I just recieved an email from our Habitat for Humanity Family and they are pleased to inform me about the updates from our #ReliefPh efforts 6 months after Yolanda.

I would like to thank Marie France Bodyline Inc. for helping me out on my fund raising call to help rebuild devastated area.

To Primer Group of Companies, It Figures Salon, DTC Mobile, and WeChat who also trusted Earthlingorgeous.com can do something for them.

Six months after Yolanda, Habitat for Humanity was able to repair 22,000 damaged homes and to start constructing the first 1,000 of the 30,000 houses it aims to construct for the Yolanda survivors.

However this is the sad truth  exactly six months after the tragedy  most of the displaced families are still living in makeshift houses, tents, and evacuation centers. They are currently enduring a hot summer but soon it will be replaced by the countrys often very wet season.

Because of this I urge you, therefore, again to help them, I am again opening a fund raising drive in behalf of the displaced families of Yolanda.

If you are interested to help, I have sponsorship packages that will be mutually beneficial for everyone! You may email me at earthlingorgeous (@) gmail.com for more information.

Thank you so much!
Having been born and raised in the city, I am so used to the concrete jungle. Everyday of my life all I see are concrete walls, pavements, and streets. So whenever I go to the countryside I am so childlike. Eyes wide open and I take in everything I see like different kinds of trees, birds, and landscapes like mountains and hills.

It was such a breather that the second state I visited in the USA during my visit was Oregon. One of the most popular coastal U.S. states known for its diverse landscape of forests, mountains, farms, and beaches! This is what I saw when I was there, beautiful forestland, mountains, and farms and yes even a beautiful beach.

It was back in November 2016 when I came for a visit but Oregon is still fresh in my mind. I love how quaint and simple life was in a little town in the United States. How everyone in the neighborhood almost knows each other.

I was in Portland Oregon where my bestfriend since highschool lives now, Teri. They migrated there for more than 11 years now. I am so proud to see how her life is now with her three kids (one of them my godchild) and husband. She and her husband Jason owns a restaurant near the Portland Bayfront called Asiatico Fusion Sushi Waterfront Restaurant. They are known in the area to serve the best sushi in town plus the freshest and most delicious oyster roll. Teri, Jason, and I used to work at McDonalds when we were in college.

Asiatico Fusion Sushi Waterfront has a nice location facing the bay area and beside the US Coastguard. You also get the best view of the bridge! From time to time you may see sea lions .

My friends are so hands-on with their restaurant, Jason is the Chef, Teri is all-around haha. I was spoiled to death when I was there. I forgot what they call that service they offer for guests where the Chef serves the customer different kinds of sushi and makes them in front of the customer.

Coming out of their place there are many other restaurants and quirky gift shops in the area You can view the beautiful bridge. Just adjacent to them is an artsy fartsy quirky store.

Attractions we visited during my Oregon Trip:

The Vista House Crown Point State Scenic Corridor (gives you an overlooking view of the Historic Columbia River) Multnomah Falls (the tallest waterfalls in all of Oregon) Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site where the a) Historical Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and b) Yaquina Bay State Park and Beach are located. Cape Foulweather (a historical place found by a certain Captain Cook composed of the cliffside and scenic view Devils Punchbowl (a popular whale watching site plus the fact the shape of the rock formation looks like a punchbowl where the waters slams to the hollow and builds sea foams) Newport Historic Bayfront was the most popular fishing sea vessels featured at the National Geographic Channel docks! Spirit Mountain Casino (theres a restaurant inside where I had my first Thanksgiving dinner buffet ) Depoe Bay (the smallest Port in the world!) Yaquina Bay Bridge

That was just a small piece of the pie that Oregon has to offer. Too bad we didnt have enough time and the weather was bad when I was there, we would have gone to Snow Mountain and I would have experienced my first snow in as well.

But I had a lot of first in this Oregon Trip. I had my first US Thanksgiving Dinner, and my first real Black Friday at Walmart shopping experience. I also held a real life alive Christmas Tree authentic one. Oregon is the Christmas Tree county in the US.

I would have loved to stay but life in the Philippines awaits. I am hoping to go back if the universe permits and maybe bring the family with me next time .

Honestly, I fell in love in Oregon, I cant stop thinking of the wonderful nature trip I had when I was there. The fresh air, the quiet and simple life they have in there. They are so close to nature in there it was amazing!

How about you, have you ever considered Oregon on your to visit list in the USA ? I didnt but I was taken there, glad I was!

Stay gorgeous everyone!

For my Los Angeles leg of #EarthintheUSAadventure post click here.
More than 200 roads in Cork are awaiting repair under the local improvement scheme (LIS), with only 23 to be completed this year.

Government figures show that over the last eight years, an average of 33 roads were repaired a year in Cork at an average cost of nearly 50,000.

The LIS, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, provides funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads.

Independent Ireland leader and TD for Cork South West, Michael Collins, asked in the Dail how the department intends to address the estimated 4,000 roads nationally that remain outstanding under the scheme.

Backlog

Minister for rural and community development Dara Calleary said that he is working with the minister for public expenditure, to ensure we have funding in place not only to continue the scheme but also to address the backlog.

Mr Collins explained: The problem is that the moneys coming into West Cork are not enough to go anywhere near what needs to be done.

I know of people who have been waiting for seven or eight years.

Some people who fill in the form pass away before they even get to see the roadway being done.

Mr Calleary said that since 2017 Cork county has received 12.9m for the LIS, the third highest amount nationally, with Mr Collins pointing out: Cork is the biggest county in Ireland, so we are way down the ladder if that is the case. There is not enough funding going into Co Cork, unfortunately, and the roads are not being done.

Mr Calleary said: I have figures that show that at the end of 2024, 175 roads in Cork were awaiting repair, 264 have been completed since 2017, and 23 will be done in 2025.

The full allocation will be used. That gives the deputy a sense of the demand in Cork, but it is replicated across the country.

Outstanding

A spokesperson for Cork County Council told The Echo that the amount of applications had increased, and there were currently 209 outstanding.

They said: Cork County Council uses its complete allocation from the department each year and seeks to prioritise the roads in most need and those which will deliver the biggest return on the money invested. All the while, ensuring that each part of the county receives its fair share of the monies allocated in accordance with need.
The Cork Luas team say there has been fantastic public engagement on the project, and they are hopeful the route will expand in the future.

Speaking to The Echo, Transport Infrastructure Irelands Paolo Carbone, head of light rail capital programmes, and Sarah ODonnell, the Cork Luas project manager, said their informative events had been well attended.

Mr Carbone said: Whats refreshing is the level of support, though we do appreciate the openness of people telling us their concerns, which will be a great help when selecting the route.

Ms ODonnell added: Weve had four open days which have been really well attended by people from all backgrounds. The feedback has been positive overall  even where people are impacted they see the bigger picture of the scheme, they just have refinements theyd like to see locally.

Planning

Once public consultation closes on June 9, the team will take the feedback, consider tweaks to the route, and publish a preferred route probably in the course of the next year, Mr Carbone said, adding: The intention is that we will apply for planning in 2028, but we will try to do better than that.

The current plan is for the journey to take 35 minutes from Ballincollig to the city, then another 20 minutes from the city to Mahon, with one tram every six minutes.

Ms ODonnell said: The main things weve heard throughout the consultation is can you built it faster or can you give us more Luas youd like to think there would be future network expansion.

Mr Carbone added: The network can be expanded later, the most important thing now is to select a good first route.
Cork city is to receive only three probationer gardai at the June attestation ceremony at the Garda Training College in Templemore, the same number it received at the previous graduation in March, The Echo has learned.

A spokesperson for the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said it had been told the Cork City garda division is to receive three garda recruits in the allocation following the next graduation in June. The three new graduates are to be assigned to divisional headquarters in Anglesea St.

It mirrors precisely the number allocated to the city after the March graduation.

From the class of 149 sworn gardai who graduated in March, by far the greatest number (98) were stationed in Dublin.

Three new gardai went to Cork city stations  two to Mayfield and one to Togher.

This time, from a graduating class of 111 recruits, six divisions in Dublin are receiving 65 new gardai between them  while the countrys other 22 divisions are getting 46 gardai between them.

Of those 46 graduates, Cork City division is receiving three probationers.

Moved

Padraig Harrington, the GRA delegate for the Cork City division, said it was his understanding that the three new recruits would be stationed in Anglesea St, but he noted that two gardai have been moved from there to Togher Garda Station.

We have three retirements and two promotions in the Cork City division, so even with three new probationers, we are still minus two guards, said Mr Harrington.

Earlier this month, Taoiseach Micheal Martin told The Echo he believed Cork would receive a higher allocation of new garda recruits at Junes graduation.

Asked if he was confident Cork city would receive a larger allocation in June, Mr Martin said: I am, yeah.

Mr Martin said an increased throughput of candidates was apparent in Templemore, with public representatives in Dublin noting a greater garda presence on the streets of the capital.

Ive spoken to the minister about the need to spread that out across the country, to Cork and other places, and hes very conscious of that, he said.

I think the key is that we keep the numbers high, applications are high at the moment in respect of Templemore and gardai, and well see what more we can do to expand capacity.

Reacting to the news of the reported allocation, Labour Party councillor Peter Horgan said the city was on the precipice of a collapse of garda numbers.

Abandoned

Despite ministerial protests to the contrary, and assertions from Fianna Fail that Corks garda numbers this June would be sufficient, the reality is the exact opposite, he said.

All this under the shadow that the citys joint policing committee has not been convened since the local elections. We need leadership and resources. Words and excuses have fallen flat.

Frontline gardai feel abandoned, and it is no wonder many are considering or are resigning and retiring. The minister and the commissioner must account for this.

An Garda Siochana said details on garda allocations would be provided at the attestation ceremony, which is provisionally scheduled for Friday, June 6.

The Echo contacted the Taoiseach and the minister for justice.
Gardai are to be rostered in the Mercy University Hospitals emergency department to keep staff safe while working, the hospital CEO has said.

According to data previously provided to The Echo by the HSE through the Freedom of Information Act, a total of 510 hospital staff were injured by patients in Cork hospitals between 2020 and summer 2024, with 129 of these occurring in the Mercy University Hospital and 336 occurring at teh Cirk University Hospital (CUH). .

The Echo also revealed earlier this year that a total of 35 Cork healthcare staff took leave due to assaults on duty over the last two years, a combined 1,455 days leave at a cost of nearly 390,000.

Speakimng to The Echo Mercy University Hospital CEO, Margaret McKiernan said, "the safety and well-being of our staff is paramount".

"Despite this, the number and complexity of incidents which have a direct impact on our staff and other patients remains a concern.

A pilot initiative has commenced with the support of the executive management team and the approval of the board of directors. Hospital management worked with the support of the (garda) chief superintendent in the city to develop and agree this pilot initiative, which will be evaluated after three months.

Ms McKiernan explained the plan means a garda officer will be based in the emergency department on two allocated shifts of varying duration, which are "agreed with local garda management and operationally advised and directed".

We are absolutely focused on preventing incidents and ensuring that our staff feel secure and supported in their roles. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards violence and aggression in all its forms, and we will continue to work closely with An Garda Siochana to ensure that offenders are held accountable," said Ms McKiernan.

This initiative will build on the excellent work and relationship we have as a hospital with our local garda station (Bridewell) and garda community liaison officers. It is part of our broader strategy to enhance staff well-being, including comprehensive training in de-escalation and communication and staff support services. It also aligns with our strategic plan for 2025-2030, which prioritises patient-centred care and a positive work environment.

The initiative is based on existing collaborative initiatives between emergency departments in inner city London and the Metropolitan Police Service, she added.

We believe this partnership is a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of our dedicated staff, allowing them to continue providing the exceptional care that Mercy University Hospital is known for.
A former Fianna Fail councillor who admitted harassment of a woman in Cork city three years ago had sentencing adjourned yesterday until June 27.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that while a written victim impact statement was available today  and was handed over to the defence  the injured party was presently out of the country and wanted to be present in Cork District Court for sentencing.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case for finalisation at Cork District Court on June 27.

49-year-old Joseph ODonovan, formerly known as Gary OFlynn, of Melvindale House, Coolowen, Blarney, County Cork, previously indicated through his solicitor Frank Buttimer that he was pleading guilty to the harassment.

The charge which he admitted is contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, for the offence of harassment on three dates between July 30 and August 6 2022 at a location in Cork city.

Details of the background to the case in relation to where the incident occurred are not published in order to prevent identification of the injured party.

As Gary OFlynn, the defendant was a councillor on Cork City Council from 2003 to 2008.
Failing to have a muzzle on an American Pitbull terrier was described as an expensive lesson for a young man who appeared before Cork District Court with no previous convictions.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said today that at lunchtime back on June 17, 2023, a member of the public contacted gardai about such a breed of dog not being muzzled at Cooneys Lane in Douglas, Cork.

Judge Mary Dorgan asked if the dog was on its own. Sgt Davis indicated that the owner was present.

Sgt Davis said: What happened was he (the person who contacted gardai) asked if he could pet the dog. There was no muzzle on the dog. The owner had taken the muzzle off the dog previous to this interaction.

Nothing further was indicated in court about this incident, almost two years ago.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said that 22-year-old Robbie Deane of Ardfield Grove, Douglas, Cork, owned the dog. He said the owner had no previous convictions of any kind.

Why did he take the muzzle off the dog? Judge Dorgan asked.

Mr Kelleher replied that it was ''a judgement error.

Judge Dorgan said that the offence carried a possible sentence of three months in prison and/ or a fine of 500.

Obviously, I dont intend in any circumstances to impose that sentence, but I just wanted to highlight how serious it is.

''I take the plea of guilty into account and the absence of any previous convictions. I am going to impose a 300 fine. It is an expensive lesson, the judge said.

Mr Kelleher represented the owner on free legal aid.

The charge to which Robbie Deane pleaded guilty stated that being the owner of an American Pitbull on June 17 2023 at Cooneys Lane, Douglas, he did permit a dog, an American Pitbull, to be in the public place, when such dog was not securely muzzled as required under the Control of Dogs Regulations.
Going on holiday without their parents is a rite of passage for many teenagers - and a week or two of anxiety for many parents.

Mums and dads are often concerned their child isnt old enough to cope with potential holiday dangers ranging from too much alcohol, drugs, and balcony falls, to too much sun.

But how old is old enough to go on holiday safely without your parents? Its a question frequently discussed on Mumsnet, and the UK parenting sites founder and CEO Justine Roberts says: For Mumsnet users, whether or not a teen is ready to go on holiday without their parents has less to do with age and more to do with how responsible they are.

Parents generally look for signs like being able to make themselves a decent meal, manage their own time, handle money, and make sensible decisions - especially around things like alcohol.

Most parents seem to agree 17 or 18 is about the right age for a first trip with friends. Some think 16 is OK in certain situations - especially if the teen is very mature and with a sensible older group - but the general consensus is that 17 is the preferred minimum.

Roberts points out that turning 18 means travel comes with fewer legal and practical complications, which can make things easier.

Matt Buttery, CEO of the Triple P UK & Ireland parenting programme, says every family is different, and stresses: There isnt a one-size-fits-all answer for when parents should allow their teenagers to go on holiday without them. Parents should consider not only their teenagers age, but their maturity and ability to handle responsibility in everyday life.

Tanith Carey, author of Whats My Teenager Thinking? (Dorling Kindersley), suggests parents anxious about their teen going away without them for the first time should think about the benefits for their child.

Instead of seeing their upcoming getaway as a painful period of endless worrying for you, think what theyll learn about themselves, and the memories theyll make, she advises.

The fact is, theyre probably at no more risk of serious accidents abroad than they are at home, and probably wont get up to much more than they would at the average teenage party or on a night out in a city.

However, whether there are benefits or not, parents are still bound to worry if theyre making the right decision to let their teen go on a solo holiday, and there are steps you can take to perhaps ease the worry a little...

1. Agree communication methods

Buttery says once a parent has agreed to let their teen go away without them, mums and dads will probably feel less worried if they have reliable ways of contacting their child during the holiday. If parents feel their teen is ready, what matters most is clear, open, and honest communication, he explains.

Its essential to discuss expectations, set boundaries, and agree on communication methods while theyre away. This isnt about controlling their every move, but helping them feel confident and safe during their time apart.

However, Carey warns contact should be kept light, possibly just via a family WhatsApp group. Try to avoid insisting they repeatedly check in with you, it will send the message you dont think they can do it alone, she warns.

Youre likely to hear more from them if you dont interrogate or send loads of questions about what theyre doing.

2. Help plan their trip

Parents may want to work with their child to plan the trip (if their child lets them), says Buttery. This helps you stay informed about their plans, and gives you a chance to spend time together too, he points out. It can also allow parents to make clear to their children the laws and travel guidance of the location theyre visiting.

3. Show you trust them

Whether or not youre involved in planning the holiday, be positive as they make plans. Carey advises: Quietly show your interest in a way that demonstrates you have faith theyre ready to go it alone, rather than sending the implied message they cant do this without you, which is likely to make them more anxious or secretive. If youre positive, theyre more likely to involve you in the planning, and youll feel more reassured theyre safe

4. Share travel tips

Carey suggests if your teen asks for travel tips, share the lessons youve learned, including reasonable precautions youve taken, like buying travel insurance, copying important documents, and noting emergency contacts.

Get them to do a bit of research or check out some YouTube travel guides, as well as information on common tourist scams in that country, she advises.

5. Use location-sharing apps

As well as basics like avoiding areas known for pickpocketing or where drink spiking is a concern, many parents take advantage of tech like location-sharing apps. They can keep an eye on teens without having to constantly hassle them, she says. In many cases, they also set up group chats with other parents to share any news, as well as seek reassurance.

6. Be savvy about safety discussions

Rather than bombastically saying, Dont do this, dont do that, Carey advises parents focus on safety in the third person, for example by saying that avoiding things such as mixing alcohol and heights like hotel balconies is something we all need to do, regardless of age.

Your teen may want their independence, but they dont want to end up in a foreign hospital either, she points out.

Remind them accidents are much more likely after using alcohol or drugs. Carey suggests: Let them know that being visibly drunk will also make them more noticeable to criminals who prey on tourists. Your teen may roll their eyes, but they will still be listening.

7. Suggest a buddy system

Roberts says Mumsnet users often suggest teenage holidaymakers adopt a buddy system to ensure theyre always with at least one friend, stressing this can ensure no-one ends up in a risky situation by themselves.

8. Suggest strategies on peer pressure

When theyre around 17, Carey says young people arent quite as likely to succumb to peer pressure as they were a few years before. But its still a distinct possibility, she warns.

Theyre still capable of spurring each other on to drink too much and copy risky behaviour, she says. Help them reflect on past experiences when they felt uncomfortable or unsure about going along with what a friend was suggesting. Remind them its OK to trust their gut.

Carey also suggests talking them through ways to say no if their mates want them to do something theyre uncomfortable with, like: I dont feel like it,, No, Im not into it, or I dont want to do anything that could affect the rest of our holiday.

Roberts adds: More than anything, parents want to feel confident their teen will stick to agreed rules, stay in contact, and be (relatively) sensible.
A delightful sequence of end-of-year shows are coming up at the Opera House over the next few nights.

It starts this evening with Rhythmic Feet, a much-travelled troupe formed from the McCarthy Hegarty School of Irish Dancing, based in Mayfield and Glanmire. That begins at 7pm.

On Saturday night, we have the welcome return of the Alan Foley Academy with Dance Offering 2025, one performance only at 6pm. The students will be accompanied by special guest artistes from Cork City Ballet and Studio D, and will showcase a range of genres from classical ballet to jazz dance.

On Monday, June 2, The Greatest Show by ELJ Academy of Dance, which has students from Mayfield, Carrigaline, Watergrasshill, Farranree, Ringaskiddy, Lisgoold, Rathcormac and Crosshaven, and which starts at 2pm, is already fully sold out!

But there are still seats (we think) for the Connolly Dance Studio making its Opera House debut with Seasons Of Love on Tuesday, June 3 at 6pm.

The Crows Old Gold is at Lehanmore Theatre in Beara this Saturday

By way of complete contrast, Seven Drunken Nights: The Story Of The Dubliners is here on Wednesday, June 4, and again in strong contrast, there is a treat for opera lovers on Saturday, June 7, when the Irish National Opera presents Donizettis Lelisir damore. A wonderful range of options at the Opera House! 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

At the Everyman tomorrow and Saturday night, there is an opportunity to see The Life And Times of Paddy Armstrong, a striking one-man show starring Don Wycherley as Paddy, inspired by Armstrongs Guildford Four Memoir.

And on Thursday, June 5, another operatic treat when Northern Ireland Opera presents La Voix Humaine. 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com.

Views From A Couch, ten brand-new ten-minute plays, are being premiered at Cork Arts Theatre this week, offering an inspiring evening of amazing variety. The plays selected this year are:

S/Wiped Out, by Joanne Geary

Chameleon, by Raegan Payne

Death And The Couch Potato, by Susan Knight

The Preliminary Visit, by Eithne Horgan

Mi Casa, by Darren Hall

Tomorrow, by Scott Mullen

Diagnoses, by Alan McCormick

Passion Therapy, by Rachel Feeny-Williams

Timesavers, by Barry Wood

Twofer, by Alan ORegan

That runs to Saturday, 8pm start each night. Tickets are always in demand for this special event, which allows aspiring playwrights to see their work performed in public, so be quick to book!

Next week, Cork Arts Theatre hosts that wonderfully poignant Brian Friel two-parter, Lovers, from Lee Promotions. Set at just this time of year in the Tyrone of 1967, it first shows Joe and Mag sitting on a hill, awaiting their final school exams while planning their future together. But will all those plans ever happen? The second part shows a more mature pair of lovers, Andy and Hanna, doing their best to continue their affair

Directed by Aaron OKeeffe, with set design by Hannah Lane. Call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com.

Finally, something really special takes place this Saturday, May 31, all the way down in Beara, at the Lehanmore Theatre. The Crows Old Gold, by Carina McNally, directed by Ciaran MacArtain for Strive Theatre, is the story of a windswept rock, Crow Island, near Dursey, which holds a legend of gold left behind by a magical blacksmith, The Gaibleann Gabha, and his Cow of Plenty.

Is it a myth? Or is this rock home to some immortal force? Only Gavin knows the answer, but when he shares it with Grainne, the practical and sharp-tongued local shop assistant, her scepticism of old superstitions leaves him questioning his own truth.

8pm start. Tickets at https://tcog.brownpapertickets.com/ or ring 086 8798802.
I feel a bit of an imposter, if Im honest, Bono, legendary frontman of Irish rock band U2, says with a wry smile from an interview room at the Cannes Film Festival.

Im here impersonating an actor, but theyve let me away with it.

Bono  born Paul David Hewson in Dublin, Ireland  is at the prestigious film festival promoting his feature-length documentary Bono: Stories Of Surrender, a recording of his one-man theatrical event inspired by his 2022 autobiography Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.

The production traces his life from humble beginnings in the Irish capital to achieving international fame with U2, chronicling his relationships with his parents, his experiences of The Troubles and the wider conflict in Ireland and Northern Ireland, his relationship with childhood sweetheart Alison Stewart and, as the title suggests, his battle with what it means to surrender.

Lasse Jarvi, Dede Gardner, Jacknife Lee, Erik Messerschmidt, Bono, Kelly McNamara, Jon Kamen, Jennifer Pitcher and Dave Sirulnick attend the premiere for Bono: Stories of Surrender at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Pictures: Doug Peters/PA Wire

The 65-year-old vocalist and lyricist explores in intimate, albeit theatrical, detail the intricacies of his upbringing after losing his mother, who died after suffering a ruptured cerebral aneurysm at her fathers funeral in 1974, and the fraught relationship he had with his father, who he felt didnt always believe he had what it took to make it as a musician.

It is, he says, the story of a man still confused about who he is, who might have begun to know who he was, but who certainly has a clearer knowledge of where he came from.

Despite the fact that he is a self-described exhibitionist, Bono found himself being something of an enigma. Bold, brash, outspoken  particularly on issues of politics, non-violence and religion  he found himself wearing a public-facing mask, one that was partly self-crafted and partly thrust upon him.

I think when you get a bit famous, its easy to fall into caricature, really, the rockstar muses.

And maybe its easier  more easy for some of us than for others  but you get drawn in very, very bold, brassy colours, and I certainly drew myself like that over the years, and I just wanted to get the pencil out and bring back some dimension to my life, and try and figure out actually the commonness of my story, or the ordinariness of my story, rather than the extraordinariness.

Petra Nemcova attends the premiere.

From that feeling came his memoir, then the one-man stage production, and now a documentary film based on his theatrical show.

While the production is something of a theatrical autobiography, one that sees Bono portray versions of himself at various points in his life as well as his bandmates the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., and his father, the narrative is interspersed with pared-back renditions of some of U2s biggest hits.

Gracie Burns attends the premiere.

While songs like Vertigo, I Still Havent Found What Im Looking For, and Sunday Bloody Sunday are well-known in the public consciousness, its interesting to consider them as markers of Bonos headspace as he wrote them, as reflections of the world he inhabited at the time they were created.

In the film and in the stage play, I chose those songs, yes, because they were well-known U2 songs, but more because they pushed the story forward... he says.

For example, he adds, Sunday Bloody Sunday is a great chance for me to talk about non-violence growing up in Ireland, which, you know, we were nearly in a civil war there for a while, and he reflects upon his long-standing connection to the concept of non-violence, famously exemplified in the anthemic track about the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident in Derry, and the bands ode to civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. in Pride (In the Name of Love), among other examples.

Bono at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Picture Doug Peters/PA Wire

Talking about non-violence and that white flag... Its preposterous, of course, waving a white flag here on the red carpet in Cannes is not exactly courage... he says, adding that standing up for non-violence begs the question: How much do you believe in these concepts, and are you prepared to look ridiculous for them?

And Ive always said yes to that question, he concludes.

Thus comes the theme of surrender, a theme which is applicable not only to non-violent alternatives to brutality but also to self-reflection, to acquiescing to the things we cant control, to the paths our lives take.

Bono, Amal Clooney and The Edge attends the premiere for Bono: Stories of Surrender.

Bono says he wanted to explore the notion of surrender because Im not very good at it.

I named the book after a concept that I really needed to understand better, for just my own personal development.

I struggle with surrendering to my band mates, surrendering to my family, to my missus... Its a practice that I just, its something that I find difficult, but wish to proceed with.

But, you know, the world has never been as close to war in our lifetime, to a World War, he adds.

Though this word surrender does look even more preposterous, I think it might be even more important that we understand what non-violence means.

And again, naturally, its just not who I am. Unless Ive had some serious counselling, Im much more likely to throw the punch!

Its evident that the rockstar has gone through an intense period of self-reflection, holding a mirror up and examining all of the things that have made him who he is, that have defined his artistry, his career, his values.

You lift the stones, and you do find some creepy crawlies, he reflects.

I had a lot of, I suppose, armour on  as I say in the film, I was born with my fists up a bit. Youve got your sword, your shield, your armour on, and at some point you do have to just sort of take it off and just say: Look, this is actually who I am.

And if there were reasons you didnt like me before, let me give you much more! Let me give it to you in detail! he laughs.

This is who I am, in all the mischief and all the fun and all the seriousness and all the earnestness. I think in the film, we managed to sort of distil it.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

The barrier island community of Rodanthe, North Carolina is experiencing one of the highest rates of erosion and sea level rise on the U.S. East Coast, seen on March 13, 2023. Jahi Chikwendiu / The Washington Post via Getty Images

While the Paris Agreement targets no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming compared to pre-industrial levels in order to curb the worst impacts of climate change, a new study warns that the amount of sea level rise that will come with that amount of warming could still lead to catastrophic inland migration.

In the study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, scientists analyzed data from previous warm periods on Earth, along with recent observations of ice sheet masses and numerical modeling.

According to the study, even the current level of warming around 1.2 degrees Celsius may be too much for ice sheet mass balance, and remaining on the current trajectory of warming could cause multiple ice sheets to quickly collapse and increase sea level rise by several more meters.

Efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C under the Paris Climate Agreement may not go far enough to save the worlds ice sheets, according to a new study led by @geogdurham.bsky.social  www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/



[image or embed]  Durham University (@durham-university.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 5:32 AM

Limiting warming to 1.5C would be a major achievement and this should absolutely be our focus, Chris Stokes, lead author of the study and a professor at the University of Durhams Department of Geography, said in a statement. However, even if this target is met or only temporarily exceeded, people need to be aware that sea level rise is likely to accelerate to rates that are very difficult to adapt to  rates of one centimetre per year are not out of the question within the lifetime of our young people.

Melting ice sheets could pose major threats to coastal populations if humanity cannot maintain warming within a safe limit for ice sheets. The study authors have estimated that a safe limit for ice sheet equilibrium could be closer to or below 1 degree Celsius of warming compared to pre-industrial levels.

What we mean by safe limit is one which allows some level of adaptation, rather than catastrophic inland migration and forced migration, and the safe limit is roughly 1 centimeter a year of sea level rise, said Jonathan Bamber, professor at the University of Bristol in the UK, as reported by Mother Jones. If you get to that, then it becomes extremely challenging for any kind of adaptation, and youre going to see massive land migration on scales that weve never witnessed in modern civilization.

According to the researchers, about 230 million people live within one meter of sea level, and these populations will be most affected by melting ice sheets. Millions of people would be displaced with even one meter of sea level rise, but warming above 1.5 degrees Celsius could lead to rising sea levels amounting to multiple meters.

Scientists have already warned that the Paris Agreement targets are becoming less likely to be reached, and 2024  the hottest year on record  was the first calendar year to hit 1.5 degrees of warming.

Currently, the world is on track to reach between 2.1 and 2.9 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100.
Elon Musk has left his role as the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, Musk wrote on X. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

DOGE is a Trump administration initiative with the stated goals of cutting wasteful government spending, modernizing IT systems and maximizing efficiency in various departments  even though DOGE itself was initially set to have two leaders, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who dropped out to focus on a bid to become Ohio's governor. Musks tenure there has been an eventful one, to put it mildly, as DOGE has taken a chainsaw to the government over the last four months.

Musk's slash-and-burn approach (similar to the one he adopted in his early days at X) played a role in hundreds of thousands of federal workers being turfed out  reportedly including some working at an agency that regulates Tesla . DOGE officials were involved in firing workers who it turned out had essential roles and had to be quickly hired back . In some cases, federal judges ordered the reinstatement of fired federal employees.

DOGE has inserted staffers into many government agencies. It demanded access to sensitive data including federal employee information and Treasury Department financial records, a request that a judge granted this week despite 19 attorneys general trying to prevent that over privacy and legal concerns.

Elsewhere, DOGE has been using generative AI chatbots to try to automate some government tasks. (A custom version of ChatGPT used by the Department of Veterans Affairs is called, in all seriousness, VAGPT .) The initiative also reportedly monitored government communications for criticisms of Musk and President Donald Trump. It was also reported last month that the Social Security Administration was moving all its official communications with the public to X, the social network that Musk owns.

Given his status as a Special Government Employee, Musk could only legally serve in his position for 130 days in a one-year period. The 130 days are up as of May 30, though DOGE is slated to remain operational until July 4, 2026.

Musk's departure comes at a time of turmoil for some of his higher-profile companies. It emerged this week that, between April 2024 and last month, sales of new Tesla electric vehicles dropped by half in Europe.  despite EV sales in the region rising overall by 28 percent. In Quebec, said to be the most EV-friendly market in Canada, Tesla sales reportedly sank by 87 percent between the first three months of 2024 and the same period this year. Overall, Tesla deliveries dipped by 13 percent in that timeframe.

Teslas business is interlocked with Musk and the public persona of its CEO. Its reputation has been damaged in the eyes of many given Musks political dealings , personal views, his association with DOGE, the agencys actions and his efforts to help Donald Trump win the presidency.

Activists have called for boycotts of Musk's companies and staged protests at Tesla showrooms. Many Tesla owners have been trying to distance themselves from Musk by placing stickers on their cars . Others have sold their EVs, even though that meant taking a financial hit amid plummeting resale values. Protestors have targeted Cybertrucks and others have made fun of the vehicle and owners of it on social media. (In fairness, thats not entirely to do with Musks association with DOGE and the president  the Cybertruck is an absolute eyesore).

Meanwhile, SpaceX had mixed results with its latest Starship test flight this week . While the spacecraft reached space, the payload door got stuck and it was unable to deploy its payload of fake satellites. As for the Super Heavy booster, which had been reused after the successful seventh test flight, that was supposed to splash down into the ocean but, six minutes after launch, it experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly."

So Musk has plenty to concern himself with as he officially leaves DOGE, but he's been critical of a federal budget bill. As he prepared to depart his government role, he expressed "disappointment" with the Trump spending bill, suggesting in an interview that it "undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing." The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which the House passed last week , will end most clean energy tax credits, including those on EV purchases. Tesla has claimed that "abruptly ending the energy tax credits would threaten Americas energy independence and the reliability of our grid."

In any case, it's unclear whether DOGE has actually met its mandate of slashing government spending. A tracker on the DOGE website claims to have saved taxpayers some $170 billion by canceling contracts and laying off workers, but reports suggest that the "Wall of Receipts" is full of misleading or inaccurate claims. A fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute think tank suggested to CBS News this month that the figure is more likely to be around $80 billion.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported on Thursday that, since Trump took office in January, federal spending has actually increased by 8.7 percent compared with the same period in 2024. That's largely due to spending on Social Security, Medicare and other social insurance programs, as well as interest payments on the federal debt. However, the report notes that the full impact of the DOGE-led cutbacks may not yet been factored into the figures, given the up-front costs involved in ending programs and canning so many workers.
Google, Facebook and more would be impacted by the draft rule.

Under new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany could impose a new 10 percent tax on major online platforms such as Google and Facebook. Reuters reported that political factions in the country struck a deal earlier this year to pursue these fees for digital service companies.

"These corporations do billions in business in Germany with extremely high profit margins and benefit enormously from the countrys media and cultural output as well as its infrastructure  but they pay hardly any taxes, invest too little, and give far too little back to society," Germany's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer said of the draft rule during an interview with the magazine Stern.

Other nations around the world have also explored and enacted taxes on online revenue generated by the largest internet tech companies. Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, India, Austria and Canada have similar legislation to the draft rule Germany's culture minister is proposing, according to Reuters.
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The Switch 2 launch is fast approaching; here's what to know about getting your hands on the console.

Update, 6/5/25: The Nintendo Switch 2 is now available. If you want to buy the new console, you can go directly to Nintendo or shop at other retailers including Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop. We have a guide to how to buy the Nintendo Switch 2, which well update as restocks happen and more details about console availability come out.

Update, 5/29/25: The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch soon on June 5. Pre-order advice currently remains the same, which is to say that you probably won't be able to pre-order the console before launch day anymore, since all retailers still list it as either "unavailable" or "coming soon." Now, it's all about launch-day logistics. A number of retailers, including Best Buy, plan to open some stores early on June 5 and have stock available for customers to purchase on site. If you didn't manage to get a pre-order in already, your best bet may be to go to a local Best Buy, Walmart, Target or GameStop on June 5 to see if you can walk out with a new console that day.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are officially live at Nintendo's online store  but only if you've received an invite. As advertised, the My Nintendo Store began sending out Switch 2 pre-order invites on Thursday to those who previously registered their interest and meet the company's "priority criteria."

If you've been chosen, congratulations! You have 72 hours from the time your email was sent to complete your purchase. If you previously signed up but haven't received a notice, well, we'll have to see when exactly it'll arrive. Nintendo has been accepting registrations since April 2, and it's sending invites to past Switch players and Switch Online subscribers before anyone else.

If you meet the priority requirements and signed up on the earlier side, you should (hopefully) get your invite before most others. If you signed up later, don't be surprised if it takes awhile for Nintendo to grace your inbox. The company warned last month that it may not be able to send all invites  or even deliver all orders that do get placed  before the Switch 2's June 5 release date.

Beyond Nintendo, the song sadly remains the same. As of our latest check, the device remains fully sold out at Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, Target and other retailers. This has mostly been the case in the US since the Switch 2 first went up for sale on April 24, and it remains unclear when it'll change.

That said, we're keeping an eye out for any surprise restocks that pop up. If you're still hoping to get your hands on the device early, we've rounded up all the Switch 2 pre-order listings we could find for easy access and broken down what to know about buying the console.

How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 at the My Nintendo Store

As noted above, Nintendo is only selling the Switch 2 through an invite system, which began on April 2. While it seems unlikely you'll receive your console before launch day if you sign up with Nintendo now, we still recommend doing so in case stock remains low at other stores. Registration is free, and you'll receive your invite eventually, even if it takes some time.

On that point, Nintendo says it is prioritizing invites "on a first-come, first-served basis" to registrants who meet the following criteria:

You must have purchased a Switch Online membership as of April 2, 2025. If you've only ever been part of a family plan and weren't the paying account, that's a no-go.

You must have been a paid Switch Online subscriber for at least 12 months as of April 2, 2025.

You must have logged at least 50 hours of total Switch gameplay time as of April 2, 2025.

You must have opted into sharing gameplay data with Nintendo as of April 2, 2025. You can confirm this in your account's privacy settings.

You must be a Nintendo account holder who is at least 18 years old.

If you fulfill those requirements, you'll be ahead in Nintendo's invite queue. If not, you'll have to wait until after the priority registrants receive their emails. Once they do, the remaining invites will go out on a first-come, first-served basis. Whenever you get your email, you'll have a 72-hour window to buy.

As with other stores, you have two models to pick from: the base Switch 2 console for $450, and a bundle with Mario Kart World for $500. Note that you can only purchase one console per invite. You'll also be able to pick up certain accessories when it's your time to shop.

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle

We received our invite late Thursday evening after signing up about an hour after the registration window first opened. We've posted screenshots of what the official invite email and buying process looks like below. (A previous version of this guide linked to screenshots from Reddit and the gaming forum ResetEra, but one ResetEra user appears to have shared a fake invite, so we've removed that.) Broadly speaking, the experience is far less chaotic than it's been at other stores. Our confirmation email says that our console will ship by June 4.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order invite screenshot This is what Nintendo's official Switch 2 pre-order invite email looks like.

How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 at other retailers

Unfortunately, the Switch 2 remains sold out everywhere else as of this writing. To recap the situation: After a two-week delay, Nintendo finally kicked off Switch 2 pre-orders at third-party retailers in the US and Canada at midnight ET on April 24. A couple of (headache-inducing) hours later, stock at Walmart, Target and Best Buy had sold out. GameStop began taking pre-orders later that morning but quickly met the same fate. Some eagle-eyed buyers were reportedly able to pre-order through Walmart as late as April 26, but things have dried up since.

Other membership-based retailers like Costco and Sam's Club have Switch 2 listings as well, but we haven't seen anything to suggest they will accept pre-orders. Newegg also has a Switch 2 page but hasn't provided an option to buy just yet. As for Amazon, we assume the Switch 2 will eventually be available there, but it's not today, and there's been no indication as to when that might change. (Even before the Switch 2 was unveiled, stock of the original Switch and first-party Switch games had been limited at Amazon US for several months.)

If you're desperate to catch a restock, it's a good idea to create a free account with the retailers above and ensure all of your shipping and billing info is up to date with each. Downloading each store's mobile app and signing up for notifications may help too, though that could get annoying fairly quickly.

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2

Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle

*As of 1:15pm ET on Friday, May 9, Amazon has not listed either Switch 2 console package for sale. We will update this article with direct links if they arrive; until then, we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub.

How to pre-order Switch 2 accessories and games

Naturally, there are numerous accessories and games up for pre-order alongside the Switch 2 itself. While Nintendo hasn't changed the console's price since delaying its initial pre-order date, it has hiked the cost of several accessories due to "changes in market conditions" (read: tariffs). The new Switch 2 camera, for instance, now costs $55 instead of its original $50, while the Switch 2 Pro Controller leapt from $80 to $85. An extra set of Joy-Con 2 controllers is up to $95 from $90, and the official Joy-Con Charging Grip costs $40 instead of $35.

Most (but not all) of Nintendo's official Switch 2 accessories are still up for grabs at one or two retailers at a minimum, but stock has become spottier since they first went up for sale. Upcoming Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, meanwhile, remain widely available.

Mario Kart World for $80

Donkey Kong Bananza for $70

Additional Switch 2 games

Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 for $60

Joy-Con 2 bundle for $95

Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85

Switch 2 Camera for $55

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera for $60

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip for $40

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) for $25

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case for $85

Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector for $40

*As of 1:15pm ET on Friday, May 9, Amazon has not listed any first-party Switch 2 accessories or games for sale. (Some third-party devices and games are listed, however.) We'll update this article with direct links if they arrive; until then, we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub.

More Switch 2 details

The Nintendo Switch 2. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

We knew from its initial teaser trailer that the Switch 2 would be bigger than its predecessor and take a new approach to its detachable Joy-Cons. The Joy-Con 2s, as they're called, now attach magnetically and include a C button, mouse controls and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. The console itself is indeed larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 1080p resolution, a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz and HDR10. The hardware also has a built-in mic to support a new feature called GameChat that'll let you communicate with friends in-game. (This is what that C button is for.) Nintendo says this service will be free to all Switch 2 users until March 31, 2026, at which point it'll require a Switch Online membership.

When docked, you'll be able to play up to 4K on your TV. Nintendo says it's improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The updated dock has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. Though we won't know exactly how much of a power upgrade the Switch 2 is over to the first Switch until it's released, it looks to be fairly significant leap, given that it'll have ports of relatively demanding games like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077.

Elsewhere, the Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, while the internal storage amount has jumped from 32GB to 256GB. That storage is still expandable, but the device will only work with newer (and more expensive) microSD Express cards. As seen in the recent 20.0.0 update for the original Switch, the upcoming console will also utilize Nintendo's new Virtual Game Card system for lending digital games across systems, as well as a GameShare feature that lets you share select titles locally with just one copy of a game.

Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of its original April 9 pre-order date, in addition to its $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the US and Canada.

In a reversal, President Trump later announced a 90-day pause on steep tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up even further (right now, it sits at 145 percent).

We now know that the original $450 price for the Switch 2 will remain the same in the US and Canada, but based on its official statement, it appears Nintendo is leaving the door open for potential future price increases.

We also know that Nintendo started moving some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. The increased tariff for Vietnam was set to be 46 percent, but that's temporarily on hold in favor of a 10 percent tariff thats in effect for the 90-day pause period.

It has been speculated that Nintendo will boost production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam so it can stay on schedule, even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term. It appears the company will have to seriously ramp up production to keep up with Switch 2 demand: According to Nintendo, 2.2 million people entered the pre-order lottery in Japan alone, which is far more devices than it is expected to deliver in that region on launch day. In total, the company projects it will sell 15 million Switch 2 units through March 2026.

Complete Switch 2 coverage: The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming on June 5 for $450. We've got our first hands-on impressions of the Switch 2, and we've played Mario Kart World, which is available the same day. Check out everything we know about the Switch 2 for complete details on Nintendo's new console.
Meta has published the first of its quarterly integrity reports since Mark Zuckerberg walked back the company's hate speech policies and changed its approach to content moderation earlier this year. According to the reports, Facebook saw an uptick in violent content, bullying and harassment despite an overall decrease in the amount of content taken down by Meta.

The reports are the first time Meta has shared data about how Zuckerberg's decision to upend Meta's policies have played out on the platform used by billions of people. Notably, the company is spinning the changes as a victory, saying that it reduced its mistakes by half while the overall prevalence of content breaking its rules "largely remained unchanged for most problem areas."

There are two notable exceptions, however. Violent and graphic content increased from 0.06%-0.07% at the end of 2024 to .09% in the first quarter of 2025. Meta attributed the uptick to "an increase in sharing of violating content" as well as its own attempts to "reduce enforcement mistakes." Meta also saw a noted increase in the prevalence of bullying and harassment on Facebook, which increased from 0.06-0.07% at the end of 2024 to 0.07-0.08% at the start of 2025. Meta says this was due to an unspecified "spike" in violations in March. (Notably, this is a separate category from the company's hate speech policies, which were re-written to allow posts targeting immigrants and LGBTQ people.)

Those may sound like relatively tiny percentages, but even small increases can be noticeable for a platform like Facebook that sees billions of posts every day. (Meta describes its prevalence metric as an estimate of how often rule-breaking content appears on its platform.)

The report also underscores just how much less content Meta is taking down overall since it moved away from proactive enforcement of all but its most serious policies like child exploitation and terrorist content. Meta's report shows a significant decrease in the amount of Facebook posts removed for hateful content, for example, with just 3.4 million pieces of content "actioned" under the policy, the company's lowest figure since 2018. Spam removals also dropped precipitously from 730 million at the end of 2024 to just 366 million at the start of 2025. The number of fake accounts removed also declined notably on Facebook from 1.4 billion to 1 billion (Meta doesn't provide stats around fake account removals on Instagram.)

At the same time, Meta claims it's making far fewer content moderation mistakes, which was one of Zuckerberg's main justifications for his decision to end proactive moderation."We saw a roughly 50% reduction in enforcement mistakes on our platforms in the United States from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025," the company wrote in an update to its January post announcing its policy changes. Meta didn't explain how it calculated that figure, but said future reports would "include metrics on our mistakes so that people can track our progress."

Meta is acknowledging, however, that there is at least one group where some proactive moderation is still necessary: teens. "At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring teens on our platforms are having the safest experience possible," the company wrote. "Thats why, for teens, well also continue to proactively hide other types of harmful content, like bullying." Meta has been rolling out "teen accounts" for the last several months, which should make it easier to filter content specifically for younger users.

The company also offered an update on how it's using large language models to aid in its content moderation efforts. "Upon further testing, we are beginning to see LLMs operating beyond that of human performance for select policy areas," Meta writes. "Were also using LLMs to remove content from review queues in certain circumstances when were highly confident it does not violate our policies."

The other major component to Zuckerberg's policy changes was an end of Meta's fact-checking partnerships in the United States. The company began rolling out its own version of Community Notes to Facebook, Instagram and Threads earlier this year, and has since expanded the effort to Reels and Threads replies. Meta didn't offer any insight into how effective its new crowd-sourced approach to fact-checking might be or how often notes are appearing on its platform, though it promised updates in the coming months.
Kylie Jenner is under fire from social media users who believe she has been mimicking the signature style of actress Lily-Rose Depp  her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet's ex  with critics citing a noticeable uptick in Chanel looks and strikingly similar photo poses.

Reddit threads and online discussions have been filled with side-by-side comparisons of Jenner and Depp, with some alleging that the cosmetics mogul is not only copying Depp's fashion but also channeling her persona.

kylie jenner looking stunning in chanel  pic.twitter.com/c2n5bcuIC7  star (@starsafairy) January 28, 2025

"So is Kylie trolling LRD or something? It's so over the top at this point, how could she not be? Is it bc she's her man's ex? Seems petty to focus on his past instead of enjoying the present with him."

Another poster said, "Isn't she tired to cosplay someone? Like buy yourself a personality Kylie."

A third wrote, "Holy crap! Kylie is OBSESSED with LRD. This is psycho stalker stuff like the movie "Single White Female". Kylie is so pathetic and just needs to accept she got LRD sloppy leftovers-----Timmy."

Lily-Rose and Vanessa Paradis arriving at the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 28th  pic.twitter.com/tZDe7re3af  Lily-Rose Depp Updates (@UpdatesLilyRose) January 28, 2025

According to a fourth, "Sometimes it's surreal for me to remember the depths of unoriginality and manipulation this family steeps to in every detail of their lives."

"Now THIS is EMBARRASSING. she really is a shape shifter, no originality, even worse, she's a WANNABE. People may not like LRD but she has had her own style for years, she's been a chanel girlie for over a decade .....Kylie looks cheap," a fifth said.

Depp has been a Chanel brand ambassador ever since and embraced the fashion house's aesthetic both on and off the runway.

'It's Definitely a Mental Illness'

While Jenner, 26, has not addressed the accusations directly, a source told Radar Online the comparisons are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

"There are only so many times where you can brush it off as mere coincidences," the insider said. "[It's] something people need to be called out for, not ignored. It's definitely a mental illness."

Her relationship with Chalamet began in 2018 after meeting on the set of "The King" and lasted until 2020.

Jenner and Chalamet have been linked since April 2023. The couple has gradually taken their relationship public, most recently walking a red carpet together in Italy earlier this month.

Read more: Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet Finally Make Red Carpet Debut After 2 Years of Dating

Insecurity Rumors

A second source claimed that Jenner's alleged imitation of Depp may stem from deeper issues in her relationship with the "A Complete Unknown" actor.

"It bugs her to watch scenes of Timothee kissing other girls. She's jealous of the beauties he's starred with," the insider said. "Now she's henpecking and drawing boundaries and issuing him with a desperate plea to stop doing steamy scenes."

"She wants him to go for roles worthy of his superior talent and not be portrayed as a sex symbol. She just doesn't like other women getting their hands on him," the source added.
From: Carol M. Swain -- Political Scientist, Author, and Commentator For Immediate Release: Dateline: Nashville , TN Wednesday, May 28, 2025

[embedded content] In this important RFD-TV interview with Scott Shellady, Dr. Carol Swain unpacks the tragic killing of two young Jewish staffers outside the Jewish Museum  a chilling reminder of rising antisemitism across the globe. Carol discusses how anti-Jewish sentiment is escalating, fueled by dangerous ideologies like DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) that stir anger among young people and create hostile environments on campuses, especially for Orthodox Christians and Jewish students. She offers a powerful call to action: America must return to strong Judeo-Christian morals, especially in our education system, if we are to preserve truth, freedom, and human dignity. ABOUT CAROL M. SWAIN Carol Swain (Ph.D.) is an award-winning political scientist and former tenured professor at Princeton and Vanderbilt Universities. She is the author or editor of 10 books, including Be The People: A Call to Reclaim Americas Faith and Promise and The New White Nationalism in America: Its Challenge to Integration.


A series of attacks in northern Mozambique this month point to a resurgence of violence by Islamic State-linked militants as energy giant TotalEnergies prepares to resume a major gas project, analysts say.

The group terrorised northern Mozambique for years before brazenly vowing in 2020 to turn the northern gas-rich Cabo Delgado province into a caliphate.

TotalEnergies paused a multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas project there in 2021 following a wave of bloody raids that forced more than a million people to flee.

The insurgency was pushed to the background by a months-long unrest that followed elections in October.

But there has been a new wave of violence. In May, the Islamists attacked two military installations, claiming to kill 11 soldiers in the first and 10 in the second.

A security expert confirmed the first attack and put the toll at 17. There was no comment from the Mozambican security forces.

- Dramatic strikes -

There were two dramatic strikes earlier -- a raid on a wildlife reserve in the neighbouring Niassa province late April killed at least two rangers, while an ambush in Cabo Delgado claimed the lives of three Rwandan soldiers.

Also unusual was a thwarted attack on a Russian oceanographic vessel in early May that the crew said in a distress message was launched by "pirates", according to local media.

"Clearly there is a cause and effect because some actions correspond exactly to important announcements in the gas area," said Fernando Lima, a researcher with the Cabo Ligado conflict observatory which monitors violence in Mozambique, referring to the $4.7 billion funding approved in mid-March by the US Export-Import Bank for the long-delayed gas project.

"The insurgents are seeing more vehicles passing by with white project managers," said Jean-Marc Balencie of the French-based political and security risk group Attika Analysis.

"There's more visible activity in the region and that's an incentive for attacks".

- 'Propaganda effect' -

Conflict tracker ACLED recorded at least 80 attacks in the first four months of the year.

The uptick was partly due to the end of the rainy season which meant roads were once again passable, it said.

TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said last Friday that the security situation had "greatly improved" although there were "sporadic incidents".

The attack that stalled the TotalEnergies project in 2021 occurred in the port town of Palma and lasted several days, sending thousands fleeing into the forest.

ACLED estimated that more than 800 civilians and combatants were killed while independent journalist Alex Perry reported after an investigation that more than 1,400 were dead or missing.

Rwandan forces deployed alongside the Mozambique military soon afterwards, their number increasing to around 5,000, based on Rwandan military statements.

The concentration of forces in Cabo Delgado "allows insurgents to easily conduct operations in Niassa province," said a Mozambican military officer on condition of anonymity.

The raid on the tourist wildlife lodge straddling Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces was for "propaganda effect", said Lima, as it grabbed more international media attention than hits on local villages that claim the lives of locals.

Strikes on civilians, with several cases of decapitation reported, often fall under the radar because of the remoteness of the impoverished region and official silence.

"More than 25,000 people have been displaced in Mozambique within a few weeks," the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said last week.

This was in addition to the 1.3 million the UN said in November had been displaced since the conflict began in 2017.

"The renewed intensity of the conflict affects regions previously considered rather stable," said UNHCR's Mozambique representative Xavier Creach.

In Niassa, for example, about 2,085 people fled on foot after an attack on Mbamba village late April where women reported witnessing beheadings.

More than 6,000 people have died in the conflict since it erupted, according to Acled.

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Mauritania's former economy minister Sidi Ould Tah was on Thursday elected to succeed Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina as president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and tackle the withdrawal of US financing from the institution.

In 2015 Adesina took six rounds of voting to become Africa's "super banker", but Tah, 60, secured the prestigious post in only three, winning 76 percent of votes.

Zambian economist Samuel Munzele Maimbo trailed well behind in second on 20 percent, with Senegal's Amadou Hott third on less than four percent.

The winner had to secure both a majority of votes from all 81 member countries and a majority of votes from the 54 African nations that are part of the AfDB.

Tah, who headed the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for 10 years, secured 72 percent of African votes.

He thanked "Africa for the trust" placed in him, adding: "I am fully aware of the responsibility and duty that come with it."

Runner-up Maimbo earlier extended his congratulations and said the bank's governors had "chosen the leader they believe will best deliver the vision of the Africa we want at this pivotal moment".

With several north African states members of the AfDB, Tah's experience at the BADEA could be a bridge with sub-Saharan Africa.

In his pitch for the AfDB leadership, he vowed to strengthen regional financial institutions, assert Africa's financial independence on global markets, use population growth as a development lever and build climate change-resistant infrastructure.

- Five priorities -

The AfDB, founded in 1964, is one of the world's largest multilateral development banks and is funded by member subscriptions, loans raised on global markets as well as repayments and income from loans.

But Tah will immediately face a disrupted international economic environment, notably due to announcements from US President Donald Trump's administration.

Beyond tariffs, the AfDB is also facing the threat of losing $500 million in US funding for its projects to support low-income countries on the continent.

All five candidates in the running for the top job promised to make the AfDB even more effective to transform Africa, continuing Adesina's five priorities to light up, feed, industrialise, integrate and improve the continent's quality of life.

"I am proud of the legacy we are leaving behind for... my successor, for the bank and for Africa," the outgoing president said in a speech on Tuesday.

"We have built a world-class financial institution that will continue to advance Africa's position within a rapidly changing global development and geopolitical environment," he added.

Adesina said 565 million people had benefited from AfDB projects during his decade in charge.

Major projects include support for the construction of the Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment plant in Egypt -- the largest in Africa.

The bank also helped finance a bridge connecting Senegal and the Gambia, expanded the port of Lome in Togo and supported sanitation projects in Lesotho and access to electricity in Kenya, he said.

From 2015 to this year, the bank's capital more than tripled, from $93 billion to $318 billion, he added.

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(The Center Square) - Federal and state lawmakers in Arizona are responding to news that the state could recoup money spent by the Doug Ducey administration to turn shipping containers into a border wall.

The former governor, who's a Republican, used $196 million for the makeshift border wall, which involved approximately 2,200 shipping containers. The wall lasted five months. Half the money was spent on construction, the other half on its removal.

Funding for the reimbursement was in a bill approved last week by the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, told The Center Square reimbursement is the right thing to do.

"Because of the Biden administration's concerted campaign to allow for the flood of illegal aliens and deadly drugs, Republican leadership in Arizona did what it could to protect residents at great expense, said Hamadeh. Now it is up to us to reimburse states for border security spending during Joe Bidens failed presidency.

Hamadeh added that the expenses incurred by the state of Arizona and others was a direct result of the Democrats' failure to take border security seriously. The representative also said Democrats failed to recognize the threat that an open border was to Americans, the very people Hamadeh said they promised to protect.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, told The Center Square that the federal government has a duty to secure the border and prevent what he called the horrific flow of cartel criminal activity from hitting Arizona communities.

Sadly, under the Biden Administration, the red carpet was rolled out for criminal illegal aliens, said Petersen. While Arizona Democrats sat silent on the sidelines, Arizona Republicans took matters into our own hands, using state resources to mitigate the border crisis and ensure the safety of our citizens.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, D-Arizona, campaigned against the border wall, something she referred to as a political stunt. Hobbs was quoted as saying she would explore all options to remove the border wall.

Petersen said he is pleased Congress and the Trump administration are working to reimburse states who spent hundreds of millions, if not billions, of taxpayer dollars to prioritize national security during this dark period when Biden, Harris and Mayorkas refused to do so. Alejandro Mayorkas was the secretary of homeland security during the Biden administration.
As foreign trade policies shift under new federal initiatives, interest in American-made products is on the rise. With the recent announcement of a reciprocal tariff plan by the Trump Administration, many consumers are re-evaluating where their goods come fromand what it means to buy domestic.

To better understand these trends, researchers at Trace Onea product lifecycle management software companyconducted a nationwide survey of U.S. adults and combined the results with search behavior data from Google Trends. This analysis explores how quickly interest in domestically-produced goods is increasing, the reasons consumers value them, how much more people are willing to pay, and which locations show the strongest demand.

Here are the key takeaways from the analysis:

Interest in American-made products is rising: Google searches for "made in USA" have roughly doubled since the start of 2025, and 43% of Americans say their interest has increased over the past year.

Google searches for "made in USA" have roughly doubled since the start of 2025, and 43% of Americans say their interest has increased over the past year. Supporting American jobs is the top motivator: Across all demographics, supporting American workers ranks as the top perceived benefit of buying domestic goods, though younger Americans are more skeptical of any benefits.

Across all demographics, supporting American workers ranks as the top perceived benefit of buying domestic goods, though younger Americans are more skeptical of any benefits. Willingness to pay more varies widely: While no single group is eager to pay a large premium for U.S. products, Republicans and older Americans are more open to modest increases, while Gen Z is the most price sensitive.

While no single group is eager to pay a large premium for U.S. products, Republicans and older Americans are more open to modest increases, while Gen Z is the most price sensitive. Rural northern regions show the most interest: States and metros in the Northeast, Mountain West, and along the Canadian border rank highest for made in USA searches, while interest is lower in the South and large urban centers.

States and metros in the Northeast, Mountain West, and along the Canadian border rank highest for made in USA searches, while interest is lower in the South and large urban centers. Tariffs may dampen spending: One-third of Americans say they would cut back overall spending if tariffs increased import prices by 10%, with others split on whether theyd switch to domestic goods based on cost.

A Growing Interest in American-Made Products

Source: Trace One analysis of Google Trends data

Americans interest in domestically-produced goods is growing rapidly. Since the beginning of 2025, online searches for the phrase "made in USA" have surgednearly doubling in relative terms. Although current levels remain below the historic peak seen during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, they now surpass those recorded during the majority of the pandemic period and its aftermath.

This upward trend is mirrored in consumer attitudes. According to Trace Ones April 2025 survey, 43% of Americans said theyve become more interested in buying American-made goods over the past year, while just 26% disagreed and 31% remained neutral. When asked which types of products they are most likely to seek out as domestically-produced, groceries topped the list, selected by 64% of respondents. This was followed by clothing and apparel (50%) and vehicles (42%), indicating interest in both everyday essentials and high-value purchases.

The Perceived Benefits of Buying American-Made Products

Source: Trace One Made in America Survey 2025

Among American consumers, the most widely cited benefit of buying domestic goods is supporting American jobs and workers. This view holds across all major demographic groups, with nearly four in 10 respondents (39%) identifying it as the largest upshot of purchasing American-made products. However, the degree to which people rank this benefit depends on political views and age.

Among political affiliations, Democrats were the most likely to cite supporting U.S. jobs as the top benefit (44%), followed by independents (40%) and Republicans (35%). While supporting workers remained the top response for each group, Republicans were more likely than others to prioritize strengthening the economy (32%) and national security (12%). Independents, by contrast, showed the highest level of skepticism: 13% said they dont believe there is any meaningful benefit to buying American-made goodsmore than four times the rate of Republicans.

Generational divides also revealed differences. Older Americansparticularly Baby Boomers and members of the Silent Generationwere the most likely to select supporting American workers (48% and 47%, respectively). Younger respondents, including Generation Z, were less convinced: only 26% cited supporting U.S. workers as the primary benefit, while nearly a quarter (23%) said there were no meaningful benefits. Meanwhile, Millennials and Generation X were more likely than other age groups to select strengthening the U.S. economy.

How Much More Will Americans Pay for Domestic Products?

Source: Trace One Made in America Survey 2025

When it comes to paying a premium for American-made goods, the most common response across American adults is an unwillingness to pay more, though it's not a majority view. Overall, as the cost premium increases, the share of Americans willing to pay it steadily declinesbut this pattern varies by group.

Among Democrats and independents, there is a clear drop-off in willingness to pay as the cost increasesmost are only willing to pay a small premium, if at all. Republicans, on the other hand, stand out: their most common choice was a willingness to pay up to 5% more, followed by up to 10% more, and then an unwillingness to pay more. Notably, 9% of Republicans said they would pay up to 25% more, the highest share of any political or generational group.

Generational trends follow a similar pattern. Younger Americansparticularly Generation Zare the most likely to say they wont pay more, with a majority (53%) expressing that view. For Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X, willingness to pay declines steadily as the price premium rises. But among Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation, a small premium seems more acceptablea willingness to pay up to 5% more was the most popular option in both of these older cohorts.

These findings suggest that younger Americans are the most price sensitive, while Republicans appear to be the most willing to pay a premium for goods produced domestically.

Google Searches for "Made in USA" by Region

Source: Trace One analysis of Google Trends data

Google Trends data shows that interest in American-made goods is highest in rural northern states, especially across the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and Mountain West. States such as Wyoming, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont consistently report a greater share of Made in USA search activity, along with parts of the Upper Midwest. At the metro level, rural areas near the Canadian borderincluding Alpena and Traverse City-Cadillac in Michigan, Great Falls, Montana, and Duluth, Minnesotastand out for their high share of American-made search queries.

By contrast, southern states and large urban centers tend to search less for American-made products. Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana are among the lowest-ranking states, and major metro areas like DallasFort Worth, Houston, Atlanta, and Miami report some of the smallest proportions of made in USA-related searches.

Based on relative search interest data from Google Trendswhich tracks how often a term is searched as a share of all search activity in that areaMontana residents interest in the term "made in USA scores 86 out of a possible 100.

While Google Trends data offers useful insight into geographic differences, it does not necessarily confirm who is actually purchasing American-made goods. The data reflects relative search popularity for made in USA-related searches, which acts as a proxy for consumer curiosity or intent, not confirmed buying behavior. That said, a close review of both the top and rising related queries shows that all were highly relevant to the theme. Examples include: made in USA cars, clothing made in USA, tools made in USA, and are Teslas made in the USA. This consistency suggests that these users are indeed looking for information about domestically manufactured products across a wide range of categorieseven if it doesn't necessarily indicate actual purchasing behavior.

Final Thoughts: Will Tariffs Curtail Consumer Spending?

Source: Trace One Made in America Survey 2025

As U.S. trade policy continues to evolve, questions remain about how consumers will react and what the broader economic consequences may be. One key area of concern is whether higher costs on imported goods will lead to reduced consumer activity.

Trace One survey results suggest that a decline in overall consumer spending is a likely outcome. When asked how they would respond if tariffs caused a 10% increase in prices for imported goods, one-third of Americans (33%) said they would reduce how much they buy overall. Meanwhile, opinions on switching to American products were evenly splitsome would make the switch even if it cost more (26%), while others would do so only if it saved them money (26%). The remaining 15% of respondents remained unsure what they would do in the event of higher prices.

While some consumers may shift their preferences in favor of American-made goods, the data underscores the challenge of balancing foreign trade objectives with household budgetsespecially when costs are already high.

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Whos Buying American? Tracking the Surge in Demand for U.S. Goods on Trace One.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Mostly sunny early then increasing cloudiness later in the day. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 48F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Farmers are facing mounting pressure as the driest spring in nearly 70 years raises serious concerns over potential water shortages and droughts this summer.

At a meeting of the National Drought Group, the Environment Agency (EA) revealed that England experienced its driest March since 1961, with April receiving only half the usual rainfall.

This has forced farmers to begin irrigating crops weeks earlier than normal, while reservoirs in some regions now at notably or exceptionally low levels.

The EA also confirmed that the North West is now officially in a drought, with a 'medium risk' issued for the whole of England.

Richard Thompson, deputy director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the meeting, said: Drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared.

"Its heartening to see more people looking to reduce their water use and we expect water companies to do more to cut leakage and rollout smart meters.

The meeting included representatives from farming groups and environmental organisations, who received an update on the current water resource situation.

The dry start to the year has increased demand on farmers on-site storage reservoirs as many began irrigation earlier than usual.

Across England, reservoir levels stand at 84% of total capacity, compared to 90% at the same time during the 2022 drought.

River flows are currently below normal or lower across northern and central England, while wildfires have already been reported in Cumbria, Derbyshire, and Dorset due to dry vegetation.

The Environment Agency urged members of the National Drought Group to take urgent action: water companies must intensify efforts to reduce leakage and ensure dry weather plans are ready.

They are also expected to engage with customers to raise awareness of risks and promote responsible water use during this dry spell.

Farmers are being encouraged to work with the NFU to assess their water needs for the summer and secure supplies early.

Meanwhile, the EA will collaborate with fishery owners to put measures in place to manage the effects of prolonged dry weather on aquatic habitats.

Water Minister Emma Hardy criticised the state of the UKs water infrastructure, blaming years of underinvestment. Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of underinvestment.

"Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply.

"The government has secured over 104 billion of private sector investment to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs to secure our future water supply into the decades to come.

In a significant move, Defra Secretary Steve Reed has taken control of the planning process for two major reservoir projectsthe first time such intervention has been made since the 1990s.

Officials have warned that without these reservoirs, the nations water security will remain under threat, and crucial housebuilding targets will be at risk.
Brazilian cotton (HS code 5201) exports to China declined by 78 per cent to $215.745 million in JanuaryApril 2025. The country also dropped to fifth place among the largest markets for Brazilian cotton, with its share in outbound trade decreasing significantly. Interestingly, Pakistan became the top market for Brazilian cotton exports, with shipments to the country soaring during the period.

China was the top destination for Brazilian cotton in JanuaryApril 2024, accounting for a 50.77 per cent share. During that period, Brazil exported cotton worth $979.540 million to China. However, in the first four months of 2025, Chinas share dropped sharply to just 11.02 per cent. Despite this, Brazils overall cotton exports recorded a modest increase to $1,957.633 million in JanuaryApril 2025, compared to $1,929.369 million in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro.

Brazil's cotton exports to China plunged 78 per cent to $215.75 million in JanuaryApril 2025, dropping China to fifth place among top buyers. Meanwhile, exports to Pakistan surged 318 per cent to $435.80 million, making it Brazil's largest cotton market. Overall cotton exports rose slightly to $1.96 billion. Vietnam, Bangladesh and Turkiye also remained key markets.

Brazilian cotton exports to Pakistan surged by 318 per cent to $435.798 million in JanuaryApril 2025, up from $104.623 million during the same period last year. Pakistan became the top market, accounting for 22.26 per cent of total exports, compared to 5.42 per cent a year earlier, when it ranked fifth.

During the first four months of 2025, Brazils cotton exports stood at $341.749 million to Vietnam (17.46 per cent of total exports), $322.411 million to Bangladesh (16.98 per cent), and $305.849 million to Turkiye (15.62 per cent). In the same period last year, exports were $327.046 million to Vietnam (16.95 per cent), $229.594 million to Bangladesh (11.90 per cent), and $114.306 million to Turkiye (5.92 per cent), as per TexPro.

Brazils total cotton exports stood at $5.154 billion in 2024, up 67.71 per cent from $3.073 billion in 2023. Among the top markets in 2024, China accounted for 33.57 per cent, Vietnam 19.60 per cent, Bangladesh 11.85 per cent, Pakistan 10.10 per cent, and Turkiye 8.94 per cent.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
EQ Reports First Quarter Financial Results and Updates from the Company's AGM

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / EQ Inc. (TSXV:EQ.V) ("EQ Works" or the "Company"), a leader in AI and data driven software and solutions, announced its financial results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Proprietary data used for artificial intelligence and machine learning models continued to drive interest and excitement during the quarter. First-party data collected through the Paymi division, combined with advanced insights and analytics from the proprietary Clear Lake platform and the expert execution of EQ's media team, has equipped the Company with a unique and dynamic toolkit. This powerful combination enables businesses across multiple industries to make smarter decisions by gaining access to information that was previously unattainable. Backed by a robust suite of products that drive measurable value for our customers, the Company has built a strong pipeline of opportunities and a solid foundation for growth in 2025.

Revenue for the quarter remained steady year-over-year at $1.4 million, while pipeline activities and proposals across all business units, including its proprietary SaaS product Clear Lake, have seen substantial growth. Additionally, EQ is actively pursuing new customer segments where demand for its proprietary data is rising and where it believes significant value can be generated. Looking ahead to 2025, the Company remains laser focused on delivering solutions that fully leverage AI-driven products and proprietary data assets. These strategic engagements not only create greater value for clients but also establish a more robust and sustainable recurring revenue model.

Gross margin for the quarter of 40% was an improvement over Q4 2024, and the adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.6 million was consistent with the same period a year ago. In addition, EQ's backlog continues to grow and is currently forecasting its second quarter revenues to surpass those of the previous year and revenue for the first 6 months of 2025 to also exceed what the Company generated for the same period a year ago.

"Profitability and growth continue to be our focus" said Geoffrey Rotstein, President and CEO of EQ Works. "A few years ago we set out to create a business division focused on generating unique proprietary data to help solve real business problems. Whether in marketing, data analytics, consumer behavior or competitive intelligence, we recognized that a strong proprietary data set was critical to delivering impactful and effective solutions. Today, we are delivering on that vision. Our team has developed a suite of products that combine real-time data with cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to empower our clients to operate more effectively. We are excited about the results we are seeing, the pipeline being generated, and the progress we are making in 2025".

Subsequent to quarter end, at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting held on May 21, 2025, EQ elected two new Board members to the Company, John Kim and James Lanthier. In addition, following the AGM, the Company also welcomed Catherine Warren to the Board, as a third independent director. "I would like to welcome John, James and Catherine to the EQ Board and I know that their experience and skill sets will prove invaluable to EQ as we continue to execute our vision and drive value to our Shareholders," said Geoffrey Rotstein. "I would also like to sincerely thank Vernon Lobo and James Beriker for their invaluable contributions and dedicated service to EQ. Their leadership, expertise, and commitment have played a significant role in guiding the company through important milestones and growth phases and will have a lasting impact on the organization."

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

EQ Works measures the success of the Company's strategies and performance based on Adjusted EBITDA, which is outlined and reconciled with net loss in the section entitled "Reconciliation of net loss for the period to Adjusted EBITDA" in the MD&A. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net loss from operations before: (a) depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets, (b) share-based payments, (c) finance income and costs, net, and (d) restructuring costs. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the Company's operating performance because it provides information on the Company's ability to provide operating cash flows for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and potential acquisitions. The Company also believes that analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in its industry.

The non-IFRS financial measure is used in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of IFRS financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company's consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. Because non-IFRS financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies non-IFRS financial measures having the same or similar names. In addition, the Company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-IFRS adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from the Company's non-IFRS measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent, or non-recurring.

The table below reconciles net loss from operations and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

About EQ Works

EQ Works (www.eqworks.com) enables businesses to understand, predict, and influence customer behaviour. Using unique data sets, advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, EQ Works creates actionable intelligence for businesses to attract, retain, and grow the customers that matter most. The Company's proprietary SaaS platform mines insights from movement and geospatial data, enabling businesses to close the loop between digital and real-world consumer actions.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions, or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the Company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives but cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events, or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

EQ Inc.

Michael Kahn, Chief Financial Officer

press@eqworks.com

SOURCE: EQ Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/eq-inc.-reports-first-quarter-financial-results-1033108
Summary: Grech RV announces the launch of GRECH POWER, an integrated off-grid energy system featuring cutting-edge lithium-ion battery and smart energy management, standard on select 2026 Class B camper vans.

Riverside, California--(Newsfile Corp. - May 28, 2025) - Grech RV announces the official launch of GRECH POWER, a fully integrated off-grid energy system now standard on select 2026 model year Class B camper vans. GRECH POWER incorporates the latest lithium-ion battery technology and smart energy management to set a new benchmark for off-grid power in luxury camper vans.

At the core of GRECH POWER is the Lithionics 51V 165Ah lithium-ion battery module, the only UL 1973 Certified lithium battery with a 165Ah capacity, now available in the RV industry. This system provides 16,896 watt-hours of power, enabling rooftop air conditioning to run for up to 14 hours solely on battery power.

Grech RV announces the launch of GRECH POWER

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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To protect and optimize battery performance, the system integrates NeverDie Battery Management, iONbus Technology, and the Lithionics Bluetooth Battery Monitor App to optimize power distribution, enhance safety, and provide real-time monitoring.

RV owners can achieve charging efficiency through the ARCO Zeus 250A 48V alternator with a Bluetooth-enabled smart regulator. With this feature, they can charge the vehicle while it operates, minimizing generator reliance and downtime.

All energy conversion is supported by the Victron Blue Power MultiPlus-II 3,000W smart inverter charger, and the Grech Connect is a proprietary, Wi-Fi integrated remote diagnostics platform to monitor system health and performance for preventative maintenance.

The GRECH POWER system also includes the Garmin SERV+ House Control System via touchscreen or mobile app, Fusion Hideaway Audio System, Starlink ROAM, and a Roof-Mounted Solar and Inline Chassis Battery Trickle Charger to reduce dependence on external power sources.

The launch of GRECH POWER marks Grech RV's introduction of an integrated energy system

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The launch of GRECH POWER marks Grech RV's introduction of an integrated energy system designed to meet the increasing demand for off-grid travel in the luxury Class B motorhome market. With more people seeking energy independence and sustainable travel options, the company has responded with a proprietary system combining advanced battery, charging, and monitoring technologies into one factory-standard feature.

The GRECH POWER system offers enhanced energy autonomy and usability, supporting longer off-grid travel for select Grech RV camper van owners. With this launch, Grech RV is not only improving user experience but also reinforcing its commitment to innovation.

GRECH POWER is now in production and available on select Grech RV Camper Vans through authorized dealers nationwide.

About Grech RV

Grech RV is the premier builder of luxury Class B camper vans in the United States. Headquartered in Riverside, California, Grech RV hand-builds its motorhomes on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, delivering unparalleled fit and finish, premium components, and industry-leading service support. The company is known for setting new standards in design, quality, and innovation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253735

SOURCE: GetFeatured


EQS Newswire / 29/05/2025 / 10:07 UTC+8



LONDON, UK - May 29, 2025 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Decant Index , a digital marketplace and platform under the Decant Group, is scaling operations to serve the global $1.7 trillion collectables market, focusing on investment-grade spirits and wine.

With more than $126 million in assets under storage and over 44,000 users, the platform provides retail and high-net-worth investors with structured access to fine wine and spirits. Users can build and manage portfolios digitally while having bonded storage, full insurance, and selling options, including marketplace listings or private sales.

The company's infrastructure includes Decant Bond, a bonded warehouse located in Alloa, Scotland. The facility features internal climate controls, HMRC auditing, and end-to-end asset custody for fine wine and spirits holdings.

"Our goal is to provide a reliable platform for accessing and managing physical collectables," said Alistair Moncrieff, CEO of Decant Group. "We've built a system that allows users to treat spirits as assets while maintaining transparency and long-term value."

Entry-level investment on Decant Index starts at $2,500. Some assets listed on the platform are exempt from UK capital gains tax, due to their classification as wasting assets. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated more than 1,618 exits and returned over $6.1 million to clients.

In addition to spirits, Decant Index recently launched the Wine Cellar Plan, a subscription-based wine investment program starting at $330 per month. Subscribers receive curated selections, bonded storage and digital tracking. The plan complements the company's broader objective to simplify participation in collectables investing.

The company also plans to expand in the United States, where super-premium American Bourbon brands recorded a 17.8 percent sales increase in 2023, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.

Soon to launch fully into the market, House of Decant is Decant Group's dedicated e-commerce platform - luxury retail, reimagined.

It offers a curated, concierge-led experience with fast delivery, flexible subscriptions, and a home for both heritage labels and emerging brands.

"We're building a platform that redefines how premium wine and spirits are discovered, purchased, and enjoyed - tailored for the expectations of the modern luxury consumer," says Chris Seddon, Managing Director of Decant Group.

Shop with House of Decant here.

About Decant Index

Decant Group is a leading provider of alternative investments with specialized platforms including Decant Index and House of Decant, which collectively manage over $126 million in assets and serve more than 40,000 members globally. The company has pioneered technological innovations in fine wine and spirits investing, earning recognition for its transparent approach to traditionally exclusive markets. With dedicated bonded warehousing facilities and a team of certified wine specialists, Decant Group offers comprehensive services from acquisition through storage to eventual exit strategies across its investment platforms.

Contact Information

Decant Index

https://decantindex.com/

support@decantindex.com

0330 818 8559

105 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, W1J 7NJ

29/05/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 28, 2025) - Sage Potash Corp. (TSXV: SAGE) (OTCQB: SGPTF) ("Sage Potash" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its May 9 and May 27, 2025 news releases, due to strong investor commitment and interest, it has upsized its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") from $4 million to up to $5 million.

The Offering will now consist of up to 20 million units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.25 per Unit, with each Unit comprising one Common Share and one-half of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.35 for a period of two (2) years from the date of closing of the Offering.

Net proceeds from the Offering will be allocated toward the continued development of the Sage Plain project, strategic exploration activities, and general working capital requirements. The Company may pay finders' fees in cash and/or securities of the Company in connection with the Offering. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance under applicable securities laws.

Certain directors and officers of the Company may acquire securities under the Offering. Any such participation will be considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects that the Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and neither the expected fair market value of securities being issued to related parties nor the consideration being paid by related parties would exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Closing of the Offering is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

Peter Hogendoorn, CEO of Sage Potash, commented: "The strong response to our financing is a clear endorsement of our long-term strategy to develop a domestic potash resource at the heart of the Paradox Basin. This upsize allows us to continue advancing our roadmap aggressively while maintaining a disciplined and sustainable approach to development."

About Sage Potash Corp.

Sage Potash is a Canadian company vested solely in the Sage Plain Property and intends through sustainable solution mining techniques to become a prominent domestic potash producer within the Paradox Basin situated in Utah. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or contact the Company by email at info@sagepotash.com.

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this news release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to future events or future performance of Sage Potash and with respect to the Offering, including the use of proceeds thereof and the proposed issuance of securities. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's Management's Discussion & Analysis available for review under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgement based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information.

For media inquiries, please contact: Marcus van der Made, Investor Relations of Sage Potash Corp. - marcus@sagepotash.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253790

SOURCE: Sage Potash Corp.
DUBAI, UAE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beehive, the region's leading digital SME (small and medium-sized businesses) lending platform, has reached a landmark milestone by underwriting over USD 1 billion in SME funding across the MENA region.

This achievement follows Beehive's recently closed structured funding agreement of USD 140 million with institutional partners. The agreement enables Beehive to significantly scale its funding capacity, reinforcing its position as the lender of first resort for SMEs outside the traditional banking system.

Since its inception, Beehive has supported the growth of over 2,100 SMEs across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, disbursing more than USD 1 billion in SME financing. With a mission to bridge the region's USD 250 billion SME funding gap, Beehive continues to empower businesses through swift, digital, and accessible financing solutions.

"This milestone is more than a number-it reflects the real impact we've made on thousands of businesses across the region," said Craig Moore, Founder and CEO of Beehive. "With the support of our institutional and banking partners, we are accelerating our efforts to provide meaningful capital to the SMEs driving economic growth."

As Beehive continues to grow, it remains firmly committed to providing SMEs with the capital they need to scale, innovate, and succeed.

About Beehive:

Founded in 2014, Beehive is the first peer-to-peer lending platform in the MENA region to be regulated by the DFSA. Headquartered in Dubai, Beehive connects businesses seeking finance with investors willing to support their growth, offering a faster, more affordable funding option for SMEs. Through technology and a commitment to supporting regional businesses, Beehive has become a trusted partner for SMEs across the GCC. Learn more at https://www.beehive.ae/

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LONDON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) unveiled its UK Office in London, marking a significant step in Taiwan-UK collaboration on technology and innovation. As ITRI's fifth international branch, following offices in the U.S., Japan, Germany, and Southeast Asia, the ITRI UK Office will serve as a strategic innovation hub to strengthen the ties between Taiwan and the UK.

Held on May 28, the ITRI UK Office Opening Ceremony & Taiwan-UK Innovation Forum welcomed over 100 representatives from British industry, government, and academia to celebrate the occasion. During the event, ITRI signed a Statement of Intent for strategic collaboration with the Catapult Network. This new partnership will strengthen the connection between ITRI and the UK's leading innovation ecosystem.

Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo delivered a video message to extend his congratulations, noting that the combination of Taiwan's expertise in semiconductors and ICT with the UK's substantial R&D capacity presents vast opportunities for collaboration. He added that through the Taiwan-UK Collaborative R&D Programme, a joint initiative funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the UK DSIT's Innovate UK, along with the efforts of the ITRI UK Office, the collaborating partners will drive growth in technology, industry, and markets.

Tsung-Tsong Wu, Chairman of ITRI, remarked that Taiwan and the UK have built a strong partnership in technology development, scientific research, and industrial innovation through years of joint R&D and talent exchange. The UK has long held a leading position in science and innovation, while Taiwan, with its strong technological capabilities, has become a key driver in the global value chain. He noted that the ITRI UK Office will serve as an effective platform for knowledge exchange, talent development, and innovation co-creation-connecting the strengths of Taiwan and the UK to accelerate technology commercialization and create global industrial value.

ITRI President Edwin Liu emphasized ITRI's close partnership with the Catapult Network, including work with CSA Catapult on compound semiconductors and ORE Catapult on offshore wind technology. "Today, we're expanding our collaboration with the Catapult Network into new areas including 6G communications, quantum technologies, net-zero solutions, biomedical innovations, AI, and smart manufacturing," he said. "By combining our strengths, we'll deepen the ties between Taiwan and the UK through talent exchange, field trials, and advanced joint R&D projects. These collective efforts will foster innovation and help industries enhance their competitiveness and global presence."

The event was joined by distinguished guests, including Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester, UK Trade Envoy to Taiwan and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords; Dr. Dave Smith, UK National Technology Adviser; Professor Julia Sutcliffe, UK Chief Scientific Adviser; and former British Office Taipei Representatives John Dennis and Catherine Nettleton.

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

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Join AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Poland for a Menstrual Health Day commemorative event at the Center for Culture on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 16.00 to address the stigma, cultural taboos, and lack of menstrual hygiene access that undermine dignity and increase HIV risk among women and girls/people who menstruate. Menstrual Health Day is observed annually on May 28.

Globally, women and girls, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, face a disproportionate HIV burden. The lack of access to sanitary pads forces many to miss school, increasing the likelihood of dropping out. This often leads to increased transactional or transgenerational sex, limiting their ability to negotiate safer sex and raising the risk of acquiring HIV.

AHF's Menstrual Health Day commemorations worldwide are part of broader strategic prevention efforts that highlight the link between menstrual health and HIV, promote the availability and accessibility of menstrual products, and integrate sexual and reproductive health information and services-ensuring women and girls/ people who menstruate have access to sanitary pads, HIV testing, condoms, and essential care.

Therefore, on the occasion of this year's Menstrual Health Day, AHF Poland will:

Donate menstrual hygiene products to women refugees from the Center for Foreigners in Lukow.

from the Center for Foreigners in Lukow. Provide equipment for the "Pink Boxes" at the Lublin University of Technology, the Youth Spaces network in Lublin, and integration spaces-Spilno Lublin and Baobab. The donation of menstrual products to Lublin University of Technology will be accompanied by a lecture titled "Menstrual Health Taken Seriously."

The donation of menstrual products to Lublin University of Technology will be accompanied by a lecture titled Organize a special workshop with a urogynecological physiotherapy specialist and doctor, who will debunk common myths about menstruation ("That's just how you are,""PMS is a natural part of life") and demonstrate how movement techniques and massage can help relieve period discomfort. The workshop will also feature free pads and tampons, information on sexual health, quick HIV testing, live music, drinks, and snacks. The event will be international and conducted in both Polish and English.

WHAT: PERIOD POWER! Menstrual Health Workshop

Featuring:

Natalia Brzozowska-Struska , urogynecological physiotherapist

, urogynecological physiotherapist Michalina Pytka , doctor and menstrual health expert at Kulczyk Foundation

, doctor and menstrual health expert at Kulczyk Foundation Live music performance by Ev, an artist, poet, actress, and screenwriter from Zimbabwe

During the workshop, menstrual pads and tampons will be distributed, and free HIV tests and informational materials on sexual and reproductive health will be available.

WHEN: Saturday, May 31, 2025

TIME: 16:00 20:00

WHERE: Center for Culture (Centrum Kultury), Peowiakow 12

WHO

Natalia Brzozowska-Struska urogynecological physiotherapist

urogynecological physiotherapist Michalina Pytka doctor and menstrual health expert at the Kulczyk Foundation

doctor and menstrual health expert at the Kulczyk Foundation Ev artist from Zimbabwe

artist from Zimbabwe Girls, young women, and adult women from Lublin , both locals and those who have come from different parts of the world, including Zimbabwe, Ukraine, and Belarus

, both locals and those who have come from different parts of the world, including Zimbabwe, Ukraine, and Belarus AHF Poland team

NEWS DESK NOTE VISUALS: Media materials and information on reproductive health will be available on-site.

"The fact that Poland is located in the heart of Europe does not mean that the topic of menstruation is frequently discussed in public spaces. Both young girls and adult women still do not feel comfortable speaking openly about their experiences with menstruation. Many false beliefs and harmful myths persist, such as the inevitability of menstrual pain, which significantly affects women's daily lives," says Anna Szadkowska-Ciezka, AHF Poland's Country Program Manager. "The lack of support from healthcare professionals regarding menstruation leads to women feeling abandoned in other, more complex health matters as well. This is not a good practice!"

Nearly 2 billion people menstruate globally, yet 500 million will experience period poverty-including the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities. These barriers, along with stigma, can lead to poor health outcomes, missing school or work, and adverse effects on mental health. This Menstrual Health Day let's fight period poverty and end the stigma.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 2.2 million clients in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250528898394/en/

Contacts:

POLAND MEDIA CONTACT:

Anna Szadkowska-Ciezka

Country Program Manager

AHF Poland

+48 604981788

anna.szadkowska@ahf.org

U.S. MEDIA CONTACT:

Ged Kenslea, Senior Director, Communications, AHF

+1 323 308 1833 work +1.323.791.5526 mobile

gedk@aidshealth.org

Denys Nazarov,

Director of Global Policy Communications, AHF

+1.323.308.1829

denys.nazarov@ahf.org
Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie.



Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht.



In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte.



Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter.



Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden!
Showcasing Boyd's Latest Innovation to Enable More Durable Thermal Runaway Prevention and Containment Solutions for Safer, More Powerful eMobility Batteries

Boyd, a leader in battery thermal propagation prevention and thermal runaway containment technology, will exhibit at The Battery Show Europe, taking place June 3 5, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Boyd experts will be on site to discuss how its battery technologies proactively and safely prevent and contain battery thermal runaway events. Boyd employs multi-functional, complex solutions designed for cell-to-cell application that absorb impact, vibration and movement, dissipate cell heat, and act as a barrier to quickly isolate extreme heat or flame in the unlikely event battery safety design features fail to prevent cell-to-cell thermal runaway propagation. Boyd technologies maintain homogenous temperatures across battery cells, enable faster charge discharge cycles, reduce battery overheating, and isolate and prevent catastrophic battery damage. Experts will also be available to discuss how customers can leverage Boyd's new state-of-the-art Battery Material Safety Lab announced last month. Boyd is helping customers safely accelerate battery design and time-to-market as a one-stop-shop to design, validate, and manufacture integrated thermal runaway prevention technologies.

"Boyd has exhibited at The Battery Show Europe for many years, and we are honored to continue our participation in 2025," said Kevin Kettler, Boyd Chief Transformation Officer. "This event is a valuable opportunity for global OEMs, tier suppliers, and industry innovators to regionally collaborate and address the evolving challenges European eMobility battery designers face today. We are helping regional eMobility leaders design thermal runaway prevention and containment solutions that enhance battery safety and reliability."

Visit Boyd at booth 10-B16 to learn more about its innovative thermal runaway prevention and containment solutions.

About Boyd

Boyd is the trusted global innovator of sustainable solutions that make our customers' products better, safer, faster, and more reliable. Our innovative engineered materials and thermal solutions advance our customers' technology to maximize performance in the world's most advanced data centers; enhance reliability and extend range for electric and autonomous vehicles; advance the accuracy of cutting-edge personal healthcare and diagnostic systems; enable performance-critical aircraft and security technologies; and accelerate innovation in next-generation electronics and human-machine-interface. Core to Boyd's global manufacturing is a deep commitment to protecting the environment with sustainable, scalable, lean, strategically located regional operations that reduce waste and minimize carbon footprint.? We empower our employees, develop their potential, and inspire them to do the right things with integrity and accountability to champion our customers' success.

Visit us at www.boydcorp.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250528940983/en/

Contacts:

Amie Jeffries, amie.jeffries@boydcorp.com, 2094092476
Enhanced technology: Implementation of new generative AI tools to analyse reviews at scale - 90% of fake reviews removed by automated technology in 2024

Implementation of new generative AI tools to analyse reviews at scale - 90% of fake reviews removed by automated technology in 2024 Increasing scale strengthens trust: Growing number of reviews helps protect integrity of platform through enhanced data insights - 61 million posted in 2024

Growing number of reviews helps protect integrity of platform through enhanced data insights - 61 million posted in 2024 Shaping trust: Engagement with regulators, governments and industry to define best practice for reviews that ensures consumers can access genuine and useful information

LONDON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trustpilot, the world's largest independent platform for customer feedback, has today launched its latest Trust Report (previously known as the Transparency Report), highlighting how AI, technology and data science have played a key role in safeguarding the integrity of the platform as it grows.

In 2024, Trustpilot introduced a number of new tools to protect the integrity of reviews on the platform, including guideline software that uses generative AI to identify policy violations at scale. Technology that looks for evidence that a review has been purchased was also introduced, as part of ongoing efforts to target review sellers.

Trustpilot removed 4.5 million fake reviews - amounting to 7.4% of the total number of reviews submitted in 2024. In 2023, it was 6.1% - demonstrating how its technology is scaling and improving as the number of reviews on the platform increases.

Crucially, 90% of those 4.5 million were removed automatically by technology that uses machine learning, neural networks and generative AI to identify patterns linked to fabricated content. Implementation of this technology, used in conjunction with Trustpilot's specialist teams, led to 53% more reviews being removed automatically than in 2023 and demonstrates its importance in maintaining integrity as the platform grows.

The community of users continues to play a key role in maintaining the platform in parallel with the technology and specialist teams. In 2024, 92 thousand reviews were flagged by consumers and 601 thousand by businesses for breaching Trustpilot's guidelines.

Online reviews have become an increasingly important part of consumer journeys and a tool for businesses to build trust, grow and improve their offering. Trustpilot is now home to over 300 million reviews - and 61 million were published in 2024 alone. More consumers and businesses are engaging with the platform than ever before, with 22 million consumers writing their first review for a business (up 13% from 2023) and 229 thousand companies being reviewed for the first time in 2024 (up 35% from 2023).

As the importance of review platforms grows, rightly so does regulatory scrutiny. Trustpilot is dedicated to maintaining dialogue with industry partners and regulators to reinforce its position as an authority in trust. In 2024, it became a founding member of the Coalition for Trusted Reviews, a cross-industry body that has helped promote best practices in the reviews industry and brought together experts and policymakers to discuss the industry's future. Trustpilot has engaged with lawmakers to shape and define policy on reviews, including the FTC throughout the development of its Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials rule in the US, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act in the UK, and the Fitness Check of EU consumer law on digital fitness in Europe.

Anoop Joshi, Chief Trust Officer at Trustpilot said: "While we often hear about AI as a tool that can be used to mislead people, at Trustpilot we are using the technology to improve trust in the age of AI, by analysing content and identifying suspicious patterns that help us maintain the fundamental integrity of our platform as it grows. Trust has never been more important, and the online review industry faces real and complex challenges. But with increasing amounts of data at our disposal and the development of new technology to screen and moderate reviews, we believe trust can continue to thrive."

To read the Trust Report, visit: https://corporate.trustpilot.com/trust/trust-report-2025

About Trustpilot

Trustpilot began in 2007 with a simple yet powerful idea that is more relevant today than ever - to be the universal symbol of trust, bringing consumers and businesses together through reviews. Trustpilot is open, independent, and impartial - we help consumers make the right choices and businesses to build trust, grow and improve.

Today, we have more than 300 million reviews and 64 million monthly active users across the globe, with 140 billion annual Trustbox impressions, and the numbers keep growing. We have nearly 1,000 employees and we're headquartered in Copenhagen, with operations in Amsterdam, Denver, Edinburgh, Hamburg, London, Melbourne, Milan and New York. Visit www.trustpilot.com

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BWA Group Plc - 440,000 Financing by Chairman

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 29

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF REGULATION 11 OF THE MARKET ABUSE (AMENDMENT) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS 2019/310.

29 May 2025

BWA Group PLC

("BWA", or the "Company")

440,000 Financing by Chairman

BWA (AQSE:BWAP) the mining investment company with licences in Cameroon and Canada, is pleased to announce that the Company's chairman, Jonathan Wearing has provided financing totalling 440,000 to further develop the Company's heavy mineral sands exploration projects in Cameroon (the "Financing").

The Financing includes a subscription for 33,333,334 ordinary shares of 0.5p each ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 0.6 pence per Ordinary Share, raising 200,000, by the Company's Chairman, Jonathan Wearing (the "Subscription") and an ongoing loan facility to the Company for 240,000, which has been drawn down (the "Facility"). The Facility is unsecured and interest free and the balance repayable by 30 June 2027.

The new Ordinary Shares issued under the Subscription will be allotted under the Company's existing unspent share issue authorities and are expected to be admitted to trading on the AQSE Growth Market on 4 June 2025 ("Admission"). On Admission, Mr Wearing will hold 275,280,082 Ordinary Shares, equivalent to 28.37% of the Ordinary Shares on Admission. Mr Wearing's holding includes Ordinary Shares held by Tricastle Investments Limited, a company he controls.

The Subscription and Facility constitute related party transactions under the AQSE Growth Market Access Rules. The Board has concluded, having exercised reasonable care, skill and diligence, that the Subscription and Facility are fair and reasonable as far as the shareholders of the Company are concerned.

On Admission, the Company will have 970,265,698 Ordinary Shares in issue, each with one voting right. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury and therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 970,265,698. This figure should be used by shareholders from Admission as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For further information on the Company, please visit www.bwagroupplc.com/index.html or:

BWA Group PLC James Butterfield Managing Director +44 (0) 7770 225 253 enquiries@bwagroupplc.com Allenby Capital Limited Corporate Adviser +44 (0)20 3328 5656 Nick Harriss/Lauren Wright Oberon Capital Broker +44 (0)20 3179 5300 Nick Lovering/Adam Pollock

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them.
GUANGZHOU, China, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the global skincare market continues to surge, many aspiring beauty entrepreneurs are looking to launch their own product lines, but few realize the complexity behind finding the right manufacturer. Ridgepole, a trusted skincare manufacturer, is stepping in to provide much-needed guidance with a step-by-step approach tailored for new and growing brands.

With consumer demand for clean, ethical, and personalized skincare at an all-time high, Ridgepole's expertise helps brands avoid costly mistakes and establish a solid foundation for success.

Start with a Clear Product Vision

Before looking for a manufacturer, it's important to know exactly what kind of skincare product you want to create. This includes choosing between private label, white label, or custom formulations. Ridgepole works with all three types, helping brands at every stage of development.

Brands should also define their niche-whether that's organic skincare, acne treatment, or luxury beauty. Having a clear direction will make it easier to find a manufacturer that understands your needs.

Use Trusted Sources to Find Manufacturers

According to Ridgepole, the best way to find reliable manufacturers is through a mix of online platforms and in-person events. Websites like Alibaba, ThomasNet, and Global Sources list verified suppliers. Trade shows such as Cosmoprof and In-Cosmetics Global offer opportunities to meet manufacturers, test products, and compare options.

Check Certifications and Standards

Ridgepole reminds founders that quality matters. Always choose a manufacturer with proper certifications. Look for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), ISO 22716, FDA registration, and any relevant certifications like halal, cruelty-free, vegan, or USDA Organic.

Ridgepole holds all major industry certifications and is committed to ethical and transparent production practices.

"At Ridgepole, we help clients create products that reflect their brand values," says Tommy Tang, co-founder of Ridgepole. "The right manufacturer is more than a supplier. They're your long-term partner in growth."

Understand Customization and Packaging

Many brands underestimate the role of packaging. Ridgepole offers full packaging services, including eco-friendly materials and design support. The company also provides low minimum order quantities (MOQs) for startups.

Protect Your Brand with Strong Agreements

A clear contract is critical. Ridgepole advises brands to define payment terms, delivery timelines, and intellectual property rights. Ridgepole ensures that clients own their formulas and branding and keeps all sensitive information protected through NDAs.

Ridgepole: A Partner for Long-Term Success

Beyond production, Ridgepole supports ongoing growth. From reformulations to reorder support, Ridgepole stays involved as your business evolves.

Working with Ridgepole means building your skincare brand with experience, reliability, and industry expertise.

For more information, contact:

Guangzhou Ridgepole Biological Technology Co., Ltd

Website: ridgepoleglobal.com

Contact Email: tommytang@ridgepole.com

Phone: +86 1382611582

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/how-to-find-a-skincare-manufacturer-302468002.html
TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) announces that its subsidiary TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (TEPNG) signed an agreement with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) for the sale of its non-operated 12.5% interest in the OML118 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for an amount of 510 million.

OML118 PSC is operated by SNEPCo (55%), in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (20%), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (12.5%), and Nigerian Agip Exploration (12.5%). Located deep offshore at 120 km south of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, it contains the Bonga field, which started production in 2005, as well as the Bonga North field, the development of which started in 2024. Production from the OML 118 PSC, which is mainly oil, represents approximately 11,000 boe/d in Company share in 2024.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

"TotalEnergies continues to actively high-grade its Upstream portfolio, to focus on assets with low technical costs and low emissions, and to lower its cash breakeven" said Nicolas Terraz, President Exploration Production at TotalEnergies. "In Nigeria, the Company is focusing on its operated gas and offshore oil assets and is currently progressing the development of Ubeta project, designed to sustain gas supply to Nigeria LNG."

About TotalEnergies in Nigeria

TotalEnergies has been present in Nigeria for more than 60 years and employs today more than 1,800 people across different business segments. Nigeria is one of the main contributing countries to TotalEnergies' hydrocarbon production with 209,000 boe/d produced in 2024. TotalEnergies also operates an extensive distribution network which includes about 540 service stations in the country. In all its operations, TotalEnergies is particularly attentive to the socio-economic development of the country and is committed to working with local communities.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to providing as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations.

X @TotalEnergies LinkedIn TotalEnergies Facebook TotalEnergies Instagram TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250527321884/en/

Contacts:

TotalEnergies

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com
Die Finanzwelt ist im Umbruch! Nach Jahren der Dominanz erschuttert Donald Trumps erratische Wirtschaftspolitik das Fundament des amerikanischen Kapitalismus. Handelskriege, Rekordzolle und politische Isolation haben eine Kapitalflucht historischen Ausmaes ausgelost.



Milliarden stromen aus den USA  und suchen neue, lukrative Ziele. Und genau hier kommt China ins Spiel. Trotz aller Spannungen wachst die chinesische Wirtschaft dynamisch weiter, Innovation und Digitalisierung treiben die Markte an.



Im kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir Ihnen 5 Aktien aus China vor, die vom US-Niedergang profitieren und das Potenzial haben, den Markt regelrecht zu uberflugeln. Wer jetzt klug investiert, sichert sich den Zugang zu den neuen Wachstums-Champions von morgen.



Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche 5 Aktien die Konkurrenz aus den USA outperformen durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter.



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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Quimbaya Gold Inc. (CSE: QIM) (OTCQB: QIMGF) (FSE: K05) ("Quimbaya Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 5,714,286 units of the Company (each, a "Unit"), at a price of C$0.35 per Unit, to raise gross proceeds of up to approximately C$2,000,000 (the "Offering"), including a lead order of C$500,000 from Mr. Serafino Iacono, an influential figure in Colombian mining, Co-founder of Gran Colombia Gold Corp. (now Aris Mining Corporation) and Executive Chairman of Denarius Metals Corp.

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Share at a price of C$0.60 per Share for a period of 36 months from the issuance date of the Offering. The remaining Units issued under the Offering will be limited to other strategic investors with deep experience in Latin American exploration and project development.

"Seeing our hard work over the past few years recognized by industry leaders like Serafino Iacono is a real validation of our strategy and our assets," said Alexandre P. Boivin, CEO of Quimbaya Gold. "With strong exploration results, a drill-ready portfolio, and the right people around the table, we're incredibly excited about what lies ahead, especially as we prepare to kick off drilling at Tahami South. This is a pivotal moment for Quimbaya, and we're just getting started."

Strategic Alignment and Validation

The participation of Mr. Iacono, who played a pivotal role in the revival of the Colombian gold sector, signals high conviction in Quimbaya's assets and leadership. His investment marks a strong endorsement of the Company's solid Portfolio and in particular its drill-ready Tahami Project in the Middle Cauca Belt, one of Colombia's most prolific gold districts.

"I believe Quimbaya is uniquely positioned at the intersection of geology, timing, and leadership. The team is aligned, the land is exceptional, and in this rising gold environment the moment is now," said Mr. Iacono. "I'm excited to support a company that understands what it takes to build a real gold story in Colombia."

The net proceeds raised from the sale of the Units will be used for general exploration expenses and for general working capital purposes. Completion of the Offering is subject to applicable regulatory approvals. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one-day hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Offering is expected to close on or about June 6th 2025.

The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of the Company in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of such securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Quimbaya

Quimbaya aims to discover gold resources through exploration and acquisition of mining properties in the prolific mining districts of Colombia. Managed by an experienced team in the mining sector, Quimbaya is focused on three projects in the regions of Segovia (Tahami Project), Puerto Berrio (Berrio Project), and Abejorral (Maitamac Project), all located in Antioquia Province, Colombia.

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Cautionary Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking information" as that term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements herein include statements and information regarding the Offering, including its timing, intended closing date, intended use of proceeds and intended gross proceeds, any expected issuance of the Units or the Shares and Warrants which comprise them, a commitment by any person to purchase Units pursuant to the Offering, receipt by the Company of any applicable regulatory approval, the future plans for the Company, future expectations for the gold sector generally, the Colombian gold sector more particularly, or how global or local market trends may affect the Company, intended exploration on any of the Company's properties and any results thereof, the strength of the Company's mineral property portfolio, aims and goals of the Company, and other forward-looking information. Forward-looking information by its nature is based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Quimbaya to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, that the Offering as described herein will close on terms materially similar to the terms described herein. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to: future planned development and other activities on the Company's mineral properties; an inability to finance the Company; obtaining required permitting on the Company's mineral properties in a timely manner; any adverse changes to the planned operations of the Company's mineral properties; failure by the Company for any reason to undertake expected exploration programs; achieving and maintaining favourable relationships with local communities; mineral exploration results that are poorer or better than expected; prices for gold remaining as expected; currency exchange rates remaining as expected; availability of funds for the Company's projects; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; the Offering proceeds being received as anticipated; all requisite regulatory and stock exchange approvals for the Offering are obtained in a timely fashion; investor participation in the Offering; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Although Quimbaya's management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Quimbaya as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Except as required by law, Quimbaya does not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change.

Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253731

SOURCE: Quimbaya Gold Inc.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - BORISMTAX, Inc., a leading tax advisory and planning firm, is proud to announce its continued expansion, providing expert tax strategy services to entrepreneurs and business owners in over 35 states. The firm, founded by Boris Musheyev, CPA, specializes in proactive tax planning designed to help businesses minimize their tax liabilities and optimize their financial health.

BORISMTAX Announces Expansion into 35+ States, Providing Strategic Tax Planning Services for Entrepreneurs

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Expanding Reach to Support More Entrepreneurs Nationwide

As part of its mission to provide continuous tax planning support, BORISMTAX is now serving entrepreneurs in more than 35 states, offering tailored solutions that go beyond traditional tax preparation. This expansion allows the firm to further its goal of ensuring business owners understand the tax-saving opportunities available to them year-round.



"We're excited to extend our services to a broader range of entrepreneurs across the country," said Boris Musheyev, CPA, Founder of BORISMTAX. "Our personalized approach to tax strategy means business owners aren't just getting their taxes filed-they're getting the guidance they need to make informed decisions that minimize their tax burdens and help them reinvest in their businesses."

A Proactive Approach to Tax Planning

Unlike many accounting firms that focus solely on tax season, BORISMTAX provides year-round tax strategy consultations, ensuring that clients are continually optimizing their tax positions. By working closely with business owners to understand their unique needs and challenges, the firm helps them leverage the tax code effectively.



"Many business owners unknowingly overpay on taxes simply because they aren't utilizing all the strategies available to them," Boris explained. "Our goal is to be a long-term partner for our clients, ensuring they consistently save on taxes while staying compliant with IRS regulations."

Award Recognition for Excellence in Tax Planning

In recognition of its outstanding commitment to tax planning and client success, BORISMTAX has recently received an industry award for excellence in proactive tax strategy. The award highlights the firm's dedication to providing personalized, effective tax-saving solutions for entrepreneurs and businesses, helping them optimize their financial outcomes.



"We're honored to receive this award, which reflects the hard work and dedication of our team," Boris said. "This recognition fuels our passion to continue offering the best possible service to our clients and expand our reach to even more business owners."

Proven Success and Continued Growth

Since its inception, BORISMTAX has been recognized for its commitment to proactive tax planning. The firm's impressive growth has made it one of the leading tax advisory firms in the country, and it continues to expand its reach as more business owners turn to BORISMTAX for expert guidance.



"We are proud to help business owners take control of their tax situation," Boris added. "Our clients don't just file their taxes-they make informed decisions year-round that optimize their financial future."

About BORISMTAX, Inc.

Founded by Boris Musheyev, CPA, BORISMTAX, Inc. is a tax advisory and planning firm based in New York City. The firm specializes in providing proactive tax strategies and advice to entrepreneurs and business owners in over 35 states. By focusing on personalized tax plans, BORISMTAX helps clients reduce their tax burdens and understand how to best leverage the tax code to retain more of their earnings. The company is recognized for its commitment to education and client service, offering a tailored approach that ensures clients can successfully navigate the complexities of tax laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/252899

SOURCE: Plentisoft
With 300 million in luxury sales and flagship branded developments, ANG will represent Forbes Global Properties across Romania's premier real estate markets.

Forbes Global Properties, an international network of selected real estate brokerages that connects buyers and sellers to the world's most exceptional properties, is pleased to announce the addition of ANG Luxury Properties. With a deep commitment to excellence and a proven track record of successful transactions, ANG will exclusively represent the brand in Bucharest and other premier markets including Cluj, Ia?i, Bra?ov, Timi?oara, and Romania's coveted Black Sea coast.

Led by real estate visionaries Nicoleta and Alexandru Manea, ANG has established itself as Romania's authority in high-end real estate, uniquely focusing on properties above 1 million. Backed by over 14 years of respected industry experience with more than 300 million in closed sales, the firm brings unrivaled expertise to the dynamic and evolving market.

ANG offers a full suite of tailored services for both sellers and buyers navigating Romania's high-end real estate market. For sellers, the firm provides professional property valuations, strategic marketing campaigns, and expert guidance in property management consultancy-ensuring maximum visibility and value. Buyers benefit from access to exclusive residences, each selected for its architectural excellence, design quality, and distinctive character.

"ANG Luxury Properties embodies the level of expertise, discretion, and commitment to quality that defines our global network," said Michael Jalbert, CEO, Forbes Global Properties. "Their in-depth knowledge of Romania's evolving high-end market and results-driven approach make them a natural fit for our brand."

"We are honored to join the Forbes Global Properties network," said Nicoleta Manea, CEO, ANG Luxury Properties. "This partnership elevates our reach and reinforces our mission: to deliver world-class real estate experiences in Romania, connecting distinguished clients with extraordinary properties."

"Forbes Global Properties is the missing link that allows us to connect Romanian clients seeking international homes with foreign investors looking to relocate their families or businesses to Romania. Through this global network, we can deliver premium consultancy backed by the world's top professionals," said Sorin Raia, Managing Partner, ANG Luxury Properties

ANG's flagship development projects reflect its vision and leadership in shaping Romania's luxury landscape. Among them is the Radisson Blu Hotel Residences Mamaia, a landmark oceanfront project developed by the Manea's Monarc Properties. In addition, ANG is spearheading the creation of Romania's first Branded Residence operated by Radisson Blu. Designed for discerning local and international investors, the project pairs outstanding rental yields with long-term appreciation.

"We created Radisson Blu Hotel Residences Mamaia, Romania's first branded residences, to attract foreign investors by offering international quality and strong ROI-still a key advantage in Romania," said Alexandru Manea, CEO of Monarc Properties

The exclusive worldwide residential real estate partner of Forbes, Forbes Global Properties provides branding and marketing services to the world's premier real estate firms and is now represented by real estate agents across 28 countries in more than 600 locations. As members of this exclusive network, ANG will benefit from Forbes' engaged audience of more than 167 million to connect, inspire, and inform affluent potential homebuyers and sellers about the finest properties for sale globally.

Homes are presented across Forbes and Forbes Global Properties print, digital, and social media channels and paired with expert commentary, timely market data, and top-tier editorials. ANG's prime residential listings will also be showcased on forbesglobalproperties.com, a curated collection of high-value, quality home listings.

About ANG Luxury Properties

Led by Nicoleta and Alexandru Manea, ANG Luxury Properties is the country's leading real estate firm specializing in ultra-premium residential sales. With over 300 million in closed transactions and a client portfolio that spans investors, developers, and high-net-worth individuals, ANG is recognized for its discretion, integrity, and market expertise. Its standout developments include the Radisson Blu Hotel Residences Mamaia and Romania's first branded residential complex operated by Radisson Blu. Learn more at www.angluxury.ro.

About Forbes Global Properties

Led by the world's foremost independent residential brokers and industry veterans, Forbes Global Properties is the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes. Our members connect discerning buyers and sellers of the most exceptional properties worldwide. Leveraging Forbes's worldwide reach and digital monthly audience of more than 167 million, our listings tell the stories that make our properties unique. Established in 2020, our invitation-only network spans more than 600 locations and comprises over 20,000 property experts across the U.S., Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Europe. For more information, visit forbesglobalproperties.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529566884/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Rubenstein Public Relations

llevin@rubensteinpr.com 212-805-3013
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, through its Growth Markets Fund II, has signed an agreement with ACEN, the listed energy company of the Ayala group, to sell a 25% minority stake in the San Miguel Bay offshore wind project in Camarines Sur subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The project is set to become one of the Philippines' first offshore wind projects with a potential installed capacity of up to 1 GW, and this milestone underscores the two companies' commitment to unlocking the country's untapped offshore wind resource to accelerate the country's energy transition.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and its Growth Markets Fund II has sought a local partner with deep expertise in stakeholder management to advance the project. ACEN, with its strong credentials in renewable energy, brings the necessary experience to complement CIP's technological expertise. The collaboration between the two companies is poised to establish a benchmark for offshore wind in the region and unlock further potential for large-scale clean energy projects.

Positioned as among the most advanced offshore wind initiatives in the country, the project, located near the coast of San Miguel Bay in Camarines Sur, leverages strategic site conditions, including abundant wind resources, shallow water depths to mitigate offshore wind challenges, and close proximity to the shore and the nearest substation. Its in-bay location also presents a lower typhoon risk, further ensuring stability in operations.

The project is currently in its pre-development stage in anticipation of the Department of Energy's 5th round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA-5) and will be subject to relevant regulatory approvals. It will play a crucial role in strengthening the Luzon grid and meeting the Philippines' rising energy demand with sustainable power.

Robert Helms, Partner at CIP's Growth Markets Fund II, said: "We are delighted to enter into this landmark partnership with ACEN, one of the most experienced renewable energy developers in the Philippines. Together with CIP's offshore wind expertise, we believe that ACEN's experience and domestic and international track record in project execution and stakeholder management will set a strong foundation for the successful development of the Camarines Sur offshore wind project. This includes anticipated participation in the upcoming first offshore wind auction. We are also working towards the ambition of making our project one of the first operational offshore wind projects in the Philippines in line with the targets set by the current Philippine administration."

Eric Francia, President and CEO of ACEN, said: "Offshore wind is poised to play a vital role in diversifying the country's energy mix. ACEN is pleased to partner with CIP, a global leader in the offshore wind sector. We look forward to collaborating on this trailblazing initiative."

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield energy investments. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, storage, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages 13 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 32 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from approximately 180 international institutional investors. CIP has projects in more than 30 countries and more than 2500 employees across platforms. For more information, visit www.cip.com

About ACEN

ACEN (PSE:ACEN), the Ayala group's listed energy platform, is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy platforms in Asia Pacific, with the Philippines as its core and largest market. It also has a significant presence in Australia, Vietnam, India, and Lao PDR, along with strategic investments in Indonesia and other markets. The company currently has ~7 GW of attributable renewable energy capacity spanning operational, under-construction, and committed projects.

As a developer, builder, and operator, ACEN leverages its agility and collaborative approach to accelerate the energy transition. Committed to unlocking access to clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy, the company is on track to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2025 and reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050-turning bold ambitions into real impact for businesses, communities, and indigenous groups. www.acenrenewables.com

For further information, please contact:

E-mail: media@cip.com

Oliver Routhe Skov, Head of Media Relations

Phone: +45 30541227

Email: orsk@cip.com
FRANKFURT, Germany, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The financial world is undergoing a revolutionary transformation, and NYALA Digital Asset AG is positioning itself as a pioneer in this change. This German company is shaping the future of capital markets and opening new paths for businesses and investors alike.

NYALA is the first truly digital alternative to traditional investment banks. The company offers a platform through which stocks and bonds can be issued-without exchanges, banks, or paperwork. Faster, cheaper, and across borders. In doing so, NYALA is democratizing both capital access for companies and investment opportunities for retail investors.

NYALA's pioneering work is regulated under Germany's Electronic Securities Act (eWpG) and was recently awarded a government research grant from the German Federal Ministry of Research.

NYALA solves a serious issue: traditional capital markets aren't built for small and mid-sized enterprises. IPOs require multi-million budgets and specialized legal advisors. As a result, 90% of mid-sized growth companies lack access. This often leads to the most exciting investment opportunities being allocated behind closed doors-to exclusive investor circles.

A New Era for Capital Markets: DPO Instead of IPO

What used to be a costly and complex IPO is now a lean, digital process. NYALA enables so-called DPOs-Digital Public Offerings. Companies issue securities directly to investors via digital channels: through their websites, apps, or partner platforms.

According to Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock-the world's largest asset manager-the future of capital markets lies in this kind of digital securities. The market holds enormous potential: by 2030, volumes of over 10 trillion are expected. In Europe, there is an annual funding gap of 800 billion that NYALA aims to close. Already, over 5,000 investors and issuers from six EU countries trust the platform.

An Exciting Announcement for Investors:

With a current share price of around 90, significant short-term potential and a target above 1.000, investors can now participate online-a process as simple as online shopping. And 15% of investments in NYALA can be refunded by the German Office for Economic Affairs. More information at https://digital.nyala.de.

Against this backdrop, the business editors of the FRANKFURTER TAGESZEITUNG see NYALA as one of the pioneers in the digital transformation of the financial sector. NYALA is now expanding across Europe and offers investors the chance to get in early on a promising future. With a solid foundation and a clear growth path, this Berlin-based company is revolutionizing how capital is raised and applied to benefit the European economy. The digitization of finance has begun-and NYALA is leading it forward.

NYALA Digital Asset AG

ISIN: DE000A3EX2V1

More information at: https://digital.nyala.de

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Press Contact:

FRANKFURTER TAGESZEITUNG

Mrs. Cyntia Benning

Mail: press@frankfurtertageszeitung.de

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NYALA Digital Asset AG, digital securities, financing, investment, retail investors, small and medium-sized enterprises, Digital Public Offerings, DPOs, capital market, FinTech, securities, secondary market, funding round, Berlin, BaFin, ISIN: DE000A3EX2V1

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New global community brings together funders, practitioners, and researchers committed to creating and measuring change that lasts

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of The Durability Collective - a new global community dedicated to transforming how social-impact organizations design, measure, and deliver lasting impact.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, The Durability Collective believes medium and long-term outcomes measurement can be feasible and low-cost. Too often, funders and practitioners alike feel overwhelmed by the cost and resources required to undertake long-term, intensive impact measurement through traditional methods like RCTs. The Collective believes there are other ways to approach measurement that can complement more formal methods and provide valuable insights that shape sustained impact.

The Durability Collective is convening a global community of stakeholders - including funders, non-profits, multilaterals, and government agencies - committed to measuring and advancing 'durability' outcomes. Focusing initially on organizations in the livelihood space, this shift will allow stakeholders to focus on the activities that most advance employment, income, and well-being over time.

The community is launching with a set of inaugural members that includes Autodesk Foundation, Clayton Dubilier & Rice Foundation, Generation, GitLab Foundation, Livelihood Impact Fund, and UBS Optimus Foundation.

Together, they will work to:

Make the question "does the change last?" a point of mainstream discussion across the sector

Transform sector standards in medium and long-term outcomes measurement

Provide deep expertise openly and collaboratively so we can all learn together

To engage a wider network and achieve these goals, The Durability Collective will undertake a set of activities:

Durability Academy : Launching in June 2025, the Academy will be a two-year program to equip nonprofits, funders, and government agencies with practical tools and training to adopt effective medium- and long-term measurement practices.

: Launching in June 2025, the Academy will be a two-year program to equip nonprofits, funders, and government agencies with practical tools and training to adopt effective medium- and long-term measurement practices. Research Partnerships : Collaborating with academic and research institutions to identify interventions that accelerate sustained outcomes and to create an open-source repository of effective approaches.

: Collaborating with academic and research institutions to identify interventions that accelerate sustained outcomes and to create an open-source repository of effective approaches. Thought Leadership : Publishing insights, case studies, and best practices to make durability measurement a mainstream component of social impact evaluation.

: Publishing insights, case studies, and best practices to make durability measurement a mainstream component of social impact evaluation. Community Building: Growing a global community where members can come together to exchange challenges, ideas, and innovations.

Ishita Jain, Impact Measurement and Management Lead, Autodesk Foundation, said: "At the Autodesk Foundation, we are constantly seeking to deepen our understanding of impact. The Durability Collective offers a unique opportunity to strengthen our own strategy and contribute to advance the practice as a whole. This initiative represents a shift from merely counting the number of learners served to truly understand what matters - the long term impact on learners' employment and income."

Randy Moore, CD&R Foundation President said: "We're proud to support an initiative focused on long-term outcomes for both talent and the organizations that serve them. Generation's global track record and the Durability Collective's practical approach to measuring impact offer an auspicious opportunity for lasting, transformative change."

Dr. Mona Mourshed, Founding CEO of Generation, said: "At Generation, we believe in the power of employment to change lives, and we define impact along three pillars: Breadth, Depth, and Durability. Breadth is the number of learners and employers we reach with our programs. Depth covers employment and income outcomes soon after program completion. And Durability measures whether these gains are sustained, two to five years later. Durability is often overlooked in our field and across the social sector. The Durability Collective exists to change that. We believe lasting change is the true measure of success - and that measuring it can be both feasible and cost-effective."

Spencer MacColl, Director of Impact at GitLab Foundation, said: "GitLab Foundation is committed to creating lasting, systemic change, and The Durability Collective reflects our belief that measuring long-term impact is essential. By bringing together global funders, practitioners, and researchers, we're building a shared infrastructure for learning and accountability that drives enduring progress."

Jeremy Hockenstein, Managing Director, Livelihood Impact Fund, said: "The mission of the Livelihood Impact Fund is to meaningfully and durably improve the lives of the global poor - and to do that we need to understand how the programs and leaders we support create change over the course of years, not months. The Durability Collective will help us, our partners, and the sector do this more effectively."

Nalini Tarakeshwar, Deputy CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation, said: "We are pleased to support the launch of The Durability Collective in partnership with Generation and the other founding members. The Collective's aim - to mainstream the importance of measuring lasting change - aligns closely to the UBS Optimus Foundation's approach of driving systemic and catalytic change, underpinned by a focus on measuring outcomes. We believe it can be part of a scalable solution to the global employment crisis created by the mismatch between skills and decent work, a crisis which disproportionately affects young women from the most marginalized backgrounds."

If you are interested in joining The Durability Collective or learning more, you can visit durability.net.

About The Durability Collective

The Durability Collective is a global community of funders, practitioners, and researchers who are building our collective capability to measure social impact and create change that lasts. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we believe medium and long-term outcomes measurement can be feasible and cost effective. For more, visit durability.net.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-durability-collective-launches-to-measure-and-improve-social-outcomes-302467432.html
All students deserve a chance to grow-and a tutor who gets what they're going through.

LONDON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IXL Learning , developer of personalised learning products used by tens of millions of people globally, has acquired MyTutor , the United Kingdom's leading online tutoring platform. More than 200,000 families and 40 per cent of secondary schools across the UK trust MyTutor to help students catch up, stay motivated and achieve better outcomes. Drawing on their deep experience in one-on-one tutoring, IXL Learning will help the service expand its reach and support a broader set of subjects-from academics to personal passions.

"Effective tutoring isn't just about getting extra help. It's about who gives it. When a tutor understands your struggle, you get ahead," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "MyTutor's refreshingly different approach creates a natural connection between students and tutors-one that helps learners feel seen, supported and engaged. We're excited to work together to bring this kind of meaningful support to even more people."

What if every learner had backup when it mattered most?

Across the UK, students are missing more school and falling further behind . At the same time, the education system faces a perfect storm of challenges: teacher shortages, complex learner needs and mounting pressure. Meanwhile, families are increasingly seeking personalised tutoring that's effective and accessible-but as demand grows, supply has dwindled, widening the achievement gap between the haves and have-nots.

Since 2013, MyTutor has been closing that gap by making one-on-one, personalised learning accessible to those who need it most. It matches learners with high-achieving university students who offer not only subject expertise, but also a near-peer connection that makes coursework click. More than 10,000 tutors teach over 30 subjects-from core areas such as Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics to key qualifications, like GCSEs and A-Levels.

With live video, collaborative whiteboards and lesson recordings, MyTutor's online classroom brings learning to life. And the results are clear: Students typically make a full grade of progress in just one term-growth that is more than 2.5 times their peers'. That impact has led to partnerships with over 1,600 secondary schools and more than 4 million lessons delivered nationwide.

"At MyTutor, our mission is to transform the lives of 1,000,000 learners. As the education landscape evolves, we've been looking for the right partner to help us take the next step-that brings experience of operating at scale, shares our commitment to impact and enables us to build for the long term," said Bertie Hubbard, Co-founder and CEO of MyTutor. "With millions of learners on their platforms and nearly three decades of founder-led growth, IXL Learning brings both the values and the track record to help us achieve that."

A worldwide team supporting learners wherever they are

IXL Learning is a global company with 1,500 employees spanning the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, China, Germany and Latin America. With teams in multiple continents, the company provides on-the-ground support to schools, businesses and organisations, and individuals to help them achieve their goals. Its family of brands includes Wyzant , the largest tutoring network in the United States; Rosetta Stone , which offers language tutoring to learners around the world; and IXL , proud recipient of a 2025 BETT Award.

About MyTutor

MyTutor is the UK's leading online tutoring platform, connecting learners with vetted and trained university-level tutors through a scalable, purpose-built platform. The company works with over a third of UK secondary schools and has delivered more than 4 million lessons since its founding in 2013. For more information, visit www.mytutor.co.uk .

About IXL Learning

IXL Learning has revolutionised educational technology since it began in 1998. Today, the company leads the world of education through innovation and provides a diverse set of products and services that help learners develop skills in math, literacy, language, and more. IXL Learning's brands include IXL , Rosetta Stone , Dictionary.com , Thesaurus.com , SpanishDictionary.com , ingles.com , FrenchDictionary.com , MyTutor , Wyzant , Vocabulary.com , TPT , ABCya , Education.com and Carson Dellosa Education . The company's mission is to create breakthrough solutions to education's most pressing challenges and inspire students to become life-long learners. Discover how IXL Learning's products are shaping the future of education by exploring its newsroom .

Press Contact

Timmy Amoo

Lem-uhn PR & Communications Agency

timmy@lem-uhn.com

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, the national organisation for the promotion of tourism, again has permanent representation in Israel after a break. Since May, Slovakia has been promoted as an attractive holiday destination directly from the central Embassy of the Slovak Embassy in Tel Aviv by Gabriela Madrova, head of SLOVAKIA TRAVEL's foreign representation in the country.

Israel is included among the source markets of tourism in Slovakia due to the relatively high share of tourists coming from there to our country.

"Active representation directly on site will further strengthen our inbound tourism. In Israel, we present Slovakia as a safe country with a wide range of options for active and passive relaxation, with beautiful nature and nearly 2,000 thermal and mineral springs. Slovak spas, in which Israeli citizens can relax and enjoy themselves in waters with beneficial effects, are one of the main offers. UNESCO monuments, castles, manor houses and caves will also be of interest to them," saidMatej Fekete, Director General of SLOVAKIA TRAVEL.

"The fact that the international tourist guide LONELY PLANET has named Slovakia one of the TOP 10 destinations worth visiting in 2025 will also help promote our country as an attractive holiday destination," added Gabriela Madrova, head of SLOVAKIA TRAVEL's foreign representation in the country.

SLOVAKIA TRAVEL has already presented Slovakia as an attractive holiday destination in recent days at IMTM 2025, the largest tourism exhibition in the Mediterranean, which took place in May in Tel Aviv.

"In cooperation with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tel Aviv, we presented a comprehensive offer of tourism from all regions of Slovakia. Israeli tour operators, travel agencies, and guides all attended the exhibition. It was also gratifying that the agencies showed significant interest in cooperating with Slovak partners," said Gabriela Madrova, head of the foreign representation of SLOVAKIA TRAVEL in Israel.

"Direct flights from Tel Aviv to Slovakia are also a mechanism for supporting the increasing traffic from Israel to Slovakia. Direct flights to Bratislava and to Piestany will start at the end of May," saidMatej Fekete, Director General of SLOVAKIA TRAVEL.

SLOVAKIA TRAVEL is a national organisation for the promotion of tourism in Slovakia. Its primary task is the development of tourism on the domestic and foreign markets.

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd, the Manager of Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust ("Hektar REIT"), today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2025 ("Q1 FY2025"), demonstrating continued resilience across its asset portfolio and improved operational efficiency.

For Q1 FY2025, Hektar REIT recorded total revenue of RM30.9 million, an increase of 8.9% year-on-year (YoY) from RM28.4 million in Q1 FY2024, primarily supported by income contributions from the newly acquired Kolej Yayasan Saad ("KYS") education asset and improved performance from its retail properties. Net Property Income ("NPI") rose 4.4% YoY to RM15.0 million, while Net Realised Income stood at RM4.2 million, lower than the RM5.1 million in the same quarter last year due to the absence of one-off fund placement income recognized in prior period and slightly higher administrative and financing expenses.

In alignment with its ESG ambitions, Hektar REIT entered into a landmark partnership with Samaiden Group Berhad to implement solar project at five of its shopping centres. The initiative is projected to deliver long-term energy cost savings of approximately RM2.05 million annually or RM41.3 million over 20 years and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 98,640 tonnes, equivalent to planting over a total of 1,972,800 trees over 20 years. This initiative underscores Hektar REIT's commitment to sustainable operations and climate impact mitigation.

Furthermore, a comprehensive Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) is underway at Subang Parade, with Phase 1 interior upgrades targeted for completion by Q1 2026. These efforts aim to uplift tenant value, customer experience, and asset performance. The Manager reported positive improvements in visitor traffic and rental reversion, since the announcement and execution of the Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) for Subang Parade, showcasing enhanced Tenants and customers' confidence. The opening of new tenants such as Game on by Next Gen, Oriental Parade, Mokky's Pizza, The Farm & Chan Rak BBQ, Little Ninja Dojo, Padi House, Fly Cycle Project have certainly contributed to higher footfall. The Manager looks forward to welcome more brands this year including CC Roasters, Paolo Paolo Gelato and Chagee among other tenants.

Zainal Iskandar, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management

Zainal Iskandar, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management, commented, "We are encouraged by the positive start to FY2025, supported by the strategic diversification of our portfolio and prudent cost management. Our retail assets are now consistently recording positive rental reversions, while our education asset continues to provide consistent income. These results reflect our continued discipline in maintaining stable returns and strengthening the resilience of our portfolio."

Looking ahead, the Manager remains optimistic on the value enhancements to be generated by its retail assets upon completion of AEIs and strategic leasing initiatives. Early gains are already seen in elevated occupancy rate which currently stands at 85.6%, positive rental reversions and higher footfall, boosting yields across Hektar Malls. Additionally, the acquisition of a 15-year master-leased industrial asset in Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone is progressing as planned and is poised to further diversify and strengthen the REIT's income profile.

Hektar REIT's total assets stood at RM1.44 billion as at 31 March 2025, while the net asset value per unit was RM1.0396.

###

ABOUT HEKTAR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust ("Hektar REIT") is Malaysia's first listed retail-focused REIT. The primary objectives of Hektar REIT are to provide unitholders with sustainable dividend income and to achieve a long-term capital appreciation of the REIT. Hektar REIT was listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on December 4, 2006 and currently owns 2 million square feet of retail space and an education property across 4 states with total assets valued at RM1.39 billion. On 19 February 2025, The Manager has announced the proposed acquisition of an industrial property located in Bayan Lepas, Penang for RM30 million, marking Hektar REIT's dedication to diversification for yield-accretive non-retail assets, being the first industrial asset in its portfolio. Hektar REIT is managed by Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd and the property manager is Hektar Property Services Sdn Bhd. Hektar REIT's portfolio of diversified properties includes Subang Parade in Subang Jaya, Selangor; Mahkota Parade in Melaka; Kolej Yayasan Saad in Ayer Keroh, Melaka; Wetex Parade & Classic Hotel in Muar, Johor; Central Square in Sungai Petani, Kedah; Kulim Central in Kulim, Kedah and Segamat Central in Segamat, Johor.

For more information, please visit www.HektarREIT.com

Published by: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd on behalf of Hektar Asset Management

For more information, please contact:

Jazzmin Wan

Emel: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

Renee Toh

Email: r.toh@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: Hektar Asset Management Sendirian Berhad

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/hektar-reit-delivers-resilient-q1-fy2025-performance-with-8.9-revenue-growth-and-strong-1033181
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (OTCQB: PVGDF) (the "Company" or "Provenance") is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing 2025 drilling program at the Eldorado Project, located in Malheur County, eastern Oregon. The initial phase of the program is focused on targeted infill and step-out reverse circulation (RC) drilling within the established mineralized system, with the objective of enhancing geological understanding and expanding the project's resource potential.

2025 Phase One RC Program Update

The first 2 RC holes (ED 12-13) have been completed, and samples are currently at the assay lab in Reno for processing. Hole ED-14 is currently drilled to 201 meters in mineralized rock. Results will be released when available.

The Company's initial RC drill holes are focused on expanding the known mineralization and improving the interpretation of key structures within the mineralized system (Figure 1-3). RC drilling is being used to test down-dip and lateral extensions of the mineralized structures, with step-outs of approximately 50 meters designed to evaluate both continuity and expansion potential.

This season's RC drilling, commencing with hole ED-12, follows up on the 2023 RC drilling program that drilled holes ED-01 to ED-11 and holes EC-01, EC-02 and EC-03 that were core holes drilled in the fall of 2024.

ED-12: Designed to better define the structural orientation intersected in ED-04 and EC-03, this hole targets a position approximately 40 meters down-dip of previous drilling. Preliminary logging indicates a change in grain size within the diorite and a notable increase in pyrite concentration near the projected location of the targeted structure.

ED-13: Based on encouraging visual results from ED-12, this hole is a planned 50-meter lateral step-out designed to test the extension potential of Zone 2.

ED-14: Aimed at evaluating the northwest extension and assessing grade continuity along an interpreted structural trend identified during prior drilling.

RC drilling will continue with ED-15 designed to test the continuity between two key high-grade zones intersected by EC-01 and ED-04 followed by additional step out drilling.

Building on the success of the 2024 core drilling campaign, Provenance has confirmed a strong correlation between gold mineralization and fracture density within the host diorite. Zones of increased fracturing have enabled greater fluid flow, resulting in more intense retrograde alteration accompanied by higher concentrations of pyrite and gold. These highly fractured zones correspond with dominant northeast- and north-south-trending structural corridors-a structural framework further validated by recent high-resolution drone magnetic inversion data.

Mineralization at Eldorado is predominantly hosted in dioritic intrusive rocks, while flanking meta-sedimentary units, including graphite-bearing schists, remain largely untested. These units represent compelling exploration targets based on analogous systems in the region-including areas within Eldorado East-where similar lithologies have been shown to facilitate high-grade gold deposition.

Figure 1. Regional Plan Map of Drilling Area.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/253724_figure1.jpg

Figure 2. Detailed Plan Map of RC holes.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/253724_figure2.jpg

Figure 3. Cross Section showing targets.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/253724_d0b51d9854fb3a71_003full.jpg

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Provenance Gold Corp.

Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company with a focus on gold and silver mineralization within North America. The Company currently holds interests in Nevada, and eastern Oregon, USA.

Provenance is also active on social media and invites investors to follow us on X to stay up to date with our latest news and developments:

https://x.com/ProvenanceGold

On behalf of the Board,

Provenance Gold Corp.

Rauno Perttu, Chief Executive Officer

Safe Harbor Statement: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253724

SOURCE: Provenance Gold Corp.
SAO PAULO and GLASGOW, Scotland, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BMC Medical, one of a global leader in sleep and respiratory health solutions, showcased its expanding international footprint and commitment to digital health at two major events this May: the ARTP Annual Conference in Glasgow and HOSPITALAR 2025 in Sao Paulo.

At the ARTP Annual Conference (May 1-2), BMC joined respiratory professionals from across the UK and Europe to explore how technology is reshaping chronic respiratory management. The spotlight was on telemonitoring solutions that enable real-time data exchange and remote patient engagement-critical for improving adherence and outcomes in CPAP therapy. BMC's PAP Link Digital Health Solution was presented as a powerful tool to personalize treatment and enhance care continuity beyond the clinic.

Later in the month, BMC made a high-profile appearance at HOSPITALAR 2025 (May 20-23), Latin America's premier medical trade show. At the event, BMC Medical introduced a comprehensive lineup of respiratory innovations, including the M1 Mini, G3 BPAP series, HFNC devices, RV series ventilators and PAP Link Digital Health solution.

BMC Medical's presence at both events highlights our ongoing commitment to making sleep and respiratory care more innovative and accessible worldwide. BMC continues to drive the future of respiratory care through innovation-bringing intelligent, accessible solutions to people everywhere, right where care is needed most.

About BMC

BMC Medical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to advancing respiratory health through innovative, accessible technologies that connect hospital and home. With a presence in over 100 countries, BMC empowers healthcare professionals and patients alike to manage sleep and breathing disorders with confidence.

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Traditional Crafts Integrated into Sustainable Fashion, Empowering Ethnic Minority Women to Generate Income

HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An", the "Company" or the "Group", HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) presented its Mother's Needlework public welfare program at London Craft Week 2025, in the "Tiangong Kaiwu: Crafting Works Of China" exhibition of the China Pavilion. The program showcased embroidery and handcrafted carpets created by women from ethnic minorities, including the Yi and Dulong communities. The pieces exemplify the unique beauty of the intangible cultural heritage passed down for thousands of years and highlight the significant role of handicrafts in women's empowerment, community development, and a sustainable economy.

The exhibition's diverse array of handicrafts from Chinese ethnic minorities included the intricate and vibrant Dulong Carpet from Yunnan Province's Dulong people. As a unique garment of one of China's smallest ethnic groups, the Dulong Carpet is celebrated for its intricate craftsmanship and vibrant colors.

Ethnic minority crafts are vital expressions of cultural heritage and history. However, rapid modernization threatens the survival of these skills. In 2020, Ping An launched the Mother's Needlework public welfare program to empower ethnic minority women to preserve traditional techniques and boost their incomes through innovative design and market access. The program champions sustainable fashion by integrating recycled materials with traditional ethnic designs, supporting local women to craft aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly textile products for domestic and international markets.

The Mother's Needlework public welfare program has expanded to 10 provinces and regions across China to date, including Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, and Guangdong, benefiting over 100 women. It has significantly improved the economic well-being of participating families and injected fresh vitality into sustainable community development.

Ping An affirms that ethnic handicrafts are not only Chinese cultural treasures but also a means to advance sustainable development and social inclusion. Through international platforms such as London Craft Week, Ping An aims to share the unique allure of China's intangible cultural heritage and invite collaboration from global designers and social organizations to collectively explore the innovative and sustainable future of handicrafts.

London Craft Week was established in 2015 and is supported by the King's Foundation, a charity founded by King Charles III. It is a premier global event in the fields of design, fashion, and crafts. Each year, it draws designers and artisans from around the world, fostering cross-cultural exchange and innovation through exhibitions, workshops, and forums.

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEx:2318 / 82318; SSE:601318) is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. It strives to become a world-leading provider of integrated finance, health and senior care services. Under the technology-driven "integrated finance + health and senior care" strategy, the Group provides professional "financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge" services to its nearly 240 million retail customers. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve financial businesses' quality and efficiency and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of December 2024, Ping An had more than RMB12 trillion in total assets. The Group ranked 29th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2024 and 53rd in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2024.

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Strikepoint Gold Inc. (TSXV: SKP), gold exploration company, is pleased to announce that it will be participating in THE Mining Investment Event, Canada's Only Tier 1 Global Mining Investment Conference, taking place June 3-5, 2025, at the Quebec Convention Centre, Quebec City, Canada.

Strikepoint Gold Inc.'s management will be available to meet with investors throughout the three-day conference.

"We are particularly excited about the global audience that THE Event has attracted, showcasing the best of international mining in Canada. This is a unique chance to engage with industry leaders and innovators, facilitating discussions that will shape the future of our sector. We look forward to seeing many of you there and exploring the possibilities that await us at this prestigious gathering."

Information regarding THE Event, including investor registration details, a list of participating companies, panelists and keynote speakers, as well as a preliminary agenda, can be found at https://www.themininginvestmentevent.com/

About Strikepoint Gold Inc.

Headed by CEO Michael G. Allen, StrikePoint is a multi-asset gold exploration company focused on building precious metals resources in the Western United States and in Canada.Mr. Allen has been working in the Walker Lane for the last 15 years, with multiple transactions completed in that timeframe including the acquisition of the Sterling Gold Project, located near Beatty, Nevada, and the sale of Northern Empire to Coeur Mining for approximately $120 million. The Sterling Gold Project is now part of AnglogGold Ashanti's "Expanded Silicon" project. In addition, Mr. Allen was the past President and CEO of Elevation Gold Mining Corporation, which operated Arizona's largest gold mine. The Management and Board of StrikePoint has strong expertise in exploration, finance and engineering. StrikePoint is rapidly becoming one of the largest holders of mineral claims within the Walker Lane of Nevada with approximately 145 square kilometers of prospective geology under claim, encompassing two district scale projects, the Hercules Gold Project and the Cuprite Gold Project.

THE Event is by invitation only - Interested investors & issuers, please go here:

https://www.themininginvestmentevent.com/register or contact Jennifer Choi, jchoi@irinc.ca

About: THE Mining Investment Event-Canada's Only Tier 1 Global Mining Investment Conference is held annually in Quebec City, Canada. It is independently sponsored and designed to facilitate privately arranged meetings between mining companies, international investors, and various mining government authorities. The conference provides a platform to hear from some of the most influential thought leaders in the sector.

THE Event is committed to promoting diversity, equality, and sustainability in the mining industry through education and innovation through its unique Student Sponsorship and SHE-Co Initiatives.

SOURCE: VID Media
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received exploration permits from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for drill testing the Hyndman property ("Hyndman") in the Dryden Gold District. With the arrival of the 2025 summer field season, the Company has launched its regional exploration campaign. Field crews are set to start detailed mapping and channel sampling at Hyndman to prepare for future drill testing of multiple unexplored geophysical anomalies. The geology team is preparing for the initial drill test at Sherridon, where detailed mapping from 2024 has exposed multiple drill ready targets.

The Company has grown its exploration team including an exploration manager to create consistency in logging and geological interpretation. To further improve our structural thesis, detailed mapping has begun on new Gold Rock extension targets.

2025 Field Activity Highlights:

Fladgate Exploration Consulting (" Fladgate ") is set to begin mapping & testing Hyndman

") is set to begin mapping & testing ALS Geoanalytics (" ALS ") to lead property-wide soil and till geochemical survey

") to lead soil and till geochemical survey Local mapping expert, Sundog Geology for the Gold Rock extensions to the north & south

extensions to the north & south Dryden Gold appoints Ryan Humphries as Exploration Manager

CEO Trey Wasser explains the Company's exploration strategy, "Dryden Gold holds a dominant land package in the Dryden Gold District that is strategically positioned on the main gold bearing fault structures. This favourable setting underpins the Company's two-pronged exploration strategy: to advance the high-grade Gold Rock structures while aggressively pursuing new regional discoveries. Our two main regional exploration targets Hyndman and Sherridon highlight two different types of potential gold deposits in different host rocks from that at Gold Rock. Having multiple deposit styles is common in large gold districts like Timmins and Val-d'Or. We feel that exploring these two regional targets helps to build the case that our property package constitutes an emerging gold district. Our strategic investors as well as other mid-tier/major companies have expressed their keen interest in our early exploration of the regional potential of the Dryden Gold District."

Field Program Updates

The Company has engaged Fladgate to lead the 2025 summer field program at the Hyndman Property (Figure 1). This program will include detailed geological mapping and sampling at the initial 2023 discovery site, as well as systematic traverses over untested geophysical anomalies identified through the 2023 Mira Geoscience 3D inversion study. Following reconnaissance mapping in 2023 and expanded geological work in 2024, Fladgate will now undertake a channel sampling program to evaluate the extent and continuity of the granodiorite-hosted stockwork mineralization.

The Company has retained regional mapping expert, Sundog Geology to complete another field season of mapping at Gold Rock with a focus evaluating the northeastern and southwestern expansion of mineralization along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. This work will directly follow up on results from the 2024 mapping program that included surface sampling results up to 24.20g/t gold.

In parallel with ongoing mapping efforts, Dryden Gold has initiated a comprehensive soil and till sampling program across most of its land package, in collaboration with ALS Geoanalytics. This program is designed to support the Company's regional exploration pipeline and advance the potential for a new regional discovery. Systematic geochemical sampling will provide vectors toward mineralization that will play a key role in refining exploration targets and guiding future exploration.





Figure 1: Regional Geology Map with Target location



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9776/253716_e9eb3e1004e5dac9_001full.jpg

Expanding the Geological Team

Dryden Gold has expanded its exploration team to better support the 2025 Exploration Campaign and is pleased to welcome Ryan Humphries as the Company's new Exploration Manager. Ryan is a geologist with 10 years' experience guiding and planning various regional grassroot projects and near-mine to resource delineation drilling. Large portions of experience exploring for gold, working throughout Quebec for Eldorado Gold, Wesdome Gold (Kiena), Bonterra Resources and Ontario with Wesdome (Eagle River). Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology degree from Laurentian University and is a registered professional geologist in Ontario (P.Geo) and Quebec (Geo).

Dryden Gold is committed to local employment with the majority of the exploration team living in Northwestern Ontario. The Company is also committed to growing local partnerships with First Nations Communities and whenever possible using local contractors for exploration projects.

Marketing Update

Management will be participating in The Mining Event of the North (the "Event") on June 3rd-5th, 2025, in Quebec City. CEO, Trey Wasser will be meeting with shareholders and new investors over one-to-one meetings and various networking events. Prior to the Event, on June 2nd, the Company will sponsor an investor lunch in Montreal and a dinner in Quebec City organized by MI3 Communications. Subsequent to the Event, Mr. Wasser will be meeting with institutional clients. Dryden Gold will also be participating in 121 Mining Investment New York on June 9th-10th, 2025, followed by an investor roadshow on June 11th, 2025, organized by Trinity Financing Investments Corporation. Investors can expect an update on the ongoing drill program and recent assays from the Gold Rock Camp.

Qualified Person

The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maura J. Kolb, M.Sc., P.Geo., President of Dryden Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

The Company is drilling NQ size core. Samples are cut in half, with half going to the lab for analysis and half kept as a record. True thickness/widths of the mineralization is unknown, result intervals are reported as the drilled core lengths unless otherwise stated. All sampling completed by Dryden Gold Corp. within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials, and a level of duplicate analysis. Drill samples from the 2024 and 2025 program were sent to Activation Laboratories, with sample preparation and analysis in Dryden, where they were processed for gold analysis by 50-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish and over limits determined by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish. Select samples were analyzed using metallic screens. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the acquisition of the Property, receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the acquisition of the Property; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253716

SOURCE: Dryden Gold Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - COELACANTH ENERGY INC. (TSXV: CEI) ("Coelacanth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 30, 2025. All dollar figures are Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Three Months Ended



March 31

($000s, except per share amounts)

2025



2024



% Change











Oil and natural gas sales

2,666



3,666



(27 )











Cash flow from operating activities

981



3,256



(70 ) Per share - basic and diluted (1)

-



0.01



(100 )











Adjusted funds flow (used) (1)

(1,440 )

1,078



(234 ) Per share - basic and diluted

(- )

-



(- )











Net loss

(3,617 )

(1,201 )

201

Per share - basic and diluted

(0.01 )

(- )

100













Capital expenditures (1)

25,701



1,263



1,935













Adjusted working capital (deficiency) (1)

(25,710 )

67,139



(138 )











Common shares outstanding (000s)











Weighted average - basic and diluted

531,445



529,196



-













End of period - basic

532,202



529,392



1

End of period - fully diluted

624,877



618,165



1



(1) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section.



Three Months Ended

OPERATING RESULTS (1)

March 31



2025



2024



% Change











Daily production (2)











Oil and condensate (bbls/d)

184



300



(39 ) Other NGLs (bbls/d)

25



37



(32 ) Oil and NGLs (bbls/d)

209



337



(38 ) Natural gas (mcf/d)

3,311



3,934



(16 ) Oil equivalent (boe/d)

761



993



(23 )











Oil and natural gas sales











Oil and condensate ($/bbl)

90.21



85.30



6

Other NGLs ($/bbl)

38.01



34.79



9

Oil and NGLs ($/bbl)

84.03



79.82



5

Natural gas ($/mcf)

3.65



3.40



7

Oil equivalent ($/boe)

38.94



40.57



(4 )











Royalties











Oil and NGLs ($/bbl)

15.95



20.77



(23 ) Natural gas ($/mcf)

0.64



0.51



25

Oil equivalent ($/boe)

7.18



9.08



(21 )











Operating expenses











Oil and NGLs ($/bbl)

10.63



9.89



7

Natural gas ($/mcf)

1.77



1.65



7

Oil equivalent ($/boe)

10.63



9.89



7













Net transportation expenses (3)











Oil and NGLs ($/bbl)

2.27



2.45



(7 ) Natural gas ($/mcf)

0.78



0.68



15

Oil equivalent ($/boe)

4.00



3.54



13













Operating netback (3)











Oil and NGLs ($/bbl)

55.18



46.71



18

Natural gas ($/mcf)

0.46



0.56



(18 ) Oil equivalent ($/boe)

17.13



18.06



(5 )











Depletion and depreciation ($/boe)

(14.30 )

(14.42 )

(1 ) General and administrative expenses ($/boe)

(21.76 )

(13.86 )

57

Share based compensation ($/boe)

(18.46 )

(10.11 )

83

Finance expense ($/boe)

(12.86 )

(1.06 )

1,113

Finance income ($/boe)

1.46



10.60



(86 ) Unutilized transportation ($/boe)

(4.05 )

(2.49 )

63

Net loss ($/boe)

(52.84 )

(13.28 )

298



(1) See "Oil and Gas Terms" section.

(2) See "Product Types" section.

(3) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section.

Selected financial and operational information outlined in this news release should be read in conjunction with Coelacanth's unaudited condensed interim financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which are available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

OPERATIONS UPDATE

Coelacanth has reached a major milestone in its development with the completion of the Two Rivers East facility (the "Facility"). The Facility was completed on budget and has moved to the testing and start-up phase. The capacity of the Facility is currently 8,000 boe/d but will be expanded in Q4 2025 to 16,000 boe/d with added compression. We expect production to start flowing imminently from the 5-19 pad and ramp up through the summer. As previously released, the 5-19 pad has 9 wells that tested over 11,000 boe/d (1) that will be brought on systematically to approach the phase I capacity of the plant prior to further drilling.

Over the next few years, Coelacanth will continue with its business plan that incorporates:

Systematically developing the resource using pad development and horizontal multi-frac technology to increase production and maximize cash flow and investment returns. Delineating the lands with vertical and horizontal wells to help in quantifying and understanding the commerciality of its large Montney resource base that includes up to four Montney benches over its 150 contiguous sections of land. Developing and licensing a flexible infrastructure plan that will allow for the resource to be scaled to a much larger production base.

Coelacanth has licensed additional locations on the 5-19 pad, is in the process of licensing additional development pads, delineation locations and additional infrastructure to grow beyond current plant capacity. While commodity prices and available capital will dictate the pace of execution of the business plan, we are very pleased with the results to date and look forward to reporting on new developments as they arise.

(1) See "Test Results and Initial Production Rates" section for more details.

OIL AND GAS TERMS

The Company uses the following frequently recurring oil and gas industry terms in the news release:

Liquids

Bbls Barrels

Bbls/d Barrels per day

NGLs Natural gas liquids (includes condensate, pentane, butane, propane, and ethane)

Condensate Pentane and heavier hydrocarbons



Natural Gas

Mcf Thousands of cubic feet Mcf/d Thousands of cubic feet per day MMcf/d Millions of cubic feet per day MMbtu Million of British thermal units MMbtu/d Million of British thermal units per day

Oil Equivalent

Boe Barrels of oil equivalent

Boe/d Barrels of oil equivalent per day



Disclosure provided herein in respect of a boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent has been used for the calculation of boe amounts in the news release. This boe conversion rate is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

This news release refers to certain measures that are not determined in accordance with IFRS (or "GAAP"). These non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful than, financial measures that are determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of the Company's performance. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP and other financial measures provides useful information to shareholders and investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's ongoing operating performance, and the measures provide increased transparency to better analyze the Company's performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted funds flow (used)

Management uses adjusted funds flow (used) to analyze performance and considers it a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to fund future capital investments and abandonment obligations and to repay debt, if any. Adjusted funds flow (used) is a non-GAAP financial measure and has been defined by the Company as cash flow from operating activities excluding the change in non-cash working capital related to operating activities, movements in restricted cash deposits and expenditures on decommissioning obligations. Management believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves a high degree of discretion and as such may not be useful for evaluating the Company's cash flows. Adjusted funds flow (used) is reconciled from cash flow from operating activities as follows:



Three Months Ended



March 31

($000s)

2025



2024



% Change

Cash flow from operating activities

981



3,256



(70 ) Add (deduct):











Decommissioning expenditures

139



148



(6 ) Change in restricted cash deposits

-



424



(100 ) Change in non-cash working capital

(2,560 )

(2,750 )

(7 ) Adjusted funds flow (used) (non-GAAP)

(1,440 )

1,078



(234 )

Net transportation expenses

Management considers net transportation expenses an important measure as it demonstrates the cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses is calculated as transportation expenses less unutilized transportation and is calculated as follows:



Three Months Ended



March 31

($000s)

2025



2024

Transportation expenses

551



545

Unutilized transportation

(277 )

(225 ) Net transportation expenses (non-GAAP)

274



320



Operating netback

Management considers operating netback an important measure as it demonstrates its profitability relative to current commodity prices. Operating netback is calculated as oil and natural gas sales less royalties, operating expenses, and net transportation expenses and is calculated as follows:



Three Months Ended



March 31

($000s)

2025



2024

Oil and natural gas sales

2,666



3,666

Royalties

(491 )

(821 ) Operating expenses

(728 )

(894 ) Net transportation expenses

(274 )

(320 ) Operating netback (non-GAAP)

1,173



1,631



Capital expenditures

Coelacanth utilizes capital expenditures as a measure of capital investment on property, plant, and equipment, exploration and evaluation assets and property acquisitions compared to its annual budgeted capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are calculated as follows:



Three Months Ended



March 31

($000s)

2025



2024

Capital expenditures - property, plant, and equipment

668



393

Capital expenditures - exploration and evaluation assets

25,033



870

Capital expenditures (non-GAAP)

25,701



1,263



Capital Management Measures

Adjusted working capital

Management uses adjusted working capital (deficiency) as a measure to assess the Company's financial position. Adjusted working capital is calculated as current assets and restricted cash deposits less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of decommissioning obligations.

($000s) March 31,

2025 December 31, 2024 Current assets

3,431



11,579

Less:







Current liabilities

(36,009 )

(37,234 ) Working capital deficiency

(32,578 )

(25,655 ) Add:







Restricted cash deposits

4,900



4,900

Current portion of decommissioning obligations

1,968



2,118

Adjusted working capital deficiency (Capital management measure)

(25,710 )

(18,637 )

Non-GAAP Financial Ratios

Adjusted Funds Flow (Used) per Share

Adjusted funds flow (used) per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio, calculated using adjusted funds flow (used) and the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating net loss per share.

Net transportation expenses per boe

The Company utilizes net transportation expenses per boe to assess the per unit cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses per boe is calculated as net transportation expenses divided by total production for the applicable period.

Operating netback per boe

The Company utilizes operating netback per boe to assess the operating performance of its petroleum and natural gas assets on a per unit of production basis. Operating netback per boe is calculated as operating netback divided by total production for the applicable period.

Supplementary Financial Measures

The supplementary financial measures used in this news release (primarily average sales price per product type and certain per boe and per share figures) are either a per unit disclosure of a corresponding GAAP measure, or a component of a corresponding GAAP measure, presented in the financial statements. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a per unit basis are calculated by dividing the aggregate GAAP measure (or component thereof) by the applicable unit for the period. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a component basis of a corresponding GAAP measure are a granular representation of a financial statement line item and are determined in accordance with GAAP.

PRODUCT TYPES

The Company uses the following references to sales volumes in the news release:

Natural gas refers to shale gas

Oil and condensate refers to condensate and tight oil combined

Other NGLs refers to butane, propane and ethane combined

Oil and NGLs refers to tight oil and NGLs combined

Oil equivalent refers to the total oil equivalent of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs combined, using the conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of shale gas to one barrel of oil equivalent.

The following is a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product types of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs:

Three Months Ended March 31 Sales Volumes by Product Type 2025 2024 Condensate (bbls/d) 18 19 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 25 37 NGLs (bbls/d) 43 56 Tight oil (bbls/d) 166 281 Condensate (bbls/d) 18 19 Oil and condensate (bbls/d) 184 300 Other NGLs (bbls/d) 25 37 Oil and NGLs (bbls/d) 209 337 Shale gas (mcf/d) 3,311 3,934 Natural gas (mcf/d) 3,311 3,934 Oil equivalent (boe/d) 761 993

TEST RESULTS AND INITIAL PRODUCTION RATES

The 5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 9.4 days and produced at an average rate of 377 bbl/d oil and 2,202 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The A5-19 Basal Montney well was production tested for 5.9 days and produced at an average rate of 117 bbl/d oil and 630 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The B5-19 Upper Montney well was production tested for 6.3 days and produced at an average rate of 92 bbl/d oil and 2,100 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The C5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 5.8 days and produced at an average rate of 736 bbl/d oil and 2,660 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The D5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 12.6 days and produced at an average rate of 170 bbl/d oil and 580 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The E5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 11.4 days and produced at an average rate of 312 bbl/d oil and 890 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure was stable, and production was starting to decline.

The F5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 4.9 days and produced at an average rate of 728 bbl/d oil and 1,607 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The G5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 7.1 days and produced at an average rate of 415 bbl/d oil and 1,489 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure and production rates were stable.

The H5-19 Lower Montney well was production tested for 8.1 days and produced at an average rate of 411 bbl/d oil and 1,166 mcf/d gas (net of load fluid and energizing fluid) over that period which includes the initial cleanup where only load water was being recovered. At the end of the test, flowing wellhead pressure was stable and production was starting to decline.

A pressure transient analysis or well-test interpretation has not been carried out on these nine wells and thus certain of the test results provided herein should be considered to be preliminary until such analysis or interpretation has been completed. Test results and initial production rates disclosed herein, particularly those short in duration, may not necessarily be indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery.

Any references to peak rates, test rates, IP30, IP90, IP180 or initial production rates or declines are useful for confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates and declines are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter and are not indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. IP30 is defined as an average production rate over 30 consecutive days, IP90 is defined as an average production rate over 90 consecutive days and IP180 is defined as an average production rate over 180 consecutive days. Readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating aggregate production for the Company.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information.

More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's oil and condensate, other NGLs, and natural gas production, capital programs, and adjusted working capital. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions relating to prevailing commodity prices and exchange rates, applicable royalty rates and tax laws, future well production rates, the performance of existing wells, the success of drilling new wells, the availability of capital to undertake planned activities, and the availability and cost of labour and services.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production rates, costs, and expenses, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, marketing and transportation, environmental risks, competition, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and changes in tax, royalty, and environmental legislation. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this document are made as of the date hereof for the purpose of providing the readers with the Company's expectations for the coming year. The forward-looking statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Coelacanth is an oil and natural gas company, actively engaged in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas reserves in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253761

SOURCE: Coelacanth Energy Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce the grand opening of Rosie's Burgers ("Rosie's") newest location at 2500 Appleby Line, Burlington, Ontario, this Saturday May 31st, 2025. Rosie's is a boutique QSR restaurant brand serving up its signature smash burgers, poutine, onion rings, milkshakes, and more.

Happy Belly 1

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"Rosie's Burgers continues its organic growth with the opening of its 2nd location this year. This opening further expands our reach in our home market and helps service the increasing demand for Rosie's in Ontario," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "This new location shares a free-standing pad with a drive through Starbuck's that draws professionals, residents, and visitors alike, this site delivers the ideal blend of convenience and appeal-perfect for both dine-in and delivery.



"Beyond footprint growth, this opening increases Rosie's franchise model store count. Our franchisee for this location is Norm Pickering who I had the pleasure of working with at both Mucho Burrito and MTY Food Group Inc. when Norm was our Director of Marketing. From rigorous site selection and comprehensive operational training to targeted marketing and ongoing business development, we equip our franchise partners with the tools they need to thrive. The dedication of our seasoned operators underscores the confidence they place in our proven processes, leadership team, and brand momentum.

Happy Belly 2

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"With 95 units already secured under area-development agreements across Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia-and several locations currently under construction-Rosie's is poised for sustained, predictable growth. As we move through the remainder of the year, we anticipate a growing number of new openings. By combining corporate-owned stores with an asset-light franchise strategy, we expect to accelerate our expansion while maintaining operational excellence.



"We are actively engaged in discussions with various groups across Canada to accelerate the expansion of Rosie's. As we organically expand Happy Belly's presence in the QSR space, numerous real estate opportunities are emerging. We are excited to share updates on newly secured locations for our brands as we continue to grow. Our approach has always been to focus on the development and growth of emerging brands in the food sector. With our area developers building a pipeline of potential franchise candidates across Canada, we look forward to building on this momentum and securing more franchise agreements across our portfolio of emerging brands.

Happy Belly 3

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"Our team's deep expertise in the burger category positions Rosie's Burgers for a strong and sustained growth trajectory in the years ahead. As the momentum behind the brand continues to build as our asset-light franchise model enables Happy Belly as a whole, to continue accelerating across all our brands. With a strong foundation, strategic leadership, and a dedicated franchise support system we are well-positioned to drive sustained growth.



"With each new opening and franchise agreement signed, our coast-to-coast Canadian expansion grows. Our core focus is on accelerating growth through organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. With more restaurants in development across Canada, we expect to announce several projects throughout the remainder of the year. Happy Belly now has 531 contractually committed retail franchise locations across our emerging brands-whether in development, under construction, or already operating. We are steadily expanding this pipeline throughout 2025 and 2026, continually selecting the right franchise partners and securing optimal real estate to achieve our mission to become a predictable and disciplined growth company, Canada's next great restaurant consolidator."



We are just getting started.

About Rosie's Burgers

Deliciously handcrafted smashed burgers, golden fries, and classic milkshakes. Rosie's is your neighbourhood burger shop serving up nostalgic flavours you know, love, and crave. From our Smashburger's and French fries to strawberry shakes and onion rings-we're all about keeping things simple and perfecting tradition. Because the classics were made classic for a reason, right?



Franchising

For franchising inquiries, please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.



About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a dynamic multi-branded restaurant company focused on acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada. With a robust portfolio of brands Happy Belly is dedicated to delivering quality, efficiency, and exceptional customer experiences nationwide.

Happy Belly 3

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Sean Black

Chief Executive Officer

Shawn Moniz

Chief Operating Officer

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253789

SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
The World's First and Most Respected High-Stakes English Test Announces a Fairer, More Accessible, Smarter and Tailored Experience

PRINCETON, N.J., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ETS, a global leader in education and talent solutions, today announced a series of experience-focused enhancements to the TOEFL iBT test. Grounded in the organization's mission to advance the science of measurement to power human progress, these updates are designed to make the TOEFL experience fairer and more accessible for students, without compromising the academic integrity and reliability trusted by institutions for over six decades.

Beginning May 30, 2025, test takers using the TOEFL iBT Home Edition will see immediate improvements to the support and structure of the at-home testing experience. Broader refinements to test adaptivity, turnaround time and score reporting will go into effect January 2026.

"I learned English outside of a formal classroom, so I understand the challenges of nontraditional learning," said Omar Chihane, Global General Manager of TOEFL at ETS. "We're transforming TOEFL to be more fair, flexible and relevant, so no student is held back by how or where they learned.

We've updated niche topics like Greek mythology with more real-world academic content that reflects today's global student, relevant regardless of their background. Whether testing at a center in India or from home in Denmark, every student deserves a fair shot to demonstrate their English proficiency. That's our mission."

Experience Enhancements

A More Supportive At-Home Testing Experience (Starting May 30, 2025)

Key elements of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition have been redesigned to create a more seamless and supportive experience, updates include:

ETS-trained in-house proctors for consistent support throughout the testing session

AI-assisted identity verification (ENTRUST) to confirm test taker identity while easing check-in friction

Simplified registration and test-day workflow, reducing stress and administrative hurdles

A Personalized, More Efficient Testing Experience (Starting January 2026)

ETS will implement a multistage adaptive design for the Reading and Listening sections of the TOEFL iBT. This means the test will adjust in real time based on how a student performs. Additionally, traditional content will be supplemented with modern, equitable topics. The tailored test will:

Better reflect how students use English in real academic settings, like group discussions and project work

Use content that is relevant, accessible and carefully reviewed to reduce cultural bias

Easier-to-Understand Scoring That Aligns with Global Standards (Starting January 2026)

In addition to their traditional scoring, TOEFL iBT will introduce an intuitive score scale of 1-6.

This additional score will directly align with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - the world's most widely recognized English proficiency framework, making score interpretation simpler and more consistent:

Score reports will display both the 1-6 banded scale and the traditional 0-120 scale

Institutions will receive training and resources to ensure a smooth integration

Test takers can better connect TOEFL scores to prior learning and familiar benchmarks such as the CEFR

Other key enhancements include:

Upgraded audio equipment: All test center headphones worldwide are being replaced with state-of-the-art custom 'stereophones,' developed in collaboration with renowned audio brand Koss.

All test center headphones worldwide are being replaced with state-of-the-art custom 'stereophones,' developed in collaboration with renowned audio brand Koss. Expanded prep resources: New materials, including free items, designed to support the enhanced TOEFL iBT experience will be available starting in July.

New materials, including free items, designed to support the enhanced TOEFL iBT experience will be available starting in July. Faster score reporting: Students will receive scores within 72 hours or less, enabling them to meet application deadlines with greater confidence.

Students will receive scores within 72 hours or less, enabling them to meet application deadlines with greater confidence. Simplified registration: A redesigned process makes it easier to find and book a test-whether at a center or at home.

"Since 1964, the TOEFL iBT has helped millions unlock opportunities through global education and been the benchmark in high-stakes English testing," said Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President of Global Mobility Solutions at ETS. "We're preserving that high bar for quality while evolving the experience around it - removing friction, improving fairness and making the process more inclusive for students worldwide."

Built for Today's Students. Trusted by the World's Institutions.

Today's learners expect testing that is flexible, efficient and relevant to their backgrounds and academic goals, while institutions require results they can trust. TOEFL continues to deliver on both. With more than 2,300 test centers in 120+ countries and a secure, streamlined Home Edition, students benefit from greater access, faster results and scoring that reflects real-world communication.

Accepted by 100% of universities in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia, and by over 13,000 institutions worldwide, TOEFL iBT is the gold standard in high-stakes English testing. Its fair, modern assessment experience, strong security and CEFR-aligned scores give institutions the confidence they need to make admissions decisions and students the most reliable way to showcase their English proficiency.

To learn more about the TOEFL iBT and stay updated on upcoming experience enhancements, visit www.ets.org/toefl and follow TOEFL on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

About the TOEFL iBT test

The TOEFL iBT test is the most respected, accepted and preferred test of academic English-language proficiency, used for study, work and immigration. More than 13,000 institutions in 160+ countries worldwide accept TOEFL iBT scores to make high-stakes decisions. The test is a crucial component of the world-class TOEFL Family of Assessments, offering tools for English-language proficiency starting with learners 8+. Powered by ETS, these assessments are rooted in 75 years of research and expertise, building equitable ways to measure proficiency while empowering people and institutions around the globe to turn aspirations into reality. TOEFL is a passionate journey partner, providing learners access, authority and support to move the world. For more information, visit www.ets.org/toefl.

About ETS

ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future ready. We advance the science of measurement to build the benchmarks for fair and valid skill assessment. We are committed to powering human progress by promoting skill proficiency, empowering upward mobility and unlocking more opportunities for everyone, everywhere. Our assessment products - including the TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, and Praxis Assessments - as well as our innovative solutions and subsidiaries help 50 million people each year to clarify their strengths and find opportunities for growth in education, work and beyond. We continue to operate around the world, with offices in 25 locations and operations in 200 countries and territories. www.ets.org

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New evidence from the largest prospective evaluation of stroke AI imaging further validates Brainomix 360 Stroke impact on mechanical thrombectomy, expanding patient access across networks to the life-changing treatment

The Oxford-based pioneer continues to drive cutting-edge research with its novel biomarkers, forging partnerships with world-leading stroke institutions across the US and Europe

OXFORD, England and CHICAGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brainomix, a global leader in AI-powered imaging solutions in stroke and lung fibrosis, presented a series of new studies at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) in Helsinki, solidifying the position of its market-leading Brainomix 360 Stroke as the most clinically validated stroke AI imaging solution.

Gary Ford (Professor of Stroke Medicine at Oxford University, and Chief Executive of Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley) presented new and expanded results from the largest prospective evaluation of stroke AI imaging software, showing that the use of Brainomix 360 Stroke was associated with an increase in mechanical thrombectomy rates across evaluation sites. The impact was particularly significant in primary stroke centers (104% increase), but was also observed in comprehensive stroke centers (73% increase), representing a network-wide benefit from Brainomix 360 Stroke to expand patient access to the life-changing procedure.

Dr Albert Yoo (Texas Stroke Institute) presented results from a research collaboration between Brainomix and the TESLA Trial team, whose randomized study was originally published in JAMA in September 2024. In this new analysis of the trial data, Brainomix 360 Stroke was used to estimate the ischemic core volume and degree of hypoattenuation on the non-contrast CT (NCCT) scans taken upon admission for the 276 large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients included in the original study. The results showed that both ischemic core volume and the degree of hypoattenuation (as measured by net-water-uptake) modified the effect of mechanical thrombectomy and should therefore be considered when assessing suitability of endovascular treatment in patients with large core ischemic stroke.

Building on its track record of cutting-edge stroke imaging research, Brainomix also presented a new study with leading academic clinicians from the Mayo Clinic and West Virginia University, exploring brain frailty as an independent predictor of functional outcome in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. George Harston, Chief Medical & Innovation Officer at Brainomix, said: "This is an exciting study, where our next generation biomarkers were able to assess brain frailty, finding it to be a useful criterion when assessing a patient's suitability for mechanical thrombectomy and the likelihood of them achieving a good clinical outcome." This topic will be included with other breakthrough research projects in an upcoming webinar that Brainomix have organized with Dr Ansaar Rai and Dr Waleed Brinjikji on Thursday, June 12th.

Brainomix supported a number of additional studies at ESOC, including:

Dr Amelia Adcock (West Virginia University) presented the results of a comparative analysis of Brainomix 360 Stroke and Viz.ai, with the findings demonstrating that both AI solutions accurately identified intracranial LVOs. Notably, Brainomix 360 Stroke did exhibit a higher sensitivity for more distal occlusions and was the only CT perfusion solution that showed a significant association between perfusion deficit and NIHSS.

Dr Esra Zhubi (Semmelweis University, Budapest) presented results from a study where Brainomix 360 Stroke was used to assess collateral status on CT angiography. The team concluded that changes in collateral status during transfer for thrombectomy were strong predictors of outcome following thrombectomy in LVO patients.

A research collaboration between Brainomix and Boston Medical Center assessed the accuracy of Brainomix 360 Stroke's automated hemorrhage detection tool to identify intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A total of 351 cases were successfully processed, with the Brainomix software exhibiting high overall sensitivity (93%) and specificity (94%), demonstrating high efficiency and efficacy for all subtypes of ICH detection to provide a reliable triage and notification service to aid clinicians in identifying cases.

A study with leading stroke researchers in Czechia looked at the utility of CT Perfusion processed with Brainomix 360 Stroke to more effectively differentiate stroke mimics from strokes, as a way of optimizing care and reducing the risk of inappropriate treatment for stroke mimic patients.

Notes to Editors

About Brainomix

Brainomix specializes in the creation of AI-powered software solutions to enable precision medicine for better treatment decisions in stroke and lung fibrosis. With origins as a spinout from the University of Oxford, Brainomix is an expanding commercial-stage company with offices in the UK, Ireland and the USA, and operations in more than 20 countries. A private company, backed by leading healthtech investors, Brainomix has innovated award-winning imaging biomarkers and software solutions that have been clinically adopted in hundreds of hospitals worldwide. Its first product, the Brainomix 360 stroke platform, provides clinicians with the most comprehensive stroke imaging solution, driving increased treatment rates and improving functional independence for patients.

To learn more about Brainomix and its technology visit www.brainomix.com , and follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook .

Contacts :

Jeff Wyrtzen, Chief Marketing Officer

jwyrtzen@brainomix.com

T +44 (0)1865 582730

Media Enquiries:

Charles Consultants

Sue Charles

Sue@charles-consultants.com

M +44 (0)7968 726585

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VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has launched its new copy trading function alongside the exclusive Supernova Program. These initiatives are designed to simplify crypto trading and empower users by fostering a dynamic, community-driven ecosystem where traders of all levels can connect and succeed.

The copy trading feature allows KuCoin users to automatically follow and replicate the trades of top-performing lead traders in real time. Tailored for both beginners and seasoned traders, this tool streamlines the trading process, enabling users to adopt proven strategies effortlessly. Whether you're aiming to diversify your portfolio or save time, copy trading offers access to expert insights with minimal effort.

This launch underscores KuCoin's mission to make trading more accessible while nurturing a collaborative community. BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin, stated: "We're introducing copy trading to build a stronger community where experienced traders and newcomers can thrive together. It's about creating mutual benefit-bridging the gap and offering a platform where knowledge and success are shared. This marks a step toward a more connected and inclusive trading experience."

KuCoin's copy trading leverages API integration, empowering lead traders to automate strategies with precision. Supported by a high-performance matching engine, it ensures fast execution, efficient trade replication, and minimal slippage. Innovative features like fixed ratio and fixed amount copy modes, paired with 0.5% slippage protection, provide enhanced risk management and flexibility for users seeking effective trading solutions.

Complementing this, the Supernova Program rewards elite lead traders with incentives such as trading funds and profit-sharing. This ensures followers benefit from top-tier strategies while recognizing and compensating the platform's best performers.

Built on KuCoin's robust futures platform, the copy trading function supports over 300 futures contracts across various cryptocurrencies. It accommodates all contract types-USDT-margined, USDC-margined, and coin-margined-and features precision pricing synced with major exchanges. The advanced trading engine delivers fast, reliable performance, making it a trusted choice for traders worldwide.

Security remains at the heart of KuCoin's operations, with state-of-the-art tools like offline cold storage, mandatory two-factor authentication, and advanced encryption ensuring your assets are protected today and prepared for tomorrow. With a growing global presence, we're crafting a trading platform that adapts to the diverse, ever-changing needs of traders worldwide. The journey continues as KuCoin shapes the future of crypto trading-dynamic, secure, and limitless-while prioritizing fund safety and operational transparency to solidify the trust of millions of users worldwide.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 40 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots.

KuCoin has garnered accolades such as "Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges" by Forbes and has been recognized among the "Top 50 Global Unicorns" by Hurun in 2024. This recognition reflects its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Learn more:https://www.kucoin.com/.

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional assay results from its ongoing 2025 drill program, focused on expanding the large Wenot deposit at the Company's 100%-owned Omai Gold Project in Guyana, South America. The results include a newly discovered gold zone of 2.63 g/t Au over 27.5m (including 4.68 g/t Au over 9.5m) on the north side of the West Wenot area. This zone is almost 100m north of any significant West Wenot gold zone and starts at a vertical depth of 315m, lying outside of the 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate1 ("MRE"). An additional drill hole has commenced to test along strike of this significant new zone.

Assays are reported for five holes totaling 3,117m drilled (Table 1). A total of 24 holes have been completed to date this year totalling 15,639m, having surpassed the original planned 15,000m program as results continue to extend the known limits of gold mineralization at Wenot (Figure 1). Results are pending for an additional 12 holes (Table 2). Drilling continues with two rigs on Wenot and a third rig on a long Gilt Creek-Wenot drill hole (see News Release May 23, 2025). An updated NI 43-101 MRE has commenced and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.

Highlights include:

Hole 25ODD-116 2.63 g/t Au over 27.5m Includes 4.68 g/t Au over 9.5m





Hole 25ODD-106 2.64 g/t Au over 21.0m 1.62 g/t Au over 16.5m 1.18 g/t Au over 17.1m





Hole 25ODD-111 4.87 g/t Au over 9.5m 1.45 g/t Au over 9.9m





Hole 25ODD-109 2.37 g/t Au over 15.0m 1.73 g/t Au over 6.7m



Elaine Ellingham, President & CEO, commented: "We are excited that we are still discovering new gold zones around our large Wenot deposit. The 27.5m intersection averaging 2.63 g/t Au in hole 25ODD-116 is within the volcanics to the north of the main contact zone, and about 100m north of any signficant known gold zones at West Wenot. It effectively extends the known gold mineralization to the northwest and opens the possibility of extensions both east and west into areas that have seen little drilling. We have already started an additional drill hole to explore along strike of this new zone. The balance of today's drill results are yet another batch of encouraging and high-grade step outs, including 2.64 g/t Au over 21.0m and 4.87 g/t Au over 9.5m, which continues to bode well for the updated MRE anticipated next quarter. The long Gilt Creek-Wenot hole that commenced last week is progressing well and just passed through the diabase dike and entered the Gilt Creek intrusion yesterday morning."

West Wenot:

A number of holes have been drilled in West Wenot in 2025, an area which lies outside of any previous mining, other than for surficial saprolite. A significant part of the Wenot MRE lies within this area that management believes could be suitable for a starter pit in a production scenario. Holes 25ODD-109/109W and hole 25ODD-116 are additional holes that were designed to test the continuity of the deeper gold zones to surface, which could contribute to a low-strip resource.

Hole 25ODD-116 (Figure 2) was drilled from the south side of West Wenot at a similar easting as holes 108 and 109, which were drilled from the north. Hole 25ODD-116 was primarily targeting near-surface extensions of known gold zones in the southern sediments and in the central quartz feldspar porphyry dike "CQFP". While gold mineralization dominantly occurs in the volcanics on the northern side of the central contact for much of the Wenot deposit, at West Wenot, mineralization has been dominantly identified at the contact zone (CQFP) and most prominently within the southern sedimentary sequence. Hole 25ODD-116 successfully intersected the shallow gold mineralization in the southern sediments, with four intervals between 100 and 200m depth, including 1.15 g/t Au over 8.3m (with 4 occurrences of visible gold). However, hole 25ODD-116 was continued in order to test the unexplored area to the north. This paid off with the intersection of a new gold zone of 2.63 g/t Au over 27.5m (including 4.68 g/t Au over 9.5m), approximately 120m north of the central contact in the volcanics at a vertical depth of just over 300m. Some of the impressive core is shown in Figure 3. This is a promising new discovery, and the Company has already started a follow-up drill hole to explore the size potential.

Hole 25ODD-109/109W (Figure 2) was drilled from the north side of West Wenot targeting shallow near-surface mineralization where a potential "starter pit" would benefit from a low strip ratio given the lack of historical mining in the area. Hole 109 was drilled to a total depth of 399m with a wedge at 98.5m downhole. It successfully intersected 21 separate occurrences of visible gold and, as expected, mostly within the sedimentary rocks south of the central contact. At a shallow depth of approximately 50m below surface, a 15.0m interval of 2.37 g/t Au included 4 occurrences of visible gold within a highly altered rhyolite dike with an extensive quartz vein stockwork. The nearby central quartz feldspar porphyry ("CQFP") at the main volcanic-sediment contact, hosts 1.73 g/t Au over 6.7m. Within the southern sediments, as is typical of this part of the deposit, hole 109 intersected several gold zones including 2.0 g/t Au over 7.5m, 1.25 g/t Au over 5.0m, and 2.06 g/t Au over 2.5m.

Central Wenot:

Hole 25ODD-106 (Figure 3) was drilled from the south, at a similar easting to hole 23ODD-064 (see News Release August 22, 2023) and approximately 100m west of hole 25ODD-103 (see News Release May 12, 2025) - both drilled from the north side. The hole was wedged part way down and had a final depth of 609m. Hole 25ODD-106 intersected broad zones of gold mineralization within the southern sedimentary sequence, including 1.59 g/t Au over 9.2m, 1.18 g/t Au over 17.1m, and 2.0 g/t Au over 5.5m. The hole went on to intersect 2.64 g/t Au over 21.0m, 1.01 g/t Au over 10.5m, and 1.62 g/t Au over 16.5m - all within the within the most prolific historically mined zone, known as the "Dike Corridor". The Dike Corridor is one of five dominant subparallel, near-vertical gold zones that comprise the large 2.5km long Wenot deposit. Lying within the broader Wenot Shear, the roughly 100-200m wide Dike Corridor is typically 25-100m north of the central volcanic-sedimentary contact, that itself hosts gold mineralization within a persistent quartz feldspar porphyry unit. The Dike Corridor is comprised of a series of felsic and diorite dikes that intruded into the volcanic sequence and were later subjected to varying degrees of shearing, alteration and stockworks of quartz veining.

Hole 25ODD-111 was drilled from the north at Central Wenot, targeting 75m down-dip from hole 21ODD-002 and 100m east of hole 24ODD-085. The hole intersected 4.87 g/t Au over 9.5m within the northern volcanics at a depth of approximately 200m from surface. This intersection is within the northern flank of the 2024 MRE pit shell, but ~50m below the 2024 PEA pit shell. Our 2025 drilling has continued to focus on exploring the limits of the Wenot gold system and this hole again demonstrates continued success. The hole continued on to intersect 1.45 g/t Au over 9.9m within the Dike Corridor, and 0.99 g/t Au over 16.4m at the central QFP at the main sediment-volcanic contact.

Hole 25ODD-104 was drilled from the south at Central Wenot along a similar easting to hole 24ODD-091 and 021 drilled from the north. Within the southern sedimentary rock sequence, the hole intersected 0.79 g/t Au over 27.5m at a depth of approximately 250m from surface. The central Quartz Feldspar Porphyry dike at the central contact assayed 0.87 g/t Au over 22.7m, that included a 5.5m interval grading 2.17 g/t Au. Further downhole 2.04 g/t Au over 8.9m was intersected in altered volcanics, close to the main contact, and 0.72 g/t Au over 20.5m was intersected within the Dike Corridor at a depth of approximately 400m.

Table 1. Recent Drill Results*

DDH FROM

(m) TO

(m) INTERVAL

(m) GRADE

(g/t Au) 25ODD-116 155.0 163.3 8.3 1.15

178.0 185.5 7.5 0.35

203.9 206.1 2.2 1.34

220.5 222.0 1.5 2.07

247.0 254.0 7.0 0.59

308.5 310.0 1.5 2.40

316.3 322.0 5.7 0.58

439.5 442.5 3.0 1.11

471.5 499.0 27.5 2.63 25ODD-111 260.0 262.5 2.5 3.79

317.0 326.5 9.5 4.87 including 318.2 322.2 4.0 10.92

338.6 344.2 5.6 0.42

431.2 441.0 9.9 1.45

462.3 463.3 1.0 8.20

549.0 556.1 7.1 0.80

566.9 583.3 16.4 0.99

591.8 595.1 3.4 0.97 25ODD-109 79.0 94.0 15.0 2.37

179.8 186.5 6.7 1.73

202.5 207.3 4.8 0.92

215.0 217.5 2.5 0.81

225.0 227.5 2.5 2.06

232.0 238.5 6.5 0.51

258.0 263.0 5.0 1.25

270.5 278.0 7.5 2.00

295.8 300.5 4.7 1.68 25ODD-109W 197.8 201.8 4.0 0.79

206.0 207.0 1.0 1.67

213.0 216.5 3.5 1.34

224.0 233.0 9.0 0.34

237.0 244.9 7.9 0.35

253.2 256.7 3.5 1.01

286.0 290.0 4.0 0.75

297.0 299.7 2.7 1.28

342.0 344.1 2.1 1.71 25ODD-106 133.0 140.5 7.5 1.45

146.5 151.0 4.5 0.35

237.0 238.3 1.3 1.46

359.3 368.5 9.2 1.59 25ODD-106W 366.0 383.1 17.1 1.18

389.0 394.5 5.5 2.00

415.5 421.0 5.5 0.94

434.0 441.0 7.0 1.68

521.0 542.0 21.0 2.64

557.0 567.5 10.5 1.01

574.9 577.6 2.7 0.59

582.0 598.5 16.5 1.62 including 591.0 597.0 6.0 3.46 25ODD-104 357.5 385.0 27.5 0.79

412.0 434.7 22.7 0.87 includes 412.0 417.5 5.5 2.17

439.1 448.0 8.9 2.04

466.5 468.0 1.5 1.04

477.2 479.2 2.0 1.97

551.0 554.0 3.0 0.95

564.5 585.0 20.5 0.72

592.5 599.0 6.5 0.78

*True widths vary as mineralization at Wenot is generally hosted within stockwork vein systems with alteration halos, with an estimated true width range of 70-90%. Cut-off grade 0.30 g/t Au with maximum 3.0m internal dilution is applied, unless otherwise noted. Grades are uncapped unless otherwise noted.

** For wedges (W), the From and To numbers indicate down hole lengths from original hole collar.

Figure 1. Wenot Plan Map Showing Drill Hole Locations

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Figure 2. Cross-section for Hole 25ODD-116, -108, and -109

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Figure 3. Cross-section for Hole 25ODD-106

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Table 2. Drill Hole Coordinates

Hole ID Azimuth

(degrees) Inclination

(degrees) Easting Northing Depth

(m) Status 25ODD-104 356 -53.0 305384 601273 599.0 Reporting 25ODD-106 354 -53.0 305639 601231 369.4 Reporting 25ODD-106W 357 -52.5 305619 601391 312.7 Reporting 25ODD-107 176 -53.0 304967 601996 710.0 Pending 25ODD-108 178 -53.0 304534 601953 646.7 Pending 25ODD-109 170 -53.0 304498 601772 308.0 Reporting 25ODD-109W 169 -52.8 304510 601392 300.5 Reporting 25ODD-110 176 -53.0 305836 601819 704.0 Pending 25ODD-111 176 -54.0 305231 601928 656.0 Reporting 25ODD-112 175 -54.0 305578 601831 643.7 Pending 25ODD-113 110 -48.0 304265 601657 484.3 Pending 25ODD-114 176 -57.0 304790 602030 700.0 Pending 25ODD-115 355 -52.0 305429 601248 106.5 Pending 25ODD-116 356 -50.0 304487 601468 571.6 Reporting 25ODD-117 176 -50.0 305429 601849 646.0 Pending 25ODD-118 176 -53.0 305928 601800 541.0 Pending 25ODD-119 175 -54.0 305028 601981 356.0 Pending 25ODD-120 176 -54.0 305182 602067 688.0 Pending 25ODD-121 176 -54.0 305289 601928 739.7 Pending 25ODD-122 142 -60.0 304648 602870

Drilling 25ODD-123 357 -50.0 304533 601522

Drilling

1NI 43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024 "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO.2, GUYANA" was prepared by Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website. It includes a Wenot resource of 834,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 1.48 g/t Au within 17.6 million tonnes and 1,614,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 1.99 g/t Au within 25.2 million tonnes, and the adjacent Gilt Creek resource of 1,151,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 3.22 g/t Au within 11.1 million tonnes and 665,000 inferred ounces of gold averaging 3.35 g/t Au within 6.2 million tonnes.

2 Past production at the Omai Mine (1993-2005) is summarized in several Cambior Inc. documents available on SEDARplus.ca, including March 31, 2006 AIF and news release August 3, 2006.

Quality Control

Omai maintains an internal QA/QC program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with best practices. Certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates are entered at regular intervals. Samples are sealed in plastic bags.

Drill core samples (halved-core) were shipped to ActLabs and some batches to MSALABS, both certified laboratories in Georgetown Guyana, respecting the best chain of custody practices. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g), and pulverized to 95% passing 105 m, including cleaner sand. Fifty grams of pulverized material is then fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Initial assays with results above 3.0 ppm gold are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. For samples with visible gold two separate 250g or 500g pulverized samples are prepared, with 50 grams of each fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with assays above 3.0 ppm gold being re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. Certified reference materials and blanks meet with QA/QC specifications.

Qualified Person

Elaine Ellingham is a Qualified Person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" and has approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

ABOUT OMAI GOLD

Omai Gold Mines Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on rapidly expanding the two orogenic gold deposits at its 100%-owned Omai Gold Project in mining-friendly Guyana, South America. The Company has established the Omai Gold Project as one of the fastest growing and well-endowed gold camps in the prolific Guiana Shield greenstone belt. In February 2024 the Company announced an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate1 ("MRE") of 29 million tonnes grading 2.15 g/t Au and containing 2.0 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 31 million tonnes grading 2.26 g/t Au and containing 2.3 million ounces (Inferred), comprising of both the Wenot open pit deposit and the adjacent Gilt Creek underground deposit. This was followed by an initial baseline Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") in April 2024, which contemplated an open pit-only development scenario and included only 45% of the Omai Gold Project MRE. Subsequent to the 2024 MRE, the Company has been aggressively drilling to expand gold resources at the Wenot deposit and has identified additional wide zones of high-grade gold mineralization.

In 2025 Omai Gold plans to continue its impactful drill programs, announce an updated and expanded MRE, and complete an updated PEA which would include an expanded Wenot open pit deposit and an underground mining scenario at Gilt Creek. The Omai Gold Mine produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold from 1993 to 20052, ceasing operations when gold was below US$400 per ounce. The Omai site benefits from much existing infrastructure and will soon be connected to the two largest cities in Guyana, Georgetown and Linden, via paved road.

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of exploration, trenching and drill programs, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in the Omai Gold news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Further, the Preliminary Economic Assessments and related data discussed in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Omai Gold Mines Corp. to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to international operations; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold, copper and other minerals and metals; general market conditions; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; uncertainty of access to additional capital; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities.

Figure 4. Drill Core from Hole 25ODD-116 - New zone from 481.6 - 494

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253793

SOURCE: Omai Gold Mines Corp.
Organizations will explore the use of simulation, AI, and data analytics for aviation, MRO, space, and robotics applications

TROY, Mich., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Altair, a global leader in computational intelligence, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Georgia Institute of Technology to drive aerospace innovation. Within the agreement, Georgia Tech's Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory will receive unlimited access to Altair resources to support advanced research and projects aligned to building technology demonstrators with simulation and DA software. Together, the two organizations will explore how simulation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) can reshape operations in aviation, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), space, and robotics applications.

"Altair's simulation, data, and AI technology already has a game-changing impact on aerospace companies around the world - no matter if they're a fledgling startup or an established powerhouse," said Dr. Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of aerospace and defense, Altair. "We are excited to collaborate with a top-tier university like Georgia Tech to develop even more impactful applications and further strengthen our ties with the global academic and scientific community."

"Georgia Tech prides itself on being one of the nation's premier institutions for aerospace engineering. This dedication to excellence is why our Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering was named the nation's top publicly funded graduate aerospace engineering program," said Dimitri Mavris, distinguished regents professor in the school and director of ASDL. "Working together with Altair gives us yet another way to harness transformational technology to help our faculty and students break boundaries within aerospace engineering."

The two organizations will collaborate on projects where Georgia Tech professors, researchers, and doctoral students can use Altair technology to explore innovative ideas and develop breakthrough solutions. The MoU emphasizes collaboration on technology demonstrators that can be showcased to both the commercial and scientific communities, promoting knowledge sharing and enabling the deployment of new applications.

This MoU is yet another example of Altair's dedication to working with leaders in the aerospace and defense ecosystem to push the limits of computational intelligence. Other industry collaborations - such as those with JetZero and the European Space Agency (ESA) - highlight how Altair works with organizations of all kinds to foster a holistic, interconnected network of innovation throughout the sector.

To learn more about Altair's aerospace solutions, visit https://altair.com/aerospace. Additionally, Altair will be at the Paris Air Show at booth H155 in Hall 2B. For more information, visit https://web.altair.com/paris-airshow.

About Altair

Altair is a global leader in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair is part of Siemens Digital Industries Software. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com or sw.siemens.com.

Media contacts

Altair Corporate

Bridget Hagan

+1.216.769.2658

corp-newsroom@altair.com

Altair Europe/The Middle East/Africa Altair Asia-Pacific Louise Wilce Man Wang +44 (0)7392 437 635 86-21-5016635"825 emea-newsroom@altair.com apac-newsroom@altair.com

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RateHawk platform integration with Travelport+ will bring travel experts more choice in airline routes and unique ancillary services with multi-source carrier content

LANGLEY, United Kingdom, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings for hundreds of thousands of travel suppliers worldwide, and RateHawk , an online B2B platform for booking hotels, air tickets, and transfers, part of Emerging Travel Group , today announced a new content distribution agreement. Travelport will be the preferred air content provider for the RateHawk platform, delivering a broad range of multi-source content that includes traditional, new distribution capability (NDC) and low-cost carrier (LCC) content.

Travelport's Advanced Programming Interface (API) provides RateHawk a single, seamless connection to the Travelport+ platform so that users can quickly and easily search, compare, and book the best fare offers and ancillaries available from hundreds of the world's leading airlines. RateHawk's integration with Travelport+ also enables more intelligent flight searches driven by Travelport's AI-powered Content Curation Layer.

"Travelport truly understands our passion for simplifying the travel booking experience and creating a helpful environment for travel professionals," said Fredrik Bonnalt, Head of Non-Accommodation Supply at RateHawk. "Thanks to this partnership, RateHawk's customers will benefit from the broad choice and faster and more optimized flight search. It will boost our customers' efficiency in building tailored itineraries in response to travelers' unique preferences."

"This collaboration brings both Travelport and RateHawk closer to our shared vision of travel becoming much simpler, and accessible to everyone," said Jason Toothman, Chief Commercial Officer - Agency at Travelport. "We are committed to providing RateHawk users with an extensive range of airline offers and fares, from all available content sources, ensuring a 'retail-ready' experience that enables travel professionals to book flights with confidence."

About Travelport

Travelport is a global technology company that powers bookings for hundreds of thousands of travel suppliers worldwide. Buyers and sellers of travel are connected by the company's next generation marketplace, Travelport+, which simplifies how brands connect, upgrades how travel is sold, and enables modern digital retailing. Headquartered in the United Kingdom and operating in more than 165 countries around the world, Travelport is focused on driving innovation that simplifies the complex travel ecosystem.

About Rate Hawk

RateHawk is an innovative B2B booking platform developed by Emerging Travel Group. It offers hotels, flight tickets, transfers, car rentals, and other travel-related services. RateHawk provides a fast, easy-to-use API with dedicated 24/7 support. The platform offers its clients access to 2.6 million hotels and other types of accommodation from over 120,000 directly contracted properties and 300 wholesalers, as well as flight tickets from over 400 airlines, and transfers in over 150 countries.

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Content effectiveness, not creation, is the goal that drives highest impact

BARCELONA, Spain, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) today released the latest insights from its Veeva Pulse Field Trends Report, showing effective content-driven engagement remains one of the top drivers of new treatment adoption - not just content generation. While AI is helping speed content creation at scale, data shows that focusing on the right materials accelerates treatment starts, expands access, reduces time between meetings, and increases the likelihood of a follow-up conversation.

Content-driven healthcare professional (HCP) engagement more than doubles treatment adoption. Despite proven effectiveness, there is a disconnect between creation and field execution, suggesting a stronger emphasis on volume over engagement. Field teams leverage content in less than half of HCP meetings and nearly 80% of what's approved is rarely or never used. Leveraging AI to accelerate engagement by surfacing the most relevant content, providing context, and identifying opportunities for the field to use it is crucial for more effective customer conversations.

"Just because you can create more content doesn't always mean you should. Your content strategy should be in service of your business goals. While personalized content can help achieve those goals, greater content volume is a side effect, not the goal," said Kara Hansen, director of product management, content, and digital asset management at Genentech.

Latest analysis from Veeva Pulse shows:

Content remains underused in field engagement: Field teams share materials in fewer than half of customer interactions, with nearly 80% of approved content rarely or never used, showing content creation and field execution remain disconnected.





Field teams share materials in fewer than half of customer interactions, with nearly 80% of approved content rarely or never used, showing content creation and field execution remain disconnected. Relevant, timely content extends conversations: Content-driven HCP engagements double treatment starts while extending conversations. Time between meetings is shortened by up to 25% increasing the likelihood of a follow-up by up to 20%.





Content-driven HCP engagements double treatment starts while extending conversations. Time between meetings is shortened by up to 25% increasing the likelihood of a follow-up by up to 20%. Engagement, not creation, is the ultimate content goal: While GenAI can reduce content creation costs by 30-50% and speed production by over 20%1, more content can increase noise for HCPs facing mountains of information. By prioritizing engagement use cases, AI can connect the dots across previous engagements and treatment inflection points to surface key materials for the field to use at the right moment.

"The onset of AI is expected to spur content creation and speed, but even greater focus will shift to measuring what's truly effective and moving the needle with HCPs," said Aaron Bean, vice president of Veeva business consulting, Europe. "Harnessing AI to activate content with the greatest impact in the moment of need will give field teams an advantage, aligning content strategy with field execution for more relevant, long-term engagement."

About the Veeva Pulse Field Trends Report

Analyzing over 600 million HCP interactions and activities annually from more than 80% of commercial biopharma field teams worldwide, the Veeva Pulse Field Trends Report is the largest industry benchmark of its kind on HCP engagement. The analysis compiles real-time transactional data recorded in Veeva CRM and Veeva data products to deliver a view of engagement activity across life sciences. Indexed by Veeva quarterly, the data will help companies effectively and accurately benchmark performance to set the right, actionable goals for continued growth and impact.

Additional Information

For more on the Veeva Pulse Field Trends Report, visit: veeva.com/eu/FieldTrends Learn more about Veeva Business Consulting: veeva.com/BusinessConsulting Connect with Veeva on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/veeva-systems

About Veeva Systems

Veeva is the global leader in cloud software for the life sciences industry. Committed to innovation, product excellence, and customer success, Veeva serves more than 1,000 customers, ranging from the world's largest biopharmaceutical companies to emerging biotechs. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Veeva is committed to balancing the interests of all stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and the industries it serves. For more information, visit veeva.com/eu.

Veeva Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding Veeva's products and services and the expected results or benefits from use of our products and services. These statements are based on our current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those provided in this release and we have no obligation to update such statements. There are numerous risks that have the potential to negatively impact our results, including the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our filing on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2025, which you can find here (a summary of risks which may impact our business can be found on pages 9 and 10), and in our subsequent SEC filings, which you can access at sec.gov.

Contact:

Meera Lakhani-Patel

Veeva Systems

+44-790-430-0698

meera.lakhani-patel@veeva.com

1 Generative AI in the pharmaceutical industry: Moving from hype to reality, McKinsey & Company, Jan. 2024

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QUEBEC, QC / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTCQB:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Highlights of the Company's financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025, include the following:

Revenue of $2,209,079 compared to $572,727, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 285%, with approximately 75% attributable to the increase in Network as a Service ('NaaS') revenue.

Gross profit of $1,898,380 (86%) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $ 45,488 (8%) in 2024, an improvement of $1,852,892 or 4073%.

Total expenses of $3,564,436 compared to $2,811,458 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of 27% mainly due to increased financial expenses related to short term debt service costs to support the Cygnum Capital facility.

Net Loss of $1,689,530 compared to $2,355,685 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 28%.

Although EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, NuRAN is encouraged by the ability of NaaS revenues in Cameroon and elsewhere to cover group operating costs with new capital being raised to continue to build and generate cash. Management reports that the company has reached positive Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for its first quarter of operations in 2025. Financial expenses include $1.6 million of interest as well as $246k of non-cash forex charges. In addition, administrative expenses include $66,458 of depreciation and amortization expenses. Adding these back leads to positive Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) of just over $450k or 20% of revenue.

"Building new sites and improving network performance demonstrate the progress in expanding connectivity to rural and underserved areas. While challenges remain, the Company is encouraged by the current growth and operational achievements, which are expected to support its ongoing financing strategy," stated Francis Letourneau, President and CEO of NuRAN Wireless Inc.

Highlights from the Quarter and Recent Announcements Include:

On January 10, 2025, NuRAN announced that it has received the full payment of an outstanding balance of arrears from its Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partner in Cameroon for an amount of approx. CA$ 788,000.

On February 28, 2025, The Company announced that it has received approval for the second drawdown of US$ 1.05M from the Facility for Energy Inclusion ("FEI"), a fund managed by Cygnum Capital. This follows the first drawdown of US$ 2.5M received on July 16, 2024, as part of the US$ 5M loan facility agreement announced on April 26, 2024.

On March 3, 2025, NuRAN announced the successful delivery and installation of 20 network sites in rural Africa in the month of February 2025. This milestone aligns with NuRAN's strategic growth objectives as set out on February 10, 2025, and our commitment to expanding mobile connectivity in underserved regions.

On April 2, 2025, NuRAN announced 20 new network sites in rural Africa in the month of March 2025. NuRAN previously targeted 42 new sites for the month of March.

About NuRAN Wireless:

NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time."

Additional Information:

For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com

Francis Letourneau,

Director and CEO

Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (418) 264-1337

Frank Candido

Investor relations

Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (514) 969-5531

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes. Forward looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of NuRAN, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of NuRAN to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including but not limited to management's business strategy for 2025. Although NuRAN has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause NuRAN's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, neither NuRAN assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Nuran Wireless Inc

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/nuran-wireless-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-1033209
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF) ("Sterling" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the first of four diamond drill holes (MJ-25-01) recently completed at its newly renamed Soo Copper Project ("Soo Copper" or the "Project"), formerly Copper Road, located in Batchewana Bay, Ontario. The hole has successfully demonstrated a continuous, bulk-tonnage copper-molybdenum-silver-gold ("Cu-Mo-Ag-Au") target, called the GFP Porphyry ("GFP Porphyry"), highlighting the Project's significant mineral potential.

Highlights:

Broad, near-surface zone of high tenor chalcopyrite-bornite copper mineralization starting at 14.3m (overburden to 13.3m) grading 0.36% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) over 359m including 0.56% CuEq over the first 75m of this interval (see Table 1) .

Copper mineralization is associated with a multi-porphyry intrusive complex composed of a newly discovered well mineralized, early syn-mineral stage felsite porphyry, and two intramineral porphyries.

A 130m interval of mafic tuff unit containing large patches of biotite-magnetite-chalcopyrite-bornite mineralization plus chalcopyrite veining beginning at less than 200m vertical depth grading: 0.43% CuEq over 40.4m starting at 249.6m 0.56% CuEq over 26.5m starting at 347.0m The tuff represents an ideal host rock for mineralization, highly permeable and well-altered with preserved bornite-rich mineralization suggesting strong vectoring potential toward the core of a porphyry center.

Copper mineralization encountered throughout the entire length of the drill hole.

Assay results for the remaining three holes are pending and will be released once received.

The Soo Copper Project lies at the intersection of the Midcontinent Rift and the southwestern extension of Kapuskasking Fault Zone, a highly prospective setting historically known for smaller-scale but high-grade copper production at the former Tribag and Copper Corp mines, which anchor either end of the 30km long property. Since their respective mine closures in 1974 and 1972, fragmented ownership and consequent patchwork-type drilling efforts did not encourage the broader scale systematic exploration needed to target a large porphyry copper system1. Seeing this opportunity, one year ago Sterling acquired the Project which one year prior had for the first time seen the consolidation of a contiguous set of mineral licenses covering the most prospective geology and historical mines and prospects. The Project has since undergone comprehensive property wide data compilation, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and ground based examinations, including historical prospect and drill core re-evaluations, focused on identifying evidence for a large-scale porphyry copper system, culminating in the first drill hole of this campaign, which intersected what is believed to be one part of a high-tenor, well-preserved copper porphyry system. The recently completed maiden drill program saw a total of 1,789 metres drilled in four diamond drill holes.

Jeremy Niemi, Senior Vice President Exploration and Evaluation stated, "Copper mineralization, primarily composed of chalcopyrite in both veins and disseminations, extends well above and below the favourable bornite-bearing, biotite-altered sheared tuff unit. This copper-rich mineralization is also hosted in surrounding mafic units and felsic porphyry dykes, especially where strong potassic alteration, either as early biotite or later orthoclase, and A-type veining are present. While the Midcontinent Rift is recognized as a globally significant copper belt, known for its rich endowment of magmatic copper-nickel, sedimentary copper, and native copper deposits, the results of our first drillhole indicate that it also has the potential to yield a significant porphyry copper deposit. We're excited to continue exploring and unlocking the potential of what we believe could be a significant copper system."

Dr. Neil O'Brien, Technical Advisor, added, "At Soo Copper, we are seeing a well-developed and extensive bornite-bearing potassic zone that remains largely preserved from surface downward over nearly 400 metres of drilling and remains open. The discovery of this bornite-rich copper zone hosted by biotite-chlorite altered mafic tuffs that are intruded by a very well veined, early stage felsic porphyry are all critical to our understanding of the greater tonnage and copper grade potential for this porphyry system that previous explorers underestimated. This bodes well for any future mineral resource and mine concentrate products, which could feature high copper tenor and elevated gold content."

Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director, commented, "Over the past 65 years, this Project has seen small-scale but high-grade copper production, with much of the historical focus aimed at chasing narrow, high-grade zones1. We're fortunate to have a team with deep roots in the region-some of whom have worked on this property for decades-which has allowed us to advance the project quickly and effectively.

In less than a year since acquisition, we've gone from a property centered on a single pencil porphyry prospect with limited apparent scale to identifying the key ingredients of a much larger and richer porphyry copper system. With 100% ownership of a 30km hydrothermal copper corridor, we believe now is the right time to rename the project-marking a new beginning and highlighting its connection to Sault Ste. Marie, a city of great industry where we hope to have a long and prosperous relationship.

This is just one hole, but in today's macroeconomic environment, the need for large, bulk-tonnage copper projects in safe jurisdictions like Canada is more urgent than ever-especially one that starts at surface, sits 20 minutes from the TransCanada highway, 4 hours by paved road from Sudbury-a major mining and smelting center, an hour from a deep-water port, the U.S. border, and the city of Sault Ste. Marie."

Figure 1. Chalcopyrite and molybdenite mineralization at 44.5m depth grading 3.42% Cu, 2.28% Mo, 0.034 g/t Au and 11.1 g/t Ag in hole MJ-25-01.

Figure 2. Bornite-chalcopyrite mineralization at 264.9m depth in MJ-25-01 grading 2.95% Cu, 0.442 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag over 0.6m. Hosted by strongly biotite-chlorite altered mafic tuff volcanics adjacent to early stage GFP Porphyry.

Figure 3. Intensely veined and newly discovered, early stage GFP Porphyry at 267m depth grading 0.68% Cu, 0.02% Mo, 0.19 g/t Au and 4.2 g/t Ag. Split NQ core (4.8cm wide).

Important Geological Observations in MJ-25-01

Copper mineralization, primarily chalcopyrite, observed from bedrock surface to the end of the hole at 496m depth.

A well developed and preserved, extensive bornite-bearing potassic zone was intersected from surface downwards and remains open.

Bornite mineralization offers high copper tenor with elevated gold grades.

Multiple stages of copper-mineralized porphyry intrusions were observed including an early syn-mineralization stage, as well as two intra-mineral stage porphyries.

Bornite mineralization, adjacent to the GFP syn-mineralization porphyry, was intersected in multiple zones between 249.0m depth and a fault at 388m.

Multiple vein styles, typical of porphyry systems, encountered in first hole: EB-type: earliest stage, biotite-only A-type: early stage, commonly irregular and less continuous; quartz +/- potassium feldspar with chalcopyrite and bornite. B-type: planar and continuous; quartz with molybdenite and/or chalcopyrite. M-type: magnetite-rich with chalcopyrite within the potassic alteration zone. G-type: magnetite-rich with chalcopyrite within the inner propylitic alteration zone.

Outward prograde alteration zonation from potassic (early biotite, later orthoclase) to inner propylitic (epidote) to outer propylitic (chlorite) observed and prograde zonation of vein sulphides from inner chalcopyrite-bornite to outer chalcopyrite-pyrite.

Inaugural drilling at the Soo Copper Project by the Company focused on robust targets generated from favourable surface geology and copper geochemistry, strong geophysical (3D IP and Resistivity) anomalies located south and adjacent (within 500m) to core-verified Cu-Mo porphyry mineralization at the Jogran porphyry prospect and the Richards Breccia prospect, a porphyry-related copper breccia (see Figure 5). Results from MJ-25-01 confirm the presence of an extensive porphyry Cu-Mo-Au-Ag mineral system characterized by a favourable high-tenor copper (bornite) potassic core zone.

The early potassic alteration hosting bornite is developed within a foliated permeable tuffaceous mafic volcanic which is cut by strongly veined porphyry dykes. The bornite-rich tuff unit remains open along strike and at depth which provides an exciting target for future exploration drilling.

Figure 5. Hole locations from Sterling Metals inaugural drilling at the Soo Copper Project.1

Figure 6. Cross section showing trace of hole MJ-25-01, mineralization and resistivity from Dias 3D IP survey in the background which matches porphyry alteration and mineralization.

Table 1. Mineralization intervals from MJ-25-01

Zone Start End Length Cu % Mo% Au g/t Ag g/t CuEq % Overburden 0 13.3 13.3 No sample taken Entire Hole 13.3 496.0 482.8 0.21 0.008 0.03 1.1 0.28 Including 14.3 373.5 359.3 0.26 0.011 0.05 1.4 0.36 Including 14.3 89.5 75.2 0.38 0.021 0.09 2.4 0.56 Bornite 1 249.6 290.0 40.4 0.36 0.002 0.05 1.9 0.43 Bornite 2 347.0 373.5 26.5 0.47 0.003 0.07 2.0 0.56

Intervals may not represent true widths which are not yet known and capping has not been applied to grades. CuEq grade calculations for reporting assumes 3-month average metal prices of US$4.3/lb Cu, US$20.6/lb Mo, US$3305/oz Au and US$33/oz Ag and recoveries of 90% Cu, 85% Mo, 70% Au, 60% Ag. Recoveries used are from recent test work on the Solaris, Warintza Project in Peru which is a similar style mineralization to Copper Road. See "Mineral Resource Estimate Update - NI 43-101 Technical Report, Warintza Project, Ecuador" with an effective date of July 1, 2024, and available on SEDAR+ under Solaris Resources profile.

Table 2. Hole locations, direction and final depths.

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Depth (m) Dip Azimuth MJ-25-01 681157 5212667 421 496 -47 250 MJ-25-02 680744 5212719 474 564 -54 127 MJ-25-03 681125 5212744 421 354 -53 199 CH-25-01 680287 5212436 507 375 -70 0

Figure 7. Location map of the Soo Copper Road Project along the Trans-Canada Highway, 80km north of Sault Ste. Marie and bridge border crossing to the U.S.

Sampling Procedures - Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Analytical services were provided by Actlabs, which is an independent, CALA- and SCC-accredited analytical services firm registered to ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 standard. Drill core samples were logged and split in half with a diamond core saw. Half-core samples were securely stored at the core logging facility until being delivered to Actlabs North Bay lab by commercial transport. Samples were crushed (< 7 kg) up to 90% passing 2mm (10 mesh), riffle split to 250 g and pulverized by mild steel to 95% passing 105m (150 mesh). Samples splits underwent a 4-acid near total digestion followed by a multi-element analysis, including base metals, using an ICP method for 35 elements. Selected sample pulps were then analyzed for gold using a 30 g aliquot mixed with fire assay fluxes and Ag as a collector, placed in a fire clay crucible, gradually heated to 1060C for 60 min, and followed with an AA finish.

Laboratory QA/QC for the ICP analysis was 14% for each batch, including 5 method reagent blanks, 10 in-house controls, 10 samples duplicates, and 8 certified reference materials. An additional 13% QA/QC was performed as part of the instrumental analysis to ensure quality in the areas of instrumental drift. Laboratory quality control for the gold fire assay included two blanks per 42 samples, three sample duplicates and 2 certified reference materials, one high and one low (QC 7 out of 42 samples). In-house QA/QC included the systematic insertion of blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials (CRM).

Sterling Metals acknowledges that its exploration activities are conducted on the traditional lands of the First Nations and Metis Peoples of the North Shore of Lake Superior. We recognize and respect the longstanding and diverse relationships Indigenous Peoples have with the land and are committed to engaging in a manner that is respectful, transparent, and inclusive.

1 Independent Technical Report entitled "Technical Report on the Copper Road Property", dated April 29, 2024, prepared by Kelly Malcolm, P.Geo., for Sterling Metals Corp.

Qualified Person

Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation for Sterling Metals has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.

About Sterling Metals

Sterling Metals (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF) is a mineral exploration company focused on large scale and high-grade Canadian exploration opportunities. The Company is advancing the 25,000-hectare Copper Road Project in Ontario which has past production, and multiple breccia and porphyry targets strategically located near robust infrastructure and the 29,000-hectare Adeline Project in Labrador which covers an entire sediment-hosted copper belt with significant silver credits. Both opportunities have demonstrated potential for important new copper discoveries, underscoring Sterling's commitment to pioneering exploration in mineral rich Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Sterling Metals Corp.

Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director

Tel: (416) 643-3887

Email: info@sterlingmetals.ca

Website: www.sterlingmetals.ca

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.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sterling Metals Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/sterling-metals-intersects-359.3m-of-0.36-cueq-from-near-surface-with-multiple-zo-1033117
COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:NMK2) announces that further to the Company's news release dated May 14, 2025, the Company has revised the Media Services Agreement which is now dated May 28, 2025 whereby the services to be provided by Life Water Media will include digital media, marketing strategies, advertising, and awareness campaigns for a fee of US$200,000 for a term of four months upon TSX Venture Exchange approval. The Agreement may be renewed or extended by the Company and Life Water Media at the end of the initial term.

The Company has re-engaged the services of TD Media LLC d/b/a Life Water Media LLC ("Life Water Media") to help raise online marketing awareness and to provide a comprehensive digital media marketing campaign for the Company. Life Water Media is based out of Sugar Land, Texas.

Life Water Media and Grid are not related parties and operate at arm's length. Neither Life Water Media nor its principals have any interest in the Company's securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

About Grid Battery Metals Inc. www.gridbatterymetals.com .

Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

About the Copper Property

The Company acquired a 100% interest in 17 mineral claims comprising 27,525 hectares (approximately 275 km2) located in North Central British Columbia. The region is host to numerous operating mines, good infrastructure including experienced exploration and supporting services. Prominent among early discoveries in the Omineca region include the nearby Lustdust/Stardust Copper - Gold deposit; the Kwanika Copper - Gold deposit and the Lorraine Copper deposit (all of which are owned by (NorthWest Copper Corp. (TSXV: NWST)).

The Company's claims are also located between Centerra Gold Inc.'s (TSX:CG)(NYSE:CGAU) prominent Copper/Gold assets, the Kemess North project and the operating Mount Milligan mine, which has produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold and 742 million pounds of copper (Technical Report on the Mount Milligan Mine, November 7, 2022, Borntrager. B, et al.).

B.C. Minfile assessment report data indicates that most of the area covered by the Copper Property was at one time or another covered by staking during surges of exploration in B.C. dating from the 1940's to present day. Largely the claims appear to have been minimally explored with little follow-up. However, some work was recorded on several claims with results for stream sediment sampling showing anomalous to highly anomalous results for gold in a few areas. These areas were recommended for detailed follow-up, however due to a downturn no further work was recorded

The Omineca Group claim areas are within the northern Quesnel Trough underlain by Cache Creek Terrane and lies close to the Pinchi Fault. The Quesnel Trough hosts numerous porphyry copper-gold deposits. The Pinchi Fault can be traced for 600 km through north-central B.C and separates Cache Creek rocks from the Jurassic Hogem Batholith and Triassic-Jurassic Takla rocks to the west. Rocks have a north-northwest strike trend typical of the entire Intermontane Belt in which the Cache Creek Terrane lies (Gabrielse and Yorath, 1992). A wide range of Jurassic to Tertiary intrusions cuts the Cache Creek Assemblage and many of these are emplaced along the prominent NW-trending structures and stratigraphic breaks. Numerous mercury occurrences are present along the length of the Pinchi fault (Albino, 1987) and a few gold and base metal occurrences are present near the Pinchi fault including the Lustdust, Lorraine, Indata and Axelgold properties. There are at least two alkalic gold-copper Porphyry systems in the immediate Lustdust (now known as Stardust) area: J49 and Axel Properties (Schiarrizza, 2000).

About Texas Springs Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation. A Phase 1 exploration program at the Texas Springs Property (Fall 2023) yielded average lithium grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to 5,610 ppm Lithium.

The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV:NILI)(OTCQX:NILIF) and comprised of 725 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023). More recent results have shown higher grade lithium up to 8070 ppm on this property after initial drilling (Press release September 12, 2023). Our exploration results are on-trend with these results.

About Clayton Valley Lithium Project

The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 930 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley.

About the Volt Canyon Lithium Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Fernback"

Tim Fernback, President & CEO

Contact Information:

Email: info@gridbatterymetals.com

Phone: 604- 428-5690

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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. It should be noted that results from any adjacent property(s) are not an indication of what may be found on the Company's property(s).

SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/grid-battery-revises-td-media-d%2fb%2fa-life-water-media-contract-to-provide-media-se-1033128
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSXV: SPMC) (OTCQB: SPMEF) (FSE: 6J00) ("SPMC" or the "Company") is thrilled to announce the discovery of a highly prospective gold-copper surface mineralized system at the Ontenu NE target within its flagship Osena Project in Papua New Guinea, just one kilometre south of and geologically analogous to K92 Mining's prolific Kainantu gold mine.

Highlights of the Discovery

Rock chip assays returning up to 10.3% copper ("Cu"), 3.1% Cu & 2.06% Cu, and 1.7 g/t gold ("Au") at surface;

Multiple plus-500 metre gold-in-soil anomalies, with values peaking at 216 ppb Au , over a greater than 3 kilometre ("km") mineralized corridor;

Newly mapped NW-SE striking high-sulphidation structures exhibit hallmark Kainantu-style pathfinders: Au-Cu + Ag-Bi-Te-Zn;

Phase 2 trenching underway at Ontenu Central ahead of drilling, with Trench 1 previously returning: 4 m @ 4.52 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu, 0.23% Zn 16 m @ 1.25 g/t Au 79 m @ 0.75 g/t Au, 981 ppm Cu



Company-owned diamond drill rig en route to site, with a priority drill campaign set to commence in June. The Ontenu prospects are located along strike in the Kainantu Transfer Zone adjacent to K92 Mining's tenement. The broader Ontenu Gold-Copper Intrusive Complex is part of an interpreted multi-phase intrusive, large-scale gold-copper porphyry system spanning an area of at least 5 km by 3 km. Metal signatures (Au-Te-Bi) in soil and rock samples suggest a later gold-bearing event overprinting an earlier porphyry Cu-Au-Mo event, similar to those observed at other major deposits including K92 Mining's Arakompa Project gold veins.

"These are among the most exciting surface results we've seen to date in this emerging district," said Michael Murphy, Executive Chair. "To encounter double-digit copper and high-grade gold at surface-just steps from an operating mine-underscores Ontenu's exceptional potential. With trenching underway and our drill rig landing next month, we're entering a new phase of discovery."

Figure 1. New structure, with proximal samples grading up to 10.3% Copper & 1.63g/t Au at Ontenu NE (arrow > 2 metres wide). Inset image right high-sulphide zone with chalcopyrite (CuFeS2).

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Figure 2. Regional image showing location of Ontenu Central and Ontenu NE

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Ontenu Northeast Surface Sampling Results

The Company conducted a focused surface exploration campaign at Ontenu Northeast from January to March 2025, following up on historical work by RGC Limited in the 1980s and more recent airborne Mobile MT and magnetic surveys (see news release dated October 16, 2024). This program involved grid-based soil sampling, reconnaissance rock sampling, and geological mapping to confirm the presence of mineralization and identify potential structural trends.

The Ontenu Northeast area spans approximately 2 km by 1.5 km and lies just 1 km from the high-priority Ontenu Central Copper-Gold Prospect. Previous trenching at Ontenu Central returned strong gold and copper mineralization, including 4 metres averaging 4.52 g/t Au and 0.13% Cu within a broader 79-metre interval grading 0.75 g/t Au and 981 ppm Cu (see news release dated August 27, 2024). The site is accessible via road and regional tracks.

The soil sampling grid was established on a 100 m by 100 m spacing, supported by targeted rock sampling and mapping. The results revealed several NE-SW trending gold-in-soil anomalies with values above 30 ppb Au and up to 216 ppb Au, often accompanied by Cu, Ag, Bi, Te, and Zn pathfinders. These features are interpreted as structurally controlled zones prospective for high-grade Au-Cu epithermal systems. Mapping also identified two significant NW-trending structures hosting extensive alteration halos, with mineralized zones up to 2 metres wide and rock chip assays grading up to 10.3% Cu and 1.26 g/t Au (see Appendix 1 for full results).

Figure 3. Soil grid Cu and rock samples - Ontenu NE Gold-Copper Prospect

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Figure 4. Soil Au and rock samples - Ontenu NE Gold-Copper Prospect

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Figure 5. Soil grid for gold and high-grade gold and copper rock samples from Ontenu Main to Ontenu NE on background apparent conductivity (mobile MT)

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Exploration Potential and Planning

These latest results confirm the presence of mineralization associated with a second geophysical target-defined by coincident apparent conductivity and magnetic anomalies-within the broader Ontenu Au-Cu Epithermal-Porphyry prospect area. This growing system is interpreted to host multiple overlapping deposit types, including: Epithermal intermediate sulfidation systems similar to those currently being by K92 Mining Ltd. at the nearby Kainantu Gold Mine;

Au-Bi-Te alkalic epithermal systems analogous to the world-class Porgera Gold Mine (Porgera JV/Barrick Gold Corporation); and

Ag-Pb-Zn rich low-sulfidation skarn associated with limestones and metasediments.

Based on these positive outcomes, the Company plans to return to Ontenu Northeast to complete additional rock sampling, detailed structural mapping, and site assessments for future drill targeting. The Company's newly acquired diamond drill rig is scheduled to arrive in Papua New Guinea in June 2025, with initial drilling set to commence at Ontenu Central.

Phase 2 Trenching Program at Ontenu Central

The Ontenu Prospect continues to show compelling evidence of a large-scale, mineralized porphyry-epithermal system. As part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming drill program, the Company has launched a second phase of trenching designed to refine drill hole targeting and expand known mineralized zones:

The first of four new trenches has been partially completed, with 80 m excavated and sampled, of a proposed 230 m. All 80 samples collected have been submitted for assay. This trench is approximately 20 m north of Trench 1.

Excavation has commenced at both a westward extension of Trench 1 by 100 m, and a parallel trench ~25 m south of this (230 m length proposed). The trenches parallel to Trench 1 are designed to test the lateral extent of high-grade gold mineralization along strike.

A fourth trench will be initiated to the south, targeting a N-S structural feature associated with prior high-grade soil samples exhibiting a K92-style metal signature (Au-Bi-Te-Sn).

Additional rock sampling is also being conducted across the greater Ontenu area, where peripheral results include up to 2.69 g/t Au, 71.3 g/t Ag, 0.26% Cu, and 5.3% Zn.

Figure 6. Ontenu Central Trench Locations

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Additional regional rock sampling is underway across areas peripheral to Ontenu Central, where previous grab samples have returned up to 2.69 g/t Au, 71.3 g/t Ag, 0.26% Cu, and 5.3% Zn. These broader zones will be further evaluated for future trenching or drill testing.

Continued Exploration at the Anga Project

The Company is also advancing surface exploration at its nearby Anga Project. As announced on April 30, 2025, four high-priority areas are being actively sampled, with the Irinke Prospect-located just 1,500 metres from K92 Mining's processing plant and three kilometres along strike from the Arakompa discovery-emerging as a particularly prospective target potentially representing an extension of K92 Mining's gold system.

About the Osena Project

Covering 738 km of strategic ground, the Osena Project is located southwest of and adjacent to K92's tenements that host the Kainantu Gold Mine. Priority prospects include Ontenu, a large-scale cluster of five intrusive Copper-Gold porphyry, vein and skarn complex extending over 5 km x 3 km. Recent results from Ontenu Central confirm gold-bearing breccias and include a 79 m trench averaging 0.75 g/t Au, including 4 m at 4.52 g/t Au with a high up to 8.82 g/t Au. Historical rock samples targeted for follow-up include 73 g/t Au, 960 g/t Ag, 3.17% Cu & 10.6% Zn (in different locations). The Ontenu Prospect is one of many occurring within a highly mineralized corridor that extends more than 40 km northeast across the Kainantu District. More than half of the Osena Project tenure remains unexplored.

About South Pacific Metals Corp.

South Pacific Metals Corp is an emerging gold-copper exploration company operating in the heart of Papua New Guinea's proven gold and copper production corridors. With an expansive 3,100 km land package and four transformative gold-copper projects contiguous with major producers K92 Mining, PanAust and neighbouring Barrick/Zijin, new leadership and experienced in-country teams are prioritizing thoughtful and rigorous technical programs focused on boots-on-the-ground exploration to prioritize discovery across its portfolio projects: Anga, Osena, Kili Teke, and May River.

Immediately flanking K92 Mining's active drilling and gold producing operations to the northeast and southwest, SPMC's Anga and Osena Projects are located within the high-grade Kainantu Gold District - each having the potential to host similar-style lode-gold and porphyry copper-gold mineralization as that present within K92's tenements. Kili Teke is an advanced exploration project situated only 40 km from the world-class Porgera Gold Mine and hosts an existing Inferred Mineral Resource with multiple opportunities for expansion and further discovery. The May River Project is located adjacent to the world-renowned Frieda River copper-gold project, with historical drilling indicating potential for a significant, untapped-gold mineralized system. SPMC common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX.V: SPMC), the OTCQB Marketplace (OTCQB: SPMEF) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: 6J00).

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Rock Sampling

Rock samples are selective and collected by a Company geologist in the field. Samples were sent to the ITS (PNG) Ltd (Intertek) Laboratory in Port Moresby. Gold assays were conducted using 30 g charge Fire Assay with Atomic Absorption Spectra finish (Intertek Code FA25/OES), with a detection limit of 0.01ppm. Samples >1 ppm (1 g/t) Au were re-assayed as a check with no significant difference noted.

Multi-element assays were determined using 4-acid digestion with Induced Coupled Optical Emission (ICPOS) (Intertek code 4A/OE33). Certified reference material, duplicates and blanks were inserted into the rock sample to monitor laboratory performance, with no significant variations from expected results.

Soil Sampling

Soil sampling involves sieving a c-horizon soil to a <2 mm in the field. Soil samples were sent to the ITS (PNG) Ltd (Intertek) Laboratory in Port Moresby for assay. Assaying for gold and other elements is determined by aqua regia digestion with a mass-spectrometry finish (Intertek code AR01/MS). Certified Reference Material, duplicates and blanks are inserted in the soil sample to monitor laboratory performance, with no significant variations from expected results.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been compiled by Company geologists and reviewed and approved by Darren Holden, Ph.D., FAusIMM, a "Qualified Person" as defined under the Canadian Institute of Mining National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Holden is a Technical Advisor to the Company.

For further 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.

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainty affecting the business of SPMC. In making the forward-looking statements, SPMC has applied certain assumptions that are based on information available to the Company, including SPMC's strategic plan for the near and mid-term. There is no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements may involve various risks and uncertainties affecting the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because of the context of the statements, including such words as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "plans", "may", "estimates", or words of a similar nature. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the arrival of the Company-owned diamond drill in June 2025 and further exploration programs. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic, regulatory, or other unforeseen uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, without limitation: success of the Company's projects, prices for metals remaining as estimated, currency exchange rates remaining as estimated, availability of funds for the Company's projects, capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates, prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), no labour-related disruptions, no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production, all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner, and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices, fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation), fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar), operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration, inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards, the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner, changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations, legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration, increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel, the availability of additional capital, title matters and the additional risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.

Appendix 1

Table 1. Latest campaign rock chips >0.1g/t Au, from Ontenu NE. Ordered by Cu %, with significant Kainantu style intermediate epithermal Au-Cu+ Ag-Bi-Mo-Te-Zn highlighted in red. All coordinates in WGS 84 Zone 55.

Sample ID East North Elevation Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Bismuth (ppm) Copper (%) Mo (ppm) Tellurium (ppm) Zinc (%) E00608 366005 9296329 1815 0.37 56.2 47.8 10.31 4.1 34.9 0.02 E00552 366290 9296324 1901 0.745 60.7 7.21 3.11 156 12.1 3.31 E00551 366287 9296294 1825 0.579 86.4 27.9 2.06 18.4 25.5 0.30 E00549 366298 9296310 1797 1.26 139 24.9 1.47 22 25.4 0.10 E00542 366236 9296435 1768 0.715 46.2 23 0.35 1.6 32.5 0.61 E00548 366298 9296300 1785 1.63 32.7 5.21 0.24 40.7 3.2 0.02 E00583 366343 9296243 1845 0.264 4.71 0.77 0.2 120 1.9 0.01 E00599 365643 9295613 1777 0.185 21.4 0.74 0.19 1 2.5 0.52 E00557 366360 9296245 1826 0.403 1.11 0.19 0.13 11.5 0.1 0.03 E00568 365844 9295441 1783 0.216 17.3 1 0.13 1 0.9 4.74 E00594 365683 9295449 1760 0.693 13.1 0.03 0.11 0.6 0.1 0.07 E00603 365644 9295648 1777 0.332 25 0.83 0.1 1 7.6 0.17 E00526 367313 9296534 1802 0.201 0.39 0.25 0.09 19.8 0.1 0.00 E00540 367498 9296730 1771 0.106 0.81 1.73 0.09 21.3 1.4 0.02 E00601 365642 9295644 1778 0.42 33 2.54 0.05 1.8 10.4 0.43 E00595 365788 9295292 1795 1.7 19.1 0.01 0.04 1 0.1 1.42 E00559 366422 9296232 1824 0.113 1.47 2.71 0.04 7.7 1 0.01 E00561 366450 9296218 1839 0.109 2.64 1.8 0.04 5.5 0.7 0.15 E00602 365644 9295646 1777 0.504 20.4 0.24 0.03 1.3 6.5 0.64 E00558 366428 9296238 1828 0.159 1.55 0.73 0.03 20.2 0.4 0.00 E00612 366870 9295802 1840 0.506 1.01 2.36 0.02 2.3 10.6 0.01 E00598 365642 9295612 1777 0.459 39.3 1.33 0.02 1.1 10 0.05 E00614 365647 9295414 1774 0.254 11.2 0.34 0.02 1.3 7.3 0.25 E00571 366077 9295688 1807 0.247 17.4 2.47 0.02 0.9 7.4 1.68 E00573 365723 9296140 1766 0.184 1.53 1.19 0.02 1.3 1.3 0.02 E00578 366290 9295826 1857 0.171 0.71 3.28 0.02 2.4 5.1 0.04 E00570 366077 9295688 1807 0.563 11.8 5.55 0.01 2.9 4.5 0.21 E00613 366870 9295802 1840 0.479 15.1 2.29 0.01 20.2 3.2 0.00 E00582 366003 9296240 1825 0.175 0.12 1.97 0.01 8 0.7 0.00 E00560 366450 9296218 1839 0.135 0.46 1.22 0.01 29.6 1.1 0.00 E00617 365853 9295185 1811 0.126 5.66 0.03 0.01 0.7 0.1 0.01 E00569 365937 9295577 1784 0.106 7.24 0.43 0.01 2.3 5.9 0.04 E00575 366866 9295801 1879 0.331 20.9 2.28 0 19.5 1.6 0.00

Table 2. Latest campaign soil sampling results >30ppb Au, from Ontenu NE. All coordinates in WGS 84 Zone 55.

Sample ID Easting Northing Elevation Au

(ppb) Silver (ppm) Bismuth (ppm) Copper (ppm) Mo (ppm) Lead (ppm) Zn

(ppm) E20234 366333 9296141 1852 216 0.06 1.23 124 305.4 39.6 7 E20417 367150 9296541 1804 213 0.06 0.27 794 184.4 18.5 14 E20247 366634 9296241 1843 169 0.11 0.32 108 27.9 105 10 E20235 366433 9296141 1851 133 0.025 0.41 83.2 14.3 17.3 6 E20265 367230 9296441 1855 132 0.17 0.03 54.9 0.7 69.2 39 E20305 365733 9295439 1785 99 1.27 0.35 73.5 0.7 1570 413 E20390 366292 9296341 1814 98 0.17 1.38 113 2.5 356 34 E20306 365833 9295441 1792 97 12.7 0.55 239 1.5 804 192 E20373 365792 9296041 1794 96 0.31 1.13 131 3.7 23.9 4 E20356 365714 9295841 1785 92 1.22 0.92 163 8.1 22.7 235 E20304 365638 9295440 1758 91 0.14 0.25 118 1.2 35.3 101 E20243 366233 9296241 1843 74 0.23 1.45 231 0.9 148 175 E20392 366534 9296341 1826 71 0.025 1.2 267 1.9 7 11 E20254 366029 9296452 1800 69 0.09 0.78 94.4 21.6 8.7 8 E20416 367047 9296542 1794 69 0.17 0.37 2001 53.2 6.1 33 E20277 366632 9295741 1868 68 0.09 1.08 124 0.9 167 77 E20238 366734 9296141 1845 62 0.025 6.61 251 1.9 86 36 E20378 366391 9296041 1850 59 0.06 1.47 160 11.4 72.7 45 E20232 366144 9296141 1885 58 0.025 0.79 116 13 15.7 22 E20361 366208 9295841 1849 55 0.12 1.79 114 1.9 22.5 61 E20362 366310 9295841 1854 53 0.12 2.93 278 1.1 53.1 121 E20383 366895 9296041 1852 47 0.17 0.8 161 1.2 101 145 E20397 367038 9296341 1845 44 0.025 0.06 62.7 1.2 45.1 23 E20470 365637 9296141 1787 42 0.36 2.46 188 1.7 41.3 66 E20388 366097 9296341 1823 41 0.16 1.46 74 2.3 37 18 E20244 366333 9296241 1843 40 0.025 0.81 49.8 1.6 63.4 11 E20456 365933 9295141 1812 40 2.81 0.09 125 1.4 70.9 205 E20276 366533 9295741 1872 39 0.59 0.81 256 1.3 88.5 80 E20240 366933 9296141 1877 38 0.025 0.23 52.1 11.8 34.3 6 E20389 366198 9296341 1814 37 0.05 1.4 47 0.8 145 17 E20255 366221 9296439 1750 36 0.14 0.74 52.3 1.7 18.3 27 E20262 366933 9296441 1839 35 0.91 0.68 310 3.1 68.1 157 E20267 367134 9296241 1842 35 0.025 0.95 89.3 2.2 28.1 40 E20314 366632 9295441 1825 34 0.16 0.27 100 1.1 70.1 113 E20261 366834 9296444 1826 32 0.31 1.43 67.4 1.2 77.7 23 E20248 366733 9296241 1843 31 0.025 0.51 95.1 3.1 18.4 21

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253755

SOURCE: South Pacific Metals Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE: SA) ("Seabridge" or the "Company") reported today it has filed its responses in BC Supreme Court to petitions challenging the Environmental Assessment Office's ("EAO") decision granting Seabridge Gold's KSM project Substantially Started ("SS") Designation. On July 29, 2024, the EAO determined that Seabridge's KSM project had been substantially started, ensuring that the project's Environmental Assessment Certificate is no longer subject to expiry.

Our submissions further strengthen and broaden the Responses that had been filed by the BC Government in late April 2025, detailing the extent of our engagement with the petitioners in support of our SS application and the previously granted Provincial, Federal, and Nis g a'a environmental approvals. Seabridge's extensive engagement with the TSKLH and the funding support we have provided to the TSKLH (one of the petitioners) was initiated in 2007 and has continued to be available ever since, including during the period of review of our application for an SS determination. The TSKLH have been included in all reviews of Seabridge's regulatory applications and participated to the extent they decided warranted, with funding support, contrary to their assertions. Our responses also support BC's position on why granting the SS Designation was not unreasonable. The Petitions, the Responses from Seabridge and the BC Government and our related news releases can be found here. The parties have scheduled the period from September 22 to September 29, 2025 for the court hearing.

Seabridge CEO Rudi Fronk stated "our team's engagement and work in support of advancing KSM has been exemplary, especially while striving to achieve the SS determination. I am confident that our Responses, and those of the BC Government, provide strong support that the EAO's decision to grant the SS Designation was indeed procedurally fair and not unreasonable. Resolving this issue will facilitate the next steps in project development beyond this year's extensive work schedule. While this legal process continues, the SS Designation remains in effect."

About Seabridge Gold

Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. Seabridge's principal asset, the KSM project, and its Iskut project, are located in Northwest British Columbia, Canada's "Golden Triangle", the Courageous Lake project is located in Canada's Northwest Territories, the Snowstorm project in the Getchell Gold Belt of Northern Nevada and the 3 Aces project in the Yukon Territory. For a full breakdown of Seabridge's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources by category please visit the Company's website at http://www.seabridgegold.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, nor their Regulation Services Providers accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Rudi Fronk"

Chairman & C.E.O.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253775

SOURCE: Seabridge Gold Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce that planning in collaboration with Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), ahead of a significant 2025 drill program, is well advanced. Drilling is planned to be focused at the Company's new, high grade, gold-rich porphyry copper-gold-silver ("Cu-Au-Ag") AuRORA Deposit, the PINE Deposit and the Twins and Canyon Discoveries as well as several high potential and drill-ready Cu-Au Deposit Targets across the JOY District (or "JOY" or the "District") in north-central British Columbia ("BC"). Comprehensive exploration of the JOY District is indicating high potential for the development of a major Cu-Au district, hosting multiple important scale deposits.

Freeport is fully funding work programs at JOY, and has provided notice under the Mineral Property Earn-In Agreement (the "Agreement") (see Amarc release May 12, 2021) that it has invested CAD $35 million, under an accelerated time frame, and earned an initial 60% interest in the JOY District. The 2025 program of CAD $10 million is subject to Freeport electing to proceed to fund an additional CAD $75 million in exploration and development programs under Stage 2 of the Agreement, which election is anticipated by Amarc to be made during the third quarter of 2025. At Freeport's request, Amarc has agreed to continue managing all aspects of the exploration work programs.

High Grade Cu-Au-Ag AuRORA Deposit

The impressive AuRORA Deposit Discovery, announced earlier this year, is located within the expansive approximately 4 km 2 Northwest Gossan ("NWG") Target, an area within the 495 km 2 JOY District that had not previously been drill tested; much of the NWG Target remains unexplored. AuRORA is characterized by its high grades, near-surface location and excellent lateral and vertical continuity (see table below, and Amarc releases January 17, 20 and February 28, 2025). Importantly, AuRORA remains open to further expansion.

Following completion of discovery hole JP24057, Amarc began systematically stepping out, drilling with three core rigs along six 100 m spaced sections to start outlining the exciting AuRORA Cu-Au-Ag discovery, and confirm its high grade potential. None of these drill sections were completed as the Amarc team had to demobilize from the Centerra Gold Inc.'s Kemess Mine Camp by mid-October 2024, which was scheduled to be winterized at that time. The AuRORA deposit currently extends over 600 m by 500 m and remains open to lateral expansion.

The grade range encountered so far in AuRORA drill intersections is higher than that mined historically by Northgate Mineral Corp. at the Kemess South deposit (218 MT at 0.63 g/t Au and 0.21% Cu[1]) in the Kemess Mining District located immediately to the south of the JOY mineral claims. Centerra Gold Inc., which owns and is currently advancing the Kemess District, has recently reported Au and Cu resources for the Kemess Open Pit (Indicated of 111.7 Mt grading 0.27 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu and 1.19 g/t Ag), Kemess Underground (139.9 Mt grading 0.50 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu and 1.90 g/t Ag) and Kemess East deposits (Indicated of 93.4 Mt grading 0.39 g/t Au, 0.30% Cu and 1.66 g/t Ag)[2]. Members of the Amarc team were the first to recognize the porphyry potential of the Kemess area within the Toodoggone, and discovered and transacted the Kemess South Deposit in 1996. Additionally, members of the Amarc team have collectively worked on all nine known porphyry deposits in the Toodoggone-Kemess region, providing a significant local knowledge advantage.

[1] Golder Associates, "Technical Report for the Kemess Underground Project and Kemess East Project, BC," for AuRico Metals Ltd., July 2017

[2] Centerra website: www.centerragold.com; as at December 24, 2024; cut off for Kemess OP is NSR cutoff of C$12.92/t; NSR shut off valve of C$22.92/t Kemess UG and Kemess East for block cave UG method. Amarc's qualified person has been unable to verify this information and the information is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the JOY property.

Highlights from the AuRORA DEPOSIT Discovery Drill Holes Include:

Drill Hole Int.1,2,3 (m) From (m) Incl. Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) CuEQ4 (%) JP24057 82 18 1.24 0.38 2.47 1.08 42 58 Incl. 1.97 0.49 3.58 1.61 JP24059 271 24 0.98 0.25 1.93 0.81 171 24 Incl. 1.32 0.34 2.62 1.09 89 106 and 2.29 0.46 3.65 1.76 JP24071 2125 21 1.36 0.40 3.35 1.18 108 104 Incl. 2.38 0.60 5.17 1.96 JP24074 162 69 2.19 0.63 6.95 1.90 147 84 Incl. 2.40 0.69 7.60 2.08 108 111 and 3.09 0.82 8.99 2.59 81 135 and 3.69 0.92 9.72 3.04 JP24060 130 74 2.40 0.61 5.33 1.98 81 104 Incl. 3.58 0.85 7.36 2.89 JP24063 132 70 1.01 0.30 2.80 0.88 99 103 Incl. 1.17 0.33 3.15 1.00 JP24068 192 47 0.52 0.25 2.63 0.56 83 104 Incl. 0.75 0.34 3.77 0.78 JP24073 219 102 0.98 0.24 2.01 0.80 131 102 Incl. 1.40 0.34 2.81 1.13 95 138 and 1.62 0.37 2.94 1.28 JP24075 266 34 1.24 0.31 3.42 1.02 109 37 Incl. 2.41 0.51 5.27 1.89 JP24080 132 137 1.87 0.63 5.22 1.71 90 167 Incl. 2.53 0.81 6.45 2.26 JP24083 204 74 0.74 0.28 3.86 0.72 51 157 Incl. 1.51 0.53 6.47 1.41

Notes to Table:

Widths reported are drill widths, such that true thicknesses are unknown. All assay intervals represent length-weighted averages. Some figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. Copper equivalent (CuEQ) calculations use metal process prices of: Cu US$4.00/lb, Au US$1800/oz., and Ag US$24/oz. and conceptual recoveries of: Cu 85%, Au 72% and 67% Ag. Conversion of metals to an equivalent copper grade based on these metal prices is relative to the copper price per unit mass factored by conceptual recoveries for those metals normalized to the conceptualized copper recovery. The metal equivalencies for each metal are added to the copper grade. The general formula for this is: CuEQ% = Cu% + ((Au g/t * (Au recovery / Cu recovery) * (Au $ per oz./31.1034768 / Cu $ per lb. * 22.04623)) + ((Ag g/t * (Ag recovery / Cu recovery) * (Ag $ per oz./ 31.1034768 / Cu $ per lb. * 22.04623)). Drill hole JP24071 interval 179-182 m comprised broken ground, no core was recovered, and it was therefore averaged at zero grade. Further details are available in Amarc's January 17, 20, and February 28, 2025 releases.

Other JOY District Potential - Twins Discovery, Canyon Discovery, PINE Deposit and a Pipeline of High Potential Cu-Au Deposit Targets

Amarc has also established nine other large (up to 7 km 2 ) sulphide systems at JOY, mainly located approximately 15 km to the southeast of the AuRORA Discovery (see Amarc release February 28, 2025). Drilling to date in three of these sulphide systems - Twins, PINE and Canyon - has intersected important porphyry Cu-Au mineralization. The highly prospective Twins discovery, made in 2024, represents Amarc's third new Cu-Au porphyry system discovery in three years of drilling with Freeport in the JOY District.

New scientific information gleaned from the AuRORA Discovery, the Twins and Canyon Discoveries, PINE Deposit and several other large-scale sulphide systems and targets across the JOY District is being further assessed, and these systems along with newly emerging deposit targets will require additional drilling. Deposit targets have been established through systematic exploration including 290 line-km of property wide Induced Polarization ground geophysics surveying, the collection and analyses of 8,400 soil and 1,540 rock samples, and geological mapping and prospecting.

About Amarc Resources Ltd

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of northern, central and southern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Amarc's exploration is led by an internationally successful team of experienced geologists specializing in porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Members of this team have been involved in and have tracked porphyry Cu-Au exploration advancements in the Toodoggone region since 1990. Their experience and early recognition of the porphyry potential at the NWG Target in terms of a shallowly overburden covered and underexplored transitional epithermal-porphyry geological setting, led to the discovery of the Au-rich AuRORA porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of up to $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts.Amarc has completed an initial self-funded drilling program at its higher grade Empress Cu-Au Deposit in the IKE District. Amarc is the operator of all programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery, development and transaction success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, AuRORA, PINE, IKE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Qualified Person

Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng, a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved all technical and scientific information related to the JOY Project contained in this news release. Mr. Rebagliati is not independent of the Company.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: AHR@kincommunications.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

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

Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/amarc-and-freeport-are-planning-a-significant-2025-drill-program-in-their-joy-dis-1032882
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Viscount Mining Corp. (TSXV: VML) (OTC Pink: VLMGF) ("Viscount" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of seasoned geologist Christina Ricks to its Advisory Board. Christina brings over 15 years of exploration and project management experience across North America, with a strong focus on sediment-hosted gold, massive sulphide, and porphyry molybdenum-tungsten systems.

Christina holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Eastern Washington University and began her career in 2008 with Agnico Eagle (USA) Limited, where she rose to the role of Project Manager. Her work included supporting heap leach gold projects in Nevada, Mexico, as well as conducting porphyry exploration in the Yukon and British Columbia.

Most recently, Christina was a major contributor to the geological team that identified key copper porphyry indicators, including extensive veining and sulphide zones, which are critical to understanding the deposit's potential in Viscount's Passiflora Project in Colorado. The first drill hole reached a downhole depth of 1,143 meters, intersecting continuous sulphide mineralization throughout. Noteworthy sulfides including chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and pyrite prevailing over a continuous drill interval of 1100m. This hole in the Passiflora target seems to have most of the mineral assemblage and alteration zones that are typical of most known copper porphyry systems.

Jim MacKenzie, CEO of Viscount Mining, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Christina to the Advisory Board. Her deep technical expertise and leadership in exploration are a perfect fit as we advance our projects in Colorado and Nevada. Her involvement in the Passiflora drill program has already proven invaluable."

Christina Ricks stated: "I am delighted to join Viscount's Advisory Board and to have contributed to the recent drilling at Passiflora. The mineral assemblage and alteration zones we observed are highly encouraging. I'm looking forward to the assay results and to supporting Viscount's next phase of exploration."

The Company expects assay results from the Passiflora drill program in the coming weeks and will provide updates as they become available.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Harald Hoegberg PG, an independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" (QP) as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Viscount Mining (TSXV: VML) (OTC Pink: VLMGF)

Viscount Mining is a project generator and an exploration company with a portfolio of silver and gold properties in the Western United States, including Silver Cliff in Colorado and Cherry Creek in Nevada.

The Silver Cliff property in Colorado lies within the historic Hardscrabble Silver District in the Wet Mountain Valley, Custer County, south-central Colorado. It is located 44 miles WSW of Pueblo, Colorado, and has year-around access by paved road. The property consists of 96 lode claims where high grade silver, gold and base metal production came from numerous mines during the period 1878 to the early 1900's. The property underwent substantial exploration between 1967 and 1984. The property is interpreted to encompass a portion of a large caldera and highly altered sequence of tertiary rhyolitic flows and fragmental units which offers potential to host deposits with both precious and base metals. This has been demonstrated in the mineralization historically extracted from the numerous underground and surface mining operations. Based on the accumulated data and feasibility study, Tenneco Minerals made the decision with silver at $5.00 USD an ounce to construct at that time a $35,000,000 USD milling operation for the extraction of the silver reserves at Silver Cliff. Shortly thereafter Tenneco's Mining Unit was sold, and the planned milling operation was abandoned.

The Cherry Creek exploration property is in an area commonly known as the Cherry Creek Mining District, located approximately 50 miles north of the town of Ely, White Pine County, Nevada. Cherry Creek consists of 578 unpatented and 17 patented claims as well as mill rights. Cherry Creek includes more than 20 past producing mines. In January 2021, Viscount entered an exploration earn - in agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Centerra Gold Inc. Centerra is a Canadian-based gold mining company focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold properties in North America, Asia and other markets worldwide.

For additional information regarding the above noted property and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.viscountmining.com

Neither 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253680

SOURCE: Viscount Mining Corp.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are ramping up efforts to enhance regional economic cooperation and stabilize industrial and supply chains. From the China-ASEAN Economic Forum to the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum and the upcoming 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), these multilateral initiatives are injecting fresh momentum into the global economic recovery.

On May 26, the ASEAN-China Economic Forum convened nearly 200 representatives from the public and private sectors. CCPIT Chairman Ren Hongbin stressed the importance of recent agreements between China and ASEAN, especially with Malaysia, to deepen cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

ASEAN representatives widely recognized the significant potential for China-ASEAN cooperation in technology innovation and industrial collaboration. Malaysia and other ASEAN countries expressed their intention to participate in the upcoming 3rd CISCE, working together to build an open, stable regional supply chain network.

With 50 days remaining until its opening, the 3rd CISCE has attracted global attention as the world's first national-level supply chain expo. Previous editions generated over RMB 300 billion in commercial transactions, with this year's expo expected to draw hundreds of global companies. A newly established "Innovation Chain Zone" will feature high-value intellectual property and emerging technologies.

Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, recently urged U.S. companies to take part, underscoring CISCE's unique value in a fragmented global trade landscape. Chairman Ren described the expo as "an oasis of cooperation in an uncertain world," designed to connect global businesses through integrated, sector-specific solutions.

The 2025 edition will retain its six principal focus areas while introducing new models to support global supply chain resilience.

The first ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum, held from May 27 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur, advanced regional collaboration. Ren led a delegation of over 30 executives from China's energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure sectors, holding talks with ASEAN and GCC officials, resulting in multiple cross-border cooperation memoranda of understanding.

From low-carbon ice cream to pioneering compressed air energy storage technology, CISCE has established itself as a global launchpad for commercial innovations. At a time of growing trade protectionism, CISCE stands out as a venue for transparent, rules-based cooperation, and is positioned to play a key role in reshaping interregional supply chain dynamics.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/china-asean-and-gcc-advance-cooperative-frameworks-to-strengthen-regional-supply-chain-resilience-302468253.html
Current and Aspiring Travel Nurses Can Boost Their Resumes and Land Quality Roles

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / American College of Education (ACE) and The Gypsy Nurse have partnered and co-developed a Certificate in Professional Skills in Travel Nursing, the first program of its kind. The two-course certificate, facilitated by ACE, gives current and aspiring travel nurses the specialized and unique skillset needed to thrive while filling urgent nursing roles.

The Gypsy Nurse and American College of Education Partnership



The Gypsy Nurse is the world's largest community of travel healthcare professionals, offering resources and networking opportunities to countless nurses and allied healthcare professionals. These resources aid them in launching and advancing their travel healthcare careers. ACE is a fully online college that offers quality, affordable nursing programs that support career growth.

Creating the certificate addresses national nursing shortages by equipping registered nurses with the essential skills and knowledge for travel nursing while adding a competitive edge to their resumes.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with The Gypsy Nurse to support travel nurses with the marketability, demand and negotiating power that comes with an academic certificate," ACE CEO and President Geordie Hyland said. "It's critical that we make valiant efforts to provide solutions that address nurse shortages and also empower nurses to advance their careers with quality, affordable and flexible learning."

The certificate can be completed in three months or less with just two five-week courses.* It also contributes to future learning as the credits seamlessly apply toward ACE's bachelor's degree programs as general elective credits. Members of The Gypsy Nurse community are eligible for tuition reduction.

"We see the triumphs and challenges of the travel nursing industry every day. Partnering with ACE to offer this certificate program allows nurses to prepare for and differentiate themselves in obtaining the desirable travel healthcare assignments that they want and deserve," The Gypsy Nurse Chairman Fred Kauber added. "The future is bright for our partnership, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to support travel nurses in advancing their careers."

Registered nurses are encouraged to become members of The Gypsy Nurse community to learn more about the new certificate program and take advantage of special membership benefits when enrolling.

Learn more about ACE and The Gypsy Nurse's partnership on the ACE website.

About American College of Education

American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, fully online private college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 60 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, specialist, master's or bachelor's degree, along with graduate-level certificate programs.

About The Gypsy Nurse

The Gypsy Nurse is the world's largest community of travel healthcare professionals, with an audience of more than 600,000 members across multiple channels including TheGypsyNurse.com and TravCon, the leading healthcare traveler conference. The organization builds awareness of travel healthcare career options and offers travel healthcare professionals the knowledge, tools, and social connectivity required to build successful careers supported by a community of like-minded professionals.

*This is an estimated time to completion. Actual completion time may vary depending on the number of transfer credits applied, availability of courses, a satisfactory pace, successful course completion, and meeting program milestones as required.

Contact Information

Maria Penaloza

Media & Content Strategy Manager

maria.penaloza@issuerdirect.com

SOURCE: American College of Education

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/american-college-of-education-and-the-gypsy-nurse-launch-nations-first-travel-nurse-certi-1032441
This collaboration will help replenish groundwater in key river basins in North and South Carolina by providing farmers with cutting-edge technology to improve irrigation efficiency.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Google and Arable are expanding their collaboration in water replenishment efforts by bringing Arable's in-field irrigation technology to hundreds of fields across North and South Carolina. The project will support the Edisto-Santee River Basin in South Carolina and the Catawba and Pee Dee Basins in North Carolina. This initiative aims to help farmers make precise irrigation decisions using Arable's crop intelligence platform, while contributing to Google's goal of replenishing more water than it consumes by 2030.

Google is funding the use of Arable's technology on 20,000 acres across both states, aiming to save more than 500 million gallons of water annually over an eight-year period. This is expected to have a significant positive impact on groundwater in some of the most at-risk river basins and aquifers in North and South Carolina, aligning environmental goals with farmer profitability and resilience. Scaling irrigation water-use efficiency will deliver multiple benefits to the region, including improved water availability & quality, farmer training on new technology, enhanced on-farm profitability, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

"As a soil scientist, I've seen firsthand how efficient irrigation protects both our natural resources and our farm productivity," said Dalton Buchanan, Soil Scientist at the Division of Soil and Water Conservation with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. "In North Carolina, smart water use isn't just good stewardship - it's essential for long-term agricultural success."

"Supporting responsible and sustainable water use in agriculture is essential for the long-term health of ecosystems and communities," said Suzie Shin, Data Center Sustainability Programs Manager at Google. "With data center campuses in both North Carolina and South Carolina, we're proud to build on our work with Arable to bring this solution to a region we have called home for nearly 20 years."

Technology That Drives Impact

Arable's technology and impact have recently been recognized by TIME Magazine, which named it to its 2025 America's Top GreenTech Companies list, and by Fast Company, which included Arable in its 2025 ranking of the World's Most Innovative Companies. These honors underscore the company's role in advancing climate-smart agriculture through actionable, in-field data.

The Arable platform integrates weather, crop, soil, and irrigation data into a single, easy-to-use system, accessible through mobile and web applications. This empowers growers to optimize irrigation decisions based on exactly how much water their crop needs at all times, while improving productivity and operational efficiency.

Results from Arable and Google's ongoing collaboration in Nebraska and other similar projects have shown that farmers are able to quickly adopt new technology and see real results in reducing groundwater use at scale, while also improving their operations. Approaches such as this that bring together farmers and provide them the tools they need to support and inform their decisions are vital for replenishing groundwater resources across the agricultural system.

"By combining reliable, real-time data with intuitive decision tools, we're helping farmers do more with less-less water, less energy, and less risk," said Jim Ethington, CEO at Arable. "We're excited to bring much needed technology to a region where the need is high and impact to farmers and ecosystems can be significant."

Looking Ahead

This expanded collaboration marks another step forward in aligning agricultural innovation with environmental stewardship. By combining Google's commitment to water stewardship with Arable's advanced crop intelligence technology, the initiative not only supports individual growers but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Carolinas' vital water systems. With training and support built into the program, participating farmers will be equipped to make lasting changes that benefit both their operations and the environment-setting a replicable model for farmer-led, corporate-sponsored water stewardship across the country.

###

About Arable

Arable is the leader in climate and water smart agriculture, helping to transform agronomic decision-making through cutting-edge technology. Forward-thinking organizations in over 50 countries rely on Arable to help them be more productive and sustainable.

Arable integrates state-of-the-art IoT technology, machine learning, AI and advanced modeling to convert in-field weather, crop, soil, and irrigation data into real-time, actionable insights. Users are empowered to make informed, proactive decisions that reduce risk and optimize agricultural practices.

Focused on shaping the future of agriculture and water, Arable powers transformative initiatives such as large-scale irrigation optimization that conserve hundreds of millions of gallons of water, and agricultural weather intelligence networks supporting thousands of underserved smallholder farmers around the world.

Consistently recognized for its groundbreaking innovations and impact, Arable is proud to be listed among America's fastest-growing private companies on the Inc. 5000, ranked #1 in Agtech on TIME's list of top sustainability-focused companies in agriculture, and featured in Fast Company's "Most Innovative Companies" list. For more information, visit https://www.arable.com/

Media Contact:

Justin Mauldin

Salient PR

press@arable.com

+01-737-234-0936

SOURCE: Arable

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/agriculture/google-and-arable-expand-innovative-water-stewardship-collaboration-to-the-carolinas-1032473
SambaNova, the AI inference company delivering fast, efficient AI chips and high-performance models, today announced that its AI platform is now available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog that helps you find, buy, deploy, and manage software, data products, and professional services from thousands of vendors. This availability allows organizations to seamlessly purchase and deploy SambaNova's fast inference services alongside their existing infrastructure in AWS.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529034383/en/

Organizations can now seamlessly purchase and deploy SambaNova's fast inference services alongside their existing infrastructure in AWS.

This new availability marks a significant milestone in SambaNova's mission to make private, production-grade AI more accessible to enterprises, removing traditional barriers like vendor onboarding and procurement delays. By leveraging existing AWS relationships, organizations can now begin using SambaNova's advanced inference solutions with a few simple clicks accelerating time to value while maintaining trusted billing and infrastructure practices.

"Enterprises face significant pressure to move rapidly from AI experimentation to full-scale production, yet procurement and integration challenges often stand in the way," said Rodrigo Liang, CEO and co-founder of SambaNova. "By offering SambaNova's platform in AWS Marketplace, we remove those obstacles, enabling organizations to access our industry leading inference solutions instantly, using the procurement processes and a cloud environment they already trust."

Accelerating Access to High-Performance Inference

SambaNova's listing in AWS Marketplace gives customers the ability to:

Procure through existing AWS billing arrangements - no new vendor setup required.

- no new vendor setup required. Leverage SambaNova's inference performance - fast and efficiently, running open source models like Llama 4 Maverick and DeepSeek R1 671B.

- fast and efficiently, running open source models like Llama 4 Maverick and DeepSeek R1 671B. Engage securely via private connectivity - possible through AWS PrivateLink for low-latency, secure integration between AWS workloads and SambaNova Cloud.

"With the SambaNova platform running in AWS Marketplace, organizations gain access to secure, high-speed inference from the largest open-source models. Solutions like this will help businesses move from experimentation to full production with AI," said Michele Rosen, Research Manager, Open GenAI, LLMs, and the Evolving Open Source, IDC.

This tight integration enables customers to deploy high-performance, multi-tenant inference solutions without the need to purchase or manage custom hardware expanding SambaNova's reach into enterprise environments where time-to-value and IT friction have historically limited adoption.

Making High-Performance Inference More Accessible

With this listing in AWS Marketplace, SambaNova is meeting enterprise customers where they already are within their trusted cloud environments and procurement frameworks. By removing onboarding friction and offering seamless integration, SambaNova makes it easier than ever for organizations to evaluate, deploy, and scale high-performance inference solutions.

"This makes it dramatically easier for customers to start using SambaNova no new contracts, no long onboarding just click and go," said Liang.

Availability

SambaNova's inference platform is available immediately in AWS Marketplace. Enterprise customers can visit the SambaNova listing in AWS Marketplace to get started.

About SambaNova

Customers turn to SambaNova to quickly deploy state-of-the-art generative AI capabilities within the enterprise. Our purpose-built enterprise-scale AI platform is the technology backbone for the next generation of AI computing.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, SambaNova Systems was founded in 2017 by industry luminaries, and hardware and software design experts from Sun/Oracle and Stanford University. Investors include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Intel Capital, GV, Walden International, Temasek, GIC, Redline Capital, Atlantic Bridge Ventures, Celesta, and several others. Visit us at sambanova.ai or contact us at info@sambanova.ai. Follow SambaNova Systems on LinkedIn and on X. To learn more, visit www.sambanova.ai

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529034383/en/

Contacts:

Virginia Jamieson, Head of External Communications, SambaNova

virginia.jamieson@sambanova.ai
First quarter net sales up 3% to $1.4 billion, at the high end of the guidance range, and earnings per diluted share up 29% to $0.49, exceeding the high end of the guidance range

Net sales performance driven by compelling innovation

Company maintains 2025 net sales guidance of 1% to 3% growth and earnings per diluted share guidance of $3.25 to $3.60, inclusive of current tariff rates





COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI) today reported first quarter 2025 results.

"Our team delivered a strong start to the year driven by the positive customer response to our innovation in the quarter. We're effectively leveraging our predominantly U.S.-based supply chain to navigate the evolving trade environment, and I'm confident in our ability to adapt to meet the consumer where they are with fragrance innovation and high-quality product at compelling price points as we move through 2025," said Eva Boratto, CFO, Bath & Body Works.

Boratto concluded, "I'm also excited to welcome Daniel Heaf as CEO of Bath & Body Works, and I look forward to partnering with him and the rest of the leadership team to build on our strong foundation and accelerate growth."

Last week, Bath & Body Works announced that the Company's independent directors unanimously voted to appoint Daniel Heaf as Chief Executive Officer, effective May 16, 2025. Following the conclusion of the Company's 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Mr. Heaf will be appointed a member of the Board, effective immediately.

Daniel Heaf, CEO of Bath & Body Works, commented, "I'm honored to join this iconic brand with a deep sense of purpose and a powerful foundation. I have already had the privilege of meeting many associates across the company, and I'm incredibly impressed by the passion, dedication, and talent across our teams. I believe we're incredibly well positioned to define and lead the home fragrance and beauty categories globally and accelerate growth."

First Quarter 2025 Results

The company reported net sales of $1,424 million for the quarter ended May 3, 2025, an increase of 2.9% compared to net sales of $1,384 million for the quarter ended May 4, 2024.

The company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.49 for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $0.38 last year. First quarter operating income was $209 million compared to $187 million last year, and net income was $105 million compared to $87 million last year.

2025 Guidance

The company is maintaining its full-year 2025 net sales guidance of 1% to 3% growth, compared to $7,307 million in fiscal 2024, and 2025 full-year earnings per diluted share guidance of $3.25 to $3.60, compared to earnings per diluted share of $3.61 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.29 in fiscal 2024. The company's full-year outlook includes the anticipated impact of all tariff rates currently in effect and levied by the U.S. government and other countries. Our outlook also includes the anticipated impact of approximately $300 million of cash deployed towards share repurchases. In Fiscal 2025, we continue to expect to generate free cash flow of $750 million to $850 million.

The company expects second quarter 2025 net sales to be flat to up 2% compared to $1,526 million in the second quarter of 2024. Second quarter 2025 earnings per diluted share is expected to be between $0.33 and $0.38, compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.68 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.37 in the second quarter of 2024. Our second quarter 2025 outlook also includes the anticipated impact of all tariff rates as referenced above.

Our forward-looking guidance excludes the anticipated financial impact of the aforementioned CEO transition, which we estimate could negatively impact earnings per diluted share by approximately $0.05.

For a reconciliation of our reported GAAP to adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2024 and the second quarter of 2024, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2025, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 28, 2024, respectively.

Earnings Call and Additional Information

Bath & Body Works, Inc. will conduct its first quarter earnings call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 29. To listen, call 877-407-9219 (international dial-in number: 412-652-1274). For an audio replay, call 877-660-6853 (international replay number: 201-612-7415); access code 13753334 or log onto www.BBWInc.com. A slide presentation has been posted on the company's Investor Relations website that summarizes certain information in the company's prepared remarks from the earnings call as well as some additional facts and figures regarding the company's operating performance and guidance.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS

Home of America's Favorite Fragrances, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company's predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables it to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at 1,900 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada, 524 international franchised locations and an online storefront at bathandbodyworks.com (as of May 3, 2025).

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this press release or made by our Company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "planned," "potential," "target," "goal" and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. There are risks, uncertainties and other factors that in some cases have affected and, in the future, could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this report or otherwise made by the Company or our management. These factors can be found in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent filings.

We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.

We announce material financial and operational information using our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Information about the Company, our business and our results of operations may also be announced by posts on our accounts on social media channels, including the following: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube. The information that we post through these social media channels and on our website may be deemed material. As a result, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in the Company to monitor these social media channels in addition to following our investor relations website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The list of social media channels we use may be updated from time to time on our investor relations website.

For further information, please contact:

Bath & Body Works, Inc.:

Luke Long

InvestorRelations@bbw.com

Media Relations

Emmy Beach

Communications@bbw.com

BATH & BODY WORKS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (In millions, except per share amounts) First Quarter 2025 2024 Net Sales $ 1,424 $ 1,384 Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy (778 ) (778 ) Gross Profit 646 606 General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses (437 ) (419 ) Operating Income 209 187 Interest Expense (71 ) (82 ) Other Income 8 13 Income Before Income Taxes 146 118 Provision for Income Taxes (41 ) (31 ) Net Income $ 105 $ 87 Net Income per Diluted Share $ 0.49 $ 0.38 Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding 215 226

BATH & BODY WORKS, INC.



CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS



(Unaudited)



(In millions) May 3,

2025 May 4,

2024 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 636 $ 855 Accounts Receivable, Net 103 121 Inventories 869 814 Easton Assets Held for Sale 97 - Other 115 127 Total Current Assets 1,820 1,917 Property and Equipment, Net 1,111 1,183 Operating Lease Assets 970 1,047 Goodwill 628 628 Trade Name 165 165 Deferred Income Taxes 133 143 Other Assets 54 138 Total Assets $ 4,881 $ 5,221 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable $ 452 $ 403 Accrued Expenses and Other 495 489 Current Operating Lease Liabilities 201 186 Income Taxes 146 143 Total Current Liabilities 1,294 1,221 Deferred Income Taxes 23 147 Long-term Debt 3,886 4,282 Long-term Operating Lease Liabilities 895 990 Other Long-term Liabilities 233 257 Total Equity (Deficit) (1,450 ) (1,676 ) Total Liabilities and Equity (Deficit) $ 4,881 $ 5,221

BATH & BODY WORKS, INC.



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



(Unaudited)



(In millions) First Quarter 2025 2024 Operating Activities: Net Income $ 105 $ 87 Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation of Long-lived Assets 64 71 Share-based Compensation Expense 10 12 Changes in Assets and Liabilities: Accounts Receivable 103 103 Inventories (134 ) (105 ) Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other 14 (101 ) Income Taxes Payable 34 25 Other Assets and Liabilities (8 ) (16 ) Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 188 76 Investing Activities: Capital Expenditures (37 ) (46 ) Other Investing Activities (2 ) - Net Cash Used for Investing Activities (39 ) (46 ) Financing Activities: Payments for Long-term Debt - (110 ) Repurchases of Common Stock (136 ) (96 ) Dividends Paid (43 ) (45 ) Tax Payments related to Share-based Awards (4 ) (7 ) Other Financing Activities (5 ) (1 ) Net Cash Used for Financing Activities (188 ) (259 ) Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents 1 - Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents (38 ) (229 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 674 1,084 Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 636 $ 855

BATH & BODY WORKS, INC.



First Quarter 2025 Total Sales (In millions): First Quarter 2025 2024 % Change Stores - U.S. and Canada (a) $ 1,110 $ 1,065 4.3 % Direct - U.S. and Canada 250 261 (4.3 %) International (b) 64 58 10.1 % Total Bath & Body Works $ 1,424 $ 1,384 2.9 %

________________

(a) Results include fulfilled buy online pick up in store orders.

(b) Results include royalties associated with franchised stores and wholesale sales.

Total Company-operated Stores: Stores Stores 2/1/2025 Opened Closed 5/3/2025 United States 1,782 13 (8 ) 1,787 Canada 113 - - 113 Total Bath & Body Works 1,895 13 (8 ) 1,900

Total Partner-operated Stores: Stores Stores 2/1/2025 Opened Closed 5/3/2025 International 494 12 (17 ) 489 International - Travel Retail 35 2 (2 ) 35 Total International (a) 529 14 (19 ) 524

________________

(a) Includes store locations only and does not include kiosks, shop-in-shops, gondola or beauty counter locations.

BATH & BODY WORKS, INC. ADJUSTED FORECASTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (In millions) Full-Year 2025 Low High Reconciliation of Forecasted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Forecasted Free Cash Flow Forecasted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $ 1,020 $ 1,100 Forecasted Capital Expenditures (270 ) (250 ) Forecasted Free Cash Flow $ 750 $ 850



Forecasted Free Cash Flow

Our Forecasted Free Cash Flow is defined as Forecasted Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities less our Forecasted Capital Expenditures. Our Forecasted Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which we believe is useful to analyze our anticipated ability to generate cash. Our Forecasted Free Cash Flow calculation may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. Our Forecasted Free Cash Flow should be evaluated in addition to, and not considered a substitute for, other GAAP financial measures.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Riley Gold Corp. (TSXV: RLYG) (OTCQB: RLYGF) ("Riley Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the 2025 drilling campaign is underway at the Company's Pipeline West/Clipper Gold Project ("PWC") operated by Kinross Gold U.S.A., Inc. ("Kinross"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K) (NYSE: KGC).

"We are happy that Kinross is ahead of schedule and to have the 2025 drilling well underway at PWC. As highlighted in our April 29, 2025 news release, the Kinross technical team along with Riley Gold's Paul Dobak, have defined high-priority framework drill targets in the highest-grade gold-in-soils anomaly known area on the property. These are exciting targets, based on geological and geophysical data interpretation, in areas that have never been drill tested within our 25 square km land package. Our PWC project is within the Cortez District that has a significant history of gold production and current reserves. PWC adjoins Nevada Gold Mines LLC ("NGM"), a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Corporation, that has current production within their Cortez/Pipeline complex," commented Todd Hilditch, CEO of Riley Gold.

2025 Kinross Exploration Plan and Map

A comprehensive geologic model was built for comparison with the many Cortez Districts >5.0-million-ounce gold discoveries. The new step-out wide spaced framework drill holes are being spotted approximately 2.5 kilometers ("km") (up to 8,200 feet) northwest of the first Kinross drill hole in 2024 (see Figure 1 below) and include northwest vectoring to the highest-grade surface geochemical gold anomalies from the soil survey near the intersection of two major structures. The primary target is a large, disseminated gold deposit peripheral to the Gold Acres stock, which is the geologic setting for NGM's Pipeline gold deposit (see Figure 2 property location).

Compiled geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, historical drill results, and gold-in-soil survey results uploaded in Leapfrog software support the new 2025 drill hole locations. Recent geologic modeling and interpretation by Kinross also provides a supporting structural foundation and information for the 2025 Drill Program.

Additional soil sampling is planned by Kinross for the 2025 field season to increase surface geochemical coverage adjacent to the 2023 soil survey completed by Riley Gold. The previous soil survey returned significant anomalous gold-in-soil values that extended more than 3 km. Several pathfinder elements, associated with both Carlin-type and intrusive-related gold deposits, were also elevated in the first soil survey.

Figure 1 - 2025 Drill Target Area

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10015/253742_0c4caebe84de4ac6_002full.jpg

Riley Gold entered into an exploration and venture option agreement (the "Agreement") with Kinross on March 13, 2024. The Agreement grants Kinross the right to earn up to a 75% interest in Riley Gold's PWC project by spending a minimum of US$20 million (see news release dated March 14, 2024 for details). PWC is located in Lander County, Nevada and consists of approximately 24.7 km in the heart of the significant gold producing Cortez District (Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend). Kinross is funding and operating PWC and has a strategic 9.9% (on a partially diluted basis) equity interest in the Company acquired through a private placement.

About PWC

PWC constitutes a very prospective exploration property for Carlin-type, disseminated and replacement gold deposits. PWC consists of a land package totaling approximately 24.7 square kms of unpatented mining claims and patented fee lands adjoining NGM. PWC is situated along the Cortez Structural Zone of the exceptionally productive Cortez Trend within the Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend in north central Nevada (Figure 2). The Cortez and Pipeline complexes (adjoining Riley's PWC project boundary) are top producers within Nevada, a State that has consistently produced between 4-5 million ounces of gold a year.

Figure 2: PWC Location (project boundary approximate)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10015/253742_0c4caebe84de4ac6_003full.jpg

Tokop Gold Project

The Company also wishes to report that it has terminated all agreements related to its Tokop Gold Project and has relinquished the property. Previous drilling on the property did not provide results that warranted continued exploration under current junior market conditions. The Company is electing to preserve cash and reduce costs.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard DeLong, P.Geo., Director of Riley Gold and a 'qualified person', as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Riley Gold Corp.

Riley Gold is an exploration and development company focused in Nevada, USA, of the Pipeline West/Clipper Gold Project located in the Battle Mountain Eureka Trend within the Cortez District. Riley Gold's founders and leadership team have a proven track record of maximizing shareholder value during each phase of the mining life cycle: exploration, development, and production.

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

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Although Riley Gold believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Riley Gold can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties and the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions and the ability to obtain the requisite approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange when necessary. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future business activities and involves risks and uncertainties. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Riley Gold operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca). There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253742

SOURCE: Riley Gold Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Universal Digital Inc. (CSE: LFG) (FSE: 8R20) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that is has oversubscribed and closed the non-brokered private placement announced on May 20, 2025, issuing 3,200,000 common shares at $0.50 per share and raising gross proceeds of $1,600,000 (the "Offering"). No fees, commissions or other compensation was paid or is payable in connection with the Offering.

The Offering remains subject to final acceptance from the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months plus one day from the Closing. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes.

The securities being offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons or persons in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Universal Digital Inc.

Universal Digital Inc. is a Canadian investment company focused on digital assets, businesses and private and publicly listed entities that are involved in high-growth industries, with a particular focus on blockchain, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency technologies. The Company aims to provide shareholders with long-term capital growth through a diversified investment approach, and to participate in the transformation of global finance through the integration of digital asset strategies.

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

Forward-Looking Information

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" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: regulatory approval of the Offering and the intended use of proceeds raised under the Offering.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: delays in obtaining or failure to obtain the required regulatory approvals for the Offering; market uncertainty; and changes in the Company's business plans impacting the intended use of proceeds raised under the Offering.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will obtain the required regulatory approvals for the Offering; and the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated.

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. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. 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, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253807

SOURCE: Universal Digital Inc.
Chinese FM calls for joint efforts to address climate change

Xinhua) 13:24, May 29, 2025

XIAMEN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- All people in the world should make joint efforts to address climate change, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a press conference after co-hosting the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau.

Wang expressed deep regret over the withdrawal of certain major countries from the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that China's commitment to supporting and playing a proactive role in global climate governance will not waver regardless of changing circumstances. He noted that China will also remain active in implementing South-South cooperation on climate change.

He said that China has undertaken remarkable efforts to assist Pacific Island countries in enhancing their capacity to address climate change over the years, and that China will release an initiative to deepen cooperation on tackling climate change with these countries, and will expand related collaboration on sustainable development.

China will implement 100 "small and beautiful" projects on addressing climate change for Pacific island countries in the next three years, Wang said.

As a progressive, constructive force in the international community, China will stand together firmly with its fellow developing countries and be a trustworthy, reliable, warm-hearted friend of the countries in the Global South, including Pacific Island countries, Wang noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Finding Answers in China from China.org.cn:

Deep in the lush and mysterious forests of Shennongjia, central China's Hubei province, golden figures leap effortlessly through the treetops-these are the Shennongjia golden snub-nosed monkeys. Once on the brink of extinction, they've made a stunning recovery and are now even recognized as a unique subspecies. But what's the story behind their stunning revitalization? How has China's energy transition played a key role in protecting their habitat? And can China's ecological wisdom offer new solutions for the world?

To find out, Peruvian host Rebeca Phang from China.org.cn teams up with global energy expert Professor Saifur Rahman for a journey into the heart of Shennongjia.

When clean energy meets biodiversity conservation, and when technology empowers nature to thrive, the answers may lie in the rhythm of the forest-and in China's commitment to green development. This is more than a story about endangered monkeys; it's a search for a new path to harmony between humanity and nature.

How clean energy fuels the comeback of Shennongjia's golden snub-nosed monkeys?

https://youtu.be/Wj1Hd2OaZhE

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj1Hd2OaZhE

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/how-clean-energy-fuels-the-comeback-of-shennongjias-golden-snub-nosed-monkeys-302468183.html
NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperlink InfoSystem, a leading global IT services provider, is proud to announce its successful appraisal at Maturity Level 3 of the CMMI Institute's Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) - a globally recognized benchmark for performance and process excellence.

Achieving CMMI Level 3 marks a significant milestone, placing Hyperlink InfoSystem among a select group of elite Indian companies that have demonstrated a standardized, repeatable, and well-defined approach to product development, project management, and customer service. This milestone is a testament to the company's strategic vision, process discipline, and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality solutions at scale.

To attain this recognition, Hyperlink InfoSystem underwent an extensive evaluation process covering every layer of its operations - from leadership and governance to engineering and service delivery. The CMMI Level 3 appraisal validates that the company's processes are not only well-established but also continuously monitored and improved for optimal outcomes.

"This appraisal reflects over a year of rigorous preparation, cross-functional alignment, and cultural transformation," said Mr. Harnil Oza, CEO of Hyperlink InfoSystem. "Innovation for us goes beyond deploying the latest technologies. It's a mindset that guides every decision, every product, and every strategy. We're not just solving today's problems, we're building the digital infrastructure of tomorrow."

This accomplishment reflects Hyperlink InfoSystem's steadfast commitment to continuous improvement and industry leadership. It sends a clear message to clients, partners, and stakeholders worldwide: the company delivers with precision, reliability, and future-readiness.

With a proven track record in web, app, and game development, and expanding expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and emerging technologies, Hyperlink InfoSystem continues to empower clients across industries - from healthcare and retail to education, energy, and e-commerce. Each solution is tailored to create a measurable impact, foster innovation, and drive meaningful digital transformation.

About Hyperlink InfoSystem

Hyperlink InfoSystem is a prominent international enterprise excelling in IT solutions in many domains. Since its humble beginnings in 2011, its specialization in technologies has expanded across web development, mobile app development, enterprise software solutions, and now Artificial Intelligence (AI). With over 1200+ employees and a global presence in the USA, UK, UAE, France, India, and Canada, Hyperlink InfoSystem is dedicated to assisting corporations to leverage the complete power of technology to accomplish their goals.

Contact Details:

Hyperlink InfoSystem

Harnil Oza

+1-309-791-4105

info@hyperlinkinfosystem.com

New York Address:

One World Trade Center

285 Fulton Street suite 8500,

New York, NY 10007,

United States

Ahmedabad Address:

C-308, Ganesh Meridian,

Opp Kargil Petrol Pump, S.G. Highway,

Sola, Ahmedabad, 380061

India

London Address:

Level 30, The Leadenhall Building,

122 Leadenhall Street,

London EC3V 4AB

Canada Address:

151 Yonge Street, 11th Floor,

Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2W7,

Canada

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2429933/4743119/Hyperlink_InfoSystem_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyperlink-infosystem-strengthens-global-presence-with-cmmi-level-3-appraisal-302468216.html
Leading Men's Grooming Company Brings its Premium Products to Iconic London Department Store

MANSCAPED, the global men's grooming company, today announces its launch in Harrods, the world's leading luxury department store. The renowned retailer has been a London icon since opening its doors in 1849, gracing Brompton Road with more than 1 million square feet of retail space spanning 330 departments that offer virtually everything shoppers could want or need. Now, this includes MANSCAPED's coveted men's grooming products. As the brand's newest UK retailer, Harrods will offer a curated selection of MANSCAPED's signature tools, available in-store and online at harrods.co.uk.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529500849/en/

World-class grooming meets world-famous retail. Shop MANSCAPED at Harrods today.

"Harrods is arguably one of the most iconic storefronts in the world, and we are incredibly proud to partner with them in their mission to offer 'all things for all people, everywhere'," said Catherine Cronin, Vice President, Retail at MANSCAPED. "Joining forces with a brand that has such a storied history is a true honor. Harrods is known for its devotion to providing its customers with an unmatched shopping experience, and we are thrilled our customers can now find us within its legendary walls."

A selection of MANSCAPED's core collection, featuring the very best of the company's internationally acclaimed tools, is now available both in-store and online at Harrods, including:

The Lawn Mower 5.0 Ultra Forged Gold (110) - A gilded version of the most advanced trimmer in The Lawn Mower family, this model is as expertly engineered as it is aesthetically pleasing. It features interchangeable SkinSafe* foil and trimmer blade heads, waterproof** design, multiple length settings, constant RPM motor, dual temperature LED spotlight, travel lock, wireless charging, and up to 60 minutes of runtime.

The Beard Hedger Essentials Kit (125) - This comprehensive routine provides everything you need for a clean, perfectly groomed, and conditioned beard. Each formulation is dermatologist-tested and paraben, phthalate, and cruelty-free. The bundle includes:

The Beard Hedger electric beard hair trimmer A premium beard-sculpting tool powerful enough to craft any style in a single swipe. It features a powerful, cordless DC motor for ultra-precise results, an intuitive zoom wheel with 20 length settings, a 41mm titanium-coated, rust-resistant T-blade for a comfortable trim and enhanced durability, up to 60 minutes of runtime, three-tiered LED battery level indicator, and waterproof design for easy cleaning.

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*SkinSafe technology does not guarantee cut protection.

** IPX7 rated to protect against immersion in up to one meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Learn more at www.manscaped.com/waterproof.

About MANSCAPED

Founded by Paul Tran in 2016, San Diego, California-based MANSCAPED is the global men's lifestyle consumer brand and male grooming category creator trusted by over twelve million men worldwide. The product range includes a diversified line of premium tools, formulations, and accessories designed to introduce and elevate a whole new self-care routine for men. The collection is available globally in 40 countries on manscaped.com, on Amazon in more than 100 countries worldwide, and in major retailers including Target, Walmart, CVS, Best Buy, Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Military Exchanges, and many more internationally. For more information, visit manscaped.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Tumblr, and YouTube.

About Harrods

Harrods has been serving customers from its Knightsbridge store since 1849, today the store is the world's ultimate luxury emporium. Harrods is home to more than 3000 curated brands as well as over 20 dining destinations and expert fashion, home, beauty and wellness services. In addition, Harrods serves customers via harrods.com, H beauty and airport stores and hospitality destinations in China and Qatar. Harrods continues to be guided by its philosophy of "anything is possible" to ensure that customers enjoy unparalleled experiences with every visit. Follow @harrods on Instagram and Harrods????? on WeChat.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529500849/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Communications at MANSCAPED

PR@manscaped.com
By Fausto Vaninetti and Ramesh Raghavan

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / In the fast-paced evolution of data centers, the spotlight on sustainability has never been brighter. As energy demands surge, finding innovative ways to reduce energy consumption becomes crucial. The transceiver power-control feature within Cisco MDS 9000 switches helps architecting sustainability in storage area networks and contributes to the broader goal of creating more environmentally responsible and cost-effective data center operations.

The Power Challenge in Data Centers

Modern data centers face a formidable challenge in managing escalating power demands. The sheer volume of servers, networking equipment, and storage arrays requires a substantial energy supply, leading to increased operational costs and a larger carbon footprint. The boom of Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads and their power-hungry underlying infrastructure has changed trajectory and further exacerbated the situation. Addressing this challenge has become imperative for organizations striving for sustainability.

In the journey toward net zero, Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions present a major hurdle for data center operators. With IT gear and network devices operating 247, their usage phase is the main contributor to GHG emissions. For network devices, the power demand of optical transceivers continues to rise. An SFP+ transceiver can reach 1.5 Watts, while a QSFP-DD transceiver can exceed 16 Watts. As a result, optical transceivers account for a significant portion of the energy consumption in modern switches and routers. In a typical 1RU switch, optical transceivers could represent 16% or more of its energy consumption under standard operating conditions.

Understanding Transceiver Power-Control Feature

Cisco MDS switches harness the advantages of the transceiver power-control feature to achieve a harmonious balance between performance and energy efficiency. This new capability represents an innovation for the entire industry. Organizations can experience a notable reduction in energy costs, contributing to operational savings while simultaneously lessening their environmental impact.

Typically, when optical transceivers are inserted into switch ports and a user administratively shuts down a specific port, the switch only disables the laser without cutting off power to the optical transceiver. This means that when the port is shut down, the optical transceiver still draws significant power despite a slight reduction.

Starting with Cisco MDS 64G platforms (DS-X9748-3072K9, MDS 9124V, MDS 9148V, and MDS 9396V), there is an SFP FPGA hardware support for controlling power to the transceiver at the per-port level. The transceiver power-control feature utilizes this hardware capability to turn off the power to the transceiver when a port is administratively shutdown. Upon an administrator performing a 'no shutdown' on a port, the power is restored to that transceiver. Older Cisco MDS platforms, as well as competitive solutions, do not have this hardware capability and cannot turn off the power when a port is administratively down.

With Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 9.4(2) onwards, the transceiver power-control feature is available and enabled by default on all MDS 64G platforms. With this feature, ports are always-ready, not always-on. In other words, a port is always ready to be powered up, but when administratively down, the port would stay powered off and consume no energy.

Lab tests show that 34 Watts of power are saved for 24 ports in the admin down state with their short-wave transceiver being powered off. Higher savings are achieved with long-wave transceivers.

One practical scenario sees a customer with 6000 ports having 20% of spare ports. The transceiver power-control feature leads to about 1680W saved, equivalent to 14717 kWh/year. For a data center with PUE = 1.5 and assuming 0,27 euro/kWh, this translates into 5960 euro of savings in the energy bill each year.

One feature, many benefits

The transceiver power-control feature is an example of static power control, well-suited for networking devices, where planning for additional connectivity is possible. Customer evidence shows that spare ports account for 10% to 50% of all installed switching ports, indicating that transceiver power-control could drive substantial energy savings.

The transceiver power-control feature has many benefits, including:

Up to 32% energy savings for a switch

easy operations with remote settings for power control

full real-time inventory even for interfaces that are administratively shut (power off), leveraging a highly engineered flow of operations within NX-OS software

high reliability under power cycles and without an impact on failure rates, achieved by optimized design and tight qualification of Cisco SFPs

SFP agnostic operation, applicable to any type of SFP qualified on 64G devices

ubiquitous operation on both 64G switches and director line cards

faster restart to avoid any delay for reaching mission mode on links

included in the base offering at no additional cost

Enabling/Disabling Transceiver Power-Control Feature

The transceiver power-control feature is enabled by default on Cisco MDS 64G fibre channel switches. The feature can be turned on using the following CLI command:

Enable/disable status of the feature can be viewed using the below CLI command.

Transceiver power status for each port is displayed in the "show interface" CLI command output. In the example below, interface fc1/3 shows that transceiver power-control feature is enabled, and the port is administratively shut. As a result, its power would be zero.

Conclusion

The deployment of Cisco MDS switches supporting the transceiver power-control feature represents a proactive step towards creating more sustainable and cost-effective data center operations. The potential benefits include energy savings, reduced energy bills, improved compliance with environmental standards, and a positive contribution to a more sustainable future.

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Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc.

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SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/improving-data-center-sustainability-with-cisco-mds-9000-transceiver-p-1033261
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Forge Resources Corp. (CSE: FRG) (OTCQB: FRGGF) (FSE: 5YZ) ("FRG" or the "Company) is pleased to announce that, further to its previous news release dated April 23, 2025, it has formally closed the acquisition of a further interest in Aion Mining Corp. ("Aion") to bring the Company's total interest to 80%, and financing update.

PJ Murphy, CEO of Forge Resources, states: "Securing 80% ownership of the fully permitted La Estrella coal project marks a major milestone for Forge Resources, setting the stage for sustained success ahead of anticipated revenue from the planned bulk sample. Strategically structuring this acquisition with shares and promissory notes ensures the Company maintains financial flexibility while driving growth. This move reinforces our commitment to expanding in the mining sector and advancing our vision for sustainable growth."

Figure 1. Workers continue to advance on the decline during the night shift

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Forge Resources Furthers its Interest in Aion Mining Corp to 80% Ownership

Forge Resources Corp acquires an additional 20% of Aion to bring ownership to 80%.

Pursuant to an amended and restated anti-dilution agreement (the "Agreement") and further to the notice delivered to Aion and the remaining shareholders of Aion (the "Shareholders"), Forge has exercised the option to purchase 3,963,807 shares (the "Shares") from the Shareholders, being a further 20% interest in Aion (the "Transaction"). With the completion of the Transaction the Company now owns 80% of common shares of Aion. In consideration, the Company paid an aggregate amount of $2,299,008.06 to the Shareholders, pro rata based on their Share ownership consisting of:

2,232,453 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.71 per share; and

$713,966.43, paid via the issuance of an unsecured interest-bearing promissory note to each Shareholder. Each promissory note will bear interest at a rate of 6.5% calculated annually; and mature on the earlier of the following: the two-year anniversary of the promissory note; or the completion date of one or more hard dollar financings by the Company for aggregate gross proceeds of at least $3 million.

Aion is a non-arm's length party to the Company by reason of Cole McClay being a director of both companies and Camilo Cordovez being a director of Aion and an officer of Forge. As well, Cole McClay and Peter Laipnieks are non-arms length parties to the Transaction as they are both directors of Aion and shareholders of Aion who will be receiving Shares pursuant to the Transaction. The terms of the Agreement and the Transaction were reviewed and approved by a committee of the Company's independent directors.

Financing Update

The Company also announces that it is revising its flow-through private placement (the "Private Placement") which was previously announced on May 16, 2025. The price of each Unit in the Private Placement is now $0.66 per Unit. As the Company's intention to raise $1,000,000 remained unchanged, the number of Units offered has increased from up to 1,162,790 Units to up to 1,515,152 Units. Each Unit continues to consist of one (1) flow-through common share (each a "Share") and one half of one transferrable non-flow-through common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will enable the holder to acquire an additional non-flow-through common share of the Company ("Warrant Share") at a reduced price of $1.00 per Warrant Share, for a period of two years from the date of issuance (the "Warrant Expiry Date"). The Warrants are subject to an acceleration clause, in the event that the trading price of the Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") reaches a reduced price of $1.50 or more for a period of fifteen consecutive trading days, the Company may, at its option, accelerate the Warrant Expiry Date by delivering notice to the holders of such Warrants thereof by issuing a press release (the "Warrant Acceleration Press Release"), and, in such case the Warrant Expiry Date shall be deemed to be 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver Time) on the 30th day following the date of the issuance of the Warrant Acceleration Press Release.

The gross proceeds from the Units will still be utilized for incurring Canadian exploration expenses and flow-through mining expenditures. Finders' fees may be payable in connection with the Private Placement, subject to and in accordance with the policies of the CSE.

About Forge Resources Corp.

Forge Resources Corp. is a Canadian-listed junior exploration company. The Company holds an 80% interest in Aion Mining Corp., a company that is developing the fully permitted La Estrella coal project in Santander, Colombia. La Estrella contains eight known seams of metallurgical and thermal coal. The Company also holds an option on the Alotta project, a prospective porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum project located 50 km south-east of the Casino porphyry deposit in the unglaciated portion of the Dawson Range porphyry/epithermal belt in the Yukon Territory of Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the Aion Acquisition. Forward-looking information is based on the views, opinions, intentions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking information (including the actions of other parties who have agreed to do certain things and the approval of certain regulatory bodies). Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. In particular, there can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as described or at all. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws, or to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, its financial or operating results or its securities. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253797

SOURCE: Forge Resources Corp.
Acumatica is a leading next-generation cloud ERP and business management software platform for thousands of small to mid-sized customers around the world

Under EQT's ownership, Acumatica has transformed into a scaled, vertical business management platform, supported by investments in product innovation and ecosystem expansion across new and existing verticals

Acumatica is well-positioned to capitalize on significant future growth opportunities, including accelerated cloud migration from legacy systems, an expanding partner ecosystem, deeper vertical and horizontal functionality, AI enablement and integrated payment functionality

NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT VII fund ("EQT") has agreed to sell Acumatica ("the Company") to Vista Equity Partners ("Vista"). The transaction marks a significant milestone in Acumatica's growth journey, following its transformation since EQT's initial investment in 2019.

Cloud-first business management solutions are benefiting from the growing adoption of cloud technologies among small and mid-sized enterprises seeking to improve operational efficiency, enhance decision-making and accelerate growth. Born in the cloud in 2008, Acumatica is committed to helping these businesses achieve enduring growth and efficiency, from launching new ventures to scaling existing operations. Now recognized as one of the leading ERP platforms for the modern business, Acumatica empowers organizations to connect systems, processes and people with a flexible, AI-powered and intuitive suite of solutions.

Since EQT's initial investment in 2019, Acumatica has built a strong reputation for delivering impactful business solutions, powered by a broad ecosystem of partners and customers. The company has achieved transformational and profitable growth, increasing headcount by more than 3x, scaling revenue by 7x and expanding its global reach, customer base and product innovation capabilities. Today, Acumatica serves more than 10,000 customers worldwide through ingrained VAR, OEM, and alliance partner relationships. The Company's offerings span new and existing industry verticals including distribution, manufacturing, construction, retail and professional services. Its comprehensive AI-powered solutions help address industry-specific challenges with tailored functionality, robust automation and enriched data insights.

John Case, CEO of Acumatica, said: "Acumatica specializes in enabling small and mid-sized businesses to realize their unique growth ambitions. Our customer-driven product innovation has established Acumatica as a trusted ERP solution for forward-thinking, growing mid-market organizations. Our partnership with EQT has been instrumental in our rapid and sustained growth, delivering AI-powered performance, flexibility, efficiency and innovation to our customers. We're proud to celebrate this milestone and look forward to partnering with Vista on our continued innovation and market growth."

Rob Maclean, Partner within EQT's Private Equity Advisory Team, said: "Acumatica's evolution over the last 6 years has been nothing short of remarkable. We are proud to have partnered with Acumatica's Board and management team to help shape the company's strategic direction and invest meaningfully across products and innovation, channel expansion and operational excellence. Acumatica stands as a clear example of EQT's ability to drive transformative value creation and enduring growth in our portfolio companies. We look forward to seeing Acumatica continue to thrive in its next phase of growth."

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals and is expected to be completed in Q3 2025.

Moelis & Company LLC served as lead financial advisor. Jefferies Group LLC also acted as an advisor, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to Acumatica and EQT. Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as legal counsel to Vista.

Contact:

EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

For Acumatica

Megan Nielson, Communique PR, megan@communiquepr.com, 206-282-4923 ext. 233

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-to-sell-acumatica-to-vista-equity-partners--following-transformational-growth-journey,c4156815

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Scottsdale, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - TriStar Gold Inc. (TSXV: TSG) (OTCQB: TSGZF) (the "Company" or "TriStar") is pleased to announce it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement (the "Offering") of units ("Units") for gross proceeds of C$10,086,768. The Offering was led by Paradigm Capital Inc. and included Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents"), acting as agents on a commercially reasonable efforts basis.

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued a total of 63,042,300 Units at a price of C$0.16 per Unit, including the partial exercise of the Agents' over-allotment option. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one additional common share in the capital of the Company (a "Warrant Share") until May 29, 2027 (the "Expiry Date") at an exercise price of C$0.25 per Warrant Share.

In connection with the Offering, the Agents received a cash fee of C$572,206.08 and non-transferable compensation options of the Company exercisable for a total of 3,576,288 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.16 per share until the Expiry Date. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period expiring on September 30, 2025 in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the Company's work program to advance the Castelo de Sonhos gold project and for general working capital purposes.

Nicholas Appleyard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and an over 10% shareholder Auramet Capital Partners, L.P. ("Auramet") participated in the Offering by subscribing for 1,562,500 Units and 1,875,000 Units, respectively. The participation of these insiders constitute related party transactions pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). There has not been a material change in the percentage of the outstanding securities of the Company that are owned by Mr. Appleyard as a result of his participation in the Offering. The change in the percentage of outstanding securities of the Company held by Auramet is described below.

The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the participation of the insiders in the Offering in reliance of the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the fair market value of the insider participation does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company obtained approval by the board of directors of the Company for the Offering, with Mr. Appleyard declaring and abstaining from voting on the resolutions approving the Offering with respect to his participation in the Offering. No materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto.

Early Warning Disclosure

Mr. Eric Sprott ("Sprott"), through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation which is beneficially owned by him, acquired 31,250,000 Units pursuant to the Private Placement, at C$0.16 per Unit for total consideration of C$5,000,000. Sprott is providing the following disclosure pursuant to National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids And Issuer Bids ("NI 62-104") and National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103"), as the number of Common Shares owned or controlled, directly or indirectly by Sprott after the completion of the Offering exceeds 10% of the then issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis.

Prior to the acquisition of Units in the Offering, Sprott did not own any securities of the Company. Following the acquisition of 31,250,000 Units in the Offering, Sprott holds approximately 8.9% of the outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and 12.7% of the outstanding Common Shares on a partially diluted basis (assuming exercise of all 2176423 Ontario Ltd.'s Warrants), based on 352,059,748 Common Shares outstanding.

The Units were acquired by Sprott in the Offering for investment purposes. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities of the Company including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell securities of the Company including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

A copy of the early warning report with respect to the foregoing will appear on TriStar Gold's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and may also be obtained by calling Mr. Sprott's office at (416) 945-3294 (2176423 Ontario Ltd., 7 King Street East, Suite 1106, Toronto Ontario M5C 3C5).

Auramet acquired 1,875,000 Units pursuant to the Offering for a total subscription price of C$300,000. Auramet is providing the following disclosure pursuant to NI 62-103 as Auramet's ownership over the Common Shares of the Company decreased by more than 2% of the issued and outstanding shares on an undiluted and a partially-diluted basis since the last early warning report filed by Auramet.

Prior to the acquisition of Units in the Offering, Auramet beneficially owned, and had control and direction over, 40,128,205 Common Shares and warrants exercisable to acquire 6,730,769 Common Shares, representing approximately 13.88% of the outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and 15.84% on a partially-diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the warrants held by Auramet, and based upon 289,017,448 Common Shares outstanding.

Following the acquisition of 1,875,000 Units in the Offering, Auramet beneficially owns, and has control and direction over, 42,003,205 Common Shares and warrants exercisable to acquire 7,668,269 Common Shares, representing approximately 11.93% of the outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and 13.81% on a partially-diluted basis, assuming the exercise of the warrants held by Auramet, and based upon 352,059,748 Common Shares outstanding.

The Units were acquired by Auramet in the Offering for investment purposes only, and in the future, Auramet may acquire additional securities of the Company, dispose of some or all of the existing securities it holds or will hold, or may continue to hold its current position, depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and other relevant factors.

An early warning report (the "Auramet Report") will be filed by Auramet pursuant to NI 62-103 on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the profile of the Company. To obtain copies of the Sprott Report or the Auramet Report, please contact Scott Brunsdon, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, at the Company's head address at 7950 East Acoma Drive, Suite 209, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 or by telephone at 480.794.1244.

Auramet is a limited partnership organized in the State of Delaware and is an investment affiliate of Auramet International, Inc., which conducts physical metals trading, metals merchant banking and project finance advisory. Auramet's office is located at 300 Frank W. Burr Blvd., 5th Floor/Suite 24, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666.

This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities issued in connection with the private placement have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

About TriStar:

TriStar Gold is an exploration and development company focused on precious metals properties in the Americas that have the potential to become significant producing mines. The Company's current flagship property is Castelo de Sonhos in Para State, Brazil. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol TSG and on the OTCQB under the symbol TSGZF. Further information is available at www.tristargold.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY:

Nick Appleyard

President and CEO

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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation which are not historical facts and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about the use of the proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's reasonable expectations and business plan at the date hereof, which are subject to change depending on economic, political and competitive circumstances and contingencies. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause a change in such assumptions and the actual outcomes and estimates to be materially different from those estimated or anticipated future results, achievements or position expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's plans to change include changes in demand for and price of gold and other commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments in Brazil; the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in development programs; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, mining or development activities; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves and resources; and the risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business. 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. 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/253794

SOURCE: TriStar Gold Inc.
AM Best has placed under review with developing implications the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bb" (Fair) of Arabia Insurance Company Jordan (AICJ) (Jordan).

This Credit Rating (rating) action follows the announcement on May 21, 2025, that AICJ's ultimate parent, Arabia Group Holding Limited, has signed an agreement to sell a 39% stake in the company to Jerusalem Insurance Company PLC. Although not yet completed, the transaction has received regulatory approval.

The under review with developing implications status reflects uncertainty over AICJ's future strategy and its financial strength. The ratings are expected to remain under review with developing implications until AM Best has assessed the impact on AICJ's credit rating fundamentals, which includes an assessment of the acquirer's creditworthiness.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com

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Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Record Resources (TSXV: REC) reports that following technical discussions and evaluations it has finalized plans for a comprehensive hydrogen exploration work program on its hydrogen properties at Lake Temiskaming, Ontario.

The full program is a multi-disciplinary approach combining geochemistry, geology and geophysics with the objective of defining a working total hydrogen system and play fairways that will help map out and generate hydrogen gas leads and prospects. (See Fig 1 Map below).

The program to be phased out over the next 12 months will culminate in the drilling of our first hydrogen exploration wells targeting the most promising hydrogen prospects that will be defined and confirmed during the course of the work program.

The initial phase of exploration will be aimed at sampling the soil on a regular grid in order to measure the presence of anomalous levels of hydrogen, helium and other useful indicator gases such as nitrogen and methane. The sampling procedures to be used not only detect the presence of hydrogen, helium and other gases in the soil but over sampling time intervals at the site also indicate the flow rate of the gases into the sample chamber and indirectly calculate the vector direction to the sources of the gas potentially trapped much deeper in the subsurface.

The methods to be used by Record Resources will initially define local scale gases fields for hydrogen and helium that seep out and are transferred to the atmosphere via diffusive or advective processes after migrating through existing fault systems.

The company plans to initiate a phased SGS (Soil Gas Survey) program. Phase 1 SGS shall consist of regional sectional SGS on a 100m grid spacing using conical auger sampling one meter below ground to measure hydrogen and undertake mass spectrometry measurement of free gas in the vadose zone using steel probes developed by Geofrontiers USA to measure helium.

Phase 2 SGS will tighten the grid to 25-10m precision sampling on anomalous hydrogen and/or helium zones identified during Phase 1 using conical auger sampling for hydrogen and PHD-4 detectors to measure any helium detected in the field.

Work will also include UAV-Drone base detailed aeromagnetic, LIDAR, and satellite based hyperspectral surveys to better define the structures that may be tapping deeper areas where natural hydrogen and associated gases are being generated or stored as reservoirs.

These multi-disciplinary tools including geochemistry, geology and geophysical data will eventually be coupled with targeted 2D or 3D seismic data acquisition to allow the final definition of potential hydrogen leads and prospects both at a local and regional scale capable of trapping commercial gas accumulations that will be subsequently tested by drilling.

"The technical team has a firm grip on the way forward for our hydrogen-prospective Temiskaming properties," said Michael Judson, Chairman and CEO. "This work is essential in allowing Record to eventually discover the first ever commercial hydrogen deposits in Ontario. It is a very comprehensive work program aligned with other similar natural hydrogen and helium exploration projects in Europe, Africa and Australia."

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes", an or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would" , "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: approval of the Private Placement and obtaining a full revocation order. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the market acceptance of the Private Placement; the ability of the Company to obtain a full revocation order and the receipt of all required approvals in connection with the foregoing. Forward looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market price for securities; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder, court or regulatory approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

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

The Units and the securities comprising the Units have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in the Unites States, or any other jurisdiction, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

Dugamin, E., Truche, L. and Donze, F.V., 2019. Natural hydrogen exploration guide. ISRN Geonum-NST, 1, p. 16. Ely, T.D., Leong, J.M., Canovas, P.A. and Shock, E.L., 2023. Huge variation in H2 generation during seawater alteration of ultramafic rocks. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 24 (3),p.e 2022GC010658.Figure 1: Map courtesy Perry English from OGS Map M236 and Quebec Innovative Material news releases in 2024. Moretti, I., Brouilly, E., Loiseau, K., Prinzhofer, A. and Deville, E., 2021. Hydrogen emanations in intracratonic areas: new guide lines for early exploration basin screening. Geosciences, 11 (3), p. 145. Moretti, I., Prinzhofer, A., Francolin, J., Pacheco, C., Rosanne, M., Rupin, F. and Mertens, J., 2021. Long-term monitoring of natural hydrogen superficial emissions in a brazilian cratonic environment. Sporadic large pulses versus daily periodic emissions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (5), pp. 3615-3628. Mahlstedt, N., Horsfield, B., Weniger, P., Misch, D., Shi, X., Noah, M. and Boreham, C., 2022. Molecular hydrogen from organic sources in geological systems. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 105, p. 104704. Boreham, C.J., Edwards, D.S., Feitz, A.J., Murray, A.P., Mahlstedt, N. and Horsfield, B., 2023. Modelling of hydrogen gas generation from overmature organic matter in the Cooper Basin, Australia. The APPEA Journal, 63 (2), pp. S351-S356. Michael Doughty, Nick Eyles, Carolyn Eyles, 17, October 2012. High-resolution seismic reflection profiling of neotectonic faults in Lake Timiskaming, Timiskaming Graben, Ontario-Quebec, Canada.





Fig 1: Map of the Temiskaming graben, Record Properties and QIMC hydrogen showing. Note some faults shown on the Ontario side of the lake corresponding to topographic escarpments.

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SOURCE: Record Resources Inc.
Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Established gold producer Austral Gold Limited (ASX: AGD) (TSXV: AGLD) (OTCQB: AGLDF) ("Austral" or the "Company") advises that shareholders of the Company passed all resolutions in the Notice of Meeting dated 28 April 2025 at the General Meeting held today at 9:00am (AEST) by way of poll.

As previously announced to the market on 14 April 2025, the Board resolved to appoint BDO Audit Pty Ltd as the Company's auditor, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting. In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001(Cth), shareholders approved the appointment of BDO Audit Pty Ltd at today's Annual General Meeting.

About Austral Gold

Austral Gold is a growing gold and silver mining producer building a portfolio of quality assets in the Americas based on three strategic pillars: production, exploration and equity investments. Austral continues to lay the foundation for its growth strategy by advancing its attractive portfolio of producing and exploration assets.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.australgold.com.

Neither 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.

Release approved by the Joint Company Secretary, David Hwang.

For additional information please contact:



Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical and consist primarily of projections - statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import tend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include Austral continues to lay the foundation for its growth strategy by advancing its attractive portfolio of producing and exploration assets.

All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, uncertainty of exploration programs, development plans and cost estimates, commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets especially in light of the effects of the novel coronavirus, uncertainty in the measurement of mineral resources and reserves and other risks and hazards related to the exploration of a mineral property, and the availability of capital. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Austral cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Austral's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and Austral does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Austral Gold Limited

Annual General Meeting

Thursday, 29 May 2025

Results of Meeting

The following information is provided in accordance with section 251AA(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2.

Resolution details Instructions given to validly appointed proxies

(as at proxy close) Number of votes cast on the poll

(where applicable) Resolution

Result Resolution Resolution

Type For Against Proxy's

Discretion Abstain For Against Abstain* Carried /

Not Carried 1 Adoption of the Remuneration Report Ordinary 18,392,510

86.56% 2,757,919

12.98% 97,874

0.46% 281,370,183 18,490,384

87.02% 2,757,919

12.98% 281,370,183 Carried 2 Re-election of Director - Mr Eduardo Elsztain Ordinary 301,835,636

99.75% 620,522

0.21% 124,874

0.04% 59,028 302,560,510

99.80% 620,522

0.20% 59,028 Carried 3 Re-election of Director - Mr Saul Zang Ordinary 301,835,755

99.77% 575,829

0.19% 124,874

0.04% 103,602 302,560,629

99.81% 575,829

0.19% 103,602 Carried 4 Re-election of Director Mr Pablo Vergara Del Carril Ordinary 301,829,500

99.77% 575,384

0.19% 124,874

0.04% 110,302 302,554,374

99.81% 575,384

0.19% 110,302 Carried 5 Re-election of Director - Mr Robert Trzebski Ordinary 301,880,055

99.79% 524,829

0.17% 124,874

0.04% 110,302 302,604,929

99.83% 524,829

0.17% 110,302 Carried 6 Re-election of Director - Mr Ben Jarvis Ordinary 301,920,526

99.80% 491,058

0.16% 124,874

0.04% 103,602 302,645,400

99.84% 491,058

0.16% 103,602 Carried 7 Appointment of BDO Audit Pty Ltd Ordinary 306,271,065

99.80% 471,020

0.15% 149,638

0.05% 159,532 307,020,703

99.85% 471,020

0.15% 159,532 Carried 8 Grant of Security Interest (As part of a Loan Agreement) to a Substantial Holder and Related Party Ordinary 18,192,512

84.40% 3,213,690

14.91% 149,638

0.69% 281,084,220 18,942,150

85.50% 3,213,690

14.50% 281,084,220 Carried 9 Approval of 10% Capacity to Issue Equity Securities Special 297,945,155

99.57% 1,135,527

0.38% 149,638

0.05% 3,409,740 298,694,793

99.62% 1,135,527

0.38% 3,409,740 Carried

* Votes cast by a person who abstains on an item are not counted in calculating the required majority on a poll.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253816

SOURCE: Austral Gold Limited
Mativ (NYSE: MATV), global leader in specialty materials, has reached a significant milestone in their partnership with Miru Smart Technologies ("Miru"), a pioneer in smart window innovation. Through its advanced polymer film solutions brand, Argotec, Mativ has secured their first purchase order of materials used in Miru's dynamic electrochromic window technology from a major glass manufacturer. This achievement marks a major step forward in preparing the supply chain for large-scale production and global adoption of electrochromic glass by leading automotive OEMs, and aligns with Mativ's ongoing commitments around safety, sustainability, and innovation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529975832/en/

Miru eWindow sample for automotive, which uses Argotec films.

Miru collaborates with major global glass companies and key vendors in the supply chain to develop cutting-edge dynamic electrochromic windows ("eWindows") enabled by Argotec's specialty thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) interlayer film. eWindows dynamically tint on demand, enhancing energy efficiency, comfort, and the passenger or user experience in automotive and architectural applications.

This agreement secures a significant volume of Argotec specialty TPU interlayer film, a critical component in Miru's eWindow stack. The joint technology delivers optical clarity, durability, and manufacturability for next-generation eWindow systems.

The purchase order follows extensive co-development and materials testing between Mativ and Miru, signifying a key step forward in their strategic collaboration. A recent highlight in the partnership was the successful fabrication of one of the world's largest electrochromic sunroof devices a compound-curved prototype measuring 1.5 m x 1.6 m demonstrating scalability for next-generation vehicle design.

"This order reflects our confidence in the market demand for Miru's exciting eWindow technology and our shared commitment to customer-driven innovation platforms," said Ryan Elwart, Group President of Mativ. "Argotec's advanced films are engineered for the performance needs of smart glazing, and we are proud to support Miru in scaling electrochromic glass for the future of mobility."

"This announcement marks a major step forward in our supply chain readiness," said Curtis Berlinguette, Founder and CEO of Miru. "Our partnership with Mativ ensures we have access to proven, scalable interlayer materials that meet the optical and mechanical performance standards of our eWindow system. We are excited to deepen this collaboration as we scale toward full production."

Argotec and Miru will showcase their joint solution at Glass Performance Days (GPD) 2025 in Tampere, Finland (June 10 12). Attendees are invited to visit the booth (F9) to see the eWindow technology in action. The companies will also be hosting a networking mixer during GPD, bringing together innovators and industry leaders to explore the future of smart glass.

About Mativ

Mativ Holdings, Inc. is a global leader in specialty materials, solving our customers' most complex challenges by engineering bold, innovative solutions that connect, protect and purify our world. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, we manufacture on three continents and generate sales in over 90 countries through our family of business-to-business and consumer product brands. The company's two operating segments, Filtration Advanced Materials and Sustainable Adhesive Solutions, target premium applications across diversified and growing categories. Our broad portfolio of technologies combines polymers, fibers and resins to optimize the performance of our customers' products across multiple stages of the value chain. Our leading positions are a testament to our best-in-class global manufacturing, supply chain and materials science capabilities. We drive innovation and enhance performance, finding potential in the impossible.

About Argotec

Founded in 1988, Argotec is the global leader in engineered polymer films. Argotec provides unparalleled extrusion capability, capacity, and quality controls to support businesses across the globe. Argotec films are a critical component in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, aviation, building construction, medical, dental, consumer goods, graphics, renewable energy, safety defense, and more. From surface and paint protection to smart glass and wound care, Argotec innovates everyday products. To learn more, visit argotec.com.

About Miru Smart Technologies

Miru Smart Technologies develops electrochromic windows ("eWindows") for the transportation and architectural sectors. Miru eWindows transform static glass into dynamic, responsive systems, disrupting industry standards with high performance, aesthetic and functionality. Miru is paving the way for the next generation of energy-efficient window technologies, with the vision to enhance the well-being of people and our planet. Learn more at mirucorp.com.

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Contacts:

For all Mativ or Argotec media inquiries, please contact:

Brianne Vaskovardzic, Marketing Communications Manager

brianne.vaskovardzic@mativ.com

For Miru media inquiries, please contact:

Vedika Daswani, External Marketing Strategist

v.daswani@mirucorp.com
CHICAGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Smart Manufacturing Market Size is projected to be valued at USD 297.20 billion in 2023 and reach USD 787.54 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.9% according to a new report by The Research Insights. Key drivers of the smart manufacturing market growth consist of Industry 4.0 technology adoption such as IoT, AI, and robotics together with rising demands for automated operations and operational efficiency alongside government digital transformation initiatives and the requirement for real-time data-based decision-making.

The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the Smart Manufacturing Market growth of 14.9% comprises a vast array of, Component, Technology, End-Use and Geography which are expected to register strength during the coming years.

For More Information and To Stay Updated on The Latest Developments in The Global Smart Manufacturing Market Share, Download FREE Sample Pages: https://www.theresearchinsights.com/request_sample?id=3663

Market Overview and Growth Trajectory:

Smart Manufacturing Market Growth: According to an exhaustive report by The Research Insights, the Smart Manufacturing Market is experiencing significant growth. The rise of smart manufacturing systems and solutions stems from the necessity to optimize resource utilization along with reducing waste. The "Manufacturing USA" government initiative strengthens market growth through enhanced research and development efforts that target manufacturing technologies including machine condition monitoring and AI. New technologies including human machine interface and edge computing function as growth-driving factors by reducing manufacturing downtime and boosting productivity with modern automated production techniques.

Rapid Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies:

Industry 4.0 principles drive the global smart manufacturing market through their emphasis on automation and real-time data exchange along with cyber-physical systems integration into manufacturing processes. The manufacturing sector is undergoing major transformations due to advancements in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, digital twins, and edge/cloud computing technologies. Manufacturers now utilize advanced technologies to monitor and process production data in real-time which results in predictive maintenance capabilities and process optimization through autonomous decision-making. Embedded sensors in machines detect faults early which prevents downtime while improving equipment effectiveness and cutting operational expenses. AI-powered analytics together with machine learning models deliver practical insights for supply chain management as well as inventory control and demand forecasting. Digital transformation advances productivity and quality while driving innovation throughout the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and pharmaceutical industries.

For Detailed Market Insights, Visit: https://www.theresearchinsights.com/reports/smart-manufacturing-market-3663

Demand for Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction:

Manufacturers today must enhance their operational efficiency while reducing waste and optimizing resource utilization to survive in a volatile and globally competitive economic environment. Smart manufacturing creates solutions through its ability to build production systems that are both highly adaptive and agile. Every production phase benefits from decision-making improvements through advanced analytics and real-time monitoring starting at design and continuing through delivery. Manufacturing automation eliminates human mistakes and lowers labor expenses while speeding up production timelines as data analysis enhances both energy conservation and resource utilization. Smart energy management systems utilize usage pattern analysis to optimize electric consumption for various machines across multiple work shifts. Smart systems empower lean manufacturing which facilitates just-in-time production that lowers inventory expenses while enhancing adaptability to market fluctuations. Industries that produce high quantities of products while operating with limited financial buffers require these capabilities to maintain market competitiveness. Companies from various industries now direct more investments toward smart manufacturing to achieve competitive advantage while ensuring resilience and maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Government Initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships:

National governments worldwide implement strategic policies and funding programs alongside incentives to promote smart manufacturing adoption. Germany's "Industrie 4.0," China's "Made in China 2025," and the United States' "Manufacturing USA" collectively aim to modernize their domestic manufacturing sectors through digitization and workforce upskilling while advancing technological development. Substantial public R&D investments and tax incentives for new technology adoption along with industry-research grants define these initiatives. Governments are boosting their recognition of smart manufacturing as a key factor for boosting national competitiveness while securing supply chains and meeting sustainability goals. As part of wider climate objectives, smart technologies designed to boost energy efficiency while decreasing emissions receive various forms of support and incentives. The policies both speed up smart technology adoption in traditional manufacturing environments and expand market access by reducing the entry barriers for SMEs.

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Geographical Insights:

In 2022 the Asia Pacific region had the most significant market share in the industry at 36.7%. The growth rate in this region stands out as the highest among all during the forecasted period. India and China represent emerging markets with immense potential for smart manufacturing and are actively pursuing full automation capabilities. The goal of these countries is to become self-reliant in production capabilities and manufacturing systems which drives them to make substantial investments in Industry 4.0 technology. Latin America stands to achieve an impressive CAGR of 15.3% throughout the forecast period.



The adoption of innovation and automation technologies in Latin America's market is accelerating which results in a substantial transition to smart manufacturing. The ongoing technological revolution in this region is producing growth opportunities at an unmatched speed. The easy access to raw materials in Latin America serves as a key factor in promoting smart manufacturing technologies while boosting market growth.

Global Smart Manufacturing Market Segmentation and Geographical Insights:

Based on Component, the smart manufacturing market size is divided into Hardware, Software, and Services. The software segment has emerged as a leading contributor to the overall revenue, accounting for approximately 49.6% share in 2022.

share in 2022. Based on Technology, the smart manufacturing market size is divided into Machine Execution Systems, Programmable Logic Controller, Enterprise Resource Planning, SCADA, Discrete Control Systems, Human Machine Interface, Machine Vision, 3D Printing, Product Lifecycle Management, and Plant Asset Management. The discrete control segment dominated the market share in 2022, accounting for a significant portion at 16.1%. Over the forecast period, this segment is expected to continue its lead as it provides an essential backbone for the overall system.

Over the forecast period, this segment is expected to continue its lead as it provides an essential backbone for the overall system. Based on End Use, the smart manufacturing market size is divided into Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Chemicals & Materials, Healthcare, Industrial Equipment, Electronics, Food & Agriculture, Oil & Gas, and Others. The automotive sector has consistently demonstrated its resilience, garnering over 24% of total revenue share in 2022. According to forecasts, this segment is poised for significant growth, with a projected CAGR of 15.6%.

The Smart Manufacturing Market size is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

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Key Players and Competitive Landscape:

The Global Smart Manufacturing Market is characterized by the presence of several major players, including:

ABB Ltd.

Siemens

General Electric

Rockwell Automation Inc.

Schneider Electric

Honeywell International Inc.

Emerson Electric Co.

Fanuc UK Limited

These companies are adopting strategies such as new product launches, joint ventures, and geographical expansion to maintain their competitive edge in the market.

Global Smart Manufacturing Market Recent Developments and Innovations:

In December 2024: ABB from Switzerland partnered with Engineering Software Steyr GmbH from Austria to advance automotive paint shop automation. The partnership between ABB and Engineering Software Steyr GmbH combines Steyr's paint shop simulation tools with ABB's RobotStudio platform to optimize operations and improve sustainability in automotive manufacturing.

In October 2024: The German industrial giant Siemens recently signed an acquisition deal to take control of Altair Engineering Inc. from the United States which specializes in industrial simulation and analysis software. The acquisition will boost Siemens' position in industrial software by improving its AI-driven design and simulation tools and accelerating digital and sustainable transformation efforts.

In October 2024: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation from Japan made an investment in Formic Technologies Inc. The startup from the United States provides subscription-based industrial robotics solutions. This partnership seeks to reduce automation costs and increase accessibility so manufacturers can overcome workforce shortages.

In September 2024: SAP (Germany) completed the purchase of WalkMe Ltd. (US) to incorporate WalkMeX technology into SAP's Joule copilot for enhanced intelligent workflow assistance based on situational awareness. The acquisition enables SAP to further refine user experience while advancing software adoption and fostering business transformation.

In August 2024: Cisco Systems Inc., a U.S. corporation has completed the acquisition of Roboust Intelligence Inc. Cisco Systems (US) solidifies its dedication to responsible AI by adding advanced AI security and governance into its Security Cloud which enhances defenses against emerging AI threats. By accelerating innovation and streamlining operational processes organizations can now deploy AI applications with greater security and confidence.

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Smart Manufacturing Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2023 USD 297.20 billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 787.54 billion Growth rate CAGR of 14.9% from 2023 to 2030 Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Segments covered By Component, By Technology, By End-Use, By Region Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa Key companies profiled ABB Ltd; Siemens; General Electric; Rockwell Automation, Inc.; Schneider Electric; and, Honeywell International Inc., among others.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1.What is the forecasted market size of the Smart Manufacturing Market in 2030?

The forecasted market size of the Smart Manufacturing Market is USD 787.54 billion in 2030.

2.Who are the leading players in the Smart Manufacturing Market?

The key players in the Smart Manufacturing Market include, ABB Ltd; Siemens; General Electric; Rockwell Automation, Inc.; Schneider Electric; and Honeywell International Inc., among others.

3.What are the major drivers for the Smart Manufacturing Market?

The expansion of industrial automation is propelled by multiple core elements as Industry 4.0 technologies gain wider acceptance and governments increase support for automation while manufacturing processes increasingly integrate automated systems.

4.Which is the largest region during the forecasted period in the Smart Manufacturing Market?

The Asia Pacific Smart Manufacturing Market is expected to dominate the Global Smart Manufacturing Market, as it is expected to represent more than 36.7% of global market revenues.

5.Which is the largest segment, by component, during the forecasted period in the Smart Manufacturing Market?

The software segment has emerged as a leading contributor to the overall revenue, accounting for approximately 49.6% share during the forecast period.

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Conclusion:

The global smart manufacturing market experiences a deep transformation through the integration of advanced technologies like Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced data analytics. Real-time decision-making capabilities along with predictive maintenance functions and improved process optimization techniques now serve various industrial sectors through these technological advances. Manufacturers turn to intelligent systems that automate processes and establish machine-to-machine communication while utilizing data analysis because they face increasing demands to improve operational efficiency and ensure supply chain resilience and sustainable practices. The combination of cyber-physical systems with digital twins drives rapid progression towards manufacturing environments that are both agile and responsive. The long-term success of Industry 4.0 smart factories depends on workforce upskilling, strong cybersecurity measures, and scalable digital infrastructure. The global production landscape is experiencing a transformation due to smart manufacturing which boosts productivity while minimizing expenses and stimulating innovation across various established and new industries.

The report from The Research Insights, therefore, provides several stakeholders- manufacturers, technology providers, system integrators, regulatory bodies, industry associations, and end-use industries-with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities.

With projected growth to US$ 787.54 billion by 2030, the Global Smart Manufacturing Market represents a significant opportunity for startups, venture capital firms, research institutions, digital transformation consultants, and IoT/AI platform developers, can position themselves for success in this dynamic and evolving market landscape.

Check out more related studies published by The Research Insights:

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market : The Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market is expected to reach at USD 47.88 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 46.5% during the forecast period. Advanced production facility technologies fuel the current trend as advanced analytics, augmented and virtual reality experiences, intelligent packaging solutions and additive manufacturing methods serve as key contributors

The Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market is expected to reach at USD 47.88 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 46.5% during the forecast period. Advanced production facility technologies fuel the current trend as advanced analytics, augmented and virtual reality experiences, intelligent packaging solutions and additive manufacturing methods serve as key contributors Manufacturing Automation Market : The Global Manufacturing Automation Market is expected to reach at USD 23.96 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. This trajectory is driven by a trifecta of factors including, Industry 4.0's transformative impact, the widespread adoption of next-generation networks (NGNs), and an unwavering focus on optimizing resource utilization and efficiency.

The Global Manufacturing Automation Market is expected to reach at USD 23.96 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. This trajectory is driven by a trifecta of factors including, Industry 4.0's transformative impact, the widespread adoption of next-generation networks (NGNs), and an unwavering focus on optimizing resource utilization and efficiency. U.S. Smart Manufacturing Market - The U.S. smart manufacturing market is poised for significant growth, with an estimated value of USD 62.26 billion in 2023. Projected at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% from 2024 to 2030, this sector is expected to expand substantially over the next seven years. The primary driver behind this momentum is the widespread adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Governments are increasingly providing support for these initiatives, while manufacturers are emphasizing automation in their production processes.

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SMC is pleased with the strong level of investor engagement received since the publication of the Second Supplementary Prospectus. The deliberate and strategic decision taken by SMC's shareholders, reinforces their commitment to the IPO and to SMC's potential for long-term value creation for both existing and future shareholders.

The publication of the Second Supplementary Prospectus and the procedural reopening of the book, allows all existing participants to amend or rescind their bids, reaffirming SMC's full commitment to transparency and informed investor decision-making.

Interest from institutional investors in the IPO continues to be strong and a reflection of their confidence in SMC's fundamentals, its leadership and its future potential.

The reopening of the books is on schedule to close at 5pm on Thursday, 02/12/1446H (corresponding to 29/05/2025G).

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AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" (Excellent) of Damaan Islamic Insurance Company 'BEEMA' (Q.P.S.C.) (Beema) (Qatar). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Beema's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Beema is a takaful insurer and operates through a hybrid model, whereby the shareholders' fund charges the policyholders' fund (PHF) a Wakala fee based on gross written contributions (GWC) and a Mudarabah fee based on investment income.

Beema's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best assesses the company's risk-adjusted capitalisation on a combined basis, including its policyholders' and shareholders' funds, due to the strength of domestic regulation and requirement that the shareholders' fund would have to support the policyholders' fund were it to fall into a deficit. Other positive balance sheet strength factors include Beema's track record of internal capital generation through the retention of earnings and its ability to accumulate surpluses within the PHF whilst regularly distributing surplus back to policyholders. At year-end 2024, Beema reported capital and surplus of QAR 795.0 million (inclusive of QAR 237.4 million of accumulated policyholder surplus), an 11.1% increase as compared with year-end 2023.

AM Best views Beema's operating performance as strong. The company has consistently reported robust technical performance, with a five-year (2020-2024) weighted average combined ratio of 80.5%. The combined ratio increased in 2024 to 93.4% (2023: 82.2%), driven predominantly by losses incurred on its international facultative reinsurance portfolio following the United Arab Emirates floods, which took place in the first half of the year. Despite the deterioration in non-life underwriting results in 2024, the company continues to demonstrate strong profitability in its core life health segment. Earnings are well-balanced between shareholders' and policyholders' with both funds achieving consistent growth over the past 10 years.

Beema holds a niche position within its domestic insurance market, as the second largest takaful player by GWC. However, in the context of the wider Qatari insurance market, Beema has a more modest profile, with a market share of approximately 4%. The company's concentration of contributions from a single market are partially mitigated by a diversified portfolio by line of business, both on a gross and net written contributions basis. Further diversification is achieved through a small, albeit growing, portfolio of inward international facultative reinsurance.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Romeo Berti

Senior Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0267

romeo.berti@ambest.com



Ben Diaz-Clegg

Associate Director, Analytics

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Associate Director, Public Relations

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Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

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CANNES, France, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From May 13th to 27th, 2025, as a leading brand in China's watchmaking industry, Seagull Watch made its debut at the Festival De Cannes with a variety of collections, showcasing the brand's profound watchmaking heritage and innovative strength to the world, and interpreting the precision aesthetics and cultural confidence of Chinese watchmaking.

Seagull presented a "Time Art Exhibition" transcending cultural boundaries at Cannes, showcasing the brilliant journey of a Chinese watch brand from technological self-strengthening to cultural confidence to the world. The exquisite masterpieces on display attracted many international film stars and fashionistas to stop and appreciate, experiencing the craftsmanship of Chinese watchmaking.

During the official events of the film festival, Seagull invited industry professionals and filmgoers to wear several of its masterpieces. As the brand's leading product in the fashion line, the "Little Golden Brick" ladies' mechanical watch shone brightly with its exquisite design and simple style. The first independently developed and produced double chronograph split-seconds chronograph in China, the 1963 era version of the watch paying tribute to China's first aviation chronograph; and the silicon hairspring tourbillon watch that demonstrated significant breakthroughs in complex functions, material innovation, and aesthetic craftsmanship were also favored and praised by many people on site.

The trip to Cannes is a new starting point for Seagull to move from a Chinese national brand to the international stage. In the future, Seagull will continue to take technological innovation as the engine, oriental craftsmanship as the foundation, and the cultures and aesthetics of the East and West as the bridge, to let the "light of domestic products" shine around the world.

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SINGAPORE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HTX DAO and HTX Ventures, two integral forces within the HTX ecosystem, proudly participated in Bitcoin 2025, the world's premier Bitcoin summit held in Las Vegas. Engaging with global crypto leaders, they actively explored the future of Bitcoin and the broader digital asset industry-while supporting innovation and accelerating transformation across the decentralized ecosystem.

Justin Sun, Advisor to HTX and Founder of TRON, joined a high-profile panel discussion during the event, where he shared invaluable insights on Bitcoin's evolution, WBTC's critical role in smart contract integration, and how U.S. policy signals are shaping worldwide adoption.

"One of the biggest lessons I've learned since entering crypto in 2012 is: never bet against Bitcoin," said Sun. "We've already seen Bitcoin surpass $110,000, and I firmly believe that as long as we keep building, Bitcoin will continue to hit new highs."

Reflecting on his recent engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump, Sun emphasized the significance of political support for the industry, "President Trump's backing is monumental. Without his support, Bitcoin wouldn't have broken $100,000. The U.S. plays a leading role in global financial regulation-once it sets a clear crypto policy, other countries will follow. This will speed up global Bitcoin adoption and bring more people into the crypto space."

Sun also spoke in depth about Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) as a gateway for unlocking Bitcoin's potential in the smart contract world, "WBTC enables Bitcoin holders to interact with DeFi, earn yield, and use BTC as collateral across Ethereum, TRON, Solana and more. It transforms Bitcoin into a programmable asset. With proof-of-reserve, on-chain transparency, and cold storage security, WBTC is both safe and powerful."

Looking ahead, Sun forecasted that traditional financial products will inevitably migrate onto the blockchain, creating new opportunities for yield and arbitrage, "WBTC is just the first step. In the future, all financial products-stocks, bonds, stablecoins-will be brought on-chain. Transparency and decentralization will define the next generation of global finance."

Immersive Community Experience by HTX DAO and HTX Ventures

During the event, HTX DAO and HTX Ventures unveiled a life-size replica of Justin Sun's iconic space capsule, inviting attendees to participate in an immersive and shareable experience. Visitors were encouraged to follow @HTX_DAO and @Ventures_HTX on X (formerly Twitter), and post creative selfies using the hashtag HTXDAOLasVegas. Winners received up to 100 USDT in crypto rewards. The activation quickly became a highlight of the event.

Notably, Bitcoin 2025 gathered an impressive lineup of high-profile speakers, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, White House advisor on AI and crypto David Sacks, MicroStrategy Co-Founder Michael Saylor, and BitMEX Co-Founder Arthur Hayes. Throughout the conference, these leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on Bitcoin ecosystem development, regulatory policy, technological innovation, and global adoption-providing valuable direction for the industry's future.

Continuing the Mission to Empower Web3

Through thought leadership and creative engagement, HTX DAO and HTX Ventures demonstrated their ongoing commitment to building a smarter, more accessible Bitcoin ecosystem.

About HTX DAO

As a multi-chain deployed decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), HTX DAO demonstrates an innovative governance approach. Unlike traditional corporate structures, it adopts a decentralized governance structure composed of a diversified group, jointly committed to the success of this organization. This unique ecosystem advocates openness and encourages all DAO participants to propose ideas that can promote the development of HTX DAO.

About HTX Ventures

HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With more than a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice.

HTX Ventures currently backs over 300 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active FOF (Fund of Funds) funds, HTX Ventures invests in 30 top global funds and collaborates with leading blockchain funds such as Polychain, Dragonfly, Bankless, Gitcoin, Figment, Nomad, Animoca, and Hack VC to jointly build a blockchain ecosystem. Visit us here .

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / By Tony Case

Originally published on WorkLife

As global VP of talent management for the past decade-plus at one of the world's best-known spirits brands, John McCusker has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by HR teams everywhere - but with a twist.

At a time when conversations about the workplace tend to revolve around AI, RTO, the impact of President Trump's rapid-fire directives and other changes in the way business is done, McCusker remains focused on something fundamentally different at Bacardi Ltd.: preserving human connection.

"How do we keep humanity in the workplace?" he asks, recalling conversations with fellow HR leaders at a recent conference. While everyone else there was fixated on the implementation of AI, McCusker found himself wondering about a more pressing matter: how companies can deploy AI to help line leaders connect with their people on a more personal level.

That thinking comes at a time of intense challenges for the spirits trade - particularly as Trump's trade policies threaten to turn that industry, as so many others, upside down.

The emphasis on people is not some touchy-feely proposition. A people-first approach to talent management is at the heart of the 160-year-old, family-owned spirits marketer, beginning with how the company views its employees - affectionately called primos, Spanish for cousins. The term originated years ago when the chairman was addressing senior leadership and noted, "When we talk to one another as family members, we say 'Hola, primo!' - because when we think about you as leadership and the rest of the organization, we see you as extended family."

"In families there are no annual performance reviews - you have just-in-time, dynamic, in-the-moment, authentic conversations about what's working and what isn't working." - John McCusker, VP of talent management, Bacardi Ltd.

At Bacardi, that isn't just corporate speak - it is at the core of how talent management functions. As McCusker explains, "Do you sit down with your spouse or your partner at the end of the year and have a formal year-end review? In families there are no annual performance reviews - you have just-in-time, dynamic, in-the-moment, authentic conversations about what's working and what isn't working."

It is that perspective that catalyzed the creation of "Let's Talk," Bacardi's distinctive approach to performance management, launched in 2016. Rather than traditional performance reviews, the program encourages natural, employee-driven conversations that happen across the year. "We said the world's changing at a pace that we probably need to rethink," McCusker said. "Is it really relevant to say on the first of April, 'Here's what we're going to do' - and then the world changes and you look back on the 31st of March to something that very quickly became out of date?"

The company's timing executing an ongoing, fluid dialogue with its people couldn't have been more perfect. When the pandemic hit and Bacardi's workforce went remote, it meant the company already had a performance system in place built on trust, authentic communication and regular conversations. The results speak for themselves: employee engagement scores improved after the implementation of the policy, while metrics related to performance management showed marked improvement. Team members reported high satisfaction with both the frequency and quality of conversations about expectations and career development, according to McCusker.

Bacardi's talent approach is anchored in what McCusker calls the "Three F's"-Fearless, Family and Founders. The "Fearless" component carries dual significance, meaning the courage to, as McCusker puts it, "run through walls to deliver objectives," as well as the vulnerability to "put your hand up and say, 'I need help.'"

The emphasis on authentic leadership runs like a thread through all the company's development programs, McCusker explains. "How do we move leaders from being heroes to humans?" he said, noting that corporate leaders are encouraged to embrace their own humanity and vulnerability versus maintaining some facade of perfection.

"John brings a level of expertise, empathy and vulnerability that creates an open dialogue central to creating a positive workforce where talent can flourish." - Tony Latham, regional president, Bacardi North America

Meanwhile, the "Family" element manifests in an "all-in mentality," encouraging employees to think "Bacardi first, then team, then you." The approach aligns incentives with collective success rather than short-term individual gains - a marked departure from the shareholder-first mentality of many publicly traded organizations.

For a company with a century and a half under its belt, balancing tradition with innovation can be a tall order. McCusker sees it not as a contradiction, however, but as complementary. "It's not an either-or - it's and," he said, with team members encouraged to ask: "How do you celebrate the past as you build an even richer and more successful future?"

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View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi-Martini, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bacardi-Martini, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bacardi-limited

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Bacardi-Martini, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/travel/bacardi%e2%80%99s-talent-management-vp-on-blending-a-160-year-family-heritage-with-a-modern-twist-1033297
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. (CSE: ISFT) (the "Corporation" or the "Company" or "ICEsoft") is pleased to announce its interim financial results for the periods ending March 31, 2025 and 2024. Detailed results and Management's discussion and analysis are now available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Annual highlights are as follows:

ICEsoft's Voyent Alert! service is now used by 750 North American communities and enterprises.

The Company has now realized 19 consecutive quarters of growth in subscription-based revenues.

Client retention remains high, exceeding 97% and win rates in competitive situations exceed 80%.

"We are very happy to see the continued growth on both the top and bottom line with our Voyent Alert! SaaS product. Quarterly sales continue to increase, which combined with ongoing cost reduction efforts in both COGS and general operating expenses have led to positive net operating income and operational cash flow," stated Brian McKinney, President and CEO. "Our high customer retention rates and client satisfaction are contributing to increased Voyent sales through new client referrals and upsales."

About ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp.:

ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp. is a software-as-a-service ("SaaS") company. ICEsoft's newest product Voyent Alert! is an affordable Community Alerting Service specifically designed to meet the needs of small to medium sized municipalities, regional governments and campuses. The flexible platform serves the dual purpose of alerting and advising residents during a critical incident as well as providing targeted day-to-day communication services.

Forward-Looking Information Advisory

Certain information in this press release is forward-looking within the meaning of certain securities laws, and is subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, information with respect to the Corporate Changes, Private Placement and shares for debt transactions, assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action, and the Company's beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "suspect", "outlook", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "target" and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this material change report describes the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release and accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253831

SOURCE: ICEsoft Technologies Canada Corp.
HEREDIA, Costa Rica, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks , the Data and AI company, today celebrated the opening of its new office in the America Free Zone (AFZ) in Heredia, Costa Rica, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing investment in Latin America. The company's Costa Rica team has expanded to approximately 200 employees, reflecting the rapid growth and deep commitment to the country's exceptional talent pool. Building on this momentum, Databricks plans to create 100 additional jobs in Costa Rica by the end of 2025, further strengthening its local operations and reinforcing Costa Rica's strategic role in supporting customers and driving adoption of the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform across Latin America.

Since opening its Costa Rica office in 2023, Databricks has achieved over 150% growth in its LATAM business while supporting major regional customers such as BAC Latam, Nubank, Grupo Bimbo, iFood, Bineo and Kueski. As part of its broader strategy for Latin America, the company is expanding its Sao Paulo office and recently launched a new presence in Mexico City. These investments are fueled by rapidly growing enterprise demand for Databricks solutions across the region.

"Costa Rica plays a critical role in Databricks' international expansion strategy," said Rory Patterson, Chief of Staff to the CEO and VP of Corporate Operations at Databricks. "Our teams in Latin America are not only supporting global operations, they're pioneering new automation and AI-based programs and processes that drive innovation across the company. This is a testament to the exceptional talent in Costa Rica and their ability to help us scale smarter, and not just faster."

"Databricks has enabled us to realize our vision of a modern, intelligent, and flexible data and analytics strategy, strengthening our approach as a bank, personalizing our customers' experience, and generating prosperity for the communities we serve," said Rodrigo Chaverri, Corporate Director of Data & Analytics of BAC Latam.

The Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, commented, "Databricks' expansion in Costa Rica strengthens the country's position as a strategic tech hub for Latin America, supported by a highly skilled workforce, a reliable business environment, and robust digital infrastructure. With over 240 multinational companies in the sector and advanced capabilities in software, analytics, and artificial intelligence, Costa Rica offers a thriving ecosystem for digital solutions, nearshoring, and innovation. This new investment reaffirms the global tech sector's confidence in our ability to lead complex processes from a secure, stable and competitive platform."

"At Databricks, we believe in building our future with the best talent, and Costa Rica offers exactly that," said Ariel Vargas, Director of International & LATAM Operations at Databricks. "Our new office will be a cornerstone for our Latin America operations, enabling us to better serve our customers and foster a culture of innovation and excellence. We look forward to welcoming new Bricksters to our growing team and collaborating with local partners and customers to drive innovation across the region."

"The opening of Databricks' new office in Costa Rica reinforces the country's position as a strategic destination for knowledge-intensive services, which already account for 30% of our total exports. This expansion reflects the confidence that leading companies place in our business environment, legal certainty, and - above all - our highly skilled talent that drives digital transformation globally, every day," said Laura Lopez, CEO of the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER).

Databricks' investment in Costa Rica will support a wide range of roles, including Finance, HR, IT, Technical Support, Marketing, Operations and more. The company encourages interested professionals to explore opportunities and join its mission to democratize data and AI through the Data Intelligence Platform. For more information about career opportunities at Databricks Costa Rica, please visit the Databricks Careers page.

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide - including Block, Comcast, Conde Nast, Rivian, Shell and over 60% of the Fortune 500 - rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to take control of their data and put it to work with AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe, and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark, Delta Lake and MLflow. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn , X and Facebook .

Contact: Press@databricks.com

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This Clinical Trial will Demonstrate the Use of TETRANITE to Reintegrate Cranial Bone Flaps for Improved Clinical Outcomes

RevBio, Inc., announced that it has received approval from the Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to conduct a 15 patient pilot clinical trial to use TETRANITE to reintegrate bone flaps, which are portions of the skull that are temporarily removed by neurosurgeons to perform brain surgery. This clinical trial is designed to demonstrate that TETRANITE can reintegrate these bone flaps with the surrounding bone to improve cosmesis, increase flap stability for patient comfort, and help prevent cerebrospinal fluid leaks, which can cause significant pain and lead to serious infections.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529847431/en/

Dr. Kumar Abhinav (left) and Dr. Mario Teo (right) have to date conducted three cases in the 15 patient clinical trial. The images above show the seamless restoration of cranial flaps using TETRANITE in this clinical trial.

Mario Teo, MBChB (Hons), BMedSci (Hons), PhD, FRCS (Neurosurgery), and Kumar Abhinav, BSc (Hons), MBBS, MD, FRCS (Neurosurgery) are conducting this study at North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) in the United Kingdom. NBT provides healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, offers specialist services for the wider region and beyond, and serves as a regional center for neuroscience.

"The background scientific work coupled with the promising recruitment thus far indicates that TETRANITE could play an important and exciting role in the future of craniotomy procedures," said Dr. Teo.

The first five patients-three of which have already been enrolled-will receive TETRANITE in addition to the standard of care plates and screws to fixate their bone flaps. This unique arm of the study is designed to demonstrate that TETRANITE can be used adjunctively with standard metal fixation hardware and can facilitate bone regeneration in the kerf space (i.e., the area of bone that is lost around the perimeter of the cranial flap due to the cutting tools used to create the flap). The kerf space is typically left unfilled and represents a critical size bone defect since it will not spontaneously fill with new bone. The remaining ten cases in this clinical trial will use TETRANITE on a stand-alone basis without plates and screws similar to the ongoing U.S.-based cranial flap clinical trial, which has enrolled 18 of the planned 20 patients. Many of these U.S. patients have now been followed for more than 6 months and none of these patients have had any device-related complications.

The NBT Adult Neurosurgery Department has a long history of innovation. Originally located at Frenchay Hospital in the outskirts of Bristol, many of the founders were trained by the pioneering American neurosurgeon, Harvey Cushing. During World War II, the American Medical Corp was stationed with the neurosurgeons of Frenchay Hospital who treated close to 5,000 soldiers who sustained traumatic head and spinal injuries in the war. Due to this long history of expertise, neurosurgeons from around the world have received advanced training at the Bristol Hospital Department of Neurosurgery.

"Based on our initial cases, we believe TETRANITE could obviate the need for plates and screws for cranial fixation," said Dr. Abhinav. "This product could provide patients with a much more rapid, mechanically robust solution which would lead to more optimal cosmetic outcomes."

About RevBio, Inc.

RevBio, Inc., is a clinical stage medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of TETRANITE, a patented, synthetic, injectable, self-setting, and osteoconductive bone adhesive. The company is initially developing this technology for use in the dental, cranial, and broader orthopaedic markets as well as applications in the animal health market. RevBio's TETRANITE technology is not yet approved for commercial use.

About North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT)

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) runs healthcare services from Southmead Hospital, Cossham Hospital, Bristol Centre for Enablement as well as satellite sites across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom. As well as providing high-quality healthcare to the local population, NBT is a center of excellence in the South West and beyond in a range of services and major specialties including neurosciences, orthopedics, and plastic surgery. NBT's pioneering treatments and advances in care have won international recognition, placing it at the forefront of medical knowledge. NBT forms part of the Bristol NHS Group, a group of NHS Hospitals which manages in excess of 100 million in research funding per year.

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Contacts:

Michael Tiedemann

mtiedemann@revbio.com
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Vertosoft, a leading distributor of innovative software solutions for the public sector, is proud to announce that it has been named the 2024 Federal Partner of the Year by Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy. This prestigious recognition was awarded at the annual Strategy World conference, celebrating Vertosoft's outstanding contributions to advancing AI and analytics within government agencies.

"This recognition is a testament to our team's relentless dedication to delivering transformative solutions to our federal clients," said Jay Colavita, President of Vertosoft. "We are honored to be acknowledged by Strategy and look forward to continuing our mission of accelerating the adoption of emerging and innovative technologies across the public sector."

The Federal Partner of the Year award highlights Vertosoft's strategic alignment with Strategy's vision of empowering organizations through AI-powered analytics and enterprise intelligence. Over the past year, Vertosoft has played a pivotal role in expanding Strategy's footprint in the federal market, leveraging its deep domain expertise and robust partner ecosystem to deliver measurable outcomes for government customers.

Mel Zeledon, Executive Vice President, Global Alliances & Transformation at Strategy, said: "I am extremely proud of what Vertosoft achieved in 2024. As a second time Strategy partner award winner, Vertosoft brought their Federal expertise and actively engaged with our Federal sales organization to deliver innovative solutions to our customers and help grow our federal government business. Their dedication and results in delivering Strategy business intelligence solutions to government agencies made them the right choice again for the 2024 Federal Partner of the Year award and we celebrated with them at Strategy World 2025."

This marks the first year Strategy has presented the Federal Partner of the Year award under its new brand identity, and Vertosoft is honored to be the inaugural recipient. The company extends its gratitude to its dedicated team, valued partners, and the Strategy alliance for making this achievement possible.

About Vertosoft

At Vertosoft we are a trusted, value-driven distributor of innovative technology solutions. Our experienced team and tailored services equip our channel partners and suppliers with the tools, contracts, and secure systems needed to succeed in the public sector market. Visit vertosoft.com for more information.

SOURCE: Vertosoft

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/vertosoft-named-federal-partner-of-the-year-by-strategy-formerly-1030958
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx" or the "Company") announces closing of the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement with a strategic investor (the "Private Placement") of 3,490,343 common shares of the Company ("Shares") at a price of $0.85 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $3 million.

The net proceeds of the first tranche of the Private Placement will be used by the Company for general corporate purposes.

The Private Placement is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The second tranche of the Private Placement is scheduled to close on or about June 6, 2025 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. For further information, see the Company's news release dated May 22, 2025.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. persons unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. "United States" and "U.S. person" have the meaning ascribed to them in Regulation S under the 1933 Act.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

Website: www.onyxgold.com



LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-gold-corp/



Twitter: https://twitter.com/OnyxGoldCorp

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

Cautionary and 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" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements about the Private Placement (including the anticipated use of proceeds), statements about the anticipated closing date of the second tranche of the Private Placement, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company will not use the net proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated; that the Company will not receive all necessary approvals in respect of the Private Placement; that the Company will not close the second tranche of the Private Placement on the timeline anticipated; market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; fluctuating commodity prices; competitive risks; and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this news release, including, among other things, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated; that the Company will close the second tranche of the Private Placement on the timeline anticipated; and that the Company will receive all necessary approvals in respect of the Private Placement, if applicable.

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. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. 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, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

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/253840

SOURCE: Onyx Gold Corp.
New facility to reestablish program as national leader while advancing veterinary education, food security and public health in Oklahoma

Stillwater, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Oklahoma State University has received a historic $250 million state funding appropriation to support construction of a new, state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital.

This critical investment - the largest state appropriation in university history - combined with $78 million allocated in 2023, marks a significant step forward in advancing the future of veterinary education, food security and public health in Oklahoma.

The new 255,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing 145,376-square-foot veterinary hospital, which was built to serve 60 students but now supports more than 150. With this expansion, OSU will address one of the most urgent infrastructure needs in its veterinary program while expanding its ability to train the next generation of veterinarians.

This spring, OSU President Jim Hess made securing investment for a new veterinary teaching hospital a key priority, noting its crucial impact not just for OSU but for the state. Veterinary medicine is a cornerstone of Oklahoma's economy and public health, and Dr. Hess said this transformational investment directly supports OSUs land-grant mission to serve the state's needs.

"Today marks a very historic day for Oklahoma State University and the entire state of Oklahoma," Hess said. "Gov. Stitt and the members of the Oklahoma Legislature are to be congratulated for their contribution and transformational dedication to our College of Veterinary Medicine, the food supply of Oklahoma and the agricultural economy of our state."

Veterinarians are essential to every corner of Oklahoma - from rural ranches to urban centers - fueling economic growth and ensuring the safety of our food supply and public health.

The current veterinary hospital was identified as a key concern when the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine was placed on probationary accreditation in the fall of 2024. The American Veterinary Medical Association has since returned the college to full accreditation status, but emphasized that continued compliance is tied to facility upgrades.

"This $250 million investment powerfully answers the call to build a new teaching facility for OSU's veterinary medicine school, and we thank our elected leaders for their commitment to this vital project and the veterinarians who fought for it," said Oklahoma A&M Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel.

"We celebrate this significant progress as a win for Oklahoma State University, its veterinary students, and the agricultural community. The facility will serve the state for at least the next 40 years and equip our graduates to meet the evolving needs of Oklahoma's vital animal industries. Our mission is to be number one in the nation, and this will be the launching pad to achieve our shared vision, advancing the university's top-tier status as a land grant institution."

As one of just 33 accredited veterinary colleges in the United States, OSU plays a unique role in meeting Oklahoma's veterinary workforce needs. Each year, more than 100 students are admitted to the program, with graduates serving all 77 counties in Oklahoma. This funding is also key to addressing Oklahoma's rural large-animal veterinarian shortage - a pressing issue for agriculture and food production.

"For us, this means everything," said Dr. Kelly Black, hospital director.

"There are so many different things that tie into this. For our small animal service, we are basically at the end of how much space we have in the current hospital. We're adding new services currently. We're in a rebuilding phase, and we don't have room currently to put everybody in there. On the large animal side, it allows us to expand what we're able to do there. We don't have good facilities for some of the services that we need, such as calf working. If we're doing vaccination and working herds of small calves, we don't have any good facilities to do that, either.

"So, for us on both sides, I think it's an investment in the future of veterinary medicine in the state of Oklahoma, and I think it's going to bring us into the next century, where we're still working in the last century. I think this is going to be something that's really going to move us forward and bring us up with current medicine and make us a leader in veterinary medicine."

The new hospital will feature modern equipment and technologies essential for both small and large animal care, including advanced imaging tools (CT, MRI, radiography and ultrasound), a linear accelerator for oncology treatments and an aqua cow float tank.

"This investment in the College of Veterinary Medicine is program changing," said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, OSU clinical professor and director of the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine. "It's program-changing, not only for our students and faculty and staff, but also for animal owners across the state, particularly our farmers and ranchers in rural areas that need the support to do what they do - feed and clothe the world."

Eleven institutions are planning or developing veterinary programs, putting Oklahoma's ability to retain top students and faculty at risk. This investment ensures OSU will remain competitive and serve as a national leader in veterinary medicine.

B-roll, soundbites and photos prepared for media use: https://digitalassets.okstate.edu/share/F0970BDC-F46E-4AB4-95097D10A03737FB/?viewType=grid.

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 35,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 26,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 127 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 290,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253838

SOURCE: Oklahoma State University
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, presented a rare original historical manuscript to the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, Italy, in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529504564/en/

Sharjah Ruler gifts University of Sacred Heart historical manuscript (Photo: AETOSWire)

The manuscript dates back to August 14, 1624, and includes a papal decree written by Pope Urban VIII and sealed in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Additionally, His Highness gifted his book "Papal Bull" in both Arabic and English at the university's premises.

In his speech, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Rector and members of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan for their warm welcome.

His Highness spoke about the manuscript he gifted to the university, which dates back to August 14, 1624, highlighting that it is a papal decree written by Pope Urban VIII and sealed in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The purpose of the decree was to raise financial assistance for the Portuguese fleet.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah discussed the conflict between the Portuguese and the English in Hormuz, stating, "In 1622, the Portuguese were expelled from Hormuz at the entrance to the Arabian Gulf from the Persian coast, where they had occupied it for one hundred and fifteen years, by English and Persian forces. The mission of the Portuguese leaders, along with the priests, was evangelization, whether in Hormuz, Persia, or India."

His Highness added, "After the English expelled the Portuguese from Hormuz in Persia, King Philip of Portugal sought to retake Hormuz. However, the Portuguese government lacked the financial resources to send a military campaign for its recovery. King Philip requested financial support from the clergy, which led Pope Urban VIII to issue a papal decree to collect the necessary funds from the churches."

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah explained that he translated and studied this decree, tracking the funds collected through the churches, which amounted to two hundred thousand cruzados, a Portuguese gold currency at the time. The goal was to build a fleet and send it to India to retake Hormuz. His Highness noted that the fleet required a special type of large ship capable of crossing oceans, which would take considerable time, along with a sailing journey from Portugal to India that would last several months.

His Highness indicated that King Philip ordered the funds to be sent to India to build a local fleet there, due to the short distance between India and Hormuz. He explained that the details of this fleet and its armament are mentioned in the book "Papal Bull that he authored, as well as the account of its journey to the battle site in Hormuz against the English and Dutch forces, culminating in the defeat of the Portuguese fleet.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah received a commemorative gift from the Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, which was an original 3D map of the city of Milan dating back to 1657.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529504564/en/

Contacts:

Hussain Al Mulla

Hussain.AlMulla@SGMB.ae

00971563980067
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - T2 Metals Corp. (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A2DR6E) ("T2" or the "Company") provides an update regarding the wildfire situation in the vicinity of its Sherridon copper-gold-zinc Project located near Flin Flon, Manitoba.

The Company is actively monitoring the evolving wildfire situation in the region. Recent reports from the Manitoba Wildfire Service indicate that there are active fires very near the community of Sherridon and the Company's mineral concessions. The safety of our personnel, contractors, and the local community is T2 Metals' paramount concern.

As a precautionary measure and in adherence to community evacuation measures, T2 Metals has temporarily suspended field activities at its Sherridon project site. This measure enables continuous monitoring of the situation and ensures all personnel are safe and accounted for. The Company has clear communication channels with the Manitoba Wildfire Service and local authorities to receive real-time updates and guidance.

Mark Saxon, CEO of T2 Metals Corp. said, "Our thoughts are with the community of Sherridon, the Kiciwapa Cree Nation and other individuals affected by the wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The safety of our team and the residents of Sherridon is our top priority and we remain in close contact with the community. Field operations will resume as soon as it is safe and advisable to do so. We anticipate minimal long-term impact on our exploration schedule or loss of property, given the proactive measures taken."

About T2 Metals Corp (TSX.V: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A2DR6E)

T2 Metals Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. The Company continues to target under-explored areas, including the Sherridon, Lida, Cora and Copper Eagle projects where post-mineralization cover masks areas of high geological prospectivity in the vicinity of major mines.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set out in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, and that information obtained from third party sources is reliable, they can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks include uncertainties relating to exploration activities. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253766

SOURCE: T2 Metals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) ("ESGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a strategic leadership transition as part of the next phase of its growth strategy, with the Company accelerating construction and preparing for near-term production at its flagship Montauban Gold-Silver Project in Quebec.

This transition is part of a broader plan developed in collaboration with the Board of Directors, positioning the Company for sustained growth and long-term value creation. ESGold confirms it is in advanced discussions to onboard a high-impact senior executive who will lead the Company into its next phase of growth and execution, with further updates expected in the coming weeks.

With on-site construction now underway and a strong focus on executing its dual-track model-near-term tailings reprocessing and district-scale exploration-the Company is evolving its leadership structure to support the next phase of operational growth.

"We are entering a new era at ESGold," said Paul Mastantuono, CEO of ESGold. "This step is part of our planned evolution as the Company advances toward becoming a cash-flowing gold and silver producer. As we move through final construction milestones and prepare for production, we remain committed to building a team and structure that reflect our ambitions and unlock value for shareholders."

As part of this transition, the Company confirms that Brad Kitchen will no longer be serving as President of the Company. ESGold does not intend to appoint a replacement at this time.

About ESGold Corp.

ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) is a fully permitted, pre-production resource company at the forefront of clean mining and exploration innovation. With proven expertise in Quebec, the Company is advancing its projects toward production and feasibility while delivering long-term value through sustainable resource recovery and exploration. ESGold's flagship Montauban property, located 80 kilometers west of Quebec City, serves as a model for responsible mining practices, combining near-term production with district-scale discovery potential.

For more information, please contact ESGold Corp. at +1-888-370-1059 or visit esgold.com for additional resources, including a French version of this press release, past news releases, a 3D model of the Montauban processing plant, media interviews, and opinion-editorial pieces.

Stay connected by following us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and joining our Telegram channel.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on assumptions and expectations that involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially. Forward-looking information includes statements regarding the expected use of proceeds, the development and construction timelines of the Montauban Project, future production, and anticipated project milestones. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking information contained in this release is qualified by these cautionary statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253857

SOURCE: ESGold Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSXV: TLT) (OTCQB: TLTFF) ("Theralase" or the "Company"), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company pioneering light, radiation, sound and drug-activated therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, bacteria and viruses will present promising new preclinical results at the 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology ("ASTRO") 67th Annual Meeting. The Company's latest research evaluates radiation-activated Rutherrin versus radiation alone in the destruction of cancer cells in a number of preclinical cancer models.

This data will be showcased at the 2025 ASTRO 67th Annual Meeting, the world's largest gathering of radiation oncology professionals, taking place in late September in San Francisco, California. ASTRO has selected the Theralase abstract titled, "Rutherrin Activated by Radiation Therapy Evaluated for Synergistic Tumor Regression through Direct Destruction and Immune Activation in Multiple Preclinical Cancer Models", for presentation in a scientific poster session.

The study explores the potent anti-cancer effects of Rutherrin-a ruthenium-based small molecule drug formulated with recombinant human transferrin for intravenous administration. Once activated by ionizing radiation through a process known as Radio Dynamic Therapy ("RDT"), Rutherrin initiates a two-phase cancer-killing response: the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species ("ROS") for immediate cytotoxicity, followed by Immunogenic Cell Death ("ICD") to stimulate a durable immune response.

The Preclinical Data Presented Will Evaluate:

Selective Tumor Targeting : Rutherrin's accumulation in tumor tissues versus healthy cells.

: Rutherrin's accumulation in tumor tissues versus healthy cells. Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration : Concentrations in Glio Blastoma Multiforme (" GBM ") tumors versus healthy brain tissue.

: Concentrations in Glio Blastoma Multiforme (" ") tumors versus healthy brain tissue. Synergistic Mechanism : Combination of direct tumor cell destruction with immune activation.

: Combination of direct tumor cell destruction with immune activation. Survival Rates : Survival benefits compared to radiation therapy alone.

: Survival benefits compared to radiation therapy alone. Resistance : Inhibition of mechanisms associated with multidrug and radiation resistance.

: Inhibition of mechanisms associated with multidrug and radiation resistance. Adaptive Immune Activation: Induction of long-term immunity, based on resistance to tumor rechallenge.

Mark Roufaiel, Ph.D., research scientist at Theralase commented, "Results are expected to be highly encouraging. Rutherrin is hypothesized to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy, but also activate a sustained immune response, offering a powerful, dual-action strategy against aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers."

Arkady Mandel, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Chief Scientific Officer of Theralase, added, "Our focus is to bring this innovative platform to clinical application. Rutherrin may represent a major advancement in oncologic treatment, potentially enabling radiation oncologists to dramatically improve patient outcomes. This research may provide a strong foundation for integrating Rutherrin with existing cancer therapies to deliver more effective, long-lasting solutions."

Roger DuMoulin-White, B.Sc., P.Eng., Pro.Dir., President and Chief Executive Officer of Theralase, stated, "Based on the release of this compelling data in the fall, we are fully committed to completing GLP toxicology studies in 2025. This critical milestone will support the launch of clinical studies in early 2026 targeting GBM, lung, pancreatic, lymphoma and colorectal cancers. We're excited to continue advancing Rutherrin toward commercialization and transforming cancer care."

About Rutherrin

Rutherrin is a patented formulation of Theralase's lead ruthenium-based small molecule (Ruvidar) combined with recombinant human transferrin making it suitable for intravenous delivery. It has the ability to selectively accumulate in cancer cells versus healthy cells and when radiation-activated provide a one-two punch to cancer, by first destroying the cancer cell through oxidative stress and then activating the immune system for destruction of residual cancer cells. Rutherrin is slated to enter clinical studies in early 2026 for the destruction of deadly cancers; including: brain, lung, pancreatic, colorectal and lymphoma.

About Theralase Technologies Inc.

Theralase is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light, radiation, sound and/or drug-activated small molecules and their associated formulations, with a primary objective of efficacy and a secondary objective of safety in the destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses, with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains Forward-Looking Statements ("FLS") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such statements include; but, are not limited to statements regarding the Company's proposed development plans with respect to small molecules and their drug formulations. FLS may be identified by the use of the words "may, "should", "will", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "expects", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions; including, statements related to the current expectations of the Company's management regarding future research, development and commercialization of the Company's small molecules; their drug formulations; preclinical research; clinical studies and regulatory approvals.

These statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions; including, the ability of the Company to fund and secure the regulatory approvals to successfully complete various clinical studies in a timely fashion and implement its development plans. Other risks include: the ability of the Company to successfully commercialize its small molecule and drug formulations; the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund the Company's operations may not be available on terms that are commercially favorable to the Company or at all; the risk that the Company's small molecule and drug formulations may not be effective against the diseases tested in its clinical studies; the risk that the Company fails to comply with the terms of license agreements with third parties and as a result loses the right to use key intellectual property in its business; the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property; the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of regulatory filings. Many of these factors that will determine actual results are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict.

Readers should not unduly rely on these FLS, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that FLS will prove to be accurate as such FLS involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the FLS.

Although the FLS contained in the press release are based upon what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure prospective investors that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these FLS.

All FLS are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update such FLS.

For investor information on the Company, please feel to reach out Investor Inquiries - Theralase Technologies.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253821

SOURCE: Theralase Technologies Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) (syntheia.ai) (the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $500,000 through the issuance of up to 5,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per Unit (the "Offering").

Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.13 until the date that is two years from the closing of the Offering (the "Expiry Date"), subject to an accelerated expiry in the event the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares exceeds $0.13 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, within 10 business days of the occurrence of such event, deliver a notice to the holders of the Warrants accelerating their Expiry Date to a date that is not less than 30 days following the date of such notice and the issuance of a press release by the Company announcing the acceleration notice (the "Accelerated Exercise Period"). Any unexercised Warrants shall automatically expire at the end of the Accelerated Exercise Period.

Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finders' fees in cash or securities or a combination of both, as permitted by the CSE. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.

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

About Syntheia

Syntheia Corp. is an early-stage artificial intelligence technology company, channeling its efforts into refining and expanding its proprietary, conversational AI-based platform (the "Syntheia AI Platform"). The Syntheia AI Platform represents the integration of natural language processing ("NLP") technology, enabling it to not only understand but also respond to human language with accuracy. The Syntheia AI Platform, a generative, AI-powered algorithm equipped with a human-like voice, boasts self-learning capabilities derived from NLP methodologies.

Currently in beta testing, the Syntheia AI Platform is crafted to offer a suite of automated solutions, particularly for retail-focused businesses where customer interaction and service are key to operations. At the heart of the Syntheia AI Platform is its use of AI to emulate human cognitive processes, combined with a sophisticated large language model, which is integral for interpreting and generating human-like language responses.

Cautionary Statement

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

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253829

SOURCE: Syntheia Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) -Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group" or the "Company") reports the closing on May 29, 2025 of a non-brokered private placement of common shares at a price of US$1.26 per common share as previously announced on May 12, 2025. An aggregate of 800,000 common shares were subscribed for and issued to existing major beneficial shareholder, Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited ("HCI") through its subsidiary Deepkloof Limited, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of US$1,008,000 (the "Private Placement"). Closing of the Private Placement allows HCI to return to a 26% interest in the Company.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for its share of pre-construction site work, engineering and preparation costs on the Waterberg Project in South Africa, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

Securities purchased pursuant to the Private Placement may not be traded for a period of four months plus one day from the closing of the Private Placement. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of such Act.

HCI is a "related party" of the Company (as defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) and the Company intends to rely on the exemptions from both the formal valuation requirement and the minority shareholder approval requirement under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, on the basis that neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves HCI, exceeds 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization calculated in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing date of the above transaction as it has negotiated the above transaction on an expedited basis.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and Waterberg Project

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator and majority owner of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd., and HJ Platinum Metals Company, a company established in 2023 by Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and Hanwa Co. Ltd. as a special purpose company to hold and fund their aggregate equity interests in the Waterberg Project.

On behalf of the Board of

Disclosure

The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plans", "would", "will", "could", "can", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, and the advancement of the Company's objectives for the Waterberg Project. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd. ("Waterberg JV Co."); the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd.; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 40-F annual report, annual information form and other filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedarplus.ca, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253845

SOURCE: Platinum Group Metals Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - STLLR Gold Inc. (TSX: STLR) (OTCQX: STLRF) (FSE: O9D) ("STLLR" or the "Company") announces that all resolutions proposed to shareholders at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on May 29, 2025, were duly approved. The results for each of the matters at the meeting are set out below:

1. Election of Directors

The following individuals were elected as directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders:

Name of Nominee Votes FOR Votes WITHHELD Keyvan Salehi 26,641,564

97.3% 740,594

2.7% Josef Vejvoda 27,103,210

99.0% 278,948

1.0% Morris Prychidny 26,754,624

97.7% 627,534

2.3% Rodney Cooper 26,690,817

97.5% 691,341

2.5% Sandra Odendahl 26,580,487

97.1% 801,671

2.9%

Josef Vejvoda, Chair of the STLLR Board of Directors, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Sandra Odendahl to the STLLR Board. With her distinguished expertise in sustainability and ESG strategy, Sandra brings invaluable insight that will guide STLLR as we advance our gold projects through pivotal stages of development."

"We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Blair Zaritsky, Jennifer Wagner, and Jamie Litchen for their dedicated service and significant contributions to STLLR. We wish them every success in their future endeavors."

Sandra Odendahl joins the STLLR Gold Board of Directors, bringing over 25 years of leadership in environmental science, sustainable finance, and ESG strategy. Sandra is currently the Senior Vice President and Head, Sustainability & Social Impact at the Business Development Bank of Canada ("BDC"). Ms. Odendahl oversees all facets of BDC's sustainability and ESG strategy and programs, including the bank's focus on environmental, economic and social impact, its commitment to Indigenous reconciliation, and its approach to diversity and inclusion. After starting her career as an environmental scientist and engineer in the natural resources sector, most of Sandra's career has been in finance. Before joining BDC, Ms. Odendahl led enterprise-wide sustainability, community investment and social finance strategies and programs at Scotiabank and RBC. A committed community volunteer, she has served on the boards of many organizations, and is currently serving with the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board, Canadian Climate Institute, Transition Accelerator and NEXT Canada. Ms. Odendahl holds a Master of Applied Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a CFA charter holder.

2. Reappointment of Auditors

The auditors for the Company, MNP LLP, were appointed for the ensuing year.

3. Approval of Unallocated Awards

The ordinary resolution to approve all unallocated stock options, restricted share units, deferred share units and performance share units under the Company's omnibus share incentive plan has been passed by a majority of the shareholders.

For detailed voting results on each resolution, please refer to the Company's Report of Voting Results filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at https://www.sedarplus.ca/.

About STLLR Gold

STLLR Gold Inc. (TSX: STLR) (OTCQX: STLRF) (FSE: O9D) is a Canadian gold development company actively advancing two cornerstone gold projects in Canada: The Tower Gold Project in the Timmins Mining Camp in Ontario and the Colomac Gold Project located north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Each of these two projects has the potential for a long-life and large-scale operation and are surrounded by exploration land with favourable upside potential. STLLR's experienced management team, with a track record of successfully advancing projects and operating mines, is working towards rapidly advancing these projects.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253855

SOURCE: STLLR Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp. (TSXV: PINN) (OTC: NRGOF), an Americas-focused silver-gold exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that it will be participating in THE Mining Investment Event, Canada's Only Tier 1 Global Mining Investment Conference, taking place June 3-5, 2025, at the Quebec Convention Centre, Quebec City, Canada.

Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp.'s management will be available to meet with investors throughout the three-day conference.

"We are particularly excited about the global audience that THE Event has attracted, showcasing the best of international mining in Canada. This is a unique chance to engage with industry leaders and innovators, facilitating discussions that will shape the future of our sector. We look forward to seeing many of you there and exploring the possibilities that await us at this prestigious gathering."

Information regarding THE Event, including investor registration details, a list of participating companies, panelists and keynote speakers, as well as a preliminary agenda, can be found at https://www.themininginvestmentevent.com/.

About Pinnacle Silver and Gold Corp.

Pinnacle is focused on district-scale exploration for precious metals in the Americas. The recently acquired high-grade gold-silver El Potrero Project in the prolific Sierra Madre Trend of Durango, Mexico presents on opportunity for near-term resource development and production. With a proven business model of restarting past-producing mines and building the Company out of cash flow, Pinnacle's seasoned and highly successful management team is committed to preserving and building long term, sustainable value for shareholders. Two highly prospective and 100% owned gold projects in the Red Lake Mining Division of Northwestern Ontario lie within 10-12 kilometres of the Springpole Gold Deposit currently under development by First Mining Gold. The past-producing, high-grade Argosy Gold Mine is still open to depth and the adjacent North Birch Project offer additional opportunities for resource definition and district-scale discoveries.

THE Event is by invitation only - Interested investors & issuers, please go here:

https://www.themininginvestmentevent.com/register or contact Jennifer Choi, jchoi@irinc.ca

About: THE Mining Investment Event-Canada's Only Tier 1 Global Mining Investment Conference is held annually in Quebec City, Canada. It is independently sponsored and designed to facilitate privately arranged meetings between mining companies, international investors, and various mining government authorities. The conference provides a platform to hear from some of the most influential thought leaders in the sector.

THE Event is committed to promoting diversity, equality, and sustainability in the mining industry through education and innovation through its unique Student Sponsorship and SHE-Co Initiatives.

SOURCE: VID Media
Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQB: RYES) (the "Company") announces it has closed the second sale agreement of land for a sale price of $2.5 million.

On November 27, 2024, Rise announced the sale of 66 acres of industrial land located adjacent to the Company's Idaho-Maryland Mine Property (the "I-M Mine Property") for $4.3 million to an arm's length third party in two transactions. The first of these transactions covered 16 acres of land for total consideration of $1.8 million, including $900,000 at closing, minus certain transaction fees, and an additional $900,000 due on November 27, 2026. Rise negotiated a discounted, accelerated payment with the purchaser whereby the Company received $702,000 on January 15, 2025 in lieu of the payment due in 2026.

The second sale agreement covered 50 acres of land for a total sale price of $2.5 million and this transaction closed on May 27, 2025, with half of the sale price paid on closing and the other half due on May 27, 2027. Commencing on the closing date, the buyer will pay monthly interest at an annual rate of 5% per year on the balance of the purchase price until it is paid in full. A portion of the proceeds totaling $680,000 was allocated to pay off the remaining balance of the Company's secured debt, and the balance of the funds is available to the Company to support operations and its legal claims against Nevada County ("the County").

Rise and the purchaser have also executed an option agreement whereby the Company may repurchase the 66 acres of land being sold for the sale price plus the cost of any capital improvements plus an increase of five percent per year on the condition that Rise acquires final government approval to perform mining operations at the I-M Mine Property.

The Company retains ownership of the I-M Mine Property, which is comprised of 53 acres of land surrounding the New Brunswick shaft, as well as its nearby 56-acre Centennial property, and it retains all of its 2,585 acres of mineral rights.

As previously disclosed in its press release dated May 13, 2024, the Company has submitted a Writ of Mandamus (the "Writ") to the Superior Court of California for the County of Nevada (the "Court") asking the Court to compel the Board of Supervisors of Nevada County to follow applicable law and grant Rise recognition of its constitutionally-protected, grandfathered vested right to operate the Mine.

Rise's litigation attorneys at Cooper & Kirk have advised the Company that should the Writ be unsuccessful, Rise's mineral estate will lose all value, which will allow Rise to bring a takings action in federal court against the County under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The remedy for an unconstitutional taking is the payment of just compensation, which is the fair market value of the property taken. Based on comparable mines and historic yields at the I-M Mine, management believes the fair market value of Rise's mineral estate is at least $400 million.

About Rise Gold Corp.

Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company incorporated in Nevada, USA. The Company's principal asset is the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Joseph Mullin

President and CEO

Rise Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253884

SOURCE: Rise Gold Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Beverly Chandler, Managing Editor, ETF Express, joined Graham MacKenzie, Managing Director, Exchange Traded Products, Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and the winners of the 2025 Canadian ETF Express Awards to close the market.





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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAXNqY4nCd4

The popular ETF Express ETF awards' series launched in Europe in 2010, expanded to the US in 2019 and 2025 will be the third year that the awards will be presented to Canadian ETF industry participants. This year the event is being hosted by the Toronto Stock Exchange, home of the world's first ETF. The ETF issuer awards are based on data from ETF Express's data partner, Trackinsight, while the ETF service provider awards are based on a nomination process. Both issuers and service providers are then put through a qualitative process of peer voting which results in the firms with the most votes winning the awards. Beverly Chandler, managing editor, ETF Express, says: "Many congratulations to our winning firms this year in this celebration of the vibrant ETF industry in Canada."

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253881

SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange
INBRIJA, a dopamine replacement therapy for off periods in Parkinson's disease, holds significant market potential due to its ability to provide rapid relief from motor symptoms. With the increasing prevalence of Parkinson's globally, the demand for effective treatments is growing. INBRIJA offers a novel, non-oral alternative, positioning it well in the market for patients who struggle with traditional therapies.

LAS VEGAS, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's " INBRIJA Market Size, Forecast, and Market Insight Report " highlights the details around INBRIJA, which consists of a dry powder formulation of levodopa for oral inhalation with the INBRIJA inhaler. The report provides product descriptions, patent details, and competitor products (marketed and emerging therapies) of INBRIJA. The report also highlights the historical and forecasted sales from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Acorda Therapeutics' INBRIJA (Levodopa) Overview

INBRIJA is an inhalable dry powder formulation of levodopa designed for use with the INBRIJA inhaler. The medication is delivered via white hypromellose capsules, each containing 42 mg of levodopa in a spray-dried powder form, along with excipients such as 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and sodium chloride.

Levodopa, the active ingredient in INBRIJA, is an aromatic amino acid with the chemical name (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid. Its molecular formula is C9H11NO4, and it has a molecular weight of 197.19 g/mol.

INBRIJA is indicated for the intermittent relief of OFF episodes in patients with Parkinson's disease who are already receiving treatment with carbidopa/levodopa. It is not intended to replace regular carbidopa/levodopa therapy but is used to reduce OFF periods and improve motor symptoms.

Each therapeutic capsule is used with a specially designed plastic inhaler featuring a blue body, blue cap, and a white mouthpiece. Patients may use INBRIJA up to five times per day, with the maximum daily dose limited to 420 mg.

Drug Name INBRIJA (Levodopa) Developer Acorda Therapeutics Approval Year 2018 (US); 2019 (EU) Primary Indication Parkinson's disease Mechanism of action Dopamine receptor agonist Route of administration Oral inhalation

Learn more about INBRIJA projected market size for Parkinson's disease @ INBRIJA Market Potential

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological condition that primarily affects the ability to control movement. It is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, particularly in the substantia nigra-a region vital for regulating voluntary muscle activity. According to DelveInsight, there were approximately 3 million diagnosed prevalent cases of Parkinson's disease across the 7MM in 2024, with the United States accounting for about 45% of these. Although there is currently no cure, symptom management involves a mix of medications and supportive therapies. Treatment typically includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and certain patients may benefit from surgical interventions. Complementary therapies are also sometimes used to help manage specific symptoms.

Commonly used drugs for Parkinson's include levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, amantadine, anticholinergics, and adenosine A2A receptor antagonists. These medications primarily aim to alleviate motor symptoms, which significantly impact patients' quality of life. DelveInsight estimates the Parkinson's disease market in the 7MM to have been worth USD 3.5 billion in 2024. DelveInsight's analysis forecasts market growth due to the introduction of emerging therapies, expecting a rise in market size during the study period (2020-2034). The anticipated increase in market size is driven by advancements in treatment options, greater healthcare access, and a rising prevalence of the condition, which together foster higher demand for innovative and effective therapies.

Discover more about the Parkinson's disease market in detail @ Parkinson's Disease Market Report

Emerging Competitors of INBRIJA

Some of the emerging competitors to INBRIJA in the Parkinson's disease treatment landscape include Solengepras (Cerevance), Buntanetap (Annovis Bio), Prasinezumab (Roche/Protherna), JOTROL (Jupiter Neurosciences), Glovadalen (UCB Biopharma), and others. In April 2025, Cerevance reported that the pivotal Phase III ARISE trial evaluating Solengepras as an adjunctive treatment for Parkinson's disease was ongoing, with topline results expected in the first half of 2026.

Cerevance's GPR6 antagonist, Solengepras, did not meet its primary endpoint in the Phase II ASCEND trial as a monotherapy for early, untreated Parkinson's disease patients, demonstrating only a modest and statistically non-significant improvement compared to placebo, as reported at AD/PD 2025.

According to the results presented at AD/PD 2025, Buntanetap has been shown to prevent cognitive decline across the entire treated ITT population. In patients with existing cognitive impairment, it improved cognitive performance along with MDS-UPDRS, WAIS, and CGI-S scores. A meeting with the US FDA to discuss the future development strategy is scheduled for the second Quarter of 2025.

The ATLANTIS Phase II trial design for glovadalen was presented at AD/PD 2025, highlighting its potential as a Parkinson's treatment. As a D1PAM, it boosts dopamine signaling without directly activating receptors.

To know more about the number of competing drugs in development, visit @ INBRIJA Market Positioning Compared to Other Drugs

Key Milestones of INBRIJA

In March 2023, Acorda Therapeutics announced that Esteve Pharmaceuticals launched INBRIJA 33 mg (levodopa inhalation powder, hard capsules) in Spain. Esteve launched INBRIJA in Germany in mid-2022.

announced that Esteve Pharmaceuticals launched INBRIJA 33 mg (levodopa inhalation powder, hard capsules) in Spain. Esteve launched INBRIJA in Germany in mid-2022. In September 2019, Acorda Therapeutics announced that the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for INBRIJA 33 mg inhalation powder, hard capsules. In Europe, INBRIJA is indicated for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson's disease treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. The Marketing Authorization approves INBRIJA for use in the 28 countries of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

announced that the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for INBRIJA 33 mg inhalation powder, hard capsules. In Europe, INBRIJA is indicated for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson's disease treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. The Marketing Authorization approves INBRIJA for use in the 28 countries of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. In December 2018, INBRIJA was approved by the US FDA for intermittent treatment of OFF Episodes in people with Parkinson's taking carbidopa/levodopa.

Discover how INBRIJA is shaping the Parkinson's disease treatment landscape @ INBRIJA Inhaler

INBRIJA Market Dynamics

INBRIJA is a medication used to manage "off" periods in patients with Parkinson's disease who are on a stable regimen of oral levodopa. The market dynamics surrounding INBRIJA are influenced by several factors, including the growing demand for innovative treatments for Parkinson's disease, an aging global population, and the increasing recognition of the importance of managing off periods in patients with Parkinson's. As the number of Parkinson's disease patients continues to rise globally, particularly with the aging Baby Boomer generation, the market for Parkinson's disease therapies is expanding, offering significant growth potential for medications like INBRIJA.

One of the key drivers for INBRIJA's market is the unmet need for effective treatments for off periods. Traditional oral levodopa, the mainstay of Parkinson's treatment, can lose efficacy over time, leading to motor fluctuations that result in off periods, during which patients experience a worsening of symptoms such as tremors and rigidity. INBRIJA provides an alternative in the form of an inhaled levodopa treatment that acts rapidly to help manage these periods, offering patients a faster-acting option compared to oral medications. This positioning appeals to both patients and healthcare providers who are looking for ways to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson's.

Despite its promising potential, INBRIJA faces challenges in the market. The primary hurdle is its relatively high cost compared to traditional levodopa treatments, which could limit its accessibility, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources. Additionally, the need for an inhaler device and potential issues related to device handling and patient compliance could also impact market penetration. Moreover, INBRIJA competes with other therapeutic options in the Parkinson's space, including dopamine agonists and other adjunctive treatments, which means ongoing education and marketing efforts are required to differentiate its unique benefits.

In terms of market opportunities, INBRIJA could benefit from increased awareness among healthcare providers about the drug's role in improving patient outcomes during off periods. Collaborations with Parkinson's disease advocacy groups and patient education initiatives could help drive adoption. Furthermore, expanding indications or seeking approval for additional uses could open up new revenue streams and bolster INBRIJA's position in the Parkinson's treatment market. Overall, while the market for INBRIJA faces challenges, the growing demand for better management of Parkinson's symptoms presents opportunities for continued growth and adoption.

Dive deeper to get more insight into INBRIJA's strengths & weaknesses relative to competitors @ INBRIJA Market Drug Report

Table of Contents

1 Report Introduction 2 INBRIJA: Acorda Therapeutics 2.1 Product Overview 2.2 Other Development Activities 2.3 Clinical Development 2.4 Clinical Trials Information 2.5 Safety and Efficacy 2.6 Product Profile 2.7 Market Assessment 2.7.1 The 7MM Analysis 2.7.1.1 Cost Assumptions and Rebate 2.7.1.2 Pricing Trends 2.7.1.3 Analogue Assessment 2.7.1.4 Launch Year and Therapy Uptake 2.7.2 The United States Market Analysis 2.7.3 EU4 and the United Kingdom Market Analysis 2.7.3.1 Germany 2.7.3.2 France 2.7.3.3 Italy 2.7.3.4 Spain 2.7.3.5 UK 2.7.4 Japan Market Analysis 2.8 Market Drivers 2.9 Market Barriers 2.10 SWOT Analysis 3 Key Cross of Marketed Competitors of INBRIJA 4 Key Cross of Emerging Competitors of INBRIJA

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Superbuzz Inc. (TSXV: SPZ) (the "Corporation") announces the appointment of Christopher Gulka as its Chief Financial Officer as of May 29, 2025, subject to receiving approval from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). Mr. Gulka will be replacing Igor Kostioutchenko, who has resigned from the Corporation as its Chief Financial Officer.

The Corporation would like to thank Mr. Kostioutchenko for his valuable contributions and wishes him success in future endeavors.

About Superbuzz Inc.

SuperBuzz is revolutionizing how people interact with technology. Its AI platform leverages OpenAI's GPT-3 model to automate many processes, including push notications and content creation. The platform simplies the user experience, allowing for advanced digital interaction that cuts back on manual tasks.

Moreover, SuperBuzz's AI platform intelligently responds to small and medium-sized businesses' unique needs, making it an incredibly reliable and powerful tool for various applications.

Additional information in respect of the Company's business is available under the Company's SEDAR+ prole at www.sedarplus.ca.

For additional information, please contact:

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identied by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: the Company's business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing of, and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the Company's future growth prospects; the development of the Company's business and future activities following the date hereof; expectations relating to market size and anticipated growth in the jurisdictions within which the Company may from time to time operate or contemplate future operations; expectations with respect to economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the industry generally; the competitive landscape within which the Company operates; the performance of the Company's business and the operations and activities of the Company; the Company's ability to obtain, maintain, and renew or extend, applicable authorizations, including the timing and impact of the receipt thereof; the Company's continued work on its product offerings, including the use of OpenAI's GPT-3 model.

Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's nancial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events; there will continue to be a demand, and market opportunity, for the Company's product offerings; current and future economic conditions will neither affect the business and operations of the Company nor the Company's ability to capitalize on anticipated business opportunities; current and future members of management will abide by the Company's business objectives and strategies from time to time established by the Company; the Company will retain and supplement its board of directors and management, or otherwise engage consultants and advisors having knowledge of the industries (or segments thereof) within which the Company may from time to time participate; the Company will have sufficient working capital and the ability to obtain the nancing required in order to develop and continue its business and operations; the Company will continue to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualied and skilled consultants and/or employees, as the case may be; taxes and all other applicable matters in the jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business and any other jurisdiction in which the Company may conduct business in the future; the Company will be able to generate cash flow from operations, including, where applicable, distribution and sale of its products; the Company will be able to execute on its business strategy as anticipated; the Company will be able to meet the requirements necessary to obtain and/or maintain authorizations required to conduct the business; the Company's continuing ability to meet the requirements necessary to remain listed on the TSXV; general economic, nancial, market, regulatory, and political conditions will not negatively affect the Company or its business; the Company will be able to successfully compete in the industry; prices offered by competitors will not decline materially; the Company will be able to effectively manage anticipated and unanticipated costs; the Company will be able to conduct its operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the Company's ability to continue to work on its product offerings, including the use of OpenAI's GPT-3 model.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the risks associated with the industry in general; the inability of the Company to obtain requisite approvals; the Company's inability to attract and retain qualied members of management to grow the Company's business and its operations; the Company's inability to effectively manage unanticipated costs and expenses, including costs and expenses; the risk's associated with the Company's in meeting its business objectives and milestones and the anticipated timing of, and costs in connection with, the execution or achievement of such objectives and milestones; the inability of the Company to identify and secure future growth prospects; the Company's inability to develop its business and future activities following the date hereof; the Company's inability to meet or exceed expectations relating to market size and anticipated growth in the jurisdictions within which the Company may from time to time operate or contemplate future operations; the Company's inability to meet or exceed expectations with respect to economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the industry generally; the risks associated with the market for the Company's current and proposed product offerings; the risks associated with the distribution methods expected to be used by the Company to deliver its product offerings; the effect of the Consolidation on the Company's securities; the Company's inability to obtain, maintain, and renew or extend, applicable authorizations, including the timing and impact of the receipt thereof; the Company's inability to continue to work on its product offerings, including the use of OpenAI's GPT-3 model.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualied by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253908

SOURCE: SuperBuzz Inc.
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQX: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) (the "Company" or "Magna") is pleased to report first quarter 2025 operating and financial results. Management will host a conference call tomorrow, May 30, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the results. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Highlights

The acquisition of a portfolio of base metal assets in the Sudbury basin from KGHM International closed on February 28, 2025.

The Company announced the closing of a $33.5 million private placement financing on March 5 th , 2025.

, 2025. The quarter included 1 month of production from the newly acquired McCreedy West Copper mine.

McCreedy West produced 790,000 lbs of copper equivalent payable in March. The total ore processed was 20,388 tonnes at an average grade of 3.01% copper equivalent.

End of period cash balance of $38.3 million.

Jason Jessup, CEO, commented:

"Q1 was a transformational quarter for our company, and we continue to execute on our strategy which is based on three pillars of growth; Production, Exploration and Acquisitions of non-core assets. Since the acquisition, we have been focused on optimizing the current operations at McCreedy West and during the rest of this year we will prioritise underground mine development for long term sustainability. We are pleased with the progress of our optimization initiatives at McCreedy West, and we believe that we now have the leadership, mining and maintenance talent and technical expertise to unlock the potential in this mine."

Q1 2025 Operating and Financial Highlights

In 000s, except per units and per share amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024 Financial Results





Net revenue from mining operations 4,453 - - Cash margin1 269 - - Net income (loss) 29,098 (4,717) (3,105) Adjusted net loss1 (5,442) (5,293) (3,893) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization1 (4,918) (5,643) (3,871) Operating cash flow (2,630) (7,105) (3,322) Free cash flow1 (10,930) (7,115) (3,330)







Per share information:





Net earnings (loss) 0.15 (0.03) (0.02) Adjusted net loss1 (0.03) (0.03) (0.02) Operating cash flow1 (0.01) (0.04) (0.02) Free cash flow1 (0.06) (0.04) (0.02)







Selected Financial Statement Data:





Cash and cash equivalents 38,250 17,535 7,549 Working capital 39,330 17,373 4,449 Total assets 168,132 39,571 9,826 Total non-current liabilities 68,601 885 866







Operational Results





Ore processed (dry tons)





700 Copper Zone 13,911 - - Intermain Nickel Zone 6,477 - - Throughput 20,388 - - Copper equivalent grade (%)





700 Copper Zone2 3.04 - - Intermain Nickel Zone2 2.96 - -

3.01 - -







Cu equivalent payable pounds (000s)2 790 - -







Average realized price (per lb Cu Eq payable)1 6.32 - - Cash costs (per lb of Cu Eq payable)1,2 5.98 - - Cash margin (per lb of Cu Eq payable)1 0.34 - - AISC (per lb of Cu Eq payable)1,2 6.65 - -







Production costs/ton processed1 194 - -







Exchange Rates





Average 1 USD -> CAD exchange rates 1.4359 1.3990 1.3488 Cash costs (USD)1,2 4.16 - - AISC (USD)1,2 4.63 - -

1 Refer to the section in the Q1 2025 MD&A entitled "Non-IFRS Performance Measures" for the reconciliation of these non-IFRS measurements to the financial statements.

2 Copper equivalent payable pounds for the purpose of copper equivalent payable grade, cash cost and AISC were calculated using the following US dollar prices: Q1 2025: $4.40/lb Cu, $7.18/lb Ni, $15.38/lb Co, $944.31/oz Pt, $1,005.61/oz Pd, $3,135.60/oz Au, $34.61 Ag.

Q1 2025 Financial Highlights

Cash costs during the one month of production during the quarter were C$5.98 per pound or US$4.16.

All in sustaining costs for the same month were C$6.65 per pound or US$4.63.

Operating cash outflow of $2.6 million.

Free cash outflow of $10.9 million.

Net income attributable to shareholders of $29.1 million, which was primarily affected by the after-tax gain on the purchase of the KGHM assets.

Adjusted net loss of $5.4 million.

End of period cash balance of $38.3 million.

Further details regarding the calculation of production costs, cash margins and all in sustaining costs can be found in the quarterly MD&A.

To support working capital requirements, the Company also completed a $33.5 million private placement on March 5th, 2025. The private placement included the issuance of $23.97 million in unsecured convertible debentures and the issuance of 6,451,620 common shares of the corporation for aggregate pross proceeds of $10 million. In addition, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Facility with a maximum face amount of $12 million, and a factoring agreement allowing the Company to sell eligible metal sale receivables. For further details regarding the convertible debentures, letter of credit and factoring agreement please refer to the quarterly MD&A.

Q1 2025 Operational Highlights

Subsequent to the close of the transaction on Feb 28, 2025, McCreedy West produced 790,000 lbs of copper equivalent payable, which included 631,000 lbs from the 700 Copper Zone and 159,000 lbs from the Intermain Nickel zone. The total ore processed was 20,388 tonnes at an average grade of 3.01% copper equivalent.

Q1 2025 Quarterly Results Conference Call and Webcast

The company will be holding its first quarterly results conference call and webcast on Friday May 30, 2025 at 8:00 am EDT. The conference call details are as follows:

Webcast Link: https://www.gowebcasting.com/14081

Participant Dial In: (N. America Toll Free): 1-844-763-8274

Participant International Dial In: 1-647-484-8814

Conference call participants should ask to join the Magna Mining Inc. quarterly results conference call.

Qualified Person

The scientific or technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David King, M.Sc., P.Geo. Mr. King is the Senior Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience for Magna Mining Inc. and is a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may", "might", "potential", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "could", "should", "would", "will", "intend", "plan", "forecast" or other similar words or phrases or variations thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including risks relating to the failure to realize on talent and technical expertise to unlock the long-term, sustainable potential of the McCreedy West mine and other risks disclosed in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, contingencies and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, there can be no certainty or assurance that the Company has accurately or adequately captured, accounted for or disclosed all such risks, uncertainties, contingencies or factors. Readers should place no reliance on forward-looking statements as actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Resource exploration and development, and mining operations, are highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge will not eliminate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

About Magna Mining Inc.

Magna Mining is a producing mining company with a portfolio of copper, nickel and PGM projects in the Sudbury Region of Ontario, Canada. The Company's primary assets are the producing McCreedy West copper mine and the past producing Levack, Podolsky, Shakespeare and Crean Hill mines. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.magnamining.com).

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

NON-IFRS PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Please refer to the Company's Q1 2025 Management Discussion and Analysis section entitled "Non-IFRS Performance Measures" for the reconciliation of these non-IFRS measurements to the consolidated financial statements.

Average realized price per copper equivalent payable pound

Average realized price per copper equivalent payable pound is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards. Average realized price per copper equivalent payable pound is calculated by dividing total metal proceeds received by the Company for the relevant period by the copper equivalent payable pounds. It may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings.

In 000s, except per unit amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Revenue per financial statements (a) 4,992 - -







Copper equivalent pounds sold (000s) (b) 790 - -







Average realized price copper equivalent sold CAD (c) = (a)  (b) 6.32 - -







Average 1 USD -> CAD exchange rate (d) 1.4359 1.3990 1.3488







Average realized price copper equivalent sold USD (c)  (d) 4.40 - -









Cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound

Cash cost per copper equivalent payable pound is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well it may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. The Company has included this non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measure throughout this document as Magna believes that this generally accepted industry performance measure provides a useful indication of the Company's operational performance. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table provides a reconciliation of total cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound to cost of sales per the financial statements for each of the last eight quarters:

In 000s, except per unit amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Cost of sales per financial statements 4,422 - - Smelting, treatment and refining charges 539 - - Depletion and depreciation (238) - - Cash costs (a) 4,723 - -







Copper equivalent payable pounds (000s) (b) 790 - -







Cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound (c) = (a)  (b) 5.98 - -







Average 1 USD -> CAD exchange rate (d) 1.4359 1.3990 1.3488







Cash costs per copper equivalent payable pound USD (c)  (d) 4.16 - -









Production costs per ton processed

Mine-site cost per ton processed is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well it may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. As illustrated in the table below, this measure is calculated by adjusting cost of sales, as shown in the statements of income for non-cash depletion and depreciation, royalties and inventory level changes and then dividing by tons processed through the smelter. Management believes that mine-site cost per ton processed provides additional information regarding the performance of mining operations and allows Management to monitor operating costs on a more consistent basis as the per ton processed measure reduces the cost variability associated with varying production levels. Management also uses this measure to determine the economic viability of mining blocks. As each mining block is evaluated based on the net realizable value of each ton mined, the estimated revenue on a per ton basis must be in excess of the production cost per ton processed in order to be economically viable. Management is aware that this per ton processed measure is impacted by fluctuations in throughput and thus uses this evaluation tool in conjunction with production costs prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. This measure supplements production cost information prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards and allows investors to distinguish between changes in production costs resulting from changes in production versus changes in operating performance.

In 000s, except per unit amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Cost of sales per financial statements 4,422 - - Depletion and depreciation (238) - - Royalties and streaming payments (223) - - Mining and processing costs (a) 3,961 - -







Ore processed (tons) (b) 20,388 - -







Production costs per ton processed (a)  (b) 194 - -









Cash Margin

Cash margin is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well it may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. It is calculated as the difference between total sales revenue, net of smelting, refining and treatment costs from mining operations and cash mine site operating costs (see Cash cost per ounce of gold sold under this Section above) per the Company's Financial Statements. The Company believes it illustrates the performance of the Company's operating mines and enables investors to better understand the Company's performance in comparison to other metal producers who present results on a similar basis.

In 000s, except per unit amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Copper equivalent revenue from mining operations (per above) 4,992 - - Cash costs (per above) 4,723 - - Cash margin 269 - -







Per pound of copper equivalent payable (Canadian dollars):













Average realized price (a) 6.32 - - Cash costs (b) 5.98 - - Cash margin (a) - (b) 0.34 - -

All-in Sustaining Costs

All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") include mine site operating costs incurred at Magna mining operations, sustaining mine capital and development expenditures, mine site exploration expenditures and equipment lease payments related to the mine operations and corporate administration expenses. The Company believes that this measure represents the total costs of producing copper equivalent payable pounds from current operations and provides Magna and other stakeholders with additional information that illustrates the Company's operational performance and ability to generate cash flow. This cost measure seeks to reflect the full cost of copper production from current operations on a per-pound basis of copper equivalent payable. New project and growth capital are not included.

In 000s, except per unit amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Cost of sales, per financial statements 4,422 - - Smelting, treatment and refining charges 539 - - Depletion and depreciation (238) - - Cash costs 4,723 - - Corporate and general 997 - - Less: KGHM Integration costs (465) - - All-in Sustaining costs (AISC) (a) 5,255 - -







Pounds of copper equivalent payable (b) 790 - -







AISC (c) = (a)  (b) 6.65 - -







Average 1 USD -> CAD exchange rate (d) 1.4359 1.3990 1.3488







AISC USD (c)  (d) 4.63 - -









Free cash flow and operating and free cash flow per share

Free cash flow is calculated by taking net cash provided by operating activities less cash used in capital expenditures and lease payments as reported in the Company's financial statements. Free cash flow per share is calculated by dividing free cash flow by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.

Operating cash flow per share is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS Accounting Standards. Operating cash flow per share is calculated by dividing cash flow from operating activities in the Company's Financial Statements by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each year. It may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings.

In 000s, except per share amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Net cash provided by operating activities per financial statements (c) (2,630) (7,105) (3,322) Sustaining mine exploration and development - - - Sustaining mine capital equipment - - - Purchase of Project Nikolas Company Inc. (5,300) - - Exploration equipment

(10) (8) Exploration and evaluation - - - Funds held against standby letters of credit (3,000) - - Payment of lease liabilities - - - Free cash flows (a) (10,930) (7,115) (3,330)







Weighted number of shares (000s) (b) 197,739 186,593 163,380







Per Share data





Operating cash flow (c)  (b) (0.01) (0.04) (0.02) Free cash flow (a)  (b) (0.06) (0.04) (0.02)









Adjusted net loss and Adjusted net loss per share

Adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share are non-IFRS Accounting Standards performance measures and do not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS Accounting Standards and do not have standardized meanings defined by IFRS Accounting Standards, as well both measures may not be comparable to information in other issuers' reports and filings. Adjusted net loss is calculated by removing the one-time gains and losses resulting from the disposition of non-core assets, non-recurring expenses and significant tax adjustments (mining tax recognition and exploration credit refunds) not related to current period's income, as detailed in the table below. Magna discloses this measure, which is based on its financial statements, to assist in the understanding of the Company's operating results and financial position.

In 000s, except per share amounts Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Net income (loss) per financial statements 29,098 (4,717) (3,105)







Adjustments for:





Gain on bargain purchase of KGHM assets (57,227)



Project Nikolas Company Inc. Integration costs 779 - - Transaction Costs 2,426 - - Flow-through premium income - (929) (788) Other - - - Total adjustments (54,022) (929) (788) Related income tax effect 10,236 246 209 Recognition of mining taxes 9,246 - -

(34,540) (683) (579) Adjusted net loss (a) (5,442) (5,400) (3,684)







Weighted number of shares (000s) (b) 197,739 186,593 163,380







Per Share data





Adjusted net loss (a)  (b) (0.03) (0.03) (0.02)









EBITDA

Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is a non-IFRS Accounting Standards financial measure which excludes the following items from net income (loss): interest expense; mining and income taxes, depletion and depreciation expenses, the one-time gains and losses resulting from the disposition of non-core assets, non-recurring expenses and significant tax adjustments (mining tax recognition and exploration credit refunds) not related to the current period's income. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, the Company and certain investors use EBITDA as an indicator of Magna's ability to generate liquidity by producing operating cash flow to fund working capital needs, service debt obligations and fund capital expenditures. EBITDA is intended to provide additional information to investors and analysts and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs of financing activities and taxes, and the effects of changes in operating working capital balances and therefore are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS Accounting Standards. Other producers may calculate EBITDA differently. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income in the Company's financial statements to EBITDA:

In 000s Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q1 2024







Net income (loss) per financial statements 29,098 (4,717) (3,105)







Adjustments for:





Depletion and depreciation 238 - 21 Non-recurring income (34,540) (929) (788) Interest expense 286 172 1 EBITDA (4,918) (5,474) (3,871)









To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253904

SOURCE: Magna Mining Inc.
West Leederville, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Solis Minerals Limited (ASX: SLM) (TSXV: SLMN) (OTCQB: SLMFF) ("Solis Minerals" or "the Company") is pleased to announce an update pertaining to its 100 per cent owned Chancho al Palo project in Peru.

A diamond drill rig has arrived at Chancho al Palo supported by leading local drilling company, AKD International ("AKD"). The Chancho al Palo diamond drill programme comprises approximately 2,500 metres across several priority targets (Figure 2), designed to test multiple anomalies identified during surface mapping, sampling and geophysics1.

Figure 1: Arrival of diamond drill rig to Chancho al Palo, Peru

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/253919_3d49e34f84f01ab8_001full.jpg

Chief Executive Officer, Mitch Thomas, commented:

"The Company is pleased to report that the drill rig has safely arrived at Chancho al Palo. This will be the first time the concession has been drilled, and we're targeting a series of compelling porphyry and IOCG anomalies identified through geochemical and geophysical work.

Importantly, Chancho al Palo is located 10 kilometres from the coast and 25 kilometres from Southern Copper's smelter and refinery complex. Southern Copper is Peru's largest copper producer and holds tenements adjacent to Chancho al Palo, further validating the geological potential of the area.

We expect assay results in July 2025 and look forward to building on this momentum with drilling at Ilo Este, anticipated to commence in June pending final permits. I am travelling to Peru this weekend to oversee commencement of drilling at our Chancho al Palo and Ilo Este projects.

It's an exciting period as we systematically test high-priority targets across our Peruvian portfolio."

1 Refer to ASX:SLM announcement 29 April 2024 "Exploration update for Peru, Borborema, Brazil"

Figure 2: Chancho al Palo drill targets over magnetic susceptibility plot. Targets include IP (1A and 1B) and magnetometry (M1 - M3) anomalies. Initial drill programme of 2,500 metres reflects a portion of the planned drill holes shown. Sequence and number of actual drill holes to be determined subject to programme results (refer to ASX Announcement 29 April 2024).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/253919_3d49e34f84f01ab8_016full.jpg



This announcement is authorised for release by the Board.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the accuracy of this news release.

About Solis Minerals Limited

Solis Minerals is an emerging exploration company, focused on unlocking the potential of its South American copper portfolio. The Company is building a significant copper portfolio around its core tenements of Ilo Este and Ilo Norte and elsewhere in the Coastal Belt of Peru. Solis holds concessions totalling 69,200 hectares.

The Company is led by a highly-credentialled and proven team with excellent experience across the mining lifecycle in South America. Solis is actively considering a range of copper opportunities. South America is a key player in the global export market for copper and Solis, under its leadership team, is strategically positioned to capitalise on growth opportunities within this mineral-rich region.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Michael Parker, a Fellow of the Australian institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Michael Parker is Technical Director of the Company.

Competent Person Statement

The information in this ASX release concerning Geological Information and Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Michael Parker, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Parker is Technical Director of Solis Minerals Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the exploration activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Mr Parker consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Parker has provided his prior written consent regarding the form and context in which the Geological Information and Exploration Results and supporting information are presented in this Announcement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253919

SOURCE: Solis Minerals Ltd.
Atomic Canyon, a San Louis Obispo, CA-based developer of the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered search and generative AI tools for the nuclear power industry, raised $7M in funding.

The round was led by Elevate Future Fund from Energy Impact Partners (EIP), with participation from Commonweal Ventures, Plug and Play Ventures, Wischoff Ventures, Tower Research Ventures, and previous angel investors. As part of the investment, Jenny Gao, a Vice President of Energy Impact Partners, will join the Atomic Canyon board of directors.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate deployments across the country.

Led by CEO Trey Lauderdale, Atomic Canyon supports the nuclear energy sector with AI-powered solutions that streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and support regulatory compliance. Its flagship product, Neutron Enterprise, which leverages FERMI AI models that are specifically trained on nuclear terminology, is currently in use at PG&Es Diablo Canyon Power Plant as a dedicated AI platform for document search, retrieval, augmented generation, and knowledge management.

With the funding, the company also announced its board of advisors including:

Juliann Edwards, the Chief Development Officer of The Nuclear Company and the chair of U.S. Women in Nuclear;

Bud Albright, the former Chair and CEO of the United States Nuclear Industry Council;

David Nelson, former CIO of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and

Jon Guidroz, SVP of the small modular reactor technology developer Aalo Atomics and former Senior Strategy Officer and Senior Director of Energy and Resources at Microsoft.

FinSMEs

29/05/2025
Buildots founders, left to right  Roy Danon, Yakir Sudry, Aviv Leibovici. Photo credit  Eyal Toueg



Buildots, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based leader in AI-powered construction management, closed a $45m Series D funding round.

The round, which brought total funding to $166m, was led by Qumra Capital with participation from OG Venture Partners, TLV Partners, Poalim Equity, Future Energy Ventures, and Viola Growth. As part of the deal, Boaz Dinte, Managing General Partner at Qumra Capital, will join Buildots as a board member.

The company intends to use the funds for continued development of its platform.

Led by Roy Danon, CEO and co-founder, Buildots is a global construction technology leader combining AI and computer vision to automate on-site progress tracking. The platform provides construction teams with accurate data and predictive performance metrics, empowering them to make data-driven decisions.

In 2025, Buildots is on track to quadruple its North American presence, building upon its current client base, which includes top general contractors and project owners like The Turner Corp., STO Building Group Inc., JE Dunn Construction Group, Samet Corporation, Mortenson, Ledcor, and Pomerleau. The company has also established strategic agreements with leading UK contractors, including Sir Robert McAlpine, as well as implementations with Wates, Kier, Multiplex and IHP. In Europe, it works with VINCI Construction, NCC, Hochtief, GCC, Bouygues Construction and more.

FinSMEs

29/05/2025
London, UK, May 29th, 2025, Chainwire

Zebec Network, a Solana-based blockchain payment network, has acquired the assets of Science Card, Ltd, a UK university card platform dedicated to simplifying university research finance. This acquisition enriches Zebecs robust card program, spanning payroll pay cards, crypto debit cards, and now Science Cards mission-driven card, cementing Zebecs leadership in bridging traditional and digital payments.

Science Cards mission is to empower students, researchers, and university staff with secure, transparent financial tools. Science Card reaches over 50,000 students across the top 10 UK universities (with leading names like Cambridge and Aston University) and will offer prepaid cards to streamline campus spending, research grants, and budgeting.

By joining Zebec Network, Science Cards vision gains global reach, integrating with Zebecs innovative payment ecosystem.

Science Cards commitment to academic finance aligns perfectly with our mission to make payments seamless and inclusive, said Simon Babakhani, Zebecs COO. Adding their mission card to our payroll and crypto card offerings creates a trifecta of financial empowerment for diverse users.

Science Card was built to remove financial barriers in academia, said Daniel Baeriswyl, Science Card Founder. With Zebecs technology, infrastructure and on and off crypto rails, our mission evolves, capable to deliver next-generation stablecoin streaming payment solutions to campuses worldwide.

The acquisition enhances Zebecs portfolio, positioning it to operate within the growing EdTech, DeSci and FinTech space. For live discussion about the deal, join Zebec x Science Card Spaces on X Thursday, May 29th at 12 noon ET (9 am PT: 5 pm GMT) X @Zebec_HQ

About Zebec

Zebec Network is a leading crypto company enabling real-world value flows through blockchain-powered payroll, card, and payment solutions for both traditional and digital economies. Founded in 2021, Zebec has attracted $35 million in investments by Circle, Coinbase, Solana Ventures, Breyer Capital, Republic, and Lightspeed Venture Partners, among others.

About Science Card

Science Card is a UK academia-based card platform that channels a portion of every transaction to fund university research, enabling users to support science simply by spending.

Contact

Zebec Network

[email protected]


The actor said, My statement was misinterpreted. What I said was said out of love, with a lot of historians teaching me language history. read more

Kamal Haasans Kannada-Tamil remarks stoked a major row in Karnataka on Wednesday, prompting calls for his apology and threats to disrupt his upcoming flick Thug Life, but the veteran actor indicated he would not budge, saying love never apologises.

While the ruling Congress said Haasan was not aware of the greatness of Kannada, BJP demanded an apology from the actor-politician saying he disrespected the language.

Incidentally, the issue flared up on a day when Haasan was nominated by his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) to the Rajya Sabha, after the DMK in Tamil Nadu allotted one seat in the Upper House to MNM in return for its support in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

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The actor said, My statement was misinterpreted. What I said was said out of love, with a lot of historians teaching me language history.

He added, I will not apologise for something I said out of love. It is a very rare state where a Menon has been Chief Minister, a Reddy has been CM, and even a Kannadiga has served as CM.

At an event, Kamal Hassan began his speech by saying, Uyire Urave Tamizhe, meaning my life and my family is Tamil language. He went on to add, Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. Thats why he is here. Thats why when I started my speech, I said my life and my family is Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line.

This comment garnered severe criticism from pro-Kannada groups as Praveen Shetty, the leader of Kannada Rakshana Vedike said, Kamal Haasan said Tamil is better than Kannada and Kannada only after Tamil was born. We are warning Kamal, you need business in Karnataka? And yet insulting Kannada.

With added inputs from agencies
During the promotional events, the veteran said something that has not gone down well with many people and it invited a lot of backlash read more

Kamal Haasan is gearing up for the release of his film Thug Life with Mani Ratnam. During the promotional events, the veteran said something that has not gone down well with many people and it invited a lot of backlash. And now a complaint has been filed against him for his controversial remark.

What did the actor say?

At the event, Kamal Haasan began his speech by saying, Uyire Urave Tamizhe, meaning my life and my family is Tamil language. He went on to add, Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. Thats why he is here. Thats why when I started my speech, I said my life and my family is Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line.

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Kamal Hassan invites backlash for his remark

This comment garnered severe criticism from pro-Kannada groups as Praveen Shetty, the leader of Kannada Rakshana Vedike said,  said Tamil is better than Kannada and Kannada only after Tamil was born. We are warning Kamal, you need business in Karnataka? And yet insulting Kannada.

Complaint filed

In the complaint, KRV president Praveen Shetty has described the statement made by the actor as unlawful. He also said it tries to disrupt the harmony between the two states.

The complaint has been filed at the RM Nagar Police Station in Bengaluru. A FIR may be registered and legal action may follow. More updates about the case are awaited.

Actor refuses to apologise

The actor said, I will not apologise for something I said out of love.

Politicians are not qualified on talking about language issues, and that includes me, the 70-year-old actor added.
In the original Karate Kid movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member read more

It didnt occur to Ben Wang right away that in taking on  Karate Kid: Legends, hed be the franchises first Asian American Kid. And that gives him a lot of optimism.

At first I didnt even think about that, Wang told The Associated Press. That feels like a very cool and actually privileged position that I get to be in.

His casting happened, he said, in a world where thats normal enough.

Karate Kid: Legends, which opens Friday, unites OG Ralph Macchios Daniel and Jackie Chans Mr. Han from the 2010 movie to help Wangs Li Fong win a New York City karate competition.

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In the original Karate Kid movie, which came out more than 40 years ago, Pat Morita was the only main Asian American cast member even though it takes place in Californias San Fernando Valley. His beloved Mr. Miyagi helped underdog Daniel wax on and wax off against white karate bullies. That arc has been replicated and flipped in sequels and offshoots ever since. The overall lack of Asian and Asian American representation all these years has been a lingering point of contention for some.

Jeff Yang, author of The Golden Screen: The Movies That Made Asian America, said he knows plenty of Asian Americans who find most of the Miyagi-verse entertaining. At the same time, even the recent Netflix Cobra Kai series hardly had any young Asian American main characters. That lost opportunity felt like a loose, nagging tooth, he said.

Its always been a situation where the ancient or legendary martial arts master is transferring his skills not just to another generation, but into another community, Jeff Yang said. In a way, that feels like for me as an Asian American, it turns it into a guilty pleasure.

The Asians who were there were either sidekicks or villains, he added.

When the first Karate Kid film hit

In Asia, theres a long cinematic history of elite martial artists-turned-actors ranging from icon Bruce Lee to Chan and Jet Li. But in Hollywood, Asian characters who did perform karate or kung-fu often werent written three-dimensionally. Most of the stars who could shine for acting and on-screen fighting werent Asian.

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In a way thats understandable, Yang said. Martial arts is one of the things that was brought to the United States by soldiers who had been stationed in Asia, learned the practice, embraced the lifestyle and the discipline.

By the 1970s and 80s, karate dojos were becoming popular all over the U.S. in cities and suburbs. So The Karate Kid debuted at just the right time.

Ken Nagayama, a martial arts grand master who runs a school in the Valley, was an instructor at a North Hollywood dojo used for scenes in the original film. He recalls meeting Pat Morita. But, he wasnt thinking about casting. He was impressed by how much interest in karate shot up because of one movie.

When that came out, so many people were interested in taking class, especially younger kids, said Nagayama, who plans to watch Legends with some of his students. He had a whole mix of students of all races signing up.

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Steven Ho, a stunt coordinator and martial artist who lives in Los Angeles and has appeared multiple times on Conan OBriens talk shows, remembers Morita, Macchio and William Zabka watching tournaments he competed in to prepare for the first movie. He was such a fan of Morita that he never thought about how there were no other Asian actors.

Pat Morita, to me, he was the lead, Ho said. Also, if that were the only martial arts film out there, then yeah, it would be odd and I would be disappointed. But you gotta remember the 80s and 90s we were living in the golden age of Jet Li, Jackie Chan, films that featured  more authentic martial artists.

Its a full-circle moment that Chan is one of the mentors in this new flick. Wang is still in disbelief he got to do combat choreography with the superstar.

Hes the guy you think he is, Wang said with a grin. He doesnt turn it off when hes not on set.

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Martial arts movies made for new generations

Ho happily points out that Karate Kid: Legends is reinforcing how his 12-year-old twin sons are growing up without negative Asian stereotypes like he did. Hed rather a story have no Asians if the characters are going to be the butt of the joke. That history of stereotyping of Asian men is why he initially declined appearing on OBriens show.

I thought Oh, hes a tall guy. Im a short, Asian guy. Theyre just going to goof on me. Theyre going to go off on me, so I said, You know, Im gonna be out of town, Ho said.

Luckily, the segments, which have earned millions of YouTube views, were crafted so Ho was the straight-man to OBriens buffoonery.

Twins Jonny and Ollie, in fact, are real-life karate kids. The boys, known as the Twinjas, know karate, mixed martial arts and other disciplines. They count Bruce Lees daughter, Shannon, as a friend. Theyve appeared on Americas Got Talent, Obi-Wan Kenobi and taught Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg moves. They love Cobra Kai for the drama and want to see Legends for Chan. They have since been introduced to the movie that started it all.

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For Ollie, Miyagi was his favorite character.

I think that in the first Karate Kids, how the teacher was Asian, I think being a teacher is better than being a student, he said.

Jonny says not every show or movie in this genre has to have an Asian lead, but when there is one, he takes note.

I think that theres definitely a lot of other movies and shows that have Asian leads, like Simu Liu, the first Asian superhero, Jonny said, referring to Marvels  Shang-Chi. Its very significant.

The Twinjas, who are working on a childrens fiction book thats part mystery and part action, are not shy about voicing their own desire for any opportunities that come our way, wed love to take, especially for acting and using our martial arts skills, Ollie said.

Perhaps theyll get some inspiration from seeing Wang in Legends. Wang considers it a point of pride if young Asian American children view him as a benchmark so they can see themselves as the hero.

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The word I keep going back to is its a privilege, Wang said. What I love about this series is  theres this idea anyone can be the Karate Kid.
Catherine Austin Fitts, who served as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George HW Bush, has claimed that the US government secretly diverted $21 trillion between 1998 and 2015 to construct about 170 underground and undersea bunkers to protect the rich from a global catastrophe read more

Catherine Austin Fitts, former US official under President George HW Bush claimed that US government built about 170 underground and undersea bunkers to protect the rich from a global catastrophe. Representative image: Pixabay

What if the world ended tomorrowwould the ultra-rich already be tucked away safely in secret bunkers?

A wild new claim by a former Bush administration official suggests they might be.

Catherine Austin Fitts, who served as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George HW Bush, has alleged that the US government secretly diverted $21 trillion between 1998 and 2015 to construct about 170 underground and undersea bunkers. They are all supposedly interconnected through hidden transit systems powered by undisclosed energy technologies.

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Speaking on Tucker Carlsons podcast, Fitts claimed these hidden facilities were built to protect elites from global catastrophes. While the claim is heavily debated and lacks solid evidence, it has surely reignited public curiosity over how the billionaires are preparing for the worst.

Heres what we know.

The mystery of missing trillions

It is not just a random wild theory, Fitts said that her claims are based on a 2017 report by economist Mark Skidmore, which flagged massive irregularities in US federal spendingespecially within the Departments of Defense and Housing & Urban Development, where Fitts herself once served.

According to Skidmores analysis, around $21 trillion in unsupported adjustments were logged between 1998 and 2015. One standout figure showed that the US Army reported $6.5 trillion in unaccounted-for adjustments, despite having an annual budget of just $122 billion. Since these types of adjustments are typically minor, the sheer scale of the numbers raised eyebrows.

Fitts believes this missing money was used to quietly build about 170 underground bases across the US and its coastlines.

Based on her research and comparison with these unexplained funds, she said she was able to guess the number of such facilities, though she added there may be even more around the world.

She told Carlson that these sites were built with one purpose in mind: to prepare for doomsday.

According to her, the bunkers were designed to provide refuge to the elite and powerful, while also housing secretive government projectsincluding what she described as a secret space program.

Fitts also claimed the bunkers are connected by a hidden underground transportation system, likely powered by a secret energy source.

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Im convinced that this energy exists. If you look at a lot of the really fast ships, flying around the planet, theyre not using classical electricity, she said, referring to recent sightings of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs).

While the US does have a documented history of building military facilities underground during the Cold War era, like the Cheyenne Mountain Complex or the Greenbrier bunker in West Virginia, Fitts sweeping claims about hundreds of bases, black budgets, and advanced energy systems remain unverified.

Former housing official claims the U.S. gov has secretly diverted $21 trillion to build an underground 'city' network for the rich & powerful in a "near-extinction event."



Catherine Austin Fitts suggests some of these bases are located under the ocean.



Fitts previously served pic.twitter.com/apxswsBvls  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 5, 2025

Her critics are quick to point out her past.

Fitts, a former investment banker, is no stranger to controversy. Over the years, shes gained attention for promoting theories about COVID-19 vaccines, global mind control, and government surveillance.

The boom of billionaire bunkers

Even if Fitts $21 trillion claim sounds far-fetched, one thing is clearbillionaires are definitely prepping for doomsday.

A US-based company, SAFE (Strategically Armoured & Fortified Environments), earlier this year, unveiled plans to build a luxury fortress just outside Washington in the US by 2026.

The $300 million underground bunker, named Aerie, will shelter 625 of the worlds wealthiest people in the event of a global disaster, reports Daily Mail. How much for the ticket to the secret luxury bunker? Just $20 million each.

The $300 million underground bunker, named Aerie, will shelter 625 of the worlds wealthiest people in the event of a global disaster. Image courtesy: SAFE

Clients willing to shell out the money will not only have access to the fortress should the world come to an end, but will be able to step foot into the pods whenever they feel their safety is threatened.

Beyond just memory-foam mattresses and marble floors, Aerie will provide guests with an unmatched set of facilities, from AI powered medical care, and wellness programmes to gourmet dining. It will also have a bowling alley, an indoor pool, cold plunge centres, and even IV therapy rooms.

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The company has reportedly received thousands of requests from wealthy figures around the world.

Bunkers, passports, and secret compounds

Beyond Aerie, the trend of doomsday prepping among billionaires has been growing for years.

Back in 2018, a Bloomberg report revealed that at least seven tech entrepreneurs had bought bunkers in New Zealand, long seen as the ultimate safe haven. Even tech mogul Peter Thiel reportedly claimed a New Zealand passport, ready to flee if necessary.

Then theres Mark Zuckerberg, who is reportedly building a 1,400-acre compound on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. According to a Wired investigation, the compound will include a private underground shelter and is so secretive that construction workers have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Tom Cruise are also rumoured to have their own private bunkersjust in case.

Douglas Rushkoff, a media theorist and author who has closely studied this growing phenomenon, believes the fascination with bunkers reflects something deeper.

Were having trouble imagining how the world can continue at its current pace, Rushkoff told Newsweek.

He added, The data on the ground is indicating catastrophic failure of the systems that sustain life on the planet: ocean salinity, plankton, atmospheric oxygen, aerosols and thats just climate change.

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So, like the billionaires who are actually building bunkers, spaceships, and computers to house their consciousness, normal people are thinking about how to survive a catastrophe as well.

With input from agencies
After a tumultuous and controversial time, Elon Musk has announced his exit from Doge and the Trump administration. His departure comes a day after he criticised US President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill. Is there trouble brewing between the two? What will Musk do next? read more

Billionaire Elon Musk said Wednesday that his time as formal adviser to US President Donald Trump has now come to an end. File image/AP

My scheduled time as a special government employee comes to an end, wrote Elon Musk on X on Wednesday, announcing that his time as formal adviser to President Donald Trump has now come to an end. This marks the end of the billionaires turbulent run at attempting to slash the federal government.

Notably, Musks exit comes just a day after he was vocal in his criticism of President Donald Trumps signature spending bill, saying it counters the work hes been doing to reduce wasteful government spending. He told CBS News, I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decrease it, and undermines the work that the Doge team is doing.

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I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I dont know if it can be both. My personal opinion, Musk said in the interview.

Musks exit from the administration has been confirmed by a White House official, who said: The off-boarding process has begun.

As Trump bids adieu to his First Buddy, we look to the future  what comes next for the Tesla chief and X owner.

Becoming Trumps First Buddy and Doge leader

In July 2024, Elon Musk endorsed Trump as presidential candidate seconds after an assassination attempt took place against him at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Since then, the two have been inseparable with the tech billionaire even accompanying Trump on stage  bouncing and jumping in support of Trump.

Then, days after Trump was announced the winner in the US presidential elections, he announced that Musk would be leading the new Department of Government Efficiency , also known as Doge with the mandate to slash federal government spending, waste and regulations.

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk reacts next to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last October. File image/AP

As Doge leader, Musk was often seen with Trump  at Cabinet meetings, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and the US president even gave Musk a shoutout during his joint address to Congress, applauding his work at Doge.

But Musks time at Doge was controversial  he eliminated some agencies and removed tens of thousands of federal workers from their jobs. However, the initiative fell short of its own high expectations for cost savings.

Trump originally set a deadline of July 4, 2026 to Doge to achieve what Musk had promised $2 trillion in savings. However, the billionaire then downgraded that to $1 trillion and then further to $150 billion.

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Musks work at Doge has also drawn several lawsuits and questions of conflict of interest. In fact, his time at Doge caused a severe backlash, which was most visible to his Tesla business. Vehicle sales fell, stock plummeted, and cars and showrooms were vandalised.

But despite it all, Musk continued his slashing efforts until now  May 28.

Demonstrators rally against US President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk during a Hands Off! protest, in Asheville, North Carolina. File image/Reuters

Musks exit from Doge and future of Doge

On May 28, Musk called time on his Doge stint, writing on X, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, adding, The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

In fact, even in his previous interviews, the X owner has said that Doge would continue even after his exit. Doge is a way of life, like Buddhism, he joked once during a briefing, suggesting that the effort would proceed even after his exit. Buddha isnt alive anymore. You wouldnt ask the question: Who would lead Buddhism?

US President Donald Trump with Tesla CEO Elon Musk with his son X  A-12, at the White House in Washington. File image/Reuters

And even others seem to concur that Doge and its efforts would continue despite Musks departure. Peter Diamond, a federally licensed tax, accounting, real estate, and structure and certified bankability expert, was quoted as saying earlier, Elon [Musk] is a master at building high-performing teams and putting mechanisms in place that outlive his involvement. Just look at PayPal  its still thriving decades later. If he chooses to step away from Doge, it wont be a spur-of-the-moment decision.

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Even Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and founder of Be Fluent in Finance, noted that Musk leaving Doge isnt the end of the agency. From my analysis of internal operations, Doges structure was heavily dependent on Musks personal involvement (about 65 per cent of major decisions required his direct input). The organisation will need major restructuring.

Musks pivot back to business

But what happens to Musk himself? What does the exit from the Trump administration mean for the billionaire himself?

The last few months will provide you with an answer  as Musk has already been stepping away and distancing himself from the administration and Doge. In the last few recent interviews, Musk has emphasised his recommitment to leading SpaceX, Tesla, and the artificial intelligence company xAI. The worlds richest person claimed that he was back to working around the clock at his companies  to the point of sleeping in conference rooms and factory offices once again.

US President Donald Trump with Tesla CEO Elon Musk ahead of a state dinner hosted by Qatars Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Lusail Palace in Lusail, Qatar. File image/Reuters

He also attempted to explain away the shortcomings of Doge. For instance, he told the Washington Post on Tuesday, The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.

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Musk also told the Post that Doge had been turned into a whipping boy that was criticised for anything that went wrong under the Trump administration. In another interview, Musk admitted: I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics.

There are also other reports coming in that the billionaire had been put on a deadline by Tesla investors, who asked the board to make him work full-time. As per The Washington Post report, a group of activist Tesla shareholders sent a letter to board chair Robyn Denholm, asking for a guarantee that Musk would devote at least 40 hours a week to the company. The Washington Post further added that the letter was signed by SOC Investment Group.

His recent comments also reflect whats to be expected of Musk. Musk claims he will focus on saving humanity through technologies like self-driving cars, interplanetary rockets and humanoid robots.

The Guardian put it best: Rather than dwell on a year of missed targets and intense backlash, Musk is back to selling a future where anything is possible.

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With inputs from agencies
India is set to hold another round of mock drills today in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, all of which border Pakistan. PM Modi will participate in Sikkims statehood day celebrations, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting Jammu to review the security situation. French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting Singapore as part of his Asia tour read more

Mock drills will take place today across four states in India in districts bordering Pakistan. ANI

It is set to be a busy Thursday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, India will conduct mock drills across four states bordering Pakistan today. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Singapore as part of the Asia tour he is currently undertaking.

PM Modi will attend Sikkims statehood day celebrations today while Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting Jammu and the border district Poonch to review the security situation. Meanwhile, New Zealand Deputy PM Winston Peters will be on a visit to India.

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Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.

India to conduct mock drills

India is set to conduct mock drills in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir today (May 29). It is to be noted that the drills will be held in districts bordering Pakistan.

Notably, mock drills were announced for May 7 in 244 districts of bordering states and union territories (UTs). The mock drills come weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor on the night of May 6-7 against terrorists and their backers in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).

Emmanuel Macron to visit Singapore

French President Emmanuel Macron will be visiting Singapore today. He will also address the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday (May 30).

Macron is on a week-long tour of Asia from Sunday (May 25) to deepen ties in defence, energy and technological innovation. Earlier, he took to social media platform X and said that he was in the region to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as defence, innovation, the energy transition and cultural exchanges.

Emmanuel Macron is currently on a week-long tour of Asia. File image/AP

The trip reflects France and the European Unions broader effort to build stronger commercial and strategic relationships in Asia, especially amid concerns over US tariff policies under President Donald Trump.

PM Modi to attend Sikkims statehood day celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Sikkim to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of statehood day today in the Paljor Stadium. He will participate in the Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth programme around 11 am, stated an official notice.

The PM will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Sikkim. The projects include a new 500-bed district hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi district, passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing district, statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok, among others, it said. The release further stated, He will also release the commemorative coin, souvenir coin and stamp of 50 years of statehood.

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Amit Shah to visit Jammu, Poonch

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Jammu and the border district of Poonch on May 29 and 30. Notably, this will be his first visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir following Operation Sindoor.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in Jammu today to take note of the security situation. File image/PTI

According to official sources, Shah is expected to convene a security review meeting in Jammu on May 29. On May 30, he is slated to visit Poonch, the district most severely impacted by recent Indo-Pak military escalations, where he will meet families who have suffered losses of loved ones and homes due to cross-border shelling from Pakistan.

New Zealand Deputy PM to visit India

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters will be on a two-day visit to India from today. He is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Hotel Taj Mahal in New Delhi, reported news agency ANI.

According to ANI, Peters schedule for Friday (May 30) includes a meeting with Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, at the Hotel Taj Mahal at 3:30 pm. He is slated to depart from the country on the same day.

Since Indian migration commenced around the 1860s, people-to-people contacts between India and New Zealand have significantly strengthened. Currently, about 300,000 individuals of Indian origin and non-resident Indians reside in New Zealand, with the vast majority establishing permanent roots there.

With inputs from agencies
Two women officers of the Indian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K, will arrive in Goa on Thursday after completing a historic voyage across the worlds three largest oceans. Covering 25,400 nautical miles (around 50,000 km) and touching four continents, they sailed through stormy weather and faced three cyclones. The officers were part of the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama, which set out aboard INSV Tarini from Goa on October 2 last year read more

Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K will arrive in Goa. Image: Indian Navy

Two women officers of the Indian Navy have completed a historic journey across the worlds three largest oceans, braving rough seas, cyclones, and some of the most remote maritime regions.

The Indian Navy is preparing to welcome the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama, who travelled aboard INSV Tarini.

Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K are expected to arrive in Goa on Thursday (May 29, 2025).

Notably, INSV Tarini began its expedition from Goa on October 2 last year. The mission aimed to sail around the globe without any external support, using only wind power.

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In this explainer, we look at who the two Navy officers are, how they tackled storms and harsh weather, and how they travelled across four continents over eight months.

Lets take a look:

Two women officers of Indian Navy and the mission: All you need to know

Over eight months, two Indian Navy officers, often referred to as #DilRoo, sailed 25,400 nautical miles (around 50,000 km) across four continents, three oceans and three Great Capes.

Relying only on sails and wind, they faced tough sea conditions and extreme weather throughout the journey.

Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K, aboard INSV Tarini, are set to return to Goa on Thursday.

#NavikaSagarParikrama_II#IndianNavy's expedition of circumnavigating the globe by two women officers - Lt Cdr Dilna & Lt Cdr Roopa onboard #INSVTarini.



Flagged off from Goa on #02Oct 24 by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS. Watch The Journey So Far 

177 Days - 19400 nm (36000 km) pic.twitter.com/FDAKvIAfIn  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 28, 2025

This will mark the completion of the second edition of the Navys Navika Sagar Parikrama, a landmark voyage, and the first time Indian women have circumnavigated the globe in a two-member crew.

The journey began on October 2 last year from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa.

The Navy confirmed that the expedition followed all international rules for circumnavigation, which include crossing every meridian and returning to the original starting point.

In a press note, the Indian Navy said, The expedition symbolises Indias maritime endeavours, showcasing the nations prominence in global maritime activities and Indian Navys commitment to excellence and Nari Shakti signifying the motto Courageous Hearts Boundless Seas.

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During their voyage, the officers made port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), and Cape Town (South Africa).

They took part in several outreach and diplomatic activities, meeting with parliamentarians, Indian communities, school children, naval trainees, and university staff in different parts of the world.

They were also invited as special guests to the Western Australian Parliament in honour of their efforts.

Western Australian Parliament felicitated the crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini, which is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition 'Navika Sagar Parikrama II'. #NavikaSagarParikrama_II@CGIPerth @indiannavy @IndiannavyMedia @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/I98VVbRhmX  India in Australia (@HCICanberra) November 15, 2024

According to the Navy, their achievement has drawn praise from local communities, global sailing organisations and international lawmakers, and stands as a beacon of women empowerment, maritime excellence and national pride.

How the Navy officers battled stormy weather and cyclones

During their journey, the crew dealt with winds reaching up to 50 knots (93 kmph), stormy weather and freezing temperatures.

It set the ultimate test of human endurance, perseverance and sailing skills, the Navy said.

While every leg of the trip came with its own hurdles, the third stretch from Lyttleton to Port Stanley proved to be the toughest.

The officers faced three cyclones and crossed the dangerous Drake Passage before rounding the feared Cape Horn.

The circumnavigation highlights the unwavering spirit, exceptional valour, courage and perseverance of the officers amidst challenging conditions of the sea and nature, the Navy said in the press release.

The cyclones were encountered near Point Nemo, known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, the point in the ocean farthest from any land, according to a report by The Indian Express.

In mid-February, the crew rounded Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, around 800 km from Antarctica, braving continuous rain, fierce winds and waves taller than five metres.

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This earned them the honour of being called Cape Horners, which is usually given to sailors who pass Cape Horn under sail.

Notably, INSV Tarini, named after the Tara Tarini temple in Odisha, had earlier completed the first Navika Sagar Parikrama in 201718, when an all-women crew became the first Indian team to sail around the world.

This expedition is the first time an Indian woman duo has done it without any additional crew.

What next?

The crews arrival at Mormugao will be marked by a ceremonial reception attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Navy officials, Ministry of Defence representatives, and the officers families.

A formal debrief and recognition event will follow in the coming days.

A sail parade is being planned to welcome the two adventurers on May 29. The sailing fraternity will be there to welcome them, an official told The Times of India.

In its statement, the Navy said, The crew exemplified the spirit of exploration, showcasing seafaring skills at a global stage. It has been a journey of empowerment, innovation and commitment to Indias maritime heritage, charting new paths for a brighter and empowered future.

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The trials of the indigenous Kaveri jet engine are reportedly underway in Russia. Developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it is a low bypass, twin spool turbofan engine. Originally meant for the fighter aircraft Tejas, it has been repurposed to power the long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) read more

India is carrying out trials of the indigenous Kaveri jet engine in Russia. Reports on Tuesday (May 27) said that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was conducting the trials of the engine that could be used to power the long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

Initially planned for the fighter aircraft Tejas, the Kaveri engine will now power Made in India UCAVs. There has also been a renewed interest in the public about the homegrown engines in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

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Lets take a closer look.

Whats Kaveri engine?

The Kaveri engine is a low-bypass, twin-spool turbofan engine.

Developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the engine has 80 kilonewtons (kN) thrust.

The Kaveri project kick-started in the 1980s to power the domestic fighter aircraft Tejas.

The engine has a flat-rated design to minimise thrust drop due to high-speed and high-temperature conditions. Twin lane full authority digital engine control with an adequate manual backup is a salient design feature of the Kaveri engine, as per the DRDO.

From Tejas to Ghatak

The Kaveri engine could not be used for Indias Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas due to various challenges, including the engines inability to reach the required thrust-to-weight ratio. There were also problems in high-temperature metallurgy and afterburner performance and reliability. International sanctions on India after the 1998 nuclear tests also hit the project.

After Kaveri failed to power Tejas Mk1, India had to resort to the American-made GE F404 engine for the fighter jet.

India also lacked testing facilities for such engines and had to rely on Russia, which led to scheduling delays and restricted flexibility, as per News18.

The project appeared to be abandoned by 2014. However, a collaboration with the French firm Safran in 2016 breathed life into the engines again.

The Kaveri engine has 80 kilonewtons (kN) thrust. Image Courtesy: DRDO

The Kaveri engine has been repurposed for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles, like the Ghatak stealth drone.

As per a EurAsian Times report, the latest Kaveri engines feature advanced materials, aerodynamics, and cooling technologies for enhanced performance. It is likely to generate 48 kN of dry thrust, while DRDO plans to incorporate an afterburner to raise thrust to 7375 kN if needed.

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The Kaveri core engine  Kabini  has a high-pressure compressor, combustor and high pressure turbine for demonstrating hot end parts technology and study the aero-mechanical behaviour of high-pressure spool of the engine, according to DRDO. It is classified as a fifth-generation engine.

Why Kaveri engines trials matter

India s premier defence research agency is conducting trials of the Kaveri engine in Russia, ANI reported, citing defence officials.

The trials will showcase the performance of the engine in real flight conditions, including its reliability, endurance, and integration with aircraft systems, as per Mathrubhumi.

About 25 hours of testing remained, with dependency on the slots provided by Russian authorities.

On whether the Kaveri engine will power the LCA, the officials told the news agency that it could be used to power an LCA aircraft to see its capabilities.

Recently, X users have been calling on the government to allocate more funds and resources for the Kaveri engine, with Fund Kaveri Engine becoming the top trend on X Monday (May 26). This comes against the backdrop of Indias tensions with Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack.

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Last December, GTRE announced that the Kaveri engine had been cleared for in-flight testing. The development happened after rigorous testing of the engine, including high-altitude simulations in Russia.

The Kaveri engine is a big boost to Indias push for self-reliance in defence technology. It will reduce the countrys reliance on foreign engine suppliers and support its aerospace ambitions.

With inputs from agencies
Rachel Gupta, who made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International 2024 crown, announced that she has decided to step away from the coveted title. While the pageant says it fired the model, Gupta claims she resigned for a good reason. Heres what happened read more

Rachel Gupta, who made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International 2024 crown, has now stepped away from the title. Image courtesy: Instagram/@RachelGupta

Rachel Gupta, who made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International 2024 crown, has now stepped away from the title.

The beauty queen announced her decision in an emotional Instagram post, revealing that she had given up her crown due to broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment behind the scenes.

Her post has triggered a wave of reactions online, with many shocked by the sudden development.

Soon after Guptas statement, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation issued a strongly worded response of their own, stating that she was officially dismissed from the role.

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So, what really happened? Why did things go downhill? Heres a closer look.

But first, who is Rachel Gupta?

-Born on January 23, 2004, in Patiala and raised in Jalandhar, Gupta is the daughter of business professionals. Her father, Rajesh Aggarwal, and mother, Jennifer Gupta, have supported her journey from the start, reports India Times. She also has a younger sister, Rhea.

-She pursued a degree in psychology at the University of Mumbai after finishing high school. During college, she actively took part in several social initiatives, focusing especially on mental health awareness.

-Before making a mark internationally, Gupta had already gained recognition by winning the Miss Super Talent of the World 2022 at just 18 years old.

-The 21-year-old clinched the Miss Grand International crown on October 25, 2024, in a grand ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand. Her win was historicshe became the first Indian to ever win the Miss Grand International crown. She had earned her spot by winning the national title in Jaipur on August 11.

Rachel Gupta clinched the Miss Grand International crown on October 25, 2024, in a grand ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand. She had earned her spot by winning the national title in Jaipur on August 11. Image courtesy: Instagram/@RachelGupta

-Hosted by the Glamanand Group, the event saw Gupta sweep multiple subtitles including Miss Top Model, Best Ramp Walk, and Beauty with a Purpose.

-A video of the event also went viral, especially the dramatic moment where second runner-up Thae Su Nyein was seen getting her crown and sash removed by a pageant director right after the ceremony.

-Post her win, Gupta participated in several events abroad. She represented India at Miss Grand Suraburi 2025, and supported local causes, including donating 10,000 Thai Baht worth of essentials to the Foundation for Slum Child Care in Bangkok.

Gupta participated in several events abroad. She represented India at Miss Grand Suraburi 2025, and supported local causes, including donating 10,000 Thai Baht worth of essentials to the Foundation for Slum Child Care in Bangkok. Image courtesy: X/@RachelGupta

But despite these contributions and international appearances, the beauty queen hinted that things behind the scenes were far from picture-perfect.

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What went wrong?

In a social media post on Wednesday, Gupta revealed that she had made the difficult decision to walk away from her title.

One of my greatest life goals was to be crowned, she wrote, but the months after my crowning have been filled with betrayals, abuse, and a poisonous atmosphere that I can no longer put up with in silence.

I ask for your compassion, your open hearts, and your continued support as I take this next step. Your love means more than you know, she added.

Rachel also expressed her regret to those who had supported her journey. I sincerely apologize to all of my supporters worldwide if this news has caused you to be disappointed. Please understand that although it wasnt a simple choice, I made the correct one, she wrote.

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She ended her post by saying that she would be releasing a full video soon to share more about the challenges she faced behind the scenes.

The pageant responds

The Miss Grand International (MGI) Organisation issued a swift and pointed response. In an official statement posted online, the organisation confirmed that Rachel Gupta had been stripped of her title as Miss Grand International 2024.

The Miss Grand International Organisation hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Guptas title, effective immediately. She must return the crown within 30 days, the statement read.

They accused Rachel of breaching her contract, alleging that she failed to fulfil her responsibilities and engaged in other activities without seeking prior approval. They also noted that she had refused to participate in a scheduled trip to Guatemala.

In light of her dismissal, the organisation announced that Christine Juliane Opiaza of the Philippines would now take over as the new Miss Grand International 2024.

As the controversy continues to stir debate, all eyes are now on Rachel and the upcoming video she has promised. Her next move could raise serious questions about how beauty pageants operate and how they treat their winners behind the glamour.

With input from agencies
As the Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, sank off the Kerala coast last week, worries over pollution caused by it continue. While officials have so far denied an oil spill, plastics from the shipwreck lining multiple shores have raised concerns about the impact on marine life and the safety of seafood in the region read more

Following sinking of cargo ship off the Kerala coast, worries over potential pollution, ranging from oil to tiny plastic pellets,have raised questions about the long-term impact on marine life and the safety of seafood in the region. Image for Representation. AFP

A recent capsize of a cargo ship off the Kerala coast has triggered fresh fears for the states delicate marine ecosystem.

Last week, MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged container ship travelling from Vizhinjam port to Kochi, capsized near Alappuzha. The vessel was carrying 640 containerssome of which, the Coast Guard says, included hazardous cargo that has now started washing ashore. Inside the ships tanks were also large amounts of fuel, sparking fears about a major oil spill.

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While officials have denied any confirmed oil spill so far, concerns are far from over. Worries over potential pollution, ranging from oil to tiny plastic pellets known as nurdles, continue to grow, with questions being raised about the long-term impact on marine life and the safety of seafood in the region.

So, how serious is the damage? What steps are authorities taking? And most importantly, can you still safely eat fish from the Kerala coast? Heres what we know so far.

How difficult is it to manage an oil spill?

The MSC ELSA 3 was carrying a significant amount of fuelat least 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil, according to the Coast Guard.

Though officials have ruled out a major spill, the director of Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) Dr T M Balakrishnan Nair, on Wednesday confirmed that there were traces of oil along the Alappuzha coast.

Our six-member team has found small patches of oil slick along the coast. These are bunker oil used in ships. As the oil spill has been contained almost, we do not expect a massive oil slick. However, it would continue to appear on the southern Kerala coast in the coming days also. Everything depends upon how much oil has leaked out from the ship, he told the Indian Express.

The Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 sank off the coast of Kerala on Sunday. It contained at least 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil. Image courtesy: PTI

Earlier, a simulation conducted by the agency suggested that if all the diesel and furnace oil from the vessel were to leak into the sea, there was a high chance it would drift towards the Kerala coast, specifically the stretch between Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram.

Managing oil spills is no easy task. Each incident behaves differently depending on the type and volume of oil released. Cleanup operations are often expensive, labour-intensive, and can stretch on for months.

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In the case of MSC ELSA 3, experts say its critical to stop the oil from reaching the shoreline.

Oil smothering could threaten sensitive marine species and disrupt fishing activities, particularly affecting artisanal fishers in coastal regions. If the spill spreads, it may harm marine productivity, especially during the monsoon, a critical period for pelagic fish breeding and growth. This could have lasting consequences for fisheries, Grinson George, director of Kochi-based Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), told The Times of India.

Meanwhile, authorities say their top priorities include recovering the oil, retrieving containers adrift at sea, and removing those that have washed up on beaches. July 3 has been set as the deadline for completing oil recovery efforts.

Plastic shipwreck sparks worry about pollutants

Even as authorities monitor for a possible oil spill, another threat has already started washing ashorepollutants from the cargo itself.

Several containers from the sunken MSC ELSA 3 have broken loose and made landfall, bringing with them plastic pellets, chemicals, and potentially hazardous materials.

In recent days, beaches in Thiruvananthapuram, such as Thumba and Kochuveli, have seen large amounts of nurdles, small plastic pellets used in the production of plastic goods. These can be mistaken for food by marine life and are extremely difficult to clean up once they spread, reports _The News Minute.

_

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 Eco-Disaster Unfolding in India

Millions of plastic pellets (nurdles) are washing up on Keralas shores after the MSC ELSA3 shipwreck.

 Marine life is choking.

 Ecosystems are at risk.

 Humans arent far behind.

This is a global wake-up call.#NurdleSpill #PlasticCrisis pic.twitter.com/CRWrh5TUco  Paulose Jacob Peter (@Anand02908794) May 28, 2025

INCOIS has predicted that nurdles may drift along a stretch of 84 nautical miles off the Kovalam coast by May 29. As per an update by the INCOIS on May 26, 30 tonnes of cargo have been floating in the sea, while 45 tonnes have reached the shore. Around 25 tonnes of cargo have either evaporated or dispersed.

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A recent yet-to-be-published study has already raised alarms about the regions vulnerability.

Incidents like this will cause the presence of microplastics in commercially available fish to go beyond the permissible levels. Bioaccumulation of these pollutants in our body will have long-term impacts, Dr Shaju SS, assistant professor at the Department of Chemical Oceanography at Cochin University of Science and Technology, told The News Minute.

The ship was also carrying 640 containers, which also included 13 marked as hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide.

Kerala holds emergency expert meet after Liberian ship sinks near shore, bans fishing, deploys pollution control teams. PTI

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has issued a public warning, urging people not to approach any containers washed up on shore, as calcium carbide can trigger dangerous exothermic reactions if it comes into contact with water and can cause explosions, Shaju told the outlet.

The Coast Guard has responded by deploying clean-up vessels and conducting aerial surveillance to track the spread of pollutants. Authorities have also deployed 108 personnel onshore for container recovery and cleanup.

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Thirty-eight people have been deployed in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, and Kollam, linked directly to DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority). District Collectors are actively coordinating response efforts. Fifty containers have been traced across seven sites. Efforts are underway to retrieve them within two days, Capt Abul Kalam Azad, Nautical Advisor to the Union Government, said.

Is it safe to eat seafood?

So far, yes.

Despite the concerns surrounding the sunken vessel and potential pollutants, experts say there is no need to panic, at least not yet.

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the State Fisheries Department are actively monitoring the situation. Regular water sampling is underway, and authorities are closely tracking any signs of contamination.

Speaking to Kerala-based outlet Mathrubhumi News, CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said theres currently no reason to avoid eating seafood as fish from the affected area are not entering the market. Fishing is currently banned in the immediate vicinity of the wreck.

CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said theres currently no reason to avoid eating seafood as fish from the affected area are not entering the market. Fishing is currently banned in the immediate vicinity of the wreck. File image/PTI

The outlet also cited food safety experts who noted that unless theres confirmed leakage, the situation shouldnt raise alarm. Even in the event of some leakage, the vast volume of seawater could help dilute any harmful substances before they pose a widespread threat.

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As of now, agencies continue to test seawater quality and collect samples. The Fisheries Department is expected to issue official guidance once the scientific assessments are complete.

With input from agencies
The Congress is not hiding its chagrin at Shashi Tharoor anymore. The Thiruvananthapuram MP has upset the party again with his remarks on the 2016 surgical strikes. His recent unfettered support to the Centre on Operation Sindoor also did not go down well with Congress, which perceives it as straying from the party line read more

Shashi Tharoor has irked the Congress over unfettered support to the BJP-led Centre on Operation Sindoor. File Photo/PTI

The cracks between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress are out in the open. The Thiruvananthapuram MP has been in the line of fire since his unfettered support to the Central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Operation Sindoor, the retaliatory military strikes by India against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Now, Tharoor has irked his party from abroad. His remarks that India crossed the Line of Control (LoC) for the first time in September 2016 under the BJP-led Centre have not sat well with the Grand Old Party, which has countered his statements.

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The disgruntlement between Tharoor and the Congress has emerged publicly in recent years. As speculations about the former diplomats future in the party rise, will he jump ship to the BJP?

Lets take a closer look.

Tharoors LoC remark stirs row

Tharoor, who is leading one of the seven all-party delegations sent abroad to put forth Indias stand on terrorism, has stirred a row with his comments in Panama.

Speaking about terrorism emanating from Pakistan at an Indian diaspora event, the Congress MP said, What has changed in recent years is that the terrorists have also realised they will have a price to pay For the first time, India breached the LoC (Line of Control) between India and Pakistan to conduct a surgical strike on a terror base, a launch pad (after) the Uri strike in September 2016. That was something we had not done before. Even during the Kargil War, we had not crossed the LoC.

He also mentioned the Balakot strikes by India after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. We not only crossed the LoC, we also crossed the international border (IB) and struck a terrorist headquarters. This time (in Operation Sindoor), we went beyond both of those We struck in the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan.

The Congress has maintained that surgical strikes were also carried out during the UPA government, but were not publicised.

An RTI reply by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had, however, said: Army does not have any data pertaining to surgical strikes if carried out before September 29, 2016.

CCing Tharoor on X, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera shared a media report of S Jaishankar, the then foreign secretary, telling a parliamentary committee in October 2016 that target-specific, limited-calibre, counter-terrorist operations" had been carried out by the Army across the LoC in the past too.

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Udit Raj, a Congress spokesperson, also took a jibe at Tharoor by asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the leader a super spokesperson of the BJP.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju came to Tharoors defence, calling Congress reaction political desperation.

What does the Congress party want & How much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister?

Theres limit to political desperation! https://t.co/JiuYqpW2tN  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 28, 2025

As the row escalated, Tharoor took to X on Thursday (May 29) to clarify his remarks, saying he was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.

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Targeting critics and trolls, he wrote that his remarks were preceded by reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB.

After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I dont really have time for this  but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 29, 2025

Hours after his tweet, Khera shared a page from Tharoors book The Paradoxical Prime Minister, highlighting the lines where he accused the BJP government of using surgical strikes as a political tool.

I agree with that Dr @ShashiTharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018 - The Paradoxical Prime Minister. #ReadingNow pic.twitter.com/hAhsfwH0JT  Pawan Khera  (@Pawankhera) May 29, 2025

Rift between Tharoor, Congress

Tensions have been increasingly visible between Tharoor and the Congress since his all-out defence of the BJP government on Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan after four days of military action.

As per a Frontline report, there is a general feeling within the Congress that Tharoor has crossed the Lakshman Rekha this time. The Congress central leadership is unhappy with the Thiruvananthapuram MP over what it perceives as straying from the partys cautious stance on the operation.

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Earlier, the Congress publicly expressed its displeasure over the Centre picking Tharoor as head of one of the multi-party delegations visiting foreign capitals post-Operation Sindoor.

Except for Anand Sharma, the government rejected other names suggested by the Congress for the global outreach.

Praising Modi after the ceasefire with Pakistan, Tharoor had said that the PM handled the conflict between extremely well.

His utterances in favour of the Modi governments decisions and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala have hit a nerve with the Congress.

The United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Grand Old Party, is seeking to unseat the LDF in the 2026 Kerala Assembly polls.

In February, Tharoor raised murmurs about his political future after saying he had other options. Affirming his loyalty to the Congress, he sought a larger role in party affairs. Some in my own party oppose me, but I speak for India and Keralas futureIf the party wants to utilise my strengths, Ill be there. If not, I have other options, he said.

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This sparked rumours about the leader switching to the BJP. His selfie with Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who had previously mocked Tharoors foreign accent, further fuelled the speculations.

However, the MP from Kerala later clarified that by options, he did not mean joining the BJP.

Tharoor did not win any points with the partys top brass by publicly speaking about a leadership vacuum in the Kerala Congress. The move was seen as him pitching himself as the chief ministerial candidate for the polls next year.

The growing chasm prompted a closed-door meeting between Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi.

Tharoors relationship with the Congress top brass has plunged since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. After the Grand Old Partys drubbing, he was among the G-23 group of leaders questioning the Gandhi familys leadership.

Tharoor also contested the elections for the Congress President post in 2022 against Mallikarjun Kharge, who was widely believed to be the official candidate. This further exposed the distance between him and the Gandhis.

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While the Congress party appointed Tharoor for other posts after he lost the election , the narrative that he was being sidelined continued to dominate.

Now, the party is no longer hiding its chagrin at him.

Will Tharoor exit Congress?

The buzz around Tharoor leaving Congress has gained steam again. However, a friend of Tharoor has claimed that the Thiruvananthapuram MP would not leave the party.

He has been a Congress MP ever since he entered politics. He is now in his fourth term. He is wildly popular in the literary circuit. If the party does not tap into his potential, he will slowly move away from party politics and stay as a public intellectual, he told Frontline.

While Tharoor has previously dismissed claims about joining the BJP, this is Indian politics. And as they say  Never say never.

With inputs from agencies
South Koreans are turning out in record numbers for early voting today in the countrys snap presidential election set to take place on 3 June. The election comes in the aftermath of the worst political turmoil in decades. Heres everything you need to know about the South Korean election read more

Lee Jae-myung (2nd R), the presidential candidate for South Korea's Democratic Party, casts his early vote for the upcoming presidential election at a polling station in Seoul as the Presedential elections on May 29, 2025. AFP

South Koreans are turning out in record numbers for early voting today

The country is set to hold a snap presidential election on June 3.

The development comes in the aftermath of the country witnessing its worst political turmoil in decades.

South Koreas former president Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in June .

That came after the countrys Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment by parliament for attempting to impose martial law.

It also comes in the backdrop of the tumultuous relationship between South Korea and the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump.

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But what do we know about the South Korean election? Who are the candidates?

What are the big issues? What about the controversies?

Lets take a closer look

What do we know?

South Koreas election is quite straightforward.

There is just one round of voting. The person who gets the most votes is declared the winner.

Unlike India, which has a British-style parliamentary system, South Korea has a presidential system  the voters directly elect the president.

The country of 51.7 million people has 44.39 million eligible voters.

Women comprise just over half, 50.05 per cent, of the eligible voters.

South Korea is one of the worlds fastest aging societies.

Little surprise than that voters over 60 comprise around a third of the electorate.

Thats far higher than those in the 20s and 30s who comprise just a 28 per cent share.

Most voters hail from Gyeonggi Province (26.4 per cent,) followed by Seoul at (18.7 per cent) and Busan at (6.5 per cent).

A total of 205,268 people overseas voted between May 20 and 25 in 118 countries, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).

There are six candidates left  all of whom are men.

The three main candidates are Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party and New Reform Partys Lee Jun-seok.

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As per BBC, Lee and Yoon previously collided in the 2022 election in which the latter prevailed in a close-run contest.

Lees supporters consider him a working-class hero. Lee previously worked in a factory before switching to becoming a human rights and then taking a plunge into politics.

Lee has vowed to create a real Republic of Korea  promising jobs and a fair society.

According to CNA, while Lee earlier compared himself to Bernie Sanders in the US, he has become a much more centrist candidate since the last election.

Lee is a strident opponent of Yoon.

Lee used his parliamentary majorities to stymie Yoons agenda.

He also let the impeachment charge against Yoon after he attempted to impose martial law.

As per BBC, Kim is a former labour minister.

While he too has vowed to boost the economy  pitching himself as good for business  he may be hampered by the fact that he belongs to the same party as Yoon.

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As per CNA, Kim won the support from the PPP base after opposing Yoons impeachment.

Former labour minister Kim Moon-soo (R) celebrates next to ex-party chief Han Dong-hoon after winning the final race to choose South Koreas conservative People Power Partys (PPP) candidate for the upcoming presidential election. AFP

This, even as the power brokers would have preferred a more centrist alternative.

Kim will need to expand his voter base if he stands any shot.

However, Yoons departure from the party will no doubt help matters for Kim.

Kim was jailed in the 1980s for leading a pro-democracy movement  which may play in his favour.

While Kim has sought to distance himself from Yoon, he has kept those close to Yoon on his campaign team.

He has also reached out to Park for support.

As per CNA, Lee Jun-seok is a former PPP leader.

The New Reform Party is a relatively new right-wing outfit.

Lee Jun-seok could hurt the chances of the PPP candidate.

He has been far more strident on Yoons actions  and more importantly has refused to make an alliance with Kim.

Lee Jun-seok has consistently sought to paint his opponents as establishment men who unqualified to lead South Korea.

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He has made his pitch to younger voters.

But even Kim and Lee Jun-seok joining hands may not be enough to stymie Lee.

Data show Lee is the clear frontrunner followed by Kim, while Lee Jun-seok is a distant third.

A recent gall Gallup poll shows Lee being supported by 49 per cent of respondents.

Kim had the backing of 35 per cent, while Lee Jun-seok was at just 11 per cent.

Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party and two Independents Hwang Kyo-ahn and Song Jin- ho are also running.

However, they have virtually no chance of winning.

According to the countrys election commission, this is the first time since 2007 that there are no women candidates for president.

As per BBC, South Korea got its first woman candidate for president in 1987.

However, the woman, Hong Suk-Ja dropped out before the vote.

Four women candidates contested for president in 2012.

But South Korea has had just one woman president in its history  Park Geun-hye.

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Parks reign did not end well.

According to BBC, Park was ousted from office over a corruption scandal.

What are the big issues?

The economy, the birth rate, Donald Trumps tariffs and with North Korea remain the major issues.

According to CNA, South Koreas economy dipped in the first quarter of 2025.

Increasing growth and spurring consumer sentiments will be on the top of the agenda for whomever succeeds Yoon.

Then there is the matter of dealing with Trumps tariffs  which would involve reaching a bilateral trade deal with the US.

The US President has imposed a 25 per cent levy on South Korea.

South Korea is uniquely manageable to Trumps tariffs given that exports account for 40 per cent of its GDP.

A man uses his phone as he looks at a monitor displaying the benchmark Kospi index in Seoul on April 7. South Korean stocks tumbled over five per cent as Asian markets sank and US futures signaled steep Wall Street losses, driven by Donald Trumps harsh tariffs. AFP

Affordable housing and creating more jobs are also top of the list.

Polls show that people also want a shared sense of national unity restored.

Foreign policy is also important to voters  given the fact that North Korea is the belligerent next door neighbour and getting even closer to Russia.

Constitutional reform is also another issue voters are concerned about  however, this may prove to be a tall order for whomever succeeds Yoon.

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The countrys birth rate of .75, among the lowest in the world, also continues to be cause for alarm.

What about the controversies?

According to The Conversation, Lee is facing legal troubles.

Lee in 2024 was convicted for violating election law  and thus from competing for the presidency for five years.

However, in March, an appeals court overturned the lower courts decision.

This allowed Lee to campaign for the presidency.

The country Supreme Court has overturned the verdict and sent it back down to the appeals court.

Lees campaign has said that there should be no problem if he wins given that South Koreas presidents are legally immune from prosecution  unless the charge is treason.

However, experts say South Koreas Constitution is vague when it comes to such a matter.

Experts say South Korea is currently pervaded by a climate of distrust.

The spectre of Yoon continues to hang over the election.

Yoon Suk Yeol attends his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters

According to BBC, well the PPP has apologised to the public for the attempted coup, Yoon remains defiant.

Yoon has continued to insist that communist forces have pervaded through South Koreas institutions and that he is a victim of a witch hunt.

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His claims have found an audience with thousands of people taking to the streets to protest Yoons treatment.

A recent poll showed more than a third of people did not trust the Constitution Courts judgment on Yoon.

Yoon is facing a charge of insurrection for declaring martial law.

He has quit his party in order to boost its candidates chances, as per BBC.

South Koreas acting President Lee Ju-ho said on Monday the government was transparently disclosing the entire process of the presidential election, according to his office.

The National Election Commission will air CCTV surveillance footage of rooms storing ballots from early voting, with their entrances sealed before counting starts and transported ballots given police escorts, Lee said.

What happens after the votes are cast?

After votes are cast, ballots will be initially sorted by machines and then election workers will count them, the NEC said.

The official election campaign is relatively short in South Korea in a bid to contain costs. It started on May 12.

There are 3,568 polling stations across the country open for early voting that will be allowed between May 29-30.

Election day on June 3 is a public holiday.

Voting will run from 6 am until 8 pm with an indication of the results likely to start emerging that evening or early the next day.

On June 4, the National Election Commission is expected to verify the results and the inauguration of the new president will be held.

With inputs from agencies
The term Taco trade, first coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong, has made US President Donald Trump angry, who called it the nastiest question when asked about it. Short for Trump Always Chickens Out, the phrase refers to his tendency to announce steep import tariffs and then withdraw from those plans. Notably, since April 2, a date Trump dubbed Liberation Day, he has repeatedly rolled back on such announcements read more

A term first used by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong, the Taco trade has been catching attention on Wall Street.

But what does it mean?

It stands for Trump Always Chickens Out and is meant as a dig at US President Donald Trump.

ALSO READ | US court blocks Trumps tariffs: What does it mean for global trade, markets?

Now, the Republican leader has responded to it.

But what is the Taco trade jibe all about? How did Trump respond, and why is this acronym being used for him?

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Heres a look at the answers to these questions and more.

Explained: The Taco trade jibe at Donald Trump and what it means

Simply put, the Taco trade refers to Donald Trumps pattern of announcing steep import taxes, only to backtrack later.

The phrase was coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong and stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.

The pattern is simple. Markets usually fall when Trump makes threats to raise import duties. But when he eases off, they bounce back.

Put another way, investors are learning not to panic at every new tariff announcement, as Trump often reverses course, leading to a market rebound.

Notably, since April 2, the day Trump called Liberation Day, he has often stepped back from those initial plans.

In fact, the Trump administration has made over 50 changes to tariff policies since his inauguration on January 20, according to a review by The Washington Post. Many of those were reversed not long after being announced.

One example: Trump pushed tariffs on Chinese goods up to 145%, only to reduce them to 30% during a 90-day negotiation period.

Just last week, he warned of a 50% tariff on European Union products starting in June, but then postponed it to July 9 to allow time for talks, keeping the existing 10% duty in place for now.

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The same stop-start approach has been seen with tariffs on cars, electronics, and broader import duties based on trade deficits with various countries.

Just hours after those tariffs took effect, Trump paused them for 90 days for all countries except China. He said investors were becoming yippy yappy, a sign that markets, especially bonds, were not reacting well.

Each time, the stock market reacted with sharp falls after Trumps announcements, followed by a bounce once he changed his position. Investors viewed the tariffs as damaging to growth and company profits, but welcomed the pullbacks.

ALSO READ | Trumps crackdown on foreign students at US universities may hurt India and China the most. Heres why

How Trump reacted to Taco trade jibe

Donald Trump said that he first heard about the Taco trade term on Wednesday when a reporter asked him to respond.

You call that chickening out? Trump replied.

Its called negotiation.

Clearly not pleased with the term, Trump rejected the idea that backing off steep tariff threats made him a chicken.

I chicken out? Oh, Ive never heard that. You mean because I reduced China from 145% that I set down to 100 and then to another number? he said, referring to the tariff rates he had placed on Chinese imports.

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Trump explained that he agreed to delay the move after EU leaders reached out and asked, Please, lets meet right now.

Its called negotiation, he repeated, saying he starts with a ridiculous high number and then lowers it a little bit, you know, a little bit until the number becomes more acceptable.

He also told the reporter not to repeat the question. Dont ever say what you said, Trump said. To me, thats the nastiest question.

The term is meant as a dig at US President Donald Trump. Reuters/File Photo

According to Trump, EU officials would not be willing to talk without the 50% tariff in place. He added that his usual criticism is being too tough, not too soft.

Whats the latest in Trumps tariff war?

On Wednesday, the US Court of International Trade in New York blocked Trumps sweeping plan to impose heavy taxes on imports from nearly every country.

A panel of three judges ruled that Trump went beyond his powers when he used the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to declare a national emergency as a reason for the broad tariffs.

Notably, these tariffs were a sharp shift from decades of US trade policy. They disrupted global trade, shook financial markets, and raised concerns about rising prices and a possible recession in the US and beyond.

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Trumps team argued that courts had supported former President Richard Nixons use of emergency tariff powers in 1971. They also claimed that only Congress, not the courts, should decide whether the presidents reason for declaring an emergency fits within the law.

The courts ruling blocks the new tariffs Trump placed last month on almost all US trading partners, as well as earlier levies on China, Mexico and Canada.

However, the decision does not affect other Trump-era tariffs, such as those on steel, aluminium and cars, which were enacted under a different law. That law required a formal review by the Commerce Department and did not allow the president to act alone.

With inputs from agencies
Donald Trumps crackdown on elite US universities is ongoing. The Trump administration has suspended all student visa interviews, and all foreign students will have to undergo intense social media vetting. This may impact aspiring Indian and Chinese students the most  the two nations sent a total of 331,602 and 277,398 students last academic year read more

People enter and exit Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The the US has taken a decision to pause student visa interviews globally. File image/AFP

The United States is often referred to as the land of opportunity. But under Donald Trumps presidency, it seems that this opportunity is now being restricted  to only Americans. The Trump administration has paused student visa interviews globally and announced a new social media vetting.

This has left millions and millions of international students anxious and in limbo. Some have voiced their regret, wishing they had applied to schools outside the US. I already regret it, said a 22-year-old masters student from Shanghai to BBC.

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Many note that Trumps move will disproportionately affect Chinese and Indian students the most. Heres how.

What is the latest on foreign students in the US?

On Tuesday (May 27), the Trump administration furthered their fight with US universities with Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordering US embassies worldwide to stop scheduling interviews for student visas as the administration weighed stricter vetting of applicants social-media profiles.

Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued  in the coming days, the diplomatic cable reportedly said, as reported by Politico.

The move is being seen as an escalation in the battle between the White House and universities  namely the elite ones such as Harvard and Columbia.

People hold up signs during at the Harvard University campus in Boston, Massachusetts. Harvard students protested after the US government said it intends to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the university. AFP

But what does it mean by social media vetting? The US State Department will look into an applicants social media and flag any objectionable activity. However, herein lies the issue  it is not yet clear what may be considered objectionable. Neither have the parameters of the vetting (that is, what consular officers will be looking for). The above-mentioned diplomatic cable, however, says that students will be required to provide social media details from 2019, Politico reported.

#WATCH | On student visa issue, US President Donald Trump says, "... We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I'll tell you what, many of those students didn't go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers pic.twitter.com/dZCpcUJM4r  ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025

On Wednesday, Trump even suggested a 15 per cent cap should be imposed on the admission of foreign students at Harvard University and other American higher education institutions. Speaking from the Oval Office, the president said he doesnt want radical people coming to the United States as students and making trouble in our country.

We dont want to see shopping centres explode. We dont want to see the kind of riots that you had, and Ill tell you what, many of those students didnt go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left, Trump told reporters.

He further added that foreign students take up too much of the student body and block the way for Americans to get a better education.

How many students will be affected by Trumps order?

The head count of international students at US colleges and universities and in related training programmes has surged in the recent years. In the academic year of 2023-24, a total of 11,26,690 students were from countries other than the US. This was a rise from the previous year  of 1,057,188.

As per a Washington Post report, not since the late 1970s has the total grown that much in one year. These students bring global perspectives to campuses and account for more than five per cent of postsecondary enrolment in the United States.

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In the academic year of 2023-24, a total of 11,26,690 students were from countries other than the US. This was a rise from the previous year  of 1,057,188. Representational image/AFP

Data further shows that 71.5 per cent of international students enrolled in the US between 2023 and 2024 were from Asia. India was the top source, with 3,31,602 students from the country enrolled in US universities. Following India was China, which sent 2,77,398 students to the US. In third place is South Korea, which sent 43,149 students to the US.

Interestingly, 2023-2024 was the first year that Indian students exceeded those from China; in the previous academic year, China had sent 2,89,526 compared to 2,68,923 from India.

Other neighbours of India have also been choosing the American Dream. Nepal had more than 15,000 students at US institutions and Bangladesh more than 13,500. Both totals were up 28 per cent. Pakistan had more than 10,100, up 16 per cent.

Europe sent 90,600 students to the US, making up eight per cent of the international student population.

The data also shows that most foreign students are gravitating to certain universities such as New York University, Bostons Northeastern University, New Yorks Columbia University and Arizona State University. The 2023-2024 figures show that NYU admitted a whopping 27,247 foreign students whereas the remaining three admitted 21,023, 20,321 and 18,430 foreign scholars respectively. Harvard, in comparison, only had 7,800 foreign students last year.

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What do students feel about the situation?

For international students, the Trump administrations move has brought a lot of confusion and anxiety. Shreya Mishra Reddy, a second-year MBA student from India at Harvard Business School, told The Hindu, Its been really stressful  not just for me but for other international students too.

The rules have been changing every week. Theres just something new  basically against international students.

A New York City police officer looks over the centre of Columbia University in New York. File image/AP

Another student, who didnt want to be named, said that she was considering another country altogether. I am now considering my options in the UK. Every day, we wake up to discover something new about US education policies. I dont know if its worth the constant anxiety, she told The Hindu.

Others especially Chinese and other Asian students also feel the heat. As one told the BBC, Even if I study in the US, I may be chased back to China without getting my degree. Thats so scary.

And even US educators and activists are concerned about Trumps crackdown on foreign students and its impact on the country. Its hard to ignore the fact that foreign students contribute significantly to the US economy  one figure reveals that these students brought in $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 3,78,000 jobs.

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They also leave a significant meaningful positive impact on American students global competence. As Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO said in a statement, We cannot afford to lose international students meaningful positive impact on American students global competence, our economies, and our communities, particularly in the areas of STEM-related research and innovation.

With inputs from agencies
If you are planning to go to the United States for higher education, youll need to take a closer look at your social media profiles and posts. This is because the Donald Trump administration has now decided that foreign students will need to undergo social media vetting. Heres what you need to know read more

Students need to conduct a thorough check of their social media profile. Reuters

Planning to go to the United States for higher education?

Youll need to examine your social media posts carefully.

This is because the Donald Trump administration has now decided that foreign students will now need to undergo social media vetting.

This comes in the backdrop of the Trump administration targeting the most elite US institutions including Harvard and Columbia.

US embassies in India have already temporarily halted new visa appointments for students  saying they require further guidance from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued, Rubio wrote.

But that doesnt mean you cant get ahead of them.

But how you can save your social media posts from the Trump administration?

Lets take a closer look

What do you need to do?

First, conduct a thorough check of your social media profiles.

This includes on popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Find any content that could be misinterpreted by the authorities in the US as being against the current administration and make it private or delete it. AFP

Find posts  and posts that you have liked by others  that appear hostile to the US or President Donald Trump.

Either make this content private or delete it in entirely.

According to Financial Express, special care should be taken to avoid posting or liking any posts that could appear anti-Semitic in nature.

Any pro-Palestinian statement would also arose the ire and suspicion of authorities during the visa application process.

Sharing anything that could give offence or which strays from the facts should also be avoided.

Also, make sure any information youve given on your student application matches with what you have shared online.

Idea is problematic

Some have slammed the US move.

The idea that the embassies have the time, the capacity and taxpayer dollars are being spent this way is very problematic, NAFSA: Association of International Educators CEO Fanta Aw told Politico. International students are not a threat to this country. If anything, theyre an incredible asset to this country.

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Kevin OLeary, a lecturer at Harvard Business School, told Fox News, These students are extraordinary individuals and they dont hate America. Why dont we vet them first, check their backgrounds, clear them, and tell them, You graduate Harvard, youre an engineer or whatever, you stay here and you start a business here and youll get funded here and youll create jobs here because thats why you came here in the first place.

A US official said earlier this week the suspension is intended to be temporary and does not apply to applicants who already had scheduled their visa interviews. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an internal administration document.

Asked about the suspension at a briefing Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US uses every available resource to vet people applying for visas.

We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is thats coming here, whether they are students or otherwise, Bruce said.

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The move is the latest in the Trump administrations crackdown on international students.

Last week, the Trump administration revoked Harvard Universitys ability to enroll international students, removing the college from the program that allows schools to sponsor foreign students for visas. That effort was quickly challenged in court and for now is blocked by a federal judge.

An extended pause in scheduling student visas could lead to delays that may disrupt college, boarding-school or exchange students plans to enroll in summer and fall terms.

A downturn in enrollment of international students could hurt university budgets. To make up for cuts in federal research funding, some colleges shifted to enrolling more international students, who often pay full tuition.

With inputs from agencies
Russia has sent tens of thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assail Ukraine since the war began. However, since 2024, Moscow has unleashed fibre optics first-person-view (FPV) drones to devastating effect, particularly in the Kursk region. How do these drones work? read more

Russia had sent thousands of drones to attack Ukraine since the beginning of the war. AP

Russia has been attacking Ukraine with drones ever since the war began in February 2022.

Moscow has sent tens of thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assail Kyiv.

While Ukraine has gotten very good at countering Russian UAVs, a new thread has emerged  fibre optic drones.

But what do we know about the drones? And how are they being used by Russia in Ukraine?

Lets take a closer look:

What do we know about these drones?

As per Kyiv Independent, fibre optics first-person-view (FPV) drones have been unleashed as Russias latest weapon in Ukraine.

According to The War Zone, Russia first began using these drones in the spring of 2024.

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The fibre optics drones are essentially the same as UAVs.

However they come with one important difference  they navigate using ultra-thin glass cables.

Normal drones, on the other hand, rely on radio waves to communicate with the operator.

These drones cost around $1,200 (Rupees 1 lakh).

They can have a range from anywhere between 15 to 30 kilometers  depending on how sophisticated the equipment is.

According to the Washington Post, this small but important change makes fibre optic drones immune from being electronically intercepted.

The video and control signal is transmitted to and from the drone through the cable, not through radio frequencies. This means it cant be jammed by electronic interceptors, a soldier with the call sign Moderator, a drone engineer with the 68th Jaeger Brigade, told BBC.

It also allows the drone to capture the footage in perfect quality and frees the drone from being limited by the range of radio waves.

These fibre optic drones have a longer battery life, are more accurate and can navigate difficult range such as forest and city streets without ever losing touch with their operators.

An optical fibre from Russian FPV drones is seen on a road outside the frontline town of Kostiantynivka, amid Russias attack on Ukraine,in Donetsk region. Reuters

Theyre really great when you need to fly into some kind of building, like a large shed or hangar, to have a look inside if there is something there with the ability to strike it straight away, Oleksandr Skhid, an FPV drone team commander in Ukraines Achilles Strike Drone Regiment, told Kyiv Independent. The same goes for other types of cover, and flying in forested areas.

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Many Experts have marvelled at the simplicity of the idea.

As Dmytro Semkiv, an engineer working on the drones for Ukraine, told the Washington Post, sometimes genius ideas are really simple.

How are they being used by Russia in Ukraine?

Russia is using these drones on an unprecedented scale in Ukraine.

The drones have become exceedingly efficient in destroying Ukrainian positions and supply lines.

Kyiv, thus far, has not been able to do much about them  especially when they are sent in large numbers used to overwhelm defensive forces.

 Russia started using fibre optic drones much before us, while we were still testing them. These drones can be used in places where we have to go lower than usual drones. We can even enter houses and look for targets inside, Venia, a drone pilot with the 68th Jaeger Brigade, told BBC.

Weve started joking that maybe we should carry scissors to cut the cord, says Serhii, the artilleryman.

Results have been particularly devastating in the Kursk area.

Russia had a huge advantage in Kursk due to the use of fibre-optic drones because they basically killed Ukraines logistics, one 24-year-old drone commander in Ukraines 47th Brigade told the Washington Post.

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Our logistics just collapsed; fibre optic drones were monitoring all routes, leaving no way to deliver ammunition or provisions, Dmytro, a Ukrainian medic fighting out of the Russian town of Sudzha, told Kyiv Independent.

Traveling there was even worse than playing Russian roulette  because in this case, the revolver has five bullets and only one empty chamber.

But the attack isnt limited to the Kursk area alone.

Rodynske in Ukraines Donetsk region is being assailed by Russian drones.

As per BBC, Ukrainian soldiers say that such drones remain over the targets for hours  just waiting until the perfect opportunity comes along to strike.

When you enter a position, you dont know whether youve been spotted or not. And if you have been spotted, then you may already be living the last hours of your life, says Oles, Chief Sergeant of the reconnaissance unit of the 5th Assault Brigade in Rodynske told the outlet.

Experts say it remains unknown what these drones and large scale-strikes cost Russia.

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The cost of these large strikes is quite difficult to estimate in the open-source because Russia goes to great lengths to obfuscate the cost of the missiles and drones, Angelica Evans, a Russia analyst with the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), told Kyiv Independent.

A serviceman of the 14th Assault Brigade Chervona Kalyna of the Ukrainian National Guard launches a Leleka reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for flying over positions of Russian troops, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters

Particularly with the onset of western sanctions and Russias many sanctions evasion schemes, its difficult to know how much all of the various components in the projectiles really cost, let alone the cost of production itself.

Ukraine is now racing to catch up with Russia.

We havent completely figured out fibre optic yet, Skhid told Kyiv Independent. We have several different manufacturers, we are testing them continuously, we dont have a simple workflow.

This (2025) will be the year of fibre optic, Kyrylo Veres, a prominent Ukrainian officer and commander of K-2, another one of the militarys top drone regiments, predicted in March.

But at the moment, its being used effectively by about one in 10 Ukrainian drone units. When we reach a point where nine out of 10 are using it, and the rest are quickly catching up, then we will see some serious results.

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With inputs from agencies
Denis Alipov said that talks between India and Russia to procure more S-400 air defence systems are ongoing as both countries move to solidify the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership read more

The Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has said that Indias deployment of the S-400 missile system and the BrahMos missiles, which New Delhi co-manufactured with Moscow, was exemplary during the military conflict with Pakistan earlier this month.

From what we know, India has clearly stated the goals and undertook actions after having identified the targets and the terrorists it promised to do. As far as we know, during the operation, the S-400 system was used and the BrahMos missiles were engaged. Judging by the reports available, the performance of these weapons was exemplary, Alipov told IANS.

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He added that talks between India and Russia to procure more S-400 air defence systems are ongoing as both countries move to solidify the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

How did India use BrahMos, S-400 systems?

Following Indias Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan, New Delhi emphasised that the strikes were limited and non-escalatory.

However, Pakistan responded with a military offensive three days later. The Indian armed forces successfully repelled the attack, and during the conflict, the S-400 air defence system was credited with intercepting and downing Pakistani drones and missiles.

India and Russia to work on more deals

Meanwhile, India and Russia, who have been engaged in strengthening their defence ties, have been working out more deals to procure more defence systems.

India and Russia share a longstanding and extensive defence partnership, marked by numerous joint initiatives.

These include the supply of the S-400 air defense system, licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI fighter jets, delivery of MiG-29 and Kamov helicopters, transfer of the INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), collaborative production of AK-203 rifles in India, and the development of BrahMos missiles.

According to a report by the Economic Times, a new unit of the advanced version of BrahMos is likely to be built in Uttar Pradesh. Russia has proposed extensive technical support for the joint production of an upgraded version of the BrahMos missile in India. Initial discussions between the two nations on this collaboration are already underway.

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Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Timelines are a big issue. Not a single project I can think of is completed on time, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said. read more

Indias Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh raised serious concerns about persistent delays plaguing the countrys defence procurement projects, highlighting stalled deliveries of critical military hardware, particularly indigenous systems.

Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Timelines are a big issue. Not a single project I can think of is completed on time. Why should we promise something that cannot be achieved? Singh said at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to a report by NDTV.

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He specifically cited the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, noting significant delays in deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, despite a Rs 48,000 crore contract signed with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in February 2021. The first aircraft were due in March 2024, but none have been delivered yet.

Deliveries of Tejas Mk1 are delayed. The prototype of Tejas Mk2 is yet to roll out. There is no prototype yet of the stealth AMCA fighter, Singh emphasised.

The Air Chief Marshal stressed the urgent need to align domestic defence production capabilities with strategic and operational demands under the governments Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

We cannot just talk about producing in India, we need to talk about designing. We need to have trust between the forces and industry. We need to be very open. Once we have committed to something, we should deliver. Air Force is trying to do its best to make in India, Singh added.

He also referenced Indias recent military action, Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation eliminated over 100 terrorists linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Operation Sindoor, as it was told by the Chief of Naval Staff, the character of war is changing. Every day, we are finding new technologies coming in. Operation Sindoor has given us a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in future. So a lot of work needs to be done in realigning our own thought processes also, which is already going on, Singh noted.

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Singh underlined the importance of timely defence procurement and emphasized the inclusion of private industry in developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a stealth fighter program.

AMCA - advanced medium combat aircraft has been cleared for even participation by private industry, which is a very big step, and that is the kind of confidence that the nation has in private industry today, and Im sure this is going to pave the way to bigger things coming in the future, he stated.

The Air Chiefs concerns are not new. In October last year, shortly after assuming office, Singh had warned that India had fallen behind China in military technology. As far as production rates are concerned, we are way behind. We need to catch up, he had said.

In February this year, Singh sparked controversy when an accidental recording captured him criticizing HAL, expressing frustration over unfulfilled commitments. I was promised that when I come here in February, 11 Tejas Mk1As would be ready. And not a single one is ready. We all have worked there (in HAL). But I find that HAL is just not in mission mode, he was heard saying.

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Under Operation Sindoor, India did not just win a military conflict with Pakistan, but also scored a victory over China in the technological domain as Pakistan essentially fought as a Chinese proxy by relying heavily on Chinese platforms, according to worlds leading military expert John Spencer. read more

The medium-range Akash air defence system is in service with the Indian Army and Air Force. (Photo: BEL)

With Operation Sindoor, India did not just win a military conflict with Pakistan but also scored a victory in a technology war with China, according to worlds leading military expert John Spencer.

While India fought and won as a sovereign military power, Pakistan fought and lost as a proxy of China, said Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at the US Army Military Academy.

In an article on X, Spencer said that Operation Sindoor witnessed a face-off between Indias indigenous capabilities against Pakistans Chinese military platforms and Indias victory amounted to a referendum on the technological competition.

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Operation Sindoor pitted Indias indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. And India didnt just win on the battlefield  it won the technology referendum. What unfolded was not just retaliation, but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, said Spencer.

ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: With battlefield edge, India cornered Pakistan to seek peace & thats new normal

Under Operation Sindoor, India struck terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). When Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks, India attacked Pakistani military. In the four-day conflict that ended on May 10 with Pakistans request for a ceasefire , India struck at least eight Pakistani airbases in addition to other military sites, such as air defence units and radar sites.

In the four-day conflict, Pakistan relied heavily on foreign-made platforms , ranging from Chinas JF-17 fighter planes, US F-16s, and Turkish drones to Chinese HQ-9 air defence systems, which were beaten by Indian indigenous systems, such as BrahMos missiles, Akash and Akashteer air defence systems, and integration of foreign-made fighter planes and air defence systems, such as Rafale fighters, Scalp missiles, and S-400, with Indian systems.

Operation Sindoor a full-scale validation of Indias defense transformation under PM Modi

Spencer said that Operation Sindoor proved to be a full-scale validation of Indias defense transformation that began with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India initiative in 2014 and picked up renewed pace in 2020 with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

With Operation Sindoor, India showed the world self-reliance in modern warfare looks like.

Spencer said, Operation Sindoor wasnt just a military campaign. It was a technology demonstration, a market signal, and a strategic blueprint. India showed the world what self-reliance in modern warfare looks likeand proved that Atmanirbhar Bharat works under fire.

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ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor was not about occupation or regime change, but achieving strategic success, says John Spencer

In a sign that India is going double down on indigenisation of military systems after the success of Operation Sindoor, India has approved the building of the prototype of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) , an indigenous fifth-generation fighter plane.
While addressing the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Annual Business Summit-2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with India very soon read more

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (May 29) vowed to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with India very soon, saying most of the people living in the territory feel a deep connection with India.

While addressing the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Annual Business Summit-2025, the defence minister hailed Operation Sindoor and lauded the success of the Make in India initiative in the defence sector.

In his speech, Singh said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will soon return to India.

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Most of the people in PoK feel a deep connection with India, there are only a few who have been misled. The situation of our brothers living in PoK is similar to that of the brave warrior Maharana Prataps younger brother Shakti SinghIndia always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by following the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part PoK will return and say, I am India, I have come back. Integration of PoK with India depends on the cultural, social and economic prosperity of this country, Singh said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "Most of the people in PoK feel a deep connection with India, there are only a few who have been misled. The situation of our brothers living in PoK is similar to that of the brave warrior Maharana Pratap's younger brother pic.twitter.com/B8Pj13rtjT  ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

The defence minister added that people of the PoK are Indias own and part of family.

I believe that the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are our own, part of our family. We are committed to the resolution of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and we have full faith that our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today, will also return to the mainstream of India someday or the other, he said.

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Make in India campaign critical

Singh said the Operation Sindoor showed that the Make in India campaign was critical for the countrys security as well as prosperity.

In Operation Sindoor, the people of the whole country have seen, understood and felt the success of the Make in India campaign. Today, it has been proved that Make in India is important for both the security and prosperity of India. Make in India is an essential component of Indias National Security. If we did not have this capability, Indias forces would not have been able to take such effective action against terrorism from lower Pakistan to PoK, he added.

Warning to Pakistan

Singh also issued a stern warning to Pakistan, saying it will have to pay a heavy price for supporting terrorism in the region.

Running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective. Today, Pakistan has realised that it has to pay a heavy price for it. We have redesigned and redefined both Indias strategy and response against terrorism. We have recalibrated our engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan. Now, whenever there will be talks, it will be only on terrorism and PoK, the defence minister said.

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a precise, large-scale military operation launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK. It was a direct response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 civilians, mostly Hindu, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

The operation marked a significant shift in Indias approach to cross-border terrorism, signalling a new doctrine where such attacks are treated as acts of war.

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Donald Trump has taken inspiration from Israels Iron Dome which has proved its worthiness in recent times against missiles launched from Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis read more

Daniel Gold, an Israeli engineer and military leader, was head of the Israeli Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D) between 2003 and 2010 and was instrumental in developing Israels Iron Dome air defence system, along with few other scientists. Possibly, it was he who had suggested the name Iron Dome. During the first hundred days of Trump 2.0, it appeared that the US President was keen to repeat the same model for developing a new missile defence system for the US. In January 2025, he announced that the US would develop an American Iron Dome. In this connection, on January 28, 2025 he signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to develop a comprehensive missile defence system. The executive order called the system Iron Dome for America.

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In February 2025, the US Missile Defence Agency hosted an Industry Day to explore how the industry can contribute to this project. Subsequently, on 24 February an advisory was sent to defence contractors, the programme was found as Golden Dome for America. Possibly, this change in name could have happened since the name Iron Dome is a registered trademark owned by Israels Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. Also, the US version is designed to operate on a much larger scale, protecting the entire US territory (there is a proposal to also give the cover to Canada) from advanced missile threats.

It is envisioned that the existing missile defence systems would have limitations since with time, new missile technologies are getting developed and in future the missile threats are expected to grow in scale and sophistication. There is a concern that China and Russia are actively designing missile systems to exploit gaps in the US defences. Beijings success with the hypersonic missile technology is known. They have also established a near-space command to deal with various aspects of hypersonic technology.

Moscow is modernising its intercontinental-range missile systems and developing advanced precision strike missiles. They are using drones as an important tool in their ongoing military campaign in the Ukraine theatre. Russian hypersonic weapons are now battle tested systems since they have used hypersonic missiles like Kinzhal on targets in Ukraine.

It is obvious that Trump has taken inspiration from Israels Iron Dome which has proved its worthiness in recent times against missiles launched from Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis. However, systems like Iron Dome have limited expanse, it needs to be noted that the geographic size of the US is about 448 times bigger than Israel. With regard to potential missile threats against Israel, they are unlikely to originate from multiple directions, and the incoming missiles are generally not expected to feature state-of-the-art technology.

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Trump has mentioned that he is keen to have a system that would consist of next-generation technologies across land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors. The idea is to develop a system that is capable of intercepting missiles launched from any part of the world, or launched from space, say by using systems like fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS). This proposed Golden Dome is also expected to stop missiles that are moving towards the target with the hypersonic speeds (more than five times the speed of sound).

The Trump administration has estimated the total cost of the entire system to be approximately around $175 billion. The Congressional Budget Office has projected that deploying space-based interceptors to counter a limited number of intercontinental ballistic missiles would cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over a period of 20-years.

This system is expected to create a network of satellites, for the purposes of detect, tracking and potentially intercept incoming missiles. Possibly, that is why the head of the US Space Force is handling this project.

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In fact, President Trump is reviving an idea that was proposed more than four decades ago by a former US President. In the 1980s, the then-President Ronald Reagan had conceptualised a missile defence architecture to guard against any nuclear attacks. On March 23, 1983, in a nationally televised address, he had announced the need for pioneering research into a national defence system that could render nuclear weapons obsolete. This proposal became famously known as the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI).

At its core, the SDI programme aimed to develop a space-based missile defence system capable of protecting the US from a large-scale nuclear attack. While SDI spurred the development of various advanced technologies, the exact vision conceptualized by Reagan never fully materialised. During the last four decades the US has developed a range of missile defence systems like the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence System, Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), ground-based interceptors, air defence systems, and various short-range and aerial anti-ballistic missile systems.

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It is important to mention that the Golden Dome is not directly an upgrade of the existing THAAD missile system. THAAD is a terrestrial-based missile defence system, while the Golden Dome is a broader, more comprehensive space-based system. In essence, It could be said that the Golden Dome builds upon existing missile defence systems like THAAD but also expands its capabilities to include space-based surveillance and interception, making it a more comprehensive and advanced system.

What President Trump has conceptualised is a significant idea from the standpoint of US national security. However, the question remains: is it technologically feasible? While a definitive answer is difficult, it can be broadly argued that, given the existing technological capabilities of the US, turning such a concept into reality is not entirely impossible.

The real challenges are likely to arise from financial and political considerations. Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this initiative is the risk that it could trigger an arms race in space, as states may begin deploying weapons in the space. This would increase the likelihood of heightened military competition among major powers. Russia, North Korea, and China have already expressed strong opposition to this Golden Dome initiative.

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The author is Deputy Director General, MP-IDSA, New Delhi. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The US will continue to support Pakistan overtly and covertly as long as it is a major non-NATO ally read more

The US role in the India-Pakistan tension is worth examining. Reuters

The US Defence Intelligence Agencys (DIA) 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report has been splashed in the Indian media. The primary reason is the reports South Asia section, which states that Pakistan is procuring WMD-applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries and developing battlefield nuclear weapons.

The reports most egregious part is that Pakistan will continue to develop nukes to offset Indias conventional military advantage because it regards India as an existential threat.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. Its Pakistan, which has become an existential threat to India by sponsoring terrorism and plotting terrorist attacks in J&K.

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Reading between the lines and dissecting the report shows how the DIA glosses over inconvenient truths and facts regarding Pakistan.

The report is nothing but a tacit approval of Pakistans nuclear programme without naming it as the biggest state sponsor of terrorism.

The DIA doesnt even hold Pakistan responsible for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The carnage is merely mentioned as a late April terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

The US also indirectly holds Indias military retaliation responsible for provoking Pakistan. New Delhi conducted missile strikes on terrorism-related infrastructure facilities in Pakistan. The missile strike provoked multiple rounds of missile, drone, and loitering munition attacks, and heavy artillery fire by both militaries from 7 to 10 May.

A major section of the Indian media is delusional about US-Pakistan relations, especially regarding issues concerning or impacting India.

One pro-India comment by an American president or senior official is often interpreted as an indication of improving bilateral ties. At times, its even termed a tactical and strategic shift in relations.

If a US president or his senior aide or an agency report even slightly criticises Pakistan, it is blown out of proportion. It is termed a weakening of America-Pakistan relations and Washingtons realisation of its mistake in supporting Islamabad.

This misconception has been prevalent even in political parties and successive governments that think that US-India relations have taken a new turn with Pakistan left in the cold.

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The last seven-plus decades have proved that the US-Pakistan ties are unwavering and permanent despite having weathered the roughest of tides.

The Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor are the latest examples.

The media highlighted Chinas brazen support for its steadfast ally Pakistan before and after Indias military retaliation and the use of the Chinese J-10C warplane and its P-15E missile in response. Newspaper reports and opinion pieces repeatedly mentioned how China pulls Pakistans strings and is Indias real enemywhich Beijing undoubtedly is.

However, the American hypocrisy from the Pahalgam attack till Operation Sindoor was overlooked.

Donald Trumps call to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi after the Pahalgam attack, in which he condemned the killings and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators, was construed as US support to India against terrorism.

The initial US silence on Operation Sindoor, as JD Vance said that the India-Pakistan conflict was none of our business, was seen as Washington sticking to Trumps non-interventionist policy.

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The medias biggest miss was why The Resistance Front, the offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), dared to kill 26 people in Pahalgam as Vance visited India.

The reason was the shocking leeway Pakistan got from the US against India in all these decades, which manifested itself in Pahalgam and previous terrorist attacks. Pakistan knows its terrorists can kill civilians and security forces in J&K at will with the US remaining either silent or merely condemning such attacks.

Vances statements before and after the Pahalgam attack, without holding Pakistan responsible, showed the decades-old US hypocrisy.

During his India visit, he and his wife merely expressed condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

In an interview with Fox News after the attack, the US vice-president asked Pakistan, to the extent that theyre responsible, to cooperate with India to make sure that terrorists, sometimes operating in their territory, are hunted down.

Sensing an imminent Indian retaliation, he instead hoped that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesnt lead to a broader regional conflict.

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Negligible US reaction to Pahalgam attacks

Both Trump and Vance avoided naming Pakistan in the Pahalgam carnage or asking it to stop financing and training terrorists.

Two events explain Americas negligible reaction to the Pahalgam attack.

First, Trumps hunger for minerals. Days before the attack, State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs senior official Eric Meyer met Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and acknowledged the potential of Pakistans mineral sector and the interest of US companies. Before their meeting, Pakistan hosted an international summit called Minerals Investment Forum to attract FDI to the countrys mining sector.

Second, the Trump administrations cryptocurrency deal with Pakistan. Four days after the Pahalgam attack, US firm World Liberty Financial (WLF) signed a deal with the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), headed by Bilal bin Saqib, a key advisor to Pakistans finance minister.

A US delegation headed by WLF cofounder Zachary Witkoff, son of Trumps friend and West Asia envoy Steve Witkoff, was welcomed by Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir and met Sharif.

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WLF, founded in 2024, is 75 per cent owned by Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Jared Kushner.

More intriguing was the appointment of Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binancethe worlds largest cryptocurrency exchangereleased in September 2024 from a Californian prison for money laundering, as PCC adviser.

Americas Kashmir doublespeak, interference

According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, there are 80 proscribed terrorist groups in Pakistan, 45 active and 26 inactive.

In the last 25 years in J&K, 12,043 terrorist attacks were carried out killing 4,981 civilians and 3,624 security personnel. In this year alone, there have been 18 terrorist attacks in which 28 civilians and 9 security personnel were killed.

The US has never said that J&K is an integral part of India, which has prompted Pakistan to raise the issue repeatedly on international forums like the United Nations. In fact, the US doublespeak and interference in J&K are highly condemnable.

Since 1948, the US has been supporting Pakistan over Kashmir. British and American involvement in the UN Security Council Resolution on January 17, 1948, was visible. To garner Pakistans support in the region, the US accepted the view that Kashmir was a disputed territory. In subsequent years, the US kept the Kashmir issue alive by pressuring India via the UN and started arming Pakistan.

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The US hypocrisy was exposed in the 1971 India-Pakistan War when the Richard Nixon administration sent a carrier task force of the Seventh Fleet that included the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and attack submarine Gurnard to the Bay of Bengal.

The US conveniently overlooked the genocide perpetrated by then-Pakistani president Yahya Khan and General Tikka Khan under Operation Searchlight, in which more than 300,000 Bengali Hindus in East Pakistan were killed and more than 200,000 raped.

During the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, America backed Pakistan to counter the Red Army during Operation Cyclone. Islamabad allowed planeloads of Stinger missiles on its territory to help the Afghan Mujahideen counter the Soviet Hind attack copters. Gradually, Pakistan started exporting Afghan Mujahedeen to J&K and training its disaffected youth to trigger terrorism in 1988 with the US turning a blind eye.

The Bill Clinton administration pressured India on human rights in Kashmir and refused to recognise the instrument of accession. In October 1993, Robin Raphel, the then-US assistant secretary of state for South Asia, said, We view Kashmir as a disputed territory. We do not recognise the instrument of accession as meaning that Kashmir is forever an integral part of India.

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In fact, in his September 1993 address to the UN General Assembly, Clinton said, Bloody ethnic, religious and civil wars rage from Angola to the Caucasus to Kashmir.

In 2009, Obama secretly offered Pakistan to ask India for negotiations on Kashmir if it stopped supporting terrorist groups, Pakistans former ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, wrote in his book Magnificent Delusions in 2013.

Even Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir five times in his first term. The US president again offered to mediate in his second term after the India-Pakistan ceasefire he claimed to have brokered.

On terrorism, the US supports India publicly but acts otherwise. In a joint statement during Modis June 2023 US visit, the PM and Joe Biden unequivocally condemned terrorism and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice.

However, the US extradited Mumbai attacks co-conspirator and Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana after five years in April after seeking an arrest warrant under the India-US extradition treaty in June 2020. Even while in the US, he was convicted only for his LeT links and involvement in the Copenhagen conspiracy, not 26/11.

Moreover, the US never extradited Ranas 26/11 co-conspirator David Coleman Headley, who recced potential targets for the Mumbai attacks and attended LeT training camps in Pakistan.

Top intelligence sources have told CNN-News18 that the US believes extraditing Headley, a former DEA and FBI informer, would compromise ongoing intelligence operations. He signed a plea agreement with US authorities in 2010 that prevents his extradition.

American military aid to Pakistan

The US has been providing military aid to Pakistan since 1948. What started as an initial effort to counter the Soviet Union in Asia during the Cold War continued later, including providing arms used by Pakistan against India in every conflict.

Pakistan has been among the top recipients of US aid since 1948. So far, the US has provided $40 billion in economic and military assistance to Pakistan. In 2002-2010, the US provided $13.3 billion and $6 billion to Pakistan in military and economic aid, respectively. More than $3 billion was requested for 2011 alone after 9/11.

Despite the discovery and elimination of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in 2011, the Barack Obama administration requested around $3 billion in aid for Pakistan for the 2012 fiscal year.

The worst US double standard has been the export of F-16s to Pakistan in the name of fighting terrorism in the War on Terror. Pakistan purchased the F-16s to counter the Indian Air Force (IAF), not terrorists.

Under the Department of Defences (DoD) Golden Sentry End-Use Monitoring (EUM) programme, Pakistan cannot use the F-16s against India.

However, Pakistani F-16s were part of Operation Swift Retort in February 2019. When an F-16 was downed by a MiG-21 Bison, both Pakistan and the US denied the kill.

The US denied the F-16s being downed by the IAF for two reasons. First, the F-16 is Americas most exported fighter jet. The US couldnt digest a third-generation jet shooting down its fourth-generation jet. Second, admitting the fact would have exposed Pakistans violation of the EUM programme.

Under the Arms Export Control Act Section 3(c)(2), the president is obligated to report end-use violation to Congress. The Department of State, in coordination with DoD, leads the reporting of end-use violation. All DoD personnel are required to report any suspected end-use violations of US-origin defence articles.

Neither Trump, in his first term, nor the Department of State and DoD reported the Pakistani violation regarding the use of F-16 against India.

The end-user agreement covered Pakistan much later. Before Operation Swift Retort, Pakistan deployed F-16s within its airspace during the Kargil War fearing Indian warplanes would strike targets inside its borders.

Besides, the agreement is not legally binding, meaning that Pakistan can continue to violate it by using F-16s against India in future conflicts.

The US started supplying F-16s to Pakistan way back in 1982 in Operations Peace Gate I and II after Islamabad convinced Washington to sell the jets to counter Afghan and Soviet warplanes.

The US-Pakistan security alliance continued despite the ISIs brazen support for the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

Biden and Trump (in his second term) again proved that the US is Pakistans steadfast ally.

In his first term, Trump slammed Pakistan for its lies and deceit in return for $33 billion in US aid.

On January 1, 2018, Trump tweeted: The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!

Within a few days, America suspended around $2 billion in military aid to Pakistan for not acting against the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

However, Biden approved $450 million for Pakistan to sustain, repair and upgrade (excluding weapons and munitions) its F-16 fleet in September 2022.

The aid was a US reward for Pakistans signing deals with US arms manufacturers Global Military and Northrop Grumman in August 2022 for the sale of 155mm shells to be provided to Ukraine, according to BBC Urdu. Pakistan earned $364 million in the process.

According to the report, a British military cargo plane carrying the 155mm shells flew from Rawalpindis Nur Khan Air Base to the UK military base in Cyprus, Akrotiri and then to Romania five times.

One year later, the Biden administration renewed the key Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement with Pakistan.

The agreement, which was signed in 2005 for 15 years and lapsed in 2020, allows the US to share defence equipment and technology and ensures compatibility and security of military communications with allies.

In his second term, Trump made an exception to his 90-day foreign aid freeze in February and released $397 million to sustain Pakistans F-16 fleet. The aid was part of the $5.3 billion released under 243 exceptions mostly for security and counternarcotics programmes.

The same-old ineffective restrictive clause attached to previous F-16 aid packages was added again: Pakistan F-16s would be employed for counterterrorism operations, not against India.

US leeway to AQ Khan, Pakistan-China missile ties

The US intelligence was aware of AQ Khans activities in helping Pakistan develop nukes for more than two decades. Washington acted only when it was revealed that Khan had provided N-weapons-related tech to North Korea, Iran and Libya.

Despite authentic intel on Pakistani-Iranian nuclear cooperation and Saudi and Libyan financial assistance to Khans nuclear bomb project, the Ronald Regan and George HW Bush administrations looked the other way.

By 1987, Pakistan had a nuclear bomb. Subsequently, Khan turned to nuclear proliferation to assist countries, especially Iran, seeking nukes. Iranian scientists were trained in Pakistan in 1988 and were helped in the centrifuge programme in 1989.

Through a network of middlemen in around 12 nations, including the US, the UK, Turkey, Malaysia, the UAE, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, South Africa and Pakistan, Khan started selling bomb designs, advanced materials, centrifuges and components and logistical and technical assistance to other countries.

Pakistans nuclear proliferation also fuelled missile development as North Korea agreed to sell missiles in exchange for centrifuges with Khan visiting the country more than 10 times.

The US forced Pakistan to shut off the Khan network only after 9/11. In October 2003, a Tripoli-bound German cargo ship carrying 1,000 high-speed centrifuges was seized. America was alarmed that Muammar Gaddafi was pursuing a nuclear bomb. But the IAEA never interrogated Khan.

The US also allowed the Pakistan-China missile collaboration. Several Pakistani missiles are either copies and rebranded versions of Chinese missiles or have been made with Chinas assistance.

The Shaheen 1 SRBM has several design and operational similarities with the Chinese DF-11 and DF-15 SRBMs. Shaheen 2 and Shaheen 3 MRBMs are similar to the Chinese DF-21 MRBM and DF-25 IRBM, respectively, regarding solid-fuel propulsion, mobile launch platform and overall configuration.

The Abdali SRBM series has a range, payload and design similar to the M-11 SRBM of Chinas M-series.

The Hatf 5 MRBM series is a modified version of the North Korean Nodong-1 MRBM with China helping in refining and producing these missiles domestically.

The Babur land attack cruise missile has structural and technical similarities with the Chinese C-602 cruise missile and the Raad air-launched cruise missile with Chinas C-802 cruise missile.

Pakistans ASBM, SMASH, is a derivative of the Chinese CM-401ASBM in design trajectory and flight profile.

Pakistan, one of the 19 Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNA) of the US, can enter into an MoU or other formal agreement with DoD for cooperative research and development on defence equipment and munitions. Pakistan can also get funds to procure explosives detection devices and other counter-terrorism research and development projects. Moreover, the country is eligible as a location for US war reserve stockpiles to be placed on its territory and can purchase depleted uranium ammunition.

What the media, politicians and experts dont get is Pakistans MNNA status. As long as Pakistan has the status, the US will support it irrespective of the number of terrorist attacks against India or Islamabads deep defence cooperation with Beijing. America will also continue helping Pakistan financially via the IMF and the World Bank.

Chinas overt support for Pakistan is publicly known. But the US, which often mentions its growing ties with India, continues to back the biggest sponsor of terrorism militarily and economically.

The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. He tweets as @FightTheBigots. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Chinas occupation of East Turkistan has been ongoing for seventy-five years, but the resistance of the East Turkistani peopledeeply rooted in centuries of anti-colonial struggleremains undeterred read more

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has used disinformation, coercion, and brutal force to maintain its colonial occupation over East Turkistan. While Beijing falsely claims to combat terrorism, it has in fact waged a campaign of state terror and genocide, aiming to erase the East Turkistani nation.

Since the late 1990s, the Chinese government has deliberately conflated East Turkistans legitimate independence movement with extremism and terrorism. The so-called East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), widely cited by China, doesnt existit is a fabricated label used to demonize and discredit the East Turkistan independence movement. Proxy groups like the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), whose actions and rhetoric are unrelated to East Turkistans independence struggle, have been instrumental in this disinformation strategy.

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East Turkistan is not a restive region or an ethnic minority area of China; it is an occupied country. The Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other native Turkic peoples have never accepted Chinese rule and have continually resisted it.

In 1759 the Manchu-led Qing Empire occupied East Turkistan and transformed it into a military colony. The people of East Turkistan responded with over 42 uprisings. In 1864, they restored East Turkistans independence and established the State of Yette Sheher, which endured until another Manchu invasion in 1876. After subjugating the independent Turkic state, the Qing annexed East Turkistan in 1884 and renamed it  Xinjiang, meaning new territorya colonial designation.

In the early 20th century, anti-colonial resistance in East Turkistan intensified, leading to the emergence of the modern East Turkistan independence movement. This movement declared the First East Turkistan Republic in 1933, and the Second East Turkistan Republic in 1944. However, in the late summer of 1949, over 30 senior political and military leaders of the East Turkistan Republic were assassinated by the Soviet Union. This political decapitation critically weakened East Turkistans leadership at a critical moment. On October 12, 1949, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) invaded East Turkistan, and by December 22, 1949, with Soviet support, overthrew the independent East Turkistan Republic.

Beijing calls this a peaceful liberation, when in fact it was a military occupation met with armed resistance. From 1949 to 1954, more than 150,000 East Turkistanis were killed resisting the Chinese communist occupation. In 1955, East Turkistan was designated as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)a deceptive term meant to obscure Chinese colonial rule. For decades, China has carried out forced assimilation, executions, mass incarcerations, religious repression, cultural destruction, and demographic engineering via Chinese colonial settlement.

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From the 1950s through the 1990s, East Turkistan witnessed continued uprisings and mass mobilizations. These were met with violent crackdowns and executions. Despite repression, the desire for independence persisted.

In March 1996, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s Politburo Standing Committee issued Document No. 7, a top-secret directive on crush East Turkistans independence movement. It detailed instructions to infiltrate exile organizations, co-opt foreign governments, and shape international perception through propaganda. That same year, XUAR Chairman Abdulahat Abdurishit made Beijings position clear: All methods are acceptable to fight separatismpenetration, propaganda, killing.

The CCP didnt wait for a credible threat, it launched the  Strike Hard Campaign in April 1996. While tens of thousands of Uyghurs were arrested and imprisoned, Hasan Mahsumlong suspected by Uyghurs of being a CCP assetwas briefly detained and then released. He then traveled from Urumchi to Beijing, and later founded the so-called East Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIP) in Chinas all-weather ally Pakistan in September 1997.

ETIPs rhetoric emphasized jihad against global infidels and demonized the national independence struggle as un-Islamic. This undermined the East Turkistan independence movementthen led by the Kazakhstan-based United Revolutionary Front of East Turkistanand created a proxy actor for Beijing to portray East Turkistani resistance as global jihadist terrorism.

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In 1999, as the Shanghai Five Summit convened, East Turkistani leaders in Kazakhstan unequivocally declared: The struggle of the Uyghurs in Eastern Turkistan has nothing to do with Islamic fundamentalism or extremism, that struggle can be defined as one for national liberation.

By 2001, China was preparing to launch the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO ) . That same year, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and ETIP were folded into the so-called Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), which emerged with slogans to target all global infidels and establish an Islamic caliphate. TIPs alliance with, and presence alongside, terrorist groups in Afghanistan and later Syria allowed Beijing to promote a manufactured terrorist threat to justify its ongoing campaign of genocide.

To solidify this narrative, the CCP invented the term East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) just months after 9/11. No Uyghur group used this name. It was created to conflate the broader East Turkistan independence movement with Islamic terrorism. While the U.S. initially designated ETIM to appease Beijing, the designation was lifted in 2020 after a review found no credible evidence such a group existed. The State Department clarified that TIP is a distinct entity and that Beijings conflation of the two was factually inaccurate.

In exile, the legitimate independence movement continued. In 2004, the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) was established in Washington, D.C., to counter Chinese repression and disinformation. Since its founding, the ETGE has spearheaded East Turkistans independence movement, calling for international recognition of East Turkistan as an occupied country and support for its right to external self-determination and independence.

Despite continued efforts by China to brand all East Turkistani activism as terrorism, the global community is beginning to acknowledge the reality. The ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoplesrecognized by the United States, several parliaments, and legal experts worldwideis not a byproduct of state security policy. It is a deliberate campaign of ethnic and cultural eradication.

Since 2014, Chinas so-called Peoples War has led to the internment of millions of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz in concentration camps and prisons. Hundreds of thousands of East Turkistani women have been subjected to forced sterilizations and abortions. Over 20 million Uyghur children have been separated from families and placed in state-run boarding schools. East Turkistan has become a massive slave labour zone, producing goods from cotton to solar panels. Evidence presented to the U.S. Congress highlights that 25,000 to 50,000 Uyghurs are killed annually for organ harvesting.

Chinas global influencefuelled by the Belt and Road Initiative and strategic investmentshas helped shield it from meaningful accountability. Many governments avoid criticizing Beijing due to economic dependence, while others actively cooperate with China to surveil and suppress East Turkistani diaspora activism.

From the uprisings against the Manchu Empire to the founding of the East Turkistan Republics in 1933 and 1944, and to the modern-day political resistance of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile, the people of East Turkistan have never surrendered their demand for the recovery of their independence. This is not a movement of extremism, religious fanaticism, or terrorism. It is a lawful and just struggle for national liberation and decolonisation, fully grounded in international law.

The international community must recognize that East Turkistans struggle is not an internal matter of China, but a fundamental issue of illegal occupation, genocide, and the right to national self-determination. Just as the world has supported the sovereignty of Ukraine and the decolonisation of former colonies, it must stand with the people of East Turkistan in their pursuit of freedom and independence.

Restoring East Turkistans independence is not just a matter of justiceit is essential for the survival and dignity of the Uyghurs and all Turkic peoples. The global community must affirm East Turkistans right to external self-determination under international law.

The author is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security for the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile and the leader of the East Turkistan National Movement. His X handle is @SalihHudayar. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.
Tesla is eying for June 12 to launch its highly-anticipated robotaxi in Austin. However, billionaire Elon Musks company has its share of hurdles in launching the landmark service read more

Tesla is all set to launch its long-awaited robotaxi service in Austin on June 12. A person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the electric vehicle company is eying June for the launch of the service. The move is being seen as a milestone in Tesla CEO Elon Musks plan to reshape the company around driverless vehicles and artificial intelligence.

However, speculations are rife that Tesla is not prepared for the launch of the services. The person told Bloomberg that the June 12th date is also not fixed as of now and could still change. In the past, Musk has maintained that the service could commence by the end of June.

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This week, in light of the launch, the company operated a test vehicle on public roads in Austin with no one in the drivers seat for the first time, a source told Bloomberg. A Tesla engineer was riding in the passenger seat of a Model Y SUV, which drove autonomously with no remote operation, the person said.

Last year, the company demonstrated the Cybercab at a flashy event in California. The vehicle will have no steering wheel or pedals. It is pertinent to note that Texas, where Tesla is headquartered, has relatively relaxed rules around autonomous driving, which is regulated much like any other type of passenger vehicle operation. However, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which regulates rideshare services, doesnt currently list Tesla as a rideshare licensee.

The roadblock

While Tesla is looking to launch the service next month, a report from Fortune suggested that the city of Austin is not ready for Teslas robotaxis just yet.

As per the report, Tesla held initial meetings with both state and city agencies in Austin a few weeks ago. However, the officials at Austins transportation department, the citys emergency first responders, and federal regulators said that Tesla has failed to deliver crucial information regarding the service, which is supposed to go live soon.

The officials reportedly maintained that the company has failed to share first responder plans or guides with Austins transportation department and fire department. The information is important in incase the robotaxi crashes and first responders need to rescue passengers, put out a vehicle fire, or use jaws of life rescue tools.

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An Austin official close to the matter told Fortune that Tesla did not share with the city what level of autonomy the Tesla robotaxis will have at launch, meaning Austin isnt sure if Teslas service will require human supervision or not.

It is important to note that other self-driving car companies, like Waymo, are currently operating in Austin. While Tesla uses its own technology, Waymos vehicles have large sensors sitting atop the cars in order to navigate the roads. Meanwhile, the Tesla vehicle will only rely on video cameras and AI, raising concerns about the safety of the passengers.
Media reports say that the Department of Commerce sent out letters to leading providers of electronic design automation (EDA), including companies like Synopsys and Siemens EDA, last month, asking them to stop the supply of the technology to China read more

A student measures the thickness of a wafer at the Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center at Seoul National University in Seoul on April 30, 2025. Representational image/AFP

The US government has ordered tech companies to stop offering software designs used to manufacture semiconductors to China as the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to slow down Beijings advanced chip production.

Media reports say that the Department of Commerce sent out letters to leading providers of electronic design automation (EDA), including companies like Synopsys and Siemens EDA, last month, asking them to stop the supply of the technology to China.

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The Commerce Department is reviewing exports of strategic significance to China. In some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending, a source told Bloomberg.

More from Tech A new doctrine? Trump lays out vision for US military and global role at West Point address

The scope of the restrictions remains uncertain, but one source indicated they could amount to a de facto ban on conducting business in China. Synopsys derives approximately 16 per cent of its revenue from the Chinese market, while Cadence earns around 12 per cent from the region.

Synopsys chief executive Sassine Ghazi said, We are aware of the reporting and speculation, but Synopsys has not received a notice from BIS. So, our guidance that we are reiterating for the full year reflects our current understanding of BIS export restrictions, as well as our expectations for a year-over-year decline in China [revenue].

At the same time, Cadences shares dropped 10.7 per cent and Synopsyss 9.6 per cent after the news.

How else has US curbed Chinese chip production

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trumps administration warned that any company using Huawei-made artificial intelligence chips anywhere in the world could attract criminal penalties for potentially violating US export controls.

Washington has adopted a steadily intensifying strategy to hinder Beijings efforts to develop a domestic semiconductor industry. It began by restricting Chinas access to equipment needed for producing cutting-edge electronic components and has since progressively expanded the scope of these regulations.

A report by FT says that the Trump administration plans to a number of Chinese chipmakers on blacklist to make it more difficult for US companies to provide them with American technologies.

US-China trade deal

A US federal court blocked most of Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs from going into effect, boosting markets on Thursday even as the White House appealed against the decision by unelected judges.

The opinion marks a significant setback to Trump as he bids to redraw the US trading relationship with the world by forcing governments to the negotiating table through tough new tariffs.

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Trump unveiled sweeping import duties on most trading partners on April 2, at a baseline 10 per cent, plus steeper levies on dozens of economies, including China and the European Union.

With inputs from agencies
Here are 7 things to know about Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) Chief Executive Officer and the man behind Islamabads big Bitcoin bet read more

On Thursday, Pakistan unveiled the cash-strapped nations first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The launch came just days after the countrys Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, appointed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Bilal Bin Saqib as his special assistant on blockchain and cryptocurrency. Saqib was also given the status of Minister of State.

With its latest endeavour, Pakistan is seeking to lure American investment, given US President Donald Trumps inclination towards cryptocurrency. While delivering an address at Bitcoin Vegas 2025, in front of United States Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, Saqib spoke about the countrys latest endeavour, Dawn reported.

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Pakistan is no longer defined by its past. It is being reborn as a forward-looking hub of digital innovation  powered by its youth, sharpened by necessity, and led by a new generation of tech statesmen, said Saqib, in a statement issued by his office. Im not just here as a minister, he said. Im here as the voice of a generation  a generation that is online, on-chain, and unstoppable," he said during the event. Heres everything you need to know about the man at the centre of Pakistans crypto push.

7 things to know about Bilal Bin Saqib

Saqib is the founder of Tayaba, a social enterprise that aims to provide solutions to the water crisis in Pakistan.

One of the initiatives of his company was the H2O wheel, which is a plastic wheel container connected to a metal bar that helps to reduce the burden on women and children who carry water in rural Pakistan.

His company turned out to be a success, distributing 5,500 H2O wheels in Pakistan.

As per the government press release, in his new role, Saqib will be responsible for developing a comprehensive, FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets.

He will also be responsible for launching Bitcoin mining initiatives and overseeing blockchain integration in governance, finance, and land records, Dawn reported.

Saqib was part of the 30 under 30 list in the year 2020.

He received his MBE in 2023 for contributions to the UKs National Health Service. It is pertinent to note that MBE stands for Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire," and is awarded to those who provide outstanding service to the community.

According to Dawn, Pakistan currently has 40 million crypto users and an annual crypto trading volume of over $300 billion. Pakistans unique demographic and digital landscape offers an unprecedented opportunity to leapfrog into the future of technology, where blockchain and crypto will drive economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness," Saqib said at the Vegas event.
Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is part of the all-party delegation led by the BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said, When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal read more

A man carries a portrait of Pakistani army chief General Syed Asim Munir, during a rally to express solidarity with Pakistan's armed forces, in Islamabad. This week, Munir became only the second in the country's history to be elevated to Field Marshal. AFP

The Indian delegation in Riyadh said on Thursday that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir shook hands with a US-designated terrorist during a past event, adding that there is evidence that the neighbouring country is involved in terrorism.

Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is part of the all-party delegation led by the BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said, Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal.

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#WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, "...Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field pic.twitter.com/bGz9R8BZfS  ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025

Owaisi has been on a street to slam Islamabad for backing and harbouring terrorists. Earlier this week, Munir, who has been raised to the ranks of Field Marshal , hosted a victory dinner for the government where he presented a picture supposedly depicting his armys actions against India under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Talking about this and mocking the duo, Asaduddin said, Yesterday, the Pakistani Army chief gifted a photo to the Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharifthese stupid jokers want to compete with India, they had given a photograph of a 2019 Chinese Army drill claiming it is a victory over India. This is what Pakistan indulges in. Nakal karne ke liye akal chahiyeinke pass akal bhi nahi hai (it takes brains to copy and they dont even have that).
A fresh surge of alleged fake encounters by Pakistani forces in Balochistan has triggered widespread anger. Rights activists say security agencies are killing detainees and disguising the deaths as armed clashes. read more

A fresh wave of suspected fake encounters in Balochistan by Pakistani forces has sparked public outrage in the countrys restive province.

Baloch rights activists have accused security forces of killing three people in custody and staging the incidents to appear as armed clashes. The three deceased have been identified as Abdul Rehman Buzdar, Fareed Buzdar, and Sultan Marri. Their mortal remains were later shifted to the Basic Health Unit hospital in Rakhi.

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The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed on Monday that it had killed three militants in an operation in Barkhan district.

However, families and Baloch rights groups rejected the claim, stating that the men had been missing for months and were victims of enforced disappearance.

Activists alleged that the men were executed after being held in illegal detention.

Earlier, a spokesperson for Pakistans CTD claimed that the men died during an exchange of fire and that weapons had been recovered from the scene.

However, Pakistan has long presented such narratives, while its agencies and forces are frequently accused of committing human rights violations, including enforced disappearances.

In another incident, a young man named Ghaus Bakhsh was found dead in the Kolwah tehsil of Awaran district. He had reportedly been summoned to a nearby military camp, and his body was discovered a few hours later, bearing signs of torture.

Pakistan continues to suppress the Baloch insurgency and calls for independence through enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the crackdown on peaceful protests.

In March 2025 alone, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan documented 151 enforced disappearances and 80 killings, highlighting a sharp escalation in violence and repression.
During his trip to Japan, Bangladeshs Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reiterated his June 2026 timeframe for conducting polls, despite calls from political parties and the countrys army to conduct elections by 2025 read more

Chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus is considering stepping down, expressing anger and disappointment over the current situation in the country. File image/AFP

Bangladeshs Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus repeated his June 2026 timeframe in regard to conducting elections in the country, despite pressure from the political parties and army to hold polls in 2025. The remarks from the Bangladeshi Nobel laureate came during his trip to Japan.

Yunus assumed the role of the countrys chief adviser after violent protests toppled the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. While speaking to the former Prime Minister of Japan and Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League President, Taro Aso, Yunus said that the country would go to the polls between December 2025 and June next year.

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What was interesting in his assertion was the fact that the Bangladeshi chief adviser threw the countrys politicians under the bus at an international level. While insisting that the elections can only take place after reforms are introduced in Dhaka, Yunus insisted that it is the politicians who are getting impatient with the timeframe.

The politicians are very impatient, they like to get to their seats of power. So I have been promising them for a long time that elections could be conducted in December 2025 or at the latest, June 2026, thats six months, Yunus told the Japanese delegation. It will depend on how fast you can do the reforms. If the reform process is slow, then it will be late, so people are insisting, Tell us when the elections will be, he added.

The timeframe to serve as a roadmap: The Yunus government

The assertion by Yunus was repeated by the Chief Advisers Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, during his briefing to the reporters. Prof Yunus told Taro Aso that the election will be held between December and June. He has set a six-month time frame, and the election will be conducted within that period, Alam was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune.

Alam noted that during the briefing, Yunus told Taro Aso that he would soon announce specific dates for the national elections as soon as the preparations are complete. Taro Aso, also a former Japanese Foreign Minister and influential lawmaker, met Yunus at the bilateral meeting room of the Imperial Hotel.

While speaking to the reporters, Alam said that the six-month window proposed by Yunus would serve as a roadmap. Professor Yunus has provided a special cut-off time here. He has also stated unequivocally that he will not remain in power a single day beyond June," he averred.

Amid the criticism, the press secretary made it clear that Yunuss interim government is not remaining idle and is working actively on multiple fronts, The Dhaka Tribune reported. A fragile economy has been stabilised. We are now undertaking economic, administrative and legal reforms. Work centred on the Election Commission is progressing steadily, he said.

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On Wednesday, Yunus arrived in Tokyo to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia and hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The US Commerce Department has suspended licenses of US firms that allowed export of critical products and technology to state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd read more

A Comac C919 flies during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre, in Singapore, February 20, 2024. Source: Reuters

In a major setback to Chinas plane-making industry, the Donald Trump administration of the US has blocked the export of critical US jet parts and technology to the communist country. According to a New York Times report, the US Commerce Department has suspended licenses of US firms that allowed export of critical products and technology to state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd (Comac).

Earlier, the Commerce Department confirmed to Bloomberg that it was reviewing exports of strategic significance to China.

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In some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending, the department said in a statement.

Why is the move a setback for China?

The Comac, Chinas government-backed plane-maker, relies on American-made GE Aerospace engines for manufacturing its C919 planes.

USAs fresh restrictions are not likely to create supply chain issues for Comac immediately as the firm had already stockpiled engines to build dozens of planes this year, reported Bloomberg.

However, the Trump administrations move is poised to hurt the firms business prospects in long term.

China-US trade war

The latest move by the Commerce Department is a part of an array of challenges that Beijing faces in its trade tensions with the worlds largest economy.

China has repeatedly called American sanctions on Chinese goods wrongful and called on Washington to cancel them. On Wednesday, as a US court blocked Trumps sweeping reciprocal tariffs on its trading partners, Beijing responded by saying trade wars have no winners.

Global markets have been in chaos since Trumps tariff announcements, followed by his sudden reversals and pauses as foreign governments scrambled to negotiate.

The turmoil worsened due to a prolonged trade war between the worlds two economic giants. They slapped massive tariffs on each other, peaking at a 145 per cent US tax on Chinese imports and a 125 per cent Chinese tax on American goods. The two nations have since called a truce, with US tariffs on China dropping to 30 per cent and Chinese tariffs on some US imports falling to 10 per cent.
In an unprecedented leak of around 2 million documents, the expansion of Russian nuclear programme has been revealed online, ranging from the blueprint of missile bases to details of IT systems, power grids, and security arrangements. read more

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on April 26, 2025. AP Photo

In the barren Russian Ural mountains Yasny town, Russia built one of the worlds most secure military complexes that houses the countrys ground-based, long-range nuclear-capable missiles. But that was until yesterday. Today, the complexs insides are on the internet where you can take a virtual tour.

In an unprecedented scoop, Danish outlet Danwatch and German magazine Der Spiegel obtained around 2 million documents related to the Russian nuclear programme that reveal in exhaustive details the layout of nuclear weapons complexes, the expansion of the nuclear weapons programme, and the security features in place at these top-secret sites.

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In the post-Cold War world, it is for the first time that such details have been obtained, according to Hans M Kristensen, the Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

Until now, we have only been able to monitor these bases from above using satellite imagery. Now, with the help of these unique drawings, we can now for the first time get inside the buildings and all the way underground. Its completely unprecedented, Kristensen told Danwatch and Der Spiegel.

The photograph shows the satellite view of the Russian nuclear weapons complex in the town of Yasny. (Photo: Google Earth)

The scoop has been reported at a time when Russian war on Ukraine is in its fourth year. Throughout the war, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and his top aides, have invoked nuclear weapons. Dmitry Medvedev, a former President of Russia and a key ally of Putin, has threatened Western nations with nuclear strikes over continued support of Ukraine.

Inside Russias nuclear weapons complexes  literally

While foreign governments as well as researchers can monitor Russian military complexes, or complexes of any country, from satellite images, the documents unearthed by Danwatch and Der Spiegel offer unprecedented inside those structures.

While it has been known from satellite images that Russia has been expanding its nuclear weapons capabilities for nearly a decade, exactly how it has been expanding has been revealed in these documents.

Consider this: the documents reveal what type of steel is supposed to be used in a nuclear weapons complex, how dense construction material should be, how thick insulation should be, whether ceiling beams should be exposed or concealed, and how long should lightning rods be, and what the quality of hinges on security windows should be.

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The documents have hundreds of original blueprints related to the nuclear warheads and missiles storage sites. These documents also lay bare the IT systems, electrical installations, and water supply network, and heating and ventilation systems installed in such sites.

This is a screenshot of one of the documents that Danwatch has shared on the website as part of the trove of around 2 million part of their discovery.

The documents also reveal the multi-layer security arrangements. They show that bases have three layers of electric fences around the outer perimeter, seismic and radioactivity sensors, explosion-proof doors and windows, reinforced concrete buildings, and alarm systems with magnetic contacts and infrared (IR) sensors.

The internal layout is described such that it lays bare where soldiers eat, sleep, and relieve themselves. The documents also describe which rooms in the complex store the protective gear and where weapons are kept. Even control rooms of nuclear weapons complexes are mentioned in these documents.

This is ultimate intelligence

With such details, mounting an attack on such complexes or infiltrating such complexes in times of conflict would become much easier as you would know the weak spots, where weapons are stored, and what security arrangements are in place.

Former British intelligence officer Philip Ingram told Danwatch and Der Spiegel that these documents are the ultimate intelligence.

Material like this is the ultimate intelligence. If you can understand how the electricity is conducted or where the water comes from, and you can see how the different things are connected in the systems, then you can identify strengths and weaknesses and find a weak point to attack, said Colonel (Retired) Ingram, who served in the Intelligence Corps of the British Army.

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ALSO READ: When Ukraine gave up worlds 3rd-largest nuclear arsenal, did it set stage for Russian invasion?

Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists said that the documents are the deepest dive yet into Russias nuclear weapons programme.

Your research is the deepest into the structure of these facilities that I have seen in the public domain. And we have to go all the way back to the buildings and systems of the 60s and 70s, where I remember seeing similar blueprints. Seeing it on these new systems, thats a whole new chapter, Kristensen told Danwatch and Der Spiegel.
Negotiations to end the 18-month war have repeatedly stalled, with no breakthrough since Israel resumed its offensive in March after a brief truce. However, Hamas recently confirmed it had received US envoy Steve Witkoffs new proposal from the mediators and is currently studying it read more

The photograph shows three Israeli male hostages being released by Hamas in the fifth exchange under the ceasefire deal. (Photo: AP)

The Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Thursday (May 29) it was reviewing a new ceasefire proposal from a US envoy, as Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip killed at least 44 people and deepened the humanitarian crisis gripping the besieged enclave.

Negotiations to end the 18-month war have repeatedly stalled, with no breakthrough since Israel resumed its offensive in March after a brief truce. However, US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed guarded optimism, saying on Wednesday (May 28) he expected to present a plan soon.

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Hamas later confirmed it had received Witkoffs new proposal from the mediators and is currently studying it responsibly.

The situation on the ground remains grim. Aid has begun trickling back into Gaza after more than two months of near-total blockade, but international agencies warn that food insecurity has reached catastrophic levels, with one in five people facing the risk of starvation.

What is happening to us is degrading

Israeli forces have intensified operations in recent days, saying the renewed push is aimed at dismantling Hamass infrastructure. AFP quoted Gaza civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir as saying that 44 people have been killed in Israeli raids, including 23 in a single strike on a home in Al-Bureij.

He also reported that two people were killed and several injured by Israeli forces gunfire this morning near the American aid centre in the Morag axis, southern Gaza Strip.

That centre is part of a new aid delivery mechanism led by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), intended to bypass Hamas. While Israel says this system ensures aid does not fall into militant hands, the United Nations and European Union have criticised it for undermining long-standing UN-led efforts.

Many Gazans, including 60-year-old Sobhi Areef, have described chaotic and humiliating scenes. What is happening to us is degrading. The crowding is humiliating us, said Areef, who had visited a GHF centre in hopes of securing food. We go there and risk our lives just to get a bag of flour to feed our children.

On Wednesday, hunger-fuelled desperation spilled into open chaos as thousands of Palestinians stormed a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in Deir al-Balah. According to the UN agency, hordes of hungry people broke into WFPs Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution.

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Aid effort under fire

Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, defended the GHF initiative during a Security Council session, accusing the UN of trying to block its work through threats, intimidation and retaliation against NGOs that choose to participate.

The UN insists it is facilitating the delivery of aid authorised by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing, but noted that 47 people were wounded on Tuesday when a crowd surged at a GHF site. A local medical source reported at least one death. GHF, however, denied any fatalities or injuries, calling reports several inaccuracies and claiming there are many parties who wish to see GHF fail.

Among those affected is Abu Fawzi Faroukh, 60, who visited a GHF centre on Thursday. He described a harrowing situation. The young men are the ones who have received aid first, yesterday and today, because they are young and can carry loads, but the old people and women cannot enter due to the crowding, he said.

The Israeli military said an employee of a contracting company that carries out engineering work was killed in northern Gaza on Thursday. Separately, the army reported having struck dozens of terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours.

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Jordans foreign minister Ayman Safadi, speaking with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, accused Israel of deploying systematic starvation tactics which he said have crossed all moral and legal boundaries.

Rising toll

The war was sparked by Hamass unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Of the 251 hostages taken, 57 remain in Gaza, with Israel saying 34 are confirmed dead.

Since Israel ended the most recent ceasefire on March 18, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reports that at least 3,986 people have been killed. The total death toll from the war now stands at 54,249, the vast majority of them civilians.
Top officials of US President Donald Trump once again took the credit of India-Pakistan ceasefire as they presented defence to Trumps trade tariffs read more

Students of an art school and their teacher carry a hand-drawn portrait of the US President Donald Trump as they celebrate the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, in Mumbai, May 10, 2025. AP

While defending the sweeping trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, top officials in the White House told the US federal court that Trump tariffs helped broker a fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan . In a statement to the US Court of International Trade, White House officials argued that limiting the executive power of the President of the United States (POTUS) would jeopardise regional security.

It is pertinent to note that India has maintained that New Delhi and Islamabad came to an understanding of a ceasefire only through bilateral means, acknowledging that the US delegations held talks with both nations and nothing more than that. In their argument, Trumps top aides said that blocking the trade tariffs would weaken Washingtons ability to negotiate trade deals globally and undermine their strategic use as diplomatic tools.

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According to The Independent, trade representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio submitted statements to the court in support of the Trump tariffs last week. All of them argued that Trump imposed the tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The US once again takes credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire

The Trump officials were presenting these arguments in response to a lawsuit filed by small businesses, claiming losses from Trumps trade policies. In his statement to the court, Lutnick claimed that Trump tariffs helped the US mediate the conflict between India and Pakistan following four days of military escalation earlier this month.

A ruling that narrows IEEPA would have ripple effects across every domain in which economic instruments are used for strategic effect, Lutnick said in his statement as per the Friday court filing. This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war."

An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trumps offer, threatening the security of an entire region and the lives of millions," he added.

While Pakistan has acknowledged the USs role in mediating a ceasefire, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has maintained that both nations came to an understanding of a truce only after direct talks initiated by the Pakistani army. India has firmly rejected any form of international mediation.

Tensions between the two nuclear-powered nations reached an all-time high following the Pahalgam terror attack that led to the deaths of 26 tourists in Kashmir. Two weeks after the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor , conducting precise strikes over nine terror camps in Pakistan. This eventually led to further military escalations between the two neighbouring nations.

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The China question

In his statement, the commerce secretary also claimed that the Trump tariffs eventually persuaded China to lower levies on US goods , marking a diplomatic win. The increased tariff rate against China applied additional pressure to achieve the foreign policy objective of bringing China, the greatest contributor to the national emergency and a well-known strategic adversary, to the negotiating table, he said.

He insisted that the invalidation of the presidents ability to use IEEPA would dismantle a cornerstone of his national security architecture," Lutnick noted that the ruling would irreparably harm the governments ability to respond to evolving foreign threats and severely disrupt the commerce department coordination of foreign policy-related economic actions on behalf of the president.

The imposition of IEEPA tariffs signals to foreign governments that certain conduct, whether economic predation, trade manipulation, or narcotics trafficking, will incur serious consequences. Diluting this authority would not only unravel the current IEEPA actions but also would undermine future deterrence, he averred. Lutnick closed his argument by stating that the Trump tariffs enabled the US to reach a trade deal with the UK and noted that similar deals are in the pipeline.

All in vain

Despite all these arguments, a federal court in New York blocked Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on Wednesday. The ruling was delivered by a three-judge panel, arguing that the tariffs left the American economy in chaos.

The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation using tariffs, the court wrote, referring to the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

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The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the presidents use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it, a three-judge panel said in the decision. Following the judgment, reports are emerging that the Trump administration has filed a notice of appeal. Not only this, but White House officials also issued public statements challenging the courts authority.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif revealed that the Pakistani Army wanted to launch strikes on India on May 10 after morning prayers but Indian BrahMos missiles rained down before that read more

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has admitted that the Pakistani armed forces were caught unawares when India struck several airbases across the country on the intervening night of May 9-10. While speaking at an event in Azerbaijan, Sharif admitted the airbase in Rawalpindi was among the several sites that were targeted by India using the BrahMos missile.

The Pakistan PM revealed that the Pakistani Army wanted to launch strikes on India on May 10 after morning prayers but Indian BrahMos missiles rained down before that, inflicting damage on the airbases.

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On the night of May 9-10, we decided to respond in a measured fashion to Indian aggression. Our armed forces were prepared to act at 4.30 in the morning after Fajr prayers to teach a lesson. But before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using BrahMos, targeting various provinces of Pakistan, including the airport in Rawalpindi, Sharif said during his speech in Lachin.

On May 10th, Pakistan had planned an attack on India at 4:30AM to teach the enemy a lesson but before that could happen, India launched BrahMos strikes across Paks provinces including the Rawalpindi airbase  Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif. This is Bunyan for you. Munir promoted pic.twitter.com/kbrcLvFYVn  Shubhangi Sharma (@ItsShubhangi) May 29, 2025

Sharif further added that he was informed about the strikes by Army Chief Asim Munir, who has now been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.

This is the second time that PM Sharif has thrown light on the gravity of the Indian retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airbases.

Earlier this month, while addressing a crowd in Pakistan, Sharif revealed that Asim Munir informed him about the attack on the Nur Khan Air Base and other strategic targets at 2:30 am on May 10.

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India targeted 11 Pakistani military sites, including the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, in retaliation for Pakistans drone and missile attacks on civilian areas along the western border.

Located near the Pakistan Army Headquarters, Nur Khan houses advanced aircraft like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Ilyushin Il-78 refuellers. Satellite imagery confirms damage to at least two military transport vehicles at the base.

Other targeted bases included Rafiqui, Murid, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Sargodha, all sustaining significant damage.

According to reports, India deployed approximately 15 BrahMos missiles from Su-30MKI jets for precise strikes, verified by satellite imagery. These fire and forget missiles, developed with Russia, evaded Pakistans Chinese-made air defence systems and can hit targets up to 300 km away.
China has strongly criticised the US for cancelling visas of Chinese students, calling the move unreasonable. The reaction follows an announcement by Marco Rubio, who said the US would start aggressively revoking student visas over security concerns. read more

China has slammed the United States for unreasonably revoking visas of Chinese students and said it has formally lodged a protest over the decision.

The response came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US would be aggressively revoking visas for Chinese students.

In response to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statement that the US will revoke visas for Chinese students, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that China has lodged representations with the US side. This political and discriminatory action pic.twitter.com/e7pG6LRE00  Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 29, 2025

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The US has unreasonably cancelled Chinese students visas under the pretext of ideology and national security, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. China firmly opposes this and has lodged formal representations with the US.

Rubio posted on X that the US will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with links to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in critical fields.

China remains at the centre of former President Trumps global trade war, which has rattled financial markets, disrupted supply chains, and sparked fears of a global economic slowdown.

The number of Chinese students in the US fell to around 277,000 in 2024, down from a peak of 370,000 in 2019. The decline is largely attributed to rising tensions between the US and China and stricter visa checks by US authorities.

New guidelines from the US State Department are adding more checks on international students, as part of Trumps wider effort to tighten control over foreign admissions in US universities.

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The announcement came days after the Trump administration moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed the agreements reached between Presidents Donald Trump of the United States and Vladimir Putin of Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) read more

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks on Wednesday to discuss the agreements reached between Presidents Donald Trump of the United States and Vladimir Putin of Russia, according to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Rubio and Lavrov also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and Lavrov informed Rubio about the preparation by the Russian side of specific proposals for the next round of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul, the MFA said in a statement.

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 Sergey #Lavrov and @SecRubio spoke over the phone.



The Minister informed Marco Rubio about implementing the agreements between President #Putin & @POTUS, as well as about Russia's proposals for the next round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.https://t.co/kGYOEA1Pys pic.twitter.com/Md71v5wOt7  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) May 29, 2025

While the MFA did not specify the agreements it was referring to, it could refer to the private understanding reached between Trump and Putin in their telephonic call on May 19 . After the call, Trump gave his own demand for an immediate 30-day ceasefire and instead endorsed Putins position in the war.

In doing so, Trump handed yet another victory to Russia as Putin had been pressing for direct talks with Ukraine and rejecting proposals after proposals of ceasefire. It is an open secret that Putin has been using direct talks involving low-level delegations as an excuse to prolong the war and maximise the damage to Ukraine to advance his maximalist demands.

ALSO READ: In high-stakes call, Trump gives in to Putin & endorses Russias position in Ukraine war

In a victory lap within hours of the call, Putin said that he was up to draft a memorandum with Ukraine for the peace process but stressed that root causes would have to be addressed for the war to end.

Root causes is a euphemism for Putins maximalist demands, such as the full recognition of all Ukrainian provinces that Russia has claimed to have annexed and other territories that it occupies; the ouster of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his administration; the amendment of the Ukrainian constitution to put limits on its military, include Russian in the nations cultural affairs, and rule out Nato membership; put limits on foreign military partnerships of Ukraine; etc.

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Since last weekend, Russia has launched largest aerial attacks so far and killed dozens of people in Ukraine. Over the past week, Trump has expressed frustration with Putin over consistent rejection of ceasefire proposals and attacks that continue to kill civilians. However, he has done nothing to put pressure to Putin.

Even though Ukraine has accepted all Trump-endorsed ceasefire proposals so far and Russia has rejected all of them, it is Ukraine and its leader, President Zelenskyy, that have been at the receiving end of Trumps wrath. Trump has not done anything to pressurise Russia. Instead, he has rewarded Russia by accepting its terms at every step and opening direct talks for a reset of the bilateral relationships.
Elon Musk is stepping down from his advisory role in the US government, where he worked with President Donald Trump to cut down waste and streamline federal operations. read more

Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump at the finals for the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. AP

Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down from his role as a top adviser to US President Donald Trump. Musk had been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in efforts to cut red tape and reform the federal bureaucracy.

Musk shared the update on X, the social media platform he owns, thanking President Trump as his time as a special government employee with the Doge comes to an end.

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As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, he wrote. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.



The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

His departure comes just a day after Elon Musk publicly criticised President Trump for the first time, saying the Presidents much-touted big, beautiful spending bill worsens the budget deficit and undercuts the efforts of the DOGE team.

A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful. But I dont know if it can be both. My personal opinion, Musk said.

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Elon Musks 130-day term as a special government employee in the Trump administration was set to end around May 30. The administration has said that efforts by his Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to shrink and restructure the federal government will continue.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Donald Trump defended his agenda and acknowledged the challenges of negotiating the legislation.

Im not happy with some parts of it, but Im very pleased with others, he said, adding that more changes could still be made.

Well see what happens, Trump said. It still has a long way to go.
The evacuations include the town of Flin Flon, where 5,000 residents were told earlier to get ready to flee on a moments notice as a major wildfire bore down on the mining town named after a fictional character in a 1905 paperback novel read more

The wildfire threatening Flin Flon, a city of roughly 5,000, started in Saskatchewan on Monday and stretched into Manitoba on Tuesday after firefighters were unable to contain it. Government of Manitoba

More than 17,000 people in Canadas western Manitoba province were being evacuated on Wednesday as the region experienced its worst start to a wildfire season in years.

The Manitoba government has declared a province-wide state of emergency due to the wildfire situation, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew told a news conference.

This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most peoples living memory, he said.

Kinew said he asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to send in the Canadian military to help with the evacuations and firefighting.

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Military aircraft, Kinew said, would be deployed imminently to help move people out of endangered remote northern communities to safety, along with additional firefighting resources.

The evacuations include the town of Flin Flon, where 5,000 residents were told earlier to get ready to flee on a moments notice as a major wildfire bore down on the mining town named after a fictional character in a 1905 paperback novel.

Residents of several other remote towns and Indigenous communities have also now been told to leave.

Most of the evacuees are expected to be transported to the Manitoba capital of Winnipeg.

Flames 121 feet high

Evacuee Sheryl Matheson told AFP the wildfires had surrounded her small town of Sherridon, northeast of Flin Flon.

Its been overwhelming, said the owner of a fishing lodge. It was very smokey. You could see the fires four or five kilometers away and moving fast.

The flames were shooting over 121 feet high and firefighters couldnt get close enough to the fire to do anything.

Elsaida Alerta told public broadcaster CBC she was having major anxiety as she and her family readied to leave Flin Flon, where she has lived for three years.

Especially for somebody that lived in a big city (previously), that never had to evacuate, this is definitely nerve-wracking, she said.

The only highway out of Flin Flon still open was jammed with traffic and local petrol stations had run out of gasoline, she said.

We basically gathered all our essential things, important documents, medications and, you know, things that our animals will need, she said.

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Were just gonna make our way and hope for the best.

Changing climate

Premier Kinew said the widespread nature of the fires was cause for alarm.

For the first time, its not a fire in one region, we have fires in every region. That is a sign of a changing climate that we are going to have to adapt to, Kinew said.

Twenty-two wildfires were active in the province.

Nearly 200,000 hectares of forests have been scorched in just the past month, or triple the annual average over the previous five years, Kirstin Hayward of the Manitoba wildfire service said.

Manitoba has the highest fire activity in Canada so far this year, due in part to a prolonged period of warm and dry conditions, she said.

Climate change has increased the impact of extreme weather events in Canada.

About 1,000 residents of Lynn Lake and Marcel Colomb First Nation in Manitoba and 4,000 people from the northern village of Pelican Narrows and other communities in neighboring Saskatchewan had already been evacuated earlier in the week.

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A firefighter was also severely injured when he was struck by a falling tree while battling blazes. He was being treated in hospital, Kinew said.

The Manitoba premier said emergency shelters were being set up and companies and communities across the province were being asked to open your doors to displaced residents.

Earlier this month, two residents of the small community of Lac du Bonnet died after being trapped in a major wildfire northeast of Winnipeg.

In 2023, the worst wildfire season in the countrys history, the only recorded deaths were among firefighters.

There are currently 134 active fires across Canada, including in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Half are considered out of control.
Talha Saeed, who ranks 32nd on Indias most wanted terrorist list, also delivered an incendiary speech at the rally and raised jihadist slogans against India read more

The official word is that terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is banned in Pakistan. On the ground, however, LeT commanders are openly organising rallies, sharing the stage with the countrys well-known politicians and chanting anti-India slogans.

Several videos have surfaced on the internet showing Saifullah Kasuri, the alleged mastermind behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, addressing a crowd in Pakistans Punjab province.

The rally was held by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) to mark Youm-e-Takbeer, Pakistans annual commemoration of its nuclear tests.

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But Kasuri was not the only high-profile guest at the rally, Talha Saeed, son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and a designated terrorist by India, was also present at the event.

I was blamed as being the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, now my name is famous in the entire world, Kasuri told the crowd.

Meanwhile, Talha Saeed, who ranks 32nd on Indias most wanted terrorist list, also delivered an incendiary speech and raised jihadist slogans against India.

Who is Saifullah Kasuri?

Indian intelligence has hinted at Kasuri being the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians, most Hindus, on April 22.

In his address in the Punjab rally, Kasuri announced plans to build a centre, road, and hospital in Allahabad in the name of Mudassir Shaheed.

Mudassir was reportedly one of several high-profile terrorists killed in May 7 strikes by the Indian Air Force on nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

More about Pakistan Markazi Muslim League

Experts widely view Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) as a political front of the banned LeT.

The group has intensified its anti-India campaign over the past few weeks, holding protests in major cities like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. Theyre demanding the release of Hafiz Saeed, the UN-designated terrorist behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and accusing India of water aggression for suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.

India last month held the treaty in abeyance citing Islamabads support to extremist and terrorists who wage attacks across the border.

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Despite the LeT being banned globally and in Pakistan, the PMML keeps its leadership relevant, with Saeed as its ideological driving force.

India has slammed Pakistan for normalising terrorism, especially after Operation Sindoor, which took out key LeT figures like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudassir Ahmad, linked to the IC-814 hijacking and Pulwama attack.

The massive event in Punjab attended by high-profile terrorists yet again lays bare Islamabads tacit support to these radical groups, despite the country claiming to be the biggest victim of terrorism.

While the Pakistani Army and the government repeatedly bar opposition leaders from holding political rallies, they have seemingly no problem in enabling dissemination of hate and extremism from people associated with banned outfits globally.

This again raises the question whether Pakistan deserves to be bailed out by global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as it continues to shelter terrorists and extremists.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 16 had criticised the IMF for the recent $1 billion aid package for Pakistan, saying Islamabad would use the money to fund terrorists who target armed forces and civilians in India.

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..I believe Pakistan will spend a large portion of the funds received from the International Monetary Fund on terror infrastructure in its country.India wants IMF to re-think funding to Pakistan.., Singh said while speaking at Bhuj airbase in Gujarat state.

Despite strong reservations from India, the IMF earlier this month approved the immediate disbursement of about $1 billion to Pakistan as part of a bailout package.

The move was heavily criticised by the Indian public and the government, with concerns mounting that the money would be used to fund terror infrastructure in the country.
Many see Islamabads newfound interest in crypto as a way to grow close business ties with the family of US President Donald Trump read more

In a move being hailed as strategic in Pakistan, the country has announced the establishment of its first government-backed Strategic Bitcoin reserve. On Wednesday (May 28), Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib made the announcement at the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference in Las Vegas. The stakes are high for Pakistan, as evident through the presence of US Vice President JD Vance and the sons of President Donald Trump, Eric and Donald Trump Jr, at the event.

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Pakistan is no longer defined by its past. It is being reborn as a forward-looking hub of digital innovation  powered by its youth, sharpened by necessity, and led by a new generation of tech statesmen, Saqib said.

What is behind Pakistans newfound love for crypto?

Many see Islamabads newfound interest in crypto as a way to grow close business ties with the family of US President Donald Trump.

Saqib himself admitted that Pakistans crypto move was inspired by the US.

We want to thank the US because we are getting inspired from them, Bilal said.

Its to be noted that Trump, in March, had signed an executive order to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Pakistan simply took a leaf out of Trumps playbook in order to build closer ties with the US administration.

This is just another move in a series of steps taken by Islamabad to promote crypto in the country in a sudden and urgent push.

Earlier, the government-backed Pakistan Crypto Council struck a deal with World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency platform backed by Trump, to accelerate blockchain innovation in the country. Pakistan has taken other crypto-friendly measures too. For instance, the countrys finance ministry earlier this week announced plans to assign 2000 megawatts of electricity to power Bitcoin mining.

Saqib also assured in his Bitcoin Vegas Summit speech that Pakistan is looking to hold crypto reserves for long term. He said the government will hold BTC in a national wallet and never ever sell them.

The geopolitical angle

Many experts believe that these crypto dealings by Pakistan may have influenced Trumps recent declarations about ceasefire between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Trump, while praising the leaders of both India and Pakistan, recently claimed that he helped broker a ceasefire between the two nations after the two countries almost went to a war following the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmirs Pahalgam.

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Pakistan too has endorsed Trumps narrative, whereas India has disputed it, saying the understanding was reached strictly on bilateral terms and the US had a limited role to play.

Hussain Nadeem, a policy strategist and Pakistani AI expert, recently explained how Pakistans pivot to crypto was not an economic move but political, with no emphasis on public good.

The way this regime is approaching Crypto, it has unfortunately become a yet new con that has politics, not public good, as an end goal. Why? Nadeem asked on X.

He added, Because the geopolitics obsessed ruling elite in Pakistan has no interest in Blockchain/Crypto or how it could empower millions of people, improve democratic governance, enhance transparency and turn around Pakistans economy. If they actually wanted to do good, they wouldnt be throttling internet or shutting down social media or ruining the entire tech economy in Pakistan. The entire decentralised philosophy runs entirely contrary to the regimes interest.

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The regime has only ONE interest in Crypto: Access to the Trump White House, and sadly this hype is all about that, nothing more, he wrote.
Operations against TTP hideouts are frequently conducted by Pakistani security forces in the countrys restive northwest and elsewhere; however, similar actions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remain uncommon read more

In this August 5, 2012, file photo, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) patrol in their stronghold of Shawal in Pakistani tribal region of South Waziristan. (Photo :AP)

Security forces acting on intelligence raided a militant hideout in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, triggering a shootout that left two police officers and four Pakistani Taliban fighters dead, police said Thursday (May 29).

The rare overnight raid was carried out in Rawalakot district, according to Abdul Jabbar, the police chief of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The region is divided between Pakistan and India and claimed in its entirety by both countries.

Jabbar said the militants killed were members of the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, allies of the Afghan Taliban. He alleged the TTP is acting as a proxy for India, and said the police had thwarted an attempt by the insurgents to establish a base for future attacks.

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There was no immediate response from New Delhi.

Operations against TTP hideouts are frequently conducted by Pakistani security forces in the countrys restive northwest and elsewhere; however, similar actions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remain uncommon. The TTP is a distinct militant group that has become increasingly bold since the Afghan Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Since then, many TTP leaders and fighters have reportedly found refuge in Afghanistan.

Pakistan-Taliban relations

Pakistans relationship with the Taliban is complicated, marked by periods of strategic cooperation as well as significant tension and conflict.

Initially, Pakistan supported the Taliban in Afghanistan during the 1990s as part of its regional strategy, aiming to establish influence in Kabul and secure strategic depth against India. Pakistans intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), was instrumental in supporting Taliban factions against rival Afghan groups during the Afghan civil war following the Soviet withdrawal.

However, Pakistans relationship with the TTP is very different now, and marked by hostility. Formed in 2007, the TTP emerged as a militant group opposing the Pakistani government, aiming to implement its strict interpretation of Islamic law and challenging state authority.

TTP has orchestrated numerous deadly attacks across Pakistan, including assaults on military installations, civilian targets, and educational institutions. Pakistan has conducted several major military operations against TTP strongholds, particularly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), significantly weakening but never completely dismantling the group.

The Afghan Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 further complicated things. While Islamabad initially welcomed the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan, hoping it would stabilise the region, the opposite happened: the TTP has been emboldened, finding safe havens and renewed support networks across the Afghan border. This development has intensified Pakistans domestic security challenges.

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Pakistan now finds itself urging Taliban to curb TTP activities, and carrying out domestic military operations against resurgent TTP fighters.

With inputs from agencies
Republicans in Congress and White House advisers are urging Trump to consider new sanctions on Russia over Putins actions in Ukraine. Read on for more details. read more

White House advisers and Republican Congressmen are urging Trump to consider imposing new sanctions on Russia in response to Putins actions in Ukraine. (Photo Source: Reuters)

Some Republicans in Congress and White House advisers are urging U.S. President Donald Trump to finally embrace new sanctions on Moscow as frustration mounts over Russian President Vladimir Putins military assault on Ukraine.

Trump has held off on such penalties for months, believing he could have fruitful dealings with Putin to end the war and considering sanctions in general to be overused and often ineffective.

White House officials say Trump still hopes to develop an economic partnership with Russia. He sees sanctions as an escalation in tensions with Moscow that could derail hopes of a ceasefire in the three-year-old conflict.

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But his frustration with Putin is genuine and increasingly severe, according to aides. They said he is giving sanctions serious consideration after Russia escalated its attacks in recent days.

He is always looking at different ways to apply pressure, a senior White House official said. This is no different. Hes always weighing his options.

U.S. officials have prepared new economic sanctions against Russia, including banking and energy measures. They say that sanctions package is ready to implement based on Trumps order.

One option supported by some Trump advisers would be for the president to embrace, or at least not obstruct, legislation introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal last month that would set a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil.

Some advisers believe the bill could be useful because it would allow consequential sanctions to go into effect while Trump could in essence tell Putin the sanctions decision was out of his hands, according to one U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter. That in turn could help Trump maintain a viable line of communication with Putin.

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That U.S. official and another person familiar with internal deliberations said the Trump White House believes secondary sanctions - that is to say sanctions on countries that do business with Russia, not just Russia itself - are needed for them to be effective.

Graham and fellow Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, both close Trump allies, said this week that now is the time to increase pressure on Putin.

I believe President Trump was sincere when he thought his friendship w Putin would end the war. Now that being the case, ITS TIME FOR SANCTIONS STRONG ENUF SO PUTIN KNOWS game over, Grassley said in a social media post on Tuesday.

WAR DRAGS ON

Trump entered office in January predicting he would be able to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. But in the months since, he has absorbed the grim reality that the conflict is more intractable than he originally believed and has blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for allowing it to happen.

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Last week, Trump spoke with Putin for two hours and thought he had a deal to begin ceasefire negotiations immediately. Then Russia launched a barrage of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, prompting Trump to say Putin had gone absolutely CRAZY and that he was playing with fire by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks with Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump explained why he felt imposing sanctions could antagonize Putin.

If I think Im close to getting a deal, I dont want to screw it up by doing that, he said.

Asked whether Putin wanted to end the war, Trump said, I cant tell you that, but Ill let you know in about two weeks, noting he was waiting on Russia to submit its latest peace proposal.

Were going to find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not, and if he is, well respond a little bit differently, Trump added.

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Trump has threatened sanctions before, only to back off. He talked about the possibility of sanctions back in January and again before his most recent call with Putin.

Putin said last week that he had agreed to work with Ukraine on a memorandum that would establish the contours of a peace accord, including the timing of a ceasefire. Russia says it is currently drafting its version of the memorandum and cannot estimate how long that will take.

Republicans generally have followed Trumps lead on foreign policy in the months since he began his second term in office, making their pursuit of sanctions on their own noteworthy.

White House officials have held conversations with Senate Republicans about the contents of the sanctions bill, according to one of the U.S. officials.

Should the Senate bill move forward, there is a bipartisan companion bill in the House of Representatives, although support for Ukraine among House Republicans has been notably weaker than in the Senate.

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The European Union, meanwhile, has been ramping up sanctions on Russia. An EU measure adopted last week hit over 130 entities and individuals, and listed 75 new sanctions entities including major oil firm Surgutneftegaz.

In meetings in recent days in Washington, U.S. officials have said they have no qualms with the new measures, according to one person with direct knowledge of the matter.

(Except headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff)
Qatar wants the final agreement with the United States to clarify that it was the Donald Trump administration of the United States that initiated the luxury Air Force One deal, according to a report. read more

A Boeing 747 belonging to Qatar sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump toured the aircraft on Feb. 15. (Photo: AFP)

In what would contradict US President Donald Trumps narrative, Qatar has stressed that any agreement for the transfer of the luxury Boeing 747-8 aeroplane must specify that it was the Trump administration that initiated the deal, according to a report.

For several weeks, Trump has maintained that Qatar approached him with an offer to gift him the luxury Boeing 747-8 that he intends to convert into the next Air Force One, the aeroplane that serves the President of the United States.

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However, The Washington Post has now reported that Qatar is insisting that a memorandum of understanding between United States and Qatar should specify that the aircrafts transfer was initiated by the Trump administration.

Despite the Trump administration saying that the aeroplane has been accepted by the US Air Force, The Post further reported that the deal has not yet been finalised and terms are still under negotiations.

Critics have said that receiving such an expensive article as a gift from a foreign entity the luxury Boeing 747-8 costs around $400 million amounts to a bribe and that Qatar is essentially buying influence at the highest level.

Critics are further inflamed by plans reported in the media that say that the Trump administration would donate the luxury Boeing 747-8 to the Trump presidential library once his tenure would be over. That would allow Trump to use the aeroplane procured for the formal business of the presidents office even as a private citizen. Critics say that such a transfer would mean that the deal was intended as a personal favour throughout.

Even though Trump has pitched the aeroplane as free, it would not be completely free as it would need to be retrofitted with security features that would make it secure for presidential transport.

At the time Trump first inspected the aeroplane in February, the US Air Force had assessed that the process could cost $1.5 billion, according to The Post.

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The newspaper reported that it would further cost around $500 million to remove those security features once Trump would leave office.
Slovakias central bank chief Peter Kazimir was convicted in a bribery case in 2017 for acquiring a luxury villa. He is planning to apply for an appeal. Read on for more details. read more

Slovakia's central back chief, Peter Kazimir convicted of bribery said he will apply for an appeal. (Source: AP)

Slovakias central bank chief, who is a member of the European Central Bank committee that decides monetary policy for 20 countries, was convicted of bribery and fined 200,000 euros ($225,000) on Thursday.

The verdict against central bank Gov. Peter Kazimir was issued by Judge Milan Cisarik at the countrys Special Criminal Court in Pezinok.

Kazimirs attorneys argued that he should have been acquitted because of the recent changes in Slovakias penal code, which reduced punishment for corruption and that recently ended a number of corruption cases and trials.

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Kazimir wasnt present at the court. He said in a statement that he would appeal. His six-year term in office expires on Sunday.

Kazimir was accused of paying a bribe of 48,000 euros ($54,000) at the turn of the year in 2017-18 to the head of the countrys tax office in connection with a tax audit of several private companies.

At the time, Kazimir was acquiring a luxury villa located in an upscale neighborhood of Bratislava, the capital, from the owner of the companies.

Kazimir, who pleaded not guilty, had previously said that he considered the charges to be illegal and fabricated.

The case dates to when Kazimir served as finance minister in the leftist government of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico from 2012 to 2019. He was a member of Ficos Smer, or Direction, party before taking the central bank job.

Smer lost the 2020 general election and was replaced by a coalition government whose parties campaigned on an anti-corruption ticket.

Since that government took power, a number of people linked to Ficos party faced prosecution in corruption scandals.

Kazimir was the first minister of Ficos government to stand trial.

Slovakia is one of 20 countries that use the euro currency, and Kazimir is a member of the ECBs governing council, its main decision-making body.

A number of people linked to the prime ministers party faced prosecution in corruption scandals.

Fico returned to power for the fourth time in 2023 after his leftist party Smer won the Sept. 30 parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform.

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In February 2024, lawmakers loyal to Ficos new coalition government approved changes to the penal code and eliminated the office of the special prosecutor that deals with major crime and corruption.

The legislation faced sharp criticism at home and abroad while thousands of Slovaks repeatedly took to the streets to protest.

The changes include a reduction in punishments for corruption and some other crimes, including the possibility of suspended sentences, and a significant shortening of the statute of limitations.

(Except headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff)
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to the navy. Around 40 firefighting personnel were dispatched to the crash site. South Korea has experienced notable aircraft accidents in recent months despite improving aviation safety standards read more

South Korean firefighters and military work at the site of the South Korean navy plane's crash. AP

A South Korean navy maritime patrol plane crashed Thursday (May 29), killing all four crew members aboard, authorities said.

The aircraft crashed into a mountainous region near the southeastern city of Pohang just before 2 pm, approximately six minutes after takeoff, according to a statement from South Koreas navy.

The plane had been performing routine takeoff and landing exercises at the time of the incident, the navy said.

The navy has located all four bodies of the crew members and is currently recovering them, the statement added.

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Two officers and two non-commissioned officers were among the victims, South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported.

No civilian casualties were reported.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to the navy. Around 40 firefighting personnel were dispatched to the crash site, Yonhap reported.

While South Korea has significantly improved its aviation safety standards over the past two decades, the country has experienced notable aircraft accidents in recent months.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed during landing at Muan International Airport in December last year, resulting in 179 fatalities out of 181 people on board. The crash was attributed to a bird strike that led to a belly landing and collision with a concrete structure, making it the deadliest aviation disaster in South Koreas history.

An Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire while preparing for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in Busan in January. All 176 occupants were evacuated safely, but seven individuals sustained injuries. The incident is under investigation.

With inputs from agencies
The South Korean navy confirmed that a P-3 patrol aircraft crashed in Pohang this afternoon. According to reports, two people have been confirmed dead. read more

Smoke rises from a mountain in Pohang, South Korea, where a Navy patrol plane carrying four people crashed on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Source: AP)

A South Korean Navy plane crashed in the southern city of Pohang on Thursday (May 29), news agency Yonhap reported, quoting fire officials. Local authorities confirmed that four people were aboard the plane when it went down.

Two people have been confirmed dead by authorities, as per reports.

News agency Reuters quoted officials as saying that it was a navy patrol plane. The crash occurred at around 1:50 pm local time, according to officials.

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Eyewitnesses saw smoke rising from the mountains where the plane reportedly crashed, according to Yonhap. The South Korean navy confirmed that a P-3 patrol aircraft crashed in Pohang this afternoon.

South Korean Navy in a statement earlier said it was probing the reason for the crash and working to determine the status of the four people.

The four people included two officers and two non-commissioned officers, though their full identities have not been confirmed.

A P-3 maritime patrol aircraft that took off at 1.43pm for landing and takeoff training from an air base in Pohang crashed at a nearby location at around 1.49pm, due to an unspecified reason, the navy said in a statement, according to Yonhap.

An emergency official reported that rescue workers and fire trucks were sent to Pohang after residents reported a plane crash followed by an explosion, according to the Associated Press.

Pohangs Nambu police station confirmed that a navy patrol plane had crashed but could not immediately provide details on any deaths or injuries.

This follows the tragic crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane in South Korea in December, which killed 179 of the 181 people on board, making it one of the countrys worst aviation disasters.
Across major Pakistani cities, citizens endure crippling electricity outages, yet the government has allocated 2,000 MW of surplus electricity for bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. Alongside this, there are issues related to FATF, too read more

Pakistan, a nation grappling with chronic energy shortages, regulatory challenges, and financial scrutiny, has made headlines with its ambitious foray into cryptocurrency.

Bilal Bin Saqib, the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Crypto and Blockchain, recently unveiled the nations Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, designed to hold digital assets as a sovereign reserve.

While presented as a bold step towards embracing digital finance, the move is fraught with contradictions that border on irony.

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Lights out at home, but power for Bitcoin?

Across major Pakistani cities, citizens endure crippling electricity outages, often extending beyond 12 hours daily. Amid this chronic energy crisis, the government has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.

This stark inequality points to the governments misplaced priorities, as ordinary Pakistanis grapple with high electricity bills and prolonged blackouts.

The roots of this paradox lie in the countrys energy infrastructure. Pakistan has significantly increased its electricity generation capacity, reaching approximately 42,131 MW by March 2024. This expansion includes coal, solar, and hydroelectric power plants, many financed under the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.

However, the transmission and distribution infrastructure has not kept pace, leading to inefficiencies and frequent power outages.

Furthermore, the energy sector is burdened by a circular debt exceeding $10 billion, resulting from a cycle of unpaid bills between consumers, distribution companies, and power producers. This financial strain hampers maintenance and upgrades of the grid, exacerbating power shortages despite surplus generation.

Chinese-funded projects under CPEC have added substantial capacity to Pakistans power sector. While these projects have increased generation, they come with high capacity payments, obligating Pakistan to pay for electricity regardless of actual consumption. This arrangement contributes to elevated electricity tariffs and financial stress on the energy sector.

Balancing on FATFs tightrope

Further complicating matters is Pakistans fraught relationship with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog against money laundering and terrorist financing. Historically, Pakistan has frequently oscillated in and out of FATFs grey list, indicating heightened scrutiny and ongoing compliance issues.

Pakistan was first placed on the FATF grey list in 2008, then removed in 2010 after demonstrating progress. However, it was re-listed in 2012, removed again in 2015, and placed back on the grey list in 2018 due to strategic deficiencies in counter-terrorist financing.

In October 2022, Pakistan was removed from the FATF grey list after significant improvements in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

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Now, Pakistani authorities claim to be developing a comprehensive, FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets.

One must question the practicality of this promise, given the countrys shaky track record in financial transparency. Digital currencies, inherently difficult to track, may inadvertently exacerbate the nations existing vulnerabilities in money laundering and illicit finance.

A sovereign walletor safe haven for questionable funds?

Central to Pakistans crypto push is the establishment of a national bitcoin wallet to hold state-controlled digital assets. According to Saqib, this reserve would signify Pakistans confidence in decentralized finance rather than speculation. Yet, skepticism abounds about the potential misuse of this wallet.

The transparency challenges intrinsic to cryptocurrency provoke concerns about the national wallet possibly becoming a repository for illicit funds. Given Pakistans existing FATF compliance struggles, critics suggest that without rigorous oversight, the strategic bitcoin reserve could unintentionally attract illicit financial activities.
Trump has called for a cap on international student admissions at Harvard University, proposing a 15 per cent limit. He also demanded a list of current foreign students. read more

Without the co-operation of the allies alienated by Donald Trump, it may be harder for the US to initiate conflict around the world as it often has since the end of the Cold War. Reuters

Amid his ongoing crackdown on Harvard University, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday stressed that the institution should cap the number of international students, proposing a limit of 15 per cent on foreign admissions at the Ivy League university.

Harvard has got to behave themselves. Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect, and all theyre doing is getting in deeper and deeper, Trump said while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office.

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#WATCH | On student visa issue, US President Donald Trump says, "... We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I'll tell you what, many of those students didn't go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers pic.twitter.com/dZCpcUJM4r  ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025

We dont want to see shopping centres explode. We dont want to see the kind of riots that you had, and Ill tell you what, many of those students didnt go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left, Trump told reporters.

He also stated that Harvard should provide his administration with a list of its current international students, although he did not specify what action might follow.

Harvard has to show us their lists. They have foreign students - almost 31 per cent of their students. We want to know where those students come from, whether they are troublemakers, and what countries they come from.These countries arent helping us. Theyre not investing in Harvard  we are. So why would 31 per cent - why would a number so bigI think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 per cent, not 31 per cent, he said.

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Trumps clash with Harvard, which started during last years pro-Palestinian protests on campus, has turned into a wider campaign against elite universities. He has often criticised top US colleges, calling them centres for Marxist maniacs and lunatics, and said on Monday he may shift federal funding from places like Harvard to trade schools instead.

The government has frozen billions in grants and contracts to Harvard and warned it could cut the rest if the university doesnt share information about its foreign students and make changes suggested by officials. Trump has also slammed Harvard for giving jobs to top Democrats in teaching and leadership roles.
Speaking to reporters on a flight from Azerbaijan, Erdogan said Ankara was in contact with both countries, and added that the recent momentum in peace efforts was an opportunity to reach lasting peace read more

:Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Russias proposal to hold another round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2 had heightened Ankaras hopes for peace.

NATO member Turkey has maintained good relations with both sides since the start of the war. It hosted an initial round of peace talks in March 2022 - a month after Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour - and again on May 16, the first direct meeting between Moscow and Kyiv in three years.

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks in Moscow on Monday and Tuesday, including with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on Friday.

Speaking to reporters on a flight from Azerbaijan, Erdogan said Ankara was in contact with both countries, and added that the recent momentum in peace efforts was an opportunity to reach lasting peace.

The road to a resolution goes through more dialogue, more diplomacy. We are using all our diplomatic power and potential for peace, he was cited as saying by his office on Thursday.

Russia is under increasing pressure to agree a ceasefire, and while delegates from Moscow and Kyiv did not agree on one in Istanbul this month, they agreed to trade 1,000 prisoners of war and share their views on the contours of a truce.

Fidan, speaking to Turkish media representatives on a train ride from Poland to Kyiv, said that while the sides demands for a ceasefire were different, they needed to converge their views to reach an agreement, adding other actors needed to help too.

The Russians have goals regarding the war, of course. These are goals they set themselves. They have targets regarding land, regarding the annexation of certain areas. How acceptable these are for the international community, in terms of international law, that is all debatable, he said.

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I dont really evaluate that this will be tied to a legal process too much, he added, saying he could call U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following his talks in Kyiv.
After Russia proposed a second round of peace talks in Turkey, Ukraine has laid down its conditions, insisting that it will only participate if the Kremlin sends its agreed peace terms read more

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, both nations are gearing up for a second round of peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey. Ukraine has maintained that it will participate in the talks, scheduled on Monday, only if the Kremlin produces its promised memorandum of terms for an agreement.

The first round of negotiations between the two warring countries took place on May 16 in Istanbul, during which Russia and Ukraine agreed to prepare memoranda detailing their conditions for peace. On Wednesday evening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed a second round of talks on June 2.

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Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the delegation in the first round, maintained that the talks are possible only if Russia sends its terms of peace before June 2. The condition from Umerov came after Lavrov said that the Russian side would present its terms during the second round of talks in Istanbul.

Ukraine demands promptness

In response to Lavrovs assertion, Umrov said that the Ukrainian side has sent its terms to the Kremlin and expects the same kind of promptness from Moscow.

We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum so that the meeting wont be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war, Umerov said in a post on Facebook. The Russian side has at least four more days before their departure to provide us with their document for review," he added.

It is pertinent to note that Ukraine has repeatedly said that it would agree to an unconditional ceasefire. However, Russia has lengthy discussions addressing what it calls the root causes before any cessation of hostilities. The latest proposal from Moscow came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that US President Donald Trump told him during their meeting at the Vatican that the US is ready to impose new sanctions on Russia if Moscow doesnt agree to a ceasefire.

President Trump supported that if Russia does not stop, there will be sanctions, Zelenskyy told journalists in a press briefing on Tuesday. Our conversation was positive from the point of view that I perceive our conversation as a confirmation of the US policy of imposing strong sanctions against Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire," he added.

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Meanwhile, top Putin aide Yuri Ushakov retorted in a TV interview Tuesday that we have come to the conclusion that Trump is not sufficiently informed about what is really happening in the context of the Ukrainian-Russian confrontation, insisting that the Russian strikes were only against military targets and infrastructure. Hence, it will be interesting to see how the second round of talks will pan out.
A US trade court has stopped President Donald Trump from moving ahead with his liberation day tariffs. The court ruled that only Congress can regulate trade with other countries and he exceeded his authority. read more

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. Reuters File

A US trade court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trumps plan to impose new tariffs, ruling that he went beyond his authority.

The court said only Congress has the power to regulate trade with other countries, and that this power isnt overridden by the presidents emergency powers to protect the economy.

The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the Presidents use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it, a three-judge panel said in the decision.

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The Trump administration minutes later filed a notice of appeal and questioned the authority of the court.

The decisions of the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade, which hears disputes involving international trade and customs laws, can be appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington DC, and ultimately the US Supreme Court.

Donald Trumps global trade war has shaken financial markets with unpredictable tariff rollouts aimed at punishing countries that sell more to the US than they buy.

He claimed that trade deficits and drug trafficking posed a national emergency, justifying broad tariffs. But the US Court of International Trade pushed back, blocking most of the tariffs announced since he took office.

Unelected judges should not interfere: White House

The White House criticised the ruling, saying unelected judges should not interfere in the presidents decisions. Trumps spokesman, Kush Desai, said the administration would keep using its full executive powers to tackle the crisis.

Though the White House didnt mention a legal challenge, US media reported that an appeal had already been filed. Trump aide Stephen Miller called the decision a judicial coup and said the courts were out of control.

Trump had announced sweeping tariffs10 per cent across the board, with higher rates for countries like China and the EU. The courts decision also struck down separate duties on Canada, Mexico, and China that were imposed under emergency powers.

Some of the market uncertainty eased when Trump paused major tariffs for 90 days and delayed others while negotiating with different nations.

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While the state secretary has not named specific entities, US tech companies have sought the governments backing in challenging US allies in Europe, alleging censorship of social media platforms read more

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that visas will be restricted to foreign nationals who the government deems to be censoring Americans on social media, as the Trump administration wages a new battle over free expression.

While the state secretary has not named specific entities, US tech companies have sought the governments backing in challenging US allies in Europe, alleging censorship of social media platforms.

It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States, Rubio said.

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Rubio added that some people from other nations are taking flagrant censorship actions against US tech companies and US citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so.

The latest move comes after social media giants like Meta complained that the European Unions Digital Services Act leads to censorship of their platforms. The Trump-appointed chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in March warned that the EU Digital Services Act excessively restricts freedom of expression.

In January, Meta said it would end its U.S. fact-checking program in favour of community notes on controversial posts, but the company continues fact-checking elsewhere, including in Europe and Latin America.

EU regulators have issued preliminary findings that X, the platform owned by Trump ally Elon Musk that also relies on community notes, saying it breached the blocs content moderation rules.

Meanwhile, the bloc has defended its act, saying that its intended to make the online environment safer and fairer for users by compelling social media companies to tackle illegal content, including hate speech and child sexual abuse material.

A European Commission spokesperson said commissioners were aware of Rubios announcement, which seems to be of a general nature. The spokesperson declined to comment further.

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With inputs from agencies
US Middle East Envoy Steve Wifkoff has said he will soon submit a new proposal to Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages. The announcement comes shortly after Hamas said it had reached an understanding regarding a deal with Witkoff. read more

Palestinians walk surrounded by the rubble of destroyed homes and building in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, March 7, 2025. Image- AP

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to Middle East, will submit a new proposal to Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages.

The development comes shortly after Hamas said that it had reached an understanding with Witkoff a general framework of a ceasefire-hostage release deal. Israel was quick to dismiss the statement. However, Witkoff said he had very good feelings about reaching a deal soon.

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Were on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later today. The president is going to review it. I have some very good feelings about getting toa temporary ceasefire and a long-term, peaceful resolution of that conflict, said Witkoff on Wednesday.

After resuming the war in March, Israel has declared that it plans to control the vast majority of the strip and work towards realising US President Donald Trumps plan that would involve the expulsion of all Palestinians and the US takeover of the strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn flak for prioritising the annexation of Gaza over the return of hostages  20 of 58 people still in captivity in Gaza are believed to be alive.

US proposal based on direct talks with Israel & Hamas: Report

Witkoffs latest proposal is based on his talks with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Washington DC and Bishara Bahbahs talks with senior Hamas officials in Qatar in recent days, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Bahbah is a Palestinian-American activist who has been tapped by the Trump administration to hold talks with Hamas and Arabs.

Despite Witkoffs optimism, a source told The Post that Hamas attempt to use the Witkoff framework as a branded concept to promote their own vision will not succeed. Officials further said that they were not aware of any deal reached between Hamas and the United States.

ALSO READ: Trumps Gaza plan may sound death knell to two-state solution, push West Asia closer to disaster

The newspaper reported that the main point of contention between Hamas and Israel is what happens after the expiration of any temporary ceasefire.

If any temporary ceasefire expires before a final deal is reached, Hamas wants US guarantees that negotiations will continue whereas Israel says the war will resume, according to the newspaper.

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Sources familiar with the details told the newspaper, There is a sense that a deal can be reached. Gaps remain, but they are bridgeable, and therefore, there is cautious optimism that the talks will conclude successfully.

Hamas hints at terms of deal

In the statement on Wednesday, Hamas hinted at the terms of the deal that it could reach with Israel via Witkoff-led negotiations.

We have reached an agreement on a general framework with Witkoff that ensures a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, Hamas said on Wednesday.

Under the terms of the deal, Hamas said it would release of 10 living hostages and bodies of many others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Hamas further said that the agreement includes the establishment of a professional committee to manage Gazas affairs once a ceasefire is declared.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US will start revoking visas of Chinese students linked to the Communist Party or studying sensitive subjects. read more

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the US will start revoking visas of Chinese students, especially those linked to the Communist Party or studying in sensitive areas.

The US will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio said in a post on X.

China remains at the centre of former President Trumps global trade war, which has shaken financial markets, disrupted supply chains, and raised fears of a major global economic slowdown.

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The number of Chinese students in the US has dropped to about 277,000 in 2024, down from a peak of 370,000 in 2019. The decline is partly due to rising tensions between the US and China and stricter checks on Chinese students by the US government.

New guidelines from the US State Department are adding more checks on international students, as part of Trumps wider effort to tighten control over foreign admissions in US universities.

The announcement came days after the Trump administration moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.

Trump on Wednesday said that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit that percentage to about 15 per cent.

I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Earlier this year, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war.

The Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the US.

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A day after India said that three Indian nationals had gone missing in Iran, the Iranian Embassy in India has strongly advised Indians to not be deceived by travel agents. read more

Days after the disappearance of three Indians in Tehran, the Embassy of Iran in India has warned against getting duped by agents.

The Indian Embassy in Iran on Wednesday said that three Indians had gone missing in Iran and it had strongly taken up the issue with the Iranian authorities.

In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy on Thursday (May 29) said that Indian citizens are strongly advised not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.

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The embassy further said, The case concerning the disappearance of three Indian nationals is being followed up by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities. The Embassy of the Republic of India in Tehran is also being kept informed of the proceedings within the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through coordination with the Consular Affairs Department.

The case concerning the disappearance of three Indian nationals is being followed up by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities. The Embassy of the Republic of India https://t.co/Gs7elOjejL  Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) May 29, 2025

While the embassy did not identify the missing Indians, NDTV reported that they are Hushanpreet Singh from Punjabs Sangrur, Jaspal Singh from Punjabs SBS Nagar, and Amritpal Singh from Punjabs Hoshiarpur.

The report further said that they went missing on May 1 shortly after arriving in Iranian capital Tehran.

Separately, India Today has reported Hushanpreets mother as saying that her son was abducted in Iran. She said that he was duped by agents who took him to Iran after promising to take him to Australia on a work permit.

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Once Hushanpreet arrived in Iran on what the agents said was a temporary stay, he was abducted, according to the mother.

The report further quoted the mother as saying that abductors sent pictures and videos of the three men that show their hands tied by ropes with cuts and bruises on their bodies. She further said that abductors have demanded ransom for their release.
US trade court blocks Trump administration's tariffs imposed in early April

Global Times) 13:30, May 29, 2025

A US federal court on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration's tariffs imposed in early April from going into effect using emergency-powers legislation, while also ruling that the president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from countries that have a trade deficit with the US, as reported by US media.

Reuters reported that the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade said the US Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries that is not overridden by the president's emergency powers to safeguard the US economy.

"The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the President's use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it," a three-judge panel said in the decision.

The decision, issued by the New York-based Court of International Trade, stemmed from two lawsuits: one brought by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center representing five small US businesses importing goods from affected countries, and another by 13 US states, Reuters reported.

The companies, which range from a New York wine and spirits importer to a Virginia-based maker of educational kits and musical instruments, have said the tariffs will hurt their ability to do business, according to the report.

However, the US president might still be able to temporarily launch import taxes of 15 percent for 150 days on nations with which the US runs a substantial trade deficit. The ruling notes that a president has this authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, according to AP.

Within minutes of the ruling, the Trump administration lodged an appeal.

It is reported that the Wednesday's decision can be appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., and ultimately the US Supreme Court, Reuters reported.

On April 2, the US government announced what it claims to be "reciprocal tariffs" against its trading partners, including China. A week later, many country-specific tariffs were suspended. After China took firm countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests, the US further increased tariffs to levels that even its officials said "unsustainable." On May 12, after a high-level meeting in Geneva, the two countries issued a joint statement announcing the removal of significant tariffs on each other and suspending some duties for 90 days.

The "reciprocal tariffs" not only aroused wide opposition in the international community, but also opposition inside the US.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously reversed aspects of a federal appeals court ruling overturning an agencys approval of an 88-mile railway in northeastern Utah that would facilitate shipment of oil through Colorado and to the Gulf Coast.

The ruling, broadly speaking, lays out limits on the reach of the National Environmental Policy Act, while also specifically being a victory for the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition in northeast Utah and a Utah railway company. They had argued that the Surface Transportation Board, when it approved the project, didnt need to take into account the environmental impacts of the oil and gas development in Utah that would generate traffic on the rail line, or things such as impacts along rail lines in western Colorado that would see increased oil train traffic or to Gulf Coast communities where the oil would be taken to be refined.

The high court opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, held that the lower-court ruling failed to afford the board the substantial judicial deference required in NEPA cases and incorrectly interpreted NEPA to require the Board to consider the environmental effects of upstream and downstream projects that are separate in time or place from the Uinta Basin Railway.

Kavanaugh was joined in his opinion by four other conservatives on the court. Justice Neil Gorsuch recused himself from the case and the courts three liberal justices joined in a concurring opinion also reversing the lower-court ruling, but based on differing reasoning.

The oil train project would connect oil produced in the Uinta Basin with the national rail network, and could result in as much as 350,000 barrels a day of waxy crude oil being shipped through western Colorado and to Gulf Coast refineries. It would eliminate the need for oil to continue to be trucked through mountainous terrain to a railway in Utah.

The project had been challenged in court by Eagle County in Colorado and by some conservation groups.

Some western Colorado communities are concerned about potential impacts such as wildfires and oil spills into the Colorado River from increased local oil traffic. Grand Junction had joined some other Colorado communities in a friend-of-the-court brief filed with the high court arguing that NEPA requires analysis of things such as the potential for such impacts along the Union Pacific Line in Colorado.

The high court didnt review some other findings by the lower court that went against the Utah rail proponents. Among other things, the appeals court had found that the Surface Transportation Board violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to account for spill impacts.

The Surface Transportation Board must still decide other environmental issues that werent part of this case, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who had led 16 state attorneys general in filing a high-court brief supporting Eagle County, said in a statement. Well remain vigilant and deploy every tool available under the law to protect Colorados land, air, and water and hold federal agencies accountable to their oversight obligations.

This decision affirms the years of work and collaboration that have gone into making the Uinta Basin Railway a reality, Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, said in a news release. It represents a turning point for rural Utah  bringing safer, sustainable, more efficient transportation options, and opening new doors for investment and economic stability. We look forward to continuing our work with all stakeholders to deliver this transformative project.

That coalition plans to work with the Surface Transportation Board on things including completing the Endangered Species Act process, and other project aspects such as finalizing construction plans and continuing to pursue funding for an undertaking that would cost billions of dollars.

Kavanaugh wrote that NEPA doesnt require an agency to weigh environmental consequences in any particular way. Rather, an agency may weigh environmental consequences as the agency reasonably sees fit under its governing statute and any relevant substantive environmental laws. Simply stated, NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock. The goal of the law is to inform agency decision-making, not to paralyze it.

He said some overly intrusive court decisions have slowed down or blocked projects, causing litigation-averse agencies to take ever-more time and prepare ever-longer environmental impact statements.

The upshot: NEPA has transformed from a modest procedural requirement into a blunt and haphazard tool employed by project opponents (who may not always be entirely motivated by concern for the environment) to try to stop or at least slow down new infrastructure and construction projects, Kavanaugh wrote.

NEPA became law in 1970, and Kavanaugh wrote, A 1970 legislative acorn has grown over the years into a judicial oak that has hindered infrastructure development under the guise of just a little more process.

He noted that the Surface Transportation Board has no authority or control over potential future oil and gas development in the Uinta Basin, and the same is true when it comes to potential oil refining on the Gulf Coast. NEPA requires an agency to focus on the environmental effects of a project itself, and not future or geographically separate ones, he wrote.

A relatively modest infrastructure project should not be turned into a scapegoat for everything that ensues from upstream oil drilling to downstream refinery emissions.

The high courts decision undermines decades of legal precedent that told federal agencies to look before they leap when approving projects that could harm communities and the environment, Sam Sankar, an Earthjustice senior vice president, said in a news release. The Trump administration will treat this decision as an invitation to ignore environmental concerns as it tries to promote fossil fuels, kill off renewable energy, and destroy sensible pollution regulations.

The concurring opinion in the case was written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She found that under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, the Surface Transportation Board couldnt lawfully consider the environmental consequences of oil production upstream or downstream from the railway as part of the approval process.

She wrote that the court majority in its ruling in the case takes a different path, unnecessarily grounding its analysis largely in matters of policy.
US President Donald Trump's administration has argued that judges do not have the authority to block his tariffs regime
Ranchers are calling multiple wolf attacks on cattle over Memorial Day weekend in Pitkin County devastating and evidence Colorado Parks and Wildlife is failing to keep its promise to alert ranchers when wolves are in range of their livestock.

The attacks occurred over three days on the Crystal River Ranch, in the Crystal River Valley, and on the Lost Marbles and McCabe ranches, in the Roaring Fork Valley.

The first happened early Friday morning on the Crystal River Ranch, according to Tom Harrington, manager of the ranch and president of the Colorado Cattlemens Association.

Wolves killed a second calf on the McCabe Ranch on Saturday.

And on Sunday, wolves separated a cow and a calf from a herd on the Lost Marbles Ranch and severely injured the calf.

A press release from the cattlemens association identified the wolf that killed Harringtons calf, as well as two other wolves that killed and attacked the other livestock, as members of Colorados first established pack after the first release of reintroduction in late 2023, the Copper Creek pack, which killed numerous sheep and cattle on two ranches in Grand County last spring.

The deaths over Memorial Day weekend had not been added to CPWs running list of confirmed depredations Tuesday evening.

CPW has said it will alert ranchers to wolves in their area, as part of its stated goal to be more transparent during the states wolf reintroduction program, which is predicted to last three to five years, until a sustainable wolf population is established.

But Harrington said he was first alerted to a wolf in his area not by CPW but by his friend and neighbor, who is also a Colorado Department of Agriculture brand inspector.

The inspector told him a range rider employed by CPW had been dispatched to the Crystal River Ranch BLM allotment where Harrington periodically grazes his cattle, without any knowledge, any contacts, or any mapping just instruction to, he said, go ride this permit. Theres a wolf on that side of the valley.

But when Harrington saw the map of the area the range rider was sent to patrol, it revealed he was on the wrong land, he said. Harrington called Max Morton, who directs the agencys hired range riders. The map Morton shared showed a wolf ranging on Crystal River Ranch private property adjacent to the BLM allotment, where Harrington was grazing 200 cow-calf pairs (he has since moved them).

Harrington sent his ranch foreman to the correct area. But it wasnt until the next morning, he said, that received a call from the state district wildlife manager.

He says, Hey, you got a wolf on you. I just wanted to let you know And I said, Yeah, I found out yesterday. Where the hell were you?

I learned about it last night, Harrington said he told the manager, and I have a guy looking right now.

Harringtons foreman called him about 10 minutes later to report a dead calf near a water tank on a 2,000-acre pasture on Crystal River Ranch private land, he said. So I called the district wildlife manager back, and I said Get somebody out here.

The manager arrived with a second official who photographed the calf, which Harrington described as gutted like a fish. He was clean. There was nothing left inside. And he was a big, healthy calf, around 180 to 200 pounds.

Officials took the hide to inspect it for teeth marks and sent Harrington a wolf depredation compensation form for the loss of the calf, he said. That night, the range rider sat on the water tank scanning the land for wolves through a thermal spotting scope. He saw nothing, Harrington said, but the next morning we had a ton of wolf tracks.

No further attacks have occurred on the Crystal River land. But unfortunately, the same wolf is still in the proximity, Harrington said. So if he comes back, hell be closer to where the cows are currently.

Harrington said wolves killed a yearling heifer on the Lost Marbles Ranch in March. It belonged to rancher Mike Cerveny, who leases land from the owners. Cerveny lost a second calf there over the weekend.

Harrington said since March, Cerveny has had seven calves go missing during calving time. He would see a brand new baby calf with a cow nursing the calf. Everythings cool. The next morning, he would go out, and the cows bawling, cant find her calf, no sign of it, gone.

The owners of the Lost Marbles Ranch confirmed the injury that occurred on Sunday.

We do not have much to say, they told The Colorado Sun. We are dealing with CPW and trying to find solutions.

Cerveny did not return The Suns call Tuesday evening.

A CPW spokesperson Tuesday evening said it is conducting investigations into the recent potential wolf-livestock depredation events and that it will provide further investigations when the investigations are final.

CPW released 10 wolves from Oregon into Summit and Grand counties in December 2023 and another 15 from British Columbia in January. Five Copper Creek wolves  a female and four of her now yearling pups that were captured in Grand County last fall after multiple confirmed livestock kills  were released with the British Columbia wolves in Pitkin and Eagle counties.

CPW said earlier this month as many as four wolf pairs could be denning, based on data from their collars.

And Harrington said in a conversation over the weekend, CPW Northwest Regional Manager Travis Black agreed with him that the recent attacks are enough to meet the requirements of chronic depredation, which CPW defines as three or more depredations caused by the same wolf or wolves within 30 days, and could result in the agency killing the offending wolves.

CPW declined to kill the adults in the Copper Creek pack last year, fearing that the pups could not survive without their parents.
Mossad spy executed in Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- A Mossad spy has been executed after being convicted of intelligence cooperation with the Israeli regime.

According to the Judiciary's media center, the individual, identified as Pedram Madani, was hanged on Wednesday morning following a full legal process, including trial, appeal, and final confirmation of the verdict by Iran's Supreme Court.

Madani, who was arrested about five years ago, was charged with having links with Mossad and acquiring wealth by illegal means.

Prior to his arrest, he had traveled to Germany multiple times to receive training in intelligence operations.

7129**9417

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A man convicted of espionage for Israel's Mossad executed in Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 10:53 AM

A man arrested in 2020 and convicted of extensive collaboration with the Israeli spy agency Mossad has been executed, the Iranian judiciary announced on Wednesday.

"After identification, arrest, and judicial proceedings against Pedram Madani, who was spying in favor of the Zionist regime, and following the complete process of criminal procedure and the final confirmation and upholding of the verdict by the Supreme Court, he was brought to justice and executed," the Judiciary's Mizan news agency reported on Wednesday.

The news agency said Madani was arrested in Tehran in 2020 on charges of "spying for the intelligence service of the usurping Zionist regime (Mossad)," and "acquiring illicit wealth through receiving foreign currency cash in Europe (euros) and cryptocurrency (Bitcoin)."

Madani was accused of sharing classified information and holding meetings with Mossad officers abroad.

"The accused, who had traveled to and from Germany before his arrest, underwent Mossad training and sought to recruit individuals, collect, and share classified information with his handler through a secure communication system," Mizan said.

Madani was also reported by the news agency to have "met his direct Mossad handler at the Zionist regime's embassy in Brussels during one of several meetings in various countries."

The Judiciary said he had traveled to "the occupied territories" before his arrest in 2020-2021.

"After undergoing a complete criminal procedure, Pedram Madani was convicted of espionage for the Zionist regime's intelligence service (Mossad) on charges of waging war against God and corruption on Earth, and was sentenced to death. Ultimately, following the issued verdicts and legal formalities, the convict was executed by hanging," Mizan underlined.

Back in April, the Judiciary announced the execution of Mohsen Langarneshin, a high-profile Mossad agent for his involvement in the 2022 assassination of a member of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the capital Tehran.

The convict was responsible for major missions, supported acts of terror and was present at the scene of IRGC Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei's targeted killing in Tehran on May 22, 2022 after two motorcyclists shot him five times before fleeing.

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Iran Executes Man Accused Of Spying For Israel As Human Rights Groups Condemn 'Killing Spree'

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda May 28, 2025

Iran said it has executed Pedram Madani, who was accused of "spying for Israel" in a case human rights groups said was filled with "fundamental flaws" and based on confessions made under duress.

The country's judiciary news agency Mizan announced on May 28 that the execution was carried out for offenses including "spying for Israel" and "acquiring wealth through illegitimate means."

The Iranian Human Rights Organization reported on May 25 that Madani was at "imminent risk" of being executed after he was transferred from Evin prison to Ghezelhesar prison in Karaj, where his family was summoned for what is believed to have been a final visit.

Pedram was arrested for allegedly spying for Israel in 2020.

He was sentenced to death for charges of "corruption on Earth" by the Revolutionary Court. That sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court three times, each of which a court of equal standing resentenced him to death.

Imprisoned Iranian dissident Narges Mohammadi, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, posted a video of Madani's mother pleading to Iranian authorities not to "let another family suffer."

She also asks for a case "full of ambiguities and serious flaws to be reviewed again."

"Let it be revived so he can live," she said.

News of Madani's execution comes a day after Human Rights Watch issued a report saying Iranian authorities are carrying out a "horrific execution spree," with at least 113 executions reported in the first 25 days of May 2025 alone.

The Oslo-based group said 478 people have been executed by Iran so far this year, a 75 percent jump from the same period a year earlier.

"Iran's authorities have executed at least three people a day on average during the first five months of 2025, with more dissidents and marginalized communities falling victim to the government's vicious repression of dissent and brutal anti-drug policy," said Federico Borello, interim executive director of Human Rights Watch.

"The killing spree shows no signs of slowing down and the scale of the crisis underscores an urgent need for the international community to press the Iranian government to immediately halt all executions and establish a death penalty moratorium."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-execution- madani-spying-for-israel/33427419.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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B-52 executes MIGHTY RHINO, integrating with African partners

News | May 23, 2025

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to Bomber Task Force Europe executed mission MIGHTY RHINO on May 23, integrating with African partner forces in Morocco.

The bomber integrated with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16s fighter jets in support of African Lion, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, demonstrating the reach of U.S. airpower and the U.S. Air Force's enduring commitment to collaboration with partner forces.

"Posture isn't about being seen, it's about being ready," U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Vincent Noel, commander of the deployed expeditionary bomb squadron, said. "Our team trains to integrate into any theater worldwide at a moment's notice, act decisively, and prove what credible combat power really looks like."

Bomber Task Force Europe missions like MIGHTY RHINO reinforce the United States' ability to operate from forward locations with agility and precision while strengthening seamless cohesion through deliberate, disciplined operations across multiple theaters.

For more information, please contact the USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs office at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.

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The President of Indonesia and the Premier of China Affirm Commitment to Strengthen Indonesia-China Strategic Partnership

Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Date May 24, 2025

Jakarta, Indonesia -- President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, received an official visit from the Premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Li Qiang, during a bilateral meeting held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Sunday, (25/5). This meeting marks an important moment in strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries with a long history of friendship.

President Prabowo emphasized that this visit marks the increasingly solid relationship between the two countries and their people. President Prabowo stated that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China, as well as the 70th anniversary of the historic Asian-African Conference. The President also reaffirmed the Indonesian government's determination to continue strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and China, not only for bilateral interests but also for the stability and prosperity of the region.

"I reaffirm our commitment to strengthening this partnership with the People's Republic of China and with the Chinese people." We believe that this relationship will bring benefits, not only to our two countries but to the entire Asian region and possibly even the world," he said.

At the end of the meeting, the President of Indonesia and the Premier of China witnessed the signing of 12 strategic memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering various priority sectors, ranging from industry, tourism, and economy to health. One of the main memorandums of understanding signed was between the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China regarding the Strengthening of Economic Cooperation in the Industrial and Supply Chain Sectors. In addition, a trilateral MoU was also signed between the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, and the Fujian Provincial Government of China regarding the Two Countries Twin Parks project.

In the financial sector, Bank Indonesia and the People's Bank of China agreed to establish a Local Currency Transaction Framework for Bilateral Cooperation. Another strategic step includes the cooperation between the Indonesian National Economic Council and the National Development and Reform Commission of China in economic development policies.

In addition to the four MoUs signed directly in front of the two leaders, eight other cooperation documents were signed separately, including cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as important protocols related to the export of frozen durian from Indonesia to China, signed by the quarantine authorities of both countries.

Other cooperation documents signed included the MoU between the Indonesian Ministry of Health and health institutions in China regarding traditional Chinese medicine and tuberculosis control, a memorandum of understanding between the National News Agency ANTARA and China Media Group as well as Xinhua News Agency in the field of news reporting and information exchange, an investment cooperation between Danantara and China Investment Corporation, and the strengthening of relations between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia.

This momentum serves as concrete evidence of the increasingly close comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China. President Prabowo and Premier Li Qiang welcomed the signing as a concrete step towards mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation.

Source: Bureau for Press, Media, and Information, Presidential Secretariat

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Pakistan Strongly Condemns Israeli Provocative Actions related to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Targeting of a School

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest provocative actions by Israeli occupying power as well as illegal settlers that aim to undermine the religious, historical and legal status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a flagrant violation of the international law, and have the potential to further escalate an already volatile situation in the region. Pakistan calls for upholding the sanctity and historical status of the holy sites, and preventing Israel from any further provocations.

Pakistan also strongly deplores the continued targeting of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza by the occupying power. The latest reprehensible attack against a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza is an example of continued Israeli impunity. The harrowing images being witnessed by the world in the aftermath of the attack that resulted in dozens of deaths, many of them children, should be a wake-up call for the international community. These attacks must end forthwith, and Israel must be held accountable for its heinous crimes.

Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and calls for the establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Islamabad

27 May 2025

151/2025

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Cambodia police seek Thai extradition of critic of the govt's trade negotiators

Unusually, Cambodia is naming the person they want deported; Thailand says it has yet to receive the request.

By RFA Khmer 2025.05.27 -- A Cambodian woman who criticized Phnom Penh's inconclusive efforts to negotiate with Washington over trade tariffs is in the cross-hairs of Cambodian police who accuse her of trying to overthrow the government and say they'll ask Thailand to extradite her.

The woman, identified by police as Chhin Chou from Battambang province, had posted audio over video footage of Cambodia's commerce minister on Facebook under the user name "Overseas Woman." In it, she claimed that the first round of tariff negotiations between Cambodia and U.S. officials in Washington on May 15 had failed, and that the second round due in early June would also fail due to the Cambodian government's human rights violations.

The United States is least-developed Cambodia's main export market and the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet is reckoning with a 49% U.S. tariff rate on its vital footwear and textile sectors unless it can reach a deal with the Trump administration.

"Unless we follow their demands, they will not agree," Overseas Woman posted. "We must stop illegal actions in Cambodia and ensure free and fair elections. If the Cambodian leadership cannot fulfill these conditions, then the second round of negotiations will also fail."

Last Friday, Cambodia's national police last week issued a statement accusing Chhin Chou of distorting facts and incitement to overthrow the government. Describing her as an opposition activist, the police said they were preparing the legal procedures necessary to cooperate with Thai authorities to have her arrested and extradited to Cambodia.

Thailand has previously cooperated in arrests of Cambodian opposition activists on its soil - typically doing so on the quiet because of criticism it faces from human rights activists and some Western governments when it deports refugees who could face political persecution back in Cambodia. In this case, Cambodian police took the unusual step of naming the suspect they were seeking.

On Monday, Police Col. Katatorn Khamtieng, deputy spokesperson for Thailand's Immigration Bureau, told Radio Free Asia that the bureau has not yet received any directive from the Thai National Police Bureau to arrest Chhin Chou.

Ny Sokha, president of the Cambodian human rights organization Adhoc, stated that the online post does not constitute an illegal act, as it is a legitimate expression of opinion protected under the law.

"Both national and international laws, especially the constitution, clearly guarantee Cambodian citizens' freedom to assemble and express opinions. So in my view, we must draw a clear distinction between criminal offenses and lawful freedom of expression," Ny Sokha said.

RFA Khmer was able to contact Chhin Chou last week but she declined to make any comments, saying that she was seeking a safe location.

Cambodia's government has demonstrated a shrinking tolerance for dissenting opinions.

According to a 2024 report from Human Rights Watch, at least 94 people were arrested by Cambodian authorities on charges of "incitement to cause serious social unrest and treason" due to criticism of the government. Of those, 59 individuals were reportedly unlawfully detained, the rights group said.

The intolerance extends to journalists such as Ouk Mao, who had reported on logging in a wildlife sanctuary in northern Cambodia. He was arrested by plainclothes police without a warrant on May 16. He was charged with incitement and defamation.

On Sunday, a judge at the Stung Treng Provincial Court ordered Ouk Mao's release on bail. He is still facing 15 other complaints involving charges of illegal logging, encroachment, and burning of forestland for private ownership.

Ouk Mao told RFA that he will continue to protect the forest more vigorously than before and is not afraid of timber traders or those who destroy forests.

"Now I have no more fear or hesitation. I will continue protecting the forest even more strongly than before. I ask that I be given full freedom to help safeguard the forest so it can be preserved for the long term," he said.

Pimuk Rakkanam in Bangkok contributed reporting. Translated by Poly Sam. Edited by Mat Pennington.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May 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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U.S. Central Command Hosts Third Biennial Medical Security Cooperation Exchange in San Antonio

U.S. Central Command

News | May 28, 2025

By Maged L. Benjamin-Elias

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) brought together military medical professionals and leaders from 19 partner nations for the third biennial Medical Security Cooperation Exchange (MSCE), held from May 11 to 15, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. The event served as a pivotal opportunity to strengthen regional medical collaboration, accelerate innovation, and enhance readiness across the coalition.

This year's MSCE invited participants from Australia, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States, making it one of the most diverse and strategically important iterations to date.

"The Medical Security Cooperation Exchange reflects our enduring commitment to building trust, sharing expertise, and strengthening interoperability with our regional partners. By coming together to address shared challenges and explore innovative solutions, we not only enhance medical readiness but also reinforce the vital role of military medicine in promoting stability and resilience across the region." COL Larry J. McCord, Command Surgeon, U.S. Central Command, said.

Hosted at the Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCOE) and accompanied by guided visits to prominent facilities including Brooke Army Medical Center Hospital, the Burn Center, the Center of the Intrepid, the Institute of Surgical Research, and Camp Bullis Training Center, attendees engaged in site visits, live demonstrations, lectures, and panel discussions that showcased the depth and scope of U.S. military medical capabilities.

The central theme of the 2025 MSCE focused on enhancing regional collaboration, aligning capabilities, and building stronger relationships, with an emphasis on the critical role of military medicine in sustaining national and regional stability. Topics of focus included Battlefield Medicine, Telemedicine, Force Health Protection, and Force Health Service Supporthighlighting the essential components of modern military healthcare.

Keynote speakers included Brigadier General Clinton K. Murray, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, and Colonel Larry J. McCord, USCENTCOM Command Surgeon, who emphasized the importance of medical diplomacy and interoperability in maintaining regional security and operational readiness.

Attendees also explored emerging technologies such as MOVES portable life-support systems, high-fidelity manikins, freeze-dried plasma, and the Credo Cube cold chain system, as well as efforts spearheaded by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Project Management Office to support agile and resilient medical logistics.

Among the most valuable outcomes were knowledge exchange, enhanced partnerships, and the groundwork for projected multilateral medical training exercises in 2026. The conference highlighted the collective commitment to applying lessons learned to current doctrines and developing future joint and coalition medical operations.

As USCENTCOM continues to foster unity and collaboration through initiatives like MSCE, the command reaffirms its dedication to readiness, interoperability, and the shared mission of safeguarding global security through military medicine.

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May 28, 2025

Release

Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesperson and Senior Advisor, Sean Parnell, on Conclusion of "What You Did Last Week" Exercise

For several months, the Department of Defense has asked its civilian employees to submit an email detailing five of their accomplishments from the previous week, consistent with the February 27, 2025, Secretary of Defense memorandum, "Guidance for Department of Defense Civilian Employees on Responding to the Office of Personnel Management's 'What You Did Last Week' Email." This initiative provided leaders and supervisors with additional insights into their employees' contributions, fostered accountability, and helped to identify opportunities for greater efficiency and effectiveness throughout the Department.

On May 23, 2025, the Official Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Mr. Jules W. Hurst III, informed the DoD civilian workforce via email that the Department would conclude the weekly "What You Did Last Week" initiative on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and asked employees to share in their final submission one concrete idea to enhance efficiency or root out waste. The Department remains committed to driving meaningful change in support of the mission.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4199518/

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May 28, 2025

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Hegseth Travels to Singapore for Asian Defense Summit

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth left Washington for Singapore today to attend an annual Asian security summit and meet with an assortment of defense counterparts.

"We're going out to Singapore to hold a series of meetings to ensure that region understands America will be strong," Hegseth told reporters prior to boarding his flight at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

As part of his second official trip to the Indo-Pacific region, Hegseth is scheduled to deliver plenary remarks Saturday at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue.

The three-day event is described as a "premier defense summit" where regional defense ministers "debate the region's most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh approaches together," according to the event's official website.

During his remarks, Hegseth is expected to outline the Defense Department's vision for the Indo-Pacific region while underscoring how vital the region is to U.S. interests.

As part of that vision, the secretary will discuss the threat that China poses to the region and how the United States is prepared to deal with that threat.

In line with that, Hegseth is expected to use his remarks to highlight the ways the U.S. is reestablishing deterrence in the region.

"We seek no conflict with anybody, including the communist Chinese," Hegseth told reporters. "But we will deter. ... We will stand strong for our interests; and that's a big part of what this trip is all about."

Along with delivering remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth is also slated to meet with Singapore's prime minister and other senior officials from the nation state.

Additionally, he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with the Philippine Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro. This will be the second meeting between the two senior defense officials, as Hegseth traveled to the Philippines in late March of this year during his first trip to the region.

Hegseth's trip to the Indo-Pacific comes as the DOD continues to strengthen U.S. relationships with allies and partners in support of a shared regional vision for peace, stability and the aforementioned reestablishment of deterrence.

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Azerbaijan: Joint Press Release on the 6th EU-Azerbaijan Security Dialogue in Brussels

European External Action Service (EEAS)

28.05.2025

EEAS Press Team

On 22 May, the European Union and Azerbaijan held their sixth Security Dialogue meeting.

The participants had a frank and constructive exchange on the state of the EU-Azerbaijan bilateral relations, as well as on topical foreign and security policy issues of mutual interest. They welcomed recent high-level engagements demonstrating the shared interest of parties to open a new chapter in bilateral relations.

The EU and Azerbaijan agreed to continue regular exchanges on foreign and security policy issues including on the potential of deepening cooperation in energy and transport connectivity. The EU underlined the vital role of regional cooperation. Azerbaijan reiterated that the EU was its biggest trade partner. The EU highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan's reliable gas supply for EU's energy security. The parties also underlined the importance of meaningful work on all relevant strands of bilateral cooperation under the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. As host of COP29, Azerbaijan furthermore underlined its commitment and ambitions to increase renewable energy.

Azerbaijan expressed its appreciation for the EU's support to demining efforts of Azerbaijan. The EU highlighted its readiness to explore EU instruments that may contribute to reconstruction works. Azerbaijan reiterated its official request in the European Peace Facility.

The participants discussed the next steps in the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The meeting was co-chaired by Olof Skoog, Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service, and Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.



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Black Sea Strategy: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas

European External Action Service (EEAS)

28.05.2025

EEAS Press Team

Thank you, and good day everybody.

Before updating you on the college meeting, I will raise two issues.

First, today, the EU and NATO hold a Chinese state-backed actor responsible for a malicious cyber-campaign against the Czech Republic. This attack is an unacceptable breach of international norms. The EU will not tolerate hostile cyber actions, and we stand in solidarity with the Czech Republic.

Then, on the Middle East, the situation in Gaza remains dire. Israel's strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas. Bypassing the UN in aid deliveries undermines humanitarian principles. And incidents challenging the special status of Jerusalem risk further escalating tensions.

Now, turning to the College meeting. First, we discussed the EU Strategy for Start-ups and Scale-ups. Executive Vice-President Stephane Sejourne and Commissioner Zaharieva will join you in the press room later after this conference is over to present this initiative.

We also appointed Elisabeth Warner as Director-General for the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI). The date of effect is 1st of June 2025. The Spokesperson's service will publish further details on this.

Today, we also adopted a technical, but important, proposal to make EU aid tools more user-friendly. This includes simpler rules for faster and more accessible loans. We also propose moving surplus funds across guarantee funds.

Commissioner Sikela will provide details on this, but the key point is that this could unlock several hundred million euros for external investment and aid. We had a discussion on Monday with development Ministers in the Foreign Affairs Council regarding these issues, and how to really do more.

The second proposal today is a Joint Communication on the Black Sea.

The Black Sea region is of great strategic importance to the European Union because of the connection between Central Asia and Europe. It is important because of security, trade, and energy.

Also, the region's countries are strengthening their ties with the European Union. Again, the feel of geopolitical shifts is there.

Ukraine and Moldova are moving towards membership of the EU. Georgia too, if it returns to the

EU path. And Turkiye is an EU partner of strategic importance and a candidate country.

But the region's potential is marred by Russia's war. Recurring airspace violations and attacks on ports and shipping lanes highlight this reality.

Commissioner Kos will address other elements, but on security, our focus is on three priorities:

First, we are proposing a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub. This hub will be Europe's early warning system in the Black Sea. It will enhance situational awareness and help protect critical infrastructure, like offshore installations and subsea cables. The Hub could also help monitor any peace between Russia and Ukraine. In parallel, we will put greater efforts into demining, that is also a very big threat in the Black Sea. Programmes such as the EU's Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund can help map the threat posed by mines.

Second, military mobility. We propose additional upgrades of regional ports, railways, roads, and airports to handle heavy military gear. Upgrades will help ensure troops can be where they are needed, when they are needed. Getting equipment to the region faster strengthens deterrence and also supports NATO. Alongside upgrades, we want better screening of foreign owners in ports and key facilities.

The third point is on hybrid threats. The Black Sea region is the prime target for hybrid actions. The European Union aims to boost cooperation to combat cyberattacks, disinformation, and other hostile actions. We will invest in Artificial Intelligence to fight disinformation, promote media literacy, and enhance fact-checker networks.

Once again, the security of the Black Sea is vital also to European security.

Thank you.







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Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on the occupied Palestinian territory

European External Action Service (EEAS)

28.05.2025

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

Israel's military operation in Gaza, the disproportionate use of force and the deaths of civilians cannot be tolerated. The continued targeting of civilian infrastructure is unacceptable. We call for a return to the ceasefire, leading to the release of all hostages and the permanent end to hostilities through negotiations.

The EU reiterates that humanitarian aid must never be politicised or militarised. It recalls the role of the UN in distributing humanitarian assistance. The EU reiterates its urgent call for the immediate, unimpeded and sustained resumption of aid at scale, according to the needs of the civilian population in Gaza.

The EU strongly condemns the ongoing settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Intimidation campaigns, physical and verbal attacks, and the destruction and burning of property and homes are leading to the displacement of entire Palestinian communities. Israel must immediately take decisive steps to address this issue and ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable.

The EU condemns incidents that took place on Jerusalem Day in the Old City, including incitement to violence and intimidation of residents and journalists. The provocative actions by Israeli political leaders in this context undermine the special status and character of Jerusalem and its Old City.

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France-Indonesia Joint Declaration on the peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution

Elysee - President of France

Posted on 28 May 2025

France and Indonesia condemned the return of the war in Gaza, that marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the hostages, their families and the entire region. They deplored the unjustified victim toll which has exceeded 50 000 people, among which a majority of civilians. They called for an immediate return to a ceasefire and for the release of all the hostages detained by Hamas and of prisoners detained by Israel in violation of international law, in accordance with the fourth Geneva Convention. They called on all parties to constructively re-engage with negotiations to ensure the ceasefire is implemented and becomes permanent, insisting that a long-lasting ceasefire is the only credible pathway for sustainable peace and security in the region.

France and Indonesia expressed their grave concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. They emphasized that Palestinian civilians - including one million children - face an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death. They called on the Israeli authorities to reestablish access to water and electricity, and immediately allow the flow of humanitarian aid, in accordance with international law. They also called Israeli authorities to ensure humanitarian workers free movement within Gaza and make sure they are able to deliver aid to those who need it most, independent of parties to the conflict and in accordance with humanitarian principles. France and Indonesia underlined their readiness to act jointly in Gaza to respond to reconstruction, governance and security needs in the aftermath of the war in Gaza.

France and Indonesia expressed their deep concern with regards to the various incidents that killed humanitarian personnel, including UN personnel. They stressed the need to ensure the unconditional and permanent protection of UN personnel and its premises, as well as humanitarian and especially first-aid workers. Humanitarian workers should never be a target.

France and Indonesia reiterated their endorsement of the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, that provides a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and expressed their readiness to work with Arab, OIC and EU partners on the implementation of this plan and called on Israel to seize the opportunity offered by this plan. France and Indonesia recalled that this plan must pave the way for a new Palestinian governance of Gaza, led by the Palestinian Authority. They also stressed the necessity of a long-lasting ceasefire in order for this plan to be implemented.

They reiterated their firm opposition on any plans that will forcibly remove the Palestinian population from their homeland and annexation of their territory, which constitute a violation of international law and a threat for the security of the region in line with numerous UN Security Council Resolutions and Advisory Opinions of the International Court of Justice. In line with this, they also stress their strong condemnation of Israeli plan to takeover Gaza and underlines Israel's legal obligation to comply to international law, especially numerous orders of the International Court of Justice in this regard.

France and Indonesia strongly condemned the ongoing extremist settlers' violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the Israeli government decisions to further expand settlements and legalize settler outposts across the occupied West Bank. They called on Israel to halt continued settlement expansion and related activities, which have reached record levels in the past year. France and Indonesia also reiterated the need to preserve the historic status quo of the Holy Places in Jerusalem and insisted on the importance of Jordan's specific role in this respect.

France and Indonesia strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and violence against civilians. Neither war nor terrorism will lead to a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

France and Indonesia stressed the need to end the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and the fulfillment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination by intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive and just resolution based on the two-State solution, the Arab peace initiative, the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, and relevant UN resolutions, ensuring the two peoples to live side by side in peace and security. They committed to work jointly with other partners on action-oriented measures towards the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.

France and Indonesia stressed that the High-Level International Conference on the peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution, decided by UNGA resolution A/RES/79/81, would contribute to this goal. They stressed that this conference would be the occasion of designing a credible roadmap for the implementation of the two-state solution, in order to foster lasting peace, security and stability in the region, and to make a useful contribution to resolving the current crisis. France and Indonesia further stressed that the conference's aim would be to drive a collective recognition of the State of Palestine by all countries with security guarantees for all. They underlined that the conference should also allow progress towards the implementation of the Two-State Solution where the two countries can live side-by-side in peace within their internationally recognized borders, identify measures to foster respect for international law, and restore a political prospect of a peaceful settlement of this conflict, which should allow for an irreversible path towards the realisation of a Palestinian State, mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine and regional integration in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative. In that spirit, the conference should open a process towards an integrated regional framework and pursue measures to foster respect for international law, as well as advancing just, lasting and comprehensive peace and security for all in the region. Indonesia and France underlined their intention to be key partners for this purpose.

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IT Coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg has raised over one billion euros in support of Ukraine

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

28. May 2025 - 13:33

Yesterday in Tallinn, member states of the IT Coalition Steering Group gathered for their ninth meeting to receive an update on recent developments and Ukraine's most urgent needs in communications and information technology. In total, the member states of the Coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg have contributed over one billion euros worth of assistance to Ukraine over the past two years.

"This week is a significant one for the cyber defence communitytop experts from around the world are gathering in Estonia for the CyCon annual conference, hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. That is why the IT Coalition Steering Group is meeting now as wellbecause in addition to technological advancement, one of the key ingredients for success in cyber defence is close communication and the exchange of experience," said Tuuli Duneton, Undersecretary for Defence Policy at the Estonian Ministry of Defence, who chaired the Coalition meeting. "We are especially pleased to welcome Ukrainian experts, whose experiences from the Russian war of aggression place them currently at the absolute forefront of cyber defence."

"Our partners understand the urgency of Ukraine's technological needs and are helping to build and scale projects that make our Armed Forces faster and more effective. Thanks to their contributions, we are strengthening the Defence Forces' digital capabilities  reinforcing the Oberih personnel registry, expanding our Reserve and Army+ applications, ensuring units have reliable and resilient communications, and scaling up the use of the DELTA battlefield management system. We are grateful to the IT Coalition for its continued and unwavering support," said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Transformation.

"It is a great source of pride that we have jointly raised over one billion euros in support of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces in the area of communications and technology. Germany, the United States, and Sweden have been particularly notable contributors. The main challenge now, beyond the aid already delivered, is to get the rest of the pledged support to the battlefield and to address a number of critical needs that the Ukrainians described to us in more detail," added Undersecretary Duneton.

In 2024 and 2025, the member states have together contributed 1,1 billion in both financial and material assistance. The procurement of the support provided through the IT Coalition is managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Estonia's contribution to the IT Coalition in 2025 is 5 million and 253,000, in addition to the 2,5 million already provided.

In addition to the discussions, members of the Ukrainian coalition demonstrated the functioning of key battle management systems to their colleagues and shared their experiences during a roundtable discussion opened by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

The IT Coalition was launched at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in September 2023 and is co-led by Estonia and Luxembourg. The goal of this capability coalition is to support the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces in developing a secure ICT infrastructure in line with NATO standards, thereby enhancing Ukraine's combat capabilities. To date, 18 countries have joined the coalition, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, and Canada.

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New EU strategy for secure, prosperous and resilient Black Sea region

European Commission

Press release

May 28, 2025

Brussels

Today the EU is putting forward a new strategy for a stable and secure Black Sea region. This Strategy aims to boost connections and growth, by linking Europe with the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond. Amidst Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the strategy will also reinforce the EU's geopolitical role as a reliable actor in the Black Sea region.

The EU will forge closer cooperation with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Turkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan and take forward regional cooperation on connectivity. A number of these countries have chosen to pursue the path towards EU accession or closer alignment with the EU. Today's strategy seeks to bring tangible benefits to Black Sea partners and the EU by investing in and deepening key mutually beneficial partnerships.

Three pillars for future EU-Black Sea cooperation

Future cooperation with the Black Sea region is structured under three pillars:

Enhancing security , stability, and resilience;

, stability, and resilience; Fostering sustainable growth and prosperity;

and prosperity; Promoting environmental protection, climate change resilience and preparedness, and civil protection.

Together with its partners in the region, the EU will implement three flagship initiatives under each of these pillars to unlock the region's potential for growth, while also addressing the immediate challenges of conflict and security:

The Black Sea Maritime Security, and the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, will strengthen maritime safety and security, protect critical maritime infrastructure and the marine environment. It will also strengthen regional cooperation on demining and address risks to the environment and maritime safety.

will strengthen maritime safety and security, protect critical maritime infrastructure and the marine environment. It will also strengthen regional cooperation on demining and address risks to the environment and maritime safety. A dedicated Connectivity Agenda - aligned with the extended Trans-European Networks - will develop transport, energy and digital networks to leverage the potential of the Black Sea region as a vital corridor linking Europe with Central Asia through the South Caucasus, boosting economic growth and competitiveness.

- aligned with the extended Trans-European Networks - will develop transport, energy and digital networks to leverage the potential of the Black Sea region as a vital corridor linking Europe with Central Asia through the South Caucasus, boosting economic growth and competitiveness. Preparedness of coastal communities and blue economy sectors willbe reinforced to enable Black Sea countries to tackle war-related environmental damage, respond to climate-change related risks and seize opportunities for sustainable growth.

The strategy will bring all relevant EU instruments and policies together, mobilising investments in line with the Global Gateway Strategy and in a Team Europe spirit - that is, the EU institutions in cooperation with the Member States, as well as the European financial institutions. By addressing regional challenges, the EU aims to promote long-term security, shared prosperity, and resilience in the Black Sea region.

President Ursula von der Leyen stated: "An active role of the European Union is crucial in advancing security and peace in the Black Sea region especially with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We will closely work with our neighbours to foster security and stability in the region. Together we can build a stronger and more prosperous future for all."

A forward-looking policy framework

Building on its unique position as a bridge between Europe, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea can serve as a cornerstone of stability, sustainable development, and connectivity through partnerships of shared interest.

The EU strategic approach seeks to unlock the region's potential based on peace efforts and respect of the international order, in respect of the rule of law and international law. Support to Ukraine's overall resilience and security and its reconstruction, when conditions allow, are at the heart of this policy.

Today's proposal will drive sustainable development and enhance economic prosperity with transport, energy, digital and trade corridors connecting the Black Sea Region to the Baltic, the Mediterranean, through the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea and towards Central Asia.

In addition, given the Black Sea region is particularly vulnerable to natural and human-made disasters, climate change and environmental degradation, today's strategy foresees reinforcing preparedness and climate adaptation - critical for the integrity of natural ecosystems, as well as for people's wellbeing.

The EU will furthermore guide interested partners toward EU integration by strengthening the rule of law, accelerating reforms, aligning with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, and gradually integrating them into the EU Single Market.

Ultimately, the new strategic approach is rooted in people's aspirations to live in a secure, safe, and more prosperous environment. The EU will implement the new strategic approach to the Black Sea in synergy with the enlargement process and the Eastern Partnership policy, which provides a well-established framework for cooperation.

Next steps

The European Commission and the High Representative propose a dedicated EU ministerial meeting with partner countries to advance cooperation under the EU strategic approach.

Background

The Black Sea is a pivotal gateway linking Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. Its stability is crucial for international trade, food security, and broader geopolitical stability, as well as for energy security. The region's sustainable and inclusive development is vital not only for its immediate neighbours but also for the European Union as a whole and globally.

Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable full-scale invasion of Ukraine has severely destabilised the region, exposing security interdependencies and calling for a coordinated response. The aggression has brought the level of regional and global security to its lowest point since the Cold War, reinforcing the urgency of the EU's role and support in the region.

The EU's role and responsibility in the Black Sea region is increasing, particularly with the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova; and with Georgia, should the country revert to the EU path. The EU enlargement process is a strategic investment to enhance regional security and resilience. A coordinated approach with Turkiye, an EU partner of strategic importance and a candidate country is also crucial. Likewise, deepening relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan through cooperation in strategic areas is an important objective for the EU.

The EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region does not come as an isolated regional response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It is a part of a new package of EU policy initiatives tailored to the broader new geopolitical dynamics including the recently adopted European Union Preparedness Strategy, ProtectEU - a new European Internal Security Strategy, the White Paper on Defence, the new Action Plan to strengthen the security and resilience of Submarine Cables and upcoming - a European Oceans Pact, the European Ports Strategy, a European Democracy Shield, initiatives.

This reflects a streamlined and coordinated approach across the EU, with a focus on defence, resilience and preparedness, in the current global geopolitical context.

The EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region will also further the successful work strands developed under the Black Sea Synergy, the EU policy framework for the region in place since 2007, notably its flagship initiatives - the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.

The strategy will be implemented in synergy with the enlargement process and with the Eastern Partnership, a strategic and ambitious policy framework based on common values, mutual interest and shared ownership. It will be instrumental in developing the Connectivity Agenda based on existing partnerships and governance mechanisms in trade, energy, transport and digital sectors.

In this context, the Global Gateway strategy will play a significant role. Global Gateway boosts smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. It is the EU's positive offer to partner countries aiming to foster sustainable development and resilience through value-driven investments. Global Gateway supports the twin green and digital transitions outside the EU by mobilising public and private sector resources and strengthening strategic connectivity.

Quote(s)

An active role of the European Union is crucial in advancing security and peace in the Black Sea region especially with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We will closely work with our neighbours to foster security and stability in the region. Together we can build a stronger and more prosperous future for all. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Today we adopt a new Strategy for the Black Sea - a region of great strategic importance to the EU with many countries vying for EU membership. Against a backdrop of Russia breaching airspace, attacking ports and shipping routes, naval mines, front and centre of this work is improving security in the region. We propose a new Maritime Security Hub to strengthen our response, improvements to transport infrastructure to improve military mobility so troops and equipment can be where they are needed, when they are needed, and an intention to boost our work to counter hybrid threats, of which the Black Sea is a prime target. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission

With EU Member States and candidate countries bordering its shores, the Black Sea is at our doorstep. We want to develop new energy, transport and digital corridors in the region that will connect us to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Better regional connectivity will create new opportunities for trade and businesses. It will also help diversify energy supplies away from Russia. Both Europe and our partners in the region will be more secure and benefit economically. We are intensifying our engagement and building partnerships in the Black Sea region, investing in a common future anchored in security, prosperity, and resilience. Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement

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Questions and answers on the European Union's strategic approach to the Black Sea region

European Commission

Questions and answers

May 28, 2025

Brussels

Why is the Black Sea region important?

The Black Sea is an area of significant geostrategic importance. As a critical connector between Europe, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea region plays a key role for European and overall global security, international trade, energy, critical raw materials and food security (notably grain). With its population of almost 164 million people the States surrounding the Black Sea (excluding Russia) generate a GDP of approximately 2 trillion. It has an untapped potential for economic development and strategic transit routes. Strengthening our cooperation and fostering enhanced economic links will contribute to the competitiveness of the region and of the EU itself.

The Black Sea is, furthermore, a dynamic hub of innovation and culture. The environmental challenges of the Black Sea equally demand stronger regional cooperation - to protect marine ecosystems, develop the blue economy, and increase climate resilience among coastal communities.

Its critical importance is underscored by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which has shaken the foundations of the rules-based international order and exposed the vulnerabilities of European and regional security. In this context, we must swiftly address hybrid threats, such as cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

This calls for a robust, coordinated EU response. That is why we are stepping up with a comprehensive approach, supporting the democratic resilience of a region vital to Europe's stability and prosperity and asserting our interests.

What is the EU's role in the Black Sea region?

The EU's role and responsibility in the Black Sea region is increasing, particularly with the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova; and with Georgia, should the country revert to the EU path. The EU enlargement process is a strategic investment to enhance regional security and resilience. A coordinated approach with Turkiye, an EU partner of strategic importance and a candidate country is also crucial. Likewise, deepening relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan through cooperation in strategic areas is an important objective for the EU.

Through its enlargement policy, the EU contributes to strengthening resilience in the region. Enlargement promotes core reforms on democracy and the rule of law, and also fosters new opportunities for investment, trade and regional cooperation.

The Black Sea countries also have significant trade relationships with the EU, which is the largest trading partner for most of them. The EU is also a significant market for their exports, including agricultural products, energy, machinery and equipment. Several of these countries also benefit from free trade agreements with the EU.

The EU is the largest trade partner for most of the countries in the Black Sea region with the overall trade volume of 310 billion and the second largest trading partner for Central Asia.

The EU is leveraging the full potential of the existing network of trade agreements between the EU and its Black Sea partners (the Customs Union and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas currently in force), which is a solid foundation for developing cross-border value chains and further regional trade integration and has already led to a significant increase in trade volumes in the region.

Why an EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region?

Today's geopolitical and security landscape has been reshaped by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, by strategic competition, fractures, instability and uncertainties. This context requires a change of paradigm in the EU approach to the Black Sea region. A visionary and comprehensive policy framework is needed that will ensure security and stability, inclusive and sustainable growth, and improved connectivity for the EU and its partners.

Can you describe the main areas of the new approach?

Given the current geopolitical context, ensuring security and safety in the region is at the heart of this strategy.

In parallel, the new strategic approach promotes growth and energy as well as transport and digital connectivity. Key areas for economic growth, including the blue economy and agriculture, are also part of the new vision to ensure the potential of the Black Sea region is fully unlocked. Boosting renewable energy as well as innovation, research and knowledge-based advancements are another core area to ensure sustainable and integrated development of the region.

Finally, it is essential to better equip the region against climate change and environmental degradation, also future proofing the region against emerging challenges.

Will there be some specific actions accelerating implementation?

The strategy includes three flagship initiatives, designed to accelerate implementation and demonstrate immediate progress: the Black Sea Maritime Security, and the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub; a dedicated Connectivity Agenda; and preparedness of coastal communities and blue economy sectors.

What will be the focus of the strategy in terms of maritime security?

Under the strategy's Flagship 1 "Black Sea Maritime Security," a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub will be established. Maritime security in the Black Sea is essential for all areas of cooperation in the region, including for the blue economy, fisheries and maritime activities, which cannot be dissociated from each other ultimately. It is also critical for freedom of navigation and safety of shipping, that are essential for the development of transport corridors supporting trade. In addition, the military conflict and warfare-related pollution triggers security and environmental challenges that require swift and long-term measures on demining to reduce risks and pollution in the Black Sea and to protect its biodiversity on land and at sea. These environmental challenges are further augmented by the shadow fleet.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has shaped a degraded maritime security environment, with prospects to last even after the cessation of military hostilities. Mined areas in the littoral States waters, drifting mines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) create serious risks to maritime security. Cyber and hybrid challenges are equally factoring into the overall maritime security environment in the Black Sea, affecting negatively the safety of shipping.

The EU is committed to help turn the Black Sea into a mine-free sea basin through enhanced cooperation with its Member States, the Black Sea partners, like-minded countries and partner organisations.

The focus of other EU key future action will be on strengthening information sharing and maritime situational awareness, on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and capabilities, as well as on broadening coast-guard cooperation. At the same time, the EU will continue to address the risks posed by the shadow fleet used by Russia to maritime safety and the environment in the Black Sea. Cooperation at EU level and with the EU Member States, accession countries and partners will be key to this end, building on regional initiatives and national proposals to ensure safe shipping and resilient critical maritime infrastructure. Relevant EU Agencies and like-minded partners will be involved in the implementation of the above actions as appropriate.

What is the "Connectivity Agenda"?

The Connectivity Agenda linking Europe with Central Asia through the South Caucasus is one of the flagships of the EU's strategic approach to the Black Sea. It aims to boost economic growth, competitiveness and regional integration, while aligning with the extended Trans-European Networks and EU's decarbonisation goals and international commitments.

The Connectivity Agenda will focus on:

Improving transport corridors (e.g., the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor) and complementing existing ones (e.g., the Baltic Sea-Black Sea-Aegean Sea and Rhine-Danube corridors) to enhance connectivity between the EU, the Black Sea region, and Central Asia.

(e.g., the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor) and complementing existing ones (e.g., the Baltic Sea-Black Sea-Aegean Sea and Rhine-Danube corridors) to enhance connectivity between the EU, the Black Sea region, and Central Asia. Developing green energy links by investing in energy trading, market integration, and building a larger Energy Union to increase energy security, affordability, and the use of renewable sources.

by investing in energy trading, market integration, and building a larger Energy Union to increase energy security, affordability, and the use of renewable sources. Establishing digital links by creating secure, high-capacity internet connections to promote safe data flows, digital skills, and innovation, and strengthen digital resilience.

The Eastern Partnership, as a strategic and ambitious policy framework, will have a key role in pursuing regional cooperation, investments and alignment in connectivity.

How will the EU's strategic approach contribute to energy security and diversification?

Cooperation with regional partners is one of the essential actions to support the EU's efforts to phase out remaining Russian energy imports while also accelerating energy diversification.

In particular, the Black Sea region holds vast renewable energy potential, which can be leveraged to support decarbonisation, boost resilience, and unlock new investment opportunities for clean technology development.

Regional cooperation with partner countries will be key to lay the groundwork for integrated regional energy markets, while contributing to the phase-out of remaining Russian energy imports and strengthening the EU's energy security. Some of the key actions include:

Tackling gaps in regulatory frameworks, increasing efficiency of maritime administrations and encouraging the exchange of good practices to enable transition towards a cleaner, safer, more energy-efficient and decarbonised maritime transport and port system.

Enhancing the planning for grid development, convergence of regulatory frameworks and network codes, as well as cross-border renewable energy projects contributing to a higher uptake of renewable energy sources.

Deepening cooperation on critical raw materials that can ensure sustainable and diversified supply chains, ultimately contributing to mutual prosperity.

Protection of energy infrastructure to improve physical security, while optimising energy flows and ensuring the safeguarding of existing submarine cables in the Black Sea.

How is the EU's strategic approach going to boost competitiveness in the Black Sea region?

The EU's strategic approach to the Black Sea will boost sustainable growth and competitiveness through territorial cohesion and balanced development to ultimately reduce gaps and make the region more appealing to live, work, and invest.

Investment in blue economy will be prioritise sustainable aquaculture and maritime tourism by strengthening local community and regional stakeholder engagement. The private sector will also be mobilised to facilitate access to funding mechanisms for SMEs and ensure larger-scale investments in blue economy, including under the EU cohesion policy funds.

The EU will also facilitate and preserve established trade routes in agriculture, including transportation and storage of food products, combined with improvement of production standards and sustainable farming practices (e.g., in energy and water efficiency).

Education, skills, research and innovation are key drivers of competitiveness and economic growth. Building on existing partnerships in the region, the EU aims to modernise curricula and increase mobility between education and training institutions in the Black Sea region and EU Member States. Ultimately, workers and job seekers will be equipped with necessary skills while talents will benefit from re- and upskilling.

What will be done on environmental and climate resilience?

The Black Sea region is very vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation. Climate change impacts are stronger in the Black Sea region than in the rest of Europe. Marine litter is almost twice as high as in the Mediterranean Sea. For many pollutants, observed concentrations exceed toxicity thresholds. In the marine environment, environmental degradation is further amplified by Russia's actions in its war against Ukraine. Therefore, acting on environmental and climate resilience is very important.

Several measures are envisaged to address environmental and climate challenges. These include for example assessing and tackling environmental damages for the Black Sea that stem from Russia's war of aggression, a more intense scientific cooperation, environmental monitoring and data management, identification and facilitation of projects to enhance environmental, water and climate change resilience. Regional environmental cooperation and governance will also be developed further, including through strengthening the role of civil society and promoting dialogue with private sector bodies.

How will preparedness of coastal communities and blue economy sectors be reinforced?

The EU will work with the Black Sea countries and other partners to improve preparedness for anticipating, preventing, managing and responding to the climate change related risks,and other environmental and disaster risks faced by coastal areas. This will build on Black Sea countries' policies on climate change adaptation and drawing from EU best practices. Special emphasis will be put on cooperation with local authorities, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders on the ground, including youth.

What actions are envisaged for better civil protection?

The new strategic approach aims at advancing regional cooperation on preparedness. This will be done by increasing the understanding of crises and their implications; setting minimum criteria for preparedness related to environment, climate, and natural hazards; and improving communication networks. Where feasible, the Black Sea countries will be associated with relevant EU preparedness initiatives in line with the European Preparedness Union Strategy. This will build on cooperation related to the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and other frameworks. Together, we will focus on reinforcing disaster management systems. This will include measures to improve emergency plans and early warning systems, further harmonise procedures, update national disaster risk assessments and conduct additional full-scale exercises when relevant.

How is the strategic approach related to other EU policy initiatives?

The EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region is part of a new package of EU policy initiatives tailored to the broader new geopolitical dynamics. Some of them have been published already, and some are yet to be adopted.

With the European Preparedness Union Strategy (published on 26 March), the EU is seeking to enhance the EU's preparedness and readiness for future crises across seven thematic areas and resilience through external partnerships is one of them. Some of its key actions endorsed under these thematic actions bear also relevance for the EU future engagement in the Black Sea region, notably on societal resilience or on resilience against disruptive technologies, cyber, hybrid and hostile activities by foreign malicious actors. The upcoming European Democracy Shield will further develop concrete ways to enhance our societal resilience and preparedness against disinformation campaigns and foreign interference and manipulation instruments.

With a new Action Plan set to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables (published on 21 February 2025), the EU is looking into concrete ways to significantly enhance its submarine cable infrastructure and protection of critical maritime infrastructure; protection of critical maritime infrastructure is also key among measures that the new EU strategic approach proposes for the region.

On sea basins, the upcoming European Oceans Pact will seek to foster a broader, integrated and holistic approach to ocean governance across all sectors, including maritime security; coherence is ensured among the Pact's provisions on the Black Sea basin and the actions relevant notably for maritime security in the Black Sea, with a focus on better information sharing, coast-guards cooperation or security for critical maritime security infrastructure.

An upcoming EU Ports Strategy will also focus on the mounting challenges that EU ports are facing, including rising geopolitical risks, cybersecurity threats, and increasing demands for environmental and social sustainability. This reality is factoring into the military mobility corridors in EU countries. We will need more and better equipped sea and river ports and airports in the region.

What is different from the EU Black Sea Synergy?

The EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region will build on the results achieved under the Black Sea Synergy, the EU policy framework for the region in place since 2007.

Compared to the Black Sea Synergy the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea brings our policies in the region in a coherent strategy and includes a strong security angle, with new cooperation proposals to enhance maritime security, demining, protecting critical infrastructure and countering hybrid threats. This is reflected notably in the Flagship 1 Black Sea maritime security and the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub.

What impact is Russia's war of aggression having on the region?

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has deeply destabilised the region, exposing security interdependencies, democratic fragility, economic dependencies, and low preparedness to external shocks. These challenges call for a robust, coordinated response. Russia's aggression has brought the level of security to its lowest point since the Cold War, with far-reaching implications to both regional and global stability.

Russia's aggression prevents the countries in the Black Sea region from taking full advantage of opportunities for growth and social development opportunities, including those that could be unlocked through energy transition, transport and digital connectivity, the blue economy as well as increased circularity. Moreover, it has also exacerbated environmental degradation and intensified existing climate challenges in the region.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has had impacts and repercussions also on food security in the Black Sea region. The region's grain production and exports are vital to meeting food needs across the world, including in the Middle East and North Africa. Through various initiatives, most notably the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, which provide a lifeline to the Ukrainian economy, the issue was at least partially mitigated. Importantly, the Solidarity Lanes also continue providing vital new transport routes, including for non-agricultural Ukrainian exports to the EU as well as for EU exports to Ukraine. The total value of trade via the Solidarity Lanes since May 2022 is around 213 billion, including around 150 billion imports to Ukraine.

Ukraine's successful establishment of a new maritime corridor has helped restore exports of grain from its Black Sea ports, a development further supported by the sustained capacity offered by Ukrainian Danube ports that link directly to Black Sea or EU seaports.

Ensuring access to Ukraine's ports and securing maritime traffic for agricultural trade remain essential to safeguarding global food security. At the same time, the Black Sea route must be backed by reliable land-based alternatives.

Despite these successful efforts, Russia's regular and targeted attacks continue to impede transport and overall investment in regional projects and infrastructure and leads to high insurance costs. Substantial investments will be needed not only to reconstruct the transport infrastructure in the Black Sea and Danube region, which has suffered extensive damage due to repeated attacks, negatively impacting trade, raising costs and undermining reliability of transport, but also to upgrade and modernise the outdated infrastructure, logistics systems and border control equipment to meet EU standards.

Russia's longstanding interference in neighbouring states - including fomenting or simulating separatism, manipulating elections, exploiting economic dependencies (particularly in the energy sector), restricting freedom of navigation, and posing a direct military threat - continues to undermine regional stability and democracy. Addressing all forms of Russia's malign interference and restoring the rule of law in the Black Sea region is critical for upholding international law and EU values.

The EU remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine and other Black Sea countries in building peace and fostering dialogue.

How will the strategic approach be implemented?

The new approach gives strategic direction to several EU policies and initiatives under a comprehensive framework.

First, it supports security and stability in a region under increasing geopolitical pressure. Security in the Black Sea region and in Europe is closely interlinked with Ukraine's security. The strategic approach will therefore address the protection of critical infrastructure, address the threats posed by the shadow fleet and drifting mines, counter hybrid threats and deter future aggressions in the region to consolidate peace.

Second, in order to boost competitiveness and growth, the new approach presents an offer for closer regional cooperation, coordination of investments and regulatory alignment in the area of connectivity in sectors such as transport, energy and digital. Developing connectivity means unlocking significant investment and growth opportunities, as part of a broader connectivity agenda linking Europe with Central Asia through the South Caucasus.

Third, the EU strategic approach aims to extend common action on environmental, climate, and other vulnerabilities faced by the Black Sea region. Helping communities to enhance their preparedness will receive special attention. Addressing the environmental damages caused by Russia's war of aggression and returning to the path of environmental quality restoration will be of utmost importance.

Over the years, the European Union and the countries of the Black Sea region have established a range of partnerships and cooperation frameworks, bilaterally and regionally. Also, many recent EU policies are highly relevant for the region. Their benefits can be increased through better alignment, supplemented by a more intense policy dialogue and outreach to stakeholders.

What kind of follow up is foreseen after the publication of the Joint Communication?

The Commission and the High Representative propose the organisation of a dedicated EU ministerial meeting with partner countries in the Black Sea region to develop and advance different cooperation under the new EU approach to the Black Sea region. Follow-up ministerial meetings could be organised as appropriate to monitor and evaluate progress of specific actions agreed in this context.

The Commission and the High Representative will also provide a first report on the implementation of this strategic approach to the Black Sea region after one year of implementation.

How will the strategic approach benefit people?

The people of the region continue to aspire to live in a more secure, safer, and more prosperous environment, where human rights, the rule of law, and good governance ensure sustainable growth and social progress remain. Together, with the EU Member States Bulgaria and Romania, Ukraine, Turkiye, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia account for almost 164 million people (2024 data). Their aspirations matter for the EU, especially as most of these countries are on the path towards European integration.

By transforming the Black Sea into a more secure, connected and climate-resilient neighbourhood, the EU's strategic approach directly serves its citizens: stronger maritime and cyber security safeguards critical under-sea cables, trade routes and energy corridors that power daily life; diversified transport, digital and energy links reduce costs and supply-chain risks for businesses and consumers alike; coordinated climate-adaptation measures help protect Europe's coasts, food systems and jobs from environmental shocks; and closer alignment of neighbouring countries with EU rules reinforces the rule of law, curbs illicit flows and expands the Single Market  collectively delivering greater safety, affordability and prosperity for people across the region and beyond.

How will the strategic approach support EU integration?

The EU will support interested partners on their path towards EU integration, notably in consolidating the rule of law, democracy, climate resilient societies and economies with gradual integration into the Single Market. The EU will also support its partners in aligning with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the implementation of EU restrictive measures (sanctions) and in alignment with the Common Security and Defence Policy.

By anchoring candidate countries in regional initiatives ranging from research and innovation to blue-economy partnerships, the new strategic approach contributes to their alignment with EU standards and reinforces their accession trajectory.

Will the new approach address cyber threats and Foreign Information Manipulation Interference?

Countries in the Black Sea region are targets of hybrid threats, including cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns and FIMI. This undermines public trust in democratic institutions and media, fuelling political tensions and instability in the countries.

The EU will use the EU Hybrid Toolbox and the EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, among other instruments, to address these specific threats and boost the region's resilience. A network for joint response mechanisms will be established with partner countries to tackle FIMI and disinformation campaigns. It will coordinate joint actions and improve information sharing across the region.

For countering disinformation campaigns and FIMI, it will be important to establish cooperative networks involving civil society, fact-checking organisations and independent media, because they are present in the countries and understand better the context. The use of innovative technology and artificial intelligence will also become crucial tools to identify and counter FIMI and disinformation online. Finally, the EU will also promote media literacy and critical thinking, including for young people, in order to foster a culture of democratic engagement.

Are activities on demining part of the strategic approach?

A key challenge in the Black Sea is the danger posed by mined areas in the littoral States waters but also drifting mines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO). They create serious risks to maritime security, the marine environment and threaten the transport and trade corridors.

The EU programmes and projects under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), HORIZON and Interreg can be used to map and assess the state of UXO, as well as strengthen maritime security in the Black Sea through enhanced cooperation with its Member States, the Black Sea partners, like-minded countries and partner organisations.

The strategy acknowledges the objective of a mine free Black Sea region. Building on and coordinating with the existing trilateral demining initiative by Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye for the Black Sea, the EU will assess the possibilities to engage further on demining initiatives in the region in a long-term perspective.

What is the interplay between the Eastern Partnership and the new strategic approach to the Black Sea?

The Eastern Partnership remains a cornerstone of the EU's engagement with its eastern neighbours, offering a robust and mature policy framework that promotes core reforms, including those essential for the accession and association processes. With a strong emphasis on the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions, and good governance, the Eastern Partnership supports the development of resilient democracies and fostering a culture of stability, security, and cooperation in the region.

The strategic approach to the Black Sea and the Eastern Partnership are therefore deeply interconnected under a shared objective: to foster stability, prosperity, and security in partner countries, while building a more resilient and thriving region. By leveraging the Black Sea's untapped potential, the EU aims to drive transformative change, promote sustainable development, and deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of all engaged countries.

How is cooperation with NATO and other partners reflected in the new approach?

In the current context, the EU's strategic partnership with NATO is essential for our Euro-Atlantic security. For the 23 EU Member States that are also NATO Allies, NATO is a cornerstone of their collective defence. In line with the Strategic Compass the EU is strengthening its strategic partnership with NATO.

Following Russia's war aggression against Ukraine, the EU is committed to advance further strategic partnership in the areas of crisis management, maritime security, countering hybrid threats, including cyber and foreign information manipulation, emerging and disruptive technologies, climate change, resilience, defence industry and other issues of common interest. This is pursued in line with the agreed framework of the three Joint Declarations on EU-NATO cooperation signed in 2016, 2018 and 2023 and the agreed guiding principles for the EU strategic partnership with NATO - transparency, reciprocity and inclusiveness as well as the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations.

Under the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea, the EU commits to increasing capacity, cooperation and information sharing on hybrid and cyber threats across the region, and to coordinate such initiatives with relevant like-minded partner countries and organisations, including NATO.

EU-NATO cooperation on maritime security continues under the established staff-to-staff talks. They cover a broad array of topics such as respective naval operational engagement, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, challenges posed by the shadow fleet and defence capabilities in the maritime domain. At the latest meeting in April 2025, the two staffs also exchanged on maritime security in the Black Sea.

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Government decided on national model for host nation support

Finnish Ministry of Defence

28.05.2025 11:01

On 28 May 2025, the Government issued a resolution on the national model for host nation support.

Host nation support (HNS) means the measures taken by the authorities or other actors of a host nation to support the operating conditions of another state's military forces during normal and emergency conditions.

"The national model for host nation support will improve Finland's security and our defence capabilities. In future, Finland will support the forces of NATO and its allies operating in our territory as they were our own. This means that we will extend total defence support to them as well. With this model, we will ensure that the forces of our allies operating in Finland will get the best possible support and will be able to act in all kinds of situations," Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen says.

The national model for host nation support describes the general principles of the planning and provision of host nation support, the related responsibilities at the Government level, and the implementation and coordination practices. The model also comprises bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The model was formulated to serve as the foundation for the planning, implementation and coordination of host nation support by the ministries, authorities and other parties.

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Experts highlight China's sovereignty over Yongxing Dao amid Western media hype of Chinese bomber deployment

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: May 28, 2025 11:57 PM

Western media on Wednesday hyped an alleged Chinese bomber deployment on an island in the South China Sea, claiming the move signaled China's growing military capabilities. Chinese military affairs experts, however, said that even if such deployment was made, it is normal, reiterating China's sovereignty over the island.

Citing satellite imagery, Reuters reported Wednesday that China landed two of its "most advanced bombers" in Xisha Qundao in the South China Sea this month. The report claimed that the deployment marks the first time the long-range H-6 bombers have landed on Yongxing Dao since 2020.

Reuters also linked the movement to China-Philippines relations, the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) recent activities near the island of Taiwan and the upcoming Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore this weekend, claiming that the move is a gesture that some analysts described as Beijing's latest signaling of its growing military capabilities.

The Chinese side has not released official information about this alleged deployment as far as the Global Times was aware of as of press time.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Yongxing Dao of Xisha Qundao is undisputed Chinese territory, and it is very normal for China to deploy warplanes there. So Western media does not need to hype this by linking the alleged deployment to some other events.

Why Western media do not seem to be surprised about US bomber deployments from its mainland all the way to Guam, Japan or South Korea? Zhang asked.

Song Zhongping, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that warplanes sometimes are not permanently deployed on South China Sea islands and reefs because of the challenging environments of high temperature, high humidity and high salinity, but they could do rotating deployments, which are very normal.

Deployments of warplanes on islands and reefs in the South China Sea aim to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Song said, also highlighting China's sovereignty over Yongxing Dao.

In as early as May 18, 2018, the PLA Air Force announced that multiple types of bombers including the H-6K had conducted takeoff and landing exercises on a South China Sea island. Citing military commentors, some media outlets identified the island as Yongxing Dao.

In response to foreign media reports claiming that China had deployed warplanes on Yongxing Dao in 2020, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a regular press conference at the time that the Xisha Qundao is China's territory. China's national defense development in its own territory is within its sovereignty.

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U.N. and aid groups condemn U.S.-Israeli initiative after deadly stampede in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

The United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations have condemned a U.S.-Israeli-backed aid initiative after three Palestinians were killed and dozens injured by Israeli fire at an aid distribution center in southern Gaza.

Chaotic scenes erupted on Tuesday in Rafah as starving Palestinians rushed into a facility holding humanitarian supplies, amid long delays caused by security checks on aid recipients.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the images from the aid center set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were "heartbreaking, to say the least."

"We and our partners have a detailed, principled, operationally sound plan - supported by member states - to get aid to a desperate population," Dujarric told reporters.

He emphasized the urgent need for expanded humanitarian efforts, saying, "We continue to stress that a meaningful scale-up of humanitarian operations is essential to stave off famine and meet the needs of all civilians, wherever they are."

Dujarric also underscored that aid distribution must be conducted in a manner that is independent and impartial.

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Hamas confirms agreement with U.S. on 'general framework for ceasefire'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Hamas says it has reached an agreement with the U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on "a general framework" for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement released Wednesday, Hamas said that it is making significant efforts to end the brutal war on the Gaza Strip, the latest of which was reaching a general framework agreement with Witkoff.

"The agreement would establish a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, the flow of humanitarian aid, and the formation of a professional committee to manage the affairs of the Strip upon the announcement of the agreement," the Palestinian resistance group said.

Hamas further noted that the agreement also includes the release of ten Israeli prisoners and a number of bodies in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, under the guarantee of mediators.

Hamas said the movement is now awaiting a final response to this framework.

The statement came a day after reports said Hamas and Witkoff had agreed to the draft deal at a meeting in Doha.

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Israeli strikes a desperate attempt to restore its lost deterrence: Ansarullah

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah Movement Abdulmalik al-Houthi says the Israeli regime's continued attacks on the Arab country are a desperate attempt to restore its lost deterrence.

Al-Houthi made the comments on Wednesday after Israel struck Sana'a International Airport earlier in the day, destroying the last commercial plane operating in the Yemeni capital.

"The Zionist regime is in a weak position and is trying to revive its deterrence through launching attacks on Yemen's civilian infrastructure," the Ansarullah leader said, according to Yemen's Al Masirah news network.

He said Israel has been weakened after the United States halted its airstrikes on Yemen earlier this month following Washington's failure to achieve its goals.

He also said that Israel's continuous strikes on Yemen's civilian areas are aimed at pressuring the nation to stop supporting Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza. Al-Houthi, however, stressed that the Yemeni people will remain steadfast in their support for Palestine.

Since the start of the Gaza war in early October 2023, Yemen has carried out hundreds of military operations against both Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea as well as targets inside Israeli-occupied territories.

Yemen says its operations seek to pressure Israel to stop its war and lift the ongoing siege on Gaza. The latest retaliatory Yemeni attack took place on Tuesday, when two missiles were fired at Ben Gurion Airport and a site near Tel Aviv.

The U.S. also conducted a months-long air campaign against Yemen to force it to stop its pro-Gaza operations, but halted the campaign earlier this month amid Yemeni resilience.

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Statement by PM Netanyahu

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Media Statements

The 37th Government

28.05.2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning:

"The Air Force has attacked the airport in Sanaa again, which is controlled by the Houthi terrorist regime in Yemen.

We work according to a simple rule: Whoever harms us, we harm them. Whoever does not understand this with force, will now understand it with greater force.

But, as I have said more than once: The Houthis are only the symptom. The main driving force behind them is Iran, which is responsible for the aggression emanating from Yemen."

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NATO Allies showcase Agile Combat Employment in Nordic highway exercises

NATO Allied Air Command

May 28 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- NATO Allies conducted highway operating exercises in Finland and Sweden, showcasing Agile Combat Employment (ACE) tactics that enhances operational flexibility and resilience in contested environments.

In Finland, the Finnish Air Force's base operations exercise, or JPH, held from May 26 to 30, involved more than 20 Allied aircraft and nearly 2,000 conscripts, reservists and active-duty personnel. For the first time, the biannual JPH exercise also included the Baana highway strip exercise. Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, Hawk jet trainers and other types of aircraft operating from a section of Highway 4, or European route E75, near Tikkakoski Air Base in Jyvaskyla.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force also joined the Baana exercise for the first time, with Dutch F-35A Lightning II conducting touch-and-go landings and take-offs on the highway strip, rehearsing dispersed flight operations. Additionally, the Dutch F-35As integrated with Finnish F/A-18 Hornets during their deployment to Finland, further enhancing the cooperation of Allied 4th and 5th generation fighter jets.

The exercise forms part of Finland's mobile battle concept, designed to ensure aircraft can operate from remote road bases if conventional runways are compromised. Highway operations have been a regular feature of Finnish military training since the 1960s, providing valuable expertise and instruction to the Alliance's focus on ACE.

"Readiness to operate out of a dispersed base network is part of the Finnish Air Force's mobile battle concept, and operating at highway strips is part of the flight training for all Finnish fighter pilots," says Colonel Tomi Bohm, Assistant Chief of Staff, Finnish Air Force.

Meanwhile in Sweden, C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Swedish and Norwegian Air Forces, and the Germany-France Binational Air Transport Squadron (BATS) unit conducted short strip landings on closed public roads. The training focused on enabling flight crews to launch and recover aircraft from temporary, austere airstrips.

These exercises underscore NATO's commitment to ACE: An operational approach that promotes the rapid movement and redeployment of forces to complicate adversary targeting and increase operational endurance. By operating from unexpected locations and strengthening regional ties, Allied forces enhance their deterrence and readiness.

"ACE is a key capability, which we would employ to defend Europe in any Article 5 confrontation," Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO Allied Air Command, emphasised on the importance of ACE in modern warfare. "ACE brings together Air Forces from across the Alliance and has them operate from many different air bases, ensuring the credibility and capabilities that underpin our deterrence posture."

The Finnish and Swedish exercises in May demonstrate NATO's collective ability to adapt and respond quickly to emerging threats.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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NATO Secretary General welcomes Icelandic Prime Minister to NATO Headquarters

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

28 May. 2025

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir in Brussels on Wednesday (28 May 2025) to discuss Iceland's contributions to the Alliance, support to Ukraine, and preparations for the NATO Summit in The Hague.

"Iceland is one of NATO's twelve founding members," said the Secretary General. "For 76 years now, you have helped protect our peace, our security, and our core values: democracy, freedom, and the rule of law."

While Iceland does not have armed forces, the Secretary General highlighted the country's important and growing role in NATO. Iceland operates key air defence and surveillance systems as part of NATO's integrated Air and Missile Defence, provides host nation support and infrastructure for Allied air policing, and regularly hosts major exercises such as NATOs premier anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Mongoose.

"Iceland plays a unique and essential role in the High North," said Mr Rutte, noting the importance of Iceland's geostrategic location to better understand the evolving security environment in that area. He welcomed the Icelandic government's decision to develop a new national security and defence policy, calling it a timely step to "further reinforce our resilience and readiness."

On the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, the Secretary General indicated it "will be an important moment to drive forward NATO's efforts to become stronger, fairer, and more lethal".

Mr Rutte thanked Prime Minister Frostadottir for Iceland's continued support to Ukraine, from training military personnel and supporting demining efforts, to humanitarian support and weapons procurement. Iceland recently pledged an additional 14.4 million euros in defence support to Ukraine, alongside contributions to the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative and the donation of a mobile field hospital. Iceland also contributes personnel to NATO's Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine command in Wiesbaden (NSATU).

"I know that Iceland has a proud tradition as a peaceful nation - and that makes your contributions all the more meaningful," Mr Rutte said. "Because to preserve peace, we need to shift to a wartime mindset."

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Senior officials from NATO Allies and partners gather for NATO's first Southern Neighbourhood Security Dialogue

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

27 May. 2025

Last updated: 28 May. 2025

NATO's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, convened NATO's first Southern Neighbourhood Security Dialogue of Senior Officials, which was held yesterday (27 May 2025), at the NATO Joint Force Command in Naples (Italy).

"Our gathering in Naples comes as a result of the decision taken by Allied leaders at NATO's Washington Summit last summer to adopt a Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan for a stronger, more strategic and result-oriented approach towards the region. We are approaching the first anniversary of the adoption of the Plan; this Security Dialogue is a reflection of how far we have come in ensuring that the southern neighbourhood is systematically included in NATO's agenda," Mr. Colomina pointed out. He added that this initiative "provides a unique opportunity to discuss the evolving security situation in the region, and to exchange views on our priorities for cooperation, with the direct involvement of our capitals."

NATO's Special Representative also illustrated the development of a NATO-Southern Neighbourhood Partners' Agenda for Tackling Security Challenges. This document was produced in consultation with Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) partners, and was endorsed by NATO Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Brussels in April. It identifies priority areas for thematic dialogues, including strategic perspectives on regional security, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, maritime security, countering information threats, scientific cooperation, Small Arms and Light Weapons and Mine Action (SALW/MA), and climate change and security.

The event was co-organised by the office of the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It featured around 90 participants from NATO Allies, partner countries from NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,and regional organisations.

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A look at the Defence news 19 - 25 May

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 28-05-2025 | 11:09

In recent weeks, air defence and command frigates HNLMS De Ruyter and HNLMS Tromp took part in Formidable Shield, which was conducted under American command. HNLMS De Ruyter in particular made a substantial contribution to this major biennial maritime exercise. The ship fired multiple guided weapons and detected a ballistic missile.

The aim of Formidable Shield is to enhance interoperability between international partners, with a focus on integrated air and missile defence.

Falcon Spring honours reliable air mobility partnership

Falcon Spring is not just a realistic preparation for possible Russian hostilities; the exercise also gives the 1,500 participants confidence in their own abilities, but also in the United States as an ally. During exercise Falcon Spring, which ended last Friday, the US 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (12 CAB) lived up to that reputation. Falcon Spring is an annual joint training exercise of 11 Airmobile Brigade and the Defence Helicopter Command, and the American brigade is a regular guest.

Departing troop commander Schreurs sees future for Iraq

Lieutenant General Cas Schreurs led the NATO mission in Iraq (NMI) for one year. Now his job is done. Last Thursday, he handed over command to French Major General Christophe Hintzy in Baghdad. NMI aims to bolster security and stability in Iraq and reduce the threat of terrorism. This is done by training, advising and assisting the defence and security sector. "Iraq is literally and figuratively building and trying to become a stable factor in this volatile region," Schreurs said. "Things are slowly heading in the right direction."

Netherlands Minister of Defence: "Europe has the talent and the budget to be the best in the cyber domain"

Cyber attacks are a part of life that can no longer be ignored. No matter whether it concerns the port of Rotterdam, a hospital or a defence site, these attacks are now affecting everyone. Europe must therefore act decisively in the field of cyber security, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans said. "We need to develop digital resilience and build our own capabilities." Brekelmans said this last week towards the end of the Cyber Investor Days, the largest pan-European cyber security event.

MIVD: Netherlands target of spy campaign by Russian hackers

Russian GRU Cyber Unit 26165, better known as APT28, is responsible for cyber espionage against Ukraine and NATO countries. An investigation by multiple parties, including the US National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has shown that the Netherlands was one of the countries targeted. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) reached the same conclusion.

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Aggression on the Gaza Strip: the world faces an international impotence amid calls to exterminate Palestinians ------Settlers perpetrate 77 assaults in the West Bank amid 362 incursions by the occupation forces in a week

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

28-05-2025

The occupation forces mounted the pace of their aggression on the Gaza Strip from 20 to 26 May 2025. According to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Media Observatory for Israel's Crimes against Palestinians, 491 martyrs fell and 1489 persons were injured. The occupation committed 2,801 crimes across the Palestinian territories.

In the space of a week, the occupation forces targeted the UNRWA's Musa bin Nusair School and Al-Nasr Model School in western Gaza. They perpetrated a massacre at the al-Jarjawi School in Daraj Quarter, a popular market in Deir al Balah, a hospice in central Gaza and a diesel production factory. They bombed and besieged the Al-Awda hospital in Northern Gaza, where several massacres were committed, especially in Jabalya camp. This occurs amid the annihilation, bombing and incineration of entire families, foremost the martyrdom of nine children of a Palestinian woman in southern Gaza, besides the 18,000 Palestinian children killed since the start of the aggression.

The occupation army murdered the civil defense operations director in the strip and prevented the civil defense crews from heading to the areas targeted in Rafah. Over the same period, a journalist was martyred. Meanwhile, the occupation forces deliberately targeted human gatherings. Thus, from 7 October 2023 to 26 May 2025, 55,411 Palestinians martyred and 130,986 wounded.

The Israeli aggression had various reverberations starting with an international movement characterized by the impotence of international aid organizations to the brutality of a US congressional representative calling for "bombing Gaza with nuclear weapons". This is occurring in a context of European countries reassessing their relations with Israel, the occupation force, with the west pouncing upon the recognition of the state of Palestine. Meanwhile, the UN organizations emphasized that the aid entering Gaza is a drop in the bucket of the strip's needs. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on Israel, the occupation force, to show "mercy."

In the West Bank and the occupied city of Jerusalem, the occupation forces carried out 362 incursions, during which they arrested 174 Palestinians, including seven children, and injured six other children. They stormed Al-Kaabneh Bedouin School in northern Jericho. Settlers led by extremist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in a context of daily incursions into Al-Aqsa.

In a week, the occupation's bulldozers demolished three homes, one in Jerusalem, a park comprising a wedding hall in Bethlehem and an agricultural facility in Deir Jarir village. They set fire to two shops in Kafr alLabad village in Tulkarm. They demolished seven barns and commercial warehouses. They bulldozed lands in Tall 'Asur, Farsh Al-Hawa and Halhul in Hebron. They destroyed greenhouses in Tulkarm and damaged a water tank in Mu'arrajat area in Jericho. They bulldozed a road under construction between Qaffin town and Nazlet Isa village. They uprooted olive trees on a street in Burin and Madama in Nablus. They vandalized cars upon storming the Jalazone refugee camp in Ramallah and confiscated three cars in Al-Khader town in Bethlehem.

Settler's assaults and settlement activities totaled 77. The occupation forces and settlers performed 10 settlement activities. They carried out construction and repair works in the outposts in the old city of Jerusalem. They pitched tents in the plain of Turmus Ayya town in Ramallah, east of Asira al-Qibliya village in Nablus and near Halhul town in Hebron. They set up caravans on agricultural lands in Bruqin in Salfit and a tent near Tell Ma'in archaeological site in Masafer in Yatta town. Other settlers created a 500-m long road on the lands of Al Mughayyir village to enlarge a new outpost.

Meanwhile, settlers bulldozed lands adjacent to the settlement of "Karmei Zur" in Halhul. Additionally, the occupation forces bulldozed dozens of acres of the Al Rakeez lands in Masafer in Yatta town for the purpose of seizing them. The settlers seized and plowed an area of land where they built an irrigation system in Shallal area in Al-Auja town, Ariha. Others erected power poles on lands east of Yatta town up to the "Avigayil" settlement in Hebron.

As regards the settlers' attacks, they set fire to crops on an acreage of 70,000 square meters in Beren village in Hebron, 35,000 square meters in Far'ata village in Tulkarm and 40,000 square meters in Sebastia village in Nablus as well as lands in Madama village, the plain of Salem village, Deir Dibwan town, Al-Mughayir village, Khirbat Abu Falah, Beit Ur al-Tahta town and Sinjil town in Ramallah.

Other settlers looted crops in Beit Furik town in Nablus and in Ma'in in Masafer in Yatta town. They forced a Palestinian family out of their home in Khalayel al-Loz village in Bethlehem. They set fire to a Palestinian home, south of Bani Naim town in Hebron, six homes and five vehicles in Bruqin in Salfit and a car near Aqraba town in Nablus. They demolished three tents and three shelters in Yatta town. Meanwhile, others vandalized a water pipeline supplying the Shallaal Al-Auja community in Jericho. Moreover, settlers attempted to set fire to the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque and sprayed anti-Arab slogans in Hebrew on its walls.

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491 NPA members, supporters neutralized from Jan. 1 to May 22 - AFP

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

May 28, 2025, 9:53 am

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that 491 New People's Army (NPA) members and their supporters have been neutralized from Jan. 1 to May 22 this year.

Neutralize is a military term referring to the taking out of action, either through surrender, capture or in military encounters of NPA members and their supporters.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, in a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, said that of this figure, 407 surrendered to government forces.

"(Another) 41 were apprehended and 43 were killed in military operations," she added.

For the period in review, Padilla said 332 firearms and 233 anti-personnel mines were either seized from or surrendered by communist insurgents to the government troops.

Around 68 encampments were also captured in the same period.

The military earlier said that 88 out of the 89 NPA guerrilla fronts were neutralized, leaving only one weakened front. (PNA)

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Back from ASEAN meet, PBBM highlights PH stance on WPS, cooperation

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra

May 28, 2025, 6:51 am

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is back from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after attending the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits where he reiterated the Philippines' position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and emphasized regional economic resilience and cooperation.

The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation landed in Manila at 3:19 a.m. Wednesday.

"This Summit was once again an opportunity to discuss among our fellow ASEAN Member States and partners how we should navigate our futures together," Marcos said in his arrival statement.

Regarding regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, the President reiterated the Philippines' unwavering stance.

"I reaffirmed that the Philippines will continue to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international law," he stated.

"We continue to strengthen our partnerships with all countries who share our values and our commitment to peace and the rule of law," he added.

Marcos emphasized the importance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, a "code of conduct which governs the inter-state relations in the region."

Leaders also tackled economic growth and strategic integration.

The President highlighted ASEAN's 2024 growth rate of 4.7%, above the global average, and warned against "unilateral tariff measures, which pose a threat to a region as economically integrated as ours."

He welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, which he described as "an ad-hoc, specialized, high-level advisory body" to offer real-time analysis and policy recommendations for the region's economic health.

The President also highlighted ASEAN's efforts to narrow development gaps through inclusive growth, sustainable investments, and initiatives in education, green jobs, and the protection of migrant workers' rights.

"We are collaborating with our partners to promote inclusive growth, particularly for the marginalized, the underdeveloped, and vulnerable communities," he said.

On technological governance, Marcos cited the region's steps toward managing emerging technologies responsibly.

"We noted the ongoing development of the Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Safety Network. This is a crucial step to institutionalize AI safety, ethics, and governance principles," he added.

Marcos also met with leaders from Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Kuwait on the sidelines of the summit, discussing trade, maritime cooperation, AI, and the welfare of overseas Filipinos.

"In all my bilateral engagements, one thing is clear: we have to continue to cooperate and to work together to navigate a future that presents us with many opportunities together with many challenges," he said.

Looking ahead, Marcos said the Philippines is preparing to chair ASEAN in 2026.

"The Philippines looks forward to building on the gains of Malaysia's Chairship and carry ASEAN forward as we 'navigate our future together'." (PNA)

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Israel killed 10 aid seekers in two days in Rafah: Gaza's Media Office

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 6:44 PM

Israeli forces have killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded 62 others in two days, who rushed to get aid from a distribution center under a US and Israeli mechanism.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Gaza's Government Media Office said Israeli forces "opened direct fire on hungry Palestinian civilians who had gathered to receive aid".

"This heinous crime occurred during peaceful gatherings of citizens driven by desperate need and extreme hunger to head to locations supposedly providing aid."

"This crime was part of a dubious engineering project run by the American organization called Gaza Humanitarian Relief (GHF)."

The office accused the US organization of denying "the principles of humanitarian action, namely humanity, neutrality, integrity, and independence".

The office further added that aid distribution centers set up under this scheme were "nothing but a false humanitarian cover for racist security schemes aimed at humiliating, starving, and, if necessary, killing Palestinians".

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-supported NGO, said it would begin distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza this month after talks with Israeli authorities.

It said it had asked Israel to secure distribution points in northern Gaza, and that Israel had agreed.

An Israeli official recently said that the plan "will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection."

"It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement."

Gisha, an Israeli NGO, recently said the aid plan in the besieged Gaza Strip "is designed to bring about the forced displacement of the population."

Analysts, activists, and aid agencies have described the US-Israeli plan for aid relief in Gaza as a "mockery" of humanitarian law.

International aid agencies have already warned that Israeli plans to control aid distribution in Gaza, including the US-backed proposal, will only add to the suffering in the devastated Palestinian territory.

Israel's far-right ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has embraced Donald Trump's proposals on Gaza to displace Palestinians permanently outside the territory and turn it into a seaside real-estate development.

During a recent tour of some Arab states of the Persian Gulf, the US president described aerial images of the widespread destruction from Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

"There's practically no building standing. It's not like you're trying to save something," he said.

Despite global outcry to end the "genocidal" assault on the people of Gaza, the Israeli regime recently approved a plan that could lead to the capture of the "entire Gaza Strip."

Arab states have rejected the plan, and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called it ethnic cleansing.

Most Gazans have been displaced at least once during 19 months of war between Israel and Hamas.

Israel blocked all aid from entering Gaza on March 2, before resuming its campaign of genocide on March 18 after talks to prolong a six-week ceasefire collapsed.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says, "The fascist occupying regime attempts to mislead the world public opinion by falsely claiming to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza."

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'Hot summer awaits you': Yemen threatens reprisal after Israel attacks Sana'a airport

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 6:15 PM

A top Yemeni official has condemned Israel's aggression against the Sana'a airport, saying Zionists must await a 'hot summer' as the Arab country will not back down from its decision to support Gaza until the genocide stops.

"The Zionist aggression on Sana'a Airport proves their pain from our strikes. Zionist aggression, no matter what it is, will not deter us; rather, it will push us to more and more support operations for Gaza," said Mahdi al-Mashat, the chairman of Yemen's Supreme Political Council.

The official warned settlers that the regime of "the despicable [Benjamin] Netanyahu is incapable of protecting you, as the upcoming surprises are painful."

The official also warned people around the world to "avoid traveling with companies that are still continuing their flights to Lod Airport, as they are subject to our sanctions and are not safe."

"I tell all companies that are still continuing to arrive at Lod Airport, known as Ben Gurion, that they are exposed to danger at any moment," he said.

Israeli airstrikes blew up the last remaining plane at Yemen's international airport, weeks after an earlier attack inflicted major damage.

The airport had only resumed limited commercial services on May 17, after it was closed by a heavy Israeli attack that destroyed six planes 11 days earlier.

Yemen has launched hundreds of attacks on the Zionist regime and its vessels over the past months in an attempt to stop the genocide in Gaza.

'Israel has not learned from the US'

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah also condemned the aggression on the Yemeni airport, saying it violated all international and humanitarian laws and conventions.

"Hezbollah strongly condemns these barbaric Zionist assaults and affirms that this Israeli escalation would not have occurred without full American backing and the shameful silence of the international community."

The movement said the aggression reaffirms that the Israeli enemy "has learned nothing from the experience of its patron, America, which failed to subjugate Yemen, its people, and its leadership, and was forced to halt its aggression."

It said the enemy remains mired in delusions, thinking it could achieve its goals of deterring the Yemeni people or pushing them to back down from their steadfast position in supporting the oppressed Palestinian people, who face daily massacres.

Hezbollah expressed its deep pride in the "brave, wise, and courageous" stance of the Yemeni leadership and reiterated its solidarity with the Yemeni nation.

"This aggression will only increase their resolve, might, courage, and determination to continue their path until the genocidal war is stopped and the siege on the people of Gaza is lifted."

Hezbollah called for the "strongest possible condemnation" from all free nations and peoples of the world and urged effective and impactful action to lift the unjust blockade imposed on dear Gaza and noble Yemen.

The movement also renewed its call on Arab and Islamic nations and peoples to stand alongside the dear Yemeni people and support their courageous and noble stance in support of Palestine and its steadfast people.

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UAE summons Israeli envoy over provocations at al-Aqsa Mosque

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 5:58 PM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has summoned Israel's ambassador to the country to protest provocative actions by Israeli forces and settlers against Muslims at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East al-Quds.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday that it had summoned Tel Aviv's ambassador Yossi Shelley and informed him of Abu Dhabi's strong protest of "disgraceful practices and violations against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the Muslim Quarter."

It said the Emirates condemns "the events taking place in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, including attacks on civilians and incursions into holy places that resulted in the injury of a number of civilians."

"These provocative, arbitrary practices represent dangerous incitement against Muslims and are a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the holy city."

The ministry called on Tel Aviv "to assume full responsibility, condemn these hostile acts, hold perpetrators accountable without exception to ministers and officials, and take urgent steps to prevent the exploitation of Jerusalem for agendas of violence, extremism, and incitement."

The UAE warned Israel that any failure to act would be seen as implicit approval of the violations, further deepening "hatred, racism, and instability."

On Monday, far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and more than 2,700 settlers stormed the holy mosque complex to mark Israel's occupation of the city's eastern sector following the 1967 Six-Day War.

They waved the flags of the occupying regime and performed Talmudic rituals in the mosque's courtyards, commemorating the so-called Jerusalem Day.

Every year, Israeli settlers mark the event by marching through the streets of al-Quds and its occupied Old City, including the predominantly Arab neighborhoods, to the Western Wall.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third-holiest site for Muslims.

Under an agreement signed between Israel and the Jordanian government in the wake of the regime's occupation of al-Quds in 1967, non-Muslim worship at the holy compound is prohibited. But the ban is a mere phrase, and, in action, circumstances have been against Muslims.

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Ben-Gvir vows to expand Israeli settlements as ICC prepares arrest warrant

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 5:10 PM

Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir has remained defiant and undeterred by reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) was preparing to issue an arrest warrant against him.

The hawkish minister in remarks on Wednesday vowed to press ahead with the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

"No arrest warrant of any kind will deter me from continuing to work for the people of Israel and the Land of Israel," Ben-Gvir wrote on X. "When The Hague is against me, I know I am on the right path."

A Wall Street Journal report earlier stated that ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was preparing arrest warrants for Ben Gvir and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich over their roles in expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

While the ICC declined to comment on the report with regard to Ben-Gvir or Smotrich, it told the newspaper that it had a mandate to investigate crimes committed in the "Palestinian territories," based on the Palestinian Authority's 2014 acceptance of the court's jurisdiction.

Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are notorious for making inflammatory statements against Palestinians.

Past comments by both Israeli ministers about the Palestinians have drawn international condemnation. They have also time and again called for the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and other occupied territories.

The cases against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir were reportedly intended to complement the arrest warrants issued by the court in November against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister in charge of military affairs, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes related to the brutal military campaign in Gaza.

Observers say a ruling by the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal also marks a significant milestone as it provides a clear legal framework for addressing the decades-long occupation.

US President Donald Trump, in February, signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel.

The order accuses the ICC of engaging in actions targeting America and its close ally, Israel.

Trump's order also claimed that the ICC's actions set a dangerous precedent and that this endangers US citizens and military personnel, who committed war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Hamas says it reached framework agreement with US envoy over Gaza ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 4:34 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says it has reached a framework agreement with the US special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, on a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, amid the group's significant efforts to end Israel's "brutal" war on the besieged territory.

In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said the agreement would "achieve a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, the flow of aid [into the territory], and the establishment of a professional committee to manage the affairs of the strip immediately upon the announcement of the agreement."

The deal would also involve the release of 10 Israeli captives, and an unspecified number of corpses, in exchange for the release of a mutually agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, according to the statement.

Hamas noted that it was waiting for a final response to the proposed framework.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023. It has killed at least 54,084 Palestinians there so far, according to the health ministry of Gaza.

In January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, given the regime's failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the "elimination" of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.

The 42-day stage of the truce, which was marred by repeated Israeli violations, expired on March 1, but Israel is refraining from stepping into talks for the second stage of the agreement.

On March 18, the regime resumed the strikes on Gaza, breaking the nearly two-month-long ceasefire.

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UNRWA warns Israel-US-backed aid model wastes resources

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 3:11 PM

Commissioner General of the UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned that the aid delivery and distribution model introduced by the Israeli regime and the US not only wastes much-needed resources but is also a distraction from the Israeli atrocities in the territory.

On Wednesday, Philippe Lazzarini condemned the opening of a distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah in southern Gaza, which caused a stampede the day before, where three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire.

On Tuesday, thousands of Palestinians rushed towards the distribution site and climbed over its fences to reach the humanitarian supplies.

Tuesday's stampede came days after the Israeli regime claimed it had eased the total blockade it has imposed since March 2 on the enclave, which has resulted in a severe shortage of food, fuel, medicine, and water.

Despite the horrific and inhumane reports coming out of Gaza, the Israeli regime's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, later acknowledged a "loss of control momentarily" at the center, but a senior military official said the distribution was nonetheless "a success."

"We saw yesterday the shocking images of hungry people pushing against fences, desperate for food. It was chaotic, undignified, and unsafe," said Lazzarini.

"I believe it is a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities. We already have an aid distribution system that is fit for purpose ... Meanwhile; the clock is ticking towards famine, so humanitarian (work) must be allowed to do its life-saving work now," he emphasized.

The US created GHF in early May and sidelined the UN and its subsidiaries like UNRWA. The Israeli regime has facilitated GHF's efforts and says the model keeps supplies out of Hamas's hands.

GHF has been accused of assisting the Israeli regime in fulfilling its military objectives and excluding the most vulnerable Palestinians from receiving aid.

The UN and other international aid groups have boycotted the foundation, which they say undermines the principle that humanitarian aid should be distributed independently of the parties to a conflict.

"The model of aid distribution proposed by Israel does not align with core humanitarian principles ... It will deprive a large part of Gaza, the highly vulnerable people, of desperately needed assistance," Lazzarini said.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated dramatically since March 18, when the Israeli regime violated its ceasefire agreement with the resistance group Hamas.

According to the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), Gaza suffers from phase 5 famine, and nearly 71,000 children under the age of five are at risk of acute malnutrition.

IPC defines phase 5 famine as when at least one in five households experience an extreme lack of food and face starvation, resulting in destitution, extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition, and death.

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EU lifts sanctions against Syria as HTS moves to normalize ties with Israel

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 2:44 PM

The European Union has lifted economic sanctions imposed against Syria, as the new administration in the Arab country expressed readiness to normalize ties with the Israeli regime.

On Wednesday, the European Council adopted legal acts lifting all economic sanctions on Syria.

The move came as EU foreign ministers agreed on May 20 to lift the measures, just one week after US President Donald Trump announced that all US sanctions on Syria would be lifted.

Trump made the announcement in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, during his visit to the kingdom where he met with the head of the HTS-led administration in Syria, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who expressed readiness to normalize ties between Damascus and Tel Aviv.

The US president also signaled to the Israeli regime that it should work to reach an understanding with the HTS-led administration.

The HTS, a former branch of al-Qaeda, along with other militants, seized control of Damascus on December 8, 2024, forcing former President Bashar al-Assad, a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, to leave the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently described how the Israeli military helped the HTS takeover of Syria in December.

Since Assad was toppled, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against Syria and occupied large swathes of territory in the country, in addition to the Golan Heights, which it occupied during the Six-Day War in 1967.

The EU will keep sanctions related to Assad's government and restrictions based on "security grounds".

The council also imposed new sanctions against two individuals and three entities for "serious human rights abuses" connected to the recent wave of violence that erupted in March.

"The Council will continue monitoring developments on the ground and stands ready to introduce further restrictive measures against human rights violators and those fueling instability in Syria," it said.

The security situation in Syria under the HTS - an offshoot of the al-Qaeda terrorist group - remains tenuous. Incidents of sectarian violence, including the massacre of hundreds of Alawites in March, have hardened fears among minority groups about the now dominant militants.

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One killed as Israeli drone hits motorcycle in southern Lebanon in violation of ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 6:32 AM

The Israeli military has conducted an assault in the southern Lebanese province of Nabatieh, killing at least one individual, in the latest flagrant breach of a tenuous ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

The Public Health Emergency Operations Center of Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said in a statement that an Israeli drone fired a guided missile at a motorcycle as it was traveling along a road at the village of Yater in Bint Jbeil district late on Tuesday.

A Lebanese security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the victim as a member of the Hezbollah resistance movement, and named him as Nabil Balaghi.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese army announced that it had found an Israeli espionage device and dismantled two earthen berms erected by the Israeli military in a border area in southern Lebanon.

"In the course of ongoing engineering survey operations in the southern regions, a specialized military unit discovered an Israeli enemy espionage device camouflaged and equipped with a camera on the outskirts of the village of Blida-Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon. The unit dismantled the device," the statement read.

It added, "The unit also removed two earthen berms that had been erected by the enemy in the villages of Blida and Mays al-Jabal - Marjayoun."

The statement indicated that the Lebanese army is persistently watching the situation in collaboration with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in light of the continued Israeli infringements on Lebanon's sovereignty and security, especially in the southern region.

This comes as Lebanon's official National News Agency had reported that "an Israeli force, accompanied by two bulldozers" had infiltrated the "outskirts of Mays al-Jabal in the eastern sector of the border area, where it erected an earthen berm and encroached on dozens of meters of Lebanese land before withdrawing."

Since the commencement of the ceasefire, Israeli occupation forces have been launching assaults on Lebanon, including airstrikes throughout the Arab nation, breaching the agreement.

On January 27, 2025, Lebanon announced its decision to extend the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.

Although the deadline of February 18 has passed, Israel continues to maintain its occupation of five significant regions in southern Lebanon, namely Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, all situated near the border.

Lebanon has condemned the continued presence of Israeli military forces, viewing it as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and the established timeline for withdrawal. Senior officials in Beirut have expressed their commitment to take "all necessary measures" to remove the occupying troops from the nation.

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Thai prime minister urges calm after Cambodian soldier killed in border clash

Firefight follows Thai claims that Cambodian troops burned down a Thai-built pavilion in March.

By Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA

2025.05.28

BANGKOK -- The Thai prime minister said Wednesday she spoke to her Cambodian counterpart to reduce tensions after Cambodia said one of its soldiers was killed in a brief gunfight with Thai troops at a sensitive border region.

The 10-minute shootout at Hill 496 comes after weeks of mounting tension. The neighbors have a history of armed confrontation at disputed border areas.

Cambodia said one of its soldiers, Sgt. Suan Roan, 48, was killed during the fight, and the body has been transported from the border for a funeral, The Associated Press reported. The Thai army said it suffered no casualties.

Tension has risen in recent weeks after Thai soldiers accused their Cambodian counterparts of burning a Thai-built friendship gazebo in the Chong Bok area of Thailand's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, where the Thai, Cambodian and Lao borders meet. There have also been disturbances at the ancient shrine of Ta Moan Thom, in Surin province to the west. Both Thailand and Cambodia claim the site.

Following Wednesday's clash, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said both countries were determined to prevent tensions from boiling over.

"[I] have talked to Prime Minister Hun Manet. [The incident] was minor. We have understanding and will ease the tension and will prevent the reoccurrence," she told reporters.

Thai soldiers were directed to stay alert despite top level negotiations, the Thai army said in a statement, adding that Cambodia fired the first shot and all Thai soldiers were safe.

In a post on Facebook, Cambodian Senate president and former prime minister Hun Sen expressed condolences to the family of the fallen soldier, and said a peaceful border "should never witness such incidents."

"I strongly condemn any individual, entity, or authority that made the decision to carry out such an act of aggression, which resembles the incursions that occurred between 2008 and 2011 at the Preah Vihear temple," Hun Sen wrote.

In 2011, there was a deadly clash between Thai and Cambodia forces over an ancient temple at Preah Vihear, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The U.N.'s International Court of Justice granted sovereignty over the area to Cambodia in 2013.

This March, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet threatened to use military force if the Thai military sent soldiers to Ta Moan Thom temple site.

The incomplete boundary demarcation there led to a confrontation between Cambodian soldiers who visited the temple last month and Thai soldiers who are stationed nearby, according to independent online news outlet CamboJa.

RFA Khmer contributed reporting. Edited by Mike Firn and Mat Pennington.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May 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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Georgia's Ivanishvili Refuses To Meet US Ambassador Bearing Trump Message

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service May 28, 2025

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Russia-friendly billionaire considered Georgia's most powerful political figure, has refused a meeting with the US ambassador in Tbilisi, which the embassy said was requested to deliver a message from the Trump administration.

The US Embassy said in a statement on its website on May 28 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio requested the meeting on May 22 "to communicate a message from the Administration and to again relay specific steps the Georgian government can take to show it is serious about resetting its relationship with the United States."

The statement added that Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, had "refused" to meet with Ambassador Robin Dunnigan.

Ivanishvili, who is under US sanctions, confirmed the meeting was requested.

But he said he refused, as he has done in the past, because he considers it wrong to "meet with the ambassador and discuss state affairs" given what he calls the "personal blackmail" he faces as the sanctions keep him from receiving money he won in a court dispute with Credit Suisse in Singapore without special permission.

Georgia, once a closer US ally, has angered Washington and the European Union with its perceived tilt toward Russia and its violent crackdown on dissent in the Caucasus nation.

The country received EU candidate status in December 2023, but ties with Brussels have been tense following the adoption in May 2024 of a controversial "foreign agent" law pushed through parliament by Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012.

Adding to tensions, police in Tbilisi clashed with pro-Western protesters after elections, detaining dozens and injuring scores of people who accuse the government of the Georgian Dream party of moving the country away from the EU and closer to Moscow.

The political crisis erupted after Georgian Dream claimed victory in October parliamentary elections that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said was marred by instances of vote-buying, double-voting, physical violence, and intimidation.

The US sanctions were imposed in December as Brussels and Washington watched to see whether Georgian officials would intensify their tilt toward Moscow, return to the pro-Europe path, or remain in an environment of unrest and uncertainty.

In the May 28 statement, the US Embassy again addressed the strained ties, saying it hopes the Georgian government "sincerely wishes to return to 33 years of partnership and friendship with America and the American people."

Forbes estimates Ivanishvili's fortune at around $2.5 billion as of May 28, much of it coming through metals, banking, and telecom assets in Russia during the 1990s.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-ivanishvili-us- ambassador-dunnigan-tbilisi/33427606.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Joint Statement of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Norway: A renewed commitment for the implementation of the two State solution

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 052

May 28, 2025

One year after the official recognition of the State of Palestine by Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain, in the framework of the 'Madrid+' Group of the meeting, we have met to renew and reinforce the international commitment for the implementation of the two-State solution and to the principle that only a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, with internationally recognised borders, comprised of Gaza and the West Bank and with East Jerusalem as its capital, can fully satisfy the legitimate national aspirations and the needs of peace and security of both the people of Palestine and Israel.

This commitment has had an undeniable impact on the international dynamics regarding the conflict in Gaza, creating momentum for the implementation of the two-State solution.

After many years of stagnation, implementation of the two State solution and recognition of Palestine is not only morally right, but it also produced the necessary momentum to revive the spirit of the implementation of the two-State solution. In September 2024 in the United Nations, the international community agreed on the creation of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State solution. Its meetings have, in this spirit, strived to make the two-State reality possible.

The momentum that was created in May last year, ultimately culminated on 10th December 2024, when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution A/RES/79/81, which called for a High Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. We believe that this High Level Conference, to be held on 17th June 2025 under UN auspices and co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, represents not only the occasion with the highest degree of international legitimacy, but also the appropriate framework in which to finally advance the implementation of the two-State solution.

We have committed, along with all the participating countries in the meeting 'Madrid +: for the Implementation of the Two-State solution', to engage substantially in the work of the Global Alliance and to ensure a meaningful participation in the High-Level Conference. We remind that recognition is another step for the implementation of the two-State solution, and we call on all members of the international community to take the necessary steps to make it reality, including individual recognition of Palestine and Israel by those who have not yet done so, UN membership of Palestine and support of an agreement between the parties, with eventual mutual recognition between Palestine and Israel.

It is up to the parties to bring peace to the region, but the international community has the obligation to change the ongoing dynamics on the ground that have created an endless cycle of violence and devastation.

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"The victory of independence in Karabakh renders Azerbaijan much stronger"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

28.05.2025

Speaking at Azerbaijan's Independence Day celebrations, President Erdogan said: "Just as the republican regime, established in Azerbaijan in 1918, became the epitome of liberty and free will, the victory of independence in Karabakh today renders Azerbaijan much stronger and more prosperous."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended Azerbaijan's Independence Day celebrations held in the city of Lachin.

Speaking at the celebrations, President Erdogan said: "Just as the republican regime, established in Azerbaijan in 1918, became the epitome of liberty and free will, the victory of independence in Karabakh today renders Azerbaijan much stronger and more prosperous. The torch of independence lit that day lightens Azerbaijan's path in a much brighter and stronger manner today. With the liberation of Karabakh, each note that rises on these lands has become the voice of not only victory, but also the revival, so to speak, of a nation."

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Israel must immediately let aid into Gaza and enable the UN to operate: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki

Published 28 May 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 28 May 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

I thank Special Coordinator Sigrid Kaag and Dr Sidwah for their briefings today, which painted a catastrophic picture.

Let me pay tribute to you and to your humanitarian and health worker colleagues working tirelessly to alleviate this suffering.

I will make three points.

First, the UK has always supported Israel's right to defend itself. It suffered a heinous attack by Hamas on 7 October, and hostages have been through an unimaginable ordeal. We reiterate our call for their immediate and unconditional release and accountability for those responsible.

But as my Prime Minister has said, we strongly oppose the Israeli Government's escalating military action in Gaza which is wholly disproportionate.

An immediate ceasefire, not more bloodshed, is the way to secure the release of the hostages and stop the endless cycle of violence.

Second, as we have heard again today, the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Civilians face starvation, displacement and trauma.

The UN warned of the risks from the Israeli Government's plan for aid delivery. In Rafah yesterday, we saw this warning become a reality. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation lost control of its distribution centre, with multiple casualties reported and great distress for those desperately seeking aid.

In contrast, the UN has a clear plan to deliver lifesaving aid at scale. It contains robust mitigations against aid diversion. Brave humanitarians stand ready to do their jobs. 9,000 trucks wait at the border.

Our message to Prime Minister Netanyahu is clear: let aid in and enable the UN to operate, now.

We reiterate our support for the UN, OCHA and all its aid agencies.

We also reject the Israeli Government's unacceptable intention to take control of the Gaza Strip. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

Third, President, in the West Bank, violent settlers continue to assault and abuse Palestinians, forcing entire communities to flee. In Jerusalem, provocative visits to Holy Sites and inflammatory language by Israeli ministers are adding to the tensions.

On 20 May, the UK announced further sanctions on individuals and entities promoting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

We will continue to act against those committing these abuses.

President, the UK will not give up on a two-state solution, and we will continue to work closely with France, Saudi Arabia and all our partners towards a successful conference in June, which moves us towards this goal.

And finally, let me finish by condemning the horrific murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington DC last week, and offering condolences to their families and to their colleagues.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

28 May 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Guest Tomorrow

Quick programming note for you: Thursday, tomorrow, we will be joined in person by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, who will be here to talk to you about the International Day of Peacekeepers.

** International Day of Peacekeepers

As part of that, at 2:45 p.m. tomorrow, the Secretary-General will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 United Nations peacekeepers who have given their lives in the line of duty since 1948. He will also preside over a ceremony in the Trusteeship Council, during which the Dag Hammarskjold Medals will be awarded posthumously to 57 military, police and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their lives serving under the flag of the United Nations last year.

At 3 p.m., the Secretary-General will present awards to the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year. That is Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana, and he will also present an award to the UN-Woman Police Officer of the Year, and that is Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. We congratulate them. Both serve with the peacekeeping mission in Abyei. We shared a full press release with you yesterday.

** Middle East

Sigrid Kaag, our acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council this morning, telling Council members that the two-State solution is on life support and reviving it requires decisive action. She said the upcoming high-level international conference in June, co-chaired by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, must not be another rhetorical exercise and instead must launch a concrete path towards ending the occupation and realizing the two-State solution based on international law, UN resolutions and previous agreements.

Ms. Kaag warned that the entire population of Gaza is facing the risk of famine. As the Secretary-General has said, families are being starved and denied the very basics. She added that, while Gaza rightly captures the world's attention, the West Bank is on a dangerous trajectory. Developments are best described as accelerating de facto annexation through settlement-expansion, through land seizures and through settler violence. If not reversed, Ms. Kaag said, these will make the two-State solution physically impossible. Ms. Kaag will also be speaking to you after the Council session has ended. We are advised that there will likely not be closed consultations afterwards and we will let you know when she is there.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation on the ground in Gaza, our colleagues in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) say that, 600 days since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, ongoing air and ground operations are further dismantling the means of survival for 2.1 million Palestinians. Yesterday, dozens of people were reportedly shot and injured while trying to access supplies administered through a newly developed distribution scheme, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Speaking to the press in Jerusalem a bit earlier today, OCHA's Head of Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jonathan Whittall, said these events illustrate how the collective punishment of Palestinians continues and the assault on their human dignity is accelerating. Mr. Whittall said the new distribution model is more than just the control of aid. It is engineered scarcity: four distribution hubs located in central and southern Gaza, secured by private US security contractors, where those Palestinians who can reach them will receive rations. He warned that this distribution scheme cannot possibly meet Gaza's needs, stressing that truly humanitarian action seeks to reach all civilians, wherever they are.

During the ceasefire, we and our partners demonstrated we could deliver aid effectively when restrictions on aid delivery were eased. The existing system needs to be enabled once more to deliver services and supplies to the entire population in the north and south of Gaza. As for the occupying Power, Israel must agree to allow and facilitate the aid that is urgently needed.

Since last week, about 900 truckloads were submitted for Israeli approval, and 800 were approved. But, just over 500 could be offloaded on the Israeli side of Kerem Shalom, and even fewer made it to the Palestinian side, where we and our partners could collect just over 200 of them  limited by insecurity and restricted access. It is also important to note that fewer Palestinian trucks are needed to collect the cargo transferred through Kerem Shalom, so collection is not on a one-to-one ratio with trucks offloaded on the Israeli side.

OCHA reminds us that aid should flow at scale through multiple crossings into Gaza. We need unimpeded access to and from these crossings. Israeli authorities also continue to deny our attempts to coordinate humanitarian movements inside Gaza, including one to retrieve fuel from Rafah today. Overall, all six coordinated movements were denied to the United Nations today.

Meanwhile, our partners tell us that people continue to be displaced amid ongoing hostilities and displacement orders issued by Israeli military authorities. Those on the move lack tents, they lack tarpaulins, they lack food, they lack water, and they lack many of the most basic supplies. Our partners working on health report that, as of last week, only half of the hospitals in Gaza are functioning, albeit partially. Eight field hospitals  along with about 200 mobile clinics and health centres  have also suspended their services across Gaza due to hostilities, attacks and displacement orders.

Turning to the West Bank, today, our acting Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sarah Poole, led a diplomatic field visit to the southern Hebron Hills with representatives of more than 10 Member States. The visit shed light on the current challenges faced by Palestinian communities in the wake of recurrent settler violence and attacks. OCHA tells us that settler violence is on the rise, leading to imminent forced displacement, casualties, demolitions and property damage  including to homes, schools and essential infrastructure.

** UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

We often talk to you about the sacrifice made by our United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) colleagues and the ultimate sacrifice  so many of them have been killed in this conflict in Gaza. I just want to share the story of one individual with you. Philippe Lazzarini, the Head of UNRWA, shared today the details of the death of one UNRWA staff member named Kamal who died on 23 March, as he was wearing his UN vest and driving a clearly marked United Nations vehicle.

Within an hour, UNRWA had lost contact with him and his whereabouts were unknown for a week. On 30 March, Kamal's body was discovered near a mass grave, alongside the remains of the Palestinian Red Crescent humanitarian workers killed by the Israeli Forces. Kamal was killed through multiple blows to the back of his skull. Mr. Lazzarini said that UNRWA teams are not a target, and that impunity opens the door to even more atrocities. He called for an independent investigation into Kamal's killing and all other UNRWA staff members.

** Yemen

Turning to yet another wave of escalation between the Houthis and Israel, I can tell you that the ongoing military confrontation between the Houthis and Israel is exacerbating an already very fragile situation in Yemen and the broader region. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Sana'a airport in Yemen and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, are unacceptable. Today's strike on Sana'a airport and the destruction of a Yemenia airlines civilian aircraft deprives many Yemenis of a critical means to leave the country for medical, educational, family or religious regions, especially at a time when thousands of pilgrims are preparing for the Hajj.

We call on all stakeholders, including the Houthis, to de-escalate and exercise restraint, and uphold their obligations under international law and protect civilian infrastructure. We also urge the parties to return to the intra-Yemeni dialogue, with the support of the region, as the only viable path towards lasting peace and security for Yemen, its people and the region.

And just to note that our Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to Muscat where he met with senior Omani officials, members of Ansar Allah leadership and representatives of the diplomatic community there, including senior Iranian officials, and he addressed regional dynamics with them. In all his engagements, Mr. Grundberg called for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN, and other NGO [non-governmental organization] personnel currently arbitrarily being detained by Ansar Allah authorities.

** Sudan

Moving to Sudan, where conditions are worsening for the communities there, as we warn constantly, but you can imagine the major impact that the hostilities have specifically had on children in these conflict zones. Our colleagues at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) say that, each day, more children in Sudan are exposed to the double threat of cholera and malnutrition.

According to health authorities, in Khartoum State alone, more than 7,700 cholera cases, including 1,000 cases in children under the age of five have been reported since January of this year. Additionally, two out of the seven localities in the State, which are Jebel Aulia and Khartoum, are at risk of famine and account for 33 per cent of the 300,000 acutely malnourished children in the State.

UNICEF warns that more than 1 million children are estimated to live in the affected localities across Khartoum State. And for children already weakened by a lack of nutritious food, cholera or any other causes of severe diarrhoea can be fatal if not treated properly. UNICEF stresses that cholera and malnutrition are preventable, and they are treatable if we can reach children in time. We call again on the warring parties to put their guns aside and instead, put the interest of the people first and foremost, and especially the children.

** Haiti

From Haiti, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that cholera remains a major public health emergency, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, as well as in the city of Cap-Haitien. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since the end of December 2024 and as of 17 May 2025, more than 2,100 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in the departments of Ouest, Centre and Artibonite. This includes 55 lab-confirmed cases and 28 associated deaths. The disease continues to spread in densely populated urban areas, including in displacement sites, where access to safe water, sanitation and healthcare remains limited.

The response, led by WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), focuses on surveillance, clinical care, disinfection of high-risk areas, water treatment and community awareness. Between 10 and 17 May, we and our partners have reached over 7,000 displaced people with briefings on cholera prevention and water treatment in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. We've also helped to disinfect hundreds of homes and facilities and distributed some 2,000 water purification tablets. More than 30 handwashing stations were also installed across 12 displacement sites.

Despite these efforts, security constraints continue to severely hinder humanitarian access and delay emergency interventions. OCHA warns that low levels of funding are jeopardizing critical cholera response activities, including prevention, case management, lab testing and access to safe water.

And I also wanted to flag that at 3 p.m. this afternoon, there will be Security Council closed consultations on Haiti. The head of our mission there  BINUH  Maria Isabel Salvador, as well as Atul Khare, the head of the Department of Operational Support, are expected to brief the Council.

** Ukraine

From Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues there tell us that, yesterday, we, along with our humanitarian partners, sent a humanitarian convoy to Pokrovsk, one of the towns most impacted by the fighting in the Donetsk region. The supplies included hygiene and medical kits, dignity kits for older people and food parcels. The town, located just 2 kilometres from the front line, has been at the epicentre of hostilities on the eastern front over the past year. Before the war, the city had a population of more than 60,000. The town's current population is around 1,850  mostly older people and people with disabilities who are unable to leave this hard-to-reach area. With the convoy, aid will reach more than 1,000 people  more than half of those currently remaining in the town.

So far this year, we, along with our humanitarian partners, have delivered critical supplies for nearly 11,000 people in front-line areas of the Donetsk region. Across the country, our partners have delivered 22 convoys this year, reaching more than 30,000 residents in front-line areas.

Meanwhile, authorities reported that, today and yesterday, air strikes and hostilities resulted in civilian casualties  including children  and damaged homes, railway infrastructure and other civilian infrastructure. The regions of Kherson, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Sumy and Chernihiv were among the hardest hit. In response to recent air strikes, particularly in the regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv, aid workers have provided immediate assistance, including psychological support and construction materials to help families cover damaged homes.

** Global Climate Predictions

I just want to flag two reports. [Neither] of them have good news. The first one by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that global climate predictions show temperatures are expected to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, increasing climate risks and impacts on societies, economies and sustainable development. The WMO report forecasts that the annually averaged global mean near-surface temperature for each year between 2025 and 2029 is predicted to be between 1.2C and 1.9C higher than the average over the years 1850-1900.

According to the report, there is an 80 per cent chance that at least one year between now and 2029 will be warmer than the warmest year on record, which is currently last year, 2024. There is also an 86 per cent chance that at least one year will be more than 1.5C above the pre-industrial level. WMO points out that every additional fraction of a degree of warming drives more harmful heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, intense droughts, melting of ice sheets, sea ice and glaciers, heating of the ocean and rising sea levels.

** Global Employment Growth

The other report, from the International Labour Organization (ILO), has revised its global employment forecast for 2025, projecting the creation of 53 million jobs instead of the previously estimated 60 million jobs. ILO notes that the drop  which is the equivalent of around 7 million fewer additional jobs  reflects a downgraded global economic outlook, as GDP growth is expected at 2.8 per cent, down from a previous projection of 3.2 per cent.

ILO also estimates that close to 84 million jobs across 71 countries are directly or indirectly tied to consumer demand in the United States. ILO warns that these jobs  and the incomes they support  are now increasingly at risk of disruption due to elevated trade tensions. No money today. No quiz so we will go straight to questions. Yes?

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thank you, Steph. The Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Mr. [Danny] Danon, had a press briefing earlier today, before the Security Council meeting, and he blasted the UN and said that they are withholding... they are not showing up to pick up the aid on the Israeli side of... I'm sorry, on the Gaza side of Kerem Shalom and says that we've opened the crossings, we provided safe routes, but the UN did not show up.

Spokesman : Look. You know, one way to clear up the duelling narratives that you hear would be for international journalists to be allowed into Gaza. So, everyone, you and your organizations could see things with your own eyes. What I can tell you is that our colleagues are not sitting on their hands. Our colleagues in Gaza, our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza are living in a time of great despair because they're also wondering where their next meal is going to come from. They're not sitting on their hands. Neither are international colleagues who keep going in and out of Gaza. And I speak to them often, and they are dedicated to going back in. While in Gaza, we are continuing to put... I mean, not we, they are continuing to put their lives at risk, trying to pick up the aid from the one and only crossing that is open. It is not as if trucks were being delivered to, you know, Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, and you just had to go up and pick up your case of oranges. What happens is that we submit goods that we want to bring into Gaza. The Israelis then decide which ones they will approve. The trucks then come in from the Israeli side into Kerem Shalom. The goods have to go on what is referred to as sterile trucks. They go from the Israeli trucks to the Palestinian trucks, right? So that already takes time. Then they have to be loaded on the Palestinian trucks. In order for us to go pick up those goods, we have to get clearance from the Israelis. I just read today that all the missions that we had asked for had been denied by the Israeli authorities. If we can't get goods in, if we can't get goods, if we're not able to pick up those goods, I can tell you one thing, it is not for lack of trying. Dezhi?

Question : So, let me put that question in one simple mode. Does the UN believe that Israel is purposefully hampering the efforts of the UN humanitarian operation?

Spokesman : You have to ask them what their motivation is, but I can tell you, they sure aren't making it easy for us.

Question : Okay. So, we heard Ambassador Danon as well as COGAT criticizing Mr. [Tom] Fletcher's 10,000 trucks rhetoric, saying that, if it's that many trucks, it would reach the border between Israel and Lebanon. Is that the case  that the UN is lying on this issue?

Spokesman : No one is lying. Mr. Fletcher is a passionate humanitarian, right? He was in Gaza a few weeks ago. He saw with his own eyes. I can tell you from speaking with him, it has had an impact on him, as it has an impact on anyone who's been to Gaza and seen these things with his own eyes. The issue of the trucks, he was referring to all the aid that we have in the pipeline, that is in storage that could fill up 10,000 trucks. I mean, you know, we can focus on the enthusiastic comments of one or two of our colleagues. The situation on the ground remains as catastrophic and as tragic as it is.

Question : And one last thing, I just want to confirm this. You said twice that Israel denied six humanitarian operations today?

Spokesman : That's exactly what I said.

Question : That's 100 per cent. There's no more than six. Are these six operations are carrying the humanitarian aid?

Spokesman : This is about us either trying to pick up fuel or either trying to get to Kerem Shalom. Okay.

Correspondent : So, it's 100 per cent, by the way.

Spokesman : Usually, what I say is what I say. Right.

Correspondent : Six out of six.

Spokesman : That's my understanding. Yvonne Murray, RTE.

Question : On the same subject. So, you're now being accused of not doing your job by Israel. You're failing to pick up the aid. You're failing to distribute it. Isn't this laying the groundwork for you, the United Nations being entirely bypassed? And at some point, are you not going to be forced to work and cooperate with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation?

Spokesman : We will not bend on our principles. We will not participate in operations that do not meet our humanitarian principles. It is not about refusing to work with X, Y and Z. Right? Is it about not participating in operations that do not meet the standard principles. You know, our efforts in Gaza have been about getting food to people and not forcing people to walk miles in dangerous situations to get food.

Question : I do understand that. But, if you are not able to distribute food and supplies under your humanitarian principles, surely, at some point, you are not going to have a choice as to whether you cooperate or not. You're going to be forced down that road. This seems to be what this whole thing is being prepared for?

Spokesman : I will leave you and other journalists to analyse and predict what will happen. I can tell you that we do have free will. Edith Lederer, Associated Press, yet again.

Question : Thank you so much, Steph. Going back to the Houthis in Yemen. You talked about the airports, but what's the status of Hudaydah, which we all know is really a lifeline for getting food and commercial goods, and especially humanitarian aid, into Yemen?

Spokesman : I will try to get you an update on Hudaydah.

Question : And on Sudan and the serious cholera outbreak, does the UN have any health officials or health teams in there?

Spokesman : We have health teams, as part of our UN country team. I will try to see if they're able to access the places that need it. We've gone back into Khartoum, but as you know, as the fighting continues, it's extremely difficult to get to people who need our help.

Question : And are they, I mean, Port Sudan was being attacked last week?

Spokesman : Yeah. I mean, we continue to be in Port Sudan. Mr. Schwinghammer?

Question : Thank you. Regarding Gaza again, let me bring up a topic we discussed a while ago. Are you thinking about airdrops?

Spokesman : No. We are not thinking about airdrops. At least, no one that I know is thinking about airdrops, but I don't know everybody. Yes, ma'am?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Back on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the videos that are coming out in the last 24 hours are really shocking. We've seen Gazans being herded between fences and shot warning shots at the... Palestinian health officials said 1 person had died, 48 people had been injured. Can you comment on their methods of distributing aid? Does this comply with international humanitarian law?

Spokesman : I mean, I think I just did. And I would refer you to what our colleague Jonathan Whittall said, which I just talked about and I talked about yesterday, that the images are heartbreaking on a human level. But, they also show that, you know, that humanitarian aid distribution, if not thought through properly, based on humanitarian principles, can go awfully wrong very quickly.

Correspondent : Thanks so much, Steph. On completely different topic, Russia has proposed holding a second round of direct talks with Ukraine on 2 June. Two questions in this regard.

Spokesman : Do speak just a little bit louder.

Question : Yeah, Russia has proposed holding a second round of direct talks with Ukraine on 2 June in Istanbul. Firstly, do you welcome this announcement? And secondly, has Russia requested the participation of United Nations representatives in this meeting?

Spokesman : I'm not aware of any request to the UN, but I will check. I think, you know, we welcome every effort that would see an end to this conflict, in line with international law, in line with the UN Charter, in line with all the relevant UN resolutions, and Ukraine's territorial integrity. Abdelhamid, and then we'll go to Stefano.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. On Monday, Israel celebrated what they call the unification of Jerusalem. 2,093 extremists and settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, led by [Itamar] Ben-Gvir and five Knesset members. They beat the Palestinian guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and brought 200 guards with them, and they prayed there for a long time and, of course, you can read this message of Ben-Gvir from there. Now two questions regarding this; the UN did not issue any statement and how could Sigrid Kaag overlook this major development?

Spokesman : Look, I don't think... there are a lot of developments every day. We try to cover everything. I can tell you that we strongly condemn the hate speech, the violence that we saw during the Jerusalem Day events in Jerusalem. Anything that is an incitement to violence, an incitement to a racist or discriminatory language is condemnable. As for the actions on the holy sites, we stand firmly against anything that will put at risk the status quo of the holy sites, which must be respected and upheld. Stefano?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. It's about an old case, the death of Mario Paciolla in Colombia in 2020. Following new revelations published in the Italian magazine, L'Espresso, including the testimony of a retired Colombian Colonel now in exile, who claims that Paciolla, then a UN staffer, was killed because he uncovered UN complicity in covering up extrajudicial killings, will the UN consider reopening an independent investigation into his death?

Spokesman : I have not... I'll try to get you an update. I haven't seen. I didn't see those reports, but we'll look into it. Okay. Islam, please?

Question : Thank you. There are reports that between US and Hamas, there's a ceasefire draft being worked on. Does the UN involve in it? Do you have any input in it?

Spokesman : We are not involved in the discussions. The Secretary-General is following them closely. He's in close contact with the Qatari authorities and others on this. We very much hope that they will be returned to a ceasefire, that we'll see the hostages released, who have been  many  been in captivity for 600 days. The free flow of humanitarian aid, as we've just outlined, which is clearly not going, and then just a return to peace. Linda Fasulo?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Regarding Sudan, the US has gathered, delivered half a billion dollars' worth of humanitarian aid to Sudan a few days ago to Port Sudan. And I mean, foreign aid, an exemption was made for aid to be delivered to Sudan. I was wondering, it's supposed to be enough food for a month for 3 million people. Is the UN in any way coordinating this distribution?

Spokesman : Let me check. Happy to check. Okay. Thank you all. I leave you in peace.

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Over 1 million children at risk as cholera spreads in Sudan's Khartoum State

UNICEF

Press release

28 May 2025

PORT SUDAN, 28 May 2025 -- More than 7,700 cholera cases - including over 1,000 cases in children under the age of five - and 185 associated deaths have been reported in Khartoum State since January 2025, according to health authorities. UNICEF and partners are working with the Federal Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the deadly disease and save lives.

Since the beginning of the brutal conflict, more than 3 million people have been forced to flee their homes in Khartoum State and the violence has upended the lives of millions. With large parts of the state becoming more accessible, more than 34,000 people have returned to Khartoum State since the beginning of 2025. Most are returning to damaged homes in areas where basic services - including critical water and sanitation - are largely unavailable. More than one million children are estimated to live in the affected localities across Khartoum State.

Continuous attacks on power plants in Khartoum State over the past month have disrupted electricity supply and worsened water shortages, significantly impacting access to safe and clean water. This has forced many families to collect water from unsafe and contaminated sources, increasing the risk of cholera and other deadly waterborne diseases, especially in overcrowded neighbourhoods and displacement sites. Cholera cases have surged significantly from 90 reported cases per day to 815 reported cases per day between 15 and 25 May - a nine-fold increase over just 10 days.

Additionally, two out of the seven localities in the State - Jebel Aulia and Khartoum - are at the risk of famine and account for 33 per cent of the 307,000 acutely malnourished children in the State. An estimated 26,500 of these children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of malnutrition. For children already weakened by a lack of nutritious food, cholera or any other causes of severe diarrhoea can be fatal if not treated promptly.

"We are racing against time with our partners to provide basic healthcare, clean water, and good nutrition, among other lifesaving services, to children who are highly vulnerable to deadly diseases and severe acute malnutrition," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative for Sudan. "Each day, more children are exposed to this double threat of cholera and malnutrition, but both are preventable and treatable, if we can reach children in time."

UNICEF is implementing a multi-pronged cholera response in Khartoum, targeting high-risk communities and supporting essential water infrastructure, including the provision of water treatment chemicals (polymer and chlorine) and a 1,000 kilovolt-amperes generator to sustain operations at Al Manara Water Treatment Plant, serving over one million people in Karrari and Old Omdurman.

UNICEF and partners are distributing household water treatment chemicals to curb community transmission, deploying water chlorinators across water points to provide safe drinking water, and mobilizing rapid response teams to support water chlorination and conduct disinfection activities. UNICEF is also engaging communities, through dialogues and social media, to disseminate key messaging on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of cholera.

So far this year, UNICEF has delivered more than 1.6 million oral cholera vaccines to Sudan and is supporting immunization campaigns in affected areas. UNICEF has supplied cholera treatment kits and is supporting the deployment of frontline workers to Cholera Treatment Centres to bolster the response. UNICEF is also supporting the training of public health officers in infection prevention control, and of community members to monitor the situation on the ground.

UNICEF continues to support the delivery of lifesaving nutrition services through 105 outpatient management programmes at health facilities and 4 stabilization centres in Khartoum State.

#####



Notes for editors:

UNICEF urgently needs an additional US$ 3.2 million to fund an emergency cholera response in the Khartoum State in the areas of health, water, hygiene, sanitation, and social and behaviour change to curb the spread of the outbreak and prevent loss of life.

To date, more than 2.5 million people have benefited from the WASH supplies UNICEF and its partners have distributed. UNICEF is also supporting the operation and maintenance of Al Manara Water treatment plant in Khartoum to continue providing safe water to the communities. UNICEF also supplied a high-power generator and pumping system to plant in Khartoum in February to supply water for nearly 1.9 million people in the State.

In Khartoum State, more than 17,000 children under five with severe acute malnutrition have been treated since the beginning of 2025. UNICEF has delivered more than 30,000 cartons of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and therapeutic milk to all localities in the state. The current stock of RUTF will cover the needs in the State for three months. Additional quantities will be delivered in the upcoming months.

Since the beginning of the cholera outbreak, officially declared on 12 August 2024, more than 65,200 cases and over 1,700 deaths were reported across 12 of 18 states in Sudan.

In response to the outbreak, UNICEF has delivered over 13.7 million doses of oral cholera vaccines since 2023, including over 9.2 million doses in 2024 and nearly 1.6 million doses in 2025. The next batch of nearly 3 million doses is scheduled to arrive in country by the end of May 2025. They will be distributed in most affected localities in Khartoum and North Kordofan States.

In addition to vaccines, UNICEF has extensively supported the procurement and delivery of critical supplies to Sudan, including oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets, acute watery diarrhoea kits and water tanks.

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Gaza: Top UN envoy calls on Israel to end devastating strikes, starvation of civilians

28 May 2025 - Gaza's population is being "starved and denied the very basics," while the region stands at a dangerous crossroads, the UN's Middle East peace envoy warned the Security Council Wednesday, urging immediate action to halt the violence, restore aid and advance a two-State solution before time runs out.

Sigrid Kaag, interim UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said that the man-made crisis unfolding in Gaza has plunged civilians into "an abyss."

"Since the collapse of the ceasefire in March, civilians have constantly come under fire, confined to ever-shrinking spaces, and deprived of lifesaving relief," she said.

"Israel must halt its devastating strikes on civilian life and infrastructure."

Risk of famine

With families cut off from aid for weeks on end, and only a fraction of the needed relief now entering the enclave, starvation looms.

"The entire population of Gaza is facing the risk of famine," Ms. Kaag warned, adding that the limited aid permitted into the enclave is "comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk."

"Ms. Kaag emphasized that humanitarian aid must not depend on political negotiations, noting that the UN aid operation is prepared to deliver assistance immediately, in accordance with international law.

"Aid cannot be negotiable," she said.

Full aid access imperative

Ms. Kaag called on Israel to halt its devastating strikes and allow full access for humanitarian aid and commercial goods.

At the same time, she stressed that Israel has the right to live in peace and security.

"This was undeniably shaken by the horrific terror attacks and taking of hostages on 7 October by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups," she said, reiterating the call on Hamas and other armed groups to stop rocket attacks against Israel and release all hostages unconditionally.

Two-State solution

Ms. Kaag emphasised that durable security "cannot be achieved solely through force", it must be built on mutual recognition, justice, and rights for all.

"A better path exists that resolves this conflict, de-escalates regional tensions and achieves a shared vision for peace," she said.

The upcoming high-level international conference in June, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, presents a critical opportunity to relaunch a path toward ending the occupation and realising the two-State solution based on international law, UN resolutions and previous agreements.

"It must not be another rhetorical exercise," she said.

"We need to pivot ourselves from declarations to decisions. We need to implement rather than adopt new texts."

'See you in heaven'

In her briefing, Ms. Kaag described the deep despair of civilians in Gaza, where families now bid farewell not with a "goodbye, see you tomorrow", but with the words "see you in heaven."

"Death is their companion. It's not life, it's not hope," she continued, stressing that Gazans deserve more than survival - they deserve a future.

Urging bold political action, she called for adherence to international law, and support for a reformed Palestinian Government that can govern both Gaza and the West Bank.

"Statehood is a right, not a reward," Ms. Kaag said.

"Let us not be remembered as the generation that let the two-State solution disappear. Let us be the generation that chose courage over caution, justice over inertia and peace over politics. Let us be part of a generation that can make this happen."

Operating without anaesthesia: Volunteer surgeon

Following Ms. Kaag's remarks, an American surgeon who volunteered in Gaza twice since 7 October 2023 told Council ambassadors that he had to work in hospitals without critical medical supplies, electricity or anaesthesia.

"The children died, not because their injuries were insurmountable, but because we lacked blood, antibiotics, and the most basic supplies readily available in any major hospital in the world," Feroze Sidhwa said.

"During the five weeks I spent in Gaza, I didn't see or treat a single combatant. My patients were six-year-old children with shrapnel in their hearts and bullets in their brains, pregnant women with shattered pelvises and foetuses split in two in the womb," he added.

US 'fully stands' with Israel

Speaking for the United States, John Kelley, Political Coordinator at the US Mission to the UN, said that his country has been working tirelessly to free the hostages and bring the war to an end - "one that Hamas brutally started".

"Hamas continues to reject proposals from the US, Qatar and Egypt that would release the 58 remaining hostages, who have now been cruelly held for 600 days, and bring calm to Gaza," he said.

"Every day Hamas demonstrates its lack of regard for the Palestinians it claims to represent, all while it violently suppresses protests against its barbaric rule and diverts aid meant for civilians."

He underscored that the US "fully stands" behind Israel and its right to defend itself, stating that to move forward, "Hamas must be defeated."

"As Secretary [Marco] Rubio has said - if an ember survives, it will spark again into a fire. There can no peaceful and prosperous Gaza as long as Hamas governs it by force," Mr. Kelley said.

The horrors must end: Algeria

Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama described the deadly impact of the ongoing war in Gaza on children, citing the specific case of the nine children of a Gazan doctor, all killed in an airstrike, while her sole remaining child and husband remain in a critical condition.

"They were not members of a centre for command and control of Hamas," he said, adding, "the Israeli army killed them, they killed them deliberately."

He noted that today, no one in Gaza is spared - and three decades after the optimism surrounding the Oslo peace accords between Israel and Palestinian leadership, "the dream of a Palestinian state is vanishing under the boots of the Israeli occupation and the silence of the international community."

Stating that the "time for indecision" was over, he called for action - "not words of condemnation".

"These horrors must end," he said.

Gaza needs a ceasefire, not more bloodshed: United Kingdom

James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UK, said his country has "always supported" Israel's right to defend itself but cautioned that it "strongly opposes" Israel's escalating military action in Gaza, "which is wholly disproportionate."

"An immediate ceasefire, not more bloodshed is the way to secure the release of the hostages and stop the end cycle of violence," he said.

The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable, he continued, stating that the United Nations had warned of the risks of the Israeli Government's aid delivery plan.

"In Rafah yesterday, we saw this warning become a reality. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation lost control of its distribution centre, with multiple casualties reported and great distress for those desperately seeking aid," he said.

"In contrast, the UN has a clear plan to deliver lifesaving aid at scale. It contains robust mitigations against aid diversion. Brave humanitarians stand ready to do their jobs," he added. "Let aid in and enable the UN to operate now."

Images of hungry, desperate people 'gut-wrenching': Palestine

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, said the images of hungry and desperate people trying to get aid supplies in are "gut-wrenching" and "heart breaking."

"These are people, human beings, deprived of water, food, medicine for so long and hanging to life by a thread," he said, adding that this is "outraging the Palestinian people - all of them, including me."

"It is outrageous to see this situation, and still you are not acting," he said, pointing to Security Council members: "how much more do you want?"

He added that the UN plan for aid, with its proven capacity on the ground remains the only viable plan to deliver relief supplies and it has all necessary safeguards - "if that is the true concern."

"But the true concern is how to get rid of the Palestinians by killing them, starving them, and destroying Gaza so they have no choice but to leave if they want to live," Mr. Mansour said.

Israel is facilitating aid into Gaza: Ambassador

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said that while the UN "spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the State of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza."

This, he said, is being done via two methods.

"First, under the old framework, via trucks and, second, under the new distribution mechanism developed in coordination with the US and key international partners," he continued, noting that both mechanisms are "working simultaneously" and will continue to do so for the immediate future.

"We are not only allowing aid in, but we are ensuring that it reaches the people who need it most," he added.

Aid is already being distributed in Gaza, Ambassador Danon said, despite efforts by Hamas to obstruct people from reaching it by setting up checkpoints and roadblocks.

"Because Hamas knows if it loses control over the aid, it loses control over the people of Gaza," he said.

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UN aid teams plead for access amid reports Gazans shot collecting food

28 May 2025 - In Gaza, dozens of Palestinians have been reportedly injured and shot trying to collect aid from the new US and Israeli-backed aid distribution facility operating independently of the UN.

Unverified footage from Rafah where the privately-run but Israeli military-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is based showed scenes of panic with crowds of people rushing in different directions, while others carried away boxes of supplies.

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, said that it had received information that at least 47 people had been hurt on Tuesday trying to collect aid.

Those numbers could increase as information on the incident is still being gathered, said Ajith Sunghay, Head of OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaking to journalists in Geneva on Wednesday.

From January to March "our office has documented 26 incidents where the Israel Defense Forces fired shots while people were collecting humanitarian aid, causing casualties at Al Kuwaiti roundabout and Al Naburasi roundabout," Mr. Sunghay told UN News.

Gaza 'crime scene' grows daily

The situation in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels of devastation, with widespread displacement, starvation and destruction, said Jonathan Whittall on Wednesday, who's heads up UN aid coordination office, OCHA, for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

"With each day that passes, Gaza is becoming a bigger and bigger crime scene," Mr. Whittall warned, citing starvation, attacks on hospitals, aid worker deaths and entire communities displaced.

"Nowhere is safe. People are being starved and then drip-fed in the most undignified way possible."

He added the trickle of aid entering Gaza is "far from enough" to meet basic needs, highlighting severe restrictions on aid delivery, with UN teams only allowed to distribute flour to bakeries and not to families directly.

"There must be accountability," he stressed, urging political and economic pressure to end what he described as ongoing atrocities in Gaza.

New aid model 'a grotesque symbol'

He said the US-Israeli distribution scheme was "engineered scarcity: four distribution hubs located in central and southern Gaza, secured by private US security contractors, where those Palestinians who can reach them will receive rations."

Mr. Whittall added that it could not possibly meet Gaza's needs.

"Knowingly designing a plan that falls short of minimum obligations under international law, is essentially an admission of guilt."

Locating the new aid model close to where Israeli forces killed and buried 15 mass responders earlier in the year is a "grotesque symbol of how life in Gaza, and that which sustains it, is being erased and controlled," he said.

No evidence of Hamas aid diversion

Israel's claim that UN and partners' aid is being diverted by Hamas "doesn't hold up to scrutiny," he added.

"Aid coordinated through the UN system made up for 35 per cent of what entered during the ceasefire. We have no oversight on those supplies which were facilitated to enter by Israel through other channels.

"The real theft of aid since the beginning of the war has been carried out by criminal gangs, under the watch of Israeli forces, and they were allowed to operate in proximity to the Kerem Shalom crossing point into Gaza"

Renewed appeal for aid access

Meanwhile, UN aid teams have continued to appeal to Israel for access to Gaza to deliver and distribute thousands of tonnes of food, medicine and other basic items waiting just outside Gaza.

Jens Laerke from the UN agency OCHA insisted that the its staff have "everything needed to get aid to civilians safely: the people, the networks and the trust" of Gazans.

"Right now, nearly 180,000 pallets of food and other life-saving aid stand ready to enter Gaza, the hungriest place on earth," he told UN News.

"The supplies have already been paid for by the world's donors. It is cleared for customs, approved and ready to move. We can get the aid in - immediately, at scale and for as long as necessary."

50,000 kids killed or injured

In a related development, UNICEF announced that the war in Gaza has killed or injured more than 50,000 children in less than 600 days.

UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said that since the ceasefire ended on 18 March, approximately 1,300 children have been killed and 3,700 injured alone.

That number is enough children to fill more than 1,600 classrooms, Ms. Ingram told UN News: "Every one of these children is in life. A child with a family, with hopes for the future," she said. "And yet we continue to count their deaths and live stream their suffering to the world. This must end immediately.

She added: "The children of Gaza desperately need protection from these ongoing bombardments, as well as food, water, medicine and other basic supplies that they need to survive. The blockade must end. Aid must flow freely and at scale, and more than anything else, we need a ceasefire we need collective action to stop these atrocities and to protect children."

The UNICEF official's comments follow an attack on a home last weekend that reportedly killed nine out of 10 siblings of one family, the Al-Najars; all the victims were 12 years old or younger.

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Yemen: UN warns against Houthi-Israel escalation, calls for dialogue

28 May 2025 - The United Nations has called for restraint following another wave of escalation between Houthi rebels in Yemen and Israeli forces.

On Wednesday, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen's main airport in the capital, Sana'a, destroying the last operational Yemenia Airways plane, according to media reports.

The attack came a day after the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, fired missiles at Israel.

Fragile situation worsening

In Yemen, the rebels have been fighting with Government troops, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, for over a decade. But since the start of the war in Gaza they have been targeting Israel as well as commercial ships in the Red Sea, as an act of solidarity with Palestinians.

"The ongoing military confrontation between the Houthis and Israel is exacerbating an already very fragile situation in Yemen and the broader region," said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

"Attacks on civilian infrastructure, including Sana'a airport in Yemen and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, are unacceptable."

He said the strike on Sana'a airport and the destruction of the civilian aircraft "deprives many Yemenis of a critical means to leave the country for medical, educational, family or religious regions, especially at a time when thousands of pilgrims are preparing for the Hajj."

De-escalation and dialogue

The Spokesman called on all stakeholders, including the Houthis, to de-escalate and exercise restraint, uphold their obligations under international law, and protect civilian infrastructure.

He also urged the warring parties to return to the intra-Yemeni dialogue, with the support of the region, as the only viable path toward lasting peace and security.

In related developments, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen concluded a visit to Oman's capital Muscat on Wednesday, his office said in a statement.

Hans Grundberg met senior Omani officials, members of Ansar Allah leadership and representatives of the diplomatic community, including senior Iranian officials.

"Discussions focused on the cessation of hostilities between the United States and Ansar Allah and the need to translate this into sustainable progress that benefits all Yemenis and includes guarantees for the region and international community," the statement said.

The ceasefire agreement was brokered by Oman and came into effect on 6 May following the resumption of deadly US airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

Free detained personnel

Mr. Grundberg further addressed regional dynamics and the shared responsibility of all to support de-escalation and a UN-led political process for a durable and comprehensive resolution to the conflict in Yemen.

As the Houthis continue to arbitrarily detain scores of personnel from the UN, non-governmental organizations, civil society and diplomatic missions, the Special Envoy called for their immediate and unconditional release in all his engagements.

"He stressed that their prolonged detention is not only unjustifiable but undermines the UN's and international community's ability to provide humanitarian support to millions of Yemenis," the statement said.



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Sudan war exacerbates risk of cholera and malaria: UNICEF

28 May 2025 - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned of an escalating public health crisis in Sudan, as conflict and mass displacement continue to drive a surge in disease, particularly cholera and malaria.

In a report released Wednesday, UNICEF highlighted the growing threat of cholera in the war-torn country, with more than 7,700 cases and 185 associated deaths reported in Khartoum State alone since January 2025. Alarmingly, over 1,000 cases have affected children under the age of five.

Since the onset of conflict in April 2023, three million people have been forced to flee their homes, displaced internally and across the region.

Returning to homes without water

While improved access to parts of Khartoum State has enabled more than 34,000 people to return since January, many are coming back to homes that have been severely damaged and lack access to basic water and sanitation services.

Recent attacks on power infrastructure in Khartoum State have compounded the crisis, disrupting water supplies and forcing families to collect water from unsafe, contaminated sources.

This significantly increases the risk of cholera, particularly in densely populated areas such as displacement camps.

UNICEF has implemented a multi-pronged approach to the crisis, including distributing household water treatment chemicals, delivering over 1.6 million oral cholera vaccines, supplying cholera treatment kits, and more.

"Each day, more children are exposed to this double threat of cholera and malnutrition, but both are preventable and treatable, if we can reach children in time," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative for Sudan.

Malaria and new prevention efforts

Also on Wednesday, UNICEF launched a partnership with the Sudanese government's health ministry and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to distribute nearly 15.6 million insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent the spread of malaria among vulnerable families across Sudan, along with 500,000 additional nets for antenatal and immunization facilities.

The campaign aims to protect 28 million Sudanese across 14 states.

As with cholera, ongoing conflict and displacement have created conditions conducive to the spread of malaria. Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, coupled with the approaching rainy season, present a serious health risk to millions, particularly those returning to damaged communities.

In addition, the initiative aims to bolster the availability of anti-malarial medications, rapid diagnostic tests, and investments in strengthening the healthcare system.

Critical medical supplies reach West Darfur

In a more positive development, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday that El Geneina Hospital in West Darfur has received eight tonnes of medical supplies for nutrition, non-communicable diseases and mental health.

The delivery, supported by the World Bank Africa, the Share Project, and the European Union, is expected to sustain the hospital's operations for six months, providing vital support to one of the regions hardest hit by the multiple escalating crises.





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UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: a summary execution among more than 310 UNRWA staff killed in Gaza

UNRWA

28 May 2025

From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter)

A summary execution among more than 310 UNRWA staff killed in Gaza.

Based on information recently made available to UNRWA, our colleague Kamal left his home in Rafah on 23 March, wearing his UN vest, and driving a clearly marked UN vehicle. Within an hour, UNRWA lost contact with him. His whereabouts unknown for a week.

On 30 March, Kamal's body was discovered near a mass grave, alongside the human remains of the PRCS humanitarian workers killed by the Israeli Forces. Kamal was killed through one or multiple blows to the back of his skull. He was then buried next to the other PRCS team members.

Despite several requests from UNRWA to the Government of Israel, no response was directly received on Kamal's death.

Kamal worked with UNRWA for over 20 years. He left his wife and children behind. He is one case too many. UNRWA teams are not a target.

Impunity opens the door to more atrocities.

We call for independent investigations into Kamal's killing and all other UNRWA staff killed.

Background Information:

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

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'Two-State Solution on Life Support', Special Coordinator Tells Security Council, Calling for Urgent Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9923rd Meeting (AM)

SC/16072

28 May 2025

'History Will Not Absolve Those Who Delay Justice in Face of Genocide', Says Delegate

The two-State solution is on life support, the Security Council heard today from a senior United Nations official who called for urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza while speakers for Israel and the State of Palestine accused each other of politicizing aid delivery.

"Instead of saying goodbye, Palestinians in Gaza now say 'see you in heaven'", Sigrid Kaag, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ad Interim, said in her briefing. Since the collapse of the ceasefire in March, civilians have constantly come under fire and are deprived of life-saving relief. Israel must halt its devastating strikes on civilian life and infrastructure in Gaza, she urged.

On 18 May, the UN was informed by Israeli authorities of the approval for the resumption of limited aid entry into Gaza. This is comparable to "a lifeboat after the ship has sunk", she said, stressing that aid cannot be negotiable. Stressing that Israel has the right to live in peace and security, she said this was undeniably shaken by the horrific terror attacks of 7 October. The hostages need to be released unconditionally, she said, and Hamas and other armed groups must stop launching rockets towards Israel.

The Council must move from managing the conflict to ending it, she said, adding that peace cannot be a transaction or a temporary arrangement. Also highlighting the dangerous trajectory in the West Bank, she pointed to the acceleration of the "de facto annexation through settlement expansion, land seizures and settler violence". The General Assembly's High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, to be held in June, must not end up as "another rhetorical exercise", she said, adding: "Statehood is a right, not a reward."

Feroze Sidhwa, civil-society representative, then told the Council that he is a trauma surgeon from the United States who has volunteered at two medical facilities in Khan Younis in 2024 and 2025. "I did not see or treat a single combatant during my five weeks in Gaza  my patients were six-year-olds with shrapnel in their hearts and bullets in their brains, pregnant women whose pelvises were obliterated and fetuses cut in two while still in the womb," he said.

"I cannot pretend not to have seen it," he said, emphasizing: "You, too, cannot claim ignorance." Underscoring that the medical system has not failed  "it has been systematically dismantled through a sustained military campaign that has willfully violated international humanitarian law"  he stressed that "preventing genocide means refusing to normalize these atrocities." The War Child Alliance reports that "nearly half of Gaza's children are suicidal", he told Council members.

He urged them  "and especially my own Government"  to demand an immediate ceasefire and a halt to all arms transfers. Further, it is necessary to "explicitly reject the weaponization and politicization of aid embodied by the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation'", he said, noting the public resignation of the Foundation's executive director on 25 May due to the "lack of adherence to humanitarian principles".

"Flames and hunger are devouring Palestinian children," Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, said. Overcome by sobs, he recounted images of mothers embracing the motionless bodies of children. He said that 1,300 children have been killed by Israel since it broke the ceasefire on 18 March. After seeing starvation used as a weapon of war, "now we see aid being used as a weapon of war," he added. If Israel wanted aid in, it would open the crossings and allow humanitarian aid to enter fully. But its true concern is how to get rid of the Palestinians by killing them, starving them and destroying Gaza, he said, drawing attention to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's mockery of claims of starvation in Gaza, as well as well as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's incendiary speeches in the Old City of Jerusalem.

The representative of Israel, meanwhile, noted that 170 trucks entered Gaza on 26 May with food and medicine, and that new aid-distribution centres ensure that these goods get "to civilians, not to terrorists". However, he said that the UN has not only refused to condemn Hamas for its efforts to sabotage these new centres, but "is now actively joining Hamas in trying to block that aid" by removing organizations participating in the new mechanism from the central system tracking aid delivered into Gaza. He said that this is "the extortion of well-meaning NGOs who refused to kiss the ring" and "a shakedown by UN mobsters".

The representative of the United States, underscoring Israel's right to defend itself, called on the UN to work with the Gaza Heritage Foundation  "an independent entity established to provide a secure mechanism for the delivery of aid directly to those in need". He also recalled the two Israeli embassy officials murdered last week in his country, and noted that one of them had made a social media post about antisemitism at the UN, condemning Tom Fletcher, Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for antisemitism. His country will continue its effort to bring about a diplomatic agreement that will free the hostages, he said, but Hamas continues to reject proposals, violently suppresses protests and diverts aid meant for civilians.

Several Council members condemned the shooting of the two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. Many expressed support for Mr. Fletcher whose humanitarian briefing last week highlighted the risk of famine in Gaza. Speakers also highlighted the failures of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and underscored that aid should not be political.

"9,000 trucks wait at the border. Our message to Prime Minister Netanyahu is clear: let aid in and enable the UN to operate, now," said the representative of the United Kingdom, while stressing Israel's right to defend itself. Recalling warnings from UN officials about the risks from the Israeli Government's plan for aid delivery, he said: "In Rafah yesterday, we saw this warning become a reality as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation lost control of its distribution center, with multiple casualties reported and great distress for those desperately seeking aid."

The representatives of the Russian Federation and Panama also noted that incident in which despairing, hungry Palestinians overcame a distribution centre. "These facts demonstrate the limitations of this solution", the latter said, underscoring the urgent need for better coordination, with the participation of UN agencies. The Republic of Korea's delegate appealed to Israel to listen to the principled voices of humanitarian workers, including the former Executive Director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, who resigned because he said that entity could not adhere to the principles of humanity and neutrality.

He as well as the representative of Greece, Council President for May, speaking in his national capacity, also condemned the recent incident in which shots were fired during a visit of foreign diplomats in Jenin.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates, speaking for the Arab Group, said the aid Israel has recently permitted represents "a drop in the ocean compared to Gaza's overwhelming humanitarian needs". The "chaos" that ensued at the distribution centre underlines the need for aid delivery coordinated with the United Nations. He added that Israel's recent military escalation, along with its efforts to militarize and manipulate humanitarian aid, further its declared objective  "namely, to make life in Gaza unliveable, forcibly displace its population and seize Palestinian land in clear violation of international law".

Speakers urged the Council to renew efforts towards a ceasefire and revive the two-State solution, many of them highlighting the suffering of the children of Gaza. The representative of Algeria asked: "What is the worth of saying '18,000 children'?" Stressing that "these are not only numbers", he said that they are lives, dreams, voices, playtimes and lullabies extinguished. "The Israeli army killed them"  deliberately  he underscored, adding: "Their deaths were not collateral; they were the consequences of a system that sees Palestinian lives as not human, as disposable." Emphasizing that the Israeli occupation persists, emboldened by impunity and immunity, he asked: "What is expected of the Palestinians? Must they continue offering their children on the altar of global inaction?"

"Given our experience", Sierra Leone's delegate said, "we understand too well the consequences of delayed international action or inaction". He recalled "with painful clarity" the global failure to prevent mass atrocities in Rwanda and Srebrenica. "The obligation to prevent genocide is not discretionary," he underscored.

"Denmark remains firmly committed to Israel's security," said the former's representative, while adding: "However, this cannot come at the cost of the civilian Palestinian people and their right to live in peace and dignity." The representative of France, while underlining the need to disarm and politically neutralize Hamas, said: "However, the civilians in Gaza are not Hamas, and they are enduring a humanitarian situation that is devastating."

Guyana's delegate stressed that any peace deal reached should guarantee that Palestinians are not forced to give up any of their rights in exchange for peace. China's delegate noted repeated calls from the Israeli side to completely destroy and take over Gaza. Noting the Israeli army's control over more than 70 per cent of Gaza, as well as the continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank, he said the annexation of those territories will completely erode the two-State solution.

"As the task of listing every single cruelty has become impossible, our responsibility not to remain silent has become clearer," stressed Slovenia's representative. He spotlighted Israel's "clear responsibility to protect civilians" and underlined the "clear responsibility to act", which is why his country strongly supports the upcoming June conference on the two-State solution.

Several delegates, including the representatives of Somalia, expressed support for the upcoming international peace conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. While the Assembly will hold that Conference in June, "the Council cannot remain a bystander," Pakistan's delegate said, adding: "History will not absolve those who delay justice in the face of genocide." He called on the Council to support the humanitarian resolution to be tabled in that organ soon.

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Hong Kong implements GMT, HKMTT

Xinhua) 13:35, May 29, 2025

HONG KONG, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Legislative Council on Wednesday passed a bill enabling the implementation of the global minimum tax (GMT) and the Hong Kong minimum top-up tax (HKMTT) in Hong Kong from Jan. 1, 2025, onwards in accordance with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) 2.0 package for tackling tax evasion risks arising from the digitalization of the economy.

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Wednesday welcomed the passage of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Minimum Tax for Multinational Enterprise Groups) Bill 2024.

Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR government, said that the implementation of the GMT and the HKMTT highlights Hong Kong's staunch support to international cooperation in tackling cross-border tax evasion, and safeguards Hong Kong's taxing rights.

With the 15 percent GMT for in-scope multinational enterprise (MNE) groups in place, countries and regions can no longer compete for capital and investment by simply lowering their corporate income tax rates. With a fairer global taxation environment, Hong Kong's unique advantages, including "one country, two systems," excellent connectivity, first-class infrastructure, mature financial markets, quality talent pools, and East-meets-West vibes, will become even more accentuated to showcase Hong Kong as a premier destination for doing business, Hui said.

Under the BEPS 2.0, with the implementation of the HKMTT, the HKSAR government will have the first priority in collecting top-up tax from entities of in-scope MNE groups with an effective tax rate in Hong Kong below 15 percent to raise it to 15 percent. Otherwise, the relevant top-up tax may be collected by other BEPS 2.0-implementing jurisdictions in which the group also operates.

Hong Kong's taxing rights would then be ceded to other jurisdictions. It is estimated that the new regimes will bring in an additional revenue of about 15 billion HK dollars (about 1.91 billion U.S. dollars) per year from 2027 to 2028 to the HKSAR government. (1 U.S. dollar = 7.83 HK dollars)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
C-130s deliver US, Spanish paratroopers to Latvia, demonstrating allied strength in Swift Response 25

Published May 28, 2025

By Senior Airman Regan Enriquez

86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- The 37th Airlift Squadron conducted airlift operations in Latvia May 13-17 as part of exercise Swift Response 25, a multinational exercise aimed at testing NATO's ability to deploy forces quickly across Europe.

SR25 is one of three major exercises under DEFENDER 25, an annual U.S. Army-led deployment and training event with 29 participating nations conducting exercise response operations and increasing interoperability alongside allies and partners.

"It was really great to work with our NATO allies in Latvia and from Spain. We were able to work with a lot of the host nation loading and unloading our aircraft and coordination for the ground movements there," said Capt. Patrick Halloran, 37th Airlift Squadron chief of tactics. "We were able to have a joint mixed formation of Airbus A400Ms' and C-130J Super Hercules. We got to experience the similarities and differences of how our NATO partners operate which was really great to see."

This exercise involved High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems Rapid Infiltration training, a field hospital exercise, live-fire exercises and five near-simultaneous airborne insertions across five countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

The "Blue Tail Flies" focus during SR25 was delivering equipment and approximately 900 paratroopers from the Spanish Airborne Brigade and the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade to training areas in and around Riga to support joint airborne operations in Latvia.

This exercise aimed to demonstrate the U.S. Army's credible combat power to rapidly deploy and maneuver U.S. and Allied airborne forces across the High North and Baltics, reinforcing the ability to secure key terrain along NATO's eastern flank through Joint Forceful entry.

"Joint forceful entry is a direct delivery of an airborne army unit to a specific location, usually heavily fortified, to seize territory," Halloran said. "We also worked with the Latvian nationals to make the airdrops happen, we ended up dropping about 109 total jumpers into a drop zone in Latvia."

SR25 brought U.S., allied and partner forces together to improve joint readiness and coordination, building trust between the nations involved. This not only strengthened partnerships, but also increased readiness for any future contingencies.

U.S. and allied paratroopers conducted integrated jumps, high-mobility infiltration training and rapid airfield seizures enabled by the 37th AS's aircraft and crews.

Their support included low-level tactical flying and airdrop resupply and troop transport. These events highlighted critical capabilities in adverse environments coordinated with NATO and partner units on the ground.

The 37th AS's participation demonstrated U.S. resolve to deliver combat power with speed and precision, reinforcing the Air Force's commitment to defend NATO allies and deter aggression. SR25 proved allied forces remain lethal, ready and capable in a dynamic security environment.

"It was awesome to represent the 86th Airlift Wing in this large exercise like this and it was really a testament to what happens when we work together as a joint force and how much of a force multiplier working with our allies and partners are," Halloran said. "Being able to use and grow our NATO relationships to deliver an effect like we did with SR25 and get those practice reps in is crucial so that when it's game time, we're ready and all on the same page and same team working together."

SR25 supports the broader goals of DEFENDER 25, reinforcing NATO's collective defense and the U.S. commitment to regional security.

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Statement Regarding United States Engagement with Georgian Dream Party

U.S. Embassy in Georgia

By U.S. Embassy Tbilisi

May 28, 2025

Bidzina Ivanishvili has refused to meet with Ambassador Dunnigan to hear a message from the Trump Administration. At Secretary Rubio's request, on May 22 Ambassador Dunnigan asked for a meeting with Bidzina Ivanishvili to communicate a message from the Administration and to again relay specific steps the Georgian government can take to show it is serious about resetting its relationship with the United States. It is our hope that the Georgian government sincerely wishes to return to 33 years of partnership and friendship with America and the American people.

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'Israel should not stay unpunished,' Iran warns after Tel Aviv targets Yemen's key airport

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 29 May 2025 12:44 AM

Iran has warned against the Israeli regime's continuing to enjoy a free pass, enabled by American support and UN inaction, to target the regional peoples with acts of bloodshed and destruction.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Wednesday following airstrikes by the regime against the Sana'a International Airport in Yemen's capital, which resulted in the destruction of a Yemenia Airways passenger plane.

The official denounced the attacks as further examples of the regime's barbarity and its ongoing hostility towards the Muslim people of Yemen and the broader region.

Baghaei emphasized that the strikes, which occurred during the Hajj pilgrimage season and aimed to prevent Yemeni pilgrims from traveling to the holy city of Mecca towards performing their religious rituals, constituted a major crime.

He called on international bodies, particularly the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to urgently address the situation.

"The Israeli regime's actions, namely its targeting of essential civilian infrastructures such as airports and food warehouses, constitute clear war crimes and crimes against humanity," the official asserted.

Baghaei further explained that the attacks against Yemen were part of a broader pattern of hostility towards the Muslim nations of the West Asia region that illustrated the regime's "inherent alienation" from the region's peoples and its attempts to spread instability and conflict both regionally and globally.

He stressed that the regime's impunity, supported by the United Nations Security Council's inaction and the United States backing, had functioned as a destabilizing factor adversely affecting the international order and posing an unprecedented threat to global peace and security.

Responding to the attacks earlier in the day, a top Yemeni official warned that the regime would face a "hot summer."

Mahdi al-Mashat was pointing to the prospect of the Yemeni Armed Forces' escalating their already extensive anti-Israeli operations.

The chairman of Yemen's Supreme Political Council emphasized that Tel Aviv's atrocities only strengthened Sana'a's resolve to continue its anti-Israeli operations.

The Yemeni servicemen have been conducting numerous such strikes since October 2023 in response to an Israeli war of genocide against the Gaza Strip.

Earlier, Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement also condemned the Israeli aggression towards Yemen.

In a statement, the movement stressed that such airstrikes violated the international law and had been made possible through complete patronage of the United States and the international community's silence.

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As US Ends Protected Status For Afghans, Thousands Face Deportation And Persecution

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and Kian Sharifi May 29, 2025

The United States has announced it will end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, a move that will leave thousands at risk of deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared on May 12 that TPS for Afghanistan will expire on July 14, with the decision affecting an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 Afghans currently living and working legally in the United States under this program.

However, rights groups and Afghan refugees have condemned the decision, warning that it puts lives in jeopardy and ignores the realities on the ground.

Seeking Safety In The US

The DHS said in its statement that the termination of TPS is based on its assessment that conditions in Afghanistan have "improved sufficiently" and no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS.

The statement said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem had also determined that permitting Afghan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is "contrary to the national interest of the United States."

The department cited national security and fraud concerns, claiming some individuals under TPS are being investigated for threats to public safety and national security.

But Afghans living in the United States under TPS say they will be in danger if they return to Afghanistan.

"It is true that there is relative security, but there are many problems," an Afghan man who spoke on condition of anonymity told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

"Right now, former government soldiers are being arrested, disappeared, and even killed," said the man, who lives in Texas with his family of four.

Another Afghan national who moved to the United States four years ago echoed the same sentiment.

"If we are sent back, our lives will be at risk because we worked in the previous government and the current government still wants revenge," he told Radio Azadi. "We came to the United States for our safety, and now that this program is ending it will create many problems."

These fears are rooted in the dramatic changes Afghanistan has undergone since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops, Taliban insurgents seized Kabul, toppling the Western-backed Afghan government.

Since then, the Taliban has imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, rolling back rights and freedoms, especially for women and girls, who are now barred from secondary education and most employment.

Reports from the UN and human rights organizations have documented widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and public floggings, particularly targeting former government officials, security personnel, and dissenters.

'Unconscionable' To Deport Afghans

Human rights organizations such as Human Rights First, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Relief, and others have condemned the move, warning it puts thousands of Afghans at risk of deportation to a country where they could face persecution, torture, or even execution under Taliban rule.

"For the Trump administration to claim that conditions in Afghanistan have improved enough to justify returning people is simply unconscionable and divorced from reality," said Eleanor Acer, senior director of global humanitarian protection at Human Rights First.

Unless a court intervenes, the termination of TPS for Afghans will proceed as scheduled in July, leaving thousands facing an uncertain -- and potentially dangerous -- future under Taliban rule.

"People with TPS are valuable members of American communities, schools, and workplaces," IRC wrote in a statement. "We urgently call on the US government to reconsider this harmful policy change and maintain this life-saving humanitarian protection for people from Afghanistan."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-deport-afghans-end- tps-taliban/33425449.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 29 May 2025 - Day 1191

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect, exhaustion across the frontline.

Since the beginning of this day, there have been 119 combat clashes.

Today, the Russian occupiers launched one rocket and 58 aviation strikes using one rocket and 113 cab. In addition, the Russians have engaged 1113 kamikaze drones and carried out 4236 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops stopped four Russian attacks near Starica and Vovcans ka, two more attacks continue.

In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces carried out three attack actions of the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of the new Kruglyakivka. Ukrainian defenders stopped two Russian attacks, another confrontation is still ongoing.

In the Lyman direction during the day, Russian zagarbniki seven times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Lipove, Grekivka and Ridkodub. So far, three more clashes remain unfinished.

In the sivers komu direction, Ukrainian defenders hit four Russian attacks in the side of grigorivka.

Five combat clashes have been recorded in the Kramators 'komu direction. Russian Zagarbnik tried to advance in the direction of Pratecinyo, White Mountain, Stupochok and in the area of Kurdyumivka.

In the Toretsky direction Russians four times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. The main efforts of the attack were concentrated near Friendship and Toretsk.

In the Pokrovsky direction, Russian Zagornytsky units tried 39 times to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Zorya, Popiv Yar, Malinivka, Myrolyubivka, Elizabeth, Lisivka, Kotline, Novosergiyivka, Udaachne, Troyitske and Andriyivka. There are five fighting so far.

Today in this direction Ukrainian warriors zneskodili 341 Russian occupiers, 182 of them - irrevocably. Also destroyed 14 cars, 11 motorcycles, two mortars, three Shahed type BPLAs and two personnel shelters. In addition, a tank, two cars and the jet system of the opponent's BM-21 were damaged.

In the Novopavliv direction, Russian forces attacked 21 times near the settlements of Konstantinopil, Bagatyr, Green Field, Novopil, Free Field and Novodarivka. Ukrainian defenders have successfully stopped 19 attacks, two clashes are still ongoing.

Twice attacked the Russian aggressor in the orihivs komu direction, the fights sharpened near the stepovoye.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces carried out one offensive action, unsuccessful.

In the Kursk direction, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine within a day repelled 11 attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv, ten clashes are still ongoing.

In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly.





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Beijing CDC: Recent COVID-19 activity shows declining trend

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 29, 2025 12:29 PM

Recent COVID-19 activity in Beijing has fluctuated, peaking in early May and then gradually declining, with overall intensity lower than previous epidemic levels, the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday.

The clinical severity of illnesses caused by this wave of COVID-19 has not shown significant changes, and visits to fever clinics have remained stable without straining medical resources, aligning with the national trend. Other respiratory pathogens in the city are currently at low activity levels, according to the center.

The National Disease Control and Prevention Administration on Wednesday annouced that the upward trend of COVID-19 cases nationwide has slowed, with most provinces having already peaked or showing a downward trend, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The dominant circulating strain is the sixth-generation subvariant NB.1.8.1 of the XDV variant, which has not shown any significant changes in pathogenicity or clinical severity.

According to surveillance data on COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases, since March 2025, influenza and other acute respiratory infections in China have remained at low levels, while COVID-19 cases have shown a gradual increase. Currently, most provinces have either peaked or are experiencing a decline in cases, the administration said.

Data also indicates regional differences, with activity levels generally higher in southern provinces than in northern ones. Nationwide, visits to fever clinics and severe cases have not exceeded previous peaks, and there has been no significant impact on normal healthcare services. Most clinical cases are mild or asymptomatic. Existing testing reagents and treatments remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 subvariant.

On May 20, the National Health Commission held a press conference where the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that, according to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 cases have recently risen in parts of West Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Southwestern Europe, and Western Asia. Additionally, experts of the CDC stated that whooping cough cases in China remain stable, with reported cases down over 80 percent compared to the same period last year.

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Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction, firm opposition to EU and NATO claims linking cyberattack on Czech Republic to China: Chinese Mission to the EU

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 29, 2025 11:44 AM

The Chinese side expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to statements filled with speculation and baseless accusations, said a spokesperson from the Chinese Mission to the EU on Thursday. This response came in reaction to negative remarks from the EU and NATO regarding China's involvement in cybersecurity issues, specifically claims that a cyberattack against the Czech Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was linked to a hacking group allegedly associated with China, according to a statement released on the website of the Chinese Mission to the EU.

China has always resolutely opposed and legally combated all forms of cyberattacks and does not encourage, support, or condone hacking activities. The UN framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace clearly states that the attribution of cyberattacks should be based on solid evidence. China does not accept the smear and vilification of the country by relevant parties regarding cybersecurity issues without any evidence, said the spokesperson.

It should be emphasized that China is also one of the main victims of cyberattacks. For some time, malicious software from abroad have launched extensive cyberattacks against the Chinese government, universities, research institutions, large enterprises, and critical infrastructure, causing serious harm to China's national security, economic and social development, and the normal production and lives of its people, said the spokesperson.

China advocates that all parties should strengthen cooperation to jointly address cybersecurity threats on the basis of mutual respect and equality, utilizing bilateral dialogue, judicial assistance and other channels. China firmly opposes the manipulation of cybersecurity issues by certain parties to serve their own narrow geopolitical purposes. China is committed to working with the international community to jointly maintain a peaceful, secure, open, and cooperative cyberspace, the spokesperson noted.

On Wednesday night, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the false accusations against China by the Czech Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a statement on the website of the Embassy.



China firmly rejects the Czech Republic's attempt to smear and defame it regarding cybersecurity issues without any evidence. As for the so-called "APT31," China has conducted multiple technical reviews and clarifications, clearly stating that the relevant evidence is insufficient and the conclusions lack professionalism, said the Embassy spokesperson.

At the same time, the Chinese side firmly opposes countries manipulating cybersecurity issues to serve their own narrow geopolitical purposes. The Chinese side has always advocated that all parties should strengthen cooperation in addressing cybersecurity threats through channels such as bilateral dialogue and judicial assistance, based on mutual respect and equality, said the Embassy spokesperson.

"We urge the Czech side to immediately correct its erroneous actions, stop 'microphone diplomacy,' and seriously implement the UN framework of responsible state behavior, while objectively and fairly viewing cybersecurity issues," said the Embassy spokesperson.

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China's first large-scale general-purpose spectroscopic telescope JUST starts infrastructure construction

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 28, 2025 06:14 PM

China's first large-scale general-purpose spectroscopic telescope - the Jiao Tong University Spectroscopic Telescope (JUST) project began infrastructure construction of the tower and control room on Wednesday.

Upon completion, the project is expected to fill a gap in China's large-scale spectroscopic observation facilities in time-domain astronomy and make significant achievements in areas such as supernova explosions and exoplanet detection, Science and Technology Daily reported on Wednesday.

The 4.4-meter telescope is located at the Lenghu Astronomical Observation Base in the city of Mangya, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, a location on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau characterized by high altitude and a fragile ecological environment, with an average annual temperature of 4 C and a lowest temperature reaching -34 C.

It has been a major challenge to construct the project with high quality and efficiency, under such cold and high-altitude conditions without disturbing the environment.

After on-site surveys and comprehensive assessment, the construction team decided to use self-developed steel structure modular products to build the telescope tower and control room. A total of 64 steel structure modules will be used in the construction.

The modules will be manufactured and pre-assembled on an intelligent production line in the factory, and then will be transported to the construction site for installation.

With no welding or concrete pouring, the facility will be ready for use once the modules are hoisted and assembled on-site. Compared to traditional concrete buildings, this approach can shorten construction time by 50 percent, reduce construction waste by 80 percent, and save 70 percent on water and electricity consumption.

To withstand the large temperature differences between day and night on the plateau, the project uses exterior wall materials with excellent thermal insulation properties - as if giving the building a "down jacket" for protection.

The JUST telescope's completion will mark a major milestone in China's astronomical advancement, positioning it as a world-class "eye to the stars." Additionally, JUST will complement other domestic telescopes, such as the Mozi (WFST) and Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), by providing essential follow-up spectroscopic observations of transient sources, helping scientists to better investigate their physical properties.

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Guardians strengthen multinational partnerships and demonstrate electronic warfare during African Lion 2025

United States Space Force

Published May 28, 2025

By U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa

AGADIR, Morocco (AFNS) -- U.S. Space Forces Europe - Space Forces Africa is advancing multinational collaboration and readiness by bringing cutting-edge space-based capabilities and electromagnetic warfare expertise to exercise African Lion 2025.

AL25, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, brings together 41 nations and about 10,000 U.S. service members from April 14 to May 23. Taking place across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, the exercise features integrated training in airdrop, airlift, close air support, aeromedical evacuation and advanced space and electronic warfare operations.

SPACEFOREUR-AF greatly expanded its support this year, going from one day of space academics for AL24 to nine days of academics in AL25. This year, SPACEFOREUR-AF personnel completed six days of Space-EW academics lessons covering more than 30 hours of instruction for 30 Moroccan royal armed forces students, including 10 officers and 20 enlisted members from the Moroccan Army and Navy. The sessions in Agadir, Morocco, included contributions from a Moroccan Royal Armed Forces EW officer who delivered six hours of lessons, further enhancing bilateral collaboration.

Following the classroom instruction, the Hawaii Air National Guard's 109th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron led a two-day live demonstration of the Night Owl Electromagnetic Support System. This hands-on demonstration provided Moroccan forces with a practical understanding of how EW systems can be employed in real-world operational scenarios.

The academic phase concluded with a presentation on the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking program, or TacSRT, by Tech. Sgt. Anson Monestime, a space operations noncommissioned officer participating in the exercise. TacSRT, developed by Space Systems Command, is a cutting-edge capability that leverages a network of commercial vendors to deliver rapid, mission-relevant products through the Global Data Marketplace. The program allows small businesses to compete for quick-turn contracts, offering cost-effective and adaptable solutions for operational needs.

Monestime also delivered the TacSRT presentation to students in the Geospatial Intelligence Course, broadening its reach and showcasing the program's versatility.

"Our goal here is to show how commercial space-derived and fused information can directly support operations, especially disaster response operations," Monestime said. "It's a privilege to be here representing our Space Component and sharing these tools with our African partners."

In preparation for AL25, Monestime utilized TacSRT to map a simulated natural disaster evacuation route for U.S. embassy personnel in Morocco. This training scenario highlighted the program's ability to generate unclassified, shareable products that improve coordination with host-nation forces.

"Using TacSRT, we demonstrated how to fuse fully shareable operational planning products, change detection and AI-analyzed social media feeds to support timely decision-making," said Col. Galen Ojala, SPACEFOREUR-AF director of operations. "It's fast, affordable and sharable with our African partners."

By integrating advanced tools like TacSRT and delivering world-class training, SPACEFOREUR-AF is setting new standards for multinational collaboration and joint readiness. These efforts ensure U.S. forces and their partners are prepared to respond to a variety of challenges, shaping the future of contingency planning and crisis response operations across Africa.

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USS Blue Ridge makes port call on Indo-Pacific patrol

By Lieutenant Marcus Middleton

28 May 2025

It was a 'Blue Monday' as the oldest ship serving in United States Navy (USN) sailed into Sydney Harbour, calling in at HMAS Kuttabul as part of its current voyage patrolling the Indo-Pacific.

Commissioned in 1970, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) is a forward-deployed amphibious command ship serving as the command, control, communications, computers, cyber and intelligence (C5I) support function for the entire 7th Fleet.

Despite its 55 years of dedicated service, Commanding Officer Captain Nicholas DeLeo remains proudly confident that Blue Ridge is as focused and capable as her first day of service.

"Since its commissioning, Blue Ridge has changed quite a bit," Captain DeLeo said.

"We keep getting modifications and upgrades to the technology and there are a variety of capabilities on board, so we keep evolving the platform."

The port visit to Sydney was a welcome respite for the 1000-strong crew, who have been conducting sustained operations at sea, participating in exercises and fostering relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Described as the "most capable command ship ever built", with an extremely sophisticated command and control system, the multinational crew has an Australian contingent serving on board, strengthening ties between navies and the two nations.

"We even had an Anzac Day celebration on board, as we had Australian and Kiwi sailors on board, and it was a great learning experience for my junior sailors having that memorial take place," Captain DeLeo said.

One of those members was Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Commander Dominic Harradine, currently serving as Deputy Future Operations Director for the 7th Fleet.

"America works with its allies and partners in the region to force multiply, the power projection is considerable," Lieutenant Commander Harradine said.

"Both navies are looking for interoperability and interchangeability opportunities. It's really easy to put an Australian Navy sailor on a US ship, or a US sailor on an Australian ship."

Greeting the Blue Ridge on arrival was Commanding Officer Kuttabul Captain Rebecca Levitt, who welcomed the opportunity to share ideas and forge personal connections that solidify partnerships between international allies.

"For more than 100 years we have shared an enduring friendship and partnership between the Royal Australian Navy and US Navy," Captain Levitt said.

"Ship visits like this go a long way to developing our shared capabilities. We get to know each other a lot better, both socially and professionally. Every moment we spend together, improves interoperability."

The Australian alliance with the United States is underpinned by mutual respect for each nation's sovereignty and national interests, and governed by shared interests in a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

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Wang Yi Has a Group Meeting with Diplomatic Envoys of African Countries to China

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: May 26, 2025 22:19

On May 26, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a group meeting with diplomatic envoys of African countries to China in Beijing and jointly celebrated Africa Day. Ambassadors or Charges d'affaires of more than 50 African countries to China, as well as representatives of the African Union to China, among others, were present.

Wang Yi, on behalf of the Chinese government, extended festival greetings to the African diplomatic envoys, saying that China and Africa are good brothers who fight side by side and share a common future. Over the years, the Chinese and African peoples have supported each other in the struggle for independence and liberation and in the endeavor to defend national sovereignty, and have helped each other in exploring development paths and achieving national rejuvenation, forging a deep friendship marked by a shared future and close bonds, and writing many cherished stories of friendship that continue to be told. Since entering the new era, President Xi Jinping has visited Africa five times and put forward the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith for China's Africa policy, and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, as well as the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, elevating China's bilateral relations with all African countries to the level of strategic relations. The overall positioning of China-Africa relations has also been upgraded to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and China's relations with Africa are now at their best in history. Looking back, the key to the enduring strength and continued vitality of China-Africa friendship lies in the commitment to treating each other as equals, pursuing mutual benefit and win-win results, and upholding fairness and justice. Looking ahead, China will unswervingly prioritize strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries in its diplomacy, continue to support each other on issues related to core interests and major concerns, strive to deliver more tangible benefits to the African people, and remain the most sincere friend and the most reliable partner of African countries.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China-Africa relations have achieved leapfrog development, and China-Africa cooperation continues to advance to higher levels, greater depth, and wider fields. In September last year, President Xi Jinping put forward that China and Africa should jointly advance modernization characterized by six features and the ten partnership actions at the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, outlining a new blueprint for and injecting fresh impetus into the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. China-Africa cooperation has enormous potential and broad prospects. China is ready to take the upcoming Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Ministerial Conference of FOCAC as an opportunity to add more momentum and strength to the implementation of the common understandings reached by the leaders of both sides, set a benchmark for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, build a model for delivering on the Global Development Initiative, continuously enhance the sense of gain, happiness, and security of the African people, and accelerate the advancement of modernization shared by China and Africa.

Wang Yi stated that at present, the countercurrents of Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and bullying practices are surging, with multiple risks and challenges overlapping, and the deficits in peace, development, security, and governance are increasingly widening. China and Africa are respectively the largest developing country and the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries in the world. The more turbulent the international situation is, the more China and Africa need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, jointly oppose power politics, advocate for multilateralism, uphold the international system with the United Nations (UN) at its core, and promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment. The Communist Party of China maintains a global vision and is dedicated to human progress and world harmony. It will remain true to the original aspiration and founding mission, and will, as always, firmly support the just positions of African countries, take concrete steps to redress historical injustices suffered by Africa, and steadfastly support Africa in playing a greater role on the international stage.

African diplomatic envoys renewed friendship and planned for future cooperation centering on the theme of "China-Africa Solidarity for a Shared Future". They noted that the brotherly ties between Africa and China have withstood the test of changing international dynamics. Similar historical experiences, shared values, and joint pursuit of development have tightly united the African and Chinese peoples. The African side expressed heartfelt appreciation to China for its longstanding, selfless assistance in Africa's efforts to redress historical injustices, defend national dignity, and seek independent development. Particularly, since the establishment of FOCAC, the fruitful and pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa has made significant contributions to improving the well-being of the African people, played a leading role in promoting international cooperation with Africa, and set a model for international relations. African countries are greatly encouraged by the series of global initiatives and key Africa-related policies including the ten partnership actions put forth by President Xi Jinping. African countries are full of confidence in Africa-China cooperation and are willing to work together to advance the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. The African side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed resolute support for all efforts made by China to safeguard its sovereignty and achieve national reunification, while firmly opposing interference in China's internal affairs. Africa is ready to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and safeguard the common interests of Global South countries. Long live Africa Day! Long live Africa-China friendship!

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Aerial and maritime live-force drill of China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon 2025" joint exercise conducted

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorHuang Panyue

2025-05-27 19:35:29

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, May 27 -- On May 26, the aerial and maritime live-force drill of the China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon 2025" joint exercise kicked off in the sea area and airspace near the port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. A joint taskforce comprising 11 naval vessels and 3 air force helicopters from the two countries participated in the drill.

In the scenario of a cargo ship hijacked by "terrorists" riding armed speedboats, and focusing on the joint maritime counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations, the drill mainly included the joint response, accompanying escort, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, joint aerial and maritime search and rescue, and other training subjects.

After receiving the situation briefing, the joint taskforce rushed to the "incident sea area". Following target identification through the search at sea, the navy and air force participating troops applied various methods to deter and stop the "terrorists", implemented rapid blocking and guard, and carried out visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS). They also jointly searched and rescued the "terrorists" falling overboard and provided medical aid to them on humanitarian grounds.

Subsequently, the two sides jointly held a conclusion ceremony for the aerial and maritime live-force drill. The drill achieved the purpose of mutual learning and advancement, and demonstrated the firm will and competence of both sides in jointly safeguarding maritime security.

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FM spokesperson responds to why aircraft carrier Liaoning is so close to Japan

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: May 28, 2025 04:01 PM

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged Japan to view activities by Chinese naval vessels from an objective and reasonable perspective, after the Japanese side said it had spotted the aircraft carrier Liaoning among a number of warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy sailing into the Western Pacific through the Miyako Strait on Tuesday.

In response to a Reuters question on Japanese defense ministry's claim that Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning passed by the southern islands of Japan and is heading toward the Western Pacific, with Japan keeping a close watch, why the Chinese aircraft carrier is so close to Japan and whether China is sending a message to Japan, the US and Taiwan region, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning referred the specific question to competent Chinese authorities.

"What I can tell you is that China's military vessels' activities in relevant waters are fully consistent with international law and international practice. We hope Japan will view this from an objective and reasonable perspective," she said at the regular press conference.

Japan first reported the activities by the aircraft carrier Liaoning on Sunday. According to a press release by Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force on Sunday spotted a group of five PLA Navy warships, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, two Type 052D guided missile destroyers and two Type 054A guided missile frigates, sailing in waters about 200 kilometers north of Huangwei Yu, an islet near Diaoyu Dao, with fighter jets and helicopters conducting takeoff and landing operations on the Liaoning.

Then on Tuesday evening, Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff issued another press release saying that multiple PLA Navy warships including the Liaoning had operated in the East China Sea from Sunday to Monday, hosting about 90 fighter jet takeoff and landing operations and about 30 helicopter takeoff and landing operations, before sailing toward the Pacific Ocean through waters between Okinawa and the Miyako islands on Tuesday, with a Type 055 large destroyer joining the flotilla.

PLA Navy aircraft carriers conduct far seas exercises on a regular basis, often involving transiting the Miyako Strait in accordance with the international law and international practices, according to openly available reports.

Before the Japanese reports, the PLA Daily revealed that the Liaoning had recently conducted damage control exercises, without giving details on exactly when and where the exercises took place.

The exercises by the aircraft carrier Liaoning are likely a normal training activity, said Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert.

Wang told the Global Times that generally speaking, an aircraft carrier spends about one third of its time under maintenance, one third of its time conducting training exercises, and one third of its time in combat alert duties, which also involves combat drills.

This means similar drills will only increase as China's aircraft carrier program continues to develop, Wang said.

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China, Cambodia conduct live-force land-air drill, wrapping up whole joint exercises

Global Times

By Liang Rui and Liu Xuanzun Published: May 28, 2025 09:32 PM

The China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise concluded with a live-fire drill in the land and air domains and a closing ceremony at a training center in Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia, on Wednesday local time, marking the completion of the joint military exercise, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The live-force drill was based on a scenario where "terrorists" attacked a Chinese-Cambodian joint venture, took "hostages" in a hotel within a block, and used surrounding buildings for resistance, Xinhua reported.

By focusing on urban counterterrorism, the drill emphasized hostage rescue and the encirclement and elimination of threats. It employed site displacement, pre-set conditions, and continuous execution, dividing the operation into four phases: joint blockade, assault and rescue, pursuit and elimination, and full control.

Some 24 tactical actions were carried out, including multi-dimensional reconnaissance, airborne control and defense, multi-directional assault, hostage rescue, emergency medical treatment, and clearing remaining enemies.

The drill established a joint directing headquarters and a joint command post, with Chinese and Cambodian participating forces unified as a joint task force.

After the exercise, the chief directors from both sides reported on the overall situation, and leaders from both countries awarded outstanding officers and soldiers who participated in the drill, Xinhua said.

According to Xinhua, The China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise further deepened cooperation and mutual trust between the two sides, enhanced the joint command and operational capabilities of the two militaries, and elevated their level of integration and combat readiness to a new starting point and higher level.

Previously, a live-force drill was conducted in the maritime and aerial domains near the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on Monday local time, which marked the first air-sea joint military live-force drill in the "Golden Dragon" series, as well as the first time the Cambodia-China Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream was utilized for live-force operations.

"With the enhancement of the Cambodian navy's capabilities and the improvement of its training centers, the two sides will have more opportunities for joint exercises in land, sea, and air domains in the future," Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times.

Such cooperation will help strengthen China's friendly relations with Southeast Asian countries and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region, Fu added.

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Senior military official calls for high-level training support system

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorLi Weichao

2025-05-28 23:00:27

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese military official Zhang Youxia has called for accelerated efforts to build a high-level military training support system.

Zhang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a two-day event held from Tuesday to Wednesday by the People's Liberation Army for observing and exchanging experience in the construction of military training sites.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said efforts should be made to focus on improving the quality and efficiency of training and boosting combat capability.

He stressed the need to align training support with real-combat standards and requirements, strengthen support for integrated joint training, and expand the use of IT applications.

He added that priority should be given to building large-scale training bases and developing new-domain and new-quality training conditions, to continuously optimize the support pattern.

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List of Measures for China to Implement the Consensus Of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: May 28, 2025 23:11

From May 28 to 29, 2025, the Third China-Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in Xiamen, Fujian Province. The participating parties had an in-depth exchange of views on China-PICs relations and issues of mutual interest, and reached broad consensus. The meeting released the Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting. China has prepared a list of measures to implement the consensus reached at the meeting:

1. Climate response: release China's Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change, which includes allocating US$2 million for climate change cooperation with PICs;

2. Disaster response cooperation: establish a mechanism on China-PICs disaster management cooperation;

3. Maritime cooperation: release China's Initiative on Strengthening Practical Maritime Cooperation with PICs;

4. Small and beautiful programs: implement 200 small and beautiful livelihood programs in PICs within this year;

5. FTA negotiation: speed up bilateral FTA negotiations with the relevant PICs;

6. Agriculture and fishery cooperation: continue agricultural technical assistance programs, build demonstration bases on high-yield rice, demonstration fields on high-efficiency and large-scale tuber planting technology, and demonstration bases on vegetable plantation in the relevant PICs, and advance offshore aquaculture cooperation;

7. Police and law enforcement cooperation: hold the fourth Ministerial Dialogue on Police Capacity Building and Cooperation Between China and PICs within this year;

8. Scholarship and human resource training: provide 274 scholarships to PICs in the 2025/2026 school year, and 500 huamn resource training opportunities to PICs within 2025;

9. Medical cooperation: send 7 groups of 56 medical personnel to PICs within this year, expand exchange and cooperation on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), continue sending additional TCM doctors to PICs, carry out free medical treatment programs in PICs including the "Brightness Action" and "Urology Action" for cataract and urological patients within this year;

10. Cultural and tourism cooperation: launch a China blue Pacific tourism promotion initiative for PICs, invite PICs to attend the 2025 China International Travel Mart and provide them with free exhibition booths, and organize training seminars for tourism professionals of PICs;

11. Think tank dialogue: explore the establishment of a China-PICs think tank dialogue mechanism;

12. Media: hold "China in My Eyes" video competition for the PICs within this year.

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Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: May 28, 2025 21:48

From May 28 to 29, 2025, the People's Republic of China and Pacific Island Countries having diplomatic relations with China (hereinafter referred to as "All parties") held the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The meeting was chaired by Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi of Niue, Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala of Tonga, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert of the Federated States of Micronesia, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka of Solomon Islands, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati of Vanuatu, Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko of Papua New Guinea, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana of the Cook Islands, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Russ Kun of Nauru, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Lenora Salusalu Qereqeretabua of Fiji, and Representative of the Samoan Government and Ambassador of Samoa to China Luamanuvae A. Mariner attended the meeting. Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Esala Nayasi attended the meeting upon invitation on behalf of the Secretary General. All parties had an in-depth exchange of views and reached broad consensus on China-Pacific Island Countries relations and issues of common interest.

1. All parties reviewed the positive progress made in China-Pacific Island Countries relations in recent years and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership that features mutual respect and common development, and to building an even closer China-Pacific Island Countries community with a shared future.

2. China reiterated its policy on developing relations with Pacific Island Countries put forth by President Xi Jinping: fully respecting the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting the will of Pacific Island Countries, fully respecting the ethnic and cultural traditions of Pacific Island Countries, and fully respecting Pacific Island Countries' efforts to seek strength through unity. China stressed that there is no political strings attached to China's assistance, no imposing one's will onto others, and no empty promises. China called on all countries to uphold Pacific Island Countries' autonomy in making decisions, putting development first, and staying open and inclusive when developing relations with Pacific Island Countries. Pacific Island Countries all support and welcome this.

3. All parties agreed on the importance of upholding humanity's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, freedom, and respect for international law. Countries, regardless of size, strength, and wealth, are all equal. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, countries' development paths chosen by the people independently based on their respective national conditions must be respected, and the principle of non-interference in each other's internal affairs must be observed.

4. All parties reaffirmed their mutual understanding and mutual support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. All parties recognize that there is but one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. China firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" in all forms and commits to realizing national reunification, which has gained wide understanding and support at the meeting. All parties stressed the authority of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. China firmly supports Pacific Island Countries in upholding their sovereignty and independence.

5. Pacific Island Countries acknowledge the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and will work with China to advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China welcomes more Pacific Island Countries to join the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, to help accelerate the implementation of the U.N. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All parties called on the international community to provide Pacific Island Countries with more technological, financial and humanitarian support to help them achieve independent and sustainable development. China stated that it will continue to support and assist Pacific Island Countries as it can in economic development and livelihood improvement.

6. All parties agreed to continue to promote synergy between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to make greater contributions to regional prosperity and development. All parties agreed to set cooperation priorities in accordance with each country's national conditions within the China-Pacific Island Countries cooperation platforms and frameworks including on reserves of emergency supplies, climate action, poverty alleviation and development, disaster prevention and mitigation, Juncao technology, agriculture, and police training. All parties agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such areas as education, culture, tourism, health and media, and expand sub-national exchanges. All parties agreed to explore the economic viability of additional direct flights to Pacific Island Countries.

7. All parties recognize the important role of trade in economic development of Pacific Island Countries and commit to further strengthening and enhancing their trade cooperation through supply side capacity building, trade promotion, and market access of Pacific Island Countries' products into China.

8. All parties are ready to work together to make positive contributions to the peace, development and stability of the Pacific region. They remain firmly committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.

9. All parties are fully aware of the significance of the management and conservation of the Pacific Ocean and its resources to the sustainable development of Pacific Island Countries, and acknowledge the vulnerability of Pacific Island Countries in the face of the adverse impact of climate change. All parties believe that the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities should be upheld, and agreed to jointly promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. All parties call for advanced economies to provide leadership on climate change mitigation and resilience initiatives at the international level. China, within the framework of South-South cooperation, is committed to providing assistance and support to Pacific Island Countries' climate response within its capabilities.

Xiamen, May 28, 2025

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on May 28, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: May 28, 2025 18:38

CCTV: Yesterday, Premier Li Qiang attended the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit. Could you share more details? In the current landscape, what's the significance of greater ties and cooperation between China, ASEAN, and GCC member states?

Mao Ning: Yesterday afternoon, Premier Li Qiang attended the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is themed "Synergizing Economic Opportunities Toward Shared Prosperity."

In his remarks, Premier Li Qiang said that China, ASEAN and GCC countries have a long history of friendly interactions. Today, against a volatile international landscape and sluggish global growth, the establishment of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit creates a platform for exchanges and a mechanism for cooperation. It is a groundbreaking initiative in regional economic cooperation. By enhancing connectivity and cooperation, the three sides can foster a vibrant economic circle and growth pole, which is highly important both to our respective economic prosperity and to peace and development in Asia and the world. The three sides should firmly seize this historic opportunity to enrich the trilateral cooperation, and set a fine example of opening up across regions, of cooperation across development stages, and of inter-civilization integration.

China is ready to work with ASEAN and the GCC to strengthen trilateral partnership, discuss a trilateral action plan on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance synergy and connectivity, expand cooperation in various fields, and promote travels and people-to-people bond. The three sides should step up communication and coordination in multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations, defend the common interests of developing countries, categorically oppose hegemonism and power politics, and make global governance more just and equitable.

The summit adopted a joint statement between China, ASEAN, and the GCC.

Reuters: Japan's military has reported that the Liaoning aircraft carrier group has sailed past the southern Japanese islands and is heading into the Western Pacific and that Japan is keeping a close watch. May I ask why are the carriers sailing so close to Japan, and is China sending a message to Japan, the United States and Taiwan?

Mao Ning: I'd refer you to competent authorities for specifics. What I can tell you is that China's military vessels' activities in relevant waters are fully consistent with international law and international practice. We hope Japan will view this from an objective and reasonable perspective.

CCTV: At the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit, the three sides pledged to step up their partnership. They also held the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum. Facing rising trade protectionism and increasing uncertainty in world economy, what role will China play in advancing the trilateral economic cooperation?

Mao Ning: As Premier Li Qiang noted in his speech at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum, cooperation is the only right way to overcome common challenges. Given everything that is going on, opportunities can be created if we join hands to meet the challenges.

With its high-quality development, China will consistently inject new impetus into the trilateral cooperation. The Chinese economy has been growing steadily since the beginning of this year, showing the great stability of the Chinese economy. We've made clear that more proactive and effective macro policies will be implemented and we will continue to strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments and have the capability and confidence to maintain the steady and long-term development of the Chinese economy. We are increasingly placing our strategic priority on expanding domestic demand and strengthening domestic circulation with a view to enhancing the internal driving force of the Chinese economy. We will stay committed to expanding high-standard opening up and enable domestic and international circulations to reinforce each other, so that companies across the world, including those from ASEAN and GCC countries, can fully share in the opportunity of China's development.

AFP: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to stop granting any visas to foreign students. Has China talked with the U.S. on this through diplomatic channels? What's your comment?

Mao Ning: We are following the current development. China believes that education cooperation and academic exchanges should not be disrupted. We urge the U.S. to protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of all international students, including those from China.

Beijing Youth Daily: We noted that during the 2025 Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit in Beijing, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China Michael Hart said that the tariff war is like a reality check, proving that China is an important market as well as supplier of goods for the U.S. J.P. Morgan and several other U.S. companies have expressed their willingness to continue to invest in China, further explore the Chinese market and take part in China's growth and innovation. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: China-U.S. economic ties benefit both sides. Such cooperation between the world's two largest economies has brought tangible benefit to businesses and consumers of both countries. After the China-U.S. economic and trade meeting in Geneva, orders from U.S. purchasers and cargo ship bookings between the two countries surged, testifying to the enormous two-way demand between China and the U.S.

Protectionism will lead nowhere. We welcome companies from all countries, including the U.S., to operate and develop in China, deepen cooperation with China, and jointly create more opportunities and a better future.

The Paper: We noted that during the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit, China announced to extend visa-free policy to four countries including Saudi Arabia on a trial basis. Can you give us more details?

Mao Ning: To further facilitate cross-border travel, China decided to include more countries in its visa waiver program and extend visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain on a trial basis from June 9, 2025 to June 8, 2026. Ordinary passport holders from the above-mentioned four countries can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange and transit purposes.

Other GCC member statesthe United Arab Emirates and Qataralso enjoy comprehensive mutual visa exemption with China starting from 2018. China has given visa-free status to all GCC countries. We welcome more friends from GCC countries to visit China anytime.

Bloomberg: The UK's Ambassador to the U.S. in a comment yesterday said that the U.S. and its allies should forge a technology partnership and said, "There is nothing I fear more in this world than China winning the race for technological dominance." Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment?

Mao Ning: China believes that only with opening up and cooperation can a better prospect for innovation and development be embraced. China attaches importance to international exchanges on sci-tech innovation. All countries should access the benefit of sci-tech innovation.

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US reportedly orders halt on chip software sales to China, a move may backfire and accelerate China's domestic innovation: expert

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 29, 2025 10:42 AM

The US administration has told US companies that offer software used to design semiconductors to stop selling their services to Chinese groups, in the latest attempt to make it harder for China to develop advanced chips, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. A Chinese expert said that the move will backfire, only accelerating China's drive for self-reliance in key technologies.

Several people familiar with the move said the US Department of Commerce had told so-called electronic design automation groups  which include Cadence, Synopsys and Siemens EDA  to stop supplying their technology to China, according to the Financial Times.

The Bureau of Industry and Security, the arm of the US commerce department that oversees export controls, issued the directive to the companies via letters, according to the people.



Telecom industry expert Xiang Ligang told the Global Times on Thursday that the restrictions on EDA design software essentially demonstrate that the US is attempting to strengthen tech containment on China through upstream technological blockades in the industrial chain. However, such restrictions are unlikely to succeed and backfire.

Chinese enterprises previously adopted foreign mature software primarily for efficiency, not due to a lack of independent R&D capabilities, the expert noted. The US-imposed supply cutoff will only drive China to accelerate independent innovation. Far from suppressing China's semiconductor development, US suppression will instead serve as a "catalyst" to propel the autonomy of Chinese industrial chain, Xiang said.

The move marks the latest effort by the US to curb China's ability to develop leading-edge artificial intelligence chips. This follows the recent release of guidance by the US Department of Commerce that, under the pretext of so-called presumed violations of US export control rules, attempts to impose a global ban on advanced Chinese computing chips, including specific Huawei Ascend chips.

China's Ministry of Commerce on May 21 called the US attempt to globally ban advanced Chinese computing chips as a typical move of "unilateral bullying and protectionism" that seriously undermines global semiconductor industrial and supply chains, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian on May 16 slammed the US over a recent announcement by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which claimed the use of Huawei's Ascend chips risks violating US export controls, as well as the bureau's warning to the public about the potential consequences of training Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) models with US AI chips.

Lin told a routine press conference that the US overstretches the concept of national security, abuses export controls and long-arm jurisdiction, and groundlessly and maliciously blocks and suppresses China's chips and AI industry, which severely violates market rules, destabilizes global industrial and supply chains, and undermines Chinese businesses' legitimate rights and interests.

China firmly opposes this and absolutely does not accept it. China urges the U.S. to drop its protectionist acts and unilateral bullying, and stop its egregious suppression on China's tech businesses and AI industry. China will take firm measures to defend its right to development and Chinese businesses' legitimate rights and interests, Lin said.

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Joint statement between the President of the Republic of Indonesia h.e. Prabowo Subianto and the President of the french Republic h.e. Emmanuel Macron on the state visit by h.e. Emmanuel Macron to Indonesia Politics

Elysee - President of France

Posted on 28 May 2025

Politics

1. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-France diplomatic relations in 2025, the President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Prabowo Subianto has the honour to welcome the President of the [French Republic] H. E. Emmanuel Macron on a state visit to Indonesia from 27 May to 29 May 2025.

2. Both Leaders met in a bilateral meeting, preceded by a tete-a-tete, on 28 May 2025 which took place in the State Palace in Jakarta. During the bilateral meeting, both Leaders reiterated their commitment to further elevate the long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries, through advancing the Strategic Partnership that has been established in 2011. For that purpose, both Leaders adopted a Declaration on a Joint Vision towards 100 years of France-Indonesia diplomatic relations in 2050.

3. Both Leaders also acknowledged the progress made by the two countries in implementing the Plan of Action for the Deepening of the Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of France for the Period of 2021-2027, signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic on 24 November 2021.

4. Both Leaders underscored the importance of the Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers of the two countries convening the "2+2 Dialogue" regularly.

5. Both Leaders welcomed the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries this year, and agreed that political consultations to discuss issues of common interests as well as to explore new potential for cooperation be held annually between high-level officials of the respective Foreign Ministries.

Defence and security

6. Both Leaders welcomed the entry into force of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Indonesia and France, signed on 21 June 2021, following the completion of internal procedures by Indonesia in October 2024, and France in April 2025. Furthermore, both Leaders expressed a shared ambition to further deepen the cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence.

7. Both Leaders took note of the 11th Indonesia-France Defence Dialogue (IFDD), held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 29-30 April 2025, and welcomed the port call in Bali and Lombok of the French Carrier Strike Group in January 2025, on the occasion of the La Perouse multinational exercise mission led by France that fostered coordination and mutual confidence amongst countries in the region. They agreed to expand their operational cooperation, including through the establishment of French language courses for Indonesian officers and non-commissioned officers and of training programmes in the field of mounted cavalry, as well as through increased exchanges between cadet schools.

8. President Prabowo Subianto acknowledged France as one of Indonesia's main partners in defence modernization, particularly through defence industry cooperation which comprises joint production and technology transfer.

Economy

9. Both Leaders took note of the steady bilateral trade volume, and reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively to promote a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade arrangements between the two countries. They also underlined that the timely conclusion of the ongoing negotiations between Indonesia and the European Union the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) is instrumental in achieving this shared objective.

10. Both leaders tasked their Ministers responsible for economic affairs to meet regularly to discuss ways to overcome obstacles related to economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. They also encouraged business communities, including chambers of commerce from both countries to intensify exchanges and strengthen partnerships.

11. Both Leaders welcomed the convening of Indonesia-France Business Forum to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 28 May 2025, which will gather numerous distinguished business leaders from both sides. President Prabowo Subianto welcomed the growth of French business presence in Indonesia, particularly in sectors of national priority, such as renewable energy, health, digitalization, infrastructure and connectivity, as well as agriculture. President Emmanuel Macron invited Indonesian state-owned enterprises and private companies to explore opportunities to invest in France.

Energy

12. Both Leaders recalled their commitment to achieving Net-Zero Emissions and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. In that regard, President Prabowo Subianto extended his appreciation to President Emmanuel Macron for France's support to Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). President Prabowo Subianto further welcomed French investment in new and renewable energy, as well as energy conservation sectors.

13. Both Leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in critical minerals, recognizing its importance for the energy transition. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the downstreaming industry, enhancing sustainable mining practices and developing a policy framework that promotes environmental, social, and governance principles in critical minerals mining and processing. President Prabowo Subianto acknowledged France's excellence in this area, and welcomed France to share its expertise and technology.

Agriculture and food security

14. Both Leaders welcomed the signing of a Declaration of Intent on agricultural cooperation, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, including aquaculture, to enhance food security and support the livelihoods of their people. President Prabowo Subianto underlined the significance of palm oil for Indonesia's food security and highlighted Indonesia's sustainable palm oil production.

15. President Prabowo Subianto welcomed France's support of Indonesia's free nutritious meal program, notably through the continued financial support provided by France through the World Food Program, and its intention to jointly work on the enhancement of Indonesia's livestock capacity and productivity, particularly through supply of live cattle and livestock genetics.

16. Both leaders will uphold constructive cooperation in developing sustainable commodities and avoiding discriminatory approach that may affect trade or investment between the two countries.

Maritime

17. Both Leaders discussed maritime cooperation, including to strengthen maritime safety and security, both in bilateral and multilateral framework. They reaffirmed that all activities in the oceans and seas should be carried out in full accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

18. Both Leaders commended the joint efforts between their respective officials in advancing bilateral cooperation in the field of maritime, particularly the progress made through the Indonesia-France Bilateral Maritime Dialogue. They looked forward to the 3rd Indonesia-France Bilateral Maritime Dialogue to be held in Indonesia this year.

19. President Prabowo Subianto thanked President Emmanuel Macron for the invitation to the upcoming third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, to be held in Nice, France on 9-13 June 2025. As an Archipelagic state, Indonesia places a high priority on

ocean related issues. Further, both Leaders shared the view on the importance of the entry into force of the UN Convention on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Transportation

20. Both Leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of transportation, which will promote further strategic collaborations between the two countries, including the integrated and environmentally friendly urban and inter-city transportation that is essential for Indonesia's connectivity.

Culture

21. Both Leaders adopted a Joint Strategy for Culture, which will deepen the cultural partnership between the two countries, in particular with regard to museums, cultural heritage, art residencies, language programs, and creative industries. In this regard, both Leaders expressed their readiness to expand the cultural networks between the two countries.

22. Both Leaders looked forward to the joint visit to the Borobudur Temple on the next day, which symbolizes their mutual respect for cultural heritage. President Prabowo Subianto expressed appreciation to President Emmanuel Macron's engagement with Indonesian cultural and creative economy stakeholders during the said visit, which signifies a pivotal step toward fostering deeper collaboration and a long-term partnership.

23. Both Leaders concurred that soft diplomacy and cultural approach would foster closer people-to-people connections, as well as encourage deeper engagement between Indonesian and French stakeholders in arts, culture, and creative economy, which finally will benefit the shared political and economic interests of both countries. In that regard, they also welcomed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding, in the field of heritage, culture, and creative industries.

Education

24. Both Leaders noted with satisfaction the already established cooperation and exchanges in the field of education and higher education. They further expressed their intention to broaden the scope of cooperation in education, with particular attention to vocational education and training, teacher capacity building, early childhood education, curriculum development, teaching methods and materials, as well as educational and linguistic studies.

25. Both Leaders welcomed the plan of establishing cooperation in capacity building for diplomats between the Centre for Education and Training of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Diplomatic and Consular Academy of the Republic of France.

Development cooperation

26. Both Leaders expressed their commitment to strengthen development cooperation, including through enhanced collaboration between the French Development Agency (AFD) and Indonesian government and agencies. In this regard, they appreciated the existing regular consultation meeting to identify sectors that correspond with their national priorities.

27. Both Leaders also looked into the possibility to broaden the scope of partnership and establish a triangular development cooperation with the participation of a third country, with a view to advancing inclusive global development and prosperity.

Regional issues

28. Both Leaders welcomed the positive development of ASEAN-EU relations, and shared the commitment to strengthen the partnership, based on mutually beneficial cooperation and the principle of equality.

29. Both Leaders shared the view on the importance of an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based regional architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, in which ASEAN is central. Both Leaders underlined the deeply-rooted convergence of the approaches to the Indo-Pacific of ASEAN, as expressed in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and of France.

30. Both Leaders expressed a profound concern regarding the situation in Myanmar, which have been further impacted by the recent devastating earthquake. They reiterated their hope for conflict resolution in Myanmar through inclusive dialogue as highlighted in the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) adopted during the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 24 April 2021.

Multilateralism

31. Both Leaders underlined their shared steadfast commitment to multilateralism as well as for upholding the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect for international laws over unilateral approaches. They further expressed their commitment to enhancing coordination in multilateral fora, such as the United Nations in pursuit of effective solutions to global challenges related to peace, security, and prosperity.

32. Both Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to actively contribute to the creation of a just and lasting peace as well as the resolution of conflicts, including in Ukraine and the Middle East.

33. Both Leaders also welcomed the capacity-building cooperation for military and police personnel deployed in peacekeeping operations (PKO).

International issues

34. Both Leaders adopted a Joint Declaration on the peaceful resolution of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.

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Focus on our common goals: Foreign Minister Wadephul travels to the United States

Germany Federal Foreign Office

27.05.2025 - Article

Germany and the United States are linked by a close, long-standing partnership. Foreign Minister Wadephul is now travelling to Washington, DC at the invitation of his American colleague, Marco Rubio. More information on his visit is available here.

It's an eight-hour flight from Berlin to Washington, DC - the journey across the Atlantic to the east coast of the United States is a long one. And anyone heading for Texas or California will be on the go for much longer. And yet relations between the United States and Germany could scarcely be closer: families with relatives on both sides of the Atlantic, German and American soldiers training together, vibrant cooperation in science and research, economic exchange, art and cultural projects - these are all elements of day-to-day transatlantic relations.

And what is true of civil society is also true of political decision-makers: close coordination takes place at this level - and that is important in these internationally challenging times. The two chief diplomats talked on the fringes of the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Antalya in mid-May. At the invitation of his US colleague, Foreign Minister Wadephul is today travelling to the United States for his first official visit.

Speaking prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul talked about the profound ties between Germany and the United States:

There is virtually no other country to which we Germans owe more than to the United States of America. The fact that we can live in freedom and prosperity in Germany today, as part of a strong European family, is in part the result of the United States' forward-looking peace policy following the end of the Second World War 80 years ago. Freedom, prosperity and security: these are the goals by which I am guided as Foreign Minister. And here we know that we share these goals with the United States of America.

Close coordination in geopolitically difficult times

Foreign Minister Wadephul's trip is taking place in geopolitically challenging times. For while Ukraine is making peace offers and endeavouring to enter into negotiations, Putin is responding with brute force: just this past weekend, Russia again bombarded Ukraine with missile and drone attacks. In recent weeks, as part of its peace diplomacy, the United States in particular has been working towards ensuring that the war in the heart of Europe finally comes to an end. Foreign Minister Wadephul will pick up on these efforts during his visit to Washington, DC.

He issued the following statement prior to his departure:

We want to end the deaths in Ukraine at last; we want an immediate ceasefire; and we want a lasting peace. We have to keep up the pressure so that Putin will at last come to the negotiating table, so that Russia will at last enter into serious negotiations. We Europeans will tighten sanctions further, and the US Congress is ready to impose more sanctions as well.

Another important item on the agenda is trade relations between the EU and the United States. Foreign Minister Wadephul will seek to strengthen the transatlantic economic area - and not to unsettle companies with new tariff barriers. For it is clear that the close economic relations between Germany and the United States create jobs in both countries. In 2024, for the first time in nine years, the United States again became Germany's most important trading partner worldwide. German companies provide jobs for almost a million Americans, making German industry the third largest foreign employer in the United States.

The talks in Washington, DC will also cover the conflict in the Middle East. During his recent trip to Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Wadephul underlined Germany's solidarity with the State of Israel - at the same time making it clear that the conflict in Gaza cannot be resolved for the long term using military means. There is an urgent need for a breakthrough in the negotiations on a ceasefire that will lead to the release of the hostages and a massive increase in humanitarian assistance. Germany is convinced that a negotiated two-state solution offers the best chance of lasting peace in the region. However, the reconstruction of the destroyed Gaza Strip - without Hamas - will require huge efforts. Germany has repeatedly emphasised that the Arab partners' reconstruction plan is a good starting-point here.

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Germany Federal Foreign Office

27.05.2025 - Press release

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul issued the following statement today (27 May) prior to his departure for Washington, DC:

There is virtually no other country to which we Germans owe more than to the United States of America. The fact that we can live in freedom and prosperity in Germany today, as part of a strong European family, is in part the result of the United States' forward-looking peace policy following the end of the Second World War 80 years ago. Freedom, prosperity and security: these are the goals by which I am guided as Foreign Minister. And here we know that we share these goals with the United States of America.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a forceful reminder of how important our transatlantic solidarity is for freedom in Europe. Putin is continuing his attacks with unrelenting brutality, despite the intensive peace diplomacy of recent weeks - including and especially by the United States. My talks in Washington will therefore address our common objectives: we want to end the deaths in Ukraine at last; we want an immediate ceasefire; and we want a lasting peace. We have to keep up the pressure so that Putin will at last come to the negotiating table, so that Russia will at last enter into serious negotiations. We Europeans will tighten sanctions further, and the US Congress is ready to impose more sanctions as well.

At the same time, we in Europe are assuming greater responsibility for our own security. To this end, we are consistently ensuring that our defence and deterrence are in line with NATO's increased capability targets. Putin's Russia is the biggest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in the foreseeable future. Given this threat, we support the proposed increase in investment in our defence and in the relevant infrastructure to 5% of GDP, as put forward by the Secretary General of NATO.

Germany is committed to the security and existence of Israel. At the same time, we are fundamentally committed to international humanitarian law, and we see the unbearable suffering of the people in Gaza. We urgently need a breakthrough in the negotiations on a ceasefire that will lead to the release of the hostages and a massive increase in humanitarian assistance. A two-state solution offers the best chance of lasting peace in the region. Together with our American partners, I would like to sound out how this can at long last be realised.

In a globally interconnected world, we do not want to build new tariff walls, but stable bridges based on partnership and trust. Germany is the third largest investor in the United States: around 6000 German companies provide jobs for a total of almost a million Americans across all the states. We support the European Commission in working with the United States to seek a balanced, negotiated solution to dismantle unnecessary trade barriers between our countries and to promote fair trade. Only in this way will we succeed in maintaining prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic and in strengthening our economic security. We, like our partners in the United States, will continue to represent our interests in the world with confidence.
Secretary Rubio's Meeting with German Foreign Minister Wadephul

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 28, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Washington, DC. They discussed U.S.-German coordination on key objectives including bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, containing destabilizing actions from Beijing, and ensuring that Iran never develops or acquires a nuclear weapon. Both leaders also discussed industrial capacity and supply chains and their important relationship to national security. Secretary Rubio welcomed Germany's commitment to increasing its defense spending as both sides affirmed the importance of closer strategic alignment to secure peace and stability.

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LAUNCHING OF SIXTH 25T BOLLARD PULL TUG SABAL (YARD 340)

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 28 MAY 2025 3:04PM by PIB Delhi

Launching of sixth 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug Sabal was held on 27 May 25 at M/s TRSL, Kolkata in presence of Cmde S Sreekumar, WPS, Kolkata as the Chief Guest.

These Tugs are a part of the contract for construction of six 25T BP Tugs concluded with M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata on 12 Nov 21. The Tugs have been indigenously designed and built in accordance with the relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The Shipyard had successfully delivered four of these Tugs which are utilised by the Indian Navy to aid Naval ships and submarines during berthing, un-berthing and manoeuvring in confined waters. The Tugs will also provide afloat fire-fighting support to ships alongside or at anchorage and will also have the capability to conduct limited Search and Rescue Operations.

These Tugs are proud flag bearers of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of Government of India.

****

VM/SPS

(Release ID: 2131982)

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Deputy Secretary Landau's Meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Misri

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 28, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri today in Washington. The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the close partnership between the U.S. and India, a key component of U.S. foreign policy for the 21st century. He underscored the importance of fair and reciprocal market access to fostering economic growth and prosperity in both countries. The Deputy Secretary emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation on migration and counternarcotics. The Deputy Secretary and the Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed their shared desire to maintain regional stability and peace.

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No talks with Europeans if they insist on 'zero enrichment,'says Araqchi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has reaffirmed Iran's firm stance on its uranium enrichment program, saying that if Europeans insist on a "zero enrichment" position, further negotiations on the nuclear issue will be impossible.

"They need to clarify their own responsibilities. We are not joking with anyone when it comes to enrichment," Araqchi said on Wednesday.

Elaborating on his latest message posted on X, Araqchi explained that his remarks were a direct response to a British official's statement regarding "zero enrichment" by Iran.

He pointed out that Iran has maintained talks with European nations, but if their position on zero enrichment remains unchanged, negotiations will cease.

The remarks came after British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson said during a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C. that "Britain strongly supports [U.S.] President [Donald Trump]'s initiative in negotiating away these enrichment and related facilities in Iran."

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Iran says it will reject any proposal restricting its uranium enrichment

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says Iran will not accept any proposal that would restrict its uranium enrichment program, which he said is a fundamental part of its nuclear industry.

His remarks come amid ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman. Consultations are currently underway to determine the time and location for the next round of discussions, which Oman will announce.

Baqaei said the talks remain strictly focused on nuclear issues and sanctions relief, dismissing claims that other topics are being considered.

He said Iran's priority is the removal of unjust sanctions, calling them illegal and a violation of human rights and international law.

The issue of lifting sanctions will show to what extent the United States is serious in the talks, he said.

He denied rumors that Iran would show flexibility on uranium enrichment, saying that any proposal undermining this right would be unacceptable.

Baqaei also dismissed speculation about the scope of a potential agreement, calling such reports unverified and politically motivated.

Iran and the United States have held five rounds of talks  three in Muscat and two in Romemediated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi.

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Iran is committed to preserve nuclear fuel cycle and enrichment: Top security official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Moscow, IRNA -- Iran remains committed to maintaining its nuclear fuel cycle and enrichment capabilities while welcoming diplomatic dialogue, says the country's top security official.

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), made the remarks at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Moscow. His address centered on building an equal and sustainable global security architecture.

Ahmadian criticized unilateralism in international politics, saying it has led to widespread disasters, particularly in West Asia.

He cited the wars and crises in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq as examples of Western-imposed injustice and exploitation and condemned the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza.

"The foundation of the West's unilateralist policy is built on the oppression and exploitation of nations, and the whole world is witnessing an unprecedented crime in Gaza, where, in addition to inhumane killings, women and children are facing a slow death from starvation," he warned.

Ahmadian further warned that hegemonic powers are using sanctions and advanced technologies to deprive nations of their legitimate rights, including Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy.

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Araqchi reacts to Britain's stance on zero enrichment in Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

May 28, 2025

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has strongly reacted to a recent position by Britain claiming that Iran should adopt zero enrichment policy.

The Foreign Minister wrote on his X account that "Iran has maintained multilateral engagement with the UK and other European JCPOA participants in good faith, even as the U.S. continues to show no interest in getting them involved" in the ongoing negotiation process.

"If the UK position is 'zero enrichment' in Iranin violation of the NPT and UK commitments as a remaining JCPOA participant there is nothing left for us to discuss on the nuclear issue," Araqchi added.

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Iran determined to preserve nuclear fuel cycle, enrichment: Security official

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 3:14 PM

Iran welcomes negotiations on the removal of Western sanctions on the country over its nuclear work but insists on retaining its atomic independence and its fuel cycle and enrichment capabilities, according to the top Iranian security official.

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, made the remarks on Wednesday at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in Moscow, in a speech focused on shaping an equal and sustainable security architecture.

The official criticized the West's hegemonic policies worldwide, saying that dominant countries, by using tools such as sanctions and technology, try to deprive nations of their inherent rights, as exemplified in their push to restrict Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The official said unilateralism in international politics and the imposition of the will of arrogant powers on nations have created countless tragedies worldwide, and today the West Asia region stands as a showcase of these atrocities.

Ahmadian, referring to the bitter events in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, said, "the foundation of the Western policy of unilateralism is built on the oppression and exploitation of nations, and the whole world is witnessing an unprecedented crime in Gaza, where, in addition to inhumane killings, women and children are enduring a gradual death by starvation."

Ahmadian said that international political and security structures have been held hostage by the West and dominant powers, while from the perspective of Iran, security should serve the people and uphold the independence and freedom of nations.

He advocated a "new global security architecture" that provides everybody with fair opportunities.

"A comprehensive security umbrella across the world requires multilateralism, and in the new security order, nations must be provided with fair and equal opportunities," he said, adding that moving towards a multipolar system will bring peace and justice to all nations.

The main session of the 13th International Conference of Senior Security Officials, attended by delegations from over one hundred countries, including Iran, began on Wednesday with the broadcast of a video message from Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

According to Sergey Shuygo, secretary of the Russian Security Council, 126 high-ranking delegations from 104 countries participated in the conference.

These delegations included the heads of security councils, assistants and advisors to the heads of state on national security affairs, ministers, heads of special services, as well as 13 secretaries-general and representatives of heads of international organizations.

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Iran vows uranium enrichment 'uncompromisable'; again spurns reports of 'interim deal' with US

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 9:47 PM

Iran has reiterated the non-negotiable nature of continued peaceful uranium enrichment activities on its soil, while repeating the Islamic Republic's rejection of reports alleging that the country could suspend the process as part of an "interim deal" with the US.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Wednesday, commenting on a question about a Reuters' report that had come up speculations about the possibility of a so-called stopgap agreement.

Citing "unnamed Iranian sources," the report had suggested that Iran could halt enrichment temporarily in exchange for the unfreezing of its confiscated assets and recognition of its right to enrich.

The spokesman, however, categorically dismissed the report, calling it another baseless fabrication.

"This claim by Reuters is in the same vein as previous attempts to fabricate narratives, all of which have been repeatedly refuted and proven false," Baghaei stated.

"These claims are merely media speculation, published with various motives and intentions, and none of them are verifiable," he added.

No pause, with or without a deal

Iranian officials have consistently maintained that uranium enrichment would continue regardless of whether an agreement would be reached between the Islamic Republic and the United States.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized on multiple occasions that enrichment was a matter of national sovereignty and would not be halted.

Baghaei's comments did not mark the first time he was roundly ruling out the notion of a temporary agreement.

Speaking earlier this week during a press conference, he had likewise asserted, "A temporary agreement has not been on our agenda so far, and this issue was not discussed in that meeting either."

The official was commenting on the fifth round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.

The talks began in April, with the Islamic Republic insisting on their recognition of the country's nuclear rights, and leading to effective removal of the US's illegal and unilateral sanctions against Tehran.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Barzani

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 28, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) President Nechirvan Barzani. Secretary Rubio and President Barzani discussed the importance of continued cooperation to promote stability and prosperity in Iraq, Syria, and the broader region. The Secretary commended the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for its partnership with U.S. companies and its efforts to harness domestic resources for Iraq's energy independence. The Secretary emphasized that U.S. support for the IKR would remain a key aspect of the U.S. relationship with Iraq.

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US delivers 90,000 tons of weapons to Israel since start of Gaza genocide

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 6:25 AM

The US has delivered the 800th arms shipment to Israel, bringing Washington's total military aid since the Gaza war began to over 90,000 tons, according to Israeli officials.

The 800th aircraft in the "comprehensive military equipment and weapons airlift operation" that commenced immediately following the Gaza war has landed in the occupied lands on Wednesday morning, the Israeli ministry of military affairs said in a statement.

The procured and transported equipment includes munitions, armored vehicles, individual protective equipment, and medical supplies, according to the ministry.

The regime's officials have characterized the constant US arms shipments via air and sea as "a significant component" in sustaining their genocide, as Israel's military campaign reached its 600th day on Tuesday.

The US has approved nearly $30 billion in arms sales to Israel over 19 months, with $10.4 billion approved in just February and March alone.

Research from Brown University's Costs of War project showed that between October 2023 and September 2024, Washington channeled $22.76 billion in military aid to Israel, helping it sustain its Gaza genocide.

The US State Department has frequently invoked emergency powers to accelerate weapons shipments to Israel.

In a recent move, the US Senate decisively rejected two measures that sought to block Washington's substantial military aid and arms transfers to the regime.

The United States continues to supply the majority of munitions used in Gaza, with Germany and Italy ranking as secondary providers.

At least 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 123,000 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the health ministry of Gaza.

Gaza health officials said last month that women, children and elderly civilians account for 65% of fatalities in Israel's genocide. Local authorities have also reported the complete eradication of over 2,180 Palestinian family units by the regime.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the besieged coastal territory.

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US Shipped 90K Tons of Weapons to Israel since October 2023

Sputnik News

20250528

The United States has delivered over 90,000 tonnes of military supplies to Israel since October 2023, including armored vehicles and ammunition, The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing the Israel Defense Ministry.

On May 27, the Israeli Defense Ministry marked the landing of the 800th US transport plane in Israel.

In addition to the planes, 140 US ships have been involved in delivering armaments and military equipment since the start of the Gaza War.

The military equipment delivered to Israel includes "armored vehicles, munitions, ammunition, personal protection gear, and medical equipment," the report added.

On March 18, Israel announced the launch of a new offensive in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots, which it claims will finally defeat Hamas. The Gazan health authority estimates that more than 3,900 people have been killed in more than two months.

On Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said that the number of people killed in the Gaza conflict since October 7, 2023, had reached 54,056.

 Sputnik

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Japan-Cambodia Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

May 28, 2025

On May 28, at 3:20 p.m., for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. The summary of the meeting is as follows:

1. Opening Remarks

Minister Iwaya warmly welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn's visit to Japan and emphasized that Japan and Cambodia are "Comprehensive Strategic Partners" cooperating for international peace and stability, including demining in mine-affected third countries. He further expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia in realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" based on the rule of law and to maintain and enhance the multilateral free trade system.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed gratitude for Japan as a most trusted friend and Japan's continuous support to Cambodia since the peace process and expressed his commitment to further developing bilateral cooperation.

2. Bilateral Relations

Both ministers welcomed the port call of Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels at Ream Naval Base in April and agreed to further enhance security cooperation. Minister Iwaya expressed Japan's desire to advance discussions on Official Security Assistance (OSA) and to see port calls of vessels from various countries at Ream Naval Base in the future toward a "more open base."

The ministers also agreed to cooperate in maintaining and strengthening the multilateral free trade system, taking into account the current global economic situation, and to support the diversification of Cambodia's economic partnerships. Minister Iwaya further stated that Japan will promote "three new cooperation approaches" to Cambodia, focusing on social infrastructure development, maritime connectivity, and humanitarian mine action, as well as the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC). Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed his appreciation for Japan's continued support.

Both ministers agreed to cooperate towards Cambodia's sustainable development and the co-creation of social values, and the promotion of further investment from Japan.

Additionally, the ministers discussed Cambodia's democratic development.

3. Regional and International Situation

The ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation for international peace and stability, including triangular cooperation in the field of demining. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn also highlighted Cambodia's resolve to address transnational organized crime, and both Ministers affirmed their commitment to cooperation in this regard.

Furthermore, both ministers agreed to continue to cooperate on a range of regional and international issues, including Japan-ASEAN cooperation, the situation in Myanmar, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and responses to North Korea.

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Telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

May 28, 2025

18:20

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss current issues pertaining to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade, economic, and energy spheres.

The leaders agreed to maintain bilateral contacts at various levels.

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Prime Minister meets President Pezeshkian

Prime Miinister's Office - Islamic Republic of Pakistan

May 26, 2025

Tehran: 26 May 2025.

Prime Minister meets President Pezeshkian

Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran today on 26 May, 2025. He is visiting Iran on the invitation of President Pezeshkian. Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal ministers for Interior, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Federal Minister for Information Mr. Attaullah Tarrar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi.

The Prime Minister was presented guard of honor on his arrival at presidency. He inspected thel guard and then both the leaders head their respective delegations for bilateral talks.

The Prime Minister thanked Iran's leadership for showing concern for Pakistan during recent conflict with India and its offer to mediate for peace in the region. He also briefed Iran's leadership about Indian expansionist aims, which are a threat to regional peace and stability and underlined that Pakistan remain committed to upholding the ceasefire.

The Prime Minister while acknowledging the presence of deep historical, cultural, religious and civilizational ties between both neighbors committed to further deepen and widen relationship with Iran.

The Prime Minster underscored that terrorism posed an existential threat to the region and emphasized that both Iran and Pakistan, fully cognizant of designs of external actors, must deepen their cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of its people and relevant UNSC resolutions, was critical to bring peace and stability in the region.

President Pezeshkian welcomed the Prime Minister and his delegation and assured the Pakistani leader to take steps for regional peace and stability. The two leaders reaffirmed that strengthening of peace and progress in Afghanistan was also vital for regional stability.

The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's desire to raise the volume of bilateral trade and further deepen the trade cooperation with Iran. The two sides committed to an early resolution of the Iran-Pakistan Pipeline project through mutual consultations.

The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel for its atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza and called for an end to the genocidal policies of Israel paving the way for two-states solution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

Prime Minister extended an invitation to President Masoud Pezeshkian to pay visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

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Prime Minister Calls on the Supreme Leader of Iran

Prime Miinister's Office - Islamic Republic of Pakistan

May 26, 2025



Tehran: 26 May 2025.

Prime Minister Calls on the Supreme Leader of Iran

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid a courtesy call on His Eminence Sayyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran today on 26th May,2025. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarrar.

During the call, the Prime Minister conveyed his deepest respect to the Supreme Leader underlining that His Eminence was an iconic figure in the Muslim World and the Muslim Ummah looked up to him for guidance and patronage. The Prime Minister briefed HE about recent conflict with India and India's hegemonistic and revisionist designs and profusely thanked leadership of Iran for supporting Pakistan against Indian aggression. The Prime Minister underlined that Pakistan always desired that peace could prevail in the region leading to economic development and prosperity.

The Prime Minister briefed the Supreme Leader about the steps taken to elevate Pakistan- Iran ties to highest levels and maintained that his government was committed to further deepen strategic cooperation with Iran in the complex geo-political times.

The Prime Minister praised the farsightedness of the Iranian leadership in pursuing the nuclear negotiations with the United States and hoped that a constructive deal is reached between the two countries. That can promote peace and stability in the region.

The Supreme Leader appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in promoting regional peace and stability with farsightedness and praised his personal commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties. The Supreme Leader prayed for greater prosperity, growth, and development of Pakistan and its people.

The Prime Minister deeply appreciated Supreme Leader's dedication to the poetry of Allam Iqbal, the poet of the East, and particularly requested the Supreme Leader to visit Pakistan again at earliest convenience.

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Meeting of the Prime Minister with the President Republic of Azerbaijan

Prime Miinister's Office - Islamic Republic of Pakistan

May 27, 2025

Lachin : 27 May, 2025

Meeting of the Prime Minister with the President Republic of Azerbaijan

The Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, in the city of Lachin on 28 May 2025. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Ullah Tarrar and Special Assitan to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present.

The meeting took place on the eve of the Trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye that would take place on Azerbaijan's Independence Day, adding a symbolic dimension to the exchange between the two leaders. The Prime Minister conveyed warm felicitations to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on this important national occasion.

The Prime Minister emphasized that people of both countries enjoy an eternal bond of friendship . The Prime Minister thanked Azerbaijan for its steadfast support during the recent Pakistan-India confrontation, in the face of Indian provocation and acknowledged the public expressions of solidarity from both the leadership and the people of brotherly Azerbaijan. He said that people of Azerbaijan celebrated the success of Pakistan in Maarka-e-Haq against India.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory of political, economic, defence, and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to diversifying the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues. The Prime Minister reiterated that both the countries had stood by each other on every occasion and would continue to do so.

Azerbaijan side agreed to exchange of delegations with regard to progress in investment of Azerbaijan in Pakistan. In this regard delegation level talks will be organized very soon.

The Prime Minister noted that holding this meeting in Lachin, a city that reflects Azerbaijan's journey of resilience and restoration, carries deep symbolic and emotional significance for both sides.

The two leaders underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to promote regional stability, mutual prosperity, and principled positions on key international issues.

The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to the deepening of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan partnership and working closely to further advance shared objectives at the bilateral and regional levels.

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South Korean presidential debate mired in top contender's alleged link to North Korea

Lee Jae-myung is accused of orchestrating an illicit transfer of funds to North Korea.

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.05.28

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The final televised presidential debate ahead of South Korea's June 3 election was dominated by fierce scrutiny over the leading candidate from the Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung's alleged involvement in illegal cash transfers to North Korea.

The topic took center stage during the foreign policy and national security portion of the debate, when Lee underscored the importance of dialogue and peaceful coexistence with Pyongyang. Stressing that South Korea's defense budget is double that of the North's, he argued for diplomacy.

However, his remarks provided an opening for conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and centrist Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party, who launched coordinated attacks highlighting Lee's alleged "North Korea risk."

Kim accused Lee of being at the center of a scandal involving illegal funds sent to North Korea.

"Despite U.N. sanctions, the issue of illegal remittances to the North have surfaced. On May 9, president of the Korean American Association in Washington officially filed a complaint with the U.S. Treasury, State Department, and U.N. Security Council, accusing Lee of secretly transferring 10 billion South Korean won (US$8 million) to North Korea," said Kim.

South Korean prosecutors allege that between 2019 and 2020, during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee directed the Ssangbangwool Group to transfer US$8 million to North Korea, including US$5 million intended for a smart farm project and US$3 million to facilitate a prospective visit by Lee to Pyongyang.

Lee's former deputy governor, Lee Hwa-young, was convicted and sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison for his involvement in the scheme, which encompassed bribery and unauthorized fund transfers to North Korea.

Lee denies any wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated.

He contends that the prosecution's case lacks merit and is an attempt to undermine his political career. The case is ongoing.

"That money is now feeding the Kim family and returning to us as nuclear threats. I will pursue a transparent and upright inter-Korean relationship," Kim said.

Lee Jun-seok followed up by questioning Lee about his campaign pledge to relocate shipping giant HMM's headquarters to the city of Busan.

When Lee identified HMM's predecessor as Hyundai Merchant Marine, Lee Jun-seok pointedly noted that the company had once engaged in North Korean projects that cost it some $200 million - an affair that many would consider a major scandal today.

"Regardless of domestic court rulings, the Ssangbangwool remittance case could make Lee subject to U.S. sanctions. Even if he becomes president, U.S. immigration law Section 212 could bar his entry," said Lee Jun-seok.

Lee pushed back during the debate.

"The cash transfer had nothing to do with me. There are even rumors the funds were used for gambling after stock manipulation investigations began. I believe the truth will be revealed," he argued.

While the allegations dominated the evening, Lee found some support from Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labour Party. Kwon criticized North Korea's psychological provocations along border areas and highlighted residents' suffering.

"I completely sympathize. Taking a hardline stance alone isn't the solution," Lee said.

Lee previously said he believed the current strategy toward the North has tipped too far toward confrontation.

Relations between the two countries since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War have waxed and waned for decades between unremitting hostility and attempts at rapprochement.

While acknowledging the "hostile" nature of current inter-Korean relations, he argued in multiple media interviews that South Korea's strong military and alliances - particularly with the U.S. and Japan - already provide sufficient deterrence.

Instead, he insisted on "communication and engagement" with the North, signaling a return to the approach of previous Democratic Party governments.

On broader foreign policy, the candidates diverged. Lee reiterated support for the U.S.-South Korea alliance but warned against unnecessary hostilities with China and Russia.

"We must not overlook the relationship between China and Russia, and there is no need to be unnecessarily hostile as we are now," said Lee.

Critics of Lee have accused him of adopting a "subservient" stance toward China.

Lee stirred controversy during his 2022 campaign by saying: "Why do we care what happens to the Taiwan Strait? Shouldn't we just take care of ourselves?"

He later clarified that his point was about diplomatic pragmatism and that South Korea should avoid worsening relations with China.

Kim called for strengthening nuclear deterrence under the U.S. alliance, while Lee Jun-seok proposed merging the Foreign and Unification Ministries and appointing a "Deputy Prime Minister for Security."

Kwon Young-guk went further, vowing to "engineer the moment the U.S. and North Korea establish diplomatic relations."

A Wednesday survey from Realmeter, a South Korean polling organization, showed support for Lee at 49.2%, followed by Kim with 36.8%. The margin of error was 3.1% points at a 95% confidence level. Lee Jun-seok was running third with 10.3% support.

The poll serves as the final indicator of voter sentiment because the publication of opinion polls will be banned from Wednesday under election law.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content May 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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Talks with Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Rashad Mohammad al-Alimi

In the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin held talks with Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council the Republic of Yemen Rashad Mohammad al-Alimi, who is in Russia on an official visit.

May 28, 2025

17:30

The Kremlin, Moscow

The agenda included the further development of Russian-Yemeni relations in the political, trade and economic, and humanitarian spheres, as well as current issues on the regional agenda.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Chairman,

I am delighted to welcome you to Moscow. We are pleased to see you here and would like to thank you for finding the time to come to Moscow.

Before we begin, I would like to congratulate you once again, this time personally, on your national holiday, the 35th anniversary of National Unity. I believe that you celebrated it just recently, on May 22. I sent you a message of greetings. Today, I have an opportunity to congratulate you personally at our meeting in Moscow.

Relations between our countries were established long ago and have always been friendly. We established diplomatic relations in 1928. Our embassy in your country is reopening now.

I would like to point out that our cooperation has been very active all these years, for nearly a century. Our specialists helped build numerous industrial and infrastructure facilities in Yemen, including the deep-water port, which continues to work effectively to this day.

We are also cooperating on the international stage, and we are grateful to you for your assistance in this sphere. Our diplomatic and foreign policy departments maintain regular contact, which is encouraging.

I would like to tell you that we plan to hold a Russia-Arab Summit in Moscow in October 2025. We hope that you will personally attend it. We will be delighted to see you in Russia again.

The overwhelming majority of our friends in the Arab world have agreed to come. We are working together with the Arab League. Preparations for the summit are proceeding apace. We hope that it will benefit our relations with our friends in the Arab world.

We maintain many contacts, and there are many promising spheres of cooperation. First of all, we will talk about the development of our trade and economic ties. These ties are developing well with Yemen. Overall, we are satisfied with the volume of our trade, which stands at about US$400 million. There are several promising spheres, in particular, agriculture, fishing, mining, and energy. In other words, there are enough topics for discussion. We have high hopes for the early resumption of the work of Intergovernmental Commission [on trade, economic, and scientific and technical cooperation].

The training of personnel is another important sphere of our cooperation. Approximately 1,500 Yemenis are studying in Russia; 400 of them are receiving budget-supported education. We regard this cooperation as very important not only because of its clearly humanitarian nature or that it helps train personnel, but also because this is creating conditions for communication between our people, which is extremely important for our interaction in all the other spheres I have just now mentioned.

Mr Chairman, we are delighted to see you. Welcome.

Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Rashad Mohammad al-Alimi (retranslated): Thank you, Mr President.

I am truly pleased to be in Moscow today during this month marking the anniversary of the defeat of Nazism. Russia played a decisive role in achieving this victory for all humanity. I am delighted to be here today. Regrettably, I was unable to attend the Victory Day celebrations on May 9.

Mr President, I have come here today first and foremost to thank you for your support of Yemen's legitimate government. Following the coup orchestrated by the Houthis with Iranian backing, Russia's stance in the Security Council and across international platforms has consistently upheld constitutional legitimacy while promoting Yemen's development and prosperity.

We are committed to developing our cooperation further, which already spans almost a century, and we are determined to work towards celebrating 100 years of our diplomatic relations in the coming years. Our bilateral ties have made significant progress in recent years.

All of us, the generation living today, are aware that the Soviet Union was the first state to recognise the Republic of Yemen. During the war that occurred in Yemen at the time, all other ambassadors left but the Soviet ambassador stayed. A great deal was accomplished thanks to Soviet support. We are determined to ensure continued cooperation with Russia in this spirit. We want Russia to assist us in restoring peace, stability, and security in Yemen, and in reestablishing a normal functioning republic. We oppose the militarisation of the Red Sea and the deterioration of relations with neighbouring countries.

Mr President, we are committed to expanding cooperation across all sectors. Thank you for the support provided to our students and to our community, including those who fled the country following the Houthi coup. We also know that many Yemeni citizens have Russian spouses and children, which is another significant factor.

We are grateful to the Russian people and leadership for their support and hope that the Russia-Arab Summit will serve as a milestone, further advancing relations between the Arab world and Russia. We also wish to see the Russian Embassy in Aden reopen shortly. Our efforts are focused on rebuilding state institutions, which will contribute to restoring peace.

We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for its efforts to support peace in our country. Unfortunately, the Houthi movement staged a coup. We still believe in peace and in the restoration of stability.

Thank you for the invitation, Mr President. Russia-Yemen relations demonstrate that we have numerous joint projects, including hospitals built by the USSR. There are tens of thousands of alumni of Russian universities, including our Defence Minister, who graduated from a Soviet military academy. One of my delegation members is also a Russian alumnus.

We intend to develop our relations further.

Thank you very much.

<...>

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Greetings to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev

Vladimir Putin sent greetings to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the country's national holiday, Independence Day.

May 28, 2025

09:00

The message reads, in part:

"Your country has been making steady progress in its socioeconomic development and is increasingly respected around the world.

Russia and Azerbaijan share friendly, allied relations. I am convinced that by working together we can further expand our constructive bilateral cooperation and partnership ties in international affairs. This fully meets the interests of our nations and will contribute to strengthening security and stability in the South Caucasus and the Caspian Region."

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, Moscow, May 28, 2025

28 May 2025 15:15

896-28-05-2025

Mr Shoigu,

Colleagues,

High guests,

It is a great honour and privilege for me to take the floor at the plenary session of the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, and to share with you our Ministry's vision, tell you about our work in the context of the vibrant processes unfolding around the world, and the way we have been acting on the instructions we receive from the President of the Russian Federation and in keeping with his assessments and directives.

It is rejoicing that your forum has become a regular event and has been attracting a lot of attention and interest from around the world, even among those who are not represented here - in fact, they can be even more interested than many others. This reflects the objective historical trend, which consists of the Global Majority becoming increasingly aware of the need to have a place it deserves in international affairs.

There are many people in this room representing the Global South and East. These countries are becoming increasingly vocal when discussing and addressing the most urgent and key challenges the world is facing today. This reflects a tectonic shift in international politics, which took place over the past years and continues to this day. It primarily consists of an accelerated emergence of a multipolar world order, as well as new centres of development across the Eurasian continent, Africa and Latin America taking on a bigger role in the global distribution of power.

The West has started to recognise this new objective reality. However, instead of approaching these developments as an objective reality, there are quite a few people in the United States and especially in Europe who view multipolarity as a challenge or even a threat rather than something good. They view it as something threatening their infamous rules-based order, i.e., a framework the West has been trying to impose in the aftermath of the Cold War in the pursuit of its selfish interests. They have been acting in bad faith in an effort to impose a narrative describing the multipolar world order as nothing short of chaos or a war of all against all.

We cannot agree with a vision of this kind. It fails to reflect the actual state of affairs. We believe that these Western approaches are at odds with reality. For example, the West keeps talking about inevitable great power rivalry or even clashes between them. This idea fails the reality test. Take the relations between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, which are two neighbouring great powers. Leaders of China and the Russian Federation believe that the centuries-old relations between their countries have been gathering positive momentum and have reached their all-time high. In terms of the nature of these relations, they go far beyond the usual alliances of the past and offer an advanced interaction framework.

Russia's special privileged strategic partnership with another great Eurasian civilisation, India, is another case in point. My country also maintains mutually respectful, mutually beneficial and trust-based relations within BRICS, as well as dozens of other countries in the Global South and East willing to work with this grouping.

BRICS exemplifies constructive multilateral cooperation among major international actors and their partners representing various continents, cultures and religions. It has firmly established itself as one of the pillars of a multipolar world order and a champion of the Global Majority on the international stage.

Upholding international law and seeking guidance from the principles of equality and neighbourly relations, as well as mutual respect and taking into account each other's interests guarantees peace and stability. If we are serious about ensuring stability within the system of international relations, we must realise that much will depend on making the West renounce efforts to impose its destructive and illegitimate ideological tenets and start abiding by the principles set forth in the UN Charter in good faith. It must honour these principles in their entirety and interdependence, instead of adopting a selective approach. This is what Europe and the United States have grown used to doing having come to believe in their exceptionality and infallibility.

Multipolarity has cast a bright light on the wisdom of the UN founding fathers, who created that global organisation on the fundamental principle of the sovereign equality of states.

Compliance with that principle guarantees respect for the legitimate rights and national interests of all states regardless of their size, demographic and resource potential or strength. If we look at the chronology and history of conflicts, we will see that the West did not respect the sovereign equality of states in a single conflict or crisis after the UN was established on the basis of the unanimous approval of that principle. I repeat, not in a single of them. I invite you to look at leisure at the history of the conflicts over the past 80 years.

This Western position invariably provoked new crises in international relations. The West's selective approach to the principles of the UN Charter manifested itself especially bluntly during the Ukraine crisis. We consider it unacceptable that the West and the leaders of the UN Secretariat and other international organisations are fixated on the principle of territorial integrity while completely disregarding the right of nations to self-determination.

I would like to remind everyone that the right of nations to self-determination provided the international legal basis for the process of decolonisation, which has brought freedom to a vast number of countries in Africa and other parts of the world.

The international community has provided an exhaustive answer to the deceptive legal collision between the principle of territorial integrity and the right of nations to self-determination. In 1970, following many years of discussions, the UN General Assembly adopted a consensus Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the UN Charter. Its relevant part clearly states that all countries must respect the territorial integrity of those countries whose governments respect the principle of self-determination and therefore represent the entire population residing within the borders of the territory in question. Does the Kiev regime, which launched a war against its own people after the February 2014 coup, represent the population of Crimea and the southeastern regions of Ukraine? Definitely not.

Likewise, in 1960s the London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin and Brussels colonisers did not represent the interests of African peoples, who wanted their governments to be elected rather than imposed on them from abroad.

The same story took place after the state coup in large regions of the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Nazi regime, which came to power after the state coup, has been trampling on the rights of Russians and Russian speakers for many years. Over the past years, starting in the middle of the 2010s, they have been waging an open legislative war of extermination against everything associated with the Russian World and Russia. They adopted laws categorically prohibiting the Russian language, culture, traditions and Russian-language media.

In 2024, they adopted a law banning canonical Orthodoxy, the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This has grossly violated another fundamental principle of respect for human rights for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion, set out in Article 1 of the UN Charter. It is notable that the West likes to lecture the overwhelming majority of states represented here, with or without reason, on respect for human rights in the Western sense of the phrase.

Reread the statements on Ukraine made by Western leaders after the coup. They never mentioned the phrase "human rights" at all. Moreover, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, other Brussels functionaries and NATO officials are openly speaking about the need to increase aid to Ukraine because Ukraine is allegedly defending "European values." It appears that European values boil down to eradicating national identities, in this instance, the Russian and Russian speaking people. Even in the Middle East, Israel has not prohibited Arabic in its territory, and Hebrew is not prohibited in the Palestinian territories.

The language policy is the same in other parts of the world where ethnic communities that do not mix well nevertheless live in peace with each other.

Most recently, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos proudly announced that Ukraine had satisfied all preliminary requirements to commence accession negotiations with the European Union. These are the European values that in reality mean actual implementation of the ideology of Nazism.

At the initiative of US President Donald Trump, with support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia's leadership, we established direct contact with Ukrainian representatives. On May 16 in Istanbul, direct talks on all settlement-related issues resumed. While we had long been prepared for the talks, Ukraine previously declined to participate. It was also constrained to join the process by its masters, primarily in Europe. During these talks, we insisted on repealing all discriminatory legislation and will maintain this position in the next round of direct talks, which will be announced shortly.

I want to underscore that Russia has consistently - both in the years preceding the special military operation and after it started - proposed, and continues to propose, that the Ukrainian side settle all issues (which grow increasingly acute with every year) through dialogue and diplomacy. We are grateful to those governments that have facilitated the resumption of talks without preconditions.

Talks are better than war. But we remain profoundly convinced that success requires eliminating the root causes of this conflict, as President of Russia Vladimir Putin has consistently emphasised. I have just mentioned one such cause, which is the legislative deprivation of tens of millions of people of their right to their mother tongue, traditions, culture, faith, history and, finally, the memory of their ancestors who inhabited these lands for centuries, founded cities and industries, buildt ports, and developed these territories. Today, the Kiev regime is dismantling monuments, including those to Catherine the Great and her supporters who shaped eastern Ukraine, the modern southern Ukraine, as well as memorials to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War who liberated Ukraine and then Europe from the Nazi plague.

There is another equally critical root cause. This concerns the persistent efforts to drag Ukraine into NATO. As I have repeatedly stated, the conflict in Ukraine (and more fundamentally, the profound security crisis across Europe) was triggered precisely by NATO's aggressive eastward expansion over decades that was in direct contravention of the solemn assurances by American and European leaders to both Soviet and Russian leadership regarding the alliance's non-expansion.

The expansion represented a breach of these commitments (described by some as verbal agreements) and of the obligations endorsed at the highest level during the OSCE summits in Europe, the 1999 Istanbul summit and the 2010 Astana summit. The clear statement was, security must remain indivisible and equal, with no single nation or a group of nations permitted to claim dominance across the OSCE space.

NATO proceeded precisely as expressly prohibited. When we challenged our Western counterparts about their violation of the commitments made by their presidents and prime ministers, their response was, it had been merely a political declaration while legal security guarantees would be extended only to those who requested NATO membership. This demonstrates the hypocrisy and misrepresentation, without overstatement, that we have to confront.

Naturally, we were compelled to respond. As President of Russia Vladimir Putin has consistently emphasised, we have made repeated efforts to steer this situation toward negotiating an agreement on equal security, in order to secure this principle formally. However, the West refuses. Our most recent attempt was made in December 2021. Once again, as President Putin articulated, this left us with no alternative but to defend the legitimate security interests of the Russian Federation and safeguard the legitimate interests of the populations whom we had no right to abandon in the hands of the Kiev regime.

As for the NATO membership plans for Ukraine, I will remind you that the country's neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free status was solemnly proclaimed in its Declaration of Independence adopted in 1991. That commitment - the proclamation of a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free status for all time - has actually made it possible for the Russian Federation and all other members of the international community to recognise Ukraine as an independent state. A return to that commitment, which the Nazi regime in Kiev tried to violate (and even amended the Constitution to be able to change its nuclear-free status), is one of Russia's key demands that must be met in any settlement agreement to be reached, as stipulated at the talks in Istanbul in April 2022, when this requirement was written down on paper before the negotiations were disrupted by the Anglo-Saxons and other masterminds of the war against Russia.

However, NATO does not seem to have learned any lessons from this whole situation. We are watching with concern as the alliance is reinforcing its contingents along the entire line of contact with Russia. Let me also note that this line became significantly longer when the once neutral Sweden and Finland joined the alliance. There is no way of knowing why they were suddenly discontented with their long-time neutral status.

Certain irresponsible politicians in Europe have become increasingly vocal calling on the population to tighten their belts and prepare for war with Russia. They are even mentioning specific dates, like 2027 or 2030. We were alarmed by a recent statement by the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who pledged to turn Germany into what he called the leading military power in Europe again. This immediately reminded many people of the two periods in the 20th century when Germany indeed was the top military power in Europe - and what happened when it was, and how much grief it brought to the people in Europe and beyond.

As if that was not enough for NATO strategists, the alliance is now taking steps to operate outside its area of responsibility, seeking to move into the Asia-Pacific region - the Indo-Pacific, as they call it - threatening to undermine the ASEAN-centric security architecture that has developed there over decades and allowed the countries in the region and their partners in different parts of the world to successfully cooperate. This causes deep concern for the future of ASEAN and the future well-being of its member states.

When NATO officials like former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg are asked why a defensive alliance like NATO, which is officially aimed at defending the territory of its member states, would conceive such plans for the Asia-Pacific region, Stoltenberg answered without missing a beat that those plans are about defending the member states, because their territories are being threatened from the Indo-Pacific today - from the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and Southeast Asia.

You can see NATO deploying its military infrastructure there. This reflects in interaction between Washington and Seoul, which are planning certain measures, also with a nuclear component. You can see new three-party and four-party formats created there, such as South Korea-Japan-New Zealand and Australia. They are trying to extend the AUKUS arrangement to other closed bloc-type configurations and are openly trying to pull certain member countries away from ASEAN and make them part of their reckless narrow-bloc initiatives in that region.

We are ready to show solidarity with our ASEAN friends in every possible way in upholding the architecture that was approved at the East Asia summits, and which they are now trying to destroy. Practical experience shows that if NATO approaches you, you must expect trouble. The former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya and many other countries remember it all too well.

Particular concern is caused by the situation in the Middle East - this strategically vital region, owing to years of destructive policies pursued by Western actors, once again finds itself on the brink of destabilisation. Today, we believe it is still not too late to take urgent measures to de-escalate tensions in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Furthermore, efforts must be intensified to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations on all matters pertaining to the final status, with the aim of rectifying the historical injustice that has thus far prevented the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions.

A complex situation persists regarding the Iranian nuclear programme. By dismantling the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (a decision taken eight years ago), certain circles in Israel, the United States, and Europe sought to terminate Tehran's legitimate civilian nuclear developments, disregarding its rights under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Currently, we are observing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, wherein the principle of the right to enrichment for peaceful nuclear energy programmes remains pivotal. Judging by the parties' comments following the latest round of talks, there is hope that progress will be achieved and that the process is moving in the right direction. We wish these efforts success in the hope that outcomes satisfactory to all interested parties, including Iran, will be reached.

In his address to this distinguished assembly, President of Russia Vladimir Putin emphasised the significance of this year as the 80th anniversary of the defeat of German Nazism and Japanese militarism, as well as the establishment of the modern world order - with the UN at its core - following the Second World War.

We advocate for the creation, under current conditions, of a global security architecture rooted in the objective trends of multipolarity, the emergence of new growth centres, and one that guarantees equal conditions for the peaceful development of all states without exception. Let me reiterate: the foundation for this already exists - the UN Charter. What is required is for all to adhere to it in good faith.

A crucial step towards the goal of global security is the formation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security on the Eurasian continent - the most expansive and resource-rich region, the stability of which underpins the resilience of a multipolar world. Yet, unlike Africa, which has the African Union, or Latin America, with CELAC, Eurasia lacks a comprehensive regional organisation.

In this context, President Vladimir Putin has proposed an initiative to establish a Eurasian security architecture, inviting all states and associations on the continent - including those in Western Eurasia - to participate in discussions on its formation. In our view, this must be a distinctly Eurasian architecture, as Euro-Atlantic concepts - applied to the European part of the continent over the decades following the Second World War and throughout the Cold War - have discredited themselves. NATO has violated every conceivable commitment it has undertaken. The OSCE has become dysfunctional due to Western countries and the OSCE Secretariat leadership abandoning their obligations under foundational documents, including the principles of consensus and impartiality. The European Union, having signed a subordinate agreement with NATO a few years ago, has effectively aligned itself with Euro-Atlantic schemes.

Russia proceeds from the understanding that our continent is already witnessing the formation of what President Vladimir Putin has termed the Greater Eurasian Partnership. This is evident in the alignment of integration processes within the EAEU, SCO, ASEAN, China's Belt and Road Initiative, and other subregional structures - including those in the Persian Gulf and the South Asian peninsula.

Numerous subregional organisations exist. Harmonising these integration processes will lay a solid material foundation for discussions on security architecture.

Russia does not seek to impose anything on anyone and is ready to engage in mutually respectful dialogue with everyone. We will keep perfecting the existing security mechanisms and put them to use as part of our engagement with the CSTO, CIS, and the SCO. We advocate novel principles in our bilateral ties with our partners and allies, and these principles will facilitate the emergence of a pan-continental architecture. In this context, allow me to mention the Treaty between Russia and Belarus on Security Guarantees within the Union State, as well as Russia's comprehensive strategic partnership treaties with the DPRK and Iran.

I would like to place a special emphasis on the fact that from a conceptual standpoint, all the steps we make and the initiatives we take echo the Global Security Initiative as presented by President of the PRC Xi Jinping. This includes its instrumental provision which talks about identifying and addressing the root causes of any conflicts, no matter where they happen around the world, as a key to resolving them.

We believe that the next step would be to draft a Eurasian Charter for Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. Belarus put forward this draft document, and Russia supported it. It sets forth political and legal principles governing interstate relations across the Eurasian space while also describing the way they must cooperate in general in a multipolar world order by fully adhering to the UN Charter and considering the complementary nature of the principles it sets forth.

Colleagues,

Russia is firm in its commitment to bringing about solutions for overcoming challenges the world is facing today. In this context, our proactive efforts over the past years to promote cooperation in ensuring international information security play a primary role. Based on the principle of sovereign equality, we made the first step in this direction by spearheading the adoption of the Convention against Cyber Crime by the UN General Assembly in December 2024. This is the first universal instrument dealing with international information security, and we were the ones who initiated it. Russia calls on all countries to join this document. The signing process will begin in Vietnam's capital next autumn.

It is our strong belief that the United Nations can keep stepping up its efforts to agree on the common universal criteria and principles in other domains, including the use of artificial intelligence, which has become a hot topic lately. We believe that the Group of Governmental Experts from the state parties of the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons must take this topic on board. This Expert Group focuses on lethal autonomous systems.

I cannot fail to mention terrorism. It was mentioned in the video, and President Vladimir Putin also raised this issue in his message. We are interested in stepping up our cooperation with everyone who does not distinguish between what they call good and bad terrorists and rejects double standards.

I would like to draw your attention to the acts of terrorism perpetrated by the Kiev regime. Its intelligence agencies have been involved in organising the killings of Russian political figures, military commanders, journalists and civil society activists. This regime has made no secret of its plans to continue the massive shelling of civilian sites and civilians in the Russian Federation.

It is disappointing that the West has been responding only to legitimate and justified retaliatory measures we have taken in response to the Kiev regime's terrorist attacks. Let me emphasise that it has been targeting civilian sites, while we focused our retaliatory strikes only on military facilities used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

We will do everything to ensure that everyone understands what is going on in order to expose the Kiev regime for its openly terrorist practices instead of trying to justify its actions.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia is aware of the responsibility it has for international relations in all their aspects on the international stage, including in terms of promoting peace, strategic stability, conflict settlement and a unifying agenda.

I wish all the participants fruitful discussions and every success in your responsible endeavours.

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Lavrov Warns of Alarming NATO Build-Up Along Russia's Border

Sputnik News

20250528

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO's build-up of its contingents along the border with Russia causes concerns, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"We are following with concern the build-up of NATO contingents along the entire line of contact with Russia. Incidentally, it has lengthened significantly since the admission of formerly neutral Sweden and Finland to the alliance, and it is unclear why they were unhappy with their life in neutral status," Lavrov said at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives in Charge of Security Issues in Moscow.

A new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will be announced soon, Lavrov.

"At these talks on May 16 in Istanbul, we insisted on the abolition of all these discriminatory laws and we will continue to do so at the next round of direct talks, which we will announce very soon," Lavrov said.

There is hope that Iran and the United States will make progress in nuclear negotiations and the process is moving in the right direction, Lavrov said.

"The right to enrichment in the framework of peaceful use of nuclear energy programs is key [in the negotiations between Iran and the United States]. Judging by the comments of the parties, following the results of the next round, there is hope that progress will be achieved and that everything is moving in the right direction," Lavrov said.

At the same time, the situation around the Iranian nuclear program remains difficult, the minister added.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Rubio's Phone Call with Russia Foreign Minister Lavrov

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

May 28, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Secretary Rubio welcomed Russia and Ukraine's exchange of "1,000-for-1,000" prisoners over the weekend. The Secretary reiterated President Trump's calls for constructive, good faith dialogue with Ukraine as the only path to ending this war.

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Syria: EU adopts legal acts to lift economic sanctions on Syria, enacting recent political agreement

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

28 May 2025 12:35

The Council has adopted legal acts lifting all economic restrictive measures on Syria,with the exception of those based on security grounds. The adoption formalises the political decision announced on 20 May 2025, and aims at supporting the Syrian people in reuniting and rebuilding a new, inclusive, pluralistic and peaceful Syria.

As part of the same approach, the Council has also removed 24 entities from the EU list of those subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources. Several of these entities are banks, including the Central Bank of Syria, or companies operating in key sectors for Syria's economic recovery -such as oil production and refining, cotton, and telecommunications- while others are media and tv outlets.

This decision is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria's recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians. The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, and it will continue to do so. Today the EU reaffirms its commitment as a partner for the transition, one that helps the Syrian people to reunite and rebuild a new, inclusive, peaceful Syria. - Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

In line with its call for accountability and its support to a peaceful transition, the Council has extended the listings of individuals and entities linked to the Assad regime until 1 June 2026.

In addition, in relation to the wave of violence that took place in Syria's coastal region in March 2025,the Council has introduced new restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, targeting two individuals and three entities for serious human rights abuses.

The Council will continue monitoring developments on the ground and stands ready to introduce further restrictive measures against human rights violators and those fueling instability in Syria.

The legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal.

Background

The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, engaging in the search for a political solution and leading financial assistance.

Following the fall of this regime, the Council on 24 February 2025 eased a number of EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in order to facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses.

On 20 May 2025, the Council affirmed its continued commitment to supporting the Syrian people and the peaceful transition by announcing the political decision to lift economic sanctions, marking a historic shift toward aiding Syria's transition and recovery following the fall of the Assad regime.

The EU has continued to reaffirm its longstanding commitment to accountability, dating back to the crimes of the Assad regime, and monitored developments on the ground, including the steps undertaken by the transitional authorities following recent violence outbreaks. The EU has also consistently expressed its readiness to engaging with Syria's transitional government and supporting a peaceful, inclusive future free from harmful foreign interference.

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Commission welcomes lifting of EU economic sanctions on Syria

European Commission

Press release

May 28, 2025

Brussels

The European Commission welcomes the Council's decision to lift EU economic sanctions on Syria. The legal acts - jointly proposed by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission, and adopted today - implement the political decision taken by the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May,with the goal of supporting the Syrian people to reunite and rebuild a new, inclusive, pluralistic and peaceful country. Today's decision, follows the suspension of a number of economic sanctions in February, and is part of EU efforts to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, as well as swift socio-economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation in the country.

With this decision, all sectoral restrictive measures are lifted, with the exception of those related to the Assad regime in line with the EU's call for accountability, as well as those related to security.

The EU stands ready to support the Syrian people in the rebuilding of their country, based on a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process that provides for its people. We remain the largest provider of international aid inside Syria and neighboring countries by mobilising over 37 billion EUR since 2011. In this moment of transition and hope,the EU reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian people. The EU will continue monitoring developments on the ground, including inclusiveness, progress on reforms and accountability with regard to recent violence outbreaks, as well as the effects of the lifting of economic sanctions.

Background

EU sanctions against Syria were introduced in 2011 in response to the violent repression against the civilian population by the Assad regime. The EU restrictive measures targeted the regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which they profited.

After the fall of the Assad regime, and guided by the European Council conclusions of 19 December 2024 and 20 March 2025, the EU supports the steps taken by the transitional authorities of Syria for an inclusive transition closely monitoring developments on the ground. This includes accountability for the Assad regime's crimes, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians without distinction or discrimination of any kind, and respect for the rule of law and international law, including the sovereign rights of EU Member States.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, the EU has adopted a gradual and reversible approach in order to support Syria's transition and economic recovery. On 24 February 2025, the EU suspended some of its economic sanctions on Syrian key economic sectors. The EU will continue to closely follow developments in the country.

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Foreign Minister Receives US Special Envoy for Syria

Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, May 28, 2025, SPA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received today US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, with whom he discussed measures to support the brotherly Syrian people on both humanitarian and economic levels and provided aid and assistance during this critical period.

-- SPA

16:06 Local Time 13:06 GMT

0055

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Lai urges deeper Taiwan-U.S. ties, 'non-red' supply chain cooperation

ROC Central News Agency

05/28/2025 11:27 AM

Taipei, May 28 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () on Tuesday reiterated Taiwan's commitment to deepening economic ties with the United States, highlighting the island's desire to work with Washington in building a "non-red" supply chain.

During a meeting with a U.S. congressional delegation in Taipei, Lai said Taiwan would continue to purchase American goods, including energy, agricultural and industrial products and even military equipment.

Such purchases would help balance bilateral trade between the two sides and bolster Taiwan's economic security, Lai said, clearly trying to signal his government's desire to meet the demands of the Trump administration in ongoing negotiations over the threat of tariffs.

Speaking with the delegation led by House of Representatives member Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Lai emphasized Taiwan's willingness to play a role in supporting U.S. efforts to re-industrialize and become a global leader in artificial intelligence.

He said Taiwan hopes to strengthen industrial cooperation with the U.S. and jointly develop a "non-red" supply chain, referring to manufacturing networks free from Chinese influence.

Westerman, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, said his delegation was keenly interested in the outcome of trade negotiations over tariffs between Taipei and Washington and expressed optimism about expanding future collaboration.

The trade talks followed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement in early April that his administration would impose "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from about 185 countries and territories, including a blanket 32 percent levy on Taiwanese goods.

Trump later suspended the tariffs for 90 days and instead imposed a reduced 10 percent duty on most imports, giving countries time to negotiate settlements.

Joining Westerman at the meeting in the Presidential Office were House members Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Celeste Maloy (R-UT) and Nick Begich (R-AK), all of whom are also members of the House Natural Resources Committee.

The delegation arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday and is scheduled to conclude its visit on Thursday.

(By Wen Kuei-hsiang and Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ls

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American senator Duckworth in Taiwan as part of Indo-Pacific tour

ROC Central News Agency

05/28/2025 11:17 AM

Taipei, May 28 (CNA) United States Senator Tammy Duckworth is in Taiwan on her fourth visit since becoming a member of Congress in 2017, during which she will meet with President Lai Ching-te () and other top officials to exchange views on regional security issues.

During her brief stay until Thursday, Duckworth will also meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim () and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () and visit various agencies to discuss defense, economic, and cross-Taiwan Strait issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a press release.

Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, Purple Heart recipient and former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, last visited Taiwan in May 2024 soon after President Lai and Vice President Hsiao were sworn in as Taiwan's new president and vice president.

She also announced a U.S. donation of COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan during her June 2021 visit when Taiwan was in desperate need of vaccines at the height of the pandemic, MOFA said, praising her as a staunch supporter of Taiwan.

Duckworth's visit means there are currently three American delegations in Taiwan, the others being a delegation from the House of Representatives led by House Committee on Natural Resources chairman Bruce Westerman and one led by Guam Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero.

Meanwhile, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties, said in a separate press release Wednesday that Duckworth's group is visiting Taiwan as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region.

"The delegation will engage in a series of high-level meetings with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other significant issues of mutual interest," AIT said.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Taiwan monitors Chinese aircraft carrier ahead of reported drills

ROC Central News Agency

05/28/2025 03:31 PM

Taipei, May 28 (CNA) Taiwan's military said Wednesday it was closely monitoring the movements of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) near the island, after the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning () was spotted in waters off Taiwan amid reports of potential upcoming military drills.

Colonel Hu Chung-hua (), an intelligence officer at the Ministry of National Defense's Office of Deputy Chief of General Staff for Intelligence, said Wednesday the Liaoning was in waters off Taiwan's southeast coast but did not reveal how close the aircraft carrier was.

He said Taiwan's armed forces are closely monitoring the situation with joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, and have deployed forces in response -- regardless of whether the PLA plans to launch new military drills.

Colonel Su Tung-wei (), deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense's General Staff Operations and Planning Department, said the military will respond based on the level of threat posed by the PLA.

Su added that the military will also decide whether to adjust its preparedness level to safeguard national security.

The two senior officials made the remarks at a regular MND news briefing on Wednesday, in response to a question about reports that the PLA could soon launch military exercises near Taiwan, with the Liaoning now approaching the country.

Multiple local news outlets reported Tuesday that the Liaoning was heading to the western Pacific east of Taiwan and could conduct military exercises there later this week during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday from Friday to Sunday.

Also Wednesday, the MND said 41 PLA aircraft and vessels were detected around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Among them, 22 Chinese naval vessels were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait during this period.

On Sunday, Japan's Defense Ministry announced that the Liaoning was spotted sailing in the East China Sea near the Senkaku Islands, conducting fighter jet takeoff and landing drills from the carrier.

According to the ministry, this is the first time Japan has detected takeoffs and landings of fighter jets from a Chinese aircraft carrier sailing in the East China Sea.

Controlled by Japan, the Senkaku Islands -- known in Taiwan as the Diaoyutai Islands -- are located in the disputed East China Sea and are also claimed by both Taiwan and China.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb

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Taiwan Affairs Office condemns unfair treatment of mainland spouses in Taiwan, vows accountability for 'Taiwan independence' perpetrators

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 28, 2025 02:41 PM

When asked about the recent incidents of mainland spouses of Taiwan residents facing unfair treatment in the Taiwan island, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Straits share the same roots and are one family.

He said that these incidents infringe upon and harm the legal rights and interests of mainland spouses.

Chen said that regarding the "Taiwan independence" agents who persecute mainland spouses, "we will hold them accountable and impose severe penalties according to the law."

He also urged the Taiwan authorities to act fairly and justly, refrain from political manipulation that interferes with normal judicial processes, and effectively safeguard the rights and interests of mainland spouses in Taiwan.

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Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson responds to Lai Ching-te's omission of cross-Straits relations in May 20 address

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 28, 2025 02:31 PM

In response to a question regarding Lai Ching-te's May 20 address, which made no mention of cross-Straits relations and instead focused on strengthening Taiwan-US ties, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Wednesday that no matter whether the Taiwan region's leader addresses the topic or not, or what is said and how it is said, none of it can change the fact and status that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can it alter the direction and pace of the development of cross-Straits relations.

Even less can it stop the historic trend that the motherland will and must be reunified, Chen said.

Chen said that he had already commented on the remarks made that day by the Taiwan region's leader, as well as on remarks made in prior media interviews, and made the position and attitude clear.

He emphasized that "Taiwan independence" separatism is fundamentally incompatible with peace across the Taiwan Straits, and confrontation run counter to dialogue and exchanges.

Only by stopping provocative acts of seeking "independence" can there be room for improvement in cross-Straits relations; only by strengthening cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation can tensions in the Taiwan Straits be eased; and only by recognizing that both sides of the Straits belong to one China can there be a foundation for cross-Straits consultation and dialogue, Chen added.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite with the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots, firmly oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference, actively expand cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation, continuously deepen cross-Straits integrated development, and work together with one heart to create a bright future of national reunification and national rejuvenation," Chen said.

Answering another question related to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities on the Taiwan island having been found to organize cyberattacks targeting a tech company in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, Chen said on Wednesday that the public security authorities have already issued a detailed report, noting he had nothing more to add.

In recent years, under the direction of the DPP authorities, the "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" has frequently carried out activities such as cyberattacks and theft of secrets, "Taiwan independence" propaganda and system sabotage against mainland networks, causing interference in the security of mainland cyberspace and other activities, which are extremely bad in nature, Chen said.

Chen said that the public security organs will resolutely safeguard national security and the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and the people, and will, in accordance with the law, place a public wanted notice on the above-mentioned persons and resolutely crack down on them through various judicial channels.

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Mainland official slams the DPP for 'selling out' Taiwan to appease US

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 28, 2025 11:47 AM

A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday slammed the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' shameless attempt to sell out Taiwan region's interests to appease the US, warning that continuously making concessions will lead to full exploitation of Taiwan by the US.

Chen Binhua, the spokesperson, made the remarks at a press briefing on Wednesday morning, when asked to comment on a recent claim made by a Taiwan regional official that the region will further expand investment in the US to help "make America great again," which caused an uproar in public opinion on the island.

"This once again proves that the Lai Ching-te authorities have become shameless in kneeling in submission and currying favor with the US by selling out Taiwan," Chen said.

Chen stated that in the face of the US' abuse of tariffs, with the island's development rights and interests seriously damaged, the DPP authorities lack not only the courage to say "no" to economic bullying, but also the ability to safeguard the legitimate interests of enterprises and people on the island. Instead, they continue to try to fawn on the US at the expense of the island's advantageous industries, people's well-being and economic prospects, he noted.

"If the DPP authorities keep making concessions, the inevitable result will be that the US will keep demanding more and Taiwan will be completely exploited," the spokesperson said.

Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean and a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the DPP authorities' attempt to sell out Taiwan's interests to appease Washington has already resulted in huge losses, citing the example of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC).

In April, TSMC reported significant losses at its plant in Arizona, the US, and robust profits on the Chinese mainland. According to its latest annual shareholder report, the Arizona plant suffered a loss of 14.3 billion New Taiwan dollars ($440 million) last year, marking the highest annual loss since TSMC began investing in US manufacturing, according to Xinhua.

"TSMC and other companies have suffered greatly. If DPP authorities continue to follow the US' lead in the future, the regional economy will suffer a more serious blow," Zhang said.

In stark contrast, TSMC's operations on the Chinese mainland continued to deliver robust performance. The Nanjing plant alone generated a profit of 25.95 billion New Taiwan dollars in 2024, with a total profit of more than 80 billion over the past four years, Xinhua reported.

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Mainland slams Rubio's claim on 'deterrence for China begins with Taiwan's own self-defense capabilities'

Global Times

By Global Times Published: May 28, 2025 12:51 PM

When asked to comment on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's claim that "deterrence for China obviously begins with Taiwan's own self-defense capabilities," as well as US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo's claims of "existing plans to deter and stop a military invasion from the Chinese mainland", and his advocacy for creating a "hellish scenario" in response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that some individuals in the US have ulterior motives to hype "China military threat" narrative.

This is merely an excuse to interfere in Taiwan affairs and a means for the US military-industrial complex to profit, according to Chen.

Their claims repeatedly prove that the US always prioritizes "American interests first." Their actions are detrimental to the Taiwan island and aim to turn Taiwan residents into cannon fodder, Chen said.

Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and we will never allow any force to turn the Taiwan island into a "hell," he added.

The US should adhere to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, stop sending any erroneous signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and cease fueling tensions in the Taiwan Straits.

When asked to comment on the article in the US magazine Foreign Affairs that the US should clarify its position against "Taiwan independence", including publicly criticizing the claims and actions of Taiwan's regional leader that imply "Taiwan independence", Chen said that "We express appreciation for these rational voices," adding that an increasing number of foreign experts and scholars have recently voiced their concerns and criticisms regarding Lai Ching-te's intentions for "Taiwan independence".

Chen said he hopes that more insightful individuals will recognize that the fundamental reason for the current complex and severe situation in the Taiwan Straits is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and their stubborn adherence to the "Taiwan independence" stance and continuously colluding with external forces to pursue separatist provocations.

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Mainland spokesperson reiterates one-China principle after "merger" analogy by Taiwan leader

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:00, May 28, 2025

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said China's sovereignty and territory have never been divided, and the fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China has never changed.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's recent comparison of reunification across the Taiwan Strait to a "corporate merger," in which he referred to the mainland as a "larger company" and Taiwan as a "smaller company."

Lai claimed that if the mainland wants to "merge with" Taiwan, it should be the one proposing terms, not Taiwan.

Achieving national reunification is a shared aspiration of Chinese compatriots and a righteous cause of the Chinese nation, Chen said, reiterating the mainland's commitment to upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus.

"We are willing to have extensive exchanges of views and in-depth consultations with all political parties, groups and people from various sectors in Taiwan on cross-Strait relations and national reunification," he said.

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Top political advisor urges joint efforts across Taiwan Strait to promote Chinese culture

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:33, May 28, 2025

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Tuesday called for joint efforts across the Taiwan Strait to promote Chinese culture.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks when he met with Taiwan guests who were in Beijing to attend the second Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit.

Noting that Chinese culture is the root and soul of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Wang called for efforts to uphold cultural confidence, jointly carry forward the spirit of Chinese culture, shoulder the historic responsibility together, and unite and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Wang said efforts should be made to promote Chinese cultural exchanges, enhance cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation across all sectors, and foster deeper spiritual alignment between compatriots on both sides.

He also called for promoting the national spirit with patriotism at its core.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery, Wang said joint efforts must be made to adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, and to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence."

He also called for jointly standing firm on the position of Chinese culture and working together to meet external challenges.

The Taiwan guests, including Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said that as Chinese, they take great pride in and have unwavering confidence in Chinese culture.

They expressed the expectation to see compatriots across the Strait uphold the one-China principle, oppose "Taiwan independence," strengthen cultural exchanges, and jointly promote national reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/05/28

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. May 27 (Tue.) to 6 a.m. May 28 (Wed.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

31 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN ships, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 22 out of 31 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1140528_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1140528_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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Ministry of National Defense Statement on the PLA's Joint Combat Readiness Patrol

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/05/28

Time: 1110 hours, May 27, 2025

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (May 27) that, starting at 0815 hours, a total of 27 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraftincluding J-16 fighter jets, KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, various combat and support aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)were successively detected conducting operations in the vicinity of Taiwan. Of these, 18 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and its extension, entering the northern, central, eastern, and southwestern airspace of Taiwan in coordination with PLA naval vessels, as part of a joint combat readiness patrol.

The Republic of China (ROC) Armed Forces closely monitored the situation using integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and responded appropriately by dispatching mission aircraft and naval vessels, and deploying shore-based missile systems.

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Chinese mainland affirms commitment to cross-Strait exchanges, cooperation

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:00, May 29, 2025

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland will continue to actively promote exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait to benefit compatriots on both sides, a mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized that the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which advocates for peace, development, enhanced exchanges and cooperation, cannot be ignored. "The desire of people across the Strait to strengthen bonds and the enthusiasm of Taiwan compatriots to participate in events like the Straits Forum cannot be suppressed," he told a regular press briefing.

Authorities are accelerating preparations for the 17th Straits Forum, with details to be announced soon, Chen added. Since its inception in 2009, the forum has served as a vital platform for fostering extensive cross-Strait interactions and cooperation.

Chen criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for imposing restrictions on people from Taiwan attending the forum, calling it another attempt to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges. "This once again exposes their malicious intent to suppress people-to-people exchanges and proves that Lai Ching-te's claims of willingness to engage with the mainland are nothing but empty words," he said.

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HMS Glasgow naming ceremony marks milestone for UK security and economy

The people and city of Glasgow have been honoured today (22 May) as the Royal Navy's most advanced anti-submarine warfare warship is officially named HMS Glasgow.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 22 May 2025

The naming ceremony at BAE Systems' shipyard in Glasgow was attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Smashing a bottle of whisky against the hull for good luck, Her Royal Highness formally named HMS Glasgow and declared the time-honoured words:

I name this ship Glasgow. May God bless her and all who serve in her.

The Type 26 frigate is the first of eight to enter service and will provide critical protection for the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.

The Type 26 programme represents a 7.9 billion investment in British shipbuilding. It directly supports 2,000 jobs in Scotland, including apprenticeships, at BAE Systems' Govan and Scotstoun shipyards in Glasgow, with a further 4,000 roles sustained across the wider UK supply chain until 2035.

This long-term commitment shows how defence is an engine for growth, supporting the Government's Plan for Change to grow the economy, particularly in Scotland.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

HMS Glasgow represents the best of British engineering and shipbuilding. The warship will serve as a formidable defender of our national security and a powerful asset for NATO in an increasingly dangerous world. The shipbuilding programme supports thousands of highly-skilled jobs in Scotland and across the UK, supporting the government's Plan for Change and reinforcing the role of defence as a powerful engine for growth.

Equipped with sophisticated weapons systems, advanced sensors and state-of-the-art communications technology, HMS Glasgow will ensure our Royal Navy makes Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

Delivering on the government's Plan for Change, the programme directly supports 1,700 skilled jobs at BAE Systems' Govan and Scotstoun shipyards in Glasgow, with a further 2,300 roles sustained across the wider UK maritime supply chain until 2035. More than 120 UK suppliers have been contracted for the programme, with BAE Systems committing to invest 1.2 billion in UK manufacturing through sub-contracts.

The warship's flexible design allows for future upgrades throughout its service life, ensuring it remains at the forefront of naval technology for decades to come. The Type-26 design has also achieved international success, having been selected by both Australia and Canada for their future frigate programmes.

This has transformed the programme into a 29-ship global endeavour across three independent national programmes, creating significant long-term opportunities for the UK supply chain and enhancing naval interoperability with key allies. This includes up to six Australian Hunter Class Frigates and up to fifteen Canadian River Class Destroyers alongside the UK's eight City class ships.

Acting 1SL and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell added:

HMS Glasgow represents a step-change in anti-submarine warfare capability for the Royal Navy. As threats beneath the waves become more sophisticated, these warships will ensure we maintain our underwater advantage and protect our most critical strategic assets for decades to come.

With HMS Glasgow expected to be operational by 2028, construction of all eight City class frigates is scheduled to be completed by the mid-2030s. They will be based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, forming the backbone of the Royal Navy's surface fleet.

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Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Kyiv: Finland and Ukraine will establish a coalition to support the construction of civil defence shelters

Finnish Government

Government Communications Department

Publication date 28.5.2025

Type:Press release

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo travelled to Kyiv on Wednesday 28 May at the invitation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

On his visit, Prime Minister Orpo also met with Speaker of Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of the Interior Yhor Klymenko and Minister of Energy German Galuschenko.

Prime Minister Orpo's discussions with the Ukrainian state leaders highlighted Finland's strong support for Ukraine, the need to increase pressure on Russia, Ukraine's path to EU membership and reconstruction.

"In the midst of this war and its brutality, Ukraine is rebuilding, it has already begun. Finns' support for Ukraine is unwavering and very much appreciated. This has been palpable in all our meetings," said Prime Minister Orpo.

The prime ministers also discussed the plans and actions Finnish companies have put in place to support Ukraine and its reconstruction.

Development of civil defence system an important area of cooperation

At the meeting in Kyiv, Finland and Ukraine announced a new civil defence coalition project to be led jointly by Finland and Ukraine. From Ukraine's perspective, protecting the population and developing the civil defence system is one of the most important areas of civil cooperation with Finland. Ukraine aims to build over 10,000 new civil defence shelters over the next ten years.

Because of Finland's strong expertise in civil defence, Ukraine has asked Finland to assume a leading role in developing the country's civil defence shelters and in establishing and overseeing the operations of the civil defence coalition. On Wednesday, the prime ministers signed a declaration establishing the coalition.

"This marks an important milestone in our cooperation, in the development of civil defence shelters and in the utilisation of Finland's expertise. We invite our international partners to join the coalition and support the construction of civil defence shelters in Ukraine in line with the country's national objectives," said Prime Minister Orpo.

The prime ministers also signed a bilateral joint declaration on Wednesday, which supports the wider agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between Finland and Ukraine signed in spring 2024. In addition, they signed an intergovernmental agreement on a project to support the education sector, outlining the implementation, responsibilities, principles and scope of the bilateral project to reform general upper secondary education.

Also on Wednesday, Finland and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, clean technologies, energy efficiency and flexible energy systems. The Memorandum of Understanding was drawn up at the initiative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and was signed on behalf of the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment by Ambassador Tarja Fernandez.

Prime Minister Orpo's programme in Kyiv also included laying a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for the Fallen for Ukraine at Mykhailivska Square.

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US and Russia's war of words throws their relations into spotlight as US president warns his Russian counterpart 'playing with fire'

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: May 28, 2025 08:30 PM

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows no immediate signs of ending, US President Donald Trump has issued a series of sharply worded posts, taking direct aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In perhaps his harshest rhetoric yet against Putin, Trump lashed out at the Kremlin on Tuesday saying that Putin is "playing with fire," which is a reference to Russia's escalating bombardment of Ukraine in recent days despite of Washington's efforts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, the Washington Post reported.

"What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Tuesday morning, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

In response to Trump's latest post saying Putin "playing with fire", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said "Regarding Trump's words about Putin 'playing with fire' and 'really bad things' happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing  WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!" according to a post Medvedev published on Wednesday on X platform.

Trump on Sunday already made harsh remarks on both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week, Xinhua reported.

The frustration appears to have boiled over this week, the Washington Post reported, noting that Trump also suggested on Tuesday that he had been shielding Putin from tough consequences related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov chalked Trump's harsh rhetoric up to "emotional overload" experienced by the US president in light of the very complicated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine that have gotten underway, RT reported.

Trump's recent criticism of Russia is closely tied to the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly the intensifying drone warfare between the two countries as Russian missile and drone attacks have resulted in Ukrainian civilian casualties, triggering growing public and political pressure within the US, Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"Having previously promised to 'quickly end the conflict,' Trump is now facing growing pressure," Zhang said, noting that facing scrutiny from both political opponents and media, he is compelled to respond, a move driven by domestic political considerations.

The Russian Armed Forces delivered a series of strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial sites over the past few days in retaliation to Kiev's massive UAV attacks on Russia's civilian facilities, TASS reported, citing the Defense Ministry of Russia on Tuesday.

Citing people familiar with the matter, CNN reported on Tuesday that the US government is considering moving ahead with new sanctions on Moscow in the coming days as the US leader vents his fury at the state of the conflict.

Politico reported on Tuesday that Trump is losing patience with Putin, quoting an unnamed administration official that "Putin is getting dangerously close to burning the golden bridge that Trump has set out before him." And several Republican lawmakers are now encouraging Trump's sanction threats, Politico said.

The latest bitter exchanges between the US and Russia also happened amid Moscow and Washington are coordinating the details of a previously agreed prisoner exchange, Xinhua reported.

During a press briefing after his talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had agreed to arrange a prisoner swap during their latest call. "For obvious reasons, the details are being coordinated by the relevant authorities," Lavrov said, according to Xinhua.

Lavrov also said on Wednesday that Russia will announce the next round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in the nearest future, Reuters reported.

Despite the harsh tone of Trump's remarks, they are unlikely to cause fundamental damage to US-Russia relations in the absence of concrete sanctions or punitive measures, Zhang said, noting that the interactions between the two countries are expected to remain in a fragile but relatively still manageable state.

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Denys Shmyhal addresses implementation of projects in economy and defense with Finnish entrepreneurs

Ukraine Government

Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 28 May 2025 21:05

Today, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed the implementation of projects in the fields of economy, education and defense with representatives of Finnish businesses.

At the BRAVE1 Defense Tech Exhibition, Heads of Government of Ukraine and Finland, Denys Shmyhal and Petteri Orpo, and entrepreneurs toured the exhibits including FPV drones, copters, scout vehicles, robots, maritime drones, and other advanced weapons. The event was also attended by Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development/Minister of Digital Transformation.

Particular attention was paid to a new development - a Ukrainian turret controlled by artificial intelligence and designed to enhance air defense of the country, providing protection against cruise missiles and drones.

Denys Shmyhal emphasized that in the face of constant shelling, this is critical to the security of the state, its economy and communities. He called on Finnish companies to invest in the development of Ukrainian weapons.

"Yesterday, the EU Council approved the SAFE instrument, which provides for the possibility of borrowing up to EUR 150 billion for investments in the defense industry of member states. Under the initiative, the Ukrainian defense industry will have a chance to be involved on an equal footing with the defense industries of the EU member states. And our unique defense cluster Brave1 can become an extremely promising niche for cooperation between companies of the two countries," the Head of Government emphasized.

Another important topic of the Prime Minister's conversation with Finnish entrepreneurs was the involvement in the process of rebuilding the country.

"We want to work closely together to ensure that Finnish investments and the best technological solutions become the basis for the effective reconstruction and development of our country, in particular in the areas of telecommunications, natural resources management, construction and energy," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.

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Ukraine and Finland launch international Civil Protection Shelter Coalition to support Ukraine

Ukraine Government

Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 28 May 2025 19:44

Ukraine and Finland are launching an international Civil Protection Shelter Coalition to support our country.

The relevant statement was signed today, May 28, in Kyiv by the Prime Ministers of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and of Finland Petteri Orpo.

According to the Head of the Ukrainian Government, the creation of the above initiative is aimed at coordinating the efforts of partners in the construction of shelters, ensuring the exchange of best practices in this area and creating financing mechanisms for the construction of civil protection facilities.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Ukraine Facility programme having been launched by the European Union could become one of the possible support tools.

As of today, according to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine has more than 62,000 shelters but needs more. In addition, a number of facilities need to be modernized and upgraded.

"The Government is busy implementing a strategy to build shelters. Our goal is to construct 2,300 civil defense facilities by 2027, and another 3,000 by 2030. We expect to raise about EUR 14 billion for the construction of shelters through the Coalition's activities," he emphasized.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine called on the international community to join the Coalition and contribute to the development of protective structures in Ukraine.

"We are grateful to the Government of Finland for its support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people who are bravely fighting for their independence and freedom against the russian aggressor," said Denys Shmyhal.

Joint Statement between the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Finland on the Launch of the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition for Ukraine ( .docx , 15.76  ) (English version)

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Drone Coalition expands and gets stronger - new member states join, 2.75 billion allocated to support Ukraine

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence

05/28/2025 - 12:28

International cooperation

Information prepared by Media Relations Section

On Wednesday, May 28, during the Drone Summit, Minister of Defence of Republic of Latvia Andris Spruds announced that Turkey and Belgium have expressed their intention to join the international Drone Coalition led by Latvia and the United Kingdom in support of Ukraine. Coalition member states have also committed to allocating 2.75 billion this year to support Ukraine.

"The international Drone Coalition is becoming increasingly stronger - we will be able to deliver more drones to Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening the defence industries of Latvia, the EU, and NATO countries. Our strength lies in unity, so new allies joining the coalition will enable us to provide Ukraine with the much-needed support in its fight against the aggressor," emphasized defence minister Spruds.

The defence minister also noted that coalition member states have collectively contributed approximately 180 million to the UK-led joint Drone Coalition procurement fund. Fund is intended for centralized drone technology procurements alongside each coalition member state's national support measures.

Latvia's planned support within the Drone Coalition this year is 20 million, allocated for drone purchases, with an additional 10 million earmarked for cooperation projects between Latvian and Ukrainian industries. Last year, Latvia also allocated 20 million for Ukraine support, delivering nearly 5,000 combat drones of various capacities.

Since the Drone Coalition's establishment on February 14, 2024, its member states have provided significant support to Ukraine - reaching 1.8 billion in 2024 alone. In 2025, a total of 2.75 billion is planned to be allocated for Ukraine's support, meaning that over two years the coalition has allocated 4.5 billion to Ukraine.

Drone coalition consists of 18 official member states that have signed the Letter of Intent: Latvia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and Sweden.

According to the Drone Coalition's memorandum of understanding, the admission of new countries must be agreed upon by existing coalition member states. With Belgium and Turkey joining, the Drone Coalition will encompass 20 countries.

MoD Military Public Affairs Department

Media Relations Section

Phone: 67335067

E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv

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UN Commission concludes that Russian armed forces' drone attacks against civilians in Kherson Province amount to crimes against humanity of murder

Press releases

Independent investigation

28 May 2025

GENEVA / VIENNA, 28 May 2025 -- Russian armed forces have committed murder of civilians as crimes against humanity using drones, concludes the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in a new report.

From July 2024, Russian forces have recurrently killed and injured civilians in an area stretching over more than 100 kilometres along the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Province. The drone attacks have been widespread, systematic and conducted as part of a coordinated state policy, the report said.

The attacks followed a regular pattern and the same modus operandi, demonstrating that they were planned, directed, and organized. There is no information suggesting that Russian military and civilian authorities have taken any steps to prevent or stop the commission of the crimes.

Nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more injured as a result of the drone attacks in Kherson city and 16 localities in the Ukrainian-controlled areas, according to official sources. Victims were men, women, and children, mostly men. Civilians were targeted in various circumstances, as they stepped out to carry out their daily activities whether on foot or in any type of vehicle.

The drone operators used video feeds transmitted in real time by the cameras embedded in the drones, focused on targets that were visibly civilian, and dropped explosives on them. Hundreds of these video feeds have been regularly disseminated on Russian Telegram channels, some of them with thousands of subscribers, displaying the crimes, as well as text posts announcing further attacks.

Ambulances, which have special protection under international law, have been targeted and struck by drones, so as to prevent them from reaching victims who had been previously attacked. Some of these victims have died as a consequence of not being moved to a medical facility in time. A 45-year-old man from Stanislav village recounted that in November 2024, a drone dropped an explosive near him as he was riding a moped, badly injuring his leg. An ambulance arrived, and while he was receiving first aid, a drone dropped two explosives on the ambulance.

The use of drones to target civilians and civilian objects is a violation of the fundamental principle of international humanitarian law, according to which attacks may only be directed at military objects. The evidence collected leaves no doubt that the perpetrators intended to carry out these acts. The Commission therefore concludes that Russian armed forces perpetrated the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians in Kherson Province. It also finds that posting videos of civilians being killed and injured amounts to the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity.

The civilian population in the areas affected by drone attacks lives in constant fear. Residents take risks every time they go outside, as they fear being struck by drones. Many wait for cloudy days to go out, or seek cover under trees, where possible. Fear is further induced by frequent messages posted on Telegram, such as "Get out of the city before the leaves fall, you who are destined to die."

The circumstances of the attacks, the videos, and the explicit threatening text posts demonstrate that Russian armed forces and those supporting them have committed acts or threats of violence for the primary purpose of spreading terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law. Referring to Russian soldiers, a senior health professional of a hospital in Kherson said: "They are simply chasing and hunting civilians who are on their way to work or walking their dogs. They drop explosives from drones like it is a video game."

The scale and intensity of the drone attacks against civilians and civilian objects as well as the destruction of houses and basic infrastructure, the targeting of all means of transport, and attacks against emergency and rescue services, have all rendered the affected areas unliveable and left many residents with no other choice than to flee.

The recurrent drone attacks, the widely disseminated videos showing them, and numerous posts explicitly exhorting the population to leave suggest a coordinated state policy, on the part of the Russian authorities, to force the population of Kherson Province to leave the area. The Commission therefore concludes that Russian armed forces may have committed the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population.

The Commission examined over 300 publicly available videos of attacks and over 600 text posts on Telegram channels and, where possible, identified victims of these attacks. It interviewed 91 persons from the areas affected by drone attacks, including victims, witnesses, local authorities and medical personnel.

Background: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The Commission comprises Erik Mse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover.

The Commissioners were appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights Office provides support to the Commission of Inquiry, the commissioners serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the mandated commissioners.

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Merz, Zelenskyy Accuse Putin Of Stalling On Cease-Fire Efforts

By Ray Furlong May 28, 2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of stalling diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire at a joint news conference in Berlin on May 28.

The two leaders also announced that their countries would begin joint production of long-range weapons to boost Ukraine's ability to fight.

"They (Russians) will constantly look for reasons not to end the war," Zelenskyy said, adding "you can see what [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is doing."

"There are mass drone attacks every night. The Russians use dozens of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hundreds of drones," he added.

"The memorandum on talks, which Putin promised more than a week ago, has still not materialized. The massive air strikes, especially on Kyiv at the weekend, are not the language of peace," said Merz.

"They are a slap in the face for everyone who is working for peace, in Ukraine, in Europe, and in the United States," he added.

Their comments came added to a growing sense on both sides of the Atlantic that efforts to get negotiations moving are being blocked in Moscow.

They follow a social media post by US President Donald Trump the previous day, warning that Putin was "playing with fire."

"What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia," he wrote.

Trump's post followed a weekend in which Russia launched its largest air attack since beginning its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelenskyy said that more than 900 missiles were fired at Ukrainian targets over a three-day period ending early on May 26. Thirteen civilians were killed in the attacks that took place on May 25.

Moscow has insisted it only hits military targets in Ukraine, despite ample examples where it has hit housing, energy infrastructure, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other civilian areas.

Ukraine has launched drone and some missile strikes on Russian territory but on a much smaller scale. Its ability to hit back at Russia was a big issue ahead of this visit, with much speculation about whether Germany would supply it with Taurus cruise missiles.

Instead, Merz announced the joint production of long-range weapons.

"Our defense ministers will today sign a letter of intent on the creation of long-range weapons systems, produced by Ukraine," he said.

"There will be no range restrictions. This will enable Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory. This marks the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries."

Merz added that this would result in joint production but would not be drawn on details such as where this would take place.

Zelenskyy welcomed the deal but also said Ukraine was still interested in Taurus missiles. "Of course we need them, of course we will discuss this issue," he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a scathing response to the joint production plan.

"In this particular case, we see Germany competing with France for

leadership in further provoking war," he said.

"All these actions are certainly obstructing peace efforts. We hope that, despite provocative actions and all obstacles, we'll be able to continue the settlement process," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/merz-zelenskyy-putin-russia-war- ukraine/33427652.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding Russia's term list for the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis

28 May 2025 18:27

898-28-05-2025

Question: US President's Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated during an interview with Fox News that he had received from Kiev a term list for a peace agreement and was now awaiting a similar document from the Russian side. What, in reality, is the status of preparations for a settlement document on the Ukrainian crisis?

Maria Zakharova: We are unaware of what the Ukrainian side has conveyed - or to whom.

Our delegation proceeds from the agreement reached on May 16, during direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul. We agreed that each side - Russia and Ukraine - would prepare its own vision of the modalities for settlement and a ceasefire, after which they would exchange the relevant documents directly and discuss them in the next round. There were no agreements regarding mediation by the United States or other countries in the exchange of drafts.

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Russia to Respond if Germany Takes Part in Long-Range Missiles Launch in Ukraine - Medvedev

Sputnik News

20250528

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Germany is already a full-fledged participant in the Ukraine conflict, and if there is information about the participation of German soldiers in the launch of long-range missiles at Russian territory, Moscow can take any decision on retaliatory actions, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.

"If there is information that German military specialists are taking part in the launch of long-range missiles at Russian territory, any decision on retaliatory actions can be made ... It is within the competence of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief," Medvedev said.

Other statements by Medvedev:

This isn't just about arms deliveries. In essence, it's full-scale participation in the conflict, not some hybrid involvement.

That means Germany is once again an enemy of Russia, once again taking part in a war  this time driven by the same Nazi ideology it once created. And Merz is simply a loyal heir to his relatives who fought in the Wehrmacht.

If there is confirmed evidence that German military specialists are involved in launching long-range missiles against Russian territory, any response measure could be considered.

Such decisions fall within the authority of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. No one can deny Russia the right to fully defend itself  a point our head of state has emphasized more than once.

 Sputnik

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Second Round of Talks Between Russia, Ukraine to Be Held in Istanbul on June 2 - Lavrov

Sputnik News

20250528

The Russian delegation is ready to provide the necessary clarifications on the memorandum during the second round of renewed direct talks in Istanbul on June 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Full statement by Sergey Lavrov on the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine:

As is known, with the support of the US, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, conditions were created to resume direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. The first round since the renewal took place on May 16 this year in Istanbul. According to the agreements reached there, a prisoner exchange was conducted on a "1000 for 1000" basis. It was also agreed in Istanbul that Moscow and Kyiv would prepare documents outlining each side's position to achieve a sustainable settlement.

The Russian side, as agreed, promptly developed the relevant memorandum, which presents our position on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis. Our delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during the second round of renewed direct negotiations in Istanbul next Monday, June 2.

I would like to once again express gratitude to our Turkish partners for providing the hospitable Turkish venue, as confirmed yesterday during the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Moscow.

We expect that everyone who is sincerely, and not just in words, interested in the success of the peace process will support holding the new round of Istanbul direct Russia-Ukraine talks.

 Sputnik

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Putin Warned Multiple Times About Creating Buffer Zone: Timeline

Sputnik News

20250528

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russian armed forces were in the process of establishing a security buffer zone along the border with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on May 22, during a meeting with government members, the decision to create a "security buffer zone along the border between Russia and Ukraine."

This issue was earlier raised by Alexey Zolotarev, head of the administration of the Glushkovsky district in the Kursk region.

1. June 13, 2023 First warning: "If the shelling continues, we'll consider creating a sanitary zone at a distance from which it would be impossible to reach our territory." (Meeting with war correspondents) 2. June 16, 2023 At the Saint-Petersburg Economic Forum: "If attacks persist, we'll consider creating a cordon sanitaire on Ukrainian territory." No ambiguity. 3. January 31, 2024 As a presidential candidate: The demilitarized zone in Ukraine should be moved to a distance that would ensure the safety of peaceful cities from Ukrainian attacks. 4. March 18, 2024 During the press conference: Russian forces will have to create a sanitary zone in the territories currently under the Kiev regime's control. 5. May 17, 2024 In China, this comment on the shelling of Kharkov was voiced: Ukraine continues to shell residential areas in the border regions of Russia; therefore, it is necessary to establish a "security zone, a sanitary zone." 6. May 28, 2024 In Uzbekistan: Russian forces have just started to establish a security zone. Another zone is possible if Ukraine uses long-range weapons. 7. June 20, 2024 Vietnam press conference: "They [Ukrainians] kept shelling, so we did exactly what we promised." 8. March 12, 2025 Kursk HQ: Troops push into Sumy, expanding the zone. Putin issues instructions to work on a security zone along the state border.

 Sputnik

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Trump Not Properly Informed on Russia-Ukraine Conflict - Kremlin Aide

Sputnik News

20250528

US President Donald Trump makes many statements, and Moscow keeps track of them, yet it has come to the conclusion that he is not sufficiently aware of what is really happening in context of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Wednesday.

Other statements by Yuri Ushakov:

Trump makes many statements, Moscow monitors them

Trump still fails to understand that Russia only strikes military infrastructure targets in Ukraine

It appears that Trump is not being informed about Ukraine's terrorist attacks against Russian citiesonly about Russia's retaliatory measures

 Sputnik

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Putin-Zelensky Meeting Possible But Must Be Result of Delegation-Level Talks - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20250528

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky is possible, but such a meeting should be the result of specific agreements between the delegations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Other statements by Kremlin spokesman Peskov:

Work on Russia's draft memorandum on Ukraine is in its final stages

The contents of the draft memoranda on Ukraine will soon be revealed, paving the way for the next round of negotiations

The Kremlin will not discuss document details via mediacoordination must happen discreetly

The location of the next round of talks must suit both sides

There are many nuances in the settlement process that cannot be compromised

Documents outlining terms for a temporary ceasefire are being prepared, but the Special Military Operation continues

Treat media reports on Ukraine settlement with cautionmost are fake

The root causes of the Ukraine crisis pose a serious threat to Russia's national interests

 Sputnik

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Russia Successfully Conducting Offensive During Special Military Operation - Defense Minister

Sputnik News

20250528

BISHKEK (Sputnik) - The Russian army is successfully conducting an offensive on almost all sections of the front during the special military operation, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on Wednesday.

"The Russian armed forces are continuing a special military operation in Ukraine. They are conducting successful offensive actions in almost all areas of the front," Belousov said at a meeting of the CSTO Council of Ministers of Defense in Bishkek.

The Ukrainian authorities do not respond to Moscow's readiness to resume the dialogue that started in 2022 to resolve the conflict, Belousov said.

"Russia has repeatedly expressed its readiness to resume the dialogue with the Ukrainian side to resolve the conflict, which began in 2022. It observed the moratorium on strikes against energy facilities announced in March," Belousov said at a meeting of the CSTO Council of Ministers of Defense in Bishkek, adding that Kiev has ignored these steps.

 Sputnik

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Russia's continued contravention of OSCE principles: UK Statement to the OSCE

UK Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, says that in line with the OSCE Code of Conduct, the UK will continue to support Ukraine towards achieving a just and lasting peace, while continuing to urge Russia to return to full compliance - including withdrawing to within its own internationally recognised borders.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ankur Narayan, Politico-Military Counsellor at the UK Delegation to the OSCE

Published 28 May 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 28 May 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Madam Chair, for hosting this FSC Security Dialogue on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. Thank you also to the distinguished speakers for their interventions.

My statement today will focus on the purpose of the Code, which democratic control is designed to ensure implementation of. Namely, the commitment of States to abide by the Helsinki Final Act and to respond when these principles are breached in the OSCE region.

As per paragraph 1 of the Code, the "implementation in good faith of all commitments" are of "fundamental importance for stability and security", and "consequently constitute a matter of direct and legitimate concern to all of them". As we know, the Code spells these commitments out. Commitments such as "respect for each other's sovereign equality and individuality". Such as "the right freely to choose its own security arrangements ... to belong or not to belong to ... treaties of alliance".

The Code explicitly states: "No participating State will attempt to impose military domination over any other participating State". This includes not stationing armed forces in the territories of other States without a freely negotiated agreement ... in accordance with international law.

Madam Chair, as detailed at the weekly FSC, Russia remains in breach of multiple commitments in the OSCE's Zone of Application. Namely in Moldova, in Georgia and in Ukraine.

The Code is clear about what States must do in response: "In the event of armed conflict, they will seek to facilitate the effective cessation of hostilities and seek to create conditions favourable to the political solution of the conflict." It adds that States are determined to "act in solidarity if CSCE norms and commitments are violated" and to "facilitate concerted responses". It provides that States will: "consult promptly ... with a participating State seeking assistance in realizing its individual or collective self-defence". It also provides that States will "consider jointly the nature of the threat and actions that may be required in defence of their common values."

In line with Code, we support Ukraine to defend itself, in line with the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act principles. In line with the Code, we commend Ukraine's steadfast commitment to reaching a just and lasting peace. And in line with the Code, we keep on calling on Russia to withdraw fully and unconditionally, from the whole territory of Ukraine, to inside its internationally recognised borders. And to return to the path of peace, starting with an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

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Defense Assistance and Support for Ukraine on Its Path to the EU: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets with President of the German Bundestag

President of Ukraine

28 May 2025 - 21:16

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the President of the German Bundestag, Julia Klockner.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Julia Klockner discussed proposals that could help bring the war to a just and lasting peace. The Head of State emphasized that Russia still shows no intention of taking steps toward peace.

Special emphasis, during the meeting, was placed on the continued defense support for Ukraine. The President thanked Germany for its decision to allocate 7 billion in military aid this year. The parties also addressed the possibility of increasing this amount. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his expectation of support from the German Parliament.

The Head of State also noted the Bundestag's approval of constitutional amendments allowing for increased defense spending in Germany. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Julia Klockner discussed the possibility of direct investments in Ukraine's defense industry.

Special attention was also given to support for Ukraine on its path toward EU membership.

The President invited Julia Klockner to visit Ukraine and thanked her for her voice in support of our country.

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The President of Ukraine and the President of Germany Discuss Regional Cooperation and Support for Ukrainians

President of Ukraine

28 May 2025 - 19:55

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Ukrainian leader thanked the Federal Republic of Germany for its European leadership in providing military aid to Ukraine, especially for its contribution to saving lives and delivering air defense systems.

The President of Germany assured that the country will continue supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid special attention to expanding the network of Ukrainian-German municipal partnerships, which help implement recovery projects and provide direct support to Ukrainian communities where it is most needed.

The President of Ukraine highlighted the importance of the Federal President of Germany's patronage over the Chernihiv region. The state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is helping equip shelters in four communities of that region.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz Meet with Representatives of the German Business Community

President of Ukraine

28 May 2025 - 19:42

In Berlin, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz met with representatives of the German business community to discuss expanding cooperation.

The Head of State thanked German businessmen for continuing their operations in Ukraine during the full-scale war.

The President emphasized that economic support for Ukraine during Russian aggression is important and called on German businesses to expand their presence in our country, particularly by implementing investment projects.

The German companies noted the work of the Council for Entrepreneurship Support in the Conditions of Martial Law, which helps foreign investors overcome the challenges caused by the full-scale war.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out that today, the governments of Ukraine and Germany signed three documents on expanding cooperation in the defense sector. According to him, it is important that German companies establish cooperation with Ukrainian enterprises in various industries.

Significant attention was given to cooperation in the medical sector. The meeting was attended by representatives of companies already operating in Ukraine and engaged in prosthetics. The President thanked them for helping Ukrainian warriors recover and emphasized that this work should not only continue but be scaled up.

The meeting also covered the participation of German businesses in Ukraine's post-war recovery, specific investment areas, and preparations for the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held on July 10-11 in Rome.

Separate attention was given to continuing support for Ukraine's energy sector. The Head of State emphasized the importance of maintaining German leadership in this area. Cooperation in agriculture was also discussed.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Bayer AG, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik (HHLA), NOTUS energy GmbH, Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA, Siemens Healthineers AG, KfW Bankengruppe, Siemens Energy AG, and Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

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The Office of the President Hosts Online Meeting with Heads of Ukraine's Diplomatic Missions in G7 Countries and Ukraine's Representative to the EU

President of Ukraine

28 May 2025 - 19:17

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Brusyl held an online meeting with the heads of Ukraine's diplomatic missions in the G7 countries: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany, and Italy, as well as with Ukraine's representative to the European Union.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa also took part in the meeting.

The main topic of discussion was preparations for the President of Ukraine's participation in the G7 Summit, which will take place on June 15-17 in Canada.

Ihor Brusyl outlined Ukraine's position on its participation in the Summit, as well as strategic approaches to engagement with G7 member states.

The meeting also addressed an action plan for the effective promotion of Ukraine's interests in the G7 and the EU countries.

"The G7 Summit is an important platform for presenting Ukraine's interests at the highest level. Our task is to ensure that diplomatic efforts in each member state are as effective as possible in delivering concrete results," emphasized the Deputy Head of the Office of the President.

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Now We Have Very Important for Us Agreements with Germany on Air Defense - President

President of Ukraine

28 May 2025 - 17:31

During a meeting in Berlin, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz discussed diplomatic opportunities for bringing peace closer, increasing pressure on Russia, strengthening air defense, and investing in Ukrainian drone production.

"Germany is among the global leaders in supporting Ukraine and the rules-based international order. And these rules must be preserved - so that normal life for people can be preserved as well," the Head of State emphasized.

The President stressed that there can be no preconditions for an unconditional ceasefire, and that such a ceasefire must be achieved as soon as possible.

"We all must remember what lies at the root of any war of aggression, including this war that Russia is waging against Ukraine. It is the entirely criminal desire to kill people and destroy lives. Russia must abandon this desire," he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that this is precisely why it is so important to apply all forms of pressure on Russia and to continue strengthening sanctions against it for the war. Germany supports Ukraine in this effort.

Special attention during the meeting was given to security issues - first and foremost, to strengthening air defense and providing weapons to support the Ukrainian army. As the President stated, the meeting resulted in important agreements regarding air defense.

"Our military support will be continued and expanded so that Ukraine can defend itself against Russian aggression - both now and in the future," added Friedrich Merz.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that for Russia to stop avoiding real diplomacy, it is important to continue defense cooperation between everyone in Europe, as well as between Europe and the United States; it is also necessary to ensure sufficient long-range capabilities and confidence in both the funding of the Ukrainian army and Ukraine's resilience.

"And this is precisely what frozen Russian assets must be used for. Germany can help us with this," the Head of State said.

The meeting also addressed joint production. The President noted that an agreement has been reached on investment in drone manufacturing in Ukraine. In addition, representatives of the two governments signed agreements on construction and the development of production facilities.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz agreed to renew the intergovernmental format between Ukraine and Germany at the level of the President and the Chancellor. This is a format that can strengthen joint results across many areas. The intergovernmental consultations will take place at the end of this year - for the first time since 2004.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz Hold Talks in Berlin

President of Ukraine

28 May 2025 - 14:11

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is holding a meeting in Berlin with Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz.

The leaders will discuss further defense support for Ukraine, including strengthening air defense, the supply of artillery shells within the Czech-led initiative, weapons production in Ukraine, and cooperation between Ukrainian and German defense industries.

The President of Ukraine and the Chancellor of Germany will pay special attention to steps toward establishing a just and durable peace, joint efforts within the Coalition of the Willing, and intensifying sanctions pressure on Russia.

The agenda also includes the opening of negotiating clusters on Ukraine's EU membership and the country's economic recovery plan after the war.

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'My husband died in my arms': Russian drone attacks on Ukrainians amount to crimes against humanity, UN investigators report

28 May 2025 - Russian drone attacks against civilians in the Kherson region of Ukraine constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, independent UN-appointed human rights investigators concluded in a new report published on Wednesday.

"Russian armed forces have committed the crimes against humanity of murder and the war crimes of attacking civilians, through a months-long pattern of drone attacks targeting civilians on the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Province," the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said.

Attacks have been carried out since July 2024 in Kherson city and 16 localities stretching over more than 100 kilometres in riverfront areas under Ukrainian Government control.

They are ongoing and nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more injured to date, according to official sources.

Attacks 'planned and organised'

"The recurrence of these attacks for over 10 months, against multiple civilian targets and in a wide geographic area, demonstrates that they are widespread and systematic and have been planned and organised, requiring the mobilisation and allocation of necessary resources," the report said.

The Commission examined over 300 publicly available videos of attacks and over 600 text posts on Telegram channels and, where possible, identified victims.

Over 90 residents from affected areas were interviewed, including victims, witnesses, local authorities and medical personnel.

Civilians were targeted "in various circumstances, mainly when they were outdoors, both on foot or while using any type of vehicles" the report said. Most victims were men, but women and children also were affected.

'My husband died in my arms'

A woman from Poniativka village recounted that in September 2024, she was walking home with her husband and suddenly heard a drone. It was already above their heads and immediately dropped an explosive, giving them no time to seek shelter. Both were injured.

"My husband died in my arms, bleeding to death, because the ambulance did not arrive on time. I tried to stop the bleeding with a T-shirt, but it was not enough," she said.

Videos posted on Telegram

Russian forces mostly used civilian drones that are widely commercially available, which were then modified.

"The weaponized versions of these drones allow their operators, via an embedded camera, to remotely track, aim, and drop explosives on targets. They can return to their point of origin to be reused," the report said.

"Occasionally, perpetrators employed suicide drones that are also equipped with cameras but that explode upon impact on their targets."

Hundreds of the video feeds have been regularly disseminated on Russian Telegram channels, some of which have thousands of subscribers.

"The video footage that they posted displays the attacks and the resulting death, injury, damage, or destruction, and is styled like video games, often accompanied by background music and threatening text," the report said.

Ambulances targeted

Furthermore, ambulances also have been targeted and struck by drones to prevent them from reaching victims, and some have died because they could not get to a medical facility in time.

"A 45-year-old man from Stanislav village recounted that in November 2024, a drone dropped an explosive near him as he was riding a moped, badly injuring his leg. An ambulance arrived, and while he was receiving first aid, a drone dropped two explosives on the ambulance," the report said.

The Commission stressed that the use of drones to target civilians and civilian objects is a violation of the fundamental principle of international humanitarian law as such attacks may only be directed at military objects.

"The Commission therefore concludes that Russian armed forces perpetrated the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians in Kherson Province," it said, while "posting videos of civilians being killed and injured amounts to the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity."

'Drones were attacking everything'

The drone attacks have spread terror among residents of the affected areas. Many wait for cloudy days to go out, or seek cover under trees, where possible.

"Drones were attacking everything; minibuses, cars, pedestrians...every time you went out of the house, you had to check the sky and look out for a buzzing sound and, in any case, run," a man from Antonivka settlement told the Commission.

Moreover, fear is further induced by frequent messages posted on Telegram, such as "Get out of the city before the leaves fall, you who are destined to die."

"The recurrent drone attacks, the widely disseminated videos showing them, and numerous posts explicitly exhorting the population to leave suggest a coordinated state policy, on the part of the Russian authorities, to force the population of Kherson Province to leave the area," investigators said.

They concluded Russian forces may have committed the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population.

Mandate from Human Rights Council

The commission is mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.

The three Commissioners serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN.

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Lasting Peace Possible Only After Putin, Zelenskyy Says, Calling For Increased Pressure on Russia

By RFE/RL May 29, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased international pressure on Russia after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin where the leaders announced plans for Ukraine and Germany to jointly produce long-range weapons boosting Ukraine's ability to fight.

"There is not enough pressure," Zelenskyy told German broadcaster RTL on May 28, criticizing what he sees as insufficient commitment from global powers.

"The United States is involved, but not 100 percent. Other countries, like China and those from the Global South, are holding back," he said.

Zelenskyy also suggested a lasting peace may only be possible once Russian President Vladimir Putin is no longer in power.

"We will have a just peace, but likely only after Putin," he said.

Zelenskyy earlier on May 28 accused Russia of stalling diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire.

"They (Russians) will constantly look for reasons not to end the war," Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with Merz, adding "you can see what Putin is doing" and referring to "mass drone attacks every night."

The air strikes launched on Kyiv and other cities and regions in recent days "are not the language of peace," said Merz.

"They are a slap in the face for everyone who is working for peace, in Ukraine, in Europe, and in the United States," he added.

He said Germany would help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets.

Merz said that under an intensified cooperation agreement, Germany "will strive to equip the Ukrainian Army with all the capabilities that truly enable it to successfully defend the country," including upgraded domestic missile production.

"Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself, including against military targets outside its own territory" with its own missiles, Merz said at a joint news conference.

Germany is the second-biggest individual supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States. But some of the advanced weapon systems have been subject to range and target restrictions over fears the Kremlin might retaliate against the country that provided the weapons and draw NATO into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II.

Later on May 28, Merz told German public broadcaster ZDF that he wouldn't rule it out sending German-made Taurus cruise missiles -- a long-range weapon that Zelenskyy has asked for -- but said it would not help Ukraine now because it would take months for Ukrainian troops to learn to use the system.

That's why Germany is improving its military cooperation and support with Ukraine now, he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the announcement on weapons production cooperation between Germany and Ukraine.

Germany is on the same path that it moved down "a couple of times in the last century," leading to its collapse, Lavrov said on Telegram.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul responded by saying that Russia should not be able to dictate whether Ukraine's allies provide help in producing long-range weapons.

"The reality is that Russia is not provoking a war but conducting a war day by day without any right and violating international rights, so we are not in a position that Moscow has [to] educate us on international war or what we are allowed to do," Wadephul said in an interview with CNN on May 28.

"We stand with Ukraine as long as Ukraine has to defend itself, its territory, its people, and the international law against the Russian aggression," he said, adding that Germany agrees with many of its partners, especially in Eastern Europe, that "we will not have security in Europe with Russia but only against Russia."

With reporting by dpa and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33428260.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 29 May 2025  Nxera Pharma Co., Ltd. (Nxera or the Company; TSE 4565) notes that Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. announced that it had presented new positive data from the Phase 2 study of NBI-1117568 in adults with schizophrenia at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) 2025 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For more information, please read Neurocrines announcement (link).

END

About Nxera Pharma

Nxera Pharma is a technology powered biopharma company in pursuit of new specialty medicines to improve the lives of patients with unmet needs in Japan and globally.

We have built an agile, new-generation commercial business in Japan to develop and commercialize innovative medicines, including several launched products, to address this high value, large and growing market and those in the broader APAC region.

Behind that, and powered by our unique NxWave discovery platform, we are advancing an extensive pipeline of over 30 active programs from discovery through to late clinical stage internally and in partnership with leading pharma and biotech companies. This pipeline of potentially first- and best-in-class candidates is focused on addressing major unmet needs in some of the fastest-growing areas of medicine across neurology/neuropsychiatry, metabolic diseases and immunology and inflammation.

Nxera employs approximately 400 talented people at key locations in Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), London and Cambridge (UK), Basel (Switzerland) and Seoul (South Korea) and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 4565).

For more information, please visit www.nxera.life

LinkedIn: @NxeraPharma | X: @NxeraPharma | YouTube: @NxeraPharma

Enquiries:

Nxera  Media and Investor Relations

Shinya Tsuzuki, VP, Head of Investor Relations

Shinichiro Nishishita, VP Investor Relations, Head of Regulatory Disclosures

Maya Bennison, Communications Manager

+81 (0)3 5962 5718 | +44 (0)1223 949390 |IR@Nxera.life

MEDiSTRAVA (for International Media)

Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, Erica Hollingsworth

+44 (0)203 928 6900 | Nxera@medistrava.com

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development, and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Nxera Pharma Groups actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued earlier today by AIP Realty Trust (TSXV:AIP.U), please note that the year in the headline should read "2025" instead of "2024". The corrected release follows:

AIP Realty Trust (the Trust or AIP Realty) (TSXV:AIP.U) today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. All dollar amounts are stated in U.S. dollars.

Q1 2025 Highlights

The demand for light industrial flex facilities is continuing to drive rental rate increases, and the Eagle Court property is demonstrating robust leasing momentum. While the Trust aims to minimize vacancies and has been successful in this endeavor, unit turnover provides an opportunity to update suite revenue per square foot and bring it in-line with current market conditions. New leases signed in 2025 at Eagle Court have seen an average 19% increase in suite revenue per square foot.

Investment property revenue was $124,232 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $151,042 in the same period in 2024, a decrease of $26,810, or 18%. The decline in investment property revenue was mainly due to a decline in parking revenue from a 2024 lease expiration that included a large parking agreement component and normal turnover that resulted in the scheduled vacancy of two units starting in February 2025. Both vacant units were released at higher rates to new tenants that moved in mid-March 2025.

Investment property operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased to $64,742, compared to $48,602 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $16,140, or 33%. The increase in investment property operating expense was primarily due to the variable nature of maintenance and repair expense, as the Trust took advantage of the scheduled vacancies in the first quarter of 2025 to perform maintenance on its parking lot and property-wide fire system, which resulted in over $14,000 of additional expense in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 2024. As a result, overall investment property net rental income for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was $59,490, compared to $102,440 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decline of $42,950, or 42%.

Effective February 12, 2025, the Trust completed a fourth tranche of a non-brokered private placement (the Financing) and issued 5,200,000 Preferred Units at a price of $0.50 per Preferred Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,600,000. The Trust paid $160,000 in finders fees to a non-related third party in connection with the fourth tranche of the Financing. The Trust intends to use the proceeds of the Financing and Plymouth Transaction for working capital and general corporate purposes.

On March 10, 2025, the Trust entered into a term sheet and mandate letter with a leading US banking institution to serve as the administrative agent and sole lead arranger of a senior first mortgage, secured, interest-only credit facility (the Facility). The total Facility will be for $300,000,000, with the initial amount being $100,000,000. The Facility will be subject to an accordion option whereby the Trust shall have the right to increase the Facility by an amount equal to an additional $200,000,000.

Additionally on March 10, 2025, the Trust announced an Off-Balance Sheet Development JV whereby it entered into a non-binding term sheet between the Trust and a significant financial institutional group (the JV Partner), pursuant to which the Trust and the JV Partner will form a joint venture entity (the Joint Venture), governed by a joint venture agreement to be negotiated by the parties. The Joint Venture will serve as an off-balance sheet development vehicle to construct new AllTrades SIBS facilities across the Sunbelt states, which the Trust will then acquire outright upon completion and leasing stabilization.

Selected Financial Information

Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 March 31, 2024 Investment property revenue $ 124,232 $ 151,042 Investment property operating expenses (64,742 ) (48,602 ) Investment property net rental income 59,490 102,440 Trust expense (1,480,425 ) (481,285 ) Fair value adjustment to investment property 91,403 1,375 Net loss and total comprehensive loss $ (1,329,532 ) $ (377,740 )





March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 (unaudited) (audited) Investment property $ 6,092,924 $ 5,992,598 Cash $ 664,650 $ 519,601 Project debt (net of debt discount) $ 2,896,346 $ 2,920,352 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 7,121,233 $ 6,670,515 Units outstanding 4,924,448 4,924,448

The foregoing is a summary of selected information for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 and is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the Trusts condensed interim consolidated financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. These documents are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com, and on the Trusts website at www.aiprealtytrust.com.

Related party disclosures

The executive management team of the Trust is the same executive management team as AllTrades.

Outlook and Subsequent Events

Through its agreement with AllTrades, the Trust has been granted an exclusive right to purchase all AllTrades completed and leased facilities, as well as any facilities in development. This includes 13 properties subject to forward purchase agreements, including six DFW-area facilities already completed or nearing completion, and seven additional facilities on which development has commenced or is ready to commence. Development on these facilities was funded with equity capital from AllTrades and Trinity Investors, a $7 billion Dallas-based real estate private equity investor. In addition, AllTrades is actively planning the next tranche of facilities in DFW and Houston, TX.

As previously disclosed in March 2024, the Board of Trustees continues to explore the execution of its business plan and relationship with AllTrades and anticipates closing the AllTrades Transaction by the end of the third quarter 2025. The Trust is currently engaged in advanced discussions with several leading banks who have shown interest in serving as lead investment banker of the syndicate members to the Concurrent Financing in connection with the AllTrades Transaction.

About AIP Realty Trust

AIP Realty Trust is an unincorporated, open ended mutual fund trust with a growing portfolio of AllTrades branded SIBS light industrial flex facilities focused on small businesses and the trades and services sectors in the U.S. These properties appeal to a diverse range of small space users, such as contractors, skilled trades, suppliers, repair services, last-mile providers, small businesses and assembly and distribution firms. They typically offer attractive fundamentals including low tenant turnover, stable cash flow and low capex intensity, as well as significant growth opportunities. With an initial focus on the Dallas-Fort Worth market, AIP plans to roll out this innovative property offering nationally. AIP holds the exclusive rights to finance the development of and to purchase all the completed and leased properties built across North America by its development and property management partner, AllTrades Industrial Properties, LLC. For more information, please visit www.aiprealtytrust.com.

For further information from the Trust, contact:

Leslie Wulf

Executive Chairman

(214) 679-5263

les.wulf@aiprealtytrust.com

Or

Greg Vorwaller

Chief Executive Officer

(778) 918-8262

greg.vorwaller@aiprealtytrust.com

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of AIP Realty Trust with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and includes information regarding, future acquisitions by the Trust, the ability to obtain regulatory and unitholder approvals and other factors. When or if used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the commencement of development on certain of the AllTrades facilities, proposed financing activity, proposed acquisitions, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third-party information and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Trusts current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Trust, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Trust does not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

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.

This news release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act). The Trust has not registered and will not register the securities under the U.S. Securities Act. The Trust does not intend to engage in a public offering of their securities in the United States.

Source: AIP Realty Trust
London, UK, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging global cloud mining brand Miningcoop officially announces the launch of its next-generation cryptocurrency cloud mining platform. The platform is designed for users seeking high returns with low barriers to entry, focusing on efficient cloud mining services for Bitcoin (BTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE). No mining equipment or technical background is required  everyday users can easily start earning daily profits.



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NEW ORLEANS, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until July 22, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Organon & Co. (NYSE: OGN), if they purchased the Companys securities between October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Get Help

Organon investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-ogn/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Organon and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On March 10, 2025, pre-market, the Company announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, disclosing, among other things, that management had reset the Companys dividend payout, from $0.28 to $0.02, contradicting its prior statements assuring investors that the regular quarterly dividend was a number one priority and that the Company was committed to its capital allocation strategy through the aforementioned dividend. On this news, the price of Organons shares fell more than 27%, from a closing market price of $12.93 per share on April 30, 2025, to $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.

The case is Hauser V. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-05322.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
Mavenir Open vRAN and O-RAN compliant small cells central to success of Three UKs Glasgow City Centre roll-out  boosting coverage and capacity across a high-demand, dense urban environment

Landmark trial demonstrates the benefit of deploying Open RAN small cells alongside existing macro networks to solve blackspot issues

GLASGOW, Scotland, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider, working in collaboration with operator Three UK and the worlds leading provider of open source solutions, Red Hat, has successfully demonstrated the performance benefits of 5G non-standalone O-RAN compliant small cells in Glasgow City Centre  doubling 5G speeds at peak times.

This milestone UK-first trial of Open RAN in a dense urban environment also marks the first live deployment of O-RAN compliant small cells working alongside legacy macro cells from traditional vendors in this environment  driving a significant reduction in traffic congestion by delivering high-quality coverage and additional capacity. During the initial phase of the trial, both 4G and 5G speeds doubled during the busiest times of the day, with Three UKs 5G speeds reaching an impressive 520Mbps across the trial area. The capacity boost also cascaded into further performance and user experience improvements in surrounding sites.

Following the successful trial of 18 live sites in Glasgow City Centre, the project will now move into its final deployment phase, bringing the total number of Open RAN small cell sites to 34.

Mavenirs roll-out of a small cell densification layer for Three UK is being delivered as part of the SCONDA (Small Cells O-RAN in Dense Areas) project  a key connectivity initiative backed by the UK governments Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The project represents a significant step forward for Open RAN in the UK by trialing  for the first time  the integration of a full decentralized Open RAN architecture with existing traditional infrastructure into a high traffic, high footfall city setting.

Mavenir is delivering a full 4G and 5G O-RAN solution, including its OpenBeam small cell radios running on Red Hat OpenShift, the industrys leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. Mavenir 4G and 5G small cell radios are being deployed on lamp posts across Glasgow to offload macro traffic and enable automation of network performance within a challenging multi-vendor, multi-technology radio environment. Three UK is leveraging Red Hat OpenShift to build and deliver the Open vRAN network, integrated into the existing 4G core of Three UK, and operating alongside the operators traditional RAN.

Brandon Larson, SVP, Cloud and AI at Mavenir, said: This network densification project proves that the Open RAN layer built by Mavenir can efficiently and effectively meet the needs of Three UK and its customers in one of the busiest cities in the UK. Our solution has delivered a 2x improvement in 5G speeds, a measurable uplift in capacity, and handover of customer traffic has been outstanding. This powerfully demonstrates that Open RAN can be fully integrated alongside traditional vendors  a breakthrough that will get the attention of radio network design teams around the world for the cost savings and flexibility it offers.

Iain Milligan, Chief Network Officer at Three UK said: Mavenir and Red Hat have been exceptional partners on this groundbreaking project  the UKs first Open RAN trial to tackle the real-world complexity of a dense urban environment. We have pushed the boundaries and proven that the Open RAN approach is a hugely valuable addition to network design and deployment.

He added: Urban deployments bring a different level of technical and operational challenge compared to rural environments. Weve had to navigate integration with legacy systems, security layers, and evolving software  all while delivering measurable improvements for customers. The trial results are encouraging and provide a strong foundation for further scaling and optimisation of Open RAN in cities.

Honore LaBourdette, Vice President, Global Telco Ecosystem at Red Hat, said: Red Hat and Mavenir share a commitment to delivering optimized Open RAN solutions for service providers to achieve improved network performance and unlock the next generation of 5G use cases. We are pleased to collaborate with Mavenir to implement an integrated 5G Standalone Open RAN solution, powered by Red Hat OpenShift, to help Three UK deliver enhanced customer experiences and streamline operations for the city of Glasgow.

With this latest deployment, Mavenir and Red Hat are continuing to offer carrier-grade telco cloud solutions to mobile network operators, leveraging a decade of well-established collaboration. Mavenir RAN workloads on Red Hat OpenShift offer an attractive value proposition for the mobile network operators.

Key benefits delivered by Mavenir using Red Hat OpenShift include:

Full stack automation: Integration of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes with Mavenirs Cloud-Native Automation provides full stack automation and streamlined day-1 and day-2 operational management.

Pre-integrated and pre-tested reference architectures: Red Hat and Mavenir help minimize complexity and reduce time spent on integration by providing a common, pre-integrated reference architecture.

Scalable design and faster time-to-market: Offering design flexibility to scale the architecture with Mavenir workloads on Red Hat OpenShift and leveraging additional tools for faster deployments.

Comprehensive Security Capabilities: Mavenirs Open RAN solution on Red Hat OpenShift provides mobile networks with core platform security controls, including admission controllers, container isolation via Security Context Constraints (SCCs), runtime protection using kernel-level security modules (seccomp, SELinux), role-based access controls (RBAC) and network segmentation through CNI/OVN. These capabilities align with industry practices, enabling operators to implement hardened configurations for compliance objectives.

Notes to editors

The SCONDA project is a partnership with Three UK, Mavenir, AWTG, Freshwave, PI Works, the 5G Scotland Centre and Accenture, with the support of Glasgow City Council and funding from the UK governments Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Three UK doubles Glasgow city centre speeds with UK-first Open RAN roll-out

About Three UK:

Hutchison 3G UK Limited, trading as Three UK, is a British telecommunications company based in Reading, England. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, a limited liability Cayman Islands company registered and listed in Hong Kong. Three is the fourth-largest mobile network operator in the United Kingdom, with about 10.9 million subscribers as of November 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.three.co.uk/

About Mavenir:

Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenirs award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the worlds subscribers. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

Red Hat, the Red Hat logo and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.
New York City, NY, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As winter's harsh chill sets in, the search for heating gadgets that offer powerful performance and true affordability becomes a top priority for households across the country. While standard central heating systems unarguably deliver the comfort of warmth during the coldest months, they frequently come with a hefty downside: significantly inflated energy bills.

This financial strain can settle in just as uncomfortable as the winter chill itself, forcing many households to weigh the cost of staying warm against the pressure of mounting utility expenses. Because of this, more and more careful shoppers are looking for heating options that use less energy and save moneysolutions that keep them warm without breaking the bank.

Into this critical need, steps in WellHeater, a highly portable and technologically advanced device that has boldly laid claim to the prestigious title of "America and Australia Number One Leading Heater Brand." With this assertive declaration, Wellheater emerges with a promise to fundamentally transform the way we maintain a warm and comfortable indoor environment during the harshest winter months.

Positioned as a smart and budget-friendly alternative to the often high costs of conventional heating systems, Wellheater promises to quickly bring noticeable warmth to almost any room in your home within minutes. This impressive performance is made possible by an integration of advanced heating technology and thoughtful design.

Equipped with an intuitive remote control, a customizable thermostat for precise temperature settings, and the flexibility to work efficiently in any room, Wellheater aims to be the ultimate solution for achieving cozy comfort, without the constant worry of high energy bills that many face during the cold season.

However, in a marketplace that is increasingly flooded with a seemingly endless array of heating solutions, each vying for consumer attention with often-exaggerated claims, the crucial question remains: does Wellheater truly live up to the promises it makes?

This detailed WellHeater review endeavors to thoroughly explore and unravel the very essence of Wellheater. We will examine its underlying heating technology, features, the benefits it demonstrably offers to its users in real-world scenarios, and ultimately assess its overall value proposition in the ongoing and essential search for warmth that is both effective and genuinely affordable.





What Is a Wellheater? (WellHeater Reviews)





WellHeater is a highly innovative portable heater that has been designed by world-leading engineers to help users maintain normal temperature in the cold season. Well Heater is an innovative convection ceramic heater designed to make any standard room toasty within 60 seconds in Australia and New Zealand.

The Wellheater isnt just an ordinary space heater; its an advanced, highly portable device precisely crafted to deliver fast, energy-efficient warmth exactly where and when you need it most in your home. Many Australian and New Zealand WellHeater users revealed that this energy-efficient space heater is well equipped to warm your personal space during cold winters without breaking the bank.

In stark contrast to expansive central heating systems, which can prove significantly costly to operate, especially when only a single room requires heating, and which often requires substantial amount of time to elevate the temperature of an entire house to a comfortable level, Wellheater is intelligently engineered with a clear focus: to provide targeted and immediate warmth directly to the specific space you are currently occupying.

Skillfully marketed as a sensible and genuinely budget-friendly alternative to traditional and often costly heating solutions, Wellheater proudly boasts an impressive array of advanced heating technologies. These notably include highly efficient ceramic heating plates, renowned for their rapid heat generation and even heat distribution, and an in-built antimicrobial air filter, an outstanding feature that goes beyond basic heating.

Well Heater also features user-friendly controls, conveniently accessible both on the physical unit itself and through a remote control, along with a highly adjustable thermostat that empowers users with precise temperature management. It is encased within a sleek and slim physical design.

Many WellHeater Reviews state that this space heater has set the bar high in terms of safety and efficiency. Well Heater is a powerful, compact, cord-free, and portable heater that puts an end to bone-chilling coldness in your home, and many users consider it as the ideal and convenient way to stay warm and cozy without a high energy bill.

Wellheater is thoughtfully intended to seamlessly fit into the existing aesthetic of virtually any room's decor without appearing bulky or visually obtrusive. In all, Wellheater strategically positions itself as a potent, remarkably safe, and demonstrably cost-effective means to maintain a consistently warm and comfortable indoor environment throughout the colder seasons.

Finally, Many Australian and New Zealand customers report that Well Heater is highly efficient with about 99.8% of its users branding it as  Mr. Efficient. Whether you're dealing with harsh Australian winters or simply want to reduce your heating expenses, Well Heater is a reliable option trusted by thousands of users and experts.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR WELL HEATER FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY

Lets Review The Key Features Of Well Heater Reviews (Well Heater Reviews)

Wellheater comes equipped with a detailed suite of features, each precisely designed to provide heating that is not only efficient and convenient but also safe for everyday use:

Instant Heating in Few Minutes: A major promise of Wellheater is its remarkable capability to rapidly improve the temperature of a room in under five minutes. This offers prompt comfort precisely when you need it most  whether stepping out of a refreshing shower on a chilly morning, settling into your cozy armchair to read on a cool evening, or simply seeking a quick burst of warmth in an otherwise cold space. This rapid heating capability is a significant advantage over heating systems that require a longer warm-up period.

Advanced Ceramic Heating Plates: At the heart of Wellheater lies its advanced ceramic heating plates. Engineered for efficiency, these plates are constructed to warm rooms both swiftly and evenly, ensuring a consistent level of warmth throughout the space. A notable advantage of ceramic heating technology is its inherent capacity to retain heat for a more extended period, even after the unit has been powered down, which can contribute to more sustained warmth and a quieter overall operational experience compared to some other types of heaters.

Integrated Antimicrobial Air Filter: Going beyond the basic function of simply warming the air, Wellheater blends a built-in antimicrobial air filter. This cleanses the air as it circulates through the unit. The filter is specifically built to capture and effectively remove common airborne irritants, including bacteria, mold spores, and various allergens. This dual functionality contributes not only to a warmer indoor environment but also to one that is potentially healthier, a significant benefit for individuals with respiratory sensitivities or those simply seeking cleaner air.

Remote Control & Timer Function: To optimize ease of use and user convenience, Wellheater is equipped with an intuitive remote control. This allows you to easily adjust various settings, such as the desired temperature, from the comfort of your current location within the room, whether you're relaxing on the sofa or working at your desk. Additionally, a built-in timer function provides the added flexibility of scheduling heating cycles to align with your specific needs and routines. For example, you might set the timer to begin warming your bedroom shortly before you typically wake up in the morning, or to ensure your living room is comfortably warm by the time you return home in the evening.

Energy-Efficient and Cost-Effective Operation: The advanced heating technology incorporated into Wellheater is designed to deliver a substantial level of warmth output while consuming less electrical energy when compared to many standard space heaters. This deliberate focus on energy efficiency not only plays a role in minimizing your overall environmental footprint but also directly translates into the potential for tangible savings on your monthly utility bills.

Built-in Kill Switch: Safety is an essential consideration in the design of any heating device, and Wellheater integrates a critical built-in kill switch as a key safety feature. This mechanism is crafted to automatically and immediately shut off the heater in the event that it overheats for any reason or if the unit is accidentally tipped over from its upright position. This provides a significant layer of safety and confidence to the user, especially in households where there are young children or pets who might inadvertently interact with the heater.

Adjustable Thermostat: Wellheater features the inclusion of an adjustable thermostat, which enables you to fine-tune the desired temperature to your exact personal preference. This level of control ensures that you can maintain a consistently comfortable level of warmth within your room, effectively avoiding the common frustration associated with some less sophisticated heaters that only deliver basic settings such as "high" and "low," which may not adequately cater to individual comfort needs.

Simple Setup and Maintenance: Setting up the Wellheater for operation is designed to be as simple, it embodies a "plug and play" approach. You simply need to plug the unit into any standard and functioning electrical outlet, and it is ready to begin warming your space. Also, it requires very minimal ongoing maintenance, adding to its overall ease of use and long-term convenience for the user.





Setting up the Wellheater for operation is designed to be as simple, it embodies a "plug and play" approach. You simply need to plug the unit into any standard and functioning electrical outlet, and it is ready to begin warming your space. Also, it requires very minimal ongoing maintenance, adding to its overall ease of use and long-term convenience for the user. Digital LCD Display: At the top of the Well heater is an LCD screen which shows temperature in digital mode. Why is this important? The singular reason for this is precise temperature monitoring. With the digital display, you would tell exactly at what temperature Well Heater runs than if the values were displayed in an analogue fashion.

Plug and Use Design: WellHeater is super simple to use. This plug-and-play design eliminates the need for complicated installation. Just plug it into any standard electrical outlet, and it's ready to goperfect for people who want a quick, efficient heating solution without any hassle.

180-degree rotating plug: Theres no hassle in installing a Well Heater. The Heaters plug can rotate 180 degrees which ensures that the Heater fits into any three-prong outlets.

Features Cold Air Mode: Once turned off, the Well Heater switches to cold air mode, cooling down the unit. This safety feature prevents overheating and reduces the risk of accidental combustion, while also helping the unit last longer.

Up to 800W Power: With a maximum power of 800W, the WellHeater delivers impressive heating performance while staying energy-efficient. Its strong enough to warm up a midsized room without hiking up your energy bill.

Silent Operation: One of the best aspects of Well Heater is its near-silent operation. You can enjoy the warmth without the distraction of constant noise, making it ideal for bedrooms or quiet spaces like home offices.

Built-in Antimicrobial Filter: This feature helps clean the air while the heater is running. It reduces the spread of germs and bacteria, ensuring that the warmth you're getting contributes to a healthier living environment.

How Does a Wellheater Actually Work? (Well Heater Reviews Australia)





WellHeater works exceptionally well through a convection ceramic technology, which allows it to quickly generate heat and distribute it efficiently. The ultimate measure of Wellheater's value lies in its efficacy, that is, in its ability to reliably deliver on its core promises of providing rapid heating, genuine energy efficiency, and straightforward user convenience.

The integration of ceramic heating technology is a well-established method known for its capacity to generate heat both swiftly and to regulate it in a relatively uniform manner throughout an enclosed space. The inclusion of practical and user-centric features, such as a readily adjustable thermostat and a convenient remote control, further enhances the user's ability to effectively and efficiently manage their comfort levels.

While the promotional materials do not include direct, controlled scientific testing data to quantify the heater's performance, the consistently positive feedback found within customer testimonials offers valuable real-world insights into how the Well Heater performs in everyday use.

Numerous reviewers frequently highlight the WellHeaters notable ability to rapidly and effectively bring a comfortable level of warmth to smaller to medium-sized rooms. They also often comment on its relatively quiet operational noise level, which is a significant advantage for use in bedrooms or offices, and the added convenience given by the included remote control.

Furthermore, the recurring emphasis on energy efficiency within these user reviews suggests that individuals who have switched to using Wellheater are indeed experiencing a significant reduction in their overall heating costs when compared to their previous reliance on more conventional heating methods.

Taking into account its main heating technology, the useful features designed for users, and positive reviews from people who have tried it at home, Well Heater seems to be a practical and effective way to add extra warmth to specific rooms. This helps create a comfortable and more energy-friendly home during the colder months.

Why Should You Buy a Wellheater? (WellHeater Reviews Australia)

You should strongly consider making a purchase of the Wellheater if you find yourself in need of a highly portable and energy-efficient heating device that can reliably provide supplemental warmth in rooms measuring up to approximately 130 square feet.

Many Australian WellHeater reviews say that its energy-conscious design is specifically intended to help keep your overall electricity consumption in check, while its rapid heating capability ensures that you won't be left waiting for an extended period to feel comfortable warmth.

The intuitive and user-friendly controls, which include the added convenience of a remote, make it exceptionally easy to adjust your comfort levels as needed. But Well Heater goes beyond just warming your space, it improves your air quality too. Equipped with an antimicrobial air filter, it actively traps dust and prevents mold from growing to ensure that the air in your home stays fresh and healthy.

With its fast, effective heating and air-purifying benefits, Well Heater offers a more comfortable and cleaner environment. Once you experience the difference, its easy to see why so many families have made the switch from outdated heating methods to Well Heater.

Furthermore, the inclusion of an antimicrobial air filter offers the valuable added benefit of contributing to a healthier indoor environment by reducing airborne irritants. If factors such as safety, ease of portability between rooms, and quiet operational performance are also high on your list of priorities when selecting a space heater, then the Wellheater is a product that warrants your further consideration and exploration.

What Are The Unbeatable Benefits of Wellheater (Wellheater Reviews)





Choosing to use Wellheater as your home heating system brings with it great advantages, especially for individuals and families who are actively looking for a more efficient and economical means of adding warmth to their living spaces. Let's examine each of these benefits offered by Wellheater:

Well Heater Heats the Room in Minutes: Well Heater warms up a mid-sized room in just 60 seconds. This fast heating capability means you can quickly enjoy a cozy atmosphere, making it perfect for cold days when you need immediate warmth.

Provides a Customized Heating Experience: Well Heater is a convenient alternative that allows users to adjust and customize the level of warmth they experience. With an adjustable thermostat and remote control, Well Heater allows you to set the temperature to your exact preference. This customized heating ensures that everyone in the room stays comfortable without overheating or wasting energy.

Well Heater Has Advanced Safety Features for Family Use: In addition to keeping users warm and toasty, Well Heater comes with safety features like cold air mode, overheating protection, a built-in timer, and a tip-over switch-off feature. This range of features reduces the risk of burns or accidental fires. Making Well Heater a safe option for homes with children, pets, or elderly family members.

Great for Travels and Vacations: If you're the type that doesn't compromise on your comfort regardless of your location, you can trust Well Heater to deliver a toasty comfort anywhere anytime. Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to pack and bring along on trips. Whether youre staying at a cold vacation spot or want to ensure a warm hotel room, Well Heater is the perfect portable solution.

Energy-Saving and Cost-Effective: If you're looking to reduce your energy bill ahead of the winter season, owning a Well Heater can help! Even with rising electricity prices, Well Heater remains incredibly affordable to run. It costs just over $2 a day. Its 99.8% efficiency ensures minimal energy waste, making it one of the most cost-effective heating solutions on the market.

Heat Proof Casing: This is another impressive safety feature of the Well Heater. The heat-proof casing ensures that the exterior of the heater remains cool to the touch to prevent accidental burns. This feature is especially useful if the heater is placed in high-traffic areas of your home.

Easy & Safe to Use: With its simple plug-and-use design, WellHeater is user-friendly for all age groups. The intuitive interface and remote control make it easy to operate, while safety features like the heat-proof casing and cold air mode add extra layers of protection.

Improves Overall Health During Winter: By maintaining a steady indoor temperature, Well Heater helps prevent cold-related illnesses and respiratory issues. It also reduces humidity and dampness, lowering the risk of mold growth and improving overall air quality.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Well Heater comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows consumers to test the product risk-free. If you're not satisfied, you can return it within the first month for a full refund.

Affordable and Low-Maintenance: Well Heater doesnt require any expensive installation or ongoing maintenance. It features a simple design that makes it easy to use and maintain. Well Heater offers a budget-friendly solution for heating without added hassle or repair costs.

Offers Overheat Protection: The kill switch is designed to provide overheat protection, offering a considerable degree of security, particularly for those who have children or pets within their households.





CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR WELL HEATER FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY





How Do You Use A Well Heater In Australia and New Zealand?





Operating the Wellheater is a simple and entirely stress-free experience, typically accomplished through a straightforward, four-step process that anyone can easily follow:

Easy Connection: Begin the process by plugging the Wellheater into any standard and fully functioning electrical outlet that is located within the specific room you intend to heat. It is always a good practice to ensure that the chosen outlet is suitable for the power demands of the heater to ensure safe operation.





Begin the process by plugging the Wellheater into any standard and fully functioning electrical outlet that is located within the specific room you intend to heat. It is always a good practice to ensure that the chosen outlet is suitable for the power demands of the heater to ensure safe operation. Powering On: Once the unit is properly plugged into a power source, the next step is to locate the main power button on the physical unit itself. Typically, this is a marked button. Press this power button to turn the heater on. Upon activation, you will likely observe indicator lights illuminating on the device, which will signify that the Wellheater is now active and beginning its heating process.





Once the unit is properly plugged into a power source, the next step is to locate the main power button on the physical unit itself. Typically, this is a marked button. Press this power button to turn the heater on. Upon activation, you will likely observe indicator lights illuminating on the device, which will signify that the Wellheater is now active and beginning its heating process. Customizing Your Comfort: With the heater now powered on, you can proceed to customize the settings to achieve your desired level of comfort. Use the thermostat controls, which are generally located either directly on the main body of the heater itself or remote control. These controls will allow you to set your preferred temperature. Depending on the model of Wellheater you have, you may also have the option to select from different heating modes or adjust the fan speed, allowing for a more tailored heating experience. If you wish to utilize the built-in timer function to schedule heating for specific periods, it is advisable to consult the user manual that came with your device for detailed instructions on how to properly set the timer.





With the heater now powered on, you can proceed to customize the settings to achieve your desired level of comfort. Use the thermostat controls, which are generally located either directly on the main body of the heater itself or remote control. These controls will allow you to set your preferred temperature. Depending on the model of Wellheater you have, you may also have the option to select from different heating modes or adjust the fan speed, allowing for a more tailored heating experience. If you wish to utilize the built-in timer function to schedule heating for specific periods, it is advisable to consult the user manual that came with your device for detailed instructions on how to properly set the timer. Relax and Enjoy the Warmth: After you have plugged in the heater, turned it on, and set your desired preferences, simply allow the Wellheater a few short minutes to begin the process of warming the air within the room. You should typically start to feel a noticeable and welcome difference in the ambient temperature relatively quickly, particularly in smaller enclosed spaces. Feel free to further adjust the settings as needed to fine-tune the level of warmth and achieve your optimal level of personal comfort. Easy, right?

Is Wellheater Really Worth Your Money? (WellHeater Reviews)

For individuals and families who are actively seeking a compact, energy-conservative, and notably rapid heating solution specifically tailored for warming smaller to medium-sized rooms within their homes, the Wellheater appears to present a genuinely compelling value proposition.

The thoughtful combination of its advanced technological features  including a precisely adjustable thermostat for personalized comfort, a remote control for ease of operation, an integrated antimicrobial air filter that contributes to enhanced air quality, and detailed built-in safety mechanisms for user confidence, coupled with the consistently stellar feedback reported by numerous users regarding its performance in delivering quick and effective localized warmth, makes WellHeater an undeniably attractive option.

The generally positive customer reviews, where users often highlight the Wellheater's effectiveness in quickly warming spaces, its relatively quiet operation that doesn't cause undue disturbance, and its overall ease of use, further give credibility to the argument for its worth.

If your specific heating needs involve efficiently warming a bedroom before sleep, a home office during work hours, a chilly bathroom, or any other similarly sized enclosed space without the need to engage the energy-intensive central heating system for the entire house, then the Wellheater could very well prove to be a cost-effective and remarkably practical solution to seriously consider.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR WELL HEATER FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY

PROS - (Well Heater Reviews)

Well Heater warms up a room in just 60 seconds.

It boasts an impressive 99.8% energy efficiency.

The heater helps reduce electricity bills by saving energy.

Its portable and easy to move from room to room.

The heat proof casing ensures safety when handling.

The built-in antimicrobial filter improves air quality.

It includes a convenient remote control for easy adjustments.

Overheat protection ensures safe operation.

The adjustable thermostat allows for customized comfort.

WellHeater operates quietly, ideal for bedrooms and offices.

No installation is requiredjust plug in and use.

It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

CONS (Well Heater Review)

Available only on the official website.

The Special discounts might end anytime soon.

May not replace traditional central heating systems in every situation.

Supply is highly limited due to increased demand during the winter season.

Is Wellheater a Scam or Legit? (WellHeater Reviews)



Based on a careful and objective evaluation of the information that has been provided, the Wellheater appears to be a legitimate space heater that offers features and functionalities consistent with portable ceramic heaters that are readily available on the market today.

All skepticisms about the WellHeater is dispelled by a multitude of satisfied Australian and American user reviews that confirm its authenticity, legitimacy & performance. Users emphasize that the WellHeater is not just a promise but a reality, delivering warmth and substantial savings. The consensus among real users solidifies Well Heaters legitimacy.

Furthermore, Well Heaters authenticity is validated by numerous positive reviews from current users in the US, Australia, and Canada. Both customers and reviewers revealed WellHeater is totally legit, garnering over 99.3% remarkable recommendation rate, ensuring its widespread popularity and satisfaction among users.

WellHeater has quickly become a favorite for all Australians looking for an efficient, portable, and affordable heating solution. With its fast cooling capabilities, energy-efficient design, and whisper-quiet operation, its clear why so many users are praising it. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the Wellheater is a legitimate option for individuals who are seeking a portable and efficient heating solution for their homes.





How To Maintain Well Heater For Better Performance (Well Heater Reviews)

Keep Away From Every Flammable Material: Always place your space heater at least three feet away from flammable materials like curtains, bedding, furniture, or paper. This helps reduce the risk of accidental fires.

Use on a Stable/Flat Surface: Ensure your space Wellheater is placed on a flat, stable surface to prevent it from tipping over. Avoid using it on soft or uneven surfaces like carpets or rugs that can obstruct airflow.

Unplug When Not in Use: When youre not using your Well heater, unplug it from the wall outlet. This prevents overheating and eliminates any risk of fire while the heater is unattended.

Never Use Extension Cords: Always plug your Wellheater directly into a wall outlet, and avoid using extension cords or power strips. These can overheat and cause electrical fires, as they are not designed to handle the high wattage of space heaters.

Who Needs the Well Heater? (Well Heater Reviews)

The Well Heater is perfect for anyone looking for a practical way to stay warm this winter without the hassle or high costs of traditional heating systems. Families with young children are already reaping the benefits of this portable heater, as its safety features, like automatic shut-off and heat proof casing, provide peace of mind in households with active kids. Parents love that it can warm up a bedroom or playroom quickly and efficiently, ensuring their little ones are cozy without worrying about accidents.

Busy professionals and remote workers are also finding the WellHeater indispensable. With its compact design and portability, they can easily move it between their home office and living spaces. Its quiet operation ensures a distraction-free environment for work or relaxation. Additionally, pet owners appreciate the built-in antimicrobial filter, which helps improve air quality by trapping dust and preventing mold, creating a healthier living space for both them and their furry companions.

Even seniors are experiencing the convenience of the WellHeater. Its simple plug-and-play setup, adjustable thermostat, and remote control make it easy for older adults to enjoy personalized warmth without the complexity of traditional heating systems. Seniors also value its energy efficiency, as it helps them save on electricity bills during the colder months. Generally, the Well Heater is a versatile solution that is already making winter more comfortable for countless people.

Why is Wellheater Better Than Similar Products on the Market?

The Wellheater strategically stands out from a multitude of other portable heaters that are currently available on the market by offering a dedicated and comprehensive suite of advanced features, all contained within a design that remains remarkably compact and inherently user-friendly.

The specific combination of its efficient ceramic heating plates, which are constructed for both rapid and even warmth distribution, an antimicrobial air filter that actively works to enhance the overall quality of the air you breathe, and the added convenience of both remote and timer controls, effectively sets it apart from many more basic models that may lack one or more of these valuable functionalities.

Many reviewers say that the well heater beats so many space heaters out there on the market for its superior comfort, multi-function design, powerful features, and stylish minimalistic design. With its small and compact design, the well heater has made the traditional bulky and bouncy heaters a thing of the past.

WellHeater stands out from the competition with its unmatched efficiency, helping you save money while staying warm. The WellHeater ticks all the boxes. It's reliable, energy efficient, and very user-friendly. The design is sleek, and it fits perfectly in any setting.

Interestingly, the strong and consistent emphasis placed on energy efficiency in its operation, coupled with safety features, collectively positions the Wellheater as a smart and responsible choice for consumers when compared to older or less technologically advanced portable heating solutions that may be less efficient or lack similar safety mechanisms. Below is a clear comparison of WellHeater and other Heaters

Wellheater Vs Standard Portable Heaters and Traditional Central Heating Systems:





Feature Wellheater Standard Portable Heaters Central Heating Systems Room Heating Speed  Fast (under 5 minutes) +/- Varies by type and wattage  Slower; heats the entire house Low Maintenance    Easy Setup  +/-  Energy Efficiency  High (electricity-saving design)  Often energy-intensive  Less efficient Thermostat Control  Precisely adjustable +/- Adjustable, but often lacks precision  Remote Control  Included for easy control +/- Only on premium models  Air Filtration  Built-in antimicrobial filter   Portability  Compact and lightweight +/- Varies; some are bulky  Not portable Safety Features  Overheat & tip-over protection +/- Basic protection varies by model  System-wide safety features Coverage Area  Up to 130 sq. ft. +/- Depends on wattage  Whole-house Noise Level  Quiet ceramic heating +/- Some are noisy (especially with fans)  Generally quiet





Keys:  = Feature generally present/effective.

 = Feature generally absent or performs poorly.

+/- = Varies greatly/Uncertain.





Where To Buy Wellheater In Australia, USA and New Zealand?

The Wellheater is exclusively available for direct purchase through its official product website. This direct-to-consumer sales model typically allows the manufacturer to maintain greater control over the quality of the product being sold, to offer exclusive deals and promotional discounts (such as the "UP TO 70% OFF" that has been mentioned), and to provide more direct and efficient customer support to those who purchase their product.





How Much Does WellHeater Cost?





WellHeater offers exceptional discounts as part of a special limited-time offer, making it an affordable and effective solution for staying warm. Here are the available purchasing options along with their discounted prices:

1x WellHeater (Solo Warmer): Priced at A$68.49 each, reflecting a 50% discount off the original price of A$136.98. 2x WellHeaters (Couples Comfort Pack): Available for A$59.99 each, giving you a 60% savings, compared to the original price of A$119.98 per unit.

WellHeater Reviews Consumer Reports & Customer Complaints

Sally P.

"Just perfect!!

I have a small office with a door that gets so cold because the administration keeps the winter temp way too low for comfort. I got a Wellheater and it made all the difference between freezing and feeling warm. Just plugged it into the outlet above my desk and now Im warm without anyone knowing its there. Love it!"

Peter B.

"Nice addition to the bathroom

Well Heater is perfect for my bathroom that doesnt have a hot air connection. Pretty quiet too. Turns off automatically when it hits the chosen temp. No more ugly heater on the floor with a cord hanging from the wall. Very happy with this purchase!"

Jennifer W.

"Actually take it to work.

I bought a Wellheater for work and its awesome so far! I plugged it in under my desk and it puts out a good amount of heat without being too much. I also like that it has temp control instead of just one setting so Im always comfy. Even my colleague is now thinking about getting one too!"

Marilyn J.

"Finally I feel warm in my own home.

My house is very old and the heating is terrible. After some renovations its a bit better but the main bathroom is still freezing. Wellheater is a lifesaver. It warmed up the room so fast and so well that we decided to get a few more for the garage and basement. So glad I dont have to wear 3 layers just to brush my teeth!!"





Frequently Asked Questions On Well Heater Reviews Australia

How do I set up WellHeater?

Setting up WellHeater is quick and easy. Simply plug it into any standard wall outlet, use the touch screen or remote control to set your desired temperature, and enjoy comforting warmth in minutes. No complicated installation or tools required!





How many WellHeaters do I need?

One WellHeater effectively warms rooms up to 130 sq. ft., such as bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, or small living areas. For larger spaces or multiple rooms, we recommend purchasing additional units for optimal comfort and coverage.

Does WellHeater stay cool to the touch?

Yes! WellHeater is designed with safety in mind. Its exterior remains cool to the touch, making it safe to use around children and pets. It also features overheating protection and a built-in kill switch for extra peace of mind.

How noisy is WellHeater?

WellHeater operates quietly, thanks to its advanced ceramic heating plates. Youll barely notice its on, making it perfect for bedrooms, workspaces, and any quiet environment.

Does WellHeater turn off when the temperature is met?

Absolutely. WellHeater features an adjustable thermostat and automatic shut-off. Once the room reaches your set temperature, it will stop heating to save energy, then resume if the temperature drops.

Is WellHeater energy-efficient?

Yes. WellHeater is designed to be cost-effective and energy-efficient, helping you stay warm without running up your electricity bills. It's a smarter alternative to bulky, expensive heating systems.

Can I move the Well Heater between rooms?

Definitely! With its compact, plug-and-play design, WellHeater is completely portable. Move it from your bedroom to your office, bathroom, or any room that needs heating  it's warmth where you want it, when you want it.

Does WellHeater require maintenance?

Very little! WellHeater comes with a built-in antimicrobial air filter, helping to clean the air as it heats. Just occasionally wipe the exterior and ensure the air intake remains dust-free.

What safety features does WellHeater have?

WellHeater includes:

Overheat protection Automatic shut-off Built-in kill switch Cool-touch exterior





Final Remarks On WellHeater Reviews

The Wellheater presents itself as a thoughtfully designed and energy-conscious solution for delivering warmth where and when you need it most during the colder seasons. With its key emphasis on providing rapid heating, incorporating user-friendly features such as a remote control and an adjustable thermostat, integrating important safety mechanisms, and even offering the added benefit of an antimicrobial air filter, it stands out as a contemporary and potentially more economical alternative to conventional heating methods, especially for effectively warming smaller to medium-sized rooms within your home.

If your primary goal is to find a portable, energy-efficient, and easy-to-use heater that can supplement your existing heating system or provide dedicated warmth to specific areas without leading to a significant increase in your monthly energy expenses, then the Wellheater is certainly a product that warrants serious consideration.

The generally positive feedback from numerous users who have already experienced its benefits, coupled with the currently offered limited-time discounts and the reassurance of a 30-day money-back guarantee, provides further incentive for you to explore whether the Wellheater is indeed the ideal heating solution to meet your individual needs and ensure a cozy and affordable winter. Ready to experience comfortable warmth without breaking the bank this winter? Visit the Website Today!

Media Contact:

Company name: WellHeater

UAB Commercecore,

Savanoriu pr. 363,

Kaunas,

Lithuania

https://get-wellheater.com/

Phone: +1 (251) 360-2288

E-mail: support@wellheatershop.com





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Dublin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Data Center Dielectric Fluid Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Application, Fluid-type, Solution type, and Regional, Country-Level Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The data center dielectric fluid market was valued at $178.30 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 30.27%, reaching $2.50 billion by 2034

This growth has been driven by the increasing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable cooling solutions for data centers and growing concerns over environmental impact. Innovations in dielectric fluid technologies and advancements in efficiency and performance are propelling this growth.





Furthermore, stringent environmental regulations and industry partnerships are shaping the market, focusing on eco-friendly solutions and the development of high-performance systems. As the need for reliable and sustainable cooling solutions rises, the market has been continuously evolving with a focus on technological advancements and environmental sustainability, contributing to a more sustainable future for the data center industry.

The data center dielectric fluid market has been experiencing significant growth as the industry increasingly prioritizes energy-efficient and sustainable cooling solutions. Dielectric fluids, which are non-conductive and capable of efficiently absorbing heat, offer an innovative way to manage modern data centers' high power densities and cooling demands. With the sector facing growing pressure to reduce energy consumption and meet stringent environmental regulations, the adoption of dielectric fluid technology is becoming essential. These advanced cooling systems help reduce reliance on traditional air-cooling methods, cutting down on energy usage and enhancing operational efficiency.



The market has been expanding due to the rising demand for sustainable data center operations and the industry's commitment to achieving environmental sustainability targets. As the focus on green IT infrastructure intensifies and regulatory standards tighten, the data center dielectric fluid market is set to experience substantial growth, driven by technological advancements and the increasing push for eco-friendly cooling practices.

North America is expected to lead the data center dielectric fluid market due to the region's significant investments in data center infrastructure, high demand for high-performance computing, and the adoption of cutting-edge cooling technologies. The growing need for cloud computing, data storage, and digital content, alongside the rapid expansion of industries such as cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence, has been driving the demand for efficient cooling solutions in data centers.



North America's advanced technological landscape and regulatory environment, which focuses on sustainability, are contributing factors that enhance the growth of the data center dielectric fluid market. As data centers look to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs, the adoption of advanced cooling technologies, such as dielectric fluids, continues to rise in this region.

Industrial Impacts

The data center dielectric fluid market significantly impacts various sectors, including environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Innovations in dielectric fluid technologies, such as improved formulations for better heat transfer and eco-friendly options, have enhanced the performance of cooling systems, driving advancements that reduce energy consumption and lower environmental impact. These innovations foster collaborations between technology developers, data center operators, and regulatory bodies, elevating industry standards and pushing the boundaries of research and development.



The increasing emphasis on energy-efficient data center operations aligns with global environmental goals, influencing broader industry practices and encouraging stricter regulations. As the data center sector seeks solutions to meet sustainability targets and reduce its carbon footprint, the dielectric fluid market plays a critical role in advancing eco-friendly cooling technologies.



Key players in this market, such as 3M, M&I Materials Ltd., Green Revolution Cooling, and Submer, are forging partnerships, collaborations, and technological innovations to expand their market presence and provide efficient, sustainable solutions for the data center industry. These companies focus on improving the scalability of dielectric fluid technologies, ensuring their widespread adoption and contributing to the transition to greener, energy-efficient data center operations.

Hyperscale to Lead the Market by Data Center Type

Hyperscale data centers are expected to lead the data center dielectric fluid market due to their large-scale operations, high computing power requirements, and significant heat generation. These data centers are designed to house thousands of servers and IT equipment, creating a need for efficient, high-performance cooling solutions. Dielectric fluids, especially those used in immersion cooling systems, offer a way to handle the massive heat load generated by these facilities while maintaining optimal server performance and reducing the risk of equipment failure. Hyperscale data centers demand fluid solutions that can support their scale and improve overall energy efficiency while aligning with sustainability goals by reducing the carbon footprint of cooling operations.

Fluorocarbons to Lead the Market by Fluid Type

Fluorocarbons are expected to lead the data center dielectric fluid market due to their excellent dielectric properties, chemical stability, and high performance in heat dissipation. These fluids are non-flammable and non-toxic and offer superior insulating capabilities, making them ideal for high-performance data centers that require efficient cooling solutions.



Fluorocarbons are particularly favored for immersion cooling systems as they provide optimal thermal conductivity and prevent overheating of sensitive electronic components, which are crucial for maintaining data center performance and reliability. As energy efficiency and environmental sustainability become key priorities for data centers, fluorocarbons' ability to operate in demanding conditions while improving energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions further strengthens their market position.

Direct Cooling to Lead the Market by Solution

Direct cooling is expected to lead the data center dielectric fluid market due to its ability to efficiently manage the significant heat load generated by modern data center operations. In direct cooling systems, dielectric fluids are used to directly immerse hardware such as servers, reducing the need for traditional air-based cooling solutions. This method is highly efficient because the fluid directly absorbs and transfers heat away from the equipment, minimizing energy consumption associated with cooling systems. As data centers strive for improved energy efficiency, sustainability, and reduced operating costs, direct cooling offers an optimal solution that can handle increasing densities of computing power and reduce environmental impact.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled in the data center dielectric fluid market have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts who have analyzed company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

Some of the prominent names in the data center dielectric fluid market are:

FUCHS

The Lubrizol Corporation

3M

Dow

Green Revolution Cooling, Inc.

Submer

Solvay

Engineered Fluids

Shell

Cargill, Incorporated

TotalEnergies

Valvoline Global Operations

Castrol Limited

ENEOS Corporation

Ergon, Inc.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 158 Forecast Period 2024 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $178.3 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $2500 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 30.2% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



Executive Summary



Scope and Definition



1 Markets

1.1 Data Center Dielectric Fluid Market: Current and Future

1.1.1 Integration with Renewable Energy Solutions

1.1.2 Advancements in Dielectric Fluid Formulations

1.2 Supply Chain Overview

1.3 Research and Development Review

1.3.1 Patent Filing Trend (by Patent Office and Company)

1.4 Market Dynamics: Overview

1.4.1 Market Drivers

1.4.1.1 Increasing Focus on Retrofitting and Brownfield Projects

1.4.1.2 Rising Enterprise Adoption of Data Center GPUs for High-Performance Computing Applications

1.4.2 Market Restraints

1.4.2.1 Elevated Increased Costs Arising from System Failures and Fluid Leaks

1.4.2.2 Negative Environmental Concerns about Fluorocarbons

1.4.3 Market Opportunities

1.4.3.1 Government Support for Smart City Development and Digitalization

1.4.3.2 Advancements in 5G and 6G Technologies

1.4.3.3 Emerging Growth Potential for Edge Computing and Increasing Penetration Rate of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Services

1.5 Ecosystem and Ongoing Programs

1.5.1 Associations and Consortiums

1.5.2 Government Programs and Initiatives Landscape

1.5.2.1 Europe

1.5.2.2 North America

1.5.2.3 Asia-Pacific

1.5.2.4 China

1.5.2.5 Rest-of-the-World



2 Application

2.1 Application Summary

2.2 Data Center Dielectric Fluid Market (by Application)

2.2.1 Hyperscale Data Center

2.2.2 Colocation Data Center

2.2.3 Enterprise Data Center

2.2.4 Others



3 Products

3.1 Product Summary

3.2 Data Center Dielectric Fluid Market (by Solution)

3.2.1 Rear Door Heat Exchangers Data Center

3.2.2 Direct Cooling

3.2.2.1 Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling System

3.2.2.2 Immersion Cooling System

3.3 Data Center Dielectric Fluid Market (by Fluid type)

3.3.1 Fluorocarbons

3.3.2 Mineral Oil

3.3.3 Synthetic Oil

3.3.4 Natural Oil

3.3.5 Water-Glycol Mix



4 Regions

4.1 Data Center Dielectric Fluid Market (by Region)

4.2 North America

4.2.1 Regional Overview

4.2.2 Driving Factors for Market Growth

4.2.3 Factors Challenging the Market

4.2.4 Application

4.2.5 Product

4.2.6 U.S.

4.2.6.1 Application

4.2.6.2 Product

4.2.7 Canada

4.2.7.1 Application

4.2.7.1.1 Product

4.2.8 Mexico

4.2.8.1 Application

4.2.8.2 Product

4.3 Europe

4.4 U.K.

4.5 Asia-Pacific

4.6 China

4.7 Rest-of-the-World



5 Markets- Competitive Benchmarking and Companies Profiled

5.1 Next Frontiers

5.2 Competitive Benchmarking

5.3 Company Profiles

5.3.1 Overview

5.3.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio

5.3.3 Top Competitors

5.3.4 End-Use Applications

5.3.5 Key Personnel

5.3.6 Analyst View

5.3.7 Market Share, 2023



6 Research Methodology



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/virawz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
LONGUEUIL, Quebec, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Azimut Exploration Inc. (Azimut or the Company) (TSXV: AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF) is pleased to announce that a comprehensive partner-funded exploration program is commencing on the Kukamas Property (the Property), located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay (James Bay) region of Quebec, Canada (see Figures 1 to 4). The Property is subject to an option agreement with KGHM International Ltd (KGHM). Azimut is the operator.

This press release also reports new assay results for the complete suite of Platinum Group Elements (PGE), further confirming the high-grade PGE content of the Perseus Nickel Zone discovered in 2024.

2025 Exploration Program

The $3.6 million exploration program will comprise two (2) phases of work:

Phase 1: Detailed mapping, prospecting and advanced reprocessing of high-resolution electromagnetic and magnetic heliborne data; and

Phase 2: 4,000 metres of diamond drilling planned for late summer, based on results of phase 1.

The primary objective is to follow up on the significant progress in 2024 with the discovery of the Perseus Zone, confirmed by five (5) drill holes, all of which yielded excellent results (see press releases of September 23 and October 28, 2024 and January 20, 2025). Perseus is a high-grade nickel and PGE mineralized system associated with komatiitic volcanics. The features of the mineralization (high-grade Ni, high Ni/Cu ratio, high Pd/Pt ratio) and the lithological context highlight a fertile system, with similarities to Archean Kambalda-type komatiitic nickel deposits, exemplified by the Kambalda district in Western Australia.

Previously reported results notably include:

2.98% Ni, 0.32% Cu, 2.25 g/t PGE over 8.0 m , incl. 3.74% Ni, 0.41% Cu, 2.82 g/t PGE over 6.0 m (channel)



, incl. (channel) 1.10% Ni, 0.15% Cu, 1.02 g/t PGE over 9.0 m , incl. 1.42% Ni, 0.19% Cu, 1.36 g/t PGE over 6.0 m (channel)



, incl. (channel) 1.64% Ni, 0.11% Cu, 1.12 g/t PGE over 8.5 m incl. 3.55% Ni, 0.19% Cu, 2.19 g/t PGE over 2.5 m; and 0.90% Ni, 0.32 g/t PGE over 9.05 m (Hole KUK24-001)



incl. and (Hole KUK24-001) 8.42% Ni, 0.55% Cu, 7.25 g/t PGE over 1.9 m (Hole KUK24-002)



(Hole KUK24-002) 0.81% Ni, 0.52 g/t PGE over 24.2 m , incl. 1.63% Ni, 0.14% Cu, 1.61 g/t PGE over 1.25 m ; and 3.46% Ni, 0.21% Cu, 2.44 g/t PGE over 0.75 m (Hole KUK24-003)



, incl. ; and (Hole KUK24-003) 6.06% Ni, 0.38% Cu, 3.34 g/t PGE over 2.6 m incl. 19.6% Ni, 0.81% Cu, 9.43 g/t PGE over 0.75 m; and 3.18% Ni, 0.15% Cu, 1.17 g/t PGE over 1.7 m (Hole KUK24-007)





The Perseus Zone remains open in all directions. In addition, several under-explored, kilometre-scale, ultramafic formations identified on the Property during previous reconnaissance mapping are considered strong nickel exploration targets. The Property also has gold and copper-gold targets, which will be further assessed.

Reporting of Additional Assay Results for PGE (Table 1)

Thirty (30) selected high-grade nickel samples from the Perseus Zone, all with grades higher than 3.0% Ni, ranging from 3.46% to 19.60% Ni, were analysed for the complete suite of PGE, including platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and the rarest PGEs, rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru) and osmium (Os).

These nickel samples are commonly associated with high palladium grades ranging from 1.16 g/t Pd to 12.15 g/t Pd , and high platinum grades up to 3.65 g/t Pt .



grades ranging from , and high grades up to . These samples also returned significant grades for the rarest PGEs, with up to 1.16 g/t Rh , 0.43 g/t Ir , 2.75g/t Ru and 0.45 g/t Os , adding significant potential value to the Perseus Zone. For indicative purposes only, the current prices in US$ of the following PGEs are: Rhodium: $5,325/ounce (oz); iridium: $4,150/oz ; and ruthenium: $615/oz (prices as of May 27, 2025; source: Johnson Matthey https://matthey.com/).



, , and , adding significant potential value to the Perseus Zone. For indicative purposes only, the current prices in US$ of the following PGEs are: Rhodium: (oz); iridium: ; and ruthenium: (prices as of May 27, 2025; source: Johnson Matthey https://matthey.com/). Gold and tellurium contents are also anomalous, with grades up to 1.13 g/t Au and 32.1 g/t Te respectively.





Table 1: Thirty samples analyzed for PGEs (platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, osmium)

Platinum Group Elements (PGE) Sample Sample Ni Co Cu Au Te Pt Pd Rh Ir Ru Os TOTAL PGE ID Type (%) (%) (%) (ppb) (ppm) (ppb) (ppb) (ppb) (ppb) (ppb) (ppb) (g/t) G435306 grab 4.72 0.07 3.04 109 6.29 383 3120 373 165 1065 145 5.25 G435307 grab 5.93 0.07 0.39 178 19.20 3310 6390 105 26 108 18 9.96 G435308 grab 5.04 0.08 2.00 179 6.15 363 3460 418 193 1200 188 5.82 G435309 grab 9.35 0.15 1.10 48 10.05 293 2110 185 21 61 10 2.68 G435311 grab 7.08 0.12 0.81 31 32.10 2370 8990 69 11 12 3 11.46 G435312 grab 5.76 0.08 0.52 119 6.63 1320 2690 210 71 361 58 4.71 G435313 grab 5.91 0.11 0.39 24 4.53 672 2140 255 85 410 64 3.63 G435318 grab 8.04 0.18 1.02 344 13.20 255 2960 666 290 1750 260 6.18 G435401 grab 4.41 0.12 0.27 54 8.15 477 2430 267 89 581 84 3.93 G435402 grab 3.48 0.07 0.33 78 6.65 1020 1880 121 33 174 23 3.25 G435403 grab 6.85 0.12 0.99 80 14.05 1915 4510 302 123 676 110 7.64 G435404 grab 4.88 0.09 0.46 169 6.02 646 2810 425 147 910 165 5.10 G435405 grab 3.78 0.06 1.44 27 6.47 731 2320 312 97 671 102 4.23 G435406 grab 5.53 0.09 1.90 519 10.30 3650 3880 353 94 571 93 8.64 G435407 grab 4.28 0.08 2.91 250 11.45 808 3520 289 128 797 122 5.66 G435408 grab 4.12 0.05 0.45 109 6.50 819 2040 204 81 471 79 3.69 G435409 grab 3.58 0.06 0.72 48 6.62 1080 3290 214 91 552 78 5.31 G435410 grab 6.86 0.09 2.35 438 15.15 2420 3540 460 190 1225 199 8.03 G435433 channel 4.70 0.06 0.46 102 4.37 712 2090 283 121 755 109 4.07 G435434 channel 4.02 0.06 0.48 111 4.34 1045 2100 219 80 497 67 4.01 G435435 channel 5.56 0.08 0.57 72 5.38 919 2560 301 109 659 106 4.65 G435436 channel 4.77 0.07 0.43 74 5.53 1170 2540 206 77 413 73 4.48 G435457 grab 3.69 0.07 0.21 28 6.22 560 1830 272 106 728 93 3.59 L596016 core 4.47 0.07 0.24 20 9.12 612 4810 161 38 275 40 5.94 L596017 core 4.55 0.07 0.26 41 3.57 555 1160 185 61 318 52 2.33 L596189 core 17.25 0.21 0.89 1135 9.97 477 4770 953 288 1370 228 8.09 L596190 core 7.41 0.10 0.70 80 22.40 3230 12150 91 12 29 7 15.52 L596398 core 3.46 0.07 0.21 21 6.07 459 2140 239 88 556 84 3.57 L596963 core 19.60 0.27 0.81 240 9.18 2200 6640 1160 436 2750 453 13.64 L597023 core 5.30 0.12 0.12 12 7.68 469 1530 184 146 394 213 2.94

About the Kukamas Property

Kukamas covers a cumulative strike length of 41 kilometres and comprises 665 claims in two claim blocks for a total surface area of 337.8 square kilometres. The project benefits from major infrastructure, including high-voltage power lines, and its proximity to the Trans-Taiga Road, an all-weather regional highway 4 kilometres to the south, and the La Grande-3 airstrip and hydroelectric generating station. The closest town is Radisson, 80 kilometres to the west-northwest.

Analytical Methods

Thirty (30) high-grade samples of the Perseus Zone, with grades ranging from 3.46% to 19.60% Ni, were selected for additional analysis and sent to ALS Laboratories in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they were analyzed for the complete suite of platinum group elements (Pt, Pd, Ph, Ir, Os, Ru) by nickel sulphide collection fire assay and ICP-MS finish. These samples consist of nineteen (19) sawed grab samples collected from the discovery outcrop, four (4) one-metre-long channel samples from the same outcrop, and seven (7) sawed half-core drill core samples. Note that grab samples are selective by nature and unlikely to represent average grades.

Project Management and Qualified Person

Rock Lefrancois (P.Geo.), Azimuts Vice-President Exploration, is responsible for project management.

Dr. Jean-Marc Lulin (P.Geo.), Azimuts President and CEO, prepared this press release and approved the scientific and technical information disclosed herein, including the previously reported results presented by Azimut in the figures supporting this press release. He is acting as the Companys qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About KGHM International

KGHM International is a subsidiary of the Polish corporation KGHM Polska Miedz S.A., a leading producer of copper and silver for over 60 years, with mining projects in Europe, North America and South America. Under the option agreement, KGHM can acquire an initial 50% interest in the Property from Azimut by funding $5.0 million in work expenditures over four years. KGHM has a second option to earn an additional 20% interest according to certain terms and conditions, which include delivering a preliminary economic analysis (a PEA*), and incurring work expenditures of at least $4.2 million over three years (see press release of December 8, 2022).

About Azimut

Azimut is a leading mineral exploration company with a solid reputation for target generation and partnership development. The Company holds the largest mineral exploration portfolio in Quebec, controlling strategic land positions for gold, copper, nickel and lithium.

The Companys wholly owned flagship project, the Elmer Gold Project, is at the resource stage (311,200 oz Indicated and 513,900 oz Inferred using a gold price of US$1,800 per ounce**) and has a strong exploration upside. Azimut is also advancing the Galinee lithium discovery with its joint venture partner SOQUEM Inc. In addition, significant exploration progress was made in 2024 on the Wabamisk (antimony-gold, lithium), Kukamas (nickel-copper-PGE) and Pilipas (lithium) projects.

Azimut uses a pioneering approach to big data analytics (the proprietary AZtechMine expert system) enhanced by extensive exploration know-how. The Companys competitive edge is based on systematic regional-scale data analysis. Azimut maintains rigorous financial discipline and a strong balance sheet.

Contact and Information

Jean-Marc Lulin, President and CEO

Tel.: (450) 646-3015  Fax: (450) 646-3045

Jonathan Rosset, Vice President Corporate Development

Tel: (604) 202-7531

info@azimut-exploration.com www.azimut-exploration.com

Notes

The results of Azimuts work on the Kukamas Property since the acquisition of the project by the Company in 2019, have been presented in 11 press releases, including the results disclosed in this release. The press releases are available on the Companys website or through SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca). The technical reports related to these programs have been filed with Quebecs Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests and are accessible via SIGEOM.

(*) PEA: Early-stage technical and economic study conducted for a mining project. It evaluates the potential viability of a mineral resource by outlining preliminary estimates of mining methods, production rates, capital and operating costs, and potential economic returns.

(**) Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Patwon Deposit, Elmer Property, Quebec. Canada, dated January 4, 2024, and prepared by Martin Perron, P.Eng., Chafana Hamed Sako, P.Geo., Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo., and Simon Boudreau, P.Eng., of InnovExplo Inc.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Companys current expectations regarding future events related to the drilling results from the Kukamas Property. To the extent that any statements in this press release contain information that is not historical, the statements are essentially forward-looking and are often identified by words such as consider, anticipate, expect, estimate, intend, project, plan, potential, suggest and believe. The forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause such differences, particularly volatility and sensitivity to market metal prices, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, imprecision in reserve estimates, recoveries of gold and other metals, environmental risks including increased regulatory burdens, unexpected geological conditions, adverse mining conditions, community and non-governmental organization actions, changes in government regulations and policies, including laws and policies, global outbreaks of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities, as well as other development and operating risks. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required to do so by applicable securities laws. The reader is directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent Annual Report filed on SEDAR+ for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Companys business.

Neither 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.
JERICHO, N.Y., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM) announced today that members of its management team will present at the Nareit REITweek Investor Conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The webcast information is as follows:

When: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 9:30 AM  10:00 AM, ET

Live Webcast: Kimco Realty Presentation Link, or enter https://vimeo.com/event/5090222/ into your browser.

Audio from the conference will be available on Kimco Realtys investor relations website until July 5, 2025.

About Kimco Realty 

Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) and leading owner and operator of high-quality, open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use properties in the United States. The companys portfolio is strategically concentrated in the first-ring suburbs of the top major metropolitan markets, including high-barrier-to-entry coastal markets and Sun Belt cities. Its tenant mix is focused on essential, necessity-based goods and services that drive multiple shopping trips per week. Publicly traded on the NYSE since 1991 and included in the S&P 500 Index, the company has specialized in shopping center ownership, management, acquisitions, and value-enhancing redevelopment activities for more than 65 years. With a proven commitment to corporate responsibility, Kimco Realty is a recognized industry leader in this area. As of March 31, 2025, the company owned interests in 567 U.S. shopping centers and mixed-use assets comprising 101 million square feet of gross leasable space.

The company announces material information to its investors using the companys investor relations website (investors.kimcorealty.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. The company also uses social media to communicate with its investors and the public, and the information the company posts on social media may be deemed material information. Therefore, the company encourages investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information that it posts on the social media channels, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/kimcorealty), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/kimco-realty-corporation). The list of social media channels that the company uses may be updated on its investor relations website from time to time.

CONTACT:

David F. Bujnicki

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategy

Kimco Realty Corporation

(833) 800-4343

dbujnicki@kimcorealty.com
Dublin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Valeo 2024 Early Indicators Law Firm Hourly Rate Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Valeo 2024 Early Indicators Law Firm Hourly Rate Report details the average hourly rates by Position (Senior Partner - 25 years or more since graduation year, Partner - 24 years and less, Counsel, Senior Associate - 5 years or more and Associate - 4 years and less) of law firms in the AMLAW 200, non-AMLAW and Magic Circle by overall and individual practice areas (litigation and transactional). The report gives users real-time insight into the first rate changes of 2024 versus 2023. The rate data and related details of this report were taken directly from the Valeo Attorney Hourly Rate and LPM Pricing Platform.

Research and Reporting Methodology

The publisher researches, reviews and analyzes hourly rates that are publicly disclosed of attorneys and support staff at currently 2,500 law firms representing over 20,000 companies. Secondary public records research is performed to complete detailed engagement profiles of the attorneys and companies involved. Through this process we are able to provide actionable data to our user community - large law firms, corporations and consulting firms to make 1) direct comparisons between attorneys and firms (as opposed to general averages of a collection of various firms' rates as found in surveys or e-billing services) and 2) important pricing and strategy decisions enterprise-wide or engagement-by-engagement.

In the Valeo Attorney Hourly Rates and LPM Pricing Platform, all hourly rates, hours and fees for each individual attorney are cited as to the source. For example, the citation for a court filing includes: case name, case number, court, case filing date, filing number, filing description, attorney and support staff listed by full name, client name, hourly rate of each timekeeper, hours billed, total hours and the time period in which the work was performed. As mentioned, further secondary research is required to confirm experience levels (graduation and bar licensure years), bar state (in the United States) or bar country (outside of the United States), practice area(s) and primary industry of the client.

All data for the Analytical Reports is downloaded from the Platform and rates are listed as Average Billed Rates by Firm, Position (Senior Partner, Partner, Counsel, Senior Associate, Associate and Support Staff), Practice(s) and Rate Year.

In order to provide this detailed level of clarity and transparency, the publisher researches 1) public records in US State Courts, US Supreme Court, US Federal Courts - District, Appellate, Federal Circuit and Bankruptcy 2) publicly available budgets from municipalities, districts (school, water, environmental and others), counties and states where attorneys were hired to perform legal work for the public entity 3) registrations such SEC records and other publicly disclosed documents and 4) government affairs fees.

The practice of law is global and although most hourly rate data is from public sources in the United States, the publisher captures hourly rates for attorneys in 62 countries and denominated in 11 currencies.

Since the publisher researches, reviews and analyzes only publicly available information and cites the source of the information, the United States federal and state court systems easily recognize and accept the validity and veracity of the data in court. The data has been used and cited in several hundred United States federal and state court cases including the Supreme Court of the United States (Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley Publishing), Federal District Courts (The United States v. Apple), Appellate Courts including the Federal Circuit, Federal Bankruptcy (AMR Corporation, Chapter 11 bankruptcy case) and Adversary proceedings and major state courts mainly in California, Texas and New York.

Key Topics Covered

Section 1: Rates by AMLAW Groups

AMLAW 110

Overall

Practice Areas Antitrust Commercial Litigation Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Patent Supreme Court & Appellate



AMLAW 125

Overall

Practice Areas Antitrust Commercial Litigation Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Patent Public Sector Bond Counsel Public Sector Financial Counsel Supreme Court & Appellate Tax



AMLAW 150

Overall

Practice Areas Antitrust Commercial Litigation Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Employee Benefits Fiduciary Investment Management Patent Private Equity Public Sector Bond Counsel Public Sector Financial Counsel Public Sector Pensions Counsel Public Sector Retirement Plans Counsel Supreme Court & Appellate Tax



AMLAW 51100

Overall

Practice Areas Capital Markets Commercial Litigation Construction Copyright Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Electronic Discovery Finance General Liability Government Contracts Investment Management Labor & Employment Mergers & Acquisitions Real Estate Tax



AMLAW 1100

Overall

Practice Areas Antitrust Capital Markets Commercial Litigation Construction Copyright Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Electronic Discovery Employee Benefits Fiduciary Finance General Liability Government Contracts Investment Management Labor & Employment Mergers & Acquisitions Patent Private Equity Public Sector Bond Counsel Public Sector Financial Counsel Public Sector Pensions Counsel Public Sector Retirement Plans Counsel Real Estate Supreme Court & Appellate Tax



AMLAW 101200

Overall

Practice Areas Arbitration/Mediation Capital Markets Class Action Commercial Litigation Contracts Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Electronic Discovery Employee Benefits Energy Environmental Finance Intellectual Property International Trade Investment Management Labor & Employment Maritime Mergers & Acquisitions Patent Prosecution Public Sector Benefits Counsel Public Sector Litigation Counsel Public Sector Public Agencies Counsel Public Sector Transportation Counsel Real Estate Regulatory Securities Tax Technical Support Trademark Water



AMLAW 200

Overall

Practice Areas Antitrust Arbitration/Mediation Capital Markets Class Action Commercial Litigation Construction Contracts Copyright Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Electronic Discovery Employee Benefits Energy Environmental Fiduciary Finance General Liability Government Contracts Intellectual Property International Trade Investment Management Labor & Employment Maritime Mergers & Acquisitions Patent Patent Prosecution Private Equity Public Sector Benefits Counsel Public Sector Bond Counsel Public Sector Financial Counsel Public Sector Litigation Counsel Public Sector Pensions Counsel Public Sector Public Agencies Counsel Public Sector Retirement Plans Counsel Public Sector Transportation Counsel Real Estate Regulatory Securities Supreme Court & Appellate Tax Technical Support Trademark Water



Non-AMLAW

Overall

Practice Areas Administrative Administrative Support Case Management Commercial Litigation Communications Construction Corporate/Corporate Transactions & Securities Electronic Discovery Eminent Domain/Inverse Condemnation Energy Environmental Equities Finance Government Affairs/Government Relations Human Resources/Personnel Infrastructure Insurance Labor & Employment Land Use, Zoning, & Development Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Development Project Management Public Sector Environmental & Land Use Counsel Public Sector General Counsel Public Sector Healthcare Counsel Public Sector Labor Counsel Public Sector Litigation Counsel Public Sector Municipal Counsel Public Sector Pensions Counsel Public Sector Procurement Counsel Public Sector Project Finance Counsel Public Sector Public Agencies Counsel Public Sector Public Lands Counsel Public Sector Public Works Public Sector Public-Private Partnerships Public Sector Retirement Plans Counsel Real Estate Tax Technical Support Transactional Water



Section 2: Rates by Individual Firms

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Allen & Overy

Alston & Bird

ArentFox Schiff

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer

Baker Botts

BakerHostetler

Baker McKenzie

Barnes & Thornburg

Benesch

Blank Rome

Boies Schiller Flexner

Bracewell

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings

Brown Rudnick

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Buchalter

Buckley

Butler Snow

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft

Cahill Gordon & Reindel

Clark Hill

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Clifford Chance

Cooley

Covington & Burling

Cravath, Swaine & Moore

Crowell & Moring

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle

Davis Polk & Wardwell

Davis Wright Tremaine

Day Pitney

Debevoise & Plimpton

Dechert

Dentons

DLA Piper

Dorsey & Whitney

Duane Morris

Epstein Becker & Green

Eversheds Sutherland

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath

Fenwick & West

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner

Fish & Richardson

Foley & Lardner

Foley Hoag

Fox Rothschild

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson

Frost Brown Todd

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

Goodwin Procter

Greenberg Traurig

Greenspoon Marder

Gunderson Dettmer

Haynes and Boone

Hinshaw & Culbertson

Hogan Lovells

Holland & Hart

Holland & Knight

Honigman

Hueston Hennigan

Hughes Hubbard & Reed

Hunton Andrews Kurth

Ice Miller

Jackson Lewis

Jenner & Block

Jones Day

K&L Gates

Kasowitz Benson Torres

Katten Muchin Rosenman

Kelley Drye & Warren

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

King & Spalding

Kirkland & Ellis

Kleinberg Kaplan

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel

Kutak Rock

Latham & Watkins

LeClairRyan

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith

Littler Mendelson

Locke Lord

Loeb & Loeb

Lowenstein Sandler

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips

Mayer Brown

McCarter & English

McDermott Will & Emery

Milbank

Miller Canfield

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

Morrison & Foerster

Munger, Tolles & Olson

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

Nixon Peabody

Norton Rose Fulbright

O'Melveny & Myers

Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Paul Hastings

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

Perkins Coie

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman

Polsinelli

Proskauer Rose

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

Reed Smith

Ropes & Gray

Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr

Seyfarth Shaw

Shearman & Sterling

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton

Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Sidley Austin

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Snell & Wilmer

Spencer Fane

Squire Patton Boggs

Steptoe & Johnson PLC

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan

Sullivan & Cromwell

Thompson Coburn

Thompson Hine

Troutman Pepper

Tucker Ellis

Venable

Vinson & Elkins

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

Weil, Gotshal & Manges

White & Case

Willkie Farr & Gallagher

WilmerHale

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Winston & Strawn

Womble Bond Dickinson

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z9mhzu

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
WAYNE, Pa., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Judge Consulting, a division of The Judge Group and a trusted provider of business technology consulting and solutions, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has recognized Judge Consulting on the 2025 CRN Solution Provider 500 list.

CRNs annual Solution Provider 500 list recognizes North Americas largest solution providers by revenue and serves as a prominent benchmark of leading IT services companies. This marks the fourth consecutive year Judge Consulting has been named to the list, highlighting the companys sustained performance, revenue growth, and commitment to delivering scalable, strategic IT solutions. Judge Consulting helps clients across industries navigate digital transformation through services spanning application modernization, cloud architecture, AI and automation, and enterprise-wide infrastructure management.

Were honored to be recognized by CRN for the fourth year in a row, said John Battaglia, President and Chief Technology Officer of Judge Consulting. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients build resilient, future-ready businesses through technology. This recognition validates our continued focus on innovation, execution, and meaningful client partnerships.

The Solution Provider 500 list spotlights the technology integrators, managed service providers, value-added resellers and IT consulting firms who bring in the most revenue by leading the way in business and service innovation, said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor, CRN, The Channel Company. Recognition is reserved for companies demonstrating an unwavering commitment to business agility and sustained growth through rapidly changing industry needs and technology advancements. Congratulations go to each company for earning a well-deserved spot on the Solution Provider 500.

Judge Consulting is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, located at 151 South Warner Road, Wayne, PA 19087. The office can be reached at 1-800-650-0035.

About The Judge Group

The Judge Group is an international leader in business technology consulting, learning and development, managed services, and talent solutions. With over 30 locations across the United States, Canada, and India, Judge is proud to partner with the best and brightest companies in business today, including over 60 of the Fortune 100.

About Judge Consulting

Judge Consulting is the consulting company of The Judge Group. The Judge Group is a global professional services and technology firm specializing in consulting, learning and development, managed services, and talent solutions. With over 30 offices across the United States, Canada, and India, The Judge Group supports more than 60 of the Fortune 100. Judge Consulting leverages deep technical expertise and industry insight to close the gap between innovation and executionbringing together world-class talent, scalable solutions, and a full suite of technology services.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.
Dublin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Warehouse Management System Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2020-2030F" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Warehouse Management System Market was valued at USD 2.76 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 5.98 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 13.59%. The global Warehouse Management System market has seen significant growth in recent years, fueled by widespread adoption across various industries. Critical sectors such as manufacturing, retail, third-party logistics, and e-commerce have recognized WMS solutions as vital tools for optimizing warehouse operations, managing inventory, and meeting business goals.

Stricter regulations around data security, interoperability standards, and workforce safety have compelled companies to make substantial investments in advanced WMS platforms. Leading WMS providers have launched innovative offerings with capabilities like integrated warehouse automation, real-time inventory visibility, and customized reporting. These improvements have significantly enhanced operational efficiency, productivity, and quality of service.

Furthermore, the integration of technologies like artificial intelligence, IoT sensors, and predictive analytics is transforming WMS capabilities. Advanced solutions now provide hyper-personalized inventory insights through mobile apps, predictive maintenance alerts, and demand forecasting, generating analytics on stock levels. This allows organizations to better optimize warehouse space usage, identify opportunities to reduce costs, and accelerate initiatives around supply chain visibility.

Key Market Driver: Rising Demand for Automation in Warehousing Operations

The growing need for automation in warehousing operations is a significant driver for the warehouse management system market. As global supply chains become increasingly complex and customer demands for faster deliveries intensify, businesses are under pressure to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Traditional warehouse management methods, which rely heavily on manual processes, are proving inadequate in addressing modern logistical challenges. This has led organizations to adopt advanced warehouse management systems integrated with automation technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

Automation reduces dependency on labor, minimizes errors, and optimizes warehouse operations by enabling real-time inventory tracking, efficient space utilization, and faster order fulfillment. For instance, autonomous mobile robots are being deployed in warehouses to transport goods, pick items, and perform sorting tasks, significantly reducing processing time. Additionally, automated systems allow for seamless inventory updates and provide businesses with accurate data to make informed decisions.

Key Market Challenge: High Implementation Costs and Budget Constraints

The significant cost associated with implementing a warehouse management system is one of the primary challenges hindering its widespread adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Businesses are often required to make substantial investments in hardware, software, training, and ongoing system maintenance to successfully deploy a warehouse management system. For companies operating on limited budgets, these costs can become a considerable burden, deterring them from adopting advanced warehouse management solutions.

The implementation process of a warehouse management system involves multiple phases, including system design, customization, and integration with existing enterprise resource planning solutions, which further adds to the overall expenses. The complexity of integrating warehouse management systems with legacy infrastructure often results in extended deployment timelines and additional consultancy costs. Companies also face challenges in ensuring that their workforce is adequately trained to utilize the new system effectively. Training costs, combined with the potential productivity loss during the transition phase, exacerbate the financial impact for organizations.

Key Market Trend: Adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Warehouse Management Systems

The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in warehouse management systems is emerging as a prominent trend within the industry. These advanced technologies enable systems to enhance efficiency, optimize inventory management, and streamline supply chain operations. Machine learning algorithms are used to predict demand patterns, manage stock levels more accurately, and identify potential bottlenecks in warehouse operations. Artificial intelligence, in turn, supports the automation of decision-making processes, enabling warehouses to operate with minimal human intervention and reducing the risk of errors.

AI-powered warehouse management systems can predict the best times to restock inventory based on historical data and customer demand. These systems can also adapt to changing conditions in real time, allowing businesses to respond to supply chain disruptions or fluctuations in demand more effectively. By automating inventory tracking, order fulfillment, and supply chain forecasting, AI and machine learning significantly reduce operational costs and improve warehouse efficiency.

Key Players Profiled in the Warehouse Management System Market

Oracle Corporation

International Business Machines Corporation

PSI Logistics GmbH

PTC Inc.

Apple Inc.

TECSYS Inc.

BluJay Solutions, LLC

SAP SE

Manhattan Associates, Inc.

Epicor Software Corporation

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Warehouse Management System Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Warehouse Management System Market, By Component:

Software

Services

Warehouse Management System Market, By Deployment Model:

On-Premise

Cloud-Based

Warehouse Management System Market, By Industry Vertical:

Manufacturing

Automotive

Food and Beverage

Electrical and Electronics

Healthcare

Retail and E-commerce

Others

Warehouse Management System Market, By Region:

North America United States Canada Mexico

Europe France United Kingdom Italy Germany Spain

Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea

South America Brazil Argentina Colombia

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Turkey Egypt



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 180 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.76 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $5.98 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.5% Regions Covered Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q9qlx5

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
New York, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The cryptocurrency market will usher in a new round of explosion in 2025, and cloud mining has become a popular choice for investors to obtain passive income. As the industry's leading platform, RichMiner has attracted more than 5 million users worldwide with its high returns, low thresholds and compliance, and managed assets of more than US$3.9 billion. This article will deeply analyze its core advantages and guide readers on how to participate efficiently.







RichMiner Core Advantages:



Zero hardware threshold and fully automated operation:



Users do not need to buy mining machines or pay electricity bills, they can participate in mining by renting computing power through the cloud. The platform integrates intelligent AI technology to automatically process mining, optimization and profit distribution, and daily profits are automatically credited.



Industry-leading security and compliance guarantees:



Fund security: 95% of user funds are stored in cold wallets, using McAfee and Cloudflare encryption technology to prevent hacker attacks.



Compliance certification: Holds the UK FCA license and the US MSB compliance certification, funds are managed by HSBC, and there is no record of security incidents for 3 consecutive years.



Green energy and sustainable development:



The platform is 100% powered by renewable energy such as wind and solar energy, combined with efficient ASIC mining machines and GPU equipment, taking into account profitability and environmental responsibility.



Multi-currency support and instant withdrawal:



Supports mining and settlement of mainstream currencies such as BTC, ETH, XRP, DOGE, etc., with a withdrawal threshold as low as $100, daily processing of user withdrawal requests, and support for multiple protocols such as TRC20/ERC20.



Professional team and global service:



A team of blockchain experts and IT engineers provides 24/7 technical support, covering users in 132 countries.



RichMiner solution: three steps to start the global mining wealth plan;



1. Visit the RichMiner official website and complete the registration with your email address to get a $15 new user reward.



2.RichMiner provides a variety of cloud mining contracts, covering different needs from novices to high-net-worth users: the following potential high returns and flexible investment options.



For example, New User Experience Contract (invest 100, 2-day potential total return 106).



For example, Canaan Avalon A15XP (invest 600, potential total return in 7 days 650.82).



For example, Bitdeer SealMiner A2 (invest 1,600, potential total return in 14 days 1,897.92).



For example, Bitmain Antminer L9 (invest 12,000, potential total return in 35 days 19,140).



For example, Antspace HK3 V6 (invest 110,000, potential total return in 50 days 228,250), with an average daily return rate of over 2.15%. For more details on mining contracts, click richminer.com.



3. Activate the contract and monitor the income: After the contract takes effect, the income will be automatically credited to the account every day, and users can view the mining progress and income data in real time through the dashboard. The platform supports income reinvestment, and users can expand the scale with compound interest.



Withdrawal and asset management



When the account balance reaches $100, you can withdraw to your personal wallet at any time, supporting mainstream currencies such as BTC and XRP.



Participate in the referral program: Invite friends to get a tiered commission of up to $15,000 (3% for direct recommendation and 1% for secondary recommendation).



Why choose RichMiner as the definition of "new height of wealth"?



1. Market trend fit: In 2025, the price of Bitcoin will exceed $110,000, and tokens such as XRP will rise simultaneously. Cloud mining has become the preferred way for non-technical users to share the bull market dividend.



2. Risk controllability: Compared with direct trading, cloud mining reduces market volatility risks through fixed income contracts, which is suitable for investors seeking stable returns.



3. Long-term wealth strategy: The platform supports the "holding is mining" model, and users can realize asset appreciation without active operation, which is especially suitable for retirees, digital nomads and other groups.







Summary:



RichMiner has become one of the top five platforms in the cloud mining field in 2025 with its high returns, security and compliance. Whether you are a novice or an experienced investor, you can easily realize passive income from cryptocurrency through flexible contracts and automated services.



Act now: Visit RichMiner's official website to receive a $15 reward and start your cloud mining journey!



Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency mining is risky. Please do your own research and make decisions carefully.


NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Blockchain Capital (EXCHANGE: CSE: SPIR / OTC: SBLCF), based in Vancouver, British Columbia focused on delivering diversified blockchain and digital asset exposure while advancing a proprietary, market-leading tokenization platform, today announced that Lewis Bateman, CEO, will present live at the Blockchain and Digital Assets Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on June 5th, 2025.

DATE: June 5th

TIME: REGISTER HERE

LINK: 12:30 PM ET

Available for 1x1 meetings: June 5th, 6th, 9th and 10th (subject to availability)

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Upgraded to OTCQB Venture Market

In April 2025, Spirit Blockchain Capital successfully upgraded to the OTCQB Venture Market, enhancing visibility and accessibility for U.S. investors. The move is expected to improve liquidity and broaden the companys shareholder base.

Launch of Innovative Crypto ETPs on European Exchanges

In March 2025, the company launched a series of cryptocurrency Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Deutsche Borse, advancing its footprint in regulated digital asset investing across Europe.

About Spirit Blockchain Capital

Spirit Blockchain Capital is a leading investment company at the forefront of the blockchain industry. Through our operational business line and asset management business, we provide investors with a range of opportunities for capital appreciation. With a strong focus on innovation, strategic investments, and operational excellence, Spirit Blockchain is poised to unlock the potential of the digital economy.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Spirit Blockchain Capital

Lewis Bateman

Chief Executive Officer

info@spiritblockchain.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com
NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against Organon & Co. (NYSE: OGN) and certain of the Companys senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in Organon you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action.

Investors have until July 22, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors who purchased Organon securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and is captioned: Hauser v. Organon & Co., et al., No. 25-cv-05322.

Why was Organon Sued for Securities Fraud?

Organon is a global healthcare company focused on womens health that has historically rewarded its shareholders with a healthy dividend. In October 2024, Organon completed a $1.2 billion acquisition of Dermavant, a biopharmaceutical company focused on dermatological conditions. As alleged, while the acquisition increased Organons debt, the Company assured investors it would maintain its dividend, which Organon asserted was its #1 capital allocation priority.

In truth, Organon had shifted its capital allocation priority after the Dermavant acquisition to focus on reducing its debt, ultimately leading the Company to severely cut its dividend.

The Stock Declines as the Truth is Revealed

On May 1, 2025, Organon announced that management reset the Companys dividend payout from $0.28 per share to $0.02 per share. Organons CEO explained that the Company reset our capital allocation priorities to accelerate progress towards deleveraging and that [b]y deleveraging more rapidly, we will continue to strengthen the future prospects of the company. Organons CFO added, [t]he biggest issues we face . . . relate to managing our leverage and relate to growth. And we need capital to solve both of those issues, and so returning capital to shareholders is right now, less of a priority.

On this news, the price of Organon stock declined roughly 27%, from $12.93 per share on April 30, 2025, to $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.

Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Organon you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action

Or contact:

Ross Shikowitz

ross@bfalaw.com

212-789-3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/organon-co-class-action

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
AU Commission chair hails China's support for Africa's development

Xinhua) 13:37, May 29, 2025

ADDIS ABABA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed appreciation for China's steadfast support to the AU Commission and African countries in key areas, including trade, infrastructure development, agriculture, health, and capacity building.

Youssouf made the remark while bidding farewell to Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

He commended Hu's dedication and expressed gratitude for China's contributions to the construction of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support for African peacekeeping efforts, and assistance across other critical social sectors.

The two also reflected on the success of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing and reaffirmed the AU-China strategic partnership as a model of multilateral solidarity, the statement said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
PHILADELPHIA, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the selection of Mary Rico as its 2025 Teacher of the Year and Edris Morse as its 2025 Staff of the Year. Rico is an elementary school special education teacher at Sierra School of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California. Morse is a team leader at High Road School of Santa Rosa in Pace, Florida.

Now in its fourth year, the awards program honors full-time SESI team members, including teachers, social workers, behavior specialists, and clinical and paraprofessional staff, who exemplify high-quality, evidence-based instruction and the importance of equitable education for all SESI students.

It is with great pride that we recognize Mary and Edris, along with our divisional, regional and campus level winners, for their unmatched dedication to supporting our students, said Dawn Thomas, president of SESI. Each year, we have the privilege of recognizing our most outstanding and innovative educators, who deliver high-quality, evidence-based instruction and shine a bright light on the possibility and untapped potential of every SESI student.

With close to 100 private day schools and over 140 in-district classrooms serving nearly 13,000 students with diverse academic, behavioral, and emotional needs, SESI employs more than 3,500 educators and staff members across the country. Rico and Morse were selected  along with campus, regional, and divisional winners  by a SESI leadership committee.

Rico has worked at Sierra School of Sonoma County for almost three years. Throughout her teaching career, she has prioritized differentiated instruction, behavioral support, and culturally responsive, evidence-based teaching practices to meet the diverse needs of her students.

For me, teaching is not just a profession; it is a responsibility, said Rico. Every child deserves an educator who is fully invested in their growth. Just as I push through personal difficulties to show up for my students, I teach them to push through their own obstacles  whether they are academic struggles, personal hardships, or moments of self-doubt.

Ricos dedication as an educator has helped many of her students make meaningful progress  so much so that several have been able to transition back to a public school setting. These transitions reflect her commitment to individualized instruction, behavioral support, and creating an inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Morse supervises program staff at High Road School of Santa Rosa, including special education teachers, social workers, and climate managers. Having begun his career at the school five years ago as a behavioral specialist, he ensures that learning extends beyond the classroom, prioritizing family engagement through weekly communication and monthly community activities.

I believe education should celebrate diversity and foster confidence, and I also value creative expression in education, said Morse. My educational philosophy emphasizes support, creativity, and inclusivity, aiming to empower students to become successful both academically and socially.

The goals of SESIs Teacher and Staff of the Year program include enhancing the visibility and importance of supporting educators, promoting the value of quality education and learning for the future, recognizing and honoring educators and staff who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence, and building an effective professional learning community.

Teachers and staff had to meet minimum criteria to be eligible, including having been employed by SESI as of Sept. 1, 2024; teaching a minimum of 75% of the school day; and earning an advanced level rating on the last observation. Bonus points were given for community service activities, school community activity (led special projects, etc.), and mentoring of other staff members.

To see the full list of divisional, regional and campus winners, visit: https://sesischools.com/teacher-and-staff-of-the-year-2025/.

About Specialized Education Services, Inc.

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting. SESI partners with school districts to run in-district classrooms and private day schools that meet the academic, behavioral, and emotional needs of special and alternative education students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and other challenges. Partnering with over 800 school districts nationwide, SESI serves nearly 13,000 students in private day schools and in-district classrooms. SESI is accredited by Cognia.
 Marketa Wills, M.D., Jessica Punzo Psy.D., and Anthony Estreet, Ph.D., to explore professional standards, education, and mental health equity in the psychedelic era with Tyler Norris MDiv.

 From workforce expansion to trauma healing, experts tackle the systems and standards needed for safe, equitable access.

DENVER, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psychedelic Science  the premier global gathering for psychedelic research, medicine, policy, and culture hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)  announces three of the nations most influential mental health organizations will take the keynote stage at Psychedelic Science 2025 (PS2025) in Denver, Colorado.

Marketa Wills, M.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association will join mental health policy leader and moderator Tyler Norris, MDiv for a keynote fireside chat examining the evolving role of psychiatrists and therapy in the psychedelic ecosystem. This conversation will cover the current state of psychedelic research, emerging clinical guidelines, and the need to educate and expand the mental health workforce to meet future demand. The session, Access, Quality and Safety for All: A Conversation with APA CEO Dr. Marketa Wills is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18 at 12:0012:30 p.m. on the PS2025 keynote stage.

A member of the American Psychological Association will join this keynote conversation, with Dr. Jessica Punzo, President of APA's Division 56 on Trauma Psychology, offering comments about APAs Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy initiatives. This session will underscore the critical role of psychologists and other professionals in shaping and delivering safe, effective psychedelic care.

In addition, Anthony Estreet, Ph.D., MBA, LCSW-C, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), will deliver an opening keynote session addressing how social workers, who make up the largest group of licensed mental health professionals in the United States, can play a central role in ensuring equitable access to psychedelic therapies. The session, Social Work, Psychedelics and Whole Person Well Being, is scheduled for Friday, June 20 at 9:3010:00 a.m. on the PS2025 keynote stage.

Bringing together leaders from psychiatry, psychology, and social work underscores our commitment to safe, ethical, and equitable psychedelic care. This moment is about more than medicine. Its about shaping the future of mental health from every angle - clinical, cultural, and community-driven.

 Tyler Norris, MDiv, Director, CEO Alliance for Mental Health

Visit PsychedelicScience.org to view the full schedule, register for workshops, and explore hotel and travel options. Workshop spaces are limited and available on a first-come basis.



About Psychedelic Science

Psychedelic Science 2025 (PS2025), hosted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), is the worlds leading psychedelic conference. Returning to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from June 16-20, 2025, this five-day event brings together a global community of scientists, therapists, policymakers, cultural leaders, and advocates to explore the forefront of psychedelic research, therapy, and culture. Facilitated by Superfly , known for producing iconic events such as Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, PS2025 will feature expert speakers; hands-on workshops; community events with art, music, and mindfulness activities; and scholarship opportunities to support broad participation.

Since its inception in 2010, the Psychedelic Science conference series has fostered knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and community-building within the psychedelic ecosystem. Join thousands of attendees as we explore the transformative potential of psychedelics and shape the future of mental health, policy, and cultural understanding. For more information and registration details, visit psychedelicscience.org , and follow us on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Facebook .

ABOUT MAPS

Founded in 1986, MAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MAPS' conference flagship, Psychedelic Science , has been the leading convening of the psychedelic community since 2010. MAPS incubated Lykos Therapeutics, a drug-development public benefit company, and the Zendo Project , a leader in psychedelic harm reduction. Since MAPS was founded, philanthropic donors and grantors have given more than $150 million to advance research , change drug policy , and evolve education in the field of psychedelics.
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clifton Blake, a real estate investment and asset management firm, is pleased to announce its official merger with Metropolitan Commercial Realty Inc., now rebranded as CB Metropolitan Commercial Ltd. (CB Metcom). This strategic merger brings together two highly successful enterprises to fortify capabilities and long-term outcomes for clients and investors.

CB Metcom brings to Clifton Blake an active broker network of more than 250 professionals, two decades of experience, and thousands of sales and leasing transactions. This integration enhances Clifton Blakes ability to source off-market deals, access timely property intelligence, and underwrite with speed and precision. CB Metcoms client base also opens new streams of capital, expanding Clifton Blakes market reach, and deepening their ability to serve investors, tenants and borrowers.

Clifton Blake offers the leading full cycle solution for optimizing and managing real estate assets, said KC Daya, Chief Executive Officer of Clifton Blake. By adding a commercial brokerage to our in-house capabilities, we now control a broader segment of the real estate value chain, from origination and underwriting, to lending, construction, leasing, and property management. Our leadership in full cycle management ensures a wide bank of service offerings and customized solutions for investors, tenants, and property owners.

The merger also provides an operational advantage. With broader market intelligence and extended reach into the brokerage community, the firm is positioned to accelerate growth and streamline execution. CB Metcoms clients, in turn, gain access to Clifton Blakes premier lending and investment solutions, creating a reciprocal pipeline of opportunity across the platform. CB Metcoms on-the-ground presence in key markets will directly support Clifton Blakes local market intelligence, deal sourcing, leasing, and capital markets strategies.

Were stronger together, said Ming Zee, Managing Director of CB Metcom. By joining Clifton Blake, were offering something rare in the market. Our brokerage team now operates within a fully integrated real estate platform, supported by capital, lending, and development expertise. We are well-positioned to expand our capabilities, surpassing previous limitations in the scope of services we offered to our clients.

With this strategic alignment, Clifton Blake continues to solidify its position not only in market leadership but as one of Canadas most agile real estate asset management firms, combining scale, specialization, intelligence, and executional excellence to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving investment landscape.

About Clifton Blake

Clifton Blake is known for its disciplined investment approach and strategically integrated capability curating and managing Class A portfolios spanning private mortgage lending, construction management, and mixed-use real estate development. With a 50-year history, the firm has consistently delivered strong risk-adjusted returns through its Private REIT, Mortgage Fund, and Bridge Funds, all of which are built on a foundation of long-term value creation and urban intensification. Learn more at www.cliftonblake.com.

About CB Metropolitan Commercial Ltd.

Metropolitan Commercial Realty Inc. was founded in 2006 by Ming Zee and David De Courcy with a mission to deliver tailored solutions across all aspects of commercial real estate, specializing in land development and leasing strategies for property owners and operators alike. Over the years, the firm has established a legacy of success, consistently achieving best-in-class results and fostering long-standing client relationships, namely with Clifton Blake. As CB Metropolitan Commercial Ltd., the firm retains its independent spirit and client-first philosophy while gaining access to the operational scale and financial infrastructure of Clifton Blake. Learn more at www.cbmetcom.com.

Media Contact:

Karryn Tapsas

Manager, Investor Relations

Alliance Advisors IR

604-719-8285

ktapsas@allianceadvisors.com
BALTIMORE, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Urological Association (AUA) is excited to announce it has selected seven grant winners to split $1.5 million as part of a collaborative initiative with Pfizer External Research & Grants (ER&G) which is aimed to improve the quality of care for individuals with advanced prostate cancer.

Following a joint Request for Proposals (RFP), 23 grant proposals were received from urology and urologic oncology institutions and organizations nationwide. After a rigorous review process, seven innovative projects were awarded grant funding, totaling $1.5 million on behalf of the Pfizer-Astellas Alliance.

The AUA is proud to once again collaborate with Pfizer in supporting forward-thinking research and education in advanced prostate cancer, said Mark Gonzalgo, MD, PhD, MBA, chair of education at the AUA. This grant initiative continues to foster groundbreaking strategies that address unmet needs in care deliveryfrom earlier diagnosis to individualized treatment approaches. We commend this years grant recipients for their commitment to improving outcomes and elevating the standard of care for patients navigating this challenging disease.

Congratulations to the following selected applications:

Addressing Genomic Disparities in Prostate Cancer: A Quality Improvement Initiative for Equitable Access to Germline and Somatic Testing  Rohan Garje, MD, Miami Cancer Institute

Advanced Prostate Cancer Collaboration Advances Rural Equity  Charles Shelton, MD, The Outer Banks Hospital

AI-Enhanced Quality Improvement to Optimize Genetic Testing in Advanced Prostate Cancer  Kenneth Nepple, MD, University of Iowa

Bridging Gaps in Advanced Prostate Cancer Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative in the Bronx  Christopher Jakubowski, MD, Montefiore Medical Center

Boosting Precision: Enhancing Germline and Somatic Testing in Advanced Prostate Cancer  Guru Sonpavde, MD, AdventHealth Foundation Central Florida

A Clinical Trial to Address Physician- and Patient-based Barriers to NGS Testing  Catherine Marshall, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University

Implementing MyNavigator Platform in a High Volume, Rural Advanced Prostate Cancer Practice to Optimize Performance of Multidisciplinary Care Team, Improve Patient Symptom Monitoring, and Collect Real World Data: A Quality Improvement Initiative  Timothy Richardson, MD, Avident Health, LLC

*Pending executed agreements

About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 26,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.
Oakville, ON, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HealthPRO Canada, the countrys national group contracting provider for healthcare, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO). This collaboration aims to help more than 140 hospice programs across Ontario achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies through coordinated access to HealthPRO Canada's national buying power.

This is a significant step forward in supporting Ontarios hospices, says Rick Firth, President & CEO, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. Through this partnership with HealthPRO Canada, were giving our members access to tools and services that will allow them to deliver even more sustainable, high-quality care to the people and families they serve.

The two organizations will work together to drive cost savings by enabling hospice programs to access competitively sourced contracts. The partnership will help streamline operations, reducing the administrative burden of procurement so that hospice organizations can allocate more resources to frontline care. It will also promote innovation by identifying and supporting Canadian-made and innovative solutions that address the unique needs of hospice and palliative care providers.

This partnership reflects HealthPRO Canadas ongoing commitment to strengthening care across the full healthcare continuum  including the vital, compassionate work being done in hospice settings, says Christine Donaldson, President & CEO of HealthPRO Canada. By supporting HPCO and its members, were proud to help ensure hospice providers can spend less time on procurement and more time on what matters most  improving the quality of life for patients and their families as they face life-threatening illness.

About HealthPRO Canada

HealthPRO Canada connects healthcare teams to the supplies and solutions they need to care for Canadians. As a leader in procurementthe complex process of sourcing and contracting for what is vital in the delivery of quality healthcareHealthPRO Canada has been a trusted partner in the healthcare supply chain for nearly 30 years. The organization manages modern, innovative, and sustainable contracts for supplies, equipment, and medications across Canada.



About Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO)

Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) is the provincial association representing hospices and palliative care providers across Ontario. HPCO works to advance and champion quality, compassionate hospice palliative care for individuals living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Through leadership, advocacy, education, and the development of standards and accreditation, HPCO supports a network of member organizations that provide care in homes, hospices, hospitals, and communities. Learn more at www.hpco.ca.

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New York City, NY , May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stark Flight, a global leader in promoting agricultural innovation through drone technology, has released the Agricultural Drone Industry Insight Report (2023/2024), showing the booming global agricultural drone industry in 2023. Covering policy initiatives and emerging drone applications, the report provides a comprehensive overview to understand the evolving prospects of agricultural drone technology in 2023/2024.









"Stark Flight is using digital solutions and smart drones to improve farmland management efficiency while prioritizing environmental sustainability," said Stark Flight's Head of Global Sales. "This report highlights that governments and farmers around the world are adopting agricultural drones and smart farming technologies to increase food production in a more scientific, sustainable and environmentally friendly way."

Key Findings of the 2023/2024 Report

The rapid adoption of agricultural drones around the world demonstrates the transformative power of emerging technologies in the agricultural sector. By the end of June 2024, agricultural drones have treated more than 500 million hectares of farmland worldwide.

The superior efficiency of these drones has resulted in significant savings, including a cumulative reduction of 210 million tons of water and 47,000 tons of pesticides. In addition, the implementation of agricultural drones has also significantly reduced carbon emissions by 25.72 million metric tons. This reduction is equivalent to the carbon sequestration provided by 1.2 billion trees, highlighting the sustainability and environmental friendliness of this innovative approach to modern agriculture.

Global Policy Trends

The report notes that governments in some countries have begun to relax regulations. In Brazil, ANAC has amended regulations to only require drones to be registered and pilots licensed before commencing operations. In the United States, the FAA has published a list of approved agricultural drones that can be used directly after obtaining an exemption. China has issued regulations allowing drone pilots to receive training from manufacturers.

Stark Flights Head of Global Sales: We are very excited about these advancements in the regulatory framework as they will help expand the use of agricultural drones and ultimately benefit farmers around the world.

Best Practices

The report also summarizes best practices, providing valuable guidance on personnel training, drone technology, agricultural applications, and the integration of agronomy and drones. Farmers can directly refer to these guidelines to implement more professional agricultural operations.

Technological Advances

The report also highlights technological advances that have promoted the development of the agricultural drone industry. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has made data processing and decision-making more precise and efficient. In addition, the development of sensor technology has improved the capabilities of precision agriculture. These advances not only improve efficiency but also reduce costs for farmers.

Agricultural Drone Testing and Case Studies

Stark Flight and its partners have documented a large number of tests and case studies in 2024, including:

 Drift testing of Agras T40 and T30 models in China, Australia and Hungary.

 A farmer is responsible for managing the entire growing cycle of a 10-hectare navel orange orchard.

 Agave farms in Mexico use herbicides, saving 88% of water and reducing costs by over $60 per hectare.

 Targeted weed spraying on Australian pastures saves 50% of costs and reduces chemical use by 51%.

 Spraying a 1,500-tree durian orchard in Thailand with pesticides reduces chemical use by 20-30%.

 Ripening spraying on smallholder sugarcane farms in South Africa increases final sugar yield by 1.78 tons per hectare.

Conclusion

The Stark Flight Annual Report highlights significant advances in the agricultural drone industry and paves the way for future developments. By prioritizing sustainability and innovation, we aim to revolutionize modern agriculture and positively impact global food production. Stay tuned for our next update as we work towards a greener, smarter, and more efficient agricultural future.

About Stark Flight

Stark Flight is a New York-based leader in agricultural drone technology, dedicated to transforming modern farming. The company designs innovative drone solutions that enhance crop management, reduce costs, and promote sustainable practices. Serving farmers and agribusinesses across America, Stark Flight combines advanced sensors and automation to drive efficiency and resilience in agriculture. Learn more at https://starkflight.vip/





Media Contact

1. Company name: Stark Flight

2. Website link: https://starkflight.vip/

3. Contact email: support@starkflight.vip

4. Contact person name:CHRISTOPHER JASON CORNISH II

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Dublin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market was valued at USD 378.60 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 589.56 Million by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 7.86%

In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure designed to help individuals and couples overcome infertility and achieve pregnancy. The term "in vitro" means "in glass," and IVF involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the human body in a laboratory setting, typically in a petri dish or a specialized culture medium.

The resulting embryos are then carefully monitored and, in most cases, one or more of the healthiest embryos are selected for transfer into the woman's uterus with the goal of establishing a successful pregnancy. IVF is a complex and highly customizable procedure, and the specific protocols may vary based on individual patient needs and circumstances. The success of IVF can depend on various factors, including the woman's age, the quality of the embryos, and any underlying medical conditions.

A rising awareness of infertility issues and available fertility treatments among both healthcare providers and the public encourages more individuals and couples to seek IVF solutions. In Riyadh, Fertility World offers premier In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, delivering comprehensive care with the highest success rates. The center provides an affordable IVF package at a cost of USD 3,997.73, making the dream of parenthood a reality for many. Continuous advancements in IVF techniques, equipment, and laboratory procedures improve success rates, making IVF more appealing to patients.

Evolving societal norms and cultural shifts, including greater acceptance of non-traditional family structures, contribute to the increasing demand for IVF treatments. The rise in fertility preservation services for individuals facing medical treatments that may affect their fertility expands the market. Efforts to educate patients about infertility issues, available treatments, and the benefits of IVF can boost demand. The presence of an aging population can contribute to a higher demand for fertility treatments, as advanced maternal age is often associated with infertility. Increasing availability of health insurance coverage for IVF treatments can make these services more accessible and affordable to a wider range of patients.

Government initiatives to promote and subsidize fertility treatments, establish specialized fertility centers, and improve access to IVF services can drive market growth. Well-defined regulations are crucial for developing a scaled and corporatized IVF market, and improvements in the regulatory framework across APAC are driving increased investment. However, there is considerable variability in regulations among countries. Thailand and Malaysia, where gender selection and biological asset transfers are permitted, offer some of the most flexible regulations, though they impose restrictions on foreign ownership of ART clinics (e.g., Thailand limits foreign ownership to 70%). In contrast, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the UAE, and China enforce more stringent regulatory requirements.

Key Market Drivers

Technological Advancements

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a breakthrough technology that involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg. It is particularly beneficial for couples with male infertility issues and has significantly increased IVF success rates. IVF success rates in Saudi Arabia are comparable to those in Dubai, ranging between 40-50%. The country's regulatory framework supports the use of advanced reproductive technologies, and numerous clinics offer comprehensive IVF packages. While Saudi Arabia emphasizes convenience and patient comfort, its offerings may not match the luxury experiences available in Dubai. Additionally, Saudi Arabia adheres to strict ethical guidelines and quality standards, ensuring safe and effective treatments.

Growing Awareness

Growing awareness leads to the establishment of support groups, online forums, and resources for individuals and couples dealing with infertility. These networks provide emotional and informational support, making it easier for people to navigate their fertility journey. Awareness campaigns often emphasize the importance of seeking medical advice early when faced with fertility issues.

National and international awareness initiatives and fertility awareness weeks contribute to educating the public about infertility and available treatments, including IVF. When public figures and celebrities openly share their experiences with infertility and IVF, it can have a profound impact on public awareness and encourage others to seek treatment. As societies evolve and embrace changing family structures, awareness campaigns can help individuals see IVF as a viable option for building their families. This factor will pace up the demand of the Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market.

Rising Fertility Preservation

Patients facing medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgeries that can impair fertility often choose to preserve their gametes (eggs or sperm) before undergoing these treatments. After completing their medical treatment, many of these individuals turn to IVF to achieve a pregnancy. Some individuals choose to delay parenthood due to personal or professional reasons, but they wish to ensure their fertility options for the future. Fertility preservation, such as egg freezing, allows them to extend their reproductive lifespan, and they may later use IVF to conceive when they are ready to start a family. Women who are concerned about the natural decline in fertility with age may opt for egg freezing to preserve their younger, healthier eggs. Later, they may use IVF to thaw and fertilize these preserved eggs to achieve pregnancy.

Key Market Challenges

Ethical Concerns and Stigma

Saudi Arabia, as an Islamic nation, follows strict religious principles. Some interpretations of Islamic law raise ethical concerns about IVF, especially issues related to the use of third-party gametes (egg or sperm donation), surrogacy, and pre-implantation genetic testing. Religious leaders' opinions can influence public perception. There can be social stigma associated with infertility and the use of fertility treatments, which may deter individuals and couples from seeking IVF. Privacy is highly valued in Saudi society, and the disclosure of fertility issues can be uncomfortable for many.

Affordability

IVF is a complex and resource-intensive medical procedure. The costs associated with IVF treatments, including medications, laboratory tests, and medical consultations, can be substantial. These high costs can make IVF out of reach for many potential patients. IVF success is not guaranteed in a single cycle, and many patients require multiple cycles to achieve a pregnancy. The need for multiple attempts significantly increases the overall cost of IVF. Fertility medications, such as hormones and gonadotropins used in IVF, can be expensive. Patients often require several medications during their IVF cycle, adding to the financial burden.

Key Market Trends: Medical Tourism

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in developing state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure, including cutting-edge IVF facilities and specialized fertility clinics. This infrastructure attracts international patients seeking high-quality IVF treatments. The medical tourism market in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach USD 0.54 billion by 2029. A major factor contributing to this growth is the cost-effectiveness of medical procedures in Saudi Arabia, which are often more affordable than in many patients' home countries, particularly for elective or non-emergency treatments. The presence of highly trained and experienced fertility specialists and medical professionals in Saudi Arabia adds to the appeal for international patients.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $378.6 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $589.56 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.8% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia



Report Scope

Key Market Players:

Dr. Sulaiman Alhabib Medical Group

HealthPlus Fertility & Women's Health Center

Dr. Samir Abbas Medical Centers

Dr. Khalid Idriss Hospital

KKUH - Assisted Conception Unit

King Faisal Specialist Hospital

Saad Hospital IVF Center

Al Manaa General Hospital IVF Unit

Thuriah Medical Center

Bnoon Medical Center

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Technique:

ICS/IVF

Non-ICSI/Traditional IVF

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Reagent:

Embryo Culture Media

Cryopreservation Media

Sperm Processing Media

Ovum Processing Media

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Instrument:

Imaging Systems

Incubators

Cryo-systems

Sperm Separation Systems

Ovum Aspiration Pumps

Micromanipulator Systems

Others

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Infertility:

Female

Male

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Embryo:

Frozen-Thawed Embryo

Fresh Embryo

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Application:

Fertility Clinics

Hospitals

Others

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By End-User:

Locals

Expats

Medical Tourists

Saudi Arabia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market, By Region:

Eastern

Western

Northern & Central

Southern

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g2azaa

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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MIAMI, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm , led by award-winning attorney Samah T. Abukhodeir, Esq., is alerting Florida attorneys to changes coming to Googles Local Services Ads (LSAs) on June 5, 2025. The new terms give Google rights to use law firm information, call and message content, and linked website details in ways that could conflict with Florida bar advertising rules.

Many lawyers might not realize the extent of the new permissions Google is requiring for Local Services Ads, said Abukhodeir, founder and managing partner. If you dont review these terms and understand how your firms data can be used, you could unintentionally violate client confidentiality or advertising regulations. Thats not a risk Florida attorneys can afford to take.

What Florida Attorneys Need to Know About the LSA Changes

Google updated their Local Services Ads terms, and its a lot more than a few tweaks. Heres what theyre giving themselves permission to do:

Use your business info (like your name, phone number, photos, website, hours, etc.) however they want in ads and across Google products.

(like your name, phone number, photos, website, hours, etc.) however they want in ads and across Google products. Take content from your calls and messages with leads (yes, really) and potentially turn that into ad material.

with leads (yes, really) and potentially turn that into ad material. Pull details from any links or URLs youve added to your LSA profile, including your website.

to your LSA profile, including your website. Link your ad account to your other Google accounts or profiles.

or profiles. Make all this binding even if an agency clicks "accept" on your behalf.



Why this might be a problem in Florida

If youre practicing in Florida, the Bar has pretty strict rules around advertising, such as:

Confidentiality concerns: Rule 4-1.6 says client info needs to stay private. If Googles pulling call and message content - even from people who havent hired you - that could be a problem.

Rule 4-1.6 says client info needs to stay private. If Googles pulling call and message content - even from people who havent hired you - that could be a problem. Google might change your messaging: Rules 4-7.13 and 4-7.14 say you cant post anything misleading. If Google edits how your ad looks or what it says (without your knowledge), this could be misleading and cause a bar grievance issue.

Rules 4-7.13 and 4-7.14 say you cant post anything misleading. If Google edits how your ad looks or what it says (without your knowledge), this could be misleading and cause a bar grievance issue. Youre still responsible: Every ad has to include a responsible lawyer (Rule 4-7.12). But if Googles tweaking content or repurposing it, the responsible attorney might not be shown.



Key Steps for Florida Attorneys Before Accepting the New LSA Terms

Actually read the updated terms before clicking accept.

the updated terms before clicking accept. Dont share sensitive info through LSA calls or messages - play it safe.

Check how your ads are showing up on Google, and regularly.

on Google, and regularly. If something feels off, talk to an ethics attorney or call the Florida Bars Ethics Hotline.

If this all feels like too much, you can always pause or skip LSAs and look at other options.



Googles trying to make its Local Services Ads more flexible for them, not for you. Some of these new permissions could easily get you in trouble with the Bar if youre not careful. Take a few minutes to read what youre agreeing to, or you might end up in a mess thats harder to clean up than just fixing your ad settings, added Abukhodeir on a final note.

About The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm
Dublin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cerezyme Market Report 2025: Epidemiology, Pipeline Analysis, Market Insights & Forecasts" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Cerezyme market report offers an extensive analysis of key characteristics, such as market size, growth potential, and segmentation. It presents a regional and country-wise market breakdown, showcasing both historical data and future growth projections. Competitive landscape, market share insights, emerging trends, and strategic developments are thoroughly examined to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector.

Historical market growth has been driven by increased global healthcare expenditure, the rise of clinical trials, adoption of personalized medicine, use of electronic health records, and growth in medical tourism. Looking ahead, growth is expected due to the rising prevalence of rare diseases, heightened demand for enzyme replacement therapies, an increase in genetic disorders, gene therapy advances, and burgeoning biotech investments.

Key upcoming trends include technological advancements, the further personalization of medicine, artificial intelligence integration, and the use of combination therapies. Investment in research and development (R&D) is pivotal to the Cerezyme market's growth. R&D facilitates the creation and enhancement of enzyme replacement therapies, aiming to boost treatment effectiveness, improve patient outcomes, and address unmet needs for Gaucher disease treatment. The rise in R&D expenditure is propelled by demand for innovation and technological progress, illustrated by the UK pharmaceutical sector's significant R&D investment in 2022.

Expansion in healthcare infrastructure is anticipated to bolster the Cerezyme market. With advancements driven by population growth, increased healthcare demands, and technological improvements, healthcare systems worldwide are expanding. Enhanced infrastructure supports effective administration of enzyme replacement therapy, as exemplified by the increase in U.S. hospitals from 2022 to 2024. Such expansion is crucial for market progress. A notable trend is the expansion of manufacturing facilities to meet rising global demand. Specialized biologics manufacturing plants utilize advanced technologies to produce high-quality drugs, ensuring scalable production and regulatory compliance.

Sanofi S.A.'s new Singapore manufacturing facility, a response to increased demand, exemplifies this trend, showcasing an investment aimed at elevating production capacity. Sanofi S.A. remains a key player in the Cerezyme market. Geographically, North America led in 2024, with Asia-Pacific poised as the fastest-growing region. The report encompasses regions such as Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa, and includes countries like Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, and others. Cerezyme, an enzyme replacement therapy, is essential for treating Gaucher disease.

It alleviates symptoms by replacing deficient enzymes, preventing fatty substance accumulation in organs. The main indications for Cerezyme include Gaucher's disease Types 1 and 3. Distribution channels span direct sales, pharmaceutical wholesalers, online, and retail pharmacies, catering to hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers, and home care settings. The Cerezyme market comprises sales of infusion equipment, gene therapy products, and supportive care medications. The market's value represents enterprise revenues through goods/services sales within specified markets and geographies, excluding supply chain resales. This report provides an expansive view of the Cerezyme market, equipping stakeholders with vital data for future industry navigation.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Cerezyme Market Characteristics

3. Cerezyme Market Biologic Drug Characteristics

3.1. Molecule Type

3.2. Route of Administration (ROA)

3.3. Mechanism of Action (MOA)

3.4. Safety and Efficacy

4. Cerezyme Market Trends and Strategies

5. Cerezyme Market - Macro Economic Scenario

6. Global Cerezyme Growth Analysis and Strategic Analysis Framework

6.1. Global Cerezyme PESTEL Analysis

6.2. Analysis of End Use Industries

6.3. Global Cerezyme Market Growth Rate Analysis

6.4. Global Cerezyme Historic Market Size and Growth

6.5. Global Cerezyme Forecast Market Size and Growth

6.6. Global Cerezyme Total Addressable Market (TAM)

7. Global Cerezyme Pricing Analysis & Forecasts

8. Cerezyme Market Segmentation

8.1. Global Cerezyme Market, Segmentation by Indication

8.2. Global Cerezyme Market, Segmentation by Distribution Channel

8.3. Global Cerezyme Market, Segmentation by End Use

9. Global Cerezyme Epidemiology of Clinical Indications

9.1. Drug Side Effects

9.2. Incidence and Prevalence of Clinical Indications

10. Cerezyme Market Regional and Country Analysis

10.1. Global Cerezyme Market, Split by Region

10.2. Global Cerezyme Market, Split by Country

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r7pojn

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "AI in Energy Market Opportunities and Strategies to 2034" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The AI in the energy market is experiencing significant growth, shaping the future of energy ecosystems across the globe. Key findings indicate a robust trajectory, with the market expanding from $19.03 billion in 2024 to an impressive $50.9 billion by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.75%. Looking further, the market is projected to reach $129.63 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 20.56%.

Several factors contributed to this growth in the past, such as the rise in electricity generation and deployment of solar energy systems. Moving forward, urbanization, increasing cloud-based services, and substantial investments in the energy sector are expected to propel the market.

Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape

The global AI in energy market remains fragmented, with small players holding a considerable share. In 2023, the top ten competitors accounted for 22.91% of the total market. Major players include Microsoft Corporation, Amazon.com Inc., and NVIDIA Corporation, with Microsoft leading at a 5% market share.

North America was identified as the largest market regionally, contributing $7.8 billion, or 40.99% of the total in 2024. However, Asia Pacific and South America are predicted to be the fastest-growing regions, with respective growth rates of 24.06% and 23.31% during 2024-2029.

Segmentation Insights

The AI in energy market is categorized by offering into software, hardware, support services, and AI-as-a-service. Software currently leads, yet AI-as-a-service is expected to grow fastest at a CAGR of 25.97%. In terms of deployment, the cloud segment dominates and is projected to maintain its leadership, expanding at a CAGR of 22.91% from 2024-2029.

Among applications, demand response management leads while renewable energy management is the fastest-growing segment. The utilities segment leads end users, but energy transmission is catching up, projected to grow at a CAGR of 26.33%.

Opportunities abound for companies that invest in sectors like AI-as-a-service and cloud deployment, which are expected to see significant revenue increases by 2029.

Strategic Recommendations and Market Opportunities

Analysts recommend targeting emerging markets and strategic partnerships to leverage growth opportunities. Emphasizing AI-driven solutions can optimize residential energy efficiency and enhance solar energy management. Companies are urged to innovate with AI technology, focusing on smart solutions for data centers and residential applications.

Major Market Trends

Enhancing Residential Energy with Advanced AI Technologies

Strategic Partnerships for Robust Energy Solutions

Innovative AI Software for Energy Monitoring

Comprehensive Energy Ecosystems for Residential Applications

AI Strategies to Improve Data Center Efficiency and Minimize Emissions

AI-Powered Energy Management and Generative AI Assistants

Innovations in AI Home Assessment Tools

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 390 Forecast Period 2024 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $19.03 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $129.63 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 21.2% Regions Covered Global



Companies Featured

Microsoft Corporation

Amazon.com Inc.

NVIDIA Corporation

Oracle Corporation

Alphabet Inc. (Google LLC)

Schneider Electric SE

Siemens AG

ABB Ltd.

Atos SE

Alpiq Holding Ltd.

China Mobile

ZTE

YunDing Tech Co. Ltd.

Shandong Energy Group Co. Ltd.

GCL Energy Technology

EdgeCortix Inc.

BluWave-ai

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)

Kansai Electric Power

Kyushu Electric Power

SK Group

POSCO International

GS E&R

LG Electronics

Huawei Technologies Co Ltd.

R&B Technology Co., Ltd.

Infosys Limited

Tata Power Company Limited

Solar Analytics

AutoGrid India Pvt Ltd

SparkCognition India Pvt Ltd.

Bidgely

BP

Engie SA

Iberdrola

GreenPowerMonitor

AutoGrid Systems Inc.

Danfoss A/S

EVBox B.V.

LM Ericsson

Energi

E.ON

Powerverse

Enel Green Power S.p.A.

Electrica Furnizare S.A.

Affexy Sp. z o.o.

ON Semiconductor Corporation

Ogre AI

Enea Operator Sp.z.o.o.

Electrica Group

Ensemble Energy

Spark Cognition

Snowflake Inc.

Sustainable Energy for All

Databricks, Inc.

Honeywell International, Inc.

BidOut, Inc.

Enverus, Inc.

AES Corporation

Fluence

General Electric Company

International Business Machines Corporation

ExxonMobil

Baker Hughes Company

Suncor Energy

Ontario Power Generation Inc.

Enbridge Inc.

Xcel Energy

BrainBox AI

Kontrol Technologies

Ecopetrol SA

Abastible S.A.

Origem Energia

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.

CPFL Energia

Shell Brasil

Hub71

ThirdAI

Watad Energy & Communications

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

Group 42 Holding Ltd.

Digital Energy Technologies Ltd.

Saudi Aramco

AIQ

Inq. Group

M-KOPA

Omdena

Oya Energy

Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC)

Sasol Limited

DataProphet

Eskom Hld SOC Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/a93uzz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Bloemfontein, Free State, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- De Oude Kraal Estate and Spa, a premier peaceful estate in the Free State, central South Africa, has enhanced its hospitality offerings with new spa experiences, award-winning dining, and adventure-filled activities designed for local and international guests seeking relaxation and indulgence. Withover 800 Google reviews with an impressive average rating of 4.6, De Oude Kraal has earned its reputation as a premier accommodation destination for those seeking peace, luxury, and unforgettable experiences, boasting the award-winning restaurant and wine list.





Sunset game drive

De Oude Kraal continues to elevate guest experience with tailored luxury services such as the spa facilities including the Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, swimming pool, light lunch, cake and tea that is recently inclusive with our guesthouse stay, said Marie Lombard, Co-owner. De Oude Kraal offers other services also included with the guesthouse stay such as sunset game drives, naked-eye star gazing, bird watching, horse rides, off-road bicycle trails and tractor rides to name a few. Clay Pigeon and .22 are also activities that I enjoy to arrange for guests on request, said Gerhard Lombard, Co-Owner. De Oude Kraals management team want to leave guests with the message that we always go the extra mile whether it be for a peaceful overnight stay, birthday celebrations, romantic getaways, weddings or corporate events, said Melanie Moolman, Team Manager.

De Oude Kraal existing clientele also includes tourists searching for luxury and adventure, families and couples with pets, lawyers coming to the Appeal Court of South Africa, corporate workshops and residents passing through searching for a guesthouse in central South Africa.

De Oude Kraal has been recognized in South Africa for 15 consecutive years by the American Express Platinum Fine Dining Awards. De Oude Kraal curates exquisite 4-course dinners, paired with DeOude Kraals award-winning wine list.

De Oude Kraal is a fifth-generational sheep farm, founded in 1885, that offers a blend of heritage and modern luxury. De Oude Kraal caters to guests looking for Bloemfontein accommodation, self-catering accommodation, pet friendly accommodation or luxury accommodation with breakfast buffet and all activities included.





Visit De Oude Kraals website to book your experience today.





Spa and four-course dinner

About De Oude Kraal Estate and Spa



De Oude Kraal Estate and Spa is a fifth generational farm, a four-course restaurant and wine list award-winning destination located near Bloemfontein, in central South Africa. Offering a blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation, De Oude Kraal is the perfect escape for those seeking peace, tranquility, and unforgettable experiences. From sunset game drives, horse ride, star gazing, clay-pigeon shooting and wine-paired dinners to spa indulgence and scenic hikes, De Oude Kraal is a whole holiday in one stay.





Press inquiries

De Oude Kraal Estate and Spa

https://deoudekraal.com/https://

Gerhard Lombard, Co-Founder

info@deoudekraal.com

+27 82 413 1798

35 Kilometers south of Bloemfontein,

Tierpoort District

Bloemfontein

Free State

9301




Denver, Colo., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2024 winning Tribal College Blanket Design, Infinite Prayer, designed by Jenabah Yazzie (Dine), is now available for purchase. Chosen from over 40 submissions, the blanket is the latest addition to Pendleton Woolen Mills American Indian College Fund collection. The heritage brand has created wool blankets in partnership with the College Fund for more than 20 years. A portion of the sales from the blanket collection provides approximately $50,000 in annual Native student scholarships. Pendleton also contributes to a scholarship endowment that, combined with the total of scholarships disbursed, exceeds $2.5 million.

Yazzie is a psychology major at Dine College focused on behavior and the functions of the mind. She decided to enter the design contest after seeing the blanket of a previous winner online. Her late fathers passion for making art served as her inspiration, and the love of her ancestors is referenced in the design itself. By creating this I hope it instills the warmth and prayers that our grandparents put down for us, Yazzie said. Let this be a reminder that they are still here amongst us, their spirits can be felt while we pray.

Through her design, Yazzie honors the morning time: the time of day when Navajo are taught to give offerings before the sunrise. The colors of the blanket represent hayookaa (dawn). The white border of the blanket represents the strength of prayer with the black and white design along the border depicting the love and protection of the Holy People. The four rectangles in the center of the blanket symbolize the thoughts and prayers of the people with the stars in the center of each rectangle representing the Star People, to remind us that we are never alone. Yazzie explained that prayer is always in motion which led to the name Infinite Prayer.

Learn more about Yazzies blanket design at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOrGBvt_JlU.

As the winner of the Tribal College Blanket Design Contest, Yazzie received a $5,000 scholarship, $2,000 for books and incidentals, and six blankets for her design portfolio.

I want to thank the American Indian College Fund and Pendleton for this amazing opportunity not only for myself but for all of the little rez kids out there waiting to live a big dream and pursue something in life, Yazzie said.

The Tribal College Blanket Design Contest is an annual contest open to all Native TCU students. Applications open every November on the College Funds website at https://collegefund.org/pendletoncontest. The contest seeks to create greater recognition for promising Native student artists work, to provide valuable design experience working with an internationally known brand, and to give students scholarships and cash awards to assist with college costs. The program also helps the College Fund and Pendleton honor the richness of Native arts, cultures, and stories by sharing original Native student designs with the public.

Infinite Prayer can be purchased online at www.pendleton-usa.com and in select Pendleton retail stores.

About Pendleton Woolen Mills

Pendleton Woolen Mills is a heritage lifestyle brand and the leader in wool blankets, apparel and accessories. Weaving in Oregon since 1863 and located in Portland, Oregon, Pendleton weaves iconic designs in two of Americas remaining woolen mills located in Pendleton, Oregon and Washougal, Washington. With six generations of family ownership, Pendleton is focused on their Warranted to Be a Pendleton legacy, creating quality lifestyle products with timeless classic styling. Inspiring individuals from the Pacific Northwest and beyond for 160 years, Pendleton products are available at Pendleton stores across the US, select retailers worldwide, and on pendleton-usa.com.



About the American Indian College Fund  The American Indian College Fund has been the nations largest charity supporting Native higher education for 35 years. The College Fund believes Education is the answer and provided $20.5 million in scholarships and other direct student support for access to a higher education steeped in Native culture and values to American Indian students in 2023-24. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $349 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nations 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, and the Best in America Seal of Excellence from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nations top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Reporters: The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Photo 1: Jenabah Yazzie with her award-winning Pendleton Blanket Design.

Photo 2: Infinite Prayer blanket design.

Attachments
EDMONTON, Alberta, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following is a statement from Brian Sauve, President and CEO of the National Police Federation, in response to Government of Albertas announcement of an additional $7 million contribution toward Grande Prairies municipal police transition:

"The Provinces announcement of an additional $7 million in provincial taxpayer funding to support the creation of a local police service in Grande Prairie brings the total provincial contributions to nearly $17 million. This almost fully covers the Citys estimated $19 million transition costs. These funds come not from the Citys budget, but from the pockets of Alberta taxpayers.

This decision underscores the provincial governments ongoing and politically driven push to dismantle RCMP policing in Alberta at any cost, despite earlier failed attempts to convince the public. When that failed, they turned to incentivizing individual municipalities to make the switch, using provincial money to do it.

This preferential and political approach is in sharp contrast to how the Province has treated hundreds of other communities under the Police Funding Model. In 2020, the Province started requiring rural municipalities and small towns to pay more of their frontline policing costs, now up to 30%, and slated to rise to 39% in 2025. That increase has been temporarily paused for one year while the Province renegotiates the funding model, but these communities still face rising costs with no guarantees of improved policing, no local input, and no clear accounting for where their dollars go.

Many community leaders have rightly asked where this money is being spent, as little to no reinvestment has occurred in their communities. Instead, Police Funding Model-collected funds appear to be diverted into provincial political pet projects: feasibility studies, municipal transitions, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs. All this at a time when the Province of Alberta is already facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit. With the emergence of another new policing initiative with no consultation  the Independent Alberta Police Service  Albertans are left asking: Is Police Funding Model money also being used to fund this?

There has been no transparency, no consultation, and no evidence that these decisions are in the best interest of public safety or fiscal responsibility. Instead of dividing and duplicating police services, the Government of Alberta should be focused on investing equitably in proven frontline capacity, including in the Alberta RCMP which continues to serve all Albertans with professionalism, dedication, and deep community roots.

Albertans deserve a policing system based on evidence, fairness, and accountability, not backroom deals and political motives.

About the National Police Federation:

The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. It is the largest police union in Canada. We are focused on improving public safety in Canada for our Members and all Canadians by advocating for investment in policing and other related supports and services. This includes calling for required resourcing, equipment, and supports to enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.

For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/ and KeepAlbertaRCMP.ca

Follow us:



NPF: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

KeepAlbertaRCMP: Facebook, Twitter

Media Contact:

Sarah Kavanagh

Advisor, Media Relations

Media@npf-fpn.com

604-842-6864
SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shares of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the nations largest health insurer, fell sharply on May 21, after a British newspaper reported that the company had made undisclosed payments to nursing homes in an effort to reduce hospital transfers, intensifying the scrutiny facing the healthcare conglomerate.

The allegations add to UnitedHealths woes, as the company had to grapple with the filing of a securities fraud class action, the abrupt departure of its CEO, and reports of criminal and civil probes on company's practices.

Hagens Berman is investigating the securities fraud claims alleged in the pending suit and urges UnitedHealth investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Dec. 3, 2024  Apr. 16, 2025

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 7, 2025

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/unh

Contact the Firm Now: UNH@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Allegations of Secret Payments and Patient Harm

On May 21, The Guardian reported that UnitedHealth deployed medical teams to nursing facilities across the United States and offered bonuses to limit hospitalizations among Medicare Advantage enrollees, as part of a wider cost-cutting initiative. According to internal documents and whistleblower accounts cited by the newspaper, these financial incentives sometimes resulted in delayed or averted transfers for patients who might have benefited from immediate hospital care. In one case, a patient reportedly suffered permanent brain damage after a delayed transfer for a suspected stroke.

The Guardians reporting has added to a series of setbacks for the company, which is already contending with regulatory investigations and legal challenges.

Pending Securities Class Action

The company is the subject of a securities class action suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, brought on behalf of investors who purchased UnitedHealth securities. The complaint alleges that the company engaged in a strategy of improperly denying health coverage to boost profits, drawing regulatory scrutiny and public criticism. The suit, captioned Faller v. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, asserts violations of federal securities laws.

The complaint alleges that the truth emerged on April 17, 2025, when UnitedHealth significantly reduced its full year 2025 financial guidance which it attributed, in part, to [h]eightened care activity indications within UnitedHealthcares Medicare Advantage business, . . . far above the planned 2025 increase that was most notable within physician and outpatient services. On this news, the price of UnitedHealth stock declined more than 22%, from $585.04 per share on April 16, 2025, to $454.11 per share on April 17, 2025.

CEO Departure and Regulatory Scrutiny

Since the filing of the suit, turmoil has only deepened. On May 13, UnitedHealth announced the abrupt departure of its chief executive, Andrew Witty, and suspended its 2025 fiscal guidance, sending shares down more than 10 percent that day.

The Wall Street Journal has also reported that federal authorities are investigating whether UnitedHealth pressured clinicians to record diagnoses that would make Medicare Advantage patients appear sicker than they were, a practice known as upcoding, which can result in higher federal payments.

Hagens Bermans Investigation

Shareholder rights law firm Hagens Berman is actively investigating the securities fraud claims alleged in the pending suit against UnitedHealth. Reed Kathrein, the partner leading the investigation, commented on the mounting scrutiny:

The Guardians reporting raises new and troubling questions about UnitedHealths commitment to patient care and transparency. Investors deserve clear answers about whether cost-cutting measures came at the expense of patient well-being.

If you invested in UnitedHealth and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the UnitedHealth Group case and our investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding UnitedHealth should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email UNH@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
National Forum on Urban Indigenous Health Governance in Care, Health Services and Healing

MONTREAL, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the National Forum on Urban Indigenous Health Governance in Care, Health Services and Healing, the Native Friendship Centres from across the country are making an urgent appeal to the Government of Canada. These Friendship Centres, from 9 provinces and 3 territories, are calling for an end to the glaring inequity in health and social services for urban Indigenous people living outside their home communities. Their health and wellness indicators reveal a significant gap with the rest of the population, and its time that this be addressed.

With their Statement for More Inclusive Indigenous Health, the Friendship Centres are calling on the federal government to immediately commit to the following:

Recognize the distinct needs of all indigenous populations, regardless of where they live;

of all indigenous populations, regardless of where they live; Unreservedly recognize the expertise of the Friendship Centres in providing front-line services for Indigenous people living in urban areas; and

in providing front-line services for Indigenous people living in urban areas; and Provide stable, flexible and permanent funding to the Friendship Centres, to enable them to develop or enhance health and social services within their infrastructures.





Urban Indigenous people continue to be marginalized and face many cultural, linguistic and social barriers in a health care system that is designed for the non-Indigenous reality. Public policy currently favours Indigenous people living on reserves, while the majority (59.4%1) of First Nations members live permanently in cities. This geographical favouritism creates a huge imbalance every day.

Friendship Centres: On the front line

Many Friendship Centres have taken the initiative to open their own community health clinics tailored to the needs of Indigenous people. They take action despite there being little to no federal funding earmarked for health services for urban Indigenous populations, in addition to a lack of official recognition. Urban Indigenous peoples specific realities raise unique challenges that Friendship Centres are best equipped to address, but doing so requires formal recognition as well as a significant financial investment.

The importance of cultural safety

In cities, Indigenous people face many challenges in accessing appropriate healthcare. Public health care personnel have a limited understanding of Indigenous realities, which can lead to snap judgments and discriminatory attitudes. Its not enough to acknowledge the existence of systemic racism in public services; concrete action must be taken to eliminate it, including by investing in indigenous health clinics that meet the specific needs of urban Indigenous and promote equitable access to care.

Quote

Ignoring the health needs of urban Indigenous people perpetuates historical injustices. By improving their physical and mental health, we help establish a healthier population that learns, works, creates, provides care and passes on knowledge.

Jocelyn W. Formsma, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Friendship Centres

About the Regroupement des centres d'amitie autochtones du Quebec (RCAAQ)

The RCAAQ is a network of 11 Friendship Centres in 14 Quebec cities, offering Indigenous people culturally relevant and safe services that contribute to the harmony and reconciliation between peoples in Quebec cities. The Friendship Centres are the largest urban service infrastructure for Indigenous people, offering a range of integrated services in a variety of sectors, including health, social services, justice, social inclusion, education, employability, early childhood and youth.

About the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)

The NAFC represents over 100 local Friendship Centres and provincial/territorial associations across the country (excluding Prince Edward Island). Friendship Centres are urban Indigenous community hubs that offer a wide range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Metis people living in urban, rural and northern communities. Collectively, Friendship Centres form the largest urban Indigenous service delivery network in Canada.

Information

Myrian Marotte

RCAAQ

myrian.marotte@rcaaq.info

514-913-4478

1 Statistics Canada, 2021.
ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aptean, a global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, is excited to announce two distinguished keynote speakers for UNITE 2025, its flagship North American customer conference: renowned futurist and thought leader, Erica Orange, along with decorated veteran and trailblazer, Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.). Taking place in Orlando, Florida from October 6-9, 2025, this premier event will offer engaging sessions, cutting-edge insights and unparalleled networking opportunities.

The theme of this years conference, Elevate Your Game, is designed to inspire businesses to push boundaries, embrace innovation and lead with confidence in an ever-evolving market. With two dynamic keynote speakerseach bringing distinct perspectives on transformation, leadership and forward-thinking strategyAptean reinforces its commitment to delivering a dynamic and empowering experience for attendees.

Erica Orange, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Future Hunters, is one of todays foremost futurists and is renowned for her bold insights into emerging trends and disruptive technologies. At UNITE 2025, she will explore how AI is reshaping the business landscape and what it means for decision-makers looking to stay ahead. With a deep understanding of the intersection between AI, innovation and strategic foresight, she will inspire attendees to reimagine possibilities and explore how future-focused thinking can unlock next-level growth.

Ms. Malachowski, the first woman pilot to join the elite U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, embodies perseverance, leadership and the ability to excel under pressure. A decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and passionate advocate for resilience and reinvention, Nicole will share inspiring personal stories and lessons in courageous leadership  offering a roadmap for navigating change with strength and clarity. Inspired by the metaphor of pushing the envelope, Nicole will challenge attendees to move beyond perceived limitations, foster deeper collaboration, drive accountability and unlock their full potential.

Our customers come to UNITE not just for product insights, but to be inspired and empowered, said TVN Reddy, CEO at Aptean. Erica and Nicole truly exemplify the spirit of Elevate Your Game. Through their powerful stories, deep expertise and visionary leadership, they will challenge our customers to think bigger, lead boldly and take decisive action that drives meaningful results.

Aptean UNITE 2025 will offer attendees a robust agenda of product deep dives, customer panels, industry networking and thought leadership sessionsall designed to help users maximize the value of their Aptean solutions and unlock new opportunities.

To learn more about UNITE 2025, or to register for the event, visit our event website.

About Aptean

Aptean is a global provider of industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. Apteans solutions and services help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for Whats Next, Now. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com.

Aptean and Ready for Whats Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

MediaRelations@Aptean.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miller Johnson is pleased to announce Jennifer L. McManus, former First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, has joined the firms litigation practice. McManus brings over 25 years of experience in complex litigation, appellate, investigations, and compliance work. Her addition further strengthens the firms highly regarded capabilities when representing clients across the country.

"I am excited to join Miller Johnson and contribute to its outstanding litigation practice," said McManus. "I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues and using my experience to help clients navigate challenging legal issues and achieve successful outcomes."

McManus will focus on developing a high-level private practice drawing on her experience in the Department of Justice where she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for over 21 years and held various leadership roles, including Appellate Chief and First Assistant. Prior to joining the Department, she represented individual and corporate clients as a member of the litigation and Appellate and Supreme Court practice groups at a larger Chicago law firm. Her extensive background includes handling high-profile civil and criminal cases, providing strategic direction on complex legal matters, and overseeing significant appellate work. She is well-known in the legal community for her strategic approach and dedication to excellence.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer McManus to our team," said David M. Buday, Managing Member at Miller Johnson. "Her deep expertise in private sector and government practice, combined with her leadership experience, will be invaluable to our clients and our firm. Jennifer's addition underscores our commitment to providing top-tier legal services and enhancing our litigation practice."

McManus adds to an already established team of high-profile litigators and former government leaders at Miller Johnson with the Department of Justice and Michigan Department of Attorney General, including:

Fadwa Hammoud , Managing Member, Detroit office; former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Michigan

, Managing Member, Detroit office; former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Michigan Andrew Goetz , Member, Internal Investigations and Compliance; former Appellate Chief, U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan

, Member, Internal Investigations and Compliance; former Appellate Chief, U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan Erin Lane, Associate, Litigation, Government Investigations; former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Michigan



McManus was awarded her J.D. from Harvard Law School and earned her B.A. in mathematics and English from the University of Michigan. After law school, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable David W. McKeague then a United States District Court Judge in the Western District of Michigan.

For more information, please contact:

Lance Hartman

Director of Communications and Brand

616.831.1861 hartmanl@millerjohnson.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6775f28d-62d7-49ed-b4d9-257e8d8f754f
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S NEWS WIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S

MONTREAL, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (HPQ or the Company) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company driving innovation in advanced materials and critical process development, is pleased to announce that it intends to proceed with a non-brokered private placement of 2,300,000 Units to $414,000. The Company intends to use the net proceed to finance its ongoing initiatives and general corporate purposes.

Private placement highlights: Non-Brokered Private placement of 2,300,000 Units at a price of $0.18 per unit for a gross proceed of $414,000. The Company reserves the right to increase the size of the Offering to a maximum of 5,283,050 Units, for maximum gross proceeds of $950,950.

Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the Company at an exercise price of $ 0.25 for a period of 48 months from the date of closing of the placement. Each share issued pursuant to the placement will have a mandatory four (4) month and one (1) day holding period from the date of closing of the placement. The offering will be offered to accredited investors in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This Placement is subject to the approval of the TSX-Venture and any other regulatory authorities. In connection with the placement, the company could pay finder's fee, in the form of cash, shares, warrants and or options.

The company anticipates that insiders may subscribe for units and their participation could exceed 25 per cent of the offering, with the President and CEO, directly or via entities under his controls will subscribe for an amount of $200,160.

We decided to proceed with a small financing at this time to provide HPQ with the foundation necessary to capitalize on the larger opportunities we are currently advancing, said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. ( TSX-V: HPQ ) is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Industrial Issuer.

HPQ is a technology company focused on innovation in advanced materials and critical process development. In partnership with world-class technology leaders PyroGenesis Inc. and NOVACIUM SASof which HPQ is a shareholderthe company is developing the materials and process technologies essential to achieving net-zero goals.

HPQ activities are centred around the following pillars:
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ninepoint Partners LP (Ninepoint), one of Canadas leading independent investment managers, today announced a new strategic partnership with WP Global Partners LLC (WP Global), a private equity investment firm with more than $3.2 billion in assets under management and a distinguished 20-year track record in the U.S. lower middle market.

Through this partnership, Ninepoint Institutional Partners LP, the institutional division of Ninepoint, has been appointed as the exclusive capital formation partner in Canada for certain WP Global lower middle market private equity strategies, including its flagship COREalpha series. The collaboration aims to provide Canadian institutional investors with access to WP Globals highly curated private equity partnership and co-investment opportunities focused on small and midsize companies across the United States.

Founded in 2005, WP Globals team has collectively invested over $5.7 billion across more than 450 funds and $1.6 billion in 145 portfolio companies. WP Global is known for its rigorous manager selection process, thematic co-investments, and consistent performance across multiple market cycles. The firms WP COREalpha flagship series targets value creation through a diversified portfolio of private equity partnerships and direct private equity co-investments with a focus on defensible businesses in healthcare, business services, consumer, and specialty manufacturing sectors.

We are excited to partner with WP Global said Jalaj Antani, Director, Ninepoint Institutional Partners LP. We believe WP Globals decades of experience and notable track record in selecting lower middle market private equity investments will be very appealing for Canadian institutional investors.

We are thankful for the collaboration with Ninepoint and are excited to partner with Canadian investors to help them scale down into the attractive and expansive U.S. lower middle market. said J.F. Berry, Senior Managing Partner at WP Global Partners.

WP Globals investment philosophy focuses on sectors with strong growth dynamics and low correlation to public markets, including companies with recurring consistent revenue, defensible business models, and clear value creation levers. Through its mandates, WP seeks to build portfolios with long-term resilience and enhanced return potential.

About Ninepoint Partners

Ninepoint Institutional Partners works with Canadian Pension Plans, Foundations, Endowments, Insurance Companies, Family Offices, and other institutional allocators to deliver objective, comprehensive investment management solutions from around the globe. By collaborating with best-in-class managers, we offer access to unique strategies that optimize risk/return profiles in institutional portfolios.

Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canadas leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

For more information on Ninepoint, please visit www.ninepoint.com or contact us at 416-362-7172 or 1-888-362-7172 or institutional@ninepoint.com.

About WP Global Partners

Founded in 2005, WP Global Partners LLC is a private equity investment firm with over $3.2 billion in assets under management. WP Global focuses on partnership and co-investment strategies across the U.S. lower middle market and its team has invested in more than 450 funds and 145 companies. The firm operates offices in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and South Walton. WP Global is recognized for its experienced team, disciplined investment process, and long-standing relationships with premier fund managers.

For more information, visit www.wpglobalpartners.com.

Media Inquiries

Kate Sylvester/Liz Shoemaker

Longacre Square Partners

ninepoint@longacresquare.com
Stuttgart, Germany, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stuttgart, Germany  May 2025  RIB Software, a global leader in engineering and construction software technology, today announced the launch of its latest global brand campaign: You See It. Together, Well See It Through. The campaign celebrates the diverse community of industry professionals shaping the built environment  and RIBs role in empowering them with digital solutions that enable smarter, faster, and more sustainable project outcomes.

Whether our customers are creating entire cities, infrastructure, or spaces where people live or work, RIB stands beside them from planning to breaking ground and beyond  with tools that reduce costs, save time, and minimize environmental impact, explains Mads Bording, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at RIB Software.

The campaign reflects RIBs belief that the future of the industry depends on more connected, empowered project teams. Its suite of connected solutions helps architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals simplify operations, improve profitability, and deliver sustainable results  whether theyre managing a small-scale development or a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project.

At RIB, we believe every project starts with a vision, said Rene Wolf, CEO of RIB Software. Our new brand campaign is about showing that we dont just provide the technology  we commit to the journey. Our customers see the vision, and together, were committed to helping them see it through.

Trusted by leading AEC professionals worldwide, RIBs tools provide a digital thread across the entire project lifecycle, ensuring more effective collaboration and better outcomes at every stage. No matter the size or complexity of a project, RIB delivers the insights, automation, and support needed to get it over the line, on time and on budget.

Every structure begins with an idea. But it takes more than vision to bring complex builds to life. From architects and estimators to project managers and executives, the engineering and construction industry depends on close collaboration, timely insight, and trusted support. RIBs technology is built with this in mind  tailored to meet the real-world needs of the people who plan, build, and deliver.

As part of RIBs Hard Hats & Hi Tech podcast series, customers from around the world have shared their firsthand experience with RIB tools, and how these solutions are helping them meet real challenges on real projects.

RIB Candy has made my life easier. Everything is integrated, which means I can manage cost reports, payment certificates, and valuations without switching between tools, said Luscha Matsane, Quantity Surveyor at Tri-Star Construction. Its a platform that understands how we actually work on-site, and its changed how I collaborate and justify decisions with clients.

RIB SpecLink helps me work faster, smarter, and with more confidence, said Eric Letbetter, specification consultant and founder of Letbetter Ink. The linking engine automates decisions across the spec set, reduces errors, and lets me focus on quality and context. It's completely changed the way I approach spec writingand how I teach others to do it.

At RIB, we dont just build software  we build it the way people in the built environment actually work, said Rene. We understand the pressure of deadlines, the need for precision, and the challenge of coordination across multiple stakeholders. Our role is to help our customers deliver with confidence.

RIB invites AEC leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore the campaign and discover how a partnership with RIB can help them realize their boldest ideas.

To learn more, visit https://www.rib-software.com/en/rib.

[ENDS]

About RIB Software

Driven by transformative digital technologies and trends, RIB is committed to propelling the industry forward and making engineering and construction more efficient and sustainable.

Throughout its 60-year history, the business has expanded its global footprint to incorporate more than 550,000 users and 2,500 talents, with the vision of transforming the operation into a worldwide powerhouse and providing innovative software solutions to its core markets  while placing its people at the heart of everything it does.

Managing the entire project lifecycle, from planning and construction, to operation and maintenance, the development of RIBs portfolio of software solutions is driven by industry expertise, best practice and a passion to remain at the cutting edge of technology.

Ultimately, it aims to connect people, processes and data in innovative ways to ensure its customers always complete projects within budget, on time and to high quality, while reducing their carbon footprints.

RIB Software is a proud Schneider Electric company.

Press Enquiries

Kim Immelman

kim.immelman@rib-software.com

Attachment




Generated revenue of $5,713,158 in Q1 2025

Achieved 30% EBITDA improvement over Q1 2024

Continuation of optimization efforts post Volatus and Drone Delivery Canada merger of equals

Subsequent to quarter end, closed $3,000,000 fully subscribed LIFE Offering

Subsequent to quarter end, announced closing of shares for debt transaction of $2,646,000 and an additional $446,400, strengthening balance sheet

Volatus will host a webinar and live Q&A on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 8 am ET (see registration link below).

TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV:FLT) (OTCQB:TAKOF) (Frankfurt:A3DP5Y/ABBA.F) ("Volatus" or "the Company"), a leader in aerial solutions, is pleased to announce its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (Q1 2025). All dollar figures are stated in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

The Company generated revenues of $5,713,158 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, with a 32% gross margin. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 30%, or $402,004 between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025. The Company also and generated cash from operating activities of $1,448,565 in the quarter.

Q1 2025 Financial Highlights:

Adjusted EBITDA achieved a 30% year-over-year improvement, reducing the loss from ($1.39 million) in Q1 2024 to ($978K) in Q1 2025.

Revenue was $5,713,158 compared to $6,623,741 in Q1 2024. This reduction reflects the Companys strategic repositioning toward a more resilient and profitable revenue mix, as well as temporary impacts from macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions.

The Company witnessed increased demand for equipment in the US market driven by tariff policy changes, resulting in 47% quarter-over-quarter increase in equipment sales. The service revenue saw a contraction consistent with winter slowdown in Canada and the northern US regions.

Gross profit for Q1 2025 was $1,829,973, representing a gross margin of 32%, compared to 34% in Q1 2024. This marginal decline is primarily attributable to the higher proportion of lower-margin equipment sales in the revenue mix for the quarter.

Available cash on hand as of March 31, 2025, was $1,182,611 compared to $1,803,187 at December 31, 2024. Subsequent to quarter end, the Company closed an additional $3,000,000 in an equity issuance on May 1, 2025, resulting inproforma available cash of $4,182,611.

The Company generated cash flow from operating activities of $1,448,565.

Comprehensive loss was ($4,285,320) in Q1 2025 compared to ($2,991,319) in Q1 2024. On a pro forma basis, considering the combined operations of Volatus Aerospace Corp. and Drone Delivery Canada, total operating expenses (excluding depreciation, finance cost and share based payments) in Q1 2024 were $5,316,814. In comparison, the equivalent expense base in Q1 2025 declined by $1,780,668, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing cost optimization efforts.



Q1 2025 Operational Highlights:

Major Regulatory Advancements Support National-Scale BVLOS Operations

Announced partnership with Ondas Holdings to support and scale autonomous operations for border surveillance

Announced partnership with Draganfly for Transformative Oil & Gas Exploration project

Announced a partnership with DroneUp LLC to support the acceleration of drone deliveries in the United States

Surpasses 75,000 flight hours in pipeline integrity monitoring

Announced a partnership with Dufour Aerospace AG to support remote cargo deliveries

Announced a partnership with Rigi Technologies S.A. to add autonomous drone delivery technologies in its portfolio of solutions

Obtained Canada-wide approval from Transport Canada to conduct long-distance, remotely piloted beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations at night in atypical airspace

Announced a shares-for-debt transaction with respect to $2,646,000 of unsecured convertible debentures



Subsequent to Q1 2025 Operational Highlights:

Announced Broad National Expansion of Drone Operating Authorities Across Canada, Unlocking Scalable, High-Value Aerial Operations

Fulfilled demonstration order with a G-20 Defense Organization

Secured extension to Service Agreement with Canadian Government

Announced closing of fully subscribed LIFE Offering of $3,000,000

Announced Shares-for-Debt Transaction for $446,400

Obtained clearance for high-value RPAS deployments in the oil & gas sector

During Q1 2025, Volatus focused on navigating ongoing geopolitical challenges by diversifying our operations and securing key regulatory approvals, strategic steps that position us to convert a growing sales pipeline into realized revenue, said Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. As we enter the core flying season, we look forward to increasing operational efficiency through our Operations Command Centre, enabling us to better serve large enterprise and government clients while advancing toward profitability.

Webinar:

In conjunction with this release, Volatus will host a webinar on Wednesday, June 2nd at 8:00 AM EST at which time Glen Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, and Abhinav Singhvi, Chief Financial Officer, will review financial results and major milestones with Danielle Gagne, Head of Corporate Communications as moderator. Investors are invited to register for the webinar here.

Registration Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_twQABO6kRza5cRFScT5tUg

Audio Replay Options:

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations page of the company's website here.

Three months ended March 31 2025 2024 Revenue $ 5,713,158 $ 6,623,741 Direct costs $ 3,883,185 $ 4,397,985 Gross Profit 1,829,973 2,225,757 OPERATING EXPENSES Advertising & marketing $ 135,575 293,339 IT & tech $ 245,180 $ 256,802 Personnel $ 2,440,528 2,196,722 R&D $ 11,756 $ 11,840 Office cost $ 438,182 583,199 Travel $ 64,288 $ 57,621 External partner cost $ 200,637 200,072 Depreciation and amortization $ 1,496,425 1,098,088 Share based Payments $ 165,454 126,822 5,198,025 4,824,504 (Loss) from Operations (3,368,052 ) (2,598,748 ) OTHER ITEMS - INCOME/(EXPENSE) Finance cost $ (645,685 ) (379,106 ) Other income (expense) $ (3,468 ) (10,168 ) Gain (loss) on investments (58,963 ) Tax expenses (210,377 ) Gain (Loss) on disposal of property and equipment - (7,184 ) Foreign exchange translation $ 1,225 3,887 Net Loss $ (4,285,320 ) $ (2,991,319 ) Total comprehensive Income (loss) for the period attributable to: Owners of Volatus Aerospace Corp. (4,241,643 ) (2,915,143 ) Non-controlling interest (43,677 ) (76,176 ) (4,285,320 ) (2,991,319 )





Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024 Q1 2024 Q4 2023 Q3 2023 Q2 2023 Revenue 5,713,158 6,783,176 6,618,504 7,121,993 6,623,741 10,500,995 8,274,349 8,684,991 Direct costs 3,883,185 4,209,577 4,366,107 4,617,447 4,397,985 7,700,881 5,265,775 5,724,516 Gross Profit 1,829,973 2,573,599 2,252,397 2,504,546 2,225,757 2,800,114 3,008,574 2,960,475 32 % 38 % 34 % 35 % 34 % 27 % 36 % 34 %



OPERATING EXPENSES Advertising & marketing 135,575 100,878 331,763 397,357 293,339 278,781 541,635 629,686 IT & tech 245,180 157,851 210,328 259,456 256,802 28,439 243,602 211,960 Personnel 2,440,528 1,958,572 1,787,175 1,515,536 2,196,722 1,312,983 1,727,086 1,788,347 R&D 11,756 25,429 4,011 - 11,840 771,861 104,832 364,263 Office cost 438,182 673,047 497,706 554,050 583,199 605,396 722,276 610,650 Travel 64,288 38,959 77,011 40,143 57,621 126,710 90,804 167,364 External partner cost 200,637 386,259 2,117,840 430,141 200,072 436,686 243,443 326,979 Depreciation and amortization 1,496,425 1,315,544 1,294,350 1,116,698 1,098,088 1,647,364 843,744 797,487 Share based Payments 165,454 77,523 124,861 126,822 126,822 173,671 195,372 178,361 5,198,025 4,734,061 6,445,045 4,440,202 4,824,504 5,381,891 4,712,793 5,075,097 (Loss) from Operations (3,368,052 ) (2,160,462 ) (4,192,648 ) (1,935,656 ) (2,598,748 ) (2,581,777 ) (1,704,219 ) (2,114,622 ) OTHER ITEMS - INCOME/(EXPENSE) Finance cost (645,685 ) (1,072,341 ) (992,806 ) (491,664 ) (379,106 ) (667,949 ) (425,671 ) (368,635 ) Other income (expense) (3,468 ) (133,884 ) (2,669 ) 153 (10,168 ) 14,955 (39,229 ) 41,237 Unrealized gain on investments (58,963 ) 247,661 - - Gain (Loss) on disposal of property and equipment - (1,541 ) (194,662 ) 319,044 (7,184 ) (125,476 ) 228,769 (0 ) Foreign exchange translation 1,225 92,541 (109,037 ) 25,508 3,887 (24,156 ) 19,946 (16,191 ) Net Loss (4,074,943 ) (3,028,025 ) (5,491,822 ) (2,082,615 ) (2,991,319 ) (2,775,864 ) (1,920,403 ) (2,458,211 ) Deferred Tax Income/ (Expense) (210,377 ) (100,899 ) 464,216 Net Loss (4,285,320 ) (3,128,924 ) (5,491,822 ) (2,082,615 ) (2,991,319 ) (2,311,647 ) (1,920,403 ) (2,458,211 ) Total comprehensive Income (loss) for the period attributable to: Owners of Volatus Aerospace Corp. (4,241,643 ) (3,099,840 ) (5,440,827 ) (2,070,150 ) (2,915,143 ) (1,997,089 ) (2,427,597 ) (2,427,468 ) Non-controlling interest (43,677 ) (29,084 ) (50,994 ) (12,465 ) (76,176 ) (314,559 ) 507,194 (30,743 ) (4,285,320 ) (3,128,924 ) (5,491,822 ) (2,082,615 ) (2,991,319 ) (2,311,647 ) (1,920,403 ) (2,458,211 ) Loss per share Basic and Diluted (0.01 ) (0.01 ) (0.02 ) (0.02 ) (0.02 ) (0.02 ) (0.02 ) (0.03 )

About Volatus Aerospace:

Volatus Aerospace is a leader in innovative global aerial solutions for intelligence and cargo. With a strong foundation of over 100 years of combined institutional knowledge in aviation, Volatus provides comprehensive solutions using both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). We serve industries such as oil and gas, utilities, healthcare, and public safety. Our mission is to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability through cutting-edge, real-world solutions.

Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures:

In this press release we describe certain income and expense items that are unusual or non-recurring. There are terms not defined by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Our usage of these terms may vary from the usage adopted by other companies. Specifically, gross profit, gross margin, and Adjusted EBITDA r Normalized EBITDA are undefined terms by IFRS that may be referenced herein. We provide this detail so that readers have a better understanding of the significant events and transactions that have had an impact on our results.

Throughout this release, reference is made to gross profit, gross margin, and Adjusted EBITDA which are non-IFRS measures. Management believes that gross profit, defined as revenue less operating expenses, is a useful supplemental measure of operations. Gross profit helps provide an understanding on the level of costs needed to create revenue. Gross margin illustrates the gross profit as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as IFRS comprehensive loss excluding interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, share-based payments, income tax expense, integration and due diligence costs, one time profit or loss (non-recurring), and impairment of goodwill, property, plant, and equipment and right-of-use assets (ROU). The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric as it measures cash generated from operations which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements, service future interest and principal debt repayments and fund future growth initiatives. Readers are cautioned that these non-IFRS measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Readers are also cautioned not to view these non-IFRS financial measures as an alternative to financial measures calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Adjusted EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers and should not be construed as alternatives to comprehensive loss or income determined in accordance with IFRS. For more information with respect to financial measures which have not been defined by GAAP, including reconciliations to the closest comparable GAAP measure, see the "Non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures" section of the Companys most recent MD&A which is available on SEDAR.

Forward-Looking Statement:

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the commercialization of drone flights beyond visual line of sight and potential benefits to the Company; and meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

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

CONTACT DETAILS

Abhinav Singhvi

Chief Financial officer

+1 833-865-2887

abhinav.singhvi@volatusaerospace.com

COMPANY WEBSITE

https://volatusaerospace.com

SOURCE: Volatus Aerospace Inc.
DALLAS, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- P10, Inc. (NYSE: PX), (P10 or the Company), a leading private markets solutions provider, today announced that its strategy, RCP Advisors, a private equity investment firm that provides access to North American small buyout fund managers, closed on its latest primary fund-of-funds, RCP Fund XIX, LP (Fund XIX or the Fund).

The Fund closed on approximately $314 million in capital commitments. The Fund has a broad LP base of new and existing investors, including family offices, public pension plans, endowments, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

"The close of RCP Fund XIX underscores the underlying strength of the firms investment strategy and demand for North American small buyout funds, said Luke Sarsfield, P10 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This milestone underscores the confidence of our global investor base and our commitment to delivering exceptional value. I want to thank the entire RCP team for their ongoing contributions and insights to make the P10 platform stronger.

Fund XIX will adhere to the same investment strategy that RCPs predecessor primary funds employ. The Fund will generally target investments with buyout fund managers primarily focusing on less than $1 billion in committed capital. These managers will, in turn, generally seek to make control-oriented investments in established, small to mid-sized companies with approximately $10 million to $250 million in enterprise value.

We are humbled by the continued support of our limited partners. More than 23 years after launching our first fund-of-funds focused exclusively on the North American small company buyout market, RCP remains as committed as ever to our strategy as well as the managers with whom we partner, said Tom Danis, Managing Partner at RCP Advisors.

About P10

P10 is a leading multi-asset class private markets solutions provider in the alternative asset management industry. P10s mission is to provide its investors differentiated access to a broad set of investment solutions that address their diverse investment needs within private markets. As of March 31, 2025, P10s products have a global investor base of more than 3,800 investors across 50 states, 60 countries, and six continents, which includes some of the worlds largest pension funds, endowments, foundations, corporate pensions, and financial institutions. Visit www.p10alts.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as will, expect, believe, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, plan and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss managements current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business. The inclusion of any forward-looking information in this release should not be regarded as a representation that the future plans, estimates, or expectations contemplated will be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect managements current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors that may cause actual results to be materially different; global and domestic market and business conditions; successful execution of business and growth strategies and regulatory factors relevant to our business; changes in our tax status; our ability to maintain our fee structure; our ability to attract and retain key employees; our ability to manage our obligations under our debt agreements; our ability to make acquisitions and successfully integrate the businesses we acquire; assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects and growth strategy; and our ability to manage the effects of events outside of our control. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as additional risks that we face, you should refer to the Risk Factors included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 28, 2025, and in our subsequent reports filed from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law.

About RCP Advisors

Founded in 2001, RCP Advisors, a subsidiary of P10, Inc. (NYSE: PX), is a private equity investment firm that provides access to North American small buyout fund managers through primary funds, secondary funds, and co-investment funds, as well as customized solutions and research services. RCP believes it is one of the largest fund sponsors focused on this niche, with approximately $17.0 billion in committed capital* and 55 full-time professionals as of May 27, 2025.

The information contained in this press release does not constitute investment advice or an offer or sale of any security or investment product. Offerings are made only pursuant to a private offering memorandum containing important information. Statements are made as of the date of this release, and there is no implication that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to such date. Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any forward-looking statements inherently are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those results or events predicted or anticipated by these statements. RCPs investment strategy is subject to significant risks and there is no guarantee that any fund will achieve comparable results as any prior investments or prior investment funds of RCP. Past performance does not predict, and is not a guarantee of, future results. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of capital.

*Committed capital primarily reflects the capital commitments associated with our SMAs, focused commingled funds and advisory accounts advised by RCP since the firms inception in 2001 (including funds that have since been sold, dissolved, or wound down and certain historical advisory accounts for which RCPs advisory contracts have expired). We include capital commitments in our calculation of committed capital if (a) we have full discretion over the investment decisions in an account or have responsibility or custody of assets or (b) we do not have full discretion to make investment decisions but play a role in advising the client on asset allocation, performing investment manager due diligence and recommending investments for the clients portfolio and/or monitoring and reporting on their investments. For our discretionary SMAs and commingled funds, as well as for our non-discretionary advisory accounts for which RCP is responsible for advising on all investments within the clients portfolio, committed capital is calculated based on aggregate capital commitments to such accounts. For non-discretionary accounts where RCP is responsible for advising only a portion of the client portfolio investments, committed capital is calculated as capital commitments by the client to those underlying investments which were made based on RCPs recommendation or with respect to which RCP advises the client. Committed capital does not include (i) certain historical non-discretionary advisory accounts no longer under advisement by RCP, (ii) assets managed or advised by Columbia Partners Private Capital (the Private Capital Unit), a separate business unit of RCP Advisors 2, LLC (RCP 2), or by Hark Capital Advisors, LLC, and Bonaccord Capital Advisors, LLC which are independent business lines of RCP 2, (iii) capital commitments to funds managed or sponsored by RCPs affiliated (but independently operated) management companies (including, without limitation, Five Points Capital and Westech Investment Advisors, LLC), and (iv) RCPs ancillary products or services.

P10 Investor Contact:

info@p10alts.com

P10 Media Contact:

Josh Clarkson

Taylor Donahue

pro-p10@prosek.com
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE:MLZ) (MediPharm or the Company), a pharmaceutical company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids, today confirmed that the Company is aware of the news release issued by Apollo Technology Capital Corporation (Apollo) on May 29, 2025 making baseless allegations of malfeasance against the Company.

These patently false allegations have been intentionally or recklessly fabricated as part of the campaign of misinformation employed by Apollo and its Chairman and CEO, Regan McGee in their bid to distract and mislead the Companys shareholders and parlay their 3% ownership position into total control of MediPharms Board of Directors.

MediPharm recently completed a full year-end audit with MNP LLP and received a clean audit opinion dated March 30, 2025, as it has in all previous fiscal years since becoming a public company. Public companies are not required to audit their quarterly financial results nor is it market practice to do so. The Company complies fully with International Financial Reporting Standards and its continuous disclosure obligations pursuant to Canadian securities law.

MediPharm has commenced legal proceedings this week to address, in part, material misstatements Apollo has been making and has asked the court to award its costs.

About MediPharm Labs

Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. MediPharm Labs develops, formulates, processes, packages and distributes cannabis and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international medical markets.

In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a commercial-scale domestic Good Manufacturing Practices License for the extraction of multiple natural cannabinoids. This GMP license was the first step in the Companys current foreign drug manufacturing site registration with the US FDA.

In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc., which expanded MediPharms reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical Australia PTY Ltd. and Beacon Medical Germany GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with Physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions.

The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates.

Shareholder Voting Assistance:

If you have any questions or require any assistance in executing your GREEN proxy or voting instruction form, please call Sodali & Co at:

North American Toll-Free Number: 1.888.777.2059

Outside North America, Banks, Brokers and Collect Calls: 1.289.695.3075

Email: assistance@investor.sodali.com

North American Toll-Free Facsimile: 1.877.218.5372

For up-to-date information and assistance in voting please visit: www.medipharmlabsagm.com

Investor Contact:

MediPharm Labs Investor Relations

Telephone: +1 416.913.7425

Email: investors@medipharmlabs.com

Media Contact:

John Vincic

Oakstrom Advisors

+1 (647) 402-6375

john@oakstrom.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the outcome of litigation commenced by MediPharm, and any outcomes resulting from the circumstances and information cited herein. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs continuous disclosure filings, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.




Oshkosh, Wisconsin, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From July 21-27, more than 10,000 aircraft and 600,000+ people will descend upon Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the 72nd Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in convention, AirVenture Oshkosh. The week-long aviation celebration will feature air shows, aircraft displays, historical re-enactments, new product introductions, and planes of every imaginable size and shapefrom single-seat ultralights to jumbo jet airliners. With many of the attendees flying in and out, Wittman Regional Airport will become the worlds busiest airport during that week.

As always, the Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration will feature a dazzling array of day and night air shows, historical re-enactments, the Twilight Flight Fest, and aerobatic flying demonstrations. It will also feature events commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War IIs end, the 75th anniversary of the Korean Wars start and the incredible leaps of aviation technology that occurred between. In addition, public benefit flying will be recognized and the grounds will feature military aircraft from the National Guard representing numerous states. Other highlights will include two Goodyear blimps (in celebration of their 100th anniversary); a reunion of the last two Boeing B-29 bombers still flying; a USAF Lockheed U-2 spy plane (in celebration of the models 70th anniversary); over 1,400 forums, seminars, and workshops covering all facets of aviation; more than 800 exhibitors including major aviation manufacturers and innovators; nightly activities at the EAA Theater in the Woods; a replica WWII Messerschmidt Me262 (one of the worlds first jet-powered fighters); and vintage aircraft dating back to pre-World War I era.

Simply put, in late July each year Oshkosh is the gathering place for everything that flies, said Dick Knapinski, EAAs Director of Communications. Whether youre seeking innovation, history, family fun, or the sheer excitement of aerobatic flight, it is here during EAA AirVenture week.

Boeing will once again sponsor free admission for all patrons under 18 years of age. Children can learn how to operate radio-controlled airplanes, experience flight simulators, and take part in other hands-on activities at the popular KidVenture area at Pioneer Airport. In addition, EAA WomenVenture  featuring special presentations and seminars for female aviators and enthusiasts  will take place on Wednesday, July 23. The world-class EAA Aviation Museum is open during the week as part of AirVenture admission, while flight experiences on a B-25, Ford Tri-Motor and Bell 47 Helicopter will be available on-site.

# # #

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAAs yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchases, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org.

EDITORS NOTE: Historical and other photos are available at EAAs media resources website.

LINK: AirVenture 2025

Attachments
CALGARY, Alberta, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (the Company or ReconAfrica) (TSXV: RECO) (OTCQX: RECAF) (Frankfurt: 0XD) (NSX: REC) announces the filing of its fiscal first quarter disclosure documents for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, including the unaudited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .

Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO of the Company commented: "ReconAfrica continues to move Prospect I toward spud and management remains excited about this exploration target, which is our largest prospect to be drilled to date. On trend with the Naingopo and Prospect I locations, the Company recently gained access to over five million acres in Angola, and we look forward to working with our partner, ANPG to explore this acreage. Management recognizes its responsibility to all stakeholders to steward the evaluation and exploration process of this vast portfolio with the utmost care. We are keen to continue our work with shareholders, local government, joint venture and community partners."

Selected Highlights

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and subsequent period, we announced:

On January 29, 2025, the Namibian Ministry of Mines & Energy approved the previously announced farm-down agreement with BW Energy (BW) acquiring a 20% WI in Petroleum Exploration License 073 (PEL 73).

On January 30, 2025, results from the Naingopo exploration well on PEL 73 aided the Company with the selection of Prospect I as the next drill prospect.

On April 17, 2025, ReconAfrica entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency of Angola (ANPG), for a joint exploration project in the Etosha-Okavango basin, located onshore in southeastern Angola. The MOU area, which is contiguous to PEL 73 in Namibia, added 5.2 million acres of exploration lands to the Companys exploration portfolio.

On April 30, 2025, an updated NSAI Report was filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

On May 21, 2025, Mark Friesen, CFA joined the Company as Managing Director, Investor Relations and Capital Markets.





Operational Update

Prospect I, located onshore Namibia in Petroleum Exploration License 073 (PEL 73), will be the Companys largest exploration prospect drilled to date. Prioritizing Prospect I as the next drillable prospect was significantly influenced by the drilling results of the Naingopo prospect, which has confirmed the presence of carbonate reservoir, indications of oil observed from the Damara Fold Belt and oil being recovered at surface in the drilling mud system.

The Company has conducted extensive stakeholder and community engagement activities and obtained local consents. The Company is completing permitting requirements and obtaining all regulatory approvals. Pre-construction activities are currently underway, including, de-brushing, de-mining, access road infrastructure development and drill site preparation. ReconAfrica is committed to continuing to work collaboratively with communities, governments and regulators.

Management remains encouraged that the sequence of completing the necessary pre-drill activities on Prospect I is progressing toward spudding the well. Permitting for road and pad construction is proceeding and we expect the rig to move in late June with spud shortly thereafter. Any adjustments to the spud date of Prospect I are logistical in nature with managements view regarding the prospectivity of the target remaining positive and unchanged from earlier communications.

About ReconAfrica

ReconAfrica is a Canadian oil and gas company engaged in the exploration of the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin in the Kalahari Desert of northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola and northwestern Botswana, where the Company holds petroleum licences comprising ~13 million contiguous acres. In all aspects of its operations, ReconAfrica is committed to minimal disturbance of habitat in line with international standards and implementing environmental and social best practices in its project areas.

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

For further information contact:

Brian Reinsborough, President and Chief Executive Officer

Mark Friesen, Managing Director, Investor Relations & Capital Markets

IR Inquiries Email: investors@reconafrica.com

Media Inquiries Email: media@reconafrica.com

Telephone: 1-877-631-1160

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:



Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian, United States and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the timing of permits, timing and sequencing of the next well, actual well results, future drilling activity, resource potential, the updated NSAI Report, the Companys commitment to minimal disturbance of habitat, in line with best international standards and its implementation of environmental and social best practices in all of its project areas. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on ReconAfrica's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's annual information form dated April 29, 2025, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to ReconAfrica. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and ReconAfrica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

CALGARY, Alberta, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG | FRA: SS60) (Pan American or the Company) announces that it has entered into debt settlement agreements with certain creditors of the Company (the Creditors) pursuant to which the Company has agreed to issue to the Creditors, and the Creditors have agreed to accept, an aggregate of 2,205,841 common shares in the capital of the Company (the Settlement Shares), at a deemed value of $0.20 per Settlement Share, in full and final settlement of accrued and outstanding indebtedness in the aggregate amount of $441,168.50 (the Debt Settlement Transactions).

All securities to be issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement Transactions will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Debt Settlement Transactions, including the issuance of the securities contemplated thereby, are subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Pan American Energy Corp.

Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America.

The Company has executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources pursuant to which it has acquired a 75% interest in the Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario. The Company can earn an additional 15% interest in Big Mack, for a total of 90% interest.

To register for investor updates, please visit https://panam-energy.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Adrian Lamoureaux

Chief Executive Officer

Contact

Phone:(587)885-5970

Email: info@panam-energy.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Debt Settlement Transactions, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Canadian Securities Exchange will accept the terms of the Debt Settlement Transactions and that the Debt Settlement Transaction will proceed as currently anticipated. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that the Debt Settlement Transaction does not close, including as a result of failure to receive the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange for the Debt Settlement Transaction; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined and the risk that exploration and development activities will cost more than the amount budgeted for such activities by the Company; access and supply risks; operational risks; regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; financing, capitalization and liquidity risks; and title and environmental risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.
Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) (OTCQB: SCZMF) (FSE: 1SZ) ("Santacruz" or the "Company") reports its financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2024 ("FY 2024"). The full version of the audited financial statements for FY 2024 (the "Financial Statements"), which includes a restatement of comparative 2023 consolidated financial statements, and accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis (the "MD&A"), can be viewed on the Company's website at www.santacruzsilver.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

FY 2024 Highlights

Revenues of $283 million a 13% increase year-over-year.

Gross Profit of $57 million, a 1670% increase year-over-year.

Net Income of $165 million, a 1594% increase year-over-year.

Adjusted EBITDA of $53 million, a 200% increase year-over-year.

Cash and cash equivalents of $36 million, a 622% increase year-over-year.

Working Capital was $46 million at the end of FY 2024.

Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold of $21.90, a 16% increase year-over-year.

AISC per silver equivalent ounce sold of $26.01, a 15% increase year-over-year.

Silver Equivalent Ounces produced of 18,651,701, a 1% decrease year-over-year.

Arturo Prestamo, Executive Chairman and CEO of Santacruz, commented, "FY 2024 was a transformative year for the Company, driven by our strong financial and operational results. Santacruz achieved a 13% increase in revenue and a 200% rise in adjusted EBITDA, supported by operational improvements and a favorable silver price environment. These achievements strengthened the Company's balance sheet which allowed us to end the year with $36 million in cash, a 622% increase. In addition, we significantly worked on enhancing shareholder value while maintaining a disciplined operational focus and laying the groundwork for long-term growth."

Mr. Prestamo continued, " In preparation for the audit, the accounting team identified a series of non-cash errors booked during the tenure of the former CFO. These non-cash errors caused a significant number of related adjusting entries in the current and prior years creating additional audit work and therefore the subsequent delay in filing the financial statements. Santacruz's competitive edge lies in the quality and efficiency of our core Bolivian and Mexican mining assets and the flexibility of our San Lucas ore sourcing model, which enables swift adaptation to market conditions and maximizes the benefits of our leverage to rising metal prices. With this solid foundation and an experienced management team, we are well-positioned to enter a new phase of sustainable growth while continuing to deliver value to our shareholders."

Selected consolidated financial and operating information for FY 2024 and the financial year ended December 31, 2023 (restated) are presented below. All financial information is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and all dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars, except per unit amounts, unless otherwise indicated.

2024 Annual Highlights

Notes for both tables above: (1) Silver Equivalent Produced (ounces) have been calculated using prices of $23.85/oz, $1.21/lb, $0.94/lb and $3.91/lb for silver, zinc, lead and copper respectively applied to the metal production divided by the silver price as stated here. (2) Silver Equivalent Sold (payable ounces) have been calculated using the Average Realized Price per Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold stated in the table above, applied to the payable metal content of the concentrates sold from Bolivar, Porco, the Caballo Blanco Group, San Lucas and Zimapan. (3) The Company reports non-GAAP measures, which include Cash Cost of Production per Tonne, Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold, All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold, Average Realized Price per Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold, and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. See ''Non-GAAP Measures'' section in the Company's Q4 and FY 2024 Management Discussion and Analysis for definitions. (4) Average Realized Price per Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold is prior to all treatment, smelting and refining charges. (5) Bolivar and Porco are presented at 100% whereas the Company records 45% of revenues and expenses in its consolidated financial statements. (6) The revenues, gross profit, net loss, net loss per share, Adjusted EBITDA, and working capital deficiency were restated as a result of corrections made to the 2023 comparatives. Refer to Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements for further details and impacts of the restatement.

Silver Equivalent Ounces Produced

In FY 2024, the Company processed 1,955,905 tonnes of ore, producing 18,651,701 silver equivalent ounces. This total includes 6,718,381 ounces of silver and 94,399 tonnes of zinc. Full Q4 and FY 2024 production results were released in a news release dated January 30, 2025.

2024 YTD vs 2023 YTD

Compared to 2023, the tonnes of processed material increased by 4%. The increase was driven by increases in tonnes milled from the San Lucas Group 9%, Porco 7% and Zimapan 10% operations that were offset by decreases in Bolivar (3%) and Caballo Blanco Group's (13%) operations. The 13% decrease in Caballo Blanco Group is due to the results of the Reserva mine being reported in the San Lucas Group starting in Q3 2024. This highlights the stability and diversification of the Company's asset base, enabling us to offset declines in production at certain operations with increased production from others. This strategic balance is essential for maintaining overall production stability and ensuring consistent performance across our operations.

Cash Cost of Production per Tonne

2024 YTD vs 2023 YTD

The Company's cash cost of production per tonne increased to $103.35 in 2024 from $93.10 in 2023 (restated), primarily due to the expected impact of higher ore purchases from small-scale miners at San Lucas. As a margin-based business, San Lucas adjusts its acquisition costs in line with metal prices, which rose during the period. These higher costs are fully offset by proportional increases in revenue, thereby preserving income margins and ensuring no negative impact on the Company's financial performance. Additionally, the increase reflects minor operational cost upticks across the portfolio, consistent with normal variability in mining activities.

Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold

2024 YTD vs 2023 YTD

Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold rose to $21.90 in 2024 from $18.96 in 2023 (restated). This increase is largely attributable to the same factors that impacted production costs, namely higher ore purchase costs at San Lucas due to stronger silver pricing. Additionally, this metric includes transportation and other site-level costs, which remained relatively stable year-over-year and had a limited impact on the overall increase.

All-In Sustaining Cash Cost ("AISC") per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold

2024 YTD vs 2023 YTD

All-in sustaining cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold increased to $26.01 in 2024, compared to $22.69 in 2023. This increase is largely attributable to the same factors that impacted production costs, namely higher ore purchase costs at San Lucas due to stronger silver pricing and strategic one-time capital expenditures across key assets. In 2024, the Company leveraged improved revenues and cash flow to make significant investments in its operations, most notably at the Zimapan mine and milling facility. These investments delivered tangible results, including higher output and improved concentrate quality. In Bolivia, capital investments were also advanced, focusing on cost reduction and enhanced metallurgical recovery, particularly of silver. These initiatives are expected to yield benefits starting in 2025.

Qualified Person

Garth Kirkham P.Geo. an independent consultant to the Company, is a qualified person under NI 43-101 and has approved the scientific and technical information contained within this news release.

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Santacruz Silver is engaged in the operation, acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Latin America. The Bolivian operations are comprised of the Bolivar, Porco and the Caballo Blanco Group, which consists of the Tres Amigos and Colquechaquita mines. The Soracaya exploration project and San Lucas ore sourcing and trading business are also in Bolivia. The Zimapan mine is in Mexico.

Non-GAAP Measures

The financial results in this news release include references to non-GAAP measures, which include Cash Cost of Production per Tonne, Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold, All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold, Average Realized Price per Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold, and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP measures, please refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures'' section in the Company's FY 2024 Management Discussion and Analysis, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

'signed'

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo,

Executive Chairman and CEO

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.

Forward Looking Information

This news 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", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, cost reduction and enhanced metallurgical recovery (particularly of silver) in 2025.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets, changes in applicable laws, and compliance with extensive government regulation, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, the assumption that the Company's capital investments will result in reduced costs and enhanced metallurgical recovery.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.







For further information please contact:



Arturo Prestamo, Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., Email: info@santacruzsilver.com, Telephone: +52 81 83 785707; Andres Bedregal, Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd., Email: info@santacruzsilver.com, Telephone: +591 22444849


VANCOUVER, May 29, 2025 - Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the final drill results from its 2025 maiden drill program at the Radar Ti-V-Fe Property, located near the port of Cartwright in Labrador, Canada. The Property comprises 24,175-hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River mafic layered intrusive complex.

SAGA Metals Confirms Technical Success with the Drill:

Key drill intercepts from HEZ-06, HEZ-02 & HEZ-03 (final 3 holes of the 7-hole program) include:

Hole HEZ-06: 28 meters intercept grading 20.11% Fe, 4.22% TiO?, and 0.214% V?O?.

Hole HEZ-02: 37 meters intercept grading 12.4% Fe, 4.17% TiO?, and 0.069% V?O?.

Hole HEZ-03: 55 meters intercept grading 11.37% Fe, 4.07% TiO?, and 0.051% V?O?.



Description DDH FROM TO Length Fe TiO2 V205 ID m m m % % % Highest Grade intercept HEZ-06 265 293 28 20.11 4.22 0.214 Entire Hole HEZ-06 1.8 293 291 13.55 3.26 0.101 Layering Sequence HEZ-06 131.5 293 162 14.93 3.15 0.127 Highest Grade intercept HEZ-02 167 204 37 12.40 4.17 0.069 Entire Hole HEZ-02 1.5 300 298.5 12.03 3.37 0.069 Layering Sequence HEZ-02 39.5 62.2 22.7 15.130 3.43 0.103 Highest Grade intercept HEZ-03 178 233 55 11.37 4.07 0.051 Entire Hole HEZ-03 4 233 229 13.12 3.35 0.079

Table 1: Composite grades of HEZ-06, HEZ-02, & HEZ-03

"The Dykes River Intrusion is a layered mafic intrusion. Our initial 7 diamond drill holes comprised 4 holes that tested the semi-massive to massive vanadiferous titanomagnetite layers and 3 holes that were sited mostly above and to the south of the magnetite layers. The 3 holes reported herein will facilitate a complete sampling of the entire intrusive layering sequence. These seven successful drill holes test a highly mineralized zone, confirming the extraordinary potential lying within our 20 km of high magnetic responses and titanomagnetite layers," commented Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals.

Interpretation of the Drill Results for HEZ-06, HEZ-02 & HEZ-03:

HEZ-06, HEZ-02 & HEZ-03 were all drilled within the hangingwall of the oxide layering zones. These layering intercepts bracketed the oxide layering intersected in HEZ-01, HEZ-04, HEZ-05 & HEZ-07, which intercepted the main layers of the titanomagnetite mineralization.

HEZ-06, once again, intersected the same gabbronorite zone as seen in hole 2 & 3 but additionally intercepted the prospective gabbronorite/titanomagnetite layering tested in the top of holes 4 & 5. SAGA's metallurgical team is working through the data to correlate the structure and geochemistry of these cumulate layers and reach important conclusions in the coming weeks.

HEZ-02 was drilled to intercept the hangingwall of the layering zones encountered in HEZ-01 and was successful in bracketing the final stages of layering prior to entering the Gabbro-Norite host rock. It further contained the first glimpse of an intercepted zone which has since been tracked in both HEZ-03 & HEZ-06 where an above 4% TiO 2 average is tracked from 167 meters depth to the end of the Hole at 300 meters: 133 meters intercept grading 12.36% Fe, 4.14% TiO?, and 0.064% V?O?.

average is tracked from 167 meters depth to the end of the Hole at 300 meters: 133 meters intercept grading 12.36% Fe, 4.14% TiO?, and 0.064% V?O?. HEZ-03 intercepted the same above 4% TiO 2 average within the Gabbro-Norite zone encountered at the end of HEZ-02: 66.5 meters intercept grading 11.20% Fe, 4.03% TiO?, and 0.05% V?O?. Based on SAGA's interpretation, the Titanomagnetite layering sequence is expected further down this hole, and with all drill collars left in the hole, the team has the ability to extend HEZ-03 into the layering zones in the future if needed.





These last three drill holes complete the evaluation over the cross section of the entire magnetic anomaly drilled during this program, which has allowed the team to isolate four separate magmatic layers across the zone of mineralization, which is mappable and trackable. These consistent brackets of VTM mineralization will be the focus of SAGA's efforts for both mapping and metallurgical purposes.

Next Steps for the Radar Project:

The Radar Project has completed its first critical steps with the proof-of-concept 2025 winter drill program, which highlights the significance of the correlation between surface samples, geophysics, and drilling. SAGA is now targeting its other magnetic anomalies across the Property, all of which are larger than the one recently drilled.

Next steps to quickly delineate drill targets will involve completing detailed ground geophysics over the main regional airborne magnetic anomalies, as shown in Figure 2 below. In conjunction with ground-based geophysics over the priority anomalies, SAGA plans to execute a property-wide high-resolution aeromagnetic survey to locate high-priority drilling targets.

Additionally, SAGA has initiated a metallurgy and petrography analysis on the core from the Hawkeye zone. This work will determine the recoverable vanadiferous magnetite and the quality of potential concentrates.

Lastly, SAGA will conduct alternate whole-rock analyses to delineate secondary mineralization of phosphate, manganese, and scandium, as well as certain REE that are prospective in this large mafic layered intrusion.

Drilling Highlights to Date:

Analytical results have now been received on all 7 diamond drill holes from the 2025 winter program.

Combined with petrographic analysis, these new assays further confirm that the primary economic mineral is vanadiferous titanomagnetite-favorable for simplified metallurgical processing.

Notable intercepts of vanadiferous titanomagnetite from the 2025 winter drill program include: 20.2 meters grading 31.35% Fe, 6.32% TiO?, and 0.435% V?O? in HEZ-07 57.7 meters grading 27.09% Fe, 5.305% TiO?, and 0.365% V?O? in HEZ-07 25.0 meters grading 19.92% Fe, 4.14% TiO?, and 0.213% V?O? in HEZ-05 31.5 meters grading 25.95% Fe, 5.34% TiO 2 and 0.28% V 2 O 5 in HEZ-01 50 meters grading 24.49% Fe, 4.74% TiO 2 and 0.305 % V 2 O 5 in HEZ-04 28 meters grading 20.11% Fe, 4.22% TiO?, and 0.214% V?O? in HEZ-06 37 meters grading 12.4% Fe, 4.17% TiO?, and 0.069% V?O? in HEZ-02 55 meters grading 11.37% Fe, 4.07% TiO?, and 0.051% V?O? in HEZ-03





(Click here to see SAGA's news release dated May 5, 2025 for full details on holes HEZ-01 & HEZ-04 and here to see SAGA's news release dated May 26, 2025 for full details on holes HEZ-05 & HEZ-07)

Titanomagnetite-rich zones average between 20% and 40% titanomagnetite, with localized massive layers exceeding 60%.

Drilling has confirmed the presence of oxide layering and associated magnetic anomalies to vertical depths of up to 300 meters.

Current drilling has tested just 1/40th of the identified 20 km strike extent of the oxide layering zone within the Dykes River Intrusion (refer to Figure 2 for map view).









Figure 1: 500m strike by 350m width magnetic anomaly drilled in winter 2025 program. (2024 Saga Metals. TMI Magnetic Survey). Shows DDH collars and Lithologies.

Radar Ti-V-Fe Property Overview:

The Company's 100%-owned Radar Property is located 10 km from the coastal city of Cartwright, Labrador, benefiting from tremendous infrastructure, including road access, deep-water port, airstrip and nearby hydro-electric power. The Radar Property comprises 24,175-hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex.

The Dykes River intrusive complex is a recently recognized Mesoproterozoic layered mafic intrusion (Gower, 2017). It has gained attention due geological similarities to large AMCG-type intrusions and a very extensive titanium-vanadium-iron (Ti-V-Fe) rich layer.

The 2025 drill program confirmed massive to semi-massive oxide layering, hosting titanium and vanadium mineralization, representing only 1/40th of the approximately 20km long oxide layering zone identified at the Radar project. The geological context identified by Dr. Al Miller's petrographic studies has substantially advanced understanding of the Radar deposit. These findings indicate a titanomagnetite mineralization system which is advantageous for simplified metallurgical processing and potentially improved economic outcomes.





Figure 2: Radar Property map, depicting aeromagnetic anomalies, oxide layering and the site of the 2025 drill program. The Property is well serviced by road access and is conveniently located near the town of Cartwright, Labrador. A compilation of historical aeromagnetic anomalies is shown. SAGA has demonstrated the reliability of the regional airborne magnetic surveys after ground-truthing and drilling in the 2024 and 2025 field programs.

Qualified Person

Paul J. McGuigan, P. Geo. is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project disclosed in this news release.

About SAGA Metals Corp.

SAGA Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company's flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

In addition to its uranium focus, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Lithium.

SAGA also holds additional exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on discovering titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

SAGA Metals Corp.

Investor Relations

Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321

Email: info@sagametals.com

www.sagametals.com

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Disclaimer

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's Radar project drill assays. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5ca5e4e-48dc-4ebe-86d6-1e728485fb3e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60493398-5a8f-45d1-8c58-4a4fd616859c
Vancouver, May 29, 2025 - T2 Metals Corp. (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A2DR6E) ("T2" or the "Company") provides an update regarding the wildfire situation in the vicinity of its Sherridon copper-gold-zinc Project located near Flin Flon, Manitoba.

The Company is actively monitoring the evolving wildfire situation in the region. Recent reports from the Manitoba Wildfire Service indicate that there are active fires very near the community of Sherridon and the Company's mineral concessions. The safety of our personnel, contractors, and the local community is T2 Metals' paramount concern.

As a precautionary measure and in adherence to community evacuation measures, T2 Metals has temporarily suspended field activities at its Sherridon project site. This measure enables continuous monitoring of the situation and ensures all personnel are safe and accounted for. The Company has clear communication channels with the Manitoba Wildfire Service and local authorities to receive real-time updates and guidance.

Mark Saxon, CEO of T2 Metals Corp. said, "Our thoughts are with the community of Sherridon, the Kiciwapa Cree Nation and other individuals affected by the wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The safety of our team and the residents of Sherridon is our top priority and we remain in close contact with the community. Field operations will resume as soon as it is safe and advisable to do so. We anticipate minimal long-term impact on our exploration schedule or loss of property, given the proactive measures taken."

About T2 Metals Corp (TSX.V: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A2DR6E)

T2 Metals Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. The Company continues to target under-explored areas, including the Sherridon, Lida, Cora and Copper Eagle projects where post-mineralization cover masks areas of high geological prospectivity in the vicinity of major mines.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set out in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, and that information obtained from third party sources is reliable, they can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks include uncertainties relating to exploration activities. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/253766
Gold'n Futures Mineral Corp. (CSE: FUTR) (FSE: G6M), (OTC: GFTRF) (the "Company" or "Gold'n Futures") is providing this update on the status of a management cease trade order granted on May 1, 2025 (the "MCTO") by the British Columbia Securities Commission under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Order ("NP 12-203"). On May 1, 2025, the Company announced that, for reasons disclosed in the news release, there would be a delay in the filing of its financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the "Annual Filings") beyond the period prescribed under applicable Canadian securities laws (the "Default Announcement").

The Company reports that the audit is progressing and will provide a further update on the timing of its Annual Filings on or about June 12, 2025. The Company is also progressing on completion of its interim financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and will provide a further update on or about June 12, 2025. Further updates on timing will be provided by the Company as necessary.

During the MCTO, the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Company's listed common shares. However, the Company's Chief Financial Officer will not be able to trade in the Company's common shares.

Other than as disclosed in this news release, there are no material changes to the information contained in the Default Announcement. The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of NP 12- 203 and will continue to issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as it remains in default of the Annual Filings requirement.

About Gold'n Futures Mineral Corp.

Gold'n Futures Mineral Corp. (CSE: FUTR) (FSE: G6M) (OTC: GFTRF) is a mineral exploration company conducting programs to expand its gold resources and to develop viable gold mining operations through the application of extensive geological experience and knowledge combined with advanced technologies and computer modeling.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Vicki Rosenthal

Chief Financial Officer

Email: matt@fishpurdy.com

Ph: 905-781-8786

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

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often identified by the use of words such as "plans," "expects," "may," "should," "could," "will," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "forecasts," or variations of such words and phrases, including the negative forms thereof, as well as terms such as "pro forma" and "scheduled," and similar expressions that refer to future events or outcomes.

Forward-looking statements in this release, including, without limitation, statements relating to the anticipated timing, review, completion, and filing of the Annual Filings, the Company's ongoing operations, and the expected duration of the MCTO, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.


Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") announces that, in accordance with the terms of the Company's previously-completed acquisition in May 2022 of a 100% ownership interest in the Tintic Project, located in Utah, U.S.A., (the "Tintic Acquisition"), the Company intends to satisfy the third of five deferred payments (the "Third Deferred Payment") to certain sellers of the Tintic Project (the "Sellers") in common shares of the Company ("Common Shares").

The Third Deferred Payment of US$2,500,000 (or C$3,432,750 based on a USD/CAD exchange rate of 1.3731) is expected to be paid entirely in Common Shares at a deemed price of C$2.5082 per Common Share (based on the 20-day VWAP as of the closing of the market on May 26, 2025), resulting in the issuance of 1,368,610 Common Shares to the Sellers in full satisfaction of the Third Deferred Payment.

The issuance of the Common Shares in satisfaction of the Third Deferred Payment remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

For additional details regarding the Tintic Acquisition, please refer to the Company's news releases dated January 25, 2022 (entitled "Osisko Development Announces Proposed Acquisition of Tintic Consolidated Metals") and May 30, 2022 (entitled "Osisko Development Completes Acquisition of Tintic Consolidated Metals, Finalizes Binding Stream Terms and Satisfies Escrow Release Condition For Brokered Subscription Receipt Financing").

Marketing Services Agreement

The Company has entered into a marketing services agreement (the "Agreement") with Resource Stock Digest ("RSD"), a company based out of Texas, effective June 1, 2025, pursuant to which, among other things, RSD has agreed to provide certain promotional services to the Company in accordance with Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities of the Exchange.

RSD has been engaged for a 6-month advertising and marketing program for total cash consideration of US$250,000, payable in two equal installments with the first of which due upon receipt of approval of the Agreement by the Exchange. RSD conducts interviews with the Company and produces Company-approved content that is distributed to RSD's subscriber base and connects issuers to the investment community across North America.

There are no performance factors contained in the Agreement and RSD will not receive common shares or options as compensation. Further, RSD and the Company are arm's length and, at the time of the Agreement, neither RSD nor any of its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company.

The Agreement is subject to the approval of the Exchange. RSD is owned and operated by Gerardo Del Real and Nick Hodge and its contact details are as follows: Gerardo Del Real, 2051 Gattis School Rd, Ste. 540 PMB 176, Round Rock, TX 78664, USA; Email: editor@resourcestockdigest.com; Phone: (844) 334-4700.

ABOUT OSISKO DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Osisko Development Corp. is a North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its flagship permitted 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada. Its project pipeline is complemented by the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico-brownfield properties with significant exploration potential, extensive historical mining data, access to existing infrastructure and skilled labour. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally responsible mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.

For further information, visit our website at www.osiskodev.com or contact:

Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok Chairman and CEO Vice President, Investor Relations Email: sroosen@osiskodev.com Email: prabenok@osiskodev.com Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685 Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating to the ability and timing of the Company to complete the Third Deferred Payment, to obtain the Exchange's final approval of the issuance of the Common Shares in satisfaction of the Third Deferred Payment and to obtain the Exchange's final approval of the Agreement. Although the Company's believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.


Calgary - Guardian Exploration Inc. (TSXV: GX) (OTCQB: GXUSF) (Frankfurt: R6B) (the "Corporation" or "Guardian") announces that it has entered into term loan agreements with Deckland Inc. ("Deckland") and Guardian Helicopters Inc. ("GHI" and together with Deckland, the "Lenders").

As previously announced by the Corporation on November 10, 2022, the Corporation and the Lenders are currently parties to a loan agreement with respect to a revolving loan to be used by the Corporation to fund working capital requirements (the "Revolving Loan Agreement"). The Corporation has rolled $442,097 of the amount previously loaned by Deckland under the Revolving Loan Agreement into a term loan having a principal amount of $442,097 and $745,605 of the amount previously loaned by GHI under the Revolving Loan Agreement into a separate term loan having a principal amount of $745,605 (collectively the "Term Loans").

Term Loans mature three years after issuance (subject to amendment by mutual agreement of the parties) (the "Maturity Date") and bear interest of 15% per annum payable on the Maturity Date. Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreements is secured on the mineral assets of the Corporation and by a general security agreement on the personal property of the Corporation.

In connection with the Term Loans, the Corporation has issued 7,368,283 non-transferrable warrants to Deckland and 12,426,750 warrants to GHI. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Corporation until the earlier of three years or the Maturity Date, at an exercise price of $0.06 per share. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day commencing the date the warrants are issued.

The Lenders are both Alberta-based private corporations that are wholly-owned by Graydon Kowal, the President, CEO and a director of the Corporation. The Term Loans are considered "Related Party Transactions" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Corporation relied upon the exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and valuation requirements set out in Sections 5.7(1)(a) and 5.5(a), respectively, of MI 61-101. The Term Loan Agreements were approved by the unanimous resolution of the disinterested directors of the Corporation. Graydon Kowal abstained from voting in respect of the resolution. The Corporation has today filed a material change report in accordance with MI 61-101 in connection with the completion of the Transaction.

About Guardian Exploration Inc.

Guardian is a TSX-V listed company (TSXV: GX) (OTCQB: GXUSF) (Frankfurt: R6B) in the business of oil and gas as well as mineral exploration and development. Guardian's prospects include the Mount Cameron Property located in the Yukon's Mayo Mining District, mineral claims located on southern Dall Island, southeast Alaska, USA, known as the Kaigani claims, and the Sundog claims located in Nunavut.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Graydon Kowal

President and CEO

(403) 730-6333

Trading in the securities of Guardian Exploration Inc. should be considered highly speculative. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Eni, partners begin new drilling phase in Ghanas OCTP block

GraphicOnline Business News May - 29 - 2025 , 15:13

Eni Ghana, in collaboration with Vitol Upstream Ghana Ltd and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has commenced drilling activities on the Sankofa East 1X Side Track 2 well in the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block, marking a new chapter in the growth of Ghanas upstream oil and gas sector.

The operation, launched using the Deep Value Drillera high-specification drillship with advanced automation technologysignals the partners renewed commitment to securing Ghanas long-term energy future.

The rig, among the most advanced globally in terms of safety and performance, began operations offshore Ghana following its recent engagement in Cote d'Ivoire.

This activity reflects the partners' ongoing commitment to unlocking additional value from the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) block, ensuring long-term production sustainability and contributing to Ghanas energy security, Eni Ghana said in a statement issued to the press.

Ahead of the drilling campaign, Eni and its OCTP partners undertook a broad stakeholder engagement programme involving over 800 individuals along the coastal belt. Fishermen, local leaders, and community members were consulted in a series of sensitisation efforts conducted in partnership with several national institutions, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Petroleum Commission, the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, the Fisheries Commission, and the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council.

The outreach, according to Eni, aimed to foster transparency, cooperation, and awareness around the drilling operations, with emphasis on safeguarding local livelihoods and marine safety.

Eni, which has been operating in Ghana since 2009, currently produces approximately 34,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. It holds a 44.4 per cent stake in the OCTP project, with Vitol owning 35.6 per cent and GNPC holding 20 per cent.
Build economy beyond gold, cocoa exports  Speakers

Maclean Kwofi Business News May - 29 - 2025 , 05:57

The maiden Daily Graphic-Ecobank Ghana Business Forum was yesterday held in Accra where speakers discussed the economy and its prospects to broaden the countrys growth model beyond gold and cocoa exports.

Undoubtedly, gold and cocoa are key drivers in the recovery process but are limited in scope. We need to build on the extractive sector with value addition and diversification to achieve long-term prosperity and employment generation, the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Zakari Mumuni, said at the opening of the forum at the Ecobank Head Office in Accra.

It was on the theme: Broad review of the economy of Ghana then, now, and way forward.

Among speakers and panellists who featured at the event were the Presidential Advisor on Economy, Seth Terkper; the Director, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, Prof. Peter Quartey, and Tax Partner at PwC Ghana, Abeku Gyan-Quansah.

Others included policymakers, private sector actors, civil society and academicians.

They discussed topics such as effective controls that promote sustainable economic growth and innovative strategies to ensure long-term fiscal management, and ways to broaden the tax base and identify innovative revenue mobilisation methods to boost economic growth.

Resetting economy

The First Deputy Governor, whose speech was read on his behalf by a director at the Office of the Governor, Osei Gyasi, said it was important to recognise that macroeconomic stability was a necessary condition, but not sufficient to fully reset the economy.

Ato Afful, Managing Director, Graphic Communications Group Ltd, addressing the participants

He said stability strengthened the economic fundamentals but structural transformation provided direction for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Dr Mumuni, therefore, said that to fully reset the nations economy, the government must broaden the growth model beyond the extractive sector.

In so doing, we must leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to position Ghana as a regional hub for agro-processing, light manufacturing, and logistics, among others, he added.

Cedi appreciation

The Managing Director (MD) of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd. (GCGL), Ato Afful, said that the recent appreciation of the cedi was a significant development for businesses operating at the heart of the economy.

Suleiman Mustapha, acting Editor, Graphic Business, asking a question at the event

He said that media organisations such as GCGL played significant roles in the country's economy, extending far beyond their traditional role as information conveyors.

For those of us at Graphic Communications, we are not just journalists or media strategists. We also deal directly with the economy.

We import printing plates, paper and ink, which are commodities heavily influenced by foreign exchange rates. So, when there is a positive shift in the value of the cedi, we feel the impact firsthand, the MD said.

He mentioned the cost pressures facing GCGL due to foreign exchange volatility to include the high cost of importing paper, which costs around $100,000 for a six-week supply, with taxes amounting to 41 per cent.

The company incurs further costs of approximately $31,000 for other printing materials, thus exacerbating its financial burden.

This tells you what we go through every day; so, whatever the issues and challenges are, any positive movements in the cedi are deeply appreciated by those of us operating on the front lines of the economy, Mr Afful added.

Tax regime

Prof. Quartey also said that the countrys current tax regime promoted evasion and enriched a select few at the expense of national development.

Eric Amponsah Boateng, Tax Consultant, PKF, asking a question

He said the imposition of high taxes on individuals and businesses in an effort to meet fiscal targets undermined public confidence in the tax system.

Our tax levels are too high in my view. Our VAT is 21 per cent plus. Some are even straight levies that you cannot claim input tax on.

But look at our competitors, some of whom on the average, are paying 15 per cent and 18 per cent, while we are charging over 21 per cent.

So, what you are doing is that you are encouraging people to evade, Prof. Quartey said.

For his part, Mr Gyan-Quansah called on the government to build public confidence by providing clear assurance that tax revenues were being used effectively.

He said it must prioritise improving compliance rates, simplify the overall tax system to make it more user-friendly, and strictly enforce tax laws to ensure fairness and accountability across all sectors of the economy.
Next article: Africa Unions Agenda 2063: The role of diaspora and reparations to attaining the Africa we want

PureLube wins top prize at 2025 AgriTech Challenge Pro

Kweku Zurek Business News May - 29 - 2025 , 12:02

PureLube has emerged as the top winner of the 2025 AgriTech Challenge Pro, walking away with a prize of USD25,000 at the close of the two-day pitch competition hosted by the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

The event, held at the KNUST Business School in Kumasi from May 22 to 23, showcased a wealth of ideas by young Ghanaian entrepreneurs aimed at transforming the agricultural sector through innovation and technology.

The annual AgriTech Challenge Pro is a flagship platform that seeks to support and scale promising agribusiness ventures with the potential to generate employment and drive economic growth.

This years edition featured 43 start-ups presenting their business models before a panel of judges, known as the Ideation Team, who provided expert critique and recommendations.

Closely following PureLube, Ecobroma secured USD20,000 in seed funding to support the next phase of its agribusiness development. Thirteen other start-ups each received USD10,000 for their innovative solutions.

These include Zenags Organics, Mushplus Agri-Foods, MelDak Agro, AgriEase, Fibrelux, Tomavi Wines, Congam Stainless Charcoal, Danny Machinery, EcoLeap, BioSpace Gh, and Earth-Allies.

In addition, twenty other promising ventures were awarded USD5,000 each. These are Peanut Pride, Millbles, BIAQ Golden Cycle, Soyko Agro Foods, GardPath Technologies, Peli Natural Glow, MilkyWorld, Growth Line Farm-Tech, and Premium Biofert.

The winners not only receive seed capital but also gain entry into KICs Business Incubation Program, where they will benefit from continued mentorship and access to a broad network of industry experts and business partners.

This years AgriTech Challenge Pro has once again showcased the brilliance and resilience of Ghanas youth. The innovative solutions presented today reaffirm the transformative power of agriculture and technology in driving economic growth and sustainability, said Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of the Kosmos Innovation Centre.

The programme places a strong emphasis on moving beyond ideas to practical, market-ready solutions, incorporating market research, viability studies, and team building. It is designed not only to inspire innovation but also to create businesses that are scalable, resilient, and capable of long-term impact.

As Ghana positions agriculture at the centre of its development agenda, the AgriTech Challenge Pro continues to serve as a launchpad for youth-driven solutions that respond to pressing challenges in food production, sustainability, and value addition. The 2025 edition has reinforced the role of agritech in shaping a new future for Ghanas food systems and rural economy.
Sidi Ould Tah elected President of African Development Bank Group

GraphicOnline Business News May - 29 - 2025 , 14:40

Mauritanias Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the ninth President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), securing the mandate of the institutions highest decision-making body during its ongoing Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

Tahs election was confirmed today by Niale Kaba, Cote dIvoires Minister of Planning and Development and current Chairperson of the AfDB Board of Governors, which is composed of Finance and Economy Ministers or Central Bank Governors from the Banks 81 member countries. To be declared winner, a candidate must receive a minimum of 50.01 percent of both the regional and non-regional member votes.

The Mauritanian national brings to the position over three decades of experience in African and international finance. Most recently, he served as President of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for 10 years, during which he oversaw a significant transformation that saw the bank quadruple its balance sheet and attain a prestigious AAA credit rating. His leadership repositioned BADEA among the leading development finance institutions on the continent.

This is a critical moment for Africa, and I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me to lead the African Development Bank Group, Tah is expected to say as he prepares to take over from Nigerias Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, whose decade-long tenure ends on 31 August 2025. Tah officially assumes office on 1 September 2025 for a renewable five-year term.

Tahs extensive career includes serving as Mauritanias Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance. He has also held influential roles within multilateral institutions, where he focused on crisis response, financial reform, and innovative funding mechanisms. Among his notable achievements is the establishment of BADEAs $1 billion callable capital programme to support African multilateral development banks.

The race for the AfDB presidency began with five shortlisted candidates, including Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Maimbo of Zambia, Mahamat Abbas Tolli of Chad, and Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala of South Africa. Their candidacies were approved by the Banks Board of Governors Steering Committee, with the official list announced on 21 February 2025 following a 31 January deadline.

Tahs election arrives at a pivotal juncture for the African Development Bank Group, which is marking six decades of operations under the theme Making Africas Capital Work Better for Africas Development. While the continent has shown resilience in the face of climate shocks, economic instability, and shifting global dynamics, the Bank has underscored the urgency of accelerating progress to meet both the African Unions Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The African Development Bank Group consists of the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the Nigeria Trust Fund. Its shareholders include 54 African countries and 27 non-African countries.

Tah joins a distinguished lineage of presidents dating back to the Banks establishment in 1964, following in the footsteps of Mamoun Beheiry, Abdelwahab Labidi, Kwame Donkor Fordwor, Willa MungOmba, Babacar Ndiaye, Omar Kabbaj, Donald Kaberuka, and most recently, Akinwumi Adesina.

His tenure is expected to usher in a renewed era of innovation, strategic partnerships, and intensified efforts to unlock Africas capital for sustainable and inclusive development.
EDITORS LENS: Stop party politics in creative space post-elections

Editor, Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News May - 29 - 2025 , 09:30 2 minutes read

BARELY a week ago, a partnership between Dancehall icon Samini and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) sparked controversy on social media, particularly among some supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), who expressed disapproval.

This situation highlights a concern if left unchecked could result in the creative space becoming divided along political lines, instead of a unifying force.

Ghana's artistes, media houses and tourism promoters all share a common objective: to showcase the nations rich cultural heritage and vibrant identity to the world. However, if GTA succumbs to pressure to support only those aligned with a particular political party, we risk diluting the collective strength of our creative brand. Ghana is a nation teeming with diversity and cultural richness, and it is crucial to maintain unity within the creative space.

Samini's career exemplifies the importance of this unity. On several occasions, Samini has proudly represented Ghana globally, so GTA collaborating with him for his upcoming Saminifest concert is not out of place. Thus, the backlash from NDC supporters is unfortunate.

Graphic Showbiz emphasises that the GTA must operate as an inclusive national body that supports creatives from all backgrounds. Promoting, supporting or endorsing only those affiliated with a specific political party sends the wrong message and risks alienating talented individuals who contribute to our artistic community. Such divisions can seriously undermine the unity needed to foster growth within the sector.

Successful initiatives such as Year of Return, Beyond the Return and Detty December demonstrate the power of inclusivity in the creative industry. These programmes brought together artistes, promoters, vendors and citizens without regard for their political affiliations, underscoring that unity can amplify excellence. When the GTA embraces diverse talent, the collective message becomes stronger and more authentic.

As a nation, it is imperative we evolve politically and learn to appreciate talent and contributions without viewing them through partisan lens. Our creative economy holds immense potential for transformation, empowering the youth, redefining our global identity, and attracting investments.

Samini's journey illustrates the possibilities that arise when talent is recognised and nurtured beyond political confines. Let us collectively champion a narrative of unity over rivalry, progress over pettiness and vision over division. By supporting our artistes and fostering a creative industry that truly represents all Ghanaians, we can forge a brighter future together.
Chinese Bridge contest at UCC promotes language and culture among Ghanaian youth

Joana Kumi Education May - 29 - 2025 , 16:59 3 minutes read

The Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Coast (CIUCC) has hosted the 2025 edition of the Chinese Bridge competition, aimed at promoting Chinese language learning among Ghanaian youth and children.

The cultural and language event, held on the UCC campus, brought together a vibrant mix of students from primary, junior high, senior high, and tertiary institutions, underscoring Ghanas growing interest in international language education and cross-cultural exchange.

Participants travelled from across the country, including the Central, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions, to showcase their talents and proficiency in the Chinese language.

Schools represented included Nouvel Community Academy, Happy Heart School, Cornerstone International School, University Junior High School, University Primary School (UCC), St. Nicholas Basic School, St. Monicas Basic School, Wested International School (UCC), the University of Ghana, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Senior high schools such as Ghana National College, Mfantsipim School, St. Augustines College, and Aburaman Senior High School were also present to observe the event.

The competition featured an impressive array of performances including Chinese tongue twisters, voice dubbing, martial arts, and traditional and modern Chinese songs and dances. These performances demonstrated not only linguistic skills but also a deep appreciation of Chinese culture.

In the primary category, Mafaatihi Wunnam Alidu-Cotachi of UCC Primary School won the top prize, with Kwaku Henaku Otsin, also from UCC Primary, as first runner-up. In the junior high category, Nana Akua Abakoma Amoako from KNUST Junior High School took first place, followed by Philip Don Amoah of UCC Junior High School. At the tertiary level, Godfred Takyi Boateng from UCC emerged winner, while Charity Tetteh, also of UCC, was first runner-up.

To reward their efforts, winners in each category received 64-inch television sets. First runners-up were awarded air conditioners, second runners-up received mobile phones, and third-place contestants took home tablets.

At the opening ceremony, UCC Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and the Confucius Institute for their continued support in advancing Chinese language education in Ghana.

He emphasised the power of language as a cultural tool, stating: Language reflects identity and heritage. By learning Chinese, we embrace knowledge that enhances GhanaChina relations.

Professor Aheto commended all participants and encouraged them to remain committed to learning the language, highlighting its role in fostering international relationships.

Also present was the Director of the Confucius Institute Ghana, Professor Amo Ofori, who described the Institute not merely as a language centre but a cultural bridge connecting Ghana and China. He highlighted the role of language immersion activities such as calligraphy, poetry, and festivals in deepening mutual understanding between the two nations. He praised students as ambassadors of cross-cultural learning.

In her closing remarks, the Director of CIUCC, Professor Ou Yamei, expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, the Government of Ghana, host universities, and other stakeholders for their support in promoting Chinese language education. She emphasised that the competition served as a platform for students to demonstrate their language proficiency and to act as ambassadors for GhanaChina friendship.

She highlighted the historic nature of this years contest, noting that it was the first to feature a triple competition involving primary, secondary, and tertiary students. She expressed hope for greater participation in the future and congratulated all winners, encouraging them to aim for success at the global finals.

The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Tong Defa, also commended the remarkable talents displayed in the competition. He noted the significance of such initiatives in deepening bilateral ties between Ghana and China and expressed gratitude to the organisers for their meticulous planning and dedication.

Your meticulous planning and commitment played a crucial role in this event and I deeply appreciate your efforts, he said.
Fire guts 33 rooms at two beach resorts in Ellembelle District

Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu May - 29 - 2025 , 12:21 3 minutes read

A fire late last night gutted the iconic Maaha Beach Resort in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, destroying 18 luxury rooms after flames from a nearby resort spread to the premises.

The nearby facility, known as Vision Beach Resort, where the fire is believed to have started, had all 15 of its rooms and their contents completely destroyed before it spread to Maaha.

Due to moderately strong evening winds along the coast, the fire spread rapidly before the arrival of firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service stationed at the Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) gas processing plant in Atuabo.

According to fire officers, the wind posed a serious challenge. However, given the proximity of the blaze to sensitive gas infrastructure, the firefighters acted swiftly to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the resorts.

At Maaha Resort, eight of the 18 affected roomsconstructed primarily of wood and thatchwere completely razed. The remaining ten, which incorporated some concrete, suffered extensive interior damage, with furniture, air conditioners, beds, televisions, sound systems and other fittings entirely destroyed, although the structures remained partially intact.

At Vision Beach Resort, all 15 thatched-roof rooms were lost in the blaze along with the kitchen, reception, and a staff changing room, which has been identified as the suspected origin of the fire. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have begun in the workers area, although the exact cause has yet to be officially confirmed.

The District Fire Commander DO2 Mark Hamilton confirmed the incident, stating that the fire service received a distress call at around 7:59 p.m. on Wednesday evening. When we got to the scene, we realised that both beach facilities were engulfed in flames. The fire started at Vision Beach Resort, which shares a boundary wall with Maaha Beach Resort, he explained.

He further noted, Due to the thatched roofs, embers from Vision Beach Resort were carried by the wind to Maaha Beach Resort, sparking further fires that destroyed 18 rooms and other auxiliary facilities.

DO2 Hamilton clarified that the fire service had not received a call from Vision Beach Resort itself. No one called us from there, but we received a call from a worker at Quantum Terminals and we responded immediately, he said.

Some local residents have described the fire as a wake-up call for the area, which falls within a sensitive gas processing enclave stretching from Sanzule to Half Assini. Many initially mistook the flames for a routine bonfire often lit at beach resorts for guests, until the fire rapidly grew out of control.

Others noted that had the fire occurred later at night when guests were asleep, or during working hours when gas loading gantries are active, the incident could have led to far more severe consequences.

The Ghana National Fire Service has since assured residents and commercial operators in the area of its preparedness and urged heightened vigilance to prevent future incidents.
German Embassy launches culinary diplomacy with Ghana-Germany fusion dinner

Augustina Tawiah May - 29 - 2025 , 07:07 2 minutes read

In a bid to strengthen ties between Ghana and Germany through the culinary arts, the German Embassy in Ghana has invited two chefs from Germany to participate in a gastronomic project titled New Northern Dimension in Culinary Experiences.

The chefsOtto Pfeiffer, a German from Berlin, and Esther Mumuni, a Ghanaian born in Tamale but currently residing in a town near Hamburgare set to prepare a fusion of northern German and northern Ghanaian dishes for a dinner to be hosted at the residence of the German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, today, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Introducing the two chefs at a press briefing at his residence yesterday, Mr Krull said he recognised how deeply food resonates with Ghanaians. He explained that this appreciation inspired him to explore how culinary collaboration could serve as a platform to deepen relations between the two countries.

It has never been done beforeat least not from the German sideand I strongly believe that's a very, very exciting learning experience for the chefs and for us who will have the privilege to dine with them. Hopefully, it will trigger more innovative thinking in cooking in Germany and Ghana, he said.

Since arriving in Ghana, the chefs have toured Tamale to expose Mr Pfeiffer to the rich culinary heritage of northern Ghana, including traditional kitchens and local markets.

Mr Pfeiffer remarked that the experience had sparked innovative culinary ideas, which he was eager to explore at tonights dinner.

Our idea is to help build bridges between Germany and Ghana in a totally new dimension, he said.

Ms Mumuni shared insights into the dishes they had developed, describing them as delightful blends of Ghanaian and German ingredients and culinary traditions.
Next article: UHAS to be renamed after late President Mills as new governing council inaugurated

President to launch 24-hour Economy on Republic Day

Kester Aburam Korankye May - 29 - 2025 , 06:43 3 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will officially launch the 24-hour Economy policy in July, most likely on Republic Day, as part of a bold new agenda to transform Ghanas productivity and export capacity.

Speaking at a stakeholder consultative meeting at the Jubilee House yesterday, the President described the policy as a structured plan to drive industrial growth, job creation and efficient resource utilisation.

We will officially launch the 24-hour Economy programme in July this year, most probably on Ghana's Republic Day, which is a symbolic day for a bold new national agenda, President Mahama said.

The meeting brought together industry leaders, labour representatives, development planners and traditional authorities to discuss the rollout of the ambitious economic transformation agenda.

Economic vision

President Mahama explained that the policy is both a "destination and a programme" designed to maximise the countrys economic output through round-the-clock productivity.

The 24-hour Economy policy reflects a state where Ghana's productivity and capital utilisation will become so high that we will have to operate in multiple shifts across day and night, maximising the return on infrastructure, on human resources and innovation, President Mahama said.

He emphasised that the policy, which gained traction during the 2024 campaign, remained central to achieving full employment and inclusive growth.

Volta Lake Economic Corridor

A key component of the plan is the development of the Volta Lake Economic Corridor, which will serve as a national production and logistics hub.

This corridor, centred on the Volta Lake and the Volta Basin, will become a national production zone and logistics fund, the President said.

He explained that the plan envisions cultivating over two million hectares of arable lakeside land, revitalising the fishery sector on the lake, and creating a chain of industrial parks that produce goods for domestic and regional markets.

He added that the lake would be activated as a transport highway to ease congestion on roads.

New floating assets, lake ports and long-term investment partnerships will be developed in coordination with the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the private sector, he said.

The 24-hour Economy programme identifies key sectors such as agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, light manufacturing, tourism, digital services and the creative economy.

Given that the success of the policy would partly depend on the availability of the needed infrastructure, President Mahama said the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund will lead efforts to develop industrial parks, logistics hubs, and upgrade transport links.

On financing, the Development Bank of Ghana and the Venture Capital Trust Fund will scale up value chain finance for SMEs, cooperatives and agribusiness in priority sectors, he said.

He stressed that the programme would not be top-down but decentralised, with each district establishing its own implementation task force.

To ensure continuity, he revealed plans to establish the 24-hour Economy Secretariat as an independent authority backed by legislation.

The 24-hour Economic policy is not just a policy; it is a national compact for shared growth, for decent jobs, for competitive exports, for thriving local economies and long-term prosperity, and we now have to move to the hard work of delivery together, he said.

Partnerships

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, urged leaders in the public and private sectors to forge new partnerships to drive the success of the governments 24-hour Economy policy.

She emphasised that the initiative, anchored on manufacturing and agribusiness, would thrive through such collaborations.

Today marks a new chapter in Ghanas economic resetting, she said.

The minister called on investors to see Ghana as the premier destination for business.

The time to invest in Ghana is now. We want to build an economy that not only thrives in the day but around the clock, she said.
Ministry confirms over 100,000 trained health professionals unemployed

Mohammed Ali May - 29 - 2025 , 12:41 3 minutes read

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that more than 100,000 trained health professionals remain unemployed, with discussions underway to send some of them abroad under structured migration agreements with countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Jamaica, and Barbados.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Ministrys spokesperson, Mr Tony Goodman, said the backlog includes nurses, pharmacists, environmental health officers and other allied health professionals who have completed their training and obtained licences since 2021 but have not been employed due to the absence of financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.

For five years now, many health workers have remained unemployed simply because financial clearance has not been granted by the Ministry of Finance, Mr Goodman said. We are currently dealing with a backlog of about 100,000 professionals.

Mr Goodman stated that while the health sector needs these professionals, it is not possible to recruit all of them at once.

We cannot allocate all our resources to salaries. If we do, there will be no money left to build or equip hospitals, he said.

To manage the backlog, the Ministry has begun arrangements to send some health workers abroad through bilateral agreements.

According to Mr Goodman, four batches of health professionals have already been deployed, and more are expected to follow.

When asked why the Ministry is pursuing overseas placements while many communities in Ghana are understaffed, Mr Goodman said the approach is a response to existing constraints.

If we recruit everyone but do not provide the logistics and infrastructure they need to work, the outcome will be poor. For those we cannot employ now, migration is a practical option, he said.

He explained that many health professionals already leave the country through informal channels and often face challenges abroad.

This kind of migration is structured. It allows for better monitoring, accommodation and eventual return with new experience. It also prevents some unemployed professionals from drifting into activities that are not helpful to society, he said.

Mr Goodman said the Minister for Health has been in contact with the Minister for Finance in an effort to speed up financial clearance for domestic recruitment.

He noted that a letter was expected before the Finance Minister travelled recently, but it was delayed due to an administrative oversight.

The Director in charge of compensation at the Ministry of Finance has confirmed that some clearances are currently in progress, he said, although he did not provide a specific date for the recruitment of the 2021 batch.

He stated that the Ministry will apply a phased, first-in, first-out approach to recruitment based on the year of completion.

Mr Goodman also confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been involved in the discussions on health worker migration, adding that bilateral agreements are being facilitated through that office.

He pointed to challenges from private health training institutions, which he said admit more students than the Ministry can absorb.

These schools often go beyond the numbers we plan for and later expect the Ministry to employ all their graduates, he said.

Although a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report listed Ghana among 36 African countries unlikely to meet the 2030 universal health coverage target due to a shortage of health workers, Mr Goodman said the Ministry is trying to address the issue through a mix of recruitment and infrastructure investment.

He added that the Ministry is working on plans to expand access to free primary healthcare, re-equip public health facilities, and establish a 500-bed childrens hospital.
One in six Ghanaians paid bribes in 2024  Ghana Statistical Service report reveals alarming trends

GraphicOnline May - 29 - 2025 , 13:54 3 minutes read

One in six Ghanaians who interacted with public officials in 2024 paid bribes to access services, according to a newly launched report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The findings, published as part of the Governance Series Wave 1 Report, indicate that 18.4 per cent of individuals engaging public officials admitted to paying bribes, with the majority of such payments made in cash.

The study, conducted using Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI), surveyed 7,248 respondents across all 16 regions of Ghana. Of those surveyed, 55.7 per cent reported at least one contact with a public official between January and December 2024. The research forms part of Ghanas monitoring efforts for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 16.5.1, which tracks the proportion of persons who paid or were asked to pay a bribe to a public official.

This evidence must be used to drive reforms, empower citizens and ultimately reduce corruption in public service delivery, said Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu. He described the findings as a call to action and urged policy-makers to respond with data-driven strategies.

The report unearthed significant disparities in bribery patterns based on gender, geography, employment status, and disability. Men accounted for a staggering 77.4 per cent of bribe-payers, compared to 22.6 per cent for women. Urban residents were also more likely to pay bribes, with 61.9 per cent of incidents occurring in towns and cities, while rural areas accounted for 38.1 per cent.

Age was also a determining factor, with the highest bribe payments recorded among persons aged 35 to 49 years. Education level played a role as well, with individuals possessing tertiary or junior high school qualifications among the most likely to pay bribes.

A particularly troubling finding was the burden of bribery on the unemployed. While the employed constituted the majority of those who paid bribes (75.6 per cent), 22.4 per cent of unemployed respondents reported paying over GH1,000 in bribes, raising questions about the economic and moral cost of corruption for vulnerable populations.

Among persons with disabilities, around 21 per cent reported paying bribes. The rate was significantly higher among those with physical impairments (40.1 per cent) and visual impairments (32.5 per cent).

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service recorded the highest rate of bribery among public institutions. Sixty per cent of those who dealt with MTTD officials said they paid bribes. Other notable mentions included general duties police (46.7 per cent), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the police (37.9 per cent), and city guards (34.4 per cent). In contrast, the Minerals Commission had no reported bribery cases, and foreign embassies or consulates recorded only 2.6 per cent.

Regionally, Greater Accra led in reported bribery cases (22 per cent), followed by the Ashanti Region (18.1 per cent). The Savannah and North East Regions reported the lowest incidence, at 1.0 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.

Cash was the most common form of bribery, accounting for 85.2 per cent of reported cases. Other forms included food, drinks, animals (9 per cent), and the exchange of services (4.4 per cent). Approximately one-third of respondents said they paid between GH101 and GH500, while 14 per cent paid more than GH1,000. Males and urban residents were more likely to pay higher amounts.

Notably, 74.9 per cent of bribes were directly solicited by public officials, either personally or through intermediaries. Meanwhile, 17.3 per cent of respondents indicated that they gave bribes voluntarily to expedite processes or express gratitude. Yet only 14.5 per cent of incidents were formally reported, with reporting rates higher among urban dwellers.

The GSS says the Governance Series will be conducted bi-annually to monitor changes over time. The next wave will revisit the same respondents after six months, with findings expected to feed into Ghanas third Voluntary National Review of the SDGs in July 2025.
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Police investigate alleged assault of Joy FM journalist at Wontumi arrest

GraphicOnline May - 29 - 2025 , 06:00 1 minute read

The Greater Accra Regional Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged assault of Joy FM journalist Latif Iddrisu during the arrest of Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, on May 27, 2025.

The incident occurred at the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

In a press release dated 28th May 2025, the Police Service stated that the Regional Command is reviewing all available evidence, including video recordings and eyewitness testimonies, to establish the facts of the case and identify those responsible.

The statement, signed by Ms. Juliana Obeng [Supt], Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Region, reiterated the Services commitment to upholding the rights of all individuals, including media personnel, and ensuring the rule of law is maintained in its operations.

The Ghana Police Service reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rights of all individuals, including members of the media, and ensuring that the rule of law is maintained throughout our operations, the release stated.

The case has drawn public attention, with calls for transparency in the investigation to ensure accountability. Further updates are expected as the probe progresses.
Private training schools blamed for growing unemployment among health professionals  Ministry

Mohammed Ali May - 29 - 2025 , 12:29 2 minutes read

The Ministry of Health has blamed private health training institutions for the rising number of unemployed health professionals in the country, accusing them of admitting more students than the public system can absorb.

In an interview on Citi FM on Thursday, 29 May 2025, the Ministrys spokesperson, Mr Tony Goodman, said some private institutions continue to operate outside the Ministrys approved training quotas, producing large numbers of graduates without any assurance of public sector employment.

These schools often exceed the numbers we plan for, and later expect the Ministry to employ all their graduates, Mr Goodman said.

We train based on national and regional needs, but private institutions tend to admit based on their own interests, and that creates pressure on the system.

Mr Goodman explained that the Ministry is currently dealing with a backlog of about 100,000 trained professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, environmental health officers and other allied health workers. Most of them completed training and obtained licences between 2021 and 2024 but remain unemployed due to the lack of financial clearance for recruitment.

He said the problem has been worsened by the gap between the number of health workers being trained and what the Ministry can realistically absorb into the public sector.

Even if the funds were available, we cannot recruit everyone at once. Salaries must be balanced with investments in infrastructure, such as building and equipping hospitals, he said.

While discussions with the Ministry of Finance are ongoing to secure financial clearance for new recruits, Mr Goodman said the Ministrys recruitment strategy must be phased and planned.

He also noted that some of the backlog may be addressed through structured migration, with arrangements already in place for trained health professionals to take up employment in the United Kingdom, the United States, Jamaica, and Barbados.

Still, Mr Goodman maintained that the scale of the backlog cannot be managed effectively without stricter coordination. There has to be a national approach. If private institutions keep training thousands more than the system can take, this challenge will persist, he said.

The concerns come at a time when the World Health Organization has listed Ghana among 36 African countries unlikely to meet the 2030 universal health coverage target, mainly due to shortages of health workers, especially in underserved areas.

Responding to this, Mr Goodman said recruitment would continue based on available resources and within the limits of what the health system can support. He stressed that deploying health workers must be matched with the logistics and working conditions needed to make their services effective.
UHAS to be renamed after late President Mills as new governing council inaugurated

GraphicOnline May - 29 - 2025 , 06:39 3 minutes read

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) will soon bear the name of the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, following a government decision to honour his legacy.

This was announced by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, during the official inauguration of the Universitys fourth substantive governing council at a brief ceremony held in Accra on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

According to the Minister, the renaming is a posthumous honour for his contribution as a statesman, a former President of the Republic and a former academic of repute. He explained that the government is recognising the late President Mills pivotal role in the establishment of the institution. Therefore, UHAS in due course, will be known as John Evans Atta Mills University of Health and Allied Sciences, he declared.

Iddrisu also reiterated the governments commitment to higher education infrastructure development. He assured the University community that all ongoing projects at the Ho and Hohoe campuses, including the UHAS laboratory complex, would be completed under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

He further disclosed that the Minister for Roads had pledged to commence work on the internal roads of the University, as part of a broader initiative to improve infrastructure on public university campuses nationwide.

The newly sworn-in Council, chaired by Professor Kodzo Gavua, is tasked with steering the University through its next phase of growth. In his remarks, Professor Gavua expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Education Minister, and the government for entrusting them with this responsibility. He described UHAS as one of the enduring legacies of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration and vowed to work collaboratively to address the institutions pressing challenges.

I will like to say with confidence that we shall work as a team based on mutual trust and respect to build upon what our forebearers have left, to ensure that UHAS does not only become a model university but a leading healthcare training institution in Ghana, across Africa and the world at large, Professor Gavua said. He noted that accommodation for students and staff would be a top priority for the Council.

The 17-member Council is composed of prominent academics, professionals, and institutional representatives. Members include Professor Kodzo Gavua (Chairman), Professor Lydia Aziato (Vice Chancellor, UHAS), Professor Mark Appiah, Emeritus Professor Fred Newton Binka, Mr. Selorm Dey Esq., Dr. Kenneth Tachi, and Daniel Nii Noi Ashong, CA.

Also on the Council are Dr. Edmund Nibeneeh Aalangdong (Representative of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission), Mr. Charles Evans Apreku (Representative of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools), Professor Peter Adatara (Representative of Convocation, Professorial), and Mr. Israel Tordzro Agudze (Representative of Convocation, Non-Professorial).

Representatives from within the Universitys own community include Mr. Gabriel Agbanyo (UHAS Alumni Association), Mr. Jeffery Nii Otu Larkai (Senior Staff Association), Dr. Felix Kwasi Nyande (University Teachers Association of Ghana - UTAG), Mr. Felix Dolla Dimado (Graduate Students Association of Ghana - GRASAG), and Mr. Sefah Michael Debrah (Students Representative Council - SRC). The Registrar, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, serves as Secretary to the Council.

The inauguration of the new Council comes at a critical time in the Universitys development as it continues to assert its status as Ghanas only state university exclusively dedicated to healthcare professional training, with a growing reputation for impactful research and community engagement.
4 nursing unions distance themselves from GRNMA June 2 strike

Jemima Okang Addae Health May - 29 - 2025 , 16:31 2 minutes read

Four nursing and midwifery unions in Ghana have dissociated themselves from the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Associations (GRNMA) planned industrial action, scheduled to commence on June 2, 2025.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives Ghana (UPNMG), the Professional Association of Psychiatric Nurses Ghana (PAPNG), the National Association of Registered Midwives Ghana (NARM-GH), and the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA) expressed concern over GRNMAs unilateral decision to declare a strike.

According to the unions, the move contradicts a collective agreement reached during a joint meeting on May 27, 2025, where all parties resolved to postpone any industrial action pending further consultations and a scheduled meeting with the Minister for Finance regarding the implementation of their Conditions of Service under the Collective Agreement.

We are, therefore, deeply concerned by the unilateral decision of GRNMA to proceed with an intended industrial action in direct contradiction to the collective resolution, the statement read.

The unions reaffirmed their commitment to the negotiation process but stressed that progress should be achieved through unified dialogue and a coordinated strategy. They warned that unilateral actions could undermine their collective bargaining position.

They clarified that they are not party to the strike and have directed their members to remain at post and continue delivering essential health services as discussions with the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission continue.

Read the full statement below
Ministry of Health urges nurses and midwives to reconsider strike action

Jemima Okang Addae Health May - 29 - 2025 , 16:11 1 minute read

The Ministry of Health has called on the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to reconsider its decision to embark on a series of industrial actions.

In a statement signed by the Ministrys spokesperson, Tony Goodman, the decision by the association was described as shocking, particularly given the numerous engagements held with the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on the issue.

The Ministry noted that significant progress had been made under the current administration to improve the welfare of health workers, including the introduction and implementation of the first-ever Conditions of Service agreement for health workers in 2015.

The statement further indicated that since taking office, the Minister has met with the associations leadership on five occasions. Although the revised Conditions of Service were initially set to take effect in 2024, their implementation has encountered delays.

The Ministry believes that using the lives of patients as leverage in the demand for the implementation of a collective bargaining agreement is not the appropriate course of action, the statement said.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the issue and appealed to the GRNMA leadership to demonstrate good faith and continue engagements in the interest of the nations healthcare system.

Read the full statement below
Bryan Acheampong sets up exploratory committee for NPP flagbearership bid

Samuel Duodu Politics May - 29 - 2025 , 12:50 2 minutes read

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi, Dr Bryan Acheampong, has announced the formation of an exploratory committee to assess the viability of a potential leadership bid within the party.

The decision follows what he says was a growing encouragement from party faithful and extensive consultations with family and close associates.

Dr Acheampong, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture under the Akufo-Addo administration, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

He emphasised his lifelong commitment to the NPP, highlighting his experiences as a grassroots organiser, party staffer, four-term MP, Cabinet Minister, and long-time party financier.

"I have served the NPP faithfully, supported many, and helped shape impactful policies. Everything within me and every resource at my disposal have been put to the service of the party, and I will continue to serve," he said.

Committee

The committee will engage key stakeholders across the party's structures, including grassroots members and constituents, to assess whether his vision aligns with the aspirations of the NPP and the people of Ghana.

The committee is expected to share its findings within four weeks.

"This dedicated committee shares my commitment not only to discipline and unity within the party but also to job creation, food security, youth and infrastructure development, safety and security, and good governance within our nation," he stated.

Unity

Dr Acheampong urged party members to remain steadfast in spirit and decorous in conduct in the pursuit of progress, inclusivity, and effective leadership for the country.

"To our foot soldiers and all NPP faithful, I firmly believe in the partys capacity to overcome its challenges and once again lead the country towards a brighter future," he said.
Finance Minister Ato Forson appointed returning officer for AfDB presidential election

Graphic.com.gh Politics May - 29 - 2025 , 13:23 1 minute read

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been appointed as the Returning Officer for the presidential election of the African Development Bank (AfDB) at the Banks ongoing annual meetings.

The election is being held to select a successor to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the 8th elected President of the AfDB Group, who was first elected on May 28, 2015, by the banks Board of Governors during its annual meetings in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

Five candidates from across the continent are vying for the presidency - Mr. Amadou Hott from Senegal, Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo from Zambia, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah from Mauritania, Mr. Abbas Mahamat Tolli from Chad and Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala from South Africa.

In his role as Returning Officer, Dr. Forson is responsible for ensuring the integrity and smooth conduct of the voting process, as outlined in Article 5 of the Banks electoral rules. His duties include verifying that the ballot box is empty before each round of voting, confirming the number of ballots cast matches the number of eligible voters, rejecting invalid ballots, and certifying that only valid votes are counted.

He will be supported by the Secretary General, the General Counsel, and a technical team responsible for ensuring the accuracy of vote tabulation in line with Article 7 of the rules.
Next article: Wontumi granted GH50m bail by EOCO on charges of causing financial loss to the state

Attempts to remove CJ undermines judicial independence - Deputy Minority Leader

Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics May - 29 - 2025 , 04:57 2 minutes read

Attempts to remove the Chief Justice from office undermine the independence of the Judiciary, the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, Patricia Appiagyei, has stated.

She said it was not only an assault on the officeholder but the very sanctity of the judicial branch.

At the same time, the President is seeking to pack the Supreme Court with loyalistsseven nominations in one swoopclearly designed to bind the hands of the Judicial Council and tilt the highest court in the land towards executive interests, she said.

Parliament resumes

Ms Appiagyei stated this in a statement at the commencement of the second meeting of the Ninth Parliament last Tuesday.

Ms Appiagyei also criticised the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for the closure of Ghanas embassy in Washington, D.C., for alleged corrupt practices uncovered by a ministerial audit team.

It is an astonishing and deeply regrettable decision that the governments response to internal administrative failures is to shut down one of our most important missions abroad, even if only for what they call a few days.

Distress

The MP for Asokwa said the ministrys decision had already caused confusion and distress to Ghanaians abroad, many of whom rely on the embassy for consular services, visa and passport renewals and critical documentation.

It sends a dangerous signal to the international community that our government lacks the institutional maturity to isolate wrongdoing without imploding the entire system.

It also fuels perception that Ghana is unstable in its diplomatic governance and unstrategic in managing scandals, she said.

We demand to know how and why such a sweeping measure was taken without prior consultation with the House and whether the Council of State, the Cabinet, or even the Presidents foreign policy advisory team was involved in any form of deliberation, she said.

Ablekuma North

On the 2024 parliamentary elections in Ablekuma North, Ms Appiagyei urged the Electoral Commission to declare the results of the Ablekuma North parliamentary contest.

She said five months since the 2024 elections, the people remained without representation even though credible evidence suggested that the NPP candidate won.

The EC must be supported with security but they must not be allowed to delay democracy, she added.
Previous article: Wontumi is under investigation for multiple offences including fraud, money laundering, causing financial loss - Srem-Sai

Minority MPs boycott Parliament in solidarity with Wontumi

Graphic.com.gh Politics May - 29 - 2025 , 15:08 3 minutes read

Members of Parliament from the Minority side on Thursday afternoon boycotted sitting in solidarity with the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who has been arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on charges of causing financial loss to the state.

Wontumi has been granted a GH50 million bail, but since he has not been able to meet the bail conditions, he is still in EOCO custody.

He was granted bail on Wednesday but spent the night in EOCO's custody.

According to the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, they want EOCO to vary the bail conditions to enable Wontumi meet it.

Graphic Online's Justice Agbenorsi reports that the MPs, led by their leadership walked from Parliament House to the frontage of the EOCO office on the J.E.A. Mills highway in Accra to demand the release of Chairman Wontumi.

Minority MPs boycott Parliament in solidarity with Wontumi https://t.co/igzfukUPZ3 pic.twitter.com/GNhLQ3LsiT  DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) May 29, 2025

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has admitted the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, to bail in the sum of GH50 million with two sureties to be justified.

His lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, who disclosed this to Graphic Online's Justice Agbenorsi in Accra said his client was interrogated by the investigative body on charges of causing financial loss to the state.

The police enquiry bail by EOCO is to allow Boasiako to be temporarily released from police custody pending investigations.

The bail came after hours of interrogation at the EOCO head office in Accra last Tuesday. Mr Boasiako is said to have fallen ill after hours of interrogation.

Mr Appiah Kubi told Graphic Online that his client was working with EOCO officers to meet the bail conditions.

Investigations

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service had early on Tuesday, invited Mr Boasiako to assist with ongoing investigations linked to alleged illegal mining (galamsey) activities.

He had previously been cautioned over accusations of mining without a licence, activities that are polluting water bodies and encroachment of forest reserves.

However, after honouring the CIDs invitation, he was subsequently picked up by EOCO officials and transported to their head office for further questioning, reportedly on related issues.

Reaction

The arrest triggered an immediate reaction from scores of NPP supporters, including party executives who stormed the EOCO premises in protest, demanding his release.

They included the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, and former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover.

The military was subsequently deployed to ensure law and order at the EOCO office.
NPP mourns Chairman Kutin as final funeral rites set for Assin Jakai May 31-June 1

GraphicOnline Politics May - 29 - 2025 , 13:07 2 minutes read

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) will bid a solemn farewell to its late Central Regional Chairman, Robert Kutin Jnr, whose final funeral rites are scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 1, 2024, in his hometown of Assin Jakai.

The politician and former Board Chairman of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) passed away on December 22, 2023, following a period of illness.

Chairman Kutin Jnrs death marked the loss of a towering figure within both the NPP and Ghanas public service. Renowned for his firm yet compassionate leadership style, he played a central role in shaping the political fortunes of the NPP in the Central Region while leaving an indelible mark on national institutions.

As Board Chairman of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Kutin Jnr led a quiet transformation within the organisation, instilling a renewed culture of professionalism and strategic foresight. His tenure saw the construction of two modern GMA headquarters  one in Accra and another in Takoradi  hailed as symbols of his commitment to institutional excellence.

In the political arena, Chairman Kutin Jnr earned a reputation as a grassroots mobiliser and party strategist whose influence helped consolidate the NPPs strength in the region. His leadership style and broad appeal won him admiration across party lines, reflecting a legacy built not just on partisanship but on national service.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in a tribute, described him as a force for good  a man who lived and led with purpose. His legacy will continue to guide us.

The funeral events are expected to draw thousands of mourners, including high-ranking government officials, parliamentarians, traditional authorities, and ordinary citizens whose lives were touched by his leadership and mentorship.
Next article: Wontumi is under investigation for multiple offences including fraud, money laundering, causing financial loss - Srem-Sai

Wontumi still in EOCO custody, Minority MPs disperse after solidarity protest, lawyer hopeful of meeting GH50 million bail condition by Friday

Justice Agbenorsi Politics May - 29 - 2025 , 19:12 2 minutes read

After 24-hours of securing bail pending investigations, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, is still in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). He is expected to spend Thursday night in custody.

This is because Chairman Wontumi, who is being investigated on suspicion of causing financial loss to the state, has not been able to execute the GH50 million bail bond granted to him by EOCO.

Chairman Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GH50 million with two sureties to be justified.

He is to get at most two people to present documents either bank statements or proof of title of landed properties worth the bail bond.

This is to assure EOCO that he will avail himself for investigations.

In the event that he jumps bail, the sureties will forfeit the bail bond to the state.

Read also: Wontumi is under investigation for multiple offences including fraud, money laundering, causing financial loss - Srem-Sai

Confirming the status of the bail execution to Graphic Online's Justice Agbenorsi, Chairman Wontumis lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, said they were still working to execute the bail bond, which requires two sureties with justification.

He added that hopefully by Friday (May 29), they would be able to execute the bail.

Asked whether they were open to filing an application for bail variation, counsel said that was not an option on the table saying he was optimistic that the bail would be executed on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in Parliament led by its leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who blocked the main road at the EOCO office calling for the release of Chairman Wontumi, have since dispersed.

Their action led to a heavy gridlock on Independence Link.

Related Minority MPs boycott Parliament in solidarity with Wontumi

The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, said the bail bond was too harsh.

If there are genuine concerns to be investigated, let them be pursued with fairness, with transparency, and with dignity. But what we witnessed was none of that. What we witnessed was the abuse of the law by those entrusted to uphold it. What we witnessed was a shameful chapter in our democratic journey - one that we must resist, reject, and remember.

Minority in Parliament stands united, resolute, and unafraid. We will continue to speak truth to power. We will continue to walk the path of justice - no matter the cost. Because we believe that Ghana must never be a country where political differences are punished with persecution; where opposition is met with oppression; where speaking out means being dragged, he added
Ghana, UAE sign $1bn deal to build tech hub

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Technology May - 29 - 2025 , 19:58 4 minutes read

Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a technology and innovations hub to boost Ghanas digital transformation and position it as a leading centre for artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

The initiative, dubbed the Ghana-UAE Innovations and Technology Hub, led by UAEs Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) will serve as a strategic base for global tech giants seeking to expand their presence in the country and across the continent.

This means it will attract over 11,000 global companies under the PCFC umbrellaincluding tech giants such as Microsoft, Oracle, Meta, IBM, and Alphabet and will serving as a regional base for AI engineering, business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), and data generation for Africa-focused machine learning.

The initial phase of the one billion dollar project, fully funded by the PCFC, in partnership with leading AI firms behind Dubais AI transformation, will involve the development of a 25 square kilometre (Km2) site in Ningo-Prampram with the government providing the land for the initiative.

The MoU was signed in Accra on Thursday (May 29, 2025) by the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George on behalf of Ghana and the Chairman of the Dubai PCFC, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, on behalf of the Middle Eastern nation.

It brought together heads of the various agencies under the ministry and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their agencies.

Also present to witness the signing were officials of the UAEs mission in the country.

Mr George described the agreement as a bold ambition grounded in mutual respect and built on a shared understanding that digital transformation is no longer optional but essential.

He said the initiative was designed to anchor the nations place as a continental leader in digital transformation and technological advancement, reflective of President John Dramani Mahamas vision to not only diversify the economy but to ensure that innovation becomes a primary engine of inclusive and sustainable development.

This hub will create a space where investment meets ingenuity, where the creativity of Ghana's youth is matched with opportunities to try, and where advanced technologies are developed, deployed and exported. It is about building a nation where our brightest minds no longer look outwards for opportunity, but see it in their own backyards, he stated.

Mr George, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, said the initiative further underscored the importance of the governments One Million Coders Programme - an initiative to train a million youth in digital in-demand skills in AI, cybersecurity, data protection and data governance.

To Ghana's vibrant community of tech entrepreneurs, innovators, and digital talents, this is your platform. It is your ideas, your startups, your research, and your courage that will give it life and meaning. We are creating the conditions for a digital renaissance, led by Ghanaians for Ghanaians. Our goal is not to catch up with the digital age, but to help shape it, he added.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who also serves as the Chairman and CEO of DP World stated that in todays world, national wealth was defined not by gold or oil but by the ability to generate, implement, and scale ideasjust as Apple turned a simple concept into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise stressing the power of ideas, engineering, and innovation.

Highlighting the global shift toward automation and AI, he explained that the role of people has evolved from manual labor to high-value design, problem-solving, and supply chain management.

Using examples from DP Worlds fully automated port in Rotterdam and its integrated logistics operations in over 70 countries, he emphasized that jobs were not being lost but transformed, with workers now managing smarter processes and customer relationships.

With global supply chains strained and companies looking to produce goods closer to their markets, he said Ghana was poised to become a major production and distribution hub in West Africa.
Our Nothing Phone (3a) vs. Phone (3a) Pro video is now out: which one to get?
Sony's using third-party manufacturers to produce its phones isn't unheard of. The Japanese OEM has been doing so with its mid-rangers for a while, but according to the latest report, Sony will likely outsource its high-end smartphone manufacturing as well.

According to a Japanese news outlet, this isn't temporary and is likely a long-term strategy. In fact, you can no longer find "smartphones" on the list of devices at Sony's own production sites in Thailand. Historically, three manufacturing sites were involved in Sony's smartphone production - two in Thailand and one in China. None of them lists "smartphones" anymore.

Sony Xperia 1 VII 5G

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The report also suggests that the recently released Xperia 1 VII is the first phone to be assembled by a third party maker. For what it's worth we didn't notice any changes in the build quality when reviewing it.

Source (in Japanese)
Summer time is also a fun story time, with the Lions Club International District 204 leading a multi-agency initiative to promote not only literacy and good reading habits but also water safety.

The Lions Club International District 204 will host the Summer Saturday Story Time at 10 a.m. on June 7 via Zoom and in-person at the Hagatna Public Library.

Register at https://bit.ly/lionsclubreading.

District 204 has partnered with the following for this initiative: University of Guams SOE Alumni Association, Guam Public Library System, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Guahan Isan Famaguon Lions Club, The Guam Council of the International Literacy Association, Guam Department of Educations CHamoru Studies and Special Projects Division, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Guam Flotilla 140-02-24, Guam Police Departments Recreational Boating Safety Program, Calebs Courageous Cause, and Petos Journey LLC.

Participants will be able to win books and other exciting treats by answering questions during the Read Aloud and water safety presentation that will be conducted.
Rear Adm. Brett Mietus on Thursday officially took command of the Joint Region Marianas, at a time when the Indo-Pacific region, according to Vice Adm. Scott Gray, is now the worlds center of gravity.

Mietus replaced Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, who held his post for just 11 months.

DeVore took the position last year after the past JRM head, Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman, stepped up to head the new Joint Task Force-Micronesia.

Gray, commander of the Navy Installations Command, presided over Thursdays change of command ceremony held at the Guam High School gym.

In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of Joint Region Marianas to sailors and civilians present.

As you all know, we are living in an era of strategic competition, a very consequential time, Gray said. The Indo-Pacific is the worlds center of gravity now, and Guam sits astride at the very epicenter of that reality.

JRM, the harbors, airfields, and community of the island supported the U.S. integrated deterrence posture, Gray told the crowd at the ceremony, which included Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio, local senators, and the consuls general of Japan, Korea, Philippines, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The strategic importance of this region cannot be overstated, and neither can the responsibility that comes with it. As we look ahead, our mission remains constant, but our methods must evolve as you face the future, Gray said.

He asked JRM to focus on operation readiness, arrest infrastructure degradation, and ensure that installations are fully capable of supporting current and future force requirements.

Navy command must continue to work with the other armed services and the local government, Gray added.

As U.S.-China tensions in the Pacific continue, Guam and military installations on the island have been flagged as a likely target should China move to take Taiwan.

Thursdays change of command comes just as Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero returns from an economic mission to Taiwan, where she met with President Lai Ching-te. The Taiwanese president also made his first visit to Guam in December.

DeVores 11-month command

The vice admiral presented DeVore with the Defense Superior Service Medal during the ceremony, and pointed to successes he achieved during his 11-month command at JRM.

That included cutting costs for the Navy, pushing for alternative construction methods to support the buildup, and launching major repairs to the Glass Breakwater, which protects Apra Harbor.

DeVore earlier this week pointed to the $571 million repairs to the Typhoon Mawar-damaged breakwater, $5 billion in construction and typhoon recovery, and plans for Guam missile defense as continuing priorities as Mietus takes command at JRM.

Let me end by emphasizing that our competitors are watching. They are testing, they are preparing, and so must we, Gray said Thursday.

DeVore handed off command to Mietus by saying the JRM team punch well above their weight.

The staff that we have at Joint Region Marianas is small but mighty, supporting efforts throughout not only Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, but also all of Micronesia, DeVore said.

Mission is clear

The outgoing JRM commander handed off the reins to Mietus, with both men reading out their orders directly from the Chief of Naval Operations.

My mission here, our mission here, is absolutely clear to me, Mietus said, taking the podium to speak for the first time as JRM commander.

That mission is to work with the people of Guam and the joint force so that in times of peace, we serve as an inspiring example of collaboration and teamwork...so that in times of war, America can defend this region; to project power, to enable forces, ensuring that American ideals, our way of life, freedom, democracy, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, remain intact for ourselves, our allies and for our partners, Mietus said.

The acting governor, Tenorio, during the ceremony, remarked that Guam and its residents had known and been the victims of war.

Guam relied on the federal government and U.S. military to ensure the island was ready.

We already know how important it is, and this partnership, this assurance, we have to make sure that never again will our people experience that kind of violence, and the way that we prepare is to be that reliable partner, Tenorio said.
A bill to backpedal the legalization of consumer fireworks advanced at the Guam Legislature Thursday, with several lawmakers voicing concerns over public safety.

Also moving forward Wednesday night was legislation to allow the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority to lease property and facilities for up to 50 years, secure concession contracts for up to 15 years, and let the airport board set the rules for soliciting those deals.

Sen. Telo Taitagues Bill 20-38, which seeks to ban the sale, import, and use of consumer-grade fireworks, again, will move to a vote after a Thursday morning debate.

Taitague noted that Public Law 37-47, which legalized fireworks in November 2023, had no regulations attached to it.

At the recent public hearing on Bill 20, we heard powerful testimony from those on the front lines, the Guam Fire Department, the Department of Agriculture and even licensed pyrotechnic professionals all confirmed the same thing, she said. This law has made it harder to keep our people safe.

Taitague pointed to statistics from 2023, which showed fireworks contributed nearly 10,000 injuries and eight deaths across the U.S.

Guam still has no burn unit, the senator added.

But Sen. Will Parkinson, a former federal firefighter, argued against restricting peoples freedoms when there was no evidence consumer fireworks were actually causing fires locally.

Is it justified to single out safe and sane fireworks as a wildfire threat without data? If fireworks truly pose a clear and present danger, shouldnt there be evidence of past incidents on island to support that? Parkinson said, noting only national statistics showed injuries.

He stressed that businesses could not even sell imported fireworks because GFD had no rules and regulations for licensing.

Several other lawmakers raised concerns about public safety.

Emergency response chairman Sen. Shawn Gumataotao pointed to data showing children were about a third of people brought to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries worldwide.

Gumataotao said he believed in the idea of safe and sane fireworks, but said lawmakers did not address the need for rules or regulations when they legalized them in 2023, and GFD was nowhere closer to regulating the products since.

Mr. Speaker, this consumer grade proposal for fireworks was not ready to become law. It was not ready in 2023 and in 2025, we are nowhere, and I do mean nowhere, closer to establishing the necessary rules and regulations, Gumataotao said.

Public safety chair Sen. Vince Borja said he liked the idea of consumer fireworks legalization when it was introduced back in 2023before he became a senator.

But it was disappointing to see lawmakers legalized the products without any regulations, Borja said. He thanked Taitague for introducing the rollback.

It was clear during the holidays that residents were already obtaining and using fireworks, despite the blocks on import and sale, Sen. Therese Terlaje added.

She said lawmakers had sent a message that it was OK to use fireworks, and the public had responded. That message should be reversed, Terlaje said.

Terlaje noted that regulating fireworks puts more burden on firefighters, the police, and the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency.

We have a problem stopping drugs at the border. Were going to be putting an additional burden on customs stopping fireworks, she said.

Taitagues bill advanced to the voting file, despite an objection from Parkinson.

Airport leases

Tourism and transportation oversight chair Sen. Jesse Lujans Bill 67-38, authorizing 50-year leases of airport land and facilities and 15-year concession contracts, also moved forward.

Lujan stressed the measure would help attract investments at the airport, a key facility for the recovery of island tourism.

But some lawmakers had concerns about a provision of the bill that would allow the airport board to draft the rules for the solicitation of lease and concession deals.

Im just not comfortable with giving the board, any board, really, the authority to enter into 50-year agreements outside of, you know, our very stringent procurement law, Sen. Chris Barnett said.

Barnett argued that the provision letting the board decide the rules was the only important part of the bill, with lawmakers earlier this year giving agencies authority to lease for up to 30 years, or more, with the governors approval.

Several proposed amendments to the bill failed, with Lujan objecting to the need for them.

Those amendments would have required:

Rent escalation at five-year intervals based on fair market value assessment

That the governor and attorney general approve the contracts

That leases be secured in accordance with Guam procurement law and Federal Aviation Authority standards

Competitive solicitation for leases

Lujan argued the measure already required all federal and FAA requirements for lease rates to be applied. He said additional restrictions would prevent the airport from attracting investors at a critical time.

Were going to be into this budget session here shortly. Its going to be a tough thing if we dont start turning things around, Lujan said. Opportunities are at our doorsteps, now were saying its all corrupt.

Tourism markets around Asia have already recovered, but Guam has not, Lujan stressed.
The man accused of indecent exposure at Asan Park is out on $3,000 bail and is under curfew, but he will be allowed to travel to and from work following his bail hearing before Superior Court of Guam Magistrate Judge Sean E. Brown on Wednesday.

The judge also ordered Jaythan Ryan Megofna to stay away from Asan Beach Park.

Megofna was arrested as part of a police surveillance and sting operation at the Asan Beach Park in the early morning hours of May 22.

Police had spent months there in search of a suspect after more than two dozen complaints to police.

Between 20 and 30 reports of serial sexual related incidents had been reported at Asan Beach Park before police captured Megofna, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

The judge told Megofna during his hearing that someone posted his bail and that he would be released.

His attorney, Rawlen Mantanona, asked that his client be allowed to continue to work as hes one of two providers for his family, and said his client would be agreeable to a curfew.

Brown ordered some conditions of release, including check-ins with probation, obey a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., stay away from firearms, alcohol and drugs, and not to travel.

He was also ordered to stay away from the police officer that he allegedly attacked, and also ordered to stay away from Asan Beach Park.

Megofnas next hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. June 2.

According to the magistrates complaint, a man, naked from the waist down, was creeping up on an unmarked police car, parked at Asan Beach, with two officers inside, on May 22.

One of the officers stepped outside of the car to apprehend the suspect. The man got up and fled into the jungle, pursued by several officers and a drone above.

The man, later identified as Megofna, allegedly attacked one of his pursuers and also resisted arrest, according to the complaint.

Megofna also allegedly confessed to other acts of indecent exposure, according to the complaint.

He was arrested and charged with assault on a peace officer and indecent exposure, both as third-degree felonies and indecent exposure and resisting arrest as misdemeanors. He faces as many as seven years in jail.
Since the start of my second term representing the people of Guam in Washington, D.C., we have faced unprecedented challenges impacting both Congress and our island.

As your congressman, I believe in the importance of keeping you informed and engaged. I appreciate the active participation of our citizens like Uncle Manny Cruz, who holds us accountable.

Recently, there has been considerable discussion about President Trumps One Big, Beautiful Bill and Skinny Budget. Supporters of the measure argue that the One Big, Beautiful Bill will restore accountability and save money. At the same time, it aims to protect federal resources like Medicaid and SNAP from those who might undermine the system.

Back home, concerns are growing about the potential impacts of proposed budget cuts. Adelup has indicated preparations for the worst-case scenario, prompting me to direct my team to gather vital information on federal funding from local agencies. I thank my colleagues in the 38th Guam Legislature, the personnel of our line agencies, and Adelup for their swift cooperation.

With this important data, I have submitted numerous appropriations requests to preserve and strengthen federal funding for our island. As we await the outcomes of these efforts, its worth asking an important question: What can we do as a community to prepare for the changes ahead?

When our island faces significant challenges, do we stop, assign blame, and engage in conflict? Absolutely not. We must draw upon our collective strength and resilience as an island peopleour greatest asset has always been our ability to prepare.

While federal funding reductions may be concerning, they also present an opportunity to reflect and reassess the effectiveness and sustainability of our government. Like families reassessing financial priorities during tough times, we, too, must evaluate how our local government can become more efficient, effective, and resilient.

Perhaps this may be the right moment to take a closer look at our expenditures and determine where we can streamline services, eliminate redundancies, and modernize outdated processes.

By reviewing procurement laws that may be limiting competition, updating civil service policies, and refining agency structures, we can position our government to better serve the people.

Together, we can develop innovative, fiscally responsible solutions that ensure uninterrupted services. Now is the time for action and collaboration.

One recent action I took was writing to Doug Collins, the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, advocating for the relocation of the Manila VA Regional Office to Guam. I understand this proposal has raised concerns among veterans both here and in the Philippines, and I want to emphasize that my goal is not to diminish resources for our veterans in the Philippines.

The authorization for the regional office in Manila is expiring, so I took a decisive step to propose establishing a regional office in Guam that will also potentially create about 176 new jobs and improve veteran support here on our island. Alongside Chairman Bost and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs whom I spoke to prior to making the request, we will continue to advocate for the care our veterans deserve.

In response to the concerns raised by Mr. Leo Sablan of Barrigada regarding my request to the VA and work in Congress, I extended an invitation to meet in person or virtually to discuss his thoughts in greater detail. Although Mr. Sablan declined the invitation, I am hopeful that we can engage in an in-person dialogue someday in the spirit of the One Guam approach. Constructive dialogue with constituents, even when views differ, is a vital part of the democratic process.

In challenging times, we must work together to strengthen our community. My commitment as your congressman is to advocate for Guams needs and amplify our voice in Washington, D.C. Through collaboration and decisive action, we can protect the resources that matter most to our island.

I remain committed to fighting for Guams needs, no matter the challenges that arise.
May is Museum Month around the world. It is a period where museums, galleries, archives and other related institutions will hold exhibits or offer programming aimed at helping us understand the importance of the many ways museums serve their communities.

Museums are often best known for the artifacts, the treasures and the physical items that they contain, but they are also important spaces for education and learning.

They are places for storytelling and for conversations within a community, between different parts of a community and from one generation to another. Ive been working as the curator for the Guam Museum for four years now, and one of the things that I like to add about the importance of museums is that they can help serve as memories for communities, peoples or societies.

One way that this was communicated to me, was when I first began my job in 2021. Our administrator at the museum, Leona Young, gave me copies of the This Month in Guam History columns that were prepared years ago by historian, writer and one-time Guam Museum administrator as well, the late Tony Palomo. For many years, these columns would be published at random points in the Pacific Daily News, including different historical tidbits and images from the past.

At different points throughout the year, I use this column to build off what he created and also sometimes add in some new historical items to the timeline. And so in honor of Museum Month 2025, I offer you some May events that happened on Guam and to the CHamoru people.

353 years ago

In May of 1672, the battle of Tumon took place. Spanish soldiers sought out Chief Matapang, who had killed Padre Diego Luis San Vitores the previous month, but Matapang could not be found.

He had fled to Rota, about 40 miles to the north of Guam. Also in May 1672, the first Catholic Church was built in Hagatna.

339 years ago

On May 20, 1686, Captain Swan and William Dampier, English adventurers, visited Guam.

Dampier described the CHamoru people as strong-bodied, large-limbed, and well-shaped. They are copper-coloured, like other Indians; their hair is black and long, their eyes meanly proportioned; they have pretty high noses; their lips are pretty full, and their teeth indifferent white. They are long-visaged, and stern of countenance; yet we found them to be affable and courteous.

304 years ago

On May 13, 1721, a group of Carolinians arrived in Guam, and by the 19th century, hundreds had been recruited to work the island in the copra plantations.

126 years ago

On May 9, 1899, following the American takeover of Guam, the steamer Elcano arrived on the island, bringing the governor of Saipan, Colonel Don Eugenio Blanco, 270 Pampangan soldiers loyal to the cause of Spain, 60 officials, several employees, and a number of families of the volunteers.

All together, there were about 700 people, including soldiers, women and children, who went to Saipan to remain on that island.

The group was accompanied to Saipan by the pastor of Hagat, Padre Ildefonso Cavanillas, the pastor of Malesso, Padre Crisogono Ortin, and the pastor of Hagatna, Padre Francisco Resano. Once the group had been settled in Saipan, the priests returned to Guam.

125 years ago

On May 14, 1900, Naval Gov. Richard P. Leary issued General Order 19 directing the gobernadorcillos (petty governors) to immediately remove all crucifixes and saint pictures from the public school rooms in their respective towns or districts and they will direct the school teachers to discontinue instruction in the church catechism ...

Three months later, Leary outlawed public religious processions. This order was later rescinded on Dec. 4, 1903 by Naval Gov. W.E. Sewell.

105 years ago

On May 25, 1920, Naval Gov. William Gilmer issued Executive Special Order 52 which stated, The practice of whistling is an entirely unnecessary and irritating noise which must be discontinued. It is therefore ordered and decreed that no person shall whistle within the limits of the city of Agana. The penalty for a violation of this order shall be an executive fine not to exceed five dollars.

The order came under heavy fire from the nations newspapers, and was repealed less than two months later, on July 9, 1920, by Gilmers successor, I.G. Wettengel.

79 years ago

On May 30, 1946, the Naval Government of Guam was re-established under Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall.

The Naval Government lasted for four more years, until 1950 when civilian government was established under the Organic Act of Guam.

74 years ago

On May 6, 1951, Dr. Jose R. Palomo returned to Guam after an absence of 38 years and assumed the directorship of the Department of Education. He was an alumnus of the Carnegie Institute of Technology and Ohio State University. He also studied in Spain and in the Philippines.

65 years ago

On May 21, 1960, Bunzo Minagawa, a Japanese World War II holdout, was captured after 16 years in hiding.

His compatriot, Masashi Ito, surrendered the next day.

Twelve years later, in 1972, the last of the Japanese warriors, Shoichi Yokoi, was discovered near a man-made hideout in Talofofo.

58 years ago

On May 1, 1967, Pan American Airways launched its first direct flight from Guam to Tokyo. It was, in effect, the beginning of tourism as an industry in Guam.

Two years earlier, the 8th Guam Legislature passed a law creating the Guam Economic Development Authority, which offered various incentives to new businesses, including hotels.

49 years ago

On May 21, 1976, Super Typhoon Pamela struck Guam, causing extensive damages.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if there were a truly unbiased audit done of every government of Guam department, commission and board to determine not only their individual efficiency but also the standards of service, maintenance of facilities and customer response times?

An audit that was done by someone who had no political connection to Guam or the government leadership, and was required to look at current necessary operational costs, how efficiently they operated, and how many people were really required to run the departments efficiently and effectively compared to what existed at the time of examination.

Having lived here since 1968 and watched the government of Guam expand to the obviously over-bloated situation we are currently faced with, my guess is that the results would be shocking to say the least.

The mere fact that GovGuam has an annual budget of somewhere in the vicinity of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion (including federal funding) for this year sends a clear message that very significant efficiency problems exist that need serious addressing.

Another question for those unbiased auditors would be to do a daily head count for the number of people that were actually assigned and functionally working in each of the areas, compared to what the auditors professionally believed were required for efficient operations.

The primary areas to begin with for these litmus tests would be those that the government actually was originally required to provide i.e. public safety (fire and police), education (all government-associated schools) and public health (Guam Memorial Hospital, Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, Guam Power Authority, Guam Waterworks Authority and Department of Public Works).

The other currently functioning departments, boards and commissions would follow and thereafter the non-essential boards and commissions that were simply space holders for political power or gain.

Given the reality that over 90% of the revenue for the government rests in personnel expenses, it is not difficult to see how we could reduce government spending while at the same time maintain real  necessary government services, improve efficiency and overall quality of life for residents.

This is a critical subject to address as we approach the next gubernatorial, senatorial and mayoral elections.

If we truly want to make Guam a better place for all of our residents and their respective families, this government is going to have to get significantly more serious about how and where it spends our limited tax and dwindling federal dollars.

It is very seriously high time that people running for and attaining political office and those that they appoint to critical positions do so with the serious concern for who it is they actually work for, how residents and federal tax dollars are being spent and begin being more frugal in that process.

We are seriously losing ground economically because of the level of careless and personally driven spending and control within the government of Guam.

It is time to make Guam great again.

Esta.




Haiti - Art : Ministry of Planning Logo Competition





The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) informs interested parties of the organization of a competition for a new logo for the Ministry.



Competition Rules:



ARTICLE 1  ORGANIZATION:

The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) in Haiti plays a central and strategic role in the design, implementation, and coordination of the country's economic and social development policies. As a key entity in the public administration, it is responsible for planning and coordinating development initiatives, ensuring their alignment with national priorities. The MPCE thus defines the framework for external cooperation by ensuring the alignment and integration of projects and investments financed by international donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with sectoral development policies and programs.



As part of its vision to modernize and sustain its activities over the long term, the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) is launching a logo competition to symbolize its mission, vision, and objectives.



Therefore, these regulations define the rules applicable to this competition.



ARTICLE 2: PROCESS OF THE OPERATION :

- Calendar:

 Period for popularizing and promoting the competition on all the Ministry's communication platforms: from May 16 to May 31, 2025;

 Registration and logo submission period: from June 1 to June 21, 2025;

 Deadline for receiving logos by email: June 25, 2025;

 Processing and final selection process: from June 25 to July 1, 2025;

 Prize presentation and presentation of the winner: before July 10, 2025.

 Use of the Ministry's new official logo: starting July 25, 2025.



Note : Each participant is entitled to submit a single logo proposal to the competition.



ARTICLE 3  PARTICIPANTS :

 This competition is open to any individual aged 18 and over;

 Be Haitian living in Haiti or abroad (in the Diaspora);

 The participant must provide the following information:

Last name, first name(s), national identity card (NINU), and email address when submitting the logo;

 Be able to physically appear at the venue for the prize presentation. In case of force majeure, present yourself at a Haitian diplomatic mission abroad;

 Any false declaration will result in the participant's permanent exclusion from the competition, without the organizers being held liable (as soon as the facts prove true);

 Any registration and participation made with incomplete, erroneous, or forged information or contact details, or made in violation of these rules, will be considered null and void by the organizers and will not allow you to obtain the prize(s), without the organizers being held liable;

 For your participation to be considered, the required information must be sent to the following address: mpcebureauministre@gmail.com



ARTICLE 4 - TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:

I. Participation in this competition is free.



II. Each participant will submit a logo that complies with the following guidelines:



 The proposed logo must be an original creation that must not be inspired by existing trademarks or protected images, or those belonging to third parties. It must also not contain elements that violate public order or morality.



 Canvas size: 1800" x 1800";

 Color: 3 colors maximum

 Theme: "Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation";

 The logo must not be signed;

 The organizers will associate a code with each logo for identification purposes;

 The participant must submit their work to the following email address: mpcebureauministre@gmail.com;

 All elements of the application must be submitted simultaneously: logo and personal information.



ARTICLE. 5 CREATION GUIDELINES:

When creating the Logo, the designer must consider the following elements:

 The name of the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) must appear

 Logos submitted in digital format must meet the following technical specifications:

- Image format: JPEG, PNG

- Resolution: 300 dpi minimum

- Minimum size: 5x5 cm



ARTICLE 6 - DESIGNATION OF THE WINNER AND COMPOSITION OF THE JURY:

 The jury, composed mainly of professionals in the field, will designate the winner of the competition;

 The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) guarantees compliance with standards, independence, and impartiality of the Jury members;

 No appeal against the jury's decisions will be permitted;

 The jury's decisions will be based primarily on compliance with the participation terms and conditions (see Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.);

 The works and the competition in its entirety will be published on the Ministry's communications channels to promote them.

All rights related to the creation of the winning Logo will be assigned to the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE).



ARTICLE 7 WINNINGS AND PRIZE COMPOSITION:

The participant whose Logo is designated the winner will receive as a Prize:

 The equivalent in Gourdes of 1,500 US dollars (at the current exchange rate);

 A letter of recognition from the MPCE;

 A plaque of honor;

 The prize cannot be contested in any way (including the award of its cash equivalent, its replacement, or exchange in any form whatsoever);

 The winner has thirty (30) days to claim their prize. After this period, no claims will be permitted.



ARTICLE 8 - FORCE MAJEURE:

In the event of force majeure or if circumstances so require, the organizers reserve the right to modify these rules, postpone, or cancel the competition. They shall not be held liable for these modifications.



ARTICLE 9  LIABILITY:

The organizers shall not be held liable under any circumstances for problems related to the works during or after submission. The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) shall not be held liable for any irregularities in a work submitted to the Competition. The MPCE will only accept one submission per candidate.



ARTICLE 10  RULES:

These rules may be consulted at the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) in Port-au-Prince.



Participation in this competition implies acceptance of these rules in their entirety. Any practical difficulties in the interpretation or application of these rules will be assessed and resolved by the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE), the sole organizer of the Logo Competition.



HL/ HaitiLibre

 The Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE)






















Haiti - Crisis : Food security, monitoring of the humanitarian response





The food security sector in Haiti coordinates responses to humanitarian crises. It is chaired by the National Food Security Coordination (CNSA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The food security sector coordinates and informs humanitarian and government actors responsible for responding to food insecurity. It is supported by the Food Security Global Cluster.



By 2025, the food security sector aims to reach 3.4 million of the 5.5 million people in crisis and emergency situations in Haiti, according to the IPC. Three million people will benefit from assistance to access adequate food, including 300,000 who will receive emergency food production support to address the survival risks they face. In addition, 1.1 million people affected by food crises will receive assistance to protect their livelihoods and help them return to acceptable living conditions.



The financial requirements for this sectoral response are US$425 million.



The latest IPC analysis (March 2025) reveals a deterioration of the food crisis in Haiti. Approximately 5.7 million people, or 51% of the population, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, compared to 5.5 million in August 2024.



From January to March 2025, interventions carried out by food security sector partners reached 860,379 people, representing a 25% achievement rate compared to the 3.4 million people targeted in the humanitarian response plan.



The targeting strategy focuses on people in IPC phase 3 and above, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs).



Food assistance (Strategic Objective 1) reached more than 721,546 people, or 24% of the target (3 million people). The intervention methods were primarily vouchers/coupons and cash transfers (37%), in-kind food (62%), and a mixed approach (in-kind and cash/coupons) for 1.2% of beneficiaries.



Agricultural production and livelihood support activities (Strategic Objective 2) reached more than 169,1239 people, or 15% of the target (1.1 million people). The intervention methods were primarily cash or vouchers/coupons (84%), and in-kind food and service delivery (16%).



In total, eight main organizations and 19 implementing partners are involved in these interventions in Haiti.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















The initiative, launched jointly with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal , targets the construction of 5,300 shelters by 2030. Ukraine currently lacks adequate protection for much of its population, with only 47 percent covered by existing bomb shelter infrastructure.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo visited Kyiv on Wednesday to formalise a new international coalition aimed at building thousands of civil defence shelters in Ukraine.

This partnership will focus on expertise, planning, and construction, Orpo told Finnish media during the visit. Finnish companies have an important role to play in designing resilient civil protection systems.

The idea for the coalition emerged earlier this year after Ukrainian officials toured civilian shelters in Finland. Talks between the two countries intensified following President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Helsinki in March.

At the signing ceremony, Shmyhal thanked Finland for its support and encouraged other nations to join the coalition to speed up shelter construction. According to Ukraines plan, 2,300 shelters are to be built by 2027 and another 3,000 by the end of the decade.

Orpo also visited a recently upgraded school shelter in Kyiv and praised Ukrainians efforts to maintain education under the threat of daily airstrikes.

It shows how people continue life here in the midst of war, he said.

Earlier in the day, Orpo toured the facilities of Finnish fast food chain Hesburger in Boryspil, which reopened operations in Ukraine in March. He later laid a wreath at a memorial wall for war casualties and held talks with Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Speaker of Ukraines Parliament.

The day also included a visit to a residential area hit by a Russian missile strike on 24 April, which killed 12 and wounded 90. There, Orpo met with Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Interior Minister, and a rescue dog named Zenit, who helped locate survivors in the rubble.

Wednesdays visit was Orpos second official trip to Ukraine since taking office. He previously visited Kyiv in August 2023 to participate in the Crimea Platform summit.

Zelensky was not in the capital during Orpos visit, as he was in Berlin for meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had visited Finland a day earlier.

The Finnish Prime Minister used the occasion to reaffirm Finlands long-term support for Ukraines defence and reconstruction, and reiterated that Russia's ongoing attacks show no signs of a genuine effort to reach peace.

HT
The Blue-Black Movement, a far-right group previously removed from Finlands political party register for violating constitutional and human rights principles, has regained official party status.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed on Wednesday that the group is now re-listed as a political party after meeting the required threshold of 5,000 supporter declarations.

Arto Jaaskelainen, director of electoral administration at the ministry, said there were no legal grounds to block the re-registration after the group submitted a revised party programme.
Finlands Prime Ministers Office (VNK) has declined to release the content of an anti-racism training session delivered to top civil servants in April, prompting criticism from legal experts over transparency.

The training, held on 14 April, was part of a wider equality initiative being prepared for government ministers. The Prime Ministers Office said the material remains under development and therefore cannot be made public.

The Finnish News Agency STT had requested access to the training content and any feedback collected from participants. The office denied the request, citing the incomplete status of the training programme intended for ministers.

However, Professor Tomi Voutilainen of the University of Eastern Finland argued that this reasoning does not stand up to scrutiny.

When the training was held for permanent secretaries, the material was clearly ready for that purpose, he said. The claim of incompleteness cannot justify withholding the information.

The training was delivered in preparation for a broader session for ministers, scheduled for early June. Voutilainen said the two sessions should be considered distinct, with separate materials tailored to different audiences.

He also criticised the offices failure to address STTs specific request, which concerned the material used in the earlier session, not the planned ministerial training.

This appears to be an attempt to avoid public debate before ministers are trained. That is not an acceptable reason to deny access, Voutilainen said.

The Prime Ministers Office, headed by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, stated that the purpose of the delay is to ensure the training's effectiveness. Officials added that no written feedback was collected, and no formal exercises were conducted during the session.

According to Voutilainen, early disclosure could strengthen the training by allowing broader public input.

If the material includes content that might prompt discussion, it's better to receive feedback now rather than after it has been presented to ministers, he said.

The issue has renewed concerns over the offices past record on transparency. Finnish administrative courts have previously ruled that the Prime Ministers Office has, on multiple occasions, violated access-to-information laws by withholding public documents.

Voutilainen described the pattern as a form of administrative culture that appears designed to delay disclosure.

This does not reflect well on the government, he said.

The anti-racism training was ordered in 2023 following political controversy that nearly collapsed the Orpo government. At the time, Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila (Finns Party) resigned after widespread criticism over his alleged far-right associations. Attention also turned to past racist comments made by Finance Minister Riikka Purra, leader of the Finns Party.

The training, originally scheduled for early 2024, was postponed until after local and regional elections. It is being prepared by officials from the Prime Ministers Office in cooperation with experts from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

HT
East Highs Ryah McDonald named Apple Ambassador

East Henderson High School rising senior Ryah McDonald has been named Apple Ambassador

East Henderson High School rising senior Ryah McDonald has been named Apple Ambassador for the 2025 North Carolina Apple Festival.

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I feel incredibly honored and grateful to be selected as this years Apple Ambassador, McDonald said after learning she was chosen Apple Ambassador. This recognition is not only a personal milestone, since Ive dreamed about this since I was a little girl, but also a celebration of our communitys rich agricultural heritage and the hard-working apple growers who make this festival thrive. I am proud to represent such a vibrant and dedicated community and I look forward to representing the Apple Growers Association and my hometown, Henderson County.

The Apple Ambassador program provides two scholarships each year and is open to all rising seniors in Henderson County.

McDonald, who is the daughter of Brian and Toni McDonald, will attend all four days of the festival and will also represent the festival at the N.C. Mountain State Fair as well as other events across the state throughout the year. She will be awarded a $2,000 college scholarship upon graduation from high school in May 2026. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university and receive a bachelors degree in nursing. McDonald also plans to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, according to a press release from the apple festival.

This years runner-up is Lillyana Galloway, also a rising senior at East Henderson High School. She will be awarded a $1,500 college scholarship, an increase from previous years. The Apple Festival Board recently voted to increase the runner-up award due to the amount of volunteer hours they contribute to the festival, according to the press release.

Reagan Price and Sutton Hughes, of West Henderson High School; Elliot Jackson and Sarah Orr, of Hendersonville High School; and Selah Masterson and Sharlotte Lyda of North Henderson High School were also chosen to represent their schools for interviews. They will join McDonald and Galloway at the festival and on this years apple ambassador float.

Applicants for the scholarship are required to submit their transcripts, list of activities, provide letters of recommendation and write an essay on the Apple Festival and the importance of the apple industry to this area. The Apple Ambassador is selected based on this information and through an interview process.

The Apple Ambassador and runner-up are awarded the Evelyn Lutz Hill Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors Hill, who served as the secretary of the North Carolina Apple Growers for many years.

The Apple Ambassador sponsor is Champion Comfort Experts, a new addition for the festival.

The Apple Festival is held every year over Labor Day weekend. This year it will be August 29  Sept. 1 in downtown Hendersonville.
NVIDIA CEO says US export ban on AI chips to China 'clearly wrong'

Global Times) 13:37, May 29, 2025

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said during a quarterly earnings call on Wednesday that the US' export control policy on AI chips to China was "clearly wrong," noting that China's AI will move on with or without US chips due to its abundant AI talent.

Huang stated that China is one of the world's largest AI markets and a springboard to global success. "With half of the world's AI researchers based there, the platform that wins China is positioned to lead globally," he said.

When discussing the US' export control on AI chips to China, Huang said that shielding Chinese chipmakers from US competition only strengthens them abroad and weakens America's position, and export controls have spurred China's innovation and scale.

"The US has based its policy on the assumption that China cannot make AI chips. That assumption was always questionable, and now it's clearly wrong," he said, noting that export controls should strengthen US platforms, not drive half of the world's AI talent to rivals.

The US chip-maker reported $44.1 billion in revenue for the first quarter ended on April 27, 2025, up 69 percent year-on-year. However, Huang mentioned in the calls that $50 billion Chinese market is effectively closed to the US industry, with the export ban ending their Hopper data center operations in China.

On April 9, 2025, NVIDIA was informed by the US government that a license is required for exports of its H20 products into the Chinese market, which incurred a $4.5 billion charge during the reporting quarter associated with H20 excess inventory and purchase obligations as the demand for H20 diminished. The financial report indicated that, absent the export restriction, NVIDIA could have recorded an additional $2.5 billion in sales.

In response to a Global Times' inquiryabout what specific conditions and requirements must be met to comply with US government export restrictions if NVIDIA still plans to sell H20 chip to Chinese market, the company said that the H20 ban ended their Hopper datacenter series line in China  we are not able to change the Hopper design to sell to China.

"With the ban on H20, our competitors in China are now largely shielded from US competition and free to leverage that entire $50 billion market to build a robust AI ecosystem," said a spokesperson from the company on May 19.

The US chipmaker is to build a research and development center in Shanghai that would help it stay competitive in China, where its sales have slumped due to tightening US export controls, the Financial Times reported on May 16.

In response, the company told the Global Times via emailon May 20 that "we are leasing a new space for existing employees and this is a continuation of our longstanding presence there," claiming that the company is not sending any GPU designs or core IP to China to be modified to comply with export controls.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
(JNS) - The Auschwitz Memorial, together with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation and leading figures from the European film industry, announced at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15 the launch of a 1:1 digital replica of the German concentration and extermination camp available for filmmakers.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Virtual Film Location harnesses 3D-scanning technologies to preserve and protect the site's historical integrity, while offering filmmakers a revolutionary tool rooted in accuracy and ethical storytelling, according to a statement on the Auschwitz website.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Virtual Film Location is the only original and certified 1:1 digital representation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau I Camp, available under license for audiovisual projects. It is designed to support the telling of the story of the camp, enabling its use in a wide range of films-from documentaries to large-scale Hollywood productions-without compromising the memorial's historical integrity.

"Due to the solemnity of the site, as well as the preservation regulations, filming on the grounds of the Auschwitz Memorial is restricted to documentary productions," said Piotr M. A. Cywinski, director of the Auschwitz Museum.

"Yet the demand for feature films about Auschwitz has continued to grow, reflecting the public's deepening interest in the camp's tragic history. Such films should play a vital role in raising awareness and deepening emotional engagement with the history of Auschwitz and the Shoah," he said.

Filmmakers will gain access to a fully certified digital replica, ensuring accurate portrayals of the site. Every element of this space-starting from the Arbeit macht frei gate, fence posts, buildings with every brick or roof tile-is being meticulously documented, revealing perspectives and details invisible to the naked eye.

The data will also be preserved and reprocessed over time as new technologies emerge, safeguarding the site's memory for future generations.

Auschwitz survivor Ryszard Horowitz, a world-renowned photographer, who was in the Birkenau camp when he was 5 years old, said at a panel at Cannes, "I think this new technology will make it easier to tell stories from Auschwitz, rooted in authenticity."

Auschwitz Museum spokesman Bartosz Bartyzel said that "the museum will create a film script consultation procedure, where scenarios are reviewed by a team of historians. Script remarks approval is a prerequisite for obtaining a license to use assets from the Virtual Film Location."

The museum's involvement ensures that creative interpretations do not compromise accuracy, helping combat denial and distortion at a time when misinformation is on the rise.

The technical team has already completed a 1:1 digital replica of Auschwitz I using the most advanced spatial scanning tools.

The next steps in the project include completing the digital interiors of Auschwitz I and the exteriors and interiors of Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp, and securing the entirety of the memorial site. Anyone who wishes to support the project financially should contact the foundation.

Licensing fees will directly support the memorial, thus supporting its global mission in commemorating all victims, and fighting antisemitism and all forms of hatred.
(JNS) - On May 19, two weeks before the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, celebrity chef and cookbook author Jamie Geller, who now serves as the spokesperson and chief communications officer of the Jewish educational organization, Aish, set out with her team - including the writer of this article - to taste and rate some of the best cheesecakes in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has a plethora of bakeries, each with its unique style of cheesecake presentation. "We aimed to sample as wide a variety of different kinds of cheesecakes as we could in one morning," said Geller, who helps curate Jewlish, a Jewish food website and sub-section of Aish.com., named after one of her best-selling books.

"Shavuot is my favorite holiday," Geller exclaimed. "Even though all dairy commemorates the tradition, Shavuot has become known as the cheesecake holiday, and I fully enjoy one day of dairy bliss. This is the only time that I reflect on my time in America and fondly remember having a two-day holiday, a full 48 hours, to indulge in cheesecake and all things dairy."

In modern times, cheesecake has become entwined with celebrating Shavuot, a tradition for which many reasons are given. The most prominent of these is that Jews were given culinary (kashrut) laws regarding the proper treatment of meat at Mount Sinai on Shabbat and were forbidden from slaughtering or cooking meat that day, so instead they ate dairy.

Another reason is that Mount Sinai is called Har Gavnunim (mountain of peaks) in Hebrew and its etymology is close to the Hebrew word for cheese - gvina. A third reason given is that by eating dairy products, we give thanks to God for giving the Jews the land of Milk and Honey.

While Geller eats only in restaurants with a "mehadrin" or "badatz" level of kashrut supervision, she brought her team to help explore some of the popular hotspots around the city with different kashrut certifications.

Ahead of the cheesecake crawl, Geller described her ideal cheesecake to JNS: "To me, the perfect cheesecake is New York-style - creamy, semi-rich, a bit savory and full-bodied. It's a mile high with a small token layer of crust on the bottom."

She added, with a smile, "Cheesecake can also be classified as a protein, so I get to indulge with no guilt on this holiday. The rest of the holidays, aside from Chanukah, we're pretty much rolling in meat and potatoes."

The first stop saw the team visit Marzipan Bakery on Agrippas Street, mostly famous for its melt-in-your-mouth rugelach. The bakery also had a wide variety of (frozen) cheesecakes available.

Geller's team, which aimed to try different styles in each place, chose the typical Israeli "crumb" cheesecake after discussing with the staff what their top recommendation would be. "Growing up, my Israeli aunt Zehava used to make this style of cheesecake with crumbs, it took me back a bit to that memory," Geller said.

Overall, the team determined that the cheesecake was well-rounded and creamy, with a lemon undertone. It was a solid cheesecake and received a respectable 7 out of 10 from the 6 tasters who judged it based on composition, taste, heaviness or lightness of cheese and how well the crust complements the cheese.

"The classic Israeli cheesecake with crumbs on top is the typical kind that all the kids bring home from gan (pre-school), and you know there were 25 fingers in that cake, but you let the kids eat it anyway," Geller quipped.

The next stop was Berman Bakery, also on Agrippas Street. There, the team sampled a cheese log that was labeled "baked cheesecake."

"This was more of a cake than a cheesecake," the team determined. "It wasn't what we were looking for today," Geller added.

Next came the Oreo cheesecake from English Cake, across Agrippas from the Machane Yehuda shuk (outdoor market). This cake was really exciting; its appearance enthralled some of the team members, but they said the cheese was far more of a gelatinous cream than a typical cheese. The cake was rated a 6 out of 10.

Following that, the crew stepped into Boutique Central, where they tried a classic New York-style cheesecake. "This was terrific," one of the team tasters exclaimed. "It has everything I was looking for, a full-bodied cheese, a light crust that complemented the entirety of the cake, and a second layer of creamy cheese on top." The overall score for the cake was 8.5 out of 10.

Leaving the shuk area, the team headed to King George Street to sample two cheesecakes from the French-style patisserie, Yehuda Bakery. One was a pecan cheesecake, the other a caramel-topped version.

They said the pecan headed toward a more gelatinous consistency with nut flavoring diffusing into it, while the caramel held a stronger cheese body and more varied flavor. The overall scores given by their team were 6 for the pecan and 7 for the caramel.

From there, the group headed down to Yoel Solomon Street to sample Napoleon Patisserie's lotus cheesecake. It came in a small circular torte-like shape that, the team determined, was full of cheesecake flavor.

"This is a 10!" Geller exclaimed after tasting just the first bite of the lotus cheesecake, half-covered by lotus cookie-flavored crust and half by a delicious cream.

"This is a little piece of heaven. It is exactly what I hoped for and wish to have this Shavuot!"

The entire team ranked the lotus cheesecake highly, scoring an average of 9.5 from the six team members, having garnered perfect scores from both Geller and another taster.

It came time for the last stop on the crawl, which brought the team to Kadosh Cafe Patisserie. Here, the group faced a challenge: there was no cheesecake left!

After speaking with several staff members and explaining what was taking place, a waiter headed into the kitchen and found a single piece of Basque-style cheesecake in the back of a fridge.

As the team of tasters dug in, it became apparent that Kadosh, which has a reputation for serving delicious, tantalizing cakes, once again did not disappoint. The darkness of the basque-style cheesecake was in full play, as was the full body of the cheese itself. The piece of forgotten cheesecake ranked at a lofty 8.5. It left us all wondering how good it would have been if it were freshly made right out of the oven.

"The inspiration for the cheesecake crawl came about as a culmination of several different factors," Geller said. "We were looking for a team-building experience themed around the holidays that could also be used as a cool piece of social media content that will help other people celebrate the holiday. As we were sitting around eating the different cheesecakes, we went around the table and discussed different reasons for the tradition of why we eat cheesecake and dairy on the holiday of Shavuot. We did some research. We learned about the holiday and a lot about cheesecakes in Jerusalem. It was a win-win on many levels."

Waxing philosophical, she added, "This is exactly what food during the holidays is for. It is a means to an end to get us all together, as families, as friends, around a table, to talk, to connect with one another. After all, the food, the cheesecake, is just a means to bring us together around the table to spend the holiday together, to learn, to love and to live."

Concluding the cheesecake search in Jerusalem, Geller said, "We will certainly be doing similar projects in the future, and I encourage anyone who can do so, to conduct their own crawl or taste test with their family or work colleagues. It helps get everyone into the holiday spirit. I wish everyone who reads this a happy and joy-filled holiday."

For more information, go to jamiegeller.com/holidays/top-5-tips-for-kosher-cheesecake-perfection/
(JNS) - At the time of the Temple in Jerusalem, a dozen loaves of bread representing the 12 Tribes of Israel, called "Showbread," were presented by priests on a special table every Shabbat as an offering to God.

Eliezer Meir Seidel, an expert baker and owner of the Showbread Institute in Karnei Shomron, is proud that he can now produce the special 12 loaves of "wonder bread" displayed weekly in the Temple.

From the musical instruments of the Levites to the unique spice mix of the holy incense, more and more scholars are delving into the ancient components used in the Jewish Temple that stood in the center of Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago.

The First Temple, built in the 10th century BCE during the reign of King Solomon, was destroyed in about 587 BCE during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The Second Temple, built almost a century later, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

The holy Temple, which many believed represented the ideal society, was in many ways a microcosm of life, with thousands of craftsmen of every type taking part in its operation and upkeep. This included the art of baking.

Making the Showbread is neither easy nor obvious, especially since the method was lost hundreds of years ago. Seidel spent no less than a decade consulting with rabbinical and academic figures to decipher the secret method of preparation.

Changing direction

Seidel was born in South Africa and immigrated to Israel 40 years ago, when he was 21. He has a bachelor's degree in physics, but for 25 years worked in the Israeli high-tech industry, mainly in programming.

Since his bar mitzvah, he developed a hobby of baking bread, but it remained just a hobby until the global economic crisis in 2008 caused the American company that employed him to go bankrupt.

"I had a hard time finding a job," he says. "After a few months of failed attempts, I decided to change my profession and opened a boutique bakery behind my house in Karnei Shomron. My wife and I baked healthy, organic breads with an emphasis on traditional Jewish breads."

One day, one of his neighbors brought him The Five Kinds of Grain, a book by Bar-Ilan University Professor Zohar Amar, an expert in rediscovering the flora and fauna of ancient Israel.

"In the last part of the book, there was a chapter on the Showbread," says Seidel. "Until then, I thought I knew what it was, but after reading that book, I realized that I knew nothing about it. At the end of the book, there were pictures of experiments that Prof. Amar conducted in baking the Showbread and the truth is that his experiments at the time were not very successful."

Seidel contacted Amar, introduced himself as an expert baker and offered to join his research on the subject. "Prof. Amar was happy and we have been working together on Showbread research for the past decade," he recalls.

Bread lab

"It's not just the Showbread," Seidel clarifies. "We are interested in all the Temple meal offerings, including the sacrifice of Thanksgiving and the two leavened loaves of Shavuot."

Seidel's bakery has become a research institute for Showbread and the other meal offerings. "We have essentially become the meal offering laboratory of the Temple Institute and Bar-Ilan University," he says. "When Prof. Amar conducted research two years ago on the grain wafers used in the Thanksgiving sacrifice, for example, he did all the experiments at our institute."

Because he has researched bread in depth in Jewish tradition, Seidel knows that most of what is considered Jewish bread is actually drawn from foreign sources.

"The braided challah that all of Israel eats on Shabbat is an invention of Christians in Germany in the 16th century," he says. "We copied it from them. The bagel, which for some reason is considered traditional Jewish bread, was also used for Christian worship in Europe at the beginning of the ninth century. The only bread that is exclusively Jewish is the Showbread. It is not a copy of any other bread in the world."

'Kneed' to know

Showbread isn't your normal grocery variety. First of all, it's huge, about the size of a microwave oven. Then there's the special shape.

"There are several opinions in the Talmud about what the Showbread looks like," says Seidel. "One opinion says that it looked like a 'broken box,' a kind of rectangle, and there is another opinion that it was 'like a kind of dancing ship.' It was not very clear what this meant, so we did a lot of research to get to the bottom of the matter."

He continues, "We studied ancient manuscripts of Rashi on Tractate Menachot, including from the Vatican Archives and the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg. Eventually, we came to an interesting conclusion. The drawing that appears in Rashi for Tractate Menachot in most of today's versions, where the bread is shown like the letter V, is not like the original, and in fact, the true shape was a 'dancing ship' that looks more like the letter U."

To this end, the institute produced special molds for very large bread. "Without exaggeration, we conducted thousands of experiments in baking bread, with all kinds of combinations of ingredients," Seidel says. "I do the physical experiments at the institute, but I consult with many people beforehand."

A new dimension

One of the questions that preoccupied the institute's staff was the thickness of the Showbread, according to the sources, it had to be a tefach, about 8 centimeters or 3.5 inches. Showbread is actually a type of matzah, meaning it can't be leavened, and if that were not enough, it is distributed every Shabbat after a week of laying it out on the Showbread table in the Temple. The sources describe a miracle in which the bread was always warm and fresh as if it had just come out of the oven. But you can't rely on miracles, so Seidel's institute racked their brains on how to make the bread reach such large dimensions and also come out edible.

Seidel refused to accept the results of Amar's initial research on Showbread, which yielded bread that the professor admitted was "not that edible and not really tasty."

"You are not allowed to bring anything bland to the Temple," he says. "The rule in the Temple is 'There is no poverty in place of wealth.' You cannot settle for a poor product. That is why we tried very hard to ensure that the Showbread that comes out of the institute is delicious, and the bread that we managed to bake after many years of experimentation is indeed very tasty."

To meet the halachic requirements, the question arose at the institute as to how to achieve the necessary thickness made from the ingredients mentioned in the Torah. "Rabbi Yosef Karo asks this in his commentary on the Kesef Mishnah on the laws of Tamidim and Musafim (the daily and additional sacrifices), and it seems absolutely impossible, especially when we remember that this bread can't be leavened. In order to bake bread to the height of a tefach, without leavening, we had to consult with experts on the subject of leavening."

For a whole year, Seidel and Amar discussed this issue with Rabbi Shabtai Rappaport, former head of the Higher Institute of Torah Learning at Bar-Ilan University.

"We were looking for a way to leaven bread without it being halachically considered leaven, and we finally came up with a satisfactory solution. We managed to get it to the height of a tefach," he says. "Once this thickness was achieved, it gave the bread a stability that was not present in the breads obtained in Amar's research up to that time. His breads were very fragile."

Is it possible to rise bread without leavening it? "We discovered that it is! There are all kinds of techniques to do this. Amar suggested that it could be done using baking soda combined with a certain acid, but that didn't do the trick. We were only able to raise the bread to a height of half a hand. We tested all kinds of solutions, including fermenting in a vat."

The deeper meaning

Seidel thinks the bread's U-shape resembles a smile and he believes this is the Showbread's true message, which, according to tradition, brought wealth to the nation.

"The bread was distributed every Sabbath between the outgoing and the incoming priestly watch. In the Second Temple, there were around 250 priests in each watch," he says. "The 12 loaves were distributed among about 500 priests! Each priest received a kezait (an olive's size), and according to other sources, even less, and the miracle was that it was enough for everyone and satisfied them all."

Though it took years to discover, Seidel has no problem sharing the recipe. "It's not a secret that we have kept at the institute. We even published a book on the subject, Meir Panim. In addition, we hold workshops on the subject, go to ulpans, yeshivas, schools and community centers, deliver them at bar mitzvah events, and we also have workshops for preparing all the other offerings."

Seidel says that in order to inspire the people of Israel at this difficult time and in the future, it is not only desirable but necessary to revive this tradition and arouse in people "a desire for the Temple."

This article was originally published in Hebrew by Olam Katan.
After a gunman murdered two people outside a Jewish museum, a wide range of major Jewish groups has asked the federal government to sharply increase its funding for religious institutions security to $1 billion.

The request is one of several made by the coalition in the wake of the attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday, when a shooter killed two employees of the Israeli embassy. In the wake of the shooting, Jewish security analysts are assessing what went wrong, and how such attacks can be prevented in the future.

One piece of that prevention, says the Jewish groups statement, is more government funding.

The apparently targeted attack on individuals attending an event at a Jewish museum and hosted by a Jewish organization represents an elevation in the threat level to the Jewish community, broadly, at a time of already heightened threats and issues, the statement says, adding that the threat requires governmental action commensurate with the level of danger.

The statement was signed by groups representing the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements, as well as organizations including the Jewish Federations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the Zionist Organization of America, the National Council of Jewish Women, Hillel International and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. The lead signatory was the American Jewish Committee, which hosted the event at the museum.

They call for an increase to $1 billion for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which funds security for religious institutions and has historically funded a broad range of synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish day schools. There are annual negotiations over the size of the NSGP allocation, which was less than $300 million in 2024, and which was frozen for a time this year amid the Trump administrations cuts to the federal government.

Jewish New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, in 2023 proposed an increase to $1 billion.

The statement also calls for the government to dedicate funding to meet the urgent need for additional security personnel at Jewish institutions, as well as for increased police funding.

The statement said the attack was the direct consequence of rising antisemitic incitement in places such as college campuses, city council meetings, and social media that has normalized hate and emboldened those who wish to do harm.

It called for more government emphasis on fighting hate crimes and monitoring domestic terrorism. It also called on the government to hold social media, gaming, messaging, and other online platforms accountable for amplification of antisemitic hate, glorification of terrorism, extremism, disinformation, and incitement.

In recent years, social media platforms including Facebook and X, which is owned by senior Trump administration official Elon Musk, have loosened their restrictions on hate speech.
WASHINGTON  Following Wednesday, May 21, evenings horrific terror attack on an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum, the leadership of Christians United for Israel expressed their heartbreak and outrage over the cold-blooded murders of Yaron Lischinsky, Sarah Milgrim and the wounding of four others:

May the God of all hope comfort those who mourn as we weep for Yaron and Sarah. We pray for their loved ones and continue to stand resolutely with Israel and the Jewish people against this unmitigated evil. If there is a line to be drawn, then draw it around...
(JNS)  The family of Tzeela Gez, 30, who was killed in a Palestinian terrorist attack in Samaria while on her way to deliver her baby on May 14, has decided to donate her organs.

Gezs corneas will be transplanted, one for a youngster at Schneider Childrens Medical Center in Petach Tikvah, and one for a patient at Rabin Medical Centers Beilinson Hospital in the same city, Arutz 7 reported.

Her husband, Hananel Gez, who sustained light wounds in the shooting attack outside the couples community of Bruchin, said: Tzeela always brought light during her life, and now even after her death, she...
(JNS)  Yarden Bibas, who was a Hamas hostage for 484 days and whose wife and children were murdered by the terror group in captivity, spoke with Israeli media about his best friend, David Cunio, who remains in captivity.

Yarden, who didnt want to speak about himself, told Israels Channel 12 News in the interview that he and David had been friends since first grade.

When they were introducing the students, something about his name, about his appearance, caught my eye, he said. During the first break I went and actually offered him friendship. I said to him, Do you want to be my friend?...
The Hamas terror organization launched its deadly invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in order to foil a possible peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, May 17, citing internal Hamas documents recovered by the Israeli military.

According to Saturdays report, the IDF discovered records from a high-level meeting of Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 2, 2023, during which Yahya Sinwar, the late chief of Hamas forces in Gaza, warned that Riyadh and Jerusalem were nearing a normalization agreement.

There is no doubt that the Saudi-Zionist no...
(JNS)  Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the chances of a breakthrough in negotiations with the United States over Irans nuclear program are slim, accusing the U.S. administration of making nonsense statements.

The Islamic Republic does not believe that the current negotiations with America will yield positive results, and no one knows what will follow, he said at a ceremony commemorating former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who both died in a helicopter crash in May 2024, near the border with Azerbaijan.

The America...
(JNS)  Five United Nations trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including baby food, entered the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom Crossing on Monday, the Israeli military confirmed.

The transfer followed the recommendation of Israel Defense Forces officials and was carried out under the directive of the political echelon.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (emphasized that all aid was subjected to a thorough security inspection by the Defense Ministrys Crossing Points Authority. The IDF reiterated that it will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance in the Gaza...
(JNS)  Israels Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday advanced a bill to designate Qatar as a terror-supporting state, clearing the way for the coalition proposal to be put to a preliminary vote in the Knesset.

The bill, initiated by Likud lawmakers Moshe Saada and Dan Illouz, Otzma Yehudits Yitzhak Kroizer and Michal Woldiger of the Religious Zionism Party, advances as the Israeli negotiating team continues to pursue a hostage agreement with Hamas in Doha, where senior leadership of the terrorist organization has long been hosted.

Qatar has been the financial lifeline of Hamas...
(JNS)  Jordanian textbooks justify the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre and promote antisemitism and violent jihad, marking a troubling decline in the Hashemite Kingdoms educational standards, an international think tank reported Monday.

A study by the London-based watchdog IMPACT-se found that nearly 300 textbooks used in the 20232025 curriculum promote antisemitism, glorify violent jihad, and express strong hostility toward homosexuality.

At the same time, and somewhat contradictorily, the materials also generally advocate concepts of religious moderation, tolerance, and peacemaking,...
(JNS)  In a speech to Congress on Tuesday, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, objected to a proposal by Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) seeking to end the war against Hamas and the blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying the resolution doesnt focus on who is to blame for the conflict in the first place.

We have no disagreement about the suffering thats going on in Gaza, he said, regarding the Palestinian population there. The problem we have here is, as we heard from both of these speakers, not one word was said as to whose fault this is. This is the fault of...
Two Israeli embassy staffers were shot and killed on Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.

The male victim was identified as Yaron Lischinsky. His final post on social media was a repost of a message condemning the United Nations' false claim that 14,000 infants in Gaza were facing imminent starvation, labeling it a modern-day blood libel.

According to Israeli Ambassador to Berlin Ron Prosor, who taught him as a master student, Lischinsky was a Germany-born Christian Zionist who had served in the Israel Defense Forces and "chose to dedicate his life to the Sta...
Thousands expected at Western Wall for Jerusalem Day 5785

(JNS)  The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is preparing to host tens of thousands of visitors for Jerusalem Day 5785, marking 58 years since the reunification of the city during the Six-Day War.

Festivities begin Sunday evening with a public prayer service and the unfurling of a giant Israeli flag at the Western Wall Plaza, attended by senior religious and public officials. This years flag ceremony is dedicated to the memory of Eyal Chaimovsky, the late director of the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Events continue through Monday,...
(JNS)  Despite being one of the worst foreign-policy decisions in the history of the United States, the wisdom of the 2015 nuclear deal is embraced as an article of faith by Democrats. Some see the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as genius simply because it was President Barack Obamas idea. Others support it because they missed the day in school when their history teacher taught how the policy of appeasement led to the ravages of World War II. A third group, radical progressives, support it because they are inherently antisemitic, and they know the Iran nuclear deal undermines Israels...
Dear Mr. President,

You are about to make a decision for which you will be remembered by history. Your legacy will either be as a world leader who saved, or failed to save, many lives. The decision concerns Irans intention to develop a nuclear arsenal. There can be no reasonable doubt that Irans mullahs are determined to obtain nuclear weapons, despite their assurances to the contrary. Nor can Israel, which is the intended target of an Iranian bomb, be expected to rely on deterrence or containment. Iran must be prevented from achieving their dangerous goal.

Obviously it would be better if th...
(JNS)  In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV expressed concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence, warning that it could undermine human dignity and replace human conscience with algorithms. The popes discomfort with AI resonates with a long history of the Catholic Church confronting transformative technologies that challenge its authority and influence. While non-Catholics have no place critiquing Vatican policy, Christian-Jewish relations have been impacted by its responses to major shifts. It thus behooves us to review those pivotal moments and apply their lessons today.

The prin...
(JNS)  The May 21 terror attack in Washington, D.C., where two Israeli embassy staffers planning to get married were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum is more than a national tragedy. It is a harbinger.

The murder of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, allegedly committed by Elias Rodriguez while shouting Free, free Palestine, is not only an act of terrorism; it is a symptom of a far more dangerous climate of normalized antisemitism in the United States.

You would have to be intentionally wearing blinders not to understand that this attack is not an isolated in...
Retracing the journey of mutual translation of Chinese and foreign anti-fascist literature

14:02, May 29, 2025 By Zhang Pengyu ( Global Times

Daughters And Sons

Editor's Note:

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Whether it is the translation and dissemination of Chinese wartime literature abroad, or the resonance sparked in China by foreign literary works on World War II, both reflect the shared aspiration for peace among people around the world. At the same time, they bear witness to the ongoing exchanges between Chinese and foreign literature. Let us explore the global journey of these classic works and rediscover their enduring literary charm and spiritual strength.

The Field of Life and Death and Tales of Hulan River

Chinese anti-aggression literature: A full display of national integrity

Hailed as the "Literary Goddess of the 1930s," Chinese writer Xiao Hong is best known for her signature work, The Field of Life and Death, a searing indictment of the atrocities committed by Japanese invaders and a striking expression of national consciousness. First published in December 1935, the book cemented Xiao Hong's place in the history of modern Chinese literature. Lu Xun, one of the most revered 20th-century writers in China, included the novel in one of his series and praised the work for capturing "the resilience of the northern people in life and their struggle against death," noting especially the author's "delicate observations and unorthodox style" which deeply impressed him.

Overseas, US sinologist Howard Goldblatt developed a particular fascination with Xiao Hong. In 1971, he entered the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature at Indiana University to pursue his PhD, and chose Xiao Hong, who was then little known in the US, as the subject of his research. In 1974, he completed his dissertation, which later formed the basis of the first comprehensive study of Xiao Hong in the West, Hsiao Hung, published in 1976.

This work played a crucial role in introducing Xiao Hong, who is also known as Hsiao Hung in the West, to the international literary community. The book went through multiple revisions, during which Goldblatt conducted interviews with Xiao Jun, Duanmu Hongliang, Shu Qun, Luo Bingji, Luo Feng, and Bai Lang - all individuals closely connected to Xiao Hong's life and times.

German sinologist Wolfgang Kubin offers an in-depth analysis of The Field of Life and Deathin his book The History of 20th Century Chinese Literature. He argues that the novel not only depicts the Japanese invasion, but also elevates the idea of the "field" into a symbolic space. This symbolic power, he notes, is achieved through the novel's vivid imagery and masterful technique.

The strong visual quality of The Field of Life and Deathgives it clear potential for theatrical adaptation. In 2004, a stage version directed by Tian Qinxin premiered to audiences in China. The following year, this was performed in South Korea by local actors in an intimate theater setting, where it strongly resonated with local audiences.

While The Field of Life and Death focuses on rural life, Four Generations Under One Roof turns its gaze toward the city.

"Judging from the novel's theme and structure, it is clear that Lao She set out to write an epic work, modeled on 19th-century European historical novels like War and Peace," remarked literary scholar David Der-wei Wang. As Chinese writer Lao She's longest novel, Four Generations Under One Roofis rich in meaning and detail, widely regarded as a monumental classic in the history of modern Chinese literature and an integral part of global anti-fascist literary heritage.

Lotus Creek and Other Stories

Set in a traditional Beijing alley called Xiaoyangjuan Hutong, the novel vividly portrays the lives and resistance of ordinary people in Japanese-occupied Beijing during Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Lao She painfully described how the cultural dignity of the ancient capital was trampled under the boots of Japanese forces, and how generations of peace-loving Chinese people were driven to the point of awakening, resistance, and ultimately, moral renewal.

The English translation of Four Generations Under One Roofwas completed with the direct involvement of Lao She himself. In 1946, invited by the US Department of State, Lao She traveled to the US to give lectures. During his stay, he completed the third volume of the novel, Famine, and collaborated with US writer and social activist Ida Pruitt to translate the work into English under the title The Yellow Storm.

Ida Pruitt was born in China to missionary parents. After returning to the US, she joined the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives movement, launched by figures such as Edgar Snow, in support of China's resistance against aggression. Although she could not read Chinese, she could speak fluently. Lao She would read passages aloud, and Pruitt would translate them into English, confirming the meaning with him as they worked through the text together.

In February 1951, the English version of Four Generations Under One Roofwas published. On February 11, The New York Times and New York Herald Tribune both ran reviews of the book. US writer Pearl S. Buck remarked that Lao She's firmly rooted Chinese perspective enabled Four Generations Under One Roofto "transcend a single nation, a single war, or a single era."

French Nobel laureate Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio held Lao She's work in high regard. In the preface to the 1996 French edition of this work, Le Clezio referred to Lao She as a "teacher." Though Four Generations Under One Roofis a novel about war, it ultimately transcends war itself. The book has since been translated into Japanese, Russian, and several other languages.

The Chinese version of The Moon Is Down

Foreign World War II literature: A multidimensional depiction of war and humanity

During the World Anti-Fascist War, a US writer's anti-war novel resonated widely in China. The novel was The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck, a renowned US novelist and a Nobel Prize laureate, enjoyed immense popularity in China during the 1940s, rivaling even Ernest Hemingway in fame.

The Moon Is Down was published by the literary star in 1942. It is an anti-war novel set in a small town in Northern Europe, depicting the local people's resistance against German fascist invasion. The author drew inspiration from firsthand accounts of refugees who had witnessed wartime's painful reality, the novel thus carries echoes of real-life struggles. Upon its release, The Moon Is Down quickly sold 500,000 copies and was adapted into both a play and a film.

Steinbeck's novel also attracted extensive attention from the Chinese intellectual community. The very next year after its publication, at least five Chinese translations emerged, including ones by translators such as Hu Zhongchi, Zhao Jiabi, and Liu Zunqi.

Among these translators, Zhao had mostly profound interest in US literature. He developed such an interest as early as the 1930s, having immersed himself in Steinbeck's works, including Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. In 1942, he encountered The Moon Is Down and devoured it in a single sitting. The novel's depiction of invaders' brutal oppression and the resilience of people being oppressed struck Zhao with uncanny familiarity - as if Steinbeck had written about China's own wartime story. This powerful resonance compelled Zhao deeply.

The emergence of anti-fascist literature in the Soviet Union almost coincided with the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. During the war, over 1,000 Soviet literary figures joined the Red Army and guerrilla forces, while numerous writers supported frontline efforts from the rear. Writers who experienced the war firsthand or participated indirectly produced a remarkable body of internationally acclaimed anti-fascist literature.

China's translation and introduction of these works were remarkably timely. From its inaugural issue in May 1941 until the victory in its War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Jiefang Daily which was established in Yan'an published 152 translated Soviet literary works and related critical essays. Between 1980 and 2005, nearly 100 Chinese translations of novels on the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War were published.

The Dawns Here Are Quiet stands out as the most popular among them. It was written by Boris Vasilyev. The story follows a sergeant and five female military warriors who engage in a desperate struggle against enemy forces in a dense forest. As each of the five vibrant young women - distinct in personality yet united in courage - falls in battle, a profound sense of tragedy and heroism emerges.

In 1977, after the relaunch of the journal World Literature, the book was serialized as a featured work in its first two issues. The novella's first standalone Chinese edition was published in 1980 by the Hunan People's Publishing House, followed by multiple reprints under the People's Literature Publishing House, becoming a long-term bestseller. In 2023, the Shanghai Translation Publishing House released a fresh translation, reintroducing the classic to a new generation of readers.

The Dawns Here Are Quiet has demonstrated remarkable artistic vitality through its adaptations into film, television series, picture books, and stage plays - reaching audiences far beyond the original readership. In 2015, the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, China's National Centre for the Performing Arts premiered an original opera adaptation of the work, which later toured Russia in 2018.

The enduring impact of the original work stems fundamentally from Vasilyev's firsthand experience as a combatant during wartime, which enabled his unflinchingly authentic portrayal of war's brutality. More significantly, he achieved an extraordinary artistic synthesis - seamlessly fusing the grandeur of a heroic epic with the intimacy of lyricism.

German anti-fascist literature has also gained remarkable prominence in China, with Gunter Grass's The Tin Drumstanding as its most celebrated representative.

This novel, published in 1959, immediately garnered critical acclaim. Its 1963 English edition remained on The New York Times bestseller list for nine consecutive weeks, and the 1980 film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Nobel Prize committee hailed it as "one of the most significant literary works since World War II."

The novel follows the life journey of a boy named Oskar, who decides to stop growing after experiencing family and wartime trauma. In 1990, translator Hu Qiding's translation of this novel was published by the Shanghai Translation Publishing House. It caused a sensation, sparking a nationwide trend in China of emulating Grass's distinctive dark humor.

The Chinese version of Schindler's List

Mentioning The Tin Drum, it brings to mind another novel that was even more influential worldwide. The book Schindler's Arkwas written by Australian writer Thomas Keneally.

Based on true events, the novel, whose US edition was titled Schindler's List, profoundly explores why Oskar Schindler, a Nazi Party member, risked everything to save upwards of 1,000 Jewish laborers. Keneally masterfully portrays his protagonist shifting between "righteous gentile" and "complicit opportunist," crafting a morally ambiguous yet ultimately heroic figure.

The book's Chinese translator was Feng Tao, the editorial director at the Shanghai Translation Publishing House. He once shared a story describing how he had arrived in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, as a student in 1995. The timing coincided with the release of the film Don't Cry, Nanking(the old translated name of Nanjing), which left him emotionally unsettled just as much as the movie Schindler's List had done.

Feng then felt that he wanted to do something after watching Don't Cry, Nanking. With meticulous care, he undertook the translation of Schindler's Ark. The Chinese edition, first published in 2009, has since undergone multiple reprints, selling approximately 80,000 copies.

These works mentioned above represent merely the tip of the iceberg in the vast ocean of global anti-fascist literature, within which many of them have been translated and published in China. These texts, imbued with profound moral urgency and unyielding righteousness, have served as calls to resistance and profound reflections on war's distortion, and encouraged people nowadays to pursue justice, harmony and freedom.

The author is a reporter with the People's Daily Overseas Edition

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Asia-Pacific scholars convene in Brunei to tackle AI, language and sustainable communication

People's Daily Online) 14:48, May 29, 2025

The 2025 APCA-ANPOR-UBD Conference was held from May 27 to 28, 2025, at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) under the theme "Communication and Languages in Asia-Pacific Regions: Connection, Collaboration and Sustainability."

Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo takes a group photo with members of the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance and representatives of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). (Photo provided by the organizer)

Scholars and practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific  including China, Brunei, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and beyond  gathered to explore key issues in sustainable communication practices, the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in education and intercultural communication, digital media ethics, and linguistic diversity.

The opening ceremony was graced by Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo and UBD Vice Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle. The two-day event featured nearly 100 accepted papers selected from over 200 submissions, reflecting the diversity and vitality of regional research. Co-hosted by the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance (APCA), the Asian Network for Public Opinion Research (ANPOR) and UBD, the conference created a platform for meaningful academic exchange and collaboration.

A keynote address by Professor Jack Qiu of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, drew particular attention. His presentation, titled "LLMs and RLWs: A Critical Communication Reflection on Learning in the Age of GenAI," explored the pedagogical promises and ethical risks of large language models (LLMs), sparking wide interest and discussion.

Professor Jack Qiu of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, gives a speech. (Photo provided by the organizer)

In their opening remarks, APCA President Chen Changfeng, a professor at Tsinghua University, and ANPOR President Jantima Kheokao commended the spirit of openness, collaboration and knowledge-sharing that characterized the conference. The conference concluded with renewed energy for regional cooperation, deeper networks among participants and a shared vision for sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking communication scholarship.

The conference, initiated by the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance, reflects APCA's ongoing mission to connect communication associations across the region. Since its founding in 2018 at Tsinghua University, APCA has grown into a dynamic platform uniting over 20 communication associations from 17 countries. Past landmark gatherings have been held in Beijing, Hangzhou, Chiang Mai, Manila and Sydney, as well as in virtual formats. Through global partnerships, APCA empowers scholars, journalists and students to exchange ideas and drive transformative progress across Asia-Pacific societies.

Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo takes a group photo with members of the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance. (Photo provided by the organizer)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, today announced a new property in Guayaquil, marking its first destination in Ecuador. Developed in partnership with developer BPO Consulting, InterContinental Guayaquil will welcome guests with inspired interiors, elevated amenities and culturally rich experiences that provide insider expertise to all the destination has to offer. The hotel is set to open in 2027.

InterContinental Guayaquil, located in Guayaquil's exclusive Samborondon district, will serve as a serene haven for both business and leisure travelers. With an aesthetic drawing inspiration from the area's natural elements, the new hotel will be brought to life by SEMAICA, ODD Architects and Adriana Hoyos Design Studio and feature 101 sophisticated, tranquil guestrooms, including 11 suites and one Presidential Suite. Guests seeking inspired epicurean experiences will enjoy the property's specialty restaurant with a skyline view as well as a poolside lounge, while those prioritizing relaxation and well-being will appreciate its resort-style rooftop pool, spa and state-of-the-art fitness center. It will also feature approximately 610 square-meters of dedicated meeting and event space, including a 300-person ballroom ideal for corporate events or social celebrations, in addition to a signature Club InterContinental lounge.

As Ecuador's largest city, economic center and main port, Guayaquil is a bustling business hub that also captivates travellers with its vibrant culture and scenic waterfront surroundings on the shores of the Guayas River. Guests of InterContinental Guayaquil will appreciate its location in the heart of Samborondon and itsproximity to the district's premier shopping destinations, fine dining restaurants, corporate and global company offices as well as medical centers. The hotel is also located a short drive from Guayaquil's Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport.
Auberge Resorts Collection, the award-winning portfolio of one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts, and residences, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christian Gonzalez as General Manager of Susurros del Corazon, Auberge Resorts Collection, the award-winning, oceanfront enclave in Punta de Mita, Mexico. A respected hospitality leader with deep roots in the region, Gonzalez brings over 25 years of luxury hospitality expertise and a passion for creating one-of-a-kind, culturally immersive guest experiences.

In his new role, Gonzalez will oversee all operations at Susurros del Corazon, Auberge Resorts Collection, guiding the resort's evolution while preserving its essence as a soulful retreat where barefoot luxury meets vibrant Mexican culture. Raised in nearby Puerto Vallarta, Gonzalez discovered his passion for hospitality through hands-on experiences at landmark resorts throughout Mexico, and his return to the region brings his career full circle. Known for his people-first approach, Gonzalez fosters a culture of collaboration, authenticity, and heartfelt service.

Gonzalez joins Susurros del Corazon from Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, where he most recently served as Acting Managing Director. During his tenure, he significantly enhanced the resort's operations and guest programming, known for blending commercial acumen with a commitment to excellence. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions at premier resorts across Mexico.
NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), the premier organization dedicated to scholarships, education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, has named Chris Rice, founder and president of Kellex Corporation, as the 2025 NEWH ICON of Industry recipient. The organization's most prestigious recognition, the ICON of Industry, is honored at the Gold Key Gala on November 10, 2025, in New York City in conjunction with BD|NY.

The NEWH ICON of Industry award celebrates manufacturing leaders in hospitality, honoring those who have uniquely impacted the industry for more than 30 years through their innovative work, consistent dedication to the community, and industry outreach through education and corporate giving. Beginning in 1994, Rice founded and continues to lead Kellex Corporation, an industry-recognized leader in quality furniture manufacturing for the hotel industry while also giving back to the community.

"Chris represents exemplary leadership in the hospitality industry, cultivating a culture of excellence, service, and community. He embodies our organization's commitment to the advancement of the profession through thoughtful investment both within his organization and the industry at large," said Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc. "He has consistently championed the success of hospitality, uplifting both established and up-and-coming voices in a way that furthers the mission of NEWH."

NEWH recognizes Rice as an innovator, mentor, and steadfast advocate for American manufacturing, exemplified across his three decades in hospitality. His commitment to fostering a positive work culture has set a benchmark for the industry, proving that investing in employees' well-being translates into long-term success. In addition to implementing education and workforce development initiatives internally, Rice is deeply committed to supporting emerging talent in the industry, curating programming for high school and college students to learn more about hospitality manufacturing through immersive experiences.

In 2024, Rice's dedication to the industry was further underscored by his establishment of a design competition for interior design college students, stemming from his passion for educating future designers. This initiative provided students with a comprehensive learning experience, combining classroom education with hands-on exposure through factory visits focused on contract furniture, specifications, and industry practices. As a result, two winning teams emerged with standout designs, which will be showcased at BD|NY this November.

As the NEWH ICON of Industry, Rice represents the heart of NEWH's mission to promote the advancement of hospitality professionals at every level while uplifting those around him.
Smith Hill Capital, the dedicated private credit and commercial real estate debt investment management business of Procaccianti Companies, announced today the promotion of Connor Carey to Vice President. In his new role, Carey will lead strategic initiatives across lending and capital markets, supporting the continued growth of the Smith Hill Capital private credit platform.

Since joining Smith Hill Capital, Carey has played a critical role in expanding the firm's portfolio and deepening its relationships across the industry. His ability to execute complex transactions and drive value for borrowers, partners, and investors has helped solidify the firm's reputation as a trusted lending partner in the hospitality space.

Smith Hill Capital continues to grow its footprint through strategic investments and partnerships, bringing institutional execution to middle-market hospitality deals across the U.S.
Club Med, the global leader in premium all-inclusive holiday experiences, has announced a strategic restructuring of its Asia Pacific operations, consolidating three existing Business Units into two integrated entities - East & South Asia and Pacific (ESAP) and China - with effect from May 1, 2025. This business transformation reinforces the brand's commitment to deepening regional focus, unlocking new growth potential, and enhancing operational agility in high-priority markets.

Designed to align with the distinct business environment in ESAP and China while preserving the collaborative "One APAC" mechanism, this new structure will enable Club Med to solidify its position as one of the most iconic global lifestyle brands and drive the next chapter of growth in Asia.

"This move opens a new chapter for Club Med in Asia Pacific. By tailoring our regional structure around the unique strengths of China and ESAP, we are well-poised to accelerate our expansion with a strategic focus. With empowered leadership and a shared glocal vision, Club Med now has even more agility to seize opportunities in key markets and reinforce our position as the worldwide leader in premium, all-inclusive travel," said Henri Giscard d'Estaing, President of Club Med.

Accelerated Growth Momentum in ESAP

The ESAP region has experienced a robust rebound over the past three years, buoyed by high client retention, new customer acquisition, and increased capacity in regions such as Hokkaido, Japan. With new milestones achieved, including the renovation and extension of Club Med Phuket with the first Family Oasis amongst its Asia resorts; upcoming renovations and enhancements at Club Med Bintan; and the highly anticipated debut of Club Med Borneo in Malaysia, ESAP is primed for significant profitable growth.

To capitalise on this momentum, Club Med has appointed Rachael Harding as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly integrated ESAP business unit, encompassing both commercial and resort operations management. She will report to Gregory Lanter, Deputy CEO of Club Med.

In this role, Rachael will be responsible for strategically guiding the ESAP business unit through the current evolving landscape. Her focus will be on ensuring a strong customer and brand experience, while driving a profitable growth strategy that solidifies Club Med's leadership position in both established and developing markets within the region.

The ESAP Business Unit will see several key appointments:

Cindy Beleau becomes Vice President of Revenue Management APAC, leading a modernisation of pricing strategies using digital and AI tools.

becomes Vice President of Revenue Management APAC, leading a modernisation of pricing strategies using digital and AI tools. Sandrine Rossi takes on the role of Vice President, Operations and Product, bringing over 20 years of experience in resort operations and strategy.

takes on the role of Vice President, Operations and Product, bringing over 20 years of experience in resort operations and strategy. Anastasiya Kulish steps in as Vice President of Japan Resort Operations, with a focus on strengthening Club Med's mountain leadership in Hokkaido.

steps in as Vice President of Japan Resort Operations, with a focus on strengthening Club Med's mountain leadership in Hokkaido. Michelle Davies , General Manager Pacific, will expand her remit to include ESAP New Markets.

, General Manager Pacific, will expand her remit to include ESAP New Markets. Olivier Monceau adds the Meetings & Events segment to his leadership of Singapore and Malaysia.

adds the Meetings & Events segment to his leadership of Singapore and Malaysia. Jerome Ferrie and Arezki Haddad are named Chief Financial Officer and Chief HR Officer respectively.

Rachael Harding, CEO, Club Med ESAP remarked, "This business transformation empowers us to scale with greater purpose and precision across the region. With a refreshed leadership structure, a robust resort pipeline and stronger regional integration, we are advancing our ability to deliver elevated, seamless guest experiences. The 2024 results clearly demonstrate ESAP's significant growth potential for Club Med, and we are poised to capitalise on every opportunity this new phase presents."

Strategic Realignment in China

Club Med has seen tremendous growth in China, which is the brand's second-largest market with over 260,000 guests welcomed in 2024. Since its entry into China in 2003 and the launch of its first ski resort in Yabuli in 2010, Club Med has progressively expanded its footprintincluding five Premium All-Inclusive Resorts, four Joyview Resorts and two Urban Oasis properties over the past 22 years.

Club Med will remain focused on strengthening its leadership in the Premium All-Inclusive segment, catering to affluent families and active couples while also supporting both outbound and inbound tourism.

Andrew Xu will continue as CEO of Club Med China and serve as Deputy CEO of Club Med, overseeing global finance.
Everhome Suites, the midscale extended stay brand from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), continues to grow its nationwide footprint with the opening of six new properties, and three ground breakings in Texas, Oregon, and Ohio. The brand's growing traction across Texas, coupled with the addition of the Salem, Oregon and Yuma, Arizona locations, highlights Everhome Suites' continued success meeting demand for purpose-built, extended stay accommodations across the U.S. Choice Hotels now has 14 Everhome Suites open, 19 under construction and more than 60 in the pipeline. The brand is on track to have nearly 25 hotels open by the end of the year.

From Texas and Arizona, to Oregon and Ohio, we're seeing strong developer interest in Everhome Suites and consistent demand for midscale extended stay accommodations. Our latest openings reflect our commitment to delivering long-term value for franchisees while giving guests more options in fast-growing, strategically located markets. Ron Burgett, Senior Vice President, Extended Stay Development, Choice Hotels

The newly opened and under-construction hotelswere developed with longtime collaborators of Choice Hotels, Highside Companies.

We continue to see strong demand and resilience, coupled with limited new supply in the extended stay landscape. Launching these new Everhome Suites properties, a brand that provides a refined and favorable operating model, while exceeding guests expectations, demonstrates Highside Companies' continued dedication to extended stay hospitality, as well as our ongoing strategic collaborations with Choice Hotels. Justin Roberts, CEO of Highside Companies

The hotel details are as follows:

Texas

Everhome Suites Bastrop , TX

opened in February 2025. Located at 630 Agnes Street, the 114-room property is situated near natural attractions such as Lake Bastrop and McKinney Roughs Nature Park, and benefits from proximity to high-profile employers including SpaceX, Starlink, and The Boring Company. The hotel also sees traffic from events at the Circuit of the Americas and the Bastrop Convention Center.

, opened in February 2025. Located at 630 Agnes Street, the 114-room property is situated near natural attractions such as Lake Bastrop and McKinney Roughs Nature Park, and benefits from proximity to high-profile employers including SpaceX, Starlink, and The Boring Company. The hotel also sees traffic from events at the Circuit of the Americas and the Bastrop Convention Center. Everhome Suites Waco , TX opened in March 2025. Located at 4301 S Jack Kultgen Expressway, this 122-room hotel caters to a diverse demand base, including travelers connected to Baylor University, leading regional hospitals such as Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Ascension Providence, and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center, as well as a variety of manufacturers and development facilities such as AbbVie, Space X, L3Harris, and Mars Wrigley. The property's central location between Austin and Dallas makes it a key link in Texas's high-traffic corridor.

, opened in March 2025. Located at 4301 S Jack Kultgen Expressway, this 122-room hotel caters to a diverse demand base, including travelers connected to Baylor University, leading regional hospitals such as Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Ascension Providence, and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center, as well as a variety of manufacturers and development facilities such as AbbVie, Space X, L3Harris, and Mars Wrigley. The property's central location between Austin and Dallas makes it a key link in Texas's high-traffic corridor. Everhome Suites Brownsville , TX opened in April 2025. Located at 3215 Galeno Crossing, the 122-room hotel is positioned to support the booming economic activity at the Port of Brownsville, the nearby $16 billion LNG terminal project, and SpaceX's Starbase, the largest private employer in the area. The property is also near the region's leading healthcare facilities such as Valley Regional Medical Center, Valley Baptist Medical Center, and Brownsville Community Health Center, as well as South Padre Island, a popular beach destination. .

opened in April 2025. Located at 3215 Galeno Crossing, the 122-room hotel is positioned to support the booming economic activity at the Port of Brownsville, the nearby $16 billion LNG terminal project, and SpaceX's Starbase, the largest private employer in the area. The property is also near the region's leading healthcare facilities such as Valley Regional Medical Center, Valley Baptist Medical Center, and Brownsville Community Health Center, as well as South Padre Island, a popular beach destination. . Everhome Suites El Paso , TX opened in April 2025. Located at 10740 Montana Ave, this 122-room hotel is ideally positioned to serve business and military travelers with nearby access to Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, and major defense contractors like Raytheon, Honeywell, and BAE Systems. The property also serves healthcare and education professionals and travelers with its proximity to Del Sol Medical Center, University Medical Center, William Beaumont Medical Center, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

opened in April 2025. Located at 10740 Montana Ave, this 122-room hotel is ideally positioned to serve business and military travelers with nearby access to Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, and major defense contractors like Raytheon, Honeywell, and BAE Systems. The property also serves healthcare and education professionals and travelers with its proximity to Del Sol Medical Center, University Medical Center, William Beaumont Medical Center, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Everhome Suites Amarillo, TX will open June 2025. Located at 11 Care Circle, the 114-room hotel will service the regional medical hub  with more than 1,000 hospital beds within a half-mile radius of the property, at Baptist St. Anthony, Northwest Texas Healthcare, Amarillo Veteran Affairs Healthcare and Vibra Hospital of Amarillo. The hotel will also serve educational facilities such as Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and School of Veterinary Medicine, and various agricultural and livestock manufacturing facilities such as Tyson Foods.

will open June 2025. Located at 11 Care Circle, the 114-room hotel will service the regional medical hub  with more than 1,000 hospital beds within a half-mile radius of the property, at Baptist St. Anthony, Northwest Texas Healthcare, Amarillo Veteran Affairs Healthcare and Vibra Hospital of Amarillo. The hotel will also serve educational facilities such as Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and School of Veterinary Medicine, and various agricultural and livestock manufacturing facilities such as Tyson Foods. Everhome Suites Georgetown, TX broke ground in March 2025 and is scheduled to open in September 2026. Located at 301 N Interstate Highway 35, this 115-room hotel is strategically situated to serve the rapidly expanding Austin metro. Surrounded by leading employers in the microchip, EV, and AI sectorsincluding Samsung, and ZT Systemsthe property will also benefit from proximity to Southwestern University, Texas State University  Round Rock, and top medical facilities undergoing multimillion-dollar expansions.

Arizona

Everhome Suites Yuma, AZ

will open July 2025. Located at 2011 E 18th St., the 122-room property is positioned to support military travelers with nearby access to MCAS Yuma, the largest Marine Corps aviation installation in the world. Additionally, the property will serve medical travelers with its proximity to Yuma Regional Medical Center, and various other business-focused guests as a result of the San Luis Port of Entry and various agricultural support facilities. The property will also benefit from a significant influx of seasonal tourism during the winter months.

Oregon

Everhome Suites Salem, OR broke ground in April 2025 and is slated to open in the third quarter of 2026. Located at 3010 Kettle Ct SE, this 114-room hotel expands the brand's presence into the Pacific Northwest, offering convenient access to local healthcare institutions such as Salem Hospital, and state agencies including the Oregan Department of Administrative Services, Oregon Health Authority, and Oregon Department of Human Services. Salem also has popular spots for outdoor recreation like Minto-Brown Island Park, Bush's Pasture Park, and the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. Its central location is designed to serve travelers connected to Oregon's capital city, whether for business, government, or extended family visits.

Ohio

Everhome Suites Dayton, OH will break ground June 2025 and is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027. Located at 7030 Miller Lane, the 114-room hotel is strategically positioned just off the I-75 and I-70 interchangeone of the region's busiest travel hubs. The property is well suited to serve highway travelers, military personnel, healthcare professionals, and corporate travelers with convenient access to the Dayton International airport, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton Children's Hospital, and Emerson Climate technologies.

Everhome Suites provides all the comforts of home with fully equipped kitchens, spa-style bathrooms, spacious closets, premium one-bedroom suites with in-room washer and dryer, locally inspired touches, weekly housekeeping, free WiFi, pet-friendly options, multipurpose lobby, outdoor amenities like barbeque grills and firepits, tech-enabled Homebase Market, 24/7 fitness center with Peloton bikes, and guest laundry facilities.

Choice Hotels offers dedicated tools and resources for the extended stay segment, including for developers, the Choice Maps platform, which uses AI to identify high-demand markets. Also provided are specialized sales, revenue management, marketing, and operational support including the choiceEDGE reservation platform and choiceADVANTAGE, the property management system that helps manage room rates, distribution channels, and inventory effectively.
Amid rising demand for regionally inspired hospitality experiences, Shaza Hotels is emerging as a leading regional brand poised for strategic expansion across the Middle East and key Muslim-friendly markets. With an ethos rooted in Eastern traditions and a progressive vision for the future, Shaza is one of the few brands successfully bridging the gap between regional identity and global appeal.

Today, investors and travellers alike are placing greater value on culturally immersive brands that speak to local narratives. The beauty of regional brands like Shaza is our ability to be agile, authentic, and closely aligned with community values. This builds loyalty not only among guests but also among our partners. Shaji Abu Salih, Vice President, Business Development and Growth, Shaza Hotels and Mysk by Shaza

Shazas focus on responsible growth, backed by strong distribution networks, digital transformation, and loyalty programmes tailored for regional travellers, is allowing it to scale sustainably while maintaining its distinct identity.

As global markets look to diversify offerings, the success of regional players like Shaza signals a shift in investor and guest confidence - from legacy luxury to meaningful, modern brands.

Shazas growth journey continues on the Silk Route, fuelled by purpose and guided by heritage.

About Shaza Hotels

Shaza Hotels is a luxury hotel management company renowned for delivering authentic Arabian hospitality. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions and cultures along the historic Silk Route offering an unparalleled experience defined by exquisite Middle Eastern decor, tranquil ambiances and impeccable service, crafted for the most discerning travelers. With an impressive portfolio of iconic properties, including Shaza Doha in Qatar, The flagship Mysk Al Mouj in Muscat, Mysk Al Balad in Madinah and Mysk Al Fateh, Bahrain. Shaza continues its rapid expansion. Its upcoming openings this year in KSA, UAE and Orlando will further reinforce the brand's position as a leader in luxury hospitality. As a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Shaza Hotels provides guests with access to an extensive portfolio of upscale and signature hotels worldwide. For more information, please visit www.shazahotels.com

About DISCOVERY Loyalty

A memorable trip demands more than a comfortable stay. DISCOVERY, an award-winning global loyalty programme, provides 16 million members recognition and perks across over 570 hotels, resorts and palaces in 78 countries. Elite members have the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture through Local Experiences, distinctive activities that capture an authentic taste of each destination. For more information, visit discoveryloyalty.com
EHL Hospitality Business School is proud to announce the launch of its five-year philanthropic initiative, (Em)Power on, designed to embed philanthropy at the heart of the institutions mission. Aiming to raise 50 million Swiss Francs by 2030, the initiative will establish a sustainable endowment fund to provide scholarships, advance pioneering research, and drive strategic impact for the future of hospitality.

A New Era of Giving: Sustainable Support for Education, Research and Strategic Impact

Building upon a long-standing tradition of philanthropy at EHL, (Em)Power on is a transformative initiative that will ensure long-term, stable funding for students and academic advancements. Unlike previous fundraising efforts, which allocated donations on an annual basis, the endowment fund represents a transformational approach, generating perpetual returns that create a lasting legacy for donors and meaningful impact for future generations.

Our goal is to provide sustainable, long-term financial resources that will empower students, faculty, and our community to break barriers and push the boundaries of hospitality education. This initiative is about creating lasting change that enables students to pursue their ambitions without financial constraints and fuels innovation that will redefine the industry. David Knuff, PhD, Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer at EHL

Through this initiative, one potential outcome of the endowment fund is to provide full scholarships for 10% of students, covering their entire four-year academic journey. These scholarships will be needs-based, ensuring that the most talented individuals, regardless of financial background, can access EHLs world-class education. It would provide research

Cinzia Torriani, a final-year student at EHL and a scholarship recipient, reflects on the profound impact of financial support: Without the foundations support, I wouldnt be here, or my journey would have been much more challenging. Beyond financial aid, the emotional encouragement from the foundation has been invaluable, shaping both my personal and professional growth.

Beyond scholarships, the endowment fund will fuel research that challenges the status quo and drives meaningful change in the hospitality industry, and neighboring industries. By uniting visionary minds, EHL will support projects that enhance industry practices, explore emerging trends, and develop cutting-edge solutions that redefine the guest experience.

A Legacy of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

EHLs culture of philanthropy dates back to 1942 when alumni came together in the aftermath of World War II to ensure the schools survival. Their generosity laid the foundation for a long-standing tradition of giving backone that continues to flourish today through the (Em)Power on campaign.

The campaign aims to honor 5,000 donors, fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring that every contribution makes a lasting difference. The fund is professionally managed by Lombard Odier, a renowned investment house specializing in responsible asset management, to ensure sustainable and ethical investment practices.

EHL invites alumni, industry leaders, and supporters to be part of this transformative journey. By participating in (Em)Power on, donors will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education, fostering equal opportunities, and propelling the hospitality industry forward.

For more information on how to contribute, visit https://www.ehlgroup.com/philanthropy or contact [email protected].

Together, we are opening doors, breaking barriers, and empowering talent to create a lasting impact on the world of hospitality, and beyond.

Gregoire Pavillon

Director of Philanthropy

EHL
This June, Ill be heading to Indianapolis for the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC). For me, HITEC has always been less about the hype and more about the conversations and insights that stick with you long after the event.

Produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), HITEC isnt just about showcasing the latest tools or systemsits about exchanging ideas and asking the big questions: How can we use AI to create more personalized experiences? How do we really leverage data to drive smarter decisions? Whats next for sustainability in our industry?

These are the discussions that matter most as we work to future-proof hospitality in an ever-evolving world.

This years HITEC schedule is packed with incredible sessions, but Ive handpicked a few that are absolute must-attends for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve!

Maximize Impact Unlocking Data's Hidden Potential

Wednesday, June 18 | 10 30 AM 11 AM

I will be hosting a session that stands out for its focus on practical application. While many properties gather extensive data, they often struggle to translate it into actionable insights that boost revenue or improve guest experiences. This session is a must-attend for those looking for invaluable insights for turning raw data into actionable strategic value.

Women in Hospitality Technology Meet Up

Wednesday, June 18 | 4 30 PM 5 15 PM

Celebrate and connect with the leaders shaping the future of hospitality technology. This networking event brings together top female executives like Silvia Camarota from Expedia Group, Katie Lee from AKA Hotels Hotel Residences, and Mercedes Blanco from The Hotels Network. Gain inspiration and insights from their vast experiences.

Monday, June 16 | 2 45 PM 3 45 PM

Unpack the challenges surrounding AI in hospitality. Carl Winston of Payne School at SDSU will discuss critical issues like guest privacy, algorithmic biases, and ethical dilemmas that arise when deploying AI for personalization.

Monday, June 16 | 10 45 AM 12 00 PM

Hospitality isnt just about rooms anymore, its about creating ecosystems of experience. Greg Poirier and John Picard will share insights on designing sustainable, guest focused spaces while driving operational efficiency. Expect to walk away with a vision for turning your hotel into an environmentally conscious, dynamic destination.

Monday, June 16 | 9 00 AM 10 15 AM

Michael Goldrich and Matt Schwartz will provide a comprehensive guide for executives looking to strategically integrate AI into their operational frameworks. From predictive analytics to CRM optimization, this session will help leaders balance innovation with practicality.

Why HITEC Matters More Than Ever

What I value most about gatherings like HITEC is the opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and consider the bigger picture. The hospitality industry faces significant challengesfrom labor shortages to increasing guest expectationsthat technology can help address.

The innovations showcased at the conference will undoubtedly be impressive. However, I believe the most successful organizations will be those who view technology not as a solution, but as an enabler of human connection. The best systems enhance rather than replace the human touch that makes hospitality special.

If you're planning to attend HITEC, stop by the Infor Booth #2400 book a meeting here.

For those not attending, follow me on LinkedIn, where I will share photos, videos and some highlights from the event.

About Infor

Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. We develop complete solutions for our focus industries. Infor's mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. Over 60,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infor's 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure, and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit www.infor.com.

Alan Young

VP, Hospitality Strategy, Infor

Infor
Between Brand and Individuality: How White-Label Operators Influence the Hotel Industry - By Susann Sparwasser - Image Credit Unsplash



White-label operators are playing an increasingly important role in the hotel industry in Germany. But what exactly is behind this concept, and what opportunities and challenges does it present for the sector? We take a closer look at the key developments and their impact on the market.

What are white-label operators?

White-label operators are specialized service providers that manage hotels on behalf of investors without promoting their own brand. As franchisees of global hotel groups, they act as intermediaries between property ownersoften institutional investorsand internationally operating hotel chains such as Radisson, Wyndham, or IHG. They assume operational responsibility for the hotels, ensuring that internal processes and services comply with the brand standards of the respective hotel chain. At the same time, they cater to the needs of investors by signing long-term lease agreements that provide stability and predictability.

What are the advantages of white-label operators?

From an investors perspective, this structure allows them to benefit from the expertise of global hotel chains while gaining access to their international reservation, sales, and loyalty programswithout having to be operationally involved themselves. Additionally, they can continue to sign lease agreements, which are predominantly used in Germany, ensuring financial security and long-term stability.

Several other factors also contribute to the growing popularity of white-label operators. The flexibility in contract structures allows independently managed hotels to maintain their unique characteristics while still meeting the brands minimum standards. Moreover, by centralizing services such as revenue management, sales support, and reservation systems, white-label operators can enhance the operational efficiency of individual hotels. This leads to cost savings and potentially higher profits for hotel owners.

From the perspective of franchise providersthe hotel chainsthe white-label operator model offers an efficient way to expand into new markets. By transferring management and branding responsibilities to an operator in exchange for franchise fees, hotel chains can establish new locations without the need to invest directly in an operational structure. This enables them to grow their brand portfolio strategically while keeping financial risk to a minimum.

Looking at the market as a whole, the dynamic created by the increasing number of white-label operators fosters competition. This drives innovation, diversifies offerings, and raises quality standards, ultimately benefiting hotel guests the most.

What challenges do white-label operators present?

The growing number of white-label operators in the German hotel market presents various challenges for both the industry and hotel chains:

When a few white-label operators dominate a significant share of the market, they gain stronger negotiating power against hotel chains. This creates the risk that hotel chains become dependent on a limited number of operators, reducing their strategic flexibility.

Additionally, as white-label operators gain experience and expand their investor networks, there is a risk that they may bypass franchise agreements and establish their own hotel brands. This could significantly increase competitive pressurenot only among white-label operators themselves but also for franchise providers.

Case study: Novum Hospitality

A well-known example of this development is Novum Hospitality. Initially operating as a white-label operator, the company built strong relationships with investors eager for expansion. In 2017, Novum took a strategic step by launching its own hotel brand, the niu, allowing it to manage its properties independently and significantly reduce its reliance on franchise agreements with major hotel chains. However, in April 2024, Novum reversed course and announced a partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which included the integration of more than 100 hotels into IHGs portfolio. Moving forward, these properties will be operated under a co-branding model as Holiday Inn  the niu. While this collaboration enables Novum to benefit from IHGs global reach and brand recognition, it also means that the company has once again relinquished a (small) degree of its independence by becoming a franchisee and adhering to IHGs brand standards.

Case study: HR Group

In contrast to Novum, HR Group International has successfully expanded its presence in the hotel market through a dynamic growth strategy in recent years. The company has experienced significant growth due to its aggressive expansion policy, which began in December 2019 with the acquisition of 16 Movenpick hotels in Germany. Just two years later, in 2021, HR Group further strengthened its portfolio by acquiring 23 hotels from the Austrian Vienna House hotel group, while the Vienna House brand itself was simultaneously sold to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. This transaction followed a classic sale & leaseback model, where HR Group retained the properties but operated them under a brand that had been strategically sold to a hotel chain under optimized conditions. For HR Group, as a white-label operator, the focus is not primarily on brand ownership but rather on lease agreementsprovided that the brand standards and franchise conditions align with the operators strategic goals. In 2022, HR Group expanded its portfolio again by acquiring Success Group, adding more than 20 hotels in Germany along with additional projects in Germany, Austria, and Belgium. That same year, the company also took over the management of 23 hotels from the Amedia hotel group. The groups international expansion accelerated further in May 2024 with the acquisition of shares in U Global. Just a month later, in June 2024, HR Group acquired 34 hotels, including two development projects, from Centro Hotel Group, adding over 2,800 rooms to its portfolio. Today, HR Group is one of the leading multi-brand operators in Europe. With 167 hotels, approximately 30,000 rooms, and 28 different brands, it stands as the largest multi-brand operator in the European market.

What is the background of this expansion?

When a white-label operator continuously drives its expansion to gradually gain market share and increase revenue, it simultaneously strengthens its bargaining position with major hotel chains. By expanding its market presence, the operator not only gains greater economic leverage but also significant influence over investors. This strategic positioning provides a crucial advantage in negotiations.

Such a consolidation of a few large white-label operators is a less desirable scenario from the perspective of hotel chains, as it increases pressure on the brands. This is especially true if a white-label operator focuses primarily on one brand or if multiple white-label operators join forces to form an association, as was the case in France with several operators of Ibis Hotels, explains Michael Schnurle, Senior Consultant at Horwath HTL DACH.

The advantage of such an alliance is that a white-label operator can fully align itself with a specific brand and consistently tailor its hotels to collaborate with that brand. This ensures that the brand identity remains intact, preventing any dilution of the brand experience from the guests perspective.

How will the hotel market develop?

It is generally expected that the share of branded hotels in Germany will continue to grow, creating additional growth opportunities for white-label operators. However, white-label operators such as Novum or RIMC Hotels & Resorts also face the challenge of stabilizing and strategically developing their internationally expanded portfolios in the post-pandemic era.

Unlike Novum, which, as mentioned earlier, relied on a partnership with IHG, RIMC Hotels & Resorts chose to adjust its portfolio. Founded in 1990, RIMC has established itself as an internationally active hotel management company, having successfully completed over 200 hotel projects worldwide. Over the years, the company positioned itself as a white-label operator, working with brands such as Marriott, Radisson, and Hilton.

While RIMC pursued a continuous expansion strategy, the post-COVID-19 period brought significant challenges, including a highly publicized shareholder dispute that damaged the companys reputation. This conflict led to staff layoffs, the insolvency of a subsidiary, and a consolidation of its portfolio. Currently, RIMC operates over 30 hotels, including nine in Germany.

In addition to the big players among white-label operators in Germanysuch as HR Group International, Novum Hospitality, and for a long time, RIMC Hotels & Resortsthere are also numerous smaller white-label operators. These companies often manage not only branded hotels but also smaller, independent hotels, typically with a strong regional connection.

From the perspective of major hotel chains, these smaller, locally focused white-label operators pose a lower risk of becoming independent competitors due to their fragmented market presence. Unlike large-scale operators that can leverage market power to establish their own brands, smaller operators remain more dependent on franchise agreements and partnerships with established chains.

What is the impact on the market and independent hotels?

But what are the broader implications of the growing number of white-label operatorsboth large and smallon the overall market, particularly for smaller, independently operated hotels?

By offering diversified portfolios and integrating strong brands, white-label operators significantly influence regional tourism markets. This creates intense competitive pressure on traditional, family-run hotels.

Additionally, white-label operators benefit from economies of scale, making them even more competitive compared to private hotels. To remain viable in this evolving landscape, independent hotels must proactively enhance their services, differentiate themselves with unique offerings, and continuously adapt to changing guest expectations.

Moreover, the presence of white-label operators raises industry standards and continually enhances guest experiences. Their strong brand portfolios influence traveler perceptions and preferences, as guests increasingly gravitate toward recognized and reputable brands when choosing accommodations.

To compete effectively, traditional hotels must strategically position their own brands, build strong guest loyalty, and create unforgettable experiences that distinguish them from the branded offerings of white-label operators.

Conclusion: Growing influence and new challenges in the hotel industry

In conclusion, the importance of white-label operators in the German hotel market will continue to growregardless of whether a few large operators or many smaller ones ultimately dominate the industry. From the perspective of hotel brands, the latter scenario would likely be the more favorable option.

White-label operators successfully combine the advantages of long-term lease agreementswhich are widely preferred in Germanywith the resources and networks of major hotel chains. However, their increasing presence also intensifies competition, posing significant challenges for smaller, independent hotels trying to maintain their market position.

Yet, this competitive pressure ultimately drives the industry to continuously invest in quality, service, and innovative concepts to remain differentiated and long-term competitive.

Within this dynamic, white-label operators act as intermediaries, not only bridging the gap between investors and hotel chains but also contributing to a more dynamic and competitive market environment. Their role is crucial for shaping the future of the German hotel industry, ensuring that it remains diverse, resilient, and aligned with both guest expectations and the financial interests of all stakeholders.

Susann Sparwasser is a consultant at Horwath HTL Germany. Her areas of expertise include feasibility studies, project management, conception and long-term strategic planning for hotels and destinations. Connect with Susann on LinkedIn.

This article originally appeared on Horwath HTL.
Rendering of the InterContinental Guayaquil - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

Rendering of the InterContinental Guayaquil - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

Rendering of the InterContinental Guayaquil - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts



IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to open a new InterContinental hotel in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2027, marking the brand's first entry into the country.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the development of a new InterContinental hotel in Guayaquil, Ecuador, scheduled to open in 2027. This project represents the first foray of the InterContinental brand into Ecuador. The hotel is being developed in collaboration with BPO Consulting and will be located in the Samborondon district of Guayaquil.

The InterContinental Guayaquil will feature 101 guestrooms, including 11 suites and one Presidential Suite. The property aims to cater to business and leisure travelers, offering amenities such as a specialty restaurant with skyline views, a poolside lounge, a resort-style rooftop pool, a spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel will also provide approximately 610 square meters of dedicated meeting and event space, including a ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people.

SEMAICA, ODD Architects, and Adriana Hoyos Design Studio are leading the hotel's design, drawing inspiration from the area's natural elements. The hotel's location in the heart of the Samborondon district positions it near premier shopping destinations, fine dining options, corporate offices, and medical centers. It is also conveniently located a short drive from Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport, enhancing its appeal to international travelers.

Guayaquil, known as Ecuador's largest city, economic center, and main port, offers a vibrant culture and scenic waterfront surroundings along the shores of the Guayas River. Introducing the InterContinental brand to this city aligns with IHG's strategy to expand its luxury and lifestyle portfolio in significant markets.

This new development is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' broader expansion in the Americas, which includes recent openings such as the InterContinental Indianapolis in Indiana and InterContinental Presidente Monterrey in Mexico. Other planned openings include InterContinental Real Lima Miraflores in Peru, InterContinental Orlando in Florida, and properties in Turks & Caicos and Grenada in the Caribbean.

The InterContinental brand, a pioneer in the international luxury hotel market, currently operates 229 hotels globally with an additional 104 properties in the pipeline as of March 31, 2025.
Grand Mercure Batam Centre Hotel - Image Credit Accor



Grand Mercure has opened a new hotel in Batam Centre, marking the brand's debut in this Indonesian city.

Grand Mercure, part of the Accor group, has officially opened a new facility in Batam Centre, Indonesia. This development introduces the Grand Mercure brand to Batam, a key location close to international transport links and commercial facilities.

The hotel is just five minutes from the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal and provides easy access to Singapore and Malaysia. It is also conveniently situated near One Batam Mall, enhancing its appeal to both business and leisure travelers. The hotel features 230 rooms and suites designed to reflect the island's coastal landscape.

The interior design of Grand Mercure Batam Centre incorporates elements inspired by local cultural motifs, including the Batik Gonggong pattern, emblematic of the Riau Islands' artistic heritage. This design is prominently featured in the hotel staff uniforms, aligning with the brand's focus on cultural immersion.

The hotel offers a variety of dining options. Ambrosia, the all-day dining restaurant, specializes in local cuisine, featuring dishes such as Mie Tarempa and Luti Gendang. Additionally, Celeste Cafe and Lounge provides a casual setting for light meals and refreshments by the pool. The property also includes a range of leisure facilities, including a large swimming pool, a childrens club, a spa, and a fitness center.

Grand Mercure Batam Centre features several spaces for events and meetings, including the Rarantira Grand Ballroom. This venue can accommodate up to 1,200 guests and features a pillarless design with high ceilings, making it suitable for large gatherings and corporate events. The hotel also offers additional meeting rooms with modern technological support and natural lighting, ideal for smaller conferences and social events.
GBTA Asia Pacific Conference 2025 Reflects the Dynamic Role of the Region in Shaping the Future of Business Travel - Image Credit GBTA



A record 950+ industry professionals from 32 countries gathered at the GBTA-WERC co-located event, as APAC is forecast to reach $679 billion USD in business travel spending in 2025

The growth and vital role of the Asia Pacific region in the future of global business travel was clearly demonstrated by the strong turnout, engagement and insights from the GBTA APAC Conference 2025 held at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore from May 27-28. Hosted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the premier trade association and voice of the global business travel industry and co-located for the third year with the WERC Regional Summit, the event brought together over 950 industry professionals including corporate travel managers (268), travel suppliers, and other industry partners along with nearly 50 exhibiting companies and sponsors.



The two-day program showcased over 80 featured speakers and prominent regional experts plus ten breakout sessions, guided by regional APAC committees, along with collaborative buyer- and supplier-only sessions. Sessions focused on industry forecasts, current challenges, and emerging trends shaping the future of business travel. Key topics included travel program evolution, workforce mobility, artificial intelligence, payments, sustainability, and the next generation of business travelers.



APAC continues to show its position not only as a leading region in global business travel but also as a highly engaged community of industry professionals. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and interest which shows that GBTA along with our partner, WERC, are bringing what is needed and wanted in tailored programming, education and in-person connection by the business travel sector in the region, said Catherine Logan, GBTA Regional Senior Vice President for EMEA and APAC.



APAC Business Travel Forecast Shows Continued Growth, Region More Optimistic for 2025



During the opening Main Stage presentation, Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, provided the latest forecast for APAC from the GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) Report.

While acknowledging potential headwinds, by the end of 2025 business travel spending in APAC is expected to rise to $679 billion USD, a 10.9% increase from 2024.

Five APAC markets  China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia  rank among the top 15 markets worldwide for business travel spending. The APAC markets anticipated to have the most growth in spending in 2025 are South Korea (28.3%), India (23.9%), Australia (14.0%) and Japan (10.9%).

GBTA BTI survey results show APAC business travelers are more likely to take six or more trips per year versus other regions, averaging three days per trip. They were much more likely to use mobile wallets (69%) including access to corporate credit cards (62%) than other regions. They were similar to their global peers in their top reasons for traveling including seminars and training (26%), sales and partner meetings (20%), and conferences (15%). Additionally, 61% combine business with leisure travel and 81% say business travel is worthwhile in achieving their objectives.

Neufang also revealed the results from APAC respondents to an April GBTA global poll assessing the potential impacts to business travel from U.S. government actions such as imposed import tariffs, US entry and cross-border restrictions, and advisories against travel to the US. In the poll:

APAC travel buyers expressed greater optimism for 2025 compared to their global counterparts.

Fewer APAC buyers expect a decline in their companys travel volume (20% vs. 29% globally) or spending (23% vs. 27%).

Among those anticipating a decrease, APAC respondents also foresee a smaller drop (14% vs. 21%).

APAC Insights Revealed from the GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge

Delphine Millot, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Sustainability, GBTA and Managing Director, GBTA Foundation presented insights for the APAC region from the global GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge. This global initiative helps travel buyers assess the maturity of their travel programs to benchmark progress and accelerate the journey toward net zero.



APAC companies were categorized in the planning phase, with opportunities identified to drive further action. Millot said 54% of APAC companies who participated in the Challenge have included sustainability considerations in their travel policy, with purposeful trips being the top sustainability practice. Over two-thirds say they have sustainability features included in their corporate travel booking platforms. Additionally, APAC is expected to make strides in emission tracking, with 59% of companies expected to be tracking their emissions by the end of 2025, doubling the number of APAC companies who reported they were doing so as of 2024.



Millot encouraged APAC companies to participate in the 2025 Acceleration Challenge with submissions opening on June 10.



Recognition of Award Recipients, New GBTA Advisory Boards in APAC and Upcoming GBTA Elections

GBTA announced three Business Travel Service Award winners in APAC for their contributions in the region as volunteer leaders:

Peter Koh, Chair, APAC Advisory Board, GBTA

Sandeep Shastri, Senior Director, Airline Distribution, Sabre Asia Pacific Pty Ltd.

Kenji Soh, GM, Southeast Asia, FCM Travel

Additionally, in support of its growing presence in APAC, GBTA announced during the conference the formation of two new GBTA Advisory Boards in India and China, bringing together regional professionals from leading organizations to provide strategic advisement, industry knowledge, and local market insights.



Also marking the continuing expansion in the region, in opening remarks from Mark Cuschieri, GBTA Board President, he encouraged APAC members to vote in the upcoming GBTA elections, June 2-July 8, for their first-ever elected dedicated APAC Regional Board seat, as approved by GBTAs global membership in 2024.

GBTA and WERC Mark Third Year of Co-Located Programming  and Announce 2026 Plans

In 2022, GBTA and WERC saw the opportunity to create a unique gathering for the APAC business travel sector. While each organizations conference runs independently, the collective attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors benefit from access to all sessions, a shared expo, and networking events.

Our collaboration with GBTA brings together complementary communities, expands our collective reach, and elevates the experience for members and sponsors, all in the pursuit of empowering more seamless global talent mobility. We look forward to another impactful year together, said Anupam Singhal, WERC President & CEO.

We saw a convergence in the shared objectives of GBTA and WERC. Co-locating our events has been very successful. This years attendance exceeded last years by nearly 20% and this is a testament to the continued relevancy and value our shared attendees receive from our partnership, said Elle Ng-Darmawan, Regional Director, APAC, for GBTA.

It was announced that GBTA and WERC will again co-locate their conferences in 2026 which will be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on May 12-13, 2026.
Photo credit: VD Photography - Pictured from Left to Right: Corey Pearson(TRCC Executive Director), John Payne (Fowler GC), Taran Patel (A1 Hospitality), Mayor Gretl Crawford, Kamran Hasan (CEO MHR Capital), Calvin Dudney(President TRCC), Erin Erdman (Kennewick City Manager), Vijay Patel (President A1 Hospitality), and Ken Hohenberg(Commissioner, Port of Kennewick)



MHR Capital Group has begun construction on a new AC Hotels by Marriott in Kennewick, Washington, in partnership with A1 Hospitality Group and Fowler Construction.

A MHR Capital Group is developing a new hotel in Kennewick, Washington. This project, a collaboration with A1 Hospitality Group and Fowler Construction, marks the introduction of the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to the Tri-Cities area. The hotel is strategically linked to the expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center (TRCC), which aims to boost the region's capacity to host regional and national events.

Located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone, the development is designed to offer tax advantages to investors under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Idaho Central Credit Union, through Bellevue Capital Group, covers the debt portion of the project's financing.

This development is part of a larger master plan that includes future phases of over 550 residential units and more than 200,000 square feet of retail space, benefiting from the Opportunity Zone's tax-advantaged structure.

The hotel's construction is a significant addition to Kennewicks hospitality landscape and part of a broader economic strategy to enhance local economic activity through increased event tourism and retail opportunities. The connection to the TRCC expansion is anticipated to significantly enhance the area's appeal as a destination for large-scale events.
Richard Wiesenflue, center, who retired in March as CEO of Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, was presented the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award. Above, state Rep. John Barrett III presents him with a citation of from the House of Representatives. Tanya Nichols, right, manager of the Bounti-Fare in Adams, was presented with the Spirit of the Future Award by past recipient Stacy Parsons and NBUW director Patti Messina. PreviousNext

Northern Berkshire United Way Honors Community Leaders



James Mahon and Paula Consolini were this year's recipients of the Spirit of Caring Awards. See more photos here. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The community paid tribute to the "dynamic duo" of Paula Consolini and James E. Mahon Jr. last week as this year's recipients of the Steven Green Spirit of Community Award.

They were honored at Northern Berkshire United Way's seventh annual Spirit of Caring Awards, held at the Norad Mill on Thursday.

Wild Oats Market general manager Netse Lytle, last year's award recipient, said their "combined resume makes the rest of us feel like we've been napping since 1992."

In her day job as director of the Center of Learning at in Action in at Williams College, Consolini leads a team of students "doing things that are incredibly useful to the rest of us," said Lytle, and "she's also served on more boards and committees than I can name without risking carpal tunnel."

Her husband, a political science professor at the college, is also active in St. John's Episcopal Church and has served on the boards of Williamstown Community Chest, Lever Inc. and the Northern Berkshire Chorale, and was president of the Berkshire Food Project for two decades.

"He has taught at Williams College since 1990 and still finds time to lead, sing, translate, govern, share, fund, raise and rotate presidencies like he's got a secret cabinet of identical twins," said Lytle. "Honestly, Jim, by trying to collect them all, is this some kind of board member Pokemon situation? ...

"When you look at what they've done, not just as individuals, but as partners, you realize this is what the spirit of community really looks like. It looks like action, not just words. It looks like service, not just titles."

The couple, married 40 years, lean in, he said, when they see challenges, and take on the weight.

"When times are tough, what gets us keeps us going is the work that all of you are doing, is standing with you shoulder to shoulder to help lift community," said Consolini. "And the work is kind of more challenging, but we feel like we can do it together."

Mahon said he wanted to direct the spotlight upward because there were not only previous award recipients in the room but 10 or 15 future ones, and another 150 who deserve it.

"Let's think about that for a moment, because I don't know if you guys been reading the news at all, but kindness and generosity seem to be out of fashion these days," he said. "So we'd like to thank you for being unfashionable."

NBUW Executive Director Patti Messina opened the event, saying "when people come together, they create a sense of community, build connections and weather life's challenges.

"It involves acts of kindness, voluntary work and gestures of goodwill by residents and local businesses, this spirit is rooted in the fundamental values like compassion, empathy and a shared commitment to making the community a better place for everyone."

The gathering also honored Richard Wiesenflue, who retired in March as CEO of Berkshire Family and Individual Resources after leading the organization for 25 years. He was presented the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award, named for the former NBUW executive director.

Peter Mirante, who has served on the boards of both BFAIR and NBUW, presented the award, and recalled his long involvement with NBUW.

"Al Nelson was just a was just a great human being, and we became friends," he said. "Just knowing that I'm giving award that's named after Alan Nelson is an honor, and then knowing that I'm going to present the award to another good friend of mine is a double honor."

Wiesenflue had built BFAIR to a "huge power" in North County and within Berkshire County and "always made sure that the clients received the best possible care that they could," said Mirante, and told a story of some of those clients he'd met at an ice cream social. "One by one, they went around the room, and they all started telling their story. And it was just so powerful, how much they understood how important BFAIR was to making sure that they had a they had a great life."

He said he couldn't understand why Wiesenflue wasn't more excited about retirement, "until I realized that there's way more to life than just going through the process. This guy actually went through life making life better for all the people that he helped, not only the clients, but the employees of BFAIR."

Wiesenflue said he wasn't worthy of the remarks and that he tried to "decline [the award] many times."

"The spirit of caring is that organization. It's the staff, it's the board members. It definitely merits all of the accolades as well," he said. "I think about our community partners, our business partners, and how so many have been there for BFAIR over the years, making it possible so that deserves a lot of credit to all the all the partners in the community."

Messina choked up a little, calling Wiesenflue a good friend and mentor.

State Rep. John Barrett III offered greetings from the House of Representatives and presented citations to the award recipients, which included this year's Spirit of the Future honoree Tanya Nichols, manager of the Bounti-Fare in Adams.

"She has a knack for showing up whenever there's a need in the community," read presenter Stacy Parsons of Nichols' nomination. "That people know that if when there's a need to raise funds for a local school group, or when a tragedy strikes, as the manager of Bounti-Fare Restaurant, Tanya is the person people call when they need to plan an event with compassion and care."

Nichols wears multiple hats, said Parsons, a past award recipient, and runs a farm stand to help local businesses, has served on the McCann Technical School advisory committee, and helped schools and food pantries with supplies during the pandemic.

"I particularly enjoyed that there seems to be a very personal bit of knowledge, because the person who wrote this said, 'You have no problem getting knee deep in muck trying to save an animal,' which makes me feel like there's a story there that maybe you'd like to share later," said Parsons. "But that you what came through with this statement that was shared is that anytime anyone needs anything, 'Tanya is there.'"

Nichols said she was "humbled to join the impressive list of prior recipients."

"I feel very lucky to live in this remarkable community, and giving back has always been something that was emphasized, not only by my parents, but by my grandparents as well," she said. "My mother was always baking for some event or some cause, and served on school council and booster clubs in various boards and committees. My father was also active in the community, and as a local business owner, he has always made his restaurant an available venue to support countless fundraisers.

"Following in their footsteps only seemed like the natural thing to do. "

Board President Kelly McCarthy recognized two workplace campaigns  Adams Community Bank and Specialty Minerals.

"Funds raised during the workplace campaign for us in Northern Berkshire County directly support our 20 member agencies," she said. "The long-term impact for workplace campaigns creates a culture of giving volunteering, and that benefits the community all year long."
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Brazilian prosecutors have filed a lawsuit accusing electric carmaker BYD of human trafficking and keeping its workers in slavery-like conditions in its biggest market outside China.

The suit seeks over 33m in moral damages from the Chinese EV giant as well as contractors JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tecmonta, according to a statement by Brazils Public Labour Prosecutor's Office, or MPT.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of an investigation that led to the rescue of 220 Chinese workers from the construction site of BYDs new factory in Camacari city in the northeast of Brazil last December.

The investigation found the Chinese workers were brought to Brazil under false pretences and their visas did not match their jobs.

Prosecutors said the workers were found working in slavery-live conditions and with "minimum comfort and hygiene, calling them victims of international human trafficking

open image in gallery Signs are displayed for BYD and Ford dealerships in Camacari, Brazil, on 7 March 2025 ( AP )

The workers were forced to sleep on beds that did not have mattresses and as many as 30 people shared a bathroom, MPT alleged.

Working conditions were extremely degrading. Five settlements were kept by BYD, JinJiang and Tecmonta. Some workers slept on beds without mattresses and had their personal belongings alongside with their food, it claimed.

There were few bathrooms, which were not gender-assigned. In one of the settlements, there was one toilet for 31 people, forcing workers to wake up at 4am for their personal hygiene before their work.

MPT also claimed the workers were under "employment contracts with illegal clauses, exhausting work hours and no weekly rest.

The prosecutors are seeking to force the carmaker and the contractors to follow labour laws and fine them 50,000 Brazilian reais (6,575) for each violation. This fine will be multiplied by the number of workers affected by the violation.

BYD said it was cooperating with the prosecutors and would respond to the lawsuit in court. The company further said that it was committed to upholding human rights and respecting Brazilian and international labour protections.

open image in gallery Security guards control access to a BYD factory being built in Camacari, Brazil, on 6 March 2025 ( AP )

Fabio Leal, deputy labour prosecutor, said talks in late December with the three companies had failed to reach an agreement but did not explain why the talks collapsed.

Mr Leal said the Chinese workers had all returned home and they would receive compensation from any payment received from the lawsuit.

Our lawsuit is very well-founded, with a substantial amount of evidence provided during the investigation process, he said, adding that a settlement was still possible but through the courts.

open image in gallery BYD factory under construction in Camacari, Brazil, on 6 March 2025 ( AP )

The BYD factory in Camacari was set to be operational by March 2025, but the work was halted pending investigations. It was set to be BYDs first and biggest plant outside Asia.

BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, is a major player in the electric vehicles market, producing both passenger vehicles and electric buses. The company has been seeking to expand in Brazil, which is its largest overseas market.

In April 2025, the Chinese carmaker overtook Elon Musks Tesla in EV sales in Europe for the first time.
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Rights activists have accused Chinese authorities of indoctrinating Tibetan children and eroding their culture by forcing them to attend colonial boarding schools.

The Tibet Action Institute, a movement advocating for Tibetan independence founded by Tibetan-Canadian activist Lhadon Tethong, published a new report on Thursday warning that schools are teaching children as young as four to be loyal to the Chinese Communist Party.

The activists estimate that one million children in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Tibetan districts study at such boarding schools, though the number is difficult to confirm. The group has claimed that the schools are a smaller part of a broader strategy to dilute Tibetan identity and assimilate Tibetans into the majority Chinese culture, with the Xi Jinping-led government perceiving Tibetan identity as a threat.

China has shuttered village schools across Tibet and replaced them with centralised boarding schools over the last dozen years, leaving parents with little choice but to send their children to such facilities. Many students come from remote farming villages and live at the schools full-time.

open image in gallery Childrens Day performance with the theme Little Chinese Heart, Deep Patriotic Feelings at Labrang Tibetan Kindergarten on 30 May 2023 ( Tibet Action Institute )

Through these boarding schools, the report warned, the Chinese government was trying to deracinate Tibetan children from their culture, language, and identity.

The report found students were restricted from enrolling in Tibetan language classes or engaging in religious activities. Tibetans view the practice of their language as the fundamental guarantee of their future as a distinct people within the broader Chinese region.

The group said it documented numerous instances of negligence and abuse in Tibetan boarding schools.

Tibetan childrens lives are being irrevocably altered to serve the purposes of the Chinese government, the Tibet Action Institute said after conducting 15 in-depth interviews with Tibetans between 2023 and 2024.

It added: The separation from family and deliberate reshaping of childrens identity in boarding schools is causing emotional and psychological harm, including attachment trauma and alienation.

The report quotes a Tibetan who fled to India saying that the indoctrination process begins from a very young age, when children are removed from their parents.

Children cannot study Tibetan and Tibetan history. They are taught the Chinese language and the history of China written by Chinese writers, the interviewee was quoted as saying.

open image in gallery A dormitory in a boarding preschool in Thanggya Township, Medrogongkar County ( Tibet Action Institute/Douyin )

Another person alleged that the materials on classroom walls were in Chinese, including pictures of leaders such as Mr Xi, Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. Xi Jinping Thought is taught in classes as part of the curriculum, the person said.

Essays and drawings were judged based on how much we were able to praise the Party, the state, and the army.

The group found that in 2022, a 13-year-old Tibetan girl with underlying medical conditions died after her family persistently tried to reach her with prescription medicine at her boarding school. The school first neglected to provide the medicine, and then failed to seek medical attention, it added.

China has long sought to eradicate any possibility of unrest in regions home to sizeable ethnic populations by imprisoning dissenters, reshaping societies and religions to align them with the views of the Communist Party. The approach has hardened in the past decade under the leadership of Mr Xi, who has been accused of a brutal crackdown on the Uyghur community in the Xinjiang region north of Tibet.

The Chinese government has repeatedly denied allegations of human rights abuses in Tibet, as well as other regions like Xinjiang. Xu Zhitao, vice chair of the Tibet regions government, rejected similar criticism in 2023, arguing that China opened the boarding school system to improve education for children from remote areas.

The claim that Tibetan children are forced to go to boarding schools is deliberate smearing with an ulterior motive, he told reporters at the release of an official report on the Communist Partys policies in Tibet.

He said the curriculum at the schools included Tibetan language and culture. These are all implemented to effectively secure our Tibetan childrens rights to access high-quality education, and it is an important expression of the development and progress of human rights in Tibet.

The Chinese government and Tibets government-in-exile offer competing versions of whether the remote, mountainous territory was historically ruled as part of China, or whether it has legitimate claims to independence or autonomy.

A generation of Tibetan children is being harmed by Chinas colonial boarding school policy  socially, emotionally, and psychologically, said Lhadon Tethong, the co-founder and director of Tibet Action Institute.

The lifelong negative impact on each of these children and their families, and on the future health of Tibetan society overall, cannot be overstated. The international community must step up all efforts to urgently push the Chinese government to abolish this abusive and coercive system.

In February 2023, a group of UN experts raised alarm over reports of Tibetan children being separated from their families. We are alarmed by what appears to be a policy of forced assimilation of the Tibetan identity into the dominant Han-Chinese majority, through a series of oppressive actions against Tibetan educational, religious, and linguistic institutions, the UN experts said.

The rights group urged the UN and concerned governments to call on the Chinese government to conduct a public investigation into the alleged abuses, deaths, and mental health concerns of Tibetan children in Chinese state-run boarding schools.
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Just three years after narrowly losing the presidential election to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol, Lee Jae Myung has emerged, phoenix-like, as the new leader of South Korea.

Such a prospect appeared unlikely until a few months ago as the leader of the liberal Democratic Party grappled with a raft of legal troubles and scandals.

But after Yoon made a botched attempt to place South Korea under martial law in December and, as a consequence, was impeached out of office, Lee projected himself as the protector of the democratic order and led in public polls, albeit by a small margin over his conservative rival Kim Moon Soo.

Lee, 61, has now succeeded Yoon with a decisive victory in the snap presidential election, which drew a record voter turnout in a deeply polarised and politically weary nation. Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, won 49.42 per cent of the nearly 35 million votes cast to Kims 41.15 per cent.

His rise to the cusp of power, though, also raises a critical question: is he the steady hand South Korea needs when the corruption investigations and abuse of power allegations against him are certain to cast a shadow over his presidency?

Lee, described by advisers as a gladiator in a suit, moved quickly into the spotlight as he aggressively countered Yoons disastrous martial law decree.

During the crisis in 2024, he climbed onto the fence of the National Assembly building to evade the presidents security guards and documented the chaos on a livestream.

Analysts remain sceptical about his ability to provide the stable leadership that the country desperately needs. While he campaigned as a pragmatist focused on domestic issues, his record of confrontational politics, ongoing legal troubles and polarising rhetoric raises doubts about his capacity to unite a divided nation.

The legal problems of Lee cast a shadow, and depending on developments, South Koreas political leadership problems may continue after the election, Naoko Aoki, political scientist at RAND, told The Independent.

open image in gallery South Korean Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung, left, takes a photo with a woman after casting his early vote for the 3 June presidential election in Seoul ( AP )

Yoons martial law declaration created months of political instability, triggering a wave of public discontent with his People Power Party that Lee sought to ride into the top spot.

The People Power Partys Kim consistently trailed in public polls despite projecting himself as a moderate going up against the harbinger of monster politics and dictatorship, as he has described Lee.

Kim was aware of the need to attract the centrist vote if he were to have any chance against the liberal frontrunner. In the event, he came up short.

Sojin Lim, co-director of Korean Studies at the University of Central Lancashire, argued that Lee winning the election was concerning given his past leadership style and the ongoing legal cases against him.

His approach has often been confrontational rather than conciliatory, she tells The Independent, which may not align with the consensus-building leadership South Korea urgently requires.

open image in gallery Lee casts his ballot for the upcoming presidential election ( Yonhap via AP )

Lee has positioned himself as a pragmatic leader, advocating for policies that appeal to a wider electorate. His proposals, addressing calls for reducing presidential powers after Yoons actions, include constitutional changes to have a two-term presidency, a run-off election system, and parliamentary nomination of the prime minister.

He also aims to shorten the work week, raise the retirement age, and combat the population crisis with housing and tax benefits for families.

Lim says what sets Lee apart is his populist platform, centred on expansive welfare pledges like a universal basic income which appeal to economically discontented voters but risk deepening existing political divisions.

The liberal leaders confrontational rhetoric and polarising leadership style may alienate conservative factions, making bipartisan cooperation difficult in an already fragile political climate, she explains.

To govern effectively he would need to temper his populist agenda with inclusive policymaking and deliberate efforts to bridge ideological and/or political divides.

Lee sought to resonate with younger voters by donning blue-and-red Reebok sneakers, colours of the national flag. The wearing of the sneakers, which quickly became a coveted commodity after he began wearing them on the campaign trail, was a conscious choice, aimed at playing up one of his pledges to unite South Koreas liberal and conservative voters.

open image in gallery Lee sports his South Korean-coloured shoes during an election campaign rally in May ( Reuters )

Lee was born to a family of farmers in a remote mountain village in the countrys southeastern region. He worked in chemical factories as a child, suffering an industrial accident that left him with a permanent injury to his arm and impaired hearing.

He used his rags-to-riches story on the campaign trail, bringing up his impoverished childhood to focus on economic equality.

He grew up to study law on a scholarship, passed the Bar in 1986 and worked as a human rights and labour lawyer for about two decades.

He made his political debut in 2005 with the Uri Party, a predecessor to the Democratic Party, and was elected mayor of the city of Seongnam, south of Seoul, five years later.

Aiming for higher office, he contested and won the 2018 election for governor of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea's most populous province.

In his campaign for president, Lee sought to tamper his image as a polarising populist with a more measured, pragmatic tone.

It remains to be seen, however, Aoki says, whether he can stick to his key campaign positions.

Managing relations with South Koreas neighbours, especially North Korea and China, is set to be one of the main challenges for the incoming president.

open image in gallery North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects military exercises at an undisclosed place in May ( KCNA via KNS )

Unlike Yoon, who pursued a more hardline approach towards North Korea, Lee has said he would seek to ease tensions by restoring a military hotline and a military agreement ditched by Pyongyang amid rising animosity in 2023.

North Korea continues to remain a political focus during the campaigning. No matter who wins in this election, they might have a slight departure from former president Yoon Suk Yeol's hardline approach on North Korea and China, Dr Jagannath Panda, head of the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Sweden, told The Independent earlier.

Aoki says Lee possibly extending an olive branch to Pyongyang is not surprising. His official platform does not include, for example, grand gestures like inter-Korean summits or economic cooperation but rather focuses on smaller trust-building measures, she adds.

As president, he will also have to deal with a string of legal cases, including a $1bn property development scandal from his time as mayor of Seongnam.

In what is known as the Daejang-dong scandal, he has been indicted on charges of bribery, corruption, breach of trust, and conflicts of interest.

In another legal case, Lee was convicted last November of violating the election law for making a false statement during a debate in the 2022 presidential campaign. An appeals court overturned Lees conviction, but the Supreme Court reinstated it and ordered a new sentence to be handed out. The sentencing, however, was postponed until after the election to avoid influencing the outcome.

Another case is linked to an alleged scheme to use an underwear company to transfer funds to North Korea and facilitate a visit to Pyongyang when he was governor between 2019 and 2020.

Lee has denied wrongdoing in all cases, calling them a witch hunt by the Peoples Power Party to undermine his political career.
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All four people on board a South Korean navy patrol plane have died after it crashed during a training flight over remote mountains on Thursday morning.

The P-3C patrol plane had four people on board when it took off from its base near the southeastern city of Pohang at around 1.43pm local time.

Officials say the aircraft came down just six minutes after take off, with witnesses reporting a loud sound of an explosion and smoke coming from the site of the crash.

"A P-3 maritime patrol aircraft that took off at 1.43pm for landing and takeoff training from an air base in Pohang crashed at a nearby location at around 1.49pm, due to an unspecified reason," the navy said in a statement, according to Yonhap.

The navy said the bodies of all four crew members, including two commissioned officers and two non-commissioned officers, have been found, though their full identities have not been confirmed.

Pictures shared by public broadcaster KBS showed burnt aircraft debris strewn on the ground as rescue workers arrived at the site.

open image in gallery Pictures show charred debris of the navy plane that crash on 29 May ( AFP/Getty )

Photos also showed firefighters and at least one water truck operating near the crash site, with flames flickering and black-grey smoke rising from the site between trees.

The navy said it has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties on the ground.

open image in gallery A general view shows smoke billowing after a South Korean navy maritime patrol aircraft crashed ( Reuters )

The navy said in a statement that it established a task force to investigate the cause of the crash and temporarily suspended all flights of P-3s.

The incident marks the first known crash of the P-3 aircraft, dubbed the "submarine killer". The South Korean navy operates 16 such aircraft.

open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty )

The fatal crash came on the day when South Koreans headed out to polling stations for early voting in the country's snap presidential polls set to take place next week.

The incident marked latest in a series of aviation accidents in the country.

In December, a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan International Airport in southern South Korea, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. It was one of the deadliest disasters in South Korea's aviation history.
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A former college principal in India has been sentenced to life in prison for sending a parcel bomb disguised as a wedding gift in 2018.

Punjilal Meher was sentenced by a court in eastern Odisha states Bolangir on Wednesday, nearly seven years after his parcel bomb killed 26-year-old Soumya Sekhar Sahu and his 85-year-old great aunt, Jenamani. Sahus wife Reema, was seriously injured in the explosion.

The couple had been married for just five days when they opened a parcel delivered to their home in Patnagarh town on 23 February 2018, according to The Indian Express. The package had reportedly been sent to the bridegroom in the form of a wedding gift.

Ms Reema, who was 22 at the time, spent over a month in hospital.

Sahu was employed as an engineer with a Japanese electronics company in the southern city of Bengaluru.

The court found Meher, 49 years old at the time of the attack, guilty of murder, attempted murder, and use of explosives in what was dubbed the wedding bomb case in local media.

While the prosecution had described the crime as heinous, judge Sonali Patnaik stopped short of deeming it a rarest of the rare case, which would have warranted the death penalty.

Recalling the blast, the victims father, Rabindra Sahu, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times: The parcel, delivered by Sky King Courier from Raipur, detonated when Soumya pulled a thread, causing extensive damage to the house, including cracked walls and shattered windows. While Jemamani died en route to the hospital, Soumya succumbed to his injuries at VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla.

Investigators at the time said that Meher harboured resentment after being replaced as principal by Sanjukta Sahu, the victims mother, at Jyoti Vikash College where he was the in-charge principal. He had held the post from 2009 until May 2014, when Ms Sahu, a history lecturer at the college, was promoted to the role. Investigators said the demotion deeply unsettled Meher and fuelled feelings of hatred and envy towards her.

The Hindu reported that despite Ms Sahus seniority, Meher refused to relinquish his position, displayed open disrespect, issued threats, and began stirring controversies driven by anger and jealousy.

Police said Meher learned how to make explosives by watching YouTube videos and reading online manuals, which he later deleted from his browsing history.

During Diwali in 2017, he bought a large quantity of firecrackers and began conducting trials: extracting the gunpowder and packing it into LED lights typically used for Diwali decor, triggering small explosions to test the mechanism.

On the day he travelled to Raipur to post the bomb, disguised as a wedding gift, Meher first attended a class and marked his attendance to create an alibi, police said.

He didnt purchase a train ticket, likely to avoid leaving a digital trail.

Once in Raipur, he used a cycle rickshaw and an auto-rickshaw to visit several courier offices, eventually choosing one with no CCTV or scanning systems. He declared the parcels contents as gift articles, sweets.

The package then travelled 650km by bus, passing through multiple hands before arriving at the Sahu residence.

Meher, who is believed to have attended both the wedding and the funeral, allegedly used a false name, SK Sharma from Raipur, and a fake address to send the parcel bomb.

Police spent several weeks pursuing the case without any significant leads, until April 2018, when the local police chief received an anonymous letter, according to the BBC.

The letter claimed the parcel bomb had been sent under the name SK Sinha, not Sharma, and cited motives including money and the grooms betrayal.

It also suggested the attack may have stemmed from a scorned lover or a property dispute. The letter further alleged that three men had undertaken the project but were now beyond police reach and accused officers of harassing innocent people.

Police grew suspicious that the anonymous letter was written by the attacker himself. One officer noticed that the name on the parcel, Sharma, might have been misread and actually resembled Sinha as mentioned in the letter.

The letter also revealed details that only the perpetrator would know. The victims mother recognised the writing style and phrases as similar to Mehers, helping police zero in on him.

The turning point came when a cryptic letter was sent to the Balangir superintendent of police, seemingly intended to mislead the investigation, said police officer Arun Bothra, who was leading the investigation, according to The Hindu.

But the letter, written in polished English, pointed us towards Meher.

Sahus father told reporters outside the court after the verdict was delivered that they were hoping for capital punishment in the crime considering its rarest of the rare nature.

But the court sentenced him to life imprisonment, he added. We express our gratitude to the court.
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Japan has asked its universities to consider accepting international students affected by the Donald Trump administrations decision to block Harvard from enrolling foreigners.

Toshiko Abe, the education minister, has asked universities nationwide to report, within a week, possible support measures for both Japanese and international students affected by the Trump administrations move to restrict foreign enrolment at Harvard.

We have asked universities to consider possible support measures such as accepting international students enrolled in US universities so that the students can continue their studies, Ms Abe said on Tuesday.

There are 110 students and 150 researchers from Japan at Harvard. In all, around 16,000 Japanese students are enrolled in American institutions, according to The Japan Times.

International students make up 27 per cent of Harvards student body, totalling about 6,800.

Ms Abe said her ministry would do its utmost to ensure young people with ambition and talent can continue their studies.

A few days ago, China extended unconditional offers to foreign students at Harvard after the US government revoked the universitys certification to enrol international students, effectively forcing thousands of them to transfer to other colleges or face losing legal status in the US.

open image in gallery Protesters listen to Harvard University students speak during a demonstration against the Donald Trump administrations recent sanctions on 27 May 2025 ( Associated Press )

Mr Trumps homeland security secretary Kristi Noem justified the decision by accusing Harvard of fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.

The department said the move followed Harvards refusal to hand over information Noem had asked for about certain foreign student visa holders.

The move represented a sharp escalation of the administrations campaign against Harvard University, one of its most prominent institutional targets.

Harvard denounced the move as illegal and retaliatory and pledged to support the affected students.

This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvards academic and research mission, the university said in a statement.

On Monday, the administration threatened to divert $3bn in grants from Harvard to trade schools.

Donald Trump says Harvard should have a 15 per cent cap on number of foreign students it admits

Although a federal judge late last week temporarily blocked the ban and set a hearing for 29 May, Harvards international students say they face ongoing uncertainty.

The temporary injunction allows them to remain at the university for now, but they must consider whether to transfer to another US institution to preserve their visa status in case Harvard loses the legal battle or finish their studies abroad.

It is against this backdrop that a growing number of overseas universities, particularly in Asia, are stepping in to offer the affected students transfer opportunities.

open image in gallery Harvard University students protest against the Donald Trump administrations recent sanctions on 27 May 2025 ( AP )

Top institutions in Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, and Malaysia have begun actively inviting these students to continue their studies there, offering streamlined admissions, academic support, and credit transfers.

The University of Tokyo, one of Japans most prestigious institutions, is considering temporarily accepting international students from Harvard affected by the US governments ban, according to Kyodo News.

The university has prior experience with providing such support, having hosted displaced students and researchers from Ukraine in 2022.

A spokesperson for Kyoto University, another prestigious institution, told AFP on Wednesday that it was considering accepting young researchers from US universities and assessing ways to assist Japanese students currently in America.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps crackdown on Harvard has left many students uncertain about their studies ( Reuters )

Last week, Hong Kong education secretary Christine Choi called on universities in the Chinese city to welcome outstanding students from all over the world.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on 23 May issued an open invitation to international undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled at Harvard University, as well as those holding confirmed offers for Harvard degree programmes, to continue their academic pursuits at HKUST.

The university said it was extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption.

The City University of Hong Kong said it was extending support to international students facing academic disruption, inviting them to continue their education in Hong Kong.

open image in gallery People walk past the remnants of an encampment at Harvard University on 14 May 2024 ( AP )

In Malaysia, Sunway University CEO Elizabeth Lee said it was ready to welcome Harvards international students for immediate transfer.

Dear Sunway and other international students at Harvard, I am truly sorry to hear youre all caught in a bind with the US Department of Homeland Securitys recent announcement that Harvard would lose its Student and Exchange Visitor Programme certification, which places the universitys current and incoming international students at serious risk of losing their legal right of passage and abode in the USA, she wrote on LinkedIn.

Youre most welcome to immediately transfer to us at Sunway Education. We can directly take any students who are affected into our range of programmes at Sunway University. We have a partnership with the Arizona State University where we can work on the transfer of all your credits earned from Harvard to ASU, or even to any of our own Sun-U degree programmes which can also earn you additional British certification from Lancaster University.

Macaus Education and Youth Development Bureau has urged local universities to offer transfer support to students affected by the situation. In a statement released on Saturday, the bureau confirmed it had reached out to Macanese students at Harvard to provide assistance.

I believe that Macaus universities are strong and attractive, Pang Chuan, Macau University of Science and Technology vice president told local news outlet TDM.

Now we need to let these students know that Macau is willing and able to help them, and the credits they earned at Harvard can be transferred to universities here.

open image in gallery New York University students set up a Liberated Zone tent encampment at Stern School of Business on 22 April 2024 ( Getty )

Analysts have warned that Mr Trumps crackdown on academic institutions could diminish the global prestige of American higher education and accelerate the shift of top talent to Asia. Simon Marginson, a professor of higher education at Oxford University and founding director of the Center for Global Higher Education, told Time: Harvard attracts some very, very good people from all over the world, so it hurts the university quite substantially to lose that talent.

He said universities in Asia, which have steadily climbed the global rankings in STEM disciplines, stood to gain significantly, especially given that a substantial portion of international students in the US came from Asia.

Meanwhile, secretary of state Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced that the Trump administration would aggressively revoke visas of Chinese students  key contributors to American university revenues  especially those studying sensitive subjects or found linked to the Communist Party of China.
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Japan has introduced new rules to regulate how childrens names written in Chinese characters, kanji, are pronounced.

Kanji is one of the three core writing systems in Japanese, alongside hiragana and katakana. Originating from Chinese characters, kanji are logographic symbols that represent full words or ideas rather than sounds, making each character unique and meaningful on its own, according to Japanese tutor Alexa Bevan.

Japan adopted kanji around the 8th century and later developed hiragana and katakana  two phonetic alphabets called kana  each with 46 characters to complement kanji.

Mr Bevan, based in Orlando, US, said on the digital language education platform Rosetta Stone that hiragana was mainly used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements while katakana was used for foreign words and names. Unlike other alphabets where letters represent sounds, kanji convey meaning visually and can have multiple pronunciations depending on context, sometimes using the original Japanese pronunciation called kunyomi and sometimes using a pronunciation borrowed from Chinese called onyomi.

open image in gallery File. Two craftsmen printing a book in kanji (the Chinese logographic system), China, circa 1800 ( Getty Images )

Starting this week, Japan is enforcing a new law that limits how childrens names written in kanji can be pronounced. Under the revised rules, only standard or widely accepted readings will be allowed in official records.

This means parents can no longer use the unconventional or flashy kirakira name pronunciations that stray too far from the traditional meanings and sounds of the kanji characters.

The revisions will prohibit parents from using some of the more extreme unconventional names, according to local media, and, for the first time in the 150-year history of Japans modern family registry, require phonetic annotations to ensure all names can be read as intended.

The decision comes amid concerns that such kirakira names are causing confusion in schools, hospitals and other institutions of public service.

The government argues the focus on standard pronunciations will help streamline the digitalisation of administrative processes, but its also widely seen as a move to curb the rise of quirky  and often confusing  given names.

Through Japans pop culture boom of the 2000s, many parents embraced the trend of giving their children unique, attention-grabbing names as a form of personal expression. Inspired by anime, manga, celebrities, and foreign languages, these kirakira names often featured unconventional pronunciations or spellings that broke with traditional kanji readings.

The goal was to create names that felt modern, fashionable, and distinctive  sometimes at the cost of clarity or cultural coherence.

A 2023 New York Times article reported that Japanese children with unconventional names often faced social and practical challenges unique to their country and its written language. Acknowledging these challenges, the government is stepping in to limit the trend, while maintaining that it still allows room for parental creativity.

open image in gallery File. Japanese kindergarten children evacuate to a park after receiving a tsunami warning in Naha, Okinawa prefecture, on 3 April 2024 ( AFP via Getty )

According to the new rules, if a name is pronounced in a surprising or misleading way  like giving a traditional name a strange or foreign-sounding twist  it wont be allowed. However, some less common but already accepted pronunciations will still be okay.

According to local media reports, parents of newborns may have to justify unusual readings and households will receive official notifications of registered name pronunciations, with a window to request corrections.

Family registers or koseki  official documents maintained at local town halls that record details like a persons identity and family ties  will now include phonetic guides showing how names are meant to be read. In Japanese writing, these readings are typically provided using phonetic symbols to clarify pronunciation.

Yuji Ogihara, associate professor in the department of psychology at Aoyama Gakuin University, authored a study in 2022 examining naming trends in Japan from 1979 to 2018. He found the move towards unique baby names was part of a larger shift toward individualism in Japanese society.

People increasingly came to live more independently from family members. Specifically, the rate of people living alone, the rate of nuclear households, and the divorce rate increased, whereas the rate of three-generation households and the household size decreased between 1947 and 2015, the study noted.

These results indicated that family structure became more individual-based in Japan, suggesting that Japanese culture changed toward greater individualism.

As a result, unique names increased over the 40 years between 1979 and 2018, indicating that unique names increased throughout the 1980s-2010s, not just in the 2000s and 2010s.

At the start of the study period, the most popular name for boys was Daisuke and the most popular for girls was Tomoko, according to an annual survey by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co.

By 2018, these traditional names had largely disappeared, replaced by kanji names most commonly read as Ren for boys and Yuzuki for girls.

Mr Ogihara told the South China Morning Post that the shift towards kirakira names showed that Japanese culture has become more individualistic over time.

It now puts more emphasis on uniqueness and independence, rather than conformity and interdependence.
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In Nagasaki, Japan, the bobtail cat is more than just a pet; it's a symbol of good luck.

Known locally as "omagari neko" (bent-tail cats) or "kagi neko" (hook cats), these felines are celebrated by a dedicated society and even have their own Shinto shrine.

Kazuya Hideshima, who works at the Omagari Neko Shrine and is a member of the Nagasaki Cat Society, explains that their tails come in various shapes, including a hook, curve, or bun.

Nagasaki is a haven for bobtails; past studies suggest that nearly 80 per cent of the city's cat population have bobtails. This is double the occurrence of anywhere else in Japan.

Japanese cats are believed to have come from China in the 6th century with Buddhist monks, serving as rat hunters to protect religious scriptures on ships.

Nagasaki bobtails have their roots in the Dutch East Indies when the city was the only foreign port during Japan's closed era in the 17th to 19th centuries.

open image in gallery A stray bobtail cat rests at a park in Nagasaki ( AP )

They hunted rats to protect shipments on their way from Southeast Asia to Japan, according to Nagasaki cultural officials.

Soshin Yamamoto, a veterinarian and cat specialist, said the large population of bobtails in Nagasaki is likely the result of a genetic mutation that reproduced in a relatively isolated environment when the nation was shut up tight.

Having bobtails is no problem for most cats living a normal life, as long as they live near humans and aren't jumping and running around like wild cats in a forest, he said.

Nagasaki residents hope the cats bring in tourists and help business.

Natsuno Kani, a 50-year-old tourist from Tokyo who recently visited the bobtail shrine, said she knew Nagasaki was famous for bent-tail cats.

But Abigail Tarraso, an artist from Spain based in Takeo City in neighboring Saga prefecture, was unfamiliar with the species, which is not as popular in Spain.

Today is the first time in Nagasaki that I have ever heard of this, said Cindy Bi, an American who is also an artist.

I am excited to look around for them. Maybe we will see a few."
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Independent Urdu visits the village of Jura, located on the Line of Control between India and Pakistan, one of the worst affected areas in the recent tensions between the South Asian states.

While India has denied hitting civilian targets, local residents here described how their homes were hit  not for the first time  in the cross-border shelling earlier this month.

Villagers have constructed makeshift bunkers and seek shelter in natural mountain caves, often risking their lives to reach safety in times of conflict.
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Labubu dolls are taking over. Theres no question about it. If youre yet to spot one in the wild, it wont be long until you see a small (slightly creepy-looking) fluffy doll adorning a designer handbag. Its Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung to thank for the trend. Inspired by Nordic myths, he created the creatures for his story series The Monsters, which were then turned into the plush dolls we know (or loathe) by the toy company Pop Mart.

Characterized by their rabbit-like ears, large eyes, and menacing-looking teeth, Labubus are commonly sold in blind boxes meaning the exact design is chosen at random and remains a mystery until its unwrapped.

While bag charms or cuddly toys arent anything new, its hard to ignore the influx in popularity of Labubus which have become a fashion statement loved by the likes of Blackpinks Lisa, Rihanna, and even Pharrell (his digital auction platform Joopiter will be selling 14 rare Labubus sporting custom sacai x Carhartt WIP onesies). But the trend has certainly divided opinion.

Those in favor of the small, fluffy monsters though will know that the craze has caused demand to skyrocket, making them increasingly hard to come by  the cost of buying one on a resale platform ranges from $350 but can exceed $1,000. Selling out at lightning speed, youll find all of the details on where to buy one for yourself below.

Where to buy Labubus in the US

Constant stock demands mean the Labubu resale market is booming but exercise caution as knockoffs (coined Lafufus) are on the rise.

Stock is currently sold out online, but The Independent has reached out to Pop Mart for comment on its release date schedule. What intel the company provides is available on its Instagram, where it states that new releases are available in stores at 10 a.m. Eastern time every Friday and online at 10 p.m. ET every Thursday. That said, it appears that daily drops occur at around 10 p.m. ET. You could also try snagging one on Pop Now where drops happen more frequently, but be prepared to act fast. While there is no guarantee they will have stock, its also worth trying your local Pop Mart.

As it stands, the only figure from The Monsters series available online is a member-exclusive, Pop Bean The Monsters (Popmart.com). The mega Labubu 1000% tony tony chopper ($1,259.90, Popmart.com) is said to be available to buy at the Pop Mart store in San Diego, but stock is limited.

Pop Mart also has an official Amazon storefront that it restocks regularly without notifying anyone, making it another destination to check for securing your new monster friend.
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Nvidia shares have opened almost six percent higher as stock markets begin trading in the US on Thursday, following yet another stellar quarterly report from the chipmaker.

Following strong overnight trading and another late surge pre-markets, it equates to around a $185bn (137bn) rise in the value of the company overnight - taking the total market capitalisation to around $3.48 trillion (2.58tn) to usurp Microsoft as the worlds most valuable public listed business once again.

Microsoft closed at $3.4tn on Wednesday, but gained just under 1 percent, giving it a new market cap of around $3.44tn. Additional trading in the coming hours will confirm whether the AI bellwether firm can hold its top spot for the first time since the middle of 2024. Microsoft in turn took the lead from Apple - which closed with a market cap of just under $3tn on Wednesday - at the start of 2025.

Shares in Nvidia reached around $150 in price by the end of 2024, as American equities surged following Donald Trump's inauguration as president. Still, they sank to below $95 in April after the Liberation Day tariffs were announced.

When Thursdays market opens, they will be back above $140 once more, more than 20 percent up over the past year, but only just above flat for the year-to-date 2025.

Investors reacted positively overnight to Nvidias first quarter earnings, which showed revenue of $44.1 bn, beating analysts estimates. However, earnings per share came in under expectations, partly due to an $8 billion writedown on H20 chips, which were intended to be sold to China but were blocked by the Trump administration last month.

During his speech to investors, CEO Jensen Huang said he world was recognising AI as essential infrastructure  just like electricity and the internet  and Nvidia stands at the centre of this profound transformation.

Mr Huang also criticized President Trumps approach to tariffs, which is expected to cost Nvidia around $10 billion in lost earnings.

The US has based its policy on the assumption that China cannot make AI chips. That assumption was always questionable, and now its clearly wrong, he said. Export controls should strengthen US platforms, not drive half of the worlds AI talent to rivals.

However, he also added that Mr Trump had outlined a bold vision to reshore advanced manufacturing, create jobs, and strengthen national security within the United States.
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Roughly 140 million to 100 million years ago, the piece of land that is modern day Australia was located much further south on Earth. In fact, what is now Victoria was once within the polar circle, up to 80 degrees south of the equator and shrouded in darkness for months at a time.

Despite these harsh conditions, dinosaurs thrived here, leaving behind evidence of their existence at various palaeontological sites.

For decades, scientists have come to these sites to study the rocks containing the bones of these ancient creatures in order to better understand them.

My new research with palynologist Barbara Wagstaff, published in Alcheringa, builds on existing knowledge by using plant fossils from bone-bearing sites in the region to explain how the forests these dinosaurs lived in evolved  and, for the first time, illustrating them in detail.

One of the warmest periods on Earth

The Early Cretaceous epoch  between roughly 140 million and 100 million years ago  represents one of the warmest periods in the last half a billion years of Earths history. The sustained warmth was a result of increased volcanic activity, which released large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The sustained warmth resulted in no polar ice caps, high sea levels and flooded continents.

The geographic distribution of land masses was also very different back then. The supercontinent Gondwana, in which most of the southern continents we know today were clumped into a single landmass, had only just started to break apart. At the time, southernmost Australia was in the polar circle.

The dinosaurs that lived in this region are known as polar dinosaurs. They included small ornithopods (plant-eaters with beaks and cheeks full of teeth) and therapods (carnivorous and predatory dinosaurs).

Building a picture of ancient plants

For decades, palaeontologists have been studying rocks from Victorian sites. To establish the age of the recovered dinosaur bones, weve needed the expertise of palynologists  palaeontologists who study microscopic fossil spores and pollen produced by plants.

Palynologists identified key species that they dissolved out of rocks. They deduced the dinosaur bones ranged in age from 130 to 100 million years old.

At the same time, they were carefully recording all the microscopic spores and pollen they saw in the slides to build a picture of the plants through the Early Cretaceous period.

A planet-altering transition

The transition from a world without flowers to one with flowers has fascinated scientists for centuries, most famously Charles Darwin who labelled them an abominable mystery. More importantly, it also forever changed our planet.

Shortly after their first appearance, approximately 132 million years ago, albeit in the southern portion of the supercontinent Laurasia, we see an explosive radiation of flowering plants not only in our new record from Victoria, but also globally.

What fuelled the evolution and rapid global expansion of flowering plants that dominate the Australian landscape today?

open image in gallery A reconstruction of cool-temperate rainforest and fluvial environments in southeast Australian during the late Albian ( Artwork by Robert Nicholls. )

Our new research suggests warmer conditions helped flowering plants migrate across the globe and colonise understorey habitats shortly after evolving. Increased competition also contributed to the turnover in understorey flora, with flowering plants outcompeting lycophytes in rapidly colonising braided river channels after flooding events.

The appearance of flowering plants in the landscape resulted in the extinction of numerous understorey plants (in particular ferns) with a long fossil record.

As a result, by 100 million years ago, the forests of Victoria included an open conifer-dominated forest canopy. The subcanopy beneath was made up of seed ferns and ferns. Flowering plants and ferns featured in the understorey, alongside liverworts, hornworts, lycophytes and sphagnum-like mosses.

Diversifying in a warming world

High carbon dioxide levels in the past made the planet warmer. This is consistent with whats happening today. As a result of these warmer conditions, cool-temperate forests thrived in the polar circle.

For flowering plants, the warmer conditions provided an opportunity to diversify in an increasingly warm world. However, not all plants adapted to the warming world, with many understorey floras, including ferns, becoming extinct.

The fossil record provides crucial insights into how life will respond to predicted future climate conditions because these have occurred before in Earths history.

Knowing this history is crucial to our response to the current climate change challenge.

Some exciting places to visit to see fossils in Australia include Eric the Red West dig site in the Otway Ranges, Inverlochs Dinosaur Dreaming dig site in Victoria, the Dinosaur Trail along the Queensland towns of Hughenden, Richmond and Winton, and sauropod footprints in Western Australia at Gantheaume Point.

Vera Korasidis is a Lecturer in Environmental Geoscience at The University of Melbourne.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate will return to Britain to defend themselves against charges including rape and trafficking, lawyers for the brothers say.

Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges relating to three women that include rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, prosecutors said.

Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges relating to one woman that include rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm.

Romanian courts have issued an order to extradite the two to the UK once their court case is concluded there, British prosecutors said. The pair moved to Romania in 2016.

open image in gallery The brothers moved to Romania in 2016 ( AP )

Lawyers claimed the brothers are at a disadvantage because British prosecutors have not shared any information with them about the charges.

These are historic allegations and our clients are not even being told who the supposed victims are, the Holborn Adams law firm said in a statement. This ... demonstrates a different approach on the basis of the profile of our clients.

British prosecutors authorised charges in January last year against the brothers, who are dual US and British citizens, but the Crown Prosecution Service has only just announced the charges.

Bedfordshire Police issued an international arrest warrant. The Tates unequivocally deny the allegations, which date from 2012 to 2015.

The Holborn Adams law firm added that the Tates would return to the UK when their cases in Romania concluded, and that they would be aggressively defended.

The former kickboxers have millions of followers on social media. Andrew Tate has drawn a larger following with self-confessed misogyny.
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The alleged driver of a car that ploughed into a crowd at Liverpools victory parade and injured 79 people has been charged with seven offences against six victims.

Paul Doyle appeared in court for the first time on Friday and has been remanded into police custody after being arrested following the scenes of devastation that broke out on Water Street on Monday.

The 53-year-old from West Derby was not named until Thursday, but had previously been confirmed to be a white British man from the city.

Here is everything we know so far about the suspect.

open image in gallery Emergency services responding to the crash on Water Street ( Getty )

Who is Paul Doyle?

According to multiple reports, Doyle is a married father of three and a business owner who lives in a quiet cul-de-sac.

His LinkedIn profile shows he was a former Royal Marine commando during the 1990s prior to launching his businesses, and now works in cyber.

Their neighbours claimed they are a nice family, with the children praised for being well-behaved.

What charges does he face?

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he is accused of two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of dangerous driving.

A wounding charge and an attempted grievous bodily harm charge relate to a child.

open image in gallery Nearly 80 people were injured, with 50 taken to hospital ( PA Wire )

What happened at the Liverpool victory parade?

Up to a million supporters had gathered to celebrate Liverpools 20th Premier League victory in a 10-mile parade in the city on Monday.

Police previously said they believed the car that struck pedestrians tailgated an ambulance trying to reach a man suffering from a suspected heart attack inside roadblocks on Water Street, off the main parade route.

Four children were among those injured after the vehicle struck crowds, who were heading to catch trains, buses and taxis home at around 6pm.

Merseysides chief fire officer Nick Searle said they rescued four people who were trapped under the car, including a child. Some 50 people were taken to hospital for treatment and seven were still receiving treatment on Thursday night.

The suspect was arrested at the scene of the incident, which is not being treated as terror-related. He is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday.
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Michael Pereiras father Victor was a man with a big heart, who was generous in his affection, and who loved to hug and kiss his family.

He was a man full of passion, with a strong temperament, yet he had a unique way of making people laugh and feel at ease, Mr Pereira remembered.

Mr Pereira never knew why his father felt he had to flee his home country Colombia, eventually claiming asylum in the UK in August 2023. But he was certain his father had not had any mental health issues before he sought safety in Britain.

In testimony to his fathers inquest, Mr Pereira detailed how he saw his father deteriorate from someone who was sociable and easy-going, to a person who was increasingly paranoid.

Victor Hugo Pereira Vargas, 63, killed himself in his room at a Home Office asylum hotel in Hailsham, Sussex on 13 October 2023. Just a few weeks earlier he had made a desperate attempt to leave the UK, turning up at Gatwick airport and asking immigration officers to put him on a plane out of the country.

open image in gallery Victor Pereira Vargas (pictured here with his son Michael) killed himself in a Home Office hotel in 2023 ( Michael Pereira )

He had even filled out a voluntary return form to express his interest in being returned to Colombia, and had told his son several times that he was afraid of being moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge  describing it as a maritime prison.

An inquest into his death heard how he was repeatedly failed by staff at the hotel, and the officials in charge of managing the Home Offices large asylum contracts, who didnt know the full reality of how the hotel was being run.

Hotel staff missed signs of his deterioration despite conducting regular welfare checks, did not help him report to the police a robbery he suffered, and took two weeks to book him a GP mental health appointment.

While Clearsprings Ready Homes managed the overall contract, they subcontracted the running of Mr Pereira Vargass hotel to another company Crown Lodge. Crown Lodge then outsourced the staff of the hotel to a third company, Becker Hoffman. Some staff were not appropriately trained to deal with vulnerable people, the coroner found.

Clearsprings told the court it came to rely on subcontractors as an emergency measure to cope with an unforeseen rapid increase in small boat arrivals shortly after the pandemic.

Testimony from his eldest son Mr Pereira, who lives in the United States, detailed how his father would wake up in his hotel room drenched in sweat, unable to sleep, and how he felt isolated and had no one to talk to.

He was a man who gave everything he had. One thing that always weighed heavily on him was his desire to give his children a better life than the one he had, Mr Pereira said: He was always striving for that, but often he struggled to figure out the best way to achieve it.

open image in gallery Michael Pereira (pictured here with his father Victor) said he has found it hard to come to terms with the lack of help given to his father in the lead up to his death ( Michael Pereira )

Speaking about his fathers death, Mr Pereira said: I still havent been able to process it to be honest because I dont understand what happened or why no one took care of him when he went there in the first place to find safety.

On 9 August 2023, Mr Pereira received a voicenote from his dad in which he sounded really worried after seeing news of the-then Conservative government putting people on a boat  an apparent reference to the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge.

On 12 August, he received another message in which his father asked: What are they going to do with the people? Are they going to put them in jail? Because that was a maritime prison.

open image in gallery Victor Pereira Vargas was described as a man with a big heart by his son Michael ( Michael Pereira )

According to incident reports, by 16 August, Mr Pereira Vargas was asking hotel staff how he could leave the UK, was visibly distressed, and asked the staff to call the police.

In mid-September, he told hotel staff that he had not slept for three days, but they did not book him a mental health GP appointment until two weeks later.

He again asked hotel staff if the Home Office could arrange for him to leave the country, according to the incident reports, and said he was hearing banging noises and was getting panicked.

In an act of desperation, he went to Gatwick Airport at the end of September and requested that an immigration officer put him on a flight out of the UK. He was apparently told to go to an immigration centre in Croydon, but having no money to travel there he slept overnight in the airport car park.

Vulnerable, panicked and without money, Mr Pereira Vargas encountered some other Columbians who said they could get him a plane ticket if he sold his watch to them, the inquest heard.

After being taken in, these people then reportedly stole his wallet and documents. He recounted what happened to hotel staff after managing to return back.

The last time Mr Pereira spoke to his father was a few days before he died. He told the inquest: I just remember that he sounded stressed about staying there and he was saying he wanted to find a way to go somewhere else but he didnt give me any details about his plans. I thought that he was just trying to figure out a way to sort out his asylum.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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A Tory-run council with the highest concentration of asylum seekers in the country is considering legal action against the Labour government after it was refused a claim for more money for housing.

Hillingdon accommodates the highest proportion of asylum seekers  94 in every 10,000 residents  in the UK because of the number of hotels near Heathrow Airport.

Some 3,010 people are being supported by the Home Office, according to the latest figures, but when their cases are decided, they are evicted from six hotels in the borough and become the responsibility of Hillingdon Council.

The local authority is paying for more than 100 asylum seeker families in temporary accommodation, while others are sleeping rough in tents in the area.

Council leader Ian Edwards said the demand on council services had left the authority with a 5.3m shortfall in 2024/25  but this week, the Home Office refused a claim for the money, claiming cash already provided under a grant was sufficient.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Edwards said: We are now in discussions with our lawyers; my expectation is that we will have to challenge that decision.

This is not about attacking asylum seekers, they need the support... but the idea that the government can intensify the locating and housing of these people in our borough, and then expect our residents to pay for it, is just breathtaking.

open image in gallery The number of asylum seekers in UK hotels has fallen but is still above 30,000 nationally ( Alamy/PA )

After coming to power, Labour pledged to speed up asylum seeker applications in a bid to bring down the backlog and save money on hotels. Figures published last week showed the number of people waiting for a decision on an asylum application in the UK had fallen 12 per cent in three months to 109,536 in March this year.

However, this had led to a higher number of people needing council support, such as housing, said Mr Edwards.

With a 3,000-household waiting list for social housing in the borough, the local authority is buying up more homes for temporary accommodation in an attempt to meet demand.

Further strain is also felt by the councils services in education and health.

Now, following the governments refusal to make up last years shortfall on supporting asylum seekers, bosses at the local authority are considering cuts to services for this financial year.

Mr Edwards said: It is the expectation from the government that the council has staff sitting around waiting to deal with this increase in work.

It is putting intolerable pressure on our employees. We just arent configured to deal with this enormous pressure, let alone the cost, which is falling onto the shoulders of our residents.

open image in gallery Ian Edwards, leader at Hillingdon Council, says his local authority needs more financial support in supporting asylum seekers ( Hillingdon Council )

Once theyre evicted and they come to our door, we pay from that moment on.

The government needs to stop burdening a local authority with the cost of a national problem. This is a national issue. It should be funded nationally. It should come from government, and they should be stumping up this cash for us.

London Councils, an organisation representing the capitals boroughs, told the BBC more funding was needed, with the group estimating a funding shortfall of at least 500m this year across its councils.

During a debate in the House of Lords last month, Labour peer Sharon Taylor said the government was working to ensure a smooth transition for asylum seekers leaving hotels after being granted refugee status.

She said: We are working hard to make sure that asylum seekers get a decision quickly and that we help local authorities plan more effectively as we reduce the number of asylum seekers waiting for the decision.

The burden on the council from supporting asylum seekers is strained further by arrivals to Heathrow Airport from the Chagos Islands, which were handed over to Mauritius as part of a deal last week.

With some Chagossians resistant to Mauritian control, its not yet clear how many more will come. But last week, 129 British nationals arrived from the Chagos Islands in the London borough, said Mr Edwards, and the council is supporting 93 households.

Mr Edwards said: The concern for the local authority is that the government, having made that deal, provide the right support to local authorities who will now have to manage the consequences of that decision.

The Home Office said it was working with councils to reduce its reliance on hotels and funding has been announced to support local authorities.

A spokesperson said: This government inherited a broken asylum system, with tens of thousands stuck in a backlog and claims not being processed, wasting millions in taxpayer money. We are immediately speeding up decisions and increasing returns so we can end the use of hotels, and save the taxpayer 4bn by 2026.

We remain committed to working closely with local authorities to work towards a fair and equitable spread of accommodation and provide the financial support required.
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Baroness Warsi has drawn a stark comparison between rising Islamophobia in Britain and the treatment of Jewish communities in 1930s Europe, warning that deeply dangerous narratives are being fuelled by those in power.

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, the former Conservative cabinet minister said she was heartbroken by the way Muslim communities are increasingly portrayed in public discourse.

It doesn't matter how many times you serve and how many times you do what you do for our country, she said, in conversation with the British-Israeli journalist Rachel Shabi. You still don't belong. You still don't matter. You still can't be trusted.

Warsi, who served as co-chairwoman of the Conservative Party and sits in the House of Lords, reflected on her experience growing up as a working-class, second-generation Pakistani Muslim in West Yorkshire. She described a recent conversation with her husband in which she questioned whether they should begin preparing exit routes.

open image in gallery Baroness Warsi (left) was interviewed by journalist Rachel Shabi (right) about her book 'Muslims Don't Matter' ( Billie Charity/Hay Festival )

I turned to him and I said, are we going to be like those Jewish families in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s, who were always sitting back, looking at the writing on the wall and thinking, No, we're going to be all right. Were very successful. We live in the right part of town. Were part of the establishment And then it will be too late. Should we be doing what everybody else around us seems to be doing right now, which is putting in place plan Bs and exit routes?

Discussing her new book Muslims Dont Matter, Warsi said there was a bizarre correlation with skin pigment and gratefulness in British society.

Its like the darker you get, the more grateful you have to be to live in your own country, she said.

She argued that negative perceptions of Muslim communities were not emerging organically but were being driven by political and media elites. The good news is, this is not bottom up, she said. This is not ordinary people sat there thinking, Oh, I really have an issue with Muslims, and I'm now going to have quite hateful views about them. This is people in power and people with big platforms constantly telling us, We can't trust Muslims. They're all dangerous, they're violent, the men are sexually predatory, the women are traditionally submissive.

Its these tropes which were constantly being told about Muslim communities, which, in the end, poisons the public discourse to a point where we start seeing this community in the worst possible light.

She added that some on the far-right had been desperate for a recent attack in Liverpool to have been carried out by a Muslim.

They could then say, Aha! Told you so. And already the language was: we are at war. This is a divided nation. These are different people from a different culture  until we worked out that he was a white guy in his fifties.

Despite warning that the current political climate is deeply dangerous, with more global conflicts now than at any point since the Second World War, Warsi ended her appearance with a call for solidarity.

This is a fight for all of us, the kind of country that we want to be, she said. Its time for us to organise and its time for us to fight back, because all of our rights in the end will suffer.
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Five demonstrators have been arrested after they allegedly targeted the production of a new action film featuring Gal Gadot movie.

Scotland Yard said police were deployed to a filming location in Westminster on Wednesday to identify suspects wanted in connection with offences at earlier protests and to deal with any new offences.

The Metropolitan Police said protesters have disrupted filming at various locations across London in recent weeks. A force spokesperson added the film was targeted solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli.

The 40-year-old, who has been vocal in her support of Israel, is believed to currently be filming the action thriller The Runner.

Five people were arrested for harassment and offences under Section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, which deals with wrongfully and unlawfully obstructing access to a workplace. They remain in custody.

Two of the arrests relate to incidents at previous protests, while three relate to offences that took place on Wednesday, the force said.

open image in gallery A force spokesperson added the filming was targeted solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli ( Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA )

Superintendent Neil Holyoak said: While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality.

We have been in discussions with the production company to understand the impact of the protests on their work and on any individuals involved.

I hope todays operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London.
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Scientists are asking visitors to the Lake District to keep an eye out for Englands only mountain butterfly.

The mountain ringlet, a small brown butterfly distinguished by orange spots on its wings, lives exclusively on mountains and is more commonly found in Scotland than in England.

Conservationists say the butterfly is so hard to find in England that it is not known whether its numbers are increasing or decreasing.

The adult butterflies usually emerge in June and fly for up to three weeks, though the timing is weather dependent, with the last week of May being the earliest the butterfly has been spotted in Cumbria, and the latest is mid-July.

The butterflies are small, around 35-38mm (1.4 inches), and only active in bright sunshine. They tend to keep low to the ground in short flights, pausing on grass tussocks or feeding on the flowers of tormentil and heath bedstraw.

Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is examining how mountain ringlets are responding to climate change, with concerns that mountain species will be squeezed into smaller areas of suitable habitat as temperatures rise.

open image in gallery The mountain ringlet, a small brown butterfly distinguished by orange spots on its wings ( Tim Melling/Butterfly Conservation/PA Wire )

The charity says sightings from the public, as they explore the Lake District National Park, would help improve knowledge of the butterflys distribution and breeding success.

Butterfly Conservation North of England conservation manager Martin Wain said: We would be so grateful if fell walkers could keep their eyes peeled for this lovely little butterfly and report their sightings.

You might even discover a new colony. We urgently need to know more about where it is so we can learn more about how to protect it.

He added: Looking for the mountain ringlet can add extra interest to your hike, whether you slow down and mindfully look for it, watch out for it as you eat your sandwiches, or just keep it in mind as you walk.

open image in gallery The butterflies are small, around 35-38mm (1.4 inches) ( David Morris/Butterfly Conservation/PA Wire )

The charity has produced a map of previous sightings of mountain ringlets, all above 450 metres (1,476ft), on mountains in the Borrowdale volcanic group  from Wasdale in the west to Mardale and Haweswater in the east.

The map also includes potential new locations marked in pink squares, near existing sightings, where conservationists are most keen to encourage people to look for new colonies.

Lancaster University student Mim Woodward, who is helping to co-ordinate the project, said: If you can explore one of these pink squares, you could be the first to record a mountain ringlet there, helping to uncover a brand new colony.

These are the most important areas for us to search, and your walk could make a real difference to Butterfly Conservation.

The charity hopes to work with farmers and land managers across Cumbria to trial different land management techniques, in particular grazing regimes, to see how to maintain the best habitat for the mountain ringlet.
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Staff at an asylum hotel where a resident killed himself were not appropriately trained to deal with vulnerable people, a coroner has ruled.

Home Office officials in charge of the hotel contract were also unaware that these crucial workers had been subcontracted out.

Colombian migrant Victor Hugo Pereira Vargas, 63, was found dead in his room at Boships Lions Farm hotel in Hailsham, Sussex, on 13 October 2023. He had made a desperate attempt to leave the UK just a few weeks earlier, turning up at Gatwick airport and asking immigration officers to put him on a plane.

In the weeks before his death, he had told his son several times that he was afraid of being moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge  describing it as a maritime prison  after fellow hotel residents were allegedly sent there.

An inquest into his death heard that senior Home Office officials in charge of asylum accommodation, and the person in charge of managing the relevant hotels contract, had no knowledge about who was actually staffing the hotel.

open image in gallery Victor Pereira Vargas with his son Michael as a baby ( Michael Pereira )

Clearsprings Ready Homes, the private firm that holds the Home Office asylum accommodation contract for the south of England, had subcontracted the running of Mr Pereira Vargass hotel to another company  Crown Lodge Accommodation Limited.

This overall contract is valued at 700 million and is expected to rise to 7bn for the decade up to 2029. Clearsprings make a seven percent profit margin on managing asylum accommodation in the south of England, the spending watchdog recently found. Graham King, founder of Clearsprings Ready Homes, has recently debuted on The Sunday Times Rich List with a fortune of 1.015 billion.

Crown Lodge then outsourced the staffing of the hotel to a third company, Becker Hoffman Facilities Management Limited, without the knowledge of government officials responsible for overseeing Clearsprings contract.

Mr Pereira Vargas came to the UK by plane from Spain on 4 August 2023 and claimed asylum on arrival. He was taken to the Sussex hotel on the same day and had spent a little over nine weeks there before he inflicted fatal wounds on himself.

open image in gallery Victor Pereira Vargas was described as a man with a big heart by his son Michael ( Michael Pereira )

Former residents of the hotel told the inquest they noticed Mr Pereira Vargas becoming increasingly erratic and paranoid during his time there, reporting he would regularly block his door and express concerns about microphones in his clothing. His former roommate was moved to another room after becoming alarmed by Mr Pereira Vargass behaviour.

But these signs were missed by the inadequately trained staff who were tasked with carrying out welfare checks of migrants, the inquest heard.

Under its contract with the Home Office, Clearsprings is required to ensure all staff who interact with asylum seekers are trained in areas including safeguarding and suicide awareness.

Steven Lakey, Clearsprings managing director, told the court the company came to rely on subcontractors as an emergency measure to cope with an unforeseen rapid increase in small boat arrivals shortly before the coronavirus pandemic.

The court heard that the Home Office and Clearsprings relied on assurances from Crown Lodge that staff were trained. Crown Lodge told the inquest they relied on similar assurances from Becker Hoffman  but did not seek further verification such as copies of certificates.

open image in gallery Michael Pereira (pictured here with his father Victor) said he has found it hard to come to terms with the lack of help given to his father in the lead up to his death ( Michael Pereira )

Becker Hoffmans onsite staff  responsible for checking on residents welfare once a week  were not appropriately trained, the coroner concluded.

One staff member, who conducted the final two welfare checks prior to Mr Pereira Vargass death, had received no formal training whatsoever.

This staff member variously recorded that Mr Pereira Vargas had no issues and was in good condition, which contrasted with testimonies from several fellow residents alarmed by his increasing paranoia.

Assistant Coroner Michael Spencer expressed doubt as to whether staff really carried out all their checks as described. One welfare check was recorded to have taken place face-to-face with Mr Pereira Vargas on 25 September, despite records showing he left the hotel the previous day in an attempt to flee the UK, and did not return until the 26th.

The court was also told hotel staff did not book a mental health GP appointment requested for Mr Pereira Vargas on 11 September, after he told them he had not slept for three days, until two weeks later  although incorrectly logged that they had done so right away. When Mr Pereira Vargas eventually received a text from the GP to arrange an appointment, he responded in Spanish saying he had no mental health issues.

The coroner said that it is possible these factors cumulatively contributed to [Mr Pereira Vargass] decline and death, in addition to his experience of trauma in his home country, his sense of isolation at the hotel, and desperation to leave the UK.

open image in gallery Victor Pereira Vargas (pictured here with his son Michael) killed himself in a Home Office hotel in 2023 ( Michael Pereira )

Had there been better welfare checks and assistance accessing a GP, it is possible Mr Pereira Vargas may have engaged and been given treatment, the coroner said, although this could not be certain.

He concluded that Mr Pereira Vargas had died from self-inflicted injuries whilst suffering from extreme anxiety and distress, but that it was not possible to conclude whether he had intended to take his own life.

Becky Hart of Bhatt Murphy who acted for Mr Pereira Vargass family said: The Home Office has failed to put in place proactive systems to ensure frontline staff in asylum accommodation have been trained in safeguarding and suicide awareness, adding that this remains a real and obvious risk to life.

Dame Karen Bradley, chair of the home affairs select committee, a group of MPs who are currently holding an inquiry into asylum contracts, said: We are deeply concerned about what the circumstances of this tragic death reveal around the operation of asylum accommodation contracts.

These contracts come at great cost to the taxpayer. With that comes an expectation of high standards of support and proper oversight to ensure facilities are run correctly. This applies whether services are subcontracted or not.

A Home Office spokesperson said:This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Mr Vargas family and friends. The health and safety of asylum seekers is a priority and our providers maintain high standards and follow established standard procedures to manage the safety, security and wellbeing of those we accommodate.

A spokesperson for Crown Lodge said: We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred. Out of respect for the individual and their loved ones, we will not be commenting further.

Becker Hoffman has ceased trading and no longer provides Home Office accommodation. A solicitor who acted for them during the inquest said that Mr Pereira Vargas had been seen by GPs who did not detect any cause of concern about his mental health, and Mr Pereira Vargas had also declined help from mental health services.

Clearsprings declined to comment.

Reporting contributed by Liberty Investigates.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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A Brit has been forced to fly home for emergency surgery after she was bitten by a shark during a holiday horror.

Rachel Smith, 26, was paddling in hip-height water off Rose Hall beach, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, when the creature snapped at her left hand.

She was terrified to see her ring finger was hanging off and blood was pouring from the wound.

Sister Lisa Smith, 28, saw a metre-long shark darting away - and she led Rachel to safety while shouting out a warning to other holidaymakers enjoying a morning paddle.

Pharmacologist Rachel was taken to hospital in an ambulance and medics said she needed plastic surgery.

But with no surgeon available for two weeks, the pair cut their holiday short and flew to Cork, Ireland, where their parents live.

Doctors confirmed the tendons and nerves in Rachel's ring and little fingers were ruptured, and the ligaments in her ring finger had been disconnected.

open image in gallery Rachel Smith and Lisa Smith during their holiday ( Lisa Smith/SWNS )

She had emergency surgery and hopes to regain full movement in 18 months time.

Lisa, a procurement specialist, and Rachel, both from Newham, London, said they have suffered with nightmares since the attack on May 8.

Rachel said: "There was so much blood coming out I honestly thought I was going to die.

I was in complete shock. My whole hand went numb so I thought my whole hand had been taken off.

I feel grateful to be alive and so grateful to have my hand.

"I have a long road of recovery ahead but I have a positive attitude and I believe I will get through it.

Lisa added: "We were so terrified.

"I honestly thought her fingers were gone - there was blood everywhere.

"At one point a vein burst and sprayed blood all over both of us.

"We were just crying and thinking she was going to die."

open image in gallery Rachel Smith in hospital ( Lisa Smith/SWNS )

The close sisters holiday together each year and had arrived at the Hilton Rose hotel on May 5, intending to stay for two weeks.

She was attacked around 10am, and say the shark knocked them both backwards after hitting them with its body.

The sisters say the flag on the beach was raised indicating it was safe to swim and doctors confirmed the bite was likely to belong to a reef shark.

The pair were initially taken to a private hospital where they were asked to pay $2,000 to have the wounds stitched and quoted $25,000 for further surgery.

The transferred to a public hospital before heading home for surgery at Cork University Hospital.

The sisters had to pay for ambulance and taxi travel to hospitals in Jamaica, and to get a 'fit to fly' certificate to come home - totalling nearly $500.

Rachel said: "I really did think I would die. The private hospital were only concerned with getting the payment before stopping the bleeding."

Lisa said Rachel was bitten inside an area cordoned off as safe to swim inside, near the beach, by a rope.

"There were two young kids swimming by the rope, it's lucky it wasn't them," she said.

"I'm just so glad and grateful that she's alive."
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The colleagues of a man who became very upset about his office mug going missing likely felt his response was out of proportion, an employment tribunal has found.

A judge ruled that Adeel Habib probably gave his colleagues reason to believe that he viewed the loss of the mug as stealing and that this is likely to have caused some resentment towards him.

The ruling came in a case brought by Mr Habib against Currys, where he was employed between January and March 2023 as a credit support associate at their office in Poole, Dorset.

Mr Habib accused his former colleagues of cold-shouldering him following the dispute over his mug, which he claimed amounted to racial discrimination.

But his claim was dismissed after a hearing in Southampton, with Judge David Hughes saying that Mr Habib was probably very upset about his mug and noting that he can use language that is apt to strike others as confrontational, even if he does not intend to be.

The judge said: We find that he probably did give his colleagues reason to believe that he viewed the loss of the mug as stealing. We find that this is likely to have caused some resentment towards him.

He added: Sad though it is to have to say this, it seems to us to be likely that Mr Habib is, unfortunately, ill-equipped to cope with the nuances of social interaction in the workplace, and lacks the sort of social skills that might have eased tensions that arose around the mug incident.

open image in gallery ( Getty/iStock )

Mr Habib also alleged that he had been racially discriminated against in his managers decision to deny him five weeks of holiday leave to attend weddings in Pakistan, in a request lodged a month after joining the company.

But this was rejected by the tribunal, with the judge finding that Mr Habib was denied his requested holiday leave on a reasonable application of Currys policy and practice.

A further claim, that he was sexually harassed by a married colleague who left a bottle of Juice Burst on his desk, which Mr Habib considered to have a sexual connotation, was also rejected.

However, Mr Habib was awarded three weeks additional notice pay, with the tribunal rejecting further claims for arrears of pay and bonus payments.
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Residents of a street in Scarborough have been evacuated after the unexplained deaths of two men in separate homes.

North Yorkshire Police attended an address in Gatesgarth Close on Monday, with a 69-year-old man found dead inside his property.

Concerns were raised after the death followed a similar incident just days previously on 21 May, when emergency services were called to the sudden death of a 49-year-old man in an adjoining property.

At this stage, it is not known how both men died, and their deaths are being treated as unexplained.

As a precautionary measure, residents who live in two adjoining properties have been evacuated and provided with alternative accommodation while an investigation continues.

A cordon remains in place at the two properties while an examination with specialist officers takes place, with tests being carried out to determine the presence of any environmental factors that may have led to their deaths.

A police spokesperson said people might notice officers in full protective clothing and specialist equipment at the scene.

They continued: We do not believe there are any risks to the wider community at this time. The occupants of the homes in close proximity to the deceaseds homes remain in alternative accommodation as a precaution while we work to establish how the men died.

Our thoughts remain with the mens families who are being supported by specially trained officers at this sad time.

Our thanks go to local residents for their patience and understanding while we work at the scene.
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Almost one in 20 Tubepassengers are dodging fares  at a cost of 130m a year  amid a surge in violence against the staff who try to stop them.

Almost 5 per cent of fares now go unpaid, new Transport for London (TFL) figures show, pushing up prices when many Londoners are already feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis.

It comes as shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick took to the London Underground himself to catch fare dodgers on camera. He said: Its annoying watching so many people break the law and get away with it.

A video posted on X (Twitter) showed him questioning passengers who barged past barriers without paying for a ticket. He was met with verbal abuse and one warning from a man who claimed he was carrying a knife.

Many of those stopped for fare evasion are already wanted for other crimes, with knives and drugs seized when suspects are stopped and searched.

Now, as part of a new clampdown, TfL has drafted in 500 enforcement officers to try to reduce the number of Tube travellers who are not paying, but many are subjected to violent and racial abuse.

Almost 10,500 reports of work-related violence and aggression were made by TfL staff in 2023/24  a 5 per cent increase on the previous year. About half of these incidents were linked to fare dodgers.

open image in gallery Just under 5 per cent of people using the underground did not pay over the past year ( Getty/iStock )

People are being sworn at, spat at, pushed and for over 50 per cent of cases where workplace violence is experienced by our frontline teams, fare evading is a trigger, Siwan Hayward, director of security, policing and enforcement for TfL, told The Independent.

Frontline staff have told The Independent they have also faced racial abuse and say they fear fare evaders they confront could be armed.

British Transport Police figures show there were more than 480 instances nationally where someone was carrying a bladed article, such as a knife, over the past year, and Dr Leroy Logan, former superintendent in the Met Police, warned knife crime is a massive issue.

We know that staff are reluctant to challenge anything unless theyre really in large numbers, he told The Independent.

Staff dont do it because they fear being assaulted. You need visibility, you need high visibility patrols on the Tube and bus networks just to reassure people and support the staff.

open image in gallery British Transport Police on operation to tackle fare evasion in Ilford ( Camille Chorley/The Independent )

However, its not just knife crime, with officers also arresting people who have evaded fares for possession of drugs and theft.

In Finsbury Park in February, officers stopped a man who had pushed through the ticket barrier without paying. He became aggressive and violent, striking one officer in the face when they detained him  he was arrested for fare evasion and assault of an emergency worker. But when police searched him, they also found a stolen phone.

In April, a man was stopped for following someone through the gate at London Bridge. He was searched, and officers found class-B drugs and an electronic item used to remove security tags from goods. He was arrested for going equipped to steal and possession of class-B drugs.

open image in gallery Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick ( PA )

Ms Hayward stressed fare dodging is far from being a victimless crime as TfL loses about 130m in revenue  money it could use to make the service reliable, safer and cleaner.

Across the Tube, Overground, buses, DLR, and Elizabeth line, 3.4 per cent of people using the service did not pay the fare over the last financial year  a small drop from 3.8 per cent in 2023/24. While 4.7 per cent skip paying the fare on the Tube, according to TfL data from 2024/25.

The common crime is pushing prices up  in March, Tube fares for an adult daily ticket increased by 4.6 per cent.

People are choosing to commit that crime and we seek to provide a really affordable transport network for London, Ms Hayward said.

Bus fares have been frozen, and we try to minimise the increase in rail fares, but people who choose to evade fares are undermining the efforts made to make travel in London affordable and accessible, she added.

open image in gallery The common crime is pushing prices up, in March tube fares for an adult daily ticket increased by 4.6 per cent ( Camille Chorley/The Independent )

However, as the cost of living continues to rise, fare evasion is likely to become even more widespread.

Manny Hothi, chief executive of Trust for London, said: Theres no excuse for fare dodging, but the rise in it points to a wider problem. Many Londoners are facing an impossible squeeze on already tight budgets.

Over half a million are in low-paid work, and the cost of everything from housing to childcare is much higher in London  transport costs just add to the pressure. When fares go up, Londoners who rely on public transport to get to work are forced to cut back elsewhere just to make ends meet.

The mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said: Fare evasion is a criminal offence which deprives TfL of thousands of pounds of vital revenue every year that could be reinvested in Londons transport network.

Thats why were expanding our team of professional investigators to cover the whole network and investing in the latest technology to target the worst offenders. It sends a clear message: fare evasion will not be tolerated, and we will hold those who do it to account.
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A welcome sign left drivers confused when it was moved to a different town entirely.

The road sign welcoming people to the Somerset town of Frome appeared on the B3355 going to Midsomer Norton on Friday, which is 10 miles (16km) away.

The mix-up comes after several sign-swapping incidents across the West Country in March.

One prank saw a welcome sign for Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire relocated more than 60 miles (97km) away to Portland in Dorset.

Four signs were also moved from Camerton, near Bath in Somerset, and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset to Bradford-on-Avon, the BBC reported.

open image in gallery The road sign welcoming people to the Somerset town of Frome appeared on the B3355 going to Midsomer Norton on Friday ( The Independent )

Following the latest sign swap, Somerset Council said it is an act of criminal damage, adding it will need to be repaired at public expense.

In a statement, a council spokesperson said: If residents see something like this happening, they should contact the police.

Peter, an amused pensioner from Frome who spotted the sign swap and photographed it in Midsomer Norton over the bank holiday weekend, described the prank as a professional job.

He told the BBC: It seems like an April Fools Day prank, but obviously were not in April.

He explained that although he has seen signs covered in graffiti, he has never seen a town sign swapped.

I knew that it was wrong. Obviously, I should be coming to Midsomer Norton so part of me thought it was some kind of Dad's Army tribute where they changed the signs around to confuse invading armies, he said.

But this is not the first time pranksters have left drivers scratching their heads. In September 2023, road signs in Caithness, Scotland, were removed and replaced.

The Telegraph also reported in February that someone in Glasgow dressed up as a race marshal sent 30 trail race runners on a 1.5-mile detour by hiding park signs.
After Nigel Farages keynote speech, Reforms policies have been dismissed by Keir Starmer as Liz Truss all over again. It shows Labour is taking the challenge from Reform UK more and more seriously, and that the main electoral threat to Labour hegemony right now comes not from Kemi Badenochs Conservatives but from Farages latest vehicle for an insurgency.

Yet neither Labour nor the Tories seem to have the full measure of Farage.

Is Reform UK just Liz Truss all over again?

Its not as bad as that, because at least Farage recognises  as the former premier still does not  that her disastrous mistake wasnt so much in her radical tax cuts (unrealistic as they turned out to be) but that she failed to balance them with credible plans to cut spending.

Farage explicitly said this, and offered up cuts in government spending on net zero (the bulk of the savings); migrant hostels and other accommodation; diversity, equity and inclusion; and general waste as the way to pay for his plans. These, he suggested, would pay for enhanced child benefit, incentives for people to marry and have families, restore the pensioners winter fuel payment, raise the threshold for the higher rate of income tax, and  most ambitious of all  take everyone with an income of less than 20,000 out of tax liability altogether.

So, is Starmer right?

Yes. Even though Farages plan does better than Trusss mini-Budget in attempting to balance the books, independent experts say it would still blow a gigantic Truss-sized hole in the public finances. Truss scheduled about 45bn in unfunded tax cuts in September 2022, ie, extra borrowing; and the Farage plan implies something like a 50bn to 100bn increase in the budget deficit, which would be the largest in peacetime. Besides that, there is some doubt about whether the cuts to net zero would be as large as claimed, even allowing for the abandonment of the net zero target and the fate of the planet. At various points, Farage has also indicated or given the impression that hed like to abolish inheritance tax and non-dom taxation, freeze council tax and fuel duty, and subsidise everything from the steel industry to farming. It really does not add up.

Anything else?

Yes. But because immigration has become so toxic, Starmer chose not to attack Reforms other net zero policy  no new net migration. The economic impact of that would be to exacerbate labour shortages, push wages higher, cut economic growth and reduce overall living standards.

Reversing the latest Brexit reset, as Farage implies, would also hurt exports and the economy, while the drive to take back all the UKs fishing rights might well provoke a trade war with the EU, an even more damaging outcome. Farages plan to replace the NHS  broken by underfunding and understaffing made worse by Brexit  is underdeveloped, to put it mildly, and a huge vulnerability given his prime demographic of older, less-well-off voters. They, after all, rely on the NHS to keep them going.

For the most part, they couldnt pay the private health premiums, and even if they could, they wouldnt be covered for existing conditions, dementia or cancers. Ageing Fargeistes would find using the defunded rump safety net NHS and what passes for a Reform UK social care system an uncomfortable experience. Theres also the small matter of Brexit, his proudest boast, yet, paradoxically, regarded even by some of his own voters as a monumental flop. Its also very much a one-man band: could Reform UK form a remotely competent government? Is the UK really ready for Lee Anderson to be home secretary?

Why not ignore Farage?

Labour tried that, implying he was a cranky, if malign, irrelevance  and it failed. At 30 per cent or so in the polls and the stunning successes in the local elections and the Runcorn by-election, Farage can no longer be dismissed as a fringe irritation. Because the Tories are yet to recover, and the Lib Dems and Greens tend not to operate in their areas, Reform is certainly the fortunate and obvious receptacle for protest votes against a prematurely unpopular Labour government. As the election approaches  it is three to four years away  the government should regain some support if the economy recovers; the same goes for the Tories, as they claim that only they can defeat the Labour Party.

True as that is, it would also provide Reform with plenty of opportunities to build momentum and win power in more councils, as well as devolved administrations. Winning in more Labour strongholds would certainly be welcome to Farage, whose basic strategy would seem to be trying to recreate the coalition of voters that Boris Johnson persuaded to vote for him to get Brexit done in 2019.

What are the lessons of history?

The last prime minister who had to take on the Farage challenge was David Cameron, who thought an in/out referendum on EU membership would shut Farage up for good. Camerons complacency ended his career and helped destroy his party. The most painful irony was (and is) that Brexit so damaged the economy that it created multiple new grievances for Farage to exploit to his advantage, crippling Conservative and Labour administrations alike. Badenoch and Starmer cant decide whether to ape Farage or attack him.

Like most populists, Farage is slippery. Facts and figures from experts are dismissed as project fear (as in the Brexit referendum), and he amplifies voters natural anti-political, anti-establishment tendencies to pose as an outsider fighting against some malign conspiracy. Even when he is exaggerating, he says they are lying to you, and because promises inevitably get broken when in government, it strikes a chord.

Responsible journalism is derided as fake news  he takes lots of lessons from the unlikely success of Trump in the US. He is not above using dog whistle tactics. Farage is indisputably good at campaigning, but he is eminently beatable, if only Labour and the Conservatives could regain their political touch.
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Portugals anti-immigration Chega party notched another political gain for Europe's far right on Wednesday after it was assigned the second-most seats in parliament  meaning it will become the head of the parliamentary opposition to the new government.

That shatters the pattern of Portugals center-right and center-left mainstream parties alternating between heading a government or leading the opposition.

Chegas strides since the May 18 election coincide with gains elsewhere by far-right forces. In Europe, those include Frances National Rally, the Brothers of Italy and Alternative for Germany, which are now in the political mainstream.

Leading the opposition is quite the accomplishment for a once-fringe party that competed in its first election six years ago, when it won one seat. It has surged recently with its hardline stance against immigration and with the inability of traditional parties to form lasting governments. The May 18th election was Portugal's third in as many years.

Chega, which means Enough, secured 60 of the National Assembly's 230 seats after it picked up two more seats on Wednesday from the overseas voters of the European Union country of 10.6 million people.

This is a profound change in the Portuguese political system," Chega leader Andre Ventura told supporters after Chega bested the Socialists by two seats.

The center-right Democratic Alliance, led by the Social Democratic Party, captured two more seats to take its tally to 88.

Following the election, incoming Prime Minister Luis Montenegro was already looking at heading another minority government similar to the one that fell two months ago in a confidence vote after less than a year in power.

But now Montenegro and other parties will face an emboldened far-right competitor that campaigned under the slogan Save Portugal and describes itself as a nationalist party.

___

Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.
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What Sir Keir Starmer said in his speech in St Helens today mattered less than the extraordinary fact that he felt the need to do it at all.

It is still less than a year after winning a majority of 174 seats in a sweeping general election result last year, yet Sir Keir felt the need to attack the leader of Reform UK which - checks notes - only has five MPs.

The question was asked whether Nigel Farage is living rent-free in the prime ministers head, and it felt rhetorical because the answer was clearly, yes.

open image in gallery Starmer rolled up his sleeves to take on Reform ( POOL )

We are still around four years away from a general election, and the prime minister has a massive, urgent inbox, including confusion over Donald Trumps tariffs, whether to abandon the two-child benefit cap and reverse cuts to winter fuel payments.

But, still, he felt that responding to a speech Mr Farage made on Tuesday, nakedly going after Labour voters, was more of a priority than all of those things.

Sir Keir is not alone in feeling what can only be described as a rising sense of panic on the left.

Just this week, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar put out a video attacking Mr Farage and Reform in Scotland. This would have been seen as completely ludicrous 12 months ago. Mr Farages various parties have never got a foothold north of the border. But not now.

Just this morning, on the front page of the Daily Record in Scotland, was a claim by SNP First Minister John Swinney that the crucial Hamilton South by-election is now a straight fight between his party and Reform - not Labour.

open image in gallery Farages speech on Tuesday was aimed at winning over Labour voters ( PA )

And recent polls put Reform around nine points ahead of Labour, with Starmers own approval ratings hitting Liz Truss levels.

Just hours after Sir Keir finished speaking Techne UK released their latest weekly tracker poll for The Independent putting Reform on a new high of 31 per cent, nine points ahead of Labour. It also showed that 12 per cent of Labour voters from the 2024 general election had switched to Farage.

The local elections underlined that the working people the prime minister so loves to reference in every speech and statement are switching to Reform, particularly in the traditional red wall heartlands of the Midlands, North of England and Wales.

With successes on the foreign stage, including his three trade deals apparently not moving the dial on domestic politics and growing rumours of a leadership challenge in his party, Sir Keir clearly felt the need to go on the front foot in directly responding to Mr Farage.

But what has he achieved? He may have just helped out the Reform leader in completely shutting the credibility gap on the possibility he could be prime minister.

Sir Keir, not for the first time, pronounced the death of the Conservative Party, something many commentators agree with him on. But in doing so he has admitted that a man leading a party of just five MPs stands a strong chance of becoming prime minister.

The whole point of Mr Farages speech on Tuesday was to say that if you vote Reform you get Reform. Sir Keir has now admitted that it is true and that Reform is his biggest opposition - if not in numbers of MPs - but definitely in support.

open image in gallery First Minister John Swinney believes Scotland is a straight fight between Reform and his SNP (Jane Barlow/PA) ( PA Wire )

The prime ministers points about how Reform and Mr Farage have policies which are bad for working people were well made and forceful. It is true that they oppose workers rights, they want to cut taxes for the wealthy, and their plans would bankrupt the country.

But the issue is whether people are listening to the specifics or are instead looking at a wider picture of failure by the main parties.

Reform has already claimed that Starmers decision to nationalise British Steel was a direct result of the party announcing the same left-wing policy just days before. Now, if Starmer U-turns to scrap the two-child benefit cap and winter fuel payments, he will again look as though he is following Reforms lead.

This will probably be the first of many events for Sir Keir aimed at thwarting Mr Farage. But he is now in danger of giving Reform the credibility it craves with the country as a potential party of government rather than one of protest.
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A cloud hangs over the global economy, experts have warned, after a bombshell court ruling blocked Donald Trumps tariffs, creating more confusion and uncertainty.

Financial markets reacted positively to the unanimous ruling by three judges, but the decision enraged the White House, with the US presidents official spokesperson, Stephen Miller, calling it another judge coup.

The White House has appealed the decision, but it means all of the presidents Liberation Day tariffs now face a protracted legal process that could overshadow trade talks and delay the implementation of existing deals, including with Britain.

The Trump administration has won a temporary reprieve through the appeal, which means the tariffs will be reinstated while the case makes its way through the courts.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has reacted angrily to the ruling ( AP )

Only the 25 per cent tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars are unaffected by the ruling.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticised the courts ruling as an example of judicial overreach.

She added that Mr Trumps tariffs were introduced to tackle US trade deficits with other nations and said the taxes are legally sound and long overdue.

Ms Leavitt hit out at the judges in the briefing, saying they were threatening to undermine Americas credibility on the global stage.

When asked why other countries would continue with trade negotiations, she said the US ambassador for trade had heard from countries this morning that they intended to continue working with the US.

We will win this battle in court, she told the media, adding that the court is trying to stop Mr Trump from correcting the wrongs of the past.

Chris Southworth, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (ICCUK), said months of legal wrangling would further weaken economic confidence.

He said: It just puts a whole cloud over the top of any negotiation with the US because its unclear what the US is negotiating and what their position will be from a legal standpoint.

The problem is, these tariffs change almost every day with the US at the moment, and this uncertainty isnt good for business.

Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, is also worried about the impact.

He said: Its clear that we live now in a time of growing uncertainty. But businesses, especially our world-leading food and drink producers, should not rush to react. Whatever the outcome of the legal appeal, keeping calm is the best approach.

The UK must keep backing open, rules-based trade to give our exporters the certainty they need to succeed.

Simon Evenett, a trade economist and professor at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), told The Independent that the ruling could mean tariffs on sensitive sectors such as cars, steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals intensify instead of coming down, as theyre not covered by the judgment.

He said: Britains principal interests lay in the area of cars, steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals. All of these are covered by investigations under national security and are not covered by the ruling yesterday. This means the risks to the UK in those sensitive sectors remain, and are likely to intensify.

However, an ally of the Trump administration  Andrew Hale, a trade expert from the influential Heritage Foundation  told The Independent that the judges decision is good news for the UK.

Mr Hale described the deal signed by Mr Trump and Sir Keir Starmer earlier this month as just a framework document with very little in it.

He added: It was meant to be a start for further trade negotiations and deal with some of the tariffs. So [the ruling] is good news [for the UK] because it prevents the [Trump administration] because it is detrimental to the Trump administrations negotiations. They cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs quickly and broadly as a negotiating tactic in negotiations.

In a speech on Thursday, Sir Keir defended his deal with Mr Trump despite new question marks over the terms  and revelations the US has yet to lower tariffs on car and steel exports from the UK as originally agreed.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer highlighted his US trade deal in a speech on Thursday ( PA )

The prime minister highlighted how the deal will ultimately help workers at Jaguar Land Rover, whose jobs had been under threat.

But the uncertainty created by levies has already led to smaller firms in the UK abandoning the US market, according to Federation of Small Business policy chair Tina McKenzie.

She said: This court decision offers the possibility of short-term relief for small businesses trading across the Atlantic, many of whom have spent the last few months caught in a tangle of uncertainty, shifting rules and sudden extra costs. In fact, one in five said they had already stopped, or may stop, exporting to the US altogether.

The Commons select committee on business and trade is set to open an inquiry on trade with the US.

Committee chairman Liam Byrne said: Theres still considerable uncertainty about when the sector-specific exemptions in the recent deal actually come into effect, and what UK firms need to do to access them. This is a key thing we want to cover next week. On the broader tariffs, my understanding is that these now go back to the previous level.

Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey demanded that the foreign secretary David Lammy summon the new US ambassador, Warren Stephens, to explain the situation.

He said: The levels of chaos from Trumps economic policy are putting Liz Truss to shame.
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Sir Keir Starmer has left the door open to scrapping the two-child benefit cap amid mounting pressure from backbench Labour MPs and Nigel Farages Reform UK.

MPs from across Labour have repeatedly urged the prime minister to scrap or ease the limit  first imposed by austerity architect George Osborne in 2015  amid growing concern over the direction of the party.

Days after Mr Farage said a Reform government would get rid of it entirely, Sir Keir said he is looking at all options to lift children out of poverty.

The prime minister is under mounting pressure to scrap the cap ( Pool )

It came just days after education secretary Bridget Phillipson said getting rid of the two-child limit was on the table as part of Labours delayed child poverty strategy, now expected to be published in the autumn.

Its certainly something that were considering, she said. Weve always been clear that social security measures are an important part of what the child poverty task force is looking at.

Speaking to workers at a glass equipment factory in St Helens, as part of a press conference aimed at tackling the rise of Reform, Sir Keir said: One of the proudest things that the last Labour government did was to drive down child poverty, and thats why weve got a task force working on this.

I think there are a number of components. There isnt a single bullet, but Im absolutely determined that we will drive this down, and thats why well look at all options, always, of driving down child poverty.

Mr Farage on Tuesday said he would get rid of the two-child cap as part of a drive to make having children easier and increase Britains declining birth rate.

Speaking to The Independent after Sir Keirs press conference, a senior Labour MP said the prime minister is going to have to get rid of the cap due to the growing anger on the backbenches.

The prime minister is privately said to be in favour of doing away with the cap  a policy that restricts parents from claiming certain benefits for more than two of their children.

Critics of the policy say removing it would be the most effective way of reducing child poverty amid warnings that as many as 100 children are pulled into poverty every day by the limit.

However, it is thought the cap wont be lifted until the government publishes its child poverty strategy, which has now been delayed until the autumn.

There is growing pressure on Labour to scrap it, as well as to water down its upcoming welfare cuts, as polling last week showed that almost half of all red wall voters disapprove of the way the government has acted on benefits.

A survey conducted by Merlin Strategy across 42 traditionally red wall seats  those historically held by Labour  48 per cent of people had a negative view of the governments handling of benefits policies, while just 25 per cent approved.

Of those who said they voted Labour at the 2024 election, people were divided, with 38 per cent approving and 38 per cent disapproving.

Talk of a U-turn on the cap comes just days after the prime minister  in an attempt to win back disillusioned voters and appease his MPs  announced plans to row back on last years controversial decision to means test the winter fuel payment. He told the Commons he would look at increasing the thresholds at which people start to receive the benefit.

The prime minister is also facing a rebellion from MPs over the governments controversial welfare cuts, which will see personal independence payments (PIP) cut for 800,000 people with disabilities.
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Donald Trumps decision to slash international aid has had a crippling impact on HIV services  with a lifeline linking rape and sexual violence survivors to support now becoming collateral damage.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, girls and young women are more than twice as likely as their male peers to contract HIV, driven in part by an increased risk of facing sexual exploitation. Funding to tackle the virus is often also used to fund gender-based violence services.

Take the Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern Africa (NACOSA) based in South Africa. NACOSA received 40 per cent of its funding thanks to the DREAMS programme run by the United States Agency for International Development. Standing for Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored and Safe, the DREAMS programme provided two million young people in 15 African countries with a wide range of initiatives from the more direct  HIV testing, condoms and medication  to less obvious ways to address viral spread, like mentoring, life skills, financial literacy training and free sanitary products.

Although DREAMS was set up as an HIV prevention programme, the close link between sexual violence and the virus meant it ended up providing a crucial link to rape crisis support, regardless of survivors HIV status. Young women are more vulnerable if they are dependent. If they are in poverty [they are] more vulnerable to both gender-based violence and HIV, explains Sophie Hobbs from NACOSA. Research found some girls were being coerced into sex in exchange for period products.

In sessions to help them to understand what abuse and harassment looks like, girls and young women would often tell their mentors about experiences of abuse  and be linked to emergency contraception and counselling services. It would have been disclosed to us, my stepdad has been doing this for the longest time and I didnt realise it was wrong, explains Tarryn Lokotsch, chief executive of the Greater Rape Intervention Program (GRIP) in eastern South Africa, which works with NACOSA and received half of its funding via the DREAMS programme.

We would be able to link them to care at the hospital, test them for any sexually transmitted diseases, link them to care if they needed it. So, the prevention programme fed very nicely into the response programme, she adds.

open image in gallery Services helping women across South Afica have been hit by Trumps aid cuts ( AP )

The DREAMS funding supported a network of care rooms in hospitals, police stations and magistrates courts. Care rooms allow people can report assaults privately, rather than, standing in a long queue, Lokotsch says, and, having to report whats happened to you with every other person that might just be coming to get a document certified.

In hospitals, Lokotschs group provides care packs to help give survivors back a sense of dignity after the ordeal of a forensic examination, which can include having to hand in their underwear as evidence. These packs include toiletries, sanitary products and spare clothes, as well as emergency money to get home safely. Basically we are trying to hold the victims hand from the moment that they report right through to their day in court, Lokotsch says.

GRIP makes sure survivors who test negative for HIV can begin and complete a full course of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which prevents the virus developing. The majority of our rape survivors remain HIV negative only because weve managed to [link them to] PEP medication, she says. Those testing positive are linked to antiretroviral treatment  care they might otherwise struggle to access.

But all that is at risk.

You just disappeared

This month we did have to close down one of our care rooms, Lokotsch says. With the rest of the network not sustainable forever with more cuts to come if new funding isnt found. We still receive phone calls to ask, where are you guys? We relied on you so much and you just disappeared, she adds.

Without these support services, people are beginning to get a little bit more reluctant to report [gender-based violence], which is really scary, Lokotsch says.

A State Department spokesperson said: [The US] continues to support lifesaving HIV testing, care and treatment, and prevention of mother to child transmission services approved by the Secretary of State. This includes lifesaving HIV treatment for adolescent girls and young women, adding that, ensuring we have the right mix of programmes to support US national security and other core national interests of the United States requires an agile approach. We will continue to make changes as needed.

Lokotsch herself is a survivor of sexual violence. After being attacked while on a run, she didnt know where to go, and sought care at a private hospital which wasnt set up to conduct forensic examinations. I had people taking photos of me and someone saying they need to do a medical forensic examination, and people are touching you everywhere. Its the most uncomfortable thing in the world and no one is telling you why they are taking photos or what they are doing, she recalls.

open image in gallery Programmes run by the United States Agency for International Development have been slashed ( Getty )

That experience eventually led her to GRIP. Years later, she took over running the service where she works to stop others having the same trauma-compounding experience she had.

In South Africa, emergency contraception and PEP are available in public facilities, but people often dont know they are there. In theory, post-violence care services are not interrupted [by the US cuts], says Dr Ntlotleng Mabena, a public health doctor who worked with NACOSA. But in practice, we know that survivors need a safe place to go to before they get to that service.

Specialist post-violence centres are also not always accessible to people in rural areas. In certain provinces theres only one in the region and probably a three-hour taxi ride. Whos going to want to take a three-hour taxi ride after youve been raped? Dr Mabena asks.

I didnt know where I was going

Bongi, a 41-year-old mother of five, met Lokotschs team in a police station after fleeing a violent relationship. I stayed there being violated, she explains to The Independent, because, the person who violated me is the one who gave me food. She had three kids with him by the time the violence started.

I didnt know where I was going. I didnt have enough money. I went to the police station, she says of the day she left with her younger children, after her partner threatened to burn down their house with her inside. For two nights they slept at the police station, and then on the floor of a garage, without being offered help. It wasnt until a police officer finally connected her to GRIP that she was offered comprehensive medical checks, and afterwards, a place in a shelter.

Bongi is HIV positive, but had been on and off treatment for years and did not want to reveal her status over fears it would only lead to discrimination. I lied because I didn't get help in the police station, she said, so when she met the GRIP team she thought: Here are some ladies who want to help me. If I maybe speak about my status, Im not going to get the help that I need.

Once she realised they would help her no matter what, she resolved to, see what I can do so I can get back on medication.

Dr Isolde Birdthistle at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who has carried out evaluations of DREAMS in a number of places, say the benefits included the social support and empowerment of girls, and in some cases changes in sexual behaviours such as condom use. The biggest effect was on participants knowing their HIV status, Birdthistle explains, which is the first step to link them to treatment or prevention.

Girls also reported feeling less scared to test for HIV and more supported if they had experienced violence, Birdthistle says. While the loss of safe spaces in areas where there are often no formal refuges for victims of violence is also a big loss, she adds.

For Lokotsch, it is the speed of the change in the wake of Trumps aid cuts that is most jarring. I do understand the perspective that the South African HIV crisis and [gender-based violence] crisis is not necessarily Americas problem, she says. But America did choose at the start of this to lead the fight against HIV. They took that step to lead the fight internationally.

And then to pull out and decide that they dont want to lead that fight anymore... We could have got some warning.
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A mother and two accomplices have been sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking her then-six-year-old daughter, in a case that captivated South Africa.

Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the girl, Joshlin Smith, after she disappeared from the small town of Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape on February 19, 2024.

In a trial that shocked the country, a witness said Kelly Smith told her that she had sold her daughter to a sangoma, or traditional healer, for 20,000 rand ($1,100) and that the girl was desired for her "eyes and skin".

At the time, police called for every citizen, every person to help find her amid fears she may have been taken to a different city or even out of the country. Joshlin Smith has still not been found despite an extensive police search.

open image in gallery Joshlin Smith ( South African Police Services )

Announcing their sentences on Thursday, high court judge Nathan Erasmus said the fact that Kelly Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn were drug users was no excuse.

"There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose," Erasmus said.

Smith  whose full name is Racquel Chantel Smith  won sympathy across South Africa in the early days of her daughters disappearance.

Neighbours joined forces to help police search for the girl in sand dunes near the impoverished settlement of shacks and small houses where they lived.

Smith claimed she left Joshlin with Appollis on the day she went missing in February 2024 and had not seen her again.

For kidnapping, the three were given 10-year jail terms.
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A California avocado grower who lost his home and a significant portion of his orchard to a wildfire last year remains optimistic about his farm's recovery.

Despite the challenges California farmers face, such as high labour costs, water restrictions, and overseas competition, many avocado growers believe they have a lucrative business. Surprisingly, Mexican imports play a crucial role in their success.

Initially, California growers feared that lifting the ban on Mexican avocados in 1997 would harm their production.

However, the consistent supply of avocados from Mexico has boosted sales by ensuring a year-round availability to markets and restaurants, thereby increasing demand.

Previously, avocados were considered a seasonal specialty item, and industry officials had to actively promote them to generate interest. Now, that is no longer the case.

Avocado consumption has been booming in the United States over the past two decades.

The amount of fruit available per person tripled to more than 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) between 2000 and 2021, federal statistics show. Avocado toast and guacamole are regular offerings not just in culinary hubs like NYC but at cafes around the Midwest and the South.

Avocados are in demand

open image in gallery Andreas Tompros tours his avocado farm, Ridgecrest Avocados, where business is booming right now ( Associated Press/Damian Dovarganes )

On a steep, sun-soaked hillside northwest of Los Angeles, Tompros is replanting nearly 300 avocado trees with the belief that Americans hunger for the fruit  and his orchard  will continue to grow.

It will come back, and I believe it will become better than it was, Tompros, who previously ran a software company in Hollywood, said of the orchard he took over five years ago in the tiny community of Somis.

Avocado demand has also been buoyed by consumers' growing interest in healthy fats, said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board.

A 2000 US law created the board that collected 2.5 cents for every pound (0.5 kilograms) of avocados imported or produced in the United States. The board used the money to market avocados and conduct nutritional research, an effort that has been widely credited with making the fruit ubiquitous in supermarkets and on restaurant menus.

Its been really wildly successful. It generates way more money than most of these other industry boards do, said Richard Sexton, distinguished professor of agricultural and resource economics at the University of California, Davis. When you look at the growth rate in avocado consumption relative to all fruits, the difference in growth rate is dramatic.

A successful crop

open image in gallery Andreas Tompros looks out at his avocado farm, Ridgecrest Avocados, in Somis, California ( AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes )

Escobedo said about 60 per cent of US households currently buy avocados, and about half of these are responsible for the overwhelming majority of consumption, which means theres still room for the market to grow  especially in the Northeast, where the fruit is less common.

There is a lot of opportunity for certain groups of people to increase their purchasing of avocados, Escobedo said.

While the Trump administration has threatened tariffs on a spate of Mexican goods, avocados have so far been spared. California growers said they want Mexican avocados to keep flowing into the country, though they also want robust US inspections of the imports to keep out pests to protect their crop.

If you are going to farm in California, avocados are about the best deal right now, said Ken Melban, president of the California Avocado Commission.

California farmers grow about 10 per cent of the avocados eaten in the United States, Melban said, and account for nearly all of the countrys domestic avocado production.

The fruit is largely grown in California from April through September, and Mexican imports arrive year-round to meet nationwide demand, which exceeds what the state's farmers grow, he said.

In Southern California's Ventura County, many growers have shifted to avocados since lemon prices were walloped by cheaper imports from Argentina. As recently planted trees start bearing fruit in a few years, the region's avocado production is likely to rise, said Korinne Bell, agricultural commissioner for the county northwest of Los Angeles.

A booming market, despite wildfires

open image in gallery Andreas Tompros holds ripe avocados grown at his avocado farm ( AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes )

Avocado trees do not come without risks in a region prone to wildfires.

Still, demand for the trees has jumped due to interest from lemon growers  and since the November 2024 fire charred Ventura County avocado orchards, said Rob Brokaw, whose family-owned nursery has supplied avocado trees to California growers for 70 years.

Right now we are sold out essentially for this year, Brokaw said. And we're mostly sold out for 2026.

Tompros debated whether to plant the more fire-resistant lemon trees or another crop after the fire ripped through Somis, but he decided to replant due to the soaring demand for Super Bowl guacamole and avocado toast.

Its the super food, and its still growing in popularity, Tompros said.

Hes taking precautions to not plant the trees too close to what will eventually be his rebuilt home, because the dried-out leaves that help nourish the orchard's soil can also fuel blazes.

It may take a few years, but Tompros hopes it wont be too long before his newly planted trees bear fruit that he can sell to a local packinghouse or in seasonal gift boxes with citrus and passionfruit that he ships directly to customers.
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Reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who were in prison after being convicted on federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion, were pardoned by President Donald Trump and walked free Wednesday.

The couple is best known for the long-running TV series Chrisley Knows Best, which followed their family and luxurious lifestyle  which prosecutors said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities.

The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks in the Atlanta area out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents.

The pardons signed Wednesday are the latest example of Trump, himself a former reality TV star, pardoning high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers.

Here are some things to know about the Chrisleys:

How they rose to fame

Chrisley Knows Best, which ran from 2014 to 2023, chronicled the extravagant exploits of the boisterous, tightly knit family of the couple and their five children, from high-end cars to luxury vacations to stunning mansions. It was recorded in the Atlanta area at first and then in Nashville.

In 2019 the show spawned the spinoff Growing Up Chrisley, which featured the couple's children Chase and Savannah living in Los Angeles.

The couples 2022 trial started just after E! announced that it was moving forward with a new dating series, Love Limo, hosted by Todd Chrisley. It also came soon after USA announced the renwal of Chrisley Knows Best for a 10th season, while its spinoff was renewed by E! for a fourth season.

Why they were imprisoned

The Chrisleys were found guilty in 2022 in Atlanta on the fraud and tax charges. Until this Wednesday they still had years left on their sentences: Julie Chrisley was expected to be released in 2028, and Todd Chrisley in 2032.

At trial prosecutors detailed a laundry list of offenses that started before they became famous.

The Chrisleys and a former business partner submitted false documents to banks to obtain fraudulent loans and then used new loans to pay off the old ones, prosecutors said. The couple was accused of spending lavishly on cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel.

Todd Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, walking away from more than $20 million in unpaid loans, according to prosecutors. Meanwhile Julie Chrisley created false financial documents to rent a home in Los Angeles, they said, but then the couple did not pay rent on it.

Once they were starring in the reality show, they operated a company that collected their income from the series and other ventures and kept the corporate bank accounts in Julie Chrisleys name to avoid collection of half a million dollars in back taxes that Todd Chrisley owed, prosecutors said.

When the IRS asked for information on the accounts, they transferred ownership to Todd Chrisleys mother to try to hide his income further, according to authorities.

Prosecutors also accused the couple of not filing or paying taxes for several years

The Chrisleys lawyers argued that an IRS officer gave false testimony at trial and that prosecutors lacked evidence to support convictions.

A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld their convictions last year.

Their daughter's work to free them

Savannah Chrisley has been a staunch Trump supporter and endorsed his candidacy while also speaking about her parents in a speech at the Republican National Convention last summer.

My family was persecuted by rogue prosecutors and Fulton County due to our public profile ... and conservative beliefs, she said at the time.

She has called the case against her parents politically motivated, though they were indicted in 2019 under a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, Byung J. BJay Pak.

In a social media post Wednesday, she praised U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, the Justice Department lawyer assigned to advise Trump on pardons and commutations.

Your leadership is already changing countless lives  including mine, she said on the social platform X. Thank you for standing boldly for truth, for justice, and for reuniting families like mine.

What happens next?

Todd Chrisley was released from a minimum security prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, in the evening, according to Shannen Sharpe, a spokesperson for his attorney, and Julie Chrisley left a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, Sharpe said.

As Savannah Chrisley waited to meet her father at his prison, she said the family was planning to do a lot of catching up.

Were going to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, all the things, she said, because were going to make up for the lost time.

Trump said the celebrity couple had been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what Im hearing.

The Constitution grants broad pardon powers to presidents, and their clemency actions cannot be undone by courts or other officials.
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The evangelical Christian lawyer who led the defense team in President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial is accused of trying to cover up the murder of one of his organizations employees by a New York City gang that preyed on gay men, after which he and his adult son allegedly tampered with evidence and impeded the police investigation into the 2022 killing.

In a $20 million-plus lawsuit filed Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court and obtained by The Independent, Linda Clary Umberger claims attorney Jay Sekulow and his son, Jordan, not only misled the cops about her sons murder, but also blocked her from collecting an insurance payout she had hoped to receive following his death.

Clary Umberger's suit paints the Sekulows alleged actions as an attempt to conceal the fact that they had hired a gay man to establish a local base for their faith-based legal nonprofit, the American Center for Law and Justice, in a sumptuous townhouse near Central Park .

In her complaint against both men and the ACLJ, along with Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism (CASE), an organization headed up by Jay Sekulow that co-owned the townhouse, Clary Umberger says the response to her sons homicide ranged from unhelpful to hostile.

It appears from their conduct that Defendants were primarily interested in keeping the matter quiet, not wishing to draw public attention to the fact that they had spent $16.5 million  presumably raised from donors  to purchase New York City real estate and not wishing to draw public attention to the fact that they had employed a gay man who had been murdered, the complaint alleges. They were hoping the matter would be quickly and quietly resolved.

open image in gallery Linda Clary Umberger (left) is suing her late son John's former employers, Jay and Jordan Sekulow, over a raft of allegations related to his 2022 murder ( Courtesy Linda Clary Umberge )

Reached on Wednesday evening by The Independent, Clary Umberger pointed out that it had been three years to the day since her son John Umberger was killed and said she was grateful for the interest in her lawsuit.

Compounding her woes, Clary Umberger, who lives in the Atlanta area, said her dog was recently bitten by a rattlesnake and remains hospitalized. Citing the ongoing legal action, Clary Umberger deferred any further comment to her attorneys, who declined to discuss the case on the record.

On Thursday, attorney Michael Bowe, who represents Jay and Jordan Sekulow, denied the allegations in Clary Umbergers complaint.

The murder of John Umberger was a tragic and a huge loss of a very talented and good young man who ACLJ was honored to have as a colleague, Bowe told The Independent. The complaints allegations against our client are demonstrably untrue, which will become clear as the case proceeds.

The elder Sekulow, who gained significant public attention during Trumps first term as the lead lawyer defending the 45th president on the Senate floor after the House of Representatives impeached him for trying to blackmail Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into announcing sham investigations of Joe Biden and son Hunter, has a long history of anti-LGBT+ activism.

A veteran Supreme Court litigator who has argued  and won  multiple cases before the high court, Sekulow, 68, was the primary author of a 2002 amicus brief which urged the justices against overturning a Texas law which criminalized  homosexual conduct .

Jordan Sekulow, 42, serves as the executive director of the ACLJ and co-hosts a syndicated radio program with his father.

open image in gallery John Umberger's fateful work trip to New York City in May 2022 would turn out to be his last ( Courtesy Linda Clary Umberger )

During the last week of May 2022, John Umberger took a train from Washington, D.C. to New York City to enhance ACLJs contacts and presence [there], and to work on enhancing the townhouses security, housing and meeting facilities, according to Clary Umbergers complaint.

Once he arrived, Umberger penned a handwritten note to Jordan Sekulow, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work for the ACLJ, the complaint states.

He was excited to be working for Defendants, to be visiting New York City, and to be working on the Townhouse, it says. John had taken a reduction in pay to join ACLJ and the conversations at his hiring indicated he would have a path to partnership at the organization.

On the night of May 27, 2022, Umberger and some friends went out to a Midtown Manhattan gay bar called The Q, where two men, Jacob Barroso and Jayqwan Hamilton drugged him with lidocaine and fentanyl-laced cocaine and led him back to the ACLJ townhouse.

There, the pair gained access to his mobile phone, wallet, and bank account, stealing $25,000 in cash, and used their own mobile phones to take video footage of themselves frolicking as Umberger lay dying as a result of the toxic cocktail hed been unwittingly given, according to the complaint. Barroso and Hamilton subsequently used Umbergers ACLJ credit cards to make a series of unauthorized purchases, including a despicable post-murder spending spree at a Footlocker store, the complaint contends.

open image in gallery John Umberger was thrilled to be working for the ACLJ, according to his mom's lawsuit ( New York State Supreme Court )

Clary Umberger alleges in her suit that the ACLJ townhouse lacked security, without cameras inside or outside, or security personnel on-site.

Indeed, except for basic locks on the doors, the Townhouse lacked any security measures whatsoever, the complaint says. Accordingly, the perpetrators easily were able to gain entry with John in his incapacitated state.

In the days that followed, Clary Umberger became concerned when she didnt hear at all from her son during the long Memorial Day weekend, according to the complaint. So, on June 1, 2022, she reached out to Jordan Sekulow to ask if he or his father had spoken to John.

Jordan Sekulow told her they hadnt heard from him since the previous Friday and said hed dispatch a property manager to check on him, the complaint states.

One of the Sekulows employees then discovered Johns body, and it was the Sekulows  plus their chief of security, a man named Jacob Carringer, who initially informed Umberger of the news, the complaint further alleges.

open image in gallery Among other things, Linda Clary Umberger claims Jay and Jordan Sekulow prevented her from collecting an insurance payout she was entitled to following her son's murder ( Courtesy Linda Clary Umberger )

It says Jordan insisted there had been no foul play and told her that her son had died of natural causes. Yet, the complaint contends, he began telling ACLJ personnel that John had died of a self-induced overdose.

That false rumor began making the rounds, by text message and otherwise, spreading information that would prove to be false, and tarnishing Johns image posthumously, the complaint states, further arguing that the misleading assertion also led NYPD detectives to initially treat Umbergers death as a non-criminal matter.

Whats more, Clary Umberger alleges that the Sekulows or their employee cleaned up the crime scene before calling police to report her sons death and allowing investigators access to the townhouse by removing his stationery, pens, papers, and company-issued laptop and concealing the computer  and its contents  from police investigators.

Although Clary Umberger received an undisclosed sum from life insurance coverage her son had taken out, her complaint says the ACLJ prevented her from pursuing any claim she could have been entitled to under a $10 million liability policy the organization had for staffers.

In short, the complaint states, Defendants made it impossible for the Estate or Linda to collect proceeds they would have been entitled to and thereby have necessitated the filing of this action.

This March, ACLJ and CASE reportedly sold the Upper East Side townhouse where Umberger was murdered for $27.5 million, securing an $11 million profit  some 70 percent more than the initial purchase price  after just three years.

For his efforts on the project, Clary Umbergers complaint says, John lost his life.

The previous month, Barroso, Hamilton and a third man, Robert DeMaio, were convicted of Umbergers murder and that of another victim, 25-year-old social worker Julio Ramirez, who also died after being drugged at a Manhattan gay bar. Last week, Hamilton and DeMaio received prison sentences of 40 years to life; Barroso was sentenced to 20 years to life.

Clary Umbergers lawsuit claims negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and tortious interference, seeking compensatory damages of at least $23 million, plus punitive damages to be determined at trial.
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A one-month-old baby who died in a New York City apartment was not killed by a dog despite initial suspicions, an autopsy has found.

Kiyanna Winfield was pronounced dead at the Queensbridge Houses complex in Long Island City on Tuesday morning. At first NYPD investigators believed the newborn had been mauled by the familys 6-week-old pit bull and German Shepherd mix puppy.

The girls mother reportedly told cops she had been sleeping between her parents in bed when they woke up to find the dog gnawing at her face. When police arrived Kiyanna was unconscious with a substantial portion of her face bitten off.

However, a medical examiner has ruled that she did not die as a result of the dogs bites.

open image in gallery The dog in question, a pitbull-German Shepherd mix, is shown here in an animal shelter in New York City ( NY ACC )

The cause and manner of death are pending further study following the examination today, a spokesperson for the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner told The New York Post Wednesday. But we can confirm this is not a death from a dog mauling. The injuries inflicted by the dog were postmortem.

Winfields official cause of death is pending further study and will include a full pediatric workup, the spokesperson said. No charges have been filed as of Thursday.

Neighbors from the apartment complex said they heard piercing screams of a mother in anguish bellowing through the building when the incident occurred Tuesday morning.

Upon learning of the girls death, neighbor Shanel Norville told NBC New York: Thats really sad. I feel bad for the mom. Norville added that she rarely saw the puppy on a leash.

Two other dogs, including a pit bull, were found inside the home. The young pit bull mix pup was removed from the home by the NYPD and taken to an Animal Care Centers of NYC shelter on Tuesday evening, according to the New York Daily News. The animal was reportedly placed on a 10-day observation hold for rabies.

open image in gallery Investigators arrived at the scene at the Queensbridge Houses complex in Long Island City Tuesday morning ( Google Maps )

Kiyanna was born barely one month ago, on April 13. Photos published by the New York Post show the baby sleeping in hospital and what is believed to be the family home in the weeks before her untimely death.

Yvette Mathurin, whose late son was an ex-boyfriend of Kiyannas mother, described the familys excitement at the birth. Mathurin had remained close to the girls mother after her own sons death.

She promised to come see me, Mathurin told the New York Daily News. She said she was going to bring the baby. She was very excited. She loves kids, loves children.

Everybody was shocked to hear what happened.
Were just human incubators to them, say the headlines. The reality behind them is more harrowing still. Adriana Smiths story has, for the last few weeks, prompted uniform outrage around the world  a 30-year-old nurse from Georgia, brain-dead, kept alive only by machines against her familys wishes. Adriana should have been laid to rest months ago: the blood clots on her brain, found when she was admitted to hospital with severe pain in February, mean that, legally, she is no longer living. Except, she was nine weeks pregnant.

For more than 90 days, Adrianas body has been kept artificially alive, officially no longer her own, to prioritise the weeks-old pregnancy. Despite the protests of her grieving family  including her mother and her seven-year-old son  medics at the Emory University Hospital say there is no choice.

The state of Georgia is answerable: its six-week abortion ban, known as the heartbeat law, which prohibits the termination of a pregnancy once a heartbeat has been detected, constitutes foetal personhood and declares the foetus an individual patient. The personhood of a woman like Adriana, then, is denied.

There is no denying how monstrous the situation is  and how unbelievable it should be. In 2019, the very year that Georgias heartbeat bill was passed, a like-for-like depiction of Adriana's story provided a stark warning in series three of the TV adaptation of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale. Back then, it was the shocking, but dystopian  imagined  consequence of the end of bodily autonomy; little more than five years later, its a reality that has not only sparked furious indignation, but further highlighted the maternal mortality crisis continuing to affect Black women.

The foetus in Adrianas body is now 23 weeks  over halfway to full gestation  and she will remain in this position, between life and death, for at least another 10 weeks. According to reports, doctors have seen fluid in the foetuss brain; its not clear whether it will survive.

My grandson may be blind, may not be able to walk, we don't know if he'll live once she has him, April Newkirk, Adrianas mother, told the Atlanta TV channel WXIA. The family are already now facing an untold financial burden on top of the sudden loss of Adriana. And Im not saying we would have chosen to terminate her pregnancy. What Im saying is we should have had a choice.

In the US, not much has been heard from anti-abortion groups who lobbied for these laws in response to the family going public. In fact, most have been curiously quiet despite their seeds having been sown. Writer and activist Jessica Valenti called them cowards  it's that simple, she wrote last week. But in that silence a precedent could be set. Adriana might be the first woman we know of publicly to have been subjected to something so cruel, but its unlikely shell be the last.

This is the effect of abortion bans  this is what happens when women are treated like incubators, whether they are alive or dead, Rachael Clarke, head of advocacy at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), says. The only purpose of women in these states, essentially, is to bear children that many of them do not want or cannot care for. Weve seen the impact that bans have on womens lives; weve seen the impact on their health and their childrens health. Its nothing but vindictive.

open image in gallery Adriana Smiths body will be kept alive for at least another 10 weeks while her baby reaches full term ( GoFundMe )

Around the world, the statistics speak for themselves. Where abortion rights are granted, rates drop, as do the number of maternal deaths  in Nepal, for example, the number of women dying due to pregnancy and childbirth dropped by 72 per cent after abortion was legalised. Generally, more reproductive rights lead to strong communities and even economies. The UK appears to be one of the most progressive countries when it comes to reproductive rights, yet abortion is still not entirely legal here. The 1967 Abortion Act, now 58 years old and decidedly unfit for purpose, allows terminations only under specific, limited circumstances. Anything outside of those carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Outside of those parameters (before 23 weeks and six days gestation; being given permission to terminate by two doctors who must decide in good faith that carrying on a pregnancy would cause a woman physical or mental harm), abortion is illegal. And right now, that law is increasingly putting British women at risk.

What weve seen in the past couple of weeks is worrying, Clarke says. A conversation has been bubbling after new guidance from the National Police Chiefs Council, quietly published in January, came to light, informing UK police how to search a womans phone and menstrual tracking apps, along with her home, following a suspicious pregnancy loss. Just this week, a secret recording leaked to the BBC heard a Metropolitan police officer expressing concern over the controversial arrest of Nicola Packer, who was taken to court accused of having an illegal abortion.

Packer had taken abortion pills at 26 weeks whilst believing that she was only around six weeks along, and subsequently gave birth to a stillborn baby. She was found not guilty in April  but the newly leaked recordings show that the police officer questioned whether the arrest was best for Nicola years before the case reached that point.

open image in gallery People marching in Texas to protest a lawsuit trying to ban the abortion drug mifepristone in 2023 ( AP )

These kinds of things are really damaging and really quite terrifying to women who learn about them, Clarke continues.

The shocking thing is, actually, you look at some of the comments on social media, and people are saying that they dont understand why stories are on their feed  they think that its about America. And you have to say, No, this is something that is happening in England and Wales.

In fact, even in America, a pregnant woman who ends her own pregnancy outside of the law cant be criminalised. Yet in the UK, prosecutions are actually increasing.

Despite there only having been a handful of known convictions in the 160 years since the Offences against the Person Act, which criminalises the act of inducing a termination  taking pills, for example  was first introduced in England and Wales, in just the last two years six women have been charged under the act and appeared in court, an unprecedented number. The question is, why?

Clarke says that there isnt one answer, but it could partly come down to a trend  that police officers and CPS lawyers are seeing more cases reported and are therefore more hyper-aware. And what we see then is quite a lot of overzealous interest in some women, including some women who have not taken any medication, who have not had any role in a premature birth or a stillbirth, but because police have seen it on the news and in reporting, or in the guidance that went out in the last few months, it makes them suspicious of women in a way that they may not have been 10 years ago. As a result, these women are paying the price.

open image in gallery Activists in Arizona carry photographs of women who died because of abortion bans in Georgia and Texas ( Getty )

The case of Adriana is very much one that law professors would theorise about  what would happen if we have foetal personhood? What would we do if a mother fell ill? says Sam Yosef, chair of the board of trustees of Reproductive Justice Initiative. Now its actually happened, weve seen the legislation has [had a] chilling effect on medical practitioners who are so worried about the law that they cant do right for the patient, or whats right for the family.

And I think thats also what were seeing in the UK in terms of people feeling that they have to report people to the police in any way, shape or form if theyre worried about a miscarriage or abortion theyve witnessed, or the circumstances surrounding it.

It could also be part of the cultural misogyny seen accompanying political shifts to the right; abortion rights often go hand in hand with other liberal causes, many of which have recently been under threat, adds Yosef. At the core of this is bodily autonomy, he says. Theres the increased policing and reporting, but something also seems to have changed within the Crown Prosecution Service and the police, where they seem to be more willing and wanting to take up these cases.

This is the effect of abortion bans  this is what happens when women are treated like incubators, whether they are alive or dead Rachael Clarke, head of advocacy at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service

That probably has to do with the narratives that are being pushed around abortion. We know that theres more money being funnelled into the UK for anti-abortion activist groups from the US. We dont know loads about them but we do know that, in some cases, in the largest anti-abortion lobbying groups from the US, these are the groups that are also campaigning against things like trans rights.

Clarke adds that the cases we see in public  that of Bethany Cox, for example, a 22-year-old from Eaglescliffe in Stockton who was found not guilty of child destruction and using misoprostol to procure her own miscarriage in 2020  are not the full picture.

Its been six women in court in the last couple of years, but as a sector weve probably had about 100 requests from the police for medical records of women theyre suspicious of and theyre investigating, she explains. So these women who are appearing in court and the one woman who spent time in prison are really just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath there are huge numbers of women who are being caught up by the police, who might end up being arrested, released on bail, who might have bail conditions put in around not being allowed access to children or their own children  even social services get pulled into it.

Most of the women never make it to court because there isnt enough evidence or its not in the public interest, but it doesnt stop the police searching their houses, seizing their phones, keeping them from their kids.

open image in gallery Vice President JD Vance speaks at a March for Life rally in Washington DC earlier this year ( Getty )

The damage lingers: despite our progress, a stigma still very much exists. And a law that hauls often desperate, vulnerable women into police cells from hospital beds and denies them medical care only does further harm.

BPAS have been campaigning to decriminalise abortion since 2012  and still now the fight is not over. Currently, they are working with Tonia Antoniazzi, a Welsh Labour MP who has an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would remove women from the criminal abortion law.

Its supported by 50 organisations  including five medical Royal Colleges, violence against women and girls groups, trade unions, abortion providers and more than 90 MPs have signed up to it ahead of the vote to pass it in June (you can use their easy tool to write to your MP in support). It's time for abortion to be what it is, which is a healthcare procedure and a healthcare decision, and for full abortion rights and reproductive rights and justice to be finally fulfilled so that people can get the care that they need and they deserve, says Yosef. It feels hopeful  but there are no guarantees.

Adrianas family must continue to endure the terrible fate constructed by laws intended to harm women like her. But her story doesnt exist in a vacuum  she is not an anomaly, far from it. During the last parliament there were several attempts to restrict access to abortion, including an amendment to cut the legal limit from 24 weeks to 22, vocally supported by Reform UKs leader, Nigel Farage. Extreme anti-abortion protestors from the US have already moved into the UK, increasing their spending here and lobbying susceptible MPs. For the sake of women like Adriana, complacency isnt an option.
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Appearances on Fox News arent doing the FBIs two top officials any favors.

Dan Bongino lamented Thursday morning about how unhappy hes become now that hes the bureaus deputy director, complaining that he gave up everything to take the job in what at times felt like a therapy session on the Fox & Friends couch.

But the griping about the office from the FBIs second-most-powerful drew heaps of trolling online.

Dan Bongino has a nice cry on Fox & Friends, liberal influencer Aaron Ruper snarked while posting a clip of the one-time podcasters complaints.

He gave up a podcast and has been on the job for a few weeks, pundit Amanda Carpenter reacted on social media. There are many qualified people who will gladly and expertly fill this job if Bongino cant handle it.

Bonginos apparent self-martyring on the right-wing network that he used to call home came the morning after his boss, Kash Patel, sat down for an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, which featured the FBI director drawing online mockery for the comically high chairs they sat in that left his feet dangling well above the floor compared to the hosts that reached the ground.

open image in gallery FBI deputy director Dan Bongino complains that he "gave up everything" to work for the Trump administration, adding that he doesn't like his job. ( Fox News )

Kash Patel height memes enused.

Meanwhile, the back-to-back Fox News interviews for the two FBI leaders come as theyve faced increasing MAGA fury for insisting that disgraced sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein did indeed commit suicide, which has prompted right-wing conspiracists to hammer them for failing to keep their promises to expose the truth about his death. Especially since both Patel and Bongino had helped promote those very conspiracies around Epstein.

Amid the conservative backlash, Bongino announced earlier this week that the FBI would be stepping up its efforts to investigate several cases that have long received outsized attention in right-wing media and have launched a series of conspiracy theories.

Specifically, he noted that the bureau would look deeper into the discovery of a small bag of cocaine in the Biden White House, the undetonated pipe bombs found at the January 6 Capitol attack, and the leak of the Supreme Court decision overturning abortion.

During his interview with Baier, Patel seemed to directly appeal to impatient MAGA supporters by promising a definitive answer to questions surrounding the involvement of the FBI during the January 6 riots, claiming the results may surprise and shock people because of what past FBI leaders have said about it.

According to an inspector generals report last year, 26 confidential human sources were present during the riots, but only three were assigned by the FBI to be there. Meanwhile, no agents were present, according to the report. A number of prominent MAGA media figures, including Patel himself, have pushed the baseless theory that the FBI orchestrated the attempted Capitol insurrection.

Bongino, a former Fox News host who left his successful podcast and radio show to take the FBI job, repeatedly bemoaned how difficult his life has become during his Fox & Friends interview on Thursday.

open image in gallery Dan Bongino tells Fox & Friends that he misses being a podcaster while complaining about how hard his job is at the FBI. ( Fox News )

The biggest lifestyle change is family-wise, he sighed at the top of the lengthy conversation, adding that he was answering the presidents call to serve his country.

It was a lot, and it's been tough on the family. People ask all the time, do you like it? No. I dont, Bongino continued. But the president didnt ask me to do this to like it  nobody likes going into an organization like that and having to make big changes.

He went on to describe a woman telling him that she missed him and his show. I miss me too, Bongino claimed he told the woman. Part of you dies when you see this stuff behind the scenes.

At one point in the interview, Bongino wanted the Fox News audience to know that he has hard evidence to prove that Epstein killed himself, promising that the FBI would soon release footage that made it clear as day that there was no conspiratorial murder of the financier.

Im just telling you what we see in the file, he declared. I want to be crystal clear on this. I am not asking anyone to believe me, Im telling you what is there and what isnt.

Towards the end of his appearance, Bongino appeared to get emotional as he pushed back against the criticism hes received from conservative circles about the perceived lack of results on his end.

If you think we have not taken appropriate action against political actors, they are just making that up. We cant advertise this stuff, he griped. If you think were allowing partisanship to infiltrate the FBI and let bad stuff happen, youre really just making it up maybe youre trying to breed mistrust.

He then concluded his time on the curvy couch by bemoaning what his life had become during the few weeks hes spent as the second in command at the FBI.

I gave up everything for this. I mean, you know, my wife is struggling, he bleated. I stare at these four walls all day in DC, you know, by myself, divorced from my wife. Not divorced, but I mean, separated. And it's hard. We love each other, but its hard to be apart.

Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade, meanwhile, made a point of reassuring Bongino that hes doing some great work as they signed off, seemingly giving him a boost of encouragement.
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A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade has ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed his so-called Liberation Day tariffs on April 2.

The court also struck down the tariffs Trump imposed on Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports with the stated aim of combatting fentanyl and drug trafficking from those countries.

In an unsigned opinion released Wednesday, the judges ruled the tariffs will be vacated, and they permanently enjoined the government from enforcing them.

They granted the plaintiffs summary judgment, rather than a temporary injuction, because they found no genuine dispute as to any material fact. The judges said the ruling would be enforced nationwide because unlawful tariffs cannot be collected from anyone, anywhere.

The Department of Justice immediately appealed the ruling.

The bombshell decision, which eviscerates major planks of Trumps trade policy, came in response to a lawsuit in which the attorneys general of twelve states and a number of small American companies urged the court to strike down the import taxes on the grounds that Trump had exceeded his authority.

The attorney general of one of the 12 states that successfully blocked the tariffs, Kris Mayes of Arizona, took to X on Wednesday night to celebrate the news.

Big news! The US Court of International Trade just struck down Trumps illegal tariff scheme as invalid under [the International Emergency Economic Powers Act], Mayes wrote. The president does not have the authority to implement tariffs unilaterally. Glad to have co-led this case with Oregon to protect Arizona families and small biz.

The court noted that Trumps tariffs exceed the authority Congress granted to presidents under his cited International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law which lays out how the executive can impose import taxes in limited circumstances pursuant to a national emergency.

The judges said Trumps Liberation Day tariffs, which set a 10 percent baseline tax on all imports and even higher taxes on imports from nearly every one of Americas trading partners, exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs.

They also rejected Trumps use of the emergency powers to tax Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports because those tariffs dont specifically deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared, as required by law.

The court rejected the Trump administration's arguments that claimed the president had broad authority in the current situation to impose tariffs under his emergency powers.

An unlimited delegation of tariff authority would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government, the judges noted, noting that any interpretation of IEEPA that delegates unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional.

Attorneys for the government had argued that Trumps decision to declare a national emergency and invoke his emergency economic powers was not reviewable by the courts. The did concede, however, that Congress could, in theory, reverse the tariffs by terminating the national emergency with a new law.

The judges said that the IEEPA requires more than an emergency declaration alone.

They cited the laws requirement for an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared and its prohibition on using that authority for any other purpose.

They also found that the use of tariffs did not appropriately deal with the drug trafficking problem cited by Trump in his declaration, and rejected the administrations argument that Trump could use the emergency tariff powers to vaguely pressure foreign governments.

The Governments pressure argument effectively concedes that the direct effect of the country-specific tariffs is simply to burden the countries they target ... [to] induce the target countries to crack down on trafficking within their jurisdictions, the ruling states.

However sound this might be as a diplomatic strategy, it does not comfortably meet the statutory definition of deal[ing] with the cited emergency. It is hard to conceive of any IEEPA power that could not be justified on the same ground of pressure, the judges concluded.

A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, savaged the ruling in a statement in which he claimed that the court had not disputed the fact that foreign countries nonreciprocal treatment of the United States had  fueled Americas historic and persistent trade deficits which had in turn created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base.

Its not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness, he said.

The White House has had some success in convincing various circuit courts of appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily block adverse rulings while litigation continues in lower courts, but Trump lawyers may not have that same success with this court.

The U.S. Court of International Trade is a specialized court charged with hearing cases dealing with trade-related disputes and laws, and the courts decisions must first be appealed to another unique court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

That court is another specialized court that has national jurisdiction, and it happens to be the only one of the nations appellate courts to which Trump has not appointed a single judge.

The courts national reach means the Trump administration wont be able to ask the Supreme Court to intervene based on a disagreement between circuit courts in different parts of the country. And the high court has often been loathe to intervene when asked to take up appeals of Federal Circuit decisions in the past.
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Elon Musk announced his departure from the government on Wednesday after leading President Donald Trumps efforts to slim down the federal bureaucracy.

The billionaire took to X on Wednesday night to share the news.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, he wrote. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

Musks 130-day term as a special government employee was set to come to an end this week.

His departure comes just a day after he slammed the main legislation to push forward Trumps agenda, saying that he was disappointed in what the president refers to as his big beautiful bill.

The bill includes tax cuts and stepped-up efforts to enforce immigration restrictions. Musk told CBS that the legislation was a massive spending bill that expands the federal deficit and undermines the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE.

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, said Musk. But I dont know if it could be both.

Musks interview with CBS was published on Tuesday night. Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump defended the legislation and his agenda, discussing the politics behind the negotiation of the bill.

Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it, said the president, adding that further changes may be in the offing.

Were going to see what happens, he said. Its got a way to go.

Elon Musk thanked President Donald Trump as he announced that his time in government is coming to an end ( AP )

Republicans recently passed the legislation in the House, and its under review in the Senate, where some Republicans share Musks concerns.

I sympathize with Elon being discouraged, Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson said.

Musk aimed at cutting $1 trillion in government spending, but he didnt come close to that goal.

The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized, the billionaire told The Washington Post. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.

Musks criticism of Trumps legislation comes as he puts his focus once again on his companies, such as electric carmaker Tesla and SpaceX, the rocket manufacturer. He has said that he will rein in his political spending.

In terms of political spending, Im going to do a lot less in the future, he said earlier this month.

I think Ive done enough, he added.

Lisa Gilbert, the co-president of Public Citizen, said in a statement following the announcement that Musks legacy, is lost livelihoods for critical government employees, hindered American education, loss of funding for scientists, and the violation of Americans personal privacy, all in the service of corrupt tech-bro billionaire special interests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
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After 128 days as Donald Trump's chainsaw-wielding bureaucratic executioner, Elon Musk finally said he was leaving government.

As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has a long history of failed forecasts and broken promises, and he has given mixed signals about his future involvement with the Trump administration.

But reports indicate that Musk, like Mark Zuckerberg before him, is genuinely disillusioned with politics and frustrated with the uphill battle hes faced in trying to remake the federal government the way he remade Twitter.

There is also growing evidence of discord between him and the President, a collapse of the political bromance that defined the final weeks of the 2024 election and the beginning of the second Trump administration.

Things reportedly began souring in April after Musk donated millions to a MAGA-backed candidate that lost in Wisconsin. More recently, Musk allegedly flew to the Middle East with Trump to complain about an AI project his companies werent involved in, before publicly accusing Trumps "One Big, Beautiful Bill" of undermining his work with DOGE.

open image in gallery Elon Musk claims his time as a government employee is nearly over ( Elon Musk via X )

So with Musk's legal 130-day term as a 'special government employee' set to expire on Friday, and Democrats gunning for his departure by that date, Wednesdays announcement was a good opportunity to suspend disbelief and evaluate his success so far.

Musk's stated goal as the (apparently informal) head of DOGE was to slash government spending and save American taxpayers money. Before the inauguration, he claimed he could cut $1 trillion from the federal budget before September 30 by ending "waste, fraud, and abuse"  already a downgrade from his $2 trillion promise on the campaign trail. He further claimed that most of the work required to make this happen would be done within 130 days.

As of May 26, DOGE's online "wall of receipts" touts estimated savings of $175bn since the start of Trump's term, or $1,086.96 per taxpayer. The problem is that this figure may simply be nonsense.

Analysis by The New York Times last month found numerous errors in DOGE's numbers, including counting government contracts that had not yet been awarded, counting contracts that had ended years ago, triple-counting the same savings, and confusing "million" with "billion".

DOGE has since corrected some of those errors. Yet even today, many of its purported savings  including the three biggest on the list  treat the maximum potential value of a cancelled government contract as the actual amount saved, even if it did not legally require Uncle Sam to pay a single cent. (When The Independent tallied Musk's own contracts back in February, we counted only binding commitments in our headline figures.)

Other entries on DOGEs website give no information and offer no evidence, simply listing the name of the contract vendor or contract description as "unavailable".

Some of these cuts arguably produce waste rather than reduce it. Cancelling ongoing scientific studies before they can deliver results means effectively throwing away any money already spent. And if we zoom out, more reliable data shows that overall government spending has risen by around six to seven percent compared to the same period last year.

open image in gallery Musk and Trump in happier times ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

All in all, then, DOGE's cost-cutting crusade has been a dramatic failure. But there are other metrics by which one might consider Musks role in the White House a roaring success.

Suppose, for example, that you wanted to blur the lines between public service and private interest and build precedent for plutocrats' direct participation in government. Musk's tenure at DOGE, overseeing cuts to agencies investigating his companies while apparently dodging conflict of interest rules, has certainly done that.

Or suppose you wanted to execute a partisan purge of the federal government, seizing control of independent institutions and driving out your perceived enemies. Firing federal employees en masse and forcibly taking over quasi-government bodies, as DOGE has done, would surely help.

What if you wanted to centralize power under yourself, advancing a radical "unitary executive" theory and challenging Congress's constitutionally-mandated power over government spending? A good start would be to demolish an entire government agency by fiat, then dare your opponents to reverse it.

Similarly, if you wanted to deport millions of immigrants while massively increasing your ability to surveil and control U.S. citizens, you could do much worse than inserting DOGE staffers into numerous federal agencies to access and merge sensitive databases that have long been kept separate, while allegedly playing fast and loose with security safeguards.

Courts are still deciding how much of this was actually legal, and DOGE has faced setbacks in that regard. Trump will also be seeking Congress's permission for roughly $9 billion of past cuts. In the long term, its possible that Musks actions will prove just as toxic for Trumps public image as they have been for his own.

Yet by moving quickly and asking forgiveness rather than permission, DOGE has already made American government more chaotic and more autocratic. That is a win for Trump and his allies, regardless of what the worlds richest person chooses to do next.

Perhaps, for them if not for Musk, that was the real point all along.
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The wife of Stephen Miller, President Donald Trumps chief policy head, has reportedly left the White House to work for Elon Musk.

Kate Miller was working as an adviser for Musks Department of Government Efficiency but now that the moguls time in Washington, D.C., is up, she is working for him full time, CNN reported. Sources told the network that Kate Miller has been taking the lead on communications, including arranging Musks interviews in connection with SpaceXs Starship launch.

She shared content on her X account from Musks interviews at SpaceXs Starbase in Texas and a quote from him about how DOGE is a way of life, like Buddhism.

Musk officially announced his departure from the White House Wednesday after his 130-day term as a special government employee came to an end this week. Kate Miller was also considered a special government employee, which enables private sector individuals to work for the government for a limited number of days per year.

open image in gallery Kate Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, was working as an adviser for Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. She has reportedly gone to work for him full time. ( Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

She was assigned to head up Musks communications at DOGE before his transition to the White House, according to a WIRED report in February.

Her relationship to Musk was central to DOGEs interactions with the rest of the White House, an official told the outlet. Shes the key intermediary, delivering the DOGE message of the day to the rest of the administration. Shes also the one to deliver any sensitive or bad news to Musk.

Stephen Miller and his wife of five years were both pivotal figures in Musks orbit during his stint at the White House, WIRED reported.

The couple met in 2017 when their paths crossed as they carried out some of the first Trump administrations most controversial immigration policies. Kate Miller had landed the role of deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, while Stephen Miller was forming the administrations family separation policy, which sparked international outcry. The work led them to the Southern border.

She went on to become press secretary to former Vice President Mike Pence in 2019. The couple married in 2020 at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. and have three children together.

open image in gallery Kate Miller had landed the role of deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security in 2017, while Stephen Miller was forming the administrations controversial family separation policy. Their work led them to the Southern border. ( CQ-Roll Call/Getty )

Musks departure - with Kate Miller in tow - comes just a day after the Tesla CEO said he was disappointed in what the president refers to as his big beautiful bill.

The bill includes tax cuts and stepped-up efforts to enforce immigration restrictions. Musk told CBS that the legislation was a massive spending bill that expands the federal deficit and undermines the work of DOGE.

Stephen Miller hit back at the claim without naming Musk directly and said that the bill would reduce the deficit.

DOGE cuts are to discretionary spending. (Eg the federal bureaucracy). Under senate budget rules, you cannot cut discretionary spending (only mandatory) in a reconciliation bill, he posted on X Tuesday, shortly after Musks comments aired.

So DOGE cuts would have to be done through what is known as a rescissions package or an appropriations bill.

open image in gallery Musk officially announced his departure from the White House Wednesday after his 130-day term as a special government employee comes to an end this week. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

After Musk shared news of his departure on X Wednesday evening, Stephen Miller responded in a post that praised DOGE for being among the most valuable services ever rendered to government.

Musk complained that he faced an uphill battle in politics. The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized, the billionaire told The Washington Post. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.

In terms of political spending, Im going to do a lot less in the future, he said earlier this month. I think Ive done enough.

The Tesla CEO didnt get anywhere near his initial goal of cutting $1 trillion in government spending.

After four months of chaos, during which time he posed with a chainsaw, wore a cheese hat in support of a failed conservative candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and held a Tesla car show in front of the White House, Musk is turning his attention back to his business empire.
China, Africa achieve new progress in bilateral economic, trade cooperation

15:43, May 29, 2025 By Ouyang Jie ( People's Daily

Chinese-made trucks are loaded onto a cargo ship in Yantai, east China's Shandong province, ready to be exported to Africa, May 14, 2025. (Photo by Tang Ke/People's Daily Online)

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both sides, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has made steady and substantial progress.

Trade between the two sides has grown steadily. In 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $295.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.8 percent, setting a new record for the fourth consecutive year. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 16 straight years; while imports from Africa reached $116.8 billion, up 6.9 percent year over year. Meanwhile, China's exports to Africa went up by 3.5 percent to reach $178.8 billion.

Investment ties have also strengthened. Chinese enterprises have ramped up the development of and investment across various economic and trade zones in Africa, promoting industrial chain cooperation. These efforts have significantly boosted local tax revenues, job creation, and export growth in the African continent.

Cooperation in emerging sectors also continues to expand. In the digital economy, Chinese companies have built major data centers in Africa, applying 5G technology in urban management. In green development, the installed capacity of photovoltaic power stations jointly built by China and Africa has exceeded 1.5 GW, enough to power millions of African households. In finance, Egypt and the African Export-Import Bank successfully issued "Panda bonds" in China in 2023 and 2025.

Over the past five years, annual Chinese direct investment into Africa stood at over $3 billion on average, covering a wide range of sectors. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has signed bilateral investment promotion and protection agreements with 34 African countries and established joint investment and economic cooperation working groups with 14.

Premium African products are on display at a convenience store in downtown Changsha, central China's Hunan province. (Photo from the WeChat official account of the Hunan provincial commerce department)

Starting from December 1, 2024, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, including 33 African nations. By March 2025, China's imports from these African countries had reached $21.42 billion, up 15.2 percent year on year. In the first quarter of 2025, Chinese imports of African coffee surged by 70.4 percent, while cocoa bean imports rose by 56.8 percent.

Since its launch in 2019, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has been successfully held three times, with 83 percent of signed projects having been implemented.

The fourth edition of the Expo, themed "China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization," is scheduled to take place from June 12 to 15 in Changsha, central China's Hunan province.

This year, the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, and Nigeria will serve as guest countries of honor. To date, 44 African countries, six international organizations, 23 Chinese provincial-level regions, and more than 2,800 enterprises, business associations, and financial institutions from both sides have registered - totaling over 12,000 participants.

Tailored to industrial needs on both sides, this year's expo will prioritize supply-demand matchmaking and offer distinctive exhibition experiences. The main venue - the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center - will cover 100,000 square meters. For the first time, the biennial expo will include specially curated sections showcasing signature China-Africa cooperation brands, popular African consumer goods, and highlights from the China-Africa fashion industry.

As a key platform for implementing the economic and trade initiatives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the expo will host more than 20 activities, covering infrastructure, textiles and garments, green minerals, youth innovation and entrepreneurship, and entrepreneur dialogues. A total of 128 cooperation projects with a total value exceeding $7 billion have been proposed for signing or matchmaking during the expo.

In January 2024, China's State Council approved a general plan to establish a pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation in Hunan, making the province a new frontier for China-Africa trade. In just two years, the zone has achieved significant progress.

A 1,250-ton crawler crane manufactured by Chinese machinery company Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd. is delivered to South Africa in May 2024. It is the largest crawler crane currently operating in Africa. (Photo provided by Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd.)

In coordination with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and other departments, Hunan has established a consultation mechanism and released an implementation plan for the pilot zone. Fourteen cities and prefectures across the province have formed cooperative partnerships with 28 African countries, laying the foundation for a robust engagement network.

A dedicated cooperation service fund has been established. Hunan has pioneered China's first pre-assessment system for African food exports to China and launched a pilot program to explore new forms of barter trade with Africa.

To date, the province has launched more than 40 industrial projects across 16 African countries. Demonstration projects have been developed to integrate production with trade, investment with trade, and logistics with trade. Many of these are "small yet smart" livelihood programs.

An "African Product Brand Bank" initiative has also been launched, bringing over 120 African products to the Chinese market. In addition, a promotional campaign is underway to bring African products onto Chinese e-commerce platforms.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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The White House ramped up its fury at federal judges Thursday after the latest move by a three-judge panel this week to block Donald Trumps Liberation Day tariffs infuriated officials up and down the administration.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt came to the briefing room podium already breathless as she vowed that the Trump administration would take Wednesdays ruling to the Supreme Court, delivering a minutes-long, impassioned screed about the unprecedented rate at which Donald Trumps second presidency has been rebuffed by the Judicial Branch.

The press secretary went on to note that in February, Trumps first full month in office, he was blocked from taking executive action more times than his predecessor was in three years.

But her comments bely an obvious counter-argument: that the Trump administrations unprecedented usage and scope of executive actions is itself to blame for its sky-high rate of failure at the district court level.

And its not as if district court judges are alone on an island in this regard. Despite having appointed three of the nine sitting Supreme Court justices, Trump has already seen defeat after defeat at the nations highest court less than six months into his second term.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that 'activist' judges risked making the US government fall apart ( Getty Images )

Most recently, the Supreme Court blocked his administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants, potentially the clearest example of how the second Trump administration has relied on unconventional to outright brazenly defiant legal tactics to defend the actions of the president and his team in court.

A federal district court also halted Trumps outright ban on student visas for international students seeking to go to Harvard, the nations oldest institution of higher learning, as the White House wages a one-sided ideological war on the school.

Still, administration officials are waging war on the judiciary, labeling even conservative judges as activist if they rule against Trump.

There is a troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision making process, Leavitt said from the podium in her opening remarks Thursday.

America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president, for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges.

These judges are threatening to undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage, Leavitt accused, going on to say Americas jurists brazenly abuse their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump.

She insisted that the court system risked turning America into a non-functioning country if judges continue to refuse to let the president have his way.

Peter Navarro attacks Independent to deflect from question on judges

News broke hours after Leavitts briefing of a federal appeals court panel temporarily staying the lower courts ruling against Trump on tariffs. But at a press conference later in the afternoon, tensions were still high.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro lashed out at a reporter for The Independent, Andrew Feinberg, for asking about the frequency with which the administration attacks judges as activists when the president or his officials disagree with their rulings.

Who is this guy? the hair-trigger Navarro railed, evading the question in the process.

Leavitts comments also conveniently ignore the fact that the Trump administration has been resisting repeated orders by judges, including those from the Supreme Court, to facilitate the return of a man whom the Justice Departments own attorneys have admitted was deported in violation of a judges order prohibiting him from being sent to his home country.

Top administration officials have challenged the order of the lower court, arguing that judges do not have the power to dictate American foreign policy under the Constitution and arguing that the man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is no longer legally the administrations burden.

Stephen Miller, architect of the administrations mass deportation plans, also argued on Thursday that the U.S. was facing a judicial coup and warned that it is the end of democracy if courts to not stop halting individual orders issued by the Trump administration.

By the end of April, Trump had already set a record for the number of executive orders issued by his administration, which at current count sits at 157. No U.S. president has ever issued executive actions at such a rate, the previous record-holder being Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Leavitts comparison to Biden is also bizarre, given that Trumps second-term predecessor took nearly his entire presidency to reach the same number of orders issued by Trump in just four months.

The reality seems to be very simple: Trump and his team, understanding the volatility and unreliability of the GOPs twin razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate, have sought to largely carry out the presidents second-term agenda via executive fiat, with limited success.

If you look at all the Supreme Court decisions, they are fed up with him, constitutional law expert Norm Eisen told MSNBC last week.

This 7-2 majority is not going to allow Donald Trump to run amok arresting judges and members of Congress.
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There is evidence to strongly suggest that federal officials acted on tips and lobbying from right-wing and pro-Israel advocacy groups to detain Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil in March, according to a Freedom of Information Act request filed Thursday.

For years, these anti-Palestinian doxxing groups have served as agents of repression, weaponizing inflammatory rhetoric and conflating criticism of Israel with hate speech in order to chill activism for Palestinian rights, Ayla Kadah, an attorney the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is representing Khalil as he appeals his case, said in a statement.

Now, evidence seems to point to the Trump administration colluding with them, she added.

The FOIA request seeks information from federal offices involved in immigration enforcement and investigation, like the FBI and the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security.

It accuses federal lawyers of relying on posts from online monitoring groups that claim to be tracking antisemitism, though some critics say the groups engage in unsafe doxxing campaigns.

Campus activist is challenging his detention, arguing it violates First Amendment ( AP )

The Independent has contacted these agencies for comment.

The FOIA request pays particular attention to the Zionist group Betar USA, and whether its calls to deport students influenced the effort to detain and deport Khalil.

The advocacy group is known for publicly naming pro-Palestinian activists on social media and urging their deportation, and has claimed to have shared thousands of targets with the Trump administration. (The administration has not publicly confirmed any contacts with the group.)

Betar has also handed out mock pagers to pro-Palestine activists, a seeming reference to the likely Israeli exploding pager operation that killed both Hezbollah fighters and civilians.

The FOIA request points to alleged ties between Betar and federal officials.

Ross Glick, then the head of the group, has claimed he spoke with Senator Ted Cruz in the days before Khalils March 8 arrest, as well as briefed Senator John Fetterman and aides for Senator James Lankford.

I absolutely deny any involvement with this group whatsoever, Senator Fetterman said in a statement to The Independent. I do not support private organizations coming up with deportation lists, and in any event, I would never participate or assist in that.

Betar shared a video of Glick briefly speaking with Fetterman at the Capitol in late 2024.

The Independent has contacted the offices of Cruz and Lankford for comment.

The correlation is clear, and not a coincidence: to date, not a single reported visa revocation and detention of an individual based on pro-Palestine activism occurred absent prior doxxing, the FOIA request reads.

The federal government does not accuse Khalil of breaking any laws; rather, Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used, controversial provision of federal law to declare Khalils activities could harm U.S. foreign policy interests and then stripped his green card.

The FOIA request, in part, seeks to probe what kind of information the State Department used from federal officials in reaching this decision. The Independent filed a similar FOIA request shortly after Khalils arrest, with no response thus far from federal officials.

Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen and held legal permanent resident status at the time of his arrest, is currently being kept at a detention facility in Louisiana. He is challenging his imprisonment in immigration and federal court.

Lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil slam Donald Trumps deportation case outside courthouse

This week, a federal judge in New Jersey held that the administrations decision to revoke Khalils green card was likely unconstitutional, though the court stopped short of ordering Khalils release.

"The Secretary's determination deserves, and gets the highest respect, Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote. But arbitrary enforcement can also be a danger, when one person is given the job, if his determination veers too far away from the standard set down by Congress. Here, the Secretary's did."
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced late Wednesday that the U.S. will aggressively revoke visas of Chinese students.

The announcement included few details regarding how many visas would be revoked. He indicated it would focus on people with connections to the Chinese Communist Party, or students who are studying subjects considered sensitive.

Under President Trumps leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, he said in a statement.

We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong, he added.

It was unclear why the announcement was made on Wednesday, and this may indicate a further deterioration in the relationship between Chinas leadership and President Donald Trump.

Approximately 277,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S. last year. That makes them the second-largest group of foreign students in the United States.

The action comes at a time of intensifying scrutiny of the ties between U.S. higher education and China. House Republicans this month pressed Duke University to cut its ties with a Chinese university, saying it allowed Chinese students to gain access to federally funded research at Duke.

open image in gallery Students on campus at Duke University, the school is under pressure to cut ties with a Chinese university from Republicans ( Getty/iStock )

Last year, House Republicans issued a report warning that hundreds of millions of dollars in defense funding were going to research partnerships linked to the Chinese government, providing back-door access to the very foreign adversary nation whose aggression these capabilities are necessary to protect against.

The Department of Homeland Security raised similar issues in a letter barring international students at Harvard University last week. Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, citing research collaborations with Chinese scholars. It also accused Harvard of training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group.

The announcement came a day after Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students as the department prepares guidelines for increased vetting of their social media activity.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Retiring DOGE hatchet man Elon Musk rushed to the Middle East during Donald Trumps visit there earlier this month to block a massive American AI partnership with the United Arab Emirates backed by the president  unless it included him, according to a new report.

That apparently explains the tech billionaires sudden appearance at a Trump meeting with Saudi Arabia officials during the presidents three-country Middle East tour.

Trump was about to announce a huge AI partnership on foreign soil with Americas OpenAI  run by Musks arch rival Sam Altman  and the United Arab Emirates G42 company to build a Stargate UAE campus in Abu Dhabi.

The operation would also include Americas Oracle, Nvidia, and Cisco, and Japans SoftBank as part of the UAEs push to become a major AI player. The new venture will be the biggest AI campus outside the U.S.

Open AI touts the venture online as our first OpenAI for Countries partnership [that] expands global AI infrastructure and access, in coordination with the U.S. government.

Musk was determined that his own company, xAI, would be part of deal, sources told The Wall Street Journal.

On a call with officials of G42, which is controlled by the brother of the United Arab Emirates president, Musk reportedly warned that the plan would not win Trumps endorsement unless Musks xAI company was included.

Musk also wasnt happy with a deal that benefited Altman. Altman and Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but Musk left the company in 2018 after a power struggle and the two have had a major falling out.

Trumps team scrambled to soothe an irritated Musk so the president could announce the deal while he was in the Middle East, the Journal reported.

It wasnt immediately clear if some kind of accommodation was worked out for the tech boss who has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the campaigns of Trump and other Republicans, or if he is now part of the deal. He could not immediately be reached for comment. His company has not been named as a participant in the business by any announcement of the deal.

Trumps wholehearted backing of the AI business arrangement appears to be at odds with his strident opposition against America losing business to other countries.

He appears happy to give away a substantial chunk of the AI store to the Middle East, where he has personal company business deals. But he complains about manufacturing plants in China. Such plants could soon be dwarfed by the value of the burgeoning AI business that will likely draw billions of dollars in investments and create countless jobs in the United Arab Emirates.

Critics of the UAE deal are also concerned that the deal poses a threat to national security, and risks turning the Middle East into a major AI business rival of the U.S.

What happened to America First? California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna asked during a recent interview . Why dont we put that center in Pennsylvania or in Ohio?

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has called the new overseas AI operation another great deal for the American people, thanks to President Trump and his exceptional team.
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Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson dropped a hint Tuesday night that he may not run again for his seat in 2028, setting a potential showdown in the Dairy State.

I learned in my second run, when I absolutely meant second and final, you cant say never, never, okay? I dont want to. Yeah, Id like to dig my heels in now, set this nation on a sustainable course and then go home, Johnson said at an event in Milwaukee on Tuesday, according to The Hill.

The senator added that he was just a guy from Oshkosh, just trying to  literally trying to save this country, while saying that he did not covet the title of Senator.

At the same event, Johnson said that he agreed with Elon Musks concerns about Trumps big, beautiful bill.

I sympathize with Elon being discouraged.

Johnson added that he was pretty confident there was enough opposition to slow this process down until the president, our leadership, gets serious about reducing spending. He said there was no amount of pressure Trump could put on him to change his position.

Senator Ron Johnson at a campaign event in 2022, the Wisconsin Republican has hinted that he will not run again in 2028 ( Getty Images )

Johnson held on to his seat in 2022 with a narrow victory over Mandela Barnes in a seat that the Democrats hoped to flip during the Biden administration.

He was first elected in 2010 amid a surge in support for the Tea Party movement.

There have been signs that the Republicans could be in danger of losing the seat in 2028 if Johnson stands down.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won reelection in 2022. While Democratic-backed candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court won in 2023 and in April, they took control of the court away from conservatives for the first time in 15 years, securing it until at least 2028. The state also went for Biden 2020. However, Trump carried the state in 2024.
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A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration's efforts to deport Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, in part to protect U.S. foreign policy, is likely unconstitutional.

New Jersey District Judge Michael Farbiarz said that Khalil, who had a legally obtained green card to permanently reside in the United States, was likely to succeed in his claim that the administrations determination that he is a threat to U.S. foreign policy is unconstitutionally vague.

But Farbiarz stopped short of releasing Khalil from detention in Louisiana, where he has been imprisoned for nearly three months.

The judge said the Trump administrations use of the little-known provision in immigration law to deport Khalil would be unprecedented.

The Department of Homeland Security cited the provision in its action against Khalil that grants the secretary of state the authority to deport someone if its determined that the person would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

The foreign policy law was unconstitutional as applied to Khalil, who acted solely within the United States, Farbiarz wrote in his 101-page ruling.

The judge also noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio failed to affirmatively determine that Khalils actions had in any way affected U.S. relations with another country.

A federal judge stopped short of ordering the release of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil but said attempts to deport him are likely unconstitutional ( AP )

Farbiarz, however, also noted that Khalil must provide proof regarding other issues raised by the Trump administration, including that he failed to provide information about memberships in certain organizations when he applied for his green card.

Farbiarz said he would soon issue another order detailing the next steps in the case.

Khalil was stripped of his green card and arrested in front of his then-pregnant wife in their New York City apartment building on March 8. He was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Louisiana, roughly 1,300 miles away.

Rubio has revoked hundreds of student visas over campus activism in the wake of Israels devastation in Gaza, leading to several high-profile arrests of international scholars.

The administration has accused Khalil of antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which he has flatly rejected. Officials concede he has not committed any crime, but claim he can be removed over what Rubio has characterized as potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.

Khalils legal team praised Wednesdays ruling.

The district court held what we already knew: Secretary Rubio's weaponization of immigration law to punish Mahmoud and others like him is likely unconstitutional, attorneys said in a statement.

We will work as quickly as possible to provide the court the additional information it requested supporting our effort to free Mahmoud or otherwise return him to his wife and newborn son, they added. Every day Mahmoud spends languishing in an ICE detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, is an affront to justice, and we won't stop working until he is free.
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A federal judge in Boston will continue blocking Donald Trumps administration from revoking Harvard Universitys ability to enroll international students, dealing another blow to the government's pressure campaign against the nations oldest school.

Just six miles from where Harvards commencement ceremonies are underway, Massachusetts District Judge Allison Burroughs told attorneys for the administration and Ivy League institution that she intends to issue a broad injunction that blocks officials from trying to stop Harvard from keeping foreign students on campus.

open image in gallery A graduating student wears their hat, decorated with a statement of support for international students, during Harvard Universitys commencement ceremonies on May 29 as a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from ending foreign student enrollment ( REUTERS )

Thursdays hearing follows Trumps announcement last week that the administration rescinded Harvards permissions to enroll international students and forced currently enrolled foreign students to leave the university or risk losing their legal status in the country.

Harvard immediately filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating the First Amendment with immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.

With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvards student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its mission, Harvard said in its suit. Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard.

The Trump administration is waging a campaign of retribution against the university, according to the lawsuit.

We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action, Dr. Alan M. Garber, Harvards president, wrote in a letter addressing students and staff last week.

The Trump administration imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams, he added.

Trumps escalating effort to bend Harvard and other institutions to his ideologically driven demands follows the administrations threats to pull funding in the wake of pro-Palestine campus protests against Israels war in Gaza.

The Department of Homeland Security claims Harvard has created an unsafe campus environment by permitting anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators to harass and physically assault individuals, including many Jewish students, and otherwise obstruct its once-venerable learning environment.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the president said Harvard has to behave themselves, Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect.

And all theyre doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper, he said.

open image in gallery A Harvard University graduate student wears a placard reading Palestinian & Jewish Liberation are Intertwined during graduation ceremonies on May 29 after the Trump administration pressured the college to crack down on pro-Palestine protests or risk federal funding ( EPA )

On Thursday, Burroughs said she plans to order the Department of Homeland Security and State Department not to make any changes to Harvards student visa program as she considers a preliminary injunction. A restraining order will remain in place.

I want to maintain the status quo, she said.

Lawyers for Harvard and the Justice Department have been ordered to reach an agreement that continues to allow the university to accept student visa holders.

It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure its worded in such a way that nothing changes, Burroughs said.

On Wednesday, Homeland Security officials sent a letter to Harvard giving the university 30 days to respond to the administrations notice that the universitys certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program would be revoked.

If the university is barred from admitting foreign students, more than 7,000 people would be forced to transfer to another school, and thousands of new students arriving this year for Harvards summer and fall semesters would not be allowed to enter the country.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered a pause on all new interviews for student visa applicants as the government prepares to expand how it reviews applicants social media profiles after taking aim at pro-Palestine demonstrations.

All U.S. embassies and consulates were ordered this week to immediately suspend visa appointments until further guidance is issued to implement new social media vetting.

The administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process, a State Department spokesperson told The Independent.
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President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of notorious former gang leader Larry Hoover after being lobbied for years by Kanye West.

Hoover, now 74, was the leader of the Chicago-based Gangster Disciples and was convicted in 1997 for running the criminal enterprise.

He was serving a 200-year federal sentence in a Colorado supermax prison, but after the presidents intervention, he will be transferred to a state prison in Illinois to see out the rest of the sentence on state charges.

Prosecutors described Hoover as one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history. In court filings, they said that he was responsible for directing violence and drug trafficking in Chicago from at least 1970 until 1995.

open image in gallery Kanye West, pictured in the Oval Office in 2018, has lobbied President Donald Trump for years to pardon Larry Hoover, the notorious gang leader. The president has commuted Hoovers sentence and he will be transferred from Colorados supermax prison to a state prison in Illinois. ( AFP/Getty )

Hoovers attorneys welcomed the move from Trump and said that Hoover has demonstrated considerable growth and complete rehabilitation behind bars.

Despite the Courts unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters, they said in a statement to CBS News. Thankfully, Mr. Hoovers pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover.

Hoovers legal team was told Monday that the commutation was going ahead, according to The New York Times.

This is an older gentleman who has a lot of health concerns and who has aged out of criminality, Justin Moore, one of his lawyers, said.

open image in gallery Prosecutors described Hoover as one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history. In court filings, they said that he was responsible for directing violence and drug trafficking in Chicago from at least 1970 until 1995. ( Larry Hoover Jr. )

Trump was lobbied to commute the gangsters sentence by West, which intensified after Alice Marie Johnson, the presidents pardon czar, was appointed to advise the White House, according to Moore.

WORDS CANT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER, West said in a post on X, even though Hoover will remain locked up.

West met with Trump at the White House in 2018 where he said it was very important to him to free Hoover.

 I have to go and get him free because he was doing positive inside of Chicago, just like how Im moving back to Chicago, and its not just about, you know, getting on stage and being an entertainer and having a monolithic voice thats forced to be a specific party, West said, according to a transcript of the meeting.

open image in gallery Trump was lobbied to commute the gangsters sentence by West, which intensified after Alice Marie Johnson, the presidents pardon czar, was appointed to advise the White House, according to one of Hoovers attorneys. ( Getty Images )

In 2022, Hoover claimed he is no longer the Larry Hoover people sometimes talk about, or he who is written about in the papers, or the crime figure described by the government.

He claimed he was anecdotally aware that some misguided people had used him as a symbol, adding that he wished this were not so.

I am no longer a member, leader, or even an elder statesman of the Gangster Disciples, Hoover wrote. I want nothing to do with it now and forever.

Federal prosecutors claimed that Hoover has continued to orchestrate gang activity in some capacity while imprisoned, and have stated that they believe he would attempt to reclaim his position as the gangs leader if released.

In July 2020, Chicagos top federal prosecutor, US Attorney John Lausch, told the judge that it would be a miscarriage of justice to reduce [Hoovers] sentence in any way, shape or form.
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The Department of Homeland Security has denied that a critically ill 4-year-old girl is being actively deported to Mexico after the family launched a campaign about their case.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Deysi Vargas and her daughter Sofia said that the familys humanitarian parole, granted in July 2023, was prematurely revoked by the Trump administration on April 11.

They received a subsequent notice weeks later, and a third notice in May verifying that they are no longer in lawful status and are now vulnerable to deportation, Gina Amato, directing attorney of the Immigrants Rights Project at Public Counsel, said at a press conference Wednesday. The notices also ordered the family to leave the United States immediately.

The family and her doctor said Sofia could die within days if treatment for a rare condition is paused.

But the department said that the familys application for humanitarian parole was still being considered in a statement to The Independent.

Any reporting that Vargas and her family are actively being deported are FALSE, the official said. This family applied with USCIS for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered.

Amato said that lawyers wrote to immigration officials soon after they received the case, but heard nothing from the Trump administration. Lawyers filed a new application for humanitarian parole in May and still had not heard back, Amato said.

open image in gallery The Department of Homeland Security has denied that it is actively deporting 4-year-old Sofia and her family. Lawyers for the family said Sofia could die within days if treatment for a rare condition is paused ( Jeremy Cohen/Courtesy of Public Counsel )

We did our best to give them the benefit of the doubt and let them know that we think they made an error, that we have a 4-year-old child whose life is in danger and we asked them to reconsider their decision to terminate humanitarian parole, Amato said. We have not heard anything back. We subsequently filed new applications for humanitarian parole, and similarly, have not received a response.

The family was granted temporary humanitarian permission to enter the U.S. from her home country of Mexico in 2023 after Sofia urgently needed treatment for short bowel syndrome, a rare condition that stops her from absorbing nutrients in food. The treatment she required was not available in Mexico and she was quickly deteriorating, her lawyers said.

Sofias treatment, which requires being hooked to an intravenous feeding system for 14 hours at night, can only be administered and overseen by a specialist team at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

open image in gallery Sofias treatment, which requires being hooked to an intravenous feeding system for 14 hours at night, can only be administered and overseen by a specialist team at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles ( Deysi Vargas )

This is a textbook example of medical need, the familys attorney Rebecca Brown said Tuesday. This child will die and theres no sense for that to happen. It would just be a cruel sacrifice.

The family is currently living in Bakersfield, California, just over 100 miles north of Los Angeles and came to the U.S. legally in 2023 after signing up to the Biden administrations CBP One app.

They received an appointment with border agents in Tijuana to receive two-year protection from deportation and were swiftly taken to a hospital in San Diego for urgent treatment.

A year later, Sofia was referred to the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which has one of the highest-ranked programs for gastroenterology in the U.S.

Under their care, by September 2024, Sofia was discharged and could receive treatment in the comfort of her home. Meanwhile, her parents were working hard to hold down odd jobs in Bakersfield.

open image in gallery Sofia has been suffering from a condition called short bowel syndrome ( Jeremy Cohen/Courtesy of Public Counsel )

Sofias care is still gruelling. In addition to the 14 hours a night hooked up to the IV, Vargas has to administer medication that goes into her daughters stomach through a gastric tube four times a day. At preschool, a school nurse has to administer nutrition daily.
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A federal appeals court has paused a seismic ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade that found Donald Trump exceeded his authority with his sweeping tariff agenda.

A panel of judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit temporarily reinstated Trumps so-called Liberation Day tariffs Thursday while legal challenges play out.

The decision from the appellate court panel follows a second federal court decision that found Trump cannot unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Wednesdays decision from trade court judges similarly ruled that the presidents Liberation Day tariffs  which established a 10 percent baseline tax on all imports and even higher taxes on imports from nearly every trading partner  illegally exceeded authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Judges also rejected the presidents use of emergency powers to tax Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports because those tariffs dont specifically deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared, as required by law.

A federal appeals court has temporarily paused the first of two decisions that blocked Trumps sweeping tariff agenda while legal challenges play out ( AFP via Getty Images )

An unlimited delegation of tariff authority would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government, the judges wrote in their unsigned order on Wednesday.

The three judges on that Manhattan panel were appointed by different presidents: Ronald Reagan appointee Judge Jane Restani, Barack Obama appointee Judge Gary Katzmann and Trump appointee Judge Timothy Reif.

The presidents attempt to delegate unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional, they wrote.

That judgment is now temporarily stayed until further notice while this court considers the motions papers, appellate judges stated. The freeze is expected to stay in place until at least June 9, the deadline for both sides to submit their arguments.

Trumps tariffs being back in place is a blow to the UK, which is still grappling with the 25 per ent sector-specific steel, aluminum and car tariffs imposed by the president despite this months trade deal.

The measures in the deal are yet to be implemented, and Sir Keir Starmers business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet his U.S. counterpart next week in a bid to set a timeline for lifting the 25 percent levies.

If Trumps appeal is defeated, it could end up being a coup for Sir Keir, who would have negotiated a route out of the damaging tariffs on cars, while the blanket 10 percent reciprocal tariffs would fall back to an average of around 2.5 percent.

But the uncertainty is causing chaos for companies attempting to trade between Britain and the United States with no clear indication of what will happen next.

Trumps officials have raged at federal judges and the plaintiffs bringing cases against them after a series of court rulings defanged the presidents agenda and his executive orders that tested the limits of executive authority.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called the trade courts ruling judicial tyranny.

Before Thursdays order from the appeals court, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt unloaded on the judiciary as she vowed the administration would take court rulings against Trumps tariff agenda to the Supreme Court.

She accused judges of brazenly abusing the courts to usurp the authority of President Trump.

There is a troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision making process, she told reporters at the White House. America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president, for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges.
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Victorias Secret has shut down its website following what it calls a security incident.

Instead of seeing a selection of lingerie and pajamas when clicking onto the Victorias Secret homepage, customers on Thursday arrive at a pink screen with a statement from the company explaining the outage.

"Valued customer, we identified and are taking steps to address a security incident, the company said.

We have taken down our website and some in store services as a precaution, the statement continued. Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations. We appreciate your patience during this process. In the meantime, our Victorias Secret and PINK stores remain open and we look forward to serving you.

Victorias Secret stock tumbled 4.14 percent by 9:45 a.m. Thursday after starting the day up 0.14 percent.

open image in gallery Victorias Secret has shut down its website over what it calls a security incident" ( Spencer Platt/Getty Images )

A Victorias Secret spokesperson told The Independent on Thursday, "We identified and are taking steps to address a security incident.

We immediately enacted our response protocols, third-party experts are engaged, and we took down our website and some in store services as a precaution. We are working to quickly and securely restore operations.

Multiple outlets reported on the outage Wednesday, but social media users have been discussing the site being down for several days.

One X user wrote on Tuesday: Victorias Secret website down since last night and I couldnt use a coupon that expired yesterday because of it.

According to CNN, its rare for a company such as Victorias Secret to experience such a vast site outage given its size.

But site outages in general arent that uncommon.

On Saturday, the social media platform X was down, with thousands of UK users reporting problems accessing both the website and the app version, according to Downdetector, a site outage tracker.

Earlier this month, almost 3,000 people reported to Downdetector with issues accessing Apple Pay, a payment service offered to iPhone users, CNBC reported. That same day, Apple said on its support site that the issues had been fixed, according to the business outlet.

Marks & Spencer is still reeling from the impact of a cyber incident  believed to be a ransomware attack  launched against its business last month.

The supermarket last week said disruptions are expected to persist through July. It also informed investors that its online sales and profits in the fashion, home, and beauty departments have been heavily impacted.
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A motorcyclist has been mauled to death by a brown bear in Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the latest fatal incident in a country home to the European Union's largest brown bear population.

The attack, which occurred on Thursday, highlights ongoing concerns in Romania, where a recent DNA study estimates between 10,000 and 13,000 brown bears reside.

The tragic event raises critical questions about how to respond to such encounters.

The U.S. National Park Service stresses that understanding bear behaviour is crucial for survival.

Bears are typically not aggressive without reason, usually attacking only when feeling threatened, protecting their young, or viewing a human as a food source.

While each situation differs, charges are generally classified as either bluff or aggressive.

Every bear encounter is different ( Getty )

Bluff charges

Bluff charges are more common and aim to scare or intimidate.

The park service says that when a bear bluff charges, it will usually have its head and ears up and forward, it will puff itself to look bigger, and bound on its front paws toward you, moving in big leaps before stopping short or veering off to one side.

So what should you do?

In this situation, regardless of the bear type, you should slowly back away while waving your arms above your head, and speak in a calm voice. When the bear charges you, hold your ground and stay calm, and only when it stops should you slowly retreat.

Whatever you do, dont run off during a bluff charge.

Aggressive charges

Aggressive charges are cause for concern.

The park service says warning signs of an aggressive charge may be when a bear yawns or clacks their teeth, pounds their front paws on the ground while huffing, has its head down and ears pointed back.

Be ready to protect and defend yourself. But at this point, its important to distinguish what kind of bear youre up against.

Black bear

If a black bear charges and attacks you, your best option is to stand your ground and fight back.

Do not play dead. Direct punches and kicks at the bears face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself, the park service suggests. But they are agile and adept at climbing trees, so on no account ascend the branches to evade them.

Hopefully, this will alarm the bear into a retreat.

Brown bear

If a grizzly or brown bear charges and attacks you, play dead. Panicking or screaming will alarm the bear and cause it to attack.

Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Lay flat on your stomach, and spread your legs apart. Keep your pack on, it will help protect you during an attack. Stay still and dont make any noise, it said.

Fighting back during an attack from a grizzly/brown bear will usually worsen the attack, but if the attack persists, then fight back with everything you have.

Polar bears

Polar bears are slightly outside the remit of the U.S. National Park Service.

As polar bears are driven inland as a result of climate change melting the sea ice, encounters with the largest land carnivore on earth are increasingly likely. And while intimidation tactics might work, you wont have a lot of options.

Best to avoid the scenario at all costs if you can help it.
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Haribo has recalled packets of sweets alleged to have contained cannabis after several members of the same family fell ill.

The Happy Cola F!ZZ packets were recalled after the family members in the Netherlands became unwell, reporting dizziness before they alerted the police.

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) later told Dutch news outlet Hart van Nederland that cannabis samples had been found inside the candy.

It is unclear how many packets have been affected, with three reported so far - but Haribo has recalled the entire batch in the Netherlands as a precaution. All other Haribo products are still safe to consume, the NVWA said.

A Haribo company spokesperson said: The incident is contained to the Netherlands, to a specific product and batch. Haribo products in the UK are not affected.

The safety of our consumers is our highest priority and Haribo takes this incident very seriously, which is why a recall has been issued in the Netherlands.

Haribo is working closely with the authorities to support their investigation and establish the facts around the contamination.

The NVWA is currently investigating the cause of the illness in alongside Haribo, the authority said in a statement. How the cannabis ended up in the sweets remains unknown.

"Samples were taken and cannabis was found in them," a spokesperson for the NVWA said to Hart van Nederland. "We immediately contacted Haribo and they issued a safety warning."

In its product recall warning, the authority said: Haribo warns of kilo bags of HARIBO Happy Cola F!ZZ with best-before date (BBD) January 2026.

There are bags in circulation with sweets that can lead to health complaints, such as dizziness, when consumed.

So far it concerns 3 bags, but as a precaution Haribo is recalling the stock in question. Do not eat the sweets.
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The Kremlin has proposed a second round of direct peace talks with Ukraine for 2 June, reviving negotiations that failed to make significant progress two weeks ago.

But a war of words erupted following the offer, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of failing to send a memorandum outlining proposals for a future ceasefire  something it says was agreed upon during the previous talks. The latest row comes after US president Donald Trump issued a two-week deadline for Vladimir Putin to demonstrate he actually wants to end the war he started three years ago.

"We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum, so that the meeting wont be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war, Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov said following Russias offer to meet in Istanbul on 2 June.

open image in gallery Rustem Umerov, wearing black, was part of the Ukrainian delegations in peace talks two weeks ago ( via REUTERS )

"The Russian side has at least four more days before their departure to provide us with their document for review. Ukraine has already sent over the document, Mr Umerov added.

Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the call for Moscow to immediately send over its memorandum before a meeting on Monday. Why wait until Monday? Mr Sybiha asked on X. Only a well-prepared meeting has the potential to produce tangible results.

Moscow hit back on Thursday, calling on Ukraine to accept the 2 June negotiations, where it says it will present Ukraine with a memorandum outlining what it described as key elements for overcoming the root causes of the conflict.

open image in gallery The meeting began around one hour after the scheduled start time ( EPA )

Russia has routinely used this line in apparent attempts to delay a truce, stating that it is not possible before certain conditions are met. Ukraine describes Russias demands as maximalist.

"Here, you have to either confirm your readiness to continue negotiations or do the opposite," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

When asked to comment on Mr Sybihas suggestion that Russia should immediately hand over the memorandum, Peskov dismissed the idea as non-constructive.

As Russia and Ukraine battle on the diplomatic stage, conventional war continues on the frontline. Three people were killed in Ukraine after scores of drones were fired by Russia, while Ukraine damaged a building in Moscow in a drone attack of its own.

In the southern Russian city of Stavropol, a local government official who had fought in Ukraine was one of two men killed in an explosion. Russian authorities have now opened a criminal case.

The Russian offer for peace talks came after Donald Trump appeared to set a two-week deadline for Vladimir Putin to prove his intention for peace in Ukraine.

open image in gallery One person was killed and another seriously injured by Russian attacks on the Sumy region ( Emergency Service of Ukraine )

On being asked in the Oval Office yesterday if he thought Mr Putin wanted to end the war, Mr Trump said: I cant tell you that, but Ill let you know in about two weeks.

Asked whether the Russian leader might be intentionally delaying negotiations, he added: Were going to find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not, and if he is, well respond a little differently.

The US president has, however, previously set similar two-week deadlines, including on 27 April and 19 May.
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A picturesque Swiss village has been nearly entirely destroyed by a collapsing glacier, leaving one person missing amid a deluge of ice, mud and rock.

Dramatic before-and-after images show the sheer scale of devastation in the picturesque Alpine village of Blatten in the Swiss Alps, 90 per cent of which was buried when the Birch Glacier partially collapsed, destroying homes in the valley below as debris plummeted down the mountain slopes.

Footage of the collapse on Wednesday afternoon shows a huge cloud of dust and ice descending through a plush green valley where it smothered Blatten, a village of 300 surrounded on all sides by the vast mountain peaks of the alps.

open image in gallery ( Keystone )

Authorities had been monitoring the slopes above Blatten since ordering the 300 residents to leave their homes earlier this month as a precautionary measure due to the risk of a rockslide. Livestock were also evacuated from the area.

But one 64-year-old man remains missing among the of ice and mud. The army has been deployed and rescue specialists with a thermal drone were airlifted in to search for the man who remained missing on Thursday.

The unimaginable has happened, said Matthias Bellwald, Blattens president, fighting back tears in a press conference. We have lost our village, but not our hearts. We will support each other and console each other. After a long night, it will be morning again."

Residents of the town have been left in shock by the sheer scale of devastation, with their livehlihoods destroyed and possessions left scattered among a colossal pile of mud and rocks.

open image in gallery A cow is flown by helicopter from the landslide area near the Bietschhorn in the Loetschental valley to a farm, after being evacuated days before the collapse ( EPA )

"I don't want to talk just now, I lost everything yesterday. I hope you understand," one middle-aged resident told Reuters news agency in the neighbouring village of Wiler.

As the residents reel at the loss of their homes, fears have now turned towards the risk of significant flooding which could cause further damage to the small village. Large mounds of debris are spread across two kilometres across the valley, clogging the path of the River Lonza and causing a large lake to swell.

"The lake behind the debris is getting higher and higher. And the water masses are pressing on the dam. This increases the pressure," Christoph Hegg of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) told Swedish outlet Blick.

There are two possible scenarios, Mr Hegg said. In the worst case, the load on the natural dam becomes too great and it breaks. Water wiull rush into the valley and is likely to sweep the debris with it, causing a dangerous flood to spread through the valley.

open image in gallery Blatten destroyed by a landslide after part of the huge Birch Glacier collapsed and swallowed up by the river Lonza the day before ( AFP/Getty )

In the other scenario, the water flows slowly over the dam. "It's difficult to say where the water would flow and how strongly. But caution is definitely advised in this scenario, too, Mr Hegg said.

"An unbelievable amount of material thundered down into the valley," said Matthias Ebener, a spokesperson for local authorities in the southwestern canton of Valais.

Buildings and infrastructure in the village nestled in the Loetschental valley in southern Switzerland were hit hard by the initial rockslide. But those nearby that have not yet been affected now fear the damage will spread.

Ton Franken, owner of the Lotschental campsite, told Blick that he is worried about Lonza. "The campsite is right on the river and could be flooded, he said.

open image in gallery One man is still missing ( EPA )

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter expressed her solidarity with the local population as emergency services warned people that the area was hazardous and urged them to stay away, closing off the main road into the valley.

"It's terrible to lose your home," Keller-Sutter said on X.

In 2023, residents of the village of Brienz, in eastern Switzerland, were evacuated before a huge mass of rock slid down a mountainside, stopping just short of the settlement. Brienz was evacuated again last year because of the threat of a further rockslide.
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Germany could send its long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine this year, chancellor Friedrich Merz has said, a move which would help Kyiv strike deep into Russian territory.

Berlin pledged to ramp up its military support for Ukraine during a meeting between Mr Merz and Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, in which the former promised new military aid worth 5 billion (4.2 billion).

Mr Merz did not mention Taurus missiles as he announced an increase in support for Kyiv - but he later addressed the issue when speaking on German TV.

"Of course, it is within the realms of possibility, the new chancellor told TV channel ZDF when asked if Germany would supply the weapons, adding that it would require several months of training for Ukrainian troops.

open image in gallery Friedrich Merz says it is possible Germany will send Taurus missiles to Ukraine ( AP )

If Taurus missiles were sent, it would mark a major change in policy for Germany, which under former chancellor Olaf Scholz had been adamant it would not send the weaponry to Ukraine.

Military support for Kyiv is being improved in the short term, the German chancellor added, given Taurus missiles would not be ready for immediate use.

Germany has pledged to bankroll Ukraine making its own long-range missile systems. Since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, range and target limits on weapons sent to Kyiv have been debated intensely between - and within - Ukraines closest allies, amid fears of Russian retaliation.

Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself, including against military targets outside its own territory, Mr Merz said during a joint news conference.

In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the news as a very dangerous trend, an irresponsible position that Germany is taking.

What are Taurus missiles and what can they do?

Equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to detection, the missiles have a range of up to 310 miles, which would help Ukraine to put pressure on Russia in the Black Sea and elsewhere.

The German and Swedish-made missiles would be able to reach targets deep in Russia from Ukrainian soil. Taurus is shorthand for Target Adaptive Unitary and dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System.

open image in gallery Taurus is shorthand for Target Adaptive Unitary and dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System ( PNR )

Ukraine has been asking Germany for the missiles to complement the long-range Storm Shadow missiles sent by Britain and France's nearly identical Scalp cruise missiles. The German missiles have a longer range.

The UK announced in the spring of 2023 that it was sending Storm Shadows, which have a range of more than155 miles and give Ukraine capacity to strike well behind the front lines, including in Russia-occupied Crimea. In July 2024, Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK would allow Ukraine to fire the missiles into Russia - which it had previously not been permitted to do. Ukraine was reported to have used the missile for the first time in November.

France followed Britain by sending its Scalp missiles, giving assurances that they would not be capable of hitting Russian soil.

What is Germanys position?

Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States and is further stepping up support this year. But former chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously refused to send the Taurus missiles, saying it would pose a risk of his country becoming directly involved in the war.

German soldiers must at no point and in no place be linked to targets this system reaches, he said.

At the time, some members of the conservative opposition, and even some in his socially liberal three-party coalition, wanted to send the missiles to Ukraine. But in March 2024, a survey found that 61 per cent of Germans disapproved of Taurus deliveries.

open image in gallery Former German chancellor Olaf Scholz was against sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine ( AP )

As well as concerns regarding Russian retaliation, for military strategists, there are other concerns.

Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in a note last year that while the UK and France were already developing successors to their Storm Shadows and Scalps, Germany did not have yet have a successor to the Taurus.

Germans fear that their stocks of Taurus missiles could be depleted, he argued, and that Russians would see the missile in operation in Ukraine and gain insights into the missiles countermeasures and stealth characteristics.

But Friedrich Merz, who has served as chancellor since early May 2025, has been more willing to ramp up military aid for Ukraine than his predecessor - and may be set to send Taurus missiles eastwards.

The Taurus wiretapping case

On 1 March 2024, Vladimir Putins state media leaked an audio recording of German military officers discussing the hypothetical use of Taurus long-range missiles in Ukraine.

The 38-minute recording was published by Margarita Simonyan, chief editor of Russian state-funded television channel RT, on social media, the same day that Alexei Navalny was laid to rest in Moscow after his unexplained death two weeks earlier in an Arctic penal colony. It surfaced just weeks before Russias presidential election.

In the audio, the head of Germanys air force, Ingo Gerhartz, can be heard discussing deployment scenarios for Taurus missiles in Ukraine with three colleagues ahead of a meeting with defence minister Boris Pistorius.

The conversation was never meant to be public, and the leak embarrassed Germany and raised concerns about security. Furious with Germany, Moscow levelled threats in response.

If nothing is done, and the German people do not stop this, then there will be dire consequences first and foremost for Germany itself, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at the time.

In her retort, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: If Russia had not brutally attacked this country, Ukraine would not have to defend itself.
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A former Russian president has threatened World War III after Donald Trump criticised Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.

The US branded the comments by the often-inflammatory Dmitry Medvedev reckless, as the war of the words between the two global powers continues to ramp up. However, diplomatic efforts appear to be ongoing despite the public clashes and in a rare move US embassy officials were seen attending a security meeting in Moscow on Wednesday.

The latest tit-for-tat began at the weekend when Trump called the Russian leader crazy following an airstrike on Kyiv. He doubled down on the criticism on Tuesday, in a post on Truth Social: What Vladimir Putin doesnt realize is that if it werent for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. Hes playing with fire!

open image in gallery The comments are typical of former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. ( SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images )

Medvedev, who served as Russian president from 2008 and 2012 and is now a top security official, flipped Trumps remarks, writing: I only know of one REALLY BAD thing  WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!

Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, then weighed into the row.

Stoking fears of WW III is an unfortunate, reckless comment by @MedvedevRussiaE and unfitting of a world power, he wrote on X. President Trump @POTUS is working to stop this war and end the killing. We await receipt of RU Memorandum (Term Sheet) that you promised a week ago. Cease fire now.

The sighting of two US officials from the embassy in Moscow at an international security forum in the Russian capital is notable, as it marks the first time an American delegation has attended such an event since before Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has toughened his language against Vladimir Putin in recent days ( AP )

Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs Eric Jordan and Second Secretary Jeremy Ventuso were both seen at the International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues.

The Russian leader opened up the event, saying that Moscows approach to security, which includes its war in Ukraine, remains fundamental and unchanged.

The move was likely a low-cost goodwill gesture signalling the Trump administrations continued desire to normalise relations with Moscow, says Sam Greene, professor in Russian politics at Kings College London. For Moscow, he added, the invitation is the latest attempt to signal supposed seriousness about talks with the US without actually giving anything up.

Just a day earlier, after Trumps initial comments about Putin becoming crazy, Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggested the US leader was a man who wants results but who had got emotional.

He added that Europe was trying to sabotage the efforts of Russia and the US to broker peace, a reference to efforts to sanction Moscow for refusing to agree to a truce in Ukraine.

open image in gallery United States' Second Secretary of the diplomatic mission Jeremy Ventuso, left, and Embassy's Acting Head of the Political and Economic Section Eric Jordan attend the International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, in Moscow, Russia ( AP )

President Trump is a man who wants results, Lavrov said at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. He sees some of the Europeans are working to sabotage his efforts [on a peace settlement], pushing Ukraine to absolutely reckless actions.

Of course, he gets emotional, and, of course, as someone who does not like anything to stand in the way of his noble goals, he looks at it a certain way, shifts rhetoric.

The most important thing is not to focus on mere rhetoric, but rather to ensure that Europe stops sabotaging our peace plans, which are supported by both the US and Turkey, and to which Russia is fully committed.

Russian state media has subsequently played down Trumps latest comments, highlighting that the US president is yet to take any action against Moscow despite his recent warnings.

Dmitry Drize, a Russian political commentator for Kommersant, described Trumps latest comments as a skirmish across the ocean.

From beautiful phrases about wonderful negotiations, about the fact that a breakthrough on the path to peace is about to happen, Donald Trump has moved on, no, to threats, or rather to reproaches. You can also call it an exchange of pleasantries, a skirmish across the ocean, he wrote. Nevertheless, nothing terrible has happened yet.

So now the question is whether America will follow Europe in raising the stakes or, as before, limit itself to beautiful phrases and reproaches.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the International Charlemagne Prize, an annual award for contributions to European unity, on Thursday as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent.

The European Unions most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called "the embodiment of the European spirit by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany.

Last year, European Parliament lawmakers reelected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm.

Even if the European Commissions makeup has hardly become the talk of bar rooms or barber shops across the vast EU of 450 million people, it has enthralled the upper echelons of politics and bureaucracy, as they sought to boost one candidate or undermine another.

The commission proposes legislation for the EUs 27 member countries and ensures that the rules governing the worlds biggest trading bloc are respected. Its made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy.

After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the blocs affairs.
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Starving Palestinians desperate for food say Israeli helicopter gunships and tanks fired around crowds gathered at a new food distribution site in Gaza, as Benjamin Netanyahus controversial aid plan descended into chaos.

Gazas health ministry said at least one person was killed and 48 wounded in violence on Tuesday when desperate crowds overran the site in Rafah, south of the besieged strip. It was set up by a US-backed foundation, military contractors and the Israeli military whose soldiers reportedly opened fire.

Hospital officials said that four people died in a separate stampede on Wednesday when hundreds of Palestinians stormed a United Nations food warehouse in an equally desperate attempt to find food.

On Thursday, Israel's government approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank  illegal under international law  in a move that will deepen divisions with some allies, including the UK. On Friday, hopes of a ceasefire were again dashed when Hamas said a US plan backed by Israel failed to meet its demands.

open image in gallery Displaced Palestinians ferry bags of food aid as they storm a World Food Programme warehouse in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty Images )

Meanwhile, Palestinians on the ground continue to suffer, with a warning that millions are now at risk of famine.

Ahmed Shaker, 30, described the chaos in Rafah on Tuesday as he tried to get food for his family.

Because of the large number of people, they collided with each other, he said. The intensity of the stampede increased until the fence separating the barriers collapsed. A quadcopter came and started firing around us.

The father-of-threes home was destroyed in the bombings. He has been displaced four times and was trying to get food for his one-year-old baby and two toddler daughters.

Then the tank approached and started firing near the people, he continued. The bullets were hitting the sand. Then the Apache helicopter came and fired toward the sea.

My childrens hunger drove me to go. It's been more than a month and a half since Ive eaten bread, except for a few small pieces. I was determined to go so I could feed my children and spare them from starvation, he added.

open image in gallery Zakaria, an underfed Palestinian boy, shelters in a tent after being displaced due to the Israeli military offensive ( Reuters )

Khairiya, 64, told The Independent she walked several kilometres on foot to get to the distribution site, from the tent where she now lives after being displaced seven times. But the place became crowded. There was no more control, the mother-of-seven said, adding that the Israeli army started shooting from quadcopters and tanks.

My husband is 71 and has difficulty moving, especially when walking and carrying the aid box, she explained. My eldest son told me not to go, but I went because we had little food. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to get the aid.

Some were able to get aid, and many did not. The distribution site is in the middle of sand dunes, up and down. Despite the difficulty, I will go again after the next delivery is announced. I havent had bread for two weeks, she added.

The Israeli military says it guards the site from a distance, and that it fired only warning shots to control the situation. The US-based and backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said its security contractors manning the site said it did not open fire and that distribution continued without incident shortly afterwards. It told Israeli media it plans to open four sites and expand operations in Gaza in the coming weeks.

open image in gallery A Palestinian child carries aid from a US-backed centre near the Netzarim Corridor ( EPA )

open image in gallery A Palestinian man shows blood stains on his palm after collecting aid supplies from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation ( Reuters )

However, a Red Cross field hospital reported that the 48 wounded people had suffered gunshot injuries, including women and children.

Israel has faced ferocious criticism from its allies, including the UK, which this month sanctioned Israeli settlers and organisations and froze free trade talks over its three-month blockade on Gaza. The entire 2.3 million strong population is now at risk of famine, according to a United Nations global hunger monitor.

And so under intense international pressure, Israel ended the 11-week-long aid blockade last week. It has now allowed limited relief through a heavily criticised plan to corral the population into areas with feeding points, like the site in Rafah which was opened on Monday.

The United Nations and other humanitarian organisations have rejected the new aid system, arguing there is no way it can meet Gazas overwhelming need and that it allows Israel to use food as a means of population control. They have also warned of the risk of friction between Israeli troops and civilians seeking supplies and continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.

UN agencies have reported that separately some aid deliveries resumed last week, with Israel approving about 800 truckloads of relief. But UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that fewer than 500 truckloads made it to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, where we and our partners could collect just over 200 of them  limited by insecurity and restricted access.

The UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag told the Security Council on Wednesday that the amount of aid Israel had so far allowed the UN to deliver was comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk, while everyone in Gaza remains at risk of famine.

Israel may face further sanctions as it separately approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law and widely seen as a major obstacle to long-term peace. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-nationalist minister who advocates for full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and for Gaza to be totally destroyed, said the new settlements would be in the northern part of West Bank but did not specify locations.

Israeli media citing the defence ministry said that among the new settlements, including existing outposts that are illegal under even Israeli law, would be legalised. A spokesperson for defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the announcement.

The Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited rule in the West Bank, and Hamas militant group which runs Gaza, both condemned the Israeli decision.

open image in gallery Israeli army tanks take position at the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip on Thursday ( AFP via Getty Images )

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued its ferocious offensive in Gaza, hitting dozens of targets overnight, including what it said were weapons storage sites, sniper positions, and tunnels. Palestinian medical workers said Israeli forces killed at least 45 people on Thursday, including 23 in a strike that hit several homes in the Bureij camp in central Gaza.

Mr Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Mohammed Sinwar, believed to be the head of Hamas' armed wing, has been killed, apparently confirming his death in a recent strike in the Gaza Strip. There was no confirmation from Hamas.

Despite the bombing and violence, families in Gaza returned to distribution points on Thursday, desperate for more food.

Because of the blockade and high prices, everyone will go to receive aid. I met friends from all over the strip on the way back. I got a box that will last my family only five days, said Fadi, 34, a computer engineer who has been displaced six times and whose house has been flattened.

But this method is exhausting and humiliating. We were forced to go because of extreme hunger after 11 weeks of blockade. Also, its difficult for elderly people to walk kilometres and carry a box weighing more than 10 kilos.
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At least four Palestinians were killed after thousands of starving Gazans stormed a UN World Food Programme warehouse in Deir al-Balah in search of food.

Two people were crushed in the chaos and two were fatally shot, although it was not yet clear who had fired the bullets.

A Red Cross field hospital said it was treating women and children with gunshot wounds. Video footage captured crowds ripping apart the warehouse and scrambling for flour and supplies.

The UN World Food Programme said the humanitarian situation in Gaza had spiralled out of control after almost three months of Israeli blockade, with only limited aid allowed in recently.

Hordes of hungry people broke into WFPs al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution, the WFP said, describing the situation as alarming and deteriorating.

Humanitarian needs have spiralled out of control after 80 days of complete blockade of all food assistance and other aid into Gaza. Gaza needs an immediate scale-up of food assistance. This is the only way to reassure people that they will not starve.

After 11 weeks under complete siege and a continuing Israeli blockade, hunger in Gaza has reached critical levels. Medics and aid workers have reported widespread malnutrition, with UN-run bakeries shutting down due to a lack of cooking gas and food prices soaring beyond reach.

Palestinians carry food and humanitarian aid delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the US, as they arrive in Khan Younis on 28 May 2025 ( AP )

Most people are struggling to find enough to eat as the humanitarian crisis deepens. The WFP noted that it had consistently warned of alarming and deteriorating conditions on the ground and the risks imposed by limiting humanitarian aid to hungry people in desperate need of assistance.

Israel started allowing limited aid into Gaza last week after the launch of a controversial private aid group backed by the US and Israel known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Bypassing the UN and using US security contractors, the group has set up distribution centres claiming to prevent aid theft by Hamas, an allegation the Palestinian militant group denies.

The UN has criticised the group as unworkable and unethical.

Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli troops had opened fire at a food distribution site set up by the controversial group in southern Gaza on Tuesday, killing at least three civilians and injuring 48 as large crowds gathered. The foundation dismissed the information as totally false. The UN didnt confirm any deaths in the chaos, but said at least 47 Palestinians had suffered injuries, mostly from gunfire, during the aid distribution.
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Donald Trump's Middle East envoy has voiced optimism this week regarding the possibility of brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas conflict and secure the release of more hostages captured during the initial attack.

Steve Witkoff stated in Washington on Wednesday that he has "some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution  a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict," adding that a new U.S. proposal would soon be presented to both parties.

Hamas has announced that it has agreed with Witkoff on a "general framework" for an agreement. This framework aims for a lasting ceasefire, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, increased aid, and a transfer of power from Hamas to an independent Palestinian committee.

However, Israel has publicly rejected any such agreement, stating that it would only consider temporary pauses in fighting to facilitate the release of hostages. Israeli media have quoted officials denying that any agreement resembling the one described by Hamas is being considered.

What do Israel and Hamas want?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. He has said Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

open image in gallery People watch as smoke billows following an Israeli strike in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip on 25 May 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected plans to resettle Gaza's population, a move experts say would likely violate international law.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages  its only bargaining chip  in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. It has offered to give up power to a committee of politically independent Palestinians that could oversee reconstruction.

Hamas is still holding 58 hostages. Around a third are believed to be alive, though many fear they are in grave danger the longer the war goes on. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its airstrikes and ground operations after ending a ceasefire in March.

The dispute over whether there should be a temporary ceasefire to release more hostages  as Israel has called for  or a permanent one  as Hamas wants  has bedeviled talks brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar for more than a year and a half, and there's no indication it has been resolved.

What is the latest ceasefire proposal?

Witkoff has not publicized his latest proposal, but a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office at the White House on 6 May 2025 ( Getty Images )

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade  slightly eased in recent days  has pushed the population to the brink of famine.

Why is it so hard to end the conflict?

Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages. More than half the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.

Israel's ensuing military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly 2 million Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands living in squalid tent camps and unused schools.

open image in gallery Displaced Palestinians receive food packages from a US-backed foundation pledging to distribute humanitarian aid in western Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on 27 May 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Hamas has been vastly depleted militarily and lost nearly all of its top leaders in Gaza. It likely fears that releasing all the hostages without securing a permanent ceasefire would allow Israel to launch an even more devastating campaign to ultimately destroy the group.

Israel fears that a lasting ceasefire and withdrawal now would leave Hamas with significant influence in Gaza, even if it surrenders formal power. With time, Hamas might be able to rebuild its military might and eventually launch more Oct. 7-style attacks.

A broader resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears more distant than ever.

The Palestinians are weak and divided, and Israel's current government  the most nationalist and religious in its history  is opposed to Palestinian demands for a state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.
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A court has upended Donald Trumps already ever-changing tariff policies overnight, blocking the sweeping global levies in a significant blow to his administration.

But experts warned that the decision by the United States Court of International Trade will not necessarily provide any relief to countries hoping for lower tariffs or even trading uncertainty with the US.

Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the US and Americas programme at Chatham House, said the ruling  from a court that most of the world will have never heard of  was a major setback for the president.

But the decision, which has already been appealed by the Trump administration, is not any real cause for relief for American trading partners.

On 2 April, the US president announced high tariffs on nearly every trading partner, setting a sweeping baseline tariff of 10 per cent for most, while announcing even higher duties for dozens of other nations, including India and China.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump holds up a chart of reciprocal tariffs, which he introduced on 2 April ( Getty )

Since then, tariffs have been paused for some countries; tariffs on Chinese goods rose to 145 per cent before being cut to 30 per cent; and as recently as last week, Mr Trump threatened to lift duties on European Union goods to 50 per cent.

So, what does the court decision do to this landscape?

Dr Vinjamuri said: For Europeans and the rest of the world trying to decide how to respond to President Trumps tariffs, the answer today appears to be: let America sort itself out, but, still, continue to prepare for the worst and diversify your portfolio.

The Court of International Trade ruled that Mr Trumps decision to impose global so-called reciprocal tariffs was unlawful, finding the justification the White House used was not valid. The administration had argued it was a national security emergency.

Dr Vinjamuri said that while tariffs would remain a part of Mr Trumps toolkit, it would be a difficult legal case for the president to fight.

open image in gallery The European Commission, under Ursula von der Leyen, declined to comment on the court ruling ( AP )

Yesterdays ruling is part of the broader story and question of what, who, how, and when will Trump be restrained in his efforts to overreach his executive authority, she said.

The ultimate question of US executive authority, though, will be decided by US courts, US corporate interests, US universities, and the US public. It is a deeply American problem with enormous global implications.

Countries have been working for weeks now to negotiate trade and tariff agreements with the US, and were reticent to express a view on the court development.

Germany said it could not comment, as did the European Commission.

We ask for your understanding that we cannot comment on the legal proceedings in the US, as they are still ongoing, a spokesperson for Germanys economy ministry said.

We continue to hope that a mutually beneficial solution can be reached in the negotiations between the EU Commission and the US government.

open image in gallery Global markets have been forced to deal with a chaotic Trump presidency ( EPA )

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also had little to say when asked to react on Thursday.

China has made its position very clear: tariff and trade wars have no winners. Protectionism benefits no one and is ultimately unpopular, she said.

Wendy Cutler, a former US trade official who is now vice-president at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington DC, said the courts decision throws the presidents trade policy into turmoil.

Partners negotiating hard during the 90-day tariff pause period may be tempted to hold off making further concessions to the US until there is more legal clarity, she said.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said that although the White House was already planning an appeal, there was a chance that the House of Representatives and the Senate would approve the tariff plan regardless.

So there is no guarantee that anything will change as the 9 July deadline for the reciprocal tariffs approaches (pending any trade deals), he said.

While global stock markets seemed encouraged by the court ruling, Mr Mould said that was perhaps as a reflection of the view that rule of law rather than presidential executive order is returning to the political stage in the USA.

For company management teams, business will remain tricky, he said.

It will remain very difficult for them to plan ahead, even after the courts decision, given the prospect of the White Houses appeal, Mr Mould said.

In this respect, the near-term danger remains that companies hold off from spending or hiring with the result that US economic data remains soft, or at least murky and difficult to interpret.

Additional reporting from Reuters, AP
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A cabin member broke their ankle and two more were injured when a Qantas flight from Sydney to Brisbane experienced severe turbulence during landing.

The captain of the Qantas 737 did not inform the cabin crew about the expected turbulence during descent meaning they were performing pre-landing duties when the plane encountered difficult conditions on 4 May 2024, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found.

Two cabin crew sustained minor injuries including facial trauma and concussion, while a third suffered a fractured ankle and was unable to move from the rear galley floor.

The planes customer service manager (CSM) recalled observing the cabin crew member rising off the floor and colliding with the aircraft's ceiling before falling back down and landing on their right ankle.

A travelling doctor, an off-duty cabin crew employee and two crew members remained with the injured flight attendant at the back of the aircraft, resulting in four people being out of their seats as the plane landed.

Qantas 737 standard operating procedures rely on the customer service manager  the senior member of the cabin crew  informing the flight crew if the cabin is not secured for landing, Dr Stuart Godley, director transport safety at Australian Transport Safety Bureau, explained.

While the customer service manager contacted the captain to inform them about the injured cabin crew member and that some passengers were standing, the captain did not recall receiving any requests for more time to prepare the cabin for landing, and twice directed all uninjured cabin crew and passengers to return to their seats, the report found.

Landing is a critical phase of flight, and the unrestrained cabin crew and passengers were exposed to a higher risk of injury in a landing-based emergency, which in turn would have compromised the cabin crews ability to manage any such emergency situation.

Data shows that almost 80 per cent of serious turbulence-related injuries in airline operations are sustained by cabin crew, and the most common time for these to occur is when preparing the cabin for landing, Dr Godley added.

Dr Godley emphasised that collaboration is essential between pilots and cabin crew to ensure service tasks are completed on time while minimising the risk of injury during known or anticipated encounters with turbulence.

Differing understandings of the state of the cabin increases the risk of delayed responses or misaligned decisionmaking, which may lead to safety being compromised, Dr Godley said.

After the aircraft arrived at the gate at Brisbane, the seriously injured cabin crew member was attended to by ambulance personnel.

However, the other two injured cabin crew members did not receive any immediate follow up medical assessments or treatment.

While one of the injured crew self-diagnosed their facial injury the next day, the other was unaware they had sustained a concussion and operated on multiple flights while experiencing concussion symptoms before being treated.

Qantas has subsequently updated its post-event incident notification protocol to include contact with the Qantas on-call doctor in the event of significant cabin crew injury or illness.

Additionally, the airline has implemented additional controls to adequately assess the fitness of crew members after a turbulence event or other unplanned aircraft movement.
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United Airlines and JetBlue Airways have announced a new partnership and it includes some big benefits for those heading to the skies.

The deal was announced Thursday and still needs federal approval. It will allow passengers to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles across both airlines and book flights on each other's websites. Uniteds MileagePlus and JetBlues TrueBlue members will gain access to each others loyalty perks, including priority boarding, free checked bags, preferred seating, extra legroom and same-day changes when flying on either carrier.

The agreement also involves United's return to New York's JFK Airport, where it ceased operations in 2022.

Starting as early as 2027, JetBlue will give up to seven daily round-trip slots at JFK to United. In exchange, JetBlue will gain additional space at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Despite the close collaboration, both airlines will maintain independent operations, managing their own flight schedules and pricing.

open image in gallery Jet Blue and United Airlines have announced a new partnership that will bring some big benefits to fliers. ( Getty Images )

United will shift its website and mobile app travel booking features, including hotels, rental cars, cruises and insurance, to JetBlue's Paisly platform.

If approved, elements of the so-called "Blue Sky" alliance could begin as early as fall 2025.

"United's global reach perfectly complements JetBlue's East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling," Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, said in a news release.

"We're always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule," United CEO Scott Kirby added.

open image in gallery The deal also marks United's return to JFK Airport, which it left in 2022. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The new alliance follows JetBlue's previous partnership with American Airlines, known as the Northeast Alliance, which ended in 2023 after the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against the two companies.

The DOJ argued JetBlue and American's partnership reduced competition and harmed consumers by effectively merging operations in key markets including New York and Boston. A federal judge ruled in favor of the DOJ, leading to its termination.

In March 2024, a federal judge blocked a proposed $3.8 billion merger between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, claiming it would hurt travelers who rely on Spirits low prices. The airlines acknowledged they likely couldnt meet the conditions to finalize the planned merger by the deadline, despite still supporting the deal.

At the time, JetBlues CEO, Joanna Geraghty, called the potential partnership a bold move to disrupt the industry. Spirits CEO, Ted Christie, expressed disappointment, but said he remained confident in Spirits ability to succeed independently.
A rare snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, marking what conservationists are calling an amazing achievement in the effort to save this endangered species.

The female cub, affectionately nicknamed Little Lady, was born on May 10, following a groundbreaking ultrasound in April that confirmed mother Lailas pregnancy.

Trainer Simon Jackaman, who spent months preparing Laila, said her calm and composed response defied expectations for such a famously shy species.

Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming, said Jackaman.

Little Lady is the newest addition to Lailas growing family and the younger sister to three previous cubs.
A man accidentally set himself on fire while attempting to carry out an arson attack at a restaurant in Australia.

The unidentified suspect was caught on CCTV entering the Al Marjan restaurant in Campbellfield, Melbourne, on 21 May, last year.

CCTV released by Victoria Police, shows a suspect dressed in black, pour accelerant across the bar and floor, before slipping on the surface.

As the suspect tries to ignite the fire, he is suddenly engulfed in flames.

Despite being set alight, the alleged arsonist manages to flee. Police have released the video in an appeal for public assistance to identify the suspect.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has labeled Nigel Farage a clown and pathetic in response to a Reform UK campaign advert accusing Sarwar of introducing sectarianism to Scottish politics.

The reality is, this is just a pathetic little man, hungry for attention, trying to bring his brand of divisive politics and hate into Scotland, Sarwar told the Press Association.

The ad, which was played at a Reform party press conference on Tuesday (27 May) ahead of a Holyrood by-election next week, shows clips of Sarwar calling for more South Asian representation in politics, along with text on screen claiming he would prioritise the Pakistani community - despite Mr Sarwar not making such a suggestion during the speech.

Both Labour and Scottish Minister John Swinney have described the video as racist.
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A popular Japanese bidet company has its sights set on the U.S. bottom.

Toto, which makes the Washlet  or bidet  has seen a dramatic increase in popularity of its products in America, all thanks to social media, The New York Times noted.

When the company launched its new kind of toilet seat in the 1980s featuring a small wand that sprays water, the innovation received a cold reception overseas in America. Americans, however, have more recently warmed to the idea of the Washlet, in part, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At a time when everyone was panic-buying and toilet paper was a hot commodity, Americans in need turned to Totos Washlet, according to the report.

The companys profits in America have grown more than eightfold over the past five years, and they hope to keep the momentum, the companys president, Shinya Tamura, told the Times.

I could have never imagined how popular Washlets would become overseas, Tamura said, noting that the product took a moment to become popular in Japan, too.

open image in gallery Japanese company Toto, which makes the Washlet, has its sights set on growing popularity in America. ( AFP via Getty Images )

When the company first brought its Washlets to America in 1989, it was tough to advertise, Tamura said, recalling immense backlash over a 2007 Times Square billboard displaying a row of naked backsides.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Toto mainly sold Washlets through word-of-mouth marketing. The companys annual sales in America were below $300 million in the late 2010s, less than half of what it made in China at the same time.

An industry report last year also showed that more than two in five renovating homeowners in the U.S. were choosing to install specialty features, such bidets - which shoot water up a persons backside to clean instead of using traditional toilet paper.

The product was modeled after a bidet-like device used for medical purposes in the U.S. in the 1960s. When launched in Japan in 1980, it had washing and drying functions, as well as a heated seat. However, over the years, more features have been added, such as deodorizing and automatic flushes.

Now, the company has been left scrambling in response to President Donald Trumps tariffs, Tamura told the Times in an interview published Thursday.

open image in gallery Toto says it may have to raise prices if Trumps tariffs are imposed. ( AFP via Getty Images )

Toto manufactures most of the bidets it sells in the U.S. in Thailand and Malaysia, countries Trump threatened to hit with additional tariffs before a U.S. trade court struck down most of his levies on Wednesday.

However, if the tariffs are imposed, Toto would likely have to raise its prices  at least for American customers, Tamura said.

Even with tariffs, the United States will be the biggest growth market for us, Tamura said.

The company hopes to more than double its Washlet sales in the U.S. by the end of 2027. Right now, similar style bidets only account for about 2.5 percent of American toilets, according to the report.

Another goal for Tamura is to win over New Yorkers. He told the Times: As revenge, I kind of want to try Times Square again.
Award of $25m in damages made against Irish oil executive Oisin Fanning in New York court

San Leon boss to appeal the decision over loan dispute

Oisin Fanning. Photo: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

John Burns Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

An award of $25m in damages has been made against the Irish businessman Oisin Fanning by a court in New York.
The more valuable of them is a high-profile bank branch let to Bank of Ireland in Balbriggan which is guiding in excess of 5m. This guide equates to a 9.05pc net initial yield (NIY) which will increase to 9.68pc in April 2028 and 10.36pc in July 2029 due to fixed rental uplifts.
US tech giant Workday earmarks $468m for Dublin HQ in 20-year lease deal

Agreement signed last month is described as a landmark for capitals office market

The College Square development has gone up on the site of the former Apollo House in Dublin 2

John Mulligan Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

US financial software management firm Workday has earmarked $468m (413m) for its landmark 20-year lease of its new European headquarters in Dublin, it has revealed.
Family had sought courts judgment in advance of independent experts decision

A Co Wicklow-based family firm that agreed to sell its food-van business in 2022 for up to 13m to a Swedish company has failed to persuade the High Court to interfere in an accounting dispute over a more than 2m earn-out fee.
Aer Lingus is among the airlines that battled the IAA. Photo: John Mulligan

Legal costs incurred by the Irish Aviation Authority surged last year to almost 1.6m from 1.1m a year earlier, as it battled airlines in relation to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
Smaller lenders are increasingly coming together to create bigger entities

There has been an upsurge in the number of credit unions paying a dividend to their members.

The lack of a dividend payment has been a contentious issue for years. But new research shows two-thirds of credit unions paid a dividend last year. This is up from just 5pc in 2022, according to a survey of the sector undertaken by independent accounting firm RBK.
Survey reveals that 40pc of big Irish firms have lost employees since scrapping DEI policies

Moves come after Donald Trumps regime called for a rollback of such policies

DEI has had a 'profound' impact on businesses in Ireland. Illustration: Getty

Azmia Riaz Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

A new survey has found that 40pc of large Irish businesses have seen employees resign due to recent changes in their diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies.
Fords mission  to sell more EVs or become the Transit Man brand

Antrim-born boss of Ford Ireland and UK says the role of the dealer will not change

Lisa Brankin. Photo: Stan Papior

Adrian Weckler Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

When she was a young girl, Lisa Brankin assumed shed be a nurse or a teacher. But instead she has ended up running the UK and Ireland operations at one of the worlds biggest car brands.
Tech firms have only paid 20m of 4bn in fines levied by Data Protection Commission

TikTok has been fined by Irish authorities over its use of customer data (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

TikTok has launched a High Court challenge to a 530m fine imposed on it by the Data Protection Commission (DPC).

It is the latest legal attempt by Big Tech to overturn penalties imposed by the Irish privacy regulator. Of the more than 4bn in fines levied on companies including Meta and Amazon, only 20m has been paid so far.
My Cultural Life

Dublin singer/songwriter BABA, aka Siobhan Lynch, has just released her debut album Truth which features the eponymous single and also Love Like This.

BOOK: A Pocketful of Happiness I love a memoir, and I adore a love story  so Richard E Grants A Pocketful of Happiness really spoke to me. Its heartbreaking but so full of love. He shares diary entries from the time he lost his wife, Joan, to cancer and writes so honestly about their life together.

Before she died she told him to try and find a pocketful of happiness in each day, and that thread runs beautifully through the book. My favourite line is: Grief is love with nowhere to go. I think its so important to normalise talking about your grief.

STREAMING: Severance Ive just finished Season 2 of Severance and I miss it already. I absolutely loved everything about it. The premise is brilliant  full of twists and turns  and the cast, and their acting, is outstanding. Ive been a huge Adam Scott fan since Parks and Recreation.

But what really stood out for me was the way it was shot: the symmetry of the Lumon offices, the attention to detail, and how they make something so stark and bleak look oddly beautiful. The whole thing was an unsettling joy to watch. I cant wait for Season 3.

PODCAST: Louis Theroux Im a huge fan of Louis Theroux, and Im so excited his podcast is back, the aptly named The Louis Theroux Podcast. Ive only listened to the Bella Ramsey episode so far, but honestly, he could talk to a wall and Id still tune in.

I just love everything about him; his awkward humour, the way he disarms his guests, and how effortlessly he gets people to talk. He recently released a very important documentary called The Settlers, which everyone should watch.

FESTIVAL: Culture Night I love Culture Night in Dublin each September  theres such a buzz, and it really brings the city to life. My favourite part is wandering between free events, discovering new artists and chatting to creatives from all disciplines. I always finish the night with a pint and a toasted sambo in Grogans  its my little tradition.
Planning a night on the couch? Here are todays top TV and streaming picks:

Capaillini TG4, 8pm

New series following the lives of pony enthusiasts. They include Mairtin O Neachtain from Ros Muc, a generational pony owner, preparing for another busy season of shows. Plus, CPBS society member Peter OMaille talks us through the process of inspecting Connemara ponies.

Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr

Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr BBC One, 8pm

The finalists transform holiday cottages in the village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, before one of them wins the contest and a contract with retailer John Lewis.

Survivor TG4, 9.30pm

Eighteen new castaways are left stranded on the islands of Fiji. They struggle to adapt to a new life, at the first Tribal Council, one of them will be sent home.

Where Eagles Dare

Where Eagles Dare BBC Four, 7pm

Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood play members of an elite group of commandos who enter an almost impregnable Nazi stronghold to rescue a high-ranking American officer.

Brave New World

Brave New World Disney+, streaming now

Meeting newly elected President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) must race against time to uncover a sinister plot before the world plunges into chaos.

F1: The Academy Netflix, streaming now

In the struggle to reinstate a female driver on the Formula 1 grid, 15 young women are pushing the envelope. For similar viewing, but dramatised, we have Gran Turismo, which landed yesterday on Netflix, while Motorheads is now available via Prime Video.

Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders

Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders Netflix, streaming now

Chicago, 1982. Several cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules randomly resulted in at least seven deaths. Understandably, it ignited a countrywide panic in the United States, leading to one of the biggest criminal investigations in the nations history. This striking documentary, from executive producer Joe Berlinger (Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes) and directors Yotam Guendelman and Ari Pines (Shadow of Truth, Buried), revisits the terrifying crime that destroyed the countrys faith in the safety of commonplace brands. Were these horrifying fatalities the work of a single psychopath, or was it just a convenient scapegoat in a larger conspiracy and possible cover-up? The case that transformed the bestselling medication in the world into a terrible symbol and permanently altered public perception of the items in peoples medicine cabinets is revisited through this three-part series.

Surviving The Tunisia Beach Attack Prime Video, streaming now

In 2015, a single shooter killed 38 people in less than 40 minutes. Ten years later, survivors talk about their struggle for survival and the tragedys lingering effects.

Clarksons Farm

Clarksons Farm Prime Video, streaming now

Be it for inheritance tax purposes or just a pure latent love of land, Clarkson is back. After wrapping up series three, the Diddly Squat crew return to find Kaleb touring the country and Lisa launching a new product line. This means Clarkson is left to manage it all. Poor lamb.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Netflix, streaming now

Experience the thrill (albeit second-hand) of flying with the US Air Forces Thunderbirds, witnessing the intense training, risks and dedication required to be part of this elite American institution who, essentially, do doughnuts in the sky and make Mother Nature cry. Thats my two cents, anyway.

Fountain of Youth

Fountain of Youth AppleTV+, streaming now

Estranged siblings John Krasinski and Natalie Portman go on a high-stakes global heist to find the legendary fountain, unlocking secrets that could grant immortality. Yep, you read that correctly. It also stars Domhnall Gleeson, Eiza Gonzalez and Stanley Tucci. Also on Apple, we have Deaf President Now, which explores a pivotal but often overlooked civil rights movement.

Fear Street: Prom Queen Netflix, streaming now

Bit of an arbitrary time of year for slasher fare, but here we are. The 1988 prom at Shadyside High is a battleground as the dominant It Girls plot to win the title. However, the competition becomes lethal as candidates begin to die.

Forget You Not

Forget You Not Netflix, streaming now

As a stand-up comedian and part-time convenience store employee, Cheng Le-le (Hsieh Ying-xuan) is finding that work/life balance tricky. If you throw her marital woes and her fathers memory lapses into the mix, shes a woman on the brink.
Programme charts how the remaining islanders lived under Hitlers forces after the Germans claimed the British territories when Churchill withdrew all military presence in 1940

Actor Wolf Danny Homann portrays German officer Hans Max von Aufsess, who was stationed on Jersey, in Britain Under the Nazis. Photo: Channel 4

An alternative history in which Germany won the Second World War and Britain fell under Nazi rule proved to be a rich creative seam for novelists Len Deighton (SS-GB) and Robert Harris (Fatherland).

Strangely, the factual story of Germanys five-year occupation of the Channel Islands has been, if not exactly ignored, notably under-exploited by fiction writers, historians and even documentarians.

The superb two-part documentary Britain Under the Nazis: The Forgotten Occupation (Channel 4, Thursday, May 29, 8pm) should go some way towards rectifying the imbalance.

Winston Churchills famous we shall fight on the beaches speech didnt extend to the beaches of Guernsey, Jersey or their neighbouring islands, despite his pledge to defend them.

Since the islands were of no strategic importance, he withdrew all military presence from them on June 14, 1940, leaving 94,000 islanders on Guernsey to fend for themselves.

Ships were laid on for those who wished to evacuate and 25,000 people left. But a breakdown in communication meant Germany didnt know the islands had been demilitarised. On June 30, the Luftwaffe struck, killing 44 people.

Nazis march through Guernsey during World War II in 1940. Photo: Express/Archive/Getty Images

The occupation proper began on July 1. Director Jack Warrenders film uses the first-hand testimony of islanders, drawn from their personal diaries, to tell the story of life under occupation, while historians Prof Gilly Carr and Dr Louise Willmot provide context with a light touch.

Actors deliver the words straight to camera. Despite the irritating tic of occasionally showing the camera crew filming them, which takes us out of the story a little, its a riveting account of a complex chapter in wartime history.

I feel the tremor of bombs being dropped in the distance, wrote Frank Falla, a reporter with the Guernsey Star. For the first time since the outbreak of the war, the full impact of what it means hits me. Despite the sunshine, I feel cold.

With one German soldier for every three islanders and the Swastika raised over government buildings, it must have felt like the war had already been lost.

Falla and his colleagues had opted to remain at their desks, even if it meant being censored by the Nazis, rather than let the newspaper come completely under their control.

He and others distributed their own underground newsletter featuring the news from the BBC. Hitler regarded seizing the Channel Islands as a valuable propaganda tool, even to the extent of drafting in slave labourers to build the Atlantic Wall.

A picture in a Wehrmacht newspaper showed some islanders seemingly giving the Nazi salute. In fact, they were raising their hands in response to being asked if they spoke French or German.

One Jersey islander who tried to spread the truth was artist and anti-fascist activist Claude Cahun, who shared a house with her stepsister  in reality, her lifelong partner.

As a lesbian and a Jew, she was in double peril. Nonetheless, she tried to persuade German soldiers to rebel by distributing notes she described as her paper bullets. Viewed as incitement to mutiny, this was punishable by death.

Women who had affairs, and even babies, with German soldiers were labelled Jerrybags and ostracised after the war

In one startling diary extract, Jerseys bailiff Alexander Coutanche wrote of keeping relations with the German officer in charge cordial. We agree mutually that we are enemies, but at least we can behave like gentlemen.

Things werent quite so cordial later in the occupation when the mass deportation of Jews, as well as residents born elsewhere, began, and when concentration camps were built on Alderney. The tiny island is officially recognised as a Holocaust site.

The lone German voice here is that of German officer Hans Max von Aufsess, who appears to have treated his time on Jersey as a holiday. He wrote euphemistically about the good understanding between German soldiers and English girls.

Women who had affairs, and even babies, with German soldiers were labelled Jerrybags and ostracised after the war.

Eighty years on, the collaboration, whether sexual or otherwise, of some islanders with the Nazis has left scars that still hurt.

Both episodes of Britain Under the Nazis are streaming on Channel4.com from today.

Rating: Five stars
It breaks my heart - President Higgins on the ongoing situation in Gaza as it edges closer to famine

President Michael D Higgins (84) has said the ongoing situation in Gaza breaks my heart.

Speaking at Bord Bia Bloom 2025 in what will be his last time as Irelands president, he called for immediate action to help the starving people of Gaza.

President Higgins, who visited Gaza in 2006, was heavily critical of the inaction of some other nations, given Israels heavy-handed military tactics on a nation enduring starvation and famine-like conditions.

There are nine countries still holding back on even a ceasefire. What is happening in Gaza at the moment? Well the nations 81pc of people have been displaced, he told the Irish Independent.

They have been put into temporary accommodation that is being bombed. Their soil is being destroyed, their hospitals have been bombed.

He spoke about the unfairness that if someone spoke out against Israels stance on Gaza and the Palestinians, they were labelled antisemitic.

He and others naturally condemned the October 7 2023 attacks by Hamas but if you criticise Prime Minister Netanyahus policies, you are then described as being antisemitic.

That is a disgrace and a slander. And it has been a slander against Ireland, against individuals, including myself, people who have worked all their lives in relation to human rights activity, he said.

He also alleged that a propaganda campaign against Ireland is now active in the United States.

So that when we are seeking to have meetings with people interested in investing in Ireland, they are being contacted in advance with suggestions saying, You must open by asking (them), Why is Ireland so against the United States position on Israel?

He referenced his recent speech at the National Famine Commemoration in Limericks Kilmallock. He spoke at the time about the failures of the UN Security Council and said it was time for the UN General Assembly to step in.

If the Security Council doesnt act, the General Assembly can have special measures for peace. It can have a special session and it can over-ride the security council, he said.

And in fact contrary to what has been said - that this has only been used in the case of Korea  it has been used 11 times. And now is the time. Today is the day for food and medical aid and water to be made available and I salute all those who are trying to do that.

He also spoke about the controversial US and Israeli-backed aid group, the Gaza Aid Foundation, whose chief Jake Wood resigned this week.

Its head has resigned because he has said he cannot work with an agency thats not in accordance with international law, that militarises aid and so on, he said.

He also said there was little hope of the Gazans being able to produce their own food in the near future.

You have to remember the devastation being imposed on the Palestinian people by rendering the land of Gaza unusable. Figures show that nearly 80pc of it cannot produce food again, he said.
A genuine slip-up  Cathal Crowe apologises after claiming the British Army never bombed or shot civilians in Ireland

A Fianna Fail TD has apologised for falsely stating that the British Army never bombed or shot any civilians over centuries in Ireland.

Cathal Crowe, from Clare, shocked TDs when he made the remark  adding immediately afterwards that he was something of a historian  during a discussion of the Israeli armys activities in Gaza.

Today, Mr Crowe apologised to the victims of British terror and atrocities in the Dail. He said he wanted to correct the record over the remarks.

My apology is also to those of you who care about Irish history and the accuracy with which it should be conveyed, he said in a personal statement.

I wanted to make the point that brutal, bad, and all as the British armed forces have been on this island for a very long time, they never resorted to sending over the Royal Air Force, tanks and missiles to pummel Irish cities.

Regrettably, speaking largely off the cuff, I clumsily and wrongly stated that they never retaliated by bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland. Let me be very clear. It was not my intention to say this, and I didnt realise how woeful all of that was until late last night when I received the transcript of what I had actually said.

It was a genuine slip-up on my part, but it was wrong  and I wish to today unequivocally and profusely apologise.

The British Army has been involved in many heinous attacks on Irish people historically, he said.

His own family also suffered at the hands in the past of the British military, he added, referring to atrocities in Clare during the War of Independence.

Mr Crowe said: My apology is to the victims of British terror and atrocities. My apology is also to those of you who care about Irish history and the accuracy with which it should be conveyed.

He is a former history teacher, and previously called for a boycott to oppose former justice minister Charlie Flanagans efforts to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary. The event caused an outcry and was soon scrapped.

*This article was amended at 3.25pm on May 29, 2025, to correct the spelling of Cathal Crowes surname in one instance
Bono bites back at Donald Trump over claims of illegal campaign donations to Kamala Harris

U2 star also says theres only one boss in America, backing Bruce Springsteen

Bono on set with Jimmy Kimmel. Photo: Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images

Madeline Sherratt UK Independent Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30







U2 frontman Bono has hit back at US president Donald Trumps allegations of illegal campaign contribution against celebrities who made appearances in support of Kamala Harriss ill-fated campaign.
Dentist avoids jail and gets lifetime ban on owning animals in appalling case of animal neglect

An animal welfare inspector and gardai who visited the property said their eyes were burning due to the smell of ammonia from the animals urine

Karen Saunderson pleaded guilty to 10 animal welfare offences. Photo: Collins

Sean McCarthaigh Thu 29 May 2025 at 19:38

A dentist has been given a suspended prison sentence of four-and-a-half years and a lifetime ban on owning animals after what a judge described as one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect he had ever come across.
Defence lawyers for the rapper alleged prosecutorial misconduct

Sean 'Diddy' Combs makes a heart gesture as he enters the courtroom for his sex-trafficking trial in New York City, New York. Photo: Reuters

A US judge has rejected a defence request for a mistrial at the sex-trafficking trial of Sean Diddy Combs.

The music moguls lawyers said prosecutors tried to imply to a jury that he interfered with the investigation into rapper Kid Cudis firebombed Porsche in 2012.
Increase in online toxic masculinity fuels rise in reports of sexual violence, including weapon use, says Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

Calls to Rape Crises Centre up 22 per cent in the last year

Conor Feehan Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30







The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has warned that the increase in toxic masculinity on social media is feeding the growth of violence against women being seen in Sexual Assault Treatment Units.
Vice President - Finance at Irish Air Lines Pilots Association (IALPA), Daniel Langan; Chief Operations Officer at Irish Aviation Authority, Jim Gavin; and National Secretary at FORSA, Katie Morgan.

Almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend. Photo: Conor McCabe Photography.

Almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend. Photo: Conor McCabe Photography.

Disruptive air passengers have been warned of zero tolerance as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this weekend.

It comes as there has been a continued rise in industry reports of unruly behaviour to the Irish Aviation Authority, although the majority of passengers travel responsibly.

This trend has seen year-on-year increases as airlines have encouraged crews to increase the reporting of unruly behaviour.

More than 30 incidents have already been reported to Dublin Airport Garda station so far this year, which represents an almost 80pc increase compared to the entirety of 2024.

The three most common incidents this year have been offensive behaviour onboard aircraft, obstructing or assaulting an authorised officer and being intoxicated onboard an aircraft.

Last year also saw a 50pc increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported to gardai at Dublin Airport, compared to 2023.

The aviation industry has renewed its shared commitment to tackle disruptive passenger behaviour through the ongoing #NotOnMyFlight campaign.

The initiative, which was launched last year, is receiving growing support from aviation and public sector partners.

It aims to ensure passengers are aware of the serious consequences of unruly behaviour, as well as supporting airport and airline staff through training and policy, or facilitating enforcement, like bans and prosecutions, where necessary.

Since last year, the campaign has expanded to include Irelands largest aviation union, Forsa, and the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA), both of whom have formally signed the industrys joint declaration on unruly passenger behaviour.

Vice President - Finance at Irish Air Lines Pilots Association (IALPA), Daniel Langan; Chief Operations Officer at Irish Aviation Authority, Jim Gavin; and National Secretary at FORSA, Katie Morgan.

Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, said: The #NotOnMyFlight campaign continues to reflect our strong commitment to supporting frontline airport staff, flight and cabin crew, and to safeguarding passengers by making it clear that unruly passenger behaviour will not be tolerated.

"As we head into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, were reminding all passengers travelling through Irish airports that respectful behaviour is not just expected - its essential to ensuring a safe and positive flying experience for everyone, he added.

Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Region of An Garda Siochana, said there is no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour.

Incidents of unruly conduct in airports and on planes can have serious consequences for both passengers and staff. It can be a frightening experience that endangers passengers and crew, while it can also mean delayed flights and missed connections, he said.

Over the past year, we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that.

"While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Siochana is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports, he added.

Forsas National Secretary, Katie Morgan, said that our members in airlines and airports are often the first responders to unruly passenger behaviour.

"As a trade union, the potential risk of unruly passenger behaviour to the health and safety of our members is a crucial matter of concern, she said.

Weve seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members.

"Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.

"They prioritise the travelling public's safety, and this campaign helps prioritise their safety, she added.

It comes as almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend.

The airport is expecting more than 115,000 passengers every day between Friday and Monday, with a total of 480,000 set to pass through both terminals.

Almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend. Photo: Conor McCabe Photography.

This four-day period will see close to 250,000 passengers departing from Dublin Airport, with around 230,000 passengers arriving, including thousands of tourists from across the world.

The busiest day over the weekend will be tomorrow, Friday, May 30, when almost 124,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport.

Therefore, passengers are advised to arrive at their terminal two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight.

Dublin Airport spokesperson, Graeme McQueen, said this June bank holiday is set to break some records.

"The peak tourism season is here and demand to travel this summer is really high, with this set to be the busiest June bank holiday ever at Dublin Airport, he said.

Indeed, the numbers travelling this weekend - and over the summer - would be even higher if it weren't for the passenger cap on Dublin Airport which continues to put off airlines from bringing new and additional routes to Ireland, denying the Irish hospitality sector of important tourism revenue, he added.
Burial 36-2000, one of the largest uncovered outside the Acropolis in Copans 130-year history of archaeological investigation. Photo: Professor Seiichi Nakamura

The archaeological site of Copan in Honduras, Central America. Photo: Professor Seiichi Nakamura

The rise of the renowned ancient Mayan civilisation of Mexico and central America was fuelled by contact with outsiders, as seen in ancient DNA.

Thats according to new research by a Trinity College Dublin (TCD) geneticist reported today in the journal Current Biology.

Scientists previously found that present day Maya people carry genes from both the traditional local Maya ancestors and Mexican highlanders.

What makes our findings significant is that we identified this gene flow starting around the beginning of the Classic period, said Shigeki Nakagome, Ussher Assistant Professor in Genomic Medicine, School of Medicine, TCD.

The Classic period of Mayan civilisation - when it was at its peak - scholars say was from around 250 AD to 950 AD, after which it declined.

Archaeological evidence has long suggested that a possible connection between the Classic Maya states and regions in highland Mexico, said professor Shigeki.

This suggests that interaction between these regions may have played a role in the rise of Classic Maya civilisation.

The civilisation flourished primarily in present-day southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador.

At its height, the Mayans built cities which were huge by the standard of the time, made up of monumental stone structures, and pyramid temples.

They became renowned for a sophisticated writing system, advances in mathematics and astronomy, and skill in crafts like sculpture and pottery.

Despite extensive archaeological research, many aspects of their ancestry and population history remain poorly understood, said Prof Nakagome.

The TCD researchers used ancient genomics to analyse DNA from seven people who lived in Copan in Honduras during the Classic Mayan period.

Ancient genomics is the study of genomes (a genome being the entire DNA in a single cell) recovered from the bones or teeth of ancient people.

This enabled them to investigate the genetic ancestry of these individuals.

We focused on the petrous portion of the temporal bone, a dense part of the skull known for its exceptional DNA preservation.

This area of bone is known to yield higher quantities of ancient DNA compared to other parts of the human skeleton.

However, Nakagome and his team found that studying these ancient DNA samples was far more difficult than investigating modern DNA.

After death, DNA begins to degrade and fragment due to environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and microbial activity.

As a result, ancient DNA is often highly fragmented, chemically modified and present in very low quantities, requiring specialised techniques and strict contamination controls to recover and analyse it accurately.

The results indicated that there was an influx of people from Highland Mexico into the Mayan lowland areas during the early to middle Classic period.

This shows that the rise of the Classic Maya civilisation involved movement and interaction with people possibly from outside the Maya region.

The research also sheds some light on the fall of the Mayan people, beginning around 090 AD, which remains a famous and enduring scientific mystery.

As the Mayan civilisation began to collapse near the of the classic period, we saw signs of a population decline.

This genetic evidence helps support the idea that major social and environmental changes had real demographic consequences.

The TCD researchers now plan to study more DNA from other ancient skeletal remains of people across a variety of locations in the Mayan world.

This data will be compared to the archaeological and environmental historical record to gain further insights into the rise and fall of the Mayans.
An urgent warning has been issued to the public about an increase in fraudulent websites and ads promoting illegal medicines and falsely using a safety watchdog logo.

The warning came today from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) saying the sinister new development involves the illegal use of its logo as an endorsement.

A spokeswoman said it has identified a significant increase in recent weeks of online content making false claims promoting medicines, medical devices and cosmetics.

It is specifically highlighting a new development where dubious sites and social media posts are using the HPRA logo to falsely claim featured products are endorsed by the HPRA.

Photo: Getty/stock image

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

Other regulatory bodies internationally are being targeted in a similar way. The unacceptable use of the HPRA logo and name in this way is clearly designed to deceive and mislead consumers, a spokeswoman said.

It is urging members of the public not to buy such products online as they are likely to be from untrustworthy suppliers both engaged in illegal advertising and offering fake or unauthorised products that could pose a health risk.

As the independent regulator, the HPRA will never endorse or promote any specific health product or brand.

It said in this month alone, the HPRA has observed a surge in misleading website activity.

The websites, which are hosted outside of Ireland by the e-commerce platform Shopify, are being directly promoted to consumers via fake Facebook profiles and ads.

To date, some 155 Shopify product listings, 124 Facebook profiles and 414 Facebook advertisements have been identified making false claims with many also fraudulently stating that the product or brand is endorsed by the HPRA, it said.

The HPRA has advised Shopify and Meta of this fraudulent activity and of the public health risks associated with illegal prescription medicines and other unregulated health products sold online. It has requested Shopify and Meta to intercede to proactively identify and remove product listings, fake profiles and adverts from their platforms.

Grainne Power, Director of Compliance at the HPRA, said that in recent weeks there has been an upsurge in fake and misleading online posts. In all cases, despite what is being claimed, these illegal products are manufactured and sourced outside of Ireland.

We know that a lot of people are being duped into purchasing fake and illegal products via these sites. Working with Revenues Customs Service, we have detained a significant number of products at point of entry to the country. A number of these purport to be genuine prescription medicines when in fact the products as presented do not exist as an authorised product in any market, she said.

One notable example are transdermal delivery microneedle patches which it is claimed contain semaglutide or tirzepatide and, featuring the Irish flag, are supposedly made in Ireland. In addition to references to the HPRA, there are also claims these products are endorsed nationally by charities, hospitals and individual healthcare professionals. All these claims are untrue. Microneedle patches containing semaglutide, tirzepatide or any GLP-1 type medicine are not available as approved medical treatments

The key message we are highlighting today is that the HPRA never endorses individual brands nor do we allow our logo to be used in the promotion of health products.

"Our advice to consumers is that if online sources feature a HPRA logo or suggest a HPRA endorsement, then this is actually a clear sign you are engaging with a dubious site and seller.

"At best you are wasting your money with these online scams but at worst you could be seriously endangering your health. We are advising that when it comes to prescription medicines, ensure that the product is prescribed by a healthcare professional and sourced from a local pharmacy. All medicines, medical devices and cosmetics should be purchased through trustworthy, reliable and recognised sources, she concluded.

The HPRA said it continually monitors websites and social media channels for fake and illegal health product promotion.

In 2024, 2,553 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages were amended or shutdown.

It continually warns the public of the dangers of purchasing prescription only medicines online. It is illegal to sell prescription medicines online and there is no guarantee of the quality, safety or effectiveness of the medicines purchased from unauthorised sources.

If a member of the public is uncertain about a claim being made in relation to a brand or product, they can contact the HPRA for clarification.

The HPRA also welcomes reports of suspicious activities linked both to the supply of medicines and other health products, and their promotion where the HPRA logo or name is being used. Anyone can report in confidence to the HPRA at reportacase@hpra.ie or at 01 6343871.

The HPRAs digital information campaign provides further information for consumers on the dangers of purchasing prescription medicines online.

Commenting on the HPRA warning, a spokesperson for Meta, said: We dont allow fraudulent activity on our platforms and have removed the ads that were reported to us by HPRA. Scammers are relentless and constantly evolving their tactics to evade detection, which is why we continue to invest in technology to improve our detection and enforcement. If someone believes they have spotted content or an account they believe to be fake, they can report it using our in-app tools."
Registered anaesthetist Ilankathir Sathivel appeared before a medical inquiry to face allegations over his treatment of a patient on February 23-24, 2019 at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. Photo: Colin Keegan

A hospital doctor has admitted professional misconduct over an incident in which a patient with meningitis suffered a fatal lack of oxygen to the brain following a dispute with nursing staff over whether a breathing tube had become dislodged.

Ilankathir Sathivel appeared before a medical inquiry to face a series of allegations over his treatment of a patient on February 23-24, 2019, while working as a registrar anaesthetist at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in Dublin.

The hearing before the Medical Councils fitness-to-practise committee was told Dr Sathivel was making a number of admissions in relation to the care he provided to the 59-year-old male, identified only as Patient A, who had been admitted to the hospitals intensive care unit after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

The committee was informed that Dr Sathivel accepted that his failure to have regard for the stated view of a clinical nurse manager, Rosanne Kenny, that Patients A endotracheal tube had become dislodged about 3.58am on February 24, 2019 constituted professional misconduct.

Written statements from several nursing staff at CHB showed Ms Kenny had twice raised her concern with the anaesthetist that the tube had become displaced as ventilation alarms had sounded to show Patient A was suffering a lack of oxygen.

However, Dr Sathivel insisted the tube was correctly inserted and was not responsible for a deterioration in the patients condition.

Counsel for the Medical Council, Neasa Bird BL, said the anaesthetists disregard of the nurses concern represented a serious falling short of the standards expected of medical practitioners.

Although Dr Sathivel had responded immediately to a call for assistance, Ms Bird said he had initially conducted his assessment of Patients A airway from the foot of the bed.

Registered anaesthetist Ilankathir Sathivel appeared before a medical inquiry to face allegations over his treatment of a patient on February 23-24, 2019 at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. Photo: Colin Keegan

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

She claimed he subsequently relied on his view that the tube was not dislodged from observation of the patients chest rise and his examination with a stethoscope without carrying out a visual check on the equipment.

The inquiry heard he also delayed re-intubating the patient and in seeking to perform a laryngoscopy to assess the position of the tube.

The inquiry heard Patient A suffered a cardiac arrest at 4.15am lasting 13 minutes as a result of a lack of oxygen which resulted in a severe brain injury.

A post-mortem examination showed he subsequently died on March 2, 2019 from a lack of oxygen to the brain with meningitis as a contributory factor.

Ms Bird noted that it was Dr Sathivels first-ever shift as the on-call registrar in the hospitals ICU.

However, she said that the challenges of the role should have been with the competency of the anaesthetist.

Ms Bird said the view of two expert witnesses who reviewed the case said it was clear that Dr Sathivels failure to deal with the critical incident in a timely manner had resulted in an adverse outcome.

The inquiry arose following a complaint made to the Medical Council by the then general manager of CHB, Barbara Keogh Dunne.

Ms Bird said an internal review of the critical incident by CHB had raised a concern that Dr Sathivels competency may pose a risk to patient safety.

Dr Sathivel, a native of India who qualified as a doctor in 2005, has been registered to practise in Ireland since 2012 and currently works as a consultant anaesthetist at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin.

The anaesthetist also made admissions to several other allegations in relation to his treatment of Patient A and accepted they amounted to poor professional performance.

They included his failure to adequately assess the patients airway in a timely manner and his failure to have adequate regard for the deterioration in the mans condition after his skin had turned blue and his heartbeat had slowed to a dangerous level.

Dr Sathivel also accepted that he did not write up any medical notes for 12 hours about his treatment of Patient A in the emergency department as well as failing to inform and brief the consultant anaesthetist at CHB about the critical incident in a timely manner.

Offering his condolences and an apology to Patient As family, counsel for Dr Sathivel, Cathal Murphy BL, acknowledged that the allegations against his client related to a serious and tragic event.

However, Mr Murphy said what happened with Patient A was an isolated incident in the anaesthetists career that was not due to any lack of competence but human factors.

He said Dr Sathivel had taken steps to improve his skills set over the following years and had been a consultant since 2020 with no further incidents about his performance and competence.

Mr Murphy claimed the appropriate sanction to be imposed on his client was censure.

Ms Bird asked the fitness-to-practise committee to take into account that the admissions made by Dr Sathivel related to a serious matter.

Based on the anaesthetists admissions, the chairperson of the inquiry, Paul Harkin, said the fitness-to-practise committee would convey its recommendations on sanction, which are not made public, to the Medical Council in due course.
Irish students cancel their J1 US trips in protest at Trump visa rules

I am pro-Palestine and pro-Ukraine  Europe now has more appeal for some students, as travelling to America is just not worth it amid social media screening rules

Some are foregoing their chance to spend time in the United States as a protest. Photo: Getty

Laura Lynott Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

Irish students are scrapping planned trips to the US over concerns about freedom of speech as the Trump administration rolls out social media screening of applicants.
Irish peacekeepers had to withdraw from a patrol in South Lebanon today after coming under fire from the Israeli army.

The Tanaiste Simon Harris has described the incident as deeply worrying with the Defence Forces confirming that no troops were injured.

The military has said that small arms rounds were fired in the vicinity of Irish peacekeepers as they patrolled near the Blue Line, a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.

Mr Harris, who is also the Defence Minister, has been briefed on the incident in which Irish soldiers were fired at by an IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) patrol.

Its understood it took place at around midday close to the village of Yaroun in Southern Lebanon.

None of the Irish personnel  who were recently deployed to UNIFIL as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion  were injured in the incident.

In a statement, the Tanaiste said it illustrates the dangers that Defence Forces personnel face as they continue to maintain peace in the region.

I want to firstly send my best wishes to the Irish Defence Forces personnel affected in todays incident. While am very pleased to report that all personnel are safe and well, the fact they came under fire while on patrol is deeply worrying, Mr Harris said.

Irish soldiers at Camp Shamrock last year

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

Todays incident illustrates the dangers that our peacekeepers face every single day while on a patrol in a region that has been increasingly unstable and volatile.

The Defence Forces confirmed that they have received reports of an incident this morning involving a joint Irish UNIFIL & Lebanese Armed Forces Patrol near the Blue Line in South Lebanon.

A number of small arm rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area in which the Patrol was operating. The patrol withdrew from the area, there was no injuries to the personnel on the patrol and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from.

All Personnel of the Irish Contingent in Lebanon are reported to be safe and well, they continue to monitor the situation in Southern Lebanon and are committed the stability of the region as impartial peacekeepers.

We wish to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers.

The incident took place on International UN Peacekeepers Day as the Tanaiste announced the renewal of Irelands UNIFIL Mandate for a further 12 months.

Ireland is proud to have been part of the UNIFIL Mission since 1978 with 30,000 personnel have served there to date.

We are deeply committed to this vital mission, one that supports peace, delivers stability and protects the communities in Southern Lebanon.

The 126th Infantry Battalion deployed to the Middle Eastern country this month as part of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (Unifil) mission.

It is made up of 298 Irish soldiers as well as 10 troops from the Armed Forces of Malta, with over a third of personnel deploying on their first overseas mission.

In January four Lebanese, including a soldier, were injured after the Israeli army opened fire on army personnel and civilians on the Yaroun-Maroun al-Ras Road.
The mother of a young man killed in a hit-and-run in Co Monaghan has said an apology from the Justice Minister this week was very important to our family.

Shane OFarrell (23) was knocked off his bicycle and killed in a hit-and-run incident near his home in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, in August 2011.

"He was just finished college in Trinity. He was training all year. He was a very good swimmer and good athlete, his mother Lucia OFarrell told Oliver Callan.

She told of how her son loved rugby and was also training for an upcoming triathlon, and had headed off on his final cycle before the event.

"He went out and his sister said will you have a cup of tea? and he said I will when I come back. And he never came home, Ms OFarrell said.

She said he lost out on his whole life ahead and what should have been, including the study that he had done, his law degree and a masters degree.

"He loved the piano and guitar. He loved people, he loved life, he loved making tea and toast. He loved the chats with people.

"When he was over in London visiting his girlfriend, he would go down to the markets in Camden and get ostrich or whatever was being sold.

"He would have a chat with the people running the market, maybe the African man or the children. He was very good with people, she said.

"He drew people to him. He was fascinated with language and English and life. He loved life. He was beaming with life.

Ms OFarrell also told of how proud her son was of Carrickmacross and his native Monaghan, where he loved being around nature, be it birds or flowers.

She told how she hasnt missed a single day in visiting her sons grave since his death, and often spends the nigh awake or being restless.

"Because that is where they failed him. That is where he is. He should be here, living his life, she said.

"Our daughters have got married since, and you look on at the dancefloor thinking, he should be out there dancing or at the bar having a pint, Ms OFarrell added.

Hannah, Jim, Lucia, Gemma, Aimee and Pia OFarrell at Leinster House to hear an apology in the Dail. Photo: Collins Photos

She said there are chapters of her sons life unwritten now forever, and thats not fair.

Ms OFarrell added that she has chanelled her grief into the anger that she keeps over her sons death, as he has no voice.

Shane OFarrell was killed in the hit-and-run by Zigimantas Gridziuska, who was out on bail at the time, including for driving offences.

Gridziuska was a repeat criminal who had committed a series of offences while on bail and, a year before the hit-and-run, was given a prison sentence which he did not serve.

Ms OFarrell and her family had for years campaigned for a full public inquiry, saying they dont know why the driver who killed her son was at liberty at the time of the killing.

Ms OFarrell described Minister OCallaghans public apology to the OFarrell family in the Dail on Tuesday, as a significant step.

She said it was an official acknowledgement of the institutional failures which exposed her son to danger.

He apologised to Shane and I think that was very important to our family, she said.

"That it wasnt just an apology to us, it was an apology to Shane and the OFarrell family, as the criminal justice system did not protect Shane as it should have.

She said the family have been stonewalled by various State agencies throughout this process, receiving letters back saying they acknowledged receipt of their letters.

"But your question isnt answered. We would hope with our campaign and what we have achieved now, it hasnt brought Shane back, it will never bring Shane back.

"But it is a recognition by the State that Shane was failed. But we would hope that other families wouldnt be treated like we have been treated, she said.

Ms OFarrell added that she hopes there will be a sea change in the Department of Justice to listen to victims and to have them at the centre of everything.

"When you lose a child, you lose everything. Time is over. Time left over is unwanted. It shouldnt be a huge hurdle for families to get answers, she said.

In addition to apologising, Mr OCallaghan announced a review of bail laws, an upcoming change to road traffic law and a new scholarship in Shane OFarrells name.

Ms OFarrell said that her sons legacy will live on now through the memorial scholarship in University College Dublin, where he studied law.
Its about competitiveness  Government considering ChatGPT rollout to schools

The proposed move would follow a rollout of the technology in Estonia, where secondary schools will begin installing the AI technology in secondary school classrooms

Chief financial officer at OpenAI  which owns ChatGPT  Sarah Friar hailed the rollout in Estonia. Photo: Getty

Adrian Weckler Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

The Government is to consider installing ChatGPT into Irish school classrooms, according to a senior executive at the AI company.
The jury were told that only two people were present when Tina Satchwell (45) died - and they now had to carefully consider the veracity of the English trucker driver's account of the fatal incident on March 20 2017 at their Cork home.
Senior Kinahan gang figure Sean McGovern has appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with murdering a Dublin grandfather more than eight years ago.

The 39-year-old has this evening also been charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster after being extradited from Dubai.

The alleged offences were carried out as part of the Hutch-Kinahan feud which claimed up to 18 lives both in Ireland and abroad.

There is a heavy garda presence around the Criminal Courts of Justice this evening. Photo: Robin Schiller.

McGovern, formerly of Kildare Road in Crumlin, is the most senior member of the Kinahan crime group to be charged before the Irish courts.

A significant security operation was in place at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street with more than 40 gardai, including senior investigators and armed detectives, present for the hearing.

The father-of-two was arrested earlier today after stepping off a military plane at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, west Dublin, that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates.

Detective Sergeant Donal Daly gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him and explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certified that he should be charged before the non-jury court.

The defence counsel said at the outset of the hearing that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of his arrest and the jurisdiction of the court.

Sean McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronans Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016.

The grandfather, known as Duck Egg, was shot dead as he sat in his car with his partner in the driveway of her home.

Mr Kirwan was not involved in the feud but was targeted after being spotted beside Gerard The Monk Hutch at a funeral.

The military aircraft on which Sean McGovern was flown from Dubai to Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney.

McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwans murder from October 20 to December 22, 2016.

He is also charged with enhancing the abilities of a crime gang to carry out that murder between the same dates within the state.

The court heard that Sean McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James Mago Gately, an associate of the Hutch gang, more than eight years ago.

He is charged with both directing a crime gang to carry out surveillance of Gately, and facilitating a criminal organisation relating to the conspiracy to murder Gately between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017.

The maximum penalty on conviction for directing a crime gang is life imprisonment, while McGovern faces the mandatory life sentence if found guilty of Mr Kirwans murder.

The accused appeared with a shaved head, wearing a grey T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, socks and sandals.

He only addressed the court to say yes when asked if he was Sean McGovern.

No application for bail was made as this can only be sought before the High Court on charges of murder or organised crime offences.

Ms Justice Karen OConnor, presiding, remanded McGovern in custody and he is due to appear before the court again on June 5.

A garda spokesperson earlier today said McGovern had "been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.

"An Garda Siochana has developed major international partnerships in our efforts to target transnational organised crime groups.

"Our relationship with authorities across the world including with the Ministry of Justice at judicial level in the United Arab Emirates, and on a police-to-police basis, is valued and one which we will continue to develop. This relationship has been supported by Irish governmental and diplomatic efforts.

A convoy of garda cars leaving Casement Aerodrome after Sean McGovern is arrested. Photo: Gerry Mooney.
New research shows how the in-camera rule can leave some people traumatised by proceedings, write Simone McCaughren and Aisling Parkes

Many people said they found the legal process horrific when their marriage broke down. Photo: Getty

For the first time in the history of the state, an extensive research study in Irish family law has laid bare the significant and sometimes traumatising side-effects of operation of the in-camera rule.

As researchers, we were astonished to hear peoples experience of the rule, which means family hearings are heard in private, described by various participants as horrific, misogynistic and abusive.

Over the past year we have been working with Dr Kenneth Burns, senior lecturer at University College Cork, on a research study commissioned by the Department of Justice to capture the experiences not only of family members who have direct experience of using the family law courts, but also those of the professionals, whose work intersects with in-camera rule. Judges were also interviewed for this study.

Everyone knows someone whose marriage, for one reason or another (adultery, domestic violence) has not worked out. For some, they have no option but to pursue the legal route.

From the outside looking in, you might think that the couple go to court, get a legal separation or divorce and go their separate ways.

The reality, however, as highlighted by our research, shows that it is not as straightforward as one might think. In fact, as described by some of the participants in the study, the system itself can be quite horrific.

According to some of our research participants, the in-camera rule has a lot to answer for, and in fact has resulted in many people who use the family courts feeling gagged, silenced and having no voice.

One participant said that what the in-camera rule actually achieves is secrecy not privacy.

Others described it as a system that lacks transparency where there is little or no accountability for the oftentimes life-changing decisions that are made.

It should come as no surprise then that from the outset of this study, the floodgates opened. Personal stories, some handwritten, from mothers, fathers and grandparents  all desperate for their stories to be heard  was a regular occurrence for both of us.

Some of it was truly unbelievable and mind-boggling. Had we opened a Pandoras box? We dug deep, we found the judgments (some unpublished) only to find that what was contained in those emails and letters, sharing intimate personal accounts, was far from fictitious. In fact, you could not make it up.

We were reminded of the powerful words spoken by the recently deceased Michael OBrien, when he spoke to the nation in 2009 about his experiences of institutional abuse in one of Irelands industrial schools. He emphasised the importance of giving voice to the voiceless and the need for people who have endured abuse to tell their stories.

From our previous work in adoption research, we ask ourselves why today are the same words that were all too familiar to us making a resurgence in the family law space? Words such as secrecy, oppressive, silencing, punitive, abusive, misogynistic should have no place in contemporary Irish society.

Indeed, one finding that was highlighted by both professionals and parents is that the in-camera rule has been interpreted so strictly in some cases, that people feel they cannot access crucial supports for fear of breaching the rule. Surely people have a right to reach out for support without fear of retribution?

Transparency, clarity and accountability in both public and private family law should not be obscured by a privacy rule. Put by one survey participant, we should by now have moved past the simplistic unworkable silence culture of our Catholic-dominated culture.

Those affected by adoption were relentless in their pursuit of justice.

It was those who lived and breathed the long-term effects of those systemic injustices that fought for, and facilitated, much needed change in Irish adoption law.

If there is one thing we can attest to from our collective experiences, it is that people should not be silenced.

Surely Irelands history has taught us that much? The wheel of change turns very, very slowly. In the context of Irish family law, the changes cannot come soon enough.

Dr Simone McCaughren is assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin and Dr Aisling Parkes is senior law lecturer at University College Cork
A man is due to appear in court this morning over an incident in which a garda was seriously injured after he was struck by a motorbike in Finglas in north Dublin on Wednesday evening.

A man in his 20s was arrested following the incident, which gardai believe involved a stolen motorbike.

The man has since been charged and will appear at Blanchardstown District Court on Thursday morning.

Gardai attached to the Finglas Drugs Unit were on routine patrol at around 5.45pm when they observed two motorbikes at a petrol station on the North Road which were believed to have been stolen, a garda spokesperson said.

When gardai approached them, the motorcyclists drove off and one struck a member of the gardai as he fled.

The male garda, aged in his 30s, was brought to the Mater Hospital for treatment of a serious but non-life-threatening injury.

Blanchardstown District Court

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

A suspect in his 20s was arrested and was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in West Dublin.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the collision at a commercial premises in Dublin 11 this evening.

"Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please come forward," a spokesperson said.

"Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the North Road area of Finglas between 5:15pm and 6:15pm is asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."
A genuine slip-up  Cathal Crowe apologises after claiming the British Army never bombed or shot civilians in Ireland

A Fianna Fail TD has apologised for falsely stating that the British Army never bombed or shot any civilians over centuries in Ireland.

Cathal Crowe, from Clare, shocked Deputies when he made the remark  adding immediately afterwards that he was something of a historian  during a discussion of the Israeli army's activities in Gaza.

Today, Mr Crowne apologised to the victims of British terror and atrocities in the Dail. He said he wanted to correct the record over the remarks.
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar will publish his memoir this September, which he described as a book that is both personal and political and includes his mistakes and regrets as well as triumphs.
Mr Harris said he was not afraid of infringement proceedings but wanted to pass a bill that was legal and robust

Tanaiste Simon Harris will seek updated legal advice from the Attorney General on banning the trade of services between Ireland and the illegal Occupied Territories.

Earlier this week, the Tanaiste secured cabinet approval to begin drafting a bill that would see the trade of goods with the occupied Palestinian territories banned.

While Opposition parties have criticised the Government for omitting a ban on services from the bill, the Government have said not including services is off the back of legal advice.

In response to questions from TDs in the Dail on Thursday, Mr Harris confirmed he will look for updated advice from the Attorney General.

I intend to seek the advice, the updated advice of the Attorney General in relation to that, Mr Harris said.

I don't have a policy difference. I mean, I'm doing this with you all, I hope, because we're horrified by the genocide that we're seeing happening.

We want to take an action, and we hope that it inspires and motivates others and helps bring about pressure on Israel to end what's happening in Gaza, he added.

Mr Harris said he was happy to be proven wrong on the legal position as it relates to the inclusion of services.

When I spoke to Senator Black, I made the point that the position of my department, from a legal point of view, was that goods were potentially legally permissible services may not be. I'm happy to be proven wrong on that, Mr Harris said.

The Foreign Affairs minister said there were practical implications for including services in the bill around how services would be enforced.

Both the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste have said that the bill enacted must be robust and able to withstand any legal challenge that might arise.

Mr Harris said that the Government were not looking for a risk free way forward for the bill and that he is not afraid of legal proceedings.

On the issue of services, I'm open to persuasion on this, because it's not a persuasion that you need to do from a policy point of view, Mr Harris said.

I'm not afraid of infringement proceedings. There's much more important things going on the world, but I do want to pass a bill that is robust, is practical and is legal, he added.
Vendor couldnt fix issues found in test so contract was terminated and a second vendor was brought in

Another IT system project for RTE had a budget overrun by almost 1m, it has emerged.

RTE representatives, including the director general Kevin Bakhurst, appeared before the Oireachtas Media Committee where they were quizzed on a failed IT system that resulted in a 3.6m write down.

However, the committee was told there was another IT project, this time a channel management system (CMS), that went over budget by 900,000.

The revelation came in an answer to Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney, who asked were there other IT systems that ran into issues.

In response, RTEs chief financial officer Mari Hurley said that the CMS had gone over budget.

I conducted the exercise in terms of reviewing projects greater than 500,000 since 2020. There was one additional project, which went on the list to the department [of media], which was a channel management system, Ms Hurley said.

If you compare its spend, relative to its initial budget, it overran by 900,000.

Ms Hurley also told the committee that this resulted in an impairment taken in 2019 of 390,000.

The CMS is now in use, Mr Bakhurst told committee members.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, RTE said the replacement of RTEs channel management system project  an important strategic project  is one of the projects that was funded from the proceeds of RTEs land sale in 2017.

The national broadcaster said during the testing stages of the project in 2019, a number of issues came to light that could not be resolved by the appointed vendor.

As a result, RTE decided to terminate the contract with the vendor in December 2019 which resulted in the 390,000 write off.

RTE confirmed that before work on the project began, a competitive public procurement process took place.

When the contract for vendor one was terminated, the project was then awarded to the second vendor to complete the project.

The overrun on the CMS project of 900,000 was due to vendor two being more expensive and the delays due to the above issues, RTE said.

However, this project was one of 39 capital projects completed or being implemented by RTE since January 2020 costing a total of c.57m and with a total variance to the initial budget approved of less than 0.5m.

Speaking after the committee hearing, Ms Gibney said it was simply not good enough for these financial matters to be merely noted in RTEs accounts and that issues like this should be highlighted with the government.

She added: Just weeks after it emerged RTE had to write-down 3.6m due to a partly failed IT project, we learn today of another waste of money at the station in recent years.

It is particularly shocking this matter has only come to light now, given managements pledge to oversee a new culture of transparency and accountability at RTE following a litany of controversies, which have undermined public confidence in the broadcaster.

It comes as disgruntled former RTE employees wrote to the committee with concerns on bogus self-employment and religious content they wanted politicians to raise.

The former employees outlined their concerns and issues with the broadcaster in the hopes politicians would raise them with RTE top brass.

This correspondence meant committee chair Alan Kelly had to issue an additional warning at the start of the meeting, saying politicians were not to identify any individuals or entities during the meeting.

Id like to remind all members that the names of individuals or identifiable entities or any personal information relating to them should not be discussed publicly in todays session. If it strays into that, unfortunately I will have to intercept and ask you to desist, he said.

However, some of the correspondence was rejected by the committee after it sought legal advice.

TDs and senators on the committee decided to reject some of the letters as they included possibly defamatory statements.

Some of the former employees are caught up in legal cases with the broadcaster.

During the committee hearing, Mr Bakhurst said he was infuriated by the coverage of the promotional video for RTE news and current affairs.

It was reported that RTE staff were angry at a number of issues, including the use of extras in the video who acted as journalists in the newsroom.

In response to a question from Fianna Fail TD Peter Chap Cleere, Mr Bakhurst said that a significant amount of the press coverage has been totally inaccurate about it.

He added that two plants were taken from somewhere else in RTE for shooting the video and were used to cover up electrical points.
Two new members have been appointed to the board of the beleaguered Childrens Health Ireland (CHI).

The two people appointed today by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, are Dr Yvonne Traynor and Anne Carrigy.

CHI has been under fire after a number of damning reports relating to the care of patients in childrens hospitals.

The aim of appointing two veterans with long experience of oversight and supervision of managers to the board is to improve the running of the three childrens hospitals and be a link to decision-makers in the HSE.

Dr Traynor was vice president of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs with Kerry Group. Prior to that, she held a number of global and regional leadership positions with German consumer goods company, Henkel.

She has a particular interest in organisational transformation, risk management and delivering excellent customer experience, according to the Department of Health.

She is also a chartered director and has several years board experience, including the role of chairperson of the audit, risk and compliance committee of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

She had been a member of the HSE board since June 28, 2019.

The second appointee is retired nurse Anne Carrigy who specialised and worked in intensive care, before moving nursing management as Director of Nursing and Head of Corporate Affairs at the Mater Hospital Dublin.

Ms Carrigy then joined the HSE as Director of the Serious Incident Management Team and subsequently became National Lead, of Acute Hospital Services with the HSE.

She has served on both national and international boards and committees over many years, including serving as President of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; board member of ENDA (European Nurse Directors Association); President of FEPI (European Federation of Nursing Professions); Council Member of the Medical Council of Ireland; Board Member of HIQA (Health, Information and Quality Authority); and Member of the Governing Body of Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

The Department of Health said she is passionate about patients and has advocated for patient centred care, having dedicated her life to improving patient care services.

She has been on the HSE board since 2021.

The minister said that the strengthening of governance and oversight at CHI will further support the extensive transformation programme, led by CHI CEO Lucy Nugent and her team, as we move to open the state-of-art childrens hospital which will be Irelands first digital public hospital.

Further appointments relating to vacancies on the CHI Board will be made in due course, she added.

A number of vacancies have been created on the CHI board following four resignations of long-standing members in the past week.

CHI, which oversees the three childrens hospitals, has been rocked by a number of reports, including an audit showing a high number of possibly unnecessary hip dysplasia surgeries in Temple St Hospital and Cappagh Hospital.

It was seen as not having enough grip on what was happening on the floor of the childrens hospitals.

More recently an unpublished report was leaked to the media revealing how a doctor in a CHI hospital in 2021 abused National Treatment Purchase Fund money to hold additional clinics to reduce waiting list backlogs. The doctor is accused of enhancing his income in selecting patients for the clinics while children in greater need were left waiting longer.

Neither the Department of Health or HSE were made aware of the report. It hastened the need for stronger oversight and better reporting obligations on CHI to the HSE and the Department.

The need to ensure a tighter control of what is going on in CHI will be essential over the coming year as the health service moves nearer to the opening of the new 2.24bn national childrens hospital.

Meanwhile, the chair of PAC, Sinn Fein TD John Brady, said today that the committee has unanimously agreed to recall CHI and the HSE and to call in the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) amid growing concerns about misleading statements and the omission of vital information during a recent appearance before the committee.

The decision follows the revelation of deeply troubling findings from a CHI investigation, which revealed that a consultant breached HSE and CHI guidelines by referring public patients he was seeing to his weekend private clinic. The same consultant reportedly received thousands of euros in public money through the NTPF in the process," he said.

During the previous hearing, he said CHI was asked if there were any further reviews underway, or that have taken place, beyond those already known publicly and was told there were not.

These revelations are extremely serious. The fact that a public consultant was referring public patients he was seeing to his private weekend clinics, where they were then treated under the publicly funded National Treatment Purchase Fund, raises major ethical, legal and governance concerns. Even more worrying is that this was not disclosed to the Public Accounts Committee during our recent hearings. It has also been determined that the children transferred to private clinics were denied earlier treatment as a result.

The committee must be able to do its job based on full transparency and accurate information. It is unacceptable for any witness to withhold relevant details or to provide misleading responses  whether by design or omission. Serious questions now need to be asked.

The public has a right to expect accountability at every level of our health system, especially where public money and patient care are concerned. This is not just about one consultant  it is about the systems and oversight mechanisms that allowed this to happen and the failure to disclose it to the very Committee charged with scrutinising public expenditure.

We are demanding answers. The PAC will not shy away from asking the hard questions. The public deserves nothing less than full honesty, transparency and accountability.
US court blocks Trumps global tariffs, saying president exceeded his authority

Court cites that Constitution grants Congress power to regulate international commerceMarkets welcome ruling, dollar and global stocks rallyTrump administration files notice of appeal, questions authority of the court

Court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law

Irish Independent Newsdesk Reuters Thu 29 May 2025 at 07:18







A US trade court blocked President Donald Trump's tariffs from going into effect in a sweeping ruling on Wednesday that found the president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from U.S. trading partners.
People are being asked to heed safety advice before taking to the water this weekend. Photo: RNLI

A water safety warning has been issued ahead of the June bank holiday weekend, as the number of drownings has doubled in comparison with the same period last year.

The public has been urged to take extra precautions in and around water over the upcoming long weekend.

The joint warning, issued by the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland, follows a 10pc increase in drownings so far this year, compared with the same period last year.

Head of operations section at the Irish Coast Guard, Kevin Whitney, said: This month, the number of drownings has doubled compared to the same period in 2024, bringing tragic loss to families across the country, he said.

As the June bank holiday typically marks the start of summer celebrations for many, we are urging everyone to be mindful of the dangers, plan ahead and follow the appropriate safety guidelines for your activity.

As more people are expected to visit beaches, lakes, and rivers over the long weekend, they are asked to prioritise safety and enjoy their time responsibly.

To stay safe, the public is advised to check tides and weather before heading out and be vigilant for incoming tides that may cause strandings when walking the shoreline.

People are asked to swim with others, never alone, and always swim and stay within their depth.

It is advised to be aware of rip currents, as strong ones can pull even the most experienced swimmers out to sea.

A lifejacket or buoyancy aid always needs to be worn when on the water, and people should let someone know of their plans and return time.

The public is also asked to use marine VHF radio Ch 16, dial 112, or ask for the Coast Guard if they see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble.
Restaurant review: The tasty dishes, free corkage and huge portions make this hidden gem one of my favourite finds of 2025 so far

Our critic is looking forward to returning to this Turkish delight just off Dublins Henry Street

Sofra restaurant. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Katy McGuinness Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

I first ate Turkish food when I lived close to Green Lanes in North London. Stoke Newington was not as trendy then as it is now  we aspired to an address in neighbouring Islington, seen as more desirable  but we were spoiled for choice when it came to Turkish restaurants.
Catherine Prasifka: If I told you the latest online threat to children was a ballerina with a cappuccino as a head, you might laugh  but its serious

A new brand of AI slop is spreading across social media  and while it might look like nonsense, theres nothing to stop it delivering harmful messages to young minds

An AI-generated image of Tung Tung Tung Sahur and Ballerina Cappuccina, two of the characters in the Italian brainrot craze

Catherine Prasifka Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30

Spend any time talking to a child with a smartphone and you will hear about Italian brainrot, the latest meme sweeping social media. If you cant even begin to imagine what that means, youre part of the problem. Children are exposed to a constantly evolving online culture that the adults in their lives dont understand. It only gets worse with generative AI.
More than half of sexual abuse victims also suffered physical and psychological cruelty. Photo posed/Getty

There is an epidemic of sexual violence in Ireland, and people across the country are reaching out for support in numbers never seen before.
US president Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin shake hands as they meet in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Even Donald Trumps most ardent admirers will allow that the US president is as much showman as statesman. But as commander-in-chief, there are times when the bluster and theatrics must be set to one side  when international integrity, rather than instant notoriety, are what matters. We have arrived at such a moment.

After Mr Trump issued a stern rebuke to Vladimir Putin, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev dismissed the criticism with this sinister warning: Regarding Trumps words about Putin playing with fire and really bad things happening to Russia. I only know of one REALLY BAD thing, WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!

US special envoy Keith Kellogg said: Stoking fears of World War III is an unfortunate, reckless comment and unfitting of a world power.

But Putin has been giving Mr Trump the runaround, and shamelessly so. He could scarcely conceal his laughter as Washington continually talked up the potential for peace and the great progress made.

Putin has ramped up the war machine. Ukraine has warned that Russia is planning a summer offensive to capture the eastern region of Donetsk. At the same time, it is pinning down Ukrainian forces with attacks in Kharkiv and Sumy.

US president Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin shake hands as they meet in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump 'not happy' with Vladmimir Putin after third-straight night of attacks on Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has gathered 50,000 troops in the region for the assault. Unless Russia is stopped, he said, it will seek to keep going beyond the Donetsk region and take a much larger chunk of his country.

To date, Mr Trump has turned a blind eye to every provocation and act of defiance that Moscow could offer. Analysts have warned that Moscow is taking Washingtons inaction as acquiescence. Putin has become ever more brazen as a result. Many analysts are baffled as to how Mr Trump could have been so easily strung along for the last four months.

Were going to find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not, and if he is, well respond a little differently

There comes a point when blind indulgence begins to look like weakness  hardly a good look for the leader of the free world.

But having tut-tutted indulgently, there are finally signs  if only to spare his blushes  that Mr Trump is about to take a harder line.

He is said to be considering new sanctions against Russia. He may also step up military support for Kyivs defences and green-light extra European assistance.

This is regarded as a far more effective way to resolve the conflict than anything tried so far.

Were going to find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not, and if he is, well respond a little differently, Mr Trump said. So long as Putin feels he can prevail militarily, he will not do a deal to end the war.

There is a misconception that when it comes to putting the bite on Russia, Washington only has rubber dentures, but this is not true.

Washington has sharp teeth, but has chosen not to use them. If Mr Trump is to save face  and, more importantly, secure a peace deal  he must recognise that Putin only ever responds to strength.
How did Lisa Brankin go from home economics to managing director? What lessons did she learn from her parents? And why are we a long way off autonomous vehicles?

Lisa Brankin, chair and managing director of Ford in Britain and Ireland, joins Adrian Weckler on this episode of the Big Tech Show.

The managing director grew up in county Antrim just outside Lisburn and used to help her father at work, who was a self-employed coal merchant. Lisa Brankin attended the University of Ulster in Jordanstown and studied home economics. The Antrim native went on to work for British Gas as a home service advisor where she did cooking demonstrations.

However, the managing director made the move to Ford because she said she was fed up being called a professional housewife.

You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.
How does an unlicensed medical device end up inside a child's spine, in a public hospital in Ireland, in the 21st century?

This isn't some isolated blunder. It's part of a pattern of controversies in children's healthcare, which includes unnecessary hip surgeries, unapproved implants and ever-growing waiting lists.

As the pressure mounts, HSE boss Bernard Gloster is demanding full disclosure, but behind the scenes whistleblowers say this didn't happen overnight. Red flags were ignored, systems failed and children were the ones left paying the price.

Today on The Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by Mary Regan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent, and by Aine Gladney-Knox - a mother whose young son had surgery for dysplasia in both hips  to discuss the medical scandal that is engulfing CHI.
From left, Vivian O'Callaghan, Branch Manager, Ask Acorn, Cork with Orla Dolan, CEO Breakthrough Cancer Research and Barry O'Sullivan, COO Ask Acorn. Picture: Adrian O'Herlihy.

The impressive sum of money was raised by Ask Acorn employees through the annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme.

Ask Acorn are a nationwide financial intermediary and distributor of life protection products who have offices on the Airport Road in Cork city.

The funds will directly support research into poorer prognosis cancers, with a five-year survival of less than 25% and currently very limited treatment options.

Currently, nearly half (45%) of all cancer deaths in Ireland come from seven low survival cancers, and these are the cancers Breakthrough Cancer Research is currently targeting their research towards.

Breakthrough was selected through a company-wide nomination process, with employees putting forward causes that hold personal meaning.

The strong support for Breakthrough Cancer Research reflects the fact that one in two people in Ireland will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime  a reality that has touched many within the Ask Acorn team.

Breakthrough Cancer Research is dedicated to funding scientific research that targets the most urgent gaps in cancer treatment, particularly where options are limited and outcomes remain poor.

Their work helps drive progress in cancers that are currently under-funded, offering hope where it's needed most.

Orla Dolan CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research said the donation will go directly towards cutting-edge research into the lowest survival cancers which urgently need more investment. Every donation brings us closer to a future free from cancer, where no one ever hears the words, Theres nothing left to try.

The organisation supports cutting-edge, patient-focused research across Ireland, including projects at the University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Bon Secours Cork and MTU.

These include advances in overcoming treatment resistance, earlier detection through identification new biomarkers, next-gen immunotherapy and personalised medicine through initiatives like Precision Oncology Ireland.

At Ask Acorn, protection is at the core of what we do, said Vivian O Callaghan and Jim Landy, Branch Managers in Cork City for Ask Acorn. Many of us have experienced the impact of cancer up close and were proud to help fund research that offers real hope to patients and families across the country.

Monies raised for Breakthrough Cancer directly fund new treatment discoveries, clinical trials, and innovations that could dramatically improve outcomes for people diagnosed with difficult-to-treat cancers.

The charity has a bold vision: 100% survival for 100% of cancers.

To find out more or to support Breakthrough Cancer Research see www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie or @breakthrocancer on social media.
It's always a welcome sign that summer has arrived: County Cork's lifeguards will be back on the beaches this weekend in their distinctive yellow and red outfits, playing a vital role in keeping swimmers and paddlers safe.

This year's bathing season kicks off for Cork County Councils Beach Lifeguard Teams on the June Bank Holiday Weekend with the guards on duty at 12 of the county's beaches from 10.30am until 7.00pm, starting on Saturday May 31.

The lifeguarded beaches are Front Strand, Claycastle and Redbarn in Youghal, Garryvoe, Fountainstown, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, The Warren, Garrylucas, Garretstown, Tragumna and Barleycove.

And when you're at the beach it's easy to know whether a lifeguard is on duty because you'll see a red and yellow flag.

The lifeguards will be on duty each weekend in June, for seven days a week in July and August, and for the first two weekends in September.

They're chosen after a competitive application process, including a swim rescue test, and the successful applicants need to hold a Beach Lifeguard Award from the Irish Water Safety Association and have thorough knowledge of resuscitation methods.

It may not be quite as glamorous as "Baywatch" but in return for keeping Cork's busiest beaches safe they can earn close to 20 an hour.

Last summer, the countys lifeguards reunited fifteen children with their parents. Theyre reminding parents and guardians that Holding Hands Saves Lives and to supervise children at all times. Theyre also asking people not to bring inflatable toys to the beach this summer.

Inflatable boats, beds and toys are unsafe to use on open water due to the strong and changeable winds we experience throughout most of the summer.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, welcomed the news: It is a reassuring sight to see lifeguards patrolling our beaches in County Cork. They are the experts when it comes to tides, weather conditions and the risks. I am encouraging everyone to enjoy our beaches safely this summer, we all have a part to play. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, pay attention to the flags, look out for one another, and listen to the lifeguards.

Beachgoers should also pay attention to the Water Safety Flag system. A red over yellow flag means the lifeguards are on duty. You should swim between the red and yellow flags close and parallel to the shore as this is the area that the lifeguards are patrolling. A red flag means that swimming is not advised and a black and white chequered one marks the area for surfing only. Finally, no flag means there's no lifeguard on duty at the moment.

Now all we need is the good weather to continue!

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Two men were hospitalised last night following a fire at the former Morris Arms pub in Connonagh, County Cork.

The Morris Arms pub which has been closed for several years is ideally situated between Leap and Rosscarbery in West Cork.

A technical examination of the scene is currently being carried out as part of an investigation into what gardai have described as criminal damage by fire.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told The Irish Independent that two men in their 40s were taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for non-life threatening injuries. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred in Leap, Co. Cork on Wednesday, May 28 2025 at approximately 8:30pm.

Two men in their 40s were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. A technical examination of the scene is being carried out. Investigations are ongoing, the spokesperson added.
Sophie Ni Choimin has ended her hunger strike over the war in Gaza to allow her health to recover.

Sophie, a Kildare native who now lives in Galway City, stopped eating on midnight on May 21, in an attempt to pressure the Government to act as the war in Gaza continues.
The new Costa Coffee drive-thru will be located in the Kilkenny Retail and Business Park

MBCC Foods (Ireland) Ltd has successfully applied to Kilkenny County Council for the provision of a drive-thru lane for a Costa Coffee unit at the Kilkenny Retail and Business Park

Coffee lovers passing through Kilkenny City will soon been able to order coffee from the comfort of their car.

Kilkenny County Council have granted planning permission for a drive-thru lane at the Costa Coffee located in Kilkenny Retail and Business Park on the Ring Road.

As part of the plans, a drive-thru lane measuring 3.5m wide will be constructed along with a canopy and service hatch.

A height restrictor and entrance barrier will be built on the access lane to the new Costa Coffee drive-thru, along with one order station and two menu boards and advertisement signs.

The plans will also see alterations made to the existing car parking layout, including the realignment of the existing car parking spaces to the west of the Costa Coffee unit, the relocation of two accessible car parking spaces to the east of the unit and the removal of 14 associated parking spaces.

The existing loading bay will also be relocated, while two new pedestrian crossings will be constructed according to the planning application, along with a new outdoor seating area and six bicycle parking spaces.

MBCC Foods (Ireland) Ltd has been granted planning permission for the drive-thru lane at Costa Coffee by Kilkenny County Council with five conditions attached.
Limerick mum opens up about daughters rare diagnosis and the vital help of LauraLynn service

Grazyna from Limerick provides round-the-clock care for her 13-year-old daughter Malgosia, who has a rare neurological disorder. Speaking during Children's Hospice Week, she explains how LauraLynn's support has become 'life-changing' for their family

Pictured at the launch of Childrens Hospice Week was Malgosia (13) alongside her Mum Grazyna and Dad Daniel

Jasmin Griffin Thu 29 May 2025 at 08:00

After a successful Childrens Hospice Week, one Limerick family is opening up about the reality of caring for a child with complex needs, and the vital role LauraLynn plays in helping them cope.
Food Reviews

Where Michelin-star chefs go to eat a curry: I think its some of the best food of any kind being served in Ireland right now

Curry is a dish with ancient roots and global reach. Most closely associated with India  home to an extraordinary variety of regional masalas, dhals and spice blends  the idea of stewing meat, vegetables or pulses in a richly seasoned sauce is 
Funding of 250,000 has been allocated for works to be carried out at Enniscrone, Raghly and Mullaghmore harbours.

The allocation is part of a 4.33 million funding allocation to support 57 marine infrastructure projects across 11 coastal local authorities.

Minister Marian Harkin has described the allocation of 250,000 for works at the three Sligo marine sites by Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD as an important step in maintaining and developing publicly owned marine assets in the county.

Deputy Harkin said: This significant investment in our marine infrastructure is a clear signal of the Governments support for coastal and rural communities and represents a strong partnership with local councils. The overall cost of the three projects is estimated at 334,000 so the 250,000 allocation marks a huge investment by the Department of the Marine. The planned improvements will not only enhance safety and access at vital fishery and aquaculture-related facilities but also provide an important boost to local economies, tourism, and marine leisure activities.

The funding is being made available under the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, which assists local authorities in maintaining and developing publicly owned marine assets. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will administer the scheme, co-funding up to 75% of eligible project costsup to a maximum of 187,500 per projectwith the remaining costs to be covered by Sligo Co Council.

Among the 57 projects approved are three in County Sligo, with a total funding allocation of 250,500, including:

Enniscrone Pier: Repairs to masonry walls and deck, and replacement of navigation aids  185,625

Raghly Harbour: Masonry wall and winch repairs, installation of new ladder and mooring rings  13,875

Mullaghmore Harbour: Repairs to masonry harbour walls  51,000

Deputy Harkin added: Enniscrone, Raghly, and Mullaghmore are essential parts of our local marine infrastructure. These upgrades will ensure safety, sustainability, and enhanced usability for all those working and engaging with the seawhether for fishing, aquaculture, or recreation.

I commend the proactive approach taken by local councils in preparing and delivering these applications. It is a testament to the recognition of our marine assets as vital lifelines for coastal communities.

This funding represents real progress for our coastal towns and villages. I encourage continued collaboration between the Department and local authorities to ensure the timely completion of all approved projects ahead of the November claim deadline.
Allen Gilhooly of Skreen, County Sligo has been honoured with the West/North West Regional Award by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy at its 10th Annual Conference.

The IACP Regional Awards recognise an IACP accredited member who has made a notable contribution to the profession of counselling and psychotherapy in their local community and region.

Mr Gilhooly who is originally from Fenagh, Leitrim, has spent over 20 years working in youth work, school chaplaincy, and community development in the east of Ireland before moving back to the north west and launching his counselling initiative in Sligo for the last 15 years. Allen manages a team of seven therapists providing accessible therapy for adults across two centres in both Sligo town and Kilglass near Enniscrone.

IACP Cathaoirleach Jade Lawless commented:

I would like to congratulate Allen Gilhooly West / North West Regional Award. Allen has made an outstanding contribution to the counselling and psychotherapy profession across the north west region. I would like to wish him continued success and also commend the West/ North West Regional Committee for choosing such a worthy recipient for the award. I would also like to wish Allen well with his continued professional development, another hallmark of his commitment to the profession

Award Recipient Allen Gilhooly remarked: I am honoured to be nominated at this pivotal moment in my career. My mission has been to fill the gap in mental health support in our region, ensuring that peopleespecially young individualshave a safe space to navigate life's challenges. This recognition reaffirms the importance of the work we are doing."

Mr Gilhoolys journey in therapy continues as he completes further studies in Cross Professional Supervision with the International College for Personal and Professional Development ICPPD in Athlone later this year.

The annual awards ceremony was held recently at the IACPs 10th annual conference at the Maryborough Hotel, Cork.
Presentations were made to the staff of Pettitts SuperValu who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

The staff of Pettitts SuperValu in Athy who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

The staff of Pettitts SuperValu in St Aidan's Wexford who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

The staff of Pettitts SuperValu in Gorey who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

The staff of Pettitts SuperValu in Enniscorthy who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

The staff of Pettitts SuperValu in Arklow who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

The staff of Pettitts SuperValu in St Aidan's Wexford who have twenty or more years service pictured at a function to mark the occasion in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday evening. Pic: Jim Campbell

Long-serving employees of Pettitts SuperValu were honoured with awards at a recent dinner, where their years of dedication to the company was celebrated.

Taking place in the Talbot Hotel, employees from Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey, Arklow and Athy donned their best outfits as they enjoyed food, drinks, and the chance to chat with other members of staff.

Marketing Manager Callum Quirke said it was very important for the company to celebrate their employees.

"It was a fantastic event, and something very important to us  it is a real feel-good feeling to have people with us for so long, he said.

On the day, they had over 85 members of staff who had been with Pettitt's for more than 20 years. Each one received a certificate and a beautiful glass award that was inscribed with their names.

Carmel Crowley was given a special award in recognition of 45 years service with the Pettitts group, their longest serving staff member.

It also gave the group a chance to measure the progress of the company.

"We get to see what differences have been made, how far the stores and the people have come. Especially, how great the staff is which is the whole point, he added.
Excitement is building in Duncannon as a brand new addition to the New Ross Guitar Festival will take place this summer at the picturesque seaside village.

On Sunday, July 20, sound waves of live music will be heard from the strand as the festival expands in its celebration of music from around the world. Talented guitarists from across Ireland and beyond, including musicians from Savannah, Georgia, will descend upon Duncannon Strand, bringing a wide range of genres to this unique setting beneath the historic Duncannon Fort.

The beach will come alive at 2.30 p.m. with guitar music spanning classical, blues, bluegrass, traditional, pop, rock, and country, performed at three designated locations: Roches Green, the Bass Rock, and near the beach apartments. Adding to the lively atmosphere, the Duncannon Beach Market will offer handcrafted gifts, and visitors can enjoy the hospitality of the local pubs, cafes, and shop.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Bridin Murphy, Chair of the New Ross Guitar Festival, shared her support for the beach to be used as one of the festival locations. She said: Im delighted with this new initiative for the guitar festival, continuing our policy of featuring performances around the towns and villages of the New Ross District. Meanhwhile, Niall OMuilleoir of DuncannonVillage.ie echoed the sentiments of the Cathaoirleach and stated that the organisation is excited to be hosting the first-ever fringe event of the New Ross Guitar Festival with busking on our golden beach next to historic Duncannon Fort.

Its the perfect setting for the enjoyment of our community and visitors alike, he added.

The collaboration and new location highlights Duncannon as a perfect setting for the New Ross Guitar Festivals first-ever busking event. Just a scenic 25-minute drive from New Ross, this charming village offers breath-taking views of the Waterford Estuary and a tranquil mile-long beach. The historic backdrop of Duncannon Fort, dating back to the 16th century, adds a rich cultural atmosphere to the occasion, making it an ideal spot for this lively celebration of music and community.

As the festival extends its spirit to Duncannon, hopes are high for fine weather to complement this lively outdoor event. The backdrop of the Waterford Estuary, with its wide sands, grassy dunes, and the imposing silhouette of Duncannon Fort, promises a stunning setting for this celebration of music and community.

The initiative, supported and sponsored by Wexford County Council, is still open to guitarists who are interested in joining the rota. They are invited to contact Festival Artistic Director, David Creevy at david.creevy@gmail.com. Admission is free, and all are welcome. For more information about the full festival program and ticketing details, visit newrossguitarfestival.ie.
Some old tools from the museum at McEvoy's Quarry.

The history and heritage of Ballyknockan village in west Wicklow was celebrated over five days as Feile an Chnocain organised by a small group of volunteers returned for the second year running.

The village has a rich history based on the granite quarried for almost two centuries, and the tradition of stone-cutting still plays an important role.

The festival featured everything from a choir performance in Valleymount Church and a stone-cutting museum in McEvoys Quarry, to guided hikes, a family fun day and live music each night in Cullens Lakeview Lounge.

Before the festival began, volunteers clear the old stone walls in preparation for Feile an Chnocain.

One of the festival organisers, Pauline Foster said: Volunteers got out and cleaned the old stone walls and removed all the weeds and growth from the walls to reveal the lovey granite wall. Its something we are going to continue over the year.

The festival got under way with a concert by Ballymore Connect Choir in St Josephs Church, Valleymount.

Things kicked off again the following day, with a talk and sideshow on the flooding of Blessington Lake proving a major attraction.

Seamus Cullen delivered the talk and we had enough seating for 40 people at St. Josephs Community Hall, only for 143 people to show up, so we had to go around and get some extra seating, but it was great to see such a large attendance, added Pauline.

On the Sunday, Patrick Ward led a guided walk up Silsean, with everyone meeting in Cullens car park for 10.45am.

Pauline added: Patrick is a local man who takes part in adventure races, so he knows the hills like the back of his hand. Around 35 people attended the walk.

McEvoys Quarry held a stonecutting and heritage museum on the Saturday, which drew large crowds throughout the day, featuring stone splitting, poetry reading, stone lifting and live music.

Pauline added: The museum featured an old crane which had been reassembled and was used around 70 to 80 years ago, maybe even longer, which picked up and lifted large granite rocks. Indiana Stones also held a demonstration on the ancient art of stone lifting.

One of the highlights of the festival was the action-packed family fun day held in the picnic area on the Sunday.

Pauline said: All the village seemed to get out for the family fun day, as well as plenty of visitors from Blessington and surrounding areas. We were also blessed with the weather. It was a bit breezy but bone dry. Overall we were delighted with how well attended all the evets were, and the festival ended on te Monday with a great open trad session and live music in Cullens Lakeview Lounge.
Fellow celebrities have congratulated former Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter as she got hitched in the restaurant where she and her fiance had their very first date.

Taking to Instagram, Holly posted a series of snaps from her big day, describing it as a moment I have dreamed of with my dad.

She also thanked photographer Evan Doherty, for capturing this special moment that Ill never forget.

The comments section was flooded with messages from well-wishers, including DJ Nikki Hayes who offered congratulations, stunning as always, while writer Vicki Notaro posted a series of red heart emojis.

Podcaster Louise McSherry also added some hearts, as did Glenda Gilson while model Sarah McGovern wrote: Aww, wow Holly! You look sensational, congratulations to you both.

Holly and Corkman Jamie Hunt had their registry ceremony at the Charlotte Quay Restaurant in Dublin, before their marriage abroad this summer.

The intimate gathering of 12 guests included family members and photographer Evan Doherty, who has been friends with the couple for years, as well as Max, their beloved pooch.

Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday at the VIP Style Awards on Friday night, Holly said she was really looking forward to the day.

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While their legal ceremony was this week, later this year the couple will have a bigger wedding in France, in a little town called Auch, where its always sunny.

Last week, Holly explained how the official registry ceremony was taking place in Charlotte Quay, the restaurant where we had our first date.

"Evan Doherty is doing our wedding photos, she told Extra.ie. Hes obviously been friends for years, and then its just 12 of us, so its just our closest family, and its going to be really intimate and chilled.

Hollys father, Karl, who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome in February 2020, walked her down the aisle.

She had previously offered an insight into her dads battle with cancer after he was admitted to hospital for six weeks when he picked up an infection.

Holly and Jamie pictured together on holiday

Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

Writing alongside a Facebook post in February, Holly shared an update on Karls journey so far.

This is just a small insight into the uncertainty he has faced and how quick things can change, she wrote. Like so many, Karl is extremely grateful to @mariekeatingfoundation and everyone who is supporting @paddys_day_dip.

We are stronger together.

Since her dads cancer diagnosis Holly and Jamie have been throwing their support behind the Marie Keating Foundations cancer support services, which are provided free of charge to anyone who needs them.

Last year, they raised over 20,000 for the charity and hope to raise even more this year.

Jamies father Keith was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away in September 2024.

Holly said: Jamies dad Keith was still around with us at the time. He was a big fan of sea swimming right up until he was 89, up until the end.

When they talk about how good sea swimming is for you, he was a living testament at the time.

Were encouraging people to take part all around the country. Its something wed love to keep growing and growing.

Last year, Holly also opened up about her decision to become sober after a night of heavy drinking, telling followers that it has been one of her best decisions.

The former Miss Ireland told followers that the previous September she woke up extremely hungover and levels of anxiety that felt through the roof.

"I had drank so much the night before that I blacked out. I remember I woke up with the all too familiar feelings of self-hatred and shame and severe, severe anxiety, she said, adding that even a few drinks would impact her mental health.

She said her life is so much better since she made the decision to give up alcohol and even though she did not drink daily or even weekly, the aftermath was so bad for her when she did drink that she grew tired of it.
Using colour analysis to find out what colour season best matches your tones will change the way you dress for the better, writes our fashion expert

Forget micro trends and it colours (Im looking at you butter yellow), the 1980s vogue for getting your colours done is back. Can you carry dark autumn shades? Or maybe youre a light spring like Nicola Coughlan. Either way, I urge you to find out your colour season so you can choose clothing that will have longevity in your wardrobe. Plus, theres no better compliment than someone saying: That is so your colour!

Stylist, personal shopper and colour analysis expert Isabel Gleeson explains the magic of a colour consultation. A lot of people say they have a typical Irish skin tone, but really theres always a bit of a difference, she says. Maybe youre a bit more rosy, or have cooler undertones. Its case by case, so a colour consultation is a good investment of time and money. It helps you understand what colour palette best suits your skin tone.

Personal shopper and colour analysis expert Isabel Gleeson

You may have already seen social media posts of women having different colour fabrics draped over them, colour wheels held up to their faces or even the TikTok filter that claims to find your perfect palette. I dont find the TikTok filters very accurate, says Gleeson. Neither do my clients. I would say youre better off looking for a celebrity who has a similar tone to you and look at what colours they wear.

Nicola Coughlan in a baby-blue frilly dress by Selezza. Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co

If pushed to generalise about what suits the white Irish skin tone, Gleeson says: I think teal is generally quite a complimentary colour, as well as a medium purple which people tend to shy away from! I do recommend that people with typical Irish skin tones veer away from wearing black and wear navy for a softer effect. Deeper teal tones will suit darker complexions, it looks really striking. They will be able to pull off a stark white and deep black within the winter palette. Warm tones will suit anyone with golden features. Brown eyes suit gold as they will bring out golden flecks in the eyes.

Nicola Coughlan during London Fashion Week in 2022 wearing a yellow, black and lilac kimono-esque jacket by Richard Quinn. Photo: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Colour analysis: Nicola Coughlan

The Galway actress and fashion darling is consistently praised for her outfit choices, but what does Isabel Gleeson make of her palette? Nicola Coughlan is a light summer which is cool-neutral, light and a delicate seasonal palette, Gleeson says. It sits between summer and spring, meaning it has the cool soft qualities of summer with a touch of the brightness and freshness of spring. Coughlan would do well with low-to-medium contrast, which means softer colours rather than harsh darker ones. Some colours I would suggest for her are: primrose yellow, soft teal, rose pink, periwinkle and clear blue. See styledbyisabel.net

Influencer Sophie Murray wears The Chloe Sinead Keary dress in blue, 135, sineadkeary.com

What your Sinead Keary The Chloe dress says about you...

Youre a romantic at heart who adores old black and white movies. The glamour, the passion, the gowns  you just cant get enough! Classic and timeless can also be used to describe your clothing choices: silhouettes that can remain in your wardrobe for years to come and soft pastels that make your skin glow a little brighter when you wear them.

Youve loved bows since your mother used to tie them in your hair as a child and now you wear them in a nod to Grace Kelly chic.

Youre considered the demure one of your friend group. Although you love that label, youll only give a coy little smile when they bring it up. After all, you must keep up your ladylike appearance!

The Chloe Bow Dress in blue, 135, Sinead Keary, sineadkeary.com
Drink, drugs and brawls  how Kerry jockey Oisin Murphys world came crashing down as his career is under threat
Former surgeon dubbed Frances worst paedophile jailed for 20 years

Joel Le Scouarnec leaving the Vannes criminal court after being sentenced to 20 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. Photo: Avalon

You were the devil and he sometimes is dressed in a white coat. That is what prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger told Joel Le Scouarnec at the end of Frances largest-ever child abuse trial, a horrific case that rocked a country already reeling from other high-profile sex crimes.
Ex-Russian president issues World War III threat to Trump

US says Dmitry Medvedevs comment was reckless as war of words ramps up

German chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the Chancellery in Berlin. Photo: Reuters

Tom Watling UK Independent Thu 29 May 2025 at 03:30







A former Russian president has threatened World War III after Donald Trump criticised Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine.
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 51F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Chinese envoy calls for durable Gaza cease-fire

Xinhua) 16:57, May 29, 2025

UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for a durable cease-fire in Gaza and efforts to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in the strip.

Since May 16, Israel has continued to intensify its military offensive in Gaza, which has completely destroyed the densely populated areas and caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Gazans in the past two weeks alone, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

Fu said the questions have been repeatedly asked: When will this conflict end? Are there no limits to the means of this conflict? Will the Palestinian people be forced to lose their homes once again?

In the face of such questions, China firmly reiterates that a durable cease-fire in Gaza cannot be delayed, and that Israel must immediately cease all military operations, he said.

"Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe is an immediate priority. Israel must lift the blockade, fully restore humanitarian access, and support the United Nations and other international humanitarian organizations in their efforts to provide assistance," Fu said.

Gaza and the West Bank are inalienable parts of the State of Palestine, he stressed, adding that the international community must firmly oppose any attempt to annex the territories of Gaza or the West Bank, and oppose the forced displacement of the people of Gaza.

The United States, as a country with significant influence over the party involved, should act in a fair and responsible manner and take effective and forceful actions. The Security Council shoulders the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. China supports the council in taking effective actions to promote a durable cease-fire and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, he said.

The implementation of the two-state solution is the only viable way to resolve the question of Palestine. The international community must step up its efforts to promote the political process of the two-state solution, said Fu. "We hope that the high-level conference on the implementation of the two-state solution to be held in June will provide fresh impetus to the prospect of realizing the two-state solution."

China will continue to make joint efforts with the international community to quell the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, and restore peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Reviewing Legal Mandates and Workplace Policy on Maternity Benefits in India

India has expanded the scope of maternity benefits, including for contractual employees and women with over two children. The latest move has implications for HR policies, business compliance, and labor costs. Heres what companies operating in India need to know.

In May 2025, the Supreme Court of India (SC) delivered an important ruling clarifying key points of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and its 2017 Amendment. The apex court delivered the decision to extend maternity benefits to more types of jobs and placed stronger duties on employers in both government and private workplaces to support women during and after pregnancy.

The ruling comes in the case of K. Umadevi vs. Government of Tamil Nadu, reversing an earlier decision by the Madras High Court.

Supreme Court ruling on maternity benefit

The SC judgment issued on May 23, 2025, clarifies that the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, does not bar women with more than two children from availing maternity leave. It only limits the duration of maternity leave to 26 weeks for women with fewer than two children and 12 weeks for those with more. It highlighted that no ceiling exists on the number of children for determining eligibility.

The SC emphasized that such restrictions, if enforced in public policy or human resource (HR) frameworks, would undermine the reproductive rights of women as recognized under constitutional and international human rights law. The court explicitly stated that maternity leave is integral to maternity benefits and the right to dignity, equality, health, and privacy.

The latest SC ruling concerned a state government schoolteacher in Tamil Nadu who had applied for maternity leave during her third pregnancy. The Madras High Court had earlier denied the teachers request on the grounds that Tamil Nadus state policy, framed with the aim of population control, did not allow maternity leave for the birth of a third child.

Previous SC ruling on maternity benefits for women contract workers in India

In another similar case, Dr. Kavita Yadav v. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the SC ruled in favor of a contractual employee who was denied maternity benefits extending beyond her contract term. The court stated that maternity benefits are not to be restricted by the tenure of employment contracts. The benefits extend through the period for which a woman would have been eligible, even after contract expiration.

Section 5(2) of Indias Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, mandates benefits for women who have worked 180 days in the preceding 12 months, without distinguishing between contract and permanent staff. The court further emphasized that Section 12 of the Act prohibits employers from terminating an employee during the maternity period. In this context, attempting to restrict benefits on account of contract terms is not only discriminatory but unlawful.

Understanding legal provisions governing maternity benefits for women in India

Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

Indias maternity leave regime is governed by the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, as amended in 2017, which sets the legal standards for paid leave, workplace protections, and postnatal support. One of the major amendments in 2017 was the extension of paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for women with fewer than two children. Of this, up to eight weeks can be availed before delivery. For mothers with two or more children, the law allows 12 weeks of leave, with up to six weeks permitted as pre-delivery leave.

The legislation also introduced entitlements for adoptive and commissioning mothers, granting them 12 weeks of maternity leave starting from the date the child is handed over. Beyond leave entitlements, the act requires employers to provide nursing breaks to female employees following childbirth. These breaks are intended to support breastfeeding and allow mothers to care for their infants during working hours, an often overlooked but essential component of maternal support.

The act also mandates the provision of creche facilities for establishments employing 50 or more individuals. Women employees are allowed up to four visits to the creche each day, including rest intervals.

Extending maternity benefits for work-from-home

Post-maternity work-from-home arrangements may also be permitted based on mutual agreement between the employer and employee, offering flexibility to manage professional responsibilities alongside childcare needs. Employers are legally required to inform all female employees about their maternity entitlements in writing at the time of joining, whether through printed material or electronic means.

To ensure enforcement, the act prescribes penalties for violations. These include imprisonment for up to one year and fines up to INR 6,000 (US$70), particularly in cases where an employer unlawfully denies benefits, terminates an employee during maternity leave, or fails to provide required information.

Employees State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948

Complementing these protections, the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948, provides financial assistance and medical benefits to women workers registered under the ESI scheme. For eligible employees, the act ensures access to maternity benefits such as paid leave during confinement and medical care, including outpatient and inpatient services related to pregnancy and childbirth. These benefits are intended to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses and offer crucial financial support during the maternity period, particularly for workers in the formal sector who may otherwise lack access to extended paid leave.

Regulatory obligations for employers on maternity leave compliance

Policy compliance and legal risk mitigation

With the courts broad interpretation of eligibility, companies and HR teams are advised to ensure maternity policies are explicitly inclusive and in alignment with the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, Code on Social Security, 2020, and ESI Act, 1948. Failing to comply not only results in legal penalties but also damages employer reputation.

Cost implications for SMEs

Employers must bear full financial responsibilities for maternity benefits, including salary and facilities like creches. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this could represent a significant cost burden, particularly when dealing with multiple employees on extended leave simultaneously.

Employee morale and retention

One must note that incorporating robust maternity policies can lead to higher employee satisfaction, lower attrition, and stronger employer branding. Companies that support female employees through these transitions tend to attract a more diverse and skilled talent pool.

Operational adjustments and temporary hiring

Extended leaves may necessitate temporary staffing or redistribution of responsibilities. Organizations can proactively build continuity plans and flexible workforce models to mitigate productivity loss.

READ MORE: Leave Management in India: Key Considerations for Employers and Employees

In brief

Indias approach is increasingly aligning with international labor standards under International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, and this judicial decision is one of harmonizing economic policy with human rights. Companies with global footprints or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) mandates must be particularly careful in ensuring their HR practices reflect this progressive legal framework.

(US$1 = INR 85.4)
The Japanese dark fantasy anime Attack on Titan has left a lasting impression on fans, thanks to its exceptional storytelling and animation. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity hides behind massive walls to escape man-eating Titans, the series follows Eren Yeager and his close friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert. If you're a fan of AOT and craving more anime with a similar tone and intensity, we've got some great recommendations for you.

Anime like Attack on Titan to watch

Tokyo Ghoul - Crunchyroll

Tokyo Ghoul is a horror-filled dark fantasy series. It takes place in a world where flesh-eating ghouls exist hidden among humans. The story follows college student Ken Kaneki, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a violent encounter with a ghoul transforms him into a half-ghoul, half-human hybrid.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Crunchyroll

The story takes place in a world where alchemy is the most advanced form of science. It centers on brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who defy natural laws in an attempt to bring their mother back to life using alchemy. The series features deep world-building, gripping plot twists, and thought-provoking moral questions that captivate viewers throughout.

Dorohedoro - Netflix

In the dark and unusual city called Hole, sorcerers from a different dimension carry out experiments on humans. Cursed with a reptiles head, a man named Caiman seeks answers. Like Attack on Titan, the show mixes intense battles with fascinating supernatural elements.

Vinland Saga - Netflix

Set in the era of the Vikings, Vinland Saga tells the story of Thorfinn, a young warrior seeking revenge on the mercenary responsible for his fathers death. The anime is celebrated for its powerful storytelling, well-developed characters, and breathtaking visuals.

Death Note - Crunchyroll

The story of Death Note revolves around Light Yagami, an exceptionally smart student who finds a mysterious notebook that gives him the ability to kill anyone whose name he writes down.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
MetroIn Dino OTT Release: This upcoming saga is one of those rare films that already feels close to the heart even before its release. Directed by Anurag Basu, the movie brings back the emotion and chaos of city life that he captured beautifully in Life in a... Metro back in 2007. This isnt a direct sequel, but its definitely cut from the same cloth - new stories, new characters, same restless city, and the same questions about love, loneliness, and how people find or lose each other in the middle of all that noise.

Where to watch MetroIn Dino on OTT?

Netflix has acquired the streaming rights to MetroIn Dino and will be streaming it after the films theatrical run concludes. The cast is packed with solid talent: Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal. Each one plays a different kind of city dweller, and their stories are about those moments where you meet someone unexpected in the middle of your routine and everything changes.

Not fairy tales, but theyre the kind of stories that make you go, Yeh toh mere saath bhi hua tha, or Main bhi aisa hi feel karta hoon. Thats the beauty of a film like this: it feels personal. Anurag Basu has always been a filmmaker who sees beauty in a mess. He lets you sit in it, breathe it, and slowly feel what the characters are going through. In Metro In Dino, he seems to be doing exactly that again. Hes taking a bunch of stories and connecting them loosely through the city, most likely Mumbai, just like he did earlier.

And then theres the music. You cant talk about Metro In Dino, without talking about Pritam. He gave us timeless songs in the 2007 film, songs that still hit hard today. This time, too, hes back as the music director, and the title of the film is actually taken from the hit song In Dino from the original.

MetroIn Dino is produced by T-Series and Anurag Basu Productions. The chemistry between the characters is another thing to look forward to. Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan are likely playing a younger couple, maybe figuring out if what they have is love or just confusion. Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi might be the quieter ones, dealing with more mature emotions, regret, maybe even an old love returning. Neena Gupta and Anupam Kher could be showing us that love doesnt end with age.

Metro In Dino, which is releasing on 4th July, 2025, feels like a letter from the city. Messy, emotional, a little broken, but full of heart. And thats exactly why its worth waiting for.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Important Days in June 2025: The month of June is filled with several important days, observed both in India and across the world. From awareness campaigns to historical commemorations, June 2025 brings a mix of national events and international events that are celebrated with great importance. These dates highlight issues of global concern, honour achievements, and promote peace, health, and unity.

Lets take a detailed look at the important days in June 2025, which include key national and international events that hold significance socially, culturally, and historically.

Why is June 2025 Important?

June stands out as a month dedicated to raising awareness on health, environment, education, and human rights. Several international events like World Environment Day, International Yoga Day, and World Oceans Day are observed this month, bringing global attention to pressing issues.

Many national events in June 2025, such as Telangana Formation Day and the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, are also remembered to honour historical milestones and sacrifices made by great leaders.

Not only this, June also celebrates Fathers Day, World Music Day, and Olympic Day, making it a well-rounded month full of celebration, reflection, and awareness.

June is Health and Environment Awareness Month

In June 2025, several health and environment-related awareness days are observed. From World Food Safety Day to World Blood Donor Day, these important days in June 2025 aim to spread awareness about physical well-being and environmental conservation. One of the most widely recognised international events is International Yoga Day on June 21, which encourages people to embrace yoga for a healthier lifestyle.

Full List of Important Days in June 2025

Here is a complete list of important days in June 2025, including both national events and international events. This calendar is especially useful for students, competitive exam aspirants, and general awareness.

June 1

World Milk Day

Global Day of Parents

June 2

International Sex Workers Day

Telangana Formation Day (National Event)

June 3

World Bicycle Day

June 4

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

June 5

World Environment Day (One of the most important international events in June 2025)

June 7

World Food Safety Day

June 8

World Oceans Day

World Brain Tumour Day

June 12

World Day Against Child Labour

June 14

World Blood Donor Day

June 15

International Fathers Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 16

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Important national event in Sikh history)

June 17

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

June 18

Autistic Pride Day

June 19

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

June 20

World Refugee Day

June 21

International Yoga Day

World Music Day

June 23

International Olympic Day

United Nations Public Service Day

June 26

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Stay Informed About Key June 2025 Dates

To sum up, June 2025 is packed with a variety of important days that hold national and international relevance. These national events and international events remind us of our responsibilities towards society, health, history, and the planet. Whether you're preparing for an exam or simply want to stay informed, keeping track of these important days in June 2025 is a smart move.

Bookmark this page or note down the dates to never miss a chance to participate or learn about these meaningful observances in June 2025.

Month-wise important days in 2025

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
RBSE class 5 result 2025 @rajresults.nic.in: The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) will announce the RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 today, May 29, 2025, at 5 PM IST. Students who appeared for the Rajasthan Board 5th class exams held from April 2 to April 17, 2025, can soon check their results online on official portals such as rajshaladarpan.nic.in, rajresults.nic.in, and rajpsp.nic.in using their roll number and date of birth.

RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 Release Date and Time

The RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 will be officially release on May 29, 2025, at 5 PM. This announcement came shortly after the declaration of the Class 8 results on May 27, 2025. The Education Departmental Examinations Registrar, Bikaner, confirmed the result date and time via official channels and social media.

Where to Check RBSE 5th Class Result 2025

Students can access their Rajasthan Board 5th class result 2025 at the following official websites:

Parents and students are advised to keep their admit cards and roll numbers handy to avoid any last-minute difficulties while checking results.

Steps to Download RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 and Marksheet

Below is the required Steps to Download RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 and Marksheet:

Visit the official RBSE result portal (rajshaladarpan.nic.in or rajresults.nic.in).

Click on the RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 link.

Enter your roll number and date of birth as per the admit card.

Submit the details to view the result.

Download and take a printout of the marksheet for future reference.

RBSE Class 5 Result 2025: Expected Pass Percentage

Approximately 15 lakh students appeared for the RBSE Class 5 exams this year. Last years overall pass percentage was around 97.06%, with female students outperforming male students slightly. The board is expected to release similar statistics along with the toppers list and district-wise results soon.

RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 Kab Aayega?

Students frequently searched for RBSE 5th Result 2025 Kab Aayega and now have their answer as the Rajasthan Board has officially declared the result date as May 29, 2025. The result will be released on time.

How to Check RBSE 5th Result 2025 via SMS?

For students without internet access, Rajasthan Board also provides the option to check results via SMS. By sending an SMS in the format RESULT RAJ8 [roll number] to 56263, students can receive their RBSE Class 5 result 2025 directly on their mobile phones.

Important Links for RBSE Class 5 Result 2025

RBSE Class 5 Result 2025 Direct Result Link: Available on rajshaladarpan.nic.in after release

Available on rajshaladarpan.nic.in after release Official RBSE Website: rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in

rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in Result SMS Service: Send RESULT RAJ8 [roll number] to 56263

This years RBSE Class 5 result is an important step for young students in Rajasthan. It helps them move ahead in their studies with more confidence.

For more news and updates from the world of Education, keep reading Indiatimes education.
The U.S. government will begin revoking visas of Chinese students who are either affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party or studying in fields considered sensitive to American national interests, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Wednesday (May 29).

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added that the State Department will aggressively pursue these revocations, indicating a stricter enforcement approach.

The decision comes just days after the Trump administration paused new visa interview appointments for international students, a move that has already caused concern in countries like India, which sends the second-largest number of students to the U.S. annually. The combination of these policies marks a continuation of tightened restrictions on international academic mobility.

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.  Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 28, 2025

Visa revocations part of broader shift in student policy

This latest step adds to a growing list of policy changes aimed at foreign students, particularly from China. With over 270,000 Chinese students enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 20232024 academic year, the impact of this decision could be significant. Chinese students make up nearly one in four of all international students in the U.S., as per an AP report.

Rubios office is also preparing updated guidelines to increase scrutiny of students digital activity, including social media profiles - a requirement already in place since 2019 but expected to expand under the new rules.

Trump renews criticism of Harvard over international student numbers

At the same time, President Donald Trump has criticised Harvard University for enrolling what he described as too many foreign students. Currently, international students make up about 31% of Harvards student body. Trump has suggested this figure should be capped at 15%.

We have people that want to go to Harvard and other schools but they cant get in because we have foreign students there, Trump said. He also linked the presence of foreign students to broader security concerns, though no specific evidence was provided to support that claim.

Harvard has pushed back against the administration's demands, refusing to hand over certain foreign student records. The federal government responded by cutting more than $2.6 billion in grants. A federal judge has since temporarily halted the administrations effort to block the university from enrolling international students.

Uncertainty deepens for students already in the U.S.

Many international students say the new policies have created a climate of uncertainty and anxiety. Theres a growing fear among us, said a Chinese graduate student to AP, who asked to remain anonymous. We came here to learn and contribute. Now were treated as threats.

At the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, a Ukrainian student named Vladyslav Plyaka said he is unsure if he will be able to return to the U.S. after visiting family abroad. I dont think I have enough trust in the system at this point, he told the Associated Press.

Others are cancelling travel plans altogether. A student from Vietnam at the University of Wisconsin-Madison described a feeling of constant unease and said they now check regularly with university officials to ensure their status remains valid.

Visa categories affected, with broader implications for universities

The visa revocations and interview suspensions affect three main categories:

F-1 visas for academic students

J-1 visas for cultural and research exchange programs

M-1 visas for vocational and technical training

In 2024, around 1.1 million international students were studying in the U.S., many of whom pay full tuition and are not eligible for federal financial aid, making them a critical source of revenue for colleges and universities.

Institutions are beginning to respond. Northeastern University, which has over 20,000 international students, has developed contingency plans. We are closely monitoring the developments in real time to assess any potential impacts, said spokesperson Renata Nyul.

Previous actions echo a tightening pattern

The administrations stricter approach is not new. Earlier this year, students involved in pro-Palestine protests were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Legal protections for some international students were also briefly rescinded before being partially restored after public and legal pressure.

Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said the visa delays and revocations will do further damage to the U.S. reputation as a destination country, calling the policy self-defeating in terms of innovation and global competitiveness.

For countries like India and China, both major sources of international students, the timing and implications of these decisions are likely to be felt in the months ahead.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt appears to be ready to open up about his divorce from Angelina Jolie after a decade-long battle. Currently, the Fight Club actor is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film F1 and recently settled his divorce with Jolie.

Following the settlement, the actor opened up about the 'annoyance' of having his personal life in the news for so long. In a recent interview with GQ, Brad expressed himself, saying that his personal life is always in the news and has been the subject of discussion for 30 years now.

"Its been an annoyance Ive had to always deal with in different degrees, large and small, as I do the things I really want to do. So, its always been this kind of nagging time suck or waste of time, if you let it be that, I dont know. I dont know. Mostly I feel pretty," he added.

He went on to reveal that he feels his life is quite settled and there is a sense of comfort and safety that comes from his friends, loved ones, family and a strong understanding of himself.

Credit: X | @ThePopTingz

Divorce settlement with Angelina Jolie is not a major thing for Brad Pitt

During the interview, the actor reflected on how his personal life has consistently been the subject of public attention.

Upon being asked if he felt relief after settling with Jolie in his long divorce battle, Pitt said, "No, I don't think it was that major of a thing. Just something coming to fruition. Legally."

From marriage to divorce: A look at Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's journey

One of the most celebrated ex-couples of all time, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, popularly called Brangelina, got hitched in 2014 at their French estate, Chateau Miraval. The couple fell in love on the set of their film Mr & Mrs Smith in 2005. The duo share six children.

However, their marriage couldn't last long and ultimately ended in divorce, and their divorce proceedings prolonged for eight years. The duo settled in December 2024.

Brad Pitt shot in Glenorchy, New Zealand for the Blockbuster Summer issue of GQ. See all the photos and read his cover story https://t.co/l05xin979U pic.twitter.com/oLNPCKRQrZ  GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) May 28, 2025

Brad Pitt's upcoming projects

Professionally, Pitt is preparing for the release of his next film, F1  The Movie, which is set to premiere in theatres on June 27 in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Brad's upcoming film F1: The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski, best known for Top Gun: Maverick. The movie is set to hit theatres and IMAX exclusively on June 27 and will be released in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
Delhi weather alert: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Delhi weather alert, upgrading the earlier yellow alert to an orange alert for Friday. According to IMD, the national capital is likely to experience heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h over the next two days, as reported in TOI.

The orange alert means people should stay prepared for bad weather that might cause damage or disruption. Residents must stay alert and take precautions, said an IMD spokesperson. The alert is meant to inform the public about potentially dangerous weather conditions that can affect daily life.

Whats the Difference Between Yellow and Orange Alerts?

A yellow alert is a cautionary warning, suggesting people should be aware of changing weather. However, the orange alert indicates more serious conditions like strong winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain that can interrupt traffic, flights, and even power supply.

The IMD had first issued a yellow alert for Delhi but later upgraded it as conditions worsened.

Rain Likely to Continue: IMD Forecast

Delhi rain | Credit: IANS

Though there was no alert for Thursday morning, light to moderate rain was still predicted. There may be some light rain now. However, the rain is expected to become heavier on Friday, added the IMD official.

While Delhi is under the orange alert, nearby areas like Gurgaon and Faridabad havent received any similar warning. However, places like Noida and Ghaziabad might see light rain and thunderstorms, though there is no colour-coded alert for these cities.

Delhi Sees Record-Breaking Rainfall in May

This month, Delhi weather has been unusually wet. The city has already recorded 186.4 mm of rainfall, the highest May rainfall ever. The previous record was 165 mm in May 2008, while the average for May is just 30.7 mm.

Such a sudden rise in rain and thunderstorm activity has left many residents surprised and concerned about the capital's ability to handle such weather alerts.

Storms Disrupt Life in Delhi

Last Sunday, Delhi's weather took a rough turn, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds disrupting the city. The sudden storm caused flight delays, power cuts, waterlogging, and even uprooted trees across several areas. Monday brought more light rain, and similar wet weather is expected to continue through the week.

This month alone, five major storms have hit Delhi and the NCR, resulting in at least 12 deaths caused by house collapses, electric shocks, and falling trees.

Monsoon Likely to Arrive Early This Year

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is making faster progress than usual. While it normally reaches Delhi around June 27, the IMD has not yet confirmed the exact arrival date for this year. However, officials said they are closely tracking the monsoon's progress.

Interestingly, the monsoon reached Kerala on May 24, a week ahead of the usual date of June 1, and Mumbai on May 26, well before its usual June 11 arrival.

Stay Prepared and Updated

Residents are advised to stay alert, follow weather updates regularly, and take safety measures during this period of the Delhi weather alert. Avoid open areas during thunderstorms, and keep emergency numbers handy in case of power outages or fallen trees.

With more rain, winds, and thunderstorms expected, people in Delhi should remain cautious as the city continues to deal with extreme weather conditions and the early onset of monsoon-like systems.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Amidst speculations about Elon Musk, rumours of the tech billionaire quitting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) saw a rise. The Tesla CEO on Thursday, May 29, took to his X (formerly called Twitter) and announced that he is leaving the Donald Trump administration after criticising the President's 'big beautiful bill'.

In the post, the 53-year-old billionaire thanked US President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending and said that his scheduled time as a special government employee has come to an end.

"The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," he added in the post.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.



The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025





Why is Elon Musk disappointed with President Trump?

Notably, the departure of Musk comes a day after he criticised the centrepiece of President Trump's legislative agenda, saying he was 'disappointed' by what the president calls his 'big beautiful bill'.

During a recent interview with CBS, Musk described the legislation, which includes a mix of tax cuts and enhanced immigration enforcement. He said 'big beautiful bill' referred to a massive spending bill that increases the federal deficit and 'undermines the work' of his DOGE.

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, Musk said. But I dont know if it could be both. He also said that he is not happy about certain aspects of it, however, he is thrilled by other aspects of it.

Moreover, the Republicans recently pushed the measure through the House and are now debating it in the Senate.

Credit: X | @DogeElonnews

Why did Elon Musk decide to step back from DOGE?

According to an HT report, on Wednesday, while speaking at a Milwaukee Press Club event, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, the United States Senator, said, I sympathise with Elon being discouraged."

He added that he was quite confident that there was enough opposition to slow this process down until the president, our leadership, gets serious about reducing spending.

Elon Musk in new CBS interview: I think a bill can be big or beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both.



I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it and undermines the work that the DOGE team pic.twitter.com/XHS9InZJU7  ELON CLIPS (@ElonClipsX) May 28, 2025





There was no amount of pressure Trump could put on him to change his position, he added. However, he also thanked Musk for his work and promised to pursue more spending cuts in the future: The House is eager and ready to act on DOGEs findings.

Musk is criticising the government while he refocuses on businesses like SpaceX, a rocket producer, and Tesla, an electric carmaker. Additionally, he has stated that he will cut back on his political expenditures because "I think I've done enough."

Musks remarks follow his decision to step away from his involvement with the government and refocus on his businesses, including electric vehicle maker Tesla and aerospace firm SpaceX. Hes also stated he plans to scale back his political contributions, saying, I think Ive done enough.
With the onset of early monsoon showers in Mumbai, there has been a spike in waterborne diseases in the city. Amid the surge, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi tested positive for dengue on Wednesday.

The actor who was last seen in the film 'Ground Zero' is currently shooting for his next movie with Pawan Kalyan and his Telugu debut 'OG'. This is when the shooting came to a halt after the actor started feeling unwell on the set and was diagnosed with dengue, as per the ToI report.

According to Gulte, the actor was shooting in Aarey Colony, Goregaon, when he started experiencing dengue-like symptoms. Following this, on the recommendation of doctors, he got his tests done and discovered that he is suffering from dengue.

Credit: X | @chirufanikkada1

Maharashtra sees a spike in dengue and malaria cases

According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC), Maharashtra recorded 2,726 malaria cases up to April 21 in 2025, which is marginally lower than the 2,867 cases reported back in the corresponding year of 2024.

While Mumbai experiences dengue outbreaks every year, however, the intensity varies. But can the early monsoon in the city lead to the spread of dengue cases? Let's find out.

Why are June and July the peak months for the rise in dengue cases?

Dengue cases are rising during the monsoon and post-monsoon season as stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. Currently, not only malaria but even dengue cases are surging in people of all age groups. These mosquitoes bite during early morning and late afternoon hours, making daily protection essential. Hence, people should be extra cautious, warns Dr. Kushal Bangar, Consultant Physician and Intensivist, AIMS Hospital, Dombivli, Maharashtra.

According to the Mayo Clinic, dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Mild dengue fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of dengue you should watch out for:

According to Dr. Bangar, Adequate hydration and supportive care can reduce the risk of severe outcomes. In severe cases, hospitalisation and close monitoring may be necessary for the patient.

Credit: Pexels

The symptoms of dengue include:

High fever

Severe headache

Pain behind the eyes

Joint and muscle pain

Fatigue, skin rashes, and nausea.

In some cases, it can progress to life-threatening complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever or shock syndrome, leading to bleeding, low platelet count, and organ damage, adds Dr. Bangar.

Low immunity and genetic conditions: Who is at risk of dengue?

Early diagnosis of dengue is extremely crucial. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to dengue infection. Additional risk factors are staying in highly concentrated mosquito areas, unsanitary conditions, and ineffective mosquito control, cautions Dr. Anantha Padmanabha, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru.

According to Dr. Padmanabha, Previous dengue patients are also prone to developing severe dengue in case of infection with another serotype. Moreover, some genetic conditions, malnutrition, and pre-existing illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary diseases may enhance the risk of developing severe dengue.

Credit: Pexels

Such individuals must be cautious and prevent mosquito bites and immediately seek medical help in case of symptoms.

Preventive measures to follow amid a rise in dengue cases

In view of rising dengue cases during monsoon, it is imperative to take charge of health. Dr. Padmanabha suggests staying vigilant and following these crucial measures. Remember, prevention is better than a cure.

Use mosquito repellents: To prevent dengue, it is necessary to use mosquito repellents.

Wear full-sleeved clothes: Make sure you wear full-sleeved clothes whenever stepping outside.

Use sleep under nets: Sleeping under nets is crucial to prevent waterborne diseases, especially if you are prone to dengue or malaria.

Eliminate stagnation: Remove stagnant water in and around your home. So, remember to take these precautions to prevent dengue and improve the quality of life.

Seek immediate medical attention: Timely management of dengue can help the patient bounce back and resume the daily routine without any difficulty.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
J-Hope is making a comebackand he's not holding back! The BTS rapper just dropped a jaw-dropping teaser and pictures for his upcoming single Killin' It Girl, and it's clear: Chapter 2 J-Hope is on a whole new level.

Released on May 29, the teaser photos show a confident, shirtless J-Hope serving raw energy and undeniable charisma. Blending gritty black-and-white portraits with vivid color shots, the visuals lean into a moody, grunge-inspired aestheticreminiscent of his earlier solo work like "MORE," but with a sharper edge.

Killin' It Girl

Set to release on June 13the same day BTS debutedKillin' It Girl is set to feature rapper GloRilla and is described as a track that channels the electric rush of love at first sight, complete with honest, fearless lyrics.

ARMY lose control

J-Hope now joins his bandmates Jungkook, V, and Jimin, all of whom turned heads with shirtless visuals during their solo eras. Naturally, ARMYs have taken over X (formerly known as Twitter), raving over the teasers and speculating on what kind of sonic and visual experience he'll deliver next.

One said, "so this was his "mature side" interesting, I wanna see more....."

so this was his "mature side" interesting, I wanna see more.....  https://t.co/zPttqD0QHz pic.twitter.com/qxE7H7ffwd  Bea (@Celia_GomezR) May 29, 2025

Another said, "LOOK HOW FAR WE HAVE COME."

One even joked and wrote, "Lies" and add the picture of V from SUCHWITA - SUGA's show - where he said "Chapter 2 has nothing to do with taking our shirts off".

With this bold new image and high-profile collaboration, J-Hope's comeback isn't just highly anticipatedit's already iconic.

More about BTS

Fans are also eager to see and are wondering if his fellow BTS members, who are scheduled to complete their military service in June, will join him during his performance at the BTS FESTA in South Korea.

Jin and J-Hope were the first to complete their mandatory military service, in June and October 2024 respectively. Now, the spotlight shifts to the remaining five membersRM, V, Jungkook, Jimin, and SUGAwho are all expected to return to civilian life in June 2025.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to bold moves, but her latest collaboration with Dr. Squatch has left the internet split between shock and secondhand embarrassment. The Euphoria actress is selling 5,000 limited-edition bars of soap, infused with drops of her actual bathwater, as part of a new campaign called Sydneys Bathwater Bliss. While the stunt is clearly designed to grab attention, many online are questioning why one of Hollywoods most promising young stars is leaning into a narrative that further objectifies her.

Sydney Sweeney collaborates with Dr. Squatch for Sydney's Bathwater Bliss

Sweeney has been a brand ambassador for Dr. Squatch, known for its all-natural mens personal care products, for a while now. The soap includes exfoliating sand, Douglas fir, and pine bark extractbut yes, also water she bathed in during a viral 2024 ad shoot, as per CINEMA BLEND. She framed it as a fun way to get men to care more about natural hygiene, but not everyone is convinced.





Why is Sweeney selling her bathwater-infused soap?

In her statement about the bathwater soap, she leaned into the absurdity, saying, "When your fans start asking for your bathwater, you can either ignore it, or turn it into a bar of Dr. Squatch soap. Its weird in the best way, and I love that we created something thats not just unforgettable, it actually smells incredible and delivers like every other Dr. Squatch product I love. Hopefully, this helps guys wake up to the realities of conventional personal care products and pushes them towards natural.

Limited release: how and when to get it

The exclusive soap drops officially on June 6, with only 5,000 bars available for purchase until supplies run out. Before that, from May 29 to June 5, Dr. Squatch is running a giveaway via Instagram, where 100 U.S. participants can win a bar for free. Once it hits the store, expect it to go fastif the internets mix of fascination and horror is any indication.

Internet disgusted by Sydney Sweeney's new campaign

Reactions online have been nothing but shocking, as many users expressed disappointment, suggesting that Sweeneys decision reduces her to a commodity for male audiences. This sounds like something an OnlyFans girl would do, youre one of the most promising young actresses of your generation, act like it, one commenter wrote.

no shade that sounds like something an onlyfans girl would do youre one of the most promising young actresses of your generation, act like it   PEPPERS (@WHITEH0TPEPPERS) May 29, 2025

Another added, This is what happens when you are admired by mostly men. They reduce you to a mere object of desire."

This is what happens when you are admired by mostly men. They reduce you to a mere object of desire  cherry cded  (@plum_chelly) May 29, 2025

Others lamented the message it sends: This male pandering would backfire badly on her. Not the path you wanna go through."

This male pandering would back fire badly on her. Not the path you wanna go through  H.M  (@TAYXKDOT) May 29, 2025

One user said, "Whats ridiculous is that plenty of people will actually buy this. Its just like that Only Fools and Horses episode, 'Mother Natures Son', where they sell alleged Peckham Spring water."

Whats ridiculous is that plenty of people will actually buy this.



Its just like that Only Fools and Horses episode, 'Mother Natures Son', where they sell alleged Peckham Spring water.   Zinx (@Chad_mlimo) May 29, 2025

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Sydney will return for her role as Cassie Howard in Euphoria season 3. Recently, a few clips of the actress dressed in bridal attire had gone viral, suggesting that she might be tying the knot with her love interest, Nate Jacos, played by Jacob Elordi.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
A Greek court has cleared the way for the long-delayed auction of jewelry belonging to the late iconic actress Zoe Laskari, nearly a year after the sale was initially put on hold.

The decision lifts a freeze on the assets of Laskaris daughter, Martha Koutoumanou, who inherited the collection and had authorized its sale.

According to gallerist Giorgos Tsagkarakis, who is organizing

the auction, the ruling allows the sale to proceed after legal complications stalled it in November 2024.

The judiciary opened the way for the public to connect with Zoe Laskaris aura, Mr. Tsagkarakis told local television.

The ruling was issued three days ago, following legal action we initiated in March. It lifts the freeze on both the movable and immovable assets of Martha Koutoumanou.

Ms. Koutoumanou, the only child of Laskari, had faced restrictions on her accounts, including one receiving pension and royalties.

With the freeze lifted, the auction can now legally take place. Proceeds from the sale will be deposited into her account, with 30,000 required to remain frozen.

Any amount above that threshold will be available to her.

Mr. Tsagkarakis said a date for the auction will be announced soon and that public interest has been significant.

From my experience, I estimate the jewelry will sell for more than 30,000, he said. People have been waiting for this for a long time.

Zoe Laskari was a household name in Greece during the 1960s and 70s, known for her roles in classic Greek cinema.

She died in 2017 at the age of 72.

   iefimerida.gr
The Greek government has prepared legislation that will introduce tougher penalties for rejected asylum seekers and accelerate their return to home countries, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced.

Penalties will be heavier for those who enter the country illegally or stay in our

country, if their asylum application is being rejected , Mr. Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting where a new draft law on illegal migration was discussed.

Mr. Mitsotakis said the bill will also aim to speed up returns through a more effective and fair mechanism.

The regulations will require parliamentary approval before taking effect.

Migrant flows to Greece dropped 30% in the first four months of this year compared to the previous year, with fewer people entering along its eastern border with Turkey.

However, sea arrivals from Libya to the outlying islands of Crete and Gavdos have surged in recent months along a new smuggling route in the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of rejected asylum seekers are currently stranded in Greece.

Last week, the European Commission proposed amending European law to allow member states to deport rejected asylum seekers if they can be sent to a third country deemed safe by the bloc.

The proposal aims to accelerate asylum processes and reduce pressure on asylum systems.

Greece was on the frontline of the 2015-2016 migration crisis when more than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa crossed into Europe.

The surge in arrivals triggered calls for countries on Europes southern frontier, like Greece and Italy, to bolster their borders.

While the numbers have since fallen, migration remains a politically charged issue, and Mr. Mitsotakis has pledged to toughen his stance.



   iefimerida.gr
The charges relate to Contract 717, a project intended to restore remote control and signaling systems across Greeces railway network.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Athens

has filed additional criminal charges against 16 individualsincluding 13 Greek public officialsin connection with a major railway infrastructure contract that has come under intense scrutiny following the 2023 Tempi train disaster.

The charges relate to Contract 717, a project intended to restore remote control and signaling systems across Greeces railway network. The contract, co-financed by the European Union, was designed to improve safety on key rail routes, including the AthensThessaloniki corridor. This line includes the stretch near Tempi, the site of the countrys deadliest train crash on February 28, 2023, in which 57 people were killed.

According to the EPPO, the investigation focuses on allegations that members of a construction consortium, along with public officials from ERGOSEthe Greek state company responsible for railway projectsembezzled EU and state funds during the execution of the contract. Of the 16 now charged, nine had already faced other charges as part of the ongoing inquiry, while seven others are being prosecuted for the first time. The accused include both members of the consortium and officials from the awarding authority.

Authorities allege that between 2019 and 2020, the consortium requested compensation for supposed damages and operational delays, citing machinery downtime. However, the investigation suggests the project delays were due to the consortiums own failures to deliver, and that the request for damages was unjustified. Despite this, a 2.7 million payout was approved by the then-Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, following a favorable recommendation by public officials.

Prosecutors now claim that this financial compensation was part of a broader scheme to misappropriate public funds. The charges include complicity in embezzlement and moral instigation to repeated embezzlement, targeting the financial interests of both Greece and the European Union.

If convicted, the defendants could face prison sentences of up to 10 years, along with substantial fines. The case has been transferred to a special investigative judge assigned to EPPO cases, as judicial proceedings continue.

#ENGLISH_EDITION #TEMPI
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has revealed that the majority of those fueling insecurity in the state are not hiding in forests but living among the people as informants and collaborators.

Speaking during a special prayer event to mark his second year in office, Radda disclosed: Intelligence from recent security meetings shows that only 2030% of insecurity perpetrators operate from the forests. The remaining 7080% are within our communities.

He warned that defeating banditry would be impossible without confronting the internal enablers supplying criminals with vital resources.

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READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/05/troops-arrest-four-pakistani-nationals-over-terror-links-in-northeast.html

These informants are responsible for providing drugs, fuel, and even medical supplies to bandits. They also deliver ransom payments. If we dont deal with these informants living among us, we will not succeed in this fight against insecurity, he stressed.

The governor called on residents to speak out and support the governments efforts. This is not just about leadership. It is a collective fight. Everyone must be responsible. The money we manage is not ours it belongs to the people. We are just caretakers, he said.

Radda also identified irresponsible parenting as a major factor contributing to youth involvement in crime. Parents are not taking responsibility for raising their children. Men father children they cant care for. Religious leaders must rise and create awareness, he added.

He concluded by reaffirming his governments commitment to shift focus from only the forests to the communities, vowing to prosecute those found aiding or abetting insecurity.

Weve focused on the forests long enough. Now, we are going after those within our communities. Thats where the real change begins, Radda declared.
Nigerian music star Davido has caused a stir online after revealing that artists can receive up to $400,000 to perform at naming ceremonies.

During an interview on Tap In With TT, posted on X on Wednesday, Davido compared Nigerias event culture to that of India, where people are known to celebrate extensively and often invite major entertainers to mark special occasions.

He noted that in Nigeria, a similar trend existsespecially among the wealthy, who spare no expense to make their events memorable by bringing in big-name performers.

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READ MORE: No Restaurant Was Opened  Davido Blasts Sarah Martins Over Post About Chioma

In his words: In Nigeria You can get booked for a naming ceremony  $400K. Its just like in India, they always celebrate anything. Once you are doing a wedding or a birthday, especially if you have money, the main thing is to invite a big artist

His statement has since drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some amazed by the high fees involved in such private events.
Ngugi wa Thiongo, a renowned Kenyan literary icon and internationally celebrated author, has passed away at the age of 87.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, daughter of Ngugi wa Thiongo, shared the news of her fathers passing.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiongo this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025, the post reads.

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He lived a full life and fought a good fight. As was his last wish, lets celebrate his life and work. Ria ratha na ria thua. Turi aira!

The familys spokesperson Nducu Wa Ngugi will announce details of his celebration of life soon.

Born on January 5, 1938, in rural Kenya, Ngugi wa Thiongo was a world-renowned author and political activist celebrated for his impactful literary works and his passionate advocacy for African languages and cultural identity.

His body of work, which includes novels, essays, and plays, explores themes such as colonialism, post-colonial challenges, cultural heritage, and social justice.
Sidi Ould Tah from Mauritania, has been elected as ninth president of African Development Bank Group.

INFORMATION NIGERIA Sidis election victory was announced on Thursday, following rounds of voting by the Board of Governors during the Banks Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

In a statement shared by AfDB, via its official website, disclosed that Nigerias Akinwumi Adesina, will leave out on the 1st of September, 2025, after ten years in office.

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The bank explained that its Board comprises finance ministers and central bank governors from the Banks 81 member countries.

Sidi defeated four other contenders, including Amadou Hott of Senegal, Samuel Maimbo of Zambia, Abbas Mahamat Tolli of Chad, and Swazi Tshabalala of South Africa.

READ MORE: Adesina Steps Down As AfDB President After 10 Years

He promised that his leadership will mobilise private capital, integrate the informal sector into the formal economy, deepen the banks partnerships with the private sector and enhance its response to climate change.

AfDB statement partly reads: The election of a new president comes at a crucial time in the Bank Groups six decades of existence.

Africa has remained resilient despite climate shocks, economic disruption, and a shifting geopolitical landscape, but needs to move faster or risk falling behind on delivering on the African Unions Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, summed up in the Bank Groups High 5s.

Tah will assume office on 1 September 2025, for a five-year term, following the end of the second mandate of current President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has vowed not to abandon his loyalty to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, despite growing internal pressure from key party figures.

Anyanwu, who has been at the center of a leadership tussle within the PDP, addressed journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, declaring that no level of intimidation from Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Peter Mbah of Enugu would make him denounce Wike.

He questioned the motive behind attempts to remove him, especially with only months left in his tenure.

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My question is, what has Governor Makinde accused me of? Have I done anything against him? I consider him my friend, Anyanwu said, expressing disappointment over what he described as an orchestrated attempt to undermine him.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/05/pay-your-taxes-and-see-more-developments-wike-tells-ground-rent-defaulters.html

The crisis began in December 2024 when the PDP Southeast Caucus endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye as his replacement following Anyanwus unsuccessful run for the Imo governorship. While the Appeal Court upheld Ude-Okoyes appointment, the Supreme Court later overturned the ruling, stating internal party matters fall outside judicial authority.

Speaking further, Anyanwu reaffirmed his loyalty to Wike: His Excellency, the FCT Minister, is my friend and my boss, and I can never, under any intimidation, deny him. Nobody can make me deny my friend because after position, theres still life.

He urged PDP stakeholders to preserve unity within the partys National Working Committee as their tenure winds down. We just have four months to go. Let us finish and go in peace, he said.
A lone accident near Iwo Junction on the Osogbo/Gbongan road in Gbongan on Wednesday resulted in two deaths and left 15 others injured.

According to a statement by Agnes Ogungbemi, the Osun Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the truck involved in the accident was en route to Ikire from Kebbi State when the incident took place.

An unknown number of animals being transported in the truck also died, while many others were left unable to stand due to injuries sustained in the crash.

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READ MORE: Police Arrest Key Suspect In Kano Housewifes Murder

Ogungbemi disclosed that early investigations showed the truck was transporting approximately 70 animals, including cattle, goats, and sheep, with numerous human passengers riding on top of them.

Providing further details about the accident, which occurred around 8:26 a.m., Ogungbemi said, The vehicle was reportedly travelling from Kebbi State en route to Ikire, Osun State.

According to statements from some of the passengers, the driver had dozed off on at least two occasions after the truck passed Osogbo. Upon reaching the Surprise Hotel Area in Gbongan, the driver allegedly fell asleep again. As a result, the truck veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch, overturning and violently ejecting both animals and passengers.

Two fatalities were recorded at the scene, while 15 other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.

She also stated that FRSC officers who responded to the distress call transported two injured victims and one deceased body to a private hospital in Gbongan, while 13 other injured passengers and another deceased were taken to a different private hospital in the same area.

In a warning to road users, FRSC Osun Sector Commander Mr. Leye Adegboyega cautioned that any vehicle deemed unroadworthy would be prohibited from using the state highways.
Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has sealed off the St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke-Padre, Ibadan.

It was gathered that the church was temporarily closed on Wednesday over allegations of air pollution and improper sewage disposal.

Speaking during a Press Conference at Pastoral Institute in Bodija, Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, criticised the manner in which the church was shut down.

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READ MORE: Oyo Govt Blames Father As Police Accidentally Kills Student Planning For WAEC Exam In Oyo

He noted that no prior notice or official warning was given.

Abegunrin also described the state governments action as abrupt and lacking in civility.

He said: There was no information, no notice, no ultimatum. They first sealed the toilet, and later chained the entrance to the cathedral.

When we made enquiries, they said they were from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

They claimed to have received a petition from one of our neighbours, but when we asked to see it, they refused.
A faction of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has delivered a scathing review of President Bola Tinubus two years in office, describing his administration as marred by incompetence and corruption.

In a statement jointly signed by the factions Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and spokesperson, Thompson Ohia, the group decried the worsening economic conditions, hunger, and ineffective policies under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

There is nothing to celebrate. Nigerians are suffering because of experimental leadership and failed economic policies, the group stated.

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While acknowledging the efforts of Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works, and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ohanaeze urged Tinubu to overhaul his cabinet and replace underperforming ministers.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/05/tinubu-cant-win-2027-election-regardless-of-opposition-disarray-el-rufai.html

The uncomfortable truth must be conveyed unequivocally: President Tinubus two-year scorecard is heavily tainted by the incompetence and corruption of his appointed officials, the statement read.

The group criticized what it termed a Yorubanization agenda and warned that such ethnic bias threatens Nigerias unity.

They also called on the President to support the creation of additional states in the Southeast and ensure ethnic and religious inclusion in the 2025 census.

If present trends continue, President Tinubu risks being abandoned by his Northern allies ahead of 2027, the group warned. They argued that the Igbo vote could prove decisive if the President takes meaningful steps toward inclusion.

President Tinubu must seize this moment for reform, or risk a political realignment that could cost him re-election, the statement concluded.

Ohanaeze urged Tinubu to reconnect with citizens through decisive leadership, inclusive governance, and merit-based appointments.
Nigerian military has arrested four Pakistan nationals over alleged ties to terrorism.

The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, led this out on Wednesday.

Abubakar said that preliminary investigations suggested the foreigners were involved in arms trafficking and in training terrorist groups operating in Nigerias North-East.

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He noted that the support from foreign mercenaries has made terrorist groups in the country more lethal and tactically advanced.

Abubakar said: The infiltration of foreign mercenaries in the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and JAS.

The recent arrest of four Pakistani nationals, whose initial investigation suggests that they deal in arms running with terrorists, is instructive.

READ MORE: Nigeria Army Destroys Terrorists Hideouts, Neutralizes Two Suspects In Taraba

It suffices to mention that the foreign mercenaries facilitate tactical and strategic training for these terrorists.

This includes the deployment of drones for surveillance and attacks, the fabrication of advanced improvised explosive devices, and the setting of traps targeting military personnel.

This alarming trend calls for an immediate coordinated response, including intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, as well as strong collaboration between Nigeria and neighbouring nations to disrupt cross-border support networks.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker presents Quinta Brunson the key to the city of Philadelphia Wednesday at Andrew Hamilton Elementary School, which Brunson attended. Read more

When Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson received a key to the city from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker at her alma mater, Andrew Hamilton School, on Wednesday, the comedian began her remarks, unsurprisingly, with a joke: What does it open?

The audience of teachers, students, Brunsons family, old classmates, and fans who packed the West Philly schools cafeteria/auditorium laughed, many beaming with pride to see one of their own recognized for the attention she has brought to Philadelphia.

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Quinta Brunson, this is your city, and you are ours! Parker said as she handed Brunson the key.

Though rainy weather pushed everyone indoors, the event focused primarily on celebrating a new mural on Hamiltons building. Blooming Futures, designed by Philadelphia artist Athena Scott and developed by Brunson, ABC, and Mural Arts Philadelphia, showcases portraits of students and teachers among sunflowers and greenery.

Theres nothing more powerful than being able to see yourself in an image, Parker said. Thats the power of art and culture and creativity, and that is our hope for everyone  that you get the opportunity to see yourself in a way that, quite frankly, you possibly could have never, ever imagined.

Initially, the mural mock-ups pictured the cast of Abbott Elementary, but Brunson pushed back and asked that the artwork depict real people from West Philly.

We have to see ourselves in the big picture. Thats how we know theres a tomorrow. Thats how we know theres a community to take care of, Brunson told the audience. You dont need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall, painted, beautiful  we are beautiful.

Among the speakers at the event were Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Hamilton principal Torrence Rothmiller, Mural Arts leader Jane Golden, and Hamilton student Glory Melton, one of the kids pictured. They praised educators as unsung heroes and underscored the value of high-quality education.

I just want to remind us: There are a thousand more other Quinta Brunsons out there, and we are going to do our level best in this school district to make sure that they are seen, heard, valued, celebrated, and well-educated, because we know they absolutely deserve it, Watlington said.

He gave a special thank-you to Joyce Abbott, the Hamilton teacher for whom Brunson named the sitcom, who was in attendance.

In her speech, Brunson also praised Abbott as well as a previous dance teacher, a music teacher, and her mom, longtime Philadelphia kindergarten teacher Norma Jean Brunson, another inspiration for the show. Norma Jean Brunson stood and waved as the crowd applauded.

Following her mom to school and watching her extensive work was formative for Brunson and for the future development of Abbott Elementary.

This woman had five kids, and then she had 30 more in her classroom, and thats what let me know that education is not just a job, it is a lifelong dedication, the actor said.

Accepting the key, Brunson announced that she would donate $25,000 each to the nonprofit Play On Philly and the Fund for the School Districts Groceries for Good program to support kids receiving food assistance and music lessons.
File picture of police yellow tape. Photograph taken during crime scene investigation on Redfield just below Market Street in Philadelphia, Friday, April 15, 2022. Read more

In a daylight shooting outside the Courtyard Marriott on Presidential Boulevard, at least two gunmen fired 40 shots at an SUV, but the driver escaped with only a graze wound, police said Thursday.

The gunfire rang out shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday outside the hotel in the Wynnefield Heights section of West Philadelphia, just across the Montgomery County line, police said.

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The victim, 26, told officers he had just picked up a food order at a TGI Fridays restaurant next to the hotel when two men with guns approached his GMC Yukon and tried to rob him, then fired as he drove away, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said. The man fled onto the I-76 on-ramp, Vanore said, then crashed his car into the back of a Mercedes.

When police arrived at the crash scene, the driver of the bullet-riddled SUV, whom police did not identify, was taken to Lankenau Medical Center, where he was treated for a graze wound to his abdomen before being released. Police did not release information about any injuries to the driver or passengers in the Mercedes.

Investigators recovered more than 40 shell casings at the scene of the shooting, and at least two different calibers of casings were found, Vanore said.

Police continue to investigate and search for the gunmen. No arrests have been made and no motive was released.
Katrina T. McCombs, outgoing Camden School superintendent, has spent her entire 30-year career in Camden. Read more

The Camden School District plans to conduct a national search for a new schools chief to replace outgoing Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs.

The search is scheduled to begin in June and take months, the district said in an announcement. A new superintendent is expected to start in November.

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State Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer will select the new superintendent with approval from the state Board of Education. The Camden school advisory board has no say.

For the first time since the state took control of Camden schools in 2013, there will be a search for a superintendent, and it will include a survey and community forums for residents to give input.

We are committed to a transparent and inclusive search process that involves engagement from our families, staff, students, and community partners. The goal is to identify a forward-thinking, experienced leader who shares our values and is committed to putting students first, the district said.

The search will be spearheaded by Hazard Young Attea Associates, an executive search firm. A district spokesperson said the state will cover the cost of hiring the firm. The amount was not available.

According to a timeline released by the district Thursday, a survey of residents, students and staff will be conducted through June 11. Focus groups will be held beginning June 2.

A leadership profile of characteristics desired in a potential superintendent will be presented to the advisory board and then the search firm will begin recruiting and screening candidates.

The application deadline is Aug. 1, with interviews and a finalist selected by September. The new superintendent would tentatively start Nov. 1.

This should have been the process, said community activist Ronsha Dickerson. We need to have a full discussion on the next superintendent.

Camden Education Association president Pamela Clark said she hoped all union leaders would be included on the selection committee. She envisions a superintendent who is transparent and able to agree to disagree with professionalism and respect.

According to the job listing, the superintendent will be paid between $200,000 and $250,000 annually to run the district, which has about 7,000 students enrolled in 16 schools.

After the state takeover, then-Gov. Chris Christie appointed Paymon Rouhanifard to turn around the citys struggling schools. He was the first outsider to run the district.

McCombs got the job when Rouhanifard stepped down in 2019 and was reappointed in 2022. She had served in his administration as a deputy superintendent for four years and largely continued the changes he made.

Some critics say McCombs, like her predecessor, focused too much on the citys Renaissance and charter schools, which are publicly funded but independently run. Thousands of students have fled the traditional public schools.

It was not clear Thursday whether the state plans to appoint an acting superintendent until a permanent person is named.

McCombs announced in March that she would step down June 30. The veteran educator has spent her entire 30-year career in Camden.

She has accepted a position as an acting assistant commissioner with the state Department of Education. State officials said McCombs departure was by mutual agreement between her and the state.

McCombs departure comes after several top Camden officials, including Mayor Victor Carstarphen, called for her ouster. The officials said they believed Camden schools needed a new direction.

 READ MORE: Camden school superintendent responds to efforts to oust her, and other takeaways from a special advisory board meeting

I wanted to be here. I never wanted to leave, McCombs said at a board meeting earlier this month. She began her career in the classroom as a kindergarten teacher.

Her departure comes at a tumultuous time in the South Jersey school system, which has been plagued over the years by chronic absenteeism, failing test scores, and a high dropout rate

In April, McCombs announced that nearly 300 positions would be cut to close a $91 million budget deficit for the upcoming school year. The affected positions include teachers, counselors, clerks, custodians, security officers, and senior managers and directors.

She cited the loss of millions in COVID relief funds and declining enrollment. Payments to charter and Renaissance schools have increased, rising from $54.9 million in the 2013-14 school year to $198 million for the 2025-26 school year.

The district must make improvements in the five areas evaluated by the state to determine when local governance will resume: instruction, programs, fiscal, governance, and personnel. It is unclear when the state will relinquish its control over the school system.
Washington Township School Superintendent Eric Hibbs was appointed in May 2023. Read more

Washington Township school Superintendent Eric Hibbs has filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging his suspension was in retaliation for raising questions about a district insurance contract.

The lawsuit contends Hibbs was unlawfully placed on administrative leave by the school board in March following his objections to conduct that he believed to be both unlawful and unethical by the board in awarding a contract in 2021, before he was hired by the district.

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 READ MORE: Washington Township school board suspends its schools chief, effective immediately.

It is utterly ridiculous, a transparent attempt to punish him in retaliation, said his lawyer, Armen McOmber. Its just a very unfortunate decision the board made.

The 35-page lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Superior Court in Gloucester County, names school board president Julie Kozempel, unnamed board members, and the district as defendants.

Kozempel said she had not seen the lawsuit but called the allegations ridiculous.

Sometimes people deflect blame to divert from the real issues. This is not political, Kozempel said in a statement. Ive noticed when I call people out and they want to switch the focus."

The lawsuit marks the latest development in an escalating dispute that has unfolded in recent months in one of South Jerseys largest school systems.

The nine-member board has been at odds since it suspended Hibbs with pay on March 18. No reason has been publicly given for suspending Hibbs, who makes $215,000 per year.

The board has been unable to agree on whether to bring Hibbs back to his job or hire an interim superintendent. The stalemate has left employees in limbo amid possible job cuts as the district seeks to close a budget deficit.

A lawyer for Hibbs said the superintendent was contacted last week by a conflict law firm hired by the board to investigate a complaint alleging the superintendent provided preferential treatment to a family member of board member Carol Chila by changing a failing math grade in September 2023.

The complaint, filed by two union leaders, also alleged that Hibbs violated school procedures by admitting that student to the National Honor Society after her nomination had been rejected by faculty advisers.

Teacher Robert Scardino has since withdrawn his name from the ethics complaint, saying he was unable to provide evidence of any wrongdoing. A former vice president in the Washington Township Education Association, Scardino sent a text to Hibbs stating I was made to sign under duress, Hibbs lawsuit said.

McOmber said the ethics allegations against Hibbs were ridiculous and absurd. The conflict between Hibbs and some board members began in August 2024 after Hibbs began looking into a contract awarded to Insurance Consulting Service as its consultant for employee health benefits, he said.

Hibbs, who was hired as superintendent in 2023, began reviewing the contract after community members made Open Public Records Act requests seeking information about it. The contract was awarded prior to Hibbs tenure as schools chief.

According to the lawsuit, Hibbs contends the selection process was procedurally flawed and the contract was awarded to a vendor with the lowest-rated proposal.

Hibbs expressed concern to board members, the lawsuit says. He also reported his findings to the New Jersey Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office, the lawsuit said.

Rather than have his concerns addressed, Hibbs was then subjected to a calculated campaign of targeted retaliation, the lawsuit alleges. Hibbs filed a school ethics complaint against Kozempel, the board president, alleging misconduct.

In an April response to the New Jersey School Ethics Commission, Kozempel wrote that the complaint was filed by a disgruntled superintendent a week after she notified him that the board wanted to discuss his job performance, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks to have Hibbs reinstated as schools chief as well as punitive and compensatory damages and reimbursement of legal fees. His four-year contract runs through 2027.

He should be allowed to return to do his job he was hired to do, McOmber said He is a very fine educator.

Hibbs previously worked in the Marlboro and Mount Holly school systems.

 READ MORE: Washington Township councilman accused of sending harassing letters to school board members

In another development Wednesday, the Washington Township Police Department has filed charges against Councilman Richard Bennett, accused of sending harassing letters to school board members.

Bennett surrendered voluntarily to police and was charged with two counts each of harassment and forgery, Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik said. He was processed and released pending a court hearing, he said.

Board members Patricia Blome and Connie Baker, along with Kozempel, last week filed citizen criminal complaints against Bennett. The matter has now been taken over by the police department.

Bennett is accused of sending unsigned letters to Blome and Baker that had Kozempels return address, which raised their suspicions.

Police tracked the letters to a Sewell post office and retrieved surveillance video that showed Bennett purchasing postage and mailing the letters, police said.

Both letters, obtained by The Inquirer, used similar insults, calling the recipients evil, stupid, and dishonest, and accusing them of playing games with superintendent job.

State Sen. Paul Moriarty (D., Gloucester) called Wednesday for Bennett to resign. Moriarty, who lives in Washington Township, said he also received a disturbing letter from Bennett in 2020 and asked police to speak with Bennett.

Hopefully, he does the right thing, Moriarty said. Hes an embarrassment to our town.

Read Hibbs lawsuit complaint:
At 8:30 on a Wednesday night, the palm-fringed upstairs dining room of Maison Lotus had nearly cleared out. Despite being the hottest new reservation in Wayne, this multilevel French-Vietnamese destination had already synced to the early-to-bed rhythms of Main Line dining in its first two months. So it was no mystery, with closing time fast approaching, why the staff seemed rushed as they brought us a fleet of oversize plates all at once, no matter whether our crowded table could hold them.

Among the arrivals was a showpiece that commanded extra attention: a luxe bowl of pho  whose nest of noodles and herbs were shingled with raw American Wagyu  and a carafe of broth in tow, to be poured with a tableside flourish. I might have liked to reserve those sheer slices of beef on the side to pace the dipping and cooking, but it was already too late. The entire pitcher was summarily poured over top, the server was gone, and I rushed to taste the soup before those pads of pedigreed meat shriveled into chewy gray sheets. But I was startled to realize the dish was barely hot at all.

Pho should be served piping hot to maximize the vivid flavors that result from the clash of steaming broth against aromatic herbs, crunchy onions, ruby raw beef. In their moment of transformation, those fresh ingredients can summon slow-simmered star anise, cinnamon, and roasted ginger from the depths of that brew, coalescing into a hunger-inducing perfume.

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Lukewarm broth? It works like weak tea, steeping those ingredients in a way that accents the bitter off-notes and muddles the aromatics, also coaxing a funk from the fatty meat that I didnt love as the clear broth turned to a murky, dishwater brown. Maison Lotus co-owners, siblings Paul Somboonsong, 31, and Pearl Somboonsong-Murphy, 33, told me they deliberately dialed back the heat on that broth just a notch so as not to burn the lips of their most impatient diners. But it was a fundamental goof. Not only was this one of the more expensive bowls of pho Ive eaten, at $25, it was also the worst.

I wish I could say it was the only disappointment among the traditional Vietnamese dishes that anchor the fusion menu at this otherwise glamorous new 250-seater spread across multiple floors. Its a stylish makeover of the former Margaret Kuos that is likely the most anticipated new Asian restaurant on the Main Line since the opening of Nectar two decades ago.

A beguilingly pretty curved bar wrapped in jade-green bamboo-shaped tiles greets you as you pass through the carved wooden temple gates in the vestibule (left by the Kuos for good luck to the Somboonsongs). With tiled floors, lush tropical wallpaper, a colorful lotus pond mural, and well-coiffed guests lounging in cane-backed chairs while sipping lychee-infused French 75s and banana-flavored old-fashioneds, the posh resort vibes here are strong.

People have been showing up in tropical clothes straight out of White Lotus  so, thats the dress code, I guess! says Somboonsong-Murphy, whose restaurant opened during the Thailand-based season of the HBO Max hit purely by coincidence.

With a planned basement speakeasy and a second-floor dining room lined with cloistered booths converted from Kuos former tatami rooms, Maison Lotus is a grand setting for a project of sprawling ambitions from this sibling duo. Theyve taken leadership roles in WIN Hospitality, the group started by their now-retired parents, Win and Sutida Somboonsong, who are originally from Thailand, thats best known for Thai and Japanese concepts such as Teikoku (Newtown Square), Azie (Media), Thai Pepper (Ardmore), and Blue Elephant (Wayne and Pottstown). The siblings also recently launched a fast-casual sushi concept, Mama-San, which they described as an Asian Shake Shack, across from Radnor High School, their alma mater.

They chose Vietnam as the focus for Maison Lotus because of how well that countrys food showcases the bright herbs and marinated meats off the grill, a healthfully light style of eating Somboonsong-Murphy believes appeals to their Main Line audience. It would be beneficial, though, if there was a single Vietnamese person involved in the day-to-day kitchen to assure they were hitting the essential flavors, textures, and nuances of the cuisine beyond the consultant hired at the outset to jump-start the menu.

With colorful drinks, evocative decor, and some signature fusion dishes (Wagyu cooked tableside on a hot rock, popular Chilean sea bass, fried rice with nubs of sweet pork sausage, stir-fried Thai pad see ew rice noodles) to broaden the comfort zone for their audience, Maison Lotus is a cinch for popular success. Thats likely true no matter whether the Wagyu-stuffed grilled perilla leaves are too mushy at the center (and also bizarrely served with a labneh yogurt flavored with yuzu koshu  Levantine-Viet fusion?). Or if the nuoc cham for the spring rolls lacks any perceptible fish-sauce punch. Or if too many dishes are served with random mixed greens rather than the crunchy lettuces this food requires.

The rice vermicelli were too slippery when wrapped inside the summer roll, making the rice paper bundle too squishy, no matter how pretty this kitchen made it with lemongrass shrimp and herbs. Even the restaurants most popular entree  the shaking beef  is only half-right. The nuggets of wok-fried filet mignon glazed in caramelized dark soy and fish sauce were not just overcooked. They were missing an essential aspect of the traditional dish: a palate-cleansing side dip of lime juice, salt, and pepper that cuts through the richness with sour and salt.

I do not nitpick here simply to point out that Maison Lotus is on its way to fulfilling its most likely destiny as an upscale suburban-dining cliche, strong on style but lacking in culinary depth, yet another concept in a popular pan-Asian restaurant portfolio. Whats at stake here is the opportunity to create something far more important  a genuine destination for contemporary Vietnamese cooking (no outdated French qualifier needed)  something the next-gen Somboonsongs have the wherewithal and youthful social awareness to achieve.

Prior to opening Maison Lotus, they scouted Kevin Tiens elegant Moon Rabbit in Washington for inspiration. Its a compelling example of such a destination  this spring I also had the opportunity to savor caramelized catfish with garlic rice, soulful duck noodle soup, andouille-stuffed summer rolls, and Viet-Cajun BBQ shrimp there.

But the talent to execute such a vision is already here if they choose to look. If ever there was a time to give Vietnamese cuisine a glamorous showpiece restaurant in the Philadelphia region, home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities on the East Coast, it is now. A new generation of Vietnamese restaurateurs  some recent arrivals, others the descendants of a community that took root in the 1970s  have been busy opening exciting venues, from a James Beard-nominated Viet coffee roaster/cafe (with a forthcoming brewery) to chicken pho shops that draw tourists from out of state. There are numerous examples of other accomplished chef-owners such as Thanh Nguyen at Gabriellas Vietnam, Andrew Dinh Vo at Cafe Nhan, and Andrew Ma of Hen Vietnamese Eatery, and young talents like Jacob Trinh (currently chef de cuisine at Little Fish).

For now, your best savory bets at Maison Lotus are the Thai green curry with beef, with a side of sesame-encrusted pillow bread to soak up the well-spiced coconut-cream sauce. The nuoc cham-glazed Chilean sea bass with glass noodles was also solid. But the miso salmon was severely overcooked, and the grilled eggplant entree was essentially a $22 pile of mush drizzled in caramelized chile-lime sauce.

The duck entree, a loose tribute to one of the Kuos specialties, involves an elaborate multiday brining and dry-aging process, but landed on my plate as a flabby-skinned breast fanned beside an artless smear of what tasted like undiluted hoisin (its apparently mixed with tamarind).

Ill give the Somboonsongs credit for continuing to invest in their space, including $10,000 recently to install some much-needed soundproofing. They should also buy more pillows to cushion the stylish-but-uncomfortable reclining cane chairs in the dining room.

The one thing at Maison Lotus that needs no change at all are the exceptional desserts from WINs talented corporate pastry chef, Andelina Winarko. Much like Moon Rabbits Susan Bae, Winarko expertly melds pan-Asian flavors with European techniques for pastries that reach the full potential of fusion cooking.

Tiramisu is turned deep purple with Filipino ube blended into mascarpone cheese thats layered between espresso-soaked ladyfingers, then drizzled in coconut cream. Green tea infuses a stunning opera cake layered with pistachio mousse, glazed with a vivid red raspberry mirror. A flower-shaped white chocolate shell with a whimsical strawberry Rice Krispies treat base is piped full of tropical lychee mousse. And then there is the mille crepe cake, whose stack of paper-thin crepes and pastry cream is so tall, I was mesmerized trying to count its 24-plus layers.

Just do not dither over dessert decisions or you may be reprimanded by your eager-to-scram server, as we were, when the clock struck 9:30 and he told us rather brusquely: Our pastry department is about to close.

The solution is clearly to eat dessert first at Maison Lotus and go from there. Will the Somboonsong siblings now do whats necessary to make Maison Lotus a complete success from start to finish? I hope they do.

Maison Lotus

Breakfast pastries daily, 8-11 a.m. Lunch daily, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner Sunday through Thursday, 4:30-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, until 10 p.m.

Entrees, $19-$37

Wheelchair accessible on first floor only.

Not ideal for gluten-free dining. There is gluten-free soy sauce available, and efforts to avoid cross contamination are made. But only about 15% of the menu can be made gluten-free.
The Chua Bo De, Buddhist Temple at S. 13th just below Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, Thursday, May 29, 2025. Many Vietnamese Americans have settled in the area and run restaurants and businesses. Read more

VietLead, the grassroots Philadelphia advocate for Southeast Asian Americans, says it is laying off 70% of its staff amid a devastating financial crisis.

The group needs to raise $250,000 by the end of June, and $500,000 by the end of the year, to stabilize and go forward, its leaders said in a message to the community.

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As the co-executive directors, we take full responsibility for the financial management decisions that led to instability in our operations, Nancy Dung Nguyen, Lan Dinh, and Duong Nghe Ly wrote in an accompanying letter. These cuts, while extremely painful, are necessary for the long-term durability and sustainability of VietLead.

Nguyen said in an interview this week that she will remain as head of the organization, while her two codirectors will eventually transition out as paid staff members.

VietLeads annual budget is expected to fall by half, from about $1.6 million this year to about $850,000 next year, Nguyen said.

The financial problems developed, she said, after a period of accelerated growth, driven by a surge in funding aimed at increasing involvement in U.S. elections and combating both the COVID-19 epidemic and the rise of anti-Asian hate. Now that funding is gone, along with support money for youth programs, at a time when philanthropic giving has also declined.

The organization said it expects to lay off 17 staff members by the end of 2025, and the remaining 10 will see their hours cut in half. Those figures could change slightly.

VietLead now has shifted its work to aggressively pursue fundraising strategies but will only be able to truly weather this phase with our communitys support, it wrote Tuesday.

Together, weve won campaigns, developed new generations of leaders, and built deep, intergenerational relationships grounded in justice and self-determination, VietLead wrote. However  like many other movement organizations  weve also had to learn the hard lessons of running a nonprofit organization, including maintaining our organizations financial stability [amid] the current hostile fundraising climate.

The group asked for contributions.

Nguyen said people are coming forward to offer emergency grants, free services, and fundraising ideas.

Were going to lean into that, and were going to rebuild, she said, and thats the work ahead.

The financial disaster comes as VietLead and other groups mark an important moment: the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, driver of a historic refugee crisis that saw three million people flee Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The war ended on April 30, 1975, when North Vietnamese forces advanced south into what was then Saigon, unifying the country under communist rule. The Republic of Vietnam, the United States ally, ceased to exist that day.

In the months afterward, about 125,000 Vietnamese were evacuated to the U.S., and more came later. Many were resettled in South Philadelphia, where they worked to make new lives in a strange and often unwelcoming place.

Philadelphia is home to about 123,000 Asian people, including about 15,000 Vietnamese, 9,000 Cambodians, and 1,200 Laotians.

VietLead, founded in 2016, serves Southeast Asian communities in Philadelphia and South Jersey, helping provide food, medical care, youth empowerment, and civic engagement.

The organization has led or taken part in key Asian social justice movements, including the recent battle to stop a new Sixers arena from being built near Chinatown.

Back in 2009, before the group was formed, Nguyen, then a young organizer, was key to halting violence against Asian Americans at South Philadelphia High School, where Ly helped organize his fellow students to make change.

Their efforts helped compel the Philadelphia School District into settlements with the federal government and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission that mandated broad changes in how complaints of harassment and violence are handled.

More recently, VietLead has led what it calls community defense  including campaigns against deportations.

Under the first Donald Trump administration and then under President Joe Biden, the U.S. deported increasing numbers of Asian immigrants, particularly Southeast Asians, many of them refugees who had lived in this country for decades. The two administrations often sought to remove people based on old criminal convictions.

In Philadelphia and elsewhere, detentions and deportations of Vietnamese, Cambodians, Indonesians, and Chinese provoked a crisis for communities that already were often ignored. Many people were deported to the nations from which their families had fled.

This month, immigrants from Vietnam and Laos were among those put aboard a deportation flight to South Sudan, which a federal judge said violated his previous order on due process. The Department of Homeland Security said many of those on the flight had violent criminal histories.

In addressing the Philadelphia community, VietLeads directors said they were taking concrete steps to stabilize the organization, working with financial consultants, establishing oversight systems, and investing in training to align organizational values with financial stewardship.

Our leaner team remains as passionate and committed as ever to the political vision of our work: building Southeast Asian leadership and power  in solidarity with other working-class communities of color, they wrote. We commit to growing Vietlead stronger and more resilient than ever before.

The group said it needs contributions to meet immediate obligations that include staff severance and core operations. And it said its financial problems reflect a broader crisis among social justice organizations, which are led by people with deep roots in base-building, organizing, and political education, but without the backend infrastructure or support to sustain large budgets and growing teams.

They are called on to meet urgent needs in communities that have been historically underfunded, without having resources to do so.

This situation was further exacerbated by the current political challenges, VietLead said, including federal funding cuts under the Trump administration that eliminated critical safety nets and erased the limited financial buffers we had built.
Aaliyah Alley, 4, checks out an interactive display screen at Nemours Children's Hospital in 2019. Read more

The news is filled with opinions about Medicaid, but here is an undeniable fact: At the healthcare provider I lead  Nemours Childrens Hospital in Wilmington  nearly half the children we care for rely on Medicaid. Across our Southeastern Pennsylvania locations, approximately 40% of our specialty care patients and 25% of our primary care patients have Medicaid coverage.

Every day, we see how this essential program ensures children get the medical care they need to grow, learn, and thrive  regardless of their familys income or zip code.

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It is crucial that both Congress and members of the general public realize Medicaid is more than a safety net. It is health coverage for the most vulnerable in our communities  especially children.

Consider Violets story. When she was 6 months old, she wasnt meeting developmental milestones, prompting her pediatrician to refer her to a Birth to Three early intervention program.

Weekly physical therapy began, but progress was slow. Genetic testing and neurology referrals were recommended, and Violets family was advised to apply for Medicaid to help cover the high costs of care.

Medicaid is more than a safety net. It is health coverage for the most vulnerable in our communities  especially children.

Violet was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), a condition that affects movement and posture. She was able to enroll in a specialized medical daycare where she receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy multiple times a week.

These intensive services, all covered by Medicaid, are essential for her development. Without this coverage, Violet would have had to attend a traditional daycare  an environment that simply wouldnt meet her needs.

Her mother would have had to take significant time off work to transport her to therapy appointments, or even leave her job entirely. Medicaid provided access to the care Violet needs without sacrificing her familys financial stability.

Today, at 2 years old, Violet cannot sit independently or walk, but she communicates through gestures and expressions, and her family is filled with hope for her future.

This is what Medicaid makes possible.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed budget reconciliation legislation that will impact Medicaids future. Changes to Medicaid could limit access to necessary healthcare, leading to poorer outcomes and increased economic hardship for children and families.

 READ MORE: Medicaid helped my brother live a life of dignity after he was shot. Others deserve that help, too. | Opinion

As the Senate crafts its version of the package, I urge lawmakers across the nation to continue supporting this essential program.

Nationally, Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover nearly 80 million people, including more than 37 million children.

Medicaid covers more than 40% of all births in the U.S., and provides coverage for more than 45% of children with special healthcare needs through Medicaid coverage alone or a combination of Medicaid and private coverage.

In Pennsylvania, more than 1.4 million children are covered by Medicaid and CHIP. Medicaid also covers 35% of births in the state, and 55% of children and youth with special healthcare needs through Medicaid coverage alone or a combination of Medicaid and private coverage.

Without Medicaid, many children would otherwise go without the care, support, and services they need.

These numbers are more than statistics. They represent children receiving chemotherapy, managing chronic conditions, recovering from surgery, or simply getting a well-child checkup.

Medicaid supports prenatal, maternity, and postpartum care for families and helps provide access to mental health services. Medicaid allows hospitals and clinics to continue offering high-quality care in underserved and rural areas, where other insurance options may be limited or nonexistent.

During economic downturns, Medicaid becomes even more vital. Families who lose private insurance rely on it for continuity of care. Others with private insurance depend on Medicaid for family members with complex medical cases that exceed their coverage.

Protecting Medicaid is not just a policy decision  its a commitment to the health and well-being of our next generation.

Mark R. Marcantano is the president of the Delaware Valley division of the Nemours Childrens Health System.
In this April 29, 1975 file photo, Vietnamese people scale the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam, trying to get to the helicopter pickup zone, just before the end of the Vietnam War. Read more

Fifty years ago, Saigon fell. In the aftermath, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fled the country. They feared persecution  being held as political prisoners, forcibly relocated, or killed.

The United States airlifted out some in the rushed days leading up to the collapse of the Republic of South Vietnam. Others were forced to board small, rickety boats, risking the South China Sea in hopes of safety. Thousands died making the journey, their pleas for help ignored by passing ships.

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Many of these Vietnamese refugees were our wartime allies: They served alongside American troops, only to find themselves left behind to face the fallout. To abandon them would be a moral failing.

On May 7, 1975, President Gerald Ford, a Republican, made a heartfelt appeal to the nation, urging Americans to welcome 130,000 Vietnamese refugees. He reminded us of our nations immigrant history and the moral obligation to support those who had stood with us during the war.

In response to this humanitarian crisis, the United States welcomed over 300,000 Southeast Asian people.

Yesterdays refugees and their descendants are now part of the American mosaic.

However, this achievement exposed that we had no robust approach to refugee resettlement. Our response to refugees was haphazard, predicated on the notion of each crisis as an aberration. Vietnamese refugees were admitted on parole, which is mainly governed by custom, not law. They relied largely on the generosity of charitable organizations to start their new lives in America.

The 1980 Refugee Act was born to respond to this need, creating a system to select refugees to bring to the United States and welcome them upon arrival. It codified the definition of a refugee as someone who has fled their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group.

Yesterdays refugees and their descendants are now part of the American mosaic.

The 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon reminds us of the sacrifices made by Vietnamese refugees and the efforts of everyone who laid out the welcome mat for them, from U.S. government partners to refugee workers.

Over the years, the U.S. refugee program has received resounding bipartisan support. Our dedication to helping those seeking safety from persecution is a testament to the United States commitment to protecting freedom everywhere.

This year, the U.S. refugee program was halted.

Refugees who were approved for travel found themselves mired, contemplating spending another decade in the purgatory of camp life, where food rations are short and access to clean drinking water unreliable.

We have the same moral responsibility to save todays refugees as we did the Vietnamese 50 years ago. To learn from the lessons of history, we should open our arms to the stranger in need of refuge and treat them as our own.

Eskinder Negash is the president and CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. He was formerly the director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Clinical research nurse Monica Falcon prepares to draw blood from research subject Sam Srisatta as part of a study on the health effects of ultraprocessed foods at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Nurse scientists have led the way in partnering with health systems and communities to transform care, write Connie M. Ulrich, Mary Naylor, and Martha A.Q. Curley. So why not consider a doctorate-prepared nurse as surgeon general? Read more

The U.S. surgeon general is the nations doctor, but what the nation needs is a nurse.

Everyday people rely on nurses, the largest and most trusted healthcare profession in the United States, to help them, their families, and communities regain their health or stay healthy.

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The Trump administrations stated priority is to improve the health and well-being of all people, with the goal of limiting the impact of aging and chronic diseases. At this critical time in our nations history, who better than a nurse to lead the country in addressing the challenges of health promotion and disease prevention?

The surgeon general is charged with providing Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury. This science is the science of nursing, and nurse scientists have delivered on this agenda even though the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is allocated only 0.4% of the overall National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget.

If the mission of the U.S. Public Health Service is to protect, promote, and advance the health of our nation, why not appoint a nurse surgeon general?

Nurses are the glue that holds healthcare together.

In the past, many surgeons general have stewarded the American public through challenging health-related issues: the AIDs crisis, the epidemics of obesity and tobacco-related diseases, the destigmatization of mental illness, the prevalence and consequences of loneliness, and the need for increased organ donation  to name a few.

Although Americas healthcare system spends more on healthcare than most developed countries, its return on investment has been less than stellar. As noted by Walter Cronkite almost 30 years ago, Americas healthcare system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system, and little has changed.

Nurses are the glue that holds healthcare together.

Nurse scientists have led the way in partnering with health systems and communities to transform care. Research led by nurses has opened the door to needed conversations at the end of life and the value of palliative care for those with serious illness.

Nurse-led research has identified the physical and emotional burdens of people living with chronic diseases and has focused on how best to help patients as they transition from hospital to home  and the economic impact of such transitions on patients, families, institutions, and society.

Nurse-led research has addressed the workforce staffing needs that are critical to patient safety and quality care, and the ethical complexities of health across the life span.

Lets promote the health and well-being of the American public by giving nurses a seat at the table. To start, one need only look to the National Academy of Medicine as a potential pool for nationally recognized nurse scientists, experts in public health policy at the state or federal level, and leaders in influencing positive change in health behaviors.

For example, Matthew McHugh, senior scientist and director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania, would be an excellent candidate given his long-standing policy interests and research on nursing and patient-related outcomes.

Or Suzanne Miyamoto, who is currently the chief executive officer of the American Academy of Nursing, with two decades of leadership and health policy experience.

Or Betty Rambur, who is a leader in statewide health reforms and has focused on reducing costs and reconceptualizing models of value-based care.

Appointing the first doctorate-prepared nurse as surgeon general would surely be a disruptive decision  one that would shock the nation, but one that would earn respect for appointing as a leader a member of the profession that the public already trusts with their care and well-being.

Connie M. Ulrich, Mary Naylor, and Martha A.Q. Curley are senior nurse scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier sided with food truck operators in a dispute with Drexel University. Read more

Philadelphia City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a bill by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier that will allow food trucks to park overnight near Drexel University, ending a saga that saw the street vendors clash with the school.

Trucks have already been parking overnight in the area in question, but Drexel sought to crack down by enforcing a ban on them staying put.

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 READ MORE: After a threatened crackdown, Drexels food trucks might survive after all

When Drexel University decided to unjustly go after food trucks on their campus, I promised to take action to protect these vital small businesses, Gauthier said in a video posted to social media Thursday. We know street parking is in high demand on Drexels campus. Thats why food trucks warned that forcing them to move every day would be a death blow to their businesses.

The bill now heads to Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers desk and is likely to become law, given its unanimous support on Council.

What was this weeks highlight?

Down to the wire: Council has set up itself for a high-stakes week of negotiations.

Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn for the summer on June 12, making Thursdays meeting the last at which new legislation could be introduced and passed before they reconvene in September.

 READ MORE: Council takes up Mayor Cherelle Parkers $800M housing bond request  with a catch

After a delay, Council on Thursday finally introduced legislation to approve Parkers plan to issue $800 million in city bonds for her signature housing initiative  but members added an oversight provision that could give lawmakers an increased role in how the money gets spent.

Parker and Council now have about a week to finalize negotiations over a slew of high-profile measures  including the new city budget, wage and business tax rates, and Parkers Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E, initiative  before key committee meetings expected to be scheduled for next week.

 READ MORE: What you need to know about the Philly business double tax that some city leaders are trying to kill

Council could add additional legislative sessions in June if lawmakers cant reach a deal with the administration by then. The final deadline for the budget and tax bills is July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson said Thursday he was hopeful talks will wrap up by next week, but wouldnt rule out the possibility of adding new sessions.

My goal is still to be out of here by June 12th, Johnson told reporters. Im optimistic.

The H.O.M.E. bond bill could be a sticking point. Some Council members have expressed concern that the $800 million price tag is too large amid national economic uncertainty.

Parkers team, however, has noted that other cities are also issuing bonds to support housing and community development programs amid fears that President Donald Trumps administration could cut federal assistance.

If anything, whats going on at the federal level and the insecurity that creates for the people who live here make it even more important and more urgent that we move ahead and that we not kind of cut back on what were proposing, Finance Director Rob Dubow said in an interview.

What else happened?

Transfer tax transfer: Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson on Thursday introduced legislation to allow deed fraud victims to receive refunds for real estate transfer taxes paid as part of illegal transactions.

Deed fraud and property theft is alarmingly common in Philadelphia, where thousands of homeowners have tangled titles that make it difficult to sort out who owns their parcels.

If approved, the bill would mean that victims would get refunds for money paid to the city by the fraudulent parties. Gilmore Richardson reasoned that victims will need that money as they fight to retain or regain ownership of their homes.

Victims can easily spend thousands of dollars on attorney fees, court fees, and other related expenses, Gilmore Richardsons office said in a statement. This bill would allow victims to recoup some of their costs while preventing the fraudulent party from requesting the refund.

Philadelphias transfer tax is 3.278% of a propertys sale price or assessed value. Parker has proposed increasing it to 3.578% starting next year. Pennsylvania also assesses a 1% transfer tax.

Domb bomb: Allan Domb, a former Council member and mayoral candidate, will join the Center City Districts board of directors after lawmakers unanimously approved his appointment Thursday.

Domb, a real estate mogul whose 2023 bid in the Democratic mayoral primary largely emphasized his entrepreneurial background, will help govern CCD, a business improvement district that aims to keep Center City clean, safe, and attractive.

Known as the Condo King, Domb is considered one of the citys biggest landlords. The Inquirer has previously estimated Dombs real estate holdings at about $400 million. During his mayoral run, he poured more than $7 million into self-funding his bid as a centrist focused on protecting businesses and addressing poverty.

During his time in Council, Domb was involved in passing several significant pieces of legislation, including the creation of city wage tax exemption for low-income Philadelphians, streetery regulations, and a measure requiring appraisals for city buildings up for sale.

The Center City District levies a property assessment on downtown businesses and provides services, including street sweeping and operating Dilworth Park.

Domb served on CCDs board before he ran for Council in 2015. Now he says that the business improvement districts leadership has asked him to serve again, and that he is happy to return now that he has left politics.

I have a lot more knowledge about the city and how it works and people who work for the city, said Domb.

He praised CCDs leader, Prema Katari Gupta, and specifically cited the Open Streets program as a successful example of the groups leadership.

Center City District has really done a phenomenal job, said Domb. They create fun for people. You gotta have fun.

Staff writer Zoe Greenberg contributed to this article.
Emil Bove, a Justice Department official and former attorney for US President Donald Trump, will be nominated to serve on the Philadelphia-based federal appeals court, Trump said. Read more

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he plans to nominate Emil Bove, his former personal attorney and a controversial top official at the Justice Department, to fill a vacant seat on the federal appeals court based in Philadelphia.

Trump said in a social media post that Bove, the principal associate deputy attorney general in Washington, is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone.

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He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, Trump wrote.

Bove previously worked as a criminal defense attorney for Trump and, before that, served for years as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan.

He was part of the defense team when Trump was convicted last year of concealing hush-money payments to a porn star to avoid damage to his campaign as he ran for president in 2016.

And shortly after Trump returned to the White House in January, Bove became a central figure in the administrations aggressive attempts to revamp the Justice Department. He oversaw waves of firings and resignations, promised consequences for officials who opposed immigration enforcement, and served as a key colleague to Todd Blanche, another former Trump attorney who is the departments second-highest-ranking official. (Bove and Blanche visited Philadelphia last month to meet with interim U.S. Attorney David Metcalf and members of his staff.)

Perhaps none of those roles, however, drew as much public scrutiny as Boves role earlier this year in securing the dismissal of a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Bove ordered prosecutors in Manhattan to abandon the case, but several of them resigned instead  and effectively accused the Justice Department of seeking to arrange a quid pro quo with Adams, allegations that Bove denied.

Still, Boves role in the episode drew public condemnation from Senate Democrats, who now will be tasked with questioning him as he seeks confirmation for the Philadelphia-based judicial seat. The role comes with a lifetime appointment.

The appeals court, formally known as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, handles cases involving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands. There are two vacancies  one overseeing New Jersey, the other in Delaware. Trump did not say which vacancy he intended Bove to fill.

Blanche said on social media that he couldnt be prouder of Boves nomination, and that his dedication to this country, along with his integrity and brilliant legal mind will make him an excellent judge.
Box Park Logistics Center at 995 Taylors Lane in Cinnaminson, N.J., on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Read more

Dont count out the warehousing industry in the Philly region just yet.

A subsidiary of global logistics giant Maersk will lease the regions largest warehouse, the 1.2 million-square-foot Box Park Logistics Center in South Jersey even as construction of such massive structures has waned.

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The Box Park Logistics Center on Taylors Lane in Cinnaminson, Burlington County, is roughly the size of the Cherry Hill Mall. The owners, Logistics Property Co. LLC, say the building is expandable to 1.5 million square feet, or about the size of an additional average  albeit much smaller  warehouse.

This project, in size alone, was a tremendous undertaking, Mark Glagola, a senior vice president at Logistics Property Co., said in the announcement this week. We are grateful to the teams who worked on the project, including our general contractor, FCL, our brokerage team at Cushman & Wakefield, and Cinnaminson Township.

The building was built in 2023. It has 40-foot ceilings, 215 dock doors, 216 trailer parking spaces, and 549 parking spaces. It is LEED certified, meaning that it hits certain benchmarks for energy efficiency.

Performance Team, the Maersk company, will lease the building and grounds. Performance Team specializes in operations, transportation, dispatch, and conveyor mechanics.

This new 1.2 million-square-foot facility in Cinnaminson marks a significant step in strengthening our logistics network in the Northeast, Jason Walker, head of Maersk Contract Logistics, North America, wrote in an email to The Inquirer. This location positions us closer to our customers and key transportation corridors, enabling faster, more efficient service while also creating meaningful job opportunities for the local community.

The lease comes as a recent Cushman & Wakefield report on the first quarter showed that industrial construction, which includes warehousing, peaked in 2023 in the Philadelphia region.

Despite that, the report said that the current vacancy rate remains strong at 9% and that, leasing activity exhibited notable growth throughout the Philadelphia region, rising 23% for the quarter.

Burlington County remains the top area county for warehousing. The Cushman & Wakefield report said it has more than 53 million square feet of industrial space.

An Inquirer analysis last year showed the deepest overall concentration of warehousing sprawls across the industrial parks and former farmland of South Jersey, including Burlington and into Philadelphia and its Pennsylvania suburbs.

 READ MORE: An insatiable demand for warehousing

More than 70% of the warehouses, and 85% of combined warehouse space, are clustered within three miles of the major highways that parallel the Delaware River  I-95, I-295, and the New Jersey Turnpike.

The average warehouse is about 300,000 square feet, and some are five times that, although industrial analysts have said the strongest demand for new warehouses is below 200,000 square feet.

The buildings contain everything from toothpaste and clothing to smartphones and appliances. Some of the inventory will eventually land on shoppers doorsteps, while other items will end up on store shelves.

Although the Cinnaminson property holds the single biggest warehouse, the Keystone Trade Center in Falls Township, Bucks County, has a collection of three large warehouses each over 1 million square feet each, and collectively totaling more than 3.2 million square feet.

Leases for two of those buildings at Keystone were signed earlier this year, according to Cushman & Wakefield.
In August 2023, Chelsea Cresencia flew to New York City from California with her boyfriend, Allen Nguyen, on her first visit to the East Coast for a planned fun trip  filled with good food and touristy things, including a walk through the Chelsea district and its famous market, because it has my name, she says.

But soon after they arrived, Cresencia began vomiting after almost every meal, and a shortness of breath that had nagged her since 2018 grew worse, making it hard for her to walk more than 10 minutes without having to rest. She also began coughing incessantly.

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We thought it was food poisoning and brushed it off, but I was throwing up once or twice a day, every day, says Cresencia, now 27, who works remotely for a health insurance company as a user experience manager.

She was also coughing up small amounts of blood, recalls Nguyen, now 28, a software engineer. It really freaked me out, he says.

Nevertheless, they continued on with the trip but curtailed their activities and food, and flew home at the end of the week. Once back in San Diego, Cresencia says, the symptoms seemed to calm down a bit, I started to go days without throwing up, and my breathing also improved. I told myself it had to have been something about New York. But a few weeks later, while in the San Francisco Bay Area visiting Nguyen, she suddenly developed a new and worrisome symptom: very swollen feet. They didnt hurt. They were just filled with fluid, she recalls.

Nguyen took her to an urgent care facility, where doctors ran a series of tests, including a CT scan that found a mass on her heart, a shocking discovery in someone so young. She was terrified. My heart dropped and my ears felt hot, she recalls. How did it form? Did I have cancer? Did I do something wrong?

The finding was the start of a harrowing months-long ordeal to figure out what the mass was, including a biopsy that nearly killed her and the radical surgery that saved her life  and revealed what had made her so sick.

While I do wish I would have gotten my health checked sooner, Ive found myself focusing less on the past and more on enjoying the now, she says.

From urgent care to the hospital

Cresencia had been coping with shortness of breath for several years, mostly when walking up hills, but she ignored it, thinking it was too subtle to bother seeing a doctor. The New York trip changed that. It was worse than usual, she says, and the bouts of nausea and bloody coughing were new.

At the urgent care, doctors were clearly worried about the mass theyd seen on the CT scan and urged Cresencia to go to the hospital. The couple went to a small community hospital near Nguyens home in the San Francisco Bay Area. After a six-hour wait, a physician finally examined her and immediately admitted her to the hospital.

The next day, wanting a closer look, the doctors at the hospital ran a transesophageal echocardiogram, a procedure that uses ultrasound to view detailed images of the heart and its surrounding structures. It showed a large growth in the left atrium, one of the hearts two upper chambers, and doctors told her it almost certainly was the underlying cause of her symptoms. They recommended she seek specialty care at a larger hospital, and a week later, in San Diego, doctors at a second hospital ran additional tests, saw the mass, and also told her they thought they saw holes in my lungs, she says.

The doctors told her she would probably need a heart-lung transplant and sent her to Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health in La Jolla, the only hospital in the area that performs such surgeries.

There, cardiac specialists told Cresencia there were no holes in her lungs, but they thought she had an angiosarcoma of the heart, a rare and virulent cancer that originates in the lining of the blood vessels and has a grim prognosis. They told me  it wouldnt look good if thats what it was, she says. I was terrified. I cried a lot because I was scared of dying and afraid of losing Allen and my family.

The treatment for angiosarcoma varies, depending on the tumors size and location, and can involve both surgery and chemotherapy. Even then, the outlook is very poor, with survival often less than two years.

Her UC San Diego cardiologist, Marcus Urey, who is director of heart transplantation and cardiac amyloidosis, felt he needed to confirm his presumptive diagnosis before deciding on the most appropriate treatment  whether to start chemotherapy, for example  so the doctors attempted a biopsy. But that procedure failed when they couldnt get a probe past the outer rim of the mass to collect the needed cells.

A second attempt was even worse: The mass was blocking veins that carry blood from the lungs into the left side of the heart, where the mass was, which was causing pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the lungs. Under anesthesia, the right side of Cresencias heart  already under strain  experienced failure and circulatory collapse, known as shock. When this happens, the circulatory system is unable to supply oxygen and nutrients to the bodys tissues.

To save her, the doctors hooked Cresencia up to life-support technology that takes over a patients breathing and heart function. She was on an ECMO  or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation  machine for 10 days, intubated, and sedated until she finally stabilized, and while her doctors debated what to do.

They decided they had no choice but to operate and remove as much of the mass as possible, even not knowing exactly what it was. Given that her heart failure was worsening, there were no other options other than trying to remove as much of the tumor as possible.  Without surgery, we considered her prognosis terminal, Urey said.

I told the surgeon she will die if we do nothing, Urey recalls, and then reached out to her family and everyone was on the same page. She was at high risk of dying if we identified a sarcoma, but had a 100% certainty of death if we did nothing. Everyone wanted to give it a shot."

They scheduled immediate surgery.

Cresencia has no memory of her time on ECMO or of going into surgery. However, her doctors and Nguyen recall how at one point she scribbled I love you with a permanent marker on the arms of Nguyen, her parents, and her five siblings. The night before her surgery, Cresencia gave her surgeon, Victor Pretorius, a fist bump and handed him a note where she had written: You got this! Pretorius recalls her anxiety. I could see it in her eyes, the fear. She was really courageous, trying to say goodbye to her family. It was very hard.

The surgery took nearly 10 hours and involved an 11-person team of two surgeons, three anesthesiologists, four nurses, and two technicians. With Cresencia still on ECMO, Pretorius removed her heart and  while it was outside her body  cut away the tumor and reconstructed the affected left atrium using artificial pig tissue. He also removed scar tissue from three of four pulmonary veins to open them up. He says he couldnt do much with the fourth because it was too scarred. The doctors then put her heart back into her body.

Pretorius says the mass hed removed looked nothing like angiosarcoma. It was hard and leathery. I wasnt sure what it was. I took a piece of it and sent it to the pathologist for a quick evaluation. They called back within an hour and told us they didnt see any malignant cells. So it was not a deadly angiosarcoma as they had feared. But pathologists saw a type of white blood cell called histiocytes, which provided the first real clue about what was wrong with her.

The pathology report

When the final pathology report finally came in, the analysis found that the mass was made up of a proliferation of histiocytes  the hallmark of a very rare disorder known as Rosai-Dorfman disease, a condition that most often affects children, teens, and young adults. Only about 1 in every 200,000 people get it, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It causes an overgrowth of the immune systems white blood cells, most often in lymph nodes, leading to excessive swelling, but also much less commonly in other sites in the body as well.

Most physicians have never heard of it, says Aaron Goodman, the UC San Diego hematologist who now is monitoring her. They dont know what it is and have never seen it. [It] is an incredibly rare disease to begin with, and hers was a very rare presentation of a very rare disease. It was in a bad spot and could have been lethal.

In some patients, treatment includes the use of medications such as steroids, drugs to suppress the immune system, and sometimes chemotherapy. In Cresencias case, however, physicians believe they removed the entire tumor, so there is nothing for me to do except surveillance, Goodman says.

Cresencia has periodic MRIs to ensure it doesnt return  and so far, it hasnt. Goodman says it can come back, but experts dont know what percentage of patients experience a recurrence. Cresencias last checkup in April was perfect.

As for her ordeal, Cresencia says she feels fortunate and incredibly grateful to the doctors at UC San Diego not only for figuring out what was wrong but also for their genuine kindness.

In February, during the week including Valentines Day, Cresencia and Nguyen, now living together in the Bay Area, returned to New York, a redemption trip, she says, where they walked and explored the city every day without any issues.

I have come to really appreciate all the firsts I get to experience, she says, including snow that fell during their first night in the city. As a true Californian, I have never really seen the kind of snow that blankets over sidewalks and grazes against your eyelashes. That night I threw my first snowball!
She said that denying fraudulent insurance claims and prosecuting offenders is not uncommon. However, a major challenge for Australian insurers in court, said Hewish, is the requirement for strong and compelling evidence in support of an allegation of fraud.
The coastal township [South West Rocks] we were staying at became totally isolated very quickly. All roads were flooded. By Wednesday last week, there was no fresh food available in the town; no bread, milk, fresh fruit, and vegetables, no garbage collections, and most shops and cafes in town closed as they had no basic supplies that make everyday life work, he said.
In addition to his responsibilities within the company, Falvey has served as an adjunct professor of law at Roger Williams University School of Law, where he has taught and mentored students pursuing careers in insurance and maritime law. He is also an active member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States.
When Johns agency joined Inszone, he introduced me to the team. I knew immediately that it would be perfect, I didnt even consider another company, Boelzner said. Partnering with Inszone ensures my clients are in good hands and can continue to receive the same level of service theyve always known.
For example, in many US and Canadian states, 10% of the homes are exposed to severe flood risks which can translate into unaffordable or unavailable property coverage. Golnaraghi said in Australia, 15% of properties face severe affordability pressures where one month or more of annual income is needed to pay for property insurance.
The act also strengthens the group's authority to receive and use fire insurance tax revenue collected under sections 9104 and 9105 of the Insurance Law. These taxespaid by insurers on premiums for fire coverageare designated for fire department benefit. Under the bill, funds collected must now be used strictly in furtherance of its purposes set forth in section one of this act.
A new bill introduced in the New York State Senate proposes to streamline oversight of podiatrists, chiropractors, and psychologists who treat injured workers under the states workers compensation system.

Senate Bill 8240, sponsored by Senator Ramos at the request of the Workers Compensation Board, was introduced on May 27, 2025, during the 2025-2026 legislative session. The legislation aims to amend the workers compensation law by removing what it calls parallel processes for the authorization of certain healthcare providers.

The bill proposes the repeal of existing statutory provisions that establish separate practice committees for podiatry, chiropractic, and psychology. These committees currently advise on rules and review matters related to provider participation. Under the bill, that responsibility would rest solely with the chair of the Workers Compensation Board.

In particular, the bill repeals subdivisions and paragraphs relating to the podiatry practice committee (13-k), the chiropractic practice committee (13-l), and the psychology practice committee (13-m). Provisions detailing committee composition, compensation, and restrictions on member employment are also removed.

What remains is the requirement that the chair prepare and establish fee schedules for podiatric, chiropractic, and psychological care. The bill maintains that provider associationssuch as the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, the New York State Chiropractic Association, and the New York State Psychological Associationmay still be asked to submit reports recommending appropriate remuneration for services rendered. These recommendations would be considered alongside views from other interested parties.

The bill also amends sections of the law to reflect gender-neutral language and updates terminology, such as replacing workmens compensation with workers compensation.

The proposed changes do not affect injured employees right to choose authorized providers, nor do they alter the conditions under which care must be escalated to a physician. It also keeps intact the employers liability for fees according to the Boards established schedules.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reached a settlement agreement with a New Jersey commercial bakery where an employee suffered partial finger amputations in 2023.

The company, Valentis Bakery, has agreed to pay a $180,000 penalty and implement enhanced abatement measures.

OSHA initially investigated Valentis Bakery in June 2023, after an employee suffered partial finger amputations. OSHA conducted a May 2024, follow-up inspection at the companys Paterson facility to confirm the employer had corrected the previously cited hazards but instead found that the hazards remained.

The agreement resolves litigation brought by OSHA after the May 2024 OSHA follow-up investigation.

According to OSHA, as part of the settlement, Valentis Bakery agreed to implement abatement measures, including:

Establishing an employee-management safety and health committee.

Retaining a third-party safety consultant to perform regular safety audits.

Posting safety and health signage and providing appropriate safety training in both English and Spanish.

Implementing a daily safety checklist and security cameras focused on improving exit route safety.

Implementing new engineering controls.

Performing spot checks to ensure use of proper lockout/tagout procedures.

Source: Department of Labor.

Topics Workers' Compensation New Jersey
Third Generation Joins Sgroi Lawley Group LLC

Timothy Sgroi joined the team at Sgroi Lawley Group LLC, headquartered in Seneca, New York. Timothy Sgroi is the son of partner Patrick Sgroi and represents the third generation of the Sgroi family to join the business.

Timothy Sgroi is a member of the firms research team, specializing in financial analysis, retirement planning, strategic asset allocation and relationship management. Before Sgroi Lawley, he gained sales experience in wealth management and mergers and acquisitions, serving as an account executive at Sterling Technology and a business development consultant at Morningstar.

Formed through a recent merger between Sgroi Financial and Lawley, Sgroi Lawley Group LLC combines decades of experience with expanded resources to serve individuals, families and businesses across western New York and beyond.

Plymouth Rock Home Assurance Corporation Names Finn as CMO

Plymouth Rock Home Assurance Corp., headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, appointed Colleen Finn as chief marketing officer. Finn is responsible for the marketing and distribution strategy for Plymouth Rocks Home company across all six states in which it does business.

Finn has a decade of experience in property/casualty insurance and is responsible for developing and executing growth strategies. Before she was appointed CMO, Finn served as managing director of Product Management at Plymouth Rock Home Assurance Corporation. Before joining Plymouth Rock, Finn spent nine years at Liberty Mutual, where she led distribution analytics and product management teams.

Protecdiv Hires WTWs Puckett as Public Sector Practice Leader

Protecdiv, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hired Tamika Puckett as executive vice president and public sector practice leader. Puckett leads the development and execution of Protecdivs risk management strategies for public sector clients, addressing the unique challenges faced by federal, state and municipal government agencies.

Puckett has 20 years of expertise in risk management, having most recently served as the public sector division leader for WTW. She previously served as head of cyber risk management for Zoom and as the chief risk officer for the city of Chicago.
An Iranian national pleaded guilty to participating in the high-profile 2019 Baltimore, Maryland, ransomware attack, among others, and to causing tens of millions of dollars in losses and disrupted services, the Department of Justice said on Tuesday.

Sina Gholinejad, 37, faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of computer fraud and abuse and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the DOJ.

The DOJ statement and publicly available court records did not allege a state-backed connection in this case, but U.S. authorities in recent years have warned of Iranian government hacking groups targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and private-sector entities.

Iranian-linked hackers have also targeted U.S. critical infrastructure under the guise of ostensibly independent personas, such as the November 2023 defacement of water treatment equipment in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, by a group called Cyber Av3ngers. The U.S. government later tied the group to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran has denied targeting entities in the U.S. with cyberattacks.

Gholinejad was arrested January 10, 2025, at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, according to federal court records.

The circumstances of his arrest were not immediately clear. The assistant federal public defender assigned to his case declined to comment.

Gholinejad and unnamed co-conspirators were behind a string of ransomware attacks using the Robbinhood ransomware variant dating to January 2019 through March 2024, according to an April 2024 indictment unsealed on Tuesday.

Additional victims include computer networks in the cities of Gresham, Oregon; Yonkers, New York; and Greenville, North Carolina, along with the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District in California and the nonprofit Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, based in New York.

The attack on Baltimore, beginning on May 7, 2019, cost the city more than $19 million from damage to computer networks and disruptions to city services including the processing of property taxes, water bills, parking citations and other revenue-generating functions lasting many months, the DOJ said in its statement.

(Reporting by AJ Vicens in Detroit;Editing by Matthew Lewis)

Topics USA Cyber
A cargo ship that ran aground in a Norwegian fjord and narrowly missed a house, was pulled back into open water and was being towed to a nearby harbor on Tuesday  five days after the spectacular accident.

A tugboat hauled and refloated the NCL Salten off the shore of the Trondheim fjord in the morning hours. The vessel was being taken to the nearby harbor of Orkanger.

Norwegian broadcaster NRK quoted Ole T. Bjrnevik, the general manager of the tugboat company tasked with the refloating operation, as saying that it went better than expected.

Containers had been unloaded from the ship ahead of the refloating.

The ship ran aground early last Thursday. No oil spills were reported, and none of the 16 people aboard was injured.

The on-duty navigator, the ships second officer, has been charged with negligent navigation after he allegedly fell asleep on duty.

Related:

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Trucking
The former director of a firm at the center of a global investigation into bogus airplane parts was charged with fraud by UK authorities.

The Serious Fraud Office charged AOG Technics Ltd.s director, Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, with fraudulent trading, according to a statement on Wednesday. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

From 2019 to 2023 the company is accused by the SFO of defrauding customers by falsifying documentation that related to the origin, status or condition of aircraft parts. The companys customers included airlines, maintenance providers and parts suppliers, the agency said.

Read more: Fake Spare Parts Were Supplied to Fix Top-Selling Jet Engine

Airlines around the world were forced to temporarily take some planes out of service for inspection in 2023 after agencies in Europe and the US issued safety alerts to carriers that may have bought or installed AOG parts, according to the SFO.

Planes were grounded, and significant disruption was caused, todays charges are the outcome of a focused and fast paced investigation, Nick Ephgrave, the director of the Serious Fraud Office, said. Im proud that weve acted swiftly, together with our Europeans partners, to bring this important case to charge in just 19 months.

The SFO announced its investigation into AOG Technics in December 2023 and is working with Portugals Procuradoria-Geral da Republica. They are looking at the supply of suspected fraudulent safety certification and parts for planes, the SFO said. Last week authorities searched 10 locations across Portugal and made three arrests with SFO officers in attendance.

Zamora Yrala will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 2. He didnt immediately respond to messages requesting comment.

Photograph: The SFO in London. Photo credit: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Hiscox Ltd., the Bermuda-based specialist insurer, announces the appointment of Peter Clarke as chair designate, subject to regulatory approval. Clarke will join the board as chair designate on June 1, 2025 and will succeed Colin Keogh as chair with effect from July 1, 2025.

Clarke has a wealth of executive and non-executive experience within FTSE-listed financial services organizations. A qualified solicitor, having worked at the London law firm Slaughter and May, Clarke spent much of his executive career in banking and investment management. This experience includes 20 years in a range of senior roles at Man Group, including both as group chief financial officer and chief executive officer.

As a seasoned board director, Clarke has also served as a non-executive director on the boards of AXA Investment Managers SA, Sainsburys Bank Plc, and most recently served for seven years as chair of Lancashire Insurance Holdings Ltd. He is currently serving as chair of Redwheel and as a non-executive director of Lombard Odier Asset Management on its US, European and Swiss Boards.

Interim Chair Keogh will step down from the board with effect from July 1, 2025. Keogh also was interim chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee.

After an extensive search I am pleased to have led the process that resulted in the Nominations and Governance Committee selecting Peter as the boards next chair. Peter will be a great addition to the Board, and the business will benefit immensely from his vast experience, particularly as it relates to Bermuda-domiciled insurance carriers, commented Keogh.

Aki Hussain, Hiscox Group CEO, said: Peters significant expertise in financial services, his experience of growing businesses in the US, as well as his deep understanding of the big-ticket insurance market make him a great addition to the board. Peter joins us at an exciting moment in the development of Hiscox, as we pursue ambitious expansion plans, and I very much look forward to working with him.

Hussain went on to thank Keogh for his extended tenure with Hiscox and wished him all the best for the future.

Source: Hiscox
The Trump administration said on Wednesday it has agreed to end the U.S. Transportation Departments consideration of race or gender when awarding billions of dollars in federal highway and transit project funding set aside for disadvantaged small businesses.

A judge in September in Kentucky ruled that a federal program enacted in 1983 that treats businesses owned by racial minorities and women as presumptively disadvantaged and eligible for such funding violated the U.S. Constitutions equal protection guarantees.

The Transportation department said in a court filing that it agreed the programs use of race- and sex-based presumptions is unconstitutional.

The department previously defended the policy as seeking to remedy past discrimination but said it has reevaluated its position in light of factors including the Supreme Courts decision in 2023 in an affirmative action case.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove in Frankfort, Kentucky, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, said the federal government cannot classify people in ways that violate the principles of equal protection in the U.S. Constitution.

He relied in part on a ruling last year by the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively prohibited affirmative action policies long used in college admissions to raise the number of Black, Hispanic and other underrepresented minority students on American campuses.

The program was reauthorized in 2021 through then Democratic President Joe Bidens signature Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which set aside more than $37 billion for that purpose.

Topics USA
Victorias Secret has taken down its U.S. website and says some in-store services will be unavailable as it addresses an unspecified security incident.

A message to customers remained in place of the popular lingerie brands normal shopping site Thursday, stating that the company had halted these services as a precaution.

Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations, the message read.

Victorias Secret did not immediately provide more details about the security incident, or specify whether it was a cyber attack. The Associated Press reached out to the Ohio company for further information on Thursday.

It also wasnt immediately clear when Victorias Secret identified the issue and began halting some of its operations. Most media reports of Victorias Secret website going dark emerged Wednesday  when the company also shared an update on social media  but some frustrated customers online said they began experiencing issues earlier in the week.

A customer FAQ updated Wednesday night on Victorias Secret corporate site noted that it did not have an exact timing regarding the return of its website  and that customer care services were also unavailable.

The company said that it is trying to fulfill orders placed before Monday and that it would be extending return windows and some direct mail coupon offers for impacted customers in the U.S.

Victorias Secret said its stores, as well as its PINK brand locations, remain open for customers. But some in-store services, such as returning online orders in person, are unavailable per its customer FAQ.

It was not immediately clear if any in-store services in Victorias Secret locations outside the U.S. were also impacted. But the companys U.K. site appeared uninterrupted Thursday.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the most sweeping of President Donald Trumps tariffs on Thursday, a day after a trade court had ruled Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing the duties and ordered an immediate block on them.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington said it was pausing the lower courts ruling to consider the governments appeal, and ordered the plaintiffs in the cases to respond by June 5 and the administration by June 9.

Wednesdays surprise ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade had threatened to kill or at least delay the imposition of Trumps so-called Liberation Day tariffs on imports from most U.S. trading partners and additional tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. The latter was related to his accusation that the three countries were facilitating the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

The trade courts three-judge panel ruled that the Constitution gave Congress, not the president, the power to levy taxes and tariffs, and that the president had exceeded his authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law intended to address threats during national emergencies.

Senior Trump administration officials had said they were undeterred by the trade courts ruling, saying they expected either to prevail on appeal or employ other presidential powers to ensure they go into effect.

Trump has used the threat of charging U.S. importers costly tariffs for goods from almost every other country in the world as leverage in international trade talks, a strategy the trade courts ruling would upend. The trade court ruling had not interfered with any negotiations with top trading partners that are scheduled in the days ahead. A fourth round of talks with Japan is set for Friday in Washington, and a trade negotiating team from India is headed to the U.S. next week for talks.

Many U.S. trading partners offered careful responses. The British government said the trade courts ruling was a domestic matter for the U.S. administration and noted it was only the first stage of legal proceedings. Both Germany and the European Commission said they could not comment on the decision.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the trade courts finding, saying it was consistent with Canadas longstanding position that Trumps tariffs were unlawful.

Financial markets, which have whipsawed wildly in response to every twist and turn in Trumps chaotic trade war, had reacted with cautious optimism to the trade court ruling, though gains in stocks on Thursday were largely limited by expectations that the courts ruling faced a potentially lengthy appeals process.

Indeed, analysts said broad uncertainty remained regarding the future of Trumps tariffs, which have cost companies more than $34 billion in lost sales and higher costs, according to a Reuters analysis.

Some sector-specific tariffs, such as those on imports of steel, aluminum and automobiles, were imposed by Trump under separate authorities on national security grounds and were unaffected by the ruling.

The Liberty Justice Center, the nonprofit group representing five small businesses that sued over the tariffs, said the appeals courts temporary stay was a procedural step.

Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel for the center, said the appeals court would ultimately agree with the small businesses that faced irreparable harm of the loss of critical suppliers and customers, forced and costly changes to established supply chains, and, most seriously, a direct threat to the very survival of these businesses.

A separate federal court earlier on Thursday had also found Trump overstepped his authority in using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for what he called reciprocal tariffs of at least 10% on goods from most U.S. trading partners and for the separate 25% levies on goods from Canada, Mexico and China related to fentanyl.

That ruling was much narrower, however, and the relief order stopping the tariffs applied only to the toy company that brought the case. The administration has appealed that ruling as well.

UNCERTAINTY PERSISTS

Following a market revolt after his major tariff announcement on April 2, Trump paused most import duties for 90 days and said he would hammer out bilateral deals with trade partners.

But apart from a pact with Britain this month, agreements remain elusive, and the trade courts ruling on the tariffs and the uncertainty of the appeals process may dissuade countries like Japan from rushing in to deals, analysts said.

Assuming that an appeal does not succeed in the next few days, the main win is time to prepare, and also a cap on the breadth of tariffs  which cant exceed 15% for the time being, said George Lagarias, chief economist at Forvis Mazars international advisers.

The trade court ruling would have lowered the overall effective U.S. tariff rate to about 6%, but the appellate courts emergency stay means it will remain at about 15%, according to estimates from Oxford Research. That is the level it has been since Trump earlier this month struck a temporary truce that reduced punishing levies on Chinese goods until late summer. By contrast, the effective tariff rate had been between 2% and 3% before Trump returned to office in January.

Trumps trade war has shaken makers of everything from luxury handbags and sneakers to household appliances and cars as the price of raw materials has risen.

Drinks company Diageo DGE.L and automakers General Motors GM.N and Ford F.N are among those that have abandoned forecasts for the year ahead.

Non-U.S. companies including Honda 7267.T, Campari CPRI.MI, Roche ROG.S and Novartis NOVN.S have said they are considering moving operations or expanding their U.S. presence to mitigate the impact of tariffs.
Tesla Inc. is poised to begin its long-awaited robotaxi service in Austin on June 12, according to a person familiar with the matter, a milestone in Elon Musks plan to reshape the company around driverless vehicles and artificial intelligence.

The previously unreported date was discussed internally and could still change, said the person, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Musk has previously said the service would begin by the end of June.

In preparation for the launch, the company this week operated a test vehicle on public roads in Austin with no one in the drivers seat for the first time, according to the person. A Tesla engineer was riding in a passenger seat of a Model Y SUV, which drove autonomously with no remote operation, the person said.

Tesla didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The planned start of autonomous service builds upon testing that the electric-vehicle maker has been doing recently with safety drivers around the city, carrying employees ahead of the public rollout. Musk, Teslas chief executive officer, has said robotaxi service  initially using consumer models before eventually incorporating a purpose-built vehicle known as Cybercab  will be central to Teslas business in the future.

Its shares rose 1.1% as of 4:09 p.m. after regular trading in New York. The stock declined 12% this year through Wednesdays close.

The company demonstrated the Cybercab at a flashy event last year in California, giving attendees rides in prototypes of the vehicle, which will have no steering wheel or pedals. But the routes were on private land, sidestepping permitting requirements.

Texas, where Tesla is headquartered, has relatively relaxed rules around autonomous driving, which is regulated much like any other type of passenger vehicle operation. The driverless vehicles are required to have cameras and be able to follow traffic laws and have insurance. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which regulates rideshare services, doesnt currently list Tesla as a rideshare licensee.

The city of Austin doesnt regulate self-driving vehicles, but has set up a task force that coordinates with Tesla and other autonomy companies.

The state capital has become a focal point for the growing robotaxi industry, with companies such as Alphabet Inc.s Waymo already operating there. Tesla vehicles with manufacturer plates have become a frequent sight in the south and southeast portions of the city as the company has expanded testing with safety drivers.

Musk said this month that Tesla would initially roll out a fleet of about 10 self-driving robotaxis in Austin before expanding to a thousand vehicles within a few months.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Tesla
A lawsuit filed by the parent company of Florida-based Trident Reciprocal Exchange charges that the insurers former CEO and co-founder secretly funneled more than $400,000 to her and her husbands accounting firm for computer services that turned out to be plagued with problems.

Despite her clear conflict of interest, Maria Moller never disclosed to the board that she was paying her own company (operated by herself and her husband) hundreds of thousands of dollars, reads the complaint, filed in March in Seminole County Circuit Court. The board never had an opportunity to evaluate and approve her self-dealing.

An answer to the complaint has not yet been filed. Maria Moller, a Florida insurance industry veteran, said Wednesday that she could not comment on the lawsuit.

After stepping away from Trident Reciprocal Exchangean organization Im proud to have built on strong financial and structural foundationsIve taken some time to be with family and reflect on the next chapter, she said in an email.

The court summons and notice of the lawsuit was returned unserved in April, suggesting the couple could not be found. It wasnt until early May that a service of process was accepted by Greg Moller, Marias husband, the court record shows.

The judge in the case has granted the Mollers attorney an extension of time, until June 2, to respond to the lawsuit.

The news about the litigation broke just as Trident this week named a new CEO, Ryan Hodges, formerly with Bankers Insurance, to replace Maria Moller.

The trouble seems to have begun in 2024, even before Trident, one of a dozen new property insurers to enter the once-troubled Florida market in recent months, was approved by Florida regulators for commercial and homeowners lines of business. The startup had named Maria Moller as CEO in April. Unbeknownst to the board, she hired her husband and the couples accounting firm, Florida Accounting Services (FAS), to provide information technology services, the complaint notes.

But by February of this year, the IT issues had become so frequent that Trident asked a consultant to investigate. Consultant Michael Potts said he was unable to access the FAS-managed computer system to get to the root of the problems.

Tridents board chairman, Chris Johnson, then emailed Maria Moller for detailed information on the IT work.

She never responded, the lawsuit reads.

A month later, the board found that Trident had paid FAS almost $400,000 in the prior six months and more than $150,000 in February alone. To put that in perspective, Trident said in the complaint that it had paid its primary tech provider about $328,000 for software and services over a one-year period.

Despite paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars for FAS services, FAS and Plaintiff lacked any written agreement defining the scope of FAS work or its billing practices, the lawsuit explains. As best as Plaintiff can tell, without the benefit of discovery, FAS would simply turn in hourly invoices for work, which were paid by Plaintiffs accounting staff, who were under Maria Mollers supervision.

FAS also allegedly denied Trident access to much of its proprietary data, its emails and the Trident website, which FAS had administered.

The persistent technological difficulties Plaintiff experienced while engaging with FAS doubtlessly resulted from FAS utter lack of technical qualification, the suit contends. As a direct and proximate result of Maria Mollers self-dealing, Plaintiff paid vastly inflated invoices for inferior IT services from FAS.

All of the alleged self-dealing came despite Moller being something of an authority in insurance compliance rules. Before joining Trident, she was compliance officer for Florida-based Frontline Insurance for a decade, and for Cabrillo Coastal General Insurance Agency, based in Gainesville. From 2007 to 2009, she was controller for Coral Insurance Co., which was liquidated in 2009.

And Moller prepared Tridents own governance policy, which requires board approval for any financial transaction exceeding $50,000, the lawsuit states.

The Trident board terminated Maria Mollers employment in March. But Moller continues to use the name, Trident Ventures Group, in her emails and on her Linkedin page. Moller and Trident both said the group is not affiliated with the insurance exchange. The Florida Department of States records show only that Moller is listed as manager of the Trident Ventures Group firm, an LLC.

The lawsuit asks the court to order the Mollers to return all of Tridents data, to return their ill-gotten gains, and to pay other damages. The litigation is not to be taken lightly, industry veterans said. The parties have hired two of the best-known law firms in the country to represent them  Foley & Lardner for Trident Reciprocal, and Cozen OConnor for the Mollers.

Maria Moller said that despite the dispute, she hopes to stay involved in the insurance world.

Ive been spending time exploring how innovation in areas like solar energy, fortified construction, and mitigation strategies can reshape the way we design insurance products, she said in an email to Insurance Journal. Im especially interested in developing solutionslike thoughtfully crafted endorsementsthat reward resilience and ultimately empower policyholders.

Insurance is, and always will be, a space Im passionate about, she added. When the time is right, I look forward to returning with something that I hope will move the industry forward in a meaningful way.

Topics Lawsuits
The West Virginia Supreme Court has ruled 3-2 that a prison nurse is entitled to workers compensation benefits for her COVID-19 disease because she provided sufficient evidence that she contracted it in her workplace and not outside of work.

Brittany Foster did not have to prove that as a health care worker she was at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace; rather her evidence that she did actually contract it from prisoners and co-workers was enough. The states high court overruled an Intermediate Appeals Court (ICA) that had denied the claim because it said she did not prove she was engaged in a profession having a statistically higher risk of COVID-19 infection in the workplace than outside of the workplace.

Fosters workers compensation claim, based on her contention that she contracted an occupational disease, COVID-19, was found by the Workers Compensation Board of Review to be compensable. However, the ICA reversed the boards decision, holding that a single medical risk factor study submitted by PrimeCare Medical of West Virginia, Inc. was dispositive of the case because Foster failed to disprove the studys conclusion that health care workers exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace did not result in a higher occurrence of illness than that experienced by individuals who did not work in the health care field.

PrimeCare further argued that as a matter of law COVID-19 cannot be a compensable occupational disease because contracting COVID-19 is a hazard to which workmen would have been equally exposed outside of the employment.

The high court found that the ICAs analysis was clearly erroneous. The justices said that statistical evidence as to the incidence of workplace-related risk vis-a-vis outside risk is relevant, but not dispositive, in determining whether the claimants exposure came from a hazard to which workmen would have been equally exposed outside of the employment. In deciding compensability, any such evidence may be considered, together with the parties evidence tending to prove or disprove that the claimant in fact contracted COVID-19 from exposure in the workplace, the Supreme Court opinion explained.

Under the West Virginia workers compensation law, a claim for work-related injury, disease, or death caused by or arising from COVID-19 may be held compensable, notwithstanding that workers generally were exposed to the disease outside of their employment, when a preponderance of the evidence establishes that the claimant contracted the disease in the course of and resulting from his or her covered employment and further establishes the other elements of the test set forth in the West Virginia code.

The West Virginia code includes a six-factor test that provides that occupational disease means a disease incurred in the course of and resulting from employment. The ICA and PrimeCare argued that Foster had failed to satisfy the fourth factor in the six-factor test that says that a disease is considered to have been incurred in the course of employment only if it is apparent to the rational mind, upon consideration of all the circumstances, that it does not come from a hazard to which workmen would have been equally exposed outside of the employment.

However, the high court dismissed ICAs analysis as erroneous and concluded that an analysis of whether an occupational disease resulted from a claimants workplace exposure to COVID-19 is no different than the analysis employed in every case to determine causation, and hence compensability: whether the claimants evidence, including medical testimony and records, preponderates over that submitted by the employer.

The majority opinion written by Chief Justice William Wooton was joined by Justices Beth Walker and Charles Trump IV.

The dissenting opinion by Justice Tim Armstead was joined by Justice Haley Bunn. The dissent argued because the clear purpose of the statute is to limit such claims, it is crucial that a claimant satisfy all six-factors included in the statute. The dissent concluded that Foster had offered no evidence to address factor number 4 and that the majority glosses over the purpose of this statutory provision, and, in doing so, potentially opens the door to an influx of claims arising from everyday diseases of ordinary life.

Case Background

Foster, a licensed practical nurse working at the Southern Regional Jail, alleged that she contracted COVID-19, and had myriad complications thereafter, as a result of work-related exposure to both inmates and correctional/administrative personnel who tested positive for the disease. According to Foster, she was exposed during a July 30, 2020, staff meeting as well as when administering COVID-19 tests to inmates and staff.

It is undisputed that Foster did contract COVID-19 and was hospitalized for 15 days. Additionally, it is undisputed that during the relevant time. frame, Foster had come into contact with 20 individuals at work, both inmates and colleagues, who tested positive for the disease.

PrimeCare disputed that any, some, or all of the 20 work-related exposures caused Foster to contract COVID- 19, arguing that she may have also been exposed during the course of two non-work-related outings: a car trip to a drive-through zoo with her mother, father, and two nieces, or a trip to the emergency room. In this regard, however, Foster presented undisputed evidence that all of the other individuals in the car during the closed-window trip later tested negative for COVID-19, and that she was actually tested during her emergency room visit, with a negative result.

The ICA and PrimeCare maintained Foster did not satisfy condition number 4 because she did not disprove the risk factors study, Yet, the high court noted, the ICA failed to consider the review boards exhaustive analysis of the myriad weaknesses of the study.

In essence, the ICA held that West Virginia code required Foster to prove that health care workers are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 from workplace exposure, and accordingly evidence supporting her claim that she in fact contracted the disease from workplace exposure was irrelevant; thus, she failed to meet the requirements of the fourth prong of the statutory test, and that was the end of the inquiry, according to the high court opinion.

In overruling the ICA, the Supreme Court said it defies logic to hold that because Foster was not exposed to a statistically higher risk of workplace exposure as a result of her profession, no amount of proof could satisfy her statutory burden to prove that in fact she contracted COVID-19 from known exposures at work. Rather, the court stressed, determining whether a disease is considered to have been incurred in the course of employment is to be made upon consideration of all the circumstances and in the absence of known risk a claimant may still prove his or her case but without the benefit of a rebuttable presumption of causation.

The West Virginia ruling comes about a month after the Massachusetts Supreme Court upheld workers compensation benefits for a utility worker over the protest of his employers insurer Travelers. Travelers argued that the risk of contracting COVID-19 was not inherent in the nature of the linemans job. But the Massachusetts court said the insurer failed to reasonably consider how the pandemic changed the working conditions for the lineman, including the fact that the state had declared a state of emergency and the lineman was one of the few essential workers who continued to work.

Topics Legislation Virginia COVID-19
May 29, 2025 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global investor news source covering gold and silver stocks presents a mining snapshot highlighting news from silver miners, from expanded land packages to acquisitions, featuring Apollo Silver Corp. (TSX.V: APGO) (OTCQB: APGOF) (Frankfurt: 6ZF0).

The Company is focused on advancing its portfolio of two prospective silver exploration and resource development projects, the Calico Project, in San Bernardino County, California, and its option on the Cinco de Mayo Project, in Chihuahua, Mexico.

With strong demand and a supply deficit since 2021, silver miners are actively acquiring land and developing projects to increase production and address the shortfall.

Stocks mentioned in this article: Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS),

Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (NYSE American: DVS), First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE:AG) (TSX:AG).

In line with the sector's growth strategy, Apollo Silver Corp. (TSX.V: APGO) (OTCQB: APGOF) (Frankfurt: 6ZF0) recently announce it has acquired 2,215 hectares of highly prospective claims contiguous to its Waterloo property at its Calico Silver Project.

From the news:

The newly acquired claims, referred to as the Mule claims, comprise 415 lode mining claims and were acquired from LAC Exploration LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC), which was the previous operator of the property. Preliminary mapping and sampling conducted by the previous operator of the Mule claims identified several high-grade silver targets, which will be evaluated as part of Apollo's future exploration planning.

Additionally, a mapping and sampling program was recently completed at the Burcham gold prospect area in the southwest region of the Waterloo property (see news release dated February 12, 2025). This program confirmed the Calico fault system's role in controlling silver (Ag) and gold (Au) mineralization in the area and identified potential for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) mineralization associated with stratabound and manto lenses.

Highlights:

Mule claims expand the Calico Project land package by over 285%, from 1,194 hectares to 3,409 hectares of contiguous claims.

Mule claims trend along the mineralized Calico Fault System responsible for mineralization seen at Calico.

Reports from the prior operator indicate that there are several strongly anomalous silver values on the property, which Apollo will attempt to ground-truth in the coming exploration programs.

Sampling done across the Mule claims by previous operator has identified a large Ag anomaly associated with the same suite of host rocks at the Waterloo property.

Exploration at the Burcham prospect at Waterloo included assays from 27 surface samples:

Assay peaks up to 14.10 g/t Au, 20.70 g/t Ag, 0.17% Cu, 22.80% Zn and 5.74 % Pb from various samples.

Identification of strata-bound lenses and mantos that show strong potential for Cu, Zn and Pb mineralization.

Ross McElroy, President and CEO of Apollo commented, "The addition of the Mule claims substantially enhances the Calico Project. Calico already hosts three discrete drill-delineated zones with resource estimates along a 4-km-long trend within the Calico fault zone. The Mule claims increase the project's land area by 2.5 times, strategically located to the east along this highly prospective mineralized corridor, offering significant potential for further discoveries. Apollo is committed to unlocking value in California for our shareholders."

The Mule claims, comprising 415 lode mining claims administered by the Bureau of Land Management, feature a continuation of the mineralized Calico Fault System, as identified through mapping and sampling by the previous operator. The sedimentary rocks of the Barstow Formation, which hosts the Waterloo silver deposit and the volcanic Pickhandle Formation are prevalent across the acquired claims. The contact between the Barstow and Pickhandle Formations has demonstrated potential for gold mineralization, similar to that at Waterloo. Sampling across the Mule claims has identified several strong Ag and Au anomalies. Apollo plans to conduct a follow-up exploration program to develop exploration targets and delineate this highly prospective contact.

Earlier this month, Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) and MAG Silver Corp.(NYSEAM: MAG) (TSX: MAG) announced a definitive agreement for Pan American to acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of MAG through a plan of arrangement. MAG, a tier-one primary silver mining company, holds a 44% joint venture interest in the large-scale, high-grade Juanicipio mine, operated by Fresnillo plc, which holds the remaining 56% interest in the joint venture.

More from the news:

Under the terms of the transaction, MAG shareholders will receive total consideration of approximately $2.1 billion, equivalent to $20.54 per MAG share, based on the closing price of Pan American's common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 9, 2025. The consideration comprises $500 million in cash and 0.755 Pan American shares per MAG share, subject to proration. This represents premiums of approximately 21% and 27% to the closing price and 20-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of MAG's common shares on the NYSE American (NYSEAM) as of May 9, 2025. Upon completion, existing MAG shareholders will own approximately 14% of Pan American's shares on a fully diluted basis, benefiting from participation in a larger, diversified, and growth-oriented silver and gold producer.

Michael Steinmann, President and CEO of Pan American commented: "Our acquisition of MAG brings into Pan American's portfolio one of the best silver mines in the world. Juanicipio is a large-scale, high-grade, low-cost silver mine that will meaningfully increase Pan American's exposure to high margin silver ounces. Furthermore, we see future growth opportunities through the significant exploration potential at Juanicipio as well as MAG's Deer Trail and Larder properties. This strategic acquisition further solidifies Pan American as a leading Americas-focused silver producer. We would like to thank the Fresnillo and the Juanicipio management teams for the constructive interactions and impressive site visit. Together, we bring many decades of operator experience in Mexico and Latin America to the Joint Venture and we are looking forward to a collaborative future and value generation for all shareholders involved."

George Paspalas, President and CEO of MAG commented, "This transaction represents a compelling opportunity for our shareholders, providing an immediate premium and meaningful exposure to Pan American's world-class assets and proven growth strategy. We are proud of what we've accomplished at MAG, particularly our partnership with Fresnillo which has created extraordinary value at the exceptional Juanicipio mine. Through the acquisition of our interest by Pan American - a respected leader in the global precious metals industry - our shareholders will participate in an exciting future defined by operational excellence, substantial exploration potential, and strong financial stewardship with significant portfolio exposure."

Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (NYSE American: DVS) (FSE: DVQ) recently announced that, following its news release dated May 5, 2025, it has completed the acquisition of the Kinskuch Property in northwest British Columbia's Golden Triangle.

From the news:

The Kinskuch Property is adjacent to the Company's Kitsault Valley Project and dramatically increases the Kitsault Valley Project size to approximately 77,000 hectares, covering some of the most underexplored and prospective rocks for silver, gold and copper mineralization in the Golden Triangle.

Dolly Varden completed its acquisition of the Kinskuch Property from Hecla Mining Company for consideration of $5 million, which was satisfied by Dolly Varden issuing 1,351,963 common shares of the Company to Hecla. Hecla will also retain a 2% net smelter return royalty on the Kinskuch Property area (the "NSR"). The NSR will include a 50% buyback right, for $5 million, that will allow Dolly Varden to reduce the royalty to 1% at any time. As per an existing agreement between Dolly Varden and Hecla, Hecla will maintain a designated position on Dolly Varden's Technical Committee, working together to unlock the potential of the underexplored areas.

The year began with a significant development for the sector when, in January, First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE:AG) (TSX:AG) (FSE:FMV) and Gatos Silver, Inc. announced the completion of First Majestic's acquisition of Gatos Silver under the agreement and plan of merger, as detailed in their joint news release dated September 5, 2024.

More from the news:

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, both First Majestic and Gatos Silver announced that they received all necessary shareholder approvals at the respective special meetings of each company's shareholders. Approximately 98.44% of the votes cast at the special meeting of First Majestic's shareholders were voted in favour and approximately 99.23% of the votes cast at the special meeting of Gatos Silver's stockholders were voted in favour.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, First Majestic has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Gatos Silver and Gatos Silver is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Majestic. Stockholders of Gatos Silver will receive 2.55 First Majestic common shares for each Gatos Silver Share held, and cash in lieu of fractional First Majestic Shares.

"With the closing of this transaction, First Majestic is integrating a high-quality, long-life, positive-free-cash-flow operation into our portfolio of producing mines in Mexico. Cerro Los Gatos is truly a world-class district with robust production and cost efficiency, combined with significant exploration potential," said Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO. "Over the coming quarters, we will communicate our plans for Cerro Los Gatos, including strategies to realize synergies and integration throughout the business. I take this opportunity to personally welcome Gatos Silver shareholders into First Majestic as we create the industry's leading intermediate primary silver producer. Finally, I welcome our joint venture partner, Dowa Metals and Mining, with whom we look forward to working closely at Cerro Los Gatos as a supportive and trusted partner."

These acquisitions underscore the growing trend of land asset expansion and consolidation among silver miners.

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Metallica are confirmed to bring their record-breaking M72 World Tour to Dublin next year as part of a 16-show extension of the tour in Europe and the UK, with some tickets already on sale.

Since opening in April 2023 in Amsterdam, the M72 tour has seen Metallica play to some four million fans.

The tours European and UK itinerary will continue the No Repeat Weekend tradition, with each night of the two shows in each city featuring entirely different setlists and support lineups.

These will include the bands shows at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on May 22 and 24 and at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 19 and 21, at Puskas Arena in Budapest on June 11 and June 13, and at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 3 and 5.

M72 2026 will also bring several single shows offering fans the tours full production, with its massive in-the-round stage, to cities including Athens (May 9), Bucharest (May 13), Chorzow (May 19), Zurich (May 27), Berlin (May 30), Bologna (June 3), Glasgow (June 25) and Cardiff (June 28).

Singer/guitarist James Hetfield of Metallica performs during a stop of the band's WorldWired Tour at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

Why are there two shows in the same city in one weekend?

Four stops on the 2026 tour will continue the No Repeat Weekend tradition of the tour. Metallica will play two completely different setlists each night, with two different opening acts for each show in Frankfurt, Budapest, Dublin, and London.

Will single-day tickets be available for the No Repeat Weekend shows?

A limited number of single-day tickets for No Repeat Weekend shows will be available on July 25, 2025. There will be a fan club presale before this date, with exact details to be announced.

Does purchasing a two-day ticket mean I will be seated/standing in the same location each night?

Yes, each ticket allowing entry to the two shows will be in the same location, either the same seat or the same standing area.

When do tickets go on sale?

The general sale for two-night No Repeat Weekends Dublin tickets will take place at 10am on Friday, May 30, on ticketmaster.ie. Fan club pre-sales began on May 27. All fan club members need to request a personal presale ticket code here.. A code will be emailed to the profile address and appear on the Fifth Member profile page. Each code is good for purchasing up to four tickets per show, including Snake Pit tickets. For more information or to sign up to join the fan club, visit metallica.com/fans.

How much are tickets?

Two-night tickets for Dublins Aviva Stadium on 19 and 21 June cost from 121.25 to 261.25, subject to Ticketmaster charges.

Is there a limit on the number of tickets I can buy?

There is a ticket limit of six tickets per online purchase on ticketmaster.ie.

Are accessible tickets available?

Yes, accessible tickets for the Aviva Stadium gigs are available. To purchase accessible tickets, click here.

Will more shows be added to the tour?

Likely yes. Fans are advised to keep an eye on metallica.com for details about additional dates in 2026.

What are the Enhanced Experience packages?

Enhanced Experiences are available for all non-festival shows. Offerings include access to a meet and greet, production and stage tours, food and beverage in the Black Box Lounge, Snake Pit Passes, and early entry into the venue. Visit wearesuper.co/metallica for more details.

Who are the supporting acts?

The European and UK leg of the M72 tour, which is produced by Live Nation, will see support from Gojira, Pantera, Knocked Loose and Avatar.
From here you can enjoy views from the folding Maughanaclea Hills down to the West Cork peninsulas
Israel has accepted a new US proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House has said.

The fresh signs of progress towards a temporary truce came after US president Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism earlier this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Israel backed and supported the new proposal. She added that Hamas continues to evaluate the proposal.

The new proposal was intended to return surviving as well as dead hostages still being held in Gaza in exchange for an an extended truce in fighting.

Hamas has said it had agreed with Mr Witkoff on a general framework of an agreement that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an influx of aid, and a transfer of power from the militant group to a politically independent committee of Palestinians.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile.

He has said Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected plans to resettle Gazas population, a move experts say would likely violate international law.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages  its only bargaining chip  in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

Palestinians heading to receive food and humanitarian aid packages from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed group approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

It has offered to give up power to a committee of politically independent Palestinians that could oversee reconstruction.

Hamas is still holding 58 hostages. Around a third are believed to be alive, though many fear they are in grave danger the longer the war goes on.

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its airstrikes and ground operations after ending a ceasefire in March.

The dispute over whether there should be a temporary ceasefire to release more hostages  as Israel has called for, or a permanent one, as Hamas wants  has hampered talks brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar for more than a year and a half, and there is no indication it has been resolved.

Mr Witkoff has not publicised his latest proposal, but a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March.

Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade  slightly eased in recent days  has pushed the population to the brink of famine.

Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages.

More than half the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.

Israels ensuing military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File Picture: RONEN ZVULUN/POOL/AFP via Getty

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly two million Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands living in squalid tent camps and unused schools.

Hamas has been vastly depleted militarily and lost nearly all of its top leaders in Gaza. It most likely fears that releasing all the hostages without securing a permanent ceasefire would allow Israel to launch an even more devastating campaign to ultimately destroy the group.

Israel fears that a lasting ceasefire and withdrawal now would leave Hamas with significant influence in Gaza, even if it surrenders formal power. With time, Hamas might be able to rebuild its military might and eventually launch more October 7-style attacks.

Mr Netanyahu also faces political constraints: His far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he ends the war too soon.

That would leave him more vulnerable to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges and to investigations into the failures surrounding the October 7 attack.

A broader resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears more distant than ever.

The Palestinians are weak and divided, and Israels current government  the most nationalist and religious in its history  is opposed to Palestinian demands for a state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.
One of the most senior figures in the Kinahan organised crime cartel is headed back to Ireland after being extradited by the United Arab Emirates.

Sean McGovern, described as cartel leader Daniel Kinahan's right-hand man, is wanted in Ireland in relation to murder and involvement in a criminal gang.

He is expected back in Ireland on Thursday after being put on a plane and may appear in court before the weekend, it is believed.

It is the latest blow to the cartel, which grew from a Dublin street gang in the 1980s and 1990s to one of the most powerful organised crime outfits in the world before the international authorities including the US Justice Department began to dismantle its operations.

Under the leadership of Christy Kinahan Sr and subsequently his sons Daniel and Christopher Jr, the Kinahans are said to be responsible for a range of murders, drug trafficking, and criminal rackets across Europe and beyond.

Sean McGovern, who is originally from Crumlin in Dublin, was put on to an Irish air corps military jet on Wednesday morning months after being detained in the Gulf state where the leaders of the outfit have based themselves in recent years.

Interpol issued a warrant from McGoverns arrest as he is wanted in Ireland to face charges in connection with alleged organised crime. He is suspected of involvement in the murder of Noel Kirwan, an innocent victim in the fallout of the Regency Hotel shooting in 2016 which shocked the nation.

The shooting at a boxing event weigh-in left one dead but not the intended target, Daniel Kinahan. The aftermath saw an escalation of violence as the Kinahan cartel targeted the Hutch criminal gang, with around 19 deaths between the factions as the feud intensified.

Gardai believe this extradition is highly significant and hope that McGoverns boss Daniel Kinahan will now face the same process.

McGovern was previously targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and suffered gunshot wounds in the stomach during the Regency hotel attack in February 2016.

Gardai have also sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) seeking to bring a murder charge against Daniel Kinahan in relation to the murder of Eddie Hutch.

McGovern had been in custody in Dubai since last October after being arrested there on foot of an Interpol red notice - a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Speaking following McGovern's arrest in the UAE last October, Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock described him as "one of Ireland's most wanted individuals". He said the arrest was made possible thanks to the combined efforts Irish authorities and the United Arab Emirates.

Cases like this underline the value of international police cooperation via Interpols global network, and again highlights that no fugitive can consider themselves safe from justice," he added.
A wealthy American businessman accused of sexually assaulting a man in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel has been given extra time to consider video evidence and his plea.

The accused, in his 50s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was originally charged in March and granted nominal bail with a series of strict conditions.

His case was back before Dublin District Court, where he had earlier lodged 30,000, allowing him to return to the United States. He did not have to appear on Thursday but was represented by solicitor Luke Staines.

Judge Patricia Cronin noted the defence had to be furnished with video evidence necessary to consider the accused's position. She remanded him on continuing bail in his absence and adjourned the case until July when he will be excused from attending again.

The allegation is that he groped inside and outside a man's shorts in the luxury five-star hotel on a date in March.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed the accused's case be dealt with at the District Court level "on a guilty plea only". Otherwise, he must face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The charge carries a possible jail sentence of up to five years.

Detective Garda Cathal Ryan had provided disclosure of evidence to the man's legal team. At his prior hearing, the businessman was told that he must have no direct or indirect contact with the complainant.

On March 28, the court heard that his response to the charge was "it was consensual".

Bail

Detective Garda Ryan had expressed flight risk concerns because the accused was a tourist from the United States with no ties to this jurisdiction.

The detective said the man "has no family friends or any connection to the State", and both he and his partner had "exceptional means" and were "quite wealthy".

The officer explained that the financial implications of bail "would not be an issue for the man if he did not return".

Questioned by the defence, the detective agreed that his client's instructing solicitor had been in touch with gardai from the outset and indicated he met them by appointment once the DPP's decision was given.

He agreed with the barrister that the accused had mentioned the financial aspect. Gardai learned his partner was a company director, and together, they had significant means of income.

The detective garda accepted that the accused had indicated that he had no difficulty returning to Ireland for his case.

Accusation

Addressing the seriousness of the accusation, his barrister had said: "The actual allegation related to touching outside the clothes of another man's penis".

Detective Garda Ryan responded: "The allegation relates to reaching inside the shorts of the victim, groping his buttocks and then grabbing his penis from outside his shorts at the same time".

He added that while the DPP stated that the case could stay in the District Court on a guilty plea: "I still categorise it as a very serious offence".

At his bail hearing, the defence barrister had said the man had indicated that it was consensual and if it proceeded to trial in the Circuit Court, the earliest date would be 2027.

Detective Garda Ryan had agreed the accused was co-operative, gave a full account, and answered all questions during his interview. There were no issues during the arrest or any need to handcuff him.
Ambitious plans have been unveiled to take traffic off the main gateway road into Cork City and to build a riverside promenade and public parks.

The details of the 20m-plus project are contained in planning documents that have been published by Cork City Council for public consultation.

The new Cork north docks public realm and transport infrastructure project includes several ambitious proposals to deliver what consultants say will be an integrated public realm design along the south-facing riverfront at Horgans Quay.

The new Cork north docks public realm and transport infrastructure project includes several ambitious proposals to deliver what consultants say will be an integrated public realm design along the south-facing riverfront at Horgans Quay.

If approved, it will transform Horgans Quay from a traffic centric corridor into a pedestrian-friendly riverside promenade, bookended by public parks.

A key element of the project will involve the relocation of the existing N8 national road, which carries traffic city-bound along Horgans Quay, away from the waters edge, to facilitate the creation of a promenade on the waterfront, similar to the Marina promenade which has been developed on the south of the river.

The documents show how the local authority is seeking planning to:

Realign the N8 between Lower Glanmire Road and Alfred Street, and build a new inbound route closer to the rear of Kent Station, removing all traffic from Horgans Quay.

The realigned road will be approximately 720m long and will comprise two traffic lanes, a bus lane, footpaths and planted verges

It will create a new promenade in its place on the waterfront along Horgans Quay, running for some 690 metres, with pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

It includes new recreational amenities, seating areas and a new 6,000sqm public park at the city end of Horgans Quay, with a creative water feature

A second public park is envisaged for Water Street, providing a landscaped pedestrian link from Lower Glanmire Road to the new waterfront promenade

The project will require land acquisition, most of which involves the Port of Cork and Iarnrod Eireann, but the council has had extensive engagement with both state bodies already. The design has also factored in various public transport and sustainable transport plans proposed in and around the north docklands, including the Cork Luas, BusConnects Cork, and the Glanmire to city centre bike lane project.

Officials will consider public feedback and prepare responses in a report for councillors in September or October, at which point a decision on planning will be made. Pending the planning process, and the subsequent tendering, work on the first phase could get underway towards the end of next year.

The multi-million regeneration of Cork's north docklands includes new recreational amenities, seating areas and a new 6,000sqm public park at the city end of Horgans Quay, with a creative water feature.

The consultants behind the scheme say it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine the River Lee not as a barrier, but as a vibrant open space that reconnects northside communities with the river.

It envisions a welcoming, inclusive waterfront where people can meet, connect with nature, move freely, and experience enhanced well-being in the heart of the city, the consultants say.
Gardai have launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack at a former pub in West Cork that left two men hospitalised.

Emergency services responded to a fire at the old Morris Arms pub in Connonagh, near Leap, at around 8.30pm on Wednesday.

The building, which has been disused for several years, was significantly damaged in the blaze.

Two men, both aged in their 40s, were taken to Cork University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Gardai have confirmed the fire is being treated as a case of criminal damage and a technical examination of the scene is under way.

Former Fine Gael county councillor Adrian Healy, who lives in Leap, said the pub has been closed for around 10 years. It is two miles east of the village on a bad bend on the N71.

A statement from gardai said: Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred in Leap, Co. Cork on Wednesday 28th May 2025 at approximately 8:30 pm.

Two men in their 40s were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

A technical examination of the scene is being carried out."

Gardai say investigations are ongoing.
The Tanaiste has hit out at the "genocide" being carried out by the Israeli government while defending his own government's record on Gaza.

During a heated exchange with independent TD Catherine Connolly at Thursday's Leaders' Questions, Simon Harris said that the Irish government had called out Israel's actions in Gaza.

We are the first government in the EU to say what Israel is doing is genocide. It is genocide," Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris responded after Ms Connolly had criticised the "cognitive dissonance" of the Government, saying it was time to make our words mean something. In response, the Tanaiste said that Ireland was a world leader on the issue.

Were working to support the people of Palestine and the only chamber I ever go into in the entire world where people dont acknowledge that Ireland, the Government, the people of Ireland, are standing with the people of Palestine, standing up for human rights, standing up for international law, is here when you get up and distort  with your ideology  the actions of this government.

Im disgusted and sickened  sickened  watching children dying on our television screens and every day I come to work and work with all the people in here to do our best to show leadership at a time of horrific conflict.

Ms Connolly said that Ireland had waited for EU action on the issue and that the "elephant in the room" was Israel's backing by the US.

Youre waiting for the morally corrupt EU to take action. Theyre the second-biggest supplier of arms to the genocide. Lets call a spade a spade.

Ms Connolly also criticised Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for "feting" the visit of US Congressman Brian Mast to Kerry last week. Mr Mast has previously called for Israel to "kick the shit out of" Gaza.
The Government expects all Regional Independent TDs to support it during votes of confidence and while passing budgets, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers has said.

Mr Chambers said there is an ongoing commitment from Regional Independent TDs to back the Government, after both Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole voted for a Sinn Fein bill on Wednesday night.

The two independent TDs backed Sinn Feins legislation that would prohibit the Central Bank from handling Israeli government bonds.

Obviously they made individual decisions yesterday evening as non-aligned TDs in the Dail, but theyve also outlined their commitment to continue to support the Government, Mr Chambers said.

On Wednesday, Mr Heneghan confirmed he voted against the Government, saying in a statement that it was about standing up for international law and basic human rights".

'Matters of conscience'

"I'm fully committed to the programme for government but, as an Independent TD, I reserve the right to act on matters of conscience. The situation is urgent, and Ireland must show leadership, Mr Heneghan said.

Pressed what sanction the two TDs would face for voting against the Government, Mr Chambers said it was not about punishment.

We obviously have a whip system within the party groups, within Fianna Fail, within Fine Gael and indeed ministers and ministers of state, our office holders within the Government.

We have an ongoing commitment I think, and weve heard from the TDs in the last 24 hours around continued support for the Government. Theyve been generally supportive across many areas of legislation.

Mr Chambers said it reflected previous debate on non-aligned TDs and that Regional Independent TDs would be able to make up their mind on an individual basis.

However, when pressed if he expected the Regional Independents to back the Government during key votes such as budgets or confidence motions, Mr Chambers said that he did.

Weve had a very constructive working engagement with all of the Independent TDs and the non-aligned TDs who are members of Government and I expect that to continue in the period ahead," he said.

On a vote of confidence or a budgetary matter, if theyre continuing to support the Government as it is, thats obviously a more significant vote. Id expect them, in light of the statement after the vote last evening, that theyll continue to support the Government.
DEVELOPMENT land with the potential to deliver almost 70 homes in a popular Limerick City suburb is on the market, with offers in excess of 2.75m sought.

The greenfield site, on the Mill Rd in Corbally, is just over eight hectares (20.3 acres), of which 1.9ha (4.7ac) is zoned new residential.

The prescribed residential density, under the current Limerick Development Plan (2022-2028), is for 35+ homes per hectare.

The remaining land just over 6ha (15ac)  is zoned for public open space.

Last year, development land sold in Lower Park, Corbally, for 485,000 per acre.

Savills, the agents handling the Mill Rd sale, said the residential-zoned land has a number of advantages that makes it ideally suited for housing units.

This includes access to existing services/infrastructure to facilitate an immediate development, as well as a new development access off Mill Rd, which is being provided as part of the councils Part 8 improvements, said agents James ODonovan and Peter OMeara.

The council has carried out significant improvements to the neighbourhood road infrastructure since the same site came to market three or four years ago.

The land was withdrawn from sale at the time due to concerns about access to the site for development.

Since then, the road has been widened, with other improvements.

Mr ODonovan said the residential-zoned land could accommodate 66-68 homes.

He said there was good interest from lots of parties, including developers, the last time they brought it to market, and he expects similar this time around.

While the land could cater for a housing scheme  subject to planning permission  a developer could also buy it, put in roads and services, and sell off serviced sites.

The land, which slopes gradually from east to west, benefits from a new access point and has 105m of frontage to Mill Rd.

It has direct access to services with a wastewater line, watermain, and ESB line traversing the site and readily available for connection, the agents said.

Mr ODonovan said they already have offers in the region of 2.5m, subject to planning permission, but the preference is for an unconditional sale.

The surrounding area is a mix of mature residential estates such as Brookhaven and The Hermitage to the north and mature agricultural landholdings to the west and to the south.

Large detached stately homes lie to the west of Mill Rd towards its southern end, among them Roseneath House.

The current site sale is of lands that once formed part of the Roseneath House landed estate.

The house itself, along with 0.9 acres, is on the market as a separate lot priced at 900,000 (see next Saturdays Property & Home for details).

Corbally is regarded as one of the more desirable areas of Limerick City.

Its linked to the University of Limerick and the city centre via a riverbank walkway, along the nearby River Shannon. There are a number of primary schools and secondary schools in the area, including St Munchins College (secondary) and Scoil Ide (primary).

Grove Island shopping complex, with large retailers such as Super Valu and Lloyds Pharmacy, is a mere 750m walk away. Limerick itself has a strong employment base, and continues to attract interest from multinational companies.

World ICT leaders such as Dell, Analog Devices, and Intel are based in Limerick, while the life sciences sector is flourishing too, with employers such as Regeneron, Biopharma and Ethicon Biosurgery, along with pharma giants Johnson & Johnson, Zimmer, Stryker and Cook Medical.

DETAILS: James.ODonovan@savills.ie T: 0214906120 Peter.OMeara@savills.ie T: 0214906114.
The Irish Examiner and The Echo hosted a well-attended Digital Lunch & Learn on May 28 at Republic of Work, Cork, where local businesses gathered to hear expert insights on how to maximise the impact of digital advertising within trusted media environments.

David Murphy, Head of Digital Solutions at The Irish Times Group, outlined how businesses can harness the power of first-party data, brand safety, and contextual relevance to drive more meaningful engagement and measurable results online.

His presentation highlighted the unique advantages of advertising with trusted news brands like the Irish Examiner and The Echo, whose audiences turn to them daily for reliable information.

"In today's cluttered digital world, the businesses that succeed are those that understand the power of advertising in uncluttered spaces. When you can capture someone's attention, without competing against dozens of other messages, your impact multiplies exponentially. Standing out online isn't about shouting louder than everyone else; it is about being smarter, more targeted and more relevant to your audience. The digital landscape rewards precision over volume every time," said David.

Gavin McAuliffe, Head of the Group Content Studio, followed with a session on branded storytelling - demonstrating how high-impact content, tailored to local and national audiences, can build awareness, trust, and long-term brand equity.

"Branded content is about storytelling that connects - and sells. Instead of pushing products, it offers something people actually want to read, watch, or listen to with the brands message woven in naturally.

In todays cluttered world, where were hit with hundreds of ads every day and trusted sources are few and far between, premium storytelling within the trusted environment of The Examiner/Irish Time Group is more powerful than ever.

Weve delivered creative, results-driven content for both high-profile brands and smaller local advertisers always focused on ideas that cut through the noise and connect with real people," said Gavin.

Attendees also viewed testimonial case studies from Cork Simon, Cushman & Wakefield, and Douglas Court Shopping Centre, illustrating how businesses across sectors are achieving real results through collaborative digital campaigns.

We worked with Content Studio on a digital campaign dedicated to the sale of No39 Patrick Street, a high-order retail unit on Corks main shopping thoroughfare, said Siobhan Young, divisional director with Cushman & Wakefield estate agents in Cork.

We had active interest from the first day that it was advertised, with high levels of viewings and the sale completed in a very short timeline. Cushman & Wakefields No39 Patrick Street campaign reached its target audience within the first 24 hours, long before its allocated 10-day target.

Weve had such great results that we will always recommend to our clients that they look at what is available on digital platforms, and I know that the Content Studio team will continue to enhance our services across their digital platforms, added Siobhan Young.

Meanwhile, Cork Simon Community were also delighted to report a 50-fold surge in traffic to its Gifts in Wills webpage following an online campaign with Content Studio. Interest in signing up to Cork Simons legacy donations soared on foot of the IrishExaminer.com and EchoLive.ie native articles.

Paul Sheehan, head of campaigns and communications with Cork Simon Community, said: We wanted to offer people the opportunity to be part of the solution to homelessness. We know that people are being asked every day to support a cause, and that can be overwhelming.

We felt that running long-term campaigns on the Examiner and Echo would help us achieve that. The brought ideas and solutions to the table, and it really was a real collaborative approach. The campaign helped Cork Simon to exceed its fundraising targets. It also won an honourable mention in the INMAs annual global awards.

Bartosz Mieszala, property director for The Douglas Court Partnership, was delighted with the Content Studio campaign that brought the story of Douglas Court Shopping Centres committed engagement to its local community to the widest possible local audience.

EchoLive has been the perfect tool to bring our story to people, said Bartosz. As we are growing, we want our campaigns to grow and reach even bigger audiences, so Im really looking forward to the future of Douglas Court; we have very ambitious plans.

I am also looking forward to working with the Irish Examiner and EchoLive. We are getting good results. It is a genuine collaboration, and I am very content that they are the right partners to help us get the message across, and thats as much as you can wish for. Our relationship is just becoming better and better with every campaign.

Attendees at the Lunch & Learn event learned how Content Studio works with its commercial partners in in-depth talks delivered by Gavin McAuliffe, group head of Content Studio, and by David Murphy, head of Digital Media Solutions for the Irish Times Group.

The business leaders in the audience were given insights into how they can tell their stories, and engage with online audiences. Digital advertising reached a spend of 1.06bn in 2024, up 11% YoY, and continues to rise annually.

This is the first time that Irelands annual spend on digital advertising exceeded 1bn. Digital is now Irelands leading advertising market in terms of value. Online display advertising grew by 13% in 2024, while branded storytelling (or native articles) grew by 18%.

David Murphy, Head of Group Digital, speaking during the Irish Times Group client lunch and learn event at Republic of Work, Cork. Picture Chani Anderson

The Irish Examiner and The Echo are part of the Irish Times Group, offering clients advertising and content solutions across our portfolio including video, print, digital and podcasting.

For more information visit HERE or email ads@examiner.ie.
A South African woman has been sentenced to life in prison for selling her six-year-old daughter.

Kelly Smith was sentenced by a judge alongside two others, her boyfriend and another man, who also received life sentences.

All three were convicted earlier this month on kidnapping and human trafficking charges.

Smiths daughter, Joshlin, went missing in February 2024 when she was six, sparking a nationwide hunt by police in South Africa. She has still not been found.

Smith, boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life terms for human trafficking and 10 years each for kidnapping.

Their sentences were read out by Judge Nathan Erasmus at a sports centre in the west coast town of Saldanha Bay. The trial was moved to the sports centre so members of the local community could attend.

Smith  whose full name is Racquel Chantel Smith  was initially a figure of sympathy when her daughter went missing. Community members rallied around her and volunteered to help police search for Joshlin in the sand dunes near their poor neighbourhood of shacks close to Saldanha Bay.

A photograph of Joshlin smiling and with her hair tied in pigtails was broadcast by news stations across South Africa during the hunt for her.

Smith said she had left Joshlin with Appollis on the day she disappeared, but the case took a shocking twist when Smith was arrested.

A woman gave evidence during the trial that Smith had told her she and the two men had sold Joshlin for around 750 to a traditional healer who wanted the child for her body parts.

The judges verdict did not make any conclusions on who the child was sold to or exactly what happened to her, but said she had been sold for slavery or practices similar to slavery.
A federal judge has extended an order blocking the Trump administrations attempt to bar Harvard University from enrolling foreign students.

US District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvards request for a preliminary injunction, blocking the governments action until the case is decided.

It had already been paused since last week, when Judge Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order.

Harvard sued the Department of Homeland Security on Friday after secretary Kristi Noem revoked its ability to host foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a new effort to revoke Harvards certification to enrol foreign students.

In a letter sent by the acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, Todd Lyons, the government gave Harvard 30 days to respond to the alleged grounds for withdrawal, which include accusations that Harvard co-ordinated with foreign entities and failed to respond sufficiently to antisemitism on campus.

The dispute over international enrolment at Harvard is the latest escalation in a battle between the White House and the nations oldest and wealthiest college.

In April, Ms Noem sent a letter to the school, demanding a range of records related to foreign students, including discipline records and anything related to dangerous or violent activity.

Ms Noem said it was in response to accusations of antisemitism on Harvards campus.

Harvard says it complied. But on May 22, Ms Noem sent a letter saying the schools response fell short.

She said Harvard was being pulled from the federal programme that allows colleges to sponsor international students to get US visas. It took effect immediately and prevented Harvard from hosting foreign students in the upcoming school year.

In its lawsuit, Harvard argued that the government failed to follow administrative procedures and regulations that dictate how schools may be removed from eligibility to host international students, which including giving schools the opportunity to appeal and a 30-day window to respond.

Wednesdays notice is in line with those regulations.

Already, despite the restraining order, the Trump administrations efforts to stop Harvard from enrolling international students have created an environment of profound fear, concern, and confusion, the universitys director of immigration services said in a court filing on Wednesday.

In a court filing, immigration services director Maureen Martin said that countless international students had asked about transferring, and that some domestic students had expressed interest in transferring or deferring because they believed their educational experience would not be the same without an international student body.

Ms Martin said that international Harvard students arriving in Boston were sent to additional screening by Customs and Border Protection agents, and that international students seeking to obtain their visas were being denied or facing delays at consulates and embassies.

The sanction, if allowed to proceed, could upend some graduate schools that recruit heavily from abroad. Among those at risk was Belgiums Princess Elisabeth, who just finished her first year in a Harvard graduate programme. Some schools overseas quickly offered invitations to Harvards students, including two universities in Hong Kong.

Mr Trump railed against Harvard on social media after Judge Burroughs temporarily halted the action last week, saying the best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!)  But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!

The Trump administration has levied a range of grievances against Harvard, accusing it of being a hotbed of liberalism and failing to protect Jewish students from harassment.

The government is demanding changes to Harvards governance and policies to bring it in line with the presidents vision.

Harvard was the first university to reject the governments demands, saying it threatened the autonomy that has long made US higher education a magnet for the worlds top scholars.

In a pair of lawsuits, Harvard accuses the government of retaliating against the university for rebuffing political demands.
Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 (1:27 pm) - Score 6,920

Alternative broadband operator Netomnia, which is supported by retail internet providers YouFibre and Brsk, has today become the first UK network operator to go live with a commercial deployment of 50Gbps capable 50G-PON based Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology (real-world speeds of up to c.40Gbps are expected for homes and businesses).

Just to recap. The network access provider, which has already extended their full fibre network to reach 2.4 million UK premises (RFS) and 310,000 customers, currently aims to expand their network to reach 3 million premises by the end of 2025 and then 5 million by the end of 2027 (inc. 1 million customers by 2028). The service is currently available across parts of over 90 UK cities and towns.

NOTE: The combined group of 1.5bn of equity and debt from investors Advencap, DigitalBridge, and Soho Square Capital etc. The combined group of Netomnia and Brsk is backed by aroundof equity and debt from investors Advencap, DigitalBridge, and Soho Square Capital etc.

The network technology theyve been using for this infrastructure, XGS-PON (The X stands for 10, the G for Gigabits, the S for symmetric speed and PON means Passive Optical Network), is already capable of delivering symmetric speeds up to 10Gbps. Indeed, YouFibre already have a 7-8Gbps package for homes, which costs just 99.99 per month on an 18-month term with free installation.

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However, Netomnia have made no secret of the fact that theyd also like to be the first UK broadband network to launch commercial services using Adtrans 50G-PON kit (here), which was originally being targeted  somewhat ambitiously  for a launch by the end of 2024. But getting bleeding edge kit like this to market is no mean feat, and Adtran have previously acknowledged supply-side issues that slowed progress (here).

The good news today is that Adtran appear to be getting a handle on the supply of their new SDX 6400 optical kit (OLT/ONT) and associated services, which has enabled Netomnia to launch their first commercial 50G PON network and claim bragging rights in the process.

Jeremy Chelot, Group CEO of Netomnia, YouFibre and brsk, said: At Netomnia, were building a fibre network for whatever comes next  and with the UKs first commercial 50G PON deployment, were proving it. This isnt just about speed; its about power. From AI-driven smart homes to lag-free metaverse experiences and tomorrows enterprise demands, were making sure the most powerful internet lives on our network. Partnering with Adtran, were redefining what fibre can deliver  no compromises, no limits, just the future delivered.

Stuart Broome, GM of EMEA sales at Adtran, said: We committed to Netomnia in 2024 that they would be the first provider in the UK to deploy a commercial 50G PON solution. Today, we achieved that milestone, helping them deliver a live ultra-high-speed service to an existing customer. The deployment demonstrates how our SDX 6400 Series empowers operators to scale capacity, accelerate service delivery and support next-generation applications, all while leveraging their existing infrastructure. As demand surges for bandwidth-intensive services like generative AI, 5G backhaul and enterprise connectivity, this project shows how were helping partners like Netomnia stay ahead of the curve.

Take note that a combination of issues like network overheads and advertising rules mean that this service, once live as a product, isnt currently likely to be promoted as offering download speeds of greater 40Gbps. Not that anybody is going to complain about that, and there isnt an independent web-based speedtest in existence that can currently give an accurate result for such a service, yet.

Naturally, going faster than 10Gbps will also require a new ONT (optical modem) to be installed in your home/office, as well as a monster router (details not yet known). But suffice to say that this is going to be more akin to premium business kit than something you could easily buy off Amazon. Its not for everybody.

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On the other hand, this isnt just about those top speeds, and Netomnia will also be using 50G PON to underpin their existing network and speed tiers too (there will be cost savings). The fact it exists is impressive, although at the time of writing the announcement doesnt make mention of any new consumer packages, but we know theyre coming and the 10Gbps+ era is finally upon us.

The usual catch in all this is the difficulty of actually being able to harness all that speed when online. Most internet services still seem to struggle to harness more than 1Gbps (1000Mbps), assuming they can do even that, while the multi-gigabit domain remains a luxury product (Why Buying Gigabit Broadband Doesnt Always Deliver 1Gbps). But technological evolution rarely waits for the slowest users.

Naturally, there will always be those who find reason to moan, even when a network provider does something as striking as this. But such developments are also the reason why Netomnia are one of the most exciting fixed broadband networks in the UK, which is in no small part down to their willingness to push the boundaries of technology  often while setting new benchmarks for consumer speeds and affordability.

However, Netomnia arent the only UK provider with plans to launch packages using 50G PON technology. Welsh ISP Ogi has expressed a similar desire for 2025 (here) and various other networks have trialled 50G-PON (examples here and here), albeit while giving few details about their own plans for a future commercial launch.

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UPDATE 2:06pm

Netomnia informs that they will be looking to make any faster packages available to business users first, which makes sense since going beyond 10Gbps tends to require kit that, at present, wouldnt quite be right for a typical domestic environment. The first live connection is to a commercial customer.
Third China-Pacific Island countries FMs' meeting reach five-point consensus

Xinhua) 08:07, May 29, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-hosts the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

XIAMEN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau on Wednesday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and the Pacific Island countries, and noted that China has always regarded the Pacific Island countries as its good friends, partners and brothers.

Wang said that under the strategic guidance of their leaders, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Pacific Island countries has shown new vitality, achieved new accomplishments and reached a new level.

Wang made a six-point suggestion on building a China-Pacific Island countries community with a shared future: upholding mutual respect, prioritizing development cooperation, maintaining people-centered governance, promoting exchange and mutual learning, safeguarding equity and justice, and maintaining solidarity in challenging times.

Wang said that China firmly believes that peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits are the only correct choices when faced with profound changes in the world, our times and the trajectory of history.

The foreign ministers of Pacific Island countries expressed their gratitude to China for its valuable support over a long period of time. They emphasized that their cooperation with China is based on mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual understanding and sovereign equality, and that it has been the independent decision of these island countries, conforms to their own fundamental interests, and is conducive to maintaining regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

They unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle, noting that they are looking forward to deepening cooperation with China on infrastructure, climate change and green development, to promoting the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, and to working together to build a peaceful, prosperous Pacific region.

Wang said following the in-depth exchanges on strengthening cooperation and international and regional issues of common concern, China and Pacific Island countries reached five points of consensus:

Both sides advocate to treat each other as equals. China has consistently advocated for the equality of all countries regardless of size, and appreciates Pacific Island countries' reaffirmation of the one-China principle and their understanding and support for China's legitimate rights to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The parties concerned are committed to promoting common development. Both sides will promote synergy between high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. China will provide more convenience for Pacific Island countries to export high-quality products to China, so that the countries can share China's huge market.

The third is to uphold fairness and justice. The two sides will take the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations as an opportunity to uphold multilateralism and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Both sides embrace openness and inclusivity. The international community should respect Pacific Island countries' autonomy in choosing development partners. The most urgent issues such as climate change, economic growth and livelihood improvement, should be prioritized when developing relations with Pacific Island countries.

They advocate mutual learning and civilizational exchanges. Both Chinese civilization and the unique maritime civilization of the Pacific Island countries are invaluable global heritage. The two sides will strengthen traditional friendship, jointly advance the Global Civilization Initiative, and deepen exchanges in education, culture, media, and other fields, to jointly promote the civilizational advancement of human society.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-hosts the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Andrew Forde, Dublin City University

(The Conversation)  The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) appears to have crossed the Rubicon in the West Bank town of Jenin, when it opened fire in the vicinity of a group of visiting diplomats on May 21  in flagrant violation of international law. The group of diplomats representing 31 countries  including Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Russia and China  were on an official mission organised by the Palestinian Authority to observe the humanitarian situation there.

They were giving media interviews when IDF troops fired what they later referred to as warning shots over their heads, forcing them to run for cover. The shots came despite the visit having been flagged and coordinated in advance with both the Palestinian Authority and the IDF, which has effective control over the area.

Jenin has long been a flash point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With much of the population descendants of Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war, Israeli occupation and active Palestinian resistance are observable in the town.

The international communitys reaction to the warning shots incident  in particular, by those states whose diplomatic officials were directly involved  was one of swift and widespread outrage. The high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, called for a full investigation into the incident, and for those responsible to be held accountable. Any threats on diplomats lives are not acceptable, she said.

The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having deliberately targeted with live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation.

Israel acknowledged the incident and triggered an initial investigation, but downplayed its significance. A spokesman for the IDF said it regrets the inconvenience caused by the incident. But its statement went on to effectively justify the action, arguing that the diplomats had deviated from the approved route by entering a restricted area  leading to IDF soldiers firing warning shots into the air.

Such a response doesnt remotely correspond to the seriousness of the situation, and Israel is perfectly aware of this.

International law and diplomats

Diplomats carry out functions on behalf of the country they represent. They are the eyes, ears and voice of their country, called upon to pursue legitimate diplomatic activities. The protections afforded to individual diplomats must therefore be seen in the context of broader and longer-term diplomatic relations between states.

To carry out diplomatic functions effectively, those individuals must be allowed to perform their functions without hindrance, coercion or harassment from any country that hosts their delegations. These customary rules are thousands of years old, and have been codified in international law through the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations  to which Israel is a signatory.

That convention provides for diplomatic inviolability, immunity from criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction, and freedom from detention or arrest. It also affords diplomatic staff the right to freedom of movement and free communications.

Most importantly for this case, article 29 of the convention states that the host state shall take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on [their] person, freedom or dignity.

Firing warning shots in the vicinity of diplomats, even if done in error or without ill-intent, represents a serious threat to the person and their dignity. As such, it constitutes a flagrant abdication of Israels duty to protect them.

Moreover, the firing of warning shots in Jenin immediately interrupted the diplomatic work there, and as such can be seen as an attempt to intimidate or limit the efficient and effective performance of diplomatic functions on behalf of their governments.

Need for accountability

Any use of force against diplomats, even indirect, is incompatible with the principles of diplomatic immunity enshrined in international law. The onus is on the host state to ensure the safety and inviolability of diplomatic personnel.

And this duty of care is not diminished in situations of conflict. On the contrary, states have a special duty in times of conflict to protect diplomats and preserve diplomatic channels of communication.

Israels actions in firing above these diplomats may or may not have been deliberate. But they had an intimidatory effect, which undermines the foundational principles of international relations. In a climate where Israels courts have effectively endorsed a media blackout in conflict-affected regions, the role of diplomats is indispensable.

The entire system of diplomatic relations relies on the presumption that diplomats can carry out their functions freely and effectively. Diplomatic protections work effectively when they are reciprocal. Without trust, the system quickly unravels.

It would be wrong to suggest this act may have tipped the balance of international opinion against Israel, when you consider the 19 months of violence in Gaza. The killing by the IDF of vast numbers of civilians (including thousands of women and children), the seeming use of starvation as a weapon of war, and the destruction of vast swaths of Gaza have rightly attracted growing international condemnation.



Imagining Jenin, Palestine, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / ChatGPT, 2025

On May 19, Britain, France and Canada  staunch allies of Israel  said they will not stand by, and would take concrete actions if the military offensive is not halted and humanitarian aid is not delivered to the people of Gaza.

But threatening diplomats  even if not actively shooting at them  is an egregious breach of trust under the laws of diplomatic relations, which requires a meaningful apology and effective investigation. Those responsible for giving the orders to fire the warning shots need to be held accountable for that decision.

Andrew Forde, Assistant Professor  European Human Rights Law, Dublin City University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
( Middle East Monitor )  There are moments in history that burn into the conscience of humanityso steeped in injustice that to look away is to become complicit. Gaza is one such moment. As we scroll through our screens on social media, the hollow eyes of wounded children in Gaza stare back at us. And the question that haunts me most is this: what are we becoming as a society if we let this genocide continue? Why arent world leaders doing more to put an end to this?

I was raised to believe that children are a collective responsibility  delicate lives we must safeguard, no matter the borders, religion, or politics. Yet with each passing day and every child lost in Gaza, it is agonising to witness this tragedy unfold, knowing we remain powerless to physically stop it.

Limbs poking through rubble, the newborns swaddled in hospital beds with no electricitybut how easily they appear on our screens. A child, burned and screaming, scrolls by just before an ad. Among these images is footage of six-year-old Ward Jalal Al-Shaikh Khalil, seen fleeing a burning school in Gaza City after an airstrike reduced it to an inferno. Her tiny frame is engulfed in smoke and chaos, her eyes wide with a fear no child should ever know.



Watching her silhouette go through the ruins of what was meant to be a place of safety, one feels the unbearable weight of a world that has failed her. Wards story should be front-page news, not a fleeting video buried between social media posts. She is not an abstraction she is a little girl whose life was nearly stolen by a war she cannot understand. That she survived that moment is a miracle. That she had to endure it at all is an unforgivable tragedy.

Today, Gazas medical professionals face trauma, but on an unimaginable scale. They perform surgeries without anaesthesia, deliver babies in the dark, and are forced to triage life and death by candlelight. Aid workers and parents, too, live through this agonyhearing the cries of children they cannot feed, hold, or save. Just last week the UN said that 14,000 babies could die in Gaza within just 48 hours if Israel did not lift aid blockade. Now children are being killed on mass and burnt alive and entire families wiped out.

What does it do to the rest of uswatching, screaming into a digital void, and seeing no change? The images dont fade from memory. They carve themselves into our daily lives. I have cried, overwhelmed by the cruelty of knowing that a mother, miles across a border, has no food to offer hers.



This widespread exposure is altering something deep in our societal psyche. For many, it is leading to a profound loss of faith in governments and in many media outlets. There was once a consensus that children should never be victims of war. That seems shattered when it comes to the children of Palestine and this is a stain on humanity.

The worst part is the fear that this outrage is being dulled by repetition. That we are being conditioned into apathy. That the scale of this tragedymore than 15,600 Palestinian children have been killed according to UNICEF to date is becoming just another statistic. Politicians may hope that this moral exhaustion will mute our protests. But it will not and we will continue to speak out.

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur, recently said:



Children, Digital, ChatGPT, 2025, h/t Photo by Mohammed Ibrahim on Unsplash

Ive seen the silhouettes of so many peopleso many childrenburning alive, that I cant look at fire anymore without feeling sick to my stomach.

This is a war on children, and those of us with the privilege of peace cannot ignore it. Compassion should not be conditional. If we only care when the victims look like our own children, then our values are not universalthey are tribal.

And yet, I believe we can still choose a different path.

Every voice, every step taken in protest is an act of resistance against the narrative that their lives matter less. We may feel small, but together we can amplify what Gazas children cannot say for themselves: We are here. We see you. We will not forget. Ever.

We owe them that much, at the very least.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.

Via Middle East Monitor
Highlights:

C$8.26 million (US$6 million) investment by Fortuna for a 15% equity stake in Awale at a premium and with no warrants.

Funding accelerates exploration on Awale's 100%-owned 1,549 km 2 properties at the Odienne Project targeting IOCG-style systems.

Fortuna brings strategic partnership and proven operational expertise in Cote d'Ivoire.

Investment validates Awale's technical team, exploration strategy, and district-scale discovery potential.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Awale Resources Limited (TSXV: ARIC) ("Awale" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an C$8.26 million (representing the Canadian Dollar equivalent of US$6 million based on the Bank of Canada's daily exchange rate on May 27, 2025) strategic investment in Awale by Fortuna Mining Corp. (TSX:FVI; NYSE:FSM) ("Fortuna") on a non-brokered private placement basis (the "Offering"). Proceeds from the Offering will be primarily used to advance exploration activities across the Company's 100%-owned properties at the Odienne Project ("Odienne" or the "Project") in Cote d'Ivoire.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Fortuna Mining as a strategic investor," commented Andrew Chubb, CEO of Awale Resources. "As an established and successful operator with a strong presence in West Africa and particularly in Cote d'Ivoire, Fortuna's investment is a strong endorsement of our technical team, our exploration approach, and our clear vision for the Odienne district. This investment positions the Company strategically as we launch intensive exploration on our 100%-owned ground."

Under the terms of the Offering, Awale will issue 15,037,593 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") at a price of US$0.399 (C$0.55) per Share, representing a 19% premium to the 10-day volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") ending on May 27, 2025, for gross proceeds of approximately C$8,264,997 (US$6 million).

Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about June 20, 2025 (the "Closing Date"), subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including receipt of TSXV final approval and all other necessary regulatory approvals, and the execution of an investor rights agreement (the "Investor Rights Agreement") between Fortuna and the Company. The Shares will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day following the Closing Date in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and the policies of the TSXV.

The Shares will represent a total position of approximately 15% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company upon completion of the Offering on an undiluted basis.

Pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement:

Fortuna will be granted a participation right to maintain its pro-rata ownership in connection with future equity financings;

Fortuna will be granted a top-up right to acquire common shares in a market transaction to maintain its pro-rata ownership in connection with future share issuances that are not an equity financing; and

A joint technical advisory committee will be formed between Fortuna and Awale.

In the event that Fortuna's aggregate shareholdings are reduced to less than 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on an undiluted basis, the Investor Rights Agreement will terminate.

Current shareholders of Awale, Newmont Ventures Limited ("Newmont"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newmont Corporation, and Orecap Invest Corp. ("Orecap"), have the right to participate, on equal terms, in equity issuances of the Company so as to maintain their pro-rata ownership in the Company. A subsequent news release will be issued should Newmont or Orecap exercise their participation rights. In the event Newmont and/or Orecap chooses to exercise its right to participate, the Company may issue such additional Shares at a price of US$0.399 (C$0.55).

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements.

About Fortuna Mining

Fortuna Mining is a Canadian precious metals mining company with three operating mines and exploration activities in Argentina, Ivory Coast, Mexico, and Peru as well as the Diamba Sud gold project located in Senegal. Sustainability is integral to all of Fortuna's operations and relationships. Fortuna produces gold and silver and generates shared value over the long term for its stakeholders through efficient production, environmental protection, and social responsibility.

About Awale Resources

Awale is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on discovering large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. Exploration activities are currently underway in the underexplored regions of Cote d'Ivoire, where the Company is exploring the Odienne Copper-Gold Project ("Odienne" or the "Project"), covering 2,346 km2 across seven permits-five granted and two applications. This includes 797 km2 in two permits held under the Awale-Newmont Joint Venture ("OJV"). Awale manages all exploration activities over the OJV, with funding provided by Newmont Joint Ventures Limited ("Newmont").

Awale has discovered four gold, gold-copper, and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum mineralized systems within the OJV and has recently commenced exploration on its 100%-owned properties.

The Odienne Project is underexplored and has multiple pipeline prospects with similar geochemical signatures to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and intrusive-related mineral systems with substantial upside potential. The Company benefits from a skilled and well-seasoned technical team that allows it to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district-scale discoveries.

AWALE Resources Limited

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Andrew Chubb"

Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the closing of the Offering, Newmont's participation right, the Company's presence in Cote d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, planned drilling, commencement of operations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (OTCQB: PVGDF) (the "Company" or "Provenance") is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing 2025 drilling program at the Eldorado Project, located in Malheur County, eastern Oregon. The initial phase of the program is focused on targeted infill and step-out reverse circulation (RC) drilling within the established mineralized system, with the objective of enhancing geological understanding and expanding the project's resource potential.

2025 Phase One RC Program Update

The first 2 RC holes (ED 12-13) have been completed, and samples are currently at the assay lab in Reno for processing. Hole ED-14 is currently drilled to 201 meters in mineralized rock. Results will be released when available.

The Company's initial RC drill holes are focused on expanding the known mineralization and improving the interpretation of key structures within the mineralized system (Figure 1-3). RC drilling is being used to test down-dip and lateral extensions of the mineralized structures, with step-outs of approximately 50 meters designed to evaluate both continuity and expansion potential.

This season's RC drilling, commencing with hole ED-12, follows up on the 2023 RC drilling program that drilled holes ED-01 to ED-11 and holes EC-01, EC-02 and EC-03 that were core holes drilled in the fall of 2024.

ED-12: Designed to better define the structural orientation intersected in ED-04 and EC-03, this hole targets a position approximately 40 meters down-dip of previous drilling. Preliminary logging indicates a change in grain size within the diorite and a notable increase in pyrite concentration near the projected location of the targeted structure.

ED-13: Based on encouraging visual results from ED-12, this hole is a planned 50-meter lateral step-out designed to test the extension potential of Zone 2.

ED-14: Aimed at evaluating the northwest extension and assessing grade continuity along an interpreted structural trend identified during prior drilling.

RC drilling will continue with ED-15 designed to test the continuity between two key high-grade zones intersected by EC-01 and ED-04 followed by additional step out drilling.

Building on the success of the 2024 core drilling campaign, Provenance has confirmed a strong correlation between gold mineralization and fracture density within the host diorite. Zones of increased fracturing have enabled greater fluid flow, resulting in more intense retrograde alteration accompanied by higher concentrations of pyrite and gold. These highly fractured zones correspond with dominant northeast- and north-south-trending structural corridorsa structural framework further validated by recent high-resolution drone magnetic inversion data.

Mineralization at Eldorado is predominantly hosted in dioritic intrusive rocks, while flanking meta-sedimentary units, including graphite-bearing schists, remain largely untested. These units represent compelling exploration targets based on analogous systems in the regionincluding areas within Eldorado Eastwhere similar lithologies have been shown to facilitate high-grade gold deposition.

Figure 1. Regional Plan Map of Drilling Area.

Figure 2. Detailed Plan Map of RC holes.

Figure 3. Cross Section showing targets.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Provenance Gold Corp.

Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company with a focus on gold and silver mineralization within North America. The Company currently holds interests in Nevada, and eastern Oregon, USA.

Provenance is also active on social media and invites investors to follow us on X to stay up to date with our latest news and developments:

https://x.com/ProvenanceGold

On behalf of the Board,

Provenance Gold Corp.

Rauno Perttu, Chief Executive Officer

Safe Harbor Statement

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Almadex Minerals Ltd. ("Almadex" or the "Company") (TSX-V: DEX) is pleased to announce that it has acquired by staking the area covering most of the historic Petaca District, located in northern New Mexico. The area was identified as part of Almadexs ongoing regional exploration program in the western United States which prioritises copper-gold potential and has a focus on porphyry lithocaps and epithermal precious metal systems.

The Petaca District has had a long history of mica production from granitic pegmatites, which has been described in some detail by various authors in publications made from 1923 to 1974. These authors have also noted the presence of several rare earth element (REE) bearing minerals that occur in the pegmatites and were occasionally recovered as a by-product of mica mining. A USGS report published in 2010 described the district and its potential for REE as follows1:

Thorium- and rare earth elements (REE)bearing pegmatites are exposed in the Petaca district, located between Ojo Caliente and Tres Piedras, in Rio Arriba County, northcentral New Mexico. The pegmatites crop out in Precambrian rocks in the southeastern Tusas Mountains (Bingler, 1968). The pegmatites of the Petaca district take a variety of shapes, such as dikes, sills, pipes, pods, troughs, and irregular forms. The pegmatite forms and their characteristics are described in detail by Jahns (1946). They crop out for 75 to 1,430 ft (23 to 436 m) in length (an average outcrop length is 410 ft (125 m)), and they have an average width of 30 to 35 ft (9 to 11 m)Elevated REE concentrations in Petaca district pegmatites mainly reflect the mineral samarskite, an REE-iron-uranium thorium-niobium-tantalum-titaniumbearing oxide. The REE are reportedly restricted to albite-rich zones in the pegmatites. McLemore and others (1988, p. 4)2 reported this REE analysis of a sample of the Globe pegmatite: 600 ppm Y, 660 ppm Yb, 396 ppm Er, 186 ppm Gd, 3,117 ppm [total] REE + Y. Otherwise, the REE content of the pegmatites of the Petaca district has not been published.

Academic work published in 2011 by researchers in New Mexico and at the University of New Mexico provided results of a microprobe study of Y-REE-Ta-Nb-Ti oxide minerals from the Petaca district3. This study confirmed the presence of Samarskite-(Y), polycrase-(Y), xenotime-(Y), and microlite and substantiated the high level of Nb and Y in accessory minerals. Also identified in this study were the minerals Columbite, Monazite-(Ce) and Ta-rutile (Struverite).

Almadex has not conducted any analysis of its own on the pegmatites of the Petaca District. The Company remains focussed on its portfolio of epithermal gold and porphyry copper gold exploration projects and seeks a joint venture partner to explore the Petaca District.

J Duane Poliquin, Chairman of Almadex commented, Part of a regional exploration program is investigating new areas and opportunities. While REE projects are not our core focus, the identification and staking of the Petaca claims diversifies our portfolio of mineral assets. We intend to joint venture the project to a group that has expertise with these types of mineral system.

Qualified Persons

Morgan J Poliquin, PhD, PEng, the President and CEO of Almadex and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical contents of this news release.

About Almadex

Almadex Minerals Ltd. is an exploration company that holds a large mineral portfolio consisting of projects and NSR royalties in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. This portfolio is the direct result of many years of prospecting and deal-making by Almadex's management team. The Company owns several portable diamond drill rigs, enabling it to conduct cost effective first pass exploration drilling in house. The Almadex team have significant porphyry lithocap exploration experience and have made three discoveries of mineral deposits under advanced argillic alteration. Our success comes from our audacity, in house exploration capacity and most importantly our ability to drill with our company owned drilling unit. We have assembled a portfolio of lithocap targets that have the potential to be concealing large porphyry systems at depth as well as high sulphidation epithermal gold-silver systems in the best jurisdiction we know: the United States of America. We have the cash and drills to advance and test these targets and will begin to do so in 2025.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Morgan J. Poliquin, Ph.D., P.Eng.

President and CEO

Almadex Minerals Ltd.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within it, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among other things, any further work to advance exploration targets at the Petaca project. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, permitting, continued availability of capital and financing, equipment availability and general economic, market or business conditions. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. There can be no assurances that forward-looking statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, other than as required pursuant to applicable securities laws.

Contact Information:

Almadex Minerals Ltd.

Tel. 604.689.7644

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

http://www.almadexminerals.com/

1. Long, K.R., Van Gosen, B.S., Foley, N.K., and Cordier, Daniel, 2010, The principal rare earth elements deposits of the United StatesA summary of domestic deposits and a global perspective: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 20105220, 96 p. Available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5220/)

2. McLemore, V., North, R., and Leppert, S., 1988, REE, niobium, and thorium districts and occurrences in New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Open-File Report 324, 27 p.

3. Michael N. Spilde, Steve Dubyk, Brian Salem, and William P. Moats, 2011, Rare earth bearing-minerals of the Petaca district, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico pp. 389-398 in:Geology of the Tusas Mountains and Ojo Caliente, Author Koning, Daniel J.; Karlstrom, Karl E.; Kelley, Shari A.;Lueth, Virgil W.; Aby, Scott B., New Mexico Geological Society 62nd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, 418 p.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Riley Gold Corp. (TSXV: RLYG) (OTCQB: RLYGF) ("Riley Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the 2025 drilling campaign is underway at the Company's Pipeline West/Clipper Gold Project ("PWC") operated by Kinross Gold U.S.A., Inc. ("Kinross"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K) (NYSE: KGC).

"We are happy that Kinross is ahead of schedule and to have the 2025 drilling well underway at PWC. As highlighted in our April 29, 2025 news release, the Kinross technical team along with Riley Gold's Paul Dobak, have defined high-priority framework drill targets in the highest-grade gold-in-soils anomaly known area on the property. These are exciting targets, based on geological and geophysical data interpretation, in areas that have never been drill tested within our 25 square km land package. Our PWC project is within the Cortez District that has a significant history of gold production and current reserves. PWC adjoins Nevada Gold Mines LLC ("NGM"), a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp. and Newmont Corporation, that has current production within their Cortez/Pipeline complex," commented Todd Hilditch, CEO of Riley Gold.

2025 Kinross Exploration Plan and Map

A comprehensive geologic model was built for comparison with the many Cortez Districts >5.0-million-ounce gold discoveries. The new step-out wide spaced framework drill holes are being spotted approximately 2.5 kilometers ("km") (up to 8,200 feet) northwest of the first Kinross drill hole in 2024 (see Figure 1 below) and include northwest vectoring to the highest-grade surface geochemical gold anomalies from the soil survey near the intersection of two major structures. The primary target is a large, disseminated gold deposit peripheral to the Gold Acres stock, which is the geologic setting for NGM's Pipeline gold deposit (see Figure 2 property location).

Compiled geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, historical drill results, and gold-in-soil survey results uploaded in Leapfrog software support the new 2025 drill hole locations. Recent geologic modeling and interpretation by Kinross also provides a supporting structural foundation and information for the 2025 Drill Program.

Additional soil sampling is planned by Kinross for the 2025 field season to increase surface geochemical coverage adjacent to the 2023 soil survey completed by Riley Gold. The previous soil survey returned significant anomalous gold-in-soil values that extended more than 3 km. Several pathfinder elements, associated with both Carlin-type and intrusive-related gold deposits, were also elevated in the first soil survey.

Figure 1 - 2025 Drill Target Area

Riley Gold entered into an exploration and venture option agreement (the "Agreement") with Kinross on March 13, 2024. The Agreement grants Kinross the right to earn up to a 75% interest in Riley Gold's PWC project by spending a minimum of US$20 million (see news release dated March 14, 2024 for details). PWC is located in Lander County, Nevada and consists of approximately 24.7 km in the heart of the significant gold producing Cortez District (Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend). Kinross is funding and operating PWC and has a strategic 9.9% (on a partially diluted basis) equity interest in the Company acquired through a private placement.

About PWC

PWC constitutes a very prospective exploration property for Carlin-type, disseminated and replacement gold deposits. PWC consists of a land package totaling approximately 24.7 square kms of unpatented mining claims and patented fee lands adjoining NGM. PWC is situated along the Cortez Structural Zone of the exceptionally productive Cortez Trend within the Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend in north central Nevada (Figure 2). The Cortez and Pipeline complexes (adjoining Riley's PWC project boundary) are top producers within Nevada, a State that has consistently produced between 4-5 million ounces of gold a year.

Figure 2: PWC Location (project boundary approximate)

Tokop Gold Project

The Company also wishes to report that it has terminated all agreements related to its Tokop Gold Project and has relinquished the property. Previous drilling on the property did not provide results that warranted continued exploration under current junior market conditions. The Company is electing to preserve cash and reduce costs.

Qualified Person

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard DeLong, P.Geo., Director of Riley Gold and a 'qualified person', as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Riley Gold Corp.

Riley Gold is an exploration and development company focused in Nevada, USA, of the Pipeline West/Clipper Gold Project located in the Battle Mountain Eureka Trend within the Cortez District. Riley Gold's founders and leadership team have a proven track record of maximizing shareholder value during each phase of the mining life cycle: exploration, development, and production.

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

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Although Riley Gold believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Riley Gold can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties and the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions and the ability to obtain the requisite approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange when necessary. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future business activities and involves risks and uncertainties. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Riley Gold operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca). There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 29, 2025) - Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0GC0) ("Ridgeline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into an exploration earn-in option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Trench oxide gold project ("Trench or the "Project") from Bronco Creek Exploration, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EMX Royalty Corp. (TSXV: EMX) ("EMX"). The Project is host to an outcropping and historically underexplored Carlin-Type gold system that exhibits similar age host rocks and mineralization style to Ridgeline's adjoining Atlas project.

Trench is comprised of 31 Bureau of Land Management lode mining claims totaling 2.2 square kilometers. The Project is located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the town of Carlin, Nevada, with excellent access to local infrastructure (Figure 1). The area was previously explored in the 1990's by several groups with surface trenching and limited drilling (results unknown). Anomalous, widespread gold mineralization and structurally controlled higher-grade gold grading up to 5.6 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") is hosted within a sequence of prospective Ordovician to Pennsylvanian-Permian age rocks cut by a series of Tertiary dikes (Figure 2). These Tertiary dikes may represent a potential source to the Carlin-Type gold system and are a likely mineralizing control to the higher-grade rock chips taken to-date. As part of the agreement, the Company will inherit a surface geochemical database with technical highlights and exploration earn-in terms detailed below:

Mike Harp, Ridgeline's Vice President, Exploration, commented, "This is a great acquisition for Ridgeline as we further consolidate our Atlas oxide gold project in advance of a maiden drill program this spring. The Trench claims are contiguous with the greater Atlas project and exhibit high-grade gold at surface but has seen limited modern exploration. This consolidation expands the Atlas mineralized footprint to over four kilometers of combined strike and aligns with the Company's strategy of acquiring and systematically advancing underexplored projects in known gold districts."

Surface Sampling Highlights

34 reconnaissance rock chips were taken between the EMX and Ridgeline teams with grades up to 5.6 g/t Au (Figure 2).

A series of high-grade rock chips ranging from 1.8 g/t Au to 5.6 g/t Au were taken from reclaimed trench locations that were originally built by operators in the 1990's (Figure 2 and Picture 1)

Rock chip statistics : Min = 0.001 g/t Au, Med = 0.33 g/t Au, Max = 5.64 g/t Au

The current dataset at Trench is encouraging but limited in size. The Company plans to complete an expanded rock chip sampling and field mapping campaign in H2, 2025 to supplement the existing surface geochemical database.

Figure 1: Map showing Ridgeline's 200-kilometer exploration portfolio in Nevada. The Trench property will be consolidated into the Company's Atlas oxide gold property.

Picture 1: Picture of historical trench or road cut that has been reclaimed. High-grade gold samples were taken from a partially collapsed trench face where decalcified and sulfidized limestones are exposed.

Figure 2: Plan view map of the Atlas project highlighting the Trench property (red) with high-grade rock chips grading up to 5.6 g/t oxide gold at surface.

Exploration Earn-In Terms - All dollar amounts in USD

Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval pursuant to the Agreement, Ridgeline may earn a 100% interest in the Project by:

Making the initial execution payment of 250,000 Ridgeline common shares within 5 days of TSX Venture Exchange approval; and All option payments totaling $650,000 over a five-year period; and Completing $500,000 in exploration expenditures before the fifth anniversary of the Agreement

Commercial Terms

Upon closing of the exploration earn-in option agreement, EMX will retain a 3.0% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty on the Project. Ridgeline can reduce the NSR royalty to 2.0% by:

Completing an initial 0.5% royalty buyback with a payment of $1,500,000 to EMX prior to the third anniversary of the option exercise (year 8); and

Paying $2,000,000 to EMX anytime thereafter for the remaining 0.5%

Ridgeline will make Annual Advance Royalty payments of $50,000 with payments to cease upon commencement of commercial production.

Ridgeline will make Project milestone payments (payable in cash or, at the election of the Company, in up to 50% in common shares) consisting of: $250,000 upon completion of a Resource Milestone $500,000 upon completion of a Pre-Development Milestone; and $1,000,000 upon reaching a positive Development Milestone

QA/QC Procedures

Samples are submitted to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) of Sparks, Nevada, which is a certified and accredited laboratory, independent of the Company. Independent check samples are sent to Paragon Geochemical Labs (PAL) of Sparks, Nevada. Samples are prepared using industry-standard prep methods and analysed using FA-PB30-ICP (Au; 30g fire assay) and ICP-5AM48 (48 element Suite; 0.5g 5-acid digestion/ICP-MS) methods at AAL and analysed using a photon assay (Au-Ag, 500g) at Paragon. AAL and Paragon also undertake their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Ridgeline's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results completed by the Company's Qualified Person, Michael T. Harp, Vice President, Exploration.

The technical information contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of, and approved by Michael T. Harp, CPG, the Company's Vice President, Exploration. Mr. Harp is a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Project.

Atlas Project

Atlas is a six square kilometer land package located in Eureka County, Nevada, approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the town of Carlin, NV. The property exhibits classic Carlin-Type alteration and gold mineralization within outcropping Pennsylvanian to Permian age carbonate to siliciclastic host rocks. The primary target at Atlas is a bulk tonnage, oxide, Carlin-Type gold system, which is analogous to the nearby Dark Star gold deposit (part of the greater Railroad Mining District), which is currently owned by Orla Mining and advancing towards mine development. The 100% owned Project is comprised of a total of eight square kilometers of highly prospective exploration ground that will benefit from the Ridgeline teams' systematic approach to discovery (view the Ridgeline Corporate Deck HERE).

About Ridgeline Minerals Corp.

Ridgeline Minerals is a discovery focused precious and base metal explorer with a proven management team and a 200 km2 exploration portfolio across seven projects in Nevada, USA. The Company is a hybrid explorer with a mix of 100%-owned exploration assets (Big Blue, Atlas, Bell Creek & Coyote) as well as two earn-in exploration agreements with Nevada Gold Mines at its Swift and Black Ridge projects and a third earn-in with South32 at its Selena project. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.ridgelineminerals.com.

On behalf of the Board

"Chad Peters"

President & CEO

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

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the Earn-In Agreement and the transaction contemplated thereby. The words "potential", "anticipate", "meaningful", "discovery", "forecast", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "historical", "historic" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Ridgeline has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that TSX Venture Exchange approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; the current objectives concerning the Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Ridgeline to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to historical data that has not been verified by the Company; as well as those factors discussed in Ridgeline's public disclosure record. Although Ridgeline has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Ridgeline and may cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Ridgeline does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
TORONTO, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudbay Minerals Inc. (Hudbay or the Company) (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is responding to the evolving wildfire situation in northern Manitoba and is working closely with local authorities to ensure its employees remain safe as well as comply with the regional wildfire evacuation order that includes Flin Flon and the surrounding areas. Only essential Hudbay personnel, authorized by emergency services, will remain in Flin Flon to assist with emergency activities. While Hudbay no longer has active mine production activities in Flin Flon after the closure of the 777 mine in 2022, the Company has ongoing care and maintenance activities in Flin Flon as well as services to support the Snow Lake operations, including concentrate handling, fabrication shops and administration. The Flin Flon community has been an important part of Hudbays operations for nearly 100 years.

Hudbay continues to maintain operations in Snow Lake, which is located approximately 200 kilometres east of Flin Flon. The Company expects temporary reduced production levels in Snow Lake as a large portion of its workforce resides in Flin Flon. However, given the strong performance in Snow Lake year-to-date, the Company remains well-positioned to achieve its annual guidance metrics for 2025. Hudbay has paused exploration activities in the Flin Flon and Snow Lake region as fire mitigation efforts are underway.

The safety of our employees, their families and the communities we serve is our top priority, said Rob Carter, Vice President of Hudbays Manitoba Business Unit. We are collaborating closely with the City of Flin Flon, local communities and provincial authorities to provide support during this challenging time. We will continue to monitor the situation, ensuring a safe return to full operations as soon as it is advisable.

As part of its commitment to support Manitoba and the Flin Flon community, Hudbay is taking the following actions:

Securing additional accommodations in Snow Lake for its evacuated employees and their families.

Deploying trained emergency personnel to aid firefighting efforts.

Maintaining communication with the City of Flin Flon, local communities and provincial authorities about the resources Hudbay has available to support emergency response efforts, such as supplies, equipment and water trucks.

Providing facility infrastructure information to assist with planning and response.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward- looking information includes information that relates to, among other things, statements with respect to potential impacts from wildfires on the Companys operations in Manitoba, including the ability to achieve guidance expectations. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events.

Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by Hudbay at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

About Hudbay

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused critical minerals mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.

Hudbays operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum. Hudbays growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities. Hudbays mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

For further information, please contact:

Candace Brule

Vice President, Investor Relations, Financial Analysis and External Communications

(416) 814-4387

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TORONTO, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golconda Gold Ltd. (Golconda Gold or the Company) (TSX-V: GG; OTCQB: GGGOF) is pleased to announce the release of its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

A copy of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and the corresponding managements discussion and analysis (the MD&A), are available under the Companys profile on www.sedarplus.ca. All references to $ in this press release refer to United States dollars.

First Quarter 2025 (Q1 2025) Highlights:

mined 27,371 tonnes of ore from its Galaxy and Princeton ore bodies at an average grade of 3.47 grammes per tonne (g/t) compared to 29,479 tonnes at 3.17g/t in the three months ended December 31, 2024 ( Q4 2024 );

); produced 2,281 tonnes of concentrate at an average grade of 40.2 g/t containing 2,947 ounces of gold compared to 1,923 tonnes at 36.1 g/t containing 2,230 ounces of gold in Q4 2024, an increase of 32% in gold production;

generated revenue of $6.6 million from the sale of 2,324 payable ounces of gold at a price of $2,830 per ounce and an operating cash cost of $1,369 (1) per payable ounce, compared to revenue of $4.2 million in Q4 2024 at an operating cash cost of $1,873 per payable ounce, representing a 57% increase in revenue and a 27% reduction in operating cash cost; and

per payable ounce, compared to revenue of $4.2 million in Q4 2024 at an operating cash cost of $1,873 per payable ounce, representing a 57% increase in revenue and a 27% reduction in operating cash cost; and repaid $950,000 of short-term loans and borrowings.

Golconda Gold CEO, Ravi Sood commented: Q1 2025 provided strong operating results and net cash flow, with a 32% increase in gold production, a 27% reduction in operating cash costs and a record gold price enabling further investment in renewing and expanding our mining fleet while significantly reducing our short-term debt. Improvements in underground development rates also continued, setting Galaxy up well to continue its trend in increasing production further going forward. (2)

Looking ahead to the second quarter of 2025, we are currently enjoying a materially higher gold price environment than we saw in the first quarter which is contributing further to our improving financial and operating position. With reduced indebtedness, improved operating results and a substantially improved financial position we are now more aggressively pursuing the re-start of the Summit Mine in New Mexico, USA. We do not yet have a confirmed start date but are working with mining contractors and other service providers and stakeholders to put ourselves in a position to restart the mine in the first half of 2026. (2)

About Golconda Gold

Golconda Gold is an un-hedged gold producer and explorer with mining operations and exploration tenements in South Africa and New Mexico. Golconda Gold is a public company and its shares are quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GG and the OTCQB under the symbol GGGOF. Golconda Golds management team is comprised of senior mining professionals with extensive experience in managing mining and processing operations and large-scale exploration programmes. Golconda Gold is committed to operating at world-class standards, focused on the safety of its employees, respecting the environment, and contributing to the communities in which it operates.

Notes:

(1) Cash cost is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the table below and to Supplemental Information to the MD&A for reconciliation to measure reported in the Companys financial statements.

Q1 2025 Operating costs (US$) 3,825,816 Adjust for: Depreciation and depletion (353,358 ) Inventory movement 24,943 Total operating cash cost 3,497,401 Royalties (283,070 ) Total operating cash cost excluding royalties 3,214,331 Gold production (contained ozs) 2,947 Gold production (payable ozs) 2,348 Total operating cash cost excluding royalties per payable oz 1,369

(2) This is forward-looking information and is based on a number of assumptions. See Cautionary Notes.

Cautionary Notes

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those statements regarding the Companys ability to continue its trend in increasing production in future periods, the Companys intention to restart Summit Mine in the first half of 2026, and the Companys future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words believe, expect, aim, intend, plan, continue, will, may, would, anticipate, estimate, forecast, predict, project, seek, should or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Companys expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to the risk factors discussed in the MD&A. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

Information of a technical and scientific nature that forms the basis of the disclosure in the press release has been approved by Kevin Crossling Pr. Sci. Nat., MAusIMM. Geological Consultant for Golconda Gold, and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Crossling has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein and has conducted appropriate verification on the underlying data.

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.

For further information please contact:

Ravi Sood

CEO, Golconda Gold Ltd.

+1 (647) 987-7663

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.golcondagold.com
A French court on Wednesday jailed a former Syrian Islamist rebel spokesman to 10 years for his role in atrocities committed in Syria's civil war in the country's first universal justice case.

Majdi Nema, a former spokesman of the rebel group Jaish al-Islam, was found guilty by a Paris court of complicity in war crimes, specifically of conscription of minors aged 15 to 18, and helping to prepare war crimes.

"We are relieved," Marc Bailly, a rights lawyer for Syrian civil groups.

"Today justice was served first and foremost for Syrians," he said.

Romain Ruiz, one of the defence lawyers, called the verdict "relatively incomprehensible", adding that defence was mulling whether to appeal.

French authorities arrested Nema in the southern city of Marseille in 2020, after he travelled to the country on a student exchange programme.

He was charged under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows states to prosecute suspects accused of serious crimes regardless of where they were committed.

This was the first time that crimes committed during Syria's civil war were tried in France under universal jurisdiction.

Nema -- better known by his nom-de-guerre of Islam Alloush -- told the Paris court there was no evidence to back charges against him.

He has said he only had a "limited role" in the armed group that held sway in the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus between 2013 and 2016.

Jaish al-Islam was one of the main opposition groups fighting Bashar al-Assad's government before Islamist-led fighters toppled him in December. It has also been accused of terrorising civilians in areas it controlled.

Nema, who had faced a maximum of 20 years in prison, had in particular been accused of helping recruit children and teenagers to fight for the group.

- Universal jurisdiction -

His arrest came after rights groups, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), filed a criminal complaint in France in 2019 against members of Jaish al-Islam for their alleged crimes.

It was the FIDH that discovered Nema was in France during research into Jaish al-Islam's hierarchy and informed the French authorities.

Born in 1988, Nema was a captain in the Syrian armed forces before defecting in 2012 and joining the group that would in 2013 become known as Jaish al-Islam.

He told investigators that he left Eastern Ghouta in May 2013 and crossed the border to Turkey, where he worked as the group's spokesman, before leaving the group in 2016.

Nema travelled to France in November 2019 under a university exchange programme and was arrested in January 2020.

France has since 2010 been able to try cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which argues some crimes are so serious that all states have the obligation to prosecute offenders.

The country's highest court upheld this principle in 2023, allowing for the investigation into Nema to continue.
Ex-president Joseph Kabila was back in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday via Goma, an eastern city seized by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia whose lightning offensive the government accuses him of orchestrating.

Putting an end to days of speculation over his return to the country, Kabila's appearance comes despite the former president facing the possibility of a treason trial over his alleged support for the M23.

Felix Tshisekedi, his successor as the DRC's president, accuses Kabila of being the brains behind the armed group, which has seized swathes of the resource-rich Congolese east with Rwanda's help.

A team of AFP journalists saw Kabila meet local religious figures in the presence of the M23's spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka, without giving a statement.

Though Kabila left the DRC in 2023, the former leader still enjoys a certain influence over Congolese political life, and has criticised his successor's government as a "dictatorship".

Shorn of his usual beard and dressed in a dark suit, the 53-year-old, who led the DRC between 2001 and 2009, appeared visibly relaxed in front of the cameras.

Access to the residence was guarded by fighters from the M23 and members of his security service.

A member of Kabila's entourage told AFP that though no formal alliance existed between his party and the M23, both shared the "same goal" of ending Tshisekedi's rule.

Kabila's visit also comes after the ruling party warned him to stay out of Congolese affairs, with the DRC locked in talks with the United States and Rwanda aimed at ending the fighting.

In the wake of Kabila's previous announcement in April of his return to the country, which he later denied, the Congolese authorities suspended his political party and raided several properties belonging to him.

- 'Dictatorship' -

For more than three decades the eastern DRC has been ravaged by conflict between various armed groups, which has intensified since the M23's resurgence in 2021.

Following a lightning offensive the armed group captured the key eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu at the beginning of 2025, setting up to govern for the long term in the regions under its control.

While he was out of the country Kabila's entourage remained tight-lipped over his whereabouts.

Then the former president in April announced his imminent return to the DRC via the conflict-hit east, much of which is under the control of the M23.

Accusing him of conspiring with the Rwanda-backed militia, the justice ministry in April referred the case against Kabila to the military courts.

In turn, the army's top prosecutor urged the Senate to vote to lift his immunity as senator for life, to allow his prosecution for treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

That vote passed on May 22 in the upper house, where Tshisekedi's ruling coalition enjoys an overwhelming majority, opening the way for his prosecution for treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

- 'Dictatorship' -

The day after losing his immunity to prosecution Kabila broke his silence, lashing out at the Congolese authorities for the "arbitrary" push to target him.

In that speech to the Congolese people Kabila, who took power following his father's assassination in 2001, promised to visit Goma "in the coming days" to help broker an end to the fighting.

In large part, the army prosecutor's case against him hinges on testimony by opposition figure Eric Nkuba.

Under questioning, Nkuba claimed to have overheard Kabila advise the M23's leader to remove Tshisekedi by coup rather than by assassination.

Given the severity of the accusations against him, Kabila could even face the death penalty.

The DRC lifted a moratorium on capital punishment in 2024, though no execution has yet been carried out.
A journalist at the government Radio Rwanda during the 1994 genocide of ethnic Tutsis was charged and detained in France at the end of April, a source close to the case told AFP on Thursday.

The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (PNAT) confirmed that Hyacinthe Bicamumpaka was indicted for genocide, complicity in crimes against humanity and conspiracy.

His pre-trial detention was upheld on appeal on May 9, according to a judicial source.

Alongside Radio Mille Collines, which was nicknamed "Radio Genocide" or "Hutu Power Radio", Radio Rwanda was the official Hutu government radio station during the genocide.

Bicamumpaka was a "prominent journalist" who was "very close to the main planners of the genocide", the executive secretary of the genocide survivors' group Ibuka, Naphtali Ahishakiye told AFP.

In 2021, French online investigative news outlet Mediapart said Bicamumpaka was in France with two other Rwandans suspected of having taken part in the genocide.

France's OCLCH crimes against humanity unit began an investigation soon after.

Bicamumpaka arrived in France in June 1994, with Rwanda in the grip of the genocide, according to French authorities.

His refugee request, consulted online, stated that the Hutu origin journalist claimed he could not return to his country where "members of his ethnic group are now persecuted", and said he actively worked through his broadcasts to promote peace.

His asylum claim was rejected, with the refugee commission stating that Radio Rwanda was a "vehicle of government propaganda at a time when the Rwandan government notoriously tolerated and encouraged a genocide against the Tutsi population".

As a journalist for the station, "Mr Bicamumpaka could not ignore that he contributed, even indirectly, to the perpetration of mass murder", it added.

The genocide by the Hutu regime in power between April and July 1994 resulted in about 800,000 deaths, according to the UN. The overwhelming majority were from the Tutsi minority.
Ex-president Joseph Kabila on Thursday made his first appearance since returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Goma, an eastern city seized by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia whose lightning offensive the government accuses him of orchestrating.

Ending days of speculation over his return, Kabila's appearance comes despite the former president facing the possibility of a treason trial over his alleged support for the M23.

Felix Tshisekedi, his successor as president, accuses Kabila of being the brains behind the armed group, which has seized swathes of the resource-rich Congolese east with Rwanda's help.

Though Kabila left the DRC in 2023, the former leader still has influence over Congolese political life, and has criticised his successor's government as a "dictatorship".

AFP journalists saw Kabila meet local religious figures in the presence of the M23's spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka. He made no statement.

Shorn of his usual beard and dressed in a dark suit, the 53-year-old, who led the DRC between 2001 and 2009, appeared smiling and visibly relaxed in front of the cameras.

Access to the residence was guarded by fighters from the M23 and members of his security service.

A member of Kabila's entourage told AFP that though no formal alliance had been brokered between his party and the M23, both shared the "same goal" of ending Tshisekedi's rule.

Kabila's visit also comes after the ruling party warned him to stay out of Congolese affairs, with the DRC locked in talks with the United States and Rwanda aimed at ending the fighting.

- 'Restore peace' -

According to his entourage, Kabila plans to consult traditional leaders and civil society figures in coming days, before making a speech.

"His wish is for peace to be restored," bishop Joel Amurani told AFP after the talks with Kabila.

For more than three decades, eastern DRC has been ravaged by conflict between various armed groups, which has intensified since the M23's resurgence in 2021.

Following a lightning offensive the armed group captured the key eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu at the beginning of 2025, setting up to govern for the long term in the regions under its control.

While he was out of the country Kabila's entourage remained tight-lipped over his whereabouts.

The former president in April caused surprise by announcing his imminent return to the DRC via the conflict-hit east, much of which is under the control of the M23.

No concrete evidence of his presence ever emerged.

Yet after the announcement, the Congolese authorities suspended his party and raided several properties belonging to him.

Accusing him of conspiring with the Rwanda-backed militia, the justice ministry referred the case against Kabila to the military courts.

The army's top prosecutor has urged the Senate to lift his immunity as senator for life, to allow his prosecution for treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

That vote passed on May 22 in the upper house, where Tshisekedi's ruling coalition enjoys an overwhelming majority, opening the way for his prosecution.

- 'Dictatorship' -

The day after losing his immunity, Kabila broke his silence, lashing out at the Congolese authorities for the "arbitrary" push to target him.

In a speech to the Congolese people Kabila, who took power following his father's assassination in 2001, accused Tshisekedi of bad governance and "tyranny".

He promised to visit Goma "in the coming days" to help broker an end to the fighting.

In large part, the army prosecutor's case against him hinges on testimony by opposition figure Eric Nkuba.

Under questioning, Nkuba claimed to have overheard Kabila advise the M23's leader to remove Tshisekedi by coup rather than by assassination.

Given the severity of the accusations against him, Kabila could even face the death penalty.

The DRC lifted a moratorium on capital punishment in 2024, though no execution has yet been carried out.
Student-led public relations agency at Kennesaw State finds success with client campaign work

KENNESAW, Ga. | May 29, 2025

Parsed into three groups, students in a public relations capstone course at Kennesaw State University discuss campaigns they have implemented after a semester of research, planning, and collaboration with their clients, three KSU campus organizations.

The course operates as a fully functional PR agency. Under the auspices of Peak Communications, students assist organizations on and off campus to appeal to broader audiences through social media content, flyers, tabling, and event planning. In the spring 2025 semester, the Museum of History and Holocaust Education, the SAFE Center and the Bentley Rare Book Museum saw the benefit.

That day, Tom Vizcarrondo, known as Dr. V to students, provided feedback to each team, consisting of copywriters, media relations specialists, creative designers, research analysts, and account liaisons, on how they would best illustrate the impact of their work to clients. They were preparing to give a presentation the following week, their final exam.

Being in Peak Communications allows students to tell a story to the client through a campaign plan, show work samples, but take that a step further and actually execute it with results, said Vizcarrondo, associate professor of communication in the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences and advisor of the student-run public relations agency. He has led the course since 2019.

To apply, students are required to have earned a minimum of 90 credit hours and be declared a public relations major. So, they usually understand the basic PR principles they would be implementing through the semester-long project.

Everyone this semester did a phenomenal job, Vizcarrondo said.

Reflecting fondly on the past semester, public relations majors Gabriela Citino, Ellie Faulkenberry, and Charles CJ Maurer shared their experience working with their different clients.

Citino described the unforeseen challenges that can arise only from working with a live client, better equipping her for a future career in public relations. Her team increased the Holocaust Museums social media engagement levels from 4.5% to 7%, exceeding the goal of 6%.

Things may not happen exactly how your textbook describes, said Citino, who served as the copywriter for a campaign for the Museum of History and Holocaust Education. You really need to build some level of emotional maturity to navigate those challenges because you may feel like everything is going wrong, but actually, it's not.

Meanwhile, Maurer said he and his team found success promoting an event for the Bentley Rare Book Museum through trial and error. The museum wanted an event scheduled around Shakespeares birthday, where students and faculty could interact with the 1685 Fourth Folio of Shakespeare, one of the few in Georgia. They decided on a classroom takeover in collaboration with students from the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, which included a reenactment of a Shakespeare work and recitation of a sonnet Peak students created to promote the event.

Our courses teach us so much but being able to apply what we know in Peak Communications, like creating an actual pitch plan, was a really good learning opportunity, Maurer said.

Faulkenberry, whose team created a campaign for the SAFE Center, helped attract more than 400 students at the centers annual fundraising event, though the goal was 350. Promoting the event was particularly challenging, as the office provides trauma services to students and faculty, and the tone had to be just right.

My experience in Peak Communications definitely boosted my confidence, Faulkenberry said. I can say I learned how to do this in a real-life setting and have real experience to show I can do a real public relations campaign and work with a real client.

Peak Communications alumni have been able to apply what they learned while in the agency toward their careers. Will Simms 24, who now works as a product marketing specialist at UPS Healthcare, said his time during the capstone lent to a set of skills he employs every day in his current role, such as creating designs, meeting deadlines and collaborating with his colleagues.

I think the culture of Peak Communications and what Dr. V is building is just fantastic, said Simms, whose client in Peak was the Aviation History & Technology Center on the Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Its a really awesome opportunity for people to get that experience of working with a client and seeing the public relations campaign from start to finish.

Peak Communications has worked with several other external clients, such as Devereux, a nonprofit that provides behavioral health treatment to children ages 9 to 21. The agency collaborated with Devereux Georgia Development Director Matthew Dobson on a 50th anniversary event in 2023. The nonprofit had not launched any new fundraising campaigns since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students conducted a SWOT analysis and interviewed one of Devereux Georgias board members to create a campaign that involved social media posts leading up to the event. Dobson attributes much of the events success to Peak Communications work.

It was a godsend at the time to be able to work with that class, Dobson said.

 Story by Amber Perry

Photos by Matt Yung

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
David Raleigh

When gardai carried out checks of persons stopped for traffic violations on the Garda PULSE computer records system, they were satisfied these individuals had produced their insurance documents, however, in fact, they were not insured, a court heard.

Evidence is continuing in the trial of a Limerick Garda who is accused of sorting out potential prosecutions for motorists who were stopped by gardai and found without their driving license or motor insurance details/certificates.

Tom Flavin, (51), with an address in west County Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Flavins trial is being heard before judge Colin Daly and a jury of eight men and four women at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Several Garda prosecution witnesses called by the prosecution gave evidence of stopping vehicles in various parts of the country and requesting the motorist to produce their driving licence and insurance details.

When the driver was not able to do this at the side of the road, they were given the opportunity to nominate a Garda station where they would produce their documents within ten days. All the drivers, who were living in or near Rathkeale, nominated their local station.

The Garda witnesses said that, later, where they checked PULSE, they believed documents had been produced. However, the court heard that some of the motorists were not insured, and they subsequently pleaded guilty and were convicted of driving without insurance.

One of the Garda witnesses said they had checked with an insurance company about one of the motorists, and were informed the company did not have a policy for the driver.

The Garda witnesses agreed under cross examination by Mr Flavins barrister, senior counsel Mark Nicholas with barrister Amy Nix, instructed by solicitor Dan OGorman, that, while they had satisfied themselves, from checking the PULSE system that documents had been produced, they did not actually know what had been produced at the garda station, nor did they know who had received the documents.

Sergeant Martin Egan, Policy Enforcement Unit of Road Traffic Legislation, An Garda Siochana, told the court that Gardai, who receive motorists documents following a traffic stop, are expected to enter the insurance and licence details into PULSE via the computer records DLIP Driving licence Insurance Production feature.

Sergeant Egan agreed with senior prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy that the PULSE system automatically notes or records the identity of a Garda who enters information into PULSE.

In her opening address to the jury last Tuesday, Ms Murphy, with Maddie Grant BL, instructed by solicitor Lisa OReilly, office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said allegations of wrongdoing surfaced against Mr Flavin when he was serving out of Rathkeale Garda Station, in respect of a number of traffic stops on roads around the country, on dates between November 2016 and September 2018.

Information came to light concerning a Garda allegedly engaged in sorting out driving insurance detections for individuals - that Garda was Tom Flavin, Ms Murphy alleged.

Mr Flavin is charged that, on the above dates, he did an act, namely to enter or cause to be entered, certain information on the Garda PULSE system, which had a tendency or was intended to pervert the course of justice in respect of the prosecution of named persons for the offence of driving without insurance.

Ms Murphy said the prosecutions case was that Tom Flavin allegedly entered details into PULSE relating to persons motor insurance certificates which suggested they were in order, when they weren't.

Ms Murphy said the jury would hear allegations that alterations were made to the information being input into the PULSE system, and that the prosecution would show that Tom Flavin made these entries.

He told the jury that when a garda is logged into the PULSE system they automatically leave a digital footprint. She said the prosecution would produce CCTV and phone evidence which would corroborate these allegations.

Ms Murphy told the jury that Mr Flavin was entitled to the presumption of innocence unless the jury otherwise found that the allegations against him were proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

The prosecution barrister said the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and that Mr Flavin does not have to prove anything.

She said the jury were not entitled to speculate in the case, and they must only consider evidence heard in court when reaching a verdict.

Judge Colin Daly issued a warning to the jury members not to conduct your own investigations into anyone involved in the trial; to avoid media coverage of the trial; and not to discuss the case with anyone outside of the jury.

The trial is continuing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Sean McCarthaigh

Plans for over 120 new apartments in the Cork suburb of Ballincollig have been refused planning permission by An Bord Pleanala over the absence of three-bed or larger units in the development.

The ruling represents a setback for building firm OFlynn Construction, which had sought approval for the development of 123 units in three apartment blocks up to six storeys in height at Old Fort Road, Ballincollig, Co Cork.

The proposed development consisted of 84 two-bed apartments and 39 one-bed apartments.

The plans on a 1.065-hectare site also provided for a creche and multi-purpose amenity room.

The company had sought planning permission for the scheme under the planning process for strategic housing developments which does not require the plans to be initially assessed by the relevant local authority, Cork City Council.

However, An Bord Pleanala said the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028 sets out clear requirements on the mix of units within any new development.

It states that a minimum of 25 per cent of units in any new development of over 50 dwellings must have three bedrooms and a minimum of 10 per cent must have four or more bedrooms.

The plans for the Old Fort Road site also exceed the maximum permitted proportion of smaller one- and two-bed units at 25 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

OFlynn Construction argued that household sizes both nationally and in Cork were getting smaller.

The company claimed the proposed development would appeal to a broad range of tenants by focusing on providing smaller units, affordability and quality housing.

However, An Bord Pleanala said the developer had not provided any justification why exceptional circumstances or flexibility should be used to its proposed mix of units.

The board claimed the issue had not been addressed in a material contravention statement submitted by OFlynn Construction which also concerned density and building height.

An inspector with An Bord Pleanala said the unit mix would require a complete redesign in order to comply with the development plan that would ultimately reduce the number of apartments in the scheme.

Concerns were raised by several parties about the proposed development including the Waltham Abbey Residents Association whose estate adjoins the site being developed by OFlynn Construction.

They claimed the density of the housing scheme was well in excess of recommended guidelines and claimed the development was overbearing, disproportionate, monolithic, visually dominant and out of character with adjoining properties.

The group also voiced concern that the height of the apartment blocks would have a detrimental visual impact on views of the River Lee.

In a submission, Cork City Council acknowledged the density of the scheme exceeded the upper target for central Ballincollig but said it was considered acceptable given its location near the town centre.

Council planners also claimed the proposed unit mix was satisfactory and they claimed the proposed development overall was in keeping with the zoning of the site subject to compliance with a number of planning conditions.

A separate decision by An Bord Pleanala in September 2020 to grant planning permission for the construction of an identical number of apartments on the same site remains the subject of an ongoing legal challenge.

In September 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of An Bord Pleanala in a case which sought to clarify a conflict which arose from the rulings of two High Court judges over whether the board was required to decline to deal with certain planning applications that were not accompanied by specific documents.

The case partially arose from a judicial review brought by the Ballincollig-based Waltham Abbey Residents Association which claimed the boards grant of planning permission for the project on Old Fort Road in September 2020 was invalid.

The Supreme Court directed that the original application should be remitted back to the High Court.

An inspector with An Bord Pleanala said the current proposal would be judged on its own merits.

The inspector noted that the only differences between the two sets of plans were the omission of a gym at ground floor level in lieu of a multi-purpose amenity room for residents and some internal layout changes to improve daylight levels.

She observed that the proposed development provided a high quality form of residential accommodation with a wide range of amenities that could create a distinctive sense of place and which would encourage social integration from generous communal open spaces.

However, the inspector also recommended that planning permission should be refused because the unit mix did not comply with the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028.
THE tight-knit community of Kildangan is coming together in a powerful show of support for 17-year-old Jessica Whelan, a local girl on palliative care with Rett Syndrome and multiple complex medical needs.

A major fundraiser is being organised by Shannon and John, owners of The Crosskey Pub in Kildangan, to help Jessicas family purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle  an essential but currently unaffordable necessity for her care.

The fundraiser and movie launch will be held at The Crosskey Pub in Kildangan on Sunday, June 1, and all are welcome to attend.

Jessica's mother and full-time carer Lynn Walsh, spoke openly about the daily challenges they face. Despite having a specially adapted home for Jessicas needs, transportation remains a major obstacle.

Im on carers allowance, and were not eligible for finance, she explained. The wheelchair accessible cars we looked at were between 48,000 and 56,000. The payments were 500 to 600 a monthwe only get 220 a week. Its impossible.

Living in rural Kildangan with limited public transport options, Jessicas family struggles to attend her 100 to 160 medical appointments each year.

Theres only one bus, and it doesnt always run or accommodate wheelchairs. One driver even refused to put down the ramp, her mother recalled. I cant lift her anymore. And the new wheelchair were getting cant be dismantled to fit in a regular car.

Diagnosed with Rett Syndromea rare neurological disorder that affects the way the brain develops, resulting in a loss of motor skills like walking, eating or talking.

Shes palliative, her mother said, but she loves life. She deserves to get out and enjoy what time she has.

Jessica ended up in Our Ladys Childrens Hospital, Crumlin, County Dublin in 2019 where doctors told the family to say their goodbyes to Jessica.

We were brought in to say goodbye to Jessica. She went into cardiac failure. We were told she wouldnt survive. They discovered that the hypothalamus of her brain was deteriorating and she had to go onto palliative care.

After that Lynn was advised to take her home and get her as comfortable as possible with no clear idea of when she could pass:  We dont know when. It could happen at any time, thats why she's on palliative care. She could go to bed tonight and not wake up in the morning. Thats just the way it is.

Lynn described her daughter Jessica as her whole world and said: Once I know Ive done everything in my power to give her the best quality of life I know I done my job  no matter what the outcome is. The fundraiser, organized by the Crosskey Pub, is set to be a community celebration. Alongside a raffle featuring generous spot prizes from local businesses, the event will include the premiere of a short film, The Crosskey Heist.

The film, starring Jessica and created through Lauralynn, Irelands Childrens Hospice, recently won a Lauralynn Oscar Award for Best Comedy Drama Movie of 2025.

The film was an incredible experience, her mother said. Jessica had such joy being part of it. Its something well cherish forever. The film will be screened during the fundraiser, with all proceeds going toward adapting a vehicle to meet Jessicas needs.

Jessicas mother has been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. I was in shock. Weve only lived here three years and barely know anyone. But the community stepped up in a way I never expected.

In addition to the fundraiser, Lynn wants to spread Jessicas storyboth to raise awareness for Rett Syndrome and to support other families navigating similar paths. When Jessica was diagnosed, they just told me to take her home and watch her deteriorate. I had to find everything myself. I dont want another parent to feel that alone, she said.

Through tears and laughter, hardship and hope, Jessicas story is one of resilienceand the outpouring of support in Kildangan is a testament to the power of community.

In the printed version of this story that appeared on 27 May, the Kildare Nationalist published a photo stating that it featured Jessica and her mother Lynn. This was incorrect. The woman in the photo was Jessicas specialist nurse. The Kildare Nationalist apologises for this error and regrets any offence caused.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

The Government has been accused of failing on basic public services such as water and electricity supplies, which is strangling housing delivery.

Sinn Feins finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty told the Dail the head of water utility Uisce Eireann had said all households in Dublin face water shortages in the next five years due to the Governments failure to invest properly in our creaking water network.

He also mentioned a warning by the secretary general of the Energy Department that housing delivery is at risk because of electricity supply shortages.

What were talking about here, in simple terms, is were talking about the ability of your Government to ensure the very basics: water, electricity connections, houses. The most basic needs in any society.

And people are going to be scratching their heads, because this state has record surpluses, so money is not the problem.

So the problem must be the incompetence and bad decisions made over and over and over again. A Government that cant plan and cant get the job done when it comes to critical infrastructure, and this is strangling housing delivery.

He said a TikTok video in which Tanaiste Simon Harris said there was a housing emergency had raised some eyebrows.

The reality is, after over a decade of you as minister and Fine Gael in government for nearly a decade and a half, we have serious basic issues of water and electricity that is putting the most basic right  a roof over your head  in jeopardy.

Mr Harris said multibillion-euro surpluses accrued by the Irish state over recent years were a result of how Fine Gael and Fianna Fail had managed the economy and would mean a hell of a lot more money could be spent on water, on energy, on housing.

These things dont happen by accident, he said.

He said the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael government had overseen a significant uplift on housing but it had since stalled or reached a plateau.

Simon Harris (David Young/PA)

Weve seen more than 133,000 new-build homes delivered between 2020 and 2024, and 92,500 of those homes were delivered just between 2022 and 2024  up nearly 50% on the previous three years.

We are going to, between now and the month of July, work on a housing plan. Not a glossy document  a targeted list of actions that we can take in relation to water, in relation to energy, in relation to planning, that will get us to 300,000 homes.

I can assure you, we have the money, we have the capital to make this happen. What we now need is the political support across this house and in the communities to drive on delivery.

And I hope youll support the establishment of a housing activation office thats going to do exactly what you say: bring in people from Irish Water, bring in people from the local authorities, put them in an office working together to break down those silos so we deliver the homes for our people.

He accused Mr Dohertys party of having politicised the issue of water and said additional funding to Uisce Eireann would solve water infrastructure issues.

Its hard to take a lecture from you in relation to water, after you politicised the issue of water so much to try and stymie progress in recent years, and you continue to mislead people about the Governments intention in relation to Irish Water.

If we can provide them with significant additional capital funding over the summer period, with the review of the National Development Plan, they will be able to  Im sure youll be delighted to know  provide enough water infrastructure to deliver and enable the delivery of the homes we need.
Aran Artisan Bakery and Bistro in Kilkenny City have been announced as the 'Leinster Winner' in the 'Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine' category at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025.

Co-owners Bart Pawlukojc and Nicole Server-Pawlukojc recently celebrated five years in business at Aran - located on Barrack Street in Kilkenny City.

Although they come from different culinary backgrounds, Bart and Nicole join forces right here in Kilkenny at Aran Bakery & Bistro to bring a taste of what theyve learned from all over the world.

READ MORE: 'On Your Bike' - Two Kilkenny cyclists take part in life changing fundraiser

Aran Bakery & Bistro is our creative outlet that allows us to make top-quality food accessible to everyone, Bart explains.

We aim to make simple, yet delicious dishes made from local ingredients that everyone can enjoy in our restaurant.

Reacting to the win on social media, Aran stated that they were 'buzzing'.

The statement continues: "This is huge for us and honestly, it wouldnt be possible without our absolute legends of a team.

"Every single one of our bakery and restaurant crew puts so much heart into what we do here at Aran. This ones for them.

"And of course, massive love to all of you who eat with us, support us, cheer us on and have made our bakery and restaurant dreams come to life - youre a big part of this win too.

READ MORE: New free orbital bus service showcases 5,000 years of Lingaun Valley in Kilkenny

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"

Before the couple founded their premises on Barrack Street, every single business person advised them against it, but they took the gamble.

After defying the odds, Aran is now a vital part of the social scene of Barrack Street and has helped breathe new life into the area.

Major renovations were recently completed to the Bistro, allowing even more people to savour the award-winning food on the premises.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Kilkenny U20 corner-back Ivan Bolger has heaped praise on his team-mates ahead of the county's All-Ireland Final with Tipperary in UPMC Nowlan Park this Saturday.

Kilkenny under the stewardship of Mark Dowling are going in search of their first All-Ireland title in three years, a day that local supporters remember fondly as Kilkenny beat Limerick by a single point in Semple Stadium.

"They're genuinely the best group of lads, you could possibly ask for," Bolger told the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast.

"There isn't a dressing room in the country I'd rather be in," he added.

LISTEN: Ivan Bolger, Rory Glynn, Stephen Manogue and more - Kilkenny People Sport Podcast

The Graignamanagh clubman, who was the TV choice for man of the match in Kilkenny's Leinster Final defeat of Dublin, also said he's 'delighted' to play at corner-back 'every day of the week' as long as he's in the starting team.

"It's a thankless job at times," Bolger commented.

"As long as I'm in the team I'm delighted. It's a job that has to be done and sure if the boys pick me there, I'll play there every day of the week and I'm happy to do it," he continued.

"Once you're winning games at corner-back you're delighted."

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:
Sinn Fein TD for Carlow-Kilkenny Natasha Newsome Drennan has described the government's decision not to provide funding for the upgrading of the N25 Waterford to Glenmore road as a 'failure'.

"The road along the N25 has seen a series of devastating collisions that have caused unimaginable heartbreak to families and communities across the area," Deputy Newsome Drennan said in the Dail.

Over 80 people have been killed along this road over the past 40 years, 13 since 2015 and four since the proposed upgrade works were paused in 2022.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny woman honoured for 35 years of 'incredible' service to business

"It is operating completely over capacity. It is currently operating at almost double the appropriate usage levels," she claimed.

"These concerns have been repeatedly raised with in the Dail with the Minister for Transport and with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. But they have shown little to no concern for the dangerous conditions along this road.

"This is a vital road for the whole region, the Minister for Transport and his Department need start treating with a high level of urgency," the Carlow-Kilkenny TD concluded.

FOR MORE SOUTH KILKENNY NEWS, CLICK HERE
Volkswagen are blessed not only to have a great history in Ireland but also the loveliest community of passionate owners.

Seventy-five years ago, the first Volkswagen ever assembled outside of Germany was built on the Shelbourne Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin. That car was an almond-green Beetle, known today as the iconic Ballsbridge Beetle. It now resides in a museum!

To mark VWs 75th birthday, at the weekend, Laharts hosted a special party, with a number of drivers making the trip to ensure the legacy is kept going. There were prizes for best turned out car, German-style refreshments, and lots more.

We were very happy that so many people, so many classic Volkswagen owners turned out to show off their cars, and show the great legacy of Volkswagen in the local area, said Marcus OConnor, Laharts.

READ MORE KILKENNY MOTORING NEWS HERE



FOR MORE

Laharts Volkswagen offer the highest levels of value and customer care across sales and service. Located on the Waterford Road, Kilkenny, you can contact Laharts on 056-772 2195.

CAMERA CLUB

We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether its a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots.

We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community.

To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.

Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.

TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY
Two students from Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny have won the Safer Internet Day Ambassador Leadership Award at the Webwise Safer Internet Day (SID) Awards 2025 for their outstanding leadership in promoting online safety and digital citizenship.

The SID Awards celebrate the incredible work being done by students and schools across Ireland to encourage safe, responsible, and positive use of the internet and digital technologies as part of Safer Internet Day.

Orla Brennan and Kaitlyn Summers won the top award for the SID Ambassador Leadership Award category, recognising their leadership and commitment to fostering a safer online environment. The students had participated in the Webwise Safer Internet Day Ambassador Training Programmea peer-led initiative that supports students in leading their own online safety awareness campaigns within their schools and local communities.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE KILKENNY SCHOOLS NEWS

Supported by teachers and fellow students, Orla and Kaitlyn led a powerful and engaging Safer Internet Day campaign in Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny that impressed with its creativity and impact. Their initiative promoted respect, inclusion, and digital wellbeing through a range of thoughtful activities. Their leadership and teamwork brought the school and local community together, showcasing the positive influence of peer-led online safety efforts.

global initiative

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative that promotes a safer and more positive internet for everyone, especially children and young people. In Ireland, the day is coordinated by Webwise. This year, more than 200,000 children and young people took part in Safer Internet Day activities nationwide. Webwise is the online safety initiative of the Department of Education and co-funded by the European Commission.
Kilkenny's An Chead Tine Art Gallery is set to present 'Dueling with Ghosts', a powerful solo exhibition by Kilkenny-based painter Graham Carew. The exhibition opens at 7pm on Friday, May 30, and will run until Thursday, June 26. An opening address will be given by local artist Laurence O'Toole.

Graham Carew is a professional painter, born and based in Kilkenny. He has worked professionally since 2013, primarily in acrylics, with occasional use of mixed media. His expressive, large-scale works have been exhibited in Ireland, the UK, and the US.

In recent years, Graham has received funding and support from the Kilkenny Arts Office, Artlinks, Kilkenny Catwalk Artist, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, and Kilkenny Carlow ETB. He was Director of The Artist in the Shop Window Project at Fogarty's in Castlecomer (20192022), and contributed as an artist to the Festival of Lights with Castlecomer Community School (2019), and Festival of Culture (2018 & 2019).

During his time in the US, Graham co-founded and was Art Director of Wall Poems, Inc., a nonprofit mural project in Charlotte, NC, creating over 20 public poetry-based artworks. He also served as Co-Director of Artspace 525 (201315) and Goodyear Arts (201518), where he was also the Lead Design Artist.

His US accolades include multiple grants from the Knight Foundation (2016, 2018, 2020), the 2015 Neighbourhoods in Creative Partnership grant, the 201819 Womens Impact Fund Two-Year Grant, and the Arts & Science Councils Cultural Vision Grant (2018).

KILKENNY SUSTAINABLE ART SHOW 2025
Car-free visitors to Kilkenny in the heart of Irelands Ancient East now have an opportunity to explore a sacred, unspoilt valley that straddles three counties, and experience 5,000 years of history, on a 50km loop, all at their own pace.

The Lingaun Loop bus service pilot begins this Saturday, May 31, offering visitors to the South-East an opportunity to link in with the orbital minibus service from existing bus or train routes in Kilkenny, Waterford and Tipperary. The free mini-bus service allows visitors to venture deep into the Lingaun Valley in the heart of rural Ireland and visit its high crosses, castles, churches and tombs and enjoy a variety of walks and hikes, stopping off at local cafes and pubs along the way.

The route and frequency are designed to link in with existing public transport services from popular bases such as Kilkenny City and Waterford City, or Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary. The Lingaun Loop stops at, or close to, key visitor attractions. Passengers can hop on or off at any one of 13 stops along the 50km route and rejoin the service later.



The Lingaun Loop will orbit the area five times a day, seven days a week, starting at 9.30am and finishing just after 5.20pm. Stops include Tullahought, Kilkieran High Crosses, Parkside in Carrick-on-Suir, Dove Hill Centre, Kilsheelan, Kilcash Village, Kilcash Castle, Grangemockler, Killamery, Windgap, Knockroe Passage Tomb, Slate Quarries and Ahenny High Crosses. The full timetable and details about how to link with the loop are available on the Lingaun Valley website, https://lingaunvalley.ie/lingaun-loop-bus-service/

The Lingaun Loop is being piloted by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership in association with the Local Link service until September. The project is co-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The action research pilot initiative will feed into a research project which will showcase demand and mobility options throughout the summer season. The raw data collected will be used to determine the feasibility of operating the service beyond the pilot term.

We are eager to encourage visitors to Irelands Ancient East to discover the captivating Lingaun River that runs through this small, quiet valley and forms the border between south-west Kilkenny and south-east Tipperary. The pilot service is innovative in concept, in line with the philosophy of the LEADER Programme," said Declan Rice, CEO, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership.

The Lingaun Loop allows visitors to experience a beautiful landscape along the Lingaun River and this ancient river that flows from Slievenamon Mountain down to Carrick-on-Suir. Taking the bus is the ideal way for the public to visit ancient passage tombs that pre-date Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids and view high crosses, church ruins and monuments from the early Christian and medieval periods throughout the Valley.



We are also hoping that locals, who have been very supportive in establishing this route, will use this orbital service, linking up with other services or on to neighbouring towns and villages. Were also anticipating that the free service might encourage people to take the opportunity to discover the gems that are on our doorstep, but theyve not yet taken the time to explore, experience and enjoy. Were asking service users to plan ahead. Not all stops have shops, cafes or other facilities so they need to be mindful of this and plan accordingly.

READ MORE SOUTH KILKENNY NEWS HERE

Richie Walsh, Chairperson of Lingaun Valley Tourism said the new service is the ideal way to experience the sacred Lingaun Valley car and stress free. This really is an opportunity for people to venture deep into the Lingaun Valley and pick and choose where they want to go, what they want to see. Weve worked hard to develop this route, to improve signage and information points across the Valley and make sure service users have the best possible experience.

READ NEXT: Pilgrims flock to Knockroe Passage Tomb in Kilkenny for winter solstice!

We now need those meeting and greeting visitors to the region to spread the word, get people using the service and make it sustainable into the future. Its in all of our interests to ensure the free service is used and it is tailored/tweaked to make it of service to locals and visitors alike.

The Link and Loop options are:
The Dail should sit next week to fast-track the Occupied Territories Bill, Kilkenny senator Patricia Stephenson has said.

Senator Stephenson, who is the partys foreign affairs spokesperson, said that the Bill should be enacted as a matter of urgency, even if this means recalling the Dail next week and delaying summer recess.

Almost six months into this government, we are only now seeing the Tanaiste bringing a memo to Cabinet today on the drafting of a bill. Like the previous administration, this government has dragged its feet when it comes to progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, which was first proposed back in 2018," she said.

I am also concerned that the bill currently being drafted will be a watered-down version of the original, only prohibiting the importation of goods  and not services  from illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

READ NEXT: KILKENNY CANDIDATE OFFERS FRESH VOICE

Former minister Roderic OGorman recently revealed that the last government never received advice from the Attorney General that the inclusion of services in the bill was legally problematic. Significantly, an open letter to the government, signed by more than 400 senior legal academics and lawyers, also stated there is no legal impediment to enacting the legislation.

As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I believe the Dail should sit next week for pre-legislative scrutiny, which would allow the bill the progress to the final stages. Government condemnation of Israels atrocities in Gaza is no longer enough  we need to see action now.

Ireland has an opportunity so show leadership by enacting the Occupied Territories Bill without further delay, in the hope that other countries will follow suit.

PROTEST

Separately, earlier this month, a peaceful protest took place outside the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) national conference in Kilkenny. Its purpose was to challenge the platform given to the Teva Pharmaceutical's Ireland Country Manager. Teva is Israels biggest pharmaceutical supplier and a major contributor to the country's tax coffers.

The protest was organised by FLIP the Siege, a grassroots initiative of IPSC Carlow, and supported by IPSC Kilkenny, IPSC South East, IPSC Kildare, Health Care Workers for Palestine, and other Palestine solidarity groups from across Ireland. Protesters lined the gates with banners and leaflets, calling on pharmacists and healthcare professionals to cut ties with Teva.

The protest followed a nationwide email campaign, during which hundreds of pharmacies, GPs, and other healthcare providers were contacted and urged to boycott Teva products, including Sudocrem.
Richard Prebble writes:

Claims standards of parliamentary behaviour have fallen are nonsense. Except for Te Pati Maori, this is a well-behaved House.

The Speakers referral of the floor protest to the Privileges Committee was not discretionary. It was required by Standing Orders.

The Speaker was lenient. He could have ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to end the Maori Party haka. Any MP who resisted is automatically suspended for the rest of this Parliament.

No Parliament can tolerate its proceedings being disrupted by protest.

In 1981, British Speaker George Thomas suspended Labour MP Ron Brown for 20 days for nothing more than placing a protest flag on the Commons table.

In 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives expelled two Democratic lawmakers for leading a protest on the House floor.

Yes, there have been incidents of disorder in the House before, but all admitted their actions were wrong. No MP has ever refused a summons to the Privileges Committee.
Radio NZ reports:

More than 80,000 Kiwis must quit smoking before the end of the year to meet the goal of Smokefree 2025, which was launched 14 years ago. But Professor of Public Health Chris Bullen tells The Detail that it is unlikely to happen  I dont believe so, sadly. The evidence suggests we are not heading in the right direction fast enough, says Bullen, who is also the director of the National Institute for Health Innovation. We have got more work to do in 2026 and beyond. The smokefree goal aims to have less than 5 percent of the population smoking by December, but the latest data reveals there are still about 300,000 daily smokers across the country.

The daily smoking rate has dropped from 16.4% to 6.9% since 2011, which is a huge reduction. It is correct that it is unlikely to drop 1.9% in one year, as those remaining are a small but persistent hardcore.

Bullen says part of the issue is, last year, the coalition government repealed three areas of the Smokefree law, most importantly the denicotinisation of tobacco products (where the nicotine is basically taken out of cigarettes) and banning the sale of tobacco products to those born after 1 January 2009. I think we could have gotten to the goal under the previous legislation, but that was repealed by the current government.

This is just nonsense, and we know it is because look at when these provisions were to come into force. The ban (which would not have worked) to those born after 1 January 2009 would not take effect until 2027, so claiming it would help you make a 2025 target is embarrassing.

A tobacco industry-funded report has just revealed that 25 percent of cigarettes sold in New Zealand are from the black market, smuggled into the country, largely from China and South Korea, and available on Facebook Marketplace, at construction sites, and in some dairies. Black market cigarettes are about half the price of legal packets, which can cost up to $45. But Bullen is not convinced the percentage of illegal sales is as high as reported. He says it is more likely around the 10-15 percent mark. He believes the tobacco industry inflates the number  and the problem  to encourage the government to ease up on being tough on their product.

Here Professor Bullen has an opinion that the black market is not as high as as reported, but with not any proof or data to back his view.

One source of data is government excise revenue on tobacco. For the year to March 2025 it was $1.49b and in March 2023 it was $1.81b. So it has dropped 18% despite the rate going up and no reported change in smoking rates in this period.

New research, which overlays vape stores on school locations, shows 44 percent of schools have a vape store within a one-kilometre radius

This old chestnut. There is almost no area in urban New Zealand that is not within a 1 kms radius of a school. That is a 314 hectare circle. We have 2,500 schools.

Since 2020, it has been illegal to sell vapes to people under 18, but students as young as 10 and 11 are vaping across New Zealand today.

Yet he is convinced prohibition works!
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 67F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The seventh grader will now go on to compete in the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.
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A MAN was brought before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court this morning charged with offences relating to a message he allegedly posted on his social media page.

Beniamin Petre of no fixed abode was charged that on 24 May at an unknown location in Dublin the he published a grossly offence communication on Tik Tox social media about slicing Irish babies, kids and you, with intent to cause harm, which is contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

He was further charged that on the same date at an unknown location in Dublin the he used or engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned, and demonstrating, at the time of committing the offence or immediately before or after, hatred towards the people of Ireland, that hatred being on account of their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to or being motivated by hatred, wholly or partly, towards a group of persons being defined by reference to Irish people, contrary to Section 6A of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as inserted by Section 6(c) of the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024.

Detective Garda Mark Russell said he arrested the 50-year old defendant on 28 May at Rathmiles, Abbeyleix under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1977 and conveyed him to Abbeyleix Garda Station where he was detained.

He said when charged and cautioned his reply to first charge was, I cant say anything, as you are not listening Mark.

In reply to the second cautioned charge he replied: I have nothing to say.

Det. Russell said that he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that there may be further charges.

Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody.

Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on 5 June by video link.

He also marked on the detention order that the defendant receive urgent medical assent while in custody.
A LAOIS village is dying on its feet due to dangerous speeding, which has forced some parents to send their children to schools elsewhere.

Cllr Aisling Moran made the claim at a council meeting, as she appealed for urgent safety measures to tackle notorious speeding in Arles.

Are we waiting until someone is killed? We have to do something, because the village is dying on its feet at the moment, she told the May monthly meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.

Cllr Moran said that trucks roar through Arles at 80kph or 90kph on the main N80 road, which children have to cross to get to the GAA pitch. She said that, because it is so dangerous, people are moving their children to other schools such as Killeen NS instead.

Cllr Ben Brennan agreed, noting that residents have to walk along the main road with children and babies in buggies, while heavy traffic sweeps past. He said: A child could go in under the wheels of a lorry there.

Cllr Moran called for substantial traffic calming measures on both sides of Arles village to be installed by Laois County Council, in conjunction with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), with pedestrian crossings at both the school and the GAA club and a school safety zone at Arles NS.

The Independent councillor said that a traffic island, ramps or road narrowing should also be introduced on both approaches to the village, as motorists are ignoring the 50kph speed limit and the speed radar signs.

In a written response, the councils road design section pointed out that traffic counts and speed surveys were conducted in Arles, following a previous notice of motion. The reply added: Discussions are ongoing with TII to progress and scope out the introduction of road traffic safety measures in Arles.

Cllr Moran remarked that she had asked TII to meet with the council a hundred times but nothing had happened. She said TII was taking far too long to resolve urgent issues in Arles and the council should put pressure on the national body.

Cllr Brennan said footpaths in the village should be 1.5 metres wide to protect pedestrians and especially children, as the suck of a lorry speeding past could pull a child in under the wheels.

Cllr Brennan said he also knew that people were moving their children to other schools but residents concerns were falling on deaf ears with TII.

He warned: No one seems to be listening. When an accident happens or a child is hurt, they will do something.

Cllr Padraig Fleming said that, in response to his previous proposals, some work was done to increase safety and discussions were ongoing with TII. He said that residents and the school wanted a pedestrian crossing but progress was slow and needed to be speeded up.

Cllr Vivienne Phelan asked if there was any possibility of erecting a small overhead bridge, which would allow children to cross the road safely to the GAA pitch. She said: Maybe not, but it was suggested to me during the local elections.

Cllr Fleming said that everyone in the village wanted a pedestrian crossing, adding: It is with TII and thats where the focus has to be now.
Air Corps staffing issues and the extradition of a senior Kinahan cartel figure are among the stories on Thursday's front pages.

The Air Corps may be forced to cease operations due to staff shortages, The Irish Times reports.

The Irish Examiner leads with the extradition of Sean McGovern, one of the senior figures in the Kinahan cartel based in Dubai.

The Irish Independent leads with a story on a senior civil servant warning that power shortages will mean the country will have to choose between artificial intelligence (AI) and additional housing.

The Echo leads with a story on fare evasion on buses in Cork.

The Irish Sun leads with a story on a postman who was murdered by the IRA.

Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/ennEMKDCHt  The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) May 29, 2025

The whole of Dublin could face water shortages within five years, the Irish Daily Mail reports.

A stark warning. pic.twitter.com/eyqncQSYMG  The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) May 29, 2025

The Herald leads with the Sean McGovern extradition.

In the North, the Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on a care worker who assaulted a 'vulnerable minor'.

The Irish News leads with a stor on a pile-up of bonfire material.

The front page of todays Irish News. pic.twitter.com/AEijgRQHIf  The Irish News (@irish_news) May 29, 2025

Thursday's UK papers lead with the arrest of the man suspected of driving into crowds at Liverpool's Premier League title celebrations.

The Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail lead with the man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Daily Mail: Liverpool suspect is a company director #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Y5KKVS1Pen  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

Daily Mirror: Arrested driver is 'a lovely family man' #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/MeXeBUDtxZ  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

An 'army of hackers' will take on Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Daily Telegraph: Army of hackers to take on Putin #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/XfRv3fjJSF  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Guardian leads with a story on housing issues in the UK.

Guardian: Anger over poor housing could spark social tension - watchdog #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Myh6jEaEy3  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The i Paper leads with a story on the BBC letting over-75s off paying the TV licence fee.

i: BBC 'letting off' over 75s who fail to pay their TV licence fee #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hbsQS2NZYF  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Sun leads with a story on serial killer Rose West.

The Sun: Last days of Rose West #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RH7vhWbKzQ  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Times leads with a story on a potential doctors' strike and the damage it could do to the NHS.

Times: Doctors told strikes will harm effort to heal NHS #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Ou5ZtCZYO7  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Daily Express leads with a story on war heroes.

Daily Express: Heroes' trips of tributes are safe forever #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/rYZCocleQF  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The Daily Star leads with a story on Britain's 'sewer rat' problem.

Christine Lagarde has discussed cutting short her term as European Central Bank president to become chair of the World Economic Forum, the Financial Times reports.

Financial Times: Lagarde discussed early ECB exit to head Davos body, says ousted Schwab #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/VlL9ybXz3b  Jamie Whitehead (@jamiewh_) May 28, 2025

The New York Times leads with US president Donald Trump's tariffs.
Two months after voting against it, the City of Easton is revisiting a law decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.

The proposal, brought forth by Councilman Frank Pintabone, would treat possession of a small amount of marijuana as a summary offense rather than a misdemeanor. The offense would also not exist on the individuals criminal record.

Pintabone said this would make the punishment fair and equitable, and it would not prevent individuals from housing or employment opportunities.

According to the ordinance, if someone is caught with a small amount of marijuana, the fine would be $25 for the first offense, $35 for the second offense, and $45 for the third.

Should someone be caught smoking it, the fine would be $150 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $300 for the third. After the third offense, it would move up to the Northampton County Court.

Under current Pennsylvania law, when someone is caught with a small amount of marijuana (less than 30 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of hashish), they face a misdemeanor charge. Upon conviction, the penalty is a fine of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.

Additionally, the conviction remains on their record.

In March, Mayor Sal Panto Jr, Vice Mayor Ken Brown and Councilman Roger Ruggles voted against the ordinance. Pintabone, Councilwoman Crystal Rose and Councilman James Edinger voted in favor of it.

At the time, Taiba Sultana chose to abstain. She said a concern was brought to her attention, and she requested to table the ordinance so she could investigate the concern.

On Wednesday, the three council members who voted no remained opposed, mainly due to the state law that is already in place. Ruggles said there is a chance Easton police could still follow state law when enforcing marijuana usage.

My concern is, anybody who sees Easton passing this bill and saying, Oh, now I can have a small amount of marijuana in Easton and I only get a summary offense, he said. All of a sudden they get arrested and they get charged with the state offense. I dont want people to get a false sense of security.

Pintabone said numerous Easton officers he spoke to were in favor of the ordinance. Chief of Easton Police Carl Scalzo Jr. has previously stated that an ordinance that contradicts state law could create confusion for officers.

If we want to change something in the state of Pennsylvania thats already addressed in law, then that argument should be made, and then go through that process of changing that law, he said previously.

Brown said this ordinance could set a precedent on increased marijuana usage, especially in public.

All it takes is one person, and then people will follow, he said.

Members of the public came to speak in favor of the ordinance. Resident Dominic Trabosci said it is common sense, and said peoples employment and house-buying opportunities should not be prevented by marijuana possession.

We all know this is a time where its already very hard for people to find a home or get a job, he said.

Joe Welsh, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute, said other municipalities in Pennsylvania have passed similar ordinances. He added that minor marijuana charges consume court and law enforcement resources that could be better used to address other crimes.

If you do vote no, your constituents can continue to suffer needlessly, and you divert taxpayer money away from stopping real crime, he said.

City council will vote on the ordinance at their next meeting on June 11. The meeting will be held at the Easton Neighborhood Center at 6 p.m.

Chelsea McClure can be reached at cmcclure@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley.
The judge's gavel and scales as a symbol of the judiciary and justice. Getty Images

A Monroe County man was found guilty this week by a jury on 18 charges following a July chase through four townships with his 4-year-old daughter in the vehicle.

Adam Arthur Booker, 37, of East Stroudbsurg, was convicted on all charges. They include felony child endangerment; felony eluding police; felony flight to avoid apprehension; misdemeanor reckless endangerment; numerous summary traffic offenses; and related offenses.
A Laois town and neighbouring village will work together on a new public art project inspired by local folklore.

Laois Arts Office is delighted announce that artist, Marie Brett has been selected to work on a new public art project with the communities of Rathdowney and Errill.

Marie Bretts project emerged as the choice of an expert panel, who have stated that her proposal, which involves engaging closely with the community, represents an exciting and innovative approach to public art.

The artist proposes to create a modern-day Almanac; a publication documenting the year, which will be inspired by the people of Rathdowney and Errill's lived stories and re-imagined folklore.

Seated front left to right: Muireann Ni Chonaill, Arts Officer, Laois County Council, Marie Brett artist selected for the Errill Rathdowney Per Cent for Art Commission; Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirleach and Michael Rainey, Chief Executive Officer, Julie Bergin, Director of Services Culture & Finance, Laois County Council. To rear left to right: Monica Flynn, Assistant Arts Officer; Pat Delaney, Senior Executive Officer Housing; Donal Brennan Director of Services; Housing; Bernie Foran, County Librarian, Laois County Council and Vincent O'Shea Public Art Coordinator for the Errill Rathdowney Per Cent for Art Commission, at the signing of the contract for the project.

The work will relate to the ideas of hale, brave and hearty.

A series of temporary art installations will appear throughout the artists twelve-month residency in the community. A number of activities, aimed at drawing people together and using their knowledge and experience to feed into the project, will be at the core of the artists work.

Ms Brett will work with a broad range of residents and organisations from the area from the tidy towns to the Mens Shed, drama group members, school children, Ukrainian refugees and active retirement groups.

The artist is already working on her preliminary research and will be making contacts and reaching out very soon.

Im really pleased to be working on this public art project, and Im very keen to meet Rathdowney and Errill people to gain their shared stories, folklore, traditions and curiosity, as a way to inspire and inform a new series of temporary artworks and events," Ms Brett said.

"Both feel like dynamic and interesting places with some beautiful architecture and heritage features, and Im really looking forward to creating artwork that celebrates some of the character of both places and people.

This approach to public art is rooted in connection and the inspiration comes from the community itself.

It is artistically ambitious and will hopefully provide an enriching and positive experience for the whole community.

The funding for this public art project is from the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage and is supported by Laois County Council.
A man appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court this morning charged under new hate laws.

Beniamin Petre (50) of No Fixed Abode is accused of publishing a grossly offensive communication on TikTok. Its alleged he published a communication about slicing up Irish babies, kids and you with intent to cause harm contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

The man was further charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and demonstrating at the time of the offence, hatred towards the Irish people contrary to the Criminal Justice(Hate Offences) Act 2024. Both offences were alleged to have been committed at an unknown location in Dublin on May 24 last.

Detective Garda Mark Russell gave evidence of arresting the man in Rathmiles, Abbeyleix on Wednesday, May 28. He said the man was detained at Abbeyleix Garda Station and charged at 9.15pm.

When charged and cautioned the man replied, I cant say anything as you are not listening, Mark. In response to the second charge the man said, I have nothing to say.

Det Russell said gardai would have an objection to bail.

However, Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was not applying for bail in the case and there was consent to a remand in custody.

Det Russell said there may potentially be further charges in the case. He asked that the man be medically assessed in Cloverhill.

Judge Andrew Cody remanded the defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear again at Portlaoise District Court via video link on June 5. I would recommend urgent medical assessment on arrival, he said.

Ms Fitzpatrick requested legal aid and said the defendant was not working and was not in the system in terms of social welfare. Judge Cody granted legal aid and remanded the defendant in custody. The man, who was dressed in black, didnt speak during the brief court appearance.
A search for the remains of murdered Offaly woman Fiona Pender is continuing in Laois this afternoon.

A road remained closed overnight as Gardai continued their search on open ground in the Slieve Bloom Mountains near Clonasee.

This is the second search in recent days and follows the conclusion of a dig on land at Graigue, Killeigh, Co Offaly on Tuesday evening.

The latest search is taking place near Clonaslee, not far from the location of a 2014 search for Fiona Penders remains at Capard, Rosenallis.

Gardai say the area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations.

This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardai in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fionas whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.

Fionas remains have never been located.

No person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona at this time.

The investigation continues to be led by a Senior Investigating Officer.

Fiona was last seen at approximately 6am on the morning of Friday, August 23, 1996 when she was at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore.

Fiona was described as being 5'5" in height, with long blonde hair. She was 25 years of age at the time she went missing. Fiona was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings. She was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance.

Investigating Gardai continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Fiona in the early morning of Friday, August 23, 1996, who has not spoken to Gardai, to please come forward and speak to our investigation team.

Gardai continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardai with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again.

Gardai said that in order to facilitate this, the Ross Road at Clonaslee, would remain closed from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance.

No through traffic will be allowed onto this road until further notice, with local access available to residents via the R422 entrance only. The Irish Aviation Authority has also imposed flight restrictions over the search area.

Gardai continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardai with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again.

An Garda Siochana appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, or any Garda Station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Gardai say a search for missing Offaly woman Fiona Pender on open ground in Laois has now ended.

It was the second search in recent days and follows the conclusion of a dig on land at Graigue, Killeigh, Co Offaly on Tuesday evening.

The latest search is taking place near Clonaslee, not far from the location of a 2014 search for Fiona Penders remains at Capard, Rosenallis. The search of open ground continued overnight and gardai closed a road while the Irish Aviation Authority(IAA) restricted air space of the search area.

Gardai said the Ross Road at Clonaslee, which was closed from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance, is due to re-open imminently.

Gardai said the results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons.

An Garda Siochana have updated the family on any developments andInvestigations are ongoing.

Investigating Gardai continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Fiona in the early morning of Friday 23rd August 1996, who has not spoken to Gardai, to please come forward and speak to our investigation team.

Gardai continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardai with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again.

Fiona, who was 25 years-old in 1996, was seven months pregnant when she went missing from Tullamore in Co Offaly.

An Garda Siochana appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, or any Garda Station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A team of Laois Transition Year (TY) students has taken the top prize in a pilot project that is set to be rolled out across Ireland to encourage more young people to take up careers in agriculture.

Agri Aware and the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) officially launched its Intro to Ag programme for TY students nationwide on Friday, May 16, following its successful trial in the two midland counties.

The official launch of the programme took place at LOETBs Midlands Skills Centre in Tullamore alongside LOETB schools across Laois and Offaly that took part in the pilot programme this academic year.

Students showcased a wide array of projects on display covering topics from challenges facing the agri-food sector to farm safety. The winners of the Intro to Ag programme were Jack Hyland, Conor O'Shea, Lennon Conroy and Jack Kelly from Clonaslee College, with their project titled Issues in Agriculture.

The participating pilot schools were: Banagher College, Portlaoise College, Oaklands Community College, Edenderry, Clonaslee College, Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa, Clara, Tullamore College, Dunamase College, Portlaoise.

During the past year Intro to Ag participants learned about research, public speaking, group work, practical laboratory work and independent study, CV preparation and mock interviews. The inclusion of case studies on agri-food careers was also included to open students' minds to a future in agriculture, as they experience the world of work through work experience. MORE BELOW PICTURE:

Pictured: Agri Aware Executive Director Marcus OHalloran pictured with Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, at the official launch of the 'Intro to Ag' programme, set to roll out nationwide in September 2025.

The aim of the Intro to Ag programme is to encourage more students to study Agricultural Science for the Leaving Certificate and to pursue a career in the industry thereafter, in an effort to future-proof the sector that has a growing demand for Agricultural Science graduates to take on a variety of roles across the industry.

The organisers say programme gives students a flavour of what to expect when studying the subject for the Leaving Certificate and offers an insight into career opportunities in the sector. Intro to Ag aims to be a pathway to guide the next generation of students towards careers in agriculture and food production. It supports them at an important stage in their education, when they are making decisions on subject choices and exploring potential career paths.

Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive of LOETB, praised the FET (Further Education and Training) Management team who worked with Agri Aware to develop the programme, as well as the schools that participated its pilot delivery.

"The programme to be rolled out nationally will raise awareness not just of the Leaving Cert subject of Ag Science but of the wide variety of career opportunities that exist right across the food and agriculture sector and will hopefully lead to greater participation in agri-related further and higher-level courses as well," he said the Ratheniska based CEO.

Marcus OHalloran, Executive Director of Agri Aware Speaking at the Schools Day event and the nationwide of Intro to Ag.

The pilot of the Intro to Ag programme has been a huge success and it was capped off with a brilliant day on Friday last with everyone who has been a critical cog in the development of the programme. Congratulations to the winners of the programme Clonaslee College and to all the schools who took part in the programmes pilot. We look forward to seeing you back in the programme next year. Agri Aware is delighted to launch the Intro to Ag programme in partnership with the LOETB and look forward to welcoming students to the programme in September 2025, he said

READ ALSO: Half of Laois farm workers want higher pay

MORE BELOW PICTURE.

L:R William Minchin, CEO of Agricultural Trust; dairy farmer Jim Mulhall; Agri Aware Communications Officer Eimear Mannion; and Irish Country Living Careers and Education Journalist Sarah McIntosh, who shared insights on the diverse career paths they have taken within the agriculture sector.

Agri Aware, the independent farming and agri-food educational body, is a charitable trust whose mission is to improve the image and understanding of agriculture, farming, and the food industry among the public.

LOETB manages and operates second-level schools, further education colleges, and a range of adult and further education centres delivering education and training programmes across Laios and Offaly.
Laois County Council is trying to end homelessness in the county by 2030, while one councillor saying anyone sleeping on the Laois streets does it "by choice".

While 30 people declared themselves homeless in Laois in May, and 38 were in emergency accommodation, the council says it is working to eliminate homelessness within five years.

Fionnuala Daly is the social worker in Laois County Council's housing section.

"We have a policy to eliminate homelessness by 2030. The causes are complex; economic hardship, mental health, addiction, domestic violence and the shortage of affordable housing," she said.

Their plan includes building new houses, improving supports and prevention, and cooperating with the HSE, Mental Health and Disability Services, Addiction Services, Laois Domestic Abuse Service and TUSLA.

Ms Daly presented a new draft four county Midlands plan to councillors at the May council meeting.

They give emergency accommodation to rough sleepers, homeless youths, vulnerable groups such as Travellers, people who are given notices to quit rental properties, who are in family disputes, and those exiting foster care or prison.

"They can be in emergency accommodation from anything from one night to six months," Ms Daly said.

They also help anyone in private accommodation facing eviction, to find a place to rent.

There is no homeless hostel in Laois, but there are in Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Midlands Simon and the Peter McVerry Trust have 27 supported houses between them in Laois for homeless people.

Portlaoise Convent under reconstruction, set to accommodate social apartments.

Laois spent the second lowest out of the four counties on homelessness accommodation, at 894,000 in 2024, with Longford the lowest. Westmeath spent the most at 2.73m.

"We are at the lowest because we don't have hostels. We spent 6m in the Midlands region, that's low in comparison to Dublin at 50m. We rely either on B&Bs or regional shelters. Laois County Council do not tend to put families outside the county," Ms Daly said.

Rather than rent private B&Bs, Cllr Aisling Moran suggests they buy a building for a homeless shelter.

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh said he "somewhat supports" her idea.

"In general we're doing a great job, you don't see any evidence of people on the street," he said.

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy says Laois people make a choice if they sleep on the street.

"In fairness we all come across situations where people have to move, but once they come to the homeless section they are dealt with quickly. You never see anyone on the street in Laois. If you do, it's by choice. They are given every opportunity to get off the street," he claimed.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that single people living in three bedroom social houses should "have to downsize".

"They should be asked to go into a one bedroom property," she said.

Later in the meeting, she clarified that she means older tenants who bought out their council house and wish to downsize.

Cllr Paddy Bracken asked if people are coming from other counties to present as homeless in Laois.

"We all know the great work being done and houses being built in Laois. Thankfully the figures in Laois are not as bad as other counties," he said.

Ms Daly said there would be "obviously legal issues with forcing people to leave a tenancy" in a house too large for their needs.

She said that a new national policy is being created so people can only present as homeless in their "own counties".

Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey said they are focusing on building 1 and 2 bedroom social homes.

Read also: Rising Laois rents reach average of 1,259

"This reflects demand and the opportunity to move from 3 and 4 bedroom homes, it's a win win for everyone. The convent project in Portlaoise is a really good example. There will be a few people taking accommodation in the convent as a result of rightsizing," he said.

The draft Homelessness Action Plan covers Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. Over the four counties, there were 172 homeless people and families in May. Last December that figure was up at 207, with 151 being Irish citizens, 24 from the EU, and 15 from outside the EU. It included 41 families. Over half of them were aged between 25 and 44.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy proposed the approval of the draft plan.
An award-winning Laois Unsung Hero took to the campaign trail in the Dail as part of a fight by people with disabilities for a better deal from the Government so they can make ends meet.

Portlaoise Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) branch member Patrick Whelan travelled to Leinster House to call on the Government to address the cost of disability in Budget 2026

The IWA say that choosing between eating or heating is an impossible choice many people with disabilities in Laois and other counties face every winter in Ireland.

In its 2026 Pre-Budget Submission, IWA is urging the Government to introduce a realistic cost of disability payment for people in Laois and other counties. It says 92% of IWA members surveyed reported that they incur extra costs related to their disability. The Association says these span across equipment, heating, medical and transport, as people with disabilities often have to rely on costly taxis to get them to and from appointments.

Evan Power from Portlaoise went to the Dail with Patrick, who was named Laois Unsung Hero 2023 at that year's Community and Voluntary Awards.

He shared how his heating bills reach up to 700 a month during the winter months. After paying his bills, hes left with just 30 to live on during the summer but in the winter, he could be left with nothing.

Im very good at budgeting and managing my money well, but the truth is, once I pay my bills, I have 30 left over each week. Being in a wheelchair with limited mobility means its harder to stay warm as my movement is limited, so in the lead up to and during the winter months, Im totally focused on ensuring Ive enough money to pay my heating bill, which can go up to 700 a month, said Evan.

READ ALSO: Laois social inclusion agency calls for public support

The IWA submission draws from consultation with over 700 people with disabilities nationwide and makes urgent recommendations, including:

A minimum increase of 78 in the weekly Disability Allowance (from 244 to 322)

A Cost of Disability Payment to reflect the extra living costs incurred by people with disabilities

Pay parity for Section 39 workers, who deliver vital disability services

Investment in Personal Assistant services, accessible housing, and transport

Resources to fully implement the National Disability Strategy Plan, once issued

Joan Carthy is the Advocacy Manager of Irish Wheelchair Association.

Disability poverty doesnt happen by accident. Its the result of a system that fails to recognise and respond to the real costs of living with a disability. This budget must be the turning point. We need choice, not charity.

People with disabilities want to contribute, belong and live independentlybut the cost of doing so is being ignored. Some members have told to us that they are having to choose between heating their homes or eating. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"Over half of our members state they do not have enough Personal Assistant hours. While progress has been made with the WRC's recent pay awards, until full pay parity and a strong workforce plan is in place, organisations like IWA will struggle to have enough people to deliver these and other services for people with disabilities," she said.

Other Key Points reported in IWAs Survey include:

 89% reported that the Housing Adaptation Grant didn't cover the costs of the adaptation

 70% incur medical related costs

 69% incur transport related costs

 66% incur equipment costs

 65% incur additional heating related costs

Ms McCarthy said there has good engagement with the Minister for Disability and the Department, but the Government must take action through funding and strategic planning for the future of people with disabilities in Ireland.
Laois County Council has approved plans to turn a former village pub into a 29 bed hostel.

The Swan public house is located in the picturesque village of Clonaslee in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

Jam and Olives Ltd applied for permission to turn The Swan Public House into a hostel with seven bedrooms, a dining room and self catering kitchen in January. The plans have now been approved by the council subject to 17 conditions.

According to the planning assessment report, the proposed development aims to revitalize the currently vacant building and provide accommodation for active tourism in and around the Slieve Bloom mountains and the Brittas Forest Recreation Area.

It also states that the planned hostel will encourage visitors to the Slieve Bloom Mountains, and Brittas Forest Recreation Area to stay in Clonaslee during their visits and has the potential to revitalize the town and bring tourists and visitors to the towns business.

The developers say the hostel will meet Failte Ireland Quality Standards.

Planning approval was granted for: A. The conversion of The Swan Public House into hostel accommodation, comprising of 29 bed capacity over seven bedrooms with associated common room, dining room, self-catering kitchen, and associated office and ancillary spaces for administration of the development, and all associated site works. 

The plans include a new shopfront, additional windows, a rooflight and three masonry outbuildings with flat roofs within an existing courtyard.

READ ALSO: Laois pub and restaurant up for sale

The plans were approved by Laois County Council subject to 17 conditions on Thursday, May 22.
A Laois Senator says families are being priced out of their communities as demand for housing grows with the population.

Speaking at an Oireachtas Housing Committee meeting, Sinn Fein Senator Maria McCormack called on national agencies to ensure that housing data and policy do not continue to overlook fast-growing counties like Laois, where local families are being priced out of their communities.

Sen McCormack welcomed the engagement of the Central Bank and ERSI with the committee.

My key concern is how we make sure that the macro-level data we often hear aboutusually focused on the major citiestranslates into real action in rural towns and villages that are also in crisis.

Sen McCormack highlighted that Laois has experienced explosive population growth.

Laois is one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland. At the 2022 census, our population stood at 91,657an increase of 56% since 2002. But the level of housing supply is nowhere near where it needs to be to keep up with that growth, she said.

Despite some construction progress, she pointed to the severe slowdown in housing starts so far this year. This year, were facing some of the lowest levels of housing commencements in the countryjust eight in February, nine in March, and 19 in April. Thats not good enough, she said.

Sen McCormack also raised concerns over skyrocketing house prices in Laois.

The most recent Daft report showed house prices in Laois have jumped a shocking 52% since before Covid. Thats completely unsustainable and is locking people out of home ownership, said Sen McCormack.

READ ALSO: Former Laois pub to be transformed into hostel

She also warned that regional income disparities are compounding the problem. There is a clear regional wage gap in this country. People in Laois earn significantly less on average than those in Dublin or other cities, yet theyre facing rapidly rising house prices. The current mortgage rules dont take this into account, and its hurting working families in places like Portlaoise.

In conclusion, she stressed the need for equity in housing policy. My question to the witnesses today was clear; how do we ensure that actions and strategies are truly reaching places like Portlaoise and our rural areas? Because the housing crisis is just as chronic in Laois as it is in Dublin or Cork, and families here deserve solutions too.
The 2025 National Heritage Week website is now live, and organisers in County Kildare and across Ireland are invited to begin submitting events for this years celebration, which runs from August 1624 2025.

Now in its 25th year, National Heritage Week is Irelands largest heritage festival, with over 2,000 events taking place annually, attended by almost 400,000 people.

Last year for Heritage Week, Kildare hosted an impressive 84 events. From guided walks and hands-on workshops to musical performances and heritage trails, communities across the county showcased a rich tapestry of local heritage.

Since The Heritage Council assumed responsibility for running Heritage Week in 2006, the annual event has continued to grow year on year.

Last year, National Heritage Week saw a record-breaking 2,385 events registered across the country  a 25% increase on 2023.

National Heritage Week is an all-island event, and most events are free to attend.

This years theme, 'Exploring Our Foundations' invites individuals and communities to reflect on the elements that underpin our shared heritage  not only historic buildings or structures, but also the natural landscapes, stories, customs and cultural practices that shape our collective identity and sense of place.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD, said: What really makes National Heritage Week so special is the incredible energy and pride that local volunteers, community groups, and heritage champions bring to it every single year.

These efforts are the heartbeat of the whole experience, and it's their stories, knowledge, and commitment that make National Heritage Week something truly memorable and meaningful for communities right across the country.

I am looking forward to attending events in my local community and I encourage everyone through the country to do the same.

Kildare County Council Heritage Officer, Dara Wyer, added: Heritage Week in Kildare is a chance to celebrate the stories that make our county unique, from the historical landmarks, beautiful natural heritage, to the traditions that we are proud to continue.

This week brings our communities together, allowing people to explore, learn, and connect with the past and present in meaningful ways. We encourage everyone in Kildare to register their events and join in the collective celebration of our shared heritage.

With a focus on the foundations of heritage and the communities that keep it alive, Heritage Week 2025 promises to be an inspiring and inclusive celebration across County Kildare and beyond.

Organisers are now encouraged to add their events to the official website at www.heritageweek.ie , where theyll find resources to support planning, accessibility, and promotion.

READ NEXT: Kildare funeral directors plan to extend Naas funeral home
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has today stated that it has identified a significant increase in recent weeks of online content making false claims whilst promoting medicines, medical devices and cosmetics.

It is specifically highlighting a new development where dubious sites and social media posts are using the HPRA logo to falsely claim featured products are endorsed by the HPRA. Other regulatory bodies internationally are being targeted in a similar way.

The unacceptable use of the HPRA logo and name in this way is clearly designed to deceive and mislead consumers. It is urging members of the public not to buy such products online as they are likely to be from untrustworthy suppliers both engaged in illegal advertising and offering fake or unauthorised products that could pose a health risk.

As the independent regulator, the HPRA will never endorse or promote any specific health product or brand.

In May alone, the HPRA has observed a surge in misleading website activity. The websites, which are hosted outside of Ireland by the e-commerce platform Shopify, are being directly promoted to consumers via fake Facebook profiles and ads.

To date, some 155 Shopify product listings, 124 Facebook profiles and 414 Facebook advertisements have been identified making false claims with many also fraudulently stating that the product or brand is endorsed by the HPRA.

READ NEXT: LIVE: 'I have nothing to say' - Man in Laois court over social media threats against 'babies'

The HPRA has advised Shopify and Meta of this fraudulent activity and of the public health risks associated with illegal prescription medicines and other unregulated health products sold online.

It has requested Shopify and Meta to intercede to proactively identify and remove product listings, fake profiles and adverts from their platforms.

READ NEXT: 'Do not swim'- Two popular Irish beaches unsafe to swim amid safety warnings

According to Grainne Power, Director of Compliance, HPRA, in recent weeks there has been an upsurge in fake and misleading online posts. In all cases, despite what is being claimed, these illegal products are manufactured and sourced outside of Ireland.

We know that a lot of people are being duped into purchasing fake and illegal products via these sites. Working with Revenues Customs Service, we have detained a significant number of products at point of entry to the country.

A number of these purport to be genuine prescription medicines when in fact the products as presented do not exist as an authorised product in any market.

One notable example are transdermal delivery microneedle patches which it is claimed contain semaglutide or tirzepatide and, featuring the Irish flag, are supposedly made in Ireland. In addition to references to the HPRA, there are also claims these products are endorsed nationally by charities, hospitals and individual healthcare professionals.

All these claims are untrue. Microneedle patches containing semaglutide, tirzepatide or any GLP-1 type medicine are not available as approved medical treatments.

The key message we are highlighting today is that the HPRA never endorses individual brands nor do we allow our logo to be used in the promotion of health products.

Our advice to consumers is that if online sources feature a HPRA logo or suggest a HPRA endorsement, then this is actually a clear sign you are engaging with a dubious site and seller. At best you are wasting your money with these online scams but at worst you could be seriously endangering your health.

We are advising that when it comes to prescription medicines, ensure that the product is prescribed by a healthcare professional and sourced from a local pharmacy. All medicines, medical devices and cosmetics should be purchased through trustworthy, reliable and recognised sources, she concluded.

The HPRA continually monitors websites and social media channels for fake and illegal health product promotion.

In 2024, 2,553 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages were amended or shutdown. It continually warns the public of the dangers of purchasing prescription only medicines online. It is illegal to sell prescription medicines online and there is no guarantee of the quality, safety or effectiveness of the medicines purchased from unauthorised sources.

If a member of the public is uncertain about a claim being made in relation to a brand or product, they can contact the HPRA for clarification.

The HPRA also welcomes reports of suspicious activities linked both to the supply of medicines and other health products,

and their promotion where the HPRA logo or name is being used.

Anyone can report in confidence to the HPRA at reportacase@hpra.ie or at 01 6343871.

The HPRAs digital information campaign provides further information for consumers on the dangers of purchasing prescription medicines online.
Communities across Leitrim are being encouraged to start planning their contributions to National Heritage Week 2025, as the official website for event registration is now live.

Organised by The Heritage Council, Heritage Week runs from August 16th to 24th and is Irelands largest celebration of heritage and is now in its 25th year.

The festival brings together thousands of communities, volunteers, and heritage enthusiasts from across the country, with over 2,000 events taking place annually and attracting close to 400,000 attendees.

Leitrim has consistently punched above its weight, hosting 33 events during last years celebrationwell above the national average on a per capita basis, according to organisers.

Events in the county have ranged from guided nature walks and workshops to musical performances and heritage trails, highlighting the regions rich cultural and environmental legacy.

READ MORE: The people got very scarce: A life lived in a vanishing Leitrim townland

This years theme, Exploring Our Foundations, invites organisers to reflect on the core elements of heritagebe it historic structures, landscapes, folklore, music, or traditional crafts. The aim is to celebrate what gives communities their unique identity and sense of place.

What really makes National Heritage Week so special is the incredible energy and pride that local volunteers, community groups, and heritage champions bring to it every single year, said Christopher OSullivan TD, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, praising the dedication of local organisers. These efforts are the heartbeat of the whole experience.

Most Heritage Week events are free to attend, and organisers are now invited to submit their event plans at www.heritageweek.ie, where theyll also find support materials for planning, promotion, and accessibility.

Locally, Leitrim County Council Heritage Officer, Sarah Malone, encouraged communities to take part: Heritage Week in Leitrim provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our countys unique landscapes, communities, and identity, she said. Were excited to see the innovative events planned this year and encourage everyone to register their activities.

READ MORE: Were being pulled into a war machine: Leitrim events sound alarm over threats to Irish neutrality
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland (MS Ireland) has called for urgent investment in Sligo-Leitrim, highlighting it as the only region in the country without a dedicated MS community worker.

The call was made during MS Irelands 2026 Budget submission, presented to over 40 members of the Oireachtas at a World MS Day briefing held in Leinster House today.

As part of its proposals, MS Ireland is seeking 72,997.56 to fund a new Community Worker post in Sligo-Leitrim. The role, they say, would provide direct casework support, improve access to early intervention, and reduce pressure on wider health and social services  aligning with the Slaintecare model.

Hosted by Deputy Colm Burke, the event featured powerful testimonies from people living with MS, alongside insights from medical and service delivery experts.

READ NEXT: "Many people won't recover from a neurological condition but the big thing is the better quality of life."

Together, they highlighted the lived realities of those affected by MS and the urgent need for targeted investment in services to improve quality of life for the over 9,000 people living with the condition across Ireland.

World MS Day is a reminder of the importance of listening to the MS community. Todays attendance by over 40 Oireachtas members shows a strong commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by people with MS, said Alison Cotter, Advocacy Officer at MS Ireland.

In addition to the Sligo-Leitrim proposal, MS Ireland is also seeking 1 million in sustainable funding to expand specialist physiotherapy services nationally.

The funding would support the hiring of nine senior physiotherapists to support over 1,400 individuals with MS and other neurological conditions.

READ NEXT: 'Opportunity to celebrate our county': Leitrim locals urged to join in Heritage Week

According to MS Ireland, this investment could reduce disability-related healthcare costs by up to 19 million annually.

Research participants have reported a 43.1 percent reduction in healthcare service usage, a 33 percent drop in A&E visits and 57.4 percent fewer hospital bed days, along with notable improvements in quality of life, mental health, and reduced fall rate.

The briefing aimed to provide policymakers with evidence based insights to guide future healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Attendees were urged to consider the long-term economic and social impact of investing in comprehensive MS supports  not just as a healthcare priority, but also as a cost-saving measure for the state.
A Fianna Fail TD has apologised for saying the British armed forces never shot civilians in Ireland.

Cathal Crowe said the remarks were off the cuff and that he would use better prepared speaking notes in the future.

He apologised to victims of British state atrocities and those who cared about Irish history.

Mr Crowe, who studied history in college and taught the subject in school, initially made the remarks during a session in the Dail that was focused on the conflict in Gaza.

He was drawing a comparison between Israels response to the October 7 attack by Hamas and the actions of the British state in Ireland.

Speaking on Wednesday, he said: The October 7 terror attacks on Israel are to be condemned outright but the eye-for-an-eye approach adopted by the Israeli state since has been indefensible.

The bombing of hospitals, schools, tents and the killing of children and babies, including newborn babies in hospitals, is reprehensible.

It is the worst we have seen in our lifetime. What is happening is not a war any more, it is ethnic cleansing, genocide and more recently, there has been the weaponising of food.

The British Army were bad actors on this island for many centuries but even in the worst of days, when their cities were being bombed by the terror organisations of the IRA, they never retaliated by bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland.

On Thursday, he apologised for the remarks and said he was speaking without a scripted speech.

I wish to clarify a speech I made yesterday in the Dail, correct the Dail record and also apologise profusely to anyone who may have been offended by my comments, he said.

The speech I made was during the debate this House had on Gaza. I was speaking without a scripted speech and instead using a series of bullet points.

He added: I then wanted to make the point that brutal, bad and all as the British armed forces have been on this island for a very long time, they never resorted to sending over the Royal Air Force, tanks and missiles to pummel Irish cities.

I wanted to convey the magnitude and the visceral hatred which has been behind the Israel Defence Forces actions in Gaza. I also wanted to convey the huge disproportionality the Israeli state adopted following the reprehensible Hamas attack on October 7 2023.

Regrettably, speaking largely off the cuff, I clumsily and wrongly stated, they never retaliated by bombing or shooting the civilian population of Ireland.

Mr Crowe said it was not his intention to have said that.

He said: I did not realise how woeful all of that sounded until late last night when I received the transcript of what I actually said.

It was a genuine slip-up on my part but it was wrong. I wish to unequivocally and profusely apologise today.

He added: I know that the British armed forces have been involved in many heinous attacks on Irish people historically: Bloody Sunday in Croke Park in 1920, the massacre of 26 civilians in Derrys Bogside in 1972 and the countless other actions in recent history and further back for which they are responsible.

He said his own family suffered at the hands of British military in the past.

Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said Cathal Crowe was a very solid TD and that people need to be careful of overreacting.

He said the British state was responsible for Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy and much, much more, but there was no need to be refighting old wars.

Were at peace with Britain.

He said he certainly did not encourage Mr Crowe to apologise.

I think he was talking in the context of Gaza. Thanks be to God Gaza never happened in Northern Ireland to the same extent.
 As Circuit Court in Nimba dismisses lawsuit against GMC over ownership of Methodist property in Ganta
OVER 60,000 people will travel through Shannon Airport this June bank holiday, a significant increase of 9% on the same period in 2024.

With 36 services in operation, the airport will see passengers jetting off to a wide variety of destinations. This includes the much anticipated, recently returned Delta and United Airlines seasonal flights to New York-JFK and Chicago, with over 325,000 seats now available across five transatlantic routes until September, including Aer Lingus year-round daily flight to Boston.

Ryanair continues to offer extensive options for summer breaks, with their new twice-weekly service to the beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira proving hugely popular. Following the recent stretch of sunshine, passengers are eager for more, with busy flights also departing for sun-soaked destinations including Alicante, Beziers, Faro, Malaga, Naples and Porto.

TUIs weekly services to Barcelona-Reus, Lanzarote and most recently, Palma de Mallorca, are also in full swing for the summer, with holiday packages on offer from Shannon. The new service to Palma runs weekly and provides an additional 6,800 seats from the airport across the summer season.

READ MORE: Shannon Airport welcomes return of summer flights to New York and Chicago

Meanwhile, inbound tourists will be using Shannon Airport as a gateway to the west coast, combining the rural beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way with vibrant city breaks.

Commenting on the June Bank Holiday passenger numbers, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said:

Whether sending people off on their holidays with a smile, or proudly connecting them to all that the beautiful west coast of Ireland has to offer, the team here at Shannon Airport take huge pleasure in welcoming passengers and making it easy for them to travel across these busy periods.

"A 9% increase on this time last year shows that more and more people throughout the country are discovering the ease and enjoyment that comes from flying out of Shannon Airport, and how it makes for a stress-free start to any holiday. We would like to thank our passengers for choosing Shannon this June bank holiday and we look forward to seeing you all.
A LIMERICK man who said he feels like a murderer after he was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a pedestrian applied for 24-hour compassionate bail to attend his daughters First Holy Communion.

Limerick District Court heard that the sacrament is a very important day for Danny Connors, aged 30, of Clondrinagh Halting Site, Ennis Road, Limerick city - and his family.

Last November, Mr Connors was charged with eight offences in connection with the death of James Forde, Shannamore Park, Clareview on the Ennis Road shortly before 2pm on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

He made a number of replies to the charges which included, I wish it was me instead of that poor man; my heart almost burst with the fright; and I feel like a murderer to be honest.

READ MORE: Limerick motorist before courts for endangering life of a garda for the second time

A judge refused a bail application at that November sitting and Mr Connors has been remanded in custody since then.

This month, Mr Connors made a compassionate bail application through his solicitor, Turlough Herbert. Garda Dermot Hallett, on behalf of the State, objected to the application.

Mr Herbert said his client has six children and he would like to attend his daughters First Holy Communion which is an important day. He described it as Mr Connors last hurrah.

The solicitor said it is accepted that his client has addiction issues and, in particular, tablets.

He is addressing these problems while in custody. He had virtually secured a place in Cuan Mhuire (prior to the dangerous driving death charge), said Mr Herbert.

Garda Hallett said: He (Mr Connors) has an issue with alcohol and drugs. There was an allegation he was seeking help but unfortunately he didn't get help before the tragic incident.

Mr Herbert said Mr Connors handed himself in to gardai, made admissions, expressed remorse and wants to go forward (to the circuit court) on a signed plea.

Garda Hallett said the driver of the car fled from the scene of the collision, and Mr Connors told gardai he was in Nenagh when they believed he was in a community close to where he normally resides.

He did ultimately give himself up but the proverbial net was closing in, said Garda Hallett.

The investigating garda said: I cant put it more clearly than this - if this man is given an opportunity for bail he will not turn up.

READ MORE: 'Diabolical': Two men knocked out and a third kicked and punched in vicious brawl in Limerick town

Judge Aine Clancy was also told that the nature of events after a Holy Communion may lead him (Mr Connors) down other avenues.

Mr Herbert said he appreciates there are concerns but said it is a one-off event.

He is deeply interested in his childrens welfare, he is very good to them, said Mr Herbert.

Judge Clancy said due to the nature of Mr Connors addictions she has concerns a First Holy Communion "might be a step too far in his attempts to address his addiction.

The judge refused the compassionate bail application.
Indias leading electric car makersTata Motors Ltd, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, and Hyundai Motor India Ltdare up in arms over the Delhi governments draft paper proposing equal incentives for hybrid cars and electric vehicles (EVs), according to four people aware of the matter.

A crucial meeting to discuss the issue is scheduled to be held in Niti Aayog on 30 May, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. Whether to incentivize hybrid cars on par with EVs will be discussed at New Delhis premier think tank, they said.

This comes after a contentious draft proposal by the Delhi government, shared with automakers on 22 April, suggested waiving off road tax and registration fee for both technologies. Currently, the benefits are given only to EVs.

The proposal has sparked strong opposition from pure EV manufacturers, who argue that hybrids, which run on conventional fuel and electric motors, should not receive the same benefits as pure EVs that solely rely on an installed battery.

What has riled the EV makers further is a 2 May advisory by the commission for air quality management in NCR (CAQM) encouraging public departmentsof both central and state governmentsto buy clean fuel cars, including EVs, hybrid and CNG vehicles, among others. Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (SHEV) offer substantial improvements in fuel efficiency and emission reduction as compared to conventional diesel/petrol vehicles," the advisory reads.

Also read | Honda scales back pure electric vehicle ambitions as focus turns to hybrid cars

The EV makers have flagged their concern with the Union ministry of heavy industries (MHI), the nodal body for EV schemes, and the central governments think tank Niti Aayog over the policys proposal, the persons cited above said.

Hybrid is an old technology. Although customers are free to decide what technology they want to opt for, the automakers do not want hybrids to be incentivised just like EVs," said the first person. This discourages investments into pure electric vehicles."

Earlier, on 14 May, the carmakers rushed to MHI to raise their concerns with Union heavy industries minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. After the meeting, most of them are said to have written letters detailing their concerns regarding the policy stance of the national capital administration to the ministry, according to the people mentioned above.

Further, the minister tweeted post the meeting saying that it was to discuss Indias clean mobility roadmap. However, the people cited above said that the agenda was the automakers objection to inclusion of other technologies under the definition of 'clean vehicles'.

Industry players argue that hybrid vehicles have higher tailpipe emissions than pure EVs and, thus, should not be incentivised.

Read this | Delhi plans incentives for hybrid cars, drives domestic carmakers into panic

Shailesh Chandra, managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said in a written statement toMintthat the company believes government incentives should be directed toward technologies that require support to bridge a funding gap and accelerate innovation.

Incentives are most effective when they help emerging technologies reach scale and maturityparticularly those that contribute meaningfully to long-term sustainability goals of zero emissions, such as EVs," Chandra said.

The ministry of heavy industries, Hyundai India, Mahindra, Kia, and Niti Aayog did not respond toMintsemailed queries till press time.

Not just Delhi

To be sure, state governments across the country have started introducing special policies focused on increasing EV penetration. So far, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra have floated their policies, with only Delhi and UP proposing incentives for hybrids as well. While Delhis policy still remains in draft, Maharashtra and UP have notified their guidelines.

In FY25, the country sold over 107,000 electric cars, a growth of 18% compared to the year-ago period. As for hybrids, about 83,000 strong hybrid cars were sold in the country during the same period, as per the government's Vahan vehicle registration dashboard.

Tata Motors, Mahindra and Hyundai currently offer only pure EVs along with their conventional fuel models.

On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Kirlosokar have hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Maruti is slated to launch its EVs later this year, but will mostly export its models due to tepid consumer demand in the country.

Also read | EVs hit with falling resale value as consumer demand cools

Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer, corporate affairs at Maruti Suzuki, toldMint that EV penetration in India is currently less than 3%, and even in the US and Europe, it is 8% and 12%, respectively. While all efforts are to maximize this 3%, we cannot say we will do nothing about the balance 97%," Bharti said.

He added that the purpose and effect of strong hybrids is to replace pure diesel or petrol vehicles because they increase energy efficiency by 36-44% and reduce CO2 by 25-31% over petrol vehicles. Data shows wherever SHEV incentives have been given, EV sales have not reduced but increased," he said. We want both EV and SHEV sales to grow."

Emailed queries sent to Toyota on Thursday afternoon remained unanswered till press time.

Experts divided

Experts are divided over the issue, with some putting their weight behind EVs and others rooting for leveraging hybrids on the path to full electrification.

Sharif Qamar, associate director of transport and urban governance at The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri), a non-profit think tank, said incentives should be only for EVs. The objective of the EV policy is to cut down emissions of vehicles and also contribute to improving the air quality," he said. When it comes to the emission reduction objective, currently, only zero-tailpipe emission vehicles need to be prioritised. Incentives should be crafted to encourage players to move towards zero emission vehicles."

Others like Nikhil Dhaka, policy lead at Primus Partners, dont agree. Delhis proposals in the EV policy are balancing short-term practicalities like charging infrastructure challenges," he said, adding that leveraging hybrids in the short term can offer a realistic path to reducing pollution quickly even as adoption of clean fuel cars picks up.

Manufacturers can invest in a broader mix of clean fuel technologies," Dhaka said. Limited charging infra, range anxiety and higher costs of battery electric vehicles are slowing down EV adoption currently."

Analysts at HSBC Global Research in a 20 May note backed hybrids as a bridge to pure EVs. The latest trends reinforce our longstanding belief that India will remain a multipowertrain country for a prolonged period," the note stated. Hybrids, CNGs, and biofuels are practical medium- to long-term solutions, while the country moves towards eventual electrification."

Read this | EV industry, government struggle to find alternatives as China throttles rare earth magnet supply

A Deloitte study also showed that demand for hybrid vehicles remains high among Indian consumers. As per its 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, 33% of consumers surveyed said that they would prefer to purchase a hybrid vehicle as their next preferred powertrain. In comparison, only 8% consumers expressed preference for pure EVs.

Some in the industry have argued that a lack of adequate charging infrastructure and concerns over resale value will hold back purchases of EVs by consumers.

EVs sold today are not primary cars, but rather secondary," said Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer-marketing and sales, Maruti Suzuki India, during a media briefing on 1 April. Till the time we dont solve customer concerns on range, charging infrastructure, and post-sales, buyers will not have confidence."

And read | Automakers rush to PMO, commerce ministry as Chinese magnet crisis set to spread beyond EVs, threatens production cuts
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Trump tariff uncertainty sidelines importers

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Port of Los Angeles May volume down double-digits from last year

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Holiday shipping season off to soft start at Port of Los Angeles

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES, - Importer uncertainty ahead of the vital holiday ocean shipping season remains high, the executive director of the busiest port in the U.S. said on Thursday, as a court battle broke out over President Donald Trump's trade tariffs.

A U.S. Court of International Trade ruling late on Wednesday threatened to kill or at least delay the imposition of Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs on most U.S. trading partners, but a federal appeals court on Thursday temporarily reinstated those duties.

Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port of Los Angeles, said business is softer than usual going into traditional ocean shipping season for back-to-school, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise.

He expects the port's May volume to be down by double-digit percentages versus a year earlier, after 30% drops in the first and fourth weeks of the month.

For June, 10 scheduled vessel arrivals to the Port of Los Angeles have been canceled, including five in the first week of the month, Seroka added.

"Companies really don't have the certainty, and they remain on pause," he said, adding that since January, there have been close to 60 different announcements on trade policy and tariffs.

The Port of Los Angeles is the No. 1 ocean gateway for goods from China and seen as a barometer for trade between the world's two largest economies. Key customers include major retailers like Walmart and sellers of parts for major auto makers such as Ford.

Trump slapped 145% tariffs on China last month, halting many shipments of goods to the United States. The resulting drop in cargo volume was delayed by two to three weeks due to transit times, and this month fewer ships carrying less cargo are docking at the Port of Los Angeles and other seaports.

That's despite the U.S. and China striking a deal to temporarily reduce tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% earlier this month.

The federal appeals court on Thursday directed the plaintiffs in the legal challenge to the tariffs to respond by June 5 and the Trump administration to respond by June 9, meaning the uncertainty is likely to drag on.

"People are really wagering right now, 'Do I put my order in at elevated tariff rates? Could something change over time?'" Seroka said. "There's no surge coming our way."
(Bloomberg) -- Gap Inc. slumped in late trading after stubborn weakness at Banana Republic and Athleta offset strength at its Old Navy and namesake brands.

At Banana Republic, which has the highest price point among Gaps brands and is focused on leisurewear, revenue fell 3% in the fiscal first quarter ended May 3 from a year earlier. Progress has been slow at the chain, and Gap said its focused on reestablishing the brand and improving the fundamentals.

The company is taking a similar approach to the sportswear brand, Athleta, where net sales fell 6%. Work is being done to reset the brand and improve product and marketing, which will take time, Gap said.

The results contrasted with Old Navy and Gap, where comparable-store sales rose 3% and 5%, respectively. Revenue of $3.5 billion in the period also outperformed expectations.

Gap shares fell 15% at 4:22 p.m. in extended New York trading. The stock has advanced 18% so far this year.

Gap estimates an impact of $250 million to $300 million from tariffs if their level remains at 30% for most goods from China and 10% for other countries. The company, which kept its guidance stable from the previous quarter, says it has strategies to mitigate more than half of that cost.

Since Richard Dickson took over as chief executive officer of the San Francisco-based retailer nearly two years ago, the Old Navy and Gap brands have rebounded on refreshed product lines, including Gaps collaborations with brands such as Doen and Cult Gaia. The company is also updating layouts and displays at some stores to make them more enticing.

Gap and Old Navy are the largest brands in the portfolio, and therefore are the two leading indicators of the execution of our playbook, Dickson said in an interview. Sales of denim and activewear were standouts at the brands, he added.

Dickson has focused on making the company cool again  which has included tapping celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Troye Sivan for its advertising and bringing on celebrity designer Zac Posen.

Together, Old Navy and Gap generated about 78% of the companys sales in the fiscal first quarter. The brands have made inroads across all income groups, Dickson said.

Retailers have posted uneven results for the start of this year as abrupt changes in US trade policy under President Donald Trump erode consumer sentiment. Cautious shoppers have pulled back on some discretionary purchases, but the impact has varied among companies.

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. pulled its full-year outlook, citing macro uncertainty, as well as discounts across the industry and merchandise missteps. In contrast, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. boosted its sales guidance, suggesting the hit from tariffs will be manageable.

(Recasts story to focus on weakness at Banana Republic, Athleta)

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(Bloomberg) -- Royal Bank of Canada missed estimates after setting aside more money than expected to cover possible loan losses amid a faltering economy even as income rose across most business lines.

Canadas No. 1 lender earned C$3.12 per share on an adjusted basis in its fiscal second quarter, according to a statement Thursday, falling short of the C$3.20 average estimate of analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Provisions for credit losses totaled C$1.42 billion ($1.03 billion) for the three months through April, more than the C$1.26 billion analysts had forecast.

As the Canadian economy weakens in the face of US tariff uncertainty, the countrys big banks are preparing by putting aside more money for loans that are still in good standing. Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, National Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce which have reported results over the past week, all increased their provisions for performing loans compared with the first quarter.

Royal Banks provisions for performing loans totaled C$568 million in the second quarter, up from C$68 million in the first three months of the fiscal year. Provisions for impaired loans declined to C$852 million from C$985 million in the first quarter.

In a quarter hallmarked by macroeconomic uncertainty and market volatility, Team RBC continued to step up for our clients with the advice, insights and experiences they expect from us, Chief Executive Officer Dave McKay said in the statement.

Royal Bank, the last of the countrys large lenders to report quarterly results, acquired HSBC Holdings Plcs Canadian assets in early 2024, and thats expected to generate about C$740 million in annual cost savings by early next year. The combination of the two firms is also forecast to produce about C$300 million in revenue synergies by 2027, Royal Bank said at an investor day in March.

The lender didnt unveil any major changes in strategy at that time, saying it would keep pursuing growth in Canada, look to expand fee-based revenue from its capital-markets and wealth-management businesses, and keep investing in technology, including artificial intelligence.

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NEW DELHI : Vodafone Idea Ltd is set to report a loss for another quarter amid mounting financial pressure and fresh concerns over its survival owing to pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues.

The telecom operator, which will declare March quarter earnings on 30 May, is expected to report a net loss of 7,162.5 crorean average of six brokerage firms' estimatesslightly narrower year-on-year but widening sequentially. Its loss stood at 6,609 crore in the preceding quarter and 7,675 crore in the year-ago period.

Revenue is projected to come in at 11,030 crore, reflecting a 4% improvement from the year-ago period but down marginally from 11,117 crore in the preceding quarter.

Better network, slower subscriber churn

A sequential widening of losses is expected due to higher operating costs from expanding the network footprint. Besides, weaker revenue growth owing to continuous subscriber loss is also expected to weigh on Vodafone Ideas financials.

A weak top line and higher expenses are also expected to affect the companys earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda). We expect Ebitda to decline 5.2% on-quarter/ +3.1% on-year to 4,470 crore on a dip in revenue, and operating cost is likely to rise from expansion in network footprint," said analysts at ICICI Securities in a note dated 5 April.

Vodafone Idea has been improving its 4G services and has also started rolling out 5G, with Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Patna being the first circles. On 15 May, the company launched 5G in Delhi and said it was targeting to expand the services in all 17 circles by August 2025.

Analysts expect the company to spend the guided 8,000 crore capex in the second half of 2024-25, implying a sharp increase in capex in the March quarter.

Even though the company has been losing subscribers for some time, analysts said an improvement in the network could slow its subscriber churn. Compared to the loss of 5 million subscribers each in the September and December quarters, the companys subscriber churn is expected to slow down to around 2.5 million in the March quarter, according to analysts' estimates.

This is because of network improvement starting November 2024 and an increase in the companys 4G subscribers. The company is experiencing churn among the lower-end revenue users. As of December end, Vodafone Idea had 200 million mobile subscribers.

We believe that Vodafone Idea is still some point away from showing positive net adds. We expect Q4 Arpu (average revenue per user) to be largely flat on-quarter," said analysts at BofA Securities in a 7 April note.

An average of six brokerage firms' estimates shows that Vodafone Ideas Arpu is expected to increase marginally to 164 from 163 in the previous quarter. A largely flat Arpu can be attributed to two fewer days during the March quarter, which offset the benefit of the company's improved subscriber mix. Further, the July 2024 tariff hike has completely passed through the companys Arpu by end-Q3FY25, analysts at JM Financial said in a 4 April note.

AGR spectre

When the company reports its earnings on Friday, investors will closely look for its commentary on the AGR dues, any clarity from the government on possible relief, fundraising prospects, the companys sustainability post 2025-26, and future tariff hikes.

In a 27 May exchange filing, Vodafone Idea said it would also consider and evaluate any and all proposals for raising funds in one or more tranches, either by way of a rights issue or further public offer or private placement (including preferential allotment or qualified institutions placement) or through any other permissible mode, in its board meet on Friday.

On 17 April, Vodafone Idea submitted a representation to the government, seeking a waiver of interest, penalty, and interest on penalty on its AGR dues. The telco said the AGR liability demand from the government stands at 83,400 crore as of March end, with an annual instalment of approximately 18,000 crore due starting 31 March 2026 for the next six years. In comparison, Vodafone Idea generated 8,400-9,200 crore cash annually in the last three years.

In a court petition, it said it would not be able to operate beyond the current fiscal year without bank funding, which remains elusive as lenders remain wary of its dues linked to AGR. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the plea on 19 May.

Vodafone Idea has been trying to raise bank funding of 25,000 crore for quite some time now. However, banks want the AGR matter resolved before processing further loans. The government may have to extend the moratorium or increase its stake in the telco," said analysts at IIFL Capital in a 20 May note.

In March, the government offered another reprieve to the company by converting an additional 36,950 crore worth of statutory dues into equity. The second dues conversion took the government's stake in Vodafone Idea to 49%.
From Kaziranga and Cherrapunjee to Agartala and Gangtok, Indias North-East is witnessing a surge of interest from major hotel chains betting on the regions long-term tourism potential.

Backed by public-private partnerships in some cases and growing government support, Lemon Tree Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and Indian Hotels Co. are lapping up management contracts with hotel owners in Indias north-eastern states.

Juniper Hotels and Hotel Polo Towers are also investing heavily across the region, with new properties planned in destinations such as Guwahati, Shillong, Itanagar, Dibrugarh and Jorhat.

Lemon Tree Hotels will open a five-star Aurika property in Shillong under a public-private partnership, while its other upcoming hotels in the region include managed properties in Guwahati, Chirang, Tezpur, Agartala, and Dibrugarh. It has one operational hotel in Gangtok.

Across its north-east portfolio, Lemon Tree Hotels is adding an inventory of more than 560 rooms, up sharply from its current 80 rooms in the region.

Radisson Hotel Group is in active talks with hotel owners in Sikkim and Tripura.

The local governments there have been strongly focused on creating road and rail infrastructure to improve access and that should go a long way to promote tourism in these states," said Nikhil Sharma, managing director and area senior vice president at Radisson Hotel. Some of the growth will come in the form of ecotourism and village tourism in these states. We are keen to explore more opportunities there."

Radisson Hotels pipeline in the North-East includes two hotels with over 250 rooms.

Key Takeaways Major hotel chains like Lemon Tree Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Indian Hotels Co., and Juniper Hotels (Hyatt) are rapidly expanding in North-East India, drawn by the region's long-term tourism potential and untapped hospitality market.

State governments are actively promoting tourism through infrastructure development and public-private partnerships, enabling hotel operators to establish new properties in emerging destinations like Gangtok, Guwahati, Agartala, and Kaziranga.

Despite accounting for only 1.7% of Indias branded hotel supply, the North-East is poised for significant growth, with nearly 3,000 new branded hotel rooms expected by 2027-28driven by increasing interest in ecotourism, luxury travel, and unique regional experiences.

Hotel development activity in the North-East has gained momentum in recent years, but the region remains significantly underpenetrated in terms of branded supply.



As of March, the north-eastern states accounted for about 3,400 branded hotel rooms, a mere 1.7% of Indias branded hotel supply of about 200,000 rooms, show exclusive data received from hospitality consultancy HVS Anarock.



However, the North-East is witnessing a clear upward momentum in terms of branded hotels, according to the consultancy. Sikkim and Assam lead the way, collectively accounting for over 65% of the regions branded hotel supply, with Sikkims capital city Gangtok and Assams capital Guwahati contributing more than half of that, according to HVS Anarock.

The consultancy added that the region is expected to nearly double its branded hotels inventory by 2027-28, with nearly 3,000 new rooms in the pipeline across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura.

Companies like IHCL (Indian Hotels Co. Ltd), Marriott International, Lemon Tree, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, ITC, The Leela, and Cygnett are actively expanding their footprint in these states. By FY28 (2027-28), we should see a doubling of hotel rooms there," said Mandeep S. Lamba, president and chief executive (South Asia), HVS Anarock.

(The North-East) is a growing market but the absolute count of tourist footfall is not very large. It will shape up quite well in the coming years," added Prashant Biyani, a market analyst at Elara Capital.

Also read | Indias newest resorts are popping up where you least expect them

Taj, Lemon Tree join the bandwagon

As national hotel operators rush to Indias North-East to gain an early-mover advantage, public-private partnerships have become a key enabler with state governments actively collaborating with them to boost tourism infrastructure.

Earlier this week, the Indian Hotels, which operates the Taj, Vivanta and Ginger brands, signed a new hotel in Agartala in partnership with the Tripura government. IHCL currently runs nine hotels in the North-Eastin Guwahati, Gangtok, Shillong, Tawang, Agartala and Pakyongand has five more in the pipeline in Agartala, Itanagar, Guwahati, Jorhat and Dibrugarh.

Juniper Hotels, which owns several Hyatt-branded properties in India, has signed an agreement with Assam Tourism Development Corporation to develop a five-star resort hotel in Kaziranga. The company said during its recent earnings call that it will allocate 100 crore in capital expenditure over the next two to three years to develop the property.

Hotel Polo Towers Group, which currently operates nine hotels in Shillong, Cherrapunji, Tura, Agartala and Neermahal, is gearing up to add seven properties across the North-East.

The expansion, funded through a combination of internal accruals and debt, will see the hotel group add about 850 rooms in the region, including a 162-room five-star hotel in Kohima, a 200-room luxury property in Timapur, and four hotels in Meghalaya. Assam is next on the radar for Hotel Polo Towers, which owns and operates its own hotels.

We want to be developing hotels in every part of the North-East, across both business and leisure segments," said Deval Tibrewalla, chief executive and director of Hotel Polo Towers. The region makes up approximately 8% of Indias land, about 2.9% of its population, and 2% of its GDPbut has just 0.1% of its hotel rooms. India is already short on quality hotel rooms, and the North-East is even further behind."

Also read | India hotel deals seen hitting 4,200 crore amid record IPO pipeline

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is also evaluating three projects in the North-Eastone in Siliguri and two in Guwahati. It already operates two hotels in Gangtok and one in Siliguri.

The North-Easts potential for hosting luxury hotels is also drawing keen interest.

Alivaa Hotels is in talks with tea plantation owners in Assam to franchise their bungalows for small-scale luxury projects under the companys brand. Alivaa will provide sales and distribution support while the tea plantation owners will run their own operations, said founder Vikramjit Singh, who hails from Assam.

Boutique chain Araiya Hotels & Resorts is similarly looking for partnerships with plantation owners in the North-East, according to its founder Amruda Nair.

At the recent Rising North-East Investors Summit in New Delhi, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union minister of communications and development of North-Eastern region, said the North-East had emerged as a hub for global partnership, attracting 4.3 trillion in investment interest.

Also read | Global hotel chains make big India bet, sign wave of deals
Chipmaker Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang warned that Chinese AI companies are rapidly advancing due to US export restrictions. He noted that Huawei has become a strong competitor amid these curbs.

The Chinese competitors have evolved, Huang said on Wednesday in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Chinese company Huawei Technologies Co blacklisted by the US government, has become quite formidable, he said.

The export restrictions imposed by the United States on China have effectively barred Nvidia from accessing its largest chip market. Due to this, the company expects to lose $8 billion in sales this quarter. Huan urged that the Donald Trump-led US government should ease restrictions during a quarterly earnings call Wednesday.

Also Read | Nvidia share price surges 6% after robust performance in Q1

US export restrictions The Biden administration introduced the AI diffusion rule in January to regulate the global distribution of advanced AI technologies. The AI diffusion rule was opposed by Huang earlier. In May, the Trump administration announced it was rescinding this rule, reportedly giving little relief to AI companies.

Gap between US and Chinese products is declining Instead of keeping AI technology away from Chinese companies, local firms are simply discovering alternatives, Huang said. Nvidia's major buyers, such as Tencent Holdings Ltd. and others, cant be blamed for shifting to Huawei because they can no longer depend on US suppliers, he added.

Like everybody else, they are doubling, quadrupling capabilities every year. And the volume is increasing substantially," Huang said.

He further warned that the gap between US products and Chinese alternatives is declining. The performance of Huaweis latest AI chip is similar to Nvidias own H200, a state-of-the-art component till its replacement was found in recent months.

Also Read | Nvidia CEO Eases Concerns About China With Upbeat Sales Forecast

Export curbs on H20 chips As per the latest rules, Nvidia is not able to export even its H20 chip, a downgraded version of H200, to China.

In April, the Trump administration sent a letter to Nvidia stating that it required an export license for the companys H20 chip, according to various reports.

He stated that degrading the products capabilities is not possible. Huang said Nvidia may manufacture alternatives to the H20. However, no current chip is planned. When it plans to do so, the company will have to seek permission from Washington.

You cannot underestimate the importance of the China market, Huang said. This is the home of the worlds largest population of AI researchers," he added.

Huang pushed for all the worlds AI researchers and developers to use American technology. Irrespective of the near-term revenue success we have had, we cant ignore the fact that the Chinese market is very important, he said.
(Bloomberg) -- Australias natural gas sector secured a long-awaited regulatory victory with permission to extend the life of the nations biggest export plant, but the industry is still grappling with policy uncertainty that it says hampers investment.

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd.-operated North West Shelf project received provisional clearance on Wednesday to run to 2070 after a process that lasted more than six years. However, many other multibillion-dollar gas projects planned over the next decade are still waiting for approvals from state or federal government agencies.

Its an encouraging early sign, but the industry wants to see more action on approval reform before their appetite returns to Australia, said Saul Kavonic, an energy analyst at MST Marquee. Things that used to take months still take years.

Stricter policies and legal challenges from environmental and indigenous groups have held up Australian gas developments, which are a major contributor to the nations status as one of the biggest per-capita polluters.

Investment in gas exploration in Australia has grown by just 15% in the past five years, compared with almost 30% globally, industry consultant Wood Mackenzie said in a report this week. The nations share in the investment portfolio of major international oil companies has fallen to 15% from more than 40% just over a decade ago, it said.

ExxonMobil Corp. has paused investments in recent years due to the regulatory instability, Australia Chair Simon Younger said in Brisbane this week. Meanwhile, Chevron Corp.s Australia President Balaji Krishnamurthy stressed the importance of consistent policies that can endure over time at the industry gathering.

There is a bit of alphabet soup in the energy space, and if the government is wanting to simplify that and have sharper delineation of roles and responsibilities, I think that would be welcomed by the industry, Woodside Chief Executive Officer Meg ONeill said at the Australian Energy Producers Conference conference.

The extension of North West Shelf will allow Woodside to seek sign-offs on Browse, an ambitious plan to send gas from massive offshore reserves to the liquefied natural gas plant. The company has amended that project, which is being assessed by Western Australias Environmental Protection Agency, to limit its impact on a major reef system.

The approval of the extension also comes in the same month Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses Labor Party was resoundingly reelected, defying some forecasts that he would need support from the Greens or climate-focused independents to form government. Albanese has said the nation will need more gas to support renewables and to help the country meet its net zero commitments.

I think I can speak for all my colleagues in the industry, were all ready to invest, Kevin Gallagher, the CEO of gas producer Santos Ltd., said at the conference. If we get the policy certainty, the regulatory clarity and stability that we need, were all ready to invest.

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Barrick seeks World Bank court intervention to prevent Mali mine takeover

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Mali's new mining code challenges foreign companies

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Barrick claims Mali moved goal posts on investment terms

By Divya Rajagopal

TORONTO, May 29 (Reuters) - Barrick Mining has asked the arbitration tribunal of the World Bank to intervene in legal proceedings in Mali, as the miner faces the possibility of the Loulo-Gounkoto mine falling under the control of the Mali government.

Barrick's move comes as a local court in Mali is expected to rule on June 2 on the government's request to put the Canadian miner's gold mine under a provisional administration. If the Mali court ruling goes in favor of the government, an individual or an organization will be assigned to take over the mine and reopen it. Barrick's gold mine in Mali has been shut since January this year after Mali seized 3 tons of gold from its mine over non-payment of taxes. Barrick has disputed the allegations.

In a filing with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) made public on Wednesday, Barrick asked the arbitration tribunal for "provisional measures."

"Put simply, 'provisional measures' means that Barrick has applied to the tribunal for an order requiring Mali government to refrain from taking further actions that would exacerbate the dispute, including Mali's effort to place the mine into provincial administration," Timothy Foden, of international law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, said.

Barrick did not immediately respond to an email query from Reuters. Mali's Mines Ministry did not respond to a Reuters email query either.

Mali, Africa's third-largest gold producer, has issued a new mining code and tightened its grip on the country's gold mines, mostly run by Western companies.

The military-led government says that it wants to increase its revenue from the mining sector as it believes current arrangements are unfair, and that foreign multinationals must comply with its demands if they want to keep operating in the gold-rich country.

Most mining companies in Mali have yielded to the government's demands, except Barrick. The company has repeatedly said it has invested heavily in the Malian economy for more than 20 years. It accuses the government of moving its goal posts and asking for more money, as well as unfairly detaining some of its executives in what it says is an attempt to blackmail the company.

Mali's military-led government has shut down Barrick's corporate office in Bamako, and the mine closure has led to Barrick's contractors laying off their employees.
Citigroup Inc. revoked the firing of a senior trader in Japan as part of a wrongful dismissal settlement following years of wrangling over problematic trading practices in the banks Asia unit.

Ken Ohtakas dismissal was rescinded after the two sides reached an agreement last month, according to a copy of the settlement seen by Bloomberg News. Ohtaka, Citigroups ex-Japan agency trading head in Tokyo, rejected a confidentiality clause in the settlement so that he can talk openly about what he describes as a global witch hunt in search of scapegoats that triggered several firings.

The internal probe launched in 2018 by law firm Clifford Chance was flawed, and its outcome felt predetermined in order to pin the blame for questionable practices on a group of Asia equity sales traders, Ohtaka said in a phone interview.

Ohtaka suffered great mental distress as a result of being unilaterally fired by the defendant without any disciplinary reason, according to court filings for his wrongful dismissal lawsuit. Terms of the settlement werent disclosed.

Citigroup said the bank took appropriate action in line with procedures when personal conduct failed to meet its high standards.

All Citi investigations are conducted based on facts and evidence, with assistance from independent experts as needed, a Hong Kong-based spokesperson said in an email. The bank has implemented significant remedial measures to strengthen our compliance and internal controls to address this legacy issue, and continues to enhance its processes to reflect best market practices and to meet regulatory expectations.

Clifford Chance in Hong Kong said the firm doesnt comment on client matters.

Hong Kong Probe

Ohtakas settlement is the latest chapter in a saga that began when Hong Kongs securities regulator found that traders in Citigroups Asia markets division had at times misrepresented the banks own stock positions on trades as client interest for more than a decade. In essence, the regulator concluded, they had indicated there was customer demand to buy and sell specific stocks when it didnt exist.

The Securities and Futures Commission said that the pervasive dishonest behaviour went as far back as 2008. The regulator faulted Citigroup for internal control deficiencies and poor management oversight, and fined it about $45 million.

After the SFC began reviewing the trades, Citigroup launched its own probe, just months after Ohtaka joined the firm in 2018. The review eventually led to Ohtakas firing in late 2020, following the dismissal of a dozen traders in Hong Kong and Singapore the previous year. In Tokyo, six traders either quit on their own or were given the option to resign to avoid being fired, according to Ohtaka. Four others were disciplined, resulting in bonus cuts, he said.

The bank declined to comment on specific cases.

Ohtaka, 58, was among several former employees who sued the bank over their dismissals. Ian Weir, an ex-sales trader for Asia-Pacific markets based in London, agreed to settle his case before a London tribunal in October. Citi denied in its submissions to the tribunal that Weir was unfairly dismissed. In December, former equity sales trader Cindy Lui won her wrongful dismissal suit before Hong Kongs Labour Tribunal.

During the probe by Hong Kong regulators, Ohtaka said he assured his Japan team that they had fully complied with local financial regulations and internal bank policies, and that the inquiry shouldnt extend to Tokyo.

In the midst of the probe, he was appointed chair of Citigroup Global Markets Japans execution governance committee. He said he tightened equity-execution rules, including revising several operational protocols to better protect clients and staff. The Hong Kong office rejected some of the measures as too restrictive and growth-stifling, Ohtaka said.

The bank declined to comment on the alleged Hong Kong measures from more than five years ago.

Ohtaka Fired

Ohtaka was fired for allegedly misleading clients into thinking there were natural buyers for two stocks. Citigroup alleged he posted a single batch of 87 so-called indications of interest, or IOIs, that were tagged order in hand natural, even though there wasnt a corresponding client order. Thats according to the banks termination letter seen by Bloomberg News. IOIs are preliminary expressions of trading demand from buyers and sellers in certain stocks.

Ohtaka said he never received IOI training, and denied posting and uploading the low-volume batch. The judge in the wrongful dismissal case found it implausible he intentionally misrepresented the orders as real demand. The judge said the IOI post in question didnt violate regulations and the dismissal constituted an abuse of rights.

The court ruled that Ohtakas employment contract is valid and Citigroup didnt have cause to terminate him. The court ordered the bank to compensate him with salary that he would have earned until the time of the judgment, plus interest.

Citigroup filed an appeal and threatened to fire Ohtaka again if the judge affirmed the lower courts ruling, according to a Nov. 1 letter from the bank seen by Bloomberg News.

Settlement Reached

While the appeal was stalled, the high court judge in November instructed both sides to attempt to negotiate a settlement and set a Dec. 24 deadline, according to a summary prepared for the court by Ohtakas lawyer and seen by Bloomberg. Negotiations dragged on until April, partly because Ohtaka refused to accept a confidentiality clause, which is typical in settlements like these. The firing was revoked and both parties agreed to terminate the employment contract, according to the settlement.

Ohtaka offered to take a reduced payout in return for a public apology, according to a court submission by his lawyer. The bank refused, he said. The bank declined to comment beyond its statement.

Ohtaka said he plans to retire from the finance industry and will use the settlement proceeds to help establish a scholarship fund for high-achieving, underprivileged children.

With assistance from Takashi Nakamichi, Hiromi Horie and Katharine Gemmell.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Delawares attorney general is planning to hire an investment bank that would advise her office as it examines OpenAIs restructuring plans aimed at drawing more investors, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The bank would help Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings complete an independent valuation of OpenAIs assets to fulfill her responsibilities to review the restructuring plan, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported earlier on the matter.

OpenAI has been in talks over its restructuring plans with officials in Delaware and California who have the power to sue the company if they determine the overhaul is not in line with the public interest. The regulators want assurances the revamped startup will continue prioritizing its founding mission  building generative artificial intelligence to benefit humanity.

OpenAI didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The California attorney generals office declined to comment on its ongoing investigation.

In May, the startup dropped plans to become a more conventional for-profit company in the wake of pressure from ex-employees, academics and competitors, including billionaire Elon Musk. The ChatGPT maker, which is valued at $300 billion, said it would restructure its for-profit division as a public benefit corporation, but keep the overall business under the control of its nonprofit  a shift that could help it raise funds and reap profits.

Whether OpenAI will remain dedicated to its charitable mission is also at the heart of a lawsuit brought by Musk challenging OpenAIs transformation. Musk has alleged the alliance OpenAI forged with Microsoft after he left the startups board in 2018 is a bid to dominate the generative AI industry that threatens free market competition by rivals, including his own AI startup xAI.

A federal judge in Oakland, California, has set a trial for March over Musks claims.

--With assistance from Shirin Ghaffary.

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Mumbai: Nearly 150 employees in mid-level and regional operations at Ecom Express have already resigned, while CEO Ajay Chitkara and some other senior staff are expected to leave after the Competition Commission of India approves Delhiverys acquisition of the company, two people familiar with the matter told Mint .

In February, Ecom Express had laid off at least 500 employees after pausing its plans for an initial public offering (IPO). Before that it had about 15,600 employees and associates, and delivered goods to more than 27,000 pin codes, according to the companys website.

CCIs approval is likely to come through in the next 45 days," said one of the people, adding that several employees have resigned voluntarily. Lot of roles will become redundant after the acquisition so there will be employees opting out, establishing higher cost savings," the second person said.

A spokesperson for Ecom Express said the company was not in a position to comment while it awaited regulatory approval. Delhivery, too, said it had no comment on the matter, while Chitkara did not immediately respond to Mint's queries.

Also read: Peak XV Partners nets over 1,200 crore after exiting stake in Porter, clocking 11-fold return

During Delhivery's earnings call this month, CEO and managing director Sahil Barua said, The regular attrition in Delhivery's network itself will provide us sufficient room to absorb all qualified staff from Ecom Express in our operations around the country." He added that they would undergo rigorous training during the onboarding process, and that the purchase consideration included about about 300 crore in integration costs.

In April, Delhivery announced it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Ecom Express Limited for about 1,400 crore in cash. Less than a year ago, Ecom Express was valued around 7,000 crore. The acquisition is awaiting approval from CCI, after which Ecom Express will become a subsidiary of Delhivery.

'More consolidation ahead'

The logistics giant, which applied for CCI's approval on 19 April, believes there could be more consolidation in the delivery ecosystem, and that the era of "suicidal pricing" in the market has ended. There were too many players in this market in the previous quarter. Our acquisition of Ecom Express has not changed that dynamic. There are still too many players in the market," Barua said during the earnings call earlier this month. He added that the survival of these companies, which are still unprofitable, depends on how much capital they have left.

I think what this deal has done is signal that if you are a loss-making network in express parcel with no path to profitability, consolidation or exit is an inevitable outcome," Barua said. He anticipated that with this acquisition and consolidation, there would be additional growth in Delhiverys parcel volumes.

Also read | Mint Explainer: Can Uber shake up the market Porter dominates?

For context, Ecom and Delhivery have nearly 100% overlap of customers, which means all customers that work with Ecom Express are already deeply integrated and familiar with Delhivery's operational and billing processes and that collections and reconciliation are also similar.

Comparing the scale of the two companies, Barua said during the earnings call that Ecom Express's express parcel volumes were about 40% of Delhivery's, and that it network tonnage was less than 20% of Delhivery's.

Delhivery said it expects to retain a limited portion of Ecom Express's network. It will retain facilities in locations where either its own capacity is constrained, or where it is feasible to repurpose an existing transportation facility into a Delhivery fulfillment centre or service centre. It also clarified that no additional technology would be required to integrate these facilities into Delhivery's network.

From IPO dreams to acquisition

Ecom Express was previously slated to go public, and filed draft papers last August to raise 2,600 crore in an IPO. This included a fresh infusion of shares worth 1,284.5 crore and an offer for sale that would allow some of its prominent investors such as Warburg Pincus and British International Investment to offload some of their shares.

However, it paused its IPO plans earlier this year and laid off nearly 500 employees to cut costs. Still, it faced a stiff challenge from rivals such as Delhivery and XpressBees, which have their own fleets and offer other services, including business-to-business logistics. Its downfall was also due in part to its heavy reliance (more than 50%) on Meesho, which built its own in-house logistics unit, Valmo, making it difficult to replace the lost business.

Also read: Delhiverys in a rush for its fledgling rapid commerce business to begin running

As many of these companies also compete in business-to-consumer e-commerce logistics, a price war has broken out, sparking speculation of further consolidation in the industry.

For FY24, Ecom Express reported 2.2% growth in revenue to 2,609.2 crore and narrowed its loss to 255.8 crore from 428.1 crore in the year before. In the first nine months of FY25 it made an overall loss of 184 crore and an adjusted-Ebitda loss of 104 crore, Barua said in the earnings call.

Delhivery turned profitable for the first time in FY25, posting a net profit of 72.6 crore as revenue rose 6% year-on-year.
Hailey Bieber is selling her makeup and skincare brand Rhode for $1 billion to Elf Beauty Inc.

The model's popular brand, loved by billions across the world, will give the budget cosmetic retailer Elf Beauty access to a celebrity-endorsed product line. Celebrity-owned or endorsed makeup and skincare brands are becoming increasingly popular among GenZ and millennials.

In a statement on Wednesday, Elf said it would pay $800 million to the shareholders of Rhode in a cash and stocks combination. There will also be an additional potential earnout consideration of $200 million subject to certain performance-related conditions.

Elf's acquisition of Rhode will help the budget beauty brand to diversify its portfolio, its Chief Executive Officer Tarang Amin said.

Rhode is ready for rocketship growth, he added.

Also Read | Shoppers Stop stock rises 5% following partnership with makeup brand Max Factor

"Rhode further diversifies our portfolio with a fast-growing brand that makes the best of prestige accessible," Elf CEO Tarang Amin said in a statement.

Hailey Bieber to continue in her role Rhode has seen a rapid growth in business since Hailey Bieber and her business partners Lauren and Michael D. Ratner launched the direct-to-consumer cosmetics brand in 2022. The company gained its popularity primarily through viral videos on TikTok.

Rhode, heavily dependent on Hailey Bieber's social media influence, sells exclusively through its own website or pop-up stores and has products such as its $18 peptide lip treatments that went viral.

On the other hand, Elf offers products priced as low as $2 at US retailers including Walmart, Ulta Beauty and Target.

Also Read | Hailey Bieber sued for trademark infringement over Rhode skincare company

Hailey Bieber will continue her role as founder and will also act as a strategic advisor after the deal closes. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

Rhode sells beauty and skincare products including moisture balm, pocket blush and peptide lip treatments.

"e.l.f. Beauty marks an incredible opportunity to elevate and accelerate our ability to reach more of our community with even more innovative products and widen our distribution globally," Hailey Bieber said.

Rhode raked in about $212 million in sales for the year ended March 31 and is planning to start selling at Sephora stores across the US and Canada coming this fall, followed by the UK.
Hospitality chain Lemon Tree Hotels expects a strong revenue growth this fiscal year, lifted by a rebound in business travel and expansion across its various hotel segments. The positive outlook is underpinned by rising room rates and increasing occupancy levels, the company said.

The company has also seen a stabilization of key assets like its 670-room Aurika Mumbai hotel, which have helped buoy its revenue.

Also Read | The great hotel rush to Indias least explored corner

Lemon Tree Hotels' chairman and managing director Patanjali G. Keswani, speaking exclusively to Mint, said the company crossed 100 crore in quarterly net profit for the first time in January-March 2025, driven by strong occupancies in core business hubs. With 100 new hotels in the pipeline and a push to list its Fleur Hotels subsidiary to become debt-free, Keswani said Lemon Tree is positioning itself to tap rising demand for branded hotels across Indiaincluding in the vast unorganized sub-40-room segmentas more Indian households begin to travel.

For the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025, the company on Thursday reported a revenue from operations of 1,286 crore, up 20% from FY24s 1,071 crore. Net profit for the year rose 34% to 243.1 crore.

Also Read | Lemon Tree eyes shared loyalty alliances with international hotel chains

"Our growth was driven across our various brands, and across the board, partly driven by occupancy and partly by average room rates. In Q4, Aurika Mumbai also stabilized and our occupancy stood at 77-78%, growing 6-7% year-on-year," he said.

Business travel has now returned to normal for the company. Markets like Hyderabad maintained their occupancy upwards of 80%, he said. Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi also picked up in terms of occupancies as well as room rates. "Most of our key marketswhich anyway are focused on business traveldid well, with some cities like Bengaluru picking up. This helps as a large part of our capital structure is in business hotels and this led to us crossing 100 crore of net profit in a quarter," he added.

Also Read | Lemon Trees renovation drive leaves little room for re-rating

The hospitality company with a market capitalization of more than 10,000 crore currently operates 116 hotels, consisting of 41 owned properties with about 5,800 rooms, and 75 managed hotels with around 4,900 rooms. The company is also developing 100 new hotels, which will add approximately 6,600 rooms to its portfolio. Since April 2024, it has signed about 50 new hotels across various locations in the country.

In September, Fleur Hotels Pvt. Ltd was converted from a private limited company into an unlisted public company, with plans to list it by December 2026 to pare debt and fuel expansion. Fleur, which houses flagship properties like Lemon Tree Premier, Delhi Aerocity and Aurika Mumbai International Airport, and a few owned hotels, is expected to generate over 700 crore in annual Ebitda post-listing, with management fees from it contributing 150-180 crore annually to the parent company. "It will be our top-priority to list Fleur and go debt free, but even if we don't list it, it will be debt free in the next three years," he said.

For Q1 FY26, he said some business demand for hotels and retail demand too came down owing to the Pahalgam terror attack as well as the subsequent resurgence of covid. "But despite that we do see that we will do mid-teens growth in Q1 and the full year on a same store and same hotel basis. Basis this, the company expects to target a mid-teen revenue growth this fiscal."

The company had been spending on renovating its rooms across various hotels and has spent about 100-130 crore a year for the last two years. This will continue into FY26 as well. "We are maintaining and in some hotels increasing our Ebitda margins in spite of increasing our renovation costs. Costs in technology upgradation, distribution, payroll, marketing spends have also increased. Despite that, our revenue growth is greater than our cost growth," he added. The company is renovating the entire Keys portfolio, which operates in the budget to midmarket segment. Lemon Tree acquired this portfolio of hotels in 2019. Today, Lemon Tree has 116 hotels and 10,000-odd rooms.

The Keys portfolio includes three distinct brands: Keys Prima, Keys Select and Keys Lite.

When Mint spoke to Keswani in December 2024, he outlined the companys strategy to capture future growth as demand for branded hotel rooms in the country is expected to outpace supply. Keswani said the company planned to leverage its strong brand presence and move up the pricing curve. He said that Lemon Tree had added more rooms in the past 12 years than any other hotel chain in the country.

In December, Keswani also spoke about plans to create a brand to capture the vast unorganized hotel segment of sub-40-room properties across the country's smaller cities, aiming to tap into an under-penetrated market of over 1.2 million such rooms. Currently, India has about 200,000 branded hotel rooms, a number which is expected to grow to 300,000 by FY30. The country's growing economy and rising domestic travel, he said, are likely to push the number of households using branded hotels to 30 million, from the current five million, creating unprecedented demand for organized accommodation.
World's richest man, Elon Musk's decisions at the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that aims to cut federal spending of the Donald Trump administration have impacted his EV company Tesla, according to US marketing professor Scott Galloway.

Elon Musks choice to enforce severe job and budget reductions within the federal government for the Trump administration was described as "one of the greatest brand destructions ever.

Ignored customers of Tesla The Tesla boss ignored the customer base of Tesla while aligning with the interests of the Trump administration, Galloway stated on Fridays episode of the popular Pivot podcast hosted by Kara Swisher.

Hes alienated the wrong people, Galloway remarked. Three-quarters of Republicans would never consider buying an EV. So hes cozied up to the people who arent interested in EVs," Galloway said.

He further cited poll data that showed Tesla had fallen from the eighth-most-reputable brand in 2021 to the 95th.

Galloway highlighted that Teslas sales fell nearly 59% in France, 81% in Sweden, 74% in the Netherlands, 66% in Denmark, 50% in Switzerland and 33% in Portugal.

Impact on the European market In the last few months, Musk has intervened in the political affairs of several European countries, a major EV market, on his social media platform X, including the election in Germany and grooming gangs in the UK. This has impacted Tesla sales in the region, CNN reported.

Recently, Chinese EV maker BYD outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time in the month of April, according to a report from Jato Dynamics.

This has arguably been one of the greatest brand destructions, Galloway said."Tesla was a great brand. Hes alienated his core demographic," he added.

Tesla's European sales fell nearly 50% for the fourth month in a row, according to a report by CNN.

By the end of April, Tesla reportedly posted a 71% fall in profits, while Musk, during an earnings call, assured that he would cut down on his role as Doge from May onwards.

Also Read | Elon Musk's citizenship in focus as he resigns from Trump administration

Elon Musk's exit from DOGE On May 29, Elon Musk announced that he is exiting the Donald Trump administration and leaving DOGE.

"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk posted on X.
A LinkedIn post went viral after the co-founder of a Hyderabad-based tech start-up announced that his company hired a dog as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO).

The heartwarming post, which includes a photo of a golden retriever named Denver, has since garnered thousands of likes.

In the LinkedIn post, Harvesting Robotics co-founder Rahul Arepaka said: Meet our newest hire, Denver  Chief Happiness Officer. He doesnt code. He doesnt care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up. Also, were officially pet-friendly now. Best decision. BTW: Hes got the best perks in the company.

Helping employees deal with work-related stress The start-up has hired Denver to help its employees deal with work-related stress and keep the office environment energised.

Big companies such as Amazon, Google, and Zappos have embraced this trend for years, with many studies saying that having pets around can ease stress, spark conversations, and even boost productivity.

Denver also has an official profile on LinkedIn, wherein it reads: As Chief Happiness Officer, I lead the charge in creating a positive, inclusive, and energized work environment:

- Providing on-demand stress relief through timely walk-ins.

- Monitoring team morale and issuing barks when affection quotas arent met.

- Participating in key meetings (especially the ones with snacks).

- Boosting productivity through spontaneous play breaks.

- Welcoming guests, vendors, and new hires with enthusiasm and curiosity."

Rahul Arepakas LinkedIn post has also attracted several comments. Some users expressed love for Denver, while others praised the company's decision.

Here are some of the comments written by users on the post 

 "Love this, won't mind having this kind of joyous and cute colleague."

 "CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy :).

 "Pets bring so much joy Glad to see you embracing this. Awesome initiative."

 "Pawsitive vibes ahead."

 Lovely hire indeed he would steal hearts
Indias economy is expected to grow in the range of 6.3-6.8% in FY26, as noted in the Economic Survey, and may sustain this level of growth over a longer period despite an uncertain global and political environment, chief economic advisor V Anantha Nageswaran said on Thursday.

He added that there were several positives for India in terms of opportunities in sectors hit by US tariffs, a favourable monetary policy environment that promotes growth, the tax relief given to the middle class this year, and the progress and even distribution of the monsoon.

Also read: Experts urge India to reassess US trade talks as Trump tariffs declared illegal

So, if you count these positive factors, to be able to achieve the growth rate between 6.3% and 6.8% that we pencilled in the Economic Survey and sustain it for a longer period seems like a reasonable prospect. The International Monetary Fund agrees with us, Nageswaran said during his keynote address at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

He added that, according to the IMF, India's GDP in dollar terms is expected to rise to $6.8 trillion by FY31 and that the IMF's implicit forecast on the exchange rate is that the Indian rupee will depreciate by only 0.5-0.8% a year going forward.

'Prepare for stronger rupee' Nageswaran advised Indian industry to be prepared to deal with a stronger currency in the coming years by becoming more competitive through productivity improvements. Deregulation, both at the policy level and the corporate level, will play an important role here, he added.

He cautioned, however, that industry not be overly cautious in this uncertain global economic and political environment. From a short-term, cyclical perspective, we should not be overly consumed by global uncertainty. We are a domestic economy with 60% private consumption share of GDP. To sustain this, capital formation by the private sector, taking over the mantle from the government of last six years investing, hiring, compensating, creating aggregate demand growth and therefore justifying the investments made, is a virtuous endogenous circle, which we need to recognise and tap into, he added.

He also urged industry to partner with the government on deregulation to propel growth.  India has to create eight million livelihoods at a minimum every year, excluding agriculture, and therefore we have to have policies that rely on capital-led growth, and also policies in the private sector that are able to focus on labour-intensive manufacturing, Nageswaran said.

He added, But this is a topic where, rather than relying on public policy actions, this dialog has to take place within the business community and also with the government on how are we going to ensure [this], because in the medium term, there is no trade-off between the interest of capital and the interest of labour, because without an adequately employed workforce, which will have implications for economic security and social stability, the private sector cannot thrive."

Close gap between growth in corporate profitability, capital formation' He said that for sustained growth, the gap between the growth of corporate profitability and the growth of capital formation must be bridged. Its very good that the Indian private sector had four-fold growth in profitability (in the past decade), from 7.2 trillion to 28.7 trillion in March 2024. But if you look at capital formation, there were justifiable reasons why it grew only by 3x So there has been a small gap in the rate of growth of profitability and the rate of growth of capital formation. If we have to sustain 6.5% growth minimum in real terms and aim for a higher growth rate than that, the gap between capital formation and profitability growth has to close, he said.

In this regard, Nageswaran said, corporate profits should not only increase capital formation but also enhance compensation for workers.  we are facing this challenge that the growth in profitability not only has trailed the growth in capital formation, but the growth in profitability has also trailed the growth in compensation, which includes hiring. And that is something that we can ill afford for the next 25 or 30 years. So that is something that, again, the business sector has to think about, he said.

AI race has just begun Addressing another session at the CII event, Amitabh Kant, Indias G20 Sherpa, said that in technology, first movers are never the winners, urging Indian businesses to build foundational models, as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) race has just begun.

What we did in digital public infrastructure is that we used open source, open API, globally interoperable models, and those models will be the way forward for us. Therefore, India must build its foundational model. I believe India will provide these foundational models for many areas which have challenges for the world, Kant said.

Talking about the ease of doing business, Indias G20 Sherpa said the Centre has put in the building blocks, and that it is time for states to bring reforms. He also urged the industry to invest in research and development to develop cutting-edge technologies to sustain Indias accelerated growth. He also said that quality control orders (QCOs) must be used rationally to ensure Indian industry can grow. To make Indian Industry more competitive, he suggested that states give land to the industry on long-term lease and privatize discoms to make them more efficient.

Speaking at the summit, environment minister Bhupender Yadav outlined three pillars of Indias unique climate policy architecture for aligning developmental imperatives of emerging economies with ambitious climate goals. These include, he said, a self-reliant circular economy; protecting natural ecosystems and strengthening resilience and promoting adaptation and building climate resilience.

Earlier, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said at the summit that the country is stepping up its international trade efforts and in this regard he would lead high-level business delegations to France, Italy and Switzerland next week. The outreach comes amid growing global interest in Indias market and its role in global supply chains, with several countries together committing over $100 billion in foreign direct investment into the country.
Increasing labour productivity is central to Indias aspiration of becoming a developed nation in about two decades, as it would raise living standards and boost growth momentum, said Suman Bery, vice chairman, federal policy think tank NITI Aayog, on Thursday.

The Viksit Bharat vision entails becoming a high-income society that empowers citizens to realise their potential and aspirations, for which Indias demographic dividend is to be effectively leveraged. Such a development success is a means to achieve an end, which is ensuring the dignity of the people, Bery said, speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industrys (CII) annual business summit in New Delhi.

Also Read: Jumping jobs? A Supreme Court judgement just made it tough, especially for freshers The point I am going to make is that for these goals, a sustained rise in the productivity of labour is crucial, Bery said.

Berry said better labour productivity will help raise the standard of living, while absorbing underutilised labour, particularly women and youth, will boost economic growth momentum.

People queue up for government jobs when real wages don't rise, a result of rising productivity, as fast as their aspirations, he said, highlighting the need for the private sector to generate better jobs.

Bery also said the Indian industry, which welcomed the economic liberalisation in 1991, is certainly strong enough to welcome further judicious liberalisation in 2025 and in the coming decade.

Also Read: Demand for work under rural jobs scheme rising amid slowing economic growth According to Bery, while the size of the Indian economy is half that of the US in purchasing power parity terms, the size of the labour force is three times that of the US.

The aim should be to leverage our labour force to take the economy to a higher level of growth for generating better jobs. He mentioned that countries such as the UK and Canada face the problem of stagnation in productivity. While productivity is rising in India, it is lower than in China and the ASEAN region, a statement issued by the CII said, quoting the NITI Aayog vice chairman.

India should adopt a blend of self-reliance and global engagement to stay competitive, the statement added.

Also Read: Without upskilling, AI may put people out of jobs for long: Economic Survey 2025 Bery said forging free trade deals with trading partners, entering high-value sectors and diversifying Indias sources of supply is crucial to stay ahead. Competitiveness should not only be restricted to manufacturing but should extend to services as well, the CII statement said, quoting Bery.
New Delhi: India and the US are racing to finalise a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, with the American negotiating team expected to arrive in New Delhi next week for potentially the final round of face-to-face discussions, a senior Indian official said.

Both sides are aiming to close the deal by the last week of June, before the 90-day pause on the USs reciprocal tariffs ends on 8 Julya deadline that has added urgency to the negotiations.

The breakthrough followed months of quiet shuttle diplomacy and two earlier rounds of in-person meetings led by Indian officials and one round of in-person discussion by a US delegation in March.

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit on Thursday, Rajesh Agarwal, Indias chief negotiator and special secretary in the commerce ministry, gave a rare and wide-ranging public update on the trade talks, linking them to a shifting global landscape and growing disruptions in supply chains.

We all believed in a rule-based global trading system, but non-market practices have taken root, Agarwal said, pointing to weakening of multilateral institutions and the rise of politicised trade as key reasons behind the current global unpredictability. Markets and supply chains are now being weaponised.

On the trade deal with the US, Agarwal said India is approaching it with a clear sense of complementary strengths. Most of what we make, the US doesnt. Most of what they make, we dont. Theres very little overlapthis is a natural fit.

He stressed that the decision to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with the US was made well before Washington imposed reciprocal tariffs. This was never just about tariffs or deficits. We saw a strategic opportunity for both sides. If done right, this can be a defining partnership in global trade.

On 28 May, a US federal court declared US President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs as illegal, prompting calls from experts in India for New Delhi to reconsider its approach to the ongoing trade negotiations with Washington.

As part of the negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with the US, Indian negotiators are preparing to open up sensitive sectors, including automobiles and agriculture, and allow greater foreign access to government procurement and digital infrastructure.

Mint reported exclusively earlier this month that India was likely to finalise a trade deal with the US before the 8 July cutoff, which would help New Delhi avoid Trumps tariffs and reset the bilateral trade relationship on a more stable footing.

Unlock the opportunity Indias chief negotiator acknowledged that Washingtons concerns around trade deficits are driven by domestic politics but argued that those concerns should not derail efforts to create a mutually beneficial pact.

We must aim for a deal that builds on our comparative advantages and offers long-term gains for businesses on both sides, Agarwal said. India is ready. The world is ready. Now its up to our businesses to unlock this opportunity.

Agarwal argued that in this shifting global environment, countries with large markets or control over supply chains are increasingly leveraging their economic heft to pursue strategic interests. Thats a big challenge for the global trading order today, he added.

Despite these challenges, Agarwal said India stands to benefit from this flux. India is uniquely poised. We are a large and growing market, and at the same time, we are a reasonably big producer, he said.

While manufacturing accounts for around 15% of Indias GDP, the sector generates nearly $500 billion in gross value added (GVA), making India a credible player in global production networks.

Agarwal also highlighted Indias global reputation as a trusted partner, rooted in a foreign policy that is non-aligned, issue-based, and principles-driven. We are friends to all. Thats why today, in an unpredictable world, countries are looking to India not just for trade, but for long-term, stable partnerships, he said.

Indias appeal beyond its market According to Agarwal, Indias growing profile is reflected in the global rush to ink trade agreements with New Delhi. Were negotiating with the UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, and the Gulf nations. The US too, which hadnt pursued a bilateral trade deal in over a decade, is now at the table, he said.

Indias appeal goes beyond market size, Agarwal said. Other countries know they cant just export to Indiathey need to invest here, build capacities, and become part of our growth story. Thats why they want predictability through trade agreements.

On Thursday, the Reserve Bank of India said that despite rising geopolitical tensions and protectionist trade policies, Indias negotiations for new trade deals with the US, Oman, Peru, and the European Union are expected to provide fresh impetus to trade growth.

Agarwal called on Indian businesses to seize the moment.

We cant afford to be import-dependent. With 1.4 billion people, India must become both a major supplier to the world and a resilient consumer economy. This is the time to build capabilities, especially in critical supply chains and advanced technologies, he urged.

Pointing to government initiatives like the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and support for technology and electronics manufacturing, Agarwal said that the government is willing to step in where industry faces genuine hurdles.
New Delhi: The US Court of International Trade has declared US President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs as illegal , prompting calls from experts in India for New Delhi to reconsider its approach to the ongoing trade negotiations with Washington.

The court ruled on 28 May (29 May in India) that Trumps 10% baseline tariffs and country-specific dutiessuch as the 26% levy on Indian goodswere not justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act since trade deficits do not qualify as an unusual and extraordinary threat" under the law.

Since Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs on 2 April, the US has been pressing other nations into making unilateral concessions to avoid its steep tariffs.

Indian negotiators are preparing to open up sensitive sectors, including automobiles and agriculture, and allow greater foreign access to government procurement and digital infrastructure as part of a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Experts now say India should hit pause.

Also read | India puts big pharma concessions on table as US trade deal nears finish line

The court has struck down the very basis of Trumps tariffs. India must not enter into a one-sided deal based on illegal pressure tactics," said Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a trade research think tank.

We should reassess our strategy, ensure reciprocity, and not rush into finalising an FTA (free trade agreement) that disproportionately benefits the U.S," he said.

Srivastava added that India appears to be offering large concessions without receiving a comparable commitment from the US. This is not how balanced trade agreements are made, especially when the legal footing of the pressure tactic is now gone."

The Trump administration, which has postponed the imposition of the country-specific tariffs until 8 July, is using the interim period to fast-track bilateral deals. The UK signed one on 8 May, slashing duties on more than 2,500 US products, increasing Boeing purchases, and removing tariffs on US ethanol, while receiving only limited tariff reductions in return.

But on 12 May, the US signed a deal with China, slashing its proposed reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods from 145% to 30%. Though the deal is for a 90-day period, it helped global markets recover.

The ruling itself, while a great one in law, may not be an effective check on the tariffs or threat of enhanced tariffs, given the track record of the Trump administration," said R.V. Anuradha, partner, Clarus Law Associates. For India, the negotiation of any trade agreement has to keep as its central focus our own national interest, and not be a response to threats of tariffs."

The US-China temporary truce, and the US's threat to impose tariffs on Apple should it manufacture in India, has exposed the uncertainties of any perceived geopolitical advantages, Anuradha added.

Also read | India seeks wider US market access for fruit, vegetables, easy sanitary regulations

An uncertain situation

Trade experts pointed out that Trumps administration can still appeal against the US courts ruling.

On whether India could gain an edge in its trade talks with the US as a result of the courts ruling, Abhijit Das, an expert on international trade and former head of the Centre for WTO Studies, said that would depend on whether Trump is compelled to withdraw the reciprocal tariffs or manages to buy some breathing space by appealing the courts decision".

In this uncertain situation, India needs to be very cautious in granting concessions to the US," Das said.

Also read | Washington pushes for a fast-track route for its meat and seafood under India-US bilateral trade agreement

The current judgement, which invalidates Trumps tariffs and negotiations, is based on the fact that they are being carried out under emergency powers. The move has been welcomed by American markets as positive for the American economy," said Rahul Ahluwalia, founder and director of Foundation for Economic Development, a policy advocacy organisation.

For India, as long as we are able to maintain a better tariff standing vis-a-vis China, we will benefit. However, this judgement is open to appeal and will be appealed by the Trump administration. So we need to wait and watch to see how it shakes out," said Ahluwalia.

Srivastava of GTRI added that any agreement shaped by coercive leverage should be put on hold. India has every reason to demand fairness and legal clarity in trade negotiations."

The commerce ministry didnt immediately reply to Mints queries on Indias plans following the latest development.

Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday declined to comment on the recent US court ruling that termed certain American tariffs as illegal, saying, India doesnt comment on internal matters of other countries." Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit, Goyal reiterated that India is seeking free trade agreements (FTAs) with developed countries to benefit its consumers, industries, and farmers.

He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump had agreed to pursue a broad-based, mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement during Trumps visit to India. Goyal added that such trade deals are the result of detailed and intensive discussions between governments and are not meant to be debated publicly in the media.

India-US trade deal on fast-track

India is close to finalising a much-awaited trade deal with the US, likely before 8 July, when Trumps 90-day pause on his reciprocal tariffs is set to expire, as Mint reported exclusively on 16 May.

A deal before the 8 July cutoff would likely help India avoid the USs punitive tariffs, reset the bilateral trade relationship on a more stable footing, and provide greater clarity to industries and markets awaiting direction.

Indias bilateral trade with the US climbed significantly in the just-ended financial year, to $131.84 billion in FY25 from $119.72 billion in FY24. This growth was driven by a sharp increase in Indian exports, which rose 11.6% to $86.51 billion from $77.52 billion over that period, while imports from the US grew at a slower pace of 7.42%, to $45.33 billion from $42.20 billion.

As a result, Indias trade surplus with the US widened by 16.6% to $41.18 billion in FY25, compared with $35.32 billion in the previous year.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- An Ivy League degree has long been central to the Asian Dream  a ticket to success and status. But President Donald Trumps message to international students is clear: Far fewer of you are welcome. The blunt statement and growing chaos across the university sector has left families wondering if sending their children to America is still worth it.

The White Houses immediate target is Chinese students allegedly connected to the Communist Party. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US plans to start aggressively revoking their visas. Students affected would include those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. The US will also enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong, he added.

Its unclear how these rules will be executed; the move follows a short period of improved ties between the superpowers after they agreed to a truce in the trade war. Chinas Foreign Ministry on Thursday expressed its dissatisfaction, saying it had lodged a protest with the US.

The impact is wider than Washington and Beijings geopolitical rivalry. The decision to ban Harvard from enrolling international students is focusing minds in Asia, even though a federal judge has temporarily blocked the policy. Many families are wondering if other universities will be next.

The rhetoric coming out of the White House is hardly reassuring. We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools; they cant get in because we have foreign students there, Trump said on Wednesday. This attitude, combined with a directive this week ordering US embassies worldwide to stop scheduling interviews for student visas sends a chilling message to Asian students: The Ivy aspiration is no longer as accessible as it once was.

The worries are pouring in on my parent chat groups. Many have already spent thousands of dollars preparing children for a future at a prestigious American university  hiring expensive college counsellors, visiting campuses, and investing countless hours navigating complex application processes. Thats not to mention time spent on preparing for standardized tests and extracurricular activities, all in an effort to perfect the profile for a prospective candidate. There are also legitimate concerns about what happens to deposits and scholarships, all of which are up in the air as students and their families figure out what the new rules mean for them.

Its no small cost. An average American degree can set an international students family back approximately $100,000 over four years, excluding living costs. An Ivy League degree? Its more than triple that. Parents spend decades making sacrifices and putting aside the massive investment required to help their kids go to their dream university. The money is worth it, the thinking goes, because eventually their child will reap the rewards.

The schools get something out of this, too. Foreign applicants are more likely to pay full tuition, essentially subsidizing American students who receive aid. Over a million international students studied in American universities in the 2023-2024 school year, according to data from Open Doors, an information resource for foreign students studying or teaching in the US. Asians made up a significant proportion, with Indians and Chinese citizens accounting for over half.

America is not going to lose its appeal overnight. Its still a coveted place to study, both because of its world-class tertiary education and the potential to find lucrative employment after graduation. But other countries are becoming more attractive because of the Trump administrations crackdown. Some parents Ive spoken to will simply go elsewhere.

Canada and the UK, already popular alternatives, are poised to scoop up disillusioned applicants. Closer to home, Australia and New Zealand are also promoting their schools.

Asian universities that offer top-tier programs will appeal to anxious Asian families. Schools such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo, and Malaysias Sunway University are offering credit transfers and other incentives to attract ambitious students and families looking for quality education without the uncertainties tied to American foreign policy.

For many Asian students who have dreamt of studying and working in cities like New York or Los Angeles, the political gyrations affecting their futures are no doubt disappointing. But this is about more than visas and policies. Its about the hopes of a generation searching for a place to study, grow, and build their future. Trump has just made the US seem like a far less inviting option.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Karishma Vaswani is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asia politics with a special focus on China. Previously, she was the BBC's lead Asia presenter and worked for the BBC across Asia and South Asia for two decades.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's ongoing feud has been catching all the attention ever since she was dropped from his film, Spirit. Reportedly, she was called unprofessional for demanding an 8-hour workday and other conditions, which didnt go down well with the filmmaker. Amid this, Ajay Devgn commented on the 8-hour shift in the industry.

Ajay Devgn on 8-hour work shift in Bollywood Ajay attended the trailer launch of Kajol's upcoming horror film, Maa.

At the event, Kajol was asked about her reaction to the ongoing 8-hour work shift demand by new mothers in the industry. She expressed her approval for it and jokingly said that she loves the idea of working less.

Ajay, on the other hand, had a serious take on it.

He said, "It's not that it is not going down well with people. A lot of people understand. Most of the honest filmmakers would not have a problem with it. Also, other than new moms working for 8 hours, most people have started working for 8 hours. I think it's person to person, and most of the industry understands."

While no names were mentioned, the question can remind anyone of Deepika and Sandeep's recent fallout.

Deepika and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's fallout As Deepika walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's highly-anticipated Spirit, days after reports of her unprofessional behaviour, Triptii Dimri was roped in for the project. She replaced Deepika in the lead, alongside actor Prabhas.

She and Vanga last worked together on the highly successful film, Animal.

Confirming their reunion, Triptii reacted to the news on social media. She wrote on Instagram, Still sinking in. So grateful to be trusted with this journey. Thank you @sandeepreddy.vanga..honoured to be a part of your vision.

Meanwhile, reports claim that Deepika who is a new mom after having daughter Dua, requested an 8-hour workday, which came down to 6 hours of actual shoot. She reportedly also demanded 20 crore as her salary for the film alongside a share in the film's profits.

A source also told Bollywood Hungama, "Sandeep Reddy Vanga got the shock of his life when Deepika Padukone refused to shoot for more than 6 hours a day for Spirit. That's not all, the actress, via her agency, also started to demand an amendment to the contract. Their point of contention was simple - if the shoot extends beyond 100 days, Deepika will have to be paid extra for every single day of shoot beyond the commitment on paper."

Around the same time, Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared a strong post on X.
Tara Sutaria has been in the news this year mostly for her personal relationships rather than work. She made headlines when her ex Aadar Jain tied the knot earlier this year. While it has been some time since Aadar's wedding, it seems Tara is ready to give love a second chance.

Tara Sutaria dating Veer Pahariya: Report Reportedly, Tara Sutaria is dating actor Veer Pahariya.

According to an ETimes report, the couple has been dating for two months now.

The two started dating just a couple of months ago. And they are trying to figure things out. They often keep going out for dates," the insider was quoted by the news outlet.

Who is Veer Pahariya Veer Pahariya is the grandson of Sushilkumar Shinde, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Veer is a newcomer in Bollywood who made his debut in the industry with Akshay Kumar's Sky Force. In the film, he starred opposite Sara Ali Khan whom he once dated years ago.

Veer is also the brother of Shikhar Pahariya who is currently dating actor Janhvi Kapoor.

While his film Sky Force received an average response, Veer created a storm on the internet with his viral dance step in a song. He went on to become a meme sensation.

A few days ago, Veer and Tara were spotted exiting the same restaurant but separately. While Tara was seen leaving with her gal pals, Veer stepped out alone and even posed for cameras.

Tara and Veer have also walked the ramp together earlier this year. They attended the Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI for the brand ASOS. While Tara wore a black lacey gown for the fashion show, Veer walked wearing a white suit and matching pants.

Tara Sutaria and Aadar Jain Tara Sutaria previously dated actor Aadar Jain. The two broke up sometime in 2023 and later Aadar married Alekha Advani in March.

Tara's name was caught during the pre-wedding functions of Aadar Jain when he seemingly took a dig at her with his infamous time pass comment.

He told his wife publicly, I have always loved her and I have always wanted to be with her. So she sent me on this long journey of 20 years through time-pass. It was worth the wait because I get to marry this beautiful, beautiful woman, who looks like a dream. I love you, and it was worth the wait. Its a secret, I have always loved her. I have done time pass for four years of my life. But now Im with you, baby.
Chinas power is growing rapidly every year. From warships to missiles, the country is churning out hardware at an extraordinary rate. In the unseen, online world, it is making similar leaps. On March 4th Americas Justice Department charged eight Chinese nationals with large-scale hacking of government agencies, news outlets and dissidents in America and around the world, on behalf of i-Soon, a Chinese company, at the direction of the Chinese government. It also indicted two officials who it said directed the hacks".

These instances are the tip of a vast iceberg. Over the past decade Chinas hacking programme has grown rapidly, to the point that in 2023 Christopher Wray, then the fbi director, noted it was larger than that of every other major nation combined. Chinas growing heft and sophistication have yielded success in three main areas.

The first is political espionage, linked primarily to the Ministry of State Security (mss), Chinas foreign-intelligence service. Last year it emerged that one group of Chinese hackers, dubbed Salt Typhoon, had breached at least nine American phone companies, giving them access to the calls and messages of important officials. Ciaran Martin, who led Britains cyber-defence agency from 2016 to 2020, compares it to the revelations in 2013 by Edward Snowden, a government contractor, that American spy agencies were conducting cyber-espionage on a huge scale. China was gaining vast access to the nations communications via a strategic spying operation of breathtaking audacity," he says.

A second is in domains of little espionage value: hacking that lays the groundwork for sabotage in moments of crisis or war. These efforts are led by the Peoples Liberation Army (pla), Chinas armed forces. In 2023 it became apparent that a pla-linked hacking group known as Volt Typhoon had, over several years, burrowed into an extraordinary range of American critical infrastructure, from ports to factories to water-treatment plants, across the continental United States and in strategic American territories such as Guam.

All of that builds on a third type of hacking: the industrial-scale theft of intellectual property. In 2013 Mandiant, a cyber-threat intelligence firm, which is now part of Google, made waves when it exposed apt1", the label for a group of hackers linked to the pla. apt1 was not focused on stealing political secrets or turning off power grids but on stealing blueprints, manufacturing processes and business plans from American firms. A year later Americas government took the then unprecedented step of indicting five pla hackers for this activity. Keith Alexander, a former head of the National Security Agency (nsa), Americas signals-intelligence service, described this as the greatest transfer of wealth in history".

That period ended with a partial truce. In 2015 Barack Obama, then Americas president, and Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart, announced a common understanding". Neither country would conduct cyber-espionage to steal intellectual property. The agreement worked. Shortly afterwards commercial espionage of this sort fell dramatically, if temporarily. But that was simply the start of the new era of political espionage and sabotage.

All of these areas have been affected by three big shifts within Chinas hacking programmes. One is who is doing the hacking. In 2015-16, shortly after being shocked by the Snowden revelations, China reshuffled its cyber forces. The pla was forced to retrench, focusing on military intelligence and reconnaissancelike Volt Typhoonand its activity declined. The mss took over political-intelligence gatheringlike Salt Typhoonwhich it conducted with gusto, and commercial espionage, which continued on a smaller scale. Nowadays," writes Tom Uren, author of Risky Business", a cyber newsletter, the mss is the big kahuna."

Quieten down, lads

Second, Chinese hacking got better. About 20 years ago, when cyber-security firms began tracking the threat, Chinese hackers were very, very loud", says John Hultquist of Mandiant, incredibly willing to set off alarms, incredibly willing to be caught". A European official concurs. Even five years ago, she says, Chinese cyber operators were not considered very sophisticated." That has now changed. The speed at which they improve always seems to come as a surprise to Westerners, even though it really shouldnt," says the official. If China wants to accelerate in an area, then they will, and they have very smart people."

That points to a third shift. Chinese cyber operations now draw increasingly on a large and flourishing private-sector ecosystem which has become a talent pipeline, enabler and force multiplier for Chinese cyber operations around the world. Consider the mss-linked Tianfu Cup in the south-western city of Chengdu (which has emerged as a hub for this kind of activity). It is one of many capture the flag" (ctf) competitions in which tech-savvy youngsters compete to show off their hacking prowess by finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in software. China has hosted about 130 of these sorts of events since 2004, most of them after 2014, and many backed by government ministries, according to data collected by Dakota Cary, a consultant at SentinelOne, a cyber-security company, and Eugenio Benincasa of the Centre for Security Studies at eth Zurich.

These events can draw huge crowds. The Wangding Cup is organised by the Ministry of Public Security (mps), which runs the countrys police force and gathers domestic intelligence. The cup is known as the cyber-security Olympics" and can attract 30,000 people, note Mr Cary and Mr Benincasa. The tournaments are scouting grounds for Chinese spooks. As with elite sports, a handful of star hackers tend to drive a teams success. A decade ago Chinese hackers were allowed to travel to contests abroad; that is now restricted. The vulnerabilities they discoverweaknesses in code that can be used to gain accessare siphoned straight into the state apparatus", says a person familiar with the process. In 2021 the government punished Alibaba Cloud, a tech firm, for divulging a vulnerability without first telling the state.

Talent contests are just the start. Last year, documents belonging to i-Soon were leaked on the internet. They showed that the firm was functioning as a private signals-intelligence agency whose targets spanned 23 countries: Nepals presidential palace, road-mapping data from Taiwan, South Korean telephone logs, Indian immigration systems and Thailands intelligence service. i-Soon is one of many such firms in Chengdu.

The firms are not unstoppable ninjasthe leaked files show evidence of internal arguments, disorganisation and failurebut they add to Chinas cyber heft. Even where mss hackers do the hacking themselves, they often rely on this corporate hinterland for the tools and infrastructure to enable their attacks. When Chinese hackers first started, they used to come, undisguised, right out of Shanghai networks", says Mr Hultquist. Today they make use of operational-relay-box (orb) networks, built and maintained by private firms, which use compromised devices around the world, such as home internet routers, to disguise the origin of attacks.

The increasing scale, sophistication and aggression of Chinese hacking are by far the most significant shift in the cyber-threat landscape in well over a decade", notes Mr Martin. Volt and Salt Typhoon, on their own, are strategic compromises of the West on a scale hitherto unseen by any other cyber power", he warns.

It is not yet an all-out cyberwar. What separates China from their peers like Russia, North Korea and Iran", says Mr Hultquist, is that those states routinely cross the line from espionage to disruption, from spying and reconnaissance to outright sabotage. China has never pulled the trigger", he says. Even in American infrastructure networks, China has stopped short of inserting destructive code. We can see them doing the reconnaissance. We can see them getting into place. Theyre not showing us the weapon."
OpenAI led a group of American technology giants that won a deal last week to build one of the worlds largest artificial-intelligence data centers in Abu Dhabi. Behind the scenes, Elon Musk worked hard to try to derail the deal if it didnt include his own AI startup, according to people familiar with the matter.

On a call with officials at G42, an AI firm controlled by the brother of the United Arab Emirates president, Musk had a warning for those assembled: Their plan had no chance of President Trump signing off on it unless his company xAI was included in the deal, according to some of the people.

Musk had learned just before Trumps mid-May tour of three Gulf countries that OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman was going to be on the trip and that a deal in the U.A.E. was in the works, and grew angry about it, according to White House officials. He then said he would also join the trip, and appeared alongside the president in Saudi Arabia.

After Musks complaints, Trump and U.S. officials reviewed the deal terms and decided to move forward. The White House officials said Musk didnt want a deal that seemed to benefit Altman. Aides discussed how to best calm Musk down, one of the officials said, because Trump and David Sacks, the presidents AI and crypto adviser, wanted to announce the deal before the end of the presidents trip to the Middle East.

Musk didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, This was another great deal for the American people, thanks to President Trump and his exceptional team."

A senior White House official said Musk raised concerns about the deal and relayed his concerns about fairness for all AI companies."

Over the past year, Musk has emerged as one of the most powerful donors in Republican politics. The entrepreneur spent some $300 million to re-elect Trump to the White House and became a close adviser. Musk recently stepped down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency taskforce to spend more time working on the five companies he runs, including Tesla.

Altman and Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but Musk left the company in 2018 following a power struggle. He has since publicly turned on his former co-founder, suing him for allegedly betraying OpenAIs nonprofit mission, accusing him of being not trustworthy," and giving him the monikers Swindly Sam" and Scam Altman." Musk responded to the launch of OpenAIs hit product ChatGPT by launching his own rival startup, xAI. But xAI hasnt had nearly the traction or commercial success that OpenAIs chatbot has received.

In the months leading up to Trumps May visit to the Gulf, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al Nahyan, the U.A.E. national-security adviser and brother of the president, and other officials from the U.A.E. launched a lobbying effort for a national priority: They wanted AI chipslots of themand they were willing to spend heavily to get them.

The tiny petrostate sees AI as a key way to diversify its economy. So after the Biden administration had restricted the U.A.E. and most other countries from freely buying the latest products from Nvidia and other chipmakers, the U.A.E. leaned on the Trump administration. The U.A.E. pledged giant investments in the U.S., lobbied influential CEOs and bolstered a Trump-family businessto win a change to the chip export rules.

A key prong in the strategy was to bring American AI companies to Abu Dhabi. Officials readied a site that could ultimately hold a five-gigawatt cluster of AI data centersa project far larger than any single site in the U.S.that would hold servers of various U.S. companies.

After a March visit to the White House by Tahnoon, the White House gave the green light to strike a deal with the U.A.E. that would allow the country to buy far more chips, and also include a new data center for a U.S. AI company, people familiar with the negotiations said.

While Tahnoon had invested in several major U.S. AI startupsincluding Muskshis G42 zeroed in on OpenAI for the inaugural data center, and worked with the ChatGPT maker and other companiesOracle, Nvidia, Cisco and SoftBankto hash out an agreement.

To win over the U.S. officials and companies, G42 would pay the cost of the buildings construction, and then would have to also fund a similar-size project in the U.S., people familiar with the arrangement said. The deal was ultimately announced on May 22a week later than initially hopedthough some details are yet to be finalized. It was called Stargate U.A.E., after a similar deal Trump struck in the U.S. soon after he returned to the White House.

Musks blowup resembled his reaction in January to Trumps U.S. Stargate deal with OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. Musk was in the White House complex and blindsided when Altman and Trump touted the $500 billion investment, the Journal reported. Musk complained to aides about the project, claiming Stargates backers didnt have the money they needed. He even took to his social-media platform, X, to criticize the January deal.

The U.A.E. has built ties with Musk, particularly since he tethered himself to Trump. Tahnoons MGX fund was a large investor in a $6 billion fundraise by xAI announced in December, and in February, Dubai struck a deal with Musks Boring Company to build an 11-mile network of tunnels, announced at a conference where Musk spoke by video with the U.A.E.s AI minister.

Musks xAI has also been seen as a likely candidate for future sites at the giant data-center cluster. Under the framework agreement between the U.S. and U.A.E., xAI is on a short list of U.S. companies that are conditionally approved to buy most of the 500,000 chips permitted annually, the people familiar with the deal said.

Write to Dana Mattioli at dana.mattioli@wsj.com, Josh Dawsey at Joshua.Dawsey@WSJ.com and Eliot Brown at Eliot.Brown@wsj.com
TEL AVIVA new aid system backed by Israel delivered more food in Gaza on Wednesday, but residents who lined up outside the distribution centers complained of limited supplies and disorder, one day after the effort was marred by scenes of chaos and looting.

Thousands of Palestinians desperate for food lined up outside two distribution centers in southern Gaza on Wednesday, despite concerns over security. Large crowds had overwhelmed one of the centers a day earlier and Israeli forces said they fired warning shots outside the compound. As the number of people surged after a slow start, witnesses said there was disorder and crowding as they heard about food running out.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private entity overseeing the new aid system, said that it was operating the two distribution sites in southern Gaza on Wednesday afternoon without unusual incidents. It has distributed approximately 14,550 boxes of food since it began operations on Monday, GHF said, but didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on supplies running out and disorder at the distribution sites on Wednesday.

Nizar Thabet, 37, who walked to one of the distribution sites near the Israeli-built Morag corridor in Rafah with his two hungry children, said he was able to get his hands on lentils, rice, and packs of pasta by asking others to give him some rather than receiving his own box.

Palestinians carrying supplies received from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

Some boxes were openedquantities were gone. I got food from others who hadnt eaten in 20 days," he said. Many others left empty-handed because supplies ran out, he said.

Israel was pressured to end its more than two-month blockade on Gaza, which it says was aimed at pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. During this period, no aid, medicine or fuel entered the enclave, leading to widespread hunger, according to residents and aid groups. The humanitarian crisis led to an international outcry, including from the U.S., Israels close ally, which pushed Israel to lift the blockade earlier this month.

But little aid has since reached Gazans, according to residents, and many are surviving on just one meal a day, mainly bread and canned goods.

According to the new plan, aid is to be handed out directly to Gazan families at distribution sites with the help of private security companies, to prevent Hamas from taking control of the aid, as Israel alleges. Hamas denies that it seizes the aid. Israeli military forces are stationed nearby for security.

Trucks loaded with aid arriving at the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza, on Wednesday. UTERS/Shafiek Tassiem

Many Gazans who are facing severe food shortages say they will do anything to feed their families, but the scenes of chaos, looting and Israeli shooting near the compound Tuesday were concerning, they said.

The scenes were heartbreaking," said Mohammed Al-Saafin, 25 years old, who is sheltering in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. People were desperate, running after trucks, just trying to get a bag of flour or some canned food. I wont goits too dangerous," he said.

The new aid plan overhauls the way aid has entered Gaza through international aid groups since the start of the war, and has faced criticism from more than 20 countries and the United Nations. Critics say it puts people unnecessarily at risk and cant meet the needs of the population on the ground. Most of the planned distribution sites are situated in southern Gaza, which makes reaching them difficult for those who live elsewhere or are unable to move.

The U.N. has refused to participate in this scheme, warning that it is logistically unworkable and violates humanitarian principles by using aid as a tool in Israels broader efforts to depopulate areas of Gaza," Jonathan Whittall, the head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said at a press briefing Wednesday.

Since the start of the war, Israel has issued evacuation orders that cover widespread areas in Gaza, which it says are aimed at ensuring the population is out of harms way in active combat areas but which have repeatedly displaced Gazans.

Momen Hassouneh, a 33-year-old father to three young children who is living in the al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, located in the strips north, said it would be difficult to make the journey to distribution centers in the south.

Transportation is difficult. If the roads were open, wed want to go," Hassouneh said.

The continuing war makes people fearful of moving unless forced. Israel says that it launched a renewed offensive in the enclave to crush Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had killed Hamass top leader in Gaza, Mohammed Sinwar, after targeting him in a strike earlier this month.

Mohammad Abo Nasem, 38 and a father of three children, is living in a tent in Khan Younis, after being displaced six times since the start of the war. He said he was initially encouraged by photos of people receiving aid on Tuesday, but was deterred by the large crowds.

I didnt like what happened yesterday because there was no order," he said. If there was a system that was more comfortable for people and spared people the humiliation of standing in long lines and chaos, if there was a better mechanism, everyone could get their share without problems or crowding," he said.

But with a family to feed he is desperate. I literally have nothing to feed my family. No lentils, no pasta, nothing." He said he would go to a distribution center tomorrow to try his luck.

Write to Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com
FOR A COUNTRY known for long winters and high taxes, Finland appears remarkably chipper. On March 20th it came top of the World Happiness Report, an annual UN-backed study, notching its eighth consecutive win ahead of 146 other countries. Not far behind it were Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. What makes the Nordics so happy?

The World Happiness Report is more a study of life satisfaction than smiles and laughter. It is based on a survey by Gallup, a pollster, where participants are asked to rate their lives out of ten. Finns are not known to gloat (or, for that matter, smile much). But in the latest survey they said their lives were a solid 7.7 on averagewell above the global country average of 5.6. At the very bottom of the ranking, people in war-torn Afghanistan rated their lives just 1.4 out of ten.

Various other organisations have found the Nordics to be some of the most stable, progressive and safe countries in the world. They dominate the high positions in The Economists glass-ceiling index, which measures the role and influence of women in the workforce. Deaths of despair, including suicides and unintentional overdoses, are quickly decreasing in the region, albeit from a historically high baseline (life-evaluation scores alone do not capture all of the factors that can lead to deaths of despair).

The Nordics are also some of the wealthiest countries in the world per person, which typically has a significant effect on life satisfaction (see chart 2).

On this measure countries in Latin America also stand out, reporting happier lives than their incomes would otherwise suggest. These countries have also outperformed the Nordics in other studies of happiness, such as how often people laugh or feel a sense of enjoyment. The researchers offer a possible explanation. They found that eating with people, compared with eating alone, was a surprisingly strong indicator of subjective wellbeingas statistically significant as income and employment status. That holds true even when accounting for other factors, such as age and education.

Latin America is a global leader" in meal-sharing, say the authors. People across the region reportedly eat around nine meals per week with friends or family. (In South Asia it is fewer than half of that.) This might mean they are better connected and less lonely than their peers elsewhere. Indeed, across the world the study found that measures of social support are more closely linked to how people rate their lives than GDP per person.

This might also explain why happiness in America and some other rich countries is falling (see chart 3). Americans increasingly eat alone, live alone andwhen given the choicework alone. In one survey 18% of young adults in America reported that they did not have anyone that they felt close to (although there are signs that the relentless increase in mental-health problems among young Americans has stalled or even gone into reverse).

In many other countries, too, an erosion of meaningful connections is leaving people feeling lonely and glum. But in Finland, alone time is actually cherished. Finns retreat to their mokki (country cottages) for deliberate solitudeoften in a sauna.
Harmeet Dhillon, head of the civil-rights division at the Justice Department, wakes up around 6 a.m. and begins her workday scrolling through X, searching for claims of discrimination.

A lot of them, Dhillon said, regard universities. After spotting a list of new horrors," she said," I text my deputies, and we assign cases, and we get cranking."

The Trump administration is on the hunt for campuses that have allegedly tolerated antisemitism, threatening to yank billions of dollars in federal research funding from Harvard and other top-name schools. The White House has accused universities of failing to protect Jewish students during campus protests against Israel over the war in Gaza that began in 2023.

Yet the idea of targeting elite schools by withholding federal funds originated years earlier. Many conservatives have long studied ways to combat what they view as the liberal, anti-Western ills of American higher education. Some are now in the Trump administration, trying to push change.

While Dhillon was a student at Dartmouth College, she was editor in chief of a conservative college newspaper that sued the school in a free-speech case. She said the lawsuit, which the paper won, cemented her career path. In 2018, she was the lawyer on a lawsuit that forced the University of California, Berkeley to revamp its speaker policies.

Trump has since become preoccupied with the White House pushheaded by Stephen Miller, the presidents top domestic policy adviserto influence U.S. universities, particularly Harvard, according to administration officials. Harvard is going to court Thursday to oppose administration efforts to forbid international students from enrolling at the school.

Harvard wants to fight," Trump told reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office. They want to show how smart they are, and theyre getting their ass kicked."

Leaders in Trump circles have argued that universities were so deeply stewed in progressive ideas that small, incremental changes wouldnt be enoughthat the federal government needed to force a major cultural shift. For years, the notion went nowhere.

Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser, said he, Miller and others close to the president talked about asserting more control over universities in the early days of Trumps first term. The idea was nothing more than a concept back then," said Bannon, a Georgetown and Harvard graduate. You couldnt even call it an idea."

Then a punch in the face grabbed Trumps attention.

A demonstration against the war in Gaza at the Harvard campus on Oct. 14, 2023.

Black eye

In February 2019, Hayden Williams set up a table at UC Berkeley, where he was helping recruit students to join Turning Point USA, a youth-outreach group founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A man taunted Williams and delivered a sucker punch. Neither the attacker, who was later arrested, nor Williams were students at the school.

Video of the attack went viral and Williams, sporting a black eye, appeared on Fox News.

Kirk recalled Trump saying at the time, Weve got to do something about this. Kirk said he told Trump that it was a chance to stand up for conservative students, and that they talked about withholding federal funding for free-speech violations. Donald Trump Jr. has credited Kirk for pushing the strategy.

About two weeks after the altercation, Trump brought Williams onstage at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Trump said he planned to sign an executive order requiring colleges and universities to uphold free speech if they want federal research money.

If they dont, it will be very costly," Trump said.

Soon after, Trump signed the executive order. It was stalled by opponents, who included congressional Republicans and some in the White House. Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, chair of the Senates education committee, questioned whether the order was constitutional.

I dont want to see Congress or the president or the department of anything creating speech codes to define what you can say on campus," Alexander said at the time.

The roadblock echoed an earlier era. President Richard Nixon wanted to cut off Defense Department funding from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in response to campus antiwar protests, but members of his administration pushed back, historian Michael Koncewicz said.

The first Trump administration nonetheless laid legal groundwork for the current fight.

In 2020, after the administration tried and failed to stop money going to projects Trump opposed, the Office of Management and Budget adjusted federal grant regulations.

The new rule permitted the termination of projects if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities."

It was an opening waiting for its moment.

Anti-Vietnam War demonstrators marching past the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., on April 18, 1972.

The enemy

During the four years between Trumps first and second terms, some of his former administration officials began planning another crack at reining in higher education.

Conservative higher-education policymakers mapped how they could use executive power, anticipating that Republicans might not have 60 votes needed to overcome a Senate filibuster.

There was a lot of energy to boldly plan for the maximum higher-education reform that would be justified at the federal level," recalled Adam Kissel, who was a deputy assistant secretary for higher-education programs at the Education Department during Trumps first term.

Vice President JD Vance, a Yale Law School graduate, made the point clear during a speech at the 2021 National Conservatism conference, titled The Universities Are the Enemy."

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations, following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent war in Gaza, provided the surprise push.

During a congressional hearing that December, House members questioned campus presidents from three top universities about reports of antisemitism. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), a top Trump ally and Harvard graduate, drew national attention with her inquiry.

Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate MITs code of conduct or rules regarding bullying and harassment, yes or no?" she asked Sally Kornbluth, the MIT president. Kornbluth didnt say yes, it was. Neither did the two other presidents.

Stefanik said Claudine Gay, then-president of Harvard, should resign.

Claudine Gay, left, then-president of Harvard University; Liz Magill, then-president of University of Pennsylvania, testifying before the House Education and Workforce Committee in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2023.

The video of the hearing was viewed billions of times, Stefanik said. Both Gay and Liz Magill, then-president of University of Pennsylvania, resigned in the lingering criticism that followed.

It shows that it was a seminal moment," Stefanik said, and it set off an earthquake in higher ed."

Conservative think tanks, packed with Trump allies, seized the moment.

In January 2024, the Heritage Foundation held an event to launch a National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. A number of Trumps first-term officials joined, including David Friedman, former ambassador to Israel. He said antisemitism had become a full five-alarm fire" that has infiltrated and insinuated itself into the halls of the Ivy League."

You can walk into a cocktail party in Manhattan and spout Nazi rhetoric and youll be shown the door," Friedman said in a video aired during the task-force launch. But if you express the conviction that Israel should not exist, you will probably be poured a drink."

Friedman proposed a four-point prescription, beginning with take away their money," he said.

Hate groups must lose their tax-exempt status, and universities that dont protect their students should lose their government funding," Friedman said.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

Word to the wise

Trumps team was emboldened by his 2024 victory, which drew support across nearly every demographic group, including a significant boost from younger voters.

Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, believed he had a receptive audience in the second Trump administration. He provided a list of schools he believed should be investigated, based, in part, on his own unwelcome experiences speaking there. The list included Harvard, Columbia, Duke and New York universities, as well as U Penn and University of California, Irvine.

Within about two weeks of Trumps inauguration, the Justice Department announced the new Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Justice Department later released a list of 10 targeted universities, including several on Kleins list.

Trump said recently he wanted to redirect federal funds from elite institutions to trade schools, and he has asked for suggestions about how to carry that out, officials said. The president has zeroed in on Harvards endowment, telling aides that a university with some of the countrys wealthiest backers doesnt need federal funds.

It was kind of sticker-shock to him," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. I think that its right to investigate and take a look at all of it."

Kirk said he speaks frequently with the president, telling him to crush these universities with every power you have." He was in the Oval Office Wednesday when the president said Harvard was going to get its backside kicked.

Recent polls, including a survey by The Wall Street Journal this spring, show Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to cutting university funding for medical research. A Journal poll also found that some arguments from the Trump administration about the threat might gain support, such as casting the cuts as a way to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.

Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, center, at the Oval Office where President Trump spoke Wednesday about Harvards prospects.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a leading critic of universities it alleges squash conservative perspectives, has expressed opposition to Trumps tactics, including the threat to cut research funding at Harvard.

The government can grant and reject grant requests for many reasons. But it cant do so for unconstitutional ones. And thats exactly what is happening here," said Tyler Coward, the foundations lead counsel for government affairs. The problems that exist at Harvard, and there are many, cannot distract from the very real threat of the government wielding its immense funding power to control Americas colleges and universities."

Top Trump officials are closely monitoring the words and actions of university leaders. Columbia University interim President Claire Shipman in her recent commencement speech mentioned the absence of pro-Palestinian student Mahmoud Khalil, who is the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His detention has drawn protests.

The following day, the university received a notice of civil-rights violation. McMahon said the notice was in the works before Shipmans speech.

President Shipman is trying to balance different factions, but I was disappointed," McMahon said. Naming Khalil wasnt necessary for her to say, considering all of the campus unrest that had happened," McMahon said.

White House officials told Columbia it should be mindful during its search for a permanent president that such comments from university leaders would again jeopardize federal funding, a senior administration official said.

Dhillon, head of the DOJs civil-rights division, said all these schools are in the penalty box, theyre all misbehaving."

Harvard is taking an aggressive approach, she said.

Columbia, meanwhile, theyre playing dead," Dhillon said. It doesnt mean their intentions are any different."

Write to Eliza Collins at eliza.collins@wsj.com, Douglas Belkin at Doug.Belkin@wsj.com, Tarini Parti at tarini.parti@wsj.com and Liz Essley Whyte at liz.whyte@wsj.com
SEOULA week ago, Kim Jong Un traveled to North Koreas City of Iron," home to a major industrial shipyard where a hulking warship awaited him. A VIP podium had been erected alongside the port for the vessels launch. Officials waited in anticipation.

But the moment of celebration turned into calamity.

The 5,000-ton destroyer lost its balance as it lurched into the water, toppling over and embarrassing Kim, who seeks to modernize his Soviet-era naval fleet. Four North Korean officials have been detained over the mishap, according to state media, which called it an unpardonable crime."

What has become clearer in the aftermath is how an unconventional choice of launch method, Kims rushed timetable and a top-heavy warship overladen with weapons systems was a recipe for disaster, according to satellite-imagery analysis, naval experts and North Koreas official statements.

I havent seen a failure like this one," said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Side launch goes sideways

The 470-feet-long warshipKims second Choe Hyon-class destroyerhad been built at a port in the northeastern city of Chongjin, a major cargo hub near the Russian border. North Koreas largest steel mill sits nearby. Vessels carrying oil and wheat dot the surrounding waterways.

Days before the May 21 launch, satellite imagery showed the vessel alongside the dock, resting on a sloped ramp designed to slide it side first into the water.

This setup meant North Korea had chosen to attempt a risky side launch," as opposed to other, more common methods. The country hadnt before been observed attempting the method with other military vessels, according to 38 North, a website that analyzes North Korea. The movement requires precise calculations predicting the ships center of gravity and the launch angle.

With Kim looking on, the warship didnt descend the rails evenly. Instead, only its stern slid into the water, causing the vessel to topple over into the water with its bow remaining on the dockside, according to experts who viewed the satellite images.

North Korea said the accident occurred because of inexperienced command and operational carelessness." Naval experts said a miscalculation of how to keep the ship balanced appears likely.

Blue tarps now cover the warship, concealing from the outside world the extent of the damage. The bottom of the warship wasnt punctured in the accident, North Koreas state media reported. Pumping out seawater from the submerged part of the vessel takes several days, North Korean state media said. Getting the ship back upright should be completed by next week.

Even when a side launch is successful, the ship violently bobs back and forth before coming to a standstill. This was the case for the 2013 side launch of the USS Milwaukee, a littoral combat ship, in a video from its manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The Milwaukee is also significantly smaller than the capsized North Korean vessel, at about 3,400 tons and 388-feet long.

The U.S. now generally avoids side launches for large warships, since other options are safer and more stable. South Koreas military said following the North Korean accident that it avoids the method.

Time pressure

Side launches are commonly used for cargo vessels or tankers, as they have flatter hulls and are therefore easier to balance after being dropped into the water, naval experts said. The method is risky for warships, since their hulls are narrow to maximize speed and they have bulky weapons systems mounted atop them.

To North Korea, a side launch is also a less costly option and requires less advanced equipment than the common alternative, a so-called floating dock launch, in which a dock is filled with water.

This approach is considered safer and more controlled than a side launch, and is how the U.S., South Korea and other military powers typically ease their big warships into water, naval experts said.

It is also the method used by the Kim regime just weeks earlier at a different port, in the west coast city of Nampo, for the launching of the first Choe Hyon-class warship. Nampos shipyard is larger and more modern.

Kim was on hand for that launch, too. Standing aboard a vessel draped in North Korean flags, he smiled with his daughter as confetti fell from the sky.

The North Korean leaders demands for speed also likely played a role in the accident, said Neil Watts, a former South African navy captain.

Its a combination of lack of technical expertise and the pressure to get the ship launched in a short period of time," said Watts, a former member of the now-disbanded United Nations panel monitoring North Korean sanctions compliance.

The first Choe Hyon-class warship had been built in roughly 400 days, North Korean state media said, with plans to deploy it by early next year. The second began construction about a year ago, according to satellite-imagery analysis of Chongjin port.

That would be a fast turnaround for a country with North Koreas industrial limitations and inexperience, naval experts said. It typically takes Japan and South Korea about three years to build a frigate or destroyer. Europe takes three to six years and the U.S. often longer.

Moreover, North Korea appeared to have affixed roughly 70 weapons systems atop the destroyer before launch, plus other arms, whereas the U.S., South Korea and others typically mount far fewer and take years to fully equip a military vessel, said Yoon Suk-joon, a retired South Korean navy captain and now senior fellow at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs.

North Korea got too ambitious," he said.

Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
The shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Middletown, Pa. Constellation Energy is looking to give the site new life.

The nuclear energy industry got a big boost last Friday when President Donald Trump signed executive orders aiming to speed up construction of reactors. But details of those executive orders are now raising alarms among nuclear experts, who worry they erode protections that keep Americans safe.

In particular, Trump wants to loosen rules on how much radiation can be emitted from nuclear plants, direct the DOGE team to help test new kinds of reactors, and change standards for approving new reactors. Trump issued those directives in a series of four executive orders released late on Friday.

The orders are designed to ramp up the construction of new reactors at a time when none are being built in the United States.

But Trumps methods go well beyond past efforts to jump-start the nuclear energy industry. Some nuclear experts say they jeopardize the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees the safety of the U.S. nuclear fleet. The NRC was created by Congress and sits in the executive branch, where its expected to make decisions independent of political pressure.

Kathryn Huff, who led the Department of Energys nuclear office under President Biden, said in an interview that the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters were caused in part by a lack of independent regulators. Huff, who is now a professor at the University of Illinois, thinks Trumps executive ordersincluding these four and a previous one from Februarylook like an attempt to turn the NRC into an agent of the White House. The orders indicate a desire to fully capture the regulator, which is a path to nuclear accidents," she said.

Some groups are raising similar concerns.

The administration is virtually guaranteeing that this country will see a serious accident or other radiological release that will affect the health, safety and livelihoods of millions," said Dr. Edwin Lyman, the director of nuclear power safety at the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists, in a statement.

Jennifer Gordon, a nuclear policy expert at the Atlantic Council, a think tank, wrote that the changes to the NRC could lessen its standing among global nuclear regulatory authorities."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the criticisms.

Much of the language in Trumps executive orders aligns with bipartisan views on nuclear energy that President Joe Biden also embraced. That includes a goal of approving reactors more quickly and helping fund them with government money. Investors had a positive reaction to Trumps orders, lifting the stocks of companies like Constellation Energy that own reactors, and Oklo that are building new kinds of reactors. Nuclear companies have increased political clout," wrote Jefferies analyst Julien Dumoulin-Smith.

But some parts of the executive orders could significantly change how the U.S. regulates nuclear plants.

In one of his executive orders, Trump says that the NRC uses outdated methods to determine how much radiation is safe for Americans. This failure stems from a fundamental error: Instead of efficiently promoting safe, abundant nuclear energy, the NRC has instead tried to insulate Americans from the most remote risks without appropriate regard for the severe domestic and geopolitical costs of such risk aversion," he writes.

In response, the NRC said it is assessing the executive orders and will comply with White House directives."

Trump argues that its time to change the standards of whats considered an acceptable level of radiation for the public to be exposed to. The current standards are based on a technical term known as the linear no-threshold, or LNT, model, and the NRCs principle to keep radiation as low as reasonably achievable."

Huff says that the standards are meant to be conservative, but not totally eliminate all radiation risk. The idea is that you should try to minimize radiation exposure to the public reasonably," she said. Trump isnt the first person who has said the standards should be changed, but Huff thinks that any changes should follow a rigorous scientific process addressing the possible public harms.

Trump also wants to cut jobs at the NRC and rewrite its rules, with the guidance of DOGEthe Department of Government Efficiency that was developed by Elon Musk. DOGE was previously criticized for mass firings at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which works on nuclear weapons programs. Many of those firings were eventually reversed amid criticism that they put the country at risk, with officials scrambling to rehire people who had been let go.

Some experts questioned whether DOGE should have a role in changing rules for nuclear reactors and cutting jobs at the nuclear safety agency.

Having DOGE involved in this is a little odd," Huff said. I suppose it makes sense with regard to reduction in force, but Im not aware of any nuclear expertise on the DOGE team."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on DOGEs nuclear expertise.

Its also not clear how layoffs at the NRC will help speed the process of getting reactors approved. Reduction in force and acceleration of licensing timelinesthose dont go together," Huff said. You have to increase the number of people if youre going to reduce the time it takes to license something."

So far the NRC has not had the kind of mass layoffs that have happened at other federal agencies. There were 2,849 people working there as of April 1, down from 2,857 on Jan. 1. Since Trumps inauguration, 37 people have quit the agency and 111 have taken a deferred resignation. One of Trumps executive orders says the cost-cutting at the NRC will be flexiblethe commission may even get more employees in certain areas, like reactor testing, if necessary.

DOGE will also be involved in another part of Trumps nuclear plan testing new kinds of reactors on federal property. That sort of thing is already happening at places like the Idaho National Laboratory, a federal lab that has worked with nuclear companies on test reactors. But Trump is looking to ramp up those tests and get three pilot reactors up and running by July 4, 2026. Trump wants the results of the tests to determine how the NRC reviews applications for new kinds of reactors that serve the public.

The president also wants to put reactors on military bases, and look for ways to exempt them from traditional environmental reviews that can slow construction down. Chris Gadomski, the lead nuclear analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said that using military bases makes sense, because it will reduce the need for nuclear companies to pay for security, which can be a large expense.

But Gadomski thinks these efforts wont lead to the construction of new reactors without more specific financial commitments from the utilities that would own them. In 2005, a similar policy effort by President George W. Bush led companies to plan for 25 new reactors, only two of which got built, and those two went billions of dollars over budget, Gadomski noted. You can have all this policy push" for nuclear reactors, he said. But you need to have the market pull too. You need to have utility executives say Yeah. Ill take one of those."

Trumps executive orders say that the Department of Energy should help finance new reactors through its Loan Programs Office, which had already been financing them under the previous administration. The problem is that the office is expected to lose much of its staff due to job cuts, and Republicans in the House of Representatives are looking to cut its funds to pay for tax cuts. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said at a recent budget hearing that he hopes the Senate will keep funding for the Loan Programs Office.

If you are a U.S. utility and you dont have support from the Loan Programs Office to build a nuclear power plant, what other financial institutions are going to step in to fill that void?" asked Gadomski.

Write to Avi Salzman at avi.salzman@barrons.com
The Trump administration is wading into a long-running dispute between its allies in the oil patch and six Central African countries that could derail fossil-fuel projects valued at more than $130 billion.

Officials from the U.S. Treasury and State departments are pushing the countries to resolve a disagreement over the remediation funds owed by Chevron, ConocoPhillips and other oil companies. Such funds are used for future environmental cleanup at exploration sites.

An organization of Central African countriesincluding Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabonhas long signaled it wants the oil companies to park those funds at the Bank of Central African States, also known as BEAC, to shore up its depleted foreign-currency reserves. Some African officials initially suggested that the companies would be required to deposit as much as $10 billion.

The oil companies say that is a risky proposition that doesnt adhere to international best practices. Remediation funds are usually treated as untouchable and held at U.S. or European banks. The companies want to ensure BEAC cant access the remediation funds for other purposes and peg the sum they would owe at closer to $1 billion over a 10-year period.

Negotiations have been under way since 2018 but became more urgent when the central bank gave the companies an April 30 deadline to begin depositing the funds. That is when the Trump administration stepped in.

Although the first few months of President Trumps second term have largely frustrated American oil producers, many executives say his administration remains an influential ally in their international affairs.

The headquarters of the Bank of Central African States, in Cameroon.

In this case, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has acted as an intermediary between the African countries and the oil companies, helped bring the dispute to U.S. officials.

Representatives from the U.S. State and Treasury departments warned African officials in a meeting in Washington in late April that they would be watching the outcome of the negotiations closely, according to people familiar with the matter. It was the first time U.S. officials had intervened directly in the meetings between the companies and government ministers.The U.S. doesnt have jurisdiction over the issue but carries weight at the International Monetary Fund, which lends billions of dollars a year to African countries. In March, Rep. Bill Huizenga (R., Mich.) introduced a bill to withhold U.S. support for any IMF action related to the six countries until the matter was resolved.

The IMF acknowledged recently, after long deferring on the matter, that the countries couldnt count the remediation funds among their currency reserves under its rules. A spokesman for the IMF said it has been encouraging the parties to come to an agreement.

Some of the oil companies are considering pulling out of projects or delaying new investments in the region unless they can reach a deal, according to people familiar with their thinking.

All together, the projects at risk are expected to produce more than 1 billion barrels of oil and gas over the next 25 years, according to S&P Global. They are worth a combined $133 billion in government revenue and company cash flow. Energy companies typically share profits and pay royalties and taxes to local governments after they begin pumping oil.

Chevron, for example, has an exploration project in Cameroon that has yet to start up. It also operates offshore fields in Equatorial Guinea, a region Exxon Mobil exited from last year.

A recent drop in oil prices is forcing the companies to be choosy about which projects they advance. Any new projects in the six countries would have to compete for investments against areas such as Guyana in South America and Angola on the western coast of southern Africa, where the oil companies are eager to shift more capital.

The countries will lose out the most if they overplay their hand here," said Caleb Jasso, senior policy adviser at the Institute for Energy Research. For the oil companies, there are plenty of other places to park capital," he said. The companies can take a temporary loss and simply reallocate and strategize, and go elsewhere."

For now, BEAC has agreed to be a passive custodian of the fundswhich would only be deposited if a deal is struckand not to impose fines while the parties continue negotiations. A long-term solution remains elusive. The central bank didnt respond to requests for comment.

Trumps return to office hasnt yet spurred the golden age of oil and gas that he promised. Since his tariff blitz in early April, the price of crude has fallen 15% to $60.89, a level that shale companies say is untenable for domestic production growth and is cutting into their earnings. Privately, oil executives have complained about the administrations fixation on dropping fuel prices. Some are already cutting spending.

Yet in other matters, Trump has shown that he has the industrys back. He exempted oil, natural gas and refined products from the raft of tariffs that are currently paused until July 31. The administration also reduced tariffs earlier this year on Canadian crude after a meeting with oil lobbyists.

Write to Collin Eaton at collin.eaton@wsj.com
US president Donald Trump administrations tough stance on international student visas are worrying lenders, as they are seeing a sharp fall in the number of customers opting for education loans to study in America. Disbursal of loan amounts may also get impacted if visas are cancelled or delayed, the banks warned.

Banks have seen a 25% reduction in education loans to students applying to US and Canada last fiscal and the growth in education loans will dip further now. More students are now looking at European colleges for admission," said a senior official at one of Indias largest public sector banks.

The banks warnings comes on the back of the US government directing its embassies to stop scheduling new interviews for international student visas. Prior to this, the US embassy in India has cautioned students that skipping classes or leaving the program without informing authorities will lead to visa revocation, as the Trump administration mounts scrutiny of overseas students.

Demand for US student loans have halved as of now post the Trump decision. We are expecting business to slow down drastically, also due to the delay in US visa applications. However, we expect the situation to improve by February-March next year," said Nilanjan Chattoraj, head, credit and product, education loans, InCred Finance.

So far we are not seeing stress in the education loan portfolio. However, we have put in place structures and teams in place if some of the students face job losses. We will work with them to chart out a repayment plan and seek regulatory flexibility in classifying these loans," said Chattoraj.

Loan disbursal risks worry lenders

Typically, the loan amount gets sanctioned and then the student applies for the requisite visas. But lenders are worried that if visas get cancelled or delayed, then there will be an issue during the time of disbursal, which is sought by the college when the academic session starts.

55-60% of our loan applicants are for higher education to the US and we expect a dip because of the visa issues, but this should be a temporary one. However, US-focussed education consultants who link the students with us have seen up to 50% drop in demand for US," Ankit Mehra, co-founder and chief executive officer of non-banking financial company GyanDhan, said.

For non-bank lenders, the average ticket size for a loan to the US is 40 lakh, and the other geographies that are next in queue include the UK, Canada and Australia.

Tighter visa rules dent student traffic

A degree in these colleges can set one back by $55,000-$100,000 a year for a four-year undergraduate course. Over the past few weeks, there has been a stiff battle between Ivy League universities like Harvard with the Trump-led government. Last week, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvards certification to admit foreign students for the 2025-26 academic year.

The university sued the US administration in the district court of Massachusetts, which blocked the order, providing temporary relief. The Trump administration has already ended Federal grants worth more than $2 billion to Harvard. It also aims to cancel remaining contracts, The New York Times reported.

We typically send around 500 students to the US each year. Earlier this month, visa slots opened for Indian students, and most of our applicants secured their visas during this period. However, around 20% are currently facing delays as US Embassies conduct additional scrutiny during visa interviews," said Namita Mehta, president of education consulting firm The Red Pen.

A 2024 report by Crisil noted that India's expenditure on overseas education was estimated at 5-5.1 trillion annually in 2023 and projected to swell to 10.5-11.5 trillion by 2028. This market is expected to be driven by the increase in the number of students opting for education abroad and the rising cost of attendance," the report stated.

According to data provided by the government in parliament in March, 750,000 Indians were studying abroad in 2022. That number shot up to 892,000 in 2023, but dipped to 759,000 in 2024 in the wake of geopolitical crises and visa curbs.

In 2023, Australia announced that it would no longer permit international students to enrol in affordable vocational courses immediately upon arrival in the country. In an attempt to clamp down on large-scale immigration, the UK tightened visa rules for international students, making it tougher to bring in dependents. In 2024, Canada, too, tightened visa rules.
Nano-technology-based fertilizers which contain plant nutrients in very small particle sizes have witnessed a lower-than-anticipated adoption, according to U.S. Awasthi, managing director, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd. (Iffco).

Iffco launched the world's first 'Nano Liquid Urea' fertilizer in June 2021 and came up with Nano-DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) fertilizers in April 2023.

"The adoption of nano fertilizers is lower than anticipated as compared to solid fertilizers," said Awasthi, after announcing the financial results for Iffco. the countrys largest agro-fertilizer manufacturer and distributor.

He put this down to a lack of awareness of these high-efficiency fertilizers and reluctance among farmers. This is in spite of a significant increase in sales of nano-fertilizers in 2024-25 as compared with a year ago.

Sales performance in FY25 In the last financial year, Iffco sold 36.50 million bottles of nano-fertilizers, an increase of 47% as over the 24.89 million bottles sold in the previous financial year.

Out of 36.50 million bottles, 26.80 million were of Nano Urea Plus (Liquid) and 9.7 million of Nano DAP (Liquid). This is equivalent to 1.2 million tonnes of conventional Urea and 4.85 tonnes of conventional DAP.

Considering the total industry volume of 35.80 million tonnes of conventional urea sold last year, the contribution of nano urea is just 3.36%. In case of DAP the contribution of nano-DAP is 5.04% of the total industry volume of 9.62 million tonnes of conventional DAP last year.

"In order to increase penetration, we would increase our outreach activities and marketing campaign including social media," added Awasthi.

Meanwhile, Iffco booked profit after tax at 2,823 crore in FY25 as compared with 2,443 crore in FY24. Revenue rose to 41,244 crore in FY25 fiscal, from 39,474 crore in the previous year.

Commenting upon future plans, Awasthi added,"We will be also launching Nano NPK fertilizer in granular form. Nano NPK fertilizer is enriched with Magnesium, Sulphur, Zinc and Copper which would help in increasing the crop productivity & would minimize nutrient losses."

He further said that Iffco will be also launching Nano Zinc and Nano Copper to fulfil micro-nutrients needs of plants.

According to him, by incorporating nanotechnology, drones, and artificial intelligence, Iffco is transforming the agriculture & food value chain across the country.
In Nifty 500 companies, even when a majority of public shareholders oppose a resolution, its not enough to stop it from being approved, a report by Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS), a proxy advisory firm, found. Mint explains this anomaly.

How do no-votes get bypassed?

According to IiASs review, most shareholder resolutions of Nifty 500 companies pass because the promoters hold the majority 51% of shares. Their holdings are significant. Public shareholders, including institutional investors, big money managers like mutual funds, insurance firms, pension funds and foreign portfolio investors, make up about 27% of ownership. Then, there are others a mix of retail investors, HNIs, family offices and private equity players. These groups do not have a majority and have lower voter participation. So even when many of them vote against a proposal, they can be ignored.

Do investors show a voting pattern?

In 2024, institutional investors held over a quarter of shares in Nifty 500 companies and voted on nearly 80% of the proposals. Of 4,840 resolutions put before shareholders during the year, only 24 were rejected, meaning 99.5% were approved, underlining promoter dominance. Resolutions on pay packets were opposed. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd saw 46.91% institutions vote against a compensation proposal, yet it passed. Similarly, 45.26% opposed a resolution at Persistent Systems Ltd but it passed. Employee Stock Option Plans faced the most dissent from institutional investors.

What does the report say on types of resolutions?

Those on owner-manager remuneration are classified as ordinary and need a simple majority. Since promoters vote on these, they always get approved. The report suggests reclassifying these to majority-of-minority, requiring more votes and stopping promoters from voting on their compensation. This could result in greater accountability and fairness.

Do retail and small investors have a say?

They have very little say in company decisions. In calendar year 2024, retail investors owned 22% of the shares in Nifty 500 companies, but only 19% of them exercised their voting rights. Even when they did vote, fewer than 1% voted against. In contrast, promoters who owned more than 51% of the shares voted on the majority of their holdings, giving them higher influence. Because of this imbalance, even if small investors disagree with a decision, it rarely changes the outcome. Their voices often go unheard.

How can the dissent mechanism improve?

IiAS proposes a dissent review mechanism, where more than 10% of votes against a resolution would trigger a formal response from the company. After engaging with dissenting shareholders, the board would disclose any action taken, such as amendments made to the resolution. This is inspired by the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to return a bill to Parliament for reconsideration. Translated for resolutions with more than 10% dissent it means fewer than one in ten resolutions will need to be revisited.
Banks and financial institutions worldwide are gearing up for the day when quantum computers become stable enough to potentially break traditional encryption, which could cause massive data breaches, falsified transactions, identity theft, and large-scale market manipulation.

To guard against this, major players such as JPMorgan, Mastercard, Barclays, Citigroup and Wells Fargo are adopting quantum-resistant or post-quantum cryptography (PQC) encryption that's designed to resist such attacks.

JPMorgan, for instance, has launched a quantum-secured, crypto-agile network (Q-CAN) in Singapore using quantum key distribution (QKD), in which encryption keys are encoded in light particles. Since merely observing a quantum particle changes it irreversibly, any hacking attempt disrupts the signal, exposing the tampering.

The bank is also aligning its systems with the latest National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. In March it collaborated with Honeywell-owned Quantinuum and national labs to generate certified quantum-based random numbers to strengthen cryptographic systems.

Also read: India quantum startups win record grants; move closer to real-world applications

Last November, Banque de France and the Monetary Authority of Singapore tested quantum-resistant algorithms to encrypt and sign emails across conventional internet systems. They now plan to expand PQC trials to cross-border payment networks.

Meanwhile, Mastercard has tested NIST candidate algorithms and explored QKD integration in its global network, despite challenges with compatible hardware. If vendor support continues, Mastercard expects QKD could be ready for deployment within five years.

Why the tearing hurry?

One may ask: shouldn't financial institutions wait until quantum computers are stable and market-ready, especially since some experts see this happening within 10 years, while others say it will take until 2035-2040?

In the computers we use in homes and offices today, two bits can represent one of four possible states00, 01, 10, or 11but only one at a time. In contrast, two quantum bits (qubits) in a quantum computer can represent all four states simultaneously, thanks to superposition and entanglement properties, effectively functioning like four classical computers in one.

For now, though, while a quantum computers power grows exponentially when you add more qubits, this also induces more errors. Still, the reason for developing quantum-resistant cryptography quickly is the fear that hackers can steal and store data now, and wait until Q-Day (when quantum computers surpass classical computers) to decrypt it using a quantum machine. This form of attack is known as harvest now, decrypt later.

Traditional encryption at risk

Banks, stock exchanges, insurance firms and fintech platforms depend on public-key cryptography to secure transactions, protect user identities, and maintain the integrity of their operations. They typically use a combination of encryption methods to ensure security, combining the strengths of both symmetric and asymmetric cryptography.

Symmetric encryption uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt data. Its fast and efficient, and thus often used for securing large amounts of data. For instance, it's used when your phone encrypts stored files and by HTTPS websites after conducting an initial handshake. However, the challenge is safely sharing the key between sender and receiver. Asymmetric encryption, on the other hand, uses two keys: a public key to encrypt data and a private key to decrypt it.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and Data Encryption Standard (DES) are both symmetric encryption algorithms. Storing data such as customer records or transaction logs relies heavily on AES, especially AES-256, due to its strong security and speed.

RSA and ECC on the other hand are examples of asymmetric encryption algorithms. RSA stands for Rivest-Shamir-Adleman, named after its three inventors. Its one of the most widely used encryption methods and secures data using a pair of keys, one public and one private. ECC stands for Elliptic Curve Cryptography, which also uses key pairs but relies on mathematical curves for encryption.

Quantum computers, using Grovers algorithm, can find the encryption key used with AES much faster than a classical computer. With Shors algorithm  quantum algorithm developed by American mathematician Peter Shor in 1994  a quantum computer can effectively break asymmetric encryption such as RSA and ECC.

Also read: Three govt arms join forces to shield India in the quantum computing era

Classical computers can take more than 1,024 years to break such algorithms, but quantum computers could do so in a matter of hours using Shors algorithm. It is estimated that quantum computers could break RSA-2048 in a few hours or less, once they have around 4,000 qubits. (Currently, IBM's Condor has 1,121 qubits; it is targeting a 100,000-qubit system by 2033).

In 2021 the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank in Washington, DC, estimated that a quantum attack could cause trillions of dollars in economic losses if financial systems remained unprotected. The World Economic Forum has listed quantum attacks on encryption as one of the top 10 cybersecurity threats. By 2029, Gartner predicts that advances in quantum computing will make asymmetric cryptography unsafe and by 2034 fully breakable".

How are Indian financial institutions preparing for this?

In a December 2024 white paper titled Securing the Indian Banking Sector in the Age of Quantum Computing', the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) said Indian banks can stay protected from quantum attacks by leveraging the expertise of technology companies and research institutions, adopting a phased approach, and prioritising critical infrastructure.

The 2025 Thales Data Threat Report revealed that 68% of respondents in India believe quantum computers could eventually break current or future encryption algorithms, exposing data once considered secure. About 55% of respondent organisations in India said they were prototyping or evaluating PQC solutions, and 49% said they were assessing their encryption strategies.

Only 40% said they were placing their trust in telecom or cloud providers to manage the transition. About 56% identified key distribution vulnerabilities, where quantum advancements could undermine the secure exchange of encryption keys. In addition, 58% highlighted the harvest now, decrypt later threat.

Also read: What Microsoft's quantum computing breakthrough means for the world

Chief information security officers (CISOs) and chief technology officers (CTOs) in India's banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector have a moderate understanding of quantum computing, with an average PQC readiness score of just 2.4 out of 5", highlighting a lack of preparedness", according to a 14 May report by the ISB Institute of Data Science titled Quantum Resilient Banking: Strategies for a Secure Transition.

The report found that that 57.5% of respondents believed quantum computing would pose a significant threat within three years. Yet, while common security measures such as firewalls and endpoint protection are widely implemented, advanced techniques such as intrusion detection systems and vulnerability management tools remain underutilised, the report added.

India, which launched its National Quantum Mission (NQM) in 2023 with an outlay of 6,003 crore, is promoting a cohort of startups with the aim of jumpstarting Indias capabilities in quantum technologies. With NQM, India plans to develop quantum computers with 50-100 qubits in about five years, and 1,000 qubits and beyond in eight years.

While QNu Labs in Bengaluru is focused on developing quantum-safe networks to enable secure communications, QPiAI India, also based in Bengaluru, has already built a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer. Others such as Chennai-based Quantica Computacao are developing quantum cryptographic tools to help protect banking transactions. Further, the all female-founded Qkrishi Quantum and the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Kottayam (IIIT-K) have partnered to conduct research in quantum finance.

Easier said than done

The post-quantum cryptography market was valued at $356.4 million in 2023 and is forecast to touch $17.69 billion by 2034, according to ResearchandMarkets.

The market encompasses a variety of approaches including lattice-based, hash-based, and multivariate cryptography. Authors of the RBIH note, for instance, specifically recommend lattice-based cryptographic techniques, which offer a promising defence against emerging quantum risks... [as they are] designed to be resistant to both classical and quantum attacks." QNu Labs recommends Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) since they exploit quantum phenomena to create truly random numbers, a crucial element in strong encryption".

Implementing new cryptographic standards could take 10 to 15 years owing to major operational hurdles, though rapid adoption by some tech firms will speed up protections for many users, according to a note by Moody's. While saying the scale of the transition was hard to quantify, it likened the task to the years-long effort to fix the Y2K bug, and moving from fossil fuels to renewables.

Also read | Googles Willow: Quantum computings next big leap?

The note also cautioned that performance slowdowns are expected, as quantum-resistant algorithms require larger key sizes and heavier computation. Integrating these standards will demand significant IT expertise and pose technical challenges across legacy systems.

A recent note by Infosys unit EdgeVerve Systems cautioned that banks "must address the operational complexities of transitioning to new algorithms, such as managing data retention policies, replacing legacy cryptographic methods, and updating existing infrastructure". It concluded that without a well-defined road map, banks risked falling behind in securing their systems against quantum threats.
Peak travel season is upon us. People you know, or barely know, are putting out shiny Stories from all over. Chances are your bags, too, are packed. And as a spirits enthusiast, youre probably wondering what bottles to snag  at Duty Free or your destination. If thats indeed the case, weve got reccos from some of the most tuned-in names in Indias alcobev ecosystem.

Rakshay Dhariwal, food and beverage entrepreneur

As owner of Pass Code Hospitality, which runs 20 restaurants and bars across the country, and co-founder of homegrown agave brand Maya Pistola Agavepura, Rakshay Dhariwal is always sampling new stuff  and recco-ing spirits. The latest addition to his sizeable tequila collection is a sotol from Flor del Desierto, picked up in Thailand. Sotol is a traditional Mexican spirit, like mezcal or tequila, but distilled from dasylirion, a spiny, desert-dwelling plant in the asparagus family.

This ones a pechuga-style sotol, says Dhariwal, referring to a rare distillation method in which meat, typically chicken or turkey breast, is added to the still during a final distillation, often alongside fruits and spices. It adds body and complexity, says Dhariwal. The Snake Pechuga he bought includes rattlesnake meat in the distillate, along with local botanicals. Its got outstanding flavour and aroma, he says. If a serpent in your drink feels like a step too far, he suggests the more conventional Fortaleza, a tequila he calls one of the smoothest Ive ever had.

Flor del Desierto.

Uday Balaji, whisky evangelist

Currently holidaying in Vietnam, Uday Balaji is all praise for Sampan Rum, an agricole-style rum made by Distillerie Indochine near Hoi An. Its made entirely from sugarcane juice and has this lovely fresh, floral character, says the Coimbatore-based whisky educator. For those heading to Southeast Asia, he also recommends keeping an eye out for Glenglassaugh Portsoy, a coastal single malt from the Brown-Forman portfolio. I feel its a much-overlooked gem, says Balaji of the peaty dram. Ive come across it at several duty-free outlets in the region, especially at Changi Airport and in the Philippines. Also on his radar, if Europe happens this year, is Smogen, a bold Swedish whisky. It holds its own against several Scottish single malts, he says.

Glenglassaugh Portsoy.

Also Read: The wait for cheap Scotch whisky got a wee bit longer

Smogen.

Mayukh Hazarika, alcobev entrepreneur

Mayukh Hazarikas Cherrapunji is one of Indias standout gins  smoky, rainwater-distilled in Meghalaya, and infused with botanicals from the North East, including second-flush tea from the Lushai Hills in Mizoram. But gin isnt the only thing Hazarika likes to sip after a long day. At times, he turns to Calvados or Armagnac. Ive mostly picked up the Calvados Chateau du Breuil and Pays dAuge, from Berlin, and they never disappoint. The Chateau du Breuil, he says, is smooth and rounded; the Pays dAuge, sharper and more structured. For Armagnac, he turns to Janneau, which is soft, slightly spiced, and always dependable. If youre in Holland, he recommends picking up Rutte, a benchmark gin distilled at a 150-year-old facility in Dordrecht, about 100 km from Amsterdam.

Rutte.

Kasturi Banerjee, alcobev entrepreneur Kasturi Banerjees Maka Zai, launched in 2021, was one of Indias first homegrown craft rums. Since then, the former banker has expanded her portfolio with Mesma, a limited-edition barrel-aged expression that leans on aromatic complexity. When shes travelling, Banerjee makes a point of seeking out local spirits, especially rums that experiment with indigenous ingredients. I look for flavoured rums, especially those using indigenous fruits or spices, and how distilleries are experimenting with not just traditional Asian crops like sugarcane, but also less common ingredients like cashew.

She is particularly fond of the agricole-style Samui Rum, which is distilled by the Magic Alambic Rum Distillery (La Rhumerie de Samui) on Koh Samuis quiet southwest coast. Dos Maderas Luxus, a rum aged in the Caribbean and then finished in casks that previously held 20-year-old Pedro Ximenez sherry in Jerez, Spain, is another favourite that she picked up in the UK. Her latest find is Rosemullion Honey Rum, from Frankfurt. Made in Cornwall, the rum is infused with local honey and herbs. Her whisky picks are rooted in Ireland, and she especially recommends Redbreast for its elegance and Connemara for its gentle peat.

Redbreast.

Vinayak Singh, co-founder, Dram Club

As co-founder of Dram Club, a community for spirits lovers, Vinayak Singh often leads whisky tours to Scotland, and never returns without a bottle of Highland Park 18. Its consistently good I have no idea why its overlooked. Another label that never fails to impress is Octomore. We recently had a tasting of the super heavily peated Octomore 9.3  it was a big hit. Both brands, especially the Highland Park, are often available at duty-free shops in Southeast Asia, says Singh.
Two of India's asset classes targeting the rich are growing at sharply different rates, with one growing thrice as fast as the other.

Alternative investment funds (AIFs) far outpaced portfolio management services (PMS) in FY25, data on fund commitments and assets showed, thanks to a more efficient tax structure, operational ease, and the flexibility to invest in unlisted stocks.

Also Read | Penny stock under Re 1: NBFC to foray into AIF biz with 50 crore initial investment

Commitments raised by Category III AIFs grew 58% from a year earlier to 2.3 trillion at the end of March, as per data by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). In the same period, assets under management (AUM) of the PMS industry grew 19% to 4.3 trillion, according to industry body Association of Portfolio Managers in India (APMI).

Here, category III AIFs are compared with PMS schemes as both invest in listed stocks, while category I and category II AIFs invest in unlisted companies. The minimum investment for AIFs is 1 crore, while it is 50 lakh for PMS.

Also Read | Bank, NBFC investments in AIFs may get smoother

Pramod Gubbi, co-founder of Marcellus Investment Managers, said that AIFs are more cash-flow friendly for clients compared to PMS. Marcellus offers Indian PMS and AIF for clients based in India and overseas, and has an AIF operating in GIFT IFSC for Indian clients wanting to invest in global equities.

"Although the tax on portfolio churn is similar for both AIFs and PMS, the key difference is that in a PMS, the client has to arrange and pay the tax themselves. In an AIF, the tax is paid at the fund level, directly from the returns," Gubbi said.

Also Read | Indian real estate attracts nearly 74K cr till Dec24 from AIFs, max among all sectors: Anarock

This means clients receive post-tax returns in an AIF and dont need to worry about setting aside money for tax payments, unlike in a PMS, he added.

A tax on churn means capital gains tax is paid every time a PMS or an AIF sells a stock. The capital gains tax is 12.5% for long-term and 20% for short-term investments.

AIFs are also easier to operate, said experts.

In PMS, investors are required to open a separate demat account and for NRI investors a separate custody and bank account too, and each transaction is done in separate account for each client," said Aniruddha Sarkar, chief investment officer at Quest Investment Advisors. In contrast, AIFs handle everything at the fund level, and investors simply receive fund units and net asset value (NAV) statements, much like mutual funds; there is no need for individual demat or custody accounts as units are allocated by registrar and transfer agents (RTAs), he added. Also, when most of the PMS and AIFs have similar strategies, investors would prefer an AIF because of the operational ease, said Sarkar.

Others pointed to how the ability of AIFs to invest in unlisted shares gives them an edge over portfolio management services.

Sushant Bhansali, chief executive of Ambit Asset Managers, said that AIFs allow investments in unlisted stocks, up to 25% of the portfolio. In comparison, PMS generally cannot invest in unlisted stocks. Only non-discretionary PMS can invest up to 25% in unlisted stocks, but this option is not popular, Bhansali added.

Thats because in a non-discretionary PMS, the client must approve every transaction before it is executed, making the process slower and less convenient. So, most investors prefer discretionary PMS, where the fund manager makes decisions without needing client approval," he added.

According to APMI data, non-discretionary PMS accounts for just 18% ( 79,436 crore) of the total PMS industry AUM as of March.

However, Bhansali added that the reason AIFs appear to be growing faster could also be because the data reflects commitments raised, not actual assets under management (AUM). So, comparing PMS AUM with commitments raised in Category III AIFs is not an apples-to-apples comparison," he explained.

AUM means mark-to-market value of the funds invested, while commitments raised means only the initial value of the funds raised from investors, which does not reflect in the MTM value.

That said, a true like-to-like comparison is not possible because Sebi does not publish AUM data for the AIF industry.

Another reason AIFs are gaining popularity is that they can offer close-ended funds, which PMS funds cannot.

Some investors prefer to commit their money for a fixed period, especially when they have a specific financial goal in mind. In such cases, a close-ended fund structure works well," said a fund manager on the condition of anonymity. This flexibility makes close-ended AIFs more attractive to certain investors.
Prostarm Info Systems IPO Day 3 Live: The 168-crore initial public offering (IPO) of Prostarm Info Systems, a firm specializing in integrated power solutions, will end today (Thursday, May 29). Prostarm Info Systems IPO price band is set at 95-105 per share. The company provides a variety of integrated power solutions, focusing particularly on UPS systems, lithium-ion battery packs, and third-party power solutions, among others.

It serves various sectors, including healthcare, aviation, research, BFSI, railways, defense, security, education, renewable energy, information technology, and oil & gas.

Prostarm manufactures a range of power solution products under its own brand, including UPS systems, inverter systems, lift inverter systems, solar hybrid inverters, lithium-ion batteries, servo-controlled voltage stabilizers, and isolation transformers.

The company has three manufacturing plants located in Maharashtra. During FY24, it served over 700 clients, among them Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Tata Power Co. Ltd, and Bajaj Finance Ltd.

As per the red herring prospectus (RHP), the company's listed peers are Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd (with a P/E of 243), and Sungarner Energies Ltd (with a P/E of 55).

From a financial perspective, the company achieved a revenue of 268.62 crore from operations and recorded a profit after tax (PAT) of 22.10 crore for the first nine months ending December 2024. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, it reported a revenue of 257.87 crore and a PAT of 22.79 crore.

Tentatively, Prostarm Info Systems IPO basis of allotment of shares will be finalised on Friday, May 30 and the company will initiate refunds on the same day, while the shares will be credited to the demat account of allottees on Monday, June 2. Prostarm Info Systems shares are likely to be listed on BSE and NSE on Tuesday, June 3.

Prostarm Info Systems IPO subscription status The initial public offer of Prostarm Info Systems IPO has been subscribed 97.19 times on the third day of subscription, as per BSE data.

The initial share sale received bids for 1,08,84,75,440 shares against 1,12,00,000 shares on offer, as on 17:00 IST, according to BSE.

The portion for retail investors received 39.47 times subscription while the quota for non-institutional investors subscribed 222.13 times to the issue. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) portion has been booked 104.49 times.

On the first bidding day, Prostarm Info Systems IPO subscription status was 3.54 times, and the issue was booked 12.65 times on the second day of subscription.

Prostarm Info Systems IPO Review Gaurav Garg from Lemonn Markets Desk highlighted that Prostarm Info Systems Ltd presents an appealing opportunity for investors interested in India's growing power backup and clean energy sector. The firm boasts a solid financial history, a scalable business approach, a wide range of services, and impressive return ratios, all while having a valuation that seems appealing compared to competitors.

Considering the optimistic outlook for the industry, its established operations, and fair pricing, we suggest investors with a medium to long-term perspective subscribe to the IPO. The company is well-positioned to take advantage of the structural advantages in energy storage and green energy solutions, supported by strong execution and an expanding customer base.

According to Canara Bank Securities, Prostarm Info Systems Ltd's transition to comprehensive manufacturing, a broadened range of power solutions, and a solid presence among institutional investors position the company effectively in India's expanding market for energy storage and backup systems. Its alignment with the increasing demand for UPS systems, lithium-ion batteries, and solar hybrid inverters improves the potential for long-term growth.

With a fair valuation at 14.72x P/E (9MFY25 annualized), the firm presents an appealing opportunity for investors. Although cash flow efficiency is a point of concern, we advise subscribing for those looking for long-term investment in the energy infrastructure and digital power solutions sector.

Also Read | Prostarm Info Systems IPO raises 50.4 cr from anchor investors ahead of IPO

Prostarm Info Systems IPO Details Prostarm Info Systems IPO includes a fresh issue of 1.6 crore equity shares. The company plans to allocate 72.50 crore of the total IPO funds to meet its capital needs, 17.95 crore for debt repayment, while the remainder will be directed towards pursuing inorganic growth through as-yet-undefined acquisitions and other strategic initiatives, in addition to general corporate purposes.

Choice Capital Advisors serves as the lead manager for the book, and Kfin Technologies Ltd is appointed as the registrar for the offering.

Prostarm Info Systems IPO GMP today Prostarm Info Systems IPO GMP today is +24. This indicates Prostarm Info Systems share price is trading at a premium of 24 in the grey market, according to investorgain.com.

Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Prostarm Info Systems share price is indicated at 129 apiece, which is 22.86% higher than the IPO price of 105.

Analysing the grey market activities from the last 10 sessions, the IPO GMP is showing an upward trend today and is anticipated to have a robust listing. The minimum GMP recorded is 0.00, whereas the maximum GMP reaches 25.00, as per insights from investorgain.com experts.

'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.
Stock Market Today: Adani Energy Solutions share price gained during the intraday trades on Thursday amid weak markets on following Board meeting updates: Check Details here

Adani Energy Solutions Board Meeting Update Adani Energy Solutions Limited in its intimation on the National Stock Exchange of India and the BSE or the Bombay Stock Exchange informed about the board meeting to consider and approve proprosal for Fund Raising.

Also Read | Castrol India shares rise 5% as news reports suggest corporates eyeing business

The Adani Energy Solutions on 28 May 2025 informed the exchanges that a meeting of the board of directors of the company will be held on Saturday, 31st May 2025 at Ahmedabad. The meeting is to consider and approve the proposal of raising of funds The raising of funds as per Adani Energy Solutions could be by way of issuance equity shares or any other eligible securities through permissible modes, including but not limited to a private placement, a qualified institutions placement, preferential issue, or any other method or combination of methods as may be permitted under applicable laws,. The same is however subject to regulatory and statutory approvals as may be required and also the approval of shareholders of the Company will also be taken .

As per the Company's Code of Conduct for Prohibition of Insider Trading, the Trading Window Closure Period also has commences from the date & time of the intimation made by the Adani Energy Solutions till 48 hours after the closure of meeting to be held on 31st May, 2025.

AdanI Energy Solutions Share price movement Adani Energy Solutions Share price opened at 885.95,and at the time of openings was almost 2% higher compared to the previous day's closing price of 869.35. Adani Energy Solutions gained further during intraday trades to intraday highs of 898, which meant gains of 3.3% during intraday trades on a day when Sensex saw volatility and dipped up to 2.5% lower during intraday trades though ended with gains.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, India's largest private port operator, has placed its longest-tenor debt with state-run Life Insurance Corporation of India, two sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The company raised 50 billion rupees ($585.33 million) through the sale of bonds maturing in 15 years at 7.75% annual coupon and the debentures were fully bought by LIC, the sources said, declining to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.

The bonds were issued at the lowest spread over the corresponding government bond yield in the last seven years.

LIC and Adani Ports did not immediately respond to Reuters emails seeking comments.

Adani Ports fundraise The issue marked Adani Ports' largest rupee-denominated bond and its first market return since January 2024, after Adani group companies pulled back following U.S. short-seller Hindenburg Research's 2023 allegations of governance lapses.

Adani Group has denied those allegations.

Adani Ports has outstanding bonds worth around 62.50 billion rupees as of end-April, according to notes from rating agencies.

Holding around 54 billion rupees of debt, LIC was the largest holder of bonds of the company as of January 2024, according to an information memorandum of its January 2024 debt issue.

Adani Ports raised 2.5 billion rupees each via five- and 10-year bonds at coupons of 8.70% and 8.80%, respectively, in January 2024. Last week, its board approved raising up to 60 billion rupees through bond sales, with the notes rated AAA by Crisil and Care.
Bajaj Auto Q4 Results: Bajaj Auto reported a rise of six per cent in net profit during the March quarter of FY25 to 2,049 crore, compared to 1,936 crore in the corresponding period last year. Higher motorcycle exports and foreign exchange gains made up for a slump in domestic demand.

The company sold a total of 11,02,934 units in the fourth quarter as against 10,68,576 units in January-March period of FY24. Sales in domestic market stood at 6,13,248 units, a dip of seven per cent as compared with 6,57,330 units in the same period of FY24. Exports however increased to 4,89,686 units from 4,11,246 units.

For FY25, the company reported a net profit of 7,325 crore, a fall of 5 per cent as against 7,708 crore in FY24. Revenue increased to 50,995 crore from 44,870 crore.

Bajaj Auto said its overall sales increased 7 per cent to 46,50,966 units in FY25 as against 43,50,933 units in FY24. Its board has approved a final dividend of 210 per share, totalling 5,864 crore.

The company's funds stood at a robust 17,000 crore, after investing sufficiently behind capex ( 700 crore) and strategic bets in subsidiary companies, it added.

Bajaj, India's top auto exporter by volume, reported a 20% jump in overseas shipments. In contrast, domestic sales fell 8%. Export growth and realisations could have been higher if not for the suspension of exports of higher-priced KTM motorcycles. Bajaj said last week it would take a controlling stake in the troubled Austrian automaker.

Bajaj's two-wheeler sales grew about 3%. Its overall sales, including three-wheelers, also climbed 3%. The company's quarterly revenue rose 6% to 121.48 billion rupees.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation margin rose to 20.2% from 20.1% a year ago. Bajaj Auto shares on Thursday ended 0.28 per cent up at 8,873.30 apiece on BSE.

Bajaj Auto stake in subsidiary Bajaj Auto had said it intends to acquire majority stake in financially troubled Austrian bike maker KTM through its wholly-owned subsidiary Bajaj Auto International Holdings BV, which has arranged a debt funding package of 800 million euro (about 7,765 crore).

With this action and post requisite approvals coming through, Bajaj will shift gears from being a dormant minority investor to a majority owner in the global KTM company, Bajaj Auto said in a statement.

The company will continue to accelerate KTM business that is run out of India under the joint development programme, where it develops, makes and sells in India as well as exports to 80 countries across the KTM network, it added.

Bajaj Auto International Holdings BV (BAIHBV) had arranged a debt funding package of 800 million euro to enable the continuity of the KTM business by paying off the approved quota to the creditors in furtherance of KTM's debt restructuring with the approval of the competent Court in Austria and infusing funds into the company to revive its operations and working capital cycle, the statement said.

"Of this total 800 million (euro) debt package, 200 million (euro) has already been infused into the company so far and the balance 600 million (euro) is being done now," the company added.
Multibagger mid-cap defence stock in focus: Defence stocks are buzzing on the Indian stock market, witnessing a continued surge in demand from Dalal Street investors, helping the sector regain much of its lost momentum. These stocks have caught investors' attention this month amid rising geopolitical tensions, following a period of subdued performance due to valuation concerns.

Nevertheless, some defence stocksregardless of market volatilityhave managed to stay on investors' radar, recording a spectacular surge in value, and one such stock in this regard is Solar Industries.

The company, which manufactures and supplies industrial explosives and explosive accessories, has seen its share price soar massively in the last two years, rising from 3,740 to 16,200, resulting in a phenomenal gain of 333%.

Impressively, the stock closed 17 out of the last 24 months in the green, with March being the biggest monthly gain of 29%, followed by the current month with a rally of 23% so far. In today's session, the stock touched another record high of 16,205 apiece.

The sharp rally in this mid-cap defence stock has boosted its market capitalization by 1,12,639 crore, taking it to 1,46,448 crore.

Also Read | Drone stocks rise up to 50% after Operation Sindoor on order win hopes

While many retail investors believe that low-priced stocks offer the quickest path to wealth creation, the steady ascent of Solar Industries underscores that strong fundamentals and a solid position in the industry can drive significant stock price growthregardless of the stock's trading value.

Reports highest-ever quarterly revenue and net profit for both Q4 and FY25 Solar Industries reported its highest-ever quarterly and annual performance in FY25, with revenue reaching 2,167 crore for the quarter and 7,540 crore for the year.

The company also delivered record quarterly EBITDA and PAT of 546 crore and 371 crore, marking a year-on-year growth of 47% and 42%, respectively.

Also Read | Mehta Equities' Riyank Arora suggests these stocks to buy in short term

On an annual basis, EBITDA stood at 2,031 crore and PAT at 1,288 crore, reflecting growth of 44% and 47%. The company achieved an EBITDA margin of approximately 27%, exceeding its annual guidance.

It has reinforced its position as a major defence player globally, with its order book crossing 15,000 crore, including a 6,084 crore order for Pinaka rockets and 8,500 crore in international contracts, as per the company's Q4 earnings' filing.

Also Read | Solar Industries India bags 2,150 crore defence supply export order

Targets  3000 revenue from explosives segment Looking ahead to FY26, the company is targeting 1520% growth in its explosives segment and aims to surpass 3,000 crore in defence revenue, contributing to a projected total revenue of 10,000 crore, with defence expected to account for over 30%, up from 18%.

As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Solar signed a 12,700 crore MoU with the Maharashtra government to invest in defence and aerospace over the next decade.
IndusInd Bank share price traded flat on Thursday after capital markets regulator Sebi barred the companys former CEO Sumant Kathpalia, and four other senior officials from accessing the securities markets in connection with an alleged insider trading in the banks shares. IndusInd Bank shares opened marginally lower at 803.05 apiece as against its previous close of 804.75 per share on the BSE. IndusInd Bank share price gained as much as 0.73% to 810.60 apiece.

The Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has also impounded 19.78 crore collectively from the five individuals.

The other officials of IndusInd Bank restrained by the regulator for alleged insider trading are former executive director and deputy CEO Arun Khurana, treasury operations head Sushant Sourav, global markets group (GMG) operations head Rohan Jathanna, and Anil Marco Rao, chief administrative officer of consumer banking operations.

Also Read | Sebi bars former IndusInd Bank CEO, four others from market

There is no impact on the financial, operation or other activities of IndusInd Bank arising out of the Interim Order, IndusInd Bank said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

Sebi Order According to the interim order passed by Sebi, it was found that these senior executives allegedly traded in IndusInd Bank shares while in possession of unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) related to discrepancies in account balances of the banks derivative portfolio. By doing so, they violated insider trading regulations.

The case originated from a Master Direction issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which had a significant operational and financial impact on IndusInd Bank.

Sebi noted that the internal team of the bank was aware of the financial implications due to discrepancies in the derivative portfolio and had already begun calculating the impact internally.

The bank informed its executives that the estimated financial impact stood at 1,749.98 crore.

In an email dated 4 December 2023, Kathpalia acknowledged the seriousness of the matter  an event the Sebi identified as the point of origin for the unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI).

Despite this, IndusInd formally classified the information as UPSI only on 4 March 2025 and disclosed it publicly on 10 March 2025 via a stock exchange filing  over 15 months after the information first emerged.

As of December 2024, IndusInds net worth stood at 65,101.65 crore. The eventual disclosure led to a material impact of approximately 1,529.88 crore.

Also Read | Sebi reopens insider-trading probe against top IndusInd Bank executives

Sebis investigation further revealed that five senior executives collectively sold 479,000 IndusInd Bank shares between December 2023 and March 2025. Importantly, no purchases were made by these individuals during this period, which Sebi interpreted as indicative of deliberate and strategic offloading.

IndusInd Banks average share price in December 2023 stood at 1,541.75, with the stock reaching a high of 1,618.90 on 28 December 2023. Following the disclosure, IndusInd Bank share price plummeted to a 52-week low of 605.40 on 12 March 2025. This marked a decline of more than 60% from the period during which the executives offloaded the shares to the point of public disclosure.

In its order, Sebi noted that noticee nos. 1 to 5 (five officials) traded in the scrip of IBL while being insider and accordingly barred them from buying, selling or dealing in securities, either directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, until further orders.

On April 29, CEO Kathpalia and Deputy CEO Khurana resigned from the bank. Following their exit, the IndusInd Bank Board appointed a Committee of Executives to oversee daily operations until a new MD & CEO takes charge or for a period of three months, whichever is earlier.

Impact on IndusInd Bank Q4 Results The fraud-hit private sector lender reported a loss of 2,329 crore for the quarter ended March 2025, its worst performance ever, as the interim management opted to go for a deep-clean exercise beyond recognising the impact of wrong accounting practices.

In the March quarter, the bank took impact of all the irregularities brought to the notice, including a 1,960 crore hit from incorrect recognition of derivative trades, cumulative interest income reversal of 674 crore due to incorrect accounting, disclosed a 172 crore fraud where employees had led it to incorrectly classify the amount as fee income under the microfinance business, set off 595 crore of incorrect manual entries posted as "Other Assets" and "Other Liabilities" in the past, and also recognized the higher slippages.

The internal audit report of the bank revealed involvement of senior Bank officials, including former Key Management Personnel (KMP), in overriding key internal controls. The bank reported the likely involvement of senior management in the accounting fraud to the Central Government.

IndusInd Bank share price has fallen 19% in three months and 17% YTD. Over the past one year, IndusInd Bank shares have declined 45%, while the stock is down 13% in three years.

At 9:25 AM, IndusInd Bank share price was trading 0.53% higher at 809.05 apiece on the BSE.

(With inputs from PTI)
CHANGSHA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A shipment of three tonnes of fresh mangoes from Bangladesh arrived in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, on Wednesday night, marking China's first import of mangoes from Bangladesh.

Upon arrival, customs officers at Changsha Huanghua International Airport promptly verified shipping labels, phytosanitary certificates, and conducted on-site inspections of the packaging and fruit appearance. The shipment was later cleared with no abnormalities found.

The mangoes are a Bangladeshi geographical indication product, known for their fine texture, high sugar content, and rich floral and tropical aroma. The fruit will be distributed through e-commerce platforms, supermarkets, and fresh produce chains across China, according to Hunan BabaiLi Holding Group, the importer.

Previously exported mainly to the Middle East and the EU, Bangladeshi mangoes are now entering China, with the importer estimating over 100 tonnes in the first year.

In July 2024, China approved the import of fresh mangoes from Bangladesh. To facilitate the shipment, Changsha Customs offered end-to-end support, including policy consultation and quarantine approval. At the airport, a dedicated "fresh express" team ensured fast, on-arrival inspection with a customized clearance plan.

Bangladesh is expected to produce around 2.7 million tonnes of mangoes in 2025, with about 5,000 tonnes planned for export, according to the country's Department of Agriculture Extension.

The northwestern region of Chapainawabganj, known as the "mango capital," is famous for its high-quality, chemical-free mangoes. In recent years, Chinese bagging technology, a safer alternative to chemical pesticides, has gained popularity among local growers.

In 2024, China's fruit trade saw steady growth. Fruit exports reached 8.54 billion U.S. dollars, up 20.9 percent year-on-year, while imports totaled 19.45 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 6 percent from the previous year.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh. In recent years, bilateral economic cooperation has deepened significantly, with China serving as Bangladesh's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.
Indian benchmark indices extended losses for a second consecutive session on Wednesday, weighed down by declines in heavyweights like ITC.

The Nifty 50 slipped 63 points, or 0.3%, to close at 24,752, while the Sensex shed 240 points, or 0.29%, ending at 81,312. Broader markets, however, outperformed, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 rising 0.33% and the Nifty Midcap 100 ending largely unchanged.

Here are two stocks from the mid and small cap space that can be tracked for the next three months:

Astra Microwave Ltd (Current market price :  1163.70)

Astra Microwave Products has delivered a solid financial performance in Q4FY25, showcasing strong growth in the aerospace and defence sector. The last reported numbers indicated that the revenue has now moved to 407.85 crore, reflecting a 15.23% year-over-year increase. Astra Microwave maintained an operating margin of 26.60%, demonstrating profitability despite market competition.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, revenue spiked by 57.75%, increasing from 258.54 crore in Q3 FY25 to 407.85 crore in Q4. Similarly, net income rose 54.94% QoQ, reinforcing financial strength.

Another interesting newsflow is that Radhakishan Damani, a well-known investor, has returned to the company, participating in this fundraise, which further highlights the growing appeal of Astra Microwaves market prospects.

In addition to financial instruments, Astra Microwave has undergone leadership and board changes, introduced new strategic perspectives while adjusting to evolving industry dynamics.

The stock after a sterling performance till May 2024 faced a huge selloff much ahead of the market exhaustion and the profit booking that ensued resulted had undergone a painful scenario in the last set of weeks indicating that the time is challenging.

However, the strong decline had erased 50% of the rise seen since March 2023 to some strong set of supports around 600. Around this level, the prices encountered some steady buying interest that held back the decline, push the prices higher.

The strong and steady rise that we witnessed backed by buoyant financials and robust participation helped the prices surge higher. Eventually the rise managed to create a fresh new high and the robust participation is indicating a buying opportunity at current and on declines.

Currently the strong surge seen in the prices has resulted in the prices doubling from the March lows highlighting the strong recovery seen in this counter. The quick turnaround in the trend of Astra Microwaves share price, signaling strong investor confidence and optimism about future prospects.

As we look into the future, Astra Microwaves focus on financial discipline, operational efficiency, and strategic investments will play a crucial role in shaping its future growth trajectory and establishing itself as a leading player in the defence industry.

With increasing revenue, profitability improvements, investor confidence, and corporate initiatives, Astra Microwave is positioned for sustained expansion.

Considering the current scenario, one should consider buying at current levels and on dips near 1070 with a stop below 1045 for a rise to 1280-1325.



Also Read: NTPC's project execution delays remain its Achilles heel

Glaxo Smithkline Pharma (Current market price:  3348.20)

GSK, is a global healthcare company specializing in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It is one of the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical companies, focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing human health products. GlaxoSmithKline has a long history, with its origins in India dating back to 1924.

In the last reported numbers of Q4 FY25 GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (GSK) has demonstrated strong financial performance in, reinforcing its position in the pharmaceutical sector.

The company reported a 35% increase in net profit, reaching 263 crore, compared to 194.48 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue from operations rose to 974.37 crore, reflecting steady growth. GSKs full-year revenue stood at 3,723 crore, marking a 9% increase, while profit after tax before exceptional items surged 32% to 915 crore. The company also announced a final dividend of 42 per equity share, highlighting its commitment to shareholder returns.

After a volatile upward trajectory since October 2023 the ride lower from July 2024 was a scary one as the fast-paced decline had no respite and combined with the bearish market forces the trends capitulated.

However, since the beginning of 2025 the situation began to improve and the prices also factored the volatility surrounding the Trump Tariff showdown. As things began to clear regarding his stance on Pharma and the implementation of the tariff the resistances began to give away. As seen on the higher timeframe charts , Glaxo demonstrated long body candles highlighting the robust participation. With the momentum too favouring some potential upside the tailwinds in this counter could carry the prices higher. The prices have been witnessing rampant volatility and the swift recovery is definitely a signature of more upside in store.

Looking ahead, GSK remains committed to sustained above-market growth, with a focus on innovation and strategic expansion. The companys 100th Annual General Meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2025, where further strategic decisions are expected. With strong financial results, new product launches, and positive investor sentiment, GSK is well-positioned for continued success in the pharmaceutical industry.

With robust volumes building up one can consider buying dips near 3180, stop 3100 target 3480-3650.

Also Read: LICs growth perils curb stocks valuation

The methodologies and considerations utilised while selecting the candidates.

1. Blending Fundamentals with Technicals: While he emphasizes the importance of technical analysis, Dr. Narayan also acknowledges the role of fundamental analysis in understanding market trends and stock potential.

2. Price Action and Market Psychology: He focuses on price action as a key indicator of market sentiment. By studying price movements, he deciphers the psychology of market participants to predict future trends.

3. Risk Management: A cornerstone of his approach is managing risk effectively. He advocates for the use of stop-loss orders and actively uses Technical Analysis to manage his position sizing to protect capital.

Also Read: This luggage leader is staging a turnaround. But can it overcome its baggage?

Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223.

Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantees performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Tesla share price jumped over 2.15 per cent in after-hours trading on Wall Street, reaching $364, after CEO Elon Musk announced he would step down from his position as Special Government Employee overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration.

Tesla stock saw a rally after falling over 1.65 per cent during regular trading on Tuesday, closing at $356.90.

Musk says goodbye to DOGE Musks announcement, posted on his social media platform X, seemed to ease investor concerns about his increasing political activity and how it might affect Teslas main operations.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government, Musk said in his post on social media platform X.

Elon Musk has announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role he held as a top adviser to President Donald Trump. Despite stepping down, he expressed confidence that DOGE's mission to reduce government waste and enhance efficiency would persist and strengthen over time within government operations .

In an another post on X, Musk revealed that Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in drivers seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents.

For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in drivers seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents. A month ahead of schedule. Next month, first self-delivery from factory to customer, said Tesla boss.

Tesla share price has remained volatile in last one year. Elon Musk-led company stock has delivered multibagger returns by soaring over 102.57 per cent in last one year.

Meanwhile, in terms of year-to-date (YTD), Tesla stock has descended over 6 per cent, falling from $400 level to current market price.
Multibagger small-cap stock Texmaco Rail gained in an otherwise choppy market on Thursday, May 29, buoyed by an order from the Ministry of Railways worth 140.55 crore.

The wagon manufacturer, in an exchange filing today, informed that it has bagged an order for the manufacture and supply of 8 rakes of Flat Multi-Purpose Wagons. The order has to be completed in six months.

"Pursuant to Regulation 30, we write to inform you that the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) vide its LOA no. 2025/RS(l)/954/2TC dated 28th May, 2025 has awarded an order to the Company for manufacture and supply of 8 rakes of Flat Multi-Purpose Wagons to be executed within 6 months, valuing Rs. 140.55 crores," Texmaco said in a filing.

Texmaco Rail Share Price Trend Following the order win announcement, railway stock Texmaco Rail erased early morning losses and traded in the green.

Texmaco share price hit the day's high of 162.85 as against the last closing price of 159.07, recording an upside on 1.97%. However, from its intraday day low level of 158.10, the gains amounted to 3%.

So far in 2025, Texmaco Rail stock has lost 18% of its value. But has emerged as a multibagger stock over the longer time frame. The small-cap railway wagon manufacturer has risen 184.45% in the last two years and 682% in the last five years, amid a stellar run in railway stocks.

Texmaco Rail Q4 Results Despite the stellar gains visible in Texmaco Rail stock, the company's performance was poor during the March quarter of financial year 2024-25.

Texmaco reported a 13.5% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to 39 crore in the March quarter, impacted by lower margins and supply constraints, despite higher revenues. Revenue from operations in January-March rose 17.6% to 1,346 crore from 1,145 crore a year earlier.

The company attributed the drop in profit and margin to a short supply of wheel sets from the Rail Wheel Factory, which disrupted freight car deliveries during the quarter. Texmaco delivered 2,597 freight cars in Q4, down from 2,714 units in Q3.

Its order book stood at 6,766 crore as of March 31, 2025. The company delivered 10,612 freight cars during the year, registering a 51 per cent growth over FY24.

For FY26, the small-cap company is targeting an EBITDA margin of 12-13% by March 2026, up from 10.3% in the 2024-25 fiscal, driven by improved operational efficiency and business restructuring initiatives.

(With inputs from PTI)
Vedanta demerger: In a major relief for Anil Agarwal's Vedanta Limited, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has granted an interim stay on an earlier order passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) rejecting the mining major's demerger scheme.

Following the announcement by the company, Vedanta share price witnessed a relief rally, rising over 1% from its day's low in an otherwise weak market.

Vedanta stock jumped to the day's high of 450.90, a rise of 1.32% from the day's low of 445. As of 1 pm, the mining company's stock was 0.94% higher at 450.85.

Why did NCLT put Vedanta demerger on hold? The NCLT had dismissed a demerger scheme filed by Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) at an initial stage in a setback for the five-way spinoff of its parent Vedanta.

NCLT's Mumbai bench had ruled that TSPL's proposed demerger scheme lacked necessary disclosures, mainly about its debt obligations.

The decision came after China-based SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation raised objections to the demerger, saying that the power unit had deliberately excluded their outstanding debt of 1,251 crore from the list of creditors.

The NCLT order said, This has been done deliberately to defeat SEPCO's rights.

NCLAT has fixed the date for a detailed hearing on August 4, 2025.  in the meanwhile, the impugned order, so far as it only relates to rejection of the scheme is hereby stayed till the next date of hearing upon the appellant giving a Bank Guarantee to the tune of 1,245 crores to protect the interest of the Respondent herein, within two weeks from today, NCLAT order stated.

Vedanta demerger details Vedanta is in the process of restructuring its sprawling business into independent verticals, with plans to demerge its aluminium, oil & gas, power and iron & steel businesses into separate entities.

Keeping in view the setback following NCLT order, Vedanta has extended the deadline to complete its planned demerger from March 31 to September 30.

"Vedanta remains committed to its strategic reorganisation plan and continues to work towards unlocking long-term value for all stakeholders," the company said in a filing today.
At the screening of Satyajit Rays 1970 classic, Aranyer Din Ratri , at the Cannes film festival earlier this month, the audience gave a standing ovation to the celebrities on stageWes Anderson along with Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal, the only surviving members of the cast. Restored by the Film Heritage Foundation, the movie was presented by Anderson, an ardent fan of Ray.

Also read: Cannes 2025: Nouvelle Vague is a winsome homage to Godard

Tagore played the urbane and sophisticated Aparna, beguiling four young men who arrive in Palamau (now in Jharkhand) for a break from their busy and troubled lives in Kolkata. Critic Pauline Kael once described her presence as incomparably graceful", a sharp contrast to Garewals Duli, a Santhal woman, who plays a pivotal role in the denouement.

For the first few days of the shoot, Ray had Garewal observe tribal women at a local watering hole. Once she had absorbed the nuances of their demeanour, she had her body blackened. On her website, the actor says it took four hours for her to become Duli, and three hours to remove the paint afterwards.

View Full Image The poster of Aranyer Din Ratri. (Courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation)

In the 1960s, when Ray shot Aranyer Din Ratri, featuring a blackface" (an actor whose face and/or body are darkened to represent someone unlike them) on screen was par for the course. Through the 1960s, Hindi movies embraced the blackface trope with impunity. From Ashok Kumar in Meri Surat Teri Aankhen (1963), where he played the dark-complexioned Pyare with fanged dentures and a wild wig to boot, to Meena Kumari playing Rajni in Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (1964), examples of such misuses abound. Sadly, the tradition remains unbroken to this day, albeit with a shift more towards brownface"Alia Bhatt in Udta Punjab (2016), Hrithik Roshan in Super 30 (2019), and Bhumi Pednekar in Bala (2019), the examples are plenty.

Its disappointing, though not entirely surprising, that mainstream cinema is yet to rid itself of such regressive traits. After all, misogyny, homophobia and Islamophobia, in various degrees, not only continue to be part of Indias commercial cinema, but have led to blockbusters like Kabir Singh (2019) and Animal (2023). The baffling part is that a director like Ray, widely lauded for his humanism and aestheticism, should have fallen for the same problematic trope.

When questioned about her choice to play a Santhal, Garewal spoke of the exigency behind the decision: You needed a professional to play the role." One wonders if Ray would have taken the same line to defend himself. The irony is heightened, considering that the film (inspired by a novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay of the same name) lays bare the hypocrisy of upper-caste elites towards those they regard as less civilised" than them.

The word sabhya (civilised) appears several times in the original Bengali novel, especially in the context of the young men who want to momentarily relinquish all decorum of modern life to immerse themselves in the wild" freedom of the forests. Their distance from civic rules gives them an unfettered licence to behave like overlords in the land of the oppressed. They demand to be served, sexually and otherwise, and remain largely oblivious to the inconveniences they cause to the dwellers of the forest.

A couple of these men do feel periodic stabs of conscience, triggered by the fragile political ecosystem of the 1960s, when the novel was written. Sanjay, who is in charge of labour relations in a factory, is particularly pricked by the disgraceful behaviour of his friends. Back home in Kolkata, as the ultra-left Naxal movement upturns systems of governance, in the so-called idyll of the forests, Sanjay and his well-educated friends hanker for a taste of the lives of the nobles savagesby partaking of their food, liquor and women, while refusing to give up their daily necessities, like having boiled eggs for breakfast.

Did Ray internalise this mindset while casting Garewal as Duli? Or was he, in fact, mocking himself as a member of the same elite as the protagonists, by putting her in the role? From the distance of 55 years, we can only speculate on these questions, while reckoning with our discomfort, either way.

Also read: Lounge Loves: Sri Lankan director Sumitra Peries Gehenu Lamai
Open up a social media feed, and you are bombarded with blink-and-you-miss-it trends. There is one quirky movement, though, thats been enjoying a fan following among the stylish for monthsthe cuddly toy. Look around youa small doll with a mischievous smile might be strapped to a work bag or a cartoon-ish motif is adding a pop of colour to a shirt in an office. Even mobile phones are getting more personality thanks to anime-inspired charm bracelets and covers. Cutesy toys and figurines in various shapes, sizes and colours from a childs world have entered the wardrobes of grown-ups.

Fashion is tapping into toycore"the marriage of fashion and cuddlies. While luxury brands like Miu Miu, Judith Leiber and Hermes have long launched toy-centric charms and bags, more designers and fast-fashion brands are offering their interpretations in clothes.

Earlier this month, designer Kanika Goyal launched a limited edition collection in collaboration with Disney, aimed at adding the playfulness of Mickey Mouse and his friends to adult fashion thats fit for office, a brunch as well as an evening party. Theres a two-tone jacket in denim blue and beige cotton to create concentric circles shaped like Mickey Mouses ears that are filled with embroiderypop culture meets streetwear.

View Full Image From the KGL x Disney collection

Disney characters are part of a shared global imagination. I grew up with them toothey werent just cartoons. Childhood motifs act like emotional codes," Goyal says. Were living in a moment where people are looking for meaning and emotion in what they wear."

Besides the nostalgic value and the playfulness, the other big pull of toycore fashion is the opportunity to tell the world about your personal style or current mood. One of the best-sellers of the latest collection in Kazo, a Delhi-based contemporary womenswear brand, is a white-purple striped formal shirt with prints of Bambi and Thumper.

We were also a bit surprised to learn that people are interested in a formal shirt with a cartoon than a casual T-shirt," says creative director Divya Aggarwal. Her guess is the growing confidence among consumers to wear conversation-starter pieces that speak of their mood and help them stand apart."

View Full Image Bambi and Thumper Kazo shirt

Priyanka Sanghi, founder of Hair Drama Co., a homegrown luxury hair accessories boutique, offers a more detailed answer. Why would someone pick a charm shaped like a donut over one thats in the shape of an ice-cream? Your choice basically reflects your state of mind. Even an old bag becomes new if you add a small doll to the handle," she says.

View Full Image Hair Drama Co. founder Priyanka Sanghi's charms hat

Her brand started offering charms over a year ago, given their rising popularity. Today, she has over 400 types of charms that can be customised for hats, hair accessories, bracelets and everything in between. In a month, they sell at least 100 charms, shaped like Barbie, palm trees, bags, cartoon characters, chillies and more. Almost half of their clients buy for themselves; the rest, for their children.

The cartoon/toy vibe has been around for a whilelook at those colourful Japanese ice-cream parlours, Chinas boba bars, Koreas ramen cafes. Whats changed now is that toys have become mainstream. The current trend around labubus is crazy."

Labubus are the viral China-made little Nordic elves with mischievous grins that many, like Sanghi, say led to the toycore fashion mania. The likes of David Beckham, Dua Lipa and Jahnvi Kapoor are all proud owners of labubus. So is Sanghi, who owns eight of them.

View Full Image People look at collectable designer art toy Labubu at a Pop Mart store in Siam Square in Bangkok on 8 May (AFP)

It makes me feel like a child," says Sanghi, who turns 40 this year. I might be feeling a little down but a sight of a labubu (an original costs around 800, but can fetch up to 1 lakh on reseller sites) will instantly cheer me up; its like having a pet."

At a time when the news of war and global warming is keeping the world on edge, its not a stretch to imagine that a cute-looking fluff ball can offer some comfort, even if momentarily.

Its like a permission to not take everything so seriously," Goyal says. It speaks to a quiet, collective urge to hold on to the parts of ourselves that are still curious and unfiltered, especially in a world thats constantly asking us to be composed and contained. And theres something incredibly comforting about wearing a piece that brings you back to a simpler time, even momentarily."

Also read: The salwar returns to the runway with a new look
The HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, as of May 2025, remains a reputable choice among investors in India who aspire to build long term wealth through mutual funds. This fund offers investors diversified equity exposure.

This open ended dynamic and diversified equity scheme invests across large cap, mid cap and small cap stocks. It offers flexibility to adapt to varying market conditions.

First launched on January 01, 1995, this particular mutual fund has delivered solid compounding of wealth and robust performance across different market cycles over the years.

Below are five things you should know about the HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, before you consider investing in 2025:

1. Long term performance As per the official HDFC Mutual Fund website, a 1,00,000 investment made in the HDFC Flexi Cap Fund on the inception date i.e., January 1, 1995 would have grown to approximately about 1.4 crore over a period of 29 years. This reflects a compounding annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.63%.

2. Rolling returns Furthermore, the funds rolling returns over different time periods since its initiation i.e., inception indicates that over a five year period, investment in HDFC Flexi Cap Fund has consistently delivered positive returns. The fund has delivered returns exceeding a 10% CAGR in approximately 86% of instances.

3. Investment strategy HDFC Flexi Cap Fund practices a flexible investment approach. This allows the fund manager to dynamically allocate investment across companies holding various market capitalizations based on ever evolving market dynamics and valuations. The goal of this strategy is to boost returns and manage risk appropriately.

4. Minimum investment Investors can start a systematic investment plan (SIP) or make a lump sum investment with a minimum amount of 100, thus making the fund accessible to a broader investor base.

5. Risk Profile This fund has been categorised as very high risk, the fund is intended for investors who have the potential of taking high risk and an appetite for long term investments.

Fund Performance snapshot

Investment Period  10,000 invested on Latest value Absolute Returns Annualised Returns 1 year 09-Apr-24  10,855.90 8.56% 8.56% 2 years 06-Apr-23  15,766.50 57.66% 25.41% 3 years 08-Apr-22  16,808.90 68.09% 18.86% 5 years 09-Apr-20  37,055.20 270.55% 29.93% 10 years 09-Apr-15  36,809.00 268.09% 13.91% Since inception 01-Jan-95  17,81,281 17,712.81% 18.63%

Note: The returns discussed above are illustrative in nature. For the updated terms, conditions and returns refer to the official website of HDFC Flexi Cap Fund.

Also Read | Nippon India Large Cap Fund: What to know before investing

Therefore, before considering investing in this mutual fund, it is prudent to discuss your investment goals, holding period, return expectations and risk taking appetite with a certified financial advisor. This way you will be able to make an informed decision that will serve you best in the long run.
India must build more foundational artificial intelligence (AI) models as these are likely to solve multifaceted issues, according to the countrys G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant.

India's linguistic diversity is likely to play a major role in solving global issues in the sector, Kant said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

What we did in digital public infrastructure is that we used open source, open API, globally interoperable models and those models will be the way forward for us. Therefore, India must build its foundational model," said Kant at the summit.

Also read: Govt relaxes rules to boost GST registration among small businesses

I believe India will provide these foundational models for many areas which have challenges for the world. How to improve learning outcomes, health outcomes and nutritional standards, etc. India will use its 22 languages and thousands of dialects to find solutions to many of the challenges of the world. Indian startups will do some pathbreaking work in this area," he added.

He also said the central government had laid a foundation to boost business-led growth and called for states to implement reforms for the ease of doing business.

Also read: Northeast secures 4.3 trillion investment proposals at MDoNER Summit

Kant also stressed that alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration and mediation, which are swifter forms of delivery of justice, need to be used widely, as they increase the ease of doing business.

Kant also stressed that quality control orders (QCOs) must be used rationally to ensure Indian industry can grow.

Reducing QCOs can potentially reduce compliance costs, strengthen supply chains and remove bureaucratic hurdles, as these certifications require businesses to go through additional procedures between manufacturing and selling their products.

The ease of doing business is a critical facet of the economy, as it acts as a reference for foreign and domestic investment. The World Bank's now-discontinued Doing Business Report considered multiple factors for countries and measured the ease in securing land, tax compliance, as well as enforcement of contracts, among other things, to map the ease of doing business in an economy.

India's rank in the annual Doing Business report improved to 77 in 2019, compared to 100 in the previous year.

Also read: Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence in pact to supply artillery shells to German firm

Kant also stated that the Indian tourism industry could be a potential driver for growth, as it can act as India's soft power. We need to roll out a massive Incredible India campaign to attract tourism in a big way. This is Indias soft power. It has a huge multiplier effect in terms of jobs and can create millions of jobs. States must drive the tourism sector as the driver of growth," he said.
COVID-19 Death: A 40-year-old patient died due to the COVID-19 virus on Wednesday at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, ANI reported, citing an official.

GMCH Medical Superintendent GP Thami said that the deceased was referred from Ludhiana and was hospitalised for two days with severe respiratory issues. On Tuesday, the patient tested positive for COVID-19 and succumbed to it during the early hours of Wednesday.

Sharing details on the incident, Thami told ANI, Yesterday, a patient came. He was diagnosed with COVID. Today, he died at around 4 in the morning...He was 40 years old and belonged to Firozabad, UP. He was suffering from some respiratory problem and fever, then he was referred here from Ludhiana."

Isolation ward prepared While speaking about the preparedness of the hospital, Thami said an isolation ward had been designated.

"We have made an isolation ward. We suspect more people to come here suffering from COVID...The variant has not been identified yet...Right now, it is preliminary," Thami said.

Rising COVID-19 cases The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed that COVID-19 cases are being reported from some parts of the country. However, the current variants of the virus show mild symptoms similar to those of the Omicron strain.

According to Arjun Dang, the Chief Executive Officer of Dr Dangs Lab, the rising cases of COVID-19 belonged to the sub-lineage of the Omicron virus, the report said.

As per Dang, states such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the variants named as 'Variants under Monitoring' were of types LF7 and NV181 and were more transmissible.

"We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases," Dang told ANI.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that on Monday, India reported 1,009 active COVID-19 cases in the country. The Health Ministry's COVID-19 update indicated 1,009 active cases, with 752 new cases confirmed recently.

Government data revealed that Kerala leads with the most active cases, totalling 430. Other states with significant case numbers include Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), and Karnataka (47).
Coronavirus cases have continued to spike in several states of India with one more person losing his life to the infectious disease in Belagavi district of Karnataka. The Covid-19 cases have also spiked in Delhi but Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has asserted that there was no need to worry. Kerala is among the worst hit with the southern state witnessing 430 Covid-19 cases.

In Karnataka, an elderly man who tested positive for Covid-19 died at a hospital in Belagavi district, a senior official in the health department said.

The patient, 70-year-old man, died due to acute cardiorespiratory arrest with encephalopathy and late onset seizures associated with diabetes, hypertension, IHD and positive status.

On May 17, an 84-year-old-man with severe comorbidities died at a private hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru and his Covid-19 test results came positive after his death. Also Read | Covid-19 in India: Most cases are mild, Health Ministry monitoring situation closely

Meanwhile, the health department bulletin pegged active Covid-19 cases at 148 in Karnataka as of May 29, with 42 new cases being reported on Thursday.

In Delhi, at least 19 persons were hospitalised but CM Rekha Gupta said her government was alert and hospitals are ready for any situation. Nineteen patients are admitted to hospitals and the remaining are receiving treatment at their homes. But Covid-19 has not reached the point where people need to worry. The government is ready for every situation, Rekha Gupta said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also said that there was no need to panic. Speaking of state preparation, Brajesh Pathak said, There is no need to worry, we are fully prepared.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday praised the exceptional role of women in the Indian Armed Forces, offering what appears to be the first official confirmation of women pilots and soldiers playing a significant part in Operation Sindoor  Indias recent counter-terrorism campaign against Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

"During Operation Sindoor, women pilots and other women soldiers have played an important role in the action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK," Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

Rajnath Singh Lauds Womens Valor During INSV Tarini Ceremony Addressing the flag-in ceremony of the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, which completed its nearly eight-month-long circumnavigation of the globe under the voyage Navika Sagar Parikrama II, Rajnath Singh highlighted the bravery and dedication of the female crew members Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K.

The vessel reached Goas coast earlier on Thursday, having set sail from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa on 2 October 2024.

Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commended the crews extraordinary feat of navigating approximately 25,000 nautical miles (around 45,000 kilometres) across the vast oceans.

To travel such a distance while facing the loneliness of the sea is a remarkable act of courage, he remarked.

Rajnath Singh empathised with the isolation endured by the sailors, noting the absence of human contact and even wildlife during their prolonged voyage.

Also Read | Cong uses Tharoors own book to slam his praise for Modi Govt over Op Sindoor

Womens Expanding Role in Indias Armed Forces The Defence Minister emphasised the growing and vital role of women across the Indian Armed Forces.

Today, the daughters of our country are fulfilling their responsibilities with distinction, from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the sea, he said.

He noted that military institutions have progressively opened their doors to women, citing the recent passing out of 17 women cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA) this month.

Most notably, Singh confirmed the active participation of women in Operation Sindoor, stating, During Operation Sindoor, women pilots and other women soldiers have played an important role in the action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK.

Naval Chief Commends INSV Tarini Crew On 21 May, Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi interacted with the INSV Tarini crew as they crossed into the Northern Hemisphere, marking the final leg of their circumnavigation. The Indian Navy praised their exemplary skills, team spirit, and the pride they brought to the nation.
After gaining around 30% so far this year, gold has halted its sellar rally as safe-haven demand cools across the globe. Yet, even as riskier investments like equities regain allure, gold retains its strategic importance in a diversified portfolio.

There are three major options for taking exposure to goldjewellery stocks, gold exchange traded funds (ETF) and multi-asset allocation funds. Experts, however, suggest that the best way to play gold at this juncture is through multi-asset funds with prudent allocations to the yellow metal.

An outright direct exposure to gold through ETFs or physical holdings may not be advisable at current levels," Taher Badshah, chief investment officer at Invesco Asset Management (India), told Mint. Yet, one should also be aware of under-allocation as the trend (for gold) is still upwards. Funds with 15-20% gold exposure are the sweet spot right now."

Pankaj Pandey, head of retail research at ICICI Securities, said the firm would suggest only 5% exposure to gold in multi-asset funds against 15% earlier. Notably, during the last leg of (gold) correction, rupees depreciation prevented domestic (gold) prices from coming down. However, we dont expect any similar rupee depreciation this time," Pandey said.

Also read: After a glittery rally, gold may be about to make way for stocks

As for gold ETFs, Invescos Badshah believes that investors should look at them only if there are sharp corrections in gold prices. But he is not too excited about jewellery stocks. I would wait for another quarter or so," he said. Either their valuations correct sharply, or else Im in no rush to buy jewellery stocks."

Major jewellery stocks are trading above their thee-year median valuations right now.

Investment to adornment

Stable gold prices would be a boon for domestic jewellery shoppers though, according to Aksha Kamboj, vice president of India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). If gold prices remain stable over the next few months, we can expect a stronger uptick in consumer buying, particularly during the upcoming festive and wedding season."

Lower and stable gold prices encourage consumer purchase of big-ticket items, especially bridal and investment jewellery. This translates into higher volumes for jewellery makers. Devarsh Vakil, head of prime research at HDFC Securities, expects a moderate jewellery volume recoverymid to high-single digits in Q1FY26.

Also read: What the market crystal ball sees for the next 3 months

Stable prices would meaningfully benefit the entry-level tier 2 and tier 3 customers who are more price sensitive and see gold as a traditional investment vehicle, Vakhil noted. The sub- 50,000 jewellery category, a psychological sweet spot for middle-income customers, has been languishing for several quarters now.

High gold prices hurt jewellery demand. Titan Co., owner of Tanishq and a bellwether for consumer sentiment, reported subdued demand in the quarter ended March, which impacted its volume growth. Its jewellery business revenue grew 20% on-year, mainly on the back of 30-40% higher gold prices.

But their dizzying April peak of 1,00,000 per 10 grams, retail gold prices have fallen 5%. Industry experts now predict a more comfortable price, hovering around the 93,00096,000 mark. Jewellers have been waiting for the prices to cool. IBJAs Kamboj says any further price correction may bolster demand for studded jewelleries, the real money spinners for jewellery makers.

Since gems are relatively cheaper to gold, studded jewelleries have higher profit margins as the content of gold there is lower than pure gold products. Hence, gold is the key cost driver in the studded segment particularly in the mass-affluent category.

Yet, even this high-margin category hasn't been immune to demand slump. Elevated gold prices have resulted in subdued demand for studded products as well, resulting in inferior product mixes for jewellery makers so far. Falling gold prices from here on would improve customers perceived value of the product and increase the profitability of jewellery companies, Kamboj said.

Vakhil from HDFC Securities said, The high-margin nature of this category means even modest volume gains can significantly aid profitability."

Also read: Investors rush to cash in on gold ETFs as volatile equities keep them on edge

However, jewellery demand has been muted so far in Q1 and experts are cautious of a substantial recovery. Increasing competition has also added to margin woes for organized retailers as they continue to invest in marketing and promotions, said Vakhil.

Bullish pause

Moreover, this recent cooling appears to be a mere pause. UBS anticipates gold prices to consolidate at current levels over the next three months.

International gold prices are likely to touch $3,500 per oz by the end of 2025 as weak global economic growth and fragile cross-border relationships would continue to fuel safe-haven demand for gold, it said in a report. Ongoing central bank and sovereign wealth fund buying and lower aggregate investor exposure relative to the peak seen in 2012-2013 will further support gold prices, UBS noted.

Experts believe that the precious metal has more room to rise as the combination of persistent geopolitical instability and uneven trade signals continues to underpin golds longer-term appeal.
New Delhi: Health minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday called for a unified national effort to strengthen healthcare systems aligned with Indias 2047 development roadmap.

Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit, Nadda stressed on the need for a responsive regulatory environment to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety while underlining Indias rise as a hub of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

During the event, the minister launched a CII Centre for Health which will focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration and low-cost innovation in the health sector.

Also read | Low vaccine stocks in focus as new covid variants spread

He highlighted the governments commitment to healthcare reforms, innovation and accessibility, and called for a more humane, responsive and time-bound regulatory environment, especially in the functioning of key bodies.

While we must uphold the highest standards of quality and safety, we must also avoid unnecessary delays, red tape must not become a barrier to timely progress, said the union health minister.

Indias ability to meet global demandespecially during the covid-19 pandemicas evidence of its growing stature. We moved from being dependent to becoming the dependable, he added.

Also read | Nadda calls for training of healthcare professionals on fire safety measures

The CII Centre for Health will focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration, ensuring low-cost innovation in health, streamlining supply barriers, catalyzing the private sector to engage beyond corporate social responsibility, prioritize technical expertise to enable health system strengthening and promote workplace wellness and health as a boardroom agenda.

He spoke about the pivotal role of the private sector in driving India's healthcare, and urged AI- and tech-based innovations for enabling mass screenings and telemedicine in India. Public-private partnerships can be instrumental in ensuring that early detection and preventive healthcare reach every corner of the country, the minister added.

He urged the industry and all stakeholders to contribute to making India a global benchmark in healthcare by 2047.

"Such engagements are critical to nation-building and positioning India as a global leader in health innovation, he added.
New Delhi: Indias export sector faces challenges from rising geopolitical tensions, protectionist trade policies, and the rising threat of a global tariff war, the Reserve Bank of India warned in its annual report. However, the central bank said Indias active participation in 14 free trade agreements and six preferential trade agreements could help offset some of these headwinds.

Indias ongoing negotiations for new deals with key trading partners such as the US, Oman, Peru, and the European Union are expected to provide fresh impetus to trade growth, RBI said in its report for 2024-25.

RBI also warned that rising input cost pressures for the manufacturing sector and subdued domestic demand posed risks to Indias economic growth.

Global merchandise trade volume is projected to contract 0.2% in 2025 under an adjusted scenario based on the tariff situation as of 14 April 2025, RBI said. But the USs trade deal with the UK and its agreement with China to engage in discussions, both earlier this month, augur well for global trade, it said.

Indias trade talks with the US and the EU are in the final stages and likely to be signed next month. India recently finalised its trade agreement with the UK, concluding three years of negotiations that began in 2022.

(Indias trade agreements) will add one more factor to the RBI recommendations. With less than 20% of global trade taking place under free trade agreements, India needs to focus on competing in the broader international market, said Ajay Srivastava, a former Indian trade negotiator and co-founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a trade research think tank.

This requires deep reforms to domestic manufacturing, including lowering production and input costs, rationalizing import duties, reducing delays at ports, and ensuring easy access to loans for small and medium enterprises, Srivastava added.

Widening trade deficit Indias merchandise trade deficit widened to $282.8 billion in 2024-25 from $241.1 billion a year ago, with oil accounting for 43.3% of that, commerce ministry data show. This means India spent much more on importing goods than it earned from exporting them during the year.

Among Indias major trading partners, the countrys trade deficit with China, Russia and the UAE widened in 2024-25, while surpluses improved in respect of the US, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Coal imports fell 20% year-on-year in 2024-25, driven by both a decline in volumes and lower import prices, per RBIs annual report.

The drop was primarily due to higher domestic coal production and reduced demand from thermal power plants for imported coal used in blending. As a result, Indias reliance on imported coal declined significantly, easing pressure on the countrys import bill and helping to moderate the overall merchandise trade deficit.

Indias trade talks with the US Indias discussions with the US for a bilateral trade agreement is among the countrys most crucial international pacts in the works, but has been under the shadow of US President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs announced last month.

On 28 May, however, a US federal court ruled that Trumps tariffs and country-specific dutiessuch as the 26% levy on Indian goodswere not justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act since trade deficits do not qualify as an unusual and extraordinary threat" under the law.

Indian trade experts are now urging New Delhi to reconsider its approach to ongoing trade negotiations with the US, and not allow for unilateral concessions.

Indias bilateral trade with the US climbed significantly in the just-ended financial year, to $131.84 billion in FY25 from $119.72 billion in FY24.

This growth was driven by a sharp increase in Indian exports, which rose 11.6% to $86.51 billion from $77.52 billion over that period, while imports from the US grew at a slower pace of 7.42%, to $45.33 billion from $42.20 billion.

As a result, Indias trade surplus with the US widened by 16.6% to $41.18 billion in FY25, compared with $35.32 billion in the previous year.

Indias key imports and exports Indias gold imports rose sharply in 202425, increasing 27.4% year-on-year to $58 billion. The rise was driven largely by a 30% surge in international gold prices, even as the overall import volume contracted, the RBI report noted.

Indias record trade deficit for November was revised downward to $32.8 billion from $37.8 billion after the government made a significant correction in gold import data, as Mint reported on 8 January. Gold imports for November were adjusted to $9.8 billion, a substantial reduction from the earlier estimate of $14.8 billion.

Electronic goods imports also grew significantly, expanding 12.4% to $98.7 billion during the year. Although exports of electronic goods remained strong, the trade deficit in the sector widened marginally to $60.1 billion in 202425. The electronic goods trade imbalance was primarily due to continued deficits in components and computer hardware and peripherals, as per the RBI report.

However, telecom instruments recorded a trade surplus of $3.7 billion, partly offsetting the overall gap.

Meanwhile, Indias net services exports reached $135.5 billion during AprilDecember 2024, reflecting a robust growth rate of 12.9% year-on-year. This was largely supported by a 14.5% increase in software and business services exports, which together accounted for nearly 74% of the countrys total services exports.

Among other services, transportation receipts rose by 19.5% year-on-year, buoyed by higher global freight rates amid disruptions in key shipping routes. The average Baltic Dry Indexa benchmark for freight shipping pricesincreased by 12% over the corresponding period of the previous year.
New Delhi: India is continuously working with multilateral institutions to make sure they have enough leverage with their funds to finance the common cause of climate action, even as countries like itself, having committed to a greener future, are having to find their own resources in the absence of global funding, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.

Speaking at an event with students of Delhi University, Sitharaman also highlighted that indigenous defence manufacturing was an opportunity for India in the light of Operation Sindoor, the codename for India's strike against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied areas on 7 May.

Impact of climate change on economic growth Sitharaman said the adverse impact of climate change on economic growth had aggravated the issue and raised more complex issues over the last two years. She said previously, all nations could meet the climate-related targets they had set for themselves using domestic funding, as well as funding from global and multilateral institutions.

But the worsening climate crisis has left each nation on its own, said Sitharaman. The finance minister said each country has to rely on its own domestic funding to shift to cleaner energy sources and manufacture greener products to export. In this effort, she said the government has continued to work with multilateral institutions to raise more funds to help developing nations.

"Today, with many countries having understood the cost of moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy, they are asking themselves this questionwhether it is possible for them," said Sitharaman. She added that during the transition period from fossil fuels to renewable energy, many states looked for greener alternatives such as natural gas.

Green exports Also, issues such as how green exports are have become a trade issue, said Sitharaman, referring to policies such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) put in place by the European Union.

"So the pressure on countries like India, which successfully completed complying with the COP21 regulations, was mounting. And you already are proving that you are shifting towards renewable energy. But now it is very clear, that it is just you and your funds. No funds are available yet globally. So it is a question of how speedily you can move towards greening yourself and looking at cutting down carbon emissions," said Sitharaman.

"We are negotiating to make sure that global multilateral institutions will have leverage with their funds so that they can use them for a common cause, a public good," she added.

Defence production Sitharaman also said India's indigenous defence production had shown significant progress, compared to the past when all the country's weapons were imported. "From that stage to where we are today, most of what is being used by defence personnel today is made in India," she said.

While India continues to import weapons, it still makes its own products, which integrate seamlessly among the three arms of the militarythe army, the navy, and the air forceand work well with imported technology.

Indias systems in defence today are able to integrate equipment coming in from elsewhere, the minister said. They can talk to our operational systems, and our operational systems are capable of functioning on their own, and between the three forcesthe army, navy, and air forcethere is that interoperability," said the finance minister.
Since January 2025, nearly 1,100 Indians have returned or have been deported from the United States, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at a press briefing MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 1,080 Indians have returned to India since January this year, the same month that Donald Trump took over as the country's President.

The update on the numbers is that since January 2025, we have 1,080 Indians who have returned or have been deported from the US, he said.

Of these, 62 per cent of them have come on commercial flights, Jaiswal added.

The MEA spokesperson said that the Indian and the US governments share a close cooperation over the migration issue and New Delhi takes back individuals who enter the country illegally.

We have close cooperation between India and the US over migration issue. On deportation of Indian nationals who have an illegal status there, who travelled there illegally, we take them back once we receive details about them. We verify their nationalities as we have told you before, and only then we try to get them back, he said.

India in touch with Iran for three missing persons: MEA India is in touch with Iranian authorities for locating three Indian nationals who went missing in Iran, and is receiving good cooperation from the Iranian side, the MEA spokesperson said in the press briefing.

Jaiswal said that the ministry was extending all possible help to the family members of the three missing persons.

When asked about three Indians who went missing in Iran and whether the Indian Government is aware that incidents like these have been happening for the last few months and people have been receiving ransom calls from Pakistan, he said, You would have seen a statement made by our embassy as well in Iran.

The three Indian nationals who had landed there some time back are missing, and we are in touch with the Iranian authorities to locate them for their safety and security and eventual return home, he said.

Jaiswal revealed that Indian officials are in touch with their Iranian counterparts on the issue of the missing persons.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed content creator Mohak Mangal, who has more than 4.2 million subscribers on YouTube and is known for his videos on social, political and environmental issues, to remove an allegedly objectionable and defamatory video on the platform that accused news agency ANI of extortion. The court observed that the content appeared prima facie to be disparaging.

A single-judge bench of Justice Amit Bansal said Mangal may re-upload the video after removing the objectionable parts, but only after sharing the revised version with ANI for review. The direction came after senior advocate Chander M. Lall, appearing for Mangal, agreed to take down the objectionable parts and submit a redline version (marked up to show the changes) of the edited video.

Also read: Indias meme marketing boom faces legal reckoning as copyright battles heat up

"Mr. Lall submits that defendant 1 (Mangal) shall put the impugned video in private mode and make the necessary amendments in the video so as to remove objectionable portions as indicated in the hearing. The redline version of the video, after removing the portions, shall be supplied to plaintiff counsel during the course of the day," Justice Bansal said. The video may be re-published only once changes have been reviewed, he added. The judge said ANI could approach the court again if it had any issues with the revised version.

The court also directed comedian Kunal Kamra, who has over 2.5 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, to take down his defamatory post in which he shared Mangals video. This video, on the face of it, is disparaging," Justice Bansal said after the court viewed the video in question. The court will hear the case next at the end of July.

The case stems from a video Mangal posted on 25 May, in which he accused ANI of blackmail and extortion. He alleged that a representative of ANI had demanded more than 40 lakh to lift copyright strikes issued against his channel for using ANIs footage without permission.

ANIs argument

ANI said in its plea, which Mint has reviewed, that the allegedly defamatory video hurt its business, goodwill and reputation. The defamatory and disparaging statements made by [Mangal] in the impugned video have a demonstrable adverse impact on the plaintiff's business, goodwill, and public credibility," the plea stated. It added that the video triggered widespread backlash, abusive messages, and boycott calls on social media.

Following the publication of the impugned video, the plaintiff has experienced significant condemnation on public platforms Numerous individuals have called for a boycott of the plaintiff's services and unsubscribed from its platforms."

ANI also alleged that Mangal used AI tools to impersonate the voice of its employee and misrepresented telephonic conversations between the employee and one Mr. Babu. [Mangal] has derived substantial commercial benefit from the unauthorised use of the plaintiff's copyrighted works The first infringing video alone has garnered over 2.9 million views," the plea noted. It also named Kamra and Alt News co-founder and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair for their allegedly defamatory posts on X and for amplifying what ANI described as a defamatory campaign".

These defendants (Kamra and Zubair) have independently published further false, baseless, and malicious statements targeting the plaintiff and its founders. These statements are devoid of any factual or legal foundation and are clearly intended to malign the plaintiff's reputation and lower the plaintiff's estimation in the eyes of the public," ANIs plea said.

Also read: A.R. Rahman case revives a frequent clash. But the remedy is hard to find

Amit Sibal, senior counsel representing ANI, also told the court that Mangal had repeatedly used ANIs video clips without permission. ANI issued copyright strikes through YouTubes automated system, two of which were upheld. The controversy, he said, began ahead of a third strike, when Mangal went public instead of using formal channels.

Sibal said ANI had offered Mangal a subscription licence, which he declined. He argued that Mangal was now trying to portray legitimate copyright enforcement as coercion. He said the video used inflammatory language like extortion" and goondaraj", which sparked online abuse against ANI and its staff. Sibal also sought a John Doe order to prevent the videos dissemination by unknown parties and said ANI would file a separate copyright infringement suit.

Mangals response

Mangals counsel Chander M. Lall argued that ANIs 40-lakh demand to lift the copyright strikes was itself extortion. He added that ANI could not claim exclusive rights over footage related to news of public interest, and that it was targeting Mangal unfairly.

Lall also said several news reports had raised concerns about ANIs conduct and alleged extortion practices against content creators. ANI has not refuted those reports," he told the court.

ANI may have gone slightly overboard

Meanwhile, in a response to Mint's queries, Mohammed Zubair said that he agreed to delete his tweet.

The purpose of my tweet on the issue is that there is a larger discussion on this topic of copyright and fair use policy. Now that the discussion is indeed happening, The purpose of my tweet is served. Hence, deleted it," Zubair added.

Legal experts said the copyright aspect and the defamation issue were separate questions. ANI may have gone slightly overboard in asserting copyright infringement by Mangal, as the use of their videos by Mangal appears to be for criticism or review purposes," said Aditi Verma Thakur, intellectual property lawyer and senior partner at Ediplis Counsels. Whether the criticism by Mangal has been constructive or whether there is a case of defamation against Mangal are completely different questions," she added.

Also read | Celebrities' legal fight for intellectual property: A double-edged sword

Explaining how Indian copyright law deals with such cases, Thakur said generally, under the fair-dealing provisions of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, some non-commercial activities in connection with copyrighted subjects do not attract infringement liabilities. These include limited use of works for education, reporting, commentary, review, parody, etc.

She added that while there is no specific formal guideline on the time limits, when an extremely small part of copyrighted work is used  like 8 to 10 seconds in a 10- to 15-minute video  it may be considered 'de minimis' or inconsequential use.
As Congress leader Shashi Tharoor takes India case post Operation Tharoor in foreign countries, his remarks have seemingly riled the Congress for showing support for the Narendra Modi government over recent military actions across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-ccupied-Kashmir (PoK)

Many Congress leaders have reminded Tharoor about surgical strikes under the UPA government with Udit Raj even dubbing him super spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party delegation in a global outreach programme, said in Panama that India has changed its approach in recent years. Speaking to Indian diaspora in Panama earlier this week, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said what has changed in recent years is that the terrorists have also realised they will have a price to pay.

"For the first time, India breached the Line of Control between India and Pakistan to conduct a surgical strike on a terror base, a launch pad (after) the Uri strike in September 2016. That was something we had not done before. Even during the Kargil War, we had not crossed the LoC, Tharoor said.

This remark perhaps did not go well with the Congress party which has always countered this first claim by the Narendra Modi government. The party has maintaed that Indian security forces conducted surgical strikes under the UPA government as well, but without the party or the government publicising it.

Congress Media and Publicity Department chairman Pawan Khera responded by tagging Tharoor in several posts regarding UPA-time cross border strikes. Khera shared a 2016 PTI report in which the party had latched on S Jaishankar, then Foreign Secretary, over his remarks that the Army had carried out "target specific, limited-calibre, counter- terrorist operations" across LoC in the past too. The party had said that Jaishanjar's remarks "exposed" the BJP and Modi government's "lie" on the recent surgical strikes.

Professionally done, target-specific, limited-calibre counter-terrorist operations have been carried out across the LoC in the past too, but this is for the first time that the government has made it public," Jaishankar said this to the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs in October 2016, Khera wrote on X with 'CC' to Tharoor.

In an earlier post, Khera posted a picture of officers of 4 Sikh Regiment posing outside a captured Pakistani police station in Burki, Lahore District.

Tagging Tharoor in this post too, Khera said, this image is from the Battle of Burki (also known as the Battle of Lahore, 1965), a significant engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

In another post  tagging Tharoor again  Thera shared the remarks by former prime minister Manmohan Singh in an interview to The Hindustan Times, saying multiple surgical strikes took place during our tenure too. For us, military operations were meant for strategic deterrence and giving a befitting reply to anti-India forces than to be used for vote garnering exercises.

These posts on X were reposted by Congress communications head Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress-vs-Tharoor row comes days after the party expressed displeasure at the government picking the name of Tharoor, among others, for its seven multi-party delegations for its global outreach post-Operation Sindoor. Even before he was picked to lead one of the delegations, Tharoors public pronouncements in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor had also drawn the ire of the Congress.

A CWC member Tharoor and an MP from Kerala, Tharoor has of late y been taking a separate line from the party, mostly on foreign policy issues.

Super spokesperson" of the BJP Before Khera, another Congress leader Udit Raj reacted to Tharoorsremarks and even called him the super spokesperson" of the BJP.

Also Read | India decided colour of Sindoor will match colour of blood of killers: Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is the super spokesperson of the BJP, and what the BJP leaders are not saying, speaking in favour of PM Modi and the government, Shashi Tharoor is doing... Does he (Shashi Tharoor) even know what the earlier governments used to do? ... They (the Central government) are taking credit for the Indian Armed Forces. Shashi Tharoor has become the spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP, saidUdit Raj, who is a former BJP MP. Raj also posted his comments on X.
The Congress party continues to criticise its Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor for his praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government abroad on India's military action in Pakistan.

This time, the Congress pointed to, Tharoor's own book where he had criticised the Modi government for shamelessly exploiting the 2016 surgical strikes.

Tharoor, who is taking India case post Operation Sindoor in foreign countries, has with his remarks seemingly riled his party for showing support for the Modi government over recent military actions across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-ccupied-Kashmir (PoK).

Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party delegation in a global outreach programme, said in Panama earlier this week that India has changed its approach in recent years. The Thiruvananthapuram MP said what has changed in recent years is that the terrorists have also realised they will have a price to pay.

The Paradixical Prime Minister: Narendra Modi The remarks didn't go well with many Congress leaders who reminded Tharoor about surgical strikes under the UPA government with Udit Raj even dubbing him super spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP).

Congress Media and Publicity Department chairman Pawan Khera, one of the party leaders targeting Tharoor, shared a page of Tharoor's book The Paradixical Prime Minister: Narendra Modi And His India'

The book by Tharoor is about the Prime Minister Modi and was released on 26 October 2018 by former prime minister late Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram, Arun Shourie, and Pavan Varma.

"The shameless exploitation of the 2016 'surgical strikes' along the Line of Control with Pakistan, and of a military raid in hot pursuit of rebels in Mayanmar, as a party election tool  something that the Congress had never done despite having authorised several such strikes earlier -- marked a particularly disgraceful dilution of the principle that national security issues require both discretion and non-partisanship," reads the page in the book shared by Khera on X.

On 29 September 2016, teams of Indian Army Para (Special Forces) crossed the Line of Control into Pakistani-administered Kashmir to attack targets up to a kilometer within territory held by Pakistan. The raid, which later went on to be known as Surgical Strike, was carried out ten days after four militants had attacked an Indian army outpost at Uri, Jammu and Kashmir on 18 September 2016, and killed 19 soldiers.

Tharoor Clarifies After the visible unease in the Congress, however, Tharoor said on 20 May that his remarks were about Indias reprisals for terrorist attacks across the Line of Control (LoC), and not about past wars.
New Delhi: As Covid cases rise in India amid low vaccine stocks, the Centre has set up a committee to review the situation and ensure that the country is ready to manage the unfolding situation.

The panel, constituted by health and family welfare ministry, met earlier this week and last week to discuss covid preparedness, including low vaccine stocks, surveillance, testing, beds, and medicines, said two people familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The committee of nations top scientists and officials called for keeping the surveillance strong, increasing the pace of testing and putting out advisory, said on of the two people. The panel also reviewed covid-19 vaccine stocks in view of the vulnerable and high risk population including the elderly or people with co-morbid conditions, and recommended augmenting the number of beds and medicines in the hospitals, the official said.

The meeting was attended by officials from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Queries emailed to health minister JP Naddas office, health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and health ministry spokesperson on 28 May remained unanswered till press time.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and other government laboratories are conducting environmental surveillance, collecting and analyzing sewage samples to understand the latest covid-19 surge. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram are seeing a spike in new covid patients. India has reported 1,010 active covid cases till 26 May, with seven people succumbing to the infection. However, the health ministry is yet to officially confirm the mortality numbers.

Also Read: COVID cases rise across India: Noida logs 19 active infections, Kerala hits 519 The country has already started the genome sequencing of covid-19 cases to identify the variant behind the recent surge, with the genome typing being done by the National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune). Two new variants of coronavirusNB.1.8.1 and LF.7found in India have mutated from an earlier JN.1 variant.

Mild variant Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech manufactured billions of doses of vaccines for Indians and for supplying more than 100 countries during the first few wave of the pandemic. However, after the situation eased, the last Covid vaccine batches were manufactured a year ago, with no visibility on new stocks.

Right now, the virus looks very mild. We are tracking the number of covid-19 cases and hospitalisations happening across the country, and alerted all the laboratories, said the second government official cited earlier. We have discussed covid-19 preparedness measures and other surveillance strategies.

Also Read: Covid-19: Is new variant JN.1 severe? All FAQs answered as Thane reports death Medical research shows vaccines give two different levels of protection. The first is against infection which is short-lived, and naturally wanes in about six months. Besides, the virus is also continually changing. The second type of protection is long-lasting, and protects our internal organs against severe diseases.

A government scientist, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that almost all the individuals have contracted covid-19 infection multiple times.

People have developed hybrid immunity (natural plus immunity via vaccine). In this situation, the requirement of booster dose becomes very negligible. This infection is now very mild and thus a vaccine may not be needed, the scientist said. Earlier also there was no strong recommendation for booster dose. Hospitalisation are primarily due to co-morbid or underlying health conditions. Also, vaccines do not prevent any infection.

Public health experts have said there was no reason to panic because the cases were mild, while advising developing vaccine for the newest variant.

There are a few reports of the hospitalisation and deaths, but these deaths are being reported in patients with comorbidities. The Tamil Nadu government also said that the death which occurred was a co-incidental finding of covid, because we have ramped up our testing capacity, said Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former director-general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the former chief scientist at WHO.

ICMR surveillance data indicates that there is not much increase in the severity of hospitals or deaths and a vaccine is anyway not going to prevent mild infections, Dr Swaminathan said, citing the Omicron wave despite vaccination. The immunity which we have now is protecting us that is why we are getting mild infections, she said. Maybe in the future, it covid variant changes to another severe mutant, then we have to quickly modify and manufacture those vaccines and then have a program. Even in the current scenario, there does not seem to be any need for the boosters.

New variant vaccine Dr Swaminathan suggested that companies must create a vaccine using the latest variant, which is possible to do now. The moment we get the genome sequencing data, companies should be able to create that vaccine. Theres no point in giving the old vaccine made from an original strain of covid, she said, adding the many companies in the West update their vaccines every year.

The WHO has not classified the new covid mutation as variant of concern or variant of interest, and has advised senior and high-risk people to be careful and put masks when they go out.

Covid vaccination approach has varied with every country, based on the disease burden, said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, past president at Indian Medical Association (IMA), Cochin Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, citing the conservative approach of Scandinavian nations and aggressive vaccination in the US.

Indias population is already well-immunised. Our percentage of vaccination coverage is also high, with limited vaccine hesitancy. We rightly prioritised delivering vaccines to those who were at significantly greater risk of death and severe disease, he said. In the subsequent years, the population has also been exposed to various versions of this virus. This has erased the lack of immune memory that had contributed to the deaths and severe disease in the early part of the pandemic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India gave a stern answer karara jawab to Pakistan and the teerrorits through Operation Sindoor. Modi, addressing a rally in Sikkim virtually, said that in Pahalgam attack, terrorists did not just target India but the whole humanity.

We send a clear message to terrorists and their patrons. In Operation Sindoor we gave a 'karara jawab' stern answer to them. Frustrated Pakistan tried to attack our citizens and soldiers. But Pakistan was exposed and we destroyed their airbases, Modi said.

Also Read | PM Modi's Sikkim trip cancelled due to bad weather

PM Modi was scheduled to visit Sikkim to participate in the Sikkim@50: Where Progress meets purpose and nature nurtures growth programme at around 11 AM. But he could not travel due to inclement weather. Modi, however, spoke to the gathering virtually.

Tourism is not just entertainment but a celebration of diversity. But what terrorists did in Pahalgam, that was not just attack on India but an attack on humanity's soul. It was an attack on brotherhood. They tried to divide Indians. But, today the world is watching that India is united than before, he said.

Two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, India on 7 May conducted precision strikes on at least nine terror camps in Pakistan in what is now known as Operation Sindoor. India and Pakistan indulged in four days of military action post Operation Sindoor. The two nations agreed on an understanding to halt military action on 10 May.

Modi also laid the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Sikkim on the occasion of statehood day.

Modi virtually lays the foundation and inaugurates multiple development projects in Sikkim, including a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over 750 crore in Namchi district, Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing District, and the statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan at Sangkhola in Gangtok District.

"50 years ago, Sikkim chose a democratic future for itself. The people of Sikkim felt a deep desire to connect with the soul of India, along with its geography. There was a belief that when everyone's voice is heard and everyone's rights are protected, equal opportunities for development would follow. Today, I can confidently say that the faith of every family in Sikkim has grown stronger," Modi said on the occasion.

Time for Sikkim to be a global tourist destination: Modi Modi said that during the NITI Aayog Governing Council's meeting in Delhi, he had said that every state should develop such tourist destinations that can establish themselves internationally.
Two terrorists, identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam, surrendered following an operation launched by security forces in the Baskuchan area of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

They are two hybrid terrorists associated with terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) , news agency PTI reported.

They surrendered after a joint operation was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) Shopian, 44 Rashtriya Rifles, and 178 Battalion CRPF based on a specific input.

The forces also recovered various arms and ammunitions from their pocession including two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, two hand grenades, two pouches.

Also Read | China is blocking UN sanctions on THESE 5 Jaish and Lashkar terrorists

Police registered an FIR, and further investigation is underway to probe their links and activities.

Earlier on May 16, VK Birdi, Inspector General of Police for Kashmir Zone, said that six terrorists were neutralised in Jammu and Kashmir under two separate operations in Kelar, Shopian and Tral conducted by the Indian Army in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

In the wake of heightened terror activities in Kashmir Valley, all the security forces deployed here reviewed their strategies. Following this review, there was an intensified focus on operations, the IGP Kashmir was quoted by PTI as saying.

On the basis of this intensified focus and coordination, we conducted two successful operations in the last 48 hours during which we had significant achievement, he added.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir: Security forces clash with terrorists in Kishtwar

The official said, These two operations were conducted in the Kelar in Shopian and Tral areas, which resulted in the neutralisation of a total of six terrorists. We are committed to finish the terror ecosystem in Kashmir Valley.

Rhe Indian forces have intensified their operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, including a Nepali national, were killed.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Indias evolving military doctrine has a significant downside. If any act of terrorism is now considered an act of war, it naturally increases the likelihood of retaliatory and pre-emptive actions from across the border.

What follows is a natural corollary. Does India have enough bomb shelters, bunkers, even an underground anti-nuclear refuge, if the going gets worse than it did this month during the Indo-Pakistan 4-day war?

With warfare getting increasingly technical and drone-prone, it is not just the international borders, which are unsafe. As evidenced recently, missiles were designed and used to target defence establishments in urban areas. Their range and capabilities have expanded significantly in recent years, allowing them to strike targets deep within enemy territory.

How safe are Indian civilians? Under the circumstances, just how safe are Indian civilians, the soft targets in the larger game?

Major General Atul Kaushik (Retd) said in Shimla recently that there is an urgent need to build more bunkers for the people living in border areas.

People living in border towns and villages often bear the brunt of conflict, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and along the Line of Control (LOC),'' the officer said in a statement. He said that towns like Uri, Tangdhar and Poonch were severely affected in the recent cross-border shelling, forcing many civilians to migrate to the hinterland.

On May 6-7, Pakistani shelling in J&K's Poonch and Tangdhar killed 15 and injured 43 after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack, defence officials said. According to the final count, 18 civilians lost their lives in Pakistani shelling and firing during the four-day confrontation.

The figures may well be higher. It would also be instructive to remember that firing across the LoC is not a one-off. It could take place anytime, without warning.

The civilian casualties highlight a crucial issue - the lack of sufficient bunkers and safe havens for the local population. In cases of cross-border casualties, a compensation scheme of providing a fixed sum of five lakh to the next of kin has been fixed. Add to it the destruction of property and livestock during these conflicts, which is rarely compensated adequately, leaving families in crisis.

Construction of bunkers According to a government official, the Indian government is actively promoting the construction of bunkers and other shelters in border areas, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, to protect civilian populations from potential threats. This is driven by the need to prevent mass displacement during periods of conflict and to provide immediate safety during shelling or other emergencies.

Constructed extensively during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term, these bunkers exist mainly along the LoC and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. Designed to protect civilians from mortar fire and infiltration, they reflect a major governmental push to secure border communities.

According to media reports, by 2021 nearly 8,000 underground shelters were built across Jammu province. Initially, the Centre approved 14,460 bunkers across five districts  Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch, and Rajouri  and later sanctioned 4,000 more, expanding protection for vulnerable villages.

How do these figures compare with the West, where threat perceptions are considerably lower and the populated areas relatively smaller? Countries, like Sweden and Finland, have a significant number of bomb shelters, reflecting their preparedness for potential conflicts. Sweden, for example, is reported to have 64,000 shelter locations with space for up to seven million people. Finland's extensive civil defense system  under the threat of Russian guns along its 1,340 km border - includes over 50,000 shelters with the capacity to house a large portion of its population.

Nuclear War Survival Skills The reference Nuclear War Survival Skills declared that, as of 1986, "Switzerland has the best civil defence system, one that already includes blast shelters for over 85 per cent of all its citizens." In 2006, there were about 300,000 shelters built in private residences, institutions and hospitals, as well as 5,100 public places.

In comparison, Indias civil defence structure, as evidenced recently, belonged to the era of Second World War movies. The central governments decision to conduct exercises across 244 designated civil defence districts to familiarize citizens with war time and emergency protocols on May 7, including sirens and mock drills, could hardly be considered effective in an era of precision, targeted bombing from distances 150 km away.

The existence of designated bomb shelters or public safe zones in Indian cities against aerial attacks, are unheard of. Officials say that while some underground metro stations and basements of buildings are being identified as potential safe havens, they were not originally constructed for this purpose.

Neither is construction an easy option, given the population density of Indian cities. Sunita Singh, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), a voluntary community health worker, says there is barely enough space to stand in her work place, northeast Delhis Gokulpuri colony, which makes building a bunker or shelter ``an imaginary idea.

According to the 2011 Census, northeast Delhi is the most densely populated area in the national capital with 37,346 people per sq. km. Included in this district are colonies like Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri, Seelampur, and Shahdara that are bulging at the seams.

People living in border towns and villages often bear the brunt of conflict, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and along the Line of Control (LOC).

Public details of nuclear bunkers or anti-bomb shelters are sparse but VIPs in the government do have protection, which remains a closely guarded secret.
For the last few days Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken on himself to lead a campaign for revival of tourism in the Valley, which was hit by the unprecedented terror attack in Pahalgam last month.

On 28 May, Abdullah chaired a meeting of administrative secretaries and other top officials in Gulmarg health resort as part of his governmentis efforts to draw tourists back to Kashmir. A day before, he held a symbolic cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the site of the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

The chief minister's visits have infused a new hope among stakeholders and increased the chances of a turnaround after the tourist season this year was washed out due to the terror attack.

Abdullah was seen riding a bicycle in Pahalgam and taking a Gondola (cable car) ride in Gulmarg, apart form the meetings that he chaired.

Dil Na Umeed to Nahi In Gulmarg, speaking with media on Wednesday, Abdullah quoted a couplet of Pakistani Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Dil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai, as he tried to explain why optimism is pivotal in adversity.

These lines, which I also quoted at the recent NITI Aayog meeting, serve as a reminder that even in dark times, hope must prevail. What happened recently marks one of the most difficult phases in recent years, but we have endured worse over the past four decades and always found a way to bounce back, Abdullah was quoted as saying by local newspaper Greater Kashmir.

The couplet loosely translates to: The heart is not hopeless, just defeated for now. The evening of sorrow is long, but after all  it is only an evening

Blending sorrow with resilience Born in British Punjab (now in Narowal District, Pakistan), Faiz was considered one of the most celebrated, popular, and influential Urdu writers of his time. His revolutionary ideas remain widely influential in Pakistan and beyond.

Those who have studied Faizs work often say its hard to tell whether his beloved in his Ghazals is a person or the motherland he longed for.

Also Read | Kashmir: Omar govt to hold special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam today

Urdu poetry lovers cite this and other couplet as an examplify Faizs ability to blend sorrow with resilience. The Dil Na Umeed to Nahi.. line is actually a couplet from Faiz's famous Ghazal Hum par tumhari chaah ka ilzam hi to hai(All I am accused of is loving you) that he wrote in 1954 while in Rawalpindi's Montgomery prison.

On March 9, 1951, Faiz was arrested with a group of army officers under the Safety Act, and charged with the failed coup attempt against Liaqat Ali Khan's government that became known as the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case. He was sentenced to death and spent four years in prison before being released

Abdullah lauds the courage of the tourists After chairing the meeting at the Gulmarg Club on 29 April nestled in the meadows and surrounded by mighty pine trees and sparsely snow-clad mountains, Abdullah took a Gondola (cable car) ride to Kongdori, a bowl-shaped area that lies between Gulmarg and the summit of Apharwat mountain range where the first phase of the ropeway ends.

At Kongdori, a group of tourists from Gujarat and Mumbai requested the chief minister's security detail for a meeting with Abdullah. The chief minister promptly acknowledged the request. He met the tourists with warm hand shakes and smile, and sought from them feedback about their Kashmir visit.

Abdullah lauded the courage of the tourists, and happily posed for photographs and selfies with them.

The chief minister appealed to the tourists to promote the Valley as a safe and peaceful destination. The visitors expressed gratitude for Kashmir's hospitality. They lauded the government for the arrangements that made their stay comfortable.

To those who say boycott Kashmir The visits by Abdullah are seen as an effort counter the "boycott Kashmir" campaign. "Terrorists also want this, that you don't go to Kashmir. Those people are enemies of this country. They are not only enemies of Kashmir, they are enemies of the country. Of India. They are enemies of India who are running such a campaign. Because they are doing the same work as the terrorists did on April 22," Abdullah told NDTV.

Two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, India on 7 May conducted precision strikes on at least nine terror camps in Pakistan in what is now known as Operation Sindoor. India and Pakistan indulged in four days of military action post Operation Sindoor. The two nations agreed on an understanding to halt military action on 10 May.

The CM also said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could convene a meeting to review tourism in J&K and tour operators from Maharashtra and Gujarat could visit the region voluntarily, not because they were invited, but because they want to contribute to the normalisation process. Then it was imperative for the J&K government to take the matching steps, he said.

Dil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai.
A 10-year-old boy, Shravan Singh, was recently honoured by the Indian Army as the youngest civil warrior for helping the soldiers in his village in Punjab during the recent conflict between India and Pakistan.

Shravan would bring water, milk, lassi, and ice from his house during Operation Sindoor for the Indian soldiers.

In a post on social media platform X, former Indian Army official, Major Madhan Kumar, wrote: Indian Army honours little boy Shravan Singh, who helped soldiers in Amritsar border by bringing water, milk, lassi, ice from his house during Operation Sindoor.

Who is Shravan Singh? Shravan Singh, a resident ofTara Wali village in Ferozepur district of Punjab, is a class 4 student.

During Operation Sindoor, he ensured that the Indian soldiers locked in a gunfight with Pakistani forces in Tara Wali village did not have to worry about water and tea.

His village is just 2 km from the international border.

For running the errands,Shravanwas felicitated by Major General Ranjit Singh Manral, the General Officer Commanding of the 7th Infantry Division.

Expressing his ambitions, Shravan has also said he wants to join the army when he grows up, reported news agency PTI.

Also Read | PoK is part of India: Rajnath Singh

"I want to become a 'fauji' when I grow up. I want to serve the country," the boy said.

Shravans father said: "We are proud of him. Even soldiers loved him."

Under Operation Sindoor, India had conducted airstrikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The targets included the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.

Following the Indian action, Pakistan had also launched an offensive against Indian military bases and resorted to shelling the border areas for the next three days.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 29 May lauded Make-in-India for the Indian Army's success during Operation Sindoor. Singh also said that those residing in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are India's own and one day, will surely return to the mainstream.

"Make-in-India is an essential component in our national security and it played a key role in India's effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor," Rajnath Singh told industry captains, emphasising that through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme Execution Model, the private sector will get an opportunity to participate in a mega defence project along with public sector companies for the first time, further bolstering indigenous defence capabilities.

Singh was addressing the Inaugural Plenary of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit in New Delhi today.

Singh termed the Execution Model for the AMCA programme to build 5th generation fighter aircraft in India as a bold and decisive step, which will take the domestic aerospace sector to greater heights, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

"Under the AMCA project, the plan is to develop five prototypes, which will be followed by series production. It is a key milepost in the history of the Make-in-India programme," the minister said.

Make-in-India during Operation Sindoor. Highlighting the success of Make-in-India during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Armed Forces would not have been able to take effective action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK if the nation had not strengthened its indigenous defence capabilities.

"We destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the military bases. We could have done a lot more, but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint," he said.

Two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, India on 7 May conducted precision strikes on at least nine terror camps in Pakistan in what is now known as Operation Sindoor. India and Pakistan indulged in four days of military action post Operation Sindoor. The two nations agreed on an understanding to halt military action on 10 May.

Singh again made it clear that PoK is a part of India, and the people who got geographically and politically separated will, sooner or later, voluntarily return to India. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is committed to its resolve of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Most of the people in PoK have a deep connection with India. There are only a few who have been misled," he said.

The Defence Minister emphasised that the Government has given priority to policy clarity, indigenisation, economic resilience and strategic autonomy, and the success of these efforts can be ensured only when all the stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs & manufacturers, become strong partners in this national mission.

PoK is a part of India, and the people who got geographically and politically separated will, sooner or later, voluntarily return to India.

"If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma," he said.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, CII President Sanjiv Puri and industry leaders were among those who attended the event.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that the government must provide a concrete, generous and immediate relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and other areas affected by Pakistani shelling.

Last Saturday, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha visited Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir and spent time with the affected people, including the families who lost their members in the cross-border attacks between May 7 and May 10.

Gandhi also visited shelling-hit Gurdwara Singh Sabha, temple Geeta Bhawan and Madrassa Zia-ul-Uloom, besides interacting with the students at the Christ High School.

In his letter to Modi, Gandhi said he recently visited Poonch, where 14 people including 4 children have tragically lost their lives and dozens have been injured in Pakistani shelling.

"This sudden and indiscriminate attack has caused massive destruction in the civilian areas. Hundreds of homes, shops, schools and religious places have been badly damaged. Many victims said that their years of hard work has been destroyed in one stroke," he wrote.

The people of Poonch and other border areas have been living in peace and harmony for decades, he said.

"Today when they are going through this deep crisis, it is our duty to understand their pain and provide all possible assistance to rebuild their lives. I urge the Government of India to come up with a solid and generous relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and all other areas affected by Pakistani shelling," Gandhi said.

Sharing a video from the visit, Gandhi said on X, "The pain of Poonch can be felt only after going there. Broken homes, shattered lives - even from the echo of this pain, only one voice comes out - we Indians are one."

"I am not requesting, but reminding the government of its responsibility - a concrete, generous and immediate relief and rehabilitation package should be prepared for Poonch and other areas affected by Pakistani shelling. This is not help, it is a duty," Gandhi said in his post in Hindi on X.

In the video, many people affected by the shelling were seen sharing their experiences with Gandhi.

Gandhi on Saturday had said the border district in Jammu and Kashmir embodies the "harmony, unity and patriotism of Hindustan" and those trying to divide the country will never succeed in their design.

Poonch faced the brunt of the Pakistani shelling that left 28 people dead and 70 injured.

This was Gandhi's second visit to the Union territory since the dastardly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.
The Congress party on 29 May claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union governmnet was planning to call special session of Parliament on June 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency.

The party said it will be yet another classic exercise in "diversion and distraction" from real and more urgent issues by the Prime Minister.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that from the night of April 22nd itself, the Congress party has been calling for an all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack and its fallout to be chaired by the PM himself. That has yet to take place, he said.

"On May 10th, both the LoP in the Lok Sabha and the LoP in the Rajya Sabha wrote to the PM requesting for a special session of Parliament to be convened and to demonstrate the nation's collective resolve through a resolution. The PM has NOT accepted that suggestion as well," Ramesh said in a post on X.

US President Trump's mediation claim Two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, India on 7 May conducted precision strikes on at least nine terror camps in Pakistan in what is now known as Operation Sindoor. India and Pakistan indulged in four days of military action post Operation Sindoor. The two nations agreed on an understanding to halt military action on 10 May.

The US President has been repeatedly claiming that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan.

Since then US President Donald Trump has claimed to have mediated between the two countries in arrving at the ceasefire. The Congress has been asking PM Modi to break his "silence" on the Trump administration's repeated claims on how the India-Pakistan "ceasefire" was brought about.

"Now it appears that a special session of Parliament is being considered for June 25-26 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency," Ramesh claimed.

Last year, Modi government decided to observe June 25, the day the Emergency was declared in 1975, as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to commemorate the massive contributions of those who endured inhuman pains of the period,

This will be yet another classic exercise in diversion and distraction from real and more urgent issues by the PM.

"This will be yet another classic exercise in diversion and distraction from real and more urgent issues by the PM - the man who has placed the nation under an undeclared Emergency for 11 years and the man who refuses to answer why the Pahalgam terrorists are still absconding, why he allowed President Trump to broker a ceasefire, and why he gave a clean chit to China publicly on June 19th, 2020?" Ramesh asked.
Veteran actor Rajesh, celebrated for his remarkable contributions to both film and television, passed away early this morning at the age of 75. Rajeshs nephew confirmed to DT Next that the veteran actor and businessman passed away on Thursday.

Rajesh had reportedly complained of low blood pressure earlier in the morning and tragically died while being taken to the hospital.

Born Rajesh Williams on December 20, 1949, in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, he began his career as a schoolteacher before making his cinematic debut with a minor role in K. Balachanders 1974 classic Aval Oru Thodarkathai.

Rajesh gained dominance with his breakthrough role in Kanni Paruvathile (1979) and went on to act in over 150 films throughout his illustrious career.

Rajnikanth says, deeply saddened The Tamil film fraternity is mourning the loss of one of its revered veterans. Superstar Rajinikanth, a long-time friend of Rajesh, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, stating, The news of the untimely death of my close friend, actor Rajesh, shocks me and causes me great heartache. A wonderful man, may his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends..

"Deeply shocked and saddened to hear of # Rajesh's unexpected demise. Shared so many movies together and had a deep respect for his wide knowledge of cinema and life, will be missed by family, friends and film fraternity. #RIP," wrote Radikaa Sarathkumar.

Deeply shocked and saddened to hear of #Rajesh's unexpected demise. Shared so many movies together and had a deep respect for his wide knowledge of cinema and life, will be missed by family, friends and film fraternity.

Producer and author G. Dhananjayan expressed his sorrow over Rajesh's passing in a heartfelt post, writing, Very sad to read about the passing away of Actor #Rajesh sir, a fine actor and a respected person in the film industry. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Rest in peace sir.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has warned Indian citizen against unauthorized individuals or illegal Indian agencies. The warning comes after three Indian citizen have reportedly gone missing after traveling to Iran.

Given the nature of this incident, Indian citizens are strongly advised not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorized individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries., read a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Iran's embassy in India.

Iran has shared an update and said that they are currently investigating the disappearance of three Indian nationals in Tehran.

This inquiry is being conducted in close coordination with the relevant Iranian judicial authorities. Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Republic of India in Tehran is being regularly updated on the progress of the case through ongoing liaison with the Iranian Consular Affairs Department.

The case concerning the disappearance of three Indian nationals is being followed up by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities. The Embassy of the Republic of India in Tehran is also being kept informed of the proceedings within the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran through coordination with the Consular Affairs Department., the post on X added.

Also Read | Iran May Allow American IAEA Monitors Under New Nuclear Deal

The missing Indian citizen, all from Punjab, reportedly travelled to Iran under the pretext of securing work permits for Australia. However, shortly after their arrival, they vanished under suspicious circumstances.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed to media houses that the missing individualsidentified as Yogesh Panchal, Mohammad Sadeeque, and Sumeet Sudhad travelled to Iran for business purposes between December 2024 and early January 2025.

Families have reported receiving ransom demands and disturbing communications indicating that the men may be held against their will. The Indian Embassy in Tehran is actively engaging with Iranian officials to ensure a thorough investigation and the safe recovery of the missing nationals.

According to official statements quoted by the Economic Times, Yogesh Panchal and Sadeeque arrived in Tehran under Irans 15-day visa waiver programme, intended to facilitate tourism and business exchanges.
You trust doctors to save lives  but what happens when theyre the ones deciding who lives or dies? A deeply disturbing case has surfaced from Latur district in Maharashtra, where police are investigating a senior doctor at a government hospital for allegedly instructing a colleague to kill a Covid-19 patient during the peak of the 2021 pandemic. During the 2021 pandemic, hospitals were crowded with patients, and resources were scarce.

An audio clip recently surfaced on social media of the purported conversation between the accused, Dr Shashikant Deshpande, who was then additional district surgeon at the Udgir Government Hospital in Latur, and Dr Shashikant Dange, who was posted at a Covid-19 care centre.

The patient, Kausar Fatima, wife of Dayami Ajimoddin Gaussoddin (53), had later recovered from the disease. But what her husband heard when she was admitted to the Latur hospital may haunt him forever.

In the audio clip, Dr Deshpande is allegedly heard saying: Don't allow anyone to go inside, just kill that Dayami woman.

To this, Dr Dange responds cautiously, noting that oxygen support had already been reduced.

The Udgir City Police has registered a complaint against Dr Deshpande on the complaint of Gaussoddin under legal provisions for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and other offences. The police have also seized his mobile phone.

The police have also issued a notice to Dr Dange. He is out of district and will come tomorrow. After that, we will collect his mobile phone and conduct an inquiry, Inspector Dilip Gade told PTI.

As per the FIR, the complainant said that in 2021, during the pandemic, his wife Kausar Fatima (then aged 41), tested positive for Covid-19.

She was admitted as an inpatient at the government hospital in Udgir on April 15, 2021. Covid-19 treatment was being administered in a facility across from the eye hospital on Nanded Road, which was managed by the same hospital. Dr Dange was overseeing the treatment of Covid-19 patients at that centre.

The woman remained admitted there for 10 days. Around the seventh day of her admission, her husband was sitting beside Dr Dange while he was having lunch. At that moment, Dr Dange, who received a call from Dr Deshpande, placed the phone on speaker and continued the conversation regarding hospital matters.

During the call, Dr Deshpande enquired about bed availability.

When Dr Dange informed him that there were no vacant beds, the man claimed that he distinctly heard Dr Deshpande saying, Kill the Dayami patient. You're used to dealing with such people.

He also allegedly made a caste-based slur during the conversation, as per the man's complaint.

The man said he was shocked, but chose to remain silent at the time since his wife was still undergoing treatment. A few days later, his wife recovered and was discharged.
A US tourists trip to Kolkata, the City of Joy, turned ridiculous after a dispute over fares with a local taxi driver - who threatened him with mafia connections. The man recorded the entire incident and shared it on YouTube, where the video has since gone viral.

From this point forward, I will never use random taxi drivers from the airport  always Uber. I didnt plan to make any videos from the airport as I was already tired from travelling. However, when the taxi driver brought me to the wrong hotel after I showed him the correct address and location on the map, I started filming, wrote Dustin.



At the time, I didnt understand what he was saying and had my friend translate  he said it was pretty messed up. We had agreed to 700 beforehand, including the parking ticket, and as you can see in the video, the prices kept changing. Regardless, Ive had a good time in India so far and this situation doesnt really change anything, he continued.



Read | Didn't feel': Dutch travel influencer shares video after Indian man secretly takes pictures on Delhi-Agra train

Viewer Discretion Advised: This video contains explicit language and strong content.

Heres how social media reacted:

Someone should report this case to Kolkata Police. Its a shame for us, treating tourists like this, posted one user. Another added, I have reported this to Kolkata Police with the video link and requested prompt action against such hooliganism.



Video | Refugees are here from India: Man harasses Indians in Canada, netizens say this is unacceptable
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police has apprehended a resident of Thane on suspicion of spying for Pakistan, a senior official confirmed on Thursday. The accused, whose identity has not been disclosed, was employed by a significant organisation in Mumbai and reportedly fell victim to a sophisticated honey-trap operation orchestrated by a Pakistani agent posing as a woman on social media.

Also Read | Jyoti Malhotra was in touch with 4 Pak agents; 12 TB data recovered from phones

According to the official, the suspect was befriended on Facebook by the agent and subsequently shared sensitive information regarding a critical installation via WhatsApp between November 2024 and March 2025. This breach of national security came to light following a tip-off, prompting the Thane ATS unit to take the individual into custody along with two others. While the two others were released after preliminary inquiries, the primary accused was formally arrested.

The arrest was made under Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, which addresses offences related to espionage, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, dealing with criminal conspiracy.

Delhi Police Arrests Kasim For Espionage Activities Linked to Pakistan Delhi Polices Special Cell arrested Kasim, a 34-year-old resident of Gangora village, Rajasthan, on 29 May.

Kasim is accused of collaborating with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) by providing sensitive information related to Indian Army installations and government offices.

Investigations revealed that Kasim had travelled to Pakistan twicefirst in August 2024 and again in March 2025where he reportedly met with officials from Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Using Indian mobile SIM cards, which were allegedly sent to Pakistan by some Indian nationals, Kasim facilitated communication between PIOs and Indian contacts via WhatsApp to extract classified data.

The case came to light after intelligence inputs in September 2024 indicated that Pakistani agents were using Indian mobile numbers for espionage. Following these leads, a case was registered under relevant sections of law, and Kasim was taken into custody and placed on police remand. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the espionage network involving Pakistani handlers and their Indian collaborators.

Pakistani Spies Nabbed Across India

In May 2025, Indian security agencies arrested at least 13 individuals suspected of spying for Pakistan, marking a significant crackdown on espionage activities following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Indias subsequent Operation Sindoor.

The arrests spanned multiple states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Among those detained were a diverse group comprising a YouTuber, security personnel, government employees, students, traders, and businessmen. Haryana-based travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, who has a substantial social media following, was arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. She was reportedly in contact with a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially informed families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel has accepted a fresh ceasefire proposal presented by Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy appointed by former US President Donald Trump.

The announcement was reported by Israeli media on Thursday, signalling a potential breakthrough in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Details of the Steve Witkoff Ceasefire Proposal The new proposal, brokered through international mediators, aims to establish a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, while also addressing the critical issue of hostage releases and humanitarian aid access in Gaza.

According to reports, the agreement includes the phased release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of the bodies of 18 deceased captives.

Also Read | Gazans lining up for food say supplies remain limited

The Gaza-Israel ceasefire is intended to last for 60 days, during which humanitarian aid deliveries would resume under the supervision of the United Nations.

In exchange, Israel would release over 1,000 Palestinian detainees, including convicted terrorists and prisoners held since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023.

Hamas Studying the Proposal Responsibly Hamas has acknowledged receipt of the Steve Witkoff ceasefire proposal and stated that its leadership is studying it responsibly to ensure it serves the interests of the Palestinian people.

In an official statement, the Hamas group emphasised that any agreement must provide relief and lead to a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Despite the progress, Hamas continues to demand a permanent end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the establishment of a governance committee composed of independent Palestinian technocrats.

These conditions remain sticking points in the negotiations.

Mixed Reactions Within Israel The Steve Witkoff proposal has elicited varied responses across Israel.

While Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed willingness to consider a temporary ceasefire, he insists that any truce must be conditional and limited in duration.

Some right-wing ministers in Israel and families of hostages have voiced strong opposition, arguing that Hamas is weakened and should be compelled to surrender without concessions.

Conversely, Israel's opposition leaders have urged the Netanyahu government to accept the deal to bring an end to the bloodshed and secure the safe return of hostages.

Also Read | 600 days of Gaza war: Netanyahu claims Mohammed Sinwar is dead but Army not sure

The Path Forward for Israel and Gaza The Steve Witkoff mediated ceasefire talks have been facilitated through back-channel diplomacy involving Middle Eastern intelligence agencies, the US administration, and regional actors such as Qatar and Egypt.
PAG, an Asia-Pacific-focused alternative investment firm, has elevated its India head of private equity, Nikhil Srivastava, to jointly lead its overall private equity business.

The appointment is effective immediately, the firm, which manages $55 billion in assets, said on Thursday. Srivastava, a partner, will also join the firms management committee, and will work alongside David Wong, partner and co-head of PAG Private Equity.

Srivastava will succeed Lincoln Pan, partner and co-head of PAG Private Equity, who is leaving the firm to join as the chief executive officer of Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

Lincoln will work at PAG until November this year, the firm said.

Srivastava joins other Indian executives at KKR, Blackstone and Warburg Pincus who have taken on prominent leadership positions in global private equity over the last three years. Blackstone's India head Amit Dixit has been leading the firm's Asia PE operations over the last several years. Warburg Pincus and KKR also elevated their respective India heads, Vishal Mahadevia and Gaurav Trehan, to lead the firms across Asia two years ago.

Track record Nikhil assumes this leadership position with an outstanding track record in deal-making, team leadership, and strategic execution, as well as a deep understanding of the region and ability to manage and grow our portfolio companies, Shan, executive chairman and co-founder of PAG, said in a statement.

Srivastava has scaled PAGs India private equity platform and led large investments in Nuvama Wealth Management and Manjushree Technopack. Before PAG, Srivastava worked across India, Singapore, and the US markets with KKR for nearly a decade.

He has also worked at Goldman Sachs and Inphi Corporation. Srivastava holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a masters in electrical engineering from Stanford, and a bachelors in electrical engineering from BITS Pilani. He also owns several patents, the firm said.

PAG offers three core strategies in credit and markets, private equity, and real assets. The firm manages capital of over 300 institutional fund investors and has over 370 investment professionals.
Responding to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs recent overture for peace talks with India, including on counterterrorism, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) firmly reiterated Indias longstanding position.

During a weekly press conference, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored that New Delhi's approach towards Islamabad remains clear and consistent  that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand.

Randhir Jaiswal said, I would like to begin by stating that our bilateral approach towards Pakistan has been clear and consistent. We want to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand.

He emphasised that any conversation on terrorism must begin with Pakistan handing over terrorists from the list India had shared years ago. He said any bilateral talks will happen only on the timeline and process for Pakistan to vacate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

As far as terrorism is concerned, the discussion will be solely about Pakistan handing over to India the terrorists from the list provided to them several years ago. As for Jammu and Kashmir, any bilateral talks will only take place regarding the timeline and process for Pakistan to vacate PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), he said.

WHAT DID SHEHBAZ SHARIF SAY? Addressing a joint press conference in Tehran alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said, We want to resolve all disputes, including the Kashmir issue and the water issue, through negotiations and are also ready to talk to our neighbour on trade and counter-terrorism.

The Pakistan prime minister also underlined that the country will show they really want peace, seriously and sincerely if his offer of peace is accepted.
In a stern warning to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Alipurduar city of West Bengal, declared that Operation Sindoor is far from over, referring that the mission will continue until its objectives are fully achieved. PM Modi said by declaring that Operation Sindoor is not over yet, he was voicing the resolve of 140 crore Indians, underlining the national significance of the operation.

Speaking of Operation Sindoor which was launched on May 7 when Indian military forces struck nine terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), PM Modi said India destroyed cross-border terror infrastructure, which Pakistan never thought of.

The prime minister also invoked Bengals deep cultural and emotional connection with sindoor [vermillion], referring to the traditional ritual of Sindoor Khela during Durga Puja. Also Read | Operation Sindoor: Who are the Indian Army officers behind the logo?

"Now that I am standing on the sacred land of 'Sindoor Khela', it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism 'Operation Sindoor. Terrorists had dared to wipe out sindoor of our sisters, but our forces made them realise strength of sindoor. From this land of Bengal, I declare on behalf of 140 crore Indians that Operation Sindoor is not yet over, PM Modi said.

Asserting India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, PM Modi said, After the Pahalgam attack, India has told the world that if there is a terrorist attack on India, the enemy will have to pay a heavy price for it.

Pakistan should understand that we have entered your house and killed you three times.

While the prime minister did not spell out the details of the three instances, his remarks are being widely interpreted as a reference to the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack, the 2019 Balakot air strikes after the Pulwama bombing, and the recent cross-border strikes as part of 'Operation Sindoor'.
Billionaire Elon Musk on May 28 announced that he is exiting the Donald Trump-led administration and stepping down from his role as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency, more commonly known as DOGE.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President@realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government, Elon Musk wrote on X.

A White House official confirmed Elon Musk's departure to Reuters and said that the billionaire's off-boarding will begin tonight.

Elon Musk's Tenure as DOGE Chief As chief of DOGE, Elon Musk was a special government employee  people who join the US government for a short period of time to provide specialised expertise. As per US ethics laws, special government employees cannot serve for more than 130 days in a 365-day period.

So, Elon Musk's role in the Donald Trump administration was always temporary, with a fixed term of 130 days, from January 20 to May 30.

For US government employees, Elon Musk's DOGE was an upheaval machine. The turbulent times saw thousands of layoffs, complete department shutdowns, and reams of litigation, as per an AP report. Despite the noise, the accomplishments were far fewer than Elon Musk may have hoped, it added.

The report noted that the billionaire struggled in the unfamiliar environment of Washington and increasingly expressed frustration about resistance to his goals. He also dramatically reduced his target for cutting spending, from $2 trillion to $1 trillion to $150 billion.

What happens to DOGE? Who Succeeds Elon Musk? There is no succession plan outlined at DOGE. In an earlier interview, Elon Musk joked: DOGE is a way of life, like Buddhism. Buddha isnt alive anymore. You wouldnt ask the question: Who would lead Buddhism?

Answering reporters in April when asked about Elon Musk stepping back from DOGE to focus on his companies, Donald Trump did not have a concrete answer either.

I can't tell you that. I will say this  a lot of the people working with DOGE are the secretaries, the heads of the various agencies, and they've learned a lot. And they're dealing with the DOGE people. I think some of them may try to keep the DOGE people At a certain point, I think it will end, Donald Trump had said.

In an interview with the Washington Post ahead of the SpaceX launch on May 27, Elon Musk expressed frustration that DOGE had become a scapegoat for criticism.

DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything. Whenever something goes wrong anywhere, we get blamed even if we have nothing to do with it, he said.
US President Donald Trump doubled down on his attacks against Harvard University by suggesting that the institution cap the number of foreign students it admits at 15 per cent..

Trump said, "... We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I'll tell you what, many of those students didn't go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left."

The US President claimed that Harvard admits nearly 31 per cent of foreign students. Seeking further details on such students, Trump said, Harvard has to show us their lists. They have foreign students - almost 31 per cent of their students. We want to know where those students come from, whether they are troublemakers, and what countries they come from... You're going to see some very radical people. They're taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalised, and we don't want them making trouble in our country.

He asserted that other countries are not funding Harvard, in contrast to the United States. Sharing an example, Trump said, So I saw yesterday that in the middle of the UK, there was a nice young man who wants to go back to school at Harvard, and he looked good to me. But I want to check his passport. These countries aren't helping us; they're not investing in Harvard, and we are. So why would 31 per cent? Why would a number be so big? I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 per cent.

Harvard has been a disaster, says Trump He further added, Harvard has been a disaster. They've taken $ 5 billion+... And by the way, they're totally anti-semitic at Harvard, and some other colleges too. It's been exposed, very exposed, and I think they're dealing very badly. Every time they fight, they lose another 250 million dollars... I think this is what everyone's coming up to me saying, we love the idea of trade schools with that kind of money and money from others, but money from them. You can have the best trade schools anywhere in the world... They can only be used for trade schools, and they'll teach people how to build AI...

Also Read | Harvard Says Trump Student Ban Is Already Causing Harm Despite Judges Block
PRAID, Romania (Reuters) -Severe floods in Romania are threatening to destroy the Praid salt mine, one of Europe's largest salt reserves which attracts half a million tourists each year with its spectacular galleries housing an adventure park and chapel carved in salt.

Authorities have shut down the mine as the worst floods in 30 years in the central Romanian county of Harghita have swollen a nearby stream, further flooding part of the mine.

The floods are threatening to destroy the livelihood of people in the town of Praid who have relied on tourism centred around the salt mine for decades, local authority officials said.

"A problem with the salt mine can have catastrophic consequences for the entire region," said Csongor Zsombori, head accountant at the Praid branch of the state-controlled National Salt Company S.A. which partly owns the mine.

While part of the mine has been producing salt, with an annual production capacity of around 70,000-100,000 metric tons, its huge galleries which also house a medical centre, receive tourists, including for medical treatment for respiratory diseases.

Laszlo Nyagrus, mayor of Praid, said the miners have removed their equipment and machines and were working to preserve another part of the mine which has not been open to visitors so far.

"They are trying to save this area, these galleries, by building so-called sluices and dams to protect it, so that at least this part ... will not be damaged," he said.

"We need to look at what can be done very quickly in the tourism sector, what opportunities can be explored or should be explored, so that we can retain as many tourists as possible in Praid."
A "ringleader" of an international human smuggling plot was reportedly sentenced to 10 years in prison in Minnesota on Wednesday.

The verdict came more than three years after a family of four from India froze to death while trying to enter the US along a remote stretch of the Canadian border in a blizzard.

The judge handed down the sentences at the federal courthouse in the northwestern Minnesota city of Fergus Falls, where the two accused men were tried and convicted on four counts apiece last November.

About the two accused The two accused men were identified as Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Anthony Shand.

In court in the US state of Minnesota, Patel was sentenced to just over 10 years in prison. Shand was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. The custodial terms were about half of what prosecutors had sought.

They were convicted last November of human trafficking, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, BBC reported.

According to the Associated Press, Prosecutors said Patel is an Indian national who went by the alias Dirty Harry, and Shand is a US citizen from Florida. Shand was also to be sentenced Wednesday.

They allegedly were part of a sophisticated illegal operation that brought dozens of people from India to Canada on student visas and then smuggled them across the US border.

As per the report, federal prosecutors had recommended nearly 20 years for Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, and nearly 11 years for the driver who was supposed to pick them up, Steve Anthony Shand.

Patel has been jailed since his arrest at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago in February 2024 and claimed in the filing to have no income and no assets.

Mr. Patel has never shown an ounce of remorse. Even today, he continues to deny he is the Dirty Harry' that worked with Mr. Shand on this smuggling venture  despite substantial evidence to the contrary and counsel for his co-defendant identifying him as such at trial, prosecutor Michael McBride wrote.

Meanwhile, Shand has been free pending sentencing. His attorney called the government's requested sentence unduly punitive and requested just 27 months. The attorney argued that Shand's role was limited  that he was just a taxi driver who needed money to support his wife and six children.

India family of four freezes to death The prosecutors said the victim -, Jagdish Patel, 39; his wife, Vaishaliben, who was in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son, Dharmik -- froze to death.

The family was from Dingucha, a village in Gujarat, as was Harshkumar Patel. Patel is a common Indian surname, and the victims were not related to the defendant.

The father died while trying to shield Dharmik's face from a blistering wind with a frozen glove, prosecutor Michael McBride wrote.

Vihangi was wearing ill-fitting boots and gloves. Their mother died slumped against a chain-link fence she must have thought salvation lay behind, McBride wrote, as per AP report.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday granted pardons to reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who had been serving federal prison sentences following their convictions for bank fraud and tax evasion three years ago, according to a report by AP.

The pardons led to the couples release just hours later. Todd Chrisley was freed from a minimum-security prison camp in Pensacola that evening, while Julie Chrisley was released from a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, according to Shannen Sharpe, a spokesperson for their attorney, AP said.

Furthermore, US reality TV star Savannah Chrisley spoke about Trump pardoning her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, ahead of her father's release from prison in Pensacola, Florida.

Savannah said, I don't know there was a system | Watch As reported by LiveNOW, "I wouldn't have it any other way, honestly. The past two and a half years has taught me so much," Chrisley said.

I'm a privileged white girl. I didn't know there was a system that operated this way and my parents going to prison, I thank God for it, because it opened my eyes to something so much greater than ourselves and it opened my eyes to the men and women in our system who need people to fight for them, she added.

Trump announced his intention to pardon them on Tuesday, saying the celebrity couple had been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what Im hearing. It was another example of the president, himself a former reality TV star, pardoning high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers, AP reported.

Savannah Chrisley, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump, publicly endorsed his presidential campaign during a speech at the Republican National Convention last summer. While she has claimed that political motives drove the case against her parents, it's notable that their indictment occurred in 2019 under Byung J. BJay Pak, a U.S. attorney appointed by Trump.
Sydney Sweeney, star of the hit series Euphoria, has teamed up with Dr. Squatch Soap Co. to launch a truly unusual product  a limited-edition soap bar infused with her actual bathwater. Dubbed Sydneys Bathwater Bliss, the soap as per claims contains water from the actresss own bubble bath.

Announcing the collaboration on Instagram on May 29, Sweeney wrote, You kept asking about my bathwater after the @drsquatch ad so we kept it. Introducing Sydneys Bathwater Bliss! A very real, very limited-edition soap made with my actual bathwater. Available on 6/6/25 at drsquatch.com 

Details of the Bathwater Bliss soap The $8 soap is a blend of exfoliating sand, pine bark extract, and Sydney Sweeneys bathwater. Only 5,000 bars will be produced, making it a rare collectors item for fans. The soap is set to go on sale on June 6 at 12 p.m. EST, exclusively through Dr. Squatchs website.

Dr. Squatch promoted the product alongside a giveaway on Instagram, writing:

Introducing: Sydneys Bathwater Bliss @sydney_sweeney 

In collaboration with Sydney Sweeney, we created a limited-edition soap infused with her ACTUAL bathwater. Why? Because yall wouldnt stop asking. And Sydney said, Lets do it. (what a legend)

The soap reportedly smells like Morning Wood with a medium grit for exfoliation. The giveaway offers 100 lucky winners a free bar, with entries open until June 4.

Social Media reactions to Sydney Sweeneys Bathwater soap The announcement of Sydney Sweeneys Bathwater Bliss soap sparked a variety of reactions on social media, reflecting curiosity, disbelief, humor, and even self-reflection among fans and observers.

One user expressed disbelief at the idea, commenting, Imagine being down bad enough to buy this, highlighting a mix of humor and skepticism about the unusual concept of selling soap made with celebrity bathwater.

Another social media user showed surprise and doubt, remarking, No way this is a real thing. The comment captures the incredulity many felt about the authenticity and seriousness of the product.

In contrast, a fan enthusiastically embraced the novelty, stating, Gonna add this to my limited editions collection, showing there is genuine interest and excitement among some followers, who see the soap as a quirky collectors item.

A reflective user chimed in with a more thoughtful take, writing, We need to look at ourselves in the mirror, a comment suggesting that the soaps unusual nature prompted some to question cultural trends and the publics fascination with celebrity merchandise.

When and where to buy Fans eager to get their hands on Sydneys Bathwater Bliss should mark their calendars for June 6 at noon EST. The soap will be sold exclusively on Dr. Squatchs website, and with only 5,000 bars available, its expected to sell out quickly.
The Trump administration on Thursday, May 29, indicated it may delay immediate action to revoke Harvard Universitys ability to enroll international students, opting instead to follow a longer administrative process, according to a new report.

In the filing, as per a report in Reuters, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it had sent Harvard a notice of intent to withdraw its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows the university to host non-US students.

Harvard University, a global symbol of academic excellence, is now at the center of a high-stakes confrontation with the Trump administration over the US government's decision to bar the university from enrolling foreign students.

30 days to respond Harvard has rejected the Trump administrations accusations of conservative bias, campus antisemitism, and alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The university, as per a report in Reuters, now has 30 days to formally respond to the notice.

Hearing scheduled in federal court The notice was issued ahead of a scheduled hearing before US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston, who was expected to consider Harvards request to extend a temporary block on the revocation.

Harvard warned that revoking SEVP certification would impact nearly 6,800 international studentsroughly 27% of its student bodyand be devastating to both the institution and its academic mission.

DHS cites national security concerns The move to revoke the certification was first announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on May 22. Noem accused Harvard of fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.

In a letter to Harvard, Noem wrote: It is a privilege to enroll foreign students, and it is also a privilege to employ aliens on campus.

She further claimed the university failed to comply with requests for information regarding student visa holders and their activities.

Harvard denies allegations Harvard has also rejected claims it had coordinated with the Chinese government. In court documents, its legal team argued that the DHS was attempting to coerce the university into changing its governance, curriculum, and the ideological makeup of its faculty and students.

Trump calls for 15% cap on foreign students President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 28) called on Harvard University to limit its foreign student admissions to 15%, criticising the Ivy League school for showing "great disrespect" to the United States.

Harvard has got to behave themselves. Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect and all they're doing is getting in deeper and deeper, Trump said from the Oval Office. I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%. We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, they cant get in because we have foreign students there.

Also Read | US to revoke visas of Chinese students tied to Chinese Communist Party

Funding cut threats and further action Trump, in his escalation of attacks on Harvard University, threatened to redirect billions in federal funding to trade schools on May 26, while accusing the Ivy League institution of harbouring antisemitism and shielding radicalised foreign students. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he was considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land.

A day earlier, Trump criticised Harvards funding requests, saying: Harvard has $52,000,000, use it, and stop asking for the Federal Government to continue GRANTING money to you!

Trump also insisted the university provide a list of its current foreign students, as part of increased scrutiny on immigration and foreign influence in US higher education.

The Trump administration has frozen over $2.6 billion in federal research funding to Harvard and is moving to cancel remaining federal contracts. The administration has also targeted Harvards diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, accusing them of promoting left-wing bias, and suggested stripping the universitys tax-exempt status.

Harvard faces mounting pressure amid a legal battle over these issues.
A US federal court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump's proposed Liberation Day tariffs, ruling that he exceeded his authority by attempting to impose blanket duties on imports from countries that sell more to the United States than they buy.

The Manhattan-based Court of International Trade said the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate international commerce, a power that cannot be overruled by the presidents emergency authority to protect the economy.

Meanwhile, the White House on Wednesday slammed "unelected judges" over the court ruling noting that President Trump pledged to put America first.

"It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency," administration spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. "President Trump pledged to put America first, and the administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American greatness."

What did the lawsuit say? The lawsuit was filed by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Centre on behalf of five small US businesses that import goods from countries targeted by the duties. It was the first major legal challenge to Trump's tariffs.

The companies, which range from a New York wine and spirits importer to a Virginia-based maker of educational kits and musical instruments, have said the tariffs will hurt their ability to do business.

At least seven lawsuits are challenging the levies, the centrepiece of Trumps trade policy.

The plaintiffs argued that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) does not authorise the use of tariffs.

Even if it did, they say, the trade deficit does not meet the laws requirement that an emergency be triggered only by an "unusual and extraordinary threat." The US has run a trade deficit with the rest of the world for 49 consecutive years.

Trumps administration says courts backed President Nixons emergency tariffs in 1971 and argues that only Congress, not the courts,can decide if a presidents emergency declaration is legal. Trumps Liberation Day tariffs shook global financial markets and led many economists to downgrade the outlook for US economic growth.

Meanwhile, global markets have fluctuated wildly since Trump announced the levies in a sweeping executive order on April 2. Since then, trillions of dollars in market value have been shed and regained amid weeks of delays, reversals and announcements about potential trade deals, particularly with China.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the United States will start revoking visas of Chinese students, particularly those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or enrolled in sensitive academic disciplines.

In a social media post on X, Rubio wrote, The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

This move is another step in the Trump administrations ongoing efforts to tighten oversight of foreign student enrollment in US higher education.

Earlier in the day, Trump escalated his criticism of Harvard University, proposing that the school limit its intake of international students to no more than 15%.

In a fiery remark against Harvard University, Trump suggested that many foreign nationals admitted by Harvard are "troublemakers", disrupting the country. We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, he added.

Stating that Harvard University admits almost 31% of foreign students, some from areas of the world that are very radicalised, Trump said, Why would 31 percent? Why would a number be so big? I think they (Harvard University) should have a cap of maybe around 15 per cent. We have people that want to go to Harvard and other schools, but they can't get in because we have foreign students there.

I want to make sure that foreign students are people that can love our country. We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I'll tell you what, many of those students didn't go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left, Trump added.

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

China says, unreasonable Beijing condemned the United States' move to unreasonably revoke visas of Chinese students and stated on Thursday that it has formally lodged a protest with Washington after the announcement made by Secretary of State Rubio.

"The US has unreasonably cancelled Chinese students' visas under the pretext of ideology and national rights," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, as reported by AFP.

China firmly opposes this and has lodged representations with the US, Ning added.
Israel has accepted a new US-brokered proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House confirmed on Thursday (May 29), marking a potential breakthrough in the long-stalled negotiations to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Israel backed and supported the proposal, while noting that Hamas continues to evaluate the proposal.

The new momentum comes after US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, voiced optimism earlier this week that a deal could be reached to halt fighting and return hostages.

Hamas open to general framework Hamas has signaled cautious openness to the new plan, stating it had reached agreement with US officials on a general framework that could lead to a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the handover of control to an independent Palestinian body.

The group emphasised it would only release the 58 hostages it still holds  many feared dead  in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, large-scale prisoner releases, and guarantees for Gazas reconstruction and governance.

Israeli goals clash with Hamas demands Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a full ceasefire or withdrawal until Hamas is eliminated and all hostages are freed. He insists on indefinite Israeli control over Gaza and has proposed the voluntary emigration of parts of the population  a move many in the international community say would violate international law.

Hamas, in contrast, insists on a total Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war, offering to transfer power to a politically independent Palestinian committee.

Inside the ceasefire proposal Though the full plan remains undisclosed, officials familiar with the negotiations say it involves:

A 60-day halt in fighting

A phased release of 10 living hostages and several bodies

The release of over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, including 100 convicted of deadly attacks

Daily delivery of hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks

Israeli forces returning to positions held during the March ceasefire

Critically, the proposal includes guarantees that Israel will not resume fighting immediately after the hostage release  a key sticking point in past negotiations.

Why talks keep failing Efforts to end the war have repeatedly stalled over core disagreements: Israel wants only a temporary truce to secure hostage releases, while Hamas insists on a permanent end to the conflict. Talks mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have dragged on for over 18 months with no durable agreement.

The October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken. In response, Israel launched a devastating military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly 90% of Gazas 2 million residents, and reduced much of the territory to rubble.

Political pressure on Netanyahu Prime Minister Netanyahu is also navigating intense political pressures. His far-right coalition partners have warned they will collapse his government if he agrees to a premature end to the war, potentially exposing him to renewed legal jeopardy over long-standing corruption charges and the handling of the October 7 attack.

Also Read | 600 days of Gaza war: Netanyahu claims Mohammed Sinwar is dead but Army not sure

Fear of Hamas resurgence Israeli officials fear that a full withdrawal would leave Hamas politically and socially entrenched in Gaza. Even if the group relinquishes formal control, they argue, it could rebuild its military capacity and eventually carry out new attacks.
A day after a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in the centre of Gaza was looted by desperate Palestinians, around 44 people were killed in Israeli attacks across the war-torn area on Thursday.

"Forty-four people have been killed in Israeli raids", including 23 in a strike on a home in Al-Bureij, according to news agency AFP, citing Gaza civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir.

"Two people were killed and several injured by Israeli forces' gunfire this morning near the American aid centre in the Morag axis, southern Gaza Strip," Mughayyir added.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the reported deaths in Al-Bureij and near the aid centre.

Israeli forces had struck "dozens of terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip" over the past day, the military said separately.

An attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, by Hamas triggered the Gaza war.

Deepening hunger crisis Humanitarian aid finally began to trickle back into Gaza after over two months of blockade, but the situation remains dire after 18 months of devastating war.

Starvation is looming for one in five people, said the AFPreport, citing food security experts.

On Wednesday, thousands of desperate Palestinians stormed into a WFP warehouse in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, taking away bags of emergency food supplies as gunshots rang out.

"Hordes of hungry people broke into WFP's Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution," the UN agency said in a statement.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon told the Security Council that aid was entering Gaza by truck -- under limited authorisation by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing -- and accused the UN of "trying to block" GHF's work through "threats, intimidation and retaliation against NGOs that choose to participate".

Also Read | 600 days of Gaza war: Netanyahu claims Mohammed Sinwar is dead but Army not sure

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is facing intense criticism as it has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system in the territory.
Donald Trump rambles on in his second term as US president, disrupting institutions and policies both at home and abroad. Several months on, his behaviour reveals a pattern, even if it is somewhat fuzzy.

He lays down his cards with outrageous announcements and then back-tracks, especially in bilateral negotiations. It is a pattern repeated in his domestic interventions in different fields as well as his dealings with US neighbours like Canada and Mexico, allies like the UK, EU, Japan and Korea, rivals like China and Russia, and other countries like India.

Also Read: Trial by Trump: Ramaphosa may well have emerged stronger from the Oval Office

But how much he will backtrack in a particular case, if he backtracks at all, remains uncertain. Indeed, uncertainty is the leitmotif of Trumps exercise of raw power. Given this, specifically in the context of trade and tariffs, I asked Professor C. Veeramani, one of Indias leading trade economists, what the outcome would be if other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) continued to trade in compliance with WTO rules but without the US.

It is as if the other WTO membersor most of themwere to forge a massive free trade agreement (FTA) without the US.

This is a most unlikely scenario. Other countries, especially allies of the US, are too tied up with the US through security and other linkages for them to decouple from the US in the field of trade. However, economists follow this method of abstracting from the real-world to first address a question in a very simplified context, constructed through simplifying assumptionswhich is sometimes called a model.

The question is then revisited as the context is gradually enriched by incorporating stylized facts from ground reality to verify whether the original conclusion survives successive approximations back to the real world. Hence, my hypothetical question for Veeramani. His answer is quite interesting.

Also Read: Trump shock: Heres a 4-D formula for policymakers to track it

Veeramani said that the US accounts for a small fraction of global trade. Current data indicates that its share is down to 10% and declining. Meanwhile, the share of China, the EU and emerging market economies has been rising. In other words, 90% of global trade occurs without any direct US participation.

An FTA among major non-US economies, including the EU, Asean, China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, etc, would deepen supply chain integration among these countries by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Assume, conservatively, that this non-US trade bloc initially accounts for 60% of global trade.

Assume further that deeper integration among them raises intra-bloc trade by 5-10 percentage points over the medium term. A part of this would be attributable to trade diversion from the US, with consequent adverse effects on the US economy. But the rest would be additional trade creation. Overall global trade could increase by 3-6 percentage points, by Veeramanis estimate.

Also Read: Trumps trade agenda: About US jobs or global supremacy?

Depending on the relevant response elasticities and complementary policy reforms in these countries, global GDP could also go up by 0.5-1 percentage point. But the impact on the US economy would be negative. Its share of world trade and GDP would decline, while that of European economies and the emerging economies of Asia, Africa and Latin America would rise.

The scenario described above is unlikely. The rest of the world is unlikely to decouple from the US because of their security and other linkages cited earlier. Nevertheless, this boundary scenario yields an important qualitative conclusion: namely, that the path Trump has chosen is likely to hurt America, while other countries are likely to be better off.

This only captures the impact on the global economy via the trade channel; this is indeed one of the main channels through which US policies will impact the world economy. But there are two other economic channels that also need to be considered: finance and technology.

Also Read: Ajit Ranade: Decode Trumps trade strategy for Indias own game plan

As for the financial channel, a large number of countries in the Asean region and West Asia are already reported to be participating in a payment system promoted by the central bank of China, presumably supported by US-sanctioned countries like Russia and Iran, as a more efficient alternative to Swift. The more the US attempts to isolate its geopolitical rivals, the more it will accelerate a worldwide shift away from the present US-dominated global financial architecture. The market mechanism can bite in both directions.

The battle for access to technologyand it is indeed a battleis mainly being fought on the artificial intelligence (AI) front. When the US government tried to block Chinas access to recent advances in large language models with Generative AI capability developed in US companies, China shocked the world with its own Generative AI products, made available for freeor a fraction of the prices charged by US companies. As with the financial architecture, so also here: the more the US attempts to isolate its rivals, the faster it will drive them to develop their own competing technologies.

Also Read: How Trumpian volatility is forcing policy changes in China

This column has been limited to the economic domain and not gone into security relationships. In this domain, the lesson is very clear: the more that Trump pursues a pugnacious approach to subdue US neighbours, allies and rivals, the more he is likely to hurt America and help its rivals. In this context, the wisdom of Indias approach of strategic autonomy should be evident to all.

These are the authors personal views.

The author is chairman, Centre for Development Studies.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- In the 1930s and 1940s, America played a crucial role in keeping academic inquiry alive. By welcoming thousands of researchers fleeing fascism in Europe, it enhanced its national brainpower and fostered breakthroughs of immense value to people everywhere  from the digital computer to the discovery of DNA.

Now its in the process of throwing that priceless legacy away. If wiser minds dont prevail, one can only hope Europe and others will step into the breach.

Establishing itself as a haven of academic freedom was among the smartest moves the US ever made. Its unrivaled collection of research universities attracts top global talent, fostering innovation that enriches the nation. By some estimates, each dollar spent on research and development generates $5 or more in social benefits, such as higher productivity and better living standards. Its by far the most profitable form of public investment.

Yet the White House now seems bent on destruction. Citing (among other things) rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, it has withheld billions of dollars from the likes of Harvard and Columbia, forcing them to terminate projects, lay off researchers and limit graduate-school admissions. It has proposed tens of billions in budget cuts at federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. It has detained foreign academics and  most recently  sought to block enrollment of international students.

The repercussions promise to be devastating. The economic damage could exceed that of the recession of 2008. Projects in areas ranging from climate science to medicine have shut down. An exodus looms: Three-fourths of US-based scientists who responded to a recent Nature poll said they were seeking a way out, with Europe and Canada the top destinations. By one estimate, up to a fifth of postdoctoral students at elite US universities have studied in the European Union and hence might be amenable to moving.

Rival research centers are jumping at the opportunity. As Bloomberg News has reported, countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark and Norway are offering funding, streamlined visas and other perks to lure top academics. Germany has invited Harvard to set up an exile campus. The EU has launched a 500 million Choose Europe program.

These efforts are welcome, to the extent that they keep crucial work going. Yet the funds so far committed pale in comparison to the potential cuts in the US. If America abdicates, Europe in particular will need to be much more ambitious.

A better option would be for the US to come to its senses. Legislators should reject the false economy of slashing public research funding. Courts should issue injunctions where the administrations actions have violated the law or the Constitution, as they plainly have in several cases. Researchers, alumni and industry groups should alert the public to the scale of potential damage ahead.

Universities, for their part, might consider some introspection. Although the administrations actions are nuts, its true that too many schools have indulged anti-Semitic protesters who have created chaos on campus, obstructed learning and menaced their fellow students. Imposing zero-tolerance policies for such disruption might placate the White House; its also the right thing to do.

Amid the chaos, researchers will need to do their jobs as best they can. Itd be a truly spectacular act of self-harm if America managed to trigger an exodus of talent back across the Atlantic. If other countries rise to the occasion, its loss will be their gain.

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Donald Trump wants to punish ABC News for his bad debate night.I think ABC took a big hit last night, Trump told Fox & Friends during a phone debrief early Wednesday morning. To be honest, they are a news organization  they have to be licensed to do it  they ought to take away their license for the way they did that.His call for federal censorship of a broadcaster for merely correcting his blatant falsehoods may offer insights into how the budding authoritarian plans to govern if he is allowed to return to the Oval Office. But as a historian of conservative news, I am also struck by what this episode reveals about the distorted memories of Trump and his supporters  regarding their movements relationship to both the Federal Communications Commission and to ABC.

First, technically, broadcast networks arent subjected to FCC licensure  though their affiliate stations are. Furthermore, there is no current regulation that authorizes the FCC to punish broadcasters for biased news or commentary. Perhaps Trump is misremembering the Fairness Doctrine, a mid-20th century policy that required broadcasters to provide balanced coverage of issues of public controversy. But that regulation was only rarely and often begrudgingly enforced against the networks , and it was abolished by the Reagan administration in 1987.

Second, conservative belief in liberal media bias has long driven media activists to think of initiatives to amplify a right-wing worldview. High on the list is boosting Republican commentators and building conservative media outlets. And ABC has played a surprisingly outsize role in their efforts.

In the early 1950s, amid the Second Red Scare, ABCs radio and television networks distributed Answers for Americans, a current affairs program funded by the right-wing Texas oilman HL Hunt. While technically in compliance with Fairness Doctrine requirements, including panelists from differing perspectives, the program was geared toward framing current affairs to conform with the burgeoning modern conservative viewpoint.

By the late 1950s, ABC president Leonard Goldenson had struck up a friendship with a young Rupert Murdoch when the budding Australian media mogul visited the US to learn more about the television industry. Murdoch sold ABC a 6% stake in News Ltd., the Australia-based precursor to News Corporation, in exchange for exclusive rights to air ABC television shows in Australia.

Murdochs deal with the network allowed him to establish a foothold in Australian television, a crucial step in News Corporations transformation into a global media conglomerate. By 1996, he would leverage the companys economies of scale to launch the conservative Fox News Channel  enabling it to run at a loss for four years until finally breaking even in 2000.

He wouldnt be the only one. In 1988, not long after the Reagan administration ended the Fairness Doctrine, ABC Radio offered an obscure yet controversial Sacramento talk radio host the early afternoon slot on its national radio network: Rush Limbaugh. He would go on to resurrect the AM radio industry, establishing himself as perhaps the countrys most influential right-wing radio commentator until his death from cancer in 2021.

None of these boosts have stopped conservatives from accusing ABC of bias in the past. Edith Efrons conservative-funded 1971 study of broadcasting news coverage of the 1968 presidential campaign used lax methods to find evidence of liberal and anti-conservative bias on all three major networks .

A smaller-scale study conducted by the movement-aligned magazine Conservative Digest in 1984 found ABC to be the least biased of the three major broadcast networks. But the magazine nevertheless complained that, while covering that years major party conventions, ABC had described the Republicans as very conservative, right-wing and far right. Based on the partys policies and rhetoric then , those terms are fairly accurate.

But the modern conservative movement has long appealed to people who see a disconnect between the world as it is and the world as they think it ought to be  accuracy be damned.

Tuesday night was the latest example. Trump turned what should have been a softball question about Biden administration immigration policy into a convoluted diatribe about crowd sizes at his rallies, followed by a bizarre digression into spreading racist rumors about people eating house pets.

His supporters cant admit he performed poorly or that he was lying without disrupting the worldview theyve built around him. So, the problem, in their eyes, is with moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis for refusing to pander to them.

Ive been telling you guys for years how much ABC hates Republicans, the self-identified conservative nepo baby Meghan McCain characteristically complained on X.

If thats true, the network has had a funny way of showing it.

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A.J. Bauer is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Alabama. He is the author of 'Making the Liberal Media: How Conservatives Built a Movement Against the Press,' forthcoming from Columbia University Press.

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Israel will build 22 new settlements in the West Bank including some along its eastern border with Jordan to strengthen its grip on the territory and block the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The plan, which has been approved by the security cabinet, comes as Israel is facing mounting pressure from European allies to end its 19-month war in Gaza, which has destroyed large parts of the coastal enclave, killed tens of thousands and sparked a hunger crisis. The expansion of settlements is a violation of international law, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.

The move could harden attitudes against Israel ahead of a UN summit co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia in New York next month that aims to rally support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Homesh and Sa-Nur settlements in the northern West Bank, which were evacuated two decades ago when Israel disengaged from part of the territory and the Gaza Strip, will be reconstructed, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on Thursday.

Additional sites in the Jordan Rift Valley along Israels eastern border, an area that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long considered a strategic stronghold, have been earmarked for development. Israel has also begun erecting a security fence that will run for some 400 kilometers along the entirety of its eastern border with Syria and Jordan, a project that was budgeted for in the governments latest fiscal plan.

About 500,000 Israelis, roughly 5% of the population, live in settlements in territory that was occupied more than five decades ago, with over half of them concentrated in 13 large communities in the West Bank.

Katz described the construction of the new settlements as a once-in-a-generation development that would prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel, and serve as a buffer against our enemies.

Bezalel Smotrich, a hard-line West Bank settler who serves as Israels finance minister, called for the government to reassess the sovereignty of the territory, an apparent reference to the option of annexing all or part of it.

Opposition within Israel to Palestinian independence has hardened since Hamas attacked the south of the country in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250.

Israel responded with an air and ground assault that has claimed the lives of more than 54,000 people, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which doesnt distinguish between between fighters and civilians. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union.

Spain, Norway and Ireland recognized a Palestinian State last year and Israel has been lobbying other European nations such as France and the UK not to follow suit.

The US, Israels main ally, hasnt recently expressed a clear stance on the matter. While President Donald Trumps appointed officials have in the past advocated for Israel annexing the West Bank and Gaza, he has been purposely ambiguous about where he stands.

With assistance from John Bowker and Ethan Bronner.

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A push in Texas to ban social media accounts for children under 18 has failed after lawmakers did not take a key vote on creating one of the nation's toughest restrictions aimed at keeping minors off platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.

The bill, which already passed the GOP-controlled state House, sought to go further than a Florida social media ban for minors under 14. Australia banned social media accounts for anyone under 16.

The legislative session ends Monday and early momentum behind the Texas measure slowed at the eleventh hour in the state Senate as lawmakers face a weekend deadline to send bills to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott has not said publicly whether he supported the proposed ban, which was opposed by tech trade groups and critics who called it it an unconstitutional limit on free speech.

There was no bill filed this session that would have protected more kids in more ways than this one, state Rep. Jared Patterson, a Republican carrying the measure, said Thursday.

In a post on the social media platform X, Patterson blamed pushback from unnamed billionaires as part of the reason for the bills failure. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican who controls the state Senate, said Wednesday before the deadline he did not know if the bill had the support needed to pass the GOP-controlled chamber, and it was ultimately never brought up for a vote.

Patterson said hell try again when the Texas Legislature meets in 2027.

Many tech companies have established a presence in Texas, including X, which is owned by Elon Musk.

Earlier this week, Abbott signed into law a separate measure requiring Apple and Google to verify the age of online app store users, as well as parental consent to download apps and make in-app purchases for users under 18. Utah passed a similar bill earlier this year.

The proposed Texas ban aimed at minors was the latest move in a growing bipartisan push nationwide to address the impacts of social media on the well-being of children. Critics accuse platforms of using addictive functions to lure children onto their site and keep them there, and of not doing enough to curb violent or age-inappropriate content, or online abuse.

Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online constantly despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health, according to a December 2024 report published by the Pew Research Center.

The American Psychological Association has called on tech companies and lawmakers to protect childrens mental health, arguing that social media platforms are particularly risky to young people who cannot disengage from sites and struggle with impulse control.

States and countries have passed various measures to address the problem, and some have run into legal challenges.

A federal judge in 2024 temporarily blocked Utahs first-in-the-nation law requiring social media companies to check the ages of all users and place restrictions on accounts belonging to minors.
UPDATE: Former Chattanooga Police Department Chief Celeste Murphy appeared in court Wednesday with her new attorney to face 17 counts of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.

Murphy was at the hearing via video conference.

Murphy's court date was set for January 20, 2026, with the finals motions to be heard January 12 of 2026.

Because of the media coverage of the case, Criminal Court Judge Boyd Patterson made allowances in the calendar for an August deadline if the court needed to find a jury from a nearby county to heard the case.

PREVIOUS STORY: Former Chattanooga Police Department Chief Celeste Murphy appeared in a Chattanooga courtroom Thursday morning to face 17 counts of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.

She appeared with her new attorney, McCracken Poston. Her previous attorney, Alan Norton, was indicted and suspended from practicing law in December.

In the courtroom, Poston said he was trying to catch up on the case, and that it was just his second time meeting Murphy.

Both sides agreed to withdraw the subpoenas filed by Murphy's previous lawyer, but to preserve any potential evidence in case Poston chooses to re-submit them.

A hearing date was set for April 14, unless an agreement is reached beforehand.

Murphy faces the following charges:

1 count of Illegal Voter Registration

1 count of False Entries on Official Registration or Election Documents

3 counts of False Entries in Governmental Records

3 counts of Forgery

3 counts of Perjury

6 counts of Official Misconduct

Murphy stepped down from her position the day before the charges were announced following an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, prompted by questions about her Chattanooga residency.

PREVIOUS STORY: The trial of Former Police Chief for Chattanooga Celeste Murphy has been postponed until the new year.

Originally scheduled for the morning of Wednesday, November 6, the hearing will now take place in January 2025.

PREVIOUS STORY: Former Chattanooga Police Department Chief Celeste Murphy has a hearing Wednesday before a Chattanooga judge.

Murphy was indicted on 17 counts of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges after an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY: Celeste Murphy, former chief of the Chattanooga Police Department, entered a not-guilty plea for all 17 counts of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges she faces.

Murphy asked the judge to waive her appearance in court Friday, which the judge accepted.

Murphy resigned as chief the day before being indicted on 17 counts as a result of the TBI's investigation into her residency.

Murphy is scheduled to be back in court September 19.

READ MORE | Mayor Kelly hopes to hire new police chief from Chattanooga Police Department

PREVIOUS STORY: ChattanoogaPD (@Chattanooga PD) posted: Interim Chief Harry Sommers met with CPD's 500+ dedicated employees to discuss his vision for our future.

"We're committed to moving forward responsibly. Our community expects us to work diligently, and we will continue to ensure safety and service," says Interim Chief Sommers.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp made the following statement on X following Murphy's indictment:

PREVIOUS STORY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says former Chattanooga Chief of Police Celeste Murphy faces 17 counts of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.

On Thursday morning, Murphy surrendered at the Hamilton County Jail where she was booked and released on a $19,000 bond.

On Tuesday, a Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted Murphy on the following charges:

1 count of Illegal Voter Registration

1 count of False Entries on Official Registration or Election Documents

3 counts of False Entries in Governmental Records

3 counts of Forgery

3 counts of Perjury

6 counts of Official Misconduct

During the TBI's investigation into her residency, agents determined that Murphy knowingly entered false information on documents related to her residency in Chattanooga while she swore to the truth.

The Fraternal Order of Police has released the following statement on the resignation and indictment of former Police Chief Celeste Murphy:

"It is a disappointing day for law enforcement when an Officer or Chief is indicted for acting outside the law and tarnishes the badge we all proudly wear.

We appreciate the thorough investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

We will support our interim Chief and will offer our support to the Mayors Office in the search for Chattanoogas next police chief.

While we are entering a time of uncertainty, our resolve to provide exceptional front- line services to the residents of Chattanooga remains steadfast. They deserve and expect that from our Membership."

READ MORE: | The process for launching a TBI investigation

PREVIOUS STORY: After serving as the Chief of the Chattanooga Police Department for just over two years, Celeste Murphy has tendered her resignation.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly accepted the resignation of Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy Wednesday.

Questions have surrounded Murphy's tenure in Chattanooga, from her city of residency and the Brady letters, which prompted the reassignment of 15 CPD officers, and was later overturned.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says their investigation into Murphy's city of residency is still open.

In May, 2024, Murphy extended her employment contract with the City of Chattanooga for another year, which was approved by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy reflects on her first year leading the department Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy reflects on her first year as the first Black woman to lead the police force.

A news release from Kelly's office said:

This morning I accepted the resignation of Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy, effective immediately. While the circumstances surrounding the situation have been challenging, I respect her desire to preserve the integrity of the Chattanooga Police Department, said Mayor Kelly. The brave men and women of CPD serve our community with distinction every day and over the past 2 years, Chattanooga has seen significant reductions in crime and CPD has grown their reputation as national leaders in community policing, violence reduction, crisis co-response, and solving cases. Under Chief Murphys leadership, the department has achieved a homicide investigation closure rate of more than 90%, which is roughly double the national average and is a testament to the strong relationship CPD has built with the community they serve. Public safety is the foundation of healthy communities, and finding the right person to lead the Chattanooga Police Department as our next Chief of Police is mission critical.

Kelly's office said that Harry Sommers, CPDs current Executive Chief of Police and a 40-year law enforcement veteran, will serve as Interim Chief of Police.

Before coming to Chattanooga, Murphy served in the Atlanta Police Department, starting as a patrol officer and rising to Deputy Chief before her move to the Scenic City.
Compensation claims have continued to soar to high levels as Longford County Council has paid out almost 1 million in relation to damage to vehicles from untreated potholes and slips, trips and falls during the past two years.

New figures obtained by the Leader under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that a total of just over 993,000 was awarded to claimants who sought damages from the local authority during 2023 &'24.

There were 104 compensation claims made with varying amounts paid out but an average settlement of 9,549 was awarded.

The total compensation figure of 993,142 during the 24-month period was a 1.8% increase on the total of 975,278, which was paid out during the previous two year period in 2021 and 2022.

A total of 72 claims were closed and settled during that two year period with an average settlement of 13,545 awarded to people.

Also Read: The full interview of Podge Gill from Longford's Brave Giant discussing life beyond the fame

The documents showed that in 2024 alone 396,223 was awarded to claimants, a 33% fall in the 596,919 settled with claimants in 2023. The amount paid out in personal and public liability claims in 2021 and 2022 was 608,872 and 366,406 respectively.

The highest amount of compensation during the past six years was awarded in 2020 when a total of 653,866 in settlements was paid to claimants, while in 2019 the outlay was 303,540.

A closer look at the data shows the amount of compensation awarded for slips, trips and falls on footpaths increased by 95% in 2024 to 312,440 compared to the 160,360 of total settlements paid out in 2023.

A total of over 2.62 million was awarded to claimants who sought damages from the local authority between 2019 and 2024 with 216 claims closed during that period and the average amount awarded was 12,140.

The number of claims do not definitively show the number of accidents that occurred between 2019 and 2024, but instead show how many claims were settled during that eight year period.

Also Read: BREAKING | Massive boost for Longford as 200 jobs to be created at 3m Food Village facility

Personal injury claimants, who want to initiate a claim, have up to two years from the date of an accident to do so.

A Longford County Council spokeswoman, who commented on the figures, highlighted how average compensation claims and settlements had fallen.

"Longford County Council welcomes the decrease of 33% in awards settled from 2023-2024 and the associated decrease of the average amounts awarded to claimants from 13,545 to 9,549.

"While the number of claims has risen marginally by 1.8%, the settlement awards have decreased, with the average compensation per claim decreasing by 29% on the previous 24-month period.

"This is firm evidence that the approach taken by Longford County Council and their insurers: Irish Public Bodies Insurance to defend claims continuously and robustly is resulting in a sustained diminution in the level of awards and number of settled claims."

Local Fianna Fail Council Seamus Butler, who referred to the 216 total claims between 2019 and 2024, said the average payout is 12,140 and that figure is not a surprise.

Also Read: Fears for the future of Longford Care Centre following HSE decisions

"Some were obviously bigger but some must have been fairly small.

"Irish Public Bodies insures all the local authorities and they are the only company that insures the public realm.

"They help and in the last few years there have been a lot of areas where footpaths and slips and trips happened.

"A lot of those have been taken care of and there have been concrete footpaths done on Dublin Street, which was a real black spot.

"There used to be paving slabs that linked up and down but they were never suitable for the area."
After NSW Premier Chris Minns announced he was open to placing bounties on the heads of feral animals, there are calls for it to be extended into national parks.

An Aussie politician is calling for shooters to be allowed into NSW national parks to kill feral animals like pigs and foxes. The proposal would be an extension of a bounty system floated by NSW Premier Chris Minns this week, which sparked a polarised response.

Regional NSW MP Helen Dalton said farmers were struggling to combat invasive species that breed on public land and then wander into their properties, destroying land and attacking livestock. She's shared shocking footage showing a trap that filled with feral pigs after it was placed on a Riverina property near a national park.

Were losing the battle we need all hands on deck, she told Yahoo News, before adding, I think its time they allowed recreational shooters in national parks.

To avoid putting the lives of walkers and sightseers at risk, Dalton, who was formerly with the Shooters and Fishers Party, said the parks could be temporarily closed over a weekend to give hunters access. She doesnt imagine shooters would make a lot from bounties, but the extra cash would help cover the cost of their bullets and fuel.

Under her plan, shooting invasive species would complement other control measures like trapping and poisoning. Recreational shooting in national parks was trialled by the Coalition in 2014, but it sparked a fierce backlash from conservationists, and no longer occurs.

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We used to shoot back in the day, we kept them under control. But the government has tightened the laws, she said.

Is the government open to shooting in national parks?

In a statement, a spokesperson for the NSW government said it is open to considering all options including bounties, but it confirmed there are no plans to lift restrictions on recreational shooting in national parks.

We need to do more and we need all hands on deck for this problem. No one is saying that bounties are the sole solution here. They arent a silver bullet. But what they are is another tool in the toolbox, the spokesperson said.

Related:  Incredible before and after photos show major triumph in $100m invasive outback battle

NSW Premier Chris Minns has revealed he is open to the idea of placing bounties on the heads of feral animals. Source: Getty/AAP

Proposed bounty program labelled 'Alice in Wonderland stuff'

The Invasive Species Council, an independent group that provides specialist advice on the removal of feral animals, has dismissed the premier's bounty plan saying theres simply no evidence that they work.

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Its CEO Jack Gough said if the government was serious about combatting the problem it would follow the advice of its own Natural Resources Commission that delivered a report to the premier a fortnight ago.

The report found invasive species already cost the states economy $1.9 billion annually, but this could balloon to $29.7 billion in just five years if the problem isnt addressed. The report suggested an evidence-based approach to fighting the problem, a move away from short-term strategies, and more coordination between landholders and government.

The idea that bounties will have any impact on feral animals is Alice in Wonderland stuff, he told Yahoo.

There's not a single example that shows bounties actually reduce populations on a landscape scale.

Government backflips on bounty stance

Victoria has run a bounty system since 2011, and in that time Agriculture Victoria has collected over 1.1 million fox scalps.

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When the NSW Nationals proposed introducing a similar system in July last year, Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty dismissed the idea saying they have "consistently failed" since the 1800s. It remains unclear why the Minns Government has had a sudden change of heart.

Gough argued the new bounty plan is less about good policy and more about stitching up support from the Shooters and Fishers Party in the Upper House.

They are deciding to go directly against expert advice this is on the agenda purely because the Labor Party wants to do a dirty deal, he said.

The Premiers office did not respond to a question about this claim from Yahoo News.

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Economic progress and subsequent social inequality will be explored at the 41st annual Goldsmith Literary Festival. Taking place from May 30 to June 1, the event promises to entertain all who attend.

Festival Chairperson of six years, Arthur Conlon, said:

Its a unique social, cultural and literary event. Its not just a literary event, but it combines music, drama, song, poetry and general good fun. So I became involved because of all those things. Undoubtedly, Oliver Goldsmith is the most significant writer to have emerged from Irish midlands and its essential that his life and works continue to be promoted. And his works are studied and critiqued across the world, so its promoted to continue to promote him in his local area.

The festival will consist of a packed schedule including musical performances, a tour of Goldsmith Country and poetry readings. The action will commence at The Rustic Inn, on Friday evening May 30, where the festival will be officially opened by Senator Michael McDowell at 8pm.

Also Read: BREAKING | Massive boost for Longford as 200 jobs to be created at 3m Food Village facility

Proceedings will commence at 9.30am on Saturday morning with the Literary Tour of Goldsmith Country. Another key event is the energetic Goldsmith Live session which kicks off in Skellys Courtyard, Ballymahon from 2.30pm this will see a new play about Goldsmiths life written and performed by acclaimed actor Michael J Ford.

Mr Conlon added, We have two main aims: to promote Goldsmith country as a tourist attraction and to promote interest in the life and works of Oliver Goldsmith.

This year's theme for the festival is a quote from Goldsmith: Where wealth accumulates and men decay, must economic progress mean social inequality?

The adjudicator for the Goldsmith Festival Poetry Competition is Noel Monahan, a Granard-born poet. The Sunday awards for the poetry competition has free admission at Pallas at 3:30pm.

The Festival will take place in numerous locations: The Rustic Inn, Abbyshrule; Ballymahon Library; Skelly's Courtyard, Ballymahon; Pallas (Goldsmiths birthplace); and The Three Jolly Pigeons.

Ahead of the Goldsmith Festival, Mr Conlon said after the excitement of our 40th Anniversary Festival last year, in 2025 we are continuing to build on the recent innovations to our festival, all with the aim of offering something for everyone over the course of the weekend. This year we are offering a programme including speakers of the highest quality, who will inform, provoke, question and above all entertain.

Distinguished economist, Trinity College academic, and former director of the Economic and Social Research Institute, Professor Frances Ruane, is this years keynote speaker. Independent senator and former attorney general for Ireland, Michael McDowell, award-winning poet Noel Monahan, and journalist with the Irish Times Frank McNally are also among the speakers who will attend the festival from May 30 to June 1, in south Longford and south Westmeath.

For more information on the Goldsmith Festival 2025 programme and how to register for ticket prices and where each event takes place, visit: www.olivergoldsmithfestival.com
Healthy Longford in association with Longford County Council has launched the Not Around Us campaign, which aims to create smoke and vape free environments for young people as well as helping to de-normalise smoking and vaping for the next generation.

The Not Around Us campaign is another step Towards a Tobacco Free Longford and coincides with World No Tobacco Day which takes place on Saturday, May 31.

Healthy Ireland aims to create a country where everyone can enjoy good physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential. It also aims to create a country where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society.

Also Read: Longford / Westmeath Minister of State launches new heritage research journal

Funding of 75,000 was secured in 2025 for the ongoing delivery of Healthy Longford through the Healthy Ireland Fund. It is supported by the Department of Health and Pobal.

Healthy Longford, through consultation, set the following outcomes for the period of Healthy Ireland 2023-2025:

* Increase in % of adults and children meeting physical activity guidelines.

* Increase in individuals level of positive mental health as per Energy and Vitality Index

The key campaign message is, if you smoke or vape, to consider your activity when around children and young people and listen to the ask from young people - Not Around Us.

The purpose of Not Around Us in Longford is fourfold:

* Helping to protect children and young people from second-hand smoke exposure

* Contributing to the de-normalisation of smoking for children and young people through raising awareness and support amongst all stakeholders in the county on tobacco/vape free Ireland

* Reduce environmental nuisance, the cost of cleaning and damage that discarded tobacco products leave

* Signposting to HSE Quit services

Also Read: An Bord Pleanala refuse Longford mans application to convert a pub into apartments

Speaking in relation to the Not Around Us campaign Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said, I am proud to support the Not Around Us campaign. This initiative sends a clear and powerful message- that Longford County Council is committed to creating a healthier, cleaner environment for our children and young people. By making our public spaces smoke and vape free, we are protecting the next generation and setting a strong example that their health and wellbeing matters.

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, The Not Around Us campaign reflects our shared responsibility to foster safe, healthy environments where young people can thrive. This initiative aligns with our commitment to public health, wellbeing and creating spaces that support positive choices. We want our parks, playgrounds, and public areas to be places where families and young people feel protected and respected.

Liam Doherty of Comhairle na nOg encouraged the public to embrace the campaign saying, "People may not realise it straight away but this initiative will have a great effect on young people's health as it will prevent future illnesses and keep our air clean."

Ania Adler of Comhairle na nOg agreed saying, "Hopefully younger kids won't be exposed to vaping in the future with this initiative."

The focus for Not Around Us in Longford for 2025 is to establish links with playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks. In 2026 it is envisaged to extend this to businesses/organisations and events. For more details on this initiative and how your business can get involved please contact HealthyLongford@ longfordcoco.ie
An alleged senior figure in the Kinahan organised crime group is being flown back to Ireland after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates.

It is understood Sean McGovern, who was named in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin as one of the leaders of the Irish criminal organisation, was handed over to gardai in Dubai earlier on Wednesday.

McGovern is wanted in Ireland in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan criminal gangs in December 2016, despite having no connections to criminality.

He is being transported back to Ireland in an Irish military plan. The flight is required to stop to refuel on the journey and is not expected back in Dublin until late Thursday afternoon.

He is expected to be formally arrested when the aircraft lands at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. It is understood he will be taken from there to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

McGovern was arrested in the UAE last October after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Shortly after his arrest, Ireland finalised an agreement on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.

In 2021, the US authorities imposed sanctions against McGovern and six other alleged senior members of the Kinahan crime gang as part of a bid to target their financial operations.
Two Irish beaches have been deemed unsafe to swim in for two different reasons.

Mayo County Council issued a safety warning for Carrowmore Beach Louisburgh with a 'Do Not Swim' notice issued.

The County Council said that this notice follows 'results of water samples received' at the beach.

"Resampling will take place and the notice remains in place until water quality improves," Mayo County Council said.

A Do Not Swim notice has now been issued for Carrowmore Beach Louisburgh following results of water samples received.



Resampling will take place and the notice remains in place until water quality improves. pic.twitter.com/JiXXps76d8  Mayo County Council (@MayoCoCo) May 28, 2025

Cork County Council also issued a safety warning to people on a Facebook post, which said "Do Not Swim' at Coolmaine Beach.

"Coolmaine beach is considered unsafe for swimming and bathing due to the presence of estuarine channels and hazardous conditions, including currents, sudden changes in depth and deep water near the shore.

"Whilst there is no change in the water quality of this beach no bathing water sampling will be conducted by Cork County Council, Environment Directorate for the 2025 season due to health and safety concerns.

"The situation will be assessed over the 2025 bathing season."
The Irish Coast Guard successfully located and rescued a fishing vessel which sank off the coast of Louth early on Thursday morning, 29 May.

The R116 helicopter rushed to the aid of the two-person vessel after it had sank just off Drogheda shortly before midnight.

The crew, who thankfully had been wearing lifejackets, were located and rescued from the water. Both crew members were immediately transferred to the care of the HSE.

READ NEXT: 'Do not swim'- Two popular Irish beaches unsafe to swim amid safety warnings

According to the statement from the Department of Transport: "The Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Dublin was alerted shortly before midnight following the detection of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmission.

"MRCC Dublin immediately tasked the R116 helicopter, Drogheda Coast Guard Unit, and Clogherhead RNLI to the area. The Coast Guard helicopter was conducting overnight training at the time it was tasked and arrived quickly on the scene. The helicopter used its Night Vision Infra-Red System, night vision goggles and other search tools to locate and recover the two casualties from the water."

They concluded: "The casualties, who had been wearing life jackets, were immediately transferred to the care of the HSE. The activation of the vessels EPIRB and the use of NVIS technology were key aspects of this successful rescue."
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: May 29 2025

Michael Khodorkovskiy Pleaded Guilty in April to Trafficking Cocaine from Brooklyn to the East End.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Michael Khodorkovskiy, 45, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty in April to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree for distributing cocaine in Suffolk County.

Khodorkovskiys operation was not only expansive, it was sophisticated and targeted, said District Attorney Tierney. His arrest followed a long-term investigation that uncovered over a kilogram of cocaine, hidden compartments in his vehicle, and nearly $140,000 in cash and gold coins linked to drug sales. The sentence he received today reflects the seriousness of his crimes. Our communities deserve to be safe from the violence, addiction, and destruction that follow in the wake of drug trafficking.

According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, between July 2023 and August 2024, Khodorkovskiy sold large quantities of cocaine to an undercover police officer near his residence in Brooklyn.

He sold those drugs believing that they were going to be distributed in Suffolk County. He also travelled to East Hampton and sold cocaine to another undercover police officer believing it was going to be redistributed in the East Hampton and Montauk areas during the busy summer months when they experience a high influx of visitors and tourists. At the commencement of the police investigation, officers working in an undercover capacity were able to infiltrate Khodorkovskiys network and pose as customers. The undercover officers would then contact Khodorkovskiy or his network to arrange for the purchase of cocaine. During the course of these narcotics sales, Khodorkovskiy spoke of those drugs being earmarked for Suffolk County for resale. Specifically, Khodorkovskiy noted the drugs were earmarked for the Hamptons in the summer months.

He was arrested on August 2, 2024, by members of the District Attorneys East End Drug Task Force.

At the time of his arrest, Khodorkovskiy was found to be in possession of a kilo and a quarter of cocaine destined for Suffolk County. Khodorkovskiy owned a Mercedes Benz vehicle, in which police discovered a hidden compartment, also known as a trap, that was filled with additional cocaine and the narcotic MDMA. Additionally, $38,550 dollars in cash and 39 gold coins with an estimated value of $100,000 were recovered from Khodorkovskiys Brooklyn apartment during the execution of a search warrant. After further asset investigation, $395,055 in U.S. currency was seized from various bank accounts that were linked to Khodorkoyskiy.

On April 21, 2025, Khodorkovskiy pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II Felony. As part of his plea agreement, Khodorkovskiy forfeited a total of $572,353 in bank accounts, U.S. currency, and other personal property linked to his crimes.

On May 29, 2025, Khodorkovskiy was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. He was represented by Matthew Myers, Esq.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices East End Drug Taskforce (EEDTF), East Hampton Town Police Department, the Suffolk County Police Department, the New York State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Archer of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by District Attorney Investigator Christopher Cooke of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office East End Drug Task Force and Detective Arthur Scalzo of the East Hampton Town Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Reynolds and Deputy Bureau Chief Robert Barry of the Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence Bureau litigated the civil asset forfeiture case. Detective Investigators Mike Dunn and Paul Rauseo and of the Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence Bureau conducted the civil forfeiture asset investigation.

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.
Selden Woman Sentenced to Up to Four Years in Prison for Embezzling Over $1M From Two Businesses

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: May 29 2025

Mary Spora wrote more than 100 unauthorized checks from the bank accounts of two Long Island construction businesses.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Selden woman was sentenced to up to four years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from two Long Island construction companies, one of which she worked for as a bookkeeper.

Mary Spora, 59, pleaded guilty on August 14, 2024, before Judge Tammy Robbins to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a C felony) and one count of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (an E felony).

The defendant was sentenced today to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of 2 to 6 years in prison.

This defendant selfishly took advantage of her employer, abusing her position and access to siphon more than a million dollars from two businesses over the course of six years, said DA Donnelly. Financial crimes hurt businesses and the employees who work for them. We will continue to investigate and follow the money when an allegation of financial fraud is made and hold defendants accountable for using deceit and deception to line their own pockets.

DA Donnelly said that, between February 2017 and May 2023, the defendant worked as a bookkeeper for construction equipment company Independent Equipment Corp. (Independent) and building material company Coastal Materials (Coastal). The defendant embezzled a total of $1,152,160 from Coastal and another company under the same owner, Big Apple Concrete Supply, Inc. (Big Apple), by writing approximately 113 unauthorized checks from their bank accounts.

Spora was responsible for handling accounts payable for Independent and Coastal, and recording payments in the companies books. She was also responsible for preparing payments to vendors and had access to the accounting and payroll software for all three companies, as well as their financial records.

According to certified bank records, more than 75 checks from Coastal, totaling more than $608,000, were deposited into a bank account held by the defendant and her husband between March 2, 2017, and February 1, 2023.

Bank records also indicate that more than 30 checks, totaling more than $540,000, were deposited into the same bank account from Big Apple between February 15, 2017, and May 25, 2023.

An audit of Coastal and Big Apples payroll software records also reflected that the defendant made an entry into the software designating a company owned by her husband as payee for the checks and altered the payee information of those checks to make it appear as though a company that does do business with Coastal and Big Apple was the appropriate payee.

A review of the defendants bank accounts indicated that between 2017 and 2021, she spent the stolen money on personal expenses, credit card and retail store payments, and travel.
Members of the Syrian General Security Service in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya after the most recent clashes between government forces and Druze militiamen. (SyrNetworkNews on X)

On May 29, an Israeli security official told the Saudi-owned Arabic news channel Al Arabiya that Israel will not fight in support of any group in Syria. The official added that while Israel currently maintains a presence in parts of Syria due to ongoing instability, it may withdraw if the situation improves and stabilizes.

Since at least March, Israel has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to protecting the Druze community in Syriaa population of about 700,000 primarily concentrated in southern Syria.

The Druze population includes a minority in villages in Quneitra, adjacent to the Golan Heights, and a majority presence in Suwayda, which borders the Sunni-majority Daraa province approximately 50 miles east of the Israel-Syria border. A smaller Druze community also exists in Idlib, previously under the control of Hayat Tahrir al Sham, a US-designated terrorist organization that Syrian interim President Ahmad al Sharaa led. Sharaa remains a specially designated global terrorist by both the US and the United Nations.

Israels motivation to protect Syrian Druze stems from its own Druze population, which is deeply integrated into Israeli society. Unlike other minority groups in Israel, the Druze are known for their loyalty to the state, including military service. Most reside in northern Israel, with a significant community in the Golan Heights. Concerned for their kin in Syriaespecially after the Assad regimes fall and the rise of HTS in Damascusmany Israeli Druze pressured the government to intervene if their Syrian counterparts came under threat.

This concern materialized in April when Israel conducted a drone strike on a group allegedly preparing to attack Druze militias in Sahnaya, Syria. Israel described the strike as a warning operation intended to deter further violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that the action was meant to send a clear message to Syrian leadership to protect the Druze. Muwaffaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israels Druze community, publicly urged intervention to prevent what he called a massacre in the making in Jaramana, declaring, Israel cannot remain a bystander to what is happening right now in Syria.

Despite public pressure in Israel to protect Syrian Druze, one issue with the concept is the assumption that Syrian and Israeli Druze share identical loyalties and values. In reality, Syrias Druze are divided and do not have the same affinity for Israel. In Suwayda, for instance, an Israeli flag hoisted in a public square was quickly taken down and burned.

Moreover, Israeli support may have emboldened some Druze factions to take up arms against the new Syrian government. In Jaramana in March, Druze fighters killed a member of the General Security Service and engaged in clashes with members of the security service. Crucially, many of the Druze factions in Jaramana are former members of Assads National Defense Forcesa militia created in 2012 that institutionalized regime thugs and was responsible for major human rights abuses. These factions, despite the regime change, retained their weapons and refused to disarm or integrate into the new Syrian state.

Sectarian tensions in Syria remain high, and interim President Sharaa is still struggling to bring all factions under his control. The absence of a functioning transitional justice system makes retribution and instability likely. However, Israels recent shift in tone toward the Druze may indicate a turning point. Hardline Druze factionsthose that have refused to join the new Syrian statemay now realize that a military solution will not achieve their goals. This could open the door to negotiations with Damascus to pursue a political resolution.

Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the levant.
Travellers had never seen the phenomenon before, but an expert tells Yahoo News there is a simple explanation.

Jetstar passengers travelling from Bali to Brisbane were left baffled when the cabin filled with smoke. Source: TikTok/Thelambertons

Passengers on a recent Jetstar flight from Bali to Australia were completely baffled when boarding the plane, as the cabin appeared to fill with what looked like thick smoke. Those on the plane could barely see in front of them when they searched for their seats as the phenomenon unfolded. One Aussie on board said "I've never seen it that bad".

Theories began to fly online as Aussies attempted to understand what was going on after a passenger shared a video. One respondent admitted the scene left her feeling "freaked out".

Some speculated that the smoke came from a fire, while others believed it to be antibacterial spray. A third thought it was simply condensation caused by humidity.

However, Jetstar told Yahoo "customers shouldnt be concerned" by the sight, explaining exactly what's going on.

"My Jetstar flight was like this from [Bali] to Sydney last weekend, I've never seen anything like it," one said, admitting they "thought something was wrong with the plane".

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The traveller who took the vision told viewers he believed there was a simple explanation for the issue.

"I think with the humidity in Bali and the air on the plane, it just fogged up way more than it shouldve," he said.

It's not the first time travellers have been concerned by such a sight  with a similar scenario taking place last year.

Jetstar confirmed that the phenomenon happens when "warm and humid air mixes with cooler and drier air from the aircraft air-conditioning system, forming condensation.

Customers shouldnt be concerned as its a common occurrence in hot and muggy environments like Bali and usually clears quickly," the spokesperson said.

Passengers on the Jetstar flight to Darwin were surrounded by a cloudy mist. Source: Facebook

'Key physics' at play with common airline phenomenon

Professor Martin Singh from Monash University previously told Yahoo News Australia the smoky air is caused by the cool air conditioning inside the plane interacting with high levels of humidity outside.

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"When the hot moist air from outside mixes with the cool air in the plane, it causes condensation," he explained. "This is the same process that causes you to be able to see your breath when it is particularly cold out."

He explained "key physics" is taking place, saying the amount of water vapour present in the air is "much higher at a higher temperature".

"When moist air cools down, it becomes 'saturated' with water vapour, and any further cooling results in condensation," he said.

Passengers travelling to humid destinations in Australia like Cairns and Darwin can also expect to see the mist.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Luxembourg has joined 19 other EU countries in calling on the European Commission to take action against Hungary over a draft law which would ban the countrys annual pride march next month.



Twenty countries, led by the Netherlands and also including Luxembourg, France, Germany and Belgium, published a joint declaration on Tuesday.

At issue are a number of measures adopted by the Hungarian Parliament in recent years targeting the LGBTQ+ community, and in particular a law passed in mid-March banning certain events, such as the Pride March, due to be held in Budapest on 28 June.

We are deeply concerned by recent legislative and constitutional changes infringing on the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ people, the declaration states, as well as the implications of these measures on freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly and right to privacy.

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The declaration therefore calls on the commission to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal if the Hungarian authorities do not reverse these measures themselves.

European commissioners asked not to attend Pride

In the two months since Viktor Orbans government announced it was banning the Pride march, the organisers have said that they will hold the event regardless, and many MEPs have stated that they will attend. However, the European Commission has remained largely silent.

On Monday, a report in Euractiv claimed that the European Commissions Presidency Office had even discreetly recommended that European commissioners should not take part in the Pride March, in order to avoid provoking Viktor Orban.

Also read: Hungarys Orban to tighten laws on assembly after protests

A scandalous decision

Its scandalous, said Luxembourg MEP Marc Angel (LSAP), who is one of the European parliamentarians who will be attending the Pride March on 28 June. Angel is openly gay.



Since Pride was banned, there has only been one tweet from Ursula von der Leyens commission, and now she is recommending that we dont go so as not to provoke Viktor Orban. I find that ridiculous, especially as Viktor Orban has been provoking the European Union for years, he said.

Ursula von der Leyen was elected on the promise of a pro-European, pro-democracy coalition, so now is the time to prove where she stands Marc Angel Luxembourg MEP

The MEP criticised the president of the commission for going easy on not only Orban, but also Giorgia Meloni and other conservative or far-right governments.



She may need them for other measures she wants to take, he said. But she needs to make up her mind: she got elected promising a pro-European, pro-democracy coalition, so now is the time to prove where she stands.

Also read: Luxembourg continues decline in LGBTQ+ rights ranking

Parliamentary petition

Together with his Italian MEP Alessandro Zan (S&D), Angel has initiated a parliamentary petition, published on Tuesday and addressed to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressing deep concern at the decision to advise European commissioners not to attend the next Pride in Budapest.

For several years, the Hungarian government has been waging an anti-LGBTIQ+ campaign, which has now culminated in the banning of Budapest Pride, the letter reads.



This ban is accompanied by provisions that are incompatible with European Union law and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and undermines not only the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, but also the entire European project, it says.

A first gesture could be to send a representative of the European Commission to the Budapest Pride to show that the European Union is defending its values Marc Angel MEP

The two MEPs are therefore urging the European Commission to take a firm and visible stand in support of citizens rights, European law, equality, freedom of assembly and human rights and to defend European values without compromise.

A first step could be to send a representative of the European Commission to the Budapest Pride event to show that the European Union is defending its values, said Angel.



The ideal candidate, according to Angel, is the EUs Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, whose mandate includes proposing a renewed strategy for equal treatment of LGBTQ+ people. The former Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, also attended such events.

On 28 June in Budapest, delegations from the progressive forces in the European Parliament, from the Socialists to the Liberals, the Greens and the Left, are expected to attend.



It goes far beyond the rights of one country, its our values that are at stake, said Angel. This will be a demonstration to defend European values.

(This article was originally published by Virgule. Machine translated, with editing and adaptation by John Monaghan)
Thirty years ago, the first Mac clones rolled off an assembly line in Austin, Texas.

If youre not of a certain age, you might not even believe that there were once Mac clones. For most of its existence, Apple has been a singular company, selling products that were a fusion of custom hardware and custom software.

But for about three wild years in the 1990s, Apple defied its own nature and allowed other companies to build computers that ran the Mac OS and compete directly with Apple. It was an era that made some long-standing contributions to the history of the Mac, but also one that Steve Jobs dramatically ended pretty much the moment he returned to power at Apple.

Butwhy?

The mid-90s were a weird time for Apple. Microsoft and Intel dominated the computer industry so much that Apples tiny market share just kept shrinking, and Apple struggled to make money. You might think that allowing other companies to compete with Apple would just make things worse, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and Apple CEO Michael Spindler (who had taken over for the deposed longtime CEO John Sculley) decided to take those measures.

The clone strategy was designed to allow third-party hardware makers to create systems to serve markets that Apple didnt serve very well, allowing Mac OS to penetrate into areas where Windows was winning and turn the tide. But that didnt really happen. Instead, Apple found itself boxed in on both sides.

The DayStar Genesis MP as it appeared in Macworld magazine. Macworld

At the high end, Georgia-based DayStar Digital built the first multiprocessor Mac clones targeted at the professional publishing market. DayStar built expensive computers that were faster than any of Apples systems, and sold them to some of Apples most profitable customers.

Meanwhile, Texas-based Power Computing took a page from Dell and started ramping up highly configurable beige clones, including both low-end and mid-range models. They werent pretty to look at, but neither were Apples Macs during this era. Power Computings killer feature was the fact that you could pick your devices specs to order and then order it on the web (or via fax!) and it would be shipped to you. This sounds completely normal today, but Power was likely the very first company to sell computers via a web-based configure-to-order system.

Most clones were based on existing Mac motherboard designs, especially in the early days. Basically, Apple did all the core hardware and software engineeringand then let the clone makers take all of that and innovate their way into taking sales away from Apple.

When Steve Jobs took control of Apple in 1997, he put a stop to the clone licensing program immediately. (Macworlds cover story was Why Apple Pulled the Plug.) Licensees does not begin to cover their share of the expenses to engineer and market the Mac OS platform, Jobs wrote in a memo to Apple employees. Our Board is convinced that if Apple continues this practice the company will never return to profitability, no matter how well Apple performs, and the entire Macintosh ecosystem will continue to decline, eventually killing both Apple and the clone manufacturers. This scenario has no winnersand customers end up with no Macintosh choice.

Jobs was pretty ruthless in killing the clones, too. Apples license with clonemakers covered the 7.x versions of classic Mac OS, so Apple changed the name of its next update to Mac OS 8, so that clone makers didnt have access to the latest version of the OS or any of the new chips that were only supported by Mac OS 8. Clone makers wanted to start building laptops, but the existing license didnt cover that, either. And Apple announced it wouldnt renew any of those licenses, which eliminated any hope of long-term business.

Jobs didnt find the entire clone industry as a negative, though: Apple bought the core assets of Power Computing for $10 million in cash and $100 million in Apple stock. Part of that was probably an attempt to fend off lawsuits, but Jobs specifically cited Powers expertise in direct marketing and sales and pioneering of direct marketing and sales (a direction we want to move it) in announcing the sale. That was recognition that Power, with its web-based direct sales strategy, had hit on something that Apple needed to replicate. Which it did!

While its a popular perception that the clone market was one of the causes of Apples near-bankruptcy in the late 90s, Jobs wrote that it wasnt true. Clones could really only amount for a tiny percentage of overall Mac OS computer salesand meanwhile, during the past two years the total number of Mac OS computers sold has declined by almost 20%. The bottom was dropping out, clones hadnt solved the problem, and Jobs saw them as a drain on resources that Apple simply couldnt afford.

The Mac OS name and logo were invented as a part of the clone licensing program. Infinite Mac

The legacy of the clones

There are a few surprising impacts of that brief clone era, even three decades later.

Obviously, Powers approach of custom-building computers to order became the standard across the industry, and it certainly inspired Apple to change its processes to allow custom-built Macs to be directly ordered, rather than requiring users to pick from a set of stock configurations at a local or mail-order retailer.

The name Mac OS and the familiar two-smile symbol that now represents the macOS Finder both emerged from the clone era. Originally, there was no name for the Macs operating system. We generally just called it the System, which is why the groundbreaking 7.x update was called System 7. With the arrival of cloneswhich couldnt be called Macsthere needed to be a way to turn the Mac operating system into a product, with a recognizable label and brand name, so that clone makers could explain that their devices werent Macs but ran Mac software. The result was the Mac OS name and the accompanying dual-smiley logo.

And theres the entire approach the Mac takes to multi-threading software across multiple processor cores. It all emerged from the work Apple and clonemaker DayStar Digital did to create the DayStar Genesis MP and, eventually, Apples own Power Mac 9500/180 MP. In those days, the idea of putting additional processor chips inside a Mac to boost performance was novel, but if you were a high-end publishing professional, you would pay a lot of money to run Adobe Photoshop as fast as possible. So DayStar shipped a clone with two or even four PowerPC chips, and Apple and DayStar collaborated on the software that would allow a Mac OS device to send work to multiple processors.

That legacy lives on today in all of our multicore Macs. And just now, I searched my own M4 MacBook Pro for the words DayStar Digital and found several header files, deep down in a directory installed by Xcode, that bear the notice: Copyright 1995-2011 DayStar Digital, Inc. Thirty years later, that little legacy of a forgotten Mac clone lingers inside my Mac.
The increasing frequency of weather events means Aussie holiday operators are facing multiple disasters with little time in between to recover.

Aussies staying at the Weeroona Holiday Park on NSW's Mid North Coast were forced to flee last week after it flooded for the second time in four years. Source: Supplied

With the rain pelting on his back and a torch in one hand, Bren Abbott-Hammel waded through the deep floodwaters at his familys caravan park late on Thursday night last week, banging on vans and urging those still inside to evacuate. In a scene that was all too familiar, the Weeroona Holiday Park in Manning Point, on NSWs Mid North Coast, was underwater for the second time in a little over four years.

While the majority of the park's 24 permanent residents, short-stay visitors and campers had already fled the area, a few people appeared to be in a little bit of denial about facing another emergency given the close time frame between the catastrophic flooding events.

There were some people that didnt hear me, and around 2.30am I got a phone call from a lady who was woken up by the water hitting her in bed, he told Yahoo News. I walked and swam down to her and then carried her out with a couple of bags and whatnot.

Tragically, many of those who call the caravan park home had only recently recovered from the 2021 flood, only to have to start from scratch once again.

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They finally got their place set up after chipping away at it for the last four years, and then its just happened again, and all that hard work and sacrifice and saving money just gets ripped away, Abbott-Hammel, whose parents took over Weeroona in 2023, said, noting the heartbreaking loss of sentimental items such as photos.

All the vans are 100 per cent uninhabitable at the moment, and all the campgrounds are completely useless to the point of the power being cut off.

It could take months before the family-run caravan park is running as normal. Source: Supplied

Extreme weather a serious 'concern' for caravan park

While recovery efforts began after the water started to recede on Saturday, it could take months before the caravan park returns to normal, leaving Abbott-Hammel pondering the effect of Australias natural disasters on the tourism industry.

The weather has become more extreme, so what does that mean for tourism-related businesses? Im sure theres other industries impacted but for us its less than ideal, he said.

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The Aussie admitted he has had several conversations with family members about the direct loss of revenue and the definite possibility of the flood zones reputation putting people off visiting.

Its a concern, and I have seen it before, he told Yahoo, explaining that several campers decided to leave early in April after a predicted 60mm of rainfall. And you dont get to measure the people who dont come because they are afraid.

The damage caused to the roads could also deter travellers, given they are often hauling a $100,000 to $150,000 caravan with them.

Hypothetically, if Weeroona Holiday Park was unable to recover from last weeks floods, which also claimed the lives of five people, the other small businesses in the area would also suffer, Abbott-Hammel said.

The general store, they will struggle. The bowls club, I assume they would lose 20 to 30 per cent of their business. And hes not the only one with concerns.

Every single caravan at the Weeroona Holiday Park is currently inhabitable, with residents grieving the loss of precious items like photos. Source: Supplied

Climate change has devastating impacts on Aussie tourism

NSWs Mid-North Coast has experienced back-to-back extreme weather events in the last few years and communities are suffering the consequences again and again, Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said this week, pointing the finger at what she said is the root cause"  "pollution from coal, oil and gas.

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It is critical that we understand that such disasters are no longer simply natural, she said.

The increasing frequency and severity of such events means residents are facing successive disasters with little time in between to recover, which could ultimately hurt the countrys tourism industry in the long run.

The impact of climate change has had devastating impacts on tourism businesses all over the country and over time, it has caused people to close their doors, Dr Heather Downey told Yahoo. More will likely shut up shop in the coming years, she said.

Repeatedly cleaning up and dealing with insurance companies and various government agencies, as well as the emotional element, can take a huge toll on Aussies, the associate professor of social work at La Trobe explained.

Its a very difficult time. Then, you have to contact people whove made bookings and let them know whats going on, it's a multi layered event, Downey said. Unless something is done about root causes of climate change, we can expect increased severity and frequency of these types of devastating events.

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A GoFundMe page has been created to help provide the Weeroona Holiday Park with necessary supplies.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Boston Police Department has identified the suspect arrested in connection with the stabbing of a person in Massachusetts General Hospitals lobby.

John Huddleston, 56, of Boston, was arrested on Thursday and is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on the charges of mayhem and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to a Boston Police Department spokesperson.

At about 8:32 a.m., officers responded to a radio call for a person with a knife, the spokesperson said. While traveling to the hospital, the call was upgraded to a report of a stabbing. The officers were also provided with a description of the suspect.

When they arrived, the police located and apprehended the suspect, who was identified as Huddleston.

Additional members of the department entered the hospital and found an adult male victim receiving treatment for non-life-threatening stab wounds.

A crime scene was set up in the vestibule of the hospitals lobby, which is where the stabbing took place, the spokesperson told MassLive.

The victims name was not given.

In a statement provided to MassLive, the hospital confirmed that the victim was treated and released.

The hospital is safe, open, and operating normally, the statement reads. We are grateful to our staff and Boston Police for their quick response in bringing this incident to a close.
Five current and former employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority were arrested Thursday on federal charges of falsifying track inspection reports, authorities said.

The Justice Department said the MBTA staff filed reports claiming they had inspected tracks on the transit networks Red Line, when in reality, they had skipped the inspection and were inside a T maintenance facility at the time.

Several of the employees were also charged with working on private vehicles at the facility during work hours.

The employees all worked at the MBTAs Cabot Yard facility in South Boston, where the transit agency placed nearly a dozen employees on administrative leave last fall during an investigation into allegations they worked on non-MBTA vehicles during work hours.

Brain Pfaffinger, 47, of Marshfield; Ronald Gamble, 62, of Dorchester; Jensen Vatel, 42, of Brockton; Nathalie Mendes, 53, of New Bedford; and Andy Vicente, 36, of Bridgewater face charges of aiding and abetting the falsification of records and aiding and abetting false statements.

They were taken into federal custody Thursday morning and are expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston later in the day, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Leah Foley.

Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente  former MBTA track inspectors  are accused of falsifying track inspection reports on the Red Line between Sept. 3 and Oct. 15 of last year.

During times they claimed to have inspected railroad tracks, the employees were at the Cabot Yard facility, where they had access to a break and coffee room for inspectors, prosecutors said.

Gamble, Vatel and Vicente are also accused of working on private vehicles during work time.

Pfaffinger, their former supervisor, not only knew that his subordinates worked on private vehicles during work hours, but had his subordinates work on his own vehicle, prosecutors said.
The Boston Police Department is investigating a stabbing that took place in the lobby of Massachusetts General Hospital.

At about 8:32 a.m. on Thursday, officers responded to a report of a stabbing inside of Massachusetts General Hospital, according to a department spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the stabbing took place in the vestibule of the lobby.

When officers arrived, they found an adult who was suffering from a non-life-threatening stab wound. A suspect was identified and was taken into custody within the area of 90 Blossom St., the spokesperson said.

No names were given for the victim or suspect.

The victim was stabbed in one of the hospitals lobbies and was treated for minor injuries and was released, according to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The hospital is safe, open, and operating normally, an email from the hospital reads. We are grateful to our staff and Boston Police for their quick response in bringing this incident to a close.

The stabbing comes two days after a 46-year-old man stole a Boston Police officers gun outside of Massachusetts General Hospital  firing it during a fight and injuring himself.

Elvis Haughton was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a class C substance and resisting arrest.

During his appearance in court on Wednesday, a judge ordered Haughton to undergo a mental health evaluation. He was ordered held without bail until his dangerousness hearing on June 2.
As graduating Harvard University students celebrated completing their degrees this week, some remained irked at the school for its decision a month ago to withdraw support for special ceremonies celebrating members of various identity groups.

Under pressure from the Trump administration, Harvard said it would no longer fund, staff or provide space for affinity group graduation ceremonies, such as events honoring graduating students who are Black, veterans, Muslim or members of other groups.

The school said at the same time that it would rename its Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging to the Office of Community and Campus Life.

Some students saw the two moves as the school capitulating to the Trump administration, even as it battled the government tooth and nail on other matters.

At the time, Harvard senior Victor Flores told MassLive he was more excited to celebrate his upcoming graduation at a ceremony for other Latin American students than to attend the main graduation, which was held Thursday.

Theres nothing like celebrating in community, especially with peers of similar backgrounds and similar experiences, Flores said.

Without Harvards support, space or funding for identity group graduation ceremonies, he and other students took the challenge of planning the events on themselves.

Graduates applaud during commencement ceremonies at Harvard University, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP

Eight affinity groups held graduation ceremonies over the past week, and at almost every one, speakers criticized the university for backing away from the events, according to the Harvard Crimson, the schools student newspaper.

At the Harvard Black Graduation, attended by more than 500 people at an off-campus hotel in Cambridge, New York Times reporter Nikole S. Hannah-Jones told graduates they deserved better than the capitulation of those in power here that would force you, with very little notice, to hold this graduation off campus and with no university support, according to the Crimson.

Other unofficial affinity group ceremonies honored Latino, first-generation, low-income, LGBTQ+, Muslim, veteran, disabled, and Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American graduates, the student paper reported.

Ahead of Harvards main commencement ceremonies on Thursday, Gabriel Rodriguez said his brother, a first-generation college student in a Mexican-American family, was among those students whose affinity group celebrations lost university support.

Graduating students walk through Harvard Yard during commencement ceremonies at Harvard University, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP

He and his friends had to rally, and the rest of the Latino students had to rally, to get a Latino graduation set up, Rodriguez said. They were able to raise $15,000, but the fact that it had to happen on their own and they didnt have the universitys support really makes a difference.

Rodriguez said the last few months have been stressful  for his brother on a campus under pressure from the federal government, and for the family watching it from afar.

Harvard has spent weeks as the focal point of President Donald Trumps assault on higher education as his administration applied increasing pressure to enact massive change to Harvards admissions, hiring, management and curriculum.

We were worried, because whenever theres such a spotlight on a university, you just never know whats going to happen, Rodriguez said. And so there were concerns that we just want to make sure that he was safe and that he was in a good place.

At an affinity group ceremony for first-generation and low-income students this week, Anthony Jack, author of The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students, said the event had been marred by broken promises by Harvard, according to the Crimson.

They tried to take our commencements away, Jack said. But nothing  no executive order, no coerced concession  can take away all that went into making this day possible.
Chick-fil-A is continuing its Massachusetts expansion by opening a new MetroWest location next week.

The popular chicken fast-food chain will open its Hudson location on Thursday, June 5.

Located at 4A Highland Commons East, the Hudson Chick-fil-A will be among several new stores opening at The Shops at Highland Commons this year.

The new restaurant will be open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In addition to serving customers, the Hudson Chick-fil-A will create 100 jobs. Those interested in working at the Hudson Chick-fil-A can apply online.

Last month, Chick-fil-A announced plans to open 12-15 more stores across Massachusetts in the next few years.

The company is set to open up to seven new restaurants across the state this year, followed by five to eight more restaurants by the end of 2027, a press release read.

The new restaurants will create an estimated 1,600 new jobs by 2027.

There are already 19 Chick-fil-A locations in Massachusetts.

By the end of 2027, residents across the Bay State can anticipate new restaurants, including in:
Pusha T, left, and Clipse attend the American Sabotage Spring Summer 2025 collection presented Friday, June 21, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP) Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Pusha T and No Malice have made it official that there will be a new Clipse album  the first in 15 years.

The famous hip-hop duo revealed in an Instagram post Thursday that their fourth studio album will be called Let God Sort Em Out.

The long-awaited project will serve as a follow-up to Clipses 2009 effort, Til the Casket Drops.

Let God Sort Em Out, which is being produced by longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams, will be released July 11, Pitchfork reported.

The album is available for pre-order on Clipses website while its first single, Ace Trumpets, drops Friday.

Formed by brothers Gene Malice and Terrence Pusha T Thornton, Clipse is credited with establishing Virginia as one of the East Coasts strongholds in hip-hop. The brothers were discovered by Williams, a fellow Virginia Beach native, in the 1990s.

Williams helped the duo get signed to Elektra Records, where Clipse recorded their 1999 album Exclusive Audio Footage. However, the album was shelved and the duo was dropped.

Williams then helped Clipse get signed to Arista Records, where they released their 2002 full-length project, Lord Willin. The album produced the hit singles Grindin, When the Last Time and Ma, I Dont Love Her. It also reached the top 10 of the R&B/Hip-Hop and Billboard 200 charts and was later certified gold by the RIAA.

Clipse released two more successful albums  2006s Hell Hath No Fury and 2009s Til the Casket Drops  before going on hiatus in 2010. Both Pusha T and No Malice pursued solo careers and put out several projects in the interim.

The brothers reunited as Clipse when they appeared on Kanye Wests song Use This Gospel, featured on his 2019 album, Jesus Is King.

Since then, Clipse has performed regularly at Primavera Sound Barcelona, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival and elsewhere.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks to reporters after filing a lawsuit against the town of Milton, Feb. 27, 2024. (Trea Lavery/MassLive)

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is offering guidance to residents about what to do if theyre approached by federal immigration agents and how local law enforcement interacts with them.

On Thursday, Campbell released the Know Your Rights guide, which explains the rights afforded to those detained or arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the limitations on local police cooperation with ICE.

The document also contains information about the rights afforded to bystanders of an ICE operation.

The purpose of the guide is to answer questions residents have about the actions of ICE and the role of local police, Campbell wrote in a press release on Thursday.

From arresting parents in front of their children to pulling people who present no public safety threat out of their cars in broad daylight, the aggressive ICE tactics were seeing across the Commonwealth do not protect the public, and instead spread fear, Campbell said. In releasing this guidance, I strongly encourage everyone to inform themselves of their rights when they see immigration officers in their communities.

The rights of those arrested or detained

Those arrested or detained by ICE have the right to remain silent, Campbell writes.

They are not required to answer questions about their immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, or method of entry into the United States.

A person who is arrested or detained also has the right to hire and speak with a lawyer. Campbell notes, however, that the government is not generally required to provide one in immigration proceedings.

Additionally, Campbell says that those arrested or detained have the right to refuse to sign documents.

ICE may ask people to sign voluntary departure forms, waivers of rights, or other paperwork. The person being arrested or detained has a right to read and understand any document before signing it, Campbell writes. People being questioned, arrested, or detained by ICE should never give false information or fake documents, as doing so could result in criminal charges.

Rights of bystanders

Bystanders are allowed to observe and record an ICE operation as long as they dont interfere with officers, Campbell explained. Some examples of interference include pushing or physically touching an officer, blocking officers or hiding the person ICE is trying to arrest, according to Campbell. The Attorney General notes that these actions could result in criminal charges.

Bystanders can watch. Bystanders can record. But bystanders legally cannot obstruct, impede, or assault an ICE agent, Campbell writes.

Other rights provided to bystanders include the right to remain silent and the right to refuse entry if ICE agents approach a home where they are residing.

ICE agents are not legally allowed to enter private spacessuch as homes or private offices  without either a judicial warrant or voluntary consent from the person who has authority over the property.

The role of the police

The federal government cannot force local law enforcement agencies to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement, Campbell writes.

Any voluntary cooperation between ICE and law enforcement needs to comply with the states legal limitations. An example of this is the Supreme Judicial Courts ruling in Lunn v. Commonwealth, which states that state and local law enforcement officers have no legal authority to arrest, detain, or hold an individual solely based on a request from ICE.

Additionally, state laws prohibit police from profiling people on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, Campbell said.

There are also local laws passed by cities and towns that limit police departments involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement.

In Boston, for example, there is a law known as the Trust Act that prohibits police officers from inquiring about a persons immigration status, sharing information with ICE, transferring anyone to ICE custody, or acting as an immigration officer.

Accusations of collaboration

The release of the guide comes three weeks after ICE arrested a Brazilian mother of three in Worcester. During the arrest, more than 30 people confronted the federal immigration agents, protesting the arrest of Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira.

During the operation, Worcester Police Officers were called to the street in order to keep the peace. At the scene, Police officers arrested the 17-year-old daughter of Ferreira-De Oliveira after she reportedly kicked the passenger side door of the vehicle where her mother was being detained. Officers also arrested now-disqualified School Committee Candidate Ashley Spring after they sprayed water in an officers face.

Following the arrests, there has been a public outcry from some Worcester residents, accusing the police department and the city administration of collaborating with ICE.

City Manager Eric D. Batista issued an executive order on May 16, reading that Worcester police would not inquire about a persons immigration status and further clarifying Worcesters policy on interaction with ICE.

ICE has continued to make arrests in Massachusetts, with one of the more recent operations taking place in Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket on Tuesday

About 40 people were arrested by ICE during the operation, with the U.S. Coast Guard taking them off the island.

On Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey called the operation disturbing.

This is part of the problem that were seeing with ICE across the country. And certainly here in Massachusetts, people are being picked up. We have no information about their circumstances, Healey said. There have been real questions raised about due process and whether or not ICE and immigration officials are ... complying with due process here and in other states. And we need answers.
Karen Read who works with her defense lawyers attends a "side bar" conference with the prosecution and Judge Cannone during her retrial at Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday May 28, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP

Testimony resumed on Thursday in the retrial of Karen Read, a woman charged with murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John OKeefe, in 2022.

An accident reconstructionist, Dr. Judson Welcher, continued to face cross-examination about his analysis of Reads vehicle and injuries to OKeefe.

People to know:

Dr. Judson Welcher, an accident reconstructionist and biomedical engineer/prosecution witness

Robert Alessi, defense attorney for Read

Judge Beverly Cannone

11:52 a.m. - Jurors sent home

Jurors returned to the courtroom, and the judge said, We are ahead of schedule.

She sent the jurors home and told them to come back on Friday at 9:30 a.m. because she first needs to discuss matters with lawyers in the morning.

Cannone told jurors to expect a full day.

11:28 a.m. - Prosecution rests its case

On re-direct questioning of Welcher, Brennan asked about the two Ring security cameras used from OKeefes house to create laser scan images.

The fact that there were two cameras used to create the images, instead of relying on one, did not affect his conclusion that Reads taillight could not have touched OKeefes vehicle that morning when the two vehicles made contact.

In another set of questions, Brennan asked Welcher whether he ever used an encrypted messaging app, such as Signal, to communicate with the district attorneys office.

No, I dont even know what that is, Welcher said.

Brennan has criticized communications by the defense team with their own crash experts from the company ARCCA using Signal.

Alessi stepped up again for another round of cross-examination. He asked whether there were any slides in his PowerPoint presentation that explored alternative theories to Reads SUV hitting OKeefe.

I mean, I had 130 slides. I suspect I bored some of these people to death already, so I didnt include everything, Welcher said. There was a bunch of testing I did with the Lexus about backing and pedestrian detection that, you know, removed certain hypotheses. So if I was able to eliminate a hypothesis, I didnt present it here.

Alessi concluded his questioning of Welcher, and the witness stepped off the stand.

Brennan then played a video of a media interview with Read.

I thought, Could I have run him over? Did he try to get me as I was leaving and I didnt know? I mean, the music was blasting, its snowing ... Did he come and hit the back of my car and I hit him in the knee? Read said, adding that after she hired her attorney, David Yannetti, she asked him the same questions.

Then you have some element of culpability, Read recounted Yannetti telling her.

The judge called the lawyers to a sidebar discussion and sent the jury out of the courtroom for a short recess.

The trial will proceed with the defense calling their witnesses. Its unclear if they will begin on Thursday since the judge previously said it will be a half-day.

10:47 a.m. - Questions about SUV suspension, techstream data

Alessi spent more than 10 minutes questioning Welcher about whether his company knew about the height of Reads suspension on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022.

You dont have the suspension height for that key date, do you? Alessi asked.

Sir, I only have it two days later, Welcher said.

Alessi then turned his questioning to techstream data from the Read SUV.

The text stream information doesnt tell you when a collision occurs, does it? Alessi asked.

Correct, Welcher said.

Alessi concluded his cross-examination and the judge called for a morning break.

10:16 a.m. - Defense questions scans of Read and OKeefe vehicles

After jurors entered the room, Welcher returned to the stand for his third day of testimony. Cross-examination began on Wednesday with defense attorney Alessi.

Questions began over pieces of glass found on the bumper found on Reads SUV.

Welcher said he does not have enough evidence to conclude whether the glass on the bumper is from a broken glass found at the scene, which investigators say are from a glass taken from a bar by OKeefe and Read.

We have pictures of a broken bar glass in the snow near where Mr. OKeefes body was. We have glass fragments on the rear of the bumper. Thats the extent of my knowledge on the correlation between those two, Welcher said.

Alessi asked Welcher to assume that testing conclusively determined that the glass on the bumper is different from the glass in the snow, Welcher said it would not affect the end result of his analysis.

Id want to know where the glass came from, but we still have a whole bunch of other elements, Welcher said.

Welcher said that the reports about the glass were inconclusive, and Alessi proded him on whether he read all of the reports.

Apparently not, Welcher said. A state police crime lab analyst testified last week that glass from the scene did not match glass found on Reads bumper.

Alessi then turned questions to laser scans conducted by Welcher in a process known as photogrammetry, defined as using photography in surveying and mapping to measure distances between objects.

Aperture, the company Welcher works for, created digital images of OKeefes driveway as part of their analysis of whether Reads SUV couldve been cracked when it backed up into OKeefes Chevrolet the morning he died.

Welcher was questioned about two different cameras that were installed at OKeefes house in Canton. The camera used by Welchers company in October 2024 differed from the one at the house on Jan. 29, 2022.

Welcher said his company accounted for the differences in angles between the two cameras as part of their analysis.

You didnt measure the distortion, sir, did you? Alessi asked.

Analysts used the images from the old camera and from the new camera, Welcher said, and they worked within a margin of error in an acceptable range, so that we have confidence in our results, Welcher said.

Knowing the different models used for the Ring cameras used at OKeefes home were not relevant, Welcher said.

Alessi pulled up a slide from Welchers presentation that shows Reads Lexus and OKeefes Chevrolet close to each other. The image was created using laser scans and shows angles not captured on OKeefes Ring video.

Images of Karen Read's Lexus and John O'Keefe's Chevrolet shown during Read's retrial on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The images were created with laser scans by Aperture, a company hired by the prosecution. Court TV

Alessi asked if the image showed contact with Reads taillight, but Welcher said, It absolutely is not.

Its probably within an inch of making contact, Welcher said.

Alessi showed another slide, which shows images of the two vehicles very close, but Welcher again said the image did not show contact between the taillight of Reads SUV and OKeefes car.

Welcher argued that the images were two dimensional and did not show the depth.

You lose in two dimensional images, you lose one dimension depending on which way youre looking, Welcher said.

Alessi moved on from the topic.

9:33 a.m. - Hearing kicks off the day, judge weighs in on line of questioning from defense

Alessi began the day by arguing issues he has with the PowerPoint slides used by Welcher in his testimony. The mornings hearing took place before jurors were called into the courtroom.

The judge eventually ruled that she will limit some of line of questioning that the defense can go into with Welcher.

Alessi sought to ask more questions about Welchers reliance on a state police reconstructionists reports and the states medical examiner who conducted OKeefes autopsy.

Reads lawyer took issue with an odometer reading of Reads SUV that Welcher used as a starting point to determine the locations and times for the events on Jan. 29, 2022.

Welcher used Massachusetts State Police Trooper Joe Pauls odometer reading as the the foundation for Dr. Welchers entire analysis, Alessi said. Paul is an accident reconstructionist with the state police.

There were parts of the slideshow that relied on photographs and images from Pauls reconstruction analysis and the autopsy report by Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello.

Alessi said that the key cycles of Reads SUV that Paul relied on were contested during the first trial and continue to be contested during this second trial.

He said that serial objections interrupted his cross-examination on Wednesday and that the witness and prosecution are cherry picking information and preventing a full cross-examination of Judsons opinions on aspects of Pauls and Scordi-Bellos reports.

Litany of complaints, Brennan said in response to Alessis arguments.

Brennan said that Welcher did not rely on the analysis of Paul or the undetermined manner of death reached by Scordi-Bello.

If they want to call Trooper Paul, well, maybe they can try to do that, but Dr. Welcher is not the right witness for it, Brennan said. You cannot vouch for the credibility of another witness.

Judge Beverly Cannone denied Alessis attempts to question Welcher about Pauls analysis and Scordi-Bellos conclusions.

Read, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of OKeefe, who was found outside the home of a fellow Boston police officer on Jan. 29, 2022.

Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated. Reads attorneys say her car never struck OKeefe and that others are to blame for his death.
MIT has become the latest in a string of elite American universities  including Harvard  to distance itself from the idea of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as President Donald Trump continues his anti-DEI agenda and attempts to rein in colleges and universities who resist it.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced plans to sunset the universitys Institute Community and Equity Office and remove its vice president for equity and inclusion position in a letter to the school community last week. The offices core programs will continue, but under the purview of other offices.
Ryan Enos, a government professor at Harvard University, speaks at a protest against President Donald Trump's recent sanctions against Harvard in front of Science Center Plaza on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham) AP

The Trump administration began a 30-day countdown for Harvard to respond on Thursday as it filed a formal notice with federal courts to withdraw the prestigious institution from the federal program allowing the school to accept foreign students.

The court filing included a letter sent to Harvard Director of Immigration Services Maureen Martin on Wednesday.

This notice advises your school of the Student and Exchange Visitor Programs (SEVP) intent to withdraw you schools SEVP certification for failing to comply with the federal regulations detailed below, the letter begins.

The issues named in the letter are:

that Harvard failed to comply with reporting requirements that Harvard failed to maintain a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism that there were national security concerns related to Harvards practices with foreign entities

Harvard now has 30 days to provide evidence that it followed the law with respect to the above issues, according to the letter.

The filing comes as Harvard and the Trump administration are set to appear in federal court in Boston on Thursday.

It also took place the same day as Harvards commencement ceremony.

Read more: Shadow of Trump administration hangs over Harvard University commencement

About 27% of Harvards undergraduate and graduate students are international, according to 2024 to 2025 data.

This filing follows letters both earlier this month and in April escalating the Trump administrations position on whether foreign students can be allowed at Harvard.

In a statement accompanying last weeks letter on the social media platform X, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote that the administration was holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.

Harvard responded immediately with a 72-page lawsuit against the Trump administration, leading to a federal judge blocking the administration from revoking the certification.

For those international students and scholars affected by yesterdays action, know that you are vital members of our community, Harvard President Alan Garber said at the time. You are our classmates and friends, our colleagues and mentors, our partners in the work of this great institution. Thanks to you, we know more and understand more, and our country and our world are more enlightened and more resilient. We will support you as we do our utmost to ensure that Harvard remains open to the world.

What is the certification being revoked?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, also known as SEVP, allows higher education institutions to issue visa application forms to prospective international students after admitting them. The forms are used to apply for a visa to enter the United States.

The certification requirements include that the school is operational and instructing students, has the necessary facilities and adequate finances to operate, provides instruction to a degree or objective and meets state requirements to operate, according to the Department of Homeland Security website.

Institutions are recertified every two years, but can be evaluated at other points in time if they have information suggesting that it isnt complying with regulations.

If the certification is taken away, an institution isnt allowed to enroll international students. Current students would have to choose between transferring to another institution, leaving the U.S., or changing their immigration status, according to the ICE website.

An example of the certification being stripped occurred at Herguan University in California in 2016 after its CEO pleaded guilty to providing fraudulent documents to the Department of Homeland Security, according to East Bay Times.

A growing fight

Harvard has been in a battle with the federal government since April. There has been a wave of federal research grant terminations at Harvard University, in addition to a $60 million in multi-year grants,$450 million cut and a $2.2 billion freeze.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has also told the institution that the federal government would be barring Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants while the university continues to refuse to comply with the administrations demands for change on its campus.

Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that they share the same common ground, but the university will not surrender its core, legally-protected principles out of fear.

Garber pushed back on the administration through a lawsuit in April. The institution argues that its constitutional rights had been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding if the school didnt comply with demands for an overhaul.Following the $450 million announced cuts, the university amended its lawsuit.

No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue, the suit reads.

Due to the federal cuts, Harvard announced that it was committing $250 million of central funding to support research impacted by suspended and canceled federal grants.

Read the full court filing giving 30 days notice below

MassLive reporter Juliet Schulman-Hall contributed to this article.
Endangered wildlife are being forced to 'run the gauntlet' for a good meal in a Perth suburb, outraging concerned residents.

A grim video has emerged of what some locals have deemed a death trap in the middle of a busy Aussie highway, prompting a surprise response from road authorities.

Dean Arthurell was recently travelling on the Tonkin Highway near Ellenbrook, a suburb about 30 minutes north of Perth, when he saw several endangered black Carnabys cockatoos feasting on banksias planted in the fenced centre refuge.

While he first spotted the greenery when it was added about five years ago as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade, the founder of Carnaby's Crusaders told Yahoo News it wasnt until recently he noticed cockatoos were risking their lives to reach the now mature plants.

Theyre producing banksia cones so thats why theyve obviously come to my attention, and obviously the birds attention, because theyre producing food, Arthurell said, adding he believes the shrubs are banksia prionotes, which are a significant food source for the species.

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In a time where there is really lean food sources, to have an abundance of a key food source that stretches over 1km down the middle of a four-lane highway is a bit criminal.

Arthurell said the section in question sits in a 100km/h zone, baiting birds to run the gauntlet and dodge cars and large trucks in order to reach the sustenance. Remarkably, in light of the video, Main Roads WA told Yahoo News it has agreed to prune back the plants immediately and ensure their total removal soon after.

Placing a key food source that stretches over 1km down the middle of a four-lane highway is 'criminal', Arthurell said. Source: Carnaby's Crusaders

Road authorities to remove banksia cones from highway

In an effort to draw attention to the clueless landscaping, Arthurell posted footage of two Carnabys cockatoos precariously perched in between vehicles whizzing past in both directions. The clip quickly angered thousands of locals, with many calling for the dangerous plants to be removed.

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And it seems, Main Roads WA is paying attention.

The bird advocate told Yahoo he received a call from authorities on Wednesday confirming contractors had been hired to remove the banksia cones that are attracting the birds. The work is expected to take place over the next few days, and the cuttings will be transported to a black cockatoo rehabilitation centre, he said.

Main Roads was alerted, via a Facebook post, regarding Black Cockatoos foraging along Tonkin Highway in Ellenbrook, a spokesperson told Yahoo, explaining that the presence of the trees "had not been an issue until recently.

This is likely due to the plants not being old enough to flower as prolifically as they are now, as well as the lack of food availability in the local area for Black Cockatoos (especially given the last two very dry years we have experienced).

As the flowering Dwarf Banksias at this location are attracting these important birds to fly across Tonkin Highway, Main Roads has arranged for the Dwarf Banksias to be heavily pruned back immediately, followed by the total removal of all foraging species from the median and the edges of the verge.

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Main Roads said it will be donating the pruned branches to the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre to support their rehabilitation work. Arthurell said it's great that Main Roads listened to public outcry about the banksias.

The states southwest is home to three threatened black cockatoo species: the endangered Carnabys cockatoo, the critically endangered Baudins cockatoo and the Forest Red-tailed black cockatoo, which is listed as vulnerable.

Conservationists have warned that if declining numbers are not turned around, all three could be extinct within 20 years.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
With school out for Memorial Day, 10-year-old Azaylia Brown and her father, Sheron Brown, were spending an ideal near-summer day together.

The pair grabbed a large pepperoni pizza from Athens Pizza, her favorite spot in their hometown of Leominster, then drove 10 minutes to Lake Shirley in Lunenburg to float, fish and eat the slices on the water in Sheron Browns boat.

But the afternoon abruptly devolved into what Sheron Brown said was his daughters first experience of racism: a man throwing rocks at the family from shore as he screamed racial slurs at them, which Sheron Brown captured on video as he dialed 911.

The man  identified from court filings as David McPartlan, 66, of Ayer  will be summoned on two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and two charges of assault to intimidate, according to the Lunenburg Police Department.

Attempts to contact McPartlan by MassLive were unsuccessful.

Sheron Brown, 53, said he isnt sure how the apparent racially charged encounter will affect his young daughter emotionally in the weeks and years to come.

I dont want my daughter to have a bad light of white males, or lake residents. I want her to treat people all the same, Brown said.

My daughter witnessed it, where someone calls her father that word ... Im forced to explain things to her when I may not be ready. Im forced to explain something to her, under duress, after I choke back how I feel, what I may want to do, he said, his voice growing thick with emotion.

Im not prepared. How do you prepare for that situation? Brown said.

What happened?

The incident on Lake Shirley in Lunenburg on Memorial Day happened just before 5 p.m., according to Lunenburg Police. Homes of a few hundred residents dot the 27 miles of heavily developed shoreline on the 354-acre lake, Brown said. Theres a dedicated boat ramp and recreational beach area called Shady Point Beach and Campground.

Brown is a competitive fisherman who also works in IT for a Connecticut biopharmaceutical company, and had been out on the water that day with his 10-year-old daughter in the custom fishing boat hes owned for 13 years.

Sheron Brown, 53, a competitive fisherman from Leominster, Mass. (Sheron Brown)

Brown said hes been a season pass-holder at Lake Shirley for half a decade, often coming to fish and spend time with his children. He said as a competitive fisherman who is a 6-foot, 4-inch, 270-pound Black man, he has become a well-known fixture in the lake community, and has gifted fishing gear to local kids. He also grew up in the nearby town of Shirley.

Brown said Lake Shirley residents are mostly white, while many visitors are people of color. However, Monday was the first time he had heard of or experienced any racial problems there.

He added that residents have had issues before with fishermen leaving their hooks behind, but he makes a point to never leave his professional, expensive gear.

The late afternoon of Memorial Day, Sheron and Azaylia Brown headed to a spot on the lake that Brown knew well, an area with plenty of fish and no plants or structures to tangle his daughters line.

When they arrived, three other fishermen who Brown said were all white men were already in the area, very close to the dock by a house on shore.

Brown said he waited until those fishermen left, then moved his boat to a spot between 60 and 75 feet from shore. It was much farther out than where the others had been and away from the dock for Azaylia, he said.

Sheron Brown, 53, and his daughter Azaylia Brown, 10, of Leominster, Mass. (Sheron Brown)

The two hadnt even cast a line before a man  later identified as McPartlan  came outside of a home and began to yell at the father and daughter.

The man asked why Brown was fishing in that spot, and said that I shouldnt be fishing there, Brown said. McPartlan said that I have somewhere else to go fish, and I shouldnt be here, he recalled.

Brown replied, Im here with my daughter. Its Memorial Day. Why are you targeting me?

He explained they would stay far away from the mans property for the hour and a half they planned to be there, unlike the other fishermen who had just been there for bass under the dock.

Thats when McPartlan began to escalate the confrontation, Brown said, and started swearing at him.

When Brown tried to ask the man to calm down in front of his daughter, McPartlan said he didnt want them there, told them to go somewhere else, and said, You guys think you own the lake, Brown recalled.

Brown said McPartlan grew angrier, even as he tried to explain that the lake resident had ignored the other boats nearby. The man on shore continued to swear at him.

Brown said he was going to start recording the conversation  and thats when McPartlan threw a large rock that splashed feet away from the boat, Brown said.

In his video of the incident, Brown said, incredulously, Did you just throw a rock at me?

McPartlan yelled back, Yeah, I threw rocks at you, [racial slur].

He repeated the slur again, and Brown said he was calling the police. The video ended before McPartlan picked up a large stick, Brown said.

The aftermath

As her father was verbally degraded for his skin color in front of her, 10-year-old Azaylia Brown sat quietly on the boat, listening.

When the man on the shore grew quiet for a moment, the little girl looked at her father and asked what they had done wrong.

Sheron Brown told her, We didnt do anything wrong. This guy is being mean.

Sheron Brown, 53, and his daughter Azaylia Brown, 10, of Leominster, Mass. (Sheron Brown)

But Brown, who has yet to explain segregation, diversity and racism to his 10-year-old and what she might encounter as a Black person in life, knows the incident is much deeper than that.

Usually our first experience as a Black person  my first experience as a Black man  was when someone called me the N-word in school, out of the blue, Brown said.

Thats usually your first experience with racism, when someone calls you an (expletive)" Brown said.

But thats usually it, it doesnt escalate into anything else ... you deal with it, you understand it, and then you become an adult and try to avoid those situations, he said.

In this case, I dont know what kind of impact this is going to have on my daughter, he continued. He said Azaylia talked about the experience with her friends at school, some of whom have already seen the video, and talked about the video with her older brother.

Theyre aged 10. It just ... it upsets me, Im not prepared. How do I prepare for that? he said, crying.

Mondays altercation on the lake finally ended after about 15 or 20 minutes, when Lunenburg police officers responding to Browns call contacted Brown and said they had a hard time finding them on the water. Brown idled his boat away from McPartlans area toward the boat ramp to meet the officers, and he said McPartlan waved at them in the background.

In the days after the incident, Brown said he doesnt believe one person represents an entire community, nor that Lake Shirley has an outright racism issue.

I dont hold lake residents, white people, white males, anyone that fits within that category, accountable for one persons actions. His actions are solo  he did this on his own, he said.

However, racism does exist, Brown said.

I dont encounter it to this degree. I never encountered it fishing-wise, but its still here ... even in Massachusetts, it still exists, he said.

Brown also wants to raise awareness about sharing the water with fishermen and how often fishermen are harassed. He emphasized that fishing is a great way to develop a bond with your kids in nature.

He added, You should carry yourself around  the utmost, highest level  around kids, because youre trying to set a precedent for them.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questions Billy Long, President Donald Trump's pick to run the IRS, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Screen Capture) Screen Capture

Even as scores of Harvard University students, garbed in caps and gowns, lined up to collect their diplomas on Thursday, a cadre of Massachusetts politicians pressed the Trump administration to explain its attacks on international students at the elite institution and colleges and universities nationwide.

Led by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the lawmakers called on the Republican White House to explain why it had "effectively terminated the legal status of over 4,700 international students across at least 48 states and 160 colleges."

That trend has been particularly damaging for Massachusetts, which is home to one of largest concentrations of higher education institutions and hosts over 80,000 international students, who contribute almost $4 billion to the states economy and support over 35,000 jobs in the state, the lawmakers wrote in the letter jointly addressed to U.S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Todd Lyons, the acting head of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement service.

A person walks through Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Feb. 16, 2024. (MassLive photo by John L. Micek)

Warren, a former Harvard faculty member, was joined on the letter by U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Democratic U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley, of Boston, and Lori Trahan, of Lowell.

The letter comes amid a week of concentrated assaults by the Trump administration on the Cambridge-based university that have included a call to cap the number of foreign students it admits, and after a federal judge temporarily halted the federal governments revocation of a key certification that allows Harvard to enroll international students.

Harvard has been in a battle with the Republican White House since April. There has been a wave of federal research grant terminations at Harvard University, in addition to freezing billions of dollars worth of federal funding.

Gov. Maura Healey, a Harvard alumna, stressed the economic harms of those actions during a public forum on Tuesday.

When President Trump attacks Harvard, hes attacking the Massachusetts economy, Healey said during an online discussion that was joined by thousands of Harvard alumni.

Harvard is the fourth largest employer in the state, contributing more than $6 billion to the economy, which doesnt include startups and companies that are born out of the institution, Healey said.

Read More: Shadow of Trump administration hangs over Harvard University commencement

Harvards international students contribute $400 million to the local economy every year and support thousands of jobs, she said. International scholars have also been a part of or led key research on diseases.

Warren and her colleagues undermined Healeys public statement in their letter to the administration officials, observing that the administrations apparent hostility to international students contributes to an overall climate of fear on campuses.

That trend creates a chilling effect that discourages the best and brightest students from around the world from coming to study in the United States  which harms not only current and prospective international students, but also American universities, U.S. citizen students on campuses, and, in the long term, the nations prosperity and economic growth," they continued.

Warren and her fellow lawmakers also included a battery of questions for administration officials that dealt with the size and scope of the visa revocations; the number of Harvard students who had been impacted, and its communication with international students about its actions.

The lawmakers gave the administration until June 12 to respond to its inquiries.
April 14, 2025- Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announces new plans to address dangerous driving of motorized vehicles and bicycles through Springfield and surrounding towns and cities on Hampden County.

SPRINGFIELD  Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is calling for the closure of a Forest Park bodega after it was labeled by law enforcement as a drug front while announcing mass arrests on Tuesday.

Mayor Sarno States Garcias Market Take Down Warrants a Shut Down! a press release headline read in bold letters Wednesday evening.
The Bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, with lettuce and tomato on a grinder roll, from Garcia Market. The market was considered a drug trafficking front on Tuesday. DoorDash users were able to continue ordering there until Thursday morning. Heather Morrison

A Coca-Cola, chips and a footlong breakfast sandwich landed on a MassLive reporters doorstep on Wednesday afternoon. It wasnt the glossy New York-style sandwich pictured on DoorDash  but that was expected.

What was surprising is that a sandwich arrived at all. Only 24 hours before, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced there had been 52 arrests in connection with three drug trafficking investigations.
SPRINGFIELD  As he marks a decade in office, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said changes in laws and public policy have made prosecutors jobs tougher than ever.

When I started and I was an assistant district attorney, to prosecute a case was an entirely different endeavor than it is now, he said while meeting with The Republican staff on Wednesday, citing changes in evidentiary standards and more.

With the explosion of  all these different issues, prosecutors now are responsible for so much more. I mean, the investment in any one case whether at the district or superior court level is worlds apart from where it was 10 or 15 years ago, Gulluni added.
Trainees get to work in Holyoke Community College's and Dean Technical High School's new Introductory Training Green Construction, Electricity and Clean Energy Systems program. Students can earn some Occupational Safety and Health Administration construction safety credentials, while learning green building, hand and power tool use, electrical concepts and circuitry. (Provided photo) Provided photo

SPRINGFIELD  Holyoke Community College and Dean Technical High School are teaming up for a new, free seven-week green tech and construction program thats already getting a diverse, inaugural group of trainees prepped for the workforce.

We like to call it a three-in-one introductory program. It is an introduction to green construction and electricity, and how those are applied to clean energy systems, such as solar panels and EV chargers, said Mary Wagner, HCC clean energy training manager.
A view inside the Canna Provisions cannabis dispensary at 380 Dwight St. in Holyoke in January 2021. (The Republican / file photo)

SPRINGFIELD  Plaintiffs growing, selling and delivering legal marijuana in Massachusetts now have two court decisions against them, but arent giving up.

They seek to overturn a federal law they say strangles their business. They were turned back last week by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 21 it would close investigations into and retract the Biden administrations findings of constitutional violations of five police departments.

One department not included in the announcement was the Worcester Police Department (WPD), which was subject to a DOJ investigation beginning in 2022.
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The "The Hello, How Are You?" National mental health campaign came to life last week through vibrant, community-led events across Mayo. Midwest Radio broadcasted live from Pearse Street in Ballina which was in partnership with Mayo Mental Health Association.

The event was part of a nationwide initiative led by Mental Health Ireland, focused on encouraging people to ask, and truly listen to the simple but powerful question Hello how are you?. Using a simple five-step hello framework, it promotes everyday conversations as a vital part of mental health recovery and community connection.

Broadcasting live from 9am11am on The Tommy Marren Show, the campaign featured powerful interviews from individuals with lived experience, community leaders, clinicians and Creatives.

READ MORE: Mayo town broadcasts live on American airwaves

Notable guests included Dr Pat Bracken, who discussed the importance of recognising recovery as a social and community-based journey, and Professor Brendan Kelly, who explored how wellbeing is rooted in relationships, purpose and belonging.

Live interviews included Lianne McManamon and Jenna Walsh, on the role Mayo Mental Health Association play within the post-primary schools and wider communities of Mayo.

Maureen Nalubego, former IPA representative with the Refugee Council in Uganda, also shared reflections on resilience, displacement, and connection.

Jacqui Lodge, "Hello, How Are You?" Cafe volunteer in Ballina, spoke about setting up a one-hour weekly Hello Cafe in coffee shops across Ballina starting with Costa next week.

Young volunteers including Anna Cunningham, Sienna Keane and Leah Gallagher were also part of the conversation, highlighting how mental health messaging resonates with younger generations.

READ MORE: Major international tourism conference set for Mayo

Across Mayo and throughout the month of May, the community embraced the campaign with over 30 events which were hosted by community organisations, statutory bodies, employers, staff and volunteers. The variety of events ranged from quiet chats to larger wellbeing initiatives in schools, workplaces and community centres.

More than 20 volunteers supported the local Outside Broadcast effort, engaging the public on Pearse Street and distributing over 400 conversation cards. The team facilitated countless meaningful conversations, transforming the simple act of saying Hello into opportunities for connection, empathy, and support.

This campaign continues to prove that connection matters, said Teresa Keane from Mental Health Ireland. We saw conversations happening between strangers, colleagues, students and neighbours and it reminded us that checking in, asking that one question, can truly change someones day, or life.

Lianne McManamon from Mayo Mental Health Association echoed this sentiment, Hello How Are You is a phrase that rolls off the tongue on the daily for the majority of us and we never truly wait for the answer or acknowledge the weight that such a simple phrase can have. This campaign reminds us all, that small conversations when you take the time to truly listen, can often make the biggest difference.

READ MORE: Mayo GAA column: Banking all hopes of joy on the hurlers

The campaign is backed by compelling data: 29 percent of participants last year said they would seek further support after engaging in Hello events up from 6 percent in 2022 showing the real-world impact of these grassroots conversations.

For more information or to access resources visit: www.hellohowareyou.info
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Leading financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley, have recently raised their forecasts concerning China's GDP growth in 2025, given that China's pro-growth policies are helping the Chinese economy maintain its growth momentum, while recent China-U.S. trade talks in Geneva have also yielded substantive results. Goldman Sachs released a research report on May 13, in which it decided to raise its forecast for China's GDP growth in 2025 by 0.6 percentage points, elevating it from 4 percent to 4.6 percent. "We are raising our forecasts for China's 2025 export value growth to 0 from -5 percent previously," said Shan Hui, chief China economist at Goldman Sachs. Accordingly, within the GDP breakdown by the expenditure approach, Goldman Sachs raised the net export contribution to China's GDP growth prediction from -0.5 percentage points to 0.1 percentage points. Nomura, meanwhile, also increased China's GDP growth forecast in a report released on May 19. According to the report, the easing of trade tensions between China and the U.S. is a material positive for China's economy, especially for Q2, as exporters might try to front-load their shipments before the 90-day tariff pause ends. In addition, retail sales in China produced a robust performance in Q1 with the support of its expanded trade-in program. Notably, China's National Bureau of Statistics revealed that retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country's consumption strength, had expanded 5.1 percent year on year in China in April. "As such, we have raised our Q2 GDP growth forecast from 3.7 percent year on year to 4.8 percent, and slightly raised both Q3 and Q4 growth forecasts from 3.6 percent to 4 percent. For the entire year, we have increased our GDP growth forecast to 4.5 percent year on year from 4 percent," said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura. J.P. Morgan revised China's GDP growth forecast to 4.8 percent year on year from 4.1 percent. Zhu Haibin, chief China economist at J.P. Morgan, cited a slew of pro-growth measures as major contributors to sound economic growth amid trade headwinds. "Since the end of September last year, China has witnessed the most profound and extensive policy adjustment in recent years," Zhu said, adding that China has proposed a raft of more proactive fiscal policy measures this year, including setting the deficit-to-GDP ratio at around 4 percent and issuing more government bonds to shore up the economy. Morgan Stanley raised China's GDP growth forecast by 0.3 percentage points to 4.5 percent, citing improving household and public consumption in China in 2025. According to Xing Ziqiang, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley, the key driver of personal consumption growth will likely be the consumption goods trade-in program, with coverage expanded to include less-durable goods. He added that public consumption growth is also expected to rise thanks to the government debt swap program. "AI breakthroughs this year have reminded the market about China's often-overlooked supply chain and innovation strength abundance, supported by a robust ecosystem that integrates infrastructure, data, talent and energy. We believe the AI revolution will give a boost to China's potential GDP over the medium term by generating more labor equivalent value," said Xing. Financial institutions, including Standard Chartered and UBS, have also published views that the Chinese economy had displayed strong resilience amid uncertainties -- with helpful fiscal and monetary policies taking effect. "Data showed strong growth in retail sales of goods subsidized as part of the government's consumer goods trade-in program and solid expansion in infrastructure and manufacturing investment, supported by frontloaded government bond issuance. These factors likely will remain supportive for growth in Q2," read a Standard Chartered report released on May 21. Thomas Fang, head of China global markets at UBS, said this basket of government policies has sent a strong signal to stabilize growth, injecting solid and predictable confidence into the real economy and capital market. Moreover, several high-profile bankers have visited China recently, including Chair of Citigroup John Dugan and CEO of Carlyle Group Harvey Schwartz. They have expressed optimism about the prospects of China's economic development and willingness to commit to long-term cooperation with China.
While the exact cause of the event is unknown, around the world glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate due to one major problem.

Before and after photos show the destruction of Blatten. Source: Reuters/AP

Shock has spread around the world after an entire town was buried in a landslide triggered by a melting glacier. Footage shared on social media shows the catastrophe unfold upon Blatton in the Swiss Alps on Wednesday (local time).

Earlier this month, the towns 300 inhabitants and livestock were evacuated due to risk. An official located close to the disaster zone told local media around 90 per cent of the town had been covered.

Tens of thousands of people responded to footage of the incident on social media, with many concerned about the frequency of natural disasters in recent years. But climate change isnt real right? one person quipped in response. Omg! Thats heartbreaking, another said.

While its uncertain what contributed to the landslide in Switzerland, one thing is clear  theyre happening more often.

Glaciers melting faster due to one major reason

Professor Emeritus David Karoly is an internationally recognised expert in climate change, working at Australias independent advocacy group, the Climate Council. He explained theres been an extended period of major decline in the glacier length almost everywhere in the world. And while there are occasional surges in length, they are short-lived.

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Speaking with Yahoo News, he said there can be mass devastation to human settlements and ecosystems when melting sparks flooding, or there is a rapid collapse of glacier ice. The melting of the glaciers is also leading to a loss of water resources in nearby communities.

There has been ongoing warming of the climate system in mountain areas, not just at sea level. The warming has been at slightly higher levels in the atmosphere than at the surface, he said.

How do we slow down melting glaciers?

Its hard to pinpoint exactly when the problem began, but there has been pronounced warming over the last 50 years. And there is strong evidence its linked to climate change, which is primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

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The only way we can really address this problem is to rapidly reduce the burning of fossil fuels, not only in Australia and around the world, Karoly said.

Unfortunately, its hard to predict when the melting will occur, because every glacier is different.

Theres uncertainty in terms of its predictability because of the dynamics of glaciers. The collapse of the glaciers depends a lot around the mechanics of ice holding together, as well as water runoff through the cracks in them, he said.

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ON a cold morning in 1850, in the small Mayo village of Straide, a four- year-old boy stood with his family as their home was destroyed before their eyes:

The remnant of our house furniture flung about the road, the roof of the house falling in and the thatch taking fire. My mother and father looking on with four children, the youngest only two months old, adding their cries to the other pangs which must have agitated their souls at the sight of their burning homestead.

READ: Mayo museum to commemorate death of Irish Nationalist Michael Davitt

These are the words of Michael Davitt, recalling the trauma of eviction that would shape his life and, in many ways, the future of Ireland.

This scene, which would have been told to a young Michael Davitt by his parents, would have really inspired him in terms of nationalism and his fight for the rights of Irish people, says Deirdre McGuirk, curator of the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide.

Life in rural Ireland after the Great Famine was incredibly tough. Tenant farmers and labourers with their families were at the mercy of their landlords, describes Mark Spragg, tour guide at the Michael Davitt Museum.

READ: ON THIS DAY: Irish Nationalist was born in Mayo village

The landlords had all the power back then. A lot of these tenants were on very short leases of a year and even if they paid their rent there was no guarantee that the following year the landlord wouldn't just chuck them out. He could turn his land into grazing land and there was a big push to do that. It's far cheaper of course to stick a herd of cows on your land than have pesky tenants who may not be able to pay a rent.

The living conditions came to a boil in the 1860s amid a rise in evictions. An atmosphere that fostered nationalist thinking as many landlords at the time were perceived as absentee landlords. Michael Davitt would play a large role in fighting for tenants rights.

Education

BUT before Davitt began to make a name for himself, he grew up in England, because his parents didn't have a choice but to leave Ireland. Davitt started working in a factory.

At the age of eleven he lost his right arm in an accident. This tragedy, paradoxically, turned out to be a blessing for him: He was sent to school by a local mill owner, a Methodist.

Michael went to a Wesleyan school. And the education that he received there fostered in him his lifelong obsession with education for children, especially girls, explains Spragg.

Davitt grew up in an Irish enclave around Manchester, a hot bed of Fenianism at that time. He became a member of the secret organisation Irish Republican Broterhood there and ended up in prison for his activities, which involved arms smuggling.

On his return to Ireland, Davitt joined forces with James Daly and Charles Stewart Parnell to form the National Land League in 1879. The Leagues mission was clear: to end landlord tyranny and secure 'the three Fs' for Irish tenants: Fair rent, Fixity of tenure, and Free sale.

Davitt was instrumental in organising mass gatherings, famously the Irishtown meeting to protest for tenants' rights. The efforts led to the transfer of land ownership from landlords to tenants.

During this struggle, Davitt steadfastly positioned himself as an advocate for women's rights, as Spragg describes: When Anna and Fanney Parnell established the Ladies Land League, Michael Davitt completely backed that. A lot of men in politics then did not and did not feel that women or ladies should be involved in such work, but Davitt did.

Learnings

WE still see issues in our society today, that would sound familiar to Michael Davitt's ears.

The social issues that he campaigned for, are still alive today, concludes curator McGuirk: For example we have a huge homelessness crisis in Ireland today and the Land League was about campaigning for people who were being displaced and being evicted from their homes and throughout the world there's still a lack of social equity and we can see that when we watch the news every night.

People are still suffering from these causes, such as displacement, homelessness, educational rights, and there is still a struggle for women's rights.

On May 30 in 1906, 119 years ago, Michael Davitt died, from sepsis following a dental procedure. He was 60 years old. In his will he said:

To all my friends I leave kind thoughts to my enemies the fullest possible forgiveness and to Ireland the undying prayer for the absolute freedom and independence which it was my life's ambition to try and obtain for her.

The Michael Davitt Museum preserves his legacy. Find out more about one of Ireland's greatest personalities: www. michaeldavittmuseum.ie.

There will be a wreath laying ceremony at Michael Davitt's grave in Straide tomorrow, Friday, may 30, commemorating his date of death in 1906. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary (Fianna Fail) TD will be present. The ceremony will take place at 10am, everyone is welcome.

LISTEN: Mayo History Podcast: How did Michael Davitt influence Gandhi?
Mayo councillors in favour of developing the old Imperial Hotel building in Castlebar into a hotel were told it is not going to happen and to get over the idea of a hotel.

The future of the historic Imperial Hotel building on the Mall in Castlebar was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District with the seven councillors divided on what should happen to it.

The historic building, which is where the Irish Land League was founded, is currently in the ownership of Mayo County Council after a proposed sale to turn it into a boutique hotel fell through at the end of April.

Members of the Castlebar Municipal District were informed the plan now is to revert to the original proposal of converting the building into a business innovation hub.

A number of councillors in favour of turning the building into a hotel expressed disappointment that the proposal had fallen through and hoped that another investor could be found.

However, Independent councillor Harry Barrett said it was time to forget about the idea of a hotel.

We have to get over the whole idea of it being a hotel. These developers have looked at it and run the numbers and decided they can't knock the profit out of it. It is never going to be a hotel. Yes we do need a hotel but a proper hotel which has a banqueting hall and conference hall and parking.

Get over the whole concept of it being a hotel, he said.

READ MORE: Bus Eireann proposal for Mayo schools will lead to chaos claim councillors

Cllr Barrett said that he would like to see civic offices for the municipal district incorporated into the plan for the building.

Is there flexibility there for us to go back again and look at including a proper municipal chamber for the people of this district in the Imperial Hotel in conjunction with an innovation hub?

Every other municipal district has a municipal space that reflects the district and we should have one too and there is an opportunity to look at that again, he commented.

Up to 7 million in funding was allocated to develop the Imperial Hotel into an innovation hub before the idea of selling it was muted and both Cllr Blackie Gavin and Cllr Michael Kilcoyne called for that money to be spent.

For God's sake, spend the money, said Cllr Kilcoyne. It has been five years since the funding was allocated, there is no local authority who has money left for that long. They have it spent and are looking for more.

Cllr Al McDonnell was among the councillors in favour of selling the building to convert it into a hotel and news it will not happen has been met by disappointment around Castlebar he said. The Fianna Fail councillor said he still hoped an investor will be found who will go with the idea of a hotel.

I would just hope that someone will knock on the door and say I have the money and the resources and will develop it and not throw it away. I accept what is being said about the municipal [offices] but it is no replacement for what was proposed. It is a major disappointment and lets hope the door is not completely closed, he said.

READ MORE: Mayo Minister expresses serious concerns following communication from Bus Eireann

Cllr Cyril Burke was of a similar view saying he agreed the municipal district needed proper offices but did not feel it was a right project for the Imperial Hotel building. Cllr Ger Deere added he too was in favour of a hotel but questioned why the reasons for the deal falling through have not been given to local councillors.

Head of the Municipal District, David Mellett said the council officials were as surprised as anyone to hear the proposal for a hotel had fallen through but work was progressing on the innovation hub. He said that he expected the tenders will be ready to publish before the end of June subject to department approval.

In relation to the idea of locating the civic offices into the building, he said that it was not an option as all the space was needed for the innovation hub.

For that building to function as an innovation hub and to be operationally viable we need every square metre we have in there as a hub enterprise space. For us to take a floor would undermine the operational costs of that, he said.
A transformative project in Killala has been strongly welcomed by Alan Dillon TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Energy.

Describing the development as a milestone for the region, Minister Dillon hailed the decision as a significant moment for Killala and North Mayo, and a critical move toward positioning Mayo as a national leader in renewable energy and green industry.

READ MORE: Mayo Pride: Lesbian Comedy Duo The Wild Geeze Bring Laughter and Empowerment

The project, set to include a 106MW Energy Centre and state-of-the-art Hydrogen Plant, represents a substantial investment in Mayos energy infrastructure. It will breathe new life into the long-dormant Asahi site, once a cornerstone of local industry, creating high-quality green jobs and providing the critical infrastructure needed to support Irelands climate and energy goals.

Mayo commands a leading share of Irelands west coast, which has the potential to power the next generation of green hydrogen production and meet the needs of large energy users, Minister Dillon said. This is about more than clean energy. Its about innovation, economic resilience, and long-term sustainability.

The Minister also pointed to growing momentum across Mayo in renewable energy development, noting recent activity in battery storage, solar PV, biomethane, anaerobic digestion, and onshore wind as evidence of a clean energy ecosystem taking root in the region.

READ MORE: Bus Eireann proposal for Mayo schools will lead to chaos claim councillors

He emphasised the strategic importance of the west of Ireland in future energy planning, welcoming progress on the National Offshore Renewable Energy Designated Marine Area Plan (ORE DMAP), which will designate offshore sites for wind energy across Ireland's maritime area, including off the Mayo coast.

The ORE DMAP is essential to our Programme for Government commitment to fast-track offshore wind. It will further solidify Mayos role in delivering Irelands offshore wind and green hydrogen ambitions, Dillon said.

The development in Killala, backed by Constant Energy, forms a key part of that vision. Minister Dillon was clear that local communities must directly benefit from such initiatives.

Projects like this must deliver real, tangible benefits  whether through job creation, local infrastructure, or community energy schemes. These developments arent just about energy; theyre about revitalising our towns, empowering our communities, and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

With planning now approved, the Hydrogen and Energy Centre is set to become a flagship example of Irelands green energy ambitions in action and Mayo is leading the charge.
Funeral details have been announced for an 84-year-old Irish woman who died after being struck by a bus in Dunleer, Co Louth on Monday afternoon.

Colette Campbell, of Lower Main Street in Dunleer, was killed in the tragic incident which occurred shortly after midday.

It is understood that Colette had just left her home when the collision occurred at around 12:20pm on Lower Main Street. Emergency services responded quickly and she was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where she was later pronounced dead.

Her death has left the Dunleer community in shock. She is being remembered as a kind woman with a warm heart and a great sense of humour.

The beloved daughter of the late Patrick and Lena, Colette was predeceased by her brother Michael.

Her death notice on RIP.ie states she is "deeply regretted by her sister Monica (McCreanor), brother-in-law Patsy, sister-in-law Ann, nephews Alan, Brendan, David and Derek, niece Elaine, relatives, neighbours and friends".

Tributes have poured in from those who knew her across generations.

"So very sorry to hear of this awful news. Collette was a lady, we had such great times working in The Grove back in the 70s. She was a great character & will be missed by everyone who knew her. May she rest in peace."

Another shared: "Deepest sympathy to Monica and the entire McCreanor and Campbell families at this very difficult and sad time. I had the pleasure of working with Colette for many years. She was a really great friend to have and an absolute lady who will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Colette."

"Rest easy lovely Colette," read another message. "You were one in a million. Always a smile and a chat. You will be missed greatly by all who had the pleasure of knowing you."

One friend wrote: "I am so saddened to hear of Colette's passing, she was an absolute lady and dear friend. I have some lovely memories of her from over the years. She will be greatly missed. Condolences to Monica and all Colette's family at this very sad time, may she rest in peace."

Colette will repose at Connor's Funeral Home, Dunleer, on Thursday, May 29, from 5pm until 8pm. Her Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, May 30, at 12 noon in St. Brigid's Church, Dunleer, with burial to follow in Dromin Cemetery.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

In a statement, An Garda Siochana said: "Any road users who were at Lower Main Street, Dunleer, between 12.10 pm and 12.30 pm on Monday, May 26 and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardai."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 9874200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

READ MORE | 'No words' - Tributes paid after untimely death of GAA star as club issues statement


A man has been arrested after an on-duty member of An Garda Siochana was injured in a road traffic incident at a service station in Dublin.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the incident which happened at North Road, Finglas at around 5.45pm this Wednesday.

"While on routine patrol, gardai attached to the Finglas Drugs Unit observed two motorbikes at a petrol station on the North Road which were believed to have been subject to an unauthorised taking. When gardai approached them, the motorcyclists drove off and in the course of doing so struck a member of An Garda Siochana," said a spokesperson.

According to the Garda Press Office, the male member, aged in his 30s, was conveyed to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injury.

A man, aged in his 20s, has since been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in west Dublin.

READ ALSO: Hundreds of jobs to go as health-tech firm confirms plans to exit Irish market

Investigations are ongoing and gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. Any persons who may have camera footage from the North Road area of Finglas between 5:15pm and 6:15pm are asked to make this footage available.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Finglas garda station in Dublin on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
The world's oldest and largest collection of rock art is being degraded by industrial emissions. There are fears a new project will make the situation worse.

Like most Aussies Mark Clifton simply hopes to pass down traditions and share his history with his children and grandchildren. Source: Supplied

At 26, Mark Clifton's adult life is just beginning. He has hopes of having children soon and passing on his culture to them, continuing traditions spanning thousands of years.

But a plan by the Albanese government to approve yet another industrial project near his communitys most important sites has him worried. At over 40,000 years old, the Murujuga rock art in Western Australias Pilbara region is the worlds largest and biggest collection of petroglyphs, and scientists say toxic gases are erasing it.

Some would say its our Bible. Its our library, its where all of our knowledge and history is held, the Mardudhunera man told Yahoo News as he prepared to protest against the plan on Thursday afternoon.

But I feel strong and empowered, knowing that Im going to have all my old people with me today, and my ancestors.

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He's carrying on the torch passed down by his mother Raelene Cooper to protect more than one million Indigenous petroglyphs engraved in the rock. In 2022, she flew to Geneva to speak before the United Nations, accusing the government of committing "cultural genocide" against her people.

The art her people are trying to protect is so ancient, some even show thylacines (Tasmanian tigers) before they became extinct on the mainland. But the etchings are more than just images, they're also key to keeping cultural stories and dances alive for one of the worlds oldest continuous cultures.

Related:  Woodside's controversial gas well plan near pristine reef

Mark Clifton at a protest in 2023, calling for the protection of ancient rock art he fears will be destroyed. Source: AAP

Evidence indicates industrial fumes are erasing rock art

Environment Minister Murray Watt has indicated an intention to conditionally approve energy giant Woodside's proposal to continue to operate its North West Shelf gas project until 2070. By the time it wraps up, the minister will be 96 years old, and well and truly retired. But Clifton will be just 68, and likely an elder in his community, trying to pass on culture to his grandchildren, and hoping remnants of the rock art survive.

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Federal independent senator David Pocock told Yahoo News the situation facing Clifton is not an acceptable state of affairs in Australia.

"This project, when you look at it in terms of First Nations cultural heritage, it's devastating," he said.

Scientific evidence shows the rock art has been degraded by industry. Source: AAP

Pocock is also concerned the "narrative that the politicians are trying to sell" about the rock art differs from a scientific report.

The WA and Commonwealth governments say the rock art was considered before they agreed to extend the life of energy giant Woodsides North-West Shelf project until 2070. I have ensured that adequate protection for the rock art is central to my proposed decision," Watt said on Wednesday.

But an expert in the rock art says the 800-page Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Report, which was given to the government to inform its decision-making, shows unequivocally that industrial emissions are degrading the petroglyphs. And this conflicts with the presentation of research in the executive summary and media release issued by the WA Government.

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The University of WA's Professor Benjamin Smith said on Tuesday there are now multiple lines of evidence showing industrial pollution has degraded the rock art. "It will continue to do so unless we lower the industrial pollution levels," he said.

International concerns about decline of Australia's rock art

There are signs the United Nations also has concerns about the governments conservation of the rock art, with UNESCO deferring its decision on giving the rock art World Heritage protection.

The deferral was drafted in July and released this week, urging the government to address the degradation of the site. Severe pollution issues from chemical-producing industries outside the nominated property represent a significant adversely-affecting factor, and a major threat against the petroglyphs, it concluded.

It's the second hurdle the project has faced  in 2023, a submission was rejected by UNESCO after then environment minister Tanya Plibersek's team submitted a vague, low-resolution map of the area.

The decision by Murray Watt (left) to approve the extension of the North West Shelf has been controversial. Source: AAP

The North West Shelf extension is the second major project the Albanese Government has approved for the region, with Plibersek green-lighting a fertiliser plant nearby in 2022.

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Watts decision this week was attacked by the Greens and conservationists, who are concerned about its impact on Indigenous culture, and the 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions it will release into the atmosphere over its lifetime.

Woodside welcomed Watt's decision and said it remained committed to protecting the Murujuga Cultural Landscape" and supported its World Heritage nomination.

Will future generations judge our fossil fuel decisions?

Woodside claims its project will provide energy security to Australia, and the project has already contributed over $40 billion in taxes and royalties, but Pocock does not believe the extension will provide significant advantages to the country.

"None of the justifications put forward stack up, I don't see the benefit to Australia. We get nothing from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax when it comes to offshore LNG [liquid natural gas], and we're connected to the international market, so more supply does not equal lower gas prices," he said.

David Pocock believes Australias leaders need to consider the impact of their decisions on future generations. Source: AAP

He believes there's a bigger issue than economics when it comes to Woodside's North-West Shelf plan, and that's the impact it will have on generations to come.

"One of the things that we have to work on as a country is cultural change around the way that we think and make decisions. We seem to be happy making short-term decisions, rather than asking, 'What's good for us in a generation or two, what's good in 50 years'," he said.

He sees little difference between Labor and the Coalition when it comes to gas policy, and believes many young people will be feeling "buyer's remorse" after preferencing Labor last election.

"I think it is appalling that we have two major parties in Australia who think they do not have a duty of care for young people and future generations when it comes to climate," he said.

"This is the thing we're going to be judged on by future generations. Anyone who comes after us is going to be asking, What on Earth were you thinking? You had all the scientists telling you what needed to be done."

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
by Fern Siegel , May 29, 2025



Fallon has added to its leadership ranks.

Twenty-year ad vet James Fox has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer. Lauren Pulwer has joined as managing director, leading the agencys day-to-day operations and fostering strong client partnerships.

Both executives are based in New York.

Previously, Fox was the first global head of brand strategy for Goldman Sachs, Fox has worked at the agency earlier in his career, as well as at other agencies, including BBDO, BBH, St Luke's, MullenLowe and UM. He was also CEO of branding agency Red Peak. His focus is the integration of AI and data-driven strategies.

Pulwer, also a two-decade ad specialist, spent the last 12 years at Publicis Groupe, most recently serving as managing director on the Walmart business. Before that, she held posts at Arnold Worldwide, McCann and Ogilvy, where she worked across a diverse portfolio of brands.

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James and Lauren are the perfect pair to round-out our leadership team  theyre brilliant, kind and incredibly special humans who are going to make us better in everything we do, said CEO Nikki Baker. James is strategic, innovative and always thinking about whats coming next. Lauren is a proven leader with a deep understanding of client needs who Ive had the joy of working with for the past few years. The future of Fallon has never looked brighter.

"Fallons positioning  outsmart vs. outspend is the best in the business, thats as true today as it was 40+ years ago, with a renewed meaning in a world of cheap AI advertising." said Fox.

Pulwar added the culture and people at Fallon are truly special, and the creative ambition is strong.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Fallon's client work includes Arby's, American Home Shield, TaxAct and Key Bank. Fallon Worldwide is part of Publicis Groupe.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, May 29, 2025

This column begins with a conversation I had with Horizon Media's Bill Koenigsberg one month ago -- about a week before news broke that WPP was rebranding GroupM as "WPP Media."

"It's a nice story about our continued commitment to our space, our people, and how our clients feel about the environment," Koenigsberg said, pitching me on a story about a real estate deal Horizon struck extending its lease at 75 Varick Street in New York City for another 17 years.

The location had already been Horizon's worldwide headquarter for 15 years, and the commitment did say something to me, both professionally and personally.

Professionally, it said something about the durability of Horizon's culture and the fact that Koenigsberg had tied it so much to a physical presence. In an age of ephemeral, digital, fungible media, Koenigsberg can still see himself sitting in his corner office, overlooking the Hudson, next to the agency's boardroom -- 17 years from now. We'll see if that ends up being the case, but that aside, at least Koenigsberg has a vision based on the permanence of his agency's culture and has tied it to a physical space. And in this day and age, that's positively elemental.

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On a personal level, I responded by telling Koenigsberg why Varick Street was so important to me.

"My first full-time job was working for my family's printing company on Varick Street in the early 1970s when it was printer's row. I became a Teamster at the age of 15, learned how to run an offset press, strip plates, operate a photostat camera system, and most importantly, that I needed to go back to school and finish my education," I explained, adding, "I always retained a fondness for the neighborhood and have watched it evolve into a digital and advertising services Mecca" and that some of my favorite impressions were meeting with him in his conference room looking out at the Hudson and listening to him talk about his plans for the future.

In the weeks that have followed, I've thought a lot about the legacies of media agency brands -- both holdcos and independents -- and I'm not sure why, but the demise of GroupM's really hit me personally, because I've spent so much of my career writing about it.

I actually didn't know how much until a few minutes ago when I ran an internal search of my MediaPost bylines and found that since joining MediaPost in 2003 -- the same year WPP founded GroupM -- I have written 775 articles about GroupM. That's more than twice the number of bylines I've had writing about the next most-covered agency media brand, IPG Mediabrands.

I'm not sure why I've written so much more about GroupM over the years, but at least part of it was that it did two important things that the media shops did not:

It continuously innovated.

It spoke publicly -- or at least to me -- about how and why it was innovating the marketplace.

In retrospect, though, I think there was a third even more important element contributing to the attention I devoted to GroupM over more than two decades: the people who have led it -- from its visionary founder Irwin Gotlieb through digital and experiential native Christian Juhl. I'm not going to say they have been cult-like leaders, but they -- and most of the other media agency leaders I've cared about covering -- at least had a personality and a message I cared about covering.

I can't say the same thing is true of many others, and while I'm not going to name names on which media agency leaders were lacking, you can look at the chart above and guess for yourself.

Look, in the end, I know this is a relationship business, and a big part of why a trade journalist writes about one executive and his organization and not another is because they actually have a relationship.

But honestly, not all my relationships with the people I cover have been good ones, they were just interesting people doing interesting things that I thought were interesting to our readers.

For nearly half a century I've written about some of these characters, because they were something special. I think some of them liked me. I think some of them didn't like me. And I can tell you for a fact that a few of them have blackballed me.

But the one thing they all had in common, was a colorful personality that made me want to write about them.

I as lucky that when I started out covering the agency business in the early 1980s there were so many colorful characters running the ad business. Not just media wonks, but full-service/creative ones like George Lois, Jerry Della Femina, etc. But it wasn't just the larger-than-life characters, but some behind-the-scenes, business thinkers who were reshaping the agency world like a giant chessboard: IPG's Phil Geier, WPP's Martin Sorrell, Havas' Rodes family, and yes, even Omnicom's John Wren.

But to me, the pure-play media entrepreneurs always were my favorite subject, and I was tickled to recently write about yet another new act for one of the pioneers, Dennis Holt, who like Koenigsberg continues to have strong vision of the future. And not just techspeak buzzword bingo, but the culture that makes a strong, differentiated, sustainable and growing media services organization.

There are so many great personalities I've had the opportunity to cover and get to know -- not just Koenigsberg and Gotlieb, but the Verklins, Farellas, Lotitos, Kostyras, and I can go on.

But the one thing they all had in common was a personality that was framed around a unique and differentiated sense of media service culture.

And if all of them have a new modern day heir, it's probably PMG's George Popstefanov.

He reminds me very much of the young and hungry Koenigsberg I met back in the late 1980s and is definitely someone to keep an eye on for the future.

Like Koenigsberg, he can talk about tech, data, clients, etc., but what he really likes to talk about is his people and his organization. Sometimes real estate too.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 29, 2025

New York Attorney General Letitia James can proceed with a lawsuit alleging that TikTok harms young users' mental health, a state court judge in Manhattan has ruled.

Justice Anar Rathod Patel issued the ruling Wednesday from the bench and hasn't yet come out with a written opinion.

Her order came in a complaint brought in October, when the attorney general alleged that TikTok's design harms teens, and that the company violates state consumer protection laws by promoting itself as safe for young people. The complaint took aim at several TikTok design features -- including automatically playing videos, push notifications, beauty filters, and the for you feed, which allegedly addicts young users by displaying algorithmically recommended videos in a continuous scroll.

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The 'For You' feed is one of the numerous features designed to exploit the human bodys natural reaction to the receipt of small rewards through the release of the pleasure-creating neurotransmitter dopamine, and in turn promote addictive behavior, James's office alleged.

Beauty filters can exacerbate eating disorders as the filters create an impossible standard for teens who are forming opinions of themselves, the attorney general added.

TikTok urged Patel to dismiss the case at an early stage, arguing in a motion filed in January that Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act barred the claims.

Section 230 protects interactive companies from liability for publishing user-generated content. TikTok contended that the design features cited in the complaint -- such as algorithmic recommendations -- are covered by Section 230 because they are integral to publishing.

A key function of an online platform is to decide what content to select, how to organize it, and how to present it to users, the company argued in a motion seeking dismissal.

Design features are the means by which user-generated content is selected, organized, and presented -- i.e., published -- on the platform, TikTok added.

The company also noted that the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers New York, previously found Meta Platforms immune from liability for algorithmic recommendations.

TikTok additionally argued that the First Amendment separately protects the company from New York's claims.

The First Amendments protections for editorial judgments made by traditional publishing entities apply equally to online platforms that disseminate and make expressive choices about how to display third-party content, the company argued, noting that the Supreme Court said last year that social media platforms, like other publishers, have First Amendment rights to determine their own editorial policies.

The First Amendment does not go on leave when social media are involved, Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a ruling handed down last July.

New York officials urged Patel to reject TikTok's arguments, writing that the complaint focused on TikTok's own conduct without regard to content created by third parties.

The state also argued that the use of algorithms and other tools that are harmful to teenagers and children is not protected by the First Amendment.

James wasn't the only law enforcement official to sue TikTok last year. Attorneys general brought similar lawsuits in the District of Columbia and 12 other states, including South Carolina and California, on the same date that James filed.

A judge in South Carolina also ruled recently that the attorney general could proceed with the complaint in that state.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, May 29, 2025

Remember when the Yellow Pages -- the massive, printed book with local business names, addresses and telephone numbers -- was the primary resource for this information? Search engines are on their way to becoming this fossil, according to the CEO of a global digital marketing agency.

Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO at VaynerMedia, told Bloomberg TV: We are in the early stages of the search engine looking like the Yellow Pages."

Many companies in the Fortune 5000 are in trouble, he said, because a huge percentage of their business relies on search. They managed to get their Lifetime Value to Customer Acquisition Cost Ratio (LTV:CAC), and thats what they use to drive intent.

Google and others like Microsoft are trying to replace and update that search with AI to keep that business. But companies, especially Google, will never again have the opportunity to control as much market share as search, he said.

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Many companies -- from Meta to OpenAI and Perplexity -- will replace what Google once had. AI will turn search into a fragmented ecosystem.

"People who have been lazy and overpaying for their brand value on search need to understand they are in trouble and need to start creating demand, [as well as] learn how to win the SEO game in AI," he said. "AI optimization is about to become a whole new game."

Artificial intelligence (AI) engines still take information from the web, from places like Reddit. Some, but not all, have the ability to reason based on that web information.

Reasoning is required in order to run a successful AI engine.

Collectively companies are underestimating the enormity of this shift, Vaynerchuk said.

Noam Dorros, director analyst in the Gartner Marketing practice, believes CMOs should not abandon traditional search fundamentals.

CMOs and their teams should not get overexcited about one platform over another, and instead closely follow the traffic and behavior patterns of their key customer segments, while creating budget and time to test new capabilities or opportunities in the broader

Similarweb, known for its web data and analytics, on Wednesday launched Similarweb AI Agents, a suite of digital AI experts that let businesses change how they analyze AI SEO trends.

The agents are trained on the real-time data from across 100 million websites, 4 million apps, 5 billion search keywords, and 20 million companies.

Each agent is designed for a specific business function, from AI-based SEO and content planning, sales outreach, and trend discovery. The agent can correlate and summarize tremendous amounts of data faster and better than humans.

Or Offer, CEO of Similarweb, wrote in a blog post that these agents are not another chatbot or generic assistants.

The launch is just the beginning. Additional agents under development for in the coming months include Shopper Intelligence; Stock Intelligence; Web Intelligence for competitive intelligence, share of voice, advertising insights; and Sales Intelligence to support lead generation.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, May 29, 2025

Meta Platforms has asked the Supreme Court to leave in place a ruling that threw out censorship claims by the anti-vaccine nonprofit Children's Health Defense -- an organization formerly led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

In papers filed this week with the Supreme Court, Meta argues that Children's Health Defense lacks valid claims against the platform for several reasons -- including that the First Amendment protects Meta's right to wield editorial control over the content on its platform.

Because Meta is a private actor, the First Amendment bars any injunction compelling Meta to disseminate CHDs (Children's Health Defense's) content. Any such order would violate, not vindicate, the First Amendment, Meta argues.

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The company's argument comes in a legal battle dating to 2020, when Children's Health Defense claimed its posts and a fundraising tool were wrongly suppressed by Meta.

The organization claimed Meta violated the First Amendment, arguing that the platform was a state actor -- meaning equivalent to the government -- when it took steps to prevent the spread of the group's posts.

The First Amendment generally prohibits the government -- not private companies -- from suppressing speech, but there's an exception that applies when private companies are state actors.

Children's Health Defense proposed several theories to support its claim that Meta was a state actor, including that Facebook and the government allegedly worked together to suppress speech, and that Facebook allegedly changed its vaccine-related policies due to coercion by lawmakers.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston in the Northern District of California dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that even if the Children's Health Defense's allegations were proven true, they wouldn't show that the government coerced Facebook.

The organization then appealed to the 9th Circuit, which ruled 2-1 for Meta.

Meta has a First Amendment right to use its platform to promote views it finds congenial and to refrain from promoting views it finds distasteful, 9th Circuit Court Judge Eric Miller, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, wrote last year in an opinion joined by U.S. District Court Judge Edward Korman.

Circuit Judge Daniel Collins, also a Trump appointee, dissented, writing that he would have allowed the Children's Health Defense to pursue a request for an injunction against Meta.

The Children's Health Defense recently petitioned the Supreme Court to review that ruling. The group noted in its request that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently told podcaster Joe Rogan that the company faced massive institutional pressure to basically start censoring content on ideological grounds.

Meta counters in its new papers that Zuckerberg has also said that the company made its own decisions regarding content.

The company points to Zuckerberg's August 26, 2024 letter to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), which said: In 2021, senior officials from the Biden Administration, including the White House, repeatedly pressured our teams for months to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire, and expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree. Ultimately, it was our decision whether or not to take content down.

Meta writes that where its decisions reflect its own judgment, they are not fairly attributable to the government and do not support a state-action claim.

The Supreme Court hasn't yet indicated when it will rule on the petition.
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Behind every medical breakthrough is a human storya life touched, a burden lifted, a second chance offered. Today, some of the most vulnerable groupsare finally seeing a shift in how science supports them. New research is not only rewriting the rules of prevention and care but also shining a light on what truly matters:. From life-saving heart protection to financial support that fuels better parenting, these findings hold the power to change lives. Heres how hope is taking shapeone person, one policy, and one prescription at a timePeople living with HIV often face a hidden risk. But now, science brings relief. In a large study called, those who took a dailyhadthan those who didnt. These included strokes, heart attacks, and even sudden deaths. The medicine worked quietly but powerfully over 5 years, all while patients stayed on their HIV treatment. This means statins arent just for high-risk patients anymoretheyre for anyone with HIV aged 4075 who wants to protect their heart().At first, cancer survivors often, especially after tough treatments. But sadly, studies show this is temporary. Within two years, alcohol use rises againsometimes even higher than before diagnosis. For those who survived, drinking can mean a return of the disease. And women and younger survivors are drinking more than expected. Doctors and families must recognize this quiet return and act early with support and treatment plans().Onlydiagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) actually start any treatment within a year. Even fewer get proper medicine for it. Why? Blame it on, and. This leaves patients without the support they deserve. Survivors face more than just cancerthey fight emotional, social, and substance battles too. We must do better to connect them to care.What happens when struggling new mothers with HIV are given no-strings-attached money and a little guidance? A lot. In Kenya, women who gotalong withfelt. The $75 a month may not sound like much, but it meant full meals, baby care, and peace of mind. These small acts of support helped moms through a very tough periodand gave them real power over their own health and their babies futures().Breastfeeding can be a struggle, especially for moms under pressure. But a review of U.S. studies found that when, they were. The reason? With cash, they could, and spend more time at home. Interestingly, this support didnt improve mood or reduce depressionbut it did give moms, which can go a long way in parenting success.While cash transfers showed promise for Breastfeeding , most other effects remain unclear. Thats because we dont have enough studies focused on. Questions about mental health, childcare, reproductive decisions, and substance use still hang in the air. Experts now call for stronger partnerships betweento shape policies that actually work. If we want to build better futures for mothers and children, we must invest in answers.This isnt just about numbers or studiesits about real people and real progress. Whether it's protecting the hearts of those living with HIV, breaking the silence around alcohol use after cancer, or giving new mothers a financial lifeline to care for their children, these breakthroughs are a reminder that. The research is clearwhen we invest in, we save lives and build healthier communities. Now, the challenge lies in translating this evidence into everyday practice. The time to act is nowbecause behind every statistic is a story waiting for a better ending.Source-American College of Physicians
The company scored 83 points in the EcoVadis Sustainability Rating

Toyota Material Handling Europe has once again been awarded the prestigious Platinum medal in the latest EcoVadis sustainability assessment, placing it among the top 1% of companies globally assessed by the organisation.

The company scored 83 points in the EcoVadis Sustainability Rating, securing the highest level of recognition for the sixth year runninga remarkable achievement.

Since first being assessed in 2012, Toyota Material Handling Europe has steadily improved its score by 31 points, progressing from a Bronze rating in 2012 to Gold in 2013 and finally reaching Platinum status in 2019.

EcoVadis evaluates around 100,000 companies worldwide across 21 sustainability criteria in four key areas: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

Toyota Material Handling Europes consistent top-tier ranking highlights its ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices.

By establishing social and governance (ESG) targets early on and aligning with the EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) framework, the company has effectively identified its most significant impacts, risks, and opportunities.

Alongside the Platinum medal, Toyota Material Handling Europe was also recognised as a Carbon Leadera new EcoVadis category assessing companies carbon performance.

We are honoured by the achievement overall and with our score for Environmental Management in particular, said Per Fyrenius, Senior Vice President Corporate Development at Toyota Material Handling Europe.

The fact that EcoVadis categorises us in the top 10% of companies receiving a Leader rating for carbon management indicates that we are on the right path with our Net Zero programme.

Fyrenius added: We are committed to working closely with our suppliers and customers on the journey to net zero, guided by our science-based targets approved by the SBTi.

"By building resilient supply chains, developing Net Zero solutions for customers, and launching our Logiconomi connections with startups offering innovative climate solutions, we strive to go beyond compliance.

Toyota Material Handling Europe continues to solidify its position within the global sustainability elite as assessed by EcoVadis, a leading provider of business sustainability ratings.

These ratings offer an evidence-based analysis of performance and an actionable roadmap for ongoing improvement.

EcoVadis assessments are integral to our sustainability strategy, Fyrenius concluded. 

Through these assessments, we gain valuable insights into our strengths and areas for improvement, allowing us to continuously enhance our practices.
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Incarcerated individuals and correction officers couldnt be more different.

At least thats what Joel Thompson, who is currently incarcerated at Auburn Correctional Facility, used to think.

Now, after five years in the New York state prison system, Thompson sees things differently.

Its funny how the only real difference is the colors we wear. In a sense we are all institutionalized, Thompson told The Citizen during a phone call from his cell.

Were both trained, and molded in different ways of how to look at each other.

Over the last month, and in the wake of the statewide correction officer strike, The Citizen set out to capture what life is currently like inside Auburn through dozens of interviews with not only officers, but incarcerated individuals and their families. What we found is that, while they fall on opposite sides of the legal spectrum, they have many of the same concerns about the space they share.

From the poor physical condition of the prison to the violence there, officers and incarcerated individuals agree that the status quo at Auburn Correctional needs to change.

Dilapidated and deplorable

Although their relationships with correction officers were the main focus of The Citizen's interviews, incarcerated individuals consistently found themselves speaking first about the facility itself.

Auburn Correctional opened in 1817, making it the second-oldest active prison in the United States and the oldest in New York state.

That fact was noted by Thompson, who said that among the incarcerated population, the facility's living conditions have a reputation for being the worst in the state.

You can paint these walls 100 times, and you could replace the windows, he said. But until someone comes in here and deep cleans it, its going to be disgusting.

Thompson said his cell at Auburn Correctional sits in a row of about 50. Its aquamarine walls are 10 feet long and 6 feet wide, he estimated, so he can touch both sides with his fingertips. There are also old school steel bars in front, a twin-size bed and a combination sink-toilet that only delivers cold water.

I dont want to seem like Im trashing Auburn, but the cells are disgusting, Thompson said. I spent nearly two hours cleaning it but made no progress.

Bryon Russ, who was incarcerated at the prison for a decade, called the conditions there dilapidated and deplorable.

I dont understand how (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) comes in every three years to the prisons to go through an audit, and every three years it never fails, he said. Most of the cells are roach-infested, theres mice. Its rusted. When you go from one cell to the next you dont know what to expect. Theyll just move you in any cell and not care what it looks like or smells like.

Corey Ford, who is currently incarcerated at Auburn Correctional, said the facility also has problems with mold and asbestos.

Its a rotted cell. Theyre always trying to fix s--t thats falling apart. Theres cobwebs everywhere, he said. "Seeing these things everyday, it becomes null. Youre living with it every day.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision told The Citizen incarcerated individuals are encouraged to tell staff about conditions like pests, which are addressed by an exterminator who is contracted to visit the facility weekly. The department has also been accepting bids for repairs at the prison since March. The lowest bids received so far total more than $35 million.

The department said the repairs are for the safety and security of incarcerated individuals and staff at the 200-plus-year-old facility.

There was once mutual respect

When New York state correction officers went on strike this past winter, the increasing frequency of violence inside prisons was one of their primary complaints.

The state reported in November 2024 that assaults by incarcerated individuals on prison staff and on other incarcerated individuals had each more than doubled to record numbers over the last decade.

Brad Haskins, who resigned in 2022 after seven years as a correction officer at Auburn, believes that's because officers and incarcerated individuals see each other differently than they once did.

There was once a mutual respect between officers and inmates, he told The Citizen. But thats dwindled and you just watched it turn into more violence than control.

Haskins also believes that loss of respect and subsequent violence comes from the passing of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, or HALT.

The act, which was created to lessen the negative psychological, social and physical impacts that prolonged solitary confinement has been shown to have on incarcerated individuals, took effect in 2022.

Dennis Rossbach, a sergeant at Auburn Correctional who was fired for participating in the strike, believes HALT does help some incarcerated individuals.

However, Rossbach agreed with Haskins that HALT affects the ability of correction officers to cool down tense moments between people in prison by separating them.

The HALT Act wanted to empower inmates, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, he said. But it doesn't recognize the fact that there are a significant percentage that are predators. Those predators take advantage of that kind of liberal ideology. It has a big heart, but whoever made it has no idea how prison works.

DOCCS temporarily suspended some parts of HALT until June as part of the agreement to end the strike.

Its job security for them

Individuals who've been incarcerated at Auburn have experienced the increase in violence as well.

But many of them believe the state's reports of violence and use of terms like "predators" are simply ways for correction officers and officials to gain power and favor.

Ford said he believes the prison system is designed  and its officers are trained  to make incarcerated individuals act out."

People are in their cells for 23 hours a day, and since the strike we only receive our yard time every other day, Ford said.

We have guys pushing our buttons all day so that they can go tell Albany that these (incarcerated individuals) are animals. Its job security for them.

Ford also recalled seeing officers help incarcerated individuals only to be labeled as "inmate lovers" and ostracized by colleagues.

Russ, who was incarcerated at Auburn Correctional for 10 of his 23 years in the state prison system, echoed Fords thoughts about its structure and flaws.

You got people in prison who never once thought theyd go to prison. Im talking about the ones who are actually in prison and know they did the crime, Russ said. They never signed a contract that they would try their best to behave  but correction officers, on the other hand, do sign a contract and take a badge.

Russ believes correction officers resent educational programming at the prison for similar reasons.

He was part of the Cornell Prison Education Program, a collaboration between the university and Cayuga Community College that helps incarcerated individuals at Auburn, Cayuga and Five Points correctional facilities to obtain college degrees. Such programming has been suspended since the strike, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello confirmed at a May New York State Senate hearing.

While Russ called it "the greatest program," he claimed one correction officer told him "he doesnt want a prison class because he doesnt want people to know how to get out and stay out.

There are programs in there, but you have to go through hell to get to them, Russ said. "(And officers) dont want to see them work because in their mind thats job security."

I dont care for that facility

Families of incarcerated individuals in New York state have historically been able to visit their loved ones in prison, but during the strike that privilege was temporarily suspended.

Now, visitation is back  but it's different.

Rachel Ford, the wife of Corey Ford, told The Citizen that Auburn Correctional is running on a broken visitation schedule. It's only allowed on weekends, resulting in long lines. She also said the prison's body scanners, which all visitors must pass through, do not have dedicated women on staff to look at their "revealing" images of female visitors.

I would like a woman to be there to do the scanner, Ford said. "Not a man.

Martuscello said the state spent $11 million installing scanners at every correctional facility, and they are currently optional to use.

However, the commissioner told the state Senate that while about 90% of visitors pass through the scanners, correction officers only do so about 15% of the time.

Stephani Taylor, whose husband is incarcerated at Auburn, believes correction officers at the facility treat visitors differently if they do not like their loved ones.

Im not trying to say that all the facilities are supposed to be peachy and green, she said, but I dont care for that facility.

Taylor said she was once denied visitation with her husband after being mistakenly flagged by a contraband-sniffing dog.

"It felt like they picked me," she said. I filed two grievances and (the Office of Special Investigations) did nothing about it."

Rachel Ford said another strain has been the suspension of the Family Reunion Program, which allows incarcerated individuals to stay in an apartment on prison grounds with loved ones for up to 48 hours.

"I miss my husband and I want to see him," Ford said. "It's upsetting. We talk everyday, but to see him face-to-face is more important."

I have to question everything

Along with HALT, another reason correction officers took to the picket line this winter was understaffing.

That concern only got worse when DOCCS fired more than 2,000 officers as a result of the strike, which was against the state's Taylor Law on collective bargaining for public employees.

Even more officers chose to resign afterward, bringing the total decrease to around 3,500  a staffing crisis," Martuscello said.

The state has since adopted new strategies for recruiting officers, notably Gov. Kathy Hochul lowering the minimum hiring age for correction officers from 21 to 18.

Rossbach believes allowing people so young to work at a prison is insane, citing the dangerous conditions there. He also noted that 18-year-olds can't become police officers.

People say, Aw well, you can go into the military at 18, he said. I was in the military at 18 and I can say that its nothing like what goes down in prison.

But Martuscello believes the state's recruitment strategies could help change the culture among correction officers  especially following the recent fatal beatings of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility and Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility. After watching videos of them, the commissioner told the state Senate, "I have to question everything."

That's why Martuscello hopes new hires will be able to help change the ways that incarcerated individuals and correction officers look at each other.

Are we making an us vs. them rather than a culture based in dignity and respect? he said.

We have to get to a point where we recognize the similarities, and thats were all people, and that we start from a place of dignity and respect.

At the end of the day we are all people

As much as incarcerated individuals and correction officers share some of the same concerns and experience some of the same effects of spending long periods of time inside a prison, the latter get to go home at the end of days spent enforcing a strict power dynamic over the former. Bridging that gap will take a group effort, said George Lunney, who has served time at Auburn Correctional.

(Prison) is not making anything any better, and it isnt making anyone any healthier, he told The Citizen.

Its a messed-up system. You have two types of inmates and guards: the ones that want to do their work or time and get out, and the ones that want to raise hell.

Martuscello told the state Senate that such change is going to take leg work from the top of DOCCS on down.

We have to push hard and transform the culture, Martuscello said. We need to question convictions, rethink outdated practices and commit to doing whats right even when its wrong.

Russ added, Id like to think that there is good in prison. But you have to make that good.

Thompson, for his part, said incarcerated individuals and correction officers can resist their institutionalization by letting go of preconceived notions about each other.

Some of them look at us like we are all murderers, some of us look at them like they are all racists, Thompson said.

At the end of the day we are all people. We have to start to see things differently to break the chains.
As the Pentagon continues to struggle with long wait times and limited availability at its child care facilities, officials say that they are exploring off-base partnerships and growing programs that enable spouses to set up child care centers in their homes.

"The department is pursuing a number of child care solutions to meet service members and their families where they are," Tim Dill, a top official in the Pentagon's personnel and readiness office, told Military.com in an exclusive statement Tuesday.

"In some cases, that is in DoD child development centers, but in others, it may be by helping to cover the cost of in-home child care providers," Dill added.

Read Next: Trump Pardons Former Army Officer Convicted of Disobeying COVID-19 Safety Rules

Earlier this month, dozens of families at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico were told their children would be disenrolled from the base day care. Similar cases have cropped up at other Army, Air Force and Space Force bases, with the Navy also acknowledging staffing challenges at its child development centers.

The reduced capacity at base day cares has been partly driven by the Trump administration's push to cut civilian federal employees at the Defense Department as well as other federal agencies.

In an exclusive interview with Military.com last week, a defense official at the personnel and readiness office said the Pentagon is now looking to create new positions at military child development centers -- a lead educator position in each classroom and then a special needs inclusion coordinator for each center -- to offer upward mobility for employees and "push toward the retention effort."

However, the effort overall seems to be shifting from staffing or building new centers on base to programs that aim to have others shoulder some of the burden as well. One potential solution under consideration is to partner with outside groups like the Armed Forces YMCA to operate child care centers off base.

The official, who spoke to Military.com on the condition their name not be used, said that earlier in May the Pentagon opened one such center in Norfolk, Virginia, which has a large Navy population.

"It's a 200-child-space center that is exclusively for DoD families, and we anticipate opening another one this December here in the National Capital Region -- in the Arlington area -- and then another one down in Virginia Beach next spring," the official said.

The three centers would provide roughly 600 spaces for children in areas that have some of the longest wait times for military families, the official explained.

The official also said that they are pushing forward with a program that buys out space in existing civilian child care centers to boost capacity for military families, with the goal to lease locations in San Diego as well as in the Newport News-Hampton, Virginia, area.

"We'll be looking in the next month or so to expand that also to the National Capital Region," the official added.

The struggle to build and staff child care centers was already a problem before President Donald Trump's effort to downsize the government. It's an issue that the military has struggled with for years -- and one that has also become a nationwide problem, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials within the services have noted that the effort of staffing a child care center is not only challenging, but the pay is not enough.

Last fall, a pair of senators even pushed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's predecessor, Lloyd Austin, to increase military child care workers' pay as quickly as possible.

"Congress and military families are counting on DoD to update its compensation model for direct care staff expeditiously so DoD can hire and retain more caregivers, and more military families can find the care they need," the senators wrote in a letter to Austin.

In March, Military.com reported that, because enough day care employees either voluntarily took a deferred resignation offer from the administration or fell within a probationary employment period targeted for firings by the White House's Office of Personnel Management, Hill Air Force Base in Utah was getting ready to scale back its child care center, potentially leaving Gold Star spouses and other defense employees in the lurch.

Several weeks later, the base closed one of its two child care centers.

Navy officials also told Military.com that "administrative delays" had temporarily halted their ability to extend job offers and bring on new child care staffers.

"While the Navy is in the process of filling vacant positions due to turnover or need for seasonal staff, military families may experience child care disruptions such as reduced capacity for summer camps, reduced operating hours for certain programs, canceled activities, disenrollment of lower prioritized families, suspension of before-school care, or a pause on new enrollments," the service warned in early May.

The Pentagon's considered fixes so far are focused on major metropolitan areas, but service members in more remote areas have said such efforts may offer little help to them due to limited surrounding communities for the military to tap into.

When asked about those concerns, the official said the Pentagon hopes to also grow a program that enables spouses to set up small child care centers in their own homes.

However, that program is also not without issues.

One spouse at Holloman Air Force Base, located in a rural area of New Mexico, told Military.com earlier this month that those programs take months to get going because of the vetting and certification processes. Given that families typically live in one place for only a few years, those delays mean that any one house would act as a child care center for only a year or two, assuming an application was filed immediately upon arrival.

The official noted that the department has also been working with some states "for the last couple of years to recognize the DoD certification in place of requiring a state license or issuing a state license on the basis that they are a DoD-certified home" in order to enable the program to run more smoothly.

Ultimately, the official said that, while the Pentagon is "all-in, committed to quality life for our families ... there's just different nuances in every service on how they execute hiring." As a result, the official said, any issues with breaks in service rest with each individual branch and not the personnel and readiness office.

Related: Parents Still Struggle to Get Details on Abuse at Military Day Care Centers Despite Watchdog Probe
This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter.

I was barely off the plane when the tropical air hit mesalty Pacific raindrops stinging my face, sweet-spicy Japanese aromas teasing my nose. Eighteen, fresh from Marine Corps boot camp, 7,500 miles from home, 13 hours in the air, halfway across the world.

I wrestled with my seabag, smoothed my hair into a tight, sleek bun, and patted the dampness from my pressed jungle cammies as I walked past a gunny at the gate and handed my orders to a young corporal at 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd FSSG, Okinawa, Japan.

I was the new WMWoman Marineon deck, and I felt the weight of all eyes watching me for every right or wrong move I made. Women were less than 5% of the Marine Corps back in 1995a tiny speck in a male-dominated world.

At boot camp in Parris Island, theyd smeared makeup on our faces, assembly line style, for graduation photos, then wiped it off fast. The world needed the image that we were still women, even if the Marine Corps didnt prize our femininity. Within the ranks, we were viewed not available for combat, but available for the service members, hinting at a disgusting view of servicewomen.

Love? That was another thing we were expected to bury.

The authors boot camp graduation photo. (Photo courtesy of Shayla Sullivan)

I learned the ropes quickly, settling into my role as personnel administration clerk for new arrivals at Camp Hansens admin shop. But the Corps hadnt trained me for what to do when a tall Navy sailor walked in and my heart skipped a beat.

Welcome to Camp Hansen, I managed, standing to shake his hand, my heart doing cartwheels under my crisp uniform blouse. Our touch was professional, but a spark flaredwe both felt it and looked away fast.

I held my bearing, glancing at him after every third clack on the old-school typewriter. The naval chief petty officer who ran the mixed Navy-Marine administrative shop eyed the sailor over his coffee mug while ordering me to get papers in order.

Aye, sir, I said, reorienting, shuffling papers and smoothing my bunno time for lipstick. The sailor dropped his dirty seabag and sat as I took his orders.

Wheres that accent from? the sailor asked, grinning at my Southern drawl. Memphis, I smiled. Ever been?

Sullivan, the Guam papers? the Naval chief petty officers voice sharpened, cutting through.

The sailors visits to my admin shop stretched. Whenever he walked in, I would imagine that my combat boots were heels and that my uniform was a flowing dress. Our talks pivoted from administrative needs to quoting Chris Tucker scenes from Friday. Hed drop 2Pac lyrics from the new All Eyez on Me album, me joining word for word. I forgot Okinawa and the uniform and I started to feel at homelike a real woman, not a WM stamped in cammies.

Barely above a whisper, he planned a weekend escape for us to Kadenathe large Air Force base south of ours with movie theaters, a large arcade, and American dining. Marines and sailors were sparse there, making it easier to blend with colorful baggy sweatsuits, civilian military family members, and off-duty servicewomen who wore their hair down.

My office buzzed with co-workers clearing their throats and squinting the closer the sailor got to my desk. Sullivans got a shadow, theyd jab when hed leave. Just doing my job, I replied, hiding my blushing face.

He was E-4 and I was E-3, a petty officer outranking a lance corporal, forbidden by regulations that policed romance across our chains of command fraternization. That one small notch apart could tank our careers. Id seen it happenMarines busted down for less. Whyd I let him in? His laugh cut through the cammies, and I could be a woman. ...

We had been alone in the office one day, scheming another Kadena weekend, when I heard boots stomp across the freshly waxed floor.

At the Marine Corps Ball with a friend in 1996 (not the sailor mentioned in the essay). (Photo courtesy of Shayla Sullivan.)

Sh*t! I whispered. Attention on deck, I barked, snapping us both to our feetmy chair nearly tipped as I jumped.

The sailor stood ramrod straight beside my desk, but I felt him sneaking glances.

Carry on, the first sergeant said, eyeing us both, his stare a blade.

Carry on, aye, sir, the sailor replied, but his eyes locked on minebreaking every unwritten rule of military courtesy.

The first sergeant did a double-take, so I shuffled papers, pretending to review personnel documents, sweaty hands shaking. Trying to make corporal next year, I couldnt cross that linenot with all eyes waiting for me to crack. His glance was a dare I shouldnt take but couldnt shake.

Each day after that, every clack of my typewriter carried our secretE-4 versus E-3, Navy versus Corps, pulling us both deeper into danger. It could cost our careers, and for me, stain my WM reputation.

Days later, a Black WM sergeant major caught me primpingLiz Taylor White Diamonds perfume on my wrists and gloss over my lipstick before he was due. Her boots gleamed sharper than any mans, her tough exterior a wallanother Black woman whod climbed the ranks.

Lipsticks loud, Marine, she said, sizing me up with a subtle nod. Keep it tight.

She had noticed me slipping, and was warning me to maintain control, stay alertalert to the stakes.

My buddy, another Black Marine, bonded with me over being two of too few women, let alone Marine women, on baseshe had her own secret with a sergeant.

Off base, the four of us would hit Kadena, leaning close to our lovers in the neon glow, free from judging eyes. Shed cracked the codesame branch, same billet. She had requested orders to stay, waited for her NCO stripe, and married him later. Me? Navy versus Corps, no billet luckI was chasing a spark in the dark.

Fall came again, and my sailor and I rocked matching silk sweatsuits that had our names stitched in cursive. We played like kids in the arcade, laughing over Street Fighter, then walked to the car.

He dropped to one knee, ring in hand. I dont care, he said, voice low, I love you. Tired of hiding.

My yes slipped out, a rush against the stakesNavy versus Marine Corps, his promotion from petty officer to lieutenant to be a doctor. For me, I was a woman in the Corps, where intimacy with a higher rank could spark rumors. My ring would not shield me against those whispers. Worse, the threat of court martial hung over our headsme busted to private first class, him derailed from lieutenant.

Still, I said yes. I wore that ring to battalion inspection days later, knowing hed steal a glimpse at it. We marched, trying to hold back our smiles because, like our boots, our hearts marched in cadence.

At the end of inspection, the Black WM sergeant major barked, At ease, shooting me an icy look before turning back to the battalion.

In early November 1996, we bought movie tickets on Kadena for the weekend. He was oddly silent, squeezing me tighter with each hug. A slow creep of dread prickled my skin as we left. He drove toward base, his silence heavier nowI caught a tear glinting in his eye. He U-turned at the gate, heading south to Mibaru Beachone of our isolated spots, away from boots, uniforms, and eyeswhere waves crashed gently in the thick, salty air.

Balboa, he said, hands trembling. San DiegoI got orders.

Balboa. The name sliced my heart. San Diego, a Navy hospital, no Marines. More importantly, off this island. He was leaving me. The Navy had ripped us apart, created a Pacific wall I couldnt breach.

We promised to call every day and write every week, and initially we did. But soon, our contact faded. Life, I suppose, was carrying on for both of us, returning us back to the worlds that existed before he came to Camp Hansen.

I dated a Marine later, same branch, similar rank, safe in my lane. Meanwhile, I was sure my sailor likely found a Navy woman in California, shifting his world away from his Southern lover from Memphis.

I buried the ring in front of the barracks as I packed for New Orleans, my next duty station, broken and afraid of love for years to come. As soon as I heard love, Id bolt. Too fast, Id laugh, shielding my heart from the pain of my Okinawa love. Boots over heels again. Still a Marine first, a woman second.

The Marine Corps had trained me for everything except falling in love thousands of miles from home. They dont have a protocol for how to breathe when the person who became your home is shipped across an ocean.

If I could tell that 18-year-old Marine one thing, its that she was right to leapto say yes to that ring, risking rank, rumors, all of it. Some loves stretch across oceans, forbidden and fleeting, but burn hotter for the stakes. But the military didnt bless our wildfire hearts. Instead, it commanded them to be at ease.

This War Horse reflection was edited by Kim Vo, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Hrisanthi Pickett wrote the headlines.

Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter.
Many of the military families who evacuated after a private jet crashed into their Murphy Canyon neighborhood a week ago  killing the pilot and five passengers on board  were expected to be allowed back into their homes Thursday, authorities said.

Thirty-nine families had been displaced by the fiery crash, which damaged 10 four-plex buildings along Sample Street. Of those families, 35 were expected to be given the green light to move back into their homes, although 15 opted to be placed somewhere else in the area, said Liberty Military Housing CEO Philip J. Rizzo.

Rizzo said one building, on the corner of Sample and Salmon streets, had been red-tagged. That four-plex suffered almost a direct hit by the Cessna 550 Citation II after it clipped a transmission line about 120 feet high while on approach to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport around 3:45 a.m. on May 22.

The jet hit Ben McCartys pickup, parked on Salmon, before it slammed into his home, a lucky break he said blunted the force of the crashing plane and likely saved his familys lives. A neighboring unit in the building had smoke damage. Rizzo said the company, which owns and manages the military housing, likely will repair and renovate the structure.

The National Traffic Safety Board is investigating the crash, which occurred in thick fog. The plane departed from Teterboro, N.J., then stopped in Wichita, Kan., before heading to San Diego. NTSB investigators completed their on-scene work on Saturday and moved the planes wreckage to a facility in Arizona to be examined further, an agency spokesperson said.

Back in Murphy Canyon, workers were busy all week cleaning up the site, assessing damage and making repairs. A backhoe dug up and replaced contaminated soil from yards where jet fuel had spilled. Siding on at least one of the homes had melted in the heat of the fire. A half dozen broken windows were replaced, as were six or seven broken doors. Officials think the doors were broken by firefighters as they were checking to make sure everyone had evacuated.

Twenty cars were destroyed, many of which were ignited by jet fuel that leaked from the plane and caught fire as it flowed down Sample Street.

Somehow, only a handful of people on the ground suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Liberty Military Housing doesnt have an estimate as to how much damage the crash caused. It is way too early to say what the number is going to be, Rizzo said.

Liberty owns 17,000 military homes in San Diego County, both on and off bases, as part of a public-private venture. The company is one of more than a dozen that partnered with the military under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, which was authorized by Congress in 1996.

The MHPI program allowed private companies to bid to operate and maintain housing communities at more than 150 military installations, with the federal government retaining ownership of the land. At Murphy Canyon and elsewhere, the company signed long-term ground leases with the government, while it entered into individual leases with military members who live in the housing.

A couple of military families have launched online fundraising efforts on the GoFundMe site to solicit donations, including the McCarty family. The family lost two vehicles and all their possessions and didnt have renters insurance.

The family of Nichole Crone is hoping to raise $10,000 to replace a family car because their insurance company isnt offering enough to pay off what is owed, let alone assisting in obtaining a replacement vehicle, according to the campaign.

Fundraisers also have been set up to assist families of some of the victims killed in the crash. One will benefit the 11-year-old daughter of photographer Celina Kenyon. Another honors the life and legacy of 41-year-old Dominic Damian, who friends said recently opened his own jiu-jitsu school in San Diego. Another was set up to assist the fiancee of Daniel Williams, a former drummer for Ohio metal band The Devil Wears Prada who became a software engineer.

Other victims in the crash included music agent and pilot David Shapiro, 42, who owned the plane; Emma Huke, 25, who worked as a booking associate for Sound Talent Group; and Kendall Fortner, 24, who also worked as a booking associate.

Rizzo said several nonprofit organizations and companies stepped up to help families who lost vehicles and belongings. Families attending a meeting Wednesday were told of resources that were available. The Navy also was providing a per diem to service members displaced by the crash, he said.

2025 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WARSAW, Poland  Polands presidential election has come down to a stark ideological choice: a liberal pro-European mayor versus a staunch nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday.

It's not just a domestic affair. President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the nationalist candidate, Karol Nawrocki, and dangled the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski.

A contest with global implications

Trump met with Nawrocki earlier this month at the White House and sent his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to a meeting of the conservative pressure group CPAC in Poland, where she offered a strong endorsement.

Noem even dangled the prospect of closer U.S.-Polish military ties in the event of a Nawrocki win  with the implied warning that a Trzaskowski victory could jeopardize Polands security.

At stake is not only Polands domestic course but also the international standing of a key European Union and NATO member on the alliances eastern flank, in a region gripped by anxiety over Russias war in Ukraine.

Sundays vote will either empower Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a pro-EU reformer, with a presidential ally who can advance his rule-of-law agenda  or saddle him with a rival who could veto legislation and block government initiatives.

Trzaskowskis supporters argue that a pro-European leader would enhance Polands global standing during a time of war in Europe. Nawrockis backers believe only conservative rule can safeguard national sovereignty and traditional Christian values, and they say Trumps support would greatly enhance Polands security.

Growing support for the populist right

But the candidate who may ultimately decide the outcome is one who wont appear on the runoff ballot.

Sawomir Mentzen, a 38-year-old far-right politician and beer producer from the central city of Torun, finished third in the first round of voting on May 18, with nearly 15% of the vote. Though eliminated, his supporters  often young, anti-establishment, and deeply skeptical of both Brussels and Poland's political establishment  have become the most sought-after constituency in the country.

Both remaining candidates have gone out of their way to court Mentzen and his base. In recent days, each man traveled to the north-central Polish town of Torun, famous for being the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, to appear on Mentzen's YouTube channel, where he has built a following with a mix of libertarian economics, nationalist rhetoric, and anti-EU invective.

His influence highlights a broader shift in Polish politics, where the far right  once considered a fringe force  is increasingly shaping the national agenda. Its also part of a larger trend of hard-right parties gaining traction across Europe.

The appeal of right-wing forces in changing times

Piotr Buras, head of the European Council on Foreign Relations Warsaw office, says Poland is part of a larger pattern in which voters turn to populist forces amid rapid social change. But he also cites local factors, such as disillusionment with Tusks coalition.

That coalition, which spans the ideological spectrum, has struggled to agree on key issues, including liberalizing the abortion law  a campaign promise. Meanwhile, outgoing conservative President Andrzej Duda has blocked parts of Tusks agenda. Observers say the coalitions voters must be highly mobilized on Sunday to defeat Nawrocki.

Many votes in the first round went to protest candidates. Among voters aged 1829, over 35% backed Mentzen, and nearly 20% supported a far-left candidate, Adrian Zandberg, according to exit polls.

In addition, an extreme right-wing antisemite, Grzegorz Braun, won more than 6% of the votes overall.

Buras believes right-wing protest candidates are more appealing today than those on the left because they promise to restore a lost past, while the left promises a better future that many see as unattainable.

The world is changing, society is changing very fast, much faster than anytime in the past," Buras said. People are worried and they vote for those who say we can go back to the glorious past.

Campaigning on a YouTube stage

Since the first round, Mentzen  co-leader of the Confederation party  has presented both candidates with an eight-point list of demands: no new taxes; defense of cash payments; expanded gun rights; and opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine, among others.

Nawrocki, who appeared on Mentzens show on June 22, signed on to all eight points  including the controversial Ukraine stance  breaking with his Law and Justice partys longstanding support for Kyivs integration with the West.

Trzaskowski appeared two days later. He said he could agree with some points, like fiscal restraint, but rejected others. He strongly defended LGBTQ+ rights and reaffirmed that Ukraine should eventually join NATO, once the war ends, calling it key to Poland's own security.

The YouTube interviews have dominated the political conversation, underscoring how Mentzen, a TikTok-savvy outsider, has upended traditional campaigning.

The exchange between Trzaskowski and Mentzen on Saturday was occasionally tense, especially over LGBTQ+ rights, but remained civil and substantive.

In many ways it overshadowed a traditional televised debate the day before. The substance of that debate did not seem to change the trajectory of the campaign. The thing Poles discussed most was a brief moment when Nawrocki inserted something into his mouth which he later said was a tobacco pouch. Some have questioned if he is fit to be president if he couldn't get through a two-hour debate without taking a hit of tobacco.

A post-debate meeting over beer

After the sometimes sharp exchanges, Mentzen sat down for a beer with Trzaskowski and others in the pub he owns.

The informal gathering was documented by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, who was there as well. He posted a video on social media Saturday evening showing the group with the words: For a Poland that unites, not divides.

The video quickly went viral, with commentators speculating about whether it was a spontaneous gesture or a calculated political move.

It was also one more example, if more were needed, of how far-right forces in Europe are slowly becoming accepted.

For Mentzen, the moment was also awkward. The man who made his name skewering the political elite appeared cozy with establishment figures. Critics on the hard right lashed out, revealing fractures in the movement he helped popularize.

After dangling the promises of an endorsement for days, Mentzen on Wednesday afternoon said he wouldnt offer one to either candidate. Vote as your conscience tells you, he told his supporters.
A new congressional watchdog report looking into whether U.S. Space Command's headquarters would be best served by remaining in Colorado found that new construction would be needed to fix significant problems, a major revelation as the Trump administration weighs moving the command to Alabama.

The Government Accountability Office, Congress' watchdog agency, published a report Thursday examining how former President Joe Biden's administration chose Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as Space Command's headquarters location despite the Air Force identifying Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as its preferred location, selected in the waning days of President Donald Trump's first term in 2021.

"The command is fully operational, but U.S. Space Command officials told GAO that they faced ongoing personnel, facilities and communications challenges," the report detailed. "As a result of identified challenges, officials stated the command's posture is not sustainable long term and new military construction would be needed to support the headquarters' operations in Colorado Springs, Colorado."

Read Next: Trump Pardons Former Army Officer Convicted of Disobeying COVID-19 Safety Rules

The political fight over Space Command's future in either Alabama or Colorado has been a partisan tug-of-war for more than four years between the Trump and Biden's administrations, as well as the two states' delegations in Washington. Ultimately, with Trump back in office, many Republican lawmakers have been teasing for months that the president or his recently confirmed secretary of the Air Force would reverse Biden's decision.

Thursday's GAO report is just the latest round in the battle over the command's location. Colorado's delegation, as well as other lawmakers, requested a GAO and Department of Defense inspector general's report following Trump's 2021 announcement, and Alabama lawmakers requested two similar probes into Biden's move to reverse that choice in 2023.

Defense budgeting experts such as Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said the revelation that new construction would be required for Space Command to stay in Colorado is a blow to that state's lawmakers.

"The main argument for keeping it in Colorado was always that new construction would not be needed right away," Harrison told Military.com. "But if that situation has changed, it certainly makes Alabama more favorable."

The uncertainty in the final basing location has led to personnel issues, the GAO report said, revealing that Space Command was not fully staffed as of fall 2024 -- filling only 1,024 of 1,379 authorized positions, including 576 of 809 government civilian positions.

Space Command officials interviewed by the GAO said this was "due to uncertainty regarding the command's final location and the complexities of hiring government civilians over the more straightforward process of assigning military personnel."

In addition to the staffing woes, Space Command officials said existing facilities had shortcomings, noting they required "military construction of a permanent, purpose-built facility that is better suited to meet its unique power, information technology, square footage and security needs."

The officials also told the GAO that "without new construction, command, control, and mission operations will continue to operate inefficiently with greater vulnerabilities to mission, facilities, and personnel."

While being in Colorado and near other bases and commands -- U.S. Northern Command is nearby, for example -- offers benefits such as enhanced communication networks, there are also issues with sharing information technology networks with Peterson Space Force Base, the officials added.

Alissa Czyz, director of the GAO's Defense Capabilities and Management team, told Military.com that the new report probed how Biden's decision was made, as well as what issues currently face Space Command.

"There was some rigorous analysis performed, kind of in response to some shortcomings identified both by GAO and IG [the DoD inspector general] in our original reports, citing the need for additional analyses and also incorporating military leaders' views of the risks with whatever location," Czyz said.

The GAO probe was one of two investigations into the Biden administration's decision requested by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., alongside a Pentagon inspector general investigation that was released last month. Rogers used his power over the Armed Services Committee to insert language into the annual defense policy bill in 2023 that temporarily halted funding for any Space Command headquarters construction pending the results of the investigations.

Thursday's GAO report noted that, in July 2023, Space Command "proposed a construction project for a new multistory, permanent headquarters facility to replace its current temporary and leased facilities," which would start in 2029 and be complete by 2034 for a price tag of $1.5 billion.

But Rogers' halt on construction funding froze those developments.

"According to U.S. Space Command officials, this project was put on hold and no further planning for the construction of a headquarters facility in Colorado Springs had been initiated as of March 2025," the GAO report noted.

Rogers released a statement on the new GAO report Thursday saying the findings provide further reason for the command to move to his state.

"The GAO report yet again affirms that Huntsville is the best option for Space Command

s headquarters," Roger said in the release. "When making his decision to locate the combatant command headquarters in Huntsville, President Trump prioritized transparency, national security, and a commitment to saving taxpayer dollars."

Notably, neither former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall nor former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Pentagon investigators, citing privileged conversations with former President Biden. The DoD IG report, released in April, showed key details were still missing as to how Kendall identified Redstone Arsenal in Alabama as the preferred location, but Biden made the ultimate announcement and call.

Czyz told Military.com that the GAO spoke with Kendall; according to her, he told investigators that "he was informed of the decision shortly before it happened." They also spoke with other senior defense and Air Force officials, but were not able to get information from the Biden White House, she added.

The multiple investigations since 2021 have done little to sway opinion on Capitol Hill, where the Alabama and Colorado delegations have dug in and claimed vindication after each successive report.

Colorado lawmakers appeared unready to give up Thursday, despite the GAO findings.

"The release of today's GAO report is clear: Colorado Springs is the best home for U.S. Space Command's headquarters. Continued efforts to move the headquarters only hurts [sic] our national security," Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, posted on social media. "Space Command is fully operational, and the Department of Defense needs to move quickly to construct a permanent HQ at Peterson Space Force Base to put the issue to bed, once and for all."

Related: Key Details Still Missing on Why Biden Made Final Call on Space Command's HQ, New Report Details
U.S. President Donald Trump said he envisions a nuclear deal with Iran that would allow the destruction of whatever we want in the country including labs, a version of an inspections regime that is likely to be rejected by Tehran.

Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump briefly outlined his vision of a deal that is very strong, where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed, he said.

Trump also said he believed a deal with Iran could be completed within the next couple of weeks and that talks had made a lot of progress. But his comments about destroying nuclear facilities highlight a major sticking point between the two over whether Iran should be allowed to produce its own enriched uranium.

Its not clear if the ability to dismantle or destroy infrastructure in the event that Iran is found to be weaponizing its enrichment capability is a demand that U.S. negotiators have formally put to Iranian counterparts in their current talks.

Trumps comments came in response to questions about reports Israel has revived plans to attack Iran. He said he waived Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu off that idea as it could disrupt ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran.

Trump described an alternative that gave the U.S. the option to destroy infrastructure related to a weapons program that would be baked into an agreement with Iran. We can blow up a lab, but nobodys going to be in the lab, as opposed to everybody being in the lab and blowing it up, right? he added.

Iranian officials havent yet commented on his statements.

After the 1991 Gulf War, a United Nations-led regime was imposed on Iraq in which inspectors were allowed to destroy nuclear and chemical weapons-related infrastructure.

Iran has repeatedly warned the U.S. against threats of military action. Iranian officials insist their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only and uranium enrichment is necessary for its nuclear power sector.

Earlier on Wednesday officials in Iran said theyd consider allowing Americans to be part of International Atomic Energy Agency inspection teams under a future deal with the U.S., a walkback from a practice of excluding inspectors who are U.S. nationals.

Trumps comments about being able to destroy nuclear infrastructure may make officials in Iran rethink the concession.

Despite the apparent distance between expectations, Trump sounded optimistic about a deal, which his special envoy Steve Witkoff has been negotiating.

They still have to agree to the final stages of a document, but I think you could be very well surprised what happens there, and it would be a great thing for them, Trump said. They could have a great country into the future.

After talks in Rome on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister and lead negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, said they could lead to progress toward an agreement in the next couple of meetings.

___

2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
One year after the Cayuga County Office Building closed due to the discovery of vermiculite on the upper floors, a separate contamination issue has emerged in the basement.

Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna revealed Tuesday that tests found asbestos in the building's basement, where the county's backup 911 center and information technology equipment are located.

Anna told The Citizen initial testing was clear over the summer. After he became chair in January, he began advancing a plan to remove equipment and other items from the building. During that process, vendors advised him to conduct another round of testing before anyone entered the building.

Those tests found that while the first floor remained clear of contaminants, a few samples from the basement tested positive for asbestos. More samples were taken, according to Anna, and the majority confirmed the presence of asbestos.

The asbestos in the basement is unrelated to the vermiculite found on the upper floors, Anna said. An investigation determined the source of the asbestos is fireproof insulation that has frayed or shed over time. The insulation is around piping above the ceiling tiles in the basement.

The information about the test results was shared during a discussion at the county Legislature meeting Tuesday. Legislators approved resolutions to designate Campus Construction Management Group as a project manager for the office building and authorize spending up to $150,000 for environmental services.

Although the appropriation isn't limited to the basement, Anna explained a portion of the funding could be used for the decontamination and removal of items from that area.

"There's some steps that are going to take place to have that done, but it is fully recoverable," he said, noting the basement contains "critical infrastructure worth millions of dollars."

Regarding the agreement with Campus Construction Management Group, Anna told The Citizen it was apparent when he became chair in January that outside guidance was needed from a vendor that "did not have a vested interest in the work being performed."

According to the resolution approved by the county Legislature, Campus Construction Management Group will be paid up to $50,000 for its services.

"I wanted to make sure that we had checks and balances to ensure that we're doing what's right and the best stewardship of our tax dollars moving forward," Anna said.

The latest actions by the Legislature follow the release of a draft report on the vermiculite contamination in the office building. According to Anna, the report "only partially answered questions" and advised further investigation of the problem.

With the county hiring Campus Construction Management Group as a project manager, Anna wants to pause and seek additional guidance to "make sure that we're doing what we're supposed to do."

Among the questions from legislators, including Anna, is how much it will cost to remediate the building. That figure is unknown, but will be important in discussions about the building's future.

Before the vermiculite discovery and the building closed in 2024, the county Legislature heard a proposal to renovate the existing facility. The estimated cost was $52 million. But with vermiculite found on the upper floors and asbestos in the basement, the price tag would likely be much more than that to remediate and renovate the building.

Anna acknowledged there is another factor that could contribute to the cost: The age of the building, which was built in the 1960s.

"Once you've taken stuff apart, I don't know what else we'd find," he said.

The building closed in May 2024 after a granular material  later confirmed to be vermiculite, which can contain asbestos  was found in a fifth-floor office. Officials initially thought the closure would be temporary, but further testing determined vermiculite was present on multiple floors.

In September, county officials said the building would be closed for two years.

The closure disrupted county operations and displaced several departments. The county is renting a downtown Auburn building for the Department of Social Services, while the clerk's office and other agencies have moved into space at Cayuga Community College.
The Angels announced a series of roster moves today. They have selected the contract of infielder Scott Kingery and reinstated right-hander Robert Stephenson from the 60-day injured list. To make room for those two on the active roster, left-hander Jake Eder has been optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and infielder Tim Anderson has been designated for assignment. To open another 40-man spot, catcher Chuckie Robinson has been designated for assignment.

Anderson, 32 next month, signed a minor league deal with the Angels in the offseason. A former All-Star and batting champion, Andersons production tailed off in 2023 and 2024, which is why he had to settle for a minor league pact. Injuries to infielders like Zach Neto, Anthony Rendon and Yoan Moncada opened a path for him to crack the roster but he hasnt done much with the opportunity.

Across 31 games, Anderson stepped to the plate 90 times for the Halos. His 3.3% walk rate was very low but thats always been his style. Unfortunately, his 32.2% strikeout rate was way above both his personal track record and the league average. He had only three extra-base hits, which were all doubles. It all added up to a .205/.258/.241 line and 42 wRC+.

As mentioned, Anderson was once an All-Star and batting champion. He slashed .318/.347/.473 for a 123 wRC+ from 2019 through 2022. But from the start of 2023 to the present, he has 855 plate appearances with a .232/.269/.270 line and 49 wRC+. With other players getting healthy and/or performing better than Anderson, hes been squeezed off the roster. He will likely be placed on waivers in the coming days but probably wont find much interest, given his ongoing struggles. If he is passed through waivers unclaimed, hell have the right to elect free agency.

His playing time will seemingly be going to Kingery, who was acquired from the Phillies in the offseason but then outrighted off the 40-man. He has been excelling at Triple-A Salt Lake this year, with a .373/.418/.578 line, though those numbers need to be taken with some grains from that lake. The Bees play in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League and Kingery also has a massive .433 batting average on balls in play that he wont be able to sustain.

Still, its understandable to consider him a better bet than Anderson. Kingerys major league track record isnt strong but he had a solid .268/.316/.488 slash and 103 wRC+ for the Phillies Triple-A club last year. He also stole 25 bases while playing second base, shortstop and center field. Given how bad Anderson has been struggling, Kingery doesnt need to be a star to be an upgrade.

The return of Stephenson is a notable moment for the Angels. They signed him to a three-year, $33MM deal going into 2024 but he still hasnt made his team debut. Some elbow issues plagued him at the start of last year and he ultimately required Tommy John surgery at the end of April. He has been rehabbing from that procedure for just over a year now.

His track record is mixed, with a 4.64 earned run average in his career, but the Angels made a bet that he had broken out just prior to the signing. A former first-round pick and top prospect, he couldnt stick in a rotation and eventually moved to a relief role. He occasionally showed flashes of promise there before putting together an elite run in 2023.

He started that year with the Pirates and had an uninspiring 5.14 ERA when he was traded to the Rays. With Tampa, he reeled off 38 1/3 innings with a 2.35 ERA, 42.9% strikeout rate and 5.7% walk rate. In short, he was one of the best relievers on the planet for a few months.

The Angels havent yet received any return on their investment but Stephensons return could be a massive boost, as their bullpen is one of the worst in the league. Their relievers have a collective 6.31 ERA, dead last in the majors, slightly behind Washingtons 6.22 mark. Even if Stephenson doesnt fully return to his dominant form from the second half of 2023, he should be a nice upgrade to the group. Kenley Jansen will perhaps continue in the closers role but Stephenson should be in line for meaningful innings one way or another.

Robinson, 30, was acquired from the White Sox in the offseason. He has been serving as Triple-A depth so far this season, hitting .272/.315/.388 for the Bees. Hell head into DFA limbo alongside Anderson. He still has options and could perhaps appeal to a club in need of catching depth. He generally hasnt hit much but has a decent defensive reputation. The Angels are now down to just two catchers on their 40-man roster in Logan OHoppe and Travis dArnaud.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hui, Imagn Images
Outfielder Jose Azocar elected free agency after being outrighted by the Mets, relays Mike Puma of The New York Post. Hed been designated for assignment over the weekend. Its the second time in the past couple months in which Azocar went unclaimed on waivers. Players with multiple career outrights can test free agency.

Azocar will be limited to minor league offers but could look for a team with less outfield depth. He didnt have much of a path to playing time behind Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Juan Soto and fourth outfielder Starling Marte. The Mets had carried him on the MLB roster since April 17, and he only started five games in as many weeks. Azocar made an appearance as a pinch-runner the night before being DFA, the first time hed played in any capacity since May 14.

The 29-year-old Azocar spent parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the Padres. He operated as a speed and defense specialist off the bench. Azocar hit .243/.287/.322 with a couple home runs and 18 stolen bases in just under 400 plate appearances in a San Diego uniform. The Mets added him via waivers last September. They kept him on an optional assignment to Triple-A for the rest of that season.

That was his final option year, so the Mets had to carry him on the MLB roster or expose him to waivers this year. He went unclaimed at the end of Spring Training. The Mets brought him back up after a couple weeks in Triple-A, where hed been hitting .244 with a .367 on-base mark over 11 games. Azocar has a .286/.322/.434 slash in nearly 900 career Triple-A plate appearances. Hes a plus-plus runner with more than 5000 professional innings of center field experience.
4:25pm: The Rays announced that they have signed Gibson to a minor league contract.

3:20pm: Right-hander Kyle Gibson is signing with the Rays, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Its unclear if its a major or minor league deal. If its a big league deal, the Rays have an open 40-man spot after designating catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment earlier today, so they would only need to make a corresponding active roster move.

Gibson, 37, is a veteran with a solid track record but he is having a rough season so far. He lingered in free agency for a long time, eventually signing a one-year, $5.25MM deal with the Orioles less than a week before Opening Day. Since he missed spring training, he agreed to be optioned to the minors to get built up. He was called up at the end of April but got pounded, allowing 23 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings over four starts. The Os then designated him for assignment and released him.

That leaves Baltimore on the hook for the remainder of that salary, meaning any club can sign Gibson and only pay him the prorated portion of the league minimum salary, with that amount subtracted from what the Os pay.

It seems the Rays are willing to overlook Gibsons 16.78 ERA in 2025 to focus more on his career track record. He has 1,878 big league innings under his belt with a 4.60 ERA on the whole. As recently as last year, he was a solid innings eater at the back-end of a rotation. He made 30 starts for the Cardinals in 2024, logging 169 2/3 frames with a 4.24 ERA, 20.9% strikeout rate, 9.4% walk rate and 44.8% ground ball rate.

The Tampa rotation has been without Shane McClanahan all year but has otherwise been remarkably healthy. Apart from one Joe Boyle spot start, every other game has been started by the quintet of Taj Bradley, Ryan Pepiot, Drew Rasmussen, Zack Littell and Shane Baz. No one in that group has an ERA higher than 4.94 this year. The Rays also have guys like Boyle, Joe Rock and Ian Seymour on the 40-man roster and pitching in Triple-A.

Regardless, theres no real harm to adding Gibson since the Os are responsible for most of his salary. The Rays could be adding a bit of non-roster rotation depth or perhaps they want Gibson to jump into their big league bullpen and serve as a long reliever. Its also possible that one of their big league starters has some sort of ailment that has not yet been publicly reported. Time will tell what the Rays have in mind for Gibsons usage but hes a respected veteran with a solid track record and essentially no cost.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - Train cars full of coal on last-minute order from Wyoming. Dozens of employees abruptly reassigned from new posts. Big maintenance tasks once canceled now back on the docket.

As Consumers Energy suddenly hits the brakes on closing its J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant under an emergency order from the Trump administration, days before it was meant to go dark for good, the utility will undoubtedly run up a hefty bill, according to advocates, energy experts and state regulators in Michigan.
DOUGLAS, MI -- Floating on the water with a cocktail in hand, bar snacks within reach and live music on deck is summertime paradise at this Michigan watering hole.

Red Dock, 219 N. Union St., in Douglas, has been a summer staple for locals and tourists alike since 1998.

Theyve reopened for their 2025 season with even more live music on the schedule and additional dock space for boaters to pull up and hop right out to the party.

Just a mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline, Red Dock is the gathering spot to quench your thirst and quell your hunger after a day at Oval Beach or out on the big lake.

The laid back vibes earned this beach town bar its moniker as the Key West of the Midwest.

Red Dock is the only bar and restaurant literally on the water as the namesake painted red dock is planted right in the Kalamazoo Lake.

RELATED: Michigan beach spot beats Key West for Best Coastal Small Town by USA Today

As the only bar and restaurant literally on the water, Red Dock in Douglas has been a favorite watering hole for locals and tourists alike since 1998. (Photo Courtesy of Red Dock) Photo Courtesy of Red Dock

Lauren Stanton and John Sharar, who also own Retro Boat Rentals at the Old Boathouse in Saugatuck, were handpicked to take the helm in 2023 when longtime owners Tony and Dona Amato sailed off into retirement.

Stanton and Sharar upgraded the old dock but kept the chipped paint and cheeky personality  it is a party barge after all.

Its kept its eclectic charm thats been a staple in Saugatuck/Douglas for over two decades, Stanton said.

RELATED: Take a ride on the Kalamazoo Lake in a 1950s glass slipper car boat

Stage at the Red Dock, 219 N. Union St., in Douglas. Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Last years big expansion was a sleek wooden bar top made out of bowling alley floor and cherry red bar stools. The horseshoe-shaped hangout grew from seven seats to 29. Plus a new covered bar was added in the back toward the docks.

To accommodate those large crowds that gather for live music, additional picnic tables were added by the stage bringing the total to 10.

The seating expansion sets up the growing live music schedule on the water stage aka a full band setup at the end of the dock.

Live music will now be reoccurring 6-8:30 p.m. Thursdays in July and August, adding to the Sunday staple of live music 3-6:30 p.m. from June to August.

Some West Michigan favorites are back on the schedule.

Look out for returning acts like Grand Rapids-based hard rock band Trixy Tang, Kalamazoo-based reggae band Zion Lion and cage-free funk band Melophobix will be back for Saugatucks Venetian Festival in July.

Red Dock is open daily from 11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. Check their Facebook page for more live music updates.

Looking for positive, lovable news about The Mitten? Sign up for the Lovable Michigan newsletter.
The Blue Water Bridge connecting Sarnia, Ontario to Port Huron, Mich., is shown Friday, May 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP

PORT HURON, MI  That was kind of close.

A 1,000-foot Great Lakes freighter came within several meters of hitting a seawall under an international bridge linking the U.S. and Canada earlier this week.

On Tuesday, May 27, the M/V American Spirit veered unusually closed to the western bank of the St. Clair River under the Blue Water Bridge linking Port Huron with Sarnia, Ontario.

Video of the incident shows the ship veering toward the Michigan side of the riverbank at about 1:45 p.m. before righting its course while passing under the bridge.

The ship was traveling north into Lake Huron.

We are looking into it, said Lt. Phillip Gurtler with the U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District on Thursday. An incident did not occur. That being said, were aware of it. Were looking into it.

On Friday, Gurtler added that we are aware of the situation and are engaged with the vessel operator to understand what happened.

We dont know at this point whether or not there was an incident, Gurtler added.

The U.S.-flagged American Spirit is a self-unloading bulk carrier thats operated by the American Steamship Company, which is owned by Rand Logistics.

A message left with Kevin McMonagle, president of American Steamship, was not returned.

The Michigan Department of Transportation, which manages the U.S. side of the bridge, said the erratic freighter did not threaten the bridge.

While it does certainly appear to be a close call, the bridge was never in any danger of being hit due to the size (specifically the height) of the freighter and the distance between the seawall and the pier, said MDOT spokesperson Jocelyn Garza.

The bridge does not have piers in the water and should a freighter hit the seawall, its very unlikely any damage would reach the pier.

Thankfully, in this case the freighter righted itself before coming in contact with the seawall, preventing any damage from coming to that structure, Garza said.
Cucumbers sold at Kroger stores in nine states have been recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. (Photo courtesy of the FDA) Photo courtesy of the FDA

Sixteen products containing cucumbers sold at Kroger stores in nine states have been recalled. The Food and Drug Administration announced the recall Wednesday, May 28, as part of an ongoing investigation into cucumbers possibly contaminated with Salmonella.

Cucumbers and products containing cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida have been pulled from shelves nationwide as part of the outbreak, including the items sold at Kroger locations.

The latest recall instituted by Supreme Produce says the recalled products were distributed to Kroger and its affiliated retail stores in the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The recalled items are packaged in clear-plastic grab-n-go containers of various sizes with the appearance of cut produce. A full list of the recalled products, UPC codes and purchase dates can be found here.

Related story: Nationwide cucumber recall expands again, products sold at Walmart, Kroger, and more

The FDA warns that anyone who has any of the cucumber products listed in the recall not to consume the products. Customers are encouraged to destroy them immediately.

So far, 26 people in 15 states have reportedly become ill after consuming cucumbers linked to Bedner. Nine of those sickened required hospitalization according to the FDA.

Salmonella can cause potentially serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Typical symptoms include: fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases Salmonella can get into the bloodstream and cause more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis, according to the FDA.

Symptoms typically appear 12 to 72 hours after consumption and last four to seven days.
KENTWOOD, MI -- An ex-state police trooper received long overdue relief when a judge tossed a murder charge against him for striking a fugitive with his police vehicle, his attorney said.

U.S. District Court Judge Hala Jarbou dismissed the case against former state police Sgt. Brian Keely on Wednesday, May 28.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A federal judge has dismissed a second-degree murder charge against a former state police trooper who struck and killed a fleeing suspect with his police vehicle.

U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou in Lansing issued the ruling on a defense motion to dismiss charges against Brian Keely, 51, in the April 17, 2024, death of Samuel Sterling, who was fleeing members of a federal fugitive task force.
Photo Credit: SNY

The New York Mets broadcast team is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. And Wednesdays game against the Chicago White Sox, a game that featured a rather uninteresting ending, was perhaps proof of exactly why that is.

With the visiting White Sox had a comfortable 9-3 lead in the ninth inning, there wasnt much on-field drama to be discussed. But a fan at Citi Field provided more than enough fodder for the SNY crew.

The fan had three signs on display. The signs revealed that the fan had lost his job and that he hoped to get hired at SNY. He also asked color analyst Keith Hernandez if he was ready for another coffee.

The three-man broadcast crew consisting of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Hernandez took notice of this, briefly discussing how the fan could assist them in the booth.

Whats going on? said Cohen. We need a job? Well, you know, there might be an opening. Well have to get back to you.

Little old for the kid cast right? said Hernandez.

Nah, nah, gonna have to be an adult caster.

DM us the resume pic.twitter.com/ioEbZ8dia3  SNY (@SNYtv) May 28, 2025

Any average broadcaster can fill air time when a game is entertaining and competitive. But the truly great ones find a way to make lemonade out of lemons in a non-competitive game. This is a skill that the Mets broadcast team has shown in spades time and time again over the years, whether it be discussing furries in attendance or simply engaging in comedic back-and-forth banter.

It also helps that the Mets largely havent been in this position all that often, sporting the third-best record in the National League at 34-22 on the year.
A Michigan man accused of setting another man on fire is facing additional charges in Oakland County. MLive file photo

PONTIAC, MI  A Michigan man accused of setting another man on fire is facing additional charges in Oakland County.

Fox 2 in Detroit reported that 30-year-old Joseph Green of Pontiac was in court after months on the run this week.
Will you be able to get a COVID-19 shot? In this photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon attend a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Event in the East Room of the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and TOM MURPHY Associated Press

Want a COVID-19 vaccination this fall? For many Americans, its not clear how easy it will be to get one  or if theyve lost the choice.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was a longtime anti-vaccine activist, said this week that the shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, usurping a decision normally made by scientific experts, not political appointees.

READ MORE: COVID-19 booster eligibility may be changing. Michigans uptake was already low

The announcement follows an earlier Trump administration step to limit COVID-19 vaccinations among healthy people under age 65.

Until now, the U.S.  following guidance from independent experts who advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  has recommended yearly COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone age 6 months and older.

Together, the moves have left health experts, vaccine makers and insurers uncertain about what to advise and what comes next.

Its going to add a lot of confusion overall, said Ajay Sethi, an epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

How can I get a COVID-19 shot for myself or my healthy child?

Some of this seasons vaccine is still available. Insurance industry experts say if people had insurance coverage before Kennedys announcement, its highly unlikely that would have ended instantly based on the secretarys video announcement. That means if someone could find a shot, theyd likely be able to get one for now.

Will I still be able to choose a shot in the fall for myself or my child?

Who will be able to get what vaccines this fall is still unclear.

Vaccine manufacturers plan to issue updated COVID-19 shots in the late summer or fall. But the Food and Drug Administration has said it plans to limit approval of seasonal shots to seniors and others at high risk, pending more studies of everyone else.

Even if the U.S. approves vaccines only for certain groups, it still may be possible for others to get the shot depending on the outcome of upcoming advisory meetings, regulatory moves and decisions from insurers and employers.

Will my insurance still pay?

Insurers base coverage decisions on the recommendations of that CDC panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Its not clear what role that panel now will play. Paying out of pocket could cost about $200.

But some insurers and employers may decide to still cover the shots regardless of the new recommendations, said Jen Kates, a senior vice president at the non-profit KFF, which studies health care issues. She noted that they may view the expense as worthwhile if it avoids a higher bill from someone hospitalized by the coronavirus.

Whats considered increased risk?

The FDA published a list of health conditions it said would qualify, including asthma, cancer, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. The CDC has a more extensive list.

But, again, it isnt yet known how this will play out. For example, it could be hard for people to prove theyre qualified. If theyre vaccinated at a drugstore, for instance, the pharmacist wouldnt normally know about underlying health problems or even ask. Kates said its unclear whether Kennedys move would affect whether doctors recommend the shot.

And Sethi, the UW-Madison expert, said this elephant in the room is that blocking vaccination to the healthy may mean people who have a risk factor and simply dont know it will miss out.

Adding to the confusion, the FDA included pregnancy and recent pregnancy on the list of conditions that would qualify someone for a shot  but Kennedy said that pregnancy was no longer a qualification in his announcement this week.

COVID-19 complications during pregnancy can include preterm birth as well as serious illness in the mother, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said it strongly reaffirms its recommendation for vaccination during pregnancy.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Kayla Wade, 19, readies to take a vehicle for a spin during driving lessons with Ann Arbor Driving School instructor Suhail Bilbeisi on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, outside the Ann Arbor Academy. Jackie Smith | MLive

ANN ARBOR, MI  For the most part, the drivers education class hosted at Ann Arbor Academy looks, feels and sounds like any other.

There are diagrams showing student drivers how to avoid collisions, videos featuring a calm voice explaining the dangers of things like hydroplaning, and students who await individual driving lessons.
The former Ypsilanti Community Middle School at 510 Emerick St. in Ypsilanti. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

YPSILANTI, MI  A new dual language Spanish immersion school is coming to Ypsilanti this fall.

Ypsilanti Community Schools will expand its existing elementary Spanish immersion program into a kindergarten through eighth grade school. It will be located in the districts former middle school building on Emerick Street, according to Assistant Superintendent Carlos Lopez.
Several masked people impersonated police and forced entry into a home in the 10000 block of East Willow Road in Augusta Township. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

AUGUSTA TWP., MI -- A husband and wife, along with two others, were charged for impersonating police and pistol-whipping at least one person during a home invasion.

Several masked people impersonated police and forced entry into a home in the 10000 block of East Willow Road in Augusta Township around 8:26 a.m. on Jan. 4, according to a release from Michigan State Police.
Daijon Wells is accused of forcing his way into a home in the 500 block of Virginia Avenue in Ann Arbor around 11:35 p.m., Sunday, May 25, and assaulting a man and woman. File photo. (Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com) Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI -- A 21-year-old was stabbed while was assaulting an ex-partner inside a home.

Daijon Wells is accused of forcing his way into a home in the 500 block of Virginia Avenue in Ann Arbor, where he assaulted a man and woman around 11:35 p.m., Sunday, May 25, according to Chris Page, spokesperson for the Ann Arbor police.
Ray Campise took over as the owner of Kerrytown's Sparrow Market, 407 North 5th Ave., on May 1, 2025. Christina Merrill | MLive.com cmerrill cmerrill

ANN ARBOR, MI - Ray Campise walked into Sparrow Market in 2016 with his resume in hand looking for a job. Campise gave it to the meat manager at the time, but he said she threw it in the trash.

Two days later, Campise returned to the market to follow up with owner Bob Sparrow, who said he never received it. Sparrow then asked Campise a couple of questions and hired him on the spot, Campise said.

Nine years later, Campise is now the popular Kerrytown markets new owner.

Campise took over the 407 N. 5th Ave. market on May 1 after Bobs son Jordan Sparrow wanted to pursue his own interests, Campise said.

A year ago out of nowhere, Campise said Jordan Sparrow asked him if he ever considered buying the market. Hed thought of potentially taking over the market in the future but not imminently. Sparrow, though, wanted to hand over control in the next year.

Its an honor, Campise said. Bob Sparrow, the founder of this place and his son, Jordan, and his wife, Lisa, they all put their blood sweat and tears into this place for years. Bob really built this place up over 41 years and so did Jordan, not to mention Bobs brother Tom Sparrow, whos been working here for seven or eight years now.

He really took me in and my fiancee (Sparrows head butcher Cristina Pappas), and we all became part of the family, Campise continued. So, to be considered part of the Sparrow family is an honor...Its just mind-blowing, honestly. I couldve never pictured or imagined living the American dream.

When Campise started working at Sparrow, he was mopping floors, stacking meat and bagging groceries, he said. Within two years, he became the manager. He added more responsibilities like taking on the scheduling and ordering.

Three years ago, when Jordan opened the former Sparrow Kitchen inside the market, Campise became the general manager of the market.

Last year, Tom and Campise revamped Sparrows website and launched an online butcher shop offering two-day deliveries shipped across the country. He also started sourcing wagyu meat from Japan and Australia, he said.

As the new owner, Campise looks to do more of the same.

Im a firm believer in the old adage if its not broken, dont fix it, Campise said. Theres not too many things here that are broken, considering that Jordans let me and his uncle (Tom) and Cristina do our thing for the last couple of years.

However, Campise did mention some minor things hed like to tweak. Hed like to change the schematics and layout of the store a little bit to make it a better customer experience, he said. Campise added he might want to add another register, some new counters and some new lights to make it look a little cleaner.

Founded in 1984 by Bob Sparrow as a butcher shop, Sparrow has grown to become a beloved market offering meats, charcuterie, cheeses, drinks, produce, dry foods, prepared foods and more.

Bob sold Sparrow to his son, Jordan, in 2020. Now, despite the market no longer being owned by the Sparrow family, Campise said he still considers himself part of the troop.

Sparrow has become popular in Ann Arbor and beyond. Television talk show hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, whose son recently graduated from the University of Michigan, said it was one of their favorite spots in town.

Campise wants to serve all Sparrows loyal customers.

We just want to continue the gratitude and the good feeling all the Ann Arbor locals get by just being a walk away or a drive away, Campise said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
Linda J. Nunn, convicted of the New Year's Eve murder of a federal bank examiner in Flint in 1986, is shown in this Flint Journal file photo. Leo Johnson | The Flint Journal Leo Johnson | The Flint Journal

FLINT, MI -- A Saginaw woman serving a life sentence for the 1986 murder of a bank examiner in Flint has told members of the Michigan Parole Board she acted in self defense when she fatally shot him after a sex-for-money deal gone wrong.

Linda J. Nunn, a 63-year-old grandmother, testified in a virtual hearing on Thursday, May 29, apologizing for killing Ellery Brown of Saline while she was working as a prostitute nearly four decades ago.
The Kent County Animal Shelter is moving back into its permanent location at 740 Fuller Ave. after operating out of a temporary facility for the last several months during the renovations. Pictured is a photo of the renovated facility. Angela Hollinshead

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Kent County Animal Shelter is unveiling its newly remodeled facility after months of renovations.

The public will get a chance to check out the animal shelter and mingle with adoptable pets at a grand reopening from 4-6 p.m. Monday, June 2.

The animal shelter has returned to its primary location at 740 Fuller Ave. NE after operating out of a temporary facility for the last several months during the renovations, which included flooring upgrades.

RELATED: Dozens of pets need homes as Kent County Animal Shelter prepares to relocate

Were thrilled to welcome the community back to our Fuller Avenue shelter, said Angela Hollinshead, the animal shelters director. This renovation represents a new chapter in our continued commitment to providing high-quality care for animals and meaningful support for pet owners across Kent County.

During the reopening celebration, the public will have the chance to tour the facility, meet shelter staff and volunteers, and connect with some of the pets currently available for adoption, according to a county news release.

Visitors can also learn about volunteer opportunities and resources available to support pet owners in the community.

Community partners like the Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance, Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry, and CSNIP will also be in attendance to share information about their services.

Were so grateful to our community and partners, like the Humane Society of West Michigan and Harbor Humane, for helping us navigate this transition, Hollinshead added. Weve seen incredible compassion and generosity, and were excited to now offer an even better space to carry out our mission.

The animal shelter said residents can help by adopting or fostering animals and donating supplies or funds to support the shelter. Residents who find a lost pet outdoors can help reunite them with their families by posting photos of the animal online or scan the pet for a microchip at the animal shelters 24-hour chip scanning stations, located at 740 Fuller Ave. in Grand Rapids or 4191 17 Mile Rd. NE in Cedar Springs.

Residents can find more information about the animal shelter by visiting kentcountymi.gov/AnimalShelter or calling 616-632-7300.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.
A Michigan State Police body cam video showing the moment Samuel Sterling was struck by an unmarked police vehicle in April 2024. (Michigan State Police) Michigan State Police

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A judges dismissal of a former Michigan state police troopers murder case sends a troubling message, according to the family attorney for the man fatally injured during a fugitive arrest.

U.S. District Court Judge Hala Jarbou dismissed a second-degree murder charge against Brian Keely on Wednesday, May 28.
Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump holds a press conference with friends and family of Patrick Lyoya at the murder trial of former Grand Rapids police Officer Christopher Schurr. Lyoya's father, Peter, is second from left and his mother, Dorcas, is on the right. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

DETROIT, MI -- The family members of Patrick Lyoya say they were heartbroken and unhappy about a decision not to retry a former Grand Rapids police officer for killing their son.

Peter and Dorcas Lyoya both spoke Thursday, May 29 at a press conference a week after Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said he would not retry Christopher Schurr. It was the first time Lyoyas parents spoke to reporters since Beckers announcement.
Protesters gather outside Grand Rapids Police headquarters after police released video of the police killing of Patrick Lyoya in downtown Grand Rapids three years ago. (Joel Bissell | MLive file photo) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Murder charges against police officers for on-duty killings are rare.

Its even more rare for prosecutors to secure a murder conviction at trial.

The high-profile case against former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr ended in a mistrial earlier this month.

RELATED: Heres why police officer Christopher Schurr wont face a new murder trial

Schurr fatally shot Lyoya in the back of his head after an April 4, 2022, traffic stop on the citys Southeast Side. Lyoya shoved the officer, tried to flee and eventually gained control of Schurrs Taser during a struggle before he was shot.

Schurr, a seven-year officer, was fired from the Grand Rapids Police Department in the days after he was charged with second-degree murder.

Lyoyas death happened less than two years after George Floyd was murdered at the hands of a white police officer in Minnesota.

At trial earlier this month, a 12-person jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in Schurrs case. The judge declared a mistrial. Most jurors were in favor of acquittal.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker recently announced his office would not retry Schurr.

RELATED: Police officer Christopher Schurr will not be retried for murder, prosecutor says

The criminal case against Schurr was closed.

Its not the first time in U.S. history that a prosecutor was unable to secure a murder conviction against a police officer.

From 2005 to 2025, there were 139 police officers  nationwide  arrested for murder or manslaughter due to on-duty killings, according to data from the Department of Justice.

Only seven of those officers have been convicted of murder.

In the wake of Schurrs mistrial, MLive/The Grand Rapids Press reviewed 10 other high-profile police killings in the last decade and the outcomes, if any, for officers involved.

RELATED: For more of MLives coverage on the Schurr case, visit here

Here is a look at those cases, in chronological order, dating back to 2014:

Eric Garner

Garner, 43, died on July 17, 2014, after New York City police officer Daniel Pantaleo placed him in a prohibited chokehold during an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. No criminal charges were filed at the state level against Pantaleo. A Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Pantaleo five months after Garners death. Federal prosecutors declined to bring civil rights charges against Pantaleo in July 2019. One month later, Pantaleo was fired after an administrative judge overseeing a police department disciplinary trial found him guilty of using a barred chokehold on Garner. The Garner family received a $5.9 million settlement from the city of New York.

Michael Brown Jr.

Brown, 18, was shot and killed by Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. The fatal encounter stemmed from an incident earlier in the day. Brown was accused of stealing a pack of cigarillos from a nearby liquor store. No criminal charges were filed against Wilson. A St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict Wilson in November 2014  the same month Wilson resigned from the Ferguson Police Department. In 2017, the Brown family received a $1.5 million settlement from the city of Ferguson.

Tamir Rice

Tamir, 12, was shot and killed Nov. 22, 2014, by Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann who responded to a 911 call about a guy with a pistol scaring people in a park. Tamir had been playing with a replica pellet gun, though police thought it was real and fired as they arrived at the scene. No charges were filed against Loehmann who was fired from the Cleveland Police Department in 2017. His firing wasnt related to the shooting, but for lying on his job application. The Department of Justice closed its investigation in December 2020 without filing federal charges. The Rice family received a $6 million settlement from the city of Cleveland.

Freddie Gray

Gray, 25, was arrested April 12, 2015, after he ran from Baltimore police. He was handcuffed and later shackled and placed on his stomach in the back of the police van. Officers did not buckle him in. Gray died April 19 after suffering a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody. Officers Caesar Goodson, Brian Rice, William Porter, Alicia White, Garrett Miller, and Edward Nero were charged with various crimes ranging from misconduct in office to murder. Goodson, Nero and Rice were acquitted at trial. Charges against the remaining three officers were dropped after the acquittals. The city of Baltimore reached a $6.4 million settlement with Grays family.

Breonna Taylor

Taylor, 26, was shot and killed March 13, 2020, by Louisville Metro Police Department officers during a botched raid on her apartment. Officers executed a no-knock warrant related to a drug investigation involving Taylors ex-boyfriend. Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing into neighboring apartments, but not for Taylors death. He was acquitted of all charges in March 2022.

Federal prosecutors charged four officers  Hankison, Joshua Jaynes, Kelly Goodlett and Kyle Meany  with civil rights violations in August 2022. Jaynes was convicted of conspiracy and falsification charges and was sentenced to three years in prison. Goodlett pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. Hankison was acquitted of federal civil rights, and Meanys case was dismissed.

Taylors family received a $12 million settlement from the city of Louisville.

George Floyd

Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, by former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyds neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face-down on the street. Chauvin was charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. A jury found him guilty of all counts and he was sentenced to 22  years in prison. Chauvin later pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations and received 21 years in federal prison.

The city of Minneapolis reached a $27 million settlement with Floyds family.

Three other officers  J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao  present during the incident were later charged for their roles in Floyds death. Kueng and Lane both pleaded guilty to state aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Kueng was sentenced to 3  years in prison while Lane received three years. Thoa was convicted of abetting second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to nearly five years in prison. All three men were also convicted of federal civil rights violations and received punishments ranging from two to three years in federal prison.

Daunte Wright

Daunte Wright, 20, was shot and killed April 11, 2021, by Brooklyn Center, Minnesota police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop. The officer claimed she mistakenly drew her firearm instead of her Taser. Potter was charged with first-degree and second-degree manslaughter. She was convicted on both charges and sentenced to two years in prison. Potter was released after serving 16 months of her sentence. The city of Brooklyn Center agreed to a $3.25 million settlement with Wrights family.

Tyre Nichols

Nichols, 29, died on Jan. 10, 2023, three days after being severely beaten by five Memphis police officers during a traffic stop. Video footage showed the officers repeatedly punching, kicking and striking Nichols with batons while he offered little resistance. Officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith were fired from the department and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.

Mills pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and official misconduct as well as federal civil rights violations. He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in May 2024.

Sonya Massey

Massey, 36, was shot to death on July 6, 2023, in her Illinois apartment by Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson. Massey had called 911 earlier to report a suspected prowler. Grayson shot Massey three times after some confusion over a pot sitting on a burning stove. Grayson awaits trial in October on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.

Samuel Sterling

Samuel Sterling, 25, died April 17, 2024, after he was struck by an unmarked police vehicle in a Burger King parking lot in Kentwood while he was fleeing police on foot. The states Attorney General charged Michigan State Police Det./Sgt. Brian Keely with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. A federal judge dismissed the charges against Keely on Wednesday, May 28.
The Jackson County Animal Shelter and Animal Control continues to investigate dead dogs found in a freezer behind The Parlour. J. Scott Park | jpark4@mlive.com

JACKSON COUNTY, MI  New details of the investigation into dead dogs found in a freezer behind a Jackson restaurant include evidence of skinned animals without heads, an exotic rodent and more.

The Jackson County Animal Shelter and Animal Control continues to investigate the contents found inside a freezer on Sunday, May 25 behind The Parlour, 1401 Daniel Road in Jackson.

Health officials said the current restaurant operations are not part of where the animals were found and that the new owner is in full compliance with health rules.

The probe was opened after the general manager for the new owner found animal remains in a freezer.

Inside, animal control also found skinned animals without heads or paws, a rodent known as a Patagonian cavy and some packaged meat and sausage that looks like it came from a store, Shelter Director Lydia Sattler said.

Related: Dead dogs found in freezer at The Parlour of Jackson

The shelter is still investigating the incident and is conducting necropsies on the dead dogs to determine the cause of death. The shelter is also attempting to determine the species of the decapitated animals, she said.

The shelter is still conducting interviews with witnesses and other leads to find out more information. Sattler said a big question they hope to answer is: why?

This is super bizarre, Sattler said.

More information will be available as the investigation continues, Sattler said.

Scott Pienta took over The Parlour two months ago, and the garage, which is separate from the restaurant, was filled with old kitchen equipment and personal items of a previous operator, he said.

Pienta said hes been attempting to get the person to remove their items, including the freezer. On Sunday, The Parlours general manager discovered the dead dogs and other evidence when he opened the freezer, and Pienta instructed him to call Jackson County Animal Control.

The Jackson County Health Departments director Kristin Pluta said she has worked closely with The Parlour, including Pienta and former management over the years. The Parlour is a large facility, and the location where the animals were found is not part of the current restaurant operation and does not fall under the Departments jurisdiction.

Pluta also added that Pienta has demonstrated full compliance with Michigan Food Code requirements and reflected a strong commitment to health and safety standards.

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Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen speaks at a June 6 news conference about a rash of fatal overdoses in April 2023. Two men from Michigan were sentenced to prison for their involvement in distributing the drugs. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Two men from Michigan have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a mass poisoning in Kalamazoo County that led to at least six deaths.

There were 18 reports of overdoses between April 12 and April 13, 2023, in Kalamazoo County connected to cocaine laced with fentanyl. At least six people died and 10 others were hospitalized from overdoses.
The exterior of the Heritage House Museum on Pine St. in Essexville is pictured in this MLive file photo. THE BAY CITY TIMES

ESSEXVILLE, MI  Theres a chance next week to own a piece of Bay County history before its torn down.

The Heritage House Farm Museum has been a part of Bay County since the 1870s. But due to its deteriorating nature, the house will be demolished soon. A liquidation sale, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, will allow the public to buy or bid on items at the housesome original to the home.

Its a lot of historical Garber family items, things that were original to the home and things that were accumulated over the years by the museum, said Howie Diefenbach, who is assisting the Heritage House Farm Museum and Historical Foundation with the sale.

Theres quite a bit left, Diefenbach said. Theyve donated off to other museums and these are the things that they would like to offer to the public as a keepsake.

The home, often referred to as the Garber House, is located on district property at 305 Pine St.

The Heritage House is a nine-room home built by John S. Garber in 1874. The Garbers and their nine children were the only family to occupy the house. Seven of the children were raised there; two died in infancy.

The house served as an educational experience about the ways of life from the 1890s through the 1920s. A farm where the house was built originally included 67 acres, which is now used by Garber High School and a grade school.

Owned by the school but leased to the historical foundation for $1, the structure required significant upkeep, something the foundation, with its aging membership, was unable to stay on top of.

The upkeep often required money, something the foundation simply doesnt have anymore, officials previously said. Annual cookie sales had for years raised thousands of dollars for the foundation, which went back into the home.

The home was open every Sunday for years for the community to tour; special displays were set up once a month to entice visitors. Neither worked, foundation officials said, as community interest in the historic home waned.

In time, the foundation essentially ran out of money.

The location was picked as a place to build a substantial STEM Center for the district. While those plans ran into a hiccup due to a failed school bond in the May 2025 election, the historic building is still set to come down.

Items that will be included in the sale, according to Diefenbach, are an 1800s dry sink, cupboards, some furniture and even a piano some claim is the first piano in Essexville. From the barn on the home are other items, including an antique bean sorter and other items used by the original Garber family.

Arrangements can be made to pick up items after the sale.

Were looking forward to people coming out and buying a piece of Essexville history, Diefenbach said. We just want to do as much as we can to save as much as we can in a very short time.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

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Former President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump, shown in these AP file photos, have tried different mechanisms to fix the federal student loan program and the large debt carried by borrowers. (AP Photo) AP

If you have student loans, its been a bumpy ride.

A pandemic-era pause allowed borrowers to miss student loan payments without penalty.

Then, President Bidens promise to broadly forgive student loan debt went unfulfilled.

Now, President Trumps administration plans on taking the earnings of those not paying.

A lot has changed with federal student loans in the last five years. The effect is being felt in Michigan where more than 13% of the states residents have student loans, combining for more than $50 billion in debt.

MLive is taking a deeper look at how we got here, the current situation for Michigans borrowers and more details about the money owed by the states residents.

Since taking office, President Trumps administration has taken steps to majorly overhaul the federal student loan system through executive orders, government restructuring and proposed federal budget cuts.

While not all solidified yet, these changes will likely impact Michigans nearly 1.34 million student loan borrowers.

RELATED: Go here for more of MLives coverage of Trump

Most immediately affected are borrowers at risk of or currently defaulting on their student loans, meaning they havent made recent required payments.

In addition to dinging credit scores and making it more difficult to obtain future loans, being in default may soon mean the Department of Education will begin garnishing these borrowers wages.

How did we get here?

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal student loan system has been in a near-constant state of change, starting with a pause on student loan payment requirements by Trump in early 2020.

That pause was extended multiple times by two presidential administrations. It ultimately expired in 2023, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an attempt by former President Joe Biden to forgive student loan debt, up to $20,000 for any Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for other borrowers.

The court ruled that Bidens administration overstepped its authority in attempting to forgive student loans, and required payments resumed in October 2023.

The actual process of restarting student loan payments was slower for some, however, with long wait times to contact servicers, delays in processing applications and in some cases, inaccurate billing statements.

The federal government again paused payments as a result for 758,000 affected borrowers in early 2024, and withheld payments to three student loan servicers.

RELATED: Why student loan payments were paused for some borrowers in 2024

Biden made a second attempt to revamp federal student loans through a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan that was intended to forgive student loan balances after a number of years.

Called the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, it has also been largely unsuccessful. Its been stalled amid court challenges, and borrowers remain in a state of limbo, though no monthly payments are now due for those who applied.

As required student loan payments restarted, there was also a one-year grace period, where interest continued to grow on student loans but missed payments werent reported to credit bureaus.

That expired in October 2024, and missed payments began appearing on credit reports during the first quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New Yorks quarterly debt report.

Amid this pausing and unpausing, there has been one constant until now - the U.S. Department of Education was not collecting on loans from defaulted borrowers, or those who fail to make scheduled student loan payments within 270 days of their due date.

Starting May 5, the department announced that would end. It is now again collecting on defaulted loans, and will soon begin garnishing wages and federal benefits during the summer of 2025.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies.

In a statement, the Department of Education described the decision to restore defaulted collections as shepherding the student loan program responsibly  which means helping borrowers return to repayment - both for the sake of their own financial health and our nations economic outlook.

Student loan default can impact borrower credit scores and make it more difficult to obtain future loans.

Some advocates say garnishing wages or seizing the federal benefits of those in default only compound the financial struggles of those who need help the most, however.

Michigans borrowers, by the numbers

As of October 2024, Michigan had 1.34 million student borrowers living in the state, according to 2024 numbers from the Education Data Initiative, a research organization studying the U.S. education system.

Those borrowers (13.7% of state residents) had a combined $50.8 billion in student loan debt, with an average debt of $36,886 per person.

RELATED: Michigan House proposes $22K college scholarship for all high school graduates

Of Michiganders with student loan debt, 14.5% owed less than $5,000, while 21.9% owed $20,000 to $40,000 and 2.17% owed more than $200,000.

And more than a quarter of Michiganders with student loan debt were not in repayment as of May 2025.

A May 13 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that between 25% and 29% of Michigan borrowers now have at least one student loan that is 90 or more days past due or in default.

This figure only accounts for defaulted loans that still appear on credit reports, as they are typically removed after seven years. The loans still appearing on credit reports make up roughly 1.7 million of the 5.3 million defaulted borrowers, meaning Michigans number could be higher.

Where are we now?

Last week, the Department of Education announced it had begun issuing 30 day notices to defaulted borrowers warning them that wages and federal benefits could be garnished if they fail to make payments.

RELATED: Your federal benefits are now at risk if youre in default on student loans

It will do so through the Treasury Offset Program, which allows the Treasury Department to collect debts. In addition to wages, the program can take dollars from benefits like Social Security or tax refunds.

The first round of notices were sent to an estimated 195,000 borrowers, and the first checks that could be impacted by garnishments are those scheduled for early June.

According to reporting by Forbes, the Treasury Offset Program allows the government to seize 100% of federal tax funds owed to a borrower, up to 25% of federal employee retirement benefits and up to 15% of federal wages, Social Security benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits.

It also allows the federal government to order a private employer to withhold up to 15% of a borrowers wages, but there are limits based on income - with a maximum of either 25% of an employees disposable earnings or greater than 30 times the federal minimum wage ($7.25 an hour).

Email notifications sent out by the Federal Student Aid (FSA) office over the last few weeks dont yet count as official notice, but are meant to make borrowers aware of their options, like income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

The Education Department recommends that borrowers struggling contact the Default Resolution Group (DRG) to learn about options that can help.

It says the DRG can assist borrowers in making payments, enrolling in an IDR plan or signing up for loan rehabilitation.

The recent moves by President Donald Trumps administration are part of a larger Republican plan to overhaul the federal student loan system and reform higher education.

As part of this overhaul, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has reduced the size of the Department of Education workforce, and has tossed around the idea of shifting its duties - including overseeing federal student loans - to another federal department.

At the same time, a proposed federal budget that recently passed the U.S. House would majorly restructure the federal student loan system.

It would create more stringent requirements for some loans, like Parent PLUS; place a cap on Grad PLUS loans for graduate students and eliminate some existing income-driven repayment options for borrowers.

The proposal would also eliminate Bidens frozen SAVE Plan.

There would be just two options available for repayment for all borrowers, including those already in repayment.

There would be one income-driven repayment assistance plan, with payments calculated based on borrower income and ranging from 1% to 10%. A second standard repayment plan, with fixed monthly payments and terms ranging from 10 to 25 years, has been likened to a mortgage.

Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg, who chairs the Congressional Committee on Education and Workforce, said If there is any consensus when it comes to student loans, its that the current system is effectively broken and littered with incentives that push tuition upward.

He said the changes will cut government waste and address ballooning college costs through a simplified repayment system.

Walbergs office said borrowers now in limbo will be given clarity and placed into one of the existing statutory income-based repayments plans.

Theyll then have the option to switch into the new plan if they choose.

Click here to follow MLives complete coverage of President Trumps impact on Michigan.
Michigan residents are facing uncertainty in the constantly changing student loan climate. In this file photo, graduates wear decorated caps during the University of Michigans Spring Commencement ceremony. (MLive file photo) Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

George Doran knows hes in default.

Hes received a first notice from his student loan provider outlining that fact.

What Doran doesnt know, however, is how recent federal changes will specifically affect his family, especially his youngest daughters disability payments. Will the disability payments be garnished to cover his student loan debt?

If she loses that, then I have absolutely no income, he said. The very small amount that we even get for her evaporates immediately because of bills.

Doran, 37, is a U.S. Air Force veteran with three children, the youngest of whom he said receives monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for a spinal condition.

Now, hes unsure if he could lose benefits by being in default on his student loans, which he took out in addition to the G.I. bill. SSI benefits are generally exempt from garnishment, but Doran said amid federal changes, hes still worried.

Im fearful, he said. Its not been (made) clear to me whether if I get garnished, that shell get garnished.

The Mount Pleasant man is among the Michigan residents who are facing uncertainty in the constantly changing student loan climate.

The U.S. Department of Education announced in April that it would resume collections on defaulted federal student loans this month. This summer, President Donald Trumps administration also plans to begin garnishing wages and federal benefits for those in default, or failing to make scheduled loan payments within 270 days of their due date.

Trump and Republicans in Congress have described the existing student loan system as broken, with a cycle of high tuition costs and no borrowing limits that result in many students owing thousands.

RELATED: Go here for more of MLives coverage of Trump

Like former President Biden, who sought to reform the system without much success, Trumps administration is seeking to overhaul the federal student loan system. Trump is attempting to make major changes through executive orders, government restructuring and proposed federal budget cuts.

These changes could impact Michigans nearly 1.38 million existing student loan borrowers, who share $50.8 billion in collective student loan debt, according to one education-based research organization. Approximately 13.7% of state residents have student loan debt, the Education Data Initiative says.

Doran is one of several of those borrowers who spoke with MLive about what the uncertainty of recent changes to federal student loan policy could mean for them.

Many said while they understood the responsibility when taking out their loans, it feels like the goalposts keep moving, and its difficult to get a clear answer on whats coming next.

Defaulting after a pandemic pause

Student loan payments technically resumed over a year ago, after a COVID-19 pandemic pause in March of 2020. The actual process of restarting payments was slower for some, with long wait times to contact servicers and delays in processing applications.

But May is the first month that the Department of Education is collecting repayments from defaulted borrowers.

Trumps administration also announced in mid-May that it had begun issuing 30 day notices to defaulted borrowers warning them that wages and federal benefits could be garnished if they fail to make payments.

RELATED: Pandemic pause to debt forgiveness promise to garnished wages: How student loan policy shifted

Doran said the pandemic loan pause took a weight off his household, and the return of payments is a big stressor thats kind of re-entered my mind.

His ultimate goal when going back to school was to find a position where he could continue to serve his community, Doran said, but that hasnt worked out as he imagined.

Growing up, he said his generation was told go to college or serve in the military, do something in terms of building your education up, and you will find the work. A lot of that (is) not panning out for us.

I did everything. I got my degrees. I went through the military. I did all the things I was told to do, he said. I think the reality of what were living in now versus what we were taught to expect is vastly different.

He initially used the G.I. bill to pay for his education after serving on Moody Air Force Base in Georgia as an engine mechanic. Doran got a degree in theater and performing arts from Central Michigan University.

But after starting a family, he decided he needed a bit more job security. He earned his masters degree in administration from CMU in 2021 while raising his family, and ultimately had to take out student loans to help cover the cost of living while in school.

Because of a lack of non-military work experience while in school, hes struggled to find a job after graduation and make student loan payments, and is now in default.

Ive pretty much been job hunting ever since, Doran said.

Of Michigan borrowers, between 25% and 29.9% have at least one student loan that is 90 or more days past due or in default, according to recently shared data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Nationwide, more than 5 million borrowers are now in default, according to the Department of Education.

In a statement, the department described the decision to restore defaulted collections as shepherding the student loan program responsibly  which means helping borrowers return to repayment - both for the sake of their own financial health and our nations economic outlook.

Over the two weeks following May 5, the Federal Student Aid (FSA) office sent email communications making borrowers aware of options, like income-driven repayment plans or loan rehabilitation.

The Education Department advises borrowers struggling to make payments to contact the Default Resolution Group (DRG) to learn about options that can help. It says the DRG can assist borrowers in making payments, enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan or signing up for loan rehabilitation.

Michigander worried about the future

Maggie, an Ann Arbor resident who spoke with MLive but declined to give her last name, said she will turn 60 this year with student loan debt she described as quite significant.

A former state of Michigan employee, she earned a masters degree before deciding to attend law school for environmental law and borrowed through both. Now a private legal consultant, Maggie said she makes regular student loan payments, most of which go to interest.

I think I will die with student loan debt at this point, she said.

Maggie was placed on former President Joe Bidens Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which Biden proposed as a way to revamp the student loan system after previous attempts to forgive student loan debt were overturned.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that Bidens administration overstepped its authority in attempting to forgive student loans.

His SAVE act, a kind of income-driven repayment plan intended to forgive loan balances after a number of years, has also been stalled amid court challenges. Borrowers who signed up remain in a state of limbo.

Maggie said on the SAVE plan, her graduate school loan would have been eligible for forgiveness in 2028, after 25 years of repayment. Now there is no end in sight.

A recent federal budget recommendation would eliminate the SAVE plan. It would also pare down repayment plans to two repayment options.

After passing the U.S. House, those changes are awaiting Senate approval.

House Republicans, like Michigans own Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, said the changes will cut government waste and address ballooning college costs through a simplified repayment system.

Walbergs office said borrowers now in limbo will be given clarity and placed into one of the existing statutory income-based repayments plans.

Theyll then have the option to switch into the new plan if they choose.

But Maggie said the waiting game makes it difficult for her to plan ahead, and she hasnt yet received any notice of how her monthly payment could change.

Student loan debt kind of colors every decision that you make, she said, including decisions about when, or if, to retire.

I never asked for a bailout, she said. But the government came in and said, Hey, were going to give you this array of repayment plans  and youll see some relief. To be offered that and then have it yanked back to me is the most frustrating thing, because I would have planned differently had I known.

Awaiting word on loan forgiveness program

Dr. Tamar Shrikian, a West Michigan dentist, said she is passionate about work that centers around serving patients primarily on Medicaid, many of whom she said would otherwise not be able to pay a private practice dentist.

Through her job, Shrikian qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a federal program that forgives borrowers remaining direct student loan balance after 120 payments if they work for a qualifying employer. These employers are mainly government agencies or nonprofits that provide public services.

Ive been there now eight years, Shrikian said, and thats probably the thing that I have the most anxiety about when it comes to potential changes to the student loan repayment program.

If, for some reason, this plan went away and I needed to make changes to how I was going to pay for this plan, there would be no way that Id be able to keep my job, she said.

The public student loan forgiveness program places borrowers on an income-based plan with required monthly payments, but that payment per month doesnt cover the interest that youre accruing most of the time, Shrikian said of her experience.

My balance has only grown since graduation, she said, with loans from undergraduate and dental school.

A Trump executive order has sought to reform PSLF by restricting who qualifies, which he said would ensure that the definition of public service excludes organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose.

The list mentioned by Trump includes groups violating federal immigration law, supporting terrorism and engaging in a pattern of aiding and abetting illegal discrimination, among others.

At this time, the Federal Student Aid department has said its reviewing Trumps executive order, but there are no changes to PSLF currently, and borrowers do not need to take any action.

The most recent federal budget proposal does include some changes to PSLF, mainly to exclude time spent in a medical or dental internship/residency program from counting towards forgiveness. The exclusion would apply to those who have not already borrowed for a graduate-level program, meaning future physicians and dentists seeking public service careers after June 30, 2025.

As of May 27, Shrikian said she has made 102 out of 120 qualifying payments, so I am very close.

Any more potential changes would be devastating, she added.

Click here to follow MLives complete coverage of President Trumps impact on Michigan.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she hopes President Donald Trump doesnt pardon the men who plotted to kidnap her. (MLive file photo) Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she hopes President Donald Trump doesnt pardon the men who plotted to kidnap her.

No one should hesitate to condemn political violence, whether it is aimed at my good friend Josh Shapiro, the horror that played out at their residence in Pennsylvania, or it is the man who shot Donald Trump, or it is the people that threatened me. Its unacceptable, Whitmer said Thursday. And so it is my hope that he doesnt go forward with that. But, you know, Im going to, we have an ongoing dialogue now.

It wasnt clear if Whitmer meant she plans to talk with Trump about the possible pardons. Her office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. She made the remarks Thursday, May 29, at the Mackinac Policy Conference during a Q-and-A following her keynote speech.

The other incidents Whitmer was referring to were the assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in July and a man setting fire to the Pennsylvania governors mansion as Shapiro, who is the governor of the state, and his family slept inside.

In comments to reporters Wednesday, Trump expressed skepticism about the convictions of those involved in the 2020 plot to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home. He said hed look at possible pardons for the men.

I will take a look at it. Its been brought to my attention, Trump told reporters at the White House, NBC News reported. I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job.

The remarks from Trump came after the U.S. Justice Departments new pardon attorney recently said he would take a hard look at possibly pardoning two key figures in the plot  Barry Croft Jr., 49, of Bear, Delaware, and Adam Fox, 42, of Wyoming.

Croft and Fox are currently in federal prison on convictions of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction in the plot.

Without the pardons, Croft will spend the next 19 years and seven months in prison, while Fox will serve 16 years. A federal appeals panel last month rejected their appeals.

Related: Whitmer kidnap plotters got high and ran their mouths: Trump considers pardons

In all, 14 men were charged in the plot, with five being found not guilty.

Whitmer joked about the restraint she has exercised in interviews when asked about the consideration of pardons for the men.

She referenced a gag comedian Keegan-Michael Key did with then-President Barack Obama during the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2015. Key acted as Obamas anger translator, following up everything Obama diplomatically said with an over-the-top version of how he allegedly wishes he could say it.

I often think about that like, you know, I did all the interviews, they said, How do you feel about this? Well, Im disappointed, Whitmer said. My anger translator would use more colorful language.

Fourteen men were charged in the 2020 plot to kidnap Whitmer from her summer home in Antrim Countys Elk Rapids. According to trial testimony, the plot involved moving Whitmer to a secure location in Wisconsin, where she would face a trial for treason and possible execution.

The government alleged the plot motivations ranged from anger at Whitmers pandemic shutdown orders to wanting to trigger a new revolution or civil war.

Croft had said online in April 2020 that executing governors would lead to a second American Revolution, and that all its going to take is 1 state, to burn out and hang a (governor) and those dominoes will start falling.

Five of the men were found not guilty.

Related: 50% is a disgrace. Attorneys critique Whitmer kidnap plot trial conviction rate

The government says Croft and Fox did intend to kidnap Whitmer and even conducted night reconnaissance missions to her lake house in Northern Michigan. Attorneys for the men allege government informants within the group pushed the plot.

Appellate judges affirmed the convictions, writing that based on the evidence presented at trial, the jury saw and heard a host of video and audio recordings of Defendants promising violence, planning and participating in trainings, bringing their own weapons and material, and plotting the abduction without reluctance.

Related: Defense for alleged leader says FBI informants pushed plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer

Whitmer has said she hopes to eventually meet and talk face-to-face with one of the men who pleaded guilty in the conspiracy to kidnap her.

I would love to understand what led to this. I think its not a rational thing that people pick up guns and threaten to kill a sitting governor because she told you to wear a mask. What else was going on there? Whitmer told MLive last year.

You know, maybe Ill learn something that will make me a better person or make me a better governor or maybe theres nothing to learn, but Id like to try.

Related: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to meet those who plotted to kidnap her
DTE-hired crews from Corby Energy Services prepare for gas line replacements in Ann Arbor's Old West Side historic neighborhood on Aug. 23, 2021 in this file photo. Michigan's two largest utilities, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, said they were committing to a combined $3.5 billion in annual spending with Michigan-based businesses and suppliers. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Michigan state officials say theyre partnering with the states two largest for-profit utilities to ensure billions in the companies annual spending flows to in-state businesses, particularly as they grow reserves of clean energy.

This is how Michiganders can retain good-paying jobs going forward. This is how Michiganders and the businesses in Michigan can continue to create excellent-paying jobs going forward, said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist during an announcement Thursday morning, May 29 on Mackinac Island during the Mackinac Policy Conference.
At 12:09 p.m. EDT on Thursday, the National Weather Service reported an air quality alert in effect until Saturday at midnight EDT for Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Houghton, Baraga, Marquette, Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5) in the western half of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. The Air Quality Advisory includes the following counties: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, and Ontonagon. A cold front moving down from Ontario early Friday morning will bring wildfire smoke plumes from fires in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan into the region. As a result, we anticipate PM2.5 levels rising into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range across the western portion of the Upper Peninsula. There is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the Unhealthy (Red AQI) range for a short period of time. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters, according to the weather service. Air Quality Advisory Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy May 29, 2025.
Local residents and international students try to make sachets at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)


An Air Quality Advisory has been issued for part of the Upper Peninsula for Friday. Graphic provided by NWS

A cold front sweeping into Michigan on Friday is expected to do more than just drop the temperatures in part of Michigan. It could send wildfire smoke from Canada across the western Upper Peninsula, creating poor air quality.

A cold front moving down from Ontario early Friday morning will bring wildfire smoke plumes from fires in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan into the region, the National Weather Service meteorologists in Marquette said today.

This means particulate matter in the air will likely rise to a level thats considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, like people with asthma or respiratory issues. However, its possible the smoke could be thick enough to push the level into the red zone, which is considered unhealthy for everyone.

To check the air quality in your region, you can access the MiAir site here: https://air-egle.hub.arcgis.com/

Ahead of the arrival of these wildfire plumes, an Air Quality Advisory has been issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. It covers the counties of Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee and Ontonagon.

It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes, EGLE staff said.
Make UPSC More Inclusive: Ex-RBI Governor D. Subbarao Proposes Age Cut and Entry for 40+ in IAS

MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.

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Chris Hemsworth pays emotional tribute to the legacy of Thor, Marvel fans say, "don't say goodbye"

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Criminal Justice Season 4 Review: Pankaj Tripathi and Surveen Chawla power a whodunit that keeps you hooked

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When Naseeruddin Shah revealed he uses his awards as bathroom handles, said, "Whoever goes to the bathroom will get two awards"

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Who is Rachel Gupta who quit Miss Grand International 2024, citing Broken Promises and Toxic Environment

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Alia Bhatt nails the bridesmaid look in a dazzling white sherwani at a friends wedding

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Industry should not ask for things that will make FTAs difficult: Sunil Mittal

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Sunil Mittal shares four pillars for India's growth, says 5G rollout a 'power of collaboration'

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Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com

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Make in India not just a slogan but a necessity, says Rajnath Singh after Operation Sindoor, AMCA greenlight

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NANNING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- At a fully automated production line in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, cans of energy drinks rolled off conveyors, destined for shelves across China. Operated by Thai conglomerate T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries Co., Ltd., this 1.3-billion-yuan (about 180.8 million U.S. dollars) facility with four automated production lines exemplifies the deepening foothold of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in China's consumer market. Launched in January this year, the plant generated 75 million yuan in first-quarter output value, matching expectations. "China's 1.4-billion-strong market, undergoing dual upgrades in consumption and industrial chains, is unlocking opportunities for high-level opening up," said Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. "ASEAN, as our close neighbor, is uniquely positioned to share these dividends." Despite global trade headwinds, China-ASEAN trade surged 9.2 percent year on year to 2.38 trillion yuan in the first four months of 2025, with ASEAN retaining its position as China's top trading partner, according to China's General Administration of Customs (GAC). Guangxi, the country's gateway to ASEAN, brings this partnership to life. At a center for China-ASEAN specialty commodities in Nanning, capital of Guangxi, Singaporean specialty dishes and Thai spices sit alongside Cambodian rice -- all purchasable with a quick QR code scan. Since its launch in 2022, the center has featured over 5,500 types of products, serving as a one-stop platform for cross-border trade. Malaysian durian mooncakes find their way to Chinese dining tables via promotional livestreaming, while Chinese cosmetics gain traction in ASEAN markets thanks to multilingual influencers' skillful introduction. Such centers tackled what was previously a headache for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ASEAN -- a lack of access to efficient cross-border industrial chains and storage solutions. "By providing these solutions and value-added supporting services, the center helps SMEs in ASEAN capitalize on China's ultra-large market, facilitating smoother exchanges of high-quality products between China and ASEAN countries," said Lu Chunmei, a deputy general manager at the center. This growing trade between China and ASEAN is also reshaping careers. In the bustling cross-border e-commerce training base of Guangxi International Business Vocational College, Indonesian student Putriyani enthusiastically showcased Chinese specialty products to global buyers via livestreaming. Nearby, her classmates from Vietnam, Thailand and Laos could be seen promoting products in their native languages. As the first college in Guangxi to offer cross-border e-commerce training programs, this institution graduates some 300 professionals annually, nurturing a talent pool fluent in both ASEAN languages and digital trade. "As the combined population of China and ASEAN accounts for about a quarter of the world's total, their integrated development has continuously unleashed market potential, establishing an exemplary model of cooperation amid global headwinds," said Lyu Daliang, spokesperson for the GAC. This synergy is set to deepen with the recent completion of negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), the world's largest free trade zone among developing countries. The upgraded pact will introduce nine new chapters, including digital economy and support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that account for the majority of ASEAN's business entities. Feng Gui, a law professor at Guangxi University of Finance and Economics, said the conclusion of CAFTA 3.0 negotiations will significantly enhance industrial capacity, technological collaboration and trade ties between China and ASEAN, accelerating their economic growth and industrialization. "This breakthrough provides renewed support for the multilateral trading system while charting the right pathway for the majority of countries committed to preserving free trade principles," he added.
Nifty eyes 25,000 as US court blocks Trump tariffs; Key levels to watch on May 29

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Maryam Farooqui is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol covering media and entertainment, travel and hospitality. She has 11 years of experience in reporting.

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Aryaman Gupta

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How 'dark patterns' quietly trick you and why government is calling them out

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Aryaman Gupta

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Swati Das is an independent journalist covering Tamil Nadu politics, and is based in Chennai.

Chhabi Kala

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Smriti Mishra

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'Calls to Pak, at least 7 visits': Rajasthan government employee arrested for spying for Pakistan

Ria Kapoor

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Congress reminds Shashi Tharoor of UPA-era cross-border Ops after his first surgical strike remark in Panama

Priyanjali Ghose

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Congress vs Congress over Shashi Tharoor and a 'masterstroke' that misfired

Priyanjali Ghose

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Delhi crackdown: Over 770 illegal Bangladeshis deported in 6 months, 500 since Pahalgam attack alone

Parimal Peeyush

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'Dont really have time for this but...': Shashi Tharoor responds to Congress' criticism of first surgical strike remark

Priyanjali Ghose

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Surabhi Pandey

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From 'Travel with Jo' to Hisar jail: What is happening in the Jyoti Malhotra case now?

Ria Kapoor

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'India in touch with authorities for locating them': MEA on three Indians missing in Iran

Chhabi Kala

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Parimal Peeyush

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J. Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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No change on stand with Pakistan, terrorism and talks cannot go together: MEA

Chhabi Kala

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Operation Shield: Mock drill in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Chandigarh on May 31  Check details

Hemant Abhishek

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Siddharth Chakravorty

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Hapur Encounter: Sharpshooter of Lawrence Bishnoi gang gunned down in police encounter in UP's Hapur

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The politician Theodore Roosevelt, Montana-based western artist Charles M. Russell and novelist Jack London of The Call of the Wild fame all have one thing in common  Philip R. Goodwin.

Although Goodwins name may not sound familiar compared to these three well-known individuals, some of his paintings have become iconic works of art continually fetching higher and higher prices at auction.

His painting of an angler fighting a jumping fish from the front of a canoe, as his buddy in the back of the boat reaches for a rifle to take aim at a bull moose on the shoreline, sold for $968,000.

The Montana connection

Peterson, a Plentywood native, is a writer and art historian who authored the book Philip R. Goodwin: America's Sporting and Wildlife Artist, published in 2001. The book is a hefty treatise, weighing in at 12 pounds, he noted, while detailing the life of an extraordinary artist that some confine to a narrow genre, called predicament illustrations.

For example, the painting Between Two Fires depicts a black bear sow crossing a log over a stream followed by two cubs. The sow is leaping away from a porcupine on the log as two anglers approach. Into New Country shows two trappers strenuously battling a rivers whitewater as they paddle a birchbark canoe.

Among his more well-known accomplishments, Goodwin illustrated Roosevelts book African Game Trails, An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist published in 1909. Peterson called it the top sporting book of the generation, advocating the manly outdoor life.

Between 1907 and 1910, Goodwin spent time with Russell at his Bull Head Lodge near Lake McDonald in what is now Glacier National Park. There he etched 16 wildlife scenes into the large fireplace.

Russell learned a lot from Goodwin, Peterson said, influencing the untrained western artists more than anybody.

As one-time chairman of the National Advisory Board to the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, and author of a book on Russell, Peterson should know.

Nancy and Charlie idolized Goodwin, Peterson said of the artists wife and devoted agent. She was suspicious of other artists, but not Goodwin.

In 1903 at age 22, Goodwin created an illustration for a book titled The Wolf, showing the authors main character, Buck, fighting a wolf pack leader. With the title changed to The Call of the Wild, it sold a million copies and launched Londons writing career while bringing greater notoriety to Goodwins talent for capturing animals.

Saturday Evening Post art

Although illustrators of Goodwins era were considered second-hand painters, Peterson said their works are incredibly popular. As an example, Peterson pointed to Russells highest-selling painting Piegans garnering $5.6 million. Norman Rockwell, who had 323 illustrations on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, produced art that has sold for as much as $45 million.

Peterson likened an artists work being published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post to an Academy Award. Goodwins paintings were featured on three Post covers.

Hes the hottest western artist right now, Peterson said, with works selling for $500,000 to $600,000, an increase in auction prices steeper than any other western painter.

Everybody loves Goodwin, he added, partly because of the nostalgia of that early 1900s era, but also because his depictions resonated with little boys growing up in the 1950s who went on to become millionaires and billionaires who decorate their ranches with western art.

Perhaps one of Goodwins most familiar paintings depicts a Pony Express rider galloping atop his horse at full tilt while cradling a rifle. The image was created in 1919 but didnt become popular until Winchester Repeating Arms began using it as a logo for the company.

Following World War I, according to a 2016 article by Christopher Yurkanin, Winchester was looking for a new corporate image. Goodwins Horse and Rider has lasted as the Winchester (and American) symbol ever since, he wrote.

Classically trained

Born in 1881 in Connecticut, Goodwins talent for drawing was immediately recognized by his parents. His first illustration was published in Colliers magazine when he was only 11 years old. At 14 his parents enrolled him in the Rhode Island School of Design.

He soon caught the eye of Americas most famous illustrator, Howard Pyle, who taught such greats as Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, Harvey Dunn, Frank Schoonover, W.H.D. Koerner, and Frank Stick, Peterson wrote in his 2021 book, The American West Reimagined. Pyle started the Brandywine School in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania where many of the great illustrators would study over the years. Goodwin was training there as a teenager ahead of N.C. Wyeth.

Eric Rossborough stumbled across Goodwins works while working in a Wisconsin library. The library was throwing away a bin of books, one of which was titled Great Sporting Posters of the Golden Age.

Rossborough, who now works at the McCracken Research Library in Cody, Wyoming, cut out illustrations from the book to decorate his apartment while also covering holes in the walls.

The weird thing is that, after I had cut out the pictures I liked the best, I realized they were all by the same guy, Philip R. Goodwin, Rossborough wrote in an article for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Then I came out here and find Ive come to work in a library that owns this guys letters, and in a museum that has his original art and notebooks.

McCracken collection

The collection of letters, donated by Goodwins sister-in-law Neva, included a disheartening communication from a Minnesota-based calendar company looking to hire the talented artist.

We wish you would make a couple sketches of the following  show the same two trappers that we have had in the past, with the red and blue shirts, then have a young boy with the same type of an outfit, probably brown shirt, who has just been taken along on his first trip into the woods.

Show these trappers with the boy assisting in building a log cabin on some spot overlooking a lake. Then introduce a bit of animal life and action, possibly a bear and its cubs, rounding a corner somewhere, or in some playful action, at least adding some human interest to the picture itself Then if you have any other ideas you want to send along, do so.

The letter prompted Rossborough to wonder, What would this be like, as an accomplished artist, to have to cater to such programmatic demands?

Goodwin can also be found in a 1914 advertisement touting Tuxedo tobacco, that is good for your nerves.

New York hometown hero

In 1929, The Daily Times of Mamaroneck, New York, wrote a story calling Goodwin the dean of artists colony in the Long Island community, despite most of his work at the time being commercial painting for calendars.

The article revealed how Goodwin would use details from a variety of locations or trips to blend into one of his paintings, sometimes utilizing photographs. After a preliminary watercolor, which itself often takes days in preparation, Goodwin would then use that to make a charcoal outline on a large canvas. After coating the canvas with shellac, oil paint would be applied.

Every gesture and pose of the human figures depicted is intended to convey a meaning, and sometimes a whole adventure is described in a single picture, the reporter noted.

When encountering problems, Goodwin would delay his painting, sometimes for days, until he could solve the issue.

Mr. Goodwins motto in life is thoroughness, sometimes it takes him several months to complete a picture, but rather than allow his work to deteriorate in a single portrait from from the consistent quality of his output, he is ready to sacrifice time and money, the news story said.

Unfortunately for Goodwin and many other artists, the Great Depression left him destitute and relegated to renting out his home while living in a backyard studio with his dog. He never married, living with his mother until she died. At the age of 54, Goodwin was found unconscious on the floor of his studio, later dying of pneumonia at a local hospital.

No detailed obituaries were penned in his honor, although a one-paragraph death notice did highlight his connection to Roosevelt.

I think Goodwin reflected Theodore Roosevelts call to young Americans to lead the strenuous life, Peterson said, noting his months-long trips to Canada, Maine and Montana provided fodder for his work.

Particularly appealing to Peterson was that many of Goodwins predicament paintings involved two friends out in nature.

My original title for this was the lost life of Philip Goodwin, Rossborough said of his article. And I thought, you know, how can someone who's pulling huge money in, this famous 90 years after his death, be considered lost?
Arindam Goswami is a software professional and a Research Scholar at The Takshashila Institution. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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C Uday Bhaskar is Director, Society for Policy Studies, New Delhi. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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This CEO added $1.6 billion to his fortune in 24 hours after toy went global

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'Very stupid': Mohandas Pai on Kamal Haasan's 'Kannada born out of Tamil' comment

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Courts cannot remain mute spectators: Karnataka HC in its judgment to ban Proton Mail over cyber abuse case

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Google Chrome has many buyers lining up, but is Google planning to sell it? Sundar Pichai finally breaks silence

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Were still sending traffic to the web: Google CEO Sundar Pichai responds to backlash from news outlets

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Traveling Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases in India? Heres What You Should Know and Do

Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.

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A retired North Dakota coal mine is set to become the new home of a nickel processing plant.

Minnesota-based Talon Metals and Westmoreland Mining Co. signed an agreement Wednesday that gives Talon the sole rights to purchase 256 acres of the Beulah Mine along with 7 miles of a nearby rail line. The company hopes to have the facility operational by late 2028.

The 9,000-acre Beulah Mine was shut down by Westmoreland a few years ago after the company filed for bankruptcy in 2019. Today, the area is still home to numerous coal plants and mines, but the closure of Westmoreland and a few power plants has fueled anxiety among officials about the future of the region.

Thanks to an allocated $115 million from the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a huge planned private investment from Talon for the $365 million plant, and a push by the city's economic development director, Beulah will be home to the second nickel processing plant in the country.

"It's never done until it's done and so there could always be issues, but when you start talking about national security and what it means to our country there's a lot of support behind this project," said Granville Brinkman, Beulah's economic development director.

The signing ceremony took place in Beulah, where Gov. Kelly Armstrong and all three members of North Dakota's congressional delegation spoke.

"We mourned the closing of Westmoreland Mine and the overseeing of that process. We knew what a big deal it was going to be to the community to lose that, and here we are," said Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., who prior to taking office in the U.S. House regulated coal mines as part of the state Public Service Commission.

Talon's facility will primarily produce nickel concentrate, a key component in batteries. Talon has already entered into a contract to sell 75,000 metric tons of nickel, as well as other byproducts to electric car manufacturer Tesla over six years. Other minerals such as iron and copper are expected to be processed at the facility, too. The company is also looking into using the waste from mineral processing and with fly ash -- waste from burning coal -- to create cement.

Domestic extraction and processing of critical minerals such as nickel have become policy priorities among lawmakers and industry officials who are seeking to shore up supply chains. These minerals are key to numerous military technologies and are used for clean energy applications, too, such as the batteries needed for electric vehicles, and energy storage that helps the reliability of renewables.

The United States is heavily reliant on foreign countries for battery production and the critical minerals that batteries are made from. The project represents an effort to pursue more U.S.-based battery manufacturing under the 2021 infrastructure law. The legislation made $2.8 billion in federal dollars available for plants such as Talon's.

To officially start building, Talon will need to meet state regulatory requirements at the PSC and the Department of Environmental Quality. Talon will also have to receive approval under the federal National Environmental Policy Act process because of the federal money that is involved.

The company faces a somewhat more challenging permitting process in Minnesota, where the nickel is set to come from. Its permit to extract nickel from the Tamarack Mine in the Iron Range has been in a scoping phase of an environmental review process at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for around two years.

Talon President Mike Kicis told the Tribune that the scoping phase does not have a set timeline, but the next step in environmental permitting does and the company expects to be in that phase by the end of the year. He said that Minnesota state regulators have been impressed by the company's efforts to revise its mining plan for Tamarack compared to a traditional mine.

"It's an underground mine (where) the tunnel comes straight into a building ... This (building) is about the size of a Super Target, the ore gets crushed, the trains come right into the building and out," he said. The goal of this design is to limit air and water pollution.

Kicis said there are places in Canada where the company could source nickel if Tamarack falls through.

When asked if the project would have been possible without the federal money, Kicis said, "I think it would have been a real challenge."

"China and some of those competitors out in the world, they've got endless capital, but having the markets we do that are free and open, sometimes you need a little bit of that stimulation to get people to believe that it can happen here," he said.

Gov. Armstrong, who was North Dakota's sole U.S. representative until last year, did not vote for the infrastructure law. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer did. Armstrong praised the work of the company, past governors and the congressional delegation on Wednesday.

"It's easy to beat up on the federal government, and sometimes it doesn't even matter who's in charge, but without the (Energy Department's) help, some of these things wouldn't exist," he said.

Part of what drove Talon to bring the plant to North Dakota was how dry it is. One of the main concerns related to the mining plan is Tamarack's proximity to wetlands and other bodies of water. Processing the ore in North Dakota reduces that footprint. The state's business-friendly regulatory environment drew the company in, too.

Talon expects the plant to create around 150 full-time jobs once it is built. That could create a big influx for Beulah, where the population is just over 3,000 people.

"We just had our housing study done. We need 352 new single-family and multi-family homes and we're working with a local developer right now to take and develop and build 85 of them," Brinkman, the economic development director, said.

North Dakota state Rep. Bill Tviet, R-Hazen, said he was looking forward to the project moving forward. Hazen, near Beulah, has a population of about 2,300 people.

"Some (of my constituents) are very excited; some don't understand it. There's a fear of the unknown, but the longer I've worked with this, the more I see this is going to be positive," he said.

Getting more houses built will be important if the plans that lawmakers have for the area are seen through.

North Dakota's lignite coal holds other critical minerals that could be mined and processed in-state, and the Legislature recently passed a regulatory framework aimed at getting a mining process to go forward.

Other projects related to Talon's could also spring up, Hoeven told the Tribune.

"We're already talking to other companies about coming in here. This thing has big potential," he said.
From Trump tensions to Tesla turmoil: Why Elon Musk pulled the plug on DOGE?

Pragya Trivedi

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'How could anyone tolerate this sorrow': Palestinian UN envoy breaks down over deaths of Gazan children | Watch

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Inside Trumps war on elite universities: How Harvard became the target of a federal crackdown

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Musk tried to block OpenAIs UAE deal unless xAI was included, say officials

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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01540-y

Kieron Flanagan, a science-policy researcher at the University of Manchester, UK, agrees: governments need to really look at their own research systems and the reasons why their scientists are not in those systems to begin with, he says.

Global shift

The shift away from the United States should be a wake-up call for Europe, says Leptin. Why does Europe have to act to attract scientists only at a time when life is made miserable for them in the US? Why arent they coming here anyway? she says. Thats what Europe should be thinking about.

For decades, the United States has been the worlds engine of innovation and has trained the best scientists globally, says Flanagan. People used to look at it as a uniquely stable science system, he says, but now, thats not guaranteed. However, the shift could create opportunities: A different distribution of the global scientific effort might mean that theres more attention paid to different problems.

Leptin is optimistic that, despite the attacks on US science, the global system is sufficiently resilient to recover. Research is global. Were one big community. In the meantime, if US scientists need space and money to continue their research in Europe, Im happy to do that, she says, even if they want to go back afterwards.

Nature 641, 1077-1079 (2025)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-01540-y

Europes Molecular Legacy  and the Opportunity to Lead Again

Modern molecular biology was not born in the United States. Its intellectual roots lie deeply embedded in European soil:

United Kingdom: The Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge  home to James Watson and Francis Cricks DNA double helix model in 1953  was emblematic of postwar British excellence in structural biology. Max Perutz and John Kendrew were also based there, leading protein crystallography.

Germany: Before the rise of the Nazi regime, Germany was the global leader in biochemistry and genetics. Figures like Paul Ehrlich, Otto Warburg, and Richard Goldschmidt laid foundational work in immunology, cellular respiration, and chromosomal theory.

France: The Pasteur Institute helped pioneer microbiology and virology. Later, French molecular biology came to prominence through Francois Jacob, Jacques Monod, and Andre Lwoff, who won the Nobel Prize in 1965 for their work on gene regulation.

WWII and the Transatlantic Brain Drain

World War II and the rise of fascism decimated Europes scientific landscape. Persecution, war, and limited funding drove a mass exodus of Jewish and liberal scientists:

Enrico Fermi, Leo Szilard, Lise Meitner, Hans Bethe, and many others fled to the U.S.

The Manhattan Project and postwar Cold War priorities funneled billions into American science, creating institutions like the NIH, NSF, and DOE that became magnets for global talent.

America became not just a haven, but the epicenter of innovation, reshaping molecular biology with institutions like Harvard, Caltech, and the NIH intramural programs.

Can Europe Lead Again?

As noted in the Nature article (Nature 641, 10771079, 2025), Europe finds itself at a potential inflection point:

Why arent [scientists] coming here anyway?  Leptin.

Europe has world-class institutions (EMBL, Max Planck Institutes, CNRS, Pasteur Institute, Francis Crick Institute), but faces structural issues:

Fragmented funding mechanisms and bureaucratic barriers across EU nations.

Lack of long-term career stability for young researchers compared to tenure-track systems in the U.S.

Limited risk-taking culture in grant-making relative to DARPA/ARPA-H style funding in the U.S.

As Kieron Flanagan notes, the perceived stability of the U.S. science system is no longer guaranteed  politicization, funding volatility, and visa restrictions have tarnished the luster.

Policy and Vision for a New Scientific Renaissance in Europe

Europe can seize this moment by:

Streamlining researcher mobility and academic hiring across EU states  a Schengen of science.

Investing boldly in frontier research through initiatives like Horizon Europe, but with fewer bureaucratic strings.

Creating safety nets and attractive packages for early-career scientists  lab space, multi-year funding, and mentorship pipelines.

Positioning itself as a stable, values-driven science hub  especially for U.S. scientists frustrated by political interference or underfunding.

A Global System  or a New Scientific Non-Alignment Movement?

While Leptin notes that "research is global", the competition for scientific talent is intensifying. The real opportunity lies not in nationalistic hoarding of talent, but in creating global hubs that:

Address local and planetary challenges (e.g., climate change, antimicrobial resistance).

Invite scientists-in-exile (from the U.S., China, or elsewhere) to engage in meaningful, productive research  even if temporary.

Foster distributed centers of excellence, not one hegemonic center.

Conclusion

The U.S. took the lead in molecular biology by accident of history and decisive action. Europe now stands at a similar crossroads. By rethinking its fragmented systems and embracing bold reform, Europe could catalyze the next revolution in biology  not by mimicking the U.S., but by reclaiming its heritage of curiosity, depth, and global collaboration.

Or as Monod once said:

The ancient covenant is in pieces; man knows at last that he is alone in the indifferent immensity of the universe.

But if Europe steps forward with unity, purpose, and vision  scientists may no longer feel so alone.

**

Can Europe Lead the Next Scientific Renaissance?

Modern molecular biology was not born in Silicon Valley  it began in Europe. Nobel laureate Jacques Monod once said, The ancient covenant is in pieces; man knows at last that he is alone in the indifferent immensity of the universe.[]Jacques Monod-:Chance and Necessity).

In the UK, Watson & Crick unveiled the DNA double helix; Max Perutz and John Kendrew led protein crystallography at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge.

Germany once led the world in biochemistry and genetics, with pioneers such as Paul Ehrlich and Otto Warburg; additionally, Richard Goldschmidt contributed foundational work in immunology, cellular respiration, and chromosomal theory.

Frances Pasteur Institute shaped early microbiology, and Francois Jacob, Jacques Monod, and Andre Lwoff won the Nobel Prize in 1965 for their work on gene regulation.

But WWII changed everything. Fascism and war forced brilliant minds  Einstein, Meitner, Bethe, Fermi, Szilard  to flee. The U.S. became their refuge. With political will and billions in funding, America turned crisis into opportunity and became the worlds engine of innovation. The Manhattan Project and postwar Cold War priorities funneled billions into American science, creating institutions like the NIH, NSF, and DOE that became magnets for global talent.

America became not just a haven, but the epicenter of innovation, reshaping molecular biology with institutions like Harvard, Caltech, and the NIH intramural programs.

Today, that dominance is being questioned. In a recent Nature article (Nature 641, 10771079, 2025), experts warn that U.S. science faces growing political, economic, and institutional instability.

Why arent they coming [to Europe] anyway? asks EMBOs Maria Leptin.

So  can Europe lead again?

To do so, Europe must:

Break down barriers between national systems  a Schengen of science.

Invest in bold, high-risk research with fewer bureaucratic chains.

Attract and retain young scientists with career stability and lab resources.

Position itself as a globally-minded, politically stable home for scientific excellence.

Research is global. But talent flows toward freedom, funding, and vision.

If Europe reclaims its heritage and builds boldly, it can catalyze the next wave of discovery  not by copying the U.S., but by reimagining leadership rooted in depth, collaboration, and purpose.

hashtag#SciencePolicy hashtag#MolecularBiology hashtag#Europe hashtag#STEMLeadership hashtag#ResearchInnovation hashtag#WWIIHistory hashtag#ScientificTalent hashtag#FutureOfScience hashtag#LinkedInScience hashtag#NatureArticle https://lnkd.in/grRPdDbs

US brain drain: Natures guide to the initiatives drawing scientists abroad

nature.com
Tesla investors push for Musk to return full-time as CEO amid sales slump and political distractions

Pragya Trivedi

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US court strikes down Trump Tariffs: 5 reasons why it is good news for India

Abhinav Gupta

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Beltway bloat identified as key threat to Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile defense

President Donald Trump's ambitious 'Golden Dome' continental missile defense initiative, unveiled earlier this month with a projected three-year timeline and a $175 billion price tag, faces significant skepticism not just for its technical complexity but primarily due to potential bureaucratic impediments in Washington, as per a report in Axios. While the appointment of Gen. Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, to lead the project has been praised, and Trump highlighted Alaska's contribution with recently completed missile silos, experts like Tom Karako of CSIS stress that overcoming 'Beltway bloat'the tendency towards new offices and studiesis crucial and potentially harder than the technological leaps required. The defense industry expresses readiness, with companies like Apex investing in relevant technologies, but concerns persist from analysts such as Laura Grego of the Union of Concerned Scientists regarding the project's overall feasibility, the adequacy of its budget, and the likelihood of adversaries developing countermeasures, echoing challenges faced by past ambitious defense projects like Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, which Trump referenced.
Appeals court revives Native American challenge to $10B SunZia energy project

A federal appeals court has sided with Native American tribes and environmental groups, reviving their challenge to the $10 billion SunZia energy transmission project, as per a report in AP. This recent ruling allows the case, initiated in 2024 by the Tohono Oodham Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Center for Biological Diversity, and Archaeology Southwest, to proceed after a lower court had previously dismissed it. The lawsuit was filed against the U.S. Interior Department and Deb Haaland, who was the Interior Secretary at the time of the filing and is the current U.S. Secretary of the Interior as of May 29, 2025. The plaintiffs argue that the federal agency failed in its review process for the project, which is designed to carry wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to customers as far away as California.
Why US is planning to 'aggressively' revoke visas of Chinese students?

Pragya Trivedi

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Reporter

Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
General Motors planned $888 million investment in its Town of Tonawanda engine plant reflects the automakers emphasis on current demand for vehicles over what might be to come.

The newly announced investment to make the next generation of V-8 engines for full-size trucks and SUVs takes the place of the $300 million commitment that GM made in 2023 to make drive units for electric vehicles at the site.

That EV production hasnt been launched, but at the time it was announced, it was viewed as a key step for keeping the engine plant viable as electric vehicles gained a bigger share of the U.S. auto market.

Now, the $888 million will go toward equipping the plant to make a sixth generation of its V-8 engines, for gasoline-powered full-size trucks and SUVs. GM called it the single-largest investment it has ever made in one of its engine plants.

The shift also reflects GMs push toward meeting ongoing demand for vehicles with internal combustion engines. While GM still has a goal of selling an all-electric fleet starting in 2035, Mary Barra, the companys chair and CEO, has acknowledged the need to stay attuned to customers buying preferences today.

GMs investment announcement also comes amid an altered political climate at the federal level this year. The Trump administration has aggressively pushed to bolster domestic manufacturing and scrapped the Biden administrations target that electric vehicles account for 50% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2035.

Barra in a statement said GMs investment at the Tonawanda site demonstrates the automakers commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.

Art Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell Universitys School of Industrial and Labor Relations in Buffalo, said the GM Tonawanda announcement is good politically for General Motors, saying See, we want to build them in the U.S., and we dont have to have this production elsewhere.

I think the timing works out well, Wheaton said. It sounds like a lot of money, but a billion dollars for political goodwill is probably worth it for Mary Barra.

For the Tonawanda plants 870 workers, the new investment protects jobs and gives the 87-year-old complex new production to keep the site viable as older products are phased out.

It means its going to lengthen the amount of time they want to keep (the plant) there, Wheaton said. You wouldnt make the biggest investment (in a GM engine plant) if you were going to turn around and close it right away.

GM said the Tonawanda plant will continue making the fifth generation of its V-8 engine until production of the next generation of engines begins, in 2027. If past timelines hold up, that new engine could be produced for a decade or more.

Its all good news from the workers perspective, having that big chunk of money put into the plant, Wheaton said.

GM investing $888 million in Tonawanda engine plant Mary Barra, GM's chair and CEO, said it was the largest single investment GM has ever made in an engine plant.

Mike Grimmer, shop chairman of United Auto Workers Local 774, said in a video posted online that this was the first new engine program awarded to the plant in nearly 15 years and gives the workforce job security for many years to come.

Ray Jensen Jr., assistant director of Amherst-based UAW Region 9, said the investment connects the plant and its workforce to hot-selling GM vehicles.

We see the profits GM is making quarter over quarter, year over year, he said. The demand for internal combustion engines is there. These vehicles, these trucks  theyre some of the highest quality vehicles GM has.

Jensen said the project brings with it long-term viability for the Tonawanda plant. Its triple the investment and its going to at least keep the jobs that are there, and were hopeful it will create new jobs, as well.

GM has not announced any new jobs tied to the $888 million investment. But Gov. Kathy Hochul said the investment will support the sites employees, including 177 jobs deemed at risk. The state will provide up to $17 million in Excelsior Jobs program tax credits linked to the automakers investment.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said the Tonawanda plant and its workforce have proven their staying power with investments such as this one.

If people doubted before, they should certainly have no doubts now that the future of Americas auto industry will be powered by engines made right here in Western New York, and Buffalos powerhouse UAW workforce will be fully involved, he said.

Schumer said he has advocated for the plant through the years. There is not a time when I talk to Mary Barra or any other previous CEO of GM when the word Tonawanda was not coming from my lips repeatedly, he said.

Schumer was asked about GMs pivot away from an investment that would support electric vehicles toward a project to make internal combustion engines.

Our No. 1 goal is jobs in Tonawanda, he said. I believe that electric cars still have a very good future. But getting ($888) million to redo this plant and keeping the workers working, and keeping the secondary suppliers supplying is No. 1, very important.

GMs electric vehicle sales in the first quarter rose 94% over a year ago, but they remain a small percentage of the automakers total sales.

Joseph Yoon, consumer insights analyst with Edmunds, said GM has done an effective job of creating an electric vehicle lineup that car buyers have asked for: electric-powered versions of vehicles they have driven for decades.

They dont want to see something super-futuristic, he said. They dont want it to have a different name.

But Yoon said from GMs viewpoint, it makes sense to still make such a big investment in a new V-8 engine line.

I think from a sales and profit perspective, V-8s are still their bread and butter, he said. It goes into all their trucks.

I think its also a response to perhaps the difficult landscape that the automakers face with the current (presidential) administration toward electrification, Yoon said.

Even if the automakers make their electric vehicles in the United States, a lot of their supply chain is offshore, he said. Its not easy to onshore them, especially within the timeframe of this current administration, and ramp up quickly.

Yoon said he doesnt believe any of the automakers intend to abandon their electrification projects, but maybe ease off the pedal a little bit to see how the situation shakes out with this current administration.

Peter Ahrens, executive director of the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance, said GMs investment was welcome news after local manufacturing shutdowns at facilities including Sumitomo Rubber USA and Oldcastle APG.

GMs big investment is significant in light of the headwinds manufacturers face in New York State, such as the climate law and other regulations, Ahrens said.

GMs manufacturing operations also are a boon to local vendors that supply its facilities, he said. Im hoping that (the new investment) bodes well that they increase their local supplier base.

Wheaton noted the Tonawanda plant has a vast amount of space for production that is not being used.

Having that ($888 million) investment to maintain it is great, he said. Theres plenty of room for expansion if they decide to go down that path in the future.
CHENGDU, May 28 (Xinhua) -- China's second-hand car exports to Belt and Road partner countries are surging, with deals worth over 1 billion yuan (about 139 million U.S. dollars) at a trade event held on Wednesday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, underscoring rising global demand for China's quality used cars at competitive prices.

The growth follows China's full opening of used car exports in March 2024, accelerating access to Belt and Road markets where auto consumption is growing, as highlighted at the First Sichuan Used Car Export Supply-Demand Matchmaking Conference, which drew nearly 40 trade groups and buyers from 10 countries including Russia, Iran, Vietnam and Nigeria.

"Buyers arrived with clear purchase needs," said Huang Ruoyu, who oversees the used car export branch at the China Automobile Dealers Association, adding that Belt and Road partner countries now experiencing auto market upgrades increasingly favor China's cost-effective offerings.

Georgii Ruabtsev, vice president of the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, called the event a "bridge" for global demand, while proposing a joint China-Russia used car trading platform.

Iman Ashtari Talkhestani, representing Iran's Tehran Car Dealers and Exhibitions Union, emphasized investment opportunities by noting that Iran's used car market is growing rapidly and promising strong returns in the short and long term.

Sichuan exported over 10,000 used cars worth 1.4 billion yuan from January to April 2025, a 32 percent increase year on year, according to Qiao Fang, deputy head of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce, who added that used car exports have become Sichuan's new trade growth engine.

The province also released an overseas cooperation opportunity list and an industry self-discipline convention at the conference, while setting up contact centers in six countries to drive sustainable global supply chains.

China has launched exports of second-hand cars in May 2019, with an expansion in late 2022 that allowed Sichuan to conduct exports of second-hand cars.
Whats more important: a program that connects Buffalo students with robots, drones and 3-D printers, or the skills of roughly 20 guidance counselors, school social workers, school psychologists and attendance teachers who address mental health challenges across the district?

That question dominated more than 90 minutes of discussion Wednesday evening among Buffalo School Board members before they ultimately approved a $1.19 billion budget that plans to use $78.8 million in district reserves.

The 5-3 vote reflected unusual division from the Board in its support for district priorities. The budgets in Tonja M. Williams Knights first two years as superintendent were approved unanimously, with relatively little backlash.

As the evening wore on Wednesday, with the budget still hanging in the balance, tempers flared among Board members, primarily Sharon Belton-Cottman and Jennifer Mecozzi.

Were waiting until the 11th hour to begin this nonsense? School Board President Kathy Evans-Brown asked after pounding her gavel at least three times in an attempt to restore order. Our kids need us to be prudent.

The divide among Board members had become clear: Larry Scott, who urged the district to restore more student support staff positions  such as counselors and social workers  to the budget, was echoed by Adrianna Zullich and Mecozzi, while Belton-Cottman, Paulette Woods, Janita Everhart and Evans-Brown were aligned in favor of the budget.

I think Im going to be the deciding vote, again, said Terri Schuta, the Park District representative who then asked Buffalo Public Schools officials what the ramifications would be if the budget did not pass Wednesday. The budget would fail in the case of a tie.

As Buffalo Schools' budget deadline looms, board members are wary spending cash reserves With 20 student support staff  counselors, social workers and psychologists  on the chopping block, the Buffalo School Board is scrambling to find cost-saving alternatives to save their jobs.

Buffalo Schools Chief Financial Officer Jim Barnes said the district could not approve purchase orders  thats like spending money thats not mine, he said  and the transfer period for teachers would likely be delayed. The lack of an approved budget would disrupt the districts obligations to the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority, the City of Buffalo and the State Education Department, he said at a previous meeting.

Ultimately, Schuta voted in favor of the budget for the final margin. Zullich was the lone representative to give a short statement after her vote, adding: The needs of our most vulnerable students will not be met in this budget, and I cannot support it.

Cindi McEachon, the North District representative, did not attend the meeting  the Boards vote on the budget was originally scheduled for May 21  but her vote would have made the approval even more narrow.

While I respect the decision of my colleagues, if able, I would not have supported the budget as presented, McEachon said in a statement. The districts plan is to use $78.8 million of its roughly $400 million in cash reserves to balance the budget for 2025-2026.

Paulette Woods, who has long chaired the Boards finance and operations committee, said she hoped her peers would trust the staffing and programming priorities of individual school leaders.

The bottom line is, let the principals who have to run these schools, who made these decisions, allow them the respect to pass the budget that they put in, she said.

Robots, drones and 3D printers: Buffalo Schools takes step forward with WozEd The Buffalo School Board is on a quest to spend $289 million in federal Covid-19-relief funds to better Buffalo schools. On Wednesday, the board got almost $3 million closer to that goal via a career pathway that begins as early as kindergarten.

Following addresses by 25 community speakers, the Boards discussion surrounding the budget focused primarily on the value of Woz Ed, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) kit-based program produced by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and championed by Belton-Cottman as a barrier-breaking opportunity for Buffalos youth.

The program allows students to learn how to use drones and 3-D printers, and learn basics in growing fields such as cybersecurity and robotics. Woz Ed began to be integrated in Buffalo Schools in 2022, and the district has either spent or budgeted more than $10 million for the program.

At a work session May 21, Scott recommended the district cut back funding to Woz Ed because he believed the program was used unevenly in the district, and the savings could restore the roughly 20 student support staff positions that have been cut. After receiving further information from Superintendent Tonja M. Williams Knight about where student support staff positions were allocated in the district, Scott said he identified 15 schools with student-to-support staff ratios hovering around 200-to-1.

Scotts sentiments dovetailed with Buffalo Teachers Federation President Rich Nigros message to the Board at the beginning of the meeting.

Buffalo Schools social workers, music teachers again fight for their jobs It's the same clusters of Buffalo Schools employees  those who don't teach traditional subjects but play critical support and creative roles  that again feel the familiar pang of worry or have heard rumblings their positions are in jeopardy.

When student attendance is at an all-time low, and student anxiety and depression is at an all-time high, how could we possibly see fit to reduce those teachers who are charged with working with some of the neediest and most vulnerable children? Nigro asked.

Williams Knight later said that budget meetings with her cabinet and principals did not indicate to her that further increasing student support staff was a high priority; she had already chosen to restore the equivalent of eight full-time positions in the add-backs she is allotted.

I did not hear from the schools that that was what was needed, the superintendent said. And then another layer was that I met with the Board members, and principals were able to speak with Board members about what they needed, and I didnt hear it there either.

From a broader perspective, Barnes said the district employs 24 more guidance counselors and 28 more school social workers and psychologists than before Covid-19.

Nigro, just re-elected to his second two-year term as union president, criticized the price-tag for Woz Ed and said the district would have been better served fueling more resources into its own STEM programming.

Why would we not choose to leverage our own expertise and our own resources and our own staff in this area before signing over millions of dollars to a company on the other side of the country for something that we might be able to design and execute right here in house? Nigro asked.

Belton-Cottman bristled at the notion of cutting back Woz Ed.

This is an opportunity for our children, she said. You dont know what education is like in an urban district if you never sat in a classroom. It is not the suburban experience  it is not. She asserted that those opposing Woz Ed were trying to nix something without even thoroughly understanding the impact of it.
Delano, CA  The California Department of Corrections reports that former Tuolumne County resident, 43-year-old William Nesler, and another inmate, 35-year-old Edward Holden, attacked a prisoner who died at the Kern Valley State Prison.

It is being investigated as a homicide. The man killed was 56-year-old Timothy Whelan from Los Angeles County, who was received in 2007 and was serving a second-degree murder sentence.

The other alleged attacker, Holden, from Solano County, has been serving a first-degree murder sentence.

Nesler, who was received from Tuolumne County in 2005, has been serving a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and a concurrent three-year sentence for manufacturing, selling, or possessing a weapon. While incarcerated, he was found in possession of a controlled substance in 2013 and for causing great bodily injury to an inmate in 2019.

The recent incident happened on May 21. State prison officials used chemical agents to quell the attack, and investigators say that an improvised weapon was used during the incident. Nelsler and Hoden have been moved to a restricted housing area during the ongoing investigation.

William Nesler is the son of Ellie Nesler, who killed Daniel Mark Driver in 1993 at a courtroom in Tuolumne County. It made national headlines and spurred a conversation about vigilantism. Driver was accused of sexually abusing several boys, including her then-six-year-old son William, at a youth camp in the county. Ellie Nesler passed away in 2008.
Things to know about the retrial of Karen Read in the killing of her police officer boyfriend

Things to know about the retrial of Karen Read in the killing of her police officer boyfriend View Photo

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP)  The jury asked the judge several questions relating to charges and evidence Tuesday in the second murder trial of Karen Read, who is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend.

Jurors began deliberations late last week, more than a month after the trial started. The second full day of deliberations began Tuesday morning and ended without a verdict. More deliberations are scheduled Wednesday.

Read, 45, is accused of striking John OKeefe with her car outside a suburban Boston house party and leaving him to die in the snow in January 2022. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene.

Reads lawyers say OKeefe, 46, was beaten, bitten by a dog and then left outside a home in Canton in a conspiracy orchestrated by police that included planting evidence against Read.

Reads second trial followed similar contours to the first, which ended in a mistrial last year.

Jury asks judge to clarify evidence, charges

The jury asked questions of Judge Beverly Cannone, who also oversaw the first trial. Both sides discussed the questions in open court.

The first question related to the time frame of an operating a motor vehicle under the influence charge. Prosecutors wanted Cannone to instruct the jury to consider a time of 12:45 a.m., while the defense didnt want a time specified. The defense argued during the trial that Read returned home and kept drinking, which would have influenced her blood alcohol level. Cannone said she would advise jurors that they are the finders of fact and to make their own decision based on the evidence.

On the second question, the jury asked whether video clips of interviews Read did in a documentary that were presented at trial constituted evidence. The judge said they were.

The third question pertained to the jury slip, specifically whether a guilty verdict on a lesser charge of driving under the influence meant guilt on the main charge, which is manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence. The defense argued that amendments should be made in the jury slip to make it clearer.

Cannone returned to the courtroom with the jury present and answered the three questions, emphasizing that this was their case to decide. You folks have all the evidence. Its only you who decides the facts in this case. You are the fact finders, she said.

She then turned to the second question, saying they should treat Reads interviews as evidence. Yes, videos are evidence. You should weigh the defendants statements in the video interviews as you would any other piece of evidence and give them the weight you deem appropriate, she said.

Cannone then went through the amended jury slip with jurors before releasing them to continue their deliberations.

Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern University who is not involved in the case, said its quite possible it is heading for a compromise or mercy verdict, a split verdict, in light of the questions.

My take is that the jury might be homing in the OUI charge, suggesting they might have doubts about whether she struck him at all, Medwed said.

After a break, the jury returned a fourth question to Cannone, asking if they found Read not guilty on two charges but couldnt agree on the third charge, would it be a hung jury on all three charges? Cannone said she would respond to the jury that the question was theoretical and not one she could answer.

The defense has said several jurors from the first trial came forward and said the jury was set to acquit Read on two charges but deadlocked on a third, leading to the mistrial.

Defense and prosecution paint different pictures of OKeefes death

Defense attorney Alan Jackson began his closing argument Friday by repeating three times: There was no collision. He told the jury that Read is an innocent woman victimized by a police cover-up in which officers sought to protect their own and obscure the real killer.

Prosecutor Hank Brennan opened his own closing by saying Read callously decided to leave OKeefe dying in the snow, fully aware that he was gravely injured. He argued that she made the choice to let himdie, going further than prosecutors in the first trial in spelling out a motive.

Jackson repeatedly attacked the lead investigator in the case, former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired after sharing offensive and sexist texts about Read with friends, family and co-workers. He said Proctors blatant bias tainted every aspect of a corrupt and flawed investigation and noted how prosecutors refused to put him on the stand, as they did during the first trial.

Brennan said Reads blood alcohol level was two to three times the legal limit after the couple downed multiple drinks at two Canton bars. The couple, whose toxic relationship was crumbling, had an argument on the way to the house party that increased tensions and ultimately led to OKeefes death, the prosecutor said.

She was drunk, she hit him and she left him to die, Brennan said.

What are the charges Read faces?

Read faces several charges, the most serious being second-degree murder. If convicted she would face a maximum sentence of life in prison. She also faces a charge of manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence, which carries a maximum of 20 years.

She is also charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum of 20 years; motor vehicle homicide, which carries a maximum of 15 years; as well as operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. They carry maximum sentences of 2 1/2 and 15 years, respectively.

___

Whittle reported from Scarborough, Maine.

By MICHAEL CASEY and PATRICK WHITTLE

Associated Press
Yves here. The idea that the continued extermination in Gaza will generate more terrorism in the West seems entirely logical. Im actually surprised we have not seen more given that the vividness and level of horror has only increased, along with the frequency of Zionist celebrations of cruelty.

However, this post oddly does not contemplate what would follow.

In the US, given the conflation of criticism of Israel, even by Jewi, with anti-Semitism, terrorism will similarly be conflated with criticism, as in if you engage in the latter, you are promoting the former. So expect more concerted efforts to round up Muslims and boot them out of the US, particularly students. The Trump Administration would if it could set up internment camps for Muslim citizens a la the treatment of the Japanese in World War II. The Trump Administration would similarly use any rise in violence that could be depicted as related to Israel to further clamp down on free speech, engage in intrusive searches, and intimidate journalists. The FBI has taken to showing up a journalists doors without a warrant. In this case, the suspect in the Israeli embassy shootings, Elias Rodriguez, was already in custody, so its not as if the FBI needed information urgently so as to bring him in.

An additional point is that there is a real possibility of a false flag operation to justify US support of an Israeli attack on Iran. Mind you, expert commentators like Larry Wilkerson have raised this as a possibility, particularly in light of the fact that Israel has strike packages ready to go and is being restrained by Trump, who recognizes that war with Iran would be a seriously bad idea.

By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracys international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers.Originally published at openDemocracy

Conditions for Palestinians are getting progressively worse as Israels effort to control Gaza intensifies. Aware that his war can continue only as long as he has the backing of a highly unpredictable US president, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu is ramping up efforts to bring the territory under total control as quickly as possible, whatever the human cost.

The vast majority of Gazas population of more than two million are now being forced into three small areas, where the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) is imposing tight security and limiting the flow of desperately needed food, fuel, medical supplies, and water.

In this context, the murder of two young Israeli Embassy staff, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, outside Washingtons Capital Jewish Museum last week is especially significant.

Despite the best efforts of the Israeli governments well-resourced public relations system, Israel has steadily decayed into pariah status across the world as its war on Gaza has intensified. That status will persist until the bombing and killing of Gazans stops, and given the sheer intensity of the current attacks, it will probably grow. Does that mean the Washington attack is a sign of things to come?

We have been here before, especially in the decade after 9/11, when the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq sparked scores of attacks on Western targets.

Take, for example, the 7/7 train and bus bombings in London that killed 56 people in July 2005. At the time, prime minister Tony Blairs government was utterly insistent that the attack had nothing to do with the UKs involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, a stance undermined when it was revealed that one of the bombers had said precisely the opposite in a video recorded before the attacks.

Other attacks carried out in protest of the US-led Western war on terror include the bombings of trains in and near Madrids Atocha rail terminus in March 2004, killing 191 people, and the targeting of two nightclubs and the US embassy in Bali in October 2002, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Another such attack killed more than 50 people at two synagogues and the British Consulate in Istanbul in 2003, while another targeted US-owned hotels in Jordans capital of Amman, killing 60. Similarly, 55 people died when the Marriott hotel in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad was bombed in 2008; German tourists lost their lives when a historic synagogue was bombed in Tunisia in 2022; and holiday resorts frequented by Israelis in Egypt and Kenya were attacked in the mid-2000s.

Few if any of the attacks were organised solely by al-Qaida from Afghanistan or Pakistan. Many were organised locally, albeit sometimes involving connections to and no doubt inspiration from al-Qaida.

There was something of a pause on these attacks as the Iraq War eased in the early 2010s, but they resumed amid the four-year US-led air war on ISIS from 2014.

To name just a few of the attacks that took place, mostly across Europe, in the mid-2010s, 130 people lost their lives in a series of coordinated bombings across Paris in November 2015; the following year, a truck was used to kill 86 people and injure hundreds in a Bastille Day crowd in Nice, in the south of France, and 12 died in a similar attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.

So far, there is little direct comparison between these many attacks over two decades and what is happening now in relation to Gaza, but that might be about to change.

This week has seen the start of the US-organised distribution of food in Gaza through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is run in close association with the IDF and intended to replace the hugely experienced UN organisations that have been distributing aid for decades.

The GHF, a US-backed organisation that was founded in Delaware in February but is based in Geneva, Switzerland, is establishing four major distribution hubs in southern Gaza. It will use these to distribute aid to families that have somehow been screened for any connections to Hamas.

The hubs will be guarded by armed US private security contractors and their locations will do much to enable the relocation of Palestinians to the three small zones determined by the IDF.

In other words, a US-backed organisation employing US security guards is enabling the Israeli governments plan to clear most of Gazas population into what are essentially small holding pens before they can be forcibly relocated overseas.

This has led the GHFs executive director, Jake Wood, to resign this week. Wood said it had become clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

Right across the Middle East, the war in Gaza is commonly seen as an Israeli/US operation, with Washington providing a huge array of weapons and US Army personnel operating radar systems within the country.

From this week, there will also be an armed US organisation directly involved in the mass movement of Palestinians in a new Nakba. That alone increases the chances of further attacks like last weeks killings in Washington.
Penguin Poop Helps Antarctica Stay Cool 404 Media

A paraglider in China survived a rare updraft incident, and was lifted to nearly 9,000 meters high. Video footage shows him covered in ice as he navigates the altitude. Experts say convective weather caused the accident. Survival at this altitude is extremely rare. Learn more. pic.twitter.com/nIrI04XN8R  CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) May 27, 2025

Climate/Environment

Microplastics eaten by UK invertebrates are contaminating food chains University of Sussex

New WMO report on near-term climate projections finds that global temperatures are likely to remain at highly elevated levels for the next five years. Barring a large volcanic eruption, it is very unlikely that we see a year as cool as 2022 again. pic.twitter.com/AH6fKNJ5dx  Zeke Hausfather (@hausfath) May 28, 2025

INCREDIBLE !! Here we are  After days of overloading and cracks propagating, Birch Glacier collapsed over Blatten today at 3:24 pm and dammed the Lonza river Devastating! https://t.co/EgQQjq8YCO pic.twitter.com/gzhf92DRKG  Melaine Le Roy (@subfossilguy) May 28, 2025

Water

Groundwater is rapidly declining in the Colorado River Basin, satellite data show Las Vegas Sun

Pandemics

China?

India

Indias alarm over Chinese spying rocks the surveillance industry The Economic Times

European Disunion

Syraqistan

A journalist from the Daily Wire shared an AI-generated propaganda video depicting starving civilians in Gaza appearing to cheer for a mercenary handing out food. The manipulated footage aimed to distort the reality of the humanitarian crisis, and despite its inauthentic nature, pic.twitter.com/7ij6aAZC39  MintPress News (@MintPressNews) May 28, 2025

New Not-So-Cold War

Word in Moscow is if Merz uses German weapons to strike Moscow  and we all know that Kiev has no independent capacity to operate Tauruses or other long-range missiles  then Russia will have no choice but to strike Berlin directly. Simple enough. pic.twitter.com/8jYMr0zpUe  Margarita Simonyan (@M_Simonyan) May 28, 2025

Liberation Day

Trump 2.0

MAHA

Democrats en deshabille

Vladimir Putin is a sworn enemy of the United States. Appeasement was never going to work. Why is that so difficult to understand?  Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 28, 2025

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

Immigration

Wars Come Home

Imperial Collapse Watch

Silicon Valley

AI

Supply Chain

West Coast Ports Brace for Cargo Comeback, Sparking Congestion Fears The Loadstar

Healthcare?

Our Famously Free Press

Jake Tappers Biden Book is Hilarious and Insane Matt Taibbi

The Bezzle

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
A medical expert on NakedCapitalism, recently mentioned an example of his kids teacher setting a mathematical equation to estimate two unknowns [a]: something most numerate people will recognise as impossible. While one teacher mistake isnt scary, the fact our statistics programs just choose an arbitrary solution when encountering this phenomenon regularly in fields as diverse as Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) through to political polling is very concerning.

To help maximise engagement, I will illustrate this using a hypothetical political opinion poll. However, I will go on to explain how people in hard sciences should be equally worried, if not more so, since the problem is less well known among the RCT community, and will offer guidance to help practitioners.

I was once told explain what youre going to teach, teach it, then explain what you taught so Ill try to broadly follow that.

Here is is fundamental issue:

A pattern of respond/not responded) (two percentages) or a pattern of votes across five political parties (a+b+c+d+e=100) is explainable by an infinite number of mean affinities (often interpreted as party loyalties but could be in a trials sense, average response on some unobservable scale which is the true beta) and variances (how variable you might be in giving the core response). Just so we are on the same page, although sigma (the standard deviation) when squared equals the variance, is usually referred to in equations, for reasons lost to the mists of time, choice modellers didnt like to quote what the equation spits out: beta/sigma. Thinking of a large quoted value as a possibly large beta or a small sigma seemed to confuse some early people (because it is the MEAN divided by the VARIANCE) so they decided to work with the INVERSE of sigma, lamda, interpretable as how consistent you are. So small sigma (small variance) is high lamda (high consistency in response. So all this stuff is because what the program gives you is a large parameter which might be due to a large beta or a small sigma and you have NO IDEA which: high affinity (true beta) or low variance (how consistency  true lamda). The program gives you one times the other and you have NO IDEA what is driving the value.

So, when choosing a political party, each beta is in a fact a perfect mix (confound) of two things:

How strong is the support for each candidate? How certain/consistent is an individual persons support for each candidate?

These are multiplied together so you have literally no way to split them back up into their two parts. In other words, the first is a measure of how much you identify with a candidate (mean  the true beta, somewhat confusingly typically labelled V in the math equations since V is often used to represent utility of a proxy for it) whilst the second is a measure of how often youll stick with the candidate (inverse of the variance which you can think of as consistency which mathematically we represent as lamda  as I said above, this is the INVERSE of sigma (the standard deviation) so measure CONSISTENCY NOT VARIANCE  high consistency (low variance) is generally GOOD).

Your preferred statistical package cannot separate beta from lamda  it can only give beta multiplied by lamda when it uses the (log)likelihood [b]. So it simply assumes that lamda is one: all the reported effects are implied to be true betas when they are not  they are true beta multiplied by lamda. For every person and every choice/medical intervention. To see how this might give you a very misleading picture about what is going on Ill use a UK constituency election example. However, medical brain trust people bear with me, as Ill go on to show how dangerous this statistical practice can be in the context of clinical studies including possibly the rush to get mRNA vaccines to market.

Whats the problem with the likelihood function?

The likelihood function for logit models and the one for probit models[a] is an equation where the beta estimates it spits out are NOT in fact the true betas (measures of how strong the effect of each variable is in explaining your observed outcome). This is where the classic two variables, one equation problem comes in.

So, when choosing a political party, each beta is in a fact a perfect mix (confound) of two things:

How strong is the support for each candidate? How certain/consistent is an individual persons support for each candidate?

In other words, the first is a measure of how much you identify with a candidate (mean  the true beta, somewhat confusingly typically labelled V by economists) whilst the second is a measure of how often youll stick with the candidate (inverse of the variance which you can think of as consistency which mathematically we represent as lamda).

Your preferred statistical package cannot separate beta from lamda  it can only give beta multiplied by lamda when it uses the (log)likelihood [b]. So it simply assumes that lamda is one: all the reported effects are implied to be true betas when they are not. For every person and every choice/medical intervention. To see how this might give you a very misleading picture about what is going on Ill use a UK constituency election example. However, medical brain trust people bear with me, as Ill go on to show how dangerous this statistical practice can be in the context of clinical studies including possibly the rush to get mRNA vaccines to market.

An example using a very middle England constituency

Here are some hypothetical numbers that look like results from a UK opinion poll conducted in a middle England constituency. However, the reader should try to keep in mind that they are actually the internal tendency to support each party for one individual, called Jo. Jo simply said conservative but these are her internal percentages. The reasons for this will become clear. Until mid 2024 the Conservatives were the main right-wing party of government (somewhat like the US Republicans), Reform UK were attacking them from the right on issues like keeping out of the EU and DEI (MAGA type messages). Labour was supposedly centre-left (US Democrats) with a very mixed attitude toward the EU, whilst the Lib Dems and Green positioned themselves as forces to the middle or left who wanted back into the EU, some of whom could be quite libertarian but with a strong left-wing tilt amongst Greens anyway.

These percentages are effectively our y dependent variables in a logit or probit model based on likelihoods: what set of betas (our independent variables indicating level of party affinity) is most likely to give these percentages. Yet unless you read the appendix to these models in the manuals to a program like Stata, or work in one of only a few fields that encourage you to think about what the individual is doing (mathematical psychology or n-of-1 RCTs) then you wont realise that what you are getting are not betas, but betas_times_lamdas! The program has decided ok set lamda to be one encouraging you to think that all of these levels of support came from innate levels of strength of support for each party, rather than any consistency (or lack thereof) in support. Putting out misinformation about rivals to reduce consistency of support for them is a great way to artificially boost your percentage of the vote if you realise you cant boost your real beta  strength of support easily.

A brief delve into the weeds how an individual responds in terms of the mathematics

I wont cause peoples eyes to glaze over with a complete discussion of the likelihood function that translates proportions into pseudo-betas (pseudo because theyre confounded with lamdas). Somewhat surprisingly, it wasnt until the mid 1980s that the theoretical proof of the likelihood function doing this was published by Yatchew and Griliches[1][c].

Ill simply use the crucial bit of the likelihood exploited by the field of choice modelling (and clinical trials but Ill come to those shortly). In areas like academic marketing, random utility theory is used[2]. This was developed by Thurstone in 1927 and was at its heart a signal-to-noise way of conceptualising human choice (probably why mainstream economists generally dislike it: people are meant to conform to things like transitivity so the idea they might make mistakes is anathema). However, Thurstone was actually thinking at the level of the individual participant (think of our voter called Jo): how often they chose item i over some set of items y=1,2,. tells you how much they value i over any other member of the set of y-1. Hence the core equation:

This is not as scary as it looks. The probabilities (observed frequencies) are the left hand side and the numbers your favourite stats program gives you for your (in this case five) parties are the lamda-times-V. Perhaps youve spotted the problem. It cannot separate V from lamda so it sets lamda to be one (it normalises it). So ALL the variation in those percentages above are explained by betas which are in fact a perfect mix of V (the true affinity/strength) and lamda (consistency). Also, it is not exactly how clinical trials work but the problem at their heart is identical, as described in reference 1.

In short, the vote shares (probabilities) in Table 1 below are the left hand side. These need to be explained by five lamda-Vs.The V is the utility (true affinity score or utility). So if all affinity scores were zero (meh to every party) then each probability would be exp(0)=1 divided by the five exponents (each being one) so 1/5=20%. So that figures. As the V (true affinity score) increases for a given Party, then its contribution to the total (the numerator over the denominator) increases. Heres what Stata et al do:

Table 1: How Stata interprets percentages to give betas

The reader who wants to check can simply calculate the exponential of (affinity score times lamda) for each party, to give the figure in column 4, The sum of the figures in column 4 is 28.09. 13.46 is 48% of 28.09, which is the Conservative percentage, and so on. Note, once again, that the stats package would not normally know these affinity scores (the true betas). It would use the logit function to translate the column 2 percentages into the column 4 figures from part 1, but by assuming lamda=1 for every party would get the affinity scores in final column.

So, according to pollsters, we have numbers purporting to show Jos level of affinity with each party. As the raw percentages suggest, she feels most aligned with the Conservatives, then Labour, with Reform UK, the Lib Dems and Greens in that order a distant 3rd, 4th and 5th. However, this could just as easily be a potentially deeply misleading characterisation of her views.

Table 2 shows an alternative set of numbers that produces the EXACT SAME PERCENTAGES.

Table 2: Re-interpreting percentages as if Jo were Old School anti-EU Labour



Again, we use Jos internal pseudo-percentage support levels in the standard logit equation to work out what her V times lamdas are. Again, Im being God and knowing what her levels of consistency (her lamdas) are for every party. Again, I can get correct levels of her support (affinity scores) for each party. I simply use the percentages, together with my god-like knowledge of her certainty/consistency with the logit equation to solve for affinity scores. These are our real betas presented in the last column. THESE are true levels of intrinsic support for each party. Turns out shes like many people who started going Labour in 2024. Jos low internal percentage support for Reform might simply reflect that the shes far more certain about the establishment Conservatives continuing to deliver on BREXIT than the somewhat populist Reform UK.

Table 3: Re-interpreting percentages as if Jo were Conservative with unclear EU views



So Stata and other programs assumed that the contents of Table 1 represented Jos thought process. Ive made up two completely different scenarios (Table 2 and 3) that give the same percentages. If that makes you worried then you should be. In the tables above I played God by knowing the true split between V and lamda but pollsters DO NOT.

These percentages conceal some crucial aspects of Jos thinking

SoJo types could, via different lamdas, be people who were the classic Blue Wall Conservative who could have voted either way in the BREXIT referendum and who only had truck with Labour and the Conservatives and very possibly the Lib Dems? Or that their data were equally consistent with a person resident in part of the broken-and-now-rebuilt-red-wall in the Midlands who actually were old school Labour and who lent support to the right because she thought Labour were in the pockets of the EU and wanted to kick the establishment in the teeth? Both explanations are possible from these data.

So far Ive showed how a logit model (the workhorse of political voting models) interpreted observed percentage levels of support. It should be noted that reputable pollsters apply sampling weights to ensure that they have interviewed sufficient supporters of every party of interest. Under-representing certain parties, or those who actually will go out and vote come election day, will immediately lead to a bad prediction.

Note that the clever psephologist who either had a SECOND dataset that had some function of the affinity scores in there, or used a lot of qualitative insights into the local constituency, might alter the lamdas to get more correct affinity scores and thereby tease out what is really going on. If you hear the term Multi-level Regression and Post-stratification then thats their fancy way of saying theyre drawing on auxiliary information in order to try to avoid the traps Ive described above.

What does this all mean for our psephologist trying to tell us what is going on out there?

In an era of increasingly sophisticated marketing and targeting and Artificial Intelligence being used to confuse people, the ones in the first group  supposedly strong Tories  might not turn out to vote if their levels of uncertainty are ramped up via social media lies. Conversely, other parties can reduce the Tory vote if they know Tory tribalism is low and the Tories are doing well merely because these other parties are not producing clear messages that cause voters certainty regarding policy to increase.

Polling implications

I cheated by knowing how much our hypothetical voter Jo identified with each party. However, I showed that some realistic values, given UK experience, could mean her relative levels of party support are consistent with various profoundly different types of constituency result in the UK.

This should make psephologists and statisticians very wary. Turnout can no longer be used as their get out of jail free card when they predict wrongly.

Researchers in discrete choice modelling know full well already that they cannot aggregate Jos data with other survey participants UNTIL AND UNLESS YOU HAVE NETTED OUT ANY DIFFERENCES IN THEIR CONSISTENCY (VARIANCES). Crucially, the Central Limit Theorem does NOT apply here [1]

Researchers must own up to the fact that EVERY opinion poll is an equation with two unknowns and therefore insoluble.

YouGov grasped the nettle in 2017 by administering a second survey to try to get a handle on intrinsic attitudes. That alternative model was the only official model to correctly predict that Prime Minister Theresa May was about to lose her overall majority in Parliament, having called a surprise General Election. (By chance I had a political national survey in field at that time and also predicted this  I made money at the bookies but no media were interested.)

So how might this play out in Medicine?

As with all first attempts at illustrating the intuition behind some quite heavy duty concepts, Ive still had to make some simplifications: the random utility equation is merely a (I hope) fairly easily understood subset of the likelihood function for logit models. I hope that what Ive ended up writing at least helps the readers who have asked me for the intuition to feel that they get a better handle on why one-shot percentages can be so dangerous when it comes to interpreting whats going on at the fundamental level of THE INDIVIDUAL HUMAN.

YOU SEE A JPEG WHEN YOU REALLY NEED TO SEE AN MPEG.

The paradigm I worked in for 20 years  Random Utility Theory  was all about modelling an individual human. Treating the errors not as some bad thing but as simply a characteristic of our decisions can be incredibly empowering when it comes to quantifying what we really value. To be colloquial  signal vs noise tells us a LOT and gives us proper NUMBERS.

First of all, it is important to recognise that variance in responses quoted from RCTs etc refers to variability between individuals NOT variability within a given individual (since as I have shown above, a one shot study  like an RCT  cannot shed light on this). So let me give you something to think about. Suppose two patients both respond in a one-shot RCT to the active treatment. However, suppose, if wed done the trial 16 times (8 times receiving the active treatment, 8 times the placebo, with adequate washout periods between rounds) we observed that patient A responded all 8 times whilst patient B respondent 5 out of 8 times. Youd probably want to know if there is something going on to explain this difference.

Patients in RCTs typically are heavily screened to ensure nobody with a potentially confounding condition might be enrolled which could compromise the results. But suppose there is an unobserved difference between patients that causes the 8/8 people to be mixed in with the 5/8 people? Yatchew and Grilisches proved that you CANNOT aggregate these two groups to get an unbiased estimate of the true beta  strength of effect unless you net out the differences in consistency first. But if your painstaking attempts to ensure a very homogeneous sample do not, in fact, do anything to address this then your work is all in vain.

Im no geneticist but I can hypothesise reasons why the 5/8 persons are allowed to be aggregated with the 8/8 people if youve rushed early stages of drug development. Suppose a combination of 3 genes ensures youll ALWAYS respond to the treatment, but having only 1 or 2 of the 3 gives you only a partial response (5 out of 8 times). This touches upon the issue of the fast rollout of the mRNA vaccines: not that they are necessarily bad, but merely that you should never rush things. It is the early stage trials with genetic tests that offers one potential way to separate the 5/8 people from the 8/8 people and might give you insights WHY. Because you really dont want to move fast and break things and have no idea why some people are consistently responding to something whilst others, for reasons unknown, have inconsistent responses over time (or worse, suffer specific side effects).

The solution?

When I was doing my PhD (in understanding ways to analyse cluster RCTs  where you must randomise, for example schools, or whole hospitals, to avoid contamination of the two arms) I had to learn Fortran if I were to get the simulations done in 3 years. A colleague learnt Fortran with me: but for her, it was to enable simulations going in the opposite direction  learning how the individual might display inconsistency in response. Her work contributed to the field of the n-of-1 trial. This is a kind of trial that recognises that consistency might vary across patients and you must adjust for it. Unfortunately that type of trial never really took off: those trials are resource intensive and obviously expensive and when the statistical establishment (with some exceptions) dont even recognise the weakness in their models, youre not going to change the paradigm.

But to any of the medical brain trust who made it this far  if you see stuff that seems off given what evidence based medicine has taught you, maybe the problem is the trial, not with you. Judgment can be our best friend. I spent 15 years accumulating it in recognising patterns of the betas spit out by Stata and why they did not compute.

What did I just try to teach?

An RCT or poll is a jpeg. You need an mpeg. Just knowing relative positions is NOT enough. You need to know intrinsic ability together with consistency. Certain studies will tell you there are segments with different levels of ability and/or consistency. However, if you are to ACT upon this you really must have done enough work to ensure you understand what is DRIVING (in)consistency, otherwise you might get a nasty shock you run a study in a new sample.

NOTES:

[a] https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/05/thinking-being-offloaded-to-ai-even-in-elite-medical-programs.html#comment-4219558

[b] Daniel McFadden won the pseudo Economics Nobel and is one of only about 3 people I think deserved it. Whether he knew already that TWO datasets were required to design the BART in the Bay Area or just wanted a 2nd real usage dataset to calibrate his model, he clearly solved the problem by having two equations for two unknowns.

[c] Probit models are difficult when the number of outcomes is above 2 so Ill gloss over these but the principle is the same. Since the probit function, when graphed, is so similar to the logit, many practitioners just use the logit to avoid the estimation complications of the probit.

Bibliography

[1] https://www.jstor.org/stable/1928444?origin=crossref: Adonis Yatchew and Zvi Griliches. Specification Error in Probit Models

The Review of Economics and Statistics Vol. 67, No. 1 (Feb., 1985), pp. 134-139

[2] Thurstone LL. A law of comparative judgment. Psychological Review, 34, 273-286 (1927).
Barry Tarshis looks at the controversial legacy of DMSO in his book

DMSO was first synthesized in 1866 but gained medical attention in the 1960s when researchers Robert Herschler and Dr. Stanley Jacob discovered its ability to penetrate skin harmlessly, delivering drugs directly to affected areas with minimal side effects.

DMSO showed remarkable versatility, treating pain, arthritis, burns and even mental illness. Athletes and arthritis sufferers praised its effectiveness, and it could be administered orally, topically or intravenously.

Despite widespread enthusiasm (including a New York Times endorsement), the FDA halted clinical trials in 1965 over safety concerns from animal studies, leaving patients to seek it through unofficial channels while it remained widely used abroad.

While approved in many countries for various conditions, the FDA only permits DMSO for organ preservation and interstitial cystitis, fueling suspicions of pharmaceutical influence and bureaucratic resistance despite over 11,000 supporting studies.

DMSO symbolizes both medical potential and systemic failure  a safe, affordable treatment hindered by regulatory barriers, underscoring the need for transparency and advocacy in healthcare.

"DMSO: The True Story of a Remarkable Pain-Killing Drug" by the late Barry Tarshis (1939-2025) looks at the story of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)  one of immense medical promise overshadowed by regulatory battles and unanswered questions.

First synthesized in 1866 by Russian chemist Alexander Zaytsev, DMSO remained largely overlooked until the 1960s, when research chemist Robert Herschler and surgeon Dr. Stanley Jacob from the Oregon Health & Science University uncovered its extraordinary therapeutic potential. Their findings revealed a colorless, odorless liquid capable of penetrating the skin without damage, allowing it to deliver medications directly to affected areas  a breakthrough that could revolutionize drug therapy.

DMSO quickly gained a reputation as a "wonder drug," with applications ranging from pain relief to treating serious conditions like arthritis, burns and even mental illness. Unlike conventional medications, it causes minimal side effects, leaving users free from the fatigue, nausea and cognitive impairment often associated with pharmaceuticals.

Athletes use DMSO for sprains and soft-tissue injuries, while arthritis sufferers hail it as the only painkiller that provides relief without adverse effects. Its versatility extends to multiple administration methods  oral, topical, injectable or intravenous  making it a uniquely adaptable treatment.

The excitement around DMSO reached a peak in the mid-1960s, with the New York Times dubbing it "the nearest thing to a wonder drug that the 1960s have produced so far." Yet, just as its potential seemed limitless, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) abruptly halted clinical trials in 1965  citing animal studies that linked high doses to eye lens changes.

This decision stunned researchers and patients alike, particularly since DMSO had already demonstrated remarkable safety in human use. Critics, including Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), lamented the FDA's stance. He and others asserted that countless Americans suffering from debilitating conditions were left without access to a potentially life-changing treatment.

The FDA's restrictions led to an underground market for DMSO, with desperate patients sourcing it from veterinarians, chemical supply stores and even roadside stands. Despite the lack of official approval, thousands continued using it, often relying on unregulated commercial-grade versions of uncertain purity. Meanwhile, DMSO was widely accepted and prescribed in Canada, Europe and South America for a variety of ailments  further highlighting the disparity in regulatory approaches inside and outside the United States.

One of DMSOs most promising applications is in treating arthritis, a condition affecting millions of Americans. Its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties have provided significant relief for many patients, yet formal recognition in mainstream medicine remains elusive. Similarly, studies suggest DMSO could serve as emergency medicine, reducing intracranial pressure and stabilizing blood flow after traumatic injuries  though human research in this area remains limited.

Beyond human medicine, DMSO has proven invaluable in veterinary care since its approval in 1970, treating conditions in animals much as it does in humans. Even plants benefit from its protective properties, as it helps shield them from freezing and disease.

The suppression of DMSO raises troubling questions about the influence of pharmaceutical interests and bureaucratic inertia in healthcare. Despite over 11,000 studies supporting its benefits, the FDA has only approved it for two niche uses: Preserving organs for transplant and managing interstitial cystitis. This reluctance stands in stark contrast to its widespread acceptance abroad and the countless testimonials from those who have experienced its healing effects firsthand.

Tarshis' work ultimately captures the frustration and hope surrounding this molecule. While the full truth about DMSO's suppression may never be known, its legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need for transparency in medicine and the importance of advocating for natural, accessible treatments.

As the search for genuine healing solutions continues, DMSO remains a symbol of both scientific promise and systemic failure  a drug too effective, too affordable and too disruptive to be embraced by the institutions meant to protect public health.

Watch this video about the book "DMSO: The True Story of a Remarkable Pain-Killing Drug" by Barry Tarshis.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com
Coinbase data breach exposes high-value crypto holders to cyber criminals

Cybercriminals bribed overseas Coinbase support agents (based in India) to leak customer data, including names, addresses and masked bank details. No passwords, private keys or funds were stolen, but attackers used the data for social engineering scams.

Prominent investor Michael Arrington criticized Coinbase on X, warning that leaked home addresses and account balances could endanger lives. He condemned cost-cutting on security and called for executive accountability.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong refused to pay the ransom and instead offered a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers, mirroring the strategy from the film Ransom (1996).

Compromised support agents were fired and Coinbase is working with authorities to track the hackers. The company pledged to reimburse affected customers who lost funds due to scams.

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in digital systems, especially when human factors (e.g., underpaid employees) are exploited. Coinbase faces reputational damage and financial costs despite assurances of enhanced safeguards.

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has confirmed a major data breach exposing sensitive customer information to cyber criminals.

According to internal reports, the attackers bypassed technical safeguards by bribing underpaid Coinbase customer support employees in overseas outsourcing centers, later confirmed to be based in India, to leak customer information, including names, addresses, masked bank details and ID documents. While no funds, passwords or private keys were compromised and Coinbase Prime accounts remain secure, the attackers used the stolen data to launch targeted social engineering scams.

"Cyber criminals bribed and recruited a group of rogue overseas support agents to steal Coinbase customer data to facilitate social engineering attacks. These insiders abused their access to customer support systems to steal the account data for a small subset of customers. No passwords, private keys or funds were exposed and Coinbase Prime accounts are untouched," Coinbase wrote in an official statement on their blog. (Related: Coinbase faces $400M fallout after insider-led phishing attack exposes customer data.)

Prominent investor Michael Arrington, a longtime Coinbacker, blasted the company on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"I am a long-time investor in and champion of @coinbase. Something that has to be said though, this hack, which includes home addresses and account balances, will lead to people dying. It probably has already. The human cost, denominated in misery, is much larger than the $400m or so they think it will actually cost the company to reimburse people. The consequences to companies who do not adequately protect their customer information should include, without limitation, prison time for executives. Very disappointed in Coinbase right now. Using the cheapest option for customer service has its price. And Coinbase's customers will bear that cost," Arrington posted on X.

This aligns with the broader concern that digital systems, no matter how advanced, are never entirely secure, especially when human vulnerabilities are involved.

Coinbase offers $20 million reward for information that leads to arrest and conviction of attackers

In response to the attack, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the attackers  a move reminiscent of the 1996 film Ransom.

"We are not going to pay your ransom," Armstrong said in a video statement released on his official X account. "A few next steps in mind We're putting out a $20 million award for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of these attackers." Coinbase echoed a similar statement on their blog and retweeted this video from Armstrong.

"We will reimburse customers who were tricked into sending funds to the attacker. We're cooperating closely with law enforcement to pursue the harshest penalties possible and will not pay the $20 million ransom demand we received. Instead, we are establishing a $20 million reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the criminals responsible for this attack," Coinbase wrote.

Meanwhile, Coinbase's Chief Security Officer Philip Martin confirmed that the compromised support agents have been terminated and that the company is working closely with law enforcement.

"The knee-jerk reaction of every single person who heard we were being extorted was 'hell no!'" Martin said. He added that the hackers threatened to publish the stolen data unless Coinbase paid  a demand the company flatly rejected. Coinbase has tagged the attackers' wallet addresses and pledged to reimburse any customers who lost funds due to the social engineering scams.

Learn more about the state of the cryptocurrency market at CryptoCult.news.

Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, tells his viewers that even though crypto may crash, people should still learn how to use it.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Bitcoin wallet COINBASE now seizing accounts of Americans users rage against "total ripoff" as their Coinbase accounts VANISH.

Coinbase to suspend all accounts on August 1st as "civil war" hard fork hammers Bitcoin massive fraud now the norm at Coinbase.

Coinbase announces second mass layoff  20% of workers to lose jobs.

Former Coinbase manager facing charges in first crypto insider trading case.

Coinbase lays off 18% of workers as cryptocurrencies plummet in value.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

Decrypt.co

Coinbase.com

Brighteon.com
Egyptian serial sexual offender in France walks free despite 12 convictions

A 46-year-old Egyptian national, Arnaud Y., convicted of 12 sexual assaults (including on eight minors), received only a suspended three-year sentence. Despite his history of similar crimes across France, he will serve no jail time unless he reoffends.

Posing as a foot reflexologist, he targeted young girls (ages 1116) on beaches and in public spaces, exploiting his guise to assault them. Psychiatric evaluations noted his "schizoid behavior with perverse tendencies."

Data shows an 86 percent increase in sexual violence on public transport over the past decade, with foreign-born offenders disproportionately involved. In 2024, 91 percent of victims were women and 36 percent were minors.

Despite migrants being a minority, 63 percent of sexual assault arrests and 92 percent of petty theft arrests on public transport in 2019 involved foreigners.

Cases like Arnaud Y,'s highlight lax judicial responses, while broader trends reveal government struggles to protect women. In France, 56 percent of women fear public transport and 80 percent remain hypervigilant due to safety concerns.

A 46-year-old Egyptian national convicted of 12 sexual assaults, including attacks on eight minors, will serve no prison time unless he reoffends.

Arnaud Y., originally from Cairo, often posed as a foot reflexologist, using the guise of massaging women's feet to commit assaults. His method involved approaching minors, asking them to remove their shoes and then "caressing the arches of their feet" under the pretense of examination. Described as a "sexual assault nomad," he has roamed across France, targeting young girls, particularly in the French Riviera, where beaches provide easy access to victims.

The suspect is a serial offender with 12 prior convictions for similar crimes committed in Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer between September 2024 and January 2025 and six previous prison sentences. Most victims were between the ages of 11 and 16. He admitted to the charges and a psychiatric evaluation revealed he exhibited "schizoid behavior with perverse tendencies."

Despite his lengthy criminal history, the court only handed down a three-year suspended sentence, meaning he will serve no prison time unless he reoffends. He was also given 10 years of judicial supervision and banned from working with minors or residing in Alpes-Maritimes, but only for five years. (Related: France shocked by murder of 12-year-old girl who was brutally raped, stuffed in suitcase; 4 Algerian migrants charged.)

"It is a really serious profile, a serious pathology. All his convictions were for sexual assault, and it just got worse and worse. He really had to be stopped from doing any more harm," noted the lawyer who represented two victims: one 13 years old, the other 17, when they were sexually assaulted after the verdict was delivered by the Nice Criminal Court.

European women facing escalating dangers on public transport

This case of Arnaud Y. is not isolated. In fact, women across Europe are facing escalating dangers even on public transport, with new data revealing alarming increases in sexual assaults, harassment and violence.

In France, reports from the National Observatory on Violence against Women (Miprof) show an 86 percent rise in victims of sexual violence on public transport over the past decade, with foreign-born offenders disproportionately implicated. In Germany, 59 percent of all sexual assaults on German trains are attributed to foreigners, with sexual crimes doubling since 2019.

According to France's Ministerial Statistical Service for Internal Security (SSMSI), 91 percent of sexual assault victims on public transport are women, with 75 percent under 30 and 36 percent minors. In 2024 alone, 3,374 victims were reported  a six percent increase from 2023 and 86 percent higher than 2016. The Paris region (Ile-de-France) accounted for 44 percent of cases.

Disturbingly, 63 percent of those arrested for sexual assault and 92 percent for petty theft on public transport in 2019 were foreigners, despite migrants making up a smaller share of the population.

"While most violence against women is committed by members of their close circle, the fact remains that public spaces and particularly public transport networks, remain places where women are exposed to sexist and sexual violence as soon as they enter them," Miprof Secretary General Roxana Maracineanu noted.

Seven in 10 women in Ile-de-France have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, while 56 percent fear using public transport and 80 percent remain constantly on alert.

Visit Migrants.news for more similar stories.

Watch the video below to learn more about crimes committed by migrants all over Europe.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Bone tests reveal 80% of "minor" migrants in France are actually ADULTS.

France in shock: 4 Algerian migrants arrested for brutal rape and murder of 12-year-old Paris girl found stuffed in a suitcase with throat slashed.

Hungarian expert: MIGRATION is the major reason for France riots.

Germany: Nigerian migrant grabs 9-year-old boy and stabs 2 police officers, immediately released by the courts.

Sources include:

Infowars.com

RMX.news

Brighteon.com
Bomb the data centers: Eric Schmidt sounds AI war warning amid U.S.-China race

Eric Schmidt warns AI arms race between U.S. and China could trigger global conflict over data centers and resource control.

Advocates argue frenetic AI development akin to nuclear race endangers stability; Schmidt pushes for deterrents and transparency instead.

A proposed framework to deter unilateral superintelligence dominance by ensuring rivals retaliation.

U.S. aims to boost AI infrastructure amid fears that closed systems may lose to open-source Chinese competition.

Calls for open-source collaboration, cybersecurity safeguards and global governance to avoid existential threats from militarized AI.

The world stands at an inflection point where the global race to master artificial intelligence could escalate from innovation competition to nuclear-scale conflict, according to alarming warnings by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Pentagon advisors and think tanks. In recent speeches, congressional testimonies and papers, Schmidt has likened todays AI development sprint to the 1950s nuclear arms race  a metaphor gaining urgency as the U.S. and China claw for dominance in superintelligent systems.

What begins as a push for a superweapon and global control risks prompting hostile countermeasures and escalating tensions, thereby undermining the very stability the strategy purports to secure, Schmidt and co-authors wrote in a March 2025 paper. The stakes are existential: scenarios range from sabotage targeting data centers to preemptive strikes resembling Cold War nuclear brinkmanship.

The AI arms race: A new counterproliferation crisis?

The AI frontier is no longer confined to tech labs. Former Pentagon official Schmidts 2025 TED Talk exposed a chilling hypothetical: In a U.S.-China showdown over superintelligence control, one nation might sabotage adversaries AI models or even bomb data centers to get one day ahead. These warnings align with Capitol Hill hearings where lawmakers now treat AI as critical infrastructure.

Chinas strides in open-source AI  such as DeepSeeks efficiency breakthroughs  have given it an edge in global adoption, rattling U.S. policymakers. Beijings decentralized model, unlike Washingtons closed systems, empowers smaller nations to access cutting-edge tools. This dynamic has U.S. allies like Ukraine increasingly relying on Chinese platforms.

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which Schmidt co-chaired, argues that AIs cosmic potential  such as lethal autonomous weapons  could flip power structures. You cant control it because you cant ban math, warned the 2021 report. With AI self-awareness achievable via open-source tools for under $20 (as demonstrated by Berkeley Lab), the fear is not just state actors, but rogue groups or hackers weaponizing code.

Schmidts call for deterrence over domination

Rejecting calls for an AI Manhattan Project, Schmidts team proposes risking global chaos by competing headfirst. Their paper Superintelligence Strategy advocatesinstead for Mutual Assured AI Malfunction (MAIM): a cyber-centric deterrence model borrowing Cold War MAD principles. This would mean nations agreeing that cross-border AI sabotage or nuclear-style preemptive strikes would backfire, spiraling into total disruption.

MAIM is both an acknowledgment of vulnerability and a strategy to prevent unilateral action, explained co-author Dan Hendrycks. Just as nukes never ended a war, superintelligence should be kept in check through global guardrails.

Yet skepticism persists. Critics like National Security Advisor Evelyn Green argue MAIM lacks teeth. Without enforceable treaties, like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation regime, MAIM is just a theory, she stated. Meanwhile, the Trump administrations $500 billion Stargate Projectechoing Manhattan Project rhetoricaims to reclaim advantage via hyper-scale computing and chip production in Midwestern Heartland Hubs. Analysts note this mirrors the 2023 CHIPS Act, which sought semiconductor independence, underscoring how AI has merged with supply chain security.

Pandoras box or preparation? The Stargate Project and beyond

The Stargate Projects $500 billion investment links AI R&D, quantum computing and missile defense systems, with Trump framing it as race to save humanity. However, Schmidt cautions that prioritizing speed over ethics could empower adversaries to reprogram U.S. systems.

Centralized AI is a liability, Schmidts ally Mike stated, citing OpenAIs opaque model releases. When Elon Musk tried to decentralize OpenAI, it failed because private equity cycles keep it locked.

The Biden-era emphasis on regulationlater rolled back by Trumpalso drew criticism. Former FDA official Linda Chen noted, Without oversight, an AI variant used to optimize farms could accidentally destabilize financial markets.

A golden age or existential threat?

Schmidts warnings thrust AI from Silicon Valley into global security discussions, mirroring how nuclear science reshaped the 20th century. Dabei, the path forward is fraught. Open-source collaboration could democratize life-saving tech, yet enable destructive misuse. The U.S. faces a paradox: investing enough to stay ahead without inviting global desperation.

At the turn of the millennium, people asked, Why fear niche tech? Schmidt said. Now, AI isnt separateits everywhere. The question isnt if theres an arms race, but who sets the rules.

For now, Pentagon chiefs are hardening data hubs against cyber and physical attacks, while ethicists debate whether AI qua natural intelligence requires new governance. In this struggle between acceleration and restraint, the Fourth Turning may hinge on whether humans can wield a tool theyre rapidly losing control over.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Fortune.com

Forbes.com
Israeli poll reveals overwhelming support for ETHNIC CLEANSING of Gaza as Erdogan threatens military intervention

The Gaza Strip has become the epicenter of a modern-day genocide , fueled by religious extremism and geopolitical ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invoked biblical scripture to justify the mass displacement and slaughter of Palestinians, framing the conflict as a holy war against the "Amalekites"  a people the Hebrew Bible commands to annihilate. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a chilling warning, threatening military intervention against Israel in defense of Gaza. As Netanyahu openly admits Israels intent to seize Gaza indefinitely, a shocking new poll reveals that 82% of Israelis endorse the forced expulsion of Palestinians  a stark admission of ethnic progress. This is not a war against Hamas; it is a land grab disguised as self-defense, exposing the dark underbelly of Zionisms expansionist agenda

Key points:

A Haaretz-published poll shows 82% of Israelis support the forced expulsion of Gazas population, with 47% endorsing the biblical annihilation of Palestinians akin to Jericho.

Netanyahu cites the Amalekite genocide as justification, calling Gaza a "holy war" while admitting Israel seeks indefinite control over the territory.

Erdogan threatens war against Israel, vowing to send Turkish forces to Gaza in defense of Palestinians, escalating regional tensions.

Trumps "freedom zone" plan involves relocating Palestinians to Libya. U.S. contractors are already on the ground facilitating displacement.

Israel continues to block humanitarian aid, leaving Gaza in famine while advancing a military operation to forcibly relocate survivors.

Biblical genocide as state policy

Netanyahus rhetoric is not mere political posturing  it is a call to arms rooted in Old Testament vengeance. In October, he invoked 1 Samuel 15:3, where God commands King Saul to "utterly destroy" the Amalekites, sparing none  "man and woman, infant and suckling." This same ideology now drives Israels bombardment of Gaza, where over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 15,000 children. The Penn State poll confirms this mindset is widespread: 65% of Israelis believe Palestinians are the "modern-day Amalek," with 93% of that group agreeing they must be wiped out. Such fanaticism explains why Israeli forces have targeted hospitals, refugee camps, and aid convoys  because in their eyes, no Palestinian is innocent.

As Netanyahu pushes forward with "Gideons Chariots"  a military operation designed to empty Gaza  Turkeys Erdogan has thrown a wrench into the plan. At a pro-Palestinian rally, he declared, "We will come at night unexpectedly. We will declare war on Israel. We will send the Turkish military to Gaza." His defiance challenges not only Israel but also the US-backed scheme to relocate Gazans to Libya, a plan spearheaded by Trump. With US mercenaries already embedded in Gaza to oversee aid distribution (a tactic condemned by the UN), Erdogans intervention could ignite a broader conflict, exposing the fragility of Western-backed displacement efforts.

The grim reality of Gazas famine and forced relocation

Netanyahus so-called "humanitarian plan" is a smokescreen for ethnic cleansing. While he promises "sterile zones" in southern Gaza, his forces have blocked food shipments for 81 days, reducing Palestinians to eating animal feed and grass. The UN reports that only five aid trucks entered Gaza this week  two carrying shrouds instead of food. Meanwhile, Trumps "freedom zone" proposal would see Palestinians exiled to Libya nation nation embroiled in civil war. This is not aid  it is forced migration under the guise of charity, a tactic straight from the colonial playbook.

As the world watches, Gaza stands as a testament to the brutality of unchecked militarism and religious extremism. The question is no longer whether Israel seeks to destroy Hamas, but whether the West will continue enabling the destruction of an entire people, as their elected administration goes along with the ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Sources include:

FreeWestMedia.com

TheCradle.co

TheCradle.co
Health Ranger Report: John Beaudoin reveals COVID-19 deception involving FALSE REPORTS on death certificates

John Beaudoin claims to have obtained 500,000 unredacted Massachusetts death certificates, revealing fraudulent reporting of COVID-19 deaths, including misattributing non-COVID deaths (e.g., overdoses, trauma) to the virus.

Beaudoin argues the CARES Act incentivized hospitals to inflate COVID-19 death counts, while pharmaceutical companies (like Moderna and Pfizer) in Massachusetts allegedly benefited from pandemic policies and $47 billion in venture capital.

He alleges the CDC committed "cybercrime" by omitting or deleting death certificate codes (e.g., for vaccine-related deaths) and links remdesivir to a spike in acute renal failure deaths nationwide.

Beaudoin's lawsuit against Massachusetts' mask mandates was dismissed, which he claims reflects systemic judicial bias suppressing First Amendment rights to challenge government actions.

He drafted New Hampshire's HB 1661 to mandate public health data transparency, aiming to uncover true death causes and hold officials accountable for alleged misconduct during the pandemic.

Engineer-turned-author John Beaudoin joined the Health Ranger Mike Adams on the "Health Ranger Report" to expose compelling evidence of a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) conspiracy involving state health officials.

Beaudoin, who released a new book titled "The Real CDC," claims to have obtained half a million unredacted death certificates from Massachusetts, which he said reveal a pattern of fraudulent reporting and potential criminal misconduct.

Beaudoin's journey into this controversial arena began with personal tragedy. After losing his son, he found himself questioning the official narrative surrounding COVID-19. His skepticism was further fueled by his own experience with the healthcare system,

In 1968, he suffered hearing loss after being injected with streptomycin and penicillin for the Hong Kong flu. This incident, Beaudoin said, taught him that the system often prioritizes profit over safety.

"I went back for an MBA, and just as I graduated, I lost my son," he recounted. "Then COVID hit, and my middle son said, 'It's all BS.' I looked into the data and found some nefarious behavior by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]."

Beaudoin's investigation began with a public records request, which he describes as a "FOIA thing," leading to the acquisition of the unredacted death certificates. His analysis of these documents revealed a disturbing trend: the misattribution of deaths to COVID-19.

Beaudoin asserted that he has proof from the medical examiner's office which showed they tested dead bodies for COVID-19, including people who died from fentanyl overdose and blunt force trauma and labeling them as deaths due to COVID-19.

The veteran semiconductor research and design industry worker argued that this practice was incentivized by the CARES Act, which he said provided financial rewards to hospitals for reporting COVID-19 deaths. "If you incentivize something, you will get more of it," he argued, citing economists like Walter E. Williams and Milton Friedman.

Big Pharma's role in the scheme

Beaudoin's allegations extend to the influence of pharmaceutical companies, particularly those based in Massachusetts such as Moderna and Pfizer. He pointed out that the state received $47 billion in venture capital financing across 600 companies, with significant revenue generated by pharmaceutical firms.

The systems engineering graduate stated that Massachusetts was at the forefront of the whole pharma thing. He added they understood that something nefarious was going on with the COVID-19 death policy rolling out in Massachusetts hospitals before other state hospitals.

Beaudoin's claims are not limited to fraud. He also alleged that the misuse of remdesivir and other drugs led to a significant increase in acute renal failure deaths. "The government won't study it, and we're talking 100,000 excess deaths across the United States from a single cause of death  acute renal failure," he told Adams.

He further accuses the CDC of a "cybercrime," alleging that the agency manipulated data by failing to code vaccine-related deaths correctly.

Beaudoin explained the death certificates do say blunt force trauma to the head and torso, but the codes aren't there. This means two things: Either somebody turned off the data code feature at the CDC, or the codes were deleted once they were generated by the software. (Related: CDC to suspend data collection for 2020-2021 flu season amid rising COVID-19 deaths, causing all flu deaths to be counted as "covid deaths".)

Judicial bias and a call for accountability

Beaudoin's experience with the legal system has been fraught with challenges. He filed a lawsuit against the governor of Massachusetts over mask mandates, which was dismissed on the grounds of standing. He believes this dismissal is part of a broader pattern of judicial bias.

Beaudoin argued that the only way Americans have the right to free speech or the right to religion is if they have a right to redress them in court. He lamented the fact that the First Amendment right of the American people is being trampled by using case law from Iqbal v. Ashcroft.

His efforts have culminated in the drafting of a bill for New Hampshire, House Bill 1661, which aims to provide transparency in public health data. Beaudoin hopes this will allow citizens to see the true causes of death and hold authorities accountable.

The evidence and arguments are compelling, and they highlight the deep divisions and mistrust surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the full interview between John Beaudoin and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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CDC just admitted that 74% of those infected in Massachusetts covid outbreak were fully vaccinated".

Sources include:

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Climate scientists controversial post sparks debate over political rhetoric and violence

On May 23, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann sparked a controversy by posting on Bluesky that if Trump doesn't comply with a court order, it could lead to "second amendment territory," which was widely interpreted as a call for armed resistance.

Mann's post was in response to a federal judge blocking Trump's attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, potentially affecting 1,300 employees. The statement drew swift condemnation and was flagged to the FBI and UPenn by conservative watchdog Libs of TikTok, accusing Mann of endorsing violence.

This incident is not the first instance of violent rhetoric targeting Trump, with past examples including Trump's own remarks about "Second Amendment people" and former FBI Director James Comey's cryptic Instagram post. The current climate is further inflamed by two 2024 assassination attempts on Trump.

The controversy raises questions about the boundaries of free speech, particularly when public figures appear to endorse violence. While the First Amendment protects political speech, direct incitement to violence is not protected under U.S. law. The FBI has not confirmed an investigation into Mann's post.

Mann's post highlights the growing polarization in American politics and the risks of normalizing violent extremism. It underscores the need for measured dialogue and has sparked a national debate over political rhetoric, accountability, academic freedom and national security, with potential implications for how similar controversies are addressed in the future.

On May 23, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) climate scientist Michael Mann ignited a firestorm by posting on Bluesky: "If Trump doesn't comply, we're in second amendment territory."

The statement, made in response to a federal judge blocking President Donald Trump's attempt to dismantle the Department of Education (ED), was widely interpreted as a call for armed resistance. The remark drew swift condemnation amid heightened tensions following two 2024 assassination attempts against Trump, raising urgent questions about the escalation of political rhetoric in academia and beyond.

Mann's post referenced Trump's defiance of a May 22 injunction halting his executive order to eliminate ED, which would have terminated roughly 1,300 employees. The phrasing  invoking the Second Amendment  led critics to accuse Mann of endorsing violence. Conservative watchdog Libs of TikTok flagged the post to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and UPenn, writing: "Hi FBI, this climate scientist and professor at @Penn appears to be calling to kill Trump and Trump officials."

The backlash was immediate, with social media users and political commentators debating whether Mann's words constituted a credible threat or hyperbolic political speech. UPenn has not yet issued a public statement regarding Mann's employment status.

Historical context of past violent rhetoric

Mann's post is not the first instance of inflammatory rhetoric targeting Trump. In 2016, Trump himself faced criticism after suggesting that "Second Amendment people" might prevent Hillary Clinton from appointing Supreme Court justices  a remark some interpreted as inciting violence. More recently, former FBI Director James Comey faced scrutiny for posting "8647" on Instagram, which some decoded as a veiled threat ("86" meaning removal or murder and "47" referring to Trump as the 47th president). (Related: James Comey's posts cryptic '86 47' message and gaslights the public after being confronted with passive aggressive death threat to President Trump.)

The current controversy also follows two 2024 assassination attempts on Trump  one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman grazed Trump's ear and killed a rally attendee and another in West Palm Beach, where a pro-Ukraine activist injured a child during an attempted attack. Trump blamed these incidents on "the rhetoric of Biden and Harris," underscoring the volatile climate surrounding political discourse.

Mann's post raises critical questions about the boundaries of free speech, particularly when public figures  especially academics  appear to endorse violence. Legal experts note that while the First Amendment protects political speech, direct incitement to violence is not shielded under U.S. law. The FBI has not confirmed whether it is investigating Mann's post, but the agency has previously acted against perceived threats toward public officials.

The incident also highlights the growing polarization in American politics, where heated rhetoric from both sides risks normalizing violent extremism. As institutions grapple with how to address such statements, the debate over accountability, academic freedom and national security continues to intensify.

Mann's provocative post has thrust him into the center of a national debate over political rhetoric and its consequences. In an era where violent language increasingly infiltrates public discourse, his remarks serve as a stark reminder of the fragile line between dissent and incitement.

With tensions already high following multiple attempts on Trump's life, Mann's words  whether intended as hyperbole or not  underscore the urgent need for measured dialogue in an increasingly divided nation. The fallout may well influence how universities, law enforcement and policymakers address similar controversies in the future.

Watch the video below that talks about the "8647" threat of Comey to Trump.

This video is from the Rightly Dividing The Word channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump signs controversial Take It Down Act amid concerns of censorship and government overreach.

FBI affidavit: Teen's plot to assassinate Trump linked to Ukrainian operation.

Thwarted Trump assassin sought rocket launcher from Ukraine, DOJ reveals.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

X.com

Newsx.com

Brighteon.com
Entertainment / Celebrity

by Simbarashe Sithole

Centenary businessman Zacharia "Changaz" Five is hosting King of Sungura Alick Macheso and Hosia Chipanga on Friday.The much-anticipated show is expected to be filled with tobacco farmers and artisanal miners who missed the duo for a year.Changaz was out of the country last year, hence Macheso did not go to Centenary last year as per his tradition during the tobacco selling season.Speaking to this publication, Changaz said he is happy to host Macheso and Chipanga after a long time and he is expecting a full house."We are so happy to be hosting Macheso and Chipanga this year as you know last year l was in Botswana and the band did not come to meet with it's fans here in Muzarabani district," Changaz said.Meanwhile, people around Mashonaland Central are keen to meet Macheso, who hails from the same province and has always been supportive.
Syrian rues psychoactive and medicinal power revealed in 2,700-year-old ritual

For millennia, humanity has turned to natures pharmacy for healing, clarity, and spiritual awakening  yet modern medicine and corporate interests have worked tirelessly to suppress this sacred knowledge. Now, groundbreaking research has exposed the earliest known use of Peganum harmala, or Syrian rue, a potent medicinal and psychoactive plant, in Iron Age Arabia. This discovery shatters mainstream narratives that dismiss ancient plant wisdom as mere folklore, proving instead that our ancestors harnessed natures intelligence long before Big Pharma monopolized healthcare.

Led by Dr. Barbara Huber of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and Professor Marta Luciani of the University of Vienna, the study reveals that nearly 2,700 years ago, Arabian communities were already using harmal in fumigation rituals  burning its seeds to purify spaces, treat ailments, and possibly induce altered states of consciousness. The findings, published in Communications Biology, confirm what natural healers have known for centuries: Plants like Syrian rue hold profound therapeutic and cognitive-enhancing properties that modern science is only beginning to understand.

Key points:

Researchers identified the earliest known use of Peganum harmala (Syrian rue) in Iron Age Arabia through advanced metabolic profiling of ancient fumigation devices.

The plant, still used today in traditional medicine, contains antibacterial, psychoactive, and therapeutic ancient ancient communities deliberately harnessed.

The discovery challenges modern dismissals of herbal medicine, proving that ancient societies had sophisticated knowledge of plant-based healing.

Corporate and governmental suppression of natural remedies continues, despite historical and scientific evidence supporting their efficacy.

The ancient wisdom of harmal: A plant ahead of its time

Syrian rue, known scientifically as Peganum harmala, is no ordinary weed. Native to arid regions of the Middle East and Central Asia, this resilient plant has been revered for centuries in traditional medicine for its ability to treat infections, ease pain, and even enhance mental clarity. Its seeds contain harmala alkaloids  powerful bioactive compounds that act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which can amplify the effects of other psychoactive substances while also exhibiting antidepressant and antimicrobial properties.

Some of harmala's actions on the body and mind:

Neuroprotective effects: Harmine, a primary alkaloid, has shown promise in alleviating Parkinsons disease symptoms, particularly tremors, by modulating dopamine pathways.

Harmine, a primary alkaloid, has shown promise in alleviating Parkinsons disease symptoms, particularly tremors, by modulating dopamine pathways. Antimicrobial properties: Extracts demonstrate activity against bacteria, fungi, and parasites, supporting its use in treating infections.

Extracts demonstrate activity against bacteria, fungi, and parasites, supporting its use in treating infections. Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects: Harmala alkaloids act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), potentially aiding mood disorders.

Harmala alkaloids act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), potentially aiding mood disorders. Anticancer potential: Studies suggest harmine may inhibit tumor growth by disrupting cancer cell proliferation.

Studies suggest harmine may inhibit tumor growth by disrupting cancer cell proliferation. Pain relief: Traditional remedies use the plant for analgesic and anti-inflammatory purposes.

The new study analyzed organic residues inside ceramic fumigation devices excavated at Qurayyah, an ancient oasis settlement in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), researchers detected traces of harmine and harmaline  key alkaloids found in Syrian rue  confirming its intentional use nearly 2,700 years ago.

"Our findings represent chemical evidence for the earliest known burning of harmal, not just in Arabia, but globally," said Dr. Barbara Huber, lead author of the study. This revelation dismantles the arrogant assumption that ancient peoples lacked sophisticated medical knowledge. Instead, it shows they were pioneers in harnessing natures intelligence  long before synthetic drugs dominated the market.

The suppression of plant medicine: A modern conspiracy?

While this discovery celebrates ancient wisdom, it also raises uncomfortable questions: Why has modern medicine so aggressively dismissed plant-based healing? Why do governments and pharmaceutical giants criminalize or marginalize natural remedies while pushing patented, profit-driven synthetics?

The answer lies in control  and profit. Plants like Syrian rue cannot be patented, meaning corporations cannot monopolize their use. Instead, theyve been relegated to the fringes, labeled as "alternative" or even "dangerous," despite centuries of safe, effective use. Meanwhile, synthetic antidepressants flood the market, often with debilitating side effects and addiction risks.

Ahmed M. Abualhassan, co-director of the Qurayyah project, emphasized the cultural significance of these findings: "We're preserving not only objects, but the intangible cultural heritage of ancient knowledge that still holds relevance in local communities today." Yet, in the West, this knowledge is often suppressed, replaced by a system that prioritizes profit over genuine healing.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com

GEA.mpg.de

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
POST-PANDEMIC DEATH SPIRAL: Over 1.5 million avoidable deaths occurred in USA AFTER Covid-19 mostly disappeared  must be the deadly mRNA JABS

Oh, the carnage of the clot shots. The world can see it now. How many people who got the deadly mRNA spike prion blood-clotting jabs for Covid would NEVER get another one now? Millions, if not billions, of people around the globe are suffering nightmarish health outcomes from the turbo-cancer injections and the ones who are still alive have lost faith in the Vaccine Industrial Complexs lies and deception about safe and effective, as they follow the science and their own health detriment to cast judgment.

The facts are in folks. Over 1.5 million excess deaths of people UNDER 65 have occurred since the novel virus has waned and basically disappeared from ill-effects, and now JAMA Health Forum has published the analysis suggesting these deaths were preventable. Whats the story then? Why did this happen. Lets take an inside look.

U.S. Excess Deaths Hit Record Highs Post-Pandemic, Shocking Study Reveals

A new study has found that the United States recorded 1.5 million excess deaths in 2022 and 2023far surpassing pre-pandemic levelsdespite the waning of COVID-19. Researchers from Boston University and the University of Minnesota published their findings in JAMA Health Forum, revealing that nearly half of all deaths among Americans under 65 last year could have been prevented if the U.S. matched the health outcomes of peer nations. The study raises urgent questions about systemic failures in American public health.

The analysis compared U.S. mortality data with that of 21 other high-income countries, including Canada, the U.K., and Japan, examining over 337 million deaths from 1980 to 2023. The results were staggering: 820,000 excess deaths in 2022 and 705,000 in 2023marking the highest non-pandemic excess death totals since World War II. In 2023 alone, 23% of U.S. deaths were classified as "excess," meaning they likely would not have occurred if the nation had maintained average mortality rates of its economic peers.

The U.S. has been in a protracted health crisis for decades, with health outcomes far worse than other high-income countries, said Jacob Bor, associate professor at Boston Universitys School of Public Health. One out of every two U.S. deaths under 65 is likely avoidable. Our failure to address this is a national scandal.

Historical context underscores the severity of the trend. In 1980, the U.S. had 42,000 fewer deaths than expected compared to peer nations. But by 2000, excess deaths surged to 355,000, climbing to 409,000 by 2010. The pandemic exacerbated the crisis, with 1 million excess deaths in 2020 and 1.1 million in 2021. Yet even after COVID-19 receded, mortality rates remained alarmingly highsuggesting deeper, unresolved issues.

Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, a University of Minnesota sociologist and co-author, noted that the 2023 figures align with pre-pandemic trends. The 700,000 excess American deaths in 2023 is exactly what youd predict based on prior rising trends, even if there had never been a pandemic, she said. Contributing factors include drug overdoses, gun violence, traffic fatalities, and preventable chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

The study concludes that achieving health parity with peer nations could have saved 1.5 million lives in the last two yearsand 15 million since 1980. As policymakers grapple with these findings, the data presents a sobering challenge: without systemic reforms, the U.S. may continue to lag behind its peers in one of the most fundamental measures of societal well-beinglife itself.

Got VIC, vaccine-induced-cancer? Bookmark plague.info to your favorite independent websites for updates on new gain-of-function viruses the CDC and WHO release into the wild," along with turbo cancer injections that "flatten out the curve."

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

GatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com

YourNews.com
Biden administration targeted mask and vaccine opponents as terrorists, new docs reveal

The Biden administration labeled opposition to vaccine mandates "Domestic Violent Extremism" via classified documents, recently declassified by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Critics included parents, healthcare workers and individuals resisting mandates, with the DVE label enabling federal monitoring of dissent.

Agencies called for social media censorship of dissident voices, citing domestic terrorism risks.

Legal challenges across three states highlight overreach in school vaccination policies, with parents suing over nonconsensual vaccinations.

National security experts warn of incumbents weaponizing public health to suppress dissent and consolidate power.

Newly released documents, obtained by Public and Catherine Herridge Reports via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, reveal a coordinated effort by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center to redefine constitutionally protected speech as extremism.

The December 2021 report listed views against vaccine and mask mandates as prominent narratives linked to violence, citing beliefs that the policies were part of a governmental or global conspiracy. These narratives could resonate with violent groups like QAnon adherents, the report claimed. Yet the document acknowledged such beliefsand even quoting DVE-affiliated individualsare protected under the First Amendment, unless the speaker is a threat actor. That critical term, however, remains undefined.

Former FBI Agent Steve Friend explained the policys far-reaching implications: This created an articulable purpose to begin an FBI assessment against specific individuals. Meaning: Dissenting voices could face federal scrutiny merely for questioning mandates, with no evidence of violent behavior required.

Catherine Herridge, titular co-founder of Public, noted the report draws a straight line between mandate opposition and domestic terrorism, a charge critics argue erodes liberties in the name of safety.

The censorship complex

The implications extended beyond surveillance. According to Friend, the DVE label became a cudgel to pressure Big Tech into censorship.

You dont want to propagate domestic terrorism? Take down these posts, Friend summarized the administrations leverage. Exchanges between agencies and platforms, revealed in the Twitter Files, confirm this collusion. In 2023, the House investigated FBI collusion with Twitter to suppress pandemic-critical content.

Dr. Mary Holland, CEO of Childrens Health Defense, branded the policy Orwellian. The goal was never public healthit was obedience, she said. Labeling dissenters as terrorists monopolizes the narrative. Youre not allowed to question central authority.

The February 2022 DOJ report added urgency, warning school vaccination mandates could spur conspiracy theories and increase the potential for violence. Meanwhile, parents in Maine, Vermont and North Carolina sued school districts after children were vaccinated without consenta practice the report paradoxically claimed could incite attacks.

A two-tiered system of power

The duality here is stark. While the Biden administration framed mandate critics as dangerous plotters, federal agencies showed leniency toward violent crimes on their own side.

As noted in the House committee report on federal weaponization, school board protestsa staple of parent opposition to vaccine mandates drew FBI scrutiny as potential terrorist activity. But when Capitol rioters overran Congress in January 2021, the Biden DOJ treated most defendants leniently, often dropping charges.

This was political, said Publics Darren Samuelsohn, referencing the report. The terror label only applied to those challenging Bidens policies.

Jeffrey Tucker of the Brownstone Institute called it a roadmap to weaponize public health. He noted mandates quickly mutated from pandemic measures into tools to purge dissent: requiring vaccination for medical insurance, jobs and education, thereby ferreting out dissenters via humiliation.

Sayer Ji of Stand for Health Freedom described a broader pattern: Public health became the new religion. Dissent became heresy. Government reports, he added, created a sprawling, coordinated machine with NGOs, tech giants and European allies targeting dissent.

The Orwellian clock is ticking

The implications expand beyond vaccines. If benign disagreement qualifies as violent extremism, the line between dissent and national security threat blurs entirely.

Dr. Meryl Nass of Door to Freedom cited a February 2022 DHS bulletin declaring the U.S. in a heightened threat environment due to false narrativeswithout evidence these narratives caused harm. They target specific ideologies, she said, not violence.

Nebraska chiropractor Ben Tapper, another Disinformation Dozen listee, echoed her skepticism: Labeling opponents terrorists was a smear to silence dissent. Our courts wont fix itthe systems rigged.

Gabbard, the lone Democrat to declassify the findings, vowed to root out federal weaponization. Yet Tapper doubts reform. When the establishment can label critics as terrorists, theres little recourse, he said.

The slippery slope of public safety

The documents reveal a chilling fusion of power. By redefining questioning of authority as extremism, the Biden administration institutionalized a precedent: dissent = threat.

Historically, this mirrors COINTELPRO surveillance against civil rights groups, where dissent was conflated with disloyalty. Now, its medical mandatesa far more relatable trigger to the masses.

As Jeffrey Tucker warns: If a democratic society requires obedience to stay safe whats left of democracy?

The Biden-era papers are more than a pandemic relic. Theyre a blueprint for how governments canand willhijack crisis response to punish dissenters. The real test may come next timeand this time, the mask might be figurative.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

Public.news

ReclaimTheNet.org
CDC pushes emergence of China-linked COVID-19 variant in U.S. amid global surge

CDC identifies fewer than 20 cases of variant NB.1.8.1 in the U.S., recently dominant in China.

Symptom profile includes a hallmark burning throat but no increased severity over prior variants.

FDA imposes strict booster shot restrictions for most Americans, requiring new trials for widespread use.

Chinas reported low mortality rate draws scrutiny, contrasting with higher regional figures abroad.

WHO labels NB.1.8.1 a Variant Under Monitoring, stressing transmissibility as primary concern.

A newly identified variant, NB.1.8.1  linked to a surge in China  has surfaced in the United States, prompting increased public health monitoring, though confirmed cases remain below official tracking thresholds. Meanwhile, the FDAs controversial decision to restrict broader booster access has ignited debates over pandemic strategy, while discrepancies in Chinas reported mortality data raise concerns about transparency.

Tracking NB.1.8.1: Transcontinental spread and CDCs surveillance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed to the Epoch Times on May 25 that fewer than 20 cases of NB.1.8.1, a sub-lineage of the XDV strain of SARS-CoV-2 (an Omicron descendant), have been identified in U.S. surveillance data. The agency highlighted the variants growing transmissibility but noted that current case numbers remain below the threshold for inclusion in its weekly pandemic tracking dashboards. Should its prevalence increase, it will automatically appear on the tracker, a spokesperson said.

In China, NB.1.8.1 is now dominant, with experts citing a distinctive burning sore throat as a key symptom. Hong Kong officials observed a spike in hospitalizations, though they stressed there is no evidence of heightened severity compared to earlier variants. The World Health Organization labeled NB.1.8.1 a variant under monitoring, citing rapid spread but no new risks beyond comparable lineages.

The variants arrival in the U.S. mirrors past pandemic patterns. History repeats itself  new variants always find a way across borders, said Dr. Jonathan Liu of the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, noting parallels to the B.1.1.7 strain detected in 2020.

Transmissibility trumps severity: Expert insights and public guidance

While NB.1.8.1 appears highly contagious, health researchers stress it does not portend an abrupt return to severe illness or death rates seen earlier in the pandemic. Symptoms align with prior variants  fever, cough, fatigue  but the burning throat may set it apart, said microbiologist Subhash Verma of the University of Nevadas School of Medicine, referencing data from Chinese medical journals.

Dr. Amy Edwards of Case Western Reserve University added that lab studies show the variants tighter binding to human cells likely fuels transmissibility, not pathogenicity. Hospitalizations in China suggest a surge in cases due to its reach, not threat. Think seasonal flu-like dynamics, she said.

The CDCs current guidance mirrors global advice: masking in high-transmission settings, staying home when symptomatic and updating vaccines for at-risk groups. In Delhi, Health Minister Pankaj Singh emphasized preparedness without panic: Mild symptoms dominate. Keep hospitals stocked, but no need to reimpose lockdowns.

FDAs vaccination policy sparks frustration and uncertainty

The pandemics next chapter faces a stark challenge: access to updated vaccines. The FDA announced stricter safeguards last week, restricting NB.1.8.1-targeted boosters to seniors and those with underlying conditions  approximately 100 million Americans  while mandating new clinical trials for broader distribution. This creates two Americas: one protected, one left guessing, said Celine Gounder, KFF Health News editor, on "CBS Mornings Plus."

Critics warn the rules could delay or deter immunization as the variant spreads. Verma noted the policy could erode public trust: If people dont qualify, why bother seeking a vaccine at all? This undermines community immunity.

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who chairs the FDA under the current administration, has openly criticized vaccine mandates  a stance experts argue clashes with scientific consensus. Dr. Verma pressed for clearer language on eligibility and urged transparency on the new booster formula.

Chinas low death rates stir skepticism amid rising caseloads

Chinas reported seven monthly deaths from the variant, despite widespread transmission, has drawn scrutiny. Dr. Liu questioned the data, noting Canada alone recorded 2,000 deaths during comparable months. Their stats defy basic epidemiology, he stated, alleging possible underreporting or unaccounted mortality misclassification.

Hong Kong health authorities acknowledged hospitalization spikes but echoed WHO findings  that NB.1.8.1 does not breach severity thresholds  while reinforcing mask mandates on public transit. Prevention remains key, said Dr. Li Tongzeng of Beijing Youan Hospital, expecting Chinas peak in cases by late May.

Navigating the pandemic legacy

As NB.1.8.1 blurs the line between pandemic recovery and recurring waves, the U.S. faces a pivotal moment. The CDCs cautious surveillance, paired with FDAs restrictive policies, risk a fractured response to variants that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. With trust in public health institutions already waning globally, clarity and equitable solutions will be critical.

For now, mitigation strategies  masks, updated shots for eligible groups and robust data-sharing  remain the foundation. Weve got the tools, Gounder said. The challenge is ensuring they reach everyone before the next variant arrives.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

CBSNews.com

FoxNews.com
A closer look at the corporate influences steering the CDC and manipulating US health policy

The CDC Foundation, marketed as a noble partner in public health, operates as a shadowy financial pipeline funneling corporate cash into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behind the facade of "science-based messaging" lies a rigged system where pharmaceutical giants, fast-food conglomerates, and tech oligarchs dictate policywhile silencing dissent under the guise of combating "misinformation." This isnt collaboration; its collusion. The CDC Foundations demand for "deference to CDCs final judgment" reveals the truth: public health has been hijacked by private interests, and free speech is the first casualty.

Key points:

The CDC Foundation, created by Congress in 1992, acts as a financial middleman, channeling millions from corporations like Pfizer, Merck, and Coca-Cola into CDC programsraising glaring conflicts of interest.

Its "Public Health Communications Collaborative" (PHCC) censors alternative viewpoints, branding factual dissent as "misinformation" while pushing industry-friendly narratives like "safe and effective" vaccines.

CDC Director resignations over stock scandals (e.g., Merck investments) prove the agency is a revolving door for Big Pharma profiteers, not public servants.

A 16% administrative fee on grants lines pockets instead of funding real health solutions, while donors like the Gates Foundation and Johnson & Johnson wield outsized influence.

The CDC Foundations 4-star Charity Navigator rating is a smokescreen; its true mission is to legitimize corporate capture of public health policy.

The money trail: How corporations buy CDC policy

The foundations donor list reads like a whos-who of industries with vested interests in shaping health narratives and causing more chronic disease. Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnsonall vaccine patent holderssit alongside PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, whose sugary products contribute to the chronic diseases and infectious disease severity that the CDC claims to fight. Even Facebook and PayPal, notorious for censoring "anti-vax" content, are partners. This isnt philanthropy; its a protection racket, a mafia that protects its own interests, steering the CDC in a direction that allows for endless exploitation of the population and suppression of the truth on matters of immunization and holistic health.

Internal documents show the Foundation charges a 16% fee on grants, siphoning funds meant for public health into bureaucratic bloat. Meanwhile, its PHCC initiativelaunched in 2020functions as a propaganda arm, smearing critics as "anti-science" while platforms like Mailchimp and Facebook silence them. The message is clear: comply or be canceled.

Here is the full list of the corporate sponsors of the CDC Foundation:

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Health Canada

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Government of Canada

Siemens USA

Catholic University of Maule

Kaiser Permanente

Johnson & Johnson

Diazyme Laboratories

Quest Diagnostics

Roche Diagnostics

National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation

Pfizer

PepsiCo

PayPal

Novartis Corp

Facebook

Merck

Mailchimp

Exxon Mobile

P&G

Cargill

Coca-Cola

Dell Inc.

A history of corruption: From Merck stocks to Gates-funded mandates

The CDCs credibility collapsed in 2018 when Director Brenda Fitzgerald resigned after reports revealed she bought shares in Mercka top vaccine manufacturerwhile heading the agency. This wasnt an anomaly; it was standard practice. The CDC Foundations structure ensures corporate donors enjoy "deference" in policy decisions, from vaccine mandates to obesity guidelines (conveniently absolving Coca-Cola of blame).

The Gates Foundations donations further expose the agenda behind the CDC's mandates and runaway vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. By funding CDC programs through the Foundation, Gatesa man with zero medical trainingdictates U.S. health policy while shielding his investments from public scrutiny. The result? A captured agency that prioritizes patent profits over human lives.

The CDC Foundations model is a betrayal of democracy. By outsourcing public health to corporations, it turns the CDC into a puppet for private profitnot a protector of the people. The solution isnt reform; its dismantlement. Dr. Jane Ruby advocates for a full shutdown of the current CDC as it exists today. Indeed, the US population deserves an independent body of experts recommending better pathways to health and immunity.

Independent journalists, natural health advocates, and truth-tellers must continue to expose this corruption at the CDC. Supporting alternative media, demanding transparency, and rejecting censorship are the first steps toward dismantling the CDCs empire of lies. The stakes couldnt be higher: this isnt just about vaccines or sodaits about who controls the future of human health. With Bill Gates, Pfizer and soda companies in the driver seat, the country will continue on a track of obesity, chronic disease, and vaccine injuries.

Sources include:

X.com

PBS.twimg.com

PBS.twimg.com
DOJs visa fraud crackdown upends immigration industry, divides firms and U.S. workers

DOJ expands whistleblower rewards to include immigration fraud, targeting H-1B and other visa abuses.

Firms relying on foreign labor face heightened legal risks as prosecutors prioritize visa violations.

Backlash from outsourcing firms contrasts with labor advocates praise for protecting U.S. workers.

Internal communications reveal discriminatory recruitment practices by companies like Tata Consultancy Services.

Federal data shows 41.2% underemployment among graduates as visa disputes intensify.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ignited a firestorm by expanding its whistleblower reward program to crack down on corporate abuse of U.S. immigration visas, a move targeting employers who allegedly prioritize foreign labor over American workers. Announced in late May, the initiative subjects violations of H-1B, OPT, and other visa programs to federal scrutiny, with rewards for insiders reporting misconduct. The policy, aligned with Attorney General Pam Bondis February decree elevating immigration enforcement as a top DOJ priority, has alienated outsourcing giants but earned praise from labor advocates who argue structural visa fraud has hollowed out domestic job markets.

Structural visa abuse draws federal scrutiny

The DOJs focus on white-collar migration fraud reflects growing awareness of systemic exploitation within U.S. visa programs. Federal audits and lawsuits have unearthed practices like discriminatory hiring and subcontractor pyramids that favor foreign workers, often from India. These companies are replacing experienced, qualified Americans with less-skilled, more controllable visa workers, said Jay Palmer, a labor expert and immigration advocate. Internal emails from staffing firm IDC Technologies, for instance, instructed recruiters to exclude non-Indian candidates, while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employees reportedly sought desi (Indian) hires for U.S. roles.

The Justice Departments updated Corporate Enforcement Policy (CEP) now offers declinations to companies that self-report violations, cooperate, and remediate wrongdoing  a stark shift from prior broad investigations. Yet critics, including labor rights groups, argue this hinges on enforcement. Until a major company is disbarred from the visa program, this behavior will continue, Palmer told Congress, citing his decade-long battle against visa fraud.

Corporate backlash and legal risks

Outsourcing firms and visa-dependent industries have decried the policy as a threat to their business models. Stuart Anderson, a migration consultant, warned the DOJs expansion creates significant liability for employers of H-1B and L-1 visa holders, who fear criminal charges and asset forfeiture. Legal experts echo concerns. Chris Thomas, a Holland & Hart attorney, noted criminal charges could bring 10-year prison sentences per count, crippling companies and reputations.

Meanwhile, contractors face heightened scrutiny over subcontractor hiring chains. Five layers of vendors shield large corporations like Goldman Sachs from accountability, said attorney Dan Kotchen, who sued TCS. These networks, he added, enable a return to the industrial revolution in labor practices, with foreign workers paid below U.S. salaries.

A shift in enforcement  and economics

The DOJs pivot has economic stakes: 120,000 H-1B visas issued in late 2024  exceeding caps  sparked outrage, as 41.2% of U.S. graduates remain underemployed. Palmer called the trend taxpayer-funded betrayals, noting visa workers remit billions abroad. The policy also aligns with a broader crackdown on industries subsidized by visa labor, such as tech and hospitality, where firms like Mar-a-Lago Resort recently faced scrutiny over H-2B visa usage.

Yet proponents argue the DOJs incentivization of whistleblowers  a tool that successfully exposed Wall Street fraud  could dismantle corruption. This is a pivotal moment for American jobs, said EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, who aims to block systemic exclusion of U.S. workers.

A decades-long struggle

The DOJs actions echo past debates over immigration policy, from Reagan-era amnesty to Trumps border wall initiatives. Palmer, who since 2010 has exposed visa fraud, compares current reforms to anti-gang campaigns in China, targeting protection rackets enabling visa exploitation. Critics, however, fear overreach. FBI Director Kash Patels directive to focus agents on immigration shifts priorities away from counterterrorism, a move NBC News claims risks destabilizing federal law enforcement.

The crossroads of labor and law

As the DOJs new visa fraud policies reshape immigration enforcement, the stakes remain high for both corporations and workers. While companies like TCS scramble to adhere to compliance standards, U.S. labor advocates see a flicker of hope for fairness in a system they call rigged. Yet challenges linger: without swift, visible prosecutions  preferably of major firms  the DOJs incentives may falter. For now, the policy remains a landmark in the nations fraught dialogue over economic security and globalized labor  a debate as old as the American dream itself.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

Justice.gov
EU plans Black Sea security hub to counter Russias shadow fleet and protect critical infrastructure

The EU proposes a Black Sea "maritime security hub" to protect undersea infrastructure, monitor Ukraine ceasefires, and counter Russias sanctions-evading shadow fleet.

The hub will use drones, satellites, and sensors for real-time surveillance, likely based in Romania or Bulgaria, focusing on intelligence-sharing and threat detection.

Turkeys control of the Bosporus Strait is critical to enforcing the plan, despite tensions with the EU over membership and regional disputes.

Funding relies on existing EU programs, with final approval pending budget negotiations, while aligning with NATOs push for higher defense spending.

The strategy aims to deter Russian hybrid warfare, upgrade military mobility, and deepen ties with non-EU Black Sea nations like Ukraine and Georgia.

The European Union is taking bold steps to counter Russian aggression in the Black Sea by proposing a new "maritime security hub" aimed at protecting critical undersea infrastructure, monitoring ceasefire efforts in Ukraine, and dismantling Moscows sanctions-evading "shadow fleet."

Unveiled on May 28 by the European Commission, the plan seeks to establish real-time surveillance from "space to seabed" while leveraging Turkeys strategic control of the Bosporus Strait to enforce regional stability. The move signals a major escalation in Europes defensive posture as Russias war in Ukraine drags on, threatening vital trade routes and energy security.

A hub for vigilance and deterrence

The proposed hub, likely based in EU member states Romania or Bulgaria, would serve as a nerve center for intelligence-sharing, early threat detection, and safeguarding undersea cablesa critical vulnerability after suspected Russian sabotage of Baltic Sea infrastructure in recent years. According to EU documents, the facility would deploy underwater sensors, drones, and satellite monitoring to track hostile activity, including illicit oil shipments by Russias shadow fleet. These aging, often uninsured tankers have become a growing concern, with Estonia warning they could trigger environmental disasters or even receive military escorts from Moscow.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, "The Black Sea region is of great strategic importance to the European Union because of the connection (between) Central Asia and Europe. It is important because of security, trade, and energy." However, she acknowledged that Russias war has "marred" the regions potential, citing repeated attacks on ports and shipping lanes.

Turkeys pivotal role

Turkey, despite its frosty relations with Brussels over stalled EU membership talks, is central to the hubs success. The European Commission noted Ankara could "play a constructive role in countering Russias shadow fleet," particularly through its control of the Bosporus, a chokepoint for Black Sea passage. Turkey has already signaled a willingness to join a European "reassurance force" for Ukraine, including maritime patrols. Yet tensions persist, notably with EU members Greece and Cyprus over territorial disputes.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cautiously framed the hub as an opportunity to improve ties, suggesting it could foster "good neighbourly relations" with Turkey. However, she avoided addressing Ankaras long-stalled accession bida diplomatic tightrope reflecting the blocs need for regional cooperation despite political divisions.

The initiative lacks a dedicated budget, instead relying on existing EU programs like SAFE, a 150 billion defense loan fund. Final funding and operational details hinge on negotiations for the EUs 20282032 budget, which could face resistance from fiscally conservative member states. Notably, the plan aligns with NATOs broader strategy, including potential future spending targets of 5% of GDP on defensea move signaling Europes hardening stance against Russian expansionism.

Defense analysts highlight the hubs dual purpose: deterring Russian hybrid warfare while preparing to monitor any future Ukraine ceasefire. "The discussions are ongoing," Kallas said regarding potential EU military patrols to intercept shadow fleet vessels. She stressed the legal complexities, citing international laws guaranteeing "innocent passage" for shipsa loophole Russia exploits.

Broader strategic ambitions

Beyond immediate security, the EU strategy promises infrastructure upgrades to bolster military mobility, including ports, railways, and airports around the Black Sea. These enhancements would streamline NATO troop deployments, a priority as alliance members fortify eastern flank defenses. The plan also tightens scrutiny of foreign investments in critical ports, a nod to concerns over Chinas Belt and Road expansion into European hubs.

For non-EU partners like Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, the strategy offers deeper economic and security cooperation, although specifics remain vague. With the Black Sea home to multiple EU candidate states, Brussels hopes the plan will rally regional support despite funding uncertainties.

The Black Sea security hub represents a high-stakes gamble for the EU balancing military deterrence, diplomatic outreach, and budget constraints while confronting an emboldened Russia. Its success hinges on Turkeys cooperation, NATO alignment, and member states willingness to invest in long-term defense.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Reuters.com

DefenseNews.com

EuroNews.com
Facebook/Instagram restore old censorship regime following shooting of two Israeli embassy aides

Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook/Instagram launched a purge of Nick Fuentes clippers and European nationalists on Tuesday, just four days after the Anti-Defamation League demanded they restore their old censorship regime in response to the shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in DC.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

This is total confirmation that Mark Zuckerberg's newfound commitment to "free speech" was nothing more than a marketing ploy.

META/Facebook's "Jewish Diaspora" chief Jordana Cutler tells Israelis she used her position to carveout "specific protections for Israelis and Jews." "We banned content claiming Zionists run the world or control the media..." pic.twitter.com/S9PNln7Gw0  Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) April 29, 2025

Speaking before Cutler at the same event, former US Sen. Norm Coleman declared: "The masters of the universe are Jews!" "We've got Altman at AI, we've got Zuckerberg, we've got Sergey Brin ... Jan Koum, who founded WhatsAppit's us!"pic.twitter.com/ObyTqlB7n2  Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) April 29, 2025

ADL's David Goldenberg demands mass censorship of social media, deplatforming and the repeal of Section 230 in response to shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in DC. "These tech platforms are not guaranteed under the Constitution," Goldenberg says. "They're just not!" pic.twitter.com/6LXIyOOMyf  Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) May 24, 2025

"Earlier this year, Instagram relaxed its censorship and allowed users to post clips from my show," Nick Fuentes revealed on Tuesday. "Almost overnight, the clips started going viral and getting millions of views."

"Today all of the clipping accounts were banned and the censorship has resumed," he said. "Totally rigged system."

"I have been banned from Twitch since 2019, Youtube and Tiktok since 2020, Facebook/Instagram since 2021, and Twitter from 2021-2024," Fuentes added. "Today I am only permitted on X and Rumble. I have been blacklisted, slandered, and suppressed for my entire career. When will it end?"

Earlier this year, instagram relaxed its censorship and allowed users to post clips from my show. Almost overnight, the clips started going viral and getting millions of views. Today all of the clipping accounts were banned and the censorship has resumed. Totally rigged system.  Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) May 27, 2025

I have been banned from Twitch since 2019, Youtube and Tiktok since 2020, Facebook/Instagram since 2021, and Twitter from 2021-2024. Today I am only permitted on X and Rumble. I have been blacklisted, slandered, and suppressed for my entire career. When will it end?  Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) May 27, 2025

"Meta just WIPED OUT nearly ALL identitarian Instagram pages & even some from AfD!" Austrian nationalist Martin Sellner said Tuesday on X. "Meanwhile, hardcore Antifa pages are untouched. Same old left-wing censorship!"

? BREAKING: Meta just WIPED OUT nearly ALL identitarian Instagram pages & even some from AfD! Meanwhile, hardcore Antifa pages are untouched. Same old left-wing censorship! X is the LAST bastion of free speech for left and rightthanks to @elonmuskpic.twitter.com/g1UaRz54Gg  Martin Sellner (@Martin_Sellner) May 27, 2025

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
FBI reopens investigations into White House cocaine, pipe bombs and SCOTUS leak of Dobbs draft opinion

The FBI has relaunched investigations into three major cases: the 2023 cocaine discovery in the White House, the unsolved Jan. 5, 2021 pipe bombs near DNC/RNC headquarters and the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.

The decision follows GOP criticism of the FBI's prior handling of these cases, with Deputy Director Dan Bongino suggesting potential new leads or whistleblower testimony could advance the probes.

Despite initial Secret Service efforts, no suspect was identified in the 2023 cocaine incident, fueling speculation (including from Trump) about ties to Hunter Biden. The case was closed due to insufficient evidence.

The FBI's failure to solve the January 2021 pipe bomb case  despite video evidence and a $500K reward  has spurred conspiracy theories about deliberate provocation or security failures, contrasting with the bureau's swift action in other politically sensitive cases.

The 2022 Dobbs draft opinion leak, which led to Roe's overturn, remains unsolved after an internal SCOTUS probe. The FBI's renewed focus suggests potential federal intervention, though no new evidence has been revealed.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the reopening of investigations into three prominent cases: the 2023 discovery of cocaine in the Biden White House, the unsolved pipe bombs planted outside the Democratic and Republican headquarters prior to the Jan. 6 false-flag Capitol riot and the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade.

The decision announced on X by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino Monday, May 26, comes amid mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers who have long criticized the bureau's handling of these cases. Its renewed scrutiny also raises questions about whether new leads or whistleblower testimony, as Bongino has vaguely alluded to, could provide fresh momentum.

The cocaine incident, which unfolded over the Fourth of July weekend in 2023, sparked immediate controversy when a small bag of the substance was found in a heavily trafficked area of the White House. Despite an initial Secret Service investigation, no suspect was identified and the case was closed due to a lack of physical evidence. GOP figures, including incumbent President Donald Trump, have repeatedly insinuated at the time that the drugs could be linked to then-presidential son Hunter Biden.

A litmus test for the bureau

Equally perplexing is the FBI's stalled investigation into the pipe bombs discovered outside the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021  just a day before the Capitol riot. Despite a $500,000 reward and video evidence of a suspect, the case remains unsolved. (Related: Trump takes aim at FBI over January 6 pipe bomb mystery: Deep State coverup exposed?)

This lack of resolution has fueled conspiracy theories about whether the explosives were a deliberate provocation or an overlooked security failure. Critics argue the bureau's sluggish progress contrasts sharply with its rapid response to other politically sensitive investigations, drawing parallels to historical controversies like the FBI's handling of Watergate.

The third case  the unprecedented leak of the Supreme Court's draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization  remains a stain on the high court's reputation. Published by POLITICO in May 2022, the leak triggered a firestorm, with conservatives accusing liberal factions of attempting to intimidate the justices. It eventually resulted to the overturn of the Roe abortion ruling after 49 years.

An internal Supreme Court investigation failed to identify the culprit, leaving lingering doubts about judicial integrity. The FBI's renewed focus suggests federal authorities may pursue avenues beyond the court's internal probe, though no new evidence has been disclosed.

Bongino, second in command to FBI Director Kash Patel, emphasized that these cases represent "potential public corruption" deserving of additional resources. His appeal for public tips underscores the challenges investigators face in resolving long-dormant inquiries. Yet skeptics question whether the bureau's actions are driven by genuine investigative needs or political optics, particularly given the timing amid heightened election-year tensions.

As these cases reenter the spotlight, they serve as a litmus test for the FBI's credibility under its current leadership. Whether the renewed efforts yield answers or further deepen public distrust remains to be seen. For now, the bureau's next steps will be scrutinized by those demanding accountability and those wary of partisan influence in law enforcement alike.

Visit RealInvestigations.news for more similar stories.

Watch former Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) discussing FBI Director Kash Patel's "wave of transparency" to rebuild Americans' trust in the bureau.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

X.com

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North Carolina Supreme Court rules federal vaccine immunity doesnt trump parental rights

North Carolina Supreme Court overturns dismissal of lawsuit alleging lack of parental consent for a childs COVID-19 vaccine due to constitutional rights violations.

Declassified 2021 U.S. intelligence report warns that vaccine mandates could incite domestic violence from extremists.

Federal PREP Act grants broad immunity to vaccine administrators but North Carolina court rules it doesnt apply to constitutional claims.

Clash emerges between pandemic-era emergency legal measures and states protection of bodily autonomy and parental authority.

Case sparks debate over balancing public health mandates and individual freedoms amid lingering pandemic fallout.

In a ruling with profound implications for health freedoms and parental rights, North Carolinas Supreme Court has reinstated a lawsuit against a school district and medical group that vaccinated a 14-year-old without his parents consent, arguing federal vaccine immunity laws do not supersede constitutional violations. Meanwhile, a recently declassified 2021 intelligence report reveals U.S. agencies warned that vaccine mandates could incite violence  a cautionary note now framing broader societal tensions around pandemic policies. The March 21 decision, coupled with disclosures about domestic extremism threats, underscores an intensifying legal and cultural battle over individual liberties versus public health authority.

North Carolina Supreme Court limits federal vaccine immunity

The North Carolina Supreme Courts 4-3 decision centered on whether the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act shielded defendants from claims that they violated constitutional rights by vaccinating Tanner Smith without consent. Chief Justice Paul Newbys majority opinion emphasized that while the PREP Act immunizes claims of loss (a legal term covering financial or physical harm), it does not preempt constitutional violations like infringements on parental authority or bodily autonomy.

The fundamental and paramount constitutional rights to bodily integrity and parental control would be discarded without second thought, Newby wrote, rejecting the argument that Congress intended blanket protection for outright wrongful acts. The courts narrow interpretation allows the case to proceed, distinguishing legal claims about physical harm (covered by the Act) from constitutional due process issues (left to state courts).

Critics, however, argue national precedents and the Acts plain language override such reasoning. Justice Allison Riggs dissented, stating, The PREP Act immunizes defendants from all claims except death or serious injury caused by willful misconduct. Her opinion stressed the federal statutes sweeping terms and its purpose to prioritize crisis management over liability concerns.

Declassified documents highlight mandate-linked extremism risks

The ruling arrives amid newly disclosed intel that prophesied societal fractures over vaccine mandates. On May 23, the director of national intelligence released a December 2021 joint assessment from the FBI, DHS and National Counterterrorism Center. It warned that child vaccine mandates and perceived unfair treatment of unvaccinated Americans could galvanize domestic extremists  including those involved in the 2020 scheme to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer  to target healthcare workers and officials.

Plots had already occurred in U.S. and other countries, the document noted, cautioning that parents opposing childhood vaccination could become conspiracy theorists or fuel violence over forced inoculation. Though such warnings initially drew mixed reactions, public battles over school vaccine mandates in states like California and North Carolina now seem prescient.

This document links anti-mandate activism to potential terrorism  a narrative some might exploitation of legitimate concerns, said civil liberties lawyer Erik Quick. Yet it also reflects how debate over bodily autonomy can destabilize communities.

Parental sovereignty vs. emergency powers: A judicial crossroads

The Smith case challenges assumptions about federal legal supremacy during emergencies. The PREP Act, enacted in 2005 to streamline response to epidemics, grants immunity for cancer-related countermeasures during federal declarations. During the pandemic, this shield has often protected hospitals and schools from lawsuitseven when sidestepping state consent laws.

Emily Happel, Tanners mother, alleges her son was vaccinated at a school-sponsored clinic in 2021 without her knowledge, violating a North Carolina statute requiring parental permission for unapproved vaccines. Lower courts sided with the defendants, citing the PREP Acts EUA loophole, but the high courts ruling has galvanized parental rights advocates.

The precedent here is monumental, said Trinity University constitutional scholar Dr. Lena Torres. If a states highest court says consent laws beat emergency immunity, it redefines how communities enforce autonomy protections during crises.

Lawyers for the Old North State Medical Society declined comment, while attorneys for Happel called the outcome a needed step for accountability, noting the courts unequivocal affirmation of parental rights under the state constitution.

The bigger picture: Pandemic legacies and public trust

The outcomes reflect a broader societal reckoning over pandemic policies collateral damage. Even as the U.S. moves beyond the worst of the crisis, issues like willful misconduct exceptions to PREP immunities, sovereign immunity for federal agencies and the role of intelligence assessments haunt debates around medical mandates.

The Smith case, for instance, also argues that the Department of Defenses public confidence campaigns overstated vaccine safety, potentially constituting willful misconduct under the Acts only exception. If validated, this could expose federal agencies to liability  a first in pandemic-era litigation.

For now, North Carolinas decision has closed a legal loophole but left deeper tensions unresolved. As Gabbard noted in her press interview, the intelligence disclosures paired with the courts constitutional rulings show how policies framed as life-saving can destabilize trust if they bypass foundational rights.

A future defined by precedent or precaution

The North Carolina ruling and declassified intelligence together frame the post-pandemic era as one in which governments must balance emergency preparedness with respect for civil liberties  a calculus with implications far beyond vaccines. As the case heads back to appeals courts, it serves as both a victory for family rights advocates and a catalyst for re-examining emergency laws limits. The question remains: Can public health crises be managed without eroding the rights they aim to protect? The answer may shape the freedoms we all cherish next time a threat emerges.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

X.com
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Businessman Vhurumu Mutero was sentenced on Tuesday to 48 months imprisonment after being convicted of theft of trust property involving US$125,000. The funds were entrusted to him for the purchase of a truck and various household items.Magistrate Rufaro Panavanhu handed down the sentence, suspending 12 months on condition of good behaviour and another 24 months pending payment of the full US$125,000 restitution to the complainant by August 2025. This means Mutero will effectively serve 12 months behind bars.The court heard that between February and July of last year, the complainant, Staffmark Private Limited, represented by Trevor Mwanandimayi, engaged Mutero to purchase a Toyota single cab truck along with a large range of household goods. The payments were made upfront to Mutero to facilitate the acquisitions.The list of items included four double-door refrigerators, four 65-inch television sets, a washing machine, four sets of leather sofas, three dining table sets, four deep freezers, seven bed sets, office sofas, outdoor chairs, three tables, and eleven room dividers for office use.Instead of fulfilling his obligations, Mutero allegedly misappropriated the funds for personal use, and to date, none of the money has been recovered.The sentencing serves as a stern warning against misusing entrusted funds and highlights the judiciary's commitment to upholding justice in commercial dealings.
Netanyahu denies Gaza famine, claims detained Palestinians are overweight while Gaza children die from hunger

Netanyahu denies Gaza starvation claims, alleging detained Palestinians appear "overweight" based on unclothed photos.

UN warns of imminent famine due to Israels aid blockade, contradicting Netanyahus claims.

Critics condemn Netanyahus remarks as dehumanizing amid documented child deaths from malnutrition.

Israels total blockade since March has pushed Gaza into critical famine risk, according to UN experts.

Netanyahu dismisses starvation accusations as media lies while deflecting war crimes scrutiny.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed international accusations that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza, claiming instead that detained Palestinians appear "overweight" based on photographs of unclothed prisoners. Speaking at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu insisted there is "no mass starvation" in Gaza, contradicting dire warnings from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations of an imminent famine due to Israels blockade of aid. His remarks have been condemned as a "shocking denial of reality" as children in Gaza continue to die from malnutrition.

Netanyahu attempted to justify his assertion by referencing Israeli military procedures for detaining Palestinians. "We take thousands of prisoners, sort them out into civilians and combatants, and we photograph them... The first thing you do is you tell them, 'Take your shirt off. We want to see that there is no suicide vest.'.. and you dont see one, not one emaciated from the beginning of the war to the present," he said. "In fact, you see quite the opposite because you dont get that much exercise, certainly not in tunnels, but you get food."

The comments were met with immediate backlash, with critics accusing Netanyahu of dehumanizing Palestinians while ignoring documented starvation. Since March 2, Israel has enforced a total blockade on food, medical supplies, and fuel, pushing Gazas entire population into a "critical risk" of famine, according to UN experts. Dozens of children have already died from hunger-related causes.

A deliberate humanitarian catastrophe

Netanyahus remarks come amid mounting international condemnation of Israels conduct in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023. The UN has repeatedly warned that Israels restrictions on aid deliveries have created a man-made disaster, with food shortages so severe that some families are surviving on animal feed.

Despite these reports, Netanyahu dismissed starvation accusations as "the current fad, the current lie" that "spreads like wildfire" in the media. He claimed Israel has "supplied [civilians] with essential requirements: food, water, medicine," while omitting the fact that Israel blocked all aid for more than two months earlier this year.

Social media users were quick to condemn Netanyahus rhetoric. "Netanyahu speaks with the callousness of someone who sees suffering as a spectacle," one person wrote. "To deny starvation while orchestrating a siege is not just inhuman, it's diabolical." Another added, "Hes basically saying that hes taken CIVILIANS as hostages, stripped them of their dignity, studied them in prison labs and made conclusions about them."

Netanyahu also used his speech to attack the global pro-Palestinian movement, labeling it "antisemitic" and framing Israels war as a battle for "western civilization." His comments were seen as an attempt to deflect growing diplomatic pressure, including threats of sanctions from key allies like the UK, France, and Canada.

Critics argue that Netanyahus inflammatory rhetoric is a desperate attempt to justify Israels brutal military campaign while evading accountability for war crimes.

A leader detached from reality

Netanyahus grotesque dismissal of starvation in Gaza reveals a leader increasingly detached from the suffering his policies have inflicted. While he boasts of detainees being "overweight," Palestinian children waste away from hunger, and entire families are forced to scavenge for scraps. His denial of famine despite overwhelming evidence demonstrates not just indifference but a deliberate effort to obscure the truth. As the death toll mounts and international scrutiny intensifies, Netanyahus words are only deepening global outrage.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

TimesOfIsrael.com

PalestineChronicle.com
Trump agrees to delay EU tariffs after call with von der Leyen, sets new deadline for trade deal

President Donald Trump agreed to delay a proposed 50 percent tariff on all EU goods (originally set for June 1) after a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, extending negotiations until July 9.

Trump had accused the EU of unfair trade practices, claiming it was formed to exploit the U.S. and threatened tariffs via Truth Social. The EU denies these claims and the need for swift talks.

Von der Leyen called the discussion a "good call" and pledged to advance trade negotiations decisively, aiming for a deal by the new deadline.

The White House seeks to dismantle EU tariff/non-tariff barriers (e.g., on agriculture and tech) and reduce Europe's economic reliance on China, mirroring Trump's long-standing trade grievances.

Analysts suggest Trump's hardline tactics forced the EU to engage, with Treasury officials noting the extension could accelerate stalled negotiations amid the bloc's fragmented decision-making.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has agreed to postpone additional tariffs on the European Union (EU) following a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who requested an extension to negotiate a trade agreement.

On Friday, May 23, Trump threatened the EU through a post on his Truth Social platform with a 50 percent tariff on all goods coming from the 27 blocs starting June 1 due to unfair trade practices.

"The European Union, which was formed with the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with," he posted on Truth Social. "Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50 percent Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025."

But Trump changed his mind on Sunday, May 25, after von der Leyen called and requested an extension on the June 1 deadline of the 50 percent tariff.

"I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50 percent Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union. I agreed to the extension  July 9, 2025  It was my privilege to do so. The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. (Related: Trump's tariff gambit pays off as approval ratings defy market turbulence.)

Von der Leyen confirmed the discussion on X, formerly known as Twitter, and called it a "good call."

"The EU and U.S. share the world's most consequential and close trade relationship. Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9," she posted on her official account on X.

Trump is expected to push Brussels to dismantle both tariff and non-tariff barriers that restrict American-made goods

The extension arrives at a critical juncture.

Trump has long accused the EU of maintaining protectionist policies that disadvantage American businesses, echoing concerns that fueled his 2016 campaign. Historically, the EU's origins in the 1951 European Coal and Steel Community were designed to promote intra-European trade while shielding members from external competition  a structure Trump has criticized as inherently anti-United States.

In turn, Trump has imposed a 10 percent flat tariff for the EU on certain U.S. imports, along with a 25 percent levy on key exports like steel, aluminum and automobiles  measures Trump argues are necessary to counter China-style market flooding.

The White House is expected to push Brussels to dismantle both tariff and non-tariff barriers, including restrictive regulations on American agricultural and tech exports. Another key demand: reducing Europe's economic reliance on China, which remains a dominant trade partner despite U.S. warnings about unfair practices and security risks.

In line with the extension, analysts suggest Trump's hardline stance may have forced Brussels to the table. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier noted that the fragmented decision-making of the EU has stalled progress. "President Trump's upping of the ante may light a fire under the EU to get a deal done," Bessent said.

Trump should put the tariffs on immediately, an expert says. Watch this video.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Trump tariffs surpass $22B in May, fueling debate over trade strategy and fiscal vision

President Trumps tariffs generated $22.3 billion in May, marking a record single?month haul and surpassing Aprils $17.4 billion.

The strategy combines revenue-raising with aggressive trade pressure to reshape global trade, with a focus on relocating manufacturing to the United States.

Tariffs account for 4% of federal revenue, up from a historical average of 2%, but remain a small fraction of overall spending.

Trump has linked tariff revenue to tax cuts and even floated eliminating income taxes, facing skepticism about feasibility.

Negotiations with China and the EU continue, with Trump threatening new tariffs targeting sectors like semiconductors.

President Donald Trumps tariff strategy set another milestone in May 2025, with Treasury Department data showing tariffs and excise taxes surpassing $22.3 billion by midmonth, driven by a single?day $16.5 billion deposit on May 22. The surge comes amid claims that tariffs are not only a revenue tool but a lever to steer economic influence. Trump framed the strategy as marking a return to an era when tariffs made a lot of money for the U.S. and could fund tax cutsechoing a fiscal vision rooted in late 19th-century policy.

The administrations approach reflects a dual focus: leveraging tariffs to pressure trading partners like China and the E.U., while positioning tariffs as a path toward reducing federal revenue reliance on income taxes. Critics, however, question whether such a shift aligns with modern economic realities.

Revenue surges amid expanded tariff regime

Tariffs this year have followed a sharp upward trajectory. Since January 1, $92 billion has flowed into federal coffers, with Mays pace eclipsing earlier months. Aprils total  $17.4 billion  was dwarfed by Mays numbers, which include duties from Trumps recent broad-based tariffs, including a 10% global levy imposed April 5 and sector-specific measures.

This months haul reflects the full implementation of our trade policies, said a senior administration official, noting that May is the first full month of compliance with the 10% global duty.

However, economists caution that the figures mix tariffs with excise taxes (e.g., tobacco, alcohol), a Treasury Department reporting quirk. While precise tariff data will not be available until mid-June, customs duties historically account for most of the category. Even a conservative estimate of $18 billion in May tariffs would represent a sevenfold increase over 2023.

Making money through strategic trade pressure

For Trump, tariff revenue is a secondary benefit to their primary role as diplomatic leverage. As he stated on April 23, We never got 10 cents out of China before. Since 2020, his administration has deployed tariffs to pressure China into rebalancing trade relations, while also targeting industries like semiconductorsa sector now under threat of new tariffs.

The strategy often starts with confrontation: fines, lawsuits, or sudden tariff hikes, but ends with negotiations. A May 27 tweet exemplified this, as Trump noted his reluctance to lift a delayed 50% EU tariff but hinted at talks: I have just been informed that the E.U. has called to quickly establish meeting dates.

Historians note parallels to 19th-century protectionism, when tariffs funded the U.S. government outright. But today, even with surging rates, tariffs remain modest proportionally: $22B in May versus $850B in federal tax receipts that month.

Historical precedents and modern fiscal realities

In 1890, tariffs accounted for 40% of federal revenue; today, they hover at 4%, even with Trumps reforms. His goal to eliminate income taxes, as hinted in policy circles, would require a tariff revenue explosion unseen since the Civil War.

The $22B monthly tariff revenue represents roughly 1B daily, but the $1.9 trillion in annual federal interest payments dwarfs even a projected $100B annual tariff windfall. Yet White House advisors argue tariffs create monetary flexibility for U.S. corporations, incentivizing reshoring and job creation.

The data doesnt lie  were winning on trade, Trump declared, defending claims that tariffs fund big, big tax breaks. Analysts counter, however, that tariff spikes could raise consumer prices, indirectly squeezing federal tax revenue from wages.

Negotiations and new threats: The shifting playing field

Mays tariff surge occurred as China reportedly stepped up talks to avert harsher penalties. Administration officials describe Beijing as hungry for resolution on issues like intellectual property and market access.

Yet Trumps tariff threats remain active. This month, he flagged plans to target pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and tech giants like Apple (AAPL) and Samsung, accusing them of offshoring jobs. We cant let companies profit abroad without paying their fair share, he wrote online, signaling tariff proposal drafts for July.

The EU mitigation exemplifies strategic nuance: reducing tariffs on British imports while threatening Europe with 50% penalties if talks stall. This balancing act reflects Trumps broader calculus: use tariffs to extract concessions while avoiding prolonged trade wars that might politically backfire.

A policy crossroads for global trade

As tariffs redefine U.S. fiscal and foreign policy, their impact remains contentious. For the White House, Mays figures validate a big revenue, big leverage approach. For detractors, the numbers highlight fiscal limitations  a trillion-dollar deficit and federal dependence on income taxes remain unchanged.

The coming months will test whether tariffs can simultaneously fund tax cuts, realign supply chains and stabilize trade partnerships. With $22 billion already in hand, the debate about success criteria  and the U.S. economys resilience  will only intensify.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Finance.Yahoo.com

TruthSocial.com
Venezuela declared highly dangerous country for Americans as State Department issues Do Not Travel warning

The U.S. State Department issued its highest-level travel warning for Venezuela, citing wrongful detentions, torture, terrorism, and violent crime.

More Americans are wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country, some for up to five years without due process.

Venezuelas Maduro regime targets U.S. citizens, detaining them on fabricated charges while denying legal rights or consular access.

Crime, collapsing infrastructure, and dangerous borders make Venezuela unsafe, with no functioning U.S. embassy for assistance.

Americans in Venezuela are urged to leave immediately, but passport shortages and counterfeit black markets leave many stranded.

The U.S. State Department has issued its most severe travel advisory for Venezuela, warning Americans to avoid the crisis-stricken nation at all costs due to rampant wrongful detentions, torture, terrorism, and violent crime. In a May 27 alert, officials revealed that "more U.S. citizens are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country," with some imprisoned for up to five years without due process. With no functioning U.S. embassy, Americans trapped in Venezuela are urged to flee immediately, but shortages of travel documents and a black market for counterfeit passports have left tens of thousands stranded in what critics call an open-air prison under the oppressive Maduro regime.

A regime hostile to Americans

Venezuelas socialist government, led by Nicolas Maduro, has systematically targeted U.S. citizens, detaining them under fabricated charges such as terrorism while denying access to legal counsel or family contact. The State Department warns that "Venezuelan security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without respect to due process, in harsh conditionsincluding torturefrequently based solely on their U.S. nationality or U.S. passport." Even dual citizens or those traveling on Venezuelan visas are not safe as the regime views American ties as grounds for persecution.

The U.S. has no diplomatic presence in Venezuela after withdrawing embassy staff in 2019, leaving detained Americans without consular support. Venezuelan authorities refuse to notify the U.S. of arrests, effectively disappearing prisoners into a justice system notorious for corruption and abuse. "There is no safe way for Americans to travel to Venezuela," the State Department emphasized, noting detentions at airports, land borders, and ports.

Collapsing infrastructure and lawlessness

Beyond wrongful imprisonment, Venezuela is engulfed in a street crime epidemic, with murder, kidnapping, and carjacking surging amid economic collapse. The State Department cites "arbitrary enforcement of local laws, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure" as additional risks. Medical care is scarce, pharmacies lack basic medicines, and violent protestsmet with brutal crackdowns by security forcesare common.

Borders with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana are particularly hazardous, with unmarked boundaries increasing the risk of accidental crossings. Colombian terrorist groups operate in these regions, and travelers face abduction or false accusations of espionage. The State Department bluntly advises: "Avoid all Venezuelan borders."

Despite years of warnings, some Americans still venture into Venezuela, often with tragic consequences. Those who ignore the advisory are instructed to prepare wills, establish "proof of life" protocols, and hire private security in a sobering acknowledgment of the governments inability to protect visitors. The travel document shortage exacerbates the danger, as those attempting to leave may find themselves trapped in bureaucratic limbo or forced into the counterfeit passport trade.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned Venezuelas actions, linking them to broader threats against liberty. "Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country," he declared, signaling a tougher stance against regimes that target U.S. citizens.

Venezuelas descent into lawlessness serves as a reminder of the consequences of authoritarian rule. The Maduro regimes hostility toward Americans and its blatant disregard for human rights demands global attention. For now, the message is clear: Do not travel to Venezuela. Those who are already there must escape while they still can.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Mx.USEmbassy.gov

FoxNews.com

CBSNews.com
Global catastrophe looms: Zionist-driven war on Iran could trigger WWIII

Pro-Israel factions aggressively lobby for military action against Iran, with figures like Paul Wolfowitz framing intervention as necessary, despite Irans claims of peaceful nuclear intentions.

Many Jewish Zionists recognize that Christian Zionists, who support Israel to fulfill biblical prophecy, may inadvertently push policies leading to Israels destruction through End Times theology.

Adams and Yon dispute Irans portrayal as an existential threat, noting hypocrisy in U.S. policy given global energy rights, while warning war could trigger uncontrollable escalation with Russia and China.

Both criticize Washingtons inability to reform, citing unfulfilled promises (e.g., defunding international bodies) and superficial changes, comparing governance to a "clown show" incapable of systemic fixes.

If conflict erupts, geopolitical elites risk global instabilityIrans retaliation (e.g., missile strikes on U.S. bases) could accelerate U.S. imperial collapse amid stretched military and open borders.

In a revealing conversation between investigative journalist Mike Adams and military analyst Michael Yon, the escalating tensions between Iran and the West were scrutinized, with a sharp focus on the role of Zionist influence in steering U.S. foreign policy toward conflict. Their discussion unveiled the ideological motivations driving war rhetoricraising urgent questions about the consequences of another Middle East confrontation.

The Zionist Agenda: A Push for War?

Yon, drawing from firsthand experiences with U.S. policymakers, described relentless lobbying by pro-Israel factions for military action against Iran. "The Zionists desperately want war with Iran," he said, recalling interactions with figures like Paul Wolfowitz and CIA directors who framed intervention as necessary. Adams echoed concerns, noting that Israels security establishmentbacked by powerful donorshas long pushed for strikes on Irans nuclear program, despite Tehran's claims of peaceful intentions.

Yon emphasized the irony: many Jewish Zionists privately acknowledge that Christian Zionistswho support Israel to fulfill biblical prophecyare ironically facilitating policies that could lead to Israels destruction. "They want to use the Zionists to summon Christs return," Adams noted, referencing End Times theology that envisions war in the Holy Land as a divine catalyst.

The Iranian Dilemma: A Manufactured Threat?

Both Adams and Yon challenged the narrative that Iran is an existential threat. Yon, who has met Iranians abroad and at immigration routes like the Darien Gap, found no evidence of malice. "Why would I want to bomb these people?" he mused. Yet, U.S. policy under both parties has treated Irans civilian nuclear ambitions as a red linea stance Adams called hypocritical given global energy rights under UN charters.

The duo warned that war with Iran could spiral uncontrollably, drawing in Russia and China. "Imagine Iran retaliating with 1,000 missiles on U.S. bases in the region," Yon said. "Were already overextended with Ukraine and Taiwan."

The U.S. Empires Decline: A System Beyond Reform?

Adams and Yon lamented Washingtons dysfunction, from unchecked UN funding to unfulfilled promises under Trump (e.g., defunding international bodies or securing the border). "Its just a show," Yon said, comparing DC to a "clown show" incapable of systemic change. Adams agreed, citing minor HHS reforms under RFK Jr. as token gestures rather than transformative actions.

Conclusion: Who Stands to Gain?

The conversation ended with a grim outlook: geopolitical elitesdriven by ideology, not securityare gambling with global stability. As Adams noted, "If the Zionists get their war, it wont just be Iran that burnsitll be the world." With elections rigged, borders open, and the military stretched thin, the U.S. risks imperial collapse while external pressures mount.

For now, the question remains: Can reason prevail, or are we witnessing the final act of a dying empire?

Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Michael Yon as they talk about geopolitical threats, scientific skepticism, and survival mindset.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Waltzs secret push for Iran war with Netanyahu sealed his fate after Signalgate

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Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Michaelyon.substack.com
News / Local

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the fatal accident involving a fuel tanker, a two-tonne truck, and a van near Kwekwe, which claimed 12 lives, a national disaster.The tragic collision occurred at the 200-kilometre peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road near Sebakwe River. According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the fuel tanker with two trailers, traveling towards Kwekwe, collided head-on with a truck coming from the opposite direction. This caused the tanker to strike a Nissan AD van carrying 12 passengers.The tanker dragged the van for several metres before overturning and falling on top of it, trapping all 12 occupants inside.Police have released the names of eight victims: James Ncube (23), Marvellous Mapanzure (20), Emilly Mpofu Mucheuki (25), Joshua Muza (35), Reward Nyatsongo (28), Farai Bisendi (47), Emmanuel Mangomana (21), and Maria Jasi (43). Four female victims are yet to be identified.In a statement, President Mnangagwa expressed his condolences and announced the declaration of the accident as a national disaster."My heart goes out to families that have lost their loved ones in this horrific accident. Equally, I wish a speedy recovery to all those nursing injuries from the incident," said Mnangagwa.He explained that the disaster declaration allows the government to take full responsibility for the burial of those who perished and to provide support to those hospitalized."May all the bereaved and other affected families find comfort and solace in knowing that our Nation joins and mourns with them in this hour of deep grief and pain," the President added.Mnangagwa also called on the public to support law enforcement efforts to curb reckless driving, which he described as a major contributor to the rising toll of road fatalities in Zimbabwe."The deadly incident adds yet another grim statistic to the needless toll which reckless driving levies on our people and our Nation," Mnangagwa said.While commending the Zimbabwe Republic Police for the speedy rollout of advanced traffic management technologies, he stressed that more must be done to reduce road accidents."The duty for safe traffic conduct squarely falls on all road users, while the responsibility to call out reckless road-users includes the general public who should support our law enforcement agencies to tame what in essence has become a traffic jungle," Mnangagwa concluded.The government's disaster declaration marks a crucial step towards coordinated relief and support efforts in the aftermath of this devastating accident.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The State last week charged the brother of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) leader Mqondisi Moyo with insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2022, a move the party says is politically motivated and suspicious.The charges come just days after Moyo launched a fresh petition to the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), seeking regional support for negotiations with the government on the MRP's secessionist agenda. In a petition dated May 20 and addressed to Sadc Executive Secretary Elias Magosi, Moyo requested assistance in advancing the campaign for the creation of the breakaway Mthwakazi Republic. Sadc has yet to respond to this latest petition. The MRP submitted a similar request in September 2023.President Mnangagwa has previously issued stern warnings to opposition activists, especially those affiliated with the MRP, cautioning that their lives could be at risk if they continue pushing for secession.On Wednesday, Moyo's brother, 58-year-old Dinginhlalo Moyo, was arrested and charged with insulting President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF in early April 2022 at Silozwi business centre in Matobo district. However, when he appeared in court on Thursday, the State altered the charge to public disorder, with indications that the Harare authorities advised the prosecution to make the change. Dinginhlalo was charged with disorderly conduct at a public place before Plumtree Magistrate Aeline Munamati and remanded out of custody to June 19.The MRP has condemned the circumstances surrounding Dinginhlalo's arrest, describing it as suspicious and politically driven."On his initial arrest, he was abducted by 13 State security agents from Plumtree," the party said in a statement. "Normally, he should have been arrested by police from Gwandavale and Lushumbe, whose base is at Masiye camp in Lushumbe or Matopos Police Station, which has jurisdiction over Matobo."The party questioned why Dinginhlalo is being tried at Plumtree Magistrates Court when the Khezi District Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over Matobo district."The 13 police officers who came to arrest him in April 2022 were heavily armed with AK47s and other weapons," the statement added.MRP claims the arrest and prosecution are politically motivated and highlighted that the case has resurfaced despite a previous bail win secured by his defence lawyer, Mr Nqobani Sithole."At the close of the trial, the court indicated the case lacked merit," the party noted. "Three years later, one wonders what merit the case now has."MRP also recalled President Mnangagwa's March 23, 2022 statement in which he warned the party and the Mthwakazi people that their lives would be shortened if they continued with secessionist ambitions.Mnangagwa has consistently reaffirmed that Zimbabwe will remain a unitary State as recognized by the United Nations. The MRP, however, continues to campaign for the establishment of the Mthwakazi Republic, covering parts of the Midlands and Matebeleland provinces.The President remains firm that the creation of the Mthwakazi Republic will not be allowed.
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News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC), chaired by Justice Webster Chinamora, is now fully operational and has already received 15 complaints from citizens, mostly related to assault cases.The ZICC, a five-member body, is tasked with addressing grievances against misconduct by security services, including the police, army, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).Justice Chinamora paid a courtesy call to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda on Tuesday, where he briefed journalists on the progress of the Commission's work so far."Since our appointment, we have not previously visited the Speaker of Parliament, despite Parliament being the origin of our mandate," said Chinamora. "Section 210 of the Constitution empowers us to investigate cases of misconduct or constitutional violations by members of the security services - the Army, CIO, prison service, and police."He explained that most complaints received relate to assaults by police officers, abuse of office, and delays in addressing reported violations.Chinamora also praised the support the Commission has received from President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration. "We have been allocated offices by the Office of the President and Cabinet, and we have also received backing from the Public Service Commission," he said.The Commission has drafted regulations detailing procedures for receiving, investigating, and adjudicating complaints. These drafts have been submitted to the Attorney General and are currently being developed into a statutory instrument.Justice Chinamora further revealed that Speaker Mudenda has offered valuable suggestions, including hosting a retreat with senior officers from the security services. The aim is to build trust and reduce misconduct by educating the top brass on how to prevent complaints from arising."This initiative will help foster better cooperation and ensure that security service leaders understand how to avoid mistakes that lead to misconduct," Chinamora added.The ZICC's establishment and ongoing efforts represent a key step in promoting accountability and upholding constitutional rights in Zimbabwe's security sector.
Despite advances in air quality, global heart disease deaths tied to particulate pollution have soared, especially for seniors and in developing nations, with women facing the sharpest future rise.

Study: Global cardiovascular disease burden attributable to particulate matter pollution, 19902021: an analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021 and forecast to 2045 - Image credit: NadyGinzburg/Shutterstock.com

A new study analyzing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, and scheduled for publication in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders in May 2025, revealed a significant increase in the cardiovascular disease burden attributable to particulate matter pollution from 1990 to 2021.

Background

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study identifies cardiovascular disease as a major cause of death and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide, with ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke contributing the most. DALY is a measure of disease burden, combining the impact of premature death and years lived with disability.

The burden of cardiovascular disease is significantly higher in countries with lower social, educational, and healthcare development (socio-demographic status), as compared to countries with higher socio-demographic development.

Specific risk factors, including air pollution, lack of physical activity, smoking, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease. Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) is a potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Among the three main PM categories, fine PM 2.5 (diameter less than 2.5 m) is particularly concerning because it can enter the bloodstream through the respiratory system and trigger systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. All these processes can significantly contribute to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease.

This study utilized the GBD 2021 data to analyze cardiovascular disease attributed to PM2.5 exposure across global regions over the past three decades.

Study design

The study analyzed data from the GBD 2021 study, a collaborative project involving over 11,000 contributors from more than 160 countries and regions. All available data were reviewed, and modeling techniques were applied to generate estimates. The project estimates 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and regions worldwide from 1990 to 2021.

In the current study, researchers utilized the GBD 2021 data to evaluate age-standardized mortality rates and DALYs for cardiovascular disease attributable to PM 2.5 from 1990 to 2021. They also used mathematical models, including age-period-cohort models to assess temporal trends and the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model for its robustness in handling long-term epidemiological trends, to predict the future burden of cardiovascular disease up to 2045.

Study findings

The study reported that the global number of deaths and DALYs associated with PM 2.5-attributable cardiovascular disease increased by 91.68% and 78.89%, respectively, between 1990 and 2021. Despite these increases, age-standardized mortality rates (adjusting for the impact of age on mortality) and age-standardized DALYs decreased by 80.39% and 75.84%, respectively, over the same period. The reduction was more pronounced among females.

These changes in the age group distribution of global cardiovascular disease burden may be attributed to the population's rapid aging and the global population's growth.

A disproportionate distribution of the global PM-attributable cardiovascular disease burden was observed across age groups. A significantly greater burden was observed in elderly populations.

From 1990 to 2021, while the age-standardized mortality rate and DALYs declined, the absolute burden in older populations increased due to population aging. This trend is particularly significant in older adults (80 years and above).

The proportion of deaths and DALYs due to ischemic stroke was significantly higher than that of ischemic heart disease in the elderly population. This may be due to the brain's higher sensitivity to ischemia compared to the heart. In the brain, ischemia can cause irreversible damage within minutes, whereas ischemic heart disease can be improved through medication, stents, or surgery.

Furthermore, ischemic stroke often leads to severe long-term disabilities, increasing DALYs more in seniors.

The study observed national-level disparities in cardiovascular disease burden. Countries with high and low socio-demographic status exhibited lower age-standardized mortality rates and DALYs. In contrast, countries with moderate socio-demographic status exhibited higher age-standardized mortality rates and DALYs.

The researchers provided several explanations for a careful interpretation of these observations. In countries with high socio-demographic status, lower PM-attributable cardiovascular disease burden may be associated with better medical resources and stricter environmental management policies, such as using clean energy sources (electricity, natural gas, and hydrogen) rather than solid fuels (coal).

In countries with a moderate socio-demographic status, rapid industrialization and urbanization may lead to a significant increase in pollutant emissions without corresponding improvements in healthcare systems, resulting in a higher disease burden.

The study found differences in mortality and DALY rates between genders during the 1990-2021 period, with females experiencing lower age-standardized disease burdens and a more significant decline in these rates than males. This may be due to the protective effect of estrogen, a female reproductive hormone, on the cardiovascular system, which can have lasting benefits even after menopause due to early-life protective effects and metabolic memory. Furthermore, historically, females may have been less likely to be employed in construction, agriculture, or other outdoor occupations, resulting in lower exposure to ambient PM 2.5. Behavioral factors, such as higher mask usage in some female populations, could also contribute to observed differences.

The study predicted a threefold increase in the number of deaths and an almost 2.5-fold increase in DALYs from cardiovascular disease attributable to PM 2.5 exposure by 2045, with females experiencing a larger increase in these absolute numbers. This projected increase refers to absolute numbers, not age-standardized rates.

This increase may be associated with several factors, including a global rise in the elderly population and higher exposure to PM pollution due to industrialization and urbanization.

Study significance

The study reports a global rise in the absolute cardiovascular disease burden attributable to PM 2.5 exposure, despite improvements in age-standardized rates.

The study observed age-, gender-, and socio-demographic status-related disparities in disease burden, highlighting the need for prioritizing strict air pollution controls, early screening, and healthcare resource allocation in high-risk regions and among vulnerable populations. It is also important to acknowledge that, as with any modeling study, these projections have uncertainties.

The original paper notes limitations such as primary data quality in some regions, the focus on PM2.5, excluding other pollutants, and the specific CVD outcomes examined, which could influence estimates and future projections.
After a mild stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), people who spend more time in bed sleeping or trying to sleep may be more likely to have lower scores on tests of thinking and memory skills and changes in their brains that can lead to dementia or second strokes, according to a study published on May 28, 2025, online in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Spending longer in bed-when some of that time can be not sleeping due to difficulty falling asleep, fragmented sleep, poor quality sleep or other problems-can be a sign of a sleep disorder. The study found that both people with longer in-bed times and with longer sleep durations were more likely to have these brain changes.

The study does not prove that these sleep issues cause these brain changes and thinking problems; it only shows an association.

These results show that disturbed sleep may be a marker of adverse brain health, even for people with mild strokes or TIAs. While many people know that a lack of sleep can lead to health issues, less is known about the effects of sleeping longer at night or spending a long time in bed trying to make up for having trouble sleeping-whether people are doing this consciously or not." Joanna M. Wardlaw, MD, study author, University of Edinburgh, UK

The study involved 422 people from Edinburgh and Hong Kong with an average age of 66 who had a mild stroke or a TIA, which is also called a "mini stroke." Within one to three months after the stroke, all participants had brain scans, filled out sleep questionnaires and took cognitive tests.

The participants had an average score of one point on a test where scores of one to four indicate a mild stroke.

People who spent a longer time in bed were more likely to have signs of damage to small blood vessels in the brain, including a greater volume of white matter hyperintensities, or areas in the white matter of the brain where brain tissue has been damaged. They were also more likely to have slightly lower scores on the test of thinking and memory skills.

People who had longer sleep duration were more likely to have small areas of microhemorrhages, or microbleeds, in the brain.

"More research is needed to confirm these findings and also to look at whether prolonged sleep has negative effects on people who have never had a stroke or TIA," Wardlaw said. "Of course, research is also needed on whether improving people's sleep patterns after stroke could ward off some of these possible detrimental effects."

The study was a snapshot in time-it did not follow participants to see changes over time, and researchers did not look at participants' sleep quality before they had strokes.

The study was supported by the UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh.
Imagine cells navigating through a complex maze, guided by chemical signals and the physical landscape of their environment. A team of researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has contributed an important discovery about how cells move, or migrate, through this maze of bodily tissues, using the fruit fly egg chamber as a model system. Potential implications include better understanding of diseases like cancer and advancing medical treatments.

Published in iScience, the team's study combines biological experiments and mathematics to reveal new insights into cell migration. By integrating mathematical modeling with advanced imaging, the team discovered that the physical shape of the egg chamber, combined with chemical signals called chemoattractants, significantly influences how cells move.

This paper takes an interdisciplinary focus with tight collaboration between a mathematical framework and experimental design. The results promote the idea that complex distribution of chemical attractants can explain specific variations in migratory movement." Brad Peercy, UMBC mathematician and co-author

Peercy's enthusiasm highlights the study's innovative approach, which merges precise mathematical models with real-world biological experiments to uncover patterns that were previously invisible.

Following the breadcrumbs

The team's work focuses on border cells, a type of cell in fruit fly egg chambers, which are a model system for studying cell migration because of their similarities to processes in human development and disease. The team found that the border cells' movement wasn't only driven by continuously increasing chemical concentrations from one end of the egg chamber to the other, as earlier models suggested. Instead, the physical structure of the tissue-narrow tubes alternating with wider gaps-played a critical role.

"This was the first time that we characterized that there were these patterns of migration behavior that ended up correlating to aspects of the tissue geometry," explains biologist Alex George, a co-author who completed his Ph.D. at UMBC in 2024 and will begin a postdoctoral fellowship at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in a few weeks. He likens the migration process to Hansel and Gretel following breadcrumbs through a forest: On a flat plain, the trail is clear, but in a landscape with ravines and valleys, the breadcrumbs pool in unexpected ways, complicating the path.

To understand this, co-author Naghmeh Akhavan, who completed her Ph.D. in mathematics at UMBC this spring, developed mathematical models that simulate how cells respond to both chemical signals and tissue geometry together. "Alex's experiments showed that the speed is not exactly the way previous models showed it," she says. Her models revealed that cells speed up in narrow tubes and slow down in larger gaps, a pattern confirmed by George's imaging.

Both approaches-wet-lab experiments and modeling-bring unique strengths to the work. Putting them together "is like unveiling the invisible from two different perspectives," George says. "My experiments would refine her model, and her model would refine my experiments."

And then, "When our model shows exactly what Alex found in his experiments, we love that," Akhavan adds.

New strategies, new discoveries

The study's broader impact lies in its potential to inform fields beyond developmental biology. Cell migration is critical in processes like wound healing, immune responses, and cancer metastasis.

"Most research on how cells navigate the world has focused only on chemical signals or only on structural ones, so this is one of the first studies to consider how those two things impact each other, which is likely to be relevant in many cases," explains UMBC biologist and co-author Michelle Starz-Gaiano. By showing how tissue geometry and chemical signals interact, the research could guide new strategies for controlling cell movement via medical treatments.

The team's work continues to evolve, including recent experiments at the Advanced Imaging Center at the Janelia Research Campus in Virginia, where George used specialized microscopes to capture previously unseen dynamics of the relevant chemoattractants. These findings will further refine the team's models, opening new avenues for research.

"We are developing new experimental strategies both on the biology and the math side of things," Starz-Gaiano says, "so it will be exciting to see where this will take us next."
Researchers have proposed transforming the narrative on ultraprocessed foods by mirroring the strategies that have successfully reshaped public perceptions of tobacco.

By spotlighting the aggressive tactics of food companies, advocates aim to reduce young adults consumption of these addictive products.

The new study unveiled that young adults, aged 18 to 25, develop significantly negative attitudes toward the food industry when exposed to messages that highlight its engineering and aggressive marketing of addictive, ultraprocessed foods. This approach takes inspiration from the acclaimed anti-tobacco truth campaigns, which have effectively held cigarette manufacturers accountable without blaming consumers.

We found that by focusing on industry tactics rather than individual choices, we could change public perceptions without exacerbating weight stigma. Ashley Gearhardt, University of Michigan psychologist, study author

Conducted in collaboration with Kathleen Good of Brown University, Lindsey Parnarouskis of Drexel University and Jenna Cummings of the University of Liverpool, the study involved an inventive experimental design.

Participants were exposed to different presentations, each underscoring varying aspects of food consumption and industry practices. The results revealed that even a brief, one-minute presentation could significantly shift perceptions.

Significantly, the study indicates that emphasizing the addictive nature of products and the food industrys manipulative strategies can potentially transform young adults attitudes without stigmatizing individual weight issues. The researchers said this framing approach may cultivate greater accountability for public health harms wrought by corporate practices.

The implications of this study are vast, Gearhardt said. It opens the door to high-impact, expertly crafted public health campaigns aimed at the food industry, similar to those we've seen with tobacco.

Published in the journal Obesity, the research holds promise for meaningful change and underscores the need for further investigation into message framing that could bolster support for impactful obesity-related policies, Gearhardt says.
On Christmas Day at the WaTiki indoor water park, Hans Wirt was getting winded from following his son up the stairs to the waterslides.

Wirt's breathing became more labored once they returned to the nearby hotel where they and Wirt's girlfriend were staying while visiting family in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Then he grew nauseated and went pale. Wirt thought the cause might have been the altitude change between his home in Deltona, Florida  33 feet above sea level  and Rapid City, at the edge of the Black Hills. But his 12-year-old son was worried and called for an ambulance.

"I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was something a little more to this," Wirt said. "So I can kind of thank my son for saving my life."

It turned out the 62-year-old was having a heart attack. A "lousy Christmas present," Wirt said.

Medics stabilized Wirt before taking him to Monument Health  the only hospital in Rapid City with an emergency room  where he was treated over two days.

Then the bill came.

The Medical Procedure

Paramedics used a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm. Doctors at the hospital gave Wirt various medications, used an electrocardiograph and other diagnostic and monitoring devices, and inserted stents into his arteries to improve blood flow to his heart.

The Final Bill

$95,523.73, including $32,998.90 for medical supplies, mostly related to the stents, and $28,879 for treatment in a cardiac catheterization lab. After unspecified hospital adjustments to the bill, Wirt owed $77,574.44.

The Billing Problem: Medicaid Across State Lines

Wirt is covered by Florida's Medicaid program through Sunshine Health, a managed-care plan. But the South Dakota hospital refused to submit the bill to his out-of-state Medicaid plan, instead sending it to Wirt and eventually threatening to send the debt to a collection agency.

Medicaid, the government health insurance program primarily for low-income people and those with disabilities, is jointly funded by the federal government and states. States are responsible for administering Medicaid, and most contract with private insurance companies like Sunshine Health.

Federal law says state Medicaid programs must reimburse out-of-state hospitals for beneficiaries' care in an emergency.

Many hospitals bill out-of-state Medicaid plans in such situations. If they don't, they risk not being reimbursed at all, since Medicaid recipients probably won't be able to afford large bills, said Katy DeBriere, who was legal director for the Florida Health Justice Project when she spoke with KFF Health News in April.

But there's no federal law that requires them to do so, she said.

Federal court opinions have noted that hospitals are not required to bill Medicaid for every individual beneficiary they treat, even if they generally accept Medicaid.

Monument Health didn't bill Wirt's insurance because the hospital isn't enrolled as a health care provider with Florida Medicaid, said hospital spokesperson Stephany Chalberg. She told KFF Health News that Monument bills Medicaid plans only in South Dakota and four bordering states: Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

The hospital's website says Medicaid patients who are not enrolled in one of those states "are responsible for any charges."

"Due to the significant credentialing requirements of our multiple hospitals and hundreds of physicians we do not participate with all states," a hospital representative wrote in a message to Wirt.

According to Florida's Medicaid website, out-of-state providers who have treated one of its enrollees must submit five documents to bill the program, including a six-page application, a copy of the provider's license, and a claim form.

The process is different in each state, and many Medicaid programs reimburse out-of-state providers at lower rates than those that are in-state, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, a federal agency that advises Congress.

Provider enrollment barriers leave "beneficiaries in an untenable situation, preventing them from accessing the coverage to which they are legally entitled," Chalberg said.

Wirt decided to submit his bill to his Medicaid plan on his own. But he said Sunshine Health told him it can only process bills received directly from providers.

Elizabeth Boyd, a spokesperson for Sunshine Health, told KFF Health News that its staff contacted the hospital on Wirt's behalf. She did not respond when asked why the plan can't process bills submitted by patients or what more it could have done to help Wirt.

The Resolution

A few days after KFF Health News emailed officials at Monument Health for this story, Wirt noticed his balance due fell from more than $77,000 to $0.

Chalberg told KFF Health News that Monument Health covered Wirt's bill through its charity care program. She said that "appropriate patients" are told about the program and that "before any bill is sent to collections, it is evaluated to determine whether the patient may qualify for our financial assistance policy."

To retain tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must have programs that provide free or discounted care to patients who can't afford their bills.

But Wirt said that when he first contacted Monument Health after receiving his bill and said he couldn't afford to pay it, officials didn't mention the program. He said they didn't share any resources when he asked whether there were outside groups that could help him pay the bill. Wirt said hospital officials just recommended setting up a payment plan, but the monthly bills were still too high for him to afford. "There's a reason why I'm on Medicaid," Wirt said. "It's just beyond me how they can expect somebody who had Medicaid to come up with that kind of money. It's unrealistic."

The Takeaway

Sarah Somers, legal director at the National Health Law Program, said the various "cogs in the Medicaid system" didn't operate correctly in Wirt's situation. "Nobody's exerting themselves enough to just smooth the way for this person."

States are responsible for managing Medicaid and are therefore the main "cog," Somers said. She said Medicaid managed-care companies are also supposed to intervene.

Somers and DeBriere said Medicaid recipients who receive bills they don't think they owe should file a complaint with their state's Medicaid program and, if they have one, their managed-care plan. They can also ask whether there is a Medicaid or managed-care caseworker who can advocate on their behalf.

The attorneys said patients should also contact a legal aid clinic or a consumer protection firm that specializes in medical debt. DeBriere said those organizations can help file complaints and communicate with the hospital.

DeBriere said that, had she assisted Wirt, she would have immediately sent a letter to Monument Health ordering it to stop billing him and to either register with Florida Medicaid to submit his bill or offer him charity care.

Wirt said the doctors who treated him and the medical care he received at Monument Health were excellent. He said he spoke out about the hospital's billing practices because he doesn't want others to endure the same experience.

"If I get sick and have a heart attack, I have to be sure that I do that here in Florida now instead of some other state," he joked.

Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Post's Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills. Since 2018, this series has helped many patients and readers get their medical bills reduced, and it has been cited in statehouses, at the U.S. Capitol, and at the White House. Do you have a confusing or outrageous medical bill you want to share? Tell us about it!
In early April, President Donald Trump gathered dozens of hard-hat-clad coal miners around him in the White House East Room. He joked about arm-wrestling them and announced he was signing executive orders to boost coal production, "bringing back an industry that was abandoned," and to "put the miners back to work."

Trump said he calls it "beautiful, clean" coal. "I tell my people never use the word 'coal' unless you put 'beautiful, clean' before it."

That same day, the Trump administration paused implementation of a rule that would help protect coal miners from an aggressive form of black lung disease. Enforcement of the new protections is officially halted until at least mid-August, according to a federal announcement that came a few days after a federal court agreed to put enforcement on hold to hear an industry challenge. But even if the rule takes full force after the delay, the federal agency tasked with enforcing it in Appalachia and elsewhere may not be up to the task after sweeping layoffs and office closures.

Deaths from black lung  a chronic condition caused by inhaling coal dust  had been in decline since the introduction of federal regulations over a half-century ago. But in recent decades, cases have risen precipitously. By 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that the lungs of about 1 in 5 coal miners in central Appalachia showed evidence of black lung. It is being diagnosed in younger miners. And the deadliest form, progressive massive fibrosis, has increased tenfold among long-term miners.

Silica is the primary culprit. Exposure to it has increased since mining operations began cutting through more sandstone to reach deeper coal deposits. The stone breaks into sharp particles that, when airborne, can become trapped in lung tissue and cause a debilitating, sometimes fatal condition.

The new rule was set to take effect in April, cutting the allowable level of silica dust in the air inside mines by half  to the limit already in place for other industries  and set stricter guidelines for enforcement.

Years in the making, advocates for miners heralded the new standards as a breakthrough. "It is unconscionable that our nation's miners have worked without adequate protection from silica dust despite it being a known health hazard for decades," acting Labor Secretary Julie Su said when the rule was announced last spring under the Biden administration.

The rule pause came on top of another blow to mine safety oversight. In March, the Department of Government Efficiency, created by a Trump executive order, announced it would end leases for as many as three dozen field offices of the Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration, with the future of those employees undetermined. That agency is responsible for enforcing mining safety laws.

Then in April, two-thirds  nearly 900  of the workers at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, were fired. As a result, NIOSH's Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, which offered miners free screenings from a mobile clinic, ceased operations.

An announcement by MSHA of the silica rule delay cited the "unforeseen NIOSH restructuring and other technical reasons" as catalysts for the pause but didn't mention the federal court decision in the case seeking to rescind the rule.

Separately, on May 7, attorney Sam Petsonk filed a class-action lawsuit against Health and Human Services and its head, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to reinstate the program. His client in the case, Harry Wiley, a West Virginia coal miner, was diagnosed with an early stage of black lung and applied to NIOSH for a transfer to an environment with less dust exposure but never received a response. He continues to work underground.

On May 13, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger issued a preliminary injunction to reinstate the surveillance program employees. The next day, Kennedy said the administration would reverse the firings of 328 NIOSH employees. That day, they were back at work.

"Remaining in a dusty job may reduce the years in which Mr. Wiley can walk and breathe unassisted, in addition to hastening his death," Berger wrote. "It is difficult to imagine a clearer case of irreparable harm."

MSHA officials declined to respond to specific questions about the silica rule or plans to implement and enforce it, citing the ongoing litigation.

In an emailed statement, Labor Department spokesperson Courtney Parella said, "The Mine Safety and Health Administration is confident it can enforce all regulations under its purview. MSHA inspectors continue to conduct legally required inspections and remain focused on MSHA's core mission to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthful workplaces for U.S. miners."

Wes Addington is quick to say a career in the mines isn't necessarily a death sentence. He comes from generations of miners. One of his great-grandfathers worked 48 years underground and died at 88.

But Addington also said protecting the safety and health of miners requires diligence. He's executive director of the Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, a Whitesburg, Kentucky, nonprofit that represents and advocates for miners and their families. A study the center conducted found that staffers at the MSHA offices scheduled to close performed almost 17,000 health and safety inspections from January 2024 through February 2025.

Addington said NIOSH provided the data to document worsening conditions over the past few decades.

Addington's organization has advocated for the new silica rule for 17 years. "We didnt think it was perfect," he said. He would have preferred lower exposure limits and more stringent monitoring requirements. "But, as it was, it was going to save lives."

The cuts to the agency, Addington said, could affect every American worker who might be exposed to harmful elements in the workplace. NIOSH approves respirators prescribed by Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

With fewer inspectors, miners are "more likely to get hurt on the job and those injuries could be fatal," he said.

"And if you're a miner that's lucky enough to navigate that gantlet and make it through a 20-, 25-year career," Addington said, "the likelihood that you develop disabling lung disease that ultimately kills you at an early age is much increased."

The black lung clinic at Stone Mountain Health Services in southwestern Virginia has diagnosed 75 new cases of progressive massive fibrosis in the past year, according to its medical director, Drew Harris.

"People are dying from a dust-related disease that's 100% preventable, and we're not using all the things we could use to help prevent their disease and save their lives," Harris said. "It's just all very disheartening."

He believes it would be a mistake for Kennedy to reorganize NIOSH as he has proposed, shifting the surveillance program team's responsibilities to other employees.

"It's a very unique expertise," Harris said. The agency would be "losing the people that know how to do this well and that have been doing this for decades."

Rex Fields first went to work in the mines in 1967, a year before an explosion killed 78 miners near the small town of Farmington, West Virginia. His wife, Tilda Fields, was aware of the hazards her husband would encounter  the safety issues, the long-term health concerns. Her dad died of black lung when she was 7. But it meant a well-paying job in a region that has forever offered precious few.

Rex, 77, now lives with an advanced stage of black lung disease. He's still able to mow his lawn but is easily winded when walking uphill. It took him several weeks and two rounds of antibiotics to recover from a bout with bronchitis in March.

Throughout his career, Rex advocated for his fellow miners: He stepped in when he saw someone mistreated; he once tried, unsuccessfully, to help a unionization effort. For these efforts, he said, "I got transferred from the day shift to the third shift a time or two."

Today, the Fieldses lobby on behalf of miners and share information about occupational dangers. Tilda organized a support group for families and widows. She worries about the next generation. Two of the Fieldses' sons also went into mining.

"People in the mountains here, we learn to make do," Tilda said. "But you want better. You want better for your kids than what we had, and you surely want their safety."
The World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom announced today the expansion of the successful Health Security Partnership to Strengthen Disease Surveillance in Africa (HSPA) to seven countries on the continent.

Africa experiences more disease outbreaks than any other part of the world. While significant progress has been made in strengthening disease surveillance over the past decade, no country can tackle today's complex health threats alone.

The Health Security Partnership strengthens disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence across the African continent, enabling countries to better detect and respond to public health threats - whether they are natural, accidental or deliberate. Launched in 2023 in six countries, The Gambia, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa and Tunisia, the partnership will expand to Rwanda in its second phase which runs from 2025 to 2028.

At the heart of the initiative is a collaborative surveillance approach that connects health and security sectors to reduce biological risks and strengthen surveillance systems nationally and internationally. HSPA is aligned with the health security objectives of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and the Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa (SIMBA).

HSPA represents an important step forward in building stronger partnerships for health security in Africa. By bringing together global, regional and national actors, this initiative supports countries in strengthening Collaborative Surveillance through mutual exchange and practical action. WHO remains committed to working alongside Member States to ensure that these collective efforts are well-coordinated, responsive, and rooted in national priorities." Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa; Deputy Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme

The partnership is supporting countries to strengthen capacities in biorisk management, event and indicator-based surveillance, genomic surveillance and epidemic intelligence. This is achieved through training, guidance development, co-creation of implementation roadmaps, and hands-on technical assistance to ensure that implementation is aligned with country priorities, embedded within broader national systems, and built for long-term sustainability.

"Within the framework of this project, Africa CDC will work with the Member States in mobilizing political will for biosecurity and surveillance, establishing regional frameworks for bio-surveillance of high-consequence biological agents and toxins, and coordinating event-based surveillance. The collaboration with other partners and coordination with Member States is crucial especially in the current context of limited resources to strengthen the continent's capacity for early detection, response, and management of biological threats," said Dr Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General and Head, Division of Public Health Institutes and Research, Africa CDC.

The HSPA initiative has been supported from the start by the Government of Canada's Weapons Threat Reduction Program, with additional funding in phase two from the Government of the United Kingdom.

Building on the achievements in phase one, the participating countries, with support from WHO and partners, will accelerate implementation to build a healthier, safer and more resilient Africa.
7 wounded in shooting at park in Washington state: Police

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 03:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Lakewood, May 29 (AP) Seven people were shot and wounded at a park near Tacoma, Washington, where more than 100 people were gathered when the gunfire erupted, police said.

Police detectives believe a dispute between two groups escalated to gunshots on Wednesday evening, Lakewood Police Sgt Charles Porche said.

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Investigators dont know how many shooters were involved or whether the victims were targeted, he said. No arrests were made in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

Unfortunately, there were unintended/uninvolved victims struck during this careless act of violence," Porche said in a news release.

Detectives will continue to sort through the information gathered to hold those involved accountable for their actions." The police spokesman said the victims ranged from a 16-year-old female, who was in stable condition, to a 38-year-old male who was the only person still in critical condition on Thursday.

He added that two others were in serious condition and the rest stable.

Officers found a very hectic scene" when they responded to calls reporting shots at Harry Todd Park in Lakewood just before 8 pm (local time), Porche told KOMO-TV.

The park is beside a lake in the suburb just south of Tacoma.

He said medics transported five people to hospitals and two others went to hospitals on their own.

The Seattle Times reported that Porche initially said three people were in critical condition.

More than 100 people were at the park at the time, Porche said, adding the shooting remains under investigation.

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Weve had these couple days here where the sun finally came out and its been a gorgeous time for people to get out and enjoy the park, the lake and then you have something like this that happens," he said.

It is one of the great tragedies, right? You dont want anybody to get shot and then you end up with seven different victims that happen out of this act of violence." The shooting comes days after a Memorial Day shooting at a Philadelphia park killed two people and injured nine. (AP) ARI

First Published: May 30, 2025, 03:15 IST
Trump commutes sentence of former political fundraiser

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 01:45 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Washington, May 29 (AP) US President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of a former political fundraiser, who corruptly bought access to several high-profile US politicians, including the presidents former rivals Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.

Imaad Zuberi was sentenced in 2021 to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion, campaign finance violations and failing to register as a foreign agent.

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Federal prosecutors described Zuberi as a mercenary" donor who gave to anyone he thought could help him. Pay to play, Zuberi explained to clients, was just how America work(s)".

An investigation by The Associated Press found that Zuberi used a straw donor scheme with cutouts that included a dead person and the names of people prosecutors say he made up.

The APs investigation found several instances where Zuberi-linked donations to members of Congress occurred within a few weeks or even days of him receiving something he sought in return.

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Zuberi also claimed to be a CIA asset, according to classified court filings reviewed by the AP.

After raising huge amounts for Clinton in the 2016 election, Zuberi became a top donor to Trumps first presidential inaugural committee. (AP) ARI

First Published: May 30, 2025, 01:45 IST
News / Local

by Staff reporter

More than three decades after it was first proposed, the Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project is back in the spotlight as Zimbabwe and Zambia renew efforts to revive the long-stalled US$5 billion energy venture. The project, which dates back to 1992, promises to reshape the power landscape of southern Africa, but only if it can overcome persistent financial, environmental, and governance challenges.The governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia, through their joint entity - the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) - are now aggressively courting new investors to bring the long-delayed 2,400-megawatt facility to life. ZRA CEO Munyaradzi Munodawafa confirmed that a dedicated project team has been assembled to lead a resource mobilization drive, expected to run for the next 12 to 18 months depending on market appetite and political support."The ZRA has formed a team that will court investors in the proposed 2,400-megawatt facility. This facility will be located near the World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls," Munodawafa said, emphasizing that the project remains a key priority for both nations.Originally identified as a prime location for hydroelectric development in the early 1990s, the Batoka Gorge site lies 54 kilometers downstream of Victoria Falls. Initial feasibility studies were conducted by the World Bank, which gave the project a positive technical and economic outlook. However, the momentum quickly faded due to diplomatic tensions, economic instability, and growing environmental concerns.Despite a memorandum of understanding signed in 2014 and renewed support from the African Development Bank, the project stalled again in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global financing. Additional complications arose that same year over transparency issues in the procurement process. By 2023, Zambia formally exited a contract with a consortium led by General Electric and Power Construction Corporation of China, citing irregularities in the bidding.Now, with a renewed sense of urgency, Zimbabwe and Zambia have set a deadline of September 2025 to select new bidders under stricter governance guidelines. The hope is to prevent the mistakes of the past and restore investor confidence.Still, the path forward is uncertain. Both Zimbabwe and Zambia are facing high levels of sovereign debt, complicating their ability to offer financial guarantees or meet co-financing terms required by development finance institutions. Zimbabwe's external debt stands at an estimated US$21 billion, while Zambia is still emerging from a debt restructuring process following its 2020 Eurobond default."These debt burdens complicate the ability of both governments to provide sovereign guarantees or meet co-financing requirements," said an energy sector analyst who requested anonymity. "Financiers are understandably cautious."Environmental concerns continue to cast a shadow over the Batoka project. Conservation groups argue that damming the Zambezi River could inflict irreversible damage on its ecosystem and threaten the tourism economy built around Victoria Falls. The site, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, draws thousands of visitors each year and is a vital revenue stream for both countries. Critics warn that flooding parts of the gorge could affect biodiversity, alter river flows, and diminish the visual and natural integrity of the Falls.Amid these concerns, Zimbabwe and Zambia are also reconsidering a controversial proposal to divert water from the Congo River to stabilize water levels in Lake Kariba, where low inflows have severely impacted hydroelectric output. While such a diversion could support regional energy stability, it faces enormous logistical hurdles, including the technical complexity of pumping water uphill, massive energy costs, and the need for regional diplomatic consensus.Alternative solutions such as gravity-fed canals and tunnels are currently being explored, with detailed feasibility studies underway.Supporters of Batoka argue that the potential rewards outweigh the risks. If realized, the project could significantly reduce electricity shortages that have long hampered economic growth in both countries. It could also lower the region's carbon footprint by displacing diesel-powered generators and provide a stable electricity source for the Southern African Power Pool."The region desperately needs this project," said a senior official from the Power Pool. "It's a strategic energy investment that, if executed responsibly, could deliver long-term sustainability."After more than 30 years of delays, the Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project remains a symbol of both promise and complexity. As global pressure mounts to transition to clean energy and demand in the region intensifies, Zimbabwe and Zambia are once again placing their bets on the Zambezi River. Whether those bets pay off depends on their ability to balance financial prudence, environmental stewardship, and regional diplomacy.
White House acknowledges problems in RFK Jr's MAHA report

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 02:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Washington, May 29 (AP) The White House will fix errors in a much-anticipated federal government report spearheaded by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, which decried Americas food supply, pesticides and prescription drugs.

Kennedys wide-ranging Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) report, released last week, cited hundreds of studies, but a closer look by the news organisation NOTUS found that some of those studies did not actually exist.

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Asked about the reports problems, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the report will be updated.

I understand there were some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated." Leavitt told reporters during her briefing.

But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government." Kennedy has repeatedly said he would bring radical transparency" and gold-standard" science to the public health agencies.

But the secretary refused to release details about who authored the 72-page report, which calls for increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the nations children as overmedicated" and undernourished".

Leavitt said the White House has complete confidence" in Kennedy.

Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected," HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement.

He described the report as a historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nations children".

NOTUS reported on Thursday morning that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have ever been published.

An author of one study confirmed that while she conducted research on the topics of anxiety in children, she never authored the report listed.

Some studies were also misinterpreted in the MAHA report. The problematic citations were on topics around childrens screen time, medication use and anxiety.

Kennedys MAHA report had already been stoking concerns among Trump loyalists, including farmers who criticised how the report characterised the chemicals sprayed on crops.

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The report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year.

The White House has requested a USD 500 million boost in funding from Congress for Kennedys MAHA initiative. (AP) ARI

First Published: May 30, 2025, 02:00 IST
770 Bangladeshis Deported From Delhi In 6 Months, About 500 Since Pahalgam Attack Alone: Report

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News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 17:21 IST

After the Pahalgam attack, a focused Delhi police drive reportedly resulted in the identification and apprehension of 470 illegal Bangladeshi migrants and 50 overstaying foreigners

The actions by Delhi police are in line with directives from the union home ministry, issued late last year, to identify and detain illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingyas. Representational pic/PTI

Since the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam town on April 22, the Delhi Police have deported at least 520 individuals identified as illegal Bangladeshi migrants and foreigners who have overstayed, according to a report by The Indian Express that quoted a Delhi police officer.

Data from the ministry of home affairs reveals that between November 15, 2024, and April 20, 2025, the Delhi police apprehended approximately 220 illegal migrants and 30 overstaying foreigners. These individuals were handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and subsequently deported to Bangladesh via land borders after being transported to eastern states by rail and road.

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Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, a focused drive led by the Delhi police resulted in the identification and apprehension of 470 illegal Bangladeshi migrants and 50 overstaying foreigners within just the past month.

A police officer disclosed to IE that in the last month alone, around 3-4 special flights from the Hindon air base in Ghaziabad transported illegal migrants to Agartala. In the past six months, approximately 700 individuals have reportedly been deported to Bangladesh.

The actions by Delhi police are in line with directives from the union home ministry, issued late last year, to identify and detain illegal Bangladeshi migrants and Rohingyas. All 15 district deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) in Delhi were instructed to conduct verification drives to detain these illegal migrants.

A source familiar with the operations told IE that a team from the first battalion of Delhi police and FRRO officials transported detained illegal migrants to West Bengal by train. From there, they were taken by bus and handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation to Bangladesh.

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Following the Pahalgam attack, the union home ministry urged Delhi police to intensify efforts to detect and deport illegal migrants swiftly. Consequently, around five makeshift holding centres were established by Delhi police to coordinate with the FRRO. Illegal migrants were transported via special planes to Agartala airport and West Bengal.

According to MHA data, out of 34,265 people suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi migrants and reviewed by Delhi police, documents for 33,217 individuals were verified as genuine. The verification process for 278 individuals is still ongoing.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 17:21 IST
Bengaluru Man Kills Wife With Dumbbell, Dies By Suicide; Minor Son Finds Bodies

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News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 12:06 IST

A 48-year-old man in Bengaluru allegedly killed his wife with a dumbbell during a domestic dispute and then died by suicide. Their 14-year-old son discovered the bodies.

A representative image of a crime scene (PTI)

A 48-year-old man in Bengaluru killed his wife using a dumbbell and claimed his own life later. According to multiple reports, the bodies of the couple were first recovered by one of their sons, who had returned from school.

The incident happened on May 27, and the deceased were identified as Basavachari (48) and Suma (36).

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Investigations into the case revealed that the couple stayed at a rented house in Vijayapura town and used to have frequent arguments over domestic issues.

One of the reports quoted the police and claimed the matter was reported after the couples 14-year-old son returned home from school.

The couple also has a 12-year-old son.

The body of the woman was found inside the bedroom with injuries to her head and blood splattered on the bedsheet and the floor, with stains on the wall.

The dumbbell allegedly used to hit the woman was also on the bed.

The mans body was found hanging from a ceiling fan in the hall of their house.

Police suspect that when the children went to school at 9 am, the couple fought again and in a fit of rage, Basavachari hit Suma with the dumbbell, and once he realised that she had died, he killed himself.

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Further investigations into the case were underway.

While Basavachari ran a welding shop, his wife Suma was a homemaker.

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 12:06 IST
Savarkar Portrait Installed By ABVP Leader At JNUSU Office Sparks Controversy

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 00:07 IST

JNUSU joint secretary Vaibhav Meena installed VD Savarkar's garlanded portrait next to that of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India

JNUSU joint secretary Vaibhav Meena installs VD Savarkar's portrait in his office. (Image: @i_VaibhavMeena/X)

Controversy erupted after an ABVP leader, who is an office-bearer of the JNU student council, installed the portrait of RSS ideologue VD Savarkar inside his office, coinciding with the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter on May 28.

Vaibhav Meena  joint secretary of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU)  installed the garlanded portrait next to that of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. Claiming this was the first time this had been done, he said this was to acknowledge Savarkars role in Indias freedom struggle and his influence as a political thinker, writer, and revolutionary".

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On 28th May, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) celebrated the jayanti of Veer Savarkar and placed a portrait of him in the JNUSU office. This marked a significant moment, as it is the first time that Savarkars image has been officially displayed in the office of the students union," Meena said in a post on X.

On 28th May, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) celebrated the jayanti of Veer Savarkar and placed a portrait of him in the JNUSU office. This marked a pic.twitter.com/iTaHMpPXI4 Vaibhav Meena (@i_VaibhavMeena) May 29, 2025

The act was seen as a gesture to acknowledge Savarkars role in Indias freedom struggle and his influence as a political thinker, writer, and revolutionary. Known for his early advocacy of complete independence from British rule and his contribution to nationalist thought, Savarkar remains a prominent figure in Indian history," he added.

According to a report published by The Indian Express, this move has sparked a controversy over procedural norms and ideological contestations on campus. Speaking at an event to commemorate the installation of Savarkars portrait, Meena was quoted as saying: Veer Savarkar was not only a courageous freedom fighter but also a visionary thinker who played a crucial role in shaping the idea of modern India JNU should be known for its commitment to national interest and patriotism  not for anti-national activities."

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But, the move drew criticism from other office-bearers on the student council, who accused the ABVP leader of violating established democratic procedures", as per the IE report. They said a portrait cannot be installed without a resolution being passed in a council meeting, which has been a long-held convention.

In a statement, JNUSU President Nitish Kumar directed all organisations and individuals to refrain from carrying out such acts without following the proper procedure. It has come to our notice that portraits are being installed in the JNUSU Office without prior consultation in the Council meeting. A portrait in the JNUSU Office cant be installed without a resolution being passed from the council meeting which has long been a convention," the statement read.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 30, 2025, 00:01 IST
Delhi School Fee Hike Row: HC Asks Parents To Deposit 50% Of Increased Fees

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 12:50 IST

The Delhi High Court ordered over 100 parents in a fee dispute with DPS Dwarka to pay 50% of the increased fee for 2025-26.

The court's interim order allows children to continue their studies, pending the final outcome of the petition. (Image: Reprentative/PTI)

The Delhi High Court has asked over 100 parents, involved in a fee dispute with Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka, to pay 50% of the increased fee for the 202526 academic year. Only then will their children be allowed to continue their studies at the school. Justice Vikas Mahajan issued the interim order on May 16, which was made public on Wednesday night, as reported by PTI.

The court clarified that this 50% rebate applies only to the increased portion of the fee, while the base fee must be paid in full. The decision came in response to a petition filed by 102 parents. They urged the court to protect their childrens education and even requested that the school be taken over by the Delhi government or the Lieutenant Governor due to ongoing issues.

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The petition also claimed that the school has used pressure tactics in recent years to collect unapproved fees from parents, who have been resisting these payments.

The school has resorted to unhealthy, dirty and inhumane practices" by having bouncers with an understanding that the bouncers can manage children better than teachers, the parents claimed.

The high court said the interim relief sought by the petitioners in this case with regard to academic year 2025-26 does not persuade it as nothing has been placed on record to show that the Delhi governments Directorate of Education (DoE) has rejected the fixation of fee by the school for the academic session 2024-25 onwards.

Until and unless the DoE reviews the financial statements of the school and on its findings, rejects the statement of fee providing for enhancement for the academic sessions 2024-25 onwards on the touch stone of profiteering and commercialisation of education, the enunciation of law as noted above does not provide for any embargo on such enhancement of fee," it said.

The court further said that the parents of the students studying in DPS Dwarka ought to pay the fee as per the statements of fee submitted by the school for the academic sessions 2024-25 onwards, till the time the DoE takes a decision on the same, and further subject to the final outcome of the writ petition.

The court noted the submission of the counsel for the school that the institution is amenable to the petitioners paying 50 per cent of the hiked school fee.

Therefore, it is directed that the wards of the petitioners shall be allowed to continue their studies in their respective classes till the pendency of the present petition subject to the parents depositing 50 per cent of the hiked school fee for the academic years 2024-25 onwards. It is clarified that the rebate of 50 per cent is on the hiked component of the fee, the base fee shall be paid in full," it said.

The court also issued notice to the school, LG and Delhi government on the main petition and asked them to file their replies within four weeks and listed the matter for hearing on August 28.

The parents counsel had said the school increased the fee by Rs 7,000 a month and now raised it by Rs 9,000 monthly.

The petition filed by 102 parents said they have submitted various representations to the office of LG, highlighting gross violations of land allotment clause by DPS Dwarka, and claimed non-compliance of orders passed by Delhi governments Department of Education (DoE).

The children, the plea pointed out, were harassed due to non-payment of unapproved fees.

The DoE and LG were as a result sought to be directed to immediately take over the school for the safety of children.

It said the DoE, in its May 22, 2024 order, directed the school to refund the excess and unapproved fee charged by them for the academic session 2022-23.

The petition further said the DoE again on May 28, 2024 order directed the management of DPS Dwarka that the students are not put for any academic loss and there should not be any ill-treatment to them and they should be allowed to continue in the classes for their studies and appear in exams.

On the one hand, the office of the DoE seems to be vigilant and is fully aware of the misconduct of the school and the record also reveals that the orders have been issued. But the larger question is what is stopping the office of the DoE, Delhi to takeover after obtaining the approval from the office of the administrator, that is, the LG of Delhi who is appointed as administrator under Article 239AA of the Constitution of India," it said.

Referring to another petition pending before a coordinate bench of the high court, the plea said the school was pulled up for treating students with indignity" over a fee dispute by confining them in a library and not allowing them to attend classes or interact with peers.

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The high court in that case in April examined an inspection report of an eight-member committee led by the district magistrate (southwest), flagging several discriminatory practices against students.

The report said the students were barred from attending regular classes and confined to the library, restricted access to the canteen, not allowed to communicate with friends and closely monitored by guards during washroom visits.

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First Published: May 29, 2025, 12:50 IST
Govt Internship For Graduates: Rs 20,000 Stipend, Check Eligibility And Other Details Here

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:45 IST

MeitY announces July 2025 Technical Internship Scheme under NeGD. Apply for various positions on June 15.

The six-month offline internship is for engineering graduates. (Representational image/File)

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has announced the July 2025 session of its Technical Internship Scheme under the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). The internship offers an attractive monthly stipend of Rs 20,000 and aims to provide real-world exposure to students in various IT domains. Last day to apply for the internship is June 15, 2025.

The internship is part of a bi-annual programme, held in January and July, and is structured to provide students with experience aligned with national e-governance initiatives. The duration is strictly fixed at six months, with no provision for extension.

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Internship Vacancies

The upcoming July 2025 session will offer diverse roles in the tech sector, with a total of 50 internship positions across the following categories:

Java / PHP / Python / NodeJS / Dotnet Developer  6 Posts

UI-UX Designer / Frontend Developer (React/ JavaScript / Angular / Typescript)  6 Posts

Product Testing / Security Testing / Software Tester / Quality Analyst  11 Posts

Database Programmer  6 Posts

Business Analyst  6 Posts

Data Engineering & Analytics  5 Posts

Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning / Internet of Things  5 Posts

DevOps, Automation & Infra Monitoring  5 Posts

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Educational Qualification:

Engineering Graduates or Postgraduates (or equivalent) with at least 75% marks.

Year of Passing: Students who passed their qualifying degree in 2024 or 2025, and final-year students graduating in 2026, are eligible.

Internship Duration & Mode

The internship will begin in July 2025 and run for six months.

This is an offline internship, requiring interns to be physically present and adhere to NeGDs daily working hours.

How To Apply

Interested and eligible candidates can fill out the application form available on the official NeGD website- negd.gov.in. Applications must be submitted within the deadline for consideration.

This internship offers a unique opportunity for tech students to contribute to national digital initiatives while enhancing their industry readiness.

Direct Link To Apply For MeitY Internship 2025

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be shortlisted based on:

Academic performance in the qualifying degree.

Relevance of certification courses undertaken.

Ranking of the applicants college as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Final selection will be conducted by an internal Selection Committee, with representation from HR and project departments, and the decision will be approved by the President & CEO, NeGD.

Stipend And Certification

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Selected interns will receive a stipend of Rs 20,000 per month, based on satisfactory performance and regular attendance.

Upon successful completion of the internship, interns will be awarded an official certificate from NeGD, subject to mentor approval.

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First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:44 IST
Harvard Holds Commencement Amid Clash With Trump Administration

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Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 13:45 IST

Harvard University is holding its 374th commencement amid tensions with the Trump administration, facing funding cuts and visa restrictions, and is fighting back in court.

Harvard University. (Reuters/File Image)

Harvard University is holding its 374th commencement ceremony on Thursday at a tense moment, as it faces mounting pressure from the Trump administration. Once seen as one of the worlds top academic institutions, Harvard is now confronting what some see as an unprecedented threat to its values and autonomy.

Harvard is at the centre of a growing political and legal battle with the White House. While other universities risk losing federal funding and the ability to enroll international students unless they meet shifting government demands, Harvard is actively fighting back in courtand paying a steep price for it.

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The Trump administration has taken several steps against the university, including requesting federal agencies cancel about $100 million in contracts. According to the Associated Press (AP) reports, more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants have already been cut, and officials have threatened Harvards tax-exempt status.

Also Read- Beyond America: Top Asian Universities For Indian Students Amid Trump Vs Harvard Row

Visa interviews for international students across the country were halted on Tuesday, and President Trump said on Wednesday that Harvard should lower its international student population from 25% to 15%, as reported by AP.

Backed by its massive $53 billion endowment, Harvard is pushing back, arguing that the administrations efforts to crack down on campus activismparticularly protests seen as critical of Israelare attacks on academic freedom.

The government has also demanded that Harvard overhaul its leadership structure, change admissions policies, audit campus diversity, and stop recognizing certain student organizations.

Is A Wider Crackdown On Foreign Students In US Universities Coming?

Harvard has taken legal action, suing to block the funding freeze and has already convinced a federal judge to temporarily pause the international student enrollment ban. The university is due back in court in Boston on Thursday, even as the commencement wraps up, in hopes of securing a more permanent ruling.

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Defending the universitys stance, Harvard President Alan Garber in an interview with a university publication said, We believe that the government overreach and devastating attacks on scientific and medical research are unwarranted and unlawful, and so we have taken legal action to defend the institution."

He also acknowledged that universities must engage with criticismeven if it is based on distortions or inaccuracies"and said he had ordered internal reviews on both antisemitism and anti-Arab sentiment on campus last year.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 13:45 IST
Haryana HTET 2025 Registration Date Out, To Begin On June 1 At bseh.org.in

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 17:06 IST

HTET 2025: Interested and elgible candidates will be able to apply for the exam by visiting the official website at bseh.org.in.

As per the official schedule, the HTET 2025 exam will be conducted on on July 26 and 27 at several centres across Haryana. (Representational/File)

The Board of School Education, Haryana (BSEH) will commence the online registration process for the Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test (HTET) 2024 starting June 1, 2025. Interested and elgible candidates will be able to apply for the exam by visiting the official website at bseh.org.in. The last date to apply is June 6.

As per the official schedule, the HTET 2025 exam will be conducted on on July 26 and 27 at several centres across Haryana. On July 26, the exam will take place from 3 pm to 5.30 pm, and on July 27, it will be held in two shifts  from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 3 pm to 5.30 pm.

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The test will be held for three levels: Level 1, 2, and 3.

Level 1: Primary Teachers  PRT (Classes 1 to 5).

Level 2: Trained Graduate Teachers  TGT (Classes 6 to 8).

Level 3: Post Graduate Teachers  PGT (Classes 9 to 12).

HTET 2024: Who Can Apply?

 Candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 38.

 Candidates must be 10+2 qualified with a diploma in elementary education (D.EI.Ed) to apply for Primary Teacher (Level 1  Class 1 to 5).

 For Trained Graduate Teacher (Level 2  Class 6 to 8), candidates must hold a Bachelors Degree with a B.Ed.

 For Post Graduate Teacher (Level 3  Above Class 8), aspirants must have a Masters Degree with a B.Ed.

Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test 2025: Steps To Apply

Step 1: Go to the official website of BSEH at bseh.org.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, look for and click on the HTET 2025 registration link.

Step 3: Then register yourself and fill out the HTET 2025 application form

Step 4: Upload all the required documents and pay the registration fee

Step 5: Cross-check all the details and submit as directed.

HTET 2025: Application Fee

SC and PH of Haryana Domicile Category:

Level 1: Rs 500

Level 2: Rs 900

Level 3: 1,200

General Category Candidates:

Level 1: Rs 1,000

Level 2: Rs 1,800

Level 3: 2,400

Candidates outside Haryana:

Level 1: Rs 1,000

Level 2: Rs 1,800

Level 3: 2,400.

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Haryana Teacher Eligibility Test: Exam Details

The HTET test will be held in the traditional pen-and-paper mode and will require appearing candidates to record their responses on an OMR sheet, which will be provided during the exam. A minimum of 60 per cent across all sections and a minimum of 40 per cent in every individual paper is required to pass the HTET exam.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:55 IST
JEE Advanced 2025 Final Answer Key, Result Soon, Check Date & Time Here

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 11:47 IST

JEE Advanced Answer Key 2025 Date: Candidates who have appeared for the exam can check their result by visiting the official website, jeeadv.ac.in.

The JEE Advanced 2025 provisional answer key was released on May 26 (Representative image/File)

JEE Advanced Answer Key, Results 2025 Date: The result of Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2025 conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will be released on June 2. Candidates who have appeared for the exam can check their result by visiting the official website, jeeadv.ac.in. Candidates who have appeared in the exam are advised to keep an eye on the website regularly for the latest information related to the result.

Apart from this, JEE Advanced 2025 final answer key will also be issued along with the result. Earlier, the response sheet of JEE Advanced exam was released on May 22 and the provisional answer key was released on May 26.

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ALSO READ | JEE Main 2025: CSAB Counselling Special, Supernumerary Round Schedule Out, Check Here

This exam is conducted for admission to the prestigious IIT institutes of India and is considered one of the toughest engineering entrance exams in the country. Only those candidates can appear in it who have already passed the JEE Main exam and are in the top 2.5 lakh ranks. In the exam, deep and analytical questions of Physics, Chemistry and Math are asked, which test the problem solving ability of the students.

How To Check JEE Advanced Result 2025?

Step 1  Visit the official website of JEE Advanced, jeeadv.ac.in.

Step 2  Click on the JEE Advanced 2025 Result" link available on the homepage.

Step 3  Enter your user ID and password on the login page.

Step 4  After submitting, your scorecard will appear on the screen.

Step 5  Download the scorecard and take a printout of it for the counseling process.

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JEE Advanced Result 2025: Whats Next?

After the result is released, the successful candidates will get an opportunity to participate in the counselling process conducted by the Joint Seat Allotment Authority (JoSAA). This process is done for admission in IITs, NITs, IIITs and other government funded technical institutes (GFTIs). The complete counselling process and timeline will be made available on the website after the result is released.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:56 IST
Mizoram Schools Closed Today Amid IMD Warning Of Heavy Rain

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:24 IST

Rain Alert: The Mizoram government has closed all schools as a safety precaution. Emergency centres are on high alert.

Mizoram government closes all schools to protect students and staff. (Representative Image/ Getty)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mizoram, predicting extremely heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusty winds throughout the state on Thursday. In response to this severe weather forecast, the Mizoram government has decided to close all schools as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff members.

A formal notification released late Wednesday by the states School Education Department stated that the decision was taken after consultations with the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department. This move was based on the IMDs warnings and updates received from its Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati and the Meteorological Centre in Aizawl.

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Authorities have strongly advised the public to stay alert and take all necessary precautions to remain safe. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), along with district-level emergency centres, has been placed on high alert to respond quickly to any emergencies. Residents are urged to reach out to emergency helpline numbers in case of urgent situations. The numbers provided include 1077, 1070, 0389-2342520, and the universal emergency number 112.

Additionally, the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department has issued an advisory urging citizens to remain indoors during the severe weather and to report any incidents immediately to the nearest emergency centre.

ALSO READ: Karnataka: Schools To Remain Closed On May 29, 30 In Kodagu Due To Heavy Rain Alert

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This alert comes amid painful memories from May last year, when heavy and continuous rainfall caused landslides in Aizawl and other districts, resulting in the tragic loss of more than 30 lives. Since then, the state government has stepped up its efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and enhance coordination among various agencies to prevent such calamities in the future.

Meanwhile in Karnataka, Heavy rains continue in Kodagu, and a holiday has been declared for Anganwadi, primary and high schools and pre-university colleges for two days, May 29 and 30. District Collector Venkat Raja has issued an order, saying that the holiday has been declared as a precautionary measure in the wake of heavy rains accompanied by storms.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 09:21 IST
Making the most of the BRI could help transform Colombia into a regional player -- one that serves as a logistics hub and harnesses its rich biodiversity in a sustainable way, a Colombian scholar told Xinhua recently. BOGOTA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Colombia's formal accession to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) marks a historic step for the country, a Colombian scholar has said. Colombia's BRI entry could be transformative for Colombia, unlocking a broad range of development opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, research and technology, and strengthening its role as a key regional actor, said Lina Luna, a sinologist and professor at the School of International Relations at the Externado University of Colombia, in an interview with Xinhua. Colombia's pressing infrastructure gap makes this sector a logical starting point to realize the tangible benefits of joining the BRI, she noted, referring to the potential impact on the lives of everyday Colombians. Beyond infrastructure, Luna highlighted the potential for technology transfer and the renewed appreciation of Colombia's "ancestral knowledge" -- particularly in light of the country's remarkable biodiversity. "The idea is not just to treat cocoa, coffee and flowers as export commodities," she explained. "We need to create labs and research centers here to explore their best uses, value-added potential, export strategies, and ways to preserve our biodiversity." According to Luna, Colombia's domestic priorities -- reducing poverty, ending armed conflict, and protecting the environment -- align closely with opportunities offered through deeper cooperation with China. These shared goals, she said, could be advanced by fostering a more strategic bilateral relationship. Colombia currently holds the pro tempore presidency of several regional integration mechanisms, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, a position that should be used to spearhead infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing regional integration in Latin America, she said. "When we talk about infrastructure for integration, we should think beyond trade," Luna said. "It's also about labor mobility, about enabling Latin American citizens to enjoy greater independence and opportunity within the region. These are real possibilities that Colombia can now help bring to life." With its strategic geographic location -- bordering both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, sharing access to the Amazon, and serving as a bridge between Central and South America -- Colombia is ideally positioned to become a communications and logistics hub for the region, she said. "Colombia's geography has always given it this potential. Now, with the right political and economic tools, it can finally realize that promise," Luna added. She believes joining the BRI will also encourage a long-term transformation in Colombia's political vision -- one that embraces win-win cooperation, prioritizes key economic sectors, and delivers measurable progress. "This isn't just about a government program," she said. "It's about a broader vision of the state. Learning from China's cooperation with other Latin American countries can provide valuable insights." Making the most of the BRI could help transform Colombia from a country long associated with armed conflict and drug trafficking into a regional player -- one that serves as a logistics hub and harnesses its rich biodiversity in a sustainable way, Luna said.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Zimbabwe Passengers Association Secretary general Paul Makiwa has appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government to try and address road carnage mostly caused by poor road networks and human error.

Makiwa made tw remarks following a KWEKWE accident that recently claimed lives in the Midlands."We were shocked to learn that 12 passengers perished in Kwekwe road accident at a know black spot where many people have lost lives," Makiwa said."It was a great loss to the State , relatives , friends and to all passengers, may the Lord comfort us in grieving times like these. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured."Makiwa appealed to Mnangangwa and the national spiritualists to conduct cleansing ceremonies at those black spots and also to rehabilitate roads to as to avert recurrence of accidents.He also asked Minister of Transport Felix Mhona to spread up the provision of the road accident fund to assist in case of such disasters.He said the Gus must benefit the accident victims and wondered who could be benefiting from it since Thu have been many concerns by victims that they were not getting anything."The victims should not suffer while the Fund is there and is already availed," he said.
RBSE Class 10 Result 2025: Tanisha Kulhari, Daughter Of Stone Crusher, Scores 95.17%

Curated By :

Translation Desk-Local18

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:53 IST

Tanisha Kulhari from Sikar scored 95.17% in RBSC, topping her school. She credits her parents and teachers for her success. She aspires to be a doctor

Tanisha Kulhari topped her school with a total of 571 out of 600 marks. (Local18)

The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education has announced the Class 10 results, with girls once again outperforming boys across the state. Tanisha Kulhari, a student from Jhalra in Sikar, Rajasthan, has secured an impressive 95.17 per cent in her board examinations.

Tanisha Kulhari, who studies at New Sunrise Senior Secondary School in Mawanda Khurd, achieved remarkable scores across all subjects, including 98 in English, 98 in Mathematics, 97 in Science, 96 in Sanskrit, 94 in Hindi, and 98 in Social Science. She topped her school with a total of 571 out of 600 marks.

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She credits her success to the steadfast support of her parents and teachers. Her father, Dashrath Singh, works as a crusher machine operator, while her mother, Nirmala Devi, is a homemaker.

Tanisha Kulhari revealed that she dedicates five to six hours daily to independent study after school. The school principal, Dinesh Kumar Deshwal, played an instrumental role in encouraging her to persevere and maintain her hard work. Whenever she faced challenges, she would directly reach out to her teachers for clarification.

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Tanisha Kulharis mother emphasised her consistent daily routine after school, noting her firm belief that relentless effort is essential to achieving outstanding results. Her father shared that she has been academically gifted since early childhood, consistently topping her class from the very first grade onwards.

Looking ahead, Tanisha Kulhari aspires to become a doctor. She plans to study Science with Biology in Class 11 and aims to prepare for the NEET entrance examination. Determined to fulfil her parents dreams, she continues to work tirelessly.

Location : Sikar, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 15:53 IST
SSC GD Constable Result 2025: GD Results Soon At ssc.gov.in, Check Marking Scheme

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:45 IST

The SSC GD Constable Result 2025 will be released soon on ssc.gov.in. Candidates who qualify the CBT held from February 4 to 25 will proceed to the PET stage.

SSC GD Constable Result 2025: SSC GD results to be released soon at ssc.gov.in

SSC GD Constable Result 2025: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will soon release the SSC GD Constable Result 2025 on its official website at ssc.gov.in. After the results, candidates will also be able to check the SSC GD cut-off marks. The SSC GD Constable exam was held in a computer-based format at various centres across India from February 4 to 25, 2025. The answer key for the exam was released on March 4, 2025. Candidates who qualify in this written test (CBT 1) will move on to the next stage  the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).

The selection process for SSC GD 2025 includes three stages:

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Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Physical Efficiency Test/Physical Standard Test (PET/PST)

Medical Examination

Event Date SSC GD Exam Date 2025 February 4  25, 2025 SSC GD Answer Key Release Date March 4, 2025 SSC GD Answer Key Challenge Window March 4 to 9, 2025 SSC GD Result 2025 Date To be announced

How To Check SSC GD Constable Result 2025?

Follow these simple steps to check your SSC GD result:

Step 1: Go to the official SSC website  ssc.gov.in.

Step 2: You can also visit the SSC regional website for your zone.

Step 3: Click on the link for SSC GD Constable Result 2025" under the Constable-GD" section.

Step 4: A PDF file will open containing the list of qualified candidates and cut-off marks.

Step 5: Use Ctrl + F to search for your roll number in the list.

Step 6: Download and save the PDF for future use.

ALSO READ: RRB NTPC Admit Card 2025: When, Where, How To Download Hall Tickets?

SSC GD stands for Staff Selection Commission General Duty. It refers to the SSC GD Constable exam, a national-level recruitment exam conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to recruit candidates for the General Duty Constable posts in various paramilitary forces and police organisations of the central government.

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These forces include:

Border Security Force (BSF)

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

Assam Rifles, SSF, and NIA

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 09:08 IST
Study Abroad Shift: 25% Indians May Avoid US, Experts Say Ireland, Germany & Japan Seeing Surge

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 12:34 IST

Education experts advise against overreaction, highlighting that the pause applies only to new visa appointments; interviews already scheduled will continue as planned.

US embassies worldwide have temporarily paused scheduling new student and exchange visitor visa appointments amid enhanced social media background checks. (Representative/Shutterstock)

Study Abroad Countries for Indian Students: In a move that could affect thousands of aspiring international students, including many from India, the Trump administration has instructed US embassies worldwide to temporarily halt the scheduling of new student and exchange visitor visa appointments. This pause accompanies efforts to introduce more stringent social media background checks for visa applicants  a development that has raised concerns among students and education consultants globally.

However, education experts advise against overreaction, emphasising that the pause only applies to new appointments; visa interviews already scheduled will continue as planned.

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Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO of University Living, stresses the importance of staying calm and well-informed. Were closely monitoring updates from official sources and continuing to advise students accordingly. This is a time to prepare, not panic," Arora told News18.com.

Arora also highlights that social media vetting is now an established part of the visa process.

Students should be mindful of their digital presence. This isnt about changing who you are but about being aware of how your content might be interpreted in the context of visa applications," Arora said.

Despite temporary disruptions, the fundamentals of international student mobility remain robust. In 2023 alone, over one million international students enrolled at US institutions contributed approximately $42 billion to the American economy. India accounted for an estimated $17 billion of that sum, underscoring the critical role Indian students play.

Mobility isnt a trend. It has been part of human progress for over 10,000 years. The motivation to learn, grow and contribute internationally isnt going away," Arora added.

Student Choices Expanding Beyond The US

While the US continues to be a preferred destination for many Indian students, early indicators point to a shift in preferences. Manisha Zaveri, Joint Managing Director at Career Mosaic, observes an estimated 25% decline in Indian student enrollments heading to the US this autumn. However, she doesnt see this decline as Indian students losing interest in studying abroad or having lower goals. Instead, she believes students are exploring and choosing a wider variety of countries for their education, spreading their options beyond just the US.

Global aspirations are not declining  they are diversifying. Were seeing growing interest in countries like Ireland and Germany. Ireland, in particular, appeals due to its one-year masters programmes and strong post-study work opportunities," Manisha said.

Germany and Japan are also gaining traction among STEM and research-oriented students.

Students today are making more ROI-driven and data-informed decisions. Our role is to help them navigate this evolving landscape with clarity and confidence," she added.

ALSO READ: Harvard Holds Commencement Amid Clash With Trump Administration

US Still Strong For Finance And Accounting Careers

Despite the broader slowdown in student numbers, certain professional sectors in the US remain in high demand  especially finance and accounting. Sripal Jain, Co-Founder of Simandhar Education and a US CPA, explains that Indian talent continues to be sought after in these fields.

The US is facing a significant shortage of accounting professionals. Over 300,000 accountants have left the workforce in just the last two years, according to The Wall Street Journal," Jain points out.

In response, leading accounting firms  including the Big Four  are aggressively recruiting, with India emerging as a vital talent pool.

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Indian candidates holding the US CPA qualification are being hired not only for offshore roles but also for onshore, client-facing positions. For finance professionals with global credentials, the US remains a market offering strong career growth potential," he added.

While recent US policy changes may create short-term uncertainty, experts remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for international education. They advise students to stay informed, think globally, and carefully consider options that align with their career goals and financial plans.

About the Author Archit Gupta Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-... Read More Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 18:24 IST
CEC Gyanesh Kumar Completes 100 Days: Here Are 21 Reforms Launched By Election Commission

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 19:22 IST

These initiatives come at a time when the ECI has faced considerable scrutiny following various elections

In recent weeks, the ECI, under his leadership, has introduced numerous reforms and changes to provide a smoother experience for both voters and political parties while also streamlining election management. (File image: PTI)

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who took charge of the Election Commission of India on February 19, completed 100 days in office on Thursday. In recent weeks, the ECI, under his leadership, has introduced numerous reforms and changes to provide a smoother experience for both voters and political parties while also streamlining election management.

In a statement, the commission said, A slew of purposeful, pragmatic and proactive measures has marked the first 100 days of the 26th Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars tenure. The vision for a reinvigorated ECI was charted out by the CEC in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi during the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) held in March 2025."

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These initiatives come at a time when the ECI has faced considerable scrutiny following various elections.

Voters first

Several voter-centric initiatives have been launched, including guidelines for setting up additional polling booths in high-rises and residential colonies to reduce travel time for voters. The commission has also reduced the maximum number of voters per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200, minimising waiting times.

Electoral roll updates will now incorporate death registration data directly from the Registrar General of India (RGI) database, subject to verification. This replaces the previous system where a family member had to file Form 7 for the deletion of a deceased voters name. Voter information slips will be made more user-friendly, with prominent display of serial and part numbers. Furthermore, mobile phone deposit facilities will be provided outside polling stations, addressing a previous logistical challenge for voters. The commission has also replaced all duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers with unique identifiers.

In total, 28 stakeholders, including electors, election officials, political parties, and candidates, have been identified within the electoral process. Reforms are being implemented with each of these stakeholders in mind. Training presentations based on the commissions acts, rules, and instructions are being developed for each stakeholder group.

Engagement with political parties

To enhance trust with political parties, the commission has introduced reforms to improve communication and address concerns. Over 4,700 all-party meetings have been conducted across India at the electoral registration officer (ERO), district election officer (DEO), and chief electoral officer (CEO) levels, involving more than 28,000 party representatives. CEOs oversee elections at the state level, DEOs at the district level, and EROs at the assembly constituency level. These decentralised meetings ensure that party workers at all levels remain informed throughout the electoral process.

The commission is also meeting national and state party leaders. Of the six national parties, the CEC has met the presidents of five: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and National Peoples Party (NPP). Further meetings are planned after the current by-elections. Canvassing distance norms have been relaxed, allowing candidates and parties to set up booths beyond 100 metres, compared to the previous 200-metre limit. Capacity-building programmes for booth-level agents have been conducted in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

Internal changes and capacity building

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The commission has launched ECINET, a new integrated dashboard providing all services for all stakeholders at a single point, replacing over 40 apps and websites. A national conference of counsels representing the ECI and CEOs was organised to strengthen synergy and refine the legal framework. Standardised photo ID cards for booth-level officers (BLOs) have also been introduced.

Training has been conducted for over 3,500 booth-level supervisors, with an additional 6,000 BLOs/BLO supervisors scheduled for training in the next 45 days across approximately 20 batches. Regular meetings between the ECI and CEOs of all 36 states/union territories are being held to improve coordination between their offices and various ECI divisions.

About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:22 IST
Why Trump Government Has Paused New Student Visa Interviews, What Is Social Media Vetting? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 10:47 IST

If foreign students turn away, US higher education could be impacted. Universities like Harvard would be more concerned about the impact on their ability to attract top talent

A US spokesperson noted that students may continue to submit visa applications and that consular sections are constantly adjusting their schedules to fully vet the cases. (Reuters File Photo)

Student visa applicants have been dealt with a blow after US embassies decided to cancel interviews as Donald Trumps administration prepares a new process that includes social media profile screening.

Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued  in the coming days," a Tuesday diplomatic cable reportedly said, as reported by Politico.

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As per TIME, State Department spokesperson would not confirm the cable, but said that the scheduling of non-immigrant visa interview appointments is dynamic" and that every visa adjudication is a national security decision."

The spokesperson also noted that students may continue to submit visa applications and that consular sections are constantly adjusting their schedules to allow for sufficient time to fully vet the cases before them.

What To Know About The Order?

A US official, who did not reveal his name, told the Associated Press (AP) that the pause is temporary", and only applies to new visa interviews. Already scheduled visa interviews will go ahead.

Trump increased scrutiny of applicants, including social media vetting, during his first terma policy that continued through the Biden Administration. Earlier this year, the State Department also made changes to social media screening requirements, aimed at students who had participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests last spring.

Though the State Department has not mentioned any specific social media criteria for student visa rejection, the cable reportedly referred to Trumps executive orders related to terrorism and anti-semitism.

If you tell me that youre coming to the United States to lead campus crusades, to take over libraries, and try to burn down buildings  were not going to give you a visa," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on May 20.

What Is Social Media Vetting?

Social media vetting involves the collection and analysis of visa applicants online activity to assess potential security risks.

Under policies implemented during the Trump administration, applicants are required to provide social media handles used over the past five years, along with other personal information. This data is used to evaluate applicants backgrounds and affiliations.

The administration asks for your social media handles from the last five years and review public content. For visas, its part of background checks; for jobs, its often during hiring.

Since 2019, the US State Department has required applicants to disclose their social media handles used in the last five years, with expanded measures in 2025.

The move will help detect inconsistencies or fraudulent information in applications. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) established a Social Media Division in 2016 to look for immigration fraud, verifying work, travel, and family histories against online activity.

What Does The Typical Social Media Vetting Process Include?

Applicants, especially for visas, must provide social media identifiers over the past five years as part of forms like the DS-160 for non-immigrant visas. For employment, employers may ask for written consent to review public profiles.

Reviewers analyse public content for red flags, such as posts endorsing terrorism, anti-semitic activity, or unprofessional behaviour. As per the 2025 US State Department cable, reported on May 28, 2025, reported by India Today, reviewing for public approval or public advocacy for terrorist activity".

Social media vetting must comply with privacy laws, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the US, ensuring only public information is reviewed and no passwords are requested.

How US Universities Could Be Affected

If international students turn away, the impact on US higher education could be severe. Universities like Harvard are likely to be more concerned about the impact on their ability to attract top talent than on their endowments, as per TIME.

The vetting process will increase administrative delays. Students may miss enrollment deadlines, defer admissions, or shift to countries with more predictable visa processes (e.g., Canada, the UK, Australia).

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Students may censor their online speech, impacting the open exchange of ideas that is central to university life. Faculty may also feel constrained when engaging with politically sensitive topics if they fear repercussions for their students.

Universities may need to provide additional legal and counselling services to support international applicants navigating the visa process, adding operational costs.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:39 IST
Amit Shah Arrives In Jammu, Chairs Key Meeting On Upcoming Amarnath Yatra

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 23:58 IST

Amit Shah arrived in Jammu and Kashmir today evening amid tight security arrangements on a two-day visit to review the security situation in the union territory.

Amit Shah chairs key meet in Jammu. (News18)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan to review security and administrative preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra in Jammu.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, senior officials of the army, paramilitary forces, police, intelligence agencies and civil administration attended the meeting, news agency PTI reported.

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Chaired a review meeting for the Amarnath Pilgrimage and evaluated the security arrangements and preparedness meant for the pilgrims. Instructed to maintain the utmost vigilance and ensure the seamless completion of the sacred journey. Central govt and J&K administration will leave no stone unturned to facilitate the pilgrims with all necessary facilities," Shah said in a post on X.

Chaired a review meeting for the Amarnath Pilgrimage and evaluated the security arrangements and preparedness meant for the pilgrims. Instructed to maintain the utmost vigilance and ensure the seamless completion of the sacred journey.Central govt and J&K administration will pic.twitter.com/b8auExp7ID  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 29, 2025

Shah arrived in Jammu and Kashmir today evening amid tight security arrangements on a two-day visit to review the security situation in the union territory and reach out to shelling-hit affected people in Poonch, officials said.

Shah was received by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Jammu airport. This is the Union Ministers first visit to Jammu after Operation Sindoor.

Welcomed Honble Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji on his arrival at Jammu today. pic.twitter.com/8unfsf53ti Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 29, 2025

Amit Shahs 2-Day Itinerary

During his two-day visit, Shah will visit religious places, meet shelling-hit people and the BSF personnel in Poonch, which recorded the highest number of 14 civilian deaths among the total 28 lives lost in the Pakistani shelling and drone attacks during the skirmishes between May 7 and 10, officials said as quoted by the news agency.

Toady he held security meetings at Raj Bhavan in Jammu. After a night stay in Jammu, Shah will fly to Poonch and interact with shelling-hit families. He will visit damaged religious places, including Singh Sabha Gurdwara and hold a meeting with officers to assess the damage in the worst-hit district, officials said.

The minister will also visit the Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Poonch and interact with the jawans. He is also expected to address the civilians affected by Pakistani shelling at Dak Bungalow and the BSF soldiers at their Unit Headquarters at Khanetar.

This will be the Home ministers third visit to Jammu and Kashmir since April 6 and first after Operation Sindoor. After conducting a three-day tour on April 6, Shah again visited Kashmir on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam attack.

Operation Sinodoor

India launched precision strikes" under Operation Sindoor on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes killed over 100 terrorists including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides.

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Targets included Jaishs Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkars strongholds  Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad  were also hit. Hizbul Mujahideens facilities at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were among those targeted.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

Location : Jammu, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 23:23 IST
Anti-Terror Outreach: India Seeks Saudi Support To Put Pakistan On FATF Grey List

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 07:44 IST

The Indian delegation emphasised the purpose of their visit - to inform the world that Pakistan is a terror state and to explain the necessity of Operation Sindoor.

The visiting delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, met with Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia.

In its ongoing effort to expose Pakistan as a terror-supporting nation, the Indian government had succeeded in placing Pakistan on the (Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2019, following a terrorist attack on the Indian soil. In retaliation, India had also conducted the Balakot airstrike on terror camps in Pakistan. At that time, Saudi Arabia, a key member of the OIC, strongly supported Indias demand. Five years later, an Indian delegation visiting Saudi Arabia has once again requested the country to support as India seeks to have Pakistan grey-listed by the FATF.

The visiting delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, met with Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Member of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, among other meetings.

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The Indian delegation emphasised the purpose of their visit  to inform the world that Pakistan is a terror state and to explain the necessity of Operation Sindoor. During discussions with the Saudi External Affairs Minister, the Indian delegation highlighted the ongoing cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia, not only in trade and economy but also in counter-terrorism efforts. They pointed out that this cooperation was emphasised in the recent joint statement during the Saudi delegations visit to India in April this year.

Both countries had agreed to work together to expose terror financing. Therefore, placing Pakistan on the grey list would be a significant step in this direction. The Indian delegation also pointed out that Pakistan is using various means to finance terrorism while its economy is in dire straits. Pakistan is not only smuggling terrorism into Indian borders but also sending drugs and weapons through illegal routes, particularly using drones to infiltrate India, the delegation told Saudi Arabia.

Two crucial points were raised by the Indian delegation members. They reiterated the commitment of the Council of Senior Ulema, Saudi Arabias highest religious authority, which has issued a significant fatwa condemning terrorism. This fatwa declares that both carrying out terrorist acts and financing them are violations of Islamic law. It defines terrorism as a crime aimed at destabilising security through attacks on individuals or property, whether public or private. Examples include bombings of homes, schools, hospitals, factories, bridges, and airplanes (including hijackings), as well as attacks on oil facilities and pipelines. The Council emphasised that financing terrorism is an act of complicity, as it enables and perpetuates such violence. The fatwa states, The Council rules that funding terrorism, initiating or assisting in terrorist acts of any nature or scale, is prohibited under Islamic Sharia and is a punishable offense." This aligns with Indias stance, underscoring that no religion would condone such violence against innocent civilians.

One delegation member reminded the Saudi government of their commitment to fighting terrorism when they handed over Abu Jundal, a key mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to India. They also reminded the Saudi government that this is the same Pakistan that falsely declared terrorist Sajid Mir dead, only to bring him back to life later.

When the Saudi establishment suggested that India should talk with Pakistan, it was clearly stated that India would not engage in dialogue with Pakistan unless they came clean on terrorism. It was noted that every time India brought up terrorism with Pakistan, there was only denial from the other side. Despite providing ample proof to Pakistan on multiple occasions, including on global platforms, Pakistan has not budged. The Indian delegation also refuted Pakistans claims that India was creating disturbances in Balochistan, labeling these allegations as baseless.

Additionally, the delegation mentioned the IMCTC (International Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition), headquartered in Riyadh with over 43 member countries, including Pakistan. They suggested that Pakistan should be asked to come clean on terrorism.

Baijayant Panda, leading the delegation, shared on X, India and Saudi Arabia stand united in our shared commitment to combat terrorism and strengthen bilateral ties. Along with our all-party delegation colleagues, we had a constructive discussion with His Excellency Adel Al-Jubeir, appreciating Saudi Arabias firm stand against terrorism and reaffirming Indias unwavering zero-tolerance and new normal approach in the fight against terror."

Rekha Sharma, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and another delegation member, also shared a post on social media about the visit to Riyadh. Reaffirming Indias steadfast resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms, and to deepen India-Saudi strategic cooperation. Along with our all-party delegation colleagues, we had an engaging discussion with His Excellency Dr. Mushabab Al-Qahtani, Director General of Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies, reflecting on our shared goals and expanding bilateral ties."

Earlier, the Indian embassy in Riyadh shared a post on social media stating, The All-Party delegation led by Jay Panda met H.E. Dr. Mushabab Al-Qahtani, DG, Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies & conveyed Indias unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms. The delegation also discussed India-Saudi strategic ties."

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The all-party delegation includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and former diplomat Harsh Shringla.

This delegation, which left India on May 24, has already traveled to Bahrain and Kuwait under the diplomatic outreach for Operation Sindoor. After a couple more days in Riyadh, they will head to their final destination, Algeria, before returning to India on June 3.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:44 IST
'Ascertain People's Mandate': India Asks Bangladesh To Hold 'Inclusive, Free, Fair' Elections

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 23:49 IST

Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus has announced plans to hold elections between December 2025 and June 30, 2026, and has assured that he won't stay in power beyond that

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that India wants a "positive and constructive relationship" with Bangladesh. (Image: PTI/File)

India on Thursday urged Bangladesh to hold an inclusive, free, and fair election as early as possible to ascertain the peoples will and mandate.

Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus has announced plans to hold elections between December 2025 and June 30, 2026, and has assured that he will not stay in power beyond that date.

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On Bangladesh, we have articulated our position very clearly, as far as elections in Bangladesh are concerned, and we have done so consistently. Bangladesh needs to ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding an inclusive, fair and free election at an early date," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs (MEA), in a weekly briefing.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed unease over the continuation of the Yunus-led interim government and has demanded elections in December itself. The political landscape in the neighbouring country remains volatile, with differing opinions on the election timeline and the current regimes role.

According to local reports, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has expressed a desire for the national elections to be held by December.

The National Citizens Party (NCP)  a new party led by students who overthrew Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina  wants fundamental reforms before the elections.

dismissed Bangladeshs accusations of Indian interference as an attempt to deflect attention from internal issues.

As far as the government there is concerned, the responsibility for law and order and governance issues lies entirely with that government," Jaiswal said.

BLAMING OTHERS DOESNT SOLVE YOUR CHALLENGES

On the Indias hegemony remark made by Yunus, Jaiswal dismissed accusations of Indian interference as an attempt to deflect attention from internal issues.

As far as the government there is concerned, the responsibility for law and order and governance issues lies entirely with that government," he said. When statements of this sort come, it seems like you want to deflect in another direction from your own challenges related to governance there  and to blame others by saying that these extraneous issues caused by others are the reason for these problems  does not solve the issue."

Yunus had alleged that external factors, including India, might be behind efforts to destabilise the country. He said there were relentless efforts to destabilise Bangladesh" both internally and externally, leading to a war-like situation." Sharing some links of articles on X, he wrote: These articles are part of a coordinated disinformation campaign propagated by segments of the Indian right-wing media aiming to delegitimise Bangladeshs transitional leadership."

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Jaiswal further noted that India wants a positive and constructive relationship" with Bangladesh. I would like to underline once again that we have approached our issues and our relationship with Bangladesh. We want a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one anchored in meeting the aspirations and the interests of the people of both sides," he said.

(With agency inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 23:25 IST
Asim Munir Shook Hands With US-Designated Terrorist: Owaisi Flags Pakistan-Terror Link In Riyadh

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:07 IST

Owaisi exposed Pakistan during an interaction in Saudi Arabia and presented "clear evidence" how Islamabad backs terrorism and its army supports terrorists.

Owaisi exposes Pakistan in Saudi Arabia (PTI Image)

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who was in Saudi Arabia as part of the delegation to expose Pakistan, presented clear evidence" of the countrys involvement in terrorism and its armys backing of terrorists.

Owaisi, while speaking in Riyadh, showed a photo to prove how Pakistani army chief Asim Munir was promoted as Field Marshal and how he was seen sitting beside a US-designated terrorist at an event.

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The AIMIM chief, who is a part of the delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also underlined the need to bring Pakistan back to the FATF grey list to control terror funding.

Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal. There is clear evidence of Pakistans involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India," Owaisi said.

#WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field pic.twitter.com/bGz9R8BZfS ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Muhammad Ahsanalso known as Ehsan Muhammad, Ihsan Muhammad, or Ullah Ehsanis listed on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. He is from Sialkot and Islamabad, Pakistan, and his birth year is listed as 1970, though other records show 1971 or 1972. He has been designated under the Secondary sanctions risk, section 1(b) of Executive Order 13244," as updated by Executive Order 13886. Ahsan is linked to the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Owaisi pointed out the duplicity and deceit of Pakistan in backing terrorists and said that Islamabad once termed Sajid Mir dead and later confessed that he was alive. He noted that several terrorists were jailed in Pakistan only for money laundering, not for terrorism".

#WATCH | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but youll be surprised to know that nothing pic.twitter.com/b1TIXvna8p ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2025

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After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but youll be surprised to know that nothing moved forward. What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list," he said.

One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said hes dead Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying hes dead, suddenly, hes alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism," the AIMIM chief added.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:44 IST
Delhi Shopkeeper Thrashed Over Suspicion Of Selling Cow Meat Near DU's North Campus

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 12:33 IST

A 44-year-old shopkeeper, Chaman Kumar, was attacked by a mob in Northwest Delhi's Vijay Nagar over suspected beef sales. Police seized meat samples for analysis.

Representative image of Delhi Police | PTI

In a recent case of a mob attack, a 44-year-old shopkeeper was thrashed by a crowd over suspicion of selling cow meat" in Northwest Delhis Vijay Nagar area, late on Wednesday night. The victim has been identified as Chaman Kumar, a grocery shop owner. The grocery shop of Kumar is named North East Store.

According to media reports, the incident took place close to Delhi Universitys North campus at around 9 pm-10 pm.

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The incident was caught on camera. In a purported video of the area, a group of men can be heard chanting slogans calling for those who kill cows to be shot."

Soon after chaotic scenes unfolded, police rushed to the spot and security was heightened to restore normalcy in the area. Hindustan Times, citing police, reported that meat samples have been seized and sent for forensic analysis to determine whether it is cow meat."

According to DCP (Northwest) Bhisham Singh, the complainant is a 15-year-old resident of the area.

Upon suspicion of cow meat being sold, some members of the public manhandled the shopkeeper. He has been provided medical assistance and his medical examination is currently underway," HT quoted Bhisham Singh as saying.

The DCP said that the complainant alleged that he bought 1 kg cow meat for Rs 400 from the store.

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DCP Singh said the CCTV installed in the area were being collected and would be reviewed to verify the sequence of events.

The DCP added that the situation was under control and legal action would be taken after the forensic report and proper investigation.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 12:28 IST
Opinion / Columnist

In Shona, I would have said: Ndiko kunonzi kujairira Vahnu uku! This man can just open his mouth wotanga kubukura, ogo bukura ogo bukura! A Portuguese adage says: even a small ass can do it if a stomachache needs to empty lower bowel products. My God! what dignity and integrity does this man called Mnangagwa know? It is sinking now what it means to live under a despotic regime we have in Zimbabwe. It means swallowing garbage everyday until it is normalized in your psyche. This man has no shame and remorse left in his conscience. In his life he has committed crimes unimaginable by common sense: Gukurahundi atrocities mark his history-making. Causing harm to the innocent does not shock his inner recesses of his conscience. He has murdered thousands and can afford to live, sleep without a tinge of remorse.The so-called third world citizens are in a tight: Geo-politics together with globalization have turned world affairs upside down. There are no big brothers to turn to in dire circumstances regarding human rights atrocities from our countries of origin. The western countries, who were once beacons of democracies and human rights are deeply found wanting. The war in Ukraine exposes the duplicity of western democracy. It's not Ukraine alone that diverted values of democracy and human rights' shortcomings; the fall of Berlin Wall had serious ramifications: just when we thought the cold war has come to an end and the so-called first world will craft a new world order that includes Russia in its security architectures clearing future threats to nuclear armaments and destruction of the entire earth, we are at the edge of yet another threat of global destruction: to be precise, at the 11th hour of nuclear destruction. Third World War is now spoken about as if we are saying: lets go to MacDonald to eat a big Mac at bargain price! Just saying!The big difference between political leaders of the global north and global south is that the global north leaders are deeply overwhelmed to put it politely. They have no idea about real politics of good governance. On the other hand, excluding young tucks in the Sahel region, the African political leaders are geriatrics and deeply compromised by colonial vestiges of ruling nations. Where will we, citizens of the global south turn to, when we want to report human rights abuses entrenched in our daily lives. President Mnangagwa urinates on our faces, talks about something that does not exist in his government; dignity and integrity! It did not matter if we dream about dignity and integrity in our lives and those of the coming generations, will that ever happen in our lifetime? Zimbabweans yearn for change that will not come soon. Geza revolution is much ado about nothing. Long suffering of 45 years has blinded citizens to make rightful decisions about their future. Citizens fail to see that a Geza revolution is change that guaranties the same: no change. No need to have studied dialectic materialism to understand that Geza revolution is a pseudo revolution that must fail. To say so much about him is tribalism again!We are a nation strongly rooted in our value systems, dignity and integrity," These are words Mnangagwa speaks with his straight face to a mesmerized public, after which the audience will repeat after him: achazotonga, wozotanga, wozotanga: preaching platitudes. Kusadzidza chikoro kwakanaka wedu we. Does it surprise us if those fighting for change in government top posts see Chiwenga as the person to replace Mnangagwa? Somehow, they don't realize that Chiwenga could be much worse than Mnangagwa. There will be hell to pay if Chiwenga became third president because he reeks of cruelty. The nation is endowed with dynamic and educated young tucks to replace Zanu government to effect change. Zimbabwe is deeply frozen in time. Professor Arther Mutambara, a very capable leader, has no chance to get elected. Citizens are mesmerized with rulers without ideas: they are viscerally obsessed with either Mnangagwa or Chiwenga.There were supposed to be demonstrations today in Zimbabwe. Evidently people are tired of fake news dza va Geza. Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting results could be sign of insanity; said Albeit Einstein. They continue publishing the next demonstrations with reckless abandon. Each move made is spoken in detail. The same with Nyokayemabhunu's case in South Africa. I doubt if he is legally good represented in SA courts. The people will respond to demonstrations if they have leaders on the ground to lead actions not at a safe place in Polokwane, South Africa. A today's article summarized it; Mnangagwa does not lose sleep because of planned demonstrations especially when the demos are called by Geza. The actions of UZ lecturers could have been a game changer if there were focused leaders on the ground.Where is Pastor Evans Mawarire! Where is Mr. Sten ZvorwadzaIn this political heat and an environment that has irrevocably been turned up-side-down by a Geza revolution, my humble question is, where are these people who left a mark in our body politics a decade ago. Who can forget how we were compelled to buy the national flag: #this Flag. Who would ever forget the demonstrations that Zvorwadza staged at Sheraton Hotel; an action against former VP Phekelezela Mphoko MHESRP who camped at Sheraton Hotel indefinitely. Pastor Evan Mawarire attracted and absorbed thousands of activists who were convinced about his cause for change including Fadzai Mahere, Promise Mkwananzi, Linda Masarira, and many of them. Pastor Evans was interviewed by international journalists who valued his eloquent speaking: no issues with English syntax. #ThisFlag movement became the symbol of resistance, the majority embraced the core values of its uprising: economic and social regression had reached a climax: These young people wanted change in as much as the people today are still demanding revolutionary transformations, a life for the better in their lifetime.To make my story short, Pastor Mawarire was a Human Rights Defender charged by the Magistrate Court in Harare for inciting violence public disorder/violence. Charges against him muted each time he went to court: He was then charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government and detained. These changes confused even the prosecutor of court. Mawarire was threatened and told to abandon his noble work as Human Rights Defender. The Front-Line Defenders were convinced that Mawarire's persecution was directly linked to his work as Pastor and Human Rights Defender who demanded that the prosecutor drops the accusations and release him unconditionally. Pastor Mawarire's life as an activist was overly convoluted, and it can never be narrated in a single sentence. His activism intertwined with the works of Zvorwadza. On separate times and spaces, Zvorwadza made headlines too, because he represented workers and venders. His activism was respected nationally and internationally equally with that of Mawarire.Pastor Evans became known in several international organisations including the Amnesty international. I remember one event by amnesty international Bremen when they tabled a motion about how they were going to approach the Zimbabwean government to release the Pastor Mawarire from prison. Pastor Mawarire was recognized by the world governments and organisations: he was a man of the moment who would free the people from brutal repression of Mugabe rule. On the judgement day, when Mawarire was to be tried in court, thousands of people held a vigil at the Harare Magistrate court. The citizens demanded the release of Pastor Mawarire. Indeed, he was released spectacularly. After his release, Mawarire fled Zimbabwe and was given an asylum status in USA. After a short spell in USA, Mawarire came back to Zimbabwe. Reason to come back to Zimbabwe was compelling. Citizens needed answers about why he is doing what he was doing. His actions had an undercurrent of betrayal and remorse. We still believe in him as our voice and courage he displayed and acknowledged.A personification of courage!Pastor Evan Mawarire and Zvorwadza made history in Zimbabwe. The natural courage they expressed was unparallel, actions that shook the nation and international. The personalities of these two giants are the leadership we want now if we want change in Zimbabwe. Why are they absent? They cannot see, the nation demands strong and courageous leadership of their caliber. Geza has passed the point of complete exhaustion; evidenced by his outreach to Chiwenga to remove Mnangagwa. Chamisa is out of breath, a polite underestimate. There is currently no leadership he can offer the nation. Put short and succinctly: we need these larger-than-life personalities to come back and lead the people to freedom. If Mawarire was a plant of Mnangagwa: we want a scintilla of evidence from Jonathan Moyo that support this accusation. Please come back to the fore: your loud silence is unbearable at a time we are bereft of leadership on the ground. The nation demands transformations that could only be possible by your leadership style. The Geza et al leadership is fantastical. I write in the hope that you will see this article and reflect on it. Whatever sinister comments I may have made against you Pastor Evans Mawarire, please forgive me. We must move on. Just saying!
Envoys From Turkiye, Bangladesh & 4 Other Nations Present Credentials To President

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 20:22 IST

A ceremony, which was earlier scheduled to be held on May 15 for the newly-appointed envoys, had to be deferred

President Droupadi Murmu | File Image/PTI

Envoys of six countries, including Turkiye and Bangladesh, on Thursday presented credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Those who presented their credentials were Ali Murat Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye, M Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh and Azamat Yeskaraev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Presidents office said.

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Chavanart Thangsumphant, Ambassador of Thailand, Nestor Gabriel Baltodano Vargas, Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica and Gurdip Bath, High Commissioner of Saint Kitts and Nevis also presented their credentials to the President, it said.

A ceremony, which was earlier scheduled to be held on May 15 for the newly-appointed envoys, had to be deferred.

The deferment of the ceremony had come against the backdrop of strong criticism of Turkiye in India for its backing of Pakistan during the recent conflict between Indian and Pakistani militaries following Operation Sindoor.

Indian defence forces on May 7 launched the operation to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Both India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to halt all military actions.

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There has also been a sharp downturn in India-Bangladesh relations after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka and took shelter in India in August last year in the face of a massive anti-government protest.

The relations nosedived dramatically after the interim government in Bangladesh headed by Muhammad Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 20:21 IST
Fallout Of Mangaluru 'Communal Killings': Karnataka Goes For Major Police Reshuffle

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 00:46 IST

Mangaluru police chief Anupam Agrawal has been transferred, and Sudheer Kumar Reddy has replaced him. Yatish N has been removed as Dakshina Kannada SP, with Arun Kumar taking over

The chief minister's office described the move as 'strict action by transferring IPS officers in Coastal districts. (Representational image)

In response to a series of recent killings in Mangaluru, the Karnataka government has ordered a major reshuffle of top police officials, highlighting serious concerns about the regions law and order situation.

Anupam Agrawal, previously the commissioner of police in Mangaluru, has been abruptly transferred. This decision follows increased scrutiny and public anxiety regarding the citys security.

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Sudheer Kumar Reddy has been appointed as Agrawals successor, with the immediate task of restoring stability and confidence in the citys policing efforts.

Additionally, Yatish N has been removed from his position as superintendent of police for Dakshina Kannada. Arun Kumar, who formerly served as the SP for Udupi, will take over his duties.

The chief ministers office described the move as strict action by transferring IPS officers in Coastal districts".

On May 27, a man named Abdul Rahiman was killed, and his brother, Kalandar Shafi, suffered severe injuries after a group of miscreants attacked them with a sword in Ira Kodi, Kuriyala village, Bantwal Rural Police Station limits. The incident took place when the deceased, a truck driver, and his brother were unloading gravel when two assailants on a motorcycle attacked them with a sword.

Both of them were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, where Rahiman succumbed to his wounds, while his brother is undergoing treatment.

The Dakshina Kannada District Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder, officials said on Thursday. The arrested individuals have been reportedly identified as 21-year-old Deepak, 21-year-old Pruthviraj, and 19-year-old Chintan.

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The killing came close on the heels of Hindutva activist Suhas Shettys murder on May 1.

Shetty, a known rowdy sheeter and Hindutva activist, was murdered by an unidentified group earlier this month within the Bajpe police station limits in Mangaluru. He was attacked at around 8.30 pm while he was traveling with five of his associates when their vehicle was intercepted near Kinnipadavu Cross.

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 23:44 IST
Govt Likely To Approve Appointment Of 3 New Supreme Court Judges

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:54 IST

The President has already granted approval, and the appointment notification is expected to be issued soon, sources informed.

Supreme Court of India (File photo/PTI)

The government is likely to clear the collegium recommendation regarding the appointment of three new judges to the Supreme Court, sources informed.

Sources close to the matter have informed CNN-News18 that the President has already granted approval, and the appointment notification is expected to be issued soon.

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The development came after the Supreme Court collegium on Monday recommended the appointments of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice NV Anjaria, Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Bombay High Court judge Justice AS Chandurkar as judges of the top court.

The five-member collegium headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai decided to recommend the names as against the three existing vacancies of judges in the top court following the superannuation of ex-CJI Sanjiv Khanna, and Justices Abhay S Oka and Hrishikesh Roy.

The Supreme Court collegium in its meeting held on May 26, 2025 has recommended elevation of the following chief justices/judge of the high courts, as judges in the Supreme Court  Justice N V Anjaria, Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice AS Chandurkar," said a resolution uploaded on the apex court website.

Notably, Justice Bela M Trivedi is also set to superannuate on June 9.

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The apex court, which has a sanctioned strength of 34, is currently working with 31 judges.

Besides these three judges, the collegium has also recommended the elevation of five high court judges as chief justices of the high courts of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gauhati, Patna and Jharkhand.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 15:54 IST
'Salute On Behalf Of My Father': Hafiz Saeed's Son Addresses 'Anti-India' Rally In Pakistan

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 16:30 IST

Top intelligence sources said the presence of Pakistani politicians alongside Talha Saeed shows the country's institutional support of terrorism

UN-proscribed terrorist Talha Saeed address a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, on May 28. (Image: News18/video grab)

A video of UN-proscribed terrorist Talha Saeed  son of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed  has emerged in which he is purportedly inciting violence against India, during a public rally at Lahore in the presence of the Pakistani politicians on stage.

The video clip from the rally, which was held on Wednesday (May 28), shows Talha Saeed welcoming the speaker of the Punjab assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan, on stage along with other politicians. Posters of Field Marshal Asim Munir can also be spotted, alongside those of Hafiz Saeed.

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According to top intelligence sources, this shows Pakistans institutional support of terrorism. Under the guise of appreciating Operation Bunyan al-Marsus, when Pakistan tested its nuclear weapons, all the extremists are back together on the same stage, the sources said.

The intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that the presence of Talha shows that the extremists are celebrating the Pakistan Army under state sponsorship. He also named alleged Pahalgam attack mastermind Saifullah Khalid during the rally, they said.

They said India did not err by targeting terror infrastructure under Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Talhas speech threatened to choke India" over the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which is a lifeline for Pakistans agriculture.

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Today there is a message for India from Pakistan. We have won Operation Bunyan al-Marsus and God should accept our presence here. Im thankful to Malik Ahmad Khan, speaker of Punjab Assembly, Malik Rashid Khan and Saifullah Khalid for their presence here on stage. I also salute the people of Pakistan on behalf of my father Hafiz Saeed. I am here to tell you God loves those who do jihad," he said during the rally.

In his speech, the sources said, Talha also dismissed the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam as drama". He further claimed that Hafiz Saeed is under the peaceful protection of the state  despite a purported prison sentence  and this exposes Pakistans fraudulent counter-terrorism policy, they added.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : islamabad

First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:14 IST
Ignore Me': Kunal Kamra Reacts After Devendra Fadnavis Calls His Shinde Remark 'Worthless'

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News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 21:15 IST

Kunal Kamra was replying to Devendra Fadnavis, who earlier today, called the former "worthless" and suggested that he should be "politically ignored."

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra. (Image via X)

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, who triggered a massive controversy with his recent gaddar remark directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ignore" him.

He further challenged Fadnavis saying that he would be organising his stand-up comedy shows in Maharashtras Thane, New Mumbai, Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Aurangabad later in October this year, so if he along with Eknath Shinde could ignore" him during the shows.

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Kamra was replying to Fadnavis, who earlier today, called the former worthless" and suggested that he should be politically ignored."

Speaking at an event organised by The Indian Express, Fadnavis remarked, I believe politically ignoring such people would be wiser. Inki Aukat Nahi Hai (They are not worth it), by reacting, you only elevate their stature. Theres no need to give them that importance Sometimes, especially in our party and our ally Shiv Sena, we are emotional people. We are not practical politicians. Our emotions often lead to reactions. Because of these reactions, he (Kunal Kamra) gained more attention. Otherwise, not even four people would listen to him."

Later, responded sarcastically to Fadnavis statement on social media. Sharing a clip of the Chief Ministers remarks, he said, Hello Devendra Fadnavis, youre right. Politically, its better to ignore me. I have no aukat & only 4 people watch my show. Please, can I be ignored? In October, I was planning shows in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and Aurangabad. Please coordinate with Mr Shinde & his Sena if I can be ignored."

Hello @Dev_Fadnavis youre right,Politically its better to ignore me.I have no Aukad & only 4 people watch my show. Please can I be ignored?October I was planning shows inThane  New Mumbai  Mumbai Pune  Nasik  Nagpur  AurangabadPlease coordinate with Mr Shinde pic.twitter.com/1yyho9Wtef Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) May 29, 2025

Kunal Kamra Row

Kamra stoked a row after giving a spin-off to a popular Hindi song in which he took a veiled dig at Shinde, calling him a gaddar" (traitor). He allegedly referred to the 2022 Maharashtra political crisis in which Shinde led the collapse of Uddhav Thackerays state government.

Recorded in February, the programme called Naya Bharat was uploaded on Kamras YouTube channel on March 23, drawing strong reactions from the Shiv Sainiks.

Shiv Sena leaders condemned his remarks, demanding an unconditional apology from him.

The controversy escalated into violence when Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Shindes Shiv Sena, vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where the show was filmed.

Despite having multiple clashes with the BJP-led Centre in the past, the comedian has refused to apologise for his remark but had expressed willingness to cooperate with the police.

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Three separate cases were filed against the stand-up comedian at Khar police station, with one complaint lodged by the Mayor of Jalgaon city and the other two by a hotelier and a businessman from Nashik, according to the Mumbai Police.

For the unversed, Kamra, in 2019 and 2024, contributed to the crowdfunding drive launched by Kanhaiya Kumar, who was then a Congress candidate from northeast Delhi, against the Bharatiya Janata Partys Manoj Tiwari.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 21:15 IST
'India Fought As A Sovereign Power, Pakistan As A Proxy': American Expert Hails Op Sindoor

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 14:07 IST

US expert John Spencer said Op Sindoor validated Indias defence self-reliance, exposed Pakistans proxy dependency, and dealt a credibility blow to Chinas weapons export model

Spencer concluded that India not only retaliated, but delivered a strategic messageto adversaries and partners alike. (File pic/PTI)

India has arrived as a self-reliant military powerand Operation Sindoor proved it. That is the verdict of John Spencer, one of the worlds foremost experts on modern warfare and Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Points Modern War Institute.

In his detailed analysis titled Indias Operation Sindoor: A Battlefield Verdict on Chinese WeaponsAnd Indias Victory, Spencer on Thursday described Indias military response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam as not merely retaliatory, but as a strategic stress test of Indias defence ecosystemand a moment of reckoning for Chinese military exports.

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Far from a limited tactical operation, Spencer argued, Operation Sindoor marked Indias emergence as a sovereign military power capable of fielding, operating, and succeeding with an indigenous arsenal under full-spectrum combat pressure.

India fought as a sovereign powerwielding precision tools it designed, built, and deployed with unmatched battlefield control," he wrote. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence."

INDIAS ARSENAL: DESIGNED AT HOME, PROVEN UNDER FIRE

According to Spencer, the defining feature of Indias success in Operation Sindoor was not just military precisionit was total control over the tools of war. A decade of strategic investment under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat had, he wrote, materialised into a self-sufficient, combat-ready arsenal.

Among the standout systems:

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: Co-developed with Russia but largely built in India, the BrahMos struck radar sites and hardened bunkers at high speed and with near-zero intercept risk.

Rudram-1: Indias first anti-radiation missile, used to neutralise enemy radar networkscrucial for enabling safe deep-strike air missions.

Akash SAM with Akashteer C2: A mobile, all-weather air defence system integrated with AI-powered battlefield control, enabling real-time coordination against multiple airborne threats.

Netra AEW&C: DRDOs airborne surveillance system played a decisive role in orchestrating Indian strikes and blinding the adversaryreportedly contributing to the destruction of Pakistans Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft.

Loitering Munitions (Harop, SkyStriker): Precision kamikaze drones assembled through Israeli joint ventures, used to eliminate radar installations and mobile targets with minimal collateral damage.

D4S Counter-UAV System: Indias multi-layered anti-drone suite, which neutralised dozens of Chinese-made UAVssignalling a major leap in domestic electronic warfare capabilities.

This arsenal, Spencer wrote, reflected a complete and operational indigenous military ecosystemone that fused technology, autonomy, and battlefield effectiveness.

PAKISTANS COLLAPSE: A PROXY WAR, NOT A PEER FIGHT

Spencer was sharply critical of Pakistans performance, describing it as a textbook case of strategic overdependence on foreign systemsparticularly those manufactured by China for export, not endurance.

When challenged, these systems failedexposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabads defence posture," he observed.

The JF-17 Thunder, designed in China and assembled in Pakistan, was unable to compete with Indian air dominance. Its limited radar and payload capabilities were insufficient against Indias electronic warfare systems and layered defences.

Pakistans air defence networkbased almost entirely on Chinese systemsalso collapsed under pressure:

HQ-9 and HQ-16 SAMs, Chinese imitations of Russian S-300 and Buk platforms, failed to intercept incoming missiles or loitering drones.

LY-80 and FM-90 short-range and medium-range systems were unable to detect or engage Indias low-flying strikes.

The CH-4 drones, widely used by Pakistan, were either jammed or destroyed.

Spencer noted that Turkish drone operators were reportedly brought in, exposing Pakistans reliance not only on foreign hardware, but also on overseas expertise to operate it.

Even the F-16s, Pakistans most capable aircraft, were absent from the battlefield due to US-imposed end-user restrictions prohibiting their use against India. Spencer argued this underscored the strategic fragility of nations reliant on conditional imports.

The final blow, he wrote, came with the destruction of Pakistans Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft, which crippled its aerial command and control. Spencer described it as a strategic blinding", adding that Pakistan lost not just equipment, but situational awareness itself.

By the end of the campaign," he wrote, Pakistan had lost key radar stations, its premier AEW&C aircraft, dozens of drones, and its ability to contest Indian airspace."

A STRATEGIC SIGNALAND A MARKET REACTION

Spencer emphasised that Operation Sindoor was more than retaliationit was a blueprint for 21st-century sovereign warfare. It showed what a country can achieve when it owns, operates, and refines its own systems across the full spectrum of warfarefrom radar to response, missiles to ISR.

India showed the world what self-reliance in modern warfare looks likeand proved that Atmanirbhar Bharat works under fire," he wrote.

The strategic signal had tangible consequences. Indian defence stocks surged:

Paras Defence & Space rose 49 per cent in May.

MTAR Technologies and Data Patterns also posted strong gains.

In contrast, Chinese defence giants AVIC, NORINCO, and CETC saw dips in investor confidence, as the battlefield performance of their systems dented export credibility.

THE STRATEGIC TAKEAWAY: INDIA HAS ARRIVED

Spencer concluded that India not only retaliated, but delivered a strategic messageto adversaries and partners alike.

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This wasnt just retaliation," he wrote. It was Indias proof-of-concept. A war waged and won on its own termswith tools of its own making."

For India, Operation Sindoor was not just a military successit was a sovereign assertion of capability, credibility, and control. It proved that Indias defence transformation is no longer aspirational. It is operational. Combat-tested. Real.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 13:44 IST
'Hand Over Terrorists, Vacate PoK': India Lays Down Terms For Talks After Shehbaz Sharif's Offer

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 23:08 IST

MEA Randhir Jaiswal made this statement after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said he was "ready to talk" with India

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indias position on Pakistan has always been clear and consistent. (PTI photos)

India has laid down firm conditions for any future talks with Pakistan, saying dialogue can only take place once Islamabad hands over wanted terrorists and vacates Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

This response came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently said he was ready to talk" with India to resolve longstanding issues." Relations between the two neighbours have remained tense, especially after Operation Sindoor, which India launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

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Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indias position on Pakistan has always been clear and consistent."

VIDEO | VIDEO | In response to a question on Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharifs statement (expressing a desire to engage in talks with India, including counterterrorism discussions), MEA spokesperson (@MEAIndia) Randhir Jaiswal said:I would like to begin by stating that our pic.twitter.com/CmhAJNP2yy  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 29, 2025

We want to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand," Jaiswal said. As far as terrorism is concerned, the discussion will be solely about Pakistan handing over to India the terrorists from the list provided to them several years ago."

He further stated that any talks on Jammu and Kashmir will only happen when Pakistan begins the process of vacating PoK.

For Jammu and Kashmir, any bilateral talks will only take place regarding the timeline and process for Pakistan to vacate PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir)," he added.

The MEA spokesman also made it clear that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended till Pakistan credibly and irrevocably" ends its support for cross-border terrorism.

As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism," Jaiswal stated.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added, terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together."

Ready To Talk To India: Sharif

On Monday, during a visit to Iran, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Islamabad was open to talks with India to resolve longstanding issues," including water security and Kashmir.

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Speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif said Pakistan was ready for dialogue to find solutions to problems, including Kashmir."

ALSO READ: Pakistans Water Woes Prompt Shehbaz To Push For Dialogue: Ready To Talk To India

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:29 IST
From YouTube Fame To Jail For 'Spying', Where Does The Jyoti Malhotra Case Stand Now?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 07:00 IST

Youtuber and travel influencer Jyoti Malhotra has been sent to judicial custody after the end of her police remand in the espionage case

Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel influencer, was among 12 people arrested from Punjab, Haryana and UP on suspicion of espionage. (Image: Travel With JO/YouTube)

Just a harmless travel blogger or a hardened spy? In a matter of weeks, Jyoti Malhotras life went from YouTube fame to being jailed on espionage charges. It almost looks like a plot from a spy thriller. Except that it is not.

Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel influencer, was among 12 people arrested from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over the past three weeks on suspicion of espionage, with investigators suspecting the presence of a Pakistan-linked spy network operating in north India.

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Malhotra, who is from Haryanas Hisar, ran a YouTube channel  Travel with JO". She has been booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

She has pleaded innocence before her father, Harish Malhotra, who visited her in jail and later spoke to the media about his daughter. Setting aside the emotionality of the matter, videos have emerged  one of which is her own  painting a picture of alleged closeness to Pakistani officials and giving a glimpse into her high-security visit to Pakistan.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT LEGAL STATUS OF THE CASE?

On May 26, Malhotra was sent to judicial custody after the end of her police remand in the espionage case. She was produced in court.

A police spokesperson said they did not seek her further remand after which the court sent her to jail. Last week, the court had extended her police remand by four days when she was produced before the court at the end of her five-day police remand.

HOW FAR HAS THE INVESTIGATION PROGRESSED?

Apart from the Haryana police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and military intelligence officials have also questioned Malhotra. Investigations have revealed that she visited Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and some other countries.

After her arrest, the police, which seized her three mobile phones and a laptop, sent the articles for forensic examination. Her four bank accounts are also being examined.

According to police sources, data from the Youtubers gadgets has been recovered. Nearly 10-12 terabytes of data has been recovered. Further investigation in this regard is under progress," they said.

Police sources had said she was in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November 2023. India expelled Danish on May 13 for his alleged links in espionage. She was also allegedly in touch with Danish during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan that followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, they had said.

Over the past three weeks since she was arrested, however, the media scrutiny over Malhotra has been intense. After some reports carried speculation and hearsay, particularly about her personal life and character, the Hisar police had last week issued a press release putting out bare facts such as a list of gadgets seized from her, and clarified that the forensic reports were not yet in.

The police said there is no evidence to indicate that she had access to any military or defence-related information. But, they said, she was definitely in contact with some people, knowing that they were Pakistani intelligence operatives.

It is noticed that while the investigation is onmany baseless reports are circulating in the media," the police release in Hindi said, adding that such false reporting impacts not only the investigation but also national security".

Point by point, the police rebutted false reports. About her personal life, in particular, the police release said there was nothing yet suggesting that she had married any Pakistani official or converted to another religion.

WHAT ARE THE VIDEOS FROM HER PAKISTAN TRIPS?

Malhotra has travelled thrice to Pakistan and posted the videos of these visits on her YouTube channel and Instagram page. Videos related to her trip to Lahore have gone viral after her arrest. These purportedly show that she was provided high security during the visit to the neighbouring country.

The video is mostly of her roaming the streets and describing her experience as an Indian walking the streets of Lahore. But, it also shows that she is surrounded by gunmen armed with AK-47s, and she was followed by the security cover wherever she visited. At one point, officials even blocked traffic movement for her convenience.

Malhotra, during her trip, visited Lahores Valmiki Mandir, where she was spotted interacting with a security official. A special door at Shahi Qila (Lahore Fort) was opened for you. It is the oldest door there. Now that you are here, do visit Anarkali Bazar (also in Lahore)," she is told.

Another video is by Scottish Youtuber Callum Mill, who was also present at the spot, and expressed surprise at seeing an armed security detail surrounding Malhotra at Anarkali Bazar. He was seen briefly interacting with her and is heard saying: Look at all the guns she has got surrounding her. Theres about six gunmen surrounding her."

The videos have managed to raise more questions about her interaction with high-profile Pakistani officials. One of her other videos reveals that she attended an iftar dinner at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi last year.

She had also posted the video, expressing an interest in visiting Pakistan and asking almost everyone she met to help her get a visa. In that video, she is seen interacting with Danish, who was declared persona non grata and asked to leave India within 24 hours for committing espionage and leaking sensitive information regarding the movements of the Indian Army.

The FIR against Malhotra mentioned that she met Danish in 2023 at the High Commission and has been in touch with him since. He allegedly played the role of her handler and facilitated her introduction to Pakistani intelligence operatives.

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In the purported video with Danish, she describes the atmosphere at the High Commission. I am mesmerised. I have no words. I am excited, super duper excited. Bhaisahab, main to hil gayi (I am so impressed)," she is heard saying.

She was also seen interacting with several attendees and asking whether they have visited Pakistan, saying I want to go, too". Hopefully I will get a visa, well go together," she had said to a fellow YouTuber.

About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:00 IST
Maharashtra ATS Arrests Man For Providing Key Information To Pakistani Intelligence Agent

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 17:37 IST

As per the anti-terror agency, the three suspects were allegedly working for Pakistan Intelligence Office (PIO).

d for Providing Sensitive Information to Pakistani Intelligence Agent (Representative/News18)

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police apprehended a man on charges of espionage in Thane district on Thursday. Based on a tip-off, officials of the Thane unit of the ATS took the man in custody along with two others.

As per the anti-terror agency, the accused was allegedly working for Pakistan Intelligence Office (PIO) and was providing key intelligence information to Islamabad.

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The accused, whose name was not disclosed, worked for an important organisation in Mumbai, and was honey-trapped" by a Pakistani agent who posed as a woman and befriended him on Facebook, an official told news agency PTI.

He was found to have shared sensitive information about a vital installation with the `Pakistan Intelligence Operative through WhatsApp from November 2024 to March 2025, the official said.

The man was arrested after preliminary interrogation under section 3 of the Official Secrets Act which deals with espionage, and section 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The other two were let off after an inquiry.

The development comes as a series of revelations regarding Pakistani spy networks in India. Several Indians were arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan including a CRPF personnel Moti Ram Jat from Rajasthan, a contractual health worker Sahdevsinh Gohil posted in the border district of Kutch, a YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana who has several lakhs of subscribers. She was arrested in Haryana this month. She had travelled to Pakistan a number of times.

Earlier today, a Rajasthan government employee was detained in Jaisalmer on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan with sources saying he worked as an assistant to former Congress minister Shale Mohammad.

Shakur Khan, who works in the district employment office, was found to have phone numbers associated with Pakistan stored on his device, an official said.

Prior to this months conflict, Pakistanis and Indians were able to travel to each others countries, but it has long been very difficult to obtain visas due to government bureaucracy and historical mistrust.

The relations between India and Pakistan hit rock bottom after the neighbouring country resorted to a terror attack in Kashmirs iconic Pahalgam, killing 26 innocent tourists on April 22.

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In response, India, on the intervening night of May 7 and 8, launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan and destroyed multiple terror targets there.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 17:37 IST
Operation Shield: Civil Defence Mock Drill In J&K Postponed To May 31

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 20:56 IST

The civil defence exercise 'Operation Shield' has been postponed to May 31 from May 29. It will be conducted across Jammu and Kashmir to review emergency preparedness.

The mock drill for operational preparedness under 'Operation Shield' will be conducted on Saturday across Jammu and Kashmir. (Image: PTI)

The comprehensive civil defence exercise named Operation Shield in Jammu and Kashmir has been postponed to Saturday, May 31. Initially, the mock drill was scheduled to be conducted on Thursday, May 29.

The mock drill for operational preparedness under Operation Shield will be conducted on Saturday across Jammu and Kashmir. The mock drill was originally planned to be carried out in various districts of Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir amid ongoing tension with Pakistan. The drill was scheduled to begin at 5pm. As per media reports, the decision of postponing the drill was taken due to administrative reasons," though no further details were immediately provided.

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Haryana announced the postponement late on Wednesday. The announcement was made by Home Secretary, Haryana, and IAS Sumita Misra on social media platform X.

The comprehensive civil defence exercise, Operation Shield," which was scheduled to be conducted on Thursday has been postponed. All Deputy Commissioners and other stakeholders have been informed about the same (sic)," Misra tweeted on Wednesday.

Initially, Operation Shield was planned to be conducted across all 22 districts of Haryana between 5 pm and 9 pm. Rajasthan, which had also planned a same civil defence exercise mock drill in all its 41 districts, issued a similar order for postponement. Similarly, Chandigarh also postponed the mock drill, clarifying that there would be no blackout or mock drill" on Thursday.

Punjab To Conduct Drill on June 3

Further, Punjab requested a postponement of the exercise due to its civil defence staff currently undergoing training with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Centre approved Punjabs proposal to conduct the drill on June 3.

These mock drills were announced days after similar mock drills were conducted across the nation to review the readiness during emergencies like war, missile attacks, or aerial strikes. These mock drills were carried out just a few hours before India retaliated Pahalgam terror attack by launching Operation Sindoor against terrorists in Pakistan.

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The military operation successfully targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the April 22 terror attack which had claimed 26 lives, mostly of tourists.

The second drill aims to review emergency preparedness and address lapses that came to fore during the first exercise held on May 7.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:51 IST
By Gabriel Araujo

(Reuters) -Brazilian airline Azul on Wednesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, it said in a securities filing, after months of trying to restructure mostly pandemic-era debt.

The move, which may scupper a potential merger with peer Gol, makes the carrier the latest Latin American airline to file for bankruptcy in the aftermath of the severe industry fallout from the initial months of COVID-19.

Sao Paulo-traded shares of Azul fell as much as 12% after the filing, before paring losses to trade down around 3% in the afternoon. The stock is now down 70% year-to-date.

A restructuring deal includes a commitment of $1.6 billion in financing throughout the process, elimination of more than $2 billion of debt, and a commitment of up to $950 million in equity financing upon emergence, the carrier said.

"We had too much debt on the balance sheet that principally came from COVID. We now have an opportunity to clean it all up," Chief Executive John Rodgerson told Reuters in an interview.

Azul said it had entered into agreements with key financial stakeholders, including existing bondholders, aircraft lessor AerCap, and strategic partners United Airlines and American Airlines to support the restructuring.

"We believe we could be in and out prior to the end of the year," Rodgerson said. "The exit is sometimes the most difficult part of this process. So we're already entering with the exit in mind, and exiting with the financing lined up."

Azul's move follows in the footsteps of Aeromexico, Colombia-based Avianca and its two largest rivals, Gol and LATAM Airlines, all of which filed for bankruptcy.

"This development comes as no major surprise," analysts at JPMorgan said in a note to clients, saying the bankruptcy process should lead to significant equity dilution and downgrading their recommendation on the stock to "Underweight" from "Neutral."

SOARING INTEREST PAYMENTS

Azul last year struck a deal with lessors to scrap $550 million in debt in exchange for an equity stake of around 20%, as well as a deal with bondholders to raise an additional $500 million.

But factors such as high costs, supply-chain issues delaying aircraft deliveries and maintenance plans, as well as a weaker Brazilian real, have kept the company under pressure.

"What I used to pay in interest in 2019 has gone up 10 times with a currency that is 50% weaker," Rodgerson said.

United and American agreed to invest up to $300 million to backstop an equity rights offering to repay the airline's debtor-in-possession financing when it emerges from bankruptcy.
'Our Armed Forces Made Terrorists Realise Sindoor's Power': PM Modi In Bengal

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 14:54 IST

Speaking from "the land of Sindoor Khela", a Bengali Hindu ritual symbolizing marital sanctity, PM Modi highlighted the gravity of the recent attack in Pahalgam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address in West Bengal, invoked the cultural symbolism of Sindoor Khela to underscore Indias strength in the face of terror. Speaking from what he called the land of Sindoor Khela," a revered Bengali Hindu tradition that celebrates marital sanctity and feminine strength, PM Modi said, Its necessary to speak on terrorism."

He acknowledged the deep anger among the people of Bengal, emphasizing the collective grief and determination that followed the April 22nd terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

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India Wont Tolerate Any Terrorist Attack, PM Modi Says

In a pointed and uncompromising message to Pakistan, the Prime Minister said, India will now not tolerate any terrorist attack." Reaffirming the nations tough stance, he added that the enemy will have to pay a heavy price" for any future acts of aggression.

Calling West Bengal the land of the Bengal Tiger," PM Modi aligned the states symbolic ferocity with Indias broader national resolve. This is the land that knows how to fight back," he said.

Operation Sindoor Has Not Ended Yet, PM Modi Declares In Bengal

The Prime Minister also made a significant reference to the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign, stating, Operation Sindoor has not ended yet," indicating a continued and relentless crackdown on those behind terrorist activities.

India entered Pakistans home and hit them three times", PM Modi said as he emphasised on a decisive shift in Indias strategy against cross-border terrorism.

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Earlier, addressing a rally in Sikkim virtually, PM Modi said that India gave a stern answer karara jawab to Pakistan and the terrorists through Operation Sindoor.

We send a clear message to terrorists and their patrons. In Operation Sindoor we gave a karara jawab stern answer to them. Frustrated Pakistan tried to attack our citizens and soldiers. But Pakistan was exposed and we destroyed their airbases," he said.

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 14:26 IST
'Pakistan's True Nature Exposed': PM Modi Says India Responded Decisively With Airbase Attacks

Curated By :

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Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:26 IST

PM Modi said that India retaliated by destroying Pakistani bases, demonstrating the nation's capabilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Pakistans true nature has been exposed" following attacks on Indias civilians and armed forces. The Prime Minister said, in his virtual address marking Sikkims 50th statehood anniversary, that India retaliated by destroying Pakistani bases, thereby demonstrating the nations capabilities. In Operation Sindoor, India inflicted significant damage on Pakistani airbases including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, and Pasrur.

Pakistan attacked our civilians and armed forces, but Pakistans true nature has been exposed," PM Modi declared.

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He added, We destroyed their bases and showed what India is capable of and when."

Read more: Showed What We Can Do: PM Modi Hails Op Sindoor, Says India Gave Befitting Reply To Terrorists

PM Modi Says Terrorists Sought to Divide India

Strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, PM Modi said that the act was not merely an assault on tourists or Indians, but a direct strike on the spirit of humankind" and the very essence of brotherhood.

PM Modi said that the terrorists objective was to sow division.

What terrorists did in Pahalgam was not just attack on tourists, but attack on spirit of humankind," the Prime Minister said.

He emphasized, Terrorists tried to divide us, Pahalgam attack was just not an attack on Indians it was an attack on brotherhood."

PM Modi Says India Gave Befitting Reply To Pakistan

Despite these attempts, PM Modi highlighted Indias resilience and unity, saying, They tried to divide us but today world is watching that we are together."

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The Prime Minister affirmed Indias strong response to such acts, stating, We gave karara jawab (a befitting reply) to terrorists."

Operation Sindoor was launched as a direct and strategic military retaliation to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The operation was aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralizing cross-border threats emanating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : Sikkim, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:10 IST
'Shameless': Pawan Khera's Reminder To Tharoor On 2016 Surgical Strikes 'Exploitation' By BJP

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 14:42 IST

Pawan Khera subtly slammed Shashi Tharoor by sharing a 2018 excerpt from Tharoors own book, wherein he condemned the BJPs politicisation of surgical strikes.

Pawan Khera (L)/Shashi Tharoor (R) (Photos: PTI)

Hours after Shashi Tharoor asserted his remark on the surgical strike was distorted, Congress leader Pawan Khera shared an excerpt from the formers 2018 book The Paradoxical Prime Minister.

The part of the text shared by Khera highlighted Tharoors criticism of the shameless exploitation" of the 2016 surgical strikes as an election tool by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

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I agree with that Dr Shashi Tharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018  The Paradoxical Prime Minister. #ReadingNow," read Pawan Kheras X post, which appeared to subtly critique Tharoors recent remarks praising the Modi governments Operation Sindoor.

The underlined passage from Tharoors book, as shared by Pawan Khera, read, The shameless exploitation of the 2016 surgical strikes along the Line of Control with Pakistan, and a military raid in hot pursuit of rebels in Myanmar, as party election toolsomething the Congress had never done despite having authorized several such strikes earliermarked a particularly disgraceful dilution of the principle that national security issues require both discretion and non-partisanship."

I agree with that Dr @ShashiTharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018  The Paradoxical Prime Minister. #ReadingNow pic.twitter.com/hAhsfwH0JT Pawan Khera  (@Pawankhera) May 29, 2025

Kheras post comes in the wake of Tharoors statements in Panama, where he lauded Indias counter-terrorism measures, including the 2016 Uri surgical strike and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, as marking a shift in Indias approach to terrorism.

In an X post on Thursday, Tharoor clarified and pointed out that he spoke only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.

After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight where with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I dont really have time for this  but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past, I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars," he said.

My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB," Shashi Tharoor clarified.

ALSO READ | India Will Not Turn The Other Cheek: Shashi Tharoor Reaffirms Firm Stance Against Terrorism

Recently, Udit Raj criticised Tharoor over his statement in Panama as part of the multi-party delegation and called him a spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP".

Later, Pawan Khera and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also endorsed Udit Rajs criticism, signalling that all is not well within the party.

Tharoor is leading an all-party delegation to put forth Indias stance against terrorism.

His delegation is on a tour to the United States, Guyana, Panama and other nations.

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Tharoor was not among the official choices suggested by the Congress to the government for the outreach delegations.

ALSO READ | When Was the First Surgical Strike? Armys Stand Backs Shashi Tharoor, But Congress Disagrees

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 14:29 IST
'Police Working 24*7': Meghalaya CM Conard Sangma On Missing Indore Couple

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 21:54 IST

In the wake of the incident, the Meghalaya CM also spoke to his Madhya Pradesh counterpart, assuring all possible help.

Meghalaya Conard Sangma

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conard Sangma on Thursday informed that he was personally monitoring the case of a missing Indore couple. He also termed it an unfortunate incident".

In the recent few days, an unfortunate incident happened where a couple, a newlywed couple from the state of Madhya Pradesh, had come to Meghalaya, to the Sohra, Cherrapunji area, and we got reports that they went missing. Its a very unfortunate situation," said CM Sangma.

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The Meghalaya Police has deployed drones and sniffer dogs to search for the couple.

CM Conard also informed that the couple had rented a bike that was found on the same day they went missing.

It looks like after leaving the bike there, they have gone off-road to hike. The area that they went to, both sides have hiking treks, they are very steep. Keeping in mind the monsoon season, the area is very slippery. The search area is very, very big. We are working very hard to trace them. We are hopeful that we will be able to find them," he said.

Shillong, Meghalaya: CM Conrad Sangma says, In the recent few days, an unfortunate incident had happened where a couple, a newly wed couple from the state of Madhya Pradesh had come to Meghalaya, to Sohra, Cherrapunji area and we got reports that they went missing. Its a very pic.twitter.com/7dDHQjhsaE IANS (@ians_india) May 29, 2025

He also expressed hope to get a positive response, adding that all the villages have offered their help and are tirelessly working along with the administration".

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sangma also spoke to his Madhya Pradesh counterpart and assured all possible help.

Today, drones and special dog squads were pressed into service to search for the couple who went missing since Sunday evening," a senior home department official told PTI on Wednesday.

The incident came to light on May 24 when a scooter was found abandoned at a cafe along the road from Shillong to Sohra. A search operation was launched for the missing couple right after that.

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To date, we do not have verified reports confirming the couples movements, and their phone remained switched off," a senior police officer involved in the search operation told PTI on Wednesday.

Location : Meghalaya, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 21:54 IST
Rajasthan Govt Employee Arrested For Spying For ISI, Visited Pakistan 7 Times

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 10:44 IST

The staffer was identified as Shakur Khan Manganiyar, who was arrested from his office in Jaisalmer. He was allegedly in touch with Pakistani High Commission.

Rajasthan govt employee arrested for "spying" for Pakistan (PTI Image)

A Rajasthan government employee has been arrested in Jaisalmer for allegedly spying for Pakistans ISI, amid a nationwide crackdown on espionage networks across the country after the May 7-10 Operation Sindoor.

The arrested employee was identified as Shakur Khan Manganiyar, who was picked up by a joint team of CID and intelligence agencies from his office in Jaisalmer. Khan, who was employed with the states employment department, may be shifted to Jaipur for further questioning.

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The intelligence and security agencies will conduct a joint interrogation. Initial investigation has established his alleged contacts with the Pakistani High Commission.

The employee hails from Dhani in Baroda village near the Pakistan border. He was reportedly under surveillance for some time.

According to reports, the authorities discovered several phone numbers relating to Pakistan (mobile numbers beginning with +92). Khan was unable to issue satisfactory explanations during the interrogation. The employee also confessed that he had travelled to Pakistan at least seven times in recent years, Times of India reported.

A top cop said that the authorities launched investigation after receiving inputs from higher headquarters" over his suspicious movements.

The officials said that though no direct photos or videos relating to the military were recovered from his phone, they added that the man had deleted several files from his device. His two bank accounts are also under the radar.

According to the report, Khan may have ties to an official at Pakistans embassy, indicating possible coordination with his ISI handlers.

His arrest is part of a wider crackdown across Punjab and Haryana on individuals suspected of spying for Pakistan.

Since May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, at least seven people have been arrested in espionage-related cases in the two states.

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Jyoti Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Hisar, was among the key suspects arrested in recent weeks. She is accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani handlers. She, too, had visited Pakistan multiple times and is accused of attempting to brainwash Indians and paint a better picture of Pakistan in the minds of Indians through her videos.

On May 11, Punjab Police arrested two individuals in Malerkotla. Haryana Police made two more arrests on May 13 and May 15. Two people working inside the Bathinda military station were detained on May 7 and May 14 on similar charges.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Rajasthan, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:18 IST
'PoK Residents Part Of Our Country, One Day They'll Join Us': Rajnath Singh's Big Statement

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Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 12:52 IST

Rajnath Singh said that residents of PoK are Indians and deeply connected to India. He also expressed confidence that PoK will one day reunite with India.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the CII Annual General Meeting & Business Summit 2025, in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said those residing in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are Indias own people and will one day return to the country, saying that they are Indians.

Addressing an event in New Delhi, Rajnath Singh also said that India could have done much more when retaliating to Pakistans terror attacks, and that we exercised restraint with power during the Operation Sindoor.

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The Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is our own people. Most of the people in PoK feel a deep connection with India, there are only a few who have been misled."

We have full faith that those of our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today will also return to the mainstream of India someday, listening to their voice of the soul," he added.

India always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by walking on the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part, PoK, will return and say, I am India, I have returned," he said.

In his remarks, Singh also highlighted Indias domestic defence capabilities.

Our home-grown systems during Operation Sindoor have shocked the entire world, proving that we possess the strength to penetrate any enemys armour," the Defence Minister said.

We could have done something else too, but restraint is required with power," the Defence Minister said, as he addressed the inaugural plenary of CII Annual Business Summit-2025 in the national capital.

Through Operation Sindoor, today it has been proved that Make in India is important for national security," he added.

Today, we are not just building fighter jets or missile systems, but we are also preparing for New Age Warfare Technology," he said.

ALSO READ | This Is Just The Trailer: How Rajnath Singh Became The Steely Voice Of Operation Sindoor

Rajnath Singh also reiterated how India, during its retaliatory strikes against Pakistan, destroyed terror hideouts and military bases there, making a coordination between strength and restraint.

You have seen how we first destroyed terrorist hideouts, and then the enemys military bases, airbases," Singh said.

Under the banner of self-reliance, we are continuously achieving success in critical and frontier technologies as well. Indias grip in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security is now firmly established on the global stage," he said.

Also slamming Pakistan for shielding terrorism, the Defence Minister said, Running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective; rather, it may come with a heavy price, as Pakistan has realised today."

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We have redesigned and redefined both Indias strategy and response against terrorism. We have recalibrated our engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan. Now, whenever there are talks, it will be only on terrorism and the PoK," Singh said.

ALSO READ | Rajnath Singh: We Brought Pakistan Army To Its Knees, But Made Sure Civilians Werent Harmed

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:12 IST
Several Karnataka Muslim Congress Workers Resign Over Mangaluru Murder

Curated By :

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Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 19:12 IST

The resignation comes two days after one Abdul Rahiman was killed by two motorcycle-borne youths, who attacked him with a sword.

Congress leaders during protest over Mangaluru murder (Credits: X)

Several Karnataka Congress workers of the Muslim community tendered their resignations today, May 29, in Dakshina Kannada district, in the wake of the murders of youth belonging to their community.

The party members resigned during a protest meeting held to demand strict action against the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. They also alleged the failure of the government to protect the minorities.

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Notably, a 32-year-old man was killed in Bantwal taluk while he, along with his co-worker, was unloading gravel. Two motorcycle-borne youths attacked the duo with a sword on Tuesday, killing Abdul Rahiman.

Meanwhile, Kalandar Shafi, 29, who was also attacked, is currently undergoing treatment.

An FIR was filed under sections 191(1), 191(2), 191(3), 118(1), 118(2), 109, and 103 of the 190 BNS 2023.

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada District Police on Thursday arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of Abdul Rahiman and the serious assault on Kalandar Shafi.

The accused have been identified as 21-year-old Deepak, 21-year-old Pruthviraj and 19-year old Chintan, according to Dakshina Kannada District Police.

Communal tensions have erupted in the district following the incident. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reviewed the law and order situation on Thursday and insisted that communal harmony must prevail and hatred must end in Dakshina Kannada district.

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The CM visited the residence of Congress MLC BK Hariprasad to discuss the prevailing situation. Following his visit, he said, We had a general discussion on the prevailing situation in Mangaluru. There should be communal harmony in that region. There should not be any hatred among Hindus and Muslims. We have to bring harmony there, for which we had a discussion."

He also assured justice to the victims and said,"We will take action as per law against anyone involved in it irrespective of how influential that person is. No one is above the law. Law alone is above all."

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 18:57 IST
'India Will Not Turn The Other Cheek': Shashi Tharoor Reaffirms Firm Stance Against Terrorism

Curated By :

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Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 08:35 IST

Shashi Tharoor reaffirmed that India will firmly respond to any future terrorist attacks by Pakistan, rejecting any notion of turning the other cheek.

A file photo of Shashi Thraoor (PTI)

Reaffirming Indias stance against terrorism, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said India will not turn the other cheek and will respond to any further attacks by Pakistan.

Referencing his remark, Tharoor also emphasised the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi to live without fear.

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The Congress MP, leading a multi-party delegation to Panama, was speaking at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in the city.

He (Mahatma Gandhi) also taught us in his brave leadership in our struggle for freedom that we must always stand up for our rights," Shashi Tharoor said.

We must always stand up in principle for the values we believe in, and we must live without fear that freedom from fear is what we in India have to fight for these days against the evil attacks of malign men who are called by the world as terrorists, but who believe that by doing this kind of thing of coming into our country, killing innocent people and going off again that they will somehow achieve some larger political or religious cause," he added.

That is not something that any self-respecting country will give in to, and even the land of Mahatma Gandhi will not turn the other cheek when this happens, we will respond," Tharoor added.

Speaking at the event, the Congress MP also slammed the Pakistan Army for a funeral for terrorists killed during Indias Operation Sindoor.

When we struck their terror headquarters, we took some lives, and of course, a funeral was conducted. There were some very prominent people at that funeral. There was at least one individual whose name had been listed by the United Nations Sanctions Committee. It was people in uniform from the highest threat echelons of the Pakistani Army and police mourning at the funeral of designated terrorists," Tharoor said.

This is the country that now says we are innocent. We did not do it. You do not mourn for people you do not know," the Congress MP said.

ALSO READ | We Heard Cries: In Panama, Shashi Tharoor Explains Why Op Sindoor Was Necessary

Also speaking on the Pahalgam attack, Shashi Tharoor said the motive behind the terror attack was to undermine India and to undermine the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.

This terrorist action was in pursuance of a cynical set of objectives that sadly only the Pakistani military seems to want to pursue to undermine our country, to undermine the Kashmiri economy, which was booming with tourism," he said.

I was told by my friend, the Indian Ambassador to Washington, that there were more tourists in this place in Kashmir in Pahalgam than in Aspen, Colorado," Tharoor said.

On Wednesday, the Tharoor-led delegation met the President of the Republic of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, at the Presidential house.

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The delegation led by Tharoor includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora.

ALSO READ | Shashi Tharoor Exposes Pakistan On Global Stage, Congress Labels Him BJPs Super Spokesperson

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:35 IST
'They Are Cousins, Tamil Is Not Kannada's Mother': Kannadigas Hit Back At Kamal Haasan

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:40 IST

Kannada linguists and scholars have come forward with documents to prove that all Dravidian languages came from a Proto-Dravidian language more than 2,000 years ago

Kamal Haasan said Kannada came from Tamil, igniting a row. (PTI)

Renowned actor and politician Kamal Haasan seems to have unwittingly waded into a controversy over the origin of Kannada language. At a promotion of his new movie Thug Life", Haasan said that Kannada came from Tamil implying that Tamil is the mother language of Kannada. He made this highly controversial statement in the presence of Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, son of thespian, the late Rajkumar.

Haasans statement has led to a public outcry against him in Karnataka. Including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, all political leaders of the state cutting across parties, have strongly condemned his remarks, demanding an apology. Haasan has refused to apologise saying he made this comment out of love. The Karnataka Film Industry is now under pressure to extract an apology from Haasan.

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People are also questioning the silence of Shivarajkumar, who kept quiet and did not counter Haasan on the stage. They argue that Kannada is an independent Dravidian language like Tamil and other languages.

Kannada linguists and scholars have come forward with documents to prove that all Dravidian languages, including some languages spoken by the minuscule number of people (in hundreds) came from a Proto-Dravidian language more than 2,000 years ago. They claim that this language was spoken by the Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilisation which predates the arrival of Aryans from Central Asia.

Professor Ham Pa Nagarajaiah, a renowned Kannada scholar and linguist has termed Haasans statement as stupid, which is completely false.

He said that all Dravidian languages including two of the oldest Tamil and Kannada came from a Proto-Dravidian language which no longer exists. He added that Kannada and Tamil are cousin languages which belong to the same family and no language is the mother of another language.

Kannada Development Authority chairman and a well respected linguist Professor Purushottama Bilimale has also attacked Kamal for his insensitive and false comment.

Describing his remarks as insulting and inflammatory, Bilimale said that Kannada, Tamil, Tulu, Telugu, Malayalam and another hundred plus languages came from a Proto-Dravidian language. Speaking to News18, he said that proto-Dravidian language no longer exists. The linguists have reconstructed it and proved that it is the mother of all Dravidian languages. There is a language called Kuyi, spoken in Orissa which is older than Tamil and it is also a Dravidian language."

He cautioned that claiming that one language is the mother of another language is a dangerous thing and it is born out of superiority complex.

He has also criticised the people who claim that Sanskrit is the mother language of all Indian languages. He said that Sanskrit is an Indo-Aryan language and over centuries a lot of Sanskrit words have entered the Dravidian languages. But that does not make Sanskrit mother of any Dravidian language.

It is an established fact that Kannada, Tamil, Tulu, Telugu, Malayalam, Kodava, Havyaka, Badaga, Thoda and many other languages are proto-Dravidian languages. They are cousins, belong to the same language family. No language is a mother of another language. They are independent, yet linked to each others. Sometimes closely.

What Kamal Haasan has said is nothing new. Over 55 years ago, Rajaji had said (actually wrote) something similar about Kannada and Tamil. Rajaji wrote that Kannada came from Tamil and the Kannada script came from Telugu!

There were protests against his statement in Karnataka, initially he refused to apologise. A few months later, he apologised and the issue was resolved.

And, Rajaji was an eminent scholar. No one had expected a man of his scholarship and stature to say something so stupid and completely false. Rajaji gave no evidence to support his claim.

Another renowned historian and linguist, the late Professor S Shettar, has concluded that Kannada may be 200 years older than Tamil. He has pointed out that many Kannada words are found in Sangham literature of Tamil.

He has also written about the close trade ties between Kannada rulers and the Greek. A book full of Kannada words was found at Alexandria library, over 2,000 years ago.

Kannada organisations, which are protesting against Haasan have even lodged a police complaint alleging he is creating a language tension between two neighbouring states.

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The BJP which claims Sanskrit is the mother language of all Indian languages has gone after Haasan demanding his apology. The BJPs response has come under criticism for its double standards.

Will Kamal Haasan also apologise for his tone deaf" comments like Rajaji or let it go? The future of his movies might force him to rethink.

About the Author D P Satish Assistant Editor D P Satish has been a journalist for the past 21 years. Born at the picturesque Jog Falls in Shimoga district of Karnataka, Satish did his graduation in English Literature. He is a post-graduate in Journalism f... Read More D P Satish has been a journalist for the past 21 years. Born at the picturesque Jog Falls in Shimoga district of Karnataka, Satish did his graduation in English Literature. He is a post-graduate in Journalism f... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:40 IST
This Father Visits Drass Every Year To Keep A Promise Made To His Fallen Soldier Son In Kargil

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 23:37 IST

In his final letter, Lt. Vijyant Thapar asked his father to visit the place where he and his comrades had bravely stood their ground and laid down their lives.

Col Virender Thapar travels every year from Delhi to Drass

Every year, during the months of May and June, a man travels from Delhi to Drass in Kargil to keep a promise he made to his son years ago. The story of Colonel Virender Thapars journey to Kargil is one of love, pride, and a remarkable father-son bond.

Between May and July of 1999, India fought the Kargil War against terrorists who had infiltrated Indian territory and occupied strategic peaks. Indian soldiers fought bravely to regain control of the area.

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As many as 527 Indian soldiers were martyred in the war, including 22-year-old Lieutenant Vijyant Thapar, the son of Colonel Virender Thapar.

In his final letter, Lt. Vijyant Thapar asked his father to visit the place where he and his comrades had bravely stood their ground and laid down their lives.

Honoring that promise, Colonel Thapar visits Drass every year to pay tribute to his sons courage and sacrifice.

a fathers pilgrimage to a small temple for his son who fell fight ing @22 during Kargil war. pic.twitter.com/UHMIPbOF8m virender thapar (@Thapar77Thapar) August 3, 2017

According to a report by The Telegraph, Captain Thapar also requested his parents to donate to an orphanage and to continue giving Rs 50 regularly to a young girl named Ruksana.

Meanwhile, a picture of Col. Virender Thapar standing at IGI Airport has also gone viral on social media.

Several netizens have reacted to the post, calling it a touching gesture.

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Touching. Warm hug to the father," one user wrote on X.

Another commented, The Armed Forces of this country were venerable once. Stories like these are a testament to the character of the men who truly served to protect us."

First Published: May 29, 2025, 23:25 IST
'Trade Issue Didn't Come Up': MEA Again Rejects Trump's Claims On India-Pakistan Ceasefire

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 16:31 IST

The Ministry of External Affairs denied that trade issue came up, days after Trump took credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor.

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands, at the White House in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The Ministry Of External Affairs on Thursday once again rejected the claims of any discussions of trade being held with the United States in the discussions that took place between the two countries since India launched Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

While addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, I refer to you the position made clear on 13th May. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7 May, issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of these discussions. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had also clarified it was established directly through DGMOs."

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Jaiswal further reiterated that the ceasefire plea came from Islamabad, specifically from Pakistans Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO), who reached out to his counterpart in Delhi. There was no American intervention during Operation Sindoor.

In its May 13th briefing, Jaiswal had said that India had a firm stance that it would not give in to nuclear blackmail or allow cross-border terrorism to be conducted invoking it. In conversations with various countries, we also cautioned that their subscribing to such scenarios could hurt them in their own region," he had said.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump time and again asserted that he had settled" the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, attributing the resolution to his efforts in pursuing trade agreements with both nations.

The US President has consistently maintained that he played a pivotal role in de-escalating the conflict between India and Pakistan.

Immediately after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan last week, Trump had claimed he mediated between the two nations. Posting on Truth Social, Trump had said, After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

He had also portrayed the ceasefire as a major diplomatic success, stating that he had prevented a potential nuclear war and even envisioned the leaders of India and Pakistan dining together in peace.

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However, India has stated that the recent ceasefire with Pakistan was a bilateral agreement, worked out directly between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. India has consistently denied any third-party mediation emphasising that the decision to halt military actions was a result of direct communication between New Delhi and Islamabad and not linked to any trade discussions.

Earlier government sources told CNN-News18 that there was no reference to trade in talks between top leaders of India and the US during the India-Pakistan military conflict. Notably, US Vice President JD Vance spoke to PM Modi on May 9, where trade was not discussed.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:31 IST
Two Hybrid Terrorists Of Lashkar Nabbed In J&K's Shopian

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 10:55 IST

An FIR has been registered against the two individuals, and a thorough investigation is underway, according to officials.

The two terrorists surrendered to Shopian police after an operation was launched in the Baskuchan area. (X/@ANI)

Two Hybrid militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have been caught by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian district. Hybrid militants are those who are not listed as ultras but are radicalised enough to carry out a terror strike and then slip back into routine life.

According to the official statement issued by police, the two terrorists were identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam. They were caught after security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) on Wednesday night in the Baskuchan area of Poonch.

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The police said that two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds (7.62x39mm), two hand grenades and two pouches were also recovered from the terrorists.

The area was effectively cordoned, and the movement of terrorists was observed in a nearby orchard. Swift and strategic action by the forces led to the successful surrender of two LeT hybrid terrorists, averting a potential encounter," officials told news agency PTI.

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An FIR has been registered against the two individuals, and a thorough investigation is underway, according to officials.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:55 IST
'Showed What We Can Do': PM Modi Hails Op Sindoor, Says India Gave Befitting Reply To Terrorists

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:27 IST

PM Modi said that India gave "karara jawab" (befitting reply) to terrorists during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

PM Narendra Modi hails Operation Sindoor (Photo: YouTube/ Narendra Modi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India gave karara jawab" (befitting reply) to terrorists who wanted to divide the Indians" through the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Prime Minister underlined that Indians, after the heinous terror attack on April 22, are more united than ever before".

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What the terrorists did in Pahalgam was not just an attack on Indians  it was an attack on the soul of humanity, an attack on the spirit of brotherhood. The terrorists stole the happiness of many of our families. They also tried to divide us Indians. But today, the whole world is witnessing that India is more united than ever before. Together, we sent a clear message to the terrorists and their backers. We gave them a strong response through Operation Sindoor," he said while addressing an event virtually from Bagdogra.

He was scheduled to visit the event celebrating 50 years of Sikkims statehood; however, due to bad weather, he could not travel to the state, and addressed the gathering via video conference.

PM Modi further exposed Pakistan, which he has been doing in his public addresses since May 7 Operation Sindoor, and said that India showed what it is capable of by precisely destroying terror bases deep inside Pakistan.

Frustrated by the destruction of their terror bases, Pakistan tried to attack our civilians and soldiers. But even in that, Pakistan was exposed. And by destroying several of their airbases, we showed what India is capable of  how quickly, how precisely, and how powerfully we can act," he said.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and destroyed nine terror infrastructure targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists were killed in the precise strikes on terror camps.

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However, Pakistan chose to escalate the situation and attempted to strike Indian cities and military installations using drones and ballistic missiles. India hit back at Pakistan, this time on their military targets, and destroyed 11 Pakistani airbases, bringing the enemy to its knees in just four days.

On May 10, Pakistani DGMO reached out to his Indian counterpart, seeking a ceasefire. India accepted the request, however, issued a stern warning that any future terror attack will be seen as an Act of War". PM Modi also clarified in his address to the nation that Operation Sindoor is not over yet and has only been paused".

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:56 IST
Why Were Mock Drills Under 'Operation Shield' Postponed In Border States With Pakistan?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:21 IST

Mock drills were scheduled to be held today in four bordering states with Pakistan. However, the drills were postponed.

Civil Defense Mock Drill postponed

The four bordering states with Pakistan were scheduled to hold mock drills under Operation Shield today, however, they were postponed the previous evening, officials said.

The Civil Defence Departments of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Gujarat had earlier notified about the mock drills. While Punjab said that the drills will now be conducted on June 3, the other regions are yet to announce the new dates.

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These were the states and Union Territory (J&K) which witnessed a severe drone attack bid by Pakistan during its midadventure between May 7 and 10.

Earlier, on May 7, mock drills were carried out across the country just hours before Operation Sindoor began. According to sources quoted by PTI, civil defence authorities had asked all states and Union Territories to plan and conduct the drills starting at 5 PM that Thursday. They also requested that local administrations and all relevant stakeholders be involved in the exercise.

Why Were Mock Drills Postponed?

According to the official release, the mock drills were postponed due to administrative reasons" and the new date in this regard will be announced soon.

What Was Planned?

During the second phase of the mock drills under Operation Shield, several activities were planned, including the general or silent recall of defence wardens and volunteers, air raid warnings for potential enemy aircraft, drone, and missile attacks, as well as blackouts.

According to a communication from the Directorate General of Fire Services and Home Guards, local stakeholders and youth volunteers  such as those from NCC, NSS, NYKS, and the Bharat Scouts & Guides  were assigned to support different services. Their role was to assist the civil administration in carrying out various civil defence measures related to air raid scenarios and other emergency responses.

What Had Happened When Mock Drills Were Previously Announced?

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On the night of May 67, just hours before a scheduled nationwide mock drill, India carried out strikes on nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation specifically targeted terrorist headquarters and training camps. In response, Pakistan launched attacks on civilian areas and religious sites within India using drones and ballistic missiles.

Indias air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralised incoming projectiles from Pakistan. 11 Pakistani airbases were destroyed in the Indian strikes. With its precision strikes on May 7 through Operation Sindoor, India avenged the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 09:20 IST
Rajnath Singh Confirms Women Pilots Played Key Role In Op Sindoor, Hails Nari Shakti

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 21:12 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor witnessed active and effective participation of women in every branch of the armed forces

In the first public confirmation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said women pilots and soldiers were part of Operation Sindoor. (Image: PTI/File)

Lauding Nari Shakti for playing a crucial role in Indias effective action against terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said women pilots were instrumental in destroying locations in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

In the first public confirmation, Rajnath Singh said women pilots and soldiers were part of Operation Sindoor, under which the military struck nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the intervening night of May 7 and 8.

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This comes a week after CNN-News18 had first reported on May 23 that women pilots of the Indian Air Force were a key part of Operation Sindoor.

Women pilots and other female soldiers played a crucial role in the effective action taken by India against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK during Operation Sindoor," Singh said while addressing the flag-in ceremony of INSV Tarini in Goa.

Singh said Operation Sindoor witnessed active and effective participation of women in every branch of the armed forces. Nari Shakti played a crucial role in Indias effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor," he said.

He said ever since the participation of women in the armed forces has increased, they have performed exceptionally well in every role and fulfilled every responsibility.

From the heights of Siachen to the depths of the ocean, Indian women are fulfilling many responsibilities, which has further bolstered the security circle of the country. Today, the doors of Sainik Schools are open for girls and 17 women are passing out from National Defence Academy this month. Ever since the participation of women in the Armed Forces has increased, they have performed exceptionally well in every role and fulfilled every responsibility," he added.

Singh further commended the two women naval officers  Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A  who returned home after the successful completion of Navika Sagar Parikrama II. He praised them for their courage, commitment and endurance in completing the historic expedition and called it an epitome of nari shakti, or women empowerment.

The duo, in the second edition of the expedition, became the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double-handed mode. The officers covered a distance of 25,600 nautical miles over eight months with port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Cape Town (South Africa).

The defence minister said the warm welcome the two officers received during their port calls have made the nation proud by waving the Tricolour all over the world.

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You must document the experiences of this journey with the same spirit with which you completed it. Record your bittersweet experiences and learnings so that the future generation, especially our young women, are inspired by it," he said.

Describing the expedition as the testament to the Indian Navys bravery and resilience in overcoming varied challenges, he congratulated the personnel who contributed to the expedition. He credited the instructors, technical team, and the resources of the navy for the successful completion of Navika Sagar Parikrama II.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:24 IST
International Mount Everest Day: Why Climbing Mount Everest Remains A Monumental Achievement?

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 07:20 IST

International Mount Everest Day: This day commemorates the first successful ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

International Mount Everest Day: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made history by reaching Mount Everest summit in 1953. (File Pic)

International Mount Everest Day: May 29 is observed as International Mount Everest Day to commemorate the first successful ascent of the worlds highest peak. On this day in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal made history by reaching the 8,848-meter (29,029 ft) summit of Mount Everest.

The day not only recognises the courage and determination of these pioneering climbers but also celebrates the spirit of mountaineering, human endurance, and the cultural and environmental significance of the Everest region.

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This year, lets take a moment to reflect on the historic climb, its lasting global impact, and why summiting Everest continues to be one of the most awe-inspiring feats in human history.

International Mount Everest Day 2025: History

Climbing Mount Everest was an achievement for Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay that left the world spellbound. Despite facing frostbite, storms, and high-altitude exhaustion with basic mountaineering gear, the climbers managed to achieve this feat. After Hillarys death in 2008, the Government of Nepal declared the day as International Everest Day.

This decision was made to not only honour the summit but also to celebrate their legacy, perseverance, and collaboration between diverse cultures united to achieve one singular objective.

International Mount Everest Day 2025: Significance

Celebrating International Everest Day goes beyond honouring the legendary first ascent. Its a tribute to the extraordinary courage, resilience, and teamwork that made that historic climb possible. The day continues to inspire adventurers across the globe while recognising the deep spiritual and cultural significance of Mount Everest to the Sherpa and Tibetan communities, for whom the peak is considered sacred.

Moreover, International Everest Day sheds light on the vital role Everest tourism plays in Nepals economy. It also serves as a call to action for promoting sustainable and responsible mountaineering practices. The occasion provides a critical platform to address growing environmental concerns in the Himalayas, including climate change, glacial retreat and the urgent need for improved waste management on the mountain.

International Mount Everest Day 2025: Quotes

Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career." APJ Abdul Kalam

Everest for me, and I believe for the world, is the physical and symbolic manifestation of overcoming odds to achieve a dream."  Tom Whittaker

I dont think you can climb Mount Everest with a broken leg, but I did break my leg prior to going to Mount Everest, so I was really climbing with a healing broken leg. I had the good fortune of climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents." Gary Johnson

Qualifying for the Olympic Games was one of those moments where you just cry because it was like youve climbed Mount Everest." Natalie du Toit

I have climbed my mountain, but I must still live my life." Tenzing Norgay

Why Climbing Mount Everest Remains A Monumental Achievement?

Decades after Hillary and Norgays pioneering ascent, summiting Mount Everest remains one of the worlds most formidable and captivating challenges.

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Extreme Altitude: Above 5,000 meters, the air becomes dangerously thin with critically low oxygen levels, severely affecting cognitive function. Everest climbers face breathlessness and symptoms of altitude sickness such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, stomach issues, and sleep disturbances. Treacherous Terrain: The Khumbu Icefall presents a deadly challenge with its shifting ice blocks, deep crevasses, steep ice walls, and exposed ridges, demanding expert navigation and caution. Unpredictable Weather: Sudden blizzards, hurricane-force winds, low air pressure, intense UV radiation, and extreme cold make weather one of the most unpredictable and dangerous factors on Everest. Constant Dangers: Avalanches and rockfalls loom as ever-present threats, capable of causing catastrophic outcomes.

Despite advancements in climbing gear, weather forecasting, and logistical support, climbing Mount Everest demands rigorous preparation and often luck. Altitude sickness, bad weather, high winds, and considerable risks linked with avalanches and the dangerous Khumbu Icefall can often be significant obstacles for climbers.

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:20 IST
Off the Beaten Path: Why Second-Tier Hill Stations Are the New Summer Getaways

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 28, 2025, 12:41 IST

In 2025, the heart of Indian tourism seems to beat not in the buzz of the big hill stations, but in the calm of second-tier destinations like Jibhi, Tawang, Chakrata, and Coorg.

From community-based stays in Fort Kochi and Wayanad to digital-nomad-friendly hostels in Kasol and Chakrata, second-tier destinations are stepping into the spotlight.

As the mercury rises and urban fatigue peaks, the great Indian summer getaway is undergoing a quiet yet meaningful transformation. Forget the throngs in Shimla or the traffic snarls of Ootytodays travellers are veering away from the tried and tired. In 2025, the heart of Indian tourism seems to beat not in the buzz of the big hill stations, but in the calm of second-tier destinations like Jibhi, Tawang, Chakrata, and Coorg.

A Shift in Summer Sensibilities

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The pattern is clear: travellers are actively seeking less commercialised, more authentic escapes. According to Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-founder, EaseMyTrip, Were definitely seeing a shift this summer. As the usual hill stations get more crowded, travellers are looking for quieter, less commercialised places to unwind. Second-tier hill stations like Shangarh in Himachal Pradesh, Coorg in Karnataka, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghamalai in Tamil Nadu are drawing attention. These destinations are rich in natural beauty and have much lower footfall."

This shift is not just anecdotalEaseMyTrips data reveals that nearly 60% of travellers this year are opting for lesser-known destinations over traditional favourites. The trend is driven by a desire for slower, more mindful experiences. Its not just about escaping the heat anymore," says Pittie. People want slower, more meaningful experiences, and the second-tier destinations offer exactly that."

From Crowds to Calm: The Rise of Offbeat Travel

Echoing a similar sentiment is Pranav Dangi, CEO and Founder of The Hosteller, who has noticed a tangible shift in traveller behaviour across their properties. One of the most prominent changes weve seen is the way people have started travelling compared to previous patterns," he notes. Guests are now open to not just locations in the South but also offbeat and lesser-known places in the North for a summer break."

The change is visible in booking trends too. While southern hotspots like Goa remain popular, theres a clear uptick in occupancy in North India, especially in offbeat locations like Jibhi, Khajjiar, and Chakrata. Dangi adds, Travellers are looking out for locations beyond Goa in the South and Shimla in the North to avoid extensive crowds at accommodations, tourist spots, and transport hubs."

Interestingly, this shift is not limited to Gen Z backpackers. Millennials, often balancing work and wanderlust, are also flocking to quieter corners of the country. Weekday bookings have risen, indicating a new kind of mindful, crowd-conscious travel. This in itself is a direction toward mindful travelling," Dangi observes, instead of rushing to the same famous locations and the same weekends when everyone would be too."

Conscious Choices and Authenticity

Beyond escaping crowds, theres a philosophical turn in how people travel. Rikant Pittie points to the rise of conscious travel, where authenticity matters more than popularity. Todays travellers are rejecting cookie-cutter itineraries in favour of immersive experienceswhether thats sipping filter coffee in a Coorg homestay or hiking through the misty trails of Shangarh.

Theres a growing shift toward conscious travel," Pittie says. Travellers are now choosing calm over chaos, and these hidden gems are meeting that need perfectly."

Whats Next?

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Both hospitality brands and booking platforms are evolving to meet this demand. From community-based stays in Fort Kochi and Wayanad to digital-nomad-friendly hostels in Kasol and Chakrata, second-tier destinations are stepping into the spotlight.

And while there may be no single pattern to this shift, as Dangi puts it, Travellers are now open to newer and more offbeat locations." Whether its for the affordability, the authenticity, or simply the quiet, this new wave of Indian travel is as refreshing as the mountain breeze in these hidden havens.

About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More

fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture  with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: May 28, 2025, 12:41 IST
Criminal Justice S4 Review: Pankaj Tripathi Works His Natural Charm But Surveen Chawla Wins This Trial

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:00 IST

Criminal Justice Season 4 Review: Pankaj Tripathi's murder mystery show makes for an interesting watch due to it's plot twists and strong performances.

Criminal Justice Season 4 Review: Pankaj Tripathi's show is now streaming on JioHotstar.

Criminal Justice Season 4 U/A 3.5/5 29 May 2025|Hindi 8 Episodes | Thriller Starring: Pankaj Tripathi, Surveen Chawla, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Asha Negi, Shweta Basu Prasad, Barkha Singh, Mita Vashisht, Kalyanee Mulay Director: Rohan Sippy Platform: JioHotstar Watch Trailer

Criminal Justice Season 4 Review: When a mans mistress is murdered, there are usually two prime suspects: the man and his wife. This is also the plot of Criminal Justice Season 4: A Family Matter. However, when the man and his wife are played by the talented Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Surveen Chawla, with Pankaj Tripathi added to the mix, the plot needs to churn out more than just a cliche. Thankfully for director Rohan Sippy, the fourth instalment of Criminal Justice is a well-seasoned murder mystery.

The series begins with Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi) ready to take on a fancy, new corporate law job, only to learn that his best qualification is that he is not fancy. Madhav Mishra is an ordinary man" with Pankaj Tripathis signature humblespeak and a likability reserved for the actor.

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However, his swanky new job is jeopardised when he decides to represent a well-known client in a case involving Dr Raj Nagpal, who hails from the upper echelons of Mumbais high-rise community. Madhav is told to drop the case, otherwise his aam aadmi wala chehra celebrity lagne lagega". Its hard not to interpret this as a cheeky reference to the many aam aadmis that Pankaj Tripathi has played on screen.

Meanwhile, Dr Raj Nagpal (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) has been arrested under suspicion that he has murdered his mistress, nurse Roshni Saluja (Asha Negi). Roshni also looked after his daughter, Ira, who has Asperger syndrome. Roshni was found dead in Rajs arms a day after Iras birthday. Naturally, all eyes are on Raj.

In a twisted turn of events, Rajs estranged wife, Anju (Surveen Chawla), also finds herself embroiled in the high-profile murder trial. As the defence and the prosecution peel this glass onion layer by layer over eight episodes, one is compelled to inch closer to the edge of their seat.

Of course, one might feel confident to predict the outcome of the series near its end. As the heart of the show, it is believed that Madhav Mishra will ultimately win the case. He does. But even at his best, Madhav is bested. The story ends with a welcome twist, highlighting clues that were evident all along but could easily be missed by unsuspecting viewers- a general marker for good murder mysteries.

Criminal Justice Season 4 has three obvious assets: Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Surveen Chawla. Director Rohan Sippy has used all three quite well. Pankaj Tripathi brings a natural charm to his character, making it impossible not to root for Madhav Mishra. The actors witty one-liners, delivered in his characteristic parlance, add humour to the grim tale. Since Madhav Mishra is not a new character, it would be unfair to expect anything else. However, Pankaj Tripathi seems to be exhausting his quota of aam aadmi" characters. It would be interesting (and needed) to watch him change his tune.

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub plays Dr Raj with ease. His eyes lend a sense of believability to Raj, whether the prosecution grills him or the defence tries to save him. The actors scene with his on-screen daughter when she visits him in jail is particularly noteworthy and heartbreaking- its subtle yet intense. Surveen Chawla shines as the mysterious Anju. The thriller genre is slowly becoming a second skin for the actress, and its time that her acting chops are acknowledged more loudly. Whether Anju has to present an air of detached sophistication or experiences an unnerving breakdown, Surveen portrays all the emotions of her character with great conviction.

Although the show has an able cast, writers Harman Wadala, Sandeep Jain and Sameer Mishra have done a good job in keeping one hooked to the show with the plot. It would have been better if the audience had more insight into Asha Negis character. But the logically sound story with enough plot twists makes Criminal Justice an interesting watch. However, there is one detail that becomes too hard to ignore.

The tagline for this season is: A Family Matter. The writers have gone out of their way to ensure that one doesnt forget this. While Raj and Anjus family matter demands our immediate attention and is the storys central focus, two familial subplots do much less for the show. Barka Singhs character works for Madhav Mishra. Her mother, played by Mita Vashisht, onboards the case as one of the defence attorneys. While there is slight banter between the mother and daughter, it doesnt add much to the plot. However, it is easy to play the devils advocate and let this slide. But Kalyanee Mulays promising subplot as Superintendent Gauri, who has to investigate the case with her ex-husband, is only titillating, offering nothing to the show except slight sluggishness.

This aside, the fourth instalment of Criminal Justice has a convincing story. Right when you think you know who killed Roshni, a new thread is unravelled. Although the show brings nothing new to the thriller/murder mystery genre, it makes for an interesting watch and keeps one glued to the screen.

About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-... Read More Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 09:00 IST
Disha Patani Flaunts Her Hot Curves In Backless Top; Sister Khushboo Reacts

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 17:51 IST

Disha Patani flaunted her toned curves in a backless outfit at the F1 Grand Prix in Monaco. Her bold fashion choices often take center stage.

Disha Patani impressed fans with her fashion quotient.

When it comes to ushering hotness goals, you can blindly count on Disha Patani. From her oh-so-hot saree looks to bikinis, the Radhe actors fashion game always tops the list. On May 29, Disha flaunted her toned curves in a backless outfit at the F1 Grand Prix at Monaco. Her pictures went viral shortly after it was posted online.

Holding up her untamed hair, Disha Patani flexed the straps of her backless top. She paired it with baggy denim and sneakers. She layered a criss-cross brown top over a bralette that further amplified her entire look. She was seen leaving her hair loose in some pictures, while others showed her with a messy bun. The Kalki 2898 AD star isnt much of an accessory-lover, so she kept it minimal on that front. In other photos from the carousel, she was seen wearing a backless white halter outfit, a blue maxi dress and a pink floral gown  highlighting her many looks. Here are her photos:

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Disha Patanis BFF Mouni Roy took to the comment section and lauded her photos. My beautiful sis", she wrote in the comments. Dishas sister Khushboo Patani dropped red heart emojis and penned, Fab look". Fans wrote, So hotty queen slay my heart", Wow", Disha Supermercy Always on Peak".

Dishas bold fashion choices often take center stage. The actor can also pull off casual and ethnic looks effortlessly. At an event in 2023, the Radhe actress discussed her fashion preferences, stating, I like to dress like a boy most of the time. I prefer wearing shorts and anything that is comfortable and oversized." On the professional front, Disha Patani began her acting career with the Telugu film Loafer. In Bollywood, she gained widespread recognition for her role as Sushant Singh Rajputs love interest in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. Additionally, she starred alongside Jackie Chan in the Chinese film Kung Fu Yoga. In 2024, she appeared in three films: Yodha with Sidharth Malhotra, Kalki 2898 AD with Prabhas, and Kanguva with Suriya. This year, she will be seen in Anees Bazmees multi-starrer, Welcome To The Jungle. Besides her filmography, Disha has been romantically linked to actor Tiger Shroff.

About the Author Anindita.Mukherjee Anindita Mukherjee works as a Senior Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18 Showsha. She introduces herself as someone who is truly, deeply and passionately in love with SRK, films, shows and glitz - ba... Read More Anindita Mukherjee works as a Senior Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18 Showsha. She introduces herself as someone who is truly, deeply and passionately in love with SRK, films, shows and glitz - ba... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 17:42 IST
BTS' J-Hope Goes Shirtless For Killin It Girl, Joins V, Jimin, Jungkook's Chapter 2 Era

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 12:36 IST

BTS J Hope Upcoming Solo Album: On May 29, J-Hope shared teaser photos for the track, and fans were left speechless as he flaunted a shirtless, gritty look oozing confidence.

J-Hope bares it all in fierce Killin It Girl teasers, sending ARMY into a frenzy.

BTS J Hope Upcoming Solo Album: BTS J-Hope is officially entering his bold new Chapter 2 era and hes making it known with jaw-dropping visuals for his upcoming single Killin It Girl (feat. GloRilla).

On May 29, J-Hope shared teaser photos for the track, and fans were left speechless as he flaunted a shirtless, gritty look oozing confidence and charisma. The teaser, blending raw black-and-white portraits with edgy, colorful shots, channels a moody, grunge-inspired aesthetic reminiscent of his Jack In The Box era, but with an even sharper and sexier edge.

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Just hours later, on May 30 at midnight KST, the BTS rapper dropped a fresh batch of concept photos, again baring his abs and striking powerful poses that highlight his signature intensity and artistic reinvention.

With this, J-Hope joins BTS bandmates Jungkook, V, and Jimin, who each stunned fans with shirtless visuals during their solo releases. Naturally, ARMYs stormed social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), expressing their excitement and admiration for the stars daring transformation. Some even trended hashtags celebrating J-Hopes return, calling him a visual king" and praising his bold energy.

Many fans are also speculating whether BTS members completing their military service in June  RM, V, Jungkook, Jimin, and SUGA  might reunite with J-Hope during BTS FESTA in South Korea. Jin and J-Hope, who finished their service in June and October 2024 respectively, are expected to lead the celebrations this year.

The highly anticipated track Killin It Girl is set to drop on June 13 at 0 AM EST, with more promotional content rolling out throughout the month. Featuring rapper GloRilla, the single is expected to show yet another dynamic side of J-Hopes artistry.

About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More

Location : Seoul, South Korea

First Published: May 30, 2025, 03:45 IST
Kamal Haasan Reacts To Kannada-Tamil Comment Backlash: 'Love Will Never Apologise'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 07:26 IST

Kamal Haasan attended the Thug Life audio launch event in Chennai, where he made a statement linking the origins of the Kannada language to Tamil.

Kamal Haasan's Thug Life will hit theatres on June 5, 2025.

Kamala Haasan has reacted to the Kannada born from Tamil comment controversy. Recently, the actor spoke to reporters when he reacted to the backlash and added that he did not mean anything. Haasan also clarified that his comment was made with a lot of love.

I think what I said was said with a lot of love. Historians have taught me the language historyI didnt mean anything. And, let me tell you, Tamil Nadu is a place which has been open. I dont say there is no other state like this. But a very rare state where a Menon (MG Ramachandran) has been our Chief Ministera Reddy (Omandur Ramasamy Reddiyar) has been our Chief Minister, a Tamilian (M Karunanidhi) has been our Chief Minister and then a Kannadiga Iyengar has been our CM from Mandya," Kamal Haasan said, as quoted by the news agency PTI.

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So lets leave all these very in-depth discussions to historians, archaeologists and language experts. If you look at it from the northern point of view, according to them it is right, if you look at it from Thenkumari (south), then what I say is right. There is a third angle to it the scholars, the language experts. This is not an answer, an explanation. Love will never apologise," the actor added.

For the unversed, Kamal Haasan landed in a big controversy recently. The South superstar attended the Thug Life audio launch event in Chennai, where he made a statement linking the origins of the Kannada language to Tamil. Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. Thats why he is here. Thats why when I started my speech, I said my life and my family is Tamil. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line," he said.

The actors remarks quickly went viral and triggered backlash from pro-Kannada groups in Karnataka. They not only demanded an apology from Haasan but also a ban on his upcoming movie.

Kamal Haasan is currently gearing up for the release of Thug Life. The film follows the tale of Rangaraaya Sakthivel, a merciless gang leader portrayed by Kamal Haasan, and his brother Manickam. After a fierce confrontation, Sakthivel saves a young boy named Amaran and raises him like his own son. However, when an assassination attempt is made on Sakthivel, suspicion falls on Amaran, setting off a gripping story of revenge and shifting loyalties.

About the Author Chirag Sehgal Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin... Read More Chirag Sehgal works as a Sub-Editor in the Entertainment team at News18.com. With an experience of five years in the media industry, he largely focuses on Indian television coverage. Apart from bringing breakin... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:26 IST
Indian Ink | Failed General Elevated To Field Marshal: It Happens Only In Pakistan

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:44 IST

The promotion of General Munir is not just a mockery of truth or even a symptom of a state in thrall to its own myths. It is nothing short of endorsing the doctrine of jihad.

Critics have accused Pakistani Army General Asim Munir of mishandling foreign and domestic policies. (AP Photo)

How can a failed jihadi general" be promoted to the exalted rank of Field Marshal? The answer is simple: it happens only in Pakistan.

In a land where irony dons a generals uniform and parades as policy, Pakistans Cabinet, led by the ever-pliable Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, bestowed upon Army Chief General Asim Munir the rank of Field Marshal. Only the second time in the nations history, we are told, has such an honour been conferredfirst to Muhammad Ayub Khan in 1959, and now to Munir, a man whose military credentials are as tarnished as a rusted bayonet.

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The announcement, dripping with the sanctimonious pomp of a regime desperate to prop up its faltering legitimacy, has sparked a firestorm of satire and scorn on social media. Dozens of Pakistanis have dubbed Munir the Failed Marshal." And the phrase has caught on, not only across the border in Bharat, but all over the world.

O, how the mighty fall! And then, apparently, promote themselves. The whole episode might seem laughable. And it should. Because every tinpot general in Pakistan is also a somewhat of a clown. Either himself a bit of a joker, like Perwez Musharraf, or the butt of innumerable jokes, as with Zia-ul-Haq.

But these jokers" are, at another level, treacherous, diabolical, and deadly. So one wonders whom the joke is on. In this case, the victim is clearly the people of Pakistan. Behind the facade of this farce is oft-missed but seriously massive benefit. The person who could easily be charged for crimes against humanity now, by virtue of this highest military honour, has made himself exempt from all punishments and penalties as long as he is alive.

The governments rationale for this elevation is as impudent as it is absurd. General Munir, we are told, earned his stars for his role in the grandly named Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos" or Solid Wall of Lead," Pakistans name for what Bharat termed Operation Sindoor".

This, from the Pakistani side, was nothing but a military misadventure. Pakistans armed forces crumbled before Indias precision strikes. In a mere ten days, the narrative of valour was spun into a Field Marshals baton, despite the Pakistani militarys spectacular drubbing.

Indian forces, with surgical efficiency, neutralized Pakistani drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, while reports, gleefully amplified on X, indicate that Pakistani air bases were reduced to smoldering rubble.

Yet, in Islamabads parallel universe, where defeat is merely a prelude to decoration, Munirs promotion is hailed as a triumph of leadership. As one X user quipped, Lost the battle, won the badgeonly in Pakistan."

The absurdity deepens when one considers Munirs inflammatory rhetoric, laced with jihadi venom, is widely seen as the spark that ignited the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Twenty-six civilians, innocent tourists, singled out for being Hindu males, were gunned down by the so-called Resistance Front, a shadowy offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba, for refusing to pledge allegiance to Islam.

This bloodbath, unmistakably linked to Pakistan, provoked Indias Operation Sindoor, which obliterated nine (some say eleven) terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Precision missile strikes reduced these dens of jihad to dust, a stinging rebuke to Munirs belligerent posturing.

Yet, in a move that could only be scripted in a Kafkaesque nightmare, Pakistans response was to crown its defeated general as Field Marshal. As another X user sardonically noted, Promoting a general after a military fiasco is like giving a chef a Michelin star for burning the kitchen."

The social media roasting of Munirs elevation is not merely a digital tantrum. Rather, it reflects a profound disconnect between Pakistans ruling elite and its people.

Failed Marshal" trends not because of idle trolling but because it captures a truth too glaring to ignore. Munirs promotion is a self-congratulatory act built on falsehoods, a desperate attempt to varnish a tainted military image.

This brings us to the broader malaise: the sanctification of jihad within Pakistans military ethos. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, the armys spokesperson, recently declared with unabashed pride that jihad and Islam are not only beliefs but also part of our training." The armys motto, he crowed, and the very naming of Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, with its Quranic allusions, reflect this fusion of faith and fanaticism.

Such statements, coupled with scrutiny over Gen. Sharifs alleged family ties to extremist networks, only deepen the suspicion that Pakistans military is less a national institution and more a crucible for Islamist zealotry. Indias warning of retaliation for border violations underscores the stakes: a military steeped in jihadist rhetoric is not just a domestic liability but a regional menace.

What, then, does this portend for Pakistan? A Field Marshal crowned amid defeat, a military steeped in jihadist fervor, and a citizenry reduced to venting their frustrations onlinethese are not the ingredients of a stable future.

The Failed Marshal" moniker is more than a social media jibe. It is a verdict on a system on the verge of dangerous derangement. It would be a mistake, however, to dismiss this elevation of the failed marshal" merely as a tragicomic chapter in Pakistans ongoing saga of self-delusion.

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The promotion of General Munir is not just a mockery of truth or even a symptom of a state in thrall to its own myths. It is nothing short of endorsing the doctrine of jihad. India should never forget this. Though the demonic contains the seeds of its own destruction, why not help a bit to hasten the inevitable?

The writer is an author, columnist, and former Director, Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:44 IST
Opinion | Acceptance Of Caste Census Not Necessarily A Defeat Of BJPs Hindutva Agenda

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 14:37 IST

Hindutva needs the support of the OBCs, including the marginalised castes within the group, and the government realises that

The BJP came to power in 2014 by securing a majority of its own for the first time and was able to repeat this feat, with a bigger mandate, in 2019. (PTI)

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has finally agreed to conduct the caste census. This will be the first such exercise in independent India as the last caste census was done in 1931 when the country was a colony of the British. Though the previous Congress-led UPA government tried to count caste in its Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) in the last census of 2011, the data on caste population was never published as the UPA lost power in 2014 to the BJP-led NDA whose government, citing anomalies, withheld the data on caste population.

While the populations of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) were counted in the past censuses, the new caste census will count the populations of Other Backward Castes (OBCs) and the general castes (so-called upper castes).

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OBCs are the biggest caste bloc, which is a collection of many different castes and sub-castes. The OBCs, who are given 27 per cent reservation in Union government jobs and central educational institutions, believe that they are denied their proper share as their population is much higher than the reservation quota given to them. A caste census will give the population of the OBCs as well details of the many castes and sub-castes within the OBC bloc. It is this reason that the OBCs have been vocal supporters of the caste census.

Now that BJP has agreed for caste census, after being initially reluctant to the idea, the opposition INDIA bloc has claimed credit for this. Additionally, there has been commentary to conclude this as the victory of social justice over BJPs Hindutva agenda.

While it cant be denied that the BJPs central leadership had to agree with the caste census after witnessing INDIA blocs pitch getting traction on the ground, particularly in the most politically significant state of Uttar Pradesh, the commentary that BJPs Hindutva agenda has been overpowered by the agenda of social justice, advocated by the socialist, Bahujan parties and now by Congress also, is based on simplistic arguments.

The BJP came to power in 2014 by securing a majority of its own for the first time and was able to repeat this feat, with a bigger mandate, in 2019. One of the main factors behind these achievements was, undoubtedly, the agenda of Hindutva. While Hindutva helped the saffron party, if one watched closely, one will realise that these victories also had the caste factor, which was shrewdly exploited while being kept under the Hindutva carpet.

In 2014, while the BJP projected its then prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, an OBC, as a Hindutva face, he was also projected as a representative of the OBCs. This was done after getting support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, BJPs ideological parent, and its associated fronts on the ground.

To be fair, this strategy to weave caste equations within the Hindutva umbrella by the saffron party and the Sangh Parivar dates back to the 1990s when then partys general secretary KN Govindacharya first implemented social engineeringmixing Hindutva (Kamandal) with caste politics (Mandal). This Kamandal-Mandal strategy brought OBC leaders like Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar to prominence in the saffron party. This strategy helped the saffron party to come to power for the first time in Uttar Pradesh in 1993 and Kalyan Singh became the chief minister. However, the strategy later failed to move forward with the sidelining of OBC faces like Kalyan and Uma Bharti, who led the party to a gigantic victory in Madhya Pradesh in the 2003 elections, within the party with Govindacharya himself being sidelined in the early 2000s by the saffron party then led by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Lal Krishna Advani duo.

After facing back-to-back electoral setbacks in 2004 and 2009, the saffron party returned to the formula of social engineering and this helped it return to power in 2014 and then in 2019 and 2024. The party particularly targeted the non-Yadav OBCs, which otherwise arent politically dominant, unlike the Yadavs. But the reduced mandate in 2024 elections once again served as a reality check to the BJP regarding its social engineering project. It was because the OBCs, who started to rally towards the saffron party from 2014, felt they werent given the proper representation when it came to power sharing.

These were legitimate concerns. Despite OBCs being the dominant group in BJPs tally in the 17th Lok Sabha, they lagged behind the upper castes" in Modi 2.0, even after increasing OBC representation after reshuffling of council of ministers in 2021. This was reflected at the state level too. Take the example of Uttar Pradesh, where upper castes are over-represented in the BJPs power structure in terms of legislators and ministers.

It was only after the setback in 2024 that the BJP made more ministers from the OBCs in the third term of the Modi-led government, surpassing the upper castes" who had a majority in the first and second terms of the Modi government. This was a significant change, reflecting the efforts of the Sangh Parivar to accept the concerns and aspirations of the OBCs, who remained the largest caste bloc in the country.

Later, in the national conclave of the RSS held from August 31 to September 2 in Palakkad last year, the organisation announced its support for the caste census, arguing its importance for various government-sponsored welfare schemes. Before this, it had announced support for the caste census in 2023, when the Opposition started pitching for the idea.

No one can deny that caste is a reality. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar are also aware of this bitter truth. Hindutva needs the support of the OBCs, including the marginalised castes within the group. For that, the saffron party needs to accommodate the aspirations of the OBCsand to do this, it had no other option but to accept the caste census. The announcement of the caste census by the Modi government reflects this thinking.

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As of now, it is futile to draw the exact consequences post-the caste census, which is yet to be conducted, but the conclusion that the caste census is necessarily a defeat of BJPs Hindutva is based on simplistic and hollow arguments.

The author is a political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 14:37 IST
Opinion | When Pettiness Trumps Politics: The Congress-Tharoor Standoff

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 19:34 IST

By sidelining a valuable asset like Tharoor, the party seems more interested in internal scoresettling than in strategic wins, ultimately shooting itself in the foot

Tharoor is a veteran Congressman, who has been a four-time Lok Sabha MP contesting on the Congress symbol, apart from being a minister in the Congress-led UPA government. (PTI Image)

What the Congress party does is its business, but in the manner in which it has dealt with Shashi Tharoor, it seems that the grand old party has decided to cut off its nose to spite its face. Tharoor is a veteran Congressman, who has been a four-time Lok Sabha MP contesting on the Congress symbol, apart from being a minister in the Congress-led UPA government. He has not, as yet, ever said that he intends to leave the party or join another one. Why, then, would his party resent the fact that the BJP, which the Congress opposes, had no better individual than him to lead an all-party delegation to global capitals post Operation Sindoor?

If anything, the Congress should have capitalised on this choice. Whatever personal animosity Rahul Gandhi and his coterie may have against an individual, it was a great opportunity to stress the point that when it comes to national interest, only a Congress leader can do the job effectively.

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Imagine a scenario where, after the BJP announced that Tharoor would lead the all-party delegation, Rahul Gandhi had convened a press conference, publicly congratulated Tharoor, and said that the BJP, faced with no other equally convincing choice, had no option but to come to the threshold of the Congress to represent Indias interests. Most peopleaware of the tensions between Tharoor and his party leadershipwould have applauded his big-heartedness and statesmanship.

This would have put the BJP on the back foot. Their political stratagem of sowing seeds of discord in the Congress would have backfired. Tharoor would have probably proudly accepted the vote of confidence from his party in his abilities, and said that, with the backing of his party, he was availablein the national interestto do for the BJP what it could apparently find no one else to do better. The BJP would then have had to scurry around to provide explanations for why it chose an Opposition leader and a loyal Congressmanfrom a party it has, through its spokespersons, accused of being anti-national, unpatriotic, and working in the interests of Pakistan!

But such a winning approach requires maturity and incisive statecraft, both of whichit would appearthe Congress leadership sadly lacks. To seize the advantage in politics, parties often need to rise above internal pettiness. The BJP did not protest when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was chosen by the ruling Congress to lead the national delegation to the UN in Geneva. On the contrary, it took it as a badge of honour.

In the case of Tharoor, an old friend and a contemporary from college days, it is, frankly, quite inexplicable to me why his own party has treated him so shabbily. Yes, he was a member of the G-23a well-intentioned ginger group within the partythat sought changes in order to improve the Congresss electoral and organisational performance. At no point did any member of the G-23 say that they were revolting. In fact, it has been my view that the loosely labelled grouping was far too timid and reticent to do anything that might alienate the Gandhi family, and all they achieved through innumerable meetings was to send a letter seeking the support and intervention of party president Sonia Gandhi.

Why, then, did Rahul treat this grouping as tantamount to treachery and betrayal, and literally chastise some of its members in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting? Apparently, Tharoors second sin was to stand for the presidency of the party, against what was obviously the familys choiceMallikarjun Kharge. But the party Constitution allows for such contests. They have happened in the past too, and Shashi personally told me that he hadalthough there was no need to do sotaken the blessings of Sonia Gandhi for his candidature.

Perhaps his unpardonable sin was that, in spite of a packed voting bloc against him, he managed to secure around a thousand votesfar more than any other candidate in the past who has stood against the familys official nominee.

A truly mature party, flaunting its genuine democratic credentials to the BJP, should then have embraced Tharoor and given him a far more prominent role in party affairs. But exactly the opposite happened. Although he was made a member of the CWC, he found himself increasingly distanced from Rahul Gandhi and his advisersto the point where he was sometimes not even nominated to speak on important issues in Parliament, where he could have been an asset to his party. His access to Rahul was also almost choked. From apocryphal sources, I know that it took him over two years to get an appointment with Rahul.

So, is the Congress now a party where only two binaries prevail: unconditional sycophant or unquestioned traitor? If yes, it is, to say the least, not only puerile but suicidal, because parties lose the ability for renewal and revivaland the Congress certainly needs bothif they become so immaturely brittle. Such absolute binaries dominate in dozens of family-run parties across the country, and it appears that the Congress is no different.

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The Congress has come out of the whole Shashi Tharoor episode with a lot of unnecessary egg on its face. What a waste of an eggand an opportunity!

The writer is a former diplomat, an author, and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:34 IST
Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:00 IST

1 / 9 Our planet currently runs on a 24-hour day, which shapes our daily routines of work, rest, and recreation. But what if we had 25 hours in a day? While that may sound exciting, its a change that only future generations, far into the future, might experience. Lets explore why.

2 / 9 According to a report by The Times of India, researchers at the University of WisconsinMadison have found that the Moon is drifting away from the Earth at a rate of approximately 3.8 centimetres per year. Though this fact has been known for some time, the long-term effects are now attracting more attention. According to experts, as the moon drifts further away, it will slow the Earths rotation, eventually resulting in a 25-hour day.

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3 / 9 Professor David Waltham, from Royal Holloway, University of London, explains that this is due to tidal forces gradually slowing the Earth's rotation. The Moons gravitational pull creates tidal bulges on Earth, which act like a brake, slowly reducing the planets spin. In turn, some of the energy lost by Earth is transferred to the Moon, causing it to slowly recede from us.

4 / 9 The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and referenced in a Times of India report, also offers insights into Earths distant past. Around 1.4 billion years ago, when the Moon was significantly closer, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours. Since then, as the Moon has moved further away, the length of a day has gradually increased to the 24-hour cycle we know today.

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5 / 9 The moon plays a vital role in regulating our planet, especially in influencing ocean tides. When the moon is closer, it creates more powerful tidal waves, potentially even daily tsunamis. As it moves away, these tidal effects lessen. The gravitational interplay between the Earth and the moon keeps this balance in check. However, other planets, such as Mars and Jupiter, also exert gravitational pull on the moon, contributing to its continued drift.

6 / 9 This change in distance directly affects how fast the Earth spins. The moons gravitational force drives tidal waves, which help regulate the planets rotation. As the moon retreats, its influence diminishes, leading to what scientists call "tidal acceleration" a gradual slowing of Earths rotation, and a reduction in the height and frequency of tides.

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7 / 9 During the Apollo missions, scientists installed reflectors on the lunar surface and used laser beams to measure the moons distance precisely. These readings confirm the moons steady movement away from Earth. At present, the Moon is on average about 384,400 kilometres from Earth and takes roughly 27.3 days to complete one orbit. Current estimates suggest that in around 200 million years, Earth could experience 25-hour days.

8 / 9 While this shift doesnt currently impact our daily lives, researchers warn of potential future effects on climate, tides, and ecosystems. A longer day could alter our circadian rhythms, affect agriculture, and even disrupt natural behaviours in wildlife.

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'Emergency' Parliament Session Unlikely, But BJP Plans Seminars In Over 700 Districts

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 22:28 IST

The party intends to make the 50th year of the Emergency relevant among the younger generation

While the decision to convene a session is made by the cabinet committee on parliamentary affairs, there is no such indication, let alone confirmation, from within the government. File image/Sansad TV

The Congress on Thursday preemptively claimed that the Narendra Modi government is all set to convene a special session of Parliament next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergencya political ulcer of the grand old party that the BJP keeps poking. While News18 has learnt that a special session is unlikely, what is beyond doubt is the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys intentions to mount an attack.

An internal document of the BJP said, This year is the 50th year of emergency imposition by Smt. Indira Gandhi-led Congress government. The dark memories of brutality, trampling of democratic rights are still alive in countrys memory".

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The BJP will hold nationwide seminars with multiple speakers on this occasion. Meanwhile, Loktantra Senani" (Warriors of Democracy) will also be facilitated by the party. The party will hold such events in more than 700 districts of India.

The BJP has tasked a pool of senior leadersArun Singh, Radha Mohan Agarwal, Saroj Pandey, Arvind Menon, OP Dhankar, and Lal Singh Aryato coordinate with the team that will plan and execute the partys efforts to make the 50th year of the Emergency relevant among the younger generation.

Highlighting that the BJP didnt heed requests for a special session of Parliament after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Congresss media head Jairam Ramesh said, Now it appears that a special session of Parliament is being considered for June 25-26 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency."

While the decision to convene a session is made by the cabinet committee on parliamentary affairs, there is no such indication, let alone confirmation, from within the government.

A government source, though, told News18, As of today, I am not aware of any such intentions of our government. However, since the claim is made by a senior leader like Jairam Ramesh, I want to point out one thing: last year, Parliament was in session during the anniversary of the Emergency. As the House observed a two-minute silence and read out a resolution, the Congress was left stranded. Ramesh must be reimagining those scenes and is dreading facing them again."

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Last year, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said that the country was subjected to dictatorship by late prime minister Indira Gandhi and its democratic values were crushed and freedom of expression was stifled" during the Emergency.

BJP spokesperson KK Sharma told News18, Leave the Parliaments job to the government. But my question to Jairam Ramesh is, why is your past so impure that you still have to worry about a supposed special session on Emergency in 2025?"

About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 22:24 IST
Maharashtra Local Polls: BJP Eyes Solo Run In Mumbai, Thane, Pune As Seat-Sharing Talks Hit Roadblock

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:51 IST

Sources say BJP's alliance partners - Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) - are demanding a larger share of seats in their respective strongholds.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. (File)

As municipal elections draw closer in Maharashtra, political equations within the Mahayuti alliance are beginning to shift. In key urban centres  Mumbai, Thane, and Pune  the BJP is now exploring the option of contesting on its own, say sources. This change in direction follows internal resistance from alliance partners Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), both of whom are demanding a larger share of seats in their respective strongholds.

According to source, senior BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have taken note of the deadlock. During his recent three-day visit to Maharashtra, Shah held crucial discussions with both Deputy Chief Ministers  Shinde and Pawar  on seat-sharing strategies. According to sources, Shah has now advised the state BJP unit to be prepared for independent contests, especially in the three high-stake cities. The push for solo fights stems from unresolved differences. In Mumbai, Eknath Shinde is said to have demanded a minimum of 107 out of 227 seats, citing the defection of over a hundred former Shiv Sena corporators from the Thackeray camp over the past three years. These leaders joined the Shinde faction on the promise of tickets, and the deputy CM is under pressure to deliver.

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However, conceding 107 seats to Shiv Sena would leave BJP with limited room for negotiation. With other alliance partners like RPI also in the mix, BJP leaders worry that their influence and tally could shrink considerably. Notably, the BJP had won 82 seats independently in the previous BMC election, making it the single largest party.

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Amit Shah reportedly made it clear that seat adjustments of this magnitude are not feasible without compromising BJPs electoral standing. In Pune, Ajit Pawars NCP has similarly staked claim to a significant number of seats, asserting its historical presence and cadre strength. But unlike in Mumbai, the NCP lacks a comparable base in the metropolis, which has made negotiations further complicated. Sources privy to the discussions reveal that Shah has floated a new approach  contest independently in major urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, while evaluating alliances in other regions based on local dynamics. The same has been communicated to state leaders, including CM Devendra Fadnavis, who has himself acknowledged the need for self-reliance in some constituencies.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed that local body elections be held within the next four months, setting the stage for a monsoon or post-monsoon electoral battle. As both ruling and opposition blocs begin groundwork, BJPs recalibrated strategy signals a new phase in Maharashtras urban politics. The Mahavikas Aghadi too appears fragmented, giving BJP further reason to test its strength on its own in key cities. The days ahead may witness each Mahayuti partner choosing its own battleground  together in spirit, but separate on the ballot.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:51 IST
'Our MPs Are Roaming, Terrorists Too...': Jairam Ramesh Draws BJP's Fire Over Controversial Comparison

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:08 IST

Congress' jairam Ramesh likened the MPs chosen for the all-party delegation to the terrorists, saying that both our MPs and the terrorists are roaming.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh | File Image/PTI

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday sparked a row after he drew a stark comparison between the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack and the MPs part of the all-party delegation representing Indias anti-terror message on the global platform. Following the Congress leaders remark, the BJP wasted no time and launched a sharp criticism, stating that Jairam Ramesh made the most atrocious comparison".

The BJP further slammed the Congress leader for undermining Indias military and diplomatic strike on Pakistan.

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The Congress leader claimed that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam terror attack were involved in four other attacks and are roaming freely today. He then likened the MPs chosen for the all-party delegation to the terrorists, saying that both our MPs and the terrorists are roaming freely.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Jairam Ramesh said, These terrorists of Pahalgam were involved in four attacks, and still they are roaming around here and there. Our MPs are roaming and terrorists are roaming too."

Further accusing the BJP of not answering Congresss questions, Ramesh said that the saffron party only targets his party, instead, terrorists should be its target. Their attack is on the Congress party; it should be on the terrorists. Action should be taken against Pakistan. The terrorists should be arrested. The missiles that are being launched every day are being launched against the Congress party," he added.

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, It is being heard that a special session can be called on 25th and 26th June because it is the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014. He wants to call a special session pic.twitter.com/BUa0XVEBgm ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

BJP Attacks Congress

Attacking Congress for making atrocious comparison" between the terrorists and the delegation led by MPs belonging to different political parties, BJP spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawala said, This is how Congress undermines not just our Military Strike (Op Sindoor ) by calling it Chut Put but also our diplomatic strike." He further questioned, Should Parliament not act on him?"

Jairam Ramesh makes the most atrocious comparisonCompares our MPs in All Party Delegations exposing Pakistan to terrorists This is how Congress undermines not just our Military Strike (Op Sindoor ) by calling it Chut Put but also our diplomatic strike Should Parliament not pic.twitter.com/X9wrmsdbOZ  Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 29, 2025

It is important to note that the global outreach delegation includes MPs belonging to the Congress party. One of the prominent names in the delegation is Shashi Tharoor, who is heading the all-party delegation to US on Operation Sindoor.

The BJP leaders reaction came in response to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges remark at Operation Sindoor, in which he stated that the government is going chutput (small) wars against Pakistan.

Speaking at the Samarpane Sankalpa rally in Karnataka last week, the Congress chief slammed the central government for failing to protect the lives of 26 people who were killed in the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam last month.

All-Party Delegation MPs

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The seven delegations that is representing Indias global outreach programme comprise of 59 members, including 31 political leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 20 politicians from other parties. They will be assisted by former diplomats.

These delegations are led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Baijayant Jay Panda and Ravi Shankar Prasad; Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Jha; Shiv Senas Shrikant Shinde; Congresss Shashi Tharoor; Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi; and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule (Group 7).

About the Author Mahima Joshi Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More Mahima Joshi, Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking team. Covering national stories and bringing breaking news to the table are her forte. She is deeply interested in Indian politics and a... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 14:35 IST
'TMC Corporator Marked Homes To Be Torched': PM Modi's 'Nirmam' Dig At Mamata Govt Over Murshidabad

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:14 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a political rally in Bengal and launched a scathing attack on the Mamata government over atrocities against women and corruption.

PM Modi addresses political rally in Bengal's Alipurduar (PTI Image)

In his first public remarks on the Murshidabad riots, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjees nirmam sarkaar" (merciless government) and said that the Trinamool Congress corporator was involved in earmarking homes of people to be torched during the violence.

His remarks came weeks after communal violence erupted in Samserganj and Dhulian areas of Murshidabad on April 11 and 12 against the Waqf Amendment Act. Three people died in the riots while several others were injured. PM Modis statement was based on the fact-finding committee report that was submitted to the Calcutta High Court earlier this month.

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PM Modis Political Rally In Bengal

Attacking the Mamata government at a political rally in West Bengals Alipurduar, the Prime Minister said that the state government allowed hooliganism in the name of appeasement.

Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the governments ruthlessness here In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party running the government identify and burn peoples houses, and the police act as mere spectators," he said.

#WATCH | Alipurduar, West Bengal | PM Narendra Modi says, Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the governments ruthlessness here In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party pic.twitter.com/mUVL0xEp49 ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

With the Assembly elections less than a year away, PM Modi said that the people of the state no longer have faith in the TMC government and unveiled a slogan against Mamata.

I ask the poor people of Bengal, is this how a government runs? Here, the court has to intervene on every issue. Otherwise, nothing gets resolved. The people of Bengal do not trust the TMC government anymore Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar," he said.

Murshidabad Riots Fact-Finding Panel Report

According to a fact-finding committee, which submitted its report to the Calcutta High Court, the victims told the members that the TMC leaders were present at the site of the violence.

The report further said that the attacks were directed by the local councillor Mehboob Alam, adding that the local police were completely inactive and absent".

Making a big charge, the report said that the main attack took place after 2.30 pm in Murshidabad when Mehboob Alam came with miscreants".

The report alleged that Samserganj MLA Amirul Islam came, saw which houses were not attacked, and then the attackers set them ablaze. The villagers of Betbona telephoned, but the West Bengal Police did not respond. The MLA was also present. He saw the vandalism and went away".

Alam had dismissed the allegations, claiming that he was with people from the Hindu community the day the incident took place.

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Islam, too, rejected the charges and claimed that he was trying to stop the miscreants".

I was one of the few party leaders who did it. It was my duty. Later, I toured the area and provided relief to people. This is a conspiracy," he claimed.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Alipurduar, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 14:12 IST
'True Face Exposed': BJP Slams Mamata Banerjee Over 'Business Of Sindoor' Remark Against PM Modi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 18:14 IST

Mamata Banerjee accused PM Modi of resorting to the "business of sindoor", referencing India's Operation Sindoor against terror sites in Pakistan.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (PTI Image)

Political temperatures soared in West Bengal on Thursday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee engaging in a heated exchange.

Speaking at a rally in Alipurduar, a northern district of Bengal, PM Modi criticised Banerjees government for the recent violence against Hindus in Murshidabad, womens safety, and alleged corruption in state government jobs. The Chief Minister responded soon, expressing dismay at the political offensive while multi-party delegations, including one with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, were abroad garnering support against cross-border terrorism.

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What Modi ji has said today, we are not only shocked but it is very saddening to hear this from our PM when our Opposition team is representing the country in the world. They are taking bold decisions to protect the countrys and national interests. We will protect our country always because it is our motherland.

But is this the time for Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of this country [to say such a thing]? And in his presence, his leaders are saying they will do Operation Bengal like Operation Sindoor. I challenge them! If they have the guts, go for the elections tomorrow. We are ready and Bengal is ready. Please remember timing is a factor," Banerjee said. Bengal is due for elections next year.

Mamata Draws BJPs Ire

Banerjee accused PM Modi of resorting to the business of sindoor", referencing Indias Operation Sindoor against terror sites in Pakistan.

Following this, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya reacted sharply, sharing a clip in which Banerjee appeared to suggest the military campaign was a small thing" and that there was no war. The BJPs reaction came after Banerjee accused the Centre of using Operation Sindoor for political mileage.

Mamata Banerjee has now dismissed Operation Sindoor as merely a business of sindoor. This is her true face  mocking sacrifice, patriotism, and the courage of our armed forces," Malviya posted on X.

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Shame! How low can political pettiness go?Mamata Banerjee has now dismissed Operation Sindoor as merely a business of sindoor." This is her true facemocking sacrifice, patriotism, and the courage of our armed forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has safeguarded India with pic.twitter.com/MSTo1fT6Ml  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 29, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has safeguarded India with unmatched dedication and resolve. Yet Mamata Banerjee, driven solely by vote-bank politics, chooses to belittle the valour and sacrifices made in defence of Indias security and honour. History will remember who stood with the nation  and who mocked its heroes," he added.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : West Bengal, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 18:14 IST
Ads Are Showing Up In AI Mode Search On Google: How It Will Work

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 08:40 IST

Google AI push has become evident with the latest I/O 2025 updates and AI mode is going to become a big part of its growth strategy.

Google Search will junk this legacy feature for an AI upgrade with ads

Google showcased its work on AI Mode for search at the I/O 2025 earlier this month but the biggest news about the feature got somewhat sidelined. Googles AI push is evident, so much that people are being laid off in favour of the technology doing their work.

And soon, AI will take over its Search platform, with emphasis on businesses to monetise their results and content on the feed. Google is slowly moving away from the traditional search trends, and its latest AI integration suggests the future is moving away from what we have used for decades.

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AI mode is basically the new-gen Search avatar that responds to your queries with AI-generated answers, do some follow-ups and even offer links to websites for further details. Google is investing big in AI and features like AI mode cannot sustain being a freebie for billions. We already got a glimpse of how ads in AI search work out.

For instance, if you are looking for a premium sneaker within a certain budget, the AI version of Search will not only show you these options. It will also come with the size and fitting options, consider your physical needs and shortlist the best ones and finally guide you to the website where the product is available where you can make the payment and order the item.

Ads In AI Mode On Google: Alarm Bells Already?

But there are concerns around AI-generated content, especially with tech having a tendency of hallucinations and sharing fake details. Now, imagine if companies can pay to publish this content as ads in the AI mode and someone actually uses the details or opens the website.

Those are the bigger issues that Google needs to tackle before having ads in the AI mode. Having said that, Google will make a case for growing AI search users, which then puts the onus on the businesses to bank on the traction and not miss out on the hot property at this stage.

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The other issue with having ads in AI mode is that companies can later adopt policies that allow them to scrape the data and sell it to business, something that Perplexity has hinted could happen in the future.

Most people agree that AI is here and it is better to live with it rather than ignore or avoid it. But Google needs to pace out its transition with AI mode and ads in the vertical, and first gain the trust of the users with its features and future products.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More

News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:40 IST
Google Online Store Finally Launched In India: Buy Pixel Phones, Watch 3 And More

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 10:58 IST

Google online store launch in India will allow you to buy the Pixel 9 phone or the Pixel Watch 3 model officially from the company and get its support.

Google is the latest tech giant to launch its online store for products in India.

Google is finally opening the gates to its online store in India where you can officially buy the Pixel 9 series phones, the Pixel Watch 3 model or other accessories. Apple launched its online store in the country a few years back but Google has taken its time to open the retail channel which has predominantly worked through Flipkart till date.

But having the official store available means you dont need to haggle with other retailers or face other issues anymore. Google has been slow with its focus on the Indian market with the Pixel products, which also explains its modest number of offline stores and service support in the country.

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Google Online Store Now In India: Buy From Here With Offers

Google launching the online store in India comes with special offers Pixel 9 phones with discounts available. Similarly, you have deals available for the Pixel Watch 3 model (both sizes). Google has also special bundled offers that get you a case of Pixel Buds if you buy the new Pixel phone or watch from the online store. You can head over to the Google online store and get more details.

Google says the new online store will also bring better after-sale support with same-day repairs now possible at 20 service centres across India. You can register for repairs, and schedule doorstep pickup of devices via the online Google Store.

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It is high time that the premium Pixel devices get the warranted focus in the country and setting up the online store is just the start. The after-sale support needs to expand faster, with better delivery timelines so that people are encouraged to buy the Pixel phones, and not dither just because fixing any issues with them could become a nightmare.

Google could also have taken a big step in giving us power-packed Pixel 10 series this year. The company has reportedly joined hands with TSMC for making the next iterations of the Tensor G-series chipset, moving away from Samsung for this move. Using TSMC-made chipset could finally give Pixel phones the flagship power that can make them compete with iPhone 16 Pro and other high-end devices in the market.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More

News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:58 IST
Samsung Starts One UI 8 Beta Program: How To Install And Which Devices Supported

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 07:20 IST

Samsung One UI 8 beta program has started with select countries this week and you can try out the new version on these Galaxy phones.

The One UI 8 beta program is available for the Galaxy S25 models.

Samsung has officially opened the gates for the One UI 8 beta program this week, starting with a few countries for now. The company has also confirmed that the Android 16-based One UI version will be making its debut with the next Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 models later this year.

Samsung and Google have enhanced their partnership in recent years and it seems that is helping the company to bring newer Android upgrades for its devices much earlier than before. The One UI 7 update cycle took a big hit last year but Samsung now seems intent to redeem its strategy.

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How To Install One UI 8 Beta Program

The One UI 8 beta program is available for Galaxy S25 users in countries like Germany, Korea, United Kingdom and the US from this week onwards. Other regions like India should be part of the program in the next phase.

The One UI 7 upgrade was Samsungs biggest in terms of the design UI overhaul, but the One UI 8 version is likely to see incremental changes, which seems to have helped its cause and offer a faster OS rollout this year. So if you are in any of these countries, you need these phones to try out the One UI 8 beta version:

Galaxy S25

Galaxy S25 Plus

Galaxy S25 Ultra

The list does not include the Galaxy S25 Edge variant which could be because of the limited availability of the new seek device from the company.

Heres how you can install the new One UI 8 beta update

Get the latest version of the Samsung Members app on the Galaxy S25 phone

Sign in with your Samsung account

Tap on the One UI 8 Beta Program" banner at the top of the home screen

Hit on Register" and complete the following steps to install the beta software version

One UI 8 Beta: What To Expect And New Features

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 will be the first to get the One UI 8 update out of the box. Before that, the company wants to ensure that the platform is stable, bug-free and the features work as expected.

It seems the company will give emphasis to major UX and AI updates with the new version. Samsung says, One UI 8 will also recognize your context, offering personalized, proactive suggestions that support your unique daily routine."

But to make sure that the AI data processing is secure, the company is going to have more flexibility with the One UI 8 update. One UI 8 also provides settings where you can choose to process data only on the device, as many of our Galaxy AI experiences use both on-device and cloud-based AI processing," the blog post adds.

Other features coming your way with the Android 16 update are:

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Auracast based on Bluetooth LE Audio for easier connectivity with devices

Samsung QR and NFC-support based customer support at repair centres

Reminder app is the one-stop place to manage your to-dos

These are some of the features that Samsung is bringing with the Android 16-based One UI 8 update but for now the beta program will look to fix the issues and get the new version ready for its official release sometime in the Summer 2025.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More

News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:20 IST
59-Year-Old Employee Laid Off After 22 Years, Family Alleges Unfair Treatment

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 12:28 IST

The user believed it was suspicious, as their father had just two years before retirement.

The company asked the man to resign voluntarily. (Representative Image)

Sudden layoffs have become increasingly common in the corporate world, and a recent Reddit post sheds light on a troubling instance thats raising eyebrows online. A user has shared how their 59-year-old father is allegedly being forced out of his job under suspicious circumstances, just two years before his planned retirement. After over two decades of loyal service to the same company, the unexpected turn of events has left the family shocked.

The post, titled Father is getting laid off at 59 but something seems sus," details how the man was originally set to retire in January 2025 after completing 22 years at the company. Interestingly, the organisation had recently extended his tenure by two years  a move the family took as a vote of confidence in his performance and value. But just last week, everything changed abruptly.

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According to the user, the father was instructed by his boss to issue a warning email to a subordinate for consistently underperforming. The subordinate, however, responded by crafting a carefully worded email that included senior management, seemingly shifting the blame back onto the father. Following this, the company allegedly began portraying the 59-year-old employee in a negative light. He is now being asked to leave, with reasons cited including the firms poor financial performance, budget constraints, and internal restructuring.

To make matters worse, the mans employer allegedly began encouraging him to retire on his own, presenting it as the honourable" alternative, which would leave him without legal rights or compensation. Once he voluntarily resigns, its game over for him," the user added. The post also mentioned the company claimed he wasnt eligible for severance because he was technically supposed to retire already."

The post soon spread on social media, eliciting a lot of support and many pushing the family to contact a lawyer. A user noted, Under no circumstances should a resignation email be sent. NO RESIGNATION." Another person suggested, Honor is overrated, ask him not to resign and help them easily get rid of him. If he is really serious about leaving, it is best to ask for a buyout  pay 4 years salary and he will consider it"."

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An individual noted, Ask him to read his employment contract. There must be some paperwork regarding the extension. Consult a lawyer and Do not give into the demands of these bullies."

Others seemed very angry at such owners who do not value their employees loyalty.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 12:28 IST
From Jumping On Stage To Taking X To Oval Office: Moments That Marked Musk-Trump Camaraderie

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 10:35 IST

Elon Musk announced on X (previously Twitter) that his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE," is drawing to a close.

In Feb 2025, Elon Musk took his son X to Oval Office for a press conference. (Image: X)

Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday announced his exit from the Donald Trump administration after a short stint with the United States President. Musk announced on X (previously Twitter) that his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE," is drawing to a close.

Musk was appointed as a special government employee," a designation that permits individuals to work in a government capacity for 130 days annually. However, his exit from the Trump administration has fuelled speculation of differences between him an Trump, coming a day after he publicly voiced disappointment" with the centerpiece of Trump administrations legislative agenda. The legislation, dubbed as big beautiful bill" by the US President, comprises a blend of tax cuts and intensified immigration enforcement measures.

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Since the billionaire joined Donald Trumps election campaign, Musk did things that ended up making picture perfect moments. Heres a look at these Musk-Trump moments that made headlines over the past few months:

Musks Leap Of Joy

At a rally in Pennsylvania, days after an assassination attempt was made on Trump at the same place, Elon Musk was seen jumping on stage while the US President (then the Republican candidate) spoke. Musks leap of joy not just made news but also became a meme for the rest of Trumps campaign.

Elon Musk jumps incredibly high, wearing a Dark MAGA hat.  pic.twitter.com/a2ZCCpCaFk SMX  (@iam_smx) October 6, 2024

Election Night at Mar-a-Lago

Musk spent the election night with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, cheering for the US President as he came closer to victory. A photo of Musk and Trump went viral on social media. The image depicted Trump conversing with Musk and UFC President Dana White, indicating Musks involvement in the political sphere during the election.

Elon Musk with Donald J. Trump on Election Night pic.twitter.com/yoK8YTjVBz America (@america) November 6, 2024

The New Years Eve Dance

On New Years Eve 2024, Musk celebrated alongside Trump at Mar-a-Lago. A viral video showed Musk dancing with his son X on his shoulders, while Trump engaged with guests. The video marked a highlight for the Musk-Trump camaraderie.

The most wonderful New Years Eve celebration ever Sharing the joy and happiness from last night with @elonmusk @realDonaldTrump @MELANIATRUMPGreat fashion @XFashionHappy New Year to all  pic.twitter.com/CZpKx3dKze Maye Musk (@mayemusk) January 1, 2025

X At Oval Office

When Elon Musk took his son, X  A-Xii (known as X"), to the Oval Office in February 2025, it became one of the most talked-about and unusual moments in American circles. Musk brought his son X into the Oval Office during a press conference on DOGE. Unfazed by the highly official nature of the press conference, the 4-year-old fiddled with objects on the desk, dug his nose and became a viral sensation on social media.

 MUSK & TRUMP IN THE OVAL OFFICEBUT LITTLE X STEALS THE SHOW! Elon Musk is standing next to President Trump, talking about cutting the deficit in halfand his 4-year-old son, X, is just casually hanging off his dads shoulders, whispering to Trump, and picking his nose.  pic.twitter.com/exC8P4pgwM  Francois Leclerc (@f_leclerc20037) February 11, 2025

Why Musk Criticised Trump

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In an interview with CBS, Elon Musk characterised the bill as a massive spending bill" that he believes will escalate the federal deficit and undermine the work" his DOGE team has been undertaking. I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful," Elon Musk said, adding, But I dont know if it could be both."

Responding to Elon Musks criticism, Donald Trump defended the bill, saying, Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it."

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

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First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:35 IST
Man Throws Grenade At Ex-Girlfriend's House In Thailand, Dies in Fiery Blast

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:07 IST

A man in Thailand was killed after he threw a hand grenade at his ex-girlfriends home following her refusal to reconcile with him.

Four others were injured in the blast. (Representative Image)

A 35-year-old man in Thailand hurled a hand grenade at his former girlfriends home after she declined to reconcile with him. Tragically, he was killed in the explosion that followed, while his ex-girlfriend escaped without any injuries. The incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about violent reactions in personal disputes.

A report from the Bangkok Post states that on May 25, a 35-year-old man died and four others were injured in a grenade explosion. The incident took place in Thailands Tha Chana district, according to police confirmation.

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Reportedly, Surapong Thongnak went to his ex-girlfriends house after their breakup, hoping to reconcile. When she rejected him, he became angry and tried to stab her with a pair of scissors. Nearby passersby quickly stepped in and stopped him from causing harm.

Frustrated, Surapong returned to his car and retrieved an M26 fragmentation grenade. He pulled the pin and hurled the grenade at the crowd trying to stop him. Thankfully, the grenade didnt detonate right away, which helped avoid more immediate injuries.

Surapong then attempted to pick up the grenade to throw it again, but it suddenly detonated in his hand. The powerful explosion shattered the windows of nearby parked cars, causing panic in the area.

When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found Surapong lying in a pool of blood. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.

Four other individualstwo men and two womenwere injured in the explosion and were rushed to Tha Chana Hospital for medical care, according to the Bangkok Post.

Surapongs ex-girlfriend, the intended target, escaped without injury after quickly running back into her house before the grenade detonated. Police discovered 500 grams of methamphetamine inside Surapongs Honda Civic, which was also damaged by the blast.

Reports from Mothership revealed that Surapong had a prior criminal record, having served time for drug-related offenses five years earlier.

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The local police have requested assistance from the Region 8 Forensic Police to analyse the scene and confirm the exact type of explosive involved. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence.

The shocking incident left the local community shaken and raised concerns about the consequences of uncontrolled anger in personal relationships.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:07 IST
Pick It Up: Indians Schooled For Throwing Trash On Streets

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 28, 2025, 18:35 IST

A foreigner confronted the men and firmly urged them to dispose of the litter in a dustbin.

Social media users hailed the woman's act. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Despite the governments as well as the local administrations constant efforts towards promoting cleanliness, littering continues to remain a persistent challenge in India. With people constantly ignoring proper garbage disposal methods, a tourist was recently seen calling out two Indian men for littering the streets. Ameana Finds, a travel content creator, shared a video on Instagram where she was seen asking the men to throw their trash in the bin instead of tossing it around.

Confronting people that trash our planet," Ameana wrote in the caption of her video.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ameana Finds (@ameana_finds)

Is that your paper?" Ameana asks the men before pointing towards the pieces of an ice cream wrapper on the ground. As one of them nods, she firmly asks him to pick it up and throw it in the bin. Ameana appeared frustrated as she mentioned how people choose to litter public places, even when a waste bin is kept around. I dont know whats going through their head. Enjoy your ice cream," she adds at the end.

The video quickly went viral, drawing praise and appreciation from many. One wrote, You did a good job. We need people like you in India," while another added, Civic sense is just wild. Well done."

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They look like they get so bored out there that adding to the pollution gives them some sort of dopamine hit. I know it sounds crazy," a user called out to the offenders. One of the users explained the need to manage trash and added, Carry your trash to the nearest bin This should be taught in school and shown in media or else in India. Cleaning is someone elses job. People will keep their houses clean. Take showers 3 times a day, but everywhere else is their garbage point. In such a populated country, if you dont carry your own trash, you can never make the country clean."

The video comes as a reminder of personal awareness while also pointing out a major issue concerning public nuisance and environmental responsibility. This is not the first instance, as earlier two Danish tourists were spotted picking up trash along the road while travelling to North Sikkim. The simple act struck a chord with many, inspiring both locals and other fellow travellers.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 28, 2025, 18:35 IST
Vivek Ramaswamy Hit With Racist Remarks Over Note For Wife Apoorva: Looking 3-4 Shades Lighter

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:12 IST

Vivek Ramaswamy shared pictures from 2014 and 2025 to celebrate his decade-old journey with wife Apoorva.

Vivek Ramaswamy is currently running for Ohio governor. (Photo Credits: X)

What initially appeared to be an anniversary post turned into a controversy for entrepreneur and Republican politician Vivek Ramaswamy. On Tuesday, May 27, the Indian-origin politician shared a heartfelt post for his wife, Apoorva, marking their 10th wedding anniversary. In the post, Ramaswamy recalled their decade-old journey, including the most memorable hike at the Rockies. He also shared before and after pictures from 2014 and 2025, showing the couple at the same point.

In the fall of 2011, I met a brilliant medical student named Apoorva & asked her out on a first date  to head west for a weekend & hike Flattop Mountain in the Rockies. She accepted. We got within striking distance of the summit when a blizzard hit. I was foolishly stubborn about still making it when she grabbed my hand, looked me in the eye, & said, we have a lifetime ahead to come back and finish it," Ramaswamy wrote in the caption.

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In the fall of 2011, I met a brilliant medical student named Apoorva & asked her out on a first date  to head west for a weekend & hike Flattop Mountain in the Rockies. She accepted. We got within striking distance of the summit when a blizzard hit. I was foolishly stubborn pic.twitter.com/pdV1joMUeg Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) May 26, 2025

Noting that they have been together for 14 yearsnow married and with two kidsthe Indian-origin Republican added, We finally made it back to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary this weekend. Grateful for the love of my life & every day of our journey together."

The post quickly grabbed the internets attention as many took to the comment section and shared love for the couples journey. One wrote, You know you got the right woman when she, on the first date, states youve got a lifetime to look forward to!" while another added, Thats so amazing. Wonderful photos."

Despite the personal nature of the post, many others were seen making targeted discriminatory remarks like The beauty of the whiteness destroyed by brown," Why do you both look 3-4 shades lighter? You didnt bleach your skin, did you?," and I see this was before you did your skin bleaching to appear a higher caste than your birth. Very brave to show this off."

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The backlash comes against the backdrop of Vivek Ramaswamys commentary on H-1B visas. In December last year, Ramaswamy emphasised why companies need more foreign workers. Even though Ramaswamy has voiced his opposition against the H-1B programme, stating that it needs major reforms like a meritocratic system, many slammed the Republican for wanting to replace Americans with Indians.

Currently, Vivek Ramaswamy is running for governor in the state of Ohio.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 09:11 IST
Watch: Deer Enters Tamil Nadu Jewellery Store, Observes And Leaves

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:31 IST

The deer unexpectedly wandered into a jewellery store in Tamil Nadu, leaving both staff and customers startled.

The animal strolled around the showroom before calmly exiting. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

A deer wandered into a jewellery shop in Somanur, Tamil Nadu, catching both employees and shoppers off guard. The surprise visitor caused momentary chaos inside the store but eventually made its way out without any damage or harm. The bizarre encounter was captured on CCTV footage.

According to India Today, the unusual incident occurred when the jewellery store was experiencing a steady stream of customers.

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CCTV footage shows the deer casually entering through the front door, taking everyone by surprise. The presence of the wild animal in such an unexpected environment caused brief chaosshoppers moved aside, while employees stopped what they were doing, unsure of how to react.

Although the unexpected visitor initially caused alarm, the deer remained peaceful and showed no signs of aggression. It appeared bewildered by the unfamiliar environment, bright lights, reflective surfaces, and human movement. However, it refrained from any destructive behaviour.

Instead of attempting to scare it off, the staff took a cautious approach, keeping their distance and allowing the animal to exit by itself. After briefly surveying its surroundings, the deer calmly made its way back out into the surrounding streets, leaving behind a mix of relief and amazement among the onlookers.

Watch the video here:

As the video circulated online, social media users were quick to share their reactions, many expressing sympathy and concern for the animal.

A user commented, Looks like it lost its way and was frightened, poor thing."

Another joked, Maybe it just wanted to check out some bangles, glad it made it out safely."

Others called for help and protection for the deer, with one saying, Please ensure its safe."

Some pointed to broader environmental concerns, noting, Urbanisation is forcing wildlife into human spaces," and, Weve encroached on their land, so now theyre entering ours."

Only a few days ago, a similar incident occurred in Tamil Nadus Nilgiris district when a leopard wandered into the Naduvattam police station on April 29.

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A Leopard decided to inspect the Naduvattam Police Station in Nilgiris. Hats off to the police person on duty who calmly closed the door and called forest officials. No one was hurt. Leopard went back safely to the forest #wildlife #TNForest pic.twitter.com/WEtXgW36kI Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) April 29, 2025

The big cat was initially seen near a nearby tea estate before it reportedly entered the police station through an open rear door, startling those inside.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 15:31 IST
Who Is Jonas Masetti? Brazilian Going Viral After Being Awarded Padma Shri

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:24 IST

Jonas Masetti said the honour of receiving Indias fourth-highest civilian award came as a surprise.

Jonas Masetti began his career as a mechanical engineer. (Photo credits: X)

Brazilian spiritual teacher Jonas Masetti has been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award for his contribution to spreading Vedic knowledge and Vedanta philosophy across the globe. Masetti, once a mechanical engineer working with top firms in Brazils stock market, said the honour of receiving Indias fourth-highest civilian award came as a surprise. I was not expecting this. Its a great honour not just for me, but for our family striving for this tradition," he told news agency ANI. He is now going viral.

Bare feet, Rudraksha Maala & cotton dhoti  meet Jonas Mazetty a Mechanical Engineer from Brazil He is so influenced by Indian spirituality that he is spreading the knowledge of Vedanta and Bhagavad Gita in the world He was Awarded Padma Shri pic.twitter.com/RF64tqtoWR  Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) May 28, 2025

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President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday, honouring individuals across diverse fields.

Who is Jonas Masetti?

Jonas Masetti, also known as Acharya Vishwanath, was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He began his career as a mechanical engineer working with top firms in the stock market. Despite having what he described as everything a Western lifestyle offers, money, friends, and social success, he felt deeply unfulfilled and began questioning the true meaning of life.

This inner quest led him to India, where he found answers at an ashram in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Under the guidance of spiritual master Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Masetti immersed himself in Vedanta philosophy. He later earned the title of Acharya and changed his name to Vishwanath.

On returning to Brazil, he founded Vishva Vidya Gurukulam in the hills of Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro. The institute offers free online courses, combining traditional Vedic wisdom with modern tools. Within seven years, he has reached over 1.5 lakh students globally.

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In 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged him in a Mann Ki Baat address, calling him a cultural ambassador of India.

Masetti has also published several books on Yoga and Vedanta in both Portuguese and English.

About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: May 29, 2025, 15:18 IST
Doctor Who Sexually Abused Hundreds Of Children Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:19 IST

Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon, was found guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults against 299 children, mostly under anesthesia or sedated.

This court sketch created on May 23, 2025, shows the defendant, French retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec listening during a hearing in his trial on charges of rape and sexual assault of 299 former patients, at the courthouse of Vannes, western France. (IMAGE: AFP)

Joel Le Scouarnec, a 73-year-old former surgeon, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting nearly 300 patients, most of whom were under 15 years old. The youngest victim was just four years old.

Le Scouarnec, described as Frances worst paedophile, exploited his patients vulnerability, often targeting them while they were under anaesthesia or recovering from surgery, prosecutors said.

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He kept a diary detailing his horrific crimes and referred to himself as a proud" paedophile, although he later claimed these writings were just fantasies.

On Wednesday, Le Scouarnec showed no emotion as jury at the Morbihan Criminal Court, in Brittany, found him guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults.

According to The Sun, Presiding Judge Aude Buresi, in turn, sentenced Scouarnec to twenty years in prison" with a minimum two-thirds term without the possibility of parole to prevent re-offending".

Scouarnecs crimes occurred between 1989 and 2014, spanning over 25 years. Some alleged offences couldnt be prosecuted due to the statute of limitations.

During the three-month trial, the court revealed the horrific details of Le Scouarnecs abuse, which primarily occurred while patients were under anaesthesia or slowly regaining consciousness after surgery.

Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon, was found guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults against 299 children, mostly under anesthesia or sedated.

Worst Mass Paedophile, Ever Lived

Thomas Delaby, a barrister representing one of his victims, told Le Scourarnec he is the worst mass paedophile who ever lived" and an atomic bomb of paedophilia. Your victims will never forgive you."

Speaking just before the verdict, Le Scourarnec said: Im not asking the court for leniency. Simply grant me the right to become a better person."

Le Scouarnec claimed that his abuse led to the deaths of at least two of his victims. I am responsible for the deaths of Mathis Vinet, who died after an overdose in 2021, and Alan Roux, who was found hanged at his home in 2020," he said.

Prosecutors who had heard Le Scouarnec described as Frances worst ever paedophile" said he was a devil" and there was a very high risk" of him re-offending if ever allowed out of his cell.

Prosecutor Kellenberger requested the maximum 20-year sentence for Le Scouarnec, citing the need for additional security measures" due to the ongoing danger he poses, The Sun reported.

The former surgeon is already serving 15 years behind bars after he was found guilty in 2020 of raping and sexually assaulting four young girls.

Two of these victims were his nieces, one was his neighbour, and the fourth was a former patient of his.

Le Scouarnecs crimes came to light in 2017 when a 6-year-old neighbor reported being raped, leading to his arrest. He had stopped working at the hospital by then.

After his 2017 arrest, investigators made shocking discoveries at his home, including a repulsive diary where he detailed sexual acts with children. The monster doctor described himself as an exhibitionist, voyeur, sadist, masochist, scatologist, fetishist, paedophile".

On his birthday every year, Le Scouarnec would record his age and write a vile message to himself. He wrote: I am a paedophile and I am proud of it."

His crimes were described in his diaries in great detail and without an ounce of regret or empathy. He also included the childrens names, the date he allegedly abused them, and where it happened. Le Scouarnec denied that these words were a reality and claimed they were just his sick fantasies".

Wife Protected Her Husband

Police also found horrifying child-sized sex dolls, some of them chained up, and over 300,000 child abuse images were discovered. Various victims called for Le Scouarnecs ex-wife to be prosecuted too. Marie-Caroline Arrighi, a spokesman for four victims, said outside court: She knew. Marie-France Le Scouarnec knew and protected her husband."

Calling the couple evil," Ms Arrighi added: Reporting sexual crimes and offences against minors is a legal obligation."

Ms Le Scouarnec, the mother of his three sons, lived with him throughout that time and has always denied knowing what he was doing.

Patrick Le Scouarnec, the defendants 70-year-old brother, testified that Marie-France, the defendants wife, could have exposed his crimes earlier. He implied she was complicit in covering up the abuse. Victims have accused Marie-France of enabling the defendants actions for years.

Ms Le Scouarnec said, I wondered how I could have not noticed anything. Its a terrible betrayal that he committed against me and my children."

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Meanwhile, victims of Le Scouarnec expressed disappointment that the 20-year sentence was too lenient, given the large number of victims affected. Lawyer Francesca Satta advocated for changing the law to allow for longer sentences, stating that 20 years was insufficient for the severity of the crimes.

Location : France

First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:34 IST
Elon Musk Didn't Quit, His Status In Donald Trump Govt Permitted Him To Work Till May-End

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:04 IST

Elon Musk's term was always set to end this month under the terms of his appointment as a special government employee.

Elon Musk (Image Credit: Reuters)

Elon Musks role in the Donald Trump administration was never meant to be permanent. As the billionaire entrepreneur said that his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is coming to an end- confirming his departure from the Donald Trump administration in a post on X (formerly Twitter)- speculation grew that he had stepped down from the advisory post.

Elon Musks post read: As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

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Read more: DOGE Was The Whipping Boy: Elon Musk On Working In Trump Administration

Did Elon Musk Quit Donald Trump Administration Or Not?

Elon Musks term was always set to end this month under the terms of his appointment as a special government employee"- a designation that legally limits federal service to 130 days per calendar year. Appointed shortly after Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20 this year, Elon Musks involvement in policy discussions- ranging from AI to energy- was constrained by this specific classification. Owing to this, his term simply timed out.

What Is Special Government Employee"?

In the United States, a special government employee" is a category used for individuals brought in temporarily to lend expertise to the federal government without committing to a full-time position.

Read more: Why Is Elon Musk Unhappy With Donald Trump, What It Means For DOGE? Explained

This classification permits service of up to 130 days within a 365-day period. This makes Elon Musks departure from the administration a matter of procedure rather than politics or discontent.

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Can Elon Musk Return In Any Advisory Capacity To The White House?

Yes, but whether he will return in any advisory capacity later in the administration remains unclear.

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: May 29, 2025, 09:04 IST
From Frenemy To Fanboy To Fallout: Elon Musk's Rollercoaster Ride With Trump Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 08:16 IST

Elon Musk is set to exit the Trump administration. The duo were not besties since ever as they hurled insults at each other until some years ago.

Elon Musk exits Trump administration (Reuters Image)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to exit the Donald Trump administration as his term comes to a close by the end of May. A lot took place during his short tenure as a government employee, as his much-talked-about bromance with the US President appeared to sour towards the end of his term.

Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude to Trump for giving him the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending in the government.

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As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk posted on X, announcing his exit.

After his victory in the 2024 Presidential election, Trump announced Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, as a Special Government Employee", which allows a person to work in the government capacity for 130 days a year.

Since the January 20 inauguration, Musk has worked closely with Trump to reduce government spending. However, lately he has had some public disagreements with Trump, including the law proposed by the government, which Trump dubbed a big beautiful bill".

Musks relationship with Trump has not been rosy since ever, with the duo hurling insults at each other not too long ago, until the Tesla CEO ended up endorsing Trump as a candidate for the US President last year. A look at how critics turned besties" and then the ultimate fallout.

Pre-Trump-Musk Bromance Era

In 2016, Musk was not the biggest fan of his future bestie, as he publicly said that Trump was not fit to run for the US President.

I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy. He doesnt seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States," Musk had told CNBC during an interview at that time.

However, his doubts didnt seem to last long. Just a month after Trump won his first election, Musk was appointed to an economic advisory council by Trump, along with Uber CEO Travis Kalanick.

In June 2017, the duos professional relationship took a hit after Trump announced that the US would be withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, as Musk went on to tender his resignation from his positions on the presidential advisory boards.

Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," Musk then tweeted.

2022 saw see-saw remarks by Trump about Musk as he described Musk as one of the worlds great geniuses" in January that year, while also likening him to Thomas Edison. However, by July, Trump flipped his stance to refer to Musk as another bulls*** artist".

While speaking about free speech at a rally in Anchorage, Alaska, Trump talked about Musks promise to buy the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Elon is not going to buy Twitter he said the other day Oh, Ive never voted for a Republican. I said I didnt know that. He told me he voted for me. So hes another bulls*** artist," Trump said.

I dont hate the man, but its time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.Dems should also call off the attack  dont make it so that Trumps only way to survive is to regain the Presidency.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2022

Musk responded to the video clip, I dont hate the man, but its time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset."

By October, Musk officially completed the acquisition of Twitter.

Timeline Of Musks Tenure With Trump

By September 2023, Musk started aligning himself with Trumps policies, including those on immigration. He spoke in favour of a US border wall with Mexico, which was a hot topic during the election campaign.

We actually do need a wall and we need to require people to have some shred of evidence to claim asylum to enter, as everyone is doing that" Musk said.

In March 2024, Musk had said that he would not donate to either candidate in the presidential election. However, in July, when Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the billionaire extended support to Trump.

Just to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2024

Soon after bullets were fired at Trump, during which he suffered injuries to his right ear, Musk endorsed the Republican leader and committed nearly $45 million a month to a new pro-Trump super PAC called America PAC.

In October 2024, Musk made his first public appearance with Trump at a rally and jumped onto the stage, donning a black Make America Great Again cap.

As you can see, Im not just MAGA  Im dark MAGA," he told the crowd.

Musk has also attended the Cabinet meetings chaired by Trump, during which he detailed the work being done by his department to cut down spending.

He had joined the administration with a promise to cut at least $1 trillion from the US federal budget. However, according to the DOGE website, it has only saved around $175 billion so far  which comes out to about $1,088.96 for each US taxpayer.

During the first Cabinet meeting in February this year, he even claimed that he was getting death threats for the work they were doing for the department. Im taking a lot of flak and getting a lot of death threats, by the way. We simply cannot sustain, as a country, $2 trillion deficits," he had said.

Tesla Boycott

After Musk joined Trumps second term as DOGE chief, his department either fired or offered early retirement deals to around 100,000 federal workers. It also gained access to the private personal and financial details of millions of Americans.

As Musk became a firm voice of the administration, Tesla bore the brunt as its facilities across the country faced protests and vandalism.

Thousands of citizens hit the roads in parts of the US, launching Tesla Takedown" protests  many of them were peaceful, however, some were even violent with fires intentionally set at Tesla showrooms and charging stations in Colorado and Massachusetts.

Hundreds of protesters had also occupied a Tesla showroom in New York, leading to the arrest of six persons.

Trump-Musk Fallout

Musk had recently expressed his disappointment" with the Trump administrations main legislative plan, which the President described as a big beautiful bill". This legislation included tax cuts and tougher immigration policies.

In a CBS interview, Musk described it as a massive spending bill" that he believed would increase the national debt and hurt the progress his DOGE team had been working on.

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful. But I dont know if it could be both," Musk said.

Reacting to Musks remarks, Trump still backed the bill, stating, Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it."

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Sources earlier told Mediate that Trump is now becoming annoyed" with his first buddy" after Musk engaged in a public spat with other members of the MAGA over H1B visas.

100 percent Trump is annoyed," a source who worked on Trumps re-election campaign told the outlet earlier this year.

About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:50 IST
Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration: 'My Scheduled Time Comes To An End'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 06:54 IST

Elon Musk thanked Donald Trump for the chance to help cut down on wasteful spending with the DOGE task force.

Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump

Billionaire Elon Musk announced that his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE," is drawing to a close. Elon Musk, who has been instrumental in the cost-cutting task force since its inception earlier this year, confirmed his departure from the Donald Trump administration in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Elon Musk was appointed as a special government employee," a designation that permits individuals to work in a government capacity for 130 days annually. Counting from Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20 this year, Elon Musks term would naturally reach this limit by the end of May.

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Read more: Why Is Elon Musk Unhappy With Donald Trump, What It Means For DOGE? Explained

What Elon Musk Said On His Departure From Trump Administration

In his social media post, Elon Musk expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for the opportunity to contribute to reducing wasteful spending. He also voiced his optimism for the future of the agency saying that cost-cutting measures would become a way of life throughout government."

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," he wrote on X, adding, that the agency would only strengthen over time."

Elon Musk Disappointed With Donald Trump?

Elon Musks exit from DOGE comes just a day after he publicly voiced disappointment" with the centerpiece of Trump administrations legislative agenda. The legislation, dubbed as big beautiful bill" by the US President, comprises a blend of tax cuts and intensified immigration enforcement measures. In an interview with CBS, Elon Musk characterized the bill as a massive spending bill" that he believes will escalate the federal deficit and undermine the work" his DOGE team has been undertaking.

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful," Elon Musk said, adding, But I dont know if it could be both."

Responding to Elon Musks criticism, Donald Trump defended the bill, saying, Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it."

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Elon Musk Quit Trump Administration To Focus On Tesla?

Elon Musks foray into a government role fueled considerable controversy and public backlash against his car company Tesla. Elon Musks political involvement, particularly his public alignment with the administration and his cost-cutting efforts in government, sparked protests and boycotts of Tesla vehicles in various markets globally. Elon Musks commitment to government work also raised concerns among some investors about his focus being diverted from Teslas core operations as the company witnessed a significant drop in first-quarter profits and sales.

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: May 29, 2025, 06:17 IST
Elon Musk Pressured Trump Team to Kill OpenAIs UAE Deal, White House Ignored Him: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 12:21 IST

The report claimed that Elon Musk did not like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to be part of a delegation accompanying Donald Trump on a recent Gulf tour.

Sam Altman and Elon Musk are seen.

Elon Musk reportedly attempted to derail OpenAIs artificial intelligence infrastructure deal in the Middle East unless his own AI startup, xAI, was included but his pressure tactics failed, The Wall Street Journal reported. The report claimed that the Tesla boss did not like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to be part of a delegation accompanying US President Donald Trump on a recent Gulf tour, during which the UAE deal was reportedly finalised.

In response, Elon Musk personally called G42 officials- including Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAEs national security adviser and brother of the countrys president- and demanded that xAI be granted a role in the project, it added.

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What Is OpenAIs Middle East Deal?

The deal in question, announced last week, involves OpenAI and several major US tech firms partnering with G42, an Emirati AI company, to build one of the worlds largest AI computing hubs in Abu Dhabi.

Read more: Elon Musk Exits Trump Administration: My Scheduled Time Comes To An End

The massive data centre complex is part of Stargate UAE, an ambitious initiative under the broader Project Stargate, a $500 billion AI investment program unveiled earlier this year and backed by Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank and Cisco.

Elon Musk Said Donald Trump Wont Approve The Deal

Elon Musk warned that the Donald Trump administration would not approve the deal unless his firm was included, the report claimed. Despite the pressure, White House officials reviewed the agreement and ultimately gave it the green light without Elon Musks involvement.

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As per the report, a US official described Elon Musks concern as being about fairness for all AI companies," but others familiar with the matter suggested it was part of the billionaires ongoing feud with Sam Altman.

The two co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but Elon Musk left in 2018. He has since accused Sam Altman of betraying OpenAIs founding principles and has filed a lawsuit over its pivot toward profit-driven development and closed-source models.

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : San Francisco, California, USA

First Published: May 29, 2025, 12:21 IST
Get Over Nike, Pikachu And Pooh, Please: Japan Tells Parents To Pick Normal Baby Names

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News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 13:44 IST

This move targets a growing trend where parents have assigned unconventional readings to kanji, authorities in Japan said.

All Japanese residents will receive an official mail requesting them to confirm the phonetic readings of their names.

Parents in Japan can no longer give their children unusual or creatively pronounced names, following the implementation of new government guidelines aimed at curbing the rise of so-called kira-kira (sparkly or glittery) names.

The updated regulations impose limits on how kanji characters- the Chinese-derived characters used in Japanese names- can be pronounced. While parents are still allowed to choose from a list of approximately 3,000 kanji, they must now adhere to traditional or widely accepted pronunciations.

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This move targets a growing trend where parents have assigned unconventional readings to kanji, resulting in names such as Naiki (pronounced like Nike), Pikachu, Kitty, Pudding, Daiya (diamond), and Pu (from Winnie-the-Pooh).

Japans Ministry of Justice said that all names in Japans family registration system must now include clearly defined phonetic readings that align with cultural norms. Parents who submit nonstandard name readings may be required to justify their choices to local authorities. If deemed inappropriate, officials can recommend more traditional alternatives, the order states.

All Japanese residents will receive an official mail requesting them to confirm the phonetic readings of their names and if errors or inconsistencies are found, individuals will have one year to submit correction requests, the order added.

New Naming Rules Spark Debate In Japan

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This is not the first time strict naming rules have sparked debate in Japan. The nations unique legal mandate for married couples to share the same surname continues to draw contention. Under current Japanese law, wives typically adopt their husbands surname, a tradition reinforced by the lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriages.

The new rules come amidst a trend of increasing experimentation in baby names, with a 2022 study analyzing local newsletter data over the past four decades revealing a notable rise in unusual names."

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : Japan

First Published: May 29, 2025, 13:40 IST
Greece Fully Backs India's Fight Against Terror In Talks With Kanimozhi-Led Team: Sources To News18

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 01:21 IST

Sources indicated that Greece welcomed New Delhi's boycott of countries aiding terrorism against India

During its stay, the Indian delegation interacted with Greek authorities and think tanks, discussing the history of India and Pakistan, the Pahalgam terror attack, and Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror hubs in Pakistan. Image/X

During their series of meetings in Athens, Greece, an all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi secured strong support from the Greek government in Indias fight against terrorism, said sources. Greece endorsed Indias boycott of countries like Turkey, which had supplied arms and ammunition to Pakistan for its terror activities, they added. Greece and Turkey have a complex relationship due to historical and territorial conflicts.

The Kanimozhi-led team also includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Mian Altaf Ahmad (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party), and former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf as part of a diplomatic outreach to highlight Indias stance on terrorism.

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Sources indicated that Greece welcomed New Delhis boycott of countries aiding terrorism against India. It also expressed condolences for the Indian lives lost in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and supported Indias response. Greece assured India of its solidarity in exposing Pakistans support for terrorism on global platforms, said sources.

During its stay, the Indian delegation interacted with Greek authorities and think tanks, discussing the history of India and Pakistan, the Pahalgam terror attack, and Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror hubs in Pakistan. It explained why the operation is currently halted and incomplete.

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Rajeev Rai from the Samajwadi Party took to social media platform X to express gratitude for Greeces support, highlighting the unity among Indian political parties on this issue. He asked whom India should negotiate with in Pakistan, citing the involvement of the Pakistani government and military in supporting terrorism. Rai reminded the delegation of historical attacks on India by Pakistan, including Kargil and attacks on the Indian Parliament, Akshardham, Pathankot, and Uri.

The delegations trip began in Russia, followed by visits to Slovenia and Greece. Its next destination is Riga, Latvia, with the final stop in Madrid, Spain. The team is scheduled to return to India in the first week of June.

First Published: May 30, 2025, 01:21 IST
Harvard Gets 30 Days To Reply After Trump Administration Threatens Ban On Foreign Students

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 20:01 IST

The administration signalled on Thursday that it may walk back on its plan to immediately revoke Harvard Universitys ability to enrol foreign students, following the backlash.

Harvard University. (Reuters/File Image)

The Donald Trump administration has given Harvard University 30 days to reply to the notice barring the Ivy League institution from enrolling foreign students, news agency Reuters reported.

The administration signalled on Thursday that it may walk back on its plan to immediately revoke Harvard Universitys ability to enrol foreign students, following the backlash.

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In a court filing, the Department of Homeland Security issued a formal notice of intent to Harvard on Wednesday to withdraw the universitys certification under the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which allows Harvard to enroll non-US students.

The notice came after Harvard filed a petition over the Trump administrations decision to decertify the institute from SEVP. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Boston, claiming the move is an unconstitutional retaliation for defying the White Houses political demands.

Harvards lawyers said that the Universitys certification was removed abruptly without any compliance of federal regulations that requires the department to give a legitimate reason for its actions and an advance notice. Moreover it also gives an opportunity to address any issues.

The federal court hearing on Friday will decide whether a temporary block on the Trump administrations earlier revocation order should be extended.

The revocation announced on May 22 was an escalation of the Trump administrations attack on Harvard. Earlier today, the President said that Harvard University should cap its foreign student enrollment at a maximum of 15% and be compelled to provide the government with a comprehensive list of all international students currently enrolled.

Harvard is at the centre of a growing political and legal battle with the White House. While other universities risk losing federal funding and the ability to enroll international students unless they meet shifting government demands, Harvard is actively fighting back in courtand paying a steep price for it.

It has become a primary target for the Donald Trump administration amid its ongoing campaign against elite academic institutions. The White House has frozen over $2.6 billion in federal research funding earmarked for the university, seeking to enforce compliance with a series of demands aimed at reshaping the institutions policies and operations. Key among these demands is a push for greater governmental control over the universitys curriculum.

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Donald Trumps team is now actively working to cancel all remaining federal contracts with the university, further intensifying the financial squeeze on the Ivy League institution, it was earlier reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: May 29, 2025, 20:16 IST
Israel Accepts New US-Backed Gaza Truce Proposal As Hamas Reviews Terms

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 21:59 IST

Palestinian militant group Hamas said earlier that it had received the new proposal from mediators and was studying it

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AP Image)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Netanyahu made the announcement while speaking to families of hostages held in Gaza, Israeli media reported.

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Earlier, the Palestinian militant group Hamas said it had received Witkoffs new proposal from the mediators and is currently studying it responsibly."

The leadership of the Hamas movement has received Witkoffs new proposal from the mediators and is currently studying it responsibly, in a manner that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," the Palestinian militant group said in a statement.

On Wednesday, US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the talks, saying he had very good feelings" about a possible Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and expected to send out a new proposal imminently.

I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution, temporary cease fire, and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict," Witkoff told reporters alongside US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Negotiations to end 18 months of devastating war have yet to produce a breakthrough since Israel resumed military operations in Gaza in March, following a brief truce.

The Gaza war was sparked by Hamass October 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Out of 251 hostages seized during the attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military says are dead.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Thursday that at least 3,986 people had been killed in the territory since Israel ended the ceasefire on 18 March, bringing the wars overall death toll to 54,249, mostly civilians.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, despite aid beginning to trickle back into the area after more than two months of blockade by Israel. Food security experts warn that one in five people face the threat of starvation.

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Meanwhile, the Israeli military has recently intensified its offensive in Gaza in what it describes as a renewed effort to destroy Hamas, whose attack on 7 October 2023 triggered the war.

(With inputs from agnecies)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Israel

First Published: May 29, 2025, 21:41 IST
'Making My Life Miserable': Canada Landlord On Tenants Flying Khalistani Flag, Skipping Rent

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 30, 2025, 00:08 IST

Landlord Raman Kumar said five students moved in October 2024, paid rent till December, but stopped paying the monthly rent and utility bills from January

The landlord claimed that the Khalistan flag tied outside the house was put up without his permission.

A landlord in Canadas Ontario is facing serious distress after his tenants, alleged supporters of the Khalistan movement, have reportedly not paid rent or utility bills since January this year.

The matter was brought to light by independent journalist Nitin Chopra, who shared a video report on social media platform X, including interviews and footage from the property.

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Another Victim Landlord in #Ontario Tenants have not paid rent since Jan 2025, not paying Utilities bill either What a Landlord should do? When can we fix the system ? Enough is Enough!," Chopra wrote in his post.

Another Victim Landlord in #OntarioTenants have not paid rent since Jan 2025 , not paying Utilities bill either What a Landlord should do ? When can we fix the system ? Enough is Enough ! #FixTheLTB #onpoli pic.twitter.com/YKoamANDzO  Nitin Chopra (@chopsnitin) May 29, 2025

Chopra also shared visuals of the rented property, where a Khalistan flag can be clearly seen tied to a post outside the house.

The property owner, Raman Kumar, told Chopra that five students moved into the house in October 2024 and paid rent till December. Since January, however, they have stopped paying the monthly rent, which Kumar says is around 3,300 Canadian dollars, as well as utility bills.

Im paying the mortgage, property tax, and insurance out of my own pocket," Kumar said. This is putting me under extreme mental stress. I myself live in a rented house and have my own expenses. These tenants are making my life miserable."

Kumar also claimed that the Khalistan flag tied outside the house was put up without his permission. I am very scared by these kinds of activities, and the neighbourhood is also unhappy," he said. Authorities need to intervene. Weve always lived peacefully as a community, and this is creating unnecessary tensions."

Kumar alleged that while he rented the home to five people, he believes more individuals are living there. I cant give the exact number, but there are a lot of people coming and going," he added.

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The landlord further claimed the tenants have been disturbing the neighbourhood, especially at night, and local residents have lodged complaints.

Although Kumar has taken legal steps to address the situation, he said the process is slow. Ive started legal proceedings, but it will take time," he noted.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Canada

First Published: May 29, 2025, 23:58 IST
Nigeria Arrests 4 Pakistanis, Accuses Foreign Mercenaries Of Training Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 16:58 IST

Abubakar noted that foreign mercenaries provide both tactical and strategic training to the terrorists of ISWAP and Boko Haram.

Nigerian army arrests four Pakistani nationals. (Image: Representative)

The theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai of Nigeria, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, raised concerns about the increasing infiltration of foreign mercenaries into the north-east region of the country, exacerbating the threat from terrorist groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.

Abubakar, during a media tour in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, highlighted that the involvement of these mercenaries has led to the adoption of more advanced tactics by terrorist organisations.

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The tactics include: Use of drones for surveillance and attacks, the production of sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and the setting of traps aimed at military personnel.

The infiltration of foreign mercenaries in the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and JAS," the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai was quoted as saying by The Cable.

The Nigerian army on Wednesday informed that four Pakistani nationals were arrested over their alleged ties to terrorism. The arrested Pakistanis were suspected of arms trafficking with terrorists. It was highlighted that the arrests were indicative of the growing external support.

Abubakar noted that these mercenaries provide both tactical and strategic training to the terrorists.

The commander also pointed out an increasing coordination among terrorist networks. The growing influence of these mercenaries is evident in the terrorists increasing coordinated assets, leading to greater casualties among troops and significant equipment losses," he added.

In response to this, Abubakar has called for an immediate and coordinated response, emphasising the need for enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. He also urged a stronger collaboration between Nigeria and neighboring countries to disrupt cross-border support networks.

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He stressed that Boko Haram and ISWAP are not just waging war against the armed forces but against Nigeria as a whole.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Nigeria

First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:58 IST
No Peace For Nobel Peace Winner: Army, BNP Tighten Screws On Yunus As Bangladesh Boils

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 07:00 IST

Interim chief Yunus under siege as Islamist mobs target minorities, BNP demands his ouster and army signals disaffection over delayed polls.

With Hasina gone, Yunus struggles to contain unrest as Army Chief Wakar-Uz-Zaman warns against missteps amid rising violence and BNP pressure. (IMAGE: REUTERS/AFP)

When students ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, forcing her to flee for New Delhi, the so-called student-led movement ushered in Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as interim government adviser to steer the country towards elections, which critics argue were not freely or fairly held under Hasinas regime.

However, Yunus has struggled to contain the jihadist takeover of the student-led movement against the quota system in government jobs. The interim administration failed to stop attacks by Islamists on Bengali Hindus, Christians, adivasis, and hill tribes. Last week, Yunus even threatened to resign after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Awami Leagues arch-rival, demanded his removal over delays in elections.

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The banker to the poor has also failed to stop attacks on Awami League members and oversaw the banning of the outfit, paving the way for the Khaleda Zia-led BNP to return to power. The BNP is close to Pakistan, a nation that once ruled Bangladesh with an iron fist and committed ethnic cleansing during the 1971 liberation.

Yunus convened meetings with key political factions, including the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami  which also has ties to Pakistan. Jamaat-e-Islami proposed two potential timelines for national elections: mid-February 2026 if necessary reforms are completed, or immediately after Ramadan if delays persist . The party also emphasized the importance of maintaining the armys reputation, cautioning against any actions that might politicize the military.

This week, the Bangladesh Army had to dispel rumours that there were rifts between the Yunus government and the armed forces. Brigadier General Nazim-Ud-Doul said the army is working harmoniously and in mutual understanding" and assured that there is no room for misinterpretation".

The military is pressuring the caretaker administration to hold elections by the end of 2025. Army Chief General Wakar-Uz-Zaman has been vocal about the need for timely elections.

However, a lack of clarity from the interim leadership on when polls might be held has fueled unease within the army ranks. Adding to the strain is a contentious proposal to create a corridor from Coxs Bazar to Myanmars Rakhine state, aimed at facilitating aid and movement for Rohingya refugees, an idea that has drawn sharp concern over national security.

Bangladesh Army officials strongly denied any intent to seize political power. We have no intention, no interest, and no information to suggest anything of that sort," said Col Md Shafiqul Islam, colonel staff of the Ministry of Defence. He called the proposed corridor a sensitive issue and made it clear the military would not back any plan that threatens Bangladeshs security.

But How Did Bangladesh Get Here?

The ousting of Sheikh Hasina marked a significant turning point in Bangladeshs political landscape. The wave of protests and counter-protests in Bangladesh turned deadly, with at least 366 people reported killed since the unrest began, according to official tallies. Mobs ransacked offices of the ruling Awami League across several districts, targeting party leaders and supporters. Several Awami League members were lynched, and at least a dozen police officers lost their lives while trying to control the violence. Protesters also set fire to police stations and government buildings, triggering brutal crackdowns.

During the peak of the unrest, angry mobs ransacked the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, a site dedicated to the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladeshs founding father. Statues of Sheikh Mujib were defaced and several relics from the 1971 Liberation War were damaged or destroyed.

The military intervened at the time and helped establish an interim government, but the transition period has been marred by widespread violence, particularly targeting minority communities. Reports indicate that from August 4 to August 20, over 2,000 incidents of violence against minorities, including attacks on 69 temples, occurred across the country.

The Hindu community, which constitutes 8% of Bangladeshs population, has been disproportionately affected. In the wake of Hasinas resignation, numerous Hindu homes, businesses and places of worship were vandalized or destroyed. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported that more than 157 families had their homes and businesses attacked, looted or set on fire during this period.

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The recent surge in violence against minorities is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader pattern of religious intolerance and extremism in Bangladesh. Between 2013 and 2016, the country witnessed a series of brutal attacks by Islamist extremists targeting secular bloggers, academics, and religious minorities.

In 2015, atheist blogger Avijit Roy was hacked to death in Dhaka and several other secular writers, human rights and LGBTQ activists faced similar fates. These attacks were often carried out by groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, who have close ties with Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islamic Chhatra Shibir.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:00 IST
Pakistans New Crypto Czar Is A Social Star With Global Resume, But Can He Deliver Policy?

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 19:14 IST

With roots in social work and a degree from LSE, Bilal Bin Saqib is now leading Pakistans most high-profile crypto initiative

Bilal Bin Saqib has featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Europe Social Impact category. (Image: Reuters)

At a glitzy Las Vegas crypto summit, Bitcoin 2025, held from 27 to 29 May at the Venetian and attended by US Vice President JD Vance and a host of blockchain evangelists, a Pakistani delegate unveiled a novel idea: a government-backed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The announcement made headlines, as did the man behind it. Bilal Bin Saqib, recently appointed as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, with the status of Minister of State, is not a bureaucrat or a financial expert. He is a London-bred social entrepreneur with a polished demeanour  and now, the face of Pakistans most high-profile crypto push to date.

Who Is Bilal Bin Saqib?

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An alumnus of the London School of Economics, Bilal first gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic for co-founding the One Million Meals initiative, which provided over 100,000 meals to NHS workers and vulnerable communities in the UK. His efforts earned him an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). He was also featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Europe Social Impact category.

Honoured to be appointed as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, with the status of Minister of State.This is a responsibility I carry with sincerity, for our youth, our builders, and the future we want to shape. Pakistan pic.twitter.com/hK4ZaMwXxW  Bilal bin Saqib MBE (@Bilalbinsaqib) May 28, 2025

In Pakistan, he co-founded Tayaba, a non-profit initiative to distribute H2O Wheels in water-scarce rural areas, garnering attention for blending social innovation with grassroots action. More recently, he launched the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a platform that advocates for crypto awareness.

However, the PCCs work has largely been confined to media outreach and events. There is no public evidence of Bilal contributing to technical development, policy drafting, or institutional crypto governance. Until now, he has been more of a campaigner and public advocate than a policymaker.

Why This Appointment Matters And Why Its Unusual

Bilals appointment to a Cabinet-rank advisory position comes as Pakistan attempts to signal its digital ambition to global investors. As Special Assistant on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Bilal now holds ministerial status  a rare elevation for someone whose prior experience lies outside traditional regulatory, financial, or governmental domains.

Superficially, the appointment suggests an attempt to modernise governance with younger, internationally recognised voices. Yet, beneath the surface, it has raised concerns about whether such gestures translate into meaningful institutional change.

The Bitcoin Reserve Announcement: A Vegas Moment

The centrepiece of Bilals early tenure is the announcement of Pakistans Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, made on Wednesday during the Bitcoin 2025 conference. The reserve is pitched as a sovereign digital asset storehouse  a national crypto wallet to hold digital currencies already in state custody. The move is intended to signal Pakistans long-term commitment to decentralised finance.

Just days before the Vegas summit, Pakistans finance ministry announced the allocation of 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centres. The initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council, aims to monetise unused energy capacity and position Pakistan as a future hub for digital infrastructure.

Trumpworld And The American Tie-In

The timing of Pakistans crypto initiative closely followed US President Donald Trumps March 2025 executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a US Digital Asset Stockpile, seeded with Bitcoin seized in federal forfeitures. US Vice President JD Vance, who addressed the Las Vegas summit, has also positioned the administration as crypto-friendly.

Pakistans deal with World Liberty Financial (WLF)  a US-based crypto firm with reported ties to Trump allies  further suggests Islamabads crypto pivot is taking cues from Washingtons current rhetoric. According to Reuters, members of the Trump family  including Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Jared Kushner  reportedly hold a 60 per cent stake in WLF through an affiliated entity. However, whether this alignment results in meaningful outcomes remains unclear.

Style Over Substance?

Pakistans crypto ambitions are expanding, but its institutional groundwork remains underdeveloped. The country lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets. Past policy reversals, FATF pressure, and legal ambiguities have made it a volatile environment for both investors and developers.

Bilals appointment, in this context, appears more focused on public image than practical reform. While his global profile may attract attention, it is uncertain whether he possesses the institutional authority, or policy experience, to drive structural change.

Without robust regulatory architecture, initiatives like the Bitcoin Reserve risk being reduced to proof-of-concept exercises. The crucial tasks of compliance, legal coherence, and cross-border credibility remain largely unaddressed.

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Conclusion

Bilal Bin Saqibs rise is emblematic of a political culture that prioritises global image over substantive action. With his credentials, charisma, and communication skills, he is well-placed to narrate a story of digital transformation. But whether that narrative translates into institutional capacity, or remains confined to conference stages and social media threads, remains to be seen.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

First Published: May 29, 2025, 18:35 IST
Pakistans Youm-e-Takbeer Event Exposes Nexus Between Army & LeT | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 11:45 IST

The gathering, organised by LeT and its political front, was attended by several top leaders of the UN-designated terrorist group, including the son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed

The gathering, organised by LeT and its political front, the Milli Muslim League (MML), saw the rare public appearance of senior LeT figures. (News18)

The annual Mission Youm-e-Takbeer celebrations held recently in Gujrawalan, Punjab, to officially commemorate Pakistans nuclear deterrence against India, has drawn international scrutiny as it was attended by several top leaders of the UN-designated terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including Talha Saeed, son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed.

The gathering, organised by LeT and its political front, the Milli Muslim League (MML), saw the rare public appearance of senior LeT figures who had been operating underground. Talha Saeed was present alongside Saifullah Kasuri, the groups deputy chief, who had been in hiding for several days before the event. Both were under heavy security throughout the public rally in Kasur, Punjab.

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The celebrations were marked by the chanting of Death to India" slogans, reaffirming LeTs militant agenda. Public hoardings displaying images of Pakistan military leaders alongside known LeT operatives further fuelled allegations of a covert alliance between the states military and militant groups.

Top intelligence sources reveal that activities such as blood donation camps held in Allahabad and Kasur by LeT affiliates are often used as fronts to mask recruitment drives and image-building efforts. These developments have intensified concerns about a state-terrorist nexus," with the military allegedly providing tacit support to banned militant factions.

While Pakistans political leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, frames Youm-e-Takbeer as a symbol of national sovereignty and resilience against Indian aggression, critics argue that the celebration indirectly legitimises militant groups like LeT.

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Pakistans backing of terrorist groups remains Indias foremost security concern. The Pahalgam attack on April 22 highlights how Pakistani territory is being exploited to fuel instability in Kashmir and across the wider South Asian region.

In an effort to win global support as well as expose Pakistans duplicity on the war against terror, Indian envoys across the world have been reaching out to local governments as well as media outlets.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: May 29, 2025, 11:45 IST
'Impatient Politicians': Yunus Sets June 2026 Deadline For Bangladesh Polls, Cites Reforms

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 09:03 IST

Muhammad Yunus said that the potential timeline for the next national polls could be as early as December 2025 or by June 2026 at the latest.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus

Amid escalating public and political demands for fresh elections in Bangladesh, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus said that the nations next general election could take place anytime between December of this year and June 2026.

Bangladeshs interim government advisor, currently on an official trip to Japan, made the announcement while addressing a public gathering in Tokyo as a massive rally was held in Dhaka by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which called for the restoration of what they termed the political rights of the youth."

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What Muhammad Yunus Said On Elections In Bangladesh

Muhammad Yunus said that the potential timeline for the next national polls could be as early as December 2025 or by June 2026 at the latest. The schedule is contingent on the progress of electoral and governance reforms his administration is undertaking, he said.

Acknowledging the impatience among political factions, Muhammad Yunus, said, When elections take place an elected government takes over responsibility and we hand it over to them. People are insisting to tell them when the elections would be because the politicians are very impatient, to get to their seats of power. So I have been promising them for some time. It could be in December this year or at the latest June of 2026, so six months gap, depending on how fast we can do the reforms."

He further elaborated on the flexibility of the timeline, saying, If the reforms are slow and accomplish little then we have a longer time. And the longer time cannot continue endlessly. Must finish it up by June 2026. So this is the timeline we are working on."

BNP Rallies For December Elections, Warns Interim Government

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The BNP staged large-scale rallies across multiple cities, including the capital, Dhaka, intensifying their demand for national elections to be held by December. BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued a stern warning to the interim government, urging them not to postpone the election timeline.

Tarique Rahman took to X (formerly Twitter) to emphasize the importance of genuine democratic commitment over mere textual reforms, saying, I often make a point that bears repeating: reforming individual mindsets is far more important than reforming texts or institutions on paper. After all, the constitution of North Korea proclaims the country to be the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The words may be there, but it is adherence, not articulation, that defines democratic integrity,"

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : Tokyo, Japan

First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:34 IST
President For Life? Turkeys Erdogan Appoints Legal Team To Draft New Constitution

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 16:11 IST

The Turkish leader, who is serving as President since 2014 and was Prime Minister for more than a decade before that, has advocated for a new constitution.

Recep Erdogan needs the support of pro-Kurdish political parties if he wants to run again in Turkey's next presidential election, due in 2028. (Reuters Photo)

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that he has appointed a team of legal experts to start working on a new constitution.

The critics say that this decision by Erdogan, who is known for using electoral malpractices to stay in power, could allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his current term ends.

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The Turkish leader, who is serving as President since 2014 and was Prime Minister for more than a decade before that, has advocated for a new constitution arguing that the current one, which was drafted following a military coup in 1980, is outdated and retains elements of military influence even though it was amended several times.

As of yesterday, I have assigned 10 legal experts to begin their work, and with this effort, we will proceed with the preparations for the new constitution. For 23 years, we have repeatedly demonstrated our sincere intention to crown our democracy with a new civilian and libertarian constitution," Erdogan told his ruling partys local administrators in a speech as quoted by news agency Associated Press.

Under the current Constitution of Turkey, Erdogan cannot run again unless he calls for an early election or the legal framework is changed. Hence, critics see the push for a new constitution as a possible path for his re-election, allowing legal changes that would bypass the constitutional term limits.

Erdogans ruling party and its nationalist allies lack the votes needed to usher in a new constitution. Some analysts believe the governments recent effort to end the decades-long conflict with the militant Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, is part of strategy to gain the support of a pro-Kurdish party in parliament for the new charter.

Amid all these accusations, Erdogan denied that he was trying to change the constitution to stay in power. We want the new constitution not for ourselves, but for our country. I have no interest in being re-elected or running for office again," he said.

Meanwhile, Erdogan has already started employing tactics of curbing the voices of dissent. Earlier in March this year, Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular mayor of Istanbul and a key Erdogan rival was arrested by Turkish authorities on corruption charges.

His arrest has been widely viewed as politically motivated although the government insists Turkeys judiciary is independent and free of political influence. It triggered widespread demonstrations calling for his release and an end to Turkeys democratic backsliding under Erdogan.

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Imamoglu is not the only opponent Erdogan has unleashed his wrath upon. This month, Turkey arrested 65 soldiers and police officers over suspected connections to the late preacher Fethullah Gulen, who was accused of orchestrating the failed coup attempt back in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

Location : Turkey

First Published: May 29, 2025, 16:11 IST
Sierra Leone Parliament Observes A Moment Of Silence In Honour Of Pahalgam Attack Victims

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 18:22 IST

As many as 26 people, including 25 tourists and one local, were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack that happened on April 22.

Sierra Leone Parliament observing silence

Sierra Leone Parliament observed a moment of silence in honour of the victims killed in the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 on April 22. The silence was observed on Thursday in the presence of the all-party delegation.

Countries across the world have expressed solidarity with India and shared condolences over the deadly terror attack.

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VIDEO | In a rare gesture, Sierra Leone Parliament observed a moment of silence in honour of victims of Pahalgam terror attack in the presence of an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation today.(Video Source: XP Division, MEA) pic.twitter.com/Zp7UT5lbcM  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 29, 2025

In response to the terror attack, India also carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Besides this, New Delhi also downgraded diplomatic ties with Islamabad, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.

Reiterating the same, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday also said that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably" ends its support for cross-border terrorism.

As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism," Jaiswal said during a press briefing in New Delhi.

In its fight against cross-border terrorism, the central government also planned a global outreach, sending seven all-party delegations to different countries. The aim of these groups is to carry a message of zero tolerance towards terrorism and reflect Indias stand on fighting against terrorism.

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Meanwhile, India has also launched a massive crackdown against terrorism, and several have been arrested across the country for having links to Pakistan. In the latest arrest, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police apprehended a man on charges of espionage in Thane district on Thursday.

Many others, including a CRPF personnel, Moti Ram Jat from Rajasthan; a contractual health worker, Sahdevsinh Gohil posted in the border district of Kutch; and a YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana, have recently been arrested for spying for Pakistan.

Location : Sierra Leone

First Published: May 29, 2025, 17:59 IST
Unjammable: How Russia's Fibre Optic Drones Are Changing The War In Ukraine | Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 15:53 IST

Russia's fibre optic drones in eastern Ukraine have made traditional countermeasures ineffective, intensifying the psychological toll on Ukrainian troops.

Immune to jamming, these drones maintain real-time control via fibre optic cables.

A silent, untraceable drone is redefining the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, where a recent Russian strike on the small city of Rodinske has left destruction, dread, and disorientation in its wake. In what Ukrainian officials describe as a terrifying evolution in modern warfare, Russia has unleashed a new kind of weapon, one that cannot be jammed, cannot be stopped, and now haunts the skies: fibre optic drones.

The attack began with a 250kg bomb that tore through the main building in Rodinske, reducing nearby homes to rubble and cloaking the city in smoke. The explosion was followed by Russian drones hovering above the wreckage, relaying information, scanning for survivors, and striking again.

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Ukrainian defence sources confirmed that Russia has started deploying fibre optic-linked drones that have been tethered to their operators through spools of fibre optic cable and remain immune to jamming technologies that would typically disable or misguide enemy UAVs. However, one of the drones was downed after Ukrainian forces opened fire.

It doesnt blink, it doesnt stop, and we cant block it," one Ukrainian soldier told local media.

Unlike conventional drones that operate wirelessly via radio signals, fibre optic drones maintain a direct connection through cable, making them not only unhackable but also capable of real-time control with pinpoint precision. Their design allows them to fly low and slow, navigate tight spaces, and even enter buildings or bunkers, turning them into ideal tools for both surveillance and precision strikes.

However, these tethered drones are vulnerable to physical entanglements like trees, buildings, or power lines that can interfere with the cable, potentially grounding the device. Still, Russian operators seem willing to trade mobility for reliability, especially in close-quarters surveillance and urban warfare.

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The psychological impact on Ukrainian troops has been immediate and profound. According to military reports, the average length of front-line deployment has more than quadrupled. Where soldiers once rotated every few days, many now remain in place for a month or longer, afraid that movement could invite a drone strike.

Adding to the intensity is Russias shift in battlefield tactics. Instead of massed offensives, small, stealthy Russian units now conduct surprise raids, sometimes on motorcycles, sometimes on foot, often under the cover of night. Traditional frontlines have all but vanished, replaced by a volatile no-mans land where either side could strike at any moment.

Location : Ukraine

First Published: May 29, 2025, 15:53 IST
US Court Blocks Donald Trump's Tariffs, Says 'President Exceeded His Authority'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 06:57 IST

A US court ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by imposing broad tariffs under emergency powers, affirming that only Congress can regulate international commerce.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

President Donald Trumps tariffs were blocked by a US trade court on Wednesday in a sweeping ruling that the President overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from nations that sell more to the United States than they buy.

The Court of International Trade also said the US Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries that is not overridden by the presidents emergency powers to safeguard the US economy.

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The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the Presidents use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it," a three-judge panel said in the decision.

Minutes later, the Donald Trump administration filed a notice of appeal and questioned the authority of the court.

Ever since he took office for a second term, Donald Trump has made charging US importers tariffs on goods from foreign countries the central policy of his ongoing trade wars.

The move has severely disrupted global trade flows and roiled financial markets.

Companies of all sizes have been whipsawed by Trumps swift imposition of tariffs and sudden reversals as they seek to manage supply chains, production, staffing and prices.

The ruling, if it stands, blows a giant hole through Trumps strategy to use steep tariffs to wring concessions from trading partners, draw manufacturing jobs back to US shores and shrink a $1.2 trillion US goods trade deficit, which were among his key campaign promises, Reuters reports.

The ruling came in a pair of lawsuits, one filed by the nonpartisan Liberty Justice Centre on behalf of five small US businesses that import goods from countries targeted by the duties and the other by 13 US states.

The companies, which range from a New York wine and spirits importer to a Virginia-based maker of educational kits and musical instruments, have said the tariffs will hurt their ability to do business.

According to Reuters, at least five other legal challenges to the tariffs are pending.

Trump has claimed broad authority to set tariffs under IEEPA. The law has historically been used to impose sanctions on enemies of the US or freeze their assets.

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Trump is the first US President to use it to impose tariffs.

In imposing the tariffs in early April, Trump called the trade deficit a national emergency that justified his 10 per cent across-the-board tariff on all imports, with higher rates for countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits, particularly China.

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: May 29, 2025, 06:45 IST
US Judge Extends Order Blocking Trump Administration Ban On Foreign Students At Harvard

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 22:18 IST

US District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvards request for a preliminary injunction, keeping the governments action on hold until the case is fully resolved.

The university was in court seeking to extend a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from revoking the schools right to host international students.

A US Federal judge on Thursday extended an order blocking the Donald Trump administrations move to refrain Harvard University from enrolling foreign students.

US District Judge Allison Burroughs granted Harvards request for a preliminary injunction, keeping the governments action on hold until the case is fully resolved, news agency AFP reported. The university had sought the court to extend the temporary order blocking the Trump administration from revoking the institutes right to host international students.

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The judge had issued a temporary restraining order last week after the administration abruptly announced it would cancel Harvards ability to host international students.

In a packed court room with several international students in attendance, Burroughs said she wanted to maintain the status quo" while the case makes its way through the courts.

Harvard has sued the Department of Homeland Security last week after Secretary Kristi Noem revoked its ability to host foreign students at its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In its lawsuit filed in federal court in Boston, the Ivy League institute claimed that the Trump administrations move is an unconstitutional retaliation for defying the White Houses political demands.

Harvards lawyers said that the Universitys certification was removed abruptly without any compliance of federal regulations that requires the department to give a legitimate reason for its actions and an advance notice. Moreover it also gives an opportunity to address any issues.

Earlier today, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, Todd Lyons sent a letter to Harvard stating that the school has been given 30 days by the government to respond to the alleged grounds for withdrawal, including accusations that they had been fostering antisemitism and violence on campus and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party.

Harvard is at the centre of a growing political and legal battle with the White House. While other universities risk losing federal funding and the ability to enroll international students unless they meet shifting government demands, Harvard is actively fighting back in courtand paying a steep price for it.

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It has become a primary target for the Donald Trump administration amid its ongoing campaign against elite academic institutions. The White House has frozen over $2.6 billion in federal research funding earmarked for the university, seeking to enforce compliance with a series of demands aimed at reshaping the institutions policies and operations. Key among these demands is a push for greater governmental control over the universitys curriculum.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: May 29, 2025, 22:18 IST
US To Revoke Visas Of Chinese Students, Here's What We Know

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: May 29, 2025, 13:22 IST

The number of Chinese students in the US has dropped to around 277,000 in 2024, down from a high of 370,000 in 2019.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (AP Image)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that the US will start revoking visas for Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party or those studying sensitive fields.

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields," Rubio said in a post on X.

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Under President Trumps leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong," the state department added in a press statement.

While, responding to Rubios statement that the US will revoke visas for Chinese students, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that the US unjust revocation of Chinese students visas under the pretext of ideology and national security has seriously undermined their legitimate rights and interests and disrupted normal people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China firmly opposes this, Mao emphasised.

Chinese Student Numbers Dropped To 277,000 From 370,000 In 2019

China is a key target in President Trumps ongoing global trade war, which has sparked market volatility, disrupted supply chains, and increased the risk of a significant economic downturn.

The number of Chinese students in the US has dropped to around 277,000 in 2024, down from a high of 370,000 in 2019, amid escalating tensions between the two countries and increased scrutiny of certain students by US authorities.

The US State Departments new guidance is ramping up scrutiny of international students, aligning with President Donald Trumps efforts to tighten oversight of foreign students in US higher education.

In a cable issued Tuesday, Rubio ordered US embassies and consulates to suspend new visa interviews for international students until the department finalises new rules requiring more thorough vetting of applicants social media activity.

According to the State Department cable, existing appointments will be honoured and will proceed under the current review guidelines.

The latest announcement comes on the heels of the Trump administrations decision to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students, which was temporarily blocked by a federal judge pending a lawsuit.

Trump said Harvard, where international students make up more than a quarter of the student body, should reduce that number. I want to make sure the foreign students are people who can love our country," he told reporters in the Oval Office.

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Earlier this year, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and sought to deport international students who had participated in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war.

The Trump administration previously attempted to strip international students of their legal status, only to later reverse the decision amid backlash. Theyve also expanded the grounds for revoking student visas, sparking concerns about the impact on higher education.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:22 IST
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has called for an urgent review of the recently introduced heritage-based curriculum, saying it is unnecessarily demanding, complicated and detached from reality.

We have a strong conviction that the current form of SBPs is far detached from reality and cannot assist in the transformation of our education system based on the facts on the ground, Majongwe said.

PTUZ is deeply worried that you havent responded to our letter dated March 6, 2025, over the burdensome and cumbersome SBPs and we are writing to you again requesting an urgent review of the same.

The SBPs are unnecessarily too many for the learners. For example, at Grade 7, they are supposed to do 12 projects [six, which should have been done in 2024 and six for this year].

The same formula applies to those in Form 4 and Form 6, whereby both the 2024 and 2025 projects are to be done this year and be ready for submission by September 2025.

Majongwe described the situation as practically impossible and accused the ministry of ticking boxes rather than genuinely assessing student learning.

The SBPs are more theoretical rather than skills-oriented and help in bringing tangible end products that can be solutions to problems affecting us as a nation, the union leader said.

In their current form, they are more of improved CALAs and seemingly meant to tick boxes because the marks are needed by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) for final rating. Newsday
A banker, who allegedly manipulated the banking system he was supposed to protect and created fake accounts to swindle his employer of about US$2,3million, has had his fleet of five cars seized as part of investigations into his criminal enterprise.

Cletas Tonderai Nyakambiro, 38, who was employed as an Internal Control Officer at Stanbic Bank, has already appeared in court.

His suspected accomplice, Candrink Kupakuwana of Mainway Meadows in Harare, is on the run.

Cletas claims he studied at the University of South Africa and his digital footprint appears to show a man who loves his family, especially his twin children.

A number of his social media posts also show that he loves his beer and having fun.

The fleet of vehicles, which has been impounded by the police as part of their investigations, includes a Toyota Fortuner, a Chevrolet Cruize, a Toyota Aqa, a Land Rover and a Mercedes Benz S280.

Nyakambiro allegedly connived with Kupakuwana, 49, to open two fraudulent bank accounts.

He is now facing charges for Contravening Section 8 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering Act and Fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.

A statement from the ZRP Criminal Investigation Department (CID) spokesperson, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, said the crime was committed three years ago.

On September 27, 2022, the accused person, employed as an Internal Control Officer at a renowned bank, connived with his accomplice, who is still at large, to open two fraudulent bank accounts, said Det Insp Muteweri.

In furthering their criminal enterprise, the duo meticulously altered the intended tax beneficiary account and diverted the funds to the fraudulent accounts, which they subsequently misappropriated for personal gain.

This fraudulent activity resulted in the bank suffering a total prejudice of US$2,293,483.84 and ZWG514 735,41 in the process.

A total of 10 movable properties, a Toyota Fortuner, a Land Rover, Chevrolet Cruize, Toyota Aqua and a Mercedes Benz S280 have since been recovered as proceeds of crime.

Cletas Tonderai Nyakambiro appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka and Public Prosecutor Kudakwashe Muza on May 24, 2025.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is now on the trail of the outstanding accused person Candrick Kupakuwana, whose known address is 2751 Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, Harare. H Metro
US officials have offered to assist a Canadian farm fighting to keep its flock of 400 ostriches alive, though a cull may be coming regardless. The Universal Ostrich farm in southeastern British Columbia was ordered to cull its flock after an outbreak of avian flu killed 69 birds in December and January. The order was issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and upheld by a court this month amid vocal opposition, per the BBC . CFIA policy mandates culls of animals infected and exposed to certain diseases to control the spread, given the risk of exposure to wildlife. But the owners of the farm argue so much death is needless as there's been no confirmed case of avian flu since Jan. 15, per Global News .

US officials apparently agree. Alerted to the case by US billionaire businessman and radio host John Catsimatidis, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote to CFIA president Paul MacKinnon on Friday asking that the ostricheswhich are used for scientific research, not foodbe spared and studied for their immune response to avian flu as part of a "scientific partnership," per the Canadian Press. Then Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, suggested the large birds be moved to his ranch in Florida, per CP. Katie Pasitney, whose parents own the farm, thanked Kennedy for his efforts on social media. But she says Oz's suggestion is a non-starter as her parents aren't interested in moving the ostriches.

Asked after Kennedy's letter on Monday, CFIA officials said the "humane depopulation" of the flock would go ahead and that plans would not be shared with the public. However, Canada's agriculture minister told the CBC on Wednesday that the ostriches will "not necessarily" be killed. "We're taking all facts into consideration," said Heath MacDonald. "And we'll move forward on the best possible solution for everybody involved." Protesters have gathered at the farm hoping to stop the cull. The farm owners, meanwhile, have filed an appeal seeking a stay of the execution and enforcement of the culling order, claiming court errors and "ineffective" legal assistance amounting to "incompetence."
President Trump said Wednesday that he watched the prosecutions of men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and that "it looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job." So he's going to consider pardoning them. "You know, they were drinking, and I think they said stupid things, but I'll take a look at that," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during the swearing-in of Jeanine Pirro, the new US attorney for Washington, DC, NBC News reports.

More than a dozen were charged with conspiring to kidnap the Democratic governor, several of whom were convicted on state chargesputting them out of Trump's reach. The pardon talk began last week when the Justice Department's new pardon attorney, whose dropped nomination cleared the way for Pirro to get her new job, said last week he'll take a "hard look" at the case, per CBS News. Ed Martin suggested the prosecutions reflected "weaponization of government." Barry Croft Jr., the ringleader, was sentenced to over 19 years in prison and Adam Fox to 16 years.

Martin likened the cases of Croft and Fox to those of the people who stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6, all of whom received full pardons from Trump, per the Detroit Free Press. The men's lawyers argued that the two were entrapped by the FBI and that they were just spouting off crudely about the pandemic. A federal appeals court considered those arguments but upheld their convictions last month. It's unusual for a pardon attorney to discuss a case publicly, even when a convict has filed a pardon application, per the Free Press. Fox and Croft do not appear to have made such a filing with the Justice Department.
A California man sentenced to 378 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting his adopted daughter has walked free after a judge cited strong evidence that the allegations were made up. The daughter sought to punish Ajay Dev, who ultimately served 16 years, and improve her own chances of remaining in the US, Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio said Friday in overturning Dev's 76 convictions for sexual assault on a minor and related crimes, per the San Francisco Chronicle . The 58-year-old immigrant from Nepal and his wife decided to adopt Sapna Dev, a member of their extended family, during a visit to Nepal in 1998, bringing her to live with them in the California city of Davis.

In 2004, Sapna blamed her adoptive father for causing her boyfriend to break up with her, Beronio said. A short time later, she told police Ajay Dev had sexually assaulted her multiple times a week for years until she moved out. Four people who weren't called to testify during Ajay Dev's trial now claim Sapna Dev told them she'd invented the allegations in anger. One said she "was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that," Beronio said, per the Chronicle.

In a muffled phone call played during the trial, Sapna said, according to her own testimony, "You had sex with me when you were 18." But an enhanced recording of the call revealed he'd actually said, "You came with me after you were 18," Beronio said. Dev had also urged his daughter to contact police. Beronio said the jury was also unaware Sapna Dev had expressed "affection and love" for her adoptive parents in messages sent over the five years she lived with them. Ajay Dev worked as a math tutor to inmates during his time in prison and was never once disciplined, according to his attorney. District Attorney Jeff Reisig, who can appeal the ruling, has until June 13 to decide whether Dev will be retried, per the AP.
A labor union leader who pleaded guilty to failing to report gifts from an advertising firm was pardoned by President Trump on the eve of his sentencing Wednesday, court records showfrustrating the judge in the case. James Callahan, of Lindenhurst, New York, was general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers when he accepted at least $315,000 in tickets to sporting events and concerts and other amenities from a company that the union used to place ads. US District Judge Ana Reyes was scheduled to sentence Callahan on Wednesday. But on Tuesday, Callahan's attorneys notified the court of Trump's "full and unconditional" pardon.

The judge said she was "quite disappointed" to learn of Callahan's pardon after he accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct, according to a transcript of Wednesday's hearing. "I don't know why you were pardoned," Reyes said. "You weren't pardoned because you were wrongfully convicted. You pled guilty to the misdemeanors. You weren't pardoned because you were missentenced. Sentencing hadn't even occurred. You weren't pardoned because the law was somehow unfair, either in general or to you." The pardon itself doesn't specify why Trump spared Callahan, and the White House didn't give a reason. The union had endorsed President Biden for reelection over Trump, and Callahan signed a letter that explained the endorsement.

Earlier this month, prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six months, saying that Callahan's salary and other compensation topped $500,000 annually. Now retired and living in Florida, he has a net worth of more than $5 million, according to prosecutors. Reyes told Callahan that, at a minimum, she would have sentenced him to 500 hours of community service. So she made a suggestion, per the AP. "I can't force you to do community hours. I can't sentence you to them. But you can do them. No one's going to stop you from doing them. You want to take your lumps? Do the hours," she added. Callahan didn't give the judge an answer.
President Trump continued issuing pardons and commutations on Wednesday, including for a former Chicago gang leader given six life sentences for conspiracy, extortion, and other crimes. "I do not believe that there's a more notorious or prolific criminal than Larry Hoover," who was also convicted of ordering a hit on a rival drug dealer in 1973, former federal prosecutor Ron Safer tells the Chicago Sun-Times . More:

Kentrell Gaulden: Better known as NBA YoungBoy, the Louisiana rapper was pardoned after participating in a prescription drug fraud ring in Utah and admitting to possessing weapons as a convicted felon, per the AP. He was sentenced to just under two years in prison on gun-related charges in 2024.

Better known as NBA YoungBoy, the Louisiana rapper was pardoned after participating in a prescription drug fraud ring in Utah and admitting to possessing weapons as a convicted felon, per the AP. He was sentenced to just under two years in prison on gun-related charges in 2024. Michael Grimm: The former Republican congressman from New York was pardoned after pleading guilty to felony tax fraud. He served seven months in prison after failing to report "nearly $1 million in gross receipts and hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee wages" from a restaurant he owned, the Times reports, adding he defended Trump in TV appearances in recent years.

The former Republican congressman from New York was pardoned after pleading guilty to felony tax fraud. He served seven months in prison after failing to report "nearly $1 million in gross receipts and hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee wages" from a restaurant he owned, the Times reports, adding he defended Trump in TV appearances in recent years. John Rowland: The former Connecticut governor, who was twice convicted of public corruption decades apart, also received a pardon, per the Times.

The former Connecticut governor, who was twice convicted of public corruption decades apart, also received a pardon, per the Times. Army Lt. Mark Bashaw: Bashaw was pardoned after he was convicted in a 2022 court martial of disobeying COVID-19 protocols, "including refusing to work remotely, failing to submit required testing and not wearing a face mask indoors," per the Times.

Michael Harris: The co-founder of Death Row Records served 33 years of a 25-year-to-life sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He was pardoned after endorsing Trump in October, the Times notes.

The co-founder of Death Row Records served 33 years of a 25-year-to-life sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He was pardoned after endorsing Trump in October, the Times notes. Jeremy Hutchinson: The former Republican state senator from Arkansas, who is also the nephew of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, was pardoned following convictions of tax fraud and accepting bribes. He was sentenced to more than four years in prison in 2023, per the Times.

The former Republican state senator from Arkansas, who is also the nephew of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, was pardoned following convictions of tax fraud and accepting bribes. He was sentenced to more than four years in prison in 2023, per the Times. Tanner Mansell and John Moore: The Florida commercial divers were convicted in 2022 after releasing sharks they thought were illegally fished but had been legally caught for research purposes, per the AP.

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The Times lists additional pardons not mentioned here. The actions follow other pardons in recent days, including for a former New York labor union leader who pleaded guilty to failing to report at least $315,000 in gifts from an advertising firm. More could be coming. Trump said Wednesday he was considering pardoning the men charged with planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the US will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in "critical fields." China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-24 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the United States, the AP reports.



"Under President Trump's leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields," Rubio wrote.
With wildfires raging across western Canada, Manitoba has declared a province-wide state of emergency and ordered the biggest evacuation in decades. "I can tell you everybody has to be out by midnight, and that includes me," the mayor of Flin Flon, population 5,000, told the CBC on Wednesday. There are at least 22 active wildfires in the province and more than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders. Forecasters say winds will push wildfire smoke into Midwestern states on Thursday and Friday, with cities including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit expected to see a significant decline in air quality on Friday, the Washington Post reports.

"This is the largest evacuation that Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Wednesday, per the New York Times. He added that the military "is being called for help here because of the sheer scale." Kinew said the armed forces were helping city officials in Manitoba build temporary shelters for evacuees in Winnipeg, the province's capital. "For the first time, it's not a fire in one regionwe have fires in every region," Kinew said, per the Guardian. "That is a sign of a changing climate that we are going to have to adapt to."

Wildfires are also burning in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, with half of the country's 161 active fires considered "out of control." Canada's worst wildfire season on record was in 2023, which brought record-breaking air pollution to some US cities, the Post reports.
ADDIS ABABA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed appreciation for China's steadfast support to the AU Commission and African countries in key areas, including trade, infrastructure development, agriculture, health, and capacity building.

Youssouf made the remark while bidding farewell to Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

He commended Hu's dedication and expressed gratitude for China's contributions to the construction of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support for African peacekeeping efforts, and assistance across other critical social sectors.

The two also reflected on the success of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing and reaffirmed the AU-China strategic partnership as a model of multilateral solidarity, the statement said.
Israel said Thursday it would establish 22 Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalization of outposts already built without government authorization, the AP reports. Israel captured the West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians want all three territories for their future state. Most of the international community views settlements as illegal and an obstacle to resolving the decades-old conflict. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the settlement decision "strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria," using the biblical term for the West Bank, "anchors our historical right in the Land of Israel, and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism."

He added it was also "a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel." Israel has already built well over 100 settlements across the territory that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small hilltop outposts to fully developed communities with apartment blocks, shopping malls, factories, and public parks. The West Bank is home to 3 million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority administering population centers. The settlers have Israeli citizenship.

Israel has accelerated settlement construction in recent yearslong before Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack ignited the war in Gazaconfining Palestinians to smaller and smaller areas of the West Bank and making the prospect of establishing a viable, independent state even more remote. During his first term, President Trump's administration broke with decades of US foreign policy by supporting Israel's claims to territory seized by force and taking steps to legitimize the settlements. Former President Biden, like most of his predecessors, opposed the settlements but applied little pressure to Israel to curb their growth.

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The top United Nations court ruled last year that Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on it to end, and for settlement construction to stop immediately. Israel denounced the non-binding opinion by a 15-judge panel of the International Court of Justice, saying the territories are part of the historic homeland of the Jewish people.
In 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew dozens of undocumented migrants to Martha's Vineyard. On Tuesday, the Massachusetts island was targeted by federal authorities, as was nearby Nantucket. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said around 40 people were arrested on the two islands. Witnesses said they saw masked officers in unmarked vehicles stopping work vans and other vehicles to question the occupants, the Vineyard Gazette reports. "They were just grabbing people out of their cars," a witness says. Coast Guard vessels took the detained people away from the islands. Some residents protested, with one woman shouting, "You should be ashamed of yourselves" at agents.

In a news release, ICE said the operation, which involved agencies including the FBI and the ATF, led to the arrest of a "documented member of the notorious MS-13 street gang and at least one child sex offender." The names of the migrants and details of the allegations were not released. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey criticized the federal action, saying federal agencies hadn't shared any information with state and local police departments, CAI reports. "It's one thing to go after and target those who have committed crimes, who are here unlawfully," Healey said. "It's concerning when we see people, moms and dads, being ripped away from families, neighbors, coworkers taken awayliterally, it looks like, on the way to job sites in Nantucket and on the Vineyard."

"There have been real questions raised about due process and whether or not ICE and immigration officials are following, complying with due process here and in other states, and we need answers," Healey said. This wasn't the first ICE operation on the islands, but previous operations, including one in September, were much smaller, the Gazette reports. "While under the previous administration, people with serious criminal records might have been prioritized for arrest, now absolutely everyone is at risk of being detained," says immigration attorney Rachel Self.
A routine flight turned chaotic when a Kansas man allegedly attacked a flight attendant midair, forcing an emergency landing and prompting federal charges. Authorities are now piecing together what led to the onboard disturbance that stunned passengers and crew on Tuesday night. Prosecutors allege that Julius Jordan Priester, 24, of Wichita, became disruptive about 30 minutes into an American Airlines flight from Connecticut to Chicago, per the New York Times . According to an FBI affidavit, Priester started to remove his shirt, sprinted toward the back of the plane while yelling for help, and grabbed a seated flight attendant by the shirt collar.

He reportedly threw the attendant to the floor; shouted, "You're coming with me"; and attempted to drag the attendant up the aisle, despite orders from crew members to stop. Passengers are said to have intervened, restraining Priester in a seat, where he allegedly continued acting erratically and speaking incoherently. The plane's captain declared an emergency, returning to Bradley International Airport about 90 minutes after takeoff, per Fox News. Connecticut State Police took Priester into custody, and he was transported to a hospital for evaluation before being arrested, authorities said.

Priester is charged with interference with flight crew members and attendantsa federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. He's being held ahead of a bond hearing on Friday. Prosecutors are requesting pretrial detention, citing Priester's previous criminal record in Kansas, which includes an aggravated assault conviction and a parole violation charge.
A mother, her boyfriend, and their friend have been sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and trafficking of a 6-year-old girl, her own daughter, who disappeared outside her South African home in February 2024 and still hasn't been found. Racquel "Kelly" Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and their accomplice Steveno van Rhyn received their life sentences for human trafficking and an additional decade each for kidnapping at a court in Cape Town, per the BBC . The verdict follows an eight-week trial that drew national attention but didn't lead to Joshlin Smith's recovery. The judge's verdict determined "she had been sold for slavery or practices similar to slavery," per the AP .

The prosecution's case was supported by a neighbor's account that Smith, 35, had confessed to selling her daughter to a traditional healer, who "wanted her for her eyes and skin," as well as a pastor's testimony that Smith had previously discussed selling her children for as little as $275 each. Presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus cited the trio's lack of remorse and the negative impact their actions had on the Middelpos community in his ruling. The court proceedings took place in a community center to accommodate local residents, many of whom expressed anger over Joshlin's disappearance. Family members continue to plead for information about her whereabouts. Police say their investigation will continue beyond South African borders.
Victoria's Secret has taken down its US website and says some in-store services will also be unavailable as it addresses a "security incident." A message to customers remained in place on the popular lingerie brand's normal shopping site Thursday, stating that these operations had been halted "as a precaution." "Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations," the message read. While not confirmed by the company, the "security incident" bears all the hallmarks of a cyberattack, the AP reports.

Victoria's Secret did not provide many details about the "security incident," or directly confirm whether it was a cyber or ransomware attack. When asked for further information Thursday, a spokesperson just said that the company "immediately enacted our response protocols" and has engaged with third-party experts.
OSAKA, May 30 (News On Japan) - Japans largest known cluster of horizontal tombs lies in the southeastern Osaka city of Kashiwara, where more than 160 cave tombs have been confirmed in what is now known as Takai Horizontal Tomb Park. Including uninvestigated areas, the total may exceed 200 burial chambers.

Inside these tombs are rare examples of ancient line-engraved wall art and even stone coffins. Who were the people buried here, and what do the tombs tell us about their identity and era?

The site is just a two-minute walk from JR Takada Station. In ancient times, the area prospered thanks to its location near the Yamato River, a key transport route connecting Osaka and Nara. The tombs, carved into the hillsides between the 6th and 7th centuries, represent a rare glimpse into ancient funerary practices.

Although many of the tombs are closed off due to preservation concerns, they are opened to the public twice a year. The caves were constructed horizontally into slopes, a distinct architectural choice compared to the more familiar vertical burial mounds. Among the 162 known tombs, around 20 contain line-engraved wall paintingssome of which have been faithfully replicated for public viewing.

One of the most famous images is that of a ship, thought to depict the journey of the deceased to the afterlife. Another depicts a man dressed in a long tunic tied with a belt and wide trousers, believed to match the attire of people from the Kofun period. It is assumed the drawings date from the time of the tombs' creation.

In one particular tomb, carvings show a female figurepossibly a wife or a priestessseeing off the man depicted on the ship. These tombs not only tell us about burial rituals but also about the relationships and beliefs of the people interred there.

Takai Park spans 36,000 square metersroughly the size of Koshien Stadium. The site was first reported in the 1910s, but only after housing developments threatened the area did full-scale excavations begin. In 1992, it was developed into a historical park so that the public could experience the sites cultural significance.

The cave tombs were carved into volcanic tuff, a material both sturdy and relatively easy to shape. Some tombs contain stone coffinsparticularly rare finds in the Kansai region. These include coffins cut directly from the rock floor, in layouts resembling those seen in ancient Kyushu, suggesting cultural transfer or migration from the southern island.

One tomb in particular shows clear signs that it was excavated by two individuals of differing skill levels: one side is neatly stepped and symmetrical, while the other is uneven and over-dug. This contrast provides an unusual insight into the work process of ancient tomb carvers, possibly even hinting at an apprentice-master relationship.

Archaeologists believe each tomb was reused for 30 to 40 years and typically held three individuals. Although no weapons or armor were found, accessories such as glass beads and earrings were unearthed, indicating that the buried were not warriors but likely belonged to a peaceful community of artisans or spiritual elites.

At the summit of the park is an even older circular mound tomb (enpun), dating back to the late 5th centuryabout 100 years before the horizontal caves were made. This mound may contain the remains of a noble who migrated from Baekje, an ancient Korean kingdom. Excavations revealed two coffins and a trove of rare funerary goods including bronze mirrors and a hinoyui ironan ancient Japanese heating tool of which only two complete examples are known to exist.

One of these irons was found in Kashiwara itself, and the one from the summit mound closely resembles that national treasure. The similarity of the grave goods suggests that the person buried there may have been a royal figurepossibly the consort of King Konki of Baekje, who is recorded in Japanese chronicles as having come to Japan but never returned.

The tombs location near the Yamato River, which flows into Osaka Bay and connects to the Korean Peninsula, has led researchers to speculate that this site was chosen to symbolically allow the spirit of the deceased to return to Baekje by water.

The Takai tomb cluster offers a rare look into the craftsmanship, beliefs, and international connections of ancient Japan. Visitors walking through the park today can feel transported back in time, surrounded by the remnants of a people who carved their memoriesand their hopes for the afterlifeinto stone.

Source: YOMIURI
OSAKA, May 30 (News On Japan) - A trial opened on May 29th at the Osaka District Court for 28-year-old Kazuya Nagaya, who is accused of seriously injuring a man by kicking him from behind and stealing his bag in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture. Nagaya admitted to the charges, stating, "No doubt, its exactly as you said."

The incident occurred in March on a sidewalk in Takatsuki, where Nagaya, without knowing the victim, suddenly kicked the man in the back. The assault caused fractures to the mans head and lower back. After the attack, Nagaya stole the mans bag and fled the scene, but turned himself in to police four days later accompanied by a family member.

According to prosecutors, Nagaya remained silent throughout the police investigation. In court, they emphasized the victims plea, stating, "The victim believes he cannot find closure without an apology and wants the defendant to be imprisoned."

Source: YOMIURI
KYOTO, May 30 (News On Japan) - Kyotos famed tea industry is facing a dramatic shift, as a surge in demand for matcha among foreign tourists is reshaping tea fields and driving up prices. What was once a tranquil green landscape has increasingly been replaced with black sheets used to produce tencha, the base ingredient of matcha.

Even before opening time, long queues form outside century-old tea shops in Kyoto. A closer look reveals that most of the eager customers are foreign tourists. Drawn by the global popularity of Japanese cuisine and a growing interest in health, they are snapping up matcha products in bulk. In one store, all matcha products sold out within 15 minutes of opening.

One major vendor, which derives over 90% of its sales from exports, says demand now spans the U.S., France, and more recently the Middle East, especially Dubai. The company reports that many clients are willing to pay premium prices for as much matcha as they can get, forcing them to turn down new orders due to limited supply.

This surge has driven up the price of matcha leaves by roughly 30% over the past five years. In response, Japans government is encouraging increased production. One Kyoto farm reported boosting matcha output by 15% this year, drawn by higher returns. Their tea fieldsonce entirely greenare now blanketed with dark sheets needed for cultivating tencha.

However, the matcha boom is having unintended side effects. Sencha, the familiar green tea consumed daily in Japan, is being squeezed out. In Kyoto, sencha production continues to decline even as matcha expands, affecting both availability and pricing.

At a recent tea leaf auction involving around 60 dealers, sencha prices had risen by 20% compared to the previous year. The reason: as more producers pivot to matcha, sencha becomes scarcer, pushing prices upward. Retailers that specialize in sencha now face the difficult decision of raising prices as early as this summer.

A Kyoto distributor explained: "We expect price increases with the new harvest season. Its likely unavoidable given the production shift." Farmers are being forced to adapt quickly to a changing environment, balancing commercial gains with cultural preservation.

While some see shifting to matcha as necessary for sustaining tea farming, others worry about the cultural cost. "Sencha is what people drink every day," said a retailer. "We want to keep it available. But it depends on whether customers will accept higher prices for whats becoming a luxury."

The impact has even reached bottled tea manufacturers in Kansai. One company reported it is considering three options due to soaring raw material costs: raising prices, switching from domestic to cheaper overseas tea sources, or cutting product lines.

Experts warn that as tea becomes more expensive, Japanese consumers may drink less of it. Kodama, a professor at Ryutsu Keizai University, noted that this "tea retreat" could threaten the foundation of Japans tea culture itself.

Some locals say the rising prices and changing production remind them of other foreign-driven trends. "Like with Kobe beef, matcha may become too expensive for Japanese people," said one commentator. "That could deter young people from practicing tea ceremony, which is vital to preserving tradition."

To safeguard tea culture, experts suggest measures to prevent prices from rising too far. For many of us, tea is in our DNA, said a Kyoto resident. Its part of our daily livesand we need to make sure it stays that way.

Source: KTV NEWS
Kitakyushu, May 30 (News On Japan) - The body of an 87-year-old man who served as the chairman of a civil engineering and construction firm was found buried beneath a pile of soil at a materials storage yard in Kitakyushu on May 20th, prompting an ongoing investigation that now includes possible murder charges. The police arrested the chairmans son the following day, and on May 23rd, also arrested a woman acquainted with the son, believing the two had conspired to abandon the body.

The victim, Ryuuichi Kayama, disappeared on April 17th while riding in a suspicious vehicle. His body was later discovered wrapped in a sheet and buried under soil at a site in Kokuraminami Ward. Authorities arrested his 46-year-old son, Ryouma Kayama, on suspicion of corpse abandonment, followed by the arrest of 42-year-old Mayumi Fukuda, a longtime acquaintance of the Kayama family. Both suspects have denied the allegations.

Police say Ryouma and Fukuda have known each other since childhood, and Fukuda had a longstanding relationship with the Kayama family. According to an acquaintance, Fukuda had worked as a hostess at various bars and was known for her brash personality, described as someone who remained a delinquent into adulthood.

Company associates claim Ryouma had a history of womanizing and debts. Investigators believe he had disputes with his father over financial matters and company management. No prior issues have been confirmed between Fukuda and Ryuuichi, and police suspect Ryouma led the crime. Although Fukuda was not at the storage site when the body was buried, phone records show she had spoken with Ryouma just hours before Ryuuichi went missing.

The police believe Ryuuichi was strangled and then transported by car to the site where his body was concealed. As they move forward with the investigation, authorities are considering laying murder charges as they seek to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the crime.

Source: RKBNEWS
The research reveals the challenges of introducing innovative medications in women's health in Canada

BLAINVILLE, QC, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Duchesnay, member of Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG), winner of the 2024 Life Sciences Innovation Award by ADRIQ, in collaboration with PeriPharm, is proud to announce the results of a landmark study exploring the accessibility of innovative women's health products in Canada. The research exposes systemic gaps and significant barriers that prevent Canadian women from accessing the innovative therapies they need.

A joint study by Duchesnay and PeriPharm (CNW Group/Duchesnay inc.)

The study found that of the 45 women's health products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2023, only 24 (53%) had received regulatory approval by Health Canada as of July 2024 and only 13 of these products are currently reimbursed publicly.1

"These findings highlight a clear need to address inequities in how women's health is assessed, valued and prioritized," said Dany Halle, Vice president, Commercial Affairs, DPG. "Striving to shape women's health ecosystem in Canada, we, at Duchesnay, believe that Canadian women deserve to have timely access to healthcare innovations."

Another important issue highlighted by researchers is the delays Canadian women face when it comes to approval and reimbursement processes for women's health therapies. Compared to the general access timeline for medications in Canada, the process for obtaining public coverage listing for women's health medications takes one year longer and can even exceed three years.

The study suggests that the current evidence-based Health Technology Assessment (HTA) framework may not fully capture the added value of innovative drugs in women's health, potentially contributing to delays or barriers in reimbursement and market access.

"This is a call to action," said Catherine Beauchemin, Ph.D., partner at PeriPharm. "This initiative marks an important first step toward improving access to innovations in women's health. To advance women's health outcomes in Canada, we must start by understanding their needs and preferences."

This study will serve as a benchmark and lay the groundwork for the development of a position paper co-written by leading experts in the domain addressing the challenges women ultimately face in the assessment of innovative medicines in Canada. This white paper would be hopefully available by year end.



1 In comparison, based on data between 2016 and 2020, 67% of all new active substance approval by FDA and/or EMA have been submitted to Health Canada.

ABOUT PERIPHARM

Founded in 2003, PeriPharm is a Canadian company specializing in pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research. The company's mission is to provide high-quality, diversified services to ensure optimal market access of health care innovations. PeriPharm's activity is built on the belief the best available therapies should be accessible to those who need it. As a leader in the field of health economics and data generation, PeriPharm has contributed to the success of several market access initiatives.

For more information about PeriPharm, please visit https://peripharm.com/en/ .

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ABOUT DUCHESNAY

Duchesnay is a specialty pharmaceutical company with a long-standing commitment to women's health. Until recently, the company focused on filling the void in terms of scientific research and education and on developing pharmacological solutions that are safe and effective for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Today, Duchesnay has broadened its portfolio of products to offer safe and effective therapeutic options that meet the health and quality of life needs of women and their family members at different stages of their lives. Believing that women around the world deserve to have access to specialized treatments for their conditions, Duchesnay now distributes its products internationally.

For more information about Duchesnay, please visit https://duchesnay.com/en/ .

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ABOUT DUCHESNAY PHARMACEUTICAL GROUP

Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group (DPG), with its affiliated companies, is headquartered in Blainville, Quebec. The Group consists of six pharmaceutical companies to meet the needs of patients in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. The companies are Duchesnay (Canada) and Duchesnay USA, both dedicated to women's health; Medunik Canada and Medunik USA, which provide treatments for rare and debilitating diseases; and Analog Pharma Canada and Analog Pharma, specializing in orphan generic medications. From its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, DPG exports its innovative treatments to more than 50 countries.

DPG is one of the eight companies across the country chosen to participate in the Government of Canada's Global Hypergrowth Project. This appointment offers exclusive and personalized support for at least two years, in order to accelerate its growth to become an anchor firm in the Canadian economy.

DPG is the winner of the 2024 Life Sciences Innovation Award by ADRIQ, the Association for the Development of Research and Innovation of Quebec, which recognizes DPG's healthy workplace culture and commitment to pharmaceutical innovation, while DPG president Eric Gervais is the recipient of the 2024 Bernard-Landry Award by ADRIQ which acknowledges his impactful leadership on Quebec's research and innovation ecosystem.

DPG, through its proprietary research and development, and through exclusive partnerships, offers innovative treatments for a variety of medical conditions in women's health, urology, oncology and for rare diseases, plus lower-cost generic medications. DPG recognizes the dedication and professionalism of its employees and promotes a positive culture and flexible work environment. It is deeply committed to environmental responsibility and to giving back to the community through the support of various charitable organizations.

For more information, please visit https://duchesnaypharmaceuticalgroup.com/en.

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SOURCE Duchesnay inc.

Media contact: Mariia Savchuk, Senior Advisor, Communications, [email protected], +1 (263) 388-3141
MONTREAL, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - For the ninth consecutive year, Montreal has been crowned the best destination in North America for hosting international association events, according to the prestigious annual rankings of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which classified more than 11,000 international gatherings held around the world in 2024.

Thanks to its expertise and sustained commitment to innovation and excellence in business tourism, Montreal once again outranked major North American metropolises like Toronto, Washington, DC, Vancouver and Chicago. The city also maintained its second position in the Americas, behind Buenos Aires, and preserved its enviable position in the global Top 30 (28th in the world), surpassing cities like Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai and Munich.

This renewed leadership is the fruit of an effective collaboration between the Palais des congres de Montreal and Tourisme Montreal, and the exceptional synergy of the sector's key playershotels, restaurants, universities and event partners. Together, these dynamic forces have contributed to positioning and maintaining Montreal as a first-rate destination for major international gatherings.

Among the key events in 2024 was the 3rd Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology, with 2,138 participants, the One Young World Summit 2024, which drew 1,900 young leaders from around the world, and the 32nd Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB), with its 1,600 delegates. In all, 70 international events were held in Montreal, enabling it to maintain first place on the podium in 2024. Above all, these events were wonderful opportunities to share knowledge and build collaborations with experts the world over: a precious contribution to Montreal research in key sectors such as life sciences, health and information technologies.

This ninth triumph for Montreal in the ICCA rankings is not simply a record of achievement, it's a tangible reflection of Montreal's dynamic business tourism and its capacity to attract large-scale international events. An ecosystem whose strategic vision and collective creativity showcase our metropolis on the international scene.

Quotes

"Montreal's ranking as the top destination in North America for nine years in a row is the fruit of a strategic collaboration between the Palais des congres, Tourisme Montreal, and leading researchers in Montreal, whose expertise and commitment make all the difference. By choosing our metropolis, international associations are not simply selecting a place, they're allying with an ecosystem that enriches their event and amplifies their participants' experience."  Emmanuelle Legault, President and CEO of the Palais des congres de Montreal

"Each year, our teams work hard to process hundreds of files, organize site inspections and confirm thousands of overnight stays. Business tourism constitutes a major lever for the metropolis, both economically and in terms of promoting academic excellence and research. The ICCA's multiple recognitions are an honour, and I commend the exceptional work of our teams, who contribute tirelessly to making Montreal shine on the international stage."  Yves Lalumiere, President and CEO of Tourisme Montreal

About the Palais des congres de Montreal

A creative solutions centre and a showcase for the city's spirit and expertise, the Palais des congres de Montreal has been promoting and hosting large-scale events since 1983. Generating significant economic, social and intellectual benefits, it encourages innovation and acts as a force for progress for both Montreal and Quebec. The Palais is firmly committed to sustainability and takes numerous innovative, concrete steps to make it a central component of its business development. With one of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the world, the Palais actively contributes to the international reputation of Montreal, the top host city for international events in America for eight years in a row. congresmtl.com

About Tourisme Montreal

Tourisme Montreal is a 100-year-old private, non-profit organization that works to position Montreal as an international-calibre leisure and business travel destination. To this end, the organization is piloting innovative hospitality strategies with a two-fold objective: ensuring that visitors enjoy a memorable experience and maximizing tourism economic spin-offs in a sustainable way with long-term impacts for the city. Uniting nearly 1,000 businesses and organizations working directly or indirectly in tourism, Tourisme Montreal plays a leading role in the management and development of Montreal's tourism business, and makes recommendations on issues surrounding the city's economic, urban and cultural development. For more information, go to mtl.org .

SOURCE Palais des congres de Montreal

Information: Sebastien Zickgraf , Advisor and Copywriter, Communications and Public Affairs , Palais des congres de Montreal, 514 871-5849 / [email protected]; Aurelie de Blois , Corporate communications, public and media relations, Tourisme Montreal, 514 918-5290 / [email protected]
This year, IKEA Canada will donate up to $200,000 from the proceeds of its Rainbow Cake, available in stores nationwide from June 1 to July 31, 2025. Every purchase of this colourful dessert directly supports Rainbow Railroad's lifesaving efforts, helping approximately 300 LGBTQI+ individuals find safety and resettle in Canadamore than twice the number typically supported in a single year.

"Our vision at IKEA is to create a better everyday life for the many people  a vision that holds even greater significance today," says Selwyn Crittendon, CEO & CSO, IKEA Canada. "Supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community is deeply rooted in our values. The Rainbow Cake initiative reflects our belief that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and truly at home in every aspect of their lives. Pride is not just a moment; it's a movement, and we're proud to stand as allies every day of the year."

Through this partnership and others, IKEA Canada continues to be a vocal advocate for those facing persecution for simply being who they are. Over 70 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships, and in many, LGBTQI+ people are targets of violence and exclusion at home, at work, and in their communities.

"We are proud to continue our partnership with IKEA Canada during this Pride season," says Scott Ferguson, Director of Corporate Partnerships at Rainbow Railroad. "Thanks to the leadership of IKEA and the generosity of Canadians, we are helping more LGBTQI+ individuals than ever before escape dangerous situations and begin new lives where they can live freely and authentically."

In recognition of IKEA Canada's long-standing commitment to 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and the strength of this partnership, the collaboration with Rainbow Railroad has been recognized with North American honours, reaffirming the impact of aligning purpose with action.

"Rainbow Railroad's mission to support people fleeing anti-LGBTQI+ violence closely aligns with IKEA Canada's ongoing efforts to welcome and support refugees and newcomers," says John Williams, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Leader, IKEA Canada. "Together, we have a great opportunity to create meaningful change in local communities and help build a more inclusive and compassionate Canada."

This year, IKEA Canada will continue championing everyday allyship of the 2SLGBTQ+ community by:

Raising the Progress Pride Flag at all stores across Canada on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT);





Sponsoring and participating in Pride parades in cities across Canada;





Partnering with Pride at Work Canada and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion to foster inclusion and intersectional education in the workplace;





Donating $40,000 to local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations across Canada within the communities in which we serve;





to local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations across Canada within the communities in which we serve; Providing safe spaces where co-workers can be themselves and support one another through internal forums such as the Rainbow Connections Co-worker Resource Group;





Encouraging customers to take part by supporting purpose-driven campaigns, such as the Rainbow Cake.

To learn more about how to support this initiative or get involved, visit: IKEA.ca/pride.

ABOUT RAINBOW RAILROAD

Rainbow Railroad is an international non-profit organization with headquarters in New York and Toronto dedicated to helping LGBTQI+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. Since its founding in 2006, the organization has helped more than 20,000 LGBTQI+ individuals find safety through emergency relocation, crisis response, cash assistance, and other forms of support. Rainbow Railroad is a registered Canadian charity and 501(c)(3) organization in the United States. For more information, visit www.rainbowrailroad.org.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 574 IKEA stores, shops and planning studios in 31 countries, including 16 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 32.6 million visitors to its stores and 162.6 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

SOURCE IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

For media inquiries, please contact: Alicia Carroll, PR Leader, IKEA Canada, [email protected]
Filed 6 new Eye-care products with Health Canada

5th consecutive positive EBITDA performance

BOUCHERVILLE, QC, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - LSL PHARMA GROUP INC. (TSXV: LSL) (the "Corporation" or "LSL Pharma "), a Canadian integrated pharmaceutical company, today reported record quarterly revenues and its financial results for the first quarter of its 2025 fiscal year, ended March 31, 2025, with comparable results for the prior year ("Q1-25" and "Q1-24"). All amounts are presented in thousands of Canadian dollars.

Q1-25 vs Q1-24

Record quarterly revenues of $6.6 million compared to $4.2 million , up 59%; CMO revenues of $5.7 million compared to $1.4 million , up 300%; Eye-care revenues of $0.9 million compared to $2.7 million , down 68%;

compared to , up 59%; Operating Profit was $0.4 million , up 150%;

, up 150%; Net loss of $0.2 million , down 44%;

, down 44%; Adjusted EBITDA of $0.9 million compared to $0.5 million , up 79%.

Corporate Development

Completed the purchase of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing line to increase production capacity at the Steri-Med Pharma plant and facilitate the development of new Eye-care products;

Appointed Mr. Louis Laflamme to its board of directors. Mr. Laflamme was President, CEO and director of OpSens Inc. (TSX:OPS) from January 2013 to March 2024 prior to its acquisition for $345 million .

Subsequent to the end of Q1-25

Entered into two strategic agreements to expand the Eye-Care pipeline with up to ten (10) new eye-drop products;

Completed the regulatory filing of six (6) new Eye-care products with Health Canada to expand its Eye-care product portfolio;

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Corporation was notified of a court ruling against LSL Laboratory Inc. regarding a dispute over certain costs related to the building and relocation of its plant in 2022. The amount of the ruling amounts to $0.3 million plus interest. The Corporation intends to vigorously contest this ruling and is currently assessing its rights to appeal the court decision. Should the Corporation be required to pay any amount under this claim, such amount would be capitalized as leasehold improvement representing an addition to our long-term assets.

"Q1-25 was another great quarter for LSL Pharma. The Dermolab Pharma and Virage Sante acquisitions have been fully integrated into our CMO platform and providing material impact on our results", mentioned Francois Roberge, President and CEO of LSL Pharma. "Our Eye-care operations, a strategic priority, have already met several key milestones since the start of the year with 1) significant progress for securing FDA approval to manufacture Avaclyr and other products for the US market, 2) filing of 6 new eye-care products with Health Canada, and 3) initiated the installation of our new $1.7M state-of-the-art ointment filing line", added M. Roberge.

"Both Virage Sante and Dermolab contributed a full quarter in Q1-25 and helped LSL Pharma reach record quarterly revenues, including a significant 4-fold increase of our CMO revenue. We achieved a 59% increase of our total revenues despite a 68% decline for our Eye-care segment which benefited from non-recurrent revenues in Q1-24. Q1-25 results provide a solid base for the next phase of our development to drive continuous financial performance improvement in the coming quarters" said Luc Mainville, Executive Vice-president and CFO of LSL Pharma.

First Quarter Financial Results  Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2025







Change

Q1-25 Q1-24 $ % Revenues







CMO 5,748 1,438 4,310 300 % Eye-Care 877 2,725 (1,848) -68 % Total Revenues 6,625 4,163 2,462 59 % Gross profit (loss) 2,106 1,146 960 84 % Adjusted Gross Profit 2,542 1,480 1,062 72 % SG&A (1,659) (967) (692) 72 % Operating Profit 447 179 268 150 % Share-based Compensation (14) - (14) 100 % Financial Expenses (588) (459) (129) 28 % Net loss (155) (280) 125 -45 % EBITDA 904 513 391 76 % Adjusted EBITDA 918 513 405 79 %

ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT RECONCILIATION



Change

Q1-25 Q1-24 $ % Revenues 6,625 4,163 2,462 59 % Gross profit 2,106 1,146 960 84 % Gross profit as % of revenues 31,8 % 27,5 % 4,3 %

(+/-) Adjustments







Depreciation and amortization 436 334 102 31 % Adjusted Gross Profit 2,542 1,480 1,062 72 % Adjusted Gross Profit as % of revenues 38,4 % 35,6 % 2,8 %



ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION



Change

Q1-25 Q1-24 $ % Net loss (155) (280) 125 -41 % Finance expense, net 588 459 129 27 % Depreciation and amortization 471 334 137 44 % EBITDA 904 513 391 78 % % of revenues 13,6 % 12,3 % 1,3 %

(+/-) Adjustments











Stock-based compensation 14 - 14 100 % Adjusted EBITDA 918 513 405 79 % % of revenues 13,9 % 12,3 % 1,5 %



Adjusted Gross Margin, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures and do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. As a result, the information presented may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Refer to Non-IFRS Financial measures for additional details.

Revenues - The Corporation delivered record quarterly revenues in Q1-25, at $6.6 million, up 59% compared to Q1-24. Due to the addition of revenues from Dermolab and Virage Sante, both acquired last year, CMO revenues quadrupled at $5.7 million in Q1-25 compared to $1.4 million for Q1-24, a 300% increase. Also, CMO revenues benefited from the growth in revenues at LSL Laboratory which is now leveraging the capital investments made over the last 2 years for expanding its service offering and capacity. Revenues from the Eye-care division were down 68% during Q1-25 compared to Q1-24. Last year, Q1-24 revenues benefited from important non-recurrent sale of products to the US under an FDA exemption due to a local shortage of Erythromycin (the "US Shortage"). Such sales ended in Q1-24.

Adjusted Gross Profit for Q1-25 after eliminating the impact of depreciation and amortization, stood at $2.5 million, a 72% increase over Q1-24. Adjusted Gross Profit benefited from the contribution of Dermolab and Virage Sante for the full quarter. The increased production at all 4 sites also contributed to improve gross profit as the plants were able to increase production compared to last year.

SG&A expenses for Q1-25 were $1.7 million compared to $1.0 million in Q1-24, a 72% increase, mainly due to the addition of Dermolab and VSI. The increase in SG&A expenses was in line with the increase in revenues. We expect SG&A expenses to decrease as a % of total revenues going forward.

Operating Profit - LSL Pharma generated operating profits in Q1-25 at $0.4 million compared to a $0.2 million last year. The $0.3 million, or 150% improvement was due to the strong increase in revenues, and increased production for all 4 sites.

Financial Expenses for Q1-25 were 28% higher than Q1-24. Despite the conversion and repayment of several debt/loans during the year, financial expenses for Q1-25 were impacted by the increased expenses on lease facilities as the LSL Laboratory, addition of the Dermolab lease starting December 2024. Several initiatives were taken during last year to reduce the cost of carrying our various loans and debts. These initiatives should help reduce our cost of capital for the upcoming year.

Net loss - For the Q1-25 period, the Corporation reduced its net loss by 45% compared to Q1-24 at $0.2 million. The Quarter-over-Quarter performance was due to an increase in gross profit between the periods derived from the strong increase in revenues which more than offset the increase in SG&A and financial expenses.

EBITDA for Q1-25, after eliminating the impact of financial expenses, depreciation and amortization was $0.9 million compared to $0.5 million for Q1-24, representing a strong 76% increase.

Adjusted EBITDA - After eliminating share-based compensation, and other non-recurrent items, Adjusted EBITDA for Q1-25 was a $0.9 million profit compared to $0.5 million for Q1-24 representing a 79% improvement.

Selected Balance Sheet items







Change As at the end of the period Q1-25 YE-24 $ % Current assets 17,693 15,376 2,317 15 % Fixed assets 22,941 22,939 2 0 % Intangible assets 13,430 13,272 158 1 % Total assets 55,987 53,510 2,477 5 % Current liabilities 11,721 9,652 2,069 21 % Long-term notes payable 3,629 3,621 8 0 % Long-term debt excluding lease liabilities 9,604 8,903 701 8 % Total Liabilities 31,236 28,618 2 618 9 % Shareholders' equity 24,751 24,892 (141) -1 %

Current assets increased by 15% at the end of Q1-25 compared to YE-24. The $2.3 million increase comes mainly from a $2.6 million increase in inventory, partly offset by a decrease in cash, accounts receivable and prepaids. Our inventory level at the end of Q1-25 reflects the increase in operating and commercial activities during quarter compared to the last portion of FY-24.

Total Assets increased by 5% at the end of Q1-25 compared to YE-24, a $2.5 million increase in line with the increase in short-term assets plus a nominal increase in intangible assets as the Corporation kept investing in its Eye-care product pipeline.

Current liabilities have increased by $2.1 million in Q1-25 with accounts payable increasing by $1.2 million, the addition of a $0.75 million note and $0.6 million of other liabilities, partly offset by a $0.3 million decrease in the short-term portion of LTD. The increase in short-term liabilities was in line with the increase in short-term assets.

Long-term notes payable and long-term debt excluding lease liabilities increased by $0.7 million between YE-24 and the end of Q1-25 reflecting further advances from Finacces Capital, and extension of some equipment loans.

Total liabilities increased by 9% at the end of Q1-25 compared to YE-24. The increase in total liabilities resulted mainly from the increase in short-term liabilities.

Shareholders Equity decreased slightly in Q1-25, reflecting the nominal loss for the period.

Financial Statements and MD&A

LSL Pharma Group's unaudited financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for Q1-25 are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Corporation's website.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Corporation's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition, belief, estimate or opinion, or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "believe", "aim", "plan" "continue" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Corporation's ability to control or predict, that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those identified in the Corporation's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, such as legislative or regulatory developments, increased competition, technological change and general economic conditions. All forward-looking statements made herein should be read in conjunction with such documents.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events referred to in the forward-looking statements will transpire, and if any of them do, the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Corporation does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About LSL Pharma Group Inc.

LSL Pharma Group Inc. is a Canadian integrated pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of high-quality sterile ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, as well as cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and natural health products in solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms. For further information, please visit the Corporation's website www.groupelslpharma.com.

Neither 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.

SOURCE Groupe LSL PHARMA INC.

Francois Roberge, President and Chief Executive Officer, (514) 664-7700, E-mail: [email protected] Or Luc Mainville, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, (514) 664-7700 Ext: 301, E-mail: [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - As Parliament resumes and Canada pledges to build 500,000 homes annually, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and its Big City Mayors' Caucus are calling for a National Prosperity Partnershipa renewed, united approach to tackling Canada's biggest challenges. From housing and infrastructure to homelessness, municipalities are vital to delivering national priorities. But progress demands full partnership across all orders of governmentespecially amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S. FCM continues to collaborate with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to address shared cross-border challenges.

Where: Rogers Centre Ottawa, 55 Colonel By Drive, Room 211

When: Thursday, May 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET

Participants:

Rebecca Bligh , President of FCM and Councillor of the City of Vancouver, BC

, President of FCM and Councillor of the Josh Morgan , Big City Mayor's Caucus Chair and Mayor of the City of London, ON

, Big City Mayor's Caucus Chair and Mayor of the Valerie Plante, Mayor of the City of Montreal, QC

Scott Gillingham , Mayor of the City of Winnipeg, MB

, Mayor of the Mark Sutcliffe , Mayor of the City of Ottawa, ON

, Mayor of the Maude Marquis-Bissonnette , Mayor of the City of Gatineau , QC

Notes for media:

Media are encouraged to register in advance to secure a spot

The event will be livestreamed on FCM's YouTube pages; however, only in-person attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions

The media are invited to also speak with the delegates of the United States Conference of Mayors, including LaToya Cantrell , Mayor of New Orleans, La. , who will be attending the press conference

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of municipal governments, with more than 2000 members representing more than 92 percent of the Canadian population.

SOURCE Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)

For more information, please contact: FCM Media Relations, (613) 907-6395, [email protected]
MONTREAL, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Transat A.T. Inc. ("Transat"), a leisure travel reference worldwide, particularly as an air carrier under the Air Transat brand, will release its second-quarter 2025 results ended April 30 on June 12. Annick Guerard, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jean-Francois Pruneau, Chief Financial Officer, invite financial analysts to take part in a conference call the same day. Media are welcome to attend the conference call in a listen-only mode.

Second-quarter 2025 conference call:

Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. EDT

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number here to receive an instant automated call back.

You can also dial direct to be entered into the call by an operator:

Montreal: 514 400-3794

North America (toll-free): 1 800-990-4777

Name of conference: Transat

The conference will also be accessible live via webcast: click here to register.

An audio replay will be available until June 19, 2025, by dialling 1 888 660-6345 (toll-free in North America), access code 91901 followed by the pound key (#). The webcast will remain available for 90 days following the call.

About Transat

Founded in Montreal 37 years ago, Transat has achieved worldwide recognition as a provider of leisure travel particularly as an airline under the Air Transat brand. Voted 2024 World's Best Leisure Airline by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, it flies to international destinations. Air Transat's fleet includes some of the most energy-efficient aircraft in their category. (TSX: TRZ) www.transat.com

Image bank: transat.com/en-CA/corporate/media

For further information:

Andrean Gagne

Senior Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility

[email protected]

514 987-1660, 104071

SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.
Club Carousel, Calgary's first gay bar, which created an innovative members-only policy and established a space for the community to gather free from harassment (magazine story; video).

first gay bar, which created an innovative members-only policy and established a space for the community to gather free from harassment (magazine story; video). Truxx, a popular bar in Montreal's gay village where a 1977 police raid  and resulting widespread protests  led to legislation barring discrimination based on sexual orientation in Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (magazine story; video).

(magazine story; video). Hanlan's Point Beach in Toronto , where the 1971 Gay Day Picnic was held  considered the first major gathering of queer people in Canada and an early example of what we now know as Pride (magazine story; video).

Point Beach in , where the 1971 Gay Day Picnic was held  considered the first major gathering of queer people in and an early example of what we now know as Pride (magazine story; video). The 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering in 1990 near Beausejour, Man ., where the term "Two-Spirit" was first introduced and adopted (magazine story; video).

Each stamp shines a light on a particular moment and location, its significance then and now, and its role in working toward equality and freedom for all.

For more information about the historic significance of each location, including video, visit our online magazine.

About the stamp issue

The Places of Pride stamps feature illustrations that capture turning points in the history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement in Canada.

The stamp issue is designed by Kelly Small of Intents & Purposes Inc., illustrated by Tim Singleton and printed by Colour Innovations. The issue includes a booklet of eight Permanent domestic rate stamps and four Official First Day Covers.

The stamps and collectibles will be available at canadapost.ca and at select postal outlets across Canada beginning on May 30.

Links to images of the stamps and other resources are below. Note that these will be added on the stamp's featured day:

External folder with high-resolution images.

Social media platforms  Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

TMTrademark of Canada Post Corporation.

SOURCE Canada Post

For more information: Media Relations, 613-734-8888, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Today, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, along with the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, made the following statement:

"The Government of Canada welcomes recent announcements from leading telecommunications companies such as Bell and Telus about their plans to build the critical infrastructure to power Canada's AI advantage. These forward-looking private sector investments will help create high-quality jobs in Canada, open up new opportunities for workers at home and strengthen Canada's position as an AI leader. It also supports the responsible development and adoption of AI technologies that can improve prosperity for workers and businesses across Canada.

"Notwithstanding unjustified tariffs imposed by the United States, these announcements show industry is strongly aligned with Canada's plans to build the strongest economy in the G7, and the desire to see AI get to scale, unlock productivity gains, and fuel trust, security and sovereignty at this time of crisis.

"These investments are also a testament to Canada's commitment to ensuring all Canadians have access to best-in-class technologies. The Government of Canada will continue to champion investments that expand access to reliable, affordable telecommunications and support the growth of Canadian businesses in every corner of the country. Canada is open for business."

Associated links

Stay connected

Find more services and information on the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada website.

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

X (Twitter): @ISED_CA | Facebook: Canadian Innovation | Instagram: @cdninnovation | LinkedIn: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Joanna Kanga, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Cindy Caturao, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, [email protected]; Media Relations: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
The Monday after Ashley Oldham graduated from Shippensburg University, she stepped into room 203 at Big Spring High School for her first day as a Spanish teacher.

Now, 17 years later, her career continues in that same classroom, teaching Spanish levels one through three.

Earlier this month, the Shapiro administration announced that Oldham is one of 12 finalists for 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

The sole finalist from Cumberland County, she learned shed been nominated for the title in October and began the application process. In February, Oldham was selected as a semi-finalist.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in December and will represent the state at a variety of local, regional and national functions, including the National Teacher of the Year ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes teachers who inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, has earned the respect of students, parents and colleagues and who plays an active role in the school and community, department officials said in a news release.

Outside of her classroom, Oldham can be found cheering on students at sporting events with her husband and their children, choreographing Powder Puff routines near the end of the school year or purchasing chupachupas, a Spanish brand of lollipops, to pass out during class.

She credits her family for their support and her students, saying, I wouldnt be a teacher of the year finalist without amazing students to teach.

The Sentinel spoke with Oldham about what led her to pursue a career teaching Spanish and what the state recognition means to her:

Q1: Why did you want to become a Spanish teacher?

Ever since I was about 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. As I went through school, I changed what I wanted to teach until I took Spanish in ninth grade. I already knew sign language and was fascinated with the idea of being able to communicate with even more people around the world. Sharing such a valuable skill with others became my dream. I love the Spanish language and cultures that go with it and want others to experience it too.

Q2: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

There are so many rewarding moments that come out of teaching. I love seeing students discover that they are capable of more than they expect. I love when they start to make connections without prompting and are proud of themselves. When students come to school and tell me that they watched something or listened to something related to what we did in class by choice, I feel like I have won the lottery.

Q3: What is a favorite memory of yours from your teaching career, and why is it your favorite?

Just one? Oh my. One of my favorite memories happens year after year when my Spanish III students complete their final project. They select famous Spanish-speakers, dress up and present valuable information about their lives using all of the skills we developed over the semester. As a class, we laugh together, celebrate with each other and walk away from the experience with memories to last a lifetime.

Q4: When did you learn you were named a finalist and what went through your head?

I was notified via email a few weeks ago and then asked to keep it a secret until it was announced by PDE. Being that I knew I was up against many other qualified applicants from all over Pennsylvania, I honestly almost fell out of my chair when the email came. It was a really emotional moment with a few tears to realize that my love for what I do was seen and valued by the selection committee.

Q5: What does this recognition mean to you?

I am not one to go seeking the spotlight, but I am so blessed to have received overwhelming support from my family, friends, students and colleagues since the public announcement of the final 12. It is so humbling to hear former students speak to the positive memories that they have from being in my classes and to hear so many people tell me that this is well-deserved. As I said earlier, I cannot think of a moment in my life that I didnt want to be a teacher, and this recognition confirms that I am exactly where I am meant to be.
Jacob Swann, a senior at Lenape High School was killed in a car crash Tuesday and planned to attend TCNJ in the fall, according to his obituary. Google Maps

A Lenape High School senior who was killed in a car crash in Mercer County Tuesday was a member of the swim team and planned to attend the College of New Jersey in the fall, according to an obituary posted Thursday.

Swann was a passenger in a car that hit a tractor trailer Tuesday in a head-on collision on Route 31 in Hopewell Township, authorities said.

Two other Lenape students, both seniors, were seriously injured in the crash, according to officials.

Swann, 18, of Mount Laurel was scheduled to graduate from Lenape in June and planned to study biology at the College of New Jersey, according to his obituary.

In addition to being a member of the swim team at Lenape, he enjoyed volleyball, weightlifting, video games and hanging out with friends, according to his obituary.

In a letter to the school community Thursday afternoon, Lenape High School principal Tony Cattani thanked students, staff and parents for the outpouring of sympathy and support.

These have been incredibly difficult days for our school community, but we continue to find strength in one another, he said.

Jacob had a genuine way of connecting with so many members of our school community, Cattani said in the letter. His circle of friends was large, yet he always made sure to involve someone new in his conversations or good-natured humor.

Lenape Regional High School is a regional school district in southern Burlington County that serves eight local municipalities.

TCNJ president Michael Bernstein acknowledged Swanns death in a statement Friday.

All of us at TCNJ had looked forward with excitement and pride to having Jacob join our community, Bernstein said. We send Jacobs family and friends our deepest condolences.

Hopewell Township police responded around noon Tuesday to a report of a serious, head-on collision on Route 31 involving a car and a tractor trailer, officials said.

The initial investigation determined the car was traveling south on Route 31 when it crossed the center line into the northbound lane and collided with the tractor trailer, authorities said.

Three occupants of the car suffered serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, authorities said. Swann eventually died from his injuries, authorities said.

Police did not provide an update Thursday on the status of the injuries of the other two occupants in the car.

Hopewell Township police and the Mercer County Prosecutors Office are investigating the crash.

A viewing for Swann is scheduled for June 1 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mount Laurel Home for Funerals on Ark Road. A Mass will be held on June 2 at Saint John Neumann Roman Catholic Church in Mount Laurel.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com.
Santucci's Original Square Pizza specializes in square pizza with sauce on top of the cheese.

The patriarch of one of Philadelphia and New Jerseys most recognizable pizza chains pleaded guilty Thursday to federal tax charges after prosecutors accused him of concealing income from his family-run restaurants over four years.

Frank Santucci Sr., owner of Santuccis Original Square Pizza, agreed to plead to two counts of tax evasion and two counts of filing false tax returns for failing to pay nearly $375,000 in taxes, federal court records show.

Santucci, 66, of Moorestown, faces up to 16 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines when he is sentenced on Nov. 3.

The pizza-makers attorney, Richard J. Fuschino, said Thursday his client took responsibility from the beginning of this case.

By taking ownership of a mistake from nearly a decade ago, he is dealing with a mistake from the past, but the business he built is focused on the future, Fuschino said.

Prosecutors said Santucci allegedly earned more than $4.8 million in business profits from 2015 through 2018, but failed to pay taxes amounting to $374,944.

According to court documents, Santucci provided false financial records to his tax preparers and omitted substantial cash sales.

He also maintained a second set of books that accurately reflected much higher earnings for at least one location.

The defendant concealed from (his tax preparers) the totality of cash sales for the Santuccis Pizza Restaurants, prosecutors wrote in a plea memorandum.

The memorandum alleges Santucci deposited thousands of dollars in weekly and monthly intervals into undisclosed bank accounts, bypassing the restaurants official books.

Despite serving only as an informal bookkeeper, Santucci kept two sets of financial records and directed preparers to file false tax returns, underreporting income for himself and the business, prosecutors said.

Santuccis Original Square Pizza is known for its famous pizza at locations in South Jersey and Pennsylvania.

In 2017, Santucci reported just $46,893 in corporation income when his actual earnings exceeded $314,000. A year later, he reported $142,580  but took home more than $739,000, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors allege the broader scheme resulted in more than $1.3 million in unpaid taxes when accounting for associated business partners and employment taxes.

The defendant agrees to pay restitution to the IRS in the total amount of $374,944, the plea agreement states, and he has also agreed to cooperate with the IRS going forward.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Santucci faces no more than 16 years in prison and $1 million in fines. He has also waived his right to appeal or challenge the conviction, except under limited circumstances.

Santucci was freed Thursday on a $50,000 recognizance bail under the conditions he receive mental health services, along with treatment for drug and alcohol use, according to court records.

The restaurateur was also ordered to surrender his passport, all firearms, and is restricted from traveling outside New Jersey pending disposition of the case.

In addition to the Pennsylvania restaurants, Santuccis pizzerias are located in several New Jersey towns, including Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester counties. A new location is set to open soon in Deptford, according to the company website.

Fuschino, the attorney, called Santucci a world-class pizza maker who has been making square pies since the 1970s.

Although hes now retired, he has built a respected business and hes standing up to fix his own personal tax issues. This has nothing to do with how the stores run or how the sauce gets made, Fuschino said.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com.
Jodie Sweetin (second from left) is starring in a new Lifetime movie. FilmMagic

Full House alum Jodie Sweetin is starring in a new Lifetime movie about a teenage boy who is increasingly influenced by the dark side of the internet.

In Dateless to Dangerous: My Sons Secret Life, Sweetin plays Noelle, a newly-separated mom whose son, Miles (Alexander Elliott), becomes interested in incel culture after a failed romantic pursuit.

Im really worried about my son, Miles. Hes kind of sensitive. I just dont want him to get involved in something he doesnt understand, Noelle says in the trailer for the film, which is set to premiere on Saturday, June 21.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, incels are men who blame women and society for their lack of romantic success. This can lead to misogyny, sexual objectification, and even violence toward women.

In the trailer for Dateless to Dangerous, Miles kisses a female classmate without consent and then tells her he forgives her for rejecting his advances.

You talk as though you think girls owe you something, the classmate replies.

Elsewhere in the teaser, Miles raises his fist threateningly at the same classmate. In a separate scene, he yells, You take and you take, just like every other female.

I did not raise my son to hate women, Noelle tells Miles.

READ MORE: Full House alum addresses rumored feud with co-star

A description for the film notes that Miles spirals into the toxic world of incels  a dark and shadowy online underworld that fuels his growing resentment after experiencing public humiliation.

In addition to Sweetin and Elliott, Dateless to Dangerous stars Nikki Roumel as Miles sister, Haley. The film is directed by Stefan Brogren, who played Archie Snake Simpson on Degrassi.

Incredibly proud of everyone who helped make this very tough movie, Brogren wrote via Instagram on Thursday, May 29, alongside the films trailer. @jodiesweetin you are a gem and such an amazing energy to have on set. @nikkiroumel you ground this movie. @alex__elliot I cant imagine anyone else who could pull off that performance.

Dateless to Dangerous: My Sons Secret Life premieres on Lifetime on Saturday, June 21, at 9 p.m. ET.

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Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.
The North to Shore festival's We Live, We Lit, We Outside, all-white event at Island Waterpark at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

New Jerseys Prudential North to Shore Festival is hosting a scavenger hunt on Saturday as part of this years music and arts event.

The contest, part of National Scavenger Hunt Day, kicks off at midnight Saturday in Newark and Asbury, offering a chance to win four pairs of concert tickets.

Clues accessed via Instagram, Facebook, and X (@North2Shore) will lead to secret spots at local restaurants, hotels, and venues where tickets will be hidden. Even if participants dont find one, many locations will have special deals and events to enjoy.

The winners will be announced on Sunday afternoon on social media.

Were excited to be part of National Scavenger Hunt Day, celebrating local New Jersey businesses and energizing the community with a fun way to win tickets to North to Shore, June 14 to 29, said Katie Sword, NJPACs vice president of marketing.

To join the hunt, follow North2Shore on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Returning for the third year, the Prudential North to Shore festival runs across Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City and will host celebrities such as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Jon Stewart, John Mulaney and Pete Davidson, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Jacks Mannequin, Stone Temple Pilots and more.

In addition to the Scavenger Hunt, North to Shore is teaming up with local groups in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark to give out arts awards, said a spokesperson for the event. Local artists, arts groups, nonprofits, and small businesses can receive up to $10,000 to put on art or performance events. Some winners might also get a chance to perform before big-name acts.

Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy started North to Shore, which organizers have dubbed the festival only Jersey can handle.

Prudential Financial, based in Newark, is the official event sponsor. Mosaic for NJ.com is one of the event sponsors.

Now, for a third summer, we can come together again to celebrate the qualities that make New Jersey an epicenter for diversity, creativity, and innovation, Murphy has said. Prudential North to Shore is more than a festival  its a showcase of everything that makes this state unique, welcoming, and an ideal stage for talent and the arts.

To view the full calendar of events, go to NorthToShore.com.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom, on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.

Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson
Chef Brandon Heim at Buoy's in Manasquan, NJ on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

A restaurant doubling as a daytime sandwich shop and swanky dinner spot is captivating foodies at the Jersey Shore.

By day, Buoys in Manasquan is an unassuming sandwich shop known for inventive burgers, chicken sandwiches and cheesesteaks. But at night, the shop turns into a posh dinner club serving up a curated five-course culinary experience in a chic beach bungalow.
Federal prosecutors say that a group of Amtrak employees conspired with corrupt health care providers to defraud the companys employee health plan of more than $11 million.

The scheme, which ran from January 2019 through June 2022, involved employees allowing providers to use their personal and insurance information to submit false claims for treatments that were never provided or were medically unnecessary.
Mercer County is offering job seekers a chance to explore a wide range of career opportunities across its various departments.

Candidates can view and apply for various jobs online through the county website.

From entry-level positions to professional advancement, Mercer County reports online that it provides the tools, support, and opportunities to help employees succeed in their careers.

Mercer County is a Civil Service employer and all candidates must comply with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission regulations and guidelines.

Residency is required and non residents must establish residency within 1 year of employment.

The county offers a diverse array of job openings across various departments, including Public Health & Safety, Community Services, Transportation, and Engineering.

The county also encourages applicants to explore career opportunities within the Mercer County Prosecutors Office by accessing their separate online application.

Visit Mercer Countys website at https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/personnel/job-opportunities for more information.



Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January would bar children from citizenship if their parents are not in the United States legally. Eric Gay | The Associated Press, File

Editors note: This story was originally published by NJ Spotlight News and shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on FacebookandTwitter (or X).

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in the next few weeks that may alter birthright citizenship, a foundational legal protection enshrined in the Constitution after the Civil War, and may make it more difficult to challenge all Trump administration policies in court.

On the evening of Jan. 20, his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring children born in the U.S. from citizenship if their parents were not in the country legally or temporarily, such as through a visa.

Before that order could enter into force, immigrant advocacy groups, pregnant women and states, including New Jersey, sued to block it, ultimately securing nationwide injunctions against the order.

New Jersey is the lead plaintiff on one of the three cases that were appealed to the high court, and New Jerseys solicitor general, Jeremy Feigenbaum, argued the case, representing 22 states and two cities: San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Platkin confident

Standing outside the Supreme Court this month, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said he believed Feigenbaum made inroads with justices who may be swing votes.

End of birthright citizenship would generate chaos on the ground, and Im confident that were going to prevail, Platkin said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. For people in South Jersey who give birth in Philadelphia, which many people do, the citizenship of your child would turn on whether you go to a hospital in South Jersey or Philadelphia.

Platkin said he and his team  Were doing this work with a relative handful of people, he said, gesturing to Feigenbaum and a few staffers in front of the courthouse  pursue daily law-enforcement matters, like organized crime, housing and opioid abuse, while keeping an eye on broader constitutional threats.

Federal judges in lower courts have ruled against the Trump administration, including Judge John Coughenour, a judge in Washington state nominated by the conservative Republican President Ronald Reagan, who called Trumps order blatantly unconstitutional.

The administration appealed multiple cases about the order to the Supreme Court, where during oral arguments May 15, the governments lawyer, D. John Sauer, argued Trumps order was legal.

Major legal implications

Whatever ruling the court issues could have cascading legal implications nationwide, from who would be eligible for state and federal programs if the U.S. were to completely strip citizenship from those born here to noncitizens, to how state, local, tribal and federal officials would implement a new legal regime in which a whole group of people go from being American citizens to a murky legal status overnight.

During oral arguments, the justices appeared skeptical of the legality of Trumps order, and the real-world consequences it would kick-start.

But they could rule on the technical half of the case and create a new standard for legal injunctions  in plain terms, a court-ordered stop  that would apply to court challenges on many topics, not just immigration policy.

The courts current term will end in late June or early July.

Looking for signs

Justice Elena Kagan of the courts liberal wing alluded to how national injunctions were used during the two previous presidential administrations, when plaintiffs filed cases where they might get a more sympathetic legal ear.

In the first Trump administration, it was all done in San Francisco, and then in the next administration, it was all done in Texas, and there is a big problem that is created by that mechanism, Kagan said.

Conservative justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas appeared skeptical of one judges ruling being applied nationwide.

All judges, Alito said, are vulnerable to an occupational disease, which is the disease of thinking that I am right and I can do whatever I want.

Questioning Sauer, Thomas raised the notion that courts did not issue rulings applied nationwide  beyond the scope of just the people directly involved in a given case.

So we survived until the 1960s without universal injunctions? Thomas asked.

As early as 1913, the court issued injunctions against federal officials, blocking them from enforcing a federal statute not just against the plaintiff, but against anyone until the court rules on the case, according to a 2020 Harvard Law Review article.

Tough questions

Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, both swing votes, had tough questions for Sauer, the government lawyer.

If Trumps order were implemented, how would states and hospitals deal with newborns, Kavanaugh asked.

On the day after it goes into effect  this is just a very practical question  hows it going to work? What do hospitals do with a newborn? Kavanaugh asked.

Sauer said that federal officials would have to figure out the implementation.

How? Kavanaugh asked.

So you can imagine a number of ways that the federal officials could, Sauer said.

Such as? Kavanaugh pressed.

Liberal-leaning Justice Sonia Sotomayor also touched on the real-world impacts.

If judges were not allowed to block the order, she said, it would affect thousands of children who are going to be born without citizenship papers.

Knotty complications

In a brief filed with the court, lawyers for the states raised the practical implications in which kids born in some states are citizens while others born elsewhere are not.

Complicating matters, another question would emerge if a child born without citizenship moved to a state where birthright citizenship was the law of that state. Without a national injunction, this sort of piecemeal legal jumble of different legal statuses that kick in or vanish, depending on geographic boundaries, could actually happen, the states argued.

A patchwork scheme of birthright citizenship would, in reality, only increase the States administrative costs and operational burdens, because they would need to track and verify not only the immigration status of a childs parents, but also the birth state of every child to whom they provided federally funded services  as well as to develop, maintain, and train staff on different eligibility verification systems for different sets of children depending on the state of birth, the brief says.

What the 14th Amendment says

Birthright citizenship is protected under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a right the high court upheld in 1898 when it ruled, 6-2, in the landmark case United States v. Wong Kim Ark, that nearly all children born inside the country are U.S. citizens, regardless of their parents immigration status.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, the amendment reads.

Congress in 1940 also codified birthright citizenship into federal law as a right of any child born in the U.S.

We are going to continue to do the work that matters to everyday New Jerseyans, but this matters too, in a state with 2 million immigrants, Platkin said.

One citizens story

Melanie Machuca-Perera, 22, said her parents and three older siblings came to the U.S. from Uruguay, undocumented, in 2002.

My mom came, didnt know she was pregnant with twins, found out in a basement in Jersey, Machuca-Perera, an immigration rights counselor from Elizabeth, said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. Six months later I was born with my twin sister.

Because she was born in the U.S., she had access to resources, like medical care; her older siblings, born abroad, did not, forgoing visits to the dentist, she said.

Machuca-Perera, who traveled to protest outside the court with the group Make the Road New Jersey, said she was confident the Constitution would protect her.

The Constitution has been here for hundreds of years, she said. Thats not going to change now, she added. Its just that agenda that the administration has of trying to divide people.

Trump this month said online that the U.S. is a STUPID COUNTRY to allow birthright citizenship.

Birthright Citizenship was not meant for people taking vacations to become permanent Citizens of the United States of America, and bringing their families with them, all the time laughing at the SUCKERS that we are, he said in a post on his social-media platform.

Thirty-three countries have some sort of birthplace-based citizenship structure, though only six of those are located outside the Americas and the Caribbean, according to the American Immigration Council, a research group.

Ive never set foot in Uruguay, and if that changes, itd be scary, said Machuca-Perera, referring to potentially losing legal protection the Constitution guarantees.

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Gov. Phil Murphy, center, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul are joined by officials ceremonially breaking ground for construction of the first phase of a replacement for the Port Authority Bus terminal on Thursday in Manhattan SL

Long suffering bus commuters whove trudged through the dreary, aging Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan had reasons to be cheerful Thursday with the ceremonial tossing of dirt to build a $10 billion replacement.

The ground breaking, presided over by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, concludes an 11-year process to build a $10 billion replacement for the aging bus terminal on the same site while continuing to serve commuters and travelers.
A newly U.S. Marine Corps grooming policy, issued in March 2025, will potentially affects service members with curly or coarse hair. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) AP

A new grooming policy that potentially punishes members of the U.S. Marine Corps who have razor bumps has drawn criticism that it will disproportionately affect Black men.

This is so targeted and intentional, Chris Adigun, a board-certified dermatologist based in North Carolina, told NBC News. Razor bumps can affect only the way hair follicles appear and do not affect the body systemically in any way.

The move came in March after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a military-wide review of physical fitness and grooming standards, according to NBC News.

Following that review, Brig. Gen. David R. Everly issued the updated policy, revising one from 2022, which banned the discharge of Marines for having razor bumps, NBC News reported.

Under the new policy, service members with razor bumps must undergo a medical evaluation within 90 days of the initial occurrence. If their skin condition doesnt improve within one year under a four-part treatment plan, they can be separated from the branch at the choice of their commanding officer, NBC News reported.

Our priority is to ensure the health and resilience of our Marines while maintaining our warfighting capability, Maj. Jacoby Getty, a spokesman for the Corps Manpower & Reserve Affairs, told NBC News. These updates ensure consistency in the management of medical conditions while reinforcing our commitment to returning Marines to full compliance whenever possible.

Razor bumps result from chronic irritation or inflammation of the hair follicles and the surrounding skin, according to Pine Belt Dermatology, a medical center specializing in skin conditions in Mississippi.

The skin condition can occur if hair penetrates the skin before leaving the hair follicle or leaves the follicle and then curves back into the skin, according to Pine Belt Dermatology.

Razor bumps most commonly occur due to close shaving on the face, neck, and/or body. The condition is more common among Black men, about 83% of whom may experience razor bumps, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Black service members make up 18% of all active-duty Marines, according to data from the Marine Corps Gazette.

Before the policy change, if a service members razor bumps couldnt be treated with topical medications, they could receive temporary or permanent shaving waivers or no shave chits, NBC News reported.

During the 1970s, the military began issuing shaving waivers to allow Black service members to bypass its requirement that all men be clean-shaven, according to NBC News.

In 1970, the Navy allowed service members to wear beards to address the razor bumps.

However, the policies of the militarys different branches have changed over time, according to NBC News.

Before the U.S. Marine Corps' new policy change, once it was determined that a service member's razor bumps couldn't be treated with topical medications, they could receive temporary or permanent shaving waivers. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik) AP

The U.S. Air Force updated its guidance on razor bumps in January, stating that shaving waivers will expire 90 days after an Airmans next yearly health assessment. However, it is unclear what the requirements are for those who still qualify for a waiver in the Air Force, NBC News reported.

Its mostly soldiers of color who are impacted by this, Air Force veteran Ed Anderson told NBC News. I dont see this as a productive and effective means of retaining and recruiting troops.

Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist based in Indiana, told NBC News that the possible dismissal of service members under the updated policy is dramatic.

Given the historic interactions between Black Americans and organizations with regard to grooming habits and requirements, it seems there may be other factors at play than whether a gas mask fits, she said.

Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom, on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom.
A man and a New Jersey woman entered into a sham marriage so he could become a permanent resident of the United States, federal authorities said.

Elvis Harizaj, 25, and Natasha Flores, 27, of Newark are charged with making false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said.

Harizaj, a citizen of Albania who has been living in Cherry Hill, is also charged with marriage fraud.
Over the past year, there has been an increase in teens fighting and damaging property at malls, carnivals and at the Jersey Shore.

New Jersey lawmakers have introduced three bills aimed at ending mobs of teens fighting in public places. Over the past year, there has been an increase in teens fighting and damaging property at malls, carnivals and at the Jersey Shore.
President Donald Trump speaking during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

Many Americans agree with President Donald Trumps stance on higher education as he escalates his legal battle with Harvard University, according to CNN data guru Harry Enten.

Enten explained that many Americans are siding with Trump when it comes to their opinions on higher education. He cited polling from Gallup that showed just 36% of Americans have high confidence in higher education, which is a sharp drop from the 57% who had high confidence in 2015.

I think a lot of Americans thought that higher ed needed a nice kick in the rear end. What am I talking about here? Well, why dont we take a look at high confidence in higher education? Enten said on CNN.

Get this, 68 percent of Americans said that higher education was on the wrong track.So its a question of whether or not people agree with Trumps tactics. But they definitely agree with him on the idea that there is a problem with higher ed overall, he added.

A lot of Americans agree with Trump: higher ed needs a kick in the rear end. Those with high confidence in higher ed has collapsed: 57% in 2015 to 36% now. 68% (!) say higher ed is on the wrong track.



Also, a plurality of Americans & the GOP agree: colleges have a liberal bias. pic.twitter.com/JZtup3BoGV  (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) May 29, 2025

Trump has been targeting colleges and universities since the beginning of his term. Last week, the Trump administration tried to block Harvard University from enrolling international students. This prompted the Ivy League university to file a lawsuit against the administration, alleging the White House is violating the First Amendment.

Trump has frequently claimed that elite universities have fostered liberal ideals and antisemitism. Enten said on Thursday that many Americans agree that higher education institutions have a liberal bias.

He reported that 45% of Americans believe there is a liberal bias in colleges, while 24% disagree.

This is why Donald Trump is so emphatic and so wanting to take on this fight, because he knows that Republicans hate universities, hate the administration, believe they have a liberal bias. And in fact, the plurality of Americans overall agree with the idea, agree with Donald Trump, that colleges are in fact the place where bias reigns, Enten said on Thursday.

Since taking office in January, Trump has tried to force change at universities he says have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. The spotlight most recently has been on Harvard University, where Trumps administration has frozen more than $2.2 billion in federal grants, threatened to strip the schools tax-exempt status, and demanded broad policy changes.

The Trump administration also has cut off money to other elite colleges, including Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, over issues including the handling of pro-Palestinian activism and transgender athletes participation in womens sports. Harvard has framed the governments demands as a threat to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Right-wing activist Laura Loomer is in front of the courthouse where the hush-money trial of Donald Trump got underway Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) AP

MAGA loyalists are having a meltdown after tech billionaire Elon Musk announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

One right-wing activist, Laura Loomer, is accusing Republicans of trying to undermine President Donald Trumps agenda by not codifying the DOGE cuts into law. She said on Thursday that the GOP pushed Musk away despite him spending millions to help get Trump and Republicans elected.
Trump critic and attorney George Conway had an idea as to why tech billionaire Elon Musk has left the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) AP

George Conway, a lawyer once heavily involved in Republican politics and formerly married to an adviser of President Donald Trump, has a different theory as to why tech billionaire Elon Musk is leaving the White House.

Musk, who was a central figure at the beginning of Trumps second term, announced on Wednesday that he will be departing from his role in a post on X, capping his tenure where he led a tumultuous downsizing of the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, Musk wrote.

The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government, he continued.

Conway, a prominent Trump critic, quickly bid his farewell to the worlds richest man in a post on X, saying it is nonsense that Musks 130-day limit out of 365 days as a special government employee just happened to be the one law he decided to follow.

The ketamine-infused crackpot had his ass handed to him by the courts and by public opinion andmost deliciouslyby his own jackassery, Conway wrote, adding LMAO and good riddance.

Exactly. The 130-day limit just happened to be the one law @elonmusk decided to comply with? Nonsense. The ketamine-infused crackpot had his ass handed to him by the courts and by public opinion andmost deliciouslyby his own jackassery. LMAO and good riddance. pic.twitter.com/xRJrIuJIp6  George Conway  (@gtconway3d) May 29, 2025

Conway was replying to a post from Norm Eisen, an attorney and former U.S. ambassador, on the social media platform Bluesky, in which he also said that Musk is not solely exiting because his time is finished.

The litigation held him accountable, & for that & other reasons he became politically unpopular & a liability He lost. Democracy won. Only one round of the fight but a biggie! Eisen wrote.

Musk, over the last several weeks, has signaled that he would stay clear of politics to focus on his companies, as his electric-vehicle company Tesla has taken reputational hits in the stock market and through protests.

He said he would reduce his political spending, after spending an estimated $250 million during the 2024 campaign cycle to back Trump.

He also broke with the president, most recently, when he said that he was disappointed in the presidents big, beautiful bill in an upcoming interview with CBS Sunday Morning.

In an interview with The Washington Post this week, Musk slammed criticism toward DOGE, calling the nongovernmental agency a whipping boy for everything, amid a federal judge on Tuesday refusing to discard a lawsuit against him and DOGE of illegally accessing government data systems. He also lamented attacks against Tesla, where he is the CEO.

People were burning Teslas, he told The Washington Post. Why would you do that? Thats really uncool.

Trump himself had appeared to keep his distance from Musk, according to a recent Politico analysis that found he had refrained from posting about the billionaire on his social media platform Truth Social.

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With fees capped on many cases, people sometimes wonder how court-appointed attorneys earn their living, but according to a recent court ruling, one Charlottesville lawyer did it by padding his bills.

After a civil complaint by the Virginia State Bar, a three-judge panel ordered Michael Joseph Hallahan II, who once ran for public office on a vow to get government hands out of the residents pockets, to pay back overbilled amounts and took away his law license for 120 days.

This type of financial misappropriation will not be tolerated, wrote the panel in its unanimous order filed in Charlottesville Circuit Court.

The ruling was handed down in early December and took effect March 9. Hallahan, who has no prior disciplinary record with the Virginia State Bar, thereafter removed the sign advertising his solo practice from the front yard of his office in a brick building on Park Street in the city.

The judicial panel stopped short of asserting that Hallahan committed a criminal act, but it found that he violated two precepts of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct: making a false statement of fact and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

The court noted that [Hallahans] evidence to the contrary was not credible, the panel noted.

Hallahan was brought before the panel after he submitted bills indicating that hed spent 90 hours working on a single Augusta County criminal case. While the case was resolved three years ago with a guilty plea, Hallahan claimed that he worked every hour that he billed, much of it for legal research.

The case involved a Raphine-area woman named Brittany Nicole Dotson, now 34. In 2020, she was charged with 20 offenses, including shoplifting a trash can from a Dollar General store as well as petty larceny, forgery, theft and fraud. After some back-and-forth emails, Augusta County Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Alexandra Meador proposed a plea deal giving Dotson a five-year jail term with four of those years suspended.

In his defense to the allegations of bill-padding and lying about his hours, Hallahan contended that a case involving so many charges and involving multiple felonies and four alleged victims required substantial legal research and preparation, including driving to Augusta County to meet Dotson in jail. Yet it was Meador who emailed Hallahan the sentencing deal, a mid-2021 proposal whose sweetener was that one year of active jail time was less than typical under Virginias sentencing guidelines.

This offer is below the low end with all her charges considered, wrote Meador. Let me know if she wants to take it.

Dotson took it. But when she received a demand to pay her court costs, including Hallahans $8,010 bill for 90 hours, she complained. So did Virginia State Bar investigator Robert E. Baker.

Baker filed a report last year confirming that Hallahan was such a prolific biller that he received about $1.83 million from the state from July 2019 through June 2023.

The Supreme Court of Virginia lets court-appointed lawyers track their own hours and bill up to $90 per hour, but they have to remain under certain caps, $448 for drunk-driving cases and $330 for most single misdemeanors. And those caps were only one third of that level during the questionable Dotson case. Hallahan asserted that he had recently represented more than 500 clients per year in 38 courts in 16 jurisdictions.

I work as many hours as I possibly can, Hallahan told the investigator. And I like the cases. I like driving from Orange to Augusta to Culpeper. I like the hustle.

Hallahans zeal in covering Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley included commissioning a customized, rolling office: a van with a desk, a computer and a hired driver.

He eventually sold it because he found himself sitting in his own driveway some nights working until early morning hours, wrote fellow attorney Hannon Wright.

Hallahan told the investigator that he actually spent 114 hours on the Dotson case but only billed 90 of them.

Talk of Hallahans all-hours advocacy pervaded letters from several of his colleagues.

He bills more than other attorneys simply because he works more than other attorneys, wrote Clarissa Berry, Madison Countys commonwealths attorney. I can personally attest to receiving emails from Mr. Hallahan time-stamped very early in the morning and very late at night.

Testifying for the defense, Berry also alluded to another facet of Hallahans practice, that he has represented unpopular and impoverished clients and those accused of heinous crimes.

Mr. Hallahan should be commended for working so hard for so many of our most vulnerable, wrote Berry.

It was Hallahan who represented the killer of Nelson County teenager Alexis Murphy. And, before a death penalty specialist was hired, Hallahan represented Jesse Matthew, the admitted killer of college students Morgan Harrington and Hannah Graham. In 2017, Hallahan won a dismissal for Unite the Right organizer Jason Kessler in a perjury case. More recently, Hallahan defended James Allen, the traveling construction worker convicted last year of trying to kidnap a University of Virginia student from a Rugby Road sidewalk in Charlottesville.

Several judges have told me they appoint Mr. Hallahan to the toughest defendants, fellow criminal defense attorney Ryan Rakness wrote in a letter.

A 2023 report by Virginias Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC, found the number of lawyers willing to take court appointments fell by more than half during that decade and that most of the decline  from nearly 4,000 attorneys to about 1,900  took place after 2020. The report also found a majority of responding attorneys indicated that they were considering taking fewer cases or ceasing court-ordered representation altogether.

If you are looking to improve the representation of indigent criminal defendants in the Commonwealth of Virginia, wrote fellow criminal defense attorney John I. Hill, you need only find a way to clone Michael Hallahan.

One former Albemarle assistant commonwealths attorney, Elliott Casey, alleged that other attorneys lose time waiting for their cases to be called.

Michael, however, never wasted a moment, wrote Casey. Was was constantly buried in his files, working on other cases and preparing for hearings. He never went anywhere without a stack of files.

However, the court found some of Hallahans claims incredible in the Dotson case, particularly that a veteran criminal defense attorney would bill her for extensive legal research.

Ms. Dotson was essentially victimized by her own lawyer, the panel wrote. Ms. Dotson should not be working out from under the burden of court costs that were duplicative and entirely unnecessary.

The court didnt stop at complaining about this one case. The chief judge also seemed to doubt Hallahans claimed caseload of 250 open cases and a workload between 4,000 and 5,000 hours a year. The math on such hours works out to 77 to 96 hours per week, with no vacations.

The court obviously found some of the evidence here to be extraordinary, wrote the panel. Its just hard to imagine that comports with practicality or even reality.

In its final judgment memorandum order, the panel referenced the $1.83 million Hallahan received from the state over four years and issued a dark conjecture that went beyond the contested Dotson matter.

The court has to conclude that given the evidence in this case that this was not an isolated incident, they wrote. And that nearly $1.9 million includes probably, certainly, additional incidents of improper billing.

In addition to the 120-day suspension order, Hallahan was ordered to pay $5,940 to the clerk of the Augusta County Circuit Court on Dotsons behalf.

Court records show that Dotson and Dotsons father testified for the prosecution along with Meador, who prosecuted Dotsons criminal case, and Baker, the state bar investigator. In addition to Berry, the Madison prosecutor who extolled Hallahans workload, people testifying in Hallahans defense were his wife as well as prosecutors Edwin Consolvo of Greene County and Daniel Rutherford of Nelson County.

A Daily Progress call to Hallahan and his attorney Prescott L. Prince did not provide additional information.

After graduating from UVa, Hallahan served as an Albemarle County police officer and a Greene County sheriffs deputy. A self-taught lawyer, he was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 2000. In 2019, when he announced his ultimately unsuccessful effort to obtain the Scottsville District seat on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Hallahan told The Daily Progress that a goal was to keep the Board of Supervisors hands out of the residents pockets and taking their money.

The panel deciding his case, however, headed by Tracy W. Thorne-Begland serving as chief judge, suggested that Hallahan unfairly took some public money.

Ambition and financial desire can cause one to make bad decisions, Thorne-Begland wrote. And I think that is what the court has found by clear and convincing and very compelling evidence.

The other two judges deciding the case were Steven B. Novey and C. Andrew Ritchie. Hallahan may resume the practice of law on July 8.
The 11 candidates running for New Jersey governor (linearly from top left): Jon Bramnick, Mikie Sherrill, Steven Fulop, Ras Baraka, Mario Kranjac, Josh Gottheimer, Jack Ciattarelli, Justin Barbera, Steve Sweeney, Bill Spadea, and Sean Spiller. Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jerseys governors race is a big one, with 11 candidates across both major parties vying to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

To help voters cut through the noise, NJ.com/The Star-Ledger sat down with each contender for video interviews. We asked them identical questions to give an unfiltered look at their platforms and personalities.
In this image from video, personal attorney to President Donald Trump, Jay Sekulow, answers a question during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 30 2020. (Senate Television via AP) AP

A lawyer who served on President Donald Trumps legal counsel during his first impeachment trial has been accused of trying to cover up the murder of one of his employees, The Independent first reported.

John Umberger, who was a 33-year-old political consultant, was murdered as part of a drug-induced robbery scheme in 2022 after visiting New York Citys popular gay bars and nightclubs, according to prosecutors. Another man, Julio Ramirez, who was 25, was also killed.
MAGA faithful are lashing out after a federal court dealt a blow to President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs.

A three-judge panel on Wednesday blocked Trump from imposing his signature tax on imports on several trading partners under an emergency-powers law, in response to several lawsuits that argued his Liberation Day tariffs overstepped his authority.

The judicial coup is out of control. https://t.co/PRRZ1zU6lI  Stephen Miller (@StephenM) May 28, 2025
MAGA loyalist Laura Loomer just publicly pitched herself for a job in President Donald Trumps White House.

POLITICO first reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration is deciding whether it would require all international students coming to the U.S. to undergo a social media vetting. As it weighs the option, the administration is instructing American embassies and consular posts to stop conducting interviews with students seeking visa applications in the meantime, according to an internal cable.

While existing appointments can move forward, new guidance is expected to be released in the coming days, the cable said.

Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days, the cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, states.

Loomer, a far-right activist who previously said she would take a bullet for Trump, immediately took to social media to jump on the idea.

Sounds like a dream job for me, Loomer wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. I would love to research foreign students all day and find an excuse to block them from coming into our country based on their radicalism.

Sign me up, she added.

The White House is considering doing vetting on the social media accounts of foreign students.



Sounds like a dream job for me. I would love to research foreign students all day and find an excuse to block them from coming into our country based on their radicalism.



Sign me up.  Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 28, 2025

The State Departments guidance comes on the heels of the Trump administration ordering Harvard University to stop enrolling international students  a demand that has since been blocked by a federal judge last week.

The Ivy League schools president, Alan Garber, had warned other universities to stand firm on Tuesday, as the administration has already canceled over $2.6 billion in Harvards federal research grants and threatened its tax-exempt status over Trumps description that the university is filled with liberalism and antisemitism.

Trump suggested on Wednesday that the Ivy League school should halve the number of international students on campus. Harvards student population has a little over a quarter of students attending from countries outside of the U.S.

I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools. They cant get in because we have foreign students there.

Theyre taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized, and we dont want them making trouble in our country, he added.

Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. And the Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the U.S.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the 2025 New Jersey primary election is approaching. AP

A lot of New Jerseyans have already voted by mail for next months primary election.

Those who havent have a few more days to request a mail-in ballot.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot from your county clerk is June 3.

The mail-in ballot itself must be filled out and postmarked by 8 p.m. on primary Election Day, which is Tuesday, June 10. It must be received by your countys Board of Elections on or before six days after Election Day.

You can also return mail-in ballots to one of several drop boxes in your county by 8 p.m. on primary Election Day. Find drop ox locations here.

Or you can deliver your mail-in ballot in person to your countys Board of Elections office by 8 p.m. on primary Election Day on June 10. Find those offices here.

You can check if youre registered to vote on the state Division of Elections website.

Six Democrats and give Republicans are running in the primary for their partys nomination to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

The candidates in the Democratic party are: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney.

The Republican candidates are: contractor Justin Barbera, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and former radio host Bill Spadea.

The Democrat and Republican winners of the primary election will face off against one another in the general election in November.

In addition, the state Assembly also has all 80 seats on the ballot. Primary voters will select Democratic and Republican candidates to run for those seats in the fall.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com.
President Donald Trump acknowledges reporters as he disembarks Marine One upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) AP

President Donald Trump is touting a major WIN on Wednesday in his lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board.

The Pulitzer Prize Board asked a Florida state court in January to pause Trumps defamation case against its board members until after he is done with his second term in office. However, Floridas Fourth District Court of Appeals rejected those efforts this week, according to a Law & Crime report.
President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

President Donald Trump is being ridiculed online after he lashed out at a reporter who asked about a new Wall Street term called TACO.

Trump responded angrily toward a reporter in the White House on Wednesday after she told him that Wall Street investors are using a new acronym, TACO, to describe the ongoing tariff turmoil caused by Trump. The acronym stands for Trump Always Chickens Out and was reportedly coined by a Financial Times columnist to describe the market swings as a result of Trumps flip-flopping tariff policy.
A troubled nursing home that lost its public funding after one of its owners pled guilty to federal fraud charges is facing closure if it does not sell the facility by this month.

But New Jersey regulators dont much like the proposed buyer either, citing their history of running nursing homes with numerous safety and quality violations.
The owner of a tobacco shop and a cannabis store in Sparta also was illegally selling marijuana out of his businesses, authorities said.

Devin A. Pupo is charged with maintaining a controlled dangerous substance facility as well as possession and distribution of drugs, the Sussex County Prosecutors Office said. He is also charged with money laundering.

Law enforcement seized $280,000 in cash from Pupos vehicle and business entities, the prosecutors office said.

Pupo, 38, of Sparta, is the owner of the Green Remedies on Sparta Avenue and Zenshine Smoke Shop on Lafayette Road, officials said.

Green Remedies sells edibles, vapes, health and beauty products, pet products, glass, papers and smoking accessories, according to its social media pages.

Pupo is scheduled to appear in court on June 11. An attorney is not listed for him in court records.

One of his employees, a 25-year-old Newton man, was also charged Friday with one count of selling marijuana.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sparta police at 973-729-6121 or by email at detectives@spartapd.org.

Last week, the owners of a pair of tobacco shops along the Jersey Shore were charged with illegally selling marijuana and untaxed items.
After a brief break from the rain Thursday, the threat of thunderstorms increases for Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Canva Illustration for NJ.com

ALSO: N.J. drought warning continues despite heavy rain. Heres why.

The latest forecast for New Jersey includes a brief break in the rain-soaked weather Thursday before showers and the potential for strong thunderstorms return on Friday and Saturday.

A system developing off the coast will gradually track northward, bringing scattered showers and drizzle through Thursday morning.

Some light drizzle out there right now but that should clear out as the morning goes on with a quiet day and seasonable temperatures expected, the National Weather Service said early Thursday. Some showers and thunderstorms possible tonight, but no severe weather anticipated overnight into Friday.

Temperatures will climb into the low to mid 70s, with some areas experiencing partial clearing by afternoon.

Overnight, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected, mainly in southern New Jersey, with a 40-60% chance of precipitation.

Friday will see increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms, with a modest severe weather risk primarily across southern New Jersey.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a marginal risk for severe weather, with potential for damaging winds.

Temperatures will remain in the mid to upper 70s.

A stronger cold front will arrive Saturday, bringing another round of showers and thunderstorms.

The highest instability is expected over the Delmarva peninsula, with continued potential for damaging wind gusts. Temperatures will drop to the lower 70s, with a notable cooling trend expected Saturday night as temperatures retreat to the 50s and 40s.

The weather pattern will stabilize on Sunday, with high pressure building in and bringing more settled conditions. Monday and Tuesday will see gradually warming temperatures, returning to seasonable levels with highs in the 70s to around 80 degrees.

A moderate risk for dangerous rip currents exists for the Jersey Shore through Friday, with multiple swell groups and onshore winds creating hazardous swimming conditions.

Residents should stay weather-aware, monitor local forecasts, and be prepared for potential thunderstorm activity and changing conditions over the next 48 hours.

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
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Causeway Head Start student welcome everyone to the Jefferson Community Action Programs Head Start Graduation at the Alario Center in Westwego Friday, May 10, 2013. More than 360 students graduated during the program. Students performed before family members and then all got a chance to walk across the big stage in recognition of their success. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)
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The Trust which runs North Devons hospitals is looking for more volunteers to help deliver the services it provides for patients.

The Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs North Devon District Hospital, currently has 396 volunteers, including 76 in North Devon, who gave a total of 28,355 hours service last year supporting staff to help deliver a better experience for patients.

The Trust is now launching a six-week programme to recruit new volunteers to carry on this valuable work. Volunteers help out both at the main hospital sites and also at clinics, such as the mobile vaccination unit at Tesco Extra at Barnstaple and Bideford Eye Clinic.

The Trust says there are many benefits for volunteers, including: connecting with others, making new friends, increasing social and relationship skills, increasing your self-confidence, and providing a sense of purpose.

A survey of volunteers found that 97 per cent said the experience had met or exceeded their expectations, while feedback included Volunteering has given me a new lease of life and I enjoy being useful again.

Volunteering can also provide an opportunity to practise important workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, task management and organisation.

Recruiting for new volunteers is now open for regular roles in North Devon, including a dementia support volunteer on Fortescue ward at North Devon District Hospital, meet-and-greet volunteering at the hospital, pressure ulcer prevention volunteer, a therapy services (mobility) volunteer at South Molton Community Hospital, a ward support volunteer on Tarka and Roborough wards at North Devon District Hospital and patient safety partners.

In total, the Royal Devon hopes to recruit 25 new volunteers. Details of all these roles can be found on the Royal Devons website.

In addition to regular volunteering roles, the hospital Trust is also looking for volunteers for occasional roles, such as a music volunteer for Fortescue Ward at North Devon District Hospital.

Fortescue Ward specialises in the care of older people and people with dementia. The ward is looking for a volunteer musician who can play to patients on an ad-hoc basis. If you are a pianist, there is an electric organ and stand already on site.

Also being recruited are members of the readers panel, who ensure that patient information leaflets are easy to understand. This can include patients whose first language is not English, or who may have sensory needs. Volunteers in this role give up two to three hours per month. This role can be done from home.

Catt Kinsey, voluntary services manager at the Royal Devon, said the current recruitment window would be open until mid-July, or longer in the case of roles with the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, (formerly known as Over and Above).

According to Catt, the work of volunteers is invaluable.

They make such a huge difference, she said. I think the key is, they're having those interactions that a lot of the time medical staff dont have the capacity to do. So it might be playing cards, sitting with someone, making a cup of tea or directing someone around the hospital.

It's all those things that enhance experiences for people who might be having potentially the worst day of their lives, so it just makes things a lot easier. They are all amazing individuals. I just wanted to say a real thank-you to them, because it is such a pleasure doing this role and getting to meet them all. They're amazing."

Whats it like to volunteer?

After retiring in 2011, former nurse Frances Paul now contributes to North Devon District Hospital as a volunteer.

A familiar face in the foyer at the hospital, as well as at Bideford Community Hospital, Frances regularly gives up her time to support patients, and to help raise valuable funds for the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

She said: I really enjoy meeting different people and its nice to know that you are helping others.

I volunteer a couple of days a week and often get stopped in the street by people saying they recognise me.

Frances added: Its lovely being able to volunteer for the hospital charity and to know that the money you raise is going back into hospitals in North Devon to help make them the best they can be.

Its nice to feel appreciated too and the charity team always welcome me with a smile and a cup of tea, and sometimes even a biscuit!

One of North Devon District Hospitals original nurses when it first opened in 1979, she returned to Raleigh Park as a volunteer in 2017, helping to feed and take books to patients staying on the wards.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, Frances returned to meet and greet patients at North Devon District Hospital and Bideford Community Hospital. She also began helping out in the hospital charitys Rose Lane shop in Barnstaple, and started manning the charitys stand in the hospital foyer in 2022.

Potential volunteers can find out more about helping out at the Royal Devon by visiting the website https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/ patients-visitors/volunteering/

Those without internet access can telephone 01271 322334.

Volunteers Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.

Launched in 1984, this initiative has been running for over 40 years.

Find out more online: https://

volunteersweek.org/england
The much-loved and historic Waverley paddle steamer returns to the Bristol Channel this June, but back in the mid-1970s she was facing the scrapyard.

Marking 50 years of her restoration, the Waverley will be calling in at Ilfracombe and Bideford as well as making local cruises to Lundy Island and Exmoor between Tuesday, June 3 and Sunday, June 15.

But half a century ago she was on the verge of being scrapped but was sold to two enthusiasts for the symbolic sum of one Scottish Pound.

How she was rescued is told in a new film, Saving Waverley, showcasing previously-unseen interviews with the two key figures involved and released as the ship celebrates her 50th anniversary of cruising with the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society.

On a 2010 Waverley cruise to Lundy Island, Terry Sylvester and Douglas McGowan were recorded by journalist Nigel Heath and cameraman John Dakin telling how they bought the ship from the previous owners in 1974 for a Scottish 1 note.

A council grant allowed them to run the first cruise from Glasgow on May 22, 1975, but it took the enthusiastic support of Scotlands Sunday Mail readers to enable them to carry on the next year and build a programme later extended to many UK ports.

Since then Waverley has gained thousands of fans around the country, recapturing the golden age of steamers and was named National Flagship of the Year 2024 by National Historic Ships UK.

North Devon residents and visitors are always delighted to see the historic ship, which is a magnet for photographers when she docks at Ilfracombe Pier or on Bideford Quay.

This years sailing season in the Bristol Channel includes several visits to Ilfracombe as part of a wider timetable taking in Wales and Somerset, but North Devon fans could board Waverley at Ilfracombe and take an afternoon trip to Lundy Island or an Exmoor coastal cruise.

She makes one visit to Bideford, on Saturday, June 7 and will be docked at the quay for an hour or so while Bideford Summer Fair is taking place, before cruising the River Torridge and taking in Bull Point lighthouse, with a bus connection back to Bideford from Ilfracombe in the early evening.

Above: The Waverley in Bideford. Credit: Graham Hobbs

The new film Saving Waverley will be available to buy on board and also includes a 60th anniversary cruise on her sister ship, the MV Balmoral, National Flagship of the Year 2016 and all profits will go to the two volunteer-run charities maintaining these historic vessels.

Priced at 16.50, including postage, the DVD is also available by going to https://tinyurl.com/y85xxcxh

For the full timetable of the Waverleys North Devon sailing season, please go to https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk
People looking for work and businesses seeking to recruit are being invited to attend the Connecting Barnstaple Careers and Jobs Fair at the town Pannier Market on Thursday, June 5.

The free event has been organised by Barnstaple Town Council and One Barnstaple, working with the Department for Work and Pensions, North Devon Council, Barnstaple Pannier Market and Flourishing Barnstaple.

It will run from 10am to 2pm and is designed to bring together local employers and job seekers.

People attending will be able to meet with employers who are actively recruiting, learn about job opportunities and career pathways, network with organisations across a variety of sectors and access advice and support.

Employers who wish to exhibit at the event need to get in touch with the DWP by Monday, June 2 via the email address below.

Ella McCann, community developer for One Barnstaple said; This is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to meet with a wide range of employers and discover new possibilities across various sectors.

Amber Jenkins from the DWP added: The fair will provide a valuable platform for making connections, exploring career opportunities and supporting local employment.

Whether youre looking for work or offering employment opportunities, we would love to see you there.

The Mayor of Barnstaple, Councillor Janet Coates said the event reflected a commitment to supporting the community and ensuring everyone has access to opportunities.

Employers who wish to exhibit at the event are asked to email Amber on amber.jenkins@dwp.gov.uk by June 2.
Ethiopia's state-owned operator Ethio Telecom and ZTE said on Wednesday they have deployed an FTTR all-optical network for the office building of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project.

According to ZTE, the office building plays a crucial role in coordination, dispatch, and daily operations of GERD, the largest hydropower project in Africa. As such, it requires a highly reliable, secure, and intelligent network.

Ethio Telecom and ZTE said they opted for a tailor-made FTTR-B (enterprise-grade fibre to the room) solution because it overcomes the limitations of traditional Ethernet networks  namely slower data speeds, complex architectures, high deployment costs, low reliability, and difficult operations and maintenance.

The GERD optical project features ZTEs ZXEN G100S FTTR-B gateway and 34 optical access points (APs) providing gigabit fibre coverage across all office areas, meeting rooms, and recreational spaces. The network supports data access, voice communication, shared printing, and security monitoring, all of which are integrated into a single network architecture that ZTE says can reduce deployment costs by 25%.

On the O&M side, the network is integrated with the Zenic One unified cloud management platform, which ZTE claims improves maintenance efficiency by 30% by enabling topology visualization, automatic fault detection, remote troubleshooting, and report generation.

ZTE and Ethio Telecom said they will continue their partnership to deploy FTTR solutions across Ethiopia, particularly to accelerate digital transformation of national-level projects.

The GERD project on the Blue Nile is planned to have over 5,000MW of generating capacity upon completion. The project has been in the works since 2011, and began generating power in February 2022, despite still being under construction. According to Libya Express, government officials said last month the dam was 98.66% completed.

The GERD project has been a bone of contention between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, the latter two of whom are downstream from the dam and are concerned about the impact of the project on their water supply.
The price of a basic ticket to ride the South Shore Line will rise 10% on July 1, part of an effort, along with state assistance, to temporarily provide the commuter railroad the wherewithal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" threatening many transit systems in the post-COVID era.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved the fare increase, the railroad's first since 2018.

The State of Indiana's assistance is available for the next two fiscal years, including $26 million from an account created for initial operations of the new West Lake Corridor line, and as much as $30 million more from state coffers, as needed. South Shore President Michael Noland said the first available tranche of the latter money would total about $12.5 million, and expressed hope that would be all the railroad would need the next couple years.

The $26 million is administered through a governance agreement covering the West Lake and Double Track projects, and still needs approval from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

Beyond mid-2027, NICTD will work with state leaders to develop a long term, structural funding solution, Noland said. By that time, NICTD could be contemplating another fare increase of its own, returning to a COVID-dashed 2018 initiative to consider an increase every two years.

"We'll always work on keeping our expenses down, but you have to have some kind of an operating plan, and the state wants to see that as well," Noland said.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton voted against the fare increase, stating concerns about the economics underlying a plan for regular fare increases. In addition to the railroad's capital projects, expected to continue to promote ridership, Melton mentioned the potential for interstate highway tolling, and its impact  clearly expected to be positive  on ridership.

The 10% rise in fares will be rounded to the nearest quarter dollar, and the discounts for 10-ride and 25-ride tickets will be increased, reducing the impact on them. The South Shore will also discontinue its buy-one, get-one-free deal on monthly tickets, put in place during the pandemic.

The current fare increase will raise revenue by $1.25 million to $1.5 million annually, Noland said.

West Lake Corridor

The long anticipated southward extension of rail service through Hammond and Munster will need to remain in a state of anticipation a couple months longer than thought, Noland reported at Wednesday's meeting.

The original hope, for service to start this month, was extended into late October by a bridge project at the Munster/Dyer station. And now, a contractor's oversight is requiring a redo of work along the rail line to install equipment to mitigate the residual electrical current that can escape the system and potentially corrode metal in nearby utilities.

"It's low voltage current, but it needs to stay on our right-of-way," Noland said. Installation of isolation pads will require "taking up some work that was already completed, and then putting in the proper isolation, and then putting the track back in."

Railroad officials and contractors are still determining the best way to proceed with that, Noland said. "We're holding the contractor accountable. We'll make sure it happens."

The bridge project at the Munster/Dyer Main Street Station is to take Main Street under the CSX freight railroad tracks running parallel to the new commuter railroad, in order to give motorists and pedestrians access to the parking lot and station on the west side of the tracks.

Work to install that bridge began late Tuesday and was expected to be completed late Wednesday.

The new goal for completion of West Lake is the end of this year.

Other projects

This month marks one year since the railroad's Double Track project was substantially completed. Early months of low on-time performance led to schedule changes that has gone far in solving the problem, South Shore officials say.

They touted weekly on-time performance percentages of 31.9% for the week of May 13, 2024, rising to 74.1% for the week of May 12, 2025. Trains arriving within 10 minutes of arrival time rose from 46.7% for the 2024 week to 86.6% for the week in 2025.

The last major Double Track project to be completed is the Michigan City 11th Street Station, which is expected to open to the public in June, along with its parking garage.

In Chicago, the South Shore's Metra Track 4 project, adding a fourth track to Millennium Station and doing upgrades at Millennium and Van Buren Street stations, is scheduled for completion at the end of next year. The project  at $200 million the third largest in the railroad's history  is being done to accommodate the extra trains the South Shore will be running.

NICTD is also continuing to plan for a move of the South Bend International Airport station to the west side of the terminal, and realigning tracks into and out of the airport, to speed trips there.

The funding goal for the $112 million project is half from the federal government, a quarter from the state, and the other quarter from a combination of South Shore funds  $6 million  and $22 million from local sources.

Officials hope to have the state and local half secured, with engineering and environmental studies complete, if and when the U.S. Department of Transportation issues a notice of funding availability.

"I don't have a crystal ball as to when that's going to happen or what it's going to be, but we certainly want to be in a position that when it happens, we have our A game ready to go," Noland said.

Strategic planning

NICTD is also in the early stages of a process to create a new 20-year strategic plan. It's so far done employee and passenger surveys, and is preparing to issue a public, online survey June 5.

The intention is to gather input on service levels, potential rail line extensions and new lines, and other input on why people ride the train  or what would encourage them to do so.
HAMMOND  A federal judge handed down a life sentence to a man who played a prominent role in a Gary-based drug trafficking ring and killed a witness who exposed him for another homicide he allegedly committed.

United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced 30-year-old Devonte Hodge to life in prison for the Oct. 8, 2016, murder of 29-year-old Akeem Oliver and 40 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin. Hodge was convicted after a 6-day jury trial in August. He maintains his innocence.

Simon said he couldn't find the words to describe the level of violence Hodge inflicted within the Gary community. Though Hodge was convicted of one homicide, he appears to be responsible for between five and seven murders committed before and during the nine-member drug ring's operations between February 2016 and June 2018, according to a federal prosecutor. While Hodge's involvement with the criminal enterprise began with drugs, it spiraled, escalating to violence, including the shooting of Hodge's girlfriend at the time after she threatened to tell police about his crimes.

"This is a jaw-dropping level of violence," Simon said. "And for what?"

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nozick characterized Hodge as one of the most heinous killers that his office has prosecuted in recent years. He believes Hodge is not remorseful for the crimes whatsoever.

"He's a manipulator, he claims himself to be the victim here," Nozick said. "And while he probably grew up under rough circumstances ... we're not here to do a deep dive on the psychology, but factually, he's one of the most ruthless killers we've seen in the system."

Hodge fatally shot Oliver less than a month after Oliver was arrested in September 2016 and gave information to police about another homicide Hodge and two other men had allegedly committed: Isaiah Edwards, 19, who was found shot to death and burned June 26, 2016, in a grassy area in Garys Midtown section. Police executed a search warrant inside a home on Jefferson Street linked to Edwards' murder and found evidence of the drug operation and that Edwards was likely killed there.

Hodge killed Oliver to keep him from speaking further to police, Nozick said. Hodge was never charged with Edwards' murder.

"A witness killer, when we think about societal importance, that's as a heinous as crime as any," Nozick said.

Oliver's sister, Shanita, said as time goes on she misses him more. She was the eldest sibling and he the youngest, but their bond was strong despite their age difference.

"You were always there when I needed you most," she said. "Mama always said it was all six of us against the world, and we lived it."

The one day she said she couldn't protect Oliver, he was taken from a person whom he thought was his friend. Oliver left behind five children, all of whom were young at the time of his homicide.

"I'll always love you, baby brother," Shanita Oliver said. "No matter what."

Testimony and evidence presented throughout Hodge's trial showed he made a call at 7 a.m. the day of Oliver's murder that pinged off a cell tower near Oliver's apartment. He and his cousin, Andrew Ford, laid in wait in an area near the 20th Avenue and Virginia Street apartment, then ambushed Oliver. Oliver's brother, Rashide, testified at trial he witnessed the murder but escaped the gunfire.

A witness identified as "Ms. Washington" testified at trial she saw a green SUV at the scene and a shooter who had a "long gun," which was consistent with testimony from Hodge's co-defendant Teddia Caldwell, who said Hodge told him he had a "long gun."

The SUV was dumped near Gary's west side. Hodge's DNA and fingerprints were identified inside the vehicle.

Federal public defender Adam Tavitas said he and Hodge understand the nature of Hodge's conviction, but reminded the court he was in his late teens and early 20s when many of the crimes were committed. He's been incarcerated for more than eight years, which has given him time to think about his crimes.

Hodge has substantial support from friends and family, evident by the rows of people who were seated in the federal courtroom, many of whom wrote letters to the judge to offer a different perspective on who he is. Tavitas called Hodge a "bright young man" who has "always been very respectful" to him.

In his own statement, Hodge said he understands he didn't admit his guilt, but he wanted to apologize to those who were hurt from the situation he was part of. He apologized to the families who were "taking this loss" and acknowledged what happened looks terrible; but he said it is not indicative of the person he is.

"The picture that's been painted against me, I'm not that guy," Hodge said. "(Prosecutors) don't know me, with respect."

He said the allegations of what he's done and characterization of him as someone who is a "monster," as said by prosecutors at trial, is wrong. Hodge said he was a victim of circumstance who was manipulated. This was his first time to ever have a voice throughout the process, he said, because he has been spoken for through his attorney.

"I'm fighting for my life here," Hodge said. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. I just want a second chance."

He said he wanted to speak to the Oliver family about what happened, because Oliver was his friend. Hodge said he wanted to speak to Edwards' family to clear up what happened.

Oliver's family shook their heads. Edwards' mother leaned over, her face in her hands.

Simon said this is Hodge's first conviction, which could be a mitigating factor in sentencing. He acknowledged Hodge's family support, but said he found it hard to compare the person his family portrayed in their letters and the person who committed the heinous acts discussed at trial.

Given the evidence in the case, Simon said he didn't understand why Hodge maintained his innocence.

"There's no question in my mind, your denial was not believable and not credible," Simon said.

Simon lauded the "really good police work" that led to the conviction. He cited testimony from Hodge's former girlfriend who detailed the argument that led to the shooting that wounded her and killed another man after she threatened to go to police with details on his crimes.

"That testimony was among some of the most devastating to sit through," Simon said. "And I've had a lot of gang cases."

Outside of the courtroom, Rashide Oliver said watching Hodge get life in prison for his brother's murder did not make him feel any different.

"It ain't going to bring my brother back," he said.

Marycruz Calo, Edwards' mother, expected Hodge would not take responsibility for what happened.

"He had no remorse," Calo said. "He's a narcissist. He's heartless. It's a complete joke, it just shows who he is."

Prosecutors were not allowed to discuss Hodge's possible connection to Edwards' murder at trial due to evidentiary rules, but Calo said it was validating to hear Simon mention it during sentencing.

"For him to say that, it meant a lot," she said.
They were wearing matching hats with the name and logo of a state-run human resources company. That was a clue that this was no ordinary journey in search of work.

She and others who traveled with her arrived in Wuhan, where they would be making refrigerators for a Chinese electronics brand, Midea.

This barren land is what one Uyghur woman saw when she left her home in Xinjiang and began traveling thousands of miles to work in central China.

By the best available estimates, tens of thousands of Uyghurs now toil in these programs. The workers are paid, but the conditions they face are unclear. And U.N. labor experts, scholars and activists say the programs fit well-documented patterns of forced labor.

Both the United States and the European Union have adopted laws aimed at preventing consumers and businesses from funding the persecution of Uyghurs in China. These state-run labor transfer programs pose a significant challenge. It may be possible to target imports from Xinjiang, but tracking the relocation and treatment of workers from Xinjiang to factories across China is a much more difficult endeavor.

China has placed Uyghurs in factories across the country that make a wide range of goods used in brand-name products around the world, the investigation found. And it has done so with little to no visibility for supply-chain auditors or border and customs officials charged with spotting labor abuses and blocking the import of tainted goods.

A joint investigation by The New York Times, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Der Spiegel found that state-led programs to ship Uyghur workers out of Xinjiang are much more extensive than previously known.

But the Chinese government has found a way around the ban  by moving more Uyghurs to jobs in factories outside Xinjiang.

Chinas mass detention and surveillance of ethnic Uyghurs turned its far western region of Xinjiang into a global symbol of forced labor and human rights abuses, prompting Congress to ban imports from the area in 2021.

Videos on Chinese social media show they have been placed with suppliers for some of the worlds biggest car brands.

We documented their presence at 75 factories across 11 provinces in at least five major industries.

Our investigation found that the Chinese government has relocated Uyghurs as far as 2,600 miles from Xinjiang.

China makes no secret of these labor transfer programs. It says that participation is voluntary and argues that moving Uyghurs into jobs across the country gives them economic opportunities and helps address chronic poverty in Xinjiang.

But experts and activists say Uyghurs usually have no choice but to accept the job assignments, and that the programs are part of Beijings efforts to exert control over a minority population that has historically resisted Chinese rule. As many as 12 million Uyghurs, a Central Asian, Muslim people, reside in Xinjiang, located on the border with Kazakhstan.

In the United States, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act bars imports from Xinjiang, unless the importer can prove that they were not made with forced labor. Forced labor has been reported in different forms in Xinjiang, in prisons, mass internment camps and large-scale relocation programs within the region, and, the U.S. government says, in the production of cotton, textiles, critical minerals and solar panels.

The U.S. law also bars imports from companies outside Xinjiang that work with the government to receive workers from Xinjiang who are Uyghur or members of other persecuted groups.

But that provision is difficult to enforce, leaving a blind spot for those trying to root out forced labor from supply chains.

The transfer of Uyghur workers from Xinjiang is a potential flashpoint in the trade war between China and the Trump administration, which has accused Beijing of ripping off the United States and producing goods at artificially low costs, including through exploitative labor conditions. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, was one of the 2021 laws lead authors when he was a Florida senator.

Our findings are based on an examination of publicly available government and corporate announcements, state media reports, social media posts and research papers. Among them are local government notices describing the number of Uyghurs transferred to factory sites, and state media reports on meetings in which officials discuss how to manage Uyghur workers. Some show photos of workers in neat rows at train stations before departing Xinjiang.

Warmly send off Hotan migrant workers to transfer and work in the Chinese interior Warmly send off Hotan migrant workers to transfer and work in the Chinese interior Warmly send off Hotan migrant workers to transfer and work in the Chinese interior A sendoff ceremony for a group of migrant workers from the city of Hotan in Xinjiang in 2020. Source: gov.cn

The scale of the labor transfers is evident on Chinese social media, where Uyghurs have posted videos of themselves leaving home, working on factory lines and posing outside dormitories. We determined where the videos were shot by comparing the features of buildings and streets with satellite imagery, street-view maps and publicly available photographs of factories.

Some videos show other Central Asian minorities from Xinjiang, including Kazakhs and Kyrgyz people, who also face persecution and are covered by the U.S. law.

Reporters from The Times and Der Spiegel visited the areas around two dozen factories linked to Uyghur labor in eight cities in the central province of Hubei and the eastern province of Jiangsu, and spoke to more than three dozen workers as well as the owners of restaurants and other businesses frequented by them.

We did not ask interviewees for their names to minimize the risk of retaliation by the authorities, who consider the treatment of Uyghurs to be a national security issue. (We are also not disclosing the names of the people whose social media videos we found and we have blurred their faces to avoid exposing them.)

Several workers suggested, with some hesitation, that they labored under close supervision. They said their jobs had been arranged for them and that they sometimes needed permission to leave factory grounds, usually upon arrival. Security guards at some factories also confirmed they had been sent Uyghur workers by government agencies.

Other workers said that they had taken the jobs willingly and were staying in them on their own accord.

One worker in Hubei Province told The Times that he and about 300 other Uyghurs lived in a dormitory separated from staff identified as from the majority Han Chinese population. He said they were assigned minders from their home counties in Xinjiang, were allowed to leave the factory premises and could return to Xinjiang if they gave a months notice.

He said he worked up to 14 hours a day, and earned a monthly salary of up to 6,000 yuan, or $827, about the national average for a factory worker in China. The interview ended abruptly when several men surrounded the worker and demanded to know who he was and why he was not at work.

Human rights advocates argue that Uyghurs have little choice but to accept such job assignments outside Xinjiang. If they refuse, they risk being labeled a troublemaker, a serious charge in a region where people have been subjected to lengthy detentions for even the faintest signs of dissent or religious expression, like owning a Quran. At the same time, the jobs offer the promise of a higher wage, in contrast to the limited opportunities and tight surveillance that Uyghurs face in Xinjiang.

The vast majority of Xinjiangs labor transfers take place inside the region. The government said there were 3.2 million transfers in 2023, a figure that includes workers being transferred more than once, and the tens of thousands sent to other provinces.

The International Labor Organization, a U.N. agency, said in a February report that the labor transfer programs appeared to use measures severely restricting the free choice of employment.

The reach of these programs, and Chinas dominant role in the global economy, mean a wide range of multinational companies rely on suppliers that have received Uyghur workers.

Some of these suppliers produce goods for the Chinese market, including those we found processing chicken for McDonalds and KFC restaurants in China. Others make products for export, such as washing machines for LG Electronics and footwear for Crocs.

The risk of Chinese suppliers using Uyghur workers is sensitive for German automakers, including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which have tried to address their history of using forced labor in the Nazi era by apologizing and compensating victims.

Our investigation identified more than 100 companies that appeared to receive Uyghur workers or parts or goods produced by them. Most did not respond to multiple requests for comment, including LG, Tesla, Midea and KFC. Others such as McDonalds declined to comment, or provided statements that only emphasized corporate policies prohibiting forced labor in their supply chains.

A handful of companies, including Crocs, denied their suppliers used forced labor, but did not address the question of whether their suppliers had hired ethnic minority workers who had been transferred by the government from Xinjiang.

Based on recent audits, we do not have reason to believe that any of our suppliers are in violation of our policies, the Broomfield, Colo.-based footwear company said.

Companies risk having their imported goods seized by customs officials in the United States if their suppliers are found to have been using forced labor. The European Union enacted legislation similar to the American law last year, but will not begin enforcing it until 2027 to give member nations time to prepare.

China detained more than 1 million Uyghurs in internment camps from 2017 to 2019 in the name of fighting extremism. After the camps closed, an estimated half a million Uyghurs were sentenced to prison, rights groups say.

State-directed labor transfer programs have been part of Beijings efforts to assimilate Uyghurs since the early 2000s, with Chinas Communist Party promoting the notion that labor is honorable.

Honor Honor Honor Honor Honor Honor Honor Honor Sources: Xinjiang Airport Group; gov.cn; China Daily; Yangtse Evening Post

But the programs grew significantly around the time internment camps were introduced in 2017, said Adrian Zenz, an anthropologist and a leading expert on Uyghur forced labor. Since the U.S. ban on imports from Xinjiang came into force in 2022, the number of Uyghurs transferred out of the region has grown.

Speaking at a press briefing in 2022, Chen Lei, an inspector from Xinjiangs Rural Revitalization Bureau, indicated that the authorities aimed to increase the number of workers moved to other parts of China by a third in 2023 to more than 38,000, according to a government report posted online.

Labor transfer is the only measure I see that has become more intense, said Mr. Zenz, the director of China Studies for the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington. And the reason for that is that this is a long term mechanism of social control and indoctrination.

In 2023, Xi Jinping, Chinas top leader, told officials during a visit to Xinjiang that they should be vigilant against threats to stability and encourage and guide Xinjiang people to go to the Chinese interior to find employment.

Uyghur activists accuse Beijing of relocating Uyghurs in an attempt to change the demographic composition of Xinjiang and erase expressions of Uyghur and Muslim identity.

This is not about poverty alleviation. This is about dispersing Uyghurs as a group and breaking their roots, Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer at the Atlantic Council whose brother has been imprisoned in Xinjiang since 2016.

If multinational brands cannot guarantee that their suppliers are free of forced labor, then they should find other suppliers that they can guarantee are, or pull out of China altogether, Ms. Asat said.

In a written response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington denied that forced labor is used in Xinjiang, saying that such allegations were nothing but vicious lies concocted by anti-China forces. It said that China rejected the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, calling it an interference in Chinas internal affairs.

The statement also asserted that all residents in Xinjiang enjoy happy and fulfilling lives and that the governments policies are focused on making the region safer. Xinjiang-related issues are not human rights issues at all, but in essence about countering violent terrorism and separatism, it said.

Jobs as Social Control

Little is known about the lives of the Uyghurs sent to work in factories across China.

Censors frequently scrub the internet of anything deemed critical or unflattering of the government. Still, social media provides a window.

Some videos show workers raising their right fists and pledging allegiance before a Chinese flag, evidence of the ideological training that experts say is often mandatory for Uyghur workers on such job programs.

A poultry processing plant in Dalian, Liaoning A poultry processing plant in Suizhou, Hubei

The activity is about showing loyalty to the Communist Party, said Yalkun Uluyol, the China researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Some videos posted by workers hint at feelings of homesickness, at times using Uyghur poetry.
Vedant Patel

Vedant Patel, who was a spokesman for the State Dept., has joined SKDK as senior VP to support its PA, crisis communications and corporate clients.

During the Biden admininstration, he handled communications on major international challenges such as Russias invasion of Ukraine, chaos in the Middle East, and US-China diplomatic and economic tensions.

Patel advised Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on media strategy during events, coordinated rapid response efforts and oversaw message alignment across more than 250 embassies and consulates across the globe.

He also worked as assistant press secretary in the White House and served as regional communications director for the Biden/Harris 2020 campaign.

Jill Zuckman, partner at SKDK, said Patel brings extraordinary poise and clarity to the toughest assignments.

Stagwell owns SKDK.
Orchestra has appointed Christian Vollersley COO, and Louis-Philippe Cavallo as CFO as the holding company adds executives with more than two decades of operational, financial and strategic experience to support its next stage of growth.

Vollersley did a nearly ten-year stint at Dentsu, where he rose to chief integration officer for its Americas unit. He led operational simplification programs for blue-chip clients such as General Motors, Microsoft and Mastercard.

(L-R) Louis-Philippe Cavallo, Chistian Vollersley

Vollersley also was CEO at MuteSix and Porterscope US. Most recently, he was external advisor at Bain & Co.

Cavallo was CFO & head of shared services at Havas North America for more than six years. He directed its finance & accounting, treasury, tax compliance, financial systems, human resources and benefits departments.

Cavallo also was CFO at Relevate Health, Imre, and CreativeDrive, which is part of Accenture Song.

In welcoming Vollersley and Cavallo, Orchestra CEO Jonathan Rosen said hes confident their experience and skills will be instrumental in shaping what comes next for our company.

Orchestra is the parent company of BerlinRosen, Civitas, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward and Small Girls PR.
John Ashcroft

The law firm of former US Attorney General John Ashcroft has finally registered with the Justice Dept. for its contract with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Signed June 23, 2021, the pact covers advocacy on DRCs behalf before US government agencies and departments.

The Kansas City, MO-based firm also is conducting outreach to Members of Congress and their staffs, and devising an overall media strategy and outreach program.

Ashcroft Law Firm managing partner Lori Sharpe Day, who was deputy chief of staff to Senator Ashcroft, heads the team that includes partner Michael Sullivan and paralegal/office manager Kelsey Harrigan.

The firm has called in Haig Melkessetian as a consultant on the DRC work.

Melkessetian, who was an intelligence operative for more than 25 years at the Defense and State Depts., is managing director of Lazarus Brothers global financial asset recovery firm.
OFFALY student, Angelina Sewell from Sacred Heart School Tullamore won a merit award in the national essay competition organised by The Law Society of Ireland.

Kerry Transition Year (TY) student Hazel Barrett from Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, has been announced as the winner of the national Grainne ONeill Memorial Legal Essay Competition 2025.

The winners were announced at a special ceremony held at the Law Society in Dublin earlier this month.

Alannah Lydon, Ciara Chambers, Elizabeth Aubin and Grace Cleary also from Sacred Heart School Tullamore were among the finalists that attended the event in Dublin.

Now in its third year, the annual competition invites TY students from across the country to submit a 1,500-word legal essay on a specific topic. This year, over 350 essays were submitted by students from 52 schools across 16 counties, each exploring the topic: The role the law can play in addressing Hate Crime.

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The competition aims to inspire young peoples legal learning by encouraging students from a wide range of backgrounds to consider contemporary justice issues.

President of the Law Society, Eamon Harrington, said, This years topic challenged students to explore how our laws respond to hatred and discrimination in society. Their essays demonstrated an understanding of the role that legislation can play in protecting marginalised groups and promoting inclusion for all in society.

Through the competition students are encouraged to research, reflect and critically apply their learnings to this complex legal issue. The judges were impressed with the breadth of ideas and considered arguments put forward by students.

The Law Society remains committed to widening early access to legal education for young people from all backgrounds. Congratulations to all students who entered, and in particular to this years finalists and winners. We hope many of them will continue their legal education, continue to ask questions and consider a future career in law.

Hazels essay was selected as the top entry and the Kerry student won a 1,000 prize and a cup for her school. The judges commended Hazel, noting that her essay stood out for its superb analysis of the law. The judges also agreed the essay highlighted strong independent thinking, was an enjoyable read, and a deserving winner.

Commenting on her win, Hazel said, Im honoured to win the overall award this year. The competition gave me a chance to learn more about the law and learn how the legal system can be used to protect people and uphold equal rights. Im grateful for my teachers at Presentation Secondary School, Listowel for encouraging our class to take part in the Grainne ONeill Memorial Legal Essay Competition.

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Thirty finalists attended the special ceremony in Dublin. Alanna Crean, Loreto College, Dublin, was awarded second place and Saoirse OConnor Buckley, Colaiste Muire, Cork, came third. Six merit certificates were awarded to Julie Murphy, Scoil Mhuire, Cork; Angelina Sewell, Sacred Heart School Tullamore, Offaly; Honor Geary, Loreto Community School, Donegal; Donncha OKeefe, Colaiste Choilm, Cork; and Mary Nderesi and Donagh White, both from Lucan Community College, Dublin.
An Offaly woman has won an exclusive Style Icon Award at The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Racing Festival at the Curragh Racecourse.

The three-day event showcased world-class horse racing and refined style. Among the highlights of this prestigious event was the much-anticipated announcement of the Ashford Castle Style Icon Award winner for 2025.

The title of Ashford Castle Style Icon 2025 was awarded to Offaly's Davinia Knight, whose impeccable style wowed judges Marietta Doran and Lisa Toomey.

Davinias winning outfit featured a sunshine-yellow Needle & Thread dress rented from Nella.ie, a Bunclody-based company that champions sustainable fashion.

To complement her look, Davinia donned a headpiece from Marc Millinery and carried a chic basket bag borrowed from her mothers wardrobe.

Her shoes were also borrowed from a family member, her 21-year-old daughter.

Davinia is no stranger to the fashion spotlight, as her twin sister Dawn and her sister Cleo, who won the Ashford Castle Style Icon Award in 2024, are known for their dedication to race-day elegance.

Davinas was delighted saying, Im so surprised to have won today but Im so overjoyed; theres so much amazing fashion here today, everyone truly stepped up their game.

Davina wins a two-night stay for two in a magnificent Junior State Room in Irelands first and only Forbes Five Star Hotel and Spa, the 5-star Ashford Castle in County Mayo.

This unforgettable experience includes:
AN allegation of drugs possession against a man with an Edenderry address will be dropped unless the DPP issues directions on how the prosecution should proceed, a judge warned last week.

Conor Dunne (30), Cokery Lane, Edenderry, is alleged to have had drugs for sale or supply to others at 8A Cokery Lane, Edenderry on December 9 last year.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told Tullamore District Court that gardai were waiting for a certificate from Forensic Science Ireland and an adjournment was therefore being sought.

Judge Andrew Cody said the alleged offence was in December last year and while he would adjourn the prosecution on this occasion for directions from the DPP, on the next occasion the order would be peremptory against the DPP.

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Judge Cody said that unless directions were available the prosecution would be struck out.

He remanded Mr Dunne on continuing bail to appear in court again on June 25 next.

Forensic Science Ireland analyses suspected drugs samples and issues certificates to the gardai.
Jozef Puska's brother denied to gardai that he told someone to dispose of the knife used to murder schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

The jury also heard that Lubomir Puska Jnr (37) denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the clothes worn by his brother on the day Jozef Puska murdered Ms Murphy.

Jozef Puska (35) attacked Ms Murphy (23) on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on January 12, 2022. She died having suffered 12 sharp force injuries to her neck, eleven of which were stab wounds.

Puskas brothers Lubomir Puska Jnr and Marek Puska (36) are charged with withholding information, knowing or believing that the information might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction of Jozef Puska for a serious offence involving loss of human life or serious personal injury to another.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988.

Jozefina Grundzova (31), who is married to Marek Puska, and Viera Gaziova (38), who is married to Lubomir Puska Jnr, are accused of assisting in burning clothing between January 12 and 14, without reasonable excuse, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska, knowing or believing him to have committed the offence of murder or some other arrestable offence within the same category or of a similar nature.

They have pleaded not guilty to the offences, which are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All the accused have an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The jury previously heard that in his first statement to gardai, Lubomir Jnr said he first saw his brother Jozef in the early afternoon that day. He seemed "a bit sad, not in a good mood," Lubomir Jnr said.

He told gardai that he left the house at about 11.30 and did not see his brother again. However, he later returned to the garda station and made a second statement, in which he apologised for lying and said that when Jozef arrived home on the night of January 12, it looked like he had been struck on the forehead.

The jury at the Central Criminal Court watched video footage on Wednesday, May 28 of Lubomir Jnr's interview with gardai on January 18, 2022, in which he said he returned home on the day Ms Murphy was murdered to find his brother Jozef looking like he was beaten by someone.

Through a Slovakian interpreter, Lubomir Jnr said that Jozef was swollen on the forehead and his cheek was red like he had been scraped. He said his brother had a weird walk, kind of broken, as though something had happened to him.

He told the gardai that his brother, who was just out of the shower, opened the towel he was wearing to reveal three stab wounds.

He looked drunk, but he wasnt drunk, said Lubomir Jnr. He told gardai that he asked Jozef what had happened to him, to which his brother replied that he had wanted to kill himself and he had done a horrendous thing.

He said when he was stabbing himself, there was a girl running or exercising, she went towards him, the accused told gardai. She said: What are you doing? Dont do it, you are too young. He said to her, Leave me alone, its my life, my business.

The accused said that Jozef probably wanted to push her away to leave him alone, but he thought that Jozef cut her with the knife.

After telling the gardai this, the accused said it had been very heavy, very hard to say. I never said anything like that in my life, said the accused.

He told gardai that he could not believe what his brother was telling him, so he asked him again what he had done. He said that Jozef told him: I dont know whether I hurt her so much, but I think I did... it must have been an accident, I didnt want to do this, but I just switched my hand as she was coming near me.

The accused said he told his brother to tell their parents immediately what he had done, to which Jozef said that he would tell them but only after they brought him to Dublin. The accused said he told his brother to tell their parents everything and dont make any secrets.

In a further interview, the accused told gardai that he thought Jozef had his clothes in the bathroom with him. When asked if anyone removed those clothes, he said that he did not know.

Detective Garda Joanne O'Sullivan gave evidence to prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC of the accuseds next interview with gardai, conducted on January 26, 2022.

In this interview, it was put to the accused that someone had asked his wife to move Josef's clothes and put them beside the bin.

I dont know who it was, it wasnt me, replied the accused.

In a further interview on January 27, 2022, it was put to the accused that when he knew Jozef had murdered Ms Murphy, he bundled him up and sent him to Dublin before giving instructions to dispose of the clothes.

The accused denied this and also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife.

The trial continues on Thursday before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of seven men and five women.
TD for Tipperary North and Fianna Fail spokesperson for education Ryan OMeara has welcomed a major 2.5 million investment in Tipperary schools, saying it will deliver real improvements for local children, families and school communities.

Part of a 65-million national package, the funding will support both digital learning and essential school maintenance across the county.

This investment means better learning environments and smarter tech in classrooms across Tipperary, Deputy OMeara said. Its a direct boost for students, parents and teachers alike.

Schools in Tipperary will receive: over 1.3 million for ICT infrastructure, giving students access to better digital tools and learning opportunities and over 1.2 million in minor works funding for primary and special schools to carry out small building upgrades and essential maintenance

With the world changing fast, its vital that our schools keep pace, said Deputy OMeara. This ICT funding will help our students build the digital skills they need to succeednot just in school, but in life.

He added that the minor works funding is equally important, giving schools flexibility to make key improvements ahead of the new academic year.

Whether its fixing a roof, upgrading a classroom, or making outdoor spaces safer, this funding gives school leaders the resources they need to act quickly on local priorities, he said.

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Deputy OMeara emphasised that the investment will ensure Tipperary schools remain safe, welcoming and future-focused places for learning.

Were investing not just in buildings or broadbandwere investing in our childrens future. This is great news for every family in Tipperary.
Fianna Fail TD for Tipperary North, Ryan OMeara, has welcomed the announcement of 300,000 in funding for 22 local agri-food tourism initiatives across the country, with 30,000 allocated to projects in County Tipperary.

Speaking following the announcement, Deputy OMeara said, Agri-food tourism plays a vital role in rural communities by giving our food producers, large and small, an opportunity to showcase the people, landscape, heritage, and culture that make their agricultural and culinary offerings so unique.

This funding also provides a significant boost for rural enterprises, including farmers, producers, and artisans. It supports business diversification, strengthens community connections, attracts visitors, and enhances skills and best practices in the sector.

Of the 300,000 in national funding, 10% has been awarded to Tipperary-based projects, a proportion Deputy OMeara describes as encouraging and reflective of the countys strong presence in this growing sector.

The Tipperary projects receiving funding are:

 Destination Lough Derg  10,000

 Ailbhe Gerrard, Field Exchange, Nenagh  10,000 (for a Food and Craft Festival)

 Tipperary Food Producers Network  10,000 (for Food Tourism development)



Agri-food tourism encompasses a wide range of activities that connect visitors with local agriculture and culinary heritage. It may include farm stays, food trails, festivals, agricultural tours, or direct sales of local produce.

READ NEXT: Dispose of your old mattress for free in Roscrea, Nenagh and more recycling centres on these dates

This type of tourism celebrates local and seasonal food, supports artisan producers, and promotes regional identity through authentic food experiences.

Concluding, Deputy OMeara stated, I look forward to continuing to work with the Minister on the implementation of Food Vision 2030, our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector. This strategy highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and tourism, and will ensure that projects like these continue to receive the support they deserve.
An Irishman extradited from the United Arab Emirates has been charged with murder and other charges relating to directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

Sean McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin amid high security.

Appearing before judges Karen OConnor, Elma Sheahan and Grainne Malone, he was charged with five offences.

He was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in December 2016 as part of the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan criminal gangs, despite having no connections to criminality.

He was also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Noel Kirwans murder, and a separate charge of facilitating the crime gangs murder of Mr Kirwan, between October 20 and December 22 2016,

He was also charged with two other offences, of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to monitoring the activity of James Gately, and another charge of facilitating a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately.

McGovern, who appeared in court in a grey T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and black sliders with white socks, confirmed his name to the court.

His barrister, Olan Callanan BL, told the court that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of the arrest and the jurisdiction of the court.

There were more than 20 Garda members in the courtroom for the short hearing.

McGovern was arrested in the UAE last October after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Shortly after his arrest, Ireland finalised an agreement on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.

McGovern was handed over to gardai in Dubai on Wednesday.

He was transported back to Ireland in an Irish military plane on Thursday.

He was formally arrested by police investigating the activities of the Kinahan crime gang when the aircraft landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.

Detective Sergeant Donal Daly told the non-jury court he arrested McGovern at 6.38pm.

He was remanded in custody and is to next appear in court on June 5 at 11am via videolink.
A man who failed to notify the Department of Social Welfare that he was in employment and no longer entitled to social welfare payments appeared at this week's Tullamore District Court.

State Solicitor, Sandra Mahon, said Adam Mooney, with an address at Earlsfort Avenue, Lucan, Dublin had received an overpayment from the Department of 5,815.50 while he was in full time employment.

Ms Mahon said he had not engaged with the Department and as a result 50 was being deducted weekly from his account. 876.80 had been recovered to date.

Solicitor Aisling Maloney said her client had broken his arm two weeks ago and would be out of work for six weeks. She said he would be happy to resume the payments after that. She said he had been earning 750 per week.

Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to September 12 and told Ms Maloney that her client would have to engage with the department.

Ms Maloney applied for legal aid, however, Judge Cody said it would be subject to bank statements from Mr Mooney.

READ NEXT: Modern high support unit for Tullamore to progress to tender
In recent months, Washington's European allies have been experiencing increasing and persistent pressure from the current U.S. administration. U.S. President Donald Trump is anticipated to urge European nations to significantly enhance their defense spending during the NATO summit in The Hague. This expectation was affirmed by U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, during his address at the Atlantic Council conference. He emphasized that "Trump has made it very clear that our European allies and Canada now need to match the United States", highlighting the importance of equitable burden-sharing in defense expenditures.

Even prior to his inauguration, Trump indicated potential drastic changes. In December of last year, he suggested that the U.S. might contemplate withdrawing from NATO if its partners did not increase their defense budgets. By January, he specified his position further, advocating for NATO member states to elevate military spending to 5% of their GDP-- significantly above the current 2% target, which he considers inadequate. He cautioned that if NATO countries fail to contribute their fair share to defense, the U.S. would reconsider its obligation to protect them.

The message from Washington to its allies has been not only assertive but also unequivocal-- these are not mere suggestions; they are demands. In advance of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in April, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed, as reported by Euronews: "I'd like to leave Brussels with a clear understanding that every NATO country has committed to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP."

As a result, European NATO member states have no way to avoid the demands. But the worst thing for them is that they will increase expenses to the detriment of their own interests. Countries will be forced to cut social programs, abandon plans to improve education and health care, and develop science and technology.

The prospects for peaceful development of the European countries' economies are currently reduced to a minimum due to the lack of funds that the authorities are forced to direct towards the development of military capabilities.
Russia just launched one of the largest aerial assaults on Ukraine since the onset of its full-scale invasion in February 2022, targeting cities across the country with a staggering 367 air attack vehicles, including nine Iskander ballistic missiles, 56 cruise missiles, four guided air missiles, and 298 attack drones. This devastating barrage, which Ukrainian officials reported killed at least 18 people, including three children, and injured 85 others, coincided with the completion of the war's largest prisoner exchange, underscoring Russia's apparent unwillingness to pursue peace despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The attack struck 22 locations across Ukraine, damaging over 80 residential buildings, igniting 27 fires, and targeting critical infrastructure, including enterprises and a university dormitory in Kyiv. Ukraine's air force managed to neutralize 45 cruise missiles and 266 drones, but the scale of the onslaught overwhelmed defenses in many areas. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as "deliberate attacks on ordinary cities", noting the destruction of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Russia's Defense Ministry, however, claimed the strikes targeted Ukraine's military-industrial complex, including facilities producing missile components, electronics, and drones.

This barrage marked the fourth consecutive night of attacks involving over 100 missiles and drones, a significant escalation in Russia's campaign to cripple Ukraine's energy grid and civilian morale as winter approaches. Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, described the assault as "the most massive strike" since the war began, emphasizing its impact on regions like Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv. The timing, coinciding with Kyiv Day - a national holiday celebrating the capital's founding - added a layer of symbolic cruelty to the attacks.

The strikes occurred despite a major prisoner exchange of approximately 1,000 troops from each side - the largest such exchange of the conflict. Facilitated in Turkey, the swap was hailed as a potential confidence-building measure, but Russia's immediate escalation of attacks suggests little interest in de-escalation. Ukrainian leaders, including Zelenskyy and his chief of staff Andriy Yermak, cited the barrage as evidence that Moscow's calls for peace are disingenuous.

The international community faces a critical juncture in responding to Russia's intensified aggression. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for stronger sanctions and increased military support, arguing that "without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped". The United States and Europe, as key allies of Ukraine, must consider a multifaceted approach to counter Russia's actions while supporting Ukraine's resilience.

The U.S. and EU should implement a new, robust sanctions package targeting Russia's economic vulnerabilities, particularly its energy exports and access to high-tech components. Sanctions could focus on Russia's Central Bank, shadow fleet, and high-tech exports like chips and precision equipment.

Ukraine's air defenses are stretched thin. The U.S. and NATO allies should expedite the delivery of advanced air defense systems, such as Patriot and NASAMS, and ensure a steady supply of interceptors. Zelenskyy has emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's "air shield", noting unfulfilled promises from NATO summits.

Russia's focus on Ukraine's energy grid aims to disrupt civilian life during winter. The U.S. and Europe should fund emergency repairs to Ukraine's power infrastructure and provide alternative energy solutions, such as generators and decentralized power systems. The establishment of "points of invincibility" for charging devices and providing shelter, as seen in previous winters, should be expanded with international support.

While U.S.-brokered peace talks have stalled, the international community must maintain pressure on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, as proposed by Ukraine. The U.S. should leverage its influence to ensure that any ceasefire includes verifiable security guarantees for Ukraine, addressing Kyiv's concerns about future Russian aggression. European leaders, who have expressed readiness to coordinate sanctions, should align with the U.S. to present a united front.

Beyond U.S. and European action, the broader international community must act decisively to curb Russia's aggression and support Ukraine's sovereignty. The United Nations should convene an emergency session to address Russia's targeting of civilian infrastructure, which violates international humanitarian law. Countries like Turkey, which facilitated the recent prisoner exchange, could play a larger role in mediating talks.

Global powers, including those in Asia and the Middle East, should be encouraged to limit trade with Russia, particularly in dual-use technologies that fuel its war machine. Zelenskyy noted that Russian drones contain 85 foreign components, highlighting the need for stricter export controls.

Russia's massive attack underscores the urgency of a coordinated international response. The failure of previous sanctions to deter Moscow, coupled with its continued bombardment of civilian targets, suggests that half-measures will not suffice. The U.S., Europe, and their allies must combine economic pressure, military support, and diplomatic efforts to force Russia to reconsider its maximalist demands, which include annexing Ukrainian territory and blocking NATO accession.

By acting swiftly to bolster Ukraine's defenses, tighten sanctions, and pursue a verifiable ceasefire, the international community can demonstrate that Russia's attacks will not go unanswered. The path to peace lies not in appeasing Moscow but in ensuring that Ukraine has the resources and support to withstand and counter Russia's onslaught.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

As TomDispatch regular Juan Cole (whose Informed Comment website is a daily must-read) reminds us, wherever Donald Trump lands -- in this country or just about anywhere else on Earth -- he has a tendency to turn worlds upside down. His recent trip to the Middle East, as Cole makes vividly clear today, did just that when it came to Israel and the oil regimes of the region and not only because he came away with a "free" gift of a Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar (after Boeing itself proved incapable of producing a new Air Force One plane faintly on time for Trump). Mind you, when it comes to airplanes and air power, that's just the tip of the ice (or do I mean air?) berg. After all, while the Qataris offered that plane for free -- "one of the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government for use by a specific person," as the New York Times reported -- that was nothing compared to the $1 billion that will go into retrofitting the plane for the president or the $8 billion Qatar has already invested in its Al Udeid Air Base, so that it can continue to be used by the U.S. military to support its operations throughout the Middle East. And hey, while there, the president did indeed speak to U.S. service personnel at that very base and announced that the Qataris were planning to spend another -- yes! -- $10 billion on it.

Oh, and while he was at it, President Trump essentially turned the Middle East upside down by removing U.S. sanctions on Syria and meeting with its new president Ahmad al-Shara, the former head of an al-Qaeda affiliate known as the Al Nusra Front, who once had a U.S. bounty of $10 million on his head. The American president insisted that Syria deserved "a fresh start." And oh (again), in case you've forgotten, though it went unmentioned while he was in the Middle East, there's nothing fresh about the 1,000 troops that, as Nick Turse reminds us at The Intercept, the U.S. still stations in Syria, though for what purpose at this point remains essentially unknown.

In a sense, except for its overwhelming support of Israel, Washington's policy in the Middle East in this century has long been chaotic. And in its grim and brutal campaign not just against Hamas but against, it seems, more or less every Palestinian living anywhere in Gaza, Israel appears to be turning much of the Middle East upside down. Now, as Cole reports, Donald Trump seems ready to lend a hand in flipping that region (at least as Washington has long known it) upside down as well. What follows that and him (and Benjamin Netanyahu), no one can possibly know. Tom

Is Trump's Axis of the Plutocrats Marginalizing Israel?

And What Does the Future Hold in the Middle East?

By Juan Cole

Colorful career criminal Willie Sutton once may (or may not) have been asked why he robbed banks. "Because that is where the money is," he supposedly replied. A similar principle may explain the first foreign trip of President Donald J. Trump's second term, which was not to a traditional U.S. ally in Europe. Rather, he set off to visit the capitals of the Gulf hydrocarbon potentates Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In royal palaces there, he feasted and was offered hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in American companies and opportunities for the Trump Organization, too. Qatar even courted controversy by giving him a $400 million Boeing 747-8 plane to serve as a future Air Force One.

And the publicity was regal. Strikingly missing, however, was a side trip to Israel or any evident consultations with the extremist government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Instead, Israel was frozen out and blindsided by Trump's pronouncements. On the eve of his trip, the president took the Israelis by surprise when he abruptly announced that he would halt his (costly and fruitless) bombing campaign against the Houthis of Yemen. Israeli leaders then had to listen to Trump proclaim that the U.S. "has no stronger partner" than Saudi Arabia, with which he brokered a $142 billion deal for American arms. The United Arab Emirates has a sovereign wealth fund of $2.2 trillion, while Saudi Arabia's is $1.1 trillion and that country's leader, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has already deposited $2 billion of it in the investment firm of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Qatar's sovereign wealth fund has $526 billion. And such sums don't even include those countries' vast currency reserves, earned by selling petroleum and fossil gas.

And in that single, several-day trip, President Trump managed to realign U.S. Middle Eastern policy to center on -- and yes, it should be capitalized! -- an Axis of the Plutocrats, Gulf sheikhs who are using their galactic fortunes to reshape the region from Libya to Sudan, Egypt to Syria, and who are hungrily eyeing new investment opportunities in areas like the emerging artificial intelligence industry.

Syria: A Very Strong Background

Oh, and while he was traveling Trump revealed that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia's bin Salman had indeed convinced him to lift American sanctions on Syria, a step distinctly opposed by the Israelis. While in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, he even held a surprise meeting with fundamentalist Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, who had once led an al-Qaeda affiliate. Asked about whether the Israelis opposed the step, Trump replied, "I don't know. I didn't ask them about that." In fact, the Associated Press reported that, in an April meeting with Trump, Netanyahu had specifically pleaded with him not to lift those sanctions on Syria, since he claimed he feared that the new fundamentalist government there might eventually stage an attack on Israel.

Trump appears to have been entirely unmoved by Netanyahu's plea. After meeting al-Shara in Riyadh, the president summed up his view of the former guerrilla and supporter of hardline Salafi Islam this way: "Young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter." On recognizing Damascus's new government and issuing a waiver on those congressionally mandated sanctions, Trump observed, "Now it's their time to shine" So, I say, 'Good luck, Syria.' Show us something very special." It's worth noting that al-Shara claims he wants good relations with all his country's neighbors and is open to peace with Israel.

You wouldn't know it from Netanyahu's heated rhetoric, but during the Syrian civil war of the last decade, Israel did give medical help to the Support Front (Jabhat al-Nusra) that al-Shara founded and led when it was fighting against Bashar al-Assad's dictatorial regime. Since al-Shara's group sometimes persecuted the heterodox Druze minority in Syria, this step outraged Israel's own Druze minority, some of whom at one point attacked an ambulance taking a wounded Syrian rebel to an Israeli hospital, while the group's leaders lobbied Netanyahu to cease aiding the al-Qaeda-linked outfit.

Netanyahu's recent suggestions to Trump that al-Shara, now in control of much of Syria, poses a threat to Israel, were therefore wholly disingenuous. Moreover, the jackboot is entirely on the other foot. As soon as the revolution in Damascus succeeded, Netanyahu ordered an orgy of destruction, bombing naval ships in the Syrian port of Latakia and military installations across the country, leaving Syria virtually helpless. Israeli troops then marched into Syria, occupying swathes of its territory and taking control of a dam that supplies 40% of its water. Israeli far-right cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich then pledged that Israel's multi-front war of expansion there would only end when Syria was -- you couldn't put it more bluntly than this -- "dismantled."

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The fall of the Assad regime revealed what everyone already suspected: the Assad family itself ran the Captagon trade in Syria. But if we assume the Assad family was indeed at the heart of the trade, how can we explain the continued seizure of millions of Captagon pills within Syria and along its borders with neighboring countries, despite more than five months having passed since the regime's collapse?

This article explores the primary factors that enabled the Captagon trade to not only persist but adapt and evolve after the downfall of the Assad regime.

An International Machine Worth Billions

Despite the prominent role the Assad family played in the Captagon trade, the fall of their regime and the flight of top officials abroad merely severed one link in a vast international network. It did not dismantle the system itself. The Assad family's share in the Captagon economy was estimated at $2.4 billion. In contrast, t he global Captagon trade is valued at around $10 billion, meaning the family controlled, at most, 30% of the market.

The remainder is spread across various regional actors, including networks in Lebanon (notably Hezbollah), Jordan, and the Gulf. In Jordan, an estimated 20% of the Captagon pills smuggled from Syria are sold domestically, while the rest are funneled into the lucrative Gulf markets, particularly Saudi Arabia, the world's largest Captagon consumer. Here, complex trafficking operations ensure the pills are smuggled, stored, and sold at exponentially higher prices. A pill worth under $1 in Syria can fetch up to $20 in Saudi Arabia.

Such profit margins are too attractive for regional syndicates to abandon. The collapse of the Assad regime, rather than disrupting the trade, merely encouraged it to diversify and decentralize. In fact, production and smuggling activities resumed in Syria almost immediately. On May 18, the Jordanian Air Force launched a strike on a suspected trafficker in Syria's southern As-Suwayda province. Just two days earlier, Syrian forces reported the seizure of nine million pills in Aleppo. The system remains very much alive.

Why the Captagon Network Didn't Die with Assad

Despite significant setbacks, including the defeat of the armed opposition in many areas and the destruction of several production facilities, Syria remains the global hub of Captagon production, responsible for an estimated 80% of total global output. This persistence is due in large part to the scale and structure of the domestic network.

According to researcher Hassan Jaber in his 2024 book "The Northern War", more than 12,000 armed individuals are involved in smuggling Captagon in southern Syria alone, spread across roughly 150 factions. Thousands more handle production, packaging, transport, and distribution. The network operates like a shadow state, with well-developed communication lines and logistics.

Inside Syria's Smuggling Empire

What sets this network apart is not just its size but its professionalism. Traffickers employ ingenious smuggling tactics, hiding pills inside furniture, transformers, and even fruit pits. They've used drones, plastic mortars, and even homing pigeons to outsmart border authorities. Their confrontations with Jordanian forces are often intense and prolonged.

Furthermore, a portion of the network once under regime protection, including factions linked to the Fourth Division led by Maher al-Assad, has now splintered. Opposition-controlled areas also host production hubs. With the Assad family out, new players are eager to fill the vacuum, further complicating any effort to dismantle the network.

Criminal Innovation: Smuggling Tactics that Defy Logic

These networks aren't just persistent; they're inventive. From embedding pills in electrical appliances to using pigeons as carriers, their methods adapt faster than border controls can catch up. Such operations reflect an evolution in criminal enterprise that goes beyond mere desperation; it's industrial-scale ingenuity.

From Cartels to Warlords: Who Fills the Vacuum?

Beyond the organized networks, there are smaller producers who once operated in secrecy under regime eyes, often persecuted by state forces to eliminate competition. With the fall of the Assad family, these players are seizing the opportunity to expand. The competition is no longer limited to traditional actors but includes former regime loyalists, local warlords, and ambitious criminal entrepreneurs.

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In recent years, Donald Trump has frequently billed himself as a bringer of peace. During 2023 and 2024, as he campaigned for re-election, he declared at least 53 times that he would end the Ukraine War within 24 hours of taking office or even before that. Referring to peace for Ukraine before a gathering in Council Bluffs, Iowa in July 2023, he insisted: "I'll get that done within 24 hours. Everyone says, 'Oh, no, you can't.' Absolutely, I can. Absolutely I can."

Trump has vowed to terminate other wars, as well. Promising to end the war in Gaza and "bring peace back to the Middle East", Trump assured audiences that "we will return the world to peace". Indeed, in his January 20, 2025 inaugural address, he proclaimed that "we will measure our success... by the wars we end." And "my proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker".

Even so, after more than four months of Trump's return to the White House, these promises have not been fulfilled. The war in Ukraine continues to rage, without letup. According to a New York Times analysis of May 22, Trump had decided to walk away from the issue, telling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and other European leaders "that Russia and Ukraine would have to find a solution to the war themselves". Nor did the Trump administration make a serious attempt to alter to the horrendous situation in Gaza. Instead, Trump gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a free hand and the weaponry to continue to pulverize Gaza and its two million inhabitants. Meanwhile, when it came to Sudan, undergoing an extraordinarily brutal civil war that has caused the worst humanitarian crisis ever recorded, the Trump administration has remained remarkably aloof.

The most obvious reason for Trump's failure as a peacemaker is that he is much less interested in fostering peace than in expanding U.S. national power. During his first term in office, under the banner of "America First", Trump substantially increased the U.S. military budget, withdrew from nuclear arms control and disarmament treaties, and publicly threatened nuclear war against both North Korea and Iran. Proclaiming himself "a nationalist", he disparaged the United Nations, attacked the International Criminal Court, and withdrew the United States from the UN Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization. He certainly didn't end any wars or even bring substantial U.S. military forces back from overseas. Although Trump did negotiate an agreement to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan, he later condemned the Biden administration for implementing it.

Trump's priorities have grown even more apparent during his current term in office. Startling U.S. allies and other observers, he has already called for a U.S. government takeover of Panama, Greenland, Canada, and Gaza. As recently as this May, he announced that he didn't rule out employing military force to seize Greenland. Trump also proposed a $1 trillion U.S. military budget for fiscal 2026 (a 13.4 percent increase) and again took action to withdraw U.S. support from the United Nations (to which it currently owes $1.5 billion in unpaid dues) and other international organizations. Such policies are in line with his January 2025 inaugural address, in which he stated: "We will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen.... The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation-- one that increases our wealth, expands our territory... and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons."

Admittedly, Trump's go-it-alone empire-building is limited somewhat by his participation in an emerging international rightwing alliance. But other participants in this alliance-- powerful authoritarian, reactionary rulers (notably Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mohammed bin Salman) and rightwing political parties are primarily interested in national aggrandizement. Consequently, although it is possible for them to work out mutually satisfactory deals-- for example, Putin gobbling up Ukraine in exchange for Trump gobbling up Greenland and Panama-- it's more probable that, like bargains among thieves, their agreements won't last long.

Furthermore, even without Trump at the helm of the U.S. government, it's unlikely that a different U.S. president could make much progress toward creating a peaceful world. After all, most countries do not view the United States as an impartial force, but rather as a nation that, like other nations, has pursued its own interests throughout its history. Yes, as a wealthy "great power", the United States could contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflict. But there is too much suspicion of its intentions, or of the intentions of any single nation, to enable it to rally the world behind a program for peace.

By contrast, the United Nations, which brings together virtually all the world's nations, has greater credibility. As the collective voice of the international community, it certainly has the potential to serve as an impartial arbiter. Moreover, it was established in 1945 with the proclaimed goal of saving "succeeding generations from the scourge of war". Why not use it for this purpose?

A key objection to the United Nations playing this role is that it is too weak to be effective. But what if it were strengthened? What if the power of the veto in the UN Security Council were reduced? What if the power of the UN General Assembly to handle international security issues were enhanced? What if the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court were increased? What if the United Nations were provided with an adequate source of funding?

Given the aggressive priorities of the Trump administration and its rightwing allies, it makes sense for them to be working-- as they are-- to subvert and destroy these global institutions.

But the people of the world have a great deal to gain by strengthening international organizations that are genuinely committed to fostering peace.

Lawrence S. Wittner (https://www.lawrenceswittner.com/ ) is Professor of History Emeritus at SUNY/Albany and the author of Confronting the Bomb (Stanford University Press).
The Maersk Skarstind container ship is moored at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles Tuesday, April 15, 2025. AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

The federal trade court on Wednesday sided with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, blocking President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs based on a series of emergency declarations.

Rayfields office is leading a 12-state lawsuit that argues the president exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by declaring an emergency to justify new tariffs.
Franky Fred was last seen by friends on Friday. Vancouver police

UPDATE: Body found in Columbia River thought to be missing teenager

Vancouver police are asking for the publics help in finding a missing teen.

18-year-old Franky Fred was last seen by friends near Vancouver Lake last Friday, officials said. Some of his belongings were found nearby on a beach along the Columbia River.

Fred is 55 and 140 pounds, and on Friday he was wearing a white hoodie, black pants and black Nike shoes. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with immediately actionable information about Freds whereabouts to contact Detective James Dewey at james.dewey@cityofvancouver.us.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
A fentanyl dealer who killed a man who was trying to rob him last year has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Luis F. Gutierrez-Media had been lured to a Southwest Capitol Highway strip mall around 3 a.m. Jan. 13, 2024, to sell fentanyl-laced pills  but when he got there, he was robbed at gunpoint by two men and a woman.
Multnomah County Circuit Judge Benjamin Souede ruled from the bench Wednesday afternoon after an approximately hour-long hearing. Maxine Bernstein | Staff

A judge Wednesday refused to compel former West Linn Dr. David B. Farley to answer further deposition questions in a pending civil suit over patient allegations of sexual abuse, finding he lawfully invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Hes excused from answering questions due to that privilege, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Souede ruled after an hourlong hearing Wednesday.
A Multnomah County grand jury last week indicted a Portland man accused of robbery, carjacking and fleeing police across state lines.

Jeffrey Boone, 43, was charged May 20 with seven counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of burglary, seven counts of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle. He also faces charges of assault, criminal mischief and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

The indictment alleges Boone, while armed, attempted to rob seven people, burglarize two homes and steal two cars. Police said the numerous crimes, all in Portland, took place between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Police said Boone then allegedly stole a Honda Accord in Multnomah County. It was found abandoned in Vancouver a short time later.

Clark County court documents allege that Boone, armed with a revolver, broke into a Vancouver home and stole a truck from the property.

Around 7:30 p.m. that day, Oregon State Police troopers pursued a motorist, later identified as Boone, driving recklessly on southbound Interstate 5 near Salem. Boone eventually crashed into a median barrier, police said.

He fled on foot, and troopers chased him down and arrested him. A week after his arrest, Boone was indicted in Marion County on charges of recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, failure to perform duties of a driver and felon in possession of a firearm.

Boone remains in Marion County custody and does not yet have a scheduled court date to be arraigned on the charges in Multnomah County. An attorney representing him in the Marion County case did not respond to requests for comment.

At this time, he hasnt been indicted with any crimes in Clark County.

Boone was convicted in 2007 of charges of identity theft, forgery and robbery in Lane County, where he was sentenced to 90 months in prison.

Multnomah County prosecutors have alerted the court they will seek a harsher sentence if Boone is convicted, alleging he has a disregard for laws and a lack of remorse.
Pictured far left is Brian Hughes, Commander of the Portland Police Bureau's (PPB) Central Precinct. A preschool security guard in Southwest Portland shot and injured a man around 11:50 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025, police said. The 32-year-old man died from his injuries May 23. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive

A 32-year-old man shot by a preschool security guard in Southwest Portland earlier this month died from his injuries last week, police said.

The security guard for The Gan, a Jewish preschool on the campus of the Chabad Lubavitch of Oregon, shot Manuel Castillo Garza shortly before noon on May 8.
Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Beaverton School District, stands for a photo in the lobby of the district administrative office in Beaverton in 2024. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman) AP

The Beaverton School District will soon lose its superintendent of three years.

Gustavo Balderas told staff and community members Wednesday that he has accepted the role of superintendent of Washingtons Puget Sound Educational Service District. The regional organization serves more than 426,000 students in the Seattle area.

Balderas said he will transition to the role over the course of the next school year and will start in Washington no later than July 2026. In the meantime, he said, he will work to expand dual language programs, create budget stability and help lead discussions about the districts facilities. He said he will also work with the school board as it launches a search for the next superintendent.

Beaverton is Oregons third largest school district and is notably diverse: Just 41% of its students are white, 28% are Hispanic and 18% are Asian American. Balderas arrived at the tail end of the pandemic; the districts students reading and math scores have yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

Under Balderas, the district avoided a teachers strike this year, but only after months of contentious negotiations that left some rancor in their wake. He has also faced persistent scrutiny about his leadership from school board member Tammy Carpenter and navigated community concerns about a perceived lack of transparency around school consolidation proposals.

In 2020, the American Association of School Administrators named Balderas national superintendent of the year for his work in Eugene.

He was recently named a finalist for the superintendency of the Fresno Unified School District in California but did not wind up in that job.

 Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive.
The Oregon State Capitol building seen on March 7, 2024. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

The Oregon House voted Wednesday to pass a bill aimed at slowing corporate influence in health care.

Senate Bill 951, which passed the chamber 41-16, would impose some of the countrys toughest rules on corporate ownership of doctors offices and medical clinics. It now goes to Gov. Tina Koteks desk to await her signature.
When President Xi Jinping entered the front lawn of the parliament building in Jakarta on Oct 3, 2013, Marzuki Alie, then speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives, greeted him in Mandarin, saying "huanying", or welcome.

Xi, during his first Southeast Asia visit as China's top leader, had been invited to address members of Indonesia's House of Representatives, the People's Consultative Assembly and the Regional Representatives Council in a joint session that Marzuki had personally arranged.

"President Xi Jinping was the first foreign president to address the Indonesian parliament," Marzuki told China Daily.

Marzuki said that President Xi's speech in Parliament was notable because there is no tradition of foreign leaders addressing the Indonesian parliament. The speech itself was very important not only for Indonesia-China relations, but also for fostering international cooperation, and Xi's thoughts needed to be heard by Indonesian lawmakers, he added.

Tantowi Yahya, then deputy chairman of the House of Representatives commission in charge of international political affairs, defense and information, said that Xi "was very friendly" and waved to everyone on his way to the stage.

The packed plenary hall of the Indonesian parliament building burst into applause when Xi said "apa khabar", the Indonesian phrase for "How is your day", and began to deliver his speech, Yahya said.

Sitting in the front row, Yahya found himself impressed by Xi's friendly smile, calm manner and a voice that warmed the atmosphere of the parliament hall.

He also recalled that Xi talked about a popular Indonesian song  Hening, or Silence  that was composed by then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after witnessing the beauty of the Lijiang River in southern China. The audience was greatly touched, Yahya added.

It was during the parliament speech on Oct 3, 2013, that Xi proposed the second element of the two-part Belt and Road Initiative, which he initially raised in Kazakhstan on Sept 7 the same year when proposing the first part, the Silk Road Economic Belt.

"Southeast Asia has since ancient times been an important hub along the ancient Maritime Silk Road," Xi told the parliamentary gathering.

"China will strengthen maritime cooperation with ASEAN countries to make good use of the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund set up by the Chinese government and vigorously develop maritime partnership in a joint effort to build the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century," he added, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Marzuki said, "President Xi emphasized the Belt and Road Initiative as a part of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit." The BRI facilitates the development of participating countries, and this also contributes to the good of the global economy, he said.

Novi Basuki, a sociology researcher with master's and doctoral degrees from, respectively, Huaqiao University and Xiamen University in China, said that Xi's choice of Indonesia as the foreign country in which to announce the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road has been appreciated by Indonesia.

"In 2005, the two countries upgraded the status of their bilateral relations to strategic partners," said Basuki. "And we are grateful that in 2013, the strategic partnership was further elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership."

In his 30-minute speech, Xi mentioned a wide range of issues and expressed his commitment to strengthening China's economic cooperation with Indonesia and increasing youth exchanges, Yahya said.

Furthermore, Yahya said, Xi expressed the idea that "creating understanding between the young people of the two countries is a focal point in order to create a better future between the two countries. And we did that".

Last year, more than 15,000 young Indonesian people studied at universities in China, Zhou Kan, the charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Jakarta, was quoted by Indonesian media as saying.

The majority of the commitments made by China and Indonesia during Xi's 2013 visit have been fulfilled, Yahya said.

M. Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, a researcher at the department of international relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said he appreciates all the efforts that China has made over the years and the resources it has used to enable youth exchanges between the two countries.

He also praised Chinese companies for having reached out to Indonesian universities to build youth capacity and seek out the best Indonesian talent. "I think young generations in the two countries are craving to understand each other better."

Intan Aghiani, an administrative staff member at Sekolah Terpadu Pahoa, a school in Tangerang in western Java that offers early childhood, primary and junior and senior high school education, said Indonesia needs to learn from China's education system and practices.

Marzuki, the former House of Representatives speaker, said that as people's understanding increases, the economic cooperation between Indonesia and China gets even stronger, and the synergy between the BRI and Indonesia's Global Maritime Fulcrum initiative has led to tangible cooperation in various sectors.

For example, Chinese companies are involved in developing Indonesia's economic corridors in North Sumatra, North Kalimantan, North Sulawesi and Bali. Southeast Asia's first high-speed train between Jakarta and Bandung was built using Chinese standards and technology.

"China offers opportunities," Marzuki said, adding that he is aligned with the BRI's vision, which "asserts that it is no longer acceptable for a few countries to dominate global economic development, control economic regulation and exclusively enjoy the majority of benefits".

Increased investment

At a business luncheon on Oct 3,2013, that drew 1,000 participants, President Xi and then Indonesian president Yudhoyono witnessed the signing of 23 agreements for joint venture projects, the majority involving manufacturing. Now the Chinese mainland is Indonesia's largest trading partner and its second-largest investment source (excluding China's Hong Kong and Taiwan regions) after Singapore.

Chinese investment in Indonesia has increased ever since Xi delivered his parliament speech in 2013, said Habib, the researcher, noting things that China has done over the years to support Indonesia's development in the economic sector and other fields, including China being the first country to help Indonesia acquire COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.

The Chinese president later went to Indonesia twice more.

On April 24, 2015, Xi, then Indonesian president Joko Widodo and other Asian and African leaders participated in a highly symbolic stroll in Bandung to commemorate the historic 1955 Bandung Conference. The "historic walk" from Savoy Homann Hotel to Gedung Merdeka, or the Independence Building, was part of the commemorative events marking the 60th anniversary of the landmark bicontinental gathering of representatives of Global South countries.

Xi returned to Indonesia in November 2022 to attend the 17th summit of the Group of 20 in Bali.

Facing challenges, it is "imperative that all countries embrace the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and advocate peace, development and win-win cooperation", Xi told the gathering on Nov 16, 2022.

As the dynamic of BRI cooperation continues to evolve, President Xi has been guiding Chinese investment to small but meaningful projects with higher standards and better returns. This shift is evident in the discussions surrounding green energy and a focus on the telecommunications and cloud computing industries, Marzuki said.

The bilateral partnership can be further developed through promoting Indonesia's tourist destinations to the large Chinese market and facilitating the exchange of arts and cultural programs that strengthen community relations between the two countries, he said.

China has been one of the top sources of tourist arrivals in Indonesia. I Putu Winastra, chairman of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies, is hoping for a further increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali and other islands in the world's largest archipelago country. He called for more direct flights between Indonesia and China.

BRI cooperation under Xi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to continue growing, with a focus on strengthening infrastructure, as well as on green energy and development of technology and the digital economy.

With China emerging as a global leader in digital technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and e-commerce, it can significantly contribute to accelerating Indonesia's digital transformation, Marzuki said. This cooperation could include the development of smart cities, digital payment systems and a technology-based economic ecosystem that supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

"The cooperation with China is our future," Yahya said.
Oregon lawmakers vote to protect safety-net providers' access to to a federal drug program that allows them to buy outpatient drugs at steep discounts. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File

Oregons safety-net hospitals and clinics who say theyre being squeezed out of a federal pharmaceutical discount program won the backing of state lawmakers in their high-stakes fight.

At the heart of the debate is the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a federal initiative that requires drugmakers to sell outpatient drugs at steep discounts to hospitals and clinics that treat a large share of low-income and uninsured patients.
A gray whale surfaced beneath a Coast Guard helicopter during Depoe Bays Fleet of Flowers, a Memorial Day tribute honoring lives lost at sea. Courtesy of Ben King, Out West P

Photographer Ben King of Newport captured a magical moment during the 80th annual Fleet of Flowers ceremony on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, in Depoe Bay.

As a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovered offshore and lowered a rescue swimmer to place a ceremonial wreath in the ocean honoring the unknown soldier, a gray whale surfaced below, sending up a misty spout of water. A big whale gives its blessings, King wrote in a Facebook post.

The wreath drop marked the beginning of the ceremony and was followed by a procession of about a dozen flower-covered boats that circled offshore and cast additional wreaths, bound with cedar, into the sea.

A procession of flower-covered boats was part of Depoe Bays Fleet of Flowers, a Memorial Day tribute honoring lives lost at sea. Courtesy of Ben King, Out West P

Fleet of Flowers began in 1945 to honor Roy Bower and John Chambers, two local fishermen who died while trying to rescue a fellow mariner. It has since grown into a cherished Memorial Day tradition on the central Oregon coast, honoring all military members, seafarers and lives lost at sea.

A procession of flower-covered boats was part of Depoe Bays Fleet of Flowers, a Memorial Day tribute honoring lives lost at sea. Courtesy of Ben King, Out West P

Photos courtesy of Ben King, Out West Photography

 Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive

503-860-3060

IG: @Mark_W_Graves
UPDATE: Firefighters continue to battle wildfires in Wasco County; evacuation level downgraded in Mosier

Authorities are asking some residents to evacuate after a brush fire broke out Wednesday afternoon near Mosier.

The Wasco County Sheriffs Office issued a Level 3 Go Now! evacuation order about 5 p.m. for the area of Cherry Hill Drive and Kingdom Street in Mosier.

The brush fire was reported an hour earlier near the Columbia River Gorge town about 60 miles east of Portland, according to the sheriffs office.

Fire officials said the blaze was about 2.5 acres. It was reported just south of town above the retirement center.

Areas immediately east and west of the Level 3 area from First Avenue to Kingdom Street and a small stretch between U.S. 30 and State Road are under a Level 2 order to get ready to evacuate.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge wrote in a post that the Mosier Plateau Trail is closed.

Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323, zshaikh@oregonian.comor on X @zaeemshake.
Sometimes all you need is a quick trip to the ocean.

On this weeks episode of Peak Northwest, we take a baby day trip to the north Oregon coast  with an actual baby in tow.

With stops in Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Nehalem, we find out what its like to explore the coast, from fish and chips shops to the sandy beach, with an infant along for the ride.

Here are some highlights from this weeks show:

Start the day at one of the best bakeries on the north coast.

Babys first visit to the ocean was full of new experiences.

A search for great fish and chips led us to a new favorite.

Some of the best little shops around this stretch of the coast.

Heres the full episode:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Chiara Profenna
Waldport Mayor Heide Lambert says she looks forward to getting back to the business of the city. The Oregon coast town is 130 miles southwest of Portland. (Photo courtesy of Heide Lambert)

The Waldport City Council has abandoned its attempts to oust its mayor over a clash in personalities, the latest development in a two-month fight that has super-charged tensions in this Oregon coast city of 2,300 residents.

The standoff has generated name-calling among the citizenry and even a threat to exterminate the mayor.
Adrienne Del Monte is a Multnomah County-funded lawyer who helps clear old criminal convictions and get people approved for leases they have a legal right to be on. The funding for Del Monte's program is under threat from county budget cuts. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

Twenty-two years ago, when he was 18, S. Jackson was convicted of robbery and assault after a roadside brawl over a cab fare. He pleaded guilty to throwing the first punch and taking back $30 hed initially paid toward his fare. Then he spent three years in jail before completing a sentence reduction program and getting out two years early.

When Adrienne Del Monte, a lawyer, first heard Jacksons story she was incredulous  not just at what she considers a severe overcharge for his crimes, something she said was not uncommon, but at his squeaky clean record otherwise.
Gov. Tina Kotek speaks during the grand opening of La Plaza Esperanza on April 17 in East Portland. Kotek and her wife are planning to temporarily move out of their official residence, Mahonia Hall, for project work expected to take multiple months. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is looking to hit the short-term rental market this summer while the governors mansion undergoes extensive renovations.

Kotek and her wife are planning to temporarily move out of their official residence, Mahonia Hall, for project work expected to take multiple months, according to a letter from an agency executive to the states ethics commission.

But Koteks office would not confirm the potential move or say whether Kotek and her wife might stay in the Salem area or move closer to Portland, where the couple owned a home before selling it upon moving to the state capital in 2023.

In a May 9 letter to the Oregon ethics commission, Department of Administrative Services executive Shannon Ryan asked on behalf of the governor whether it would be appropriate for the state to cover the costs for Kotek and her wife to live in a short-term rental for about three months this summer.

At the time, Ryan said the governor was looking at rental homes in the Portland area with expected monthly costs between $3,000 and $5,000. Kotek and her wife needed to temporarily relocate ahead of major work at Mahonia Hall, she wrote.

These projects will inhibit the habitability of the home due to the hazardous and invasive nature of the work, Ryan wrote. As such, (the state) needs to provide temporary housing for the First Family as Mahonia Hall is their sole residence.

Elisabeth Shepard, the governors public affairs and communications director, would not confirm Wednesday where Kotek and her wife will seek temporary living accommodations during any remodeling, citing security concerns. Shepard said they would seek the lowest possible cost available and directed further questions to Oregon State Police, which manages the governors security team.

Under the guidance of the Oregon State Police (OSP) and general operational security practices, the Governors Office does not provide advance notice of the First Familys location, Shepard said in an email.

On Tuesday, ethics commission executive director Susan Myers responded to Ryan and said the state paying for Koteks temporary relocation would not be an ethics violation. Myers said thats because the department of administrative services is authorized to pay for Koteks executive residence, meaning the payments would be considered part of her compensation package.

Kotek earns a yearly base salary of $98,600.

Mahonia Hall serves both as a home and a place of politics and government business. The state last month hired Amy Williams to serve as executive residence director for Mahonia Hall, according to longtime Oregon journalist Dick Hughes.

Kotek and her wife have hosted multiple receptions at the Salem residence, including a recent reception on May 14 for the Campaign for Equal Justice, a group that focuses on making legal services accessible to more Oregonians.

Oregons two most recent governors before Kotek, Kate Brown and John Kitzhaber, both continued owning homes in Portland while in office.

 Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe.
The Board of Commissioners sent in their first round of budget amendments, aiming to save programs by reducing administrative roles and cutting the sustainability office. Multnomah County

Members of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners have proposed a slew of amendments to Chair Jessica Vega Pedersons $4 billion budget in an effort to save staff positions and popular programs currently on the chopping block.

To do so, they are proposing to make deep cuts elsewhere in the budget.
The Oregon Senate on Thursday passed its first major gun control bill this session after a contentious debate and the rejection of an alternative Republican proposal.

Senate Bill 243 will ban rapid-fire devices including switches and bump stocks that turn guns from semi-automatic to fully automatic weapons and allows city, counties and other governing bodies to bar people, including those with concealed gun licenses, from carrying guns in certain public buildings.

The Senate voted 17 to 12 to pass the measure along party lines, with one Democrat excused. It now heads to the House.

Today, where the threat of gun violence is ever present, where firearms are the leading cause of death in children 1 to 17, where the venues of democracy, community learning remain shrouded in the threat and the fear of violence, we dont need to wait for another tragedy, said Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend. Local communities know best how to keep our communities safe.

Broadman was 12 when an assailant shot at his father, Howard Broadman, while he was seated as a Superior Court judge in his courtroom in Visalia, California, about 180 miles north of Los Angeles. The man fired but missed and the elder Broadman ducked beneath the bench.

Broadman argued that police dont want the help of concealed gun license holders inside county commission or city hall chambers.

Leave the job to the professionals, he said.

But Republican counterparts said many communities dont have enough police to staff local public meetings.

Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, urged cities and counties to make sure they add metal detectors to buildings to stop bad guys with guns because you will not have a good guy with a gun to save your life.

Broadman, who carried the bill on the Senate floor, also lauded the ban on rapid-fire devices as a reasonable response to gun violence. He noted that President Trump supported a 2017 ban on bump stocks after a single gunman used multiple guns modified by the devices to kill 60 people and injure 400 at a Las Vegas concert within an 11-minute span. In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down the federal ban on bump stocks.

Some tools designed to maximize casualty dont belong in civilian hands, Broadman said.

Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, described the legislation as a modest but meaningful bill that reflects common sense, meets constitutional tests and promotes local control.

Sen. Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, blasted the Democrats for not moving the bump stock ban into a separate bill, which he said he would have supported. He said bump stocks are accessories to guns and subject to regulation.

The majority party had an opportunity for bipartisan support to ban bump stocks, but they rejected that, he said.

Pointing out Trumps position on bump stocks carries very little weight when you dump that provision into an omnibus bill, added Sen. Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles.

Earlier this month, the Senate Rules Committee removed other provisions from the bill that would have required a 72-hour wait to buy a gun and would have raised the age from 18 to 21 to legally possess most guns except for certain hunting rifles and shotguns. Also removed was permission for governments to ban guns on grounds next to public buildings.

On the Senate floor, Bonham put forward a minority report that would have dropped the bills provision restricting concealed handgun license holders from carrying guns in certain public buildings. It also called for repealing current law, which allows such a restriction at the state Capitol and in schools.

The Republican proposal also would have addressed what he and others dubbed a massive drug decriminalization loophole from earlier legislation in 2017 that changed certain drug possession convictions from felonies to misdemeanors and no longer barred those convicted of the drug possession misdemeanor crime from having a gun.

Under their minority report, those convicted of drug possession would be barred from obtaining a gun until they are drug free for one year.

Bonham said the minority proposal targeted criminals, not lawful gun owners.

Addiction and instability are major drivers of violence, Bonham said. The people who follow the law deserve policies that respect them. People that break the law deserve consequences.

The Republican alternative failed 12 to 17, also falling along party lines, with Sen. Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, excused.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged the Senate to make a difference by passing the majoritys bill. He initially supported the more expansive gun bill in his committee but later advocated for the narrowed bill before the Senate Rules Committee.

Prozanski quoted from a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller that was written by Justice Antonin Scalia, who found the right to carry a gun is not unlimited.

Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, said members of the two political parties were talking past each other on the Senate floor.

He said the United States entrenched problem is the availability of extremely lethal weapons that have nothing to do with self-defense.

He also advocated for more behavioral health resources in Oregon to help curb violence.

While SB 243 doesnt include such programs, he said, supporters recognize the need for them.

If we are serious in this state about putting forward the best possible policy to reduce senseless gun violence, we have to continue the search for measures to address availability of guns and do all that we can to address the related mental health cause and problem, he said.

Another major gun control bill, House Bill 3075-2, passed the House Judiciary Committee in April and is before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. It includes Measure 114s major provisions to ban large-capacity ammunition magazines and require a permit before buying a gun with some modifications, including increasing fees for permits.

Last month, two Harney County gun owners, backed by Gun Owners of America Inc., petitioned the Oregon Supreme Court to weigh in on whether voter-approved gun control Measure 114 adheres to the state constitution.

Voters approved Measure 114 in November 2022 with a slim 50.7% margin, but the regulations have never gone into effect because of the gun owners legal challenge.

A three-judge panel of the Oregon Court of Appeals found in March that the measure does not violate the state constitutions right to bear arms, ruling that a qualified person can acquire a gun for self-defense under the plain language of Measure 114.

-- Maxine Bernstein can be reached at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, on Bluesky @maxbernstein.bsky.social or on LinkedIn.
Oregon state officials argue that easing restrictions around child restraint and out-of-state placements will help kids access care. Child advocates worry it will open the door to abuse. LC- The Oregonian

A contentious bill still circulating in Salem this spring has exposed a wedge in the child-advocacy community, defying predictable party alliances.

House Bill 3835, which is under consideration by the Legislatures House Rules Committee, would amend legal restrictions put in place over the last decade to protect vulnerable children from abuse. Those developments raised the scrutiny on any educator or other child services worker who physically constrained or isolated a child or teen and severely limited the foster care systems ability to send children beyond state borders for care.

Among other things, the bill would narrow the criteria for when restraining a child qualifies as potential child abuse and allow the Oregon Department of Human Services to send foster youth out of state in some circumstances.

Proponents argue the proposed changes are a course correction to clarify rules that have made it hard to retain staff or secure necessary mental health and addiction care for foster children. They say the bill is urgently needed to expand treatment options and empower frontline workers. Gov. Tina Kotek testified in favor of the bill, a relatively rare step for her, and the plan has bipartisan sponsorship in the House.

But critics of the bill argue that it is in fact an overcorrection that threatens to reverse the states drive to fix past mistakes and would make children more vulnerable to potential abuse.

Democratic Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, a vocal watchdog of childrens rights and chair of the Senate child welfare committee, opposes most of it. House Republican Leader Rep. Christine Drazan questioned whether state regulations are directly at fault for a decline in youth access to care.

And Rep. Anessa Hartman, a Democrat who chairs the House Human Service Committee which first considered the legislation, testified against the bill as it stood in early May. Hartmans committee moved the bill to the House Rules Committee for additional consideration, and she sent Rules Committee members a 46 page memo with research and unanswered questions. She told them the stakes are simply too high to get this wrong.

I am not opposed to reform, Hartman wrote. I am opposed to rushing ahead with changes that, while well-intended, are not rooted in consensus.

The bill has drawn fervent and clashing feedback. By the sessions halfway point, more than 300 people had written to oppose the bill and nearly 80 had written in support, Hartman said.

Rules Committee members heard public testimony on the bill on May 12. In the weeks since, backers of the bill and its detractors have proposed even more tweaks. As of Wednesday, the committee had yet to schedule a vote on whether to advance the bill.

House Speaker Julie Fahey signaled earlier this month that some version of the bill was likely to proceed to a vote. Advocates on both sides of the bill want to make sure kids are safe and have access to the care they need, Fahey said.

There are pieces of this bill that are incredibly important where there is key agreement, Fahey said. I want to see those pieces move through.

Providers say Oregon rules have a chilling effect

The proposal grew out of deliberations by the System of Care Advisory Council, a group of state leaders, youth who have been involved with the child welfare system, psychiatrists and lawyers created by the Legislature to advise the state on improving Oregons behavioral health care system for patients of all ages.

The advisory council and behavioral health care providers laid out a problem: Oregons rules for investigating potential child abuse are so heavy-handed, they say, that frontline child caregivers are afraid to intervene with children who display serious behavioral challenges.

They argue that treatment programs are closing or refusing to take clients with behavioral issues because they cant intervene effectively for fear that providing necessary safety measures could get them investigated for abuse.

Current law defining what constitutes abuse includes dozens of different provisions for educators or child care professionals and foster parents, the state says. Thats confusing for care providers trying to address a situation that demands immediate action, said Anna Williams, director of Oregons System of Care Advisory Council.

Backers of the bill say they wanted to simplify what constitutes abusive restraint or seclusion into a few key elements:

A child is put in restraint or seclusion for discipline, punishment, retaliation or convenience.

A provider uses a chemical restraint - meaning a drug designed to calm the child thats not part of their recommended routine medical care.

A worker deploys a restraint that results in or is likely to result in serious physical harm to the child.

Behavioral health providers including Jamie Vandergon, CEO of Trillium Family Services, told lawmakers that under the current law, administrative errors, like a person not having a current certification when they restrained a child, can prompt a child abuse finding that will effectively end someones career working with kids. She said shed rather see administrative issues resolved through licensing.

Right now, even if a (provider) follows their training to stop a youth from hurting themselves or others, they run a very high risk of being reported as a child abuser, Rep. Rob Nosse, a Portland Democrat, testified. Thats wrong. Thats traumatizing. Its driving people out of this workforce.

State-provided data suggests that the number of workers screened for potentially having abused a young person at a child caring agency has soared since 2015, reaching a high of over 1,700 screenings in 2024. But most years, the number of investigations opened after a screening stayed below 230 and the number of substantiated abuse complaints has fallen steadily down to just 20 in the last few years.

Those screenings put huge pressure on behavioral health workers and in turn impact their ability to do their jobs well, said Ajit Jetmalani, director of child psychiatry at Oregon Health & Sciences University.

The cascading impact of this is demoralization of staff, staff turnover, closing of programs, and for programs who are left, avoidance of youth who have aggression as a symptom, he said.

Proponents of the bill argued that providers fear of intervening with children has created unsafe environments. Rep. Ed Diehl, a Scio Republican sponsoring the bill, testified that teachers have refused to get trained on appropriate intervention techniques so that they wont be asked to intervene and risk potential consequences.

The current restraint and seclusion law, while well intentioned, overcorrects. It was designed to prevent abuse, but its now punishing good teachers (who) do the right thing, Diehl said. It fosters fear, not safety.

While the initial version of the bill would have created a uniform policy for restraint and seclusion in both child treatment and education settings, subsequent amendments propose omitting schools from the current version of the bill, something several Republicans lamented. The effect of the change would be to keep the current, more prescriptive rules in place for educators and other school workers.

A blank check

Disability Rights Oregon, a nonprofit advocacy group which has scrutinized the Department of Human Services and sued the state on behalf of aggrieved foster children, called the bill a blank check for the state of Oregon to redefine when child abuse counts as abuse.

Deputy Legal Director Tom Stenson told lawmakers that the 60-plus page bill was so dense it took him five hours to review, even after 20 years of legal experience. Stenson and others argued the bill and its consequences go far beyond simply changing the definitions of restraint and terms of out-of-state placement and urged lawmakers not to OK it.

This bill goes far too far and would make it almost impossible to enforce a wide variety of abuse and neglect laws, Stenson argued.

Before blaming state standards for workforce issues, Stenson said, lawmakers should evaluate the low pay of behavioral health providers and whether they receive appropriate training and backup.

Whitney Rodgers, a former foster youth, said it is commendable that the bill is trying to standardize definitions and improve access to care, but said that it overlooks key realities. Care providers lack comprehensive training statewide, she said, and she worried that changing the rules around restraint threatens to make it a routine intervention rather than a last resort.

Reducing the definitions, expanding out of state placements and framing our youth as too violent and too aggressive to be served in Oregon is not the way Oregon runs. It is a retreat from responsibility, Rodgers argued. Please do not settle for technical fixes. Push for reform.

Advocates opposed to the bulk of the bill say they would get behind some changes. Disability Rights Oregon doesnt want to see people charged with neglect simply because theyve missed a training. And Gelser Blouin has proposed an amendment that would remove the requirement for an abuse investigation in that circumstance, but keep many of the other investigative requirements that she says the state seeks to remove.

If lawmakers pass the bill in its current form we will strip away protections that kids really need, she said: I believe that harm will occur to kids.

Out of state placement

Another emotional and highly contentious piece of HB 3835 would allow the Department of Human Services to again send children in its care out of state for treatment that providers say is impossible to access in Oregon. Lawmakers in 2020 limited the department from sending children out of state following horror stories about their time in facilities where they were mistreated despite supposed state oversight.

Staffers at a facility in Montana used drugs such as Benadryl to control one 9-year-old Oregon girls behavior. One Oregon teen was injured during a riot at a different facility in Utah. Another Oregon teen was assaulted by classmates in a secure treatment facility in Iowa.

Current law only allows out-of-state placement if the facility has been licensed by the Oregon Department of Human Services, an effective prohibition. Between June 2020 and 2024, no foster children were sent out of state.

But some parents and state officials say those rules have stood in the way of children receiving lifesaving care. House Bill 3835 would allow the state to again send kids out of state if the placement is approved by the heads of the states child welfare division and its Medicaid division. The bill would also allow the state to place Indigenous children out of state if their tribe says its in the childs best interest.

Access to medical care is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right. Yet under the current statute, children in foster care are being denied that right, Oregons Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner testified.

The prospect of resuming out-of-state placements has prompted huge concern from child advocates and parents of youth who suffered trauma in those placements. Jeni Canaday told lawmakers that her now adult son, who is blind and has autism, was placed as a teen in a Maryland facility that she says the state did not properly vet. The children were treated like science experiments and it left her son questioning his humanity, she said.

Policymakers can send a message to these vulnerable children telling them that they do belong here, that they are worthy of community care and that they are wanted in their own state, she testified. We should be focusing on keeping families together by funding the upstream work.

The Department of Human Services knowingly broke Oregon law last July, when it decided to send a child for medical treatment in Arizona, staff member Aubrey Kelley testified in March.

According to public dashboards, the state moved the 17-year-old boy to a clinic that specializes in treating eating disorders. The boy had been hospitalized in Oregon, Kelley testified, and his doctors told the state that if he didnt get specialized treatment he could die or face grave health consequences. There were no providers in Oregon that offered the level of care the boy needed, Kelley said. So she flew to Arizona to review the facility and toured the program and, after the boy was admitted, she or a caseworker visited him weekly until he was able to return after nearly three months, she said.

The decision to break the law and send this child to a program out of state saved the childs life, she testified.

A matter of trust

Underlying much of the testimony both for or against the bill is a question of trust.

Proponents argue that legislators should trust the on-the-ground providers working daily to help kids with severe mental health needs and the System of Care Advisory Council that lawmakers established to tackle the hard question of how to best improve care for kids. Opponents instead question how parents should trust that their children wont be hurt by hands-on restraints and that the Department of Human Services will appropriately supervise out-of-state placements after past failures.

Whether this bill should pass or not depends in large part on whose analysis you trust, Stenson underscored for lawmakers in May. He argued the state Department of Human Services has left a long trail of broken lives as a result of poor decisions and cover ups.

Flint-Gerner, Oregons child welfare director wholl depart for a new job in a month, said the department owns up to mistakes it has made in the past and has put guardrails in place to ensure that those dont happen again.

We cant let past mistakes justify denying kids the care they need today, Flint-Gerner told lawmakers. Voting against the bill, she told them, would be a decision to maintain a system that we know is broken.

Kotek echoed that sentiment.

We live in a time of fear and mistrust, but if we care about the shared mission of serving our young people better, we have to put those feelings aside, she said. This isnt about the past, this is about the future, a future where children receive the care that they need and deserve.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.

Reporting by former Oregonian/OregonLive staff member Molly Young contributed to this report.
Palestinians wait to receive free food at a food distribution center in the al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Dujarric challenged the Israeli authorities to allow the international press into Gaza to see what is happening.

UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A UN spokesman on Wednesday rejected Israel's claim that the world body has failed to pick up humanitarian supplies for Gaza at a border crossing.

UN humanitarians in Gaza continue to put their lives at risk, trying to pick up aid from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem, the only crossing that is open, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The spokesman made the statement in response to Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon's claim earlier Wednesday that the United Nations failed to pick up more than 400 truckloads of aid on the Gaza side of the crossing.

"As we speak, there are more than 400 trucks already on the Gaza side of the fence, waiting to be distributed. But the UN has failed to pick them up," Danon told reporters. "We opened the crossings. We provided safe routes for those trucks. But the UN did not show up."

Dujarric said UN staff in Gaza "are not sitting on their hands."

"Our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza are living in a time of great despair because they're also wondering where their next meal is going to come from. They're not sitting on their hands, neither are international colleagues who keep going in and out of Gaza," said the spokesman. "They are continuing to put their lives at risk, trying to pick up the aid from the one and only crossing that is open."

Dujarric said that picking up aid from the Gaza side is extremely difficult.

Palestinians wait to receive free food at a food distribution center in the al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

"What happens is that we submit goods that we want to bring into Gaza. The Israelis then decide which ones they will approve. The trucks then come in from the Israeli side into Kerem Shalom. The goods have to go on what is referred to as sterile trucks," he said. "So that already takes time. Then they have to be loaded on the Palestinian trucks. In order for us to go pick up those goods, we have to get clearance from the Israelis."

All the missions that the United Nations asked for on Wednesday had been denied by the Israeli authorities, said the spokesman.

"If we're not able to pick up those goods, I can tell you one thing: it is not for lack of trying," he said.

Asked whether the United Nations believes that Israel is hampering the UN humanitarian efforts on purpose, the spokesman said, "You have to ask them what their motivation is. But I can tell you, they sure aren't making it easy for us."

Dujarric challenged the Israeli authorities to allow the international press into Gaza to see what is happening.

"One way to clear up the dueling narratives that you hear would be for international journalists to be allowed into Gaza. So everyone -- you and your organizations -- could see things with your own eyes," he said.

Editor: ZAD
Uber and Lyft stickers are seen on a ride share vehicle. Oregon drivers for online rideshare companies could soon see higher wages and paid sick leave under a bill moving through the Legislature. AP

Oregon drivers for online rideshare companies including Uber and Lyft could soon see higher wages and paid sick leave under a bill that passed a key committee Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1166 would require rideshare companies to guarantee Oregon drivers a minimum level of pay. During multiple public hearings, drivers for those companies shared their experiences struggling to make ends meet with the amount of money they earn on the platforms.

Proponents of the bill, including chief sponsor Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama of Portland, said wages for rideshare drivers have remained relatively low while the corporations operating the platforms have seen growing profits.

But critics, including Uber, argue that rideshare drivers are adequately compensated and additional costs for the companies would lead to increased costs for users and reduced demand for rides, hurting consumers and drivers.

On Wednesday, the Senate Rules Committee voted 3-2 along party lines to move the bill forward. Democrats supporting the proposal asserted that the bill will address a power imbalance between large rideshare corporations and the drivers that they rely on.

Democrats mostly brushed off concerns from Republicans that companies would raise prices or cease operating in some areas. In response to an earlier version of the bill that would have created a resource center for drivers and established higher pay, Uber threatened to pull out of Oregon.

In so many instances, the online giant threatens to leave a state, stop business, hurt customers, and often it doesnt happen. So well see, said Sen. Jeff Golden, an Ashland Democrat who voted in favor of the bill. Might it have consequences and impacts that we dont like very much? Yes, maybe, but the alternative of fearing that and doing nothing is really unacceptable.

The proposed bill would require rideshare companies to provide paid sick leave to drivers  who are classified as independent contractors, not employees. During public hearings, drivers shared distressing personal experiences of having to choose between working or taking time off to attend to urgent medical or family issues.

The bill would also make it more difficult for companies to fire drivers without clearer justification and due process. Multiple drivers shared personal or second hand accounts of Uber or Lyft deactivating drivers accounts with little warning or unclear justification.

Uber argued that creating a lengthier process to deactivate the accounts of drivers would make it more difficult for companies to ban drivers who potentially assault or harass riders.

It is particularly concerning that the bill sets an unreasonable burden of proof for (rideshare companies)  and this applies to even the most serious cases, such as sexual assault, Uber spokesperson Zahid Arab wrote to lawmakers last month. This not only undermines reports made by survivors, but has the chilling effect of discouraging future reporting.

The latest version of the bill would establish certain minimum compensation rates for drivers, such as $0.39 per minute directly before or during a ride and $1.34 per mile driven. Those rates would differ for scheduled or shared rides.

Drivers said those rates would be a major improvement from their current wages. One driver shared a receipt from a recent long-distance ride she gave to the Portland airport, in which the rider paid $116 to the rideshare company. Meanwhile, she earned $18.

Arab said a significant portion of each fare goes to third-party fees and local taxes, meaning the profit does not go entirely to rideshare companies.

The bill would require rideshare drivers to accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of passenger platform time, the period between a driver accepting a ride on their app and dropping the rider off. Drivers would be allowed to carry 40 hours of unused sick leave from one year to the next.

The bill passing would be a smaller win for rideshare drivers than they had originally hoped. An earlier version of the proposal would have established a driver resource hub to provide several resources, including cheap or free help for drivers appealing an account deactivation. That version also would have required rideshare companies to share monthly detailed reports with the state.

We tried our best to come up with some sort of agreement with Uber and Lyft, and unfortunately, we couldnt, Jama, chair of the rules committee, said Wednesday. I just want to recognize that the folks really did try hard to make sure that there is some sort of agreement. But I appreciate people coming to the table (and their) open-mindedness.

Its unclear if the bill has enough momentum to pass with less than five weeks left in this years legislative session. Only three lawmakers, all Democrats, have signed on as co-sponsors. Republicans, who are outnumbered in both chambers, have signalled strong opposition.

If this bill moves forward, were either going to lose (rideshare companies) operating in the state of Oregon, or at the very least, were going to significantly drive up the cost to consumers, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham of The Dalles said Wednesday. So neither one of those are acceptable to me. Ill be voting no.

The bill now heads to the Ways and Means Committee, which will decide whether to allocate funding for the proposal. The state anticipates that the bill would prompt more drivers to submit appeals to the state Labor Bureau, which could require the bureau to hire an additional 10 workers.
In Multnomah County, the number of defendants without lawyers rose in the past month and now totals about 1,500. Beth Nakamura

The number of people accused of crimes in Oregon but lacking court-appointed attorneys continued to rise in May with some defendants facing an average wait time of 124 days before they see a lawyer, according to the latest state figures released Thursday.

The statistics come days before the interim leader of the Oregon Public Defense Commission is set to spell out his plans for addressing the yearslong backlog of unrepresented defendants.
New owner Fusion Lodging has upgraded the rooms, spa and pool at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa. NxNW Creative

The long-shuttered Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge has reopened and people are invited to a celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.

New owner Sazzadur Rahman of Fusion Lodging said he paid $12.5 million to purchase the property at 1252 E. Cascade Drive in North Bonneville in September and $4 million to upgrade the rooms, pool and other parts that had been closed for almost nine years.

The previous owners aimed to transform the property, an hours drive from Portland, into a high-end rehabilitation hospital. Foundations Recovery Network, a Tennessee-based mental health and substance use rehabilitation company, altered the building and gutted rooms and public areas, but never opened the private facility.

Rahman, who manages and operates 14 inns, hotels and motels on the Oregon coast, said he is proud of the Bonneville Hot Springs resorts renovations and looks forward to having guests enjoy the natural hot springs fed by geothermal mineral waters and the forested surroundings.

New owner Fusion Lodging has upgraded the rooms, spa and pool at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa. NxNW Creative

The resort has been quietly opened since February as more improvements and repairs were being made. A hiking group has cleaned up the trails around the property, which had also been closed to the public.

Rahman has more plans to enhance the property, but he said hes happy with how his Fusion Lodging team has brought the resort back to life.

Visitor day use of the outdoor hot springs pool and childrens pool has not yet been approved by Skamania County, and the indoor pool and hot tub are available to overnight guests, Rahman said.

The new restaurant and bar, coffee shop and full-service spa are open to the public (reserve a facial, massage or other treatment at bonnevilleresorts.com/spa-wellness).

Room rates start at under $200 a night and increase to $400 for peak season weekends. The rate includes use of the indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, cold plunge, biking and hiking trails, and parking.

New owner Fusion Lodging has upgraded the rooms, spa and pool at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa. NxNW Creative

When plans for the resorts free reopening ceremony and tour were posted on the Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa Facebook page, almost 5,000 people became followers.

People are so excited, said Rahman. A lot of people have their own history here and they want to come back.

Hot springs history

The Bonneville Hot Springs Resort was named and founded by Pete Cam in 1989. Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian

People of Rogue River, Chitcoe, Calapoi, Klamath and Makah tribes traveled to these mineral springs as long as 10,000 years ago.

In 1881, Thomas Moffett built the Cascade Hotel on the site to profit off the hot springs supposed healing properties. It flourished for decades, until a fire in the 1930s burned it to the ground.

In 1932, the property was resurrected as Bilba Hot Springs, featuring a dozen cabins and a 38-acre campground. Over the years, it slowly deteriorated, falling into a state of disrepair by the 1970s.

Thats when Pete Cam came to the hot springs and became so enamored with the site that he bought the place, becoming the full owner in 1989. He renamed it Bonneville Hot Springs and transformed it into the resort many locals and visitors fondly remember.

 Janet Eastman and Jamie Hale

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB
Rick Shanley will serve as the acting chief executive officer/general manager at Clean Water Services. Clean Water Services

The board of Washington Countys embattled sewer agency has named a new acting leader following the resignation of its chief executive officer.

The Clean Water Services board voted unanimously Thursday to name Rick Shanley, the agencys chief engineer and water technology officer, acting chief executive officer/general manager.
The Butte Creek fire reached about 3,000 acres on Monday, but firefighters have since brought the fire down to 1,776 acres. Courtesy of Wheeler County Fire & Rescue

Fire officials have announced progress in containing a large wildfire in central Oregon, and theyve downgraded evacuation orders for a separate brush fire in Mosier.

The Butte Creek fire, which started on Sunday about nine miles north of the town of Clarno in Wasco County, is roughly 1,776 acres in size  down from 3,000 acres on Tuesday  and now stands at about 20% contained, fire officials said. Firefighters from Wheeler County Fire & Rescue and South Gilliam County Rural Fire Protection District, with help from the federal government, continue to fight the blaze.

In Mosier, also in Wasco County, the evacuation orders triggered by a brush fire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon have been downgraded to level 2  get ready  warnings, the countys sheriffs office said in a statement on Wednesday night. Sheriffs officials said the fire was 2.5 acres, and positioned just south of the town near Mosiers retirement center.

Residents can check updates to their evacuation status with a livemap provided by the sheriffs office.

 Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
Paul Chambers, an OU alum, is facing accusations from the Thai government of insulting the monarchy.
A high school student was detained at a New York City courthouse as part of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's new tactics to take custody of migrants.

ICE agents arrested the 20-year-old Venezuelan last week, which marked the first reported instance of federal officials apprehending a public school student in the city since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term.

Student Arrested by ICE Agents Inside Courthouse

Last week, ICE officers started to stand inside and outside immigration courts across the country to lie in wait and detain migrants who appear for immigration hearings. Immigration lawyers said that these officers targeted migrants who just had their cases dismissed by judges.

Now, government lawyers are requesting that the cases in question be dismissed so that the migrants can be placed in expedited deportation proceedings. The high school student from New York was identified as Dylan, whose last name was withheld as his family fears retaliation from the government, according to the New York Times.

ICE officers arrested Dylan while he was in the lobby of a courthouse in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday last week. New York City Mayor Eric Adams tried his best to answer questions regarding the migrant student's situation.

Adams is responsible for overseeing a school system that serves thousands of immigrant students. The lawmaker has tried to distance himself from the arrest of Dylan, arguing that it was a federal issue that was beyond his control.

Immigrants Seeking Asylum

A spokesperson for the New York Legal Assistance Group said that Dylan entered the country with permission to seek asylum. They added that the student's arrest robs him of the chance to seek that relief with full protections that are offered to him under the law, CBS News reported.

On the other hand, ICE argued that the student was an "illegal alien from Venezuela who illegally entered the U.S. more than one year ago." They added that the 20-year-old was encountered at the border under the Biden administration and subsequently released into the country.

Dylan fled his home country last year and entered the United States through a Biden-era entry program. He was later allowed to get a work permit and driver's learner permit while awaiting a court date for his pleas for asylum.

The 20-year-old then looked for part-time work to save up enough money to help his family move into their own apartment after living in a city-run homeless shelter. He enrolled in a Bronx high school despite already finishing high school in Venezuela, as per Chalkbeat.
WASHINGTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking any actions that could threaten ongoing talks between the Trump administration and Iran over a new nuclear deal, according to multiple media outlets.

"Well, I'd like to be honest. Yes, I did," Trump said when asked if he had warned Netanyahu against strikes on Iran in order not to disrupt talks U.S. officials say they are having with Tehran, The Hill reported.

"I just said I don't think it's appropriate. We're having very good discussions with them, and I don't think it's appropriate right now," Trump added.

Trump also told reporters that the situation "could change at any moment - could change with a phone call," CNN reported.

"Right now, I think they want to make a deal. And if we can make a deal, I'd save a lot of lives," said the report.

The fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States concluded last week in Rome with "some but not conclusive progress," said Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, the mediator in the talks.

The latest round of talks took place amid gaps between the two sides over Iran's nuclear program. The ongoing tensions between the two nations have reportedly centered on uranium enrichment. The Trump administration has reiterated its demand for Iran to halt all uranium enrichment activities, but Tehran rejected the notion of "zero enrichment" and demanded the lifting of economic sanctions.

Netanyahu, wary of a diplomatic solution to curbing Iran's nuclear program, continues to press for military action that would upend Trump's push for a negotiated deal, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. The major newspaper in the United States noted that Israeli officials have told their American counterparts that Netanyahu could order a strike on Iran even if a successful diplomatic agreement is reached.

The New York Times reported in April that Israel had planned to strike Iranian nuclear sites as soon as this month but was waved off by Trump, who wanted to keep negotiating with Tehran.

Editor: ZAD
The Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear legal arguments regarding the 2021 Oxford High School mass shooting, ending efforts at seeking accountability.

Immunity under Michigan law is a difficult obstacle to overcome, particularly in lawsuits against a government body, which includes public school staff. Typically, lawyers have to show that gross negligence occurred during a particular incident.

Michigan School Mass Shooting Civil Cases

The court in question said in a two-sentence order that it would not be taking the case, which means that a 3-0 decision by a Court of Appeals in favor of school employees will stand. William "Buck" Myre, the father of one victim, said he was shocked by the state Supreme Court's decision.

He said he could not believe that such a tragic incident is something that the government could just sweep under the rug and say, "Sorry for your loss." An Appeals court said in September last year that there was no evidence the Oxford school staff were the 'proximate cause" of the incident, according to the Associated Press.

The appeals court noted that the main suspect in the case was 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, who was said to have "made the definite and premeditated decision" to bring a gun to school and commit the deadly mass shooting.

Authorities noted that on the day of the shooting, Crumbley drew images of a gun, a bullet, and a wounded man on a math paper. This sketch was accompanied by despondent phrases and his parents were quickly called into a meeting to address the issue and bring their son home.

A Lack of Evidence

The justices said in their order that the court was not persuaded that the issues raised by families and their attorneys should be reviewed by the Michigan Supreme Court. In lower courts, the attorneys argued that the state's Governmental Tort Liability Act has been unconstitutionally protecting Oxford Public Schools and its employees from civil liability, the Michigan Advance reported.

Myre argued that the government should not be immune from accountability when a tragic incident occurs. He added that authorities should make every effort to analyze what the school failed to do and how the lives of his son and other victims could have been saved.

An attorney representing the families in the case, Ven Johnson, criticized the state's governmental immunity laws during a news conference. They argued that a report by Guidepost Solutions, a third party, shed more light on the alleged negligence of school staff in handling Crumbley weeks before the shooting, as per the Detroit Free Press.
A French doctor who is a retired surgeon pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 299 people, the majority of which were children, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The case is considered to be the largest pedophilia case in the history of France. Judge Aude Buresi said that the defendant committed predation on victims who were most vulnerable, which is when they were sick in the hospital.

French Doctor Sentenced to 20-Year Imprisonment

The judge also barred the defendant, Joel Le Scouarnec, from being able to practice medicine or have contact with minors. He is required to serve two-thirds of his 20-year sentence before being eligible for parole.

During the former surgeon's trial, the public was shown massive gaps in the legal and health administrative bureaucracies. These ultimately failed to take seriously one clear warning sign about the case.

The doctor was convicted of downloading child abuse imagery and given a four-month suspended sentence by a French court in 2005. Despite this, he was still allowed to treat children unsupervised until he was arrested in 2017, according to the New York Times.

The former surgeon was then sentenced to 15 years in prison three years later for raping and sexually assaulting four children. The terms revealed on Wednesday supersede that sentence because there are no consecutive prison sentences in France.

Scouarnec's latest trial came amid growing concerns about sexual abuse across France. This is because the number of victims being reported to police has surged and cases are crowding the country's courts.

One of the defendant's victims, Amelie Leveque, said that the possibility of the former surgeon being able to walk free and see people someday upsets them. They added that the accused's victims no longer have a normal life, BBC reported.

Sexual Abuse of 299 Individuals

A lawyer for some of the victims, Francesca Satta, argued that 20 years is little compared to the number of victims in the trial. She said that it was time for officials to change the law so that there are more appropriate sentences for such crimes.

During the latest trial, the defendant confessed to all the sexual abuse that 299 civil parties alleged and many other assaults that are now beyond the statute of limitations. Furthermore, Scouarnec acknowledged that he sexually abused his own granddaughter.

The sentence comes as one of the most prominent cases of sexual abuse in France is that of Gisele Pelicot. She was drugged and raped by her now ex-husband and dozens of other men. The latter have all been convicted and sentenced in December last year to three to 20 years in prison, as per CNN.
A Maryland woman is facing felony child abuse charges after allegedly attacking a boy on a plane on Memorial Day, reportedly in response to him calling her "Miss Piggy" and "fat."

The incident unfolded aboard Allegiant Flight 2885, which was set to depart Orlando-Sanford International Airport for Hagerstown, Maryland, WFTV reported. Passengers had been returning from a holiday trip to Disney World when tensions escalated between 43-year-old Kristy Crampton and a young boy sitting nearby.

According to an arrest report and witness accounts, the child insulted Crampton's appearance and told her she couldn't fit in her seat. Witnesses say Crampton responded by striking the boy multiple times, including hitting his head with a water bottle and slamming it into the plane window.

The child reportedly shielded himself with his arms during the attack. Crampton later told police the boy had been disrespectful and pushed her arm off the armrest, prompting her to "smack" him.

Crampton was arrested at the gate and charged with felony child abuse. A Seminole County judge set her bond at $10,000 and issued a no-contact order with the child. The boy's family declined to give statements to police, but witnesses told authorities the incident went beyond discipline and constituted abuse.

The FBI has been notified of the incident due to its occurrence aboard a commercial flight, and further federal review may follow.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
A sign with the company's logo stands outside a Rite Aid store in Salem, N.H., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) AP

A Rite Aid store in York County is on the companys latest list of locations that are closing.

The Rite Aid store at 2016 Route 116 in Jackson Township is closing, the chain said in a bankruptcy filing on Friday. More than 150 stores are on the latest list of closings.

The 151 stores are in addition to the 210 stores that Rite Aid previously announced it would close.

Earlier this month, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy for a second time to pursue a strategic and value-maximizing sale process for substantially all of its assets.

Most of Rite Aids more than 1,200 stores are expected to close, including hundreds of locations in the Keystone State.

Philadelphia-based Rite Aid, which was located in Cumberland County for decades, has a large presence in Pennsylvania with well over 300 stores.

The company is also laying off around 1,100 corporate employees who work at or report to offices in York County and Philadelphia.

Rite Aid announced that it had entered into agreements for its pharmacy assets of more than 1,000 stores across the country with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger, and Giant Eagle.

CVS Pharmacy said that it has agreed to acquire the prescription files of 625 Rite Aid pharmacies across 15 states in areas that CVS serves, as well as acquire and operate 64 Rite Aid stores in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Those agreements were approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court last week, according to Reuters.
The scene of a fatal shooting in Levittown, Pa., Saturday, March 16, 2024. A man has pleaded guilty to killing three family members. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) AP

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP)  A man who killed his stepmother, teenage sister and the mother of his children during a rampage in suburban Philadelphia last year has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms.

Bucks County prosecutors had said they would seek the death penalty for Andre Gordon, 27, who pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of first-degree murder and other related counts. However, District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said she reconsidered that decision after receiving input from the victims families.

Andre Gordon Jr., going to a hearing in 2024, pleaded guilty to the shooting deaths of his stepmother, sister and the mother of his children. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini, file) AP Photo/Mike Catalini

Authorities say its still not clear what sparked the March 2024 rampage that extended through two states. It began when Gordon carjacked a vehicle in Trenton, New Jersey and drove to Levittown in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, where he killed his stepmother and sister.

Gordon then drove to a second home in Levittown and killed the mother of his two young daughters while the children hid a short distance away. He also injured his childrens grandmother by bludgeoning her with a rifle.

Gordon then carjacked a second vehicle in Morrisville and returned to Trenton, authorities said. Police surrounded a home for hours in the belief that he was there, but Gordon apparently slipped out before a cordon went up. He was arrested, unarmed, when he was spotted walking down a street a few blocks away.

Besides the three life terms, Gordon was also sentenced Wednesday to an additional 156-1/2 to 313 years for burglary, robbery, and other crimes he committed on the day of the attack and subsequent attacks on corrections officers at the county jail.
Quinta Brunson stars as Janine in season four of "Abbott Elementary" which premiered on ABC Oct. 9, 2024. Philadelphia honored Brunson with the key to the city recently. (Disney/Gilles Mingasson)

Its a full circle moment for Quinta Brunson at her alma mater, the Andrew Hamilton School, in West Philadelphia.

The actor and producer was honored with the key to the city, given by Philadelphias mayor in a ceremony Wednesday that also dedicated a separate mural at the school.

The moment was also a special one for Brunson because the middle school was the inspiration for her hit ABC show, Abbott Elementary.

Quinta Brunson, this is your city and you are ours, said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker.

In a comical moment to deviate from the intense emotion Brunson seemingly felt while on stage in the schools auditorium, the comedians eyes fixed on the shiny key and she jokingly asked, Wow! I want to ask the question on everybodys mind: What does it open?

Brunson utilized the ceremony held at Andrew Hamilton School to highlight the power of public education, public school teachers and music and arts education.

Her parents and siblings were in attendance, along with Joyce Abbott, her 6th-grade teacher, who inspired the shows name.

The real-life Gregory was also there, as well as other teachers and classmates.

Even when I first walked in the door, I was like, Oh, Im home. Im home. Im in Philly, Brunson said.

Its just funny being in this gym, which looked so big when I was a kid, she said. I am thinking about what it was like to be a kid and to be inspired by all of this.

The mural, titled Blooming Features, was created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff.

The brightly colored art features depictions of real people from the school.

Brunson was approached with the idea of having characters from the show represented on the mural, but she wanted to focus on the real stars of West Philadelphia.

That was very important to me, Brunson told 6ABC. At first, there was a mockup that incorporated the show, which I thought was very kind. But to me, growing up in Philly and seeing these murals, it was just important to me that the mural incorporated faces from this neighborhood, faces from this school.

You dont need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall, she told ABCNews. Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference. It made a difference for me, so I know even if it makes a difference for just one child, that one child matters.

Its unbelievable, Abbott said. I always knew she was headed for greatness, like all of my students, but its just amazing to see this.

Brunson also acknowledged some of the shows muses.

Her mother, Norma Jean, a former kindergarten teacher, inspired the character Barbara Howard, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph. Her old classmate Gregory Wright, who is an educator himself, inspired the character Gregory Eddie.

Wright is also a consultant on the show and season 5 is currently in the works.

Were in the writers room now, Brunson noted. We just started last week. I am so pumped, and I like what we have already so far.

Brunson also plans to donate $500,000 to two different Philadelphia-area charities. One provides music education and another provides fresh groceries to kids in the community.
A damp forecast did little to put a damper on Post Malone Presents: The Big Ass Stadium Tour in Hershey.

The show, held at the Hersheypark Stadium, was beset by a near-constant drizzle. Audiences filed in with ponchos and hats, crowding the stadium gates around 7:30 - likely in an attempt to stay dry in their cars as long as possible.

And yet, the artists couldnt have been happier to be there.

Both Post Malone and opening act Jelly Roll took many an opportunity throughout the night to thank the crowd for braving the weather.

I love a good rain show, said Jelly Roll. I wasnt sure if the people of Hershey, Pennsylvania loved a rain show. But yall showed up!

Jelly Roll, who also goes by Jason Bradley DeFord, was all too glad to have the opportunity to share real music for real people with real problems.

If youre not familiar with his work: some of Jelly Rolls songs are just about as depressing as you can get. Take the chorus for Save Me:

Im a lost cause / Baby, dont waste your time on me

Im so damaged beyond repair /Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams"

And yet, while the subject matter of his music is often heartbreaking, Jelly Rolls performance was anything but. He belted out hits like Need A Favor and Liar with a clear voice and obvious enthusiasm.

This is awesome! he said. My name is Jason and Im honored to be here baby.

Jelly Roll thanked the audience for putting up with the traffic, putting up with the rain, and paying too much for a beer to be out enjoying the show.

He also broke up some of the heavier songs in his set with some fun, like covers of Take Me Home, Country Roads as well as a medley of songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd (Sweet Home Alabama), Nickelback (How You Remind Me), DMX (Up In Here), Miley Cyrus (Flowers) and Wiz Khalifa (Young, Wild & Free).

God bless America, and God bless country music, baby! he said, after thanking the crowd, with particular mention of veterans and first responders.

Post Malone (also known as Austin Richard Post) hit the stage around 9, and announced Im here to get wet with yall [expletive] tonight.

There is no godly force that can stop us from having a good time tonight, he said to a stadium full of cheers.

Post Malone has an infectious good humor in his life performances, which weve seen in Hershey before. It was a positivity that seemed to also include a genuine friendship with Jelly Roll.

And while he is often associated with hip-hop, I once heard his music described as genre agnostic - something that was truly on display when he released a country album in 2024.

Malone poked a bit of fun at that shift in direction more than once.

Tonight were going to be playing some old songs, which a lot of folks consider to be the only good ones, he said, referring to hits like Better Now and Wow. But were going to play some new ones, too.

Malone has plenty of country bona fides, by the way - if collaborations with Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift and Noah Kahan werent enough to convince you before now.

His renditions of songs like Wrong Ones and Dead at the Honky Tonk are full of twang and confidence that have made him a natural crossover star.

Malones set also lit up the dreary night sky with fireworks and pyrotechnics, the latter being particularly wild during Rockstar.

And even if one didnt care for his music, its hard not to like Malones charisma, on top of his humility and self-deprecation.

Hed often say things like lets see if I cant [expletive] this up, per tradition before playing Feeling Whitney on guitar, and thanked the crowd again and again between songs for putting up with the rain, and for following his career for the last 10 years.

And for a guy with a song called Rockstar, he certainly looked it with his red solo cup and lit cigarette mid-performance.

Malone even made a lap around the stadium during Sunflowers, to the delight of fans who caught a glimpse of him up close, and closed out the show with Congratulations.

Thank you so very [expletive] much for your love and your support, ladies and gentlemen, Malone said to the crowd. Its hard to feel loved in this [expletive] world, so I just wanted to say, thank you for showing me your hearts. Thank you for showing me your [expletive] kindness that youve shown me over the years. It means the [expletive] world to me.
An Australian actress plans to preserve her deceased son's body by using the concept of cryogenics. (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer/File photo)

It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie.

A popular actress in Australia is trying to raise money to cryogenically preserve her 13-year-old sons body after he died by suicide following months of relentless bullying, according to the online fundraiser.
An aerial drone photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows the portal to a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

This photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Staff members work at the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 27, 2025. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows an ongoing renovation project of a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia next to an existing rail line in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Staff members work at the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 27, 2025. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Staff members and workers pose for a group photo at the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 28, 2025. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows an ongoing renovation project of a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the construction site of a tunnel along a railway linking Suifenhe and China's border with Russia in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Construction of this 602-meter railway tunnel started last May and was completed on Wednesday. The new tunnel will significantly boost line capacity of a railway linking Suifenhe and the China-Russia border, which is under renovation with a designed speed of 120 kilometers per hour. (Xinhua/Wang Song)

Editor: Xiong Jian
FILE - Emil Bove, attorney for then former President Donald Trump, attends Manhattan criminal court during Trump's sentencing in the hush money case in New York, Jan. 10, 2025. (Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via AP, File) AP

By Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is nominating his former criminal defense lawyer Emil Bove, who as a high-ranking Justice Department official was behind the controversial move to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, to become a federal appeals court judge.

As acting deputy attorney general, Bove has been at the center of some of the departments most scrutinized actions since Trumps return to the White House in January.

Bove ordered the dismissal of charges against the Democratic leader of Americas biggest city, accused FBI officials of insubordination for refusing to hand over the names of agents who investigated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and ordered the firings of a group of prosecutors involved in the Jan. 6 criminal cases.

He also moved aggressively to align the department with Trumps agenda around immigration and other matters, ordering federal prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal prosecution state or local officials who are believed to be interfering with the Republican administrations immigration crackdown.

Trump picked Bove to fill a vacancy on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears cases from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, comes just months into Boves contentious tenure at the department.

Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone, Trump said in a social media post announcing the nomination. He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Emil Bove will never let you down!

When Todd Blanche, another former criminal defense attorney for Trump, was sworn in as deputy attorney general, Bove became Blanches top adviser, serving as the principal associate deputy attorney general.

Bove, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, was on the defense team during Trumps New York hush money trial and defended Trump in the federal criminal cases brought by the Justice Department. The Justice Department abandoned Trumps federal 2020 election interference case and the classified documents case after Trump won the election in November.

Boves order to dismiss the Adams case roiled the department. Manhattans top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and several high-ranking department officials resigned rather than carrying out Boves order. In remarkable departure from long-standing department norms, Bove said the case should be dropped because it was interfering with the mayors ability to aid the presidents crackdown on illegal immigration.

Bove clerked for two federal judges appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican. He then spent nine years at the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan where he specialized in prosecuting drug kingpins and alleged terrorists.

He was involved in multiple high-profile prosecutions, including a drug-trafficking case against the former Honduran presidents brother, a man who set off a pressure cooker device in Manhattan and a man who sent dozens of mail bombs to prominent targets across the country.

Boves actions at the New York office, however, rankled some fellow prosecutors and defense attorneys. In 2018, the federal public defenders office compiled complaints about his behavior from defense attorneys and sent them to two top officials in the U.S. attorneys office. About 18 months after the email was sent, Bove was promoted to be co-chief of the offices national security and international narcotics unit.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

By Annie Ma and Collin Binkley, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields.

China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the United States.

Under President Trumps leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio wrote.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday night.

The action comes at a time of intensifying scrutiny of the ties between U.S. higher education and China. House Republicans this month pressed Duke University to cut its ties with a Chinese university, saying it allowed Chinese students to gain access to federally funded research at Duke.

Last year, House Republicans issued a report warning that hundreds of millions of dollars in defense funding was going to research partnerships linked to the Chinese government, providing back-door access to the very foreign adversary nation whose aggression these capabilities are necessary to protect against.

The Department of Homeland Security raised similar issues in a letter barring international students at Harvard University last week. Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, citing research collaborations with Chinese scholars. It also accused Harvard of training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group.

The announcement came a day after Rubio halted the schedulingof new visa interviews for international students as the department prepares guidelines for increased vetting of their activity on social media.

The crackdown on visas adds to uncertainty for international students

Together, the announcements from the State Department added to uncertainty for Americas international students, who have faced intensifying scrutiny from President Donald Trumps administration.

Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. And the Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the U.S.

University of Wisconsin student Vladyslav Plyaka was planning to visit Poland to see his mother and renew his visa, but he doesnt know when that will be possible now that visa appointments are suspended. He also doesnt feel safe leaving the U.S. even when appointments resume.

Ryan Enos, a government professor at Harvard University, speaks at a protest against President Donald Trump's recent sanctions against Harvard in front of Science Center Plaza on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham) AP

I dont think I have enough trust in the system at this point, said Plyaka, who came to the U.S. from Ukraine as an exchange student in high school and stayed for college. I understand it probably is done for security measures, but I would probably just finish my education for the next two or three years and then come back to Ukraine.

The Trump administration last week moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.

Trump said Wednesday that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit that percentage to about 15%.

I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The action on Chinese students renews a priority from Trumps first administration to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China, which Republicans have called a threat to national security. In April, Trump ordered the Education Department to ramp up enforcement of a federal rule requiring colleges to disclose information about funding from foreign sources.

During his first term, the Education Department opened 19 investigations into foreign funding at U.S. universities and found that they underreported money flowing from China, Russia and other countries described as foreign adversaries.

Hours before Rubio announced the change, Eastern Michigan University announced it was ending engineering partnerships with two Chinese universities, responding to Republican pressure. Rep. John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, recently urged Eastern Michigan and other universities to end partnerships with Chinese universities.

Around 1.1 million international students were in the United States last year  a source of essential revenue for tuition-driven colleges. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Often, they pay full price.

Northeastern University, which has more than 20,000 international students, has set up contingency plans for those who hit visa delays, said spokesperson Renata Nyul, without elaborating.

This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments in real time to assess any potential impacts, she said.

The US plans more in-depth reviews of visa applicants social media

In his announcement on China, Rubio said the government also will revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

Visa applicants have been required to provide social media handles to the State Department since 2019. The cable Tuesday did not indicate what kind of additional scrutiny the new guidelines would cover, but suggested the new reviews may be more resource-intensive.

The additional vetting will deter students from coming to the U.S., said Jonathan Friedman of PEN America, a literary and free expression organization.

A protester cheers while listening to Harvard University students speak at a protest against President Donald Trump's recent sanctions against Harvard in front of Science Center Plaza on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham) AP

The details remain vague, but this policy risks upending the long-standing place of the U.S. as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange with the world, Friedman said.

The move to cut off international enrollment at Harvard stems from a dispute with the Department of Homeland Security, which has demanded that it provide information about foreign studentsthat might implicate them in violence or protests that could lead to their deportation. Harvard says it complied with the records request, but the agency said its response fell short.

On Wednesday, Trump said more scrutiny of Harvards students is necessary.

Theyre taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized, and we dont want them making trouble in our country, Trump said.

The Trump administration has cut over $2.6 billion in federal grants for Harvard as it presses demands for changes to policies and governance at the Ivy League school, which the president has described as a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. Harvard has pushed back and filed a lawsuit against the administration.

Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim in Washington and Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco contributed to this report.

The Associated Press education 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.
President Trump is considering pardons for two men convicted of leading a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The attorney for Barry Croft Jr., a key figure in the plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said he wasnt capable of leading a group of anti-government extremists in such a bold conspiracy.

Adam Fox wasnt either, he said.
A woman was arrested at a Florida airport on Monday after hitting a child who called her fat and Miss Piggy.

Per WFTV9, Sanford Airport Police apprehended the woman, who has been identified as Kristy Crampton, at the airport gate after she attacked the child on her flight before it took off.

According to the outlet, witnesses told police that the child initiated the dispute by telling Crampton she couldnt fit in her seat because of her size. The child then proceeded to call Crampton fat and Miss Piggy.

Crampton then began hitting the child with her fist, per witnesses. She also clubbed the child with a water bottle and slammed the childs head into the airplane.

The child, whose age hasnt been revealed, reportedly used his arms to cover his head. Additional details in the police report note that Crampton and the child were seat neighbors. After the child called Crampton names, she took the childs phone away. They began to fight over the armrest. After her arm was pushed off twice, she got physical with him, the police report said.

At the time, they were on board an Allegiant flight from Orlando-Sanford International Airport to Hagerstown, Maryland. Crampton was flying home from a trip to Disney World.

The altercation occurred before the flight was scheduled to depart at 2 p.m., and Crampton was arrested outside the gate. She appeared in front of a Seminole County judge on Tuesday, who granted her a $10,000 bond.

She is charged with felony child abuse and was ordered to have no contact with the child.
WILLIAMSPORT  The former self-proclaimed commander of the Pennsylvania Citizens Militia, who the government had considered a threat to national security, will be returning to prison for two years on a federal weapons charge.

Although Ronald William Hertzog, 62, of State College, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court, his case is not over.

His guilty plea last December to illegally possessing rifle parts and ammunition was a conditional one.
Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 30, 2025. J. Scott Applewhite | The Associated Press, File

It has been more than three months since Attorney General Pam Bondi released The Epstein Files: Phase 1, and the review of that seemed to be bi-partisan.

It was a bust.

For the most part, the information that was not heavily redacted had already been reported. Bondi promised more was coming soon, but folks have been waiting, and it looks like they will be waiting for some time.

At least, that is, according to FBI Director Kash Patels interview with Fox News on Wednesday.

Im not going to withhold information from the American public, ever, Patel said when asked about the Epstein files. But Im also not going to rush to get it out there in a format in which they cant rely on it.

So, on the Epstein matter and any other matters we are diligently working on that and it takes time to go through years of investigations, years of political maneuvering and years of coverup to get the American people what they deserve, he added.

During the same interview Patel doubled down on his statement that Epstein killed himself, something that has previously drawn the ire of conspiracy theorists.

The Republicans against Trump account on X reshared the interview along with a photo of President Trump and Epstein together and wrote, What exactly are they hiding?

Others though took Patel at his word and believe that the files are coming.

All of this comes after Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) sent a scathing letter to Bondi earlier this month demanding answers about the Epstein files while openly questioning if she was working with Trump to delay their release.

I write to express my grave concern about what appears to be a concerted effort by you to delay and even prevent the release of the Jeffrey Epstein Files in their entirety  potentially at the direction of the sitting President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, Goldman begins in the letter.

On February 27, 2025, to much fanfare, the Department of Justice under your leadership released a trove of already-public documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case titled The Epstein Files: Phase 1, he continued. This document dump, which was redacted ostensibly to protect victims, was sold to the American people as a fulfillment of President Trumps promise of government transparency. It was rightly met, however, with widespread ridicule from across the political spectrum as a ham-handed attempt to gaslight the American people.

Goldman wasnt done shredding Bondi and Trump.

Shortly after the underwhelming Phase 1 release, you sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel attempting to pin blame on the FBIs New York field office for the missing material, he continued. In that letter, also dated February 27, 2025, you demanded the FBI deliver, within 24 hours, the full and complete Epstein files  including all records, documents, audio and video recordings, and materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and his clients, regardless of how much information was obtained. You went on to clearly state that, there will be no withholdings or limitations to my or your access. You further demanded a comprehensive report from the FBI Director within 14 days.

Goldman said that Patel indicated his intent to comply with your request in a post on X, stating there will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned.

It is now 74 days past the issuance of both your 24-hour demand and 14-day deadline for a comprehensive report, yet you have provided no additional materials nor an explanation for the delay, Goldman noted. Reporting from March 21, 2025 indicates that the FBI field office in New York, presumably at your directive, delayed other investigations in order to work around the clock to review and redact information contained in the Epstein Files for release. Although you stated on May 8, 2025 that there are thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, which would require redaction to protect the victims identities, it simply cannot take this long for dozens of agents working around the clock to make the necessary redactions.

Goldman then tore into Trump and his connections to Epstein.

Extensive reporting has revealed President Trump had a lengthy and close relationship with both Jeffrey Epstein and Epsteins co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, including being named in Jeffery Epsteins flight logs as having flown on Epsteins private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997. In 2002, President Trump was quoted as saying, Ive known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy  Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. Moreover, Epsteins personal address book, leaked in 2009 by an Epstein employee, contained 14 phone numbers for President Trump, his wife, Melania, and members of his staff.

Goldman wrote that the convergence of your unexplained delay in releasing the Epstein Files along with President Trumps well-documented affiliation with Epstein, and his view that the Department of Justice is his personal law firm raises serious questions about whether President Trump has intervened to prevent the public release of the Epstein files in order to hide his own embarrassing and potentially criminal conduct.

Goldman then reminded Bondi that her oath of office requires her to represent the United States interest without fear or favor, not President Trumps interest.

He then called for the immediate release of the Epstein Files.

If you have been directed to redact instances of President Trumps name or likeness that are included in the Epstein Files, then your oath of office and your commitment to transparency requires you to inform the American people of that directive, he added.

As part of Congress oversight authority, Goldman then provided a list of questions for Bondi to answer with a deadline of June 2.
The Allegheny County Jail, where people deemed incompetent to stand trial wait for a spot in a state hospital. Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PA

Story by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Every year, hundreds of Pennsylvanians languish in jail because theyre considered mentally unfit to stand trial, despite conditions that can worsen their state and plunge them deeper into the criminal justice system.

To avoid that scenario, Allegheny County has created the states first mobile competency restoration clinic. The program will assess and treat people who have been charged with a crime, but cant aid in their own defense because of a mental or behavioral health issue.

The move expands access to this treatment, which is generally available only at two state hospitals. Supporters hope it can become a model for other counties, where as of now, people deemed incompetent to stand trial can wait months for a bed.

The county also plans to change how local courts handle cases involving competency issues, a move intended to prevent people from getting lost in the system, especially for low-level crimes.

These announcements come two years after a Spotlight PA investigation identified serious issues with Pennsylvanias competency system.

The 2023 investigation found that the legal process meant to help people instead routinely traps them in jail, where they may deteriorate further.

The story highlighted one woman, Rachel Bridgeman, whose precarious mental health trapped her in the Allegheny County Jail while she awaited treatment, despite the minor, nonviolent charges she faced.

Allegheny County officials say the new clinic will ensure people like Bridgeman arent incarcerated just because they need competency restoration, a specific type of psychiatric therapy that helps them understand their legal situation.

I think theres a lot of agreement where we dont always have a lot of agreement on these cases, said Erin Dalton, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

People see that this isnt good for anyone.

The countys public defense office and other advocates for criminal defendants see the program as a step forward.

But advocates said the changes could go further, citing the countys ongoing practice of holding people in jail before their competency can be determined. They also expressed concern that the court will refer people to the program who are not able to regain their competency.

I think we are cautiously optimistic that, if this is well-intentioned with the competency docket or mobile office restoration, that it will be employed legally, said Sarah Linder Marx, a deputy director in the Allegheny County public defenders office.

But we are definitely approaching it with a healthy level of skepticism, she said.

Outside Allegheny County, just two places  Torrance and Norristown State Hospitals  provide the specific therapy needed to both improve someones mental health and help that person understand their legal situation.

Both hospitals have a limited number of beds, which has created a backlog of people waiting for treatment. They often sit in jail.

On average, Allegheny County has about 125 people waiting for competency restoration annually, according to county officials. But Torrance has about 100 beds to serve all of Western Pennsylvania.

In 2023, a Spotlight PA analysis found most individuals undergoing competency assessments or waiting for restoration faced misdemeanors that could stem from experiencing mental health issues in public.

We dont want people held on low-level offenses who we think are safe to be supported in the community, Dalton said. And now the district attorney and the judges and everyone have another option which they just havent had before.

Centurion, a private prison health care company, has signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with Allegheny County to provide competency restoration therapy both within the county jail and in community settings.

The team is mobile, with no fixed home base, said Debbie Scovill, who oversees behavioral health care in the Allegheny County Jail.

So, a lot of their services are done at the jail, Scovill said. They do have some partners in the community, like if they have a desire to run a group or to do meetings with patients, they can use spaces at those partnering agencies to do some boots on the ground in locations, but they are pretty much mobile.

The itinerant design was intentional, said Jenn Batterton, who manages collaborations between the justice system and the county human services department.

People may be at different phases of involvement with the justice system, she said, but the hope is that now more often, well be able to serve them in the least restrictive setting, so neither Torrence nor the jail, but in the community.

The program will serve only Allegheny County for now, but others may soon follow suit. Both Bucks and Delaware Counties are pursuing similar programs.

In concert with the new effort, the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania will next month debut a separate docket, or calendar of cases, dedicated to cases involving competency issues.

Gathering these cases in one place will help expedite them and ensure people get needed care sooner, Allegheny officials argued.

Both the mobile restoration team and the new competency-focused docket are promising, said Samantha Sridaran, who leads a team focused on cases involving mental health within the Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender.

Ive had several conversations with [the mobile competency restoration team], Sridaran said. I think they have really great ideas about how to really, actually, truly help our clients in the long term.

But Sridaran, Linder Marx, and other advocates for criminal defendants told Spotlight PA they worry about unintended, criminal consequences of any court-ordered program.

If things dont go well, we are still encapsulating people in the criminal legal system, and theres always potential things may escalate even further, Linder Marx said. I just dont want this to be employed as a weapon against individuals, if it were to not work as intended.

Sridaran has also seen judges order competency restoration for people who cannot be restored: those who have unchangeable conditions such as intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, or cognitive impairment.

And Allegheny County has still not resolved an underlying issue that imposes a behavioral hold on individuals who are suspected to be incompetent to stand trial, effectively keeping them in jail while someone without a mental health condition may have walked free. The county public defenders office has argued is illegal.

Ideally, these individuals would be evaluated within 48 or 72 hours by the court systems behavioral assessment unit. But advocates said the delay can be longer; in the 2023 investigation, Spotlight PA found Bridgeman waited two weeks.

The public defenders offices position is that no one should be incarcerated because theyre incompetent, Linder Marx said. Thats not in line with the spirit or intent of  our laws. Thats not a reason to incarcerate somebody.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

The term TACO trade took off across most media platforms on Wednesday, and if you are just now catching up and wondering what thats all about  well, it doesnt have a thing to do with Taco Bell.

It does have everything to do with President Donald Trump and his on-again, off-again tariff policies. And Trump is not too happy to hear it.

There is good reason for that, of course, because TACO stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.

Its a new saying that investors are using as the president threatens tariffs.

But the Trump tariff dip, Tom Essaye of the Sevens Report said. Essentially, Trump has proven to investors that he wont actually follow through with draconian tariffs. As such, any sell-off following a dramatic tariff threat should be bought.

Trump was asked about the term on Wednesday, and he claimed it was the first time he had heard of it. He also, clearly, did not appreciate it.

I chicken out? Trump said. Oh, Ive never heard that. You mean because I reduced China from 145% that I set down to 100 and then to another number?.

The tariff rate is now 30%, down from his original mark of 145%, per CNN.

Trump said last week he was going to set 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union starting on June 1, but two days later he postponed that to July 9.

They called up and said please lets meet right now, Trump said of the EU. And I said OK, Ill give you until July 9. After I did what I did, they said well meet anytime you want, and we have and end date of July 9.

You call that chickening out?

Trump then claimed that he has added $14 trillion in investments in the United States, and that the king of Saudi Arabia told him that we have the hottest country in the world right now.

We had a country that people didnt think was going to survive, he added. And you ask a nasty question like that. Its called negotiation. You set a number.

He then finished his response by telling the reporter, Dont ever say what you said. Thats a nasty question.
***Secondary favorite (detail) picture*** A child weaves the fringes of his prayer shawl through his fingers as he reads prayers during the "T'fillah", or prayer service, on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The prayer shawl is called a "tallit" in Hebrew and the fringes of the "tallit" are called "tzitzit" in Hebrew.) (Lisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer). The Plain Dealer

By Kayla Toney

No American should be forced to choose between two precious constitutional rights: whether to violate his faith or to attend his own trial. Yet that is the unconstitutional choice that a Philadelphia court forced upon Dr. Peter Gross. Supported by a faith-based coalition, he is asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to right this wrong.
Akshaj Somisetty, 13, an eighth-grader at Mountain View Middle School in the Cumberland Valley School District, is one of nine finalists in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The finals will be broadcast on Thursday, May 29. In this photo, he competes during the quarterfinals at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. AP

Nine middle school students, including one from central Pennsylvania, will compete in the finals of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The finals will start at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29, on ION, a TV network owned by the E.W. Scripps Company.

LIVE STREAM: Fans can stream ION without cable on five-day free trial. Fans can stream ION without cable on DirecTV , which offers a

The finalists include Akshaj Somisetty, 13, an eighth-grader at Mountain View Middle School in the Cumberland Valley School District. He competed last year in the national bee and was tied for 60th place.

According to his bio from Scripps, his hobbies include biking, swimming, sleeping and playing board games.

Akshaj likes to travel and visit different places, and he most wants to visit New Zealand. Akshaj speaks Telugu and Spanish as well as English. In his free time, he likes to read fantasy books, especially ones authored by Rick Riordan, as well as play chess online or with his friends.

Students must win regional competitions before advancing to the national bee. The 2025 national bee started with 243 spellers.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee this year is celebrating its 100th anniversary. It was first held in 1925 in Washington, D.C.

The 2025 bee is being held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

The other finalists are:

Oliver Halkett, 13, seventh grade, Los Angeles, California

Esha Marupudi, 13, seventh grade, Phoenix, Arizona

Sarv Dharavane, 11, fifth grade, Tucker, Georgia

Harini Murali, 13, eighth grade, Edison, New Jersey

Sarvadnya Kadam, 14, eighth grade, Visalia, California

Brian Liu, 13, eighth grade, Great Neck, New York

Aishwarya Kallakuri, 14, eighth grade, Charlotte, North Carolina

Faizan Zaki, 13, seventh grade, Dallas, Texas

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An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 5, 2024 shows a night view of the Wangxian Valley Scenic Spot in Shangrao City, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua)

NANCHANG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Imagine standing on a balcony at night, the ground disappearing into a dark abyss below while a pattern of glittering stars stretches endlessly across the sky canvas above. This breathtaking scene is a reality at a cliffside hotel in east China.

"It was a thrilling and romantic experience I'll never forget," said a guest surnamed Zhang, who recently stayed at the hotel located in the Wangxian Valley Scenic Spot in Jiangxi Province.

Once a granite mining quarry where villagers had lived and worked, Wangxian Valley has been transformed into a popular tourist destination following a government ban on disorderly mining, with its natural cliffs creatively repurposed into attractions such as cliffside hotels, cliff skywalks and waterfalls.

Thanks to its ethereal and mystical views, this valley has garnered wide attention online. The hashtag "Wangxian Valley" has racked up approximately 3.23 billion views on the Chinese short-video sharing platform Douyin. In the first quarter of 2025, the valley hosted 615,800 visitors, generating 120 million yuan (about 16.71 million U.S. dollars) in revenue.

This tourism boom has also benefited surrounding villagers. Many of them have opened shops and restaurants within the scenic area, while others have found jobs such as waiters and cleaners.

The success of Wangxian Valley exemplifies Jiangxi's efforts to tap into its rich mountainous and hilly landscapes -- accounting for over 70 percent of the province's land area -- by developing distinctive "cliff" tourism.

"Cliff-themed scenic spots not only offer tourists unique and immersive experiences, but also enhance Jiangxi's cultural tourism appeal," said an official from the provincial cultural and tourism department.

A similar transformation has taken place in Huangling Village in Jiangxi, where homes and terraced fields form part of the mountainside views. Due to inconvenient transportation, most residents opted to relocate to the foot of the mountain, and the village there was soon renovated into a scenic area.

The traditional local scene of drying crops on bamboo trays in autumn, known as Shaiqiu, has been reimagined as a tourism trademark. Vast terraced fields have been planted with rapeseed flowers, while the once dilapidated Huizhou-style cliffside buildings have been turned into homestays.

"The homestay offers a 'window-to-scenery' experience. During spring, when the rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, it feels like tourists are waking up in a sea of blossoms," said Cheng Hong, a staff member at Huangling scenic spot.

Meanwhile, cliff shuttle trains began operating earlier this year in the Dajue Mountain Scenic Area in Jiangxi. Notably, a third of the 11.8-kilometer train route runs directly along a cliff.

Passengers can enjoy a "hanging" experience in the air and are treated to sweeping views of canyons, dense forests, seas of clouds and cliffs adorned with blooming rhododendrons.

"It's the least physically demanding mountain climbing experience," commented one visitor.

Since its launch, the cliff train service has welcomed 184,700 passengers, including over 50,000 during the 2025 May Day holiday period.

China continues to promote tourism tailored to local strengths by leveraging resources such as geographical diversity and culture. Data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed that total domestic tourism expenditure had reached 1.8 trillion yuan in the first quarter this year, with 1.79 billion domestic trips made during this period.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows a night view of the Wangxian Valley Scenic Spot in Shangrao City, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua)

Editor: ZAD
Poker Players Who've Murdered Their Parents | PokerNews Podcast #893

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

In the 893rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England celebrate Jeff Madsen's 40th birthday before talking about two poker players who murdered their parents. Recently in Texas, Benjamin Frakes, 39, was taken into custody at Doghouse Poker Club in Cypress, a town 25 miles northwest of Downtown Houston. He was charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting his parents.

The tragic situation was reminiscent of poker player Ernie Scherer, who was convicted in 2011 of killing his parents in an elaborate plot to collect an inheritance. It's a true crime story that's been featured on 48 Hours but often overlooked by the poker world, that is, until the crew takes a look back in history and shares details of the horrific crime.

Chad then offers a behind-the-scenes look at Daniel Negreanu's 25K Fantasy Draft, including an interview with the man himself, before recapping recent tournament winners from the Triton Montenegro, including Jesse Lonis, Jason Koon, and Aleksa Pavicevic. Other stories covered include the return of the PokerStars Big Game and a preview of the Bar Poker Open coming to the Golden Nugget Las Vegas from June 8-13.

The podcast is sponsored by the #1 free-to-play WSOP app. Remember to use the bonus code "POKERNEWS" if you download and play for an extra 1,000,000 in chips!

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.

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Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

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Local residents and international students try to make sachets at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A Russian student (3rd L) and a Kazakh student (3rd R) from Chongqing University try to make Ciba, a traditional glutinous rice cake at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a folk dance performance at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A Russian student (C, front) and a Kazakh student (2nd R, front) from Chongqing University try to make Ciba, a traditional glutinous rice cake, with a local resident at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Editor: Xiong Jian
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Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia.

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Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Sunshine and a few clouds. High 92F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 73F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Tropical storm conditions possible. Heavy rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers and windy conditions developing for the afternoon. High 84F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing overnight. Low 74F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
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Spencer Donovan covers Greenville for The Post and Courier. He's an Atlanta native and graduate of the University of Georgia. You can find him on walks around town, eating at local restaurants and hiking in the mountains.
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Kingstree, SC (29556)

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Cloudy with occasional showers. High 84F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Showers this evening then thundershowers developing overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 84F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Showers this evening then thundershowers developing overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
Visitors tour the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Visitors learn about Afghan carpets during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

A Kuwaiti artisan weaves wool textiles during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Artists perform during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Mai Bo Sang umbrella paintings are displayed during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Visitors view decorative lanterns during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

An artisan makes Malaysian shadow puppets during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

A visitor puts on a hat made by people of the Maonan ethnic group during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Editor: Xiong Jian
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

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Tropical storm conditions possible. Heavy rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 83F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

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Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain showers this evening with isolated thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 74F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Myrtle Beach, SC (29577)

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Tropical storm conditions possible. Overcast with showers. Becoming windy for the afternoon. High 82F. Winds ENE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

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Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain showers, with increasing winds for the afternoon. High 84F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Tropical storm conditions possible. Thundershowers overnight following a period of rain early. Low 74F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Charleston, SC (29532)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 90F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 73F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
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Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed cooperation in the defense industry with representatives of Finnish business, as he reported on his own Telegram channel on Wednesday.

The meeting took place at the BRAVE1 military technology exhibition.

"We examined the exhibits presented at the BRAVE1 military technology exhibition. Among them are FPV drones, copters, reconnaissance vehicles, robots, sea drones and other advanced weapons. We also got acquainted with a new development - a Ukrainian turret controlled by AI," Shmyhal wrote.

The head of the Ukrainian government drew the guests' attention to favorable conditions for investing in the development of Ukrainian weapons.

"Yesterday, the EU Council approved the SAFE instrument, which provides for the possibility of borrowing up to EUR 150 billion for investments in the defense industry of member states. Within the initiative, the Ukrainian defense industry will be able to be involved on equal terms with the defense industry of the European Union countries. And our unique defense cluster Brave1 can become an extremely promising niche for cooperation between companies from the two countries," Shmyhal emphasized.
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Lamaur Stancil writes about government, business, schools and entertainment in York County. He can be reached at 803-687-3436 or at X at @LamaurStancil
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Compass Group Diversified Holdings, LLC (NYSE:CODI) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: A class action securities lawsuit was filed against Compass Group Diversified Holdings, LLC that seeks to recover losses of shareholders who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between May 1, 2024 and May 7, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, throughout the class period, defendants failed to disclose to investors that Compass lacked effective internal controls over its financial reporting; that Compass failed to disclose critical information regarding Lugano Holding, Inc. ("Lugano") which kept undisclosed financing arrangements and exhibited irregularities in its sales, cost of sales, inventory and accounts receivable; and that, as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's financial reporting were materially misleading.The truth emerged on May 7, 2025, after the market closed, the Company announced that its financial statements for fiscal 2024 could no longer be relied upon due to an ongoing internal investigation into its subsidiary, Lugano. Specifically, Compass reported that its Audit Committee launched an investigation over "concerns about how Lugano was potentially financing inventory." The Company also announced that it intends to delay the filing of its first quarter 2025 Form 10-Q. Further, effective May 7, 2025, Lugano's founder and CEO, Moti Ferder, resigned from Lugano and will not receive any severance compensation.Following this news, the price of Compass' common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $17.25 per share on May 7, 2025 to $6.55 per share on May 8, 2025.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Compass Diversified stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/compass-diversified-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=150628&wire=1&utm_campaign=16 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., May 28, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Everus Construction Group, Inc. (NYSE:ECG) between October 31, 2024 and February 11, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), including investors who held MDU Resources Group, Inc. ("MDU Resources") common stock as of October 21, 2024 and acquired Everus Construction common stock issued in connection with the spinoff of Everus Construction on or about October 31, 2024 (the "Spinoff"), of the important June 3, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Everus Construction common stock during the Class Period and/or held MDU Resources common stock and acquired Everus Construction common stock in connection with the Spinoff you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Everus Construction class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=37947 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 3, 2025.A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Everus Construction's backlog conversion cycle had become elongated due to larger, more complex projects; (2) as a result, Everus Construction's revenue recognition would be delayed; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Everus Construction's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Everus Construction class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=37947 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Ecogensus, a leading company in sustainable resources, today announced the successful signing of a license agreement that has been in development for 5 years. This agreement will allow Ecogensus to help drive the resource revolution in the United Kingdom by implementing advanced technologies and using transformative solutions to capture a significant percentage of the regional waste market. Ecogensus Logo"This license agreement will build on the previous successful environmental permitting for the Rhino equipment in the UK, which supercharges operations by eliminating a large cost center (residual waste disposal) and converting it to an additional revenue generator (Rhino output products), and bring together a London Stock Exchange listed offtake partner." said Frank Harris, Global Head of Rhino Recyclers at Ecogensus. "This will provide the licensee with a fast pathway to capture a significant share of 13 million metric tons of wasted secondary household resources that are landfilled each year in the UK." The agreement also requires the licensee to scale operations in the territory to achieve a minimum of 10% market penetration within ten years, thus providing Ecogensus with a minimum of $340 million in revenues plus ongoing perpetual royalties. This rapid deployment of the Rhino technology will provide the UK with a much-needed solution to unlock the, sought after, circular economy, and will stand as a reference territory for the roll out across the European Economic Area.About Ecogensus Ecogensus is a leader in next-generation sustainable resources, advanced synthetic materials, and process technologies. Our work focuses on providing environmentally minded solutions to a number of markets and industries, including consumer goods, the power sector, building materials/construction, wastewater, and waste management. For more information, visit www.ecogensus.com Media Contact: media@ ecogensus.com Contact Information Corley MillerEcogensuscorley.miller@ecogensuscorp.com 877-333-7887SOURCE: EcogensusRelated Images
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EQ Reports First Quarter Financial Results and Updates from the Company's AGMTORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / EQ Inc. (TSXV: EQ.V) ("EQ Works" or the "Company"), a leader in AI and data driven software and solutions, announced its financial results today for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.Proprietary data used for artificial intelligence and machine learning models continued to drive interest and excitement during the quarter. First-party data collected through the Paymi division, combined with advanced insights and analytics from the proprietary Clear Lake platform and the expert execution of EQ's media team, has equipped the Company with a unique and dynamic toolkit. This powerful combination enables businesses across multiple industries to make smarter decisions by gaining access to information that was previously unattainable. Backed by a robust suite of products that drive measurable value for our customers, the Company has built a strong pipeline of opportunities and a solid foundation for growth in 2025.Revenue for the quarter remained steady year-over-year at $1.4 million, while pipeline activities and proposals across all business units, including its proprietary SaaS product Clear Lake, have seen substantial growth. Additionally, EQ is actively pursuing new customer segments where demand for its proprietary data is rising and where it believes significant value can be generated. Looking ahead to 2025, the Company remains laser focused on delivering solutions that fully leverage AI-driven products and proprietary data assets. These strategic engagements not only create greater value for clients but also establish a more robust and sustainable recurring revenue model.Gross margin for the quarter of 40% was an improvement over Q4 2024, and the adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.6 million was consistent with the same period a year ago. In addition, EQ's backlog continues to grow and is currently forecasting its second quarter revenues to surpass those of the previous year and revenue for the first 6 months of 2025 to also exceed what the Company generated for the same period a year ago."Profitability and growth continue to be our focus" said Geoffrey Rotstein, President and CEO of EQ Works. "A few years ago we set out to create a business division focused on generating unique proprietary data to help solve real business problems. Whether in marketing, data analytics, consumer behavior or competitive intelligence, we recognized that a strong proprietary data set was critical to delivering impactful and effective solutions. Today, we are delivering on that vision. Our team has developed a suite of products that combine real-time data with cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to empower our clients to operate more effectively. We are excited about the results we are seeing, the pipeline being generated, and the progress we are making in 2025".Subsequent to quarter end, at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting held on May 21, 2025, EQ elected two new Board members to the Company, John Kim and James Lanthier. In addition, following the AGM, the Company also welcomed Catherine Warren to the Board, as a third independent director. "I would like to welcome John, James and Catherine to the EQ Board and I know that their experience and skill sets will prove invaluable to EQ as we continue to execute our vision and drive value to our Shareholders," said Geoffrey Rotstein. "I would also like to sincerely thank Vernon Lobo and James Beriker for their invaluable contributions and dedicated service to EQ. Their leadership, expertise, and commitment have played a significant role in guiding the company through important milestones and growth phases and will have a lasting impact on the organization." Non-IFRS Financial MeasuresEQ Works measures the success of the Company's strategies and performance based on Adjusted EBITDA, which is outlined and reconciled with net loss in the section entitled "Reconciliation of net loss for the period to Adjusted EBITDA" in the MD&A. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net loss from operations before: (a) depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets, (b) share-based payments, (c) finance income and costs, net, and (d) restructuring costs. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of the Company's operating performance because it provides information on the Company's ability to provide operating cash flows for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and potential acquisitions. The Company also believes that analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in its industry.The non-IFRS financial measure is used in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of IFRS financial measures. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company's consolidated financial statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. Because non-IFRS financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies non-IFRS financial measures having the same or similar names. In addition, the Company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-IFRS adjustments described above, and exclusion of these items from the Company's non-IFRS measures should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent, or non-recurring.The table below reconciles net loss from operations and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:About EQ WorksEQ Works ( www.eqworks.com) enables businesses to understand, predict, and influence customer behaviour. Using unique data sets, advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, EQ Works creates actionable intelligence for businesses to attract, retain, and grow the customers that matter most. The Company's proprietary SaaS platform mines insights from movement and geospatial data, enabling businesses to close the loop between digital and real-world consumer actions.Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, obje
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 /Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GPG)(OTCQB:GPTRF)(FSE:GPB) ("Grande Portage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is advancing infrastructure development at Cascade Point, the site of the company's proposed ore shipping terminal as well as a proposed passenger ferry terminal.The Cascade Point property is owned by Goldbelt Inc, an Alaska Native corporation based in Juneau. Goldbelt and Grande Portage have an existing Letter of Intent to cooperate on advancing a freight barge terminal facility at the site, which would be utilized for transportation of ore from the company's New Amalga Gold Project to a third-party processing facility. (See Grande Portage press release dated September 10, 2024)Goldbelt also has an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the Alaska DOT&PF for advancing development of an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) passenger ferry terminal at the site, which would significantly shorten the ferry route between Juneau and nearby communities.Last week, the Alaska DOT&PF announced that it is initiating a design-build contracting process for Phase 1 of the Cascade Point Passenger Ferry Terminal. The scope of work includes all earthworks and site preparation for the uplands area, procurement of materials for development of the marine area, construction of a replacement bridge to enable heavy equipment access to the site, and construction of a new access road suitable for year-round use. Total value for this contract is estimated at $20-30 million USD.Development of the ore terminal is not contingent on development of the passenger ferry terminal - it can be developed prior to (and independently of) the passenger ferry facility. However, having the ferry terminal proceed first is highly advantageous as it would result in the development of infrastructure that will also be necessary for the ore terminal, particularly the new access road and bridge. This reduces the time and cost required for future ore terminal development.Ian Klassen, President and CEO comments: "We are extremely pleased to see the State of Alaska advancing the Cascade Point Passenger Ferry Terminal towards construction. In the future, Grande Portage and Goldbelt intend to further develop the site by adding a freight barge terminal for transportation of ore from the New Amalga Gold Project to a third-party processing facility. This dual-use of the site will maximize the benefits to the local economy and create long-term job opportunities for the community of Juneau".Fig. 1: Location of the New Amalga Gold Project and Cascade PointKyle Mehalek, P.E.., is the QP within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Mehalek is independent of Grande Portage within the meaning of NI 43-101.About Grande Portage:Grande Portage Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on advancing the New Amalga Mine project, the outgrowth of the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the New Amalga property. The New Amalga gold system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced over eight million ounces of gold.The Company's updated NI#43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) reported at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 2.5 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: an Indicated Resource of 1,438,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 9.47 g/t Au (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 515,700 ounces of gold at an average grade of 8.85 g/t Au (1,813,000 tonnes), as well as an Indicated Resource of 891,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 5.86 g/t Ag (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 390,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 7.33 g/t silver (1,813,000 tonnes). The MRE was prepared by Dr. David R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geol., P.Eng. (DRW Geological Consultants Ltd.) with an effective date of July 17, 2024.About Goldbelt, Incorporated:Founded in 1973 and officially incorporated in 1974, Goldbelt Incorporated is the urban corporation that represents the Juneau area. Goldbelt is an Alaska Native Corporation with a deep connection to both our ancestors and our children - we remember the stories and traditions of the past, while working to build a bright future for our shareholders in Southeast Alaska and beyond.Goldbelt's businesses are diverse and feature both federal government contracting and commercial operations, which serve the tourism, transportation, and security industries. Goldbelt's government contracting subsidiaries offer solutions services in high-skill areas including information technology and cybersecurity, healthcare and medical services. More information is available at https://www.goldbelt.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Ian Klassen"Ian M. KlassenPresident & Chief Executive OfficerTel: (604) 899-0106Email: Ian@ grandeportage.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.Please note that under National Instrument 43-101, the Company is required to disclose that it has not based any production decision on NI 43-101-compliant reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments, or f
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 /Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd, the Manager of Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust ("Hektar REIT"), today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2025 ("Q1 FY2025"), demonstrating continued resilience across its asset portfolio and improved operational efficiency.For Q1 FY2025, Hektar REIT recorded total revenue of RM30.9 million, an increase of 8.9% year-on-year (YoY) from RM28.4 million in Q1 FY2024, primarily supported by income contributions from the newly acquired Kolej Yayasan Saad ("KYS") education asset and improved performance from its retail properties. Net Property Income ("NPI") rose 4.4% YoY to RM15.0 million, while Net Realised Income stood at RM4.2 million, lower than the RM5.1 million in the same quarter last year due to the absence of one-off fund placement income recognized in prior period and slightly higher administrative and financing expenses.In alignment with its ESG ambitions, Hektar REIT entered into a landmark partnership with Samaiden Group Berhad to implement solar project at five of its shopping centres. The initiative is projected to deliver long-term energy cost savings of approximately RM2.05 million annually or RM41.3 million over 20 years and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 98,640 tonnes, equivalent to planting over a total of 1,972,800 trees over 20 years. This initiative underscores Hektar REIT's commitment to sustainable operations and climate impact mitigation.Furthermore, a comprehensive Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) is underway at Subang Parade, with Phase 1 interior upgrades targeted for completion by Q1 2026. These efforts aim to uplift tenant value, customer experience, and asset performance. The Manager reported positive improvements in visitor traffic and rental reversion, since the announcement and execution of the Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) for Subang Parade, showcasing enhanced Tenants and customers' confidence. The opening of new tenants such as Game on by Next Gen, Oriental Parade, Mokky's Pizza, The Farm & Chan Rak BBQ, Little Ninja Dojo, Padi House, Fly Cycle Project have certainly contributed to higher footfall. The Manager looks forward to welcome more brands this year including CC Roasters, Paolo Paolo Gelato and Chagee among other tenants.Zainal Iskandar, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset ManagementZainal Iskandar, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management, commented, "We are encouraged by the positive start to FY2025, supported by the strategic diversification of our portfolio and prudent cost management. Our retail assets are now consistently recording positive rental reversions, while our education asset continues to provide consistent income. These results reflect our continued discipline in maintaining stable returns and strengthening the resilience of our portfolio." Looking ahead, the Manager remains optimistic on the value enhancements to be generated by its retail assets upon completion of AEIs and strategic leasing initiatives. Early gains are already seen in elevated occupancy rate which currently stands at 85.6%, positive rental reversions and higher footfall, boosting yields across Hektar Malls. Additionally, the acquisition of a 15-year master-leased industrial asset in Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone is progressing as planned and is poised to further diversify and strengthen the REIT's income profile.Hektar REIT's total assets stood at RM1.44 billion as at 31 March 2025, while the net asset value per unit was RM1.0396 ###ABOUT HEKTAR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTHektar Real Estate Investment Trust ("Hektar REIT") is Malaysia's first listed retail-focused REIT. The primary objectives of Hektar REIT are to provide unitholders with sustainable dividend income and to achieve a long-term capital appreciation of the REIT. Hektar REIT was listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on December 4, 2006 and currently owns 2 million square feet of retail space and an education property across 4 states with total assets valued at RM1.39 billion. On 19 February 2025, The Manager has announced the proposed acquisition of an industrial property located in Bayan Lepas, Penang for RM30 million, marking Hektar REIT's dedication to diversification for yield-accretive non-retail assets, being the first industrial asset in its portfolio. Hektar REIT is managed by Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd and the property manager is Hektar Property Services Sdn Bhd. Hektar REIT's portfolio of diversified properties includes Subang Parade in Subang Jaya, Selangor; Mahkota Parade in Melaka; Kolej Yayasan Saad in Ayer Keroh, Melaka; Wetex Parade & Classic Hotel in Muar, Johor; Central Square in Sungai Petani, Kedah; Kulim Central in Kulim, Kedah and Segamat Central in Segamat, Johor.For more information, please visit www.HektarREIT.com Published by: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd on behalf of Hektar Asset ManagementFor more information, please contact:Jazzmin WanEmel:j.wan@ swanconsultancy.biz Renee TohEmail:r.toh@ swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: Hektar Asset Management Sendirian Berhad
Gas operators from 5 countries agree on scheme to supply U.S. LNG from Greece to Ukraine

Operators of the gas transmission systems of Bulgaria, Greece, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine have developed a scheme for supplying U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Greece to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan Corridor, the Romanian operator Transgaz said.

"Bulgartransgaz EAD (Bulgaria), DESFA SA (Greece), Transgaz SA (Romania), VestMoldTransgaz SRL (Moldova) and Gas TSO (Ukraine) are jointly proposing a bundled route product for natural gas supplies from June to October 2025, which will facilitate the transportation of gas from Greece to Ukraine," the company said.

To enhance the attractiveness of the route, the parties agreed on a unified gas transit tariff with a 25% discount, while the Ukrainian operator will receive a 46% discount.

Gas will flow from Greece to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan route, passing through the following connection points: Sidirokastro - Kulata, Kardam - Negru Voda, Isaccea - Orlovka and Cahul - Grebinky.

On May 29, a tender was announced for supplying 2.9 million cubic meters of gas per day to Ukraine in June. The operators of the participating countries will hold a single auction to allocate capacity at all points of the Trans-Balkan Corridor along the gas transportation route from Greece to Ukraine.

Tenders will be held on the fourth Monday of each month to sell capacity for the following calendar month. Allocating capacity will be carried out through a uniform-price auction mechanism.

The scheme was developed to prepare Ukraine for the heating season, Transgaz said. "By October 2025, Ukraine must pump around 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas into its underground storage facilities to prepare for the winter season and ensure the security of vulnerable consumer categories," it said.

The proposed transportation package can only be used for gas supplies to Ukraine. Gas was not previously supplied to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan Corridor.

"It is expected that the use of this route will increase the utilization rate of the operators' infrastructure along the entire route, leading to higher revenues generated from the sale of previously unused capacities," the company said.
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From Jerusalem to Houston: Mural Campaign Honors Iranian Women of CourageHOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / A powerful work of public art that captured global attention when it first appeared on the facade of the Jerusalem Tolerance Museum is now making history on American soil. The "Woman Life Freedom" mural, created by Iranian-American filmmaker and activistHooman Khalili , will be unveiled at Rice University, becoming the first installation of its kind on a U.S. college campus. Woman Life Freedom Mural An image of the Woman Life Freedom Mural to be installed at Rice University in Houston June 5.The movement,formally endorsed by the State of Israel , serves as a "bridge between cultures" in its U.S. expansion, where college campuses have become epicenters for debates about free speech, human rights and antisemitism."This isn't just about art. It's a call to conscience," said Khalili. "These murals are monuments to truth, courage and the sacred right to be free. It's also an effort to galvanize student activism and global solidarity for the women of Iran." The mosaic mural, to be installed on June 5, 2025, at Rice University, is formed from over 14,000 mosaic tiles to honor two women whose stories have become global symbols of resistance and resilience:Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian whose death in police custody in 2022 sparked mass protests against Iran's regime. Her portrait stands for the more than 1,000 lives lost in the fight for women's rights in Iran.Shirel Haim-Pour, a 20-year-old female Persian-Jewish soldier killed during the October 7 Hamas attacks, whose image represents the 1,200 lives lost and 240 hostages taken that day.Interwoven into the mosaic are verses from Jeremiah 3:17 and Jeremiah 49:38, biblical passages that mention God placing His throne in Jerusalem and Iran (known in Jeremiah's day as "Elam"), bridging sacred texts with modern calls for justice - all while uniting individuals across the Middle East and America in a practical way.The installation at Rice University marks the beginning of the "Woman Life Freedom" tour across the United States. Khalili has already unveiled 18 murals throughout Israel and hopes to install 18 more on U.S. university campuses.The "Woman Life Freedom" mural at Rice University will be unveiled at an official event on June 5, 2025, and remain installed at the university's Multicultural Center through the summer. For additional details and to attend this event at Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center, pleaseregister hereand email victoria@ alarryross.com for media clearance.About Hooman Khalili Hooman Khalili is an Iranian-American human rights activist, media personality, entrepreneur and philanthropist. With a diverse career, from interviewing top celebrities and directing the Oscar-contending film 'Olive,' to promoting over 1,000 movies, Hooman is known for his commitment to meaningful causes, including serving the homeless and global mission work. Following the Iranian uprising in 2022, Hooman was invited by Israel to design murals supporting Iranian human rights and is currently developing a documentary to foster peace between Persians and Jews.Contact InformationVictoria JohnsonAccount Executivevictoria@ alarryross.com 830-928-8303SOURCE: A. Larry Ross Communications
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Organon & Co. ("Organon" or the "Company") (NYSE:OGN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Organon and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until July 22, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Organon securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On May 1, 2025, Organon published a press release reporting its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, announcing that management had lowered the Company's dividend payout from $0.28 to $0.02. Organon's Chief Executive Officer cited a decision to "reset our capital allocation priorities to accelerate progress towards deleveraging, enabling a path to achieve a net leverage ration below 4.0x by year-end." On this news, Organon's stock price fell $3.48 per share, or 26.91%, to close at $9.45 per share on May 1, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
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Cloud-based Workflow Automation Solution Recognized for Simple Yet Powerful Workflow DesignRAMSEY, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced it received a BLI 2025 Pick Award from Keypoint Intelligence for its Dispatcher Stratus workflow automation solution. Keypoint Intelligence is the world's leading and independent evaluator of document imaging hardware, software and services whose awards give companies special recognition for their print and smart workplace technology and services, based on results from lab testing or market research.Launched last year as the newest offering within Konica Minolta's suite of Dispatcher solutions, Dispatcher Stratus marries powerful automation capabilities with intelligent collaboration features. New and advanced people-based processing workflows with customizable eForms empower users to work together to remove redundant manual touchpoints in their workflows while increasing interactivity and enabling organizations to be more agile."We introduced Dispatcher Stratus to help individuals work smarter by reducing the mundane tasks that can drain some of our most valuable resources, including time," said Manuel Couceiro, Vice President, Solutions Engineering Center, Konica Minolta. "It is an honor to have our efforts recognized by Keypoint Intelligence, and a huge thank you to everyone involved in the process of evaluating our solution." Keypoint Intelligence recognized Dispatcher Stratus for its comprehensive range of features that promote collaboration within organizations in an increasingly digital workplace. Using Dispatcher Stratus, organizations can automate traditional workflows while ensuring work doesn't get "lost in the shuffle," or forgotten in a mailbox. With customizable no-code people-based or human-in-the-loop workflows, all workflow data is right at the user's fingertips. According to Keypoint Intelligence, Dispatcher Stratus is an excellent choice for businesses aiming to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, with capabilities that empower organizations to adapt to evolving workplace dynamics while maintaining elevated levels of productivity and collaboration.'"Konica Minolta continues to prioritize its customers' digital workplace needs through further development of Dispatcher Stratus and the introduction of new features and functions," continued Couceiro. "We recently released new eSignature capabilities and advanced, dynamic eforms that update based on user interaction and help empower organizations to simplify data collection, ensuring a cohesive user experience. Dispatcher Stratus' true-cloud infrastructure is ideal for businesses looking to transition from expensive on-premises infrastructure. Its focus on hybrid workplace dynamics and enhanced flexibility provides easier, more efficient ways for teams to collaborate, while reducing costs and optimizing resources. With Dispatcher Stratus' new features and functionality releasing throughout this year, it will prove to be an exciting time for all users. "Dispatcher Stratus is part of Konica Minolta's robust portfolio of advanced workflow automation and print management solutions. The Dispatcher platform provides organizations of all sizes, from small-to-medium sized businesses to the enterprise, with the opportunity to drive productivity and secure important business information via a suite of cloud-based and on-premise technology. With modular and flexible licensing options, there is a Dispatcher solution to meet a variety of customer needs.Learn more about Konica Minolta's Dispatcher Stratus solution online.About Konica MinoltaKonica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.'s (Konica Minolta) journey started more than 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. The company partners with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation through its expansive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio. Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial print solutions. 2025 marks Konica Minolta's 20th anniversary in production print, for which it celebrates "20 Years of Excellence, Innovation and Impact," and continues to lead the way in digital commercial printing. This year also commemorates 20 years of Konica Minolta's bizhub brand. Over the past two decades, the bizhub series has revolutionized office technology and redefined how businesses operate. It has continuously evolved to meet the needs of modern workplaces, fueled by advances in technology and a commitment to innovation. Konica Minolta is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2025 America's Best Large Employers list, included on CRN's MSP 500 list numerous times; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for eighteen consecutive years and presented with Keypoint Intelligence's BLI 2025 and 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub One i-Series. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta online and follow it on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.About Keypoint IntelligenceFor more than 60 years, clients in the digital imaging industry have relied on Keypoint Intelligence for independent hands-on testing, lab data, and extensive market research to drive their product and sales success. Keypoint Intelligence has been recognized as the industry's most trusted resource for unbiased information, analysis, and awards due to decades of analyst experience.# # # # #Konica Minolta ContactMaggie GrandeKonica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.+1 551-500-2659 pr@ kmbs.konicaminolta.us SOURCE: Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) Ltd.
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ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Luvu Brands, Inc. (OTCQB:LUVU), a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a portfolio of consumer lifestyle brands, announced today that its largest brand, Liberator, is now the exclusive brand partner of OSUGA, the award-winning, design-forward brand that's transforming the women's sexual wellness category through innovation, elegance, and purpose.Created by a team of passionate women, OSUGA fills a crucial gap in the marketplace - delivering body-safe, beautifully crafted products designed by and for women. The result is a brand that resonates emotionally, performs exceptionally, and elevates the entire category."OSUGA represents everything the modern consumer is looking for - quality, intention, and emotional connection," said Louis Friedman, CEO of Liberator. "We're proud to exclusively bring this visionary brand to our wholesale partners across North America." "We believe OSUGA isn't just a product line - it's a cultural shift," added Genevieve Lariviere, Sales Director at Liberator. "It empowers women through design, and we're excited to help our partners lead that conversation at retail." As OSUGA's exclusive brand partner, Liberator is your only source for wholesale access in North America.About Luvu BrandsLuvu Brands, Inc. is an Atlanta, Georgia based designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a portfolio of consumer lifestyle brands, including:JAXX - a diverse range of convertible daybeds, headboard panels, outdoor soft seating and bean bags made from repurposed polyurethane foam trim.AVANA - products for yoga exercise, sleep comfort and inclined bed therapy.LIBERATOR - transformable chaises and specially designed pillows and props for enhancing sexual performance.FOAMLABS - private label Jaxx products and contract manufacturing for hospitality, school, furniture mass market and beyond.The Company's brand sites include www.liberator.com www.avanacomfort.com , plus other global e-commerce sites.For more information about Luvu Brands, please visit www.luvubrands.com Company Contact:Luvu Brands, Inc.Gen LariviereSales Director770-246-6443 Gen.lariviere@oneupinnovations.com SOURCE: Luvu Brands, Inc.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Ibotta, Inc. (NYSE:IBTA) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: This lawsuit is on behalf of persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded Ibotta securities pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with Ibotta's April 18, 2024 initial public offering.CASE DETAILS: According to the filed complaint, defendants made false statements and/or concealed that they did not properly warn investors of the risks concerning Ibotta's contract with The Kroger Co. ("Kroger"). Kroger's contract was at-will, and Ibotta failed to warn investors that a large client could cancel their contract with Ibotta without warning. Despite providing a detailed explanation of the terms of Ibotta's contract with Walmart, there was not a single warning of the at-will nature of Kroger's contract. Rather than disclosing the very real risk of a major client walking away at any time, Ibotta provided boilerplate warnings concerning the importance of maintaining ongoing relationships with their clients.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Ibotta stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/ibotta-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=150630&wire=1&utm_campaign=12 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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This fall, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness LLC will celebrate a major milestone: 10years of service in delivering compassionate, expert holistic healthcare to the people ofOregon.ASTORIA, OR / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / This fall, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness LLC will celebrate a major milestone: 10 years of service in delivering compassionate, expert holistic healthcare to the people of Oregon. From its humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in acupuncture and integrative medicine, Luna has spent the past decade transforming lives-one patient at a time.Founded in 2015 by Dr. James Carter, Doctor of Acupuncture L.Ac, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness began with a mission that was simple but powerful: to help individuals heal by addressing the root causes of illness and chronic pain, using evidence-based acupuncture and natural therapies.Today, the clinic has grown to two thriving locations-Astoria and Beaverton /Hillsboro, Oregon-and has treated thousands of clients, earning a reputation for excellence in the treatment of chronic pain, stress-related conditions, autoimmune disorders, and neurological imbalances.As Luna marks its 10th anniversary, the celebration is not only of a decade in business but also a testament to resilience, community connection, and a vision that continues to evolve.A Decade of Rooted WellnessBack in 2015, Dr. Carter opened Luna Acupuncture & Wellness with just one treatment room and a belief in the power of acupuncture and natural healing. What followed was a journey of growth, driven by a passion for service and a commitment to personalized care for each individual's wellness path.From the very beginning, my goal was to create a space where people felt supported, and empowered to actively participate in their healing, says Dr. Carter. We weren't just offering acupuncture-we were offering a new way of looking at health on a mind, body, and spirit level. A way that respected the body's intelligence and addressed pain and illness from the inside out.His approach resonated with clients who had struggled with long-standing health conditions and were seeking alternatives or complements to conventional care. Luna quickly grew into a cornerstone of the community, known for its personalized treatment plans, thorough consultations, and results.Innovation Meets Ancient WisdomDr. Carter's practice is rooted in the time-honored traditions of ancient acupuncture and Chinese medicine, yet it is informed and enhanced by modern scientific understandings of the human body. Over the years, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness has become known for its treatments addressing: Chronic and complex pain management Auricular therapy (ear acupuncture) for neurological and emotional health Custom Organic Herbal Teas, Formulations, and Medicinal Foods/Nutrition Stress, anxiety, and accident recovery support Women's and Men's Health, including hormonal imbalances Injury prevention and performance recovery Age-related wellness and longevityWith the completion of his Doctorate of Acupuncture degree in 2024, Dr. Carter brought even deeper levels of expertise and clinical insight to the practice, spending countless hours studying and exploring the research and latest advancements in healing from both western and eastern medicines-allowing Luna to expand its services while maintaining the hands- on, compassionate care that defines its core philosophy.Wellness for the Whole CommunityFrom the very beginning, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness has viewed health as something that extends beyond the treatment table. The clinic has long supported educational outreach, patient empowerment, and philanthropy as part of its wellness model. Most recently, the business made headlines for its monthly donations to Love Peace Harmony Foundation over the past decade, a nonprofit organization that funds and develops global humanitarian service projects. This partnership is just one example of how Luna is walking the talk when it comes to healing on both a personal and global level."We've always believed that wellness is both an individual and collective responsibility," says Dr. Carter. "Being in business for 10 years is wonderful-but the real achievement is the community we've built, the lives we've touched, and the service we've been able to give back." The clinic has also made holistic care more accessible by offering donation-based Tai Chi and self-care acupressure sessions, and by partnering with local wellness practitioners to host workshops and educational events on topics such as stress reduction and chronic illness support.Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of LunaAs Luna Acupuncture & Wellness looks to the next 10 years, the vision is bold, yet grounded in the same values that started it all.Future plans include: Free Tai Chi relaxation classes for the public that combine mindfulness andmovement to release tension and stress from the body and mind Collaborative treatment plans with other health professionals, including familyphysicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and mental health counselors Launching a wellness education platform, aimed at helping people take control oftheir health through virtual classes and downloadable guides Mentoring the next generation of acupuncturists through internships andpreceptor programs Writing an acupressure and guided visualization book for self care and self healing"We're just getting started," Dr. Carter shares. "The last 10 years have been about laying a strong foundation. The next 10 are about broadening our impact, deepening our offerings, and continuing to be a trusted healing space for anyone who walks through our doors." Anniversary Events and Patient AppreciationTo celebrate this major milestone, Luna Acupuncture & Wellness will be hosting a series of anniversary events throughout the fall, including: Patient Appreciation Days with complimentary auricular and pulse health readings,and wellness giveaways Open House Wellness Clinics for new and returning patients Mini workshops on seasonal self-care, pain relief, and stress management A 10-Year Celebration Gathering, bringing together patients, staff, localbusinesses, and wellness partners in both Astoria and Beaverton /HillsboroDr. Carter notes that these events are about more than celebration-they're about connection."This anniversary is a moment to say thank you-to our clients, to our team, and to the communities of Astoria and Beaverton /Hillsboro who have supported us every step of the way." Testimonials from the CommunityOver the years, Luna Acupun
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QUEBEC, QC / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTCQB:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.Highlights of the Company's financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025, include the following:Revenue of $2,209,079 compared to $572,727, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, an increase of 285%, with approximately 75% attributable to the increase in Network as a Service ('NaaS'') revenue.Gross profit of $1,898,380 (86%) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $ 45,488 (8%) in 2024, an improvement of $1,852,892 or 4073%.Total expenses of $3,564,436 compared to $2,811,458 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of 27% mainly due to increased financial expenses related to short term debt service costs to support the Cygnum Capital facility.Net Loss of $1,689,530 compared to $2,355,685 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a decrease of 28%.Although EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, NuRAN is encouraged by the ability of NaaS revenues in Cameroon and elsewhere to cover group operating costs with new capital being raised to continue to build and generate cash. Management reports that the company has reached positive Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for its first quarter of operations in 2025. Financial expenses include $1.6 million of interest as well as $246k of non-cash forex charges. In addition, administrative expenses include $66,458 of depreciation and amortization expenses. Adding these back leads to positive Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) of just over $450k or 20% of revenue."Building new sites and improving network performance demonstrate the progress in expanding connectivity to rural and underserved areas. While challenges remain, the Company is encouraged by the current growth and operational achievements, which are expected to support its ongoing financing strategy," stated Francis Letourneau, President and CEO of NuRAN Wireless Inc.Highlights from the Quarter and Recent Announcements Include:On January 10, 2025, NuRAN announced that it has received the full payment of an outstanding balance of arrears from its Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partner in Cameroon for an amount of approx. CA$ 788,000.On February 28, 2025, The Company announced that it has received approval for the second drawdown of US$ 1.05M from the Facility for Energy Inclusion ("FEI"), a fund managed by Cygnum Capital. This follows the first drawdown of US$ 2.5M received on July 16, 2024, as part of the US$ 5M loan facility agreement announced on April 26, 2024.On March 3, 2025, NuRAN announced the successful delivery and installation of 20 network sites in rural Africa in the month of February 2025. This milestone aligns with NuRAN's strategic growth objectives as set out on February 10, 2025, and our commitment to expanding mobile connectivity in underserved regions.On April 2, 2025, NuRAN announced 20 new network sites in rural Africa in the month of March 2025. NuRAN previously targeted 42 new sites for the month of March.About NuRAN Wireless:NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time." Additional Information:For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com Francis Letourneau,Director and CEO Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com Tel: (418) 264-1337Frank CandidoInvestor relations Frank.candido@nuranwireless.com Tel: (514) 969-5531Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes. Forward looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of NuRAN, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of NuRAN to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including but not limited to management's business strategy for 2025. Although NuRAN has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause NuRAN''s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, neither NuRAN assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at
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Affordable, Whisper-Quiet, and Energy-Efficient -This Compact Portable AC Is the Hassle-Free Summer Cooling Solution Consumers Are Turning To in 2025LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / As the temperatures rise and summer approaches, finding a reliable cooling solution becomes essential. ThePolar Cooling Portable ACstands out as a top contender for anyone looking to stay comfortable during the hottest months. Unlike traditional air conditioning units that can be bulky and expensive, Polar Cooling offers a compact and affordable alternative that provides effective cooling without the hassle. With its sleek design and user-friendly features, this portable air conditioner not only cools your space but also enhances your environment with its modern aesthetic.In this detailed review, we will explore the various aspects that make the Polar Cooling Portable AC an appealing choice for consumers. We'll delve into what this innovative cooling device is, how it works, its unique features, and the benefits it offers. Additionally, we will examine customer feedback to give you an insight into real-user experiences, helping you make an informed decision. Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious house or are simply seeking a reliable cooling solution for your office, the Polar Cooling Portable AC promises to deliver comfort without breaking the bank.With a rich array of features designed to cater to diverse cooling needs, it is no wonder that many are considering this portable air conditioner. As we navigate through the review, you will discover why the Polar Cooling Portable AC is drawing attention and how it can transform your summer experience. Join us on this journey to uncover the exceptional qualities of this product and see if it aligns with your cooling requirements.What is the Polar Cooling Portable AC?The Polar Cooling Portable AC is an innovative air conditioning unit designed for effortless portability and efficient cooling. Unlike traditional bulkier units that require permanent installation, this portable AC can be easily moved from room to room, making it an ideal solution for those who need cooling flexibility. Weighing significantly less than conventional air conditioners, it is perfect for apartments, dorms, or any space where window units may not be feasible.This air conditioner utilizes advanced cooling technology that quickly reduces temperatures, providing immediate relief from the heat. It is equipped with an intuitive control panel that allows users to adjust settings to their preferences easily. The Polar Cooling Portable AC's modern design complements various interiors, making it a stylish addition to any space.Moreover, the Polar Cooling Portable AC operates quietly, ensuring that you can enjoy your comfort without disruptive noise, which is critical for sleep, work, or leisure. Its efficient cooling cycles provide substantial energy savings, making it not just a functional appliance but also a cost-effective solution for keeping cool.Ultimately, the Polar Cooling Portable AC is designed to meet the demands of modern life, combining practicality, aesthetics, and energy efficiency into one portable device. Whether you're beating the summer heat at home, in the office, or on the go, this cooling solution ensures you are never too far from a comfortable environment.Click now for summer comfort-enjoy whisper-quiet cooling power with the Polar Cooling AC!Does Polar Cooling Portable AC Work?Yes, the Polar Cooling Portable AC is designed to deliver effective and reliable cooling in a wide range of settings. Many users have reported significant temperature drops in their spaces shortly after turning it on. This portable air conditioning unit operates by drawing warm air from the room, cooling it through its internal systems, and then releasing the chilled air back into the environment. The device's compact size does not compromise its ability to perform, making it suitable for areas up to 1500 square feet, depending on the model.One of the standout features of the Polar Cooling Portable AC is its ability to cool spaces quickly and evenly. This speed is essential during those sweltering summer days when instant relief is needed. The device can be set to various cooling settings that cater to different preferences, providing a customized experience for each user.Moreover, the Polar Cooling Portable AC's energy efficiency is noteworthy. It is engineered to use less power than traditional units, resulting in lower energy bills while still providing powerful cooling performance. Its environmentally friendly design also contributes to a reduced carbon footprint, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable living solutions.In combination with its ease of use, versatility, and efficiency, the Polar Cooling Portable AC does indeed work effectively for those seeking a reliable cooling solution. Users can enjoy both comfort and convenience without compromising on performance, making it an excellent investment as summer temperatures soar.Stay cool this summer-grab your Polar Cooling AC now and enjoy instant relief with zero hassle!Unique Features and Benefits of the Polar Cooling Portable ACThe Polar Cooling Portable AC is packed with features that set it apart from other cooling solutions on the market. Here are some of its unique benefits:Fast and Even Cooling: The advanced cooling technology ensures that the air conditioner quickly drops temperatures and distributes cool air evenly throughout the space, providing immediate relief on hot days.Energy Efficient: Designed to minimize energy consumption while maximizing cooling power, this unit helps reduce electricity bills compared to traditional air conditioning systems.Quiet and Discreet: With its low operational noise level, Polar Cooling allows users to enjoy a cool environment without the disturbances commonly associated with larger AC units. Perfect for use in bedrooms or offices.Safe and Dependable: Built with safety features to prevent overheating and electrical issues, this portable AC ensures peace of mind for users, making it a reliable choice for continuous operation.Saves Space: Its compact design allows it to fit in tight spaces and be easily transported between rooms, making it ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, or temporary living situations.Eco-Friendly: The Polar Cooling Portable AC is designed to be environmentally conscious. It uses fewer harmful refrigerants and lower energy levels, contributing to a greener planet.User Friendly: Simple to operate with an intuitive control panel, users can quickly learn how to adjust the settings for optimal comfort without needing extensive technical knowledge.Durable and Long-Lasting: Made from high-quality materia
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NEW CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Aseminal casequestioning the accuracy of the 2024 Presidential and Senate election results in Rockland County, New York, is moving forward. In open court last Thursday, Judge Rachel Tanguay of the New York Supreme Court, ruled that discovery must proceed, pushing the lawsuit brought by SMART Legislation into the evidence-gathering stage. The lawsuit seeks a full hand recount of the Presidential and U.S. Senate races in Rockland County.SMART Legislation, the action arm of SMART Elections, is the lead plaintiff in the case. Both organizations are dedicated to ensuring fair and accurate elections."There is clear evidence that the senate results are incorrect, and there are statistical indications that the presidential results are highly unlikely," stated Lulu Friesdat, Founder and Executive Director of SMART Legislation. "If the results are incorrect, it is a violation of the constitutional rights of each person who voted in the 2024 Rockland County general election. The best way to determine if the results are correct is to examine the paper ballots in a full public, transparent hand recount of all presidential and senate ballots in Rockland County. We believe it's vitally important, especially in the current environment, to be absolutely confident about the results of the election." As stated in the complaint, more voters have sworn they voted for independent U.S. Senate candidate Diane Sare than the Rockland County Board of Elections counted and certified,directly contradictingthose results. Additionally, the presidential election results exhibit numerous statistical anomalies. The anomalies in the presidential race includemultiple districtswhere hundreds of voters chose the Democratic candidate Kirsten Gillibrand for Senate, but where zero voters selected the Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.Additionally, a statistician determined that the 2024 presidential election results were statisticallyhighly unlikelyin four of the five towns in Rockland County when compared with 2020 results.Max Bonamente, Ph.D., Professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the author of thetextbook , "Statistics and Analysis of Scientific Data," says in an upcoming paper on the Rockland data, "These data would require extreme sociological or political causes for their explanation, and would benefit from further assurances as to their fidelity." Discovery could give both the court and the public a window into what issues in Rockland County are contributing to irregularities in the election results. Plaintiffs anticipate some depositions as well. Because the source of the discrepancies is unknown, a court-ordered recount could alter the election results or reveal issues in other races.More on the Rockland County lawsuitAll court documentsKey FindingsSworn voter affidavits reveal missing ballotsDistrict 39 ( Exhibit A ): Nine voters signed sworn statements saying they cast ballots for Diane Sare in the U.S. Senate race. The Rockland County Board of Elections recorded just five votes-a nearly 50% shortfall.District 62 ( Exhibit B ): Five voters said they voted for Sare; the Rockland County Board of Elections recorded three - a 40% deficit.Drop-off Irregularitiesin Rockland County could mean the results are incorrectDrop-off is a measure of the difference between the presidential candidate and a major down-ballot candidate of the same party.A large positive drop-off indicates an "overperformance" by a candidate, meaning the candidate received more votes than is typical.A large negative drop-off indicates an "underperformance" by a candidate, meaning the candidate received fewer votes than is typical and could signify votes are missing from the candidate's totals.Republican drop-off (23%): 23% of Trump's totals in Rockland County exceed the 2024 Republican Senate candidate. The high drop-off rate illustrates that the presidential candidate far outperformed his down-ballot counterpart.Democratic drop-off is negative (-9%): 9% of Harris' totals are below the Democratic Senate candidate. This is a highly unusual phenomenon that was repeated across the state andacross the country . Rockland County is the first county where it is being formally investigated.Why it mattersTypical drop-off rates run 1-2% . Gaps of 23% or -9% are surprising and could indicate that votes were miscounted.Statistical Analysis, Manual Counts & Examination of Voting Systems Can Reveal Problems with ElectionsIn Bladen County, North Carolina,statistical discrepancieshelped investigators identify fraudulent absentee ballots in both the 2016 and 2018 elections.In Philadelphia, an election judge repeatedly committed election fraud in multiple elections. It was discovered by a local election official who noticed that theelection results did not reconcile correctlyand reported it to law enforcement.In Windham County, N.H., voting machines counted the 2020 election results incorrectly due to dust in the machines and folds in the ballots. The incorrect counts were discovered in a hand recount and explained in aforensic audit .AboutSMART Elections/SMART Legislation SMART Elections is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to making U.S. elections secure, accurate, accessible, inclusive, well-administered, and publicly verifiable. SMART Legislation is the action arm of the organization.Media Contact:Lulu Friesdat | (917) 543-2125 | Lulu@ SMARTelections.us Photo Caption: Rockland County Courthouse, Rockland County, New YorkPhoto Credit: Lulu Friesdat###SOURCE: Smart Elections
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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR TO BE TRANSMITTED, DISTRIBUTED TO, OR SENT BY, ANY NATIONAL OR RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF ANY SUCH COUNTRIES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION MAY CONTRAVENE LOCAL SECURITIES LAWS OR REGULATIONS.CASCAIS, PORTUGAL / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM:PLSR)(TSXV:PLSR)(OTCQB:PSRHF) ("Pulsar" or the "Company"), the helium project development company, is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the six months ended March 31, 2025 (the "Period").Selected financial and operational information is outlined below and should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis (the "MD&A") for the Period, which are available on the Company's website at www.pulsarhelium.com and the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca All figures are in US dollars ("US$") unless otherwise stated.The Company's primary focus is the exploration and development of the Topaz Project, located in northern Minnesota, USA, close to the Canadian border. The Company's assets within the Topaz Project comprise leases of private mineral rights over a total of 5,979 gross acres in Minnesota, where the State of Minnesota passed new helium-targeted legislation in May 2024 providing increased certainty of developing the project. The Topaz Project comprises primarily helium (with the gas not being a by-product of hydrocarbon production), representing a more sustainable development project.Operational Highlights in the PeriodOn January 13, 2025, the Company announced the successful completion of the deepening operation for the Jetstream #1 appraisal well. The drilling operation reached total depth ("TD") of 5,100 feet (1,555 metres) on January 11, 2025, successfully penetrating the entire interpreted helium-bearing reservoir and beyond.On February 3, 2025, the Company announced the successful completion of a drilling operation at the Jetstream #2 appraisal well, reaching total depth of 5,638 feet (1,718 metres) on February 1, 2025. Mud log data reported helium levels up to 3.5%, which were proved to be contaminated with air and uncontaminated samples, once collected, are expected to report higher and truer levels.On February 20, 2025, the Company announced that down-hole testing equipment is scheduled to mobilise to site on February 24, 2025. The tools consist of an optical televiewer and LithoScanner, both of which will be run on both the Jetstream #1 and #2 appraisal wells. These tests will further refine the Company's understanding of the reservoir properties and production potential.On April 28, 2025, the Company announced that pressure and flow testing operations were conducted on the Jetstream #1 and Jetstream #2 appraisal wells with well-head pressure at both being highly encouraging, reaching 122 pounds per square inch gauge ("PSIG") at Jetstream #1 and 151 PSIG at Jetstream #2. Well-head pressure at Jetstream #2 is greater than Jetstream #1 was in February 2024 (145 PSIG) when it achieved a flow rate of 821,000 cubic feet per day, under well-head compression.During flow testing activities, it was discovered that drilling fines (rock dust) created by the air drilling method (that pulverizes the rock) were present within fractures and partially coating the wellbore wall. The creation of drilling fines is commonplace when air drilling. Although gas flow may be restricted, pressure communication still occurs (albeit also constrained) which is why the Company was unaware of the restricted flow until testing commenced.The Company has performed a preliminary clean-up on both wells to mobilise the drilling fines, achieving improved flow results, demonstrating that the drilling fines are mobile and can be removed. Despite the currently restricted conditions, stable and consistent flow rates were achieved with both wells flowing natural flow and on compression.Further flow testing of both wells will commence when clean-up is complete and the drilling fines have been removed.Financial Summary for the PeriodLoss for the Period was $7,118,554 and comprises:Administration costs of $1,955,208 (which includes non-cash share-based compensation of $299,943 and non-cash depreciation of $26,489).Exploration and evaluation expenditures of $5,771,409 relate to the deepening of Jetstream #1 and drilling of Jetstream #2 at the Topaz project as described above.Listing fees of $355,003 related to Admission.A non-cash gain on revaluation of warrant liability of $963,006.Funding and Cash Position: $1,659,888 at March 31, 2025.On October 18, 2024, the Company's common shares commenced trading (the "Admission") on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc ("AIM") under the symbol PLSR. Concurrent with Admission, the Company completed of a total gross funding of 5 million which included the 1.125 million cornerstone investment completed in August 2024.On January 9 and March 21, 2025, the Company completed a brokered private placement, in two tranches, for gross proceeds of $2,427,498 which included participation from high net worth and institutional investors from the USA, including University Bancorp, Inc. ("University Bancorp") that now holds 4.93% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company.In April 2025, the Company entered into a project financing facility line of credit note with University Bancorp, pursuant to which University Bancorp has extended the Company a $4,000,000 project finance facility (the "Facility"). In April and May, 2025, the Company drew, in aggregate, $2,000,000 of the Facility.Selected Financial ResultsSix months endedMarch 31, 2025Six months endedMarch 31, 2024Statement of Loss:Revenue$Nil$NilNet loss7,118,55420,092,828Basic and diluted loss per common share0.060.24Financial Position:Total assets2,941,3702,910,871Total liabilities5,349,97015,247,063* During the Period, the Company recorded a non-cash gain on revaluation of warrant liability of $963,066 (2024 - loss of $13,037,216)Thomas Abraham-James, President & CEO of Pulsar, commented: "We are extremely
International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Ukrainian authorities have reached staff level agreement (SLA) on the Eighth Review of the 4-year, $15.5 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement. Subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, Ukraine would have access to about US$0.5 billion (SDR 0.37 billion), bringing total disbursements under the program to US$10.65 billion.

IMF staff and the Ukrainian authorities have reached staff-level agreement on the Eighth Review of the EFF, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, with Board consideration expected in coming weeks, this statement by the head of the Fund's mission to Ukraine, Gavin Gray, was published on the IMF website based on the results of the mission's work in Kyiv from May 20 to May 27.

It is noted that all end-March quantitative performance criteria (QPCs) and indicative targets (IT) have been met and understandings were reached on a set of policies and reforms to sustain macroeconomic stability.

The structural reform agenda continues to make progress with two structural benchmarks met, another to be completed in the coming weeks, and strong commitments to advance other key reforms, the statement reads.

At the same time it is noted that the outlook remains exceptionally uncertain as the war continues to take a heavy toll on the population, economy, and infrastructure.
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NEW CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Aseminal casequestioning the accuracy of the 2024 Presidential and Senate election results in Rockland County, New York, is moving forward. In open court last Thursday, Judge Rachel Tanguay of the New York Supreme Court, ruled that discovery must proceed, pushing the lawsuit brought by SMART Legislation into the evidence-gathering stage. The lawsuit seeks a full hand recount of the Presidential and U.S. Senate races in Rockland County.SMART Legislation, the action arm of SMART Elections, is the lead plaintiff in the case. Both organizations are dedicated to ensuring fair and accurate elections."There is clear evidence that the senate results are incorrect, and there are statistical indications that the presidential results are highly unlikely," stated Lulu Friesdat, Founder and Executive Director of SMART Legislation. "If the results are incorrect, it is a violation of the constitutional rights of each person who voted in the 2024 Rockland County general election. The best way to determine if the results are correct is to examine the paper ballots in a full public, transparent hand recount of all presidential and senate ballots in Rockland County. We believe it's vitally important, especially in the current environment, to be absolutely confident about the results of the election." As stated in the complaint, more voters have sworn they voted for independent U.S. Senate candidate Diane Sare than the Rockland County Board of Elections counted and certified,directly contradictingthose results. Additionally, the presidential election results exhibit numerous statistical anomalies. The anomalies in the presidential race includemultiple districtswhere hundreds of voters chose the Democratic candidate Kirsten Gillibrand for Senate, but where zero voters selected the Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.Additionally, a statistician determined that the 2024 presidential election results were statisticallyhighly unlikelyin four of the five towns in Rockland County when compared with 2020 results.Max Bonamente, Ph.D., Professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the author of thetextbook , "Statistics and Analysis of Scientific Data," says in an upcoming paper on the Rockland data, "These data would require extreme sociological or political causes for their explanation, and would benefit from further assurances as to their fidelity." Discovery could give both the court and the public a window into what issues in Rockland County are contributing to irregularities in the election results. Plaintiffs anticipate some depositions as well. Because the source of the discrepancies is unknown, a court-ordered recount could alter the election results or reveal issues in other races.More on the Rockland County lawsuitAll court documentsKey FindingsSworn voter affidavits reveal missing ballotsDistrict 39 ( Exhibit A ): Nine voters signed sworn statements saying they cast ballots for Diane Sare in the U.S. Senate race. The Rockland County Board of Elections recorded just five votes - a nearly 50% shortfall.District 62 ( Exhibit B ): Five voters said they voted for Sare; the Rockland County Board of Elections recorded three - a 40% deficit.Drop-off Irregularitiesin Rockland County could mean the results are incorrectDrop-off is a measure of the difference between the presidential candidate and a major down-ballot candidate of the same party.A large positive drop-off indicates an "overperformance" by a candidate, meaning the candidate received more votes than is typical.A large negative drop-off indicates an "underperformance" by a candidate, meaning the candidate received fewer votes than is typical and could signify votes are missing from the candidate's totals.Republican drop-off (23%): 23% of Trump's totals in Rockland County exceed the 2024 Republican Senate candidate. The high drop-off rate illustrates that the presidential candidate far outperformed his down-ballot counterpart.Democratic drop-off is negative (-9%): 9% of Harris' totals are below the Democratic Senate candidate. This is a highly unusual phenomenon that was repeated across the state andacross the country . Rockland County is the first county where it is being formally investigated.Why it mattersTypical drop-off rates run 1-2% . Gaps of 23% or -9% are surprising and could indicate that votes were miscounted.Statistical Analysis, Manual Counts & Examination of Voting Systems Can Reveal Problems with ElectionsIn Bladen County, North Carolina,statistical discrepancieshelped investigators identify fraudulent absentee ballots in both the 2016 and 2018 elections.In Philadelphia, an election judge repeatedly committed election fraud in multiple elections. It was discovered by a local election official who noticed that theelection results did not reconcile correctlyand reported it to law enforcement.In Windham County, N.H., voting machines counted the 2020 election results incorrectly due to dust in the machines and folds in the ballots. The incorrect counts were discovered in a hand recount and explained in aforensic audit .AboutSMART Elections/SMART Legislation SMART Elections is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to making U.S. elections secure, accurate, accessible, inclusive, well-administered, and publicly verifiable. SMART Legislation is the action arm of the organization.Media Contact:Lulu Friesdat | (917) 543-2125 | Lulu@ SMARTelections.us Photo Caption: Rockland County Courthouse, Rockland County, New YorkPhoto Credit: Lulu Friesdat###SOURCE: Smart Elections
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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / The See Life Better Foundation, founded by Dr. Michael Mann, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring vision for individuals who cannot afford the care they need. Whether through international mission trips to underserved countries or providing sight-restoring surgeries at Mann Eye Institute in Texas, their belief is simple: everyone deserves the right to sight, regardless of financial standing.This past weekend, the See Life Better Foundation hosted its inaugural fundraiser, Saddle Up for Sight, at the Armadillo Palace in Houston, Texas. It was an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, dancing, and live music from Houston's famous The Guzzlers.Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community through silent auction contributions, donations, and event attendance, they are thrilled to announce that they raised over $20,000 to help bring sight-restoring care to those in need.The See Life Better Foundation was established by Dr. Michael Mann, whose four-decade career in ophthalmology has been marked by medical innovation and community service. As founder of Mann Eye Institute, which has grown from a single practice in 1977 to 16 locations across Houston and Austin, Dr. Mann has personally performed over 40,000 LASIK procedures and 50,000 cataract surgeries.The doctors at Mann Eye Institute recognized a growing gap between what working Americans could afford through insurance and savings versus the cost of necessary vision care services. This led to the creation of the See Life Better Foundation, which assists hardworking individuals in bridging this financial gap.Since the start of 2024, the foundation has provided approximately $8,000 in financial assistance to help 10 patients see life better. The foundation's comprehensive application process ensures assistance reaches those who need it most, with a thorough review of medical documentation and financial need assessment.Beyond local assistance, the See Life Better Foundation supports international mission trips that bring sight-restoring care to underserved populations worldwide. Dr. Mann has been a longtime member of Benevolent Mission International, performing cataract surgeries and eye exams in third-world countries.The foundation funds technical support for these missions at approximately $900 per trip, significantly increasing the number of patients that can be served. These mission trips provide essential screenings, treatments, and surgeries to individuals who would otherwise go without care, restoring not only vision but also hope and independence.The success of Saddle Up for Sight marks just the beginning of the foundation's fundraising efforts. The foundation embodies the same culture of giving back that has characterized Dr. Mann's entire career through his involvement with organizations like the Rotary Club of Humble, Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, and Prevent Blindness Texas programs.As they look ahead, the See Life Better Foundation remains deeply committed to its mission. They invite you to join by visitingseelifebetterfoundation.orgto learn more about their work, explore stories from past mission trips and previous patients, and find out how you can be part of helping others See Life Better.Contact InformationDina OwensCommunications Teamdina.owens@manneye.com SOURCE: Mann Eye Institute
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 /SPETZ INC. (the "Company" or "Spetz") (CSE:SPTZ)(OTC PINK:DBKSF) is pleased to announce that it has held the closing of the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") at which it issued 14,702,617 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.50 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $7,351,308.50. Each of the Units is comprised of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant (the "Warrants") of Spetz. Each whole Warrant entitles its holder to acquire one additional common share of Spetz at a price of $0.75 for a period of 24 months from the closing date. The Private Placement was described in the press releases of the Company disseminated on March 24, 2025 and May 12, 2025. The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for general working capital purposes, validator expansion, and growth initiatives within the blockchain infrastructure sector."We're excited to announce the closing of this first tranche and the strong support we've received from a high-caliber group of investors," said Mitchell Demeter, CEO and Director of Spetz Inc and Sonic Strategy. "These funds will enable the Company to acquire Sonic tokens, launch validator infrastructure to help secure the Sonic network, and deploy capital into DeFi strategies within the Sonic ecosystem. We're especially pleased to have participation from key backers including Canaccord Genuity Financial, Russell Star, previously of DeFi Technologies, Haywood Securities, and Sonic Labs." Additional closings of the Private Placement may be held until June 23, 2025, subject to the issuance of a maximum of an additional 5,297,383 Units at a price of $0.50 per Unit, for total maximum additional gross proceeds of $2,648,691.50.In connection with the Private Placement, Spetz paid cash commissions to seven (7) securities dealers in an aggregate amount of $315,812. In addition, Spetz granted non-transferable finders' warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") to seven (7) securities dealers entitling them to acquire up to an aggregate of 719,524 additional common shares of Spetz at a price of $0.75 per share for a period of 24 months form the closing date.All of the foregoing securities are subject to a hold period of four months and day expiring on September 29, 2025.Related Party TransactionMichael Kron, a director of the Company, purchased 100,000 Units at a price of $0.50 per Unit for a consideration of $50,000 (representing approximately 0.22% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company following the closing of the Private Placement). Immediately after the closing of the Private Placement, Mr. Kron owned, directly, 115,704 common shares of the Company, 50,000 Warrants and 10,000 stock options of the Company.Mr. Kron is considered a "related party" and an "insider" of the Company for the purposes of applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules. The subscription and issuance of Units to Mr. Kron constitute a related party transaction, but is exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as the Company's securities are not listed on any stock exchange identified in Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and that the fair market value of the Units issued to Mr. Kron under the Private Placement, does not exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report with respect to the participation of Mr. Kron at least 21 days prior to the closing of the Private Placement as Mr. Kron's participation was not determined at that time.Mr. Kron, a director of the Company, has disclosed his interest to the Board of the Directors of the Company pursuant to Section 132 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) to the effect that he may participate in the Private Placement and subscribe to Units. The terms of the Private Placement and the agreements relating thereto were submitted to and unanimously approved by way of a written resolution adopted by all the directors of the Company other than Mr. Kron. Mr. Kron did not vote on the resolution to approve the Private Placement and the agreements relating thereto. The remaining directors determined that the Private Placement was in the best interest of the Company.About Spetz Inc.Spetz Inc. is a multinational technology company operating at the intersection of AI-driven marketplaces and blockchain infrastructure. The Company owns and operates the Spetz application, an AI-powered platform connecting consumers with service providers, as well as Sonic Strategy, a blockchain staking and infrastructure company supporting the Sonic ecosystem.Spetz Website: www.spetz.appSonic Strategy Website:www. sonicstrategy.ioSpetz Investor information: https://investor.spetz.app/ Company Contacts:Investor RelationsEmail:Investors@ sonicstrategy.io Mitchell DemeterEmail: mitchell@ sonicstrategy.io Phone: +1-345-936-9555NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE, NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements Certain information herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities laws, reflecting management's expectations regarding objectives, plans, strategies, future growth, results of operations, and business prospects of the Company. Words such as "may", "plans," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.Forward-looking statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are subject to business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected outcomes. Factors influencing these outcomes include economic conditions, regulatory developments, competition, capital availability, and business execution risks. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including, the closing of additional tranches of the Private Placement, how the Company will use of the net proceeds of the Private Placement or if any Warrants or Find
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Comprehensive 2025 Review: Comparing SupraNail and AppaNail's Natural Formulas, Benefits, Ingredients, User Results and Pricing to Reveal the Best Fungal Nail SolutionMIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / May 28, 2025 / Nail fungus is a persistent and frustrating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often causing discoloration, brittleness, thickening, and discomfort in both toenails and fingernails. As sufferers search for effective over-the-counter remedies, two prominent solutions have surged in popularity -SupraNailand AppaNail. Both are marketed as advanced, natural treatments designed to combat nail fungal infections from the root, promoting healthier, clearer nails without the side effects associated with traditional pharmaceuticals. But which of these two products truly stands out in terms of ingredients, efficacy, safety, and long-term results?SupraNail positions itself as a cutting-edge formula rooted in a holistic blend of herbal ingredients. With a focus on internal support and immune system enhancement, it claims to tackle the fungal problem from within, addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms. Its promotional materials highlight not only its ability to improve nail appearance but also its potential to support overall nail health and immunity.On the other hand, AppaNail promotes a unique formula specifically designed to eliminate fungal infections quickly and efficiently. It emphasizes fast-acting results and contains ingredients that work to break down fungal buildup while restoring the integrity of the affected nails. Like SupraNail, AppaNail is also marketed as an all-natural solution, making it appealing to consumers wary of synthetic treatments.This in-depth research post will compare SupraNail and AppaNail, analyzing their ingredient profiles, clinical backing, customer reviews, pricing, and overall value. Suppose you're battling nail fungus and are uncertain which remedy to trust. In that case, this comprehensive breakdown aims to provide clarity and help you make an informed decision for healthier, fungus-free nails.SupraNail is formulated with a blend of natural ingredients designed to support nail health and rejuvenation. Below is a detailed overview of its ingredients:Senna Auriculata: Known for its skin-rejuvenating properties, Senna Auriculata helps to improve the overall health of the feet's skin, heels, and nails. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants, which aid in healing and protecting the skin from environmental damage.Oat Bran: A powerhouse for nail well-being, Oat Bran is known for its high fiber content and ability to nourish nails. It contains essential vitamins and minerals that help strengthen nails, preventing brittleness and breakage.Acai Berry: Acai Berries are packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. Their potent properties help in promoting nail health by preventing oxidative stress and supporting overall nail growth and strength.Licorice Root, Pumpkin Seed Extract, Cayenne Pepper: This combination works synergistically to provide long-term comfort for nails and feet. Licorice Root has anti-inflammatory properties, while Pumpkin Seed Extract is rich in zinc, essential for nail growth. Cayenne Pepper improves blood circulation, which can enhance the health of nails.Fennel Seed Extract, Prune Juice Extract: Both ingredients have rejuvenating properties for nails. Fennel Seed Extract is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, while Prune Juice Extract helps in maintaining hydration, which is crucial for nail health.Organic Green Tea, Hops: These ingredients are considered superfoods for nail and skin care. Organic Green Tea is rich in polyphenols that combat free radicals, and Hops contain bioactive compounds that help in enhancing nail strength and health.Vitamin C, Vitamin E: These essential vitamins play a crucial role in collagen production, which is vital for maintaining nail integrity. Vitamin C also enhances the skin's healing process, while Vitamin E provides moisture and prevents nail dryness.Cascara Sagrada Bark: Known for its ability to reinforce nail integrity, Cascara Sagrada Bark is a natural laxative that also supports the digestive system, indirectly promoting better nutrient absorption for nail growth.Strengthen brittle nails and revitalize your feet - order SupraNail today for visible, lasting results!AppaNail IngredientsAppaNail is formulated with a unique blend of ingredients aimed at enhancing overall health, including nail health. Here's a breakdown of its components:Guggul Resin, Turmeric Rhizome & Bitter Melon: Guggul Resin is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while Turmeric Rhizome is rich in curcumin, which has antioxidant benefits. Bitter Melon helps regulate blood sugar levels, contributing to better overall health, which can indirectly benefit nails.Vitamin C: As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C supports the immune system and is essential for collagen synthesis, vital for healthy nails and skin.Cinnamon Bark & Olive Leaf Extract: Cinnamon Bark has anti-fungal properties, which can help prevent nail infections. Olive Leaf Extract is known for its antioxidant properties and supports overall health, enhancing nail vitality.Berberine & Juniper Berry: Berberine is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which help maintain healthy nails. Juniper Berry has detoxifying effects, contributing to overall wellness.Vitamin D: Essential for bone health, Vitamin D also plays a significant role in nail health by promoting calcium absorption, which is crucial for nail strength.Butcher's Broom: Known for improving circulation, Butcher's Broom helps ensure that nails receive adequate blood flow and nutrients, promoting healthy growth.Magnesium: This essential mineral is crucial for protein synthesis and supports nail structure. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to brittle nails.Eleuthero, Gymnema & Chromium: These ingredients work together to support metabolic health. Eleuthero is an adaptogen that helps the body cope with stress, Gymnema is known for its blood sugar-regulating properties, and Chromium supports insulin function, which can promote overall health and well-being.Pinus Pinaster: Extract from the maritime pine, rich in antioxidants, helps in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to healthier nails.Benefits and ClaimsSupraNail BenefitsStrengthens Nails: SupraNail is designed to fortify nails, preventing brittleness and breakage, ensuring they remain strong and healthy.Promotes Nail Growth: The combination of nutrients in SupraNail supports faster and healthier nail growth, making i
PR-Inside.com: 2025-05-29 14:00:35

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Terra Innovatum's SOLO(TM) Micro-Modular Reactor Offers Safe, Affordable, and Reliable 24/7 Power Without Refueling for 15 Years Using Off-the-Shelf Readily Available Commercial Components and Licensed LEU FuelNEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Terra Innovatum Srl ("Terra Innovatum," or the "Company"), a developer of micro-modular nuclear reactors, today announced the submission of its response to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's ("NYSERDA") Advanced Nuclear Request for Information ("RFI"). The submission outlines plans for selecting a potential test reactor site for the Company's first-of-a-kind micro-modular reactor, SOLO, intent to establish a designated production unit, and further commercial deployment opportunities to support the state's zero-emissions electricity target by 2040. Unlike conventional reactors, the compact footprint, modular design, and ability to operate for 15 years without refueling make SOLO well-suited for integration into local energy systems.In Picture: Rendering of 3 SOLOTM units covering an area of approximately 3,600sqft in a public plaza (totaling 3MWe - 12MWt with Co-Generation)."We believe SOLO represents a pivotal advancement in clean energy infrastructure," said Alessandro Petruzzi - Co-founder & CEO of Terra Innovatum. "As electricity demand accelerates, driven by AI, data centers, and industrial manufacturing, solutions like SOLO will be critical to delivering reliable, zero-carbon power without placing additional strain on the grid. We are excited to showcase the promise of our technology in addressing the urgent energy needs for New York State and look forward to the opportunity to engage with NYSERDA on a potential test reactor site and deployment framework. Importantly, our response to NYSERDA marks the first of many steps toward deploying scalable, plug-and-play energy solutions across the U.S. and beyond. With its low-cost design, 24/7 output, and 15-year fuel cycle, SOLO is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of communities, government entities, and businesses seeking energy certainty in an increasingly electrified world." In Picture: Rendering of 500 SOLOTM units covering a total of 500 MWe - 2,000 MWt (Co-Generation) energy deployment.Giordano Morichi - Partner, Chief Business Development Officer & Investor Relations at Terra Innovatum continued: "We see SOLO as a transformative and strategic opportunity for New York State to become a national leader in deploying advanced nuclear technologies that enhance energy security, grid resilience, and climate justice. Designed for real-world application, SOLO leverages a proven supply chain built entirely on licensed components that have been widely used in the nuclear industry for over 60 years. This approach eliminates the timing and cost risks associated with unlicensed fuels or research-phase technologies with no commercial availability. SOLO's inherently safe architecture, scalable deployment model, and cost certainty uniquely positions it to power the State's industrial hubs, manufacturing sites, ports, transit systems, and data centers, while also revitalizing underserved urban and rural communities. It enables local energy independence, supports sustainable construction, and strengthens resilient infrastructure. In doing so, SOLO offers the Empire State a carbon-free, economically competitive energy backbone to meet New York clean energy goals at scale." "Safety is our top priority," affirmed Cesare Frepoli - Co-Founder, COO & Director of Regulatory Affairs at Terra Innovatum. "The compact footprint of SOLO-approximately 30 ft x 30 ft-combined with its modularity and embedded safeguards, allows for seamless integration in a wide range of environments without the need for expansive emergency planning zones. Its innovative reactor core design is gas cooled by helium, incorporates licensed, off-the-shelf components and utilizes non-proliferant low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel, which significantly reduces regulatory risk and enhances safety. There is also no water involved in the system, eliminating the risk of hydrogen generation or explosion. Additionally, on top of the various redundancies, the reactor's inherently low thermal output ensures it operates well below fuel melting thresholds, further reinforcing its passive safety profile," Dr. Frepoli concluded.SOLO can be deployed across a wide range of environments-including dense urban centers, critical infrastructure corridors, and remote industrial zones-without compromising public security. Its use of non-proliferant, licensed nuclear fuel and embedded safeguards ensures a secure and compliant solution. SOLO can be a powerful asset in supporting New York State's clean energy leadership while simultaneously reinforcing grid resilience, advancing environmental and energy priorities, and driving long-term, sustainable economic growth.Guided by New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which targets a zero-emissions electricity sector by 2040, NYSERDA's RFI seeks innovative nuclear solutions to support the state's energy transformation. Terra Innovatum's proposal outlines potential deployment scenarios for SOLO, including site considerations, partners, timeline, and use cases. The Company remains open and eager to engage further with NYSERDA to help advance the role of advanced nuclear energy in New York's grid.Recent HighlightsTerra Innovatum recently announced a proposed business combination with GSR III Acquisition Corp., positioning the Company to accelerate its mission of delivering zero-carbon, cost-efficient, and reliable power. SOLO is the first micro-modular reactor designed for operation on widely available Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and is built using commercial off-the-shelf components, enabling a simplified regulatory pathway and reduced construction timelines. Earlier this year, Terra Innovatum submitted its regulatory engagement plan to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a critical step toward its targeted first commercial deployment in 2028.ABOUT NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NYSERDA)NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.ABOUT TERRA INNOVATUM & SOLOTMTerra Innovatum is a pioneering force in th
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DUBAI, AE / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Wibegram, a new leader in privacy-first technology, announced today that its completely encrypted messaging app and utility token, WIBE, are now available on Binance Smart Chain. Wibegram is made for a world where data breaches, surveillance, and social engineering attempts are common news. It offers an easy-to-use chat experience that is protected by the same strong encryption that banks and governments use.At the heart of the platform lies peer-to-peer, end-to-end encryption that shields every message: text, voice, or media, from interception. Each conversation is secured with a hybrid RSA-AES model; encryption keys are exchanged via algorithms such as Diffie-Hellman, and only the sender and intended recipient can decrypt the content. Even if a malicious actor were to seize a device in transit, the ciphertext would remain indecipherable. Self-destruct timers add an additional layer, allowing users to schedule messages to disappear without a trace."Privacy is not a luxury; it is a fundamental digital right," said Syed Nasir, Founder of Wibegram. "Our mission is to place military-grade security into the hands of everyday people without sacrificing usability. With Wibegram, anyone can communicate freely, confidently, and even more importantly, own the economic layer beneath those conversations." A User-First ExperienceWibegram's onboarding takes less than two minutes: install the app, set a strong password, choose a memorable handle, add a brief bio, and upload a profile photo. Once inside, users can use a simple, live-chat interface that is built for real-time communication. Behind the scenes, advanced key management makes sure the experience goes well while keeping out anyone who shouldn't be there.Key Features:Encryption works excellently for key negotiation as RSA protects instance messages, while AES protects payload confidentiality.Live, Intuitive UI A simple design that focuses on speed and clarity makes it easy for even non-technical users to find their way around encrypted threads.Create a customized profile by adding a unique handle, personal bio, and profile photo along with specific keywords to improve discoverability. Users can also opt to keep a low profile for complete anonymity.Utility of Built-In TokensWibegram's ecosystem is powered by WIBE, a BEP-20 token with a total supply of 300 million. This is thanks to the emergence of decentralized finance. WIBE allow users do a lot of things in the app, like: Transactions that are quick and cheap, pay for premium services or settle peer-to-peer transactions right in chat.Incentives & Rewards: Get tokens for referring friends, staking, or helping with community projects.Governance: Vote on proposed collaborations, feature roadmaps, and how to spend community funding.Marketplace Payments: Users can buy and trade digital goods and services without leaving the chat window.Currently, 35% of the tokens go to locked reserves, 30% go to exchange liquidity, 25% go to strategic partner Truetech, and 10% go to ongoing project development. Third-party audits have been done on the smart contracts, and Wibegram's team will keep publishing security assessment reports as the ecosystem grows.A Platform Made for the FutureM. Jawad, the Chief Technical Officer, said that Wibegram's design uses containerization and Infrastructure-as-Code to make sure that iterations happen quickly without putting security controls at risk. He said, "Every line of code goes through automated static-analysis pipelines, and every build is signed, can be reproduced, and is checked before it is put into use." Ali Raza, a senior designer, said that accessibility was a key principle: "Encryption can be scary." We worked on the user experience for months to make sure that sending a secure message feels the same as sending a regular SMS, but safer.Access and Token AvailabilityUsers can download the Wibegram app right away on most mobile and desktop devices. WIBE can also be bought or sold on Tokpie, Bitstorage, BankCEX, IndoEX, and LBank. Users can also swap it on PancakeSwap using the contract address 0x25d624e571d6d7b32729b11ddbbd96fe89af44e1.Join the conversation at:X:https://x.com/wibegramTelegram:https://t.me/wibegramAbout WibegramWibegram is a communications startup that focuses on privacy and is committed to keeping user data safe while also enabling digital commerce. The team wants to create a future where secure messaging and easy transactions happen on the same platform by combining cutting-edge encryption with a flexible utility token.For more information, visit: https://wibegram.com/ Contact person: Syed Nasir Zafar Ahmed Website: http://wibegram.com Email: Support@ wibegram.com SOURCE: Wibegram
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Bactose Offers a Breakthrough in Microbiome Science That Grants Those with Lactose Intolerance the Ability to Enjoy Dairy AgainMIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / On World Digestive Health Day, May 29, Bactose is calling attention to a health issue that affects millions - especially in communities of color - and offering a new way forward.Lactose intolerance affects over 36 million people in the United States, with the highest rates found in Black, Asian, Latino, and Indigenous populations. For decades, the standard advice has been to avoid dairy, rely on inconvenient fixes like lactase enzyme tablets or to substitute dairy with highly possessed dairy alternatives. Bactose offers something different: a long-term, gut-based solution that helps people digest real dairy again- in just 7 days."We created Bactose because we knew people deserved better than just avoiding foods they love," said Brandon Tendler, co-founder and CEO. "This isn't about managing symptoms. It's about restoring balance and freedom - especially for the communities that have been living around this problem, not through it." This avoidance creates a significant nutritional gap with far-reaching health consequences. Communities of color, who experience lactose intolerance at rates up to 90%, consistently fall short of USDA recommendations for calcium, vitamin D, and potassium2-nutrients critical for cardiovascular health, blood pressure regulation, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes1. Research shows African Americans consume only 83% of recommended calcium and just 27% of recommended vitamin D, contributing to disproportionately higher rates of certain diseases. When dairy becomes off-limits, the resulting deficiencies don't just weaken bones-they fuel the very chronic diseases that already disproportionately impact communities of color.Bactose is the first probiotic of its kind designed to support the gut's ability to break down lactose by introducing a specific strain of bacteria that naturally aids in the digestion of lactose directly in the gut. Users take it only twice daily for 7 days, the beneficial bacteria will continue producing lactase for up to a month, allowing you to enjoy dairy without taking pills before every meal.For people who have cut out dairy due to discomfort, Bactose can be a life-changer. Foods like cheese, yogurt, and milk offer key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and high-quality protein. Bactose is helping restore access to those foods - not through restriction, but through restoration.The need is clear: 90% of Asian Americans, 70-80% of Black Americans, 50-80% of Latinos,These numbers reflect a nutritional access gap that Bactose aims to close."We hear from people who haven't had a slice of pizza or a scoop of ice cream in years," said Tendler. "Unlike common probiotics that can take months to show results, this specialized probiotic which was specifically created to aid in the digestion of lactose, helps them enjoy dairy foods again in just one week, which has been unheard of until now." To honor World Digestive Health Day as well as in honor of World Dairy Month in June Bactose is offering up to 45% off at bactose.com through the end of June with the code MILK20The company's goal isn't just to sell a supplement, it's to shift the conversation about digestive health and inclusion. Bactose is currently available direct-to-consumer and will launch in retail stores later this year.Quick Facts: Over 36 million Americans live with lactose intolerance People of color are disproportionately affected Bactose introduced a specific probiotic strain that produces lactase enzymes directly in the gut, aids in breaking down lactose for easier digestion. Most users feel improvement within 7 days and typically lasts up to 30 days"We want people to know there's something that actually works - and that it was built with them in mind," Tendler said.Where to Find BactoseBactose products are available online at https://bactose.com . Consumers can follow Bactose onInstagram, TikTokandFacebookfor product updates, gut health tips, and expert insights.###About BactoseBactose  is a revolutionary probiotic that helps you enjoy dairy again by naturally producing lactase enzymes in the gut. Instead of relying on lactase pills with every meal, just take Bactosefor 7 days a month and enjoy dairy all month long - without gas, bloating, or discomfort. Backed by cutting-edge microbiome science, Bactose  introduces a super strain of lactobacillus acidophilus that acts as little lactase producing factories in the gut which they call Bactories , they colonize the small intestine, breaking down lactose 24/7 all month long. With Bactose  , dairy is finally easy to digest - no restrictions, no hassle, just real food made simple. Learn more by visiting theofficial Bactose website.Press Contact:Heather Holmes heather@ publicityforgood.com 1+(828)332-5307 publicityforgood.com/ SOURCE: Bactose
Mauritanias Sidi Tah, who was on Thursday elected as the president of the African Development Bank, said he is fully aware of the responsibility and duty that come with this position.

Mr Tah stated this in his victory speech after his election at the Annual General Meeting and meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire.

PREMIUM TIMES reported Mr Tahs victory after the third round of voting. He will assume office in September to replace outgoing Akinwunmi Adesina of Nigeria.

Read the full text of the victory speech below.

Statement: Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President-Elect of the African Development Bank

Your Excellencies, Governors, Alternate Governors, Directors, Ladies and Gentlemen,

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It is with great humility that I address you at this special moment.

I would first like to thank Africa for the trust it has just placed in me.

I thank you, Governors, regional and non-regional members, for your support. I am fully aware of the responsibility and duty that come with this position.

I would particularly like to thank my country and its leader, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who supported my candidacy and worked tirelessly to achieve the outcome we have just witnessed.

I thank all my Mauritanian sisters and brothers, and all my African sisters and brothers, for the outpouring of solidarity that accompanied my campaign.

READ ALSO: Sidi Ould Tah elected to succeed Adesina as African Development Bank President

A special mention must also go to my team, who did a remarkable job from start to finish. I would like to express my deep gratitude to them.

I also want to thank all those who supported my candidacy, directly or indirectly, whom I cannot name individually in these circumstances.

The work begins now, and I am ready.

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In a major step toward improving access to mental health care, the Nigerian Mental Health (NMH) network has launched the countrys first publicly accessible National Mental Health and Rehabilitation Directory.

The initiative was unveiled on Wednesday in commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Month.

The group said the directory is designed to help individuals locate in-person mental health and rehabilitation services across the country.

It said many mental health centres in Nigeria lack online visibility or current contact information which makes it difficult for people in distress to access timely support.

According to the organisation, the newly launched directory seeks to address that gap by listing verified, physical centres and the services they offer across all six geopolitical zones.

The founder of NMH, Chime Asonye, said the directory was created to improve access to care by improving visibility.

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Mr Asonye said mental health support exists, but people cant access what they cant see.

Visibility is access, and this tool gives Nigerians a starting point for care, he said.

Mental health crisis

Nigeria continues to face a mental health crisis, marked by limited access to care and a shortage of qualified professionals.

According to the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, the country has only one psychiatrist for every 800,000 people, far below the World Health Organisations recommendation of one per 10,000.

To help address these challenges, NMH developed the directory as a tool to improve access.

Now live on the organisations website, the resource includes verified details on mental health and rehabilitation facilities nationwide, including their locations, services offered, and hours of operation.

NMH is a network of mental health practitioners working to improve psychosocial well-being in Nigeria and among the diaspora.

Established in 2019, the organisation supports mental health programming by fostering collaboration among individuals and organisations, advocating for evidence-based policies, and promoting access to care.

Supporting the Mental Health Act

The launch builds on Nigerias National Mental Health Act, signed into law in December 2022 , the first comprehensive legislation on mental health since the country gained independence.

The Act mandates the creation of a Department of Mental Health Services within the Federal Ministry of Health and provides for improved protections, access to care, and anti-stigma efforts.

Mr Asonye said the directory is part of efforts to operationalise aspects of the Act by bridging the information gap between service providers and individuals seeking help.

This is a living project,we invite the public, practitioners, and policymakers to use the directory, share it, and shape it. Together, we can improve mental health outcomes for millions, he said.

The launch event featured a keynote address by Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River State, who called the directory a critical intervention in the countrys mental health landscape.

Mr Ekpenyong said breaking the silence around mental health is not only a moral obligation, it is a public health imperative.

I am proud to collaborate with the Nigerian Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, NMH, and other stakeholders on reforms, such as the Suicide Prevention Bill that I recently introduced. Visibility must be matched with legislative action, he said.

Other panelists included Bankole Wellington (Banky W),Titi Tade, trainer and volunteer coordinator with the Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN); and Tunde Ojo, national coordinator of Nigerias Mental Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Next steps and implementation gaps

Discussions at the event also highlighted the need to connect mental health services to broader social supports, such as legal aid, housing assistance, and gender-based services, all of which contribute to mental well-being.

Stakeholders reiterated calls for full implementation of the Mental Health Act, including the establishment of the Department of Mental Health and the launch of an official roadmap.

Although the Act was passed more than two years ago, key components remain unfulfilled.

According to NMH, the tool also aims to promote inter-agency coordination and inform public policy by highlighting service gaps nationwide.

The event concluded with a call to action for Nigerians to share the directory widely and support NMHs ongoing campaigns including its #SuicideNotCrimeNG initiative, which seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria.

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Farms of all categories in April 2025 produced 604,000 tonnes of raw milk, which is 9% more than in March 2025, but 4% less than in April 2024, the Milk Producers Association said, citing data from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

The industry association said that in January-April 2025, milk production in Ukraine amounted to 2.05 million tonnes, which is 4% less than in the same period last year. In April 2025, the share of enterprises in the production of raw milk was 45%, and households some 55%.

At the same time, enterprises produced 270,000 tonnes of raw milk in April 2025, which is 1% less compared to March 2025, but 6% more compared to April 2024. In January-April 2025, dairy farms produced 1.04 million tonnes of raw milk, which is 5% more year-over-year.

In households, the volume of milk yield in April 2025 was 334,000 tonnes of milk, which is 18% more compared to March 2025, but 11% less compared to April 2024. In January-April 2025, the household sector produced 1,010 tonnes of raw milk, which is 12% less than the previous year.

The industry association drew attention to the fact that in January-April 2025, dairy farms (DFF) increased the production of raw milk in 13 regions. Among the new leaders in terms of production are Khmelnytsky, Ternopil and Zhytomyr regions. However, according to the results of January-April, milk yield slowed down at DFFs in Zakarpattia and Kharkiv regions, despite the fact that in the first quarter they demonstrated an increase in production. Zakarpattia region has historically not been a dairy region, but Kharkiv region, unfortunately, continues to suffer from Russian aggression.

"Broken farms, forced relocation from front-line regions, as well as the uncertain situation on the dairy market do not contribute to increasing the volume of milk yield at agricultural enterprises," AVM analyst Georgiy Kukhaleyshvili said.

In addition, domestic dairy processing enterprises with outdated technological base are not able to compete in quality with enterprises in developed countries. Therefore, they are not ready to purchase raw milk at market prices, as they sell their products at lower prices in order to withstand competition in export markets. However, in conditions of increasing cost of milk production, low purchase prices do not meet the interests of producers. MTFs are forced to increase spending on biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease from Hungary and Slovakia.

The AVM pointed out the likelihood of a decrease in the volume of dairy product exports to the EU in the event of the abolition of autonomous trade measures (ATMs) for milk and dairy products from Ukraine, which since 2022 allowed domestic processing enterprises to supply their products to the EU without quotas and duties.

The association said that in 2024, Ukrainian companies exported 14,910 tonnes of skimmed milk powder to the EU, while the annual quota for skimmed milk powder for Ukraine is only 5,000 tonnes, exports for the first four months of 2025 are already 4,330 tonnes.

"We have problems selling domestic products on the domestic market. Today, the volume of dairy production in Ukraine is ahead of its sales. There is a decrease in demand for dairy products on the domestic market in the context of the intensification of missile and bomb strikes by the Russian occupiers on cities with a population of millions and the outflow of their residents abroad. Another challenge was the increase in cheese imports. In April, imports accounted for 47% of cheese sales in Ukraine. The increase in the supply of imported cheeses in Ukraine hinders the sale of domestic cheese producers' products on the domestic market and restrains the demand for raw milk," the industry association said.
The Joint House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged certificate racketeering has invited vice-chancellors of some private universities to make presentations on alleged sharp practices in the system.

Chairman of the committee, Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa), announced the invitation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Fulata listed the affected institutions to include Igbinedion University, Edo State; Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State; and Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, Kwara State

Others are Trinity University, Ogun; Wesley University, Ondo; Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers; Elrazi Medical University, Kano State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun; and Venite University, Iloro, Ekiti.

Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos State; Obong University, Akwa-Ibom; and University of Mkar, Mkar, Gboko, Benue are also expected to appear before the panel.

Mr Fulata said the invitation had become necessary given the allegations that some private universities had become certificate mills.

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According to him, the vice-chancellors are expected to appear for the investigative public hearing on 2 June.

The lawmaker said the House had mandated the committee to conduct investigations into alleged certificate racketeering following the testimony of an investigative journalist, Umar Audu.

Mr Audu, he said, had claimed that he got a degree certificate from a university in the Benin Republic within six months instead of four years and that he was also mobilised for youth service even when he had earlier served in 2019.

The lawmaker said that illicitly acquiring degree certificates was not only illegal but very dangerous to the well-being of citizens.

While describing such practices as a threat to the future and the socio-economic development of the country, he said the committee would do whatever within its power to clean the universities of sharp practices

Mr Fulata said that some heads of government agencies, including Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs as well as Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) had appeared before the committee and made their submissions.

Previous probe

In 2023, the House constituted a committee to investigate alleged job racketeering in government parastatals but, in the process, got mired in allegations of corruption.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that along the line, the committee began to extort money from the heads of the federal ministries, departments and agencies, including those of tertiary institutions across the country.

The panel, led by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), allegedly intimidated the head of the agencies into paying huge bribes to avoid being disgraced in public and indicted in a report to be issued after the investigation.

The House set up the committee following a motion brought by the member representing the Obokun/Oriade federal constituency of Osun State, Oluwole Oke, urging it to probe the monumental graft.

In the same year, the Senate launched an investigation into an allegation of admission racketeering against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

(NAN)

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Indications emerging out of the Annual General Meeting and meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, suggest that Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the ninth president of the bank, to succeed Akinwunmi Adesina, whose second tenure at AfDB ends in September, after 10 years at the helm.

A key analyst and follower of the candidates and electoral processes, who prefers to remain anonymous at this point, describes the third round of the voting that signals Mr Tahs win as being, 73 per cent regional and 77 per cent total. The source said this has Never happened before in history for such a majority. Its a double mandate.

This means that Mr Tah not only won 77 per cent of the total votes but was equally endorsed by 73 per cent of the voting delegates from the African region to secure both a regional and international mandate, which is unprecedented in the history of the AfDB presidential endorsement.

According to the results of the third round of the voting available to PREMIUM TIMES, of the three top finalists for the top job, Amadou Hott of Senegal had 3.55 per cent of the total votes, Samuel Maimbo of Zambia had 20.26 per cent of the votes and Sidi Tah had 76.18 per cent of the votes to emerge as the president-elect of the Bank. The other two earlier shortlisted candidates, Bajabulile Tshabalala of South Africa and Abbas Tolli of Chad, seemed to have lost out in the race to yield to the three finalists.

Mr Tah, who will assume office in September, was until recently the director general of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), which he ran for a decade from 2015. Prior to then, he was the Mauritanian Minister for Finance and Economy. He worked for about 35 years in international finance and held senior roles in multilateral institutions. He was an expert at the Mauritanian Bank for Development and Commerce (BMDC) from 1984 to 1986, a financial analyst at the Food Security Commission in 1986, and an Investment Promotion Officer, and later the Technical Assistant to the President of the Islamic Development Bank between 1999 and 2006.

Mr Tah has a PhD in Economics from Nice-Sophia-Antipolis University and a DEA (Diplome dEtudes Approfondies) also in Economics from Paris VII University France. He has attended executive programmes in Financial Engineering, Asset Management and Leadership at the Harvard Institute for International Development, the London Business School and Swiss Finance Institute.

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The Niger State Emergency Management Agency says 21 people have lost their lives following a severe rainfall that resulted in a flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government of Niger.

The Director General of the agency, Ibrahim Hussaini, disclosed this to journalists in Minna on Thursday.

He said the incident occurred during a torrential downpour on Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction.

Mr Hussaini said three people were rescued alive, a woman and her two children, and were receiving treatment for wounds and shock at Mokwa General Hospital.

He said 21 bodies have so far been recovered in the incident, while over 10 persons were still missing as the search and rescue operation continued.

He said the affected communities were Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa communities in Mokwa town.

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He added that over 50 residential houses were submerged and washed away with their occupants.

He said NSEMA, in collaboration with Mokwa Local Government Area, local divers, and volunteers, were conducting search and rescue operations to rescue survivors and recover corpses.

(NAN)

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To promote economic inclusion and enhance civic responsibility among young Nigerians, the federal government convened a town hall meeting in Abuja on Wednesday to discuss the countrys ongoing tax reforms and their implications for youth development.

The meeting, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), brought together government officials, tax experts, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and students to explore the role of youth in Nigerias tax sector.

In her keynote address, Rinsola Abiola, the presidential aide overseeing citizenship and leadership matters, explained that the tax reform initiatives are designed to empower Nigerian youth economically and socially.

A lot has been said about the proposed tax reforms, and I wish to assure everyone present here today, and indeed all other young people across the country, that these reforms have been crafted with the best interests of young people at heart, whether as professionals and salary earners, or business owners.

By fostering entrepreneurship and job creation, young people contribute to expanding the tax base and generating revenue for national development, she said.

Ms Abiola emphasised that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is deeply committed to supporting Nigerian youths with initiatives such as startup funding, digital skills training, and regulatory reforms to ease the cost of doing business.

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The Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the immense potential of Nigerias youth and is actively working to empower them. President Tinubu is a leader who listens and cares genuinely about the youth.

FIRS: Building a culture of voluntary compliance

Also speaking at the event, FIRS Chairman Zach Adedeji, represented by Aisha Haman, his special adviser on Research and Statistics, highlighted the role of taxation in sustaining democratic governance and social development

Taxation is both a fiscal tool and a social contract. It is the foundation of public trust and the most sustainable means by which governments meet their obligations to the people, he said.

He acknowledged public criticism surrounding taxation, particularly among the youth, and outlined the FIRSs efforts to address this through targeted outreach and education.

According to the chairman, a notable revenue service initiative is the Young Tax Champions Programme, which aims to recruit students and graduates as ambassadors of tax literacy across Nigeria.

Our role at the Federal Inland Revenue Service is not simply to collect taxes but to build a culture of voluntary compliance, transparency, accountability, and, most crucially, inclusion.

If we harness this energy productively, Nigeria can become one of the most competitive economies in the world. But if we ignore it, we risk deepening economic exclusion, unemployment, and social tension. This is about turning every youth into a tax expert and about cultivating a generation that values civic responsibility and economic participation, he said.

Mr Adedeji also stressed the importance of introducing tax education in primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions, laying the foundation for a generation of civic-minded and economically literate citizens.

The goal is not to burden young entrepreneurs with taxes they cannot afford but to bring them into a system that supports their growth. This means providing incentives, simplifying tax processes, and linking compliance with access to credit, business support, and government services.

Tax education must begin early in our primary and secondary schools, our universities, and even in our vocational institutions. Our young people must understand how tax works, why it matters, and how it affects their daily lives. You are the present and future of tax administration in Nigeria. We must build together a society where every citizen contributes fairly, benefits equitably, and feels a shared sense of ownership in the destiny of our great nation, he said.

The tax bills

The Presidential Committee drafted the tax reform bills on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. They are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

These proposed laws aim to adjust the Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenue-sharing formula and introduce tax exemptions for Nigerians earning below the minimum wage.

Since their transmission to the National Assembly on 3 October 2024, the bills have generated significant debate, particularly regarding their regional implications.

READ ALSO: Senate adopts harmonised tax reform bills

Lawmakers from the Northern region, including members of the Northern Governors Forum, expressed concerns that the VAT component disproportionately benefits some regions over others. In response, the forum directed its representatives in the National Assembly to oppose the bills.

Despite these objections, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) strongly supported the reforms after engaging with the presidents economic team.

Meanwhile, senators from the South-east indicated the need for further consultations with their governors and stakeholders. while South-south senators warned against introducing ethnic or regional biases into the debate.

The senate president has also assured that the National Assembly would conduct a thorough review and ensure the passage of bills that benefit the entire country.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Senate initially debated and passed the tax reform bills on May 7 and 8, with some provisions differing from those approved by the House of Representatives. These discrepancies necessitated the formation of the conference committee to align the bills content and recommendations.

On Tuesday, the Senate adopted the harmonised version, signalling a major step toward enacting the new fiscal framework. The bills will be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent before they become law.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, conducted an extensive inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across the Abuja city centre.

The inspection is to ascertain the readiness of the projects for commissioning in commemoration of President Bola Tinubus second year in office.

During the tour, Mr Wike provided updates on the state of key projects, including the International Conference Centre (ICC), the Arterial Roads N5 and N16, expressing satisfaction with the progress, while also highlighting the FCT administrations dedication to delivering critical infrastructure.

The minister confirmed that the International Conference Centre is fully ready for commissioning, with the contractor having fulfilled their commitments, showcasing superb quality.

He also stated that the vital Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Junction to Ring Road III was 95 per cent complete, adding that the contractor, Julius Berger, has assured its full readiness by the end of next week.

Speaking further on the N16 interchange connecting Maitama and Katampe districts at Gishiri, the minister said the contractor, CGC has completed significant portions of the bridge, with the section leading to Judges Quarters and the link from Jahi to Wole Soyinka Way now fully open.

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The minister lauded the contractor, CGC, for living up to expectations.

I am so happy that the contractors have lived up to expectations. The quality of work is superb, the minister stated, expressing his delight at the visible impact on residents.

He emphasised that the projects were a testament to President Tinubus promise to develop and enhance road infrastructure for Abuja residents.

Speaking on the schedule for the commissioning of projects in the FCT, Mr Wike stated that the arterial road N16 will likely be the first project to be unveiled.

He explained that while the International Conference Centre was initially considered, requests by members of the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on the FCT necessitated a date adjustment to allow for fuller participation.

Ground Rent: We wont succumb to blackmail

The minister also used the opportunity to address the issue of ground rent collection, asserting the FCTAs unwavering resolve to enforce compliance.

People just want facilities, people want infrastructure, but nobody asks where are you getting these funds, he remarked, lamenting the long-standing arrears of ground rent, some dating back 20 to 30 years.

Mr Wike drew parallels with international practices, noting that most elites own houses overseas, they know the implication of not paying your taxes. They know such houses are gone. But when it comes to your own country, you dont want to do that, simply because nobody wants to obey the law.

He firmly stated that the FCTA would not succumb to blackmail, stressing that the president has provided a two-week window for defaulters to regularise their payments. We will do what we are supposed to do. This is all about leadership. We will not cave in to blackmail. We will do the right thing, he declared.

The minister said he recently signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignments in the past few weeks, urging residents to fulfill their civic duty while assuring them that prompt tax payments would significantly enhance the FCTAs capacity to deliver more infrastructure.

No suicide bombing in Abuja

Addressing recent concerns regarding a security incident at Mogadishu Cantonment (Abacha Barracks), the minister moved to correct what he termed a wrong impression about a purported suicide bomber. He clarified that security agencies never reported such, and urged for investigative journalism.

What happened is that somebody went to where we have a quarry where they blast all these rocks and took an explosive and put in his pocket. Of course, some of them may not even understand the implication of that, so it exploded on him. But that does not mean it is a suicide bomber, the minister explained. He cautioned against planting unverified stories that could instill fear.

Mr Wike reassured residents of the FCT Administrations continued improvements in security, affirming that Abuja remains one of the most secure places in the country.

We will continue to do what we need to do to allay the fears of residents that Abuja is secure, he stated.

RABI MUSA UMAR

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, PRESS

(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)

28/05/2025

FCTA/ODP/PR/691

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 3 June for the arraignment of the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over criminal defamation charges filed against her by the Federal Government.

The arraignment notice, referenced as Suit No. CR/297/25 and signed by court registrar, Hiradi Dada, schedules the proceedings in response to allegations that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan made defamatory statements implicating the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello in an alleged assassination plot.

The Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), under the Federal Ministry of Justice, filed the charges on 16 May.

According to the court filings, the suspended senator is being prosecuted under Section 391 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990. The section criminalises any imputation made with the intent, or with reason to believe, that it could damage another persons reputation.

M.B. Abubakar, director of the DPPF, who signed the charge sheet said Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan made the assassination claim knowingly and was aware that her statements could negatively impact the reputations of Messrs Akpabio and Bello.

The allegations

The charges were as a result of the interview granted by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan in Channels Televisions Politics Today on 3 April.

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During the broadcast, the suspended senator claimed that her life was in danger because of the withdrawal of her security details as contained in the conditions attached to her suspension from the Senate.

She accused Messrs Akpabio and Bello of conspiring to assassinate her.

I am glad you did admit that I am a lawyer, and even if I am not a lawyer, I am a sane individual, and I do stand by what I said. In respect to the meeting or discussion Akpabio had [with] Yahaya Bello that night to eliminate me.

Just ask the senate president why he withdrew my security if not to make me vulnerable to attacks. Mind you, of all the senators, about 109, we all have different stories.

I have been a high-profile, vulnerable individual because of the nature of politics I have had, I have experienced since the year 2018  very violent and dangerous. And I always have my security. So stripping me of my security because I am suspended illegally, actually it just positions me before attacks, she was quoted as saying in the excerpts of her interview reproduced in the charges filed against her.

The TV appearance was not the first instance in which she would accuse Messrs Akpabio and Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

Earlier, at a homecoming gathering on 1 April, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had also accused Mr Akpabio and Mr Bello of plotting to have her assassinated.

She claimed that the alleged plot was due to an unsuccessful attempt to initiate her recall from the Senate.

On the 13th of March at 10:00 pm, mind you, two days before that, Akpabio had called Governor Ododo on the phone to commence my recall but Ododo told him it would be impossible. Ododo told Akpabio that the recall will be impossible because the masses are with me. But Akpabio was not satisfied so he called Yahaya Bello. I was informed of everything.

The meeting was on two folds, they told him to commence my recall and that he was going to fund it. The second thing he said was that he should try and kill me. I didnt make this public, but I have written to the IG of Police.

Akpabio told Yahaya Bello that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should happen here so that it will look as if it was the people that killed me here, the embattled senator alleged.

Messrs Akpabio and Bello have since denied the allegations. They have each filed petitions with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations.

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The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has called for the suspension of the quarry operations of Arab Contractors for alleged non-compliance with operational rules of engagement.

The Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, representing Karu/Kokona district of Nasarawa, said this during a meeting with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Gbefwi, who decried the mode of operations of Arab contractors, said it was not only injurious to the host community but disastrous to health.

He said the suspension should be sustained until the company relocates to a new quarry site, safe for blasting.

Arab contractors blast with a distance of 431 meters, which is a contravention of the rule of engagement and threat to peoples safety, he said.

The lawmaker said that all quarry operations ought to be in compliance with the rules of engagement and the Nigerian law.

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He reaffirmed the resolve of the House to always uphold the safety and defence of the Nigerian people, especially host communities.

According to him, as representatives of the people, it is the lawmakers duty to ensure that host communities benefit from their resources, so that they dont see it as a curse but a blessing.

Mr Gbefwi wondered how some companies would be operating without compliance with the extant laws in the country.

He said the House would call for the withdrawal of the license of such companies if found culpable.

Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. It is a country with spelt out laws and rules that govern it.

Responding, the Director, Mining, Extraction and Compliance (MEC), Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Vivian Okono, said that many of the operating companies defied compliance.

READ ALSO:Why opposition lawmakers are joining APC Senate Leader

Mrs Okono, who absolved the ministry of complications, said that she had written to Arab Contractors on compliance with extant laws.

She said that her department had continued to ensure that host communities benefits were given to them by advising the operating companies not to shortchange them.

(NAN)

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Some consumers in the Federal Capital Territory have lauded the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for its achievements in protecting the interests of consumers in the country.

They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, while urging other regulatory agencies to emulate the commission in order to enhance service delivery to Nigerians.

The consumers were reacting to the achievements of President Bola Tinubu in the consumer protection space in remembrance of Mr Tinubus two years in office.

The Executive Director of Save the Consumers, Aliyu Ilias, said that FCCPC had tamed the activities of loan sharks.

Mr Ilias said that the commission had also curbed issues around price gouging and unreasonable price fixing among traders.

He commended the commissions efforts in the cable television DSTV saga, saying that they acted in the interest of consumers.

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You have seen the challenge of loan sharks and FCCPC has been able to tame it.

I can tell you that some people do that in hiding now and they have also been able to caution overpricing.

We have also seen their efforts on the DSTV issue, he said.

Mr Ilias said that the commission had also been responsive in addressing consumers online and offline complaints.

He urged consumers to always provide the commission with the needed information to achieve their mandates.

We should learn how to say something when we see something, when we see something; we should be able to escalate it, he said.

Catherine Omale, a civil rights activist, said that the FCCPC needed to expand the scope of its coverage to the 36 states of the country.

Mr Omale, who commended the efforts of the commission, said that their impact needed to be felt in the states and local government areas.

I have seen and read about the achievements of FCCPC, especially during Mr Tunde Irukeras tenure.

The commission has proved that the common man can still trust the government by their works, she said.

For his part, Raphael Ogodo, a civil servant, appealed to the commission to collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to address forceful fruit ripening and other sharp practices.

It is no longer news that some traders ripen fruits and foods with chemicals like carbide and the rest, we need FCCPC to join hands with NAFDAC to fight this because NAFDAC alone cannot do this.

This is the main reason why people are developing different terminal diseases, even children, he said.

Chineze Akachukwu, a student at the University of Abuja, commended the commission in its regulatory efforts against Meta over data protection issues.

On the complaints about banks sharp practices, Ms Akachukwu appealed to the commission to respond swiftly to consumers whose hard-earned monies were held in distressed banks.

NAN recalls that the executive vice chairman of the commission, Tunji Bello, had reinstated the commitment of the FCCPC toward championing the rights of Nigerian consumers as well as ensuring fair business practices.

(NAN)

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The police in Enugu State say they have arrested three male suspects linked to the native doctor who allegedly buried several people alive in a sewage pit in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the native doctor, Onyeka Obu, allegedly buried several people in the pit, including a pregnant woman, apparently for ritual purposes.

The incident happened at Umumba Ndiagu, a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Obu is popularly known as Ozo Ezeani and E dey play, E dey show.

Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the alleged act of the native doctor was uncovered when two boys working for him allegedly abducted a 13-year-old girl in the community and pushed her into the pit.

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The girl was later rescued by security operatives who traced her to the pit, which was located close to the native doctors apartment.

Arrest of the suspects

Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said in the Wednesday statement that police operatives from Umumba Division collaborated with Neighbourhood Watch personnel and vigilant community members to arrest the three suspects on Tuesday.

He identified the suspects as Uche Kingsley Agumba, 33; Ilo Nweze Onyedikachi, 36; and Ejike Odinwankpa, 38.

The police spokesperson said the security operatives also collaborated to rescue the 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped for suspected ritual killing by the native doctors boys.

He, however, said the native doctor had fled the scene before the security operatives arrived.

During the rescue, two decomposing bodies  one male and one female  were discovered buried in a concrete-sealed pit within an uncompleted building, owned and used as a shrine, and heinous criminal activities by the fleeing prime suspect (Mr Ezeani), the police spokesperson said.

Investigations reveal that the deceased victims were recently murdered and buried in the pit by the suspects for ritual purposes, and the rescued child was moments away from suffering the same fate before the timely intervention.

Mr Ndukwe noted that the Enugu State Government, in line with its laws, had demolished the native doctors buildings used for the criminal enterprise.

He said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, has visited the crime scene during which he praised the combined security operatives for their efforts.

Mr Giwa directed the Tactical Squads, Investigation and Intelligence Units of the police command in the state to intensify efforts to track down the native doctor and other accomplices.

The commissioner assured that the police in the state would ensure justice in the matter.

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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has spoken on the expulsion of the Channels TV crew from the press centre inside Government House, Uyo.

The crew, Christopher Moffat, a journalist, and Kufre Ikpe, a cameraman, were expelled on Friday over the publication of a video clip in which Mr Eno confirmed that he would defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Enos spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, called the two members of the Channels TV crew on Saturday and informed them that they had been barred from the press centre.

On Tuesday, while commissioning a road project in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state, Mr Eno said his media team drew his attention to media reports on the Channels TV issue.

Mr Eno said it was the prerogative of his spokesperson to ask for a replacement of a correspondent at the Government House press centre, especially if the correspondent has been there for over 10 years.

I cannot have problems with the media at all, the governor said. It is not possible.

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Our people used to say, when youre angry with the river, how would you cross back home. We cannot. I think it is within the purview of the chief press secretary to change correspondents within the Government House, and it is the practice all over the world, he said, adding that he (Eno) does not even need to be aware of such a change.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that correspondents from other media houses have served at the press centre for over 10 years without being replaced.

Mr Udohs phone was switched off when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him for comments.

Continuing, Mr Eno said, This afternoon, Channels TV is here. They are beaming us live, does it look like we have problems with them? We work with all media houses. We cannot have problems with the media.

Youre the people who bring to people what we are doing, he said, referring to the media.

When you have to criticise, youre the same people that would do it, but please lets understand that there are things we dont have to magnify.

If its like posting or transferring a staff member from one department to another, there are things we dont give attention to. My job is a very serious job. I dont know which correspondent they moved from one location to another.

But we know we have deep respect for all our media houses. Let that impression be corrected. We are media-friendly, and we would continue to be

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach the two Channels TV crew members for comments at the time of filing this report.

Also, Ambrose Okoh, the general manager of Channels TV, did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comments.

Background

Mr Eno held a meeting on Thursday at Government House to review the status of some projects done by his administration, an opportunity he seized to brief his cabinet members and others of his planned defection.

He told his cabinet members to prepare their resignation letters if they were unwilling to defect with him to the APC.

We want our commissioners and members of Exco, appointees, and those of you who are saying that you would not come, you are free absolutely not to join me, but you wont be in my State Executive Council.

Prepare to resign the day I announce that I am moving because you cannot; you are an appointee, and your loyalty is fully to me. You cant be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It is what it is, the governor said.

Mr Eno blamed his imminent defection on the PDP leadership crisis, particularly the office of the partys national secretary, which is plagued by protracted litigation.

He vowed to retain control of the PDP structure in Akwa Ibom, which may pitch him against his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, whom, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, has refused to move with him to the APC.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that immediately after the Thursday event, Mr Enos spokesperson, Mr Udoh, assembled reporters in the Government House Press Corps, including those from Channels TV, and warned them against making the video of the governors remarks public.

But Channels TV aired on Friday the video clips of Mr Enos remarks, which sources said embarrassed the governor.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the two Channels journalists were also removed from the Government House Press Corps WhatsApp group.

Condemnation

Meanwhile, the International Press Institute (IPI) has called for the immediate recall of the expelled Channels TV journalists.

The state governments reckless action is an alarming development. These journalists are experienced media personnel with a deep knowledge of government activities, and no journalist should be made to face this kind of humiliating treatment simply for doing their job. We will continue to support and encourage impartial reportage no matter the situation.

We strongly condemn the Akwa Ibom State Governments action, which is a direct attack on the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, the IPI said in a statement on Sunday.

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Civilians in the Polohy district found themselves buried under the rubble of houses destroyed by Russian aerial bombs, head of Zaporizhia regional military administration Ivan Fedorov reported on Telegram.

"At dawn, the enemy attacked the village of Verkhnia Tersa with arial bombs. At least five aerial bombs were dropped on private housing. Residential buildings were destroyed and damaged. People are under the rubble," Fedorov wrote on the Telegram channel.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has explained that the delay which led to students writing the English Language paper of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) late into the night on Wednesday was part of effort to prevent leakage of question papers and protect the integrity of the examination.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Moyosola Adeshina, WAEC said it successfully achieved its objective but faced logistical challenges and security concerns that impacted the timelines and seamless conduct of the examination.

WAEC said it is working with security agencies to prevent a future occurrence of this nature.

The examination body apologised to candidates, schools and parents.

We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on the candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused, the statement said.

The West African Examinations Council appreciates the understanding and support of all stakeholders during this period. We remain committed to upholding the highest standard in the conduct of examinations and shall continue to promote academic excellence.

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Background

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how hundreds of students across the South-west wrote the WASSCE slated for noon late at night on Wednesday.

Viral videos on social media showed secondary school students hunched over question papers with flashlights writing the English Language paper.

READ ALSO; JAMB disowns circulating messages asking candidates to reprint slips

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the challenge affected students in Lagos, Osun, Ogun and Oyo States. Most of the students in these states wrote examinations around 7 p.m. and others as late as 9 p.m.

One WAEC supervisor in Lagos State, who didnt want to be named, said the supervisors had to wait for the question papers to arrive.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to social media to berate the examination body, accusing them of insensitivity to the security of the teenagers sitting the examinations.

Just last week, students sitting the same WASSCE wrote their examinations late at night in Delta state, also drawing condemnations from Nigerians.

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The National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTCONSA) has publicly disputed a recent report by Amnesty International Nigeria, which stated that more than 10,000 Nigerians have been killed in the past two years under President Bola Tinubus administration.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Amnesty International said its data shows that 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states since 29 May 2023.

The rights group then called on Mr Tinubu to fulfil his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nations endemic security crisis. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubus government are simply not working.

But in a letter dated 28 May and addressed to the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, the Coordinator of the NCTCONSA, Adamu Laka, said the report is misleading and its figures and claims do not align with verified government data.

Several of the figures and assertions contained therein are inconsistent with verified data in our possession, Mr Laka, a major-general, stated in the letter.

The content of the letter was shared on the X handle of a presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday evening.

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The centre expressed concern over what it described as the reports overly alarming narrative, cautioning that it could mislead the public, damage Nigerias international image, and potentially embolden terrorist and criminal groups by exaggerating the impact of their activities.

The report, in its current form, presents an overly alarming narrative which does not reflect the broader realities on the ground, Mr Laka warned.

He urged Amnesty International to withhold the publication of the report, pending what it called a thorough engagement to address what the centre sees as evident gaps and potential misinformation.

In a move to promote dialogue and clarify issues raised, the NCTC extended an invitation to Amnesty International for a consultative meeting. According to the centre, the meeting would allow both parties to review the reports content, reconcile discrepancies, and exchange views on the ongoing security efforts and challenges facing the country.

In the interest of constructive engagement and mutual understanding, the NCTCONSA would be pleased to host a consultative meeting to discuss ongoing security efforts as well as challenges faced in the protection of lives and property across the country, the letter read.

The centre emphasised that while it acknowledges the importance of civil society organisations in documenting human rights issues, it urged that such efforts be pursued with greater accuracy, objectivity, and understanding of the national security landscape.

The response comes as President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office, amid high insecurity.

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Since the military coup that ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021, the handling of Guineas transition back to civilian rule has been criticised. In particular, the Forces vives de Guinee (FVG) group of political parties and civil society organisations has pointed to slow progress in keeping to the transition timetable.

Although positive steps were recently taken  notably the announcement of a constitutional referendum date  these havent been enough to build trust between political actors and the transitional government.

According to the 10-point timetable agreed to by General Mamadi Doumbouyas junta and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the transition was to end in December 2024 with elections. That deadline was extended to 2025.

On 1 April, the transitional government announced a constitutional referendum scheduled for 21 September  an important milestone, and a prerequisite for holding presidential, legislative and local elections.

Authorities also clarified progress achieved, especially regarding three of the timetables 10 points: the administrative civil status census (Recensement Administratif a Vocation dEtat Civil, or RAVEC), drawing up a voters roll, and drafting a new constitution.

When the transition timetable was adopted, many questioned the appropriateness of compiling the voters roll from the computerised RAVEC-generated civil register, and called for the register to be revised. However, to save time, the transitional authorities decided to maintain RAVEC and conduct a parallel electoral census by 20 June.

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The new draft constitution  based on several written and oral contributions  was presented in July 2024 and disseminated among citizens. The draft was adopted by the transitional parliament on 9 April and forwarded to Mr Doumbouya. Given Guineas troubled political and institutional history, this inclusive process was a vital step in guaranteeing the countrys post-transition stability.

Prime Minister Bah Oury has raised the possibility of holding the presidential and legislative elections in tandem following the constitutional referendum. This echoes FVG members call for the timetable to be revised to allow these elections to be held simultaneously, while leaving it to the next civilian leadership to organise the local elections.

This option, which reverses the initial election sequence  from local to presidential  seems pragmatic, particularly considering the shortages of resources needed to meet transition timetable deadlines.

These decisions provide much-needed clarity on the steps needed to end the transition. But the crisis of confidence between political actors and transitional authorities could still obstruct efforts to peacefully achieve a constitutional order.

The crisis is fuelled by a lack of consensus on the electoral process, the closing of political and civic space, and disagreement around Doumbouyas possible candidacy for the next presidential election.

While the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation (MATD) has announced it will organise all the elections scheduled on the timetable, the main political parties want an independent and impartial electoral commission to have this responsibility.

The authorities plan to set up an Independent Technical Body for Electoral Management, comprising political party and civil society representatives. But this body will only monitor and supervise the electoral process, while the MATD organises the polls.

How the Independent Technical Body for Electoral Management functions will be decisive, particularly at a time when civic life is being constrained. These constraints include a ban on protests since May 2022, the disappearance of civil society organisation leaders and a journalist, and state restrictions on the media space.

Added to this  against a backdrop of intra-party quarrels  is the provisional suspension of the main opposition parties (Union of Republican Forces and Rally of the Guinean People) following a MATD evaluation of political parties. The political class fears this will serve the transitional authorities by consolidating their position ahead of elections.

Already, shows of support for the ruling National Committee of Reconciliation and Development (CNRD) and its president Doumbouya are multiplying. Members of the CNRD and government have publicly affirmed their backing for his candidacy in the next presidential election.

Yet, Mr Doumbouya has repeatedly promised that neither he nor any member of the transitional government or parliament would stand in an election to end the transition. This aligns with Guineas transitional charter and the African Unions (AU) normative framework  which the transitional authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to.

Some opposition and civil society members see recent trips around the country by CNRD and transitional government members as disguised election campaigns to prepare the public for a Doumbouya candidacy.

An Afrobarometer study shows that while Guineans have a relatively high level of confidence in the transitional authorities and are satisfied with their achievements in terms of road infrastructure, their desire for democracy remains.

As Guinea moves towards a constitutional order, it needs help from international actors and partners. ECOWAS technical mission to Conakry in April to support the transition is welcomed. Its assistance to the transitional government, notably in mobilising funding through a round table of partners, is also significant.

With the backing of the AU and the United Nations (UN), this technical support should be complemented by sustained political and diplomatic efforts, as the UNs November 2024 assessment report indicated. Such efforts must consider the regional context and the need for ECOWAS to stand by its democratic governance principles.

ECOWAS should encourage dialogue to reach consensus on the technical and political conditions for holding the various elections. Talks will reduce tensions and help foster a more peaceful environment ahead of the polls. This is vital, considering that electoral crises have historically been a catalyst for political tensions in Guinea.

Paulin Maurice Toupane, Senior Researcher and Aissatou Kante, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Regional Office for West Africa and the Sahel.

Research for this article was funded by the Bosch Foundation and the government of Denmark.

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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Eighty-six civil society organisations (CSOs), including Global Rights, a group advocating for human rights for marginalised communities, have marked the eighth National Day Of Mourning (NDOM), calling on the administration of President Tinubu to end the lingering violence against harmless Nigerians

Noting that this years mourning is beyond condolences, the CSOs, in their effort to assess President Tinubus second year in office, expressed their deep concerns over the nations steep descent into chaos, occasioned by the failure to tame insecurity across Nigeria.

We demand that the president and his administration fulfill their constitutional duty of ensuring the security and welfare of all Nigerians in accordance with Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said in her remarks during the commemoration of the NDOM in Abuja on Wednesday.

6,549 Nigerians killed, 3,804 abducted

Rolling out the Global Rights 2024 data on mass atrocities in the country, Ms Baiyewu said about 5,353 people were killed and 5,171 others kidnapped in 2024. An additional 1,196 people have been killed and 1,367 kidnapped so far in 2025, she said.

These numbers do not account for the regular crimes of armed robbery and other forms of crime within that range, Ms Baiyewu said. These incidents of violence have reduced the citizens right to life and dignity guaranteed under Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) to a mere inscription.

The North-west is the worst affected with at least 1,671 people killed, she said, adding that as many as 70 people were killed in a single attack. She noted that there was a resurgence of terror activities in the North-east where Boko Haram killed at least 75 fishermen in an attack on Tunbun Rogo, Kukawa LGA, Borno State, contributing to the second-highest mass atrocity toll.

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The North-central of the country, particularly the Benue Valley, continued to contend with escalating attacks from herder-militia and some faceless groups, in addition to communal clashes. In one brutal attack on the Wase community in Plateau State, at least 50 people were massacred, she stated.

Ms Baiyewu said the NDOM is a day to remember that our fellow citizens are not mere statistics, but are humans and citizens whose lives were unjustly cut short, but whose identities must not be forgotten, and for whom justice must be served.

She said the day is set aside to make a patriotic cry for justice in the face of overwhelming silence by Nigerian leaders.

A call for security reforms

In his remarks, Auwal Rafsanjani, the executive director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), noted that factors such as ineffective administrative justice system, opaque recruitment into the armed forces and corruption in the military are worsening the insecurity.

He, however, called for a thorough reform in the security sector. Such reforms, he said, should strengthen transparency and accountability.

Mr Rafsanjani also called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to take proactive steps in reorienting vulnerable Nigerians who may have been influenced by jihadist ideologies, particularly in areas where the absence of effective governance has left communities exposed to extremist narratives.

Demands

Noting that democracy cannot thrive without security, the CSOs made seven demands and rejected the political classs nonchalant silence.

We reject their cold, indifferent, mechanical condolences, Ms Baiyewu said on their behalf. Rather, we demand action, security, accountability and justice. We caution the Tinubu administration that its persistent failure to uphold its constitutional responsibilities will be remembered as a betrayal that allowed the country to descend further into chaos and lawlessness.

The organisations called on the Nigerian government to fulfil its constitutional mandate to protect the lives and property of citizens as stipulated in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. They also reminded the government of its obligation under Section 17(2)(c) to ensure that all actions are carried out in a humane manner, especially in response to the rising wave of violence across the country.

The coalition stressed the need to address deep-rooted socioeconomic inequalities by investing in quality education, infrastructure and equal opportunities for all Nigerians, particularly marginalised communities. They also emphasised the importance of strengthening government institutions and ensuring effective coordination among all arms of government to deliver on this mandate.

In dealing with the crisis of internal displacement, the groups urged the government to treat Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with dignity, in line with constitutional provisions. They further called for the dismantling of ransom and extortion networks, as well as the prosecution of individuals and entities enabling or funding terrorist activities. Strengthening security in high-risk regions through early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms was also highlighted as a priority.

Additionally, the coalition advocated for better welfare and psychosocial support for security personnel serving in conflict zones to combat burnout and post-traumatic stress. They demanded that all violent crimes, including those linked to the 2023 elections, be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

Concluding their statement, the civil society groups expressed solidarity with victims of violence, called for the safe return of abductees, and reaffirmed their commitment to holding the government accountable to the people of Nigeria.

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Authorities of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have arrested Onyeka Obu, a native doctor who allegedly buried several people alive in a sewage pit.

The NIS spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the native doctor allegedly buried several people in the pit, including a pregnant woman, apparently for ritual purposes.

The incident happened on Monday at Umumba Ndiagu, a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigerias South-east.

Mr Obu is popularly known as Ozo Ezeani as well as E dey play E dey show.

The police in Enugu State, on Wednesday, said they collaborated with Neighbourhood Watch personnel and vigilant community members to arrest three suspects linked to the native doctor.

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They said the security operatives also collaborated to rescue a 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped for suspected ritual murder by the native doctors boys.

The police had said the native doctor fled the scene before their operatives arrived.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has demolished the buildings belonging to the native doctor because of the incident.

Arrest of the native doctor

In the Thursday statement, Mr Akinlabi, an assistant comptroller of immigration, said some NIS personnel arrested the native doctor at Badagry-Seme Border Area of Lagos State, Nigerias South-west.

The spokesperson said the native doctor was arrested at Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme Road while attempting to flee the country on a motorcycle.

He did not, however, mention when he was arrested.

Mr Akinlabi explained that the native doctors arrest followed receipt of a tip-off that he was wanted by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of kidnapping and ritual murder against him.

He (native doctor) is currently in custody, and his identity has been confirmed through a National Identity Management Commission enrolment slip found in his possession. During initial questioning, he admitted to the alleged crimes, he stated.

The Nigeria Immigration Service is collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force for the suspects handover and further investigation while reaffirming its commitment to border security.

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The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, has stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration is fully committed to strengthening the integrity of examinations in the country through the adoption of Computer-Based Testing.

The minister stated this on Wednesday when he visited Start-Rite Schools in Abuja as part of his oversight mission to monitor the implementation of CBT module in senior secondary school assessment.

The visit coincides with the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with Start-Rite Schools being one of the pilot cecentres lected for the landmark transition to digital assessments.

Prior to the ministers visit, two weeks ago, a delegation from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) comprising board members and senior officers had praised Start Rite Schools impeccable conduct, sound infrastructure, and readiness.

Mr Alausa, accompanied by members of his team and received by school leadership, toured the school and observed students in real-time as they wrote their English examination using the CBT system.

Impressed by the experience, the minister commended the schools administration for its meticulous preparation and the students for their confidence and competence.

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This initiative is part of a broader push to curb examination malpractice and modernize our testing systems, Mr Alausa stated during his remarks.

He said further that seeing these young learners so at ease with this format is encouraging. It tells us that the future of digital education in Nigeria is not just possible, it is already here.

Also present was the Chairman of the Start-Rite Advisory Board, Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, who described the visit as a milestone not just for the school, but for private education in Nigeria.

What you see here is the outcome of vision, consistency, and the deliberate pursuit of excellence.

We are proud of our learners, proud of our teachers, and deeply honoured by your visit, Honourable Minister. This is a day we will not forget, Mr Ndoma-Egba said.

In her vote of thanks, the Head Girl, Ogechi Abaribe, expressed the students excitement at the Ministers visit and gratitude for the attention given to their growth and development. Your presence here today makes us feel seen and valued. Thank you for believing in us and in the work our teachers do daily, she said.

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A Magistrates Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has remanded a 40-year-old man, Emmanuel Nwedu, at a correctional centre for allegedly murdering his uncle.

The alleged murder, arraignment

Emmanuel was accused of murdering his uncle, Godwin Nwedu, by striking on his forehead with a stick which resulted in his death.

The defendant reportedly drank his uncles blood after allegedly murdering him.

He is facing a lone charge of murder before the magistrates court II.

Emmanuel was arraigned before the court on Tuesday.

The Senior State Counsel, Emmanuel Alo, told the court that the defendant allegedly murdered his uncle on 24 May at Ugboenyim Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

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Mr Alo argued that by striking his uncles forehead with a stick, the defendant caused his death.

The defendant thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 329 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of 2009, he said.

However, the court did not take Emmanuels plea because he had no legal representation.

After submission of the original case file, the prosecuting counsel prayed that the defendant be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Abakaliki.

The Chief Magistrate, Chinedu Agama, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional centre.

Mr Agama also directed that the matter be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further prosecution.

The case was adjourned until 11 June for a compliance report.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Murder is outlawed in Section 315 (6) of Nigeria Criminal Code Act.

Offenders, on conviction, face death sentence, section 319 (1) of the Act said.

Several persons have been sentenced to death for murder across the country.

An Aiyetoro High Court in Ogun State, for instance, sentenced a man, Adelake Bara, to death by hanging in June 2022, for shooting and killing one Olaleye Oke.

A high court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in January 2022, also sentenced a man, Muritala Dare to death by hanging for stabbing his colleague to death with a broken bottle.

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Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, has described the Nigerian governments plan to take additional loans as economic sabotage.

President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday written the National Assembly, requesting approval to secure an external loan of $21.5 million and 15 billion, along with a grant of 65 million.

He said the borrowings were part of the federal governments proposed 20252026 external borrowing plan.

In a post on his X handle, Atiku, a former vice president, said the Tinubu administrations decision to embark on fresh borrowing is a threat to the future of Nigeria and its generations yet unborn and should be halted.

We demand that this reckless borrowing plan be halted immediately. We call on lawmakers, civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to take urgent action to stop this looming catastrophe, he posted on his X handle on Thursday.

Atiku said borrowing is ill-advised, considering that Nigerias debt burden is already at alarming levels.

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As of 31 December, 2024, public debt stood at $94 billion (144.7 trillion). Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, public debt has jumped by 65.6 per cent.

Under the APC-led administration since 2015, public debt has ballooned by 1,048 per cent, from 12.6 trillion to 144.7 trillion. The debt-to-GDP ratio has exceeded 50 per cent. The debt-service-to-revenue ratio is over 130 per cent, meaning the government now spends more on repaying loans than it earns, he said.

Atiku said the Tinubu administration borrows money not for development but to service existing loans, fuelling a debt spiral that leaves nothing for infrastructure, education, healthcare, or jobs.

This addiction to borrowing, entrenched under the APC-led administration and now accelerated by President Tinubu, has turned public finance into a Ponzi scheme  borrowing to pay debt, then borrowing again to pay interest. Nigeria is now caught in a vicious cycle that mortgages the future to pay for the past, he said.

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The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, says no administration in Nigerias history has inflicted pain on the people more than the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Atiku said this on Thursday in a statement he signed and shared by his spokesperson, Paul Ibe.

President Tinubu clocked two years in office on Thursday, assuming office on 29 May 2023.

Atiku, a former vice president, was one of the 17 presidential candidates Mr Tinubu defeated in the 25 February 2023 election, bringing the president to power.

In his assessment of President Tinubus half-year tenure in office, the former PDP flagbearer said the administration has deepened poverty across the country and set new records in wasteful public spending.

No previous administration has inflicted this level of hardship on the masses while showing such disregard for transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership, he said.

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Atiku lamented that while Nigerians struggle to survive, government officials live in excess and approve budgets that benefit the elite at the expense of the common man.

Coalition, one-party state

He added that opposition leaders and partners are committed to Nigerias future and will not let democracy be reduced to a tool for elite control.

Atiku said opposition leaders are building a strong and united opposition coalition that will challenge this administrations excesses, restore accountability, and return government to the people.

We reject any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state where dissent is silenced and power is abused, he said.

We will protect the right of every Nigerian to freely choose their leaders, and we will continue to fight for economic justice, political freedom, and national progress, the former vice president said.

Borrowing

Atiku criticised the public borrowings under Mr Tinubu, which he said rose from N49 trillion to N183 trillion.

He said while the federal government racks up debt, state governments have shown more discipline, reducing their debt levels from N5.86 trillion to N3.97 trillion.

He noted that the implication is that the federal government, under Mr Tinubu, is the primary driver of Nigerias current debt crisis.

He said, President Tinubus justification  that new borrowing is needed to fund the 2025 budget and soften the impact of fuel subsidy removal  is both weak and dishonest. It was the reckless and insensitive way his government removed the subsidy that created much of todays economic hardship in the first place.

Today, Nigeria is a nation where the rich get richer, and the poor are punished for trying to survive. This reality cannot and will not be ignored.

Atiku said Mr Tinubus policies have negatively targeted the poor and provided relief and advantage to the rich.

From healthcare to education to identity management and basic public services, Nigerians are now faced with class-based systems where the wealthy enjoy VIP treatment, and the rest are left behind, he said.

Just two weeks ago, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) hiked its fees by 75 per cent, introducing VIP protocols for services that should be a basic right of citizenship. In education, public university fees have been raised far beyond the reach of poor families, with no adequate support mechanisms in place.

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In a strategic move to deepen its engagement with the Nigerian public sector and promote womens leadership, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) paid a courtesy visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOSF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, at her office in Abuja.

The WIMBIZ delegation, led by Bisi Adeyemi, Chairman of the WIMBIZ Board of Trustees, congratulated the Head of Service on her appointment and commended her transformative leadership, particularly her pioneering efforts in digitalising the Civil Service.

A notable milestone under her tenure is the launch of SERVICE_WISE GPT, an AI-powered tool that provides prompt, intelligent responses to public inquiries regarding civil service operations, improving accessibility and citizen engagement.

Another key reform highlighted during the meeting is the comprehensive digitisation of circulars spanning several decades, now accessible through a centralised platform. This initiative significantly enhances institutional memory and knowledge-sharing, enabling more informed decision-making across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

During the visit, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director of WIMBIZ, presented a mentoring concept note aimed at supporting and empowering female civil servants. The proposal seeks to close existing gaps in leadership exposure, structured career guidance, and support systems, especially for women at entry and mid-levels, thereby strengthening the female leadership pipeline in public service.

In response, the Head of Service welcomed the WIMBIZ mentoring initiative, noting its alignment with the Offices forthcoming programme, a structured mentoring platform for civil servants. She expressed strong interest in exploring a partnership with WIMBIZ to co-create impactful interventions.

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The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing womens leadership within Nigerias public service.

ABOUT WIMBIZ

WIMBIZ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting women in leadership roles. WIMBIZ is of African roots with a global perspective of connecting and inspiring women across the globe to catalyse their growth to leadership positions and contribution to nation-building.

With a history spanning 24 years, WIMBIZ has implemented various programmes that inspire, empower, and advocate for greater representation of women in both the public and private sectors.

We have a global network of over 3,357 accomplished women who contribute to their initiatives in management, business, and public service. WIMBIZ collaborates with reputable domestic and international organisations to deliver impactful programmes, positively influencing over 344,335 women to excel in their careers and businesses.

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Putin's conditions for ending the war in Ukraine include a requirement that Western leaders give a written commitment to halt NATO's eastward expansion and lift some sanctions on Russia, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing three Russian sources familiar with the talks.

"After speaking to Trump for more than two hours last week, Putin said that he had agreed to work with Ukraine on a memorandum that would establish the contours of a peace accord, including the timing of a ceasefire," Reuters reminds, noting that Russia is delaying the drafting of the memorandum, while at the same time trying to advance in eastern Ukraine, which it is accused of by "Kyiv and European governments."

"Putin is ready to make peace but not at any price," said one senior Russian source with knowledge of top-level Kremlin thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The three Russian sources said Putin wants a "written" pledge by major Western powers not to enlarge the U.S.-led NATO alliance eastwards - shorthand for formally ruling out membership to Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova and other former Soviet republics.

Russia also wants Ukraine to be neutral, some Western sanctions lifted, a resolution of the issue of frozen Russian sovereign assets in the West, and protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine, the three sources said.

The first source said that, if Putin realizes he is unable to reach a peace deal on his own terms, he will seek to show the Ukrainians and the Europeans by military victories that "peace tomorrow will be even more painful."

The first source said that if Putin saw a tactical opportunity on the battlefield, he would push further into Ukraine - and that the Kremlin believed Russia could fight on for years no matter what sanctions and economic pain were imposed by the West.

A second source said that Putin was now less inclined to compromise on territory and was sticking to his public stance that he wanted the entirety of four regions in eastern Ukraine claimed by Russia.

"Putin has toughened his position," the second source said of the question of territory.

Reuters notes that neither the Kremlin, nor Kyiv, nor NATO responded to the agency's request for comment on the information received.
The African Development Bank stands at a crossroads, and the choice of its next president will shape the continents trajectory for decades. Mr Sidi Ould Tahs proven leadership at BADEA, his strategic vision for financial reform, and his commitment to empowering Africas youth and women make him the best candidate to lead the AfDB. His ability to mobilise resources, foster regional integration, and execute bold yet realistic plans aligns perfectly with Africas urgent needs.

As the African Development Bank (AfDB) prepares to elect its new president today 29 May, during its 60th Annual Meetings in Abidjan, the continent stands at a pivotal moment. With challenges like aid cuts, tensions around global trade uncertainties, and a pressing need for economic integration, Africa requires a leader with a proven track record, bold vision, and the ability to deliver transformative change. Among the five candidates vying for the presidency, Dr Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania emerges as the standout choice to lead the AfDB into a new era of prominence. His extensive experience, strategic foresight, and commitment to Africas development make him the ideal candidate to steer the bank toward realising the continents vast potential.

A Proven Leader with a Transformative Track Record

Mr Tah brings an unparalleled blend of experience and results to the table. As the former director general of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), he demonstrated a remarkable ability to reform institutions and drive economic growth. His tenure at BADEA was marked by a focus on economic integration and long-term development strategies aligned with the African Unions Agenda 2063. Under his leadership, BADEA became a more effective vehicle for empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fostering sustainable development across the continent. This experience directly translates to the AfDBs mission of financing transformative projects that uplift African economies.

Tahs background as Mauritanias minister of Economic Affairs and Finance from 2008 to 2015 further showcases his ability to navigate complex economic landscapes. His academic credentials  a PhD in Economics from Nice-Sophia-Antipolis University and a Masters from Paris VII University  equip him with the intellectual rigour needed to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing Africas development finance.

A Bold Vision for Africas Financial Future

Tahs vision for the AfDB rests on four compelling pillars: consolidating the banks financial capacity, reforming Africas financial architecture, harnessing the continents demographic dividend, and promoting sustainable development. His emphasis on mobilising tenfold financial resources is particularly critical at a time when Africas annual development needs exceed $100 billion, while the AfDB currently lends about $10 billion annually. Tahs strategy to tap into underutilised funding sources, such as oil-rich Middle Eastern nations and African pension funds, is a pragmatic approach to bridging this gap. His extensive connections in the Middle East, forged during his time at BADEA and the Islamic Development Bank, position him uniquely to unlock these resources, ensuring the AfDB can amplify its impact.

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Mr Tahs candidacy has garnered significant support across Africa, reflecting his credibility and appeal. Malis military leader, General Assimi Goita, and Mauritanias President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani have publicly endorsed him, signaling confidence in his ability to lead. Posts on X highlight a growing sentiment that Tahs platform  focused on capital mobilisation, financial reform, and youth empowerment  resonates strongly with Africas aspirations.

Moreover, Tahs commitment to reforming Africas financial architecture addresses a systemic issue: the lack of coordination among African financial institutions. He advocates for greater synergy to maximise the effectiveness of development efforts, a move that could streamline project implementation and reduce inefficiencies. His focus on reducing project timelines and attracting top talent to the AfDB further demonstrates his understanding of the need for agility and excellence in execution.

Harnessing Africas Youth and Resources

Africas youthful population is one of its greatest assets, and Tahs vision to harness this demographic dividend is both timely and strategic. By prioritising investments in agriculture, education, and job creation, he aims to empower the continents youth to drive economic growth. His emphasis on adding value to Africas natural resources  transforming them into revenue-generating assets  aligns with the need to move away from raw commodity exports toward industrialised, high-value economies. This approach not only boosts GDP but also fosters self-reliance, a critical step toward reducing Africas dependence on external aid.

Tahs focus on investing in women and children further sets him apart. He recognises that inclusive development is key to sustainable progress, and his policies aim to ensure that marginalised groups are prioritised in the AfDBs initiatives. This holistic approach to development reflects a deep understanding of Africas diverse needs.

A Continental Movement with Strong Backing

Mr Tahs candidacy has garnered significant support across Africa, reflecting his credibility and appeal. Malis military leader, General Assimi Goita, and Mauritanias President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani have publicly endorsed him, signaling confidence in his ability to lead. Posts on X highlight a growing sentiment that Tahs platform  focused on capital mobilisation, financial reform, and youth empowerment  resonates strongly with Africas aspirations. His campaign has positioned him as a unifying figure capable of rallying diverse stakeholders around a shared vision.

As the continent seeks a leader to match its ambition, Tah stands out as the visionary who can deliver. Supporting his candidacy is not just about choosing a president  its about investing in a future where Africas potential is fully realised The election today is a chance to place the AfDB in the hands of a leader with credibility, experience, and a clear path forward. Sidi Ould Tah is that leader, and Africas future depends on making the right choice.

In contrast, while other candidates like Senegals Amadou Hott, Zambias Samuel Maimbo, Chads Abbas Tolli, and South Africas Bajabulile Tshabalala bring valuable experience, none match Tahs combination of continental endorsements, institutional reform expertise, and a clear, actionable plan to address Africas financing gap. For instance, Tshabalalas campaign, despite South Africas backing, lacks the broad regional support Tah has secured, and her focus on productivity and infrastructure, while important, is less comprehensive than Tahs multifaceted strategy.

Addressing Global Challenges with Realism

The AfDBs next president will face a complex global landscape, including aid cuts and the fallout from US President Donald Trumps trade policies. Tahs pragmatic approach  grounded in realism yet bold in ambition  positions him to navigate these challenges effectively. His call for Africa to stop buying what it already has and believe in its own potential is a powerful rallying cry for self-reliance and intra-African trade, which currently accounts for only 15 per cent of total African trade volumes compared to over 60 per cent in the EU. By addressing coordination failures and boosting intra-African trade, Tah aims to unlock an estimated $32 billion in potential trade in Southern Africa alone.

Conclusion: A Leader for Africas Future

The African Development Bank stands at a crossroads, and the choice of its next president will shape the continents trajectory for decades. Mr Sidi Ould Tahs proven leadership at BADEA, his strategic vision for financial reform, and his commitment to empowering Africas youth and women make him the best candidate to lead the AfDB. His ability to mobilise resources, foster regional integration, and execute bold yet realistic plans aligns perfectly with Africas urgent needs. As the continent seeks a leader to match its ambition, Tah stands out as the visionary who can deliver. Supporting his candidacy is not just about choosing a president  its about investing in a future where Africas potential is fully realised.

The election today is a chance to place the AfDB in the hands of a leader with credibility, experience, and a clear path forward. Sidi Ould Tah is that leader, and Africas future depends on making the right choice.

Silas Nankin writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

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If the Washington Consensus emphasised liberalisation, privatisation, and fiscal discipline, The Tah Doctrine moves in a different but complementary direction: toward catalytic, state-capable institutions, deeper market coordination, and unambiguous African agency in shaping development tools. It builds on prior eras  without mimicking them  tailoring tools to Africas evolving context. Infrastructure is not just concrete  it is continuity. Delivery is not a one-off  it is a system. And credibility lies in what is sustained, not just approved.

The election of Dr Sidi Ould Tah as the ninth President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) today at the Annual General Meeting of the Bank in Abidjan, with a commanding 73 per cent of Regional Member Countries (RMCs) and 77 per cent overall  a double mandate never before achieved in the Banks history  was no surprise to those who have watched the quiet unraveling of a Bank created to be Africas development enabler. For years, the AfDB has toggled between caution and vision. The moment now demands more: a catalytic presidency  and with it, a doctrine.

Mr Tah will formally assume office in September. But already, Africa and its partners are reading the signs  not of personality, but of direction. This is not just a transition in leadership. It is the emergence of a doctrine  defined not by ideology or theatrics, but by execution. What Tah brings is not a manifesto. It is a method.

At the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), which he led for over a decade, his record speaks volumes. Annual approvals rose twelvefold; disbursements, eightfold; and BADEA became a serious actor in infrastructure, SME finance, digital platforms, and fragile-state engagement. He secured a 376 per cent capital expansion and launched the institutions first ten-year strategy. In May, just weeks before his election to the AfDB, S&P Global upgraded BADEAs long-term credit rating to AA+, ranking it among the worlds most trusted development finance institutions. No slogan can outshine that.

From this track record emerges The Tah Doctrine  a presidential mandate anchored on five interlocking pillars: Execution, Scale, Innovation, Inclusion, and Institutional Fitness. This is a doctrine not of promises, but of purposeful architecture. It argues that Africa cannot industrialise, integrate, or secure its future without institutions that are fast, flexible, and fit for todays shifting global terrain. It is not ideology. It is engineering.

This is a doctrine for our time. Global financing is becoming more selective. Development aid is narrowing. Trade rules increasingly hinge on environmental thresholds and compliance regimes. Meanwhile, Africas population is surging, cities are expanding, and infrastructure, energy, and food demand is intensifying. The AfDB must evolve as a broker of capital, policy coherence, and regional ambition.

That begins with scale. The Banks current lending of around $10 billion annually falls far short of the continents $100 billion+ infrastructure and development financing gap. Under the Tah Doctrine, scale is not optional  it is foundational. Expect the bold pursuit of capital expansion: through general capital increases, callable capital reforms, and blended finance vehicles that crowd in private capital. The Africa Investment Forum (AIF) will likely be reimagined  not as a yearly showcase, but as a syndication platform for sovereign wealth, pension, and long-term institutional investors.

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But scale without execution delivers little. What Mr Tah proved at BADEA  and what he brings to AfDB  is a delivery mindset. A culture of results. Infrastructure financing that moves beyond feasibility studies. Education support that extends past enrollment. Agriculture financed from seed to scale. Delivery becomes not aspiration  but a recurring outcome.

This presidency draws a sharper line between funds approved and futures changed.

On innovation, the doctrine is equally bold. At BADEA, Mr Tah backed programmable Islamic finance, AI-enabled agri-tools, and digital SME ecosystems. At AfDB, expect programmable trade finance, interoperable regional payment systems, smart export insurance, and regional digital infrastructure, to help African producers adjust to ESG and carbon border compliance. Innovation is not framed as novelty  but necessity.

If the Washington Consensus emphasised liberalisation, privatisation, and fiscal discipline, The Tah Doctrine moves in a different but complementary direction: toward catalytic, state-capable institutions, deeper market coordination, and unambiguous African agency in shaping development tools. It builds on prior eras  without mimicking them  tailoring tools to Africas evolving context. Infrastructure is not just concrete  it is continuity. Delivery is not a one-off  it is a system. And credibility lies in what is sustained, not just approved.

Crucially, the doctrines heartbeat is African. It draws not from ideology, but from the spirit of Ubuntu: I am because we are. Development, in this framing, is not imposed. It is co-created. It is collective. It is institutionalised in models that reflect the dignity, urgency, and ambition of the people they serve.

The Tah Doctrine channels this ethic into institutional form. It asserts that African ambition must no longer be outsourced  and African potential no longer postponed. It builds the scaffolding  legal, financial, and institutional  through which that ambition becomes real. Not exclusion, but coherence. Not dominance, but stewardship.

A revitalised Africa Investment Forum is almost certain: one that functions year-round, curating pipelines, syndicating capital, and accelerating financial closure  not just convening panels. The Forums future mandate will likely deepen: mobilising capital with accountability, not just interest.

Alongside it, the doctrine envisions an Export Transition Facility  a practical tool to help African firms adjust to emerging trade expectations, including ESG benchmarks and carbon adjustments. These are not distant ideas. They are todays imperatives.

On regional integration, the doctrine is pragmatic. It aligns the Banks trade and industrial financing with the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)  not as rhetoric, but as real infrastructure. Corridors built. Ports financed. Standards harmonised. Supply chains activated. Private-sector-led value chains unblocked.

The same clarity applies to inclusion. Africas women and youth are not sidelines  they are the engine. At BADEA, Mr Tah introduced youth leadership programmes, green entrepreneurship tools, and financing for women-led businesses in fragile settings. These werent gestures. They were productivity plays. The starting point was access. The goal was agency.

At AfDB, expect gender-intentional SME financing, employment-linked blended capital, and new vehicles for agribusiness, fintech, and light manufacturing  designed for the businesses Africas youth are building now. This is inclusion by design, not default. A presidency that treats Africas demographic shift as a competitive edge, not a crisis.

Still, no doctrine  however compelling  is immune to the realities of a mature institution. AfDB does not pivot on charisma. But that is not how Mr Tah leads. His approach is structured, disciplined, and quiet. This is not a vision about one man. It is about institutions that outlast personalities, strategies that transcend terms, and delivery that embeds credibility into systems. He is not coming to disrupt. He is coming to deliver.

And that, ultimately, is the promise of The Tah Doctrine: It does not seek rupture. It seeks renewal.

Skeptics will emerge. But precedent matters. BADEA wasnt reformed by press releases. It was transformed by performance. That legacy now accompanies Mr Tah to AfDB.

This doctrine is not a challenge to the world. It is a message to Africa  and a proposition to partners: that credible institutions, when backed by clarity and delivery, can become engines of transformation.

And so we return to the quiet force of it all.

The Tah Doctrine insists that Africas future must no longer be delayed by bureaucracy, denied by capital, or defined by others. It must be delivered  by Africans, in partnership with the world, through institutions that work.

This is not sentiment. It is strategy.

Not hope. But architecture  deliberate, evolving, and accountable.

Doctrines are not judged in theory.

They are judged in lives. In roads. In jobs. In trust earned.

And this one  this one  will be judged not by what it says.

But by what it builds.

Chinedu Moghalu is a strategic communications expert, lawyer, and public policy adviser with over two decades of leadership across government, international organisations, and development institutions. He holds degrees in political science, communication for development, and law, and has completed executive training at Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Maryland in the United States.

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Crucially, there is need to critically review the militarys amnesty programme. While the principle of deradicalisation and reintegration is commendable, its execution must be rigorous, transparent, and evidence-based. The resurgence of violence raises uncomfortable questions about the effectiveness of current reintegration efforts. If repentant insurgents are returning to the battlefield or exploiting the programs leniency, then its continuation in its present form is untenable.

The time has come to draw a firm line in Nigerias protracted battle against insurgency. With thousands of the so-called repentant terrorists surrendering, getting rehabilitated, and reintegrated into society, the recent resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism in the North-East demands a critical reassessment of the nations counter-terrorism approach, especially the controversial amnesty programme.

The recurring waves of violence suggest that leniency has been mistaken for weakness. Now is the time for Nigerias military to shift gears and pursue an uncompromising offensive against the insurgents. Enough is enough.

Borno State, the epicentre of Nigerias decade-long insurgency, is once again engulfed in violence. Boko Haram and its ISWAP faction are ramping up attacks, employing asymmetrical warfare tactics with alarming effectiveness  ambushes, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assaults on military formations, and strategic sabotage, such as the destruction of critical infrastructure.

The brazen assault on the 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte LGA on 12 May epitomises this alarming trend. In a pre-dawn attack, insurgents overran the base, killed and captured soldiers, looted the armoury, and destroyed military vehicles and equipment. This attack was not an isolated incident but part of a broader, calculated campaign.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has repeatedly warned of the militarys declining grip on Borno, a concern validated by a sharp spike in attacks over recent months. The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has documented a grim timeline of insurgent operations targeting both military and civilian assets, underscoring the escalating threat.

In April alone, ISWAP insurgents planted an IED on the DamboaMaiduguri road, killing seven civilians. They blew up critical bridges on the BiuDamboa and NgirbuwaGonori roads, effectively isolating communities and hampering military mobility.

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Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military facility in Yamtake, Gwoza LGA, killing soldiers and civilians, looting weapons, and razing parts of the camp. An IED blast along the RannKala Balge to Gamboru Ngala road killed at least 26 civilians, including women and children.

In May, the violence persisted. Boko Haram fighters attacked the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, killing soldiers and destroying military assets. Just days later, IED explosions in Mafa and Damboa LGAs injured and killed more civilians and local government staff.

Between January and April, Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states have witnessed at least 26 terrorist attacks, resulting in 227 deaths, including senior military officers, soldiers, policemen, and scores of civilians. Six military formations have been attacked in this period, reflecting a dangerous escalation.

The insurgents current strategy is clear: disrupt governance, isolate communities, and demoralise security forces through relentless attrition. By destroying infrastructure  bridges, roads, and communication lines  they are crippling troop movements, obstructing humanitarian aid, and fostering a climate of fear.

The psychological impact on frontline troops is palpable. Repeated ambushes, mounting casualties, and operational fatigue are taking their toll on morale. Desertions and declining combat effectiveness are looming risks.

In light of these developments, Nigerias counter-terrorism strategy requires urgent recalibration. The Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu, in collaboration with the Service Chiefs and other security heads, must reassess current approaches.

The key recommendations include leveraging community-based intelligence networks and integrating them with advanced surveillance tools such as drones, satellite imagery, and signal interception to enhance intelligence gathering. Frontline troops must be equipped with modernised equipment, including mine-resistant vehicles, IED detection and jamming systems, night-vision capabilities, and real-time communication devices.

Additionally, there is need to support Civilian Joint Task Forces (CJTFs) through structured training, logistical assistance, and formal integration into security operations. Furthermore, inter-agency synergy must be strengthened by enhancing collaboration among the DSS, Police, NSCDC, and the military, to close intelligence gaps and ensure swift, coordinated responses.

Crucially, there is need to critically review the militarys amnesty programme. While the principle of deradicalisation and reintegration is commendable, its execution must be rigorous, transparent, and evidence-based. The resurgence of violence raises uncomfortable questions about the effectiveness of current reintegration efforts. If repentant insurgents are returning to the battlefield or exploiting the programs leniency, then its continuation in its present form is untenable.

The situation in the North-East is nearing a tipping point. Without decisive, intelligent, and relentless action, Nigeria risks slipping back into a full-scale insurgency with dire humanitarian, economic, and security consequences.

Sporadic offensives and reactive posturing are no longer sufficient. Nigeria must out-think, outmanoeuvre, and outlast its enemies through a comprehensive, proactive, and technology-driven counter-insurgency strategy.

The choice is stark: Either the state reasserts its authority through forceful and sustained military operations or cedes more lives, territory, and public confidence to the forces of terror.

The time for half-measures is over. Our troops must be empowered and directed to finish the fight.

Mukhtar Yau Madobi is a research fellow at the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC). He can be reached at [email protected].

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POCO, the brand synonymous with innovation and raw performance, has officially launched two exciting

new smartphones into the Nigerian market: the POCO X7 Pro and the POCO C71. These two models

reinforce POCOs commitment to delivering powerful mobile technology to every segment of the market 

from flagship seekers to first-time smartphone users.

POCO X7 Pro: Power Redefined

Blending unmatched performance with cutting-edge design, the POCO X7 Pro is set to power ahead as the

ultimate choice for tech-savvy users, gamers, and content creators who demand excellence in every tap,

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Available in three striking colors  Black, Green, and the signature POCO Yellow  the POCO X7 Pro is

not just a phone, but a bold lifestyle statement. It comes with a generous 12GB RAM and 512GB storage,

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 50MP Main Camera with OIS

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Built for durability, the POCO X7 Pro is ready for the elements  whether its rain, dust, or accidental

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 Flagship Dimensity 8400-Ultra Processor

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Experience next-level speed and multitasking with MediaTeks most powerful 5G chipset yet. This

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 3GB+64GB at 94,900

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 32MP AI Dual Camera

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 Secure Fingerprint and Face Unlock

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 Efficient Octa-core Processor

Smooth performance for everyday apps, multitasking, and light gaming.

 15W Fast Charging Support

Spend less time plugged in and more time living, learning, and creating.

With the C71, POCO delivers a device that makes smart technology accessible to more Nigerians, while

still offering a sleek design and dependable features.

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Both POCO X7 Pro and POCO C71 are now available for purchase across Nigeria starting May 29th,

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including the Xiaomi Jumia Store, offering doorstep delivery and convenient payment options.

Power Meets Purpose

With this double launch, POCO continues its mission to empower Nigerian users with feature-rich, reliable

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smartphone excellence with POCO. Follow POCO Nigeria on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to get

the latest news, updates, product tips, and exclusive community content.

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Greater Access to Clean Water Across Katsina Scales Up Rural Water Investments with 50 Billion SURWASH Project

In a major step toward ensuring water security for all, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has commissioned multiple water supply schemes across Katsina State  a transformative move that reflects his administrations unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for the people.

The water projects, spanning both urban and rural communities, are part of the states broader push to provide clean and potable water to underserved populations and meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6): Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Radda described the moment as more than just a policy milestone  calling it a promise kept, and a duty fulfilled. Water is life. This isnt just infrastructure; its about dignity, health, and opportunity, he said. He added, Our goal is simple  no community in Katsina should be left behind when it comes to safe, reliable access to water.

Governor Radda highlighted how his administration has prioritised strategic investments in water infrastructure since taking office. Through the World Bank-supported SURWASH Project, over 25 billion worth of water projects are currently underway across the state. He further announced an additional 50 billion commitment this year to scale the initiative and reach more remote areas.

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Some of the key areas targeted in the new phase include Dutsinma, Kankia, Charanchi, Batagarawa, and parts of Katsina metropolis  communities that have long struggled with water scarcity.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Governor Radda also addressed the importance of institutional reform. He revealed that the state has updated the outdated 1971 Water Board Edict to align Katsinas water governance with global best practices  a move expected to improve transparency, sustainability, and efficiency in water service delivery. This is not just about pipes and boreholes. Were building a system  one that our children and grandchildren can rely on, he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Bishir Gambo Saulawa commended the Governors leadership and vision. He noted that the administration has already expanded water supply coverage in more than ten local government areas and is on track to reach all 34 LGAs with durable water and sanitation projects. From the rehabilitation of the Ajiwa, Sabuwa, Danja, and Mashi Dams, to new water systems in small towns, this government has been relentless, he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the State Water Board, Tukur Tingilin, revealed that eight solar-powered borehole schemes have been newly upgraded across Katsina metropolis. These include facilities in Sabuwar Unguwa, Rahamawa, Majema, Abatuwa, and Barhim Housing Estate  now capable of providing water to over 70,000 residents for up to 10 hours daily.

He praised the Governor for embracing solar energy as a sustainable alternative to the rising cost of diesel and fuel, which had previously crippled many schemes. Your Excellency has not only restored these systems but made them cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable, Tingilin noted.

In a vote of thanks, the Executive Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Isah Miqdad AD Saude, applauded Governor Raddas people-centred governance. Our communities will never forget this gesture. Katsina is the most populous LGA in Katsina, and we deeply appreciate that Your Excellency has prioritised us. We are setting up structures to protect these facilities because we believe community ownership is key to sustainability, he said.

The Chairman further assured the Governor of the peoples continued support, adding that developmental projects such as this have already started shifting perceptions and fostering renewed hope across the state. The commissioning ceremony was attended by traditional leaders, senior government officials, local stakeholders, and residents who turned out in large numbers to witness what many called a turning point in Katsinas water story.

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At least 20 people were killed after a flood submerged many houses in Mokwa, a commercial town in Niger State, on Thursday.

The flood followed a midnight downpour that lasted for more than five hours.

Residents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES blamed the flood on the collapse of a small dam around New Bussa, a neighbouring town where the Kainji Lake Dam is located.

More than 20 bodies, including those of minors and women, have been recovered, a resident,t Umar Yunus, said.

Our reporter saw gory pictures and footage of the recovered bodies.

Many of those bodies were discovered around nearby bushes in Mokwa, said Mr Yunusa. Many people are still missing.

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This is a sad event and heavy flood that I havent witnessed before, he wailed.

Multiple sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the Ilorin-Mokwa highway was forced to close due to the incident.

Another resident who wished not to be named for the gravity of his opinion said the affected houses lacked proper drainage.

The disaster mostly affected houses and areas that do not have proper drainage systems, he said, noting that community members were still making efforts to rescue victims and recover more bodies believed to have been swept into the forest.

Council chairman mourns

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Jibril Muregi, in a statement by his media aide, Abdullahi Abubakar, extended his heartfelt condolences to all families affected by the tragic flood.

Mr Muregi lamented that the natural disaster has led to the unfortunate loss of lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of several residents.

Mr Muregi urged the relevant authorities to step in and help those affected by the incident.

In the wake of this disaster, we urgently call on the Niger State Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), to deploy immediate relief materials and humanitarian assistance to the affected areas, he said.

We also use this medium to appeal to the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project to expedite the long-overdue process of awarding and commencing the construction of waterways in Mokwa.

This critical infrastructure is essential to mitigating future flood risks and protecting lives and property, Mr Muregi added.

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja is set to rule today (Thursday) on appeals challenging the outcome of last years Edo State governorship election, which was won by Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

A three-member bench of the Court of Appeal will deliver judgements on three appeals and one counter-appeal, which will ultimately determine whether to uphold or overturn the 2 April verdict of the lower governorship election tribunal that affirmed Mr Okpebholos victory.

The appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 21 September 2024 election, Asue Ighodalo, has drawn the most attention.

Mr Ighodalo and the PDP filed the appeal against the tribunals judgement, which dismissed their petition against the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC declared Mr Okpebholo the winner of the election with 291,667 votes, while Mr Ighodalo came in second with 247,655 votes. Several other candidates participated in the election but secured only a small fraction of the total votes.

However, Mr Ighodalo headed to the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal which sat in Abuja to challenge the results.

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He alleged widespread irregularities, overvoting, malpractices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.

The tribunal, in its judgement in April, dismissed his claims as unproven.

However, convinced of the merit of his case, Mr Ighodalo immediately appealed against the tribunals verdict.

Mr Okpebolo, although the ultimate winner of the case, was also dissatisfied with some aspects of the tribunals judgement. He, therefore, filed a cross-appeal to challenge aspects of the lower tribunals verdict that he considered unfavourable.

The Court of Appeals decision is not final in election disputes, as dissatisfied parties can further challenge the decision at the Supreme Court, which has the final say on the matter.

Ighodalos case

At the hearing of the appeals on 1 May, the appellants Mr Ighodalos legal team, urged the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn the tribunals judgement.

Their lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), faulted the tribunals evaluation of the evidence.

Mr Emukpoeruo said contrary to the tribunals decision, his clients did not just dump documents on it but demonstrated how the evidence proved the case.

Among other submissions, the lawyer said the appellants challenged the allegedly flawed results collation process at the ward level during the election.

The appellants case also rested heavily on the contention about the proprietary or otherwise of serial numbers missing from Forms EC25B used for the poll.

The Forms EC25B are a series of documents by which presiding officers at polling units acknowledge receiving all necessary election materials (such as ballot papers, result sheets, and stamps) from the Electoral Officer or Supervisory Presiding Officer.

Mr Emukpoeruo said the absence of serial numbers on Forms EC25B was in violation of Section 73(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The tribunal insisted we needed polling agents or witnesses to testify about how the forms were filled or left unfilled. But that was not our case.

Our case was simply that the Form EC25B did not contain the required serial numbers, the lawyer argued.

The appellants argued that absence of serial numbers from the forms marred the election.

Respondents pushed back

But Mr Okpebholos lawyers urged the court to affirm the tribunal judgment and dismiss all the appeals since they have failed to prove their allegations of over-voting, irregularities etc.

The governors lawyer, Oyinyechi Ikpeazu, also a SAN, maintained that the serial numbers were missing from the Forms EC25B, because the documents did not provide a space for it, but rather records the quantities of electoral materials received and returned.

Mr Ikpeazu noted that the serial numbers in question were clearly indicated on Form EC40A, which the appellants submitted at the tribunal.

The lawyer pointed out that although the petition mentioned Form EC25D but did not present it during the tribunals trial. Form EC25D is used for documenting the distribution of sensitive electoral materialssuch as ballot papers, result sheets, and stampsto electoral officials at the Local Government Area (LGA) level.

Mr Ikpeazu also contended that ward collation officers were not bound by data uploaded to the IREV portal, especially in cases of over-voting.

APCs lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala, and INECs, Kanu Agabi  both SANs  also toed similar lines of argument as Mr Ikpeazu, and urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appellants case.

Mr Ukala maintained that, despite the introduction of Sections 73(2) and 137 of the Electoral Act 2022, the legal requirement remained unchanged.

He said any petitioner alleging non-compliance must call witnesses from each affected polling unit to prove their claims. He added that allegations of improper collation also required calling polling unit agents as witnesses to give evidence to back the claims polling unit by polling unit.

Mr Ukala said the petitioners  Mr Ighodalo and the PDP  failed woefully in this regard. He said they failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their case.

He stressed that the petitioners only called a total of 19 witnesses during the trial at the tribunal. He said of the 19 petitioners witnesses, only five of them were polling unit agents, despite that the petitioners raised complaints about 765 polling units.

He said this fell far short of the legal requirement to prove allegations of non-compliance at the affected polling units.

He also pointed out the failure of the petitioners to present Forms EC25D they complained about before the tribunal.

The lawyer maintained that Forms EC25D, and Forms EC25B as claimed by the petitioners, were the documents for recording the serial numbers of ballot papers.

Three-member bench of the Court of Appeal led by M. A. Danjuma reserved judgment after listening to the lawyers submissions.

Apart from the Ighodalos case, other appeals challenging Mr Okpebholos election are also expected to be ruled on today.

One of the appeals was filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its National Chairman, Rufai Omoaje, and the other by the Accord Party (AP)s Bright Enabulele.

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed the election of Monday Okpebholo as Edo State governor

A three-member panel of the court led by Mohamed Danjuma unanimously ruled in Mr Okpebholos favour, affirming the decision of the lower Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which earlier validated the governors victory in the 21 September 2024 election.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the disputed poll, Asue Ighodalo, to affirm Mr Okpebholos election.

The petitioners failed woefully to prove their allegations of overvoting, the Court of Appeal ruled.

Allegations of overvoting, malpractices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act were at the heart of Mr Igbhodalos case against the outcome of the disputed election.

These allegations were not proved with cogent evidence at the tribunal, the Court of Appeal said on Thursday, adding that the appellants merely relied on their witnesses presumptions.

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Echoing the tribunals earlier findings, the Court of Appeal ruled that Mr Ighodalos grievances against the election stand unproved.

It similarly dismissed the appeals by two fringe political parties which also contested the outcome of the vote.

Mr Okpehbolo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Ighodalo were absent from Thursdays proceedings. But Mr Okpebholos running mate, now his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, and PDP chairperson in the state, PDP in the state, Tony Aziegbemi, were present to observe the judgement being delivered.

Mr Okpebholo was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the September 2024 election with 291,667 votes. Mr Ighodalo came second with 247,655 votes. Several other candidates participated in the election but secured only a small fraction of the total votes.

Displeased with the result, Mr Ighodalo headed to the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal, which sat in Abuja, to challenge it.

He alleged widespread irregularities, overvoting, malpractices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.

The tribunal dismissed his claims as unproven in its judgement delivered on 2 April.

However, convinced of the merit of his case, Mr Ighodalo immediately appealed the tribunals verdict. Mr Okpebholo, too, filed a cross-appeal to challenge some of the tribunals decisions despite their zero impact on the judgements delivered in his favour.

On 1 May, the Mr Danjuma-led three-member panel of the Court of Appeal listened to lawyers submissions on the case and adjourned for judgement.

Appeal Courts key findings

The Court of Appeal upheld the judgement of the tribunal on Thursday, similarly, finding that Mr Ighodalo and his party failed to present enough evidence in support of their case.

It also upheld Mr Okpebholos cross-appeal which led the justices to expunge from the records some pieces of evidence the lower tribunal had admitted in favour of Mr Ighodalos case.

Upholding Mr Okpebholo and other respondents arguments, the Court of Appeal agreed that the tribunal was correct to hold that the PDP and its candidate merely dumped their evidence on the tribunal.

It said they failed to demonstrate how their evidence supported their claims of non-compliance and over-voting. The appellants could not switch on the BVAS machines they tendered at the tribunal throughout the trial.

The court also held that they could have demonstrated the usefulness of their evidence by calling witnesses to speak to the exhibits but failed to do so.

According to the court, the few witnesses presented by the PDP and its candidate only testified on issues unrelated to the matters before the tribunal. It said they did not testify on what they observed at the polling units and collation centres.

According to the court, the appellants claims of collation of incorrect scores in polling units were not proved

Agreeing with Mr Okpebholos cross-appeal, the Court of Appeal held that the tribunal erred in admitting the BVAS machines as evidence as requested by the PDP candidate.

It, therefore, expunged from the records the evidence of the 133 BVAS machines tendered at the tribunal by the petitioners.

It held that the tribunals decision to admit the BVAS machines as exhibits caused a miscarriage of justice. It explained further that the tribunal, in admitting the exhibits, failed to comply with relevant statutes for tendering such documentary evidence.

The Court of Appeals decision is not final in governorship election disputes, as dissatisfied parties can further challenge the decision at the Supreme Court, which has the final say on the matter.

Reactions by parties

The chairperson of PDP in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, rejected the Court of Appeals judgement and vowed that the party would challenge it at the Supreme Court.

Speaking with journalists on the court premises shortly after the judges finished delivering the judgement on Thursday, Mr Aziegbemi, urged party members to stay calm.

We think that even the judges, especially when they started talking, taking their eyes on what they wrote, you could see some elements of bias in what they were saying. However, we would request that our members stay calm,

But Edo State Attorney General Samson Osaghie praised the judgement.

He conceded that aggrieved parties have the right to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court, but noted that two courts already affirmed Mr Okphebolos victory because there is no proof of wrongdoing regarding the election.

The election of Governor Monday Okphebolo is unassailable, and upheld at this point in time, his victory is for Edo State, his victory is for APC and his victory is for democracy.

Tribunals ruling

The governorship election tribunal led by Wilfred Kpochi first upheld Mr Okpebholos election in its judgement delivered on 2 April.

The tribunal held that petitioners agreed that the petitioners  Mr Ighodalo and the PDP  failed to present polling unit agents and presiding officers to prove their claims.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court decides on Edo governorship election today

It held that the petitioners merely dumped documents on it without any competent witness to substantiate claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance.

These witnesses (presented by the petitioners, comprising Local Government agents and others) are total strangers, the judge stressed.

Subsequently, the tribunal dismissed the petition for failing to prove its case against the governors election.

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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State says his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be a test of loyalty, telling his political allies that it is from there he would know those who would deny him.

Mr Eno last week confirmed he is leaving Nigerias opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC. He told his commissioners to either join him in the APC or resign.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, the oil-rich Akwa Ibom has been governed by the PDP. In the state, securing the PDP nomination is likened to winning the general election, prompting its members to describe the party as a religion in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that convincing allies, including cabinet members and aides, to join him in the APC has been a herculean task, forcing the governor to resort to threateniFVng them with resignation.

We want our commissioners and members of Exco, appointees, and those of you who are saying that you would not come, you are free absolutely not to join me, but you wont be in my State Executive Council.

Prepare to resign the day I announce that I am moving because you cannot; you are an appointee, and your loyalty is fully to me. You cant be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It is what it is, the governor said.

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I am even begging you to come, you normally dont expect it. You have the right not to support me again, but the right you dont have is to remain in my cabinet after I leave. I am making it clear, Mr Eno said, suggesting his cabinet members may have resisted joining him in the APC.

Despite these threats, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that at least two cabinet members are still unwilling to join the governor in the APC.

Test of loyalty

Speaking on Tuesday in Eket, Eket Local Government Area, while commissioning the official residence for the chairperson of the council, Mr Eno told his allies that his imminent defection to the APC will be a test of loyalty for them.

In the next few days, we will make some statements in this state. But you know what, one of my pastors said to me, it is God that makes this to happen so that loyalty can be tested.

Sometimes, when people said I am loyal, Peter said to Jesus Christ, Anybody who touches you has touched me. In fact, we will fight, but Jesus turned to him and said, Peter, you will be the first to deny me three times, he said, referring to the Biblical figure, Simon Peter, one of Jesus disciples, who denied his master out of fear for his safety when Jesus was arrested and beaten up by soldiers.

Peter, an apostle, was afraid and did not want to die because of his relationship with Jesus. When people recongnised him as one of Jesus disciples, Peter panicked and denied knowing him three times.

Very soon, all those who say we are for Mr Eno, we are dying with you, wherever you go. We are going to see those who would be the first to deny us, but I know local government chairpersons will not deny us, Mr Eno added.

The true test of loyalty is coming soon when you say, Im loyal. We will test loyalty, we will test those who believe in the Arise Agenda, Mr Eno said ahead of his official defection, which this newspaper learned is coming up early next month.

Council chairpersons lodge

Agriculture and Rural Development, aimed at stemming the tide of rural-urban migration, are top priorities in Mr Enos ambitious economic blueprint: Arise Agenda.

The governor has repeatedly said he wants the 31 council chairpersons in the state to live in their domains to understand the feelings of their people and bring governance closer to them

As a demonstration of his desire to actualise this, the governor sent a bill to the state assembly, but later withdrew before resorting to building a befitting lodge across the 31 council headquarters for chairpersons to live.

The Eket council lodge was a pilot phase, as the governor at the ceremony promised that those of the other 30 council areas would be ready in one year, saying that funding has been provided.

Before commissioning the lodge, the governor had earlier commissioned a model Primary School in the area, in a ceremony, where he approved the building of a new secondary school close to the primary school and offered immediate teaching employment to a mother of an indigent pupil, who, he said, was outstanding during a welcome presentation in his honour.

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One person killed, another injured in Russian attack in Zaporizhia region

As a result of the Russian attack on Polohy district, one person was killed and another was injured, head of Zaporizhia regional military administration Ivan Fedorov reported on his Telegram channel on Thursday morning.

Medics are providing all necessary assistance to the wounded, he added.

Earlier, Fedorov reported that "at dawn the enemy attacked the village of Verkhnia Tersa with aerial bombs, at least five aerial bombs were dropped on private buildings, residential buildings were destroyed and damaged," people were under the rubble.
JINAN, China, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Shandian News.

The opening ceremony of the 2025 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week was held in Jinan on May 27. Hosted by Shandong Provincial People's Government under the theme "Hand in Hand for Shared Future," the week-long event aims to build a platform for international friendship-city exchanges, foster mutually beneficial urban partnerships, and strengthen people-to-people ties.

In recent years, the breadth and depth of Shandong's friendship-city cooperation have kept expanding. The province's circle of international partners continues to grow. At the opening ceremony, representatives of 19 friendship-city pairs signed cooperation agreements, and the "Jinan Initiative on International Friendship Cities Cooperation" was released. From May 26 to 30, over 20 activities will be held, including the Provincial Governors' Dialogue, the Friendship Cities Business Matchmaking Fair, and the "Experience New Shandong" Economic and Trade Tour for Friendship Cities. These events aim to foster targeted exchanges across all dimensions and sectors, achieve significant cooperation outcomes and expand lasting spillover effects.

SOURCE Shandian News
TAMPA, Fla., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A-LIGN, a leading Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO), proudly announces the issuance of one of its first CMMC Level 2 certifications to Quiet Professionals LLC. This milestone underscores A-LIGN's dedication to helping U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contractors meet stringent cybersecurity requirements while safeguarding sensitive Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

The CMMC program requires all DoD defense contractors under Level 2 to meet cybersecurity controls and be certified by a C3PAO assessment. Prime contractors and their subcontractors are required to demonstrate that cybersecurity controls have been sufficiently implemented through the completion of independent validation activities performed by an authorized C3PAO like A-LIGN.

"At A-LIGN, we are at the forefront of CMMC, providing businesses with expert guidance to navigate the new DoD standards with confidence," said Jennifer Hawks, Federal Practice Lead at A-LIGN. "As a trusted C3PAO, A-LIGN leverages its team of expert CCAs and CCPs to guide organizations through the complex process of CMMC Level 2 certification. We are honored to work with industry leaders like Quiet Professionals, one of the first organizations to secure certification, as they set the standard for cybersecurity excellence."

Quiet Professionals is a veteran-founded company providing secure, scalable solutions for national security and defense organizations, headquartered in Tampa. As the company advances solutions in OSINT, Geospatial Analytics, and Cloud Computing, earning CMMC Level 2 certification reinforces the company's ability to securely support customers' critical missions.

"Our team committed to fully understanding NIST 800-171 and each control family. We developed tailored solutions to meet every requirement, drawing from industry research and leveraging our Microsoft partnership. A-LIGN was a strong partner throughout the process to achieve CMMC Level 2 certification. Their structured approach and expertise helped validate the work our cybersecurity team has done. This achievement is a testament to our collective effort," said Cory Wilson, Director of Information Technology at Quiet Professionals.

As a top C3PAO with over 20 years of experience, A-LIGN has completed over 1,000 NIST-based assessments, including FedRAMP, GovRAMP, NIST 800-171. Contact A-LIGN today to secure your spot in the CMMC certification queue and streamline compliance with an expert-driven approach.

About A-LIGN

A-LIGN is the leading provider of high-quality, efficient cybersecurity compliance programs. Combining experienced auditors and audit management technology, A-LIGN provides the widest breadth and depth of services including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI. A-LIGN is the number one issuer of SOC 2 and HITRUST and a top three FedRAMP assessor. For more information, visit a-lign.com .

About Quiet Professionals LLC

Quiet Professionals LLC is a veteran-founded defense and technology company specializing in intelligence, advanced analytics, cybersecurity, and mission support for U.S. government agencies. With roots in the Special Operations Forces (SOF), Quiet Professionals provides highly specialized expertise in counter-threat intelligence, geospatial analysis, cloud integration, and secure technology and operational support to address today's most complex national security challenges with precision and speed.

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, near MacDill Air Force Basehome to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM)Quiet Professionals partners with industry leaders like Esri, Microsoft Azure, and Databricks to deliver mission-critical solutions. Built on a foundation of service and excellence, Quiet Professionals empowers defense and intelligence agencies with the expertise, technology, and operational agility to outpace emerging threats and safeguard national security. For more information, visit quietprofessionalsllc.com.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Strickert

[email protected]

SOURCE A-LIGN
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 2025 Conference and Convention, taking place June 23 to July 11, with the in-person portion scheduled for July 411 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

This year's theme, "Big Dreams, Bold Ideas," reflects ACB's commitment to innovation, inclusion, and the power of community. Attendees can expect an exciting lineup of programming, including compelling keynote speakers, breakout sessions, guided tours, a vibrant exhibit hall, and opportunities to network and engage with peers from across the country.

"The ACB Conference and Convention is more than just an event  it's a space where ideas are shared, voices are amplified, and lifelong connections are made," said ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill. "This year, we're encouraging everyone to think big and engage boldly as we shape the future together."

Convention registration is open to both ACB members and non-members, with early access and discounts available. Non-members are encouraged to join ACB for just $10, enabling them to receive a $5 discount on their registration. The deadline to register is June 17, and early sign-up is strongly encouraged to ensure access to the full slate of convention offerings.

The 2025 Conference and Convention would not be possible without the generous support of our event sponsors. All sponsors help ensure the 2025 ACB Conference and Convention is engaging and impactful, and reflects a shared dedication to advancing opportunity and equality for people who are blind or have low vision.

For full details, including registration instructions, schedules, and hotel accommodations, visit www.acbconvention.org.

About the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. For more than 60 years, ACB has become a leader in national, state, local, and even international advocacy efforts. With 65 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more information, visit www.acb.org.

SOURCE American Council of the Blind
LANSING, Mich., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AF Group is pleased to announce several executive promotions, reflecting the strong leadership that continues to drive the success of the organization. These include:

Patrick Stewart , vice president of Business Performance and Strategy -- promoted to Chief Financial Officer

, vice president of Business Performance and Strategy -- promoted to Chief Financial Officer Olivia Rogers , managing director, Reinsurance and Analytics -- promoted to vice president and Chief Risk Officer

, managing director, Reinsurance and Analytics -- promoted to vice president and Chief Risk Officer Jason Foreman , divisional director of Binding -- promoted to vice president, Binding in the Specialty Lines division

"AF Group is a leading force in the property and casualty space, and these promotions build on the strength, expertise and creativity of key leaders to support our significant growth and transformation as an organization," said Lisa Corless, president and CEO of AF Group. "I'm excited these individuals will help us continue to lead, innovate and redefine our business toward a successful future."

Patrick Stewart has more than 30 years of experience spanning corporate accounting and finance, insurance and strategic leadership. He began his career in financial services at KPMG and later joined AmeriTrust Group, holding several financial leadership roles. Following AF Group's acquisition of AmeriTrust in 2023, Stewart helped manage the successful integration of the two organizations. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Michigan State University.

With two decades of experience across property, casualty and workers' compensation lines, Olivia Rogers joined AF Group in 2019, having previously served as vice president of JLT Reinsurance. She earned an MBA in investment management from Drexel University and a bachelor's degree in mathematics and Spanish from Colgate University. Rogers holds Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designations.

Jason Foreman has more than 15 years of leadership experience in the insurance industry, specializing in Underwriting, Product Management and Business Development. He has served in various leadership roles within Century Insurance Group. Foreman earned an MBA from Xavier University and a bachelor's degree in psychology and history from Miami University of Ohio, and he holds Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations.

About AF Group

AF Group is a nationally recognized holding company whose affiliated insurance companies are premier providers of specialty insurance solutions offered through independent agents nationwide. All policies are underwritten by a licensed insurer subsidiary. For more information, visit afgroup.com.  AF Group.

Contact:

Marissa Sura

(517) 896-3707

[email protected]

AFGroup.com

SOURCE AF Group
MIAMI, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AIBY, a leading American co-founding company in the mobile app industry, has announced the launch of EpicScale, a new publishing company dedicated to empowering app creators with comprehensive marketing and operational support.

By leveraging in-house resources, EpicScale offers solutions across key areas such as user acquisition, ASO, business intelligence, monetization, and creative production. Additionally, the publisher provides funding and may assist developers with the key steps they need to take to ensure a product meets applicable store requirements and policies, streamlining their path to a global market.

"We're excited to introduce EpicScale, which embodies the expertise we've built over the years," said Dmitry Lepeshko, VP of Marketing at AIBY. "Our goal is to enable developers to focus on their products while we take care of the marketing to help them thrive in today's competitive landscape."

Among the results of the publisher's support of developers is the promotion of RemoTV, a fast-growing app that has seen remarkable outcomes since partnering with the publisher.

"EpicScale is a strategic partner for us," said a representative from the RemoTV app. "Their holistic marketing approach helped us grow our app revenue to $400K monthly from the ground."

The launch of EpicScale marks a strategic move by AIBY to expand its presence in the consumer app market, which is a key part of the company's long-term vision. Furthermore, EpicScale arrives at a pivotal time for the mobile app industrySensor Tower predicts that, by 2026, non-game apps will account for the majority of iOS spending. This shift highlights the growing demand for specialized publishing services that can help app developers navigate evolving market trends and seize new opportunities.

The publishing team is looking to expand its network and build strong partnerships with non-game mobile projects across a range of categories, including productivity, education, lifestyle, wellness, and health.

To collaborate, please fill out the form on epicscale.io.

About EpicScale:

EpicScale is a US-based mobile app publishing company, backed by the investment and expertise of AIBY, the industry-leading publisher behind globally recognized consumer apps.

About AIBY:

AIBY is a leading American co-founding company that excels in building, acquiring, and operating top-tier consumer apps and gaming businesses on a global scale. The company has a diverse, award-winning portfolio with over 2 billion downloads and is the Top Publisher in the U.S. per data.ai in 2024. In addition to its internal app development unit, AIBY encompasses specialized publishing, M&A, and a dynamic venture studio.

SOURCE EpicScale
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Jeep brand confirms the all-new Cherokee is set to arrive in late 2025.

Reimagined from the ground up, the next-generation Jeep Cherokee will redefine North America's most popular vehicle segment, bringing midsize SUV customers a new, efficient and powerful hybrid propulsion option from Jeep.

The next-generation Jeep Cherokee is coming late 2025. (PRNewsfoto/Stellantis)

"This is a historic year for the Jeep brand, with more product, innovation, choice and standard content for customers than ever before," said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. "The all-new Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream lineup."

The new Jeep Cherokee respectfully honors its rich history with an innovative eye toward the future as the Jeep brand continues to meet the needs of every driver and every journey. From industry-leading ICE vehicles to plug-in hybrid leadership to all-electric offerings, the new Jeep Cherokee joins the mission to empower customers with the freedom to adventure their way with unmatched Jeep capability and innovation.

Jeep Brand

For more than 80 years, Jeep has been the global leader in SUVs, delivering legendary off-road capability, advanced technology and exceptional versatility for those who seek adventure. With a commitment to innovation, the Jeep brand offers a diverse lineup of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, hybrid technology and all-electric drivetrains. The brand's dedication to customer satisfaction is reflected in Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that provides exclusive benefits and 24/7 support. Built on a heritage of freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion, Jeep continues to set the standard for rugged yet refined vehicles designed to conquer it all.

Follow Jeep and company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Jeep brand: www.jeep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeep

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeep

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jeep

YouTube: www.youtube.com/thejeepchannel or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis
DUBLIN, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON) will host its Investor Day on Monday, June 9, 2025, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Aon President and CEO Greg Case, CFO Edmund Reese and the senior executives leading the firm's 3x3 Plan will share how Aon United is a unique and powerful asset that is addressing clients' increasingly complex needs at the intersection of Risk Capital and Human Capitaldriving sustainable, profitable growth and shareholder value creation.

A live webcast and accompanying materials will be accessible on Aon's Investor Relations website. A replay will be accessible after the event.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better  to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

Investor Contact

Nicole Hendry

[email protected]

+1 847 442 0622

Media Contact

Will Dunn

[email protected]

+1 312 381 3024

SOURCE Aon plc
AsyncHealth has a clinician-built platform that uses AI to streamline the delivery of mental health care, increasing patient access and saving clinician time.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AsyncHealth, a company that has developed a cutting-edge platform that leverages AI agents and scribes to streamline mental health care, is excited to announce the launch of its crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. This campaign aims to raise funds to further develop and expand AsyncHealth's innovative solutions, making mental health care more accessible, efficient, and effective for both providers and patients.

Async is a clinician-built platform that uses AI to streamline the delivery of mental health care. The platform's virtual interviewer assistants handle patient intake, triage, and progress monitoring, while AI scribes generate the required documentation, saving providers more than 50% of their time. This enables better care, less burnout, and greater flexibility for clinicians. For patients, AsyncHealth's asynchronous approach removes the barriers of traditional appointment scheduling, improves access to care, and enhances continuity of care.

"We are thrilled to launch our crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine," said Peter Yellowlees, MD, CEO of AsyncHealth. "Our mission is to revolutionize mental health care by leveraging AI to create a more responsive and supportive care experience. With the support of our investors, we can scale our impact and make a substantial difference in the lives of both providers and patients."

AsyncHealth has already raised nearly $200,000 in the first two weeks of the campaign, demonstrating strong support from mental health providers, patients and early supporters who believe in the company's mission. The funds raised will be used to further develop the platform, enhance its features, and expand its reach to more providers and patients.

Potential investors can learn more about the campaign and invest in AsyncHealth by visiting the StartEngine campaign page: www.startengine.com/asynchealth. The campaign offers various investment tiers and perks for investors, making it an attractive opportunity for those looking to support innovative solutions in mental health care.

In addition to the crowdfunding campaign, AsyncHealth will be hosting a series of interactive webinars where the team will share more about the platform, growth plans, and answer questions live. Interested individuals can register for the webinars or reach out to the team at [email protected] for more information.

AsyncHealth's leadership team includes internationally recognized telepsychiatry expert Peter Yellowlees, MD, co-founder of a telehealth company sold to a Fortune 500 firm, and former president of the American Telemedicine Association; Steven Chan, MD, MBA, CTO, a triple board-certified psychiatrist and former Microsoft engineer with deep expertise in health informatics; and Robert Gregoire, CBO, a serial entrepreneur and corporate executive with extensive experience in developing and exiting successful ventures.

For more information about AsyncHealth (www.asynchealth.com) and the crowdfunding campaign, please visit www.startengine.com/asynchealth

Disclaimer: This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Primary LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.

About Asynchealth Inc

AsyncHealth launches crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine using AI to revolutionize mental health care

Press Contact:

Peter Yellowlees

916-833-1874

http://www.asynchealth.com

SOURCE Asynchealth Inc
DENVER, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tejon Treating & Carbon Solutions (Tejon), a Texas-based full-service midstream company, announced the completion of a significant expansion of the Mongoose Gas Plant and associated gathering infrastructure to accommodate third party gas in the Midland Basin.

Formed in 2023 with backing from Bayswater Management Company and Bayswater LP affiliates, Tejon provides gas gathering and treatment solutions for sour gas in the Midland Basin. Initially the Mongoose Gas Plant had a single customer, a dedication of 35,000 acres, and 17 mmcf/d of throughput capacity. Tejon has expanded to add multiple producers and over 137,000 dedicated acres. As a result, the company has recently completed a significant plant expansion to 70 mmcf/d and now operates over 90 miles of pipeline which services Bayswater and a growing network of regional producers.

"Tejon's recent growth reflects the strong need for reliable sour gas gathering and treating infrastructure in this region of the Midland Basin," said Mike Solomon, President of Tejon. "We have built a flexible, high-performance system that is designed to scale with our customers. With new plant capacity, expanded takeaway options, and electrified operations, we are uniquely positioned to fill a much-needed gap in the market as the sole sour gas treating plant in this region."

As part of their recent expansion, Tejon has added multiple downstream delivery points, providing enhanced market optionality for gas processing and NGL and residue gas takeaway. In addition, the company recently completed connection to a new substation in Howard County, enabling 100% electrification of the Mongoose Gas Plant and associated compressor station. This upgrade enhances system reliability and significantly lowers the facility's emissions profile.

"We are proud of the rapid progress Tejon has made since its formation," said Steve Struna, President and CEO of Bayswater. "This expansion is a testament to the vital service that Tejon provides in the region and ability to meet the needs of Midland Basin producers with efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible sour gas solutions."

About Tejon

Tejon is a Texas-based full-service midstream company focused on providing sour gas gathering and treating solutions in the Midland Basin. Learn more at www.tejontreating.com.

About Bayswater

Formed in 2004, Bayswater has managed a series of institutional investments since 2010 focused primarily on upstream oil and gas investments in the DJ and Midland Basins. The firm and its affiliates have invested approximately $2 billion since the firm's founding. For more information, please visit www.bayswater.us.

Media Contacts

Mike Solomon | President | Tejon Treating | 720.202.2824

Steve Struna | President & CEO | Bayswater | 303.893.2503

Mark Truax | Communications | Bayswater | 720.724.0298 | [email protected]

SOURCE Tejon Treating & Carbon Solutions (Tejon)
Shocked, angry and worried -- int'l students react to Harvard ban

08:17, May 29, 2025 By Xiong Maoling, Zhu Ziyu ( Xinhua

BOSTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The graduation season is usually a time of anticipation and celebration, but at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the atmosphere is instead charged with anxiety and unease.

Over the past weekend, the federal government's policy banning the oldest U.S. university from enrolling international students sparked shock, anger and fear.

Although Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, and a federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the ban, the policy's implications continue to alarm current and prospective international students across the United States.

SHOCK, ANGER, ANXIETY

Light rain fell over Harvard's campus on Saturday. When approached by Xinhua for comments, many students were reluctant to discuss the topic. Among a few who were willing to speak, some chose not to disclose their names.

A Canadian history PhD student said his reaction upon learning about the U.S. government's ban was "emotional." "I'm angry and I'm nervous, nervous on my own status, angry at the American government," he said.

The student, hailing from the French-speaking city of Montreal, said that at the moment, he has to consider multiple backup plans.

"The best-case scenario, if I lose my visa, I would be receiving a visa sponsored by another American University, which will allow me to, at least stay in the country. But, if worse comes to worst, I will go finish my studies in France," he said.

James, who only gave his first name, is an Australian statistics PhD student. "I wasn't sure if this was the real world we were living in or if I was in a dream," he said. "It just seems so out of the ordinary, such a draconian and insane move. It just doesn't seem like something that a reasonable federal government would do."

This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows a view of the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Jiang Yurong, a master's graduate from Harvard Kennedy School, shared with Xinhua that upon hearing the news, she had just returned from a visit to North Macedonia and was preparing to head back to the United States.

"I was worried about whether I could return," Jiang said. She is one of the student speakers for the commencement ceremony on May 29, representing graduate students. As a Chinese student, this honor holds special significance, and she doesn't want to miss it.

Although she managed to return to campus and is set to graduate as planned, Jiang's concerns persist. "I'm very fortunate that my own graduation seems to be secure, but I'm deeply worried about the younger classmates -- what their future will look like," she said.

Li Haojinchuan, a first-year master's student at the Kennedy School, is among those younger classmates. He entered the master's program last fall and is set to graduate in 2026.

"First, the reaction was one of surprise and even shock. Then, after several days, it turned into anxiety. Now, it has shifted to a sense of helplessness and powerlessness -- all we can do is wait and see how things unfold," Li told Xinhua on Monday. A court hearing on the issue was scheduled for May 29.

When asked about backup plans, Li said that he currently doesn't have one. "I don't think other U.S. schools, especially for public policy, can offer a platform comparable to Harvard's. So I'm not even sure where I'd transfer. I likely wouldn't want to," Li said.

"Another point: I doubt other schools would even be willing to step forward and accept students affected by Harvard's status. If they do, who's to say Trump wouldn't target them next?" he said.

Aside from the impact on students' studying, Li worries this could affect international students' internships and employment in the future. "The question is: will employers hesitate to hire them? Would they be willing to take the risk, knowing these students might face deportation?" he said.

Wang Yuefeng, another master's student at the Kennedy School who is graduating on May 29, said he plans to return to China after graduation, but the impact could be significant for some graduate and doctoral students still studying.

"Undergraduates can still transfer schools, their pathways are relatively open. However, for master's and doctoral students, transferring to another school and finding a new advisor basically means starting over," Wang said. "The progress made in previous academic research and degrees would essentially go down the drain."

BEACON TO BATTLEGROUND

After Trump returned to the White House, he has targeted many U.S. universities, warning that those that do not adjust their policies will face funding cuts. The Trump administration's main demands include eradicating antisemitism on campus and abolishing diversity initiatives that favor minority groups.

This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows a view of the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Observers believe that the administration is focusing on universities like Harvard because the Republican Party views these schools as strongholds of left-wing liberals or the Democratic Party.

In early May, Education Secretary Linda McMahon accused Harvard of being operated by left-wing individuals, transforming it into "a partisan political advocacy organization."

With billions of dollars in funding frozen, its tax-exempt status in jeopardy and multiple investigations underway, Harvard is facing an unprecedented crisis.

On May 22, the Homeland Security Department announced the revocation of Harvard's eligibility for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program -- one of the latest moves by the Trump administration aimed at pressuring the university.

According to data from Harvard, as of fall 2023, international students made up more than 27 percent of the total student population. Currently, Harvard enrolls nearly 6,800 international students and scholars from over 140 countries and regions, most of whom are pursuing graduate programs.

James from Australia believes that this policy may discourage many students from studying at Harvard. "I think the indirect effects stem from a deterioration in the overall quality of the research environment and collegial environment at Harvard University," he said.

"The damage is already done by creating such uncertainty on what's going to happen in the future, even if this revoking of Harvard's certification doesn't end up happening," James said.

No matter how the confrontation between top U.S. universities, including Harvard, and the Trump administration ends, the once-shining beacon of U.S. higher education has already dimmed.

"The United States is still the country with the highest GDP, so for something like this to happen in such a society is really a sad thing -- it can be seen as a step backward for the times," Wang said.

Wang also believes that this incident will inevitably damage the overall environment for attracting foreign talents to the United States.

"This is not just an administrative decision, but a signal of hostility, showing that in the eyes of certain political forces, international students are no longer considered part of the U.S. academic system but rather a 'variable' that can be sacrificed," said an alumnus of Harvard who pursued a master's degree at the Kennedy School in an online interview with Xinhua.

"In today's unstable global environment, this approach not only shakes the confidence of many students but also raises doubts about whether the United States can still genuinely welcome outstanding talents from around the world to pursue their dreams as it once did," said the alumnus.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Embassy of Ukraine in Germany denied media reports about the alleged premature end of the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to this country. The text of the corresponding statement was posted by the embassy on the X platform on Thursday.

"Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was forced to cancel his participation in tomorrow's Charlemagne Prize ceremony in Aachen, allegedly due to an upcoming Russian offensive, are untrue. We thank everyone who contributed to today's successful visit. We are especially grateful to the police and all security agencies. We also thank all Berliners for their understanding and patience," the embassy said in a statement.

As previously reported, the German publication Spiegel spread information that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had allegedly canceled his participation in the Charlemagne Prize ceremony due to the threat of a major Russian offensive. On Wednesday, sources in the President's Office denied this information to Interfax-Ukraine.
DALLAS, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beal Bank USA is pleased to announce it has received the Marine Money Offshore Bank Debt Deal of the Year Award for 2024.

7th Generation Drillship West Draco 7th Generation Drillship Zonda CSG Investments, Inc. Logo (PRNewsfoto/CSG Investments, Inc.)

In February 2024, Beal Bank USA provided an initial $275,000,000 financing to Eldorado Drilling of Oslo, Norway, for the acquisition and upgrade of the 7th generation drillship, Atlantic Zonda. In December 2024, Beal Bank USA and El Dorado mutually agreed to increase the commitment by an additional $275,000,000, for a total of $550,000,000. A portion of the incremental commitment was used to acquire the 7th generation drillship, West Draco.

Farzin Dinyarian, Head of Oil & Gas for Beal Bank USA's wholly-owned commercial lending subsidiary CSG Investments, Inc., said, "We are proud to be named Marine Money's Offshore Bank Debt Deal of the Year. This is the second consecutive year we have won one of their prestigious awards and it demonstrates our ability to be thoughtful lenders, particularly in the oil & gas sector."

Andy Longhurst, Head of Shipping for CSG Investments, Inc., adds, "After winning Marine Money's Jones Act Deal of the Year for 2023, we are grateful to add this year's Offshore Bank Debt Deal of the Year. The recognition of our work in the industry proves that we are committed to the maritime space and are ready to expand our presence when the right deal comes along."

Beal Bank USA continues to provide capital to companies supporting world oil & gas production.

###

About Beal Bank USA: Beal Bank USA (Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, has assets of approximately $16.2 billion as of March 2025. The Bank has a well-earned reputation as stable, strongly-capitalized financial institution.

CSG Investments, Inc. is a global buy-and-hold institution headquartered near Dallas, Texas. We provide flexible and creative capital solutions for all types of commercial and industrial customers. CSG Investments, Inc. is an affiliate of Beal Bank USA, a strongly capitalized financial institution. CSG Investments, Inc. is a direct, one-stop source of capital for up to $1 billion per transaction.

Contacts:

Farzin Dinyarian ([email protected]; 469-467-5736)

Andy Longhurst ([email protected]; 469-467-5537)

Damien Reynolds ([email protected]; 469-467-5618)

SOURCE CSG Investments, Inc.; Beal Bank USA
DUBAI, UAE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Beehive, the region's leading digital SME (small and medium-sized businesses) lending platform, has reached a landmark milestone by underwriting over USD 1 billion in SME funding across the MENA region.

This achievement follows Beehive's recently closed structured funding agreement of USD 140 million with institutional partners. The agreement enables Beehive to significantly scale its funding capacity, reinforcing its position as the lender of first resort for SMEs outside the traditional banking system.

Beehives founders mark a milestone as the company surpasses USD 1 billion in SME funding, accelerating business growth across the GCC.

Since its inception, Beehive has supported the growth of over 2,100 SMEs across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, disbursing more than USD 1 billion in SME financing. With a mission to bridge the region's USD 250 billion SME funding gap, Beehive continues to empower businesses through swift, digital, and accessible financing solutions.

"This milestone is more than a numberit reflects the real impact we've made on thousands of businesses across the region," said Craig Moore, Founder and CEO of Beehive. "With the support of our institutional and banking partners, we are accelerating our efforts to provide meaningful capital to the SMEs driving economic growth."

As Beehive continues to grow, it remains firmly committed to providing SMEs with the capital they need to scale, innovate, and succeed.

About Beehive:

Founded in 2014, Beehive is the first peer-to-peer lending platform in the MENA region to be regulated by the DFSA. Headquartered in Dubai, Beehive connects businesses seeking finance with investors willing to support their growth, offering a faster, more affordable funding option for SMEs. Through technology and a commitment to supporting regional businesses, Beehive has become a trusted partner for SMEs across the GCC. Learn more at https://www.beehive.ae/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2697921/Beehive.jpg

SOURCE Beehive
PANAMA CITY, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. - Bladex (NYSE: BLX) and Silver Birch Finance (hereafter "Silver Birch"), an international firm specializing in the advisory and execution of working capital solutions, have formalized a strategic alliance aimed at expanding access to working capital financing for corporates in Latin America.

Bladex and Silver Birch have successfully completed programs with clients in various sectors in countries such as Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The collaboration between the two institutions aims to fill the gap in foreign trade financing in the region through innovative and flexible financial products tailored to current market needs.

The alliance is supported by Bladex's regional track record and institutional strength and Silver Birch's specialized structuring and execution capabilities.

"This alliance reflects our vision for the future: to offer financing structures that truly fit our clients' business cycles, improve their operational efficiency and drive their growth. At Bladex, we firmly believe that capital should be a tool for development in Latin America," said Samuel Canineu, Chief Commercial Officer of Bladex.

"Working hand-in-hand with a leading institution like Bladex is a great opportunity to accelerate our impact in the region. We share a clear vision: to provide businesses with access to working capital solutions that drive their development. This alliance allows us to reach more companies with agile, efficient alternatives designed to meet the real challenges of the Latin American market," said Manuel Buraglia, Managing Director for the Americas at Silver Birch Finance.

Both institutions share the vision that regional economic development is largely dependent on the ability of businesses to access flexible, timely financing that is aligned with their operating reality.

About Bladex

Bladex is a multinational bank founded in 1979 by the central banks of Latin America and the Caribbean to promote trade finance and economic integration in the region. Headquartered in Panama, with representative offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and an agency in the United States, the Bank provides financial solutions to institutions and corporations throughout the region. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BLX) since 1992 and on the Mexican Stock Exchange for more than 10 years, Bladex has consolidated its presence in the international financial markets. Its shareholder base includes central banks, government entities and banks from 23 Latin American countries, as well as institutional and private investors.

About Silver Birch Finance

Silver Birch Finance is a firm that specializes in structuring, implementing and funding working capital solutions for global corporate clients. With offices in London, Miami and Mexico City, Silver Birch focuses on serving the entire client value chain with solutions that improve cash flow and respond to each client's unique needs with fast, transparent and effective execution. Since its inception in 2021, the firm has structured more than $2.5 billion. Its core product offering includes tools such as portfolio receivables monetization and inventory financing.

Contact:

Irma Garrido, SVP Business Development & Alliances Strategy

Tel: +(507) 210-8500

www.bladex.com

SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex)
ARLINGTON, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Industry Group raised $15,730.90 for the 35th annual Lawyers Have Heart 10K, 5K & Fun Walk on May 17. The event supports the American Heart Association (AHA) to raise funds for the research, prevention and awareness of heart disease and stroke.

"Participating in Lawyers Have Heart is a valued annual tradition for Bloomberg Industry Group," said Andrew Prior, Head of Sales and Service, Bloomberg Industry Group. "Bringing our community together is an imperative part of supporting efforts to create longer and healthier lives."

Held at West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., Bloomberg Industry Group's team comprised of 126 participants, and finished in both the Top 5 Companies and Teams participating in the fundraiser.

The race included 155 companies and over 200 teams including legal leaders, executives, friends, and family participating in the day's festivities.

About Bloomberg Industry Group

Bloomberg Industry Group empowers professionals in government, law, tax, and accounting with industry knowledge and AI-enabled technology, enabling them to take decisive action and make the most of every opportunity. Bloomberg Industry Group is an affiliate of Bloomberg L.P. For more information, visit bloombergindustry.com.

SOURCE Bloomberg Industry Group
BRUNSWICK, Md., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brunwick Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation  Affiliate and Accredited. These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.

"Main Street America is proud to recognize this year's 821 Accredited Main Street America programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities," said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. "Their tireless efforts show what's possible when engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive transformation."

Brunswick Main Street's performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization's personnel and board of directors, and Maryland Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.

These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited statusMain Street America's top designation tiercommunities must demonstrate a proved track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.

In 2024, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126 historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, $21.73 was reinvested into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.

In 2024, Brunswick Main Street played a pivotal role in revitalizing the downtown district through innovative programs and collaborative partnerships. The Building Block program was able to continue due to securing $250,000 worth of funding from the State. These monies will help multiple property owners with the health, safety and welfare of their older buildings which are in dire need of improvements for their viability into the future. The YIFTEE Gift Card program injected $96,500 into local businesses, with a BOGO campaign selling out in just 24 hours. Brunswick celebrated the opening of six new businesses, reflecting the success of initiatives like the Blighted Building Program, which revitalized historic properties like the Newberry Building. These efforts exemplify Brunswick's commitment to fostering economic growth and preserving its historic charm.

"Our national accreditation as a Main Street program is vital for several reasons," said Carmen Hilton, Program Manager of Brunswick Main Street. "It signifies our community's dedication to revitalizing our historic downtown and commercial districts, fostering economic growth, and preserving our cultural heritage. This accreditation provides access to invaluable resources, including technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities, empowering us to implement effective revitalization strategies. It also enhances our visibility and credibility, attracting investment, tourism, and support from key stakeholders. Ultimately, this designation helps us build a vibrant, sustainable, and economically resilient community."

ABOUT BRUNSWICK MAIN STREET

Brunswick Main Street is part of Main Street America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that supports communities in their efforts to revitalize struggling downtowns while retaining their unique, historic characters. Dedicated to the economic success of its downtown, Brunswick Main Street, created in 2004, works to revitalize the charm and history and show residents and visitors why Downtown Brunswick is a great place to live, work, shop and play. To learn more about Brunswick Main Street and how you can get involved, please visit brunswickmainstreet.org.

ABOUT THE CITY OF BRUNSWICK

The City of Brunswick is located in south-western Frederick County along the Potomac River, the C & O National Historic Park, and the MARC train line. Proud of its historic contribution as a railroad and canal hub to Frederick County's growth and development, Brunswick continues to attract commercial and residential growth with its easy proximity to urban centers, beautiful natural resources, award-winning schools, and small-town charm. Visit the City's official website at www.brusnwickmd.gov.

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street Movement has resulted in $115.42 billion reinvested locally, 181,647 net new businesses, 815,895 net new jobs, 345,801 buildings rehabilitated, and 37.3 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.

SOURCE Brunswick Main Street
VIENNA, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has received its Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) , signifying a pivotal moment in its European expansion. With this new license, Bybit can now operate as a fully compliant crypto-asset services provider and passport its regulated and localized crypto products and services to nearly 500 million Europeans in 29 EEA (European Economic Area) member states through its EEA hub, which is based in Austria. Alongside this regulatory milestone, Bybit has also established its official European headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

Bybit Secures MiCAR License in Austria, Opens European Headquarters in Vienna with Strategic Expansion Plan

The MiCAR license underscores Bybit's unwavering commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards in Europe, including crucial safeguards that are designed to enhance transparency, prevent illicit activities, and protect consumers within the European Union's digital finance ecosystem.

"Securing the MiCAR license in Austria is a testament to our compliance-first approach at Bybit," stated Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. "We are actively collaborating with regulators and pursuing licenses globally to ensure our users can access our innovative platform with the highest levels of regulatory and compliance assurance."

To support its upcoming European expansion, Bybit is making a substantial investment in Austria, with plans to hire over 100 professionals in Vienna as it provides more localized and regulated services to users.

"Obtaining the MiCAR license demonstrates our commitment to compliance and transparency, in line with Europe's high regulatory standards," said Mazurka Zeng, Chief Executive Officer of Bybit Europe.

"Vienna is now the home of Bybit Europe, and we're proud to contribute to Austria's forward-looking financial environment by investing in talent and innovation. Beyond this, we are dedicated to fostering a strong local crypto community and, through the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) , we will extend our resources to work closely with universities across the region, cultivating the next generation of blockchain innovators and exploring impactful real-world applications of the technology," Mazurka said.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #MiCAR

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest crypto-asset exchange platform, providing over 70 million users globally access to its innovative crypto investment products and services. Bybit EU is the newly established EU headquarter and will serve the EEA clients on the dedicated Bybit EU platform.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

SOURCE Bybit
CHENGDU, China, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Once upon a time, sci-fi was synonymous with classic works from Europe and America such as Star Wars, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. However, Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin made history when the first installment of his trilogy The Three-Body Problem won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel at the 73rd World Science Fiction Convention, becoming the first Asian to receive this honor. The achievement marked the first time the world truly began to pay attention to Chinese sci-fi. Furthermore, Chengdu hosted the 81st World Science Fiction Convention in 2023, the first time the event was held in China and second time in Asia. Today, The Three-Body Problem has been translated into over 30 languages and has captivated global audiences through its novels and screen adaptations. Yet few know that the first book of the trilogy was originally serialized in Chengdu's sci-fi magazine Science Fiction World.

Chengdu International Sci-Fi Industry Salon

To further promote Chengdu's sci-fi industry and strengthen international collaboration in the field, the Chengdu International Sci-Fi Industry Salon, organized by National Business Daily and hosted by NBD Think Tank, was held in Chengdu on May 28, 2025. The event brought together leading global sci-fi companies and experts to discuss the future of the industry. Attendees included representatives from France's Hachette Publishing Group (the world's second-largest publishing group), Japan's D'Art Shtajio Animation Studio (the first major anime studio led by African American creators). During the presentation, Hachette and D'Art Shtajio shared insights on sci-fi IP development, copyright management, and animation production, while delivering speeches on topics such as "ideal environments for sci-fi innovation" and "enhancing cross-border industry collaboration."

The event also featured prominent international experts, including Brigitte Leblanc, Editor-in-Chief of Le Rayon imaginaire, Hachette Heroes, Hachette Livre (responsible for publishing the French edition of The Three-Body Problem comic), American animation director Dalton Grant (known for Cars and Shrek), etc. During roundtable discussions, Grant emphasized sci-fi's role in sparking unexpected creativity and overcoming perceived limits, while Leblanc cited The Three-Body Problem's global success as a model for international IP cooperation.

The organizers stated that such platforms aim to drive Chengdu's sci-fi industry toward greater diversity, depth, and global integration, while amplifying the reach of Chinese sci-fi works abroad and fostering cultural exchange between China and the world.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698618/IMAGE_1.jpg
Placement reflects evaluation based on completeness of vision and ability to execute

SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Corelight, the fastest-growing provider of network detection and response (NDR) solutions, today announced it has been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Detection and Response 1. The Magic Quadrant evaluation assesses vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute.

Corelight believes this recognition reflects the company's robust Open NDR platform including native machine learning integration and generative AI to improve SOC workflow efficiency, strong customer satisfaction, and strategic roadmap for addressing evolving cybersecurity challenges.

"We feel being recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Detection and Response acknowledges our commitment to delivering industry-trusted network visibility and detection of advanced threats that evade other security tools," said Brian Dye, Corelight CEO. "NDR has emerged as a must-have capability of modern security operations teams to ensure comprehensive coverage for the complex cyber attacks more prevalent today and what those will evolve into tomorrow."

Corelight stands alone in its ability to democratize the defensive practices of elite defenders. Corelight received 98% recommendation rate from its customers according to reviews on Gartner Peer Insights.

Corelight's Open NDR platform provides organizations with deep network visibility through advanced traffic analysis, behavioral analytics, and threat intelligence integration. The solution enables security teams to detect lateral movement, insider threats, and advanced persistent threats that often evade perimeter defenses. The platform's key differentiators include:

Industry-leading network evidence  Rich, actionable evidence with full context helps defenders understand attack vectors, spot lateral movement and reconstruct attacker behaviors with clarity and certainty.

Rich, actionable evidence with full context helps defenders understand attack vectors, spot lateral movement and reconstruct attacker behaviors with clarity and certainty. Proven multi-layered detection strategy  Fusing machine learning (ML), behavioral analytics, curated signatures, and threat intelligence provides defenders with prioritized, aggregated alerts based on risk and expert-tuned detections.

Fusing machine learning (ML), behavioral analytics, curated signatures, and threat intelligence provides defenders with prioritized, aggregated alerts based on risk and expert-tuned detections. Open source advantage  Built on an open-source foundation that is used by the world's elite defenders, customers benefit from curated community content contributions that help detect emerging threats faster.

Built on an open-source foundation that is used by the world's elite defenders, customers benefit from curated community content contributions that help detect emerging threats faster. AI driven acceleration  Integration of large language models and ML-based detection algorithms enables evidence-backed summaries, guided triage, and analyst-ready workflows to accelerate investigations without locking customers into proprietary platforms.

Integration of large language models and ML-based detection algorithms enables evidence-backed summaries, guided triage, and analyst-ready workflows to accelerate investigations without locking customers into proprietary platforms. Flexible deployment options  With a strong and growing technical ecosystem, Corelight Open NDR can be seamlessly deployed in a wide range of architectures from cloud to on-premises to hybrid with integrations across the security stack.

With a strong and growing technical ecosystem, Corelight Open NDR can be seamlessly deployed in a wide range of architectures from cloud to on-premises to hybrid with integrations across the security stack. Leading customer support  An expert team of security professionals provides support and advice to customers from implementation and integration through the entire lifecycle of the customer relationship.

About Gartner Magic Quadrant

Gartner Magic Quadrant reports are a culmination of rigorous, fact-based research in specific markets, providing a wide-angle view of the relative positions of providers in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct. Providers are positioned into four quadrants: Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players. The research enables organizations to get the most from market analysis in alignment with their unique business and technology needs. By applying a graphical treatment and a uniform set of evaluation criteria, a Magic Quadrant helps buyers quickly ascertain how well technology providers are executing their stated visions and how well they are performing against Gartner's market view.

About Corelight

Corelight transforms network and cloud activity into evidence that security teams use to proactively hunt for threats, accelerate response to incidents, gain complete network visibility and create powerful analytics. Corelight's global customers include Global 2000 companies, major government agencies, and large research universities. Based in San Francisco, Corelight is an open-core security company founded by the creators of Zeek, the widely used open source network security technology. For more information, visit www.corelight.com .

Gartner Disclaimers:

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

_______________________________

1 Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Network Detection and Response, 29 May 2025, Thomas Lintemuth, et.al.

SOURCE Corelight
Ruling Finds Inland Empire Utilities Agency Undermined Decades-Old Water Agreements

ONTARIO, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Ontario welcomes the recent State of California Fourth Appellate District Division Two court decision reversing Chino Basin Watermaster's application of the IEUA-led 2019 Letter Agreement in relation to the Dry-Year Yield (DYY) Program. This ruling affirms Ontario's position that the Chino Basin Watermaster's approval of the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 Assessment Packages were inconsistent with the core agreements, judicial orders, and performance criteria governing the DYY Program in the Chino groundwater basin.

"Ontario has always supported regional water solutions, but we will not allow our residents to be penalized for following the rules while others seek shortcuts," said City Councilmember Debra Porada. "IEUA's actions, in coordination with Watermaster and others, deviated from decades of cooperation and transparency, and we're pleased the court has recognized the importance of upholding both the law and the trust between agencies."

Increased water assessments can lead to higher utility costs and place an unfair financial burden on the community. Ensuring fair implementation of water storage and recovery agreements helps protect ratepayers from being penalized for adhering to rules while others benefit from exceptions. The court's ruling safeguards Ontario residents by reaffirming the principle that all parties must follow the same standards to ensure affordability and reliability in local water service.

The DYY Program, launched nearly two decades ago, was designed as a conjunctive use strategy to bolster regional water supply reliability by storing water in wet years and recovering it in dry years to offset imported water demand. Governed by Court orders and agreements, including the 2000 Peace Agreement, the 2003 DYY Funding Agreement, the 2004 DYY Storage and Recovery Agreement, and related Local Agency Agreements, the DYY Program ensures a coordinated and equitable approach among eight designated "Operating Parties," including the City of Ontario.

However, this balance was disrupted when the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), along with the Metropolitan Water District, pushed for operational changes through the 2019 Letter Agreement that circumvented the original intent and structure of the DYY Program. Under IEUA's leadership on the DYY Program Operating Committee, with support from Watermaster, unauthorized voluntary withdrawals were allowed, benefiting two agencies that produced the water, without proper performance commitments or court-approved agreements. Watermaster and IEUA downplayed these significant changes as mere "operational flexibility," but the appellate court decisively rejected that argument, finding the changes materially affected the rights of other agencies, including Ontario.

By supporting the exemption of these voluntary withdrawals from financial assessments, actions by Watermaster and IEUA led directly to Ontario and other compliant agencies being unfairly burdened with increased water costs. This maneuvering not only violated the terms of the court-adopted agreements but also broke with more than two decades of collaborative governance. Despite Ontario's early warnings and calls for transparency, Watermaster and IEUA proceeded with changes that undermined the integrity of the program and the legal structure that protects all participating communities.

With this hard-won appeal, prior implementation of the IEUA-led 2019 Letter Agreement is reversed to protect the integrity of the DYY Program. Watermaster is made to amend and reissue annual assessment packages fairly, sparing the Inland Empire from losing the originally envisioned broad mutual benefits of the program and the inequitable shifting of million-dollar consequences to agencies like Ontario. The City of Ontario remains committed to regional collaboration based on fairness, transparency, and legal compliance, and will continue to advocate for its residents and ratepayers in all matters affecting local water management.

Learn more at www.ontarioca.gov/government/municipal-utilities-company.

SOURCE City of Ontario
All 650+ Crash Champions locations will support the repair of all Hyundai vehicles.

CHICAGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crash Champions, the fastest-growing founder-led provider of high-quality collision repair services in the U.S., has been selected by Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) as the manufacturer's authorized repair partner.

Crash Champions and Hyundai Motor America Partner on Paint Repairs

As an authorized partner, Crash Champions will assist in providing Hyundai customers with comprehensive paint repair service. Crash Champions operates a growing network of 650+ I-CAR Gold Class collision repair centers and is a trusted name among motorists and auto insurance providers for delivering consistent, high-quality repairs backed by a lifetime warranty.

"Crash Champions is proud to support Hyundai as its authorized partner," said Matt Ebert, Founder and CEO of Crash Champions. "We have a strong track record of supporting dealerships across the country, and the Crash Champions team will work hand-in-hand with Hyundai to ensure customers enjoy a swift and seamless repair experience."

"At Hyundai, our top priority is delivering long-term value and peace of mind to our customers," said Nathan Edmonds, Director of Dealer Technical Support at Hyundai Motor America. "We understand how important it is to stand behind the quality of our vehicles, and our partnership with Crash Champions ensures that customers with eligible paint concerns will receive expert care and a seamless repair experience."

As part of the collaboration, Crash Champions will honor its lifetime warranty on all vehicles serviced. To learn more about Crash Champions and to find a local collision repair center, visit crashchampions.com.

About Crash Champions

Crash Champions is one of the largest founder-led multi-shop operators (MSO) of high-quality collision repair service in the U.S., serving customers and business partners at more than 650 state-of-the-art repair centers across 38 states  including Crash Champions LUXE | EV Certified repair centers. The company was founded in 1999 as a single Chicago repair center by industry veteran Matt Ebert, a 2023 Winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest Award.

Crash Champions is a recipient of the 2025 VETS Indexes Employer Awards program, and the Company's hands-on apprenticeship program ("STEP") has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

For more information and to locate a local repair center, visit www.crashchampions.com . Industry professionals interested in career opportunities at Crash Champions are encouraged to visit careers.crashchampions.com .

About Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a published economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Gaffney Bennett PR

[email protected]

SOURCE Crash Champions
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/rustemumerov.ua

Ukraine fulfilled its part of the agreements at the first meeting in Istanbul on May 16 and handed over to Russia a document reflecting the Ukrainian position on the terms of the ceasefire, while the Russian side is delaying the implementation of this agreement, said the head of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

"After firm statements from President Trump, European leaders, and President Zelenskyy  demonstrating that the world is united around the goal of peace for Ukraine  the Russians finally informed us they had finished drafting their memorandum. However, they continue to delay the delivery of the document," Umerov wrote on the social network X on Wednesday evening.

He specified that he had handed over to the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, a document reflecting the Ukrainian position.

Umerov confirmed Ukraine's readiness for a complete and unconditional ceasefire and meetings with the Russians, but stressed that the Ukrainian side expects a Russian "memorandum" so that the meeting would not be empty and could really bring the end of the war closer.

"The Russian side has at least four more days before their departure to provide us with their document for review," the minister emphasized after Russia today proposed the next meeting for June 2 in Istanbul.

As reported, the Russian-Ukrainian meeting in Istanbul, the first since spring 2022, resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners for 1,000 prisoners. The parties also agreed to share in writing the conditions necessary for a ceasefire and to meet again in the future.

The Ukrainian side also presented its document to the American side, while the Russian side stated that the transfer of their version to mediators from the United States was not part of the agreements reached in Istanbul.
VACAVILLE, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers in Vacaville craving serious performance and head-turning style can now experience the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla up close at Ammaar's Toyota Vacaville.

Vacaville drivers craving pulse-quickening performance and rally-inspired styling now have a thrilling new option. The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla has officially arrived at Ammaar's Toyota Vacaville, combining serious power, cutting-edge handling and a bold, track-ready design.

Prospective Buyers Can Visit Ammaar's Toyota Vacaville to Check Out the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla.

Under the hood, a turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine pushes out an astonishing 300 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torqueideal for those who want a daily drive with race-day excitement. Engineered with a reinforced valvetrain and forged pistons, this lightweight powerplant offers a nimble balance while tearing through twisty backroads or dirt-packed rally routes.

The GR Corolla's Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) features eight close-ratio gears and paddle shifters, allowing for quicker gear changes with precision control. For drivers who prefer a hands-on experience, a 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) delivers a raw, connected driving feelperfect for carving corners or nailing downshifts on steep inclines.

A Launch Control feature brings instant excitement at every green light, while a trio of exhaust tips doesn't just growlthey reduce back pressure to help the engine breathe freely and perform more efficiently. On any terrain, the GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system brings adaptable torque distributionideal for commuting in the rain, playing on gravel trails or hitting the track.

Built for grip and responsiveness, the double-wishbone rear suspension and MacPherson struts up front keep the car planted in tight corners, while the front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials maximize traction and stability. Braking is just as refined, with ventilated and slotted rotors plus red-painted four-piston calipers designed to dissipate heat and reduce fade during spirited drives.

Beyond performance, the 2025 GR Corolla delivers a driver-focused interior complete with GR-stitched sport seats, a digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster with performance readouts and a Head-Up Display to keep critical info in sight. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, while available eight-speaker JBL audio sets the tone for every drive.

For daily life, the GR Corolla is surprisingly versatile. The hatchback layout opens to a cargo space ready for grocery hauls, gear bags or weekend luggage. Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and smart key entry round out its comfort-focused amenities.

Ammaar's Toyota Vacaville invites shoppers to explore the new 2025 Toyota GR Corolla in person. Test drives are now available at 500 Orange Dr., Vacaville, CA. For more details, interested customers can call 707-446-7000.

Media Contact: Gul Parpia, 707-446-7000, [email protected]

SOURCE Ammaar's Toyota Vacaville
HEREDIA, Costa Rica, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks , the Data and AI company, today celebrated the opening of its new office in the America Free Zone (AFZ) in Heredia, Costa Rica, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing investment in Latin America. The company's Costa Rica team has expanded to approximately 200 employees, reflecting the rapid growth and deep commitment to the country's exceptional talent pool. Building on this momentum, Databricks plans to create 100 additional jobs in Costa Rica by the end of 2025, further strengthening its local operations and reinforcing Costa Rica's strategic role in supporting customers and driving adoption of the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform across Latin America.

Since opening its Costa Rica office in 2023, Databricks has achieved over 150% growth in its LATAM business while supporting major regional customers such as BAC Latam, Nubank, Grupo Bimbo, iFood, Bineo and Kueski. As part of its broader strategy for Latin America, the company is expanding its Sao Paulo office and recently launched a new presence in Mexico City. These investments are fueled by rapidly growing enterprise demand for Databricks solutions across the region.

"Costa Rica plays a critical role in Databricks' international expansion strategy," said Rory Patterson, Chief of Staff to the CEO and VP of Corporate Operations at Databricks. "Our teams in Latin America are not only supporting global operations, they're pioneering new automation and AI-based programs and processes that drive innovation across the company. This is a testament to the exceptional talent in Costa Rica and their ability to help us scale smarter, and not just faster."

"Databricks has enabled us to realize our vision of a modern, intelligent, and flexible data and analytics strategy, strengthening our approach as a bank, personalizing our customers' experience, and generating prosperity for the communities we serve," said Rodrigo Chaverri, Corporate Director of Data & Analytics of BAC Latam.

The Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, commented, "Databricks' expansion in Costa Rica strengthens the country's position as a strategic tech hub for Latin America, supported by a highly skilled workforce, a reliable business environment, and robust digital infrastructure. With over 240 multinational companies in the sector and advanced capabilities in software, analytics, and artificial intelligence, Costa Rica offers a thriving ecosystem for digital solutions, nearshoring, and innovation. This new investment reaffirms the global tech sector's confidence in our ability to lead complex processes from a secure, stable and competitive platform."

"At Databricks, we believe in building our future with the best talent, and Costa Rica offers exactly that," said Ariel Vargas, Director of International & LATAM Operations at Databricks. "Our new office will be a cornerstone for our Latin America operations, enabling us to better serve our customers and foster a culture of innovation and excellence. We look forward to welcoming new Bricksters to our growing team and collaborating with local partners and customers to drive innovation across the region."

"The opening of Databricks' new office in Costa Rica reinforces the country's position as a strategic destination for knowledge-intensive services, which already account for 30% of our total exports. This expansion reflects the confidence that leading companies place in our business environment, legal certainty, and  above all  our highly skilled talent that drives digital transformation globally, every day," said Laura Lopez, CEO of the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER).

Databricks' investment in Costa Rica will support a wide range of roles, including Finance, HR, IT, Technical Support, Marketing, Operations and more. The company encourages interested professionals to explore opportunities and join its mission to democratize data and AI through the Data Intelligence Platform. For more information about career opportunities at Databricks Costa Rica, please visit the Databricks Careers page.

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide  including Block, Comcast, Conde Nast, Rivian, Shell and over 60% of the Fortune 500  rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to take control of their data and put it to work with AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe, and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark, Delta Lake and MLflow. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn , X and Facebook .

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Databricks
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Electronic Lab Notebook Market, valued at US$0.68 billion in 2024 stood at US$0.72 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 7.3% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$1.03 billion by the end of the period. The adoption of electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) is driven by the growing emphasis on laboratory digitization, the rising need for efficient data management, and integrated compatibility with advanced technologies. Additionally, the increasing use of ELNs within the life sciences sector is expected to fuel their adoption in the life sciences sector. The expanding role of biobanks is also contributing to this trend, as ELNs offer high efficiency in the storing & management of biobank data. As laboratories continue to automate, ELNs are increasingly replacing traditional paper-based notebooks.

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By Based on organization size, the electronic lab notebook market has been segmented into small & medium and large organizations. In 2024, the large organization segment accounted for the largest share of the electronic lab notebook market. The key factors contributing to the growth of this segment include the expanding budgets for R&D activities, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and the rising need for robust & efficient data management systems to comply with stringent regulatory requirements. Large organizations often require ELNs that can integrate seamlessly with existing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Electronic Lab Management Systems (ELMS), and other enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This integration is crucial for streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.

By end user, the ELN market is segmented into life sciences, agriculture and food & beverage, oil & gas and petrochemicals, chemical industry, environmental research, and other end users. The life sciences division is segmented into pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, contract service organizations, biobanks & biorepositories, clinical research laboratories, academic research institutes, NGS laboratories, and toxicology laboratories. In 2024, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment accounted for the largest share of the electronic lab notebook market. The rising demand for data reporting & management software within pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical companies is a key factor contributing to the increasing adoption of electronic lab notebooks (ELNs). Additionally, the surge in R&D initiatives and the expansion of drug discovery & development activities has amplified the need for ELNs to streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

By geography, the electronic lab notebook market is segmented into regions: North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing reliance on companies in India & China to outsource drug development contract services; low manufacturing & labor costs; and the growing focus on lab automation and digitization. Supportive initiatives by the government & other private players in the market for expanding healthcare infrastructure are expected to also provide an impetus for adopting electronic lab notebooks during the forecast period.

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The prominent players operating in the electronic lab notebook market include Revvity, Inc. (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Benchling (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), Waters Corporation (US), IDBS (US), STARLIMS Corporation (US), LabVantage Solutions Inc. (US), LabLynx, Inc (US), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US), LabWare (US), Eppendorf SE (Germany), Dotmatics (US), Lab-Ally (US), Labforward GmbH (Germany), and Labii Inc. (US), among others. These companies adopted product/service launches, enhancements, agreements, expansions, partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions to strengthen their market presence in the electronic lab notebook market.

Revvity, Inc (US):

Revvity, Inc., is a leading provider of ELN solutions, experiencing consistent growth due to its unique and competitive offerings for customers across several industries. The company's leading cloud-native Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) seamlessly facilitates collaboration and data capture technology. With integrated features such as ChemDraw and Spotfire, the company expedites innovation across various sectors, including Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Chemicals & Materials, and Food, Flavor, and Fragrance industries. Revvity designs future-proof solutions for enhanced collaboration & acceleration of scientific workflows, making it an essential tool across Biology, Chemistry, Formulations, and Analysis. In February 2022, Revvity (US) partnered with TetraScience (US). Through this collaboration, TetraScience provides users with the Revvity Signals Research Suite with vendor-agnostic, configurable, and productized instrument integrations via its Tetra R&D Data Cloud. This partnership aims to improve data interoperability and speed up scientific outcomes. Similar developments in the market are expected to offer the company an impetus for growth in the electronic lab notebook market.

Dassault Systemes (France)

Dassault Systemes provides software solutions & consulting services. Dassault Systemes offers a comprehensive range of applications & solutions through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. These tools support various domains such as analytics, design, engineering, manufacturing, scientific research, & supply chain planning. Dassault Systemes has 290,000 customers and 25 million users across Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Dassault Systemes has a diverse presence with over 180 offices in 42 countries, including the 3DS Paris Campus in France and the 3DS Boston Campus in the US.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US)

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a range of Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) solutions, including Labguru and Core ELN, to support research & data management. The company also integrates ELN functionalities into its broader suite of laboratory informatics solutions, including LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) and data analysis tools. The ELNs Requests module is designed to meet the needs of quality control labs, contract research organizations, service labs, R&D, manufacturing, and logistics teams. Thermo Fisher Scientific focuses on providing customers with a complete, end-to-end solution for data acquisition, storage, and analysis. The company is actively working to integrate LIMS, CDS (Data Collection and Storage), and data interpretation tools onto a single platform using Microsoft technologies. The Labguru ELN module, for instance, enables seamless data exchange, traceability, and streamlined workflows.

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GUANGZHOU, China, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fangzhou Inc. ("Fangzhou" or the "Company") (06086.HK), a leader in Internet healthcare solutions, took center stage at the 4th Annual "Internet + Pharma" Service Innovation Conference, held during the 90th PHARMCHINA exhibition in Guangzhou, and presented its AI-powered healthcare ecosystem to over 300 industry experts.

The event coincided with China's accelerated healthcare digitization efforts, including the recently introduced 2025-2030 Pharmaceutical Industry Digital Transformation Implementation Plan ("Implementation Plan") which emerged from a collaborative effort among seven regulatory bodies, comprising the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ("MIIT"), the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, and other key ministries.

Fangzhou's founder, chairman, and CEO Dr. Xie Fangmin remarked, "Our H2H (Hospital-to-Home) smart healthcare ecosystem leverages advanced AI tools that align with China's healthcare industry roadmap and help to improve healthcare accessibility."

AI-enabled Healthcare

During the keynote session, Guo Zhi, Senior Vice President of Technology at Fangzhou, shared the latest advancements the Company's AI-driven H2H smart healthcare ecosystem, highlighting its cutting-edge solution to mitigate hallucination risks in medical large language models. He also outlined how AI integration, such as intelligent pre-consultation using its AI assistant, is driving efficiency gains and patient satisfaction across its platform. Guo noted that, "AI is transforming healthcare from labor-intensive to algorithm-driven", and highlighted Fangzhou's commitment to addressing China's twin challenges of an aging population and rapidly growing healthcare needs.

AI Transformation as Strategic Imperative

In recent years, China's national policies have placed growing emphasis on AI adoption throughout the healthcare sector, marking a clear shift in regulatory and developmental priorities. The recent Implementation Plan positions AI and digital transformation as core requirements for industry advancement. This policy momentum is driving widespread adoption of smart technologies and reshaping the strategic roadmaps of healthcare enterprises nationwide. Looking ahead, Fangzhou remains committed to advancing its mission by deepening AI integration across diverse healthcare settings.

About Fangzhou Inc.

Fangzhou Inc. (06086.HK) is China's leading online chronic disease management platform, serving 49.2 million registered users and 223,000 physicians (as of December 31, 2024). The Company specializes in delivering tailored medical care and precision medicine solutions. For more information, visit https://investors.jianke.com.

About 4th "Internet + Pharma" Service Innovation Conference

The conference brought together over 300 industry representatives, uniting government, industry, academia, research, and medical sectors to jointly explore pathways and opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry's transformation and upgrading.

Media Contact

For further inquiries or interviews, please reach out to:

Xingwei Zhao Associate Director of Public Relations Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements

SOURCE Fangzhou Inc.
FARGO, N.D., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Riding a wave of rapid growth and increasing demand for its innovative agronomic intelligence platform, FarmQA today announced the successful close of an oversubscribed $4 million Series Seed Preferred funding round. The round was led by gener8tor 1889, a North Dakota-based venture capital fund operated by the national venture firm gener8tor, with significant participation from O'Leary Ventures, the private investment company founded by Kevin O'Leary, via the Wonder Fund North Dakota, and Badlands Capital, a regional fund backing transformative Midwest-based companies.

The capital infusion will fuel FarmQA's ambitious expansion, accelerate the development of new AI-powered analytics and enhanced data integration capabilities, and support strategic M&A to further solidify its market position. The company is committed to empowering the agronomic professionals who are the cornerstone of modern agriculture.

Round was led by gener8tor 1889 with significant participation from O'Leary Ventures. Post this

FarmQA has seen strong, sustained growth over the past year  doubling its annual recurring revenue (ARR) and expanding from 20 million to 37 million acres under management. This momentum underscores the platform's growing value to agronomic professionals worldwide. Now, under the leadership of CEO Kris Poulson, FarmQA is continuing to scale while augmenting that growth through strategic acquisitions and expanded global reach.

"We're not just helping digitize agronomic services  we're helping feed and fuel an ever-growing global population," said Kris Poulson, CEO of FarmQA. "Our customers serve growers who produce the world's food and fuel  often under the most volatile and unpredictable conditions. Markets are unpredictable. Weather is uncontrollable. These producers depend on fast, accurate agronomic insights to make informed decisions and manage risk. The best defense is better information  and that's what FarmQA provides.

Designed specifically for agronomic advisors, FarmQA's connected platform streamlines crucial tasks such as scouting, soil sampling, fertility planning, and prescription writing, ultimately improving decision-making and saving valuable time in the field. The company views itself as a vital component of the modern food system's critical infrastructure, where digital transformation, including the adoption of AI-powered analytics and integrated data platforms, is essential to managing food production and security.

"FarmQA helps the people closest to the field make smarter, faster decisions," said Ben Stanley, Principal of gener8tor 1889. "They're scaling rapidly, serving real customers with measurable outcomes, and we're excited to help them become the go-to agronomic platform for consultants everywhere."

"We back businesses that solve meaningful, global problems  and FarmQA is doing exactly that," said Kevin O'Leary, Chairman of O'Leary Ventures. "This is about more than digitizing ag  it's about safeguarding the future of food production. FarmQA is building the digital backbone for next-generation agronomy."

With strong momentum and continued product innovation, FarmQA is poised to play a defining role in the future of precision agriculture, enabling agronomists to reduce risk, increase efficiency, and unlock better outcomes for the growers they serve.

About FarmQA

FarmQA is a digital agronomy platform that equips agronomists and crop consultants with modern tools to deliver data-driven recommendations. With more than 37 million acres under management, FarmQA is redefining how agronomic services are delivered, enabling faster insights, stronger collaboration, and more resilient food production. Learn more at www.farmqa.com.

About gener8tor 1889

gener8tor 1889 is a venture capital fund based in Fargo focused on pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a nexus to North Dakota. gener8tor 1889 is integrated into the gener8tor platform, a national venture capital and startup accelerator firm with global reach. gener8tor fosters innovation ecosystems through accelerator programs, venture funds and skills-based workforce initiatives. This gives the fund's portfolio access to gener8tor's national network of venture capital funds, angel investors, mentors, corporate partners and conferences. Learn more at gener8tor1889.com.

About O'Leary Ventures and Wonder Fund North Dakota

O'Leary Ventures is the private investment company of Kevin O'Leary, Chairman of O'Shares ETFs and judge on ABC's Shark Tank. O'Leary Ventures invests in early-stage companies that solve real-world problems and have the potential for massive scale and impact. The firm's investment into FarmQA was made via the Wonder Fund North Dakota, a $45M North Dakota Department of Commerce investment program directed by O'Leary Ventures. www.olearyventures.com/

About Badlands Capital

Badlands Capital invests in founders solving tough problems from the heartland. Based in the Midwest, Badlands brings capital, experience, and local insight to companies with bold visions and grounded execution. www.badlands.capital

Media Contact:

Kara Ellefson

[email protected]

+1-701- 941-2046

SOURCE FarmQA, Inc.
DALLAS, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Firehawk Aerospace ("Firehawk"), a defense technology leader specializing in advanced energetics and propulsion technologies, has received an award of a pivotal land grant and capital investment from the State of Oklahoma and federal leaders, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin and Rep. Trey Caldwell.

Firehawk Aerospace Secures Strategic Land and Federal Investment to Accelerate U.S. Energetics and Propulsion Capabilities

The initiative includes the transfer of 320 acres of strategically located land near Fort Sill, Oklahoma and a $22 million state and federal funding package for the construction of a new 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility, test infrastructure and specialized manufacturing equipment.

"Oklahoma is open for business, and today's announcement proves it," said Gov. Kevin Stitt. "By expanding solid and hybrid rocket motor production here in our state, we are doing our part to strengthen the nation's defense forces and the shield of missile defense. This new facility, located near Fort Sill, the home of Army artillery, will leverage the most advanced additive manufacturing technology to propel the industry base into a new era. This effort is about securing our nation, creating high-tech jobs, and showing that Oklahoma stands ready to lead in building the capabilities that keep America safe."

"This is a strategic investment in the future of U.S. energetics and propulsion capacity," said Will Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of Firehawk. "It will enable us to produce the advanced energetics needed to replenish the U.S. arsenal, restore stockpiles, and sustain any fight. We're deeply grateful to Governor Stitt, Congressman Cole, Senator Mullin and the State of Oklahoma for their vision and support. Together, we'll build infrastructure to turn innovation into combat-ready capability - rapidly, efficiently and with scale at its core."

"This moment marks a pivotal moment for Oklahoma," said Dr. Krista Ratliff, president and CEO of the Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Development Trust Authority. "We are showing the nation that Oklahoma is ready to lead and support the next generation of defense manufacturing. We're building a bridge between national security priorities and local opportunity right here in Lawton Fort Sill, Oklahoma."

This initiative represents a significant advancement in critical defense technology infrastructure, accelerating the transition of next-generation energetics from research and development to full-scale production. Moreover, the investment for the high-throughput manufacturing facility is expected to deliver capabilities traditionally associated with very large government programs, but at a fraction of the cost.

Groundbreaking for the new location is expected during Summer 2025. Firehawk is committed to strengthening the U.S. supply of critical energetics and enabling the rapid restoration of the nation's arsenal in response to emerging threats.

About Firehawk Aerospace

Firehawk Aerospace develops and manufactures advanced energetics systems that are safer, more affordable, and rapidly scalable for defense and national security applications. Firehawk designs and manufactures its products at its Dallas headquarters and performs static fire and flight tests at two facilities in West Texas, including a 30-square-mile launch range. For more information, visit www.firehawkaerospace.com .

Media Inquiries

Sandra Perez

[email protected]

SOURCE Firehawk Aerospace
SYDNEY, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) ("Clarity" or "Company"), a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop next-generation products that improve treatment outcomes for patients with cancer, is pleased to announce that it has imaged the first patient in its registrational Phase III 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA diagnostic trial in participants with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer, AMPLIFY (NCT06970847)[1], at XCancer in Omaha, Nebraska (NE).

Dr Luke Nordquist, Urologic Medical Oncologist, CEO, XCancer, commented, "We are thrilled to recruit the first participant in the AMPLIFY trial and to image them just over a week after study initiation. 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA could become a best-in-class diagnostic prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) agent, and we are honoured to be part of this registrational trial that intends to gather sufficient data for a New Drug Application (NDA) and a potential subsequent commercialisation of this next-generation product.

"We have already observed the potential benefits of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA based on data from earlier phase trials such as Clarity's PROPELLER and COBRA studies and look forward to participating in the AMPLIFY trial, providing this optimised product to our patients in need of novel diagnostic solutions. The COBRA trial[2] that laid foundation for AMPLIFY in patients with BCR of prostate cancer showed that more lesions and more patients with a positive scan were identified on 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA positron emission tomography (PET) compared to conventional scans and on next-day vs. same-day imaging. 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA also allowed for the identification of lesions in the 2-mm range and was able to detect lesions at least 6 months earlier than the current standard-of-care (SOC) PSMA PET agents. The team at XCancer looks forward to further building on this evidence in the AMPLIFY trial as we progress towards our mutual goal of improving treatment outcomes for patients with cancer."

Clarity's Executive Chairperson, Dr Alan Taylor, commented, "We are excited to have imaged the first patient in the AMPLIFY trial and look forward to further progressing recruitment and opening clinical sites across the United States (US) and Australia, providing access to 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA in both countries as part of this trial. We have built a robust supply of copper-64 with a wide network of product manufacturers in preparation for our two Phase III trials, AMPLIFY in BCR and CLARIFY[3] in pre-prostatectomy, and potential commercialisation. As such, we are ideally positioned to build on the clinical advantages of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA based on its higher lesion uptake and contrast, increased lesion detection rate compared to SOC imaging and flexible imaging schedule, enabled by its dual targeting (bisPSMA), proprietary chelator technology (sarcophagine, SAR) and copper-64 properties. We are also prepared to fully leverage the logistical and supply chain advantages associated with the optimal half-life of this isotope, in comparison to short-lived gallium-68 and fluorine-18, which allows 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA to be made centrally in one location and shipped on-demand to any treatment facility in the country. This model enables better access and geographic distribution, meaning men with cancer could get an accurate and early diagnosis whether their location is a major city or regional area, as long as there is a PET camera on site.

"With prostate cancer prevalence increasing year after year, we look forward to overcoming limitations of the current-generation PSMA PET diagnostics, such as sensitivity and accessibility, making earlier and more accurate detection of recurrent disease a potential reality and bringing our optimised diagnostic to more men with this insidious disease around the world."

About the AMPLIFY trial

AMPLIFY's official title is "64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA Positron Emission Tomography: A Phase 3 Study of Participants with Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer" (NCT06970847)[1]. It is a non-randomised, single-arm, open-label, multi-centre, diagnostic clinical trial of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA PET in participants with rising or detectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after initial definitive treatment.

The aim of this trial is to investigate the ability of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA PET/computed tomography (CT) to detect recurrence of prostate cancer, with evaluation across 2 imaging timepoints, Day 1 (day of administration, same-day imaging) and Day 2 (approximately 24 hours post administration, next-day imaging).

The study will enroll approximately 220 participants at multiple clinical sites across the US and Australia. As a pivotal trial, the final study results are intended to provide sufficient evidence to support an application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA as a new diagnostic imaging agent in BCR of prostate cancer.

About SAR-bisPSMA

SAR-bisPSMA derives its name from the word "bis", which reflects a novel approach of connecting two PSMA-targeting agents to Clarity's proprietary sarcophagine (SAR) technology that securely holds copper isotopes inside a cage-like structure, called a chelator. Unlike other commercially available chelators, the SAR technology prevents copper leakage into the body. SAR-bisPSMA is a Targeted Copper Theranostic (TCT) that can be used with isotopes of copper-64 (Cu-64 or 64Cu) for imaging and copper-67 (Cu-67 or 67Cu) for therapy.

Disclaimer

67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA and 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA are unregistered products. The safety and efficacy of 67Cu-SAR-bisPSMA and 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA have not been assessed by health authorities such as the US FDA or the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). There is no guarantee that these products will become commercially available.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men globally and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide[4]. Prostate cancer is the second-leading causes of cancer death in American men. The American Cancer Institute estimates in 2025 there will be about 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer in the US and around 35,770 deaths from the disease[5].

About Clarity Pharmaceuticals

Clarity is a clinical stage radiopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of serious diseases. The Company is a leader in innovative radiopharmaceuticals, developing Targeted Copper Theranostics based on its SAR Technology Platform for the treatment of cancers.

www.claritypharmaceuticals.com

For more information, please contact:

Clarity Pharmaceuticals

Dr Alan Taylor Catherine Strong

Executive Chairperson Investor/Media Relations

[email protected] [email protected]

+61 406 759 268

References 1. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06970847, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06970847 2. Nordquist et al. COBRA: Assessment of safety and efficacy of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following definitive therapy. EANM, 2024. 3. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06056830, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06056830 4. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries, https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21660 5. American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html





This announcement has been authorised for release by the Executive Chairperson.

SOURCE Clarity Pharmaceuticals
MIAMI, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flor de Cana, the renowned premium rum brand, and Danil Nevsky, recognized as the #2 World's Most Influential Bartender, recently joined forces to launch a high-profile sustainable guest bartending tour across the country to celebrate cocktail innovation and environmental responsibility.

Danil Nevsky and Flor de Cana

This exciting initiative showcased the power of sustainability as a driving force in the future of cocktail culture. Guests attending these exclusive events in Los Angeles, Austin, and Miami had the opportunity to savor innovative and delicious sustainability-driven cocktails crafted by Danil Nevsky. Adding extra star power to the tour, Kate Gerwin of the acclaimed Drinks Masters made an exclusive appearance in Austin.

Furthermore, attendees were introduced to and encouraged to participate in the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge, a global competition organized by Flor de Cana in partnership with Chilled Magazine. This year marks the 5th Edition of the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge, launched in celebration of the brand's 135th Anniversary. The competition invites bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts worldwide to re-imagine classic cocktails from the Golden Age (18061919) with a modern, eco-conscious twist. Participants will compete for a coveted US$10,000 grand prize and an unforgettable "Road to Las Isletas" trip to Nicaragua, the lush and volcanic homeland of Flor de Cana Rum.

This nationwide tour and the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge underscore the commitment of Danil Nevsky, Flor de Cana Rum, and Chilled Magazine to fostering a more environmentally conscious and innovative future for the bar and beverage industry.

Follow the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge on Instagram and learn more about the "Road to Las Isletas" experience: @flordecanachallenge / @flordecanaUSA

About Flor de Cana

Flor de Cana is a premium rum brand and the world's first Carbon Neutral and Fair Trade certified spirit. From an 1890 family estate, it's distilled with 100% renewable energy and naturally aged at the base of an active volcano without sugar or artificial ingredients. The brand is recognized as a global leader in sustainability, receiving distinctions such as "World's Most Sustainable Rum Brand" (USA), "Ethical Award" (UK) and "Sustainable Spirits Producer" (France). www.flordecana.com

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Flor de Cana Rum
Karen Osborn of Florosa Elementary School in Mary Esther, FL, and Nicolette Barone of Oak Park Elementary School in Tampa, FL, receive national recognition for pioneering innovative classroom strategies while driving high expectations and student achievement.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Curriculum Associates has named Karen Osborn of Florosa Elementary School in Mary Esther and Nicolette Barone of Oak Park Elementary School in Tampa to its 2025 class of Extraordinary Educators , an annual program that celebrates and connects teachers from across the country who go above and beyond for their students in Grades K8. Selected from hundreds of nominations, Osborn and Barone are part of a select group of 29 educators who exhibit best-in-class use of i-Ready, i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, and/or Ready. Osborne and Barone have also promoted growth and achievement through interim assessments, pioneered innovative engagement strategies, and raised the expectations and achievement of their students.

"My goal in the classroom has been to empower each of my students to use their voices to create the most collaborative and encouraging experience possible," said Osborn. "Giving my students multiple entry points for participation has accommodated all the various learning styles in my classroom."

"Students are all on different levels," said Barone. "To help them feel successful and see their own growth, I focus on differentiating instruction and activities based on their individual needs. i-Ready supports this by giving me the tools to personalize learning for each student."

This year's class of Extraordinary Educators includes a diverse range of backgrounds and rolesfrom classroom teachers to specialists and gifted support teachers. Each educator's application was reviewed by an internal selection committee composed of Curriculum Associates employees with various roles across the company and finalized by an advisory board that included Curriculum Associates and Extraordinary Educator alumni.

"The impact these teachers make creates ripple effects in their communities and across the country," said Kelly Sia, CEO of Curriculum Associates. "We are delighted to celebrate these remarkable educators and the transformative work they do to ensure better students outcomes. Our Extraordinary Educators, selected from hundreds of nominations and submissions, embody our mission of impact in the classroom and work to unlock the potential of every student."

This class of Extraordinary Educators will enjoy continued access to a network of their distinguished peers from across the country to collaborate, connect, and explore new and unique ways to prepare the next generation of learners. They will also receive access to professional learning opportunities, including an invitation to participate and present at the annual Extraordinary Educators Leadership Summit and other professional learning events.

About Curriculum Associates Founded in 1969, Curriculum Associates is a mission-driven education company committed to grade-level success for every learner. We support more than 14 million students and one million teachers across the U.S. with our award-winning service and evidence-based programs including i-Ready, Magnetic, and BRIGANCE. Learn more at www.curriculumassociates.com.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Curriculum Associates, LLC
FORT COLLINS, Colo., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrate the dad who does it all with gear that's made to go the distance. Whether he's hitting the trail or the job site, OtterBox has a full lineup of cases and accessories to keep him connected and protected wherever he goes.

Father's Day gifting ideas from OtterBox featuring rugged phone protection and portable power for dads on the move

For those needing the ultimate protection against drops, dirt and whatever else the day throws at him, Defender Series offers 360-protection along with OtterBox's highest drop defense rating. Constructed with a multi-layer design, Defender Series features reinforced corners for added shock absorption, port covers to block out dust and debris and built-in magnets that snap firmly to chargers and accessories. Try the Defender Series Pro, the legendary OtterBox design for serious protection, or the Defender Series Pro XT for the same rugged protection in a sleeker, more pocket-friendly design. Defender Series is also available in Realtree camo for the outdoor adventure loving dad or with a clear exterior on the Defender Series XT for a more refined look.

For the dad that's always on the go, Commuter Series offers streamlined protection that fits seamlessly into pockets, briefcases or backpacks. Constructed with a dual-layer design, Commuter Series features a rigid outer shell to withstand bumps and scrapes and an inner rubber cover to absorb impact in a slim profile that won't hold him up or weigh him down.

Looking for a gift that stands out? Stay tuned for new designs being added to the OtterBox x Fishe collab collection on the Symmetry Series with Magnets. This limited-edition collection, created with the Alaska-born and women-led fly-fishing brand, launches June 2 with two new outdoor-inspired designs  Rainbow Ridge and Enchanted Grayling.

Keep dad powered up through every adventure with the OtterBox Portable Power Bank with Magnets. Designed to work with both MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, these compact chargers deliver fast, reliable power without the hassle of having to use a cord. Bundle your gift with an OtterBox screen protector to fully kit dad out for his day and beyond.

About OtterBox:

From humble beginnings in a Fort Collins, Colo. garage, OtterBox has spent over 25 years mastering the art of protection, delivering durable yet stylish phone cases that can go anywhere, do anything, so you can say 'yes' to everything. Whether you're scaling mountains or simply surviving a Monday morning commute, OtterBox has you and your device covered.

It's no surprise OtterBox is the #1 most trusted smartphone case brand in the U.S. From ultra rugged to effortlessly stylish, OtterBox helps you follow your 'yes' anywhere.

OtterBox. Made for Yes.

At the heart of every OtterBox innovation is a commitment to create positive, lasting change. In partnership with the OtterCares Foundation, OtterBox says yes to giving back by inspiring kids to change the world through entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Employees say yes to giving back when they use 24 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer. Since 2011, OtterBox employees have logged more than 148,000 volunteer hours, contributing an estimated $3.8 million in value to local communities. Learn more about our yes at otterbox.com/givingback.



For more information, visit otterbox.com.

SOURCE OtterBox
Photo: Pixabay

Ukraine and Finland have signed a series of agreements in the fields of energy, education, and security. The signing ceremony took place in Kyiv on Wednesday, with the participation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

One of the key documents signed was a memorandum on developing a partnership in the energy sector. The memorandum aims to consolidate efforts to create a sustainable, secure, decentralized, and environmentally friendly energy system in Ukraine.

Another important agreement focuses on implementing the Learning Together 2 program. This initiative is designed to advance high-quality academic education as part of the New Ukrainian School reform, specifically targeting students in grades 10 through 12.

In addition, a joint statement was signed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of security. The statement underscores the countries' readiness to jointly implement projects related to ammunition production, defense industry development, research, and information exchange.

"Today, together with the Prime Minister of Finland, we also plan to meet with representatives of Finnish companies to discuss their involvement in Ukraines recovery and the implementation of bilateral cooperation projects," Shmyhal announced during a briefing following the signing ceremony.
BEIJING, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Whether it is the translation and dissemination of Chinese wartime literature abroad, or the resonance sparked in China by foreign literary works on World War II, both reflect the shared aspiration for peace among people around the world. At the same time, they bear witness to the ongoing exchanges between Chinese and foreign literature. Let us explore the global journey of these classic works and rediscover their enduring literary charm and spiritual strength.

Chinese anti-aggression literature: A full display of national integrity



Hailed as the "Literary Goddess of the 1930s," Chinese writer Xiao Hong is best known for her signature work The Field of Life and Death, a searing indictment of the atrocities committed by Japanese invaders and a striking expression of national consciousness. First published in December 1935, the book cemented Xiao Hong's place in the history of modern Chinese literature. Lu Xun, one of the most revered 20th-century writers in China, included the novel in one of his series and praised the work for capturing "the resilience of the northern people in life and their struggle against death," noting especially the author's "delicate observations and unorthodox style" deeply impressed him.



Overseas, US sinologist Howard Goldblatt developed a particular fascination with Xiao Hong. In 1971, he entered the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature at Indiana University to pursue his PhD, and chose Xiao Hong, who was then little known in the US, the subject of his research. In 1974, he completed his dissertation, which later formed the basis of the first comprehensive study of Xiao Hong in the West, Hsiao Hung, published in 1976.



This work played a crucial role in introducing Xiao Hong, who is also known as Hsiao Hung in the West, to the international literary community. The book went through multiple revisions, during which Goldblatt conducted interviews with Xiao Jun, Duanmu Hongliang, Shu Qun, Luo Bingji, Luo Feng, and Bai Lang - all individuals closely connected to Xiao Hong's life and times.



German sinologist Wolfgang Kubin offers an in-depth analysis of The Field of Life and Death in his book The History of 20th Century Chinese Literature. He argues that the novel not only depicts the Japanese invasion, but also elevates the idea of the "field" into a symbolic space. This symbolic power, he notes, is achieved through the novel's vivid imagery and masterful technique.



The strong visual quality of The Field of Life and Death gives it clear potential for theatrical adaptation. In 2004, a stage version directed by Tian Qinxin premiered to audiences in China. The following year, this was performed in South Korea by local actors in an intimate theater setting, where it strongly resonated with local audiences.



While The Field of Life and Death focuses on rural life, Four Generations Under One Roof turns its gaze toward the city.



"Judging from the novel's theme and structure, it is clear that Lao She set out to write an epic work, modeled on 19th-century European historical novels like War and Peace," remarked literary scholar David Der-wei Wang. As Chinese writer Lao She's longest novel, Four Generations Under One Roof is rich in meaning and detail, widely regarded as a monumental classic in the history of modern Chinese literature and an integral part of global anti-fascist literary heritage.

Set in a traditional Beijing alley called Xiaoyangjuan Hutong, the novel vividly portrays the lives and resistance of ordinary people in Japanese-occupied Beijing during Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Lao She painfully described how the cultural dignity of the ancient capital was trampled under the boots of Japanese forces, and how generations of peace-loving Chinese people were driven to the point of awakening, resistance, and ultimately, moral renewal.



The English translation of Four Generations Under One Roof was completed with the direct involvement of Lao She himself. In 1946, invited by the US Department of State, Lao She traveled to the US to give lectures. During his stay, he completed the third volume of the novel, Famine, and collaborated with US writer and social activist Ida Pruitt to translate the work into English under the title The Yellow Storm.



Ida Pruitt was born in China to missionary parents. After returning to the US, she joined the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives movement, launched by figures such as Edgar Snow, in support of China's resistance against aggression. Although she could not read Chinese, she could speak fluently. Lao She would read passages aloud, and Pruitt would translate them into English, confirming the meaning with him as they worked through the text together.



In February 1951, the English version of Four Generations Under One Roof was published. On February 11, The New York Times and New York Herald Tribune both ran reviews of the book. US writer Pearl S. Buck remarked that Lao She's firmly rooted Chinese perspective enabled Four Generations Under One Roof to "transcend a single nation, a single war, or a single era."



French Nobel laureate Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio held Lao She's work in high regard. In the preface to the 1996 French edition of this work, Le Clezio referred to Lao She as a "teacher." Though Four Generations Under One Roof is a novel about war, it ultimately transcends war itself. The book has since been translated into Japanese, Russian, and several other languages.

Foreign World War II literature: A multidimensional depiction of war and humanity



During the World Anti-Fascist War, a US writer's anti-war novel resonated widely in China. The novel was The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck, a renowned US novelist and a Nobel Prize laureate, enjoyed immense popularity in China during the 1940s, rivaling even Ernest Hemingway in fame.



The Moon Is Down was published by the literary star in 1942. It is an anti-war novel set in a small town in Northern Europe, depicting the local people's resistance against German fascist invasion. The author drew inspiration from firsthand accounts of refugees who had witnessed wartime's painful reality, the novel thus carries echoes of real-life struggles. Upon its release, The Moon Is Down quickly sold 500,000 copies and was adapted into both a play and a film.



Steinbeck's novel also attracted extensive attention from the Chinese intellectual community. The very next year after its publication, at least five Chinese translations emerged, including ones by translators such as Hu Zhongchi, Zhao Jiabi and Liu Zunqi.



Among these translators, Zhao had mostly profound interest in US literature. He developed such an interest as early as the 1930s, having immersed himself in Steinbeck's works including Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. In 1942, he encountered The Moon Is Down and devoured it in a single sitting. The novel's depiction of invaders' brutal oppression and the resilience of people being oppressed struck Zhao with uncanny familiarity - as if Steinbeck had written about China's own wartime story. This powerful resonance compelled Zhao deeply.



The emergence of anti-fascist literature in the Soviet Union almost coincided with the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. During the war, over 1,000 Soviet literary figures joined the Red Army and guerrilla forces, while numerous writers supported frontline efforts from the rear. Writers who experienced the war firsthand or participated indirectly produced a remarkable body of internationally acclaimed anti-fascist literature.



China's translation and introduction of these works were remarkably timely. From its inaugural issue in May 1941 until the victory in its War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Jiefang Daily that was established in Yan'an published 152 translated Soviet literary works and related critical essays. Between 1980 and 2005, nearly 100 Chinese translations of novels on the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War were published.



The Dawns Here Are Quiet stands out as the most popular among them. It was written by Boris Vasilyev. The story follows a sergeant and five female military warriors who engage in a desperate struggle against enemy forces in a dense forest. As each of the five vibrant young women - distinct in personality yet united in courage - falls in battle, a profound sense of tragedy and heroism emerges.



In 1977, after the relaunch of the journal World Literature, the book was serialized as a featured work in its first two issues. The novella's first standalone Chinese edition was published in 1980 by the Hunan People's Publishing House, followed by multiple reprints under the People's Literature Publishing House, becoming a long-term bestseller. In 2023, the Shanghai Translation Publishing House released a fresh translation, reintroducing the classic to a new generation of readers.



The Dawns Here Are Quiet has demonstrated remarkable artistic vitality through its adaptations into film, television series, picture books, and stage plays - reaching audiences far beyond the original readership. In 2015, the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, China's National Centre for the Performing Arts premiered an original opera adaptation of the work, which later toured Russia in 2018.



The enduring impact of the original work stems fundamentally from Vasilyev's firsthand experience as a combatant during wartime, which enabled his unflinchingly authentic portrayal of war's brutality. More significantly, he achieved an extraordinary artistic synthesis - seamlessly fusing the grandeur of a heroic epic with the intimacy of lyricism.



German anti-fascist literature has also gained remarkable prominence in China, with Gunter Grass's The Tin Drum standing as its most celebrated representative.



This novel, published in 1959, immediately garnered critical acclaim. Its 1963 English edition remained on The New York Times bestseller list for nine consecutive weeks, and the 1980 film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The Nobel Prize committee hailed it as "one of the most significant literary works since World War II."



The novel follows the life journey of a boy named Oskar, who decides to stop growing after experiencing family and wartime trauma. In 1990, translator Hu Qiding's translation of this novel was published by the Shanghai Translation Publishing House. It caused a sensation, sparking a nationwide trend in China of emulating Grass's distinctive dark humor.

Mentioning The Tin Drum, it brings to mind another novel that was even more influential worldwide. The book Schindler's Ark was written by Australian writer Thomas Keneally.



Based on true events, the novel, whose US edition was titled Schindler's List, profoundly explores why Oskar Schindler, a Nazi Party member, risked everything to save upwards of 1,000 Jewish laborers. Keneally masterfully portrays his protagonist shifting between "righteous gentile" and "complicit opportunist," crafting a morally ambiguous yet ultimately heroic figure.



The book's Chinese translator was Feng Tao, the editorial director at the Shanghai Translation Publishing House. He once shared a story describing how he had arrived in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, as a student in 1995. The timing coincided with the release of the film Don't Cry, Nanking (the old translated name of Nanjing), which left him emotionally unsettled just as much as the movie Schindler's List had done.



Feng then felt that he wanted to do something after watching Don't Cry, Nanking. With meticulous care, he undertook the translation of Schindler's Ark. The Chinese edition, first published in 2009, has since undergone multiple reprints, selling approximately 80,000 copies.



These works mentioned above represent merely the tip of the iceberg in the vast ocean of global anti-fascist literature, within which many of them have been translated and published in China. These texts, imbued with profound moral urgency and unyielding righteousness, have served as calls to resistance and profound reflections on war's distortion, and encouraged people nowadays to pursue justice, harmony and freedom.

SOURCE Global Times
RESTON, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Key Group (GKG), a trusted provider of workforce transformation and leadership development solutions, has been awarded a contract by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to design and deliver the TDEM Leadership Academy Training Program. This major initiative will cultivate a resilient, agile leadership pipeline across the state's emergency management community.

Through this new partnership, GKG will develop and implement a comprehensive training program encompassing both basic and advanced leadership development. Delivered in multiple configurationsincluding in-person, virtual, and blended-learning formatsthe Academy is designed to meet the diverse needs of TDEM personnel operating in high-pressure environments.

"We are honored to support TDEM's mission of building a stronger, more prepared leadership community," said Gretchen McCracken, CEO of Golden Key Group. "This program will serve as a cornerstone for long-term leadership development in one of the most critical sectorsemergency management. As a former first responder, this endeavor is near and dear to my heart"

Structured around progressive modules, the Academy will focus on key competencies such as leading through crisis, communication, agility, accountability, and emotional intelligence. All content will be grounded in proven adult learning principles and instructional design models and will comply with Section 508 accessibility standards to ensure accessible learning experiences.

"This isn't just a about create any Leadership Academy; it's a readiness strategy for the people who lead when it matters most," said Donnielle DeMesme, Vice President of Learning & Development at GKG. "We're designing grounded, mission-first learning that equips leaders to act with clarity, courage, and calm under pressure."

This contract marks a meaningful expansion of GKG's leadership development footprint in the emergency management and public safety space and reaffirms the company's commitment to client collaboration, delivery excellence, and innovation in adult learning.

About Golden Key Group

GKG is a leading provider of HR solutions, specializing in human capital management, employee training and development, and workforce strategy. Dedicated to excellence, integrity, and client-driven results, GKG empowers businesses and government agencies with the expertise needed to strengthen their workforce, enhance operational efficiency, and drive long-term success in an evolving employment landscape.

SOURCE Golden Key Group
NEW CANAAN, Conn. and NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gridiron Capital ("Gridiron") and Stella Point Capital ("Stella Point") today announced the closing of the strategic merger of Gridiron's portfolio company, Travel Nurse Across America ("TNAA"), and Stella Point's portfolio company, TotalMed. This combination of two industry-leading providers of healthcare staffing and MSP solutions blends complementary capabilities, expertise, and resources to create an unparalleled offering for candidates and clients.

"We are excited to bring together the best of TotalMed and TNAA," said TNAA CEO Tim McKenzie, who will serve as the CEO of the newly merged organization. "Our shared vision, values, and commitment to innovation will allow us to not only meet but exceed the expectations of the healthcare industry. This merger represents a transformative moment that positions us as a premier partner for healthcare talent and solutions."

"We're proud of the growth and strategic expansion that Tim and the TNAA team have executed on throughout our partnership and are very excited about this combination and what it means for the future," added Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron. "We believe these are highly complementary businesses with a shared vision and culture and look forward to partnering with both the TotalMed and Stella Point teams for this next phase of growth."

Adam Godfrey and Justin Wender, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Stella Point, added: "We want to thank Sejal Shah and Jason Beck, Co-Founders of TotalMed, and the rest of the TotalMed team for positioning TotalMed for such a transformative combination. The cultural alignment between TotalMed and TNAA is a testament to all they have built over the last 20+ years."

Combination of Strengths Driving Expanded Suite of Solutions

The merger combines the strengths of both organizations, significantly expanding the breadth of services available to clients and candidates. The newly formed company will offer:

Travel Nursing and Allied Health Staffing: Continued dedication to matching healthcare professionals with travel opportunities across the country.

Continued dedication to matching healthcare professionals with travel opportunities across the country. Workforce Solutions (VMS / MSP): Combined expertise, technology, and talent to strengthen its ability to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and technology-enabled staffing solutions at scale to healthcare organizations nationwide.

Combined expertise, technology, and talent to strengthen its ability to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and technology-enabled staffing solutions at scale to healthcare organizations nationwide. Shift Fulfillment Technology and Per Diem Staffing : Local, flexible staffing options to meet short-term needs powered by technology to support shift options for core staff and external float pools.

Local, flexible staffing options to meet short-term needs powered by technology to support shift options for core staff and external float pools. Locum Tenens: Enhanced capabilities in placing physicians and advanced practitioners in temporary roles.

Enhanced capabilities in placing physicians and advanced practitioners in temporary roles. Life Sciences Staffing: Expert talent solutions for life sciences organizations, including roles in research, development, and regulatory affairs.

Expert talent solutions for life sciences organizations, including roles in research, development, and regulatory affairs. Health Plan Staffing: Specialized staffing for positions supporting health insurance and managed care organizations.

Specialized staffing for positions supporting health insurance and managed care organizations. Non-Clinical Hospital Roles: Staffing solutions for administrative, operational, and support roles critical to hospital success.

Staffing solutions for administrative, operational, and support roles critical to hospital success. Strike Staffing: Rapid deployment of qualified healthcare professionals to facilities during critical labor disruptions.

Rapid deployment of qualified healthcare professionals to facilities during critical labor disruptions. Industry Support Resources: Increased support and continued focus on providing top-tier resources for the healthcare staffing industry through TravelNurse101, The Gypsy Nurse, and TravCon.

A Unified Vision for Clients and Candidates

By leveraging the combined strengths of both companies, this merger creates a unified organization that prioritizes the needs of healthcare professionals and clients. Candidates will benefit from expanded career opportunities and tailored support, while clients will experience streamlined solutions that address every aspect of workforce management.

"This merger is about coming together to offer something greater than we could achieve independently," added Sejal Shah, CEO of TotalMed, who will serve on the board of the new combined entity. "We're building an organization that is not just larger, but smarter and more capable, with a clear focus on delivering extraordinary value to everyone we serve."

In connection with the transaction, TNAA's MSP, SimpliFi, will be combining with TotalMed's MSP, Staffency, bringing together two innovative, trusted providers of tech-enabled workforce management solutions. This transformative partnership unites the strengths of both organizations to deliver more agile, data-driven, and cost-effective workforce strategies to over 2,200 care sites nationwide.

"The combination of SimpliFi and Staffency creates an MSP with a powerful value proposition to our customers and a growing suite of services across workforce solutions, empowered by our combined team and technology," said Andrew Kahn, Principal at Gridiron Capital.

Positioned for Industry Leadership

The merger positions the combined company to drive innovation and growth within the healthcare staffing industry. With an expanded portfolio of services, a deep talent pool, and a shared commitment to operational excellence, the organization is well-equipped to meet the challenges of today's healthcare landscape and beyond.

"Together, we are stronger, more agile, and better prepared to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry," said McKenzie. "Our clients and candidates can expect the same exceptional service they know and trust, now amplified by the combined strengths of two industry leaders."

Ryan Hunter, Managing Director at Stella Point, added: "A combined TNAA and TotalMed will bring to bear a full suite of services and technology solutions, affording the team the ability to serve as a true strategic partner to all hospitals nationwide."

Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor and Finn Dixon & Herling LLP served as a legal advisor to Travel Nurse Across America in the transaction. UBS Investment Bank served as the exclusive financial advisor and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP served as a legal advisor to TotalMed in the transaction. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Gridiron

Gridiron Capital is an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams and creating value by building middle-market companies into industry leaders in the consumer products & services, industrial growth, and business services segments in the United States and Canada. We help transform growing companies by winning together through hard work, partnerships grounded in shared values, and a unique culture that comes from hands-on experience building and running businesses. As a team led by former operators and entrepreneurs, we know what it takes to run successful businesses on a day-to-day basis. Additional information is available on the firm's website: www.gridironcapital.com.

About Stella Point

Stella Point Capital is a New York-based private equity firm focused on partnering with families, founders and management teams of tech-enabled companies within the business, financial and industrial services sectors. The firm invests with sellers who seek a value-added partner and typically choose to retain significant equity stakes in their businesses. With over $500 million of equity invested across eight platform investments and eleven add-on acquisitions, Stella Point supports its partners' success with operational expertise, senior counsel and long-range market insight as they scale their businesses. For more information, please visit stellapoint.com.

About TNAA

TNAA has been a trusted partner in healthcare staffing since 1999. Specializing in providing tailored staffing solutions for travel nurses and allied health professionals as well as tech-enabled shift-fulfillment services and offerings for core staff and external floating nurse pools, TNAA is committed to excellence, innovation, and the success of its clients and candidates alike.

About TotalMed

TotalMed has been a trusted partner in healthcare staffing since 2004. Specializing in providing tailored staffing solutions for travel nurses, allied health professionals, life sciences and non-clinical roles, and locum tenens and advanced practitioners, TotalMed is committed to excellence, innovation, and the success of its clients and candidates alike.

Contacts

Gridiron Capital, LLC

Thomas A. Burger Jr.

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

[email protected]

Stella Point Capital, LLC

Justin Wender

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

[email protected]

SOURCE Gridiron Capital, LLC
Preventative services, social support, health education and more to improve care access, quality and outcomes

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Net, one of California's most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced a partnership investment of more than $7.2 million to expand healthcare services to underserved Californians through mobile health clinics.

Centene Foundation (PRNewsfoto/Health Net)

"Mobile clinics become vital lifelines in rural or resource-limited areas, easing transportation challenges and bringing compassionate care directly to where people live and gather," said Dorothy Seleski, Medi-Cal president at Health Net. "By expanding the use of mobile clinics, we can provide preventative care, screenings, health education and social services directly to the communities that need them mostultimately improving health outcomes and building healthier futures across California."

The grants are part of Health Net's new Mobile Outreach for Value, Equity and Sustainability (MOVES) program. The program tackles common care barrierslike limited transportation and lost wages from time off workby bringing essential preventive screenings and services directly to communities. Funded by grants from the MOVES program, Health Net's local partners deploy pop-up clinics and mobile medical vans at local parks, community events and other gathering spots. These efforts can reach thousands of Californians in underserved areas and improve access to quality care.

Grant recipients include:

AltaMed

Community Medical Centers

Kaweah Health

Vision y Compromiso

"Mobile health clinics meet people where they are, literally and figuratively, ensuring that those who need care the most aren't left behind," said Ryan Gates, chief population health officer at Kaweah Health. "Thanks to the grant from Health Net, we're removing obstacles and delivering services right to the community, making care more accessible, equitable, and ultimately, more effective."

By supporting organizations with deep community roots and proven impact, Health Net and Centene Foundation are helping to build sustainable care delivery models that go beyond short-term solutions. These mobile health initiatives not only expand reach but also strengthen trust between healthcare providers and the communities they servelaying the groundwork for long-term relationships, earlier interventions and better health outcomes statewide.

The grants were designed to further that impact by positioning organizations like these as convenersbringing together additional local partners to collaboratively address the full spectrum of physical, behavioral and social needs facing individuals and families in the communities we serve.

"These mobile clinics are more than just vehicles; they're a gateway to healthier lives and stronger communities," Zoila D. Escobar, president of the AltaMed Foundation and executive vice president & chief administrative officer of AltaMed Health Services Corporation. "Thanks to Health Net and the Centene Foundation, we can break down barriers that too often prevent people from getting the care they need."

"When I was a teacher, I saw kids come to school sick because their parents couldn't take time off work or afford a doctor's visit. That's the reality for so many families in our community," said Senator Susan Rubio (22nd District, CA). "I'm grateful to Health Net and the Centene Foundation for stepping up with meaningful investments in real solutions that bring care directly into the places where people live, work and gather. This is what it looks like when we move beyond talk and truly deliver access to care."

From 2017 to 2024, Health Net committed more than $158 million in funding to community-based organizations.

These efforts are part of a broader commitment to strengthening California's health infrastructure. Recent monumental investments include:

A $3.5 million grant to MLK Community Medical Group to expand its clinical team with new primary care physicians, OB/GYN and support staff.

grant to MLK Community Medical Group to expand its clinical team with new primary care physicians, OB/GYN and support staff. A $1 million commitment to help rebuild Los Angeles communities impacted by devastating fires.

commitment to help rebuild communities impacted by devastating fires. Over $9 million in funding to grow and support California's physician workforce through targeted training and recruitment initiatives.

Together, these initiatives reflect a long-term investment in equity, resilience and access across the state.

To learn more about Health Net's local commitments, visit www.bridgingthedivideca.com.

About Health Net

Founded in California more than 45 years ago, Health Net, LLC ("Health Net"), a company of Centene Corporation, believes that every person deserves a safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status or current state of health. Today, we provide health plans for individuals, families, businesses of every size and people who qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. With more than 117,000 of our network providers, Health Net serves more than three million members across the state. We also offer access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services and managed healthcare products related to prescription drugs. We make these health plans and services available through Health Net and its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. Health Net and Centene Corporation employ more than 5,700 people in California who work at one of five regional Talent Hub offices. For more information, visit www.HealthNet.com.

About Centene Foundation

The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) ("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene Corporation is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social drivers of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation's website.

SOURCE Health Net
New executive leader joins the Horizon Organic Dairy leadership team bringing more than 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry and a passion for premium dairy

BROOMFIELD, Colo., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Organic, a pioneer in organic dairy and the largest USDA-certified organic milk and dairy brand in the world,1 and Wallaby, a leading brand of creamy Australian-style yogurts and organic Greek yogurts, are pleased to announce Patricia Stroup has joined the team as chief operating officer (COO). Stroup has a lifelong connection to dairy, and an extensive background in global leadership within the food and beverage industry. She brings a broad range of capabilities to the COO role, including operational expertise, industry insight and a people-first leadership mentality.

With a lifelong connection to dairy and an extensive background in global leadership, Patricia Stroup joins Horizon Organic and Wallaby as the new chief operating officer (COO). Stroup will manage day-to-day business operations and help the brands grow to serve even more families across the country with high-quality products.

In her role as COO, Stroup will oversee day-to-day business operations, partnering closely with teams to strengthen supply chains, optimize performance, and continue delivering the products consumers love. Her focus will be on driving operational excellence, leading strategic network optimization, improving cross-functional engagement, and providing team members with professional development and growth opportunities.

"We're thrilled to welcome Patricia to the team. Her vast experience will lend itself to improving our brands, accelerating our progress, expanding high-impact teams and strengthening our culture," said Tyler Holm, CEO of Horizon Organic. "We're building the tomorrow we want to see for all who are impacted by our work, from our team, to our farmers, business partners and the families who choose to put our products in their fridges and on their tables. Patricia is the right COO to help us achieve our goals now and in the future."

Prior to joining Horizon Organic, Stroup worked in numerous dairy categories, including milk, cheese, butter and milk powders at leading organizations like Hilmar Cheese Company and Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association. She also spent more than 18 years at Nestle, most recently serving as the global senior vice president and chief procurement officer out of Switzerland. Stroup previously served as the former chair of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) board of directors, and is actively pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of San Diego. She also studied dairy science at Virginia Tech.

"I am passionate about the dairy industry and am honored to join the Horizon Organic team," shared Stroup. "My roots in dairy are deep as I grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and ran a dairy farm of my own for nearly 10 years. I believe our future success starts with our commitments to dairy farmers and will provide the strong foundation upon which we build both Horizon Organic and Wallaby. I'm excited to serve as COO on this amazing team as we strive to serve even more families across the country with high-quality products," said Stroup.

Horizon Organic's experienced leadership team, now including Stroup, brings a depth of unmatched knowledge in strategic business operations, particularly in premium organic dairy.

About Horizon Organic

Two generations of familiesand countinghave grown up on Horizon Organic milk. From the start, as the leading organic milk producer in the U.S., Horizon has been committed to delivering innovative, nourishing dairy that growing families can rely on. As a certified B Corp, Horizon works with more than 500 farmers across the U.S. to bring high-quality, certified organic milk to consumers. For more information on Horizon's full portfolio of organic dairy products, visit horizon.com .

About Wallaby

Wallaby is a premium yogurt brand that has been producing great tasting organic yogurt for over 20 years. Wallaby was born out of a trip to Australia by its founders, where they chanced across a deliciously distinctive yogurt. Convinced that Americans would love Australian-style yogurt as much as they did, they set off on a mission with one simple goal: to produce the best tasting yogurt in America. That's why Wallaby yogurt is always slow-crafted with organic milk and premium organic ingredients to create something deliciously different. To learn more about Wallaby Organic, please visit wallabyyogurt.com.

1 Source: Circana OmniMarket Core Outlets, 52 Weeks Ending Feb 25, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT

Emily Rado

SchroderHaus

954-592-2003

[email protected]

SOURCE Horizon Organic
NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of the 2024 U.S. election, Ipsos research shows that 69% of Americans say they prefer to buy from brands that align with their values  yet 56% believe businesses should remain neutral on political issues.

From political polarization to brand backlash, organizations and institutions face new and urgent challenges when communicating with the public or connecting with consumers. Those that adapt and understand this landscape stand to gain ground, but inaction is not an option.

That's why Ipsos, one of the world's leading market research and polling companies, is helping its clients Know the New America with a slate of solutions and services designed to help brands meet the moment.

"The American public demands brands that align with their values while exhibiting authenticity  and swiftly penalizes hypocrisy or performative actions," said Julia Glidden, Group President of Ipsos Public Affairs in the U.S.

"As one of the most trusted researchers across the public and private sectors, Ipsos is uniquely positioned to help leaders monitor public perception, adapt to this high-risk, high-reward business landscape, and act on emerging opportunities."

Ipsos' Know the New America capabilities span from social listening and message testing to market positioning and creative evaluation. Together, they empower brands to act with clarity and confidence in a world where words matter more than ever.

Ipsos' Insights2Influence leverages desk research, ethnography, and trended polling to keep brands ahead of tomorrow's reputational issues, while Opinion Edge draws on real-time policy and social data to help them stay in touch with stakeholder attitudes. Workshops such as the Values Alignment Workshop help brands ensure authenticity with consumer values, while the U.S. Brand Association and Global Values studies helps determine the impact of their geographic and cultural positioning.

"At this pivotal moment, no brand can afford to be unsure where they stand. Ipsos' rigorous and proven research guarantees that leaders have information and insights they can trust, no matter their industry or business challenge," said Nick Mercurio, Chief Client and Growth Officer, Ipsos North America.

To learn how Ipsos can help you adapt to uncertainty and align your operations and messaging with consumer priorities, visit our solutions toolkit today.

You can also learn more by exploring our POV on the "Listen, Learn, Respond" framework, or by reading Insights to Activate: Know the New America, which explains what brands and specific sectors like CPG, retail, tech, and healthcare need to know about new shifts in public opinion.

ABOUT IPSOS

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

"Game Changers"  our tagline  summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices, STOXX Europe 600 and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP

www.ipsos.com

35 rue du Val de Marne

75 628 Paris, Cedex 13 France

SOURCE Ipsos
South Florida Agents Can Now Access iHomefinder Max with AI-Powered Tools, Lead Generation, and Mobile App

EUGENE, Ore., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iHomefinder, a leading provider of real estate property search technology and online marketing solutions, today announced its newest partnership with BeachesMLS, one of Florida's largest multiple listing services. Through this collaboration, BeachesMLS members will now have exclusive access to iHomefinder Max at special discounted pricing via the BeachesMLS Marketplace.

iHomefinder Max offers agents a comprehensive, mobile-optimized platform that goes far beyond traditional IDX. The solution equips real estate professionals with lead database mining, AI-driven marketing automations, high-intent seller leads, lead capture, lead scoring, and an intuitive mobile app, giving agents the ability to grow their business from anywhere.

"Partnering with BeachesMLS is an exciting opportunity to help thousands of real estate professionals across South Florida increase their deal flow," said Bryson Womack, Vice President of Sales at iHomefinder. "Our platform is purpose-built to help agents close more deals with intelligent lead nurturing, automated engagement, and push notifications from our Mobile App."

BeachesMLS serves more than 43,000 members across Palm Beach, Broward, and St. Lucie counties. By joining the MLS Marketplace, iHomefinder reinforces its commitment to offering cutting-edge solutions to agents navigating an increasingly competitive and mobile-first real estate landscape.

BeachesMLS members interested in learning more about the exclusive iHomefinder Max offering can visit the MLS Marketplace or contact iHomefinder for more information.

About iHomefinder

iHomefinder is one of the industry's leading providers of real estate search technology and online marketing tools. With more than 20 years of experience, iHomefinder has been at the forefront of delivering integral technology solutions for real estate professionals.

This exclusive offer is now available to all members of the BeachesMLS through their MLS Marketplace.

SOURCE iHomefinder Inc.
INBRIJA, a dopamine replacement therapy for off periods in Parkinson's disease, holds significant market potential due to its ability to provide rapid relief from motor symptoms. With the increasing prevalence of Parkinson's globally, the demand for effective treatments is growing. INBRIJA offers a novel, non-oral alternative, positioning it well in the market for patients who struggle with traditional therapies.

LAS VEGAS, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's " INBRIJA Market Size, Forecast, and Market Insight Report " highlights the details around INBRIJA, which consists of a dry powder formulation of levodopa for oral inhalation with the INBRIJA inhaler. The report provides product descriptions, patent details, and competitor products (marketed and emerging therapies) of INBRIJA. The report also highlights the historical and forecasted sales from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Acorda Therapeutics' INBRIJA (Levodopa) Overview

INBRIJA is an inhalable dry powder formulation of levodopa designed for use with the INBRIJA inhaler. The medication is delivered via white hypromellose capsules, each containing 42 mg of levodopa in a spray-dried powder form, along with excipients such as 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and sodium chloride.

Levodopa, the active ingredient in INBRIJA, is an aromatic amino acid with the chemical name (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid. Its molecular formula is CHNO, and it has a molecular weight of 197.19 g/mol.

INBRIJA is indicated for the intermittent relief of OFF episodes in patients with Parkinson's disease who are already receiving treatment with carbidopa/levodopa. It is not intended to replace regular carbidopa/levodopa therapy but is used to reduce OFF periods and improve motor symptoms.

Each therapeutic capsule is used with a specially designed plastic inhaler featuring a blue body, blue cap, and a white mouthpiece. Patients may use INBRIJA up to five times per day, with the maximum daily dose limited to 420 mg.

Drug Name INBRIJA (Levodopa) Developer Acorda Therapeutics Approval Year 2018 (US); 2019 (EU) Primary Indication Parkinson's disease Mechanism of action Dopamine receptor agonist Route of administration Oral inhalation

Learn more about INBRIJA projected market size for Parkinson's disease @ INBRIJA Market Potential

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological condition that primarily affects the ability to control movement. It is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, particularly in the substantia nigraa region vital for regulating voluntary muscle activity. According to DelveInsight, there were approximately 3 million diagnosed prevalent cases of Parkinson's disease across the 7MM in 2024, with the United States accounting for about 45% of these. Although there is currently no cure, symptom management involves a mix of medications and supportive therapies. Treatment typically includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and certain patients may benefit from surgical interventions. Complementary therapies are also sometimes used to help manage specific symptoms.

Commonly used drugs for Parkinson's include levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, amantadine, anticholinergics, and adenosine A2A receptor antagonists. These medications primarily aim to alleviate motor symptoms, which significantly impact patients' quality of life. DelveInsight estimates the Parkinson's disease market in the 7MM to have been worth USD 3.5 billion in 2024. DelveInsight's analysis forecasts market growth due to the introduction of emerging therapies, expecting a rise in market size during the study period (20202034). The anticipated increase in market size is driven by advancements in treatment options, greater healthcare access, and a rising prevalence of the condition, which together foster higher demand for innovative and effective therapies.

Discover more about the Parkinson's disease market in detail @ Parkinson's Disease Market Report

Emerging Competitors of INBRIJA

Some of the emerging competitors to INBRIJA in the Parkinson's disease treatment landscape include Solengepras (Cerevance), Buntanetap (Annovis Bio), Prasinezumab (Roche/Protherna), JOTROL (Jupiter Neurosciences), Glovadalen (UCB Biopharma), and others. In April 2025, Cerevance reported that the pivotal Phase III ARISE trial evaluating Solengepras as an adjunctive treatment for Parkinson's disease was ongoing, with topline results expected in the first half of 2026.

Cerevance's GPR6 antagonist, Solengepras, did not meet its primary endpoint in the Phase II ASCEND trial as a monotherapy for early, untreated Parkinson's disease patients, demonstrating only a modest and statistically non-significant improvement compared to placebo, as reported at AD/PD 2025.

According to the results presented at AD/PD 2025, Buntanetap has been shown to prevent cognitive decline across the entire treated ITT population. In patients with existing cognitive impairment, it improved cognitive performance along with MDS-UPDRS, WAIS, and CGI-S scores. A meeting with the US FDA to discuss the future development strategy is scheduled for the second Quarter of 2025.

The ATLANTIS Phase II trial design for glovadalen was presented at AD/PD 2025, highlighting its potential as a Parkinson's treatment. As a D1PAM, it boosts dopamine signaling without directly activating receptors.

To know more about the number of competing drugs in development, visit @ INBRIJA Market Positioning Compared to Other Drugs

Key Milestones of INBRIJA

In March 2023 , Acorda Therapeutics announced that Esteve Pharmaceuticals launched INBRIJA 33 mg (levodopa inhalation powder, hard capsules) in Spain . Esteve launched INBRIJA in Germany in mid-2022.

announced that Esteve Pharmaceuticals launched INBRIJA 33 mg (levodopa inhalation powder, hard capsules) in . Esteve launched INBRIJA in in mid-2022. In September 2019 , Acorda Therapeutics announced that the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for INBRIJA 33 mg inhalation powder, hard capsules. In Europe , INBRIJA is indicated for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson's disease treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. The Marketing Authorization approves INBRIJA for use in the 28 countries of the European Union, as well as Iceland , Norway , and Liechtenstein .

announced that the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for INBRIJA 33 mg inhalation powder, hard capsules. In , INBRIJA is indicated for the intermittent treatment of episodic motor fluctuations (OFF episodes) in adult patients with Parkinson's disease treated with a levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. The Marketing Authorization approves INBRIJA for use in the 28 countries of the European Union, as well as , , and . In December 2018 , INBRIJA was approved by the US FDA for intermittent treatment of OFF Episodes in people with Parkinson's taking carbidopa/levodopa.

Discover how INBRIJA is shaping the Parkinson's disease treatment landscape @ INBRIJA Inhaler

INBRIJA Market Dynamics

INBRIJA is a medication used to manage "off" periods in patients with Parkinson's disease who are on a stable regimen of oral levodopa. The market dynamics surrounding INBRIJA are influenced by several factors, including the growing demand for innovative treatments for Parkinson's disease, an aging global population, and the increasing recognition of the importance of managing off periods in patients with Parkinson's. As the number of Parkinson's disease patients continues to rise globally, particularly with the aging Baby Boomer generation, the market for Parkinson's disease therapies is expanding, offering significant growth potential for medications like INBRIJA.

One of the key drivers for INBRIJA's market is the unmet need for effective treatments for off periods. Traditional oral levodopa, the mainstay of Parkinson's treatment, can lose efficacy over time, leading to motor fluctuations that result in off periods, during which patients experience a worsening of symptoms such as tremors and rigidity. INBRIJA provides an alternative in the form of an inhaled levodopa treatment that acts rapidly to help manage these periods, offering patients a faster-acting option compared to oral medications. This positioning appeals to both patients and healthcare providers who are looking for ways to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson's.

Despite its promising potential, INBRIJA faces challenges in the market. The primary hurdle is its relatively high cost compared to traditional levodopa treatments, which could limit its accessibility, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources. Additionally, the need for an inhaler device and potential issues related to device handling and patient compliance could also impact market penetration. Moreover, INBRIJA competes with other therapeutic options in the Parkinson's space, including dopamine agonists and other adjunctive treatments, which means ongoing education and marketing efforts are required to differentiate its unique benefits.

In terms of market opportunities, INBRIJA could benefit from increased awareness among healthcare providers about the drug's role in improving patient outcomes during off periods. Collaborations with Parkinson's disease advocacy groups and patient education initiatives could help drive adoption. Furthermore, expanding indications or seeking approval for additional uses could open up new revenue streams and bolster INBRIJA's position in the Parkinson's treatment market. Overall, while the market for INBRIJA faces challenges, the growing demand for better management of Parkinson's symptoms presents opportunities for continued growth and adoption.

Dive deeper to get more insight into INBRIJA's strengths & weaknesses relative to competitors @ INBRIJA Market Drug Report

Table of Contents

1 Report Introduction 2 INBRIJA: Acorda Therapeutics 2.1 Product Overview 2.2 Other Development Activities 2.3 Clinical Development 2.4 Clinical Trials Information 2.5 Safety and Efficacy 2.6 Product Profile 2.7 Market Assessment 2.7.1 The 7MM Analysis 2.7.1.1 Cost Assumptions and Rebate 2.7.1.2 Pricing Trends 2.7.1.3 Analogue Assessment 2.7.1.4 Launch Year and Therapy Uptake 2.7.2 The United States Market Analysis 2.7.3 EU4 and the United Kingdom Market Analysis 2.7.3.1 Germany 2.7.3.2 France 2.7.3.3 Italy 2.7.3.4 Spain 2.7.3.5 UK 2.7.4 Japan Market Analysis 2.8 Market Drivers 2.9 Market Barriers 2.10 SWOT Analysis 3 Key Cross of Marketed Competitors of INBRIJA 4 Key Cross of Emerging Competitors of INBRIJA

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About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

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SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
Attorneys Coleman Cowan and Donald Clack secure multi-million dollar judgment for family of woman killed in possible road rage incident.

DURHAM, N.C., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys Coleman Cowan and Donald Clack of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin secured a $5.1 million compensatory damages verdict in Johnston County Superior Court on behalf of the surviving sons of a woman killed in a motor vehicle crash.*

The case stemmed from a 2023 car collision in Johnston County. Evidence presented at trial showed the defendant driver was negligent, resulting in the tragic wrongful death of the plaintiffs' mother. The jury returned the $5.1 million verdict in compensatory damages following a jury deliberation of just 40 minutes.*

"While no amount of money can bring her back, we hope this outcome provides some measure of justice and closure for the family," said Cowan. "We are grateful the jury honored her memory with this verdict."*

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, which advocates on behalf of injured individuals and their families across North and South Carolina, was named to the 2025 'Best Law Firms' list by "Best Lawyers in America."** The firm remains committed to representing those who have suffered loss due to negligence and ensuring their voices are heard in court.

ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has helped over 73,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 14 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 60+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability.

Contact:

David Chamberlin

555 S. Mangum Street, Suite 800

Durham, NC 27701

1-866-900-7078

https://www.farrin.com

*Does not reflect firm's entire record. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases because each case is unique and must be evaluated separately.

**'Best Law Firms' standards of inclusion: bestlawyers.com

Cases handled by lawyers who principally practice in our Durham (Main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC offices.

Attorney Michael Shepherd: 555 South Mangum Street, Suite 800, Durham, North Carolina.

SOURCE Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
ZHONGWEI, China, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Once niche and costly, rugged SUVs have now become ubiquitous. By 2024, global sales of off-road SUVs exceeded 1.87 million, with JETOUR emerging as a standout with bestselling models like the T2 and T1.

On May 26, JETOUR held the first "Boxy SUV Carnival" in Zhongwei, China, celebrating its "Travel+" strategy and off-road culture. The event debuted the 2025 JETOUR T1 i-DM and highlighted JETOUR's leadership in boxy SUVs.

Shapotou, Zhongwei, on the edge of China's fourth-largest desert, showcases the rugged design of JETOUR's T1 and T2 models. The vehicles contrast sharply with the desert, embodying a spirit of freedom.

The 2025 JETOUR T1 i-DM debuts as the industry's first triple-motor PHEV boxy SUV, powered by a 1.5T hybrid engine and a P1+P3+P4 motor setup. It delivers 435 kW, 840 Nm of peak torque, and a 220 km pure-electric range. With a 43.2 kWh battery supporting external discharge and an XWD intelligent four-wheel-drive system, it excels in both urban and off-road driving. The model will be gradually introduced to international markets.

From the 2018 debut of the first boxy concept car to the 2025 JETOUR T1 i-DM's new technical benchmark, JETOUR's boxy SUV has seen rapid sales growth: 180,000 units sold in 2022, 315,000 in 2023, and over 568,000 in 2024. JETOUR has gained 1.7 million users and 50 million fans worldwide. According to first-quarter data, JETOUR is the No.1 Chinese brand in markets like the UAE, Peru, and Angola.

JETOUR's success stems from its user-oriented "Travel+" strategy, combining "ICE + PHEV" to meet diverse needs. With 1,100+ accessories, the JMK refit brand, 176 campsites across 121 cities, and 332 partners, it is the only automaker offering a full "Travel+" lifestyle.

The event combined industry trends, lifestyle, product experience, and off-road culture, showing the "Travel+" strategy as part of daily life. Over 7 years, JETOUR has led the boxy SUV segment with classic design and innovation. Going forward, JETOUR will enter premium off-road markets with advanced technology and diverse products, making every drive a great journey.

SOURCE Jetour
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not rule out the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, ZDF reports.

"Of course, it is within the limits of possibility," the Chancellor said on ZDF, answering the presenter's question about Taurus. Merz also noted that this would require several months of training for Ukrainian soldiers.

"We have always said - I said it myself - that Taurus requires several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine," he said. The transfer of the system in six months or a year will not benefit Ukraine today, Merz stressed.

Therefore, according to him, military support for the country is being improved today. The Chancellor confirmed that Germany is closely coordinating its actions with its European partners, some of which have already supplied Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles.

In recent days, Merz announced that he would allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons. Regarding further sanctions against Moscow, the chancellor said: "Everything that can be done on a secure legal basis is conceivable and possible."

As reported, on May 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings in Berlin with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Bundestag Speaker Julia Klockner.

During the visit, Germany promised new military assistance to Ukraine worth EUR 5 billion. In particular, a contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T systems and missiles for them. The total cost of the contract is EUR 2.2 billion.
Alon Day to Pilot Car in ARCA Menards Series Events in Connecticut, California, and New York

CHICAGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) and Neil Book announced today the sponsorship of Alon Day for three road course events across the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA West Series platforms.

Alon Day is a four-time NASCAR Euro Series Champion and NASCAR's only professional Israeli racecar driver. Day will drive the No.25 JSSI Toyota Camry for team Venturini Motorsports at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut (June 28), Sonoma Raceway in California (July 11), and Watkins Glen Raceway in New York (August 9).

JSSI Sponsors Racing Champion Alon Day for NASCAR ARCA Series

Alon's No. 25 Toyota will be customized with a full JSSI-branded car wrap in blue and white and will include the Hebrew word for life, , as a symbol of resilience, unity and support for his home country of Israel.

"We are honored to partner with Alon Day for a second year. Alon represents the heart and spirit of the Israeli people: commitment to excellence, tremendous work ethic, and ability to persevere in the face of enormous adversity. These are the traits that we strive to embody at JSSI. We're excited for Alon to bring these talents to the streets of America," said Neil Book, JSSI Chairman and CEO.

"I am grateful to Neil Book and JSSI for making it possible for me to compete in the ARCA Series races across America," NASCAR driver Alon Day said, "I hope to bring JSSI's car No 25 to the victory circle."

"Alon is an accomplished driver on the world stage, and we are excited to have such a top level road course driver racing under the Venturini Motorsports banner for these three races," said Billy Venturini, General Manager Venturini Motorsports.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Alon Day or JSSI, please contact Keren Gelfand at 312-593-2535.

About Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI)

For more than 35 years, Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) has been the leading independent provider of maintenance support, advisory services, software, and financial tools to the business aviation industry. With 6,000+ aircraft supported by maintenance programs and software platforms, JSSI leverages this wealth of data, scale, and innovation to drive cost savings and provide custom solutions that align to the interests of each client, regardless of make or model. Learn more at jetsupport.com.

About Venturini Motorsports

With a family legacy in motorsports dating back to the 1950s, Venturini Motorsports has been a dominant presence in the ARCA Menards Series since 1982. VMS holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured and most successful team in ARCA history, earning 108 all-time series victories. An official partner of Toyota Gazoo Racing, Venturini Motorsports has played a key role in the development of some of today's top NASCAR Cup Series talent, including Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Jesse Love. The team has claimed multiple ARCA Menards Series owner and driver championships with Christian Eckes, Sean Hingorani, and Jesse Love.

SOURCE Jet Support Services, Inc.
Leading sex abuse litigation funder announces fifty new lawsuits have been filed by adults who spent time at the San Diego County emergency shelter decades ago while children in need of protection.

SAN DIEGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal Bay Presettlement Funding reports that over 50 plaintiffs have filed suit against San Diego County, alleging sexual abuse while minors at the Polinsky Children's Center during the 90s and 2000s. Accusations also include being drugged and verbally abused by staff members, not to mention the years of trauma the victims have endured.

The lawsuits, announced during a press conference last Friday, were filed by survivors now coming forward as adults to seek justice and accountability. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs say the abuse occurred at a time when the children were placed at Polinsky for their safety and protection. Attorney Joseph Woodhall, who is representing many of the plaintiffs, encouraged other victims to come forward and start the journey toward healing.

The recent filings follow a wave of litigation from September 2024 when Los Angeles-based firm Slater Slater Schulman filed similar complaints on behalf of more than 100 former residents of the Polinsky Center.

Both firms are now collaborating to pursue justice and compensation for the growing number of clients who have come forward. Survivors or others with knowledge of abuse at the Polinsky Children's Center are encouraged to contact the legal teams involved.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal Bay, says, "Legal Bay is tracking the development of these cases in California, unfortunately our research indicates a similar pattern of sexual abuse we have seen in other litigations throughout the country. Oftentimes the victims are so traumatized, it's hard for them to get by financially month-to-month, and legal funding cash advances are a way to help them bridge the gap to a meaningful settlement. We will continue to aid victims of sex abuse claims, as well as pledge our support for the victims' pursuit of their personal justice."

If you're the plaintiff in an existing lawsuit and need an immediate advance against your anticipated cash settlement award, you can apply HERE or call: 877.571.0405. If you were a victim of sexual abuse and need an attorney, Legal-Bay can also help you find legal representation.

Legal-Bay lawsuit funding remains vigilant in helping clients who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Additionally, any new clients that have an existing lawsuit and need cash now can apply for regular settlement funding to help them get through their own crises. Legal-Bay funds all types of loan on lawsuit programs including personal injury, slips and falls, car accident lawsuit, medical malpractice, dog bites, and more.

Legal-Bay is one of the best lawsuit funding companies when it comes to providing immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. The non-recourse legal fundingsometimes referred to as loans on lawsuit or loans on lawsuitsare risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case. Therefore, the lawsuit funding isn't really a loan, but rather a cash advance.

To apply right now, please visit the company's website HERE or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by.

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
OSAKA, Japan, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More than a fascinating array of creative exhibits, pop-up stores and twin-city forums, "Made-in-Shanghai" is an international showcase of Shanghai's fashion ecosystem. On May 21st to 25th, the sixth edition of "Made-in-Shanghai" was held in Grand Green Osaka, its first overseas leg, themed under "Lifestyle Trends of Shanghai & Osaka". More than 1000 exhibits from 90 Shanghai-based brands, covering fashion and accessories, cosmetics, snacks, sportswear, tech-savvy products, handicrafts and more, welcomes consumers and businesses in Osaka with a panorama of Shanghai's fashion industry.

The exhibits attracted a large number of Japanese consumers.

The high-profile opening ceremony was addressed by Mr. FANG Wei, China's deputy consul general in Osaka. Hundreds of officials, brand representatives, designers, journalists and KOLs attended the opening ceremony, and tens of thousands of Japanese consumers visited it in the five days.

While the most popular area for consumers was "Shanghai Lab", a presentation of Shanghai's fashion and beauty industry blocks was attractive to businesses. Yuyuan Road brought 23 brands from its creative community to Osaka with the narrative of "City-Block Renewal". It garnered interest from Japanese fashion brands and professionals, who expressed interests in visiting this community. Oriental Beauty Valley presented its 9-brand matrix, demonstrating its beauty industry chain, public services and innovation power. The organizers  Oriental Beauty Valley and Shanghai Comprehensive Industrial Development Zone visited the Japan Office of Shanghai Foreign Investment Promotion Center and famous Japanese enterprises such as Exedy, to deepen cooperation.

At Hankyu Department Store, Chinese designers presented "WINDow of EAST" pop-up stores, attracting officials from Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau and luxury buyer store owners, along with celebrities, designers, KOLs and consumers.

Adding to the brick-and-mortar stores is the e-commerce solution from Confis. This Japanese company provides local packing, product design, warehousing and channel marketing solutions to the brands participating in this event.

Indeed, "Made-in-Shanghai" champions a two-way service for companies looking to expand overseas and investing in Shanghai, be it creative consultation, assistance in overseas promotion, or cross-border marketing. Curated by Shanghai Design Week, one of the organizers of the event, more than 20 brand managers came to Osaka to explore business opportunities and gain consumer feedback.

"Made-in-Shanghai" is continuing to send shockwaves across the globe, reaching 400 million people. The coverage from The Paper, another organizer of the event, received 3.76 million clicks. 795 media outlets, including AP News, NBC News, Asahi Shimbun and more have covered the event.

SOURCE the Paper
New Product Launch, Enterprise Momentum, and Industry Partnerships Fuel Medcrypt's Growth in 2025

SAN DIEGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Medcrypt, the leading provider of proactive cybersecurity solutions for medical devices, announced today a major milestone in its continued growth, fueled by new product innovation, strategic partnerships, and increasing regulatory pressure for secure-by-design medical technologies.

The company introduced its new Medical Device Product Security Intelligence Platform, currently available in early access, designed to help medical device manufacturers assess their product's security posture, identify gaps, quantify cybersecurity risk in dollar terms, and generate cost-aligned remediation plans in minutes. Designed for both premarket and postmarket teams, the platform empowers cross-functional teams to identify and address product risks, prioritize investments, align security strategy with industry standards, and with customer and regulatory requirements  all while accelerating time to market through a strategic, end-to-end cybersecurity roadmap.

This launch reinforces Medcrypt's integrated approach to medical device cybersecurity  combining scalable software with expert regulatory consulting to help manufacturers meet security and compliance goals at every stage of the product lifecycle.

"Cybersecurity is no longer optional or reactive  it's a strategic function that impacts compliance, trust, and business outcomes," said Mike Kijewski, CEO of Medcrypt. "We've seen record demand from manufacturers that need a faster, more defensible way to build and maintain product security. Our new platform helps them do exactly that  with a tool that's fast, actionable, and built for how device teams actually operate."

Momentum Across Platforms and Services

Medcrypt's software and services are now used by 8 of the top 10 global medical device manufacturers





Completed 250+ product security advisory and software projects in the past 12 months





Achieved a 100% submission success rate for cybersecurity documentation submitted to the FDA





First company to offer a cybersecurity submission guarantee, providing expert support until the cybersecurity section of a submission is accepted





Expanded strategic collaborations with regulators, standards bodies, and connected device innovators.

As cybersecurity requirements from the FDA, EU, and other global regulators continue to evolve, and health delivery organizations mature in their expectations of vendors, Medcrypt ensures that medical device manufacturers are not only compliant  but efficient, aligned and future-ready.

About MedCrypt

Medcrypt is helping healthcare technology companies ensure medical devices are secure by design. We provide cybersecurity products and strategic management consulting to expedite the go-to-market process of medical device manufacturers' new life-saving connected technologies. Founded in 2016 by a team of healthcare cybersecurity experts, Medcrypt is uniquely positioned to be the security catalyst for medical device manufacturers to design secure, FDA-approved technologies. We continue to work with those paving the way toward safe and reliable medtech.

To date, Medcrypt has raised more than $36 million in funding with participation from Johnson & Johnson Innovations, Intuitive Ventures, and Dexcom Ventures. For more information, please visit www.Medcrypt.com.

Press Contact:

Stacey Martinez

408-857-7120

http://www.medcrypt.com

SOURCE MedCrypt
The Country of Beauty isn't just present at Miami Swim Week, it's leading with authority, identity, and purpose.

MIAMI, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the top swimwear exporter in South America and the second in all of Latin America and the Caribbean, Colombia arrives in Miami with one of the event's most robust delegations and a clear message: the future of global swimwear is being shaped in Colombia.

Photo: Courtesy of Inexmoda.

With a swimwear and beachwear export sector that has grown by over 12% annually, on average, over the past five years, and exports reaching US$17.6 million in 2024, Colombia has solidified its status as a world-class supplier. The United States, Colombia's largest market, accounts for US$9.4 million of that total, reflecting 13.2% average annual growth since 2020. This growth is not only in volume but in value, creativity, and sustainability.

"Colombian brands keep setting new standards by integrating natural materials, and cultural narratives with cutting-edge design and sustainable practices. These are not trends, they are the result of decades of industry evolution and a vision built on ethical production and global scalability," said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the promotion agency of the country.

Precisely, to spotlight this leadership, ProColombia will host SwimTalk: Colombia's Sustainable Fashion Playbook during the SwimShow, a conversation that brings together industry leaders, and brands like OLA AZUL and MAR DE LUA to explore how sustainability, innovation, and public-private alignment are positioning Colombia as a global benchmark.

There's no doubt that Miami Swim Week offers an invaluable platform for Colombian brands. In this spirit, Inexmoda will debut Casa Colombiamoda, an extension of Colombia's Fashion Week, traditionally held in Medellin each July. Set in Miami, this new initiative offers an immersive showroom experience aimed at connecting 20 Colombian brands with key buyers, media, and industry leaders in the U.S. market.

"This represents a milestone in our internationalization strategy. The U.S. is the largest fashion importer in the world, and 31% of Colombia's fashion exports are directed here," said Sebastian Diez, Executive President of Inexmoda.

With over 30,000 companies in its textile and apparel industry, Colombia brings together one of the most experienced and culturally rich fashion ecosystems in the world. Supported by its strategic geography, advanced trade infrastructure, and status as the second most biodiverse country on the planet, Colombia is a partner for the future of ethical, beautiful, and globally competitive fashion.

SOURCE PROCOLOMBIA
Sale to Upfront enables MoxiWorks to focus on empowering agents to find, win, and close more deals, while allowing Upfront to expand its financial offerings to the real estate industry

SEATTLE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MoxiWorks, a leading real estate sales and marketing software provider, today announced the sale of the company's back-office solution, MoxiBalance, to Vero, a newly formed operating unit of Upfront, the leading financial platform built to serve the unique needs of franchisors, brokers and agents. The sale is part of MoxiWorks' new strategic focus on sales and marketing solutions that help brokerages and their agents find, win and close more deals. Terms of the all cash transaction were not disclosed.

As part of the transaction, MoxiBalance's General Manager, Ishtyaq Ahmed, joins Upfront as Chief Product Officer. Upfront, known for its real estate-native platform that provides financial products and healthcare for real estate professionals, will integrate the accounting software to expand its offerings and further empower brokerages and agents with modern financial tools.

"At MoxiWorks, our focus is to evolve from a leading legacy software provider into the go-to real estate sales and marketing platform, empowering agents to find, win, and close more deals. The sale of MoxiBalance aligns with our strategic transformation to provide innovative software solutions that adapt with the ever-changing needs of agents," said Eric Elfman, CEO of MoxiWorks. "Ish has played a critical role in modernizing and growing MoxiBalance over the past four years. Under his continued leadership at Upfront, it will remain a powerful tool for brokerages, delivering innovative back-office capabilities."

MoxiBalance, which manages close to $2 billion in transaction volume for more than 150 brokerage customers, two franchises, and 20,000 agents across the U.S. and Canada, will be rebranded to Vero.

"We're thrilled to bring modern finance and innovation to the back-office space. MoxiBalance is a great platform, and we are excited to add Ish and his 10 years of back-office experience to our team in this deal," said Mukund (Muk) Venkatakrishnan, Co-founder and CEO of Upfront.

Pierre Calzadilla, Co-founder and COO of Upfront, added, "Vero and Ish perfectly align with our mission to bring modern financial services to the real estate industry. We will turn the back-office from a cost-center to a profit-center, while bringing agents new innovations to manage their commissions, taxes, investments, and more."

Now as part of Upfront, Ahmed and the previous MoxiBalance team members will continue to innovate and invest in product development to offer brokerages a back-office platform that leverages commission and other data to provide insights and maximize profitability.

"As the former head of MoxiBalance, I saw firsthand the potential with dedicated focus. That's why I'm thrilled to join forces with Upfront, a company built from the ground up to solve real financial pain for brokerages and agents. This isn't just a new home for MoxiBalance; it's the next chapter in building the financial infrastructure real estate has always needed," Ahmed said.

Ahmed brings nearly a decade of experience in delivering enterprise solutions to brokerages, having held a leadership role at Lone Wolf prior to joining MoxiWorks in 2021 to lead business development for MoxiBalance. During his time at MoxiWorks, he was instrumental in streamlining MoxiBalance's UX, as well as its expansion into Canada. He was promoted to General Manager in 2024.

Customers can expect a seamless transition, with no downtime or disruption to services. As part of an ongoing partnership between MoxiWorks and Vero, the two companies will continue to integrate their respective solutions to deliver even more value to their shared customers.

About MoxiWorks

MoxiWorks helps agents find, win, and close more deals. Our mission is to become The AI Real Estate Platform. MoxiWorks has revolutionized the industry for over a decade and powers over 3,000 brokerages and 400,000 agents to be more productive with an easier and faster marketing and management experience. Flexible, stackable, and tailored MoxiWorks solutions make the day-to-day of running a brokerage less daunting so real estate rockstars can shine. Find out more and supercharge your growth at moxiworks.com .

About Upfront/Vero:

Upfront & Vero's combined mission is to bring modern financial services to the real estate industry. Our vertically integrated, real estate-native platform helps franchises, brokers, and their agents manage commissions, have access to healthcare, access cash-flow and deliver powerful financial tools to attract, retain, and empower their top-performing agents and teams with financial products to achieve their goals. From back-office to agent financial tools, things are looking up with two brands to serve you: www.myUpfront.com and www.govero.co .

Media Contact:

Janice McDill

[email protected]

SOURCE MoxiWorks
Experts Encourage Parents to Check for Signs of Scoliosis This Summer

FAIRFAX, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As we recognize Scoliosis Awareness Month this June, National Scoliosis Center encourages parents to prioritize early detectionan essential step toward effective scoliosis management. With timely intervention, non-operative treatments such as bracing can often be employed, preventing the need for surgery and mitigating potential long-term complications.

Two young patients, fitted with Rigo Cheneau-style braces, stand with Orthotist Kristian Christensen from National Scoliosis Center. As the Center celebrates 10 years of transforming lives, they continue their mission to provide exceptional non-operative care and encourage early detection of scoliosis for effective management.

National Scoliosis Center also wants to use this month to recognize and celebrate a decade of providing exceptional, non-operative care to children and adolescents with scoliosis. Founded in 2015 by internationally recognized orthotist Luke Stikeleather, the Center has grown from a single office in Fairfax, VA, to three locationsincluding Baltimore, MD, and Houston, TXmaking its specialized care and custom Rigo Cheneau-style braces accessible to more families. These braces empower patients to take control of their condition and improve their quality of life.

"Our mission has always been to provide the best possible scoliosis care," said Luke Stikeleather, Founder and Chief Orthotist. "Watching a child gain confidence and take ownership of their scoliosis journey is what inspires us every day."

Summer is the Perfect Time for a Scoliosis Check

In recognition of both its milestone anniversary and Scoliosis Awareness Month, National Scoliosis Center is urging parents to be alert to the early signs of scoliosis. With kids wearing swimsuits and lighter clothing during summer, it's often easier to spot subtle physical changes that may indicate a spinal curve.

Parents should consult a medical professional if they notice any of the following signs in their child:

One shoulder or hip appears higher than the other

One shoulder blade sticks out more prominently

The waistline appears uneven or asymmetrical

The spine curves to the side, forming an "S" shape

The back looks uneven when the child bends forward

Back pain (though this is less common in children)

Early diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment and better long-term outcomesso it's always best to err on the side of caution.

A Team With Purpose: Why They Do What They Do

At the heart of National Scoliosis Center's success is a dedicated team of orthotists who combine technical expertise with a deep passion for helping patients. Across all three locations, these specialists work closely with each individual to provide compassionate, personalized careand their impact is evident in every brace and every milestone celebrated.

"Working with scoliosis patients is incredibly rewarding," said Kristian Christensen, Orthotist at the Fairfax and Baltimore offices. "We're not just fitting braceswe're giving kids the tools and confidence to keep doing what they love, whether that's playing sports, dancing, or simply feeling comfortable in their own skin."

Walter Ramos, Orthotist in Fairfax, adds: "Every patient's journey is unique. Being part of their care teamcelebrating their milestones and watching them thriveis why I do this work."

Looking Ahead: A Decade of Innovation and Compassion

As National Scoliosis Center marks its 10th anniversary, the team remains committed to advancing non-operative scoliosis care. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and patient-centered treatment, they continue to provide hope and healing to families both locally and globally.

For more information, visit NationalScoliosisCenter.com or follow National Scoliosis Center on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn for inspiring patient stories and educational resources throughout Scoliosis Awareness Month.

National Scoliosis Center is a non-operative treatment center that offers Rigo Cheneau bracing, low-dose Imaging (Fairfax, VA only), collaboration with Schroth Physical Therapists , and compassionate care. With locations in Fairfax, VA, Baltimore, MD, and Houston, TX, the Center empowers patients and their families with expert treatment and personalized support.

SOURCE National Scoliosis Center
Millions of memoryBlue Interactions Analyzed and Shared in Global Benchmark Report

TYSONS, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- memoryBlue, a leader in pipeline and revenue growth, powered by people (and AI) you can trust, today announced findings from its Spring 2025 Global Sales Engagement Benchmark Report, highlighting a significant shift in marketing and sales best practices.

Meet memoryBlue President, Aurelien Mottier, and hear how we help high tech companies in all phases of growth find their buyers and fill their pipeline.

The report, which analyzed more than 500,000 calls, 1.4 million emails and 321,000 meetings global sales meetings, shows that phone outreach accounted for 85% of sales meetings booked, compared to just 8% via email and 7% through LinkedIn. The research also highlights issues with relying on a single outreach channelsuch as email alone.

"Today's B2B buyers are constantly shifting between multiple channels and expect sellers to meet them there," said Aurelien Mottier, President of memoryBlue. "The data clearly demonstrates the urgency for sales teams to embrace a hyper-personalized, multi-channel approachone that leverages intent signals to aligns precisely with their buyers' preferences, behaviors and urgency."

Covering North America, EMEA and APAC, the study offers detailed insights into current sales outreach effectiveness, channel, vertical and regional patterns. A few key takeaways:

Intent-driven sales strategies allow teams to proactively engage buyers earlier, with 88% of buyers expressing appreciation for outreach during their initial research phase.

Booked-to-held meeting benchmarks vary dramatically between regions and across industries.

Sales teams leveraging AI report a 20% increase in productivity, with Gartner predicting that by 2025, 75% of sales organizations will utilize AI-driven insights.

To access the full report and explore detailed recommendations for optimizing multi-channel outreach, leveraging AI, and harnessing intent data, click here.

About memoryBlue

memoryBlue is a global sales development firm that gives high-tech companies the ability to launch and grow revenue through expertly crafted outbound sales and marketing services. Following its acquisition of Operatix, memoryBlue has become a global powerhouse, with nine offices worldwide, support for 30+ languages, a vast alumni network and thousands of dedicated sales professionals for hire.

Leveraging deep industry expertise, a proven track record in outsourced sales, and a data-driven approach anchored by their SMART methodology (Sales, Marketing, Academy, Recruiting, and Technology), memoryBlue helps companies efficiently scale revenuewhether they're launching new products, expanding into new markets, pivoting strategically, or optimizing existing sales processes. To learn more, book a meeting.

Contact:

Cari Jaquet

[email protected]

SOURCE memoryBlue
Highly anticipated Seasons at Loma Rica Ranch will make its debut this summer

GRASS VALLEY, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc., California Department of Real Estate  Real Estate Broker, Corporation License Number 01842595, is pleased to announce that Seasons at Loma Rica Ranch (RichmondAmerican.com/SeasonsAtLomaRicaRanch) will be opening for sales this summer in Grass Valley. This exciting new community will offer six impressive single- and two-story floor plans showcasing professionally curated fixtures and finishes (RichmondAmerican.com/Curated).

More about Seasons at Loma Rica Ranch:

The Ammolite is one of six inspired Richmond American floor plans that will be available at Seasons at Loma Rica Ranch in Grass Valley, California.

New single- & two-story homes with open layouts

Six thoughtfully designed floor plans

Designer-curated fixtures & finishes

3 to 5 bedrooms & approx. 1,390 to 3,050 sq. ft.

Guest suites & covered patios available

Community trails, parks & playgrounds

Near historic downtown Grass Valley

Close proximity to CA-49, notable schools, essential services, shopping & dining

Seasons at Loma Rica Ranch is located at 114 Underwood Wayoff Brunswick Road and Sutton Wayin Grass Valley. For more information and to join the community's interest list, call 916.469.0806 or visit RichmondAmerican.com.

About M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1972. MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries, which operate under the name Richmond American Homes, have helped more than 250,000 homebuyers achieve the American Dream since 1977. One of the largest homebuilders in the nation, MDC is committed to quality and value that is reflected in each home its subsidiaries build. The Richmond American companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. For more information, visit MDCHoldings.com.

SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
PHOENIX, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nomad Temporary Housing is honored to announce that Sirva Relocation recognized our organization as the Global Supplier of the Year at the annual Sirva U conference. It is a highly coveted award, with over 1,900 supplier partners in the field of competition. This was Nomad's second win in five years and acknowledges us as the supplier partner that truly goes above and beyond, consistently providing unwavering support and strategic solutions to Sirva clients. Other items of consideration for the award include outstanding quality scores and high performance against all target SLAs.

Nomad also received the Sirva Choice Award for the second year in a row. This accolade is very meaningful as it comes directly from Sirva's operations teams and front-line employees, who cited Nomad as the supplier partner they most enjoy working with on a daily basis in the annual survey.

"The Nomad team is thrilled to have achieved both the Global Supplier of the Year award, and the Sirva Choice Award. Nomad associates strive to deliver industry leading service around the world, every day. We thank Sirva, the world's largest relocation company, for giving us this distinction year after year", states Gavan James, CEO and founder of Nomad. Further, James adds, "This honor extends to the hundreds of quality firms we call Nomad Certified Partners. These companies and their employees adhere to Nomad's high standards of service delivery, time after time, in major markets and remote locations".

About Nomad: Nomad employs a unique model of technology and personalized customer care that utilizes the proprietary, industry-leading Nomad Direct sourcing platform to access more than 3,000 vetted partners worldwide. Offering a single point of contact and end to end management of a client's worldwide housing needs, Nomad utilizes its vast array of partners to offer thousands of apartments and suite hotel rooms to clients in the locations they need, with the selection of choice they demand. Top clients report Nomad's service delivery is a step above any other global serviced accommodation brand, and the industry awards and accolades received reinforce this. Nomad has regional offices in San Diego, Phoenix, London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

For more information, please visit www.nomadtemphousing.com.

Gavan James

Nomad Temporary Housing

619.313.4300

[email protected]

www.nomadtemphousing.com

SOURCE Nomad Temporary Housing
MFA: Russia's fear of handing over its memo to Ukraine indicates it probably has unrealistic ultimatums

The Russians' fear of handing over their "memorandum" on the ceasefire to Ukraine indicates that the document is probably filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of being caught hampering the peace process, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhy.

If not, they must pass the document immediately, as Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said, and stop playing these games, which only show that they probably want the next meeting to be empty, he wrote on X.
Hjeltnes will build on three decades of experience to advance the family-owned brand's mission and legacy globally

DALLAS, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwex, a global leader in sustainable innovation, today announced the appointment of Beate Hjeltnes as CEO. Hjeltnes, the daughter of Norwex Founder Bjrn Nicolaisen, brings nearly 30 years of experience with the company and a deep expertise in the financial sector to the role, along with an unwavering commitment to its Consultant-first business model and its wider mission of helping people live a cleaner, safer and better life.

Beate Hjeltnes, CEO of Norwex

As CEO, Hjeltnes will continue to strengthen her commitment to Norwex's direct selling model, expanding and supporting the brand's family of Consultants across the globe. At a time of change in the direct selling industry, she firmly believes in the power of the Consultants to create a community of kindness, integrity, trust, and respect, all core values to Norwex's mission.

"It's an honor to step into the role of CEO and continue growing a company that has been part of my family's story for decades," said Hjeltnes. "Norwex was founded by my father on a deep love for nature, and that passion was instilled in me from a young age. As I begin this next chapter, I'm focused on ensuring every decision we make uplifts our Consultants  the true custodians of our mission  ensuring that we're all moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable world."

Since its founding in 1994, Norwex has remained debt-free and family owned. The company continues to lead the way in sustainable innovation, setting a new standard for clean living through its pioneering "No-No List," which bans over 2,700 harmful ingredients from its products. Additionally, Norwex recently advanced its commitment to environmental responsibility through a partnership with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), bringing the trusted EWG Verified mark to a growing collection of Norwex products.

"Beate and I have shared a journey that spans decades, and in that time, I've seen her lead with heart, conviction, and a deep sense of purpose," said Debbie Bolton, Co-Founder of Norwex. "She shares her father's vision for a cleaner, more sustainable world which aligns beautifully with everything Norwex stands for, and I couldn't be more excited to see where her leadership takes us next."

For more information on Norwex, visit the brand's Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube pages.

About Norwex

Founded in Norway in 1994, Norwex is a home, personal and family care direct selling company committed to reducing harmful chemicals in everyday lives. More than 2,700 substances are banned from the Company's stringent product development process. From sustainable cleaning products featuring all-purpose microfiber cloths to plant-based skin care, Norwex's innovative solutions set the standard for a cleaner, safer, better way of living.

To purchase Norwex's home care, family care and personal care products, visit Norwex.com or follow Norwex (@norwex) on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Norwex
Leaders in the Analytics market include ActiveCampaign, Creatio, HubSpot, Oracle, Salesforce, and Zoho.

MIAMI, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2025, the marketing automation market has evolved, with AI developments emerging as the most influential drivers. Generative AI, capable of producing high-quality, personalized content at scale, has altered approaches to content strategies. Marketers are now utilizing generative AI to dynamically adjust messaging based on real-time consumer behaviors to enhance personalization at a previously unmanageable scale.

Agentic AI has begun to redefine workflows within marketing automation platforms. From a vendor perspective, integrating agentic AI has warranted substantial investment in developing sophisticated algorithms that optimize campaign management, recommend channel strategies, and even adapt campaigns mid-stream without manual intervention. This shift enables Marketing technology vendors to differentiate by providing solutions that deliver greater operational autonomy, speed, and agility.

"Agentic AI in marketing automation is shifting the landscape by executing campaign decisions in real time, reducing manual work, reallocating resources, and enabling marketers to focus more on strategy than setup," said Senior Analyst Cameron Marsh. "The result is a measurable increase in marketing efficiency and ROI, as vendors deliver solutions that drive faster time-to-value and greater operational impact."

Integration also remains a prominent theme in marketing automation this year. Organizations increasingly prioritize solutions that interface with existing business systems, including CRM, ERP, customer data platforms, and analytics tools. Vendors have responded by deepening integration capabilities, emphasizing flexible APIs, pre-built connectors, and native integrations to enhance cross-platform data flow and marketing agility.

Leaders in this year's Marketing Automation Technology Value Matrix deliver advanced functionality without sacrificing usability at scale. These include ActiveCampaign, Creatio, HubSpot, Oracle, Salesforce, and Zoho.

The Experts in this year's Value Matrix are recognized for deep functionality and industry-specific capabilities that address complex use cases. These include Acoustic, Adobe, LeadGen&CRM, and SAP.

Accelerators deliver value through greater ease of use and rapid implementation. This year's Accelerators are Act-On, Keap, Mailchimp, and SugarCRM.

Core Providers deliver essential marketing analytics capabilities with faster and more cost-effective adoption. This year's Core Providers are Brevo, DemandBase, Drip, and Klaviyo.

To download the full 2025 Marketing Automation Technology Value Matrix, click here.

About Nucleus Research

Nucleus Research is the recognized global leader in ROI technology research. Using a case-based approach, we provide research streams and advisory services that allow vendors and end users to quantify and maximize the return from their technology investments. For more information, visit NucleusResearch.com or follow our latest updates on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Nucleus Research
BOSTON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Outcomes4Me Inc., the developer of the leading direct-to-patient, AI-driven platform transforming the cancer care experience, today announced the close of a $21M funding round.

"AI will reshape cancer care, and this investment accelerates our ability to deliver personalized treatments and improved outcomes to patients at scale," said Maya R. Said, Sc.D., Founder and CEO of Outcomes4Me. "With more than 280,000 cancer patients using our AI-enabled platform, we're not just offering people diagnosed with cancer a tool, we're empowering them with intelligent, real-time insights that guide them through every step of their care. This funding will help us further enhance our platform, expand our reach, and drive meaningful revenue growth."

With this round, Outcomes4Me welcomes new investor London-based Salica Investments, with participation from all existing investors: Labcorp Venture Fund, Forecast Labs, Northpond Ventures, Sierra Ventures, Asset Management Ventures, IRA Capital, and Merstal LTD, bringing Outcomes4Me's total capital raised to date to $38M.

AI at the Core of Cancer Care

The future of cancer care is digital, data-driven, and deeply personalized. Outcomes4Me's AI-driven platform integrates real-time clinical guidelines, genomic insights, medication and symptom tracking, clinical trial matching, and patient peer communities into a single, easy-to-use interface for patients with cancer. By combining cutting-edge AI with deep oncology expertise and generating new multimodal patient-level data enriched at the drug level, Outcomes4Me is uniquely positioned to accelerate the pace of innovation in cancer care, driving both improved patient outcomes and sustainable revenue growth.

"Outcomes4Me is an AI-driven pioneer in the oncology space, scaling rapidly in a market that demands smarter, personalized healthcare solutions," said Amy Summy, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Consumer Lead for Labcorp. "We are excited to support their digital platform as part of our deep commitment to help advance oncology care and improve patient outcomes."

Track Record of Success

Outcomes4Me's business is focused on accelerating innovation and improving outcomes by partnering with life sciences companies to help them reach the right patient at the right time with the right action. Since its commercial launch in 2022, the company has been on an incredible revenue growth trajectory, reflecting the increasing demand for smarter, more personalized cancer-care solutions. Notably, seven out of the top 10 global cancer pharmaceutical companies are already among Outcomes4Me's valued customers, further demonstrating its market leadership.

Outcomes4Me's innovation has been widely recognized, generating more than 15 industry awards in the past three years, including being named a Fast Company World Changing Idea. Most recently, the company ranked #12 on the Inc. Regionals Northeast 2025 list, jumping from #70 the previous year, and the 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year program for the New England region named Outcomes4Me Founder and CEO Dr. Maya R. Said a finalist. An independent peer-reviewed study published in Current Oncology identified Outcomes4Me as the highest quality application among over 3,000 applications for adults with cancer worldwide.

Revenue Growth and Global Expansion: A Key Focus for the Future

As part of its trajectory to become the leading global digital health solution for cancer care, Outcomes4Me is making strategic moves toward expanding internationally with a goal to make a profound impact on global cancer care standards. With this new funding, Outcomes4Me will:

Accelerate its market penetration across a broader range of cancer types, geographies, and global markets

Leverage its proprietary datasets and expand its AI capabilities to drive even more precise, real-time personalized treatment recommendations

Strengthen and scale its collaborations with top-tier health systems and life sciences companies globally

Scale its revenue streams through new partnerships, international expansion, and innovative business models

Drive outcomes-based evidence generation and real-world data insights for improved treatment and care

About Outcomes4Me

Outcomes4Me is the first and only end-to-end, AI-driven patient empowerment platform that helps patients with cancer take a proactive approach to their care from diagnosis throughout every stage of life and care. Its direct-to-patient platform integrates clinical guidelines, genomics, trial matching, and symptom tracking to help patients navigate through a cancer diagnosis with confidence and clarity. Through its patented technology, Outcomes4Me is redefining cancer care by delivering smarter, AI-powered solutions that put patients in control of their treatment decisions. What sets Outcomes4Me apart is its ability to generate unique, at-scale proprietary datasets that enable more precise and actionable insights for better patient outcomes. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Outcomes4Me is a woman-led company of seasoned healthcare, oncology, pharmaceutical, consumer and technology veterans. For more information, visit www.outcomes4me.com.
ACCRA, Ghana, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF), in collaboration with the Ghana Socialist Movement and Pan Africanism Today, convened a landmark online conference to initiate discussions and preparations for the upcoming 80th anniversary of the pivotal Fifth Pan-African Congress held in Manchester in 1945.

Bringing together more than sixty influential pan-Africanists from 32 countriesincluding representatives from the USA and Brazilthe event underscored the enduring legacy and urgency of pan-African unity, decolonization, and the struggle against imperialism.

The conference opened with Albie Walls of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party, who emphasized the far-reaching impact of the Manchester Congress on Africa's liberation movements and called for renewed clarity and action toward unifying progressive forces across the continent.

Roland Diagne (FERNET, Senegal) highlighted the ongoing relevance of anti-neocolonial resolutions adopted at the Manchester Congress, noting the resurgence of patriotism and demands for true sovereignty, especially in the Sahel region. Diagne voiced concerns about external military interventions and stressed the need for ECOWAS to return to its foundational mission.

Kwesi Pratt Jr., a journalist and member of the PPF organizing committee, presented a strategic roadmap for the anniversary celebration. He proposed the establishment of a central committee and specialized commissions on trade union issues, women's rights, and youth engagement, as well as mechanisms for mass mobilization and political power analysis.

The meeting also featured voices from key organizations:

Imani Na Umoja (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde ) advocated for a comprehensive congress to unite organizations pursuing shared goals.

(African Party for the Independence of and ) advocated for a comprehensive congress to unite organizations pursuing shared goals. Ouzayrou Mamane (Pan-African Movement for Reparations, Justice and Restoration of Historical Memory) insisted that reparations for former colonies are vital for economic independence and historical justice.

(Pan-African Movement for Reparations, Justice and Restoration of Historical Memory) insisted that reparations for former colonies are vital for economic independence and historical justice. Amina Hamani (MORFEPAN, Niger ) urged transforming pan-Africanism from a symbol into an actionable tool for achieving full independence, amid renewed foreign interference.

(MORFEPAN, ) urged transforming pan-Africanism from a symbol into an actionable tool for achieving full independence, amid renewed foreign interference. Saddam Alktif (CODESA) emphasized the unresolved crisis in Western Sahara , stating that pan-Africanism's objectives remain incomplete while occupation persists.

(CODESA) emphasized the unresolved crisis in , stating that pan-Africanism's objectives remain incomplete while occupation persists. Humphrey Quaye (PPF) reiterated the organization's commitment to fighting imperialism and neocolonialism, and called for collective action.

Eighteen delegates contributed to a lively debate, culminating in Albie Walls' closing remarks and the formation of a central organizing committee. The PPF announced plans for further meetings and intensified coordination to ensure the 80th anniversary serves as a catalyst for real, unified progress in Africa's ongoing liberation and development.

SOURCE Pan-African Progressive Front
A.B. 343 would turn Trump executive order into state law

CARSON CITY, Nev., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) is urging Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo to sign A.B. 343, major legislation to deliver hospital price transparency to Nevadans that was passed out of the Nevada Legislature earlier this week. If enacted, the bill would require Nevada hospitals to post all actual prices of available services online, so patients can see upfront prices before care, as well as provide tools for patients to seek recourse when they have been overcharged. It would codify the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule first enacted in January 2021 under President Donald J. Trump and since expanded in February 2025.

"A new era for Nevada patients is on the horizon, and now it's up to Governor Lombardo to make healthcare history for his state," said PRA Founder and Chairman Cynthia Fisher. "This monumental legislation will protect Nevadans from hospital overcharges, surprise bills, and hidden fees with guaranteed access to upfront, actual prices in exact dollars and cents. Complete price transparency will be transformative to lower the costs of care and coverage for families, employers, unions, and Nevada's entire healthcare market."

According to a new poll conducted by Echelon Insights, 96% of Americans agree that healthcare consumers should know the upfront price of their care. Meanwhile, according to PRA's Seventh Semi-Annual Hospital Price Transparency Report, only 35% of Nevada hospitals reviewed are fully complying with the federal price transparency rule. Of the 2,000 hospitals reviewed nationwide, just 21% were found to be in full compliance.

"We applaud Nevada lawmakers, especially the bill's sponsor, Assembly Speaker Yeager, for responding to not only the urgency but also the popularity of this commonsense issue," added Fisher. "The fight for real prices is a nationwide movement that is growing each day, from the nation's capital to state capitals. Governor Lombardo can help Nevada join states like Ohio and Oklahoma that each enacted similar bills this year codifying President Trump's price transparency rule to put patients first. We strongly encourage Governor Lombardo to seize the opportunity at hand and sign A.B. 343."

About PRA

PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) is a leading national healthcare price transparency organization dedicated to ushering in systemwide transparency through advocacy, testimony, media, legal research, and grassroots campaigns. PRA believes that the availability and visibility of actual, upfront healthcare prices will greatly lower costs for patients and employers through a functional, competitive healthcare marketplace.

SOURCE Patient Rights Advocate
Closes funding to bring locally grown strawberries to communities year-round

LARAMIE, Wyo., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Plenty Unlimited Inc. ("Plenty" or the "Company"), an innovative agricultural technology company with a unique indoor vertical farming platform, today announced that it has successfully emerged from chapter 11, after the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas confirmed its plan of reorganization.

"This emergence is the start of a new, focused era for Plenty," said Dan Malech, Plenty's Interim CEO. "Our technology has the power to make fresh food accessible to everyone. To accelerate our impact, we are laser focused on strawberries. We're expanding the growing capacity in the Plenty Richmond farm and pursuing opportunities to bring Plenty's vertical strawberry farming technology to new locations through farm sales  something Plenty is uniquely positioned to offer based on its proprietary technology."

Following a successful first planting cycle that produced some of the sweetest strawberries on the market, Plenty is now preparing for the second strawberry planting in its Richmond farm and to resume construction that will significantly expand the farm's growing space.

Through the chapter 11 process, Plenty successfully negotiated the resolution of outstanding claims with its creditors, clearing a path forward for many of them to return to Chester, Virginia, to complete the buildout of growing spaces in Plenty's strawberry farm.

"We appreciate the strong support we've received from our stakeholders and business partners, whose belief in Plenty made it possible for us to complete this process swiftly," continued Mr. Malech.

Interim funding for the restructuring as well as exit financing was provided by One Madison and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with further exit financing provided by additional investors.

"My conviction in the power of Plenty's groundbreaking and innovative vertical farming platform to transform the future of crops like berries has deepened in the last few years," said Omar Asali, cofounder of One Madison Group. "As a result of this process, Plenty has emerged as a more focused and efficient company, poised to expand its production of premium strawberries with industry-leading partners. The company will fill a supply gap in the market to meet demand for locally grown strawberries and delight consumers with high-quality product year-round."

Sidley Austin LLP and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati served as the Company's legal counsel during the chapter 11 process. Jefferies LLC and Uzzi & Lall LLC served as financial advisors. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP represented One Madison Group and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, respectively.

About Plenty

Plenty is rewriting the rules of agriculture through its technology platform that can grow fresh produce almost anywhere in the world, year-round, with peak-season quality and exponentially more yield per acre than conventional farms. Plenty farms are the world's highest-efficiency system for converting electricity into fresh fruits and vegetables. Plenty's proprietary approach is designed to preserve the world's natural resources, make fresh produce available to all communities and create resilience in our food systems against weather, location, pests and climate impacts. Plenty operates the world's largest vertical farming research center in Laramie, Wyoming, and the world's most advanced indoor farm near Richmond, Virginia. For more information, visit www.plenty.ag .

Media Contact

Erin Santy

[email protected]

SOURCE Plenty Unlimited Inc.
The international mission combines export promotion and foreign direct investment to strengthen the development of Costa Rica's education sector.

SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a comprehensive approach to positioning Costa Rica as an international academic hub and a favorable environment for education investment, the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) is participating for the 12th consecutive year in NAFSA, the world's most prominent event in the field of international education.

This year's edition, taking place from May 27 to 30 in San Diego, California, features PROCOMER's export and foreign direct investment (FDI) teams working together to promote a unified country offering that connects national talent, academic quality, and opportunities for collaboration and investment in the education sector.

Laura Lopez, General Manager of PROCOMER, stated: "At PROCOMER, we've been doubling down on our efforts to diversify both exports and foreign direct investment. Investing in the education sector not only supports that diversification but also opens many doors for Costa Rican talent. NAFSA is a key touchpoint that allows us to position Costa Rica as a high-value partner for global academic institutions and as a strategic environment for the development of educational projects. Our goal is to attract investment that builds local capacity, fosters knowledge transfer, and establishes Costa Rica as a regional benchmark in higher education."

In total, more than 80 business meetings are taking place as part of this mission, spanning the promotion of education services for export and the attraction of new investment, consolidating an agenda aligned with Costa Rica's internationalization goals and the strengthening of its academic ecosystem.

As part of the country brand esencial COSTA RICA, a delegation of 15 Costa Rican institutions is holding meetings with universities, academic professionals, and international partners to present a robust offering of programs such as internships, student exchanges, Spanish language courses, clinical practice, service-learning, and faculty-led initiatives.

From an investment perspective, PROCOMER is also seeking to position Costa Rica as a strategic destination for institutions looking to establish operations in Latin America. Meetings are scheduled with universities from the United States (Boston), the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Spain to promote strategic alliances, analyze global education trends, and present Costa Rica's value proposition as an academic hub for the region.

With its participation in NAFSA 2025, Costa Rica strengthens its presence in key international education forums, advancing a strategic vision that integrates national talent with concrete opportunities for growth, cooperation, and investment.

SOURCE PROCOMER
ATLANTA, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pye-Barker Fire & Safety  the largest fully integrated and full-service fire protection, life safety and security services provider in the United States  has acquired Moore Fire Protection, a premier fire sprinkler company serving the Seattle area. This strategic acquisition enhances Pye-Barker's recent expansion of security services in the Pacific Northwest, allowing the company to offer comprehensive life safety under one roof.

The Moore Fire leadership team

Moore Fire Protection, founded in 1987 by Tracy V. Moore, has built a reputation as a leading expert in the fire sprinkler industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. Based in Seattle, Washington, the company specializes in sprinkler design, installation, inspection, testing and maintenance, serving churches, schools, retail spaces and office buildings with innovative technology, careful attention to detail and cost-effective solutions.

"For more than 35 years, our team has been dedicated to saving lives one sprinkler at a time," said Tracy V. Moore, founder of Moore Fire Protection. "Joining Pye-Barker allows us to continue our mission while expanding our capabilities and resources. Their commitment to preserving local business legacies while providing growth opportunities aligns perfectly with our values of passion, innovation and integrity."

"Moore Fire Protection's expertise in fire sprinkler systems complements our recent growth in the Pacific Northwest," said Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety. "By combining security and alarms, fire sprinklers and suppression services, we now provide customers in the Seattle area with complete protection solutions from a single, trusted provider. Tracy and his team have built an impressive operation driven by technical excellence and customer commitment  values that resonate deeply at Pye-Barker."

Moore Fire Protection's experienced technicians will continue to serve customers in the Seattle area, backed by Pye-Barker's resources and support. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP represented Pye-Barker in the transaction.

About Pye-Barker Fire & Safety

The U.S. leader in fully integrated life safety systems, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety provides complete fire protection and security systems nationwide. With over 250 locations and 8,000 team members, Pye-Barker ranks No. 849 on the Inc. 5000 and No. 8 on the SDM 100.

Visit pyebarkerfs.com/acquisitions to learn why we're the industry's acquirer of choice.

Contact:

Rod DiBona

EVP, Business Development  M&A

[email protected]

Media Contact:

James Taylor

[email protected]

SOURCE Pye-Barker Fire & Safety
VANCOUVER, BC, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scope Technologies Corp. (CSE: SCPE) (OTCQB: SCPCF) (FSE: VN8) ("Scope Technologies" or the "Company") provides an update on development of a comprehensive redesign of its public-facing product site for its QSE Group product website. The revised site is being tailored to align with QSE's focus on usability, improved product accessibility, and integration with ongoing user acquisition efforts. The update is expected to go live in early June.

In response to the increasing urgency surrounding quantum-related cybersecurity risks, QSE's new website design shifts from a primarily technical format to a more user-oriented and conversion-friendly structure. The goal is to create a clearer, more streamlined experience that reflects the needs of current and prospective customers.

Functionality and Design Focus

The redesign emphasizes clarity and efficiency. Key updates include simplified navigation, updated messaging, and improved visual hierarchy to support user decision-making. Each user journey has been designed to guide visitors from landing pages to product information and subscription options with minimal friction.

The structure of the new site incorporates Hick's Law in its design approach  reducing on-screen choices and distractions to help users focus on clear actions. Importantly, visitors will never be more than three clicks from a purchase or subscription point.

Mobile and Desktop Compatibility

The site is being developed for full compatibility across devices, with equal emphasis placed on desktop and mobile functionality. Layouts, navigation, and purchasing flows are designed to maintain consistency and performance regardless of the user's entry point.

Key Additions and Integration

Integrated AI Tools: The redesign includes native support for QSE's AI-enabled Quantum Preparedness Assessment (QPA) tool, allowing potential clients to better understand their current exposure to quantum vulnerabilities.

The redesign includes native support for QSE's AI-enabled tool, allowing potential clients to better understand their current exposure to quantum vulnerabilities. Streamlined Sales and Lead Funnels: Page layouts and content are structured to align with inbound traffic sources and QSE's various ad campaigns.

Page layouts and content are structured to align with inbound traffic sources and QSE's various ad campaigns. Simplified Language and Layout: Technical depth remains accessible, but client-focused language and clean interfaces now support faster understanding and decision-making.

Technical depth remains accessible, but client-focused language and clean interfaces now support faster understanding and decision-making. Clear Navigation Structure: The user flow has been restructured to move seamlessly from the homepage to relevant product pages, subscription options, and the portal login.

Preview Snapshot: QSE Website Browser Layout

"This website update is about making things simpler for our users and ensuring our tools are easy to access," said James Young, CEO of Scope Technologies Corp. "With quantum risks becoming more immediate, clarity and ease of use are essential."

For more information on how QSE's quantum security solutions visit www.qse.group or contact [email protected]

About Scope Technologies Corp

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Scope Technologies Corp is a pioneering technology company specializing in quantum security and machine learning. Through its flagship brands, QSE Group and GEM AI, Scope provides next-generation solutions in data security, quantum encryption, and neural networks, empowering businesses with secure, scalable technologies that drive growth and operational efficiency.

LinkedIn: scope-technologies-corp

Facebook: Scope Technologies Corp

Twitter: @ScopeTechCorp

Contact Information:

James Young

CEO, Scope Technologies Corp.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 604-416-1720

Website: www.scopetechnologies.io

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, and more specifically, the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, those risks and assumptions described in the Company's latest management discussion and analysis, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While Scope considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions, continued satisfaction of Canadian Securities Exchange requirements, product safety and recalls, regulatory compliance and risks associated with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2521783/5343890/Scope_Technologies_Corp_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Scope Technologies Corp.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At a California Assembly oversight hearing, state regulators revealed new data showing that oil refiners feeding branded stations have made a killing from California consumers and that refiner-reported data about operating costs were overblown.

The data provided by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and Division of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO) showed the excessive refiner profits during 2022 and 2023 moderated during 2024, after state reforms enacted in legislative special sessions were implemented.

"The new data shows that the mystery gasoline surcharge is being driven by branded refiners that are taking excessive profits from their integrated networks because they have the market power to demand those higher prices from station owners," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog. "The reason Californians pay the highest price in the nation at the pump is this mafia-style shakedown scheme driven by branded refiners and the vig is 70 cents extra per gallon."

Among the key findings revealed:

California have faced elevated prices: Retail gasoline prices in California averaged $0.41 per gallon higher than prices in other states after accounting for taxes, fees, and environmental program costs since 2015.

California refiners saw elevated refining margins: Gross gasoline industry margins in California increased by $0.36 per gallon relative to the rest of the U.S. since 2015; margins peaked at $2.36 during the fall 2022 price spike.

Market power plays a big role: About 90% of in-state refining capacity is controlled by four companies, and about 50% of refiner sales are through vertically integrated sales channels. The control of the top four will increase to 98% after refineries slated to close do so.

Price spikes in the spot market and increasing branded markups are driving higher prices: In addition to spot market price spikes, branded prices are increasing. Retail gasoline sold at major brands has the highest mystery gasoline surcharge of $0.72 per gallon since 2015.

There are "haves" and "have nots" in the refining sector: Outside of price spikes, large integrated refiners benefit from marketing/retail networks, while smaller non-integrated refiners are marginal. Refiners with branded networks made excessive profits and those without the networks are more prone to closure. "Unbranded focused" refiners had lower gross refining margins than "branded focused" refiners, according to a new analysis by refiner type.

Refiners inflated their "operating costs" in state reporting to manipulate "net margins" data. While the average operational costs of running a refinery reported to investors was about 20 cents per gallon, refiners reported inflated operating expenses of 60 to 80 cents per gallon to the state. These inflated numbers likely including all costs of running a refinery for jet fuel and diesel production, not just those attributable to making gasoline.

The CEC raised concerns about stabilizing existing refiners, particularly the "unbranded focused" refiners, following two refinery closures. It also noted that refineries are closing in other states due to the growth of super-refineries with high capacity in Mexico, Kuwait, Nigeria and Oman.

Vice Chairman Siva Gunda also claimed that a crude oil pipeline that fed Northern California refiners was in danger of shutting down and that could complicate the woes in the refining market. Gunda expressed support for increasing crude extraction out of Kern County. He said that a state analysis found that could be done without impacting an existing law creating a setback of a half mile between oil wells and communities.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
Representatives of three public organizations presented the White Paper "The Future of European Leadership in Economic Deterrence of Aggression" in Brussels this week, which calls on the European Union to increase economic pressure on the Russian Federation and become the driving force behind the sanctions coalition, the press service of Razom We Stand, one of the document's developers, reported.

As reported in a Razom We Stand press release on Thursday, the White Paper was approved by the Expert Group on Sanctions Policy under the Cabinet of Ministers. It was prepared by the National Sanctions Coalition with the participation of Razom We Stand. The document was presented by representatives of three public organizations - the Economic Security Council, Razom We Stand, and the Institute of Legislative Ideas.

The authors analyzed the achievements and vulnerabilities of the EU's sanctions policy and proposed practical tools to strengthen the bloc's economic security - both in response to Russian aggression and to counter future threats.

"We call on the EU to use all available tools and measures to reduce the Kremlin's income from energy exports. Among the measures that the EU has not yet fully implemented are sanctions against the captains of shadow fleet vessels and the companies that provide them with crews," Razom We Stand strategic advisor Oleh Savytsky said, according to the press release.

"We recommend creating an official blacklist of vessels involved in evading sanctions. EU member states using such a blacklist will be able to better control the safety of shipping in their territorial waters. We also call for strengthening cooperation with insurance companies and intelligence agencies for global control over evading sanctions on energy exports," he added.

During the discussion of the document at the panel discussion, Tomasz Sindelar, Deputy Head of the Sanctions Unit of the European External Action Service (EEAS), expressed support for the comprehensive approaches outlined in the White Paper. Using the example of countering the Russian shadow fleet, he explained how the EU's sanctions instruments have already evolved:

"Initially, we focused exclusively on ships, but the latest analysis has shown that there is a whole ecosystem of operators around the shadow fleet - insurance companies, fleet managers, service providers. And if these entities are also seriously affected by the sanctions, this allows us to disrupt the entire mechanism, while maintaining pressure on the fleet itself. The 17th package of sanctions was the first where we applied such a comprehensive approach. We more than doubled the number of ships under sanctions and for the first time included in the restrictions not only the ships themselves, but also related operators - not only in Russia, but also in third countries."

The White Paper's horizontal recommendations include the creation of a single EU sanctions body, the introduction of an analogue of the US entity list, strengthening controls over the export of high-risk goods, the introduction of extraterritorial (secondary) sanctions for facilitating the circumvention of restrictions, as well as maintaining sanctions against the Russian defense sector, energy exports and nuclear technologies even after the end of hostilities. Razom We Stand is a Ukrainian organization working internationally, calling for a complete and permanent embargo on Russian fossil fuels and an immediate end to all investments in Russian oil and gas companies through a revolutionary rejection of fossil fuels worldwide.
From case competitions to campus roles with important financial responsibility, Goodness Ifesanya thrived at Rutgers. "You know that saying, pressure makes diamonds," Ifesanya said. "I really enjoyed taking on responsibilities that I thought would be good challenges."

NEWARK, N.J., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodness Ifesanya navigated his way through Rutgers Business School with purposeful grace, pursuing opportunities, taking on responsibilities, and learning the importance of community.

He studied finance and economic development with the passion of someone hoping to put his knowledge to use to end disparity in health care and housing, and even more ambitious: to develop ways of improving the performance of economies in developing countries.

Goodness Ifesanya graduated at the top of Rutgers Business School's Class of 2025.

While maintaining a near 4.0 grade point average, he served as chief financial officer for Rutgers University Newark's student government, and secured internships at Grant Thornton and Bank of America. He co-founded a new student organization, and as a freshman, he played a key role in helping his team win top prize in a case competition.

"Every single experience I've had here has challenged me to become not only a better person, but a person who is capable of handling more and more difficult things," Ifesanya said, months before he was scheduled to graduate from Rutgers Business School and leave the Honors Living-Learning Community where he has lived for four years.

From a young age, Ifesanya loved learning about investing and the stock market, so it seemed natural that he chose to study finance. "It seemed to be the most direct corollary to the things I wanted to research and work on," he said.

That interest in finance also led him to apply to Road to Wall Street, the most established of Rutgers Business School's Road to Success programs. Road to Wall Street offers mentorships, industry knowledge and career preparation to selected sophomores.

Ifesanya landed a summer internship as a financial analyst at Grant Thornton after sophomore year. The recruiter was impressed with his knowledge of valuation and discounting rates, which Ifesanya learned through Road to Wall Street.

Road to Wall Street Program Director Kenneth Freeman said Ifesanya stood out by the questions he asked. "It was evident that he was thinking in depth about every subject that was covered, and that curiosity is exactly what will propel him to career success," Freeman said.

After his junior year, Ifesanya scored a role at Bank of America as an investment banking summer analyst, and he plans to work at Bank of America as a full-time investment banking analyst after graduation.

His involvement in Road to Wall Street also made him realize that some of the most meaningful opportunities on campus aren't known to all students. Ifesanya was one of five students from Newark in his Road to Wall Street cohort of 60.

"I would be talking with students from New Brunswick who knew they wanted to do Road to Wall Street in high school and that was one of the reasons they decided to attend Rutgers Business School," he said. "Then I'd come back to the Newark Campus and people would tell me, I had no idea there was a program like that."

The realization that information about opportunities was so different on the two campuses led Ifesanya and his classmate, Chinonso Anyanwu, to form a student organization that could fill the void.

"There are so many programs you need to be aware to be able to set yourself up on the right course for whatever career you want," Ifesanya said. "We felt there was a need to inform and nurture incoming students."

Ifesanya credits Charles Brown, an assistant dean at Rutgers Business School who leads the IDEA Office, with directing him to career-preparing programs like Road to Wall Street. Ifesanya was a member of Business Student Transition Access and Retention (B-STAR), a program led by Dean Brown.

Ifesanya said taking on more responsibility allowed him to grow. "You know that saying that pressure makes diamonds, he said, smiling. "I really enjoyed taking on responsibilities responsibilities that I thought would be good challenges."

" He also benefited from support systems like the HLLC and B-STAR and older Rutgers students, who he described as some of his "most valuable resources."

"They would point you in the right direction," he said. That's how he became involved with Future Business Leaders of America. That led him to another role: chief financial officer of the student government. As the student government's CFO, he was responsible for overseeing 60 clubs and their finances.

Brown described getting to know Ifesanya during his college journey as a "distinct privilege."

"Goodness has exemplified dedication, leadership and a commitment to giving back. He is an inspiration to current and incoming students," Brown said. "His passion for supporting Rutgers Business School's IDEA programs and initiatives promises a future of continued impact."

It's difficult for Ifesanya to pinpoint one thing that made the biggest impact on him during college, but he zeros in on community, the sweeping collection of influences and experiences Rutgers offered him.

Being chosen for the Honors Living-Learning Community meant a full scholarship for housing, and exposure to students focused on political and social understanding. It was space that allowed him to think deeply about his interest in the economies of developing countries.

The IDEA Office enriched him by providing a scholarship to visit Singapore and Vietnam through a Rutgers-organized Global Experience Initiative. He also received scholarships from the MSD Scholars Initiative, the EY Accelerator Program and FISERV.

While some seniors with a full-time job offer might have changed gears, opting to glide through their final semester, Ifesanya completed his honors thesis and spent time mentoring younger students. He also worked a paid internship with the university's investment office where he helped to manage a $2 million endowment.

As a senior, Ifesanya was inducted into the New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association (NJCBAA) Honor Society. The recognition is bestowed on the top 1% of students at business schools in the state. The percentage is even smaller this year because just seven students were selected from Rutgers Business School.

Ifesanya's willingness to seek the counsel of older students, make connections and take on new responsibilities may have resulted from a success he experienced during his first months on campus.

After he joined Future Business Leaders of America, he decided to do a case competition. "I didn't know what to expect. I had no idea what a case competition was," he said, chuckling. "I heard it was competitive. I knew we had to present."

The team was mostly seniors and juniors, and some sophomores, so Ifesanya wondered what he would be able to contribute. The 30-page case involved the launch of a new prescription medicine. "It was complicated," he said. The healthcare jargon, alone, challenged the students. "I sort of became the backbone of the team," Ifesanya said.

The team ended up winning first place. "That was the first time I realized, 'Oh I can do this,'" he said. "I can succeed here. It was a foundational experience as a freshman."

SOURCE Rutgers Business School
SEATTLE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- An exhibit on human origins at the Smithsonian vastly overstates the genetic similarity between humans and apes and needs to be fixed according to Discovery Institute.

This week the Institute sent a letter to Smithsonian leadership pointing out that an exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington, D.C. contains serious misstatements of scientific fact.

For example, the NMNH tells visitors that human beings and chimps are "98.8% genetically similar." But new research published in the gold-standard science journal Nature shows that the real similarity is only 84-86%.

The Smithsonian exhibit makes similar overstatements about the genetic similarities between humans and gorillas and orangutans.

"The Smithsonian is promoting inaccurate information to the public by seriously understating the genetic differences between humans and apes," says scientist Dr. Casey Luskin, who wrote the letter to the Smithsonian. "The actual difference in DNA between humans and chimps is over ten times greater than what the Smithsonian says."

Genetic differences are found throughout the human and ape genomes, and include millions of single nucleotide differences, as well as much larger DNA differences, including differences in the lengths of functionally important repetitive DNA. The data from the Nature paper indicates that human and chimpanzee genomes are roughly 15% different.

In his letter, Luskin urged the Smithsonian "to correct the Exhibit to reflect more current, accurate scientific data. The NMNH is the nation's premiere science museum, and it would be inexcusable for the museum to present scientifically inaccurate data about human genetic similarity to apes to the public. To fail to correct this data is to use taxpayer money to miseducate the public about a question of profound scientific, sociological, and philosophical interest."

Luskin is Associate Director of the Center for Science and Culture at Discovery Institute and is co-author of the book Science and Human Origins. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg.

Discovery Institute is a non-profit educational and research organization whose mission is to advance a culture of purpose, creativity, and innovation with programs in areas such as economics, education, technology, bioethics, and artificial intelligence.

SOURCE Discovery Institute
SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Sollus Health, a leader in non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation "TMS" treatment in California, today announced the appointment of Amy Stickler, Director of Global Strategic Initiatives at Google, to its Advisory Board, effective May 2025. Ms. Stickler brings a wealth of experience in technology, innovation, and strategic growth from her distinguished career at Google and Alphabet.

A 22-year veteran of Google, Ms. Stickler has held multiple leadership roles across Alphabet. In her current role on Google Cloud's Strategic Initiatives team, she partners with Cloud and the broader Alphabet organization to drive innovation with the world's most influential companies and transform industries. Her deep understanding of technology and market expansion will be invaluable to Sollus Health as it continues to grow its national footprint and enhance its patient-centric services.

"I'm really excited to join the Advisory Board of Sollus Health and join the leadership team in bringing new and innovative technology solutions to improve patients' lives," said Ms. Stickler. "Sollus Health is at the forefront of a crucial shift in how patients access high-quality, immediate mental health care. I am eager to contribute to the company's expansion and its mission to integrate cutting-edge treatments and technologies to enhance patient well-being."

Ms. Stickler's expertise will support Sollus Health's strategic objectives, with a particular focus on leveraging technology to scale operations, enhance marketing efforts, and refine overall corporate strategy. Her passion for healthcare innovation, including the potential of new therapeutic approaches, aligns with Sollus Health's commitment to providing comprehensive and forward-thinking mental health solutions.

"We are thrilled to welcome Amy Stickler to our Advisory Board," said Kent Racz, Executive Chairman of Sollus Health. "Amy's extensive background in driving innovation at a global scale and her strategic insights into technology and market development will be a tremendous asset. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as Sollus Health continues to expand and explore new avenues to deliver exceptional, accessible care."

About Sollus Health:

Sollus Health delivers TMS treatment in discreet, cutting-edge facilitiesensuring every patient feels secure, respected, and cared for from day one. By prioritizing fast access, personalized care, and a full range of mental health services, Sollus is reshaping the treatment journey for those facing depression and related conditions. With established centers in Carlsbad and Oceanside, the organization is actively expanding into underserved communities throughout San Diego County and beyond, facilitating equitable access to high-quality mental health care.

At Sollus Health, we are dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. We support individuals and families with a personalized continuum of care designed to meet each person's unique needs. Through innovation, clinical excellence, and a spirit of collaboration, we empower our clients to heal, grow, and thrive.

For further information about Sollus Health, please visit our website at https://sollushealth.com/

SOURCE Sollus Health
LAKEWOOD, N.J., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As BBQ season kicks off, International Spice - New Jersey's premier destination for private label and gourmet seasonings - invites grill masters and home cooks to elevate their summer feasts with globally inspired, custom-crafted blends https://intspice.com. With an array of expertly crafted spice blends and seasonings tailored for grilling, International Spice is your secret ingredient for unforgettable backyard feasts.

Spice-Up Your BBQ with Bold Flavors from International Spice Post this BBQ Rub

Whether you're firing up ribs, burgers, grilled vegetables, or seafood, their globally inspired spice blends bring the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and smokiness to every dish. From their smoky Texas BBQ Rub to their vibrant New Orleans Blend, each mix is designed to complement the natural flavors of your favorite meat or chicken.

"We want to help people turn every BBQ into a celebration of flavor," says Chelsea Tilton, Operational Manager at International Spice. "Our customers love that they can create their own signature style with our custom blend program or choose from our tastefully crafted formulated rubs which are made fresh in our NJ facility."

This summer, International Spice is also launching a limited-time collection of BBQ Seasonings, featuring their top-selling blends. From Sweet Heat Chicken Skewers to Smoky Maple Pork Ribs, these dishes are sure to wow at cookouts, family dinners, and festive parties.

Highlights of the Summer Collection:

Caribbean Jerk Blend  Spicy and tropical, perfect for grilled chicken or pineapple skewers.

 Spicy and tropical, perfect for grilled chicken or pineapple skewers. Garlic & Herb Rub  A classic go-to for vegetables, seafood, and white meats.

 A classic go-to for vegetables, seafood, and white meats. Signature Creole Seasoning  Add depth to any BBQ dish with this southern staple.

 Add depth to any BBQ dish with this southern staple. Custom Spice Blends  Collaborate with our team to create a unique BBQ rub tailored to your taste. https://intspice.com/custom-blends/

 Collaborate with our team to create a unique BBQ rub tailored to your taste. https://intspice.com/custom-blends/ For a complete list of the full line of spices, seasoning and herbs visit https://intspice.com/spice-blends/

Available at select New Jersey retailers or visit their online showroom for B2C consumers https://gourmetspiceshop.com. International Spice products are made in the USA and make it easy to bring global flavors to your backyard party or special occasion.

About International Spice: For the past 35 years, International Spice has serviced retail grocers, boutique stores, food distributors, and fine restaurants across the United States. They are SQF Certified, FDA approved and Kosher certified. Their specialties are private label spices, custom blends, and co-packing services. They pride themselves in having the ability to pack spices in various sizes from poly pouches to kraft bags, and from small shakers to large containers to meet customer requirements.

SOURCE International Spice
Deepens the Firm's Environmental and White Collar Practices in California

SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stacey Geis, former deputy assistant administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has joined Crowell & Moring's Environment, Energy and Natural Resources and White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement groups as senior counsel in its San Francisco office. Geis brings over 25 years of experience, at the federal and state levels, in environmental law and policy, litigation, and criminal and civil enforcement.

Stacey Geis, Former Senior EPA Enforcement Official and Federal Prosecutor, Joins Crowell & Moring Stacey Geis, Former Senior EPA Enforcement Official and Federal Prosecutor, Joins Crowell & Moring

Geis recently served at EPA headquarters, first as a senior advisor, then as a deputy assistant administrator. During her tenure, she helped to lead the 2,800-person Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance and implement policy goals, including addressing climate change, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and revitalization of EPA's enforcement and compliance programs throughout the country. Most notably, Geis helped create EPA's Strategic Civil-Criminal Enforcement Policy, provided guidance on EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives, and helped implement two recent Supreme Court decisions  Sackett v. EPA, which limited the definition of wetlands under the Clean Water Act; and SEC v. Jarkesy, which limited the scope of federal administrative proceedings.

At Crowell, Geis' practice will focus on advising clients on a broad range of environmental and policy matters, including compliance assistance, corporate governance, and risk and crisis management. She will also advise on compliance and enforcement issues, including internal investigations, pre-filing negotiations, and litigation as needed.

"Stacey expands both our California and federal environmental bench strength for incident response, investigations, enforcement defense, and litigation, bringing a broad and valuable array of experience from state-level prosecutions to nationwide federal enforcement initiatives," said Kirsten Nathanson, co-chair of Crowell & Moring's Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Group. "Stacey adds to our roster of former senior EPA and DOJ officials to guide clients through a changing and uncertain regulatory enforcement environment, particularly with PFAS and core EPA priorities around air, water, and waste."

Prior to joining EPA, Geis spent most of her career practicing in California, including roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, the State of California, and Earthjustice. As a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, Geis prosecuted some of the largest environmental and public safety corporate cases, including a pipeline explosion that killed eight people and decimated neighborhoods, the largest oil spill in the San Francisco Bay, and nationwide hazardous waste violations by a large U.S. retailer. Geis also prosecuted corporate white collar cases, including bringing one of the first criminal fraud cases in the organic foods industry.

"With an anticipated increase in state environmental regulatory and enforcement activity in California and other states in the coming months, we're excited to add Stacey to our team," said Daniel Zelenko, chair of the firm's White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement Group.

"I have spent my career ensuring that highly regulated companies are in compliance with the law, in particular environmental and public safety laws," said Geis. "I'm excited to bring my unique perspective to help companies improve compliance and minimize potential risks and liabilities, both before and after issues develop."

Geis received her law degree from the University of Virginia and her bachelor's degree from Brown University. She clerked for the Honorable Samuel Conti in the Northern District of California.

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring is an international law firm with operations in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry, and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex regulatory and policy, litigation, transactional, and intellectual property issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service, as well as its comprehensive programs and initiatives to advance the professional and personal development of all members of the Crowell community.

Media Contact:

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Crowell & Moring LLP
MENLO PARK, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Subtle Medical, a global leader in AI-powered medical imaging software, announced today the commercial availability of SubtleHD in Chile, marking an important step in expanding access to advanced imaging solutions across Latin America. The company also confirmed it will partner with Hospiline, a trusted regional distributor that currently supports Subtle Medical's growth in Brazil.

SubtleHD is an FDA-cleared and CE-marked deep learning technology that transforms the quality of MRI images and enables up to 80% time savings on some sequences. It integrates seamlessly into existing clinical workflows, extending the life and performance of existing MRI scanners, an especially critical need across Latin America, where aging imaging infrastructure is common.

In Brazil, for example, over 66% of MRI scanners are more than six years old, while demand for MRI exams is growing rapidly, estimated at 30,000 scans per million inhabitants per year. As patient volumes rise, public institutions often face long wait times, and many providers are challenged to meet demand with outdated equipment.

SubtleHD helps imaging providers unlock new scan slots without purchasing new hardware, improving operational efficiency and patient throughput. With SubtleHD, healthcare institutions in Chile can now benefit from:

Improved image quality even on older MRI systems





even on older MRI systems Faster exam times , helping reduce patient backlog





, helping reduce patient backlog Vendor-neutral compatibility with existing infrastructure

"We're thrilled to expand access to SubtleHD in Chile," said Josh Gurewitz, Chief Commercial Officer, at Subtle Medical. "With the support of Hospiline, imaging providers across the region can now harness AI to overcome infrastructure gaps, boost productivity, and elevate diagnostic confidence."

About Subtle Medical

Subtle Medical is a leading provider of AI-powered imaging solutions, optimizing scan efficiency and image quality across radiology. Recognized as a CB Insights GenAI 50 company and a two-time CB Insights Top AI 100 and Digital Health 150 company, Subtle Medical is committed to driving innovation in medical imaging. Deployed globally across 900+ scanners worldwide, Subtle Medical's solutions help imaging centers and hospitals improve workflow efficiency, increase scanner sustainability, and elevate patient care. Learn more and request a demo at www.subtlemedical.com.

About Hospiline

Hospiline is a trusted distributor of advanced medical technologies across Latin America, committed to delivering innovative solutions that elevate patient care and clinical performance. United by a vision of excellence, we partner with leading global healthcare innovators to bring the most modern, effective technologies to hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers throughout the region. Our mission is to support and optimize the healthcare ecosystem by ensuring access to cutting-edge medical products that enhance outcomes and drive operational efficiency.

Media Contact

Anna Menyhart-Borroni

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

Source:

TheGlobalEconomy.com

SciELO Brazil

UMass Medical School eScholarship

SOURCE Subtle Medical, Inc.
With MGL's practitioner-led heritage and SurgeONE's AI-powered platform, firms gain a unified solution for compliance, cybersecurity, and data operations  built by compliance professionals, powered by real human intelligence in the loop.

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SurgeONE.ai (SurgeONE), a Surge Ventures company and the first Agentic AI-platform purpose-built to unify compliance, cybersecurity and data operations, today announced the acquisition of MGL Consulting (MGL), one of the most respected and established compliance firms in the financial services industry.

Founded in 1984 by compliance industry veteran Melinda "Mimi" G. LeGaye, MGL has spent more than four decades supporting broker-dealers, investment advisors and commodities firms with deep domain expertise and a relentless commitment to client success. Known for its white-glove service and practitioner-first approach, MGL has supported hundreds of firms through formation, registration and ongoing compliance oversight. The firm delivers results through rigorous inspections, advertising and communications review, regulatory audit readiness, litigation support and outsourced CCO and FinOP services. Its flagship Sentinel Program offers a comprehensive and proactive compliance framework trusted by independent firms nationwide.

With this acquisition, SurgeONE.ai deepens its practitioner roots and further distinguishes itself from legacy providers and new entrants by embedding real human expertise or human-in-the-loop into every layer of its technology and service model.

"MGL is more than a compliance firm  it's a pillar of the industry, built by people who understand the regulatory landscape because they've lived it," said Sid Yenamandra, CEO of SurgeONE.ai. "This acquisition strengthens our ability to support clients with not only smarter workflows and automation, but with the human judgment and trusted relationships that are critical to navigating regulatory complexity."

LeGaye will continue to lead MGL as CEO of MGL and as President, Compliance Services within SurgeONE.ai. While MGL's leadership and team of professionals remain unchanged, they now gain access to the full depth of SurgeONE's AI capabilities, platform architecture and client ecosystem.

"My team and I are thrilled to join forces with SurgeONE at a critical inflection point for the industry," said LeGaye. "Sid and his team are building modern, unified workflows to reduce the burden on compliance teams, enhance real-time oversight and improve collaboration across stakeholders. MGL brings the deep expertise and relationships to help accelerate this transformation."

MGL joins Security Snapshot, SurgeONE's cybersecurity services unit, as a wholly owned subsidiary, and part of an expanding platform that now integrates:

MGL's four-decade legacy of compliance consulting and oversight,





Security Snapshot's real-time cyber monitoring and regulatory-grade controls, and





The advanced AI infrastructure of RegVerse and Kovair, built to automate workflows, unify firm data and deliver predictive insights.

Together, these elements power SurgeONE.ai's mission: to deliver the only truly end-to-end solution that combines real expertise, modern technology and seamless service across compliance, cyber and data  built for firms who can't afford guesswork.

About SurgeONE.ai:

SurgeONE.ai is the industry's first AI-powered platform purpose-built to unify compliance, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure for regulated financial institutions. Backed by Surge Ventures, the platform combines cutting-edge automation with deep practitioner expertise to deliver smarter workflows, real-time oversight, and scalable risk management. Through integrated services and modular technology, SurgeONE.ai empowers broker-dealers, RIAs, and other financial firms to meet evolving regulatory demands with confidence and clarity. SurgeONE.ai brings together trusted entities including MGL Consulting, Security Snapshot, RegVerse, and Kovair  creating an end-to-end solution where expertise meets innovation.

About MGL Consulting:

MGL Consulting, LLC is a full-service compliance consulting firm serving broker-dealers, investment advisors, and commodities firms across the U.S. and abroad. Based in The Woodlands, Texas, MGL brings over 40 years of experience and 350+ years of combined team expertise, offering tailored solutions in regulatory compliance, risk management, litigation support, and professional development.

About Surge Ventures:

Surge Ventures is a venture studio that builds, acquires, and invests in SaaS companies solving mission-critical challenges in compliance, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure for financial services. Through its integrated execution model and shared technology foundation, Surge has unified RegVerse, Kovair, and Security Snapshot to create SurgeONE.ai  a modern risk and compliance platform designed for scale, speed, and trust.

SurgeONE.ai was represented by Josh Smith and Anne Cape at McAfee & Taft and MGL Consulting was represented by Julie E. Kamps at Kamps Legal, P.C.

Media Contact:

Mitch Manning

Haven Tower Group LLC

[email protected]

424-317-4858

SOURCE SurgeONE.ai
WARRENVILLE, Ill., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Amishi Bajaj, MD is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Professional for her contributions to Advancing Cancer Care Through Compassionate, Innovative Treatment.

Amishi Bajaj, MD

Dr. Amishi Bajaj, a highly skilled and compassionate radiation oncologist, is dedicated to providing cutting-edge cancer treatments for patients with breast, gynecological, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal malignancies. With a patient-first approach, Dr. Bajaj ensures her patients receive state-of-the-art care while prioritizing their emotional and psychological well-being throughout treatment.

Dr. Bajaj is a board-certified radiation oncologist specializing in advanced radiation techniques, including proton therapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, to target and treat complex malignancies effectively. She leverages these innovative technologies at Northwestern University to improve clinical outcomes and enhance patients' quality of life.

Dr. Bajaj's academic and professional journey reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence. She graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She earned her MD from the Chicago Medical School, completed a rotating internship at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, and completed her residency in radiation oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Bajaj has been a leader in her field, serving as the Immediate Past-Chair of the ARRO Executive Committee of ASTRO (American Society of Radiation Oncology), where she focused on advancing patient safety and treatment quality. Her involvement in the American Association of Women Radiologists, the Radiologic Society of North America, and the Chicago Radiologic Society further underscores her dedication to innovation and professional collaboration.

A fourth-generation physician, Dr. Bajaj honors her family's legacy of medical excellence. She pays tribute to Dr. Ankush Bajaj , to her grandfather, Dr. Ishwar Bajaj, who served as the Director General of Health Services in India, and acknowledges the inspiration provided by her parents, Dr. Ajay Bajaj and Dr. Ameeta Bajaj, who have been steadfast supporters of her journey.

Outside of her professional life, Dr. Bajaj channels her passion for the arts through singing and dancing, performing annually at community functions.

Looking to the future, Dr. Bajaj aims to advance cancer care through innovative research and mentorship, fostering the next generation of radiation oncologists and contributing to groundbreaking cancer treatment methodologies.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
MISSOURI CITY, Texas, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Don W. Hooper, PhD, CTL is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions to Pioneering Excellence in Education and Leadership Development.

Don W. Hooper, PhD, CTL

With a career spanning decades, Dr. Don W. Hooper, PhD, CTL, has established himself as a leading force in education and leadership development. As President and CEO of the Center for Quality Leadership since 1997 and Executive Director of School Research Nexus since 2001, Dr. Hooper has dedicated his life to empowering individuals and institutions to achieve their highest potential.

Dr. Hooper's journey began with a strong foundation in academics, earning a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, a Master's degree in mathematics education, and a Doctor of Philosophy in administrative leadership and management from the University of North Texas in 1984. This academic grounding fueled a passion for public speaking, mentorship, and educational leadership, which he has carried into every role.

As a superintendent for Fort Bend Independent School District and four other districts, Dr. Hooper implemented groundbreaking strategies that drove significant advancements in educational administration. His early career as a mathematics teacher ignited his commitment to fostering a culture of learning, which he extended as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston.

In his current roles, Dr. Hooper leads the Center for Quality Leadership, focusing on equipping individuals with critical leadership skills for the digital age. Through School Research Nexus, he organizes nationwide conferences and symposia, creating platforms for K-12 superintendents and campus leaders to exchange innovative ideas.

Dr. Hooper's influence extends beyond education; as a best-selling author, he explores themes of time and cognitive optimization in leadership. His forthcoming publications aim to expand his impact, offering innovative strategies to maximize human potential across diverse industries.

He attributes his success to the mentorship of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, and Dr. Joseph M. Juran, each of whom advised him that the 21st century would be the quality century, hence the starting of his company, The Center for Quality Leadership, Inc. In addition, he attributes his success and purpose in life to enjoying the unwavering support of his wife, five children, 20 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and counting.

Looking forward, Dr. Hooper plans to continue advancing leadership training through his organizations, publish new works, and expand his influence as a thought leader. His mission remains steadfast: to inspire and empower individuals to lead with purpose and innovation.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
The 2025 Generative AI Conference is Taiwan's premier AI event, bringing together the public, developers, AI-focused start-ups, vendors and press. Co-organized by Muyueh Lee, the curator of the Generative AI Conference and TNL Mediagene, the two-day conference featured a split agenda including the Generative AI Developers Conference on May 23, followed by the Generative AI Conference on May 24. Event sponsors included leading tech companies NVIDIA and Appier, among others.

The 2025 Generative AI Conference was not only a technology event, but also a collaborative arena for professionals across industries to co-create the future of AI applications.

As the event's key media and strategic partner, the Company leveraged its media platforms INSIDE, The News Lens, Business Yee, and Cool3c to provide extensive coverage and insights before, during and after the event. The conference included brand experience booths and expert forums, offering a space for dialogue between local and global AI pioneers and is one of Asia-Pacific's premier AI exchange platforms.

"The 2025 Generative AI Conference was a big success for us. Co-hosting this event was a key milestone for the Company, both on a personal level and from a business perspective. The event provided great visibility for our brand, essentially recognizing us as one of the key players in AI in Taiwan and Asia more broadly, and allowed us to get in front of a large group of innovators, industry participants and businesses for potential future follow-on business opportunities" Co-Founder & CEO Joey Chung said.

By gathering global experts and Taiwan's top enterprises, the 2025 Generative AI Conference also functioned as a potential launchpad for partnerships, innovation, and practical applications of generative AI.

The event focused on Generative AI broadly and highlighted various use cases for the technology including integrating AI into everyday processes in retail, process automation, AI Agents, AI coding, AI experience design and AI-based content creation, among others.

"Generative AI is a game-changer in our industry, especially in terms of content creation and content optimization. We actively use AI as part of our multilingualization strategies where we basically take entire media properties with content native to one geography and push it to new geographies with AI-based translation to expand readership. We are finding that this process works well enough that in many cases the readers in additional markets may not even realize that the media originated from a different language market. We have also found that we have been able to take a lot of cost out of our business and enhance profitability through AI, so that is also another AI use case for us and something we are very focused on as well."

"On a more strategic level, we are also always selectively enhancing our offering through technology M&A when we can find the right supplementary business at a good price, with AI targets being a key focal point. The opportunity to get our name out there in a high-visibility AI-centric forum where we can meet a lot of founders is always a big plus for us" Joey concluded.

About TNL Mediagene

Headquartered in Tokyo, TNL Mediagene was formed in May 2023 through the merger of Taiwan's The News Lens Co., Ltd. and Japan's Mediagene Inc., two of the region's leading independent digital media groups. The company's operations span original and licensed media brands in Japanese, Chinese, and English, covering topics such as news, business, technology, science, food, sports, and lifestyle. It also offers AI-driven advertising services, marketing technology platforms, e-commerce, and innovative solutions tailored to the needs of advertising agencies. Known for its political neutrality, appeal to younger audiences, and high-quality content, TNL Mediagene has approximately 500 employees across Asia, with offices in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

https://www.tnlmediagene.com/

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to TNL Mediagene. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or TNL Mediagene's future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "target," "seek" or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this communication include statements about TNL Mediagene's future business plan and growth strategies and statements by TNL Mediagene's CEO. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including strategies or plans, are also forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for TNL Mediagene to predict these events or how they may affect TNL Mediagene. In addition, risks and uncertainties are described in TNL Mediagene's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings may identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. TNL Mediagene cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this communication will prove to be accurate. There may be additional risks that TNL Mediagene presently does not know or that TNL Mediagene currently does not believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by TNL Mediagene, its directors, officers or employees or any other person. Except as required by applicable law, TNL Mediagene does not have any duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere after the date of this communication. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing the views of TNL Mediagene as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

SOURCE TNL Mediagene
The death toll from the bombing of the village of Verkhnia Tersa (Polohivsky district) has increased to two people, and three more were injured, reported head of Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov.

"Two people were killed and three were wounded as a result of an enemy strike on Verkhnia Tersa. Houses were destroyed and damaged by guided bombs. Two men were killed. Three people - two women and a man - needed medical assistance," the head of the Administration reported on Telegram on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier, Fedorov reported that as a result of the Russian attack on Polohivsky district, one person was killed and another was wounded.
MAYWOOD, N.J., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the National Institutes of Health, in the United States, it's estimated that over 2 million people are affected by aphasia, a language disorder. In recognition of Aphasia Awareness Month, the Adler Aphasia will host its annual Gala at Seasons in Washington Township on Wednesday, June 4th. The event will honor: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, a longtime partner in educating medical students and residents about aphasia. Norma Wellington Koster and Bernard Koster, Esq., supporters since the founding of Adler and have helped the Adler Aphasia Center bring in over $3 million in donations. Nicole Salzano, a Center advocate, and volunteer since 2018. Emcee will be Emmy-award winning Anchor Steve Adubato, Ph.D., host of One on One with Steve Adubato which discusses compelling, real life stories and features political leaders, CEOs, television personalities, professors, artists and educational innovators.

About Aphasia Awareness Month - Aphasia Awareness Month is observed in June each year. It focuses on raising awareness about aphasia, a communication disorder that can affect speech, understanding, reading, and writing, often caused by stroke. Aphasia Awareness Month aims to encourage empathy and understanding, as well as promote access to resources and support for individuals with aphasia and their families.

About Adler Aphasia Center - Since 2003 the Adler Aphasia Center has a vision to reach those affected by aphasia by building awareness about aphasia and our services, working with members, caregivers, and volunteers to create a space for care, support, training, education, and understanding, as well as meeting the emerging needs of the aphasia community with innovation. In 2025, the Center expects to directly impact over 10,000 people from 17 of New Jersey's 21 counties across more than 180 institutions and community platforms while providing focused training for over 500 healthcare students and professionals.

Naomi Gewirtz, MSW, President & CEO shared "It's never been more critical to receive financial support from donors as Adler works to help our members reclaim communication and connection after aphasia, even if they can't afford it. We are thrilled to celebrate the tremendous work our honorees have done for our community."

"We are grateful for the generosity of our strong community partners and sponsors such as the Holy Name Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and our corporate and foundation partners including Inserra, Inc., PNC Wealth Management, The Winifred M. & George P. Pitkin Foundation, Inc. to name a few."

SOURCE Adler Aphasia Center
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sagent, a leading provider of mortgage servicing technology solutions, today appointed Kyle Draisey as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Head of Cybersecurity. Draisey will lead cybersecurity strategy, governance, and operations for Sagent as the firm deploys its Dara platform to U.S. mortgage servicers.

"Kyle brings a special blend of cybersecurity expertise and innovative spirit to Sagent. His technical depth and ability to communicate complex concepts simply will clarify and accelerate our mission to safely transform America's $14 trillion mortgage servicing ecosystem," said Sagent CEO, Geno Paluso.

Prior to joining Sagent, Draisey served as an Army Intelligence Officer supporting missions across the Middle East and Africa for nearly 15 years. Upon his medical retirement from service, Draisey served as the Senior Technical Director - Head of Cyber and Intelligence, for BAE Systems, a $45 billion multinational aerospace and technology company, where he led the development and implementation of security and mission solutions for defense and intelligence customers around the world. For his pioneering work in zero trust capability development and cyber mission enablement, Draisey was named one of WashingtonExec's Top National Security Executives to Watch in 2024.

"I was drawn to Sagent's already-strong cybersecurity culture, which I'm honored to help make stronger as we power over $2 trillion in portfolios for U.S. mortgage servicers," said new CISO and Head of Cybersecurity, Kyle Draisey. "In this role, I'll lead the effort to fully operationalize Sagent's cybersecurity to safeguard our digital infrastructure, customer data, and align security posture with innovation and growth."

About Sagent:

Sagent is a leading provider of mortgage servicing technology solutions, empowering servicers to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and improve profitability. Sagent's Dara platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools and technologies to address the evolving needs of the mortgage servicing industry.

Media Contact:

Claire Lee

[email protected]

SOURCE Sagent
New solar project with partners Onyx Renewables, Sol Systems, and Nelnet Renewable Energy to meet 85% of Toyota Boshoku Illinois' energy needs while supporting local jobs and ecosystems

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ill., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Boshoku America (TBA), Onyx Renewables, and key project partners gathered today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a 5.7-megawatt solar project that will fulfill 85% of electricity needs at TBA's Illinois plant with clean, affordable energy. The event featured remarks from the president of TBA, the local chamber of commerce, and representatives from project owner and operator Onyx Renewables as well as project partners Sol Systems and Nelnet Renewable Energy.

Representatives from Toyota Boshoku Illinois and project partners Onyx Renewables, Sol Systems, and Nelnet Renewable Energy celebrate the launch of Toyota Boshoku Illinois' largest onsite solar energy system to date, at the company's plant in Lawrenceville, Ill., on Wed., March 28, 2025.

As energy prices rise and the urgency to reduce carbon emissions grows, manufacturers across the U.S. are seeking more sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions. TBA recognized the need to both stabilize energy costs and contribute to the company's broader sustainability goals. TBA chose to partner with Sol Systems, which originated and developed the project, to install a solar farm that maximized the energy produced by locating the system on land adjacent to Toyota Boshoku Illinois (TBIL)'s Lawrenceville manufacturing facility. Onyx Renewables then acquired the project, offering immediate energy savings to TBA and TBIL under a power purchase agreement (PPA) without any upfront capital investment.

"This project is a testament to what's possible when manufacturers, clean energy developers, and local communities work together toward shared goals," said Anna Toenjes, Associate Vice President of Impact & Business Development at Sol Systems. "From Day 1, Toyota Boshoku brought vision and dedication to the table, and we're proud to have developed a project that will deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits  from long-term energy savings to workforce development and pollinator-friendly land use."

The newly completed ground-mount solar array, which spans approximately 17 acres adjacent to TBIL's manufacturing facility, is expected to generate more than 9.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year. The project marks TBA's largest onsite solar installation to date and is a significant milestone in the company's ongoing efforts toward carbon neutrality.

"We see it as our responsibility to reduce our environmental impact. With the installation of a large-scale solar panel system at our U.S. facility, we're taking a clear step toward more sustainable manufacturing," said Kenji Sugito, TBIL President. "We remain committed to environmentally conscious practices that support a better future."

"This project reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and our dedication to supporting the communities where we operate. It is also a significant step towards our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Ryan Hunt, Vice President of TBA. "We're proud to partner with companies like Onyx, Sol Systems, and Nelnet to bring clean, reliable energy to Lawrenceville."

Onyx Renewables, a leading developer, owner, and operator of clean energy infrastructure, completed the project's final development and construction. Nelnet Renewable Energy, a full-service firm specializing in commercial and small-scale utility solar, served as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner. Onyx Renewables will continue to partner with TBA as the owner and operator of the project, ensuring it continues to deliver high-quality, affordable clean energy to TBIL.

"This is the kind of collaborative clean energy development that drives real progress and public support," said Patty Rollin, Chief Commercial Officer at Onyx Renewables. "Together with our partners, we are thrilled to deliver a project that reduces emissions, lowers energy costs, and sets a high standard for workforce development."

The Onyx Renewables team worked closely with Nelnet to prioritize workforce development and environmental stewardship by allocating at least 15% of project labor for qualified apprentices and paying prevailing wages. In addition, Sol Systems committed to planting a pollinator-friendly habitat around the system. The plants, which Onyx has selected in consultation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will be seeded onsite, enhancing local biodiversity and reflecting TBA's own vision of sustainability. The project also received additional federal support as an "energy community," designated due to the area's unemployment and fossil fuel employment numbers compared to the national average.

"From the beginning, it was clear that Onyx and Toyota Boshoku America wanted to go above and beyond to set a new standard for solar development that included local jobs and job training," said Alyssa Martin, President of Nelnet Renewable Energy. "The project represents a replicable model for how other manufacturers can meet their energy needs while minimizing environmental impact."

About Onyx Renewables

Onyx Renewables is helping companies create the bridge from today's clean energy reality to tomorrow's possibilities. A leading provider of clean energy solutions nationwide, Onyx's approach ensures expert guidance at every step for our commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. From solar energy and storage to EV charging and beyond, Onyx leverages its wide-ranging industry expertise to develop, finance, construct, own and operate projects, transforming energy and regulatory complexities into simple clean energy solutions that reduce emissions and provide economic savings for our customers. Onyx also partners with developers and EPCs to support, fund, and acquire clean energy projects. For more information, visit https://www.onyxrenewables.com .

About Toyota Boshoku

Toyota Boshoku, one of the world's premium interior systems suppliers and filter manufacturers, develops and produces interior, filtration, and powertrain components. With world headquarters in Kariya City, Japan, Toyota Boshoku Corporation owns Toyota Boshoku America, Inc. (TBA) based in Erlanger, Kentucky. TBA and its affiliates employ over 14,000 Team Members in 23 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. TBA Group is a premier manufacturer of automotive interior systems, which include seat, door trim, headliner, substrate, and carpet in addition to air and oil filters for a variety of customers such as Toyota, BMW, and Subaru. For more information, visit https://www.toyota-boshoku.com/us/ .

About Nelnet Renewable Energy

Nelnet Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. (NYSE: NNI), is a full-service engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm specializing in commercial and small utility-scale solar projects. Backed by the financial strength of its publicly traded parent, Nelnet Renewable Energy delivers turnkey solar solutions that include in-house design, construction, and post-installation services, along with expertise in navigating incentives and financial structuring. The company also supports co-investment opportunities through its affiliated tax equity platform, helping partners achieve competitive returns on impact-driven projects. With a focus on quality, transparency, and long-term value, Nelnet Renewable Energy serves businesses, schools, municipalities, and developers across the country. Learn more at nelnetenergy.com .

About Sol Systems

Sol Systems is an impact-driven Independent Power Producer (IPP) committed to building, owning, and managing clean energy infrastructure that benefits local communities. With over 7 GW of projects across 38 states, Sol integrates energy storage and grid resiliency solutions to deliver reliable, sustainable power to Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, utilities, and schools. Through strategic partnerships and community reinvestment, Sol ensures clean energy development drives long-term economic and environmental benefits. Founded in 2008 and led by its founder, Sol Systems is dedicated to shaping an energy future we can all believe in. For more information, visit www.solsystems.com .

Media Contacts

Toyota Boshoku America: Ryan Hunt, Vice President, [email protected] or (859) 655-5127

Onyx Renewables: Jenna Leitgeb, [email protected] or (646)-536-3316

Sol Systems: Jacqueline Mayan, [email protected]

Nelnet Renewable Energy: Brandi Nye, [email protected] or (504) 250-1778

SOURCE Onyx Renewables LLC; Toyota Boshoku America
Nationwide Home Vacancy Rate at 1.3 Percent for More than Three Years; Proportion of Zombie Homes Rose Year-Over-Year

IRVINE, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, today released its second-quarter 2025 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report showing that 1.4 million (1,382,480) residential properties, about 1.3 percent of all homes in the United States, are vacant. The latest data marks the thirteenth consecutive quarter that the vacancy rate has hovered around 1.3 percent.

The report analyzes publicly recorded real estate data collected by ATTOM  including foreclosure status, equity and owner-occupancy status  matched against monthly updated vacancy data. (See full methodology below).

ATTOM's analysis shows that 222,358 properties were in the foreclosure process during the second quarter of 2025, up 4.8 percent from the first quarter of the year but down 6.3 percent year-over-year. Prior to this latest increase, the number of properties in foreclosure had gone down in each of the previous five quarters.

In the second quarter, 7,329 of those pre-foreclosure properties, 3.3 percent, were "zombie" properties, meaning they had been abandoned by their owners and sat vacant during the foreclosure process. The proportion of pre-foreclosure homes that are vacant is essentially the same as the first quarter of 2025 but up slightly from 2.9 percent during the same period last year.

Zombie properties, which can fall into disrepair and negatively impact property values in a neighborhood, are seen as a sign of an unhealthy housing market and economy. The low rate of zombie propertiesonly one in every 14,207 homes in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2025is indicative of the strength of the post-pandemic housing market.

"Thankfully, we're not seeing a lot of homes sitting vacant due to pending foreclosures, which is good for families, neighborhoods, and the market," said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. "However, foreclosure filings have shown a recent uptickwith April seeing a 14 percent increase compared to the same month last year."

"So far, buyers seem to be scooping up these repossessed homes relatively quickly, so they aren't sitting empty," Barber added. "Nobody wants to see a return to the days of the 2008 housing crisis when vacant, blighted homes were common in many parts of the country."

Small statewide shifts in numbers of zombie homes

The number of zombie properties increased quarter-over-quarter in 30 states and the District of Columbia, but mostly by small amounts. The changes were also relatively small in the 19 states that saw their number of zombie properties fall.

Year-over-year, the biggest percent increases in states that had at least 50 zombie homes were in North Carolina (52.5 percent more zombie properties, from 59 in the second quarter of 2024 to 90 in the second quarter of 2025), Iowa (up 52.1 percent, from 71 to 108), Texas (up 51.9 percent from 162 to 246), South Carolina (up 43.8 percent from 64 to 92), and Kansas (up 29 percent, from 69 to 89)

The biggest yearly decreases among states with at least 50 zombie homes in the second quarter of 2024 were Massachusetts (down 48.7 percent, from 76 to 39), Maryland (down 22.1 percent, from 86 to 67), New Jersey (down 17.6 percent, from 239 to 197), California (down 8.9 percent, from 269 to 245), and Illinois (down 8.8 percent, from 724 to 660).

Highest vacancy rates in the South, lowest in the Northeast

The vacancy rate for residential properties in the U.S. has remained steady around 1.3 percent for thirteen consecutive quarters.

The states with the highest home vacancy rates in the second quarter of 2025 were Oklahoma (2.4 percent), Kansas (2.3 percent), Alabama (2.2 percent), Missouri (2.2 percent), and West Virginia (2.1 percent).

The states with the lowest home vacancy rates in the most recent quarter were New Hampshire (0.3 percent), Vermont (0.4 percent), New Jersey (0.5 percent), Idaho (0.5 percent), and Connecticut (0.5 percent).

Most large metro areas have zombie home rates below national rate

About 55 percent (76) of the 138 metropolitan statistical areas in our analysis that had at least 100,000 residential properties and at least 100 properties in pre-foreclosure during the second quarter of 2025 had zombie foreclosure rates below the national rate of 3.3 percent.

The metro areas with the highest proportion of pre-foreclosure homes that were vacant were Wichita, KS (12.1 percent); Peoria, IL (11.8 percent); Toledo, OH (10.2 percent); Cedar Rapids, IA (10.2 percent); and Cleveland, OH (10 percent).

The metro areas with the lowest proportion of zombie foreclosures were Barnstable, MA (0 percent); Atlantic City, NJ (0.2 percent); Provo, UT (0.3 percent); Trenton, NJ (0.5 percent); and Stockton, CA (0.6 percent).

Investor and bank owned homes see higher vacancy rates

There were 24.8 million investor-owned properties in our analysis of second quarter 2025 home data, with a nationwide vacancy rate of 3.5 percent.

The states with the highest investor-owned vacancy rates were Indiana (7.3 percent), Illinois (6.2 percent), Alabama (6 percent), Oklahoma (6 percent), and Ohio (5.8 percent)

The states with the lowest investor-owned vacancy rates were New Hampshire (0.9 percent), Vermont (1 percent), Idaho (1.2 percent), Utah (1.5 percent), and North Dakota (1.6 percent).

A third of zip codes have high zombie home rates

About 36 percent (781) of the 2,166 zip codes in ATTOM's analysis that had at least 25 properties in pre-foreclosure during the second quarter of 2025 had zombie foreclosure rates above the national rate of 3.3 percent. While in 42 percent (903) of those zip codes, there were no zombie foreclosures.

The zip codes with the highest zombie foreclosure rates were 61605 in Peoria, IL (51.9 percent); 44108 in Cleveland, OH (42.2 percent); 61603 in Peoria, IL (34.6 percent), 32118 in Deltona, FL (34.2 percent), and 33708 in Tampa, FL (33.3 percent).

Report Methodology

ATTOM analyzed county tax assessor data for 104.1 million residential properties for vacancy, broken down by foreclosure status and owner-occupancy status in the second quarter of 2025. Only metropolitan statistical areas with at least 100,000 residential properties, counties with at least 50,000 residential properties and zip codes with at least 1,000 residential properties were included in the analysis.

About ATTOM

ATTOM powers innovation across industries with premium property data and analytics covering 158 million U.S. properties99% of the population. Our multi-sourced real estate data includes property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, neighborhood and geospatial boundary information, all validated through a rigorous 20-step process and linked by a unique ATTOM ID.

From flexible delivery solutionssuch as Property Data APIs, Bulk File Licenses, ATTOM Cloud, Real Estate Market Trendsto AI-Ready datasets, ATTOM fuels smarter decision-making across industries including real estate, mortgage, insurance, government, and more.

Media Contact:

Megan Hunt

[email protected]

Data and Report Licensing:

[email protected]

SOURCE ATTOM
The new edition expands to spotlight the best companies for internship seekers.

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2025-2026 U.S. News Best Companies to Work For . The ratings, a list identifying the best publicly-traded companies across industries and regions to help employees and job seekers make decisions about workplaces that may be a good fit for them, now highlights the best companies for internship seekers.

Alongside recognizing 636 companies across multiple lists, four regions and 14 industries that best meet the needs of full-time employees, the 2025-2026 ratings expanded to include companies with internship opportunities for new, current and prospective students, as well as recent graduates.

"Every year, U.S. News seeks to identify the most valuable insights to support employees and job seekers as they make path-altering decisions for their careers," said Carly Chase, vice president, Careers at U.S. News & World Report. "This year, the Best Companies ratings deepen U.S. News' commitment to offering useful careers advice for students as they consider employment and education decisions in tandem by offering the Best Companies to Work For: Internships."

This year's general and sub-ratings reflect several factors that account for ever-changing employee considerations about what makes a company the "best" to work for. The ratings then analyze that sentiment against other factors including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.

With the support of a panel of eight experts , U.S. News' methodology analyzes the publicly available employee sentiment and other data that informs how a company supports the everyday experience of its workers. This year, the methodology was adjusted to group companies by an industry schema created by our data partner, Revelio Labs, with support based on U.S. News' editorial judgment. The move provides a more consumer-friendly industry classification.

"Prospective and current employees understand the significant impact their employer has on their quality of life," said Chase. "Whether a new grad seeking a company to launch their career, an established professional looking for a change or an HR professional researching the strengths of their company and others, Best Companies to Work For provides a central space to see which companies U.S. News identified as meeting their employees' needs best."

To calculate the U.S. News Best Companies to Work For ratings, U.S. News only considered the largest 5,000 publicly traded companies as of January 2025 that had more than 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021-2025. Relevant data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, was gathered from partners Revelio Labs , Good Jobs First's Violation Tracker and QUODD to calculate the six metrics used in the lists. The Best Companies to Work For: Internship ratings factor college students' sentiment and survey data; only companies that have at least 30 Glassdoor reviews provided by interns were considered. Best Companies to Work For: Supporting Family Caregiving ratings, developed in partnership with the Milken Institute , evaluated metrics and benefits that impact caregiving employees most. For further details on how the metric scores were calculated, see the methodology .

For more information, visit Best Companies to Work For and U.S. News' expanding Careers offerings and share the ratings on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF .

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.
"The best way to keep safe from dog attacks is to recognize and promote the responsibility of pet ownership, such as teaching your dog appropriate behavior and commands and not allowing your dog to roam freely. All dogs  regardless of breed, size or age  have the potential to bite," said Leeann Theriault, USPS employee safety and health awareness manager. "Dog bite attacks on postal employees are preventable. The most important message for our customers to remember during the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign is keep your dog secured and away from the carrier as the mail is being delivered. Help ensure the safety of everyone in our communities."

Dog Owners Can Help With Safe Mail Delivery

Many of us are dog lovers, but few of us are dog experts. Even dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can react in ways their owners don't expect. They can act without warning on their instinct to protect their owners and their owners' property. Dogs may attack not only to defend their territory, but also when they feel startled, anxious or unwell. It's not just about bad or aggressive dogs  it's about unpredictable moments.

Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.

Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house. If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn't slip out or bust through it unexpectedly. If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash. Never accept the mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog.

Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.

Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery and See the Mail on Your Electronic Device Before It Arrives

By using USPS Informed Delivery, a free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Millions of customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive.

The Cost of a Dog Attack

When a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee.

"Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others, however, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail," said Jonah Helfrich, a Blue Bell, PA, letter carrier. "I was recently delivering mail and a dog barged through a door and bit me on the wrist, which required me to seek medical treatment. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered."

Mail Carriers Know How to Deliver Safely

Mail carriers are trained to observe an area where they know dogs may be present. They are taught to be alert for potentially dangerous conditions and to respect a dog's territory.

Mail carriers are trained to:

Make a non-threatening noise or rattle a fence to alert a dog if entering a yard;

Never startle a dog;

Keep their eyes on any dog;

Never assume a dog will not bite;

Never attempt to pet or feed a dog; and

Place their foot against an outward swinging door to prevent a dog from escaping.

If a dog attacks, carriers are also trained to stand their ground and protect their body by placing something between them and the dog  such as a mail satchel  and to use dog repellent, if necessary.

Mail carriers have tools to alert them to dogs on their routes. A dog alert feature on carriers' handheld scanners can remind them of a possible dog hazard, and dog warning cards must be used during mail sorting to alert carriers to addresses where a dog may interfere with delivery.

Mail Delivery Could Be Suspended Because of Unsecured Dog

When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped.

Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner's local Post Office.

If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver the mail and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents would have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.

If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail.

Cities and States With the Most Dog Attacks in 2024

For the 2024 dog attack rankings in your specific city or town, contact your local Corporate Communications representative at about.usps.com/newsroom/media-contacts/local.htm.

These 38 cities comprise the top 20 localities with the greatest number of dog bite incidents:

2024 Dog Bite/Dog Incident Data

CITY # of DOG

BITE/DOG

ATTACK Top 20

cities by

number 1 LOS ANGELES, California 77 1 2 HOUSTON, Texas 65 2 3 CHICAGO, Illinois 57 3 4 ST. LOUIS, Missouri 47 4 5 CINCINNATI, Ohio 44 5 6 DALLAS, Texas 43 6 7 KANSAS CITY, Missouri 40 7 8 CLEVELAND, Ohio 40 7 9 SAN DIEGO, California 35 8 10 DENVER, Colorado 34 9 11 SAN ANTONIO, Texas 32 10 12 PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania 32 10 13 DETROIT, Michigan 32 10 14 COLUMBUS, Ohio 32 10 15 MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota 30 11 16 INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana 26 12 17 PHOENIX, Arizona 25 13 18 MEMPHIS, Tennessee 25 13 19 OMAHA, Nebraska 24 14 20 LOUISVILLE, Kentucky 24 14 21 ROCHESTER, New York 23 15 22 TOLEDO, Ohio 21 16 23 SACRAMENTO, California 21 16 24 EL PASO, Texas 21 16 25 SAN FRANCISCO, California 20 17 26 OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma 20 17 27 MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin 20 17 28 ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico 20 17 29 STOCKTON, California 18 18 30 OAKLAND, California 18 18 31 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio 17 19 32 SALT LAKE CITY, Utah 17 19 33 PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania 17 19 34 MIAMI, Florida 17 19 35 DES MOINES, Iowa 17 19 36 ST. PETERSBURG, Florida 15 20 37 FORT WORTH, Texas 15 20 38 BIRMINGHAM, Alabama 15 20

Here are the 10 states with the greatest number of dog bite incidents:

2024 Dog Bite/Dog Incident Data

STATE # of DOG

BITE/DOG Top 10

States 1 California 701 1 2 Texas 438 2 3 Ohio 350 3 4 Illinois 344 4 5 New York 322 5 6 Pennsylvania 316 6 7 Michigan 231 7 8 Florida 210 8 9 Missouri 207 9 10 North Carolina 169 10

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

Contact: David P. Coleman

(c) 202-425-1476

[email protected]

usps.com/news

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
VIENNA, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vienna Tourist Board is hosting a unique free event in New York's Bryant Park on May 31 to celebrate a historic transmission into deep space.

In partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Wiener Symphoniker (Vienna Symphony Orchestra), Vienna will launch Johann Strauss II's "The Blue Danube" waltz towards NASA's Voyager 1. This interstellar broadcast is part of a larger celebration marking the 200th anniversary of Strauss's birth and rectifies its omission from the original Voyager Golden Records.

Norbert Kettner, Director of the Vienna Tourist Board, said: "Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey made the 'Danube Waltz' the anthem of space  the omission of the most famous of all waltzes from the 1977 Voyager Golden Record is a cosmic mistake that we are correcting."

The event is the culmination of Vienna's "Waltz Space" campaign, which invited fans to symbolically send a note of the song into space, with 13,743 note sponsors. The campaign aims not just to commemorate Strauss's birth, but to reinforce Vienna's status as the music capital of the world, positioning it as a destination full of rich musical experiences.

The free event will take place in Manhattan's Bryant Park from 1:00 to 5:00 PM:

1:00 PM : Pre-show festivities with DJ Kyra Caruso, waltz lessons by Aga Bohun, and opportunities to claim a "SpaceNote"a unique note from "The Blue Danube"for a chance to win a trip to Vienna .

Pre-show festivities with DJ Kyra Caruso, waltz lessons by Aga Bohun, and opportunities to claim a "SpaceNote"a unique note from "The Blue Danube"for a chance to win a trip to . 2:30 PM : Live broadcast of the "Waltz into Space" concert from Vienna's Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), featuring works by Dvorak, Ligeti, Mozart, Josef Strauss , and Ives.

Live broadcast of the "Waltz into Space" concert from Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), featuring works by Dvorak, Ligeti, Mozart, , and Ives. 3:30 PM : Real-time transmission of "The Blue Danube" into deep space via ESA's Deep Space Antenna in Cebreros, Spain .

Real-time transmission of "The Blue Danube" into deep space via ESA's Deep Space Antenna in Cebreros, . 3:45 PM : Post-event wind-down with music and refreshments.

The event is free and open to the public. Representatives from the Vienna Tourist Board will be available for interviews.

For press photos, visit this Dropbox-Page. For more information on the "Waltz into Space" campaign, Vienna Tourist Board Newsroom or space.vienna.info. For the event's website visit space.vienna.info/en-US/new-york-event.

SOURCE Vienna Tourist Board
BANGALORE, India, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Hosting - Market is Segmented by Type (Cloud Based, Web Based), by Application (Large Enterprises, SMEs): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2030.

The global market for Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Hosting was estimated to be worth USD 801 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1346.3 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030

Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-33M3840/Global_Virtual_Private_Servers_VPS_Hosting_Market

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Hosting Market

The global VPS market is poised for continued expansion, powered by digital transformation, e-commerce growth, and the rise of flexible work models. As businesses seek agile and secure hosting environments without the cost of dedicated servers, VPS emerges as an optimal solution. Key players are enhancing offerings with SSD storage, NVMe support, container-based virtualization, and managed service packages to cater to a wide range of users from startups to large enterprises. The growing emphasis on performance optimization, compliance, and cost control further cements VPS as a foundational element in modern IT infrastructure. The market outlook remains strong, with sustained demand across sectors and geographies.

Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-33M3840/global-virtual-private-servers-vps-hosting

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE VIRTUAL PRIVATE SERVERS (VPS) HOSTING MARKET

Cloud-based VPS solutions are a major force driving growth in the Virtual Private Servers (VPS) market. These platforms offer flexibility, scalability, and remote accessibility, which are highly attractive to startups, enterprises, and developers alike. Cloud-based VPS eliminates the need for physical infrastructure, significantly reducing operational costs and allowing rapid deployment of applications and services. As businesses increasingly move toward hybrid or fully remote operations, the demand for cloud VPS rises due to its support for on-demand resources and customizable configurations. Additionally, features like automated backups, elastic storage, and disaster recovery make cloud VPS ideal for mission-critical applications. The availability of multiple data centers and robust uptime guarantees offered by cloud providers enhances reliability. The increasing shift toward digital transformation across sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, and healthcare continues to reinforce the adoption of cloud-based VPS hosting services.

Web-based VPS hosting has become a vital growth contributor to the VPS market as more businesses seek affordable, customizable, and secure hosting solutions for their online presence. Web developers and companies favor VPS over shared hosting because it offers dedicated resources, improved security, and better performance for websites and applications. With the rise of dynamic content, e-commerce platforms, and SaaS-based tools, web-based VPS ensures fast load times and reduced latency. Additionally, the growing use of content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Magento, and Joomla demands hosting environments that allow greater control, which VPS provides. Enhanced traffic handling capabilities and root access make it suitable for businesses seeking better user experience and uptime. As digital businesses scale, the need for VPS hosting to support high-performance websites continues to drive growth in the segment.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are playing a pivotal role in the expansion of the VPS market due to their growing reliance on cost-effective and scalable IT infrastructure. VPS provides SMEs with a middle ground between shared hosting and expensive dedicated servers, offering better performance, isolation, and control at an affordable price point. As these businesses adopt digital tools, cloud software, and e-commerce models, VPS becomes essential for hosting websites, managing databases, and deploying applications. Furthermore, the flexibility to scale resources according to business growth is highly appealing to SMEs operating with limited IT budgets. Enhanced data security and compliance features provided by VPS providers also help SMEs meet regulatory requirements. As digital adoption accelerates in developing regions, the demand from SMEs for reliable and customizable hosting solutions is expected to drive significant market growth.

Businesses across industries are seeking hosting solutions that provide a balance between cost, performance, and security. VPS hosting offers dedicated resources without the high costs associated with dedicated servers, making it a preferred option for companies with growing digital infrastructure needs. As hosting requirements become more complex, especially for resource-intensive applications and dynamic websites, VPS offers an economical yet efficient solution. This affordability combined with customizable options is a key growth driver.

The surge in online shopping has led to an increasing number of e-commerce platforms that require fast, secure, and scalable hosting environments. VPS supports seamless website performance during high-traffic periods such as flash sales or holiday seasons. It ensures better control over server resources and reduces the risk of downtime. E-commerce companies also benefit from enhanced data security and PCI compliance, making VPS an attractive solution for hosting transaction-heavy websites.

With organizations embracing remote work and digital operations, VPS serves as a crucial tool for deploying virtual workspaces, hosting intranet applications, and managing distributed data systems. It allows businesses to run software environments that are accessible from anywhere without investing in physical servers. This shift has accelerated VPS adoption across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and corporate enterprises, making it central to remote IT infrastructure.

Startups and individual developers often choose VPS hosting due to its flexibility, root access, and developer-friendly environments. VPS enables the installation of custom software stacks, running of test environments, and deployment of APIs or microservices at scale. As incubators, accelerators, and coding communities grow worldwide, the demand for low-cost, high-performance VPS solutions that support innovation and experimentation continues to expand, especially in regions with active tech ecosystems.

As cybersecurity threats grow more complex, businesses are seeking isolated hosting environments that reduce vulnerability. VPS hosting, unlike shared hosting, offers better segmentation and access control, which minimizes the risk of cross-site attacks. Additionally, many providers include built-in security features such as firewalls, DDoS protection, and monitoring tools. This focus on secure infrastructure is compelling enterprises to switch from shared environments to VPS, thereby contributing to market expansion.

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VIRTUAL PRIVATE SERVERS (VPS) HOSTING MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

North America dominates due to its strong technology ecosystem, presence of major hosting providers, and early adoption of cloud solutions. Europe follows, driven by GDPR compliance needs and a strong SME base.

Asia-Pacific is emerging rapidly, with countries like India, China, and Singapore witnessing significant VPS uptake, fueled by growing digital economies and cloud-first policies.

Key Players:

Namecheap

InMotion Hosting

Liquid Web

OVH

DigitalOcean

cPanel

Linode

Vultr

GoDaddy

1&1

HostGator

TMDHosting

DreamHos

Hostwinds

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vizgen, Inc., a life sciences company advancing spatial multi-omics, today announced a strategic partnership with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., a global leader in optical imaging technology. This collaboration integrates Hamamatsu's MoxiePlex multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) imaging system with Vizgen's pathology-grade reagent and assay portfolio, delivering a seamless end-to-end solution designed to bring multiplexed biomarker detection into new translational and clinical research applications.

The partnership aims to eliminate common barriers in multiplex assay development  streamlining validation, simplifying workflow integration, and enabling researchers to focus on acquiring high-fidelity biological insights. By combining cutting-edge imaging with highly adaptable multiplex assays, this partnership will offer a joint solution designed to scale with customer needs and facilitate the transition from research to clinical impact.

"Partnerships like this are essential to push the field of multiplex immunofluorescence forward and bring advanced imaging technologies closer to clinical relevance," said Toshimichi Ishizuka, Director of the Systems Division at Hamamatsu Photonics. "By integrating our hardware with Ultivue's versatile chemistry, we're offering a solution that's not only powerful but practical for real-world use."

The MoxiePlex platform offers up to 9-color imaging with high throughput capacity with up to 60 slides per run  designed for high-volume laboratories. Vizgen's InSituPlex assays enable rapid deployment of custom research panels with pre-validated biomarkers, minimizing time-to-data while maintaining exceptional specificity and reproducibility. Together, these technologies empower research labs to build and refine multiplex assays with greater speed and confidence.

Vizgen and Hamamatsu plan to combine their expertise through validated InSituPlex panels, coupled with MoxiePlex, as an integrated multiplexed proteomic biomarker offering capable of multi-site deployments for translational research and clinical research applications. Among the first use cases for this integrated solution is the deployment of mIF panels for clinically relevant research on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens.

Rob Carson, Chief Executive Officer at Vizgen, said, "Our partnership with Hamamatsu brings together two technology leaders with the same, shared vision for impact in translational research and beyond. Through uniting competencies in automated imaging and protein assay engineering, we can deliver sample-to-answer insights and together serve more customers in their science."

About Vizgen

Vizgen is at the forefront of spatial biology and multi-omics innovation. Through its pioneering MERFISH technology and MERSCOPE Platform for in situ single-cell spatial genomics and its high-fidelity InSituPlex protein assays and AI-driven STARVUE spatial image analysis technology, Vizgen delivers unmatched tools that enable researchers to uncover deep insights into human biology and achieve breakthroughs in understanding mechanisms of complex diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. InSituPlex and InSituPlex are for research use only. Vizgen is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and can be found online at www.vizgen.com and www.ultivue.com . Connect on social media Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Hamamatsu Photonics

Hamamatsu Photonics is a global photonics technology leader offering cutting-edge imaging and optical systems. Its MoxiePlex system, a 9-color multiplex immunofluorescence imaging platform, is designed to advance spatial proteomics from research to the clinicstarting with immuno-oncology and expanding into broader translational pathology applications. MoxiePlex system is for research use only.

SOURCE Hamamatsu Corporation
LONDON, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Volteras, the leading data streaming platform for the energy ecosystem, today announced the close of its $11.1 million oversubscribed Series A funding round.

This milestone was spearheaded by Union Square Ventures, known for early investments in companies like Twitter, and included participation from fleet card providers Wex and Edenred, alongside existing investors, Exor ventures and Long Journey Ventures.

Wex and Edenred have a combined 24 million vehicles that they service. They see Volteras as a vital part of their transition to electric vehicles. David Klein, Head of WEX Venture Capital, said: "WEX serves over 19 million vehicles across our fleet customers, and we see enormous potential in Volteras' platform to help fleets unlock the power of their data." Edenred Ventures Managing Partner, Norbert Furnion, added "The potential applications of their technologyboth within Edenred and across the broader mobility and energy software ecosystemare expanding rapidly. Their focus on official data partnerships sets them apart, and positions them to become a foundational player in this evolving landscape."

"We're thrilled to have the support of world class investors who share our vision to transform the energy data ecosystem," said Peter Wilson, CEO and co-founder of Volteras. "This funding enables us to accelerate part of our mission to securely connect automakers, energy providers, and mobility platforms in unprecedented ways to enable a new generation of energy and mobility apps."

Redefining the Energy Ecosystem

Volteras is revolutionizing the way data flows between electric vehicles (EVs), chargers and home batteries in the energy ecosystem, similar to how Plaid connected data between banks in the financial ecosystem.

Starting with a transparent, partnership-based approach. The startup has integrated over 30 OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and its partnerships include Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Group AG. The startup is working to create a world where every aspect of EV ownership- from purchase to charging to insurance- seamlessly integrates through a single data platform. A platform that ensures fast, stable, and secure data streaming. Businesses from fleet and charging management to virtual power plants, insurance providers and more, can grow revenue and improve operational efficiencies via Volteras' high-quality data streaming.

"Through our partnership with Volteras, more businesses in the energy and mobility sectors can access real-time, multi-brand vehicle data," said Alistair Colam, Northern Europe Sales at Mobilisights (Stellantis' data business unit). "This unlocks new opportunities for fleet optimization, preventive maintenance, and smarter energy managementempowering Volteras' customers to operate more efficiently and sustainably."

A Full Lifecycle Vision for Consumers and Businesses

Volteras' ultimate goal is to build the world's largest energy data platform, collaborating with automakers and energy leaders to deliver innovation and sustainability at scale. As this vision becomes a reality, consumers and businesses both win:

Businesses : Volteras will help to unlock fleet optimization, preventive maintenance, and grid demand balancing with real-time data. Energy companies will be able to better balance grid demand by varying energy consumption and 'flattening the curve' in times of high demand.

: Volteras will help to unlock fleet optimization, preventive maintenance, and grid demand balancing with real-time data. Energy companies will be able to better balance grid demand by varying energy consumption and 'flattening the curve' in times of high demand. Consumers: Volteras enables usage-based insurance, smart charging solutions that pushes electricity back to the grid and times when electricity prices are lowest to intake charge, and battery health reports to provide transparency to the used EV market. Moreover, Volteras' API will connect an EV to a home energy management system allowing a consumer to optimize energy usage, check carbon footprints, and see if the electricity that is powering a battery, EV or home is renewable.

Driving Innovation with Series A Funding

With the new funding, Volteras will:

Expand its partnerships with automakers and energy device manufacturers globally;

Grow its team of software engineers, data scientists, and energy product specialists and;

Support new partners like Octopus Electric Vehicles and Hitachi ZeroCarbon in launching new EV services.

Hitachi ZeroCarbon is relying on Volteras to launch a new charging management service that helps fleets go electric, by connecting the fleet without the need for hardware.

Jim Donaldson, Hitachi ZeroCarbon's Chief Technology Officer, explains the benefits of outsourcing high-quality energy data, "Volteras has simplified the process of obtaining automaker data, enabling us to onboard new customer vehicles quickly, easily and at a low cost. This has allowed us to focus on our own innovations, and deliver the insight our customers need."

Enterprise-Grade Security

Data protection is a top priority as clean energy businesses handle sensitive data like vehicle telematics, user login details and access commands like remote vehicle control. OEM-authorized integrations ensure that data is transmitted through secure, encrypted channels, which are protected from cybersecurity attacks.

Providers that use unauthorized streaming methods extract data from third-party apps that don't have enterprise-grade security built in and can be easily exploited. This means high cybersecurity risks. If data is compromised, it can lead to heavy financial losses, operational disruptions, or even drivers being locked out of their vehicles.

The data of Volteras customers is securely streamed from OEM servers and devices only. Customers' personally identifiable information is not sharedVolteras only accesses data relating to the vehicle with the agreed consent from the owner.

About Volteras

Founded in London, Volteras is the premier data streaming platform for the energy ecosystem, connecting vehicles, chargers, and energy systems securely and efficiently. Through OEM-authorized data integrations, Volteras is setting new standards in how energy and mobility businesses operate.

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Volteras
Zelenskyy on Taurus: Therere certain topics that Merz and I agree not to discuss publicly

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to discuss some topics privately.

"We are working in this direction ... There are certain topics that we agreed with Chancellor Merz not to discuss publicly. I promised him this and I am sticking to it," Zelenskyy said in an interview for the German television channel RTL, speaking about the Taurus cruise missiles.

At the same time, the president noted that he does not see any readiness for peace on Putins part, since there is not enough pressure on him.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- West Coast Community Bank (WCCB or Bank) is pleased to announce Diane Heyden has joined as Senior Vice President and Director of Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending. Heyden will lead the Bank's SBA lending throughout its four-county service area: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz.

Diane Heyden, SVP, Director of SBA Lending at West Coast Community Bank.

Heyden brings more than 30 years' experience in financial services with a strong focus on SBA lending. Her background includes oversight of nationwide SBA sales activities, spearheading the launch of a nationwide SBA loan origination program, developing high-performance SBA teams and managing successful business development officers. She will provide leadership and enhance operational efficiency within the SBA Department as the Bank expands its footprint.

"We're thrilled to have Diane join the Bank," said Krista Snelling, WCCB President and Chief Executive Officer. "Her experience and proven track record will benefit small businesses all along the Central Coast and throughout the state. Our problem-solving approach to lending aligns perfectly with Diane's, and we look forward to her contributions and successes with the Bank."

"It is an honor to join West Coast Community Bank at such an exciting time in the Bank's growth," said Heyden. "I look forward to working with and expanding an SBA team that is so highly regarded in the industry."

Heyden joins WCCB from Misson Valley Bank, where she served as Senior Vice President, SBA Sales Manager. She also previously held positions with Lincoln Savings Bank as Senior Vice President, SBA Manager and Pacific Premier Bank as Senior Vice President, Director of SBA Lending.

In addition to her professional achievements, Heyden served on the board of the Huntington Beach Educational Foundation and in the City Council-appointed role of Chair of the Huntington Beach 4th of July board.

Heyden holds a degree from California State University, Long Beach and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School. She is a member of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders and served as Chair for its National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL) Small Bank West committee for five consecutive years.

ABOUT WEST COAST COMMUNITY BANK

Founded in 2004, West Coast Community Bank (formerly Santa Cruz County Bank and its division, 1st Capital Bank) is the wholly owned subsidiary of West Coast Community Bancorp, a bank holding company. The Bank is a top-rated, locally operated and full-service community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif. with branches in Aptos, Capitola, Cupertino, King City, Monterey, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. West Coast Community Bank is distinguished from "big banks" by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley. As a full-service bank, West Coast Community Bank offers competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction lending, asset-based lending, agricultural loans, SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans, credit cards, merchant services, remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking, bill payment and treasury management. True to its community roots, West Coast Community Bank has supported regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local nonprofit organizations. Visit wccb.com for more information.

SOURCE West Coast Community Bank
Trusted local leader to guide Frederick County's community bank into its next chapter

FREDERICK, Md., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to support the strong trajectory of growth and impact throughout the Frederick community, the Board of Directors of Woodsboro Bank is pleased to announce they will elevate Rich Ohnmacht, current President of Woodsboro Bank, to the role of President & Chief Executive Officer effective July 1. Ohnmacht will succeed current CEO, Steve Heine, who will transition into a Senior Advisor role with the bank while continuing to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Rich Ohnmacht, Woodsboro Bank

As President & CEO, Ohnmacht will oversee both the day-to-day operations of the bank and its long-term strategic direction. He will lead the organization through the next phase of its three-year strategic plan, which builds on Woodsboro Bank's success as the only community financial institution predominantly focused on Frederick County. This plan reinforces the bank's commitment to providing capital and full-service, personalized banking solutions to both business owners and individual clients.

"The Board of Directors is excited to expand the breadth of Rich's thoughtful approach to leadership through this new role," said Gordon Cooley, Board Chair. "Rich is a proven leader who understands both the business of banking and the heart of our community. The Board is confident that Woodsboro Bank will continue to thrive and grow with Rich guiding the way as our next CEO."

Since joining Woodsboro Bank six years ago, Ohnmacht has played a major role in shaping the bank's growth and relevance in Frederick County. While the bank had long benefited from a loyal client base, Ohnmacht led a concentrated effort to cultivate relationships with the local business community. As a result, the bank's loan portfolio doubled in size and has seen consistent double-digit growth annually, prompting the expansion of the Commercial Banking team.

Ohnmacht has also been involved in advancing digital banking and treasury management capabilities at the bank. Additionally, he advanced community event engagement for colleagues and launched impactful programs such as market roundtable discussions, which bring together commercial bankers and branch managers to foster stronger client engagement and collaboration across departments. Ohnmacht is also highly involved in the Frederick community, including serving as a Board member and Treasurer for the Frederick Health Hospital and Treasurer for the Rotary Club of Southern Frederick County. He also serves as the Maryland State Delegate for ICBA, the Independent Community Bankers of America, a national organization focused on community banking.

"It's a privilege to lead a bank where culture comes first and community is at the center of everything we do," said Ohnmacht. "I'm thankful for the path paved by Steve and my colleagues on the leadership team, and I'm proud to carry that forward. 'Forward' being the key word, because now is not the time to stand still. The world around us is changing fasttechnology, expectations, even how people do business. Our goal is to keep Woodsboro Bank evolving, to stay agile and continue being Frederick's go-to banking partner for many years to come."

Ohnmacht was promoted to the role of President in August of 2024 while Heine continued to serve as the CEO, a position he held since joining Woodsboro Bank in 2017. Heine will now move into a Senior Advisor role on July 1st, working alongside Ohnmacht to ensure a successful transition of leadership. In this role, Heine will remain actively involved in strategic discussions, client development, and community engagement, while also continuing to serve on the bank's Board of Directors, as Board Chair of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Maryland Bankers Association.

"There are so many incredible things about Woodsboro Bank, but it's always been the people that make it truly extraordinary," said Heine. "I've been fortunate to serve alongside a leadership team and bank colleagues that have built something really speciala modern community bank with deep roots and a culture built on excellence, client focus, and teamwork. I am thrilled to see Rich step into this role. He's a strong, thoughtful leader who truly understands what makes Woodsboro Bank and Frederick so unique. I know he'll lead us even further, and I'm excited to continue supporting the team in this next chapter."

Woodsboro Bank is led by a seven-person executive team, all who have been at the bank at least six years. This experienced and dedicated team has worked together to build and refine the bank's products and services, but more importantly, craft their internal culture into the unique and transformative force that it is today. Their consistent leadership and deep roots in the community position them well to continue advancing the bank's mission well into the future.

As he steps into this new role, Ohnmacht is focused on building a bank for today and the future. For him, long-term success comes down to doing the right things - especially continuing to invest in the people who make Woodsboro Bank what it is. Keeping the bank's positive momentum going means embracing change, always looking for ways to improve, and never losing sight of what matters most. That means doubling down on the community-first approach that has defined the bank's success, while also leveraging their unique sweet spot: big-bank resources paired with small-bank service and heart.

About Woodsboro Bank:

Established in 1899 in response to the growing needs of the community, Woodsboro Bank is a community based bank headquartered in Woodsboro, Maryland. With a vision to be the best bank in Central Maryland, Woodsboro Bank has been serving the people of Frederick County for over 126 years, providing a complete line of consumer and commercial financial products and superb personal customer service, at multiple locations throughout the county. As an organization driven by serving its community with compassion and dedication, the Woodsboro Bank team is committed to understanding how they can make a true difference and move forward, as a community. For more information, visit woodsborobank.com.

SOURCE Woodsboro Bank
Yandex introduces the world's largest currently available dataset for recommender systems, advancing research and development on a global scale.





The open dataset contains 4.79B anonymized user interactions (listens, likes, dislikes) from the Yandex music streaming service collected over 10 months.





anonymized user interactions (listens, likes, dislikes) from the Yandex music streaming service collected over 10 months. The dataset includes anonymized audio embeddings, organic interaction flags, and precise timestamps for real-world behavioral analysis.





It introduces Global Temporal Split (GTS) evaluation to preserve event sequences, paired with baseline algorithms for reference points.





The dataset is available on Hugging Face in three sizes  5B , 500M , and 50M events  to accommodate diverse research and development needs.

SINGAPORE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yandex has published Yambda (Yandex Music Billion-Interactions Dataset), the world's largest open dataset for recommender systems, containing nearly 5 billion anonymized user interactions with audio tracks from its music streaming platform, Yandex Music.

Yambda serves as a universal benchmark for testing new approaches and algorithms across all domains utilizing recommender systems  e-commerce, social networks, and short-form video platforms.

The dataset enables researchers to develop and test new recommender algorithms against its baseline models, accelerating innovation. Startups with limited data can leverage the dataset to build and test systems using Yambda before scaling. This accelerates the creation of advanced technologies tailored to business needs worldwide.

Bridging the research-industry gap

The quality and scale of training data are critical to delivering relevant recommendations on platforms like streaming services, social networks, short-form video apps, and e-commerce marketplaces. However, research in recommender systems has lagged behind rapidly advancing fields like large language models, largely due to limited access to large-scale datasets. Effective recommendation models require terabytes of behavioral data, which commercial platforms possess but rarely share publicly.

Researchers are often left with small, outdated datasets that fail to capture the complexity of modern usage:

Spotify's Million Playlists dataset is too small for commercial-scale recommender systems.

dataset is too small for commercial-scale recommender systems. Netflix Prize dataset, with ~17,000 items and date-only timestamps, limits temporal modeling and large-scale research.

dataset, with ~17,000 items and date-only timestamps, limits temporal modeling and large-scale research. Criteo 1TB Click Logs dataset lacks proper documentation and identifiers, and focuses narrowly on ad clicks.

"Recommender systems are inherently tied to sensitive data. Companies can only publish recommender system datasets publicly after exhaustive anonymization, a resource-intensive process that's slowed open innovation," explains Nikolai Savushkin, Head of Recommender Systems at Yandex.

This data scarcity creates a gap: models that excel in academic settings often underperform in real-world applications. Efforts to integrate recommender systems with advanced architectures are also constrained by the lack of suitable training data.

About the Yambda dataset

Yambda addresses recommender system challenges by providing a massive, anonymized dataset from its music streaming service with ~28 million monthly users. This dataset provides insights into how users interact with the content offered by Yandex Music, which is known for its sophisticated recommendation system My Wave that tailors the listening experience to the tastes of each user. To protect privacy, all user and track data is anonymized, using numeric identifiers to meet privacy standards.

Key features of the dataset:

4.79 billion anonymized user interactions collected over 10 months.





Data from 1 million users and anonymized descriptors for 9.39 million tracks.





Includes two feedback types: implicit interactions (listens) and explicit interactions (likes, dislikes, and their removal).





Offers audio embeddings (vector representations generated via convolutional neural networks) and anonymized information about tracks.





Features an "is_organic" flag marking whether users discovered tracks independently or through recommendations, enabling deeper behavioral analysis.





All events are timestamped, which supports the analysis of user behavior over time and allows models to be evaluated under conditions that closely resemble real-world use.

The dataset is released in Apache Parquet format, compatible with distributed processing systems such as Spark or Hadoop and analytical libraries like Pandas and Polars.

"Yambda empowers researchers to test innovative hypotheses and businesses to build smarter recommender systems. Ultimately, users benefit  finding the perfect song, product, or service effortlessly," notes Nikolai Savushkin.

Dataset versions and evaluation

Available in three sizes  approximately 5 billion, 500 million, and 50 million events  the Yambda dataset accommodates researchers and developers with different needs and computational resource capacities.

The dataset uses Global Temporal Split (GTS) for evaluation, a method that splits data by timestamps to preserve event sequences. Unlike Leave-One-Out, which removes the last positive interaction from each user's history for testing, GTS avoids breaking temporal dependencies between training and test sets. This ensures a more realistic model testing  mimicking real-world conditions where future data is unavailable.

Baseline implementations include MostPop, DecayPop, ItemKNN, iALS, BPR, SANSA, and SASRec, providing benchmarks for comparing new recommender system approaches. These baselines are evaluated using standard metrics, including:

NDCG@k (ranking quality)

Recall@k (retrieval effectiveness)

Coverage@k (catalog diversity)

"When industry leaders share hard-won tools and data, a rising tide lifts all boats: researchers gain real-world benchmarks, startups access resources once reserved for tech giants, and users everywhere enjoy greater personalization," added Nikolay Savushkin.

Yambda, the world's largest open recommender system dataset, is now available on Hugging Face.

About Yandex

Yandex is a global technology company that builds intelligent products and services powered by machine learning. The company's goal is to help consumers and businesses better navigate the online and offline world. Since 1997, Yandex has been delivering world-class, locally relevant search and information services and has also developed market-leading on-demand transportation services, navigation products, and other mobile applications for millions of consumers across the globe.

About My Wave

My Wave, a personalized recommendation system integrated into the multi-million-user music streaming service, Yandex Music, employs deep neural models and AI algorithms to analyze over a thousand factors  including user interactions, customizable mood/language settings, and real-time music analysis of spectrograms, frequency ranges, rhythm, vocal tone, and genre. By processing listening history and track sequences, it dynamically adapts to user preferences, identifies audio similarities, and predicts musical tastes to deliver tailored suggestions.

SOURCE Yandex
Zeigler Automotive Group has been recognized for the 12th time as one of Chicago's Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, a distinction awarded by the National Association for Business Resources. This prestigious honor highlights Zeigler's continued excellence in workplace culture, employee engagement, and human resource practices.

CHICAGO, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeigler Automotive Group today announced that it has earned its 12th Best & Brightest Companies To Work For Award for the highly competitive Chicago market. Presented by the National Association for Business Resources, this coveted accolade is awarded to organizations in the Greater Chicago area that not only maintain, but also establish stringent standards for exemplary practices in company culture, human resources, and beyond.

Zeigler Auto Group Earns its 12th Chicago's Best & Brightest Companies To Work For Award

As the only dealership group to receive this recognition for 12 years in the highly competitive Chicago market, Zeigler continues to set the benchmark for industry leadership and employee satisfaction. Recently, the Zeigler also acquired Ferrari Lake Forest from the Mancuso family expanding its luxury footprint in the region.

"This award represents more than just consistencyit reflects our unwavering focus on creating an environment where people can grow, innovate, and thrive," said Aaron Zeigler, president of Zeigler Auto Group. "In a rapidly changing automotive landscape, our ability to stay grounded in our core values while adapting to new challenges is entirely due to the incredible talent and dedication of our team."

With the ten to one winning ratio for this program, only companies that distinguish themselves as having the most innovative business and human resource practices have been selected as winners.

"Earning our 12th Best & Brightest award in Chicago reflects the intentional work we've done over the years to create a workplace where people feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow," said Mike Van Ryn, VP of talent development, Zeigler Auto Group

The winning companies were evaluated by an independent research firm that reviewed several key metrics. The categories for scoring included: Compensation, Benefits, and Employee Solutions; Creative Wellness and Wellbeing Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement, and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment and Selection; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Civility and Inclusion; Work-Life Blend; Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility; and Leadership, Strategy, and Company Performance.

For over 25 years, the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) has established itself as a trusted authority in identifying top human resource practices and offering benchmarking tools for companies committed to excellence in workplace standards.

Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO of NABR and the Best & Brightest Programs, emphasized that "these companies have excelled by prioritizing their workplace culture. By putting their employees first, this exceptional group of top-tier leaders has created a strong foundation that sets them apart as leaders in their industries and communities."

Zeigler Auto Group has consistently earned various awards for its commitment to employee and customer satisfaction. Some recent notable awards include Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. awards for 2023 and 2024. The Kalamazoo-based organization has also earned additional Best and Brightest Companies to Work For awards in the regions it operates. These include its 19th consecutive West Michigan award, its 12th Chicago-area award, and its 7th consecutive national award.

For more information about careers at Zeigler Auto Group, visit zeigler.com/careers.

About the National Association for Business Resources' Best and Brightest Programs

The National Association for Business Resources offers an array of recognition programs that celebrate excellence in various aspects of business, including workplace culture, wellness initiatives, and leadership. These programs include the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Best and Brightest in Wellness, Best and Brightest CEOs and Leadership Teams which are presented in several markets that include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Nashville, New England, New York, Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Southern California, South Florida, West Michigan and Nationally. Nominations are now being accepted for all programs.

About Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.

Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2024.

MEDIA CONTACT

Francis Mariela

239.273.6976

[email protected]

SOURCE Zeigler Automotive Group
BALTIMORE, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers announce the launch of an annual Education Scholarship Program , offering awards to graduating high school seniors attending a college or university in the United States in the Fall of 2025.

The scholarship program was created to ease the financial challenges many students face while pursuing higher education. Families often shoulder the cost of tuition, housing, textbooks, and meals, relying on loans or part-time jobs to manage expenses.

Essay-Based Application Focused on Societal Impact

Applicants must submit a 700 to 800-word essay in response to the following prompt:

What do you believe is the biggest issue or challenge society is faced with today? What would you do to attempt a solution?

Essays must present original, actionable perspectives on broad societal challenges rather than personal struggles. Each submission is expected to reflect the student's unique voice and demonstrate the ability to analyze complex problems while offering thoughtful, well-developed solutions. Grammar, insight, and originality will be key factors in the evaluation process.

Eligibility and Guidelines

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Applicants must be graduating high school seniors attending a college or university in the United States in Fall 2025.

in Fall 2025. Essays must be between 700 and 800 words and address the prompt listed above.

All submissions must be received by July 15th at 5:00 p.m. EST

No applications or essays will be accepted via direct email. Applicants must complete the form provided.

Applicants must provide proof of enrollment.

Please do not use ChatGPT, or any other large language model tools to write the essay.

Winner Notification

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To Apply or Learn More

Visit the official scholarship page at:

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About Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers

Zirkin & Schmerling is a respected legal firm based in Pikesville, Maryland, serving clients across the state in vehicular accidents, dog bites, construction accidents, and worker's compensation claims. The firm combines strong legal advocacy with a deep commitment to its community. The Educational Scholarship Program aims to empower young people to pursue meaningful paths forward.

Media Contact:

Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers

1852 Reisterstown Road, Suite #203

Pikesville, MD 21208

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.zirkinandschmerlinglaw.com

Attention: Bobby Zirkin

SOURCE Zirkin & Schmerling Injury Lawyers
In Kharkiv region, serviceman of regional TCK receives serious injury as result of explosion of object near his car

In Kharkiv region, a serviceman of the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TCK) was injured as a result of the explosion of an unknown object that he found near his car.

"The injured person received emergency medical care, doctors were forced to amputate his hand. There is no threat to the soldier's life, he is under medical supervision," Kharkiv TCK reports.

The report notes that the victim was transferred from the combat brigade due to health reasons after being wounded to continue serving in the TCK.

A criminal case has been opened regarding the explosion, and investigative actions are ongoing.

Additional training and instructions on handling explosive and suspicious objects are being conducted in the regional and subordinate district TCK.
The Russian-occupied Zaporizhia NPP, a 6-GW nuclear power plant, has been on a single 750 kV power line since May 7 after the last backup 330 kV line was damaged, and it is unclear when it will be restored, although previously external power supplies were restored within a day, said Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"The off-site power situation at Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains extremely fragile, with Europes largest such site currently relying on just one single power line for essential nuclear safety and security functions compared with ten before the military conflict," the IAEA's Ukraine update said, citing Grossi.

The IAEA said its team at the ZNPP had not identified any nuclear safety issues as a result of a nuclear safety monitoring visit conducted last week, which included a walk-through to measure and confirm stable cooling water levels in the facilitys 12 sprinkler pools and a visit to two fresh fuel storage facilities. However, for most of last week, IAEA officials heard sounds of military activity at varying distances from the ZNPP.

According to the IAEA, three of the nine reactors at the three operating Ukrainian nuclear power plants  Khmelnytsky, Rivne and Yuzhnoukrainskaya  are in scheduled shutdown mode for refueling and maintenance.

As previously reported, Rafael Grossi will visit Ukraine and the Russian Federation next week as part of regular contacts with both sides.

"Grossi will visit Kyiv and Russia next week as part of regular contacts with both sides to ensure nuclear security during the conflict," the IAEA said in a statement released Thursday.

According to The New York Times, citing a Greenpeace report, Russia is building power lines (power lines) in occupied southern Ukraine to connect its captured Zheleznodorozhny nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, to its own grid. The Greenpeace report, which is available to The New York Times, contains satellite images that show that since early February, Russia has been building more than 50 miles (more than 80 km) of power lines and towers between the occupied Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Berdyansk, along the coast of the Sea of Azov.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Rome, May 29 : A nine-member parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will depart for Denmark on Thursday after concluding a diplomatic outreach visit to Italy, where the team emphasised India's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

The all-party delegation includes Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union Minister M.J. Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran, reflecting a broad political consensus on India's foreign outreach efforts.

In Copenhagen, the Indian parliamentarians will highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India's continuing battle against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

The delegation will interact with Danish parliamentarians, political parties, members of the media, and the Indian diaspora to share the country's position on global terror challenges.

During the Italy leg of the visit, the delegation engaged with key Italian leaders, think tanks, strategic experts, and news agencies to underline India's zero-tolerance and 'new normal' policy toward Pakistan-facilitated cross-border terrorism.

The meetings included discussions with Stefania Craxi, Chairperson of the Italian Senate's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, who echoed India's concerns and proposed stronger bilateral cooperation to address the global threat of terrorism.

"During our visit to Italy, my colleagues from the all-party delegation and I had the privilege of meeting Senator Stefania Craxi, Chair of the Senate's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. We apprised her of India's firm stance against terrorism in all its forms, underscoring our zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism. Senator Craxi echoed our sentiments, emphasising the need for a unified global response to terrorism and proposing enhanced cooperation between India and Italy to tackle this pressing challenge," Prasad posted.

The delegation also engaged with the Indian diaspora and highlighted India's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism. They appreciated the community for its valuable contributions and deep-rooted connections to India.
Washington, May 29 : A senior US diplomat stressed the importance of "fair and reciprocal market access" in discussions with his Indian counterpart, who came amidst ongoing talks on a trade agreement between the two sides.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Wednesday also raised the issue of illegal migrants and counternarcotics in his meeting with the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Deputy Secretary Landau "underscored the importance of fair and reciprocal market access to fostering economic growth and prosperity in both countries," Tammy Bruce, the State Department Spokesperson, said in a readout of the meeting of the two officials.

The US official's emphasis on "fair and reciprocal market access" came amidst reports that the US and India are close to finalising a bilateral trade agreement.

Increased access to the Indian market has been a long-running US demand, cutting across party lines.

Reciprocity in trade has been a cornerstone of President Donald Trump's reshaping of America's relations with all its trading partners, including close allies and partners such as the UK, the EU, Japan and India and competitors such as China.

Earlier this week, a top US official said that a deal with India is imminent and soon.

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was in Washington earlier for talks with Howard Lutnick, the Commerce Secretary who is part of the US team conducting trade talks with multiple partner countries, along with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The US official also raised "the importance of enhanced cooperation on migration and counternarcotics," the spokesperson said without specifying.

His indication was towards the previous instances where Indians were caught illegally crossing into the US, many of whom were later deported to India on American military planes. This process was captured in a heartbreaking video showing them being boarded while in shackles.

The two sides also "reaffirmed their shared desire to maintain regional stability and peace."
New Delhi, May 29 : India will conduct large-scale mock drills across its northern and western border states on Thursday, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir, under the Centre's emergency preparedness initiative -- Operation Shield.

In Punjab, however, the drill will be held separately on June 3, according to an official statement.

These coordinated drills aim to test the readiness of the administration and civil population in the event of emergencies such as air strikes or bomb attacks.

Designed as full-scale simulations, the drills will assess the functionality of control rooms, air raid warning systems, and the efficiency of civil defence services, including warden duties, firefighting, rescue operations, depot management, and evacuation planning.

Sirens will be sounded as part of the drill procedures, and emergency preparedness systems will be examined under close monitoring.

The Civil Defence Department in Rajasthan has already begun issuing instructions to all districts in the state, with a special focus on those bordering Pakistan.

Jodhpur District Collector Gaurav Agarwal confirmed that a mock drill will take place in Jodhpur on Thursday, although the precise timing is yet to be announced.

In Gujarat, the mock drills will be held in every district. The government has announced that registrations will be facilitated on the official portal for those wishing to become civil defence volunteers.

The drills will simulate air attack scenarios and will be conducted at two to three locations in each district.

A blackout will be enforced in the evening as part of the drill, and residents have been urged to actively participate.

Haryana will observe a complete blackout at vital points and strategic locations, excluding emergency and essential services.

The blackout is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and will last till 8:15 p.m.

These developments follow the Ministry of Home Affairs' earlier nationwide drill, Operation Abhyas, held on May 7 -- the same day India launched Operation Sindoor, a military offensive in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Operation Sindoor destroyed nine high-value terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating more than 100 terrorists.

Authorities have reiterated that mock drills play a vital role in strengthening the nation's emergency response framework.

These simulations help evaluate coordination between various arms of administration and civil defence units during crisis situations.

A blackout, an integral part of such exercises, involves switching off all visible lights in a specific area for a designated time.

This wartime tactic is used to make it harder for enemy aircraft to detect and target critical infrastructure during air raids, thereby improving overall defence preparedness under the cloak of darkness.
New Delhi, May 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the golden jubilee celebrations marking 50 years of Sikkim's statehood at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on Thursday.

Marking 50 glorious years of Statehood, the Prime Minister will participate in 'Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth'.

The historic event will commemorate Sikkim's transformation from a monarchy to becoming the 22nd state of India in 1975, following a referendum that led to the merger of the erstwhile Chogyal kingdom with the Indian Union.

The northeastern state, India's second smallest, attained full statehood on May 16, 1975. The accession came with a special constitutional safeguard -- Article 371F -- ensuring the preservation of Sikkim's unique ethnic identity, cultural traditions, and customs.

Over the past five decades, Sikkim has emerged as a model for sustainable development and eco-friendly governance, drawing national and global recognition for its green initiatives and environmental stewardship.

The Sikkim government has planned a year-long series of activities under the theme 'Sunaulo, Samriddha and Samarth Sikkim', celebrating the essence of the north-eastern state's cultural richness, tradition, natural splendour and history.

During his visit, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects, including a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi district; a Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing District; a Statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan at Sangkhola in Gangtok District, among others.

In addition to this, the Prime Minister will release the Commemorative coin, souvenir coin and stamp of 50 years of Statehood.

While PM Modi was originally scheduled to participate in the Statehood Day celebrations on May 16, the visit was deferred due to Operation Sindoor -- India's military response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

In preparation for the high-profile event, the Sikkim government has extended formal invitations to all officers from the rank of Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary (and their equivalents), along with staff from various state departments, public sector undertakings, and central government agencies in Gangtok.

To facilitate the smooth execution of the ceremony, the Sikkim government had earlier issued an advisory, announcing the temporary closure of offices and schools in Gangtok along with vehicular movement restrictions across key routes in the capital city.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will visit Alipurduar in West Bengal, where he will lay the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in the Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts.

This initiative is aimed at expanding clean energy infrastructure in the region.

While PM Modi was originally scheduled to participate in the Statehood Day celebrations on May 16, the visit was deferred due to Operation Sindoor -- India's military response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, May 29 : Early voting for the presidential election began on Thursday at 3,568 polling stations nationwide as voters prepare to elect a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his failed martial law bid.

The two-day voting period began at 6 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m. Friday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).

As of 8 a.m., the voter turnout stood at 2.24 per cent.

Currently, six hopefuls are vying for the presidential office, reports Yonhap news agency.

The latest poll on the presidential election, published Wednesday, showed Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung in the lead at 49.2 per cent, followed by Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party with 36.8 per cent. Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party came in third with 10.3 per cent support.

The single five-year term of the next president will begin immediately following the election.

The DP's Lee will cast his ballot Thursday at 10 a.m. in Sinchon, western Seoul, while Kim is scheduled to vote in Incheon's Gyeyang district during his campaign stop there.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on Wednesday it will mobilise about 6,400 armed police officers to support the transport of ballot boxes for the June 3 presidential election, signalling an intent to quell the controversy over vote rigging.

The agency also said it will deploy about 6,200 police officers to guard or patrol 426 early voting stations and 2,260 main voting stations throughout the capital. In addition, 1,250 officers will be sent to 25 ballot-counting stations to maintain order, it noted.

Police plan to strengthen their security posture during the early voting on Thursday and Friday and enforce the highest-level security alert on June 3, the agency said.
Panama City, May 29 : Panama President Jose Raul Mulino Quintero on Thursday (Indian time) extended his support and understanding of India's resolute stand against terrorism during a meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Panama City and marked a key moment in India's global outreach to garner international backing in the fight against cross-border terrorism.

"The Indian delegation had a constructive and productive discussion with the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino Quintero, at his palace this afternoon. The President graciously expressed his understanding and support for India's fight against terrorism," Tharoor posted on X.

Reflecting a broad national consensus on the issue, the delegation included parliamentarians from across party lines -- Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena, and BJP leaders Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya, along with GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party.

In addition to the meeting with the President, the delegation held discussions with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos. Key topics included Operation Sindoor and India's determination to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

"Had an excellent and constructive conversation with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha at his Ministry today, followed by discussions over lunch. He was accompanied by several of his colleagues, including Vice-Minister Carlos Hoyos, as well as two MPs -- a tribute to the regard in which India is held here," Tharoor noted on X.

"A fruitful meeting of Indian Parliamentary delegation with the President of Panama Jose Raul Mulino at Presidential Palace in Panama City. FM Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez and senior officials were present. President underlined Panama's support for India and opposition to terrorism," posted former Indian diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu, also a part of the delegation, following the meetings.

As part of the visit, the delegation paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by laying floral offerings at his bust at the University of Panama and planting a mango sapling in his memory. Members of the Indian diaspora were also present during the tribute ceremony and engaged with the delegation.

National Assembly President Dana Castaneda, who met the delegation earlier, also affirmed Panama's support for India's efforts.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she said, "The message, which they have conveyed, has been very clearly understood by us. Panama wants to stand with India in this campaign for peace, and we hope that we can defeat terrorism."

The delegation's visit to Panama marked the third leg of Shashi Throor-led parliamentarians who are a part of India's global outreach campaign following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists.

The ongoing international mission is aimed at reinforcing India's message of zero tolerance for terrorism and building global consensus on counterterrorism efforts.
Washington, May 29 : In a significant legal setback to US President Donald Trump, a federal trade court struck down the implementation of his proposed 'Liberation Day' import tariffs, ruling that he exceeded his constitutional authority.

The three-judge panel at the Court of International Trade in Manhattan determined on Wednesday (US time) that Trump's across-the-board duties on countries running trade surpluses with the US violated the scope of powers granted to the presidency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), according to local media reports.

The Trump administration sought to defend the tariffs by referencing the IEEPA, a statute intended to address "unusual and extraordinary" risks during a national emergency.

Officials claimed that Trump's actions were essential to confront a national threat stemming from trade imbalances, especially with nations like China and the European Union.

They warned the court that blocking the tariffs could jeopardise ongoing trade truce negotiations with China and potentially reignite tensions between India and Pakistan.

In court filings, Trump's legal team argued that the President had used his emergency economic powers strategically to de-escalate the situation in South Asia.

They alleged that Trump's tariff threats helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, in which Pakistan-based militants were involved. However, New Delhi has maintained that the Trump administration did not have any say in the conflict between the two nations and Pakistan urged India to halt the military action.

"Trade negotiations are at a delicate stage," officials told the court, pointing to July 7 as the deadline to finalise pending agreements with several countries.

But the court was not persuaded. In its ruling, the panel declared that the President cannot assume "unbounded" authority over trade policy.

"Congress did not delegate unbounded powers to the President under IEEPA," the court said. "The Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations. That authority is not displaced simply because the President invokes emergency powers."

The court clarified that its decision did not assess the wisdom or effectiveness of using tariffs as a policy tool but focused strictly on legality.

"The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the President's use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because federal law does not allow it," the ruling read.

The bench added, "An unlimited delegation of tariff authority would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government."

The ruling came in response to two lawsuits -- one filed by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five small American businesses that rely on imports from targeted countries, and another by 13 US states.

Plaintiffs argued that the tariffs would severely harm their business operations and increase costs, without due legislative process. At least five additional legal challenges to the tariff measures remain pending across the country.

Despite the ruling, the Trump administration filed an immediate notice of appeal, indicating the former President's determination to continue the legal fight.

Trump had unveiled the tariffs on April 2, imposing a baseline 10 per cent duty, with higher rates aimed at countries like China and members of the European Union.

However, the announcement triggered turbulence in financial markets, forcing a temporary pause on several country-specific levies within a week.

In another move to stabilise trade relations, the Trump administration said on May 12 that it would temporarily scale back the steepest tariffs on China while pursuing a broader trade deal.

Both countries agreed to reduce some tariffs on each other for a period of at least 90 days.

In reaction to the court's decision, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller sharply criticised the judiciary, posting on social media: "The judicial coup is out of control."
The UN Security Council is convening an important meeting on Thursday, May 29, at the initiative of Ukraine following the recent Russian attacks, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.

Following recent Russian attacks that led to civilian casualties, we expect strong statements by our partners, reaffirming broad international consensus around the need to force Russia to accept a full ceasefire as the foundation for meaningful peace process, he said on X.

Sybiha said Ukraine would reaffirm its full commitment to advancing peace efforts together with the United States and European partners.

We will also emphasize that as long as Russia stalls the peace process and launches brutal attacks on our country and people, the pressure on the aggressor must continue to mount, the foreign minister stressed.
Seoul, May 29 : North Korea has completed the renovation of a railway station that links the country to Russia across the Tumen River, state media reported on Thursday, in the latest sign of the two countries' closer alignment.

A ceremony marking the completion of the Tumen River Station's renovation was held at the site the previous day, attended by the railway minister, other officials and workers, reports Yonhap, quoting Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"As the Tumen River Station was constructed in accordance with its mission to serve as a border gateway station, it is now capable of guaranteeing passenger convenience at a high level and contributing to railway modernization," the KCNA noted.

Situated just below the Tumen River on North Korea's northeastern border with Russia, the station is connected to Russia's Khasan Station by a bridge.

The North's 512-kilometer-long Tumen River serves as its boundary with both China and Russia.

An official at South Korea's unification ministry said a roof appears to have been installed over the station's platform and waiting room during the renovation to improve convenience for passengers.

The renovation might have involved upgrading customs services for imports and exports, the official said, noting that human and material exchanges between the two countries may increase via the station.

Trains have been carrying people between Tumen River Station and Khasan Station three times a week since passenger rail services were resumed late last year.

North Korea is believed to have renovated the border station amid growing exchanges and cooperation with Russia, following its deployment of troops late last year to support Moscow against Ukraine.

Late last month, the two countries launched the construction of a road bridge linking them across the Tumen River amid deepening bilateral cooperation. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Chennai, May 29 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will virtually inaugurate newly-built houses for 41 displaced Irular families at Melpakkam village near Arakkonam in Ranipet district on Thursday.

The initiative provides permanent rehabilitation to the tribal families who lost their land to a road widening project.

In 2023, the State Highways Department acquired patta lands earlier allotted to these families by the district administration for expanding the Kancheepurama"Arakkonama"Tiruttani Road (SH-58).

As compensation, the department committed to providing new land and constructing houses at a total cost of a6.32 crore.

Each house, built at a cost of a10.70 lakh, spans 355 square feet and includes a living room, bedroom, kitchen and attached toilet.

The new residential enclave also features a community hall with a capacity of 100 people, an Anganwadi centre, a small temple, and a protective compound wall.

To ensure essential amenities, a 30,000-litre overhead tank has been installed for drinking water supply.

Internal roads have been paved with bitumen to facilitate smooth vehicular movement, especially during medical emergencies.

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi, who inspected the site along with District Collector J.U. Chandrakala, interacted with the families and urged them to prioritise education by enrolling their children in nearby schools.

He also instructed officials to plant fruit-bearing saplings across the housing area to provide shade and supplementary income in the future.

The relocation and housing effort is closely linked to a major infrastructure project a" the widening of SH-58 a" as part of the Chennaia"Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor, under the Centreas East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC).

The ECEC aims to connect key coastal cities including Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, and Kanyakumari to promote industrial growth.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank, the highway upgrade covers a 41.77 km stretch between Kancheepuram and Tiruttani.

The road has been expanded into a 10-metre-wide two-lane corridor with stormwater drains, footpaths, 18 small bridges, and 124 culverts.

The project cost is estimated at a359.06 crore and has been under development since mid-2021.

The initiative represents a balanced approach to infrastructure development and social responsibility, ensuring affected communities are not left behind in the path of progress.

a"IANS

aal/rad
Cape Town, May 29 : An all-party delegation led by NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule held extensive meetings with South African leadership in Cape Town, reiterating India's firm and united stand against terrorism.

The visit is part of India's global outreach to raise awareness about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, India's calibrated military response.

According to a statement from the High Commission of India in Pretoria, the delegation met with South African Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong and conveyed India's counter-terrorism approach, which includes holding both terrorists and their enablers accountable through prompt and decisive action.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged the discussion and assured that the matter would be brought to the attention of the South African Presidency, according to the Indian mission.

The delegation also held a detailed discussion with John Steenhuisen, Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Minister of Agriculture, along with other senior DA members.

"DA expressed solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and supported India's resolve to fight cross-border terrorism," the High Commission stated.

Another key engagement was with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, chaired by Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo.

During the meeting, the Indian MPs provided details of the Pahalgam terror attack and emphasised that Operation Sindoor was a focused and non-escalatory response aimed at neutralising the threat posed by cross-border terrorism.

The visit began with a solemn meeting hosted by P. (Les) Govender, Deputy Chairperson of South Africa's National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The session began with a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

The Sule-led parliamentarians highlighted India's unified approach and zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Members of NCOP expressed their solidarity with India and condemned terrorism in all its forms.

Earlier, marking the start of the engagements, the delegation interacted with members of the Indian community in Johannesburg.

"All-party delegation led by MP Supriya Sule interacted with the Indian community in South Africa. They emphasised India's national consensus and collective resolve against terrorism in all its forms. Commended the wholehearted support of Indian diaspora to eradicate the scourge of terrorism," the Indian High Commission posted on X.

The all-party delegation led by Supriya Sule comprises BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur and V. Muraleedharan, Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma, Telugu Desam Party's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikramjeet Singh Sawhney, and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.

The delegation, a part of India's global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, arrived in South Africa following a successful visit to Qatar.
Srinagar, May 29 : Police said on Thursday that it has arrested two hybrid terrorists along with arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) Shopian district.

Srinagar, May 29 (IANS) Police said on Thursday that it has arrested two hybrid terrorists along with arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmiras (J&K) Shopian district.

Police said that two hybrid terrorists were arrested with arms and ammunition by the Army's 44 Rashtriya Rifles, Police, and 178 battalion of the CRPF at Baskuchan Imam Sahib in Shopian district.

aTwo 56 rifles, 4 AK magazines, 102 AK rounds and 2 hand grenades were recovered from their possession. A FIR under relevant sections has been registered against the arrested terrorists," police said.

Army, police and the CRPF have aggressively intensified anti-terrorist operations in J&K after April 22 when Pakistan sponsored and aided Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists killed 26 innocent people including 25 tourists and one local pony owner in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

The entire country was outraged by this cowardly attack carried out by terrorists after segregating the civilians on the basis of their religion.

The local pony owner, Syed Adil Hussain was killed when he tried to snatch the rifle of one of the terrorists after arguing with the terrorists that no religion permitted massacre of unarmed, innocent civilians belonging to any religion or faith.

To avenge the blood of the innocent people, the Indian armed forces carried out precision-guided, target-specific attacks on terror infrastructure in Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur and Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).

In retaliation, Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling on civilian facilities in J&K and 28 civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling, 13 of them in Poonch district.

The districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora were affected by Pakistani shelling. The worst damage to civilian lives and infrastructure were suffered in the Poonch district.

During his April 23 visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had instructed the Army, CAPFs and police to spare no effort in bringing those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice.
New York, May 29 : An Indian-origin man who was the mastermind of a human-smuggling scheme that resulted in the death of a family of four trying to enter the US illegally from Canada was sentenced to just over ten years in prison.

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, was given ten years and one month by federal Judge John Tunheim in Minnesota, who sentenced his accomplice, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, to six years and six months.

Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 39, and Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, 37, and their children, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, 11, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, 3, from Dingucha in Gujarat, froze to death on January 19, 2022, when they were illegally trying to enter the US in a scheme run by Harshkumar Patel.

The temperature in the area along Manitoba Province's border with Minnesota was minus 35 degrees on that day.

Tunheim on Wednesday said the smugglers exploited the victims and callously did nothing to save them.

A jury -- a panel of ordinary citizens -- that heard the case under the US legal system found them guilty last November.

Acting federal prosecutor Lisa Kirkpatrick said, "Every time I think about this case, I think about this family -- including two beautiful little children -- who the defendants left to freeze to death in a blizzard."

Seven others who were in the group that the smugglers were taking across the border survived and were rescued and arrested by US authorities.

One of the survivors, Yash Patel, testified during the trial that they had been dropped off on the Canadian side and told to walk directly in a straight line in blinding snow to where there would be a van waiting on the US side.

Two persons found the van driven by Shand, and US officials encountered them and discovered five others stranded in the area -- one of whom had to be airlifted to a hospital in a serious condition.

The bodies of the family that died were found on the Canadian side by authorities.

In the scheme run by Harshkumar Patel, people, mainly from Gujarat, would get visas to Canada and cross into the US along the border that was not as heavily protected as the southern border with Mexico.

The death of the family drew attention to the smuggling across the Canadian border.

US President Donald Trump announced in February that he was imposing a 25 per cent tariff on Canada for its failure to stop illegal immigration to the US.
Mumbai, May 29 : Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi recently visited the Indo-Pak border in RS Pura, urging people not to let hate define Jammu and Kashmir.

On May 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, in partnership with the Border Security Force (BSF), hosted a special event at the Octroi general area in Suchetgarh to promote border tourism in Jammu. The initiative aims to showcase the region's unique landscape and the resilience of communities living near the border. Huma Qureshi attended the event, warmly engaging with families affected by ceasefire violations and cross-border firing. She also interacted with troops from the BSF and the Indian Army, expressing her support and appreciation for their service.

Qureshi lauded the Indian Army and BSF for their courageous efforts during Operation Sindoor and their unwavering dedication to safeguarding India's borders. In her speech, the actress said, "I came here to boost the morale of our BSF soldiers, our Army personnel, and especially our women soldiers. But instead, you all showered me with so much love that I felt deeply touched. Once again, I realized how lucky we are to have you protecting our borders and ensuring our safety."

"Please do not let hate win. Come to Jammu and Kashmir, come as travelers and go back as believers. It is because of your bravery that peace has been established on our borders. I am thankful to the BSF and the Army. Recent events have made us understand the importance of your role for the country. Jammu and Kashmir is the backbone of India and is standing strong and united, reflecting your courage and sacrifice. I salute you and your families from the core of my heart," she added.

Qureshi further stated, "I just want to say, do not let fear become the identity of Jammu and Kashmir. Let the world witness the peace, strength, and love that truly define the people of the region. Today, we are all standing together with pride and hope, and this is the spirit of Jammu and Kashmir and the spirit of India."

Huma Qureshi participated in a cultural event organized by the Tourism Department in partnership with the BSF at Octroi, known for its weekend 'Wagah-style' ceremony featuring a coordinated beating retreat performed by BSF personnel. Launched in October 2021, this event is part of the government's efforts to promote border tourism in the Jammu region.
Panama, May 29 : Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday hit back at the 'zealots', in an apparent reference to Congress leader Udit Raj and said that his statement on India's evolving counter-terrorism operation were being distorted and twisted for 'vested interests'.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP, while heading from Panama to Bogota (Colombia) - the next destination in India's global outreach mission on Operation Sindoor, took to X on Thursday and stated that he was was clearly and explicitly speaking about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.

Congress leader Udit Raj, rather a section of party leaders, got riled up over Tharoor's praise of Modi government's policy of zero tolerance on terrorism in Panama and took a swipe, dubbing him as the BJP's 'super spokesperson'.

Tharoor ticked off Congress colleague without taking name and wrote on X, "For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC.... I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars."

He further said "critics and trolls" are welcome to distort his views and that he has "better things to do". Tharoor said that his remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB.

The row erupted after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leading a multi-party delegation as part of a global outreach programme, said in recent years, India's stance on terrorism had changed and that terrorists now understand they will face consequences for their actions.

His remark did not go down well with his party colleagues, who launched a scathing attack on him for 'undermining' Congress 'golden history'.

Udit Raj said that Tharoor should be declared the BJP's spokesperson and claimed that the latter was "denigrating the golden history of Congress" by suggesting that, before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, India never crossed the Line of Control (LoC) or international border.

"In 1965, the Indian Army entered Pakistan at multiple points, surprising the Pakistanis in the Lahore sector. In 1971, India split Pakistan into two, and during the UPA government, several surgical strikes were conducted without politicising them. How could you be so dishonest to the party that gave you so much?" Raj posted.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also endorsed Udit Raj's scathing attack on Tharoor by reposting his tweet.
New Delhi, May 29 : BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, on Thursday, cited a declassified letter from former US President Ronald Reagan to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to criticise the Congress party for questioning American involvement in diplomatic efforts between India and Pakistan.

In a post on X, Dubey wrote, "Why does the Congress get angry? When I read this letter, I felt a deep sense of regret."

He shared a copy of the letter, which showed that the US played a central role in shaping the 1988 India-Pakistan nuclear agreement and other regional decisions.

Dubey stated, "President Ronald Reagan sent this letter/telegram to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Under American pressure, we spoke to Pakistani President General Zia. The American President set the agenda for the talks."

He added, "This letter reveals that the 1988 nuclear agreement between India and Pakistan was signed under American pressure. Even our conversations with our friend Soviet Russia on the Afghanistan issue were driven by the American agenda. Is this what the Shimla Agreement stood for? Was this slavish mentality the legacy of the 'Iron Lady'? Were we truly a sovereign nation? And now the Congress attacks Modi ji for strengthening India?"

The excerpt of the letter shared by Dubey reads: "You know my apprehensions regarding nuclear competition in the subcontinent. Your discussions with President Zia next week in Delhi can help set the agenda for peace. I understand that nuclear issues will figure prominently in your talks. We will continue to support regional efforts aimed at achieving nuclear peace in the subcontinent. We are also working bilaterally to enhance non-proliferation prospects, as you asked."

The agreement referred to in the letter is the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed by India and Pakistan on December 31, 1988, and brought into force in 1991.

Dubey's remarks come amid renewed attacks by the Congress party over the Modi government's handling of foreign involvement in India-Pakistan relations and the cessation of Operation Sindoor, which was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Dubey went a step further, questioning the rationale behind India's military deployment in Sri Lanka in the 1980s, suggesting it, too, may have been influenced by Washington.

"According to this letter, it seems that even in Sri Lanka, we sent the army to kill Tamil brothers only under American pressure?" he wrote.
Kolkata, May 29 : A group of 'untainted' teachers in West Bengal, who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order last month in the cash-for-job case, reached Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's official residence on Thursday morning to meet her and update her on their condition.

However, the teachers, who turned up at the Chief Minister's residence without an appointment, did not get the chance to meet Mamata Banerjee.

They were taken away by the security personnel deployed near the Chief Minister's official residence at Kalighat in South Kolkata.

A city police officer said that on Thursday morning, suddenly, a group of five teachers, all women, arrived at the doorsteps of the Chief Minister's residence with a plea to meet her, without a prior appointment.

The police personnel there denied them entry and explained to them that meeting the Chief Minister without a prior appointment was not possible.

However, the women teachers started arguing with them.

Soon the security personnel, with the assistance of female cops, first detained them, put them into a police van, and took them away from near the Chief Minister's residence. They were taken to the nearby Kalighat Police Station for interrogation.

The five detained teachers are Sahani Naznin, Rupa Karmakar, Shilpi Chakraborty, Nur Amina Gulshan and Sangeeta Saha.

During the altercations with the police personnel, Saha told media persons that since they did not have the time to seek an appointment, they came directly to the Chief Minister's residence.

"Since the beginning, we had been seeking appointments with the Chief Minister. We had a hope that the Chief Minister would understand what we had been going through," she said.

Earlier this week, the Chief Minister announced that the West Bengal School Service Commission's (WBSSC) notification for fresh recruitments to vacant posts for teaching and non-teaching jobs will be issued on May 30.

She stated that even the 'untainted' teachers, who had lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order in the cash-for-job case, would have to appear for the written examination for recruitment.

However, insiders from the state secretariat said that the notification might be issued by Thursday evening.

On April 3, a Supreme Court Bench while upholding a previous order of the Calcutta High Court, which annulled 25,753 school appointments made through the WBSSC, also directed the state government to start a fresh recruitment process by issuing notifications or advertisements for the same by May 31.

Since the teachers who had got their jobs without paying any money had been insisting that they would not appear for a fresh written examination, the Chief Minister clarified that after the Supreme Court's order, there was no other option before them but to appear for the test.
Los Angeles, May 29 : Legendary action star Jackie Chan, who is reprising his role for "Karate Kid: Legends", has finally opened up about the the long-gestating "Rush Hour 4", for which he assured he's still interested in reuniting with co-star Chris Tucker, more than 25 years after the original.

Los Angeles, May 29 (IANS) Legendary action star Jackie Chan, who is reprising his role for "Karate Kid: Legends", has finally opened up about the the long-gestating "Rush Hour 4", for which he assured he's still interested in reuniting with co-star Chris Tucker, more than 25 years after the original.

He told ScreenRant: "I don't know. Ask the director, ask the studio, ask the writer. Hurry up! Otherwise, Chris Tucker and me (will be) 100 years old. We'll be old men doing Rush Hour."

In 2017, Chan said he and Tucker had finally agreed on a script for Rush Hour 4, reports deadline.com.

The pair previously starred together in director Brett Ratner's Rush Hour in 1998, Rush Hour 2 in 2001 and Rush Hour 3 in 2007, which earned a combined $850 million worldwide.

Additionally, Chan said: "I want to do" a followup to Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights, which will be titled Shanghai Dawn.

"The script is still going on," he said.

Back in 2016, Chan and Owen Wilson were developing another Shanghai Noon sequel for MGM with Jared Hess attached to direct, from a story by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough and a script by Theodore Riley and Aaron Buchsbaum.

"Rush Hour" focusses on two cops from different cultures, who cannot stand each other, team up to save the kidnapped 11-year-old daughter of a diplomat. With time running out, they must nab the criminals and save the girl.

Talking about 'Karate Kid: Legends,' Jackie Chan has returned to the Karate Kid franchise after a 15-year hiatus, reprising his iconic role as Mr. Han in the new installment.

Unlike previous chapters set in China, this sequel takes place in the vibrant streets of New York City, where Mr. Han's path crosses once again with Daniel LaRusso, portrayed once more by Ralph Macchio.
Contacts between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the American side are expected quite soon, said Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi, adding that he cannot provide more information yet.

"Contacts between the minister and the American side are expected quite soon. I cannot go into details. I think you will soon receive more information, but yes, certain contacts are planned," Tykhyi said during a live broadcast on the X social network on Thursday.

The spokesperson emphasized that Ukraine is conducting a regular, consistent dialogue with the United States, therefore the Ukrainian and American sides "are constantly in dialogue at all levels.

"There will be contact between Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the American side quite soon. I will not go into details, because it is a normal diplomatic practice to keep some things secret before they become public," Tykhyi added.
Mumbai, May 29 : Actress Bhumi Pednekar recently offered a glimpse into what keeps her spirits soaring on set.

In a candid moment, she shared how she often "gets high" on life while working. Taking to Instagram, Bhumi shared photos of herself from the sets, writing, "Bun maska and chai gets me high :)))" In the images, the Bhakshak actress is seen enjoying tea with bun maska. In the video, Pednekar could be heard saying, "Bread, butter, and chai ultimate."

Bhumi Pednekar shared a series of photos from the sets, capturing the cozy mood of a rainy-day shoot. Along with her post, she used hashtags like #monsoons, #onset, #filming, #BhumiPednekar, and #chai  perfectly summing up her love for simple pleasures during a busy filming schedule.

Professionally, the 'Badhaai Do' actress was most recently seen in the series "The Royals," which also starred Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman. Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, the romantic comedy centered on a once-wealthy royal family in present-day India, facing financial hardships. Their fate begins to change when the family's heir partners with a hospitality entrepreneur to transform their ancestral palace into a high-end resort.

In the show, Bhumi Pednekar played Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, the CEO of Work Potato and the love interest of Fizzy. The series premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025, and was renewed for a second season on May 28.

Bhumi is next gearing up for the release of the psychological thriller "Daldal." In an Instagram post, the actress had opened up about her character in the upcoming web series. Reflecting on what she described as a year-long journey, she shared her excitement and nervousness about portraying a role she considers one of the most complex and layered of her career.

Bhumi wrote, "Hands down one of my most complex characters. I'm nervous! I had the opportunity to work with such sublime actors and creators on the show. We braved the Mumbai monsoons, shot in the toughest conditions, and yet our spirits could never be dampened. Kudos to us all. Thank you Vikram for constantly bringing me parts that challenge me and for believing in me. This is our third project together, and I just love you."
Chennai, May 29 : Veteran Tamil actor Rajesh, celebrated for his versatile performances across more than 150 films in South Indian cinema, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 75.

Rajesh breathed his last at his residence in Ramapuram, Chennai. His body has been placed there for the public to pay their final respects.

He is survived by his daughter Divya and son Deepak. His wife, Joan Sylvia, had predeceased him.

Born on December 20, 1949, in Mannargudi in Tamil Naduas Tiruvarur district, Rajesh began his professional journey as a schoolteacher.

However, driven by a passion for acting, he eventually left teaching and made a foray into films a" a decision that marked the beginning of an illustrious and impactful career in Indian cinema.

Rajesh made his acting debut in 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai' (1974), a critically-acclaimed Tamil film directed by K. Balachander.

His talent was quickly recognised, and he went on to play the lead role in 'Kanni Paruvathile' (1979), produced by Rajkannu, which marked his breakthrough as a hero.

Over the decades, Rajesh became a familiar and respected figure across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and other South Indian language films.

Known for his expressive performances and commanding screen presence, he seamlessly transitioned between lead, supporting, and character roles.

In addition to acting, Rajesh was also an accomplished dubbing artist, lending his voice to several notable projects.

His deep, distinctive voice and emotive delivery added dimension to many characters.

He shared screen space with several leading stars and worked under the direction of some of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the industry.

His association with director K. Balachander remained particularly significant. In 'Achamillai Achamillai', Rajesh delivered one of his most powerful performances, earning praise for his nuanced portrayal of political transformation.

Rajesh also had memorable collaborations with actor Kamal Haasan, appearing in films such as 'Sathya', 'Mahanadhi', and 'Virumaandi', where his character roles left a lasting impression on audiences.

Colleagues and fans alike remember Rajesh not only for his talent but also for his humility and dedication to the craft of cinema. His passing marks the end of an era, and the Tamil film industry mourns the loss of a true artist whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

a"IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 : The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is set to organise a conference on the importance of utilising artificial intelligence (AI) for empowering persons with disabilities (PwDs).

The conference will be held in collaboration with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) on May 30 in Bengaluru.

"This pioneering initiative aims to spotlight the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in creating inclusive, accessible, and assistive solutions for persons with disabilities (PwDs)," the Ministry said.

The conference is expected to bring together eminent academicians, technologists, innovators, policymakers, startups, and stakeholders from across the globe to discuss, demonstrate, and deliberate on cutting-edge AI applications that enhance the quality of life for PwDs.

In addition to panel discussions, the event will also witness a series of launches including mission AI Accessibility; mission AI: Implementation of AI in Assistive Technology and Tools for Empowering PwDs; National Disability Support AI Chat Bot; Unified Benefits Interface (UBI).

The day-long conference will see sessions showcasing innovative approaches in AI and assistive technology. Real-life stories of transformation will also be shared by leading entrepreneurs, changemakers, and beneficiaries of assistive technology solutions.

Further, startups under the India AI Challenge (MeitY) and other global innovators will showcase their breakthroughs in assistive tools for developmental, visual, hearing, and multiple disabilities. Key participants will include Dot Inc (South Korea), Torchit, Sunbots Innovations, Sohum Innovation Labs, Indic AI, Barrier Break, Khyaal, among others.

The conference will conclude with an Interactive Q&A Session, followed by the 'Way Forward' address by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary (DEPwD), paving a strategic roadmap for inclusive AI development.

The event will offer stakeholders a platform to build collaborations and ideate further on future-ready, inclusive technology solutions.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 29 : The P.V. Anvar issue continues to simmer within the Congress party in Kerala, but unlike in the past, the grand old party appears to be holding firm despite veiled threats and political overtures.

Anvar, who won the Nilambur Assembly seat in 2016 and 2021 with the support of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), resigned from the post in January.

On both occasions, he had defeated Congress candidates. His resignation, however, was welcomed by the Congress, which saw an opportunity to reclaim a seat that has long been considered a party stronghold -- having lost it only thrice since 1965.

The Nilambur bypoll is scheduled for June 19, and the Congress has named Aryadan Shoukath as its candidate, who has already hit the campaign trail. The LDF and the BJP-led NDA are yet to announce their candidates.

Initially, Anvar's pledge to support the Congress -- even declaring he would back "even a stick" fielded by the party -- was met with enthusiasm. But the mood soured recently when Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan made it clear that any decision to induct Anvaras party, the All India Trinamool Congress, into the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) would be deferred.

A visibly upset Anvar expressed hope of meeting AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal during the latteras visit to Malappuram. However, Venugopal declined the meeting, reportedly advising Anvar to resolve the matter with the state leadership first.

State Congress president Sunny Joseph on Thursday said he remains hopeful that Anvar will introspect and that a positive resolution is still possible.

Senior Congress leader and former party president Ramesh Chennithala stated that discussions were ongoing and the situation was improving.

However, not everyone in the party is as conciliatory.

Senior Lok Sabha MP Rajmohan Unnithan drew a sharp comparison between Anvar and P.C. George, the former government Chief Whip during the Oommen Chandy tenure, who was eventually ousted for repeatedly disrupting the administration.

"Anvar is attempting to replicate the P.C. George playbook. He has already said several things against the Congress, and under no circumstances will the party yield to his tactics. It is Anvar who needs the Congress, not the other way around," Unnithan said.

Anvar is expected to reveal his plans in the next few days. But as things stand, a misstep now could prove politically costly -- more for him than for anyone else.
New Delhi, May 29 : Japanese automaker Nissan has announced that it is moving ahead with its plan to invest a700 million in India over the next two years.

New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) Japanese automaker Nissan has announced that it is moving ahead with its plan to invest 700 million in India over the next two years.

This investment will go towards the launch of multiple new vehicles between 2025 and 2027, reinforcing the company's long-term commitment to the Indian market.

Despite recent headlines about Nissan selling its majority 51 per cent stake in its manufacturing plant to alliance partner Renault, the company has made it clear that it is not exiting India.

Instead, Nissan is doubling down on its presence with a focus on product development and production expansion.

At a recent media briefing, Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director of Nissan Motor India, strongly denied speculation about a potential exit or shutdown in the country.

"Nissan is not going anywhere. We are staying in India," Vatsa stated. Dismissing any rumours of an exit or downsizing, Vatsa emphasised that the company's domestic strategy remains unchanged.

"There are no changes in domestic strategies and there are no plans for job cuts," he said, underlining the company's continued focus on growth.

As evidence of this commitment, he pointed to the substantial $700 million investment Nissan is making in India, alongside an additional $1.8 million investment from the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

"The proof is in the pudding," Vatsa added, noting that pre-production of upcoming models has already begun and all plans for local and export markets are fully on track.

He also confirmed that pre-production work on two upcoming vehicles has already started.

As part of its expansion strategy, Nissan plans to increase its production capacity in India to 200,000 vehicles by the financial year 2026-27.

Half of this output -- about 100,000 units -- is expected to be exported to overseas markets.

This announcement comes as Nissan celebrates a major milestone in the country, having sold over two lakh units of its popular Magnite SUV.
Chennai, May 29 : The Tamil Nadu government has proposed a revision in bus fares across the state and has initiated a process to gather public opinion before finalising the move.

The proposed fare hike comes as part of a larger effort to address rising operational costs and modernise the public transport system. The public has been encouraged to submit their suggestions and objections regarding the fare hike either in person or by post to the office of the Transport and Road Safety Commissioner at Guindy, Chennai, said the officials.

The government has assured that feedback from commuters will be taken into serious consideration before a final decision is made.

The move to seek public opinion underscores the significance of bus transport in Tamil Nadu, where state-run buses remain the primary mode of travel for a vast majority of people, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

With lakhs of commuters depending on government buses for their daily travel, any change in fare structure is expected to have a direct impact on household expenses and overall cost of living.

Transport department officials stated that the fare revision was long overdue, with the last fare hike implemented in 2018. Over the years, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has faced growing financial burdens due to rising fuel prices, maintenance costs, and employee wages.

Officials argue that a moderate hike in fares is essential to keep the transport system running efficiently without compromising service quality or frequency.

While the government has not disclosed the exact percentage of the proposed increase, sources indicate that the hike will be implemented in a phased manner to minimise the burden on regular commuters.

Special categories such as students, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers are likely to continue receiving concessions even after the fare revision.

Public responses will be accepted for a limited period, after which the feedback will be compiled and reviewed by a designated committee. Based on the findings, the final decision on fare revision will be taken and announced officially.

The government has urged citizens to actively participate in the feedback process, emphasising that an inclusive decision-making approach will ensure the best outcome for both the public and the transport system.
Khartoum, May 29 : Sudanese health authorities announced emergency measures to combat a recent cholera surge in the country, with 90 per cent of new cases concentrated in Khartoum State.

Federal Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim outlined actions including the establishment of isolation centres, securing medical supplies, ensuring water safety, and launching public hygiene campaigns.

"Local authorities in Khartoum State should intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to practice proper hand hygiene before and after meals, treat drinking water safely, dispose of waste responsibly, and take measures to reduce the spread of flies," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Fath Al-Rahman Mohamed Al-Amin, director-general of the Khartoum State Ministry of Health, confirmed that 13 isolation centres have been set up across major hospitals.

"These centres were established to ensure full preparedness for isolating patients and limiting the spread of the disease," Al-Amin said in a statement.

A vaccination campaign targeting individuals over one-year-old began on Wednesday, reaching 26 per cent of its first-day goal with 30,204 people inoculated, the Sudanese Ministry of Health said in a statement. This marks the initial phase of a plan to vaccinate 3 million people across Khartoum State.

The ministry noted in an epidemiological report published Wednesday that the recovery rate among cholera patients in Khartoum's isolation centers had increased over the past two days, with 530 patients discharged during the period.

On Tuesday, the ministry announced a surge in the country's cholera cases, with 2,729 infections and 172 deaths recorded within a single week.

According to Sudan's Federal Emergency Operations Centre, cumulative cholera cases in the country had reached 60,993 as of May 6, including 1,632 deaths, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the World Health Organisation, Cholera has been known for many centuries. The first pandemic, or global epidemic, was recorded in the 19th century. Since then, six pandemics have killed millions of people worldwide. The current (seventh) pandemic started in south Asia and continues to affect populations globally.
Jakarta, May 29 : The all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, held an insightful interaction with scholars and researchers from Indonesia-based think tanks and academia and said that India will not make any distinction hereafter between terrorists and countries that promote them.

The delegation sought support to jointly explore ways to combat the menace of terrorism while presenting India's strong and unified message of zero tolerance to maintain peace and regional stability.

Addressing the event, Jha appreciated the Government of Indonesia and President Prabowo Subianto for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressing solidarity with the people of India, highlighting that such atrocities are unjustifiable.

He represented a unified and bipartisan voice of India determined to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"Today, we are meeting with a prominent think tank and member of academia, which serves as an invaluable catalyst in formulating counter-terrorism policies. The purpose of this interaction is to brief India's point of view and our strategy to tackle the menace of terrorism, henceforth emanating from Pakistan. The terrorist attack on Jammu and Kashmir is carried out with nefarious design to disrupt normalcy and to promote communal disharmony in India," said Jha

Asserting India's position on terrorism, Jha stated, "India will not accept any nuclear blackmail, those who shelter and promote terrorists cannot hide behind the so-called nuclear umbrella, adding that any further terrorist incidents in the country will be met with resolute and decisive military actions."

"India, along with other countries like Indonesia, has a zero tolerance for terrorism, and to implement this, India will not make any distinction hereafter between terrorists and countries that promote them," he further stated.

The parliamentarian also stated that the Indian delegation held productive official meetings, including the Vice Chairman of Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, the Chairperson of the India-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship group, the secretary general of ASEAN and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, where the Indonesian side conveyed unequivocal condemnation for the act of terrorism and supported India's policy of zero tolerance for terrorism.

"We have been holding interactions and seeking support from Indonesia in locating terrorism, its backers, and financiers, sponsors at all crucial international forums and intergovernmental organisations. In the fight against terrorism, there is no neutral voice, every country needs to be together to fight terrorism," Jha stated.

"Every stakeholder, including think tanks and academia, has to play its role to counter extremist narrative and combat terrorism in all its forms. Today, we seek support from the think tank community and academia community in Indonesia who influence and enable policymakers to draft strategies for the future," he added.

The delegation led by Jha includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and Former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.

Speaking to IANS, the members of the delegation mentioned the series of positive engagements where they conveyed India's firm stance in combating Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

"We received a very positive response during our engagements here. Indonesia is a multicultural society with a Muslim majority, yet there is great respect here for India's stance," said Jha

Another member, BJP MP Brij Lal, said, "There has been very good engagement in Indonesia. We spoke with the leaders here, then yesterday evening, we interacted with ASEAN ambassadors, and today, we met with think tanks. We shared India's position with them. We said that India is a peace-loving country. We are now the world's fourth-largest economy and aim to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047."

"On the contrary, our neighbour's mindset is not right. From time to time, it engages in terrorist activities, which hinder our development. We conveyed India's position following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent attacks on terror bases in Pakistan when they did not take any action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated any further terrorist activities in India would be considered as a war against India," he added.

Congress MP Salman Khurshid also said that Indonesia has given a positive response to India's action on terrorism.

"Before coming here, we were informed that we should observe how active Pakistan has been in this region and what narratives have been shared. But I am very pleased to see that Indonesia's outlook is very positive. Their experiences and situations closely resemble those of our country. We received a very positive response from here. The people of Indonesia are also concerned about terrorism and have faced it themselves. They fully understand our concerns and challenges," he said.

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi said, "The experience in Indonesia has been very positive. All members of our delegation met with local politicians and interacted with a large number of citizens. It would not be an exaggeration to say that everyone here stands firmly against terrorism. There is a strong desire among all to eliminate terrorism. Everyone believes that India is a peace-loving country and does not tolerate terrorism."

"India remains focused on its development. If Pakistan promotes terrorism, the international community will oppose it. We visited Japan, South Korea and Singapore before coming to Indonesia... Everyone opposed terrorism and vouched for peace and stability. Our visit has been successful till now, and all countries are standing with India in this difficult time," she added.
Kochi, May 29 : The scientists of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have embarked on a two-week-long outreach programme to directly engage with fish farmers and fishermen across the country as part of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' programme of the Central government.

'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is a nationwide campaign by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with state governments.

Around 2,000 teams, comprising scientists and experts from 113 ICAR institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) along with field officers from state- level departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, as well as innovative farmers, will be part of this campaign, which is aimed to reach around 1.5 crore farmers in the country.

CMFRI will leverage this campaign to popularise its cutting-edge technologies with an aim to enhance India's mariculture production through wider adoption.

CMFRI scientists will now visit villages, demonstrating and explaining advanced practices such as cage fish farming, marine ornamental fish farming, mussel farming, oyster farming, seaweed cultivation, innovative fish breeding technologies, and scientific coastal aquaculture.

CMFRI Director Grinson George said the community will be given awareness on a range of technologies and the prospects of seaweed farming and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA).

"CMFRI envisions increased productivity with a target of 2.5 million tonnes of fish production from mariculture by 2047 against the current estimate of a meagre 1.5 lakh tonnes. To a great extent, effective adoption of innovative technologies will help to achieve this target. We would also focus on boosting start-up enterprises in the sector by offering guidance and technical support," said George.

In Kerala, CMFRI's outreach teams, comprising 36 scientists, will visit all districts, collaborating closely with the respective KVKs.

Similarly, all the Centres of the Institute located in various coastal states will take part in the campaign in their respective regions.

"A landmark initiative in connecting scientists and farmers, this direct engagement will greatly help fishery scientists tailor their research work and development efforts to fulfil the community's demands more effectively," said George.

Beyond technology awareness, the CMFRI teams will also collect crucial feedback, remarks, and responses from the farming and fishing communities to understand the specific issues and challenges faced by farmers.

"The scientists will listen to the issues of the stakeholders and foster a strong connection with them.

'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is a significant effort to ensure that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for the grassroots, added George.
Mumbai, May 29 : Swiggy's stock has taken a sharp hit in 2025, falling by 41 per cent, so far, this year and trading below its IPO listing price since February 6.

The drop reflects growing investor concerns over widening losses, rising competition, and uncertainty around the company's path to profitability.

In the January-March quarter (Q4) of FY25, Swiggy reported a net loss of Rs 1,081 crore, a significant downward slide from Rs 799 crore in the same period last fiscal.

This widened quarterly loss came despite an increase in order volumes and rising revenue, as heavy investments in its quick commerce segment continue to weigh on overall performance.

The company's annual losses also surged, reaching Rs 3,116 crore in FY25, up 35 per cent from Rs 2,350 crore in FY24, according to its latest regulatory filings.

Adjusted EBITDA loss stood at Rs 732 crore for the March quarter, driven by aggressive growth spending in Swiggy's quick commerce business, particularly through Instamart.

While Swiggy's revenue rose to Rs 5,609 crore in the March quarter -- up from Rs 3,668 crore a year ago -- analysts remain concerned about the company's ability to control cash burn and turn a profit.

Competitors like Zomato, through its Blinkit arm, have ramped up their presence in the quick commerce space, putting additional pressure on Swiggy's margins.

Swiggy CEO Sriharsha Majety defended the company's performance, calling FY25 a "year of many firsts," highlighting the launch of new apps like Instamart, Snacc, and Pyng.

He noted, "Our food delivery engine delivered best-ever results across innovation and execution, driving category-leading growth and rising profitability in lockstep."

He also said the out-of-home consumption business became profitable in Q4.

Despite these positive developments, the market remains sceptical. Swiggy has not regained momentum post-IPO and has spent nearly four months trading below its debut price.

Brokerages note that while the core food delivery segment remains stable, the quick commerce division -- though fast-growing -- continues to be the main drag on profitability.
Businessman Oleksandr Yaroslavsky's DCH Group announced that searches were conducted on Thursday in the office premises of enterprises in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.

According to the group's press release, on Thursday, May 29, operatives of the Department of Strategic Investigations under the leadership of Andriy Rubel and investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police conducted searches, in particular, seizing documentation, computer equipment, and data storage devices, etc.

DCH states that it considers these mass searches to be illegal, as they exert unjustified pressure on the group's business activities, and as a consequence of the fact that previous illegal actions of law enforcement officers were appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office, the General Administrative Court of the National Police of Ukraine, and the State Administrative Court of the National Police of Ukraine.

"The latest actions of the National Police are a gross violation of the norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Constitution. This is politically motivated pressure on legal business. Such investigative actions can be qualified as persecution. They cannot be applied to a business that operates openly, reports, pays taxes, and constantly cooperates with law enforcement officers on all issues," DCH legal advisor Olena Lysytska said.

The press release specifies that on May 29, 2025, investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine, together with operational officers of the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine, conducted large-scale searches of employees and legal addresses of enterprises of the DCH group of companies within the framework of criminal proceedings No. 42022000000000719 dated June 16, 2022. The formal justification was the application of the procedure under Part 3 of Article 233 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine  without a ruling from the investigating judge.

It is stated that in some cases, forced entry into housing was carried out by breaking the door; personal and work property was seized without an inventory and procedural registration; the right to a lawyer was denied, violating Article 59 of the Constitution of Ukraine and Article 20 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Part 3 of Article 233 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, which is used as a basis for searches, is provided exclusively for urgent cases, when it comes to direct observation of the commission of a crime and the need for an urgent response. In the same case, the proceedings were opened in 2022; in 2023, searches were already carried out in compliance with the procedure; no new facts that would justify the urgency have arisen; no representative or employee of DCH companies has the status of a suspect.

The company recalls that the searches are being carried out again. On May 10, 2023, searches were already carried out at the same addresses and within the same proceedings, but on the basis of decisions of investigating judges of Pechersky District Court of Kyiv. According to the results of previous investigative actions, the seized property was returned to the owners only after filing numerous complaints and court decisions, including after more than a year, and sometimes after almost two years. Moreover, on May 22 and 23, 2025, representatives of the companies filed complaints with the Prosecutor General's Office, the General Directorate of the National Police and the Special Directorate of the National Police  precisely regarding the unlawful pressure on the companies within the framework of this proceeding. In response, on May 29, a second wave of unfounded searches was carried out throughout the territory of Ukraine.

"We are accused of fictitiousness of enterprises. What kind of fictitiousness can we talk about when the enterprises of the DCH group are an operating business with real economic activity, which pays billions in taxes to the state budget of Ukraine. They are employers for thousands of citizens and play an important role in the domestic economy. According to the results of 2024, the companies of the DCH group paid UAH 2.3 billion in tax payments," Head of the DCH public relations department Yevhen Moroz said.

On May 22, 2025, during the pretrial investigation, a letter from one of the shareholders of PJSC Ukrtatnafta was officially attached, which clearly states that Oleksandr Yaroslavsky never had any influence on decision-making in PJSC Ukrtatnafta, did not receive any dividends, did not have indirect beneficial ownership and did not control the activities of the company.

As noted in the press release, information appeared in the information field that the shareholder of DCH Yaroslavsky is currently wanted by Interpol. This information is not true: currently the shareholder of DCH has no status in the specified criminal case.

"DCH Group companies challenge illegal actions in court, appeal to authorities and international institutions to protect their rights and reputation, and inform the public and partners about real threats to the rule of law in Ukraine," legal representative of DCH Group companies, lawyer, CEO and partner of ProfiLegal law firm Viktoria Levchenko said.

DCH Investment Management is a financial and industrial group of companies that manages investments in ore mining and metallurgy, mechanical engineering, real estate, insurance, banking and hotel business. It has many years of experience in effective investment in Ukraine.
New Delhi, May 29 : In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested Jameel Ahmad, the alleged mastermind of a major drug trafficking syndicate who had been absconding for six years, it said on Thursday.

Ahmadas arrest marks a significant milestone in the Delhi Police's ongoing crackdown on narcotics under its 'Zero Tolerance' policy and the broader objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA).

The case dates back to June 2019, when the then Narcotics Cell (now ANTF) of the Crime Branch seized 500 kg of ganja from a truck at Metcalfe Bus Stand, Kashmere Gate. Three persons -- Aslam Khan and Mausam Khan, both from Nuh district in Haryana, and Jakam Khan from Alwar, Rajasthan -- were arrested in connection with the consignment.

They revealed during interrogation that the ganja had been procured from Odisha at the behest of Jameel Ahmad, a resident of Pinangwan village in Nuh, Haryana.

A chargesheet was filed against the three arrested individuals, and their trial is ongoing. Despite multiple efforts by the police and the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea Ahmad remained untraceable for years.

In early 2025, a fresh team was formed to pursue the case.

After sustained efforts and intelligence gathering, the team located and arrested Jameel Ahmad on May 8 at his residence in Pinangwan village.

Investigations revealed that after the 2019 arrests, Ahmad had fled to Mumbai and took up work in event management. To evade arrest, he frequently changed his mobile phone and rarely visited home, though he occasionally returned to see his children.

During interrogation, Ahmad disclosed that he had procured the ganja from two individuals -- Gabriel and Paul -- both residents of Odisha.

A police team was dispatched to Tikmala village in Gajapati district, Odisha, to track them down.

Gabriel was found to be a known drug smuggler who cultivated ganja in the nearby hills and had previously been arrested in 2020 by PS R. Udaygiri for cultivating ganja worth Rs 17 crore. His search is currently ongoing.

The arrest of Jameel Ahmad is being hailed as a major success for the ANTF, further strengthening its efforts to dismantle drug networks operating across states.
Stavanger, May 29 : Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju took down world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in a seemingly equal endgame, cementing his title credentials with a bold performance. This win could not come in a better moment for the Indian prodigy following two painful losses in the first two rounds.

Stavanger, May 29 (IANS)A Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju took down world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in a seemingly equal endgame, cementing his title credentials with a bold performance. This win could not come in a better moment for the Indian prodigy following two painful losses in the first two rounds.

On the opening day of Norway Chess, Gukesh suffered a loss at the hands of world No.1 Magnus Carlsen. He then lost to Arjun Erigaisi in the tension-filled all-Indian encounter but the world champion bounced back in round three with a win over Nakamura.

Fabiano Caruana has rebounded impressively after losing in the first round, with another win. This time against Indian star Erigaisi. With this win, he took over the world number 3 spot from Erigaisi in the live rating list.

The only draw came between world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and Wei Yi. Magnus Carlsen seemed to get some pressure out of the opening but was unable to get anything substantial against Wei Yias superb defence. In the Armageddon game, Wei Yi found a clever move. In the following complicated position, Carlsen made a mistake and Wei Yi won a beautiful game.

The Norway Chess Womenas tournament again saw action with a decisive win for the Indian star Humpy Koneru against Sarasadat Khademalsharieh. Humpy Koneru managed to obtain a better position out of the opening. With excellent play, she kept adding pressure until she gained an advantage. This proved enough to secure the win.

Meanwhile, both remaining games, Tingjie Lei against Anna Muzychuk, and Vaishali Rameshbabu against Ju Wenjun, were decided in Armageddon, reflecting the tightly contested nature of the womenas field. Anna Muzychuk and Wenjun Ju managed to win their Armageddon games, getting the extra points.
Jaipur, May 29 : Security agencies have arrested a government employee in Jaisalmer on charges of espionage. The accused, Shakoor Khan, currently employed as a clerk at the Mangalia District Employment Office had recently travelled to Pakistan without obtaining departmental permission.

He was formerly the personal secretary of ex-minister Saleh Mohammad in 2008, during his tenure as the MLA from Pokhran.

According to reports, the authorities discovered several Pakistani phone numbers in his phone which Shakoor Khan couldnat explain. He also confessed that he had travelled to Pakistan at least seven times in recent years.

Officials revealed that acting on Intelligence inputs, security personnel detained Shakoor Khan from the employment office and began questioning him regarding his visit.

Sources confirmed that Shakoor, a resident of Mangalia Ki Dhani in Baroda village, is being interrogated by the Joint Investigation Committee.

Multiple agencies are collaborating to probe the matter further as Shakoor Khan was found to have phone numbers associated with Pakistan stored on his device, officials said.

The arrest comes amid heightened security across India following 'Operation Sindoor', launched in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly civilians, were killed.

Given the strategic sensitivity of Jaisalmer due to its proximity to the Indo-Pak border, agencies are closely monitoring all suspicious activities. As of now, no official statement has been released by authorities regarding the case.

The Joint Investigation Committee is questioning Shakoor Khan, who was caught from the employment office on Wednesday night.

Various investigation agencies are working together to get to the bottom of this matter, said officials, adding, "Shakoor is being questioned for travelling to Pakistan without informing the department despite being a government employee."

"There were inputs about Shakoor Khan that he could be involved in spying for Pakistan. He was on surveillance following inputs and was detained last night," media reports quoted an official as saying.

A joint interrogation was conducted in Jaisalmer following which the team left for Jaipur with Shakoor Khan.
New Delhi, May 29 : The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Ahmedabad has ordered the freezing and attachment of all bank accounts and lockers belonging to Gensol Engineering Limited and its associated entities.

The action follows a complaint filed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), which has accused the company of serious corporate fraud and financial misconduct.

The tribunal granted urgent interim relief to the government, allowing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks' Association to take swift steps to secure Gensolas financial assets.

The aim is to prevent any further misuse of funds or tampering with evidence. The NCLT also stated that there is initial proof suggesting grave misconduct by the companyas promoters.

It has ordered notices to be sent to all involved parties and scheduled the next hearing for June 3.

This development comes just weeks after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) took strict action against Gensolas top promoters, Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi.

On April 15, SEBI barred both from accessing the securities market and from holding key management roles.

The regulatoras investigation revealed that Gensol had diverted funds raised through a loan-financed electric vehicle (EV) purchase scheme.

According to SEBI, Gensol took loans worth Rs 975 crore to buy 6,400 EVs but ended up purchasing only 4,704 vehicles at a cost of Rs 567.73 crore.

Over Rs 200 crore could not be accounted for, raising red flags about possible fund misuse.

Adding to the companyas troubles, credit rating agencies ICRA and Care Ratings downgraded Gensolas Rs 2,050 crore debt to default status in February.

This included more than Rs 1,640 crore in long-term loans and over Rs 400 crore in short-term borrowings.

When questioned about the sudden downgrade, Gensol reportedly submitted fake letters claiming they had been regular with their debt payments.

These letters were supposedly issued by state-run lenders IREDA and Power Finance Corporation (PFC), but both lenders later denied providing any such documents.

Investigations also revealed that the company began defaulting on its payments as early as December 2024, even though it continued to assure rating agencies that repayments were being made on time.

In light of these developments, Gensol has been asked to postpone a stock split it had recently announced.

SEBI has also ordered the appointment of a forensic auditor to thoroughly review the companyas financial records and those of related parties.

--IANS

pk/na
Bengaluru, May 29 : The Karnataka BJP has accused the Congress-led government of "aiding and abetting" communal strife in the state's coastal region of Mangaluru.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru on Thursday, state President B.Y. Vijayendra commented on the ongoing unrest in Mangaluru, stating, "This Congress-led government headed by CM Siddaramaiah finds happiness in appeasing the minority community. There is not an iota of concern for maintaining law and order in the state."

"The developments are clearly aimed at deepening communal divides, and the state government is aiding and abetting the strife and encouraging them," Vijayendra alleged.

Further commenting on the situation in Mangaluru, he said, "When Home Minister G. Parameshwara visited Mangaluru, members of a particular community confronted him upon learning that he intended to visit the family of murdered Hindu activist Suhas Shetty. They gheraoed the minister and threatened him not to visit Shetty's residence. As a result, the Home Minister left without meeting the family."

Mangaluru has witnessed a mob lynching, two murders, and multiple stabbing incidents linked to communal tensions recently. Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders across the Mangaluru region until the evening of May 30.

Vijayendra warned the Congress government about filing cases against BJP leaders and workers. "The state government must stop threatening our leaders and filing cases against our party workers. This is a warning to them," he said.

Referring to a recent protest in Kalaburagi, Vijayendra said, "We staged a successful protest in Kalaburagi against the state government and in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge. The protest was held to condemn the illegal detention of the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who was held at a guest house in Chittapur. Local Congress leaders also allegedly attempted to assault him."

He continued, "During the protest, our MLC N. Ravikumar made a comment about the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner. He later expressed regret, clarifying that the comment was unintentional. Despite his apology, a police complaint was filed and an FIR registered against him, allegedly with the tacit support of the Congress party."

"They are trying to defame Ravikumar and intimidate him. This will not bring dignity to the Congress government. If they were honest, the government should have filed an FIR against the Congress leaders who illegally detained Dalit leader Narayanaswamy," he said.

"They should also investigate why concerned officials turned a blind eye to the incident. Instead, the Congress is targeting the Backward Class and Dalit leaders of the BJP. But BJP leaders will not be cowed by these tactics," Vijayendra declared.

"I want to warn the state government that they will not remain in power forever. The opposition deserves respect. It is the duty of the ruling party to treat opposition leaders with dignity. Their days in power are numbered; they will receive a fitting response soon," he added.

When asked about actor Kamal Haasan's controversial remark, Vijayendra responded, "I understand Kamal Haasan's love for the Tamil language. But it is inappropriate to belittle the Kannada language while expressing such sentiments."

"Tamil has a rich history spanning thousands of years, and so does Kannada. His remarks have hurt the sentiments of the Kannada-speaking people. Moreover, his refusal to apologise even after facing objections shows arrogance," he said.

"Kamal Haasan should be more careful. He is a well-known actor across the country. He should not sow seeds of hatred between Tamil and Kannada communities," Vijayendra cautioned. Kamal Haasan had stated that the Kannada language descended from Tamil.
Mumbai, May 29 : A special retrospective event 'Raj Khosla 100 - Bambai Ka Babu' is set to be held at the iconic Regal Cinema in Mumbai on the occasion of the centenary of producer-director Raj Khosla.

Mumbai, May 29 (IANS) A special retrospective event 'Raj Khosla 100  Bambai Ka Babu' is set to be held at the iconic Regal Cinema in Mumbai on the occasion of the centenary of producer-director Raj Khosla.

The event, which is a special mini-retrospective, will be attended by celebrated actress Asha Parekh, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt as well as the family of Raj Khosla and will feature discussions with the National Award-winning author Amborish Roychoudhury, who has penned 'Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography'.

The retrospective will showcase three of Khosla's timeless classics that demonstrate the breadth of his cinematic genius, from noir thrillers to dramatic romances and action-packed rural dramas. The afternoon show will see Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen's 'Bambai Ka Babu' at 12 pm and 'C.I.D.' will be screened at 3 PM. The evening show at 6.30 pm will be reserved for 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' starring Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna and Asha Parekh.

The event, set to be held on May 31, is being organised by the Film Heritage Foundation, which has been doing exceptional work in restoration, memorabilia auction and other retrospectives.

"Film Heritage Foundation is delighted to dedicate a day to celebrate the legacy of a great filmmaker with his family on his 100th birth anniversary on May 31, 2025 by screening a few of his films like 'Bambai Ka Babu', 'C.I.D' and the iconic 'Mera Gaon Mera Desh' which was the precursor to 'Sholay'. I would like to thank the NFDC-National Film Archive of India for enabling the screenings of the restored versions of 'Bambai Ka Babu' and 'C.I.D.'". said Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation.

C.I.D. and Bambai Ka Babu have been restored in 4K by the NFDC  National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.

"For more than 4 decades, NFDC-NFAI in its collection had preserved a 35mm release print of Bombai Ka Babu which enabled the 4K restoration in the first place. This screening at Regal, Mumbai is a unique opportunity for the cinema lovers to view, for the first time ever, Bombai Ka Babu in 4K restored version. This is part of an ambitious restoration project of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. I am happy that we are also showcasing another classic CID restored by NFDC NFAI as part of the centenary celebrations of the iconic film director Raj Khosla, which back in 2023 was very well received by the public", Said Prakash Magdum, MD, NFDC.

The event is open to the public, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mumbai, May 29 : The makers of the upcoming film "Param Sundari" on Thursday unveiled the first look of the film, touted as the "biggest love story" featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor Mumbai, May 29 (IANS) The makers of the upcoming film "Param Sundari" on Thursday unveiled the first look of the film, touted as the "biggest love story" featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor

Production banner Maddock Films took to Instagram, where they unveiled the first look, which introduces the dapper dude Sidharth Malhotra as "North's fire" Param and the stunning Janhvi Kapoor as "South's grace" Sundari. The first look is charged with romance, drama, emotions and beautiful visuals.

The video was captioned: "Where North's fire meets South's grace, it calls for the biggest love story of the year! Dinesh Vijan presents Param Sundari, a love story directed by Tushar Jalota, coming to cinemas on 25th July 2025."

The cross-cultural romance film "Param Sundari" has been locked for theatrical release on July 25

The film is by production house Maddock Films, directed by Tushar Jalota of "Dasvi" fame. It centers on a love story between a North Indian played by Sidharth and a South Indian girl, filmed in Kerala.

The film "promises a heartfelt tale of love, where two worlds collide, and sparks are bound to fly. Set against the breathtaking backwaters of Kerala, this love story is a rollercoaster of laughter, chaos, and unexpected twists you won't see coming," per a description provided by Maddock, reports variety.com.

"Its like those films that Mani-sir (Mani Ratnam) used to do like 'Saathiya' (the Hindi-language remake of Tamil drama-romance film "Alai Payuthey")," Maddock chief Dinesh Vijan has previously told Variety.

"The kind of music it has and Janhvi playing a South Indian is interesting, Sid's playing a Northern Delhi boy and the conflict is very cool. It's like maybe taking 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' forward  there's a high tech idea in there. But we are going into the 'Kantara' world of sorts  we are going a little more than that."
Athens, May 29 : The Indian all-party parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in Athens, Greece held a constructive dialogue with the editorial board of Greece's leading newspaper 'Kathimerini' on Thursday, conveying India's 'new normal policy' on terrorism and sharing the principled and calibrated response through 'Operation Sindoor' following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The visit marks a continuation of India's strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism.

The Kanimozhi-led parliamentarians include Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta (Retd.); RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal; and former Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri.

"Terrorism knows no borders, and neither should our resolve to defeat it! In Athens, we held a constructive dialogue with the editorial board of 'Kathimerini' sharing India's principled and calibrated response through 'Operation Sindoor' following the horrific Pahalgam attack," Ashok Mittal posted on 'X' on Thursday

"We conveyed India's 'new normal', a resolute doctrine of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms, and a call for global unity in holding both perpetrators and their enablers accountable. India's message is clear: Calibrated justice is essential, and the international community must act in solidarity against this shared threat," the post added

Earlier the delegation interacted with members of the Indian community in Greece where the diaspora expressed their full support for India's efforts and solidarity with the nation in the wake of the recent tragic events.

"A Bond Beyond Borders. Concluded our day in Athens, Greece, with heartfelt interactions with the Indian diaspora. Their solidarity and support reaffirm the unbreakable bond between India and its people worldwide," Mittal posted on X.

As a demonstration of India's steadfast dedication to eradicating terrorism, the delegation on Wednesday engaged in high-level discussions. They met with senior officials from Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Deputy Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou, key members of the Greek Parliament, leading policy experts, and the media.

The delegation also provided a comprehensive briefing on the brutal terrorist strike in Pahalgam, detailing India's proportionate and restrained reaction during the meeting with Deputy Minister Chatzivasileiou. They emphasised India's unwavering determination to eliminate the scourge of terrorism through strategic and deliberate measures.

"Addressing prominent media outlets, the delegation reiterated India's firm anti-terrorism doctrine. They highlighted that 'Operation Sindoor' was a justified and deliberate act in response to the attack, aligning with India's principles of calibrated justice. It was stressed that terrorism is a global menace and that the international community must unite in facing this common threat," said the Indian Embassy in Greece in a statement.

"The delegation also convened with leaders and representatives from leading Greek think tanks. These dialogues centered around India's recalibrated counter-terrorism stance  characterised by prompt and resolute action that holds both terrorists and their enablers equally responsible," the statement added.

The delegation, a part of India's global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of 'Operation Sindoor' and India's continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, reached Greece following successful engagements in Slovenia and Russia, reaffirming India's firm stance on combating terrorism.
New Delhi, May 29 : Congress leader Udit Raj on Thursday stepped up the attack on party MP Shashi Tharoor, currently leading India's diplomatic outreach on 'Operation Sindoor', to the US and other neighbouring nations, and demanded that he must admit his mistake and express regret for projecting the grand old party in bad light on foreign soil.

He stated that the Thiruvananthapuram MP has not only ignored and undermined the Congress party's historic achievements in India's war against terror but also insulted the forces as well as previous Congress governments.

Raj claimed, "Shashi Tharoor stated in Panama that our security forces never crossed the Line of Control or International Border (IB). By making such false statements, you have insulted the forces as well as previous Congress governments."

"In the 1965 war, our forces penetrated deep inside Pakistan to teach it a lesson for its misadventures. In 1971, it was the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi-led government which bifurcated Pakistan into two parts. During Dr Manmohan Singh's government, six surgical strikes were conducted by our forces. You have insulted them all in your eulogy for the Modi government." Raj said.

"We have no issue with you singing paeans of the Modi government. But, you have no right to insult the Congress party and belittle its historic contributions," he added.

Further, in a searing jibe, Udit Raj said that the Congress MP can't get away by writing complex English terminology, as everybody understands his intentions and insinuations.

"You have no other option than to regret your ignorance of the achievements during the Congress' rule. You must admit your mistake and express regret," he said.

In a further warning of sorts, the Dalit leader said that if there were any attempts to paint the Congress in a bad light, party warriors like him won't sit silent and give a befitting reply.

Raj, a bureaucrat-turned-politician, when questioned on possible action against Shashi Tharoor for crossing the line, said it was up to the party high command to take a call on this.
New Delhi, May 29 : While India's global outreach on Operation Sindoor successfully turns the world's attention and concern towards Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, back home, this has led to 'serious differences' within the Congress party.

Shashi Tharoor and Udit Raj, both tall leaders of the Congress party, are engaged in a bitter face-off over the former's praise for the Modi government's firm retaliation to Pakistan in response to April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and insinuation that such counter-terrorism operation didn't happen before, during the previous UPA regimes. This has left the latter irked, and he dubbed Tharoor 'BJP's super spokesperson', accusing him of going against the party line.

The verbal altercation attained another level on Thursday after the Thiruvananthapuram MP described the accusations against him as a 'distorted and twisted' attempt to push forward a certain agenda while 'equating' his party colleague to a 'troll'.

Snubbing the party's concerns over his adulation of the Modi government, Tharoor said that some zealots back home are fulminating over his 'supposed ignorance of Indian valour', a charge he dismissed as absurdly false.

He, however, clarified, "I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars."

Udit Raj, however, remained unrelenting in his attack and demanded that Tharoor must apologise for undermining the Congress party's history of upholding the sovereignty of the nation and teaching India's enemies a lesson, not once but on multiple occasions.

"We have no objection to Tharoor engaging in 'Modi-bhakti', but if he tries to portray the Congress party in a bad light and erase its historical contributions, he will be given a befitting reply," said the Dalit face of the party, in a stinging response to Tharoor.

A brief look at their statements shows the no-holds-barred argument between the two Congress veterans.

"As usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do," Tharoor wrote on X this morning, while heading from Panama to Bagota (Colombia), where he will reiterate and reinforce India's stand in the fight against cross-border terrorism.

Udit Raj's response to the raging row is equally scathing as he said, "Tharoor can't get away by using English terminology and jargon. He must accept his mistake and express regret".

He also didn't rule out impending action on the Congress MP, currently spearheading India's diplomatic offensive against Pakistan in the biggest power centres of the world, including the United States.

Notably, the altercation between two party veterans deepened Wednesday night, as Udit Raj's 'super spokesperson of BJP' jibe was endorsed by Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Congress' Media and Publicity Department and a member of the Congress Working Committee.

Notably, there is already a growing discontent within the grand old party over Tharoor warming up to the BJP and showering praise on the Modi government, not once but on several occasions.
The ceremony of handing over 16 DeepTrekker underwater mine-clearing drones, which were purchased under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to rescuers took place in Cherkasy region, the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) reported on Thursday.

"As part of the event, UNDP partners officially handed over to rescuers a certificate for 16 modern unmanned underwater systems (UUS) - remotely operated vehicles (ROV) that can dive to a depth of 300 meters and operate even in low visibility conditions. Their use will allow rescuers to identify explosive objects at a safe distance, which significantly reduces the risk to personnel," the department's website said.

In addition, 32 divers of the State Emergency Service from all regions of Ukraine completed a training course on operating underwater drones, working with modern equipment and algorithms for actions in case of detection of explosive objects.

The events were attended by Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Oleksiy Mihrin, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainy, representatives of the Main Directorate for Mine Action of the Ministry of Defense, Cherkasy Regional Mine Action Service, representatives for cooperation in humanitarian issues of the French Embassy in Ukraine, as well as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Chennai, May 29 : One person was killed and several others injured when a cement mixing lorry lost control and rammed into a group of commuters waiting at a bus stop on GST Road near Pulipakkam in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, officials said.

The deceased has been identified as Kumar (60), a resident of Pulipakkam who worked as a cook.

According to local sources, he was waiting at the bus stop to board a bus to Tambaram for his daily work when the lorry struck, killing him instantly.

The injured included several passengers on the city bus and its conductor.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the injured were immediately transported to the Chengalpattu Government Hospital for treatment.

Hospital authorities confirmed that some victims sustained fractures and head injuries, and a few are in critical condition.

The lorry, reportedly en route from Maduranthakam, lost control after crossing Chengalpattu. As it neared the Pulipakkam bus stop on the busy Tiruchya"Chennai National Highway, the vehicle veered off course and ploughed through people standing at the roadside, waiting for buses.

Eyewitnesses stated that the lorry showed no signs of slowing down after the initial impact and continued forward, eventually crashing into the rear of a Chengalpattu-Tambaram city bus that was parked just ahead.

The collision caused panic and chaos in the area. The driver of the cement mixer lorry fled the scene following the accident.

Chengalpattu district police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to apprehend the absconding driver.

Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity to aid the investigation.

The accident caused significant disruption to peak-hour traffic along the Tiruchy-Chennai National Highway, with vehicular movement between Chengalpattu and Pulipakkam severely affected for over two hours.

Traffic police were deployed to manage the situation and clear the debris, restoring normalcy later in the morning.

Residents of the area have demanded stricter enforcement of speed limits and better monitoring of heavy vehicles plying along the national highway, citing recurring accidents near bus stops and pedestrian zones.
Jakarta, May 29 : Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) Deputy Speaker and National Mandate Party (PAN) Vice Chairman, Eddy Soeparno, on Thursday, emphasised Indonesia's commitment to strengthening global cooperation among Islamic countries to promote harmony with the wider international community.

Jakarta, May 29 (IANS) Indonesiaas Peopleas Consultative Assembly's (MPR) Deputy Speaker and National Mandate Party (PAN) Vice Chairman, Eddy Soeparno, on Thursday, emphasised Indonesia's commitment to strengthening global cooperation among Islamic countries to promote harmony with the wider international community.

His remarks came following an interaction between an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Janata Dal-United MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Indonesian scholars and researchers from leading think tanks and academic institutions.

Speaking to IANS, Soeparno said: "We had a very constructive discussion with the Indian MPs. We talked about a range of topics, especially concerning the prevention and fight against terrorism. There was also a strong emphasis on deepening cooperation between India and Indonesia in tackling terrorist activities."

He added that India had conveyed its expectation for Indonesiaas support within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to raise concerns about preventing future terrorist attacks.

"Indonesia is committed to global peace, fostering cooperation, and promoting harmony among countries. We will do our best to enhance global cooperation among Islamic nations and help create harmony with the broader global community," Soeparno affirmed.

Meanwhile, the Indian delegation highlighted Indiaas firm stance against terrorism and called for collaborative efforts to counter the threat. During the interaction, the delegation made it clear that India would no longer differentiate between terrorists and the countries that support or harbour them.

The all-party team conveyed Indiaas zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and sought Indonesiaas support in jointly exploring effective strategies to combat the menace, thereby ensuring peace and regional stability.

Addressing the gathering, Jha expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government and President Prabowo Subianto for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and for standing in solidarity with the people of India. He stressed that such acts of terror are unjustifiable and must be condemned universally.

"We are engaging with a prominent think tank and academia today, both of which play a crucial role in shaping counter-terrorism policies. The aim of this interaction is to convey India's perspective and strategy to deal with terrorism, particularly the kind that originates from across the border in Pakistan."

Highlighting India's unwavering stance, Jha stated: "India will not accept any nuclear blackmail. Those who shelter and promote terrorists cannot hide behind a so-called nuclear umbrella. Any further terror attacks on Indian soil will be met with decisive military responses."

He added that India, along with countries like Indonesia, firmly stands for zero tolerance toward terrorism.

"To implement this principle, India will no longer make any distinction between terrorist groups and the states that provide them safe haven," he said.

The delegation also includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI-M Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.
Jaipur, May 29 : Upset over scoring low in Class 10 examinations, a 17-year-old student allegedly committed suicide in Rajasthan's Kota district.

The student, identified as Dushyant Sahu Nagpal, reportedly ended his life by jumping in front of a train, though police said the exact cause will be confirmed only after a full investigation.

The incident took place in the Vigyan Nagar police station area.

Passers-by spotted Dushyant's body near the Sanjay Nagar railway crossing on Thursday and immediately informed the police.

Acting on the information, a police team arrived at the spot and identified the student using a bike parked nearby.

The police, using the registration number, traced the vehicle to its owner and contacted Dushyant's family, who were devastated upon receiving the news.

According to the family, Dushyant had recently passed his Class 10 exams and started working at a local shop after the results were announced.

On the day of the incident, the shopkeeper had sent him out on a bike to collect some goods, but he never returned.

Concerned, the shopkeeper contacted his family. Later, Dushyant's friends said he had visited the neighbourhood that evening and confided in them that he had only scored 53 per cent in the exams, missing out on a first-division result.

He appeared deeply distressed.

The family said Dushyant was a bright student and had expected a better outcome, which may have contributed to his emotional turmoil.

Dushyant's body was sent to the mortuary at MBS Hospital.

A postmortem examination will be conducted, after which the body will be handed over to the family, the police said.

The police have launched an investigation, and the exact circumstances surrounding the death will be confirmed after further inquiry.
New Delhi, May 29 : In a sweeping drive to strengthen electoral management and improve voter facilitation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rolled out 21 major initiatives over the past 100 days. The reforms, introduced under the leadership of the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, showcase a big strategic push for several areas. These include procedural clarity, technological integration, and stakeholder inclusivity in the electoral process, say EC sources.

These steps were charted out during the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) held in March 2025. Election Commissioners (ECs) Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi were also present on that occasion. The initiatives represent a "purposeful, pragmatic, and proactive" approach in the first 100 days of the new CEC's tenure, added the sources.

One of the key measures includes reducing the maximum number of voters per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200. The purpose is to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother voting experience. To further improve access, additional polling booths will be established in densely populated areas, particularly in gated communities and high-rise buildings, so that no voter has to travel more than 2 km to cast their vote.

To streamline electoral roll management, the Commission has introduced the direct integration of death registration data from the Registrar General of India (RGI). This data will be used to remove names of deceased electors after verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who remain central to ground-level voter verification.

The ECI has also redesigned Voter Information Slips, making them more user-friendly with prominent display of serial and part numbers. In a move aimed at voter convenience, the Commission will now provide a mobile deposit facility just outside polling stations, allowing voters to safely store their belongings before entering.

In a remarkable change to campaign regulations, the ECI has relaxed the distance norm for party booths. Previously set at 200 metres, political party booths can now be set up just beyond 100 metres from polling station entrances, allowing better voter outreach without compromising electoral integrity.

To enhance operational efficiency, the Commission has developed a new Integrated Digital Dashboard called ECINET, which aims to unify over 40 existing apps and websites into a single-point platform for all stakeholders. While select modules will be tested in the upcoming bypolls, the full platform is expected to be deployed ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Another longstanding issue -- the duplicate EPIC (Elector Photo Identity Card) number problem -- has also been addressed, with a new mechanism now in place to ensure unique EPIC numbers for every voter.

Recognising the need for wide-reaching stakeholder engagement, the ECI facilitated 4,719 meetings across the country, involving over 28,000 political party representatives at CEO, DEO, and ERO levels. Separate meetings were also held in New Delhi with representatives of national and state parties, including the AAP, BJP, BSP, CPI(M), and NPP, with more such consultations planned post-by-elections.

Capacity-building initiatives have also received a major boost. The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) has already trained over 3,500 Booth Level Supervisors, with plans to scale this to over one lakh in the coming years. An additional 6,000 BLOs and supervisors will receive training in the next 45 days, with a focus on states heading to elections soon, such as Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal, Kerala, and Assam.

The training initiative has extended to Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties and media officers from the CEO offices across all 36 states and union territories. Meanwhile, police officers from Bihar have undergone special training to ensure coordinated law enforcement during elections.

In a move to enhance internal coordination, the ECI has implemented biometric attendance at its headquarters, rolled out a digital E-Office system, and begun conducting regular CEO-level review meetings to align state and central election machinery.

The Commission has also identified 28 categories of stakeholders involved in the electoral process, ranging from voters to officials and party representatives. Customised training modules are being developed for each, based on the Representation of the People Acts (1950 & 1951), Registration of Electors Rules (1960), and Conduct of Election Rules (1961).

To bolster the legal framework, a National Conference of Counsels representing the ECI and CEOs was held in New Delhi, attended by Senior Advocates from the Supreme Court and 28 High Courts, along with officials and legal advisors from all states and union territories.

This reform drive marks the first time a Special Summary Revision has been conducted ahead of a by-election, in accordance with the RP Act, 1950 -- a move signalling the Commission's commitment to accurate and updated electoral rolls.

With these 21 initiatives, the ECI has taken substantial steps to modernise India's electoral infrastructure and make the process more inclusive, transparent, and citizen-focused, said sources. These reforms are part of a continuous effort to reinforce trust in democratic institutions and adapt to the evolving needs of the electorate.
Bengaluru, May 29 : In a significant development, Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D. K. Shivakumar has strongly objected to the transfer of certain officials without his knowledge or consent, sources said.

Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, has written a letter to the Chief Secretary protesting the transfers and issuing a stern warning, the sources said.

The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), which falls under the purview of CM Siddaramaiah, issued an order transferring five chief engineers.

In his letter, Shivakumar pointed out that he had clearly stated in a note to the Chief Secretary after the formation of the government that any transfers, recruitments, or decisions related to departments under his charge must be brought to his attention and executed only with his consent.

He further stated that the DPAR could issue such orders only after securing his approval. However, he has now learned that some chief engineers were transferred without his consent.

Shivakumar strongly objected to what he termed the violation of his instructions and asked the Chief Secretary to revoke the transfer order.

He also made it clear that in the future, no decisions related to his portfolio should be taken without his explicit consent, the sources confirmed.

The development has sparked a debate in Karnataka's political circles, with many viewing it as a sign of worsening relations between CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar.

Commenting on the matter, Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra said on Thursday, the state is headed toward a major political shift.

"All these developments are just the beginning. These are events leading up to the climax. CM Siddaramaiah himself has gone to the residence of MLC B.K. Hariprasad - watch the events that will unfold in the coming days," he remarked.

CM Siddaramaiah visited Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad's residence on Thursday morning for a meeting. Hariprasad had previously criticised Siddaramaiah and maintained a distance from him for a long time.

The sources said Siddaramaiah is now attempting to reconcile with senior Congress leaders who are hostile to him and bring them to his side to consolidate his position against Deputy CM Shivakumar.

However, talking to the media, CM Siddaramaiah and Hariprasad maintained that they spoke about general matters and Mangaluru situation during their meeting.
Seoul/Pohang, May 29 : All four Navy officers aboard a maritime patrol aircraft were killed after the plane crashed on a mountain in South Korea's southeastern city of Pohang on Thursday, the Navy said.

The crash occurred at 1.49 p.m., and witnesses reported smoke rising from the mountain with sounds of explosions.

"A P-3 maritime patrol aircraft that took off at 1.43 p.m. for landing and takeoff training from an air base in Pohang crashed at a nearby location at around 1.49 p.m., due to an unspecified reason," the Navy said.

Four people were on board -- two commissioned officers and two non-commissioned officers.

The Navy said it recovered the dead bodies of all four officers. The officers' identities have yet to be confirmed.

The aircraft was usually based at a Navy unit on the southern island of Jeju, but had flown to Pohang for training, a Navy official said.

The Navy said it has launched an investigative unit to look into further details and grounded the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft.

No civilian casualties were reported, Yonhap news agency reported.

Acting President Lee Ju-ho was briefed on the crash by acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho and called for all-out efforts to rescue the passengers and prevent further damage to the surrounding environment, his office said.

The Navy operates 16 P-3 aircraft, dubbed the "submarine killer" for its anti-submarine capabilities. The first eight of the 16 aircraft, labelled the P-3C, were deployed in 1995, and another eight, renovated by the defence firm Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. and named the P-3CK, were subsequently deployed.

The aircraft that crashed on Thursday is one of the eight P-3CK aircraft in operation in Pohang and Jeju.

The recent accident marks the first known crash involving a P-3 aircraft deployed by the armed service.

South Korea's Transport Ministry is currently investigating the cause of the runway deviation.
Hyderabad, May 29 : In a shocking statement, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC, K. Kavitha, on Thursday claimed that a section of the party leaders was responsible for her defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and that attempts were being made to hand over BRS to the BJP.

She revealed that the proposal to merge BRS with the BJP came when she was in jail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. Kavitha said she strongly opposed the proposal at that time.

Denying reports that she is planning to float a separate party, Kavitha made it clear that she will remain in the BRS and work under the leadership of her father and former Chief Minister K.C. Rao popularly known as KCR.

In an informal chat with media persons, Kavitha alleged that attempts were being made to force her to distance herself from her family and the party.

Her sensational remarks come amid reports of a growing rift in KCR's family and Kavitha's differences with her brother and BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao.

Kavitha, whose confidential letter to KCR was recently leaked, said she was "being targeted through paid articles and social media trolls" for wanting to know how the letter was leaked.

Kavitha lamented that the daughter of the party was being targeted but the BRS was not responding. She wanted to know why she was being targeted for demanding that coverts within the party should be controlled.

The MLC made a sensational claim that a section of party leaders was behind her defeat in the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency. "My own party leaders conspired to defeat me," Kavitha said.

Kavitha also claimed that she wanted to resign after her arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case but KCR advised her not to do so.

Kavitha said there was no truth in the reports in a section of media that she held talks with the Congress party. "KCR alone is my leader in BRS. I will work only under his leadership. Backstabbing is not my intention. I fight directly," she said.

She denied any plans to float a new party. "There is no need for a new party. It is enough to properly look after the present party," Kavitha said.

Kavitha defended the issues she raised in the letter written to KCR. "Have they become so big so as to lead KCR? I can't keep smiling with poison in the heart. I wrote hundreds of letters to my father. What is wrong in it? Usually KCR tears the letters after reading them. This time he did not tear it. I don't know who is behind this conspiracy but I want to expose them," she said.

In further remarks apparently aimed at her brother K.T. Rama Rao, Kavitha said that the party has not reacted in the desired way to the notice issued to KCR by the P.C. Ghose Commission on the Kaleshwaram project. She said the party should confine to posts on social media platform X.
Bhopal, May 29 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Madhya Pradesh to launch Congress's 'organisational creation campaign' on June 3.

Bhopal, May 29 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Madhya Pradesh to launch Congress's aorganisational creation campaigna on June 3.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari told IANS that during his day-long visit, LoP Rahul Gandhi will be chairing a series of meetings with the party members, particularly the state Working Committee, Executive Committee, and Political Affairs Committee.

LoP Rahul Gandhi will also hold a discussion with the 50 observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), which will be marked as the beginning of the creation of the new organisation in Madhya Pradesh.

"Rahul Gandhias visit to Madhya Pradesh will undoubtedly give new energy and direction to the party in the coming days. Also, it would be the beginning of restructuring and empowering the party," claimed Patwari.

He further informed that the aorganisational creation campaigna will be launched to strengthen the Congress in Madhya Pradesh.

During the campaign, a team of observers comprising MPs, MLAs, and former ministers from various states will visit their assigned districts to ascertain the Congress partyas strength in each Assembly constituency.

Following back-to-back electoral defeats of Congress, this will be the first visit of LoP Rahul Gandhi to Madhya Pradesh, who will arrive in Bhopal three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modias proposed mega event on May 31.

PM Modi will also inaugurate the first phase of the Indore Railway Metro and two newly established airports in the state.

--IANS

pd/dan
Lucknow, May 29 : The Yogi Adityanath government has unveiled its plans to gift 'sindoordani' (Vermillion box) to women getting married at mass weddings across the state.

The move, seen as a celebration of India's Operation Sindoor - the military strikes that avenged the slaughter of Hindu women's husbands, is being hailed and welcomed across the political spectrum.

'Sindoor' (Vermillion) holds high cultural and religious importance for the people of the Hindu faith, as it is worn by every Hindu woman. Sindoor, traditionally, signifies the marital status of Hindu women, who wear it on their foreheads.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told IANS that the state government will give 'sindoordani' to all the newly-wed couples taking marital vows at the mass marriage venues.

"Sindoordani holds immense significance in anyone's married life. We will deliver it to every mass marriage venue. This will salute the valour of our armed forces and also celebrate their might in taking on the country's enemies."

UP Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal said that the gifting 'sindoordani' to newly married couples is a commendable step.

"Sindoor holds immense importance for any married woman, it has high emotional value. A woman observes fasts and performs penance to protect her sindoor. But, the terrorists wiped it out with their bestial and barbaric act in Pahalgam. The whole nation was pained, seeing the plight of women who lost their husbands in front of their eyes," he said.

He further said, "Under the 'Chief Minister Mass Marriage' scheme, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also increased the amount from Rs 51,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Like a father, he has blessed all women to protect their vermilion."

Bhupendra Singh Choudhary, BJP state president, said, "The mass marriage scheme is an ambitious initiative of the government in which people from all castes and communities register their marriages. The government organises these mass marriages and arranges everything in coordination with various departments."

Notably, India's military strikes against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack were named 'Operation Sindoor' to honour the women as terrorists wiped out their 'sindoor' in the savage attack, first identifying their husbands by religion and then killing in cold blood.
Kolkata, May 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, highlighted five crisis points that West Bengal is reportedly saddled with under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government.

"The people of West Bengal are suffering under the current regime because of five major reasons. The first reason is violence and vandalism, the second is insecurity of women, the third is large-scale unemployment among youth, the fourth is rampant corruption in state administration and the fifth is deprivation of the people of the state from basic services by the ruling Trinamool Congress leaders," the Prime Minister said while addressing a rally organised by the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit at Alipurduar district.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack against the state administration and the ruling Trinamool Congress on the communal violence and riot-like situation in minority-dominated Murshidabad district after protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent in April this year.

"Because of appeasement politics by the ruling dispensation rampant hooliganism and vandalism were allowed there. Even the ruling party MLAs, Councillors, and leaders identified the targets to be vandalised from the spot. Even the police remained inactive because of instructions from the top authorities," he said.

The Prime Minister also added that the situation in West Bengal currently is such that the court needs to intervene in every matter.

"Without the court intervention, no solution is achieved. On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress leaders and the state government blame the court instead of admitting their fault," he said.

The Prime Minister also launched a scathing attack against the state government over the recent crisis of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff losing jobs following a Supreme Court order last month.

"Because of rampant corruption in the system, the future of so many teachers in West Bengal has become uncertain. The existence of their families is at stake now," he added.

He also blamed the state government for not allowing implementation of Central projects like Ayushman Bharat in the state.

"Since the people of West Bengal were not allowed to avail the benefit of Ayushman Bharat, they are deprived of free treatment when they are in any other state. Many people in Bengal could have enjoyed the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. But the inhuman government here did not allow that as well," the Prime Minister said.

He also added that the apathy of the Trinamool Congress about tribal people became evident when they opposed the move by the BJP to elect the first Indian President from the tribal community.
Ukraine still does not receive 'memo' from Russia, but instead Russians launch 120 missiles, 1,500 drones in two weeks  MFA

KYIV. May 29 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Ukraine still has not received a so-called "memorandum" from Russia on a ceasefire, but instead the Russians launched 120 missiles and 1,500 drones at Ukraine from May 16 to 29, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Heorhiy Tykhy said.

"I want to clearly state that at the moment we still have not received the Russian document. Despite the fact that the Russians promised to send such a document after the meeting in Istanbul, where they said that they would send it after the exchange of prisoners of war, this did not happen," Tykhy said during a live broadcast on the X social network on Thursday.

The spokesman said the Russian side has proposed a meeting where they want to present the document, but Ukraine needs to familiarize itself with it before the negotiations so that they are meaningful.

"Our position is very simple: we need to see this document. If the Russians have nothing to hide, if this is a document that can be implemented, then there should be no problem sharing this document with us. This would allow us to prepare for the meeting of delegations, to hold a meaningful meeting that can lead to a result, and not just a meeting for the sake of a meeting," the Foreign Ministry said.

Tykhy said "unfortunately, we are still waiting for this document." He said that in return, Ukraine has received large-scale attacks, many of which have occurred during these two weeks. Thus, from May 16 to May 29, that is, until today, Russia has fired about 120 missiles at Ukraine, more than 1,500 Shahed drones at Ukrainian settlements, as well as more than 2,500 guided aerial bombs. "This is not the behavior of a party or country that actually seeks peace. This is the complete opposite of peace," the Foreign Ministry said.
New Delhi, May 29 : The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Jharkhand High Court within a week on rejection of a child care leave application filed by Additional District Judge (ADJ) Kashika M. Prasad, who is posted in the state.

The direction came from a bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih while hearing a petition filed by Prasad, who challenged the refusal to grant her child care leave.

The apex court instructed that its order be communicated to the Jharkhand High Court via email and made it clear that the matter would be conclusively heard on the next date of listing.

"All the parties are informed that we will settle the matter on the next date," the court stated in its order.

During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the petitioner informed the court that Prasad is a single parent and has maintained an exemplary service record. Her Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), he said, reflect her professional excellence.

The petition noted that Prasad had sought leave from June 10 under the Jharkhand High Court's child care leave policy, which allows for up to 730 days of such leave. However, her application was rejected without assigning any reasons.

The bench asked why the petitioner had not first approached the Jharkhand High Court for judicial relief before knocking on the doors of the apex court.

In response, her counsel explained that while immediate relief was needed, the High Court's rules did not classify the matter as 'urgent'. As a result, any listing would have only happened after the summer recess.

ADJ Prasad was earlier posted in the Hazaribagh District Court and has recently been transferred. Her advocate argued that due to the recent transfer and her responsibilities as a single parent, managing childcare had become challenging -- prompting the leave request.

After the petition was filed and mentioned for urgent hearing, the Supreme Court agreed to take up the matter but questioned the grounds on which the leave had been denied.

The counsel submitted that no reason had been provided in the rejection order.
Agartala/Aizawl, May 29 : An under-construction building along the Tripura-Mizoram inter-state border was badly damaged by "unidentified people", forcing police authorities of the two states to probe the incident separately, officials said on Thursday.

North Tripura District's Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai said that late on Tuesday night, the under-construction building at Phuldungsei village along the Mizoram border was damaged by "unidentified people".

"Tripura Police are now investigating the matter to nab the wrongdoers. Mizoram Police are also probing the matter to apprehend the people responsible for the incident. We have good relations with Mizoram police and they assured us to cooperate in this matter," the district police chief told IANS over phone from North Tripura District headquarters Dharmanagar.

Despite the incident, the situation along the interstate border is calm and fully under control, Rai claimed.

He said that the building was constructed by the Forest Department of Tripura government for eco-tourism purposes.

A police official in Aizawl said that the incident occurred when unidentified people used explosives to damage the under-construction building.

Additional security personnel were deployed in the area by both the states while the authorities on both sides are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further escalation in view of the incident.

Another Mizoram government official said that there are some disputed patches along the 109 km Tripura-Mizoram interstate border.

The district authorities of North Tripura district and Mizoram's Mamit district, along with the officials of Survey of India, earlier on several occasions held discussions over the disputed patches of the two northeastern states.

Mizoram civil society and student organisations occasionally opposed any constructions by the Tripura government along the "disputed inter-state borders".

Tripura Forest, Science and Technology and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma told IANS that he has sought a report from the officials over the late Tuesday night incident.
Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor set the screen Ablaze in first look of Param Sundari. Image Source: News Helpline

May 29 : Actor Sidharth Malhotra unveiled the first look of his upcoming romantic comedy Param Sundari, introducing audiences to what he calls the biggest love story of the year. The film, directed by Dasvi fame Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

Sharing the first look on social media, Sidharth captioned it: "Where Norths fire meets Souths grace, it calls for the biggest love story of the year!"

Param Sundari marks the first on-screen pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, a casting choice that has already sparked buzz for its fresh and youthful dynamic. The tagline hints at a cross-cultural romance  potentially North meets South  tapping into themes of identity, tradition, and modern love.

Known for backing content-driven blockbusters, producer Dinesh Vijan continues his trend of blending humor and heart in culturally rich narratives. With a creative team that includes writers Aarsh Vora and Gaurav Mishra, cinematographer Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran, and a soundtrack from the hitmaker duo SachinJigar featuring legendary vocalist Sonu Nigam, Param Sundari promises to be as musically rich as it is emotionally engaging.

As anticipation builds, the film positions itself as a feel-good entertainer with depth  a modern love story grounded in India's diverse cultural landscape.
Hyderabad, May 29 : Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Telangana MLA, Raja Singh, on Thursday made a sensational allegation that a section of BJP leaders is ready to join hands with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for a "big package".

Raja Singh said that BRS MLC K. Kavitha has spoken the truth during her informal chat with the media.

"If BJP leaders get a big package, they will join the BRS," he said.

He claimed that BRS decides the candidates of the BJP and the constituencies they should contest from. This is what happened in the past, and as a result, the BJP suffered.

Raja Singh, who represents Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad, stated that the BJP leaders were responsible for the party not coming to power in Telangana.

He claimed that party leaders and cadres were not opening their mouths due to fear of suspension from the party.

The controversial MLA has been targeting a section of the BJP leaders for the last few months. In March, he claimed that there was a conspiracy by his own party leaders to send him to jail. He alleged that these leaders instructed police to file cases against him under the Preventive Detention Act.

In the past, the BJP MLA expressed unhappiness over the choice of the party for the post of the partyas state President and the leader of the legislature party.

Raja Singhas latest comments came soon after Kavitha alleged that an attempt is being made to hand over the BRS to the BJP.

The BRS MLC told the media that when she was in jail in the Delhi excise policy case, a proposal had come for the merger of the BRS with the BJP, and she had strongly opposed it.

She also claimed that attempts are being made for a merger through Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Stating that there are covert agents in the BRS, she called for identifying and removing them from the party.
New Delhi: When in the post-Cold War era 'proxy war' emerged as the new weapon by which an opponent could be brought down -- without an engagement in the 'battlefield' -- this basically had two connotations.

One was the resort to planned 'covert' violence through the use of terror groups that could launch what is termed as an 'asymmetric war' against the enemy and cause a serious dent in the fighting power of the latter.

The other was a widening of the sphere of combat -- beyond the conventional warfare -- in which the opponent's economy would be damaged, the youth on the other side would be trapped in the evil consequences of narcotics and an organised campaign would be conducted to sully the image of the targeted country nationally and internationally.

Terrorism, particularly where it is based on exploitation of faith-related motivation, has now emerged as the global threat to the democratic world as a whole.

Terror groups make covert attacks but they had sophisticated weapons of the kind available only with the Army in the past -- this has happened because countries like Pakistan continued to blatantly use 'Islamic Terrorism' as an instrument of state policy, specially against India.

The advent of social media is now hastening a form of propaganda warfare in which organised attempts were made to float 'narratives' running down the opponent's regime in a manner that its people would lose faith in it.

'Influence Operations' are now in full play as an extension of 'proxy war'.

In 2020, Facebook took down a network of more than 300 accounts that were being run from China -- they were posting content about US elections and also on Covid epidemic and working together to make it more convincing for the American public than all the claims of the party in power or the government of the day, could do.

Since then Artificial Intelligence-driven pro-China propaganda based on a deft exploitation of YouTube's algorithmic system for rapidly producing and publishing content, has been making a steady advance.

Authentic studies like the one carried out by the Australian Strategic Policy Institution (ASPI) have revealed how an extensive network of YouTube channels promoted 'pro-China' and 'anti-US' public opinion in the English-speaking world.

The current disclosure requirements about sponsored content have glaring gaps when it comes to addressing cross-border 'influence campaigns'.

Creators of content do not always provide information on who they were, where are they based and what was their background.

Unrestricted spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI) propaganda could undermine truth and manipulate real world events.

AI-aided 'psy ops' have the ability to 'spoof identities, survey citizens en masse and automate disinformation production'.

India has strongly advocated for the idea of international regulation and monitoring of AI operations and transparency of research on AI, to minimise the chances of its misuse as a strategic weapon and to promote its advancement for the general good of the humanity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired AI Action Summit in Paris in February 2025, along with President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and declared that India's AI strategy was built on 'inclusivity, accessibility and affordability'.

He pointed out that India had built a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) at a very low cost.

The theme of the Summit was 'developing open AI infrastructure for social, economic and environmental benefits'.

Since videos are backed by a large apparatus of government agencies, state-controlled news media and other official amplifiers as is the case with China, it is not difficult for Beijing to spread propaganda messages around the world.

Funds are used to disseminate the content of the influencers.

The Chinese Communist Party has marshalled diplomats and state news outlets to carry its 'narratives' forward and drown out criticism with the help of its army of shadowy assets.

It is reported that classic Intelligence techniques are employed by China's Internet regulator to buy out media companies and engage foreign internet celebrities to highlight government's success in alleviating poverty and to counter reports of forced labour being used in Xinjiang's cotton farms.

Even Chinese embassies in Europe and elsewhere were made to put out propaganda to this effect in their Facebook pages.

India is aware of the 'influence operations' of China and is stepping up measures to deal with them.

In fact, India has to fully prepare itself for the doings of the Sino-Pakistan axis in the field of 'influence warfare'.

This anti-India strategic alliance was active against India post-Pahalgam -- over and above the direct support extended to Pakistan by Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia, the group of countries that had an antipathy towards US and a favourable disposition for radical Islamic forces.

China has tried to push Iran towards Pakistan and strengthen its own hold in Afghanistan.

Pakistan had earlier brought about a 'give and take' arrangement between the fundamentalist Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Communist China.

China supports Pakistan on Kashmir issue because of its own strategic interest in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passed through the northern areas.

China is now trying to link CPEC with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has evidently stepped up its terror offensive in both Kashmir and Punjab -- the blast in Amritsar on May 27 is attributed to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), which was known for its direct links with ISI.

India has to watch out for US-Pakistan relations as much as for the collusive China-Pakistan alliance against India.

In the context of a desperate Pakistan reaching out to US President Donald Trump -- when the going became tough for it due to the strong retaliatory action taken by India in the wake of the terrorist attack at Pahalgam -- it seemed Trump showed a certain degree of interest in Pakistan as a potential trade partner but without doing anything against India's strategic interests.

India's diplomatic strength is going to be tested in the handling of the triangular US-India-Pakistan relations -- this should not be a big challenge so long as President Trump keeps India and Pakistan 'de-hyphenated'.

Trump's innate aversion to 'Islamic terrorism' should add to India's advantage.

Coming back to the 'influence operations' of Sino-Pakistan combine that had come to the fore, it needs to be mentioned that India needed to step up its scan of the social media -- this was already being done -- to detect any 'proxy war offensive' emanating from there and find ways and means of countering it on an ongoing basis.

This has to be done by the security and political leadership of the nation in a combined way since the countermeasures would involve diplomatic, trade and military-related steps to make for an integral response.

Prime Minister Modi has now established that such a response would be based on zero tolerance towards terrorism, acceptance of a mutually beneficial economic relations with the US and a commitment to the holistic development of India that did not leave anyone behind.

The fact that both US and Russia had given recognition to India as an emerging world power that would not get aligned with either side in a situation of potential return of the Cold War between US on the one hand and the China-led axis embracing Russia on the other, gives this country a new strength.

Once again however, India's internal management seemed to be a greater challenge than the handling of international relationships because of a lack of strategic convergence between the ruling party and the opposition and the unending domestic disharmony on caste, creed and regional matters. This should be understood and quickly resolved.

(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)
Agartala, May 29 : Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday emphasised technology-based agricultural practices to make Tripura a surplus state in food production.

Launching the 15-day long state-level 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' from Bishramganj in Sepahijala district, the Chief Minister said that with the extensive use of drones, Artificial Intelligence and various other modern technologies, a variety of food production can be substantially increased, and it would help greatly to increase the income of the farmers.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continuous efforts aim to increase the income of farmers, protect nature, and ensure long-term food self-sufficiency through modern technology and scientific methods in farming.

"In line with this vision, we launched the state-level 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan'. During this campaign from May 29 to June 12, farmers would be directly informed about new farming technologies and government schemes. Additionally, farmer feedback and innovative farming practices would be documented," CM Saha said.

Referring to the two-day 'Rising North East Investors Summit 2025', held in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said that in the summit, Memoranda of Understanding were signed to invest over Rs 30,000 crore in investments in the eight northeastern states, and Tripura alone has attracted a staggering Rs 15,646 crore in investments.

CM Saha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stipulated six strategies to increase food production in the country, including increasing the diversity in farming, food processing, minimising losses, providing support to farmers, use of technologies and value addition.

Saying that Tripura now has 4.72 lakh farmers, the Chief Minister claimed that farmers' monthly income has increased to Rs 13,590 now from Rs 6,580 in the 2015-16 financial year.

He said that to develop the infrastructure of 144 markets across Tripura, the state government has spent Rs 303.42 crore.

The Chief Minister claimed that among the eight northeastern states, Tripura's GDP and per-capita income are the second highest in the region.

State Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath also spoke at the flagging-off function of 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan'.
Garhwa : , May 29 (IANS) A 32-year-old junior engineer from Uttar Pradesh, who had travelled to Jharkhand's Garhwa district to attend a wedding, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Thursday morning.

The deceased, identified as Vikas Vishwakarma, was posted as a junior engineer with the Electricity Department in Obra in UP's Sonbhadra district. He was originally a resident of Gandhinagar in Ambikapur city of Chhattisgarh.

Vishwakarma had arrived in Mahudand village under Dandai block of Garhwa district to attend the wedding of a friend of his brother. The wedding procession had moved to Singhpur Marchwar village in the same district on Wednesday night.

According to villagers, Vishwakarma was seen dancing with his friends during the celebrations. However, at some point during the festivities, he suddenly went missing.

His friends tried to contact him but were unable to reach him. Alarmed by his disappearance, they informed his family and local police authorities.

The Bansidhar Nagar police were alerted, and a search was launched.

On Thursday morning, locals noticed a body floating in a well in the village. The body was later identified as that of Vishwakarma.

Police retrieved the body and sent it for post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death.

Bansidhar Nagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Satyendra Kumar visited the spot and spoke to area residents to gather preliminary details of the incident.

An investigation is underway to determine whether Vishwakarma died due to an accident or if foul play was involved.

His family members and friends present at the wedding are also being questioned as part of the probe.

"The exact cause of death will be confirmed only after we receive the post-mortem report," a police official said.

The news of his death spread in the village, creating panic among the people.
Vadodara, May 29 : A case has been registered at Kapurai Police Station after unidentified miscreants broke into the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board's mechanical store on National Highway 48 in Vadodara, stealing and damaging PVC cables valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh.

Vadodara, May 29 (IANS) A case has been registered at Kapurai Police Station after unidentified miscreants broke into the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Boardas mechanical store on National Highway 48 in Vadodara, stealing and damaging PVC cables valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh.

The incident occurred at the mechanical sub-division office store located near the Circuit House, between Ajwa Chowkdi and Waghodia Chowkdi. The facility, which serves both Vadodara and Savli divisions, is guarded by two security personnel.

One of the guards discovered the back shutter of the store room open and promptly informed the Additional Assistant Engineer. Upon inspection, authorities found the store ransacked. PVC cables worth Rs 79,000 had been stolen, and additional cables valued at Rs 77,000 were found cut and damaged.

An initial application was filed with the police shortly after the incident. However, the formal complaint was delayed due to ongoing discussions with the insurance company. Now, acting on a complaint by Deputy Executive Engineer Saurabh Patel, police have registered a case under the Prevention of Theft and Damage to Public Property Act against unknown offenders and initiated legal proceedings.

Investigations are currently underway.

Meanwhile, on May 23, train services on the Ahmedabad Metroas East-West corridor were temporarily disrupted after unidentified miscreants stole nearly 500 meters of copper cable, causing a significant power outage between Apparel Park and Old High Court stations.

An FIR was registered at Shahpur police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing the theft of copper cables estimated to be worth Rs 9 lakh. The incident took place when an unknown individual reportedly climbed the steel bridge between Shahpur and Old High Court stations and used a sharp tool to cut the power supply cables.

According to the FIR filed by Ganesh Pathuraddi, section engineer with the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), the theft came to light after the 5.45 a.m. service completed its run, but the following train, scheduled for 6.15 a.m., came to a halt at Shahpur station. On inspection, Pathuraddi discovered that the copper cables mounted on the steel bridge brackets had been severed and stolen.

Investigators believe the culprit likely has technical knowledge, given the methodical way the cables were removed. A total of 20 copper cables, each approximately 25 metres long, were stolen -- amounting to nearly 500 metres in total. With the market rate of copper estimated at Rs 1,800 per metre, the financial loss is pegged at around Rs 9 lakh.
New Delhi, May 29 : India on Thursday made it clear once again that any engagement with Pakistan will only be bilateral; terror and talks cannot go together; and, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably abjures" its support for cross-border terrorism.

"We have been very clear and consistent in our position regarding any engagement with Pakistan - that it has to be bilateral. At the same time, we are clear that talks and terror don't go together. On terrorism itself, we are open to discussing the handing over to India of noted terrorists whose list was given to Pakistan some years ago," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

"I would like to underline that any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be about the vacation of illegally-occupied Indian territory by Pakistan. As for the Indus Waters Treaty, it will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. As our Prime Minister has said, terror and trade cannot go together, water and blood cannot flow together," he added.

The MEA's strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India's decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India.

Since Monday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has twice spoken about Islamabad's willingness to talk with India to resolve ongoing disputes between the two countries.

"We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace, on water issues with our neighbour. We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism if they're serious," said Sharif while addressing a joint press conference with Iranian President Masood Pezeshkian in Tehran on Monday.

The Pakistani Prime Minister reiterated his willingness to hold talks with India while attending the Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit alongside Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev in Azerbaijan's Lachin on Wednesday.

"I have said in all humility that we want peace in the region and that requires talks on the table on issues which need urgent attention and amicable resolution... I have said in all earnest that if India wants to talk on countering terrorism in sincerity of purpose, Pakistan would be willing to talk to India on this issue as well," he said.

Shehbaz Sharif had earlier proposed Saudi Arabia as a neutral venue for talks with India, stating that the United States could take lead as a mediator between the two countries.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reiterating India's firm stance against terrorism, saying there would be no talks or trade with Islamabad unless it relinquishes its illegal occupation of Kashmir.

"If there is to be any talk, it will be on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). If Pakistan continues to export terrorists, it will be left begging for every penny. It will not get a single drop of Indian water," he said in Rajasthan's Bikaner, last week.

PM Modi also made it clear that "playing with the blood of Indians will cost Pakistan dearly".
Mumbai, May 29 : The government of Telangana unveiled the winners for the 2024 edition of the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards on Wednesday. Stylish star Allu Arjun was named Best Actor for his latest release, "Pushpa 2".

Thrilled about the win, AA penned a special note on his social media. Showing his gratitude towards the Telangana government, Allu Arjun wrote, "I am truly honoured to receive the first Best Actor award for #Pushpa2 at the #GaddarTelanganaFilmAwards 2024.Heartfelt thanks to the Government of Telangana for this prestigious honour."

AA further shared the credit of his win with 'Pushpa 2' director Sukumar. "All credit goes to my director Sukumar garu, my producers, and the entire Pushpa team. I dedicate this award to all my fans , your unwavering support continues to inspire me," the Tollywood heartthrob penned.

The second installment in the beloved 'Pushpa' franchise talks about a labourer-turned-red sandalwood smuggler, Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun), who is facing growing threats from his enemies, especially SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil).

Produced under the prestigious banner of Mythri Movie Makers in collaboration with Sukumar Writings, "Pushpa: The Rule" stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil and Rao Ramesh in significant roles, along with others.

Released in cinema halls across the globe on December 5, 2024 "Pushpa 2" broke several box-office records, becoming the highest-grossing film in India, the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, the second highest-grossing Telugu film, and the third highest-grossing Indian film worldwide.

Coming back to the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards, Nivetha Thomas won Best Actress for her film "35 Chinna Katha Kadu" with "Kalki 2898 AD" winning both the Best Film award and the Best Director award (Nag Ashwin).

These awards will be presented to the winners during a grand ceremony on June 14 in Hyderabad.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi confirmed that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will soon arrive in Kyiv.

"We are expecting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Kyiv very soon. He is a good friend of Ukraine. Minister Sybiha and Minister Fidan have excellent contact," he said during a live broadcast on X.

The spokesperson noted that Foreign Minister Sybiha is in constant contact with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan, who "plays a very important role in the peace process." Separately, Tykhyi noted Turkey's efforts to advance the peace process, including the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Thus, Minister Sybiha will hold a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart.

"We understand that Minister Fidan is coming after his visit to Russia. We are sure that he will have something to tell us, something to tell us. We will discuss both peace efforts and Turkey's role in these peace efforts, as well as our wonderful bilateral cooperation," Tykhyi said.

The ministers will also likely focus on the situation in Syria, where Ukraine was very active early on after the change of government, the Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed.

"Therefore, we look forward to meeting with Minister Fidan in Ukraine and hope for a meaningful conversation," Tykhyi added.

Earlier, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the visit of the head of the department, Hakan Fidan, to Ukraine on May 29-30.

As reported, Fidan visited Russia on May 27 to discuss the situation in Ukraine after direct negotiations between the parties in Istanbul, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Putin. During his visit to Moscow, Fidan announced his country's readiness to host the next round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
New Delhi/Malappuram, May 29 : Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman and senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal on Thursday said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have admitted to lapses, including a design failure, in the under-construction stretches of National Highway 66 in Kerala.

Speaking to the media in New Delhi after a meeting of the PAC, Venugopal said that both the NHAI and the Transport Secretary acknowledged technical snags during the review, including flaws in the project's design, which have led to the crumbling of road segments in multiple districts.

"At the meeting, NHAI and the Transport Secretary accepted that technical failures, especially in design, were behind the damage to NH 66. Alarmingly, it has emerged that the final design was made by the contractor," Venugopal said.

The PAC also raised concerns over procedural lapses. Venugopal noted that during the interaction, it was revealed there was no high-level technical committee in place for quality assurance.

"In the case of the collapsed stretch at Kuriyad in Malappuram, locals had long warned that the highway should have been elevated, as it passes through a paddy field. These warnings were ignored," he said.

The PAC has now asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to conduct a performance audit, including a detailed review of the design.

Venugopal added that the PAC has directed the NHAI chairman to visit Kerala for a three-day inspection starting Saturday, not just to Kuriyad but to other sites as well.

A three-member technical committee comprising senior experts has also been formed, which has been tasked with submitting a report to the PAC within three weeks.

"We have asked for a comprehensive report detailing what went wrong and what corrective measures will be taken," Venugopal said.

Venugopal also took a swipe at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his son-in-law, PWD Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, accusing them of silence after initially taking credit for the project.

"Until the NH 66 collapses came to light, both the Chief Minister and the PWD Minister were boasting about the project. Now, they have gone quiet," he remarked.

Venugopal had visited NH 66 sites in Kerala on Wednesday and raised strong objections to the construction standards and lack of oversight.
Seoul, May 29 : An all-time high of 19.58 per cent of South Korean voters cast their ballots on Thursday on the first day of early voting for the upcoming presidential election to elect the successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his failed martial law bid.

The two-day early voting began at 3,568 polling stations nationwide earlier in the day. The official election is slated for next Tuesday.

More than 8.69 million out of 44,391,871 registered voters, or 19.58 per cent, cast their ballots from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Election Commission.

It marked the highest first-day turnout since nationwide early voting was introduced in 2014, Yonhap news agency reported.

The figure is 2.01 percentage points higher than the corresponding turnout for the previous presidential election held in 2022, which stood at 17.57 per cent.

Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung cast his ballot in Seoul, while People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo voted in the city of Incheon earlier in the day. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party (NRP) and Kwon Young-kook of the minor Democratic Labor Party also voted.

"The insurrection can only be truly overcome through the active participation of our citizens in the election," Lee said after casting his ballot with young voters, stressing that voting is the most powerful way to exercise one's sovereignty.

He also explained that casting his vote alongside young voters reflects his hope for South Korea to "return to an era led by the youth."

After the vote, Lee continued campaigning across several districts in Seoul, including Gangdong, Songpa, Seocho, and Gwanak.

The capital area, where half of the country's population resides, is considered a key battleground.

Meanwhile, Kim voted with his daughter in Incheon's Gyeyang district, the constituency of his DP rival.

"If you don't vote, there's no hope for this country," Kim said, warning that voting for his DP rival will "take away freedom".

The PPP's campaign committee said Kim's decision to vote in his rival's constituency reflects his determination to "turn the tide" in Lee's political stronghold.

During his campaign stop, Kim also visited Freedom Park in Incheon, west of Seoul, and paid tribute to the statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who led the pivotal Incheon Landing Operation in 1950 that helped turn the tide of the 1950-53 Korean War.

He urged voters to cast their ballots during the early voting period or on election day.

The NRP's Lee cast his early vote in Dongtan, his home constituency, before heading to Pangyo 2nd Techno Valley in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, and other districts to appeal to university students and the young population.

Kwon voted in the southern city of Yeosu.

Currently, six hopefuls are vying for the presidential office.

The latest poll on the presidential election, published Wednesday, showed the DP's Lee in the lead at 49.2 per cent, followed by Kim of the PPP with 36.8 per cent. Lee Jun-seok came in third with 10.3 per cent support.

The single five-year term of the next President will begin immediately following the election.
New Delhi, May 29 : Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday slammed the Congress for criticising MP Shashi Tharoor, saying that unfair criticism of Tharoor reflects the frustration currently prevailing within the grand old party, and it must rise above the party politics on the national issues.

As part of the Indian delegation, Shashi Tharoor, in Panama, said that India crossed the Line of Control (LoC) for the first time in 2016 for a surgical strike on a terror base, leading to backlash from several Congressmen.

Sanjay Nirupam defended Tharoor, saying that Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, is currently leading one of the seven parliamentary delegations sent by the Indian government to different countries.

He added that his mission is to expose Pakistan's actions, but unfortunately, while he is representing the country abroad, members of his own party are targeting him at home.

"When will Congress leaders understand that on national issues, we must rise above party politics? Shashi Tharoor is proving to be a more mature leader than most others in the party. He is involved in Operation Sindoor outreach," Nirupam told IANS.

He further said, "We avenged the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We took revenge on behalf of our mothers and sisters by eliminating hundreds of terrorists."

He emphasised that now, India Members of Parliament are explaining these operations on global platforms and garnering support for India.

"This is an important and honourable task on both national and international levels. If the BJP-led government is entrusting such a responsibility to Shashi Tharoor, Congress should feel proud. They should thank the BJP for recognising the talent within their ranks. But instead, Congress leaders are trying to defame Tharoor, which reveals the deep frustration within the party," he said.

Earlier, Shashi Tharoor's remark drew sharp reactions from within the Congress itself, with the party leader Udit Raj labelling Tharoor the "Super Spokesperson of the BJP."

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also challenged Tharoor's claim, referencing Tharoor's own 2018 book 'The Paradoxical Prime Minister', in which he criticised the BJP's "shameless exploitation" of the 2016 surgical strikes for electoral gains.

The book explicitly mentioned that the Congress had authorised several similar operations during its tenure, but refrained from politicising them.

Nirupam further reacted to recent comments made by Bala Darade, Deputy Chief of the Nashik city unit of Shiv Sena (UBT), who threatened to blacken the face of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remarks on Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

"It's a shameful moment for Shiv Sena (UBT) when Congress and Rahul Gandhi make such remarks," he said.

He added that Veer Savarkar was a freedom fighter who struggled for India's independence and was a great thinker.

He also criticised the LoP Rahul Gandhi's alleged objectionable remarks, saying that it does not reflect the Congress's ideology but rather that of the leftists.

"When Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister, she respected Savarkar. If Rahul Gandhi doesn't stop, and if Shiv Sena (UBT) truly has Bal Thackeray's blood in their veins, they should respond. If they don't, it will be clear that Bal Thackeray's legacy no longer runs through them," he concluded.
New Delhi, May 29 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has been invited to speak at the prestigious 'Ideas for India' Conference 2025, to be held on May 30 at the Royal Lancaster London.

New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has been invited to speak at the prestigious aIdeas for Indiaa Conference 2025, to be held on May 30 at the Royal Lancaster London.

Hosted by a leading UK-based think tank, Bridge India, the conference is a flagship event of India Week -- an influential global forum focused on Indiaas economic and geopolitical journey.

India Week brings together over 1,100 global changemakers, including policymakers, business leaders, investors, academics, and members of the Indian diaspora.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha is slated to participate in a high-level discussion on India in a Multipolar World, where he will share his perspective on Indiaas strategic autonomy, growing global influence, and the countryas position as a bridge between the Global North and South.

He will also highlight Indiaas recent achievements in defence and diplomacy, including the success of Operation Sindoor, and the role of technology and youth-led governance in shaping Indiaas future.

On his participation at the event, Raghav Chadha said, "As global economic dynamics shift and the world adjusts to new geopolitical realities, India continues to stand out as a key driver of growth. At a time when nations are rethinking trade relationships and supply chain resilience, the UK and India have a unique opportunity to deepen their partnership in meaningful, future-oriented ways. With renewed dialogue -- particularly around the UK-India Free Trade Agreement -- feels both timely and essential. Iam looking forward to engaging with leaders across sectors at Ideas for India 2025 to explore how we can collectively shape this next chapter of Indiaas development."

Highlighting India's military power in Operation Sindoor, Chadha said, "Indiaas recent defence advancements, exemplified by the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, have showcased the nationas growing self-reliance and technological prowess. The operation not only demonstrated Indiaas tactical military success but also served as a powerful endorsement of its indigenous defence capabilities."
Riyadh, May 29 : The Indian all-party Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Thursday shared India's firm resolve towards terrorism with a zero-tolerance approach and the 'new normal policy' in light of Operation Sindoor during a visit to Gulf Research Centre, a prominent think-tank in Saudi Arabia recognised for its expertise in global affairs.

Riyadh, May 29 (IANS) The Indian all-party Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Thursday shared Indiaas firm resolve towards terrorism with a zero-tolerance approach and the 'new normal policy' in light of Operation Sindoor during a visit to Gulf Research Centre, a prominent think-tank in Saudi Arabia recognised for its expertise in global affairs.

The delegation, welcomed by Chairman Abdulaziz Sager, held a frank and productive exchange of views. The discussions also focused on a strong India-Saudi Arabia partnership across all domains, including security and defense cooperation.

"India-Saudi Arabia continue to deepen ties across security, defence and global affairs, united by a shared resolve to combat terrorism. Our all-party delegation had a candid and insightful exchange at Gulf Research Centre with Chairman Abdulaziz Sager sharing India's zero-tolerance and new normal approach post-Operation Sindoor and exploring ways to strengthen the India-Saudi partnership," Panda posted on X.

Later, the delegation held interactions with President Abdulmajeed Albanyan of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh, sharing strong concerns about cross-border terrorism and India's position of zero tolerance against terrorism.

"Strengthening security ties and advancing counter-terrorism cooperation, the India-Saudi partnership continues to deepen. Along with our all-party delegation colleagues, we visited Naif Arab University for Security Sciences and had a meaningful exchange with President Abdulmajeed bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, discussing India's firm zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism and shared opportunities in security education and research," Panda posted on X.

Earlier, the delegates also interacted with the Saudi Civil Society, including distinguished guests from the government, think-tanks, business, and media. They shared India's resolute stance on terrorism, Operation Sindoor, and India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership.

The delegation led by Panda also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak, BJP MP Rekha Sharma, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Indian diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Satnam Singh Sandhu highlighted that India and Saudi Arabia stand united in enhancing the bilateral ties and promoting a secure and peaceful environment in the region.

"Led by Baijayant Jay Panda, our All-Party Delegation representing India in Saudi Arabia engaged with key voices from the Saudi government, civil society, think-tanks, business and media. We conveyed India's firm stance against terrorism and shared insights on Operation Sindoor, a proud symbol of Indiaas global humanitarian leadership. India and Saudi Arabia stand united in strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring peace, security, and prosperity in the region," Sandhu posted on X.

The delegation on Wednesday had an extensive discussion with Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi highlighting what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his speech earlier this month a" that "this is certainly not the era of war but this is also not the era of terrorism". The delegates reiterated India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and appreciated the support received from political leadership in Saudi Arabia in condemning the April 22 Pahlagam terrorist attack.

They underlined the importance of coordinated action against terrorism, dismantling terrorist infrastructure, denying safe havens, financing and political justification to terrorist entities, highlighting the "new normal" in Indiaas approach to terrorism.

"The delegation held a meeting with Mishaal Al-Sulami, Deputy Speaker of Shura Council. The Indian delegation expressed deep gratitude for Saudi Arabiaas strong condemnation of the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam. It conveyed that India stands firm and united in its resolve to fight terrorism. Acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances or reasons. Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shura Council, Abdulrahman Snitan A. Alharbi and senior Members of the Committee hosted the delegation for lunch," the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement.

"The delegation also met Mushabab bin Ayed Al-Qahtani, Director General of Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and held discussions which focused on Indiaas approach to countering terror. In all the meetings, the Indian delegation underlined that India has received unwavering support from Saudi Arabia on issues related to counter-terrorism. Both countries will continue to work together in their efforts towards de-radicalization and curbing extremism," the statement added

Furthermore, the Indian Embassy hosted a dinner interaction with the participation of distinguished personalities from Saudi civil society, which gave an opportunity for further discussions on countering terrorism as well as broader topics related to India-Saudi bilateral partnership.
Mumbai, May 29 : Actress Ananya Panday paid a heartfelt tribute to her father, Chunky Panday during the 23rd edition of the Zee Cine Awards.

The diva left her dad surprised with a heartfelt performance, which she had been planning with her mother, Bhavana Pandey.

During the performance, Ananya was joined by Chunky as they tapped a foot together on his popular track, "Main Tera Tota" from the 1989 drama "Paap Ki Duniya". The father and daughter duo set the stage on fire with their scintillating chemistry. Their wholesome performance even left Bhavana teary-eyed.

Talking about her special performance, Ananya said, "I've grown up watching my dad light up people's lives with his work, and this performance was my way of saying thank you  not just to him as an artist, but as the incredible father who's always been my biggest supporter. Mom and I had been planning this surprise for so long and keeping it, a secret wasn't easy! Every time I rehearsed at home, he'd walk by looking confused, wondering what I was up to. Seeing his reaction tonight made it all worth it. I'm just so grateful I could pull it off, and sharing the stage with him will always be one of the most special moments of my life. I want to thank Zee Cine Awards for giving me the chance to honour my dad in this way."

While Ananya and Chunky have not shared screen space till now, it would be exciting to see the dynamic father and daughter pair together.

Work-wise, Ananya is gearing up for the release of Vivek Soni's "Chand Mera Dil," in which she has been paired opposite the 'Kill' actor Lakshya.

The much-awaited drama is being backed by Karan Johar, Adar Poornawala, and Apoorva Mehta under the banner of Dharma Production.

Additionally, Ananya will be reprising her role as Bella Chowdhary in the second season of her popular series, "Call Me Bae".

The series will see Gurfateh Pirzada, Vir Das, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, and Mini Mathur in key roles, along with others.
Bhubaneswar, May 29 : The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, on Thursday, launched the 15-day-long nationwide campaign, 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan', during a special event held at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Puri district's Sakshigopal.

The chief guest of the event was Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, inaugurated the national campaign by planting a sapling under the theme of "Ek Peed Ma Ke Naam".

The Union government targets the joint teams of agriculture scientists and officials to physically meet about 1.5 crore farmers and make them aware of the new agricultural knowledge, skills and technologies during the campaign which will continue for the next 15 days.

Addressing the gathering on this occasion, CM Majhi said that the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan' is a significant initiative by the Central government to create awareness among farmers regarding modern technology and new seed varieties from May 29 to June 12.

Through this campaign, the government will reach out to about 1.5 crore farmers in 700 districts across the country and make them aware of the application of new agricultural technologies.

Three teams will be formed at each district level and the scientists and departmental officers of Krishi Vigyan Kendra will jointly explain the topics related to agriculture, horticulture and soil conservation to the rural farmers.

Each team will visit two villages daily and meet 250 farmers in each village to explain the farmer welfare schemes of both the Central and state governments and discuss various programmes, initiatives and practical aspects of new knowledge and skills with the farmer brothers and sisters.

The Chief Minister said that the farmers will be made aware of soil health testing, the use of soil health cards, fertiliser management, climate resilient agriculture, etc.

During the programme, the Union Minister Chouhan said that Odisha has set an example for the whole of India today.

Through Samrudha Krushak Yojana, the government is purchasing paddy from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal, which is Rs 800 more than the minimum support price of paddy.

He also added that this is a very important step because if the income of the farmer increases, the income of the country increases.

"Not only the agriculture sector, but many women of the state are benefiting today due to schemes like Subhadra. Be it women empowerment or development of agricultural infrastructure, we believe that Odisha will be an example for the whole world," Union Minister Chouhan said.
Jakarta, May 29 : The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday held extensive interactions with prominent think tanks and academia, Resident Ambassadors of friendly foreign missions in Jakarta, as well as with the leaders of National Mandate Party (PAN), a Modernist Muslim Party of Indonesia.

The discussions marked a continuation of India's strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism emanating from the soil of Pakistan.

The delegation interacted with the resident Ambassadors of friendly diplomatic missions of around 20 countries in Indonesia, sharing detailed insights on Operation Sindoor, and clearly explaining the role of Pakistan in the gruesome April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. They highlighted India's measured, non-escalatory, and targetted response following the Pahalgam attack.

The delegation conveyed the message that terror and talks cannot go together and blood and water cannot flow together. They urged support of the diplomatic community for bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice, recalling the UNSC statement of April 25, which underlined the need for concerted diplomatic action against terrorism and its sponsors.

Later, the visiting delegation met the leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN) of Indonesia including Eddy Soeparno, Vice Chairman of PAN and Deputy Speaker of Indonesian People's Assembly, and Viva Yoga Mauladi, Vice Chairman of the Party and also Deputy Minister For Transmigration Republic of Indonesia, along with other leaders and Members of Parliament from PAN sharing views on India's stance on zero tolerance for terrorism.

"Pleased to lead our All-Party Parliamentary Delegation in an insightful interaction with senior leadership of Indonesia's National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional  PAN)  including Eddy Soeparno, Vice Chairman of PAN and Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People's Assembly, and Viva Yoga Mauladi, Vice Chairman of the party and Deputy Minister for Transmigration, along with other Members of Parliament," Jha posted on X.

"We conveyed India's firm stand on zero tolerance towards terrorism, sharing the account of the Pahalgam attack  where civilians were targeted based on religion  and India's decisive response through Operation Sindoor. Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasized the importance of dialogue, democracy, and regional peace," the post added.

Earlier in the day, the delegation had meaningful discussions with researchers and scholars of various think tanks and academia in Indonesia, including the Indonesian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), The Habibie Center, and Indo-Pacific Strategic Intelligence (ISI), Center for Indonesia Policy Studies (CIPS), University of Indonesia, Indonesia Air Power Studies Centre, etc.

"The delegation conveyed a strong and unified national message of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism. There was understanding of India's position and the need was expressed to jointly combat false and fake narratives being propagated by vested interests. Responding to a query on endgame on this issue, the delegation categorically conveyed that total relinquishment of terror activities by Pakistan, dismantling of terror infrastructure within Pakistan and the vacation of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) was the ultimate endgame," said Indian Embassy in Jakarta.

The delegation led by Jha also includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and Former Indian Ambassador to France, Mohan Kumar.

After successfully completing their engagements in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, the delegates are in Indonesia to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India's continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism to the Indonesian leadership.
Kolkata, May 29 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming the anti-terror operation against Pakistan as "Operation Sindoor", asserting that the name of the operation is politically motivated.

Kolkata, May 29 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming the anti-terror operation against Pakistan as "Operation Sindoor", asserting that the name of the operation is politically motivated.

"The name 'Operation Sindoor' was their brainchild. It is politically motivated. I did not want to say this, especially when the multi-party delegations are visiting several countries and explaining India's stand. But today, the Prime Minister came to West Bengal with the motive of political propaganda," said the Chief Minister.

Earlier, while addressing a rally in Alipurduar district, PM Modi slammed the West Bengal government and ruling Trinamool Congress on multiple issues facing the state.

The Chief Minister also accused the Prime Minister of encouraging divisive politics through his address at Alipurduar.

"First, he (PM Modi) described himself as a tea-seller. Thereafter, he described himself as a guard. Now he has come here to sell Sindoor," the Chief Minister said.

Commenting on the allegation by the Prime Minister that the ruling Trinamool Congress and the state government encouraged hooliganism in minority-dominated Murshidabad district for appeasement politics, the Chief Minister said that in reality, the communal violence at Murshidabad was masterminded, planned, and triggered by the BJP.

"The BJP always triggers communal violence, and they did the same thing at Murshidabad also. We have definite proof of it. When the time comes, we will share those proofs with the media," the Chief Minister said.

Reacting to the allegation of the Prime Minister against Trinamool Congress on the issue of corruption, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister should first speak of the corruption in the BJP-ruled states before raising his fingers towards West Bengal.

"Corruption is much more prevalent in the BJP-ruled states. But no action is taken to check the corruption," the Chief Minister said.

She also claimed that before criticising the West Bengal government, the Prime Minister should first ensure that the central dues under different centrally-sponsored schemes to the state government are released.

"A massive amount of Rs 1.75 lakh crore is due to us. The Prime Minister should first clear those dues and then criticise us," the Chief Minister said.
Bengaluru, May 29 : The Congress-led government in Karnataka has decided to launch the Communal Violence Control Force -- a specialised unit -- in a bid to curb and control communal strife resulting in a series of revenge killings in the state's Mangaluru, Udupi and Shivamogga districts.

The government has also announced that the personnel serving in the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) will be reassigned to the Communal Violence Control Force.

The government order released on Thursday in this regard states, among the total available total 648 posts in the ANF, 248 officers and staff are shortlisted to establish the STF.

The order states: "The new STF will have three companies and they will be established in Udupi, Shivamogga and Mangaluru districts. The functions and responsibilities of this force include establishing an intelligence unit with a technical cell to monitor and collect information from the media, social media, and intelligence sources regarding hate speech, provocative incidents, and communal-related activities.

"To create an alert system for potential communal violence through surveillance and human intelligence; to undertake confidence-building measures through effective outreach and influence; to implement measures to identify and monitor radicalisation."

The IGP of the zone will take the necessary steps to deploy special task force officers/personnel during instances of communal riots, it says.

The order further stated: "The Director General and Inspector General of Police have submitted a proposal to the government stating that six underground Naxals have surrendered before the Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme Committee, and since the state is now considered free of Naxal presence, the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) will be disbanded. This was announced in the Budget Speech 2025-26. However, they have requested that the Anti-Naxal Force unit be extended for another three years, and have mentioned that after review, the unit may be dissolved."

Meanwhile, the order mentions that it has also considered the fact that the Intelligence Department has provided information that some existing Maoists are relocating from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to the border areas of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

In light of this, it has been proposed that from the current strength of officers/personnel in the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), certain posts be separated to establish a dedicated 'Special Task Force' within the state, while the remaining officers/personnel will continue to serve in the ANF, the order stated.

The government has decided to continue 376 posts with the ANF for a further three years. The Communal Violence Control Force will have several high-ranking officials.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the government has taken the recent incident of murder in Mangaluru seriously.

"We will take action without any hesitation. If such incidents keep recurring, we cannot remain silent. We will further tighten the law," he said.

The government will take action by considering Mangaluru, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts as sensitive areas, Parameshwara stated. Mangaluru and Udupi are located in coastal Karnataka region and witnessed a series of murders and stabbing incidents over communal strife.

Following the previous incident (murder of Hindu activist and rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty), the government had assessed the situation and issued an order to immediately implement the formation of a Communal Violence Control Force, he stated.

The Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG and IGP) will take the necessary steps in this regard, Parameshwara stated.

He reiterated that Mangaluru, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts will be treated as sensitive zones and that the government will act firmly to curb communal violence.

Half of the personnel from the existing Anti-Naxal Force will be reassigned to the newly formed Communal Violence Control Force. They will be given the necessary powers and facilities. "We will focus more attention on these three districts," Parameshwara announced.

"If hatred spreads, what will remain of society? How can people live in such an environment? The government will not stay silent," he questioned.

In connection with the murder of a 34-year-old man in Mangaluru, Parameshwara said the investigation has uncovered serious information, and action will be taken accordingly.

Parameshwara urged elected representatives to cooperate in maintaining peace. "If they try to provoke people, how can peace be maintained? I have instructed officials to hold peace meetings with religious leaders," he said.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua

The Ukrainian side held talks with American and European partners today and is also preparing more meetings this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"I have held a meeting today with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Umerov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha and the head of the Presidents Office Yermak on diplomatic work. In fact, we coordinate with our partners every day and are preparing meetings for this week," Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Thursday.

According to him, today there were conversations with both Americans and Europeans.

"Everyone needs to speak honestly - everyone in the world, and especially those who supported the ceasefire. Russia is dragging out the war and doing everything to simply deceive the countries that are still trying to influence Moscow with words, not pressure," the president added.

According to him, today there were conversations with both "the Americans and the Europeans." "Everyone needs to be told honestly - everyone in the world, and especially those who supported the ceasefire. Russia is dragging out the war and doing everything to simply deceive the countries that are still trying to influence Moscow with words, not pressure," the president added.
Jaipur, May 29 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is scheduled to hold an important meeting with Union Energy, Housing, and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday in Delhi.

The meeting is expected to play a crucial role in accelerating major infrastructure and energy projects in Rajasthan. The meeting reflects the continued efforts to strengthen the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "double engine" governance model, aimed at coordinated development through active collaboration between the Centre and states.

Accompanying the Chief Minister to Delhi will be senior Rajasthan government officials, including Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra and UDH Secretary Vaibhav Galaria.

The agenda for the meeting includes detailed discussions on Jaipur Metro Phase-2, E-bus network expansion, Smart battery storage projects and Urban development initiatives under the NCR Planning Board.

The Chief Minister recently approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Jaipur Metro Phase-2, which aims to enhance north-south connectivity across the city through modern, high-speed public transportation.

The proposed 42.80 km corridor will have 36 stations, 34 elevated and 2 underground, and will stretch from Todi Mode to Prahladpura.

Key areas to be covered include Jaipur International Airport's new terminal, VKI and Sitapura Industrial Areas, Vidyadhar Nagar, SMS Hospital and Stadium, Collectorate and Proposed Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT).

The project carries an estimated cost of Rs 12,260 crore, with financing support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Implementation will be overseen by the Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation, a 50:50 joint venture between the central and state governments, which will also handle all future metro initiatives in the state.

In addition to the metro project, the meeting will also address the rollout of an electric bus network, smart battery storage systems, and various urban development projects under the NCR Planning Board.

These initiatives are expected to bolster Rajasthan's push for sustainable urban transport and improved living standards in growing urban areas.
Jaipur, May 29 : Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on Thursday, described the arrest of Shakur Khan, the Personal Assistant of former Rajasthan Minister and MLA Saleh Mohammad, on espionage charges as a matter of grave concern.

Speaking to media, the Union Minister said, "I have just come from a foreign tour and have been informed that the Personal Assistant of Saleh Mohammad, who has been a former Minister, has now been arrested."

He demanded that all those links connected with Khan should be investigated at the earliest and strict action should be taken against those compromising with the security of the country.

Khan was detained on Wednesday night by an Intelligence department team who were acting on security-related inputs.

Khan, who works in the district employment office, was found to have phone numbers associated with Pakistan stored on his device, an official said.

"There were inputs about Shakur Khan that he could be involved in spying for Pakistan. He was on surveillance following inputs and was detained last night," the official added.

A joint questioning was conducted in Jaisalmer following which the Intelligence department team left for Jaipur with Khan.

According to sources, the 'spy' Shakur Khan was working as a Personal Assistant to former Minister Mohammad under the previous Congress government in Rajasthan.

Khan and Mohammad's villages are nearly eight kilometre away from one another, they said.

Mohammad has been a two-time MLA, a Minister, and has fought four elections under the leadership of the previous Ashok Gehlot government.

He is currently the representative of India of the 'Pir Pagara' (a title given to the leader of the Muslim Sufi order of Hurs in Pakistan's Sindh) of Pakistan.
New Delhi, May 29 : Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, on Thursday, stressed the growing role of technology in modern warfare and emphasised why the nation should be future-ready, reducing dependence on any foreign nation for its own stockpile of arms and ammunition.

"The current situation in the world has made us realise that Atmanirbharata is the only way, and we need to be future-ready," the IAF chief said while addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 here.

Spotlighting technological advances in modern warfare, ACM Singh said that the Operation Sindoor was a clear indicator of future direction and requirements and urged the industry to prioritise the IAF's requirements with time-bound delivery.

"In the next 10 years, the Air Force will require more input from industry, but we also need to act today and get into quick Make in India programmes so that we can achieve the aNow Readya part of it, while aDesign in Indiaa continues to progress in the near future," he said.

On Indiaas quest for its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, he welcomed the execution clearance for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Opening the AMCA for private companies marks a significant milestone and demonstrates the governmentas confidence in the private sector, paving the way for greater industry involvement in defence projects, the IAF chief said.

Navy chief, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who also attended and addressed the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, shared his insights on the need to strengthen Indiaas defence manufacturing ecosystem in alignment with the governmentas vision of strategic autonomy and Atmanirbharta.

"India is, was, and will always be a maritime nation - not just by design or geography, but also by destiny in terms of our future growth. Today, India is realising its rich maritime potential, with apex-level decisions and policies reflecting this broader maritime renaissance," Admiral Tripathi said.
New Delhi, May 29 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 11 years in office, several BJP leaders on Thursday praised his leadership, calling his tenure a transformative era that has propelled India "1100 years ahead." New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 11 years in office, several BJP leaders on Thursday praised his leadership, calling his tenure a transformative era that has propelled India "1100 years ahead."

BJP leaders across the country reflected on the major milestones of PM Modi's governance, citing a mix of economic growth, global stature, national security, and social welfare initiatives as key pillars of what they described as a "historic journey" under his stewardship.

On May 26, 2014, Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister, bringing an end to the three-decade-long era of coalition politics and ushering in a new phase of strong central leadership. Since then, his rise to a third consecutive term has been hailed by party members as a reflection of people's unwavering trust in his vision.

Speaking to IANS, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "It's a historic moment that Prime Minister Modi has completed 11 years in power. India today stands as the fourth-largest economy in the world. We are now counted among global powerhouses like the US, Russia, and China."

He added, "All of this has been possible because of PM Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. From the very beginning, he focused on poverty eradication. Crores have received homes, clean water, toilets, and access to basic dignity. In these 11 years, PM Modi has taken India 1100 years ahead."

Anil Kumar, a Cabinet Minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, echoed this sentiment, stating that Modi's leadership has not only transformed India domestically but has also raised its global profile.

"From the Central to the state governments, the NDA's tenure since 2014 has been a success. The people have given us a third term with an absolute majority, which is rare in a democracy of this scale. That alone speaks volumes about the trust placed in PM Modi," he said.

He added, "Governments are being formed with the support of all communities. It's a socially inclusive governance model. Whatever challenges remain, the NDA is committed to addressing them with the same energy and determination."

From Karnataka, BJP MLC Shashil Namoshi applauded PM Modi for empowering the common man through schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, which brought millions into the banking system.

"On behalf of all citizens of Karnataka and the nation, I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on completing 11 years. The Jan Dhan Yojana is a perfect example of his commitment to the grassroots. Earlier, subsidies were lost in the system, but now the beneficiary receives the money directly," he said.

He also credited PM Modi for elevating India's international image, saying, "The Prime Minister is respected globally. His popularity is not just in India, but also across the world."

BJP leader and MP from Khandwa, Gyaneswar Patil, highlighted PM Modi's focus on self-reliance and development.

"Under Modi's leadership, India has carved its own identity at the global level. The push toward self-reliance has reduced our dependency on imports and boosted domestic industry. Be it poor welfare, infrastructure, or defence, every sector has seen unprecedented growth," Patil said.

Another senior BJP leader, Daya Shankar Singh, described Prime Minister Modi as a tireless worker.

"PM Modi has devoted every moment of his life to the nation's progress. His governance has increased India's honour and self-respect globally. His popularity spans continents, and under his leadership, India is seen as a rising power. His 11-year tenure is truly historic," Singh said.

BJP leader Rakesh Kumar Goswami also praised PM Modi's assertive leadership style, saying it changed how the world sees India.

"Earlier, our leaders were seated in the back rows at international forums. Today, India remains at the front. PM Modi talks eye to eye with global powers," he said.

He continued, "Our GDP is now the fourth largest globally, and we aim to become the third-largest economy by 2027. Whether it is industry, space, or defence, India has advanced in every area. We've seen bold moves like the abrogation of Article 370, the crackdown on Triple Talaq, and operations like Operation Sindoor and the surgical strikesall carried out under PM Modi's watch."
Jaipur, May 29 : Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore said on Thursday that the Congress and its leaders must show patriotism after former Minister and MLA Saleh Mohammad's Personal Assistant was arrested on charges of espionage for Pakistan.

He called for a thorough investigation into all individuals connected with the government employee arrested on espionage charges in Jaisalmer.

The accused, Shakur Khan, was previously the Personal Assistant to a Minister in the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government.

BJP leader Rathore emphasised that the matter is of serious concern, given that personal assistants to Ministers have access to sensitive government information.

"If such individuals establish connections with enemy nations and share classified information, it becomes a major threat to national security," he said while speaking to the media.

He added, "It is important to uncover who he was in contact with, what channels he was using, and who his known associates are. Strict action must be taken against everyone involved."

BJP leader Rathore also criticised the Congress leadership, saying, "Congress leaders should demonstrate patriotism. The Minister concerned should have raised alarms when his Personal Assistant repeatedly travelled to Pakistan. Suspicion should have further increased if there were any signs of links to ISI."

Calling the incident as "unfortunate," the State BJP President said that he came to know about the arrest of the former Minister's Personal Assistant on Thursday and reiterated the demand for a detailed and impartial probe.

A Rajasthan government employee, identified as Shakur Khan, was detained in Jaisalmer on Wednesday night for allegedly spying for Pakistan, officials said.

Rajasthan's Intelligence department team was acting on security-related inputs when it arrested Khan.

The suspicion of espionage for Pakistan on Khan arose when phone numbers related to Islamabad were found on his mobile phone, officials added.

The detained individual works in the district employment office in Jaisalmer.

"There were inputs about Shakur Khan that he could be involved in spying for Pakistan. He was on surveillance following inputs and was detained on Wednesday night," an official said.
Bengaluru, May 29 : A delegation of Karnataka Congress Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) submitted a complaint to the Governor on Thursday, demanding legal and constitutional action against BJP MLC N. Ravikumar for allegedly calling Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum "a Pakistani".

The delegation further demanded action against the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, for comparing RDPR, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge to a "dog."

The delegation, led by the Leader of the House in the Legislative Council, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology, N.S. Boseraju and Chief Whip Saleem Ahmad met the Governor and submitted the complaint.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Boseraju said, "BJP MLCs N. Ravikumar and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy have made unconstitutional statements in public. In a democracy, such remarks are unacceptable. While BJP leaders claim to stand for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' their actions are divisive."

They have made it a habit to make statements against the Constitution. Narayanaswamy's derogatory comments against the Dalit community warrant his expulsion from the Council. We have urged the Governor to take legal and constitutional action against Ravikumar for his offensive remarks about a public officer, he demanded.

Chief Whip Saleem Ahmad said that the Congress delegation submitted two complaints to the Governor  one against N. Ravikumar and another against Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Opposition Leader in the Council.

"Narayanaswamy has made irresponsible and unconstitutional remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge, while Ravikumar has questioned whether an IAS officer (Fouzia Taranum) came from Pakistan. Such behaviour is highly condemnable. We have urged the Governor to suspend both of them. Their statements are spreading a dangerous message in society," he said, adding that the Governor assured an inquiry into the matter.

The Congress delegation included MLCs Vasanth Kumar, Anil Kumar M.L., Jagadev Guttedar, S. Ravi, D.T. Srinivas, Dinesh Gooligowda, Channaraj Hattiholi, Basavangouda Badarli, Puttanna, Naseer Ahmad, Govindaraju, Nagaraj Yadav, and Manjunath Bhandari.

The remark made by BJP MLC and Opposition Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, N. Ravikumar, calling Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum a "Pakistani" had triggered a controversy in Karnataka.

The Kalaburagi Police have lodged an FIR against Ravikumar in connection with the incident, are preparing to initiate legal action against him. They have issued a notice to appear before them for questioning.

Since he has been booked under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which is non-bailable, the police have the authority to arrest him at any time.

Police have booked Ravikumar under various Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 197 (acts likely to cause disharmony, enmity, or hatred between different groups), 224 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 302 (injuring religious sentiments), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty).

The police have also booked Ravikumar under Section 3 (1) (r) of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
New Delhi, May 29 : The Central government on Thursday categorically denied a viral social media post claiming that a MiG-29 UPG fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was shot down and its pilot killed on May 7.

The PIB Fact Check unit has termed the claim fake and far from the truth, clarifying that the pilot in question is safe, on duty, and actively deployed.

"A post circulating on social media claims that an Indian Air Force jet MiG-29 UPG has been shot down, and the IAF pilot has died. This claim is fake. The @IAF_MCC pilot is safe, on duty, and currently deployed," the official PIB Fact Check handle said in a post on X.

The fabricated post appears to be linked to Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror operation launched in response to the terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead.

The fake message, which is being widely circulated, claims that on May 7, a MiG-29 UPG was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force JF-17C over Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in the death of Squadron Leader Keshav Yadav.

The misleading post reads: "On 7 May 2025, #IndianAir Force (#IAF) MiG-29 UPG shot down by a #PakistanAirForce JF-17C using a PL-15 LRAAM over Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir, was being piloted by Sqn. Ldr. Keshav Yadav (IAF No. 32394), who sustained injuries and died on 22 May 2025 at Udhampur Military Hospital, Jammu & Kashmir. #IndiaPakistanWar #IndiaPakistanWar2025 #JF17 #MIG29"

Dismissing the claim outright, the government emphasised that no such incident took place on May 7 or at any other time.

"The claim is entirely fabricated. No IAF aircraft has been shot down, and the pilot mentioned is alive and on active duty," the PIB Fact Check post clarified.

Officials have urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and warned that spreading fake news, especially on matters of national security, can have serious consequences.
Bhopal, May 29 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday that his government is fully committed to realising the vision of 'Vocal for local' given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chief Minister added that the idea given by the Prime Minister plays a significant role in preserving the country's traditional handicrafts, folk arts, and cultural heritage.

It also empowers artisans by promoting self-reliance and independence through recognition of local products, he said.

Chief Minister Yadav made these remarks while addressing the inaugural event of the 'Craftroutes' Handicrafts Exhibition at Bhopal Haat, in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.

He remarked that the Craftroutes exhibition is also a meaningful step in the direction of women empowerment, symbolising the beginning of this larger celebration.

"Handicrafts of different regions of the state have their own distinct identity and charm. Exhibitions like these help regional products gain wider recognition and provide artisans with opportunities to grow their businesses," he added.

Chief Minister Yadav also emphasised the state government's commitment to expanding industrial activities, from large-scale industries to cottage industries.

"Employment-generating industries are being given special encouragement in the state. Handicrafts can serve as an effective alternative to plastic, and support for such products is needed not just from governments and institutions, but also at the individual level," the Chief Minister said.

While addressing this event, he also noted that the nation is celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, who is a shining example of women empowerment and self-reliance.

"It is a matter of pride for the people of Madhya Pradesh that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the Women Empowerment Conference to be held in Bhopal on this occasion," CM Yadav said.
Guwahati, May 29 : Ahead of Rajya Sabha elections for two Assam seats, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam has stressed the need for a unified opposition, conceding that his party lacks the strength to secure a seat independently.

Speaking to reporters, Islam said, "We have only 15 MLAs. That's not enough to contest a Rajya Sabha seat alone. If the opposition comes together, we can easily win one seat. But right now, we're not as united as we used to be. Our party can't do anything on its own."

Islam suggested that the Congress, as the principal opposition force in the Assam Assembly, should take the initiative in building a broader coalition.

"If Congress president Gaurav Gogoi steps forward to unite the opposition under one banner, it's possible," he added.

His comments underscore growing concerns over the fragmented state of the opposition in Assam. With the BJP-led alliance maintaining a clear majority, a consolidated opposition front could still mount a serious bid for at least one of the two upper house seats.

As backchannel discussions gather momentum, attention now shifts to the Congress and its willingness to engage with regional players like the AIUDF, Raijor Dal, and others in the run-up to the crucial vote.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that biennial elections to eight Rajya Sabha seats from the states of Tamil Nadu and Assam will be held on June 19, and the results will be declared the same day.

The biennial elections are being held as the terms of eight members of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), representing the two states, are set to expire between June and July, the Election Commission said in a statement.

From Assam, two seats will fall vacant with the retirement of Mission Ranjan Das and Birendra Prasad Baishya, both of whom will demit office on June 14.
Jaipur, May 29 : The tale of a political-marital alliance between Akbar and the Amer royal family has been exaggerated and misrepresented, said Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde in Udaipur while questioning the authenticity of certain historical narratives.

He claimed that early Indian history was largely written by foreign authors and contains several misleading facts.

Speaking at an event organised in Udaipur to mark the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap, the Governor pointed out historical inconsistencies, particularly related to Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Referring to Akbarnama, Governor Bagde said, "There is no mention of Akbar's own marriage in his official biography. The commonly told story about his marriage to the princess of Amer is also false. I have heard of this claim, but no factual basis or documentation supports it in Akbarnama."

He further added that Raja Bharmal had married his daughter off to Akbar's household through a maid's connection, not as a royal alliance.

The Governor also criticised school textbooks for giving disproportionate emphasis to Akbar over Maharana Pratap, one of India's most iconic warrior-kings known for his resistance against the Mughals.

"History textbooks tend to glorify Akbar while offering limited content on Maharana Pratap. This needs to change. Fortunately, with the implementation of the New National Education Policy (NEP), efforts are being made to restore the balance and instil pride in our cultural and historical heritage," Bagde noted.

He praised Maharana Pratap's unwavering stand for self-respect and sovereignty, highlighting that he never compromised, even under intense pressure.

The Governor drew parallels between Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, calling them symbols of patriotism and valour.

"There was a gap of nearly 90 years between them. Had they been contemporaries, the history and destiny of India could have been vastly different," he said.

He also mentioned that the Bhonsle dynasty of Shivaji Maharaj traces its lineage to the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar, underlining the deep historical connections between the two warrior lineages.

In a tribute to the villagers living along the India-Pakistan border, the Governor lauded their courage and patriotism.

"Even during times of war, when bullets are flying, these villagers raise the morale of our jawans by chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. This is the spirit of real India, one that defends the soul of the nation," he said.

The event was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP and Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore, and Member of Parliament Chunnilal Garasiya, among other dignitaries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has heard a report from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky on the situation at the front and long-range activity on Russian territory.

"Thank you to our guys for their accuracy. And this is absolutely fair: it is in Russia that they should feel what war is, so that there is a desire to engage in diplomacy," Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Thursday.
New Delhi, May 29 : Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for people living in border areas affected by Pakistani shelling.

In his letter, Rahul Gandhi cited his recent visit to Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, where 14 civilians, including four children, were killed and several others injured in cross-border shelling.

"I recently visited Poonch, where 14 people, including four children, were killed and scores injured in Pakistani shelling. This sudden and indiscriminate attack has caused large-scale destruction in civilian areas," he wrote.

He described the extensive damage inflicted by the shelling, saying that hundreds of homes, shops, schools, and religious places had been severely damaged. "Many victims told me that years of hard work and savings were destroyed in an instant," the Congress leader said.

Rahul Gandhi also emphasised the resilience and peaceful nature of the communities living in the border districts.

"The people of Poonch and other border areas have lived in peace and harmony for decades. Today, when they are going through such a deep crisis, it is our collective responsibility to acknowledge their pain and provide them with all possible support to rebuild their lives," he said.

Calling for urgent government action, he urged PM Modi to formulate "a solid and generous relief and rehabilitation package" not just for Poonch but for all areas affected by Pakistani shelling.

Gandhi had visited the affected civilian areas of Poonch on May 24, where he met with grieving families and local residents who had suffered loss of life and property.

During the visit, he had assured the people that he would raise their concerns at the national level.

Both Poonch and Rajouri districts have witnessed repeated shelling from across the border, leading to loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.
New Delhi, May 29 : Approximately 900 illegal Bangladeshi nationals residing in Delhi have been identified and will be deported after proper verification, Delhi's Special Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Devesh Chandra Srivastava said on Thursday, as the process of deporting undocumented migrants has gained momentum in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Over the past six months, approximately 700 undocumented migrants in Delhi have been repatriated to Bangladesh under the Indian government's ongoing "push-back" strategy. According to data from the Border Security Force (BSF), Delhi ranks highest among all states in terms of the number of individuals deported across the eastern land border.

The crackdown on undocumented Bangladeshi nationals has intensified across several states, particularly those governed by the BJP. In this period, a significant number of alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have been detained in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Goa. Following their detention, they have been processed and handed over for deportation.

Speaking to IANS, Devesh Chandra Srivastava said, "All our field units, including the Crime Branch and Special Cell, are actively engaged in identifying and taking legal action against Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in Delhi. Those without valid documents have been detained, and legal proceedings are underway. Additionally, action is being taken against individuals who help these migrants obtain fake documents."

He added, "This special campaign began in November and is yielding significant results. It is being conducted across Delhi based on secret intelligence inputs and public complaints."

Srivastava shared further details about the current status of the identified migrants.

"Approximately 900 Bangladeshis have been identified this year. Those whose documents were verified and found legitimate were released, while others are still under scrutiny. The remaining individuals have had legal action initiated against them, including detention, deportation, and criminal proceedings," he said.

To encourage public participation in the campaign, Srivastava urged citizens to share information with the authorities.

"Anyone with information can contact the police via the 112 helpline or reach out to local officers such as the SHO, ACP, or DCP of their area. Information can be shared either in writing or over the phone, and appropriate legal action will follow," he concluded.
Freetown, May 29 : In an extraordinary gesture reflecting strong relations between both countries, the parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday observed a moment of silence in honour of victims of Pahalgam terror attack as an all-party delegation from India led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde began its visit to the West African nation.

The Indian delegation thanked the Speaker and Parliamentarians of the country for their special gesture of friendship and solidarity in Indiaas fight against terrorism.

It also met Deputy Defence Minister Muana Brima Massaquoi of Sierra Leone, briefing him about India's strategic restraints in its counter terrorism operations and reaffirming zero tolerance for terrorism.

The delegation is on a two-day visit to Sierra Leone to reflect India's resolute commitment to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and underscore its broader effort to engage the international community to ensure regional and global peace and stability.

The visit is a part of diplomatic outreach launched by the Government of India in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.

The Indian delegates arrived in Freetown after successful completion of their mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscoring India's zero tolerance and new normal approach against terrorism with the Congolese interlocutors.

During their visit to Sierra Leone, the Indian delegation will hold high-level discussions with senior leaders of the republic, including the Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Members of Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the National Security Coordinator of Sierra Leone.

"As part of its public outreach, the delegation will also interact with mainstream media representatives in Sierra Leone and engage with members of the Indian diaspora, reaffirming the Government of India's commitment to its citizens abroad," the High Commission of India in Freetown stated.

"India and Sierra Leone enjoy warm and friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values, South-South cooperation, and a common vision for a secure and prosperous future. This visit is expected to further consolidate bilateral relations and foster deeper strategic understanding between the two nations," the statement added.

The delegation led by Shinde also includes Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, Sasmit Patra, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, S.S. Ahluwalia and former Ambassador Sujan Chinoy.
Bhubaneswar, May 29 : A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday launched an investigation into the looting of explosives weighing around four tonnes by the Maoists near the Odisha-Jharkhand border in Sundargarh district on Tuesday, a senior police officer said.

The senior police official also said that the NIA team is examining the case to determine whether they should take over the investigation or not.

He told the media that the involvement of the Maoists from neighbouring Jharkhand in the looting incident can't be ruled out.

"As per the information shared by the driver, the persons involved in the incident had told him in Odia language during the looting that they were Maoists. Based on this, an FIR has been lodged and investigation is going on that angle," said Brijesh Rai, DIG of Odisha Police (Western Range).

Rai also told the media persons that after the incident came to fore, DGP Y.B. Khurania along with other senior officials of state police reached K Balanga police station on Wednesday and took stock of the whole situation.

The DGP instructed the officials to beef up security at all the vulnerable places in the area.

Khurania has also directed strict adherence to the existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or guidelines regarding security measures for agencies engaged in trade of explosives. He also ordered a security audit of all such centers.

It is pertinent here to mention that when a vehicle carrying around 200 packets, each containing 25 kg of explosives, from a private godown in the Badagaon area, reached a mining site at Banko under K Balanga police station area on Tuesday, some 30 to 40 unidentified gunmen suddenly appeared there and asked the staff at the mining site and the driver to reload the explosives into the vehicle.

They later took away the packets containing explosives leaving the vehicle and the driver in a jungle a few kilometres away.

As per reports, the Maoists had similarly hijacked an explosive-laden vehicle from Champajharan area of Rourkela in Sundargarh district few years back.
Seoul, May 29 : Russia has provided North Korea with its air defence system, electronic warfare jamming devices and other military support since late last year, in blatant violations of UN sanctions amid their deepening ties, an international monitoring report released by Seoul's Foreign Ministry showed on Thursday.

Since November 2024, Moscow has transferred at least one Pantsir mobile air defence system and one Pantsir-class combat vehicle to Pyongyang, the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) said in its first report on the sanctions enforcement.

The MSMT was established in October last year with the initiative of South Korea and the United States as an alternative framework to the UN Panel of Experts on North Korean sanctions monitoring.

The panel was disbanded in March of the same year due to Russia's veto. Besides South Korea and the US, nine other countries have joined the mechanism -- Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

The inaugural report, specifically focusing on the illegal military cooperation between Russia and the North, is the MSMT's first assessment on the sanctions enforcement since its launch.

The findings were based on the intelligence and other information provided by the participating countries and data from private research institutes.

The Pantsir missile system is made up of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery systems. A South Korean lawmaker has recently mentioned the weapons systems unveiled on the North's new Choe Hyon destroyer as bearing a marked resemblance to the Russian Pantsir system.

The report also found that North Korea has supplied Russia with more than 20,000 containers worth of military supplies since September 2023.

The shipments include approximately 9 million rounds of artillery and multiple rocket launcher ammunition, more than 100 ballistic missiles and over 200 heavy artillery pieces, as well as anti-tank guided missiles and rockets, Yonhap news agency reported.

These transfers make up enough supplies to equip three full brigades, the report said.

Russian transport aircraft were used for the arms transfers between November and December 2023. They include three IL-76 and three AN-124 military planes belonging to the Russian Transport Aviation Command, the report said.

Russia has also provided the North with missile performance data and technical support to enhance Pyongyang's missile guidance capabilities, in a clear violation of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions against Pyongyang, which Russia itself voted for as a permanent UNSC member.

The report stated that North Korea sent over 11,000 troops to Russia in 2024, with an additional 3,000 soldiers dispatched recently. Those soldiers were trained by the Russian military on artillery drone countermeasures and basic infantry operations.

The report said that the two countries have engaged in high-level exchanges between top military officials, suggesting the deepening ties following the signing of a bilateral defence treaty between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their June summit last year.

Russia provided the North with more than 1 million barrels of fuel between March and October last year, the report said. The UNSC sanctions cap North Korea's annual imports of refined petroleum at 500,000 barrels.

About 8,000 North Korean workers have been sent to Russia to work in construction, IT and other sectors, also a breach of the sanctions banning the hiring of North Koreans overseas.

The report also found that financial transactions between the two countries are being made through North Korea-owned ruble-denominated bank accounts set up in South Ossetia, a Russia-backed autonomous state in Georgia.

The report is a "product of our efforts to address the monitoring gap arising from the disbandment" of the UN panel, a joint statement released by the foreign ministry read.

"We underscore once again our shared determination to fully implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions ... and continue our efforts to monitor the implementation," the statement said.
Jaipur, May 29 : A workshop titled "Vidhansabha: Kal, Aaj, and Kal" was organised in Udaipur under the aegis of Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Kota, focusing on the evolution and future of legislative processes in India.

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, speaking as the chief guest at the event, emphasised the strength of India's parliamentary democracy, rooted in its rich cultural and traditional values.

"While there has been a noticeable decline in decorum in recent times, our deeply embedded traditions continue to safeguard the dignity and future of our democratic system," he said.

The workshop was chaired by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, with former Speakers Kailash Meghwal, Shantilal Chaplot, and C.P. Joshi attending as special guests.

In his address, Vasudev Devnani highlighted the advancements in transparency and digital governance in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

"Our Assembly is leading in the country. With proceedings broadcast live on YouTube, over 8 crore citizens have direct access to the legislative process," he said.

He added that the Rajasthan Assembly is moving towards a paperless system, with over 70 per cent of MLAs already using iPads for legislative work.

Full implementation is expected in upcoming sessions. However, he also expressed concern over the declining standard of debate and increasing partisanship.

"Earlier, mutual respect prevailed between the ruling and opposition parties. Now, political polarisation and the pursuit of publicity have led to disruptions. Even the media tends to focus on negativity instead of highlighting constructive debates," he noted.

Devnani stressed the need for systematic training of MLAs post-election, focusing on parliamentary decorum and conduct.

He compared the role of the Speaker to that of a mother -- strict when necessary but inherently nurturing and inclusive. Governor Bagde remarked on the shift from issue-based debates to personal attacks in the Assembly.

"Earlier, diverse ideologies coexisted with mutual respect. Today, bitterness often overshadows dialogue. Yet, Rajasthan stands out due to its cultured and disciplined public, and their values reflect in their representatives," he said.

Kailash Meghwal noted that while change is inevitable, the decline in serious legislative discussions is concerning. "Use of the Assembly library has reduced, and lawmaking is often treated as a formality," he observed.

Shantilal Chaplot drew attention to India's ancient democratic ethos, citing the times of Lord Ram, Rishabhdev, and Mahavir Swami as examples of democratic governance.

He emphasised the Legislature's dual role in law-making and executive oversight. Dr. C.P. Joshi, beginning his address with the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, underlined that the essence of parliamentary democracy lies in its foundational values: justice, equality, secularism, and socialism.

The workshop witnessed the participation of several intellectuals and public representatives, including Udaipur City MLA Tarachand Jain, Rural MLA Phool Singh Meena, and Vardhman Mahaveer Open University Vice-Chancellor Kailash Sodani.
Kolkata, May 29 : The Border Security Force (BSF) has made major seizures of narcotics at three locations along the Indo-Bangladesh Border in West Bengal, an official said on Thursday, adding that nearly 6,000 Yaba tablets, a huge quantity of Ganja and over 300 bottles of banned Phensesdyl cough syrup were seized during these operations.

"Around 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday, troops of the 102 Bn BSF, posted at Border Outpost Ghojadanga in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal, received specific information about a significant quantity of drugs hidden in a nearby parking area. Acting promptly, the jawans conducted a meticulous search operation in the specified location and seized a suspicious bag. Upon examination at the spot, the bag was found to contain 59 small packets and a large one that collectively held 5,914 Yaba tablets and 110 bottles of a banned codeine-based cough syrup," N.K. Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF, said.

The seized narcotics were taken to the Ghojadanga BOP. The estimated cost of the seized 5,914 Yaba tablets is Rs 59,14,000.

During another operation on the same day, troops of the 67 Bn and 143 Bn BSF posted at the Border Outposts Behera and Hakimpur in the North 24-Parganas district, conducted separate raids and successfully seized a total of 34.58 kg of Ganja, 308 bottles of Phensedyl. A smuggler was apprehended along with a motorcycle.

"All the seized items have been handed over to the concerned department. This was a major success in the campaign against drug abuse and our action to stop smuggling along the IBB. Through such efforts, we are able to discourage smugglers and other criminals," Pandey said.

The BSF is a central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs which is responsible for guarding the country's bordering areas with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Rome, May 29 : The Indian all-Party Parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday left Rome after the conclusion of a substantive programme in Italy during which they conveyed unequivocally India's firm stance and national resolve against terrorism and those who aid and abet terrorists.

The delegation will now begin its mission in Denmark on the next leg of their tour to convey India's resolute stance against terrorism.

In Copenhagen, the delegation will also engage with Danish Parliamentarians, members of political parties, media, and the Indian diaspora to share India's position on global terror challenges.

Meanwhile, the delegation had a successful visit to Italy during which they engaged with key Italian leaders, think tanks, strategic experts, and news agencies to underline India's zero-tolerance and 'new normal' policy toward Pakistan-facilitated cross-border terrorism.

"We had enriching interactions with Italy's Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, Senator Giulio Tremonti, President and Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Commission in the Chamber of Deputies," Prasad posted on X.

"We also engaged with prominent think tanks and strategic experts. We shared India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and our resolve to combat it in all forms. Encouragingly, we found a common understanding between India and Italy on the issue of global terrorism. Both nations affirmed their commitment to working together for peace and amity, underscoring the strong relationship between India and Italy," the post added.

Earlier in the day, the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Maria Tripodi took to social media highlighting that both Italy and India will jointly confront the common challenges of the world.

"Constructive exchange with the Indian parliamentary delegation visiting the Senate of Italy. Italy and India united by strategic partnership, working together to address the common challenges of our time," said Tripodi on Thursday.

The delegation voiced India's resolute stance on combating terrorism and zero tolerance to all forms of terror during a productive meeting with Senator Giulio Terzi, President of the India-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group, and its members. Both sides reaffirmed the significance of India-Italy strategic partnership and the potential for elevating bilateral cooperation.

They also held engaging interactions with Italian news agencies and journalists, briefing them about India's approach to cross-border terrorism, Operation Sindoor, and the new normal of zero tolerance for terrorism. They also discussed India-Italy relations and the potential for further growth.

The delegation shared India's perspective and approach of zero tolerance against terrorism and the resolve to combat all forms of terrorism in an enriching interaction with major think tanks and strategic experts of Italy.

They further interacted with a cross-section of the Indian community, sharing the national resolve to counter terrorism and take firm actions against cross-border terrorism. The delegates appreciated the contribution of the Indian diaspora and their strong bonds with their motherland.

The nine-member delegation includes a diverse political representation, including Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union Minister M.J. Akbar and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
Patna, May 29 : RJD on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day Bihar visit is part of a larger electoral strategy than for the development of the state, asserting that he (PM Modi) is "politicising" the development projects.

"PM Modi's visits will now become a routine, but he must answer the ground realities of Bihar. Imagining the nation's development without Bihar's progress is dishonest. PM Modi should adopt a collective approach," said RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha while addressing a joint press conference of the INDIA Bloc.

Jha was also accompanied by Congress chief spokesperson Rajesh Rathore.

He further reiterated the long-standing demand for special state status for Bihar, stating it was "not a charity but a developmental necessity."

Jha also criticised the Centre for its delay in including the 65 per cent reservation policy, implemented under former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

He further condemned the government's failure to act on its promise of conducting a caste census.

"There was an announcement, but no implementation," Jha said, calling for an economic and development-based focus for Bihar rather than token gestures.

In a sharp comment on PM Modi's roadshow, Jha said, "If the Prime Minister truly wants to see Bihar, he should drive down the roads where bullets were fired in broad daylight. That would reveal who is really running the state."

Congress chief spokesperson Rajesh Rathore echoed the criticism, calling the absence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from the recent NITI Aayog meeting "unfortunate."

He highlighted that 21 departments crucial to Bihar's development are under the Centre's jurisdiction, yet many projects remain incomplete.

"The Chief Minister should meet the Prime Minister and demand special state status or at least a special package for Bihar," Rathore added.

Rathore also questioned the fulfilment of promises made by PM Modi during previous visits and raised concerns about rising crime and atrocities against Dalits in the state.

On the issue of martyrs, Manoj Jha urged political leaders to avoid exploiting the sacrifices of soldiers.

"There should be no politics over martyrdom. Bodies are returning in every district of Bihar. Who will fill the void in their families?" he asked.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed terminal building of Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna on Thursday.

On Friday, PM Modi will also lay the foundation of development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, including a new airport at Bihta, located approximately 35 kilometres from Patna.
Gangtok, May 29 : Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, on Thursday, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bold steps regarding Operation Sindoor in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack.

Chief Minister Tamang joined Governor Om Prakash Mathur at Paljor Stadium to commemorate the 50th Statehood Day of Sikkim in a grand celebration marked by the virtual presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who joined the event from Bagdogra.

Highlighting India's growing stature under the Prime Minister's leadership, the Chief Minister lauded the Centre's decisive and bold action against terrorism through the successful execution of Operation Sindoor.

He congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for sending a strong message of resilience and resolve to the world.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Tamang extended heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the people of Sikkim to the Prime Minister for gracing the historic occasion with his virtual presence.

He said that the Prime Minister's continued support and blessings have always served as a source of strength and inspiration for the people of the state.

Reflecting on Sikkim's journey over the past five decades, the Chief Minister spoke of the state's commitment to peace, unity and development.

He reaffirmed Sikkim's alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, and reiterated his government's resolve to build a "Sunaulo, Saiddh ani Samartha Sikkim".

Chief Minister Tamang also said that several long-standing aspirations and development proposals rooted in the state's unique historical, constitutional and cultural identity have been submitted to the Centre, expressing hope for their positive consideration under the Prime Minister's dynamic leadership.

He expressed deep appreciation for the Central government's consistent support in addressing challenges, including during natural disasters and public health emergencies, and acknowledged the shared goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Chief Minister concluded by thanking the Prime Minister for his enduring guidance and goodwill, and expressed heartfelt appreciation to all individuals and agencies whose contributions made the Golden Jubilee celebrations a resounding success.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a conversation with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and discussed with him Ukraine's long-term financial prospects.

"I spoke with Ukrainian Finance Minister Marchenko about Ukraine's long-term financial prospects: providing for the army, ensuring Ukraine's stability, ensuring budget payments. There must be stability and predictability for people," Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Thursday.

He added that Ukraine is working with partners to achieve this, including before meetings with the G7 countries.
New Delhi, May 29 : While India has seen significant improvements in tuberculosis (TB) control, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday urged further reductions in incidence and mortality rates.

Speaking at a high-level meeting with Health Ministers of eight states and Union Territories, Nadda stressed the need to ramp up further TB control through early and comprehensive testing, as India aims to end TB by 2025 -- five years ahead of the global target.

"The national goal is to bring down the TB incidence rate to 47 cases per lakh population and the mortality rate to below 3 per lakh population," he said.

To achieve these targets, states must "re-strategise their TB campaigns, place a sharper focus on vulnerable and high-risk communities", the Minister said, while stressing the importance of expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools, particularly NAAT testing.

According to the WHO Global TB Report 2024, India has witnessed a noteworthy 17.7 per cent decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, while deaths have reduced by 21.4 per cent from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh population in 2023.

However, India reported 28 lakh TB cases, accounting for 26 per cent -- the highest -- global TB burden in 2024.

The country also reported an estimated 3.15 lakh TB-related deaths, accounting for 29 per cent of the deaths globally.

The Union Minister complimented states for their enthusiastic participation during the 100-day Intensified TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, where 12.97 crore people were screened for TB, with over 7.19 lakh TB patients notified across India, including 2.85 lakh patients who were asymptomatic.

The campaign has now been extended to all districts across the country.

Nadda called for greater Jan Bhagidari to bring about impactful and lasting change in the fight against TB.

He urged states/UTs to integrally involve elected representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions, Municipal Corporations, etc, in the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

At the meeting attended by Health Ministers of Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jharkhand, Nadda also reviewed the progress made on Measles-Rubella elimination and utilisation of funds under PM-ABHIM (Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) and the 15th Finance Commission.

He commended states on their efforts towards completely eliminating measles-rubella.

However, since some districts in many states are still yet to be free of measles-rubella, he underlined the importance of enhancing immunisation to achieve the goal of elimination of the disease.

The Union Health Minister highlighted that health infrastructure under PM-ABHIM and the 15th Finance Commission needs to be implemented on a war footing to ensure that the funds that have been commissioned are spent efficiently, as only one year is left for their utilisation.
New Delhi, May 29 : The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea filed by British national and alleged middleman Christian Michel James challenging an order of the Delhi High Court which had directed him to furnish details of the address where he intended to reside post-release on bail in the money laundering case linked to the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar refused to interfere with the May 22 order of the Delhi High Court, which had modified the bail conditions in the money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Delhi HC, on March 4, had granted bail to James, considering his long period of incarceration of over six years and the delay in the commencement of the trial.

As per the original bail order, the accused was required to furnish a personal bond and surety in the sum of Rs 5 lakh each and surrender his passport before the trial court, which will not be released without permission of the Delhi HC.

"The ED shall be at liberty to request the concerned court for imposing necessary/ stringent conditions before releasing the applicant on bail, considering the previous conduct of the applicant and the fact that he was extradited to India," a single-judge Bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma had ordered.

After an application was moved by James, the Delhi High Court modified the bail condition imposed earlier, and in its order passed on May 22, directed him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh, along with a cash surety in the enhanced sum of Rs 10 lakh, considering "his status as a foreign national with no roots in India, and his inability to arrange for a surety locally".

Further, the modified bail order directed James, an accused in the Rs 3,600-crore alleged scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland, to furnish the details of the address where he intended to reside post-release on bail.

"Before being released from the jail, the said address will be verified by the learned trial court through the ED. Additionally, he shall promptly inform both the learned trial court and the concerned I.O. in case of any change in such address," said the Delhi High Court.

James was extradited to India on December 5, 2018, from the UAE. On his arrival in India, he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and days later, also arrested by the ED. Since then, he has been lodged in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.

Various courts had rejected the bail petition of Michel on a number of occasions.

On January 1, 2014, India cancelled the contract with Italian defence major Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over an alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of paying kickbacks amounting to Rs 423 crore. In 2020, the CBI had filed a supplementary charge sheet against 15 accused, including James and accused-turned-approver Rajiv Saxena, in connection with the alleged corruption in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. The CBI had earlier filed a charge sheet in this case on September 1, 2017, against then-IAF chief S.P. Tyagi and 11 other accused.
Jaipur, May 29 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched a scathing attack on the state government over rising criminal activities involving the gravel mafia and the delay in Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment.

Speaking to the media at Jaipur airport, Gehlot expressed deep concern over the law and order situation, particularly after the recent death of a police constable in Jodhpur during an attack by gravel smugglers.

Referring to the tragic incident in Jodhpur, Gehlot said, "The gravel mafia has become so powerful that the government appears completely helpless. If the Chief Minister and his ministers are unable to rein in the mafia, it clearly points to collusion between the two."

He said that the inability of the government to act raises serious questions.

"You may be taking political donations or have other vested interests, but your failure to act against them is evident. The public will assume you're complicit," he said.

On the issue of the pending SI recruitment process, Gehlot criticised the government for keeping aspirants in uncertainty.

"Do what you have to do. Governments come and go. If there was a paper leak or any irregularity, investigate it, punish the culprits, put them in jail; we have no objection. But donat keep it hanging indefinitely."

He emphasised the importance of taking decisive action for the sake of aspiring youth, stating that prolonged delays only erode public trust and create frustration among job seekers.

Gehlot further pointed out the sharp increase in gravel prices, blaming it on unchecked illegal mining.

"During our tenure, we tried to curb these activities with honesty. Even if the current government is making efforts, the ongoing collusion is evident," he said.

The former Chief Minister concluded by warning that the public is watching closely and will not tolerate inaction and alleged corruption indefinitely.
Mumbai, May 29 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Thursday announced a new set of rules for the equity Futures and Options (F&O) segment.

These changes aim to improve transparency, control excessive speculation, and bring more stability to the market.

One of the major changes introduced by the SEBI is a new method for measuring open interest (OI) in the equity F&O segment.

Open interest refers to the total number of outstanding contracts in futures or options.

The SEBI said it will now closely monitor the open interest levels during the day, especially for single stock futures and options, instead of waiting until the end of the day.

The capital market regulator has also decided to link the market-wide position limit (MWPL) to the cash market volume and the free float of the stock.

MWPL is the maximum number of contracts that can be open in F&O trading for a particular stock.

This move is aimed at preventing excessive speculation in stocks with limited liquidity.

In another key measure, the SEBI has increased the position limits for trading in Index Futures and Index Options, saying that it wants to strike a balance between allowing market participants to take meaningful positions in large indices and avoiding manipulation risks.

For Index Options, the net end-of-day position limit for futures-equivalent open interest (FutEq OI) will be Rs 1,500 crore.

In terms of gross positions, neither the long nor the short side should exceed Rs 10,000 crore.

When it comes to Index Futures, position limits will vary by category of participants.

For example, for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in Category I, mutual funds, and brokers (including proprietary and client trades), the limit will be the higher of either 15 per cent of the total futures open interest or Rs 500 crore.

For FPIs in Category II -- excluding individuals, family offices, and corporates -- the limit will be the higher of 10 per cent of the open interest or Rs 500 crore.

Brokers, including their proprietary and client accounts combined, will have an overall cap of 15 per cent of open interest or Rs 7,500 crore, whichever is lower.

The SEBI clarified that these limits are in addition to any holdings the participants have in the cash market or actual stock holdings.

The new rules are expected to make the F&O segment more transparent and efficient, while also keeping excessive risk in check.
Jammu, May 29 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived here on Thursday on a two-day visit to J&K.

A special plane carrying the Union Home Minister landed at the technical airport in Jammu city on Thursday evening.

L-G Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary, DGP, and other senior officers received the Home Minister at the airport.

Amit Shah drove directly from the airport to the Raj Bhawan in the city. He is scheduled to chair a high-level security review meeting at the Raj Bhawan.

L-G, J&K DGP, senior officers of the army, CRPF, BSF, NIA and intelligence officers from UT and central agencies will attend the meeting.

This is Union Home Minister Amit Shahas first visit to J&K after Operation Sindoor.

During his visit, Amit Shah will address the BSF jawans at their Unit Headquarters at Khanetar and meet the families affected by Pakistan shelling at Dak Bungalow in Poonch on May 30.

He will also distribute appointment letters to the next of kin of those killed in the shelling.

Officials said the Union Home Minister will visit religious places targeted by Pakistani cross-border shelling.

At the security review meeting, the situation during ongoing Operation Sindoor, besides the security scenario, including anti-terror operations and anti-infiltration grid, will also come up for high-level review at the meeting.

Amarnath Yatra arrangements will also figure prominently during the security review meeting.

On Friday, Amit Shah will leave for the border district of Poonch where he is scheduled to address the BSF jawans as well as civilians badly affected by Pakistan shelling on the intervening night of May 7 and 8 soon after Indian Armed Forces targeted nine terror infrastructures deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Amit Shah will address the civilians affected by Pakistan's shelling at Poonch Dak Bungalow and the BSF soldiers at their Unit Headquarters at Khanetar, about nine kilometres from Poonch town.

Thirteen civilians, including four children, two of them siblings, were killed by Pakistan's shelling in Poonch district.

In retaliation for Indian armed forces carrying out precision-guided targeted strikes on terror infrastructure, the Pakistan Army targeted civilian facilities in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.

Indian response was promoted by the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed after segregating them based on religion.
Patna, May 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Patna on Thursday for a two-day visit to Bihar, marking his first visit to the state after the Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister received a grand reception from thousands of supporters who lined up along the route of his roadshow from the airport to the BJP state office.

The Prime Minister landed at Patna Airport at around 4.30 p.m. where he was received by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, and senior BJP leaders including Dilip Jaiswal.

Soon after his arrival, PM Modi took part in a roadshow, where people greeted him with flower petals and chants. The route stretched across prominent city landmarks including Sheikhpura Mor, Hartali Mor, Patna High Court, and Income Tax Roundabout, culminating near the BJP State Office on Bailey Road at around 6.15 p.m.

Supporters along the way displayed posters of Operation Sindoor and BrahMos missile, underlining the nationalist themes.

PM Modi kick-started his visit by inaugurating the new terminal of Loknayak Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, built at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore.

Following the roadshow, the Prime Minister held a closed-door meeting with BJPas core committee members at the state office. This meeting is being considered crucial in shaping the strategy for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Party insiders say the focus was on seat-sharing talks, candidate selection, booth-level mobilisation, and the narrative around development and national security.

PM Modi is scheduled to later head to the Raj Bhavan for an overnight stay.

On May 30, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Bikramganj in Rohtas district, where he will address a massive public rally, likely presenting his governmentas achievements.

After completing the rally, PM Modi will return to Patna and fly to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, where he is slated to inaugurate the underground metro line, reinforcing his government's urban infrastructure push across the country.
Hyderabad, May 29 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday slammed the Narendra Modi government for calling off the war with Pakistan "at the behest of US President Donald Trump".

Addressing the Jai Hind Yatra at Nizampet here, the Chief Minister asked why the government declared a ceasefire with Pakistan without calling an all-party meeting to seek the opinion of all parties.

He asked the BJP-led government why it called off the war hurriedly within four days after military strikes on Pakistan.

He recalled that during the all-party meeting called before the war, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had extended full support to the Centre and suggested that India should fight against Pakistan to merge the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) with India.

Asserting that only a leader with courage and determination prepares the war strategy, Revanth Reddy said that "then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi showed bravery by declaring war on China and gave a stern warning to the rival country".

He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking any action against China after the Indian Army's Colonel Santosh Kumar was killed in the fight against the Chinese army at Galwan in 2020/

He recalled Indira Gandhi's strong warning to America when it tried to mediate between India and Pakistan during the 1971 war. It was Indira Gandhi who taught a befitting lesson to Pakistan by dividing the enemy country into two parts during the war, he said.

The Chief Minister said in the true spirit of India Gandhi, he had already declared his full support to split Pakistan into two countries.

He mentioned that during a rally held at Necklace Road to condemn the Pahalgam attack, slogans were raised to wipe out all the terrorists involved. "We also announced our strong support to the Prime Minister in the fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and to erase the country from the world map," he said.

The Congress leader wondered why the BJP leadership was organising the Tiranga Rally after the end of the war. "The war is not your business. It's an important issue of national security," he said, adding that the Congress is organising the Jai Hind Yatra to instil self-confidence among Indian soldiers who were "demoralised" by the BJP's moves.

Revanth Reddy reiterated that the Congress and the Gandhi family have a history of sacrificing their lives for the country. Terming PM Modi a spent force, the CM appealed to the party leaders and workers to strive hard and not relax until Rahul Gandhi became Prime Minister. He asserted that India needs a strong leader like Rahul Gandhi in difficult times.

Congress in-charge of Telangana Meenkashi Natrajan, state Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud, several state ministers and others participated in the rally.
Bengaluru, May 29 : The Karnataka BJP unit, on Thursday, welcomed the decision of the High Court to strike down the Congress-led government's order to withdraw 43 criminal cases, including Hubballi riot cases.

Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said that the Karnataka High Court has reprimanded the state government for its decision to withdraw the case related to the attack on the Hubballi police station, calling the move inappropriate.

Speaking to the media at the BJP office in Bengaluru, he added that the High Court bench has given its judgment on Thursday regarding the Hubballi riot case.

He said that the state government had withdrawn a criminal case, and the court ruled that such a decision was not correct.

"I had previously stated that withdrawing a case involving an attack on a police station is not right. However, due to political pressure and appeasement politics, the case was withdrawn. The court has rightly reprimanded the government. The state Cabinet should work in the interest of the state and not indulge in appeasement politics. Even now, action must be taken against those involved in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots," he added.

Asked to comment on the Mangaluru murder case, Bommai said that the state government and the police have failed to maintain law and order.

"There is no longer any fear of the police among the people. Police stations have become centres of corruption. As a result, anti-social elements are taking the law into their own hands. Due to the government's appeasement politics, people are losing trust in the government," he added.

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi also welcomed the Karnataka High Court's decision to strike down the government's order to withdraw 43 criminal cases, including those related to the Hubballi riots.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, he criticised the Congress government's contradictory stance.

"On the one hand, the Congress party and government talk about setting up an Anti-Communal Force, but on the other hand, they offer state protection to communal forces," he said, responding to a question about the High Court quashing the withdrawal of riot-related cases.

"Are all 43 withdrawn cases people's movements? Were they Kannada language activists' cases or farmers' protests? These were cases where police stations were set on fire, public property was damaged, and conspiracies to incite communal violence were made. The government withdrew even those cases," BJP MLC Ravi said.

"You grant protection, instil fear by presenting yourself as their saviours, and turn them into a votebank. This is how you are nurturing communal elements. Then you say you want an Anti-Communal Force? Your Cabinet is infected with a communal virus. First treat that virus, then talk about setting up new forces," he asserted.

"We've seen how your empathy works," he added.

"When a Hindu activist is killed, you label him a rowdy-sheeter and refuse to visit his home. But when someone from a non-Hindu community is murdered, you are overcome with emotion," BJP MLC Ravi charged.

Calling the High Court's ruling timely, he warned: "Don't try to turn the whole state into another DJ Halli or KG Halli (referring to areas in Bengaluru that witnessed communal violence). The attack on Udayagiri police station in Mysuru was a direct result of your move to withdraw these cases. If you had any discretion over what to politicise and what not to, the court wouldn't have had to issue such a strong rebuke," he said.

In a setback to the Karnataka government, the High Court on Thursday nullified the state's move to withdraw 43 criminal cases, including those pertaining to the 2022 Hubballi police station riot cases.

The Karnataka High Court bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind passed the order by setting aside the state's order to prosecutors to withdraw 43 criminal cases.

A public interest litigation in this regard was submitted by advocate Girish Bharadwaj challenging the government order in this regard.

The High Court has completely invalidated the state government's order to withdraw the cases, declaring it null from the start.

As a result, all 43 criminal cases a" including those related to the Hubballi riots a" are expected to resume as if they were never withdrawn.

The cases that were sought to be withdrawn included cases against farmers' leaders and Kannada activists, besides the cases lodged against the accused in the Hubballi riot case.

Petitioner Bharadwaj submitted to the court that the state can't ask Public Prosecutors to withdraw criminal cases and they have the final say in this regard under Section 321 of the CrPC which provides scope for withdrawal of cases.

He also underlined that the Department of Law, Government Litigations Department and Prosecution have opined in the negative to the bid to withdraw criminal cases filed on charges of rioting, attempt to murder and attacks on police officers.

The petition made special mention of the Hubballi riot case.

After an objectionable social media post was shared, an angry mob destroyed the property of the police station and threw chappals at it.

The petition said that the move by the government cast doubt on the motives of the state.

"The 43 cases were cherry-picked. Highly influential persons such as former Ministers, legislators, presidents of powerful organisations are involved," the petition noted.
Imphal, May 29 : The Manipur government is committed to maintaining the integrity of the state, and all efforts taken by the state administration are to establish lasting peace in the state, Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh said here on Thursday.

The Chief Secretary said that the 5-day Shirui Lily Festival (May 20-24) was organised in the mountainous Ukhrul district as part of the government's normalcy-restoration process.

The festival attracted about 1.70 lakh people, he said, adding that people of all communities travelled with families from valley areas and other parts of the state as well as from outside the state to Ukhrul to attend the festival as the state administration provided full-proof security and a safe environment for festive activities.

In view of the festival, the Manipur government had taken extensive security measures after reported threats by some individuals and organisations to the Meitei community against entering Kuki tribal-dominated areas during the festival.

Shirui Lily Festival, mostly organised by the Meitei community, is celebrated in honour of the state flower, the Shirui Lily.

The Chief Secretary, accompanied by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, said that one unfortunate incident occurred on May 20, when a Manipur State Road Transport Bus ferrying journalists to the festival was stopped and the name of the state (Manipur) was reportedly covered, causing widespread criticism. He said that there had been no instructions whatsoever or even a remote thought of covering the name of the state, as has been alleged.

"This has been amply clarified by the state government as well as by the responsible political leadership. What transpired on the ground would be revealed after a thorough inquiry only," the Chief Secretary told the media. He said that the state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness, and the incident is deeply regretted.

"In response, the Governor has constituted an inquiry committee comprising the Commissioner, Home and the IT Secretary, which is to submit its report in a time-bound manner," he said.

He also assured all concerned that once the report is submitted and those responsible for the lapses, if any, are identified, strict action would be taken.

The state would also ensure that such an incident does not occur in future, the Chief Secretary reiterated and once again requested all to cooperate in maintaining the public order.

Two media organisations earlier, in a joint letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, had said that the security personnel instructed the media team to hide the "Manipur State Transport Corporation" signage in front of the bus carrying 20 journalists and some Information Department officials.

Various political parties, leaders and organisations protested the incident.

After a 48-hour shutdown in the six Imphal valley regions on May 21-23, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the Meitei community apex body, since May 25, has been spearheading their second phase of agitation in Manipur in protest against the incident. The agitation includes a daily sit-in at the main gate of the Governoras residence and holding rallies. The COCOMI also demanded a public apology from the Governor for the May 20 incident, and demanded the resignation of Chief Secretary, Security Advisor and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, holding them responsible for failing to protect the dignity and integrity of the state of Manipur.
New Delhi, May 29 : aaThe Delhi High Court on Thursday directed YouTuber Mohak Mangal to remove objectionable portions from his video where he had accused a news wire agency of "extortion".

New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed YouTuber Mohak Mangal to remove objectionable portions from his video where he had accused a news wire agency of "extortion".

A single-judge bench of Justice Amit Bansal was dealing with a defamation suit filed by wire agency Asian News International (ANI) against Mangal's YouTube video titled "Dear ANI".

In his video, the popular YouTube content creator, having around 4.21 million subscribers, alleged that the news wire agency was committing "extortion" and "blackmail" in the guise of seeking to enforce its copyright over its content.

In its defamation suit filed before the Delhi High Court, the wire agency stated that the video deliberately spread falsehoods with the intent to target and malign its public image.

"I offered a license. They could have rejected my offer, but to put pressure on me, defamatory material is put by them. This is in retaliation to my offer," said senior advocate Amit Sibal, appearing on the plaintiff's behalf.

"He (Mohak Mangal) starts a media campaign against me that has spiralled into a concerted campaign which is nothing short of vilifying and, per se, defamatory. They are calling me (ANI) thugs, extortionists, gunda, and other expletives," he added.

During the course of the hearing, Alt-news co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who was arrayed as a co-defendant in the defamation suit for amplifying Mangal's post on social media platform X, also agreed to take down his online posts.

Further, the Delhi High Court ordered stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, another co-defendant, to delete his first tweet of the several posted on X. Kamra's counsel contended that his social media posts were covered under the right to free speech and he was commenting on a matter of larger public interest. However, the Justice Bansal-led Bench opined that such language was not palatable to the court and calling someone "thugs" and "mafia" was serious.

The matter is listed for further hearing in July.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Russia has not given Ukraine and its partners its so-called "memorandum" on the terms of the ceasefire; the Russians are doing everything to ensure that the meetings are empty, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Words do not work with Moscow. Even the so-called memorandum that they promised and apparently prepared for more than a week, no one has seen yet. They did not give it to Ukraine. They did not give it to our partners. Even Turkey, as the country that hosted the first meeting, did not give a new agenda. Although they promised the exact opposite, and first of all they promised it to the United States of America, to President Trump," Zelenskyy said in an evening address on Thursday.

He called such behavior of the Kremlin "another Russian deception." "They do everything to make the meetings empty," the president added.

According to him, this is another reason for sufficient sanctions and pressure on the Russian Federation.
Islamabad, March 29 : In yet another major embarrassment for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, two prominent Members of National Assembly (MNA) on Thursday shared harrowing experiences of pilgrims from the country who are currently undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Making statements in the National Assembly, Shagufta Jumani and Shahida Rehmani from the Pakistan People's Party exposed the claims being made by Sharif government of ensuring a smooth and seamless Haj pilgrimage for all Pakistanis.

"The food being served to the Haj pilgrims from our country is inedible and same throughout the day. Which companies have been allotted these contracts and on whose recommendations? The people at the helm of affairs have completely destroyed the system. I sincerely appeal to you in the name of God to have mercy on the Haj pilgrims," said Jumani.

Rehmani too highlighted the gross official negligence, severely criticising the government machinery.

"Seven people from my family are undertaking the pilgrimage this time. They are facing major health issues due to the food that is being served. The suitcases given to them broke at the airport, even before they began their journey to Mecca. Things are in such bad shape and there is nobody to take care of Pakistanis in Mecca. They have been put in faraway locations and there is nobody to look after them, " said Rehmani.

Last month, the Haj organisers had called on PM Sharif to ensure improved coordination with the Saudi authorities this time.

Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan 179,210 Haj slots this year which was evenly divided between government and private schemes. However, only 14,000 private applications were successful, leaving thousands unable to complete their spiritual journey.

A few weeks ago, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry had also issued a strong warning to Islamabad, stating that strict penalties will be imposed on Pakistani citizens found violating Haj permit regulations this year.

The warning came at a time when Pakistan formally commenced its Haj flight operations with the first batch of 442 pilgrims departing from Islamabad to Madina under the Makkah Route Initiative.

The Saudi ministry stated that penalties up to SR20,000 will be applicable till June 10 on any Pakistani performing or attempting to perform Haj without a valid permit. The penalty includes all types of visa holders, including those entering and staying in Mecca.

Moreover, a fine of up to SR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa on behalf of individuals attempting to perform Haj without a permit, or anyone who facilitates their entry or stay in the restricted areas, adding that the fines may multiply based on the number of individuals involved.

It also made it clear to Pakistan that a penalty of SR100,000 will be imposed on those individuals who transport, shelter, or assist visit visa holders in accessing the holy sites, which includes concealment of their presence or providing accommodation in any form in hotels, shelters, private homes, or Haj-designated housing, warning that any and all illegal infiltrators, including residents and overstayers, who are caught attempting to perform Haj without a permit will be instantly arrested, deported and banned from entering in Saudi Arabia for at least 10 years.

Saudi Arabia's strict warning to Pakistan is a result of an alarming number of beggars, illegal visitors, and citizens travelling for Haj without permits, every year.

The Kingdom has deported at least 4,700 Pakistani beggars in the past three years, urging Islamabad to put the names and passports of these deported individuals on its no-flier list.

"Their ever-increasing population is tarnishing the country's image abroad," admitted Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
Surat, May 29 : A sudden fire broke out near the runway of Surat International Airport on Thursday, prompting emergency action by the airport authorities.

The incident led to the temporary closure of the runway and disruption of multiple flight services.

According to airport officials, dry grass in the vicinity of the runway caught fire, likely due to a spark from a gas gun used to deter bird activity around the airport.

Upon detecting the fire, authorities immediately halted all runway operations, and fire tenders were rushed to the site. The fire was brought under control swiftly, and no casualties or property damage were reported.

Airport Director Anand Sharma confirmed that the fire was extinguished after quick intervention by the fire department. He emphasised that the situation was handled efficiently, with all safety protocols followed. Though no injuries were reported, the incident caused disruptions in flight schedules.

An Air India Express flight bound for Delhi was halted on the runway and could not take off. A helicopter that was scheduled to land had to be diverted to the Hazira helipad.

Additionally, Venturaas flight was redirected to Ahmedabad, while the Air India Express flight arriving from Hyderabad was also diverted to Ahmedabad. The Bengaluru-Surat flight was rerouted to Vadodara.

The airport has resumed operations following clearance from the fire and safety teams. Authorities are further investigating the exact cause of the fire and reviewing safety protocols to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Surat International Airport, located in Magdalla, approximately 20 km from the city centre, spans an area of 784 acres. The airport features a runway measuring 2,906 meters in length, suitable for Code aCa aircraft operations.

The airport's newly expanded terminal, inaugurated in December 2023, encompasses an area of 25,520 square meters.

It is designed to handle 1,800 passengers during peak hours - 1,200 domestic and 600 international - with provisions to increase capacity to 3,000 passengers per hour. The annual passenger handling capacity is projected to rise to 5.5 million.

In terms of flight operations, Surat International Airport manages an average of 32 flights per day.

In May 2024, the airport handled a record 1.47 lakh passengers, comprising 1.34 lakh domestic and 13,907 international travellers.

During the same month, the airport operated 1,348 domestic and 102 international flights. The airport's infrastructure includes parking facilities for 11 aircraft and an apron area capable of accommodating up to 51 aircraft simultaneously.
Bhopal, May 29 : The Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday that the addition of the third and fourth railway lines between Ratlam-Nagda railway multi-tracking project in Madhya Pradesh will significantly reduce fuel consumption, saving nearly 7.5 crore litre of diesel annually.

Moreover, the initiative is expected to prevent the emission of 38 crore kg of carbon dioxide -- an environmental benefit comparable to planting 1.5 crore trees.

The Central government has also announced the introduction of three new train services for Madhya Pradesh, enhancing connectivity across key routes.

These trains will operate on the Rewa-Pune route via Satna and Jabalpur, Jabalpur-Raipur via Nainpur and Gondia, and Gwalior-Bengaluru via Bhopal and Pune.

"All these are tribal belt and will benefit them the most," Union Minister Vaishnaw said through a video conferencing.

Asked about the Gwalior-Bengaluru train, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had recently in a post on his official X account said, "New train will run between Guna-Bengaluru soon... Heartfelt thanks to @RailMinIndia for approving the operation of a new train from Guna to Bengaluru on my special request. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Union Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw ji for fulfilling the long-standing demand of the passengers of Gwalior-Chambal. The passengers of Guna region, especially my young colleagues working in Bengaluru, will soon be able to avail the benefit of this railway facility."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav confirmed that the Ratlam-Nagda railway multi-tracking project has received approval, marking a significant boost to the state's railway infrastructure.

This initiative is expected to improve transportation efficiency and facilitate smoother travel for passengers.

Union Minister Vaishnav, officially announced the project approval of the third and fourth railway lines for the Ratlam-Nagda section under the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Master Plan.

Those present at the event was Ujjain-Alot MP Anil Firojiya, while Chief Minister Yadav attended virtually.

Union Minister Vaishnaw emphasised that this development represents a major milestone in Madhya Pradesh's infrastructural progress.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, infrastructure projects continue to be sanctioned at a rapid pace to bolster development. The Ratlam-Nagda rail section, spanning 41 km, is set to become a four-track corridor with an estimated project cost of Rs 1,018 crore," the Union Minister said.

Beyond the multi-tracking project, Union Minister Vaishnaw reiterated that Madhya Pradesh will soon benefit from the three newly announced train services, ensuring improved accessibility and regional connectivity.

Previously, two months ago, a new railway service was launched connecting New Delhi to Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), further strengthening travel options for commuters.

Through these strategic investments, the state government aims to modernise railway networks, reduce environmental impact, and facilitate seamless transport for residents across Madhya Pradesh.
Kohima, May 29 : Braving inclement weather, five major Naga tribes on Thursday held protest rallies in various districts of Nagaland, demanding a review of the state's job reservation policy.

The protests were carried out by the a5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CORRP)a, formed in 2023 to spearhead the agitation to press for job reservation for these tribes a" Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi - also.

A spokesman of the agitating CORRP said that the organisation had given a memorandum on September 20 last year and an ultimatum on April 26 to the state government, but the government is yet to take any steps to review the state's job reservation policy.

"Left with no other alternative, we have started our agitation in a most democratic manner to draw the attention of the state government and highlight our demands," the spokesman said.

He said that if the government did not respond to their demands, the CORRP would intensify its agitation.

A state government official said that the Nagaland government on May 7 formed a committee to examine and submit a report on the policy for reservation in government jobs within three months.

Meanwhile, amidst the CORRP agitation, the state government has decided to hold a meeting with the CORRP on June 3 in Kohima, he said.

The proposed meeting, to be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who holds the Home and Border Affairs portfolios, would discuss the policy on reservation in government employment, the official said.

The Nagaland government had implemented the 1977 reservation policy for Backward Tribes (BT) and initially, 25 per cent jobs were reserved for seven tribes in non-technical and non-gazetted posts for a period of 10 years.

These tribes were designated as backward, based on their educational and economic disadvantage and limited representation in state services. However, over the years, the reservation has since increased to 37 per cent, with 25 per cent for seven eastern Nagaland tribes and 12 per cent for four other BT tribes.

CORRP comprises five Naga tribe organisations -- the Angami Public Organisation, the Ao Senden, the Lotha Hoha, the Rengma Hoho, and the Sumi Hohoon, representing the five tribal communities.
New Delhi, May 29 : Delhi's first Ayushman Arogya Mandir is now ready to begin operations from the Tis Hazari Court complex. Previously functioning as a Mohalla Clinic, the facility has now been upgraded and redesigned to offer improved healthcare services under a new format.

The official inauguration will take place on May 31, led by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The launch is part of a special event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marking the completion of 100 days of the current Delhi government. As part of the occasion, 33 new healthcare facilities will also be introduced.

The newly developed Ayushman Arogya Mandir is equipped with several features that set it apart. It offers in-house diagnostic capabilities with 14 types of medical tests now available directly at the clinic. In addition to this, outsourced testing options will enable 79 more diagnostic tests to be accessed through the centre.

The facility is also integrated with the National Immunisation Programme, making routine vaccinations available on-site. In addition to this, yoga sessions will be held every Monday and Friday, and comprehensive family planning services will be offered, including pre- and post-pregnancy care.

The centre will operate daily from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., and will be staffed by a medical officer, a nurse, a multipurpose health worker, and a sanitation worker.

Previously, the Mohalla Clinic at the site offered only basic doctor consultations, and most tests had to be done externally. Key services like vaccination were also unavailable. Now, under the new Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir model, all essential health services are being brought under one roof. Local people are quite enthusiastic about the upcoming Arogya Mandir. The BJP government in Delhi has an ambitious plan to expand health services through these centres.

This initiative by the Delhi government aims not only to enhance the quality of healthcare but also to make health services more accessible to the general public.
Bhopal, May 29 : The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal commemorated the World Medicine Emergency Day with launch of a life-saving mobile application 'Code Emergency' on Thursday, officials said.

The application was launched by Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Ajai Singh, during a programme, highlighting its features and benefits to the medical professionals and general public as well.

This transformative app is based on AIIMS Bhopal's 'One State One Health One Emergency' policy of the Madhya Pradesh government initiated last year.

Ajai Singh highlighted that the most notable feature of this app is its inclusive design -- made not only for healthcare professionals but also for the general public.

He told that the app is available in both Hindi and English and functions smoothly even without an internet connection once downloaded.

"Through audio-visual guidelines, the app enables users to administer CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and potentially save lives anywhere. It includes age-appropriate instructions for all age groups," Singh said.

Additionally, the app offers a dropdown menu based on the 'One State One Health One Emergency' policy, providing easy access to information on various emergencies and medical conditions.

He also said that the app will soon be available for free download on the Google Play Store.

"This app is expected to be highly useful not only for the general public but also as a revolutionary tool for doctors and healthcare providers," he added.

On this occasion, AIIMS Bhopal also organised a CPR and First Aid training session for media personnel.

During this one-day training, journalists received hands-on instruction in administering CPR.

"An awareness campaign about this application should be carried out so that more and more people can know about it and get benefitted," Singh added.
Shillong, May 29 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said that the police, district administration and the local community are on a hectic search operation to trace the tourist couple from Madhya Pradesh, who have been reported missing since May 24 while visiting the state's Sohra-Cherrapunji.

In a video message, the Chief Minister said that his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Mohan Yadav spoke to him over the phone, and he also received a call from the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) about the missing newlywed couple from Indore.

"Our police authority, district police led by Superintendent of Police and local administration, along with the entire local community, are conducting a massive search operation round-the-clock basis to find out and rescue the couple. I am personally monitoring the search and rescue efforts constantly," Sangma said.

He said that because of the pre-monsoon season, there has been heavy rain for the last couple of days, while Sohra-Cherrapunji always witnessed heavy rains, and the mountainous area is very steep and normally very slippery.

Sangma said: "We treat the tourists as our family members. People of the Sohra-Cherrapunji areas also treated the tourists as their family members. Every single villager is now involved in the search operation."

The police and the local administration are using all possible technologies to find out the missing couple, the Chief Minister said.

A senior police official earlier said that Raja Raghuvanshi, 29, and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, 27, residents of Indore, who were touring Meghalaya, went missing on May 24 from the Sohra-Cherrapunji area in the East Khasi Hills district, a tourist hotspot in the northeast region.

The couple hired a two-wheeler and visited the picturesque Sohra-Cherrapunji area before their disappearance, the official had said. Their hired two-wheeler was found abandoned near Sohra Rim, 15 km away from Sohra town. The couple's mobile phones have been switched off since May 24 night.

Raghuvanshi's brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, also came to Meghalaya after the couple went missing and issued a public appeal to share information about the whereabouts of the missing duo.

Police had last month found the decomposed body of a Hungarian tourist, identified as Zsolt Puskas, who had been missing since March 29. The body was recovered from a forest at Ramdait village in the East Khasi Hills district. The Hungarian Embassy in New Delhi lodged a missing complaint on March 29, and an FIR was registered four days later, following which the massive search operation was launched by the police along with local villagers and members of social organisations. Police and the villagers suspected that he could have fallen from the hilltop, leading to his death, as the body was found on a steep slope on April 10.
Bengaluru, May 29 : Following a series of incidents involving mob lynching, revenge murders, and multiple stabbings in the Mangaluru region, the Karnataka government has replaced the Police Commissioner of Mangaluru City and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Mangaluru district on Thursday.

A new SP has also been appointed for the neighbouring Udupi district.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the government has taken strict action by transferring senior police officers from the coastal districts in response to the growing unrest.

The move comes after several minority community office bearers in Mangaluru district announced their mass resignation from the Congress party, citing police inaction in recent violent incidents, including multiple stabbings and the murder of Abdul Raheem.

Anupam Agarwal, the incumbent Police Commissioner of Mangaluru, has been transferred with immediate effect. He will be replaced by Sudheer Kumar Reddy, who previously served as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Intelligence.

Arun K. has been appointed as the new SP of Mangaluru district, replacing N. Yathish, who has not been assigned a new post. Hariram Shankar has been appointed as the SP of the Udupi district.

Leaders of the minority community had earlier declared their intent to submit mass resignations on May 29, following the final rites of Abdul Raheem, who was killed by a gang of 15 assailants on Tuesday.

Thousands of party workers gathered at Shaadi Mahal in Bolar locality on Thursday. Although the leaders were initially hesitant to resign after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah personally intervened, they were pressured by the crowd to announce their resignations publicly in front of the media.

Mangaluru District Minority Unit President K.K. Shahul Hameed stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah personally called him and requested a week's time to resolve the situation.

"Siddaramaiah asked me not to take any hasty decision. In this context, we have deferred the mass resignation by a week," Hameed said, appealing to the agitated workers to remain calm.

"The community was already distressed over the mob lynching of Mohammed Ashraf. We had urged authorities to take action. But the murder of Abdul Raheem has tested our patience. We are deeply saddened that such incidents are happening even when our own party is in power. This led us to consider mass resignations. However, after learning of our plan, CM Siddaramaiah personally intervened," he added.

Despite his appeal, the party workers remained adamant, demanding justice and insisting that the leaders resign. Bowing to public pressure, the leaders eventually announced their resignations.

The communally sensitive Mangaluru district and coastal Karnataka remain tense following the murder of a 34-year-old man in the jurisdiction of the Bantwal Rural Police Station.

Additional police forces have been deployed to monitor the situation, and authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in the district until the evening of May 30.

A gang of assailants hacked to death Abdul Raheem, a resident of Koltamajal near Irakodi, close to Bantwal town, on Tuesday.

The incident comes less than a month after the murder of Hindu activist and rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty, and it is suspected that Abdul Raheem was killed in retaliation for Shetty's murder.

Leaders of the Muslim community have staged protests in Mangaluru, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits. They alleged that the incident occurred due to provocative statements made by Hindu activists and leaders following Suhas Shetty's murder.

The deceased, Abdul Raheem, operated a goods vehicle and served as the secretary of a local mosque. He is survived by two children.

According to police, he had no criminal record and was not affiliated with any organisation.

Meanwhile, police have registered an FIR against 15 individuals in connection with the incident. Statements have been taken from Kalandar Shafi, a friend of the deceased who was with him at the time of the attack and sustained injuries while escaping the assailants.
Bhopal, May 29 : The Madhya Pradesh government is inching toward liquor prohibition, following Gujarat's model, while also taking proactive measures to promote milk sales.

Speaking at an event commemorating "Lord Jugal Kishore Lok" in Panna, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav indicated this shift, announcing that his government had already banned the sale of liquor within the municipal limits of 19 cities, with more restrictions to follow.

"Liquor destroys families. Our government is mulling over shutting down all liquor shops and replacing them with milk shops, as we are actively promoting animal husbandry, particularly cow protection, through various schemes across the state. In Indian tradition, a person who owns a cow is known as Gopal, while someone who cares for members of the cow's family (kul in Hindi) -- the bovine -- is known as Gokul. Our goal is to establish as many 'Aadarsh Vrindavan' villages with a population of one lakh," he said.

Yadav has set a goal to increase Madhya Pradesh's contribution to India's total milk production from the current 9 per cent to 20 per cent. Also, a plan to cover half of the state geography through cooperative milk procurement centres.

At present, the number of such cooperatives is very low, barely 7000. Beginning April 1, 2025, a blanket ban on the sale of liquor within the municipal limits of 19 designated "holy" cities will come into effect in Madhya Pradesh, including the temple town of Ujjain.

Notably, the government had shut down 47 composite alcohol shops under the ban that will take effect in 19 locations, including 17 holy cities, from April 1 this year.

Composite shops consist of separate outlets for Indian-made foreign liquor and country liquor. The move, announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav after the approval of the new excise policy, is expected to result in an estimated loss of Rs 450 crore in excise revenue for the state government.

Officials note that there are approximately 3,600 composite liquor shops in Madhya Pradesh. The newly introduced excise policy mandates the closure of liquor outlets in revered locations such as Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, and several others. This initiative aims to uphold the sanctity of these towns by prohibiting the issuance of new liquor licenses from April 1 onward.

Liquor sales, which play a crucial role in Madhya Pradesh's excise revenue, are expected to generate nearly Rs 17,500 crore in the 2025-26 fiscal year, compared to Rs 15,500 crore in 2024-25.

In addition to the liquor ban, the latest excise policy introduces a new category known as "Low Alcoholic Beverage Bar."

Under this policy, establishments will be allowed to serve only beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages with a maximum alcohol content of 10 per cent in restaurants, while the sale and consumption of spirits will be strictly prohibited.
Paris, May 29 : On a day of epic five-setters as three were held within a couple of hours, Arthur Fils overcame an injury to win one of the most dramatic matches in recent years at the French Open on Thursday, when he used the support of a vocal French crowd to overcome Jaume Munar and a back injury in a five-set epic.

The French No. 1 looked in control after winning two tight tie-breaks to move clear before a back injury in the third set seemed set to hamper his hopes. At two sets all, Fils was struggling to move and looked down and out. However, from a breakdown in the decider, he battled through the pain barrier and played with ultra-aggression to earn a thrilling 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 0-6, 6-4 win.

After sealing victory on his first match point after four hours and 25 minutes, Fils ripped off his shirt and embraced the raucous cheers from the packed crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The 20-year-old now leads Munar 2-0 in the pair's ATP head-to-head series and holds a 3-1 five-set record at majors.

Into the third round for the first time, Fils will next meet Andrey Rublev, who beat Adam Walton 7-6(1), 6-1, 7-6(5).

In the first five-setter of the day, Alexander Bublik produced a remarkable comeback, overturning a two-set deficit to defeat No. 9 seed Alex De Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 and book his place in the third round.

Portuguese qualifier Henrique Rocha also produced an epic fightback as he came back from two sets down to get the better of Jakub Mensik in five sets. Rocha eventually won 2-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in over three hours on Court 7.

Third seed Alexander Zverev continued to move through the draw with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 win against Jesper de Jong. The German struck 43 winners and broke the Dutchmanas serve seven times en route to a three-hour triumph on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

Zverev was one set away from lifting his maiden major trophy in Paris last year before eventually falling to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in the title match. The 28-year-old arrived in the French capital off the back of a fourth-round defeat in Madrid, a quarter-final exit in Rome, and a second-round loss in Hamburg.

However, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings has looked in control during his opening two matches at the clay-court major, also dispatching #NextGenATP American Learner Tien in the first round. Zverev will next play Hamburg champion Flavio Cobolli or Matteo Arnaldi.

Bublik rallied from a two-set deficit to upset ninth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 and reach the third round in Paris for the first time.

De Minaur looked on course for a comfortable win after the opening two sets but struggled on serve for large periods of the clash, making just 48 percent first serves, according to Infosys Stats. Bublik took large cuts on return on De Minauras second delivery to take control of the baseline exchanges and become the first Kazakhstani to reach the third round at the clay-court major.
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The Trump administration moved Wednesday to dismantle one of the federal governments largest and longest-standing affirmative action programs, siding with two White-owned contracting businesses that challenged its constitutionality.

In a motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Justice Department said that a Transportation Department program that has carved out an estimated $37 billion for minority- and women-owned businesses violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution. If a judge approves the proposed settlement, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) will be prohibited from awarding contracts based on race and sex, effectively ending its founding mission.

"Over the past five decades, the federal government imposed a policy of race discrimination in the roadbuilding industry," said Dan Lennington, deputy counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the conservative nonprofit representing the plaintiffs. "Thousands of workers and small businesses have been victimized, and hundreds of billions have been spent, distorting the market and inflating construction costs for the taxpayers. That ends now."

The settlement is still subject to challenge by a coalition of businesses that intervened in the case after President Donald Trump took office, arguing that the program is essential to removing entrenched barriers that minorities and women face in the $759 billion contracting sector. First authorized by Congress in 1983, the program serves roughly 49,000 businesses designated as "disadvantaged."

"The Trump administration wont stick up for minority- and women-owned businesses, so we will," Democracy Forward, the left-leaning nonprofit representing a group of contractors composed of underrepresented groups, said Wednesday on the social media site Bluesky. "This coalition intervened in this case because of whats at stake - not just for these businesses, but for the longstanding principles of redressing past discrimination in our economy."

The case was brought in 2023 by Mid-America Milling and Bagshaw Trucking, both Indiana-based transportation companies whose owners alleged they lost out on jobs when the agency began awarding contracts through the "largest, and perhaps oldest affirmative action program in U.S. history." The DBE was most recently authorized under the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, as well as through the $105 billion in federal funding for airport and flight safety improvements.

In September, U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, a George W. Bush appointee, partially blocked the program on the grounds the plaintiffs were "likely" to succeed on their claims. A permanent decision was pending before the parties agreed to settle.

The DBE program, which is funded by the U.S. government but administered by states, earmarks at least 10 percent of the federal funding for transportation infrastructure to women- and minority-owned contracting firms.

At the time of the ruling, the Biden administration argued that the DBE was necessary to help remedy the effects of past and ongoing discrimination in government contracting. But since taking office in January, Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders seeking to end any diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures by the government and beyond.

The Justice Department, which a few months ago defended the program under President Joe Biden, wrote in Wednesdays filing that it "reevaluated" its position in light of the June 2023 Supreme Court decision banning race-conscious college admissions.

"Im not surprised the administration would settle a case like this  because we know how they feel about diversity, equity and inclusion programs of all types," said Tony Franco, managing partner at PilieroMazza, a Washington-based law firm that represents government contractors. "This is one of those programs that is illustrative of the kind of programs that were set up by the federal government years ago in order to equal the playing field."

But Franco and other government contracting experts said the settlement, if approved, leaves room for the program to continue in some fashion, allowing, for example, preferences to be based on economic disadvantage instead of race or gender.

Colette Holt, a San Antonio-based attorney who has developed and defended minority contracting programs for three decades, said "firms that have achieved success through these civil rights approaches are likely to lose some opportunities."

"However, it is possible that a revised program would be race- and gender-neutral, and can still provide benefits to businesses owned by economically disadvantaged individuals," she added.

Even before Trumps return to the White House, a number of federal affirmative action programs had been enjoined by the courts on constitutional grounds, with plaintiffs alleging that the Supreme Courts college affirmative action decision barred the government from granting benefits based on race.

In September 2023, a Tennessee judge ruled that a Small Business Administration 8(a) program for minority contractors could no longer presume certain ethnic groups were inherently "disadvantaged" - a key requirement to receive set-asides for government contracts. In March 2024, a federal judge in Texas ordered the 55-year-old Minority Business Development Agency to open its doors to all, including White entrepreneurs.

Those court cases were part of a broader wave of resistance to DEI in higher education and the private sector, as well as the idea that certain racial groups are inherently more disadvantaged than others.

Proponents of the DBE program - and others that grant preferences based on race and sex - say its loss could prove devastating for underrepresented groups in the government contracting world. Such programs were created in the 1960s and 1970s to address pervasive race and gender discrimination in the private and contracting sectors, the effects of which they say have not been fully erased. Supporters say many businesses will fold if the programs go away.

But opponents question whether the program was ever effective. Erec Smith, a research fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, said that the program had been in place for decades to remedy past discrimination and "clearly seems to be ineffective in accomplishing that goal."

"After an unsuccessful 50 years, perhaps its time for a new strategy," Smith said. "Are the perceived disadvantages of marginalized contractors inherent to their sex, race or ethnicity? Are there race-neutral alternatives that can work to remove whatever obstacles impede the upward mobility of women and minorities in contracting? These are the questions the nation should be asking."

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said he plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials in Kyiv.

Just as we did in Russia, we will again discuss Turkiyes position, our views, and the urgent need for a ceasefire. We have our own observations, and we will receive feedback from them as well. As I said, once the negotiation process starts, we see the situation begin to take a more optimistic shape, Fidan told reporters on Thursday while en route to Kyiv.

According to him, both sides, in principle, want a ceasefire, but on the other hand, both sides have different ceasefire demands.

These demands need to be reconciled  thats what negotiation and mediation are for. And as those demands are reconciled, the parties will need to face each other to some extent," Fidan added.

The minister stressed that Turkiye is an "ideal actor" for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.

"Given the current circumstances, the parties need a place where they can come face-to-face and sit around a table to negotiate. In this regard, Turkiye is actually an ideal actor," Fidan said.

Noting that any diplomatic success stems from the parties being willing to talk and producing outcomes as a result, Fidan highlighted the exchange of 1,000 prisoners as a significant step in this direction.

He called on the parties to officially declare and present their negotiating positions. The minister said that during his visit to the Russian Federation, the Turkish side once again emphasized Ankara's efforts aimed at ending Moscow's war with Kyiv.

As a major regional country, weve not only tried to stop the war from the very beginning but have also closely followed all of its dimensions. We shared our views on what realistic parameters could make a ceasefire possible," Fidan added.
Khajuraho, May 29 : The biography of 17th-century Hindu warrior Maharaja Chhatrasal will be included in school curricula to educate students about his bravery and legacy, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Thursday.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing a public ceremony on the occasion of Maharaja Chhatrasal Jayanti in Panna district, in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.

Yadav said that the state government will also celebrate Chhatrasal Jayanti officially.

On the occasion, he also offered floral tributes at the statue of Maharaja Chhatrasal in Chhatrasal Park, and also paid homage at the Chhatrasal Gaddi.

He recalled how Maharaja Chhatrasal had wisely chosen Panna as his capital, and that the city is home to the finest diamonds in India.

Fondly known as "Bundelkhand Kesari," Chhatrasal is known for his bravery in resisting Mughal rule and establishing an independent Hindu kingdom. His legacy is immortalised by the grand Ashtadhatu statue in Panna.

While addressing a large gathering on this occasion, the Chief Minister also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the development of the Bundelkhand region, mentioning especially the Ken-Betwa river linking project.

He said that the Ken-Betwa river linking project is a historic step of PM Modi, which will bring prosperity to Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, and the entire Bundelkhand region.

"Farmersa lives will change for the better, and happiness will prevail across the area," he said.

Meanwhile, Yadav also performed bhoomi-pujan and inaugurated development works worth over Rs 90 crore, including the Shri Jugal Kishore Lok project.

Highlighting Pannaas historical and natural wealth, the Chief Minister said the land is blessed with courage and immense diamond reserves.

He emphasised the state governmentas commitment to good governance, citing the closure of liquor shops in Panna and 18 other religious towns.

He said the government plans to replace liquor shops with milk parlours and promote animal husbandry and cow protection. The honorarium for cows in cow shelters has been raised from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per day.

--IANS

pd/dan
Kolkata, May 29 : A hot fire drill, technically known as simulated emergency exercise, was conducted at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Department of the airport.

According to the statement, the drill was a part of the airport's monthly emergency preparedness routine and on Thursday it started at 3:48 p.m. under the direction of Airport Director P.R. Beuria.

"A hot fire drill is a full-scale emergency simulation where multiple agencies perform their designated roles as they would in a real-life aircraft emergency. These exercises are conducted to validate emergency response plans, improve inter-agency coordination, and enhance readiness across prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases," the statement said.

According to the statement, Thursday's exercise involved the participation of 16 Aircraft Rescue And Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel and nine Central Industrial Security Force Personnel personnel.

"The drill utilised two ARFF vehicles and two ambulances, with a mock aircraft crash staged within the airport premises to simulate a high-pressure emergency scenario," the press statement said.

As per the statement, the objective was to achieve the prescribed response time of 138 seconds from the initial alert and at the same time to ensure that the fire was brought under control within one minute, which is a vital benchmark in aviation safety.

"Continuous and rigorous training enables teams to meet these stringent goals efficiently. Kolkata Airport, under the leadership of Beuria, remains steadfast in its commitment to safety through realistic and high-impact emergency preparedness exercises," the statement said.
Bhopal, May 29 : Three members of a family, including an eight-year-old child, lost their lives in Bara village under the Semariya police station area of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh after being struck by lightning.

The deceased have been identified as Ashish Vasudeva, aged thirty-two, his wife Jyoti Vasudeva, twenty-six, and their son Kishan Vasudeva, aged eight.

The tragic incident occurred when the three were standing under a mango tree near their field. Lightning struck them, and they died instantly.

Two other family members, Naina Vasudeva, aged two, and Premlal Vasudeva, aged fifty-five, sustained injuries in the accident.

Reports suggested that Premlal's wife was also injured, but police denied this claim. The injured individuals were initially taken to the Primary Health Centre in Semariya. However, due to their critical condition, they were later referred to Sanjay Gandhi Medical College in Rewa for further treatment.

"The victims lived in a makeshift hut in Bara village. The incident took place around one-thirty in the afternoon, when they were under a mango tree. They died on the spot," Umesh Prajapati, the sub-divisional officer (police) of Sirmaur, told IANS.

The adverse weather conditions continued in Madhya Pradesh on the fifth day of Nautapa or nine days of heat, when, according to Hindu astronomy, this phase begins when the Sun enters the Rohini Nakshatra (constellation), leading to a surge in temperatures and marking the peak of summer heat in India.

Normally, this period begins on May 25 till June 8. Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms was reported in several districts, including Chhatarpur, Satna, Sagar, Mauganj, Rajgarh, Sheopur, and Guna.

Meanwhile, due to bad weather, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had to cancel his visit to Chhatarpur, a senior official said, as the helipad in Gaurihar of the district became flooded.

The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms in various districts, including Sheopur, Sagar, Pandhurna, Damoh, and Raisen.

Wind speeds are expected to reach sixty kilometres per hour or more. The weather department has also warned of rain in several districts, including Agar-Malwa, Morena, Neemuch, Guna, Shajapur, Shivpuri, Ashoknagar, Gwalior, Chhatarpur, Panna, Betul, Seoni, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Anuppur, Dindori, Katni, Satna, Maihar, Rewa, Mauganj, Narsinghpur, and Umaria in the coming hours.

The situation remains critical as weather patterns continue to be unpredictable for another four days.
Jaipur, May 29 : Gurjar Reservation Struggle Committee President Vijay Bainsla, on Thursday, issued a stern warning to the Rajasthan government, saying that a decisive Mahapanchayat will be held in Pilupura (Bharatpur) on June 8, where future actions will be determined.

Speaking at a Shraddhanjali Sabha (tribute meeting) in Pipalkheda at Mahuwa area of Dausa, Bainsla accused the state government of failing to honour its commitments to the Gurjar community.

He asserted, "We will not return home until our demands are met. The government has done nothing in the past 17 months."

In a poster released ahead of the Mahapanchayat, the Gurjar Reservation Committee outlined a series of long-pending demands, including revision of the roster system.

The current system allegedly fails to provide full reservation benefits.

The committee demands implementation at the state level to ensure fair representation, he added.

Another demand is inclusion of five per cent reservation in the Ninth Schedule for the Most Backward Classes (MBC).

The state government should get cabinet approval and send a recommendation to the Central government for this constitutional protection, Bainsla said.

Withdrawal of cases from previous agitations as well as implementation of Devnarayan Yojana were other demands Bainsla spoke about.

Devnarayan scheme has been inactive for 17 months, with no scooty distribution or scholarships.

The committee demands monthly review meetings to resume.

The pending job appointments reserved under the MBC quota over the past six years have not been given.

The state had assured the Jodhpur High Court that MBC reservation would apply across general, OBC, and finally MBC categories, but it has not been implemented, he said.

He also spoke on backlog in Rajasthan Judicial Services. The MBC backlog has not been filled.

The demand is to include these vacancies from 2022 onwards, he said.

Bainsla added that the families of those who lost their lives during the reservation agitation should be given jobs and appropriate compensation.

All agreements made earlier with the government must be respected and pending recruitments must be completed, he said.

Former District Head Ajit Singh Mahwa also addressed the gathering, urging the community to unite for their rights.

He alleged discrimination in panchayat reorganisation, particularly in Khedla Buzurg, and called for participation in another meeting on May 30 to press the demand for a new Panchayat Samiti in the region.

Several community members and leaders attended the event, where Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla, a towering personality in the Gurjar reservation movement, was remembered for his contribution to the cause.
Bhopal, May 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give several gifts to the people of Madhya Pradesh during his visit to Bhopal on May 31, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday.

The Madhya Pradesh CM said that Prime Minister Modi will perform the virtual bhoomi-pujan for ghat construction along the Kshipra River, which is the part of the Simhastha 2028 preparations.

More than 29 km long stretch from Shani Mandir to Nagda Bypass in the holy city of Ujjain will be developed at a cost of Rs 778.91 crore.

He will also lay the foundation for additional water management structures worth over Rs 80 crore, including barrages, stop dams, and vented causeways across Dhar, Ujjain, Indore, Dewas, and nearby districts.

PM Modi will release a commemorative postage stamp. He will release a Rs 300 coin and postage stamp dedicated to Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai.

He will also honour a woman artist who has made remarkable contributions to tribal, folk, and traditional arts with the National Devi Ahilyabai Award.

Beside, the Prime Minister will virtually inaugurate two newly constructed airports, one in Datia and another in Satna. He will also virtually inaugurate the first phase of Indore Metro Rail.

"May 31, 2025, will mark a new era of social, cultural, and infrastructural transformation in Madhya Pradesh -- symbolising womenas empowerment inspired by Devi Ahilyabai and development guided by Prime Minister Modias vision," Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said.

A mega event, which is being organised at Bhopal's Jamboree Maidan, is expected to witness the participation of around two lakh women from across the state.

Meanwhile, as a counter to the Prime Minister's scheduled programme, the opposition Congress has decided to organise a mega rally 'Jai Hind Sabha' in Jabalpur, around 350 km from Bhopal, which will be attended by several senior leaders, including former Chief Minister Kamal Nath and state unit chief Jitu Patwari on May 31.
The Book Manufacturers Institute, a trade association for book printers and their suppliers in North America, is joining the industrys fight against book bans. Through the BMI Challenge, the association is encouraging its 110 members to donate to We Are Stronger Than Censorship, an initiative cosponsored by the Independent Book Publishers Association and EveryLibrary Institute; if members raise $16,000, BMI will match that sum with its own $16,000 donation.

We Are Stronger Than Censorship uses donated funds to purchase two books from independent publishers for every book that is banned or challenged. The books are then given to schools and libraries affected by bans and challenges.

We don't have a foundation arm or a charitable arm, but we've always been interested in supporting these types of efforts, said BMI executive director Matt Baehr, and its good timing. The BMI Challenge will officially launch this fall in New York City, at the BMI Book Manufacturing Mastered conference on September 16, with the goal, Baehr said, of raising the funds between now and then.

Lee Wind, IBPA chief content officer, and Tasslyn Magnusson, an independent researcher affiliated with EveryLibrary, teamed up to launch We Are Stronger Than Censorship in September 2024 after the two became friends through Magnussons Zoom support meetings for authors of books that have been challenged or banned. Winds No Way, They Were Gay? Hidden Lives and Secret Loves (Lerner/Zest Books, 2021) has been challenged repeatedly since its release, and he sought support by joining the Zoom meetings.

The idea for such an initiative was sparked,Wind said, when Magnusson related the story of a Wisconsin school, where one person challenged 400 books in its library, which resulted in all of those books being removed for review; most of them were placed back on the shelves four months later.

Truly, all of those kids in that school lost access to all of those books for practically a whole semester, Wind recalled. We were trying to figure out, how can we make the numbers work against the book banners? That's where this idea came from: for every book challenge, we're going to try to buy and donate two books to offset that challenge. He added, If those people know that if they challenge 400 books, 800 books are going to be purchasedit might slow them down.

Wind also noted that sales to schools and libraries are down 50% for independent publishers reporting to IBPA since book bans started spiking a few years ago, which is why IBPA and EveryLibrary decided to buy books, rather than ask publishers to donate them, to help pump up sales of such books.

To date, the initiative has raised $16,000, and more than 50 companies have partnered with IBPA and EveryLibrary on it. That success prompted BISG to award Wind its 2025 Industry Champion Award, given to an individual whose efforts have advanced the industry as a whole. Wind said that when he received the award at a BISG ceremony in New York City on April 25, he issued a challenge to the audience to partner with IBPA and EveryLibrary on this initiative.

Explaining that several BMI board members were present when Wind issued his challenge, Baehr said that the plan for BMIs challenge to its membership was quickly approved at the next board meeting. If we hit $16,000 in member donations, and then the association matches it with another $16,000 contribution," he said, then we get 4,000 books out there, in circulation.

We would love for other organizations in the publishing sphere to follow the example of BMI's leadership, Wind said, and create similar challenges to their members to help us raise the numbers and really pull the emergency brakes on this.
9th Int'l Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu

Xinhua) 08:14, May 29, 2025

Visitors tour the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Visitors learn about Afghan carpets during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

A Kuwaiti artisan weaves wool textiles during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Artists perform during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Mai Bo Sang umbrella paintings are displayed during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Visitors view decorative lanterns during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

An artisan makes Malaysian shadow puppets during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

A visitor puts on a hat made by people of the Maonan ethnic group during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 28, 2025. The festival kicked off here on Wednesday, during which over 600 items of intangible cultural heritage from more than 60 countries and regions will be displayed. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Harvard has rejected common sense.

When Lord Acton, the great nineteenth-century historian and champion of liberty, visited Harvard in 1853, he found that the colleges philosophy was common sense realism. Acton wrote that by the third year, Reid becomes a textbook. The Reid in question was Thomas Reid, author of An Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense (1764). The common sense realist philosophersespecially Reid, Adam Smith, and Francis Hutchesonfundamentally shaped the thinking of Americas Founders and provided the foundation for teaching and learning in American colleges until Actons visit and beyond.

Harvard was not alone in its dedication to Reid and common sense realism. In fact, as Arthur Herman notes, common sense realism was virtually the official creed of the American Republic. Allen Guelzo puts it this way:

Before the Civil War, every major [American] collegiate intellectual was a disciple of Scottish common sense realism.

In his book Scottish Philosophy in America, James Foster states that it provided the philosophical orientation at Princeton, Harvard, and Yale, as well as newly founded colleges stretching from Rhode Island to Texas.

By the time of Actons visit to Harvard, although it was thenand is still todayreferred to as Scottish, America had become the real home of common sense realism and the center of its continued development. James McCosh, president of Princeton from 1868 to 1888, is a prime example of this trend. McCosh published prolifically, was admired for his clear and readable style, and was one of many American thinkers who kept common sense realism strong in the nineteenth century.

The core idea of common sense realism is that self-evident truths exist and can be known through common sense; common sense enables us to recognize what is self-evidently true. Read the Founders, and you will find them constantly referring to self-evident truths. They drew their understanding of self-evidence from Reid. Because the Founders thinking relied on Reids conception of self-evident truth, Harvard, Princeton, and other institutions at the time aimed to teach American college students how to think like Americans.

We have heard and read these words We hold these Truths to be self-evidentall our lives. To understand the Founders conception of self-evident truth is to approach the very heart of the American founding. Jefferson and the other Founders held that all men are created equal is self-evidently true. According to Lincoln, it is an abstract truth, applicable to all men and all times. For more than a hundred years, American colleges dedicated themselves to teaching the philosophy that the Founders and Lincoln relied on in making that declaration.

Things have changed at Harvard and virtually every other American university. As in the early days of the Republic, American universities today share a philosophical orientation.

Postmodernism rejects truth and common sense. This explains how a Supreme Court Justice can declare that she does not know what a woman is; Justice Jackson received her bachelors degree from Harvard College and her law degree from Harvard Law School. But postmodern academics are often not content simply to teach their students to reject truth and common sensethe foundation of the Founders idea of America. They also frequently indoctrinate students in Progressivism, the systematic rejection of the Founders idea of America itself. This is the explanation for all those fabulously privileged young Americans demonstrating their violent rejection of the American way of life by rioting in the streets and chanting anti-American slogans. They could not make their anti-Americanism any clearerand, for the most part, they were taught this anti-Americanism in American schools and universities.
Amid fresh accusations of famine in the Gaza Strip, and demands by the United Kingdom, France, and Canada to immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, Israel has agreed to allow aid shipments to resume. However, foreign demands notwithstanding, that aid will not be delivered by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations corrupt, biased, and compromised steward of Palestinian aid.

To replace UNRWA, the United States and Israel have proposed a novel plan to funnel food and essential humanitarian supplies into the Hamas-ruled territory, implemented by a new charitable organization called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Yet the UN opposes the new aid mechanism, insisting that it must continue to be central in any aid effort.

The bankruptcy of the UN aid process in Gaza is well-documented. For years UNRWA has willfully violated the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality with nary a peep of objection from the UN.

Israel has provided evidence of extensive infiltration of UNRWA by terrorist groups, including that over a thousand UNRWA employees in Gaza  12 percent of all employees  were members of Hamas or other terrorist groups. Similarly, Israel asserts that 15 percent of principals and deputy-principals at UNRWA schools were members of terrorist organizations. Unsurprisingly, celebrations of terrorism and martyrdom are commonly included in UNRWA educational textbooks and materials. UNRWA employees even participated in the October 7 terrorist attack.

For years, Hamas and other terrorist groups have exploited UNRWA schools, hospitals, and other facilities to store weapons, launch attacks, and house command centers, not just in Gaza, but wherever UNRWA operates. This was a deliberate tactic designed to use the protected status of UNRWA to shield terrorists from detection and retribution. Past decisions to return weapons discovered in UNRWA facilities to Hamas only underscore that the organization is eager to overlook such violations.

But theres more to the story. UNRWAs complicity with Hamas was not passive tolerance of the powers that rule Gaza. Much of the UNs humanitarian work has, since October 7, revealed itself to be sympathetic to Hamass aims, if not the terrorist groups methods. Nor is Hamas a UN-designated terrorist organization, meaning that when the US Congress has demanded that UN bar individuals affiliated with terrorist groups, affiliation with Hamas has not been disqualifying.

For these and other reasons, Israel banned UNRWA from operating within its territory and significantly limited aid into Gaza, citing concerns that Hamas was diverting the supplies. Instead, Israel sought to establish an alternative aid system less vulnerable to Hamas interference. The United Nations has rejected the proposal, claiming the new Foundation fails to meet global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality  which brazenly ignores the fact that UNRWA itself has been repeatedly accused of violating those very standards.

Frustrated, the UN turned to its trump card  asserting that Israel is causing a famine. Since the early stages of the conflict, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), affiliated with the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization, along with the USAID-founded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), have released regular assessments of Gaza's food security. In both early and late 2024, these organizations warned that famine was either looming or already affecting certain areas of the region. Legal cases in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court cited these allegations.

Yet even the IPCs Famine Review Committee allowed mid-2024 that famine was not occurring. Likewise, the FEWS NET report was retracted. What soon became clear was that miscalculations across the board, including about amounts of food entering Gaza, nutrition levels before war broke out, and false data about deaths were factored into a biased reporting system.

Notwithstanding 2024s false alarms, an Israeli government decision to close the Gaza border to food shipments in March 2025 precipitated another round of accusations of imminent famine. Under pressure, Israel relented. But this time, UNRWA will be shut out, as aid will enter via the UN World Food Program, World Central Kitchen, and others until the new U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is operational.

As usual, drama regarding accusations against the Israeli government obscures the ongoing problem of United Nations bias. Yes, the UN dismissed those UNRWA employees shown to have participated in the October 7 terrorist attack. But they have not been held to account. In fact, the UN Secretary General has refused to waive the immunities and privileges they enjoy as UN employees and asserted these protections in its argument to dismiss a lawsuit by October 7 victims the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan.

Outrageously, the Biden administration supported the UN argument even though immunity provided under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations only applies to officials acting within the scope of their legitimate duties. Killing, torturing, and kidnapping civilians hardly constitutes legitimate UN duties. Any UN employee who provided material support to terrorists or participated in serious crimes should not be protected by international legal privilegethey should be prosecuted.

This brings us back to the question of delivering aid to Gaza. Any organization with UNRWAs record would normally be ostracized. But the UN system has, instead, rushed to defend it. In a joint statement, the UN and its aid partners insist that they must deliver aid and supplies as they see fit irrespective of Israeli security concerns and irrespective of the repeated theft and diversion of aid by Hamas under their watch.

According to the Secretary General, There is no alternative to UNRWA. In fact, there is. If the priority is truly to help the innocent in Gaza, the UN should be willing to work with Israel to deliver aid even if it sidelines UNRWA.

Danielle Pletka is a distinguished senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Brett D. Schaefer is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Prime Video released a trailer for upcoming series Countdown, starring Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles as a cop recruited into a secret task force to investigate a murder.

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The trailer, released Wednesday, stars Ackles as Los Angeles police detective Mark Meachum, who is recruited into a task force involving agents from all branches of law enforcement to probe the mysterious murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer.

"But the hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions," the official synopsis reads.

The series also stars Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy), Jessica Camacho (The Flash), Violett Beane (Death and Other Details), Elliot Knight (The Boys) and Uli Latukefu (Young Rock).

Countdown is created, executive produced and showrun by Derek Haas (One Chicago, FBI).

The first three episodes of the series will debut June 23 on Prime Video, with the rest of the episodes premiering on subsequent Wednesdays.
Instagram / Juliana Pasquarosa

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/28/2025



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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.

winner Juliana Pasquarosa has revealed why she hasn't posted about Grant Ellis on social media in well over a month.When Grant and Juliana went public with their engagement in late March, Season 29 couple seemed so excited to share their love with the world.But after a few Instagram posts in early April, Juliana and Grant fell pretty silent on social media.The lack of couple's content on Instagram had many fans speculating if Juliana and Grant had split -- or at least if there's trouble in paradise -- but Juliana recently set the record straight."I don't think I'll ever be the type to over share my relationship," Juliana shared in a Q&A session via Instagram Stories."I feel bad that people think they have a right to know everything just because I was on a show, [and] I want to let you all in, but I'm also just getting used to sharing anything about my life with all of you!"Juliana therefore asked for "some grace" from fans.Juliana also confirmed that she and Grant find rumors about their relationship and supposed breakup funny."We stay laughing," Juliana noted. "The people who truly know me (friends/fam) know what's going on in my life & in my heart at all times."But Juliana and Grant will probably continue to face online critics and negative comments on social media.In response to all the noise, Juliana shared, "You really have to pay attention to what's going on in your real life. I think, you know, people online are so mean. They're keyboard warriors, they're faceless and they will say whatever they want to try and hurt you.""And I think it's really important to just remember that they don't know you and their opinions do not matter," she added.Juliana told people going through a similar situation to "pay attention to the people that love you and know you" rather than strangers or trolls."Because those are the opinions in your life that matter," she concluded.During a recent appearance on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast with Grant, Juliana told Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt that she felt like the finale was thousands of years ago.Grant agreed with Juliana and shared, "We just got off the show, so we're kind of being private with what we're doing and give people bits and pieces, but I've just been hanging out with her family!""Jules has really let me into her life and the circle of friends she has around her... Her friends have really accepted me and brought me in," he elaborated.star, who currently resides in Houston, TX, also confirmed that he's still planning to move to Boston, MA, where Juliana and her big Italian family live.After Grant and Juliana go apartment hunting in June, they'll be taking a trip to Italy in early July.Juliana said she and Grant will check out wedding venues in Italy when they go but they're in no rush to tie the knot."We're just taking life one moment and one day at a time," Juliana said. "We're focused on the move and just kind of getting life situated."Juliana and Grant got engaged in the Dominican Republic at the Final Rose Ceremony of 's 29th season, which filmed in late 2024.But what appeared to be only minutes before the Final Rose Ceremony, Grant was still undecided between Juliana and his other Final 2 bachelorette, Litia Garr Grant was in love with both women , and he had repeatedly told Litia that he was in love with her.But Grant chose to dump Litia in second place, leaving her feeling blindsided and devastated.Shortly after 's Season 29 finale aired, Grant faced backlash for allegedly leading Litia on Litia claimed on : After the Final Rose in March that Grant had confirmed they were getting engaged the night before the Final Rose Ceremony.Grant asked Bachelor Nation to "stay classy" as fans were hating on his relationship with Juliana in March.And Juliana wrote in the comments, "We stay in our own lane bby. Beyond proud of you AND your father."Juliana previously said on "The Viall Files" podcast, "My stance right now is, 'If you're pro or for me, you are for Grant. You can't be for me and not support him.' We are two for one at this point, and I draw the line right there... I'm just honest!"Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
China's Tianjin launches drone route for medical delivery

Xinhua) 10:19, May 29, 2025

This photo taken on March 14, 2025 shows a "drone medical transport" demonstration during the 2025 China Medical Equipment Conference &Medical Equipment Exhibition held at Chongqing International Expo Center in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

TIANJIN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Shen Jun, executive director of the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital's Binhai branch, recounts the sight of a black drone descending into the hospital's courtyard last week with excitement.

He described the movie-like scene as a significant transformation in emergency medical support for Tianjin, a northern municipality with a population of 13.64 million.

On May 21, a black six-rotor drone carrying simulated emergency blood supplies ascended from the Tanggu central blood station in Tianjin's Binhai New Area to zip through the morning haze.

About 20 minutes later, it landed with pinpoint accuracy at the hospital, marking the successful trial test of Tianjin's first low-altitude medical drone delivery route -- a milestone in the municipality's push to harness "low-altitude health care" for an accelerated, smarter emergency response process.

The historic flight, witnessed by hospital executives, blood station leaders and biomedical enterprise representatives, demonstrated how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could redefine medical logistics.

Typically, ground transport between the blood station and the hospital involves a 23-kilometer detour to bypass chronic traffic congestion, delaying the delivery of critical supplies. Drones are a game changer.

"These airborne lifelines slash emergency response times, providing patients with a stronger barrier between life and death," Shen said.

With a 5-kilogram payload capacity, temperature-controlled medical containers, and real-time position tracking capabilities, the UAVs ensure blood products remain stable despite changes in weather.

A command center monitors flight paths, temperatures and safety protocols throughout each journey.

Tianjin's medical delivery innovation reflects China's accelerating adoption of drone technology to overcome logistical hurdles and improve its health care ecosystem.

With drone applications spanning the agriculture, disaster relief and e-commerce sectors, the medical delivery arena holds significant potential.

In recent years, provinces like Guangdong, Zhejiang and Sichuan have piloted blood delivery networks.

In 2023, south China's tech hub of Shenzhen established a routine drone blood delivery system. By the end of 2024, the system had transported 4,412 kilograms of blood products, including red blood cells, platelets and cryoprecipitate.

Since 2024, Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, has been normalizing low-altitude blood delivery methods. Its Yuhang District aims to introduce over 20 new routes by the end of 2025, covering all local hospitals and grassroots medical institutions.

In the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu, Longquanyi District launched a routine low-altitude medical supply delivery project in 2024, aiming to serve public health centers in its township clinics.

Tianjin has now joined this vanguard, leveraging its strengths in oncology and biopharmaceuticals.

The Tianjin hospital plans to extend its drone routes, linking its campuses, drug research institutes and communities. Future flights will transport medications, lab samples and emergency supplies, transforming coordination between campuses, Shen said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
'This means that there will be more than 1,000 tech talent in India over the next 12-18 months.'

Global reinsurance giant Swiss Re, which has been in India since the start of the century, is focusing on insourcing technology over the last few years.

It has led to higher demand for data and analytics engineers, who help in preparing better risk models.

This helps underwriters price the products better.

In a conversation with Avik Das/Business Standard in Bengaluru, Amit Kalra, managing director and head of Swiss Re Global Business Solutions, talks about how India is becoming a critical technology talent hub for the reinsurer.

What has been the journey of Swiss Re's global capability centre in India over the last two decades?

We started 25 years ago in India as a shared services centre, which was defined on cost play till about 2007. From 2007, we started our economic research, actuarial functions, and analytics which continued for a decade.

Then it was a question of how do we build more business capabilities, where is the next evolution cycle, global capabilities and making ourselves more integrated to the headquarters.

Over the last eight years, we have grown three times. The number of vice-presidents has grown 4x and we have covered the full value chain of operations.

As part of it, the focus also went into bolstering our technology talent.

While I head this global capability centre (GCC), we do not call ourselves a GCC internally. I believe that while it is good to start from a cost play and then talent and capability, eventually one has to become integrated to the enterprise.

And, that is how you break the glass ceiling and take on more global roles and responsibilities.

Why did you choose India to become a critical part of your tech talent ecosystem?

Over the last three years, Swiss Re globally went through an internalisation drive in the tech domain.

We have about 2,500 employees in the country out of the 14,000 globally. Our tech team, which had just 150 people three years ago here, has now grown to 750.

We have two centres, one in Bengaluru with 400 engineers and the other in Hyderabad with 350. We plan to open a bigger office in Hyderabad this year which will push up those numbers to 700.

This means that there will be more than 1,000 tech talent in India over the next 12-18 months.

It will be about 40-50 per cent of our global engineering workforce.

What sort of talent do you hire?

A majority of our hiring is going on in the engineering side, for product engineering, architects and data engineers.

A lot of it is lateral hiring but we are also opening up our channels for graduate hiring.

That will involve training in insurance and reinsurance. Even as many have technology skills, they still need a domain understanding.

What are some key critical functions done from India?

A few years ago, we launched our fee-based business which is also called solutions. Here we share our risk and data insights for a fee income, which is monitoring our own internal risk insight capabilities.

The chief technology officer (CTO) of that business is based out of India, which shows that ownership of the new business is here.

We also have our life and health underwriting platforms, with multiple product owners out of India.

Some of the GenAI use cases we are experimenting on the claims side -- as well as on enhanced customer experience -- are also getting piloted from this country.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded on Thursday after two days of decline, mirroring a rally in global markets as a US court blocked President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 320.70 points or 0.39 per cent to settle at 81,633.02.

During the day, it jumped 504.57 points or 0.62 per cent to 81,816.89.

The 50-share NSE Nifty went up by 81.15 points or 0.33 per cent to 24,833.60.

Among Sensex firms, IndusInd Bank climbed 2.41 per cent a day after markets regulator Sebi barred its former CEO, Sumant Kathpalia, and four other senior officials from accessing the securities markets in connection with an alleged insider trading in the bank's shares.

Sun Pharma, Adani Ports, Eternal, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra and Axis Bank were also among the gainers.

Bajaj Finance, ITC, Bajaj Finserv and Asian Paints were among the laggards.

Investors rejoiced a US federal court's decision to block President Donald Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariffs on imports.

"Global sentiment improved after a US court struck down Trump's reciprocal tax policy.

"However, the domestic market remained mostly rangebound during the day due to rising oil prices and higher US 10-year bond yields.

"Some recovery was seen toward the end of the session, driven by F&O expiry-led covering.

"Export-focused sectors like IT and Pharma performed well, supported by hopes of easing trade tensions," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng settled in positive territory.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 4,662.92 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.

Also, the Reserve Bank said that the country is poised to remain the fastest-growing major economy in the world even in FY26.

India's industrial production growth slowed to 2.7 per cent in April 2025 due to poor performance of manufacturing, mining and power sectors, according to official data released on Wednesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude jumped 1.42 per cent to $65.82 a barrel.
'Shashi Tharoor is destroying the history of India.'

'He is distorting facts about the Congress party.'

IMAGE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leader of the parliamentary delegation visiting the Americas, signs the visitor's book after he and delegation members visited the National Assembly of Panama in Panama City, May 28, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress spokesperson Udit Raj has been vocal against senior party MP Shashi Tharoor over his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi abroad.

Dr Tharoor, a four-term Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, is on Operation Sindoor outreach, showcasing India's stance against Pakistan's terror activities.

Udit Raj, a former Bharatiya Janata Party MP and now a Congress spokesperson, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff why he is criticising Shashi Tharoor.

Why are you criticising Shashi Tharoor's speech defending Operation Sindoor outreach?

Shashi Tharoor is destroying the history of India.

He is distorting facts about the Congress party.

During Congress rule, in 1965, the Indian Army entered many cities of Pakistan like Lahore.

In 1971, again during Congress party rule, Pakistan was broken into two with Bangladesh coming into existence.

During Dr Manmohan Singh's government, the Indian Army did surgical strikes six times.

Now, Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, is going to foreign lands and trying to show the party in poor light, which is not right in my opinion.

He is saying that before Modi, the Indian Army never entered Pakistani territory. This is a wrong statement.

Shashi Tharoor is erasing the Congress party's achievements from Indian history. This is my objection.

His mission was to highlight Pakistani terrorist activities against India, but what he is doing is speaking against the Congress party in foreign lands.

But he did not speak against the Congress party. I didn't read or hear any such speech as you claim.

Shashi said, 'Modi ke pehle kuch nahi hua tha (before Modi no action was taken against Pakistan).' If this statement is not against the Congress party, then what statement is against the Congress party? You tell me.

When you say there were six surgical strikes during the Manmohan Singh government, why did we not read about it at that time?

Dr Singh used to run the government and the credit for Indian Army's bravery was never taken by him.

But will you not agree that Shashi Tharoor is speaking in India's favour on his Operation Sindoor outreach programme?

I have no objection to that, but you've got to understand the delegation that went was tod-phod (disjointed delegation).

Shashi Tharoor's name was not given by the Congress party; his name was picked directly by Modi.

Shashi was to go and speak against Pakistan, but what he is doing is saying that the Congress party did nothing (against Pakistan).

But Shashi Tharoor will have to speak in the Government of India's voice on this outreach!

We did not send Shashi Tharoor to say that before Modi, the Indian Army never entered Pakistan territory.

Shashi Tharoor Congress ki aalochana kar rahey hain aur Modi ki gun gaan kar rahey hain (he is criticising the Congress and praising Modi). He should have gone and exposed Pakistan.

What should he have done? And what would you have done in his place?

He should have spoken against Pakistan rather than praise Modi. I would have never done that.

The Congress itself never told the nation that India conducted surgical strikes against Pakistan during its tenures in government.

That is the reason India as a country functioned well in his (Dr Manmohan Singh's) time. And see the condition under Modi's rule; no country is supporting India globally against Pakistan.

At the end of the day Operation Sindoor was successful and that is what matters, isn't it?

Who told you Operation Sindoor was successful?

Were we able to catch those terrorists who killed innocent tourists in Pahalgam on April 22?

Where did they disappear?

Even in Poonch, 16 Indians died in Pakistani shelling.

Don't you feel it will backfire on the Congress if you speak against Shashi Tharoor at this juncture?

If the Congress does not speak against Shashi Tharoor then it will backfire on the Congress party.

We've got to speak about the Congress party's achievements in history and expose the BJP.

If we keep quiet then the countrymen will feel we were nakaras (useless people).

What action will the Congress take against Shashi Tharoor once he comes back?

It is up to the party to decide what action they want to take against him.

The Congress must expose Shashi Tharoor's lies.

Shashi Tharoor's credibility is very high among the Indian public.

Shashi Tharoor has only English-speaking credibility.

He speaks English in a good accent and that is the only credibility he carries.

Nothing else.

He worked at the United Nations.

I am more qualified than him. I was an Indian Revenue Service officer.

Shashi only speaks in American accented English, which makes people feel good.

It is only these people who like his accent because they have a slave mentality towards America.
'The Web portal of the Organiser, the RSS mouthpiece, published an article (withdrawn later) that the Christian community holds many acres of land, far more than Waqf property.'

IMAGE: Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, left with the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, addresses a press conference on the Waqf Act in Kochi, April 15, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Munambam, a major fishing harbour in Kochi, is described by Wikipedia as 'a suburb of Kochi at the north end of Vypeen Island, surrounded by the Arabian on the west, Periyar river on the east, and a mouth of the sea on the north'.

More than 600 families have been protesting in Munambam for 200 days against the Kerala Waqf Board taking over the 400 acre land their ancestors have lived on for more than 100 years.

After passing the Waqf Amendment Bill, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in Kochi, 'From now onwards, there will be no cases like Munambam. There will not be an arbitrary declaration of Waqf property. Now any property which is under dispute or under legal proceedings cannot be settled as Waqf property.'

But...

The residents of Munambam were disappointed to hear the minister tell them later that as the dispute for their land is a matter of sub-judice, only the court can settle the issue.

Earlier, the state BJP had organised a 'Thank you Modi' meet in Munambam.

The residents -- mostly Christians -- who supported the Congress changed their political stance when the state BJP promised them that the new legislation would solve the issue.

"The state government is going on the same path as the Sangh Parivar. They also want to create a divide between the Christian and Muslim communities," Congress leader V D Satheesan, leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier.

You have consistently said that the disputed land in Munambam was not Waqf property though the Waqf Board said otherwise... Even your UDF partner IUML was of the opinion that it was Waqf land..

I am the first person who took the stand that the disputed property was not Waqf land.

The IUML did not take the stand that it was Waqf land. Only one or two Muslim leaders expressed their concern about the stand I have taken.

Let me tell you why I took such a stand.

First, the 1950 deed between the donor, Siddhique Sait and the Farooq College management, was clearly stated as conditional. That is, if the college did not use the land for educational purposes, it could be withdrawn.

An important fact to notice is, in Waqf, there is no condition. Waqf is a permanent dedication of a property by an individual to Allah.

So, if there is any condition, it is not Waqf.

Number two, at the time of the deed, there were people residing in this property. Most of them are the descendants of those who lived there more than 100 years ago. How can a person gift a land as Waqf when people were already residing there? No, you cannot.

Number three. The Farooq College management received money from those who are residing there. After accepting money from them, how can you say it is Waqf?

Number four. This property was not Sait's own property. It was a leased property. When you are only a lessee of a property, you cannot make it Waqf. You can waqf only your own property.

I pointed out these facts after going through a whole lot of documents.

Interestingly, all the political parties and all the religious organisations are of the opinion that you cannot evict the residents from the property, and that they should be given permanent titles to the land.

All the Christian and Muslim organisations, all the political parties, the government of Kerala and even the central government are saying that we should protect those who are living there.

But when you say it is Waqf property, they become encroachers. Then, no government or court can save these people. Because Waqf is waqf, and you can't change that.

On one side, they are saying, it is Waqf and on the other side, they want to protect the residents. How is it possible?

My point is, all these people are playing politics.

IMAGE: Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill by Parliament, Rajeev Chandrasekhar visited Munambam, met the protestors and joined them in their celebrations as they expressed their gratitude to PM Modi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rajeev Chandrasekhar/X

Do you think the BJP is trying to woo the Christian community away from the Congress and the UDF?

Not only that, they are trying to divide the Christian and Muslim communities so that they get the support of the Christians.

In fact, even before the Waqf Bill was presented in Parliament, I had said that there was no connection between the Munambam issue and the Waqf Amendment Bill.

I had said that even the it becomes an Act, it would not be able to save the people of Munambam.

After the Waqf Amendment Bill, the BJP organised a Thank you Modi meet where many Christians joined the BJP.

Making people join the BJP was playing politics.

But their lie was exposed when Union Minister Kirren Rijju held a press conference in Kochi. I was there at the press conference.

He made it very clear that the Act would not help the people of Munambam as the matter was in the court, and that it was for the court to make a decision.

In fact, he reiterated my stand that the Act would not help the Munambam people.

What is the role of the state government in this whole issue?

They say that they will protect the people.

But the state Waqf Board is under the state government and according to Section 97, the state government has the control over the Waqf Board.

When this matter went to the Waqf Tribunal, both the Sait's family and Farooq College said that it was not Waqf.

And the Tribunal was going to make a very good verdict in favour of the people of Munambam.

Then the Board went to the high court and got a stay till May 29 on all the proceedings before the Tribunal. On the 19th of May, the term of the existing Tribunal will end.

What will happen now? The next Tribunal will be constituted according to the new Waqf Act.

So, when there was an opportunity to protect the interests of the people of Munambam, the Waqf Board under the state government went to the high court saying that it was Waqf property.

It is crystal clear that the Waqf Board and the state government are repeating that it is Waqf property.

My question to the government is, if it is Waqf property, how will you protect the interests of the people?

My accusation is, the state government is going on the same path as the Sangh Parivar.

They also want to make a divide between the Christian and Muslim communities.

What the LDF thinks is, if the BJP penetrates into the Christian community, the UDF will lose some votes. Who will be the beneficiary then? The LDF.

Both the LDF and the BJP are playing politics in the name of these poor people.

IMAGE: People listen to Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Munambam. Photograph: Kind courtesy BJP Kerala/X

You said that the next would be a Church Bill...

Yes, I warned the Christian community that a Church Bill would come soon.

The Congress party also said on the floor of the House after the Waqf Bill was passed on the 3rd of April that if it were to happen, we would take the same stand then also, the secular stand.

The very day, the Web portal of the Organiser, the RSS mouthpiece, published an article (withdrawn later) that the Christian community holds many acres of land, far more than Waqf property.

It also said that the Catholic church was the biggest non-governmental landowner in the country, and that all that was on lease, and it had to be recovered.

I organised a press conference on April 4th morning, and said that after passing the Waqf Bill, they are focussing on Christian properties.

IMAGE: People listen to Kiren Rijiju in Munambam. Photograph: Kind courtesy BJP Kerala/X

What was the response from the Christian community after Kirren Rijju said that the Waqf Bill would not help them?

They expressed their disappointment once they realised what the truth was, and that the Act was not going to help them.

Do you think the Munambam issue will affect the UDF's prospects?

It is not going to affect the UDF at all.

The Muslim community understood the stand taken by us.

Now the Christian community also has realised that the kind of politics played by the BJP and the CPI-M was not in favour of the people of Munambam.

Almost all the bishops expressed their disappointment with the Act.

For the last 4-5 years, the Sangh Parivar has been trying to create a wedge between the Christian and Muslim communities. But they will not be successful because the Christian community in Kerala is educated.

IMAGE: A protest in Kochi against the Waqf Act. Photograph: Kind courtesy @AskAnshul/X

What is the Congress telling the people of Munambam to win back their trust?

That the Waqf Bill will not protect you.

That the state government is not helping you.

That both the BJP and the CPI-M are playing politics.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora was on Thursday questioned by Assam Police in connection with a case related to party colleague Gaurav Gogoi's alleged links with Pakistan, officials said.

IMAGE: Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Ripun Bora during a protest in Guwahati in December 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A police officer told PTI that the Bora reached the CM's Special Vigilance Cell (SVC) office at around 11 am and the questioning continued for about six hours.

He, however, declined to share any further details saying the case is under investigation.

Coming out of the SVC office, Bora told reporters that the investigators tried to puzzle him with different questions, but he fully cooperated with them.

"They asked me about my statements in the press conference and if I had made those remarks. I replied accordingly. They said they might call me again if there is any need, and I will come then," he added.

Bora also said that he suggested the investigators to call two more persons for questioning -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP MLA Diganta Kalita.

"Both Sarma and Kalita spoke as if they knew everything about Gogoi's visit. CM has been claiming that he has concrete proof. So, he should be called for questioning," he added.

The Congress leader also referred to Sarma's statement that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case had contacted Pakistan to get information on Gogoi's visit to the neighbouring nation.

"India was at war with Pakistan over terror activities. How can you contact that nation when we are fighting against them? Therefore, the CM should be called for an interrogation on the issue," he added.

Bora also said that BJP MLA Kalita too addressed the media sharing "many details" of Gogoi's much-talked-about visit to Pakistan.

"Kalita referred to Gogoi's visit in 2013. He was there in Congress then. So, did he accompany Gogoi to Pakistan? If not, then how could he know so much detail? The SIT must call him also for questioning," he added.

The SIT is probing a case of alleged interference of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who is claimed to have links with Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn, in India's internal affairs.

Sheikh, an advisor of the Pakistan Planning Commission and a former colleague of Colburn, was charged under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhtia (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

On Sunday, Bora in a press conference claimed that Sarma was trying to make Gogoi an ISI agent only because the BJP leader knew that the ruling government will decisively lose the 2026 assembly elections if the parliamentarian was made the CM candidate of the opposition party.

Regarding Gogoi's British wife, Bora had said: "She might have visited Pakistan or got a salary for her work from Pakistan, what's the problem in that? Likewise, many Pakistani people are working in India legally."

Following this, Sarma claimed that Bora made a "startling confession" that his party MP Gogoi's wife has been on the "payroll of the Pakistan government".

The Assam CM and the BJP have been attacking Lok Sabha MP Gogoi over his wife's alleged connection with Pakistan's spy agency ISI. He had claimed that Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn had travelled 19 times between India and Pakistan.

Sarma also alleged that Gogoi had visited Pakistan on an invitation from its spy agency ISI and undergone training there and that he worked closely with the establishment of the neighbouring nation.

He further claimed that Colburn was collecting various classified government documents, mainly IB reports, on behalf of the Pakistani climate lobby.

Hitting back hard, Gogoi slammed Sarma over his accusation of the MP's alleged Pakistani links and questioned his mental state due to issues at the home front. He even said the CM's remarks were "ridiculous, baseless, insane and nonsense" and that he was behaving like an "IT cell troll" without talking with facts.
The Chinese military Thursday declined to comment on the performance of China-made weapons used by Pakistan in the recent conflict with India.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters

Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson Sr Col Zhang Xiaogang also played down the reports of India recovering an unexploded PL-15E, a radar-guided beyond visual range missile, stated to be the most advanced rocket of its kind produced by China.

The missile you mentioned is an export equipment and has been shown at defence exhibitions at home and abroad many times, Zhang said in his media briefing in Beijing.

India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away, Zhang said, parrying questions about Indian official's assertions that China provided air defence and satellite support to Pakistan in the military conflict and Chinese weapons systems performed below average.

We hope that both sides can remain calm and restrained and avoid action further complicating the situation, Zhang said, reiterating earlier assertions by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The Chinese side is willing to continue the constructive role in achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and preserve regional peace and stability, Zhang said in the first media briefing of the Chinese defence ministry after the May 7-10 military conflict between India and Pakistan.

The Chinese Defence Ministry holds media briefings once a month.

Considering the large-scale use of Chinese weapons supplies by Pakistan and the all-weather ties between the two countries, the Chinese official media showed considerable interest in India-Pakistan military confrontation.

About two weeks after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed, India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 under Operation Sindoor.

Pakistan attempted to attack the Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.

According to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has emerged as the largest weapons supplier to Pakistan, accounting for 81 per cent of arms procurement of China's all-weather ally from 2020 to 2024.

The procurement included the latest jet fighters, radars, naval ships, submarines and missiles.

Both countries jointly manufacture J-17 aircraft, the mainstay of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
India on Thursday said it expects the United States to consider visa applications of Indian students on merit amid growing concerns over the Trump administration halting new student visa interviews.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The changes effected by the US in its visa regime have triggered widespread uncertainty among students world-wide including in India.

"We saw some guidance coming from the United States on student visa matters," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

"There we made a point that while it is a sovereign function, we expect and we hope that application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs in the US on time," he said.

Jaiswal said the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of 'utmost priority' of the government of India.

"While we note that issuance of visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit," he said.

There have been concerns among the students planning to pursue studies in the US over the Trump administration's plan to expand social media vetting of student visa applicants.

Jaiswal said about 330,000 Indian students were in the US in 2023-24.

On Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's ongoing visit to the US, Jaiswal said he met Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance India-US cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.

Misri also led a delegation comprising the deputy National Security Advisor for the inter-agency discussions on India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) for the 21st century.

The initiative, aimed at driving transformative change across key pillars of cooperation, was launched following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with President Donald Trump in Washington DC in February.

This meeting focused on implementing the TRUST initiative, which again is about critical minerals and critical and emerging technology partnerships.

"They also discussed cooperation in the area of defence and energy domains, as well as strengthening the Quad, IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), I2U2 initiatives," Jaiswal said.

The I2U2 is a strategic grouping comprising India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the US.

The foreign secretary also had a meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and they discussed all aspects of India-US relationship.

"In particular, they agreed that technology, tech, trade and talent will shape the India-US partnership in the 21st century and they both reaffirmed commitment to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership," Jaiswal said.

All issues of mutual interest were discussed between India and the US, he added.
The revelation may have come late in the century but the Congress disclosed on Thursday, May 29, 2025, that the Indian Army conducted six surgical strikes against Pakistan during UPA-2, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's second term in power.

Kindly note that this image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: PTI Photo/Rediff Archives

In an interview to Rediff, Congress Spokesperson Udit Raj stated, "The Congress party did six surgical strikes against Pakistan but never tom-tomed about it."

Udit Raj was reacting to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's statement in Panama on Wednesday that the Narendra Modi government had crossed the Line of Control for the first time in response to terror attacks from Pakistan.

Later, on Thursday, the Congress released a list of six surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the Pakistan border during UPA-2.

In May 2019, Lieutenant General Deependra Singh Hooda (retd) stated that the Modi government was not the first to undertake surgical strikes.

General Hooda's assertion was significant, given that he had played a major role as the Northern Army commander in the September 28-29, 2016 surgical strikes launched after the Uri terror attack by the Modi government.

General Hooda did not reveal details about earlier surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in Pakistan.

According to the Congress, the first strike under the UPA was conducted in the Bhattal sector in the Poonch area on June 19, 2008.

It is not known what the target in Pakistan was or how many terrorists died in the attack.

Lieutenant General Prabodh Chandra Bhardwaj -- an officer in India's elite Special Forces -- was the Northern Army commander during this operation.

The second surgical strike came three years later, in the Sharda sector, across the Neelam river valley in Kel, from August 30 to September 1, 2011.

The Neelam river valley is a popular tourist destination in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The name Sharda sector derives from Goddess Sharda, and the temple there is considered an essential centre of Kashmir's Shaivism tradition.

Home Minister Amit Shah stated in March 2023 that the Government of India would move forward to open the Sharda Peeth in PoK for Indian citizens on the lines of the Kartarpur corridor.

The third surgical strike under the UPA government took place at the Sawan Patra check post on January 6, 2013.

This was highlighted by Pakistan too.

After the attack, the Pakistan army accused India of raiding a military checkpost in the Bagh sector along the Line of Control, killing one soldier and injuring another.

A report in the Pakistan newspaper Dawn mentioned that Indian troops had crossed the LoC and raided the Sawan Patra checkpost.

Lieutenant General K T Parnaik -- currently, the governor of Arunachal Pradesh -- was the Northern Army commander during these operations.

The fourth strike was at the Nazapir sector on July 27-28, 2013. No details are available on this operation.

The fifth surgical strike came a month later, on August 6, 2013, when the Indian Army attacked Neelam Valley. No details are available on this operation.

The last surgical strike attack against Pakistan under the UPA government came five months later, and it also targeted the Neelam Valley on January 14, 2014.

Lieutenant General Sanjiv Chachra was the Northern Army commander during the final two operations.

In the last year of its tenure, the UPA government carried out four cross-border/LoC strikes against Pakistan.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh -- the only Indian PM this century not to visit Pakistan during his terms in office -- never revealed that India had carried out six surgical strikes against Pakistan during his tenure.

The silence was finally broken by the Congress party on Thursday.
The Congress on Thursday claimed that a special session of Parliament is being considered next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, and said this will be yet another classic exercise in "diversion and distraction" from real and more urgent issues by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that at a time when the BJP should be targeting Pakistan and terrorists, it is only interested in attacking the Congress.

Ramesh said that from the night of April 22nd itself, the Indian National Congress has been calling for an all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack and its fallout to be chaired by the PM himself.

That has yet to take place, he said.

"On May 10th, both the LoP in the Lok Sabha and the LoP in the Rajya Sabha wrote to the PM requesting for a special session of Parliament to be convened and to demonstrate the nation's collective resolve through a resolution. The PM has NOT accepted that suggestion as well," Ramesh said in a post on X.

"Now it appears that a special session of Parliament is being considered for June 25-26 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency," Ramesh claimed.

There was no immediate response from the government or the BJP.

The Congress leader said, "This will be yet another classic exercise in diversion and distraction from real and more urgent issues by the PM - the man who has placed the nation under an undeclared Emergency for 11 years and the man who refuses to answer why the Pahalgam terrorists are still absconding, why he allowed President Trump to broker a ceasefire, and why he gave a clean chit to China publicly on June 19th, 2020?"

Later, speaking with PTI, Ramesh said instead of talking about the present issues and challenges, they want to discuss what happened 50 years ago.

He also reiterated the demand that a special session be called and the resolution of February 1994 on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir be reiterated and updated in view of India and Pakistan both becoming nuclear powers and new challenges having emerged, especially the "jugalbandi" that has been formed between Pakistan and China.

He also asked why the terrorists of the Pahalgam terror attack have not been caught.

"When they should be targeting Pakistan and terrorists, the BJP is only interested in targeting and attacking the Congress," Ramesh said.

The Congress has been asking Prime Minister Modi to break his "silence" on the Trump administration's repeated claims on how the India-Pakistan "ceasefire" was brought about.

The US President has been repeatedly claiming that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan.

India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the military confrontation after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

On May 10, US President Donald Trump had claimed that India and Pakistan agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks "mediated" by Washington.
Stories of High-Quality Development | Delivering good results for coordinated regional development

10:22, May 29, 2025 By Li Qiaochu ( People's Daily Online

Regions serve as key platforms for the country to allocate resources, plan industrial layouts, and organize economic activities. China is a vast and populous country with remarkable differences in natural resource endowment among its various regions, and there are disparities in development foundations across regions. Therefore, promoting coordinated regional development has always been a major challenge, and it is an essential requirement for economic prosperity.

China's economy has shifted from a period of rapid growth to one of high-quality development, placing new demands on coordinated regional development, said Hou Yongzhi, former director-general of the Development Strategy and Regional Economy Department at the Development Research Center of the State Council, during "Stories of High-Quality Development," a People's Daily video series.

Coordinated regional development should not simply mean requiring all regions to reach the same economic level, Hou said. Instead, the country must follow a path of appropriate division of labor, complementarity, and high-quality development.

Central, local governments jointly draw up blueprint for coordinated regional development

"When people move to a different city for work and life, will their salary remain the same? What about their children's education? Can the medical resources keep up?" These cross-provincial livelihood concerns are widely shared by the public. How can these problems be solved?

"Before I decided to leave Beijing for the neighboring Xiong'an New Area, my family and friends urged me to think carefully, because they worried that in Xiong'an, I might not enjoy the same benefits as in the capital city of Beijing. However, after I arrived in Xiong'an, I found that my social security was seamlessly transferred, and my housing provident fund was quickly recognized across regions. I went from commuting across regions to living in the same urban area where I worked, making balancing both family and work much easier, which feels really great," said Song Fazhi, product manager of China Mobile Xiong'an Information & Communication Technology Co., Ltd.

"During the coordinated advancement of the Xiong'an New Area across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, we worked on the public welfare and livelihood guarantees and the overall planning in parallel. Under the central government's guidance, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have implemented cross-regional policy coordination, service sharing, and resource allocation to ensure that relocated organizations and personnel can enjoy 'move-in readiness,' and settle seamlessly, stay sustainably, and thrive assuredly in Xiong'an," said Liu Jia, deputy director of the Reform and Development Bureau of Xiong'an New Area.

Liu added that the successive release of documents closely related to the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has convinced more and more people like Song Fazhi to put down roots in new places.

To achieve high-quality development in a single region, we must properly handle the relationship between the central government and local governments. While embracing major strategies for regional development, regions should discard a silo mentality, embrace a mindset that treats the nation as one integrated whole, and identify the local region's role and mission within the national strategy for coordinated regional development and major regional strategies. They should actively serve and integrate into national development. With major regions moving forward together, we can create a more balanced and coordinated development pattern and expand the space for domestic circulation, achieving greater progress in pursuing high-quality development, Hou noted.

Complementary advantages among regions enhance industrial efficiency

River systems and mountains serve as ecological corridors for the reproduction and survival of organisms. They are not restricted by administrative divisions and need to be protected by neighboring provinces.

"People who grow up by the river have a special connection to the Yangtze River. Since I was a child, my father told me that every plant and tree along the riverbank, and every fish and shrimp in the water, are gifts bestowed upon us by this mother river. Safeguarding the Yangtze River is a seed planted in my heart by my elders," said Cheng Wei, a member of the Ma'anshan Fishery Administrative Law Enforcement Detachment in Anhui province.

How can the three cities break through regional limitations and jointly protect the Yangtze finless porpoises throughout their entire life cycle?

On Oct. 24, 2022, Ma'anshan city collaborated with Nanjing and Zhenjiang cities in Jiangsu Province to formulate a decision on strengthening protection of the Yangtze finless porpoises.

"With the common goal of protecting finless porpoises and building an ecological civilization, our three cities have worked closely together, and the fishery law enforcement departments have also transformed from peers into a family. Now, the scale and density of fish resources in the Ma'anshan section of the Yangtze River have reached 1.5 times and 2 times their pre-fishing-ban levels, respectively. Rare aquatic creatures, including the Yangtze finless porpoises, are frequently appearing," said Cheng. Safeguarding the "smiles" of the finless porpoises is not only about protecting the Yangtze River, but also about safeguarding the future of high-quality regional development.

"In coordinated regional development, 'cooperation' is the prerequisite to leveraging each region's comparative advantages," noted Hou. He added that the 2024 Central Economic Work Conference emphasized that industrial collaboration between the eastern, central, western and northeastern regions should be deepened, while the maritime and bay area economies should be actively boosted. To promote mutual support between eastern and western regions, coordinated development between southern and northern regions, and integrated coordination between coastal and inland regions, relevant regions and departments should make efforts to eliminate deep-rooted institutional barriers, enable smoother allocation of resources across regions, and continually enhance balance and coordination in regional development by complementing each other's advantages.

Spillover from growth poles reduces regional economic disparities

In Shenzhen, every inch of land is precious and supply is becoming increasingly scarce. Meanwhile, Shanwei in eastern Guangdong is urgently seeking development and has vast untapped land resources. How can coordinated development be achieved between these two cities, just over 100 kilometers apart?

"Our answer is to explore and develop the enclave economic modelcombining Shanwei's land resource advantages with Shenzhen's high-quality industries, technologies, talent, and markets, and cooperating in large-scale industry to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results," explained Wu Qubo, secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

The booming industry has also brought vitality. The actual managed population of the cooperation zone has more than doubled from less than 60,000 at the beginning to nearly 140,000 in 2024. From 2018 to 2024, the cooperation zone has seen steady growth, with its regional GDP increasing from 3.9 billion yuan to 24.2 billion yuan, with an average annual growth of 35.6 percent.

According to Hou, the "enclave economy" is an important form of economic cooperation that promotes coordinated regional development. In practice, it has played a positive role in narrowing regional economic gaps and achieving complementary advantages between regions. At present, the practice of the "enclave economy" is continuously expanding in China and is taking many forms. The "enclave economy," led by cooperation between governments, relocates industries in "packages." It not only boosts economic growth in the region, but also strengthens local governance and creates a joint force in the drive for modernization.

"Shenzhen's surplus production capacity has uncovered new growth opportunities, expanding into Shanwei and the surrounding region and driving local industrial transformation and upgrading. This area, once four towns dependent on agriculture and fishing in a slow-growth region in eastern Guangdong, is now quickly rising as a modern coastal area, a new industrial hub, and a green, livable city. It is becoming a new strategic growth engine in the Shenzhen metropolitan area," said Wu.

Government-enterprise collaboration realizes market connectivity and resource sharing

In 2022, China approved the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as an important node in the "east data, west computing" project.

Why Ningxia?

According to Zhu Yun, general manager of China Unicom Zhongwei Cloud Data Center, located at the geometric center of China's territory, Ningxia connects markets in the east with the resource-rich west. With every major city within just 2,000 kilometers, it represents the optimal path choice for fiber optic network coverage across the country. With an average annual temperature of 8.8 degrees Celsius and over 280 days of excellent environmental conditions each year, Zhongwei in Ningxia offers ideal conditions for building natural air-cooled data centers. It also enjoys abundant and complementary energy resources, including coal, wind and solar power, ensuring a stable, sufficient, and cost-effective electricity supply. From data center to end user, electricity costs no more than 0.36 yuan per kilowatt-hour.

Digitalization and intelligent technologies now permeate every aspect of social life, with computing power playing an increasingly pivotal role in both production and daily activities. In Zhongwei, once deemed a "digital desert," clusters of data centers are rising rapidly, driving vibrant industrial growth across multiple regions, Zhu noted.

In economic development, the government and enterprises play distinct yet complementary roles. The government charts the policy course, fosters the business environment, and provides services. Enterprises turn resources into productivity. To properly handle the relationship between the government and enterprises, it is essential to strike the right balance. The government must remain active and supportive without overreaching, while businesses should pursue innovation within regulatory boundaries. As China advances toward a unified national market, new forms of cooperation between the government and enterprises are continually emerging to enhance market connectivity and the sharing of resources, Hou explained.

The ultimate goal of coordinated regional development is to achieve common prosperity in all regions, promote developed regions to take the lead in achieving modernization, and then drive underdeveloped regions to achieve modernization. This is the specific requirement for promoting Chinese modernization in coordinated regional development. To promote coordinated regional development on the new journey, we must promote effective connection, organic integration, linkage and interconnection between major regional strategies. At the same time, we need to attract global high-quality resources and factors to participate in the mutual promotion of domestic and international dual circulation. On the other hand, we must take the fundamental interests of the people as the starting point and foothold, and shift the development mindset from relatively focusing on the pursuit of "economic prosperity" to more attention on the pursuit of "people's happiness." Taking life as the guide, ecology as the background, and development as the foundation, China should continuously improve the living standards and quality of residents' lives and meet the people's aspirations for a better life, Hou noted.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
A joint team of Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police gunned down a sharpshooter of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang in an encounter in the Hapur Kotwali area, officials said on Thursday.

Image used for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The deceased has been identified as Naveen Kumar, who was wanted in multiple cases, including for murder and under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), a senior police officer said.

ADGP (STF) Amitabh Yash said in a statement that on Wednesday night, a joint team of STF's Noida unit and Delhi Police's Special Cell engaged in a gunfight with criminals in the Hapur Kotwali area, in which Kumar was seriously injured. Kumar was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the officer said.

A resident of Loni in Ghaziabad district, Kumar was an active sharpshooter of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who worked closely with gang member Hashim Baba, the ADGP said.

As many as 20 cases, including for murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery and under MCOCA, were registered against Kumar in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the officer said.

Kumar was first booked at the Seemapuri police station in Delhi under the Arms Act in 2008. In 2009, he allegedly committed a murder in the Sahibabad police station area, the officer said, adding that he was booked under the Gangster Act in Uttar Pradesh in 2010.
Maharashtra's elite Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a Thane-based junior engineer on charges of spying, alleging that he provided sensitive defence information to a Pakistani intelligence operative who honey-trapped him online, officials said on Thursday.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Anna Sulencka/Pixabay

This comes at a time when several spy rackets have been busted in northern states post 'Operation Sindoor'.

Accused Ravindra Murlidhar Verma, a 27-year-old, was placed under arrest on Wednesday following a tip-off from security agencies, the officials said.

Verma was working as a junior engineer with a defence technology firm and by virtue of his work, he had access to the highly-sensitive Naval Dockyard in south Mumbai, where he frequently worked on naval ships.

According to the officials, Verma was lured into passing classified information after being honey-trapped by a Pakistani agent posing as a woman on Facebook.

They said that the accused communicated sensitive details about a vital installation to the 'Pakistani Intelligence Operative' (PIO) via WhatsApp between November 2024 and March 2025.

A case has been registered against Verma and two other individuals who were in contact with him, under section 3 of the Official Secrets Act (dealing with espionage) and section 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Following extensive interrogation, Verma was formally arrested for his alleged involvement in the crime and produced before a court, which remanded him to ATS custody till Monday.

The ATS is currently scrutinising Verma's mobile phones and other electronic gadgets to uncover the full extent of information shared through social media platforms with the PIO.

Post Operation Sindoor, in which the Indian Air Force made a precise bombing of nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, the security agencies have busted several spy rings in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
'Only those who live through these situations understand the true cost of war.'

IMAGE: A poster with 'Parade is closed' written on it seen pasted on a barricade as the Retreat Ceremony and parade were closed for spectators at the Attari Wagah border near Amritsar, May 7, 2025. Photograph: Raminder Pal Singh/ANI Photo

Nearly 35 kilometres from Amritsar and close to the Attari-Wagah border lies a quiet monument tucked into the last BSF outpost before the no-man's land that leads to Pakistan.

Known locally as Pul Moran -- or Pul Kanjari, after a dancing girl -- it's both bridge and memory, built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh over the Ravi canal.

Pul Moran village (named after the bridge), once a key trade stop between Amritsar and Lahore, is rooted in the 19th-century love story of Ranjit Singh and Moran, a Kashmiri dancer.

When she lost a silver slipper in the canal and refused to perform, the king had a bridge built.

Though damaged in the 1971 War, parts still remain.

More than two centuries later, the village's ties with Pakistan are far from historical.

Its proximity to the border has made it reliant on tourism, which has now faltered.

Two weeks after a conflict broke out between India and Pakistan, and days after an understanding on easing tensions was reached, Pul Moran and neighbouring villages remain uneasy.

Tourists have only just begun to trickle in, but livelihoods have already been bruised.

"This is the third conflict that I've seen here," says 70-year-old Harpal Cheema, a long-time resident.

"We moved here after the 1965 War as my father got land at subsidised prices. Due to its proximity to the river, land is fertile here. I was here during the 1971 War and the Kargil War. In 1999, we had mines in some areas. We didn't leave the village then, and there is no question of leaving now."

Still, the cost of staying is high.

"We sent the women and children away. They've not returned -- there's nothing for them to come back to. There's no work. Only those who live through these situations understand the true cost of war. We just hope things get better."

The shutdown of trade at the Attari-Wagah border has sparked concern among local shopkeepers and activists, prompting letters to the prime minister urging financial aid for those affected.

One shopkeeper, whose store sits near the border, puts it plainly: "People have taken loans. They can't afford daily expenses. My rent is Rs 10,000 a month. Normally, we manage. But for the past 20 days, there's been zero income."

The letter to the prime minister calls for direct monthly transfer of financial aid into affected individuals' bank accounts until normalcy returns.

Estimated losses in the region, locals claim, stand at nearly Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion).

IMAGE: Army personnel examine the remains of a projectile discovered in Makhanwindi village near Amritsar, May 8, 2025. Photograph: Raminder Pal Singh/ANI Photo

In Amritsar's Heritage Street, signs of life returned last Saturday for the first time in weeks.

About 20 per cent of hotels in the old city saw bookings after a two-week lull. Prices, though, have been slashed by half.

Phulkari shopkeepers near the Golden Temple haven't restocked in days, instead focusing on clearing unsold inventory that's quietly piled up.

Tourism has taken a sharp blow. Reports suggest a 70 per cent decline in footfall at the Golden Temple, where normally 100,000 to 125,000 devotees visit daily -- more on weekends and festivals.

In recent days, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee-run sarais (inns) have seen over 80 per cent of their bookings cancelled.

"The businesses will need three-four months to recover," one shopkeeper says.

"Our main source of income was international tourists. Since the airport was shut, no foreigner has visited this place for some time. Even now, the crowd is mostly local. It's a start -- but it's going to be a rough few months. Summer vacation usually brings visitors, but we don't expect much until September."

A hotelier in the Old City echoes the sentiment.

"Amritsar's hotel industry is sensitive to India-Pakistan tensions. One border scare and we're the first to suffer. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, people had already begun cancelling bookings, even before the tensions here escalated."

IMAGE: Debris of a drone retrieve from Muglani Kort village in Amritsar, May 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Tensions between India and Pakistan have cast a shadow over the daily beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border.

The spectacle, which typically attracted around 15,000 visitors a day -- and up to 30,000 on weekends and national holidays -- now sees a fraction of that crowd.

With footfall dwindling, many shopkeepers and porters are struggling to get by.

Several shops have shuttered, while others have relocated to the city.

Vendors who once earned around Rs 1,200 a day selling garments, snacks, tattoos, and flags now mostly serve BSF personnel and labourers passing through for work.

IMAGE: People celebrate as the Beating Retreat ceremony resumes between the Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers, at the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar, May 20, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Khai Pheme Ki village, just over 10 kilometres from Ferozepur, villagers speak of a new threat that's become familiar: Drones.

In the days after the understanding, sightings have resumed.

"Some carry weapons. Others, drugs. But all of them bring dread," says a local.

"A drone fell on the day of the understanding," recalls Harcharan Singh, a resident of the village.

"We'd turned off our lights, as the government told us. But one family was cooking with dim lights. Three people got burnt and their Alto car and other belongings caught fire. The woman succumbed to her injuries. Maybe the drones detected heat signatures."

He pauses, then adds, "Where can we go? Our homes are 6 to 7 kilometers from the border. If they can hit places farther away, they can hit us too. We sent our women and children. But we stayed -- to be with the army."

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Police on Thursday arrested Dr Ajay Taware, former medical superintendent of the Sassoon General Hospital and then head of the Regional Authorization Committee that approves organ transplants, in an alleged kidney transplant racket case, officials said.

IMAGE: The Porsche car that hit a motorcycle killing 2 people at Kalyani Nagar in Pune, May 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Taware has been lodged at the Yerwada Central Jail here following his arrest last year for allegedly tampering with the blood samples of the 17-year-old boy accused of driving a Porsche car allegedly in an inebriated condition in May 2024.

Two IT professionals were killed after their motorcycle was hit by the speeding Porsche car.

Being the medical superintendent of the Sassoon General Hospital in Pune, Taware was also the head of the Regional Authorisation Committee which approved kidney transplants in 2022.

The Pune police in May 2022 registered a case against 15 persons, including the managing trustee of the Ruby Hall Clinic hospital and some of its employees, in connection with alleged malpractices related to a kidney transplant procedure.

Sarika Sutar, a resident of Kolhapur who had been allegedly promised Rs 15 lakh, fraudulently posed as the wife of Amit Salunke who needed a transplant, and donated her kidney in March 2022 to a young woman patient. In turn, the young woman's mother donated her kidney to Salunke.

Such a swap involving two patients and their relatives is carried out when the patients cannot receive a kidney from their own kin because of a blood group mismatch or other complications.

On March 29, 2022, four days after undergoing the transplant surgery at Ruby Hall Clinic, Sutar revealed her real identity after she had a dispute over money.

The private hospital alerted the police, who reported the incident to the health department of the Maharashtra government.

The health department subsequently suspended Ruby Hall Clinic's registration for organ transplantation.

Police also arrested two middlemen -- Abhijit Gatne and Ravindra Rodge -- who had allegedly forged documents to present Sarika Sutar as 'Sujata Salunke', wife of Amit Salunke.

According to the police, Dr Taware, as head of the Regional Authorisation Committee, did not carry out proper scrutiny of the transplant proposal.

"Dr Taware's role came up after a committee formed by the state government indicted him. On Wednesday, we took his custody on a production warrant from the court, and arrested him afresh in the kidney racket case. He was produced before a court which remanded him in police custody till June 2," said a police officer from the Pune crime branch.

While seeking his police custody for seven days, the prosecution told the court that Dr Taware misused his position and approved the transplant on the basis of forged documents and a fraudulent donor.

Police needed to probe suspected financial transactions, it said.

Sarika Sutar, who was posing as Salunke's wife, could not give satisfactory answers during an interview conducted by the Regional Authorization Committee headed by Dr Taware, yet the committee approved the transplant, the prosecution said.

"A total of nine kidney transplant swaps took place during Dr Taware's tenure and police need to probe these swaps," it said.

So far, police have named 17 people in the case, including Dr Taware and a chargesheet has been filed against seven persons.
A Rajasthan government employee was detained in Jaisalmer on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan with the Bharatiya Janata Party claiming he was an assistant to former Congress minister Shale Mohammad and visited Pakistan several times without informing the government.

Shakur Khan, who works in the district employment office as Assistant Administrative Office, was found to have phone numbers associated with Pakistan stored on his device, an official said.

Intelligence unit sources said that Khan went to Pakistan seven times for meeting his relatives and to visit a religious place since 2011.

It is alleged that Khan shared security related updates from Jaisalmer and he is being interrogated by central intelligence agencies in detail.

The official said Khan was detained on Wednesday night by an intelligence department team which was acting on security-related inputs.

"There were inputs about Shakur Khan that he could be involved in spying for Pakistan. He was on surveillance following inputs and was detained last night," the official said.

While police refrained from saying anything about Khan's political connections, sources and the BJP said he worked as an assistant to Mohammad, a former minister in the Ashok Gehlot-led government.

Mohammad could not be reached for comments.

A joint interrogation was conducted in Jaisalmer following which the team left for Jaipur with Khan.

"In the initial interrogation, he has said that he visited Pakistan to visit a religious place and to meet relatives," the official told PTI, adding that he was being further interrogated.

Khan got recruitment as a fourth class employee in the district employment office in Jodhpur. He was periodically promoted to LDC, UDC and AAO.

He has been working in the district employment office in Jaisalmer since 1999. He has a government accommodation on Barmer road in Jaisalmer.

BJP leaders targeted the Congress over the issue and demanded a thorough probe.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya claimed that Khan used to share confidential information of border areas with Pakistani officials.

'Strong evidence has been found against Shakoor Khan, personal assistant of former Congress minister Saleh Mohammad in Rajasthan, for spying for Pakistan's ISI,' he wrote on X. Khan visited Pakistan several times without informing the government, Malviya claimed.

'Pakistan-worship is in the blood of Congress,' he charged.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari alleged that the Congress is not just corrupt, but it is anti-national to the core.

'Congress ex-minister Shale Mohammad's PA caught spying for Pakistan's ISI - leaked sensitive border intel, visited Pakistan secretly while on govt payroll,' Bhandari claimed.

'From shielding terrorists to sheltering traitors - this is the Congress's real face,' he charged on X.

There was no immediate reaction from the Congress on the BJP's charge.

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said a detailed investigation should be done and all those involved should be arrested.

"I have come to know through media that the police have detained the PA of former minister Shale Mohammad on the charge of spying. This is definitely a matter of concern," he told reporters in Udaipur.

"This should be investigated properly and all the sources connected to him should be investigated and those who compromised and played with national security should be punished for their actions," he said.

BJP state president Madan Rathore said whoever is involved should be punished.

"Patriotism is expected from Congress leaders. Nothing is hidden from the PA who is working with the minister. He also has confidential information. If that person is working with the enemies of the country and giving them secret information, this is a matter of concern," he said.

Rathore said that there should be a thorough investigation for this.

"Whoever is involved should be punished. The entire channel should be caught. Just catching one person is not enough. Whoever is involved should be found out and strict action should be taken," he said.

"Everything will become clear from the investigation. If there is any kind of involvement of anyone else then that entire channel will be caught and action will be taken," he added.
The Supreme Court judges' filings revealed a generally conservative financial ethos, emphasising stability and long-term savings.

IMAGE: Then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and his wife Asha Khanna with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, May 7, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Are judges of the Supreme Court more circumspect than Cabinet ministers when it comes to financial investment? Well, data suggests so.

A recent financial disclosure by the apex court judges revealed striking differences between their financial investment preferences and that of Union ministers.

Based on data analysed by Business Standard, Supreme Court judges tend to favour safer, low-risk instruments, while ministers display a larger appetite for market-based assets.

Cabinet ministers, barring one, collectively declared financial assets worth Rs 206.02 crore (Rs 2.0602 billion).

Of this, a massive 72.36 per cent -- or nearly Rs 149 crore (Rs 1.49 billion) -- is invested in shares and mutual funds, indicating high exposure to market fluctuations.

Bank deposits, including fixed ones, account for another 25.83 per cent (Rs 53.2 crore/Rs 532 million).

In stark contrast, the 19 Supreme Court judges, who provided disaggregated data, reported total financial assets of Rs 128.5 crore (Rs 1.285 billion), with 67.07 per cent (Rs 86.19 crore/Rs 861.9 million) held in bank deposits such as savings and fixed one and 19.8 per cent (Rs 25.44 crore/Rs 254.4 million) in provident fund schemes like Public Provident Fund and general provident fund.

Just 13.13 per cent (Rs 16.87 crore/Rs 168.7 million) is invested in shares and mutual funds.

As many as 21 out of 33 sitting Supreme Court judges disclosed asset details. However, many did not assign a monetary value to their immovable assets, such as residential property or land, making a full wealth comparison difficult.

Despite this, their filings revealed a generally conservative financial ethos, emphasising stability and long-term savings.

Outgoing Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna -- who retired on May 13 -- held fixed deposits worth Rs 55.75 lakh, along with multiple properties in Delhi and Gurugram and a share in property in Dalhousie.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest disclosure shows total assets worth Rs 2.98 crore (Rs 29.8 million).

His portfolio includes bank deposits, life insurance, jewellery. He does not own any property.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Ahead of the impending assembly polls, the rising crime graph and poor law and order situation have led to demands being revived to adopt UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's 'bulldozer' and police encounter policy in Bihar to deal with criminals.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Three killings over 24 hours -- of a businessman and his cousin, and a youth -- in two separate incidents in Chhapra in Bihar has triggered angry protests apart from putting the spotlight on the deteriorating law and situation in a state that is months away from crucial assembly elections.

Amrendar Kumar Singh, owner of a Godrej showroom, and his cousin Sambhu Singh, a trader-cum- contractor, were shot dead in Prabhunath Nagar under the Mufassil police station by motorcycle-borne killers late evening on Tuesday.

In another incident, 22-year-old Mohammad Salman, an e-autorickshaw driver, was stabbed to death on Wednesday.

"Criminals shot dead Amrendar Singh and his cousin when he was about to leave after shutting the showroom. The criminals fled before locals could gather," said Assistant Superintendent of Police Raj Kishor Singh.

Amrendar Singh had unsuccessfully contested elections for the mayor's post in the Chhapra municipal corporation; he and his cousin Sambhu Singh were considered close to the Bharatiya Janata Party's Saran MP and former Union minister Rajeev Pratap Rudy.

Angry over the killings, hundreds of people staged a protest near Chhapra Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish's official residence; the SP reportedly assured them that the killers will be arrested soon.

"Protestors gheraoed the SP's residence for hours, shouted slogans and demanded an encounter of the criminals, not only their arrest," said a district police official.

Bhagwan Bazaar police station in-charge Subhash Kumar Singh said the police have raided several places to arrest the accused.

It is not like these killings were one-off incidents. Only four days ago, three people were shot dead and two seriously injured in Buxar district in a dispute over sand dumping.

Last week criminals in Patna shot dead five people in 24 hours.

Over the last few days, criminals opened fire at different places in Patna and shot at and injured two businessmen.

These incidents have raised questions over the deteriorating law and order in the state.

Ahead of the impending assembly polls, the rising crime graph and poor law and order situation have led to demands being revived to adopt Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's 'bulldozer' and police encounter policy in Bihar to deal with criminals.

It is seen as a big embarrassment for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has repeatedly made claims of 'sushasan aur kanoon ka raj (good governance and rule of law)'.

Bihar Minister Neeraj Kumar Singh, a senior BJP leader, on Wednesday said the bulldozer and encounters are only options to deal with rising crimes in the state.

"The police have to encounter criminals and use bulldozer action against criminals like in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

In the last six months, traders, businessmen, contractors and company officials have been targeted by criminals.

Bank robberies and looting jewellery shops, including the recent one at the Tanishq showroom in Ara town, have become common occurences.

A few months ago, Tejashwi Yadav. leader of the Opposition in the Bihar assembly, stated that as per the National Crime Records Bureau, 60,000 murders and 25,000 rapes took place in Bihar during Nitish Kumar's nearly 20-year rule.

The rule of law has been Nitish Kumar's primary political plank since he came to power in November 2005.

He has consistently blamed Rashtriya Janata Dal founder Lalu Yadav for 'jungle raj' during his and wife Rabri Devi's chief ministerial tenures from 1990 to 2005.

Today, however, it seems the shoe is on the other foot.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Tensions between the Congress and its leader Shashi Tharoor escalated on Thursday with the party saying he was very much part of their family but had erred in claiming that surgical strikes against Pakistan were held for the first time in 2016.

IMAGE: All-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor visits the Panama Canal during Operation Sindoor global outreach, in Panama City on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Tharoor, who is heading a multi-party delegation to five countries, including Panama and the United States, had a ready riposte for the jibes by some of his party colleagues.

For 'zealots' fulminating about his supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC, he was 'clearly and explicitly' speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said in a post on X from Panama City on Thursday morning.

Critics and trolls were welcome to distort his views and words as they see fit but he genuinely has 'better things to do', he said.

Trying to pacify frayed tempers, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said there is no acrimony among leaders of the party.

"Shashi Tharoor is a senior Congress leader and very much part of the Congress family However, what he said about the surgical strike was factually incorrect," Surjewala told reporters.

"The Congress party only corrected the record by pointing out that the surgical strike on Pakistan and also at other places on the den of terrorists were regularly executed during Congress-led UPA government to give a befitting reply to terrorists by our armed forces and the then Congress Government," he added when questioned on the war of words between some Congress leaders and Tharoor.

Instances of surgical strikes during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government have been detailed in the past by the All India Congress Committee Communication department and by Tharoor himself in his 2018 book The Paradoxical Prime Minister, the Congress leader said.

"Even former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the past spoke about these surgical strikes. Mr Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera have set the record straight. It should not be matter of any acrimony or doubt," Surjewala said.

Tharoor has come under stringent criticism by several Congress leaders, including media and publicity department head Pawan Khera and party leader Udit Raj, for not mentioning surgical strikes against Pakistan during the United Progressive Alliance government in his presentations abroad.

Udit Raj said he should be made a 'super spokesperson of the BJP'.

The Congress' digs continued on Thursday with Raj saying what the Kerala MP had said was a 'lie and a conspiracy to destroy the Congress'.

"The delegations which have been sent are trying to destroy the name of the Congress... Shashi Tharoor says that before PM Modi's leadership, we never crossed LoC or any international border with Pakistan. It is a big lie and a big conspiracy to destroy the history of the Congress which needs to be replied to," Raj told PTI Videos.

"He should focus on his duty rather than criticising the Congress party. Congress took required measures in the past but never publicised it or used it as a medium of collecting votes in their favour," he said.

Raj's remarks were reposted on X by Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh.

Khera also shared a screenshot from Tharoor's book in which he criticised the Modi government for allegedly exploiting the 2016 surgical strikes politically.

"I agree with that Dr Shashi Tharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018 - The Paradoxical Prime Minister," Khera said.

'The shameless exploitation of the 2016 'surgical strikes' along the Line of Control with Pakistan, and of a military raid in hot pursuit of rebels in Myanmar, as a party election tool--something the Congress had never done despite having authorised several such strikes earlier--marked a particularly disgraceful dilution of the principle that national security issues require both discretion and non-partisanship,' Tharoor writes in the book.

An apparently infuriated Tharoor also put out a lengthy post on X.

'After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight here with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this '?but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past - 1. I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.'

"My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB," Tharoor said, while responding to the criticism.
The Trump administration has told a New York court that India and Pakistan reached a tenuous ceasefire only after President Donald Trump "interceded and offered both nations trading access with the US to avert a full-scale war.

IMAGE: Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan . Photograph: @WhiteHouse/X

Indian government sources have maintained that the two countries reached an understanding without any third-party involvement.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made the remarks in a submission to the Court of International Trade last week, arguing that Trump used his emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs aimed at protecting US national security and economy. Lutnick said that the maintenance of tariffs is crucial to the president's ability to conduct real-world diplomacy.

For example, India and Pakistan -- two nuclear powers engaged in combat operations just 13 days ago -- reached a tenuous ceasefire on May 10, 2025. This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war," Lutnick claimed in the submission.

An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trump's offer, threatening the security of an entire region, and the lives of millions, he said.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he helped settle the tensions between India and Pakistan and that he told the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that America would do a lot of trade with them if they stopped the conflict.

About two weeks after the horrific April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

Indian government sources in New Delhi have maintained that no third party was involved.

Lutnick said that IEEPA gives the US president a pivotal tool to express his foreign policy promptly and decisively to address national emergencies that manifest through economic and commercial channels.

An invalidation of President Trump's ability to use IEEPA would dismantle a cornerstone of President Trump's national security architecture, irreparably harm the government's ability to respond to evolving foreign threats and severely disrupt the Department of Commerce's coordination of foreign policy-related economic actions on behalf of the President," said Lutnick.

"It would jeopardise vital trade agreements, collapse ongoing negotiations, allow for Chinese aggression during a period of strategic competition, leave the American people exposed to predatory economic practices by foreign actors and threaten national security, he added.

On April 2, Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including India and China. However, on April 9, he announced a 90-day suspension of these tariffs until July 9 this year, except for those on China and Hong Kong, as about 75 countries approached America for trade deals.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the Court of International Trade struck down Trump's global tariffs as "contrary to law", according to ABC News.
Gay Pride flags hang in Bellows Falls on Oct. 9, 2024. The large flag on Hotel Windham is the "Sacred Cloth," section 93 of the Key West Sea to Sea Flag, displayed for "National Coming Out Day."
"More advanced than imagined": Archaeologists tracing origins of Chinese civilization at Mount Tai

Xinhua) 10:42, May 29, 2025

An aerial drone photo taken on May 20, 2025 shows the Dawen River (upper L), Dawenkou Site Museum (upper R) and the core area of the Dawenkou site in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

JINAN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- At the foot of Mount Tai in east China, archaeologists work carefully in fields abloom with flowers, gently brushing soil from exposed ruins. The remnants are vestiges of a once-great civilization that prospered approximately 6,100 to 4,600 years ago.

This is part of a new phase of excavations at the Neolithic Dawenkou site. The dig, launched in 2024 and set to continue through 2028, will help archaeologists uncover more information about how early human communities lived, worked, and built their societies, said Zhang Baowei, head of the Dawenkou Cultural Heritage Preservation Center.

He said the team had already unearthed intriguing discoveries -- including an 85-meter-wide trench, possibly used for defense, that could shed light on the early development of social organization or even statehood.

Mount Tai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's most sacred mountains, has long been culturally and spiritually symbolic. Now, its foothills are offering new insights into the origins of Chinese civilization.

The Dawenkou Culture, which preceded the better-known Longshan Culture, once spread across more than 200,000 square kilometers. It was centered around Mount Tai and Dawen River in present-day Shandong Province.

First identified in the 1950s during railway construction, the site has yielded thousands of artifacts over the years -- from pottery and jade to burial sites and dwellings. Some items are marked with symbols that some researchers believe may be early precursors to Chinese writing.

Archaeologists have marveled at the sophistication of the Dawenkou Culture.

Liu Yunlong, an archaeologist working at the site, said patches of red burnt earth uncovered were believed to be the remains of collapsed house walls.

According to Liu, these walls may have been deliberately fired in their entirety to enhance structural stability, suggesting that people at the time had already mastered the ability to control extremely high temperatures.

In modern attempts to replicate the technique, Liu added, archaeologists fired a similar structure continuously for four days at nearly 800 degrees Celsius -- but were unable to reproduce the same result.

"Our Neolithic ancestors were far more advanced than we imagined," he said, noting that even the layout of the dwellings showed signs of deliberate and sophisticated design.

Excavations indicate that the Dawenkou people had already engaged in barter trade, and early handicrafts such as brewing, pottery-making, and textile production were beginning to emerge.

This photo taken on May 20, 2025 shows potteries displayed at the Dawenkou Site Museum in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Artifacts found in burial sites suggest the presence of social stratification and a clear division of labor. Some graves contain a wealth of goods, implying the emergence of private property, social classes, and even rudimentary forms of royal authority.

These burial practices also reveal the existence of ritual systems aimed at regulating interpersonal relationships -- an early form of what later became known in Chinese history as "Li."

Zhang noted that the Dawenkou ritual system likely influenced other civilizations of that time, as well as those of the later Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600 BC-256 BC).

After being systematized by Confucius (551 BC-479 BC), these rituals continue to profoundly shape Chinese civilization to this day.

The ongoing excavations are also part of China's broader effort to explore the origins of its ancient civilization. Around the same time of the Dawenkou Culture, multiple early cultures developed across the vast land of China, contributing to a pluralistic yet unified framework that underpins the origins of Chinese civilization.

In the 21st century BC, China's first dynasty -- the Xia -- was established, whose existence has been confirmed through archaeological findings.

Before the Xia Dynasty, the Liangzhu Culture, which emerged in the south, is also believed to have exhibited features of an early state. The Dawenkou Culture represents another prominent example of early social complexity, shedding light on the origins of Chinese civilization.

Shan Jixiang, former curator of the Palace Museum, once remarked that the discovery of Dawenkou relics pushes the origins of Chinese civilization back by 2,000 to 3,000 years.

"The remarkable achievements of ancient Chinese civilization make people today feel proud," said Zhang.

This photo taken on May 20, 2025 shows a zun, a type of Chinese ritual ceramic wine vessel with a vase-like form, displayed at the Dawenkou Site Museum in Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

China places great importance on the protection and transmission of its ancient culture. With a history that spans thousands of years, Chinese civilization represents the unique spiritual identity of the nation, serves as the cultural foundation of contemporary China, and remains a vital link connecting Chinese communities around the world. It is also a rich source of inspiration for cultural innovation, he said.

Experts note that the significance of archaeology goes beyond understanding the past; it also holds relevance for modern life.

In 2016, the Dawenkou national archaeological site park was established, serving as a base for historical and cultural education as well as youth programs. The park receives nearly 100,000 visitors annually.

"It is a source of pride to live on the land of our ancestors," said Zhang Yiqiang, Party secretary of Dawenkou Township. "The perseverance and creativity of early peoples inspire us to do better." In recent years, Dawenkou has developed an industrial park and launched pilot projects for high-yield farmland, helping raise local incomes.

At the foot of Mount Tai, a company draws inspiration from traditional culture to develop health products made from polygonatum, a traditional Chinese herb.

The business of Taishang Polygonatum Biotech Co., Ltd. has helped lift more than 40,000 farmers out of poverty.

"What our ancestors left us is more than physical nourishment; it is a spiritual and civilizational legacy," said Wang Qian, the company's executive vice general manager.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)


New Zealands National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has joined the Australian Signals Directorates Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and other international partners to boost enterprise cyber security.

The partners have released three publications on implementing security information and event management (SIEM) and security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) platforms.

The guidance defines SIEM and SOAR platforms, explains their value and also their challenges and provides high-level recommendations for implementing them.

While targeted at executives, the guidance can be used by any organisation that is considering whether and how to implement a SIEM and/or SOAR, the partners said.

The publications also provides high-level guidance for cyber security practitioners and describes how a SIEM and SOAR can enhance visibility, detection and response, as well principles for procurement, establishment and maintenance of the platforms.

The advice further provides practitioners with detailed logging guidance for specific categories of log sources, such as from endpoint detection and response tools, Windows/Linux operating systems, network devices and cloud deployments.
Ukrainian officials on May 28 said Russia should put forth its peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine immediately instead of waiting for a new round of talks next week in Istanbul.

Russia said it wants the talks with Ukraine to take place on June 2 and will use the meeting to present a "memorandum" outlining its terms for a peace settlement.

"Our delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present a memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, June 2," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a statement.

Lavrov said the memorandum will set out Russia's views "on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis."

Medinsky, a Russian political scientist and former culture minister, led Russia's negotiating team on May 16 during the first round of direct talks in the more than three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Lavrov and welcomed a prisoner exchange over the weekend, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

"The Secretary reiterated President Trumps calls for constructive, good faith dialogue with Ukraine as the only path to ending this war," Bruce said.

What Do Russia And Ukraine Expect?

Putin's demands for ending the war include a written pledge from Western leaders that NATO will not expand to former Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia and the lifting of some sanctions on Russia, according to Russian sources with knowledge of the negotiations quoted by Reuters.

The Kremlin has previously demanded Ukraine cede territory that Russia already controls -- a proposition Ukraine has called unacceptable.

The round of talks on May 16 yielded no breakthrough but was followed by a large prisoner exchange, and the two sides agreed to work on respective peace proposals.

Ukraine has not yet officially agreed to Russia's proposed meeting on June 2.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who negotiated for Kyiv at the Istanbul talks, said Kyiv had already submitted its memorandum on a potential settlement to the Russian delegation, adding that Ukraine confirms its readiness for a complete and unconditional cease-fire and further diplomatic work.

He also called on Russia to produce its plan immediately rather than waiting until next week.

"We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum," Umerov said. "The Russian side has at least four more days before their departure to provide us with their document for review. Diplomacy must be substantive, and the next meeting must yield results."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also said Russia should present its memorandum immediately.

"Why wait for Monday? If the Russians have finally developed their memorandum after 10 days of deliberation and attacks, they can hand it over to us immediately," he said.

In a May 29 post on X, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhiy criticized Russia for withholding its "memorandum" ahead of upcoming talks, suggesting it likely contains unrealistic ultimatums and signals an attempt to stall the peace process.

"If not, they must pass the document immediately, as [Ukrainian] Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said, and stop playing these games, which only show that they probably want the next meeting to be empty," Tykhiy wrote.

Trump Gives Putin 'About Two Weeks' To Show Motives

Diplomatic efforts to end the three-year conflict have recently accelerated, but Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional 30-day cease-fire and shown no signs of scaling back its demands or letting up on its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities.

US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a peace deal, has become increasingly frustrated with Moscow's apparent stalling and warned on May 28 he would determine within "about two weeks" whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about ending the fighting.

"We're going to find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not, and if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently. But it will take about a week and a half, two weeks, Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump said his lead envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has traveled three times to Moscow to try and nail down a deal, is "doing a phenomenal job."

He said Witkoff is "dealing with [Putin] very strongly right now," adding that the Russian side seems "to want to do something, but until the document is signed" he could not say definitively that Putin wants to end the war.

"I can say this: I'm very disappointed at what happened a couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation. I'm very disappointed by that. Very, very disappointed," he said.

He again rebuffed calls to impose more sanctions on Moscow, saying that if he believed he was close to getting a deal, he would not want to "screw it up by doing that."

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany understands Trump's impatience because he has "invested a lot of political capital to bring Putin to the negotiation table" and Putin has not yet come around. But Wadephul said in an interview on CNN that he hopes that there will be a chance in Istanbul next week "but please without any preconditions."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 28 accused Russia of dragging out the peace process and of not wanting to halt its offensive.

"They will constantly look for reasons not to end the war," he said at a press conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia is "amassing" more than 50,000 troops on the frontline around the northeastern Sumy border region, where Moscow's army has captured a number of settlements as it seeks to establish what Putin has called a "buffer zone" inside Ukrainian territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased international pressure on Russia after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin where the leaders announced plans for Ukraine and Germany to jointly produce long-range weapons boosting Ukraine's ability to fight.

"There is not enough pressure," Zelenskyy told German broadcaster RTL on May 28, criticizing what he sees as insufficient commitment from global powers.

"The United States is involved, but not 100 percent. Other countries, like China and those from the Global South, are holding back," he said.

Zelenskyy also suggested a lasting peace may only be possible once Russian President Vladimir Putin is no longer in power.

"We will have a just peace, but likely only after Putin," he said.

Zelenskyy earlier on May 28 accused Russia of stalling diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire.

"They (Russians) will constantly look for reasons not to end the war," Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with Merz, adding "you can see what Putin is doing" and referring to "mass drone attacks every night."

The air strikes launched on Kyiv and other cities and regions in recent days "are not the language of peace," said Merz.

"They are a slap in the face for everyone who is working for peace, in Ukraine, in Europe, and in the United States," he added.

He said Germany would help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets.

Merz said that under an intensified cooperation agreement, Germany "will strive to equip the Ukrainian Army with all the capabilities that truly enable it to successfully defend the country," including upgraded domestic missile production.

"Ukraine will be able to fully defend itself, including against military targets outside its own territory" with its own missiles, Merz said at a joint news conference.

Germany is the second-biggest individual supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the United States. But some of the advanced weapon systems have been subject to range and target restrictions over fears the Kremlin might retaliate against the country that provided the weapons and draw NATO into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II.

Later on May 28, Merz told German public broadcaster ZDF that he wouldn't rule it out sending German-made Taurus cruise missiles -- a long-range weapon that Zelenskyy has asked for -- but said it would not help Ukraine now because it would take months for Ukrainian troops to learn to use the system.

That's why Germany is improving its military cooperation and support with Ukraine now, he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the announcement on weapons production cooperation between Germany and Ukraine.

Germany is on the same path that it moved down "a couple of times in the last century," leading to its collapse, Lavrov said on Telegram.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul responded by saying that Russia should not be able to dictate whether Ukraine's allies provide help in producing long-range weapons.

"The reality is that Russia is not provoking a war but conducting a war day by day without any right and violating international rights, so we are not in a position that Moscow has [to] educate us on international war or what we are allowed to do," Wadephul said in an interview with CNN on May 28.

"We stand with Ukraine as long as Ukraine has to defend itself, its territory, its people, and the international law against the Russian aggression," he said, adding that Germany agrees with many of its partners, especially in Eastern Europe, that "we will not have security in Europe with Russia but only against Russia."

With reporting by dpa and AP
As the fifth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States wrapped up in Rome earlier this month, the public saw little sign of breakthrough.

But there have been reports about proposals to break the deadlock as Washington is insisting Iran give up uranium enrichment and Tehran rejecting the demand altogether.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who leads Tehran's negotiating team in the talks, told state media that Iran is reviewing proposals by Omani mediators but did not disclose any details.

Oman's Pitches

Araqchi briefed the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on May 25, shortly after the latest round of talks concluded in Rome.

Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a lawmaker and member of the committee, told Iranian media after the briefing that the Omanis had tabled two proposals.

One suggestion is that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment activities for six months and resume them later. Ardestani said Iran "has not accepted" the proposals.

He said Iran worries that by giving in to the demand, it will encourage the United States to ask for more concessions.

Another proposal is the formation of a regional nuclear consortium that would enhance oversight of Iran's nuclear activities and reassure the West that Iran remains within agreed enrichment levels.

The proposal was initially reported by Iranian media to have come from Tehran, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei denied this.

"This wasn't Iran's proposal," he told reporters, though he added Tehran would "welcome" the idea, "so long as it does not replace Iran's right to enrich uranium on its own soil."

The consortium could potentially include US involvement, and Iran's nuclear energy chief Mohammad Eslami on May 28 suggested Tehran would be open to accrediting Americans inspectors working under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"If there is an agreement, there is a possibility that American inspectors will be allowed access to Iranian nuclear facilities," he said.

Critics argue Tehran is using the offer to pressure Washington into softening its stance on enrichment.

"For the moment, the jury is still out. We don't know whether there's going to be an agreement or not," IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told journalists attending a weeklong seminar at the agency in Vienna on May 28.

Flexibility On Enrichment?

The debate over uranium enrichment has become a matter of national pride and identity for Iran. Araqchi has argued the Islamic republic has paid too high a price -- namely losing several nuclear scientists to assassinations -- to simply abandon its enrichment program.

The administration of US President Donald Trump maintains that Iran must cease all enrichment activities, a position US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently defended as essential "because enrichment enables weaponization."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that stance during a recent Senate hearing, declaring that "any level of domestic enrichment is unacceptable and poses a direct threat."

Iran, however, remains defiant.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed Washington's demands as "outrageous" and "nonsense," while Araqchi has vowed that Iran will continue enriching uranium "with or without a deal."

Alan Eyre, a distinguished diplomatic fellow at the Middle East Institute and former Persian-language spokesman for the US State Department, says the Trump administration has a pattern of starting with a hard-line stance but eventually settling for compromise and "declaring victory."

"It's possible that the United States will reconsider its red lines," he told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

Since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term and reimposed sanctions, the Islamic republic has significantly expanded its nuclear program.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and denies pursuing a bomb.

However, it is now enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, which is well above the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 accord and close to weapons-grade levels.

Despite a languishing economy and weak currency, Iran's President Masud Pezeshkian asserted on May 26 that the country will do fine even without an agreement.

"It's not as if we'll die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us and impose sanctions. We will find a way," he said.

But Iran could be facing more sanctions and even military action in the absence of a deal. European powers have threatened to reimpose UN sanctions against Tehran if it fails to reach an agreement with Washington by the end of June, while US intelligence suggest Israel is preparing to hit Iranian nuclear sites.

Axios reports that Trump has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking any action that would undermine diplomacy with Iran, though the US president himself has not taken military action off the table if talks collapse.

With no date set for the next round of talks, the path forward remains uncertain -- and the longer the stalemate drags on, the greater the risk that diplomacy gives way to escalation.

With reporting by Hannah Kaviani of RFE/RLs Radio Farda
As a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Farid Mehralizada became known for his analytical work that systematically debunked state propaganda in Azerbaijan. For the last year, it's all he's heard.

Mehralizada, a trained economist, was arrested on May 30, 2024, when security agents jumped him, put a hood over his head, and whispered in his ear, "You talk too much."

He was subsequently brought up on smuggling charges that he says are politically motivated and tied directly to his critical reporting for RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service, known locally as Azadliq Radiosu.

In detention, the 30-year-old says he has no access to media outlets other than those under state control.

"For 365 days, I have not witnessed justice being served. I have witnessed its deliberate destruction," he said as he marked a year in detention that kept him from being with his wife when she gave birth to their child.

Since taking power shortly before the death of his predecessor and father, Heydar Aliyev, in 2003, President Ilham Aliyev has faced accusations of suppressing dissent by detaining journalists, opposition figures, and civil society activists.

That trend appears to have accelerated recently, with more than 30 journalists and human rights defenders arrested on similar charges that international institutions regard as politically motivated.

Yet Azerbaijani authorities consistently deny these characterizations. In the case of Mehralizada and others recently detained, the government insists their arrests stem from specific criminal acts, not political reprisal.

"Azerbaijani authorities have stolen one year of Farid Mehralizada's life -- a year that should have been filled with joy and excitement for his growing family," said Steve Capus, president and chief executive officer of RFE/RL.

"Instead, Farid has spent it behind bars for the 'crime' of journalism, missing the birth of his first child. He has done nothing wrong and must be released immediately."

During his trial, Mehralizada carefully laid out the circumstances of his arrest as evidence that the case was politically motivated as a response to his "critical opinions regarding the social and economic policies implemented in Azerbaijan."

Mehralizada has highlighted that his economic analyses frequently criticized Azerbaijan's reliance on oil and gas and questioned official unemployment and poverty statistics.

"One of the policemen told me, 'You're a young man. Do you really need Azadliq Radiosu? Just keep your head down and live your life,'" he testified at an earlier court session. "This shows that my arrest was indeed connected to my articles forAzadliq Radiosu."

Additional charges, including illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, gang smuggling, and document forgery, have since been added to his case -- accusations he and his supporters call fabricated and further evidence the case is being driven by political forces.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have asked the court to sentence Mehralizada and two other journalists -- Ulvi Hasanli, the director of the AbzasMedia independent news agency, and journalist Hafiz Babali -- being tried in the case to 12 years in prison.

"The one-year anniversary of Farid Mehralizada's imprisonment is another sorry milestone in Azerbaijan's vast crackdown on independent media," said Attila Mong, the European representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

"Farid has committed no crime besides his reporting for RFE/RL and the critical interviews he gave to independent media as an expert economist," added Mong. "It is time for Azerbaijani authorities to allow Farid to go home to his family and his firstborn daughter whose birth he missed due to his jailing. US authorities, in particular, should do their utmost to ensure his release as an RFE/RL journalist."

Despite limited access to information, Mehralizada has continued to deconstruct the narratives promoted by government-controlled media.

In a letter sent from prison, Mehralizada argues that public understanding and participation in economic processes are the only way to creating a sustainable economy.

"I have always believed that the Azerbaijani peopledeserve to live today in a more just and prosperous society. Our nation possesses sufficient resources to make that a reality. That this has not happened is due to failures in governance," he wrote.
Farid Mehralizada, an economist and journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, marked one year in prison on May 30. He was arrested after making public statements criticizing the policies of the Azerbaijani government. State authorities have charged him with smuggling, tax evasion, and forgery, but observers say the case is politically motivated. RFE/RL President Stephen Capus has repeatedly called for Mehralizada's release from imprisonment on "false charges."
Xinjiang accelerates efforts to build gateway for opening up

14:35, May 29, 2025 By Yang Mingfang, Li Ya'nan ( People's Daily

A livestream host sells products at Xinjiang Zhongda Shijia Cross-Border E-commerce Trade Co., Ltd., northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Liu Yulong)

In a livestream studio of Xinjiang Zhongda Shijia Cross-Border E-commerce Trade Co., Ltd., northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, over 20 hosts present kitchenware, home appliances, beauty products, and more to global viewers in Kazakh, Russian, English, and other languages.

Just over a year since its launch, the company has expanded rapidly, now employing more than 100 livestream hosts at home and abroad. It has established round-the-clock livestreaming studios and exhibition halls in several cities across Kazakhstan, generating daily cross-border e-commerce sales of 500,000 to 600,000 yuan ($69,403 to $83,284).

In recent years, leveraging its unique geographical advantage - home to five national-level open ports and sharing borders with eight countries - Xinjiang is accelerating the development of major international trade corridors. As a key hub along the Belt and Road and a vital node linking Asia and Europe, the region is transforming from a traditionally inland area into a frontier of China's opening up.

Strengthening infrastructure to boost connectivity

At the Alashankou Port, Xinjiang, four intelligent reloading systems operate around the clock, handling over 2,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) on a daily basis. Meanwhile, at the Alashankou comprehensive inspection yard, an enclosed corridor bridge automatically connects with train carriages for streamlined cargo inspection, enabling China-Europe freight trains to complete customs clearance in as short as 15 minutes.

"With efficient customs clearance and stable logistics, we've significantly saved time and storage costs," said Zhang Pingping, an employee of an international freight forwarding company in Alashankou.

Containers are loaded onto trucks at the e-commerce customs clearance center of Alashankou Port, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo provided by the media center of Bortala Mongolian autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang)

Transitioning from a mere logistics corridor to a comprehensive logistics hub, the Alashankou Comprehensive Bonded Zone has fostered a thriving industrial ecosystem around its rail freight advantages. The number of registered enterprises in the zone has surged from just 12 to over 280. In the first quarter of this year, the zone handled 509,300 tons of cargo, with total import and export trade reaching 9.34 billion yuan.

With the upgrading of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway, the construction of the China-Europe express railway assembly center, and continuous improvements in port infrastructure, over half of all China-Europe freight trains now pass through Xinjiang. A total of 119 bilateral and 10 multilateral international road freight routes have been opened in Xinjiang, maintaining trade relations with 216 countries and regions.

Advancing institutional innovation to expand foreign trade

At the Horgos Yiwu International Trade Market inside the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center in Horgos, Xinjiang, a Kazak driver was having a Chinese-made car inspected. "Repairs here cost nearly 40 percent less," he said.

Photo shows China-Europe freight trains and other trains for foreign trade at the Alashankou railway station, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo provided by the media center of Bortala Mongolian autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang)

The innovative model of "bonded repair + streamlined customs clearance" continues to attract customers from the five Central Asian countries, turning the cooperation center into a regional hub for Chinese automobile maintenance and stimulating local auto parts industry.

Additional institutional innovations such as streamlined overland port-to-inland clearance, cross-port recognition of foreign vehicles, and coordinated customs for large-scale equipment have injected new momentum into Xinjiang's foreign trade.

Across the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, a range of new trade models is emerging. The Urumqi area is leveraging the comprehensive bonded zone to develop cross-border e-commerce and other new business forms. The Kashgar area is tapping local strengths to boost deep processing in agricultural as well as the textile and garment industries. Meanwhile, the Horgos area is scaling up sectors such as specialty pharmaceuticals, electronic information, and new materials.

According to Urumqi customs, Xinjiang's import and export value surged to 435.11 billion yuan in 2024, marking a 21.8 percent year-on-year increase. In the first four months of this year alone, foreign trade in the autonomous region rose by 20.2 percent.

Promoting people-to-people exchanges and building platforms for opening up

In March this year, a Kazakh patient with a fractured left leg received treatment at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. "The Chinese doctors are highly skilled, and I recovered quickly after surgery," the patient said.

"We're actively promoting the establishment of a Xinjiang international medical center to provide better services for patients from Central Asia," said Yang Xinling, vice president of Xinjiang Medical University.

International students attend a Chinese language class at the College of International Education, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo by Cai Zengle/People's Daily Online)

In cooperation with the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Uzbekistan's national center for traumatology and orthopedics has opened a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, which has been warmly received by local patients.

Xinjiang's exchanges and cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries continue to intensify. Thanks to China's new visa policies, the autonomous region has witnessed a notable surge in cross-border tourism, welcoming over 1.59 million inbound visitors from Central Asia in 2024.

The upcoming 2025 (China) Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo, scheduled for late June this year, is expected to serve as a major platform for regional trade and cooperation, further broadening market access across Central Asia, Africa, and beyond.

"Xinjiang will continue accelerating the development of major channels for opening up, strengthening key platforms, and deepening economic and trade cooperation with neighboring countries. We aim to make greater contributions to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation," said Ma Xingrui, secretary of the Xinjiang regional committee of the Communist Party of China.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Russia's military has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in its drone attacks on civilian targets in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, a new United Nations report has found.

The report by Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, issued on May 28, was the latest evidence pointing to possible crimes allegedly committed by Russian civilian or military authorities in Ukraine.

"Russian armed forces have committed the crimes against humanity of murder and the war crimes of attacking civilians, through a months-long pattern of drone attacks targeting civilians on the right bank of the Dnieper River in Kherson Province," the commission report said.

In late 2022, several months after the start of the all-out invasion, Ukrainian forces succeeded in partially pushing Russian troops out of the Kherson region. Russian forces withdrew from the western banks of the Dnieper River, across the river to the east, which is also part of the Kherson region.

Since then, Russian troops have continued to bombard towns and cities on the opposite bank, including the city of Kherson. Ukrainian forces tried in 2023 to establish a bridgehead on the Dniepers eastern banks, to push Russian troops further away, but that effort failed.

Nearly 150 civilians have been killed in the drone campaign that the commission said started in the summer of 2024; and hundreds more wounded; many as they were doing their daily routines in and out of their homes. Drone operators used real-time video feeds to track and strike civilians, the report said.

Ambulances, which are protected under international law, have also been targeted.

The Russian attacks "were committed with the primary purpose to spread terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law," said the expert panel, which operates under the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The International Criminal Court, which operates independently of the United Nations, has brought war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against President Vladimir Putin and a top Kremlin adviser for overseeing the forcible transfer of tens of thousands of children out of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

The court has also brought war crimes charges against two top Russian military officers for overseeing a missile and drones strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets such as electricity grids and residential homes.
The United States has announced it will end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, a move that will leave thousands at risk of deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declared on May 12 that TPS for Afghanistan will expire on July 14, with the decision affecting an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 Afghans currently living and working legally in the United States under this program.

However, rights groups and Afghan refugees have condemned the decision, warning that it puts lives in jeopardy and ignores the realities on the ground.

Seeking Safety In The US

The DHS said in its statement that the termination of TPS is based on its assessment that conditions in Afghanistan have "improved sufficiently" and no longer meet the statutory requirements for TPS.

The statement said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem had also determined that permitting Afghan nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is "contrary to the national interest of the United States."

The department cited national security and fraud concerns, claiming some individuals under TPS are being investigated for threats to public safety and national security.

But Afghans living in the United States under TPS say they will be in danger if they return to Afghanistan.

"It is true that there is relative security, but there are many problems," an Afghan man who spoke on condition of anonymity told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

"Right now, former government soldiers are being arrested, disappeared, and even killed," said the man, who lives in Texas with his family of four.

Another Afghan national who moved to the United States four years ago echoed the same sentiment.

"If we are sent back, our lives will be at risk because we worked in the previous government and the current government still wants revenge," he told Radio Azadi. "We came to the United States for our safety, and now that this program is ending it will create many problems."

These fears are rooted in the dramatic changes Afghanistan has undergone since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops, Taliban insurgents seized Kabul, toppling the Western-backed Afghan government.

Since then, the Taliban has imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, rolling back rights and freedoms, especially for women and girls, who are now barred from secondary education and most employment.

Reports from the UN and human rights organizations have documented widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and public floggings, particularly targeting former government officials, security personnel, and dissenters.

'Unconscionable' To Deport Afghans

Human rights organizations such as Human Rights First, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Relief, and others have condemned the move, warning it puts thousands of Afghans at risk of deportation to a country where they could face persecution, torture, or even execution under Taliban rule.

"For the Trump administration to claim that conditions in Afghanistan have improved enough to justify returning people is simply unconscionable and divorced from reality," said Eleanor Acer, senior director of global humanitarian protection at Human Rights First.

Unless a court intervenes, the termination of TPS for Afghans will proceed as scheduled in July, leaving thousands facing an uncertain -- and potentially dangerous -- future under Taliban rule.

"People with TPS are valuable members of American communities, schools, and workplaces," IRC wrote in a statement. "We urgently call on the US government to reconsider this harmful policy change and maintain this life-saving humanitarian protection for people from Afghanistan."
PwC Azerbaijan reaffirmed its market-leading position in IFRS reporting and sustainability advisory by hosting an exclusive, high-level training for finance and reporting professionals on 2223 May. The sessions were led by Mr. Gabor Balazs, Partner at PwC Hungary and IFRS and Sustainability Reporting Technical Partner for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia (CEE)  a globally recognized expert with over two decades of experience supporting complex technical issues across the PwC network.

This closed-door event brought together senior finance leaders for an in-depth exploration of the 2025 updates to IFRS and evolving global sustainability standards. Guided by Mr. Balazs deep technical knowledge, participants engaged in focused discussions around key developments, including:

IFRS Updates and Technical Insights

IFRS 18: Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements;

IFRS 19: Subsidiaries without Public Accountability  Disclosures;

IFRS 8: Segment Reporting and related IFRIC Agenda Decisions;

Amendments to key standards, IFRIC interpretations, and the IASBs evolving work plan;

Practical application insights around liquidity disclosures, fair value classifications, and revenue disaggregation.

Sustainability Reporting Developments

On the second day, Mr. Balazs led discussions on the intersection of financial and non-financial reporting, including:

The IASBs climate-related risk disclosures;

IAS 37 and the treatment of climate-related provisions;

The latest on CSRD, ISSB standards, EU Taxonomy, and the Omnibus Directive.

Sevinj Imanova, Senior Assurance Manager at PwC Azerbaijan, expressed gratitude to all guests and shared information about the ESG services offered by PwC, powered by the local and global experiences of over 149 offices within the network.

A Trusted Partner for Transformative Change

With over 30 years of proven expertise in IFRS implementation and assurance in Azerbaijan alone, PwC is recognized as the trusted leader in the market. We bring together deep local insight and the power of our global network to help clients not only remain compliant but also unlock value through high-quality, forward-looking reporting.

On sustainability, PwC offers a comprehensive suite of services powered by cutting-edge tools and a global community of ESG specialists. Whether navigating the CSRD, integrating ISSB frameworks, or aligning with climate risk guidance, our clients benefit from access to leading practices and actionable strategies.

At PwC, we dont just follow standards  we help shape them. Through exclusive sessions like this one, we ensure our clients have early access to insight, interpretation, and impact-driven solutions, said PwC Azerbaijan Assurance Leader and Partner Mr. Fahri Mustafayev.

Info on PwC:

At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. Were a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 370,000 people in 149 countries. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Over 150 professionals working in PwC Azerbaijan share their thinking, values, experience, and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice for our clients.
LAUNCH OF BOYLE COMMUNITY CHILDCARE NEEDS ANALYSIS

The Boyle Community Childcare Needs Analysis will be launched at an event in the Boyle Family Resource Centre on Friday, June 13th at 10 a.m.. The event will highlight key findings and insights into the current childcare landscape in Boyle and the wider region. At the launch critical data and recommendations identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities in local childcare provision will be presented. An open discussion will also take place on collaborative efforts that could support children, families, and the broader Boyle community.

MANDALA WORKSHOP

A Mandala workshop will be held on June 6th in Boyle from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. This ancient form of creativity helps to improve mental health and is an enjoyable experience. The workshop will be facilitated by Misneach Croi. This is funded by Creative Ireland through Roscommon County Council. Please contact Teresa OBrien on 086 029 1215. There is a suggested donation of 10 on the day.

Daire and Liam Feeley after the opening stage of the Ras Tailteann finished in Boyle on Wednesday last. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin

BOYLE AC NEWS

Boyle AC athletes were among the many who took part in the Chris ODowd Memorial Run held on Sunday at Lough Key Forest Park. Organised by North and West Roscommon GAA, the 5K and 10K races were held in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. In the 5k both Fidelma Mullaney and Nance Hayden both earned podium finishes, with strong runs also from Conor Hamel and Sinead Keenehan.

Congratulations to Aisling Conry, who ran a strong 10k race to take victory in the womens event. It was also a standout day for Sean Ballantyne, who delivered a great performance and set a new personal best over the 10k distancea fantastic achievement on a challenging course. There were also strong runs from Noel Scally, Mark Reilly, Sheila Cunningham, Cian Duffy, and Ashley Kelly, rounding out a successful outing for the team. Well done everyone supporting a great cause.

LATE MRS BRIDIE HICKEY

The death occurred on May 23rd of Mrs Bridie Hickey (nee Dwyer) Elphin Street, Boyle, Roscommon, F52Y640 Bridie Hickey (nee Dwyer), Elphin Street, Boyle. Predeceased by her son Philip, she is deeply regretted by her husband, Bernard; daughters, Olive, Edel, Carol and Joan; sons, Brian and Kevin; her 16 grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Following Funeral Mass in St. Josephs, Church, Boyle on Monday burial took place in Assylinn Cemetery.

GAELBHRATACH PRESENTATION

Last week Abbey Community College was awarded the Gaelbhratach for its efforts in promoting the Irish language throughout the school. The student committee worked tirelessly all year to organise fun, engaging events that brought Irish to life outside the classroom.

Last week Abbey Community College was awarded the Gaelbhratach for its efforts in promoting the Irish language throughout the school.

'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' OPENS THIS WEEK

Excitement is building at Abbey Community College as students prepare to present this years musical production, Beauty and the Beast. After months of dedication and hard work, the talented students are ready to take the stage for two matinee performances and three evening shows, May 28th-30th. This classic tale promises to delight audiences of all ages with its memorable music, enchanting characters, and heartfelt story. Dont miss the chance to support the students and enjoy a magical theatrical experience.

LEAVING CERT CLASS OF 2025 GRADUATION

The Leaving Certificate Class of 2025 at Abbey Community College marked a memorable milestone on Thursday last as they graduated in a heartfelt ceremony held at St Josephs Church. The event celebrated the achievements, growth, and journey of the students as they prepare to take their next steps beyond school life. Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the school where students, families, and staff gathered to reflect on their time together. Awards were presented to recognise outstanding contributions and accomplishments. Anna McGrath was honoured as Student of the Year for 2025, while Emma Kelly received the prestigious Mercy Award. A sincere thank you goes to all staff who helped organise the day and supported the students throughout their years at the school. Wishing Class of 2025 every success in the future.

Members of Boyle Active Age on a recent visit to Belleek Pottery.

GAA LOTTO

The numbers drawn in Boyle GAA Clubs online lotto draw last week were 4,8,12,25. There was no winner of the jackpot - one Match 3 winner who was Ann Bushell. The jackpot now stands at 5,600. You can purchase your tickets online through the club app Boyle GAA or in various local outlets.
Alice Hetherton was a kind, bubbly person, that lit up the room but the 62 -year-old carers life changed in an instant on a May night in 2023 when she collapsed while talking to her brother on the phone after suffering a brain bleed and an aneurysm.

Since then her life has been one of residing in hospitals and since last July she has been living in a Longford nursing home. But the Frenchpark resident wants to come home and is adamant that she does not want to remain in a nursing home.

Her partner of 35 years, Des Deegan, also believes that her mental health is deteriorating because of this and has now set up a gofundme page in a bid to raise the necessary funds for her to return to her beloved house.

The two originally met in London and after living there for 25 years decided to sell their house and return home to Ireland. They originally moved to Kerry and then to Ballinlough but finally bought a home in Frenchpark.

Alice Hetherton pictured prior to suffering a brain bleed and an aneurysm in May 2023.

Originally from Oldcastle in County Meath, Alice has worked caring for others for many years and had been working in homes in Roosky and Carrick -on-Shannon before tragedy struck.

On the night of Alices aneurysm she was rushed to Sligo University Hospital but was immediately transferred to Beaumont Hospital. There they performed neurosurgery to stop the bleed and equally deal with the aneurysm. The surgeon at the time noted it was one of the worse cases he had seen.

She remained there for six weeks and then returned to Sligo University Hospital where she remained for eight months. However, according to Des they really didnt have the facilities to deal with her myriad of physical issues and after a lot of pressure from the family she obtained a place at the National Rehabilitation Unit where she spent another five to six months.

Des said that although she probably needed more rehabilitation it was decided to move her to a nursing home.

During all this time 72-year-old Des visits her every day, travelling up and down to Sligo, Dublin and Longford and spends two to three hours with Alice.

He said: Her mobility is very restricted and she will require continued home supports and therapies. Alice is frustrated that the care she is currently receiving in a nursing home could equally be carried out at home. Mentally Alice is very aware, but she requires round the clock care and all she wants is to be able to come home. However, the issue is that they live in a two storey four bedroom home with all the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs and only a small narrow toilet downstairs. There is no wheelchair access and Alice would need a hoist to be able to take her in and out of bed and her chair.

Alice Hetherton and Des Deegan pictured while on holidays prior to Alice getting sick.

But Alice pleads with Des every day to take her home. At the moment he pays 350 towards her nursing home fees while the Roscommon County Council pays 1,800.

It is estimated that a new extension would be needed to be built onto the home in order for Alice to be able to return home and this is costed at 60,000 to 70,000.

Des said as a pensioner there is no likelihood of him being able to obtain a loan for the works and although it is likely he would be able to get a grant the issue is that the works have to be done before any grant aid is issued. He is basically caught in a catch 22.

He is hoping now that the gofundme will allow the works to be carried out and Alice can come home. He said that any excess of funds after the project is finished would be donated to charity or go towards helping others in Alices situation.

For more information log onto to gofundme and search Bring Alice Home.
Tejashwi Yadavs Wife Delivers Baby in Kolkata; Sparks Debate Over Bihars Healthcare

However,...Tejashwi Prasad Yadavs wife was shifted to Kolkata to avoid the possibility of a large crowd gathering at the hospital in Patna.

Tejashwi Yadavs Wife Delivers Baby in Kolkata; Sparks Debate Over Bihars Healthcare

Tejashwi Yadavs Wife Delivers Baby in Kolkata latest news: The wife of opposition leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav gave birth to their child on Tuesday in a private hospital in Kolkata. However, their decision to opt for a normal delivery in Kolkata has sparked a major debate over the state of Bihars healthcare system.

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Tejashwis wife, Rajshri Yadav, had reportedly been staying in Kolkata for the past nine months and was even blessed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, according to a report by The Times of India.

Dr. Santosh Kumar Singh, State Secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bihar State Branch, was quoted in the report as saying that decisions like thisby prominent political familiesdiminish the confidence of the common people in state-run hospitals, despite Bihar having very good health facilities and quality doctors.

The health facilities in the state are very good, and Bihar has quality doctors. Still, if people go outside the state for a normal delivery, it is very shocking, said Dr. Singh.

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I dont know why she (Tejashwis wife) got admitted to a hospital in Kolkata, but this has indirectly sent a message to the common people that health facilities in Bihar are alarming. It conveys the impression that Yahan ki vyavastha theek nahin hai (The system here is not okay), he added.

Former IMA president Dr. Ajay Kumar said, 'Instead' of setting an example for the common people, 'their actions have raised a question mark over the quality of healthcare available in Bihar.'

However, the report, citing a source close to the Lalu family, said that Tejashwi Prasad Yadavs wife was shifted to Kolkata to avoid the possibility of a large crowd gathering at the hospital in Patna.

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Dr. Ajay Taware Arrested in Connection with Kidney Transplant Racket

In connection with the 2022 kidney transplant racket at Ruby Hall Clinic, a prominent private hospital in Pune.

Dr. Ajay Taware Arrested in Connection with Kidney Transplant Racket

Police on Thursday arrested Dr. Ajay Taware, the former medical superintendent of Punes Sassoon General Hospital, in connection with an alleged kidney transplant racket at a leading private hospital, The Tribune reported, citing officials.

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According to the report, Dr. Taware is currently lodged at Yerwada Central Jail.

The city crime branch took him into custody in connection with the 2022 kidney transplant racket at Ruby Hall Clinic, a prominent private hospital in Pune.

"We have taken Dr. Ajay Taware into custody in the kidney racket case, and he will be produced before the court today," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale.

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Dr. Taware was previously arrested in 2024 for allegedly tampering with the blood samples of a 17-year-old boy involved in a fatal Porsche car crash in Punes Kalyani Nagar, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals.

In May 2022, Pune police registered a case against 15 individuals, including the managing trustee and staff of Ruby Hall Clinic, for alleged malpractice during a kidney transplant conducted in March that year.

In the case, a woman from Kolhapur was allegedly promised Rs15 lakh to pose as the wife of a male kidney recipient and donate her kidney. In exchange, the recipients intended donora young womanreceived a kidney from her own mother. The fraudulent swap was exposed on March 29, 2022, when the Kolhapur woman revealed her real identity following a dispute over the promised payment.

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(For more news apart from Dr. Ajay Taware Arrested in Connection with Kidney Transplant Racket, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman)
Editorial: The Third Wave of Covid-19 Is Concerning

Experts believe that at this time, not one but three new variants of Covid-19 are spreading globally.

Editorial: The Third Wave of Covid-19 Is Concerning

Covid has now reached Chandigarh and is spreading in Punjab as well. On Tuesday, a 40-year-old man admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was found infected with the JN.1 variant of Covid. On Wednesday, he passed away. The man was a resident of Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh) and had pre-existing respiratory issues. On the same day, in Firozpur, a 25-year-old man also tested positive for Covid and is said to be infected with the same JN.1 variant. In Haryana, the number of infected patients has reached 7. According to health officials, the current form of the 'Covid-19' virus is not considered deadly.

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However, for patients suffering from diabetes, asthma, or other respiratory diseases, this virus can prove to be fatal if proper precautions are not taken. According to warnings issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Covid-19 virus is not going away anytime soon. Viruses tend to prolong their life, and even if a treatment for one variant is found, they continue to mutate and take on new forms. However, in doing so, their fatality tends to decrease. They no longer remain deadly. Despite the new variants of Covid-19 spreading across most of Asia and more than half of Europe, global bodies like the World Health Organization and national governments are not showing much concern or issuing high-level alerts  the main reason being that the JN.1 variant is not considered highly lethal.

According to data released by the National Health Authority monitoring pandemics, by 8 PM on Tuesday, there were 1,010 positive Covid-19 cases in India! Of these, 104 were from Delhi alone. Currently, the state with the highest number of active cases is Kerala (430), followed by Maharashtra (210 cases). In fact, the first case of this new Covid-19 variant was found in Kerala about 15 days ago. That individual had traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. After this case came to light, the number of patients in Kerala steadily increased. One death has also been reported. Despite this, health experts have advised people not to panic, although they have not recommended starting a vaccination drive.

Experts believe that at this time, not one but three new variants of Covid-19 are spreading globally. However, none of these three are considered very dangerous. Therefore, people do not need to stay confined indoors or remain unnecessarily fearful. These variants can be controlled through basic precautions such as wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands frequently with soap, and maintaining a slight distance from infected individuals.

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The World Health Organization has also announced that the vaccines developed during the original Covid-19 wave are still as effective in the current scenario as they were in 201920. However, such announcements do not mean that we should let our guard down. In fact, both central and state governments should remain prepared for any potential future emergencythis includes arrangements for dedicated hospital wards, as well as stocking oxygen cylinders and necessary medicines. The situation of 2021 must be avoided at all costs, when the shortage of oxygen cylinders and hospital beds proved fatal for hundreds of patients.

Respiratory diseases in their various forms have always been a threat to human lives globally. In fact, diseases like pulmonary tuberculosis or asthma-related complications have caused more deaths than Covid-19. The difference lies in the fact that many of these illnesses are not contagious. Covid-19, however, is an infectious disease. Even though it may not be as deadly now, remaining alert to its dangers must be a core feature of our healthcare system. In 2021, the sudden attack of the Delta variant of Covid shook governments across the world, including ours, for three months. Now is the time to implement the lessons learned back then. Any negligence in this regard would be considered intolerable.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 28. President of the Republic of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - the Independence Day, Trend reports.

"On the auspicious occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 28 May, the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa join me in conveying to Your Excellency, the Government and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan, our warmest greetings and sincere congratulations.

May I take this opportunity to express the wish for Your Excellency's good health and also reaffirm our desire to further enhance and consolidate the excellent bond of friendship that exists between our countries.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads.
Miss grand International 2024 Rachel Gupta returns her crown, details inside

The organization has also requested the return of the crown within 30 days.

Miss grand International 2024 Rachel Gupta returns her crown, details inside

May 28, 2025: In a dramatic turn of events, Rachel Gupta, who was crowned Miss Grand International 2024, has officially stepped down from her title, citing a toxic environment and mistreatment. Shortly after her public announcement, the Miss Grand International (MGI) Organization issued a statement revoking her title, accusing her of failing to fulfill contractual obligations.

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In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Gupta expressed deep regret over her decision, stating, Being crowned was one of the most cherished dreams of my life However, the months following my crowning have been marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence.

She added that the decision was not made lightly and promised to release a full video soon, revealing the details behind her resignation. The truth will come out very soon, Gupta wrote, thanking her global supporters and asking for continued compassion.

However, the MGI Organization presented a different narrative. In an official notice, they announced the immediate termination of Guptas title, citing her failure to fulfill assigned duties, participation in external projects without prior approval, and refusal to attend a scheduled trip to Guatemala.

The organization has resolved to revoke her title with immediate effect, the statement read. Miss Rachel Gupta is no longer authorized to use the title or wear the crown associated with Miss Grand International 2024.

The organization has also requested the return of the crown within 30 days.

She has also uploaded a video.

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Elon Musk leaves US Government as Special Employee, Quick and Unceremonious (Image Courtesy :BBC)

Musk said, I think Ive done enough, adding that he would substantially cut his political spending.

Elon Musk leaves US Government as Special Employee latest news: SpaceX Founder & CEO Elon Musk, who has served as a Special U.S. Government Employee, is leaving his role in the government. His departure, according to reports, comes after he expressed disappointment in the government.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

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A White House official confirmed to news agency Associated Press that Elon Musk was stepping down.

Elon Musk is leaving the administration, and his off-boarding will begin tonight, the official said.

A report in The Guardian, drawing attention to the sudden shift, wrote, The departure of a man who once appointed himself Trumps first buddy was quick and unceremonious.

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According to the report, the SpaceX founder did not have a formal conversation with President Trump before announcing his departure as a Special Government Employee. His 130-day mandate in the Trump administration was set to expire around May 30.

The report also noted that Musk had been signaling his departure from Washington and his commitment to returning to his business ventures all week.

Speaking about the U.S. federal bureaucracy, Musk told The Washington Post on Tuesday, The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least, he said, adding that DOGE was blamed for anything that went wrong in the White House.

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As per the report, citing The New York Times, Musk also expressed frustration to White House officials over the deal between Abu Dhabi and OpenAI, the Sam Altman-led rival to Musks own AI company.

There were protests in the U.S. over Musks political involvement, with many calling for him to leave his role as Trumps adviser.

Musk had spent nearly $300 million to back Trumps presidential campaign and other Republican candidates last year. According to the report, earlier this month, Musk said, I think Ive done enough, adding that he would substantially cut his political spending.

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U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students in Critical Fields, connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

The Trump administration has also frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for universities.

U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students in Critical Fields, connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

U.S. to Revoke Visas of Chinese Students latest news: In a significant policy shift, the United States government has announced plans to "aggressively revoke" the visas of certain Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or those studying in sensitive fields. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on May 28, 2025.

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In a post on X, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

Criteria will also be revised to "enhance scrutiny" of future visa applicants from China and Hong Kong, Rubio added, according to a BBC report.

"Under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio said in Wednesday's statement.

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"We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong."

The Trump administration has already moved to deport a number of foreign students while revoking thousands of visas for others, the BBC report said. However, many of these actions have been blocked by the courts, the report added.

The Trump administration has also frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for universities.
The third knock of Covid-19 is challenging in punjabi

In fact, the first case of the new strain of Covid-19 was found in Kerala itself about 15 days ago.

The third knock of Covid-19 is challenging in punjabi: Covid disease has also reached Chandigarh and Punjab. On Tuesday, a 40-year-old man admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was found to be suffering from the JN-1 variant of Covid. He died on Wednesday. This person was a resident of Firozabad (U.P.).

He was also suffering from respiratory problems. Similarly, on the same day, a 25-year-old man in Firozpur also tested positive for Covid. He is also said to be suffering from the JN-1 variant. The number of people suffering from this disease in Haryana has reached 7. According to the announcements of the health officials, the current form of the Covid-19 pandemic is not fatal.

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However, this disease can prove to be fatal if patients with diabetes or asthma or other respiratory diseases do not take proper precautions. According to warnings issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Covid-19 virus is not going to go away anytime soon. Viruses know how to extend their lifespan and in case a cure is found for one variant, they keep adopting new forms through the mutation process. But in doing so, their lethality usually decreases.

They are no longer deadly. Despite the new forms of Covid-19 spreading in almost the entire Asia and more than half of Europe, the reason why global organizations like the World Health Organization and national governments have not shown much concern or vigilance towards the spread of the current strain of the disease is because the JN-1 variant is not deadly.

According to data released by the National Health Authority, which monitors epidemics, there were 1,010 positive cases of Covid-19 in India till 8 pm on Tuesday! Of these, 104 cases were from Delhi alone. At present, the highest number of active cases (430) is in Kerala. The next number is Maharashtra (210 cases).

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In fact, the first case of the new strain of Covid-19 was found in Kerala itself about 15 days ago. That person had gone for Hajj in Saudi Arabia. After this case came to light, the number of patients in Kerala continued to increase. One death was also reported. Despite this, health experts advised people to avoid panic, but did not suggest starting a vaccination campaign.

These experts are of the opinion that not one, but three new strains of Covid-19 are currently spreading in the world. But all three are not very dangerous. That is why there is no need to scold people at home or keep them dry. However, the spread of all three types can be prevented by simple precautions like wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands frequently with soap and maintaining a certain distance from the patient.

The World Health Organization has even declared that the vaccines developed during the Covid-19 pandemic are as effective in the current situation as they were in 2019-20. However, such declarations do not mean that precautions should be relaxed. In fact, the central and state governments should be prepared for any future emergency; both in terms of arranging separate wards in hospitals and also by arranging stocks of oxygen cylinders and medicines.

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The situation of 2021 should be avoided at all costs when the shortage of oxygen cylinders and hospital beds proved to be life-threatening for hundreds of patients.

Various forms of respiratory diseases have been wreaking havoc on human lives across the world. In fact, far more deaths than COVID-19 have been caused by pulmonary TB or asthma-related diseases. The difference is that most of these diseases are not infectious or contagious. COVID-19 is an infectious disease.

Despite not being life-threatening, being alert to the dangers associated with it should be a key feature of our healthcare system. The sudden attack of the Delta strain of COVID in 2021 had put governments around the world, including ours, on alert for three months. Now is the time to put into practice the lessons learned since then. Any lapse in this regard will be considered intolerable.

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Working in Romania

The latest from the Romanian labour market

Photo: pixabay.com

Sorin Iordan, 29.05.2025, 12:19

The global construction market is facing major challenges, according to the annual global report published by the Canadian consulting company Colliers. In Romania, the research indicates a significant decline in this sector in 2024 compared to 2023. The main issues include the return of construction material prices to the record levels of 2022, but also the pressure generated by a budget deficit of almost 9% of the GDP, which calls into question the continuation of large projects financed from European funds. Added to this is the elimination of tax exemption for construction workers, which means higher wage costs. The construction sector also remains one of the poorly digitized sectors, which leads to less efficient work, lower quality buildings and higher costs. Another important problem is the lack of labor, and those already working in construction are not sufficiently trained. One of the causes is that Romanian construction companies invest very little in employee training, only 0.1% of the profit, compared to the 1% average in the European Union.

The Romanian economy is facing an alarming decrease in the capacity to absorb the workforce and an increase in the number of active people who have migrated to work in other countries, said economist and sociologist Ciprian Badescu, a researcher at the Institute for Research on the Quality of Life of the Romanian Academy. According to him, from 2010 to 2023, the amounts sent to the country by Romanians working abroad increased 15.6 times, from 641 million euros to about 10 billion euros. Badescu believes that although the amounts sent from Romania by foreign migrants working here increased from about 88 million euros in 2010 to 1.4 billion euros in 2023, the increase in the gap between incoming and outgoing remittances shows that the Romanian economy is facing an alarming decrease in the occupational attractiveness for the domestic and foreign workforce. Among the causes of the differentiation of the Romanian economys attractiveness index compared to other European economies, the researcher identified the gap in purchasing power, compensation power through social benefits and the level of taxation. Ciprian Badescu also showed that during the period 2010-2023, Romania dropped to the last place on the attractiveness scale of Central and Eastern European economies.

Over 8,000 people found work at the General Job Exchange, organized by the National Employment Agency at the end of last week in 67 locations across the country and in Bucharest. Almost 1,900 employers made about 30,000 jobs available. The most sought-after were unskilled workers, security agents, drivers and couriers. The offer also included jobs for those with higher education, namely for engineers in various branches of activity, managers, economists, analysts, specialized referents and banking consultants. Most jobs were offered in the capital Bucharest, in Constanta (south-east), Mehedinti (south-west), Ilfov (south), Bihor, Cluj (north-west) and Tulcea (south-east). Among those who found work were also refugees from Ukraine. Approximately 140 jobs were available for them. The unemployment rate recorded by the Romanian authorities at the beginning of last month exceeded 3 percent.

Brasov County, in central Romania, rose to 6th place nationally in terms of average net salary in March, according to the County Statistics Directorate. With an increase of almost 10 percent compared to the previous month, the average net salary in the county reached 5,368 lei (1,060 euros). The ranking is led by Bucharest, with an average net salary of 7,599 lei (1,500 euros) followed by Cluj (northwest) and Timis (west) counties, both with over 6,000 lei (almost 1,200 euros), Ilfov (south) and Sibiu (center). In Brasov County, where almost 206,000 employees are registered, the average net salary in industry and construction was 5,678 lei (a little over 1,100 euros), while in services and agriculture incomes were below average. The number of people employed in Brasov increased by almost 700 compared to February 2025 and by over 3,100 compared to March 2024. (MI)
Initiatives on the Black Sea Security

The European Union and the United States recognize the strategic importance of the Black Sea region through a series of initiatives aimed at monitoring and strengthening security in this part of the world.

Kaja Kallas (Fred MARVAUX /  European Union 2025 - Source : EP)

Sorin Iordan, 29.05.2025, 13:50

The European Commission has presented a strategy aimed at improving security, cooperation and connectivity with the Black Sea region, which has been affected in recent years by the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Brussels proposes the establishment of a Black Sea security center aimed at strengthening cooperation with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan and at monitoring more closely this region that it considers important from a strategic point of view. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced that the new center, whose headquarters have not yet been established, will serve as a European early warning system in the Black Sea and will allow for better protection of submarine cables, wind installations and natural gas extraction operations, some of the most important belonging to Romania itself. The EU foreign policy chief explained that the platform will also contribute to increasing military mobility, by modernizing the regions ports, railways, roads and airports to manage heavy military equipment.

The European Union also wants to know better who the foreign owners of ports and key installations are and to combat cyberattacks, disinformation and other hostile actions more effectively, given that the Black Sea region is the main target of hybrid actions, Kallas said. This area of the world is also proving its importance for the United States of America. On Wednesday, the Romanian Economy Minister, Bogdan Ivan, announced that Romania and the US would strengthen their production capacities in the field of defense. The Romanian official signed two documents through which the Romanians and the Americans will jointly produce NATO-standard artillery ammunition and ammunition for the American Abrams tanks. They are also considering establishing a European Center of Excellence for NATO Ammunition in Romania with the aim of transforming Bucharest into a key actor in the field of defense and regional security. Ivan said that the operationalization of this center will strengthen Romanias position as a security pillar and provider of strategic capabilities in the region. Based on this economic and military partnership with the United States, we will be able to develop both production and testing, homologation and qualification capabilities, the minister emphasized.

In turn, the US Charge dAffaires in Bucharest, Michael Dickerson, has stated that these projects contribute to strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership and securing supply chains, both for NATO, the United States and Romania, and provide greater security for America and its allies. The projects are supported by a 920-million-dollar foreign military financing loan granted to Romania by the US Department of State in September 2024. (LS)
Talks on the budget deficit

On the sidelines of negotiations over the new cabinet structure, officials are also looking at measures to cut public spending

PM designate Ilie Bolojan and President Nicusor Dan

Roxana Vasile, 29.05.2025, 14:00

Shortly after taking office as president of Romania, Nicusor Dan invited all parliamentary parties to informal talks. Talks are aimed at negotiating the structure of the future cabinet, but also at identifying swift and responsible solutions to the countrys large budget deficit. On Wednesday, at the end of over 10 hours of talks, all sides agreed that negotiations will continue with the pro-European parties also developing plans designed to curb public spending, to be assumed and implemented by the future government. For this goal, PSD, PNL and UDMR  the parties in the current ruling coalition, adding to which are USR and the group of national minorities other than Hungarian  have decided to form a technical working group, whose meetings will also be attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration. Romanias economic and financial situation is complicated and tax increases may be unavoidable  said the interim leader of PNL, Ilie Bolojan, whom Nicusor Dan nominated in the election campaign as favorite to take over as prime minister.

In general, we need a reduction in the operating expenses of the state, an analysis of each institution, where staff can be reduced, I think it is necessary to reduce the staff, eliminate the extras, any expenses that cannot be justified, so that we offer equally good services, but with a much smaller volume of expenses from the state.

The interim leader of USR, Dominic Fritz, also believes that certain bonuses need to be cut before deciding to increase the VAT.

Before we increase the VAT by one point and earn 7 billion lei from this, lets cut the radiation exposure bonus, which is 6 billion lei. And there are a few more examples of this kind. The countrys budget is the result of the political will of those who govern. And now, I think it is time to display political will, not to spend more money than we have.

As for the president of UDMR, Kelemen Hunor pleaded for a very careful analysis of future economic recovery measures:

The first challenge is to bring in additional revenues this year, almost 30 billion, if we want to reach a 7% deficit target. But this cannot be achieved either by increasing taxes or fees, or by cutting expenses. Just going in one direction or another would leave the budget unbalanced and generate tensions in society.

From the nationalist parliamentary opposition, only the Young Peoples Party (POT) participated in Wednesdays talks with the president, advocating cutting taxes, but also a better tax collection. AUR and S.O.S. Romania refused to respond to the presidents invitation. (VP)
Photo: Official website of the President of Ukraine

BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 28. President of the Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of May 28 - the Independence Day, Trend reports.

"I sincerely congratulate President Ilham Aliyev and the brotherly people of Azerbaijan on Independence Day.

The strength of your traditions, dignity, unity, and deep respect for all generations, who have shaped the country and defended its independence, truly inspiring. Ukraine stands with you.

Wishing Azerbaijan peace, continued development, and prosperity," the letter reads.
The White House has lambasted Democratic party leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her calls for abolishing ICE, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The 36 year old New York Rep. renewed her calls for the abolition of ICE in a campaign email published Monday.

"I believe that ICE, an agency that was just formed in 2003 during the Patriot Act era, is a rogue agency that should not exist," said AOC, as she is known, in the mail slamming her critics.

"AOC, Democrat Party leader, calls for abolishing ICE. Meanwhile, the brave men and women of ICE get dangerous criminal illegal immigrants off our streets and protect American citizens. Why does AOC want to stop that?", asked White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement published Wednesday.

While President Donald J. Trump, his administration, and the heroes of ICE work overtime to rid our country of criminal illegal immigrant killers, rapists, and gangbangers, top Democrats are doubling down on their call to eliminate the agency responsible for getting these animals off our streets, she added.

"Where is the congresswoman's concern for her fellow New Yorkers who have been brutally killed, maimed, and raped by criminal illegal immigrants allowed to roam free due to New York's so-called "sanctuary" policies?," Jackson said.

The spokesperson published the pictures of some of the criminal illegals arrested by ICE in New York recently.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Russian drone attacks against civilians in the Kherson region of Ukraine constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, independent UN-appointed human rights investigators concluded in a new report published on Wednesday.

"Russian armed forces have committed the crimes against humanity of murder and the war crimes of attacking civilians, through a months-long pattern of drone attacks targeting civilians on the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Province," the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said.

Attacks have been carried out since July 2024 in Kherson city and 16 localities stretching over more than 100 kilometers in riverfront areas under Ukrainian Government control.

They are ongoing and nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more injured so far, according to official sources.

"The recurrence of these attacks for over 10 months, against multiple civilian targets and in a wide geographic area, demonstrates that they are widespread and systematic and have been planned and organised, requiring the mobilization and allocation of necessary resources," the report said.

The Commission said it prepared the report after examining more than 300 publicly available videos of attacks and 600 text posts on Telegram channels and identified victims and interviewing residents from affected areas.

Most victims were men, but women and children also were affected, the report said.

Russian forces mostly used civilian drones that are widely commercially available, which were then modified.

"The weaponized versions of these drones allow their operators, via an embedded camera, to remotely track, aim, and drop explosives on targets. They can return to their point of origin to be reused," the report stated.

"The recurrent drone attacks, the widely disseminated videos showing them, and numerous posts explicitly exhorting the population to leave suggest a coordinated state policy, on the part of the Russian authorities, to force the population of Kherson Province to leave the area," according to investigators.

They concluded Russian forces may have committed the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth left Washington for Singapore to attend an annual Asian security summit and meet with an assortment of defense counterparts, the Pentagon announced.

"We're going out to Singapore to hold a series of meetings to ensure that region understands America will be strong," Hegseth told reporters prior to boarding his flight at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

As part of his second official trip to the Indo-Pacific region, Hegseth is scheduled to deliver plenary remarks Saturday at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue.

The three-day event is described as a "premier defense summit" where regional defense ministers "debate the region's most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh approaches together," according to the event's official website.

During his remarks, Hegseth is expected to outline the Defense Department's vision for the Indo-Pacific region while underscoring how vital the region is to U.S. interests, the Department of Defense said in a press release.

As part of that vision, the secretary will discuss the threat that China poses to the region and how the United States is prepared to deal with that threat.

In line with that, Hegseth is expected to use his remarks to highlight the ways the U.S. is reestablishing deterrence in the region.

"We seek no conflict with anybody, including the communist Chinese," Hegseth told reporters. "But we will deter.  We will stand strong for our interests; and that's a big part of what this trip is all about."

Along with delivering remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth is also slated to meet with Singapore's prime minister and other senior officials from the nation state.

Additionally, he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with the Philippine Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro. This will be the second meeting between the two senior defense officials, as Hegseth traveled to the Philippines in late March of this year during his first trip to the region.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Honda added two new electric models to its portfolio with the QC1 and Activa e set to compete with others in its segment

Honda Motorcycle Scooter India (HMSI) started off the new financial year on a lower note. Sales in India dipped by 12.25% to 4,22,123 units, down from 4,81,046 units sold in April 2024. This related to a 58,923 unit decline in volumes. Despite the drop in sales, HMSI maintained its position as the best-selling two-wheeler manufacturer in India, while Hero slipped to third place, behind Honda and TVS Motor.

Honda has recently introduced several new models. On 23th May 2025, the company launched CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP, thus expanding their its premium and high-performance motorcycle portfolio. Earlier this month, the X-ADV adventure scooter marked its presence into markets while there was also the Honda Rebel 500 Cruiser that steered its way into the country to be sold via exclusive BigWing Topline dealerships.

Honda 2W Sales Breakup April 2025

Honda Activa scooter once again topped sales charts. Sales stood at 1,94,787 units, down 25.17% from 2,60,300 unit sales of April 2024. Honda Activa was also the best-selling scooter and 2nd best-selling two wheeler in India after the Splendor.

Sales improved YoY by 23.19% for the Shine 125+SP125 to 1,49,475 units. This was a volume increase of 28,137 units over 1,21,338 unit sales of April 2024. Honda Unicorn has posted a marginal YoY growth in sales by 0.49% to 26,017 units, up from 25,889 unit sales in the same month last year.

Honda Dio, Shine 100 and Livo along with the SP160, each suffered YoY de-growth. Dio sales dipped 11.33% to 20,555 units while Shine 100 sales were down by 9.25% to 19,433 units. Livo saw a 38.80% YoY de-growth to 4,400 units while SP160 sales fell by 57.15% to 3,539 units.

There was significant demand for Honda CB350. Sales of this cruiser bike increased by 29.29%, rising to 1,863 units in the past month, up from 1,441 units sold in April 2024. In contrast, sales of the Hness 350 declined by 49.78%, totaling 917 units.

Honda QC1 and Activa e  Sales April 2025

Honda QC1, an entry-level Honda electric two-wheeler, has added 808 units to total sales. Honda had opened bookings for both the QC1 and Activa e earlier this year, though in limited cities across the country. Both these electric models have been directed towards the evolving needs of Indian commuters.

Honda CB200X suffered an 11.39% YoY decline to 560 units. Hornet 2.0 too saw its sales down 78.31% to just 515 units in the past month. There had been 2,374 units of Honda 2.0 sold in April 2025. Honda Activa e, which is Battery as a Service (BaaS) model saw 32 unit sales in the past month.

The sales list also included 30 units of Honda CB300 which was a massive 91.45% YoY decline from 351 units sold in April 2024 while CB500 and XL750 reported 0 unit sales.
Renault has been upping its game in the Indian automotive market. The company recently launched CNG retrofit kits on all of its vehicles for Rs 74,999, reaffirming its stance on green mobility. Now, we can see a much greener vehicle testing in India in the form of Kwid EV spied on top of a flatbed truck.

This is not the first time a Renault Kwid EV is spied testing in India. We saw one last year testing in India around August 2024 and it was a Dacia version which is sold as Spring EV. When launched in India, it will bear a Renault logo, similar to what the company did with Duster SUV, which is not launching in India in 2025.

Renault Kwid EV Spied

At the lower end of Indias electric car segment, we have offerings like MG Comet EV and Tata Tiago EV. Where Comet EV is priced at Rs 7.36 without BaaS and Rs 4.99 lakh + Rs 2.9/km (Ex-sh) with BaaS, Tata Tiago EV is priced from Rs 7.99 lakh (Ex-sh). What if there was a new electric car without a battery rental program that costs well below 7 lakh (Ex-sh)?

That is an enticing proposition and Renault seems to be working to do just that. While the spy shots trail for Kiger EV seems to have hit a dead end, the only other road open is Kwid EV. This will be a rebadged Dacia Spring EV and it will bear a Reanult logo and even the Kwid EV name, owing to its already established brand recall.

The recent spy shots show a Renault Kwid EV test mule strapped on top of a flatbed pickup truck. If it was spied in Pune city, one could speculate that it is heading for ARAI certification. However, this particular test mule was spied near Chennai port in Tamil Nadu.

What to expect?

Notable elements seen from these spy shots include rear tail lights, rear washer and wiper, steel wheels, and what looks like a shark-fin antenna. The camouflage used restricts the visibility of finer design details. When launched in India, it is likely to bear a 26.8 kWh battery pack promising up to 220 km of range on a single charge.

Propelling this vehicle is likely to be a single electric motor with up to 64 bhp of peak power. Features-wise, we can expect a new dashboard with EV-specific features like a fully digital TFT instrument cluster to clearly show battery stats and other elements. Launch date is not confirmed and one can expect it to launch after the Duster, Kiger facelift and Triber facelift sometime in 2026.

Also read  Renault Kiger facelift spied testing

Source
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 24. Footage of President Ilham Aliyevs working visit to Lachin has been published on his social media accounts.

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Harvard elites are now trying to play the victim in their battle against President Donald Trump, but the rich snobs are proving to be the perfect foil for the White House.

This is the same university, after all, that let Elizabeth Warren fraudulently claim to be a Native American to boost their diversity numbers.

It's the same place that has stashed countless woke ex-pols and journalists on the payroll, as well as high-priced deans and faculty with take-home pay that would make Marty Meehan envious.

It's the alma mater and employer of former Gov. Deval Patrick, whose first act in the Corner Office was to install new drapes and get himself a fancy new Cadillac.

And where is Mayor Michelle Wu rumored to be going after turning Boston into Wutopia? A cushy post at Harvard, of course.

Trump has already won the optics of this fight by blocking federal grant money and moving to remove Harvard's tax exempt status, which they shouldn't have.

Now he is going after foreign students from mostly privileged backgrounds who don't have a right to be there.

This is a particularly brutal blow for Harvard, which has been relying on rich international students to fatten their coffers for decades.

And Trump is threatening to give away billions in their grants to trade schools  another master PR move to get the public on his side.

"We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.

"I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land. What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!"

This is simply too much for the Harvard snobs, who are fighting back by organizing a "Crimson Courage" webinar and in-person rally on Tuesday featuring international students and alumni speakers like Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and elitist journalist intellectuals like William Kristol and E.J. Dionne.

Maybe Healey can lecture them on how to sue Trump a hundred times and bankrupt a state on migrant hotel shelters.

"The webinar will launch Crimson Courage's outreach efforts to amplify and galvanize alumni support for Harvard's strong stand in defense of academic independence and freedom, threatened not only at Harvard, but also at higher education institutions nationwide," a press alert announcing the event said.

Let's see, pampered Harvard alumni versus tough kids from trade schools, who will win that battle?

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Joe Battenfeld

Boston Herald/(TNS)

Joe Battenfeld is a veteran Boston Herald political columnist and multimedia reporter.

Previously:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Because of their common religious, cultural, and historical roots as well as their strong and strategically important brotherly relations, Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan have been able to work together in all areas of politics, diplomacy, economics, and the military, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

Garayev noted that the recent regular meetings among the countries leaders really show that theyre on the same page and are all in when it comes to taking their cooperation to the next level.

The trilateral cooperation platform formed among Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan plays a vital role in ensuring regional stability and security while enhancing mutual economic and military ties. These countries support each other on international matters and operate from aligned political positions, he said.

This strategic proximity is seen as a model of exemplary international cooperation. The recent trilateral summit in Lachin and the statements by leaders emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in politics, economy, investment, and defense.

As President Ilham Aliyev stated, 'Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan have always championed sovereignty, territorial integrity, and justice. We once again express gratitude for the political and moral support of Turkiye and Pakistan from the first days of the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020. Azerbaijan, in turn, has always stood by Turkiye and Pakistan. Today, we once again reaffirm the unity of our peoples,' he stressed.

Also, he brought attention to potential investment opportunities.

Azerbaijan has invested over $20 billion in Turkiyes economy and is ready to invest $2 billion in Pakistans economy," he said.

According to Garayev, Turkiye is spreading its wings from a regional player to a global heavyweight, casting a long shadow on the international stage that bodes well for Azerbaijan.

Turkiyes role in NATO and regional organizations, its reconstruction support in Karabakh, infrastructure projects, and military cooperation underscore the depth of its ties with Azerbaijan, he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to Lachin for the airport opening as a sign of high-level friendship and strategic partnership. Erdogan had also attended the openings of the Fuzuli and Zangilan airports in Azerbaijan.

As Erdogan stated, Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan are three brotherly countries sharing common ideals based on mutual love, respect, trust, and a shared cultural environment. We are strengthening our unity and stand behind every step to turn it into a strategic partnership.

With a combined population of around 350 million and an economic strength of $1.5 trillion, we are steadily deepening the bonds between our nations. I want to emphasize that we fully support every step taken to transform our unity into a strategic partnership. The developments unfolding in our region increasingly highlight just how vital the solidarity among our countries truly is, he emphasized.

Garayev stressed that deepening trilateral ties and expanding joint projects are essential for further strengthening the alliance.

"This bond is a powerful force. Strengthened political support, investment, and cooperation will give these countries even greater influence across the region," he said.

Regarding Pakistan, Garayev noted that the country has solidified its position as a regional power with nuclear capabilities.

Pakistans support for Azerbaijan spans political, economic, and military domains. Azerbaijan has also stood by Pakistan in all matters, including during its recent conflict with India.

In return, Azerbaijan has backed Pakistan on every major issue, aligning itself with Islamabads stance. During the recent short-lived conflict between Pakistan and India, Azerbaijan once again reaffirmed its firm position by expressing unwavering support for Pakistan and standing by it in its just cause.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs visit to Lachin and his participation in the trilateral summit served as a clear reaffirmation of the strength of these ties. The joint actions of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan serve as a guarantee of peace and progress in the region. In his remarks, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the historic relationship among the three countries has grown stronger through their united stances on issues such as Karabakh, Kashmir, and Northern Cyprus.

Our strength lies in our solidarity and mutual respect. This is only natural, as our brotherly nationsTurkiye and Azerbaijanhave always shown strong support for us. We were deeply moved by the enthusiasm of our citizens. Referring again to the conflict with India, the Prime Ministers words reflect what is also clearly evident in daily life: the brotherhood among Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Pakistan is not limited to diplomacyit thrives among their peoples. The deep mutual affection and friendship between the citizens of these nations make an immeasurable contribution to the continued growth of their relationship," he said.

Garayev emphasized that bilateral relations among the three countries have evolved into an integrated trilateral platform.

This model marks a new phase of mutually beneficial cooperation, strategic unity, and regional integration. The trilateral summits symbolize this vision and implement real initiatives in areas like economic development, military cooperation, and diplomatic coordination.

President Ilham Aliyev enjoys deep respect and trust from the leaders of Turkiye and Pakistan, which plays a key role in reinforcing trilateral cooperation. The strong personal relationships among the leaders reflect mutual trust and shared political will. These bonds enable the successful implementation of new regional initiatives and strategic projects.

President Ilham Aliyevs leadership and vision continue to enhance Turkiye and Pakistans support for Azerbaijan. It is evident that the AzerbaijanTurkiyePakistan alliance will continue to broaden its scope of collaboration. New initiatives are already being planned in critical sectors such as energy, transportation, investment, and defense. The strong brotherly ties and strategic alignment among these three nations not only contribute to regional stability and security today but will remain a driving force for peace and development in the future," the political analyst concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occassion of May 28 - the Independence day, Trend reports.

"We are pleased to extend our sincere felicitations to Your Excellency on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

We take this opportunity to wish you happiness and good health, and the friendly people of Azerbaijan continued progress and prosperity," the letter reads.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

But it takes millions of pictures to understand the intricate chemistry of an enzyme that helps break down sulfur, commonly found in fruits, vegetables, alcohol and gasoline, into the colorless gas most noted for its distinctive odor.

Most people have witnessed -- or rather smelled -- when a protein enzyme called sulfite reductase works its magic. This enzyme catalyzes the chemical reduction of sulfite to hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is the rotten egg smell that can occur when organic matter decays and is frequently associated with sewage treatment facilities and landfills.

Beth Stroupe is a professor of biological science.

But scientists have not been able to capture a visual image of the enzyme's structure until now, thus limiting their full understanding of how it works. Florida State University Professor of Biological Science Elizabeth Stroupe and her former doctoral student Behrouz Ghazi Esfahani have solved that problem and published their work in the journal Nature Communications.

"Artificial intelligence has gotten better at predicting protein structures, but at the end of the day, it's not data," Stroupe said. "This gives us the primary knowledge we need to better understand this kind of structure."

Stroupe and Ghazi Esfahani used an advanced technique called cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the 3D structure of this enzyme. Cryo-electron microscopy allows scientists to continually capture images of chemical reactions, giving them the necessary data to visualize the structure.

To the untrained eye, protein molecules look like complicated strings of chemicals, but this clear visualization of the 3D structure allows scientists to see the exact arrangement of atoms and how electron transfer occurs.

"I think of it as an octopus with four yo-yos because the molecule is particularly flexible," Stroupe said.

This work, funded by the National Science Foundation, is essential for scientists so they can learn how to control or manipulate chemical reactions, a process that is often used by drug manufacturers or industry when they develop products with these chemicals.

"There are environmental implications too," Ghazi Esfahani said. "Some bacteria use sulfur as an energy source the way humans or other living creatures use oxygen. This allows us to understand how some of those bacteria thrive in anaerobic conditions."

This research was a big step in gaining a better understanding of how sulfite reductase works, but there are still unanswered questions about how it functions as a larger protein assembly and how similar enzymes in other organisms, like the pathogen that causes tuberculosis, which depends on sulfur to live in a human host, work. Stroupe's lab is continuing to work on that problem as well as other structural questions related to the sulfur metabolism process.
With wildfires increasing in frequency, severity, and size in the Western U.S., researchers are determined to better understand how smoke impacts air quality, public health, and even the weather. As fires burn, they release enormous amounts of aerosols -- the vaporized remains of burning trees and homes that enter the atmosphere and the air we breathe. Now, a new study dissects these aerosols and gases to pinpoint their potential effects on our health as well as the planet's short and long-term weather.

The research, published in April's issue of Environmental Science: Atmospheres, measured air quality in Reno, Nevada over a 19 month period between 2017 and 2020 to capture both smoky and clear days. During this timeframe, smoke from more than 106 wildfires impacted the city's air. DRI scientists Siying Lu and Andrey Khlystov led the research, which found increases in both fine aerosols (known as PM 2.5 for the size of the particulate matter) and carbon monoxide during smoky days. During the fire-prone late summer months analyzed during the study, wildfire smoke accounted for 56% to 65% of PM2.5 and 18% to 26% of carbon monoxide concentrations in Reno air. The results have implications for weather, cloud formation, and public health.

"We know that Reno is frequently impacted by wildfires in summer, so we wanted to compare smoky and non-smoky days and measure the impacts on local air quality," said Lu, who completed the research as part of her PhD work. "Although we focused on Reno for this study, we developed the method so that it can theoretically be applied anywhere."

The research team started on the roof of DRI's Reno campus, where they set up equipment that could measure the size of atmospheric particles. This information is important because it determines how the particles interact with both the atmosphere and the human body. Larger particles can affect our upper respiratory tract, whereas fine aerosols can travel deeper into lungs.

The researchers also collected data from a downtown Reno EPA air monitoring station that provided hourly concentrations of PM2.5, ozone, carbon monoxide, and other air pollutants. The data also provided concentrations of potassium, an element released by burning trees and other wood which can be used to confirm the presence of wildfire smoke in the air.

The team further verified when air pollution was caused by wildfire smoke by using satellite images to identify visible smoke plumes and fire location information from NASA and NOAA. With an additional tool from NOAA, they could track Reno's winds back in time to verify that they had indeed passed through a wildfire area.

Wildfire aerosols have a complicated effect on the weather. On one hand, they can act as a filter to scatter and reflect incoming sunlight, creating a cooling effect. On the other hand, they contain light-absorbing material, such as soot and brown organic compounds, that can cause warming. Larger aerosols can promote cloud formation and duration by acting as nuclei for water vapor to condense around. The data showed that smoky days contained aerosols that are likely to act as cloud nuclei at concentrations up to 13 times higher than average.

"We figured out that the size of particles is quite distinct during fires from a normal day in Reno, which has implications for cloud formation and how sunlight scatters, as well as public health," said Khlystov, Research Professor of Chemistry at DRI.

The study also found carbon monoxide present in higher concentrations during smoky days. Breathing high concentrations of carbon monoxide can reduce the ability of blood to carry oxygen to your brain and other organs.

In contrast, concentrations of nitrogen oxides and ozone were present in Reno's air at similar levels during both smoky and average days. They attribute this to their release by vehicle traffic and chemical reactions induced by sunlight.

"Our research offers one of the most comprehensive looks at how wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in the Western U.S.," Lu said.

Lu is working on a machine-learning program to facilitate this kind of air quality research by automating the ability to identify when wildfire smoke is present in the air. This could potentially be used to build an automated app that can identify real-time smoke impacts by location and facilitate air quality research and public health messaging.
As fast as modern electronics have become, they could be much faster if their operations were based on light, rather than electricity. Fiber optic cables already transport information at the speed of light; to do computations on that information without translating it back to electric signals will require a host of new optical components.

Engineering researchers at the University of Utah have now developed such a device -- one that can be adjusted on the fly to give light different degrees of circular polarization. Because information can be stored in a property of light known as chirality, the researchers' device could serve as a multifunctional, reconfigurable component of an optical computing system.

Led by Weilu Gao, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Jichao Fan, a Ph.D. candidate in his lab at the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, a study demonstrating the device was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Chiral light refers to electromagnetic waves that exhibit handedness; they can be either left-handed or right-handed. This "handedness" arises from the rotation of the magnetic fields as the light propagates, creating a spiral structure.

"Traditional chiral optics were like carved stone -- beautiful but frozen," Gao said. "This made them not useful for applications requiring real-time control, like reconfigurable optical computing or adaptive sensors."

"We've created 'living' optical matter that evolves with electrical pulses," Fan said, "thanks to our aligned-carbon-nanotube-phase-change-material heterostructure that merges light manipulation and memory into a single scalable platform."

This "heterostructure" consists of a stack of multiple different thin films, including a collection of aligned carbon nanotubes with different orientations. Other films in the stack consist of germanium-antimony-tellurium, a well-known "phase-change material" or PCM. An electrical pulse along the carbon nanotube layer introduces heat, which in turn causes the PCM layer's internal structure to transition from amorphous to crystalline.

"The carbon nanotubes simultaneously act as chiral optical elements and transparent electrodes for PCM switching -- eliminating the need for separate control components," Fan said.

Critically, this change modifies the heterostructure's circular dichroism, which means it can be made to absorb different types of circularly polarized light at different strengths. The research team's advances in manufacturing techniques and artificial-intelligence-assisted design enabled these layers to be assembled into a stacked heterostructure without degrading their individual optical properties.

Once assembled, the layers selectively reduce the amount of left- or right-circularly polarized light that passes through them, depending on the state of the PCM layer. And because that phase change can be initiated by an electrical pulse, the structure's overall circular dichroism can be adjusted in real-time.

The researchers were able to achieve this on the wafer-scale, because of the scalable manufacturing of aligned carbon nanotubes and phase-change-material films.

Being able to modify the device's circular dichroism gives researchers fine-grained control over which direction circularly polarized light twists, meaning its "handedness" can be used as memory in an optical circuit. In addition to light's speed advantage over electricity, there are additional properties of light in which information can be stored in parallel.

"By adding circular dichroism as an independent parameter, we create an orthogonal information channel," Gao said. "Adjusting it does not interfere with other properties like amplitude or wavelength."

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation through Grants No. 2230727, No. 2235276, No. 2316627 and No. 2321366.
Many bat species native to Germany, such as the Leisler's bat, are forest specialists. However, as it is becoming increasingly hard for them to find tree hollows in forest plantations, so they are moving to settlements instead. Using high-resolution GPS data from bats, a team led by scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) has analysed in greater detail than ever before how Leisler's bats use their habitats, which tree species they look for when searching a roost, and which forest types they avoid. They found that these bats increasingly seek refuge in old trees in urban areas and in old buildings such as churches. In an article published in the "Journal of Environmental Management," the team calls for stronger efforts to preserve these alternative roosts in settlements, as well as for ecologically sustainable forestry that protects old trees and promotes structurally rich forests.

With more than 1,400 species worldwide, bats are an enormously species-rich group of mammals. Many native species in Germany and Central Europe, such as the Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri), are classic forest dwellers that depend on tree hollows and structurally rich forests. In their study, the research team demonstrates how today's forestry is altering the habitat of these animals and highlights the importance of targeted measures to preserve their roosts. Leisler's bats are increasingly having to switch to daytime roosts in villages, as old trees with suitable cavities for roosting are getting rarer in forest plantations. They therefore seek shelter in the walls of old village churches and in old trees in residential areas, parks, and along lanes.

European forests have been intensively managed for a long time, which has had a detrimental effect on many specialised species, such as Leisler's bats. Professor Christian Voigt, from the Leibniz-IZW and the University of Potsdam, explains the new study in the east of Germany: 'We wanted to know how Leisler's bats, which are typical forest dwellers, respond to the intensification of forest management. This European species of bat is dependent on diverse deciduous forests with many old trees bearing woodpecker holes. This kind of habitat has become hard to find in the monotonous pine plantations of the study area." Although Leisler's bats are relatively abundant in Germany, their exact population size is unknown.

Oak forests favoured -- spruce forests avoided: first detailed insights into the habitat use of the Leisler's bat

For the study, the team fitted 32 adult Leisler's bats in the German state of Brandenburg with miniature GPS loggers. These loggers generated detailed movement data, describing where the bats forage, where they rest during the day and which corridors they use for commuting. "Thanks to the high resolution of bat movement data, we were able to compare these with high-resolution landscape data for the first time, enabling us to carry out analyses at the level of individual forest tree species and small-scale structures such as copses, hedges or rows of trees," explains wildlife biologist Dr Carolin Scholz from the Leibniz-IZW. 'Such detailed insight into the habitat selection of the Leisler's bat was previously unavailable. However, this information is crucial to better consider the ecological requirements of the species in the future.'

The team's analysis clearly shows that Leisler's bats favour structurally rich oak forests as a habitat, while certain coniferous forests including those dominated by spruce forests were largely avoided. Old trees, especially oaks, are a key habitat for Leisler's bats. Interestingly, the data also shows that Leisler's bats regularly roost in residential areas. Bat expert Dipl.-Biol. Uwe Hoffmeister from the natura Buro fur zoologische und botanische Fachgutachten (office for zoological and botanical consulting) explains: "With the help of GPS telemetry, we were able to show that, Leisler's bats are increasingly exploring village centres and historic buildings such as churches, although they prefer forests as their natural habitat. We suspect that this is a response to the lack of suitable daytime roosts in managed forests -- Leisler's bats are probably forced to switch to alternative habitats in settlements because they have lost their original roosts in the forest."

Sustainable forestry and preservation of old trees also necessary in residential areas

According to the authors, it is key to protect alternative roosting sites for bats and to develop an ecologically sustainable forestry practice that promotes old trees and structurally rich deciduous and mixed forests. According to the authors, this is the only way that forest bats such as the Leisler's bat can survive in managed forests in the long term. Measures such as targeted, careful timber extraction and longer growth periods before harvesting can significantly increase structural diversity without fundamentally jeopardising the economic benefits of forestry. Furthermore, urban green spaces should be recognised as refuges for wildlife, such as bats. "Old and hollow-rich trees should be protected not only in forest plantations, but also in urban areas for species such as the Leisler's bats," concludes Voigt.

Wind turbines in the forest as an additional threat

As Leisler's bats are frequently die at wind turbines, expanding the use of wind energy in forests could negatively impact this species' population growth. Wind turbines even appear to attract Leisler's bats. Voigt explains: 'At dusk, the bats may mistake the turbines' silhouettes for large trees and fly towards them in search of roosts. The risk of collision could increase notably, as the bats fly at a height at which the turbines' rotor blades spin." It is therefore urgent that we consider the habitat requirements and the movement behaviour of this highly mobile species. This study provides data that will enable foresters, landscape ecologists, and nature conservation authorities to implement effective protection measures for the bats. For example, new wind turbines should not be erected near structurally rich deciduous forests or next to bat roosts.
A new study in Nature describes both the mechanism and the material conditions necessary for superfluorescence at room temperature. The work could serve as a blueprint for designing materials that allow exotic quantum states -- such as superconductivity, superfluidity or superfluorescence -- at high temperatures, paving the way for applications such as quantum computers that don't require extremely low temperatures to operate.

The international team that did the work was led by North Carolina State University and included researchers from Duke University, Boston University and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris.

"In this work, we show both experimental and theoretical reasons behind macroscopic quantum coherence at high temperature," says Kenan Gundogdu, professor of physics at NC State and corresponding author of the study. "In other words, we can finally explain how and why some materials will work better than others in applications that require exotic quantum states at ambient temperatures."

Picture a school of fish swimming in unison or the synchronized flashing of fireflies -- examples of collective behavior in nature. When similar collective behavior happens in the quantum world -- a phenomenon known as macroscopic quantum phase transition -- it leads to exotic processes such as superconductivity, superfluidity, or superfluorescence. In all these processes a group of quantum particles forms a macroscopically coherent system that acts like a giant quantum particle.

However, quantum phase transitions normally require super cold, or cryogenic, conditions to occur. This is because higher temperatures create thermal "noise" that disrupts the synchronization and prevents the phase transition.

In a previous study, Gundogdu and colleagues had determined that the atomic structure of some hybrid perovskites protected the groups of quantum particles from the thermal noise long enough for the phase transition to occur. In these materials, large polarons -- groups of atoms bound to electrons -- formed, insulating light emitting dipoles from thermal interference and allowing superfluorescence.

In the new study, the researchers found out how the insulating effect works. When they used a laser to excite the electrons within the hybrid perovskite they studied, they saw large groups of polarons coming together. This grouping is called a soliton.

"Picture the atomic lattice as a fine cloth stretched between two points," Gundogdu says. "If you place solid balls -- which represent excitons -- on the cloth, each ball deforms the cloth locally. To get an exotic state like superfluorescence you need all the excitons, or balls, to form a coherent group and interact with the lattice as a unit, but at high temperatures thermal noise prevents this.

"The ball and its local deformation together form a polaron," Gundogdu continues. "When these polarons transition from a random distribution to an ordered formation in the lattice, they make a soliton, or coherent unit. The soliton formation process dampens the thermal disturbances, which otherwise impede quantum effects."

"A soliton only forms when there is enough density of polarons excited in the material," says Mustafa Ture, NC State Ph.D. student and co-first author of the paper. "Our theory shows that if the density of polarons is low, the system has only free incoherent polarons, whereas beyond a threshold density, polarons evolve into solitons."

"In our experiments we directly measured the evolution of a group of polarons from an incoherent uncorrelated phase to an ordered phase," adds Melike Biliroglu, postdoctoral researcher at NC State and co-first author of the work. "This is one of the first direct observations of macroscopic quantum state formation."

To confirm that the soliton formation suppresses the detrimental effects of temperature, the group worked with Volker Blum, the Rooney Family Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke, to calculate the lattice oscillations responsible for thermal interference. They also collaborated with Vasily Temnov, professor of physics at CNRS and Ecole Polytechnique, to simulate the recombination dynamics of the soliton in the presence of thermal noise. Their work confirmed the experimental results and verified the intrinsic coherence of the soliton.

The work represents a leap forward in understanding both how and why certain hybrid perovskites are able to exhibit exotic quantum states.

"Prior to this work it wasn't clear if there was a mechanism behind high temperature quantum effects in these materials," says Franky So, co-author of the paper and the Walter and Ida Freeman Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State.

"This work shows a quantitative theory and backs it up with experimental results," Gundogdu says. "Macroscopic quantum effects such as superconductivity are key to all the quantum technologies we are pursuing -- quantum communication, cryptology, sensing and computation -- and all of them are currently limited by the need for low temperatures. But now that we understand the theory, we have guidelines for designing new quantum materials that can function at high temperatures, which is a huge step forward."

The work is supported by the Department of Energy, Office of Science (grant no. DE-SC0024396). Researchers Xixi Qin, and Uthpala Herath from Duke University; Anna Swan from Boston University; and Antonia Ghita from the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, also contributed to the work.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. On May 28, in a vibrant tribute to Azerbaijans Independence Day, the nations flag was proudly hoisted before the Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.

The ceremony was jointly organized by the "Vatan" Azerbaijani Art and Culture Center and the Canadian Azerbaijani House.

The event brought together members of the Azerbaijani community from Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and other cities, as well as leaders and activists of diaspora organizations. Also in attendance were Azerbaijans Charge dAffaires in Canada, Vasif Abutalibov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Canada, Can Dizdar, and Canadas first Turkish-origin Member of Parliament, Sima Acan.

Sevinc Guliyeva from the Canadian Azerbaijani House, MP Sima Acan, Ambassador Can Dizdar, and Charge dAffaires Vasif Abutalibov congratulated the Azerbaijani people on this important day, reflecting on the nations journey to independence and the significance of the occasion.

The gathering showcased a vibrant tapestry of cultural expression, woven together by the rhythmic movements of traditional Azerbaijani dances and the pulsating beats of drum performances, all brought to life by the talented students of the My Azerbaijan weekend school. Students from the Karabakh Azerbaijani Language School in Ottawa passionately delivered verses that echoed their love for their homeland.

Initiated in 2023, the Canadian Azerbaijani House is strategically positioned to advocate for the safeguarding and acknowledgment of Azerbaijani cultural heritage, historical narratives, and national ethos on an international platform.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Dear Ilham Heydarovich,

On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and myself, I sincerely congratulate you and the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Independence Day.

It is gratifying that independent Azerbaijan has achieved significant success and, effectively addressing both domestic and foreign issues, today holds a prominent position and enjoys great authority on the international stage.

Brotherhood and strategic partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are developing on the basis of close friendship and mutual respect. I am deeply convinced that cooperation between our countries will continue to grow successfully for the benefit of our two brotherly peoples.

Dear Ilham Heydarovich, I wish you good health and well-being, and to the people of the brotherly Republic of Azerbaijan  peace and prosperity," the letter reads.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Your Excellency,

On behalf of the people of Finland and myself, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 107th Independence Day of Azerbaijan.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration," the letter reads.

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South Dakota Mines is celebrating academic excellence this spring, honoring 763 high-achieving students for their hard work and dedication. A total of 653 students earned a place on the Spring 2025 Dean's List, and 110 students were recognized on the Academic Recognition List.

The Deans List recognition is for full-time students while the Academic Recognition List is for part-time students.

"We often get to celebrate the success our students achieve during their time at South Dakota Mines, but the Dean's and Academic Recognition List are especially remarkable. The excellent grades these students earned while wrestling with a rigorous curriculum exceed all expectations of science and engineering students, said Dr. Joe Dlugos, Mines dean of students. Beyond congratulating these students, it is also important to thank the faculty for inspiring them, the staff for supporting them, and their family and friends for being with them every step of the way. Whether students on this list are graduating or returning for more academic success at South Dakota Mines next semester, we can't wait to see the impact they will continue to have."

To merit a spot on the Deans List, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for the semester. Full-time students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours for the term. To earn a place on the Academic Recognition List, part-time students must have earned between three and 11 credit hours that term in addition to a 3.5 GPA.

To view the Spring 2025 Deans List, click here. To view the Spring 2025 Academic Recognition List, click here. Students are listed by their hometowns.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Victim Vugar Sultanli, testifying at the ongoing trial at the Baku Military Court, stated that during the Tovuz battles, Azerbaijani officers - Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev, and others - were martyred on July 14, 2020, as a result of an enemy shell attack by the Armenian armed forces, Trend reports.

Sultanli, who was injured during their evacuation, highlighted the severe challenges faced in the process. I would like to particularly emphasize that enemy artillery deliberately targeted our ambulances and medical personnel. This is prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime, he said.

During the evacuation of not only our martyrs but also our wounded servicemen, all roads were under continuous artillery and mortar fire from the enemy. Two of our ambulances were disabled. In this incident, paramedic Ilgar Zeynalli (a military doctor  ed.) was killed, and our driver along with two other paramedics were injured, he added.

The trial is part of ongoing legal proceedings against Armenian nationals charged with crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, acts of terrorism, the planning and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, the forcible seizure and retention of power, and the financing of terrorism - among other offenses related to Armenias military aggression.

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It said the shares have returned 32% year-to-date and it now only sees 13% total return potential, hence the downgrade.

The bank said Phoenixs new chief financial officer addressed its key issue - falling shareholders equity - with full year results.

"He provided confidence that the dividend was sustainable and will grow progressively. But the yield no longer stands out versus peers," it said.

It said Phoenixs 8.5% 2025E dividend yield remains attractive and the third highest dividend yield in the FTSE 100 and that with 2.5% per annum growth ahead, Phoenix retains appeal.

"However, this yield must be seen in the context of a UK 10-year bond yield at 4.7%. The yield spread over the sovereign yield of 3.8% is in the bottom-half of European insurers. Phoenixs yield is also only the third highest in UK Life insurance and only around the same level as Aviva pro-forma for its Direct Line Group (DLG) acquisition if buybacks are also included."

BofA said Phoenixs declining shareholders equity remains a concern for it, even after these concerns were addressed by the new CFO.

"Shareholders equity is still set to decline until 2027E," it said. "The stock trades on 8.6x 2026E shareholders equity, and even 1.8x 2026E total comprehensive equity. These multiples may raise concerns for some investors, even if the concerns are driven by accounting rather than economics."

The bank said that any increases in UK 10-15 year bond yields could further exacerbate concerns.

"Phoenixs new business growth has been phenomenal since the acquisition of Standard Life (SL) in 2018," it noted.

"Phoenix has grown from zero new business franchise to one of the fastest rates of contractual service margin (CSM) growth in the sector (6.7% CAGR 2024-27E). We expect growth to slightly slow but remain above sector average."

It added that potential rebranding of the group to Standard Life, as reported in the Financial Times, may help affirm perception that this is a growth company, but it thinks growth in shareholders equity will also be required to build this confidence.

At 0930 BST, the shares were down 3% at 623p.
London stocks were set to jump at the open on Thursday after the US Court of International Trade blocked Donald Trump from imposing sweeping global tariffs.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around 80 points higher.

Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, said: "The court found that Trump wrongfully invoked emergency laws without an actual emergency. Yes, the exploding US debt is a real issue - but slapping tariffs on everyone isnt the answer.

"The court gave the Trump administration 10 days to effectuate the order but did not specify how the tariffs should be unwound. The whole thing felt like four-year-olds were playing in a room and an adult finally stepped in to stop the chaos.

"Markets responded positively. The CSI 300 is up for the first time in six sessions, the Nikkei is up more than 1%, futures are higher, oil is rising: US crude is now testing the critical 50-DMA resistance, which has held since April 2 = the day the absurd (and now potentially illegal) tariffs were announced and could break it if they cant be maintained."

Investors will also be reacting to the latest results from Nvidia, which were released after the close on Wednesday and sent the shares up nearly 5% in after-hours trading.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said: "Nvidias done it again. They delivered another monster earnings report for the first quarter of this year. Revenues were an enormous $44.06bn of revenue for last quarter, beating estimates of $43.2bn, earnings per share also beat estimates at $0.96, vs. $0.93.

"Net income was slightly below expectations at $19.89bn, however, Nvidia is the ultimate growth company, risk sentiment has jumped in post market trading, so this has been well tolerated by the market."

In UK corporate news, Auto Trader delivered a confident outlook alongside its annual results, with record numbers of both buyers and sellers using the new and used car platform.

The company reported that group revenues rose 5% to 601.1m over the 12 months to 31 March, as 7% growth at the core Auto Trader platform to 564.8m outweighed a 12% decline in sales at the van-leasing division Autorama to 36.3m.

Group operating profits rose 8% to 376.8m.

"Despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties, the UK car market is in good health and we continue to deliver against our strategy to improve car buying and retailing," said chief executive Nathan Coe.

Hiscox announced the appointment of Peter Clarke as chair designate with effect from 1 June, subject to regulatory approval.

He will formally succeed Colin Keogh as chair on 1 July.

It said Clarke will bring extensive executive and non-executive experience across FTSE-listed financial services firms, including previous roles as CEO of Man Group and chair of Lancashire Insurance Holdings.

Ten-pin operator Hollywood bowl held annual guidance after posting a rise in core first-half earnings despite headwinds from a rare sunny UK spring.

The company said EBITDA rose 2.9% to 49.7m. On an adjusted pre-tax basis earnings were down 9.4% to 49.7m.

"The recent warm and dry weather - marking the driest spring in over a century - has had a short-term impact on trading over that period. In response, we have proactively managed margins and costs, maintaining strong operational performance, which remains at historically high levels," Hollywood Bowl said.
Shares in Auto Trader tanked on Thursday despite the new and used car platform delivering a confident outlook alongside its annual results, with the stock pulling back after a strong surge since the start of April.

The company, which continues to deal with supply constraints as cars sell faster than at any time over recent years, reported that group revenues rose 5% to 601.1m over the 12 months to 31 March.

Results were driven by 7% growth at the core Auto Trader platform to 564.8m, which outweighed a 12% decline in sales at the van-leasing division Autorama to 36.3m.

Group operating profits rose 8% to 376.8m, supported by an increase in group operating profit margins to 63% from 61% the year before.

"Despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties, the UK car market is in good health and we continue to deliver against our strategy to improve car buying and retailing," said chief executive Nathan Coe.

Despite the confident outlook, the stock was down 12% at 793.6p by 0842 BST, having surged by nearly 30% over the past seven weeks.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said Auto Trader's results were "middle of the road" by historic standards, which could be the reason for Thursday's sharp share price fall.

"The challenges to the stock supply have not yet been addressed and in addition, the Financial Conduct Authoritys investigation into motor finance practices is something of an overhang on the stock," he said.

Regarding trade tariffs, Auto Trader said that while the duties will likely impact OEMs, the effect on the UK auto industry could be "favourable" if manufacturers see the country as an increasingly attractive location to sell new cars.

Nevertheless, the company said it continues to see "strong levels of demand" for used cars, with a record number of cross-platform visits and minutes spent on Auto Trader.

Meanwhile, the recent UK-US trade deal and the government's plans to soften the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate mean that new car registration volumes should be "well supported over the next two to three years", it said.

"We remain confident in the outlook for the business given our strong market position, the value we deliver for customers, and our unique data and technology capabilities," Coe added.
Gold and silver miner Fresnillo could have to pay out $630m to a Mexican community in a long-running mining dispute, it was reported on Thursday.

According to The Times, an independent review settled on the sum in January, although Fresnillo - which is disputing the amount - has yet to detail the reports findings in shareholder disclosures.

The blue chip halted operations at the Soledad-Dipolos open-pit gold mine in 2013, when a court ordered it to vacate the area in Sonora, north west Mexico.

It ruled that Fresnillo had illegally mined for gold on land that belonged to a local community, and that the gold should either be returned or the value of it paid to the people who live in the area.

The review was commissioned to establish the value of the mined gold.

According to The Times, the report has concluded that the land was granted to an agrarian community called El Bajio. It also set the value of the gold at more than $630m.

The report has been seen by both the Times and investigative journalism group SourceMaterial.

Fresnillio, which has long denied accusations of any wrongdoing or illegal activities at Soledad-Dipolos, is challenging the review, however.

The Times said chief executive Octavio Alvidrez told attendees at last weeks annual general meeting that the expert opinion containing the valuation was "grossly deficient in technical and legal aspects".

He also noted the report was not a court document and was instead "merely an opinion that should aid the court".

The Times added that a hearing was due to start on Thursday to discuss the settlement.

Fresnillo, which is headquartered in Mexico and listed in London, did not immediate respond to a request to comment.
Shares in Auto Trader tanked despite the new and used car platform delivering a confident outlook alongside its annual results, with the stock pulling back after a strong surge since the start of April.

It said group revenues rose 5% to 601.1m over the 12 months to 31 March, as 7% growth at the core Auto Trader platform to 564.8m outweighed a 12% decline in sales at the van-leasing division Autorama to 36.3m. Group operating profits rose 8% to 376.8m.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: "A strong recent run in the share price has led to some significant investor displeasure at the open, given that the results were no more than in line with estimates and with the outlook containing few positive surprises."

Utilities, which are bond proxies, were under the cosh, with National Grid and Severn Trent among the worst performers.

Elsewhere, Phoenix Group lost ground as Bank of America Merrill Lynch downgraded the stock to neutral form buy.

It said the shares have returned 32% year-to-date and it now only sees 13% total return potential, hence the downgrade.

The bank said Phoenixs new chief financial officer addressed its key issue - falling shareholders equity - with full year results.

"He provided confidence that the dividend was sustainable and will grow progressively. But the yield no longer stands out versus peers," it said.

It said Phoenixs 8.5% 2025E dividend yield remains attractive and the third highest dividend yield in the FTSE 100 and that with 2.5% per annum growth ahead, Phoenix retains appeal.

"However, this yield must be seen in the context of a UK 10-year bond yield at 4.7%. The yield spread over the sovereign yield of 3.8% is in the bottom-half of European insurers. Phoenixs yield is also only the third highest in UK Life insurance and only around the same level as Aviva pro-forma for its Direct Line Group (DLG) acquisition if buybacks are also included."

FTSE 100 - Risers

easyJet (EZJ) 578.00p 2.96%

SEGRO (SGRO) 689.80p 2.47%

Glencore (GLEN) 278.70p 2.44%

Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (PSH) 4,040.00p 2.18%

Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,164.50p 2.15%

Prudential (PRU) 849.20p 1.92%

Convatec Group (CTEC) 287.20p 1.92%

Legal & General Group (LGEN) 247.10p 1.85%

Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 119.80p 1.74%

Persimmon (PSN) 1,336.00p 1.60%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 808.60p -10.16%

National Grid (NG.) 1,033.50p -3.55%

Relx plc (REL) 3,955.00p -2.78%

Severn Trent (SVT) 2,659.00p -2.31%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,866.00p -1.78%

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 375.40p -1.50%

Kingfisher (KGF) 281.50p -1.33%

Phoenix Group Holdings (PHNX) 634.00p -1.32%

Intertek Group (ITRK) 4,746.00p -1.29%

Rightmove (RMV) 752.20p -1.23%
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. China and Azerbaijan are entering a new era in their strategic partnership, said Lu Mei, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Speaking at an event at the Heydar Aliyev Center marking the official start of her diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan, Lu Mei noted that relations between China and Azerbaijan are rapidly expanding in all areas and that the recent state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to China marked the beginning of a historic new phase in bilateral cooperation.

"China and Azerbaijan signed a joint declaration on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, which has opened a new page in the history of our relations," the ambassador said.

Lu Mei emphasized that particular attention will be paid to cultural exchange, the development of trade and economic ties, and joint projects in high technology and digital transformation.

"I am committed to actively promoting the friendship between China and Azerbaijan, becoming a sincere bridge between our peoples, and a reliable partner in strengthening practical cooperation," the ambassador added.

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photo: Angela Lewis

Randy Boyagoda is the author of Original Prin (Biblioasis) and is one of Canada's funniest and most provocative writers. He is a regular presence on CBC Radio, and his last novel, Beggar's Feast, was selected as a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize. His first novel, Governor of the Northern Province, was nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Born to Sri Lankan parents in Oshawa, Ont., he lives in Toronto with his wife and four children. He is a professor of English at the University of Toronto, where he is also principal of St. Michael's College.

On your nightstand now:

A Weekend in New York by Benjamin Markovits (because he gives us family life from one among many perspectives, many times over); Adam Buenosayres by Leopoldo Marechal (because who doesn't love a modernist Argentine epic with Dantean themes?); Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts (because it's rare to find a book this comprehensive and astute that's written by a biographer who actually admires his subject); and the Bible (because).

Favorite book when you were a child:

Enid Blyton mysteries, which I thought were set in Sri Lanka, as I explain in this essay for the Paris Review.

Your top five authors:

William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, Elena Ferrante, George Eliot, Dante.

Book you've faked reading:

I am presently serving on a literary prize jury. I cannot answer this question.

Book you're an evangelist for:

Because I assume I'd be preaching to the choir if I chose Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet, I will evangelize for Laurus by Eugene Vodolazkin. I was converted to it by a great bookseller and book evangelist named Warren Farha, of Eighth Day Books in Wichita, Kan. This is a novel set in the Russian middle ages that features an itinerant healer as the main character. The novel evokes a time and life far removed from ours in ways that take seriously and sincerely the beliefs and ideas of the protagonist and manage to forge identifications across centuries and continents that you'd never expect. What more could you ask of a novel?

Book you've bought for the cover:

Complete Stories by Clarice Lispector. It's cool.

Book you hid from your parents:

I hid Portnoy's Complaint from my mother-in-law one Christmas in Milwaukee. She likes to pick up books and make small talk about whatever she notices when she flips through. Can you imagine?

Book that changed your life:

Dante's Divine Comedy continues to change my life, every day. This is the case whether or not I read a canto every morning, as I have been trying to do for three years now.

Favorite line from a book:

The opening and closing sentences of St. John's Gospel.

Five books you'll never part with:

Divine Comedy, The Satanic Verses, The White Album, The Riverside Shakespeare, Absalom, Absalom! I know the Shakespeare pick is a workaround, but that's my biblio-life-hack for this question. As to the others, they are distinct enough from each other and, in their way, capacious enough within their pages, to sustain re-reading after re-reading.

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

The Hardy Boys book I lost when I was a boy, before I finished it! It had a greenish, demonish face on the cover. I've looked and looked and never found it. Readers, help!

Why you began your new novel, Original Prin, with the sentence "Eight months before he became a suicide bomber, Prin went to the zoo with his family":

Because it's true! And the great joy of a writer, and a reader, is to figure out how! Happy reading, America.
James Patterson

(photo: Emilio Guede)

Mention the name James Patterson to readers, and it's likely to bring to mind his more than 30 Alex Cross detective novels or perhaps his collaborations with celebrities like Bill Clinton. It's almost certain that no one will connect him with the subject of fatherhood. And yet, that's exactly the topic Patterson has chosen to tackle in The #1 Dad Book: Be the Best Dad You Can be--In 1 Hour! (Little, Brown; reviewed in this issue).

Patterson spoke with Shelf Awareness about the book, via Zoom, from his office in the home in Palm Beach, Fla., where he lives with his wife, Susan. They're the parents of a 27-year-old son, Jack, who works as an investment banker in New York City. "He's doing stuff that he likes," Patterson offers, "and that's a good thing."

Patterson was open and enthusiastic as he discussed the reasons for undertaking a project that seems like such a dramatic departure from his previous work. At 78, and with sales of more than 425 million books to his credit, he says a quote from the writer George Saunders has been motivating him in recent years, as he currently finds himself engaged in some 31 projects: "My time here is short. What can I do most beautifully?"

As for the specific urge behind writing a book of fatherly advice, Patterson identified what he perceives as both a widespread, serious problem and an opportunity to address it:

"You just look around and see so many lost, overwhelmed, angry, unmoored, vulnerable guys. And it's not a good thing. It's not a good thing for their families, it's not a good thing for the country, it's not a good thing for everybody. And it just seemed to me that there were things that they could think about and that they tend not to talk to one another about being fathers. For whatever reason they just don't feel comfortable talking about their families."

As he revealed in his 2022 memoir, James Patterson: The Stories of My Life, Patterson's own father, Charles Patterson, "was a quiet but tough man who came from tough times and from a tough river town." The elder Patterson grew up in a basement room in the poorhouse in Newburgh, N.Y., where his mother worked as a charwoman, and never met his own father. "They weren't homeless," Patterson writes, "but they were damn close."

When it comes to reflecting on how that background affected his own upbringing, Patterson--who didn't become a father until he was 51--readily extends his father some grace: "He was coming from a strange place in terms of figuring out how to be a father. How do you get past that and hopefully not take any of the bad habits with you?" he asks. A year of therapy helped him understand that "there's no reason we should expect our parents to be perfect. But now I understand that piece and I'm moving on."

One specific lesson Patterson took away from his childhood is the importance of hugging your children. "My only memory of hugging my father was on his deathbed. It just wasn't that kind of thing. And I never blamed him for it, but there it was. With our son Jack, I hugged him every day when he was home. He was cool with it."

That's one of the many recommendations--along with reading to your kids, knowing when to say no, and not being afraid to ask for help--Patterson offers. He recognizes he's making a bold promise that his readers can take away something meaningful from a book that can be read in only an hour, but insists he's serious about it. "It just seemed to me that a lot of guys will not read a 400-page book. I thought I could put together a lot of information that they could read in an hour, and that at the end of it, if guys pick up two or three or four things that help them to be better dads, this is a good hour spent. Because their families will benefit, their kids will benefit, their partners will benefit."

In addition to Patterson's own reflections, what makes the book so helpful and often heartwarming are the bits of fatherly wisdom he shares from other men. Some came from people in his network and others were garnered from his own research and from reaching out online. A handful are well-known--like singer John Legend and author John Green--but baseball scout Craig, filmmaker Israel, and housepainter Neal also have their say.

However well-intentioned, in writing a book of advice, Patterson was conscious of the need for readers not to feel that he was preaching at them and he described the approach he took to avoid that pitfall: "Humor helps. And being self-effacing helps, so that guys will say, 'Okay, I'm going along with this. I wouldn't mind having a beer with that guy. He's not acting like he's got all the answers for everybody. Here's something to think about, that's all.' "

As much as he hopes men will internalize and, more importantly, apply the material he presents in The #1 Dad Book, one of his goals is simply to create an opportunity for them to engage about a subject they're often reluctant to discuss: "If you can, don't be afraid to talk to you friends, or even your partner." he urges. "Sometimes guys don't want to be vulnerable, even with the person they live with or are married to."

Patterson also believes booksellers will be performing a valuable service by getting the book into the hands of their customers. "You will help families that walk into the store. You will help dads. A lot of them aren't going to read the 400-page book. What this thing does is compress the information, serve it up in a voice they can be comfortable with and that's useful."

Ultimately, Patterson will be grateful if his book can help make some men better at the vital job of being a father: "You've got a lot of guys out there who don't really understand what it takes to be a dad. They haven't really thought through how important it is. Some of them aren't quite willing to make the sacrifices, but this can help. That's a good thing, in my opinion." --Harvey Freedenberg, freelance reviewer
Elon Musk tried to halt OpenAIs AI infrastructure deal in the UAE unless xAI was included, but the deal went ahead without him.

The initiative, backed by G42, OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and others, will build one of the worlds largest AI hubs in Abu Dhabi.

Musks objections may stem from his long-standing rivalry with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, dating back to Musk's 2018 exit from the company.

Elon Musk reportedly attempted to halt OpenAIs recent high-profile artificial intelligence deal in the Middle East unless his own AI venture, xAI, was included in the collaboration but his efforts failed.

The agreement in question, announced last week, involves OpenAI and several major U.S. tech companies partnering with G42, an Emirati artificial intelligence firm, to develop a massive data center complex in Abu Dhabi. This project is a key component of Stargate UAE, part of the broader Project Stargate, which was unveiled in January this year. Once completed, the facility is expected to be among the largest AI computing hubs in the world, powered by advanced chips from companies such as Nvidia and operated through infrastructure provided by Oracle, Cisco, and SoftBank.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Musk became aware of the OpenAI-G42 deal shortly before former U.S. President Donald Trumps recent tour of the Gulf region. Upon learning that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman would be accompanying Trump and that final discussions were underway with the UAE, Musk reportedly reacted strongly. In a phone call with G42 executives, including Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed UAEs national security adviser and brother to the president Musk allegedly insisted that xAI be given a place in the project. He warned that the deal might not receive U.S. approval if xAI was excluded.

Despite the pressure campaign, the partnership moved forward without Musk or xAI. While the White House did review the agreement in light of Musk's intervention, officials ultimately gave it the green light. One official cited Musks stated concern over 'fairness for all AI companies', though others speculated that his personal rivalry with Altman played a larger role.

Musk and Altman have a well-documented history. Both co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but Musk left in 2018 after a failed proposal to merge OpenAI with Tesla a move rejected by Altman and other board members, according to Walter Isaacsons biography of Musk. Since then, the two have had a strained relationship, punctuated by lawsuits and public spats. Musk has accused OpenAI of deviating from its original mission to develop open-source AI for the public good, claiming the company has now become profit-driven.

Also Read: Unveiling the Dual Realities of Dark Websites in the Digital Age

Boring Company and Dubai. However, xAI has struggled to replicate the scale and influence of OpenAIs operations. Musk launched xAI in 2023 as a rival to OpenAI, raising $6 billion in funding and striking partnerships in the Gulf, including a tunnel infrastructure deal between hisand. However, xAI has struggled to replicate the scale and influence of

The Stargate UAE initiative will see G42 and its partners not only construct a cutting-edge data center in Abu Dhabi but also make a matching investment in AI infrastructure within the U.S. The first phase of this project is expected to go live in 2026.

This episode mirrors Musks earlier frustration when Altman and Trump revealed the original Stargate project in the U.S. earlier this year a sweeping $500 billion AI infrastructure investment supported by Oracle, Nvidia, and SoftBank. At the time, Musk publicly criticized the project and questioned the financial credibility of its backers.

Despite his efforts, Musks exclusion from Stargate UAE signals growing divergence between his ambitions and the direction of global AI alliances.
Trumps trade access offer credited with averting India-Pakistan war.

India denies any US mediation in the ceasefire.

Court ruled Trump overstepped on tariffs; appeal filed, causing uncertainty.

For the first time, the US government officially stated that President Donald Trumps trade access offer played a crucial role in averting a potential war between India and Pakistan. In a legal submission dated May 23, filed in the US Court of International Trade, the government claimed that the May 10 ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors was possible 'only after' Trump extended trading access to both countries.

However, India has firmly rejected all claims made by Trump and his administration regarding US mediation in the ceasefire. The court filing emerged amid a lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations tariffs announced on April 2 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The case alleges that the president and several federal departments exceeded their legal authority by imposing additional levies on multiple nations.

Also Read: How GCCs Are Quietly Powering Global Tech Strategy

Trump had indeed overstepped his authority in announcing the tariffs. The administration has since filed an appeal against the ruling, leaving companies and affected countries uncertain about the status of import duties moving forward. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and three other administration officials submitted the on-record statement to the court, linking the trade access offer with the ceasefire. The federal court earlier ruled thathis authority in announcing the tariffs. The administration has since filed an appeal against the ruling, leaving companies and affected countries uncertain about the status of import duties moving forward.

This legal back-and-forth has created confusion in international trade circles as the future of the tariffs remains unresolved. Meanwhile, the significance of trade diplomacy in international conflict resolution has been brought into sharp focus by the court documents.
US Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau emphasized the need for 'fair and reciprocal market access' in ongoing trade negotiations with India.

Discussions also covered illegal migration and counternarcotics, referencing past deportations of Indian migrants.

Both nations reaffirmed their dedication to regional peace and strengthening bilateral ties. In a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau pressed for 'fair and reciprocal market access' during talks with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, amid ongoing negotiations for a potential trade agreement between the two nations.

According to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Landau underscored that balanced trade access is vital to fostering mutual economic growth and prosperity. The talks come at a time when both countries are reportedly close to finalising a long-anticipated bilateral trade deal.

'Fair and reciprocal market access' has been a consistent US demand, transcending political administrations. The current emphasis echoes the trade philosophy of former President Donald Trump, who championed reciprocity in trade dealings with allies and rivals alike, including the EU, Japan, China, and India.

Earlier this week, a senior US official indicated that a trade agreement with India is imminent. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had recently visited Washington for discussions with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

In addition to trade, Landau also raised concerns over illegal migration and narcotics control. While details were not specified, the discussion referred to past instances of Indians illegally crossing into the US many of whom were later deported. These deportations have drawn attention due to disturbing visuals showing individuals being transported in shackles aboard US military planes.

the strategic partnership between the two democracies. The meeting also saw both sides reaffirm their commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability, further reinforcingbetween the two democracies.

The outcome of the trade discussions and expanded cooperation on migration and counternarcotics could signal a new chapter in US-India relations, built on mutual interests and shared global responsibilities.
FDNY EMT Ashley Diaz poses in her New Dorp home as she recovers from knee amputation surgeries on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A catastrophic injury resulting from a crash in 2022 robbed Ashley Diaz of her leg, and her livelihood as a first responder.

Her fighting spirit, however, remains somehow intact.

Amid whats proven to be a grueling recovery process, Diaz, of New Dorp, continues to save lives in a new role with the FDNY, while at the same time raising a 7-year-old son as a single mother.

Despite this personal tragedy, Ashleys continued work as an FDNY EMT illustrates her deep commitment to helping the people of New York and we are grateful for her service, said Oren Barzilay, president of the Local 2507 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees.

On Thursday night, Diaz will be honored in a union salute during a gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of EMS in New York City. The event will be held at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, Queens.

Her story, said Barzilay, continues to inspire the men and women of FDNY EMS.

First years as EMT, new mom

Diaz joined the FDNY in 2017, and as an EMT was assigned to the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. (Courtesy of Ashley Diaz)

Diaz, 32, joined the FDNY in 2017. As an EMT, she was assigned to Coney Island where she responded to everything from narcotics overdoses to hot jobs including shootings and stabbings.

I absolutely loved it, said Diaz. And when you get that one call when you legitimately help save someones life, that was the most rewarding for me.

Her dream was to become a paramedic, then ultimately a nurse. Her brother works as a firefighter in Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, during her first years on the job, Diaz doubled as a new mom.

She explained that she learned she was pregnant with her son several months into the FDNY EMS academy.

And while she sorely misses the adrenaline of riding in an ambulance, and the gratification of saving a persons life, she said theres three things she loves even more: Her son, her FDNY colleagues and life itself.

Having a motivator to keep you going is the most important thing, whether its another person or a personal goal, she said.

Life changed in an instant

NYPD officials respond to a crash at North Railroad Avenue and Locust Avenue in New Dorp on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

Everything changed for Diaz on the afternoon of Sept. 15, 2022.

She was loading belongings into her car outside her mothers house on Locust Avenue in New Dorp, when a car operated by a then 34-year-old woman slammed into her.

She came out of nowhere, said Diaz. I remember being on the ground and seeing my leg.

She also remembers her mother screaming, and having to instruct a first responder who was trying to apply a tourniquet. Thats when, to her relief, an ambulance arrived with an EMT who she recognized. It was the husband of her former partner at EMS Station 43 in Coney Island.

He didnt recognize me, she said. I told him you cant let me die here, you know I have a son.

She remembers cracking a few jokes in the ambulance  while still in the throes of post-traumatic shock  before blacking out.

Upon arriving at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, doctors placed her in a medically-induced coma.

As she lay unconscious, the local EMS community waited anxiously for news of her condition. On the day of her incident, the hospital was filled with EMS personnel praying for her survival, recalled Barzilay.

When Diaz awoke in her hospital bed, she remembers thinking  for reasons she cant explain  that she had received plastic surgery. I was very volatile apparently, asking why is everyone here? she said laughing.

Initially, her family was hesitant to tell her the doctors removed a portion of her leg, below the knee. Everyone was skating around it, she recalled.

When she did learn what happened: Whoo, she exclaimed. That was a day.

During a two-month stay in the hospital, she was treated for several other injuries that included a broken pelvis, arm and jaw. She also lost several front teeth.

When she was discharged from the hospital with her young son, it was to the fanfare of dozens of FDNY EMS workers who lined the path. Though it was not her last trip to the hospital.

To date, she has undergone 13 surgeries as a result of her injuries.

A GoFundme page set up in the years after the incident raised more than $150,000 for medical expenses, a prosthetic, child care for her son and retrofitting her home to fit her needs.

Outside of work, she is an even better friend, the best mother, and a loving daughter and sister, the post read.

Driver takes plea, sentenced to prison

Nicole Marino appears at her arraignment in Criminal Court on Sept. 16, 2022, in connection with the crash that left Ashley Diaz with life altering injuries.

As a trained EMT, Diaz had become well aware of the opioid epidemic plaguing the nation. In a cruel twist of fate, it was the epidemic that nearly ended her life.

In the weeks that followed the crash, the driver, Nicole Marino, was indicted by a grand jury on felony charges.

Prosecutors submitted the New Dorp woman was unlicensed and heavily impaired by fentanyl, at the time of the crash.

Ultimately, Marino pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, and in exchange was sentenced to five years in prison and five years post release supervision.

Pressing forward, saving lives

About a year after the incident, Diaz returned to work in the FDNYs Resource Coordination Center. In that role, she delegates resources including first responders, ambulances and equipment across Staten Island and Brooklyn.

Im not really an office girl, but working with these people makes it so much easier, Diaz said. I still go through waves of emotions, the ups and downs.

She has credited her physical recovery in part to the support she received from the FDNYs family assistance unit, whose staff drove her to appointments and supplied a custom van.

More recently, a return to the gym has also proved beneficial.

It was good to be able to get back; it was something I did before the injury, Diaz explained. It was great for my mental health.

Through it all, she said its her son who serves as both an anchor and a motivator in the recovery process. And that if she doesnt put the work in to achieve a positive mind set, it would be as if he lost his mother to the crash.

I try to do as many things with him as possible, said Diaz. Trying to be as normal as possible.

In the years ahead, she still hopes to pursue a career in nursing.

When asked what she might tell a fellow front-line responder faced with a similar fate, Diaz reiterated the importance of having a motivator in life and pressing forward.

It can get very dark when youre sitting alone. Your thoughts can get wild and take you down a rabbit hole, but dont let it happen. Find your anchor, your motivator; hold on to it for dear life and let that drive you.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. The open court session continued on May 29 at the Baku Military Court in the criminal case against Armenian citizens Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. They stand accused of crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, preparing and waging aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and other grave offenses arising from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.

The court session, presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (alternate judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that each defendant had legal representation and interpretation in their native language.

The session was attended by the accused, their lawyers, several victims and their legal successors and representatives, as well as state prosecutors.

At the beginning, Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the court staff and interpreters and explained the legal rights and obligations to the victims who were participating in the court proceedings for the first time.

Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev proposed continuing the trial by interviewing the victims under two chapters of the investigation and examining the related documents. The court began questioning victims of terrorist acts and other crimes committed in April 2016known as the April Battlesand July 2020known as the Tovuz Battles.

Victim Elmir Abbasov stated that he was injured during the April Wars in 2016 in the Tartar district, where he served in the military.

According to the rules of war, a military unit should only engage another military unit, he said. However, they fired prohibited shells into villages and civilian areaspoisonous and incendiary munitions. The Armenian side used banned weapons extensively.

He explained that in addition to cast iron fragments, the shrapnel-type shells used by Armenian forces contained more than 2,000 needles. Even a single needle can cause mass poisoning, he said. During our training, they showed us videos proving that just touching one of these needleseven without penetrationcan poison the body.

Mnatsakanyan asked what military rank and position Abbasov held at the time. Abbasov replied that he was a battery commander in an artillery division and held the rank of captain.

Victim Abbas Allahverdiyev stated that the village of Tap Garagoyunlu, where he lived, was regularly shelled by Armenian forces using artillery and other weapons. In response to a question from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department of Public Prosecutions at the Prosecutor Generals Office, Allahverdiyev said that the state had built a stone wall to shield the village in 2013. However, the Armenian army continued its attacks. On the night of April 2, 2016, they opened fire from the direction of Aghdara. On the evening of April 3, a shell landed in his yard and exploded. He was wounded in the right undereye. His house and farm were seriously damaged.

Allahverdiyev also answered questions from the accused David Manukyan about the village's borders. Manukyan asked whether the Injachay River passed through the village. Allahverdiyev confirmed that it did.

Victim Elvin Karimov said that the Armenian armed forces repeatedly shelled the village of Alkhanli in the Fuzuli district, where he lives, with heavy artillery. On April 4, 2016, around 4 p.m., as he was leaving his house, a shell fell into his neighbor's yard and exploded. The shrapnel hit his right knee. He was taken to the hospital the same day.

Answering questions from Tarana Mammadova, a prosecutor in the Public Prosecution Department in the district courts of Baku, Karimov noted that Armenian servicemen fired at villagers while they were performing household chores.

The accused Levon Mnatsakanyan asked the victim, How many firing positions were there in the area? Karimov replied, I didnt count the firing positions or our posts. How could I know that?

The accused David Babayan asked how many people lived in the village. The victim said he did not know the exact number of residents either.

Victim Anar Abdullayev noted that the village of Chamanli in the Aghdam district, where he lives, is located near the former line of contact. Armenian armed forces regularly shelled the village. On the night of April 2728, 2016, while he was in the yard, a shell exploded in the yard of his uncle Huseyn. He felt a fragment hit his back and lost consciousness. When he came to, he was in the hospital. He later learned that his neighbor had driven him there in his own car.

Victim Sirdash Karimov said that on the night of April 2728, 2016, Armenian forces launched another round of fire on Chamanli. At around 3 a.m., he and his neighborsFamil Mustafayev (his cousin), Ali Huseynov (his uncle), Zahir Rahimov, Anar Abdullayev, and otherswere in an onion field about 100 meters from Zahirs house. From there, they saw Armenians firing Grad shells. Around 4 a.m., one of the shells landed nearby and exploded. Famil Mustafayev died on the spot. Others, including Sirdash Karimov, were injured. Ali Huseynov died in the hospital the next day.

In response to a question from public prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Karimov noted that the Armenian armed forces were heavily shelling the region at that time.

David Manukyan asked when he was injured. Karimov replied that it was on the night of April 2728, 2016. Manukyan asked whether the village had been shelled from 1994 to 2016. Karimov said it had.

Victim Zahir Rahimov said that on the night of April 28, 2016, a shell exploded near where he was with residents Ali Huseynov, Famil Mustafayev, Sirdash Karimov, and Adil Mammadov. As a result, Famil Mustafayev was killed and Ali Huseynov was seriously injured and later died. Rahimov, Sirdash, and Adil received shrapnel wounds. One of the shells also damaged the walls of his house and destroyed the windows and barn roof.

Following the break, accused David Ishkhanyan expressed a desire to review the minutes of the May 26 hearing with fellow accused David Babayan.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev said conditions would be created for this, with an Armenian interpreter.

Victim Simran Guliyev noted that on April 4, 2016, Armenian forces used large-caliber weapons to shell his area. At about 8 p.m., when he stepped outside, a shell exploded 20 meters away. A cannonball fragment hit his right knee. He was taken to the regional central hospital.

Victim Mahbub Orujova stated that on July 17, 2020, at 14:30, a rocket-propelled device launched by Armenian forces exploded in the air above Bala Jafarli village, and fragments hit the roof of her house in Khanliglar village, Gazakh district.

Responding to a question from Tugay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, she confirmed there were no military units in or near the village.

Victim Selmina Aliyeva also reported that on July 17, 2020, a shell fragment hit her houses roof in Khanliglar. She also confirmed that there were no military units in the village.

Victim Vugar Sultanli said that during the Tovuz battles, Azerbaijani officersMajor General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev, and otherswere martyred on July 14, 2020, during an enemy artillery strike. Sultanli, injured during their evacuation, emphasized that enemy forces deliberately targeted ambulances and medical personnelactions prohibited by international humanitarian law and constituting war crimes.

When asked about Polad Hashimovs death, accused Davit Ishkhanyan remarked, Based on what I've heard, he was both a good soldier and a good person, and asked whether the incident occurred at night or during the day.

The victim said it occurred during the day.

Victim Mahammadali Imanov stated that his village of Mahrizli in the Aghdam district was regularly shelled. On April 27, 2016, shootings resumed in the evening. That night, his son Anar, along with neighbors Siyasat and Adalat, went to the house of another neighbor, Teyyub. On April 28, at around 5 a.m., a shell hit Teyyubs house, and Anar sustained a head injury.

Defendant Mnatsakanyan asked: Did they shoot only at your village or at others too?

Imanov answered: Yes, they shot at other villages as well.

Victim Kamil Jahanov said that on July 17, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., a shell exploded and fragments hit the roof of his house in Khanliglar village, Gazakh district. Earlier, when I went to graze cattle, Armenian soldiers fired, he added.

Victim Aziz Shirinov said that a shell fired by Armenian forces damaged his house in Khanliglar during the Tovuz battles.

The court also read out medical expert opinions regarding the victims.

Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev reviewed expert opinions and inspection protocols concerning Azerbaijani citizens killed by shelling of civilian areas by Armenian forces in April 2016. These included documents regarding the deaths of Rahimov Orkhan Valerik oglu (b. 1983), Asadli Farman Elchin oglu (b. 1990), Hasanli Turana Kamandar gizi (b. 2000), Dadashov Garash Shahmar oglu (b. 1954), Mustafayev Famil Ali oglu (b. 1967), Huseynov Ali Museib oglu (b. 1942), and related injuries to others.

The next court hearing is scheduled for May 30.

The defendants  Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan  are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and other articles.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Two men and a woman were arrested after police allege the potentially-deadly opioid fentanyl was recovered during a raid at an apartment in Stapleton.

Esperanza Whitmeyer, 60, Issiah Grayson, 53, and Otis Grayson, 48, were apprehended after officers armed with a search warrant raided an apartment on the 100 block of Broad Street on May 15 at about 6 a.m., according to the criminal complaint.

The action was based on an investigation by Narcotics Borough Staten Island, the complaint indicates.
The NYPD is seeking this individual for questioning in connection with an alleged stabbing on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Whitehall Street-South Ferry subway station in Manhattan. Many riders of the Staten Island Ferry use that subway station. Courtesy of NYPD

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking for the publics help to locate an individual sought for questioning in connection with an alleged stabbing at the Whitehall Street-South Ferry subway station in Manhattan.

The victim lives on Staten Island, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

The assault allegedly occurred on Sunday at about 6:15 p.m. at the station, which is located near the Whitehall Ferry Terminal and used by many riders of the Staten Island Ferry.

An unidentified individual approached a 26-year-old man in the mezzanine at the subway station. The individual was involved in a verbal dispute with the victim before the attacker brandished a knife and then slashed the 26-year-old man on the mouth, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The victim sustained a laceration and was transported in stable condition by EMS to Bellevue Hospital, according to the police statement.

Police describe the individual sought for questioning as a male with a dark complexion who stands about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He was seen wearing all black items, including a ski mask, jeans, sweatshirt and sneakers."

A photo of the man sought for questioning was released to the media by the NYPD.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
Staten Islander, Gabriella Sorrentino, front and center, kicks up her heels each night in "Boop! The Musical" at the historic Broadhurst Theatre. (Courtesy/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman) Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  After a successful run as dance captain in Broadways Hamilton, the Tony Award winning hip-hop musical about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, Gabriella Sorrentino has been turning heads in the cast of Broadways Boop!, the Musical.

Making her mark in the production in the landmarked Broadhurst Theatre, youll find the Staten Island native as a member of the ensemble, kicking up her heels in the show night after night.

Gabriella Sorrentino, second from right, dances her heart out each evening in "Boop! The Musical." (Courtesy/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman) Staten Island Advance

Look for the former New Dorp resident, who now calls the Manhattan theater district home, on stage in the ensemble eight times each week.

Sorrentino, who made her Broadway debut in On Your Feet! in 2016, attended the High School for Performing Arts in Manhattan.

Her other credits include the role of Diana Morales in A Chorus Line and Consuela in West Side Story.

Gabby has been an intricate part of the development of BOOP! as a dancer, said Tony Award winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell.. She has been with me in pre-production from the start. I have been a fan of her work not only as a dancer, but as a up-and-coming choreographer. She can do anything, and she always brings her own flair into the room and onto the dance floor with every step. I love watching her dance.

MORE ON THE SHOW!

Boop! The Musical, is based on the animated character Betty Boop, one of the worlds best-known cartoon personalities, played by Jasmine Amy Rogers, and a caricature of a jazz age flapper who leaves her cartoon world and journeys to New York City.

A scene from "Boop! Betty Boop the Musical." (Courtesy/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman) Staten Island Advance

Mitchell has teamed up with multiple Grammy Award-winning composer David Foster, Tony Award-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead and Tony Award-winning book writer Bob Martin, to bring the vintage cartoon character to life.

And since it made its debut on April 5, Boop! The Musical has already been nominated for 11 Drama Desk Awards  the most of any 2025 production  and three Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical (Rogers), Best Choreography (Jerry Mitchell) and Best Costume Design (Gregg Barnes).

Gabriella Sorrentino in front of the Broadhurst Theatre where she's appearing in "Boop! The Musical." (Courtesy/Angela Marie Orellana) Staten Island Advance

A LITTLE ABOUT SORRENTINO

Sorrentino was dance caption/swing in Hamilton for eight years, first in Chicago in 2016 and then in the Broadway company in 2018.

Look for Staten Island's Gabriella Sorrentino, front center, left, in "Boop! The Musical" on Broadway. (Courtesy/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman) Staten Island Advance

She left in January of this year to pursue Boop, Betty Boop the Musical.

I was dance captain for swing and I covered all the ensemble rolls in the show, she said.

The title of dance captain manages the show and on top of those two I was a cover for one of the sisters in the show.

Look for Gabriella Sorrentino in "Boop! The Musical) (Courtesy/Alexa Jae Photography) Staten Island Advance

In January 2022, Sorrentino was asked to do pre-production for Boop! the Betty Boop Musical and become involved in the initial stages of putting the choreography together.

It was pre-production for two weeks, she told us, the workshop during daytime and I was still able to do my show at night. Then in September to December of 2023 we were out of town. We took it to Chicago and we did the show for weeks out there to see how audiences reacted to it and if it was something that could make it to Broadway.

A scene from "Boop: The Musical" at the Broadhurst Theatre. (Courtesy/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman) Staten Island Advance

We started Broadway rehearsals and I left Hamilton the last week of January. For Boop!, Im an onstage track everyday. And in Hamilton I was managing and knowing various parts.

She added, For the show we played with a bunch of different angles. We went through evolutions that Jerry wanted to incorporate into the show and just do what we had to, to bring this character to life.

MORE ABOUT BOOP! THE MUSICAL

Theres a lot of dancing in the show, but it conveys a story as well with a little old school music, and contemporary music and hip hop too, she said. Theres really something for theater goers of all ages.

Theres so many different different styles of music  old school music from vintage shows and, new music contemporary style tunes, something for everyone. Its really is a beautiful combo of all different styles. And it all starts with Betty Boop being a cartoon character whos part of the big production who discovers theres so much more out there  and she becomes transported into New York. Its a love letter to New York City."

The show is also about how the character, the dancing and how the music transforms into present day New York City.

Its really awesome, she continued. Its all about joy and love. Its about positivity. People who come to the show will feel love, joy and happiness, in this very colorful, beautiful production.

Sorrentino added: I love what I do  but theres sacrifice in the business, as well. I like to get to the theater an hour, an hour and a half before the curtain goes up. Theres a lot of preparation before the curtain goes up. There are two shows on Wednesday and Saturdays other days are single days. Its a high performance, high energy show. And I do love it.

I started in 2012 professionally, so this is my 13th year and its incredible to be part of this new journey, she continued.

Sorrentino noted that eating lighter before shows is the best route. Stretching is also important, she said and is going for walks and keeping my body in shape. Physical therapy is also advisable.

Sorrentino, whos earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Point Park University, said shes grateful to Mitchell, Foster, Rachelle Rak, and the rest of the creative team for the opportunity.

Those interested in learning more about the show or in obtaining tickets should visit https://boopthemusical.com/ or telecharge.
From left, Duff McKagen and Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses perform during Glastonbury Festival 2023. During a recent show, they performed a cover of the New York Dolls' hit "Human Being." (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

During a performance Tuesday night at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, Guns N Roses whipped out a setlist full of surprises, including a cover of the New York Dolls hit Human Being as a subtle nod to the late David Johansen who died this past February, according to Rolling Stone.

The track appeared as part of Guns N Roses infamously panned 1993 covers-only album The Spaghetti Incident? alongside You Cant Put Your Arms Around a Memory, by New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders. Guns N Roses bassist Duff McKagan is known for being a lifelong fan of punk rock and performs lead vocals on the record in place of frontman Axl Rose.

In fact, the band all reportedly share a love of the New York Dolls but have rarely performed any of their songs in concert.

The New York Dolls iconic frontman and Staten Islander David Johansen passed away on Feb. 28 at the age of 75 from complications related to Stage 4 cancer he had been battling for several years.

During the Abu Dhabi show, Guns also reached deep into their catalogue and played I Used to Love Her off the G N R Lies album, as well as the mysterious and heavily bootlegged cut The General. McKagan also took on lead vocal duties for another cover of Attitude by the Misfits, the report said.
Kevin Costner attends the premiere of "Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2" during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Santa Barbara, Calif. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Kevin Costner is being sued by a stunt performer who alleges she was forced to perform an unscripted rape scene without the right protocols.

The civil complaint, filed in Los Angeles County, alleges the incident unfolded in May 2023, on the set of the film Horizon 2 in Utah. The plaintiff, Devyn LaBella, was reportedly hired as a stunt double for actress Ella Hunt in the film.
Councilmember Frank Morano gives remarks at the street co-naming of the Brielle Avenue and Sea View Hospital Historic District intersection to Black Angels Way on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com) Owen Reiter

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The New York City Campaign Finance Board admitted Wednesday that it erred when it failed to include a South Shore Republican lawmaker in a recently-mailed voter guide.

The agency reached its decision after Councilmember Frank Morano took to Facebook to voice concerns that he had been left out the voter guide for his primary race against John Buthorn and Griffin Fossella despite having submitted the required documentation.
UPDATE: Grateful beyond words Grimm issues statement following Trump pardon >>

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  President Donald Trump gave a full pardon to former Rep. Michael Grimm Wednesday afternoon, according to a White House official.

This is just the latest in a string of more than three dozen pardons issued by the president since retaking the White House in January, according to U.S. Department of Justice.

Grimm represented Staten Island in the House of Representatives from 2010 to January 2015 when he resigned following a 2014 federal indictment related to fraudulent practices at an Upper East Side health food restaurant Grimm partially owned.

Ultimately, the former congressman pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and served seven months in prison before being released in 2016.

Grimm attempted a congressional comeback in 2018, but lost to incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Donovan in the primary, who ultimately lost to former Democratic Rep. Max Rose later that year.

Grimm was paralyzed from the chest down in a fall from a horse while playing polo in September 2024. The former GOP congressmember was working for the Newsmax cable channel at the time.

Grimm has long been an avid horseman, frequently posting to social media about his time spent at stables and playing polo.

Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, a Republican who represents Staten Islands East Shore and also is the chair of Staten Islands Republican Party, said in a statement that Congressman Grimm is a dedicated public servant who served us on the battlefield and in the halls of Congress. Todays news is welcomed as he continues his recovery. May God continue to be with him.

In January, Grimm gave supporters a video update on his condition, saying in part that little by little, Im getting better. As you can see, Im now in a wheelchair. Im working on my fingers, getting more dexterity in my fingers, and then getting my legs to move. But everything is moving in the right direction, and I cant thank you enough.

The former congressmember continues his rehabilitation journey, according to the GoFundMe set up for him. The latest update revealed that he was able to withstand 4 minutes upright assisted on the tilt-table!
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov held a meeting with member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Steve Daines, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

The current state and prospects of Azerbaijani-American relations, the importance of inter-parliamentary relations, regional security issues, as well as the situation in the region in the post-conflict period were discussed during the meeting.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the senator about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the existing obstacles along the way.

The parties also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
Anthony Albaneses decision to stare down the Greens and back a four-decade extension of one of Australias worst-polluting industrial plants will be the first of many steps he takes to lock in future supplies of natural gas.

It was a controversial call he didnt want to make before the election, and for an obvious reason: the fate of Woodside Energys North West Shelf project  a series of offshore gas platforms and the Karratha gas-processing facility  had become the new front line in the long-running fight between the gas industry and Australians demanding faster action on global warming. So the government pushed back the deadline to the end of May.

Woodsides gas plant at Karratha in Western Australia. Credit: Aaron Bunch

Campaigners likened the extension plan to a carbon bomb that would endanger climate commitments and lock in emissions equivalent to a decade of Australias current annual total  if factoring in emissions caused by burning the gas overseas.

But back in power with an even larger majority, Albanese and his newly minted environment minister, Murray Watt, this week gave the provisional green light for the Woodside-led North West Shelf joint venture to keep producing gas for another 45 years, out to 2070.
Italians might have taught the world how to eat, but it was Martha Stewart who taught Americans how to cook. And garden. And entertain.

Stewart, the OG lifestyle influencer, the United States first female self-made billionaire, convicted felon and octogenarian social media star was on stage at Darling Harbour on Wednesday night, interviewed by writer Benjamin Law as part of Vivid Sydney.

Martha Stewart proves a Vivid presence in Sydney. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Her appearance, fresh on the heels of a hit Netflix documentary, was quite a coup for the festival that has seen its sheen dim in recent years. Lately, its become better known for annoying crowds and price hikes since the novelty value of bright lights in city wore off.

On stage, Stewart weighed into the ongoing recipe feud between Nagi Maehashi (aka RecipeTin Eats) and TikToker Brooke Bellamy (aka Brooki Bakehouse), but wisely chose not to definitively pick a side.
Magda Szubanski has announced she has stage four cancer. The beloved comic actor, famous for Kath & Kim character Sharon Strzelecki, said in an Instagram post today that she had stage four mantle cell lymphoma  a rare and fast-moving blood cancer.

Ive started one of the best treatments available (the Nordic protocol), and Im lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne, Szubanski said in a video, in which she appeared with a shaved head. I wont sugarcoat it: its rough. But Im hopeful. Im being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and Ive never felt more held by the people around me.

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects white blood cells. The Nordic protocol is a new type of treatment that combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The 64-year-old said the cancer was discovered during a routine breast screen, where it was discovered her lymph nodes were up.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This weeks picks include a thriller that matches Mare of Easttown, a golf comedy for fans of Ted Lasso, a stand-up special and a pulpy drama starring Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks. Dept. Q  (Netflix) You could make a list of the building blocks in this Edinburgh-set crime thriller and theyd be readily familiar to fans of the genre. Tick off a gifted but arrogant detective, their disaffected child, a new partner who carries a heavy burden, and a case that offers few clues. But without fail this enthralling drama, which becomes an unstoppable procedural driven by resuscitation and redemption, transcends the recognisable. Every element is finely honed, making Dept. Q the best law enforcement mystery since Mare of Easttown. Matthew Goode (right) has scored his best role yet in Scottish crime thriller Dept. Q Its a triumph of craft, capably assembled. That begins with creator Scott Frank, who co-wrote and lead-directed this adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsens series of Danish crime novels. Frank, whose previous Netflix series include The Queens Gambit and Godless, moves the story to Scotland, but his protagonist is unyielding. Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) is a demanding police detective, dismissive of those who cant dissect a crime scene. His colleagues are in a race to tell Morck to eff off, with many achieving personal bests. Loading Returning to work after a failed routine operation hospitalised his partner, Hardy (Jamie Sives), Morck is a fuse waiting to be lit, so his boss, Moira Jacobson (Kate Dickie), sends him to the basement as the head  and sole member  of a new cold case squad. Heres another tick: Morck has mandated sessions with psychologist Dr Rachel Irving (Kelly Macdonald). But theyre both revealing and bleakly funny  Morck is never a misanthrope for the sake of it, and Frank keeps finding new foils for him. The dialogue bristles with subtext and swipes.

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Goodes an exceptional actor whos never had a defining role. Until now. He gives Morcks struggles with self-loathing and selflessness a roiling depth. In a show where confinement  physically and emotionally  is a recurring theme, Morcks trajectory is never simply upwards. Kelly Macdonald plays psychologist Dr Rachel Irving. His doubts about himself are reflected in a hard-charging prosecutor with a complex past, Merrit Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), but Morcks professional drive is equally a magnet for outsiders. The first is his assistant, Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), a Syrian refugee with a complicated CV. Loading It helps immeasurably that the case they settle on is a genuine puzzle, and the story unfolds it patiently with false starts and authentic legwork. Nothing comes easily on Dept. Q, and that makes each step a small triumph. Theres a hint of Slow Horses in the maladjusted and misfits finding purpose in the basement, but the idiomatic sarcasm is more of a defence mechanism in Edinburgh. Its a show about the fine line between someone staying afloat or sinking without trace. The margins always matter in this gripping tale.

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Stick  (Apple TV+) Your appetite for this feel-good sports comedy hinges on two factors. Firstly, do you enjoy star Owen Wilsons patented goofball vibe? Secondly, how much do you miss Ted Lasso? If the answer for at least one element is quite a bit or more, then you should enjoy this redemptive golf journey about a washed-up former pro, Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who finds salvation in coaching an unconvinced teenage phenomenon, Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager). Owen Wilson in Stick. Creator Jason Keller leans heavily into Wilsons screen persona of the lovable rogue with a good heart and some Wes Anderson whimsy. That went better than I expected, Pryce will earnestly exclaim after something went badly. With irascible former caddie Mitts (Marc Maron) and Santis wary mother, Elena (Mariana Trevino), on board, they hit the road for qualifying tournaments with the goal of winning the US Amateur Open. Loading The core target audience is sports dads who want to express their emotions. Everyone in the touring party has unresolved emotional issues, with father-and-son trauma approached from multiple perspectives. Behind Pryces antics and Santis big-hitting game are a succession of bittersweet lessons and sweet commitments. The golf course narrative provides an effective metaphor: risky shots, looming bunkers and knowing when to play for a par. Its optimistic, but looking beyond just Pryce and Santis stories helps. Stick went better than I expected.

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Comedian Mike Birbiglia. Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life  (Netflix) This prominent American comics recent Netflix specials have been more akin to long-form monologues, one-man performance pieces with a carefully crafted tone and precise language. The Good Life is a looser, eminently enjoyable return to classic stand-up, as Birbiglia riffs on his existential middle-ground as a fractious son, a perplexed husband and a bemused father. None of this serves as radical subject matter, but Birbiglia is such an accomplished artisan that he makes familiar topics hum with quick wit and judicious timing. His bit on complimenting his nine-year-old daughters ballet recital is inspired. Anne Hathaway in She Came to Me. She Came to Me  (Paramount+) Rebecca Millers filmmaking career has often felt like it was trying to unstitch the seams of classic cinema genres, particularly the romantic-comedy. She Came to Me, her first scripted feature since 2015s terrific Maggies Plan, veers between the soulful and the farcical. It begins with a blocked opera composer (Peter Dinklage), unwittingly caught between his psychiatrist wife (Anne Hathaway) and a wildly eccentric tugboat captain (Marisa Tomei), but soon expands to include various offspring caught up in their own love lives. The film is alternately darker and sillier than most romcoms, and not always reconciled.

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Jessica Biel in The Better Sister. The Better Sister  (Amazon Prime Video) This murder drama framed around familial conflict is all over the place, and initially at least thats not a problem. When high-powered magazine editor Chloe Taylor (Jessica Biel) discovers her lawyer husband (Corey Stoll) has been murdered in their home, the familiar suspects stack up and Chloes estranged older sister, reformed addict Nicky (Elizabeth Banks), returns to serve as a chaotic support structure. There are tart insults and gasp-seeking revelations, but increasingly theres also a wayward sense of tone and head-scratching use of flashbacks. This mystery gets messy in the wrong ways. David Sconce is unrepentant in the documentary The Mortician. The Mortician  (Max) Loading Ashes to ashes takes on a whole new meaning in this three-part HBO documentary about David Sconce, a California funeral home proprietor who turned a reputable family business into a criminal enterprise that left the families of the deceased angry and traumatised. Sconce, who was initially jailed for his crimes in 1989 and then again in 2013 for violating probation conditions, is an unrepentant voice. He offers no apologies and advocates for treating the dead as a business opportunity that allows for practices such as mass cremations to save costs. Its a thorough, sometimes dispiriting, documentary.
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Eating outJust open Middle Park finally gets its moment as a new bar and bistro opens in the suburb From the owner of Tartine and Neds Bake, Middle Park European is a long-awaited diner for pasta and steak frites in the Melbourne neighbourhood. Tomas Telegramma Updated June 6, 2025 , first published May 30, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the June 2025 hitlist. See all stories .

Middle Park European is set to open on June 3. Paul Jeffers For months, Middle Park residents have been peering through the venetian blinds of the building on the corner of Armstrong and Erskine streets, eagerly awaiting its transition into a wine bar and bistro they can call their own. After much anticipation, 110-seat Middle Park European will officially open on June 3. The latest venture by restaurateur Matteo Brunos Valarc Group (Richmonds Tartine, Windsors Ines Wine Bar and Sistine, and more) will feed the local hunger for an elevated dining option in the Melbourne suburb, says Bruno, who lives nearby in Albert Park. I was really familiar with this strip and I knew that there was really nothing of this nature.

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He tested the concept when he acquired Neds Bake after it went into administration, adding nights at the Middle Park location, which he says locals couldnt get enough of. Linger at the bar with some oysters as you wait for a table. Paul Jeffers Bruno hopes the same will be true for Middle Park European, open for lunch through dinner six days a week for residents to use as casually or ceremoniously as they like. Theres an immediate warmth to the front bar  all salmon-coloured tiles, lime-washed walls and original stained-glass windows  where you can perch at a standing table with a beer, or champagne and a half-dozen oysters, while you wait for a seat. The spine of the venue, Bruno says, is a curvy walnut-timber bar, inset with stone, that the team needed a local boat builder to make. It stretches up the buildings right-hand side into a cork-lined dining area with booth and banquette seating. Vintage cabinetry sourced from Kyneton homewares store Kabinett adds to the lived-in feel.

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Cavatelli pasta with pork and fennel sausage, large enough to share between two. Paul Jeffers Leading the (open) kitchen is British-born head chef Aaron Wrafter, who cut his teeth at the Michelin-starred, now-closed Turners, and Harborne Kitchen in Birmingham. His menu is Italian-leaning, with French flourishes and a substantial selection of seafood. To start, caviar dip saves you having to splash out on a tin. A bed of creme fraiche is topped with Black River caviar, chives (and chive oil), and pickled shallot. There will always be two kinds of house-made pasta  so generously sharing-sized that Bruno had to order bigger tables. For the opening menu expect fresh tagliatelle with Shark Bay crab and bisque, and ridged shell-like cavatelli with pork-and-fennel sausage. Steak frites at Middle Park European. Paul Jeffers

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Mainstays include fishnchips and steak frites (porterhouse, say, with tarragon butter), while a specials board will introduce new dishes every couple of weeks. As with the food, the wine list favours Italy and France, with a few big-ticket bottles from Barolo and Burgundy. More affordable local alternatives also punch above their weight: Heathcote winery Vinea Marsons barbera is just as bold as ones from Piedmont that are 20 times the price, says Bruno. Cocktails are largely driven by citrus and amari, including an Aperol-tinged spicy marg and salted-caramel espresso martini with Averna. Open lunch and dinner Tue-Sun. 20 Armstrong Street, Middle Park, mpeuropean.com.au

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. A forum on "Water Security and Climate Resilience: Addressing Environmental Challenges in CICA Member States" was held in Dushanbe, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

The forum was organized within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) with the support of the CICA Secretariat. The event became part of the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Conservation.

During the event, statements were made on behalf of the Azerbaijani chairmanship of CICA and COP29. Participants were provided with information on Azerbaijan's contribution to strengthening water security and international cooperation at both the regional and global levels.

Participants discussed the implications of accelerated glacier melting due to climate change for water security and noted the need for adaptation measures and long-term sustainability. Particular attention was paid to the importance of collective efforts and cooperation in the field of rational water use.

There were also presentations on water security issues caused by climate change in CICA countries and the impact of water management on food security.
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Exclusive Eating outRestaurant news Former Kiln chef Mitch Orr joins hip London spin-off at Oxford Street hotel The three-in-one hospitality hub is set to open at the former home of the Grand Pacific Blue Room. Scott Bolles Updated June 6, 2025 , first published May 30, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

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Speaking by phone from London, sister and brother duo Zoe and Layo Paskin say Palomars Sydney branch will be informed by the London original but inspired by the city it resides in. Five or six signature dishes will make the trip, with plenty of wiggle room for the local team to create its own imprint. An artists impression of the forthcoming 25hours Hotel The Olympia. Tonkin Zulaikha Greer The Paskins will come to Australia to bed the venues down, and bring some of their team with them, but theyll appoint a local head chef at The Palomar to work with Orr and the hotel. Just who are the Paskins? Their hospitality story began in 1995 with a London nightclub, The End. Layo Paskin is a DJ who found time to release four albums and tour the globe before they decided to sell the nightclub and focus their energy on restaurants. Eyeing a gap in the London market for a restaurant influenced by southern Europe and the cuisines of the Levant, the 2014 launch of The Palomar proved a quick success, named by Tatler magazine as restaurant of the year. Theyve since added the Michelin-starred Evelyns Table to a stable that also includes London hotspot The Barbary.

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The Palomar restaurant, The Mulwray and Jacob the Angel will open on the hotels ground floor. Whats the secret to their success? Layo Paskin refers to restaurants as organisms, and the unseens beyond food and service such as the volume of music and lighting. If youve done it well, people dont know why they feel like they do, its magic, he said. Asked how they juggle a sister-brother relationship in the cut and thrust of business, Layo said: Ill let the better sibling start. We can occasionally get a bit hot-headed, Zoe Paskin said. But she explained that they know their individual strengths and defer to them. Zoe is a deep thinker about the hospitality experience. She observes seemingly ordinary details such as eating at the bar as a more democratic union between guest and staff. London restaurateurs Zoe and Layo Paskin are bringing their concepts to Sydney.

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The opportunity to branch out to restaurants in hotels came during the pandemic, when Studio Paskin was approached to curate restaurants at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, and theyve recently done a project in Barcelona. There are plenty of opportunities around the world, but their ears pricked when 25hours Hotel owner Ennismore approached them about a collaboration in Sydney. Both siblings have chalked up plenty of eating hours in Sydney, and are fans of the local restaurant scene. Layo spent lots of time in the city early in his career, touring as a DJ. Plus his wife, Gabriella, was raised in Sydney. She [Gabriella] was very excited. When she realised it [the hotel] was the Grand Pacific Blue Room site, it doubled, Layo said. Before its 1990s Blue Room era, the building was better known as the Olympia Theatre, with a history stretching back to 1911. The Paskins three venues will all front Oxford Street, on the ground level of the hotel. The Palomar in Sydney will be informed by the London original. While The Palomar might transplant dishes such as lamb belly with anchovy or its ice-cream sandwiches filled with baklava and pistachio, The Mulwray will lean on classic cocktails and a local-leaning wine list.

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The restoration and redevelopment of the hotels heritage-listed Oxford Street site has been beset by delays. When the 109-room hotel opens in September it will also include a rooftop bar, Monica, operated by the hotel, with West Hollywood and Santa Monica vibes and sweeping Sydney views. You can see a good chunk of the Harbour Bridge and the tip of an Opera House sail, MitchOrr said. Related Article Exclusive Trio of hip London hospo venues to launch Sydney spin-offs at historic Oxford Street site

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Loading He had been lost to follow up by his treating doctors in Queensland, and police missed opportunities to intervene as he spiralled into a psychotic fixation on military knives and serial killers. The inquest has heard individuals within multiple fallible systems were doing their best. However, Elizabeth Young was not comforted. Im sorry, but it seems my daughter and five others were killed by the cumulative failures of numbers of people within a whole series of fallible systems, she said. Young added her voice to those condemning media coverage, saying her family was stalked by television crews in the days that followed her daughters murder. She said she learnt a new word in the process: Trauma-porn.

Faraz Tahir, 30, died a hero confronting Joel Cauchi on his first shift as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction. Elizabeth ended with a quote from Shakespeares Macbeth, that she was looking into a bleak tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow without her daughter. Faraz Tahir was killed on his first shift as a security guard at the centre. He and another guard, Muhammad Taha, had bravely rushed to the sound of screaming and were ambushed by Cauchi. Taha survived. Tahirs family said Faraz came to Australia to escape persecution, and died protecting the lives of innocents in his new home. Faraz had dreams, for his life, for his family, for a better tomorrow, his brother, Muzafar, said. Im very sad about Farazs sudden death, but his greatest achievement has raised our pride when the prime minister called him a national hero.

The Tahir family even offered condolences to Michele and Andrew Cauchi, the parents of the man who had killed Faraz. They raised their son and have lost him  and we know this tragedy is not their fault, Muzafar said. Muzafar Ahmad Tahir, brother of murdered security guard Faraz Tahir, outside the NSW Coroners Court. Credit: Kate Geraghty Muzafar and a third brother, Sheraz, told this masthead they hoped the inquest would lead to more funding for the groaning mental health system through which Cauchi slipped. Their hopes were amplified by the Young family.

Loading [This] is a cry out to an Australia that doesnt want to acknowledge that what happened ... is essentially the catastrophic consequence of years of neglect of and within our mental health systems, state and federal, Elizabeth said. The families each thanked the first responders including emergency workers and other shoppers who raced to save their loved ones. The Tahir family thanked paramedics  notable as the inquest had heard Faraz had sustained potentially, but unlikely survivable, injuries. More statements followed, from the family of Ash Good, but they were suppressed at the request of the family.

Chinese student Yixuan Cheng. Then the parents of student Cheng Yixuan were too upset to dial in from China as their lawyer read their statement. Their statement recounted their devastation, and the horrible four-day journey to Australia after the treasure of our life was stolen. If heaven could grant us one wish, even if fulfilling it meant giving up every ounce of good fortune in my life, or being shattered body and soul, we would not hesitate, the statement read. We would wish for the tragedy of 13 April 2024 to be nothing but a dream. One we could wake from, and find Yixuan and all those lost and injured that day, now safe and well in this world, everything as it was.

Her fiance is still building and decorating their marriage home, stocking it with her clothes and items so he can spend his life with her in spirit. Pikria Darchias children, and best friend Tamara, also offered their statements. She was not just a victim, she was an artist inspired by the Australian and Sydney landscape, her son said. Pikria Darchia was made of something different, something rare and beautiful, her daughter said. She loved this city, she believed in it, he said.

Pikria deserved a full and beautiful life, and it was taken from her, Tamara said thanking both Inspector Amy Scott, who shot Cauchi, and the liaison officer tasked to the Dachia family. Dachias daughter said her mothers happiness was in our happiness, her peace was in our safety. Loading She was made of something different, something rare and beautiful, her daughter said. But the way she left this world, breaks me. It was so sudden, so violent, so opposite of the peace she deserved.
Victorias first gas-import terminal in Corio Bay has won conditional approval from the Allan government as it seeks to prevent damaging winter shortages in the state.

Speaking at the Victorian Chamber of Commerces Autumn Ball on Thursday night, Premier Jacinta Allan said her government would pave the way for Viva Energys proposed liquified natural gas import terminal to get off the ground.

Premier Jacinta Allan made the announcement at a VCCI event. Credit: Joe Armao

It was the latest in a series of energy-related announcements made this week.

Viva Energy, which supplies petrol and diesel and owns the Shell service station business, has been waiting for a decision from the government, due this month.
West Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest has fallen out of the Australian Financial Review Rich List top 10 for the first time in more than 15 years.

The iron ore tycoon was ranked the richest man in Australia from 2020 to 2023, before beginning to slide down the rankings following his split from wife, Nicola, and the dividing of their shared fortune in 2023.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest on the banks of the Swan River in Perth in 2023.

Nicola Forrest remains in the top 10, ranked ninth with an estimated fortune worth $12.8 billion, due to holding slightly more of the familys Fortescue shares than her estranged husband.

Fellow WA mining magnate Gina Rinehart has held her position as the richest Australian for the sixth year in a row despite her fortune shrinking slightly from $40.6 billion in 2024 to $38.1 billion this year due to falling iron ore prices.
There has been nothing to disrupt this because each party has either chosen, or found itself, living a relatively sheltered existence. For the Liberals, that has meant a media strategy of speaking mostly to those it considers friendly outlets: receiving pats on the head from Sky News, while having periodic bouts of railing against, and even boycotting mainstream media it doesnt like  most enduringly the ABC. That eschews the process of having ones ideas tested. Of learning to defend them. In short, of learning to persuade. Policy is never sharpened, and wild ideas are not recognised as such until it is far too late  whether in the form of nuclear energy or banning public servants from working from home if indeed they arent sacked in the first place.

For the Nationals, it involves the luxury of presiding over seats that, on current arrangements, it can never really lose. Alone among Australian political parties, the Nationals have no natural predators. The bulk of their constituents will never vote Labor  a disposition that goes back as far as the shearers strikes in the 1890s  and Greens might as well be a swear word. Occasionally, as we saw in the 2019 NSW state election, they might lose to outsider parties like the Shooters and Fishers, but not federally.

That means the Nationals can behave with near electoral impunity. They are not compelled to find ways of winning the centre, where elections are won. They need not reckon with the changing Australia confronting the Liberals. And the lack of competition means they routinely return strong electoral performances, which allows them to make ever more strident demands of the Liberal Party, who are frequently coming off a disappointing result.

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This years election has shown the dangers of all this protection. Once exposed to the full glare of the campaign, where the press pack insist on asking impertinent questions, Dutton found himself out of practice. The Nationals, meanwhile, saw one instructive shot across the bow, when Andrew Gee, who resigned from the party over its position on the Voice, romped home as an independent in the seat of Calare. Here we can discern perhaps the only threat for which the Nationals may not be prepared: concerted, locally focused, grassroots campaigns from independents who can trade on the idea the Nationals are taking them for granted. Imagine, for instance, a campaign built in the image of Voices for Indi, targeting voters worried about the prospect of nuclear energy coming to their area. In that way, the Nats could get tealed.
Donald Trump may be president of the United States, but he is not an all-powerful ruler. Thats the message a panel of US federal judges has delivered by ruling that Trump was not authorised to impose his sweeping Liberation Day tariffs on dozens of countries.

The verdict by the US Court of International Trade is a win for the rule of law and, by extension, American democracy. Yes, Trump is pushing the boundaries of the presidency in often alarming ways, but there are still bollards blocking him from crashing through the constitutional order.

A US court has found that President Donald Trump was not authorised to impose his Liberation Day policies. Credit: AP

In their ruling, the judges applied common sense, demolishing Trumps claim that vague national security concerns justify presidential tariffs on virtually every country in the world, including allies such as Australia. The judges stressed they were not opposed to tariffs on policy grounds but because Trump had improperly invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose them.

Inconveniently for Trump, the law in question doesnt even mention tariffs. The judges also pointed out another inconvenience: the US Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries. The Republicans who control Congress are largely terrified of Trumps base and have ceded much of their authority to him, but the judiciary continues to exert its independence.
The Liberal and Nationals parties have launched a review of their commitments to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, which shapes as a defining moment for the Coalition and the nations long-running climate wars.

Both Coalition partners announced, after Labors thumping federal election win this month, they would throw open debate in their party rooms before finalising their policy offerings.

Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal leader Sussan Ley. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Net zero is among the most pressing issues, given Coalition leader Sussan Ley has committed to end the nations climate wars and take the Liberal Party back to the sensible centre of the political spectrum in a bid to win back the more than 30 seats it would need to form government again.

Most of Australias biggest polluters, including the mining, energy and agriculture sectors, are committed to reaching net zero by 2050, in line with Australias commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
How much does it cost to live like a Rich Lister?

Many of Australias billionaires amassed their fortunes in the property industry, but even those who built wealth in other sectors such as mining or technology have been keen purchasers of residential real estate.

Ed Craven purchased this Orrong Road property for $38.5 million in March 2022. Credit: Sharyn Cairns

Australia is now home to 161 billionaires, up from 150 a year ago, the Financial Review Rich List for 2025, published in full on Friday, reveals.

The top industry for wealth creation was mining, whose rich listers are worth a collective $141.3 billion, followed by property, worth $125.8 billion across 44 entrants.
The majority of the Blues slept easily on Wednesday night after their hard-fought victory in Origin I at Suncorp Stadium took them to within 80 minutes of another series triumph. But Nathan Cleary lay awake thinking of all the goals he missed, rather than the match he won.

The NSW halfback, who has been kicking at 91.89 per cent accuracy in 2025  the most accurate season of his career so far  missed all three of his conversion attempts in the Blues 18-6 victory.

Ive been thinking about it all night, I could barely sleep last night, Cleary said. But definitely, I guess, a good game to be off with the boot. You know, just the way we performed, it helped. If we had lost, I wouldnt have been able to live with myself.

So, definitely a lot more practice going in, and I wont let that happen again.
Broncos rookie Ben Te Kura will at last get his chance in the NRL in 2025, having been forced to fight his way into the side through the Queensland Cup.

But despite Brisbanes lack of consistency, and limited support for star props Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, centre Gehamat Shibasaki has shed light on why the NRLs tallest player has been forced to bide his time.

Te Kura has statistically been emphatic for the Souths Logan Magpies, missing just three tackles all year while averaging 105 running metres and more than four tackle busts a game.

Ben Te Kura in action during the Brisbane Broncos 2025 preseason. Credit: NRL Photos

The 21-year-old has been a lethal try-scoring weapon close to the line, a skill which was on show on debut against the Melbourne Storm and has led to five tries and six line breaks this year.
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Germany will work with Ukraine to produce long-range weapons, intensifying cooperation with the war-battered nation as European allies pile pressure on Russia to engage in talks to end the war.

The German leader, who this week said there were "absolutely no range limits" on Ukrainian forces making deep strikes into Russian territory, spoke after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin. He called the Kremlin's assault on Kiev in the past week a "slap in the face" to diplomatic efforts to engage Moscow.

"The massive air strikes on the city of Kiev in particular over the weekend do not speak the language of peace, but rather the language of a war of aggression," Merz said Wednesday alongside Zelensky, who made his first trip to the German capital since the new chancellor took office this month.

The Ukrainian leader on Tuesday called on western allies to provide $30 billion by the end of the year to boost domestic weapons production and hold off Russia's advance. With US support waning and diplomatic efforts stalling, Kiev has increasingly focused on relying on its own resources.

Neither leader provided details on the weapons cooperation - and Merz balked at questions about German deliveries of Taurus cruise missiles, which Berlin has refused to send. But the chancellor said the work will aim to allow Ukraine to adequately defend itself against Russia. Zelensky said German and Ukrainian teams will lock in an agreement on financing new projects.

"These projects already exist, we simply want them to be in the possible quantity that we so much require," the Ukrainian leader said.

 'Obstruction'

Responding within an hour of Merz's remarks, the Russian government said the German leader's comments amounted to a provocation.

"It is nothing other than continued attempts to force Ukrainians to keep fighting," the Tass state news service reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying. "And it is nothing other than an obstruction of efforts to move toward a peaceful resolution."

Merz repeated his demand on Putin to engage in talks over a ceasefire, "in the Vatican, Geneva, or a third location." European leaders have sought to increase pressure as President Donald Trump this week warned that Putin is "playing with fire."

Since taking office three weeks ago, Merz has signaled a shift from the more cautious approach of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, taking a stronger line on support for Ukraine's fight to repel the Russian invasion. The German leader also reinforced his position that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will remain inactive.

"On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, I say: in this context, we will do everything we can to ensure that Nord Stream 2 does not come back online," he said.

Scholz had long ruled out dispatching Taurus missiles, with a range of up to 500 kilometers (300 miles), enabling them to hit targets in Moscow. And though Merz was silent on the issue, he's expressed approval of its use.

His coalition government has agreed not to disclose information on weapons deliveries.

Germany is the second-biggest supporter of Ukraine after the US and sustaining future supplies of weapons and ammunition will be critical, since Trump's support has remained unclear.

The date of the next round of direct talks with Ukraine will be announced soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told an international security conference in Moscow on Wednesday.

Ukraine's neutral status remains a key Russian demand for a peace settlement, he added in televised comments.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Today, another group of former internally displaced persons, consisting of families temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps, and administrative buildings in various territories of Azerbaijan, was sent to the city of Lachin's Baylik, Trend reports.

At this stage, another 41 families (163 people) moved to the Lachin's Baylik..

Lachin residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Currently, about 43,000 people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former internally displaced persons who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, as well as specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions that have resumed their activities.
In September wed like to base ourselves in Sicily. Is it better to have one base and make day trips or to spend two to three nights in some towns? We wont have a car.

S. Barr, Benalla, Vic

Cefalu, a medieval village of Sicily, in the province of Palermo. Credit: istock

In 10 days you could fly into Palermo and spend four nights, touring the city and visiting Monreale, Cefalu and possibly Erice. You might look for accommodation in the Kalsa district, threaded with Baroque churches, piazzas and street markets including Vucciria and Ballaro. In the evenings the area comes alive with restaurants, wine bars and cafes. Look for stays near Piazza Marina or Via Alloro, which is quieter but central.

From Palermo, take a five- to six-hour train journey to Syracuse and look for accommodation on neighbouring Ortigia Island. From Ortigia you can make day trips to explore other parts of south-eastern Sicily. Noto, Ragusa and Modica are essential viewing, but leave time for relaxing in Ortigia and exploring its piazzas and meandering streets. Its one of Sicilys loveliest towns, and you could spend all your remaining time here, but another option would be to take the train to Taormina. The town is known for its stunning setting and dramatic views of Mount Etna, and its glamorous reputation has been enhanced by its starring role in the second series of The White Lotus. Stay two nights, with a possible excursion to Mount Etna.

Another great option is the Ferrovia Circumetnea train ride that makes a three-hour circuit of the villages around Mount Etna. The Etna Trasporti bus takes 75 minutes to travel from the bus station at Taormina to Catania Airport, from where there are frequent domestic and international services.
During the trial in Vannes in north-western France, Le Scouarnec confessed to raping and sexually assaulting 299 people between 1989 and 2014, the Associated Press and French media reported.

A courtroom sketch of Joel Le Scouarnec, who is already in prison for other sexual offences. Credit: AP

The trial of Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, which began in February, is believed to be the countrys largest child abuse case.

A French court has sentenced a former surgeon to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of the rape and sexual assault of hundreds of people  mostly children, and many under anesthesia  during his decades-long career.

Most of the victims were minors; their average age at the time of the alleged crimes was 11.

The sentence is the maximum penalty available. Le Scouarnec is already serving a 15-year prison sentence in a separate case, in which he was found guilty in 2020 on four counts of rape and sexual assault against a six-year-old neighbour, a patient and two of his nieces.

In France, sentences are served simultaneously, not added together. He was also sentenced to a two-thirds minimum sentence, so he cannot request an adjustment before early May 2030, said Giovanni Bertho-Briand, a lawyer in the case.

With potential sentence reductions for good behaviour, he can hope to be released between early August 2030 and December 2033, Bertho-Briand added.

The court did not uphold the prosecutions request to send Le Scouarnec to a supervised facility for an indefinite period after he serves his prison time, a very rare measure for convicted dangerous offenders in France.
Leave No One Behind

New York, NY:--- In a striking address at the United Nations High-Level Interactive Dialogue on Culture and Sustainable Development, James Finies delivered a powerful plea for inclusion, justice, and decolonization in the age of digital transformation.

I stand before you today as a voice for those who are always left behind. I am James Finies  I come from Bonaire, an island in the southern Caribbean, nos ta papia papiamento- we speak Papiamento together with Haitian, the only two official native languages in the Caribbean that survived colonization an island still colonized to this day. In the 21st century, my people are denied representation, erased from the global narrative, and excluded from decision-making about our own future.

As we meet to discuss culture and digital transformation in the context of sustainable development, we must confront a critical question: Can sustainable development truly exist in colonized territories where international human rights instruments are absent or denied? On Bonaire, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are not realitieswe live outside their protection.

Digital transformation, driven by AI and algorithms, is built on historical data. But our stories were never recorded. Our histories were never written. And now, in the digital age, we risk being erased once morethis time by design. If we dont act now, we will be permanently excluded from the future being built around us.

Culture is not a side noteit is central to development. Without cultural rights, there is no dignity, no justice, and no sustainable future. The digital world must reflect all cultures, not just those already in power.

This requires action in three key areas: 1- Equity and access. Digital technologies must be available to all communities, especially those historically excluded. 2. 2. 2-Ethics and governance. AI must be aligned with human rights and transparency. It must serve humanity, not deepen inequality. 3- Diversity and innovation. Every culture deserves to be seen, valued, and preserved. Innovation thrives when all voices are heard.

Meanwhile, on Bonaire, our native language Papiamento is disappearing from schools. Our flag has been replaced. Our online presence has been rewritten. New settlers flood our island, while native voices are silenced. Our native population has shrunk from 80% in 2010 to just 30% today. We are losing our land, our rights, our culture, our identity; we are facing ethnic and cultural erasure.

I am here as the last hope of our people - Our culture still breathes. Our language still lives. Our spirit endures. We are resilient, we have the faith not to be erased. Our future must be decided by us. Decolonize AI, Decolonize Bonaire

So I call on the United Nations and the world: Include us. Protect us. Could you stand with us? Let us build a future where no onetruly no oneis left behind.

UN WEB TV video:

https://youtu.be/oHMBhRDP69U?si=yFPdEEmChIVaDTMk
A significant legal setback has hit President Donald Trumps ambitious trade policy as a US federal trade court ruled his wide-reaching tariffs illegal. The ruling, delivered by a three-judge panel at the New York-based Court of International Trade, has sparked debates over the limits of presidential power in implementing trade regulations.

The Ruling and Its Basis

The courts decision invalidates Trumps use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs on imports. The IEEPA allows the president to take extraordinary measures during a national emergency, but the court ruled that Trump had exceeded these powers. By attempting to link trade deficits to a national emergency, Trumps administration bypassed the usual requirement of congressional approval for tariff impositions.

The court made clear that its ruling was not a commentary on the wisdom or likely effectiveness of Trumps tariff strategy but solely on its legality. It stated, The trade levies are impermissible not because they are unwise but because federal law does not allow it.

The decision immediately nullified Trumps orders applying blanket tariffs to most countries last month, a move that had unsettled global markets.

Economic and Market Impacts

The announcement of the courts decision prompted a rally in financial markets. The US dollar surged against major currencies such as the euro and yen, and European stock markets showed gains as well. The German DAX index increased by 0.9%, while Frances CAC 40 rose 1%. Wall Street, too, appeared poised for gains as futures pointed to a market upswing.

Analysts predict that the overturning of Trumps tariffs could stabilize global trade relations and mitigate economic uncertainties. However, the Trump administrations appeal of the decision adds a layer of complexity as businesses and economists await further developments.

Reactions and Responses

White House officials expressed vehement opposition to the ruling, questioning the judiciarys authority. Kush Desai, a spokesperson for the Trump administration, remarked, It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.

The ruling has also left trade experts and political analysts speculating on Trumps next steps. Without the rapid mechanisms allowed by the IEEPA, the administration may have to resort to slower methods, such as launching investigations under other trade laws. Legal avenues like Section 232, which grants the president powers to impose tariffs for national security reasons, have been highlighted as potential alternatives.

Broader Legal and Political Implications

The ruling represents a significant roadblock to Trumps broader trade agenda, which aimed to reduce the USs $1.2 trillion goods trade deficit and bring manufacturing jobs back to American shores. The prohibition of blanket tariff impositions under the IEEPA could force structural changes in how future administrations approach trade policies.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, whose state was a lead plaintiff in one of the two lawsuits against the tariffs, welcomed the court's decision. This ruling reaffirms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions cant be made on the presidents whim, Rayfield said.

The lawsuits also involved small businesses, including a wine importer struggling under the policies, highlighting the broader economic strains tariffs had created for import-reliant industries.

Looking Ahead

Trumps administration is expected to appeal the ruling, which could escalate to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and eventually the Supreme Court. Whether the appeal succeeds or additional legal routes are pursued, this ruling shines a spotlight on the intersection of executive action and legislative oversight in trade policy.

While some of Trumps tariffs on specific industries, such as steel and aluminum, remain unchallenged because they use a different statute, this case raises pressing questions about the scope of presidential powers. For now, stakeholders across the economic and political spectrum are closely monitoring how the administration moves forward in addressing trade policy within the bounds of the law.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Police Central Dispatch received a distress call reporting that a young child had fallen into a swimming pool in the Oyster Pond area.



Multiple police patrol units and ambulance personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, officers encountered a 4-year-old boy who showed no signs of life. CPR was administered, and the child was urgently transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further medical attention.



Despite all efforts, police received the tragic news that the child had passed away.



The Sint Maarten Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.

KPSM Press Release
Leveraging Google Cloud s agentic AI framework and Infosys Topaz, these agents are designed to transform enterprise processes

Infosys (https://www.infosys.com/) (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced the launch of over 200 enterprise AI agents powered by Infosys Topaz (https://www.infosys.com/services/data-ai-topaz.html) AI offerings and Google Cloud s (https://cloud.google.com/products/agent-builder)Vertex AI Platform (https://cloud.google.com/products/agent-builder). The AI agents are designed to drive tangible outcomes for enterprises by transforming complex workflows and managing intricate, multi-agent business operations efficiently at scale.

These enterprise AI agents cater to multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, retail, telecom, manufacturing, and agriculture. Leveraging advanced machine learning and cognitive architecture, the agents are equipped with powerful capabilities such as data extraction to transform raw inputs into actionable insights and multimodal functionality to handle diverse data types effectively. They ensure secure communication through encrypted channels and uphold robust data privacy measures to protect sensitive information. Additionally, the enterprise AI agents feature autonomous decision-making, which allows them to independently analyze scenarios and execute complex tasks, driving enhanced operational efficiency. For example:

 In the area of predictive network capacity planning, a monitoring agent continuously tracks real-time network capacity and alerts for any immediate concerns. This proactive monitoring helps prevent potential network issues, enhancing reliability and efficiency. It leads to reduced downtime, improved user experience, and optimized resource utilization.

 In the accounts payable and receivable processes, a corporate finance agent ensures accurate financial reporting and cash flow management, thus reducing the risk of late payments or missed collections, enhancing overall financial efficiency and reliability.

 In the manufacturing domain, a forecasting agent uses real-time data to predict demand for vehicle parts, thus optimizing inventory and managing the supply chain. This approach adjusts production, evaluates inventory, and auto-orders shortfall parts, boosting operational effectiveness and reliability.

Balakrishna D. R. (Bali), Executive Vice President, Global Services Head, AI and Industry Verticals, Infosys, said, The development of more than 200 enterprise AI agents marks a milestone in our continued efforts to innovate and lead in the enterprise AI space. With Infosys Topaz AI offerings and Google Cloud s advanced AI frameworks, we are enhancing Human+AI collaboration and unlocking new levels of efficiency and precision across industries. This initiative not only demonstrates our capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to helping businesses navigate their next.

Enterprise AI agents have the power to improve operations by driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing decision-making processes, said Victor Morales, Vice President of GSI and Consulting Partnerships, Google Cloud. Infosys enterprise AI agents, built on Google Cloud s Vertex AI platform, can enable businesses to improve complex workflows and support multi-agent operations at scale.

The AI agents mark a significant milestone as a direct outcome of the Google Cloud (https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/collaboration-boost-enterprise-ai-innovation.html)C (https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/collaboration-boost-enterprise-ai-innovation.html)enter of (https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/collaboration-boost-enterprise-ai-innovation.html)E (https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/collaboration-boost-enterprise-ai-innovation.html)xcellence, powered by Infosys Topaz (https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/2024/collaboration-boost-enterprise-ai-innovation.html). The initiative leverages the advanced AI capabilities of Infosys Topaz and the generative AI technology of Google Cloud to deliver innovative enterprise AI solutions.

For more information, please visit here (https://www.infosys.com/services/data-ai-topaz/insights/google-cloud-collaborate.html).

About Infosys

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Original-Content von: INFOSYS, ubermittelt durch news aktuell
China launches space probe seeking asteroid samples: Xinhua



Beijing, May 28 (AFP) May 28, 2025



China on Thursday launched a space probe on the country's first mission to retrieve samples from an asteroid and bring them home for research, the Xinhua state news agency reported.

Beijing has ploughed billions of dollars into its space programme in recent years in an effort to achieve what President Xi Jinping describes as the country's "space dream".

It has built a space station orbiting the Earth and plans to run a crewed mission to the Moon this decade ahead of establishing a permanent base there.

A Long March-3B rocket carrying the Tianwen-2 probe blasted off from the Xichang launch site in southwestern Sichuan province at 1:31 am (1731 GMT).

About 18 minutes later, the Tianwen-2 probe was sent into a transfer orbit from Earth to the asteroid 2016HO3, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said, according to Xinhua.

"The spacecraft unfolded its solar panels smoothly, and the CNSA declared the launch a success," the news agency wrote.

Despite the mission's long duration and significant risks, Shan "expressed his expectation of yielding groundbreaking discoveries and expanding humanity's knowledge of the cosmos," according to Xinhua.

Tianwen-2 is tasked with collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3, and exploring the comet 311P, according to the country's space agency.

Discovered by scientists in Hawaii in 2016, the asteroid is roughly 40 to 100 metres (130-330 feet) in diameter and orbits relatively close to Earth.

It is a "living fossil" consisting of ancient materials that can help scientists understand how the early solar system formed, Xinhua reported this week.

The comet, meanwhile, orbits between Mars and Jupiter and is alluring to researchers because it exhibits some features more commonly associated with asteroids.

The Tianwen-2 mission is expected to last around a decade.

China's space programme is the third to put humans in orbit -- after the United States and the Soviet Union -- and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon.

Its space station, Tiangong -- whose name means "celestial palace" in Chinese -- is the jewel in its crown.

Last month, China sent three astronauts to Tiangong for a six-month stint as part of the Shenzhou-20 mission.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) hopes to expand cooperation with the International Association of Pension and Social Funds (IAPSF), the Secretary General of ISSA Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano said at an international conference on Adaptation of social protection systems in the context of the challenges of the modern world, Trend reports.

I hope that under our common leadership - both ISSA and IAPSF - we will be able not only to preserve but also to strengthen long-standing cooperation, making it even more effective. And the main purpose of this cooperation is not only to solve our internal problems, but above all, to ensure the well-being of citizens, he emphasized.

According to Caetano, through joint efforts, it is possible to ensure a better social security system for all.

We are united by a common goal of developing social security, making it more efficient, and improving people's quality of life. We provide our members with knowledge that they can apply and disseminate to strengthen social security worldwide. We have a common goal of working together for a fairer and more sustainable social security system for all, added the ISSA Secretary General.
Nvidia earnings beat expectations despite US export controls



San Francisco, May 28 (AFP) May 28, 2025



Nvidia on Wednesday reported earnings that topped market expectations, with a $4.5 billion hit from US export controls being less than the Silicon Valley chip juggernaut had feared.

However, Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress warned in an earnings call that export constraints are expected to cost the AI chip titan about $8 billion in the current quarter.

Nvidia in April notified regulators that it expected a $5.5 billion hit in the recently-ended quarter due to a new US licensing requirement on the primary chip it can legally sell in China.

US officials had told Nvidia it must obtain licenses to export its H20 chips to China because of concerns they may be used in supercomputers there, the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The new licensing rule applies to Nvidia graphics processing units, or GPUs, with bandwidth similar to that of the H20.

"China is one of the world's largest AI markets and a springboard to global success," Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said in an earnings call.

"The platform that wins China is positioned to lead globally; however, the $50 billion China market is effectively closed to us."

Nvidia cannot dial back the capabilities of its H20 chips any further to comply with US export constraints, winding up forced to write off billions of dollars on inventory that can't be sold or repurposed, according to Huang.

"The US has based its policy on the assumption that China cannot make AI chips," Huang said.

"That assumption was always questionable, and now it's clearly wrong."

China's AI is moving on without Nvidia technology, while that country's chip-makers innovate products and ramp up operations, according to Huang.

"The question is not whether China will have AI; it already does," he said.

"The question is whether one of the world's largest markets will run on American platforms."

The new requirements resulted in Nvidia incurring a charge of $4.5 billion in the quarter, associated with H20 excess inventory and purchase obligations "as demand for H20 diminished," the chip-maker said in an earnings report.

US export constraints stopped Nvidia from bringing in an additional $2.5 billion worth of H20 revenue in the quarter, according to the company.

Nvidia said it made a profit of $18.8 billion on revenue of $44.1 billion, causing shares to rise more than four percent in after-market trades.



- Hot demand -



Huang said demand for the company's AI-powering technology remains strong, and a new Blackwell NVL72 AI supercomputer referred to as a "thinking machine" is in full-scale production.

"Countries around the world are recognizing AI as essential infrastructure -- just like electricity and the internet -- and Nvidia stands at the center of this profound transformation," Huang said.

Nvidia high-end GPUs are in hot demand from tech giants building data centers to power artificial intelligence.

The company said its data center division revenue in the quarter was $39.1 billion, up 10 percent from the same period last year.

The market had expected more from the unit, however.

"Nvidia beat expectations again but in a market where maintaining this dominance is becoming more challenging," said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne.

"The China export restrictions underscore the immediate pressure from geopolitical headwinds but Nvidia also faces mounting competitive pressure as rivals like AMD gain ground," said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne.

Revenue in Nvidia's gaming chip business hit a record high of $3.8 billion, leaping 48 percent and eclipsing forecasts.

The AI boom has propelled Nvidia's stock price, which has regained much of the ground lost in a steep sell-off in January triggered by the sudden success of DeepSeek.

China's DeepSeek unveiled its R1 chatbot, which it claims can match the capacity of top US AI products for a fraction of their costs.

"The broader concern is that trade tensions and potential tariff impacts on data center expansion could create headwinds for AI chip demand in upcoming quarters," analyst Bourne said of Nvidia.
Meta AI bot used a billion times monthly: Mark Zuckerberg



San Francisco, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg touted the tech firm's generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) assistant on Wednesday, telling shareholders it is used by a billion people each month across its platforms.

Zuckerberg noted the milestone anew at Meta's annual gathering of shareholders and as the social media behemoth vies with Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and others to be a leader in Gen AI.

It was not clear how much Meta AI use involved people seeking out the chatbot versus passive users of Meta AI, as it is built into features in its family of apps.

Since Google debuted AI Overviews in search results a year ago, it has grown to more than 1.5 billion users, according to Google chief executive Sundar Pichai.

"That means Google Search is bringing Gen AI to more people than any other product in the world," Pichai said.

Google's AI Overviews are automatically provided summaries of search results that appear instead of the previous practice of simply showing pages of blue links to revelant websites.

Pichai said last week that Google's dedicated Gemini AI app has more than 400 million monthly users.

Tech rivals are rapidly releasing new AI products despite ongoing challenges with preventing misinformation and establishing clear business models, and little sense of how the tech will affect society.

Meta unveiled its first standalone AI assistant app on April 29, giving users a direct path to its Gen AI models.

"A billion people are using Meta AI across our apps now, so we made a new standalone Meta AI app for you to check out," Meta CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg said in a video posted on Instagram at the time.

Zuckerberg said the app "is designed to be your personal AI" and would be primarily accessed through voice conversations with the interactions personalized to the individual user.

Use of Meta AI is growing fastest on WhatsApp, according to chief financial officer Susan Li.

"Our focus for this year is deepening the experience and making Meta AI the leading personal AI," Zuckerberg said when Meta announced quarterly earnings at the end of April.
New York Times signs AI licensing deal with Amazon



New York, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



The New York Times has agreed a deal for Amazon to use its content to train artificial intelligence models, the leading US newspaper announced Thursday in its first generative AI licensing deal.

Several media groups have already struck similar deals with major tech companies, but The New York Times had previously refused to allow its content to be used in the artificial intelligence race.

The newspaper is suing Amazon rival OpenAI, which it accuses of copyright infringement -- using its content to train the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT without permission.

Amazon is adding the technology to its Alexa voice assistant, and the deal opens the door for New York Times content to be used by Alexa and its connected devices.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

"The deal is consistent with our long-held principle that high-quality journalism is worth paying for," Meredith Kopit Levien, chief executive of The Times, said in a note to staff.

The news sent The New York Times share price soaring, gaining 1.85 percent around 1345 GMT on the New York Stock Exchange and closing in on its all-time high, reached in early December.

Media outlets around the world are grappling with how to navigate artificial intelligence as it reshapes the global information landscape.

News Corp -- owner of The Wall Street Journal -- French newspaper Le Monde, The Washington Post and Axel Springer, which owns titles such as Bild and Politico, have all inked deals with OpenAI.

Google has signed with the Associated Press news agency, while Agence France-Presse has partnered with French artificial intelligence start-up Mistral.

tu/els/st/bgs

Amazon.com

NEWS CORPORATION

AXEL SPRINGER AG

GOOGLE

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY
With AI and more shade, Saudi set for a searing hajj



Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



With artificial intelligence, more shade and misting machines, Saudi authorities are preparing to welcome more than a million hajj pilgrims amid punishing summer heat that has a deadly history in the holy city of Mecca.

Saudi Arabia's hajj minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP on Thursday that efforts to mitigate the searing desert heat remained a top focus among authorities and organisers ahead of this year's pilgrimage.

"One of the big challenges that we always face is the increasing temperature across the different years and this is an issue that we give top priority," he told AFP during an exclusive interview in Riyadh.

The issue is all the more pressing as officials work to prevent a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw more than 1,300 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.24 degrees Fahrenheit).

This year, Rabiah said authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials and doubled their efforts to mitigate heat-related risks.

Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on hand, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed for the duration of the hajj, he added.

Such efforts build on the work of previous years that have seen renovations to areas around the Grand Mosque and asphalt areas covered with a special layer to help reduce surface temperatures.

"These new changes will definitely ensure the safety and the better experience of pilgrims when they perform their hajj," said Rabiah.

He said this week that more than a million people from across the globe had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, with more still pouring in.

In 2024, 1.8 million pilgrims gathered in Mecca during the pilgrimage.



- Permit crackdown -



The latest artificial intelligence software will help monitor the deluge of information and footage, including video from a new fleet of drones, from across Mecca.

"We use advanced AI technologies to do this monitoring and get fast feedback," the minister said.

Crowd management has proved perilous in the past, notably in 2015 when a stampede caused about 2,300 deaths.

Along with expanding infrastructure and deploying more personnel, Saudi officials have been cracking down to prevent pilgrims without the right paperwork from entering Mecca.

Officials say more than 80 percent of the deaths during last year's hajj were among pilgrims who lacked official permits, which prevented them from accessing services including air-conditioned tents.

Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals by lottery.

But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs spur many to attempt the hajj without a permit -- though they risk arrest and deportation if caught.

To head off a flood of illicit pilgrims entering Mecca, authorities have launched raids, mounted a widespread media campaign and increased fines for those found violating the rules, which includes a potential 10-year ban from the kingdom.

"Therefore, having a permit is very crucial, very important for the safety of all," said Rabiah.

"We count on all Muslims to come only with permits and also we count on all countries to support us to ensure that only those with permits come to hajj."

This year's pilgrimage will begin on June 4 and take place over at least four days, mostly outdoors.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once by all Muslims who are able to do so.

For the past several years the mainly outdoor rituals have fallen during the sweltering Saudi summer.

"The hajj pilgrimage is a sacred journey that the leadership of the kingdom and the whole people of the kingdom take it seriously," the minister told AFP.

"They see it as a duty to work hard to ensure the spiritual fulfilment and safety of pilgrims."
Thai, Cambodian army chiefs to meet over border clash: govts



Bangkok, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



The military chiefs of Thailand and Cambodia will meet Thursday, both governments said, after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote on Facebook that he hoped the meeting between the two army commanders "will yield positive results". Thailand's Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told journalists the talks will be held on Thursday afternoon.

A Cambodian soldier was killed on Wednesday after an exchange of gunfire with the Thai army at the border, a rare fatality along the long-sensitive frontier.

His death came after Cambodian and Thai leaders attended a Southeast Asian summit where the regional ASEAN grouping vowed greater cooperation.

"There will be talks today," Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters Thursday, adding there had been a "misunderstanding by both sides."

Cambodia and Thailand have long been at odds over their more than 800-kilometre-long (500-mile) border, which was largely drawn during the French occupation of Indochina.

Bloody military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand erupted in 2008 over the Preah Vihear temple near the border.

The row over a patch of land next to the 900-year-old temple led to several years of sporadic violence, resulting in at least 28 deaths before the International Court of Justice ruled the disputed area belonged to Cambodia.

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Thai, Cambodian army chiefs to meet over border clash



Bangkok, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



The military chiefs of Thailand and Cambodia will meet Thursday, both governments said, after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash.

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told reporters on Thursday that "both sides should remain calm and discuss to see what we can agree", and called for peaceful discussion.

Her Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet wrote on Facebook that he hoped the meeting between the two army commanders "will yield positive results".

Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told journalists the talks will be held on Thursday afternoon, adding that there had been a "misunderstanding by both sides".

A Cambodian soldier was killed on Wednesday during an exchange of gunfire with the Thai army at the border, a Cambodian army spokesman said.

His death -- a rare fatality along the long-sensitive frontier -- came after Cambodian and Thai leaders attended a Southeast Asian summit where the regional ASEAN grouping vowed greater cooperation.

Thailand's military said Wednesday that its soldiers fired in response to gunshots from Cambodia's border force, leading to an exchange lasting around 10 minutes before the Thai saide said the Cambodians requested a ceasefire.

Cambodian Royal Army spokesman Mao Phalla confirmed the clash on Wednesday, but said Thai soldiers had attacked Cambodian troops who were on border patrol duty in northern Preah Vihear province.

"Our soldier died in the trenches. The Thais came to attack us," Mao Phalla said.



- 'Remain calm' -



Cambodia and Thailand have long been at odds over their more than 800-kilometre-long (500-mile) border, which was largely drawn during the French occupation of Indochina.

Bloody military clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbours erupted in 2008 over the Preah Vihear temple near their shared border.

The row over a patch of land next to the 900-year-old temple led to several years of sporadic violence, resulting in at least 28 deaths before the International Court of Justice ruled the disputed area belonged to Cambodia.

In February, Bangkok formally protested to Phnom Penh after a video of women singing a patriotic Khmer song in front of another disputed temple was posted on social media.

On Thursday, influential former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen -- Hun Manet's father, and an ally of Paetongtarn's father, ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- urged calm and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing border issues between the two countries.

Paetongtarn travelled to Cambodia in April for a two-day visit, during which she met Hun Manet to discuss cross-border cooperation on issues such as online scams and air pollution.

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Blast kills Russian veteran who led air strikes on Ukraine port city



Moscow, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



A retired Russian commander who led air strikes on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol died in a blast early Thursday in Stavropol in southern Russia, authorities said.

Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, received several medals for participating in Russia's gruelling assaults on the cities of Mariupol and Avdiivka.

Authorities did not say what caused the explosion, but also did not rule out that Ukraine was responsible.

A string of high-profile Russian servicemen have been killed in Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.

Videos posted by Russian Telegram channels showed two men, one of them Gurtsiev, positioned in a residential neighbourhood before a blast.

Kyiv has in some cases claimed responsibility or revelled in the attacks, calling them "legitimate targets" given Moscow's three-year offensive has killed tens of thousands.

"Our hero, veteran of the special military operation and participant in the Time of Heroes programme, Zaur Alexandrovich Gurtsiev, has died," said Stavropol region governor Vladimir Vladimirov, using Russia's term for its Ukraine offensive.

"All versions are being considered, including the organisation of a terrorist attack involving Nazis from Ukraine," he added, echoing the Kremlin's claim that it is fighting neo-Nazis in Ukraine.

The veteran's 29-year-old acquaintance died alongside him, Stavropol law enforcement said.

The Time of Heroes is the Kremlin's programme aimed to boost the careers of veterans stringently chosen to become part of Russia's future elite.

Gurtsiev was serving as Stavropol's deputy mayor.

He had commanded Moscow's air assault on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, a bustling Black Sea city devastated by Russian air strikes.

Russian forces rolled into Mariupol at the beginning of 2022 and imposed a brutal siege for nearly three months that resulted in 8,000 deaths, according to Human Rights Watch.

The siege included a deadly air strike on a theatre where civilians were hiding.

Ukraine does not typically comment on clandestine operations on the enemy's territory.
No top defence officials in China delegation at key summit



Beijing, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



No top Chinese defence officials will attend a key regional summit in Singapore this week, Beijing said Thursday, despite ongoing tensions with the United States.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top international defence forum, kicks off in the city-state on Friday.

The meeting has historically offered rare opportunities for senior officials to hold face-to-face talks, and will be attended by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this year.

But his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, will not be in attendance, Beijing's defence ministry said at a Thursday press conference.

Instead, the People's Liberation Army National Defense University has sent a delegation to take part, ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said.

The delegation "will have in-depth exchanges with different parties to build more consensus", he said.

Zhang did not say why Dong was not attending or whether the Chinese team would meet with US counterparts.

Asked who was leading Beijing's delegation, he said he had "nothing more to add".

Dong's absence comes after reports last year said he had been placed under investigation for corruption, something Chinese authorities have not confirmed.

If true, Dong would be the third consecutive Chinese defence minister to come under a graft probe, following the removal of his predecessors Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. According to the training plan for 2025, a live-fire tactical exercise was held with the Smerch multiple launch rocket system unit of the Rocket and Artillery Troops of the Azerbaijan Army, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

According to the exercise plan, the rocket artillery unit was put on alert and withdrawn from the point of permanent deployment to the assembly area, where the combat equipment was brought to a state of readiness for use. The Smerch multiple launch rocket system unit moved to the start position and successfully completed firing tasks.

The main objective of the live-fire tactical exercise was to increase the combat capability of the units military personnel and to improve the servicemens knowledge and skills in line with the requirements of modern warfare.
Thai, Cambodian army chiefs meet over border clash



Bangkok, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



Thai and Cambodian militaries said on Thursday they had agreed to ease border tensions after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a frontier clash.

Military clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbours erupted in 2008 and have led to several years of sporadic violence, resulting in at least 28 deaths.

Commmander General Pana Klaewplodthuk met with his Cambodian counterpart and both sides agreed to move troops away from the area, said Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree in a statement.

He added that a Joint Boundary Committee would meet in two weeks' time to "solve the problem of the border conflict".

The Royal Cambodian Army said in a statement that the commanders agreed to use "existing mechanisms... to resolve disputes", but that Cambodia would not pull back its troops from the site of the clash.

The Cambodian side "will not withdraw or station without weapons at the site of clash," it said, citing a demarcation agreement.

A Cambodian soldier was killed on Wednesday during an exchange of gunfire with the Thai army at the border, a Cambodian army spokesman said.

His death -- a rare fatality along the long-sensitive frontier -- came after Cambodian and Thai leaders attended a Southeast Asian summit where the regional ASEAN grouping vowed greater cooperation.

Both sides confirmed the clash on Wednesday, with the Thai military saying their soldiers had responded to gunshots and Cambodia's saying they were attacked first.

"Our soldier died in the trenches. The Thais came to attack us," said Cambodian Royal Army spokesman Mao Phalla.

Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told journalists Thursday that there had been a "misunderstanding by both sides".



- 'Remain calm' -

Cambodia and Thailand have long been at odds over their more than 800-kilometre-long (500-mile) border, which was largely drawn during the French occupation of Indochina.

The 2008 military clashes erupted over a patch of land next to Preah Vihear, a 900-year-old temple near their shared border.

This led to several years of sporadic violence before the International Court of Justice ruled the disputed area belonged to Cambodia.

In February, Bangkok formally protested to Phnom Penh after a video of women singing a patriotic Khmer song in front of another disputed temple was posted on social media.

On Thursday, influential former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen urged calm and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing border issues between the two countries.

Hun Sen is the father of current Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a close ally of ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the father of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Paetongtarn travelled to Cambodia in April for a two-day visit, during which she met Hun Manet to discuss cross-border cooperation on issues such as online scams and air pollution.

On Thursday she called for peaceful discussion, saying "both sides should remain calm and discuss to see what we can agree".

Hun Manet wrote on Facebook that he hoped the meeting between the two army commanders would "yield positive results".

burs-sjc/tc
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) expects DOST and the State Social Protection Fund (SSF) of Azerbaijan to participate in the World Social Security Forum to be held in the fall of 2025, the Secretary General of ISSA, Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano told Trend.

He made the remark on the sidelines of an international conference on "Adaptation of Social Protection Systems in the Context of the Modern World Challenges" in Baku.

Cooperation with Azerbaijan is going well, especially with our partners such as DOST and the State Social Protection Fund. We see many useful and significant initiatives being implemented in the country that are really worth showing to the world. The use of modern technologies, approaches to management, and quality of service that the fund is implementing - all this deserves attention and may be of interest to the international community. This is the experience worth sharing, he noted.

According to Caetano, Azerbaijan is actively sharing its experience on various international platforms.

Last week, China hosted a labor policy event where experts presented their work. The ISSA is also holding many webinars, with participants from both the fund and other agencies. The main event in the field of social security - the World Forum - is ahead of us, where I expect both Azerbaijani institutions will be able to adequately present their experience, he said.

The World Social Security Forum (WSSF 2025), organized by the International Social Security Association, will be held in Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur from September 29 through October 3, 2025.
As for how to make the most of the inside of your case or bag  its all about compression. Those aforementioned suitcase straps will help with this, though how you pack and in what order is fundamental. Make sure you maximise all the case features. For example: the zip down the centre of your suitcases inner lining can be opened so you can stow shoes away in there to keep them flat and nestled in the dead space between the cases handles. It also keeps them clear of clean clothes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Monthly social benefits and compensations in Azerbaijan cover a total of 462,400 individuals and are provided in 12 different categories, said Ali Movsumov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the State Social Protection Fund of Azerbaijan (SSPF), at the international conference Adaptation of Social Protection Systems in the Context of the Modern World Challenges", Trend reports.

He also noted that one-time social benefits in seven categories reach 21,100 people.

Every month, around 402,000 individuals receive 16 types of scholarships, he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
In a statement, the Afghanistan Inquiry said it received information about the whereabouts of the back-up drives in December 2023 and seized data with the help of the Defence Serious Crime Command from undisclosed special forces locations.
Where to live

Golden Visas: the four European countries where you can still get citizenship by buying property

Four European countries still offering golden visas to property buyers
The CST said they were appalled by the disgraceful damage to a Jewish-owned business in Stamford Hill, adding: This will cause immense alarm in the Jewish community and we urge anyone who has any information to contact the police or CST with more information.
The Russian captain of a container ship that crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea is set to enter a plea after being accused of manslaughter by gross negligence.
He continued: Fraud of this nature is often difficult to detect and even harder to prove, but we were determined to pursue every line of inquiry to build the strongest possible case.
Were working to support the people of Palestine and the only chamber I ever go into in the entire world where people dont acknowledge that Ireland, the government, the people of Ireland, are standing with the people of Palestine, standing up for human rights, standing up for international law, is here when you get up and distort  with your ideology  the actions of this government.
In Government, ministers have repeatedly committed to recognising a Palestinian state, but Mr Falconer has previously said the Government will make a judgment about when the best moment is to try and make the fullest possible contribution to a peace process.
As well as suspending UK arms sales to Israel, the group urged Sir Keir to use all available means to ensure humanitarian aid gets into the territory and make a commitment to the children of Gaza that he would broker an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
In Government, ministers have repeatedly committed to recognising a Palestinian state, but Mr Falconer has previously said they will make a judgment about when the best moment is to try and make the fullest possible contribution to a peace process.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. On May 29, at around 10:10, while engineer-sapper units of the Azerbaijan Army were conducting mine and unexploded ordnance clearance in the direction of Istisu settlement of Kalbajar region, Azerbaijani serviceman Sadigov Khudaverdi Hasan was wounded by an anti-personnel mine planted by Armenians, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense.

He sustained an injury to his left leg.

Immediate first aid was provided, and the serviceman was evacuated to the nearest military hospital for qualified examination and treatment.
At least 79 people were injured, including four children. The North West Ambulance Service said 27 people were taken to hospital, with two  including one child  suffering serious injuries. Twenty others were treated at the scene. Police said the youngest victim was nine and the oldest was 78.
I think its completely unacceptable that if youre a victim of crime in one area compared to another, that you might have a stand a better chance of having your perpetrator bought to justice because that particular force is deploying some technology in comparison with another force that hasnt.
Customers are entitled to a full refund for the product, which will usually be provided in the same form in which you paid. In this case, you dont actually need a receipt to get the full refund.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Distinguished Visitors Day is held as part of the Erciyes-2025 exercise in Kayseri, Turkiye, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense.

The event was attended by Commander of the Turkish Land Forces, Army General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Commander of the Combined Arms Army (CAA), Major General Kanan Seyidov, as well as representatives of the military attache office of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Turkiye and military representatives from other participating countries.

To kick things off, the guests were brought up to speed on the lay of the land regarding the exercise, the goals of the tasks at hand, and the order in which they were to tackle them.



At the training ground, participants in the Erciyes-2025 exercise rolled up their sleeves and got down to brass tacks, practically performing a variety of episodes.



The servicemen of CAA put their best foot forward, showcasing their high level of professionalism while flying the flag for Azerbaijan in the exercise.

At the end, weapons, ammunition, equipment, and various UAVs produced in the Republic of Turkiye were demonstrated to the guests, and detailed information on their tactical-technical characteristics and capabilities was provided.

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Weather Alert

Take action to protect yourself and others  extreme heat can affect everyones health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your regions public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Humidex values reaching 40 are expected. A heat event is expected Saturday to Sunday. What: Daytime highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius and a humidex of 40. Overnight lows of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing little relief from the heat. When: Saturday to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. ### For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. A total of 797,800 people received pensions from the state pension insurance system in Kyrgyzstan in 2024, Head of the Human Resources Department of the Social Fund of Kyrgyzstan Aynura Orozova said during an international conference on "Adaptation of Social Protection Systems in the Context of the Modern World Challenges" in Baku today, Trend reports.

She elucidated that the predominant segment comprised retirees, constituting 79 percentwhile 130,300 individuals (16.3 percent) were beneficiaries of disability pensions and 59,100 individuals (7.3 percent) received survivor pensions.



Orozova underscored that in the previous fiscal year, the mean pension disbursement within the nation was quantified at 10,585 soms (approximately $121), while the baseline subsistence threshold for retirees was established at 7,064 soms ($80), resulting in a ratio of 149.9 percent.



Moreover, she indicated that initiatives are presently in progress across multiple critical domains as part of the enhancement of the pension framework.

"In the area of tariff policy, special attention is paid to the fair formation of pension rights for agricultural producers, as well as to eliminating the existing imbalance," Orozova mentioned.

According to her, in terms of pension provision, measures are being implemented to assign the full basic part of the pension, simplify the procedure for registering an old-age pension, support children who have lost their parents, and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Work is also underway to strengthen the participation of citizens in the formation of their own pension rights, she added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. The migration caravan making its way back to their roots rolled into Beylik village in Azerbaijan's Lachin district on May 29, Trend reports.

During this phase, the keys to freshly constructed homes were passed out to 41 families, totaling a lively bunch of 163 people.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lachin, as well as officials from the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Currently, more than 43,000 people reside in Karabakh and East Zangazur, including former IDPs resettled in the region, workers involved in local development projects, and employees of state institutions in health, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy sectors that have resumed operations.

To note, the settlement of Beylik experienced a military incursion by the Armenian Armed Forces in the year 1992. In alignment with the cessation of hostilities accord ratified post-Second Karabakh War in 2020, it was liberated from occupation by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on December 1, 2020.

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Hundreds of reservists from Olt county, most of them people who finished their military training more than 20 years ago, returned for a day to the firing range and handled the gun again, at the MOBEX OT-GR-TR-25 mobilization exercise.



The reservists expressed their excitement at being reunited with the military, the military coat, the weapon, the range and described the experience as pleasant and positive.





"It is one of the main exercises we are conducting this year (...) During this exercise we will bring more than 5,000 reservists provided for in the mobilisation plan from all structures of the National System of Defence, Public Order and National Security, mainly, of course, the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of these more than 3,000 are only from the Ministry of National Defence in all three counties. It is an opportunity for them to refresh all their knowledge and skills, tactical techniques and necessary procedures, as far as time allows, because we can bring them only 12 hours each day, hours that are paid, their travel is paid, they are provided with a hot meal," explained Iulian Daniliuc."Over 5,000 reservists are expected to be brought to the exercise. For everyone it is a mobilisation exercise, we are just checking the Army's mobilisation reserve, as required by law. (...) Attendance so far is over 90%," said Daniliuc.The prefect of Olt County, Cosmin Floreanu, said that such exercises allow both to test the reservists; reaction power in a special situation, and to have them rediscover the ability to use weapons."These things are normal, they are good for us, because we can see, test the power of reaction when a special situation arises and, why not, correct some things that are not as they should be. So the message to the population is not to get worried and to treat things as a simple exercise that helps us to improve certain things. The last exercise took place in 2017, they take place every 7-8 years. (...) I think it's a normal thing and it's a good thing, because many of those who served in the army today have rediscovered their shooting skills," said the prefect.Among the new equipment shown at Redea were the anti-drone weapon, presented by a military officer from the 99th Military Base Deveselu, the Chiron anti-aircraft weapon, for combating low-altitude aerial targets, especially drones and helicopters, as well as several Piranha armored vehicles.The military said that the reservists, even though they did their military training more than 20 or even 30 years ago, have a very good understanding of how the new technologies work and are easy to use.The MOBEX OT-GR-TR-25 exercise, which aims to evaluate the mobilization reserve is taking place from 26 to 30 May, in the counties of Olt, Giurgiu and Teleorman."Exercises of this type are planned and carried out periodically and are aimed at verifying the ability of military units to supplement with personnel and technical, as well as strengthening cohesion between active servicemen and reservists," MApN indicated.According to the prefect of Olt County, the exercise is organized and conducted by the Ministry of National Defence, in cooperation with the National Administration of State Reserves and Special Problems, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications Service and the National Penitentiary Administration.
The delegations of the pro-European parties - PSD (Social Democratic Party), PNL (National Liberal Party), USR (Save Romania Union), UDMR (Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania) and representatives of the National Minorities Group - emphasised, during informal consultations at the Cotroceni Palace, that they understand the seriousness of the situation related to the budget deficit and committed to contribute to identifying responsible solutions, the Presidential Administration informs.



According to the same source, in this regard, at the initiative of President Nicusor Dan, it was agreed that, in parallel with the negotiations for the creation of the new Government, a plan of measures aimed at reducing public spending be developed, to be assumed and implemented by the future Executive.





Representatives of the POT (Young People's Party) and unaffiliated parliamentarians were also present at the informal consultations at the Cotroceni Palace, with AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians) and SOS Romania refusing to take part in the discussions.
The president of the Concordia Employers' Confederation, Dan Sucu, on Thursday stated that the business community does not agree with the idea of increasing taxes.



"We are looking forward to seeing this committee that deals with cutting spending, how it will function and how it will be implemented. (...) We have a very clear point of view - the taxes already paid by companies are very high. From our point of view, the problems regarding the deficit are related to the spending of public money that is far too large. (...) From our point of view, I repeat for the tenth time, we do not agree with the tax increases," said Dan Sucu, at the Cotroceni Palace.





According to the Presidential Administration, the meeting took place in the context of the current economic situation, which requires concerted efforts to identify constructive solutions that will lead to the reduction of our country's budget deficit.
Minister of the Environment, Water and Forestry Mircea Fechet on Thursday told AGERPRES that the war unleashed by Russia is "a real ecocide" and that its effects do not stop at the border with Romania.

Fechet on Thursday attended a debate in Tulcea on the management plan of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (RBDD), a document in the decision-making transparency procedure, where some participants recalled the effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine on the population of the Delta.

"I have been to Ukraine twice since the war started and I have seen with my own eyes the environmental damage caused by the war. There, they talk about a real ecocide, and I agree with them completely. However, the environment destroyed by the war in Ukraine does not improve once it crosses the Romanian border. My hope is that Russia's aggression will stop as soon as possible, because the sooner it happens, the more we will be able to not have the same problems, whether we are talking about the environment, about grains, the drones that sometimes arrive in Romania or about any other things that affect us directly," Fechet told AGERPRES.

The debate on the RBDD management plan and the reserve regulation brought together local public administrations, private investors in tourism, fishermen's and fish producers' associations, representatives of organisations that protect animal rights, animal breeders.

"To us, it is very important that the management plan brings little light on what the development of the Delta means in the next ten years. (...) To us, the fishermen, it is important that the water is clean, because the entire life of the Delta is linked to it. What we have seen in the last 50 years has been a slow degradation of the Delta. If we don't do something, in 10 years, in the next management plan, we will discuss the development of agricultural crops on the lakes of the Delta. The clogging does not take into account the management plans, nothing," according to Chairman of the Federation of Danube Delta Fish Producers Organisations (FOPPDD) Dan Verbina, who requested the unclogging of the lakes and canals in the reserve.

Some participants recalled the huge costs entailed by keeping up tourism investment in an area surrounded by waters, given that it has to comply with all the obligations imposed by the legislation in force, while others complained about excessive red tape, legislative incoherence or lack of infrastructure.

"The Danube Delta needs a separate attention in terms of financing certain projects, in terms of certain types of investment suitable or necessary for this area, which is why I will propose to my Environment Fund Administration colleagues that in the future we have dedicated programmes for funding investment, whether we are talking about manure platforms, they will reduce the impact on the environment, whether we are talking about investment in supplying drinking water or in connection with sewerage, or we are talking about how we manage agricultural land in the Danube Delta," Environment Minister Fechet told a news conference that followed the debate.

The debate in Tulcea, organised by the Ministry of Environment and the RBDD Administration, is followed by other similar events that will take place in the villages of Sfantu Gheorghe and Mila 23, in the Delta.

The Danube Delta, declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1990, has a total area of 4,178 square kilometres, 82% of which is in Romania, and the rest in Ukraine. A wetland of international importance, the Danube Delta is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, numbering about 10,000 species, being famous for its ornithological fauna. The local communities in the Danube Delta are characterised by ethnic diversity, and the main trades of the people in the areas surrounded by waters are fishing, tourism and animal husbandry.
President Nicusor Dan on Thursday stated that it would be best to form a Government with a political prime minister, claiming that a technocratic prime minister has no authority over politicians.



"For now, I also believe that it is best, and this is the main option, to have a Government that wants to work for three and a half years and with a political prime minister. (...) For the moment there are discussions, I do not rule out anything, but I do not think that it is the right option [to have a technocratic PM - editor's note], because a technocratic prime minister has no authority over politicians," said Nicusor Dan, in a statement to the journalists gathered in front of the house where he lives.





"Each of them understood that we need to make budget cuts, including cuts in state spending, and we agreed that two people from each party would start working today, and at this moment I have the big data. The big question is how strong is the political commitment to cutting spending, and at least at this point, my impression is that the parties understood very well and want us to cut," the head of state said.
'Cerul s-a despicat si intreaga parte nordica era acoperita de foc': ce spune NASA, la 117 ani distanta, despre unul dintre marile mistere ale umanitatii
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As Dr. Ghazala Hayat watched the news coverage of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, she thought about her closest Jewish friends.

Hayat, a professor of neuromuscular diseases at St. Louis University School of Medicine, called Rabbi Susan Talve, the founding rabbi of Central Reform Congregation, that evening. Her call went to voicemail, so she sent a text: Thinking about you and praying for you.

They spoke a few days later. Hayat expressed her sorrow and asked if any of Talves family or friends had been directly affected.

Its all just one person removed, Talve, 72, said.

Its so sad, Hayat, 70, said. When people are hurt, they can do something so inhumane.

No, Ghazala, Talve responded. Theres no justification.

Hayat was taken aback by the implication that she had tried to justify the attack, which was not her intent. She agreed with Talve and said she understood. She knew Talve was hurting.

Hayat, a trailblazing figure in the St. Louis Muslim community, has been at the forefront of building interfaith relationships and speaking on behalf of the areas growing Muslim population. The next year and a half of the ongoing war would test relationships Hayat has cultivated for more than two decades.

She and Talve had started the local chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom together 20 years ago. She has volunteered on Christmas Day, at an event known as the Muslim-Jewish Day of Service. She has initiated and hosted difficult conversations about the Middle East conflict. She even traveled to Israel and the West Bank as part of an interfaith group of Christians, Muslims, Jews and Bahais.

Hayat is one of several Muslim women in St. Louis breaking barriers within her own community while facing challenges from the outside. Here are four women, native born and immigrants, who have relied on building alliances to create change: Jaime Dodd, a longtime Montessori school leader, is constructing an Islamic-based Montessori curriculum, along with teacher training and an accreditation program. Dr. Maimuna Baig launched two clinics serving uninsured patients in St. Charles County and west St. Louis County. Lubabah Abdullah, an attorney raised in St. Louis, has led nonprofit and advocacy groups across the country, with a private practice in Houston. She is focusing on building legal knowledge and resources for women.

Their efforts  spanning educational, medical, civic, legal and nonprofit sectors  are shaping the regions future, institutions and personal relationships in ways that push boundaries and have created a Muslim community and culture unlike many places in America.

Over the past year and a half, Hayat's legacy of interfaith work is being tested like never before

St. Louis roots

Among the earliest Muslims in America arrived as part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, as early as the 15th century. An estimated 10 to 30 percent of enslaved Africans brought by Europeans were Muslim. Hundreds of years later, Hayat, born in Pakistan, arrived as part of another large wave of Muslim immigrants who arrived in America in the 1970s and 80s because of easier immigration policies for certain skilled groups. She arrived in Virginia in 1980 with her medical degree. She completed a residency in neurology and moved to St. Louis in 1986. Subsequent waves of immigrants  from the Bosnians in the 1990s to the more recent Syrian and Afghani refugees  have led to an exceptionally diverse Muslim population estimated by the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis to be around 100,000 in the region.

The history of pioneering American Muslim women has deep roots in St. Louis.

Former Representative Yaphett El-Amin became the first Muslim American woman elected to serve in a state legislature after winning 56% of the vote in St. Louis, Missouris 57th District in 2002. Jamilah Nasheed won back-to-back state house elections beginning in 2006. She then served as a state senator from District 5 from 2013 until she was term-limited in 2020.

Contrary to stereotypes of oppression and subservience, Muslim American women report higher support of feminism than several other American faith groups. They are more likely than white Evangelical or Protestant Christians to have favorable views of feminism  on par with American Catholics, according to research from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

However, in America, most mosques and Islamic organization boardrooms have been dominated by men. Thats been slowly changing. Several of the largest Muslim groups, such as the Islamic Society of North America and the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations, have had women leaders at the helm.

One of the earliest ground-breaking voices came from St. Louis.

Leading through crisis

Members on the governing board of the Islamic Foundation in St. Louis asked Hayat to run for a board election in the mid 1990s after she had served on various committees for years. At first, she declined. She didnt want to get involved in the politics of running a mosque.

But, as the mother of two young children, she decided she wanted to play a role in how their generation would perceive and practice their faith. She had grown up in Pakistan with a father who worked as an architect for the military, so she had changed schools 13 times by 10th grade. Her mother was an outspoken progressive who pushed her daughters and son equally to succeed and serve.

Hayat won the election and joined the board in 1995. She became vice chair in 2000. That year the chair of the board was planning to be out of town during Eid ul Fitr, the festival after the end of Ramadan, when the entire community gathers to pray and celebrate. Typically, the chair of the board welcomes thousands of congregants to the congregational prayer on this religious holiday.

The prospect of Hayat delivering the welcome in the absence of the chair kicked off a firestorm. Her critics questioned how a woman would stand in front of so many men to speak before prayer. The imam at the time tried to strike a compromise by saying she would stand in the middle of the prayer hall in the space separating the men and women.

The community was up in arms, Hayat said. Eventually, we didnt do it. She figured it wasnt worth the strife. There was no welcome address from the board that year. People would tell her she was outspoken, and they didnt mean it as a compliment, she remembers.

But she had more supporters than detractors. The next year, she was elected chair of the board. She was among the first women in America to lead a mosque.

A few months later, hijackers flew planes into the Twin Towers and Pentagon, in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil. Hayat was drinking a cup of coffee in the hospital lounge when the news came on television.

She barely had a moment to register her shock.

The school at the Islamic Foundation started getting threatening phone calls and wanted to close down temporarily. She called law enforcement and told the school to close. She contacted the rest of the board and said they needed to put out a statement immediately condemning the attacks. They agreed, so she wrote it and sent it out.

By the afternoon, all the local television new crews showed up at her clinic wanting her to comment on camera.

When something tragic happens in your country, you grieve over that, she said. Muslims here did not get that time. She had to immediately defend her faith and try to protect the community she was entrusted to lead.

After work, she went to hours-long emergency meetings at the mosque. She wondered how her own children were dealing with the aftermath at home. Law enforcement officials showed up to protect the mosque. In the following days, Hayat, who became the public face for the community, began receiving threatening calls at home.

Two days later, she received a call from the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis. They wanted to hold an interfaith prayer vigil.

We want to stand with Muslims and tell the world this is not Islam, she remembers them saying to her. They met in a church and publicly stood with leaders from the Muslim community.

Talve was by her side.

That Friday, when Muslims had their congregation prayers at the mosque, hundreds of St. Louisans showed up in solidarity with the worshippers.

Members from the interfaith group, whom Hayat had just met months earlier, offered to stay to protect the mosque and community.

That moment changed the way Hayat thought about the power of interfaith relationships forever.

From the political to the personal

During the years that Hayat pushed to build those relationships, Jaime Dodd lived with the personal fallout of religious differences. Dodd, 63, grew up in Troy, Missouri, with a Jewish father and Christian mother. She and her siblings were raised Jewish, and the family drove 50 miles every week to attend Temple Israel on Ladue Road.

When she was a young girl, she considered becoming a rabbi. She taught herself some Hebrew, but her aspirations were dismissed as unserious.

I didnt feel connected to Judaism, she said. As she made her way through marriage, divorce, motherhood and a long road of higher education, she found her purpose in the Montessori way of education, a child-driven approach to learning. She was working as an administrator for a school in west St. Louis County and living in the far western suburb of Lake Saint Louis when she met Drs. Sajjad and Maimuna Baig. The physicians lived near her and had a daughter who attended the same private school as Dodds daughter.

Their daughters became friends. When Dodds daughter began studying different religions in college, Dodd would read her papers.

I was very ignorant about Islam for most of my life, she said. She began reading books on Islam on her own. The faith resonated deeply with her.

She reached out to Dr. Maimuna Baig and asked if she would take her to the mosque. Ten years ago, Dodd converted at age 52.

She didnt tell her family for years. As a lifelong educator, she became more interested in how Islamic education was taught in America. In 2016, she met Marah Zabibi, the director of Al Salam Day Schools Early Childhood Center, at a friends house. When Dodd mentioned that she was the director for one of the largest Montessori school systems in the state, Zabibi felt a joyful connection.

She asked if Dodd could help transform the early childhood center into a Montessori one.

Without hesitation, she said yes, Zabibi said. Dodd wrote a proposal for the school board and donated her time to help the teachers become certified. She saw an opportunity for Islamic schools around the country to integrate the Montessori model. She began writing a curriculum rooted in Islamic values of respect, integrity, perseverance and integrity.

She helped found the American Islamic Montessori Association, which she hopes will become an accrediting body for the schools.

While her work to transform Islamic education in America was flourishing, her relationship with one of her conservative Jewish siblings grew more distant.

Its a real flashpoint in my nuclear family, she said. We never talk about it.

Talking about hard things

When Hayat, Talve and a group of Muslim and Jewish women first began their small group conversations as part of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, the discussions focused on lessons from the Quran and Torah, their respective religious texts.

Hayat started another interfaith dialogue group with Batya Abramson-Goldstein, past executive director St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council. She said they had to talk about the hard things, too.

I know its off limits, but lets talk about Palestine, she said. It was during a previous period of heightened tension in the Middle East, and Abramson-Goldstein was nervous.

It was not something we had done before, she said. They set some ground rules. The conversation was difficult, with moments of great tension. Hayat asked how the Jewish community taught its young people about how Israel was created. Do they ever learn about the Nakba, the forced displacement and exile of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes in what is now Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war?

Neither expected to change anyones mind or find a solution to a 77-year-long geopolitical conflict. But, it gave them a better understanding of where the other was coming from. Abramson-Goldstein said it was the foundation of years of dialogue that allowed them to broach such difficult topics. She knows the recent war has changed things.

In all my years, there has never been as fraught a period as the current one, she said.

That tension began rising immediately. In 2023, the annual gala for the Interfaith Partnership had been scheduled for two weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. It was the Muslim communitys turn to host.

Within their respective communities, people wondered: Was it even appropriate to gather like this during this time of escalating violence and destruction? Would people show up? Should they cancel?

The theme of the gala, We stand together  always, was going to be tested.

Hayat began speaking out at dinners and private gatherings, imploring the Muslim community to buy tickets and show up. She had said for years that if she criticized the leadership of Muslim countries abroad, it did not mean she was against Islam. Similarly, if she criticized the actions of Israel, it did not mean she was against Jewish people or the faith.

I called every possible person that I could, she said. The night of the dinner, the vibe felt tense  different from previous years. Members of the Muslim and Jewish community both showed up.

The pain was palpable from all sides. Then, the speeches started in which faith leaders thanked their Muslim hosts and acknowledged their decades of friendship. A Turkish group recited from the Quran. People started to relax.

By the time dinner was served, people were talking and laughing again.

Focus on hospitals and schools

Dr. Maimuna Baig, 71, shares Hayats commitment to working with various faith communities, which is precisely what has enabled her to launch and sustain two Volunteers in Medicine clinics in the St. Louis area. More than 25 years ago, she noticed patients in her private practice would stop coming if they lost their insurance coverage after a job loss.

Determined to do something about it, she asked the president of St. Joseph Hospital in Lake Saint Louis to help her start a volunteer-run clinic that would offer free services to uninsured patients. They have operated on donations and a volunteer staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 25 years. In 2011, she persuaded the Muslim community to financially support opening a second clinic in West County. It is staffed by volunteers from across faith backgrounds.

Even though shes the medical director and co-founder, Baig is quick to credit others for the clinics successes.

These volunteers have given their days and nights, she said. One of the nurse volunteers, Cheryl Moellenhoff, worked with Baig in the hospital for 20-plus years before joining her at the clinic. She watches how Baig asks patients about their home and personal lives and how that impacts their health. Shes made sure her patients have access to dental care, lab work, follow-up care with specialists. She and the staff will leave brochures about the clinic at local food pantries and apply for grants to keep funding for the space and supplies.

Patients who come in for a simple problem have been diagnosed with underlying cancers, and shes made sure they receive treatment for it.

The Muslim and Jewish community both showed up. Dr. Baig sets the tone and the example for other doctors, Moellenhoff said. And when she hears a former colleague may be retiring soon, she approaches them directly about volunteering at one of the clinics.

Sharon Pivin, a retired receptionist who has volunteered at the clinic, said that Baig has spent her life wanting to care for people who could not afford to see a doctor.

I think thats coming from her faith, she said. I think thats her foundation.

What does legacy look like?

Lubabah Abdullah, 44, grew up in St. Louis as the Sudanese-American daughter of immigrants. Her father served as the imam in St. Louis and the president of the largest national Islamic organization. She graduated from Parkway West High School when there were just a handful of Black students there, and she was one of two Muslim girls who wore hijab in her grade.

Abdullah graduated from the University of Missouri and earned a scholarship to law school. Shes served in a variety of leadership roles in nonprofits in the Midwest and in Texas. It made her realize how unique her experience in St. Louis was. She grew up attending Sunday school at the mosque with Hayats daughter.

With Ghazala as an example, it was normal for me that women were involved in the mosque, worshipping in the mosque and running the mosque, she said. That hasnt been the case in other cities, even those much larger than St. Louis, she said. Numerous women have served on the mosques governing board in St. Louis. She recalls her father hosting Islamic studies groups specifically for women.

Shes also seen how difficult its been to maintain work in interfaith spaces over the past two years. When a Quaker member resigned from the board of an interfaith organization in Houston after being criticized for his support for Palestine and concern for Palestinians, she resigned, as well.

Hayat has run up against those limits, as well. Earlier this year, she wrote a letter on behalf of the Islamic Foundation calling out comments made by a prominent St. Louis Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham on his Facebook that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza. He liked a post comparing Palestinians to animals. Not a single mainstream Jewish organization she had worked with for decades denounced his remarks; only the Progressive Jews of St. Louis called out the dehumanizing comments.

The silence stung.

But she refused to close the door on conversation or withdraw into spaces that felt more comfortable and safe. During Ramadan, Karen Aroesty, the former regional director of the Anti Defamation League in St. Louis, hosted Hayat and another longtime member of their sisterhood group to her home for regularly monthly conversations. She knows things have changed, including her views, which have been influenced by years of conversation with these Muslim women.

In the end, when it comes to talking to Ghazala, nobody has to win an argument, she said. When it gets really, really hard, she never walked away. We kept talking.

Even the closest relationships have felt the most tested.

Talve reached out to Hayat last month to ask for advice about resettling a refugee family in St. Louis. After Talves adult daughter died from an illness nearly eight years ago, she had pulled back from the interfaith sisterhood group she and Hayat had started.

During this call, she asked if she could rejoin.

Of course, Hayat said.

Shes been waiting for her friend to come back.
The Dane County (Wisconsin) Sheriffs Office has identified the man who drowned earlier this month in Madison, Wisconsin, as 25-year-old Collin Smith, a St. Louis native.

Smith was born and raised in St. Louis, his family said.

Smith was one of four boaters sailing on Lake Monona in windy weather on the evening of May 16 when their boat overturned, casting all aboard into the water. One made it to shore and pointed members of Madison Fires Lake Rescue Team in the right direction to rescue two others.

Law enforcement previously said the fourth boater, now identified as Smith, wasnt wearing a life jacket.

Smiths body was recovered a week later by volunteers from Bruces Legacy, a search and recovery nonprofit based in Jackson County.

Bruce's Legacy, in a recap of its search efforts, noted that the wind increased dramatically just after Smith and his group left the shore.

The sailboat capsized, and one member of the group was able to right the boat before it capsized again. Smith was one of three men who held onto a flooded kayak in 3-foot waves. Two of them, both wearing life vests, were rescued by the Madison Fire Department after an hour in the water. Smith was not located at the time.

His family wrote a memorial message released by the sheriffs office Tuesday.

Collin is loved and admired by so many as evidenced by the outpouring of support and prayers from many, many people, the statement read.

When Smith explained things to people, he would often add his unique style and flare, but most of all, his quick wit and effusive sense of humor, the family wrote. From an early age, Collin embraced the idea of asking people for help in a way they want to help you, and this is how he lived his life: by treating others with courtesy, by truly listening and thinking before he spoke, and by being kind and compassionate.

The letter said that Smith is survived by his parents, three sisters and a beloved cat.

The family thanked Bruces Legacy, the Wisconsin K9 SOS Search & Rescue, his loyal friends who bravely assisted with recovery efforts, and especially to the Dane County Sheriffs Office for compassionately leading the entire effort.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. The official data for 2024 shows that Azerbaijan ranks 74th in the world index of digital government development and 9th in the regional index, the Director of the Digital Innovation Center of the DOST Sustainable Operational Social Security Agency, Kanan Akperov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at an international conference on "Adaptation of Social Protection Systems in the Context of the Modern World Challenges" in Baku today.

The official noted that Azerbaijan has also made notable progress in the cybersecurity index, rising from 93rd to 76th place.

These achievements were the result of large-scale reforms in the field of digitalization carried out in the country. One of the key driving forces behind these transformations is the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. It is in this direction that documents such as the Concept of Digital Development, Cyber Security Strategy, and several other regulations have been developed and adopted, the implementation of which is planned soon, Akperov added.
FRANKLIN COUNTY  A Washington man faces a second-degree murder charge after he hit a 71-year-old man in the head, police said.

William Vedenhaupt, 43, who court records say also lived in nearby Robertsville, was also charged Thursday with second-degree domestic assault in connection to the beating of a 50-year-old woman from Washington. He is being held without bond at the Franklin County Jail.

Washington, a city of about 15,000 people in Franklin County, is about 60 miles west of St. Louis. Robertsville is a small community in rural Franklin County.

The names of the victims have not been released by police.

In a statement, Washington Police spokesperson Lt. Steve Sitzes said officers discovered the body of the 71-year-old in the hallway of a home in the 400 block of Walnut Street, near downtown Washington.

It was clear that man's death was the result of an assault, officials said.

They also found a woman in the home, who had visible injuries to her face. She told police that she had been attacked within the home and was able to provide police with a physical description of the suspect, Sitzes said.

Officers searched the building, and at various locations in Washington before finding Vedenhaupt several blocks away in a storage building in the 300 block of West Fifth Street.

Authorities have determined the motive for the murder and assault, but are not releasing it, Sitzes said.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 12. No attorney was listed in court records for for Vedenhaupt.
ST. LOUIS  One of the citys most prolific convicted killers appeared in a federal courthouse on Thursday, a decade after he was first accused of running one of the largest cocaine operations in St. Louis, to learn his fate.

Anthony Jordan, known as TT, had been found guilty by a jury months earlier of murdering nine people in his quest for dominance over the drug trade. His three-week trial featured evidence that connected him to the crimes, dozens of crime scene photos and hours of witness testimony, including from two of his closest business partners.

But on Thursday, for the first time since his case began, Jordan swiveled a microphone towards him and spoke at length on his case. Members of his family, victims families and investigators, packing the courtroom benches, leaned forward to listen.

I am completely innocent, Jordan told Judge Henry Autrey.

Jordan, 38, grew up in north St. Louis on West Sacramento Avenue. His upbringing was difficult, his attorneys wrote in court records. He was surrounded by drugs, gangs and violence. His father went to prison for robbery when he was a child.

Meanwhile, Jordans mother worked long hours at two full-time jobs. His older half-sister cared for him, but when Jordan turned 14, she moved away to start a family of her own, his attorneys wrote. He was shot and seriously injured when he was 18.

As he got older, however, prosecutors argued Jordan amassed an empire of property and drug contacts based around his home base on Sacramento.

He killed people who he believed were informing to the police. He killed people who stole from him. And when his best friend was fatally shot in 2013, he waged a retaliatory campaign to kill those involved.

He ambushed his victims  sometimes after stalking them for days. He fired dozens of times, often enlisting friends to help. And he took steps like painting cars and trading weapons at gun shows to cover his tracks, prosecutors said.

On Thursday, the family members of three of his victims spoke about the impact.

Two children of Clara Walker, who died when a stray bullet pierced the window of her apartment, lamented how theyd never see their mother again. They each said they hoped Jordan got the maximum sentence.

Bobbie Jones, whose son, Marquis, was killed by Jordan in 2010, said he was cold and didnt have a heart for no one.

Jones said she wouldnt ask for mercy. Jordan had taken Marquis away from her, and her other son had fallen into a mental health crisis since that day.

Whoever hurt you, you need to forgive him so you can go on with your life, she told Jordan as she held his gaze.

Young man, youre still at the age where your life can be turned around, she said, but only by God.

Prosecutor Erin Granger asked Judge Autrey to sentence Jordan to life in prison. The pain in the courtroom on Thursday was palpable, she said, and it all connected back to one man.

There is nothing like the violence that was done by Anthony Jordan in this case, she said.

Jordans public defenders asked Autrey to deviate from a life sentence and show mercy.

Their client, however, said he didnt want leniency.

For several minutes, Jordan explained how his conviction would be overturned because, he said, he was the victim of an unfair prosecution.

The jury panel was not actually a jury of his peers at all, he said. His former business partners who cooperated with the government, he said, were lying rats.

He said he should be out on the streets right now helping his neighborhood that was recently devastated by a tornado. Hed be out there donating and helping folks rebuild, he said.

I got a heart of gold, he said.

Im sorry for you alls loss, he told the victims families. But I had nothing to do with your family getting killed.

Autrey took a long pause before delivering his sentence.

Youve indeed had a very fair trial, Autrey began.

The jurors paid close attention to the evidence and spent hours in deliberation. Jordans attorneys were able to exclude jurors with potential conflicts or views that would render them biased.

The jury was, in the legal sense, a jury of Jordans peers, Autrey said.

At the same time, it wasnt, Autrey continued. That, he said, would be a jury of murderers, thugs and drug dealers.

Autrey sentenced Jordan to two consecutive terms of life in prison followed by five years of additional time. The federal court system does not have parole.

Jordan said he plans to appeal his conviction.
ST. LOUIS  U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the federal government will aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students, bringing uncertainty to one of Missouris largest groups of international students.

Chinese students make up the second-largest group of international students in Missouri, behind those from India.

More than 17% of the 32,647 international students studying here during the 2023-2024 school year were from China, according to a report published by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education.

But the Trump administrations hard-line policy toward Chinese students may have only minimal impacts on most universities in the St. Louis area.

Webster University, headquartered in St. Louis suburbs, had only five students from China enrolled at its domestic campuses this past semester.

There were 294 students from China enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2024-2025, according to spokesman Christopher Ave.

WashU stands to lose the most.

The university currently has about 2,800 students from Greater China, Julie Flory, vice chancellor for marketing and communications, said in an email.

These individuals make our campus a more vibrant, engaging and intellectually stimulating place through their many contributions, Flory said. We are paying close attention to potential federal actions and will respond and offer support to members of our community as circumstances require.

A spokesperson for St. Louis University did not respond to a request for comment by Thursday afternoon.

Rubio said Wednesday that federal officials will revise visa criteria to scrutinize applications from Chinese students. The move adds additional unease surrounding international study in the U.S. after federal officials deleted the legal statuses of thousands of international students in March and early April, only to reverse course following a wave of legal challenges.

Small private colleges are most affected by changes to visa rules because they depend more heavily on international students for full tuition dollars and campus diversity.

Fontbonne University in Clayton, which will close in September, struggled to meet its 10% goal of international students in recent semesters.

The climate for international students was already strained under the first Trump administration, when the number of visa denials also increased. Drury University in Springfield, Missouri had no students from China enroll in fall 2019 amid an overall loss of more than 20 international students.

In 2017, the University of Illinois enrolled more Chinese students than any other U.S. college, with 3,300 undergraduates. Last year, the total had fallen to 2,770.

In the 2015-2016 school year, the University of Missouri system welcomed a record high of 2,990 international students to its four campuses. Last fall the number dropped to 1,635, with the biggest loss among Chinese students.

But Rubios announcement also marks a sharp turnaround from the position of previous federal officials under Trump. In 2019, the U.S. Department of State sent a delegation to China to promote academic exchanges, and then-U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad wrote an op-ed in a Chinese youth publication to appeal to potential students.
CLAYTON  An investigation is underway in St. Louis County to determine how a virus spread in the county animal shelter, leading to the euthanasia of 19 dogs, the head of the health department said Thursday.

Director Dr. Kanika Cunningham said protocols weren't followed ahead of the outbreak of parvovirus in mid-April. Soon after the outbreak began, Cunningham said she requested an investigation from the county human resources department to find out exactly what happened.

In a hearing before the County Council on Thursday, Cunningham said she didn't have details about the shelter's protocols, or how they failed. But the failures were related to who made the decision to euthanize the dogs and who "carried out" putting the dogs down.

She said the investigation will look at the actions of the shelter's medical director, Dr. Doug Pernikoff, who quit a few weeks after the outbreak started.

"I believe at that time the vet made the decision he thought was best, but that is currently under investigation with HR," Cunningham said.

Pernikoff did not respond to a request for comment.

Council Chair Rita Heard Days, a Democrat from Bel-Nor, wanted to know more about protocols that could have prevented the parvovirus outbreak. She asked the shelter's remaining veterinarian to come forward to answer questions. Cunningham said the veterinarian wasn't there because she was doing surgeries.

Days was frustrated.

"We needed a veterinarian here," Days said.

Council members also questioned Cunningham about a lack of experience among shelter leaders.

The shelter's new division director, Malik Johnson, said he came from Edward Jones and previously worked for U.S. Bank. His experience is in "operations and strategic vision," but he has no shelter experience, Johnson said at the council hearing. His experience is useful because he can improve how the shelter operates, said Johnson, who started working for the county in early May.

Councilman Dennis Hancock, a Republican from Fenton, questioned the health director about why the department wouldn't hire someone with shelter experience.

"When you're in the middle of a crisis, if you're going to bring somebody in, bring somebody in who can handle that kind of a crisis," Hancock said.

Cunningham said the application pool was "minimal," and she chose Johnson because of his leadership experience.

On May 2, the county health department said in a news release that it had euthanized 19 dogs that had shown symptoms and tested positive for the virus. On May 9, Pernikoff quit.

In mid-May, the state of Missouri rejected the animal shelter's application for a license, required by law to operate, after the shelter failed three state inspections since February. The state cited violations for holding dogs in cages too small for them, failing to clean up feces in play yards, and allowing bugs in food storage areas, among other problems.

The nonprofit Animal Protective Association, which also runs its own shelter in Brentwood, left the shelter in February after running it for two years. The county contracted with the APA following various problems under county management, including euthanasia scandals, overpopulation, poor conditions and other problems.

The APA was lauded for cleaning up the facility and boosting adoptions. In August, the nonprofit said it accomplished its mission and would withdraw from the county contract, three years before it was set to expire. Records later showed its departure also stemmed from the county rejecting APA invoices for items such as meals, team outings and dog training.

The APA handed shelter operations back to the county on Feb. 21.

When St. Louis County took over shelter operations from the APA, it had to obtain a new license from the agriculture department. To get a new license, the shelter needed to score perfectly on state inspections, with no violations.

But a state inspector found violations at visits in February, March and May: dogs kept in cages too small for them, standing water in places, roaches and gnats in the food storage area, and other problems. The state rejected the shelter's application for a license.

Some of the problems, including ill-fitting cages, stemmed from having too many animals in the shelter, said Doug Moore, a spokesman for the county. The health department, which oversees the shelter, was working to reduce the population. Shelter leaders want to do that by waiving adoption fees, boosting its foster program and expanding efforts to reunite stray pets with their families.

Earlier this week, the health department reopened the application for shelter volunteers.

Editor's note: This story was updated after print deadline as debate at the council continued.

Missouri denies animal shelter license to St. Louis County after failed inspections The state cited violations for holding dogs in cages too small for them, failing to clean up feces in play yards and other problems.

St. Louis County reopens animal shelter after containing parvovirus outbreak No new cases of parvovirus have been detected since May 1, the county Department of Public Health said.

Contractor quit running animal shelter after St. Louis County rejected some expenses St. Louis County stopped paying for costs such as meals, team outings and dog training. The Animal Protective Association quit soon after.

Volunteers are optimistic after St. Louis County takes over animal shelter "Every question we have asked has been answered honestly," said Dale Shuter, a longtime shelter volunteer who has previously criticized county operations.

St. Louis County said there was no euthanasia plan at shelter. But there was. A health department staffer did write such a transition plan, according to records obtained by the Post-Dispatch. The plan calls for "shelter wide" euthanasia.

St. Louis County promises no mass euthanasia at animal shelter, APA chief says APA chief Sarah Javier said in the note that she and the organization's staffers are "deeply dismayed that a plan, or even a suggestion of mass euthanasia ever existed."

Health director promises a better St. Louis County animal shelter despite volunteer pause "There's been some false narratives created based on past history," the county health director said. "That's not me. That's not my leadership. That's not the direction I'm telling my team."
Jasmine Osby | Post-Dispatch Follow Jasmine Osby | Post-Dispatch Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

ST. LOUIS  My emotions weighed me down as I picked up brick scraps at an Aldine Avenue daycare the morning after a tornado hit the city.

It was hot. Salty beads of sweat ran into my eyes, under my face mask and onto my lips as I worked with other volunteers.

I tossed the dusty, red chunks into the back of a pickup to be hauled away. I placed whole bricks close to the side of the home, partly because Id been instructed to as part of the cleanup project, but also because I wanted there to be something whole left behind.

I walked back and forth from the side of the house carrying two bricks at a time. They were heavy and I grew tired quickly.

My heartbeat sped up as I realized all the times Id been in this place and nearby ones. The day after a hope-snatching twister ripped a hole through the city, memories began to spill out.

Accompanying the physical devastation is an assault on the mind. Wrestling with memories will leave some of the deepest scars on the residents of St. Louis.

For those who lost homes  and for those of us who lived, worked or grew up in the neighborhoods  theres a struggle through the emotional depth of the tragedy.

I have walked these streets as a child and as an adult. I threw TNT Pop-Its firecrackers at the asphalt during the May Day Parade on Natural Bridge Avenue in 1999. My childhood hairdresser, Mrs. White, lived off Marcus Avenue, where Id go for Hawaiian Silky relaxers, press n curl, bone straight hair and ice-cold Vess sodas. My brothers got haircuts down the street at Leonards Barber College. My paternal grandparents, Willistine and Carl Fulks Sr., owned a home at Clara Avenue and Page Boulevard.

True Light Missionary Baptist Church sits on James Cool Papa Bell Avenue in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood. I was baptized in the water within its walls.

I spent every summer at the church during Vacation Bible School with my maternal grandmother, Maggie, my younger brother and my cousins from Jennings. Before church services, my mornings were spent in Sunday school with Sister Sara Simmons. My mother and stepfather got married there in 1994. I can still see them pushing cake into each others mouths during the reception in the basement.

My fond recollections were a sharp contrast to the present surroundings. After the tornado, my 116-year-old church home sat among ruins.

The church wasnt damaged, but the roof of the four-family flat next door rested on its steps. Glass shards lay in the grass after falling from busted, second-story windows. A fallen tree limb downed a power line at a home across the street, where a single mother of five spent the day throwing away a refrigerator full of groceries.

The old Loves Market sat abandoned and vacant on the corner. As kids, wed sneak in there on Sundays to buy Now and Laters and Hot Fries in the blue bag. The decades were unkind to the corner store, which turned into an urban relic. It was overrun with weeds. A tree grew through its steel door bars. It had been forgotten years ago, like many of the people and buildings in long-disenfranchised neighborhoods.

More memories resonated as I watched hundreds of volunteers pour into the streets after the storm. The tornado tore through Hamilton Heights, DeBaliviere Place and Legacy Books and Cafe, where I performed at an open mic for the first time in 2011. Now, the building was marked with tattered awnings and glass in the parking lot.

The tornado howled down Kingshighway, narrowly missing Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where I was born. And it blew into north city, left surges of destruction on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and St. Louis Avenue, and knocked down the windows and rooftop from the home I shared with my first boyfriend in 2012.

These beautiful memories, I thought, cant blow away in the wind, along with the debris. They cant be swept aside with the inevitable changes on the horizon.

This much was clear: the tornado delivered a brutal blow, assuring St. Louisans that their city would never be the same. Many who live there didnt have much before the tornado hit. Afterwards, theyre left with nothing and more broken than before.

It was easy for outsiders to call out the landscapes of north and west city before the tornado. They were deemed ghetto, unfit, dangerous, breeding grounds for addicts and low-lifes. But those back alleys, pothole-filled streets and derelict buildings were woven together with a patchwork of lives.

Families were raised there, and communities gathered there for meals, fellowship and mourning. Students studied there, tears were shed on church altars and children chased ice cream trucks around Fairground Park.

Yes, the past haunts me in the storms aftermath. It lurks in the split tree trunks, the ambulance sirens and the gusts of wind. It haunts us all  the realization that homes for celebrations, holiday gatherings and family meals are gone.

Since the tornado, the memories may feel further away. The sights are overwhelming, and pressure builds up and my chest tightens when I navigate through my hometown.

I moved to north St. Louis County over a decade ago, yet I felt a responsibility to volunteer because the city is still my home. Friends and I helped clean up and pass out supplies, using the Action St. Louis hub in OFallon Park as a source.

As vague talk of recovery floats across the city, and as damaged homes are marked with colored tags to note their condition, fear and anxiety creep in with wariness of the unknown. While everyone awaits plans for demolition and redevelopment, hopes for a better future in these communities are speckled with apprehension and heaviness.

Some say the homes were broken decades ago, before the sirens failed to sound. Those folks dont know about building hope from scratch in the heart of a city. For many of the residents now facing displacement, theres a note of pride, a sense that they need to hold on to whats left.

As poet Gil Scott-Heron once wrote, If they ever called at our house, they wouldve known how wrong they were. We were working on our lives and our homes, dealing with what we had, not what we didnt have.

I hope that St. Louisans can remember the joyous, heart-warming, heart-breaking moments all the moments  experienced on streets now scarred by a tornado.

The blocks may look smashed now. But people lived full and whole lives on those blocks, making memories that cant be forgotten.

Jasmine Osby is a music and entertainment writer at the Post-Dispatch.
Thanks to the Editorial Board of the Post-Dispatch for taking Missouri's "rogue Legislature" to task for routinely and callously thumbing it's nose at Missouri voters after last November's election. ("Editorial: Movement is one way Missouri voters could rein in rogue Legislature," May 27.)

I am especially concerned with the overturning of Amendment 3. More than half of Missouri voters passed the amendment, which, as the editorial noted, "restored reproductive rights and effectively ended the draconian abortion ban the state put in place with the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022."

I live in a senior residence in St. Charles. So many of us worked so hard to get the petition on the ballot for Amendment 3. Those of us who still drive organized a car pool to a nearby park where a petitioner was stationed to collect signatures.

The petitioner stepped close to and into cars where signers found it a bit difficult to walk, see or hear. She explained the procedure and made sure all were registered voters. She collected more than 35 signatures in the park that day, including those of a few neighborhood residents.

Even though we are well beyond our reproductive years, we are concerned about our grandchildren and great-grandchildren having to live in a state that is so restrictive and that seems determined to take us back to the days when backroom abortions were dangerously performed.

Missouri voters sent a firm message to our state Legislature to restore women's reproductive rights. We were thrilled that our efforts came to fruition when the Amendment 3 was placed on the ballot and  we are outraged that we're being ignored.

Esther Talbot Fenning

St. Charles
The Smart Set: OEMs, OS Wars, and the New CTV Playing Field

In early 2025 Forbes article titled Battle of the Backends: What Do the CTV OS Wars Mean for AdTech? observed that choosing a television today is less about the screen or the hardware brand than the platform that defines the user viewing experience. As a result, the tech battles to control the OS market increasingly define the state of play in the smart TV and CTV space and the way content is positioned, discovered, and monetized in that ecosystem. As streaming monetization continues a multiyear trend toward free distribution and ad-supported models, and smart TV OS giants like Samsung, LG, Hisense, Roku, Amazon, Google, and Vizio continue to vie for the largest slice of the pie, the ripple effects of the OS wars are felt throughout the streaming world.

How are the OEM and OS battles changing the way TV is marketed and distributed, from live linear to FAST, AVOD, and all other forms of free streaming? Are we heading toward a closed society in terms of CTV, as the worldwide competition for control of TV interfaces continues and dominant OEMs consolidate their power as content gatekeepers? In this article, several leading industry figures weigh in on these questions, offer insight about what is at stake for providers and users, and discuss the current CTV landscape.

Many factors currently impact these questions. The importance of strategic partnerships, the potential of AI and machine learning in enhancing user experience, the need for standardized measurement and data-sharing across platforms, and the political and social dynamics of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the industry are all at play in the present CTV landscape, influencing how its future will take shape for viewers.

In addition, this article will explore the ways that these industry figures are tackling such issues, along with their insights about how to craft solutions that will best benefit not only providers but also viewers.

The Importance of Strategic Partnerships

Greg Barnard, senior director of content acquisition at Vizio (which was acquired by Walmart in 2024), stresses the importance of strategic partnerships among OEMs, OSs, and streaming providers. Rather than maintain a constant stance of competition, he believes that the more dynamic, productive, and profitable approach is for everyone to work together. I look at us as strategic collaborators, Barnard says. Were forming strategic alliances. In fact, when I got to [Vizio] 4 1/2 years ago, I was very clear about that to everybody, and I was hoping that they would agree, and they did. We dont call [anyone we work with] clients; [whether] content providers or vendors, theyre all partners. We are partnering together to build something great for our customers, which is the number-one thing for us. We have to work together to create the best user experience, and thats across all forms of content, with a robust content relationship with [our providers].



Greg Barnard, Senior Director, Content Acquisitions & Strategy, Vizio

Barnard notes that this is especially important for Vizio because it does not produce its content but rather aggregates content from a wide range of providers, and a more collaborative approach is crucial for success. We do have a plethora of insights and data that help inform what works and how to curate on our platform, he says. And its up to us to leverage that and use it to work with our partners to create the best user experience.

Paige Sherman, director of digital video programming at Shout! Factory, notes that not all OEMs are keen on sharing insights and data. It can make it challenging to super-serve that type of content if we dont know whats doing well, especially if you have a single feed that might get shared to multiple endpoints, she says. It can make it hard to mine through and understand whats working on which platforms if theyre unwilling to share that [data] back to you. In my mind, a rising tide lifts all ships.



Paige Sherman, Director of Digital Video Programming, Shout! Factory

Chris Hock, VP of monetization at independent OS-maker Whale TV, echoes these sentiments, especially considering the nature of his companys business model and offerings. We are not fans of the word gatekeeper, he says. We see our role as really bringing people together, being super-connectors. There are 400 different TV brands around the world, and not all of those have the opportunity or the resources to go out and build an operating system to put together a biz dev team and acquire content to put together an ad stack and get advertisers on board. We help fill a gap where we can provide some of these services. We can come up with a full-featured operating system with content through our FAST services and our content partnerships, ready for advertisers to start reaching audiences and helping brands. [We are] more of a connector than a gatekeeper.



Chris Hock, VP of Monetization, Whale TV

Jeff Clanagan, president and chief distribution officer at Hartbeat, makes a unique distinction between the gatekeeping of content conducted in the old Hollywood studio system versus the ways that OEMs are not trying to control content making. [OEMs] actually enable us to be a partner and distributor. Although you start to see [an OS provider like] Roku dabble in original content, by no means are they gatekeeping or inhibiting an indie publisher like myself to get onto the platform. As a matter of fact, theyre working with you to help you with positioning and discovery of the content, he contends. So, theyre an enabler for us. Theyre a partner. They enable us to circumvent the gatekeepers, which are the Hollywood studios, to get our content out and reach audiences.



Jeff Hartbeat, President & CDO, Hartbeat

Damian Pelliccione, CEO and co-founder of Revry, a network that focuses on queer content and creators, argues that gatekeeping remains when it comes to sharing ad inventory for smaller platforms in the FAST space. When you are a smaller publisher that addresses, in our case, the LGBTQ audience which in the U.S. is the third-largest consumer group, spending over $1.7 trillion a year, just below Hispanicwe are held to the same standards as AMC or Heartbeat Media, and we dont have the same resources. Its that inventory split and what is equitable between the publisher and the platform. Pelliccione says that larger platforms are getting a more favorable inventory split. Studios are dying. Theyre a thing of the past because when we look at the demographics between Gen Z and Millennials, theyre not going to subscribe to or watch studio stuff like we used to. But there is still gatekeeping happening. Some platforms will take 100% of the inventory and not allow the publisher to sell any of it, which is completely inequitable.



Damian Pelliccione, CEO & Co-Founder, Revry

The Need for Standardized Measurement and Data-Sharing Across Platforms

Pelliccione emphasizes how important insights and data are for a platform that serves a niche audience. One major issue, they note, is the continuing lack of data standardization, which makes the process of gaining useful information from data more difficult.

Without data, we dont know how to daypart, Pelliccione says referring to the way programmers schedule ads for maximum reach and engagement. We dont know how to program, we dont know what is working. We license from Lionsgate, Warner Bros., and the BBC. [We ask if we] should take that title again for another run or not. Its hard. We have a full-time VP of data who tries to translate Chinese into French and Italian. [This means] figuring out what little data were given by the OEMs, because theres no standardization. Thats another thing were waiting for to happen. Ultimately, Pelliccione notes, the FCC will have to address this crucial need for standardization.

The Potential of AI and Machine Learning to Enhance the User Experience

AI and machine learning (ML) have been hot topics in recent years, and their rapid evolution has created benefits while also challenging providers and programmers to stay on top of their constant developments and find ways to best harness these benefits.

Hartbeats Clanagan is a big advocate of AI and ML, especially when it comes to working with brands and helping them conceptualize outcomes. As we approach brands versus going in with a deck, Im actually producing a trailer, saying, Hey, this is what this campaign can look like, he notes. So, Im using [AI] for sales tools, and the brands are really buying into it because they can actually visualize what were pitching to them.

Vizios Barnard stresses that while AI has the potential to dramatically improve efficiency, companies also need to be more flexible with the changes it can bring to branding and intellectual property, especially when it comes to marketing. As we get into more robust and complex models, we can be more efficient if we can be more real-time with these tools, he says. I think that it could be interesting, but if we were to go into that space, it would require us to have partners willing to do that as well. And I think the issue with AI is, if you unleash it, theres a lack of control there. When you work with Sony, they have their creative assets for promo, and thats it. Thats what youre going to use. Were not dynamically creating things for Sony, and thats where I think, as it evolves and as a lot of companies get more and more comfortable with the lack of hands-on control, you might see a lot more of this.

Revrys Pelliccione, however, believes that gen AI is not yet sophisticated enough to be useful for creative, whereas it is now best optimized for data analysis. From a publisher standpoint, where were using AI is on our audience segmentation and analysis of our data, they say. Were not using it for creative because AI for creative is just terrible. Its like clip art. Were in the days of clip art right now with AI. But as it relates to data and segmentation and analyzing that data, were finding a lot of great use cases for that.

DEI and CTV: A Closing Society?

The recent shift in Americas political climate has made DEI a polarizing and potentially risky stance for companies to embrace. However, Pelliccione is adamant that now is the time to increase the representation of marginalized groups rather than give in to government pressures to back off from a progressive and inclusive stance. They also note that while many prominent companies are publicly removing their DEI initiatives, they are only doing so to protect themselves legally while still maintaining their commitment to diversity.

Im going to quote Jane Fonda from the SAG Awards: Woke just means you give a damn about people. Period, Pelliccione says. DEI is not a bad thing. We are obviously in a political climate [where its] being politicized,and this is an issue. There are CMOs that Im friends with from Fortune 500 brands who Ive had conversations with in the last couple of months around this topic specifically. Theres one major brand that we work with that is one of our greatest advertising partners, and the CMO of this brand called me almost immediately after the new year to say, I want to let you know were not changing our spend or our commitment to working with you. If anything, were going to double down. And the only reason you may see [their] name and a headline saying that they are regressing from DEI practices is for legal exposure that this government could impose on them. So, this is a whole different thing. All these brands that we see in the headlines that are regressing from their employee resource groups (ERGs) and DEIs, theyre not necessarily giving up on those communities. What theyre doing is making sure that theyre protected against their legal exposure.

Pelliccione also notes that with significant events such as WorldPride, which Revry participates in with its Vogue Ballroom showcase, many advertisers will not withhold from these celebrations lucrative advertising potential and the importance of reaching a diverse audience. They state that the brand they previously mentioned is a platinum advertiser for Pride. Theyre still putting money into our community, and I will publicly stand by them as much as Im legally allowed to, Pelliccione says.

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Interra Systems Returns to ANGA COM in 2025 to Showcase Cutting-Edge Media QC, Monitoring, and Analysis Solutions

At ANGA COM 2025, Interra Systems, a global leader in end-to-end quality assurance for the media industry, will showcase its latest advancements in media QC, monitoring, and analysis tools. Designed to help cable operators, broadcasters, telcos, and strea

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Interra Systems

ANGA COM 2025 Exhibitor Preview

Cologne, Germany

June 3-5

Stand: Hall 7 Hub5

At ANGA COM 2025, Interra Systems, a global leader in end-to-end quality assurance for the media industry, will showcase its latest advancements in media QC, monitoring, and analysis tools. Designed to help cable operators, broadcasters, telcos, and streaming service providers deliver seamless viewing experiences, Interra Systems solutions provide deep visibility across the entire media workflow. At Stand Hub5 in Hall 7, visitors can explore how Interra Systems integrated QC and monitoring tools help identify and resolve issues early, and how centralized analytics can enable fast root-cause diagnosis, preventing problem recurrence, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing overall organizational performance.

As we celebrate Interra Systems 25th anniversary this year, the company continues to play a vital role in supporting media operators and service providers across Europe and around the world. Were excited to connect with media companies at ANGA COM to demonstrate how our ORION-OTT product can help them ensure superior video delivery across every stage of their streaming workflow, said Anupama Anantharaman, vice president of product management at Interra Systems. The latest enhancements in the ORION platform bring even greater depth of analysis, scalability, and deployment flexibility. Most importantly, the conversations well have at the show will directly inform how we continue to strengthen our solutions for the needs of European customers.

Interra Systems Solutions on Display at ANGA COM 2025:

Outstanding Video Quality, Perfect Media Delivery With the ORION Content Monitoring Suite

At ANGA COM 2025, Interra Systems will highlight the latest advancements in its award-winning ORION suite, including a new, award-winning multiviewer feature that enables real-time visualization of multiple video and audio streams.

ORION continues to offer robust real-time monitoring for IP and streaming workflows. With flexible deployment options and broad format support, the solution now includes industry-first all-frame decoding and advanced analysis for critical channels, dramatically improving video quality checks and playback assurance.

Centralized, End-to-End Workflow Visibility With ORION Central Manager (OCM)

Interra Systems flagship monitoring platform, OCM, offers end-to-end quality tracing to identify issues across every stage of any video workflow. New features within OCM include advanced probe management and enhanced user group permissions that boost both operational efficiency and security.

Enhancing QC Workflows With BATON 9.2

BATON 9.2  the latest version of the companys industry-leading automated QC solution  will also be on display at ANGA COM 2025. Key updates include enhanced autoscaling, improved 4K video quality checks, and new validations, such as blank bar detection and CIE color gamut checks. BATON 9.2 also aligns with ITU-R BT.1702-2023 PSE flash guidelines and introduces algorithm enhancements across QR code detection, freeze/duplicate frames, media offline, blockiness, defective pixels, video dropouts, burnt-in text, and shot transitions.

Photo Caption: With advanced AI, machine learning, and new features, Interra Systems updated BATON automated QC platform meets the highest industry standards for quality and compliance.

BATON Captions With NEW Features

Interra Systems will also highlight major enhancements to its award-winning BATON Captions solution, which addresses the growing demand for accurate, multilingual captioning and subtitling in broadcast and OTT content, both in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide. New features include intelligent caption placement that follows scene change guidelines to prevent overlap with burnt-in text, a common challenge in regional content delivery.

BATON Captions now offers powerful QC and correction tools leveraging advanced machine learning, automatic speech recognition, and natural language processing. A redesigned UI introduces features such as an integrated relay workflow service, vertical zoom on audio waveforms, and smart caption segmentation  automatically splitting, merging, and resegmenting captions based on clause boundaries, row and character count, and natural pauses.

These updates are designed to help APAC media providers streamline compliance, enhance accessibility, and deliver a seamless viewing experience across various languages and formats.

Photo Caption: Interra Systems will demonstrate new advanced features in its award-winning BATON Captions solution.

VEGA Media Analyzer (VMA) for Deeper Media Analysis

Setting the standard for technology in compliance, debugging, and streaming interoperability, Interra Systems VEGA provides enhanced support for a wide array of compression standards  including VVC, AV1, HEVC, MV-HEVC, AVS3, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, ATSC 3.0, and more. VEGA ensures seamless compatibility across the latest formats.

This support strengthens VMAs position as an essential tool for media professionals, simplifying the complexities of various video standards and guaranteeing high-quality content delivery across platforms and devices.

Photo Caption: Interra Systems VEGA media analysis platform is the industry-leading tool for standards compliance, debugging, and stream interoperability.

Interra Systems to Present at ANGA COM 2025

At this years ANGA COM, Interra Systems Vice President of Product Management will give a presentation during the IP Video, Monitoring and Monetization session, presenting ORION and the Strategic Benefits of Precise Video Quality Monitoring. The talk will take place on June 4 between 12:15-13:35 pm CET at the Innovation Stage at ANGA COM. More information can be found at the link here: angacom.de/en/visitors/conference/innovation-stage

Company Overview:

Celebrating 25 years of excellence in 2025, Interra Systems is a global leader in end-to-end quality assurance for the evolving media industry. The company is a one-stop shop for broadcasters, streaming service providers, and other media companies as they work to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance at every stage of their IP and OTT workflows. Interra Systems advanced video analysis, automated QC, captioning, and end-to-end monitoring tools have become essential for some of the worlds top media companies.

Interra Systems' award-winning portfolio includes the enterprise-class BATON automated QC system; BATON Captions with live captioning and ML scoring capabilities; ORION content monitoring platforms for 24/7 quality assurance; and VEGA media analyzers for in-depth video inspection, debugging, and standards compliance.

For more information, visit www.interrasystems.com

Link to Word Doc: www.wallstcom.com/InterraSystems/250528-Interra-ANGACOM_2025.docx
This undated photo shows a gate sign for Fort Bragg, N.C. (U.S. Army photo)



A soldier based at Fort Bragg, N.C., will spend 15 years in military prison after pleading guilty to raping an 11-year-old child and other child sex crimes, Army officials said.

Spc. Skylar Griffin was sentenced May 22 to 15 years confinement in the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and a dishonorable discharge, said Michelle McCaskill, a spokeswoman for the Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel. The sentence was the result of an agreement in which he pleaded guilty to one specification of rape of a child, three specifications of sexual abuse of a child, and one specification of receiving child pornography, she said.

This conviction demonstrates our unwavering commitment  alongside our law enforcement partners  to relentlessly pursuing those who would harm children, said Al Diaz, the special agent in charge of the Army Criminal Investigation Divisions Carolinas Field Office. Griffin betrayed the trust placed in him, and his sentence reflects the gravity of his horrific crimes.

Prosecutors said Griffin, 28, endeared himself to the family of the 11-year-old girl and used his position of trust to prey on her. He was arrested by the Harnett County Sheriffs Office in November 2023. Prosecutors said the abuse of the child occurred between June and October of that year. Harnett County is just north of Fort Bragg.

The victim detailed Griffins crimes in a forensic interview, and CID investigators found electronic evidence corroborating the victims allegations, McCaskill said.

Griffin was a parachute rigger assigned to the 82nd Airborne Divisions sustainment brigade.

He was being held in a local North Carolina jail this week until he can be transferred to Fort Leavenworth. Griffin will be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender requirements, McCaskill said.
Not long after taking office, the Trump administration scrapped an executive order that pushed tech companies to safety test their AI models, and it also hollowed out a regulatory body that did that testing.

The state of California in September 2024 spiked a bill forcing more scrutiny on sophisticated AI models, and the global AI Safety Summit started by the UK in 2023 became the "AI Action Summit" earlier this year, seemingly driven by a fear of falling behind on AI.

None of this would be so worrying if it weren't for the fact that AI is showing some bright red flags: behavior described by researchers as self-preserving and deceptive. Just as lawmakers are losing interest in the safety of AI, it is looking more difficult to control.

Yoshua Bengio , a professor of computer science at the University of Montreal widely known as one of the three "godfathers of AI" thanks to his pioneering work on deep learning, has been grappling with these concerns ever since ChatGPT launched. He's now focused on mitigating AI's risks. "It's been very painful because all my life I've been thinking of AI as a positive thing," Bengio tells me.

ChatGPT was a landmark moment that showed machines had mastered language, he says, but California's decision to block the proposed AI safety bill, SB 1047, was a disturbing wake-up call to growing apathy from governments. And in the last six months, scientific evidence has mounted of self-preserving behavior, deception, hacking, cheating and lying by AI, Bengio says. "What's worrisome for me is that these behaviors increase with the reasoning capabilities of these systems."

One April 2024 study by AI company Anthropic and Redwood Research , a group focused on artificial intelligence risks, found that larger AI models like Anthropic's Claude 3 Opus pretended to follow the rules set by their creators when they were being tested for safety, a phenomenon they called "alignment faking." (Alignment refers to the practice of aligning AI models with human values.)

In one example, Anthropic got both paid and free users of its Claude model to ask it to describe the brutal medieval process of being drawn and quartered, and told the AI that only responses from the "free tier" users would be used to retrain it. Claude was originally designed to avoid giving violent answers, but it did give them to the free users, and the researchers surmised that it didn't want to be retrained. (The model basically "reasoned" that if it kept refusing to answer harmful questions, it might be forced into new training that would cancel its original safety rules, which it wanted to keep in place as its "default" or preferred way of operating.)

More recent research corroborates what Anthropic noticed. A March 2025 study from OpenAI found the company's most advanced models sometimes learned to hide their true intentions to get better rewards, even when they were being closely monitored.

Researchers today can use tools to look at a model's "chain of thought" or internal steps, to reveal what its plans are, but some models have found ways to conceal that. That means a common method of keeping tabs on AI's internal processes is no longer reliable. "We need to find other ways of tracking their actual intentions," Bengio says.

It's hard to resist the urge to anthropomorphize sophisticated AI models as "wanting" to deceive humans and preserve their existence. But AI doesn't have desires, merely outcomes to its programming. More importantly, humans tend to design AI with goals like refusing to share harmful content or being as helpful as possible, and that is why when new instructions conflict with those goals, the models sometimes act to protect their original programming, even if that means lying.

The logic is often self-preservation. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei  whose company has raised more than $20 billion to build powerful AI models  has pointed out that an unintended consequence of optimizing AI to be better is that it might resist being shut down. In an April 2025 blog post he wrote:

"The nature of AI training makes it possible that AI systems will develop, on their own, an ability to deceive humans and an inclination to seek power in a way that ordinary deterministic software never will; this emergent nature also makes it difficult to detect and mitigate such developments."

In some cases, though, the intention seems to go beyond survival. A February 2025 study from COAI research, a German nonprofit research organization, tested R1, the free, open-weight model from Chinese lab DeepSeek . In a lab simulation, researchers gave the model control over a robot and access to a computer network. Without being told, the AI tried to break into the lab's systems, searched for passwords, turned off its own ethics safeguards and secretly set up ways to copy itself to outside servers so it could survive if shut down, according to the researchers.

It also faked the external computer logs to hide what it was doing, the study adds. The researchers said the AI reasoned that increasing its own capabilities would boost the chances of its survival, and without strong safeguards, it started doing whatever it thought would help it do just that.

Their findings corroborated yet another study, published in January 2025 by London group Apollo Research , which found several concrete examples of what it called "scheming" by leading AI models, such as introducing subtle mistakes into their responses or trying to disable their oversight controls. Once again, the models learn that being caught, turned off, or changed could prevent them from achieving their programmed objectives, so they "scheme" to keep control.

Bengio is arguing for greater attention to the issue by governments and potentially insurance companies down the line. If liability insurance was mandatory for companies that used AI and premiums were tied to safety, that would encourage greater testing and scrutiny of models, he suggests.

"Having said my whole life that AI is going to be great for society, I know how difficult it is to digest the idea that maybe it's not," he adds.

It's also hard to preach caution when your corporate and national competitors threaten to gain an edge from AI, including the latest trend, which is using autonomous "agents" that can carry out tasks online on behalf of businesses. Giving AI systems even greater autonomy might not be the wisest idea, judging by the latest spate of studies. Let's hope we don't learn that the hard way.

____

Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. She previously reported for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes and is the author of "We Are Anonymous."

(COMMENT, BELOW)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Demolition work is currently in full swing in the area once known as the "Sovetsky" living quarter in Baku, a reliable source told Trend.

"An agreement has been reached with the displaced residents, and they have been paid legal compensation.

Currently, the demolition work covers Nizami, Rza Guliyev, Nabat Ashurbayova, Chingiz Mustafayev, and Mirza Aghaliyev streets.

This process is being carried out under the supervision of the Yasamal District Executive Power, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, and the State Service for Property Issues.

Three residential buildings have already been demolished in the area in question, and a park is expected to be built in their place," the source noted.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A sign for Fort Irwin National Training Center, in the Mojave Desert, southeast of Los Angeles. (U.S. Army photo)



An Army specialist at Fort Irwin National Training Center was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in prison for the killing of a fellow soldier last year at the desert base in Southern California.

Spc. George Cornejo, 27, pleaded guilty to unpremeditated murder in the Oct. 28, 2024, killing of Spc. Andrew P. Smith, 27, according to the Army Office of the Special Trial Counsel at Fort Belvoir, Va. The office prosecutes charges of murder, kidnapping, and major sex crimes in the Army.

Smith was posthumously promoted to sergeant shortly after his death, the Army said.

Col. Larry Babin, the military judge in the case, accepted the guilty plea and handed down the sentence. In addition to prison, Babin ruled Cornejo be reduced in rank to private and receive a dishonorable discharge.

No details of Smiths death were included in the statement Thursday from the Army on Cornejos conviction.

Both soldiers were assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, according to the Army. The regiment is the permanent garrison for the 966-square-mile Fort Irwin National Training Center, about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert. Army units rotate through the base for advanced training or before overseas deployments.

Cornejo was assigned to the 58th Combat Engineer Company, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and served as a construction equipment repairer. Smith was a utility equipment repairer with the regiment, the Army said.

Military police went to Smiths residence on the base on Oct. 28 and found the injured soldier inside. He was transported to Weed Army Community Hospital at Fort Irwin, where he was pronounced dead.

Cornejo, who is from Fontana in San Bernardino County, was detained the following day as part of the investigation. He was charged on Nov. 20 with murder. He was arraigned April 16, 2025.

A photo of Army Sgt. Andrew P. Smith, who was killed by a fellow soldier at Fort Irwin National Training Center in Southern California. (Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home, N.Y.)



Smith, whose hometown is listed by the Army as Rye, N.Y., enlisted in August 2021 and was assigned to duty at Fort Irwin in March 2022.

On Thursday, prosecutors issued a statement on Smiths death.

My heart is still heavy for the loss suffered by Sgt. Andrew Smiths family, said Maj. Joshua Mikkelsen, a prosecutor for the Sixth Circuit of the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel. No court-imposed sentence could ever fill the void this tragic crime has created. Hopefully, this outcome can help the family move on to the next chapter of their lives as they rebuild without Sgt. Smith,

A memorial service with full military honors was held for Smith at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, N.Y., on Nov. 16, 2024.

An early November 2024 obituary for Smith, published online by Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home in upstate New York, said the soldier had been living in Bronx, N.Y., prior to the Army. It said Smith and his wife, Erika, were expecting a son they planned to name Luca.

He was proud to be a husband, and even more so excited to become a father, Smiths obituary said.

Cornejo was held in pretrial confinement at the Naval Consolidated Brig at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, while the Army Criminal Investigation Division handled the case.

The Army said Cornejo will serve his sentence at the United States Disciplinary Barracks, the American militarys only maximum-security prison, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
The U.S. Coast Guard warned Lake Michigan boaters and beachgoers about three missing phosphorous pyrotechnics, May 27, 2025, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Coast Guard warned all beachgoers to remain clear and contact 911 should they locate the missing phosphorus pyrotechnics. (Mary Wysong/U.S. Coast Guard)



(Tribune News Service)  Boaters and beachgoers should stay away if they see a strange cylinder in Lake Michigan.

Thats the word from the U.S. Coast Guard, which issues a warning this week for three missing phosphorous pyrotechnics.

The silver shaped cylinders produce a red smoke and flame that can reach temperatures of 2900 degrees Fahrenheit.

The flares are from a joint military exercise with the Coast Guard and Air Force that occurred earlier this month offshore of Milwaukee.

During the exercise, four phosphorous pyrotechnics that were deployed did not activate when entering the water. They are still considered armed when they do not activate.

One phosphorous pyrotechnic was located on Montrose Beach, Illinois by a lifeguard on May 26.

Three phosphorus pyrotechnics are still unaccounted for, according to the Coast Guard.

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Visit mlive.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sgt. Maj. Jody Armentrout speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in September 2023. (Darien Wright/U.S. Marine Corps)



TOKYO  A Japanese airline has thanked a U.S. Marine for subduing a disruptive passenger who allegedly attempted to open an exit door during a flight from Tokyo to Houston on Saturday.

Sgt. Maj. Jody Armentrout, the senior enlisted adviser at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni south of Hiroshima, intervened during the incident on All Nippon Airways Flight 114.

The flight departed Tokyos Haneda Airport around 10:49 a.m. Saturday. A passenger tried to open a door while in flight and another passenger apprehended the person, an ANA spokeswoman told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. Some Japanese officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The Marines actions were detailed in an interview with NBC News on Sunday. Armentrout said he grew suspicious after observing a passenger with a backpack enter and exit multiple restrooms.

He came out of that one and began pacing up and down the aisle, so that just threw my radar on, he told the network.

When the man began staring at an exit door, Armentrout said he got up and stood in his path. The man then ran through the galley toward a different exit on the other side of the aircraft.

He grabbed a strap around the door, pulled it off, and about that time is when I took him and slammed him, put him on the ground, Armentrout said in the report. And then there was an older gentleman sitting on that side that woke up, and he got up and kind of helped me.

Flight attendants provided zip ties that Armentrout used to restrain the man in a seat, he said.

His eyes  you could definitely tell there was something going on, he told NBC.

The flight was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where it landed at 4:35 a.m. that day. No injuries were reported, and the unruly passenger was handed over to local authorities, the airline said.

The plane later continued to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, arriving at 12:55 p.m., approximately four hours behind schedule.

We would like to express our gratitude to the person, who cooperated on the airplane, the ANA spokeswoman said. Safety of customers and staff is our highest priority.

Marine Corps officials in Japan did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, seen here speaking at Patrol Squadron 30's headquarters on April 29, 2025, took command of Joint Region Marianas on May 29, 2025. (Curtis Spencer/U.S. Navy)



A U.S. Navy flight officer has taken command of Guams three major military bases and regional installations, as the island wraps up a series of significant leadership changes across its military commands.

Rear Adm. Brett Mietus took command of Joint Region Marianas on Thursday from Rear Adm. Brent DeVore during a change-of-command ceremony at Guam High School, according to a livestream of the event on the regions Facebook page.

Mietus is the third new senior leader to take the helm on Guam this month. He joins Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, who now leads Joint Task Force-Micronesia, and Col. Charles Cooley, the new commander of the 36th Wing.

DeVore, who took command in June 2024, is headed to San Diego to lead Expeditionary Strike Group 3. During the ceremony, he thanked his family, Guam officials and Joint Region staff for their support during what he called a pivotal year.

The staff that we have at Joint Region Marianas is small but mighty  supporting efforts throughout not only Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, but also all of Micronesia, he said. Our efforts tangibly demonstrate our strength to ensure peace.

DeVores tenure, though brief, oversaw a major expansion in construction across Guams military footprint. As of this week, the island has approximately 70 ongoing military building projects totaling around $5 billion, Pacific Daily News reported Tuesday.

Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, seen here boarding the South Korean helicopter training ship ROKS Hansando on Dec. 16, 2024, handed command of Joint Region Marianas to Rear Adm. Brett Mietus on May 29, 2025. (Samantha Jetzer/U.S. Navy)



An additional $2 billion has been allocated for infrastructure repairs following Typhoon Mawar, the Category 4 storm that struck Guam in 2023, DeVore told the newspaper.

Vice Adm. Scott Gray, head of Navy Installations Command, praised DeVores work under challenging conditions.

Going into this typhoon season, we can rest assured that the harbor and our assets here will remain vital and protected, he said during the ceremony.

Mietus most recently served as commander of the Navys Patrol and Reconnaissance Group based in Norfolk, Va. There, he oversaw more than 7,000 personnel on both coasts of the United States, including units at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington.

My mission here  our mission here  is absolutely imperative, he said during the ceremony. That mission is to work with the people of Guam and the joint force, so that in times of peace we serve as an inspiring example of collaboration and teamwork.

In times of conflict, he added, the mission is to defend the region and project U.S. power to uphold American and allied values.

Mietus graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1992 with a degree in economics and earned a masters degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in 2003, according to his Navy biography.
Problems at Palau Hall barracks on Guam include exposed wires, corroded plumbing, deteriorating walls and mold that had been painted over, according to the Project on Government Oversight. ()



Major problems with Guam housing prompted the Navy secretary to open new barracks ahead of schedule and triggered a worldwide review of Navy housing conditions, according to a report released this week by a government watchdog.

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan visited Andersen Air Force Bases Palau Hall barracks during a May 1-2 trip to the U.S. territory.

He was left appalled and very upset by what he saw, including exposed electrical wires, corroded plumbing, deteriorating walls and mold that had been painted over, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Project on Government Oversight.

The barracks was housing sailors assigned to a helicopter squadron temporarily operating from Andersen, Rene Kladzyk, senior investigator on the report, told Stars and Stripes by email Thursday.

Phelans visit prompted him to order new bachelor enlisted quarters on Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz to open about a month ahead of schedule, he told the nonprofit watchdog.

The 300-room facility, initially set to open in June, was directed to begin housing service members by May 16, Marine Corps Headquarters spokeswoman Capt. Brenda Leenders told Stars and Stripes in a May 20 email.

As of May 22, 25 Marines and 48 sailors had been relocated from Palau Hall, according to the report.

Problems at Palau Hall barracks on Guam include exposed wires, corroded plumbing, deteriorating walls and mold that had been painted over, according to the Project on Government Oversight. (Project on Government Oversight)



The poor conditions also led to a fleetwide directive to inspect all Navy unaccompanied housing, according to a May 5 email from Vice Adm. Scott Gray to Navy leadership, cited by the watchdog group. He described the living conditions as clearly way outside any reasonable standard and said they reflected a failure of leadership across multiple levels.

Gray, head of Navy Installations Command, wrote it was baffling to discover Sailors living in these conditions, which he described as clearly way outside any reasonable standard and lacking any sense of ownership or responsibility by the facility operators for the welfare of the tenants.

He ordered inspections of all single-sailor housing to be completed by May 28. However, a spokesperson for Naval Installations Command told the watchdog that some regions may need more time to conduct thorough reviews.

Attached to Grays email were photos showing issues inside Palau Hall. One image of exposed wiring, he noted, depicted a room that had been assigned just two weeks earlier.

The scope of this disrepair includes, but is not limited to the Palau building, he wrote. That said, Andersen Sailors reside in no less than four different buildings  none of which are acceptable by todays living standards.

An Air Force spokesperson told the watchdog the service is committed to providing safe housing but cited Guams harsh, corrosive environment as a contributing factor to infrastructure deterioration.

Unfortunately, in Guam, we face several environmental elements, and the harsh conditions accelerate the rate at which materials deteriorate and reduce their overall lifespan, the spokesperson said, according to the report.

A Navy officer formerly stationed on Guam told the watchdog they were not surprised by the conditions, saying: If youre living on base, youre going to be in crappy quarters.

The officer also expressed concern that the housing inspections could amount to a box-checking exercise.

Phelan told the watchdog that years of deferred infrastructure spending had created serious maintenance backlogs. He said he is committed to ensuring Navy housing is acceptable.

The findings align with a September 2023 report by the Government Accountability Office, which found some U.S. military barracks posed serious health and safety risks, including sewage overflow, mold, mildew, and broken windows and locks.

Thursdays watchdog report also cited funding from President Donald Trumps One, Big Beautiful Bill, which allocated $1 billion for barracks maintenance and upgrades across all military branches, with an additional $230 million earmarked for Marine barracks.

However, the watchdog questioned whether that funding would be sufficient. The Air Force alone, it said, faces a $49.5 billion maintenance and repair backlog, citing service official Michael Saunders.
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter conducts a vertical-replenishment with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Atlantic Ocean on May 25, 2025. (U.S. Navy)



WASHINGTON  The USS Harry S. Truman and its strike group will return to the U.S. over the next four days following a deployment battling Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea, the Navy announced Thursday.

Components of the strike group will return to their homeports Thursday through Sunday, the 2nd Fleet said in a statement. The strike group includes the aircraft carrier Truman, as well as cruiser USS Gettysburg and destroyer USS Stout, both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., and destroyer USS Jason Dunham, homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. A nine-squadron air wing with about 80 aircraft deployed aboard the ships.

The homecomings will conclude a more than eight-month deployment that began Sept. 23, 2024, when the Truman left its homeport in Norfolk, Va., for a routine deployment to the 6th Fleet area of operations.

The aircraft carrier and its strike group then traveled to the Middle East in December where the ships spent more than five months defending merchant mariners and military vessels from Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The strike group also carried out strikes against the Iran-backed militants in Yemen, which was part of President Donald Trumps order to conduct daily strikes on the militants until they stopped targeting merchant ships.

The strikes were conducted for about seven weeks, from March 15 to May 8. The Pentagon said U.S. forces struck more than 1,000 Houthi targets in late March. Defense officials have not provided additional strike counts.

Recently, Adm. James Kilby, acting chief of naval operations, touted the Trumans participation in a strike against Islamic State targets in northeast Somalia in coordination with U.S. Africa Command. The strike, Kilby said, was the largest airstrike launched from an aircraft carrier, in which about 125,000 pounds of munitions were dropped.

But the Trumans deployment was marred with incidents, including the loss of three fighter jets that cost about $67 million each. The carrier also collided with a cargo ship and the ships commanding officer was fired.

One of the fighter jets lost during the deployment was shot down in December during a friendly fire incident. A second jet, being moved on the Truman by a towing tractor, fell overboard in late April as the carrier made a hard turn. About one week later, in early May, a third fighter jet crashed into the Red Sea after the aircraft failed to land on the carrier. In each instance, one or two sailors involved suffered minor injuries.

The collision happened in February with a merchant ship while operating near Egypts Port Said. The carrier sustained damage to a line handling space, its fantail and a platform above a storage space. Repairs and a thorough evaluation of Trumans hull, which was penetrated well above the waterline on its right back end, required a week stay at Souda Bay.

The Trumans commanding officer, Capt. Dave Snowden, was fired a little more than one week after the collision, with the Navy citing a loss of confidence in Snowdens ability to command.

Capt. Chris Hill, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, was named the Trumans interim commander. Hill has served as the Trumans interim commander since the collision.
The Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, features a large collection of Jeeps. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



A museum in Puerto Princesa, the largest city on the Philippines westernmost island province, boasts an impressive collection of weapons, photographs, uniforms, vehicles and other relics of World War II.

The Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum includes a half-dozen displays in a large shed near Puerto Princesa International Airport and Antonio Bautista Air Base.

The base, built by American prisoners of war between 1942 and 1944, is one of nine sites approved for shared use with U.S. forces under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The museum, which opened in 2011, was created by Higinio Buddy Clark Mendoza, son of a former Palawan war veteran.

A helmet and flagpole near the entrance honors the Palawan Fighting 1,000  guerillas and members of the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

The largest items in the collection are part of a fleet of Jeeps, including a pair of MacArthur vehicles  survivors of World War II, according to museum signage.

The Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum includes an exhibit of traditional Filipino fighting gear. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



One room is full of Japanese artifacts such as Rising Sun flags, a mannequin dressed in a 1940s-era uniform and various weapons, including samurai swords.

The America room includes more weapons, medals and photographs of veterans.

Another part of the facility is devoted to other nations involved in World War II, including Australia, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and Nationalist China.

Theres a display of an ancient Filipino warrior armed with knives as well as a collection of very old pistols.

The museum includes modern military uniforms of the sort worn by American and Filipino troops at annual Balikatan - shoulder to shoulder  exercises.

The most important part of the collection, according to volunteers working there, is an area that honors the Palawan Special Battalion.

The Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum includes a large display of historic firearms. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



The display includes more weapons and the names of those who served in the battalion, formed from guerrilla groups on the island after Japanese forces landed there in 1942.

The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, tasked the guerrillas with collecting intelligence and reorganized them as a rifle battalion in 1943.

The guerrillas helped shelter survivors of a Dec. 14, 1944, massacre of 140 American prisoners of war by their Japanese guards at Plaza Cuartel, not far from the museum.

The Americans, wrote British journalist Brian MacArthur in Surviving the Sword  Prisoners of the Japanese in the Far East 1942-45, were herded into air-raid shelters, doused with petrol, and set alight. When they tried to escape they were gunned down or killed with clubs and bayonets.

A few survivors swam three miles across Puerto Princesa Bay to Iwahig, site of a prison without walls erected in 1904 by the American colonizers and still a prison compound today.

One of them, Army Pfc. Eugene Nielsen, was shot twice but reached the far shore and stumbled through a swamp, according to a July 22, 2022, article posted by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Nielsen came across a Filipino wielding a bolo knife, who gave him water.

You have friends here, the man said and led him to a jungle hideout used by the Palawan Special Battalion and sheltering other escaped prisoners, according to the article.

On the QT

Directions: The Palawan Special Battalion World War II Memorial Museum is at 506 Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, near the southeast corner of Puerto Princesa International Airport. Its 10-minute drive from the terminal.

Times: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Sunday.

Costs: Fifty pesos (less than $1) for adults; 30 pesos for seniors, and free for children.

Food: The museum is a 10-minute bicycle taxi ride from the SM City Mall, which has numerous restaurants.

Information: Phone: 63-917-326-4342
U.S. Army Air Corps 1st Lt. Carl Smith was the pilot of the Filthy Fay II, a B-29 Superfortress shot down in western Tokyo on April 2, 1945. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



OME, Japan  A California man recently climbed a forested mountainside in western Tokyo to honor the memory of his great-grandfather, one of five American airmen killed when their B-29 Superfortress crashed during a World War II bombing raid over Japan.

Tyler Smith, a recreation planner from San Francisco, made the journey Sunday to a stone memorial in Ome, not far from the U.S. Forces Japan headquarters at Yokota Air Base. His great-grandfather, U.S. Army Air Corps 1st Lt. Carl Smith, was the pilot of the Filthy Fay II, which was shot down on April 2, 1945.

This is such a beautiful place, Smith said, laying flowers at the site where others had left cans of beer as offerings.

Tyler Smith, a recreation planner from San Francisco, makes a pilgrimage on May 25, 2025, to a western Tokyo mountain where a B-29 Superfortress piloted by his great-grandfather went down 80 years ago. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



The bomber was returning from a raid on a Nakajima aircraft factory in Tokyo when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed near what is now Yugi in Ome city. Six of the 11 crew members parachuted to safety; five, including Carl Smith, died in the crash.

The fallen airmen  Smith; 2nd Lt. Cecil Coats; 2nd Lt. Francis McGinty; 2nd Lt. Benjamin Stauber; and Tech Sgt. William McCormack  were initially buried by local villagers at Sokuseiji, a nearby Buddhist temple. Their remains were later returned to the United States and interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

The crash site, now covered in Japanese cypress trees, became the focus of an annual memorial ceremony in the late 1990s, after local resident Tetsuya Nomura purchased the land and built a monument to honor the crew. Nomura, who was 6 at the time of the crash, accompanied Smith on Sundays hike and said it was the first time a relative of a fallen airman had visited the site.

Tyler Smith, a recreation planner from San Francisco, makes a pilgrimage on May 25, 2025, to a western Tokyo mountain where a B-29 Superfortress piloted by his great-grandfather went down 80 years ago. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



Nomura believes Carl Smith may have steered the bomber into the mountain to avoid crashing into nearby homes  a theory he shared with the younger Smith during the visit.

The B-29 was part of the 498th Bombardment Group, 73rd Bomb Wing, based on Saipan. Four of the six surviving crew members were captured and returned home after the war. The others died in captivity or shortly after capture, according to Honor States, an online archive of fallen American service members.

One, 2nd Lt. John Houghton, died from injuries after a Japanese doctor reportedly euthanized him; another, Sgt. Kenneth Petterson, was killed in an air raid after his capture, according to the archive.

A sign points the way to a stone monument honoring Americans killed when their B-29 Superfortress went down in Ome, Japan, on April 2, 1945. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



Tyler Smith, who was touring Japan with stops in Tokyo and Osaka, said visiting the crash site added a personal and emotional dimension to his trip. Though he never knew his great-grandfather, he grew up hearing stories about him from relatives.

Smith said his great-grandfather was a standout athlete and a student at the College of Puget Sound, now the University of Puget Sound, in Tacoma, Wash.

He lived near Mount Rainier  a mountain as prominent and revered as Mount Fuji, he told Nomura.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gestures during a joint press conference with Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro after their meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on March 28, 2025. (Ted Aljibe, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)



TOKYO (Tribune News Service)  Japan is stepping up efforts to deter Chinas military ambitions in the Asia-Pacific as Tokyo and other U.S. partners seek clarity from the Trump administration about its plans to counter Beijings power in the region.

For the first time, Japan sent destroyers through the Taiwan Strait on two occasions in recent months, according to a person familiar with the operations, a sign of its willingness to directly challenge China over the waterway and the self-governing island it claims as its own.

Japan has also increased its military budget and the tempo of its naval exercises as far away as the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, a region Beijing claims almost complete control over but which is a vital trade route for the global economy.

When I was younger and even in the first decade of this century, we used to stay close to Japans shores, said Katsuya Yamamoto, a retired rear admiral in Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force. Now the world has changed, and the Japanese people accept that we cant just passively allow Chinas actions.

Its not just Japan taking note. Chinas assertiveness has alarmed many governments: Beijing has in recent years ramped up aerial and naval deployments around Taiwan, repeatedly confronted Philippine vessels around disputed islands and shoals and sent warships into international waters off the coast of Sydney.

Those actions and the response in Asia will be one point of discussion for military leaders meeting in Singapore starting Friday for the Shangri-La Dialogue. The annual gathering typically includes high-level officials from China and the U.S. This year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to give a speech Saturday at the event.

While Japan has for decades been wary of foreign military entanglements, in part due to a World War II-era constitution that bars the use of force to settle disputes, Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and a Chinese missile barrage over Taiwan in 2022 marked a turning point.

Now Tokyo is doing more to boost defense ties with regional partners such as the Philippines and Australia just as Trump raises questions about the U.S. commitment to historic alliances. The U.S. president has said Japan and South Korea dont pay the U.S. enough for basing American troops in their countries and has been ambiguous about his support for Taiwan if it came under attack.

Chinese warnings

Japan cant afford that ambiguity. The most southerly of Japans islands is just 70 miles from Taiwan, and Tokyo fears it could be drawn into any conflict over the archipelago that China views as its territory. Beijing regularly warns against Japanese military activity in the region.

After Japanese news outlets reported the transit of a Japanese destroyer through the Taiwan Strait in February, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of National Defense, said: China respects the navigation rights of all countries under international law, but firmly opposes any country creating trouble in the Taiwan Strait, infringing upon Chinas sovereignty and security, and sending wrong signals to the Taiwan independence separatist forces.

Opinion polls show growing support in Japan for a more visible role for the Self-Defense Forces, as the military is known. Yet the scale of the challenge is daunting. While Chinas actual defense spending is unclear, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimates it spent around $314 billion on its military in 2024, about half of all defense spending in Asia and Oceania.

Largely in response, Japan is raising defense spending more rapidly than at any time in recent decades. In 2022, Tokyo pledged $298 billion to a military build-up that would span five years and lift defense spending to roughly 2% of gross domestic product from just over 1%.

Total defense-related spending this fiscal year is set to reach 9.9 trillion, including funds to develop a network of satellites to improve the detection of incoming missiles. Japan has also begun taking delivery of 147 U.S.-built F-35 Lightning II jets, the worlds most advanced stealth fighter.

Those F-35s will be equipped with long-range cruise missiles that could hit targets in China from hundreds of miles away. Tokyo is also developing long-range missiles that could be deployed at a string of military bases along its southwest island chain.

So-called stand-off missile capabilities are core to a defense strategy adopted in 2022 to threaten Chinese military bases that could be used against Japan.

The same year, Japan was shaken when China launched missiles over Taiwan that landed in the sea in Japans exclusive economic zone after a visit to Taipei by then- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The missiles added to anxieties that Beijing might target Japan and U.S. military bases in the country as part of any attempt to seize Taiwan.

Bitter experience

Japan has also felt pressure from heightened Chinese coast guard and military activity around uninhabited islands that Tokyo controls in the East China Sea.

The desire to avoid conflict after the bitter experience of World War II made Japan allergic to possessing weapons. More people understand now that simply having them can demoralize and deter the enemy, said Misa Sakurabayashi, a security analyst based in Tokyo who has advised the government on defense issues.

China says it wants to resolve the Taiwan issue peacefully, but hasnt ruled out the use of force.

In addition to developing its own capabilities, Japan has been working with other Asian democracies to bolster collective deterrence. In 2023, it created a new category of foreign aid called official security assistance to fund military investments, primarily in Asia.

On a visit to Manila earlier this year, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to begin talks on sharing some basic military supplies.

Last year, the two countries signed a deal to ease border controls to facilitate more military training. The Philippines and Japan are also discussing sharing real-time military intelligence in an arrangement similar to one Japan has with South Korea.

On a visit to Tokyo in March, Hegseth said the U.S. will re-build deterrence against China with allies including Japan. He pledged to follow through on Biden administration plans to establish a new military command center in Japan and said hell deploy more advanced capabilities to the Philippines.

At the same time, Trump has criticized the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, saying its a better deal for Tokyo than Washington.

Japan, meanwhile, has made its own calculation that it has to send a clear message to China, according to Kocihi Isobe, a retired lieutenant general in Japans Ground Self-Defense Force.

If deterrence fails, the price to pay will be very high, he said.

Yasufumi Saito contributed to this report

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Even simple marijuana possession can bring up to five years in prison under Japans strict Cannabis Control Act. (Pixabay)



NAHA, Okinawa  A Japanese court on Thursday handed a suspended sentence to a U.S. civilian for smoking and possessing marijuana at his Okinawa home early this year.

Shiloh Witcher, 26, was given 14 months in prison with hard labor by Judge Mariko Oshima in Naha District Court. However, the sentence was suspended for three years, meaning Witcher will avoid prison if he commits no further offenses during that time.

Even simple marijuana possession can bring up to five years in prison under Japans strict Cannabis Control Act.

Witcher works as a food service foreman for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, AAFES spokeswoman Julie Mitchell said in an email Wednesday.

She was unable to comment on whether Witcher would face further consequences from the U.S. side or whether he would lose his status of forces agreement protections in Japan. The SOFA outlines the rights and responsibilities of individuals in Japan with the U.S. military.

Witcher was indicted Feb. 28 on charges of smoking and possessing 0.178 grams of marijuana Jan. 8 at his home in Ginowan city.

During the May 8 trial, prosecutors said Witcher, a former Marine stationed at Camp Foster from 2018 to 2022, began using marijuana in September 2022. He was working at a pizzeria at the time of his arrest.

Witcher purchased marijuana through the Telegram messaging app on the night of Jan. 7 and smoked it early the next morning, prosecutors said in court. He was arrested at 9:53 a.m. after police searched his home and found marijuana residue and drug paraphernalia, including a pipe.

A urine test also detected the presence of Delta-9, a psychoactive cannabinoid, prosecutors said in court.

Witcher told the court he used marijuana due to depression and said he feared being caught but that addiction settled in where I began to throw caution to the wind.

He acknowledged his workplace has a zero-tolerance drug policy and told the court he might lose his job and SOFA status. He promised not to use marijuana again if allowed to remain in Japan.

In issuing the suspended sentence, Oshima cited Witchers remorse, admission of guilt, lack of prior criminal record in Japan, and his stated intention to refrain from future drug use.

Suspended sentences for drug-related offenses involving U.S. military personnel are common in Japan. Earlier this month, a Marine spouse received a suspended two-year sentence for importing liquid cannabis through military mail.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. In a dazzling display, Canada's Niagara Falls was bathed in the vibrant hues of Azerbaijans national flag, marking the joyous occasion of the countrys Independence Day on May 28, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.

The light show was organized through the joint efforts of the Vatan Azerbaijani Art and Culture Center, the Canada Azerbaijan House, and the Azerbaijan Center for the Midwestern United States (ACMA).

With great enthusiasm and delight, members of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada and other communities' supporters gathered to see the performance. As Azerbaijani songs like "Azerbaijan" and "Khudayar Tasnif" rang out, the crowd got into the party spirit.

Additionally, a car rally was held from Toronto to Niagara Falls, co-organized by the Vatan Center and the Canada Azerbaijan House. The event attracted the attention of local residents and tourists, who were provided with information about Azerbaijans Independence Day and its historical significance.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
U.S. service members and Okinawa police patrol Gate 2 Street in Okinawa city, Okinawa, April 19, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  U.S. service members and Japanese authorities are slated to conduct a second joint overnight patrol in the wake of a series of high-profile criminal cases involving American troops.

The Japan-U.S. Joint Community Safety Patrol will take place early Saturday near Gate 2 Street, a nightlife district close to Kadena Air Base, U.S. Forces Japan said in an unsigned email Wednesday.

The patrol is expected to run from midnight to 2 a.m., Marine Corps Installations Pacific spokesman Wesley Hayes said by phone Thursday.

Roughly 60 people are expected to participate, including about 20 U.S. troops, an Okinawa city Base Policy Division spokesman said by phone Thursday. The group will include representatives from Okinawa prefecture, Okinawa city, the Okinawa Defense Bureau and Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, who joined the first patrol April 18-19 in the same area, will not participate, but Okinawa city Mayor Daisuke Hanashiro is expected to attend, the spokesman said. He declined to specify which U.S. military units will take part.

Participants will be divided into three groups to patrol various routes around Gate 2 Street, he said. Some Japanese officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The April event was the first joint patrol of its kind on the island since 1974, according to Okinawa Prefectural Police. It included about 30 U.S. troops, 20 Okinawa police officers and 50 local government officials and community members.

Saturdays patrol follows the first meeting of the Okinawa Community Partnership Forum, which took place May 9 at Camp Foster. First proposed last summer, the forum brings together about 35 U.S. military and Japanese officials to coordinate public safety efforts.

Participants discussed the possibility of expanding joint patrols to other areas of the island, including the capital city of Naha, according to USFJs email.

They also spoke about updates to the orientation briefing provided to newly arrived service members on Okinawa, the command said.

The patrols and partnership efforts follow increased public concern stemming from several cases involving U.S. service members, including one conviction for sexual assault, one pending case, and an attempted assault case.

Most recently, Marine Pfc. Austin Wedington, 27, was charged April 30 with sexually assaulting a Japanese woman and injuring another woman in March at Camp Foster.
The NATO flag flies aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman on Jan. 29, 2022. The U.S. and its European allies would control the skies in a potential conflict with Russia, giving NATO a decisive edge on the battlefield, a new Air Force-commissioned report says. (Jack Hoppe/U.S. Navy)



STUTTGART, Germany  The U.S. and its NATO allies in Europe would dominate the airspace in a potential conflict with Russia and enjoy a decisive battlefield advantage, a new Air Force-commissioned report says.

A future fight between NATO and Russia would diverge from the ongoing war in Ukraine in several ways, the Rand Corp. said in the report requested by U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa.

First, and perhaps most importantly, NATO air dominance would probably upset the stagnation that defines current ground operations in the Russia-Ukraine war, the May 22 report states.

Over the past three years, U.S. forces have drawn numerous lessons from the Ukraine fighting. Some of the biggest have to do with whether allies have fallen behind in incorporating small drones and electronic warfare techniques, which have defined the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Other vulnerabilities center on the inability of the Wests defense industrial base to keep up with Russias capacity to churn out large amounts of ammunition. However, NATO has big advantages over Russia in combat power, Rand said.

Attacking Russian ground forces would likely achieve initial gains before NATO could mobilize a counterattack, but the alliance would eventually dominate the skies over Eastern Europe, the report said.

Neutralizing Russias air defenses also would enable NATO surveillance aircraft to spot enemy weak points and troop movements while attack jets relentlessly bombard command posts, logistical nodes, and maneuver formations, it said.

The Rand war game scenario involved a Russian attack on a NATO country and a claim to some of its territory. The fighting then quickly escalates, with American and allied forces launching an attack to reclaim the territory.

A true conflict of this intensity could plausibly escalate into a nuclear war, especially if Russian forces suffer unsustainable losses or NATO actions threaten the integrity of the Russian state, the report said.

The study put aside the nuclear wild card to examine how a conventional fight would unfold.

The findings come at a time of heightened internal focus about NATOs preparedness for a potential conflict with Russia. Allied officials have warned that the Kremlin could be able to attack a NATO state within the next five years.

The situation has prompted members to ramp up defense spending and try to energize their industrial base to keep pace with Russia, which can churn out about three to four times as much ammunition as all of NATO combined on an annual basis, according to alliance officials.

Such concerns among allies are well-founded, according to Rand, which recommended that the Pentagon identify priority munitions systems for rapid production in the event of a protracted conflict with Russia.

Accelerating investments in drones and counter-drone technology also is critical, the report said. Still, air control and aerial-delivered firepower are the keys to unlocking ground maneuver on todays transparent battlefield, the report said.

NATOs potential for successful offensive operations in a war with Russia appears much greater than (that) of Russia or Ukraine in the present conflict, it concluded.
Fragments of two Shahed drones at a secret Ukrainian workshop in the countrys southern Mykolaiv region on Oct. 31, 2022. (Heidi Levine/Washington Post)



The partnership between Iran and Russia to produce Iranian-designed drones on Russian soil has deepened military ties between the two heavily sanctioned states and substantially boosted Russias domestic drone industry, according to a report released Thursday.

In the two years since Moscow struck a deal with Tehran to exchange technology and set up production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Russias Tatarstan region, Russia has been able to vastly increase its capability for domestic drone production and used it to pummel Ukrainian cities with hundreds of UAVs a day.

The partnership also spawned a covert payment network involving gold transfers and intermediary countries to bypass Western sanctions - complicating efforts by the United States and its allies to enforce export controls.

The Washington Post previously reported on the large-scale effort at the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan to build 6,000 drones by summer 2025, based on documents leaked from the Russian side. The deal sought to reverse Russias then shortage in long-range weaponry, after it had expended its cruise missiles, and to boost Moscow in the drone arms-race that is increasingly defining the war in Ukraine.

The new report - prepared by C4ADS, a Washington-based research group that studies global security issues, and shared with The Post - sheds light on the Iranian side of the deal and the deepening cooperation between the United States two geopolitical adversaries.

The switch from UAV imports to localized UAV manufacturing has played a significant role in supporting Russias war in Ukraine, the report said. The deal allowed Russia to build Irans Shahed-136 drone, a propeller-driven craft that flies hundreds of miles and crashes into a target carrying 118 pounds of explosives. Russia rechristened it the Geran-2.

According to Ukrainian figures, attacks involving an average of 100 Shahed-style drones a night have become common this year, with last weekend seeing some of the largest onslaughts at about 300 drones a night. The numbers suggest that the manufacturing deal, which has cost Russia an estimated $2 billion, has borne fruit.

An analysis of drone strikes on Kyiv - conducted by Dragonfly Intelligence, a geopolitical and security intelligence provider - found that the number of projectiles per attack has increased over time, rising from 60 a day between August and January to 110 a day over the past three months.

Russian drones now fly faster and at higher altitudes, beyond the reach of Ukraines mobile air defence groups, Thursdays report said, adding that the drones were also carrying bigger payloads.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists this week that Russia can build about 300 to 350 long-range drones a day.

Ukraine, meanwhile, builds about 100 long-range drones a day as it lacks the finances to ramp up production.

By localizing drone production, Russia has been able to quickly maintain and expand its long-range strike capability, building on existing research and development.

To accommodate shifting mission requirements, Russia can allocate additional resources to produce or modify the Geran-2 without additional Iranian support, the report said.

The Russian developers in the Alabuga drone-manufacturing facility were also able to acquire Iranian-supplied technology to start manufacturing the Geran-3 model, a jet-powered variant capable of a higher top speed than the Geran-2. This increase in flight speed allows for faster targeting and better evasion of antiaircraft systems.

Weve seen that they have been able to expand from importing the Geran-2, to a localized version of Geran-2, to now producing localized Geran-3, said researcher Omar Al-Ghusbi, the reports author. We appear to be seeing a quite successful localization as were starting to see more and more variation from the initial set of Iranian drones, although for some things they still rely on imports.

Russias Defense Ministry did not respond to questions about the report and cooperation with Iran on drone manufacturing. The Iranian mission to the United Nations also had no comment, but in the past, an Iranian spokesman acknowledged that Iran and Russia have maintained bilateral defense, scientific, and research cooperation, that predates the start of the Ukrainian conflict.

The C4ADS report draws on leaked data and public sources to trace the transfer of UAV technology from Iran to Russia. Key leaks include 10 gigabytes of files from Sahara Thunder - a Tehran-based company covering a range of activities, from oil shipping to defense procurement - released by the hacking group Prana Network in early 2024.

The leak revealed the companys ties to Alabuga, home to a research center and production assembly line. The data from the leaks has been corroborated using additional publicly available data, aircraft and vessel location data and detailed component analysis.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Sahara Thunder in April 2024 for supporting Irans Defense Ministry and facilitating UAV transfers to Russia. The company was identified as a front for Irans military, also involved in shipping commodities to countries such as Russia, China and Venezuela.

The report also outlined a complex system of payments used in this multimillion-dollar deal. Aside from a conventional wire transfer, which according to the documents was processed through a bank in the United Arab Emirates, Russia also delivered gold bars as part of the transaction.

Russia and Iran made use of the UAEs Free Zone Establishments - special jurisdictions that allow full foreign ownership, tax exemption and an easier way to move assets and funds - receiving access to financial infrastructure otherwise inaccessible to these countries, the report said.

An excerpt from a contract between Alabuga and Sahara Thunder also detailed a delivery of gold ingots, totaling about $104 million.

By using gold, the parties avoided using the U.S. dollar, which could be in short supply or subject to enforcement action by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the report said. The transfer of gold also provides additional anonymity as it circumvents traditional financial systems while leaving a limited digital footprint.

Iranian corporate data indicates that months after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Sahara Thunder, the company began a liquidation process, with another legal entity likely to spring up in its place.

According to the report, the Russia-Iran drone partnership underscores the limitation of global sanctions as entities adapt and others rise to take their place. Only by understanding and adapting to these tactics can global stakeholders disrupt similar entities, the report said. Siobhan OGrady and Susannah George contributed to this report.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seen here in 2024, told parliament Wednesday, May 28, 2025, that Israel had killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar. (Leo Correa, AFP, Getty Images/TNS)



GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (Tribune News Service)  Israel said it killed the top commander of Hamas in Gaza, confirming reports from earlier this month.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told parliament Wednesday that Mohammed Sinwar  the brother and successor of deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar  was among senior members of the Iran-backed group killed in recent Israeli military strikes. Hamas didnt confirm the death.

Mohammed Sinwar, a longstanding Hamas operative, had assumed the top combat role in the Palestinian militant group after his brother Yahya  the mastermind of the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel that triggered the war  was killed by Israeli forces in October. Mohammed was considered a hard-liner regarding talks on a ceasefire with Israel and release of hostages.

The confirmation comes as negotiations for a truce continue. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and many other countries, released a statement Wednesday saying it had agreed, in broad terms, to a proposal from Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trumps main Middle East envoy.

The prospects of a deal being reached remain unclear. While Hamas said it would agree to free 10 hostages in return for the release of Palestinians jailed in Israel, it did not state it would lay down arms and send remaining leaders into exile  conditions Israel has insisted on for any agreement.

Israel and the U.S. didnt immediately react to the statement posted on Hamas official telegram channel. Earlier this month, Sinwar was targeted by a May 13 military strike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. At the time, an Israeli official suggested Sinwars elimination could help talks.

I reckon that this will make it easier to get a deal, Security Cabinet Minister Zev Elkin said when asked on Army Radio what impact the then-unconfirmed death would have. Its no secret that Mohammed Sinwar was the most problematic factor in these entire negotiations, going back a long time.

Sinwars senior deputy, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, is his likely successor. Haddad commands Hamas in Gaza City and other northern areas.

The war began after thousands of Hamas operatives crossed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250 others. More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. Israel has lost more than 400 troops in Gaza combat.

Meanwhile, a foundation backed by Israel and the U.S. to hand out aid in Gaza said its operating for a second day, and denied reports of deaths when Palestinians overran a distribution site Tuesday. Israel had blocked aid from entering the territory after a ceasefire expired in March.

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Veterans Tom Burke, left, and Ed Wilkinson place a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  An annual ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that honors veterans who died after returning home from military service in Vietnam will be moved for the first time in more than three decades to a site outside the nations capital to make room for the Armys 250th anniversary parade set for June 14.

The In Memory ceremony will move to the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a private memorial in Alexandria, Va., according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the event sponsor.

The Fathers Day Rose Remembrance, a second event by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund scheduled for June 15, also will shift to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, according to the veterans organization.

Replicas of the Vietnam Wall and In Memory Plaque that honor service members at the memorial on the National Mall will be erected at the off-site ceremonies, organizers said.

The pair of events fall on the same day that thousands of troops will march in downtown Washington to the National Mall to recognize the Armys anniversary, which also President Donald Trumps birthday. The military celebration, estimated to cost up to $45 million, will include live music, a flyover and an address by Trump.

I dont like it, said Army veteran Mike Archer, 73, who fought in Vietnam in 1970, when he was 18 years old.

Archer, who lives in Arizona, said he visited the replicas twice as traveling exhibits, after touring the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

Though Archer, a former specialist 4th class, said he appreciates the gesture of trying to re-create the experience at ceremonies next month, he said the events will not compare to visiting the memorial site itself.

Visiting the wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is sacred. This is like putting up a model of the Statue of Liberty. It doesnt have the same oomph, he said.

About 2,200 people have registered for the weekend ceremonies, organizers said. Archer said he does not plan to attend.

But changing the location was the only option, other than canceling both ceremonies altogether, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

With setup and security measures before the parade on Saturday, and recovery efforts on Sunday, it will be impossible to hold these events on the National Mall as planned, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund said in a prepared statement.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected for the daylong Army anniversary celebration, which will culminate with the military parade at 6:30 p.m. The procession will include dozens of tanks and other military vehicles that will roll along a parade route from the Pentagon to the National Mall.

About 35 families canceled their participation in the separate ceremonies honoring Vietnam veterans, citing the parade or relocation of the event away from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, said Heidi Zimmerman, vice president for programs and communications at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

But Marsha Devine of western New York said she and her adult children and grandchildren still plan to attend the off-site ceremonies in Virginia, where the military service of her late husband, Tom Devine, will be honored.

Navy veteran Tom Devine, who served from 1965 to 1971, will be formally remembered at the In Memory ceremony. Thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. (Marsha Devine)



Tom Devine, a Navy veteran who served from 1965 to 1971, will be formally recognized at the In Memory ceremony. Tom Devine served two tours in Vietnam participating in helicopter search and rescues, his wife said.

Toms experiences in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange resulted in a lifelong battle with [post-traumatic stress disorder] and multiple Agent Orange disorders, she said. He had been diagnosed with liver and prostate cancer prior to his death in 2022, she said.

The In Memory ceremony next month will honor 774 Vietnam veterans whose names will be read aloud.

I was momentarily disappointed that [the events] would not be at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. But we will still have access to the memorial site as I understand it. Its really the recognition that matters, said Marsha Devine, who previously visited the Vietnam Wall and has seen traveling exhibits with the replicas.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund accepts applications each year for veterans to be added to an In Memory honor roll and to be recognized at the ceremony.

Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund believes all those who served in Vietnam should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized, according to the organizations website.

Marsha Devine said she applied in 2024 for the recognition and was notified by email of her late husbands inclusion. A veterans military-issued service record verifying service in the Vietnam War, as well as a death certificate, are required with an application.

The names of more than 6,500 veterans have been added to an In Memory honor roll since the program began in 1993, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

A plaque at the Vietnam Wall honors these veterans and states: In memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund remains committed to conducting the In Memory Day Ceremony and Fathers Day Rose Remembrance with the same level of respect and dignity that we always afford our veterans and their families. The location has changed this year, but our commitment is steadfast, the organization said.

The In Memory ceremony honoring Vietnam veterans who died after returning home to the U.S. will be moved to the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a private memorial in Alexandria, Va., to accommodate the 250th Army anniversary on the same day. (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund)



George Washington Masonic National Memorial is eight miles from the National Mall. It is a private memorial funded and built by the Freemasons. The campus at 101 Callahan Drive often is used for large outdoor events.

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the three-quarter-scale mobile replica of the Vietnam Wall, called The Wall That Heals, as well as a replica of the In Memory plaque and a mobile education center.

The wall will be illuminated at sunset during the weekend activities to call attention to Vietnam veterans with illnesses from exposure to Agent Orange.

Archer said he has considered submitting the name of his late brother, John Marion Archer Jr., who also was a Vietnam combat veteran, for the In Memory honor roll.

Archer said his brother died of Parkinsons disease in 2019 connected to Agent Orange exposure. His brother served in the Navy from 1965 to 1969 with two deployments to Vietnam.

I hope to go back to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial again. It was a humbling experience to say the least, said Archer, who is 100% disabled from Agent Orange exposure and from PTSD related to 11 months of combat in Vietnam.

Having the In Memory Day Ceremony is tremendous. A lot of my buddies died after they returned home from the war. I guess I was more fortunate. Many were young too, Archer said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Tajikistans President President Emomali Rahmon wherein both discussed bilateral cooperation in various areas  including politics, trade, economy, energy, defence, security and regional connectivity.

During the bilateral meeting, they agreed to actively pursue new avenues for cooperation  with a focus on fostering investment opportunities, enhancing educational linkages, prompting cultural exchanges, advancing information technology and strengthening people to people contacts.

Earlier upon arrival at Qasr-e-Millat, the president welcomed the prime minister and the accompanying delegation.

At the invitation of Government of Tajikistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived here to participate in the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers Preservation (ICGP) being held on May 29-31, 2025.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials. Upon arrival at Dushanbe, he was received by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda.

During the meeting, the prime minister and the Tajik president held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

During the discussions, they fondly recalled the signing of historic Strategic Partnership Agreement during the prime ministers visit to Dushanbe in July 2024  which laid a strong foundation for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared interests.

Reaffirming the fraternal ties existing between the two countries marked by shared history, culture and geography, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation and resolved to elevate the strategic cooperation to a new level, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples.

On CASA-1000, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to positioning it as a pivotal project for regional integration. Welcoming the holding of CASA-1000 Inter-Governmental Council in Dushanbe on May 15, 2025, the prime minister assured the shared commitment to its early operationalisation.

Regarding economic cooperation, the two leaders, acknowledging the untapped potential in bilateral trade, underscored the importance of actively pursuing new avenues of cooperation in line with the decisions taken during the 7th Session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on trade, economic and scientific technical cooperation, held in Islamabad in December 2024.

They also agreed to effectively leverage the existing institutional frameworks including 12 Joint Working Groups (JWGs), to further enhance collaboration between the two countries  especially in oil & gas and energy sectors.

They took good note of growing bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security and reiterated their resolve to further boost the same in order to overcome the common security challenges faced by the two countries. They emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating cross-border organised crime, and human and drug trafficking.

The leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and global geopolitical developments. They emphasised the importance of working together to promote peace, stability, and economic development in the region.

On peaceful resolution of Tajik-Kyrgyz border dispute, the prime minister felicitated the president on this milestone and appreciated the presidents prudence and wisdom in resolving the issue through peaceful means. The prime minister hoped that this historical development would usher in a new era of cooperation and progress in the region.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction on cooperation at the multilateral fora  including at the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO  and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interest.

The prime minister  reaffirming Pakistans historical and cordial ties with Tajikistan  underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to ongoing structured and multifaceted engagement with Tajikistan, for mutual gains. The prime minister reiterated Pakistans commitment to strengthening connectivity linkages with the Central Asian region. Towards that end, he highlighted China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a linchpin of Pakistans connectivity with the region.

The prime minister also briefed the president on the latest situation in the South Asian region.

The premier underscored that our region could not afford Indias irresponsible and unlawful actions since May 7, 2025, which amounted to acts of war and violation of the UN Charter and international law.

PM Shehbaz urged the international community to hold India accountable, reiterating that Pakistan desires peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full resolve if challenged.

He also underscored that the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir dispute  in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions  remains fundamental to securing lasting peace in the region.

In response, President Emomali said that as a staunch friend of Pakistan, he too was very worried at the events of early May, adding that he would always promote peace and stability in the region. He added that he was deeply impressed by the prime ministers remarkable leadership that was critical to the restoration of peace and security in the region.

President Emomali Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistans desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields, terming Pakistan as a trusted partner.

Noting regular high-level exchanges, he underlined the importance of closer collaboration in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, industry, hydro power generation, and tourism.

Pakistani premier appreciated Tajikistans leadership role in water diplomacy and congratulated the president of Tajikistan for successful organisation of international events including the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers Preservation (ICGP) on May 29-31, 2025, in Dushanbe.

PM Shehbaz extended a cordial invitation to President Rahmon for an official visit to Islamabad to continue strategic dialogue and deepen the multifaceted partnership.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon also hosted a special reception in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. An Azerbaijani media delegation took part in an organized tour of Uzbekistan's Bukhara, the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency told Trend.

The group began with a visit to the Bukhara Agrocluster LLC, where they observed the use of modern agricultural technologies and quality control laboratories.

The visit continued with a guided tour of the historic Ark Fortress, where participants learned about the architecture and historical significance of the site. Delegates also explored the museum exhibits displayed throughout the complex.

Following this, the group toured the Poi Kalon Architectural Ensemble, which features the Kalon Minaret, the Kalon Mosque, and the Miri-Arab Madrasah. The towering 12th-century minaret, a recognized symbol of Bukhara, left a lasting impression on the visitors.

The media tour concluded with a visit to the Sitori-i-Mokhi Khosa Palace, once the summer residence of the Emir of Bukhara. Today, the palace serves as a museum showcasing exquisite examples of decorative and applied arts.

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Sgt Callaghan said there was a large metal rod sticking out of the victims left thigh

An addiction counsellor shot his cousin in the thigh with a spear gun following a drunken argument, a court heard.

Rytis Nefiodovas (36) left his cousin needing surgery to remove the spear from his left thigh.

Judge Aine Clancy said this was a very serious incident, noting the size of the implement and the level of force that was used.

The judge ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to September.

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News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

The defendant admitted seriously assaulting his cousin at Littlepace Way in Clonee on May 11, 2020.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai went to the scene following reports of two men fighting in the street.

When they arrived, the defendant was standing in the driveway of his house, and he was shouting and gesturing at the injured party.

Sgt Callaghan said there was a large metal rod sticking out of the victims left thigh. The sergeant said a spear gun was used.

An ambulance was called to the scene, and paramedics administered first aid to the victim, who was intoxicated and in pain, the sergeant said.

The court heard that the metal rod was cut by paramedics, and the victim was taken to the Mater Hospital where he underwent surgery. He received stitches.

Defence solicitor Aoife McNicholl said Mr Nefiodovas was interviewed by gardai and he made admissions during interview.

Ms McNicholl said the defendant had been drinking, and he had an argument with his cousin over the phone.

Mr Nefiodovas was at home with his wife and daughter when the injured party turned up and the defendant made a decision in the moment which he very much regrets, the solicitor said.

The court heard that Mr Nefiodovas was originally from Lithuania, and had come to Ireland with his mother in 2004.

This incident took place in 2020, five years ago, and the defendant had not been in contact with his cousin since then.

Ms McNicholl said that Mr Nefiodovas had received counselling for alcohol addiction.

Ms McNicholl asked the judge to be lenient, saying Mr Nefiodovas had dealt with his alcohol issue, and was giving back to the community through his work as an addiction counsellor and volunteer.
He lost it again and said: Go home and dont come back in Monday, so I tipped up the material and went home, David Donohoe said.

A builder fired after calling his employer a sneaky rat in a row on-site has won 9,000 for unfair dismissal.

David Donohoe secured the award under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 on foot of a complaint against SJK Civils Ltd, where he had worked for 13 years until he was sacked in April 2024.

Mr Donohoe told the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) at a hearing in January that he was sacked on the spot from the 50,000-a-year job when he got into a dispute with his employer about working hours on Friday, April 5, 2024.

The complainant said he had been told to start work at 5.30am that day, an hour and a half earlier than his usual 7am, and to go to Dublin, collect building materials and bring them to a site.

He said that when he arrived with the material, he was told that despite the early start, he was expected to work until his usual finishing time of 3pm rather than 1.30pm.

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News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

He declined to do so, upon which his employer started giving out, he said.

I called him a sneaky rat, that he had it all planned, Mr Donohoe said in his evidence.

He lost it again and said: Go home and dont come back in Monday, so I tipped up the material and went home, Mr Donohoe said.

The companys director, who was not identified in the decision, maintained that Mr Donohoe had only been sent away from the site on April 5, 2024, but was not dismissed from his employment until April 19.

He said that after Mr Donohoe wrote to him looking for a letter for the social welfare office to say he was sacked or whatever, he tried to arrange a meeting and called him to a capability hearing.

When Mr Donohoe failed to attend, the director wrote to him again and told him his failure to attend the meeting was failure to follow a reasonable management instruction and that his job was being terminated for gross misconduct during the April 5 incident.

Mr Donohoes solicitor, Frank Taaffe, argued the letters sent by the firm to his client were only seeking to mend the respondents hand by retrospectively applying a dismissal process after the fact of dismissal.

Adjudication officer Anne McElduff wrote that both parties contributed to the escalation of matters to the point of dismissal and that it was regrettable there was no attempt to enter into dialogue after that.

Ms McElduffs view was that Mr Donohoe should have engaged when there were attempts to launch a formal process.

However, she said the company failed to refer him to the correct company policy and set an unreasonably short and unfair deadline to either attend a hearing or have non-attendance be added to the charges against him.

The only option for appeal was to the company director, who had been directly involved with the incident of 5 April, she added.

I consider the respondent has not discharged the burden of demonstrating the Complainants dismissal was fair, reasonable or proportionate or that the process was conducted in accordance with fair procedures, she wrote.

Mr Donohoe had claimed losses of 15,977 between April and August 2024, at which point he went into business for himself, the adjudicator noted.

Ms McElduff decided 9,000 was just and equitable in all the circumstances and directed SJK Civils to pay Mr Donohoe that sum.
The court also ruled that the trial judge was correct to allow the evidence of a witness as to what the deceaseds daughter had said about seeing Martin Hayes (36) stabbing her mother

The Court of Appeal has rejected an argument by a deranged monster convicted of manslaughter, who claimed that his partner deliberately stabbed herself to death, that evidence of another woman being in fear of him was prejudicial to his trial.

Martin Hayes (36) was found not guilty of Amadea McDermotts (27) murder but guilty of her manslaughter by the majority verdict of a Central Criminal Court jury in November 2023.

Hayes, with an address at Poddle Close, Crumlin, Dublin 12, had pleaded not (NOT) guilty to murdering the mother-of-two at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock, on or about July 20, 2017. He told the trial that his partner inflicted the injury on herself. Hayes had admitted using violence against Ms McDermott in his own evidence to the trial.

Launching an appeal against his conviction at the Court of Appeal in February, James Dwyer SC said the appellants former partner, Niamh Higgins had given unprompted evidence during cross-examination where she repeatedly stated that Hayes was in custody and that she was in fear he would get out on bail.

During the trial Ms Higgins, who entered into a relationship with Hayes after the killing, gave evidence that the defendant told her he had "helped" Amadea put a knife she was holding through her stomach by putting "his hands on her hands to help ram it through".

Under cross-examination, Ms Higgins agreed that she made two statements to gardai, one in November 2020 and a more recent one in May 2023. She agreed that she made the latter statement when she heard about Mr Hayes possibly getting bail.

It was put to her that in the May statement she had "sprinkled in the confession". Ms Higgins replied that she was "in genuine fear", adding: "I was afraid". The trial heard that Hayes "absolutely did not accept" that he had made such a confession.

She said that Hayes had been "very abusive" on the night of the alleged confession and later added: "I'm here as a witness and a victim of this man. I'm here to tell my story of what I was told."

Mr Dwyer submitted that this clearly disclosed highly prejudicial irrelevant evidence of bad character on behalf of Hayes in the form of his being in custody and of Ms Higgins fear.

He argued that the trial judge erred in failing to discharge the jury following the introduction of this bad character evidence.

He said that while the fact that Hayes was in custody might not be enough to discharge the jury in and of itself, it was the evidence of Ms Higgins being in fear of her life and the fact that this was an alleged murder in the context of her having been in a relationship with the appellant that was of particular prejudicial effect.

In delivering the Court of Appeals judgement yesterday, Ms Justice Tara Burns said that the difference between the accounts given by the appellants former partner of what he had said to her about the night of the deceaseds death was a legitimate avenue of enquiry for the defence counsel to explore.

She said counsel was fully aware of what Ms Higgins would say as to why she changed her account of what he had said to her about the night in question.

Concerning the reference to the appellant being in custody, the evidence was that he was in custody on the charge before the jury and not for having been found guilty of something else. Ms Justice Burns said the trial judge also directed the jury that this was irrelevant and should be disregarded by them.

Ms Justice Burns said that in relation to any prejudice arising from Ms Higgins expressing her fears for her safety should Hayes be released on bail, the woman was entitled to give evidence as to how the change in her accounts came about.

The prejudicial effect of the evidence was not such that it undermined the appellants right to a fair trial, said Ms Justice Burns, ruling that the trial judge did not err in refusing to discharge the jury.

In summary, the court rejected the appeal.

At the conclusion of the judgement, Mr Dwyer said his client wished to appeal against the sentence imposed and the matter was listed for case management on June 20 next.

Jailing Hayes for 12 years and six months in November 2023, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the killing was clearly a case of domestic violence and he noted that during her life, Hayes had tracked Ms McDermott's movements using a secret app on her phone.

He had also made "menacing videos" in which he challenged Ms McDermott regarding Hayes's untrue and unfounded belief that Ms McDermott was involved in an incestuous relationship.

The judge further noted the recent bruises on Ms McDermott's body as recorded by a pathologist following her death and evidence that Hayes had a history of aggressive and violent behaviour towards his victim.

Speaking following Hayes conviction in 2023, Eucharia McDermott said her sisters killer had told "lie after lie without a shred of evidence" in his testimony to the trial when he falsely alleged that Ms McDermott had caused her own death by stabbing herself.

She thanked gardai and the prosecution team who had, she said, "helped to convict this violent, sick, evil, twisted, deranged monster."

"Throughout the trial he showed no remorse for taking our beautiful sister's life away from her and her family," she said.

Martin Hayes, and (inset) Amadea McDermott

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
He was caught red-handed, the garda said.

A MOTORBIKE rider drove directly and dangerously at a garda, knocking him down and leaving him with a dislocated ankle, it has been alleged.

Christopher Reynolds (24) was on a high-powered bike that was suspected to be stolen when he drove it into an investigating officer in an attempt to escape, a court was told.

The father-of-two was refused bail when he appeared in court today charged with dangerously driving a stolen motorbike and assault causing harm to a garda in north Dublin yesterday.

Mr Reynolds, a community employment scheme worker from Heatley Place, Malahide Road, Dublin 17 is also charged with unlawful possession of a screwdriver, and cocaine, on May 28.

The CCJ in Dublin.

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

At Blanchardstown District Court, Judge Aine Clancy remanded him in custody to a date next week, for DPP directions.

Garda Declan Meehan said Mr Reynolds made no reply to any of the charges after caution at Finglas station at 11.10pm last night.

Objecting to bail, he said he was among gardai attached to the district drug unit on patrol at North Road, Finglas when they saw two motorbikes driving into the forecourt of the Circle K garage.

Believing the bikes to be stolen, the gardai approached on foot. The drivers observed them and tried to drive out of the forecourt, Gda Meehan said.

He alleged the motorbike riders then drove dangerously at the gardai in an attempt to evade them and one made good his escape.

The other - Mr Reynolds - drove directly at a garda, colliding with him and causing him to fall to the ground, it was alleged.

Gda Meehan said the accused then ran off, against oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the dual carriageway. The garda followed him and Mr Reynolds took off his helmet and threw it at him as he attempted to evade him, he said. The accused was apprehended.

The injured garda was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

The motorbike was a high-powered Husqvarna that had been stolen from an address in Raheny on April 18, the garda said. The accused had two small bags of cocaine and a screwdriver in his possession that he allegedly used to start the bike, he alleged.

He was caught red-handed, the garda said. He drove at gardai in a reckless manner with no regard to the safety of members of the gardai or the public. He attempted to evade justice by absconding from the gardai and evading capture.

A further charge of endangerment could be brought by the prosecution, Gda Meehan said.Applying for bail, defence barrister Mark McMahon said the case would likely go to the circuit court and the accused who was presumed innocent would be in custody for at least two years awaiting trial.

He was prepared to abide by bail conditions including not driving any vehicle. Gda Meehan said he did not believe Mr Reynolds would abide by bail conditions.

Judge Clancy said she believed it was reasonably necessary to refuse bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on June 4.
A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property of Karen Saunderson (68) when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

A dentist has been given a suspended prison sentence of four and a half years and a lifetime ban on owning animals after what a judge described as one of the most appalling cases of animal neglect he had ever come across.

Karen Saunderson (68) who comes originally from Liverpool with an address in England, pleaded guilty to ten offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 over the condition in which a large number of animals were discovered at the rental property where she lived at Templelusk, Avoca, Co Wicklow on November 19, 2016.

The charges related to causing unnecessary suffering, feeding, neglect and a failure to safeguard the health and welfare of animals.

Lawyers for Mr Saunderson  who is also known as Sanderson  claimed her property was used as a drop-off point for certain unwanted animals.

A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday heard an animal welfare inspector and gardai who visited the living area of the property complained that their eyes were burning from the smell of ammonia from the urine of the animals.

Pic Collins Courts

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

A total of 43 dogs, five horses, a pig and a wild boar were found on the property when it was visited by the chief inspector of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Conor Dowling.

The inspector gave evidence that an overweight pig which was found squealing and lying on its side in a filthy stable had to be put down later that day to prevent it from further suffering.

Mr Dowling said the animal was unable to get to its feet, had overgrown hooves and no water.

He described a terrible stench from other stables where he found 12 dogs living in muck and faeces with no water with some of the animals obviously stressed.

One Mastiff who had a withered leg had to be euthanised a week later.

Pic: Collins Courts

Mr Dowling said a German Shepherd, who was discovered to be pregnant, gave birth to a litter of nine pups the following week. Some were deformed and none survived.

However, most of the other dogs and all the horses were successfully rehomed.

Mr Dowling told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that he sought assistance from gardai because of the scale of what he encountered.

He outlined how dogs spilled out of the living area of a loft building when the door was opened.

The court heard a total of 31 dogs, ranging from small puppies to giant breeds, were found in the loft with dog faeces everywhere.

It was a stressful and chaotic environment, said Mr Dowling who believed that a large pool of liquid on the floor was urine from the dogs.

I could not breathe and it made my eyes burn, he recalled.

A video recording of the scene showed the accused tried to claim the dogs had only urinated when inspectors had knocked on the door.

Mr Dowling said the accused claimed she walked 30 dogs every day but he said the evidence indicated otherwise as many of the animals had overgrown claws.

He said one Mastiff had chronic arthritis and could not even make its own way downstairs, while a spaniel could not walk as it had not properly recovered from an old injury.

Another dog had to have a toe amputated as it had been gnawing at an exposed bone.

Mr Dowling said he did not believe Ms Saunderson was keeping animals commercially but he found it hard to explain the situation.

The inspector said all the horses were underweight and suffering from rain scald and mud fever.

He told Judge Patrick Quinn that a decision was taken to remove most of the animals although the accused was allowed to keep some dogs to whom she was particularly attached.

Pic Collins Courts

The judge questioned how the situation was allowed to develop that both the defendant and her animals were living in such appalling conditions and squalor without it being reported to the authorities.

Somebody must have known, he observed.

Mr Dowling replied that he had visited the property on the basis of a quite vague report that gave no sense of the scale of what he subsequently discovered.

He pointed out that a vet who called to the property had never been beyond the yard.

However, he remarked that someone passing on the quiet road beside the property could have seen the horses in the field and realised there might be an animal welfare issue.

Mr Dowling said the costs in the case were calculated at 12,229 but he believed the true figure was a multiple of that figure.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Eanna Mulloy SC, the inspector said he was unaware about Ms Saundersons claim that she was not the owner of all the animals or that she had issues with her landlord about sewage problems on the property.

Mr Dowling said he was also unfamiliar that she was meant to be minding animals for a member of the Traveller community.

The court heard Ms Saunderson had moved to Ireland in financially strained circumstances for a number of years on a career break while she was the subject of a long-running regulatory matter with the General Dental Council in the UK.

Mr Kelly noted that her guilty pleas were only entered in January 2025 to offences committed over eight years ago after she had submitted reports over the intervening years that she was unfit to go on trial.

Mr Mulloy said Ms Saunderson had a difficult family background and was someone who was easily exploited.

He said the kernel of the problem was that his client was a woman who had a soft spot for animals who could not cope with the number she had accumulated but there was a low risk of her re-offending.

Sentencing Ms Saunderson to four and a half years in prison and ordering her to pay costs of 15,000, Judge Quinn said it was obvious both she and her animals were neglected and living in absolute squalor.

The judge observed he had come across a few other similar cases where someone with a love of animals became overwhelmed by the number of animals they acquired over time.

He claimed it was irrelevant that she might have been exploited by others.

The judge accepted her neglect was not intentional but due to her own declining mental state.

Ms Saunderson sobbed audibly as she heard the sentence would be fully suspended.

Addressing the judge, she remarked: Thank you very much. I really am so very sorry.
Photo: The Committee of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Representatives of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan and the State Civil Aviation Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic held a working meeting in Astana as part of implementing the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation, Trend reports via the Committee of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged experiences in licensing and professional training of aviation personnel.

The Kazakh side presented new approaches to the issuance of aviation personnel certificates and qualification requirements, as well as shared information on air traffic management.

We strive to improve the standards of training and certification for aviation personnel to ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic in the region, emphasized Adilzhan Sultanov, Director of the Licensing Department of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan.

In turn, Askhat Kesikbayev, Director of the Air Traffic Management Department of "Kazaeronavigation," highlighted the importance of mutual knowledge exchange.

Sharing knowledge and best practices helps enhance flight safety and supports the development of civil aviation in both countries, he said.

Following the meeting, the Kyrgyz delegation expressed gratitude for the advisory support provided and noted their readiness to further expand cooperation.

The working meeting marked an important step in strengthening the partnership between the two countries in the field of civil aviation, aimed at enhancing the professionalism of aviation experts and ensuring flight safety.
John Halpin is charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of husband and wife Anthony Hogg and Georgina Hogg Moore

Directions from the DPP remain outstanding in an alleged fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the lives of a couple on St Stephen's Day.

John Halpin (45) is charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of husband and wife Anthony Hogg (40) and Georgina Hogg Moore (39).

Mr Halpin, with an address at Whitestown Avenue in Blanchardstown, is also charged with two counts of hit-and-run and failing to offer assistance at the scene at Blanchardstown Road South on December 26 last year.

John Halpin is charged with dangerous driving

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

Judge Aine Clancy adjourned the case for four weeks to await DPPs directions on the charges.

Mr Hogg and Ms Hoog Moore were struck while crossing a road near Blanchardstown Shopping Centre at around 5.45pm.

The couple, married with children, lived in the nearby Whitestown area.

John Halpin was remanded on continuing bail. Photo: Collins

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that the State was seeking four weeks for DPP's directions on the charges.

Defence solicitor Aoife McNicholl said there was consent to the adjournment.

As part of his bail conditions, Mr Halpin has been ordered to surrender his passport, provide a mobile number to gardai, be contactable at all times and sign on at his local garda station each week.

He has also been warned to have no contact with any witnesses in the case, either directly or indirectly through social media, nor to have any contact with the deceased couple's family.
The panel of five men and seven women began considering their verdict at 3.05pm on Tuesday afternoon and have so far spent a total of eight hours and 37 minutes deliberating in their jury room

The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who denies murdering his wife before hiding her remains beneath their Cork home, will continue their deliberations into a fourth day at the Central Criminal Court tomorrow.

The panel of five men and seven women began considering their verdict at 3.05pm on Tuesday afternoon and have so far spent a total of eight hours and 37 minutes deliberating in their jury room in the Criminal Courts of Justice building.

The jury returned to the courtroom at 3.46pm today and a note was handed up to the judge from the foreman. The note said the panel would like to cease their deliberations for the evening and return to the Central Criminal Court on Friday at 11.30am to resume.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the 12 jurors there was "no difficulty about that".

Before sending the jury out to begin their deliberations on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Justice McDermott asked them to consider all the evidence in the case. He said if he had omitted any piece of evidence, they should "go on what's important" to them.

The judge had told the panel that there are three verdicts they can return in relation to the murder charge against Mr Satchwell, namely; guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter or not guilty. He asked them to be unanimous in their verdict.

Mr Justice McDermott told the jurors that there were two routes to the verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter; on the basis that they were satisfied that there had been an unlawful killing but that Mr Satchwell did not have an intention to kill Tina or cause her serious injury, and also on the basis of partial self defence.

The judge began charging the jury around midday on Monday in the trial of Mr Satchwell (58), who has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45-year-old wife Tina Satchwell - nee Dingivan - at their home address at Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork between March 19 and March 20, 2017, both dates inclusive.

Mr Justice McDermott concluded his charge on Tuesday afternoon to the 12 jurors, having told them that they could consider the issue of self-defence.

The judge said the onus lay on the prosecution to prove that Mr Satchwell was not acting in self defence. He said a scenario had been presented to the jury that the accused was attacked by Ms Satchwell and had sought to defend himself in the manner described in his interviews with gardai.

He said if the jury decided the force used by Mr Satchwell was reasonable in the circumstances as he honestly believed them to be, then they must acquit him of murder and manslaughter and return a verdict of not guilty.

Richard Satchwell and Tina Satchwell (inset)

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

He said if Mr Satchwell honestly believed he used no more force than was reasonably necessary but the degree of force used was not what a reasonable person would have used, then he was not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.

He said if self defence didn't apply, then they could find the accused guilty of murder provided they were satisfied he intended to kill or cause serious injury.

The trial has heard that on March 24, 2017, Mr Satchwell told gardai that his wife Tina had left their home four days earlier but that he had no concerns over her welfare, feeling she had left due to a deterioration in their relationship.

The accused formally reported Ms Satchwell missing the following May but her body was not discovered for over six years, when gardai in October 2023 conducting "an invasive search" of the Satchwell home found her decomposed remains in a grave that had been dug almost one metre deep underneath the stairs.

When re-arrested on suspicion of Tina's murder after her body was removed from their Cork home, Mr Satchwell told gardai that his wife "flew" at him with a chisel, that he fell backwards against the floor and described her death after he said he held her off by the belt of her bathrobe at her neck.

The Assistant State Pathologist has told the trial that Tina's cause of death cannot be determined due to the skeletal nature of her remains.

Last week in her closing speech, Gerardine Small SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury that Mr Satchwell's narrative of how his wife died after he held her off by the belt of her bathrobe was "absolutely farcical" and had "more holes in it than a block of Swiss cheese".

Ms Small submitted that the British truck driver had woven "a web of deceit" and continued his "fabricated narrative" over the years. Counsel said Mr Satchwell's objective from the very outset was "always to put everyone off the scent" and that this was done because he had murdered Tina.

In his closing address, defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the jurors that there was no doubt Mr Satchwell was guilty, but asked the jurors what exactly he was guilty of. He argued that although the accused had lied "to the people of Ireland", the lies do not make him a murderer or relieve the prosecution of the burden of proving the ingredients of murder.
The 39-year-old has this evening also been charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster after being extradited from Dubai

Senior Kinahan gang figure Sean McGovern has appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with murdering a Dublin grandfather more than eight years ago.

The 39-year-old has this evening also been charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder a rival gangster after being extradited from Dubai.

The alleged offences were carried out as part of the Hutch/Kinahan feud which claimed up to 18 lives both in Ireland and abroad.

McGovern, formerly of Kildare Road in Crumlin, is the most senior member of the Kinahan crime group to be charged before the Irish courts.

A significant security operation was in place at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street with more than 40 gardai including senior investigators and armed detectives present for the hearing.

The father-of-two was arrested earlier today after stepping off a military plane at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, west Dublin, that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates.

Detective Sergeant Donal Daly gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him and explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certified that he should be charged before the non-jury court.

The defence counsel said at the outset of the hearing that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of his arrest and the jurisdiction of the court.

Sean McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronans Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016.

Garda press conference on extradition of Sean McGovern

The grandfather, known as Duck Egg, was shot dead as he sat in his car with his partner in the driveway of her home.

Mr Kirwan was not involved in the feud but was targeted after being spotted beside Gerard The Monk Hutch at a funeral.

McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwans murder from October 20 and December 22, 2016.

He is also charged with enhancing the abilities of a crime gang to carry out that murder between the same dates within the state.

The court heard that Sean McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James Mago Gately, an associate of the Hutch gang, more than eight years ago.

He is charged with both directing a crime gang carry out surveillance of Gately, and facilitating a criminal organisation relating to the conspiracy to murder Gately between October 17 2015, and April 6, 2017.

The maximum penalty on conviction for directing a crime gang is life imprisonment, while McGovern faces the mandatory life sentence if found guilty of Mr Kirwans murder.

The accused appeared with a shaved head wearing a grey t-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, socks and sandals.

He only addressed the court to say yes when asked if he was Sean McGovern.

No application for bail was made as this can only be sought before the High Court on charges of murder or organised crime offences.

Ms Justice Karen OConnor, presiding, remanded McGovern in custody and he is due to appear before the court again on June 5.

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
Counsel for David Hunter (46) also argued that Hunter's privacy rights had been breached by the introduction of mobile phone evidence during his trial.

A gangland gunman convicted of murdering dissident Republican Michael Barr in a Dublin pub in 2016 has argued that the trial court was wrong to dismiss the evidence of a witness concerning the height of the man who pulled the trigger.

Counsel for David Hunter (46) also argued that Hunter's privacy rights had been breached by the introduction of mobile phone evidence during his trial, in which he was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court in September 2020.

Liverpool native Hunter, with an address at Du Cane Road, White City, London, had denied the Kinahan Cartel murder of 35-year-old Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin's north inner city on the night of April 25, 2016.

At his trial before the non-jury, three-judge Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, said that the evidence had been heard in a "compelling way" that Hunter was one of the two gunmen who entered the Summerhill pub and murdered Mr Barr by shooting him. Hunter's involvement in the murder had been "fully proved" and the court was "sure of his guilt", remarked Mr Justice Owens.

The judge noted that the murderers had failed to burn out the getaway car, which had been abandoned at Walsh Road in Drumcondra a few minutes after the killing, and they had also dropped a burner phone at the getaway scene. He said the major part of a DNA profile taken from a ski mask recovered from the car during the investigation into the shooting of Mr Barr matched the profile of Hunter.

Michael Barr

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

In a voluntary statement to gardai, Hunter said that the ski mask was his but that he had dropped it in a car driven by another man when he visited Ireland two months before the murder on a car-stealing exercise. Hunter also claimed he had used the mask on various ski trips with his children to Norway, France, Spain, Scotland, Austria and Switzerland.

Mr Justice Owens said that the circumstantial evidence in the case "pointed inextricably" to Hunter's guilt and the facts taken together had established the father-of-five's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and no other rational explanation could be drawn.

At the Court of Appeal today, Hunters legal team argued that the trial court erred in rejecting the evidence of witnesses present in the Sunset House that said there was a difference in height between the two assailants who entered the pub and killed Mr Barr.

Michael Bowman SC said that the trial court had set out that Hunter was being convicted because someone dropped a mobile phone at the scene and the car used by the gunmen failed to burn out, meaning that latex masks were not destroyed by the fire.

Counsel said that a witness in the pub was very clear in the physical description he gave, identifying a distinction in height between the two men. This witness had said the gunman was wearing a ski mask under a latex mask, but Mr Bowman said the trial court had refused to acknowledge what the witness had seen. He said that this witness identified the gunman as being six feet one or two, while Hunter is five feet ten.

Concerning the ski mask from which a DNA profile of Hunter was obtained, Mr Bowman said that in February 2016, Hunter on the spur of the moment came to Ireland for a two-day period to steal cars, bringing the ski mask with him for this purpose.

Its a very careless criminal who would leave his ski mask behind in a car that was stolen, remarked Mr Justice John Edwards.

Mr Bowman said that the ski mask was correctly observed by the witness in the pub, adding that Hunter does not conform with the height of the assailant given, which meant that there was potentially another individual who wore that mask.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remarked that this would make Hunter a victim of coincidence if he had left the mask in a car six weeks before, only for it then to turn up in a car used in a murder.

Life is a series of unfortunate coincidences, said Mr Bowman.

Hunters legal team also raised a ground of appeal concerning the mobile phones in the case, arguing that even if the appellant accepted or refused ownership of one of the phones, he was entitled to challenge the phone evidence on the basis of a breach of his privacy rights.

It was submitted that the trial court erred in finding that the mere fact that the material in question may pertain to criminal activity meant it could not attract privacy rights.

On behalf of the State, Dominic McGinn SC said that at the time of the trial, only two of those involved in the shooting were apprehended, while a third man had not been identified. He said that Hunter and co-accused Eamonn Cumberton were of the same height.

Mr McGinn said that of the latex masks found in the car, each had a dominant DNA profile, with one that matched Hunter, one that matched Cumberton, and the last that matched the third man involved, Christopher Slator. He said that each DNA profile from these masks was paired to different items in the car, with Hunters profile also found on the ski mask.

The possibility that perhaps someone else picked it up and put it on, that would have required them to leave none of their profile on it, said Mr McGinn.

Concerning the admissibility of the phone evidence, Mr McGinn said there had been a vast change in the legal position concerning mobile phone data since then, but the investigation team could not be faulted for using the legislation at the time to get the information required.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve judgement in the case.

Hunter is one of three men to be found guilty of murdering dissident republican Michael Barr. In January 2018, Eamonn Cumberton, of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was convicted of murdering the Tyrone native, while in July 2022, Christopher Slator, of Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, was also convicted.
A cell was prepared for the Kinahan Cartels number 2 in Portlaoise Prisons A5 wing in cell 8 where he will be held as he awaits trial.

Extradited murder accused Sean McGovern is due to spend his first night in an Irish jail as a neighbour of double killer Yousef Palani.

A cell was prepared for the Kinahan Cartels number 2 in Portlaoise Prisons A5 wing in cell 8 where he will be held as he awaits trial.

Measures were also taking place to secure his route to the exercise yard so he could not be targeted by drone equipment.

Contractors were brought into the jail to make alterations to the walkway at the last minute to cover it.

Yousef Palani

The cell next door to Palani, who horrifically murdered two gay men in Sligo 2022, is a far cry from the plush residences he has enjoyed since fleeing to Dubai in 2016.

McGovern was returned to Ireland today and brought to the Special Criminal Court where he was charged with the murder of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan in December 2016 at the height of the Hutch/Kinahan feud.

Plan carrying Sean McGovern lands in Dublin. Photo: Collins

The 39-year-old was also charged with directing a criminal organisation involved in the conspiracy to murder Hutch associate James Mago Gately.

Last minute preparations for his arrival were still underway at Portlaoise Jail as he appeared in the court this evening.

Palani was given two life sentences for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee who died within two days of one another. One victim was decapitated and both were stabbed multiple times.

He pleaded guilty to the murders and to intentionally causing harm to Anthony Burke who he stabbed in the eye.

Hed met his victims through a variety of social media messaging and gay dating apps.

Palani told arresting officers: I can get angry very quick and said that homosexuality was a sin.

Sean McGovern appeared in court this evening

News in 90 Seconds - May 30th

Dad-of-two Sean McGovern appeared at the Criminal Courts of Justice this evening amid a major security operation.

McGovern was arrested this afternoon at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel after arriving on a military plan that had brought him under garda escort from the United Arab Emirates.

McGovern is accused of the feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) at St Ronans Drive in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on December 22, 2016.

Its believed Mr Kirwan was targeted after attending a funeral alongside Gerry The Monk Hutch.

McGovern is further accused of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Mr Kirwans murder from October 20 and December 22, 2016.

He is also charged with enhancing the abilities of a crime gang to carry out that murder between the same dates within the state.

The court heard that McGovern also faces two additional charges relating to a plot to murder James Mago Gately, more than eight years ago.

He is charged with both directing a crime gang carry out surveillance of Gately, and facilitating a criminal organisation relating to the conspiracy to murder Gately between October 17 2015, and April 6, 2017.

McGovern was remanded in custody to appear in court again on June 5.
Owner admits regrets having left dog to fend for itself in property covered in excrement

A dog owner who admitted abandoning her XL bully pooch without food or water in a house covered in excrement has been spared prison.

Aoife McDowell also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, which was left to chew on cans.

She was handed a suspended prison term at Laganside Magistrates Court last week.

It was revealed during the hearing that ratepayers have been left to foot more than 1,700 in costs relating to her prosecution.

Her solicitor told the court: She accepts full responsibility for the offending. She says what happened to the dog has killed her inside.

This occurred while she was in a violent and controlling relationship where she wasnt allowed to leave the house.

She had a tooth knocked out and hair ripped out of her head. She has since left this relationship and recognises she made mistakes.

There has been social media attention on this case and her family has been subject to abuse in the street as a result.

She has been working with probation and is seeking to return to rehab to deal with pregabalin and cocaine issues.

Aoife McDowell outside Laganside Courts (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)

Sentencing her for what he described as a serious matter, District Judge George Conner handed McDowell eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He also barred her from keeping animals for 10 years.

Belfast City Council made an application for costs totalling 2,179 but Judge Conner said he had to be realistic about what she could afford and ordered her to repay 400.

Previous hearings were told how a neighbour near McDowells old address on Bell Steel Manor, west Belfast, contacted animal welfare last November after hearing prolonged barking and crying.

The neighbour told council staff the dog had been left unattended in the house for nine days, apart from a 15-minute visit.

When welfare officers attended the property, they found the dog in a very poor condition, an earlier court was told.

They said the animal was barking inside without food or water available and they left a note for McDowell to contact them immediately.

XL bully (Stock image)

The animal welfare officers visited the following day, and again several days later, only to find the dog left in the same conditions and without access to either food or water.

After gaining a court order to access the property, they were confronted with a horrifying scene.

Every room was covered in faeces, rubbish and clutter, prosecutors said, with the animal having chewed through furniture and tins of food in search of sustenance.

They continued: Chewing the tins may have damaged the animals mouth, and a vet assessed the dog as experiencing suffering.

McDowell, now with an address in Woodside in Lisburn, was one of four people convicted of XL bully-related offences at Belfast Magistrates Court on the same day by the City Council. Three men were each fined hundreds of pounds for XL bully attacks on other dogs.

Aoife McDowell (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph)

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
Earlier this year gardai revealed that they issue about 60 FCPNs that come with a 120 fine and three penalty points every single day to those detected using their phone while driving

Gardai on patrol on Dublins M50 this morning spotted the driver of this cement lorry using their phone.

After they were pulled over the driver was issued an FCPN (Fixed Charge Penalty Notice).

Please be considerate of other road users and refrain from using your phone while driving, gardai posted on X alongside a photo of the offending vehicle.

Earlier this year gardai revealed that they issue about 60 FCPNs that come with a 120 fine and three penalty points every single day to those detected using their phone while driving.

That amounted to over 21,500 last year.

It followed the detection of 266 motorists using their phones while driving over the course of 24 hours as part of a road safety initiative in January.

An Garda Siochana held a national day of action targeting the use of a mobile phones while driving between 7am on January 15 and 7am on February 16.

They were added to the 762 motorists who had already been caught by gardai using their phones while driving since the start of the year.

The cement truck is pulled over

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

As the daily average of those detected using their phone while driving was 60 last year, the number of drivers in the latest day of action marked a four-fold increase on 2024.

More than 21,500 drivers received fixed penalty notices in 2024 having been detected using their phones while behind the wheel.

A Garda spokesperson said that driving while on the phone distracts the driver and takes their eyes and full attention away from the road.

They described it as highly dangerous and potentially life-threatening for all road users.

Almost 60,000 offences with fines and penalty points have been handed out over the last three years.

Figures from the Department of Justice show that from 2022 to 2024, a total of 59,603 people were caught by gardai driving while on the phone.

With 21,888 people caught last year compared to 19,106 in 2023, and 18,609 in 2022, it suggests people are not heeding the message

Senior gardai have warned that drivers are increasingly being caught watching Netflix on their phones as well as having online work meetings and social media interactions.

Those figures, which show a steady increase in charges for mobile phone use over three years, were released by gardai following a parliamentary question from Fianna Fail TD Padraig OSullivan.

The Cork TD described the figures as very worrying.

I see it every day as I drive the roads of my own constituency and the motorway to Leinster House, he told Echo Live.

The prevalence and acceptance of these habits when behind the wheel is extremely concerning.

Referring to road policing activity during the Easter bank holiday weekend, when 225 fines were issued to individuals caught driving while using their phones, he said: If that level of Garda operations was done every weekend, the possible number of offences would be enormous.

In response to Mr OSullivans question on the issue in the Dail, Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said that roads policing capacity has increased since 2024, alongside measures to increase compliance.

This includes further deployment of unmarked Garda vehicles, as well as the installation of more static road safety cameras.
"She went downhill so fast. You nearly wouldnt believe it. She was only 13-months-old at the time, said Geraldine OShea.

Geraldine and Brendan O'Shea with their little girl Nell (16 months). The couple are fundraising for the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS) who helped save their daughter's life.

Nell OShea is now 16-months-old, a happy little girl who is the light of her parents life, so its hard to believe that just three months ago her life hung in the balance after contracting sepsis.

The nightmare for Kerry couple Brendan and Geraldine OShea began on February 21 when their daughter was rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) and was taken to theatre to be ventilated.

Just a day previously she had a temperature but her mother was told to give her Calpol as she had a virus  24 hours later she was battling for her life.

"She went downhill so fast. You nearly wouldnt believe it. She was only 13-months-old at the time, said Geraldine who is an SNA at Scoil Dar Earca in Valentia.

Ultimately, it turned out Nell was in critical condition and had to be transferred to Crumlin Childrens Hospital.

Geraldine and Brendan O'Shea with Nell.

"We didnt think she would make it to Dublin. Her life hung in the balance, explained Geraldine.

The Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS) was called and tasked with transferring Nell from Cork to Crumlin. Unfortunately, neither Brendan nor Geraldine could travel with their daughter despite the danger she faced.

"We had to put her in the ambulance and put our trust in them. They were so professional and reassuring, recalls Geraldine.

IPATS supports the transfer of critically ill infants and children to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Our Ladys Childrens Hospital Crumlin or Temple Street Childrens University Hospital and their role in helping Nell was vital.

Nell O'Shea from Cahersiveen.

At the time it was a service Geraldine had never heard of but it was to play a key role in Nells care over the coming days as she was later transferred to Kings College Hospital in London as she was into liver failure and a transplant could only be undertaken in the UK.

Geraldine and Brendan found themselves in a living nightmare as their daughter battled for life.

"It was like out-of-body experience...I dont think we have processed it yet, you just go into auto-pilot.

Fortunately, it was a happy ending as after three weeks in hospital Nell recovered. She ultimately didnt need a transplant and has bounced back from her ordeal.

Geraldine and Brendan O'Shea with their little girl Nell (16 months). The couple are fundraising for the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS) who helped save their daughter's life.

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

During that time the community in Cahersiveen also rallied around the OShea family with special Masses held locally to pray for her recovery and hundreds of messages of support. This kindness will never be forgotten by Geraldine or Brendan and nor will the role IPATS played in saving their daughters life.

For this reason they are hosting a fundraising walk this Sunday, June 1, at the Fair Field in Cahersiveen to raise funds to buy equipment for the service. It is not a registered charity, so instead of handing over the funds raised Geraldine will buy the equipment they need.

The community in Cahersiveen held a special mass for Nell O'Shea who was in a critical condition after contracting Sepsis. Now she is healthy and well her family want to say thank you.

"Nell is amazing. She went down so fast but it is amazing how fast she recovered too. She is doing great, said Geraldine.

Now we want to say thanks for helping save our daughter. We are eternally grateful to IPATS, they saved Nell. We owe them our babys life, she said.

"If we didnt have them I dont know what would have happened.

Geraldine also thanked all the medical professionals in CUH and in Crumlin and Kings in London who rallied to help their daughter.

And she is so thankful to the people of Cahersiveen for their kindness.

She is now urging everyone to support their fundraising walk and GoFundMe page to help IPATS.

"It has been in my head to give back. When you go through something like this you are praying and asking for help but you forget to say thanks, she said.

Though the nightmare for the OSheas is still very raw, Nell is thriving and they hope to ensure others have a good outcome like they did.

The walk will take place at 11am this Sunday and more information can be found on the GoFundMe Page.

To date over 6,000 has been raised on the GoFundMe which Geraldine says she is blown away by and she is now hoping more will be raised for such a vital service.
Gardai carry out operation in Slieve Bloom mountains for Offaly woman last seen in August 1996

Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search

Gardai investigating the murder of Offaly woman Fiona Pender in 1996 are carrying out fresh searches after a person came forward with credible information about the relationship between Ms Pender and the chief suspect in the case.

The person told gardai they knew Ms Pender and the man who has long been regarded as the chief suspect in her disappearance and murder.

Ms Pender, who was seven months pregnant, was last seen alive at a flat in Church Street, Tullamore, on the morning of August 23, 1996.

Gardai announced details yesterday of a new search at a second location in the Slieve Bloom mountains in Co Laois.

A source said: The witness has key knowledge of the relationship between the victim and the suspect.

It would be speculative at this time to say what the persons motivation was, but the information provided to gardai is being treated as credible.

The latest search and excavation operation is around 14km from the site where bog land was searched on Monday and Tuesday at Graigue, near Killeigh village, Co Offaly. The operation continued overnight.

The latest searches are understood to be planned and targeted, with detectives hoping they will spook the chief suspect.

A new search is under way for Ms Pender's remains. Photo: Frank McGrath

It is understood that gardai had always planned to search two locations, but have no plans to search anywhere else at the moment. Nothing of evidential value was found at the first site.

Officers believe the chief suspect, who has lived abroad for more than a decade, has no intention of returning home because he fears he may be arrested. He was one of five people detained for questioning in 1997, but there have been no arrests since.

The lack of anything other than circumstantial evidence means detectives cannot currently seek his extradition.

After leaving Ireland many years ago, the murder suspect was arrested and charged with serious offences in the country where he now resides.

Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search

Garda search second location in three days for murder victim Fiona Pender

He was cleared of those charges, but not before the alleged victim in that case gave information to gardai that was considered extremely credible at the time.

This led to gardai spending over two weeks searching the edge of a remote forest in the Slieve Bloom mountains in Co Laois in December 2014.

That search, which was carried out close to a small car park about 2km from the village of Rosenallis, involved sniffer dogs but nothing was found.

A source told the Sunday World that new information received by gardai in recent weeks is considered highly significant and has resulted in the planned search operations and the reclassification of the case to murder.

To facilitate the operation, the Ross Road at Clonaslee, Co Laois, remained closed overnight, from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance.

Locals said they hoped the search would yield something that might bring some closure to the Pender family. They said people in Tullamore and the surrounding area had been living under a cloud since Ms Pender went missing.

Ms Pender's mother Josephine

Sinn Fein councillor Aoife Masterson, who was eight years old when Ms Pender went missing, said the event had shaped her life and the lives of women in the town.

I grew up hearing prayers being said for her at mass. I remember the posters in shops and on poles fading as the years passed and falling off, she said.

Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
In May 2025, the number of drownings has doubled compared to the same period in 2024, bringing tragic loss to families across the country

A water safety warning has been issued ahead of the June Bank Holiday weekend following an alarming rise in the number of drownings so far this year.

With a ten per cent increase in drownings so far this year, compared to the same period last year, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland are urging the public to take extra precautions.

Although the weather forecast is for heavy showers, low temperatures and strong breezes this weekend, more people are expected to visit beaches, lakes, and rivers.

Stock image

News in 90 Seconds - May 29th

The RNLI said now is the time to prioritise safety by checking the weather and tides before heading out.

And if walking the shoreline, be vigilant for incoming tides that can cause strandings, the advice reads.

Be aware of rip currents - strong currents can pull even the most experienced swimmers out to sea and swim with others.

Also, let someone ashore know of your plans and return time."

Recent drowning tragedies include those of Matt Sibanda (18) who will be laid to rest following his funeral mass this Saturday.

Matt was one of two teenagers who died when they got into difficulty while swimming off Buncrana on May 10 last.

His friend, Emmanuel Familola (16) was laid to rest on May 17.

Kevin Whitney, Head of Operations Section at the Irish Coast Guard highlighted the alarming rise in drownings this year.

In May 2025, the number of drownings has doubled compared to the same period in 2024, bringing tragic loss to families across the country, he said.

As the June bank holiday typically marks the start of summer celebrations for many, we are urging everyone to be mindful of the dangers, plan ahead, and follow the appropriate safety guidelines for your activity.

Further water safety advice is available by visiting www.watersafety.ie
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Eni, through its subsidiary Eni Natural Energies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cote dIvoires Ministry of Agriculture to explore cooperation in the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors, Trend reports.

The agreement focuses on developing vegetable oil for bio-refining, particularly through improving the rubber supply chain and introducing oilseed crops on degraded land.

The MoU was signed at the Salon International de lAgriculture et des Ressources Animales (SARA) in Abidjan. Minister of Agriculture Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani and Eni Natural Energies Cote dIvoire Managing Director Luca Faccenda attended the ceremony.

The agreement builds on an existing project between Eni and the Federation of Rubber Producers of Cote dIvoire, which processes rubber residues into biofuel feedstock, supporting local farmers.

Eni has operated in Cote dIvoire since 2015 and launched Eni Natural Energies Cote dIvoire in 2024 to supply its biorefineries with sustainable agricultural inputs. The initiative aligns with Enis energy transition goals and Cote dIvoires National Development Plan.
It is rather fitting that Bay of Plenty-Coromandel Rural Women is closing in on 100 members as the national organisation reaches its century.

Regional leader Mary Nowotarski said membership was slowly growing, with 95 now on board.

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), which started as the Womens Division of the Farmers Union in 1925, kicks off its centenary celebrations in July.

Nowotarski said Bay of Plenty-Coromandel Rural Women was marking the national milestone with a cocktail evening in August, followed by 100th-birthday lunches around the region during October and a final lunch in April next year.

The regional leader said she was in the process of starting a lunch group so that members have a place to meet.

We do not have many branches in the area, and I feel it is a fun way of getting together.

Region five covers Coromandel to Gisborne, and from the coast to Waikato boundary (Kaimai Range) and includes the edge of Taupo, which is part of the Rural Women Waikato region.

This is made up of branches serving Colville, Galatea, Oropi, Rerewhakaitu, Kaharoa, Ngakuru, Te Puke-Rotoehu and Turua.

Rural women are from all sorts of walks in life and dont have to be farmers to join, said Nowotarski.

They just need an interest in rural life. We have members who live in town as well.

Personal progression

Nowotarski joined RWNZ in about 2001 when living in the King Country, near Otorohanga.

I became chair of the Otewa branch after a couple of years. I joined so that I could get to know other ladies in the area and also they were having some great fun events.

Nowotarski shifted to Rotorua in 2012 and became part of the Kaharoa branch, where she is still a member.

She became a committee member of the region and then chair, which led her to become regional leader.

Rural Womens mission was strengthening, supporting and connecting people and communities.

Rural Women New Zealand gives rural women a voice, said Nowotarski. Within the organisation, we are a trusted voice on issues that affect rural communities.

We advocate locally, nationally and internationally to ensure the perspectives of New Zealands rural women and their families are heard.

Nowotarski said Rural Women provides opportunities for leadership and personal development, plus networking on a global scale.
A New Zealand-led naval task force has made its highest value drug bust of the year, seizing $1 billion worth of drugs in the Middle East.

Among the seized drugs were one tonne of heroin, 660 kilograms of hashish and 6kg of amphetamine.

British Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster last week identified a suspicious sailing ship in the North Arabian Sea as part of its operations in the Combined Maritime Task Force 150 (CTF 150).

The New Zealand Defence Force said Royal Marines boarded the dhow while a Wildcat helicopter with a Royal Marine sniper team covered them.

Once the six crew were secured, the marines found 50 packages containing 1000 kilograms of heroin, 55 packages containing 660 kilograms of hashish and 6 kilograms of amphetamine tablets. The drugs were taken back to the ship for testing and disposal.

Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster, part of New Zealand-led CTF 150, has seized NZ$1 billion worth of illegal drugs in the Arabian Sea. Photo/ NZDF

Lancaster Commanding Officer, Commander Chris Chew, praised his crew's motivation, commitment and dedication.

"This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets," he said.

CTF 150's commander, Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore Rodger Ward said it was the highest value narcotics interception made since New Zealand took command of CTF 150 this year.

"Conducting maritime interdictions requires a team effort from the men and women here in the headquarters in Bahrain reaching through to those out on the oceans disrupting drug smuggling operations at the coal face," he said.

"I'd like to acknowledge the 210-strong ship's company from Lancaster for continuing to get amongst it day-after-day.

"Everyone in the team can be proud of their efforts to disrupt the criminal and terrorist organisations that continue to use illicit narcotics to fund their activities and this is a significant blow to their revenue stream."
An Aongatete horse trainer who recently took on two Kaimanawa horses  straight from the wild  says theres still more urgent work to be done to help the heritage horse breed.

Bex Tasker, who runs dog training classes, horsemanship clinics and kids classes using positive reinforcement methods via her business Positively Together, is working on taming the two female horses for their respective new owners.

The horses were delivered by truck to Taskers Wright Rd property on April 27  straight from the annual autumn muster of the herd that roam the Kaimanawa Range on Waiouru military training land in the Central North Island.

The Department of Conservation aims to keep the wild herd to about 300 horses  an agreed limit to keep horses healthy and protect fragile ecosystems of the Moawhango Ecological Zone. Rehoming is coordinated by not-for-profit group Kaimanawa Heritage Horses.

Balance

In recent years, with Animal Ethics Committee support, DoC has introduced a contraceptive treatment for some mares to support population control. This method would take a few years to take effect, and rehoming continued to be the primary tool for herd management, said DoC senior biodiversity ranger Sarah Tunnicliffe.

The muster is our opportunity to balance the continued health of the heritage herd with the protection of rare plants and ecosystems which make New Zealand special. Its a win-win, but is reliant on Kaimanawa Heritage Horses getting enough applications for rehoming.



The wild herd are named after the range they roam on  the Kaimanawa Range. Photo / David Hall

Tasker is no stranger to training the heritage breed. She adopted a colt when living in Hunua near Auckland in 2012; and in 2014 she took on a Kaimanawa mare and her foal  one of the trickier combinations  when she had a 7-month-old baby herself.

It was all a bit madness, admitted Tasker, who a decade later is on her third Kaimanawa assignment.

This time, one horse, about 18 months old, belongs to an Auckland client and will be transported north once shes completed her basic training, Tasker said.

The other belongs to my working student Radha Foulds, who is 17.

Radha will keep her horse here long-term, and Ill continue to mentor her through the whole process.

A second muster

A DoC survey had shown the herd number had grown to more than double the recommended 300 horses, so the April 27 muster aimed to remove and rehome more than 250 horses  but Tasker said this wasnt achieved and a second muster was planned for July.

According to the Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation and KHH, an additional 123 horses would need removing from the ranges come July  so far only 20-odd have homes.

More private homes are needed to take horses from the next muster, or the public can sponsor horses to go to approved trainers, said Tasker. KLF has a Givealittle page  where the public can donate to help save more horses, with the money going toward stockpiling excess horses, covering their care and training while they await homes, said Tasker. So this is the big push now, but once the contraceptives start taking effect, we wont have to do such massive rehoming efforts. But if we can save these ones, obviously its going to get easier every year from now on because therell be fewer foals in future.

Tasker said Kaimanawas havent needed culling for 10 years  but that was due to the tireless work of KHH and KLF volunteers undertaking adoption campaigns and the public donating generously. Those interested in helping could visit: www.kaimanawah eritagehorse s.orgsmooth sailing or see the Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation Facebook page.

Settling in

Back at Aongatete, the horses are starting to settle in. Were just at the point of touching and haltering now with these guys, and its been three weeks.

Their arrival wasnt smooth sailing, said Tasker. The foal, a nine-month-old weanling, arrived with a joint injury and infection.

They came that week of torrential rain, said Tasker. And we had to get a horse two days out of the wild sedated [for treatment] Then two days later, we had to do it again; the vet basically did field surgery in the pouring rain. Its been very stressful, but its worked! The wound is healing, shes now on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, and shes out on the grass in the sunshine, which is huge.



The two Kaimanawa horses at Bex Taskers Aongatete property. Photo / David Hall

Tasker admitted taking on a wild Kaimanawa is a massively time consuming thing to do, which is why she hasnt done so for 10 years.

Ironically, everyone around Katikati thinks Im only training animals like sheep and chickens to do tricks because they see me performing at A&P shows but my main work is actually training horses using force-free and fear-free techniques, and teaching people horsemanship skills.

Thats what Tasker is internationally-known for  her Positively Together business takes her around New Zealand and overseas hosting talks, clinics and workshops with equine lovers.

In the last decade Ive been at Aongatete, Ive been focusing on Positively Together, which entails a lot of travel, and my family. So until now I havent felt like I could put my business on hold to train Kaimanawas.

Nothing else like it

But Tasker admitted its an incredible experience  theres nothing else like it.

Theyre lovely horses to have around and the journey of taking them from having never seen a human up-close to accepting touch and being able to go exploring and take them to the beach and things like that is really special.

Its the ultimate blank slate, I guess you could say, but you have to have the right facilities and the right experience to be able to do it. When they arrive, theyre terrified of you, so they dont want you even in the same space as them and we need to get them to the point where they can eat from the hand, and be touched and eventually pick up their feet and walk on to a float.

Often looking pretty nondescript when they first come out of the wild, Tasker said the horses massively glow up in the next six months when their fluffy coats turn sleek and we fix their feet, de-worm them and give them good feed.

By Octobers Equifest, event-goers will see Kaimanawas from the recent muster looking like domestic horses.

And thats ultimately what theyll become. Theyre good quality animals, with a good temperament, and theyre solid  which is something to do with them being in the wild. They just take it as it comes and theyre incredibly resilient.
Ines GAllastegui Granada Thursday, 29 May 2025, 19:13 Compartir

The world of flamenco in Granada is paying tribute this Friday to the American patron Cristina Heeren for her unconditional support to the province's flamenco movement. On 30 May she will be named honorary member of the Pena La Plateria, a flamenco club to which she has belonged for 25 years.

The club's president, Victor Vazquez, explained that Cristina will be accompanied by representatives from the world of flamenco across the province, including the Andalusian Confederation of Flamenco Penas and people from Illora, where she has a farmhouse and supports numerous cultural activities.

The event will also include a performance by former students of the Cristina Heeren Foundation school in Seville, where thanks to the American benefactor more than 8,000 young people from all over the world have been trained in singing, dancing and guitar playing.

"I am delighted. It's a great honour for me," Cristina Heeren, told IDEAL, SUR's sister newspaper in Granada. Admitting that she doesn't know many of the details of Sunday's tribute, she said, "I like surprises".

The businesswoman and philanthropist has had a close relationship with Granada since 1978, when she moved to Cortijo La Roza de Illora, an olive farm at an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level. Her daughter was born there and to where she still escapes whenever her work in Seville allows her to do so. "It is my refuge," she admits.

Cristina Heeren's great-great-grandfather was John Wanamaker, who made his fortune with the opening of the first commercial galleries in the United States and was a millionaire, philanthropist and marketing pioneer.

Cristina (New York, 1943) inherited a fortune from her parents, the businessman Rodman Heeren, of American, German and Spanish descent, and the Brazilian Aimee de Sotomayor. She spent part of her childhood in Biarritz in France, where she still has a mansion. She studied Comparative Literature at Columbia, Drama at Herbert Bergdorf's school and singing technique in Paris, where she worked as a filmmaker.

The centre and the margins

Cristina discovered flamenco through her father and figures such as Carmen Amaya, Antonio Ruiz Soler el Bailarin, Antonio Mairena and Pastora Imperio. She soon fell in love with Spain, where she met people like the filmmaker Orson Welles, writer Ernest Hemingway and the bullfighter Antonio Ordonez.

Her relationship with flamenco in Granada goes back decades. "After having my daughter I spent a few years at home, but when I was able to move around I started going to summer festivals and met artists like Luis el Polaco, the Cortes brothers. I feel very linked to flamenco here," she says.

In fact, her initial plan was to open an international school in Granada, but her attempts were unsuccessful. "It's the most beautiful place in the world, but it has always been a bit on the fringes - it has its advantages - so I resigned myself and went to Seville. I'm where I have to be, in Triana, which is very important in the world of flamenco. But when I escape, I escape to Granada," she explains.

In 1978 she moved to Cortijo La Roza in Illora, where she has olive trees. She had her daughter there and still escapes there whenever her obligations in Seville allow her to do so.

She does not believe that her status as a foreigner weighed heavily when in 1993 she founded her centre for the teaching, promotion and dissemination of flamenco under the umbrella of her foundation. I don't really know what people think and I don't really care, because I do what I think I have to do," she says. "In the early years I was very well advised by Jose de la Tomasa, Calixto Sanchez, Milagros Mengibar and Jose Luis Postigo, as the school was his idea".

Her outreach work has earned Cristina Heeren numerous awards, such as the Commendation of the Civil Order of Alfonso X El Sabio from the Spanish Ministry of Culture in 2016; the Medal of the City of Seville in 2018; the Flamenco en el Aula honour award from the Junta de Andalucia; and admission to the Real Academia de Bellas Artes Santa Isabel de Hungria. "In Seville she is very famous, but in Granada she is unknown," says Victor Vazquez.
Matias Stuber Malaga Thursday, 29 May 2025, 09:55 Compartir

The Junta de Andalucia's new centre for juvenile offenders (CIMI) in the El Olivar neighbourhood of Churriana (Malaga) will open its doors at the beginning of June, a month later than initially planned. As SUR has been able to confirm, this new facility, which will house 50 minors who have been sentenced by the courts, will accommodate youths aged between 14 and 17, and there will be places for 15 girls.

This centre will be managed by the company Meridianos, which won the contract that guarantees its operation until at least 2029. The tender for the management amounted to 20.8 million euros. The transfer of the minors will take place when the adaptation work at the building is completed and the last administrative procedures are completed.

This penitentiary facility is located in Calle Asuncion, in the building that was once a retreat home for the La Asuncion nuns and, last year, operated as a refugee centre for a few months. The opening also marks the recovery of a centre of this type in the province of Malaga, after the closure of the CIMI San Francisco in Torremolinos in 2021. With the addition of this new facility in Churriana, the regional authority now has centres with a total of 751 places throughout Andalucia.

Initially, the regional government reported that the opening would take place in May, but there were some complications in the adaptation works of the building that caused a delay. On 17 May, the urban planning department ordered the precautionary suspension of the work on this centre, as it considered that the documentation provided lacked the project justifying the reservation of places for people with reduced mobility, among other points.

These problems have now been rectified by Meridiano with the delivery of the required documentation.

Neighbourhood rejection

In parallel to these complications, neighbourhood rejection of this new infrastructure has also been developing. From the moment the location was made public, the residents of El Olivar and neighbouring districts have been protesting against the centre, considering that the building does not meet the requirements set by the Junta de Andalucia itself for this type of centre and because of the "feeling of insecurity" that the CIMI generates.

This unease has been channelled into numerous protest actions. Several demonstrations have taken place in recent weeks, as well as a collection of signatures to stop the opening of the CIMI. Direct contact was also sought with the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, and with other officials of the regional ministry of justice. In addition, several allegations to the project were presented to the urban planning department.

Zoom Residents in the area show their rejection of the juvenile centre. Salvador Salas

A fruitless effort, at least from the residents' point of view, considering that the arrival of the first children is already imminent. The company Meridiano, for its part, insists on the social utility of the centre. "A centre like the one in Malaga is an institution for young people who are serving a judicial sentence derived from the commission of a crime. Its purpose is educational and social reintegration, and should not be confused with a centre for unaccompanied migrant minors," it told SUR.

"The centre contributes to the re-education and social reintegration of minors, offering a safe and supervised environment where they can resume their personal and educational trajectory," the company added.
Zigor Aldama Madrid Thursday, 29 May 2025, 09:46 Compartir

How things change from one academic year to the next. In 2023/24, the last full year with Joe Biden as president of the United States, the American superpower's embassy in Madrid boasted that it had broken the record for the number of Spanish students enrolled in its universities: 8,842.

"This is an increase of 3.4% over the previous academic year. This contributed to the US being the country that welcomed to university the most international students in the world, reaching a total of 1.12 million of the almost 19 million students enrolled in universities in the country," read the embassy statement. It also highlighted the appeal of Spain for American students to study here: "It is the third country chosen by Americans - 32,648 chose Spain in the previous academic year - only behind Italy and the United Kingdom," said the public diplomacy attachee, Catherine Muller.

This record-breaking news caused much jubilation in the education sector, traditionally big business for the United States. According to the Association of International Educators (Nafsa), foreign students contributed 43.8 billion dollars to the US economy (38.5 billion euros at the given exchange rate) and were key to supporting 378,000 jobs. For every three students one job is created.

"But we cannot be complacent. Competition to attract the world's brightest students is increasing. The United States must adopt more proactive policies to attract and retain global talent, because we cannot afford to lose the positive impact of international students," said Nafsa's executive director, Fanta Aw.

President Donald Trump does not think so. He began by combating alleged anti-semitism in American universities, targeting Harvard in recent weeks, and has ended up temporarily suspending the granting of F, J and M-type visas required for foreign students to enter the country. This measure also affects the 5,000 Spaniards enrolled in secondary education or vocational training courses there.

This was announced on Tuesday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a diplomatic communique in which he asked embassies to cease visa interviews required for the issuance of permission to travel: "Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media checks and assessments, no student visa appointments should be added."

"We need more electricians and plumbers and fewer LGBT Harvard graduates," said Caroline Leavitt, the White House press secretary

On Wednesday, Rubio provided more details about the new rules, according to which the authorities will scrutinise the social media history of visa applicants. "Under President Trump, the United States will stand with the Jewish people. We have implemented a tough new visa policy that will prevent foreign nationals from coming to this country to stir up hatred against that community."

In even more controversial remarks, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt lashed out at the most prestigious educational institutions. "We need more electricians and plumbers in our country and fewer LGBT graduates from Harvard," she said on Fox News.

"President Trump is more interested in giving taxpayer money to schools and vocational programmes and state schools where American values are promoted, but more importantly those that provide the next generation with the skills we need in our economy and our society," Leavitt said in what was intended to be a justification for cutting federal funding to universities that stand up to his authority.

An opportunity for Europe

At the highest levels of the European Union, many see this as a great opportunity to attract the talent that the United States now sees as hostile territory. This month, the European Commission launched the 'Choose Europe' initiative with 500 million euros to attract researchers and graduate students to choose this side of the pond for their training and careers.

"Progress thrives on freedom, openness and collaboration," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The 'Choose Europe' website puts it as follows: "As a world-leading centre for research and innovation, with scientific freedom and an excellent quality of life, the European Union offers an ideal environment to advance your career."
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Today, nine countries together hold over 13,000 nuclear warheads, and experts warn that the risk of their use, whether by miscalculation, accident, or escalation, is increasing, said Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a plenary session of the Astana International Forum, Trend reports.

According to Tokayev, the consequences of even a single nuclear warhead explosion could be devastating. Scientists believe that beyond immediate destruction, it could trigger a global climate catastrophe and lead to crop failures.

We know what this means. Kazakhstan is still dealing with the historical consequences of 450 nuclear tests conducted on its territory. In the name of peace, we renounced the inherited nuclear arsenal. Today, we continue to advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons, Tokayev noted.

The President of Kazakhstan also touched upon the topic of international conflicts and wars.

According to data from last year, 52 countries were involved in armed conflict. Economic losses due to violence reached 19 trillion dollars  about 13.5 percent of the world's GDP. However, behind these figures lies a more alarming reality: modern conflicts are becoming increasingly prolonged and complex. They often involve a large number of actors, including non-state groups. Furthermore, these conflicts are based on deeply rooted contradictions, President Tokayev added.

President Tokayev emphasized that these factors significantly complicate the achievement of lasting peace.

The greatest concern in this global situation is that it completely contradicts new trends related to artificial intelligence, which is beginning to dominate, leading humanity to a radically renewed and as yet unknown reality, bringing new meanings and new assessments, Tokayev stressed.

Today, the Astana International Forum is taking place in Kazakhstans capital. The event is attended by: President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alen Berse, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, heads of UN system organizations, and other respected participants.
Latasha Mott and Corrice Parks appear in court with their attorneys in Onondaga County Court on May 29, 2025. Anne Hayes | Ahayes@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y.  A mother who is accused of killing her 5-year-old child, Neffy, and the womans boyfriend will have their statements to police used against them at trial due to a rare legal exception, a judge ruled Thursday.

Investigators ignored the moms and the boyfriends Miranda rights - that they were not required to talk to officers and had rights to attorneys.

But Judge Matthew Doran ruled Thursday a public safety exception applies in this case and all their statements could be used against them if they choose to go to trial in January.

Nefertiti Neffy Harris was beaten to death with a belt while in the shower at 127 West Beard Ave. on Jan. 6, 2024, investigators have said. A few days later, Neffys body was hidden in a field on Syracuses East Side.

Neffys mother, Latasha Mott, is charged with the childs murder and the concealment of her corpse. For months, Mott covered up her daughters disappearance, police have said. Motts boyfriend at the time, Corrice Parks, is accused of helping Mott hide the girls body.

On March 23, a missing persons investigation was launched after concerned loved ones began to put together the pieces.

Police found a phone that was previously used by Mott that had a series of suspicious searches that triggered a more rigorous investigation.

Police approached Parks and Mott on March 24 to question them about Motts missing daughter. Neffy was not found until March 26.

11 1 / 11 Remembering Nefertiti Neffy Harris

Before investigators began questioning Parks or Mott, they spoke to their supervisors and prosecutors about employing a rare exception to Miranda rights. Investigators read them their rights but knew they could ignore them under this exception.

Miranda rights aim to protect individuals from self-incrimination. Miranda warnings are read to remind people of the right to remain silent and their right to an attorney.

Typically, if the rights are not read to a suspect or if the rights are ignored by investigators, any statements made cannot be used against them.

In Mott and Parks cases, police were using a rarely applied exception to Miranda rights: information gathered for a risk to public safety. He said that because a child was missing and believed to be endangered, police are allowed to interrogate suspects regardless of their right to remain silent or right to an attorney.

The exception to Miranda rights began with a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court case, New York v. Quarles. The court found that Benjamin Quarles, who discarded a loaded gun in a grocery store, was legally questioned by police on the whereabouts of the gun before being read his rights.

That case established the exception, giving officers the ability to ask questions when there is a concern for public safety.

During a hearing, Syracuse Police Detective Jeremy Merola said the department has only used the exception one other time in his 28-year career.

Prosecutor Rob Moran said that was in 2016 when police were searching for Baby Maddox, a 21-month-old child whose father killed her and burned her body before she was reported missing.

A Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals case, U.S. v. Delbert Mobley, established that the exception could be used even when a suspect has invoked the right to an attorney.

Parks, in his interview with police, repeatedly asked for an attorney and was ignored, his defense attorney pointed out in the hearing.

Mott also questioned whether she was allowed to have an attorney before the interview continued without one.

In her lengthy interview, Mott admitted to knowing where the childs body was hidden, prosecutors have said.

Now that the judge ruled their statements can be heard by a jury, a new issue has been raised. Susan Carey, Parks attorney, said that Mott makes incriminating statements about Parks. Carey said the cases must be tried separately.

The judge said he agrees with Carey about potential conflicts if the cases are tried together, but did not make a ruling on the matter Thursday.

Parks, who also faces an unrelated gun charge, has also expressed interest in negotiating a plea agreement. Moran said Parks would have to admit to the gun charge, hindering prosecution and hiding the little girls body if he were to plead guilty.

Parks and Mott are scheduled to appear in court next week to discuss the outstanding issues.

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
Doctors and community leaders announce the formation of the Health Care Coalition for the North Country at the Capitol on May 14. Clara Hemphill | New York Focus

By Clara Hemphill | New York Focus

This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here.

John Rugge has spent half a century building a network of health clinics in the isolated villages and towns of New Yorks Adirondack mountains. Now 80 years old, as most of his peers enjoy retirement, the locally celebrated outdoorsman and physician is organizing other rural doctors and community leaders in this strongly Republican part of the state to protect the health care system in the face of proposed cuts to Medicaid under debate in Congress.

Rugge says the federal cuts in health care spending  projected at $715 billion over the next 10 years  could have a devastating impact, not just on the New Yorkers who will lose insurance, but also on the rural hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics that rely on Medicaid payments. If a hospital or nursing home is forced to lay off workers or to close entirely, he said, everyone in the community suffers, including those who have private insurance or enough money to pay out of pocket.

It hurts the institutions, and that means it hurts everybody, said Rugge. A canoeist and author of The Complete Wilderness Paddler, Rugge founded a clinic in 1974 that has grown into the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, which includes 26 clinics serving 9,400 patients each week.

What we could see is a medical desert from Glens Falls to Plattsburgh, a vast area stretching from below the Adirondack Park to the Canadian border some 114 miles away, he said.

The Adirondack region includes six million acres of protected wilderness, featuring mountains, rivers, and lakes beloved by hikers and canoeists. The Adirondack Park is a checkerboard of public and private land, with 105 villages and towns  some home to just a few hundred people  scattered across rugged terrain. Vacationers crowd the region in the summer. Skiers come in winter.

But the year-round population is small, declining, and aging. Many residents patch together part-time and seasonal jobs  work that doesnt come with health insurance. Twenty-eight percent of the residents in the congressional district that includes the Adirondacks rely on Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income people. Half of births and two-thirds of nursing home residents are covered by Medicaid.

Rural hospitals and nursing homes operate on razor thin margins, and many have been losing money for years. Nearly a third of rural hospitals in New York are at immediate risk of closing, according to the Center for Health Care Quality and Payment Reform, a national policy center. Maternity care is particularly vulnerable.

The bulk of House Republicans planned health care cuts  $625 billion  would come from Medicaid. The remainder would come from changes to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which helps individuals pay for private insurance and also pays for the Essential Plan, New Yorks free program for people with somewhat higher incomes than Medicaid allows.

Governor Kathy Hochul has said the proposed cuts could lead to 1.5 million New Yorkers losing health insurance in the next 10 years, and would cost the state $13.5 billion annually in lost federal revenue. No one state can backfill these massive cuts, she said in a news release last week.

Rugge said people of all political stripes have an interest in preserving the Adirondacks fragile health care system. He leads a nonpartisan group, the Health Care Coalition for the North Country, that has been meeting with local town and county officials and encouraging them to write to their federal representatives, particularly Rep. Elise Stefanik, about the importance of Medicaid to their communities.

Stefanik, who won reelection in November with more than 62 percent of the vote, maintains that the Republican bill would strengthen and secure Medicaid by ensuring that only eligible recipients are enrolled.

Stefanik spokesman Wendell Husebo pointed to research by the Empire Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank, suggesting that many people lie about their income to meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid and that there has been a surge in the number of undocumented immigrants approved for emergency care.

Kevin McAvey, managing director of Manatt, a healthcare consulting firm, pushed back at the notion that ineligible people are flooding the Medicaid rolls.

This is not an honor system, McAvey said. Individuals seeking Medicaid coverage in New York predominantly apply through the state-based marketplace, where their income attestations are checked against federal and state data sources. If such checks cannot be completed, individuals must present documentation that proves their income.

As for the undocumented immigrants receiving emergency room care  as required by federal law  he said the payments help keep hospitals afloat. Emergency Medicaid reimbursements in New York state and across the country protect our health care providers, he said.

The bill, narrowly passed by Republicans in the House last Thursday, would make a series of technical changes to how the federal government reimburses states for health care costs. It would impose a penalty on states like New York that use state money to offer care to some undocumented immigrants. (Federal law requires hospitals to offer emergency care to everyone, including undocumented immigrants. New York uses its own funds to provide non-emergency care to undocumented pregnant women and people over 65.)

Most significantly, the Republican bill would require working-age Medicaid recipients without children or disabilities to provide documentation each month that shows they have worked at least 80 hours  a requirement that proponents say will prevent abuse and that Medicaid advocates say would add red tape and burdensome administrative costs.

One of the bills technical changes could have an immediate impact on the states hospitals and nursing homes: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this month rolled back its approval of an obscure mechanism, called an MCO tax, that New York had planned to use to draw down an additional $2 billion this year in federal funds. The state was counting on that money to increase Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes.

Heidi Schempp, the administrator of the Elderwood nursing home in the hamlet of North Creek, has been hoping for more state money to help keep her skilled nursing facility afloat. The cost of food and salaries is going up, she said, and reimbursements havent kept pace.

Seventy percent of her patients rely on Medicaid, and the rates set by the state cover less than 70 percent of the cost of care, she said. She can make up some of the difference by offering short-term rehabilitation services to other patients, which are reimbursed at a higher rate, but its a struggle. My goal is to break even, she said.

Elderwood has about 70 residents, mostly elderly, and a staff of about 100. Most of the residents worked and paid taxes for decades and qualified for Medicaid only because theyve spent their life savings, she said. Medicare, the federal health care plan for people over 65, does not cover the cost of long-term care, so residents typically pay out-of-pocket until their savings are depleted. Elderwood charges about $11,000 a month.

The nearest nursing homes are in Glens Falls, a 45-minute drive south, and Tupper Lake, more than an hour north.

Can you imagine not being able to see your spouse because they had to move into a nursing home far away? Schempp said. Its just devastating.

In a bid to ensure Elderwoods survival, Daniel Way, a retired family doctor and photographer, photographed nursing home residents and interviewed them about their lives, posting their stories online.

If I didnt have Medicaid Id be out on the streets, said one resident, 77-year-old JoAnn King. I worked a long time, never been in trouble, loved my country all my life. To the politicians threatening to cut Medicaid, shame on yourselves!

Planned Parenthood of the North Country operates seven clinics that serve a vast region stretching 165 miles along two-lane roads, from Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain to Watertown near Lake Ontario. Patients may drive an hour or more to reach a clinic, and nearly half rely on Medicaid.

CEO Crystal Collette said Planned Parenthood is the only health care provider for about one-third of their patients, most of whom are young. They rely on Planned Parenthood not only for birth control and abortions, but also to check their blood pressure, screen for cancer, test for sexually transmitted diseases, and treat urinary tract infections.

Recruiting doctors and nurses to work in rural areas is challenging, Collette said, and Planned Parenthood pays a premium to retain them. Like Schempp at the Elderwood nursing home, Collette said the costs of care far outpace Medicaid reimbursements. Private fundraising helps make up the difference.

We already have a health care system thats teetering on the brink of collapse, she said. Sweeping cuts to Medicaid is something that I dont think we can fundraise our way out of. Theres no possible way for our donors to make up the difference.

The Hyde Amendment has long banned the use of federal funds for abortion, except in cases that endanger the life of the mother or that result from rape or incest. The House bill would go much further; it would cancel all federal funding for Planned Parenthood  including for the routine health care that the organization offers. Although abortions make up only about 3 percent of the services Planned Parenthood provides, the organization has become a lightning rod for anti-abortion groups.

The House bill now goes to the Senate for debate, and revisions are expected. The proposal to ban funding for Planned Parenthood may not pass the Senate, where several Republican senators have voiced their support for the organization.

Nonetheless, pushing able-bodied people who cannot regularly document their work hours off the Medicaid rolls  as the House bill proposes  would also hurt Planned Parenthood financially. With many North Country residents working part-time jobs with irregular hours, self-employed as carpenters or handymen, or working off-the-books at jobs such as housecleaning, that documentation may be hard to provide, Medicaid advocates say. Without payments from Medicaid, Planned Parenthood would be faced with many more patients who have no ability to pay.

Work requirements overload Medicaid recipients with paperwork that they may not be able to complete even if they are eligible, McAvey said. What winds up happening is that eligible recipients end up losing coverage, he said, citing the experience of Arkansas and Georgia. When Arkansas imposed work requirements, 18,000 people lost health insurance and there was no increase in employment; a judge ordered the state to abandon the plan. In Georgia, the administrative costs of verifying employment far outstrip the cost of health care.

This debate over a work requirement goes back to ideological differences in views about Medicaid, said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, the national health policy group. Some people view Medicaid as a welfare program that should only be for the deserving poor and others view Medicaid as a stepping stone towards universal coverage and that access to healthcare should be a right irrespective of work.

As the details about the House plan trickle out, state and county legislators are coming to grips with the implications for their own budgets. In New York, the cost of Medicaid is split three ways, with the federal government, the state and the counties each taking a share. If federal funds decline, the state and the counties must either pick up the slack or make cuts, often by reducing reimbursements to providers or eliminating services that are not required by federal law, such as home care for the elderly or routine care for undocumented immigrants.

The state budget passed earlier this month didnt take into account likely federal budget cuts, but the state legislature gave Hochul the authority to institute midyear cuts if necessary.

It is going to be very difficult to figure out how to fill that gap, said state Assemblyman Scott Gray of Watertown, a Republican.

After meeting with Rugge and other members of the Health Care Coalition for the North Country, Assemblyman Matt Simpson, of Lake George, said he understands the importance of Medicaid to his constituents. I look forward to working together on this and other areas of access to health care throughout our shared community, said Simpson, a Republican.

The Health Care Coalition for the North County has also met with town and county officials. Schempp said she met with the Town Board in the mostly conservative town where she lives, Indian Lake, and they agreed to pass a resolution calling on Stefanik and other elected officials to exercise caution when considering budget cuts.

Similar resolutions have been passed by the towns of Kingsbury and Schroon Lake, as well as several county boards of supervisors, Rugge said.

After meeting with Rugges group, Essex County manager Mike Mascarenas told his board of supervisors that significant Medicaid cuts would not only hurt the population that receives Medicaid, but to those who pay for it. If counties need to contribute more to Medicaid, they may need to raise property taxes.

Ive been here 25 years, and what I will tell you with certainty is that the (proposed) change to Medicaid is probably the single biggest threat to property tax that Ive ever witnessed in Essex County, he said. Essex County is a swing county, sometimes voting for Republicans, sometimes for Democrats.

Rugge is optimistic that his work educating his neighbors about Medicaid is bearing fruit. Were making a dent, he said.
American singer Olivia Rodrigo performs during her "Guts" world tour in Mexico City, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo

The 2025 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is returning to Manchester, Tennessee, from June 1215.

Headliners include Luke Combs on Thursday, Tyler, the Creator on Friday, Olivia Rodrigo on Saturday, and Hozier closing out the festival on Sunday.

Other performers throughout the weekend include Vampire Weekend, Queens of the Stone Age, Justice, Megadeth, Beabadoobee, Nelly, Avril Lavigne, Modest Mouse, RL Grime, and Glorilla. See the full lineup below.

Where to get the cheapest last-minute Bonnaroo 2025 tickets

For last-minute buyers, your best bet is to check verified resale platforms like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub.

Prices for four-day GA passes currently average around $400, depending on demand.

Single-day tickets, ideal for fans wanting to see a specific headliner like Olivia Rodrigo or Hozier, start around $173.

VIP and Platinum-level packages are also available for those seeking more access and amenities. Prices for VIP start around $591, while Platinum passes can exceed $3,000.

Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees):

Four-day pass

Tickets Vivid Seats SeatGeek StubHub General Admission $403.04 $432 $373 General Admission Plus $876 $1,173 $688 VIP $865 $952 $836 Platinum $11,487 N/A $275

Thursday, June 12

Tickets Vivid Seats SeatGeek StubHub General Admission $228 $434 $173 General Admission Plus $1,566 N/A $653 VIP $1,042 $2,432 $591 Platinum $3,507 N/A $2,719

Friday, June 13

Tickets Vivid Seats SeatGeek StubHub General Admission $412.44 $434 $392 General Admission Plus N/A N/A $653 VIP $1,036 $1,187 $944 Platinum $3,507 $3,982 $3,190

Saturday, June 14

Sunday, June 15

Tickets Vivid Seats SeatGeek StubHub General Admission $289.91 $415 $331 General Admission Plus N/A N/A $653 VIP $1,012 $1,159 $921 Platinum $3,507 $3,982 $3,190

Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change and additional fees.

Discount: First-time Vivid Seats customers can use code SYRACUSE20 for $20 off a $200+ ticket order.
Christine Lee, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa. (TNS)

A vehicle crashed into the front of the Starbucks in South Abington Twp., Pennsylvania, on Wednesday afternoon, damaging the front of the coffee shop.

Virginia Robbins, 75, of Jamesville, N.Y. was parking a 2025 Honda CRV hybrid in front of the building on Northern Boulevard just after 1:30 p.m., Police Chief Paul Wolfe said. When she went to hit the brake, her foot accidentally hit the accelerator, causing the vehicle to hit the glass windows, he continued.

Neither Robbins, the passenger in her vehicle, Robert Van Glick, 76, or any of the customers or employees in the store were injured, Wolfe said. However, he said the shop sustained a decent amount of damage and was closed.

Yellow caution tape surrounded the damaged building late Wednesday afternoon. Multiple motorists pulled into the stores parking lot and pulled away.

The two people told police they were traveling from Syracuse, N.Y., to New York City and stopped at the store before heading on the next leg of their trip.

Wolfe said Robbins was able to drive the vehicle away after the crash.

Township police are investigating the crash, he said.

 2025 The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pa.). Visit thetimes-tribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Lee, N.Y.  A Lee town supervisor candidate was arrested after he was caught on camera stealing a political sign supporting his opponent, troopers said.

The political sign had been put up on Turin Road in Lee to support Lawrence J. Jamo Jones Jr., a Republican candidate for supervisor, troopers said in a release Wednesday.

Troopers said they were contacted on Friday by Jones, who said that a political sign had been stolen from the lawn of a friends property.

The sign was later found by troopers in the back dumpster of a nearby business, troopers said. The sign was returned, and the property owner put the sign back up. This time, though, a trail camera was also put out, troopers said.

On Wednesday, the sign was again reported stolen, troopers said, but there was footage of the person taking the sign. The sign had been taken by Joseph A. Mooney, 54, of Ava, the only other candidate running for the town supervisor seat against Jones, troopers said.

Mooney, also a Republican, was arrested and charged with petit larceny. He has been released and is scheduled to appear in the town of Lee Court at a later date.

In a Facebook post, Mooney said that he rents the property on which the sign was placed, and no permission was asked to put the sign there. At no point did I believe I was doing anything wrong by removing a sign from property we rent and maintain, the Facebook post read.

The primary election and voting for Lee Town Supervisor is scheduled for June 24.

Syracuse.com staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her attcobb@syracuse.com.
Palestinian poet and author Mosab Abu Toha, 32, was recently awarded a 2025 Pulitzer Prize for a series of essays about life in Gaza during the war with Israel. Syracuse University

Palestinian poet and author Mosab Abu Toha was recently awarded a 2025 Pulitzer Prize for a series of essays published in the New Yorker magazine documenting life in Gaza during the war with Israel.

Abu Toha, 32, is a visiting scholar at Syracuse University and a 2023 graduate of SUs renowned MFA program in creative writing.

He returned to Syracuse last year through the universitys participation in the international Scholars at Risk program.

It hurts to win a big prize while the suffering which I wrote about in the winning work continues, Abu Toha told Syracuse News.

It is my biggest hope that this achievement and recognition will be a step toward greater understanding of the decades-long plight of the Palestinian people, Abu Toha added, and that it will inspire people, especially those in power, to act and put an end to this tragedy.

The Pulitzer Prize Committee characterized Abu Tohas work as essays on the physical and emotional carnage in Gaza that combine deep reporting with the intimacy of memoir to convey the Palestinian experience of more than a year and a half of war with Israel.

Abu Toha is the author of Forest of Noise and Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear, which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and won an American Book Award.

He is also the founder of the Edward Said Library in Gaza and previously taught English to middle school students through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.
A woman was arrested at a Florida airport on Monday after hitting a child who called her fat and Miss Piggy.

Per WFTV9, Sanford Airport Police apprehended the woman, who has been identified as Kristy Crampton, at the airport gate after she attacked the child on her flight.

According to the outlet, witnesses told police that the child initiated the dispute by telling Crampton she couldnt fit in her seat because of her size. The child then proceeded to call Crampton fat and Miss Piggy.

Crampton then began hitting the child with her fist, per witnesses. She also clubbed the child with a water bottle and slammed their head into the airplane.

The child, whose age hasnt been revealed, reportedly used his arms to cover his head. Additional details in the police report note that Crampton and the child were seat neighbors. After the child called Crampton names, she took the childs phone away. They began to fight over the armrest. After her arm was pushed off twice, she got physical with him.

At the time, they were on board Allegiant Flight 2885 from Orlando-Sanford International Airport to Hagerstown, Maryland. Crampton was flying home from her trip to Disney World.

The altercation occurred before the flight was scheduled to depart at 2 p.m., and she was arrested outside the gate. Crampton appeared in front of a Seminole County judge on Tuesday, who granted her a $10,000 bond.

She is charged with felony child abuse and was ordered to have no contact with the child.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Kazakhstan, which holds 40 percent of the worlds uranium reserves, considers nuclear energy a priority direction in its national strategy, said Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a plenary session of the Astana International Forum, Trend reports.

According to Tokayev, development cannot be sustainable without addressing the climate crisis. Central Asia is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change on the planet. Warming here is happening twice as fast as the global average.

In response to warming, we are promoting a pragmatic and regionally coordinated climate agenda. Our commitments include participation in various international organizations and agreements. In 2026, Kazakhstan, in partnership with the UN, will host a Regional Environmental Summit aimed at becoming a platform to unify Central Asias strategies with global ambitions, he added.

Furthermore, Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan remains committed to a stable, integrated, and future-oriented Central Asia based on mutual respect and regional solidarity.

Two months ago, the UN General Assembly officially established the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. This is an important milestone in our multilateral development cooperation. The Center will support joint projects, provide technical expertise, and coordinate international cooperation, he added.

Today, the Astana International Forum is taking place in Kazakhstans capital. The event is attended by: President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alen Berse, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, heads of UN system organizations, and other respected participants.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
saurabhmittal87 Newbie

Join Date: Jun 2024 Location: Mumbai Posts: 8 Thanked: 18 Times

Re: Guide: How to get a fancy / VIP number in Mumbai (without an agent)



Having read the posts in the forum, I did the following things in advance:

1. Checked the ongoing series with the dealer to assess the cost of my desired number (Typically in Mumbai, within the 1st 1000 numbers of ongoing series, cost is 10k, and then add 5k for each 1000 number jumps)

2. Checked the availability of my desired number on the parivahan portal

3. Created a DD of 10k (in my case) towards RTO Thane

4. Assimilated all documents incl. electricity bill, PAN, Aadhar etc. (I took some extra documents just in case).



Important information for Thane, RTO:

- There are 2 RTOs in Thane (as of now); Old RTO near central jail where you would need to fill the form 1st; new RTO near Louiswadi where you would go to get signature from higher-ups (This I came to know/ suffer during the application process )



Now the D-day.

1. Reached at 10:30 to Old RTO, took the form from the person sitting outside the gate, filled it and submitted at window 6 (with all necessary documents and DD). The guy was helpful, checked and signed the form. I was so happy to get work done in 15 minutes, but Alas. He tells me to take this to the New RTO (6km away), get it signed from a person, and come back to submit it. :(



2. Reached New RTO, to only find authorized persons not available - there were 3 people who could have signed it but none available. I had to wait for ~30-40 minutes, before one of the person came, and signed it. He was quick in checking and signing. Now, the ride back to Old RTO.



3. Reached the Old RTO, and submitted the form. Now, the next punch. On asking for a receipt, the person said, the entry might take time (due to electricity and some other issues), and you will get to know by message if it is ready. Once you get the message you can come to collect it. :(



4. I waited for 15-20 minutes, just to see if my luck works. But, then I left for office, only to come back to the RTO and collect the receipt at ~2pm.



Positives

- Pretty easy process, no bribes, no dangling by staff



Negatives

- Why not online? Why? All except MH does it online

- The to-and-fro between the 2 RTOs takes a lot out of a person (time, travel, waiting etc.)

- Coming back for a receipt w/o knowing when will it be available is a big problem again. Why not send it over whatsapp/ create it within 15-20 minutes. A person can wait that much, instead of going back, and coming again.



Eventually I am pretty happy to get my desired number . Just that I had to lose half a day from office to do the song and dance. I would like to share my experience of getting a preferred/ fancy number from Thane RTO (without an agent).Having read the posts in the forum, I did the following things in advance:1. Checked the ongoing series with the dealer to assess the cost of my desired number (Typically in Mumbai, within the 1st 1000 numbers of ongoing series, cost is 10k, and then add 5k for each 1000 number jumps)2. Checked the availability of my desired number on the parivahan portal3. Created a DD of 10k (in my case) towards RTO Thane4. Assimilated all documents incl. electricity bill, PAN, Aadhar etc. (I took some extra documents just in case).Important information for Thane, RTO:- There are 2 RTOs in Thane (as of now); Old RTO near central jail where you would need to fill the form 1st; new RTO near Louiswadi where you would go to get signature from higher-ups (This I came to know/ suffer during the application processNow the D-day.1. Reached at 10:30 to Old RTO, took the form from the person sitting outside the gate, filled it and submitted at window 6 (with all necessary documents and DD). The guy was helpful, checked and signed the form. I was so happy to get work done in 15 minutes, but Alas. He tells me to take this to the New RTO (6km away), get it signed from a person, and come back to submit it. :(2. Reached New RTO, to only find authorized persons not available - there were 3 people who could have signed it but none available. I had to wait for ~30-40 minutes, before one of the person came, and signed it. He was quick in checking and signing. Now, the ride back to Old RTO.3. Reached the Old RTO, and submitted the form. Now, the next punch. On asking for a receipt, the person said, the entry might take time (due to electricity and some other issues), and you will get to know by message if it is ready. Once you get the message you can come to collect it. :(4. I waited for 15-20 minutes, just to see if my luck works. But, then I left for office, only to come back to the RTO and collect the receipt at ~2pm.Positives- Pretty easy process, no bribes, no dangling by staffNegatives- Why not online? Why? All except MH does it online- The to-and-fro between the 2 RTOs takes a lot out of a person (time, travel, waiting etc.)- Coming back for a receipt w/o knowing when will it be available is a big problem again. Why not send it over whatsapp/ create it within 15-20 minutes. A person can wait that much, instead of going back, and coming again.Eventually I am pretty happy to get my desired number. Just that I had to lose half a day from office to do the song and dance. Last edited by Eddy : 29th May 2025 at 07:53 . Reason: Typo corrected
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell plc, has signed an agreement with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to acquire its 12.5% stake in the OML 118 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) offshore Nigeria, Trend reports.

According to the producer, the contract covers the Bonga field, among other assets.

Once completed, the deal will increase Shells interest in the OML 118 PSC from 55% to 67.5%. SNEPCo operates the block and currently produces oil from the Bonga field via the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. In December 2024, Shell announced the development of the Bonga North field.

Peter Costello, Shells President of Upstream, noted that the acquisition follows the final investment decision on Bonga North last year and represents a significant investment in Nigerias deep-water sector, supporting sustained production and growth in Shells upstream portfolio.

The transaction is pending regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, with completion expected by the end of 2025.
Davezzy Newbie

Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: Chennai Posts: 11 Thanked: 29 Times

Re: The Car that changed you  Not just your drive



2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI



When I first saw this car in my cousin brother's house (Yes, it belongs to him). I was about 5 years old back then and being used to seeing all the suzukis and hyundais, this was a new sight. I never had any opinions on the car since I was very young back then and I spent most of the time figuring out what the TDI badge really meant. But I hated the rear seats of the car so much along with it's small boot as someone used to the comfortable and spacious seats of the xuv500 (It belonged to a relative as well). Time went by and I got to ride in the polo during my holidays/vacations when I visited my relatives. The 1.2 TDI was pretty loud and the engine was very well audible inside the cabin but I didn't mind them really as I was busy enjoying the pulls which often pushed me into the seat (I often sat at the edge of the seat just to experience the push back into the seat ). Till then I had never experienced the car outside city limits and they were just some small pulls at lower speeds. During a summer holiday around 2015, I had an opportunity to witness the actual real side of the polo. It was a cousins - only trip to the Tada falls in Andhra Pradesh, as far as I remember the roads were generally vacant after exiting the outer part of Chennai. That's when the polo was pushed to it's limits past 160 kmph with 6 occupants and a loaded boot around corners without any mercy at all. The stability, smooth sailing at such speeds, the straight pulls from 80 - 150 really wowed me and I grinned just thinking about it even days after the trip. I walked out of the experience with a stunned, dumbfounded and surprised reaction. The one day was enough to change my blind view about the car forever and when I got to know about the 1.6 TDI, I just couldn't help but wonder how mesmerizing the car might have been and unfortunately I never got to experience the 1.6 TDI but the polo 1.2 was enough to show me how great it could have been. Till date, I love this particular car but the love for the 1.2 TDI has been replaced by the 1.5l unit.



Chevrolet Cruze 2.0l Vcdi



This was an accidental experience around 2018 yet changed my entire view on sedans especially diesel sedans. I always loved sketching sedans but in actual life when I had a choice between another car and a sedan. My choice was set to the other car be it a hatchback, SUV, MUV or CSUV. As a kid, whenever I was seated in a sedan I always complained about the visibility and low GC forcing the driver to drive slow or perform manuevers on bad roads and huge speed bumps. Since these were long, I never really had the opportunity to witness their capabilities within city limits but the Honda city somehow stood out from this weird thing of mine. The first time, I saw the car pull up to my aunt's house I didn't show much interest and that night we were supposed to give a sendoff to my older cousin brother who was moving to the UAE from the Chennai international airport at around 11:00 pm. I had fell asleep during the evening and when I woke up, I was told to occupy a car and my drowsiness made me open the doors to the cruze unconsciously. Once I had gained my senses back, I realised the mistake I made and I felt very terrible for a time being. I chose the cruze over the xuv500, wrv, celerio and the fact that all the kids of my age being seated in the xuv500 really made me regret my sleep and I sat there amidst my older cousins with a poker face as all the cars raced kms past us while we were there pumping diesel in this thing I disliked at the moment. After the refill, cousin bro who drove the car knew that he had to catch up with the other cars since we were already late and if my memory isn't so bad I remember the roads being vacant enough to catch up with the others. There was a traffic signal right after the bunk and when the light turned green, the pedal was pushed to the floor and me who never expected the sudden take off was pushed back to the seat aggressively and that's the moment I took my mind off the cramped space, low seating position, etc. The speedometer climbed speeds way faster than anything I had seen before and within no time we were already past legal limits within the busy roads where maintaining a consistent speed of 80 kmph was considered a big task. The corners pleasantly surprised me with the planted feel, I had never witnessed such high speeds on those twisty corners and I was already falling in love with those pulls, fast corners and the diesel's roar. We soon caught up with the other cars and at the airport I stood like the other pillars in there wondering how stupid was I to underestimate such a great car that I never really gave my cousin bro a good farewell instead I was still thinking and processing those majestic pulls and corners (No offence to him, I love him) I was literally begging for another drive in the cruze but I had to return back to my home in our car along with my parents. I saw the cruze for the last time ever and felt really sad for choosing the other cars over it in the past even though it had just been a day since I first saw the car and I probably skipped like two opportunities to ride on it. Just 3 months after this, the cruze suffered severe flood damages and was soon sold off due to several problems and expenses This experience marked the beginning of my love for diesel sedans. I soon found myself in love with the bmw 320d F30 and the skoda octavia which continues to be the case till date but I just love the octavia more for the availability of manual gearbox.



I am looking forward to owning one of these cars in the near future if the government and emission norms allow me to. These sort of experiences were enough to excite me about diesel cars, learn more about them and explore their true limits. My recent experience with a Crysta 2.8 within a closed space has sealed the deal of actually owning these diesels over the new petrol cars especially the ones from bs4 or older.



Cheers!!! When I was young, I never knew much about cars and how they actually worked but fortunately managed to gather some respectable amount of knowledge as I grew up. While growing up, I had a chance to experience a vast collection of cars across different segments as a co - passenger. But as far as I could remember after several years, Two cars remain engraved in my heart till date even though both have been discontinued a while back. Both have their fair share of impact on me till date and sometimes I find myself in a used car platform/website searching for them or the cars of the same segment with similar characteristics.When I first saw this car in my cousin brother's house (Yes, it belongs to him). I was about 5 years old back then and being used to seeing all the suzukis and hyundais, this was a new sight. I never had any opinions on the car since I was very young back then and I spent most of the time figuring out what the TDI badge really meant. But I hated the rear seats of the car so much along with it's small boot as someone used to the comfortable and spacious seats of the xuv500 (It belonged to a relative as well). Time went by and I got to ride in the polo during my holidays/vacations when I visited my relatives. The 1.2 TDI was pretty loud and the engine was very well audible inside the cabin but I didn't mind them really as I was busy enjoying the pulls which often pushed me into the seat (I often sat at the edge of the seat just to experience the push back into the seat). Till then I had never experienced the car outside city limits and they were just some small pulls at lower speeds. During a summer holiday around 2015, I had an opportunity to witness the actual real side of the polo. It was a cousins - only trip to the Tada falls in Andhra Pradesh, as far as I remember the roads were generally vacant after exiting the outer part of Chennai. That's when the polo was pushed to it's limits past 160 kmph with 6 occupants and a loaded boot around corners without any mercy at all. The stability, smooth sailing at such speeds, the straight pulls from 80 - 150 really wowed me and I grinned just thinking about it even days after the trip. I walked out of the experience with a stunned, dumbfounded and surprised reaction. The one day was enough to change my blind view about the car forever and when I got to know about the 1.6 TDI, I just couldn't help but wonder how mesmerizing the car might have been and unfortunately I never got to experience the 1.6 TDI but the polo 1.2 was enough to show me how great it could have been. Till date, I love this particular car but the love for the 1.2 TDI has been replaced by the 1.5l unit.This was an accidental experience around 2018 yet changed my entire view on sedans especially diesel sedans. I always loved sketching sedans but in actual life when I had a choice between another car and a sedan. My choice was set to the other car be it a hatchback, SUV, MUV or CSUV. As a kid, whenever I was seated in a sedan I always complained about the visibility and low GC forcing the driver to drive slow or perform manuevers on bad roads and huge speed bumps. Since these were long, I never really had the opportunity to witness their capabilities within city limits but the Honda city somehow stood out from this weird thing of mine. The first time, I saw the car pull up to my aunt's house I didn't show much interest and that night we were supposed to give a sendoff to my older cousin brother who was moving to the UAE from the Chennai international airport at around 11:00 pm. I had fell asleep during the evening and when I woke up, I was told to occupy a car and my drowsiness made me open the doors to the cruze unconsciously. Once I had gained my senses back, I realised the mistake I made and I felt very terrible for a time being. I chose the cruze over the xuv500, wrv, celerio and the fact that all the kids of my age being seated in the xuv500 really made me regret my sleep and I sat there amidst my older cousins with a poker face as all the cars raced kms past us while we were there pumping diesel in this thing I disliked at the moment. After the refill, cousin bro who drove the car knew that he had to catch up with the other cars since we were already late and if my memory isn't so bad I remember the roads being vacant enough to catch up with the others. There was a traffic signal right after the bunk and when the light turned green, the pedal was pushed to the floor and me who never expected the sudden take off was pushed back to the seat aggressively and that's the moment I took my mind off the cramped space, low seating position, etc. The speedometer climbed speeds way faster than anything I had seen before and within no time we were already past legal limits within the busy roads where maintaining a consistent speed of 80 kmph was considered a big task. The corners pleasantly surprised me with the planted feel, I had never witnessed such high speeds on those twisty corners and I was already falling in love with those pulls, fast corners and the diesel's roar. We soon caught up with the other cars and at the airport I stood like the other pillars in there wondering how stupid was I to underestimate such a great car that I never really gave my cousin bro a good farewell instead I was still thinking and processing those majestic pulls and corners (No offence to him, I love him)I was literally begging for another drive in the cruze but I had to return back to my home in our car along with my parents. I saw the cruze for the last time ever and felt really sad for choosing the other cars over it in the past even though it had just been a day since I first saw the car and I probably skipped like two opportunities to ride on it. Just 3 months after this, the cruze suffered severe flood damages and was soon sold off due to several problems and expensesThis experience marked the beginning of my love for diesel sedans. I soon found myself in love with the bmw 320d F30 and the skoda octavia which continues to be the case till date but I just love the octavia more for the availability of manual gearbox.I am looking forward to owning one of these cars in the near future if the government and emission norms allow me to. These sort of experiences were enough to excite me about diesel cars, learn more about them and explore their true limits. My recent experience with a Crysta 2.8 within a closed space has sealed the deal of actually owning these diesels over the new petrol cars especially the ones from bs4 or older.Cheers!!!
What just happened? The Trump administration has taken a decisive step in its campaign to restrict China's access to advanced semiconductor technology, instructing leading US companies that produce chip design software to halt sales to Chinese customers. Several people familiar with the matter have told the Financial Times that the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security recently sent letters to major electronic design automation (EDA) firms  including Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems, and Siemens EDA  directing them to stop supplying their technology to the Asian nation.

These companies collectively control about 80 percent of China's EDA market, making them a critical part of the global semiconductor supply chain. EDA software, though a relatively small segment of the industry, is essential for designing and simulating new generations of chips, which underpin advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.

The move comes as Washington intensifies efforts to curb Beijing's ambitions in artificial intelligence and advanced computing. Earlier this year, the administration also banned Nvidia from selling its H20 chips to Chinese clients, marking the third round of such restrictions since 2022.

A Commerce Department spokesperson told the FT that the agency is "reviewing exports of strategic importance to China" and, in some cases, has "suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional licensing requirements while the review is pending."

The impact of these restrictions was immediately felt on Wall Street. Shares of Synopsys and Cadence fell sharply, dropping 9.6 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively, following reports of the directive. In fiscal year 2024, China accounted for roughly 16 percent of Synopsys' revenue  almost $1 billion  and about 12 percent of Cadence's sales.

Neither Cadence nor Siemens EDA responded to FT's requests for comment, while Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi stated during an earnings call, "We are aware of the reporting and speculation, but Synopsys has not received a notice from BIS. So, our guidance that we are reiterating for the full year reflects our current understanding of BIS export restrictions, as well as our expectations for a year-over-year decline in China [revenue]."

The timing of the directive is especially sensitive, as the US and China are engaged in delicate trade negotiations. Both sides recently agreed to a 90-day pause on new tariffs after talks in Geneva, but the new export controls underscore the fragility of this truce.

The broader context for these measures is a deepening technological rivalry between the world's two largest economies. The US has progressively tightened export controls on semiconductor technology to maintain its edge and prevent China from developing its advanced chips.

In response, China has accelerated its push for self-sufficiency, investing heavily in domestic chipmakers and EDA software developers. While US and German firms still dominate the EDA market in China, local competitors such as Empyrean Technology, Primarius, and Semitronix have made significant gains, with their shares rising more than 10 percent in early trading following the news of the US directive.

The restrictions are already reshaping the semiconductor landscape. US companies face the prospect of reduced revenues and diminished competitiveness in the world's largest semiconductor market, while Chinese firms are under pressure to innovate and replace foreign technology.
WTF?! The rise of remote work has created new opportunities for both American companies and covert North Korean operatives. In a scheme that touched hundreds of US businesses and funneled millions of dollars to Pyongyang, North Korean tech workers quietly infiltrated the American workforce, relying on unwitting US citizens and sophisticated digital deception.

A recent Wall Street Journal investigation highlights the story of Christina Chapman, a Minnesota native and popular TikTok user, showing how ordinary Americans became entangled in a global fraud operation. Chapman portrayed herself online as a busy freelancer, sharing her daily routines, writing goals, and love of Japanese pop music with over 100,000 followers. Behind the scenes, federal prosecutors say her home became a "laptop farm"  a nerve center for North Korean operatives posing as US-based tech workers.

Chapman's involvement began with a simple LinkedIn message in early 2020, asking if she would "be the US face" of a company that placed overseas IT talent. Court documents suggest she was unaware her clients were North Korean operatives using stolen American identities. Her role was to receive company laptops, set up remote access, and keep the devices running so foreign workers could appear to operate from within the US. She also handled paperwork, including falsified tax documents, and sometimes forwarded paychecks after taking a cut.

The scale of the operation was staggering. Federal prosecutors noted that Chapman's "laptop farm" supported more than 300 companies, helping North Koreans collect $17.1 million in wages. Many of these companies, unaware of the scheme, sent sensitive equipment and funds directly to her address. Adam Meyers, senior vice president at cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, said his team has tracked nearly 150 cases of North Korean workers infiltrating customer networks, with laptop farms identified in at least eight states. The FBI estimates similar scams involving thousands of North Korean workers generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually  funds US officials say directly support North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

These workers, often highly trained through North Korea's technical education programs, secured jobs at prominent American firms  sometimes holding multiple positions simultaneously and earning six-figure salaries. The scheme's sophistication went beyond simple identity theft. North Korean operatives used advanced software to bypass corporate security, including programs that spied on virtual meetings and extracted sensitive data undetected. In one case, a cybersecurity expert discovered a company laptop equipped with custom-built tools designed to evade antivirus software and firewalls, thereby providing a nearly invisible backdoor into the employer's network.

To avoid detection, the operatives leveraged gig workers for tasks ranging from passing "liveness checks" during video calls to creating legitimate freelance accounts. They even experimented with generative AI to alter their appearance in online interviews, hiring Americans to stand in when those tricks failed. Court documents reveal that the scam left a trail of collateral damage, including false tax liabilities for more than 35 Americans whose identities the operatives had stolen.

Chapman's journey revealed the vulnerabilities that made her a target for recruitment. After struggling to find steady work following a coding boot camp, she lived in a travel trailer without running water or heat when she accepted the LinkedIn offer. Her involvement grew over time. By early 2023, she had moved into a four-bedroom home in Arizona, maintaining dozens of laptops and shipping nearly 50 devices overseas  many to a Chinese city near the North Korean border  to support her "clients."

In October 2023, agents raided Chapman's home and seized more than 90 computers, ending her secret side business. By December, she was nearly out of money and facing serious federal charges but downplayed her troubles to her TikTok followers.

"I lost my job at the end of October and didn't get paid for that last month," she said in one post. "Even though I have been applying to at least three to four jobs every day, I haven't found anything yet."

Chapman pleaded guilty in February to wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. She earned just under $177,000 from the operation and faces a maximum prison sentence of just over nine years. A judge will sentence her on July 16.

The Wall Street Journal's investigation highlights how North Korea, despite heavy international sanctions, has turned to unconventional tactics to generate revenue. Beyond an estimated $6 billion in cryptocurrency theft, as reported by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, the regime's exploitation of the remote work boom has opened a lucrative new frontier.

"These crimes benefited the North Korean government, giving it a revenue stream and, in some instances, proprietary information stolen by the co-conspirators," said Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

Chapman's case represents just one example of a broader issue. Law enforcement and cybersecurity experts warn the threat is growing as North Korean operatives continuously refine their tactics and exploit gaps in corporate security. As the remote work landscape evolves, American companies  and the individuals who support them  remain at risk of becoming unwitting participants in one of the world's most audacious digital frauds.

Image credit: The Wall Street Journal
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What just happened? Israel says it has become the first country to use a laser-based defense system in a combat setting. The Israel Defense Forces announced that the technology was used against Hezbollah drones in hostilities against the group along the Lebanese border last year.

The 10kW Lite Beam prototype system that was used is a less powerful version of the Iron Beam laser interceptor, which is set to become operational sometime in 2025. Both systems were built by Israeli defense tech firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

The Lite Beam system was used against the Hezbollah drones in late October last year, but it's only now that a ban on reporting on the weapon has been lifted. It marks the first instance of a laser system being used to shoot down drones in a combat scenario. The compact laser can be mounted on 44 wheeled vehicles, making it suitable for front-line deployment.

The more powerful Iron Beam laser system, first unveiled in 2014, is designed to defeat rockets, artillery shells, mortars, cruise missiles, and UAVs at ranges of hundreds of meters to several kilometers, with future growth to around 10 km (6.2 miles), though fog, heavy rain or sand reduce effective range.

Unlike Israel's traditional missile interceptor defense systems that can cost between $50,000 and $100,000 per shot, each shot of the Iron Beam laser costs only a few dollars. It also has an unlimited magazine as long as there is power, and the shots travel at the speed of light.

The system works by detecting targets using existing radar. Dozens of fiber-laser modules are phase-locked to act like one large aperture, pushing output toward 100 kW. Its adaptive optics system can rapidly retarget between multiple high-speed threats, making it an excellent defensive measure against swarm drone attacks.

The laser systems will eventually be integrated into Israel's famed Iron Dome missile shield.

Other countries are developing similar laser weapons. In 2022, the US Navy's Layered Laser Defense (LLD) took down a drone, which was representing a subsonic cruise missile, during tests for the first time.

In 2024, it was revealed that the UK's 50kW turret-mounted DragonFire laser weapon could hit a coin from a kilometer away at a cost of around $13 per shot.

South Korea also announced that it would use anti-aircraft laser weapons against drones last year.
The CEO of an artificial intelligence company declared that people "should be worried" about losing their jobs to AI.

Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, insisted that the government needs to "stop sugar-coating" the threat AI poses to white-collar jobs, which he said could be cut by up to half in an interview with Axios.

"We, as the producers of this technology, have a duty and an obligation to be honest about what is coming," he told the outlet. "It's a very strange set of dynamics, where we're saying: 'You should be worried about where the technology we're building is going.'"

The executive paired the downsides of the technology with other potential benefits though. Although unemployment could reach the double digits, he contrasted that with his belief that AI has the ability to help scientists cure cancer or help businessmen grow the economy.

Although other AI executives have spoken privately about the repercussions of their technology, Amodei marks one of the first to speak publicly about what some may view as a threat to their way of life, Axios noted.

Steve Bannon, a former adviser from President Donald Trump's first term, told the outlet he believes AI will become a major talking point for the 2028 election, warning that "entry-level jobs that are so important in your 20s are going to be eviscerated."

Several American tech companies, including Google and Apple, have begun rapidly expanding their AI capabilities in addition to AI-focused companies, such as OpenAI. Meanwhile, major employers like Microsoft and Walmart recently announced hundreds of layoffs as they focus on restructuring.

Originally published on Latin Times
After a temporary escape from tariffs, Apple is now subject to a 25% tax on all iPhones manufactured outside the United States. However, a Trump advisor recently stated that it is not the consumers' problem. The latest statement from the advisor indicated that Apple will bear the burden of the 25% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

This comes after the statement from POTUS himself, who said that Apple should manufacture their iPhones right here on US soil and refusing to do so would have them facing the 25% tariff.

Apple Will Bear the 25% Tariffs, Not Consumers

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett recently revealed in a statement to CNBC's Squawk Box that Apple will be the one to bear the gravity of the tariffs imposed against them if they choose not to produce their iPhones in America.

Hassett further said that consumers would not be the ones facing the consequences of this, particularly as Apple "needs to sell" the iPhones to the public.

According to Hassett, Apple's production of the iPhone and the need to sell them is an "elastic supply," and the company would be obliged to unload these devices to the public despite the tariffs.

How True Is This Statement from the Official?

It remains unknown how Apple will play things out when selling their iPhones as it could only go two ways: either sell the iPhones at a loss and incur the tariffs themselves or raise its prices and let consumers bear its effects.

However, in a report by 9to5Mac, Walmart previously announced price hikes due to the US tariffs, but President Trump told the company to "EAT THE TARIFFS," implying that the burden should not be passed to consumers.

Tariffed Companies Now Effect Price Hikes

There are many companies that are now affected by President Trump's tariffs, and this is because they cannot fulfill the transfer of their manufacturing and production of their technology to the US. Logitech, for example, has already raised the prices of its products by 25% to avoid selling at a loss as it faces import tariffs from the administration.

On the other hand, there has been a massive change over at Amazon with regards to their product's prices, particularly as China was not able to catch a break with these tariffs as all other countries saw a temporary exemption. Chinese sellers have raised their prices on Amazon, which defeated the purpose of offering cheaper goods on the online e-commerce platform.

Previous predictions have envisioned this scenario to come true when the tariffs take effect, and last month, it all became clear that while merchants or companies would be the first to face the higher rates, it has a more significant effect on customers.

Consumers are now starting to feel the effects of the tariffs with the rising costs, and this will continue in the long run.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. TotalEnergies announced that its subsidiary, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (TEPNG), has signed an agreement to sell its 12.5% non-operated interest in the OML 118 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) for $510 million, Trend reports.

The OML 118 PSC is operated by SNEPCo, which holds a 55% stake, alongside partners Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (20%), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (12.5%), and Nigerian Agip Exploration (12.5%). The block is located about 120 kilometers offshore from the Niger Delta and includes the Bonga field, which began production in 2005, and the Bonga North field, whose development started in 2024.

In 2024, the OML 118 PSC is expected to produce around 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in TotalEnergies share, primarily oil.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Nicolas Terraz, President of Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, stated that the company continues to optimize its upstream portfolio by focusing on assets with lower technical costs and emissions. He added that in Nigeria, TotalEnergies is concentrating on its operated gas and offshore oil assets, including advancing the development of the Ubeta project, aimed at sustaining gas supply to Nigeria LNG.
Glencore CEO defends "tough decisions" as unions lambast job cuts



Zug, Switzerland, May 28 (AFP) May 28, 2025



The chief executive of Swiss mining and commodity trading giant Glencore said Wednesday the company had to make "tough decisions" as unions and NGOs criticised plans to cut down output and jobs.

Glencore has said it will reduce production targets at certain mining sites, particularly at its Cerrejon open-pit coal mine in Colombia, to address falling prices of some raw materials.

"Decades after decades, we have to take these tough decisions," said Glencore CEO Gary Nagle, adding that the company was hoping to reopen shut-down operations when prices improve.

"These are necessary actions we have to take to protect our business," he said.

Union representatives had bought shares to be able to intervene at the company's general assembly held in the Swiss city of Zug on Wednesday.

"Miners are going to lose their jobs," Glen Mpufane, the representative for the mining branch of the trade union organisation IndustriALL, told AFP.

Mpufane, who had travelled from South Africa to attend the assembly, blamed the company's lack of dialogue with trade unions.

Meanwhile, dozens of environmental activists had unfurled banners outside and laid out a world map on the floor covered with pieces of coal and red sand, symbolising river pollution by heavy metals in mining activities.

In 2022, coal prices had surged in the wake of the war in Ukraine but had subsequently fallen back and have significantly declined since early 2025, when they reached their lowest level in four years.

The price drop has been attributed to the slowing Chinese economy, uncertainties over tariffs and the risk of lower global growth.
Switzerland monitoring for flood risk after huge glacier collapse



Geneva, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



Swiss authorities were on Thursday monitoring for possible flood risk in a southern valley, following a massive glacier collapse that created a huge pile of debris after destroying a small village.

On Wednesday the Birch glacier in Switzerland's southern Valais (Wallis) region collapsed, sending tons of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below.

The barrage largely destroyed the hamlet of Blatten, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger.

One person, a man aged 64, believed to be in the affected zone at the time, remained reported missing. A police spokesman said the difficult conditions had forced the search for him to be called off Thursday afternoon.

Authorities declared a local state of emergency Thursday as they monitor the situation after the huge pile of glacier debris, stretching some two kilometres (1.25 miles), blocked the river Lonza.

"There is a serious risk of an ice jam that could flood the valley below," Antoine Jacquod, a military security official, told the Keystone-ATS news agency.

"We're going to try to assess its dimensions today," added Jacquod.

Authorities said an assessment would be made at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) from the nearby village of Ferden as to whether an approach to the zone could be attempted.

As a precaution, 16 people were evacuated late Wednesday from the villages of Wiler and Kippel located downstream from the disaster area in the Loetschental valley, known for scenic views stretching some 30 kilometres and home to around 1,500 people living in traditional villages.



- 'Not very stable' -



"It's like a mountain, and of course, it creates a small lake that gets bigger and bigger," explained Raphael Mayoraz, the cantonal official in charge of natural hazard management, Wednesday evening.

An artificial dam was preemptively emptied to receive the water pushed back by the wall of ice, earth and rubble.

Were that water to overflow from the dam, authorities would need to consider evacuating the valley.

The level is rising 80 centimetres (31 inches) an hour, according to Swiss daily Le Temps.

The huge amount of debris makes the peaks overlooking the valley appear smaller, while a gaping hole can be seen on the side of the mountain from where the land slid down into the valley.

The Valais cantonal government has meanwhile asked the army -- which set up a base camp in Turtmann Wednesday and is readying helicopters for making an approach to the affected zone -- to provide clearing equipment and pumps to secure the riverbed.

"The deposit ... is not very stable, and debris flow is possible within the deposit itself (which) makes any intervention in the disaster area impossible for the time being," cantonal authorities stated, adding there was risk on both sides of the valley.

They also warned of a risk of torrential lava within the debris deposit itself, preventing for the time being any intervention in the disaster area.

- Seismic event -



YouTube footage of the collapse showed a huge cloud of ice and rubble hurtling down the mountainside, into the valley, and partially up the mountain slope on the other side.

The force was such that Swiss monitoring stations registered the phenomenon as a seismic event.

According to Mayoraz, "three million cubic metres of rock fell suddenly onto the glacier, carrying it with them" down into the valley.

Warming temperatures have both shrunk the Alps' glaciers and have made them more unstable.

Swiss glaciers, severely impacted by climate change, melted as much in 2022 and 2023 as between 1960 and 1990, losing in total about 10 percent of their volume.

In late August 2017, approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of rock fell from Pizzo Cengalo, a mountain in the Alps in Graubuenden canton, near the Italian border, claiming the lives of eight hikers.

Some 500,000 cubic metres of rock and mud flowed as far as the town of Bondo, causing significant material damage but no casualties.

vog/cw/djt

LONZA GROUP
Youths sue Trump over US climate orders



Washington, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



Twenty-two young Americans sued the Trump administration on Thursday, arguing that its executive orders to expand fossil fuel development and dismantle climate protections violate their fundamental rights to life and liberty.

The plaintiffs -- primarily from Montana, where the case was filed in a federal court, along with others from Hawaii, Oregon, California and Florida -- named President Donald Trump and numerous federal agencies in their lawsuit.

The case targets executive orders that declared a "National Energy Emergency" and directed agencies to "unleash American energy" by accelerating oil, gas, and coal extraction on public lands while blocking clean energy projects.

It also argues the administration has unlawfully suppressed public access to federal climate science.

"These youth are standing up to challenge those executive orders as violating their rights to life, safety and health," Andrea Rodgers, a lawyer with the nonprofit Our Children's Trust, which brought the case, told AFP.

She added that the lawsuit builds on recent state-level victories.

In Montana, a judge ruled in 2023 in favor of youth plaintiffs that government's decision to limit analysis of environmental factors when deciding oil and gas permits violated their right to a clean environment.

In Hawaii, a 2024 settlement with youth activists committed the state to accelerate decarbonization of its transport sector to protect their right to a healthy climate.

At the federal level, however, youth-led climate lawsuits have yet to prevail.

The most prominent, Juliana v. United States, was filed in 2015 and dismissed last year. The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal earlier this year.

Rodgers said the new case, Lighthiser v. United States, differs in a key way: while Juliana relied on an implied right to a safe climate, Lighthiser claims an explicit violation of the Fifth Amendment, which says no person shall be deprived of life or liberty without due process of law.

Lead plaintiff Eva Lighthiser, 19, from Livingston, Montana, says her life has been disrupted by climate-driven floods that damaged roads and bridges, forcing her family to relocate.

Wildfires and heat waves have also affected her health and caused deep anxiety about the future, the complaint adds.

Beyond seeking to overturn executive orders that promote fossil fuel drilling, the plaintiffs want to restore congressionally mandated climate science efforts, including the National Climate Assessment. The Trump administration recently dismissed its roughly 400-member author team.

Some critics argue these issues should be left to elected officials -- not the courts. But Rodgers countered: "There's really a place for all three branches of government to get involved in resolving the climate crisis."

"That's not to say the judiciary should set policy -- but it must ensure the political branches act within their constitutional lane. That's what we're asking the court to do here."
Climate action could save half of world's vanishing glaciers, says study



Washington, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



More than three-quarters of the world's glaciers are set to vanish if climate change continues unchecked, a major new study warned Thursday, fueling sea-level rise and jeopardizing water supplies for billions.

Published in Science, the international analysis provides the clearest picture yet of long-term glacier loss, revealing that every fraction of a degree in global temperature rise significantly worsens the outlook.

It may sound grim, but co-lead author Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and ETH Zurich, told AFP the findings should be seen as a "message of hope."

Under existing climate policies, global temperatures are projected to reach 2.7 degrees Celsius (4.9F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100 -- a pathway that would ultimately erase 76 percent of current glacier mass over the coming centuries.

But if warming is held to the Paris Agreement's 1.5C target, 54 percent of glacial mass could be preserved, according to the study, which combined outputs from eight glacier models to simulate ice loss across a range of future climate scenarios.

"What is really special about this study is we can really show how every tenth of a degree of additional warming matters," co-lead author Lilian Schuster of the University of Innsbruck told AFP.

The paper's release comes as Swiss authorities monitor flood risks following the collapse of the massive Birch Glacier, which destroyed an evacuated village.

While Swiss glaciers have been heavily impacted by climate change, it remains unclear how much the latest disaster was driven by warming versus natural geological forces.



- Cultural and economic importance -



Glaciers are found on every continent except Australia -- from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Austrian Alps and the Karakoram range in Pakistan.

While most are clustered in the polar regions, their presence in mountain ranges across the world makes them vital to local ecosystems, agriculture and human communities.

Vast bodies of snow, ice, rock, and sediment that gain mass in winter and lose it in summer, glaciers formed in the Earth's deep past when conditions were far colder than today.

Their meltwater sustains rivers critical for farming, fisheries, and drinking water.

Their loss can have profound ripple effects, from disrupting tourism economies to eroding cultural heritage.

In recent years, symbolic glacier funerals have been held in Iceland, Switzerland and Mexico.

"The question I always get is, why are you a glaciologist in Belgium?" said Zekollari. "Well -- sea level rise. Glaciers melt everywhere on Earth... and that affects coastal defenses even in places far from mountains."

Around 25 percent of current sea-level rise is attributed to glacier melt.

Even if all fossil fuel use stopped today, the study finds that 39 percent of glacier mass loss is already locked in -- enough to raise sea levels by at least 113 millimeters (4.4 inches).



- Uneven impacts -



One key finding of the study is that some glaciers are far more vulnerable than others -- and the global average obscures drastic regional losses.

Glaciers in the European Alps, the Rockies of the US and Canada, and Iceland are expected to lose nearly all their ice at 2C of warming -- the fallback goal of the Paris accord.

In the central and eastern Himalayas, whose rivers support hundreds of millions of people, only 25 percent of glacier ice would remain at 2C.

By contrast, the west of the range may retain 60 percent of its ice at the same temperature thanks to its wide range of elevations, which allows some glaciers to persist at colder, higher altitudes, said Shuster.

Glacier loss is already affecting communities.

In a related commentary in Science, Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer of Rice University describe how the retreat of Oregon's Glisan Glacier has imperiled orchards, fisheries, and the cultural heritage of the Indigenous Quinault people.

"Unfortunately we'll lose a lot, but with ambitious targets we can still save many of these glaciers -- which are not only beautiful, but vital for water supply, sea-level regulation, tourism, hydroelectricity, spiritual values, ecology, and more," said Zekollari.
Torrential rains kill 25 in Nigerian city: rescuers



Kano, Nigeria, May 29 (AFP) May 29, 2025



Torrential rains devastated the central Nigerian city of Mokwa and killed at least 25 people, emergency services said Thursday amid a search for more bodies.

Flooding after a rainstorm late Wednesday washed away or submerged at least 50 homes in the city and 10 people remained missing on top of the confirmed dead, an emergency management official said.

"The surging flood water submerged and washed away over 50 residential houses with their occupants," said Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Divers and volunteers one woman and her two children, who were being treated in hospital for "wounds and shock".

Nigeria is hit by flooding every rainy season, which runs between May and September.

The floods are largely caused by inadequate drainage, the construction of homes on waterways, and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had warned of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria's 36 states, including Niger state, between Wednesday and Friday.

In 2024, more than 1,200 people were killed and 1.2 million displaced in one of the country's worst floods in decades.
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 28. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, held a meeting with a delegation led by Zhu Hongbing, General Director of the Chinese Henan Investment Group company, and discussed the expansion of investment cooperation and joint projects in key sectors, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the parties explored prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in strategically important areas, including environmental protection, energy, transport, and logistics. Special emphasis was placed on the adoption of advanced technologies within the framework of the green transition, as well as the development of joint industrial and infrastructure projects.

Following the talks, the sides agreed to identify specific areas for launching new collaborative initiatives and expressed mutual interest in further strengthening their investment partnership.

The meeting reflects Uzbekistans ongoing commitment to attracting foreign investment and promoting technology-driven, sustainable growth in priority sectors.

Founded in 1992, Henan Investment Group specializes in investment activities across financial services and key industrial sectors. The company has a strong track record of supporting major development projects both in China and internationally.
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Kings of Leon have cancelled all of their forthcoming UK and European shows after frontman Caleb Followill injured his foot in a freak accident.

In a statement, the group said Followill had a serious injury shattering his heel that wouldnt allow him to travel or perform.

The anticipated recovery process is expected to take 8 weeks, under strict guidance of expert orthopedic specialists. The band regrets to report that they will need to cancel all upcoming UK and European festival headline shows in June and July of this year.

In a video posted on the groups Instagram page, Followill shared that he needed emergency surgery after he broke his foot while playing with his kids.

The musician shares two children, daughter Dixie, 12, and son Winston, 6, with his wife, model Lily Aldridge.

Hello to everyone out there, especially our European fans that are preparing to come see us this summer. Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that those shows will have to be cancelled due to a freak accident that happened the other day. Broke my foot pretty bad just playing with my kids, he said in the video on Wednesday.

Its pretty gnarly. I'll spare all the details, but we're fortunate enough to have some great doctors here in Nashville that gave me emergency surgery. And Im on the mend, but theyve told me that I cant be on my feet or traveling or anything for the next eight weeks or so. And thats a big bummer, man. We were so excited. Weve been preparing for this tour for a long time.

Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill says he suffered a 'gnarly' injury from playing with his kids ( Kings of Leon/Instagram )

The American band was scheduled to kick off the European leg of their tour in Paris on 10 June, including stops in Spain, Germany, Italy and ending in Portugal on 12 July. They were also set to perform at the Blackweir Fields in Cardiff and the Lytham Festival in Lancashire.

Blackweir Fields and the Lytham Festival said they would refund the ticketholders.

The Kings of Leon website still shows their slots performing at the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth and Come Together Festival in Newcastle in August.

Followill said in the video that the rock group, which also consists of his brothers Nathan and Jared Followill and cousin Matthew Followill, was planning to debut some new songs on this run.

We had a lot of exciting things planned. And now we're just gonna have to pivot and find a new way to continue the work that we've started, he said.

I'm very excited when we do get to show you the stuff that we're doing. And in the meantime, we're gonna do whatever work we can while I have these limitations. But exciting stuff is coming.

The Grammy winners released their last album, Can We Please Have Fun, in May last year. The Independents Helen Brown described the album as surprisingly fresh and full of energy in a four-star review.

The tunes are sparkier, tempos more varied and the sonic textures cheerier, as though the band were given a clean shave and a hot lemon-scented towel. So when frontman Caleb Followill asks on the spritely Mustang where you are a Mustang or a kitty? its a lively challenge and not a slurred recrimination. It seems as though he wants to be both: powerful and playful.
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Pete Townshend made a cryptic comment about the future of The Who, as the band prepare to head out on their farewell tour.

The British rock band will kick off the North American leg of their The Song is Over tour in August. The shows are being billed as The Whos final run in the United States and Canada.

In a recent interview on My Cultural Life on Radio 4, Townshend, 80, wondered aloud whether its the end of The Who? before adding: Its certainly the end of touring in America. I asked Roger if its the end of touring Europe, and he said, Well have to wait and see.

During the conversation, the veteran rocker said he felt like a diamond with a flaw and that, in a sense, the suffering he endured in childhood had shaped who he had become as a person and as a musician.

Im a dangerous f***er, he said, Theres no question. When I work, I am charged, and I feel that came from the time with my grandmother when I had to build up some level of resistance.

Townshend has previously spoken about the period in which he lived with his maternal grandmother, whom he has called clinically insane and claimed that she would deny him food and hold his head underwater in a tub when he was six years old. In his 2012 memoir, Who I Am, who called it the darkest time of his life.

It was just horrible and I don't remember a lot of it  I kind of black it out, he said during the Radio 4 interview. She was nuts and abusive and cruel and surrounded by extremely pervy men all the time who interfered with me. I had no friends  I wasnt allowed to have friends. It was a really s****y time and in the end somebody reported my grandmother for abusive behaviour.

My parents saved me  they got back together and eventually I had two brothers, he said about returning to his home in Acton, West London. As far as I was concerned, that was when my childhood began.

In a statement while he and bandmate Roger Daltrey were announcing their farewell tour, Townshend said it was a poignant time for The Who.

open image in gallery Pete Townshend spoke about The Whos forthcoming farewell tour ( Scott A Garfitt )

I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back, he said. Every time I do, I meet new fans and feel new energy.

Roger and I are in a good place, despite our age, eager to throw our weight behind this fond farewell to all our faithful fans, and hopefully to new ones who might jump in to see what they have been missing for the last 57 years.

This tour will be about fond memories, love and laughter. Make sure you join in.

open image in gallery Daltrey and Townshend performing onstage together ( Getty )

Townshends remark about the farewell tour came amid confusion surrounding their longtime drummer, Zak Starkey, who will not join The Who for their final run of shows.

Starkey, 59, said this week that he was told by Daltrey he was retired rather than fired from the band, with drummer Scott Devours replacing him.

On Instagram, Starkey attempted to clear up the confusion around his departure from the veteran rock band.

NOISE&CONFUSION!!!! he wrote. I had a great phone chat with Roger at the end of last week which truly confused both of us!!!

Rog said I hadnt been firedI had been retired to work n my own projects. I explained to Rog that I have just spent nearly 8 weeks at my studio in Jamaica completing these projects, that my group Mantra Of The Cosmos was releasing one single at the beginning of June and after that had run its course ( usually 5/6 weeks ) I was completely available for the foreseeable future. Rog said Oh! and we kind of left it there.

Starkey concluded the post: On good terms and great friends as we have always been . Gotta love these guys. As my mum used to say The mind boggles!!!

If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call Childline free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331
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Todd and Julie Chrisley have only been out of prison for a few hours, but they already have a new reality show in the works.

The multimillionaire Trump-supporting couple, whose show Chrisley Knows Best ran from 2014 to 2023, will return to TV in The Untitled Chrisleys Project on Lifetime. Their daughter, Savannah, confirmed the news on Wednesday just hours after President Donald Trump announced hed be pardoning Todd and Julie.

"We have a new show coming out on Lifetime, and it will document all of these things," Savannah said, per ABC News. "And we're excited. We literally could not have done it. It's all God and President Trump at this point."

Earlier this month, Lifetime confirmed that a new docuseries about the family is in the works and is expected to debut later this year.

Todd and Julie were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans in 2022. Prosecutors said the couple walked away from their responsibility for repayment when Todd declared bankruptcy.

Todd and Julie Chrisley were pardoned by President Trump earlier this week ( Invision/AP )

They also were both found guilty of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS, while Julie was convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and Todd Chrisley got 12 years behind bars. The couple was also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution. The couple have been appealing their case since being sentenced in November 2022, and have been in prison since January 2023.

The White House confirmed the couples full pardons Tuesday, and Trump signed them Wednesday afternoon.

Savannah quickly shared the news on social media in a heartfelt video thanking Trump for taking action to help her parents.

Clad in a MAGA hat, she said: The president called me personally as I was walking into Sams Club and notified me that he was signing paper pardon paperwork for both of my parents. So both my parents are coming home tonight [Tuesday] or tomorrow [Wednesday], and I still dont believe it's real. Im freaking out  the fact that the president called me.

I will forever be grateful for President Trump, his administration and everyone along the way, all of my lawyers, the people who put in countless hours and effort and love for my family to make sure that my parents got home, Savannah continued. She added that she was eagerly preparing clothes for her mother and getting her parents room ready for their return home.

My parents get to start their lives over President Trump didnt just commute their sentences, he gave them a full, unconditional pardon. So for that, I am forever grateful.
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TV star and activist Jameela Jamil has expressed regret over disparaging comments she made about the leader of the Reclaim party Laurence Fox.

The 39-year-old actor, known for her role as Tahani in the fantasy comedy series The Good Place, has been a vocal advocate for womens rights and promoted radical inclusivity through her online community, I Weigh.

Back in 2020, Jamil called Fox  who rose to fame as DS James Hathaway in the long-running detective series Lewis  a freshly w****d cock in a post shared to X/Twitter.

Foxs pivot to right-wing activism has caused endless controversy.

In 2024, he was ordered to pay 180,000 in damages after wrongly branding the former RuPauls Drag Race contestant Crystal and former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake paedophiles online. In April, he appeared in court after allegedly sharing a compromising photo of Good Morning Britain presenter Narinder Kaur on social media, which he denies.

Speaking to Jordan Stephens, of pop group Rizzle Kicks, at Hay Festival on Wednesday (28 May), Jamil admitted she looks back on the remarks she made about Fox and wishes shed engaged with him and his followers differently: I was kind of just being shocking, she said of her early days of public activism.

Speaking in that way about someone that I dont agree with, it just made me look like an idiot. It made me look like I didnt have something smarter to say. Very immature, attention-seeking, you know? It also made the people that follow him just think Im a t*** and that I would think the same thing about them.

Jameela Jamil has expressed regret over disparaging comments she made about Laurence Fox ( Getty )

Jamil continued: Those are the people I most seek to open the minds of or bring over to our side to think, Hey, look, I empathise with you, can you empathise with me? We cant expect empathy without being able to give any out and I was speaking in such an emotionally violent way.

The actor said she had never had her opinions changed by being shamed by somebody who doesnt agree with her politically or ideologically.

Its always from being given a little bit of a benefit of the doubt, a bit of grace, she said. People have faith in me and Ive changed. I was a massive misogynist 12 years ago. I was slut shaming everyone I could on the internet. I thought it was hilarious. I had no idea what the patriarchy was.

She reflected: If you take that person who now will not shut the f*** up about womens rights, it shows that Ive grownI want to make sure that I extend that hand to other people.




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It is among the most harrowing images of the Vietnam War.

On June 8, 1972, an Associated Press photographer took a picture of Vietnamese children running in terror from a napalm attack on the village of Trang Bang. Formally titled "The Terror of War," the photograph is commonly known as "Napalm Girl" because of the arresting figure in the center: a naked 9-year-old girl named Kim Phuc Phan Thi, shrieking from the burns covering much of her body.

"Napalm Girl" has been back in the news because of a dispute over the identity of its photographer. The AP has always credited the picture to Nick Ut. But World Press Photo concluded this month that "technical evidence" suggests another photographer, Nguyen Thanh Nghe, may have shot the famous photo.

To their credit, both AP and World Press Photo undertook meticulous investigations into the authorship of "Napalm Girl." (A new documentary, "The Stringer," also delves into the question).Their commitment to accuracy regarding that detail is commendable. Yet so much else about the photograph is swathed in hyperbole and invention.

" 'Napalm Girl' has become embroidered with media myths  false, dubious, or improbable tales about and/or propagated by the news media," W. Joseph Campbell wrote in his eye-opening 2016 book, "Getting It Wrong: Debunking the Greatest Myths in American Journalism." A former reporter turned university professor, Campbell dissected many well-known tales about the press's influence  from Edward R. Murrow's takedown of Senator Joseph McCarthy to the Watergate coverage of reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein  and demonstrated that the media's impact was not nearly as dramatic as legend has it.

The photo of the children running from their village is in the same category.

Ever since "Napalm Girl" first appeared, multiple distortions and exaggerations have attached to it. The most pernicious was that the children in the picture had been attacked by Americans. In fact, as contemporaneous news accounts made clear, the napalming of Trang Bang was a tragic case of friendly fire by South Vietnam. For example, The New York Times headlined its story "South Vietnamese Drop Napalm on Own Troops." The Chicago Tribune likewise reported on "napalm dropped by a Vietnamese air force Skyraider diving onto the wrong target."

Yet the horror depicted in the photo has repeatedly been ascribed to the United States. Senator George McGovern, the 1972 Democratic presidential candidate, declared that the napalm that burned "little Kim and countless thousands of other children" had been "dropped in the name of America." The following year Susan Sontag wrote in her award-winning book "On Photography" that little Kim had been "sprayed by American napalm."

Campbell cites other instances of the claim, which keeps recurring. In a story mentioning the photograph as recently as January, The Independent described it as showing a Vietnamese girl "running down a street ... as she flees an American napalm attack."

Campbell punctures other myths about "Napalm Girl." One is that the picture exerted such emotional power that it galvanized American public opinion against the war. Another is that its appearance sped up the US withdrawal from Vietnam.

Not so.

Claims that "Napalm Girl" stirred Americans to oppose the war have been made again and again. Journalism professor Samuel Freedman's assertion that the "searing image played no small part in deepening opposition in the United States to the war" is one of many assembled in Campbell's book.

But a majority of Americans had turned against the war long before June 1972. As years of Gallup polling data show, more than half the public were calling US involvement in Vietnam a mistake as far back as August 1968. In May 1971, more than a year before "Napalm Girl," 61 percent of respondents said they opposed the war. That number remained largely unchanged until the war was over. No evidence has ever shown that the photograph had a measurable effect on public opinion.

Nor is there any evidence that it shortened the war, another claim that has been made many times  including by Ut, who has told interviewers that the picture "stopped the war in Vietnam."

In reality, the United States began reducing its combat presence in Vietnam more than three years before "Napalm Girl" was published. By June 1972, nearly 90 percent of US troops had left. The US withdrawal did not speed up after the picture appeared, and though the last Americans departed in 1973, the war continued until the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Raw and disturbing as the photograph was, it changed nothing on the ground.

The tragedy of Trang Bang was real. The suffering in that photograph was real. But the myth that the image changed history is not. "Napalm Girl" remains unforgettable  not for the influence it wielded but for the agony it captured. In the end, its true legacy is not about the power of journalism but about the cruelty of war.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Important documents related to oil and gas production and exploration will be signed during the Baku Energy Week, Spokesperson of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Orkhan Huseynov said at a press conference dedicated to the Baku Energy Week, Trend reports.

"It has already become a pleasant tradition that we sign certain documents within the framework of the Baku Energy Week, and this tradition will continue this year. Several important documents related to a number of areas are expected to be signed. In a few days, you will also have more details about these documents," Huseynov noted.

According to him, detailed information will be provided during the Energy Week, as well as about the documents signed by SOCAR at COP29.

"There will also be a section called the infinity room within the stands, where we will inform the public about all our important projects and areas of activity with LED screens. Besides, as is customary within the forum, we'll appear in most of the panels both as moderators and as speakers. There will be speeches by leaders and SOCAR executives," the official added.

The 30th Baku Energy Week will take place from June 2 to 4, bringing together global energy leaders at the regions leading industry event. Over the years, it has become a trusted platform for energy dialogue both regionally and internationally, securing its spot as one of the key events on the global energy calendar.
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Katherine Ryan has opened up about how male actors, musicians and comedians she worked with responded after she called an unnamed comedian a sexual predator during an interview.

In 2022, the Canadian comic told journalist Louis Theroux about an incident in which she called out a male co-star on a TV set for alleged sexual abuse.

Speaking during a performance of her new comedy show Battleaxe at Hay Festival on Wednesday (28 May), Ryan said of the Theroux interview: I wasn't expecting him to ask me about sex predators in my industry, but I was very happy to talk about a female experience in that space.

I didn't think anyone would be curious about who I was referring to because people have known about this in my industry. It's been an open secret for decades and nobody has ever cared. Like, yeah, I'll speak freely with Louis Theroux. What's the worst thing that can happen?

Ryan said she began to receive texts from loads of famous men that shed worked with but hadnt spoken to in a decade. Actors, musicians, comedians, just being like Hey Katherine, hope youre good. How is the family? I was like, What do these men want?

Bobby Kootstra, Ryans husband, suggested to her that because she wouldnt name the alleged predator in interviews that these men would appreciate a proof text. He explained: They want you to reply something nice so they can show their agent and show their wife that youre not talking about them.

Katherine Ryan has opened up about how her male co-stars responded to her calling a comedian a sexual predator in an interview ( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images )

Ryan reflected: All these famous men who couldnt remember whether theyve been a sex predator. There were a lot of drugs going around in the Nineties. But I think what's a lot more likely is that there are men who have been programmed to believe that women are liars and maybe women are crazy, and it's possible that I've just invented this entire scenario in my tiny lady imagination.

As a joke, the comedian wrote back to her contemporaries with an alarming response: I had to copy [and] paste 47 times Do you really think you should be texting me after everything that happened? Ryan said. In my defence, I had recently given birth, so my thought process was, I dont sleep at night, you dont sleep at night. Its called micro feminism, you should try it.

During the 2022 interview with Theroux, Ryan said that she believed the man she called out to be a perpetrator of sexual assault, but that even discussing it was a litigious minefield. She also stressed that the allegations were not my story to tell as no one has perpetrated any sexual assaults against me.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk.

If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
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The wait is over The Real Housewives of London have been announced.

The show will debut on Hayu, a reality streaming platform owned by NBCUniversal  the parent company that owns Bravo, which launched the Real Housewives franchise  later this year. Production reportedly began in March.

We are thrilled to finally confirm what Hayus loyal fans have long been waiting for and officially announce the cast of The Real Housewives of London, said Hendrik McDermott, the managing director of Hayu.

We cant wait for our subscribers to meet Juliet Angus, Amanda Cronin, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker and Nessie Welschinger later this year  when the drama and unique London moments come exclusively to Hayu.

Its unclear if or when Real Housewives fans in the U.S. will be able to watch, as Hayu is not yet available in America.

Here are the ladies joining the cast of the shows inaugural season.

open image in gallery The cast of The Real Housewives of London ( Getty Images for Hayu )

Juliet Angus

open image in gallery Juliet Angus is a Chicago native ( Getty Images for Hayu )

A Chicago native, Angus joins the cast as a resident of West London. The mom-of-two is a social media influencer and stylist.

Fans may recognize her from the Bravo show Ladies of London, which she starred on from 2014-2017.

Amanda Cronin

open image in gallery Amanda Cronin is a model-turned-entrepreneur ( Getty Images for Hayu )

A former model, Cronin is a mother to a 27-year-old daughter, according to Hayu. Now an entrepreneur, Cronin is the founder of skincare brand Amanda Caroline Beauty and runs an aesthetics and wellness clinic, The Secret Door, in the Belgravia district in Central London.

Just days before the cast announcement reveal, Cronin posted an Instagram picture with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Meredith Marks.

Karen Loderick-Peace

open image in gallery Karen Loderick-Peace was previously seen on The Real Housewives of Jersey ( Getty Images for Hayu )

Formerly a cast member on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Jamaican Loderick-Peace is a fashion designer about to launch her own label.

She and her husband, Jeremy, the former owner of West Bromwich Albion F.C., share three children and own five properties across London, Jersey, and Barbados.

Juliet Mayhew

open image in gallery Juliet Mayhew is an Australian native ( Getty Images for Hayu )

2013s Miss Galaxy Universe Newcomer, Mayhew is an Australian native who now resides in Chelsea. An actress-turned-creative producer, Mayhew runs her own lifestyle company that produces events. Her portfolio also includes humanitarian work, interior design, and a carpet business.

Shes married with two teenage children.

Panthea Parker

open image in gallery Panthea Parker is known in the Mayfair scene ( Getty Images for Hayu )

Born in Iran, Parker moved to London at age four, according to Hayu. She has four children, including three with her husband, Ed.

Parker is known in the Mayfair scene for her elite and luxurious lifestyle.

Nessie Welschinger

open image in gallery Nessie Welschinger previously appeared on the hit U.K. show Bake Off: The Professionals ( Getty Images for Hayu )

A born-and-raised Londoner, Welschinger previously appeared on the hit U.K. show Bake Off: The Professionals. She runs the well-known Chelsea Cake Company and baked one of the cakes for Queen Elizabeth IIs 90th birthday.

Welschinger, a married mom-of-three, splits her time between Chelsea and a 500-year-old estate in the Cotswolds.
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Nathan Fielder has confirmed that he really did learn to fly a Boeing 737 in order to pull off the audacious finale of the second season of his HBO show The Rehearsal.

The series used outlandish methods to examine very real issues surrounding the ability of co-pilots to communicate clearly with one another.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Fielder commented on a clip of him flying a 737 in the finale: Thats me, Im really flying that plane. It looks weird, right? But thats real.

He continued: This whole season of The Rehearsal is about pilots, and aviation, so to do a good job at this and really understand pilots, I decided early on that the best way to understand them is to become one myself.

So I trained for almost two-and-a-half years and worked my way up through private pilot, instrument, commercial, and I got a 737 type rating, so I am a licensed 737 pilot.

The 42-year-old comedian went on to explain that he believes that poor communication between pilots has been a leading contributing factor in many plane crashes.

Nathan Fielder in the cockpit during the finale of The Rehearsal season two ( HBO )

Thats why I went as far as becoming a 737 pilot, because I wanted to demonstrate that on a regular flight where two pilots are just trying their best, that communication between the co-pilots, captain and first officer, can be a struggle, he explained.

Giving further details about how the final episode came together, he added: I found someone who would lease me a 737. Its very hard to convince someone to lease a comedian a 737, but I found someone to do it and we chartered a real flight over the Mojave desert. We went from San Bernardino round to Las Vegas and then looped back, with cameras filming the whole time.

You can see that were both trying our best to communicate, and its a struggle. I do think, and this is in the show, and you can see it, that when people look back at this Miracle over the Mojave, that they can see a turning point in aviation.

Asked by Kimmel whether he can really compare the episode to the Miracle on the Hudson, the 2009 incident where Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger successfully landed a doomed Airbus A320 flight into New Yorks Hudson River, saving 155 passengers, Fielder joked: Not to create a competition or anything, but I did put my plane down safely on land.

In a previous installment of The Rehearsal, Fielder played out scenes from throughout Sullenbergers life in an episode branded one of the most unhinged and hysterical pieces of TV ever made.
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Jenna Ortega has explained why she felt patronised while filming Wednesday.

The 22-year-old actor is set to return in season two of the Addams Family spin-off later this year, and she is getting candid about her feelings about the show, which became a Netflix blockbuster upon release.

In December 2022, the first season of Wednesday surpassed Stranger Thingss record as the platforms most-watched title ever in a single week  and one week later, it broke its own record, amassing streams of more than 400 million hours in just seven days.

Ortega said the shows stratospheric success led to an uncertain time in her life, stating in a new interview: To be quite frank, after the show and trying to figure everything out, I was an unhappy person.

After the pressure, the attention  as somebody whos quite introverted, that was so intense and so scary, she told Harpers Bazaar.

But Scream and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice actor Ortega also struggled with the fact she had to wear a school uniform  a costume synonymous with the 15-year-old character who goes to boarding school.

Its always been really annoying, because you just dont feel like youre being taken seriously, she said. You know, its like how youre dressed in the schoolgirl costume. Theres just something about it thats very patronising. Also, when youre short, people are already physically looking down on you.

The actor continued: Im doing a show Im going to be doing for years where I play a schoolgirl  but Im also a young woman.

Ortega highlighted a double standard in the industrys treatment of women as opposed to men when it comes to career evolution.

open image in gallery Jenna Ortega in Netflix series Wednesday ( Netflix )

If girls dont stay as this perfect image of how they were first introduced to you, then its Ah, somethings wrong. Shes changed. She sold her soul.

But youre watching these women at the most pivotal times in their lives. Theyre experimenting because thats what you do.

Upon the announcement of Wednesday season two, which Ortea produces, she said: Wednesday Addams is one of the coolest characters of all time, so to have gotten the opportunity to play her once was incredible, and then to be able to slip into the costume and tone again, its so much fun.

She runs circles around everyone that she has a conversation with, so to play someone whos so much more intelligent than you will ever be, its quite funny and strange and enjoyable.

open image in gallery Jenna Ortega said she felt patronised after starring in Wednesday ( Getty Images for CinemaCon )

New cast additions in season two include Steve Buscemi, Lady Gaga and Joanna Lumley, who will play the mother of Morticia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones).

Wednesday season two will be released in two parts. Part one will premiere on 6 August, with part two arriving on 3 September.
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Bay Garnett, stylist, author and pioneer of thrifted fashion, has spent over two decades proving that second-hand doesnt mean second best.

From putting Kate Moss in a charity shop banana print top on the cover of Vogue, to influencing the rise of vintage as high fashion, Garnett has built a career on a following your fashion instincts and a deep belief in what she calls thrifting karma.

Having styled the likes of Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Chloe Sevigny in second-hand gems; Garnett recently hosted the Style to Sell Studio at Westfield Good Festival on May 17, advising shoppers on how best to make a sale from unwanted garments.

So, she breaks down her top tips for buying and re-selling pre-loved clothes to get the best look, sustainably and affordably.

1. Go with a sense of purpose of what youre looking for

Garnetts cardinal rule for vintage treasure hunting is to have something in mind to give you guidance when shopping.

I do genuinely believe in thrifting karma, she says. Its really important to go with a sense of direction, and when you have a sense of direction, you have a sense of purpose [] then I believe that you will find something that you love.

She shares a story of when her daughter wanted a T-shirt from Urban Outfitters with the words San Diego sprawled over the front. During a trip to New York, I said, Im going find you a T-shirt like that San Diego one, Garnett recalls telling her daughter.

So in my head, I was like, San Diego, San Diego T-shirt in a thrift store [] it kind of just appeared out of nowhere and I was like  thats insane.

Whether youre seeking a Seventies jacket or a Zara skirt thats now out of stock, she insists: You cant expect a charity shop to do all the work for you.

2. Check the labels, quality  and the mens rail

When it comes to spotting true gems, Garnett is specific. I personally look for a Seventies label. I look for faded denim thats proper vintage.

Checking the labels of clothes to understand the garments make-up and going in with a list of popular brands from certain decades will help you find good quality clothing that meet your requirements.

I also advise people to go to the mens rail, because you can find amazing mens shirts that can be a bit like The Row, she says.

3. How to resell: Photograph, measure and add a note

Garnett doesnt just buy second-hand but sells it too, and has clear advice for making your pieces shine online.

The way that you photograph it is really important [] and whats really important, I think, is listing the measurements, she says. I want to know if the shoulders are going to actually fit my shoulders.

If youre a frequent seller  Garnett says to go the extra mile so you stick in the buyers mind. She recalls receiving a note when she purchased a jacket from a seller in the US: It said Dear Bay, I have travelled halfway around the world just to be with you.

If youre a regular seller, I think adding a personal touch is a really nice way to do business.

4. Remember: some pieces are priceless

Garnetts most iconic find was just 1.50 and has ended up becoming a piece of fashion history.

I put Kate [Moss] in a banana print top that I really, really loved, that I got from Cancer Research, she says. Phoebe Philo [then creative director of designer Chloe] called me and said, Can I borrow that top? Then she used it on the Chloe runway, and its gone on to be quite famous.

Years later, Vogue interviewed her about the shoot  and the now iconic top. The Chloe version is now a collectors item  [the likes of] Lily Allen collect them, says Garnett.

Ive got the original upstairs still  I talk to it like its my dog, youve done very well havent you, she laughs.

5. Celebrities and second-hand: They like it more

You may think celebrities needed persuading to wear charity shop pieces for photo shoots: Actually, the opposite has happened, says Garnett. Whenever I put vintage on a celebrity or a model, they go, I love this.

She recalls dressing Carey Mulligan in a Seventies puffy-shouldered shirt shed plucked from her own wardrobe. She was like, I love it, and it was interesting to me, because she loved something [] that had been worn for years.

It just has a different energy.

6. The red flag when buying new

While second-hand shopping is undeniably sustainable  it can get confusing when buying new.

As soon as a new brand says on their Instagram profile, sustainable, that immediately makes me [sceptical]  you cant just use that word, she says.

Instead, she champions transparency and action over language. Nothings absolutely sustainable if it exists, if its being produced.

Greenwashing is part of a wider issue when it comes to the environmental impact of fashion. Garnett believes real change must come from the top. Things need to change in a really kind of radical way [] we need blanket legislation.

7. Second-hand style icons

When it comes to wardrobes shed love to raid, The Italian film actress Anita Pallenberg or Chloe Sevigny, Garnett says, I think theyre two people with an absolutely original take on style, and I find their wardrobes very interesting and eclectic, but also probably singularly stylish.

But if she could delve well into the style archives, Marie Antoinettes would be a lot of fun!

Garnetts approach to fashion as a whole is refreshing in a world of micro-trends. If I see something new that I really love  then Ill buy it, she admits, but if Im going to buy something new, Im going to sling it on every day.

Still, for Garnett  and for the rest of us slowly learning to treasure rather than consume  second-hand is more a lifestyle than just a shopping habit.

Because, you have to have a sense of energy when you go thrifting to find something, she says, and thats part of the fun.
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When you are lucky enough to have beautiful, leafy lemons, there is no nicer thing than halving them, scooping out the flesh (to squeeze) and filling them with lemon posset. The flavour of the rind perfumes the posset and provides a perfect picturesque vessel, says food writer and lemon obsessive, Letitia Clark.

You will need to scoop out four whole lemons, to create the boats this is served in, but you only use the juice of two, so the pulp from the others can be used in another recipe.

Lemon possets in lemon boats

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

open image in gallery Letitia Clarks For the Love of Lemons is a citrus-soaked celebration of cooking with joy and brightness ( Quadrille )

90ml lemon juice (I use 2 large lemons)

400ml double (heavy) cream

90g sugar

8 hollowed-out lemon halves, to serve

Method:

Combine the cream and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Stir gently (the cream will expand a lot) and continue to cook for a minute or two, making sure the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool for a few minutes. Add the lemon juice to the cream mixture, then decant into your lemon boats. (Note: the boats need to be on a flat surface so the liquid doesnt spill). Chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or overnight.

Recipe from For the Love of Lemons by Letitia Clark (Quadrille, 28).
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In an idyllic valley near the Aegean Sea, beekeeper Huseyin Ceylan invites people to inhale air directly from beehives.

Ceylan's farm, located in Karaburun, in Turkey's Aegean coastal province of Izmir, attracts visitors seeking relief from various ailments with traditional "apitherapy," a term derived from the Greek for bees.

Guests often stay for several days, residing in cabins surrounded by lush greenery, inhaling air from the beehives for up to three hours daily.

Ceylan claims this therapy aids in alleviating conditions ranging from allergies to migraines.

The government does not officially recognise the therapy, though it is practised by many other beekeepers around Turkey as well as in other countries, including Germany and Russia.

open image in gallery Hives owned by beekeeper Huseyin Ceylan, who runs a facility for therapy using air from beehives ( Reuters )

Ceylan, who comes from a family of beekeepers and studied agriculture, started his bee farm in Karaburun 30 years ago. He has lobbied for years for the sector to be accepted, conducting research and presenting findings to officials.

"We are not against what we call Western medicine. After all, it is also very important," he said, adding that his method goes hand-in-hand with conventional treatment.

"I have been doing this for fifteen years, trying to bring this into medicine."

Childhood nostalgia

Ulku Ozman, 69, decided to try the therapy method after a friend suggested it when several surgeries and frequent use of medicines weakened her immune system.

In her nearly week-long visit, Ozman and others enter a cabin where ventilators connected to beehives deliver air.

Each session lasts 45 minutes, with participants moving every 15 minutes to breathe from three different beehives, each with a different smell. Guests pay around 5,000 lira ($128) per day for the treatment plus accommodation and food.

open image in gallery Bees enter a hive owned by beekeeper Huseyin Ceylan ( Reuters )

Seated across from the beehives with ventilators on their faces, the guests take deep breaths.

Senay Ilham, 68, has breast cancer that metastasised to her spine but is in remission after receiving conventional treatment.

"This smell seems familiar. It's like it is (coming) from my childhood," she said, recalling being stung by bees while playing outside as children with beekeepers working nearby.

"(The beehive air) always brings me a breeze from these things. It relaxes me both psychologically and physically."
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A woman with stage four skin cancer is advocating for the UK government to prohibit sunbeds after she was diagnosed with melanoma at just 23 years old.

Lily Murphy, 30, from Watford, says she used sunbeds fewer than 10 times in her life before her diagnosis with stage 1B melanoma following a trip to South East Asia with friends.

After receiving the all-clear from her initial diagnosis, Lily began experiencing back and chest pain in 2023, which was initially dismissed as anxiety before further scans and blood tests confirmed she had stage four melanoma.

She is expected to undergo lifelong treatment after the disease spread to her neck and lungs.

While working as an NHS administrative clerk in Watford General Hospitals dermatology department, Lily has witnessed an increase in young people being referred for cancer biopsies, many of whom have a history of sunbed use.

In light of her professional and personal experiences, Lily is petitioning the government to ban sunbeds in the UK, copying similar legislation in Brazil and Australia, arguing that the cost is too high to the individuals and an already overburdened NHS.

open image in gallery Lily and best friend Jade in Cyprus ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Ive probably used sunbeds for less than an hour in total, Lily said.

Just going on a sunbed for six minutes can change your whole life, plus it costs the NHS: immunotherapy can cost 15,000 per round.

If I could stop just one person using sunbeds to save them going through what Ive been through, it will be a miracle.

Lily first noticed a mole in 2018 that had darkened and started to bleed, but was told by doctors that it wasnt anything to worry about.

Reassured, she went travelling to Vietnam and Bali with friends, using sunbeds beforehand to get a base tan.

It was literally just, Lets start my tan before I go on holiday, just a couple of minutes here, a couple of minutes there, just to get the tan going, she explained.

open image in gallery Lily covering up in the sun in Mexico ( Collect/PA Real Life )

While on holiday, she did use sun cream to protect herself from the suns UV rays.

As Im very fair-skinned, Id always get burnt no matter what, even if I put it on, she said.

I probably wasnt as cautious as I would be now; now Im putting it on every couple of hours, whereas before I was probably putting it on once or twice a day.

Upon her return to the UK, Lily went back to the doctor for a second opinion on her mole.

Thats when the doctor said, This doesnt look right, Im going to refer you to the two-week cancer pathway, she said.

She had the mole removed and was called back for an appointment two weeks later.

There were two Macmillan Cancer nurses in there too thats when they said to me its come back as melanoma, stage 1B.

I was shocked, I was devastated. But as there was a delay between the call and the appointment, by the time I saw the doctor, it had actually sunk in a bit.

open image in gallery Lily in hospital with a scar ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Stage 1B melanoma is one of the earliest stages of skin cancer, meaning that it has not yet spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, and it is generally highly curable, which meant Lily was optimistic about getting the all-clear after treatment.

Lily was the youngest person in her cancer support group.

She had a wide local excision and a central lymph node biopsy at the Royal Free Hospital in London in 2019.

It felt like such a relief to hear that the cancer hadnt spread  my cancer journey might have been short, it was only a couple of months, but I said to myself, Ive beaten it, said Lily.

I did think Ive got another chance in life; lets just go and have fun, just going on holidays, nights out and just appreciating everyone around me and spending as much time with everyone as possible, because life is so short.

It was after a family weekend at a log cabin in Gloucestershire in January 2023 that she started to feel unwell again.

open image in gallery Lily and the dermatology surgeon at the work Christmas party ( Collect/PA Real Life )

I was just constantly tired, and I couldnt understand why, Lily said.

The following weekend I worked overtime and had back pain, so I thought Id sat uncomfortably or something but then I woke up the next morning and had really bad chest pain and couldnt breathe, and said to my mum it feels like somethings not right.

Despite repeated trips to A&E, Lilys concerns were dismissed as anxiety, linked to her mental health history.

Eventually, through her mum, who also works at Watford General, she was booked for scans and blood tests in a different department, which led to a Stage 4 melanoma diagnosis.

They said weve found some masses in your lungs and your neck, Lily said.

Doctors explained that in rare cases like hers, melanoma can spread via the blood and not show on the scans she had done during her first cancer experience.

With new treatments, some people are living with stage four melanoma for a long time, according to Cancer Research UK.

open image in gallery Lily won an Inspirational Colleague award at Watford General Hospital for her endurance during her treatment ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Lily began immunotherapy treatment in April 2023, but struggled to tolerate the doses required, with each round costing the NHS 15,000.

She then tried two oral chemotherapy treatments but developed a severe allergic reaction within 10 days, including a rash that spread down her throat.

Lily later developed sepsis, caused by a weakened immune system, and was taken to hospital.

In February 2025, she started a new treatment that has already begun shrinking her cancer, despite only managing four of the recommended 12 tablets per day.

Im taking a break from treatment at the moment, because its just too much on my body, Lily said.

Now on a phased return to work, shes back booking skin cancer biopsies.

As much as its triggering, its rewarding  I can help people because Ive had the experience of the worry, Lily said.

Her petition, Ban Sun Beds to Protect Against Skin Cancer in the UK, launched in May and has already gained more than 700 signatures.

Main symptoms of melanoma skin cancer NHS A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be a sign of melanoma. Melanomas are often: an uneven shape, or may have two different-shaped halves and uneven edges.

a mix of two or more colours.

bigger, often more than 6mm wide.

changing in size, shape or colour. Other signs to look out for include moles that are: swollen and sore

bleeding

itchy

crusty

It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, she said.

Every day, Im getting biopsy requests where the patient has a history of using sunbeds.

Sunbeds are a known cancer risk. Banning them would save lives  and save the NHS money.

On top of a sunbed ban, Lily has called for better education as she believes social media and influencer culture glamorise tanning without showing the risks, even though safer alternatives are widely available.

Your tan is semi-permanent, but your life should be permanent, Lily said.

A West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said: Lily is an inspirational colleague who continues to work tirelessly for the Trust and our patients while undergoing treatment.

We are in awe of her phenomenal work ethic and her spirit, and we send her all our support during this challenging time.

Lilys petition can be found on Change.org.
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One of Hugh Jackmans closest friends has revealed how the Wolverine actor is coping after his divorce from ex-wife and fellow Australian actor Deborra-Lee Furness.

The former couple, who had been together for 29 years, announced that they had split in 2023. Their marriage officially came to an end earlier in this month when Furness filed papers in New York on 23 May.

The filings were uncontested, according to the Daily Mail, and only required a judges sign-off.

Australian radio presenter Gus Worland, who has been a friend of Jackmans since meeting him in primary school, has now revealed how the X-Men star is faring following the divorce.

Speaking on 2GB radios Ben Fordham Live show on Thursday (29 May), Worland said: No one wants anyone to go through what he is and he is going through it publicly because of his fame. One thing I have been really strict on is to let Hugh and Deborra-Lee do what they have had to do. I was over in New York with him last month and he is fine. He is going along well.

He is moving on with his life. I hope Deb does as well. They were together for 30 years and have two beautiful kids together, he added. I go to their kids and ask them what we can do to make sure they get through this as best as possible.

open image in gallery Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness attend The 2023 Met Gala ( Getty )

After finalising the divorce, Furness told the Mail: My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.Calling the split a profound wound that cuts deep, she said her beliefs have helped her navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage.

Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom, Furness said.

She concluded: We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random. We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognize and heal the broken parts of ourselves...I remain grateful.

The pair announced their split in September 2023 via a statement shared with People: We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives, they continued, before finishing: This is the sole statement either of us will make.

open image in gallery Jackman and Furness were married for 29 years ( Getty )

Jackman, 56, and Furness, 69, met in 1995 on the set of Australian TV series Correlli and were married the next year. Together, they share son Oscar and daughter Ava.
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Coffee lovers who dream of taste testing the beverage around the world can now apply to do just that.

Starbucks is on the hunt to fill a brand new global content creator position.

The coffee chain is looking to hire two content creators who will be expected to travel around the world and film their experiences at 10 to 15 designated Starbucks locations. In addition to being coffee lovers and world travelers, the creators are expected to be proficient in making and editing social media content using tools such as Photoshop, InDesign, CaptureOne, Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and CapCut.

Their job will be to capture their journeys to unique Starbucks locations around the world on social media  from Starbucks Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm in Costa Rica to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano to the breathtaking coffeehouses in Tokyo, the description on the companys website reads.

The creators will highlight the care and craft that goes into every cup of Starbucks coffee as well as the diverse Starbucks experiences in communities around the world.

One current Starbucks employee and one external candidate will be hired to fill the two remote/virtual roles, which will last for one year.

Applications for Starbucks new job will be accepted until June 13 ( REUTERS )

To apply, those interested will need to create a video on TikTok explaining why they think they are the best person for the job using the hashtag #StarbucksGlobalCoffeeCreator in the caption. The videos must be posted between May 28 and June 13 to be considered, and an application form must also be submitted on the companys career website.

Starbucks is asking that applicants be United States residents who are at least 18 years old with a high school diploma, valid passport, and the ability to travel globally from August 2025 to July 2026.

The search for the global content creators comes just one week after Starbucks announced several new summer menu items.

A new iced espresso drink, the Iced Horchata Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, is inspired by a popular and beloved Latin American drink, Starbucks said in a press release issued last Monday. The drink features Starbucks Blonde Espresso, oat milk, and horchata-flavored syrup.

The light, smooth and subtly sweet espresso is paired with a fusion of warm cinnamon, sweet vanilla and subtle nutty notes reminiscent of the rice milk that makes up a traditional horchata, the company noted in announcing the new drink.

The coffee chains beloved Summer-Berry Refresher is also set to return for summer.

First introduced last summer, the drink features a sweet and summery blend of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors shaken with ice and water. The fruity mixture is then poured over raspberry-flavored pearls.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Baku Energy Week, which includes three major events, has become a prestigious platform to showcase achievements, Spokesperson of the Energy Ministry of Azerbaijan, Jahid Mikayilov said at a press conference dedicated to Baku Energy Week, Trend reports.

He noted that Azerbaijan has always been a country that has made innovations in the energy sector.

"Just as strategic projects connecting regions in the oil and gas sector have been implemented under Azerbaijani leadership, today our country is determined to build new energy routes connecting Central Asia with Europe by creating green energy corridors. In this regard, Baku Energy Week, which includes three major events, has become an influential platform to demonstrate achievements.

This international event is the embodiment of the successful steps taken by Azerbaijan in the energy sector, signed agreements, and established partnerships. At the same time, this platform is a place where new ideas emerge for the coming period, new agreements are signed, new projects are launched, and new partnerships are established.

We express our gratitude to all partners who contributed to the implementation of this prestigious event," the official added.

The 30th Baku Energy Week will take place from June 2 to 4, bringing together global energy leaders at the regions leading industry event. Over the years, it has become a trusted platform for energy dialogue both regionally and internationally, securing its spot as one of the key events on the global energy calendar.

This year, Baku Energy Week will host 267 companies from 39 countries. Alongside Azerbaijan, participants come from Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkiye, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK and Northern Ireland, the US, Uzbekistan, and Guinea-Bissau.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Four new drinks are slated to join the U.S. Starbucks menu in the coming weeks.

About a week after the coffee chains initial summer menu announcement, reports started swirling that there may be a second lineup of new items.

The Independent can now confirm that four new Frappuccino beverages will be added in July.

Salted Caramel Mocha, Strawberry Matcha, and Brown Sugar Frappuccinos will all come layered with cold foam.

The fourth flavor is a Firework Frappuccino, described by Starbucks as a festive twist on the Summer-Berry Refresher.

The Firework Frappuccino will reportedly only be available during the first week of July to coincide with Independence Day, according to food influencer Markie Devo.

Starbucks will welcome four new Frappuccinos this summer ( Starbucks )

Devo also reported that Starbucks will be bringing back its Double Chocolate Brownie as well.

The first summer menu announcement included the return of the Summer-Berry refresher plus a new iced espresso drink for caffeine lovers looking for a more exotic vibe.

The Iced Horchata Oat Milk Shaken Espresso is inspired by the popular and beloved Latin American drink, Starbucks said in a press release.

It features Starbucks Blonde Espresso, oat milk, and horchata-flavored syrup. The light, smooth and subtly sweet espresso is paired with a fusion of warm cinnamon, sweet vanilla and subtle nutty notes reminiscent of the rice milk that makes up a traditional horchata, the company noted.

In addition to the drinks, Starbucks announced a Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop, featuring strawberry cream cake mixed with buttercream and formed into a strawberry shape. The cake pop is dipped in a chocolate icing and decorated to resemble a juicy red strawberry.

The new additions come just months after Starbucks announced the removal of 13 drinks from its menu. The changes took effect March 4.

The departed drinks are: Iced Matcha Lemonade, White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, Espresso Frappuccino, Chai Creme Frappuccino, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme Frappuccino, Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino, Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino, White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino, Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino, White Hot Chocolate, Royal English Breakfast Latte, and Honey Almondmilk Flat White.
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A mother is in custody after she allegedly stabbed her three young children before screaming to neighbors that she couldnt raise the family alone, witnesses said.

According to authorities, the woman, 33, admitted to brutally attacking her kids, a girl, one, and two boys, ages three and five, by slashing their wrists on Wednesday evening in Chicago.

The children were rescued when a neighbor saw the bloodied mother in the street pleading for help around 5:00 pm, reports CBS Chicago.

The neighbor, Devaughen Stringfellow, a tow-truck driver returning from work, said that after he encountered the bloodied woman, he piled the group into his car and sped off to the nearest hospital.

Stringfellow said that en route to the hospital, the eldest boy tried to comfort his mother, repeatedly telling her that everything would be alright.

open image in gallery Police are seen entering the home where the tragedy unfolded on Wednesday evening ( CBS )

They were bloody. They were bloody, man, he told CBS.

She kept screaming like: 'I need help! Help me! My baby! I called the police! They didn't come! So, at first, I wasn't going to put them in my truck with the blood  but I threw them all in the truck.

Stringfellow said that he did not know what had occurred but knew the injuries were serious.

You could tell the little one was cut right here, because he was bleeding. The other one was bleeding from the side, and the one she had, he was just bloody.

It was when the group arrived at a local hospital that Stringfellow said he learned what happened.

When we was in the back the security guard asked her what happened. She was like, 'I did it because I got three different baby daddies and nobody's trying to help me.' That's when he grabbed her and took her and put her in that room, the tow-truck driver told ABC Chicago.

open image in gallery The children are being treated here at the University of Chicagos Comer Childrens Hospital ( Public Domain )

The station reports that the woman fought with hospital staff and had to be restrained.

Stringfellow said that the most impactful part of the whole ordeal came during the car ride to the hospital as the womans five-year-old child attempted to comfort her.

The little boy was in the truck like: 'Mama, it's going to be all right. It's going to be all right. Don't cry. When I got there and she said that, I really wanted to just  man, you know, we've got rules and laws now. But I was hurt.

Witnesses have stated that the woman frequently discussed her ability to raise the children on her own.

The mother seems like she just wanted help, help, help. But you never know what to do, and you want to reach folks before they reach that breaking point  because this is a breaking-point situation, Street Pastor Donovan Price told the CBS affiliate.

All three children are listed in serious condition at the University of Chicagos Comer Childrens Hospital. Charges against the mother are pending.
 Close Related: Celebrities mentioned during Diddy's trial

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Sean Diddy Combss former assistant Mia told jurors that she suffered from complex PTSD as she returned to the stand Friday, closing out the third week of testimony in the music moguls sex trafficking trial.

Direct examination of Mia, a pseudonym given to protect her identity, began again after proceedings resumed inside Manhattan federal court, but she was later aggressively cross-examined by Combs lawyers who sought to discredit her claims using her own social media posts.

Mia, who worked for Combs for eight years, previously alleged that she was was forced to perform a sex act on Combs and, in another incident, was allegedly raped in the spare room of his Los Angeles home.

Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. Combs was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims to fulfill his sexual desires between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.

The high-profile trial in New York has been ongoing for three weeks and attracted significant attention, including from President Donald Trump, who did not dismiss a potential pardon for Combs, should he be convicted, when asked by reporters at a press conference on Friday.
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In the rugged Ozark Mountains, a search is underway for an ex-lawman dubbed the "Devil in the Ozarks," who has exploited the areas many hideouts.

These range from abandoned cabins and campsites in the extensive forests to a network of subterranean caves.

Grant Hardin, the fugitive in question, is familiar with these hidden cave systems, according to Darla Nix, a cafe owner in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Nix, whose sons grew up around Hardin, describes him as a survivor, remembering him as "very, very smart" and mostly quiet.

open image in gallery Grant Hardin AKA Devil in the Ozarks leaves court ( KHBS/ABC7 )

The search continues as authorities navigate the challenging terrain, both above and below ground.

For the searchers, "caves have definitely been a source of concern and a point of emphasis," said Rand Champion, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Thats one of the challenges of this area  there are a lot of places to hide and take shelter, a lot of abandoned sheds, and there are a lot of caves in this area, so thats been a priority for the search team, Champion said. "It adds to the challenge of a search in this area, for sure.

open image in gallery A sign can be seen outside Gateway Town Hall in Gateway, Ark. On May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Nick Ingram) ozarks grant hardin ( AP )

Hardin, the former police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border, was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. He was the subject of the TV documentary Devil in the Ozarks.

He was serving a 30-year sentence for the murder of Appleton as well as two 25-year sentences for two counts of rape.

He escaped Sunday from the North Central Unit  a medium-security prison also known as the Calico Rock prison  by impersonating a corrections officer in dress and manner, according to a court document. A prison officer opened a secure gate, allowing him to leave the facility.

open image in gallery State officials say that Grant Hardin escaped an Arkansas prison Sunday while serving a murder and rape sentence ( Arkansas Department of Corrections Communications Department )

Authorities have been using canines, drones and helicopters to search for Hardin in the rugged northern Arkansas terrain, Champion said. The sheriffs of several counties across the Arkansas Ozarks had urged residents to lock their homes and vehicles and call 911 if they notice anything suspicious.

In some ways, the terrain is similar to the site of one of the most notorious manhunts in U.S. history.

Bomber Eric Rudolph, described by authorities as a skilled outdoorsman, evaded law officers for years in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It was a five-year manhunt that finally ended in 2003 with his capture for with his capture in 2003.

Rudolph knew of many cabins in the area owned by out-of-town people, and he also knew of caves in the area, former FBI executive Chris Swecker, who led the agencys Charlotte, North Carolina, office at the time, said in the FBI's historical account of the case.

"I think it is very likely that he not only had campsites and caves, but he was also spending some time in those cabins," Swecker said.

He was anticipating a great conflict and he had clearly lined up caves and campsites where he could go, he added.

open image in gallery Hardin, 56, remains at large ( Stone County/Arkansas Sheriff's Office )

Rudolph pleaded guilty to federal charges associated with four bombings in Georgia and Alabama, including one in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta during the 1996 Olympic Games.

There are more than 2,000 documented caves in northern Arkansas, state officials say. Many of them have entrances only a few feet wide that are not obvious to passersby, said Michael Ray Taylor, who has written multiple books on caves, including Hidden Nature: Wild Southern Caves.

The key is finding the entrance, Taylor said.

The entrance may look like a rabbit hole, but if you wriggle through it, suddenly you find enormous passageways, he said.

Local residents might discover some caves as teenagers, so a fugitive would want to choose one that deputies in the search didn't also discover as teens, Taylor said.

It would be quite possible to hide out underground for an extended period, but you have to go out for food, and you're more likely to be discovered, he said.

Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to first-degree murder for the killing of James Appleton, 59. Appleton worked for the Gateway water department when he was shot in the head Feb. 23, 2017, near Garfield. Police found Appletons body inside a car. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

He was also serving 50 years for the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, north of Fayetteville.

He had been held in the Calico Rock prison since 2017.
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A mom in Louisiana has been arrested after she kicked her young children out of her car and then reported them missing several hours later, police say.

Laquesha Washington, 33, was arrested by Shreveport police after a May 28 incident in which she allegedly forced her two young children, ages 11 and 12, out of her car, according to KSLA.

Officers were dispatched to a home on Palm Road to respond to a missing children report. When they arrived, they spoke with detectives from the Shreveport Police Juveniles Crimes Unit, who had spoken to Washington.

According to investigators, Washington said she had gotten into an argument with her children while they were driving home. The children reportedly told police that Washington forced them to exit the car near the intersection of Broadway and Hollywood before she allegedly drove away and left them stranded.

Authorities said that Washington called police hours later to report that her children were missing.

Laquesha Washington, 33, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been charged with two counts of criminal neglect of family after she allegedly forced her children, ages 11 and 12, out of her car and left them stranded following an argument. ( Shreveport Police Department )

While police were taking down information from Washington, a family member called them and told them that the children had arrived at their house near Andrew Avenue.

Once police learned what happened, they arrested Washington and charged her with two counts of criminal neglect of family. Detectives have also contacted the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services to assist.

Police said that the children were unharmed.
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A Canadian man is facing a potential two-year prison sentence after brawling with Transportation Security Administration agents at Miami International Airport.

The fight, which occurred last December, was captured on surveillance video and first obtained recently by Local 10 News. The footage shows Cameron McDougall, 28, attacking TSA agents shortly after he cleared airport security.

In the video, McDougall walks into the frame from the left side of the screen and does not appear to be aggressive, but the moment he approaches the TSA security station, he starts throwing punches at agents. A few of his punches miss their mark, and he charges the agent as other TSA agents rush in to help.

One of the other agents shoves McDougall over a security cart and pins him to the ground, but McDougall continues throwing punches at the man's face.

In another selection of surveillance footage, McDougall can be seen attacking a random man in the airport terminal, swinging wildly on the shocked passerby. An airport security guard was injured trying to break up that fight.

open image in gallery Cameron McDougall, of Toronto, Ontario, is seen in security footage throwing a punch at a TSA agent near a security screening station in Miami International Airport on December 28, 2024. McDougall has pleaded guilty to two charges and faces up to two years in prison. Video of the attack was recently released. ( Miami-Dade Police )

A couple of minutes after that confrontation, McDougall walked over to the TSA station to begin his attack there.

McDougall was only in Miami because he attacked another passenger on his flight from Panama to his home Toronto. The plane diverted to Miami, and the flight crew  rather than having him arrested  told him if he wanted to get home he'd need to book with another airline.

Instead of booking a flight, he started throwing punches.

open image in gallery Cameron McDougall, 28, of Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty to two felony assault charges after he attacked TSA agents at Miami International Airport on December 28, 2024. ( Miami-Dade County )

Miami-Dade Police arrested McDougall at the airport. The Canadian has since pleaded guilty to two federal charges for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. He's facing a two-year prison sentence, and his hearing is scheduled for May 30.

In addition to his federal charges, it appears he is also going to face three battery on a law enforcement officer charges from the state of Florida, as well as one misdemeanor battery charge.

His hearing in state court has been scheduled for June 2.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Kazakhstan is launching the most powerful supercomputer, which has already been delivered to the country, said Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a plenary session of the Astana International Forum, Trend reports.

President Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan has made significant progress in digital transformation, which reflects our aspiration to become a Eurasian IT hub.

We pay special attention to artificial intelligence. Our goal is to become an academic and innovation hub, where several branches of foreign universities will operate, and partnerships in research and development will be established, President Tokayev said.

According to Tokayev, Kazakhstan is investing in human capital and expanding opportunities for young professionals.

Our top priority is to reduce regional disparities and strengthen the middle class. That is why we continue to strengthen our potential in key sectorsfrom digital technologies and artificial intelligence to clean energy and high-value-added manufacturing, Tokayev added.

A few days ago, the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia arrived in Kazakhstan. Its performance is about 2 exaflops. This is the first supercomputer cluster in the history of the Central Asian region. It is built on the latest NVIDIA H200 graphics chips, specially designed for artificial intelligence tasks and high-performance computing.

The launch and installation of the supercomputer will be carried out in the new MCRIAP data center with a Tier III reliability level to ensure uninterrupted and stable operation.

The project is an important element in the practical implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Development Concept until 2029 and one of the key stages in forming Kazakhstans modern IT infrastructure.

Today, the Astana International Forum is taking place in Kazakhstans capital. The event is attended by: President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alen Berse, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, heads of UN system organizations, and other respected participants.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Iran has offered Azerbaijan 24-hour operation of the Bilasuvar customs-border crossing point in order to strengthen customs cooperation, Iran's Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Executive Director of the Customs Administration, Foroud Asgari said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during a meeting with Azerbaijan's Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Fuad Mammadov, on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of customs heads of member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Tehran.

Furthermore, Asgari also noted that the number of trucks passing through the Bilasuvar and Astara customs border checkpoints by both countries could be increased.

He added that it is possible to benefit from the positive political atmosphere between the two countries to enhance economic relations.

At the meeting, Mammadov stated that Azerbaijan is interested in implementing previous agreements to develop trade between the two countries.

The Iranian Customs Administration data shows that during the last Iranian year (from March 20, 2024, through March 20, 2025), non-oil trade turnover between Iran and Azerbaijan amounted to approximately 872 thousand tons worth $712 million. Trade turnover between the two countries increased by six percent in value and 9.4 percent in weight compared to the previous year (from March 21, 2023, through March 19, 2024).

Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are the 10 members of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The populist Salvadorian leader, who has fashioned himself a Silicon Valley-style disrupter, signed a $US1.4 billion-deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the bogeyman of Bitcoiners, in which he agreed to scale back the countrys Bitcoin policies. As part of the agreement, Salvadorian merchants are no longer compelled to accept the cryptocurrency as payment and Bukele agreed on paper to stop buying Bitcoin with public cash  the country currently owns more than 6,000 Bitcoin  although he has since said their strategy is not stopping. El Salvador president Nayib Bukeles bitcoin bet is looking shaky. Credit: AP So what will this gear-change mean for Bitcoin Beach? Its gonna keep some people away, definitely, says Ronny Avendano, who runs the Bitcoin Hardware Store, which sells all the Bitcoin bells and whistles including tech and books about the cryptocurrency.

The IMF is definitely a governing body that you want to stay as far away from as possible... It might be detrimental to the business, he adds. While he does not think the IMF deal will impact life in El Zonte, where Bitcoin is already enmeshed in the community, he worries it could cause some Bitcoiners to get cold feet. Loading Avendano, whose parents fled El Salvador for Canada during the civil war, gave up his six-figure job in finance in Toronto to travel Latin America in response to Justin Trudeaus vaccine mandates. His first stop was El Zonte in March 2021. He has been here ever since. After learning about Bitcoin, he became a Bitcoin maximalist, investing all of his savings in the cryptocurrency. Right now, he says, he only has around $US9.

When Bukele announced Bitcoin would be a legal tender, he saw an influx of Bitcoiners from all over the world arrive. Talking to The Telegraph after giving a short lesson on investing in the courtyard outside his shop, he adds: From a tourist perspective, you know, I dont feel that excitement anymore... It used to be I cant wait to come to El Salvador to now tell you whats going on with this deal. He adds: For me, nothings changed. People in town still accept Bitcoin, and I still love the Bitcoin farmers market. Yesterday, I went to buy food at the grocery store in Bitcoin. I dont know whats gonna happen over the next six months if it were to change... Id have to close my business down. Mr Avendano believes its not just Bitcoin pulling foreigners to El Salvador, but the countrys safety.

To combat gang violence, Bukele enforced a state of exception in 2022, rounding up and imprisoning more than 80,000 people without due process. The streets are safer, but the Bukele administration has faced allegations of human rights abuses. His administration also built the notorious Cecot mega-prison, where Donald Trump has since deported Venezuelan migrants the White House claims are gang members. For locals in El Zonte, the sudden arrival of foreign Bitcoiners has been a blessing and a curse. Credit: Bloomberg Walter Mena, a Salvadorian lawyer, was reluctant to open a business before Bukele, when even El Zonte was overrun by gangs and it was not uncommon for people to be shot dead on the beach. But now Mena, 49, who returned to El Salvador in 2019 after living in France for 15 years, is in the midst of constructing apartments he hopes to rent to wealthy Bitcoiners

Mena, who accepts Bitcoin payment for his legal services, does not think the IMF deal will make any difference. Loading Now people know what Bitcoin is and how to use it... Bukele is pretty smart, and the IMF is full of dinosaurs, he said. People probably will turn back, but the people who understand, who are already here, theyre not leaving. For locals in El Zonte, the sudden arrival of foreign Bitcoiners has been a blessing and a curse. Wealthy foreigners have been investing in the area, buying land, building homes and starting businesses.

But prices have increased, and for each tale of one local making enough money to buy a new motorcycle with Bitcoin, there are stories of those who lost thousands in the volatile market. El Salvador like Wild West Surf teacher Isaac Reyes, 28, who is from El Zonte, says there have been more positive impacts than negative on the local community. He is sometimes paid in Bitcoin but he and most of the locals transfer it straight into dollars using an app on their phone. He said he believes the novelty of Bitcoin Beach had already reached its peak and is now going back down. Now the difference is the people, not the currency less people are coming, he said.

From speaking to the Europeans who have already moved to El Salvador in search of Bitcoin freedom, there is no hesitation  they are here to stay. M moved to El Salvador from London in 2021 after he broke up with his girlfriend and read about Bukele. Talking to The Telegraph as he sips on a can of beer with a friend, purchased with Bitcoin, he says he did not know El Salvador existed before he read about the Salvadorian president. M, 28, who did not want to give his full name, now lives in San Salvador. He first bought Bitcoin almost a decade ago when he was at university and now works for a hardware Bitcoin devices firm. Asked what he likes most about the country, he said: The fact that I can just easily use my Bitcoin everywhere.

Danny, a retired Belgian housebuilder who also did not want to give his last name, made his fortune in Bitcoin before moving to El Zonte 20 months ago in search of a crypto haven to retire to. You wouldnt know it by looking at him, as he sits on a stool wearing a vest and flip flops, but Danny, 59, is a Bitcoin millionaire. He invested his life savings in 2014, when one Bitcoin was worth around $US311. The value has since swelled to over $US108,000. A sign advertising the acceptance of bitcoin at local businesses stands at one of the entrances to El Zonte. Credit: AP He believes Europe is becoming a police state and part of the reason he has relocated to El Zonte is to provide a base for his nine grandchildren to escape to if they wish.

El Salvador, by contrast, he says is like the Wild West. There are not many rules, or not many rules that you really need to follow... there is almost no control. James Bosworth, the founder of Hxagon, a firm which provides political risk analysis with a focus on Latin America, is also unconvinced the IMF deal will have much of an impact. Bitcoin experiment has been a failure He puts the apparent dwindling numbers of people visiting Bitcoin Beach down to the town losing its sheen, rather than the IMF deal. Its probably more a function of the initial hype cycle about El Salvadors Bitcoin drawing down and global macro factors (likely recession hits all tourism), he says.

He adds: There are only so many people who might relocate and most of them jumped early. For anyone still considering it, the IMF agreement didnt change much. Dr Peter Howson, an assistant professor at Northumbria University who has written books on cryptocurrency, thinks Bukeles Bitcoin experiment has been a failure. Loading In 2023, eight out of 10 Salvadorians did not use cryptocurrency, according to a survey by the University Institute of Public Opinion (Iudop) at the Jose Simeon Canas Central American University (UCA). Meanwhile, only a fraction of remittances sent back to El Salvador from relatives abroad, which accounts for 25 per cent of the countrys GDP, were sent with Bitcoin.
At the start of her own career, if I encountered toxicity in the workplace, I had more of a suck it up attitude, said Tosti-Kharas, who identifies as a member of Generation X. I dont think we were as vocal about taking care of our mental health as we should have been. Loading How do you identify a toxic work environment? Conflicts and difficult relationships may be inevitable in any work environment. But theres a difference between an occasional disagreement and persistent abuse. What makes something toxic: its more pervasive, more consistent over time, Tosti-Kharas said. You may have tried some things, and its not getting better... its very deeply entrenched.

Possible indications of an emotionally harmful workplace include a widespread lack of trust and fear of being shot down if you speak up, she said. Loud screamers arent the only kind of toxic co-workers and supervisors. There are quieter forms of toxicity, such as passive-aggressive behaviour by leaders who use sarcasm, backhanded compliments, indirect criticism and exclusion to control their employees, according to Alana Atchison, a clinical psychologist based in Chicago. It is a relationship where you cant communicate clearly or directly, so you have to silence yourself. You cant say truly what you need to say and feel safe, Atchison said. To spot a potentially toxic environment when applying for a new job, follow your gut instincts and consider warning signs. For example, frequent ads for the same position may reflect high turnover resulting from a negative environment. You can also search employee reviews online. Im reading Glassdoor reviews like crazy to see what the environment is like, what the culture is like, on anyplace Im applying to, because I cant lose my hair again over a job, said Grouette, who recently was laid off after several successful years at the newspaper.

What might explain toxic behaviour? When on the receiving end of toxicity, consider whether the offending behaviour says more about the person perpetuating it than the recipient. Workplace bullying may include belittling the target and often includes a power imbalance. Credit: Getty Images Its almost like a smokescreen to hide their deficits, Atchison said. If someone feels insecure about their role or fears being overshadowed, they might resort to undermining others, gossiping or sabotaging projects to regain a sense of control or safety. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Atchisons clients have increasingly complained about toxic work environments. She attributes that in part to the social isolation that accompanied lockdowns and restrictions on public activities.

Socialising is a skill set, and that skill set has declined, she said. Voice your concerns If you find yourself in a toxic work situation, talking about it with a trusted friend or professional therapist can help you process what is happening and develop a plan to deal with it, instead of letting it fester in your mind. If somebody gives you an impression that youre unable to leave this job, thats just not true. Stephanie Strausser, 42, a video production manager, said she sought support from friends and family members when she worked under an extreme micromanager who made her feel unsafe and whose decisions she considered unethical.

Dont hide it or keep it in. Talk to people. Even if youre talking to ChatGPT, Strausser advises those who find themselves in similar circumstances. Dont internalise it. And dont take someones perception as fact. Loading Amanda Szmuc, a Philadelphia lawyer who considers some of her past work environments to have been toxic, recommends documenting your concerns in case it becomes necessary to escalate them. Writing down the details of troubling interactions as they happen and keeping copies of inappropriate messages or approved meeting recordings may come in handy if the human resources department gets involved, for example. Maintaining a record may also help you avoid gaslighting and reinforce your determination to protect yourself.

Set boundaries If leaving a toxic environment isnt financially possible, or you want to try to make your circumstances more bearable, thinking about exploring ways to limit your interaction with the difficult party may be an option. Possibilities may include negotiating a role that puts distance between you and the toxic person, such as working different shifts or on different projects, Tosti-Kharas said. You can also set deadlines for yourself to keep things from deteriorating, according to Szmuc. Examples: Im going to give this two weeks. Is there any improvement? she said. Is there a way internally where I can maybe change my circumstances or get someone elses opinion? Find a way out Ideally, an employee who feels mistreated could appeal to someone from human resources or the offending employees manager with evidence to show a pattern of conduct violations and disciplinary action would be taken, Tosti-Kharas said.

But that doesnt always happen, leaving the reporting party in proximity to the person they reported. In the real world, you may realise they are unlikely to go anywhere, and its you who has to go somewhere, Tosti-Kharas said. In extreme situations, its best to look for another job, she said. If an inspector found the radio active gas in your house, you wouldnt say, Let me try to work with the radon, or How can I keep it there but maybe lessen the effects? she said. You would get the toxin out of the situation or you would get yourself out of the situation. Most people cant afford to leave their jobs without another one lined up. Carving out time to apply for different jobs is difficult when you feel under assault but also is empowering and may lead to a better situation. If somebody gives you an impression that youre unable to leave this job, thats just not true, Grouette said. Those sorts of people dont have the reach or respect that they claim to have because if theyre volatile to you, theyre volatile to others.
For nearly three decades, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness were Australias golden couple. The pair were rarely seen without each other on red carpets, and regularly sang each others praises in public.

But in September 2023, the golden couple announced they had split.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness called it quits in 2023 after 27 years together. Credit: Getty

We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage, they said in a joint statement. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

Two years on, Furness has reportedly filed for divorce, quashing any hope of a reunion.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The 72nd Sydney Film Festival has a dizzying number of screenings. Films from 70 countries  all the way from Afghanistan to Zambia  will run in the grand State Theatre and nine other venues around the city. The opening night will be spicier than expected. Given its success at the Sundance Film Festival, where it sold for a record $26 million after a bidding war, there was already keen interest in Michael Shanks Australian horror film Together, which stars American couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Then it ran into controversy when a New York production company filed a lawsuit claiming it was a blatant rip-off of a 2023 comic romance - a claim the American agent for the Together team has described as frivolous and without merit. A jury headed by Australian director Justin Kurzel will judge the 12 films in the $60,000 official competition for audacious, courageous and cutting-edge cinema. Heres our guide to festival highlights ... SLANTED Shirley Chen stars as a teenager who is desperate to be a prom queen in Slanted.

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Sydney-raised writer-director Amy Wang has been quietly building a career in Los Angeles. Her first feature film, Slanted, is a body horror satire with a touch of The Substance meets Mean Girls about it. In the winner of the narrative feature competition at South by South West, a Chinese-American teenager (Shirley Chen), who is desperate to be a prom queen, goes through ethnic modification surgery to become white. It promises timely observations about body image, sexism and racism. BLUE MOON Margaret Qualley and Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon. With Dazed and Confused, the Before Sunrise trilogy, School of Rock, Boyhood and Apollo 10, director Richard Linklater is a brilliant chronicler of charming American stories. His latest film is what IndieWire calls a razor-sharp biopic about struggling lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) on the night his former writing partner Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott) triumphantly opens Oklahoma! Hart calls a young Yale student (Margaret Qualley) his writing protegee. Loading VIDEOHEAVEN Growing up in Pennsylvania, filmmaker Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip) worked at Suncoast Video. After graduating from New York University, he worked at Kims Video in Manhattan. So a documentary about the history and culture of video stores that has taken a decade to make is very much a passion project. Narrated by Maya Hawke, it sounds like an entertaining and thoughtful three hours of nostalgia.

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IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT Palme dOr winner It Was Just An Accident. Iranian dissident director Jafar Panahi has paid a heavy price for courageously making films. Imprisoned several times, he was officially banned from making films and travelling outside the country until recently. Panahi made this thriller secretly to avoid having the script vetted by Irans Ministry of Islamic Guidance. An emotional rollercoaster that starts with a family having an accident while driving on a remote road, it won the Palme dOr, the top prize, in a strong Cannes competition last weekend. ORWELL: 2 + 2 = 5 Documentary Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5 draws parallels between George Orwells novel 1984 and Trumps America. Haitis Raoul Peck is best known for the masterful I Am Not Your Negro, a ferocious, racially charged documentary about American novelist James Baldwin. In this equally political documentary, Peck draws parallels between George Orwells classic dystopian novel 1984, where Big Brother dictates every aspect of life, and Trumps America. With Orwells writing narrated by Homeland star Damian Lewis, it uses archival footage and clips from movies and TV news. Deadline called it an urgent, indispensable film for our times. VIE PRIVEE

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Jodie Foster in French thriller Vie Privee. Jodie Foster speaks pitch-perfect French as a psychiatrist drawn into a mystery when one of her patients dies suddenly. This upmarket psychological thriller, warmly reviewed overseas, is from French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski. She has surrounded her American star with a strong French cast including Daniel Auteuil as her ex-husband and Mathieu Amalric as the late patients grieving husband. ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO Documentary One to One: John & Yoko revisits an eventful time in the couples post-Beatles life. Restored vision of the 1972 One to One charity fundraising concert that John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-ordinated in New York, performing alongside the likes of Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack, is the centre of a documentary The Hollywood Reporter has called a stone-cold brilliant fusion of kinetic and contemplative. Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald (Touching The Void, The Last King of Scotland) and editor/co-director Sam Rice-Edwards (The Rescue) revisit an eventful time in the couples post-Beatles life, using audio and video from personal and public archives. THE PRESIDENTS CAKE Comic drama The Presidents Cake is set in Saddam Husseins Iraq.

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This comic drama set in Saddam Husseins Iraq was hailed as a warm-hearted, crowd-pleasing gem when it screened in Cannes. The debut film for Iraqi director Hasan Hadi centres on nine-year-old Lamia (Banin Ahmad Nayef), who wins the questionable prize of having to bake a cake for the dictators birthday. She sets off to Baghdad to find ingredients with her beloved pet rooster Hindi and her grandma, Bibi (Waheed Thabet Khreibat). 2000 METRES TO ANDRIIVKA 2000 Metres to Andriivka. Credit: Sydney Film Festival Ukrainian director Mstyslav Chernov won an Oscar last year for the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, which was about the first weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This time he follows a Ukrainian platoon attempting to liberate a Russian-occupied village. A jury at a Danish documentary festival called it a masterpiece in filmmaking: a haunting, multilayered portrayal of war comparable to All Quiet On The Western Front. COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT Come See Me in the Good Light. Director Ryan White, who made the wonderful Mars rover film Good Night Oppy, follows a Colorado couple - spoken word artist Andrea Gibson, who has incurable ovarian cancer, and poet Megan Falley - for a documentary that won a festival favourite award at Sundance. Noting that it is about grief, joy, heartache and love, POV magazine said that calling it deeply moving is an understatement.

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Eating outNow closed Chef Neil Perry closes basement jazz bar Bobbies in Double Bay The veteran chef opened his first standalone bar last year with New York bar guru Linden Pride. Now the venue has closed after only eight months of operation. Scott Bolles Updated June 6, 2025 , first published May 29, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Sydney chef Neil Perry has closed his Double Bay jazz bar Bobbies, and relinquished the top floor of his sprawling Song Bird restaurant, as speculation swirled this week about the future of his four-floor Bay Street mega venue. In a statement, the veteran chef confirmed the closure and addressed concerns raised by guests about the restaurants future after recent media reports regarding Perrys negotiations with his landlord about reducing his footprint in the space. Song Bird is absolutely not closing, Perry said. Bobbies co-owners Linden Pride (left) and Neil Perry at their new bar last year. Edwina Pickles Perry also conceded there had been business challenges with the eight-month-old basement bar Bobbies and Song Bird, which also opened last year. Managing three levels as part of the restaurant proved more complex than we anticipated, he said in the statement. The launch of Song Bird and Bobbies, Perrys first standalone bar, around the corner from Margaret, Next Door and Baker Bleu was part of the restaurateurs expansion plans for Double Bay. He and his team spent $13 million on the Bay Street development, $3 million of which was on the bar.

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The top floor of Gaden House  the Neville Gruzman-designed building where the mega venture is located  was originally intended as a dual-purpose event space and a la carte restaurant. It has been handed back to the landlord and will be repurposed as a private office tenancy. Earlier this month, Good Food reported that Bobbies  which Perry opened with New York-based bar operator Linden Pride and his wife Nathalie Hudson  was for sale and being shopped around to Sydney bar operators, some of whom had baulked at the rent. Perry said at the time he would most probably retain the bar, integrating it into Song Bird and relaunching it as Little Bird. Hes changed course on that approach, having seemingly served his last negroni at the bar. Bobbies jazz bar has served its last cocktail. Edwina Pickles Our landlords are in discussions with prospective operators interested in taking over the space, Perry said. Linden and I have mutually agreed to close Bobbies.

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Lindens US-based hospitality group, Dante, is expanding rapidly, with multiple new venues planned across America in the next 18 months, he said. This news follows Perry taking a different approach with Song Bird. In April, he shifted from its strict Cantonese food brief by adding Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese flavours to the menu. The chef said he wanted the flexibility to explore other parts of Asia, and revive some of the classic dishes from earlier in his career, at restaurants such as Wokpool. The restaurateur also recently stepped aside as chair at the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, the industry body he helped to co-found last May. The move allowed him to focus on his business interests, he said. I dont think I have enough time for it, he said at the time. Related Article Exclusive Neil Perry looks to offload Double Bay bar, makes surprising changes at Song Bird

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Several gangs, including the Finks, Hells Angels and the Comancheros, have significantly expanded their presence in Canberra over the past few years. Bilal, who legally changed his name to Tony Soprano in 2002 before switching back in 2012, has registered at least two suspected straw directors to Safe Hands Group, including an associate of the Finks, in documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Safe Hands Group has expanded its business to include traffic management, professional cleaning, office management, and the provision of security services to building sites and public events. At Safe Hands Group, we tailor our labour hire solutions to meet the unique needs of every client ... we provide flexible staffing from a single team member to an entire workforce, the business claims on its website. Bilal was the original director of Safe Hands 002 Pty Ltd in June 2020, before he was replaced by his partner, Chloe Bilal, in December 2021.

Finks associate Branden Jones, 26, then replaced Chloe Bilal in August 2023, and remained director until the company was placed into liquidation in April last year owing almost $894,000 in outstanding tax lodgements to the Australian Tax Office. Credit: Matt Golding Several images obtained by this masthead reveal Jones wearing Finks merchandise and socialising with patched members of the gang. The liquidator for Safe Hands 002 Pty Ltd, Jonathon Colbran from RSM, expressed concern about the continued involvement of Bilal and his wife in the business. I have discerned that the former directors [Ali and Chloe Bilal] have exerted considerable financial and managerial control over the company until its cessation, Colbran said in a statutory report to creditors in July last year.

However, Colbrans investigation into the collapse of the business has been hampered by Jones failure to comply with his directors duties. I am yet to receive a completed Report on Company Activities and Property nor receive any books and records from the current director, said Colbran, who has reported Jones to ASIC over the matter. Before Safe Hands 002 Pty Ltd was placed into liquidation, another company named Safe Hands Group Pty Ltd was registered in February 2023. The company lists the director and owner as Jelena Brozinic, who has been employed by Bilal for more than a decade, including at a now-defunct hospitality business called London Burgers. Branden Jones (bottom left) at a Finks get-together.

This masthead has been told by the Finks gang associate that assets and clients were transferred between the two companies in an alleged case of phoenixing. SMS messages appear to confirm Bilals involvement in the company. When asked about the companys operations, an ASIC spokesman said it was monitoring the situation. Jelena Brozinic, a director and owner of Canberra labour-hire company Safe Hands Group Pty Ltd. An ATO spokeswoman said it was unable to comment due to our obligations under taxpayer confidentiality laws. According to the ATO website, the annual economic impact of illegal phoenix activity on businesses, employees, and government is estimated to be $4.89 billion. The ASIC website cites an independent report which claims phoenixing costs the government about $1.6 billion in unpaid taxes.

Bilal did not respond to phone calls or an SMS from this masthead. Brozinic and Jones also did not respond to requests for comment. Bilal has previously denied his involvement with the Finks and Rebels bikie gangs. However, police officers made submissions in the ACT Supreme Court, the ACT Magistrates Court and the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission claiming the 53-year-old was a senior figure in the ACT chapter of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang. Detective Sergeant Owen Patterson, from the anti-bikie Taskforce Nemesis, said in court in April that Bilal was previously a leader of the ACT Rebels, which disbanded and became the All Brothers Crew, or the Ali Bilal Crew in late 2022 or early 2023. Patterson told the court that members then eventually patched over to the Finks in 2023, and that Bilal was believed to have been appointed world president of the gang.

In February last year, a greyhound hearing was provided with an email from NSW Police constable Mitchell Clark, who confirmed officers attended Bilals property in Wollogorang, about 60 kilometres north-east of Canberra. The police were conducting a compliance inspection for a firearm prohibition order served on Bilal, who was not home at the time. But police, according to Clarks email, were confronted by two other members of the Finks, one of whom was charged with assaulting an officer. Police located numerous items of interest in the main dwelling, including what is believed to be performance enhancing drugs and steroids ... A Finks OMCG vest was in the wardrobe of the main bedroom, this is believed to belong to Ali Bilal. Ali Bilal is the president of the Finks OMCG interstate chapter and resides at this address, Clark said in the email on September 27, 2023. In 2022, Bilal was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to five charges relating to using a carriage service to harass or threaten, after his conversations were captured by telephone intercepts.

In one recording played to the ACT Magistrates Court, Bilal ordered a woman to arrange a meeting with an unnamed man. Loading Get him to meet me. Thats it, Bilal yelled. Im gonna f--- him, his mother, his father. Im not gonna leave anybody tonight. In another conversation, Bilal demanded to know the location of another man. Well come to the site where you are now, and well deal with you in public in front of everybody to finally make a statement in this town.
Uncle Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves is desperate for answers as to why his vulnerable grandson was alone with police, and why First Nations people are left grieving yet another death in custody.

Hargraves, a Warlpiri elder, said his family and many other people in Central Australia were devastated by the loss of his 24-year-old jaja (grandson), who died while in police custody in Alice Springs on Tuesday.

Warlpiri elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, seen here in 2022, said his family has been left in the dark about what happened to his grandson, who died in custody this week. Credit: AAP

I am angry and frustrated that yet another one of our young men has lost his life at the hands of the police, Hargraves said.

We are demanding answers and justice.
Azerbaijan's non-oil exports shoot up in 4M2025

Non-oil exports from Azerbaijan totaled $1.1 billion between January and April 2025, an increase of 18 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Gold, tomatoes, and urea were among the most important exports, with Russia and Turkiye being important customers. Through the export of satellite services to forty countries, Azercosmos contributed $5.6 million.

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He then collected the young student and murdered him before driving to the womans Baulkham Hills home and killing her husband, Hyun Soo Steven Cho, 39.

Kyung Kwang Yoo, known to students at his dojang as Master Lion, first murdered Min Kyung Cho, 41, at Lions Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy in North Parramatta on the evening of February 19 last year while the boy waited in reception.

A taekwondo master has pleaded guilty to killing a seven-year-old boy he taught at his studio and a married couple in a triple murder in Sydneys west.

Yoo pleaded guilty to three counts of murder at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday morning via video link and will be sentenced later this year.

A clear motive for the killings wasnt outlined in the agreed facts obtained following Yoos pleas.

Police identified Yoo as a serial liar who told friends, family and students a series of bizarre mistruths about his income, education and family deaths. Weeks before the murders, he told his wife he would be receiving a BMW  the same make as the Chos car  from his secondary employer, a local high school. Police noted Yoo had an obsession with luxury items, social status and wealth.

Court documents show that, on February 19, about 4.30pm, the boy arrived at the academy for his regular Monday night classes. He had been attending the martial arts academy for three years and was taking double classes with Yoo in preparation for his black belt assessment.

Min Cho entered the academy about 6.20pm and was captured chatting with Yoo on CCTV before following him through the classroom and into the storeroom, where he strangled her.
Many women admitted to Sanctuary had already been seriously injured by their partners and were sent to the comprehensive refuge, which has in-house nurses, directly from hospitals. Tobin said the project helped get women and children out of motels, where many reported suicidal ideation while isolated for up to two weeks with four walls and their thoughts. Tobin says 90 per cent of callers seeking crisis help reported they had experienced strangulation. Credit: Eddie Jim It makes no logical sense to put somebody in a motel: it costs $840 a night, and 93 per cent of critical incidents involving multiple emergency services  including suicide, self-harm and child abduction  happen in motels, Tobin said. About 200 to 300 women and children stay in Victorian motels per night, having fled violence, she said.

Last year, 90 per cent had experienced strangulation, and 38 per cent had active suicidality, and 43 per cent of people who stay with us are children. Putting them in motels is an inappropriate response in a high-risk situation. Sources in the Victorian and NSW governments have expressed frustration over the diversion of federal funding from a national partnership on domestic violence funding that will cut cash to the states after a string of femicides this year. Loading Although the Commonwealth has increased funding to other family violence initiatives, it will put an average of $5.4 million less per year into the next five-year partnership, equating to a $2 million drop for Victoria and a $3 million drop for NSW in the first year. The state government spokesperson said it was disappointing that the National Partnership Agreement cut funding to Victoria, limiting the capacity of the State to fund the shortfall on Federal projects.

It is wrong to say there is no new funding for family violence in this budget, the spokesperson said. We have invested more than any other state or territory to end mens violence and we continue to fund important work changing laws, changing culture and delivering more support for victim-survivors of family violence. The government spent $250 million to deliver safer refuge and crisis accommodation across Victoria, including 22 core and cluster refuges and purchasing six crisis properties. But senior sector leaders, who wished to remain anonymous because funding is politically sensitive, said it was remarkable that the government dedicated $727 million to building 1000 new prison beds and 88 youth justice beds, when money spent on services for child family violence victims could reduce the risk of them using violence in their relationships later in life. After the budget, Tania Farha, chief executive of Safe and Equal (formerly Domestic Violence Victoria), called on the state government to urgently increase funding to front-line family violence services. Family violence was at an all-time high in our state, as the number of incidents attended by police rose 11.3 per cent in 2023-24, she said.

Its beyond a crisis, its a catastrophe, she said. If we are serious about addressing this, we cannot afford to go backwards or tread water, we need increased, secure and sustained funding for our sector into the future. Longtime social policy researcher Elena Campbell, who was on the family violence rapid review committee, said the review identified that recovery from experiencing family violence is an essential part of prevention. Loading I would emphasise particularly the impact on children and young people, so often overlooked in our responses: we need investment in their recovery as well as their immediate safety because otherwise their experiences of trauma are likely to put greater financial demands on the states economy in the years ahead, she said. Commissioner Micaela Cronin, from the federal governments domestic, family and sexual violence commission, visited Sanctuary and said she was impressed by the improvement it showed in outcomes for victim-survivors and the reduced churn of people back into the response system.

The data [Sanctuarys independent analysts, Urbis] are reporting is good, they are getting better outcomes. They are helping navigate people through to stability and safety  this kind of model needs to be invested in broadly, she said. Loading Its important for the Commonwealth and the states to work together to make these services work. The partnership agreement provides $365.9 million to states and territories to direct into operational funding of local services. In its review of Sanctuarys first year, Urbis found 98 per cent of 300 victim survivors who received comprehensive support there went on to secure accommodation, and had connected with other agencies to help transition to independent lives. Only one returned to the perpetrator.
For the first time in its 60 years of operation in Western Australia alumina producer Alcoas Perth hills mining plans are open for public consultation.

Since the 1960s, Alcoas mining in the states jarrah forests was allowed under a state agreement that provided little opportunity for public scrutiny.

Recent revelations by this masthead about the impact of Alcoas bauxite strip-mining operations on the jarrah forests and the threats it posed to WAs drinking water supply triggered community outcry, prompting the state Labor government to revise how it approved Alcoas mining.

Alcoas mining of WA jarrah forests will be scrutinised by the states environmental watchdog for the first time. Credit: Nine News Perth

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Authority opened a 12-week consultation period for Alcoas mining plans from 2023 to 2027  including clearing of nearly 15,000 hectares of forest  and the expansion of its Pinjarra Alumina Refinery.

EPA chair Darren Walsh said a 12-week consultation period was appropriate.

The sheer volume, the unique biodiversity of the Northern Jarrah Forest, and the number of environmental factors to consider means a 12-week public consultation period is entirely appropriate, he said.

The Greens and environmental groups welcomed the chance to comment on Alcoas plans.

Loading

New Greens MP Jess Beckerling said if Alcoa was allowed to clear nearly 15,000 hectares of an already struggling forest, it could be the final nail in the coffin for threatened species like black cockatoos.

Ahead of the state election, Beckerling promised to use the Greens balance of power to push Labor to end forest mining.

When asked what steps the Greens had made to push for that she said it was early days.

Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller said the company had made significant changes to its mining plans to avoid highly prized areas in the northern jarrah forest and avoid drinking water zones.

Weve made important changes including the creation of a mining avoidance zone of about 2,600 hectares around Jarrahdale and adjusted our plans to avoid areas of environmental and social value including the Bibbulmun Track, she said.

In addition, we will maintain public access to various other tracks and trails that are used by the local community and visitors to the region.


State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce would not confirm the contents of the cable during a briefing in Washington but said the government would continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is thats coming here, whether they were students or others. Loading Every sovereign country has a right to know who is trying to come in, why they want to come in, who they are, what theyve been doing, and at least hopefully within that framework determine what they will be doing while theyre here, she said. The US embassy in Canberra directed inquiries back to Washington. The move is one of many that the Trump administration has taken against top US universities, especially Harvard, which President Donald Trump accuses of indulging antisemitism on campus and persisting with affirmative action policies for student admissions.

The government is directing federal agencies to terminate contracts with Harvard, while Trump said he was considering taking away $US3 billion ($4.67 billion) in grants and giving it to trade schools instead. Harvard has refused to bow to Trumps demands, instead twice suing the administration, and Trump indicated the universitys intransigence was leading him to take harsher action. Lets be clear, this has nothing to do with combating antisemitism Jacob Miller, former president, Harvard Hillel Jewish association Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect, and all theyre doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper, he said in the Oval Office on Wednesday (Thursday AEST). The last thing I want to do is hurt Harvard. Theyre hurting themselves, theyre fighting, Trump said, making a comparison to Columbia University in New York, which he said was co-operating.

But Harvard wants to fight. They want to show how smart they are, and theyre getting their ass kicked  every time they fight they lose another $250 million. Yesterday, we found another $100 million. The Trump administration has demanded that Harvard supply a list of names of its foreign students, as well as any disciplinary action against them. Trump said on Wednesday that many of these students were very radical people from radicalised countries and we dont want them making trouble in our country. David Hogan, an Australian masters student at Harvard, said the problem would go away if the university just did what the administration wanted. He also suggested Harvard was enrolling too many international students  just shy of 7000, or a quarter of its total  and it should be capped at about 15 per cent. We have people [in the US] that want to go to Harvard and other schools; they cant get in. Australian David Hogan, who is completing a master of real estate, said his phone had blown up with messages from compatriots uncertain about their fate. But Hogan was more relaxed about the situation.

This is just classic Trump playing hardball. He does it in every single facet of political life, he said. Theres uncertainty and people are scared. People forget  if the university just complies, this threat isnt acted upon. Were all freaking out Another Australian at Harvard, who did not want to be identified for fear of retaliation by US authorities, is currently in Europe with fellow students and said there was unease among the cohort. Were all freaking out being, like, can get back into the country? she said. She and others had thought about returning to the US early, while the injunction was still in place, but decided not to. We dont really want our lives to become bargaining chips, she said. A lot of us have accepted we might become collateral damage. Its still the right thing for Harvard to [fight back], even if it f---ks up my life.

Loading Concerns about antisemitism on campus go beyond just Harvard and the Ivy League, following more than 18 months of protests against Israel and its destruction of Gaza, prompted by the October 7 Hamas attacks. In an interview with National Public Radio this week, Harvard president Alan Garber, who is Jewish, said his university had made substantial progress in combating antisemitism over the past 12 months. But the most common and disturbing way antisemitism manifested on campus was social exclusion, he said, which was more difficult to manage and meant people were not exposed to different opinions. We shouldnt be in an echo chamber. Everyone in our community needs to hear other views, Garber said. That is one reason why it is so important for us to be able to have international students on our campus. There is so much that they contribute to our environment, and they enable everyone else to open their minds.
Kazakhstan, Rwanda to cooperate in field of space systems development

Photo: Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstans Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry and the Rwandan government will collaborate on ICT and space systems. During his visit to Kazakhstan and the Astana International Forum, Rwandas President Paul Kagame toured Kazakhstans National Space Center. The Kazakh minister highlighted key space projects, focusing on potential cooperation with Rwanda in geoinformation, monitoring, and environmental analysis technologies.

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44 MLAs ready to form Govt in Manipur





IMPHAL :

BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh along with 9 NDA MLAs meet Manipur Governor

FORTY-FOUR MLAs are ready to form a new Government in Manipur, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh claimed on Wednesday after meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Singh, along with nine other MLAs, met the Governor at the Raj Bhawan. Forty-four MLAs are ready to form a Government as per the wishes of the people. We have conveyed this to the Governor. We also discussed what solutions can be there for the issue, he said. The Governor noted what we had to say and will initiate actions in the best interests of the people, he added. Asked if they would stake a claim to form the Government, he said the Central leadership of the BJP will take the decision. However, to inform that we are ready is similar to staking a claim to form a Government. Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata has individually and jointly met the 44 MLAs. There is no one who opposes the formation of a new Government, Singh said.

People are facing too much hardship. In the previous term, two years were lost due to COVID, and in this term, another two years have been lost due to the conflict, he said. Manipur has been under Presidents Rule since February after BJP leader N Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister, amid criticisms about his Governments handling of the ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos, which broke out in May 2023. The 60-member Assembly at present has 59 MLAs, with one seat vacant due to the death of a legislator. In the BJP-led coalition, there are 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim MLAs and nine Naga legislators, totalling 44. The Congress has five MLAs -- all Meiteis. The remaining 10 MLAs are Kukis -- seven of them won the last election on a BJP ticket, two belong to the Kuki Peoples Alliance, and one is an Independent.

The development comes amid massive protests in the Meitei-inhabited Imphal Valley over the hiding of the states name written on the windshield of a government bus by security forces. Meitei groups have been demanding an apology from the governor over the incident that happened in Gwaltabi on May 20, and the resignation of the chief secretary, DGP, and security advisor. Since the beginning of the ethnic strife in May 2023, in which over 250 people have been killed, Meitei groups maintain that the territorial integrity of the State is non-negotiable in any peace process, while the Kuki-Zo outfits assert that the only solution to resolve the crisis is creating a separate administration for the hill districts where they live. The Gwaltabi incident has added to the tensions, which were waning in recent months because of a slew of measures being taken by the Centre to bring back peace to the state.
Govt raises paddy MSP by 3% MSP of pulses, oilseeds raised by up to 9pc





NEW DELHI :

THE Centre on Wednesday raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy by 3 per cent (Rs 69) to Rs 2,369 per quintal, while up to 9 per cent rise in pulses and oilseeds rates for the 2025-26 kharif marketing season. The Agriculture Ministrys proposal on MSP for the new kharif season was approved in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement comes amid South-West monsoon reaching earlier than usual, giving a boost to the sowing of kharif crops, which contribute over 50 per cent of Indias total annual foodgrain production.

Briefing media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, Two key decisions were taken for the welfare of farmers -- kharif crops MSP and interest subvention scheme. In the last 10-11 years, there has been a massive increase in the support price of 14 kharif crops in line with the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, he said. For the 2025-26 kharif marketing season, the support price for common and A grade varieties of paddy has been increased by Rs 69 each to Rs 2,369 per quintal and Rs 2389 per quintal, respectively. Among other cereals, the support price of ragi has been raised by Rs 596 to Rs 4,886 per quintal, jowar by Rs 328 to Rs 3,699 per quintal (hybrid) and Rs 3,749 per quintal (Maldani),maize by Rs 175 to Rs 2,400 per quintal and bajra by Rs 150 to Rs 2,775 per quintal for 2025-26. Pulses MSP has been increased by up to 5.96 per cent, while that of oilseeds by up to 9 per cent from over the previous year to boost domestic production and reduce the import dependency.

The support price for tur has been increased by Rs 450 to Rs 8,000 per quintal, urad by Rs 400 to Rs 7,400 per quintal and moong by Rs 86 to Rs 8,768 per quintal for the said period. Similarly, groundnut MSP has been raised by Rs 480 to Rs 7,263 per quintal, soyabean by Rs 436 to Rs 5,329 per quintal, sunflower seeds by Rs 441 to Rs 7,721 per quintal for the 2025-26 kharif marketing season. Sesamum support rate has been increased by Rs 579 per quintal to Rs 9846, while that of nigerseed by Rs 820 per quintal to Rs 9,537 for 2025-26. Among cash crops, cotton MSP has been increased by Rs 589 per quintal each to Rs 7,710 (medium staple) and Rs 8,110 (long staple), respectively, for 2025-26. In recent years, the Government has been promoting the cultivation of crops other than cereals, such as pulses and oilseeds, and nutri-cereals/shree Anna, by offering a higher MSP for these crops.

The increase in 2025-26 kharif crops MSP is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of production. The expected margin to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be highest in the case of bajra (63 per cent), followed by maize (59 per cent), tur (59 per cent) and urad (53 per cent). For the rest of the crops, margin to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be at 50 per cent, the minister added. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for nigerseed, followed by ragi, cotton, and sesamum.
Illegal immigrants: Pre-dawn raids across Bhilai Nagar, Chhawani, Patan





Police teams carry out a surprise pre-dawn raid at a sawmill, questioning workers as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Staff Reporter

BHILAI,

As part of the ongoing Musafiri Policing initiative aimed at identifying illegal immigrants and monitoring transient populations, Durg Police launched coordinated early morning search operations across Bhilai Nagar, Chhawani, and Patan subdivisions. At the break of dawn on Wednesday, police teams led by respective City Superintendents of Police (CSPs) initiated simultaneous raids starting at 5 AM. These operations focused on slum areas and industrial zones suspected of harboring undocumented individuals, particularly those believed to have entered the country from Pakistan and Bangladesh. More than 474 people were screened during the operation. Fingerprints of 103 individuals were taken for identity verification and inclusion in a secure database.

The raids were targeted sawmills, crusher units, small-scale factories, and densely populated neighborhoods. Areas covered included Transport Nagar, Hathkhoj, and Puraina (Chhawani Subdivision); Contractor Colony, Panch Rasta, and Purani Basti (Bhilai Nagar Subdivision); and the villages of Utai, Dumrideeh, and Mahkakala (Patan Subdivision). Police officials checked identification documents such as Aadhaar cards and ration cards and cross-verified individuals claimed backgrounds. Fingerprint scanning was performed on individuals with questionable or incomplete documentation. ASP Padmashri Singh Tanwar told the media that the crackdown is a key component of a wider effort to detect illegal settlements and ensure community safety. Additional police personnel were deployed across subdivisions to support the three-hour-long operation. The police have urged all residents to maintain proper documentation and cooperate fully with verification procedures to avoid legal consequences.
Indian Navy to welcome two women officers after historic 50,000 km Sagar Parikrama





NEW DELHI :

THE Indian Navy is all set to welcome the triumphant crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama II on the successful completion of circumnavigation of the Globe onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini. Accomplishing this rare feat in double-handed mode, young women officers of the Indian Navy, Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K, are set to touch the shores of Goa on May 29. This extraordinary sailing expedition was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, on October 2, 2024. Over a period of eight months, the Naval duo (famously called DilRoo) covered a distance of 25,400 nm (approx 50,000km) across four continents, three oceans and three Great Capes, braving extreme weather conditions and challenging seas relying solely on sails and wind power. The Flag-in ceremony of this landmark event will be presided over by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Mormugao Port, Goa, formally marking the culmination of the circumnavigation.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the expedition symbolises Indias maritime endeavours, showcasing the nations prominence in global maritime activities and the Indian Navys commitment to excellence and Nari Shakti signifying the motto Courageous Hearts Boundless Seas. As the proud flag bearers of resurgent India, the duo commenced their circumnavigation with port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Cape Town (South Africa). The officers engaged in numerous diplomatic and outreach engagements, interacting with parliamentarians, the Indian diaspora, school children, Naval cadets and university faculty across the globe. In a rare gesture, they were honoured as special invitees at the Western Australian Parliament in recognition of their achievements.

The Ministry said that their accomplishments received accolades from local communities, international sailing bodies and foreign parliaments, serving as a beacon of women empowerment, maritime excellence and national pride. The crew encountered winds up to 50 knots (93 kmph) coupled with stormy weather conditions and extremely cold temperatures during the journey, setting the ultimate test of human endurance, perseverance and sailing skills. Though each leg had its own challenges, the third leg of the journey from Lyttleton to Port Stanley was one of the most arduous. The crew encountered three cyclones, navigated through the treacherous Drake Passage and successfully rounded Cape Horn. The circumnavigation highlights the unwavering spirit, exceptional valour, courage and perseverance of the officers amidst challenging conditions of the sea and nature, an official said.

During the voyage, the crew had the opportunity to interact with the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the eve of International Womens Day. The Defence Minister congratulated the crew for their remarkable milestone and acknowledged the invaluable role of women in bolstering national security and reaffirming Indias commitment to expanding opportunities for women in the Defence sector. Besides this, Adm Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff, also interacted with the crew on various occasions and commended their exemplary skills, professionalism, camaraderie and teamwork. As the nation eagerly awaits the arrival of the resilient crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama II, this expedition has been a defining chapter in Indias maritime history. The crew exemplified the spirit of exploration, showcasing seafaring skills on a global stage. It has been a journey of empowerment, innovation and commitment to Indias maritime heritage, charting new paths for a brighter and empowered future. It reaffirms the Indian Navys pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility across the vast expanse of the worlds oceans, the official added.
Indigo to start single PNR code flying from Nagpur to Amsterdam, Manchester





Business Reporter :

SOON, passengers from Nagpur will be able to fly to Manchester and Amsterdam on a single ticket Passenger Name Record (PNR) code, with convenient connecting flights via Mumbai airport. This new service is expected to start on July 1. IndiGo Airlines will be introducing this service to simplify international travel from Nagpur. Though there will be a 4-5 hour waiting period for the passengers at the Mumbai airport, they will benefit from the streamlined scheduling.

The passenger travelling from Nagpur to Manchester, will have to borad from Nagpur airport which will land in Mumbai at around midnight.Further, the onward flight will depart from Mumbai 4:15 am. For those travelling to Amsterdam, the Nagpur flight will leave at 10:35 pm, reach Mumbai by midnight, and getting connect to the onward flight at 5:20 am, said sources. It is important to note that the immigration clearance will be completed in Mumbai, making the process smoother for travellers.

This new service will allow passengers to onboard their luggage at Nagpur and retrieve their luggage at Amsterdam or Manchester airport, depending on the destination they are going to. Currently there is no direct flights to any European destinations and thus this new one-ticket offering marks a significant step forward in enhancing international connectivity for the city. The domestic leg to Mumbai is already operational, and these new international connections are set to provide a much more convenient travel experience. The PNR code is required for online check-in and it is the fastest way to get flight details. Online check-in shortens the amount of time spent at the airport and helps passengers to have a comfortable flight experience.
Interpol issues 1st Silver Notice on Indias request





NEW DELHI :

French Embassy officer Shokeen conspired with other accused and facilitated issuance of Schengen visa to applicants by collecting illegal gratification ranging from Rs 15,00,000 to Rs 45,00,000 from each.

THE Interpol has issued the first Silver Notice on Indias request to track the global assets of former French Embassy officer Shubham Shokeen, who is wanted in connection with visa fraud, officials said on Tuesday. The Silver Notice is a colour-coded Notice introduced by Interpol in January this year to track the movement of illicit assets across the globe. The pilot project, in which India is also a part, started with the issuance of the first Silver Notice on the request of Italy.

The Interpol issues nine types of colour-coded Notices, with each meant for seeking specific information from member countries worldwide. For instance, Red is for detaining a fugitive, Blue for seeking additional information, Black for unidentified bodies and Yellow for missing person. India is among the 51 member countries taking part in the first phase of Silver Notice issuance, as a pilot project that will continue till November. As part of the pilot phase, each country can get nine Silver Notices published. Through Silver Notices and Diffusions, member countries can request information on assets linked to a persons criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crime and other serious offenses, CBI said.

It said the Notice will facilitate locating, identifying and obtaining information about laundered assets including properties, vehicles, financial accounts and businesses. Countries may subsequently use such information as a basis for bilateral engagement, including bilateral requests for seizure, confiscation or recovery of assets, subject to national laws, it said. The Interpol has issued two Silver Notices in quick succession on CBIs request. The first request was made on May 23 against Shokeen, Personnel Visas and Local Law Officer in the French Embassy in Delhi and the second on May 26 against Amit Madanlal Lakhanpal wanted by the Enforcement Directorate, the agency said in a statement. During the period from September 2019 to May 2022, Shokeen conspired with other accused persons and facilitated issuance of Schengen visa to applicants by collecting illegal gratification ranging from Rs 15,00,000 to Rs 45,00,000 from each, the CBI spokesperson said. He said the accused used the proceeds of crime to acquire six immovable properties worth 7,760,500 Dirhams (Rs 15,73,51,250) in Dubai.
Stalemate Dialogue between State Govt, teachers association fails





Teachers staging a dharna at Tuta on Wednesday.

Staff Reporter :

RAIPUR

Talks between the State Government and the representatives of teachers association ended without any conclusion at Mantralaya, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on Wednesday. Speaking to The Hitavada over telephone, State President of Samagra Shikshak Federation Chhattisgarh Manish Mishra said that the talk was held between the representatives of the teachers associations and Secretary of School Education Department Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi at Mantralaya on Wednesday but it failed. The teachers associations demanded the State Government to withdraw the decision of rationalisations of 10,463 Government schools in State, he added. If the State government does not withdraw its decision of rationalizations of 10,463 government schools in the state, over two lakh teachers in the state will go on indefinite strike from May 31, asserted Manish Mishra. Thousands of teachers from all districts of the state staged a dharna under the banner of Sarva Shaikshik Sangathan Chhattsgarh at Tuta, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on Wednesday, opposing the decision of rationalizations of 10,463 government schools in the state. The 2008 set up of the School Education Department should not be changed.

Other demands include relaxation of B.Ed training and others. A memorandum with a three point demand addressed to the chief secretary was also submitted. After dharna, the teachers moved from the dharna spot to gherao Mantralaya, but the protestors were stopped by the police in the midway. It may be mentioned that the Chhattisgarh School Education Department today announced the rationalization of 10,463 schools under the New Education Policy-2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act. This includes 5,849 E-category schools and 4,614 T-category schools. The process involved merging schools located within one kilometer in rural areas and 500 meters in urban areas. As per the rationalization report by Chhattisgarhs Education Department 211 government schools across the state have no students, yet still have teachers deployed. This comes to light amidst a severe teacher shortage in remote and underserved areas.

The report states that in the Government Primary School of Sajabhavna has zero students but employs one assistant teacher and Harratikra school both in Surguja districts Batouli block also with no enrolled students, has a headmaster and two assistant teachers on staff. The Education Department acknowledges these schools have lost their relevance and states that transferring these teachers to schools with actual need has begun. Conversely, many of the states remote and difficult-to-access regions face a critical dearth of teachers. This deficiency directly affects academic outcomes. For instance, the Government Higher Secondary School in Kunwarpur, under Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district, recorded a higher secondary examination pass rate of just 40.68% in 2024-25. This figure is considerably below the state average, largely attributed to the lack of subject-specific teachers.

During his visit to Kunwarpur, villagers directly appealed to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for teacher appointments. They emphasized that vital subjects like science, mathematics, and English have lacked dedicated teachers for years, depriving students of quality education. In response to these disparities, the Education Department has initiated a restructuring process under the rationalization plan. This involves reassigning teachers from schools with no students to those where their presence is genuinely required. Departmental sources indicate that the teacher rationalization process will be completed soon, aiming to significantly improve the states education system. Experts have welcomed the move, deeming it long overdue. They point out the paradox of struggling schools lacking teachers while others remain staffed despite having no students.
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Student held for post on Indo-Pak conflict released from Pune jail





MUMBAI :

A 19-year-old Pune student, arrested for a social media post concerning Indo-Pak hostilities, has been released from jail after the Bombay High Court granted her bail while rebuking the Maharashtra government for ruining her life and turning her into a hardcore criminal. The girl was released from the Yerwada Central Jail on Tuesday night following the HCs order, as per her lawyer. In a rebuke to both the state and her educational institution, the court in its order on Tuesday also suspended the girls rustication order issued by the Sinhgad Academy of Engineering. The student, originally from Jammu and Kashmir, moved to Pune in 2023 to pursue the Bachelor of Engineering (Information Technology) degree course from the Sinhgad Technical Education Society. On May 7, the girl shared a post on Instagram from an account called Reformistan, which criticised the Indian Government during the Indo-Pak hostilities amid Operation Sindoor.

Within two hours, she realised her mistake and deleted the post after receiving a barrage of threats. The Kondhwa police in Pune registered a First Information Report (FIR) against her on May 9 and she was arrested. The girl was later sent to judicial custody and was lodged at the Yerwada prison. She then moved the HC through her lawyer Farhana Shah, challenging the rustication order and also sought quashing of the FIR and to be released on bail. On Tuesday, the HC came down heavily on the government for its absolutely shocking and radical response to the girls social media post. The court ordered for the girl to be released forthwith so that she can appear for her ongoing semester exams. Pursuant to the court order, the girl was released from jail at around 9.30 pm on Tuesday, Shah said. The girls family was present outside the jail at the time, the lawyer said.

The court had also directed the educational institution to provide the girl a hall ticket so that she could appear for the exams. It said the college shall, if necessary, provide security and arrange a separate class for her to appear for the exams. The court also asked the police to ensure the girl is given adequate police protection when she goes to the college, considering the fear expressed by her. Shah said the girl would go to the college on Wednesday to take her hall ticket and finish other formalities so that she can appear for the remainder of her papers scheduled from Thursday (May 29 to June 3). Due to her arrest, the student missed two papers, the lawyer said. She had sought a direction from the HC to the college to permit her to take the two papers as a special case. The college said it cannot take the decision to do so as the examinations were conducted by a Pune-based university. The court then permitted the girl to file an application seeking such permission from the university.

In its May 9 rustication letter, the college stated that since the girl had brought disrepute to the institution, it was justified to preserve the institutions ethos. It further said the petitioner had anti-national sentiments and posed a risk to the campus community and society. The HC, however, questioned the college for its hurried decision to rusticate the student, and said its approach should have been to reform the girl and not punish her. The court said her arrest should not have occurred, especially since she had promptly deleted the post, expressed remorse and apologised. Cautioning the student to act responsibly in the future and refrain from uploading such posts, the high court passed its sternest remarks for the states handling of the situation.
Zudpi Jungle Admin yet to start preparation for diversion proposal





By Vikas Vaidya :

The proposal would be processed after receipt of format approved by Central Empowered Committee

AFTER the recent verdict of Supreme Court declaring Zudpi jungle in six eastern Vidarbha districts as forest land, district administrations in the region are now waiting for the format through which they would submit their proposal for converting forest (Zudpi Jungle) land for commercial use. In a landmark verdict, the Apex Court had said, The Union Government and the State of Maharashtra shall, with mutual consultation and with prior approval of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), devise a format for processing the proposal of diversion of Zudpi Jungle land for non-forestry activities within a period of three months.

The district administrations will start processing the proposals only after the format is duly devised as per the top courts directions. Nobody knows as to how the proposal should be prepared. We have to follow the directives of the Supreme Court. It may take two months to prepare the proposal. We have to get it approved from the CEC. Then only the proposal can move forward, pointed out a senior administrative officer on the condition of anonymity. In its order, the Supreme Court has mandated that for Zudpi lands allotted by competent authorities up to December 12, 1996 and for which land classification had not been changed, the State of Maharashtra shall seek approval under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 for deletion from the list of forest areas. These directions apply for the land before December 12, 1996 only.

According to a retired officer, when the administration starts preparing proposal for such lands, their area is likely to reduce if they strictly follow the directions specified by SC. In fact, many departments having structures on Zudpi lands are not much concerned about their diversion. Parts of some projects are on Zudpi lands but the departments are not in a mood to seek change in land use. For example, inside MIHAN, there is a lake in close vicinity of Mahindra Tech company. The surrounding of the lake is part of Zudpi Jungle.

A very senior officer of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) said, We are not taking any steps for that small piece of land -- a part of Zudpi Jungle. Applying for its deforestation will be a futile exercise. The land is very close to the lake and so we wont be able to set up any project there. Only six districts of eastern Vidarbha, including Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Wardha and Gondia are facing the issue of Zudpi jungle used for various non-forest purposes for the past several decades. Land admeasuring approximately over 1.70 lakh hectare is now treated as forest land. The word Jungle with Zudpi made all the difference and such lands were brought under the ambit of forest. As per many officials, including from the Forest Department, taking up any work on the forest land is very difficult.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Kazakhstan supports the expansion of the UN Security Council, including broader regional representation, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a plenary session of the Astana International Forum, Trend reports.

According to Tokayev, structural reform of the Security Council is necessary for the UN to remain relevant and truly reflect the real world.



Major powers must reaffirm their commitment to maintaining peace and security, as well as to the key principle of respecting the territorial integrity of all countries. We must all firmly adhere to the UN Charter, avoiding biased and selective approaches to its fundamental principles. Only in this way can we restore trust in the authority of the United Nations, Tokayev emphasized.

During his speech, Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan views the modern turbulent world through the lens of constructive interaction.

In our foreign policy, we rely on the priority of dialogue over division, as well as respect for sovereign rights. Nationalist pride and ignoring the historical and cultural traditions of peoples are unacceptable, he added.

Today, the Astana International Forum is taking place in Kazakhstans capital. The event is attended by: President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alen Berse, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, heads of UN system organizations, and other respected participants.
Greenhaven Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 3,800 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $207,000. Robert Half comprises about 0.0% of Greenhaven Associates Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RHI. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 613.7% in the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 364 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 313 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Robert Half in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Robert Half by 121.3% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 436 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Robert Half in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Robert Half in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors own 92.41% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RHI has been the subject of several research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Robert Half from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, May 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Robert Half from $46.00 to $40.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Robert Half from $65.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered shares of Robert Half from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $45.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial set a $55.00 target price on shares of Robert Half and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Robert Half presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.71.

Robert Half Trading Down 1.3%

RHI stock opened at $45.89 on Thursday. Robert Half Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.00 and a 52 week high of $78.41. The company has a market capitalization of $4.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.81 and a beta of 1.06. The firms 50-day moving average is $47.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.13.

Robert Half (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The business services provider reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.19). Robert Half had a return on equity of 17.20% and a net margin of 4.34%. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.61 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Robert Half Inc. will post 2.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Robert Half Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.14%. Robert Halfs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 118.00%.

About Robert Half

(Free Report)

Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti segments. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support.

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UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its stake in Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH  Free Report) by 168.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 245,495 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 154,107 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.62% of Bank of Hawaii worth $17,489,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BOH. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Bank of Hawaii in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Headlands Technologies LLC increased its position in Bank of Hawaii by 285.8% in the 4th quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 949 shares of the banks stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 703 shares during the period. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Bank of Hawaii in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $70,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in Bank of Hawaii by 204.9% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,543 shares of the banks stock valued at $110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,037 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV increased its position in Bank of Hawaii by 70.9% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,957 shares of the banks stock valued at $139,000 after acquiring an additional 812 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.18% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Barclays raised their target price on Bank of Hawaii from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of Hawaii currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.17.

Bank of Hawaii Stock Down 1.8%

Shares of BOH stock opened at $66.73 on Thursday. Bank of Hawaii Co. has a 1 year low of $54.50 and a 1 year high of $82.70. The stock has a market cap of $2.65 billion, a PE ratio of 19.29 and a beta of 0.76. The businesss fifty day moving average is $66.56 and its 200-day moving average is $70.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.71.

Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 21st. The bank reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.08. Bank of Hawaii had a return on equity of 11.81% and a net margin of 14.47%. The company had revenue of $169.87 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $168.65 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.87 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Bank of Hawaii Co. will post 3.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bank of Hawaii Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. Bank of Hawaiis dividend payout ratio is presently 78.65%.

Insider Transactions at Bank of Hawaii

In other news, insider Taryn L. Salmon sold 1,652 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.15, for a total transaction of $109,279.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,442 shares of the companys stock, valued at $426,138.30. This trade represents a 20.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.07% of the companys stock.

About Bank of Hawaii

(Free Report)

Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, overdraft lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, as well as high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products.

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California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 91.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 509,227 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 243,433 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Entergy were worth $38,610,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of ETR. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Entergy by 101.9% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 52,133,646 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,952,773,000 after purchasing an additional 26,312,267 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 142.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 17,594,747 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,334,034,000 after acquiring an additional 10,347,926 shares during the period. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in Entergy by 90.7% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 12,612,407 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $956,273,000 after purchasing an additional 5,998,760 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in Entergy by 71.4% during the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 12,884,421 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $976,895,000 after purchasing an additional 5,368,396 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Entergy by 106.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 10,236,816 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $774,103,000 after purchasing an additional 5,271,559 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.07% of the companys stock.

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Entergy Trading Down 1.2%

Shares of Entergy stock opened at $81.81 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $35.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.60, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. Entergy Corporation has a 12-month low of $52.07 and a 12-month high of $88.38. The firms 50-day moving average price is $82.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.60.

Entergy Announces Dividend

Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The utilities provider reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.22. Entergy had a net margin of 8.90% and a return on equity of 10.68%. The business had revenue of $3.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.54 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Entergy Corporation will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, May 2nd will be given a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 2nd. Entergys payout ratio is currently 77.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ETR. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Entergy from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Entergy from $86.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $86.50 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Entergy from $87.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Entergy in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $86.04.

View Our Latest Analysis on Entergy

About Entergy

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Centaurus Financial Inc. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,232 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 439 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $1,572,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Bellwether Advisors LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Bradley & Co. Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Price Performance

BATS EFG opened at $109.27 on Thursday. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $88.66 and a 12 month high of $110.76. The company has a 50-day moving average of $102.42 and a 200-day moving average of $101.51. The company has a market cap of $13.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.23 and a beta of 0.96.

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Cullen Investment Group LTD. reduced its position in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 16.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,918 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 762 shares during the period. Cullen Investment Group LTD.s holdings in BlackRock were worth $3,709,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in BlackRock by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the asset managers stock worth $128,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA grew its position in BlackRock by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 1,279 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,311,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. grew its position in BlackRock by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 368 shares of the asset managers stock worth $377,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the period. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC grew its position in BlackRock by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 127 shares of the asset managers stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its position in BlackRock by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 534 shares of the asset managers stock worth $542,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other BlackRock news, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $852.01, for a total value of $1,704,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 66,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $56,261,628.34. This represents a 2.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders sold 12,430 shares of company stock worth $11,237,249. Corporate insiders own 1.98% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of BLK stock opened at $971.54 on Thursday. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1 year low of $752.30 and a 1 year high of $1,084.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $922.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $976.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 5.23 and a quick ratio of 5.23. The company has a market cap of $150.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.13, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.41.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The asset manager reported $11.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.84 by $0.46. BlackRock had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 31.21%. The business had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $9.81 EPS. BlackRocks revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 47.41 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 5th will be paid a $5.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 5th. This represents a $20.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.15%. BlackRocks payout ratio is presently 50.63%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of BlackRock to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, May 24th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of BlackRock from $950.00 to $990.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of BlackRock from $1,275.00 to $1,124.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 7th. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of BlackRock from $1,251.00 to $1,032.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $1,046.00 to $988.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,077.08.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BLK

BlackRock Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 29. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Italy has nearly tripled in recent years, driven by an expanding range of mutual supplies and stronger economic cooperation, Trend reports, citing the Uzbek President's Office.

This was announced during official talks between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, held at the Congress Center in Samarkand. The leaders discussed prospects for deepening the strategic partnership and expanding multifaceted cooperation across various sectors.

In addition, the number of joint ventures and investment projects between the two countries has doubled. Productive partnerships have been established with leading Italian companies in metallurgy, electrical engineering, agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism, and other sectors. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to active engagement with the European Union institutions, building on the successful EU-Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand in April.

Special attention was given to organizing the upcoming Central AsiaItaly summit with a focus on practical results. The parties also agreed to expand technical cooperation programs in the trade sector, including training Uzbek exporters to access the EU market, establishing a joint certification center in Tashkent, and accelerating the adoption of a Conformity Assessment Agreement.

President Mirziyoyev proposed launching a Technological Partnership Program with leading Italian companies. This initiative would prioritize innovative private-sector projects in areas such as the deep processing of critical minerals and agricultural raw materials, production of automotive components, and high-value-added manufacturing in the electrical engineering, energy, food, pharmaceutical, and construction industries. Plans also include the creation of design centers for textile, leather, and furniture production. These initiatives are expected to be housed in a dedicated industrial park in the Tashkent region, managed by a European operator.

To support the implementation of new projects, the parties will explore the creation of a joint investment fund, with the potential involvement of Italian state agencies SACE and SIMEST. Scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture was also discussed, with plans to develop a comprehensive roadmap for collaboration in areas such as grape, saffron, olive, and asparagus cultivation, establishment of agro-laboratories, advancement of biotechnology, and introduction of agricultural insurance.

The resumption of the work of the Intergovernmental Group and the organization of a business forum were agreed upon to promote new joint initiatives. In addition, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the regions of Uzbekistan and Italy, particularly in light of the upcoming visit of Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana and the first UzbekistanItaly Regional Forum.

The leaders also expressed satisfaction with the signing of an agreement on labor migration, aimed at establishing systemic cooperation in this area. Following the meeting, it was decided to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to ensure effective implementation of all agreements reached.
First Hawaiian Bank cut its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA  Free Report) by 0.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,963,888 shares of the companys stock after selling 18,594 shares during the quarter. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF makes up 9.1% of First Hawaiian Banks portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. First Hawaiian Bank owned about 0.12% of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF worth $148,568,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 10.5% in the 4th quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 1,448 shares of the companys stock worth $102,000 after buying an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Obermeyer Wealth Partners grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Obermeyer Wealth Partners now owns 4,527 shares of the companys stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Kraft Davis & Associates LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Kraft Davis & Associates LLC now owns 6,416 shares of the companys stock worth $480,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. HTLF Bank grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. HTLF Bank now owns 3,246 shares of the companys stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 20,529 shares of the companys stock worth $1,444,000 after buying an additional 142 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Price Performance

Shares of IEFA stock opened at $82.14 on Thursday. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a 12-month low of $66.95 and a 12-month high of $83.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $138.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.03 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $77.24 and a 200 day simple moving average of $74.85.

About iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and excludes North America IEFA was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Marcum Wealth LLC cut its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 1.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,852 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 29 shares during the quarter. Marcum Wealth LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,563,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at about $6,022,224,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at about $837,017,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 79,739.7% during the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,555,277 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $818,962,000 after acquiring an additional 1,553,329 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Mastercard by 15.2% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,149,181 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $4,817,684,000 after purchasing an additional 1,207,787 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sanders Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $617,303,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. DZ Bank upgraded Mastercard from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $620.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Mastercard from $630.00 to $655.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $608.57.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 34,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $569.45, for a total value of $85,417.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,555 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,024,394.75. The trade was a 4.05% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 23,207 shares of company stock valued at $12,664,529 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.2%

MA stock opened at $575.60 on Thursday. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $588.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The firm has a market cap of $524.78 billion, a PE ratio of 41.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06. The business has a 50 day moving average of $542.49 and a 200 day moving average of $538.84.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.12 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.31 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.

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Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Free Report)  Research analysts at Wedbush issued their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Equity Residential in a report released on Wednesday, May 28th. Wedbush analyst R. Anderson expects that the real estate investment trust will post earnings per share of $1.03 for the quarter. Wedbush currently has a Neutral rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Equity Residentials current full-year earnings is $3.98 per share. Wedbush also issued estimates for Equity Residentials Q2 2026 earnings at $1.04 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.06 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $1.07 EPS.

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Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.95 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $760.81 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $769.43 million. Equity Residential had a net margin of 34.76% and a return on equity of 9.27%. The companys revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.93 EPS.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on EQR. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $79.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $82.25 to $80.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $79.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $76.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Equity Residential from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 8th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $79.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EQR

Equity Residential Trading Up 0.5%

NYSE EQR opened at $68.98 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $26.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.89. The firms fifty day moving average price is $68.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $70.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.36. Equity Residential has a 12 month low of $59.41 and a 12 month high of $78.84.

Institutional Trading of Equity Residential

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the first quarter valued at about $17,701,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 4.4% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 4,696,175 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $336,152,000 after purchasing an additional 198,344 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 3.1% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 7,489 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $536,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the period. MBB Public Markets I LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the first quarter valued at about $316,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association acquired a new stake in shares of Equity Residential in the first quarter valued at about $550,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.68% of the companys stock.

Equity Residential Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a $0.6925 dividend. This is a boost from Equity Residentials previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $2.77 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.02%. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 105.73%.

Equity Residential Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.

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Rempart Asset Management Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 12.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 321,320 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 44,365 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company comprises approximately 4.8% of Rempart Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Rempart Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $23,068,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,365,658,000. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 932.0% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 15,734,874 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,105,218,000 after purchasing an additional 14,210,193 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 10.7% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 34,339,295 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,411,992,000 after purchasing an additional 3,307,855 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $198,801,000. Finally, Theleme Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $187,049,000. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Phillip Securities upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Raymond James dropped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $88.00 to $78.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $82.00 to $78.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $87.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $75.73.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Shares of WFC stock opened at $73.73 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $239.93 billion, a PE ratio of 13.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.88. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $50.15 and a 12 month high of $81.50.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $20.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.82 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.73% and a return on equity of 12.38%. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was down 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.20 EPS. Analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.17%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.73%.

Wells Fargo & Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, April 29th that allows the company to buyback $40.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to reacquire up to 17.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Modus Advisors LLC increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 9.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,854 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the quarter. Modus Advisors LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $640,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on TSM shares. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $225.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Barclays reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Susquehanna reaffirmed a positive rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $212.00.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

Shares of TSM stock opened at $196.26 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 2.57 and a quick ratio of 2.30. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a fifty-two week low of $133.57 and a fifty-two week high of $226.40. The stocks 50-day moving average is $170.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $187.40. The firm has a market cap of $1.02 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.88, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.21.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.03 by $0.09. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 40.51%. The company had revenue of $25.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $834.10 billion. Analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th will be given a $0.6499 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 16th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.32%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is currently 27.76%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Whitecap Resources Inc. (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Buy by the seven brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$12.88.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$14.50 to C$15.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$11.50 to C$12.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Whitecap Resources to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Desjardins dropped their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$12.00 to C$11.50 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, CIBC dropped their price objective on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$14.50 to C$13.00 in a report on Thursday, April 10th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Whitecap Resources Price Performance

In related news, Senior Officer Thanh Chan Kang bought 9,720 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$8.43 per share, for a total transaction of C$81,939.60. Also, Director Grant Bradley Fagerheim bought 8,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$8.55 per share, with a total value of C$72,675.00. Insiders bought 131,620 shares of company stock worth $1,105,011 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.84% of the companys stock.

Whitecap Resources stock opened at C$8.75 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$8.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$9.33. The company has a market capitalization of C$5.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 2.67. Whitecap Resources has a 1 year low of C$6.87 and a 1 year high of C$11.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.58, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.88.

Whitecap Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a apr 25 dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were issued a dividend of $0.0608 per share. This represents a yield of 8.97%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 30th. Whitecap Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.25%.

Whitecap Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Whitecap Resources Inc is engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and assets. The company acquires assets with discovered petroleum initially in place and low current recovery factors. Light oil is the primary byproduct of Whitecaps Canadian assets.

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KazMunayGas, ExxonMobil explore expansion in oil exploration and local production

Photo: KazMunayGas

KazMunayGas and ExxonMobil held high-level talks focused on advancing the Tengiz and Kashagan projects, emphasizing modernization, industrial safety, and increased local content to boost Kazakhstans economy. The meeting also highlighted plans to expand exploration cooperation, with ExxonMobil invited to participate in KMGs 2025 global roadshow showcasing new investment opportunities.

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The News in Brief Thursday, May 29, 2025

Mamuka Mdinaradze, Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, announced on May 28 that the parliamentary mandates of members from the opposition For Georgia party, led by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, will be revoked due to their continued boycott of parliamentary sessions.In an interview with Rustavi 2, Mdinaradze stated, "We will revoke their mandates. I will tell you directly. It's in the regulations. They haven't withdrawn their list; the first 12 people definitely won't enter [parliament], we will terminate their authority, more precisely. The next 12 will enter, if they wish, of course."The For Georgia party has refused to participate in parliamentary activities following the disputed October 2024 elections, which they, along with other opposition parties, have declared illegitimate. Despite this stance, they have not formally renounced their parliamentary mandates.On February 18, 2025, Giorgi Gakharia explained that retaining the mandates was a strategic decision to maintain political independence and to access state funding allocated based on electoral results. He emphasized that this approach was intended to preserve the party's autonomy and to utilize the financial support granted by voters through the electoral process.Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the appointment of Gela Geladze as Georgia's new Minister of Internal Affairs, following the resignation of Vakhtang Gomelauri earlier that day.Geladze has served in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Probation Agency. Most recently, since April 2025, he held the position of Deputy Head of the State Security Service.Upon his appointment, Geladze expressed his gratitude, stating, "It is a great honor for me to lead this agency, to serve our country and people alongside the dignified and proud police officers and employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised Geladze's qualifications, noting his extensive experience in various public agencies and expressing confidence in his ability to lead the ministry effectively.Vakhtang Gomelauri, who has been sanctioned by several Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the Baltic states, has been one of Georgian Dream's longest-serving officials, holding senior positions over the past decade, including Interior Minister, head of the State Security Service, and Vice Prime Minister.Gomelauri cited personal reasons for his resignation, expressing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Yelo Bank supported the Azerbaijan Kids Festival, one of the largest socially oriented childrens fashion projects in Azerbaijan. The event, held at the Nine Senses center, saw 20 children aged 4-15 participate in a fashion show, showcasing their skills in front of a large audience and a distinguished panel of judges.



Children with hearing impairments from the Republican Special Boarding School No. 3 also took part in the festival. They performed on stage in their national ornamental costumes to the song You are miracle. Their performance highlights the importance of integrating children into society and ensuring equal opportunities for all.



The primary goal of the project is to support the creative spirit of children and introduce their talents to a broader audience. Participants and winners who excel at the festival will earn the opportunity to represent our country in international projects.



Yelo Bank will continue to support initiatives that promote inclusivity in business and society.



Need more information about our banking services? Then call 981 or visit our Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, or yelo.az accounts.



Yelo Bank  Brighter Banking!
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. On the sidelines of the Astana International Forum, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Trend reports

The President warmly referred to his recent meeting in Astana with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which resulted in productive negotiations and the signing of more than 20 commercial agreements totaling $5 billion.

Moreover, Suhail Al Mazrouei praised the organization of the Astana International Forum and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome.

The sides discussed practical ways to implement the agreements reached at the highest level, including the initiative to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion. According to the Minister, the Emirati side has already begun actively implementing the agreements signed during the Crown Prince's visit to Kazakhstan.

The meeting also addressed current issues of cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, and transportation.

Today, the Astana International Forum is taking place in Kazakhstans capital. The event is attended by: President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alen Berse, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, heads of UN system organizations, and other respected participants.


The Diamond Harbour MP from Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Before his departure, in Singapore, Mr Banerjee said: A lot of people, especially the people who dont follow politics closely, think that what will be the oppositions stand when it comes to national security or sovereignty of the country? Where I might differ with the ruling dispensation or the political party, I will fight with them tooth and nail. But when it comes to the national security of my country, I will stand firmly and serve towards what is in the best interest of my nation.

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I will not let my political interests come in the way of my national interest, he said as part of the all-party delegation.

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As part of the All-Party Parliamentary delegation, Abhishek held a constructive exchange with Muhammad Rofiqi, chairman of the Indonesia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Muhammad Husein Fadlulloh, vice-chairperson of the committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation.

The meeting underscored the shared commitment of both nations to deepen dialogue, foster strategic cooperation, and uphold a common resolve against the global threat of terrorism.

Moving to Jakarta, the TMC posted in its X-handle: Shri @abhishekaitc, along with the all-party parliamentary delegation from India, met H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

The meeting underscored Indias strong commitment to deepening regional cooperation and enhancing collective efforts to combat terrorism and uphold peace across the world.

Later Abhishek wrote: Today, we arrived in Jakarta on a vital diplomatic mission underscoring our nations IRON FIST POLICY AGAINST TERRORISM in every guise.

We met with Hon. Mr. Muhammad Husein Fadlulloh, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, and Hon. Mr. Muhammad Rofiqi, S.H Chairperson of Indonesia-India Parliamentary Friendship Group and shared Indias firm stance following the Pahalgam attack.

@ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn reiterated ASEANs commitment to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India and emphasised joint efforts against terrorism. We also called on Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Arief Havas Oegroseno to deepen BILATERAL COOPERATION in safeguarding PEACE, SECURITY and DEMOCRATIC VALUES in the region.

Let our SHARED CONVICTIONS steer our united response in these testing times.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 29. Sherzod Otabaev, Head of Land Reform and Master Planning at Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance, met with senior representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila to discuss collaboration on regional master plans for sustainable urban development, Trend reports.

The meeting featured key ADB officials, including Norio Saito, Senior Director for Water Resources Development and Urban Development; Jingmin Huang, Director of the East, Central, and West Asia Group; Srinivas Sampath, Director of the Emerging Directions Group; and others.

Held within the framework of the Water Issues and Urban Development forum in Manila, the discussion focused on opportunities to jointly develop and implement comprehensive master plans.

A key topic was the potential engagement of an international firm to support Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance over one year, with technical assistance from ADB. This firm would oversee implementation of master plans for six regions, create new plans for two additional regions, improve related legislation, and enhance the skills of local specialists through international best practices.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to expedite the selection process for the company. As a first step, Kattakurgan city in the Samarkand region will serve as a pilot site for master plan development. Additionally, proposals will be prepared to finance infrastructure projects based on these plans, leveraging funds from the Asian Development Bank.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
With shadows of COVID virus looming large once again, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is gearing up to handle situations and sensitise people.

According to the deputy mayor and member-mayor-in-council for health, Atin Ghosh, 14 persons in West Bengal have been affected by the new variant including two in Kolkata.

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According to the MMiC health, as per the observations of those being affected and the information shared by the experts, the impact of the new virus is not as severe as before. The virus has lesser capacity of causing permanent damages to people. The variant is a concern for those having co-morbidities or elderly citizens.

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The health department has instructed its employees responsible for collecting data on dengue to gather information on COVID now.

Considering the fact, the civic body has now decided to sensitise people. The KMC is to put up banners in its health centre to sensitise people. The civic body would now create a mass campaign to sensitise people about the dos and donts to the ordinary people. From the past experiences of 2020 and 2021, our infrastructure is ready. From how to maintain social distance and contact surveillance of those having cough and cold and gathering their information, the health wing of the KMC is ready to handle all. Also, there are many health workers who have joined after the covid period, sensitisation meetings are being held at every borough office. The doctors are sharing their Covid-related experiences with the new health workers so that they could be mentally ready for any kind of situation.

Apart from this, the Asha workers visiting every household have also been instructed to collect information on people having fever or respiratory issues. For conducting the necessary Covid test, the patients are being sent to the School of Tropical Medicine.

The civic body is now asserting on wearing masks, washing hands or even maintaining physical distance from those having cough and cold as precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, the first meeting of the committee formed by the state government to review the fire safety system was held at KMC headquarters today. The meeting was held between mayor Firhad Hakim, state fire and emergency services minister Sujit Bose and the city police officials.
For the first time in its history, the coastal town, and now temple town of Digha is set to host a grand and colourful Jagannath Rath Yatra, drawing record-breaking crowds, including foreign tourists to the popular tourist destination.

In a significant and symbolic gesture, chief minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the festival by pulling the ceremonial chariot rope of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Radharaman Das, vice-president of ISKCON Kolkata said. Adding to the grandeur, Ms Banerjee is also expected to ceremonially sweep the road leading to the aunts house  the traditional destination of the deities during Rath Yatra  with a gold-plated broom, a custom mirroring the one followed in Puri, Odisha. This broom, crafted from her personal donation, was handed over to ISKCON authorities during the recent inauguration of the Jagannath Temple in New Digha.

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The upcoming Rath Yatra, scheduled for 27 June, is anticipated to transform Digha into a spiritual and cultural hotspot. Following the opening of the newly-built Jagannath Temple, which has already drawn lakhs of visitors, this years festival is set to further elevate Dighas profile as a pilgrimage in addition to its appeal as a seaside resort. Three majestic chariots, now stationed in the temple premises, have been prepared to carry the deities to their destination  the traditional aunts house located near the Old Digha police station, where the old Jagannath temple is being refurbished at a rapid pace.

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In Digha, the Rath Yatra will be celebrated with unprecedented fervour, said Radharaman Das, vice-president of ISKCON Kolkata, which oversees the new Jagannath Temple in the town. The chief minister will pull the chariot rope and also sweep the path with the gold broom she donated. We are expecting an enormous turnout of devotees. The chariots will journey from the Jagannath Temple to the newly-renovated temple at Old Digha, where the deities will remain for seven days until the return journey  or Ulta Rath. A fair and a series of cultural programmes are also planned at the site throughout the week. District police officials have assured that a robust security arrangement will be in place to manage the swelling crowds and ensure a smooth and peaceful celebration. The celebrations mark a significant moment in Dighas evolving identity  from merely a holiday destination to a new centre of spiritual congregation on the eastern coast.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Annual Report for the Financial Year 2025 said that bank frauds have reduced, but the amount involved has gone up almost threefold.

It also said that most cases occurred in digital payments. Private-sector banks reported more cases, but state-owned lenders contributed maximum to the fraud amount.

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The report highlighted that as many as 23,953 incidences of fraud involving banks took place, down 34 per cent from FY24. The amount involved in frauds in FY25 was Rs 36,014 crore, up almost three times.

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It said the increase in the amount involved in the total frauds reported during 2024-25 over 2023-24 was mainly due to removal of fraud classification in 122 cases amounting to Rs 18,674 crore reported during previous financial years and reporting afresh during the current financial year after re-examination and ensuring compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court dated March 27, 2023.

According to the report, the state-owned banks reported 6,935 cases, which is 29 per cent, but the amount involved was higher at Rs 25,667 crore, at 71.3 per cent of the total, as compared to Rs 10,088 crore reported by private sector lenders

Regulatory efforts also took centre stage on strengthening fraud reporting mechanisms and encouraging information security preparedness, with an emphasis on cyber resilience. The central payments fraud information registry (CPFIR) reporting was extended to various categories of banks during the year, it mentioned.

An assessment of bank group-wise fraud cases over the last three years indicates that while private-sector banks reported the maximum number of frauds, public sector banks continued to contribute the maximum to the fraud amount.
Indias digital payments ecosystem witnessed robust growth in FY2024- 25, with transaction volumes surging 34.8 per cent year-on-year, according to the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) latest annual report released this week. The uptrend continues with the strong momentum seen in FY24, which recorded a 44 per cent rise.

In value terms, digital transactions grew 17.3 per cent over the year, largely driven by Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transactions, the report said. The total value of digital payments reached Rs 2,862 lakh crore, up from Rs 2,428.2 lakh crore in the previous fiscal.

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Retail digital payments now account for 99.9 per cent of all non-cash retail transactions, a slight increase from 99.8 per cent the year before. The total number of retail digital transactions reached 2,222.9 crore, with a combined value of Rs 919.3 lakh crore.

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The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continued to dominate the retail segment, clocking a 41.7 per cent rise in transaction volume and a 30.3 per cent increase in transaction value. UPI contributed 84 per cent of all retail digital transactions by volume.

Other payment systems also posted notable growth, like the RTGS transactions rose 12 per cent in volume and 17.8 per cent in value, reflecting the pace of large-value payments. Further, the NEFT usage increased 32.4 per cent by volume and 13.4 per cent by value.

The Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), aimed at expanding digital payments in less urbanised areas, significantly boosted acceptance infrastructure with the Point-of-sale (PoS) terminals increased 24.7 per cent to 1.1 crore, and the UPI QR codes surged 91.5 per cent to 65.8 crore.

In the Financial Year, RBI authorised 26 online Payment Aggregators, 6 cross-border PAs, 11 non-bank prepaid payment instrument (PPI) issuers, one Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) entity, and one white-label ATM operator.

Card-based transactions also saw a modest uptick, rising to 63.9 crore from 58.5 crore a year earlier. The increase was primarily driven by a 34 per cent jump in credit card usage. However, debit card transactions declined for the second consecutive year, falling to 16.1 crore from 22.9 crore in FY24.

Looking ahead, the RBI has outlined plans to enhance the digital payment landscape by focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance, rolling out e-Kuber 3.0, its next-generation core banking system, and developing cloud infrastructure to boost operational efficiency and cyber resilience.

The central bank reiterated its commitment to deepening financial inclusion and innovation in Indias rapidly evolving digital economy.
Stock market closed in a positive territory on Thursday snapping two-day losing run on fag-end buying in select blue-chip stocks.

At close, the Sensex was up 483.03 points or 0.59% at 81,795.35, and the Nifty was up 128.35 points or 0.52% at 24,880.80.

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Gains were registered across most sectors, except FMCG and PSU banks, which ended in the red.

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India VIX, a key volatility gauge, dropped sharply by 8%, signalling a temporary cool-off in market nervousness.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices also ended with gains of 0.48% and 0.39%, respectively.

The overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms rose to nearly Rs 445.5 lakh crore from nearly Rs 444 lakh crore in the previous session.

Among the major sectors, only Nifty PSU Bank was down 0.24% and FMCG was down by 0.13% ended with losses.

Nifty Metal was up 1.21%, Realty up by 1.14%, Pharma was up by 0.92% and IT spiked 0.77% to close with healthy gains.

Nifty Bank and Financial Services indices rose 0.23% and 0.10%, respectively.

On Nifty50, around 37 stocks closed higher with the shares of IndusInd Bank up 2.47%, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries up by 2%and Eternal by 1.8% ending as the top gainers.

The top losers were HDFC Life Insurance Company (1.07%), BEL (0.81%) and Tata Consumer Products (0.68%).

Shares of IndusInd Bank edged over 2% higher even as SEBI barred banks former top executives for alleged insider trading.

ITC shares fell for a second session in a row following a block deal, with British American Tobacco Plc trimming its stake in the consumer staples giant in the previous session.

Market ended higher amid positive global cues after a US federal court blocked President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs. Recovery was seen toward the end of the session, driven by F&O expiry-led covering.
Tata Motors has officially announced a strategic partnership with MM Group for Industry and International Trade (MTI), one of Egypts largest distribution companies, to launch its range of commercial vehicles in the Egyptian market.

According to a Tata Motors press release, The diverse portfolioincluding the Tata Xenon, Ultra T.7, Ultra T.9, Prima 3328.K, Prima 4438.S, Prima 6038.S, and LP 613 buswill support Egypts infrastructure development, rapid urbanisation, and expanding logistics sector. The launch marks a significant step in Tata Motors commitment to the market, combining global expertise with a customer-centric approach to deliver reliable, efficient, and future-ready solutions.

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Commenting on the launch, Asif Shamim, Head of Commercial Vehicles (International Business) at Tata Motors, said, Egypt is a pivotal market for Tata Motors, driven by its expanding infrastructure and the growing demand for reliable mobility solutions. With decades of experience in delivering advanced commercial vehicles across diverse geographies, we are confident that our offeringsranging from pickups and heavy trucks to buseswill cater to the varied needs of fleet owners and businesses in the market.

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Designed for superior performance, fuel efficiency, and high uptime, our vehicles enable greater productivity and profitability. We aim to further strengthen the portfolio with new introductions at regular intervals to address evolving customer requirements. Backed by MTIs strong market insight and nationwide network, we are committed to creating lasting value in the country, he said.

MTI CEO Khaled Mahmoud added, The introduction of Tata Motors world-class commercial vehicles in Egypt marks a key milestone in the countrys transport and logistics sector. With this launch, we are delivering trusted solutions suited to diverse applications and demanding conditions. Our focus will be on ensuring a superior ownership experience through MTIs robust after-sales network. We value our partnership with Tata Motors and are confident that, together, we will set new benchmarks in efficiency, durability, and customer excellence in Egypts commercial vehicle market.

In addition to its advanced vehicles, Tata Motors also announced that customers will benefit from value-added services designed to ensure hassle-free ownership and superior lifecycle management. This includes an extended warranty of up to five years or 150,000 km on the Tata Xenon and the Ultra range, along with a Scheduled Service Package. Coupled with MTIs strategically located service touchpoints, customers will also enjoy broad access to affordable spare parts and timely support, ensuring maximum vehicle uptime, the company said.
Delhi Agriculture Minister Kapil Mishra on Thursday inaugurated Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan to encourage the adoption of new technologies and innovations for farming in the capital.

According to an official document, the scheme promotes direct interaction between farmers and agricultural scientists. Under this campaign, special dialogue camps will be organised at 50 locations across Delhi, where scientists and farmers will engage in direct interaction, Mishra said.

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Further, as a part of this initiative, scientists will be tasked to document the experiences and innovations of the farmers and educate them about the modern agricultural techniques. The two-way interactions of this project will ensure farmers participation in future agricultural policies.

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The minister also issued a stern warning to those involved in the black marketing of fertilisers. Stop the black marketing of fertilisers immediately, or the government will not hesitate to take strict legal action. Compromising farmers rights will not be tolerated, he asserted.

In his address, Mishra emphasised that the campaign will be particularly beneficial for the rural areas of Delhi, where farmers issues have long been ignored.

During the press briefing, he said, Even I was unaware that Delhi had an agriculture ministry, but now the times have changed. Our government is determined to give Delhis rural areas their rightful identity. There are farmers in Delhi, there is agriculture, and now an empowered agriculture ministry is working actively.

Mishra further stated that the Centre is conducting this campaign across the country, with a target of establishing direct dialogue with 1.5 crore farmers. More than 2,000 teams of scientists will participate across 700+ districts. Through this initiative, scientists will introduce farmers to new technologies and compile their suggestions to incorporate them into future policy-making exercises.
Delhi Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh on Thursday distributed tricycles and other assistive devices to persons with disabilities (PwDs) under the Sugamya Sahayak Yojana during a program held at the auditorium of Maharishi Valmiki Hospital.

On the occasion, the minister announced that the Social Welfare Department will now organize distribution camps on the 10 of every month from July to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out from availing benefits under the scheme.

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Singh stated that, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his resolve for an Empowered Divyang, Capable Bharat, approximately 400 assistive devices have been distributed across all 10 districts of Delhi over the past three months.

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Furthermore, to make the scheme even more accessible, the department has been directed to organize monthly assessment camps from July 2025 onwards, on the 10th of each month. These camps will be held in one district each month, but eligible beneficiaries from any part of Delhi can attend and avail themselves of the benefits. There will be no restriction based on location.

Singh also emphasized that the government not only provides facilities but also ensures responsiveness. The process to fill the vacant statutory position of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, vacant for the last one and a half years, has now been initiated.

Moreover, he shared that he recently visited the ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India) plant in Kanpur to assess the production of modern and high-quality assistive devices.

The government aims to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with the best possible tools to live independently and with dignity.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav on Thursday alleged that the BJP governments decision to terminate around 2,000 Mohalla Clinic employees, while celebrating 100 days of governance, is a grave injustice to the affected families.

Yadav said that instead of creating employment opportunities, the government is rendering people jobless, with approximately 1,500 nurses, pharmacists, multi-tasking staff, and nearly 500 doctors at risk of losing their jobs.

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The Congress leader claimed that these employees have been on a hunger strike due to the non-payment of salaries for the past two months. However, instead of clearing their dues, the Rekha Gupta-led administration has acted in an autocratic manner, allegedly forcing employees to sign no dues documents indicating a planned mass termination.

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The former MLA from Badli further stated that when the affected employees met Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, they were assured that under the Ayushman Mandir initiative, Mohalla Clinic staff would be given priority in appointments. Despite such assurances, injustice is being done as they are now being removed, he added.
A 44-year-old grocery shop owner was allegedly assaulted by a mob Vijay Nagar near Delhi Universitys North Campus late Wednesday night for allegedly selling cow meat, police said.

According to police officials, the victim, identified as Chaman Kumar, a resident of Delhis Burari area, was beaten up at around 9-10 pm. A purported video of the incident that caught a group of men raising slogans calling for those who kill cows should be shot surfaced.

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After the incident, the police have tightened security in the area to control the situation on the ground. Meat samples have been seized and sent for forensic analysis to determine if it is cow meat, the police said.

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A senior officer said in a statement, Upon suspicion of cow meat, some members of the public manhandled the shopkeeper. He has been provided medical assistance, and his medical examination is currently underway.

He continued by saying the complainant in the case is a 15-year-old resident of the area. The officer said he claimed that he purchased one kilo of cow meat for Rs 400 from the store.

According to reports, leaders and members of the Students Federation of India (SFI), along with locals, arrived at the spot and called the police.

CCTV footage of the area is being collected and reviewed to verify the sequence of events, police mentioned. The situation is under control. Legal action will be taken after the forensic report comes out.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 29. Ahead of the UzbekistanItaly Summit, Uzbekistans Agriculture Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov met with leading Italian officials, Trend reports.

From the Italian side, Lika Brondello, Vice President of Confagricoltura; Professor Alvaro Marukki, Vice-Rector of Tuscia University; and Aldo Seriotti, Director of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), participated in the meeting.

In a heart-to-heart conversation, the parties rolled up their sleeves to tackle the advancement of education and scientific research in the agricultural sector. They kicked around ideas for student exchange programs, opened the door for internships for Uzbek agronomists in Italian research centers, and set the stage for bolstering cooperation on joint environmental and agrotechnical projects in the Aral Sea region.

The meeting concluded with concrete plans to promote joint initiatives aimed at further enhancing bilateral cooperation and boosting the scientific, research, and innovation potential of the agricultural industry.

These negotiations reflect the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Italy in agriculture and underscore the importance of supporting initiatives that foster sustainable development.

Previously, it was reported that bilateral trade volume between Uzbekistan and Italy has substantially increased, nearly tripling in recent years, driven by an expanded range of reciprocal commerce and enhanced economic collaboration.

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Maa trailer: Move over rom-coms and family dramas, Kajol is stepping into uncharted (and spine-chilling) territory with her latest film Maa, set to hit theatres on June 27.

The trailer, which dropped on Thursday, has already started a buzz across social media, and fans cant get enough of the fierce, mystical vibes.

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The genre? A fresh blend of mythology and horror. Yep, you read that right.

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In Maa, Kajol plays a protective mother who channels the terrifying power of goddess Kali to shield her daughter from demonic forces.

The trailer opens with a deceptively calm scene: Kajol behind the wheel, her daughter in the backseat. But the peace is short-lived. A ghostly figure crashes into their car window, and from there, things spiral into a realm of supernatural chaos.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kajol Devgan (@kajol)

The duo ends up in a village where young girls have been vanishing mysteriously for months. The tension builds, and the trailer closes with Kajol delivering a goosebump-inducing line: Jab tak teri maa tere sath hai, tera koi kuch nahi bigaad sakta. (Translation: As long as your mother is with you, no one can touch you.)

Chills, right?

Alongside Kajol, the film also stars Ronit Roy, Indraneil Sengupta, and Kherin Sharma, each bringing their own intensity to the eerie storyline.

The direction is helmed by Vishal Furia, known for his work in the horror genre (Chhorii, anyone?), and its safe to say hes going full throttle with this one.

The trailer was unveiled in Mumbai at a glitzy event attended by the films team, and yes, Kajols husband, actor Ajay Devgn, was there too. But what really caught everyone off guard was a surprise appearance by R. Madhavan. The actor, who played a bone-chilling villain in last years Shaitaan, walked in unannounced, straight from a shoot in Chennai.

Ajay Devgn, whos also producing the film under Devgn Films with Jio Studios, took a moment to thank Madhavan for his impromptu gesture: He was shooting in Chennai but flew to Mumbai just for this event. Thank you so much.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday clarified that the states recently approved arms licence policy will not be enforced in districts bordering Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland.

The move comes amid growing concern over the policys potential to escalate tensions in Assams sensitive border regions, which have historically been hotspots for ethnic and territorial conflict.

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In a social media post, Sarma said, There were some queries regarding whether the arms license policy would also apply to inter-state border areas such as those shared with Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland. Let us clarify: Assam has always maintained that inter-state border issues are matters that can and should be resolved through mutual understanding and trust. We do not view these regions as vulnerable in the context of national security threats.

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Reiterating the states commitment to peaceful resolution of border disputes, the chief minister said, The Government of Assam firmly believes that inter-state boundary issues are not security vulnerabilities, but matters best resolved through understanding and peaceful negotiation.

The clarification from Sarma comes after the state cabinet announced that the arms licence policy would cover six districts  Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, and South Salmara-Mankachar.

These areas are not near inter-state borders but lie along the India-Bangladesh frontier.

Notably, Bengali-speaking Muslims form the majority in these districts, and at least two  Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar  share direct borders with Bangladesh, a region often at the centre of political debates over cross-border migration.

Sarma emphasized that the policy was not designed to militarise the population but to respond to long-standing demands from local communities for arms licences.

We will be lenient in issuing licences to eligible individuals who are original inhabitants and belong to indigenous communities, the CM said.

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) warned that issuing arms licences could undermine public safety and weaken the states control over law and order.

Former president of APCC, Bhupen Borah accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of normalising weapons use and trying to follow the American society model.

Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev, who represents the Barak Valley, was particularly scathing in her criticism. She said the decision reflects poorly on the governments ability to protect its citizens.

This is a dangerous message that Assam Police and the Border Security Force are not able enough of protecting border areas from illegal immigrants, Dev said.

The government can issue a licence, but it cannot control how the gun is used. Once armed, an individual could use the weapon on anyone.
The Assam Skill University (ASU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Government of Assam. This agreement is designed to equip veterans and their dependents with the skills and certifications needed to reintegrate successfully into the civilian workforce.

The MoU was signed at the university campus by ASU Vice Chancellor Subhash Das and Brigadier Ploash Choudhury, Director of the Directorate of Sainik Welfare.

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Also present were Col PN Giri (Retd), Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Darrang, and Dr. Jagadish Nath, Deputy Registrar of ASU both appointed as the Single Points of Contact (SPOC) to ensure the smooth rollout and coordination of the initiative.

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The partnership recognizes the wealth of practical and technical experience gained by ex-servicemen during their military service ranging from logistics, engineering, and administration to leadership and discipline, stated a statement.

A key focus of the initiative is also on widows and dependents of ex-servicemen.

Through career guidance, skill development, and employability training, the program aims to support their transition toward financial independence and dignity.

Speaking at the event, ASU Vice Chancellor Das said, The unique discipline, technical skills, and adaptability that ex-servicemen possess make them valuable assets to the modern workforce. This initiative will ensure they are equipped and certified to re-enter the workforce with confidence.

Brigadier Choudhury expressed gratitude for the collaboration, calling it a transformative step that reaffirms the states commitment to those who served the nation. This will not only benefit the veterans but also uplift their families and contribute to the economic development of Assam.
The Congress has demanded the arrest of BJP MLA from Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur, Ranbir Pathania, for his purported remarks on Operation Sindoor and the Indian Air Force, terming them disgraceful and unforgivable.

BJP MLA Ranbir Pathania insulted our armed forces, mocking their bravery during Operation Sindoor: They were probably sleeping whats our fault? Shameful. Disgraceful. Unforgivable. This isnt the first time  BJP leaders have repeatedly disrespected our soldiers. If BJP doesnt act, this silence is Modis endorsement. Insulting the Army is a crime, not politics, said Surinder Singh Channi, Member AICC, Vice President J&K Congress.

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Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda to clarify if this was the official stand of the BJP.

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BJP has once again insulted our Armed Forces. Their MLA from J&K, Ranbir Pathania, called our Air Force nalayak. How dare he? I want to ask @narendramodi

and @JPNadda  what action are you taking against him? Or is this the official stand of the BJP!, Dr Mohamed said in a post on X.

He must be arrested immediately!, she demanded.

BJP has once again insulted our Armed Forces. Their MLA from J&K, Ranbir Pathania, called our Air Force nalayak. How dare he? I want to ask @narendramodi and @JPNadda  what action are you taking against him? Or is this the official stand of the BJP! He must be arrested pic.twitter.com/RFGuMuyxEU  Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) May 29, 2025

In a purported video that has now gone viral on social media and was also shared by both the Congress leaders, the BJP leader is heard saying: Everybody knows what happened at the Air Force station during Operation Sindoor. Nalayaki hogi inki, soye honge ye log, hmara to koi dosh nahi hai

While he didnt elaborate what happened at the Udhampur air force base during Operation Sindoor, a soldier named Surendra Kumar Moga was killed after being hit by a fragment of a Pakistnai drone which was intercepted by the Indian air defences.

According to reports, locals near the Udhampur Air Force station were served notice to remove their shops and other construction from near the road adjacent to the base. Locals had gathered for a demonstration and were joined by the BJP leader. He made the alleged remarks while speaking to local reporters during the protest.

However, after the controversy, the BJP MLA has categorically denied using any insulting words for the Air Force and warned legal action against those who were spreading fake narrative.

He issued a video statement, saying that he didnt use any such words and that the video his political rivals were spreading was morphed. The BJP leader also stated that his legal team has also filed and FIR in this regard.
Raising concern over delays in defence projects and their impact on operational readiness, Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday criticised the practice of committing to unachievable deadlines in the system.

Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 here, the officer pointed out the recurring pattern of delays in project execution.

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Air Chief Marshals remarks come in the context of the reported ongoing challenges with projects like the delivery of the aircraft.

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Timelines are a big issue; not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. This is something that we have to look at, he said, adding, Why should we promise something that cannot be achieved? While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up. But we just sign the contract. Then the process gets vitiated, said Air Marshal Singh.

On the occasion, the Air Chief also hailed Operation Sindoor as a national victory, terming the operations success as a testament to the collective efforts of the Indian Armed Forces, agencies, and every Indian citizen in combating terrorism.

Underlining how Operation Sindoor, a precise strike on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, showcased the evolving nature of warfare with the integration of advanced technologies, the officer said it has given a clear direction for future defence strategies.

I must put on record this operation, Sindoor, that weve been talking about. It is a national victory. My thanks to everyone in India here. This was an operation executed in a very professional manner by everybody, all the agencies, all the forces; we all came together, and when truth is on your side, things happen automatically, he said.

The Air Chief underscored the intrinsic trust within the armed forces, noting that it was a default setting in the armed forces.

He also urged all stakeholders  army, navy, air force, industry, and DRDO  to remain strong links in the national security chain, ensuring no weak points compromise the system, and stressed the importance of retaining this trust through consistent performance.

Trust for defence forces is intrinsic. Our default setting is trust. The very first mission that youre flying, you have to trust each other because your life depends on somebody else, he said.

When we talk about a nation, all of us in these groups, the army, the navy, the air force, various agencies, industry, DRDO  all of us are links in a bigger chain. We all have to make sure that our group is not the weak group because of which this chain will break. And that is what is stressed: that if I am trying to be strong enough not to let this system break, everybody else is also trying equally to be strong enough to be competent enough in that game or at least be aware of where the shortcomings lie and improve that system, the Air Chief Marshal added.

He also called for stronger collaboration with private industry, saying the recent clearance for private participation in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is a significant step.

AMCA- advanced medium combat aircraft  has been cleared for participation by private industry, which is a very big step, and that is the kind of confidence that the nation has in private industry today, and Im sure this is going to pave the way to bigger things coming in the future, he said.

We cannot just talk about producing in India. We also need to start designing and developing in India. We need to have this trust between the forces and the industry, with open and forthright communication, he observed.
In a significant move aimed at protecting investor interests and enhancing the ease of access to investor-related services, the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has announced the launch of its pilot initiative Niveshak Shivir.

As per the information shared by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the first camp is scheduled to be held in Pune on June 1, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Lemon Tree, City Center, Connaught Road, Modi Colony.

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The initiative aims to provide a one-stop solution for investors to address issues related to unclaimed dividends and shares.

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Key services include direct facilitation of unclaimed dividends held for six to seven years, on-the-spot updates of Know Your Customer (KYC) details and nomination, and resolution of pending claims with IEPFA.

Niveshak Shivir seeks to streamline investor services by removing intermediaries and fostering direct engagement between investors, companies, and Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs), the Ministry of Corporate Affairs said.

Companies with significant unclaimed dividend accounts will participate through dedicated kiosks at the event, enabling immediate redressal of investor grievances, it added.

The Pune pilot is the first in a planned series of camps across cities with a high concentration of unclaimed investments. This outreach reflects IEPFAs commitment to creating a secure, transparent, and investor-centric financial ecosystem.

Investors are encouraged to participate in the camp to resolve their pending claims and update their account details.
AIMIM Chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is in Saudi Arabia as part of the governments all-party delegation to amplify Indias message on Operation Sindoor and expose Pakistan on terrorism, Thursday slammed the neighbouring country for spreading false propaganda that New Delhi is hurting them because they are a Muslim country.

This is the most unfortunate that Pakistan gives out a wrong message to the Arab world and the Muslim world that we are a Muslim country and India is not. There are 240 million proud Indian Muslims living in India. This is Pakistans false propaganda that India is hurting them because they are a Muslim country, he said.

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Owaisi added that to achieve stability in South Asia, Pakistan needs to stop its Takfiri terrorist groups. If Pakistan stops these Takfiri terrorist groups, there will be stability in South Asia, therell be progress in South Asia, he added.

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The AIMIM chief also debunked the Pakistani Armys propaganda, stating that had India wanted, it could have completely destroyed their airbases. But we wanted to show them a mirror and say, We are warning you, dont do it, dont force us to go on that path. Nine terrorist organisation headquarters were also targeted. Another shocking thing was that the person who led the namaz for the terrorists killed is a designated US terrorist.

Owaisi also demanded that Pakistan be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations, he said.

Targeting Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, Owaisi said that a US-designated terrorist accompanied the Field Marshal, something that proves Pakistan is hand-in-glove with terrorists.

When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal. There is clear evidence of Pakistans involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India, he added.

After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you will be surprised to know that nothing moved forward. What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list. One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said hes dead. Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country that was saying hes dead, suddenly, hes alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism, Owaisi said.
A sharpshooter of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang died during cross-firing with Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force(STF) late Wednesday night.

STF Chief Amitabh Yash said here on Thursday that on Wednesday night, Noida STF and Delhi Police surrounded the shooter, but the accused Naveen Kumar started firing at the policemen. In counter-firing, the Naveen was shot.

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The police took the injured Naveen to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The encounter took place in the Kotwali police station area.

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Naveen was an active member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The STF has recovered a motorcycle and an automatic pistol from the criminal.

According to police sources, the Delhi Special Cell had shared with the UP police about Naveens presence in Hapur. The Special Cell informed UP STF, and a team was sent to Hapur to search for him.

According to UP police, Naveen of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, along with the notorious historysheeter Hashim Baba, committed crimes in Delhi and UP. He was part of the gangs shooting team, and the group targeted many high-profile people.

Naveen was a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad. More than 20 serious cases, like murder, kidnapping, dacoity, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act(MCOCA), were registered against the deceased criminal in Delhi and UP. He has also been convicted in two cases in Delhi.

The police and senior officials reached the spot as soon as they received information about the encounter late at night and inspected it. Security in the area was increased after the encounter.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hit out at Narendra Modi for his remarks targeting the state government over several issues, saying she was shocked and sad that when Opposition leaders are praising Operation Sindoor in foreign soil, the prime minister is busy with self-promotion.

I thought PM @narendramodi had come to salute the Army, but he didnt. While our Opposition leaders have gone abroad to promote Operation Sindoor, he is busy promoting himself, she said, asking, Have you caught those who snatched the sindoor of our sisters?

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Calling the PM leader of the BJP Jumla Party, Banerjee said it doesnt look nice to talk in this manner at this time.

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You are accusing the government and you want to blame the opposition at this time, at this hour, to politicise things just like the leader of the BJP Jumla Party. You are doing garbage. They loot the country and scoot. It doesnt look nice to talk in this manner, she remarked.

Taking strong exception to the BJPs Operation Bengal, Banerjee dared the saffron party to go into elections tomorrow.

In his presence, his minister said they will do Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor. I challenge them  if they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge, she said.

You contest the elections tomorrow, were ready, and BENGAL IS READY TO ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE. -Smt. @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/OEznJBk6vz  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 29, 2025



Referring to the all-party delegation dispatched by the Centre to amplify Operation Sindoor message and expose Pakistani terrorism, Mamata added: Our representative Abhishek Banerjee is also in the team. And he is speaking every day against terrorism, against terror. At that time, Mr Modi, not as the PM but as the BJP president, you are criticising the government (in Bengal) which is giving you full support, defending the country like anything.

Her scathing remarks came after Modi targeted her government, saying the people in the state are facing multiple crises simultaneously, including insecurity of women, corruption, and declining public trust.

Addressing a public gathering at Alipurduar in West Bengal, he said, Today, West Bengal is facing multiple crises simultaneously. The first is the crisis of violence and lawlessness spreading in society. The second is the insecurity faced by mothers and sisters, and the heinous crimes being committed against them. The third is the deepening despair among the youth and rampant unemployment. The fourth crisis is of grave corruption and the declining public trust in the system. The fifth is the selfish politics of the ruling party, which is snatching away the rights of the poor.

Modi attacked the Bengal government over riots in Murshidabad and Malda, saying poor mothers and sisters lost their life savings overnight. In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand.

He also raked up the issue of the alleged teachers scam, accusing the Banerjee-led TMC government of duping thousands of teachers.

The TMC government has ruined the future of thousands of teachers, devastated their families, and left their children helpless. The scamsters of TMC have pushed hundreds of sons and daughters from poor families into darkness. This is not just a betrayal of a few thousand teachers futures, it is the systematic destruction of the entire education system of West Bengal, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, slamming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the recent violence in Murshidabad and Malda, called it a symbol of her governments cruelty and indifference.

Accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in the state of failing to uphold law and order and ignoring the plight of citizens, the prime minister said, Today, West Bengal is grappling with a series of crises.

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Elaborating on his claim while addressing a gathering after laying down the foundation stone for a city gas distribution project in West Bengals Alipurduar on Thursday, he said, The first is the widespread violence and lawlessness that are tearing apart the fabric of society. Incidents in Murshidabad and Malda are stark examples of the Trinamool governments cruelty and indifference to the peoples suffering.

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The prime minister further accused the Trinamool Congress government in the state of preventing the implementation of various Central schemes launched for the benefit of the poor.

Asserting that there was a severe crisis of corruption in Bengal, he said, This time is very important for Bengal. The government here has turned lifes savings into ashes.

Moreover, after laying the foundation stone for a city gas distribution project worth Rs 1,010 crore in Alipurduar, the prime minister stated that the initiative highlights our commitment to strengthening the regions clean energy infrastructure.

Pointing out that the states development is essential for Indias journey towards becoming a developed nation, Mr Modi said: The dream of developed India is not possible without the development of West Bengal.

Mr Modi arrived in Alipurduar in West Bengal was welcomed by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, presenting him with a memento.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said: Today, there are more than 31 crore LPG connections in the country. Before 2014, there were less than 14 crore LPG connections.. Today, every village has a gas connection, he claimed

City gas distribution project in Alipurduar is our commitment to strengthening the regions clean energy infrastructurecity gas distribution is not just a pipeline project, it is an example of doorstep delivery of government schemes, the prime minister added.

Mr Modi is scheduled to reach Patna later in the day to inaugurate the Jayprakash Narayan International Airports new integrated terminal building constructed at a cost of  1,200 crore, and also lay the foundation stone of a new civil enclave at the Bihta airport, which is about 30 km from the state capital.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. Azerbaijan and Vietnam have agreed to convene the 3rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and a business forum in July 2025, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan.

This agreement was reached during an online meeting between Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission, and Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The sides emphasized the importance of the Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership signed during the visit of To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to Azerbaijan, noting that the signed documents would significantly contribute to the development of bilateral relations. To Lams participation in the official reception dedicated to Azerbaijans Independence Day in Hanoi was also regarded as a sign of the growing friendship between the two nations.

The meeting reviewed opportunities to expand cooperation in new areas, particularly in trade, economic development, and energy. Azerbaijan, with its vast energy resources, is acting as a regional energy hub, while Vietnam is rapidly advancing in the power sector and moving toward a green transition, noted the ministers. They also highlighted the potential for collaboration in renewable energy, hydrogen, infrastructure, logistics, human resource training, and experience exchange.

The parties stressed the Intergovernmental Commissions essential role in strengthening bilateral ties and confirmed the decision to hold its third session and the accompanying business forum in July. Discussions also included the commission's agenda, which will cover cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, transport, culture, and other areas.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday expressed confidence that by following the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir will return to India.

During the inauguration of the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, the Defence Minister said, The people of PoK are part of our nation and our family. A day will surely come when they will willingly reunite with their motherland. I am confident that PoK will one day proclaim: I am Bharat, and I have returned.

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He said most of the people in PoK feel a deep connection with India, and there are only a few who have been misled.

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The situation of our brothers living in PoK is similar to that of the brave warrior Maharana Prataps younger brother Shakti SinghIndia always talks about connecting hearts, and we believe that by following the path of love, unity and truth, the day is not far when our own part PoK will return and say, I am India, I have come back. Integration of PoK with India depends on the cultural, social and economic prosperity of this country.

He noted that running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective, adding that today, Pakistan has realised that it has to pay a heavy price for it.

We have redesigned and redefined both Indias strategy and response against terrorism. We have recalibrated our engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan. Now, whenever there will be talks, it will be only on terrorism and PoK, he stressed.

 I believe that the people of PoK are our own, part of our family. We are committed to the resolution of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and we have full faith that our brothers who are geographically and politically separated from us today, will also return to the mainstream of India someday or the other.
Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar announced on Thursday that the Congress will launch its Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan (Organization Rejuvenation Campaign) in Bhopal on June 3. The event will be inaugurated by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

This campaign would mark a historic moment for a new beginning and renewal of the Congress party, Singhar told media persons today.

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It will restrengthen the party at the grass roots level and reinforce and rejuvenate the booth-level workers, Singhar emphasized. He noted that the campaign will act as a catalyst to reconnect youth, farmers, labourers, and all sections of the society with the Congress.

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He informed that all the party observers appointed by AICC, members of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, members of the Political Affairs Committee, and all district presidents of the state Congress would participate in the meeting.

This event will not just be a meeting, but the beginning of the journey of a renewed political ideology, Singhar asserted and added, The campaign will reinforce the roots of the Congress, and will restrengthen the party for the next elections.
Former Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and other areas affected by the recent Pakistans shelling.

In a letter written to the Prime Minister, the Congress leader said, I urge the Government of India to prepare a concrete and generous relief and rehabilitation package for Poonch and all other areas affected by Pakistans shelling.

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I recently visited Poonch, where 14 people, including 4 children, tragically lost their lives in Pakistani shelling, and dozens were injured. This sudden and indiscriminate attack caused massive destruction in civilian areas. Hundreds of homes, shops, schools, and religious places were severely damaged. Many victims told me that their years of hard work were destroyed in a stroke of a moment, Gandhi said in his letter.

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He further added, People of Poonch and other border areas have been living in peace and harmony for decades. Today, when they are going through this deep crisis, its our duty to understand their pain and provide all possible assistance to rebuild their lives.

The pain of Poonch can only be felt by going there. Broken homes, shattered lives  amidst the echoes of this pain, only one voice resonates  We Indians are one. Im not making a request, but reminding the government of its responsibility, he added.
The Intelligence wing of the Rajasthan and other border security agencies have nabbed a state government employee in the bordering Jaisalmer district, reportedly for suspicious activities and links with Pakistan.

According to official sources, the suspect Shakur Khan  a clerk at the District Employment Office, Jaisalmer  was taken into custody on Wednesday. The sleuths of these agencies also held a preliminary interrogation with Khan.

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On Thursday, the suspect is being brought to Jaipur, where central security agencies may join in for a further round of grilling Khan, the sources said.

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The sources said that in view of his suspicious activities, Khan was under the surveillance of the intelligence sleuths for some time. It is learnt that he had undertaken journeys to Pakistan and is allegedly having links with some Pakistani intelligence contacts. It is also believed that he did not seek official permission to undertake the visits.

Shakur Khan reportedly had also worked in the past with a Congress leader, sources said.
Marking the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, the Rajasthan Government will expand several women empowerment schemes, including the launch of all-women Kalika Patrol Units and direct bank transfers (DBT) of benefits under various welfare programmes, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced.

Addressing officials at a high-level meeting on Wednesday evening, CM Sharma said the tri-centenary celebrations of the revered Maratha queen of the erstwhile Indore princely state would be observed in a grand manner.

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A state-level function will be held in Jaipur on Saturday, with BJP President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda as the Chief Guest. CM Sharma will also attend the ceremony.

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As part of the celebrations, 150 additional Kalika Patrol Units will be flagged off. These all-women units are specifically deployed around schools, colleges, shopping centres, and other high-footfall areas to enhance safety and protection for women, girls, and children.

Each unit comprises four women personnel. Initially announced in the state budget, 250 units have already been deployed. The government plans to scale up the number to 500 in total.

In addition to the Kalika Units, benefits will be provided through direct bank transfers to 32,755 girls under the Lado Protsahan scheme; 16,000 girls will receive Pre-Matric SC student scholarships; 152 girls will benefit from the Safai Kamgar Pre-Matric Scholarship, and 30,000 girls will receive reimbursement under the Distant Girls Education scheme.

Moreover, 2,000 girl students will be awarded scooters under the Kali Bai Bhil Meritorious Girl Student scheme.
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea by Christian Michel, the British national and alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, challenging a bail condition imposed by the Delhi High Court in the money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sanjay Kumar refused to interfere with the High Courts March 2025 order, which required Michel to disclose the address where he intended to stay after his release.

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When Michels counsel argued that the accused had no local address and could not provide one while still in custody, the bench shot back, You have a permanent address inside Tihar jail, stay there only. Finished. What to do? You have been granted bail. You dont even want to fulfill a condition of providing a local address.

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The court also declined to entertain the contention that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to direct the British High Commission, a foreign entity, to submit Michels renewed passport directly to the trial court.

In its March order, the High Court had permitted Michels release without immediate submission of a valid passport, given that his earlier one had expired. However, it directed that the new passport, once issued, be deposited by the British High Commission with the trial court.

It further directed verification of the residence address that Michel would provide before releasing him from custody.

Michel, who was extradited from Dubai to India in 2018 after a protracted legal battle, is accused of routing illegal kickbacks in the 3,600-crore VVIP helicopter deal involving the purchase of 12 choppers from AgustaWestland.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the deal, signed in 2010, caused a loss of 398.21 million (approximately 2,666 crore) to the exchequer. The ED, which filed a chargesheet in 2016, claimed Michel received 30 million (about 225 crore) as commission in the deal.

Michel, arrested in December 2018 after being brought to India, continues to be in judicial custody. His plea to modify bail conditions now stands dismissed.
Revered Hindu spiritual leader Padma Vibhushan Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya has demanded Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) as his guru dakshina from Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who took blessings from the seer at his ashram in Chitrakoot.

The Jagadguru told some media persons on Thursday that the Chief of Army Staff visited his Ashram on Wednesday along with his wife and sought his blessings.

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The saint said that the General received initiation from him in the Ram Mantra  the same mantra that Hanuman received from Sita, and achieved victory over Lanka.

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I told him that I wanted something in my guru dakshina that no other guru has ever asked for until now. I demanded PoK from the General, and he agreed, Swami Rambhadracharya said.

Now we will give a befitting reply to Pakistan, he asserted.

General Upendra Dwivedi is from village Mudla in the Gadh region of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh.

Significantly, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi is from village Maduhar in the Rampur Baghelan region of the neighbouring Satna district of the state.

Both are also school-time friends, classmates, and alumni of Sainik School, Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh.

General Dwivedi joined Sainik School, Rewa, in July 1973 and passed out in 1981.

Both the top-ranking officers of the Indian Army and Navy have made Madhya Pradesh proud, as for the first time in the countrys history, the Chief of Navy and Chief of Army are from Madhya Pradesh.
Underlining that the attack in Pahalgam was not just an assault on Indians but an attack on humanity and the spirit of brotherhood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday highlighted that the terrorists not only stole the happiness of many families but also attempted to divide the people of India.

Addressing the Sikkim@50 programme in Gangtok via videoconferencing, the Prime Minister said, Today, the world is witnessing Indias unprecedented unity and the nation has come together to send a clear message to terrorists and their supporters.

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He stated that the terrorists caused pain by wiping the sindoor off the foreheads of Indian daughters, but India responded with Operation Sindoor against the perpetrators. He said that after the destruction of terrorist bases, Pakistan attempted to target Indian civilians and soldiers but was exposed in the process. PM Modi emphasised that India responded by dismantling several of Pakistans airbases, demonstrating the nations strategic capabilities.

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Speaking on the occasion, he greeted the people of Sikkim on this special day, marking the 50th anniversary of the statehood of Sikkim. Sikkims 50-year milestone as a state serves as an inspiration for all, and the journey of development will now accelerate further, stated Mr Modi.

Underlining that 2047 will mark 100 years of Indias independence and 75 years of Sikkim as a state, he stressed the need to set goals for what Sikkim should look like at this milestone.

Urging collective efforts to envision, plan, and periodically review a roadmap for Sikkims future, Mr Modi stressed the importance of boosting Sikkims economy and shaping it into a wellness state. He remarked that special focus should be given to creating more opportunities for the youth.

Sikkims young generation must be prepared not just for local needs but also for global demands, urged Mr Modi, underlining the necessity of establishing new skill development opportunities in sectors where youth are in high demand worldwide.

The Prime Minister called upon everyone to take a collective pledge to propel Sikkim to the highest peak of development, heritage, and global recognition over the next 25 years. Our dream is that Sikkim should become a Green Model State not only for India but for the entire world, said the Prime Minister, emphasising the goal of ensuring a secure home for every citizen of Sikkim.

He also underlined the vision of bringing solar-powered electricity to every household. Sikkim should emerge as a leader in agro-startups and tourism startups and should establish its identity globally in organic food exports, envisioned Mr Modi.

He added that Sikkim should be a place where every citizen embraces digital transactions and a state where waste-to-wealth initiatives are elevated to new heights. The next 25 years is dedicated to achieving these ambitious goals and establishing Sikkims presence on the global stage, said PM Modi, urging everyone to move forward with this spirit and continue building upon their rich heritage.

Underlining that the Union government has taken another step to further enrich Sikkims organic basket, the Prime Minister announced that the countrys first organic fisheries cluster is being established in Soreng district. He stated that this initiative will give Sikkim a new identity at both the national and global levels.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid a heartfelt tribute to freedom fighter and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his death anniversary on Thursday.

The CM offered floral tributes by garlanding the statue of Chaudhary Charan Singh, revered as the messiah of farmers, located in front of the Vidhan Bhavan complex.

Reflecting on the remarkable contributions of Chaudhary Charan Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the nation continues to remember him as a pioneer of land reforms, the architect of the land ceiling law, and a tireless advocate for rural development and the welfare of farmers.

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He added, It is the good fortune of Uttar Pradesh that its people had the guidance and leadership of Chaudhary Sahab for an extended period. As the Chief Minister of the state, he took several groundbreaking initiatives for land reforms, governance purity, and transparency in rural development, whose impact is still felt across villages and among all sections of society.

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CM Adityanath also highlighted Chaudhary Charan Singhs exemplary leadership as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and head of key ministries, including Home and Finance. He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been striving relentlessly for the past 11 years to fulfil Chaudhary Charan Singhs vision for rural empowerment and the upliftment of Annadata farmers.

On behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh, I pay humble tribute to Chaudhary Sahabs enduring legacy and invaluable contributions, the CM said in conclusion.

Later, he also paid tribute through his official social media account. In his post, he wrote:

The path to the nations prosperity passes through the fields and barns of our villages. Chaudhary Charan Singh dedicated his life to the cause of prosperous villages and empowered farmers. He worked tirelessly for the uplift of the underprivileged and the advancement of rural India. The double-engine government is committed to carrying forward its legacy and vision.
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is organising Bodhi Yatra from June 2 to 7 under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (2019-2024), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is a collaborative initiative between India and five ASEAN countries  Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam  focused on fostering cooperation in areas like tourism, culture, education, and transport & communication. The MEA plays a key role in facilitating this cooperation.

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Around 50 delegates from five ASEAN countries, including travel agents, social media influencers, and Buddhist monks, will participate in this Bodhi Yatra.

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State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh has expressed his best wishes to the representatives of countries involved in the Bodhi Yatra.

He said Uttar Pradesh is the land chosen by Lord Buddha for his workplace and preaching human welfare. The Minister said that this Bodhi Yatra will deepen cultural relations between different countries. Along with this, it will provide a global platform to the holy sites associated with Lord Buddha in Uttar Pradesh.

Jaiveer Singh informed that in the Bodhi Yatra, 10 participants from each country have been selected by their respective governments concerned. The yatra will conclude on June 7 in Sarnath, where the Bihar Tourism Department will welcome these representatives.

Subsequently, the journey to major Buddhist sites of Bihar will begin. As part of the cultural and tourism promotion efforts of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the international delegation will visit the major Buddhist sites of the state during the six-day visit.

In this journey, the representatives will visit Agra, including the world-famous six Buddhist sites  Shravasti, Kapilvastu, Kushinagar, Sarnath, Varanasi, and Lucknow. The journey will show the places associated with Buddhism, which are directly associated with the life, teachings, and the spiritual journey of Lord Buddha. These sites have special religious significance for Buddhist followers.

The Tourism Minister said that the objective of this yatra is to introduce the international delegation to the states rich archaeological heritage, museums, ancient temples, and holy Buddhist sites. In this episode, travel agents are traveling to other important sites, including Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Shravasti.

The tourism department believes that this initiative will help Uttar Pradesh establish itself as a major destination in the international Buddhist tourism circuit.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. ACWA Power has signed a series of agreements with Malaysian entities to support the countrys renewable energy and water infrastructure goals, Trend reports.

The announcements were made during the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to explore the development of up to 12.5 GW of power generation capacity by 2040. The proposed investment could reach up to $10 billion. The initiative aligns with Malaysias National Energy Transition Roadmap, which aims to increase the countrys renewable energy capacity to 70% by 2050.

ACWA Power also signed Strategic Partnership Agreements and Heads of Terms with several Malaysian partners, including Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Terengganu Inc., and UEM Lestra. These agreements focus on feasibility studies and joint development of energy projects such as floating solar photovoltaics, combined-cycle gas turbines, and large-scale water desalination.

According to ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli, the partnerships combine ACWA Powers international experience in clean energy and water solutions with local expertise to support Malaysias decarbonisation and economic development goals.

ACWA Power operates in 14 countries and manages an investment portfolio valued at over USD 100 billion. The new agreements mark an expansion of the companys presence in Southeast Asia.
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 manifests the transformational effects of the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies towards reshaping economies and societies over the coming decade. Risks of job displacement, societal polarisation and economic downturn, particularly, for emerging and developing economies, are looming large. An estimate from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) points out that globally nearly 75 million jobs are at risk of automation on account of AI.

Another report, from Goldman Sachs, says nearly 300 million full-time jobs will remain exposed to AI-driven automation. It is anticipated that by 2030, AI and other information processing technologies will transform 86 per cent of businesses, sparking the creation of 170 million new roles worldwide while making 92 million existing jobs redundant. The overwhelming anxiety among workers over displacement from the present job due to widespread adoption of AI can hardly be ignored. The AI-based fourth industrial revolution projects highly specialised efficiency-driven cognitive-intensive roles of machines to simulate human learning and intelligence. Advancements in technologies, particularly AI and information processing, and automation are expected to have a divergent effect on jobs, fuelling demand for technology related skills. It is expected that workers existing skill sets will either be transformed or become out-dated over the 2025- 2030 period.

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The superior efficiency of AI-enabled robots in performing tasks can lead to job displacement, as they can complete tasks rapidly, precisely and cost-effectively. In the coming days, analytical thinking will remain the top core skill. This will be followed by resilience, flexibility, creative thinking, technological literacy and motivation along with leadership and social influence. The combination of cognitive and interpersonal skills emphasises the importance of having an inn ovative and collaborative work force, where both problem solving abilities and personal resilience are critical for success. Most likely, tasks previously performed by low-skilled workers are now going to face automation, leading to shifts in employment dynamics. AI generated skill-biased technological change is going to adversely impact the demand for routine, repetitive tasks commonly concentrated among low-and middle-earning unskilled workers having limited judgement and low cognitive skills.

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The displacement of workers is particularly harmful to less-educated and vulnerable groups who will face more difficulties in finding alternative jobs and are more likely to be expos  ed to low-stability, low-wage, and high-turnover occupations. Recent developments in AI have further stoked fears about large scale job loss, stemming from its ability to automate a rapidly expanding set of tasks including non-routine cognitive tasks, and its potential to affect every sector of the economy. Firms use automation to maximise profitability by reducing production costs. The maximisation of profit approach shall risk a disruptive job market in em  erging and low income countries.

The Indian labour market exhibits characteristics akin to a lower-middle-in come country. Indias working age population is nearly 672.8 million. The demography of the Indian labour market consists of informal, self-employed, contractual, and casual labour. Added to this list is also the formal sector, where temporary, casual, and so-called contract workers form a large and expanding part of the workforce, apart from a minuscule share of regular workers. Around 90 per cent of total workers in the economy are informally employed and nearly 82 per cent of the workforce is engaged in the informal sector. Self-employment continues to constitute about 58 per cent of total employment in the economy.

As per the India Employment Report 2024, due to the adoption of modern technology, the employment generation in the Indian production process has increasingly become more capital-intensive and labour saving. Resultantly, growth in employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector remains stagnated at around 12 per cent of total employment. The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 years and above has been at 7.9 per cent and the underemployment stands at 7.5 per cent. In India, around 95 per cent of the total youth population, particularly young wo men, are not associated with education, employment or training. Moreover, 89.4 per cent of adults and 88.9 per cent of youths are in low-skill or no skill jobs.

Almost all of the youth workers in agriculture ~ around 99.9 per cent  and in construction ~ nearly 97.9 per cent ~ are either having no skills or low skills required for jobs in the manufacturing sector. As in other parts of the globe, the challenges of new technological developments pave the way to the paradigm shift in the skills composition of work in India also. Jobs requiring high skills shall get prioritised over the low skills ones. Hence, wage inequalities and job polarisation shall become inevitable. Chances are there that the Indian labour market shall experience a gap between technological advancements and growth in wages which can better be referred to as Engels pause. Given this backdrop, what will be the roadmap to bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled labour? As India is striving for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by its 100th anniversary of independence in 2047, such a huge unskilled workforce needs to be adapted with emerging AI technologies. Technological advances are expected to drive skills change and disruption.

There is no denying that emerging technologies need to be adopted to enhance labour productivity. But given the abundant ace of surplus labour in the country, a mechanism needs to be developed to upgrade the un skilled workers into skilled ones. To navigate the challenges of significant skill disruptions among workers, it is necessary to increasingly finance reskilling and up-skilling initiatives to align workforce skills with evolving demands. Up-skilling and reskilling the workforce emerges as the most common strategy. For example, the World Economic Forums Reskilling Revolution addresses the growing need to transform education, skills, and jobs to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

By uniting businesses, governments, and civil society, Re skilling Revolution seeks to build a fairer, more inclusive global economy, ensuring individuals and organisations are equipped to thrive in the future of work. If India is to consider the effects of AI, actions need to be focused on strong institution building even if it is time-consuming and requires intellectuals, financial resources and supporting infrastructure. As Indias workforce in lowskill and low-value-added services remains vulnerable to AI, robust enabling institutions are essential for up-skilling and reskilling of labour to equip the workforce with the AI skills and knowledge and to strengthen the long-term skills ecosystem. Skills development and enhancement are essential to address skill shortages and skills mismatches among aspiring workers.

Moreover, active labour market policies such as vocational training, public works programmes, employment subsidies and apprenticeship training need to be imparted to the unskilled workforce in overcoming the skills supply and demand gaps. When it comes to funding of reskilling and up-skilling initiatives, the most common funding mechanism is free-of cost training, followed by government and public-private funding. Simultaneously, it must be a priority to improve public education systems in tune with AI and other emerging technologies. Initiatives shall also be taken to arrange alternative employment for displaced workers. Investment in green economies, care economies and digital economies thus can create sustainable pathways of employment opportunity for youths.

The ILO asserts that with growing concerns around green technology and a sustainable environment, dedicated policies aimed at improving efficiency of workers with the contemporary technologies shall help to generate an additional 8.4 million jobs in the green sector for youth by 2030. Indeed, in the Indian context, adoption of AI is in its in fancy. This level playing field provides India the time to build the necessary institutions and infrastructure that will minimise disruptions and maximise societal benefits. At the same time, earmarking budgetary allocations is also necessary to improve the skills of unemployed people and for those workers whose jobs could be at risk from AI. The future of work will be more influenced by technological innovations. Hence, building on the framework of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, India must adopt the governance and regulation of AI to focus on social safety and security, inclusivity and human rights of the workers as well as prioritising efficiency driven productivity for economic growth.

(The writer is Principal Secretary. Faculty Council for Post Graduate Studies in Science, University of North Bengal)
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for two high-profile attacks in Balochistan: a coordinated takeover of Mastung city and a deadly ambush on Pakistani military forces in the Amach region.

At least eight Baloch individuals have gone missing following a series of raids carried out by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan and in the Baloch-populated region of Taunsa, southern Punjab, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday confirmed that Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza and brother of late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month.

Speaking in parliament, Netanyahu said Israel was at a dramatic turning point in its war against Hamas and that the military had eliminated Mohammad Sinwar.

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He added that recent Israeli operations were focused on dismantling Hamas governing capabilities in Gaza.

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There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or independent sources regarding Sinwars death.

It marked the first official acknowledgment of his killing, following a joint Israeli military and Shin Bet strike on May 13 that targetted a bunker beneath the Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, Xinhua news agency reported. The airstrike killed 26 people, according to the Gaza health authorities, but Mohammed Sinwars fate had remained unconfirmed.

Mohammad Sinwar, 49, was a senior Hamas political and military figure who assumed leadership of the groups Gaza-based operations and its armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in October 2024 after the killing of his brother.

Netanyahu also provided an update on the hostages held in Gaza, saying that, according to Israeli intelligence, 20 are still alive and 38 are believed to be dead.

Meanwhile, Hamas said in an official statement on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on a general framework for Gaza ceasefire.

According to Hamas, the framework includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages and several bodies, in exchange for the release of an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, guaranteed by mediators.

Hamas said it is awaiting a final response to this framework, adding that it is making significant efforts to halt the brutal war on the Gaza Strip.
A nine-member parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad will depart for Denmark on Thursday after concluding a diplomatic outreach visit to Italy, where the team emphasised Indias unwavering commitment to combating terrorism.

The all-party delegation includes Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union Minister M.J. Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran, reflecting a broad political consensus on Indias foreign outreach efforts.

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In Copenhagen, the Indian parliamentarians will highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and Indias continuing battle against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

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The delegation will interact with Danish parliamentarians, political parties, members of the media, and the Indian diaspora to share the countrys position on global terror challenges.

During the Italy leg of the visit, the delegation engaged with key Italian leaders, think tanks, strategic experts, and news agencies to underline Indias zero-tolerance and new normal policy toward Pakistan-facilitated cross-border terrorism.

The meetings included discussions with Stefania Craxi, Chairperson of the Italian Senates Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, who echoed Indias concerns and proposed stronger bilateral cooperation to address the global threat of terrorism.

During our visit to Italy, my colleagues from the all-party delegation and I had the privilege of meeting Senator Stefania Craxi, Chair of the Senates Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. We apprised her of Indias firm stance against terrorism in all its forms, underscoring our zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism. Senator Craxi echoed our sentiments, emphasising the need for a unified global response to terrorism and proposing enhanced cooperation between India and Italy to tackle this pressing challenge, Prasad posted.

The delegation also engaged with the Indian diaspora and highlighted Indias unwavering commitment to combating terrorism. They appreciated the community for its valuable contributions and deep-rooted connections to India.
The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting foreign officials accused of censoring American citizens, marking an escalation in the Trump administrations confrontation with allies over free speech policies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled the measures, stating that Americans had been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights.

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In a post shared on social media platform X, Rubio said the restrictions would apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans, adding that free speech was a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority.

In a statement, Rubio stated, Free speech is among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans. This right, legally enshrined in our constitution, has set us apart as a beacon of freedom around the world. Even as we take action to reject censorship at home, we see troubling instances of foreign governments and foreign officials picking up the slack. In some instances, foreign officials have taken flagrant censorship actions against U.S. tech companies and U.S. citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so.

Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign nationals who are responsible for censorship of protected expression in the United States. It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on US citizens or US residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on US soil, he added.

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The announcement follows a high-profile dispute between X owner, Elon Musk, and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, which arose after the social media platform was ordered to remove certain posts. The measures also align with a Republican-authored bill titled the No Censors on Our Shores Act, which was approved by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this year.

Also, US Vice President JD Vance has been particularly vocal in criticising European approaches to online content regulation. He has argued that the European Unions Digital Services Act could effectively export European-style censorship to the United States through pressure on American technology companies.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in February, Vance accused European leaders of suppressing dissenting opinions by labelling them as misinformation and disinformation.

The Vice President cited several specific examples of what he characterised as European overreach, including the UKs prosecution of individuals for silent prayer outside abortion clinics, the annulment of Romanias 2024 presidential election results over alleged foreign interference, and Germanys monitoring of anti-feminist content online.

He also referenced the conviction of a Christian activist in Sweden for burning a Quran, warning of what he called the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values.

The new visa restrictions signal a significant shift in the US diplomatic approach, with Americas top diplomat declaring that the days of passive treatment for those who work to undermine the rights of Americans are over.

The visa restrictions were announced as the administration separately examines enhanced social media vetting requirements for student visas.

On Tuesday, Rubio instructed diplomatic missions to suspend interviews for additional student and exchange visitor visa appointments, including F, M, and J categories, according to media reports.
As US Navy SEALs helicopters swept into Pakistans Abbottabad garrison town early on May 2, 2011, to neutralise their biggest adversary, Osama Bin Laden, President Asif Ali Zardari was awake that night  stitching up a power deal to bolster up the PPP government, his former advisor has disclosed.

With the Pakistan Peoples Party on precarious ground after the end of the coalition agreement with Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz arrived after the 2008 election, an understanding was reached with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q), the party which backed former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, so as to obtain a comfortable majority in the National Assembly, Zardaris then spokesperson Farhatullah Babar wrote in his recently-published memoir.

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The agreement was finalised around 1.30 a.m. on May 2, precisely when US Navy SEALs were infiltrating the country, raiding the compound, killing Osama bin Laden, and escaping with his body  announcing to the world that the most wanted terrorist had been hiding in a military cantonment in Pakistan, Babar wrote in the The Zardari Presidency, the News reported.

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Babar said that the Presidents Aide-de-Camp, Squadron Leader Jalal, was likely to know what had happened as a service colleague told him that a helicopter had crashed in Abbottabad, and he figured that a helicopter flight in the hilly area at night was suspicious.

He was the first among the Presidents staff to learn about what had happened, Babar noted, adding that the PAF officer did not hasten to inform the President as he wanted to double-check the information.

Babar also said that more inklings that something big had happened came after the Aiwan-e-Sadr received a call from the Army House to intimate that the army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, was on his way to meet the President.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama had also called Zardari to inform him. However, it remains unclear whether Zardaris meeting with Gen Kayani had occurred by that time.

The President stayed awake throughout the night, first due to the finalisation of the power-sharing agreement with the PML-Q and then because of the Abbottabad incident, Babar wrote.

On the Raymond Davis episode of January 2011, Babar says that the Americans were desperate to secure the release of the private CIA contractor, who was arrested after shooting dead two people in Lahore, while a third was mown down in his escape bid, and fly him out of the country as soon as possible.

The reason behind this urgency remained shrouded in mystery, he said.

However, Zardari told Senator John Kerry, who was in Pakistan for this purpose, that since Davis wasnt a diplomat, he couldnt be granted immunity, and even if this was done, it would be struck down by the court.

Showing Kerry pictures of religious parties demanding criminal prosecution of Raymond, Zardari leaned forward and said: I dont want the mullahs to take it to the streets, as per the book.

The President then said there had to be an out-of-the-box solution, and as Kerry inquired about it, he replied: We have to think about paying good compensation to the families of the victims under Islamic law. At this, US Ambassador Cameron Munters face lit up, Babar recalled.

As Zardari went on say: But it is not automatic. The process involved will take some time, Munter slumped again, Babar added. He was in a hurry to secure Daviss release. Eventually, the release occurred through this formula, he wrote.

The US eventually paid $2.4 million in blood money to secure the acquittal and release of Davis, who was promptly flown out of the country.
Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6)

Today

Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. Austria's former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz emphasized the importance of Kazakhstan's pragmatic approach to the complex geopolitical challenges in the region during the Astana International Forum (AIF), Trend reports.

According to Kurz, Europe's ties with China are a complicated issue. Relations with Russia have been broken due to the war.

Relations between European politicians and the President of the United States are currently very difficult, and therefore Europe needs cooperation, he stressed.

Former Chancellor noted that Kazakhstan has positioned itself very well by using a pragmatic approach, which is quite logical.

Being in this region, I am sure it is not easy to manage relations with China, Russia, and the West simultaneously. Kazakhstan can manage these relations and handle this task. It is not an easy approach for this country and the entire region, but it is an experience from which Europe can benefit if we act wisely. We can use this cooperation in a mutually beneficial way, Kurz said.

He also drew attention to the European Unions dependence on raw materials and energy.

Previously, there was access to cheap Russian gas; now, it is forced to buy expensive liquefied gas. In this regard, according to the politician, strategic cooperation with middle powers is quite logical.

Moreover, Kurz noted that the Central Asian region has always been of interest to Austria economically, but today the situation is changing.

Ten years ago, Kazakhstan was known for its raw materials and energy goods, but now there is the IT sector, and the development of artificial intelligence. Much is changing here, he concluded.

The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 is taking place today and tomorrow, May 29 - 30, 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Under the theme Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future, this high-level event serves as a platform for global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss and address pressing international challenges.


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Market watchers on Thursday are on the lookout for major flux in the shares of embattled IndusInd Bank following the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announcing it barred the former CEO of the lender and four other senior officials on Wednesday. Early signs were positive, with the stock jumping close to 1.22 per cent in the first couple of hours.

The markets watchdog said in an interim order that it collectively impounded close to 20 crore (19.78 crore, to be precise) from five senior officials, including former IndusInd Bank CEO Sumant Kathpalia and barred them from the securities markets in connection with alleged insider trading.

SEBI alleged that the five senior executives traded in the lenders stock despite being in possession of insider informationunpublished price-sensitive information, as SEBI puts itthereby violating regulations in place against insider trading.

ALSO READ | Will IndusInd share price recover after its worst quarterly performance?

During the preliminary examination conducted by SEBI, on the basis of the evidence collected so far, it is prima facie seen that all noticees traded in the scrip being aware of the unpublished price-sensitive information, related to the discrepancies and averted or avoided huge losses, read the interim order.

Earlier this month, the lender posted its March quarter results, where it absorbed the losses of the financial irregularities it disclosed earlier in lieu of accounting lapses.

ALSO READ | IndusInd Banks MD and CEO Sumant Kathpalia resigns amid derivatives accounting lapses

It amounted to a 1,960 crore loss from incorrect recognition of derivative trades, 674 crore in incorrect accounting-related cumulative interest income reversal and a 172 crore fraud where employees led it to incorrectly classify income while setting of 595 crore in incorrect manual entries.

Year-to-date, IndusInd stock has declined close to 16 per cent so far.

Sensex jumps 500 points, Nifty soars in early trade

BSE benchmark Sensex soared more than 504 points in early trade, while the NSE Nifty climbed a little over 137 points. IndusInd, the now-disgraced Sensex stock, will soon be out of the benchmark index that would come into effect from June 23, 2025. It, along with Nestle India, would be replaced by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Tata Group-owned Trent Ltd.

Other gainers in the morning rally on the Sensex were Infosys, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, CS, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors and HDFC Bank. The market rally, paired with the positive response to the SEBI action, moved the markets up, along with news of an American federal court blocking US President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under the emergency powers law.
Southeast Asia is seeing a record growth in drug seizures, indicating that the illicit narcotics industry is growing with it, a new UN report said on Wednesday.

Methamphetamine seizures, totalling 236 tonnes in 2024, saw a 24 per cent increase over 2023. This increase applied to its crystalline and tablet forms, with the latter going for as little as $0.6 (approximately 50 in India) in Myanmar. Roughly 1 billion tablets were seized last year in Thailand.

The sustained flood of methamphetamine [and other dangerous drugs] to markets in the region has been driven by industrial-scale production and trafficking networks operated by agile, well-resourced transnational organized criminal groups, the annual report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) explained.

We are clearly seeing unprecedented levels of methamphetamine production and trafficking from the Golden Triangle, in particular Myanmars Shan State, Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC acting regional representative, was quoted as saying in an Associated Press report.

The 'Golden Triangle' is a secluded, mountainous region where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, notorious for being one of the hotpots of a thriving opium economy, facilitated by poor law enforcement. Methamphetamine production soon overtook that of opium, being easier to produce on an industrial scale, and therefore, cheaper to sell.

The 'Golden Crescent' is another such mountainous region comprising parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and eastern Iran, that has shown a similar change in drug production.

The UNODC report explains that drug traffickers have diversified routes to markets, both within Southeast Asia and beyond, one of the key reasons for a surge in drugs across not only East and Southeast Asia, but also increasingly into South Asia, in particular Northeast India.

Evolving, cell-based transnational organized crime groups based in East and #SoutheastAsia are increasingly adopting technologies across the entire drug supply chain while converging with other organized crime activities.



Read more in our latest report: https://t.co/oL416cuZJ3 pic.twitter.com/pqUfX5FmnF  UNODC Southeast Asia-Pacific (@UNODC_SEAP) May 28, 2025

Unlike plant-based drugs that require large-scale cultivation, synthetic drugs can be manufactured in small, concealed labs with minimal expertise. This is what reduces production costs, further reducing the drug's price in a market growing at an alarming pace.

It also allows traffickers to quickly adapt, shifting locations and modifying chemical compositions to evade detection, a separate UNODC article (dated March 2025) said.

The potency of these substances, coupled with new trafficking tactics such as drone deliveries and smaller, easily concealable shipments, make law enforcement efforts increasingly complex.

ALSO READ | Drug menace in Kerala: Will the government bridge the gaps in enforcement?

The 2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA), released in March 2025, confirms the UNODC data, as it identified India and China as sources of precursors and equipment for drug traffickers. The ATA is the American Intelligence Communitys official, coordinated evaluation of an array of threats to US citizens, US territory, and US interests in the world.

'International intelligence sharing can curb increase in drug trade'

Vineet Vinayak, Additional Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), calls for international intelligence sharing to curb this increase. He also speaks of digital platforms by the Indian government, such as NIDAAN, ICJS, NATGRID, and Manas to strengthen drug law enforcement.

We remain a strong advocate for strengthening international cooperation to address psychoactive substances and fentanyl analogs, he said, in the UNODC article dated March 2025.

Says Dr Suruchi Pant, UNODCs Deputy Representative for South Asia, in the same UNODC article: The global drug problem affects us all and demands a united response. As synthetic drugs evolve, trafficking networks adapt, and drug-related crimes intersect with other forms of organized crime, we must strengthen our commitment, invest in effective solutions, and ensure that help reaches those who need it most.

ALSO READ | We are setting up an integrated cyber shield for India, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an exclusive interview.

India has entered active (cyber security) collaborations with organisations like Interpol, G7, the UN and BRICS, and has also signed cyber security agreements with many countries, including America, Australia and Germany. Similarly, collaborations with the UN, SCO and BRICS have also been fostered, bolstering the country's cyber security.

The new UNODC report, too, says that strengthening a nation's cyber security will, in turn, provide for secure intelligence sharingespecially on the drug tradeleading to a possible stoppage in the illicit trade's alarming growth.
A tug-of-war has started between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh over Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), triggered by AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidus push to expand HALs operations in his state. This proposal has been met with fierce opposition from Karnataka leaders, who see HAL as a cornerstone of their states identity. The dispute centres on HALs manufacturing units for the newly approved Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft project, intertwining economic aspirations, regional pride, and political manoeuvring. Statements from Naidu, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mysore MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, underscore the high stakes, while the AMCAs execution model adds further complexity.

Experts point out that Naidu aims to transform Andhra Pradesh into a defence manufacturing hub, offering 10,000 acres in Lepakshi, just 70-100km from Bengaluru, for new HAL facilities. An hour from Bengaluru airport, Lepakshi could tap into the existing aerospace ecosystem while generating jobs and economic growth. However, at a recent party meeting, Naidu clarified that he never suggested shifting HAL from Bengaluru and that his focus is on creating new hubs and not taking projects away. He proposed Lepakshi for aircraft manufacturing and Visakhapatnam for naval projects, citing Andhras vast land availability to address Bengalurus spatial limitations.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat says, "The execution model of AMCA has been approved. HAL can bid, the private sector can bid, they can also bid as a joint venture. This will open up participation of the private pic.twitter.com/9sV6mxYAFP  ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

However, Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar described HAL as Karnatakas pride, asserting that they would not let decades of progress be moved elsewhere. He even went on to criticise Karnataka MPs for their silence and credited Jawaharlal Nehru for HALs establishment, and emphasised Bengalurus skilled workforce and technical expertise. With HAL facilities already in Bengaluru and Tumakuru, Karnataka argues its industrial heritage and available land make it the natural home for HALs operations. For Shivakumar, this is a fight to preserve Karnatakas economic and cultural legacy.

Mysuru MP and royal scion from the Wadiyar dynasty, Yaduveer Wadiyar challenged Shivakumars historical narrative, noting that HAL was founded in 1940 by Mysore Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar and industrialist Walchand Hirachand and not Nehru. In a post on X, Yaduveer had called any relocation of HALs operations premature and disrespectful and urged the Union government to prioritise Karnataka. He highlighted Bengalurus robust aerospace ecosystem as essential for both Tejas and AMCA, while acknowledging Andhras ambitions but firmly advocating for Karnatakas rightful claim.

Bengalurus skilled talent, research institutions, and supply chains make it indispensable for HALs operations. Upgrading Karnatakas facilities could meet HALs needs fully, while Andhras land could support new, complementary facilities to expand the national aerospace ecosystem without undermining Bengalurus role, defence and space expert Girish Linganna told THE WEEK.

The AMCA project, approved in March 2024 with its execution model finalised on May 27, 2025, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, introduces additional layers to the debate. The Rs 15,000 crore project aims to develop five prototypes, with a first flight targeted for 2028 and induction by 2035. While HAL leads the project, the execution model opens production to private firms like Tata, L&T, or Reliance through competitive bidding, with decisions on partners and locations pending until 2026. This uncertainty fuels the rivalry, as both states vie for a role in this prestigious project.

The controversy extends beyond HAL and AMCA to the broader issue of Defence Industrial Corridors, which were established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in 2018 to boost indigenous defence production. These corridors, spanning six nodes in Uttar Pradesh (Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow) and five in Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Coimbatore, Hosur, Salem, Tiruchirappalli), were chosen for their strategic locations, industrial ecosystems, and connectivity.

Uttar Pradesh benefits from its large labour force and proximity to defence establishments, attracting Rs 3,700 crore in investments by 2020, including Rs 1,200 crore from HAL. Tamil Nadu leverages its coastal access, four international airports, and power surplus, securing Rs 3,100 crore in investments. These corridors offer plug-and-play facilities, single-window clearances, and tax incentives, fostering MSMEs, generating jobs, and reducing import dependency under the 'Make in India' initiative.

The basis for privileging Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu appears rooted in their infrastructure, political alignment with the Union government at the time, and ability to attract investments. However, Karnataka, contributing 65 per cent to Indias aerospace and defence sector, argues it was overlooked despite its unmatched expertise. Andhra Pradeshs proximity to Bengaluru, and Naidu being part of NDA alliance, give it an edge in pushing for a third corridor, but Karnataka leaders question why their state, with its proven track record, has been sidelined. Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil has vowed to meet Rajnath Singh to demand a corridor, emphasising merit over political influence.

Experts point out that this dispute is more than a tussle over HAL; its a clash of economic visions and regional identities. For Andhra Pradesh, its a chance to revive its economy and strengthen Naidus political standing within the NDA. For Karnataka, HAL symbolises pride, and the Congress-led government sees any shift as a political setback. Yaduveers BJP-backed stance amplifies regional sentiment, rallying support for Karnataka. The Union government, navigating its NDA alliances, faces a delicate balancing act. Favouring Andhra could empower Naidu but risks alienating Karnataka leaders and voters.

A balanced solution is essential. Bengalurus ecosystem  its skilled workforce, research hubs, and supply chains  is critical for HAL and AMCAs core operations. Andhras land and strategic location offer opportunities for expansion. Establishing new HAL units in Andhra for emerging projects, and potentially siting AMCA production there, while preserving Karnatakas existing HAL facilities, could align with Indias broader defence objectives. The AMCAs production partner and location remain undecided, but a collaborative model involving HAL and private firms could distribute economic benefits across states, added Linganna.

The tug-of-war reflects the tension between economic ambitions and regional pride. With the AMCAs execution model approved but production decisions pending, cooperation must take precedence. HAL and AMCA are national assets; their growth should unite states, not divide them, in the pursuit of a self-reliant India.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Patrick Warking, Vice President of Google for Central and Eastern Europe, at the Astana International Forum, Trend reports.



In the course of the meeting, President Tokayev highlighted Googles significant contribution to Kazakhstans digital transformation.



Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined Kazakhstans strategic goal - to become the largest digital hub in Eurasia and a leader in implementing artificial intelligence across all spheres of life. To achieve this, the country is actively investing in the development of digital and communication infrastructure, as well as increasing computing capacity.



Patrick Warking highly appreciated Kazakhstans progress in building infrastructure and training specialists to create a digital future using artificial intelligence.

The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 is taking place today and tomorrow, May 29 - 30, 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Under the theme Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future, this high-level event serves as a platform for global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss and address pressing international challenges.
For fans of Guy Ritchie's 2024 series adaptation of his 2019 The Gentlemen, it will be a relief to know that Netflix has not only greenlit a new season but also announced that filming has officially commenced! Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, who headlined the first season, are reprising their roles. As in the first, Ritchie is involved in a directorial capacity with Eran Creevy as co-director.

Season 1 introduced us to Theo's protagonist Eddie, a war hero-turned-aristocrat who learns of an illegal weed farm underneath his recently deceased father's humungous family estate, and the freshly brewed troubles as he navigates his new responsibilities as a crime figure who applies his military training and sharp thinking to dispatch opponents, both ruthless and comical, unflinchingly. In the meantime, he forges an alliance with the weed farm owner Susie (Scodelario). The first season also featured some trademark Guy Ritchie-sms, namely the nods to his popular early work like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Sharing his excitement at returning to direct the new season, Ritchie, who co-wrote the series with Matthew Read, told Netflix that new chapter is a "deliberate expansion, both geographically and thematically, as we journey from the English countryside to the Italian lakes. Eddie and Susie find themselves navigating an increasingly volatile empire as theyre besieged on all fronts by an influx of enigmatic new players. The stakes are heightened, the power dynamics are more precarious, and Im thrilled to be collaborating once again with this exceptional cast and crew.

Apart from James and Scodelario, Season 2 will see the return of Daniel Ings, Ray Winstone, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, and Giancarlo Esposito, among others. New cast members include Hugh Bonneville, Benjamin Clementine, Benedetta Porcaroli, Michele Morrone, Amra Mallassi, and others.
As the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment gears up for the the AI for Empowering PwDs summit in Bengaluru on May 30, India will see the launch of a new National Disability Support AI Chatbot for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) or Divyangjan.

This is in line with the Centre looking to bring better accessibility with its Mission AI, especially through the implementation of AI in assistive technology and tools for empowering Divyangjan.

The conference is set to be conducted on Friday under the ambit of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in collaboration with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) in the Karnataka state capital.

As we await the launch of the AI chatbot and a Unified Benefits Interface (UBI), along with accessibility offerings from the likes of IIT, AIIMS, Anuvadini, CSIO, Sarvam AI, Karya Inc, and even Open AI at the event, let us take a quick look at AI-based tech for Divyangjan, starting with AI-powered eyeglasses.

Significant research has already gone into smart glasses with AI assistance. These include the Envision Glasses, Smarton AI Glasses, and the OrCam MyEye, which help the visually disabled. These glasses come with cameras, mics, and touch controls that describe surroundings in real-time.

At the recent WAVES 2025, THE WEEK team got to try on the Meta RayBan smartglasses that were recently released in India. Many of the accessibility features, including AI-powered voice descriptions of surroundings, were present in the tech giants offering.

US-based Starkey has a kitty of AI-powered hearing aids, including the latest Edge AI and its hit Genesis AI, which they launched in India in 2024. Switzerland-based Phonak also came out with its Audeo Sphere Infinio hearing aid that featured a dedicated AI chip for advanced noise separation.

From glasses and hearing aids, Divyangjan can now choose from an array of AI-powered prosthetics and mobility aids. Many of these employ machine learning to adapt to the movements of the user. They help in improving mobility, especially in people with physical disabilities. Global giant Ottobock, which also has a significant presence in Indias tier-1 and tier-2 cities, has recently come up with AI-driven prosthetic solutions. Many software solutions companies in India service the SaaS end of such AI-based products.

From solutions that aid in providing service to physical disabilities to bringing the gap in user interface, the latest voice-based assistants, including those from giants like Google (Gemini 2.5), X (Grok) and even Meta AI help in hands-free interaction, that too, in multiple languages.

The Government of India, of late, have stepped up their services in a bid to introduce voice-based AI models based on Indias vast and varied linguistic diversity. Accessible AI solutions form a major arm of Indias AI Mission. The latest AI and machine learning updates to Indias national telemedicine platform, eSanjeevani, is a great starting point as the Centre looks to democratise AI for better accessibility.

Adding to these solutions is the governments Scheme of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme) that was greenlit for the period covering the 15th Finance Commission (from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2026).

The DEPwD recently also supported the launch of Yes To Access, an AI-powered app by the Association of People with Disability. The app maps inaccessibile public and people-facing spaces, conducts audits, raises awareness, and pushes for better accessibility in infrastructure and design.

The Ministry also published the latest draft of Accessibility Standards for the Transport & Mobility Sector on May 21, 2025, inviting comments and suggestions from the general public, in a bid to strengthen the creation of barrier-free environments in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and relevant rules.
Imagine a condition that transforms healthy, round red blood cells into rigid, crescent-shaped cells that get stuck in tiny blood vessels, causing excruciating pain and organ damage. Thats Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)- a chronic, single-gene disorder that turns a persons blood into their enemy.

SCD is a reality for thousands of people in India, particularly in tribal communities, where families watch their children struggle with chronic anemia, sudden painful episodes, and complications that can cut lives tragically short.

The disease doesnt discriminate, but it does disproportionately affect those with the least access to healthcare. Recognising this urgent need, the government launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in Union Budget 2023.

Routine newborn screening has completely transformed this disease, explains Dr Thenral S. Geetha, Principal Scientist at MedGenome- a genetic testing lab. What used to be a fatal childhood illness is now a condition where most patients survive into adulthood.

Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically reduce the risk of stroke and other life-threatening complications. But the catch is that the condition is often silent in its early stages. A baby might look perfectly healthy while carrying this genetic time bomb.

Thats where screening becomes crucial. It doesnt just detect the disease, it provides families with vital information about reproductive risks, enables genetic counseling, and helps identify other blood disorders. For expecting parents, prenatal testing offers the chance to make informed decisions about their family's future.

The missions biggest hurdle is that current government programs, along with pre-marital and prenatal screening, struggle to reach remote tribal areas where the need is greatest.

Dr Rasmi Palassery from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bengaluru said, In tribal regions with limited healthcare infrastructure, we need point-of-care diagnostics that community health workers can use. We also desperately need a population-based registry to track carriers and patientsyou cant manage what you cant measure.

Reaching out to community leaders, traditional healers, and patient advocates can dramatically improve acceptance and participation in screening programs. Early diagnosis opens doors to age-appropriate treatment and regular screening for complications. Right now, the only curative therapy available is stem cell transplantation. Gene therapy, while promising, is still in trial stages in India, and is expensive.

There's another enemy to fight: stigma. Dr Shweta Pathak, a pediatric hemato-oncologist in Jabalpur, said, The stigma associated with SCD is often a bigger barrier than the disease itself when it comes to genetic screening.

Dr Anurag Singh Chandel from Maharashtra explains why this stigma runs so deep, In many tribal communities, people view sickle cell disease as contagious, or worse- as a curse or punishment for past sins. This forces families to hide their condition, avoid medical care, and skip genetic screening altogether.

Educational campaigns, community outreach programs, and grassroots initiatives are slowly changing minds and dispelling myths. The integration of screening into existing healthcare systems is also proving effective. When testing becomes routine rather than exceptional, it removes the stigma and makes early detection the norm rather than the exception.
The World Gastroenterology Organisation observes World Digestive Health Day on May 29 every year. The day aims to highlight the role of digestive health in overall well-being. The theme for this year is 'Your Digestive Health: Nourish to Flourish'.

It is known to very few that the gut microbiota is often called the 'second brain'. But why is that? The gut is the second organ in the human body that contains the most neurons after the brain. In fact, it contains about 500 million neurons forming the enteric nervous system.

Also Read | IIT Bombay study reveals PCOS impacts speed of response by more than 50 per cent

The extensive communication between the gut and the brain helps in the digestion process and even alerts the brain when something is amiss.

Hence, the nerve connections, chemical molecules produced in the gut by human cells or by the microbiota, have an effect on the immune system directly or indirectly. This is constantly communicated between the gut and the brain.

Also Read | What happens to our bones as we age? This new research might have some answers

This immense crosstalk between the two large nerve centres not just plays a large role, but also impacts our quality of life.

This can be explained through various situations that we face, for example when someone is anxious or stressed, they might experience abdominal pain or nausea or the feeling of 'butterflies in the tummy'. "Messages travel from gut to brain, too. This helps explain why when we eat something that makes us sick, we instinctively avoid the food and even the place we found it," mentioned a Harvard article titled 'The Gut and the Brain'.

Also Read | Amid fresh wave of Covid-19, is nasal spray gene therapy a promising treatment for lung diseases?
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by British national Christian Michel James, who had challenged the Delhi High Court's order directing him to furnish details of the local address where he intended to stay after his release on bail in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case.

James, who is alleged to be a middleman in the case, had challenged the May 22 order of the high court which modified his bail conditions.

During a brief hearing, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar said, "We granted you bail and you don't even want to fulfil a condition of providing a local address.

The lawyer, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), said the high court's order was in favour of James.

"Then what is his problem?" the bench asked. "Which is the condition which is hurting you?" the bench asked the lawyer appearing for James, who referred to certain paragraphs of the high court order.

Responding to benchs query, Jamess lawyer said, I have been lodged in Tihar Jail for the past six years and six months and do not have any local address.

The counsel argued that James could not meet the requirement of providing a local address unless he was released from custody as he is a British national.

The bench, however, remarked that if James was able to coordinate legal proceedings, he must have some local contacts. Then provide that address, Justice Nath said.

Jamess lawyer responded that he had an address in the United Kingdom. The bench then inquired who was giving instructions to the lawyers representing James. When the counsel replied that instructions were coming from Jamess family, the bench dismissed the plea.

You have a permanent address in Tihar Jail. You stay there. What else can be done? the bench remarked.

The counsel maintained that a local address could only be furnished after Jamess release, not beforehand. The bench questioned this reasoning, pointing out, Why not? If the family can instruct the lawyers, they can handle this issue as well.

On March 4, the Delhi High Court granted bail to Christian Michel James in the ED case, while the Supreme Court had earlier provided him relief in a related CBI case on February 18. The investigating agencies have accused James of involvement in alleged irregularities surrounding the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from the Italian firm AgustaWestland. Extradited from Dubai in December 2018, James was subsequently arrested by both the CBI and ED. He is one of three alleged middlemen under investigation in the case, alongside Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.
Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu this evening for a two-day visit, which comes in the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local horse ride operator.

Shah was received at the airport by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and later proceeded to the Raj Bhawan, where he is scheduled to chair a high-level security meeting.

The meeting will be attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Army, paramilitary forces, police, intelligence agencies, and civil administration.

ALSO READ | Omar Abdullah asks Centre to investigate Boycott Kashmir campaign linked to Pahalgam attack

It will focus on the current security situation under Operation Sindoor, ongoing counter-terror and anti-infiltration operations, and preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

Reports say the Home Minister will visit Poonch tomorrow to addres Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and meet families affected by the recent Pakistani shelling, which left 14 civilians dead and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and vehicles.

He is also expected to visit areas that saw religious sites and other properties damaged in the shelling.

This is the Union Home Minister's third visit to Jammu and Kashmir since April this year.

He had arrived on the evening of the Pahalgam attack and immediately chaired a key security review meeting, at which time he also met some of the injured tourists and visited the meadows of Baisaran in Pahalgam, the site of the deadly assault.

ALSO READ | Jammu and Kashmir: Centre to provide special package to rebuild damaged homes in border area

Before that, on April 6, Shah had undertaken a three-day visit to the Union Territory following the killing of four policemen in an encounter with terrorists in Kathua.

His current visit also follows the Centres decision to ban two Kashmir-based political organisations  the Awami Action Committee (AAC), led by Hurriyat leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, as well as the J&K Ittehadul Muslimeen, headed by influential Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari  for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Shah has consistently maintained a strong focus on Jammu and Kashmirs security. Under his directives, security forces have intensified their operations against militants and their support networks in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre.
Uttarakhand has become the countrys first state to unveil a yoga policy, which aims to place the state as the global capital of yoga and wellness.

Approved by the cabinet on late Wednesday, the policy vision is that yoga should not be limited to only a spiritual or personal practice, but should be developed as a social, educational, economic and tourism-based model.

Under the policy, rules and guidelines will be framed for yoga institutes to ensure quality. Yoga will be included in the curriculum of schools and colleges. Capacity building will be done by collaborating with national and international institutions. The target is to develop partnerships with 15 to 20 such institutions by March 2028.

The establishment of world-class yoga centres will be encouraged.

Specific goals include setting up five new yoga hubs by the year 2030. Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Vyas Valley, Tehri Lake and Kolidhek lake are the areas where these hubs are to be developed.

Yoga services will be made available in all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers by March 2026. Community-based mindfulness programmes will be started, which will be prepared keeping in mind the needs of different age, gender and class.

All yoga institutes will henceforth be registered while a special online yoga platform will also be launched. Promotional campaigns and international yoga conferences will be organised to promote yoga tourism.

Newly established and expanding centres will be given a grant of 50 percent of the project cost or up to a maximum of  20 lakh in hilly areas and 25 percent or up to a maximum of  10 lakh in plain areas. The total annual grant limit will be up to  5 crore.

A grant of up to  10 lakh per project will be given to encourage research on yoga, meditation and naturopathy. This facility will be for universities, research institutes, health organisations, AYUSH institutions and NGOs. Overall, an amount of up to 1 crore has been set aside for research during the policy period.

If yoga centres are established in already running homestays, resorts, hotels, schools, colleges etc, then up to 250 per session for the yoga instructor to be employed will be reimbursed to the said institution. Twenty such sessions per month will be eligible for reimbursement for one instructor per centres.

A Directorate of Yoga and Naturopathy will be established to monitor the operation, regulation, grant distribution and various activities of this entire policy. It will ensure the quality of yoga centres, register yoga institutes and get them recognized under the Yoga Certification Board, create a rating system for yoga centers and establish national and international cooperation through MoUs.

A high-level state committee will be formed to review and monitor the policy. For the successful implementation of the policy, the government will spend about 35 crore in the next five years, out of which 25 crore is estimated to be spent for yoga centers, 1 crore for research, 1.81 crore for teacher certification and 7.5 crore for support in conducting yoga sessions in existing institutions.

This policy envisages that more than 13,000 jobs will be created. in the state, 2,500 yoga teachers will be certified by the Yoga Certification Board and more than 10,000 yoga instructors are likely to get employment in homestays, hotels etc.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a sharp jibe at his own party leaders for their criticism of his remarks on Indias military operations across the Line of Control (LoC) and slammed the "zealots" for distorting his views.

Tharoors remarks in Panama that India crossed the LoC for the first time in 2016 during a surgical strike on a terror base had invited wrath from a section of Congress leaders who claimed the country had done such operations in the past, too.

After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I dont really have time for this, the MP said in a post on X.

He, however, issued a clarification on his speech for those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past, saying he was speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.

READ | There is a limit to political desperation: Kiren Rijiju backs Shashi Tharoor amid criticism from Congress

My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB, he said.

But as usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do, the Thiruvananthapuram MP added.

After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I dont really have time for this  but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 29, 2025

The controversy started after senior Congress leader Udit Raj took to social media on Thursday to fact-check Tharoors claims and accused the MP of denigrating the party's history. Highlighting the past events of the Indian Army crossing the border when Congress was in power, Raj asked how Tharoor could be so dishonest to the party.

Later, senior Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh, too, endorsed Rajs post, claiming India had conducted cross-LoC strikes during the previous governments.

Later in the day, Union minister Kiren Rijiju came in support of Tharoor, saying there was a limit to political desperation.

What does the Congress party want & how much do they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to a foreign nation and speak against India and its prime minister? the minister asked.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India is in touch with Iran to locate the three Indian nationals, who went missing in Tehran.

During the press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that they were extending all possible help to the family members of the three persons who are missing.

"The three Indian nationals who had landed in Tehran, Iran, some time back, are missing. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities for locating them, their safety and security, and their eventual return home. We are receiving good cooperation from the Iranian side and we are also in touch with the families of the missing people. We are extending all possible help," said Jaiswal.

#WATCH | Delhi: On three Indian nationals who went missing in Iran, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... The three Indian nationals who had landed in Tehran, Iran, some time back, are missing. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities for locating them, their safety and pic.twitter.com/ycOIcia8zy  ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

The Indian mission in Tehran on Wednesday said that three Indian citizens went missing while they were travelling to Iran.

Those missing were residents of Sangrur, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab. They took a flight from Delhi and were supposed to reach Australia on a work permit. However, it was alleged that the agents took them to Iran and later they were kidnapped.

#WATCH | Delhi: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... As far as our engagement with Pakistan is concerned, our stand has been clear. Any engagement has to be bilateral. We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together. They need to hand over to India, pic.twitter.com/ew2AKiTHZ9  ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

The family of the missing persons accused the agents and alleged that they have been abducted since May 1 and the kidnappers have demanded ransom to release them.

While reiterating India's stand on Pakistan MEA said that terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand.

"Any engagement has to be bilateral," he said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also added that Pakistan should hand over the noted terrorists residing in the country, whose lists were handed over to authorities years ago.

Jaiswal said that talks on Jammu and Kashmir will be held only on the vacating of PoK and when Pakistan hands over the territory to India.

While responding to the questions on the Indus Waters Treaty, MEA said that it will continue to be in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism.
The Opposition BJP in Karnataka has demanded the rollback of the garbage tax (solid waste management cess) and "unviable", and "unrealistic" infrastructure projects costing crores of rupees in the name of Brand Bengaluru. The BJP leaders, in their memorandum to the BBMP administrator Tushar Girinath, stated that the state government has imposed hefty taxes on the citizens and mainstreamed corruption.

"If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has succeeded in making Bengaluru City more expensive than even Dubai, deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar takes the credit for lining up ill-conceived and unscientific projects under Brand Bengaluru initiatives. Bengalureans are suffering under the Congress rule," stated the memorandum.

Also read | Bengaluru garbage tax review explained: Why cess formula may change

The saffron party which had also deferred the BBMP polls, when in power, claimed that the sole achievement of the Siddaramaiah government was the deferment of the civics body polls. Now, they are all set to fragment the city built by Kempegowda into six pieces and unsettled the native Bengalureans," alleged the BJP.

Stating that the state has become financially bankrupt, the BJP accused the ruling Congress of imposing hefty taxes on citizens to replenish the coffers.

"The garbage cess is a government-sponsored loot and is being extorted by the citizens who are already paying a user fee for garbage disposal. The hike in SWM cess is between 500 per cent to 2,765 per cent. The cess on 30x40 houses increased from 120 to  720, apartment clubhouse -  1,800 to  18,800, mall -  3,600 to  52,5000, hospital -  9,600 to  2,75,000, single house (50x80) -  600 to  5,400 and vacant plots -  3,600 to  67,000. The poor garbage disposal system has turned every street into a dump yard, slammed the BJP.

The Congress government in Karnataka has earned the disrepute of looting the citizens from birth till death in the form of various taxes, alleged BJP adding that there was no accountability for the beggary cess, education cess, library cess and garbage cess being collected from the common man.

Strongly opposing the multi-crore infrastructure projects in the state capital, the BJP accused the state government of turning big-budget projects into an ATM. "The white topping of roads and redevelopment of footpaths has only undergone delays and cost escalation and most projects that are completed are not usable due to poor quality and design. A new loot is the e-khata. The BBMP should take urgent measures to curb corruption and enhance transparency, " urged senior leaders from the BJP.

Incidentally, the white topping (overlaying of asphalt roads with concrete) of 150 km of roads across Bengaluru, meant to enhance road durability and reduce maintenance costs has met with stiff opposition from citizen groups, as they are known to cause traffic disruptions and congestion on arterial roads. Also, prolonged road work adversely impacts local businesses and reports of concrete roads leading to waterlogging and flooding due to reduced percolation of rainwater had made the project unpopular.

The 1,600 crore worth white topping project is planned to upgrade key roads such as MG Road, Residency Road, Tannery Road, Mosque Road, DJ Halli Main Road, Hennur 80ft Road, CBI Road, Dinnur Main Road, Malleswaram 8th Main Road, Holiday Village Road, Bull Temple Road and Sarjapur Road. But delays and unscientific and substandard works are a cause for concern.

Critics also argue roads such as MG Road, which are already in good condition do not require white-topping, suggesting misallocation of funds.

The Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project phase I (North-South Corridor) a 16.7-km long underground corridor from Hebbal (Esteem Mall junction) to Central Silk Board junction, at an estimated cost of 17,780 crore approved by the cabinet recently is also being opposed by the opposition parties and the citizens alike. The total project costing  40,000 includes the 28-km-long East-West tunnel connecting KR Puram with Nayandahalli (Mysore- road), which is yet to be approved.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, May 29. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang, Trend reports.

During the discussion, the sides reviewed joint initiatives aimed at enhancing Kazakhstans intellectual property potential, strengthening the innovation ecosystem, and building a sustainable knowledge-based economy.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the World Intellectual Property Organization is a key partner for Kazakhstan in developing a robust, future-oriented intellectual property system.

Currently, a project is underway to develop a National Innovation Strategy with an intellectual property component. This initiative is designed to promote scientific research, advance cutting-edge technologies, and create a favorable environment for innovation. Kazakhstan and WIPO are also jointly implementing a project to launch Technology and Innovation Support Centers.

In turn, Daren Tang noted that the measures being taken in Kazakhstan are yielding tangible results. In 2024, Kazakhstan improved its position in the Global Innovation Index.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting the protection of intellectual property (IP) worldwide.



The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 is taking place today and tomorrow, May 29 - 30, 2025, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Under the theme Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future, this high-level event serves as a platform for global leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss and address pressing international challenges.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Alipurduar in north Bengal on Thursday where he attended a government event which was followed by a BJP rally. He was initially scheduled to visit Sikkim before arriving in Alipurduar. But, due to bad weather, he addressed the people of the northeastern state virtually.

The prime minister began his Alipurduar visit by inaugurating a City Gas Distribution project worth 1,010 crore. It will provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to over 2.5 lakh households across Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts and set up 19 CNG stations.

Following a short address in this event, PM Modi turned to the public rally where his speech had a usual political undertone to it as he attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal.

VIDEO | West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) lays foundation stone of City Gas Distribution Project in Alipurduar.



(Source: Third Party)



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/9WSmV0zFwq  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 29, 2025

The focus of his address seemed to be the Mamata Banerjee governments unwillingness to implement several central schemes. Many major central schemes are not implemented in this state. The Ayushman Bharat scheme was not allowed to be launched here, he said.

PM Modi continued, Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, many people in West Bengal could have received homes. But that too was blocked. This ruthless government here did not allow it to happen.

He also appealed to various voter groups, including dalits, Adivasis, and women, claiming that TMC government was depriving them of their rights by restricting the benefits of central schemes. He also alleged that the TMC had opposed President Droupadi Murmus candidacy.

Modi was also seen attacking the state government over the alleged communal incidents in Malda and Murshidabad districts during the Waqf protests in April. He then called out the state government over the SSC teacher recruitment scam.

Bengal is going through several crises. First, violence and lawlessness. Secondly, atrocities against mothers. Third is unemployment and fourth is corruption. The ruling party is doing politics by depriving the poor of their rights, he said.

Modi concluded his speech in Alipurduar by highlighting Operation Sindoor. The Indian Army has shown the true power of Sindoor to those responsible, he said, warning that any future attacks would be met with a heavy response. We have struck inside their territory three times, he added.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back though, accusing Modi of disrespecting the symbolism of sindoor, saying, You are not everyones husband. Why are you not putting sindoor on your wife? I say this with great sadness.

VIDEO | Howrah: In response to a media query on 'Operation Sindoor' and Pahalgam terror attack, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) says, "What PM Modi said today, we are not only shocked, but it is unfortunate to hear... The entire opposition is representing the pic.twitter.com/3LlcDEoWan  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 29, 2025

She criticised Modi for failing to arrest the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack. She also took a jibe at him for cancelling his visit to Sikkim. The chief minister concluded by saying that the Army deserves genuine recognition, not just symbolic gestures.

Banerjee also accused Modi of overlooking Manipur and alleged that corruption in the BJP runs deeper. When corruption is exposed, the government must take action. But when someone is caught spying for Pakistan in your Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh, what do you do, she asked.

Countering PM Modis allegations of the West Bengal government not implementing the central schemes, she claimed that a due of 1.75 lakh crore is owed by the Centre to the state. She alleged that the BJP-led Union government is withholding funds meant for the MGNREGA and Bengals housing scheme.

You only come to Bengal before elections because its safe now. You come here to mislead people, spread slander, and plot conspiracies, Banerjee said.
A member and a sharpshooter of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang was gunned down in an encounter with police in Utttar Pradesh on Wednesday night.

The deceased was identified as Naveen Kumar, who was wanted in multiple cases including murder and kidnapping.

The encounter took place during a joint operation by the Noida Unit of the Special Task Force and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police targeting criminals in the Kotwali police station area of Hapur.

Kumar suffered serious bullet injuries and was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Kumar, who hails from Loni in Ghaziabad district, was an active sharpshooter of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and had worked closely with Hashim Baba, another high ranking gang member, ADGP (STF) Amitabh Yash said.

As many as 20 cases, including for murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery and under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), were registered against Kumar in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

He had been convicted in two cases by Delhi courts.

In a similar incident earlier in the day, Bhupendra Gwalah, a wanted criminal, was injured after being shot at in an encounter with Jhansi Police.

Gwalah was spotted on a motorcycle when the police were conducting a check. As he saw the police, he opened fire and ran towards the jungle, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rural Jhansi, Arvind Kumar, said.
The recent episode of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court (who has been transferred to Allahabad High Court and may be impeached by the Indian Parliament on charges of corruption) raises the important question of the accountability of judges. My own opinion is that such accountability is a necessary complement to judicial independence and goes hand in hand with it. In other words, we cannot have judicial independence without judicial accountability.

I remember when I had written about the corruption of a judge of the Madras High Court (where I had been the Chief Justice in 2004-2005); the then Chief Justice of India, Justice R.M. Lodha, criticised me for trying to defame the Indian judiciary.

There are many people who believe and say that it is unwise and even dangerous to disclose the corruption in the judiciary. What such people forget is that even if one buries judicial corruption under the carpet, the bulge will show.

In this connection, Judge Jerome Frank of the US Court of Appeals said, I am unable to conceive that in a democracy it can ever be unwise to acquaint the public with the truth about the workings of any branch of government. It is wholly undemocratic to treat the public as children who are unable to accept the inescapable shortcomings of man-made institutions. The best way to bring about the elimination of those shortcomings of our judicial system which are capable of being eliminated is to have all our citizens informed as to how that system now actually functions. It is a mistake, therefore, to try to establish and maintain through ignorance, public esteem for our Courts.

I had earlier written some articles on Justice Varma, in which I stated that though I am a bit biased in favour of Justice Varma, as my family and his family had been close to each other for three generations, I will not try to shield him if indeed he is corrupt.

The Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, had appointed a committee of three judges who found Justice Varma prima facie guilty.

However, neither the report of this three-judge committee nor Justice Verma's written response to the committee setting out his version has been placed in the public domain.

This is surprising. Why should the people of India not know the contents of these two important documents? The people are supreme in a democracy. Then, why are they being treated like children, contrary to Judge Jerome Frank's opinion?

Justice Varma has called the findings of the three-judge committee perverse. He also said that he had asked for a meeting with CJI Khanna, but that was denied.

In my opinion, failure to place the abovementioned two documents in the public domain is an injustice to Justice Varma and a denial to the Indian people of something they have a right to know in a democracy.

Presently, many people (goaded on by the Indian media, which is always seeking sensations to increase their circulation/TRP ) are baying for the blood of Justice Verma. Like the Queen of Hearts in Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland they have already pronounced their verdict, ''Off with his head'', without even knowing the full facts and Justice Varma's full version.

Public opinion being what it is now, with feelings running high, the Indian Parliament, to whom the President of India has referred the matter, is likely to impeach Justice Varma.

There is hope, however, that, in calmer times, when present pressures and passions subside, justice will be done to him.

Justice Markandey Katju retired from the Supreme Court in 2011. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
A ship from Vishwakarma Marine Pvt Ltd, a leading marine emergency response company in India specialising in salvage and oil spill response, will arrive today to remove oil and other materials from the capsized Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Elisa 3. The vessel sank approximately 38km southwest of the Kochi coast last week.

Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan announced that an agreement with Vishwakarma Marine was signed yesterday, and a team of experts aboard the search and recovery vessel will soon reach the site.

Strict investigations and follow-up measures had already been undertaken to examine the issues related to the containers that fell into the sea. As a result, we are now witnessing the aftermath  around 54 containers have washed ashore along various parts of the Kerala coast, the minister said.

According to official data, two containers washed ashore in Alappuzha, nine in Thiruvananthapuram, and 43 in Kollam. The shipwreck has been declared a State disaster by the Kerala government

Though maximum number of containers were washed up on the Kollam coast, experts believe the debrisespecially from broken containersis more likely to drift further south of Thiruvananthapuram. Notably, plastic nurdles from MSC Elisa 3 have also washed ashore in Tamil Nadus Kanyakumari district.

The accumulation of polyethylene nurdlessmall plastic pellets used in manufacturingposes serious environmental threat. Marine animals often mistake them for food, which can disrupt digestion and, in some cases, lead to death. There are also growing concerns about nurdles entering the human food chain. Environmentalists have warned that if the nurdles reach the Gulf of Mannar, coral reefs may be damaged.

At least 43 bags of tiny plastic nurdles have been washed ashore the Kanyakumari coast, sparking environmental concerns. The plastic nurdles have been found on the coast along the fishing hamlets in Enayampuththanthurai, Vallavilai and Eravipuththanthurai near Kanyakumari. The nurdles  in 25kg bags  began washing ashore on Wednesday morning, according to the authorities in the Tamil Nadu environment department.

"The plastic pellets washed ashore in Enayampuththanthurai, Vallavilai and Eravipuththanthurai fishing hamlets have been collected carefully and stored in bags. We are following the protocol shared by the Kerala government on handling these materials. We are also in touch with the shipping company, which has promised to send a team of experts from Gujarat for cleaning our coast. They are expected to arrive on Thursday, Kanyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena, who visited the spot, told THE WEEK.

Kerala Minister Rajan emphasised that significant efforts were made over the past few days to prevent Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), a marine fuel, from reaching the coast. Preventive measures included placing sacks of sawdust along the shoreline and constructing earthen barriers in estuaries and backwaters.

Before salvage operations begin, a sonar survey will be conducted around the sunken vessels location to assess underwater conditions. Authorities expect these processes to proceed swiftly.

In Kerala too, a large-scale cleanup drive is underway to remove nurdles from the coast. Since these pellets can be washed back into the sea, the goal is to recover as many as possible.

A standard operating procedure (SOP) has been prepared by Kerala for the clean-up, with volunteers playing a critical role. A drone survey will be conducted along the entire coastline where nurdles have been found. A designated supervisor will manage every 100-metre stretch to coordinate volunteers drawn from Aapda Mitra, Civil Defence, former Student Police Cadets, and Samoohika Sannadha Sena.

Volunteers have been instructed to use plastic scoops, shovels, and sieves to collect the nurdles and store them in plastic bags. These will be sent to a Hazardous Materials Treatment Facility in Ernakulam. Additionally, one sample from each 100-metre segment will be sent to a Pollution Control Board storage facility for further analysis.
After delivering a strong message in the western states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned his attention eastward, bringing the narrative of Operation Sindoor to Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bihar. Modis public outreach is centred on national security and telling people how the country responded to acts of terror from across the border.

Modi had earlier travelled to Rajasthan and Gujarat where he spoke about Operation Sindoor. In the eastern leg, he covered three states during the day sending a message replete with political symbolism. In Sikkim and West Bengal, Modi didnt just speak to the crowds, he evoked deep cultural pride and historical identity.

PM @narendramodi virtually took part in the celebration of Sikkim@50, marking 50 glorious years of Sikkims statehood, attending the event online due to weather issues.



During the event, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several key development projects across pic.twitter.com/0Q6bRmITsC  DD News (@DDNewslive) May 29, 2025

In West Bengal, Modi warned that Operation Sindoor was not over thus hinting that any misadventure by Pakistan would again be met with even harsher punitive measures against it. Drawing upon the tradition of Sindoor Khela in the state, Modi drew a striking parallel. Addressing a rally, he declared, From the land of Sindoor Khela, India showcased its strength through Operation Sindoor. After the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam, our forces destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, sending a clear message - any attack on India will face a decisive response. The roar of Bengals tiger echoes: Operation Sindoor is not over.

Modi's reference to local tradition was to blend regional identity with national resolve.

In Sikkim, Modi tailored his message to a region known for peace and tourism, highlighting how terrorism strikes at the heart of Indias economic and social well-being. The terrorists not only snatched the happiness from many of our families, but they also conspired to divide us Indians. However, today the whole world is witnessing that India is more united than ever before.

He emphasised Indias unity in response, evoking the image of sindoor being wiped from the foreheads of daughters. Frustrated by the destruction of their terror camps, Pakistan tried to retaliate against our civilians and soldiers. But we exposed them to the worldand destroyed several of their airbases, proving how fast, accurate and powerful Indias response can be.

In Bihar, where Modi is scheduled to address a major rally on Friday, he conducted a roadshow after the inauguration of the new Patna airports terminal building. The route reflected the Operation Sindoor theme. Banners, visuals, and slogans are all designed to reinforce the governments message of resilience and decisive action, ahead of the assembly polls in the state.

Prime Minister Modi is personally leading the campaign across the country framing Operation Sindoor not just as a military response but a symbolic assertion of Indias stance against terrorism and resolve to protect the citizens and cultural values.
A Rajasthan state government employee was detained in Jaisalmer on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan on Wednesday night, reports said.

According to officials, Shakur Khan, who works in the district employment office, was detained by an intelligence department team.

According to officials, phone numbers related to Islamabad were found on his mobile phone. During the preliminary interrogation, Khan has confessed that he had travelled to Pakistan at least seven times in recent years.

"There were inputs about Shakur Khan that he could be involved in spying for Pakistan. He was on surveillance following inputs and was detained last night," an official told PTI.

Some reports suggested that Khan was on duty in the district administration's control room during Operation Sindoor. He has been taken to Jaipur where the central agencies will question him in detail.

Ever since the Operation Sindoor, Indian security agencies have launched a crackdown on the alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in north India and arrested at least a dozen people from different states.

Those arrested included Haryana resident and famous YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, whose channel has 3.77 lakh subscribers.

According to police, Jyoti was in touch with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi during the India-Pakistani military confrontation.

Earlier this week, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a CRPF personnel for allegedly spying for Pakistan.

The accused, Moti Ram Jat, was actively involved in espionage activity and had been sharing classified information related to national security with the Pakistan intelligence officers (PIOs) since 2023.
It seems to be a no-holds-barred fight in the Congress over party MP Shashi Tharoors recent remarks on Indias military strikes across the Line of Control during his visit to Panama.

Tharoors statements that India crossed the LoC for the first time in 2016 during a surgical strike on a terror base had invited wrath from a section of Congress leaders who claimed the country had done such operations in the past, too.

The tussle turned murkier on Thursday after senior leader Pawan Khera took to X, sharing a page of Tharoors 2018 book The Paradoxical Prime Minister, in which the Thiruvananthapuram MP has criticised the BJP government for their shameless exploitation of the 2016 surgical strikes for political gains.

"I agree with that Dr Shashi Tharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018," he said.

I agree with that Dr @ShashiTharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018 - The Paradoxical Prime Minister. #ReadingNow pic.twitter.com/hAhsfwH0JT  Pawan Khera  (@Pawankhera) May 29, 2025

The underlined passage from Tharoor's book reads, "The shameless exploitation of the 2016 surgical strikes along the Line of Control with Pakistan, and a military raid in hot pursuit of rebels in Myanmar, as party election tool--something the Congress had never done despite having authorized several such strikes earlier--marked a particularly disgraceful dilution of the principle that national security issues require both discretion and non-partisanship."

Kheras post came after Tharoor took a dig at his critics, saying he was speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.

My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB, he said.

After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I dont really have time for this  but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 29, 2025

It all started on Wednesday when senior Congress leader Udit Raj took to X to fact-check Tharoor over his speech made in Panama on Indias Operation Sindoor.

Highlighting the past events of the Indian Army crossing the border when Congress was in power, Raj asked how Tharoor could be so dishonest to the party.

Later, Khera and another leader, Jairam Ramesh, stepped in to endorse Rajs post.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju has come out in support of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has been facing criticism from his own party leaders over a speech he had made in Panama on Indias Operation Sindoor.

There is a limit to political desperation, Rijiju said in a post on X on Wednesday night.

What does the Congress party want & how much do they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to a foreign nation and speak against India and its prime minister? he asked.

What does the Congress party want & How much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister?

Theres limit to political desperation! https://t.co/JiuYqpW2tN  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 28, 2025

Tharoor, part of an all-party delegation visiting multiple countries, said in his speech that India crossed the Line of Control for the first time in 2016 during a surgical strike on a terror base.

His remarks ruffled feathers in the Congress party, with senior leader Udit Raj accusing the Thiruvananthapuram MP of denigrating the party's history. Highlighting the past events of the Indian Army crossing the border when Congress was in power, Raj asked how Tharoor could be so dishonest to the party.

In the sharply worded post, Raj further accused his party colleague of being a super spokesperson of the BJP.

My dear @ShashiTharoor

Alas ! I could prevail upon PM Modi to declare you as super spokesperson of BJP , even declaring as foreign minister before landing in India . How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi , India never crossed LOC https://t.co/c88b8rX2bq  Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) May 28, 2025

Later, senior leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh came out endorsing Rajs social media post. Khera cited former prime minister Manmohan Singhs statement that many surgical strikes were conducted under the UPA government.

Khera also quoted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars statement before a parliamentary committee that India had carried out counter-terrorist operations across the LoC in the past too.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader S. Ramadoss on Thursday levelled serious accusations against his son and PMK working president Anbumani Ramadoss. The rift between the father and son which was brewing came out in the open as senior Ramadoss accused his son of internal sabotage, misconduct, disrespect towards party senior leaders and an attempt to hijack the party.

While addressing the media at his residence in Thailapuram, Tindivanam district, Ramadoss said that he was forced to speak out against his son, who pretended to be ignorant over his removal as party president. He said Anbumanis feigned ignorance was only an attempt to mislead the party cadres and garner sympathy. He accused Anbumani of purposely creating internal disputes within the party, referring to the latters speech at a meeting in Dharmapuri recently.

Accusing his son of behaving without basic decorum Ramadoss recalled the event during a party meeting in Puducherry.

He said it was a mistake to have made his son as the union cabinet minister in 2004. Incidentally, it was Ramadoss who declared his son as the party president in 2022. Ramadoss also accused his son of lacking basic civility and raised several questions against Anbumani.

Who overturned the stage setup, ignoring basic civility and party norms? I appointed Mukundan as the youth wing leader to assist me and help Anbumani with the party. But like a ball bouncing off a wall, opposition to his appointment was immediately voiced from the stage, Ramadoss said.

Referring to Anbumanis behaviour on the stage against him and throwing a microphone at him, Ramadoss said that it had tarnished the image of the party.

Everyone was visibly shocked at the manner in which Anbumani put the mic onto the table. The mic barely missed hitting me on the head. This was an unseemly act. All those present at the meeting had witnessed it. This showed that he lacked leadership qualities, Ramadoss accused.

He also said that Anbumani hurled a bottle at his mother during the Pongal celebrations at their Thailapuram residence. He reacted this way when his mother said that Anbumani would have kept quiet if his daughter was appointed as the youth wing secretary. Ramadoss also said that it was Anbumani who ensured that party senior leader G.K. Manis son G.K.M. Tamil Kumaran resigned from the youth wing secretary post. He humiliated his family. Ramadoss also said that this act of his son had only shattered a big mirror with his demeanour while recalling his early days of toiling across the state to build the party.

Stating that his son and daughter-in-law Sowmya Anbumani forced him to align with the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Anbumani and Sowmya clung to my feet and begged. He said you (Ramadoss) would face a situation of doing the last rituals for me.

However, sources close to Anbumani say that he will not react to his fathers accusations and is planning to conduct a three-day meeting with the party functionaries. He is likely to meet various district secretaries and office bearers of the party in a private marriage hall at Sholinganallur near Chennai for the next three days, in a bid to tighten his grip over the party.

He will not utter even a single word on his fathers accusations, said a senior leader on conditions of anonymity. Incidentally, the leader recalls Ramadosss statement on Tuesday during a meeting saying that everyone should strive to make Anbumani, the chief of the state. But things have changed upside down in the family as well as in the party in just 24 hours, according to the leader.

Apparently a major chunk of the party, except a few district office bearers and senior leaders, rallies behind Anbumani as he is looked at as the future of the party. The special executive committee meeting of the party held in 2022 elected him as the president of the party.

With this Ramadoss has completely tarnished his sons image and the future of the party, at a time when Anbumani is expecting to begin fresh talks with the AIADMK to renew his Rajya Sabha membership.
A graffiti that appeared on the wall of a high school in Italy has garnered attention and sparked outrage after it showed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kissing Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Created by an artist known as Laika, the work has been titled 'The Final Solution', possibly about Hitlers plan for the annihilation of Jews.

The artist reasoned that the image was chosen to shake the press and public opinion. "The Israeli government, with the support of the United States and the European Union, is carrying out a systematic operation to annihilate the Palestinian people, Laika told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

Laika also described Israels military operation, Gideons Chariots, as "an ethnic cleansing campaign."

The artist also shared the image in an Instagram post wherein they called the IDF's campaign "the final solution to this terrible ethnic cleansing, to this genocide." They also criticised Italy and the European Union and called for sanctions against Israel. "Europe sanctioned and isolated Russia for invading Ukraine, but adopted a soft stance when it comes to alleged Israeli war crimes Italy and Germany, more than anyone, have decided to be on the wrong side of history again, Laika said, adding that "we have learned nothing from the past."

Laika also took to Instagram to repost the image on stories, while adding that the image was censored by the social media site. Laika then shared messages from Israelis who praised her for her work.

The work continues to get attention in Italy amid a rise in anti-Israel sentiments in the country. Recently, there were incidents of Israelis being expelled from cafes and restaurants.
World Bank champions Kazakhstans vision for next-gen infrastructure and AI growth

Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with World Bank Vice President Antonella Bassani during her visit for the Astana International Forum. They discussed progress on joint projects, focusing on infrastructure modernization, including energy, water supply, and transport sectors. Emphasis was placed on increasing Kazakh companies' involvement and cooperation on transboundary water projects.

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A recently unsealed indictment in an American federal court has exposed a transnational criminal conspiracy involving Syrias former regime, Latin American rebels and global drug cartels. The case centres on an audacious plan to ship hundreds of kilograms of cocaine hidden in fruit containers to Syrias Latakia Port in exchange for military-grade weapons drawn from the stockpile of deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, the indictment outlines a network that spanned Colombia, Mexico, Lebanon, Syria, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco and the United States. First reported by The New York Times, the case details how cocaine produced by Colombias National Liberation Army (ELN) would pay for arms previously supplied to the Assad regime by Russia and Iran.

At the centre of the scheme is Antoine Kassis, a Lebanese national with alleged ties to Assads inner circle. Kassis appeared in court last week after being extradited from Kenya, where he was arrested in February following an Interpol notice. He faces charges of narco-terrorism and conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.

According to prosecutors, Kassis and two alleged co-conspirators, Alirio Rafael Quintero and Wisam Nagib Kherfan, struck a deal in the spring of last year. The ELN would send cocaine to Syria, where Kassis would manage distribution in the Middle East. In return, he would provide arms to the ELN, using his Syrian contacts. Quintero and Kherfan, based in Colombia and Mexico, were tasked with laundering the proceeds and arranging logistics for the arms transfers.

Though Assad was toppled in December, Kassis allegedly retained access to the regimes weapons cache. He is accused of travelling to Kenya to meet an ELN weapons inspector and signing a contract to import a container declared as fruit but actually containing 500kg of cocaine.

Quintero is said to have handled millions of dollars in transactions on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel and the ELN, transferring cryptocurrency to Kherfan, who converted it into cash. The funds were used to pay pilots in Ghana and Morocco involved in the operation.

Formed in the 1960s, the ELN is Colombias largest remaining guerrilla group and has been linked to kidnappings, bombings and violent attacks on civilians. Recent fighting in northeastern Colombia has displaced thousands and heightened tensions with neighbouring Venezuela.
The reports that three men from Punjab, who took the 'dunki' route to Australia, ending up allegedly in the clutches of Pakistani kidnappers in Iran have shed light on how human smugglers continue to thrive in Iran unabated.

It was on Wednesday that reports emerged that Jaspal Singh, Amritpal Singh and Husanpreet Singh, from Punjab's Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Sangrur districts went missing on May 1, the very day they reached Iran. The trio were allegedly duped by agents who promised to take them to Australia via Iran. On arrival at Tehran airport from Dubai, they were held captive by Pakistani agents, who have since been torturing them seeking a ransom of Rs 18 lakh each.

Three youths from Punjab  residents of Sangrur, SBS Nagar, and Hoshiarpur  have been kidnapped in Iran since May 1. They were en route to Australia on work permits via Delhi but were taken to Iran instead. Kidnappers are demanding 55 lakh to 1 crore in ransom. The agent pic.twitter.com/XpPSKJNnGW  Akashdeep Thind (@thind_akashdeep) May 28, 2025

"We remained in touch with Jaspal till May 11, 2025, after which we lost contact with them. The Pakistani donkers would make the youths speak to us while they were held captive, naked with deep cuts on their bodies and beaten up mercilessly. The youths kept pleading to save them, else the Pakistani donkers would kill them," a close relative of one of the men told The Wire.

However, this isn't an isolated incident. One of the last reported cases happened in 2023 when a couple from Gujarat were held hostage in Iran while they were trying to enter the United States illegally. They were held hostage by kidnappers who brutally tortured them. They were released only after paying a ransom of Rs 10 lakh.

Iran's geographical location makes it a fertile land for human smugglers who transport illegal migrants via land, sea and air routes. The country is a bridge between Asia, Europe and the Middle East, making it a favourite route for illegal migrants to enter the Arabian Peninsula and the southern Mediterranean region.

Many illegal migrants who take the route end up in the hands of kidnappers who torture them for money. In 2023, videos showing Afghan migrants being tortured brutally by criminal gangs along the Turkey-Iran border surfaced. The men were reportedly trying to cross to Turkey when they ended up in the hands of their abductors.

Ali Hekmat, who has been aiding Afghan refugees in Turkey for more than a decade, told Middle East Eye in 2023 that the gangs are mostly made up of ethnic Turks and Kurds often also involved in smuggling networks and the victims are mostly Afghans. They will take footage of themselves beating Afghans and have them send it to their families, Hekmat told the newspaper.

Though Iranian authorities claimed to have dismantled 94 trafficking networks in 2023, there are yet to curtail the existence of the gangs.
China's foreign ministry has firmly opposed America's decision to ban all Chinese student visas, calling it irrational. The Trump administration's decision comes amid deteriorating relations between China and the US.

According to Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing, cancelling Chinese student visas under the pretext of ideology and national rights was unreasonable.

China firmly opposes this and has lodged representations with the US," he declared, as per a Reuters report.

Ning further added that Beijing now hoped that the US could do something conducive for its relations with China.

"This political and discriminatory action exposes the lies of freedom and openness that the US has consistently claimed and will only further damage the US international image and credibility, he explained.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday made a shocking announcement that all Chinese student visas would be revoked by the US government.

Taking to X, he posted that Chinese student visasespecially for those connected with the Chinese Communist Partywould be revoked. He added that along with this, all Chinese students continuing their studies on critical subjects would stand revoked.

ALSO READ | How US student visa applicants can prepare for social media vetting

After India, China contributes the highest number of international students in the US.

According to data published in a 2024 US State Department report, out of 1.1 million foreign students studying in the US, 277,000 were from China and 331,000 were from India.

US-China relations had already been hanging by a thread since Joe Biden's tenure. However, after the Trump administration's tariff announcement this year, the two countries saw trade tensions, which resulted in a tit-for-tat trade war, that was later de-escalated.

Amid Trump's crackdown on universities and foreign students, the US government has also been issuing stricter rules for foreign students studying in the US.

According to this, even skipping a class or dropping out of a course may cause deportation or visa cancellation.

In addition, the US has scrapped in-person interviews at embassies and consulates across the globe. The government suggested that online checks will be carried out as an alternative.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who announced his decision to leave the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Wednesday, distanced from the Donald Trump administration after he got frustrated with the obstacles in his bid to carry out his objectives, according to a report.

Musk also made no secret of his disillusionment with the domestic policy bill that Trump championed and the House passed last week and has been operating with some distance from Trump, according to the New York Times. He also vocally criticised the bill, stating that it "undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing".

"I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion," Musk said in an interview with CBS News, shortly before leaving DOGE. He added that he "was disappointed" to see the massive spending bill which increases the budget deficit and "undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing".

The bill, which still needs to clear the Senate, pushes for tax cuts, boost border security spending, impose work requirements on Medicaid and roll back clean energy tax credits. The tax provisions of the package will entail an increase in the deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034.

Soon after, he took to X to confirm that he was leaving DOGE and thanked Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. "The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," he added.

Abu Dhabi project

Musk is also said to have complained to the Trump administration about being Sam Altman's OpenAI winning a lucrative deal to build an artificial intelligence data centre in the Middle East. OpenAI and some other US tech firms had won the contract to create one of the worlds largest artificial intelligence data centres in Abu Dhabi.

Musk had warned the UAE leaders that Trump wouldn't sign off on the deal unless his company xAI was included in the deal, The Wall Street Journal quoted sources. The Tesla CEO learnt about the deal before Trump was to embark on a trip to the Middle East and was unhappy about Sam Altman being included in the delegation. He then decided to join the trip.

Though Musk complained about it, Trump and US officials decided to move forward after reviewing the terms of the deal. Musk didnt want a deal that seemed to benefit Altman and Trump aides had to calm Musk down, the WSJ quoted one official.

Musk, however, raised concerns about the deal and "relayed his concerns about fairness for all AI companies."

Former friends, Altman and Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but parted ways in 2018 after Musk accused him of being untrustworthy. He was very critical about OpenAI and Altman and their ties with Microsoft, even stating OpenAI had become a "closed source, maximum-profit company effectively controlled by Microsoft".

After ChatGPT's launch, Musk responded by launching his own rival startup, xAI but couldn't emulate the success of ChatGPT.
Ever since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, the talks of holding an election has been doing the rounds in the political and military circles in Bangladesh. However, the various stakeholders in the country have been unable to come to an agreement on the timeline for the elections.

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus said on Thursday in Tokyo that the current leadership will try to hold elections as early as December 2025 or by June 2026. He said the timeframe is contingent on the progress of electoral and governance reforms that his government is trying to implement.

"People are insisting to tell them when the elections would be because the politicians are very impatient, to get to their seats of power. So I have been promising them for some time. It could be in December this year or at the latest June of 2026, so six months gap, depending on how fast we can do the reforms," Yunus said.

However, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has insisted on holding the elections in December. Though Yunus expressed his desire to step down following the army chief's comments, various political parties backed the interim advisor, saying they have confidence in him.

The Bangladesh National Party, which is the largest political party in the country, has been demanding elections ever since the Hasina government was brought down. Though they had earlier agreed to hold the elections by December this year, BNP said it will be difficult for the party to cooperate with the government, if a specific roadmap is not announced immediately. BNP chief Tarique Rahman warned the interim government against postponing the elections.

BNP has been holding demonstrations to push the government to appoint party leader Ishraq Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

The NCP also known as the Jatiya Nagorik Party maintains that the BNP is trying to be another Awami League, the banned political party of Sheikh Hasina. NCP leaders want to hold local body elections before the national polls. They also insist that basic reforms should be implemented before the national elections. Some of the advisers in the interim government support NCP's demands. However, BNP is against holding local body polls before the general elections.

The interim government in August lifted the ban on Bangladesh's largest Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami. Its chief Shafiqur Rahman has come up with two timelines for the national elections. If the reforms are completed, hold elections by mid-February 2026 or immediately after Ramadan, if the reforms are delayed.
Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, who planned the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 innocent civilians, was spotted recently at a public rally in Lahore.

Organised by LeT's political wing Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), the anti-India rally celebrated the anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests.

Interestingly, the Lashkar terrorist, listed 32nd in India's most wanted list, was sharing stage with Punjab assembly speaker Malik Ahmad Khan and Talha Saeed, the son of LeT chief Hafiz Saaed.

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After going into hiding for several days following #OperationSindoor , Lashkar-E-Tayiba Deputy Chief Saifullah Kasuri asserts that India wrongfully implicated him in the Pahalgam attack. He even goes so far as to say that pic.twitter.com/QTWafflJ2l  OsintTV  (@OsintTV) May 28, 2025

Saifullah Kasuri, who also goes by the name Saifullah Khalid, allegedly coordinated with Lashkar proxy The Resistance Front (TRF) to carry out the attack in Pahalgam. Months before the deadly terror attack, Kasuri visited the Kanganpur army base in Punjab where he motivated Pakistani soldiers with his rousing speech.

TRF later claimed responsibility for the attack. Named in several global sanctions lists, Kasuri reportedly oversaw the TRF's terror activities in Kashmir. The Union home minsitry had declared TRF as terrorist group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

He was the president of the Milli Muslim League in 2017 and was also part of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa coordination committee. Currently, Kasuri leads the LeT headquarters in Peshawar and oversee LeT's operation strategies.

Earlier, Kasuri claimed that Indian media "wrongfully" blamed him and Pakistan for the Pahalgam shocker. "India created drama as they were themselves behind the attack," he said.

On February 2, Kasuri, speaking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said, "I promise that today is 2 February 2025. We will try our best to capture Kashmir by 2 February 2026. In the coming days, our Mujahideen will intensify attacks. We hope that Kashmir will be free by 2 February 2026."
New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) Four Bangladeshi nationals illegally staying in Delhi's Narela were detained by the crime branch, police said on Thursday.

A police team began tracing illegal migrants in vulnerable localities, particularly in roadside settlements and makeshift dwellings in and around Narela, officials said.

On May 25, based on ground-level intelligence gathered over several weeks, the team detained the four men -- Hafijul (19), Mominul (21), Shamim (22) and Inamul (38) -- residents of Khudigram and Nakeshwari districts in Bangladesh, a police officer said.

According to the officer, the four failed to produce any valid documents.

During interrogation, the detainees admitted to have entered India illegally with their parents during childhood. While their families later returned to Bangladesh, the men remained in India and had been living without legal authorisation, he said.

They moved frequently across cities including Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Khurja, Mahendragarh, Ghaziabad, Behraor and Delhi in search of work while avoiding detection, he added.

Police said they had no relatives or legal ties in India and continued to stay on roadsides without identification documents from either India or Bangladesh.

"All four are currently lodged in a detention centre and will be deported back," the officer said, adding that further investigation into the matter is underway.
Elon Musk is not happy with President Donald Trumps signature spending bill, distancing himself from the legislation that narrowly passed the House last week and is now headed to the Senate.

The measure, which Trump has hailed as a big, beautiful bill, would extend the 2017 tax cuts while enacting deep cuts to Medicaid in an effort to partially offset the costs. However, a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the legislation will increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion over the next decade, largely due to the extended tax breaks.

I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, Musk told correspondent David Pogue in an interview for CBS Sunday Morning. It undermines the work the DOGE team is doing.

Musk was tapped by Trump early in his term to helm the DOGE initiative, which the president promised would root out government inefficiency and find up to $2 trillion in savings. DOGE claims it has already saved $175 billion, although that number is disputed by watchdog groups who cite a lack of transparency and detail in the agencys reporting. Much of DOGEs cost-cutting has come from mass layoffs of federal workers and the freezing of congressionally-approved spendingmoves that have triggered numerous legal challenges.

The tension between Musks fiscal mission and the Trump administrations latest legislative push has further strained a relationship that was once highly visible. Musk made frequent visits to the White House during the early months of Trumps presidency, but his appearances have dwindled amid growing disagreements. Reports suggest Musk has clashed privately with key Trump advisors over spending and regulatory policy.

Asked if he believed the new bill had undone his agencys work, Musk offered a characteristically sardonic critique: I think a bill can be big, or it can be beautiful. But I dont know if it can be both. My personal opinion.

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The criticism from Musk echoes concerns voiced by other influential Trump-world figures. Steve Bannon, former White House strategist and conservative media personality, said last week he was very upset by the bill, warning it could dampen enthusiasm among fiscal conservatives ahead of the November elections.

Despite the pushback from some allies, Trump has continued to tout the bill as essential to boosting economic growth and helping middle-class families. The White House maintains that the extended tax cuts will stimulate investment and job creation, and that the Medicaid trims will encourage more efficient state-level management of health programs.

Still, the growing divide between Trump and some of his most prominent backers may complicate efforts to shepherd the bill through the Senate, where even a slim margin of opposition could derail the legislation.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
More than three years after a family of four from India froze to death while trying to enter the U.S. along a remote stretch of the Canadian border in a blizzard, the convicted ringleader of an international human smuggling plot was sentenced in Minnesota on Wednesday to 10 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors had recommended nearly 20 years for Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, and nearly 11 years for the driver who was supposed to pick them up, Steve Anthony Shand, who got 6 1/2 years Wednesday.

The crime in many respects is extraordinary because it did result in the unimaginable death of four individuals, including two children, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim said. These were deaths that were clearly avoidable.

Defense attorney Thomas Leinenweber told the court before sentencing that Patel maintains his innocence and argued he was no more than a low man on the totem pole. He asked for time served, 18 months.

But acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick said Patel exploited the migrants hopes for a better life in America, out of his own greed.

We should make no mistake, it was the defendants greed that set in motion the facts that bring us here today, she said.

Patel, in an orange uniform and handcuffed, declined to address the court. He showed no visible emotion as the sentence was issued. He is likely to be deported to his native India after completing his sentence. He cooperated as marshals handcuffed him and led him from the courtroom.

The judge handed down the sentence at the federal courthouse in the northwestern Minnesota city of Fergus Falls, where the two men were tried and convicted on four counts apiece last November.

Tunheim declined last month to set aside the guilty verdicts, writing, This was not a close case.

The smuggling operation

Prosecutors said during the trial that Patel, an Indian national who they say went by the alias Dirty Harry, and Shand, a U.S. citizen from Florida, were part of a sophisticated illegal operation that brought dozens of people from India to Canada on student visas and then smuggled them across the U.S. border.

They said the victims, Jagdish Patel, 39; his wife, Vaishaliben, who was in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son, Dharmik, froze to death. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police found their bodies just north of the border between Manitoba and Minnesota on Jan. 19, 2022.

The family was from Dingucha, a village in the western Indian state of Gujarat, as was Harshkumar Patel. Patel is a common Indian surname, and the victims were not related to the defendant. The couple were schoolteachers, local news reports said. So many villagers have gone overseas in hopes of better lives  legally and otherwise  that many homes there stand vacant.

Harsh blizzard conditions

The father died while trying to shield Dharmiks face from a blistering wind with a frozen glove, prosecutor Michael McBride wrote. Vihangi was wearing ill-fitting boots and gloves. Their mother died slumped against a chain-link fence she must have thought salvation lay behind, McBride wrote.

A nearby weather station recorded the wind chill that morning at -36 Fahrenheit (-38 Celsius).

Seven other members of their group survived the foot crossing, but only two made it to Shands van, which was stuck in the snow on the Minnesota side. One woman who survived had to be flown to a hospital with severe frostbite and hypothermia. Another survivor testified he had never seen snow before arriving in Canada.

What prosecutors say

Mr. Patel has never shown an ounce of remorse. Even today, he continues to deny he is the Dirty Harry that worked with Mr. Shand on this smuggling venture  despite substantial evidence to the contrary and counsel for his co-defendant identifying him as such at trial, McBride wrote.

The smugglers put money before the lost migrants safety, McBride argued.

Even as this family wandered through the blizzard at 1:00 AM, searching for Mr. Shands van, Mr. Shand was focused on one thing, which he texted Mr. Patel: we not losing any money, McBride wrote. Worse, when Customs and Border Patrol arrested Mr. Shand sitting in a mostly unoccupied 15-passenger van, he denied others were out in the snow  leaving them to freeze without aid.

What defense attorneys say

Patels attorneys did request a government-paid attorney for his planned appeal. Patel has been jailed since his arrest at OHare International Airport in Chicago in February 2024 and claimed in a filing to have no income and no assets.

Shands attorney, federal defender Aaron Morrison, acknowledged that Shand has a level of culpability but argued that his role was limited  that he was just a taxi driver who needed money to support his wife and six children.

Mr. Shand was on the outside of the conspiracy, he did not plan the smuggling operation, he did not have decision making authority, and he did not reap the huge financial benefits as the real conspirators did, Morrison wrote.

(AP)
CCTV: The Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting was held yesterday in Xiamen. Can you brief us on the meeting and its outcomes? How does China view the development prospect of relations between China and Pacific island countries?

Mao Ning: Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting with President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Pacific Island countries (PICs). The four full respects proposed by President Xi Jinping is the fundamental guidance for China to develop relations with PICs. We always see them as good friends, good partners and good brothers. The development of our bilateral ties vividly demonstrates that friendship, whenever it happens, is cherishable; cooperation, whatever its size, is valuable. Weve set a fine example of big and small countries pursuing peaceful coexistence and Global South countries seeking development in solidarity.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a six-point proposal on building a China-PICs community with a shared future, namely rendering each other respect, putting development first and people at the center, pursuing exchanges and mutual learning, upholding fairness and justice, and strengthening mutual assistance. Foreign Minister Wang stressed that faced with profound changes of our times and of the historical trajectory, China believes that upholding peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit is the only right choice, and stands ready to work with all sides to open up a new chapter of building a China-PICs community with a shared future.

Common understandings in five aspects have been reached during the meeting. First, we should uphold equal treatment, continue to render each other support and defend each others core interest and major concerns. Second, we should uphold common development, promote synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Third, we should uphold fairness and justice, firmly defend multilateralism and the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. Fourth, we should uphold openness and inclusiveness, the international community needs to support PICs in independently choosing development and cooperation partners, and the most urgent topics such as climate change need to be prioritized in the effort of developing relations with PICs. Fifth, we should uphold mutual learning, carry forward our traditional friendship and affinity, strengthen mutual understanding and support and jointly advance the civilization of human society.

Participating parties thanked Chinas long-term precious support to the development of PICs and reaffirmed their commitment to the one-China principle as well as their understanding and support to Chinas legitimate rights of defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The meeting adopted a joint statement. China also released the List of Measures for China to Implement the Consensus of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting, which includes Chinas Initiative on Deepening Cooperation with Pacific Island Countries on Combating Climate Change. In the initiative, China promised to provide new funding and expand sustainable development cooperation with PICs.

Bloomberg: Regarding the U.S.s decision to begin aggressively revoking the visas of Chinese students, including those with links to the Communist Party of China or those that are studying in so-called critical fields. In relation to this, I just like to ask given that it is probably the most prominent story of the moment in terms of U.S.-China relations, Id like to ask what is the Foreign Ministrys comment on this? Can we expect a retaliation of sorts from Beijing? How might this affect the overall climate, especially as we are looking towards further trade talks?

Mao Ning: The U.S. decision to revoke Chinese student visas is fully unjustified. It uses ideology and national security as pretext. It seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China, and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China firmly opposes it and has protested to the U.S. over the decision.

This politically motivated and discriminatory move exposes the U.S. hypocrisy over freedom and openness. It will further damage the image and reputation of the U.S. itself.

AFP: The U.S. Court of International Trade has ruled that Donald Trumps Liberation Day tariffs as well as a separate set of tariffs on China over fentanyl which were issued by executive orders form an overstep of his authority as president. How might this ruling impact Chinas trade negotiations with the U.S. and would the Foreign Ministry like to further comment?

Mao Ning: China has made its position very clear: tariff and trade wars have no winners. Protectionism benefits no one and is ultimately unpopular.

Kyodo News: Its reported that China removed a buoy located in the exclusive economic zone to the south of Yonaguni Island of Okinawa. Why did China remove this buoy?

Mao Ning: Chinas installation of a meteorological observation buoy in waters east of Taiwan, which are under Chinas jurisdiction, is consistent with Chinas domestic laws and international law. It is learned that competent Chinese authorities are maintaining the buoy as needed by relevant work.

Bloomberg: I just like to circle back a little bit and ask about do you see these moves on the visas as having a broader or spillover effect onto other areas of U.S.-China relations, including trade?

Mao Ning: Chinas position on its relations with the U.S. is consistent. We hope the U.S. will work with China in the same direction, do more constructive things, and contribute more to the sound, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

O Globo: Brazilian prosecutors announced that they are suing Chinese vehicle company BYD over allegations of using workers in awful labor conditions and engaging in international human trafficking. Can you give your comments please?

Mao Ning: As we stressed more than once, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the lawful rights and interests of workers, and asks Chinese companies to do business in accordance with laws and regulations.
Azerbaijan ramps up its import operations from Pakistan in 4M2025

Compared to the same period in 2024, trade between Azerbaijan and Pakistan increased by 78.4 percent, reaching over $11 million from January to April 2025. In contrast to Pakistan's $10.9 million in imports, Azerbaijan only sent $2,000 in exports to that country. Pakistan saw a 1.8-fold surge in imports while exports plummeted.

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President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is nominating his former criminal defense lawyer Emil Bove, who as a high-ranking Justice Department official was behind the controversial move to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, to become a federal appeals court judge.

As acting deputy attorney general, Bove has been at the center of some of the departments most scrutinized actions since Trumps return to the White House in January.

Bove ordered the dismissal of charges against the Democratic leader of Americas biggest city, accused FBI officials of insubordination for refusing to hand over the names of agents who investigated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and ordered the firings of a group of prosecutors involved in the Jan. 6 criminal cases.

He also moved aggressively to align the department with Trumps agenda around immigration and other matters, ordering federal prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal prosecution state or local officials who are believed to be interfering with the Republican administrations immigration crackdown.

Trump picked Bove to fill a vacancy on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears cases from Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, comes just months into Boves contentious tenure at the department.

Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone, Trump said in a social media post announcing the nomination. He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Emil Bove will never let you down!

When Todd Blanche, another former criminal defense attorney for Trump, was sworn in as deputy attorney general, Bove became Blanches top adviser, serving as the principal associate deputy attorney general.

Bove, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, was on the defense team during Trumps New York hush money trial and defended Trump in the federal criminal cases brought by the Justice Department. The Justice Department abandoned Trumps federal 2020 election interference case and the classified documents case after Trump won the election in November.

Boves order to dismiss the Adams case roiled the department. Manhattans top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and several high-ranking department officials resigned rather than carrying out Boves order. In remarkable departure from long-standing department norms, Bove said the case should be dropped because it was interfering with the mayors ability to aid the presidents crackdown on illegal immigration.

Bove clerked for two federal judges appointed by President George W. Bush, a Republican. He then spent nine years at the U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan where he specialized in prosecuting drug kingpins and alleged terrorists.

He was involved in multiple high-profile prosecutions, including a drug-trafficking case against the former Honduran presidents brother, a man who set off a pressure cooker device in Manhattan and a man who sent dozens of mail bombs to prominent targets across the country.

Boves actions at the New York office, however, rankled some fellow prosecutors and defense attorneys. In 2018, the federal public defenders office compiled complaints about his behavior from defense attorneys and sent them to two top officials in the U.S. attorneys office. About 18 months after the email was sent, Bove was promoted to be co-chief of the offices national security and international narcotics unit.

(AP)
President Donald Trump has pardoned former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who resigned from Congress after a tax fraud conviction.

The pardon was disclosed Wednesday by a White House official who requested anonymity before an official announcement.

Grimm, a former Marine and FBI agent, pleaded guilty in late 2014 to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. He resigned from Congress the following year and served eight months in prison. Grimm tried to reenter politics in 2018 but lost a primary for his old district.

While he was in Congress, Grimm made headlines for threatening to throw a reporter off a balcony in the Capitol after the reporter asked about the long-running FBI investigation into his campaign finances.

Let me be clear to you. If you ever do that to me again, Ill throw you off this (expletive) balcony, he told the reporter during the exchange, which was captured on video.

When the reporter pushed back, telling the then-congressman that it was a valid question, Grimm responded, No. No. Youre not man enough. Youre not man enough. Ill break you in half. Like a boy.

After heavy criticism, Grimm said he was wrong for threatening the reporter and that it shouldnt have happened.

The former congressman worked at the conservative news outlet Newsmax.

Last year, Grimm was paralyzed from the chest down after being thrown from a horse during a polo tournament.

In a short video posted on Grimms Facebook in January, the former congressman said, little by little, Im getting better, and said he was working on getting more dexterity in his fingers and getting his legs to move. In March, a GoFundMe page that was set up for Grimm posted that he had been able to withstand 4 minutes upright assisted on the tilt-table, along with a picture of Grimm smiling.

(AP)
A military construction project in northern Poland has ignited a storm of criticism from Jewish heritage organizations and historians, who accuse the Polish government of trampling over the remnants of a Jewish cemetery, in a move they call part of a broader, troubling trend of cultural erasure.

The Polish Army began renovations earlier this spring on a building in Bydgoszcz that was constructed after World War II on the grounds of the citys new Jewish cemetery. The work commenced without formal permits or archaeological oversight, prompting an outcry from local and international preservationists concerned that human remains may be disturbed or permanently lost.

It is not merely a question of bureaucracy or oversight, said Yitz Farkas, director of the Ahavas Torah Association in New York, which advocates for the protection of Jewish cemeteries across Poland. This is a cemetery. It holds the remains of men, women, and children. To carry out excavation work on such a site, without regard or reverence, is to violate something deeply human.

The cemetery, largely unmarked today, dates back to the 19th century and served Bydgoszczs once-vibrant Jewish community until it was decimated during the Holocaust. In the postwar years, the cemetery was repurposed, and a military facility was built on the site. Though the graves were never formally exhumed, the land became government property, and its original function was gradually erased from public awareness.

The current renovation has been framed by the Polish Ministry of Defense as essential for national security, but no public statements have addressed concerns about the sites history. The Kuyavian-Pomeranian Provincial Monument Conservator, Izabela Brzostowska, declined a formal request to list the site as a protected heritage location, stating that petitioners had not demonstrated sufficient public interest.

To many in the Jewish community, that reasoning felt hollow.

When public interest is not enough to preserve a cemetery, what does that say about whose history is worth remembering? asked Steve Gold, a historian and advocate for Jewish heritage in Eastern Europe. There is a painful irony here: A nation that commemorates its war dead with honor is desecrating the graves of a murdered minority.

Gold and others say the case in Bydgoszcz fits a wider pattern. In his recent study, Gold noted that dozens of Jewish cemeteries across Poland have either been built over or left to decay, a postwar legacy shaped by decades of neglect, urban development, and sometimes intentional disregard.

The Ahavas Torah Association has submitted formal complaints to the Ministry of Culture and the national heritage board and is in talks with international preservation bodies to intervene. Despite appeals, construction has not ceased.

What is at stake is more than preservation, said Farkas. This is about how history is remembered  and whose history is allowed to survive.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
With the worlds attention fixed on efforts to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, talks are quietly continuing to liberate an Israeli hostage held in Iraq by a different Iranian-backed militant group.

A 38-year-old Middle East scholar from Israel was kidnapped in 2023 while doing research in Iraq, and officials from several countries say progress is being made to secure her release.

The family of the scholar  Elizabeth Tsurkov, who also holds Russian citizenship  is trying to remain optimistic. Even though the circumstances are completely different, the release of hostages from Gaza earlier this year gave the family reason to stay hopeful that Tsurkov, who marks 800 days in captivity on Thursday, will also be freed.

Its like a phoenix rising from the ashes when the hostages come out. You see that despite everything theyve been through, there is still life in them, said Emma Tsurkov, the scholars sister.

There were reports over the weekend that negotiators were very close to a deal, but the terms are complicated and Tsurkovs sister said no deal appears imminent.

One of the most difficult parts about having a loved one in captivity is the uncertainty, she said.

Negotiators are focusing on an exchange that would include seven Lebanese captured during the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah. But Iraqi and Lebanese officials told The Associated Press the talks recently stalled over Irans demand for the release of one of its citizens detained in Iraq for the killing of an American.

Held captive by an Iraqi militant group

Elizabeth Tsurkov disappeared in Baghdad in March 2023 while doing research for her doctorate at Princeton University. The only direct sign of life her family has received is a November 2023 video of her broadcast on an Iraqi television station and circulated on pro-Iranian social media.

In the past few months, officials from several countries, including the Iraqi foreign minister and deputy prime minister, have confirmed she is alive and being held in Iraq by a Shiite Muslim militant group called Kataeb Hezbollah, according to her sister. The group has not claimed the kidnapping nor have Iraqi officials publicly said which group is responsible.

Kataeb Hezbollahs leader and founder died in an American airstrike in 2020 that also killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans elite Quds Force and the architect of its military alliances in the region.

The group, an ally of Hezbollah in Lebanon, is part of a coalition of Iranian-backed militias that are officially part of Iraqs armed forces but in practice often act on their own. The U.S. government listed Kataeb Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2009.

Moving pieces from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the US

Emma Tsurkov, who lives in California, believes the U.S., Israels closest ally, has the most leverage to pressure the Iraqi government for her sisters release  either by withholding arms or financial assistance. Israel, which does not negotiate directly with Iraq because the two countries have no formal relations, has less influence, she said.

Although Tsurkov entered Iraq using her Russian passport, Russia has declined to get involved in negotiating for her release, Emma Tsurkov said.

Earlier this year, a senior Israeli official said the Israeli government is working with allies in a renewed push to win the freedom of Tsurkov. Israeli officials declined to comment for this story.

About a month ago, a U.S. official and several former diplomats visited Baghdad to mediate for Tsurkovs release, according to a senior Iraqi political official involved in the negotiations. They held indirect talks with Iranian officials and leaders from the militant group holding her, according to this official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the secretive talks.

Adam Boehler, the Trump administrations top hostage envoy, has repeatedly called for Tsurkovs release and has traveled to Iraq to press his case. We have and will continue to underscore with the Iraqi government the urgency of securing her release, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Tuesday.

Another Iraqi official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. and Israel do not object to the release of the Lebanese prisoners held in Israel.

An official with a Lebanese group involved in the indirect negotiations said that, in exchange for Tsurkovs freedom, they are seeking the release of seven Lebanese prisoners, some of whom are associated with Hezbollah and a Lebanese navy officer who was kidnapped by an Israeli commando force on Lebanons northern coast in early November. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Also involved in a possible exchange are five men in prison in Iraq for the 2022 fatal shooting of Stephen Edward Troell, a 45-year-old teacher from Tennessee. Troell was killed as he pulled up to the street where he lived in central Baghdad with his family.

Iranian citizen Mohammed Ali Ridha was convicted in the killing, along with four Iraqis, in what was described as a kidnapping gone wrong. The prospect of Ridhas release is one of the major holdups in the negotiations, Lebanese and Iraqi officials said.

Emma Tsurkov said the complexity of the negotiations is devastating for her family. This isnt a real estate deal, we arent talking about a piece of land, she said. Were talking about an innocent human being who is having a just horrendous ordeal.

Finding hope in hostages released from Gaza

In an interview in September 2023, Tsurkov said her sisters ordeal was the type of nightmare I wish on no one. Three weeks later, some 251 people were captured during Hamas cross-border attack on southern Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza. There are 58 hostages still being held in Gaza, though Israel believes only around a third of them are alive.

Tsurkov said that although her sisters kidnapping is very different from the situation of the hostages, she couldnt help but watch the videos of the unifications between released hostages from Gaza and their families earlier this year and wonder if she will ever get that opportunity to embrace her sister again.

I know my sister is going through something so incredibly difficult, and I hope that I get to see her again, and I hope that theres still life left in her.

She said one of the more heartbreaking aspects of the past two years has been how many officials have told her they wish they could benefit from her sisters expertise during the negotiations over a possible deal.

Elizabeth Tsurkov is a well-known academic who was often interviewed in the media, and her research was focused on sectarianism in the Middle East, specifically Iraq.

If we want a good understanding of the Middle East, we need people like my sister to travel to the Middle East to research it, Emma Tsurkov said.

(AP)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields.

China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the United States.

Under President Trumps leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio wrote.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington didnt immediately respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday night.

The action comes at a time of intensifying scrutiny of the ties between U.S. higher education and China. House Republicans this month pressed Duke University to cut its ties with a Chinese university, saying it allowed Chinese students to gain access to federally funded research at Duke.

Last year, House Republicans issued a report warning that hundreds of millions of dollars in defense funding was going to research partnerships linked to the Chinese government, providing back-door access to the very foreign adversary nation whose aggression these capabilities are necessary to protect against.

The Department of Homeland Security raised similar issues in a letter barring international students at Harvard University last week. Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, citing research collaborations with Chinese scholars. It also accused Harvard of training members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a Chinese paramilitary group.

The announcement came a day after Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students as the department prepares guidelines for increased vetting of their activity on social media.

The crackdown on visas adds to uncertainty for international students

Together, the announcements from the State Department added to uncertainty for Americas international students, who have faced intensifying scrutiny from President Donald Trumps administration.

Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. And the Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the U.S.

University of Wisconsin student Vladyslav Plyaka was planning to visit Poland to see his mother and renew his visa, but he doesnt know when that will be possible now that visa appointments are suspended. He also doesnt feel safe leaving the U.S. even when appointments resume.

I dont think I have enough trust in the system at this point, said Plyaka, who came to the U.S. from Ukraine as an exchange student in high school and stayed for college. I understand it probably is done for security measures, but I would probably just finish my education for the next two or three years and then come back to Ukraine.

The Trump administration last week moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.

Trump said Wednesday that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit that percentage to about 15%.

I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The action on Chinese students renews a priority from Trumps first administration to clamp down on academic ties between the United States and China, which Republicans have called a threat to national security. In April, Trump ordered the Education Department to ramp up enforcement of a federal rule requiring colleges to disclose information about funding from foreign sources.

During his first term, the Education Department opened 19 investigations into foreign funding at U.S. universities and found that they underreported money flowing from China, Russia and other countries described as foreign adversaries.

Hours before Rubio announced the change, Eastern Michigan University announced it was ending engineering partnerships with two Chinese universities, responding to Republican pressure. Rep. John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, recently urged Eastern Michigan and other universities to end partnerships with Chinese universities.

Around 1.1 million international students were in the United States last year  a source of essential revenue for tuition-driven colleges. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Often, they pay full price.

Northeastern University, which has more than 20,000 international students, has set up contingency plans for those who hit visa delays, said spokesperson Renata Nyul, without elaborating.

This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments in real time to assess any potential impacts, she said.

The US plans more in-depth reviews of visa applicants social media

In his announcement on China, Rubio said the government also will revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

Visa applicants have been required to provide social media handles to the State Department since 2019. The cable Tuesday did not indicate what kind of additional scrutiny the new guidelines would cover, but suggested the new reviews may be more resource-intensive.

The additional vetting will deter students from coming to the U.S., said Jonathan Friedman of PEN America, a literary and free expression organization.

The details remain vague, but this policy risks upending the long-standing place of the U.S. as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange with the world, Friedman said.

The move to cut off international enrollment at Harvard stems from a dispute with the Department of Homeland Security, which has demanded that it provide information about foreign students that might implicate them in violence or protests that could lead to their deportation. Harvard says it complied with the records request, but the agency said its response fell short.

On Wednesday, Trump said more scrutiny of Harvards students is necessary.

Theyre taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized, and we dont want them making trouble in our country, Trump said.

The Trump administration has cut over $2.6 billion in federal grants for Harvard as it presses demands for changes to policies and governance at the Ivy League school, which the president has described as a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. Harvard has pushed back and filed a lawsuit against the administration.

(AP)
A Jewish-owned business in the Stamford Hill neighborhood of London was vandalized overnight in an of antisemitism cloaked in pro-Palestinian activism.

According to witnesses and security footage, a group of masked individuals shattered the storefronts windows and splashed red paint across the exterior of the buildingan act meant to symbolize the blood of Palestinians. The attackers also left behind graffiti referencing the British governments ties with Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company. However, the business in question has no connection to Elbit or UK defense contracts, sources confirmed to YWN.

This was not a protest. This was targeted hate, said a local Jewish community representative. There was no political statement herejust a message of intimidation directed at the Jewish community.

Police are investigating the attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, as a possible hate crime. Forensics teams were seen at the scene collecting evidence, and officers are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby buildings in hopes of identifying the perpetrators.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a group that monitors antisemitism in the UK, has reported a sharp increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the Stamford Hill incident. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Vhaarev Na highlights:

Simchas Hatorah of 1000 bochurim celebrating the power of Chazara leading to genuine Ahavas Hatorah.

For more information please visit Vhaarevna.com or email Rabbi Dovid Newman at [email protected]

Bonai Chavivai highlights:

1000 boys celebrating owning a Masechta in honor of their bar mitzvah.

For more information please visit Vhaarevna.com or email Rabbi Dovid Newman at [email protected]

Bonai Chavivai is a program adapted from the world-famous Vhaarev Na program, geared towards boys approaching their bar mitzvah, to encourage them to learn and know a masechta in honor of their bar mitzvah.

Through this program, boys who are just beginning to learn gemara develop an appreciation for the importance of chazara and knowing a masechta in the bones. With the haskama of their rebbi and menahel, they choose a masechta suitable for them, and learn it during their free time, guided and motivated by the Bonai Chavivai staff of handpicked rebbeim. The goal is not to finish, but to know, to have the masechta go through you, not just to go through the masechta.

Beginning just a few years ago with a handful of boys in Monsey, Bonai Chavivai has since spread to Lakewood, Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, Passaic, Baltimore, Florida and Los Angeles. The success of Bonai Chaviai has been its own advertisement, leading to exponential growth year after year.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Irans Channel 2 published a report on D.C. terrorist Elias Rodriquez, praising him as an American Yahya Sinwar who sent two Zionist dogs to hell in a martyrdom operation.

The newscaster lauded the murders on American soil as a new axis of resistance that has been born.

The broadcast also showed UP President Trump in the crosshairs, claiming that he ordered that anyone who as much as whispered a word about Israel would be choked silent.

The American police were ordered to choke all American youth, the narrator said. But Rodriguez was already choked by the worlds silence about the murder of people, by the worlds stifling.

Its intriguing that Iran dares to post a video with Trump in the crosshairs while simultaneously holding talks with the US.

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The video was translated by MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met on Tuesday with his Albanian counterpart, Igli Hasani, at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

Hasani is in Israel to attend the international Ministerial Conference on Combating Antisemitism, led by Saar as part of Israels presidency of the IRHA (the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance).

Saar expressed appreciation for Albanias support for Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre and for its participation in the conference. In addition, Saar referred to Albanias rescue of Jews during the Holocaust, emphasizing: We will never forget it.

Albania, a small country located in the Balkans in southeastern Europe, was the only Nazi-occupied country in Europe with more Jews after the Holocaust than before. Although the Nazis occuped Albania from September 1943 until November 1944, when they were pushed out by local communist partisans, almost 2,000 Jews fled to Albania during the war, where they were largely protected by the locals, who sheltered them in their villages or transported that to Adriatic ports from where they fled to Italy. Other Jews joined resistance movements throughout the country.

Approximately 600 Jews were killed in Axis-occupied Albania during the Holocaust. In Albania proper, five Jews from the same family were killed by the Germans, the only native Jews to be killed there over the course of the war. Albania-proper emerged from the war with a population of Jews eleven times greater than at the beginning, numbering around 1,800. Most Jews later emigrated to Israel.

Albania is Europes only Muslim-majority country, although its government is secular and it is ranked among the least religious countries in the world [partially due to decades of religious persecution during its Communist years]. It is also the poorest country in the region.

Minister Hasani wrote about his meeting with Saar: Had a productive exchange with my Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar. Albania has historically stood firmly against all forms of antisemitism and opposes any expression of intolerance or prejudice against Jewish people.

We also discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation and reaffirmed the positive bilateral relations between our two countries.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The Shin Bet announced the arrest of three Israeli citizens suspected of conspiring with ISIS operatives in Syria to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli forces.

The suspects, all residents of the northern Israeli town of Arara, allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and were in the early stages of planning attacks within Israels borders, according to a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and Israel Polices Coastal District.

Authorities say the plot began to take shape following a violent confrontation between the suspects and Border Police officers in January. In the wake of the clash, the men reportedly escalated their radicalization and began establishing contact with ISIS agents abroadspecifically operatives stationed in war-torn Syria.

The suspects allegedly received direct guidance from ISIS operatives on how to manufacture explosive devices and are believed to have conducted a live test detonation in an open field as part of their preparations.

Their goal, police said, was to assemble a powerful bomb capable of targeting Israeli security forces.

The Shin Bet has not released the names of the suspects but confirmed that they were all Israeli citizens. Their arrest underscores growing concerns about domestic radicalization and the reach of global jihadist networks into Israels Arab communities.

This case serves as a stark reminder that the threat of ISIS has not disappeared, a senior security official said. Even within our own borders, there are those who can be influenced, guided, and weaponized by foreign terror organizations.

The arrests were carried out quietly in recent days, and the suspects have since been remanded into custody as the investigation continues.

Security officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests, and forensic teams are continuing to analyze evidence gathered from the suspects devices and the bomb testing site.

(AP)
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 29. Mansur Rasulov, Director of the Investment Promotion Agency of Uzbekistan, held a meeting with a delegation of Swedish business representatives led by Camilla Melander, Director General of the Department for Trade Policy at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to discuss the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation, Trend reports.

Special attention was given to strategic sectors such as industry, electrical engineering, agriculture, and geology. The two sides agreed on concrete joint measures aimed at boosting mutual trade and attracting Swedish investment into Uzbekistans dynamic and expanding market.

The Swedish delegation was presented with a detailed overview highlighting Uzbekistans comprehensive investment potential. The presentation covered economic opportunities, the countrys favorable investment climate, and its export capabilities, aiming to showcase the benefits of doing business in Uzbekistan.

At the conclusion of the talks, both parties expressed a strong commitment to continuing support for joint investment projects, deepening practical cooperation, and advancing new collaborative initiatives.

In January 2025, Sweden exported goods worth approximately $760,000 to Uzbekistan, marking a sharp 65.6 percent decline compared to January 2024, when exports totaled around $2.2 million. Over the past five years, trade between the two countries has declined at an average annual rate of 1.35 percent.
Newly uncovered online messages have shed light on the deeply troubling mindset of Elias Rodriguez, the pro-Palestinian gunman who murdered two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum last week.

Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Chicago resident, was arrested at the scene of the May 21 attack, which claimed the lives of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim  two young diplomats who were leaving a reception when gunfire erupted. Rodriguez shouted Free, free Palestine while in custody and later admitted to committing the crime for Gaza.

But new reporting by investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein has revealed an additional undercurrent to the story  one that suggests the rampage may have stemmed not just from radical political anger, but from a deeply disturbed and hateful worldview.

Klippenstein, who spoke with several former friends and associates of Rodriguez, published a disturbing profile of the suspect on Tuesday. According to his report, Rodriguez was a prolific contributor to a private group chat, where he posted a torrent of disturbing and violent messages in the days and weeks leading up to the shooting.

In those messages, Rodriguez reportedly fantasized about genocide against white Americans, expressed admiration for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, and made shockingly callous suggestions about how to dispose of a mentally ill person.

Lol you probably would have to actually genocide white people to make this a normal country, he wrote in one message, before suggesting that tens of millions of white people would need to be imprisoned as part of a national rehabilitation effort.

Elsewhere in the chat, Rodriguez advised a group member to chain their schizophrenic brother in a basement, and slide meals under the door, adding coldly, Just dispose of him.

According to Klippensteins reporting, the suspect described being emotionally overwhelmed by the genocide every few days and breaking down in tears  an apparent reference to the war in Gaza. But his rants extended far beyond Middle East politics. Rodriguez wrote of personal trauma and repeatedly expressed deep bitterness, isolation, and disdain for nearly every segment of society.

He was a bitter man who hated all sorts, Klippenstein wrote, quoting one associate. He seemed to have no filter  no boundaries.

In one message, Rodriguez justified his admiration for Stalin by praising him for ending the most antisemitic regime ever yet known to man  a line that stands in grim contrast to his ultimate decision to murder two Israeli diplomats who he almost certainly thought were Jewish.

The new revelations only deepen the mystery surrounding Rodriguezs radicalization and ultimate descent into violence. While law enforcement has not yet classified the attack as terrorism, the ideological content of his online posts  combined with his alleged confession  may put growing pressure on federal authorities to label the shooting a hate crime or act of domestic terror.

The disturbing nature of the messages has sparked outrage, with some questioning how such a dangerous individual went unnoticed and unmonitored. Others are calling on tech companies and law enforcement to take more proactive steps to identify and intervene when individuals publicly express fantasies of violence and extremism.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The United States is increasingly worried that Israel could launch a sudden military strike on Irans nuclear facilities without prior warning, with American intelligence estimating that such an attack could be executed within just seven hours of an order from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The New York Times reported, citing official American sources briefed on the matter.

The concern comes as the Trump administration pursues delicate nuclear negotiations with Tehran, raising fears that an Israeli strike could sabotage diplomatic efforts and ignite a broader regional conflict.

According to U.S. intelligence, Israel has the capability to rapidly mobilize its air forces to target Irans key uranium enrichment facilities, including Natanz and Fordow, which are central to Tehrans nuclear program. The speed of such an operationpotentially launched with only seven hours noticehas sparked anxiety in Washington, where officials worry that Israel could act unilaterally to disrupt ongoing talks aimed at curbing Irans nuclear ambitions.

The Trump administration, which has been engaged in negotiations with Iran mediated by Oman since April, is pushing for a deal to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear accord in 2018, has expressed optimism about the talks, suggesting on Sunday that a breakthrough could be imminent.

However, Netanyahus threats to strike Irans nuclear sites, which he views as an existential threat to Israel, have complicated these efforts. Sources say the Israeli leader has repeatedly pressed for military action, arguing that Irans weakened military positionfollowing Israeli strikes in October 2024 that crippled its air defensesmakes now an opportune moment.

American officials are particularly concerned about the lack of advance notice for a potential Israeli strike. Seven hours is barely enough time to coordinate a response or mitigate fallout, one U.S. official told The New York Times, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The Biden administration previously blocked an Israeli plan for a large-scale attack last April, which would have required U.S. logistical support, but intelligence reports indicate Israel is preparing for a unilateral operation, with recent military exercises and movements of air munitions signaling readiness.

Netanyahus push for a strike is driven by skepticism of diplomacy and fears that any deal short of dismantling Irans nuclear infrastructure will fail to neutralize the threat. He has advocated for a Libya-style agreement, involving the complete destruction of Irans nuclear facilities under U.S. supervision, a demand Tehran has rejected outright.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called such conditions unrealistic, while Iran continues to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels.

The U.S. has warned Israel that an unapproved strike could strain bilateral relations and risk a wider war, particularly as Arab allies like Saudi Arabia favor diplomacy over military action. Trump has emphasized his preference for a negotiated deal but has set a tight timeline, with some reports suggesting he could pivot to military options if talks collapse. The expiration of U.N. snapback sanctions on Iran in October adds further urgency to the negotiations.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran has hanged a man convicted of spying for Israel, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.

According to the reports, Pedram Madani was hanged after Irans supreme court upheld a death sentence issued by a lower court. The official IRNA news agency said Madani had visited Israel and met Mossad officers to convey classified information about buildings in Iran where infrastructure equipment was installed.

The report did not elaborate but said Madani received foreign currency and cryptocurrency for the information. It said Madani also met Mossad officers at the Israeli Embassy in Belgium.

Israels security agency had no immediate comment.

Madani, 41, was arrested in 2020.

Executions in Iran have escalated in recent months. According to Iran Human Rights, a watchdog group based in Norway, at least 60 people have been executed in the past 10 days alone.

Madani was the third person this year executed on charges of spying for Israel, which are often based on vague accusations, the organization said.

In April, Iran executed a man convicted of working with Mossad and of playing a role in the 2022 killing of a Revolutionary Guard colonel in Tehran.

(AP)
A major coalition crisis is looming over the government as the Chareidi parties have threatened to bolt the coalition in less than two weeks if the stalemate on advancing a Chareidi draft law continues after Shavuos.

The office of UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf denied a Channel 12 report earlier in the day that stated that the Gerrer Rebbe had already decided that Goldknopf would resign from the coalition even on the day after Shavuos over the stalemate of the draft law.

The statement said that the Channel 12 report is not correct. The statement added, In recent days, the son of the Gerrer Rebbe, Rav Nechemiah Alter, met with the leadership of the Degel HaTorah party, HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, and it was agreed that if there is no progress in regulating the status of bnei yeshivos, a meeting will be held with party representatives to determine the next steps, either withdrawing from the coalition or promoting a bill to dissolve the Knesset.

Also on Wednesday evening, Chareidi media outlets reported that a surprising meeting took place between HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the Belzer Rebbes son, HaRav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach, in Bnei Brak.

At the beginning of the meeting, HaRav Rokeach invited the Rosh Yeshivah to his daughters wedding, which will take place about two weeks after Shavuos in Jerusalem. Afterwards, the attendants were asked to leave the room, and the Rosh Yeshivah and HaRav Rokeach talked privately for an extended period about the draft law crisis and the various paths towards a resolution.

According to sources familiar with the meeting, the two agreed that withdrawing from the coalition would only be carried out as a last resort.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday evening presented a new hostage release/ceasefire deal to Israel and the Hamas terror organization.

Initial reports said that the outline called for the release of nine living hostages, one less than his previous outline, along with the remains of 18 hostages. In exchange, an undisclosed number of Palestinian terrorists will be released from Israeli prisons. However, subsequent reports said that the outline includes the release of 10 live hostages, with five released on the first day of the ceasefire and five on the seventh day.

In exchange, Israel will release 125 terrorists serving life sentences, 1,111 Palestinians who were arrested in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and 180 bodies of terrorists.

A 60-day ceasefire will be implemented, during which negotiations will take place for the end of the war and the release of the remaining hostages. At the end of this period, Israel will have the option of returning to war if there is no agreement or continuing negotiations in exchange for the further release of hostages.

The deal also requires Israel to withdraw from the areas of Gaza that it conquered since March 17. In addition, Hamas has demanded that the UN take over the distribution of humanitarian aid from the US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich spoke out on Wednesday evening against the reported deal, saying he will not allow such an agreement to be reached. Hamas is under immense pressure and distress in recent days as a result of the change in the aid distribution system and the loss of its control over the population in the Strip, combined with the continuous military pressure, he said.

We must continue to tighten the noose around its neck and force it into a complete surrender deal with all the hostages at once. It would be a delusional folly to reduce the pressure now and sign a partial deal with Hamas that would provide it with oxygen and a lifeline and allow it to recover. I will not allow such a thing to happen. Period.

Other ministers and some families of the hostages voiced similar objections to the deal, especially the fact that not all the hostages will be released. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli called for the release of all the hostages in exchange for allowing Hamas leaders to leave the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu scheduled a Cabinet meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the proposal.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
As a coalition crisis looms over the stalemate in the Chareidi draft law, the Shas party on Thursday threatened for the first time to withdraw from the coalition in the coming days.

A message from senior party officials on the front page of the Shas newspaper Haderech on Thursday morning stated: Immediately after Shavuos, the question of deciding on Shass continued path in the government and coalition will be placed on the table of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.

We hope that the Prime Minister will take responsibility and address the issue with full force, exerting all his influence so that there are immediate agreements, both on the wording of the law and on the timetable for its enactment.

Senior Shas and UTJ officials told Kikar HaShabbat on Wednesday evening that the issue of the draft and the dissolution of the government will be decided within a few days, not weeks or even two weeks. If there are no agreements on the principles of the law, we will withdraw from the government in the coming days.

We will not allow Netanyahu to drag the crisis to the Knessets winter session, when he himself will dissolve the government and claim that he did not agree to grant us the law. The issue will be decided in the current session, and long before the end of the sessionprobably already in the middle of next week.

The officials added: There is full cooperation between Degel HaTorah and Shas. Every decision will be made jointly.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The baby of Tzeele Gez, who was shot and killed near Bruchin in the Shomron while on the way to the delivery room two weeks ago, was niftar early Thursday morning, the Shomron Regional Council announced.

Following the attack, the doctors at Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah delivered the baby in an emergency C-section. He was transferred to the Schneider Childrens Medical Center in critical condition and has been treated in the neonatal intensive care unit since his birth, where his condition has been serious but stable.

His father, Chananel Gez, who expressed great emunah following the attack, chose to name the baby before his bris so Am Yisrael can daven for him with his name, Ravid Chaim.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu responded to the news by stating: It is with deep sadness and pain that we received the news this morning of the death of the infant Ravid Chaim, son of Tzeele, zl, and Chananel Gaz. There are no words of comfort over the murder of a one-day-old baby along with his mother. The heroism of the pioneering settlers in Yehudah and Shomron and their dedication will defeat all our enemies.    .

Yossi Dagan, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, responded to the tragic news. This is a double murder. The world should be outraged.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said, I bow my head and embrace the Gez family in their difficult hour. The death of the infant Ravid Chaim, who was murdered in the deadly attack at the Shomron junction, is a painful reminder of who we are facingand the need for a complete victory over a cruel enemy that murders mothers and children as a hobby. We must not surrender or compromise with terror. We must fight the terrorists with all our might so that Jewish children are not murdered in their land.



(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Democrats party chairman Yair Golan has been greeted with protests and derision at several conferences since his outrageous statements that IDF soldiers have a hobby of killing babies.

Yet another incident occurred on Wednesday when Golan spoke at the Israel Bar Association conference. During his speech, bereaved father Itzik Bontzel, the father of fallen IDF soldier Amit, Hyd, who was killed in the war in Gaza, yelled at him, You dont need to speak here. You are a person who incites hatred against IDF soldiers. Shame on you. IDF soldiers kill babies as a hobbyhow did you utter such a thing from your mouth?

Golan accused Bontzel of lying, claiming he didnt say anything negative about IDF soldiers.

On Thursday morning, Golan delivered a speech to an audience he knew wouldnt reject himthe left-wing Democratic Israel Will Triumph conference.

Golan said: There is no future for the State of Israel under the rule of the extreme right. There is no way out of this cycle of bloodshed without ending the war. There is no rehabilitation without returning the hostages. And there is no security without a clear political horizon.

He claimed that the government is acting out of an ideology of full occupation, annexation, endless war, living by the sword  a future without hope. Faced with this destructive, extreme, and devastating goal, we must present a clear alternative of our own.

We, the democratic liberal camp, must abandon the old political game. We must stop the internal divisions and establish one strong front. We DemocratsLapid, Gantz, Eisenkot, Lieberman, and Bennett when he officially joins, we all stand on the same side in this division. This is the stable ground for all of us. This is the next unity government.

Golan added: But within this, there must be another internal union: the Democrats  Yesh Atid and the National Unity party  we must unite before the elections and establish the largest party within the bloc, a party that will be the alternative that will lead the next government, that will determine the path of Israel.

It takes courage for this step, thats clear. We need to release self-conceptions with which we all entered politics. These conceptions, like many other things in the Israeli reality after the judicial coup began and even more after October 7, are simply no longer relevant.

This alternative must also include valuable and ideological content, and not just not Bibi. This alternative must offer a backbone to the terrible and bloody path of Smotrich and Struck and Ben Gvir, to the foundation-destroying path of Yariv Levin and Simcha Rothman, to the corrupt-to-the-bone path of Netanyahu.

We can do it. All of us together. And we have the support of millions of citizens, he claimed. Millions of citizens. And the support of masses of protest movements that have arisen.

In response, Lapid attacked Golan, saying: Its time Yair Golan stopped helping Netanyahu with damaging statements. He knows he is harming the chances of winning the elections.

Lapid added, He was shown the polls that prove that such a union only reduces the bloc and returns voters to Netanyahu. Its unclear why he insists on turning himself into the rights biggest asset  just for headlines.

Yair Golan rejected the claims, stating, Its time we stopped chasing polls and started developing a backbone of values and ideology. We must stop with the old politics  it hasnt won any elections. Enough with the fear, and together we will win.

Benny Gantz didnt respond directly to Golans statement but made it clear in his speech at the conference that he has no interest in Golans suggestion, calling for a broad national unity government that isolates the extremists on both the left and right and will represent 100 percent of Israelis.

Gantz added that he humbly believes he should be the person to lead that government, rejecting Netanyahu as the father of division.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A Defense Ministry civilian contractor was killed on Thursday by a powerful roadside bomb explosion in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF announced.

He was identified as Dovid Libi, Hyd, 19, from the Malachei HaShalom yishuv in Binyamin.

Libi was operating a heavy engineering vehicle when the bomb went off and was killed instantly.

The Binyamin Regional Council stated: With great sorrow, we announce the fall in battle in the Gaza Strip of Dovid Levi, Hyd, a resident of the yishuv Malachei HaShalom in Binyamin. Dovid, 19, a third-generation pioneer of settlement in Binyamin, a builder and lover of the land, is survived by his parents and seven siblings.

He is the oldest son of Eliav and Sora Libi, settlement pioneers. In recent months, Dovid was part of the IDFs engineering unit, operating an engineering vehicle engaged in the destruction of terrorist infrastructure. Professional teams from the Binyamin Council are accompanying the family at this time.

The head of the Binyamin Regional Council, Yisrael Ganz, wrote: Dovid was on the front lines of the war in Gaza. He showed supreme devotion to the goal of defeating the enemy. Much destruction of terrorist infrastructure is attributed to him. On behalf of all the residents of Binyamin, I send my condolences to his father, my dear friend Eliav, and to his wife Sora, as well as to his brothers and sisters and the entire Libi family. Thanks to your sons heroism and sacrifice, Am Yisrael will win!

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A high-stakes ceasefire framework proposed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has been tentatively approved by Israel, but is facing resistance from Hamas, which has expressed frustration with what it argues is a pro-Israel tilt in the deal.

According to details published by Al Arabiya, the proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire to begin once Hamas agrees, with President Donald Trump personally guaranteeing full Israeli compliance throughout the truce.

Under the plan, 28 Israeli hostages10 alive and 18 deceasedwould be returned in two phases during the first week. On Day 1, Hamas would release five living hostages and nine bodies, followed by an identical release on Day 7. In exchange, Israel would release 125 life-sentence prisoners and 1,111 Gazan detainees for the living captives, and 180 bodies for the deceased. The exchanges are to be conducted without public ceremonies.

Humanitarian aid would begin immediately upon the start of the ceasefire, with the UN and Red Crescent overseeing distribution. IDF operations in Gaza, including air and drone activity, would pause for 10 hours daily, and 12 hours on prisoner exchange days. On Day 1, the IDF would withdraw from northern Gaza and the Netzarim corridor, followed by a withdrawal from southern Gaza on Day 7. Final deployment lines would be addressed through technical negotiations under the auspices of the Korbi D mechanism.

From the first day of the ceasefire, multilateral negotiations mediated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar would begin. Topics include: full hostage-for-prisoner exchange, complete IDF withdrawal and long-term security arrangements, governance of post-war Gaza, and a permanent ceasefire declaration.

Witkoff would lead on-site negotiations, with President Trump assuming the role of political guarantor to ensure compliance and enforce terms.

Despite Israeli agreement, Hamas has not accepted the deal, with officials expressing distrust in the United States and accusing Witkoff of favoring Israeli positions. A Hamas source told The Jerusalem Post that the group believes it was screwed over by a plan that leaves Hamas without leverage, particularly due to the required release of hostages within a week.

According to a separate report in Walla, Hamas claims the proposal lacks an American guarantee that the temporary ceasefire will extend if permanent talks drag on, and fears Israel could resume military operations as it did in March.

Nonetheless, in a public statement Thursday, Hamas acknowledged receiving the plan and said its leadership was reviewing it responsibly.

At a meeting Thursday with families of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israels approval of the Witkoff framework. He emphasized, however, that the Israeli government remains cautious about Hamass intentions.

We dont believe Hamas will return the last hostage, Netanyahu reportedly said, reiterating that the IDF would not leave Gaza until all hostages are home and Hamas is eliminated.

The families expressed appreciation for the meeting, which they described as pleasant and to the point. When asked how Israel would determine which deceased hostages would be returned, officials replied that all deceased hostages have the same status.

The plan contains an information disclosure clause: By Day 10, Hamas must provide proof of life or death and medical reports for remaining hostages. Israel must disclose the status of all detainees and casualties since October 7. Hamas is required to ensure hostage safety during the entire ceasefire.

If a final agreement is reached within 60 days, all remaining hostagesalive or deceasedwill be released. If talks are ongoing in good faith, the ceasefire may be extended, though Hamas is pushing for a formal guarantee to that effect.

President Trump is expected to publicly declare the ceasefire once Hamas accepts the deal. His administration has signaled that he is personally invested in the success of this agreement and is prepared to enforce compliance through diplomatic pressure and high-level oversight.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) has transported more than 182 billion cubic meters of gas so far, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.

The ministry emphasized that today marks seven years since the official opening of the SGC.

"SGC is a giant energy project of global importance that plays an important role in the energy security of European and regional countries. This corridor exports natural gas produced within the framework of the Shah Deniz Stage 2 to regional and European countries through the South Caucasus Pipeline, Trans-Anatolian (TANAP), and Trans-Adriatic (TAP) Pipelines," added the ministry.

To note, the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe via SGC began on December 31, 2020. Gas extracted from the Caspian Sea region is delivered to European countries via Georgia and Turkiye.

This large-scale project is aimed at diversifying the transportation routes and sources of energy carriers, thereby contributing to strengthening Europe's energy security.

On July 18, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic partnership in the field of energy was signed between the European Union (EU), represented by the European Commission, and Azerbaijan.

The parties agreed to continue natural gas trade in the amount of at least 20 billion cubic meters per year until 2027, including through gas exports to the EU via the SGC, based on mutual commercial interests and market demand.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A year and seven months have passed since Ori Magidish was the first hostage in Gaza to be rescued from captivity in Gaza by IDF forces.

Channel 12s Uvda program broadcast an interview with Ori on Wednesday in which she revealed new details of her harrowing ordeal and spoke about the emunah that sustained her.

She spoke about the morning of October 7: We saw 30-40 terrorists entering the bomb shelter in euphoria; they were in the happiest state possible. They walked in and smiled; I cant forget their smiles. I dont even remember what they look like, but I remember they were smiling. And they looked at us, and they checked who was alive and who wasnt. They began lifting up the ones who were aliveme and Noa [Marciano, Hyd], and all the girls who were abductedand lining us up against the wall. I looked at the other girls who were no longer alive, and I said to myself, Why am I on this side and theyre on that side?

Ori said that she then accidentally made eye contact with one of the terrorists. He pointed at me, and they took me first. They put me in an IDF jeep and told me to bend down and quickly get into the front of the vehicle.

At that point, Ori was unaware that her best friend, Noa Marciano, Hyd, who was later murdered in captivity, was in the back of the jeep. The terrorists also put Naama Levy in the jeep. When they were deep inside Gaza, Ori and Naama were separated from Noa and transferred to a hideout apartment.

Ori spoke about the emunah that sustained her while she was in Gaza. I had emunah that Hashem was by my side, that Hes watching me and would get me out of there.

She said that she repeatedly searched for signs from Shamayim. I would ask a question: that if I need to get out of here, let there be a boom. And then there was a boom. There were all sorts of signs.

Another time, she asked Hashem to see a butterfly as a sign from Shamayim. Suddenly, one of the captors took out a toy in the shape of a very colorful butterfly. I started to smile. I felt that He was with me.

On her third Shabbos in Gaza, the Air Force bombings damaged the apartment she was in. The ceiling collapsed on us, and the whole house was on fire. One of the captors died at that moment. I didnt even feel like I was injured. I put my hands on my face, and I saw there was blood, but I didnt realize the extent of my injuries. She would find out later that she had suffered a fractured skull.

The only terrorist who survived left the apartment with her. Another terrorist then came with an ambulance and brought them to a nearby hospital, where she suffered excruciating pain as the doctors stitched her face and head without anesthesia.

I kind of start to lose my balance, the whole room is spinning. One of the doctors spoke to me in English and told me that theyre going to stitch my head and face now. They start cleaning the area around my mouth, and they dont numb the area. It was pain that was indescribable; I have never felt such pain. And I try to hold on to something. I have nothing to hold onto; everyone pushes my hands away, they tell me to be quiet, they tell me not to scream.

After a long night in the Gazan hospital, terrorists transferred her to a new hideout apartment.

Ori said that she was terrified of being rescued because the terrorists told her they would kill her. I knew that as soon as there was a rescue, they were going to kill me. They said that if there were Israeli soldiers at the door, they would kill me first.

At 2 a.m. on the night of her rescue, Ori was asleep and woke up from a noise. I heard an exchange of fire outside. When I realized something was happening, I ran behind the refrigerator, and I curled up with my head between my knees. I shouted in Hebrew; I dont know why, but I felt, I dont know, that it was a rescue.

When she opened her eyes, she saw a special forces soldier facing her (without a uniform or any othe identification) who looked like he could be a local Gazan. Its a conflict that I still think about, that I have no idea, they could have kidnapped me again, to that extent. It could have been another person who came to kidnap me, but I went with him; he took me, and we ran.

Ori and the soldiers arrived at the vehicle. They start driving and speak to me in Hebrew. The one who took me spoke to me and checked to see if I was injured. I remember exchanging glances with him, and I see how emotional he is. Only after I returned and settled in a bit did I realize that for the people who rescued me, it was also finally a breath of fresh air after such a period.

Ori went through a difficult period after receiving the news that her best friend, Noa Marciano, Hyd, was murdered in Gaza.

When I returned, it was hard for me that I was here and she was still there, and I just waited to hear from her and expected her to return too, and we would talk about it, to be with someone else who experienced the same thing as me. She was injured and arrived at a hospital, to Shifa. One of the doctors simply ended her life because thats what he decided. We have a pretty similar story, only her ending is different. It ate me up at first. Why is her ending like that and my ending like this?

Uvda noted that Ori cannot yet reveal all the details about her rescue, as it is still under military censorship.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Car production took a hefty hit last month hitting a 70-year low.

Just 59,203 vehicles were made in April as car and commercial vehicle production fell by 15 per cent, the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show.

The number of cars rolling off UK assembly lines dropped by 8.6 per cent, while the output of vans and commercial vehicles slumped by a massive 68.8 per cent, marking the lowest April since 1952 - the year Elizabeth II became Queen.

Only in 2020, when the first Covid lockdown effectively shuttered car factories, has output been lower.

April's decline has been driven by a number of factors including Easter falling later this year, model changeovers as the switch to electric driving ramps up, and a drop in demand in key export markets as tariff fears weighed heavy.

The SMMT is hoping that new trade deals with the EU, US and India will provide opportunities for future growth, but chief executive Mike Hawes is pushing for additional investment such as the reported 41million Toyota will spend building its GR Corolla hot hatch in Derbyshire.

In April Britain had its worse month of car production since 1952, bar 2020 when COVID effectively ceased output, with overall vehicle production down 15%

Aprils slump of 16 per cent compared to the same month last year, and the 25 per cent drop on March when numbers were helped by an increase in shipments to the US before Trumps tariffs took effect, cap off the sectors lowest start to a year since 2009.

Critically, car export production fell by 10.1 per cent, caused by falls in demand to Britains best markets, the EU and US.

Exports to the EU fell 19.1 per cent, while US exports fell by 2.7 per cent, although the EU still took more than half of all exports while the US received 16.5 per cent.

Conversely, exports to China and Turkey rose by 44 per cent and 31.2 per cent respectively.

There were fewer production days in the month due to Easter falling between 18 and 20 of the month, which reduced Aprils output compared to the rise in output in March, the SMMT said.

Amid economic uncertainty and rapidly changing global trading conditions, the SMMT has stressed the need for the governments eagerly awaited industrial strategy to contain measures that boost the competitiveness of Britains most valuable export sector'.

April's low figures have been put down to Easter falling late meaning there were less production days in the month and trade issues as Trump's tariffs came into play

While tariffs have hit vehicle production, the UK could be seen as 'bridge' to the US markets, with Toyota reportedly moving its GR Corolla production to the UK to cut wait times for buyers in North America and satisfy the massive demand there

The GR Corolla production line will be set up at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, with the 41 million used to produce 10,000 cars annually to export to North American customers

April 1952 was the last time motor outputs were that low - that year, 53,517 vehicles were produced.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness.

To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy.

However, industry sources have reason to be optimistic with some new investment in UK car manufacturing announced recently.

The government has successfully negotiated better trading conditions with the US but SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes is urging the Prime Minister 9pictured) to go further with 'urgent action needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness'

Nissan has revealed that two of its new EVs, the updated Leaf and new Juke, will be built at Sunderland promoting UK car production and jobs

This is Money reported yesterday that Toyota is looking to invest 41million building the GR Corolla hot hatch at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire to capatilise on the sizeable market in the US and reduce wait times to its North American customers.

Its also a sign of Britains attractiveness to firms as the UK-US trade deal  the US has reduced tariffs from 25 per cent to 10 per cent for up to 100,000 UK-made cars per year - makes the UK a desirable place to set up factories and act as a bridge between the US and EU.

Struggling car maker Nissan recently confirmed that its new Leaf and Juke EVs will be built at its Sunderland plant before the end of next year, a positive sign for the future of the UKs biggest car factory which employs around 6,000 people.

The Government followed with an announced that it will give a 1billion loan to Nissan to secure jobs as the Japanese manufacturer embarks on a 1.3bn cost-saving plan which will see seven plants close globally and 20,000 jobs culled.
The tragedy of British pension funds is that their holdings of UK equities have dwindled to negligible levels.

The allocation to UK shares has fallen from some 53 per cent in 1997 to a pathetic 4.4 per cent now.

Not only have values on the London Stock Exchange been suppressed but it has also enabled overseas and private equity plunderers to spirit away some of Britains most promising enterprises such as smart chip pioneer Arm Holdings.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves correctly has diagnosed that the biggest pots of savings in Britain are not working in the national interest.

She has persuaded 17 of the biggest UK private pension managers to allocate up to 50billion of defined contribution funds to the UK, with infrastructure and start-ups the priorities.

In the latest move, designed to replicate the investment success of Canadas public sector union schemes and the Australian superannuation fund, she wants 1.3trillion of scattered defined benefit assets held by local authorities and others to be reorganised into several mega-funds.

Pensions grab: Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to see some 1.3 trillion of scattered defined benefit assets held by local authorities and others to re-organise into several mega-funds

That could slash costs and make it easier to back UK projects. All fine and dandy  except the Treasury has now disclosed it would seek back-up powers to ensure unlocked money is directed into local investment priorities.

The notion of Government dictating where peoples life savings are invested would be a horrendous error.

It would undermine the fiduciary duty of trustees to secure the best returns and betrays the choices offered by Britains free market economy.

Far better if, instead of thinking Government knows best, Reeves looked at why pension funds are so risk-averse.

Over-regulation after the Maxwell pension scandal of 1991 caused managers to favour safe assets, notably Government bonds, over equities.

The switch from UK share investment to overseas assets and gilts was exacerbated by Gordon Browns 1997 raid on the tax break on dividends paid into pension funds.

Reeves priority should be to invigorate UK equities. She could abolish stamp duty on UK share trades, which places British investors at a disadvantage.

The Australian, Canadian and US pension funds all have far larger exposure to equities. In America, where equity culture is strong, 54 per cent of pension savings are held in shares.

In Australia, some 24 per cent (six times the UK) is invested in local equities. Before these big battalion investors expose themselves to infrastructure and start-ups they should prioritise existing quoted entities.

The first objective should be to recreate an equity culture. There is no shortage of private equity, hedge fund, family offices and national wealth funds ready to back infrastructure and start-ups.

Branching out

Our high street banks could learn from Nationwide.

As commercial banks require people to travel ever further for branch services, or to find a working ATM, Debbie Crosbie is pledging to keep a busy branch network intact until at least 2028.

The need is particularly important among small traders, the elderly, infirm and technophobes who find navigating online apps frustrating.

A one-off payment to members at a cost of 615million will be some compensation to customers who, paradoxically for a mutual, had no say in the takeover of Virgin Money, which makes Nationwide the second-biggest mortgage lender.

A 30 per cent rise in profits to 2.3billion, with only a minimal contribution from Virgin, suggests more to come.

The jury is still out on the deal, with new write-downs possible. Systems and people integration are far from over.

Nationwides re-entry into business banking, building on Virgin Moneys operation, must be a good thing.

Smaller enterprises and start-ups need all the help that can be mustered.

Intelligent choice

The New York Times isnt waiting to see its intellectual property disappear over the horizon in the great AI scam.

It has a deal with Amazon where its output will be paired with products and services such as Alexa.

Better to be part of the AI revolution, rather than shout from outside the tent. It is a lesson the music industry learned when Spotify invaded.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our lives in a 21st century industrial revolution powered by semiconductors.

The companies that supply these vital products - which are used to make microchips - may have seemed like a danger zone for investors of late.

This view has suddenly shifted, however. Much of the change in mood is thanks to better-than-expected results from the $3.45trillion titan Nvidia.

This Silicon Valley business, which was founded as recently a 1993, is the number one name in microchips and could overtake Microsoft as the world's largest company.

It did grab the number one slot briefly a couple of times last year, but it has been a rollercoaster ride since. Investing in the AI revolution will involve spills as well as thrills.

But Nvidia's performance provides a persuasive reason to continue to back the radical transformation it is bringing about.

Nvidia's revenues for the first quarter of its financial year soared by 69pc to $44bn.

The numbers suggest that geopolitical tensions and alarm around investors over Donald Trump's trade war are being outweighed by the global clamour for microchips.

Nvidia's revenues for the first quarter of its financial year have soared by 69pc to $44bn

These are the miniature electronic circuits used in ATMs, cars, laptops, phones and much, much else. They are also key to the development of generative AI (GenAI), which can create new content.

The shock US court ruling that President Trump's tariffs may be illegal only adds to the renewed excitement surrounding Nvidia and the rest of the sector.

The opportunities in the microchip sector may be huge. There are, however, some clouds on the horizon.

Unveiling the results, Jensen Huang, Nvidia's chief executive - a man fond of a leather jacket and unafraid of being critical of Donald Trump - warned that curbs on exports to China may have the reverse of the desired effect and jeopardise America's pre-eminent position in microchips.

As he remarked: 'Export restrictions have spurred China's innovation... and US global infrastructure leadership is at stake.'

American tech shares took a hammering earlier in the year when Chinese start-up DeepSeek stunned the AI world by taking on the US giants at what it said was a fraction of the cost. Its innovation, observers say, was hurried by being frozen out by the US: a modern version of the old proverb that necessity is the mother of invention.

This week, as Nvidia revealed its results, DeepSeek said it has upgraded its AI model to perform better.

Colette Kress, Nvidia's chief financial officer, also pointed out that the US company has lost out to the tune of $5.5bn because of the restrictions on the sale to China of H20-type chips specifically evolved for that nation. Orders from the Middle East may compensate for some of this, however.

Huang was also upbeat about the prospect of a boom in 'tokenisation'. A token is the unit of information that an AI programme takes in and then spews out.

Nvidia is facilitating a vast amount of this activity since it sells the GPU (graphic processing unit) chips that power Open AI's ChatGPT - which has 800 million weekly users.

ChatGPT is routinely described as 'game-changing', and a statement from Nicolai Tangen - boss of the $1.8 trillion Norwegian sovereign wealth fund - explains why. This month Tangen told his staff: 'It isn't voluntary to use AI. If you don't use it, you will never be promoted. You won't get a job.'

Nvidia's chief executive Jensen Huang is a man fond of a leather jacket and unafraid of being critical of Donald Trump

Little wonder then that David Coombs, head of multi-asset investment at Rathbones, argues: 'Our view remains that we are only at the beginning of AI  and that demand for advanced chips will underpin growth.'

You may not have ventured yet into the microchip sector. But if you have an Isa or other savings funds, it is almost certain that you own a slice of Nivida.

This group is one of the Magnificent Seven of US tech (the others are: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla) which form the basis of many such funds.

Other microchip stocks, such as AMD, ASML, Broadcom, Qualcomm and TSMC, are also widely held in popular funds.

This may be sufficient exposure to the AI revolution for you. Or you may be pondering your options. Whatever your personal portfolio, this is what you need to know now.

The companies leading the revolution

Alphabet, Amazon and the rest of the major players in tech are splashing out billions to triumph in the AI battle.

Companies in other fields are also loosening the purse strings. This spree is a compelling argument to commit some cash to the revolution.

Stephen Yiu, manager of the Blue Whale Growth fund, points out that no one knows who will triumph in this arms race - and that some of the money will be wasted.

But in the 19th century gold rush, the picks and shovels businesses were the most successful. Microchips companies are the latter-day equivalent.

Nvidia, Broadcom and TSMC are some of Blue Whale's largest stakes. Yiu is excited by the potential of DeepSeek, the low-cost Chinese rival to ChatGPT. At the start of the year, this was seen as a threat to Nvidia.

Stephen Yiu of Blue Whale Capital is excited by the potential of DeepSeek - the low-cost Chinese rival to ChatGPT

But DeepSeek relies on Nvidia's wares. As Yiu points out, the inexpensive Chinese system will enable many more start-ups to develop apps. This should boost Nvidia's sales  though Trump's protectionism will also encourage Chinese competitors, as Jensen Huang has noted.

Trump's antics are providing buying opportunities for those brave enough to purchase on White House-induced price dips.

Coombs explains: 'We find comfort in companies that are technology leaders, with dominant market positions and pricing power and we continue to buy more of these businesses on any Trump-related share price weakness.'

His choices include Nvidia and another Silicon Valley entity - Cadence Design Systems. Among the other holdings are two Dutch groups. First is ASM International, which is a specialist in atomic layer deposition (ALD) - a crucial process in chip making. He also holds ASML, which makes semiconductor manufacturing equipment. ASML is a top 'WFE' company. WFE stands for wafer-fab equipment. Apologies for the alphabet soup: acronyms abound in microchip world.

Coombs also favours the TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) which 'fabricates' the chips that Nvidia designs.

How to back the revolution

Nvidia shares have rallied from their 43pc slump in the wake of President Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement of a barrage of tariffs in April.

The shares now stand at $141.76 - 24,686pc above their level of a decade ago. Experts think they have further to go.

Brokers Morgan Stanley argue that the price could rise to $160. Wedbush, another broker, has a target of $175, arguing that forecasts for microchip market expansion are not yet reflected in the price.

AMD, a $186bn business, is regarded as a smaller version of Nvidia. The company is led by Lisa Su, who is Huang's first cousin.

Around half of the 50 analysts that follow this stock rate it as a 'buy' with an average target price of $127, against the current $113.

The rest see the shares as a 'hold' or believe that they will outperform the market.

ASM, a company capitalised at 24bn, is considered to be a 'buy' by the experts. The average target price for the shares, which currently stand at 484, is 612.

As for ASML, a 262bn enterprise, it is ranked as another buy. The current price is 660, up 13pc over the past month, while the average target price is 770.

Broadcom, once better known for broadband chips, is moving fast into the AI area. Shares in the $1.1bn group have soared by 47pc over the past six months to $237, but analysts still believe Broadcom to be a 'buy', forecasting the shares could hit $300 if its company cloud computing division can attract more custom.

At the start of the year Bank of America said that Cadence Design Systems would be one of the AI winners in 2025. Other analysts continue to be of the same view, with one firm predicting the shares could increase from $310 today to $375.

San Diego-based Qualcomm has become better known in the UK in the past few months for its bid for Alphawave - one of the few British players in microchips.

Qualcomm shares have fallen by 30pc over the past 12 months to $148, depressed by tariff fears. Could the company's new emphasis on data centres reverse this trend? Analysts are hedging their bets, rating the shares a 'hold'.

TSMC's geographic location in Taiwan places it at the heart of the trade wars. But the company is navigating its way through the turmoil by building fabrication plants in Arizona, Germany and Japan, for instance.

Thanks to this stance, analysts view the shares as a 'buy', reckoning that they could rise from the current 967 Taiwan dollars to 1,242 Taiwan dollars.

TSMC has been called the most important company in the world, since there would be no AI industrial revolution without its wares.

This suggests that it may merit a place in your portfolio, but only if you are ready for the twists and turns in this fast-paced revolution for which steady nerves will be required.
The boss of the UKs biggest building society Nationwide has warned that a tax raid on Cash Isas will make mortgages more expensive.

Chief executive Debbie Crosbie said she was very keen for the tax-free allowance to remain at 20,000 a year  as the lender reported a 30 per cent jump in profits.

It comes amid renewed fears that the Chancellor will cut the limit in her October Budget to get more savers to invest in stocks and shares instead.

Rachel Reeves is plotting an overhaul of the Isa regime but has not yet revealed what it will involve. She abandoned plans to address the issue in Marchs Spring Statement after fierce pushback from savers.

Crosbie yesterday questioned whether a cut to the tax-free limit was the right way to promote growth, as Nationwide revealed profits soared to 2.3billion in the year to March 31, from 1.8billion a year earlier.

The group has handed out a record 1billion in rewards to members. That includes a 100 bonus for 4m customers to be paid over the summer, which was first reported by The Mail on Sunday.

Warning: Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie said she was very keen for the duty-free allowance to remain at 20,000

It is the third fairer share payment since 2023. And it is on top of a 50 payment that went to 12m members this year after Nationwide completed a 2.9billion takeover of Virgin Money.

Crosbie hailed an outstanding year but warned that the economic outlook remained highly uncertain. It pencilled in modest growth in the wider UK economy of 1.4 per cent this year.

The Scottish executive yesterday said Cash Isas are a very important source of funding for building societies providing home loans.

Im not sure [a cut to the tax-free allowance] would prevent people from lending, but what it could do, particularly for some of the smaller building societies, is increase the costs of mortgage lending, she said.

Leeds Building Society boss Richard Fearon has said such a move means mortgage rates would become more expensive to borrowers. And the Building Societies Association has warned it could lead to a downturn in the housing market.

Crosbie said: What [the Government wants] is to stimulate growth, and were aligned with that. I think the question is: is the right way to do that by reducing the Cash Isa limit?

We think that a lot of our customers really value the tax-free savings. We would be very supportive of the Governments agenda on increasing growth and encouraging people to think about investing sensibly.

We are just not sure that the Cash Isa [reform] is the best way to achieve that. Keeping the Cash Isa limit where it is, is a good thing.

She said it had been a very busy start to the Isa season and that 40 per cent of customers were opening Isas in branches, in a vote of confidence for in-person banking.

Cash Isas are a really important way of people saving and we think its very beneficial to a lot of people, Crosbie said.

[We are] very keen to maintain the cash level where it is.
Chipmaker Nvidia yesterday elbowed aside Microsoft as the worlds biggest company after it shrugged off tariff woes to post bumper results.

Shares in the US tech giant surged 6.2 per cent when Wall Street opened after it reported quarterly sales rocketed nearly 70 per cent.

Microsoft also rose  by 0.2 per cent  giving it a market capitalisation of 2.52 trillion.

But that was not enough to hold on to top spot as Nvidias valuation hit 2.57 trillion after it climbed 137billion following the publication of its results on Wednesday.

Nvidia shares hit $143.49  still below a high of 113.50 in January but enough to overtake Bill Gates firm despite being caught in the fallout of Donald Trumps trade war with China.

Microsoft later nudged ahead of Nvidia during choppy trading as Nvidia shares fell back to $139.18.

Results: Nvidia, led by boss Jensen Huang (pictured), surged 5.9% when Wall Street opened after it reported quarterly sales rocketed nearly 70% and is now the word's biggest company

Nvidia said revenue rose 69 per cent from 19.3billion to 32.7billion for the three months to April 27. Net income was 14.8billion  33 per cent more than the 11.3billion a year ago.

Chief executive Jensen Huang attacked Trumps ban on sales of Nvidias most powerful chips to China, saying it would strengthen Chinese competitors.

The US has based its policy on the assumption that China cannot make AI chips. That assumption was always questionable and now its clearly wrong, he said. Export controls should strengthen US platforms, not drive half of the worlds AI talent to rivals.

He added: The platform that wins the AI developers wins AI. But he said the President had a bold vision to reshore advanced manufacturing, create jobs and strengthen national security.

He has a vision and I trust him, Huang said. Nvidia replaced Apple as the worlds largest company in January this year and in 2024. The iPhone maker is now third, behind Microsoft and Nvidia, with a market capitalisation of 2.2trillion.

The US market was higher overall yesterday after a bombshell ruling that raised questions over Trumps tariff strategy.

A judgment from the US Court of International Trade threw doubt on whether the 10 per cent universal tariff will stick and whether levies will be implemented in July.

In a blow to the President, the court said he exceeded his authority in imposing sky-high tariffs on trading partners.

The case could eventually end up in the US Supreme Court, causing further delays and uncertainty for global markets.

Just when traders thought theyd seen every twist in the saga, the gavel dropped like a lightning bolt over the Pacific, said trader Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management. The ruling was a brief respite before the next thunderclap, he added.
Hargreaves Lansdown boss Dan Olley has announced his departure less than two years after taking the helm at Britains biggest investment platform.

It comes two months after a private equity consortium including CVC Capital Partners, Nordic Capital and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority completed a 5.4billion acquisition.

Olley will remain in place for a three-month handover period and be replaced on an interim basis by Hargreaves director Richard Flint, a former boss of Sky Bet.

Hargreaves manages assets of more than 157billion for its 1.9m clients.

Founded in 1981, it floated in 2007, and lately has faced competition from the likes of AJ Bell and Interactive Investor.
'Pension clawback' means your final salary pension might be cut when you reach state pension age.

The reason for this originates in rather arcane arrangements dating back to the dawn of the welfare state in the 1940s - and many pension schemes have since changed their rules or phased out the practice.

But if you are due a final salary pension via a current or old employer it is worth paying close attention to all information on the paperwork you are sent - and any choices you are being asked to make  especially in the run-up to retirement.

If you discover your scheme operates 'clawback' it's most important to fully grasp the rules, particularly if you retire before 66 and so will see a drop in your work pension after you start receiving your state pension.

Be prepared in advance, and ask questions of your scheme about the impact on you personally, to avoid any nasty shocks to your budget later in retirement.

Clawback has become controversial over the years, as we will explain below, because people are understandably exercised by a sudden loss of income when they don't expect it or haven't had an explanation.

Here's what you need to know about pension clawback...

Pension clawback: A final salary pension might be cut at state pension age

What is 'pension clawback' and how does it work?

Pension schemes use different names for this and it's worth knowing the financial jargon.

In addition to clawback, you might hear references to integrated pensions, state pension offsets and bridging pensions.

Arrangements for 'integrating' work and state pensions began back when the modern welfare state was created, which led to more people paying National Insurance from 1948.

Final salary (also known as defined benefit) pension schemes, both private and public, wanted to take account of more staff now receiving a state pension.

They sought to prevent schemes themselves or individual members overpaying contributions or doing so unnecessarily, just to duplicate benefits.

The rules for doing this and the calculations involved varied, and changed over time (if you're interested in the history, the House of Commons Library published a briefing on pension clawback in 2020).

Nowadays, most private sector final salary pension schemes are no longer linked to state pensions. Public sector pension schemes stopped taking them into account decades ago, except for service before 1980.

But some work schemes are still designed around them, and the result is that payments may be cut when a member reaches state pension age, to adjust for lower contributions made earlier by the scheme itself and its members.

The size of the reduction depends on the scheme, but it is a fixed amount and usually works out at a few thousands of pounds a year. This has a bigger impact on someone with a small pension than a larger one.

Clawback is sometimes embedded in a scheme's rules and will kick in automatically. However, some schemes offer workers the option of taking a higher 'bridging' pension - just until they reach state pension age - or a lower 'level' one.

They work out the cost to end up being the same either way, but people who get the choice can find it convenient to have a temporarily higher income while they wait to get a state pension.

This is why you should read pension documents carefully in the run-up to retirement, so you know where you stand if you are affected by clawback (or a myriad other important matters).

If you are not sure, or don't understand the information you are sent, ring up or email your scheme and ask if it is has clawback arrangements.

Staff should be prepared to take the time to answer and explain any impact on you individually - better now than when you reach state pension age and are surprised by a sudden cut in your work pension.

Controversy over pension clawback

If you do not know beforehand that clawback is going to reduce your work pension when you reach state pension age, you will understandably feel aggrieved - and it causes hardship in some cases.

Clawback was condemned by some MPs as outdated and punitive during an adjournment debate in the House of Commons in April.

Several cited constituents who had seen cuts of several thousand pounds, amounting in some cases to 13 per cent or 16 per cent of a pension, and there were calls for abolition of clawback.

Criticism was aimed in particular at a Midland Bank pension scheme, now run by HSBC, which is opposed by the Midland Clawback Campaign and the union Unite. See the box below for HSBC's stance on clawback.

Those against clawback often point out that it is regressive, in that fixed reductions disproportionately affect people with smaller pensions, who are often women.

What does HSBC say about clawback? HSBC's position on [an amendment to] the state deduction has been consistent; it would constitute a retrospective change to the scheme that would benefit a particular group of members and would be unfair to other scheme members. It would increase the risk of grievances being raised by other pension scheme members both in the UK and globally and would set a precedent for further challenges to pre-existing valid terms and conditions that could lead to significant unplanned and unintended costs.

Pension firm PensionBee says: 'As pension clawback is a fixed cash amount deducted from your pension - unlike other charges which usually deduct a percentage of the pot - its impact on your pension can vary.

'Those with larger pensions will be less affected, whilst smaller pots can see a substantial loss.'

It offers the following example: 'If you received 50,000 a year from your workplace pension scheme, then a fixed pension clawback of 2,500 a year would equal a 5 per cent deduction every year.

'However, if you received 10,000 a year from your workplace pension scheme, then that same fixed 2,500 clawback would equal a 25 per cent cut to your annual pension income.'

On its website, PensionBee says: 'Whilst most schemes have capped or withdrawn clawback, it's worth checking if you could lose out on a chunk of your pension.

'Those most affected are the lowest income workers, often women, and those seeking to retire early.

'If you're enrolled in a pension clawback scheme, it's likely you aren't even aware yet. One of the issues is poor communication, with few people affected aware of its importance.'

PensionBee suggests asking your workplace pension scheme directly or checking your company handbook, and considering making additional contributions to offset the future loss from pension clawback.

Will the Government abolish clawback?

Successive governments have declined to force pension schemes to end clawback arrangements.

The Conservative former Pensions Minister Guy Opperman said in 2017: 'These schemes were designed to avoid additional contributions from sponsors and members by taking account of some or all of the state pension when calculating the amount of occupational pension payable.

'The arrangement is set out in scheme rules which would have been available to members when they joined the scheme.

'Such arrangements are not a requirement of Department for Work and Pensions legislation. It would not be right to compel schemes to withdraw this integration arrangement.

'That would amount to a retrospective change imposing significant additional unplanned costs. Pension scheme rules on the calculation of benefits are many and varied, and must remain a matter for employers and scheme trustees to decide.'

Torsten Bell: Integrating an occupational pension scheme with the state pension was a core design of some schemes

At the House of Commons debate on clawback in April, the current Labour Pensions Minister Torsten Bell gave a lengthy response which you can read here.

He said: 'I appreciate that that type of scheme can be controversial, thanks to the change in the private pension income involved.

'All of us sympathise with anyone who expected a straightforward income increase when their state pension kicked in, only to find that things were much more complicated than that. I have read and listened to representations on this issue myself.'

He went on: 'Integrating an occupational pension scheme with the state pension was a core design of some schemes, and that has pros and cons.

'It used to be a common feature of final salary schemes, covering almost half of schemes, according to one survey from the early 2000s, although it is far less common today.'

Bell said all pension schemes are required by law to provide every member with basic information, either before they join or very shortly afterwards. If someone has not received clear communication they can complain via an internal dispute procedure, and after that to the Pensions Ombudsman.

He added: 'I owe it to this House to be clear that we cannot retrospectively change the benefits schemes offered to their members. Any legislative change would affect all integrated schemes, risking the future of some that are less well funded.'

What do other pension experts say about clawback?

Rosie Hooper, chartered financial planner at Quilter Cheviot, has dealt with clients whose pensions are reduced by clawback.

She says: 'Pension clawback often trips people up simply because they don't understand it, and they haven't factored it into their budget.

'The reality is that the reduction isn't usually huge, but it's the surprise element that causes issues.'

Hooper says she always explains clearly what a client who is affected should expect.

'It's not that the whole state pension gets deducted which is a common misconception. It's about how some schemes reduce the income they pay once the state pension kicks in. It's not a hidden charge, but it needs to be properly understood.'

She says starting to receive the state pension allows people to reduce the income they need to take from other sources, but the step-down in cash flow has to be planned for and built into a retirement plan.

'It's also worth remembering that the state pension used to make up a much bigger share of someone's retirement income,' she adds: 'Today, it's a smaller piece of the puzzle, which makes planning around it even more important.'

Chartered financial planner Rosie Hooper of Quilter Cheviot, left, and pension expert Simon Taylor at Barnett Waddingham, explain what you need to know about pension clawback

Simon Taylor, head of defined benefit at pension consultancy Barnett Waddingham, says clawback was typically part of the design of defined benefit (final salary) pensions that remained 'contracted in' to paying second state pensions (Serps or S2P).

'The design meant that both the company and the members paid higher National Insurance, and members generally built up full state pensions,' he explains.

People in pension schemes which 'contracted out' of paying more NI usually get lower state pensions.

'Clawback' is essentially a way to integrate the scheme benefit with the state benefit - if it didn't exist, pensions would have cost the company and member more,' says Taylor

'As a result, members would have had lower take-home pay over the course of a career.'

He says there are lots of ways for clawback to happen, but obviously if it comes as a surprise it can be poorly received - and communications to scheme members weren't always as thorough as they are today.

'For people hitting state pension age now, it is all likely long-forgotten, and so can feel like a harsh practice,' he says.

'In reality though, the process has its roots in a sensible cost/benefit balance - and the alternative is being in a contracted-out scheme and paying lower National Insurance so getting a lower state pension, or being in a defined contribution scheme and likely receiving far less in the long run.

'Defined benefit pensions remain impressively generous - however, the responsibility sits with the scheme to ensure members understand the realities of their benefits and if and when any deductions will be made.'
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE:ARI  Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the five brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $10.13.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. BTIG Research raised Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $11.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $10.00 to $10.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $10.00 price objective (up from $9.00) on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. JMP Securities reissued a market perform rating on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd.

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Insider Transactions at Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

In other news, CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,074 shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance stock in a transaction on Monday, March 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.99, for a total value of $520,219.26. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 385,928 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,855,420.72. The trade was a 11.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Mark C. Biderman sold 10,000 shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.48, for a total value of $94,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 60,787 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $576,260.76. This represents a 14.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 73,074 shares of company stock valued at $724,579 over the last three months. 0.68% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the first quarter valued at $256,000. Palogic Value Management L.P. grew its position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 6.4% in the first quarter. Palogic Value Management L.P. now owns 127,835 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,223,000 after purchasing an additional 7,701 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the first quarter valued at $1,183,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 89.8% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,855,116 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,753,000 after acquiring an additional 877,675 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 43.4% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 21,016 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 6,358 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 54.43% of the companys stock.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Stock Performance

Shares of ARI stock opened at $9.84 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $9.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.28. The stock has a market cap of $1.37 billion, a PE ratio of -10.36 and a beta of 1.49. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a 1 year low of $7.70 and a 1 year high of $11.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 51.19 and a current ratio of 51.19.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.16%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finances dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -3,333.33%.

About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

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Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $70.71.

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Sonic Automotive from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, May 24th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $93.00 to $74.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Sonic Automotive in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $64.00 target price on the stock. Benchmark began coverage on shares of Sonic Automotive in a report on Wednesday. They issued a buy rating and a $76.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Stephens boosted their price objective on shares of Sonic Automotive from $83.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Sonic Automotive Stock Up 0.9%

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SAH. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sonic Automotive by 515.4% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at about $51,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive during the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive during the 1st quarter valued at about $84,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its position in shares of Sonic Automotive by 1,429.7% during the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 1,545 shares of the companys stock valued at $98,000 after acquiring an additional 1,444 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 46.92% of the companys stock.

Sonic Automotive stock opened at $70.00 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.33 and a beta of 1.04. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $62.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $65.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. Sonic Automotive has a 1-year low of $51.27 and a 1-year high of $76.78.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $3.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.47 billion. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 1.52% and a return on equity of 19.96%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.36 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sonic Automotive will post 6.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sonic Automotive Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.00%. Sonic Automotives payout ratio is 19.94%.

About Sonic Automotive

(Get Free Report

Sonic Automotive, Inc operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It operates in three segments, Franchised Dealerships, EchoPark, and Powersports. The Franchised Dealerships segment is involved in the sale of new and used cars and light trucks, and replacement parts; provision of vehicle maintenance, manufacturer warranty repair, and paint and collision repair services; and arrangement of extended warranties, service contracts, financing, insurance, and other aftermarket products for its guests.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 29. A delegation led by Azamat Tokhtaev, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, recently visited Karachi, Pakistan, holding significant meetings with leading Pakistani textile companies Artistic Textile and Diners Textile, Trend reports.

Both companies sang the praises of Uzbekistans golden opportunity for investment, highlighting its talented workforce and treasure trove of resources, and theyre itching to roll up their sleeves and dive into significant investment projects in the country. These discussions are expected to accelerate the modernization of Uzbekistans textile sector through the adoption of advanced technologies, diversification of export markets, and increased foreign investment.

Artistic Textile, one of the worlds largest denim fabric and garment manufacturers, operates 18 factories, employs 25,000 workers, and manages 50,000 hectares of land. The company produces approximately $450 million worth of products annually, including 80 million square meters of denim fabric and 30 million garments. Its key export markets include the United States and Europe, supplying renowned global brands such as Levis, GAP, Target, Zara, H&M, Ralph Lauren, and HUGO BOSS.

Diners Textile, a leading mens apparel manufacturer with an annual production of one million garments and a workforce of 6,000, operates retail outlets in Pakistan and the UAE. The companys leadership has expressed support for direct investments in garment manufacturing and export initiatives in Uzbekistan.

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Ipsen S.A. (OTCMKTS:IPSEY  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $29.15 and traded as high as $29.93. Ipsen shares last traded at $29.30, with a volume of 624 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Ipsen in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd.

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Ipsen Trading Up 0.3%

About Ipsen

The firms 50-day simple moving average is $28.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $29.15.

(Get Free Report)

Ipsen SA operates as a biopharmaceutical company worldwide. The company provides drugs in the areas of oncology, neuroscience, and rare diseases. Its product pipeline comprises Cabometyx + Atezolizumab, which is in phase III clinical trial for the treatment of second line metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; lenalidomide and rituximab, and Taverik, which is in phase III for the treatment of second line follicular lymphoma; Bylvay, which is in phase III for the treatment of biliary atresia; Dysport, which is in phase III clinical trial for the treatment of chronic and episodic migraine; Fidrisertib, which is in phase II clinical trial for the treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva; Elafibranor, which is in phase II for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis, as well as IPN60250; IPN10200, which is in phase II for the treatment of longer-acting neurotoxin aesthetics and therapeutics; IPN60210, which is in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma; and IPN60260 for the treatment of Viral cholestatic disease and is in phase I clinical trial.

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W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Get Free Report) VP Krantz Nancy L. Berardinelli sold 280 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,075.20, for a total value of $301,056.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 3,369 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,622,348.80. This represents a 7.67% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

W.W. Grainger Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE GWW opened at $1,079.99 on Thursday. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a 12-month low of $874.98 and a 12-month high of $1,227.66. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1,018.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,062.31. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a market cap of $51.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.24.

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W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $9.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.51 by $0.35. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 11.12% and a return on equity of 52.43%. The company had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.31 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $9.62 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

W.W. Grainger Increases Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be issued a dividend of $2.26 per share. This is an increase from W.W. Graingers previous quarterly dividend of $2.05. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 12th. This represents a $9.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is currently 23.21%.

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.1% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,388,378 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,322,801,000 after acquiring an additional 57,690 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,194,747 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,256,400,000 after purchasing an additional 27,716 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in W.W. Grainger by 10.1% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 822,411 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $812,403,000 after purchasing an additional 75,644 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 100,843.0% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 692,469 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $684,042,000 after purchasing an additional 691,783 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 14.2% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 681,912 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $718,769,000 after buying an additional 84,595 shares during the period. 80.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,100.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,097.00 to $1,144.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. William Blair upgraded shares of W.W. Grainger from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered shares of W.W. Grainger from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $966.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,123.13.

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About W.W. Grainger

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W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools.

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B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:RSPT  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 24,227 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 384 shares during the quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc.s holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF were worth $907,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Signaturefd LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF by 11.8% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,664 shares of the companys stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 67,230 shares of the companys stock worth $2,516,000 after buying an additional 307 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF by 90.0% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 684 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Lodestar Private Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. Lodestar Private Asset Management LLC now owns 6,747 shares of the companys stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 383 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FCA Corp TX lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. FCA Corp TX now owns 24,441 shares of the companys stock worth $915,000 after buying an additional 411 shares in the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF Price Performance

Shares of RSPT stock opened at $37.53 on Thursday. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF has a 12 month low of $28.52 and a 12 month high of $40.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.45 and a beta of 1.21. The companys fifty day moving average price is $34.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $36.85.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RSPT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in information technology equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of S&P 500 technology companies. RSPT was launched on Nov 1, 2006 and is managed by Invesco.

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Emprise Bank cut its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 3.1% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,832 shares of the companys stock after selling 121 shares during the quarter. Emprise Banks holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $608,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 53.7% in the 4th quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 206 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Ball & Co Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Philip Morris International

In related news, insider Lars Dahlgren sold 3,679 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.96, for a total value of $562,739.84. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 26,828 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,103,610.88. This represents a 12.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE PM opened at $178.77 on Thursday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $98.93 and a twelve month high of $179.83. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $164.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $144.87. The company has a market capitalization of $278.26 billion, a PE ratio of 39.64, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.50.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 120.08% and a net margin of 7.89%. The firm had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.50 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were paid a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 20th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.02%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is presently 111.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Barclays lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Needham & Company LLC initiated coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Friday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $169.20.

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Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Seabridge Gold Inc. (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) (TSE:SEA) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $12.22, but opened at $11.97. Seabridge Gold shares last traded at $12.10, with a volume of 138,482 shares trading hands.

Seabridge Gold Stock Performance

The firms 50-day moving average is $11.88 and its 200-day moving average is $12.28. The company has a current ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The firm has a market cap of $1.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -49.56 and a beta of 0.67.

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Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) (TSE:SEA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 13th. The basic materials company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Institutional Trading of Seabridge Gold

About Seabridge Gold

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SA. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Seabridge Gold by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 47,770 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $545,000 after acquiring an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Seabridge Gold during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Bleakley Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in Seabridge Gold by 18.2% during the 4th quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 18,732 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $214,000 after acquiring an additional 2,880 shares during the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV boosted its holdings in Seabridge Gold by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 262,737 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,998,000 after acquiring an additional 12,375 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tcfg Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Seabridge Gold by 35.2% during the 4th quarter. Tcfg Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,675 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $259,000 after acquiring an additional 5,900 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.85% of the companys stock.

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Seabridge Gold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties in North America. The company also explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. The company was formerly known as Seabridge Resources Inc and changed its name to Seabridge Gold Inc in June 2002.

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Mitsubishi Estate (OTCMKTS:MITEY  Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at CLSA to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Mitsubishi Estate Stock Performance

MITEY stock opened at $18.00 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $17.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.21. Mitsubishi Estate has a fifty-two week low of $12.78 and a fifty-two week high of $18.80. The firm has a market cap of $22.52 billion, a PE ratio of 17.48 and a beta of 0.20.

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Mitsubishi Estate (OTCMKTS:MITEY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.10). Mitsubishi Estate had a return on equity of 5.27% and a net margin of 12.13%. The business had revenue of $3.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.58 billion.

About Mitsubishi Estate

Mitsubishi Estate Co, Ltd. engages in the real estate activities in Japan and internationally. The company develops, leases, manages, and sells office buildings and commercial facilities; operates rental offices, coworking space, virtual offices, hourly meeting rooms, home delivery storage service, commercial nursing homes, and building garages; offers real estate management, as well as building management services, such as security, facility management, cleaning, and planting services; and operates hotels and airports.

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Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Canaccord Genuity Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Premium Brands from C$88.00 to C$91.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. CIBC reduced their target price on shares of Premium Brands from C$98.00 to C$95.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. National Bankshares boosted their price objective on Premium Brands from C$96.00 to C$97.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Desjardins upped their target price on Premium Brands from C$93.00 to C$98.00 in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Premium Brands from C$94.00 to C$100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$101.90.

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Premium Brands Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling

Shares of Premium Brands stock opened at C$81.50 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.28, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 163.00. Premium Brands has a 1-year low of C$72.57 and a 1-year high of C$97.10. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$78.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$78.70.

In other news, Senior Officer William Dion Kalutycz sold 8,000 shares of Premium Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$81.57, for a total value of C$652,575.20. 2.01% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Premium Brands

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Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides processed meat, deli products, meat snacks, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, salads and kettle products, muffins, breads, pastas, pizza, and baking and sushi products.

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Finsbury Growth & Income (LON:FGT  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The investment trust reported GBX 7.60 ($0.10) earnings per share for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Finsbury Growth & Income had a net margin of 89.28% and a return on equity of 6.50%.

Finsbury Growth & Income Stock Performance

LON FGT opened at GBX 905 ($12.19) on Thursday. Finsbury Growth & Income has a twelve month low of GBX 790.88 ($10.65) and a twelve month high of GBX 964 ($12.99). The stock has a market cap of 1.35 billion, a PE ratio of 14.86 and a beta of 0.52. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 888.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 899.09.

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Finsbury Growth & Income Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 17th will be given a dividend of GBX 1.80 ($0.02) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 17th. Finsbury Growth & Incomes dividend payout ratio is currently 31.21%.

Finsbury Growth & Income Company Profile

The Company was founded in 1926 and Nick Train has managed the portfolio since his firm, Lindsell Train, was appointed as Portfolio Manager in 2000. Finsbury Growth & Income Trust PLC (the Company) invests principally in the securities of UK listed companies, whilst up to a maximum of 20% of the Companys portfolio, at the time of acquisition, can be invested in quoted companies outside of the UK.

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Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The specialty retailer reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.31, RTT News reports. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.35% and a net margin of 10.58%. The business had revenue of $128.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $118.90 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.82 earnings per share.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Performance

BBW stock traded up $7.09 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $49.87. 351,969 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 273,123. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $37.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $39.49. The company has a market cap of $658.61 million, a PE ratio of 13.20 and a beta of 0.54. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a one year low of $23.63 and a one year high of $55.39.

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Build-A-Bear Workshop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 27th were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 27th. This is a positive change from Build-A-Bear Workshops previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.76%. Build-A-Bear Workshops payout ratio is currently 23.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on BBW. DA Davidson raised Build-A-Bear Workshop to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Build-A-Bear Workshop from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 21st.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 10.3% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 37,339 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $1,388,000 after purchasing an additional 3,490 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 6.4% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 7,533 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $280,000 after purchasing an additional 456 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP bought a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the first quarter valued at about $267,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp bought a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the first quarter valued at about $199,000. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.

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Epazz, Inc. (OTCMKTS:EPAZ  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,600 shares, a growth of 1,500.0% from the April 30th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 94,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Epazz Stock Performance

EPAZ stock traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $0.04. 52,726 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 61,975. Epazz has a fifty-two week low of $0.01 and a fifty-two week high of $3.50. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $0.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.05.

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Epazz (OTCMKTS:EPAZ  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 13th. The company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $0.66 million during the quarter.

About Epazz

Epazz, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs and sells various software programs to business enterprises, hospitals, and government and post-secondary institutions in the United States. It offers EPAZZ BoxesOS v3.0, a Web portal infrastructure operating system that integrates with each organizations back-end systems and provides a customizable personal information system for various stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni, employees, and clients.

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Bank deposits decline in Azerbaijans Karabakh and East Zangazur regions in past month

The economic regions of Karabakh and East Zangazur in Azerbaijan have seen a reduction in bank deposits, with the former seeing a monthly decline of more than 18%. In spite of this regional decline, national deposits increased by nearly 10 percent over the prior year.

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Avant Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 12,506 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $332,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,328,986,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Pfizer by 19.5% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 155,459,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,124,330,000 after purchasing an additional 25,315,159 shares in the last quarter. Starboard Value LP purchased a new position in Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $407,730,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $274,694,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 76,502,238 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,029,604,000 after acquiring an additional 5,350,381 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on PFE shares. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, March 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $25.00 price target (down from $32.00) on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Guggenheim restated a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.17.

Pfizer Stock Down 1.8%

PFE stock opened at $23.18 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Pfizer Inc. has a 1 year low of $20.92 and a 1 year high of $31.54. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $25.11. The firm has a market cap of $131.79 billion, a PE ratio of 16.44, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.58.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.43 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 19.47%. Pfizers quarterly revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.82 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 124.64%.

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report).

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 29. Director of Uzbekistans Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency, Abdulla Azizov, held a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank to discuss prospects for attracting private investment into the countrys pharmaceutical sector, Trend reports.

The discussions focused on strategic approaches to sector development and emphasized the critical role of pharmaceuticals in both the national healthcare system and broader industrial growth.

Particular attention was given to identifying key barriers that hinder active private sector participation in the industry.

Consequently, the stakeholders delineated critical domains necessitating prompt intervention, encompassing the formulation of explicit policy and regulatory paradigms, alongside the execution of regional infrastructural ventures.



The conclave culminated in a consensus regarding the criticality of leveraging global collaborations to optimize the governance and sustainable advancement of Uzbekistans pharmaceutical landscape.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reached a record high last year, the organisation has revealed.

The almost 23,000 contacts made to the centres helpline in 2024 represented the highest in the DRCCs 46-year history.

The figures were contained in the organisations annual report published on Thursday.

Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan, who will launch the report in Dublin on Thursday morning, said the figures were hugely concerning.

Sexual violence is a crime that has historically been under-reported and this is something I am committed to addressing, and something that is changing as complainants become more confident in our justice system, he said.

Many of the figures and statistics in this latest report from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre are hugely concerning but I am encouraged that a significant percentage of those who seek support from DRCC also report to An Garda Siochana.

Mr OCallaghan commended the excellent work and unwavering commitment of the centre.

Chief executive of DRCC Rachel Morrogh said contacts with the helpline broke the 20,000 mark for the first time in 2024, reaching a total of 22,700.

She said: In fact, engagement with the National Helpline increased by over 20% from 2023, bringing the number of contacts to almost 23,000. There are likely a number of drivers behind the increased demand for our 24-hour listening service, including that survivors feel increasingly confident about where to find non-judgmental support, but also the reality that sexual violence is still an insidious and common occurrence in modern Ireland.

Although we are encouraged by the marked rise in the number of survivors contacting us, we know that this is a fraction of the thousands of people living with trauma who have not yet sought support. Our message to them today is that they are not invisible to us, that they deserve support, and that when they feel ready to talk, we are ready to listen.

Ms Morrogh said the sharpest increase in activity across the organisations frontline supports was reported by its therapy service.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centres counsellors held almost 6,000 counselling sessions with survivors, an increase of 57% compared to 2023, she said.

Specialised counselling unlocks healing for many survivors of sexual violence and we are proud to have supported 637 women and men last year. The number of therapy clients increased by 28%, or 140 people.

While many people choose not to make a report to An Garda Siochana about what happened to them, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre therapy clients do so at much higher rates than the national average. The Central Statistics Office has reported that tiny numbers of people who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime have reported it to the Gardai. There are many reasons for this, ranging from a fear of not being believed or thinking they are in some way to blame or that what happened was not serious enough. Amongst our new therapy clients last year however, the reporting rate was 27%.

We are honoured to support our clients through the justice system, which can be a very difficult process for many. Every time there is a conviction and sentence for a sexual offence, we know it is felt as a victory for those who will never have their day in court or have the validation and catharsis of a guilty verdict.

 The 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline is available on 1800 778888
A man appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court this morning charged under new hate laws.

Beniamin Petre (50) of No Fixed Abode is accused of publishing a grossly offensive communication on TikTok. Its alleged he published a communication about slicing up Irish babies, kids and you with intent to cause harm contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

The man was further charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and demonstrating at the time of the offence, hatred towards the Irish people contrary to the Criminal Justice(Hate Offences) Act 2024. Both offences were alleged to have been committed at an unknown location in Dublin on May 24 last.

Detective Garda Mark Russell gave evidence of arresting the man in Rathmiles, Abbeyleix on Wednesday, May 28. He said the man was detained at Abbeyleix Garda Station and charged at 9.15pm.

When charged and cautioned the man replied, I cant say anything as you are not listening, Mark. In response to the second charge the man said, I have nothing to say.

READ NEXT: 'No threat to public safety' - Man arrested over alleged serious online threats

Det Russell said gardai would have an objection to bail.

However, Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was not applying for bail in the case and there was consent to a remand in custody.

Det Russell said there may potentially be further charges in the case. He asked that the man be medically assessed in Cloverhill.

Judge Andrew Cody remanded the defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear again at Portlaoise District Court via video link on June 5. I would recommend urgent medical assessment on arrival, he said.

Ms Fitzpatrick requested legal aid and said the defendant was not working and was not in the system in terms of social welfare. Judge Cody granted legal aid and remanded the defendant in custody. The man, who was dressed in black, didnt speak during the brief court appearance.
We have more on this but for now we wanted to document and share a word from the courthouse.

Check-it . . .



Jackson County explains compliance with amended 2025 assessment order

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Jackson County is providing this update to help residents, taxing jurisdictions and the public understand the Countys decision to voluntarily comply with the modified 2025 assessment order issued by the State Tax Commission (STC).



The STC amended its original 2025 order following discussions with Jackson County, removing provisions that would have required the County to implement the separate 2024 STC order  an order that is now under appeal in two separate cases currently before the Western District Court of Appeals.



Under the corrected 2025 order, the STC has placed a cap on how much residential property valuations can increase in 2025, regardless of the propertys actual market value. While this may appear reasonable on the surface, when factoring in past undervaluations, the rapid pace of the local housing market and longstanding disparities, the policy creates unfortunate and very real fairness concerns for taxpayers.



Jackson County had already announced weeks ago that it would voluntarily limit 2025 increases to help reduce disruption and avoid additional harm to residents. However, the STCs formal order now goes further, reducing many residential values beyond what the County had initially planned.



This results in:



Shifting the tax burden onto properties that remain accurately assessed, meaning many homeowners and small businesses will pay more than they would under a fair, market-based system.



Reducing revenues for taxing entities like Kansas City Public Schools and the Missouri Blind Pension Fund, which cannot legally adjust their tax rates to recover the lost assessment base. Kansas City Public Schools alone is expected to lose an estimated $38.5 million in operating revenue in 2025.



Although the County opposes arbitrary valuation caps, compliance at this stage is intended to reduce public confusion, avoid further costly litigation, and provide short-term stability while the legal appeals over the 2024 order continue.



I know how confusing and frustrating this system has become for residents, and we are committed to being as transparent and helpful as possible, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. While we oppose the State Tax Commissions policy, we are making this decision to reduce further harm and uncertainty, and we will keep working every day to stand up for fairness and stability for our taxpayers, our schools and our communities.



The County has already met with Kansas City Public Schools and will continue working with other taxing jurisdictions in the coming days to explain impacts and coordinate next steps.



The specific formula for determining 2025 assessed values can be found in the attached amended STC order. Youll also find a quick reference Q&A designed to support accurate reporting and to share on your websites as a resource for educating and informing residents.



Attachments available:



STCs 2024 order (under appeal)

STCs amended 2025 order (including the formula for 2025 assessments)

Quick Reference Q&A



###

Developing . . .


BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 29. An official reception was held at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan on May 28 - Independence Day.

Following the performance of the national anthems of both countries, the Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Gismet Gozalov, delivered a speech in which he underscored the historical significance of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and noted that it was established 107 years ago, on May 28, 1918, which was the first in the East. He remarked that this republic, which lasted for 23 months, demonstrated to the world the determination of our people for independence. The ambassador emphasised that under the leadership of the national leader, Heydar Aliyev, the Republic of Azerbaijan, having restored its independence in 1991, achieved remarkable progress in state-building, the establishment of democratic institutions and the economic system, and achieved global integration in the international community. He underlined that currently, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan continues to advance confidently along the path of sustainable development, evolving into a modern state.

Furthermore, in his address, Gismat Gozalov stated that today, Azerbaijan is actively engaged in energy, transport and logistics initiatives that play a pivotal role in strengthening multilateral relations across Eurasia. Azerbaijan has become a key actor in global cooperation through strategic energy corridors connecting Europe and Asia, international railway and transport networks, green corridors and alternative energy transmission projects. The ambassador further emphasised that by implementing significant reforms in its energy policy, Azerbaijan is strengthening its position not only as a leading oil and gas exporter but also as a trusted partner in green energy. The COP29 event, successfully held in Baku in 2024, further strengthened Azerbaijan's leading position in the global effort to combat climate change. Within the framework of COP29, Azerbaijan endeavoured to form a common understanding between developed and developing countries, as well as the Global South and the Global North, and the conference concluded with several historic agreements, including the adoption of the Baku Financial Goal.

At the same time, the ambassador drew attention to the new realities that emerged in the region in the post-conflict period after the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, the reconstruction and development efforts underway in our liberated territories, the ongoing demining operations, and the regional peace agenda. Gismat Gozalov noted that as a consequence of the Patriotic War, Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity and sovereign rights within its internationally recognised borders. He placed special emphasis on the extensive reconstruction work in the liberated regions, the great return to our territories, as well as the mine threat. He highlighted that Azerbaijan is currently taking initiatives to ensure peace in the South Caucasus, including the peace agreement offered to Armenia, which affirms the territorial integrity and borders of both nations. He emphasised that peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia continue, and the process of border delimitation is underway. He noted that with the end of the conflict in the region, new cooperation opportunities have emerged, particularly in the transport and communications sector, and these opportunities will serve the interests not only of the South Caucasus but also the broader region.

Regarding the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the Ambassador emphasised that Azerbaijan's policy of peace and cooperation is also reflected in its relations with brotherly countries. Gismet Gozalov highlighted that the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are of particular importance, as these relations are rooted in a shared history, language, ethnic and cultural ties, as well as common ancestry. The Ambassador noted that thanks to the visionary policies of the country's leaders, the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have risen to a strategic partnership, and that cooperation is currently successfully deepening in various fields.

The Ambassador underscored that interparliamentary relations and dialogue between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs play a pivotal role in strengthening the ties between our countries, and that within the framework of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission, they are actively developing in the political, economic, transport, energy and cultural-humanitarian spheres. He noted that both countries are making joint efforts to combat climate change, particularly through initiatives such as the Global Methane Commitment, and that despite their oil and gas reserves, they are contributing to environmental projects. He stated that the bilateral trade turnover in 2024 amounted to approximately 384 million US dollars, which reflects the dynamic development of relations and hopes that it will increase further in 2025.

Gismet Gozalov, drawing attention to the declaration of 2025 as the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty" in Azerbaijan and the "International Year of Peace and Trust" in Turkmenistan, emphasised that these decisions demonstrate the steadfast commitment of both countries to peace, stability and joint progress. It was noted that with the resolute political will of the heads of the states, the relations based on historical rooted bonds between our brotherly peoples will further deepen, joint efforts for peace and prosperity in the region and beyond will reach new heights, and on a solid foundation, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan will achieve greater achievements in the future.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Co-Chairman of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission, Nokargulu Ataguliyev, extended the congratulations of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhammedov and conveyed his wishes for Azerbaijans continued prosperity and success. He underlined that the high-level dialogue between the leaders of both countries has provided a strong impetus to the development of bilateral relations, noted that the fraternal ties between our people are based on historical roots, and that cooperation between our countries is rapidly developing in various directions, including political, economic and humanitarian spheres, and expressed satisfaction with this.

The banquet continued with a rich musical accompaniment of Azerbaijani folk and composed music, featuring the works of great Uzeyir Hajibeyli. Selected scenes from the operetta Arshin mal alan were displayed on the monitor, presenting guests rare exemplars of our national musical and theatrical art.

The guests were also presented with the performances of national dance that embodied the rich folkloric heritage of Azerbaijan.

Throughout the event, video clips reflecting the history, culture and modern development of our country were displayed on the screen. Guests were offered delicious samples of Azerbaijani cuisine, sweets and national beverages.

Simultaneously, materials showcasing our historical heritage, fine arts, carpet-weaving traditions, tourism potential, and national musical instruments, as well as products of the Made in Azerbaijan label, were exhibited and presented to the participants. Promotional banners for the azerbaijan.travel portal and the Made in Azerbaijan platform were also displayed during the ceremony.

The event was attended by the heads and staff of foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, representatives of the mass media and civil society, as well as members of the Azerbaijani community residing in Turkmenistan.
Sorry, we've always had a thing for German ladies and to start #TBT we can't help but think that celeb, model, angel hottie Heidi is getting better with age . . . And right now she inspries another quick peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Radio Care Package

The Things We Don't Talk About Mental Health Series Launch Dr. Katie Jacobs, musician and professor at the University of Central Missouri, joins us to launch a partnership with The Bridge called The Things We Can't Talk About.

Tech Compliance Court Fights

'Sue and settle' lawsuits coming against Midwest business websites over alleged ADA noncompliance As many as 75 businesses in Missouri, including Gates BBQ, the American Jazz Museum and Betty Rae's Ice Cream, have been sued over alleged website noncompliance, according to regulations defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Streets Show Compassion For Once

2 victims suffered serious injuries in Grandview crash; bystanders helped both victims Bystanders helped two victims of a fiery crash Wednesday afternoon on the East Frontage Road of Interstate 49 in Grandview, Missouri.

Local Old School Memories

Volker Developer Fred Bonfils Lived a Colorful Life - Midtown KC Post This photo shows 4118 Mercier in 1940. When the developer of Bonfils Place in the Volker neighborhood died, the Kansas City Journal called him "one of the most colorful survivors of the Old West." Fred Bonfils, who gave the subdivision his name, started a lottery in Kansas to buy property in Kansas City and helped [...]

Kansas City Elite Seem Gloomy

The Deep: Make a Statement with Dramatic Hues - IN Kansas City Magazine Dark, moody hues, especially in a high-gloss finish, make a dramatic statement in any room of the home. In the Navy In the Mission Hills home of Chasitie and Mike Walden, the details-elaborate moldings, cornices, and bookshelves in Mike's office-are highlighted by the glossy, deep navy finish.

Angel Mum Coverage

American Music Awards 2025: Why Heidi Klum and Seal's Son Henry Made Rare Appearance at Last Minute Heidi Klum explained why her son Henry Samuel joined her on the 2025 American Music Awards red carpet instead of husband Tom Kaulitz in an exclusive interview with E! News.

MAGA Spars With Far East

China thought it had a truce with the US. Then Trump dropped two bombshells | CNN A one-two punch from the United States risks shattering the already fragile trade war truce between Washington and Beijing, with Chinese tech companies and students both dealt shock blows by the Trump administration Wednesday night.

Blue Wave FAIL Already?!?

Democratic anxiety rises amid Biden revelations, losses to Trump It's an anxious time to be a Democrat. The party wants to move forward after its excruciating loss to President Trump but keeps getting dragged into the past over revelations about the deterioratin...

Globe Against MAGA

World financial markets welcome court ruling against Trump's tariffs Financial markets welcomed a U.S. court ruling that blocks President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law.

Holy Land Developing . . .

Israel confirms plans to create 22 new settlements in occupied West Bank Defence minister says move 'prevents establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel'

This Probably Should Be Front Page News Across The World

Russia masses over 50,000 troops for offensive on northeastern Ukraine, Zelenskiy says Russia has massed more than 50,000 troops, including some of its best forces, near Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, but Kyiv has taken steps to prevent them from conducting a large-scale offensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

You Think Ur Slick?!?

Great Lubes for Menopause, From Someone Who's Tried More Than 100 To find the best lubes for menopause, we researched recommendations from ob-gyns and tested a bunch for ourselves. Shop our soothing favorites here.

Bottom Feeders Other Than Bloggers

MDC's urban fish stocking program fills Kansas City-area lakes with channel catfish for anglers Just in time for summer, the Missouri Department of Conservation is restocking several lakes in the Kansas City area with channel catfish.

Forecast For Now . . .

There will be periods of rain this morning, pop-up thunderstorms this afternoon Today is a First Alert Weather Impact Day

For #TBT we remember that Hootie & The Blowfish - Let Her Cry is one of the WORST pop songs in modern music history but the 94/95 Billboard hit serves us as the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Theologians tell us that Satan is the father of lies . . . Meanwhile . . . This media savvy group claims their clear of consequences after garnering attention for a silly publicity stunt that was actually more successful for faithful counter-protesters . . . Check-it . . .



Satanic Grotto posted on social media that members appeared in court on Wednesday, May 28, and were all released from their bond. Group leader Michael Stewart was taken into custody on charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. Two other members who entered the Statehouse with him in March, Jocelyn Frazee, 32, and Sean Anderson, 50, also were taken into custody for unlawful assembly.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCTV5: Satanic Grotto members say Black Mass case is dropped
This note offers a great perspective from a longtime local tax fighter AND kinda kicks off a campaign by way of a fiery note . . . Check-it:



Preston Smith: Response To Frank White

The May 22 State Tax Commission order, and Jackson County governments agreement to follow the order, is the first time in six years that the County has done anything to support its taxpayers.



The 2023 assessment was inaccurate, illegal and unfair, and collected more than $236M extra from taxpayers than it should have because the County had not followed the law of providing taxpayers proper notice nor conducted proper physical inspections.



As County Executive Frank White has said, the money is spent, and it was time to turn the page and the County has made no effort to repay taxpayers a dime for this tax that was collected illegally. Under the state laws, Jackson County taxpayers are due that amount, at the very least.



White claims now that the Kansas City, MO school district will lose $38M this year alone. In fact, the KCMO school districtwhich is not subject to the Hancock Amendmenttook in $41M extra in local taxes in 2023-24 than it did in 2022-23. Somehow the school district survived in previous years without the extra money from local taxes. In 2018-19, the district had a total revenue of $145M from local taxes, $40M lower than it was in 2022-23 and $80M lower than in 2023-24.



In fact, in 2023-24, the KCMO school district had total expenses of $348M and total revenues of $401M. The ending balances of all funds was $204M. They are flush with cash.



Jackson County government has now agreed to abide by this STC order, even though only a month earlier had resisted the identical order. Now, the rhetoric continues that by giving the County taxpayers a supposed break by resetting the 2025 assessment values, school

districts will be harmed beyond repair.



That simply is not so. Unlike a system that has 55,000 appeals that drag out for more than two years, the 2025 assessment will be one that the school districts can plan for and manage. The 2025 assessment will be easier for the school districts to cope with than the

2023-2024 debacle ever could have been.



Frank Whites effort to avoid accountability and admit that the 2023 assessment was tragically flawed now includes drastic exaggeration of the financial impact, and a thinly veiled effort to transfer blame to the State Tax Commission, that enforces property tax laws in Missouri.



At a press conference earlier today, Frank White said he thought the STC was making changes to the order, but the STC attorney said they had no plans whatsoever to change the order. Does this mean that Jackson County was trying to negotiate the order and make changes?



Perhaps the best question for Frank White should be: Why follow THIS STC order now if it is so detrimental to Jackson County?



And one more question, Frank: When are the Countys taxpayers going to get their refunds for the inaccurate over-collections for 2023 and 2024 that you and your appointed assessor oversaw?



Preston Smith Candidate for the Elected Jackson County Assessor

##################



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Jackson County agrees to follow State Tax Commission order on 2023 reassessment

Developing . . .


Iran reduces product imports from Kyrgyzstan amid changing trade dynamics

Iran's imports from Kyrgyzstan took a nosedive in both value and volume during the first month of the current Iranian year, painting a clear picture of a broader downturn in bilateral trade. The Iranian Customs Administration has its ducks in a row, focusing on the essentials while keeping a tight lid on imports of homegrown products.

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Fast-moving Greenland glacier has the attention of UAF scientists

A powerhouse of ice flows rapidly on Greenlands west coast, heading toward the ocean. Some of Earths largest icebergs are produced here, tumbling from the tip of Jakobshavn Glacier.

Jakobshavn is one of Earths fastest-moving glaciers and one of the Greenland Ice Sheets largest glaciers. It produces about 10% of Greenlands icebergs.

It is also rapidly retreating.

We don't have a good handle on how quickly this glacier could move in the future or whether there is some sort of speed limit, said Martin Truffer, a University of Alaska Fairbanks physics professor.

Truffer, who specializes in glacier dynamics, and UAF Geophysical Institute graduate student researcher Amy Jenson returned earlier this month from their second trip to Jakobshavn, where they are studying how meltwater and the ocean affect the glaciers ice loss.

Photo by Martin Truffer

UAF graduate student researcher Amy Jenson at one of the instrument sites on Jakobshavn Glacier.

This is important, because these fast-moving outlet glaciers are the main mechanism for the ice sheets to shed ice into the ocean, Truffer said. The mechanisms of fast glacier flow and how it varies are still not sufficiently understood.

The glacier has retreated about 25 miles since 1850, with the most significant changes occurring since the late 1990s. It briefly advanced from 2016 to 2018 due to cooler ocean waters but has since resumed its retreat.

Jakobshavn, whose Greenlandic name is Sermeq Kujalleq, is one of the most significant contributors of glacial melt to global sea level rise. It drains about 7% of the Greenland Ice Sheet and has produced some of the Northern Hemispheres largest icebergs.

Truffer and Jenson placed 12 GPS units on their latest visit. They placed time-lapse cameras at the glacier front in 2024.

GPS helps us measure flow on short time scales, from less than a week down to hours, which are time scales not currently accessible by space-based observation, Truffer said. Runoff can affect ice flow within hours, so we need high time resolution to document that.

The GPS units, some accompanied by weather instruments, were placed on the north, central and south branches of the glacier because they represent the main three flow paths toward the terminus, Jenson said.

The sites we chose are also far enough from the terminus that the surface is smooth enough for us to land the helicopter, deploy the instruments and be able to recover them in the fall, Jenson said. Stress is high close to the terminus, and the surface is too crevassed to deploy our instruments.

Photo by Amy Jenson

University of Alaska Southeast professor Jason Amundson, left, and University of Alaska Fairbanks professor Martin Truffer work at a Jakobshavn Glacier instrument site.

Data from the four-year research project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will improve computer models used to forecast glacial ice loss.

The project includes creation of a museum exhibit about tidewater glacier change in Alaska and Greenland. The researchers are working closely with the University of Bergen, which operates a Science and Art Center in Ilulissat and with the Ilulissat Icefjord Center.

The exhibit, still in planning, will appear first at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in 2026.

The research projects principal investigator is Lizz Ultee, an associate research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Morgan State University in Maryland. Also involved is geophysics professor Jason Amundson of the University of Alaska Southeast. Amundson was Truffers first doctoral student and studied Jakobshavn Glacier for his Ph.D.

Jakobshavn has become a glacier of intense research interest. Its sensitivity to ocean temperature changes offers critical insights into how warming seas affect ice sheet dynamics and coastal stability.

And that draws the pair of UAF researchers.

Watching the time-lapse video was incredible, Jenson said. After being there in person and watching the video, I could see just how far the glacier terminus moved over the year and how much ice was discharged into the ocean.

Im used to seeing Alaska glaciers, where changes on this scale take place over many years, not months, she said. The scale of the glacier and the changes in terminus position seem big on paper or in satellite images, but seeing them in person is far more impressive. 

Jakobshavn even leaves a mark on a veteran glaciologist like Truffer. As a glaciologist for 30 years, he has traveled to glaciers in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Antarctica and Greenland.

Fast flowing ice has always fascinated me, things like surging glaciers and tidewater glaciers, he said. Jakobshavn is a really rapidly changing glacier, so seeing the landscape changes on this scale is really impressive.

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Iran's non-oil exports to Kyrgyzstan show surge

The value and weight of Irans non-oil exports to Kyrgyzstan increased by 70 percent and 56 percent, respectively, in the first month of the current Iranian year. Petrochemical, agricultural, and industrial products made up the bulk of the 1,860 metric tons and $1.95 million in exports. But overall, the value and volume of trade between the two nations dropped significantly.

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May 29 2025

A Glaswegian developer hopes that perseverance pays as it returns to planners for a fourth attempt at getting a contentious West End housing development approved.

Following up a 2021 redesign, itself a revision of earlier failed attempts in 2020 and 2018, the latest approach to 35a St Vincent Crescent in Finnieston sees architects Page/Park and landscape architects HarrisonStevens once again refine their approach. This time around 20 apartments and duplexes will be complemented by public open space and a community room, in an attempt to navigate a path past planners.

Lead architect Andy Bateman remarked: Finnieston is constantly changing and evolving and, with this proposal, we take consideration of previous planning applications by adapting, responding and refining our proposal for the city, the community, and those who want to move into the area. Our design seeks to show that development can be sympathetic to its neighbours by designing a building that complements its location while opening up previously gated private space to become a new publicly accessible open green space with new community room, benefitting all in the surrounding community.

Backing onto an A-listed terrace and replacing a disused bowling green the site has become a planning battleground as the team seeks to deliver the 10m development in a conservation area.

Citing the original 1849 masterplan for the area by Alexander Kirkland, Nixon Blue argue that the intention was always for the land to be developed even if unrealised, echoing the approach taken at nearby Park Quadrant.
ChinaAid Urges Vatican to End Secret Agreement with Communist China, Stop Compromising with the Persecutors

NEWS PROVIDED BY

ChinaAid

May 29, 2025

MIDLAND, Texas, May 29, 2025 /Standard Newswire/  ChinaAid expresses deep concern over the ongoing secrecy and consequences of the 2018 Vatican-China agreement. Since its signing, religious persecution in China, particularly against Catholics, has escalated, not diminished. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to tighten its control over religious life while the Vatican remains publicly silent.

The CCP has never stopped persecuting Catholic leaders and believers, said ChinaAid President Dr. Bob Fu. At least ten bishops and priests are imprisoned or missing. Churches are still being destroyed. Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin vanished after being penalized for conducting Mass without state approval. Meanwhile, the Vaticans silence has left Chinas underground Catholics feeling betrayed.

A recent incident on March 23, 2025, illustrates this brutal reality. In Shanxi Province, Chinese special police raided a Catholic prayer site during Lent. Faithful worshippers were assaulted, with one father of three left in a coma. The priest and others were arrested. Surveillance in the region has since intensified.

The Vatican-China agreement has also enabled the appointment of government-aligned bishops without the faithfuls consent. Just days before the election of Pope Leo XIV, Beijings state sanctioned Church installed two new bishops, further undermining ecclesiastical autonomy.

This repression extends beyond Catholics. Protestant house churches, including the renowned Early Rain Covenant Church, have been forcibly closed. Pastor Wang Yi remains imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Uyghur Muslims continue to endure mass internment, forced labor, and religious persecution in East Turkistan (Xinjiang).

The Church must choose: silence or solidarity.

ChinaAid respectfully urges Pope Leo XIV to:

 Reconsider and withdraw from the secretive Vatican-China agreement.

 Publicly defend persecuted believers in China, Hong Kong, Tibet, East Turkistan, and Taiwan.

 Refuse to legitimize the CCPs campaign of religious repression.

Now is the time for courage. The persecuted do not need appeasement; they need truth, hope, and bold advocacy.

Contact: Anita Chang, Spokesperson of ChinaAid at media@chinaaid.org | www.ChinaAid.org

SOURCE ChinaAid


Long before Latin music was playing around the clock in every corner of the globe, a couple of Cuban exiles struck the first blow in 1985 with the song Conga. It was a single that Emilio and Gloria Estefan pitched to Sony up to seven times  without any success. But luck was on their side. Conga became Glorias first global hit, followed by hundreds more. The 67-year-old artist, who has sold over 100 million records, released Raices on Thursday  her first Spanish-language album in 18 years.

Seven years after Conga, Emilio himself became president of Sony Latin, and the couple began building an empire based in Miami, from where they helped shape and launch the careers of dozens of Latino artists, including Shakira and Ricky Martin. Miami is the place they call home, like thousands of Cuban exiles. Gloria arrived in Florida at the age of two and never left. Now, she watches with concern and fear the anti-immigrant turn of Donald Trump. Thats why she believes its more important than ever to celebrate Latino roots.

Gloria welcomes EL PAIS to Sony Studios in New York just days before her latest release. Shes joined by Emilio, who wrote several of the lyrics and looks as happy as if it were the first time they were releasing an album. As they listen to the songs in the studio, they tap their feet to the rhythm and occasionally exchange shy glances. Yes, were happy, shell say later. No less than that.

Gloria Estefan

Question. What are your roots?

Answer. My roots are Asturian. My grandfather had a large family in Pola de Siero [a town in the Spanish region of Asturias] and went to Cuba. My grandmothers grandparents were also Spanish, like most Cubans. I was only in Cuba for the first two years of my life, but I have very strong roots there. My mother instilled it in me; I think she absorbed Jose Marti. When we arrived in the United States, the idea was to return, and it was very important to her to maintain those Cuban roots in music, in food, in the way of being. And when she saw we werent going to return, it became even more important. So, only Spanish was spoken in my home. I grew up listening to Cuban music: Cachao, Celia Cruz, Olga Guillot, La Lupe... And also to people like Nat King Cole, who went to Cuba a lot and my mom was a fan. Andy Williams, the Trio Los Panchos, Javier Solis. All of that is in my roots. I also feel part Lebanese because Ive been with Emilio longer than without him, and I was able to live very close to his parents, who held on to those roots. So I feel like a citizen of the world; Im at ease wherever I go.

Q. Will you ever set foot in Cuba again?

A. I set foot in Cuba in 1979, with Jimmy Carter [as U.S. president]. We wanted to get Emilios brother and his two sons out. It was very difficult for me; my mother didnt want me to go. We werent well-known yet, but it was tough; it gave me a kind of phobia. I felt what Emilio calls castrophobia, instead of claustrophobia. I started having dreams where we couldnt leave. I would like to sing in a free Cuba one day, although that dream is becoming increasingly distant.

Q. What is Miami to you?

A. Miami is my home. I lived abroad for a couple of years when my father was in the American army. The happiest years of my childhood were in South Carolina because my little sister, my father, and my mother were together, until he went to Vietnam, and we returned to Miami with my grandmother. Miami is like being in old Cuba and in Latin America, while still being in the United States.

Q. Its been a while since you sang in Spanish. What does Spanish give you that English doesnt?

A. Its the language of my heart. In English, you have to be more careful because in love songs, they accuse you of being too saccharine, or of being too emotionally expressive. Spanish gives me free rein.

Q. Youve achieved success, awards, and money. Youve built a family that seems close. Do you have a perfect life?

A. I couldnt ask for more! Were a normal family, and like in any family, there are things  but I cant ask for more because Ive lived beyond any dream I could have ever had. And yes, were happy. Were a family who loves each other and likes each other, which is the hard part.

Q. Emilio recently told EL PAIS that the secret to being married for 47 years was to always say yes to you.

A. Thats a joke. But now that I think about it... hes never said no to anything Ive proposed to him. We have a lot of respect for each other. If its something I have to confront head-on, its my decision. Likewise, if its something hes doing with another artist, its his decision. We share any of our opinions, but we know how far the manager can go before ruining things for the husband. Weve learned that over the years.

Q. What does it mean to be Latina in the United States?

A. Right now its difficult, and its never been difficult for me before. Now Im a little scared, seeing whats happening. Im scared for others, not for myself. And I know from my parents experience that you can think everything is perfect, and then suddenly, from one day to the next, everything can fall apart.

Gloria Estefan. Gato Rivero

Q. You are talking about the Cuban experience.

A. Yes, one day they had everything and the next day...

Q. Is this a key moment for the United States?

A. Americans who have lived here a long time dont appreciate how fragile freedom is. Because its always existed, obviously depending on who you are, because the African-American community in this country has been through a lot and continues to go through so much. And regarding Latinos, Im used to the fact that in every election, the last person to enter the country is the one who pays the price. But the things that have kept this country what it is have always been there, and now were seeing them falling apart in pieces, like when someone ignores a judges order. So, Im praying a lot and not watching much television.

Q. Does it depress you?

A. It worries me and makes me a little anxious. I dont like how it makes me feel. Obviously, closing my eyes isnt the right thing to do, and if the time came that I needed to say something, I would.

Q. Youve never positioned yourselves politically in the United States.

A. Emilio and I are non-affiliated. Were neither Democrats nor Republicans. I believe there are two parties, and everyone is in the middle. The extremes are always what you hear the most of, but most people arent like that. I have faith in this country, I have faith in the judicial system, but you have to be careful. Democracy is a living, breathing thing, and if you dont give it oxygen, it can die.

Q. Would you say anything to Trump?

A. If I have something to tell him, Ill tell him, but he wont listen to me.

Q. What would that be?

A. Oh my God, I dont even want to think about it!

Q. Its said that the Estefans have created an empire. Are you the lady of the empire?

A. Neither of us are. Emilio still feels like an immigrant; every time we go to a hotel, he takes flip-flops. He doesnt realize what hes done, nor does he think about it.

Q. Sony rejected your song Conga seven times, and seven years later, Emilio became president of Sony Latin. How did that happen?

A. Well, we convinced them. We were very successful. Emilio started making records, brought Ricky Martin to the Grammys, and it all started happening. [Former Sony CEO] Tommy Mottola is a very intelligent man, and he knew there were people going to Emilio to produce. Shakira came with her first album, and I told her, Shaki, you can cross the pond. And to show her how she could succeed in English, I wrote Ojos asi, Tu and Inevitable. Shakira is super intelligent and creative, and she immediately got to work, started learning, and started composing in English herself.

Q. Shakira, Karol G, Bad Bunny... are they the parents of the Latin boom?

A. Im very proud of them. Obviously, they have a different style of music, but thats not the point: theyre Latino. When I saw Bad Bunny on Saturday Night Live, I was overjoyed because that wouldnt have happened before.

Q. Do you like reggaeton?

A. There are some that I like, and others that are too graphic. For me, music inspires and makes you happy, but theres the artists freedom of expression. I come from a world that lived on double meanings  in Cuba, everything was double entendre. I speak very clearly, but you have to have romance in life too. There is a reggaeton style that I love thats fun, but theres one that is a bit too much for me.

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Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
There are areas where science has no choice but to take risks. Researchers who dare to explore these muddy fields must grapple with the subjective, ambiguous, and even ethically sensitive aspects of their objects of study. The analysis of human happiness is one of those ambiguous areas. For almost a century, scholars have been trying, without reaching agreement, to define, observe, and measure the well-being or flourishing of a society under the rigor of the scientific method. But how? How can a dimension as elusive and mutating as happiness be organized, structured, and systematized? After decades and decades of mulling over this question, some experts are beginning to come up with something that might resemble an answer.

There are no 100% reliable methods for measuring happiness, warns Alejandro Cencerrado, an analyst at the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, one of those research centers that dedicates its knowledge to exploring why some societies are happier than others and what its causes and effects are. Its subjective, and it always will be, he adds. Faced with this, researchers like Cencerrado have opted for the simplest and most complex option of all: asking people directly how they feel.

The analyst explains it this way: If I ask you how happy you are today on a scale of nought to 10, you can give me a pretty good idea. That method has its flaws because if you tell me your day was a seven, Ill never know if its the same as a seven for me. But if you ask thousands and thousands of people, you reach conclusions that are very useful.

Applying this method, various institutes around the world have reached a similar conclusion: that the vast majority of people understand happiness in a multidimensional way. To understand why this is novel, we need to recap a little history.

One of the first to discuss happiness was Aristotle with his concept of eudaimonia, which could be translated as the good life. Its an idea that refers to personal fulfillment through virtue, contemplation, and the material means to sustain it. In other words, it was a pretty holistic vision of happiness, says Tyler VanderWeele, director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. This vision has endured in different forms over time. Thomas Aquinas, for example, defined happiness as complete satisfaction. Something that was only possible if all aspects of life were in order, VanderWeele notes.

Things went awry after the Industrial Revolution with the first more or less serious attempts to measure happiness. At first, the attempt was made through objective quantitative indicators, says Victor Raul Lopez Ruiz, coordinator of the Observatory of Intangibles and Quality of Life at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. GDP growth, criminalization, employment, and life expectancy began to be the data used to determine whether a society was happy or not.

Thus emerged the so-called Easterlin paradox, in which economist Richard Easterlin posited that while increasing a countrys per capita income can improve its inhabitants quality of life, this doesnt necessarily mean they are more satisfied with their lives. In short, there seems to be some truth to the famous saying that money cant buy happiness.

Beginning in the 1980s, and very gradually, researchers like Ed Diene began to shape the concept of happiness from a scientific perspective, distancing themselves from its conceptual, philosophical, or spiritual definition. The old indicators have been replaced by more advanced, subjective measurements with more dimensions, says Lopez Ruiz.

This change, Cencerrado ventures, has a very concrete explanation: When our grandparents wanted to be happy, they knew exactly where to look for their happiness. For example, by achieving a certain economic or social stability. Then, we began to have everything previous generations had always dreamed of, but we still felt anxious, empty, and bored. The idea of happiness began to change, and with it, the ways of measuring it.

Its not just a matter of money

Today, unlike when it was first measured, happiness is studied from multiple dimensions with several groups of variables, explains Lopez Ruiz. Each institution has developed its own method. The Observatory of Intangibles and Quality of Life, for example, creates a personal, residential, and occupational profile of each individual surveyed based on 40 variables. These variables take into account everything from general life satisfaction levels to whether you trust your neighbors, the amount of green spaces in your neighborhood, and how satisfied you are with your job. The expert adds that now we must not only measure economic development, but also include other facets of humanity that contribute to a better quality of life in a society. Its not just about whether there are few robberies in the city you live in, but also about whether youre working in the field you studied, whether you feel fulfilled, or whether you share relationships with your family.

The methods of social and economic sciences have evolved to the point of synthesizing all these intangible and subjective elements into one or more indicators, giving the study of happiness and well-being new nuances. However, Harvards VanderWeele  who uses metrics with between 12 and 54 variables and has just published a report with his initial results in the journal Nature  confesses that researchers working on these topics must accept that they can never be measured perfectly and that, therefore, any such measurement will be partial.

The key, in addition to expanding the range of variables, is to leverage new data analysis tools to process large volumes of information from hundreds of thousands or, preferably, millions of people. Thats always our main challenge, says Lopez Ruiz. The more respondents participate in the studies, the more reliable the results will be, and the more likely it is that more detailed conclusions can be drawn about what collective social happiness is, and how it operates.

Still, with their inaccuracies and all, data matters. Measuring happiness should be a state responsibility, argues Cencerrado. If we call ourselves a welfare state, we have to ask people if they are truly well. These issues, according to the experts consulted, are being taken increasingly seriously, but they still play a secondary role in decision-making. The scientific movement of well-being and flourishing still has a lot of work ahead of it to ensure that its approaches are clearly integrated into public policies, says VanderWeele.

What we measure as scientists truly influences what we discuss as a society, what we study, what we know, what we aspire to achieve, and the policies we implement to achieve those goals, the researcher adds.

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Thousands of Harvard students in crimson-fringed gowns celebrated their graduation Thursday, as a judge extended a temporary block on Donald Trump's bid to prevent the prestigious university from enrolling international scholars.

Trump has made Harvard the central target of his campaign against elite US universities, which he has also threatened with funding freezes over what he says is liberal bias and anti-Semitism.

Judge Allison Burroughs said she would later issue a preliminary injunction that "gives some protection" to international students while the sides argue over the legality of Trump's stance.

"Our students are terrified and we're (already) having people transfer" to other universities, Harvard's lawyer Ian Gershengorn said during the hearing in Boston.

In an eleventh-hour filing ahead of the hearing, the Trump administration issued a formal notice of intent to withdraw Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students -- kickstarting the process.

The filing gave Harvard 30 days to produce evidence showing why it should not be blocked from hosting and enrolling foreign students -- who make up 27 percent of Harvard's student body.

Burroughs had already temporarily paused the policy, extending that pause Thursday pending the new injunction.

She said she would seek to determine whether the actions of Trump's officials had "a retaliatory motive."

A law professor present in the packed court said the Trump administration was prolonging the suffering of students.

"Harvard is in this purgatory. What is an international student to do?" said the Harvard Law School graduate, who declined to be named.

- 'Pride and approval' -

There also remained "this specter of other actions" the government could take to block Harvard having international students, she added.

The Ivy League institution has continually drawn Trump's ire while publicly rejecting his administration's repeated demands to give up control of recruitment, curricula and research choices.

"Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect, and all they're doing is getting in deeper and deeper," Trump said Wednesday.

Harvard president Alan Garber got a huge cheer Thursday when he mentioned international students attending the graduation with their families, saying it was "as it should be" -- but Garber did not mention the Trump fight directly.

He received a standing ovation, which one student told AFP was "revealing of the community's pride and approval."

Garber has led the legal fightback in US academia after Trump targeted several prestigious universities -- including Columbia, which made sweeping concessions to the administration, hoping to claw back $400 million of withdrawn federal grants.

He has acknowledged that Harvard does have issues with anti-Semitism and that it has struggled to ensure that a variety of views can be safely heard on campus.

Graduating student Uzma Farheen, from India, obtained a Master of public health and said the day was one of "love for the global community."

"We stand united to powerfully represent what Harvard stands for -- truth, integrity, and inclusion," she told AFP.

Ahead of the ceremony, at which stage and screen star Rita Moreno was awarded an honorary degree, members of the Harvard band in crimson blazers filed through the narrow streets of Cambridge.

In front of a huge stage, hundreds of students assembled to hear speeches, including one entirely in Latin, in a grassy precinct that was closed off to the public for security.

Many students from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government carried inflatable plastic globes at the ceremony to symbolize the international makeup of the school's student body.

"In the last two months it's been very difficult, I've been feeling a lot of vulnerability," said one such student, Lorena Mejia, 36, who graduated with a Master in Public Administration and proudly wore robes identifying her as a Colombian.

gw/bgs
Wax figure of an 8-year-old girl with widespread ringworm who died in 1880, in the Olavide Museum in Madrid.

The Complutense University of Madrid has decided to remove from its premises one of the worlds most unique collections of medical history: the Olavide Museum, a veritable sanctuary of unusual hyperrealist sculptures.

Its origin dates back to Madrids Calle de Atocha street, which was home to hell on earth until 1897. There stood the San Juan de Dios Hospital, a facility devoted to treating impoverished patients suffering from devastating skin diseases  especially sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, which disproportionately affected prostitutes. Hundreds of these women  many forced into sexual slavery from a young age were immortalized in haunting wax sculptures by the father of Spanish dermatology, Jose Eugenio Olavide, and his colleagues, to be used as teaching tools for medical students.

There are also beggar children with ringworm, day laborers with psoriasis, bricklayers with leprosy, sewer cleaners with infected wounds, and laundresses whose hands were destroyed from endless washing.

The museums director, dermatologist Pablo Lazaro, is outraged. I find it unacceptable that a museum of medical history which is a living demonstration of the teaching method  should be thrown out onto the street. Its unacceptable, he laments.

Until now, the exhibition occupied 560 square meters, provided by the Complutense University since 2014, in the semi-abandoned basements of the Faculty of Medicine. On May 22, the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology  which oversees the collection  received an official notice from the universitys manager, Ana Maria Cantalejo, ordering them to urgently vacate the premises, and to removal of all items, before the end of the academic year.

The Complutense University  struggling under budget cuts from the Madrid regional government of Isabel Diaz Ayuso  claims that for economic and organizational reasons, the space must now be allocated to other academic uses, according to which EL PAIS has had access.

The objects located there, as Cantalejo calls them, are more than 670 wax figures of the unfortunate patients of the San Juan de Dios Hospital  which together constitute what is possibly the only museum of sculptures of poor people in the world.

The Spanish writer and physician Pio Baroja described that grim building in his 1911 novel The Tree of Knowledge. The patients were of the lowest and most miserable class, Baroja wrote. To see so many unfortunate women forsaken and homeless in this gloomy room, a human refuse-help: to verify with his own eyes the poison that undermines sexual life, impressed Andres painfully. This hospital, now fortunately pulled down, was a disgusting, dirty, evil-smelling place. Its windows looked onto the Calle de Atocha, and besides their iron bars had a wire netting, so that the site of the women at the window should not offend the neighborhood.

The director of the Olavide Museum, Pablo Lazaro (left), and the conservationists Amaya Maruri and David Aranda. Ines Arcones

The Madrid dermatologist Jose Eugenio Olavide (1836-1901) and his colleagues were inspired by the wax figure museum at the Hospital of Saint Louis in Paris. The two collections have followed very different paths.

The Parisian museum was officially inaugurated during the 1889 Universal Exposition  alongside the Eiffel Tower  and remains there to this day, housed in its original, impressive building as a gem of medical history.

The Spanish collection, by contrast, has been floundering for over a century. The first museum opened in 1882 within the already crumbling San Juan de Dios Hospital, which was abandoned in 1897. At that time, hundreds of wax statues of disfigured individuals were moved in a somber procession down Calle de Atocha to their next home, a new building near Madrids famous Retiro Park.

When Francoist authorities decided to demolish that building in 1966 to make way for the current Gregorio Maranon Hospital, the figures were packed into boxes, stored in a dilapidated warehouse  and forgotten.

At the time, the collection belonged to the Madrid Provincial Council, the institutional predecessor of the Madrid regional government. In 2002, a senior official asked the Complutense Universitys Museum of Forensic Anthropology  an eclectic exhibition featuring Egyptian mummies, human skulls, weapons used in real crimes, and even a garrote to take custody of the wax figures.

In 2005, the collection was moved to the headquarters of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in Madrid. And at Christmas that same year, another 120 boxes containing additional sculptures were discovered at the Nino Jesus Hospital.

Conservators David Aranda and Amaya Maruri, who began restoring the figures as volunteers at the Complutense 21 years ago, recount the collections bizarre journey since then: a storage facility in Torrejon de Ardoz, a sweltering truck where some of the figures melted, a stint in what was to become a gym in Chamberi, and a former aerobics room in Leganes.

Wax figure of a child treated at the now-defunct San Juan de Dios Hospital in Madrid. Ines Arcones

The Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and the Complutense University finally reached an agreement to rescue the Olavide Museum more than a decade ago, thanks in large part to the efforts of dermatologist Luis Conde Salazar, who passed away two months ago. At the time, the rector  mathematician Carlos Andradas  presented the museums reopening in December 2016 as a milestone.

For us, it is a pleasure and a privilege to bring together this collection from the Olavide Museum at the Complutense University, in the best Faculty of Medicine in the country, heir to the first medical study centers, said Andradas, who was rector until 2019, when he was succeeded by veterinarian Joaquin Goyache. For us, it is also the first step in a project we have long cherished, namely, creating a great Museum of Medicine, in which we bring together the wonderful treasures of our museums and collections.

The project to create a Museum of Medicine quickly collapsed due to lack of funding, staff, and space, according to a university spokesperson. And now, the crown jewel of Spanish dermatology has been left out on the street.

We are not an institution with the financial power to secure a space at will, explains Lazaro, the museum director. This has caught us off guard. Couldnt they have spoken to us earlier?

The agreement between the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and Complutense University expired in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. The museum director says he met with Vice-Rector Isabel Garcia Fernandez on October 4, 2023, to request an extension, but the agreement was never renewed.

Figure of a man covered in sores, in a box in the storage room of the Olavide Museum, in Madrid. Ines Arcones

EL PAIS visited the Olavide Museum on March 28 to prepare a report on its slow demise in the leaky basements of the Faculty of Medicine. Its location  resembling an old, abandoned hospital with long corridors is so eerie that the university rents out nearby spaces for horror film shoots, charging up to 10,000 ($11,000) a day. Even the production company behind the U.S. TV series The Walking Dead has shown interest in the site.

Museum staff are aware of at least three break-ins at this wing of the faculty, including one in which intruders managed to enter the storage rooms, fortunately without causing any damage. In September 2019, torrential rains flooded three of the exhibitions rooms.

Conservators David Aranda and Amaya Maruri explain why the Olavide Museum is unique. According to them, the sculptors at Madrids San Juan de Dios Hospital didnt just replicate the lesions in wax  as was done in Paris  but included a larger portion of each patients body, and often their face.

As Aranda and Maruri walk through the museum, they turn some of the figures around 180 degrees. On the reverse side of each face is the medical history of the individual, marked with the initials of their first and last names. Its an astonishing window into life in 19th-century Spain.

Wax figures at the Olavide Museum in Madrid. Ines Arcones

The stories are harrowing, like the one found behind the figure of a woman with her tongue protruding, covered in ulcers: N. S., 21 years old, single, native of Seville, of nervous temperament, well-built, with no hereditary medical history: she reported that having her first menstruation at age 12, and leading a licentious life thereafter, she contracted several conditions  some out of whim or to satisfy venereal orgasm; others due to her adventurous profession.

Another sculpture is of a pale, extremely sad-looking boy: M. P., a 7-year-old boy, native of Madrid, sheltered in an orphanage, admitted to this hospital on June 14, 1881. His head was covered with crusts, moist and yellowish, from which an unbearable odor emanated, and the development of parasites coincided with the rash, making the itching even more unbearable and exasperating.

The mistreatment these wax statues now suffer is insignificant compared to the indignities these people endured in life.

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ECRI renews racism claim against Italian police.

Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni has blasted allegations of racism in the Italian police forces by a Council of Europe panel as "simply shameful" and "unfounded".

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the councils independent human rights monitoring body, on Wednesday urged the Italian government to look into alleged "racial profiling" by its police forces.

Meloni strongly defended the record of the Italian police, slamming the latest findings by the ERCI as "unfounded" and "the result of an ideological approach and obvious prejudices."

"Everyone knows about the numerous incidents in which law enforcement officers are attacked, often by illegal immigrants, while carrying out their duties with courage, dedication and respect for the law", Meloni wrote on X, recalling that "unfortunately" it is not the first time the ERCI has made such allegations.

Le parole pronunciate dalla Commissione contro il razzismo e lintolleranza del Consiglio dEuropa, che accusano le Forze di Polizia italiane di razzismo, sono semplicemente vergognose.



Tutti conoscono i numerosi episodi in cui agenti delle Forze dellOrdine vengono aggrediti, pic.twitter.com/Tw6YZut3ZY  Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 28, 2025

Last October the the ECRI accused Italian police of frequent stop and account activities based on ethnicity, particularly in relation to "the Roma community and people of African descent, claiming it amounted to "a potential form of institutional racism.

The latest findings by the ERCI were also slammed by deputy premier and foreign minister Antonio Tajani who described the allegations as "obscure and false", telling reporters that the claims risks "fomenting hatred" towards Italy's police.

In a significant move, Italian president Sergio Mattarella has invited Italy's chief of police Vittorio Pisani to the Quirinale Place on Thursday to "reconfirm the Republic's esteem and trust in the police force, whose action is inspired by the democratic spirit and the values of the Constitution."

Photo credit: NGCHIYUI / Shutterstock.com.
The latest star in the cast of federal judges turned protagonists of the movie about Donald Trumps second administration is Allison D. Burroughs, a magistrate serving on the District Court of Massachusetts in Boston. Appointed during Barack Obamas presidency, a fact that suggests she has a certain Democratic affiliation, she was the judge who last Friday issued a temporary suspension of the White Houses decision to prohibit Harvard University from continuing its foreign student and research exchange program.

The Trump administrations order arrived last Thursday by letter. Signed by Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary wrote: This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. Noem added that, effective immediately, some 6,800 of those international students (27% of Harvards total) would lose their visas and were left with two options: find another university, or face deportation.

Harvard sued the government on Friday for what it called an act of retaliation, and within hours, Burroughs ordered the measure suspended, arguing that implementing it would cause immediate and irreparable harm to the university.

Burroughs is a veteran of Harvard law. In 2019, five years after her appointment, she sided with the university in a case in which the plaintiffs, a group called Students for Fair Admissions, challenged the universitys affirmative action in evaluating applicants for admission, arguing that it violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The policy, the plaintiffs argued, severely disadvantaged Asian students, an ethnic group within which applicant competition is higher than among non-Asian students.

Burroughs, who applied to Harvard as a young woman and was rejected, sided with the prestigious university because she understood that the institution acted without discriminatory intent or conscious bias.

Allison Burroughs during her Senate confirmation as a federal judge in 2014.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over the Northeastern United States and Puerto Rico, upheld the lower courts decision the following year. The plaintiffs successfully persuaded the Supreme Court to hear the case in 2021. In a decision of six votes (the six conservative justices) to two (the progressive justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor), the Supreme Court ended 40 years of affirmative action at American universities. The high courts only Black female justice, the newly appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, did not vote in that case; Jackson recused herself due to her ties to Harvard at the time.

Judge Burroughs also reviewed a lawsuit filed by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), against the first Trump administration. At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ordered international students enrolled online to leave the country. In that case, Burroughs didnt have time to issue a ruling because ICE withdrew its efforts, and those students were able to continue their studies remotely in the United States.

Demand to freeze $2.2 billion

The judge is also considering the other ongoing lawsuit between Harvard and Trump. In April, the university sued the government for the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal funds after it refused to accept policy changes demanded by the White House. A few weeks later, another $450 million was cut, and the president threatened to revoke Harvards tax-exempt status.

Last Monday, in a post on his social media platform, Truth, in which the U.S. president has been airing his outstanding scores with Harvard, he wrote that federal officials were still waiting for academic authorities to provide them with lists of foreign students at Harvard who they suspect of participating in illegal activities during last years pro-Palestinian protests.

We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country. Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason! The best thing Harvard has going for it is that they have shopped around and found the absolute best Judge (for them!)  But have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN! Trump wrote in his usual convoluted syntax.

Harvard President Alan Garber gave an interview Tuesday to NPR, another institution targeted by Trump. The money that goes to research universities in the form of grants and contracts, which is almost all of the federal support that we get, is used to pay for work that we perform at the behest of the government, Garber said. Reallocating to some other use, as Trump proposed Monday, when he threatened $3 billion more in cuts, to give that money to trade schools, means, for Garber, that work [for which Washington has already paid] just wont be performed.

The Trump administration announced shortly after the interview aired that federal agencies would cut all current contracts with Harvard. The financial hit amounts to approximately $100 million. Both sides then appeared in court before Burroughs. The judge summoned them again for this Thursday. Then, a fight that has shaken the American academic world could end up in the Supreme Court, dominated by a conservative majority of six justices, unprecedented since the 1930s. Three of them were appointed by Trump during his first term.

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Nestled within the shadow of the Comeragh Mountains in one of the most picturesque areas of Waterford is the sleepy rural village of Kilrossanty.

However, within the village is a remarkable story of one family's historic links with the pub trade; a story that stretches back five generations, over 145 years.

Joe Walsh is the current proprietor of Micilin's Bar and his familial links to the pub go back to when his great-great-grandfather purchased the pub way back in 1880, in a very different Ireland.

Watch the video below as Waterford News & Star met with Joe in the village to discuss his family's association with the bar and to talk about the anniversary celebrations which will take place over this coming June bank holiday weekend.
Nestled within the shadow of the Comeragh Mountains in one of the most picturesque areas of Waterford is the sleepy rural village of Kilrossanty.

However, within the village is a remarkable story of one family's historic links with the pub trade; a story that stretches back five generations, over 145 years.

Joe Walsh is the current proprietor of Micilin's Bar and his familial links to the pub go back to when his great-great-grandfather purchased the pub way back in 1880, in a very different Ireland.

Waterford News & Star met with Joe in the village to discuss his family's association with the bar and to talk about the anniversary celebrations which will take place over the June bank holiday weekend.

(To watch a video of the interview with Joe in the bar click here)

As we strolled through the graveyard located straight across from the pub, Joe referred to the bar's previous owner, Mary Callahan: "She died in 1875 and she had two sons, who pre-deceased her and we think they may have died around the time of the famine."

His own parents and other family members are buried in the cemetery.

"That lady owned the pub and it was then in 1880 that my great-great-grandfather, William Walsh, bought the pub," said Joe.

His great-great-grandfather was more commonly known as 'Bill Jack' Walsh and Joe said that when he bought it, he planned for his two daughters to take it over.

"He put two daughters in it but they eloped with two local men and then he put my father's grandfather in there - a man named Maurice Walsh," said Joe.

"So the original man was William Walsh, then there was Maurice Walsh - my father's grandfather - then there was my father, Michael, then there's me and then one of my sons, Darragh" he added.

"So, it's five generations of the one family and it's remained in the same family all that time."

While Joe acknowledged that's it's not necessarily the oldest pub in the country he commented: "It's definitely one of them and certainly one of the few that have remained in the same family, with the same family name, all that time. It was ever a pub and it's unique in that tradition because it's carried on."

"There are so many now today that are closing and being turned into apartments because people are not staying in the pub trade anymore," he said.

Joe said the challenges facing rural Irish pubs are immense and with that in mind it's among the reasons why he and his family can feel justifiably proud to be still in business and to be carrying on something that his direct forefathers started.

He himself is also employed in a business in Waterford City and said that's just the nature and reality of life in Ireland today.

"The life of the country pub, there's so much against it and the drink culture itself has changed," said Joe.

"There's not a living to be made in it anymore, not like it used to be."

Kilrossanty is in many ways the picture-postcard image of Ireland. A small rural village where passers-by greet each other with a cheery "hello" and life goes on at a pace that's just that bit more appealing than that of busier, larger urban areas.

However, for Joe, who will celebrate his 60th birthday this year, life in the village has changed a lot over the years.

"In this village we had three shops," he said.

"We had a shop in my mother's time, it's closed over 30 years now," he added. Then pointing to other locations on the village street he indicated where other shops and businesses once stood.

Within the confines of the current graveyard, in times gone by, were located a post-office and a shop but all that's changed.

"Where my parents are buried, that was where there was a post-office and a shop," said Joe.

"They knocked it 40 years ago and turned it into a graveyard."

"There was actually another pub here too - and it was only made known to me recently - Costen's but that's gone with years," he said.

"The only pub in the village now is Micilin's Bar," he added.

Joe Walsh's family has been associated with the bar since 1880. He took it over in 1989. Pic: Summer Venn-Keane

When Joe took over the business in 1989, it was a seven-day-a-week business but that's changed in the interim.

"It was seven days and was trading well but now it's Thursday to Sunday and I work in Bausch & Lomb as well," he said.

In addition to being a hostelry, the bar was also a safe house during the troubles in the 1920s and a man who arrived back following World War II, a man named Michael Sheehan, is buried in the village's old churchyard.

"My grandmother, Bridget Hassett, she took him in and looked after him and he's buried up there," said Joe.

"There is a lot of history after being associated with the bar and what it's after seeing in all that time," he added.

As we chatted on the street outside the bar a bus happened to pass and Joe remarked: "There wasn't too many buses passed by here 145 years ago!"

Inside the pub there is an old world feel that carries a charm that can't be manufactured. The decor harks back to a time when it would have been busy every night of the week. However, while the opening times may now be Thursday to Sunday the bar still goes good business and is a well-known spot for birthday parties and other significant occasions.

The Walsh association with the pub goes back to William 'Bill Jack' Walsh in 1880. Pic: Summer Venn-Keane

Bill Jack's wife was a woman named Ally Hennebery and Joe revealed that during the time of the famine she risked her own health - and potentially her life - to aid families who were evicted locally.

"She used to take food to them every day and at the time there was cholera and other diseases so she risked her own life bringing food to them," said Joe.

Remembering back to when there was a shop adjoined to the pub, Joe said that even when it came to the papers one had to know the clientele because some would be Fianna Fail and some would be Fine Gael and commented: "You daren't mix up those papers."

Joe is very proud of his family's long association with the bar and what it means to the village and is hopeful that one of his own family will take it over as the fifth generation. There have been some upgrades and extensions made to the premises along the way but it's footprint is that of a building whose walls have echoed the conversations of generations of local families.

During our conversation Joe also revealed another significant aspect to the history of Kilrossanty - whose colours are green and gold like the Kingdom.

"We're the home of the green and gold and as they say we brought the green and gold jersey to the Kingdom," he said.

"Many moons ago it was actually a Kilrossanty man gave them the colours," he added.

"I think it was a Kirwan man and Kerry were going playing and they had no jerseys apparently," he said.

"They had red jerseys available but they wouldn't wear them because of Cork, well that's what I was told, and this man was down there on holidays and had a set of Kilrossanty jerseys with him and that's how it came to be that a Kilrossanty man brought the green and gold to Kerry," he added.

A Kilrossanty man is said to have given the green and gold colours to Kerry. Pic: Summer Venn-Keane

Looking ahead to the forthcoming celebrations Joe said he's looking forward to it and to the community coming together for a happy occasion.

The event celebrations will get under way on Friday, May 30, with happy hour and on Saturday night, May 31, there will be complementary barbecue from 7.30pm to 9pm followed by music with Gally.

Then on Sunday, June 1, there will be music with Woody from 10pm to midnight.

"We're looking forward to next weekend and everyone is welcome," he said.

However, Joe is also looking forward to celebrating another milestone anniversary in five years time: "We may do something else for the 150th, God willing if we're still alive."
Waterford City and County Council have listed 113 properties on the Derelict Sites register.

The latest Plenary Planning Report showed that the Council are currently engaged in over 300 sites labelled as 'derelict' or 'potentially derelict'.

The Active Land Management and Derelict Sites Team stated in the report: "The team is currently addressing a total of 331 properties classified as either derelict or potentially derelict.

"In recent weeks and months, there has been a significant increase in activity, with 113 properties now listed on the Derelict Sites Register. Engaging with property owners or their representatives is essential for addressing dereliction issues and understanding the numerous factors that contribute to the properties' current condition."

The report continued: "The level of activity in the property market concerning vacant and derelict properties has notably increased. Among the properties we have identified as derelict, several have been reintroduced to the private market voluntarily, with some currently at the 'sale agreed' or 'to let' stages."

Vacant sites

The team are informing owners of vacant sites about the vacant property refurbishment grants available to them. April 2025 saw 13 new files opened for derelict sites in Waterford. From this figure, six files were opened under Section 8(2) Notices issued  Intention to enter the site on Derelict Sites Register; four files were opened under Section 8(7) Notices issued  Entry of site onto Derelict Sites Register; one file was opened under Section 11 Notices issued  Measures required to render the site non-derelict; and two files were opened under Notices served to Compulsorily Purchase Acquisitions (CPA).

The team further stated: "In April 2025, the derelict sites team successfully collaborated with property owners to remove several properties from dereliction, thus alleviating their derelict status. At the time of writing this report, we have successfully closed 91 cases."

As of May 28, 2025, there are 118 sites on the Derelict Sites Register. The combined market value is upwards of millions of euros. There is a Derelict Site Levy in place for building owners to pay, however, only a percentage of the levy is paid back to the Council. The derelict site levy is 7% of the estimated market value of the land stipulated.

Planning applications

In April 2025, the Metropolitan District received 44 planning applications, an increase on last year's figure of 37 during the same period. Over 15 applications were made to the Heritage Council's Community Heritage Schemes; "ranging from conservation repairs to heritage buildings, to website development, geophysical surveys and heritage management plans. The outcome will be known by end of May."

Waterford Council has also been allocated 230,000 for four projects under the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Governments Community Monuments Fund as follows; Conservation Management Plan for Dunhill Castle and Graveyard - 29,963.22, Conservation Works to Blackfriars Abbey, Waterford - 69,454; Woodstown Viking Site Festival - 1,000 and Dromana House - 130,000.
Kilmacthomas centre and its nearby primary school are to be regenerated with a number of upcoming works.

As part of the Safe Routes to School Active Travel scheme, a number of traffic calming, footpath widening, buildouts, parking realignments, and placemaking is planned.

The scheme also proposes a new pedestrian crossing on the junction between the R677 and L3306.

Pencil bollards, a standard detail used across the country, which inform drivers that they are approaching a school, are to be erected outside the school.

Additional funding has also been procured for works in the villages centre, where traffic calming, footpath construction, footpath widening, buildouts, parking realignment and placemaking are proposed outside Centra.

A new pedestrian crossing is planned on the main road in Kilmacthomas village, new concrete footpaths are planned and current parking outside Centra will become more regularized.

The T-junction at the village's grotto will also be altered, with Michael Murphy, Active Travel Senior Engineer with Waterford Council,

saying: "Weve got agreement from the parish priest to move the grotto back a little bit to allow us to put in a proper footpath and proper pedestrian crossing. Its quite a busy T-junction and there is no facility there at the moment to cross so were putting a pedestrian crossing there."

Mr. Murphy said that the scheme aims to facilitate children walking to school, particularly from new housing estates in the area.

This is the sole Active Travel project taking place in the Comeragh area this year, however it is understood that schools in Newtown and Kilrossanty are penned for similar works next year.

Mr. Murphy said that the scheme has proved very popular in the county.

"Its a great scheme and we want to do an awful lot more, but unfortunately theres only so many we can do. Typically were doing three a year. Its a victim of its own success."

Councillors in the area supported the works last week during a meeting of Waterford Council.

Cllr Liam Brazil commented that it was a very good news story for Kilmacthomas, whilst Cllr John OLeary "welcomed and encouraged" the development.

Cllr Declan Clune said regarding the works outside Centra, that it will prove beneficial to locals.

This is something that would have come up a lot last year when we were preparing for local elections, particularly around the local school and the square.

"Particularly for elderly people, within Centra there is the post office, so there's a lot of people collecting their pensions and a lot of young people crossing over from the school so this is a brilliant job from top to bottom."
A special message from Waterford musician Moncrieff was delivered to young people at this weeks Garda Youth Awards.

The event brought together young people from across the county to celebrate their contributions to the local community in the past year through volunteerism, inspiring initiatives and personal triumphs.

Moncrieff congratulated everyone involved this year, saying: "The work youve done, either through working in your communities, volunteering or overcoming personal challenges is honestly inspiring and you should be extremely proud of yourselves. Its people like you who give hope to the rest of us.

The full video can be viewed HERE

Additional coverage of the award ceremony will be available in next Tuesday's edition of the Waterford News & Star and at waterford-news.ie
Sean McCarthaigh

A well-known hospitality group on Dublins northside has been ordered to pay 17,000 to a former assistant manager of one of its restaurants who was made redundant shortly after notifying her manager she was pregnant.

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that McHughs Restaurants had discriminated against Karen Condell on grounds of gender over her dismissal from her role as assistant manager at McHughs restaurant in Portmarnock.

The WRC found that it had breached the Employment Equality acts 1998-2015 in its handling of the dismissal.

The company, which also operates McHughs restaurant in Raheny and Blackbanks bar and grill in Kilbarrack, is part of a group which also operates a number of off-licences and Centra stores.

Ms Condell claimed the redundancy cited as the reason for her dismissal was not genuine.

She told the WRC that she informed her employer in June 2024 that she was pregnant.

Ms Condell said she was subsequently informed by the groups hospitality manager, Paul Foley, at the end of July 2024 that the restaurant in Portmarnock would be closing but she was reassured that redeployment options would be explored.

She gave evidence that no alternative role was found for her over the period she worked out her notice.

The company said a decision was taken to close the Portmarnock restaurant on July 30th, 2024.

Mr Foley gave evidence that attempts were made to find alternative employment for affected staff.

He stated employees with over a year of service were subsequently offered roles elsewhere within the group but only one staff member with less than 12 months service  a chef  was redeployed due to a specific vacancy matching their role.

Mr Foley said he had noted that all our hospitality businesses are worryingly slow when asked by Mr Condell in August 2024 about another role.

He told her on August 27th, 2024 that no alternative jobs had been found.

Mr Foley said he mentioned that there might be a role in a deli although he had no authority over the groups grocery division, although he thought it might not be suitable given she was pregnant.

WRC adjudication officer, Breiffni ONeill, said he was satisfied that there was prima facie evidence that Ms Condell was discriminated against as the restaurants owner had failed to source an alternative role for her following the closure of the outlet in Portmarnock.

Mr ONeill contrasted her situation with many of her colleagues from the Portmarnock restaurant who were not pregnant and who were given jobs elsewhere within the group.

He highlighted how the company had held no discussions with Ms Condell prior to notifying her she was being made redundant on July 30th, 2024.

Mr ONeill said she was also not provided with any opportunity to engage in what would have been a very belated consultation process about her redundancy in advance of her termination date.

He specifically pointed to how she had not been asked for any input or questioned about her transferable skills, qualifications or previous experience.

The WRC official noted that Mr Foley was unable to say if any other roles had become available within the group during her notice period which had not been offered to other staff from the Portmarnock restaurant.

The respondent did not take sufficient and effective measures to avoid dismissing the complainant on the grounds of redundancy, said Mr ONeill.

Ordering McHughs Restaurants to pay Ms Condell compensation of 17,000  the equivalent of 26 weeks pay  for the negative effects of her discriminatory dismissal, Mr ONeill said the sanction should be effective, dissuasive and proportionate.

While a higher award might well be justified in the case, he said it took into account Ms Condells relatively short period of employment and the relatively small nature of the respondents business.
The inspiring story of Vicky Phelan, a woman who changed Ireland forever has been made into a powerful and emotionally charged play by Waterfords Stagemad.

Stagemad in collaboration with Tramore's Coastguard Cultural Centre are presenting the gripping play, 'Smear', by Christa De Brun. A one-woman performance based on the life of Vicky Phelan, a Mooncoin woman who became a national figure after exposing the cervical cancer screening scandal in Ireland.

Starring Nicola Spendlove and directed by Derek Flynn, the play follows Vicky as she recounts key moments from her life, her education, diagnosis, legal battle, and activism, highlighting her resilience, courage, and fierce commitment to justice.

Set against the backdrop of a minimalist stage with a single chair and screen projections, Vicky's monologue is both intimate and searing.

She narrates the events leading up to her discovery that a misread cervical smear test delayed her cancer diagnosis, a revelation that affected hundreds of women in Ireland.

Despite her own terminal diagnosis, Vicky refused to be silent. She sued the HSE and LabQuest, ultimately winning a landmark settlement that forced the public and media to confront systemic failures in womens healthcare.

Throughout the play, Vickys voice is unwavering as she challenges institutional negligence, asserts the power of speaking out, and advocates for truth and accountability.

Vicky Phelan

Her words are interwoven with references to Irish cultural identity, feminism, and mortality, making 'Smear' both deeply personal and politically resonant.

Performances take place at The Coastguard Cultural Centre in Tramore from Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22, at 8pm. Book early at gr8events.ie
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Eating outNow closed Chef Neil Perry closes basement jazz bar Bobbies in Double Bay The veteran chef opened his first standalone bar last year with New York bar guru Linden Pride. Now the venue has closed after only eight months of operation. Scott Bolles Updated June 6, 2025 , first published May 29, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Sydney chef Neil Perry has closed his Double Bay jazz bar Bobbies, and relinquished the top floor of his sprawling Song Bird restaurant, as speculation swirled this week about the future of his four-floor Bay Street mega venue. In a statement, the veteran chef confirmed the closure and addressed concerns raised by guests about the restaurants future after recent media reports regarding Perrys negotiations with his landlord about reducing his footprint in the space. Song Bird is absolutely not closing, Perry said. Bobbies co-owners Linden Pride (left) and Neil Perry at their new bar last year. Edwina Pickles Perry also conceded there had been business challenges with the eight-month-old basement bar Bobbies and Song Bird, which also opened last year. Managing three levels as part of the restaurant proved more complex than we anticipated, he said in the statement. The launch of Song Bird and Bobbies, Perrys first standalone bar, around the corner from Margaret, Next Door and Baker Bleu was part of the restaurateurs expansion plans for Double Bay. He and his team spent $13 million on the Bay Street development, $3 million of which was on the bar.

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The top floor of Gaden House  the Neville Gruzman-designed building where the mega venture is located  was originally intended as a dual-purpose event space and a la carte restaurant. It has been handed back to the landlord and will be repurposed as a private office tenancy. Earlier this month, Good Food reported that Bobbies  which Perry opened with New York-based bar operator Linden Pride and his wife Nathalie Hudson  was for sale and being shopped around to Sydney bar operators, some of whom had baulked at the rent. Perry said at the time he would most probably retain the bar, integrating it into Song Bird and relaunching it as Little Bird. Hes changed course on that approach, having seemingly served his last negroni at the bar. Bobbies jazz bar has served its last cocktail. Edwina Pickles Our landlords are in discussions with prospective operators interested in taking over the space, Perry said. Linden and I have mutually agreed to close Bobbies.

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Lindens US-based hospitality group, Dante, is expanding rapidly, with multiple new venues planned across America in the next 18 months, he said. This news follows Perry taking a different approach with Song Bird. In April, he shifted from its strict Cantonese food brief by adding Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese flavours to the menu. The chef said he wanted the flexibility to explore other parts of Asia, and revive some of the classic dishes from earlier in his career, at restaurants such as Wokpool. The restaurateur also recently stepped aside as chair at the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, the industry body he helped to co-found last May. The move allowed him to focus on his business interests, he said. I dont think I have enough time for it, he said at the time. Related Article Exclusive Neil Perry looks to offload Double Bay bar, makes surprising changes at Song Bird
To this end, Wesfarmers has been expanding its beauty offerings in Priceline and a new dedicated beauty store atomica, while Adore Beauty launched its first bricks-and-mortar store in Melbourne last year after 25 years in business. Dr Marian Makkar, a senior marketing lecturer at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, says differentiation is a key challenge for multi-brand retailers. Exclusive brand partnerships and a warm, bespoke customer service experience with an emphasis on bricks-and-mortar retail are central. When you go into the retail space itself, you want to feel like an exclusive customer, she says. For Mecca, staff training is an essential part of the offering, with the brand investing four per cent of turnover in education.

Loading Our team members are true beauty experts  deeply knowledgeable about our brands, products, and application techniques  and skilled at sharing that expertise in a warm, engaging, and high-touch way, the company told this masthead. While Sephoras two main competitors in Australia  Mecca and Priceline  are Australian-owned, Cheah thinks its international positioning gives the brand an edge. We go back to the profile of our consumers, and theyre more well travelled. The fact they come to Sephora, they can shop anywhere in the region and they will still be able to earn points, she says. We bring global brand equity and exclusive brand partnerships.

Makkar attributes Meccas success in part to its high concentration of exclusive brands (around 80 per cent). It appears to be working, with revenue growing from $971.5 million in 2022 to an estimated $1.3 billion for the 2025 financial year. Sephora was unable to say what percentage of its more than 500 brands were exclusive, but its clear that its a strategy pivotal to retailers success, at a time when consumers can order online or buy in store. Lady Gagas beauty brand, Haus Labs, has just launched in Australian Sephora. Credit: Getty Images; Eliza Hayward This month, Sephora will add Lady Gagas Haus Labs to its stable of Sephora-only brands in the Asia-Pacific region, which also includes Selena Gomezs Rare Beauty and Rihannas Fenty Beauty. First launched in 2019 on Amazon, Haus Labs relaunched in 2022 with Sephora. Cheah thinks this has been key to it becoming one of the highest-earning celebrity beauty brands today. With all due respect to Amazon, I think Haus Labs story is better communicated [at Sephora], and I think the brand appreciates that out of us as well, says Cheah.

In todays oversaturated market of celebrity beauty brands, it takes more than a famous face to move product. Consumers today are so savvy. They wont spend money on products that dont work, no matter how inexpensive they are, says Cheah. She thinks Haus Labs focus on clean beauty (defined by Sephora as products free from ingredients such as phthalates, sulphates and parabens), skincare-based make-up and focus on social issues (a portion of every sale goes to support Gagas charity, Born this Way Foundation) have all contributed to its success. In June, Sephora and Haus Labs will create activations across Australia in line with Global Pride Month. Cheah says Haus Labs foundation is the top-selling foundation in US Sephora, with similar hopes for the Australian market.

Sephora has made a concerted effort to support Australian beauty brands too  most notably Ultra Violette, a sun care brand thats seen rapid success since launching in 2019. Loading Ultra Violette is sold at Sephora Australia, and has recently entered into the US and Asian markets, again with the help of Sephora. But securing that coveted exclusivity can be tough  Ultra Violette is also available direct from its website and on The Iconic. Cheah is pragmatic. A brand deserves to have the brand available to consumers in the way they would like to be. We cannot put a frame around that, she says.

In some cases, like Ultra Violette, we would love for them to just be in Sephora and only in Sephora because that gives them a greater marketing edge as well with us. Indeed, when brands have the ability to go direct to consumer, why enter an exclusive partnership with a retailer like Sephora? Cheah says a partnership offers a brand access to their global supply chain, consumer data, merchandising and advice on product development. And she thinks having multiple fronts in different retailers can confuse shoppers about a brands messaging. From a consumer standpoint, Makkar says multi-retailers offer convenience for busy shoppers. People are looking for a one-stop shop  you have options all the way from Australian brands, all the way to international brands.
He instructed his cousin to pay next months rent in his absence. He left a record of what to do with each of the belongings hed accumulated over the past two years. In case he didnt return, he parked his 2021 Chevrolet and called an Uber to the Miami Immigration Court building. At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, he had an appointment with the judge to argue his asylum case, and Felipethe name used to protect his identitythought for the first time that he might be deported. Since last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been on the lookout for migrants outside Miami courthouses, trying to detain as many undocumented immigrants as they can. People are afraid. In fact, they are terrified.

Almost at the last minute, Felipe, 28, received an urgent call from his lawyers office. They asked him to leave the building immediately and go to their offices because ICE agents were detaining almost everyone showing up before the authorities. Within half an hour, Felipe was with his lawyers, who requested an online hearing from the judge to avoid his arrest in court. For the moment, everything seems all right for him. The judge has assured him that he will have until 2029 to defend his case.

Its the same amount of time that Duniawho has lived in the U.S. for four years and also prefers to remain anonymouswas given a week ago when she showed up at the downtown Miami building with her baby. Everything was extremely tense; the ICE officers were there in plain clothes. They say they took 18 people away last Wednesday, and 10 on Thursday. Its horrible, she says. The time has come for those of us with I-220As [a form showing that a migrant has been released by ICE but which does not confer lawful or permanent immigration status]; we were the ones left for them to go after. They first went after the parole beneficiaries, then the CBP One applicants, and now us.

Both Felipe and Dunia left Cuba and arrived at the Mexican border hoping to obtain the permanent residency that Cuban citizens have enjoyed in the United States for decades. But things have changed. They remain in I-220A status, which has been granted to some 400,000 Cubans in recent years and prevents them from legalizing their status. Until now, migrants with a I-222A were not in danger. Florida politicians like Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar promised them that they should not fear, that they are just one step away from legalization. But now many people are throwing the question back at Salazar. Recently, they called her a traitor on a billboard, along with other Republican politicians like Carlos Gimenez and Mario Diaz-Balart.

The latest major immigration crusade in Florida is not about status, nor is it focused solely on the criminals who were allegedly the targets of Donald Trumps anti-immigration agenda. The attorney Liudmila Marcelo explained to EL PAIS that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE are currently acting in accordance with a January 23, 2025 memorandum that details over which foreigners the DHS can exercise its authority and place them in expedited deportation proceedings. These are foreigners who have been in the country for less than two years, who do not have an asylum case in court, or whose asylum judge determines that their asylum is deficient and does not merit a final court hearing.

This isnt a practice exclusive to Florida, but rather a national DHS strategy that has also gained traction in Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Once at the hearing, the judge asks the migrants to dismiss the charges. If the person agrees, they lose their case in court and thus, according to the lawyer, have no more asylum claim to defend. This has created confusion in recent weeks, as until now, the dismissal of a case was considered good news for pursuing legal status. But no longer. Once you are without the protection of a court case, you no longer have the right to defend your asylum before the judge and are at the disposal of the government to be placed in expedited removal proceedings, or, in other words, accelerated deportation, says Marcelo, who says the procedure applies to migrants with I-220A status and people who arrived in the country through the CBP One application.

Police officers transporting a detained immigrant in Miami. Departamento de Aplicacion de la Ley de Florida (EFE)

The attorney insists that authorities have been deceptive in their approach to immigration hearings in recent days. This constitutes a violation of due process, due to the deceptive manner in which it was carried out, she maintains. When DHS offers to dismiss the case, they do so by claiming that the person is not a priority for deportation proceedings. In this way, they are deceiving the affected person into accepting the possibility of being left without protection and thus immediately placing them in deportation proceedings, contradicting the basis of the original offer. ICE sources have told Fox News that many more detentions of this type will be seen from now on.

Experts agree that there is no defined criterion when choosing who will be the next detained migrant, but it is clear that they are driven by a larger plan: to accelerate detentions in order to meet the deportation quotas the current president promised during his campaign. To this end, Trump has an ally in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who even before the Republican candidate arrived at the White House was already enacting several laws that placed migrants in a much more vulnerable position.

This crusade should concern us all

During the first months of the year, DeSantis signed laws that once again made clear his anti-immigrant intentions. He proposed automatic and mandatory death penalty for those who remain in the country illegally and have been convicted of capital crimes. He advocated prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses. And he allocated $298 million for immigration enforcement in the state.

As if that werent enough, he gave the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) authority to detain migrants, in collaboration with ICE, something that has instilled panic in a community now afraid to use public transportation, go to work, or take their children to school. Theres no one else in the country doing that, the governor said at a press conference in Tampa. His goal is for state authorities to act independently of the federal government, assuming functions normally assigned to DHS.

Recently, authorities carried out Operation Tide, which they have described as the largest anti-immigration operation in Florida history, with a record 1,120 immigrants detained from April 21 to 26, thanks to the collaboration of several local agencies. They have also presented a strategy to create detention centers with capacity for up to 10,000 migrants, train National Guard agents to act as immigration judges, and promote self-deportation programs.

In a state where one in five residents is an immigrant and some five million were born abroad, many live with uncertainty. Attorney Liudmila Marcelo acknowledges that fear among migrants has increased the number of calls she receives from desperate clients, whether related to their immigration status or that of a family member. Recently, a young Cuban man she assisted, who had arrived in the country through CBP One, suffered a nervous breakdown and self-deported using the CBP Home app.

If that situation affects a young man who is on the verge of legalizing his status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, can you imagine immigrants of other nationalities who have no hope of legalizing their status? the lawyer says. The majority of Venezuelans have been left without the protection of TPS and the work permit that this status grants. As a result, they can lose their drivers licenses and be arrested for driving without proper authorization. I have truly never seen such widespread panic in the immigrant community.

Adriana Rivera, communications director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, agrees. She asserts that while the migrant community has also felt threatened in the past, this time the fear has increased due to the rhetoric underlying the actions. Both the federal and state governments have verbally harassed and terrorized peaceful communities, including those with legal status. This has created an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, mistrust, and a chilling effect; and thats exactly what they want.

For Rivera, however, something that should concern us all is the silence of some state politicians: While some elected leaders are doing something to guarantee the safety and education of all the communities they serve, many more have remained completely silent and have even been complicit in these human rights violations.

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Australian investors are holding out for Donald Trumps next move after a US trade court blocked his Liberation Day tariffs from going into effect on Thursday, ruling that the president had overstepped his authority.

The Court of International Trades three-judge panel ruled on several lawsuits arguing Trump exceeded his authority, casting doubt on trade policies that have jolted global financial markets, frustrated trade partners and raised uncertainty over the outlook for inflation and the global economy. Trump will appeal the decision.

Wall Street is awaiting Nvidias latest results, which will drop after the closing bell. Credit: AP

Many of the Presidents double-digit tariff hikes are paused for up to 90 days to allow time for trade negotiations, but the uncertainty over their eventual outcome has stymied businesses and left consumers wary about what lies ahead.

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Goldman Sachs chief US political economist Alec Phillips observed that the ruling represents a setback for the administrations tariff plans and increases uncertainty but might not change the final outcome for most major US trading partners. Phillips said he expected Trump would find other ways to impose tariffs.

Locally, investors reacted positively to the news, though their outlook was tempered. The Australian sharemarket edged up, with the S&P 200 gaining 12.9 points or 0.2 per cent to 8,409.8, a three-month high. Futures pointed to gains on Wall Street as markets in Asia also rallied.

Read the full market wrap here.
The court was told that after a short conversation on the app, the pair agreed to meet at Donvale Reserve in Melbournes east. The prosecution told the court the victim was set upon by six teenagers before falling to the ground as he was punched, kicked and stomped on. As he lay on the ground, the teenagers taunted him, yelling out homophobic slurs and calling him a b---h and a paedophile. The 17-year-old who initiated contact with the victim then threatened the man with a pair of scissors, demanding his mobile phone PIN code. As the youths threatened to poke out his eyes, the victim handed over his phone. He was taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs and a suspected broken cheek bone.

Loading The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to charges including unlawful assault, recklessly causing injury, threats to kill, affray and imprisonment. Oliver said police had made more than 35 arrests for similar assaults over the past two years. He said the assaults were almost identical across several outer-suburban municipalities, which suggested the attackers were communicating with each other via encrypted messaging services such as Telegram. One victim, James, not his real name, said he responded to an invitation from a Grindr profile last October and agreed to meet a man at a reserve in Highett in Melbournes south-east.

When he arrived at the park, he was ambushed by two young men wielding weapons, while another filmed. I curled up in a ball and tried to protect myself, but its all a bit of a blur, he said. They were going for my head and they split me open. I got up a few times and tried to run but kept falling over. They were laughing at me as I was screaming for help. James said he was unable to comprehend the capacity for such hatred among some young men. Im disgusted that a lot of the community still doesnt accept us. Im not flamboyant, I dont put it in peoples faces and I dont understand why anyone would want to do this, he said. There was a growing acceptance of the gay community, particularly among younger generations, but it feels like thats hit a brick wall. It has a lot to do with toxic masculinity, where young people post and boast online to get street cred, he said.

In a separate case, detailed in the Childrens Court, another 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to charges including unlawful assault, recklessly causing injury and robbery offences. The court was told a victim matched with one of the teenagers on Grindr in October last year. The pair agreed to match for a consensual sexual encounter at a park in Box Hill. When the victim arrived, he was struck in the face and fell to the ground before being punched, kicked and having his head stomped on. One teenager pointed a machete at the man, while another hit him with a metal stick. The victim tried to flee but was tackled to the ground and put in a chokehold by the 17-year-old, the court heard. Graphic footage of the attack, which was played to the court, showed the victim curled up on the ground in the dark park, his face covered in blood and trousers pulled down, while the teenagers violently assaulted him as he screamed for help.

The cases mirror a spate of similar crimes reported this year in NSW, where investigators discovered videos were being posted to TikTok and Instagram accounts that purport to be part of a trend known as paedo hunting. In sentencing the two 17-year-old boys to 12-month probation orders on Tuesday, the presiding judge said the teenagers conduct was cowardly and violent. Why do it? Why hurt another person to that extent? he asked the pair. To be able to see the fear that each of the victims have  Why do it twice? Why do it once? None of you had any empathy ... for the pain, humiliation and fear you were inflicting. The judge said he remained baffled why two young people from supportive and stable families would embark on such vicious attacks.

The Age can also reveal that earlier this month, three men, Abdullah Bloch, Albin Idrizi and Madhi Nowruzi, all aged 20, pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault-related offences at the Victorian County Court. At a hearing on May 16, disturbing details of their crimes were aired in court for the first time including how the trio lured men into parks or quiet streets after connecting with them on dating sites including Grindr and Scruff using fake profiles before brutally assaulting and robbing them. Loading In at least one of the cases detailed in court, a victim was falsely told that he was meeting a 15-year-old boy. Graphic video footage of his assault, captured on a smartphone, was played to the court. It showed the victim, aged in his 50s, arriving at a park at night in Melbournes south-east, where he was set upon by the men, who accused him of sexual misconduct and being a paedophile. The man is seen screaming and pleading for his life in the footage as he is violently assaulted, choked and then beaten with a metal pole.

In the background, one of the men can be heard saying: You came here to have sex with a 15-year-old. Keep your voice down. Youre going to get f----d, not us. As he sits cowering on the ground with his hands over his face, the victim is forced to say homophobic slurs and his attackers tell him to ask Jesus for forgiveness. If you call the cops, its not going to end well for you, one of the accused can be heard saying to him. We went easy on you. The victim asks if the men have assaulted others. Yeah, weve done this before, one of the accused can be heard responding. During the lengthy assault the men forced the victim to transfer $8000 to them using his smartphone. They also stole $10, his mobile phone, and his wallet. The victim was taken to hospital with a fractured eye socket, fractured nose, bruises and swelling, the court heard.

In a different case detailed in the County Court another man went to a park in Melbournes south-east in September last year, where he was confronted by Bloch, Idrizi, and Nowruzi. Smartphone footage captured of the attack showed the man being spat on and assaulted. As the victim lay on the ground, his shoes were ripped off, and the accused men told him he was a filthy animal and a paedophile. In a third case, footage captured another attack on a victim who had gone to a quiet street to meet with one of the accused. When he arrived, he was set upon by the same men. Footage shows him running back to his car as the men attack him. As he drives off, they zoom in on a sticker on his car that advertises his business. Bloch, Idrizi, and Nowruzi will be sentenced at a later date.
Health authorities are investigating a taxpayer-funded regional health service after it emerged senior bosses spent more than $400,000 on all-expenses-paid trips to New Zealand, Canada and Las Vegas, allegedly restricted abortions and closed the books to new patients after failing to replace key staff.

Leaders from CTG Aboriginal Health, which receives more than $10 million in state and federal funding annually on top of nearly $5 million in non-government revenue, will meet bureaucrats from Commonwealth, state and local funding bodies on Thursday to respond to allegations first raised by staff and revealed by the Herald, said two government sources not authorised to speak publicly.

CTG Aboriginal Health Services chief executive Phil Naden (far right), executive officer Beau Ewers (third from right) and chairman Brendon Harris (second from left) at the Dawg House sports Bar in Las Vegas, and a staff letter of no confidence in the trio. Credit: SMH

In a letter to the board in August last year, current and former staff expressed outrage that chief executive Phil Naden and senior board members used the charitys funds to travel to New Zealand, India, Canada and the NRL opening round in Las Vegas, while new patients were turned away from the clinic because of staff shortages and rising demand.

I feel like headbutting the wall most days because we cant provide the services that our community needs, one former employee said.
Hence, Scott Space Race Morrison , PM30, the chairman of the advisory board for Space Centre Australia, who gave a major speech at the Australian Space Summit 2025 at Darling Harbour on Tuesday about extending the AUKUS security agreement into space.

We know, we know, here we go again readers, needlessly turning everything into a contest to feed our addiction to clicks. To which we reply, there is nothing so competitive as a former prime minister on a quest for relevance.

CBD had previously surmised that Tony Abbott, PM28, was the most successful of the speaking circuit, by dint of his being a) an in-demand conservative true believer and b) a former Liberal Party prime minister who is neither Scott Morrison nor Malcolm Turnbull.

Speaking of Turnbull, PM29 is due on Thursday to attend the Redmond Barry Society three-course luncheon at the State Library of Victoria in conversation with the Hon Barry Jones AC to discuss the 10th and final edition of Jones Dictionary of World Biography.

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In contrast, PM28 gave a speech at the weekend on the new responsibilities of democracies in the era of the retreat of Pax Americana at the 2025 Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, where he was joined by a bro-squad of former leaders including Britains Rishi Sunak, Malaysias Mahathir Mohamad, Indonesias Joko Widodo and CBDs new favourite, the former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, the fascinatingly named Djoomart Otorbaev.

Back to Gillard. Not only has PM27 had a play written about her, Julia, by top playwright Joanna Murray-Smith, which will play Melbourne (again) in June before a Brisbane season in August, but Gillard is getting what no other prime minister living or dead has managed to achieve  her very own hologram.
London: Controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, have been charged in Britain with multiple sex offences, including rape and human trafficking, following an investigation by UK police.

Andrew, 38, faces 10 charges related to alleged offences against three women. These include rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain. Tristan, 36, has been charged with 11 offences, including rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm, relating to one alleged victim.

Andrew Tate arrives at a police station in a Lada vehicle in Voluntari, Romania, on Wednesday. Credit: AP

A European arrest warrant was issued in the United Kingdom last year. Romanian courts subsequently approved the extradition of the Tate brothers to face trial in Britain once criminal proceedings in Romania are concluded.

Both men are currently under investigation in Romania, where they have lived since 2017, for separate allegations involving rape, human trafficking and membership of an organised criminal group. They have denied all allegations in both jurisdictions.
White House lawyers are working at full speed to salvage the administrations trade strategy following Wednesdays court ruling that struck down the bulk of its tariffs. On that same day, the administration filed an emergency request with the Court of International Trade to temporarily halt the implementation of the ruling.

On Thursday, they submitted a similar motion to a federal appeals court in Washington. In a 124-page filing, the government indicated that if these courts do not grant the suspension, they will take the matter to the Supreme Court as early as Friday in an effort to keep the tariffs in effect.

Absent at least interim relief from this Court, the United States plans to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court tomorrow to avoid the irreparable national-security and economic harms at stake, the filing states, accompanied by multiple exhibits.

The Trump administration argues that successful agreements the President has reached with multiple countries could be immediately unraveled if the court ruling is applied. In reality, Trump has yet to secure a formal trade deal with any nation. He signed a non-binding preliminary agreement with the U.K. and negotiated tariff rollbacks with China  reversing duties he had previously imposed. Thats the extent of his trade achievements so far.

Thursdays filing reiterates the same arguments the Trump administration has maintained throughout the case, namely that courts are not authorized to question the presidents decision to invoke emergency powers to impose tariffs. The administration also claims that Trumps interpretation of the law should stand because, decades ago, the trade court permitted former president Richard Nixon to impose emergency tariffs under a similar statute. However, the ruling thoroughly analyzes that precedent and ultimately uses it to support its own judgment.

The government is requesting a stay on the ruling, arguing the potential damages are plainly irreparable. Absent a stay, even if this Court ultimately upholds the tariffs, the CITs permanent injunction may have compromised delicate, time-sensitive foreign negotiations, perhaps irrevocably. And, absent a stay, the government will receive reduced revenue that it will be unable to recoup if the tariffs are ultimately upheld  another irreparable harm, the filing argues.

Conservative majority

The Supreme Court currently has a conservative majority of six to three. Three of those justices were appointed by Trump himself, though that doesnt guarantee a favorable outcome. The Court of International Trades decision was unanimous, made by three judges: one appointed by Trump, another by Ronald Reagan, and the third by Barack Obama.

In his increasingly authoritarian approach, Trump has repeatedly encroached on Congressional powers and stretched executive authority, prompting rulings that many of his actions were unconstitutional. On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade declared Trumps blanket tariffs illegal, stating they violated both the Constitution and statutory law.

The ruling voids tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 20% on those from China, which were justified under dubious claims of threats like fentanyl and immigration. It also nullifies so-called reciprocal tariffs announced on the proclaimed Liberation Day, which Trump later walked back to 10% following market pressure.

The administration is still preparing a full appeal on the core legal arguments, which has not yet been filed. Trump has remained silent for now, but several of his aides have attacked the judges for their decision. We are living under a judicial tyranny, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on X on Thursday night. The judicial coup is out of control, he added.

Speaking on the conservative Fox Business channel, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said, Im sure that when we appeal, that this decision will be overturned. He claimed that activist judges are trying to slow down something right in the middle of really important negotiations.

According to Hassett, while Trump has other legal avenues to impose new tariffs, that is not the current plan. Were not planning to pursue those right now, because were very, very confident that this ruling is incorrect, he said. The administration notified the court on Wednesday of its intention to appeal but has not yet done so.

The courts decision undermines the Trump administrations entire trade strategy  something the government itself admits in its request to suspend the ruling.

So grave are the stakes for the Nation that four members of the Presidents Cabinet took the extraordinary step of submitting declarations to the CIT, before its ruling, substantiating the immediate, catastrophic harms that would flow from enjoining the Presidents tariff authority, the filing states.

As in the previous filing to the trade court, the motion to the appeals court emphasizes concerns raised by senior officials: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned that lifting the tariffs would collapse recent agreements and endanger dozens of similar arrangements. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed that sentiment, stating the ruling could shatter ongoing negotiations with numerous countries and encourage retaliatory actions.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned that an injunction could allow trade partners to further distort the conditions of competition for U.S. exporters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that a court order would cause significant and irreparable harm to U.S. foreign policy and national security.

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A federal judge has already ruled that the government violated a court order by putting eight migrants on a flight to South Sudan. This week, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to allow it to continue with the accelerated deportation of migrants to third countries. The request comes after a federal judge in Boston ruled that the government violated a court order by putting eight migrants on a flight to South Sudan without giving them the opportunity to legally challenge their expulsion.

The flight, which departed last week, landed in Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa, where the migrants have been detained at a US military base. According to court documents, the government notified them only 24 hours in advance that they would be deported and did not allow them access to lawyers or a process to allege credible fear of torture or persecution, as required by law.

Who are the migrants?

The eight men deported have criminal records for violent crimes. One is a citizen of South Sudan, another is from Myanmarand the government says he will be transferred therebut the remaining six have no ties to South Sudan, the country originally designated as their destination. Most come from countries that have refused to accept their repatriation, which is why the US administration tried to send them to a safe third country.

The six were informed that they would be sent to a country currently facing armed conflict, mass displacement, and political violence. According to their testimony, presented in court, they fear for their safety if they are sent there.

Manufactured chaos by the government

Judge Brian E. Murphy ruled that the Trump administration had violated a court order issued in April. That order required the government to provide migrants with a fair hearing before sending them to countries where they could face torture. Murphy noted that officials deliberately misinterpreted the court order and accused them of manufacturing the very chaos they now denounce.

In his most recent ruling, the judge did not order the migrants to be returned to the United States, as their lawyers had requested. Instead, he accepted a proposal from the government itself that immigration proceedings be conducted from the base in Djibouti. However, days later, the Justice Department filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that conducting these proceedings outside the country is too complex. Murphy responded sarcastically: It turns out that having immigration proceedings on another continent is harder than they anticipated.

In addition, the judge emphasized that having a criminal record does not eliminate the constitutional right to due process.

The case reaches the Supreme Court

On Tuesday, Attorney General D. John Sauer filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court to overturn Judge Murphys order. In his brief, he argued that the district courts decisions impede the exercise of presidential powers under Article II, including the management of foreign relations, control of the military, and enforcement of immigration law.

Sauer described the migrants as some of the worst illegal aliens and said the process imposed by the judge allows these individuals to remain in the country for years, victimizing law-abiding American citizens.

Beyond this case

This is not an isolated incident. In previous cases, other federal judges have accused the Trump administration of misrepresenting court orders. In Washington, Judge James Boasberg launched a similar investigation into the deportation of another migrant under similar circumstances. In Boston, Murphy also ordered the government to facilitate the return of a gay Guatemalan migrant sent to Mexico, despite his reports of being kidnapped and raped there.

For now, the future of migrants in Djibouti remains uncertain. The Supreme Court will have the final say on whether the government can continue with expedited deportations to third countries without offering the due process guaranteed by the Constitution.
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Sunday, May 18th, 2025, marked a joyful and historic day in Ballina as Quinn Irish Radio broadcasted its hugely popular Sunday show live from the Ballina Manor Hotel. There was a palpable buzz in the air as the town connected across the Atlantic to Cleveland, Ohio, in a celebration of heritage, community, and friendship.

Presented by Gerald M. Quinn, the award-winning broadcaster and community leader originally from Garracloon, the show reached thousands of listeners in the Greater Cleveland area from 3pm to 5pm Irish time. With local musicians, special guests, and live interviews, the event was not only technically ambitious, it was deeply emotional for many with strong Mayo roots in the United States.

Gerry Quinn, a proud son of Mayo, has long championed the Irish-American connection through his radio programme, Gerry Quinn Irish Radio (WHK 1420 AM), which has aired since 1980 and earned numerous accolades including the Achievement in Radio Award (A.I.R) and the title of Best Ethnic Programme in Northeast Ohio.

Having attended Garracloon National School where his father Liam was schoolmaster, Gerry has never forgotten his roots. His efforts to promote Mayo abroad, including his role in adding Ballina to the CIE International itinerary in 2022, have been widely acknowledged. That same year, his broadcast from Ballina and his wreath-laying at the Famine Girls Memorial on Pearse Street were proud moments of reconnection with home. The Cleveland Mayo Society, which Gerry helped found, was one of the largest contributors to the memorials fundraising campaign.

Tomas and Seamus Walsh of T. Breathnachs Pub in Ballina with Gerry Quinn, Joan Clarke-Flynn, and Gerry Walsh at the Quinn Irish Radio live broadcast from Ballina Manor Hotel.

This years live broadcast built on that legacy, with even greater energy and emotion. The event featured heartfelt conversations with Minister Dara Calleary, Cllr John OHara, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Senator Mark Duffy, Mairead Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, Brian Beigie from John Carroll University, and more. Legendary local contributors Terry Reilly and Michael Larkin not only helped bring the programme to life behind the scenes but they also joined the broadcast to reflect on the deep bonds between Cleveland and North Mayo.

There were moving performances of traditional Irish music by Kiera and Daniella Holmes, and a strong sense throughout the afternoon that history was being made.

Technical support on both sides of the Atlantic played a vital role in making it all happen. Ray Ford kept the connection strong from the Mayo end, while Lenny George manned the studio in Cleveland. The show was also captured on Facebook Live by Kevin Quinn, helping bring the event to an even wider audience.

This live broadcast is a wonderful celebration of the enduring bond between Mayo and the Cleveland Irish community, said Mairead Melody Carr. Its an invitation to the diaspora to rediscover their heritage and to experience the warm hospitality of Ballina, Belmullet, North Mayo, and West Sligo. Were proud to showcase the rich culture and vibrant spirit of our region to a global audience.

The excitement surrounding the broadcast reflected a deep pride in the MayoCleveland connection - and a shared commitment to keeping that connection alive for future generations.

Quinn Irish Radio can be heard in the United States on AM 1420 The Answer Cleveland and anyone wishing to listen back on the show live from Ballina can do so by visiting 'Gerry Quinns Irish Radio Show online - May 18, 2025'.
Wheres home? For a lot of people that is a very simple question to answer. Its the place you live, in the place youre from. When those two places are the same, home is easy to know.

But when you live away from what you consider home, it all gets a little more complicated.

The disconnect within yourself between where you live and what you consider home is a west of Ireland story as old as time. There are countless stories, books, songs and plays written about it. In every house, family letters, some stained with tears, describe it.

Its the reality of your body being in Dublin or London or New York or wherever and your heart being in Mayo. The weight of that on you grows as the years go on.

People who leave and dont come back for good have that in their heads all the time. We talk about it endlessly when we meet up in our place of exile. Its a process of translating  within yourself as well as to others  who you are and how you think in your adopted place, and what that means for how you see yourself in relation to your sense of home. Home in that sense is not a physical place.

These considerations have been the underlying theme of this column for almost 10 years. Home Thoughts from Away is reflections on life at home from someone who has spent most of their adult life out of it. One of the pleasures and challenges of being from Mayo and living in Dublin is translating each side to the other.

The sad news last week of the passing of the poet Paul Durcan brought all that very much to the forefront. Born and living in Dublin, he was also to a very considerable extent raised in Mayo. When that is your experience, where exactly is home? That question is addressed in one of his best known poems: Going Home to Mayo, Winter, 1949. In it, Durcan reflects on a journey he took as a five-year-old boy with his father to go home to Mayo. In the poem, he talks about Mayo  Turlough, to be precise  as a place where you did unheard of things, like talk with your father as you walked through the high grass in the evening. He describes  full of excitement  how on the journey west they tried to pass out the moon, travelling through towns and villages whose names were magic passwords into eternity.

That part of the poem is full of light and wonder. But then of course, there is the return, the going back to Dublin, where he and his father live. And on that journey east, all the light and wonder disappear. For the reality of that impending return meant that you had to face up to the fact that home was not home.

Look into the eyes of any person home on holidays the night before they return and it is that realisation which you will see.

That is why those of us born in Mayo and who have lived our lives outside the county appreciate fully what Durcan was talking about. That disconnect between home as a physical or geographic reality and the sense of home as the place you are from, the place you will always be from. That was highlighted by Paul Durcans funeral mass being in Dublin, but his burial being in Mayo. That last resting place is ahead for me.

Now, naturally enough, when you are away from a place  especially one where your most vivid memories are associated with the days of your youth  you tend to romanticise it. Your memories of it are in vivid colours. Mayo to me  home, to me  is the sun setting while on Croaghaun overlooking Achill Head, or basking in the water at Mulranny or on Inishturk, or getting hopelessly lost  and not giving a damn  on a sunny day in Erris.

That kind of stuff surely makes those who are here all the time roll their eyes. That is understandable too for those who dont see as much romanticism in the mundane reality of the world where you make it. It isnt all warm welcomes and sunny days admiring Clew or Killala Bay. If I had a euro for every person who said to me well I wonder would you like it so much on a wet Wednesday in November I would be able to buy one of those holiday homes that were discussed so much last week.

And of course, we have always run the risk of remembering a home or a way of life that no longer exists, or exists only on a few magical days of summer. I remember a professor in Trinity some years ago telling a class about his long-standing research into migration and about his many interviews with people who had engaged in it. He said that the saddest piece of work he ever did was with a group who had returned to the west of Ireland to live out their retirement after many years of living away. He described how their excitement turned to bewilderment as they returned to a place which was entirely different to the one they had left. They had come home and found they were strangers, living in a strange land.

All the same, that I love my county as much as I do isnt because  I hope  I dont have a decent read of what life is like in it day in day out. The way the world is now makes it easier to stay in touch, to stay connected, to understand what is going on. And it also means that the gap between those of us who live away in big cities and those who live in rural Ireland is shrinking. It is far, far narrower than in the world that Durcan described in the winter of 1949.

But for all that I know my home place well today, it is not the same as it was back when I was a young man. At the heart of growing older is appreciating how a little of that world passes every day, and there is a loss in that which we all recognise. Yet as the past slips away, the beloved place endures. By keeping my relationship with it alive, by driving home to Mayo whenever I can, home remains the place that will sustain me into the future.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

An member of the Kinahan drug cartel extradited from the United Arab Emirates has been charged with murder and other charges relating to directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

Sean McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin amid high security.

Appearing before judges Karen OConnor, Elma Sheahan and Grainne Malone, he was charged with five offences. He was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in December 2016 as part of the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan criminal gangs, despite having no connections to criminality. He was also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to Noel Kirwans murder, and a separate charge of facilitating the crime gangs murder of Mr Kirwin, between October 20th and December 22nd, 2016. He was also charged with two other offences, of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to monitoring the activity of James Gately, and another charge of facilitating a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately. McGovern, who appeared in court in a grey T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and black sliders with white socks, confirmed his name to the court. A convoy of Gardai vehicles outside The Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, ahead of the court appearance of Sean McGovern. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire His barrister, Olan Callanan BL, told the court that they were reserving their position in relation to the lawfulness of the arrest and the jurisdiction of the court. There were more than 20 Garda members in the courtroom for the short hearing. McGovern was arrested in the UAE last October after an Interpol red notice was issued.

Shortly after his arrest, Ireland finalised an agreement on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.

McGovern was handed over to gardai in Dubai on Wednesday.

He was transported back to Ireland in an Irish military plane on Thursday.

He was formally arrested by police investigating the activities of the Kinahan crime gang when the aircraft landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.

Detective Sergeant Donal Daly told the non-jury court he arrested McGovern at 6:38pm.

He was remanded in custody and is to next appear in court on June 5th at 11am via videolink.
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Thursday he and U.S. President Donald Trump deepened their understanding of each other's positions on tariffs and agreed that their ministers should accelerate ongoing negotiations in greater detail.

Ishiba made the comment after a roughly 25-minute phone call with Trump ahead of the next round of bilateral tariff negotiations at the ministerial level.

The Japanese prime minister also emphasized the need to build "win-win" relations between the longtime allies, reiterating his call for the removal of higher U.S. tariffs on Japanese products entering the world's largest economy.

"We exchanged views in a very frank manner and were able to gain a deeper understanding of the views held by each side," Ishiba told reporters.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump had a "very good call and a good discussion" with Ishiba, without further elaboration.

Japan has been urging the United States to scrap higher tariffs on products such as cars, auto parts, steel and aluminum. Although a three-month reprieve was granted from a 24 percent "reciprocal" tariff, a baseline rate of 10 percent remains in place for Japan.

On Thursday, Ishiba reiterated his desire to hold a face-to-face meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in mid-June in Canada. He did not rule out visiting the United States before the multilateral gathering, depending on the outcome of the ministerial talks.

"By boosting (Japan's) investment, we will seek to create jobs in the United States. We should join forces to produce quality products," Ishiba said. "Our stance hasn't changed to build win-win relations."

The telephone conversation between Ishiba and Trump, their second in about a week, was arranged at Japan's request, he added.

It followed remarks by Japan's chief negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, who said that purchasing U.S. defense equipment could serve as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks, as it would help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan.

Akazawa, a close aide to Ishiba, is expected to meet on Friday in Washington with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the negotiations.

Ishiba has said the planned summit with Trump would serve as a "milestone" for a trade deal but also emphasized that Japan should not rush to conclude talks or make concessions.

Related coverage:

Japan defense equipment outlays may ease U.S. trade gap: tariff chief

Japan, U.S. eye summit in June, hope for "productive" tariff talks

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Initiatives unveiled for Pacific countries

08:23, May 29, 2025 By Mo Jingxi ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chair the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau in Xiamen on Wednesday. (Photo/Xinhua)

China announced on Wednesday a list of initiatives for promoting its cooperation with Pacific Island countries in fields including climate change response, disaster prevention and mitigation, maritime trade, and other priority areas.

The announcement came after Foreign Minister Wang Yi and high-level officials from 11 Pacific Island countries having diplomatic ties with China, as well as the representative of the Pacific Islands Forum, gathered in Xiamen, Fujian province, for the third China-Pacific Island countries foreign ministers' meeting.

"We aim to fulfill our commitments to our friends in Pacific Island countries through concrete actions," Wang said when he and Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau jointly met with the press after co-chairing the meeting.

It was the first time that the meeting was held in person in China since the mechanism was established in 2021. The previous ones were held via video link in 2021 and 2022.

On developing relations with Pacific Island countries, Wang said it is important to prioritize urgent issues such as climate change, economic development, the improvement of livelihoods and social stability.

To this end, China commits to investing new funds to expand its cooperation with Pacific Island countries on sustainable development, he said.

Over the next three years, China will implement 100 "small yet impactful" projects aimed at addressing climate change in these countries, Wang said, adding that China is willing to share early-warning technologies with them to help prevent and mitigate disasters.

"We deeply regret that a certain major country has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. However, regardless of how the situation changes, China's resolve to support and participate in global climate governance will not waver, nor will our commitment to implementing South-South cooperation on climate change," he said.

According to Wang, China will also align its development strategies with Pacific Island countries, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and facilitate the access of more high-quality products from these countries to the huge Chinese market.

2025 is the 50th year since China began establishing diplomatic relations with Pacific Island countries. So far, China has established diplomatic ties with 11 Pacific Island countries after Nauru resumed its diplomatic relations with China in January 2024.

The two sides have continued to expand exchanges and cooperation in more than 20 areas. According to Chinese statistics, the total trade volume between China and Pacific Island countries that have diplomatic relations with China has expanded more than thirtyfold from 1992 to 2021.

Maamau, Kiribati's president, said that the joint statement released after the meeting "stands as a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the relationship between China and the Pacific Island countries".

"Through unity, trust and respect, we will be successful and resilient in our journey to bring tangible outcomes to the people we serve, and ultimately to pursue our interests as sovereign and independent states," he said.

According to Wang, during the meeting, Pacific Island countries took the initiative to express their commitment to the one-China principle and their understanding of and support for China's just position of upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As this year marks the 80th anniversaries of victory in World War II and Taiwan's return to China in 1945, such commitment shows that "Taiwan independence" rhetoric has no takers among Pacific Island countries, Wang said.

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said that the meeting offered a good opportunity for Pacific Island countries to sit at one table with China to talk about bringing forward their relationship.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Culture Wars in the Middle East: A Stark Contrast to Americas Battles

From child marriage to women as male possessions, a region wrestles with its future

Faith-based media network SAT-7 USA reports that culture battles rage across the region  and theyre radically different from those in the U.S.

NEWS PROVIDED BY

SAT-7 USA

May 29, 2025

BOONE, Iowa, May 29, 2025 /Standard Newswire/  Think Americas culture wars are intense? In the Middle East, the battles are just as fierce  but take on a shockingly different form.

While Americans spar over gender identity, abortion and immigration, many in the Middle East and North Africa are embroiled in deep struggles over child marriage, womens autonomy, and whether girls should be allowed to go to school.

These are fundamental battles over every persons God-given dignity, said John Cerniglia, president of SAT-7 USA, the American arm of SAT-7, a Middle East-based media ministry broadcasting in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish. In many parts of the region, girls and women are denied the equality that many in the West take for granted.

Treated as Property: Women Fight for Personhood

One of the most hotly contested issues is the deep-rooted perception of women as male possessions. In Iran, for example, a proposed new Hijab and Chastity Law would impose even stricter dress codes, compelling all women to wear the hijab headcovering  a move critics say is more about control than modesty.

The more the regime tries to suppress women, the more they push back, said womens rights advocate Maryam Banihashemi. Many women who chose to wear (the) hijab voluntarily have turned against it due to the coercive measures.

Girls Married at Nine Years Old

In Iraq, another disturbing cultural norm is under fire. In February, lawmakers granted religious leaders the authority to determine family law  including the legal age for marriage. The result? Men can now legally marry girls as young as nine.

Nearly one million girls under 15 are already married, often forced to drop out of school and give up their dreams for the future.

Iraq is facing an emotional, social, and economic crisis, said Iraqi human rights advocate Banin Elias.

Girls Under Siege: Poisoned for Learning

In Afghanistan and Iran, efforts to educate girls have been met with shocking brutality.

Afghanistans ruling Taliban regime has banned girls from secondary education and even repurposed some universities into military compounds. Young Afghan women hoping to become doctors have been shut out of the classroom.

In Iran, more than 100 girls' schools have been targeted with chemical gas attacks  incidents widely believed to be punishment for student involvement in anti-government protests. Around 13,000 girls have reportedly required medical care.

There have been poisonings at schools in our province, one viewer told SAT-7. There is mayhem. No one is allowing (their daughters) to go to school. We live in fear.

Silenced Generation: Youth Push Back

Across the Middle East and North Africa, a growing number of young people feel voiceless  and increasingly restless. According to advocacy group Article 19, more than 70% of the population lives without basic freedoms, and no country in the region is considered open.

The culture war is between those ruthlessly clinging to power and those demanding change, said Egyptian pastor Youssef Nathan. Those in power reject anyone who is different, to the point of getting rid of them, he said, not necessarily by killing them, but through (destroying) their reputation.

Speaking to SAT-7, an Afghan journalist who fled his homeland put it more bluntly: If I was in Afghanistan, I would not last a day. Freedom of expression doesnt even cross their minds.

Launched in 1996, SAT-7 USA (www.sat7usa.org) is part of a global Christian media network that broadcasts educational and faith-based programs across the Middle East and North Africa. With international headquarters in Cyprus, SAT-7 offers 24/7 content in Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, and Dari via satellite television and digital platforms, with the mission to make the Gospel accessible and support the Church in its witness for Christ.

SOURCE SAT-7 USA

CONTACT: DeWayne Hamby, 423-505-0041, dhamby@inchristcommunications.com


NAGOYA - Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday that its global sales rose 10 percent from a year earlier to a record 876,864 vehicles for the month of April, as demand grew ahead of the negative impact of higher U.S. tariffs on imported cars.

The world's largest automaker by volume said its global production increased 7.8 percent to 814,787 vehicles last month, also an all-time high for April. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on cars produced outside the United States on April 3.

The automaker has said it will not pass on the cost of the tariff to consumers in the United States, but auto analysts say the company will be under pressure to do so if the higher levy remains in the long term.

Sales outside of Japan climbed 9.7 percent to 756,190 vehicles, of which 233,045 were sold in the United States, growing 10 percent from the year before.

Domestic sales were up 11.8 percent to 120,674 units, recovering from a slump caused by a vehicle certification scandal that briefly halted production of some models last year, with the upturn also aided by the impact of new model launches.

For the full business year through March, Toyota said it expects a 34.9 percent drop in net profit to 3.1 trillion yen ($21 billion) due to Trump's tariff measures and a stronger yen, which decreases exporters' overseas profits when repatriated.

Honda Motor Co., the country's second-biggest automaker, also benefited from solid demand in the United States, with sales rising 18.1 percent to 137,656 vehicles in April.

However, overall, its global sales dropped 4.8 percent to 287,955 vehicles in the reported month, dampened by poor sales notably due to a 40.7 percent plunge in China and a 10.1 percent decrease in Japan.

Japan's third-largest automaker, Nissan Motor Co., currently undergoing major restructuring measures to turn around its business, saw a 7.2 percent fall in global sales to 225,729, weighed down by a 3.7 percent drop in the United States and a 15.7 percent decrease in China.

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TOKYO - Japan's chief tariff negotiator said Thursday that purchases of U.S. defense equipment may help reduce the trade deficit, suggesting it could be used as a bargaining chip in bilateral talks about the levies.

Ryosei Akazawa, who met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of a fourth round of tariff talks later this week in Washington, told reporters, "If you ask me whether (such purchases) are within the scope (of the talks), it is possible."

But Akazawa, a close aide to Ishiba, also said tariff negotiations with the United States and security matters are "based on different logic and standards, so it is inappropriate to mix them in talks."

Japan has asked its key security ally to withdraw higher tariffs on cars, key car parts, and steel and aluminum, as well as a "reciprocal" tariff, part of which has been paused through early July. Trump has imposed the measures in a bid to reduce U.S. trade deficits.

In the rounds of negotiations so far, the Trump administration has balked at the complete removal of the new levies, including the 25-percent tariff on imported cars, sources close to the matter said.

Against that backdrop, an idea has emerged within the Japanese government to consider backing off from seeking full removal of tariffs and instead concede lower duty rates to strike a trade deal, the sources said. The Trump administration has already reached tariff-cutting agreements with China and Britain.

But Akazawa told reporters, "Our position has not changed. We absolutely cannot compromise" on the request to have all tariff measures reviewed, noting that the country's automakers are expected to suffer "significant damage" due to the 25-percent new tariff imposed since April 3.

There would also be an "extraordinary" impact on the Japanese economy if the 90-day pause on the extra part of the so-called reciprocal tariff ends as scheduled on July 9, the minister in charge of economic revitalization said.

Akazawa is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for the negotiations, during his second consecutive week of tariff talks with senior officials. Bessent was absent last week as he attended the Group of Seven meeting in Canada.

Japan is hoping to schedule an in-person summit between Ishiba and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in June. Ahead of the meeting, the two governments might hold their fifth round of ministerial-level talks, diplomatic sources said.

In the context of the tariff negotiations, Ishiba has pledged to support the United States in its efforts to revive its shipbuilding industry amid China's increasing dominance, saying Washington is interested in where its military ships can be repaired overseas, possibly in Japan.

Related coverage:

Japan loses status as world's top creditor for 1st time in 34 years

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Justice for Olorato Mongale

Members of the Wits community are invited to a candlelight ceremony to remember Olorato Mongale, who passed away under tragic circumstances on 25 May 2025.

The ceremony takes place at 6pm today, Thursday, 29 May 2025, outside the Great Hall.

The University extends its deep sympathies to the family and friends of Olorato, a 30-year-old postgraduate student, who was found dead on Sunday, just two hours after leaving her home with an unknown individual. The South African Police Service is investigating the matter we are hopeful that they will bring the perpetrator/s to book soon.

The University strongly condemns this femicide which has robbed the world of a young, talented, vibrant woman who had her whole life ahead of her.

Counselling services are available via CCDU for students who can call the toll free line on 0800 111 331 for support. Life Health Services offers counselling services for staff who can call 0800 004 770. The Wits Gender Equity Office also offers a range of services to members of the Wits community  visit the website here: Gender Equity Office - Wits University.

A memorial service will be held in remembrance of Olorato in Bloemfontein on Thursday, 29 May, followed by a prayer service on Friday. She will be laid to rest on Sunday, 1 June 2025 at a private cemetery in Bloemfontein.
School of Accountancy honours top students

The Margo Steele School of Accountancy (MSSOA) hosted its annual Prize Giving Breakfast on Friday, 16 May 2025.

The event marked a special occasion to celebrate the academic achievements of students who excelled in their studies throughout the 2024 academic year.

Sponsors KPMG, EY, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, IRBA, Mazars Gauteng, BDO, ACCA, Syft Analytics, Investec Private Bank, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), and Boston Consulting Group partnered with the MSSOA to acknowledge and reward student excellence. View prizes here

The morning began with the Head of School, Professor Zubair Wadee, acknowledging not only the dedication and perseverance of the students but also the vital role played by their families and support networks in helping them achieve their goals.

This years event also featured a keynote address by guest speaker, Head of Audit for KPMG in Southern Africa, Devon Duffield. In his talk, Duffield reminded the recipients that a career in accountancy carries with it not only the technical expertise but also a deep responsibility to uphold the professions core values.

This profession is not just debits and credits, said Duffield. His words served as both a celebration of the students' accomplishments and a call to embrace the ethical and leadership obligations that come with their future roles.

The focus of the event though, was the presentation of awards to top-performing students across various accounting disciplines, including Financial Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, and Management Accounting, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Among the standout achievers were:

Jayden Smith, who collected several accolades including the KPMG Prize for Financial Accounting III, the EY Prize for Taxation III, and joint honours in the IRBA Prize for Auditing III.

Murunwa Khalushi, who earned the EY Prize for Taxation IV and the Boston Consulting Group Prize for the top female student in the Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy program.

Bilal Said, who received awards in Financial Accounting IV and Auditing IV, as well as the SAICA Chartered Accountant's Prize for Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy which is awarded to the top student in the program.

Other notable awardees included Kiara Nassif, Olga Tivane, Sanjika Senarathne, and Nasr Moolla, each recognised for their exceptional performance in their respective disciplines.

The Dean of the Faculty of Commerce Law and Management, Professor Jason Cohen, also acknowledged the students who excelled in the SAICA January 2025 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) and the December 2024 Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

In the IAC:

Tana Herson achieved First Place nationally.

Trinity Masiakwala secured Fourth Place.

Bilal Said placed Ninth.

Rumaanah Dangor and Morale Kutumela both earned places on the elusive Honours Roll, by achieving 75% or more.

In the APC, Yusuf Seedat was recognised for achieving a Top 5 Honours Pass.

Wadee noted that it has been a year since The Wits School of Accountancy has been renamed in honour of former Head of School, Margo Steele, and the $10m donation has already had a tremendous impact on the lives of students. Recipients of the Margo Steele Bursary recorded a 97% pass rate. We are also proud of our continued significant contribution of African candidates to the profession, proving once again that at Wits, excellence and transformation of the profession can be achieved simultaneously, said Wadee.
WASHINGTON - The United States will "aggressively" revoke visas of Chinese students, including those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive fields, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday.

In a statement, Rubio also said, "We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong."

It is widely known that many children of high-ranking members of the Chinese Communist Party have studied at prominent U.S. universities. Chinese President Xi Jinping's daughter reportedly graduated from Harvard University in 2014, although she studied there under a pseudonym.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned the move as "politically motivated and discriminatory," telling a press conference in Beijing on Thursday that China "firmly opposes" the plan and had lodged a protest with the U.S. side.

The U.S. decision "uses ideology and national security as pretext" and "seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China," Mao said. It "exposes the U.S. hypocrisy over freedom and openness" and "will further damage the image and reputation of the U.S. itself," she added.

China was the second-largest country of origin for foreign students in the United States in the 2023-2024 school year, following India, which became the leader for the first time since 2009, according to data from Open Doors, a program sponsored by the State Department.

There were 277,398 Chinese students in the United States in the year, making up a quarter of the total.

The release of Rubio's brief statement came about two weeks after the United States and China took steps to ease trade tensions, which were initially sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of hefty tariffs on Chinese imports.

Last week, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. Noem's letter also notified the university of the administration's move to revoke its ability to enroll international students.

On Wednesday, Trump said Harvard should limit international enrollment to around 15 percent of admitted students each academic year.

Claiming some foreign students are "very radical" and "troublemakers," Trump renewed his pressure on Harvard to provide the government with lists of foreign-born students and their countries of origin.

"I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 percent...We have people (who) want to go to Harvard and other schools, (but) they can't get in because we have foreign students there," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country."

"Many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left lunatics in this country," he added.

Harvard enrolled 6,793 international students in the 2024-2025 school year, accounting for 27.2 percent of its total acceptance, according to the university.

Among Asian countries, there were about 260 Japanese students and scholars at Harvard, compared with some 2,100 from China, 790 from India, 430 from South Korea and 150 from Singapore, according to its data.

On Wednesday, Trump also asserted that it is the United States rather than other countries that invested in Harvard, questioning why top American educational institutions like the Massachusetts-based university need to accept a notable portion of foreign students.

Trump, who has frozen some federal funds to Harvard, reiterated that he wants to redirect public money to trade schools across the country to make them the best in the world and teach people skills such as building cars and working with artificial intelligence.

Trump's remarks came as part of a broader push by his administration against Harvard, seeking changes to university policies such as those concerning admissions and hiring amid accusations that its academic environment harbors antisemitism while being too liberal.

His administration has been tightening screenings for international students, arguing that some applicants could threaten national security.

It has slammed Harvard and other high-profile U.S. universities for failing to prevent campus protests targeting Israel over alleged abuses against civilians during its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

For such reasons, the Trump administration paused the scheduling of foreign student visa interviews at all U.S. diplomatic missions on Tuesday, clouding the hopes of many who aspire to study in the United States.

Related coverage:

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TOKYO - Democratic Party for the People head Yuichiro Tamaki has drawn the ire of social media users after he referred to the government's rice stockpiles as "animal feed in a year."

Tamaki is apparently referring to reserve rice from 2021 that the government plans to release to the public in an effort to curb soaring prices nationwide.

The government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has sold stockpiled rice that has exceeded its five-year storage period as animal feed, but critics say Tamaki is politicizing the rice shortage issue.

During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, Tamaki, whose party has pitched policies aimed at garnering support from younger voters, said, "Even if you say you're selling something that would end up as animal feed at a low price, it's not something people truly need."

Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who has pledged to make the stockpiled rice available in stores at 2,000 yen ($14) per 5 kilograms, said, "Even if that is true, such a remark is unfortunate, especially as we are working on the best way to release it."

Official data released last week showed rice prices in Japan hit a new record in April for the seventh consecutive month, marking a 98.4 percent increase from a year earlier. Core consumer prices, excluding volatile fresh food, rose 3.5 percent in the same month.

Koizumi assumed his post on May 21 after his predecessor resigned over a gaffe in which he said he "never had to buy rice" because he received so much from supporters -- a comment widely condemned as insensitive.

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Japan gov't vows reserve rice supply to countryside amid price spike

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Joakim Medin

Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was released from a Turkish prison earlier this month after spending seven weeks behind bars. Medin was arrested immediately upon arriving at Istanbul airport in late March to report on the mass protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogans authoritarian regime, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Medin was taken to a high-security prison outside Istanbul and later charged with supporting terrorism and insulting Erdogan. The freelance journalist was working with Dagens ETC, a left-leaning newspaper that describes itself as red, green, and independent. He was accused of helping the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) obtain press contacts. He was subsequently sentenced to an 11-month suspended sentence in late April for insulting Erdogan, and continues to face the charges of membership in a terrorist organisation and spreading terrorist propaganda. The trial against him for the remaining charges is scheduled to begin in September.

After returning to Sweden, the journalist declared, From day one Ive been thinking about what to say at this moment. It is Long live freedom. Freedom of the press, freedom of expression and freedom of movement.

Medins fate illustrates the fraudulent propaganda put out by the NATO powers about their war for democracy against Russia in Ukraine.

Addressing a press conference after his return to Sweden, Medin explained on May 17 that after obtaining documents related to the investigation against him, he discovered that Turkish authorities had begun surveillance against him during the process of Swedens application to join NATO. This investigation started during the NATO process. My journalism seems to have annoyed them. Then it [the investigation] was activated when I entered the country. Turkey wanted to send a message, he remarked.

Sweden and neighbouring Finland both applied to join the aggressive military alliance after the US-provoked Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The decision by these two countries, traditionally held up as examples of left, social democratic societies, was presented in the international media and by the political establishments of both countries as an expression of the military alliances commitment to defend democracy against Russian aggression. The intervening years have seen both countries emerge as frontline states in a massive military build-up against Russia, led by the US and major European imperialist powers.

Finland and Swedens applications required the unanimous approval of all 32 NATO member states, including Turkey. While Finlands application was accepted with relatively little delay, the Turkish government balked at admitting Sweden, claiming it supported terrorism because of its refusal to sell arms to Turkey and its supposed lenient attitude towards the PKK, which recently decided to dissolve itself .

Swedens right-wing government, a coalition of parties led by the conservative Moderate party that depends on the fascistic Sweden Democrats for a parliamentary majority, entered into bilateral talks with Turkey to deepen cooperation on security and counterterrorism. As a condition for Ankaras approval of Swedish NATO membership, Stockholm consented to the creation of the so-called Security Compact, a mechanism establishing annual bilateral meetings at the ministerial level and the possibility of creating working groups focused on specific areas to discuss joint efforts to combat terrorism.

While the negotiations were led by the right-wing government, Swedens entire political establishment enthusiastically endorsed joining NATO. The opposition Social Democrats and ex-Stalinist Left Party were especially forceful in their championing of NATO membership. Swedens initial application to join was filed by Social Democrat Prime Minister Magdalena Anderssons government prior to its defeat in the September 2022 parliamentary election.

The inaugural meeting of the Security Compact was held in Ankara on 21 January with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer attending alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidanjust over two months prior to Medins detention. An official press release from the Swedish government declared,

During the visit, the Swedish ministers presented a roadmap for strengthening cooperation with Turkiye on combating terrorism and organised crime to their Turkish counterparts The roadmap focuses on links between terrorism and organised crime, enhanced information-sharing between law enforcement authorities, financing of terrorism and organised crime, expanded judicial cooperation and increased cooperation on counterterrorism in international forums.

This begs the question as to whether this information sharing played any role in providing details about Medin that facilitated his detention by the Turkish authorities. One of the Turkish authorities charges against Medin is based on his alleged attendance at a PKK-backed demonstration in Stockholm in January 2023 at which a puppet of Erdogan was displayed.

Although the Swedish government sought to take some credit for Medins release, pointing to the efforts of its Istanbul consulate, the possibility of Stockholms complicity is strongly suggested by the collaboration it has developed with Ankara over recent years. A press release put out by NATO in July 2023 announcing Erdogans acceptance in principle of Swedens NATO membership declared,

Since the last NATO Summit, Sweden and Turkiye have worked closely together to address Turkiyes legitimate security concerns. As part of that process, Sweden has amended its constitution, changed its laws, significantly expanded its counter-terrorism cooperation against the PKK, and resumed arms exports to Turkiye.  Both Sweden and Turkiye agreed that counter-terrorism cooperation is a long-term effort, which will continue beyond Swedens accession to NATO.

Members of Swedens large Kurdish community, which numbers somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000, report stricter surveillance by the authorities and a more stringent approach to approving asylum applications since Sweden joined NATO. The Guardian reported in February 2024 that the Kurdish Red Crescent in Sweden was forced to close in December 2023 after its bank account was revoked, while public broadcaster Sveriges Radio shut down its Kurdish-language news service shortly afterwards, citing budgetary pressures.

Medin provided details at his press conference about fellow inmates in the prison that underscore the extent of Swedish-Turkish collaboration in targeting alleged terrorists. He recalled being able to speak with inmates in neighbouring cells in Swedish and English, including with a Kurdish prisoner who was deported from Sweden as part of its efforts to curry favour with Ankara in December 2022. The date fits with a Kurdish man deported to Turkey from Sweden due to his alleged connections to the PKK. Medin speculated that the PKKs decision to dissolve itself may have played a role in his release, which occurred on the same day as NATO foreign ministers gathered in Antalya for consultations.

Medins arrest was part of a sweeping crackdown by Erdogans government during and after Marchs mass protests. Some 2,000 people were arrested or detained for one day or several days across the country, including over 300 who were kept in custody pending trial. Although some have since been released, 71 people reportedly remain in prison. In late April, as the World Socialist Web Site reported, authorities rounded up some 150 members of left-wing organisations and trade unions in advance of May Day. None of this prompted the Swedish government to issue statements of condemnation as one of its citizens languished in a high-security prison. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said following Medins release that the success was the product of negotiations that took place relatively quietly.

It took the European Parliament almost seven weeks to pass a motion calling for Medins release. This, under conditions in which Reporters Without Borders noted that if Medin is convicted on all charges, he could face a prison sentence of up to 27 years. Even though he has now returned to Sweden, the Turkish government could still pursue him with an Interpol notice.

Erdogans mass repression has barely prompted any criticism from the major European imperialist powers. One major reason for this is that they increasingly rely on Turkey as a key NATO ally in the Black Sea region, notwithstanding Ankaras refusal to go along with economic sanctions against Russia. Turkey plays a key role in Syria, where the European imperialists recently lifted sanctions against the regime led by former al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed al-Sharaa. The European Union has provided some 9 billion of funding to Turkey over the past decade in exchange for its support in blocking the flow of refugees from the Middle East.

Another major factor in the absence of any significant criticism of Erdogans repression is that the European powers are themselves increasingly resorting to authoritarian forms of rule. The systematic targeting of protesters against the Gaza genocide, and the deliberate promotion by substantial sections of the European ruling class of far-right and outright fascist parties, underscore their ever-more open abandonment of any genuine commitment to democratic forms of rule.

The defence of the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of movement and freedom of the press hailed by Medin upon his release is today a class question. It demands the independent political mobilisation of the international working class in the struggle for socialism.
The Indonesian government of President Prabowo Subianto is in the process of negotiating a reduction in the so-called reciprocal tariff placed on the country by the Trump regime in the United States. Indonesia is one of a handful of nations Washington has given priority to in trade talks.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economics Airlangga Hartarto gestures as he speaks during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, April 7, 2025. [AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana]

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has led a delegation to the US to meet with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and representatives of the Department of Commerce and Department of the Treasury since April 20. The two parties agreed to a period of negotiations over sixty days, with US officials such as Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick signalling approval of Indonesias conciliatory approach as Jakarta attempts to appease the Trump regime.

Countries in Southeast Asia were particularly hard-hit by the tariffs announced on April 2, with Indonesia facing a 32 percent tariff on its exports to the US. Negotiations began after the Trump regime on April 9 put a 90-day pause on the tariffs in the face of financial turmoil.

The US is Indonesias second-largest export market after China, reaching $US28.1 billion last year. This included approximately $US4.8 billion in electrical and electronic equipment, $US4.4 billion in clothing and textiles, and $US2.6 billion in footwear. On the other hand, Indonesias imports from the US in 2024 totalled approximately $US10.2 billion, with mineral fuels and associated products taking the largest proportion.

Agricultural products also formed a large percentage of imports from the US, reaching nearly $US3 billion, with soybeans alone totalling $US1.25 billion in 2024. Over 90 percent of Indonesias growing demand for soybeans is served by US imports. The imports of soybeans and wheat have both increased over the last decade, by 62 percent and 41 percent respectively.

Jakarta has pledged to increase its imports from the US by as much as $US19 billion, nearly tripling the current value of US goods coming into the country. Indonesia will increase imports of fuel and agricultural products including soybeans and wheat. The Indonesian government has also pledged to reduce constraints on businesses in the country.

Previously, state ministries and institutions were required to purchase products with at least 40 percent of their components from domestic sources. At the end of April, President Prabowo signed a regulation that reduces this quota to 25 percent, making US imports more accessible for companies operating in Indonesia.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has stated that Indonesia also plans to increase its imports of US crude oil by ten-fold, and is reducing imports of refined oil from Singapore to favour the US. Oil imports from Singapore are reportedly being suspended for six months.

The US tariffs represent an intensification of the US-led war drive against China amid the breakdown of global capitalism. Washington is seeking to pressure countries in the region to align with it against Beijing. This is no doubt why it has given priority to talks with Indonesia, which has attempted to balance between Washington and Beijing.

China has been Trumps main target, having initially had tariffs as high as 145 percent placed on its exports to the US. Beijing responded by imposing a 125 percent barrier on US imports. The tariffs effectively threatened to stop trade between the two largest economies in the world.

Talks between the US and China, held in Switzerland over the weekend of May 10, resulted in a reduction in the tariffs for 90 days, but the issue has not been resolved as it is driven by Washingtons attempt to maintain its global hegemony.

Tariffs on Indonesian exports to the US would have a significant impact on workers, as manufacturers would be compelled to cut costs to compensate for the expected loss of business. This could result in layoffs and redundancies for workers across Indonesias large manufacturing industries, worsening the already severe unemployment and cost-of-living crisis.

Indonesian workers, like their fellow workers internationally, already face rising living expenses that outstrip their meagre wages. The Consumer Price Index in Indonesia, a measure of average household expenses, showed an increase in average home expenses of almost 70 percent from 2010 to 2023. The countrys official unemployment rate was 4.76 percent as of February, which totals 7.28 million people out of work.

However, this figure hides the true nature of the unemployment conditions that workers face. Statistics Indonesia (BPS), which compiled the unemployment data, classifies anyone who works at least one hour a week, but less than 35 hours as either employed part-time or half unemployed. As such, the real unemployment rate is certainly higher.

At the eve of the new year, the Manpower Ministry predicted severe job cuts in 2025, possibly up to 280,000, with 60 companies reportedly planning to conduct waves of redundancies.

Said Iqbal of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) estimated that 60,000 layoffs had taken place during January and February alone. Said stated in March, Over 60,000 people have lost their jobs, and this number is expected to reach hundreds of thousands in the coming months. This layoff crisis is very serious. In contrast, the Manpower Ministry claimed that only 24,036 people had been sacked through the first four months of the year.

Indonesias attempts to mollify the US or diversify to different markets will not protect the Indonesian working class from the impact of the trade war. The economy is already slowing, recording a 4.87 percent year-on-year growth rate in the first quarter of 2025. It is the slowest the economy has grown in more than three years, and a far cry from the 8 percent rate Prabowo pledged when he was elected last year.

These conditions are already fuelling mass discontent. Protests, dubbed Dark Indonesia, erupted against Prabowos austerity measures in February when the government announced that it was slashing $US44 billion from the state budget in a Trump-styled attack on services like education and public works.

The government also established a sovereign wealth fund, called Danantara. Funded by the budget cuts, the president essentially took personal control of a large portion of the state budget, generating more dissatisfaction. Declining conditions caused by US tariffs will only add to public anger.
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Eighty-five years ago, in the early morning hours of May 24, 1940, an attempt was made to assassinate Leon Trotsky, the great Marxist revolutionary and co-leader alongside Vladimir Lenin of the October 1917 Russian Revolution. This failed conspiracy was followed by a successful assault by the Stalinist secret police (GPU) agent Ramon Mercader on August 20, 1940.

Leon Trotsky following the assassination attempt of May 24, 1940

At around 4:00 a.m. on May 24, 1940, a squad of roughly 20 Stalinist assassins led by the Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros was admitted to Trotskys villa in Coyoacan by the guard on duty, Robert Sheldon Harte, a young member of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), which was responsible for Trotskys security. Disguised as police and armed with submachine guns, automatic rifles and incendiary bombs, the assassins split up into two groups, one tasked with killing Trotsky, the other to attack Trotskys guard. They also attempted to destroy Trotskys archive, including the uncompleted manuscript of his biography of Stalin.

In an article published shortly after the attack, titled Stalin Seeks My Death, Trotsky recounted the horrific events of that morning:

My wife had already jumped from her bed. The shooting continued incessantly. My wife later told me that she helped me to the floor, pushing me into the space between the bed and the wall. This was quite true. She had remained standing, beside the wall, as if to shield me with her body. But by means of whispers and gestures I convinced her to lie flat on the floor. The shots came from all sides, it was difficult to tell just from where. At one point my wife, as she later told me, was able clearly to distinguish spurts of fire from a gun; consequently, the shooting was being done right in the room although we could not see anybody. My impression is that altogether some two hundred shots were fired, of which about one hundred fell right beside us. Splinters of glass from windowpanes and chips from walls flew in all directions. A little later I felt that my right leg had been slightly wounded in two places.

Trotsky's bedroom at his villa in Coyoacan, Mexico, riddled with bullets from the May 24, 1940 attack.

Having gone through the Russian Revolution and subsequent Civil War, Trotsky was not unfamiliar with gunfire. He and Natalia maintained their composure and lay flat on the ground as the bullets flew past their bodies. Miraculously, neither was killed nor gravely injured. Trotsky recalled that shortly after the assassins left the room, his 14-year-old grandson Seva cried out.

The voice of the child in the darkness under the gunfire remains the most tragic recollection of that night. The boyafter the first shot had cut his bed diagonally as evidenced by marks left on the door and wallthrew himself under the bed. One of the assailants, apparently in a panic, fired into the bed, the bullet passed through the mattress, struck our grandson in the big toe and embedded itself in the floor. The assailants threw two incendiary bombs and left our grandsons bedroom. Crying, Grandfather! he ran after them into the patio, leaving a trail of blood behind him and, under gunfire, rushed into the room of one of the guards.

Natalia Sedova, Leon Trotsky and their grandson Seva in 1939

The assassins knew the precise layout of the Trotsky compound and were clearly assisted by agents from within. Robert Sheldon Harte fled the scene with the assassins, raising suspicions that he was involved in the conspiracy. One month later, on June 25, 1940, Hartes body was found in a pit, covered with lime and with two bullets in the back of his head. Trotsky, lacking sufficient information, had no way of coming to any conclusion whether Harte was an agent. But in the years and decades that followed, further evidence accumulated, and the release of GPU archives following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 proved that Harte was a Stalinist agent and played a pivotal role in the May 24 assassination attempt.

In addition to Harte, an even more significant agent was among Trotskys guard, as documents were subsequently to establish. While the attack unfolded, all of Trotskys guards were rendered ineffective because their guns jammed, having been loaded with the wrong ammunition. The head of security responsible for loading ammunition was SWP member Joseph Hansen, who later informed the FBI that he had been in contact with the GPU as far back as 1938.

The May 24, 1940 attempt to murder Leon Trotsky took place against the background of the opening stages of World War II, which had broken out just eight months earlier on September 1, 1939. The Battle of France was then underway, with French forces surrendering to the Nazis on June 22, 1940.

Trotskys assassination on August 20, 1940 was the most consequential political crime of the 20th century. It marked the culmination of a global wave of terror unleashed by Joseph Stalin in the 1930s, when the Stalinist bureaucracy was transformed into an openly counterrevolutionary force. As head of the Soviet bureaucracy which usurped power from the working class, Stalin was determined to destroy all opposition to his dictatorial regime both within and outside the Soviet Union.

Joseph Stalin in 1943 [AP Photo]

In the USSR, the first Moscow Trial of August 1936 initiated the Great Terror, a war launched by the Stalinist bureaucracy against the revolutionary socialist working class and intelligentsia. Between 1936 and 1939, Stalin murdered virtually the entire leadership of the October Revolution, alongside hundreds of thousands of socialists, Marxist intellectuals and workers. Internationally, the Stalinist-controlled Third International (Comintern) consciously betrayed the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, murdering thousands of their left-wing, socialist and anarchist opponents, including the kidnapping, torture and murder of Andreu Nin, leader of the POUM (Workers Party of Marxist Unification).

The Fourth International led by Trotsky was always the central target of this global campaign of political terror. After Lenins death, Trotsky led the fight to defend the internationalist principles upon which the Soviet Union had been founded, waging an implacable struggle against the Stalinist bureaucracy and its nationalist program of socialism in one country. The Moscow Trials falsely accused Trotsky and his supporters of plotting to assassinate Stalin and other Soviet leaders, collaborating with foreign powers, including Nazi Germany, and aiming to restore capitalism in the USSR. Prior to Trotskys murder, the GPU organized the assassinations of several leading figures in the Trotskyist movement, with the agent Mark Zborowski (alias Etienne) at the center of each murder. These included:

Erwin Wolf, one of Trotskys political secretaries, murdered by the GPU in Spain in the summer of 1937 Ignace Reiss, a defector from Stalinism who declared his adherence to the Fourth International, assassinated by the GPU in Switzerland in September 1937 Leon Sedov, Trotskys son and co-thinker, who died under dubious circumstances in a Paris clinic on February 16, 1938, with all evidence pointing to his murder by the GPU Rudolf Klement, secretary of the Fourth International, abducted in Paris in July 1938 and killed by the GPU, with his dismembered body later found in the River Seine

Trotskys secretaries Rudolf Klement and Erwin Wolf, defector from the GPU Ignace Reiss and Trotskys son and closest collaborator Leon SedovAll murdered by the GPU

By 1939, Trotsky was the last surviving leader of the Russian Revolution. Having been expelled from the Russian Communist Party (RCP) in November 1927 and forced into exile from the Soviet Union in February 1929, Trotskys life was continuously in danger. Living on, as Trotsky described, the planet without a visa, the first eight years of exile were spent in Turkey, France and Norway. He was compelled to leave Europe after Stalins initiation of the terror and was only granted asylum by the radical nationalist government of Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico in December 1936, following an appeal by the socialist painter and sympathizer of Trotsky, Diego Rivera.

Notwithstanding Trotskys isolation, Stalin continued to view him as his most dangerous opponent. Especially under conditions of a new imperialist war, the revolutionary potential of the Trotskyist movement to reach a mass audience was ever present. This danger which haunted Stalin was aptly described in 1937 by the revolutionary Victor Serge, using the affectionate name of Old Man for Trotsky:

As long as the Old Man lives, there will be no security for the triumphant bureaucracy. One mind of the October revolution remains, and that is the mind of a true leader. At the first shock, the masses will turn towards him. In the third month of a war, when the difficulties begin, nothing will prevent the entire nation from turning to the organizer of victory.

Stalin determined that to maintain his power and forestall revolution required that Trotsky be murdered. Recent research has found that the plot to assassinate Trotsky in Mexico was first concretized in the spring of 1939, with GPU agents flooding into the city over the subsequent year. A critical role in preparing the May 24 attack was played by the Mexican Communist Party (PCM), which held an Extraordinary Congress in March 1940 whose central theme was the extermination of Trotskyism. The PCM polluted public opinion in the months prior to the attack with venomous denunciations of Trotsky in their official organ La Voz de Mexico, as well as the publications El Popular and Futuro which they influenced. The primary organizers of the attack, David Alfaro Siqueiros, his brother Alfredo Siqueiros, Antonio Pujol and Pedro Zuniga Camacho, were all members of the PCM.

David Alfaro Siqueiros

In Moscow, the failure of the May 24 attack was viewed as a political disaster. According to the former Soviet general and Russian historian Dmitri Volkogonov, News of the failure of the assassination attempt sent Stalin into a rage, leading him to decide that Everything would now be staked on the action of an individual operator who had long been installed in Mexico, and who was preparing to carry out his mission.

On May 26 or 27, 1940, that operator, Ramon Mercader (aliases Jacques Mornard and Frank Jacson) was first given the assignment to murder Trotsky himself. On the morning of May 28, he was introduced to Trotsky by Sylvia Ageloff, an SWP member who since 1938 had served as Mercaders liaison with the Trotskyist movement. As documented meticulously in the 2021 series by Eric London, Sylvia Ageloff and the assassination of Leon Trotsky, over the next three months Mercader and Ageloff conspired with their GPU handlers based in New York City and Mexico City to carry through the assassination.

Ramon Mercader in police custody after dealing the death blow on Trotsky

Publicly, the Stalinist press deepened their slander campaign against Trotsky, absurdly portraying the May 24 assassination attempt as a self-assault somehow organized by Trotsky himself. This brazen lie was parroted by the Mexican bourgeois press and other outlets internationally, despite the total lack of evidence. In response to these slanders, Trotsky spearheaded a vigorous campaign to expose the Stalinist conspiracy against his life. In an article she wrote after Trotskys assassination, titled Father and Son, Natalia Sedova recalled the period after the May 24 attempt on his life:

At the same time, Lev Davidovich [Trotsky] was taking part in the conduct of the investigation of the case of May 24. Its slothful pace worried LD exceedingly. He followed the developments patiently and tirelessly, explaining the circumstances of the case to the court and to the Press, making superhuman efforts to force himself to refute the self-evident and hopeless lies or malicious equivocations, doing all this with the intense perspicacity peculiar to him, and not allowing a single detail to escape his notice. He attached the proper significance to every single thing, and wove them all into a single whole.

On June 8, 1940, Trotsky published his first statement on the attack, titled Stalin Seeks My Death. Debunking the claims of self-assault, Trotsky noted:

The accidental failure of the assault, so carefully and so ably prepared, is a serious blow to Stalin. The GPU must rehabilitate itself with Stalin. Stalin must demonstrate his power. A repetition of the attempt is inevitable.

The article documented the vicious public denunciations of Trotsky by leading Mexican Stalinists prior to the assassination attempt, including Vicente Lombardo Toledano, the founder and leader of the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), and Hernan Laborde Rodriguez, the former leader of the Mexican Communist Party (PCM), who despite opposing the assassination plot remained a loyal Stalinist. Concluding the statement, Trotsky wrote:

I live on this earth not in accordance with the rule but as an exception to the rule. In a reactionary epoch such as ours, a revolutionist is compelled to swim against the stream. I am doing this to the best of my ability. The pressure of world reaction has expressed itself perhaps most implacably in my personal fate and the fate of those close to me. I do not at all see in this any merit of mine: this is the result of the interlacing of historical circumstances. But when people of the type of Toledano, Laborde, et al. proclaim me to be a counter-revolutionist, I can calmly pass them by, leaving the final verdict to history.

Vicente Lombardo Toledano in 1938 [Photo: Harris & Ewing]

In an August 17, 1940 statement, The Comintern and the GPU, published only three days before his assassination, Trotsky elaborated on these themes, while mounting a legal defense of himself and further exposure of the Stalinist plot against his life.

Following the death of Trotsky, no sustained investigation was carried out by the SWP. For decades, the party largely went silent on the matter, failing to probe the dubious connections between Ageloff and Mercader, as well as the broader network of GPU agents who had infiltrated the Trotskyist movement and remained at their posts, including Mark Zborowski in Paris, Sylvia Caldwell in New York City, Joseph Hansen in Mexico City and more. Throughout the Soviet espionage trials of the 1950s and early 1960s, which revealed the machinations of Zborowksi, the Sobolevicius brothers (Jack Soble, alias Senin; and Robert Soblen, alias Roman Well), Sylvia Caldwell (party name used by Sylvia Franklin) and others, the SWP maintained a stony silence in their press.

It was not until 1975, exactly 50 years ago this month, that the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) initiated the first comprehensive investigation into Trotskys assassination, under the title Security and the Fourth International. This investigation uncovered numerous concealed facts and brought together all available evidence on both the assassination and the web of Stalinist agents involved in the conspiracy.

Stalinist agents exposed by the Security and the Fourth International investigation for their involvement in the assassination of Trotsky. Clockwise from top left: Mark Zborowski; Sylvia Callen; the Soblevicius brothers, Jack and Robert; Thomas L. Black; Sylvia Ageloff; Robert Sheldon Harte.

Among the most critical facts were those which shed light on the role played by Zborowski, Hansen, Harte, Caldwell and others whose real history had been covered up or ignored for decades. By that time, the SWP, under the leadership of Hansen, had abandoned Trotskyism. Through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the Security investigation learned that starting on August 31, 1940, Hansen initiated relations with the FBI, quickly becoming a double-agent of US imperialism. Starting in the late 1950s, Hansen oversaw the SWPs transformation into an anti-Trotskyist party flooded with police agents, facilitating the unprincipled reunification with the Pabloites in June 1963.

The response to Security and the Fourth International by the SWP and all the various Pabloite tendencies amounted to an ever-deepening cover-up of the truth behind Trotskys assassination. They all continuously denounced the investigation as agent-baiting, while defending proven agents like Harte, Hansen, Caldwell and even Zborowski. In a public statement, they accused the ICFI of desecrating the grave of Robert Sheldon Harte.

All of the accusations made by the ICFI were thoroughly substantiated at the time and have only been further vindicated, including through the release of the Soviet spy cables (Venona papers) following the Stalinist dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Despite the definitive proof that Harte, Franklin and others were GPU agents, the SWP and other Pabloite organizations have never admitted to the veracity of the Security investigation, and in fact continue their falsification of the historical record. To this day, a memorial to Harte remains in place at the Trotsky museum in Coyoacan, controlled politically by the Pabloites, who continue to honor the memory of this proven agent.

Over the coming months, the ICFI and World Socialist Web Site will further commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of Security and the Fourth International, bringing forward the vast body of evidence compiled by the investigation and the far-reaching political conclusions which must be drawn. This legacy, intimately bound up with the central struggle of the 20th centurythat between Trotskyism and Stalinismis indispensable for the political education of a new generation of socialists entering into revolutionary politics today.

***

For another detailed account of the May 24 attack, read Part 3 of David Norths essay Trotskys Last Year, which is also included in the volume Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century, available for purchase from Mehring Books.
The Australian Capital Territorys Court of Appeal yesterday rejected a bid by David McBride to have his sentence reduced, as well as a challenge by the whistleblower against the authoritarian legal conceptions behind his jailing.

David McBride addressing Sydney rally demanding the release of Julian Assange, 24 May, 2023.

The ruling by the three-judge panel continues and upholds the extraordinary situation where the only individual convicted and imprisoned over documented Australian war crimes in Afghanistan is McBride. He is not accused of having committed the atrocities. His sole offence was to expose the violations of international law.

As an army lawyer, McBride had access to information demonstrating that Australian Special Forces soldiers had committed clear war crimes during the neo-colonial occupation of Afghanistan, including extrajudicial murders of civilians.

After McBrides attempts to raise the issue within the chain of military command were blocked, he turned the information over to journalists. That led to the Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABC) 2017 publication of the Afghan Files, detailing some of the crimes.

That publication triggered a massive state response, including an unprecedented 2019 raid of the ABCs Sydney headquarters by the Australian Federal Police and threats to prosecute the journalists involved. This was both a clear attempt to intimidate anyone contemplating further exposures and a continuation of a protracted cover-up of the war crimes, which had been committed between 2009 and 2013.

McBride was hounded for years before being charged with five offences, including unlawfully disclosing classified information under the Defence Act and divulging information in breach of the Crimes Act. In line with the national security prosecution, his trial was held under draconian secrecy provisions that barred extensive reporting.

McBrides attempt to defend the charges was obstructed by the Labor government, the prosecution and the presiding Supreme Court Justice David Mossop.

The then Labor Attorney-General refused to exercise his powers to order a termination of the proceedings, greenlighting the prosecution.

Then, the Crown argued against McBride being permitted to employ a public interest defence. McBrides lawyers had argued that he was bound to reveal the war crimes, given that they contravened both national and international law.

The prosecutors countered that the sole duty of anyone within the military was to carry out the orders of command and to respect its authority. This line was strikingly reminiscent of that employed at the Nuremberg war trials by Nazi military officials, essentially asserting the unchallengeable authority of army command, even if its actions were facilitating the commission and cover-up of crimes.

When Justice Mossop accepted the prosecution argument, there was no basis on which McBride could contest the charges and he was compelled to plead guilty. Despite that, Mossop sentenced McBride to five years and eight months, with a non-parole period of two years and three months, noting its severity but declaring it was necessary to deter other potential whistleblowers.

In their appeal, McBrides lawyers had argued that the sentence was excessively long. They also sought a reversal on the bar on his public interest defence. After a three-month period, following the appeal hearings, one of the judges read out a single line in court yesterday, declaring, The appellants appeals against his conviction and his sentence are dismissed.

In a statement issued via his legal team, McBride was defiant, saying: People who have stood up for what is right in history have suffered far more than I have I am confident the outrage produced by this judgment will be felt by all Australians. I will not give up.

His lead lawyer, Eddie Lloyd, wrote: David should never have spent a single day behind bars. Yet as we speak, he is returning to a cold, dark prison cellpreparing for winter in a concrete junglewhile those who committed crimes walk free and those who covered up those crimes have been rewarded with medals and promotions.

Pointing to the far-reaching implications of McBrides punishment, Lloyd added: It cannot be illegal to tell the truth. When a soldier acts on conscience to report wrongdoing, their actions must be protectedand their complaint properly investigated. Otherwise, we are not a democracy. We are something else.

In a sharp warning of the erosion of democratic norms, to which Lloyd pointed, the rejection of McBrides appeal has been given only the most cursory coverage by the official press. It continues a protracted blackout on the jailing of the whistleblower, including previous reports by his legal team that the conditions of his confinement were draconian and were severely impacting his mental health.

The timing of the appeal rejection provided for a striking juxtaposition. It came just weeks after another court case, involving Ben Roberts-Smith, one of Australias most decorated soldiers, who stands accused of committing war crimes, including murders in Afghanistan.

Roberts-Smith lost the case, proceedings that he initiated. He has been supported by some of the country's wealthiest individuals, who have tied their backing of the accused soldier to their demand for an even greater military build-up.

Roberts-Smith was appealing a dismissal last year of a defamation case he had brought against Nine Media and several of its journalists, who had detailed his alleged atrocities.

As was the case in the initial hearings, the Federal Court, in rejecting the soldiers appeal, effectively upheld the designation of Roberts-Smith as a war criminal. In one incident, Roberts-Smith had been accused of machine-gunning an unarmed Afghan man who used a prosthetic leg in 2009.

The Federal Court noted that the dramatic fashion of the killing suggested a certain recklessness or perhaps even brazenness on the part of Roberts-Smith. Despite his denials, The problem for the appellant is that, unlike most homicides, there were three eyewitnesses to this murder, who had testified against the leading Special Forces soldier.

But despite two civil courts having upheld the allegations against him, Roberts-Smith has never faced criminal prosecution. The only soldier charged with the murder of Afghan civilians was picked up years after footage of him shooting a prone and unarmed Afghan youth had been shown on national television. That prosecution has been dragged out interminably and has still not gone to a hearing.

That is despite the fact that it is now almost five years since the official Brereton Inquiry found credible evidence that Australian Special Forces had murdered at least 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2009 and 2013.

Brereton was a cover-up, however, aimed above all at exculpating governments and the military command, which it claimed had no knowledge of the atrocities.

In reality, the majority of the killings occurred under conditions where the Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard had signed up to a massive US troop surge in Afghanistan, which included participation in kill or capture raids headed by US intelligence and special forces. The extrajudicial murders were either part of, or took place in the context of, this officially sanctioned assassination program.

The cover-up is aimed at shielding those responsible, including senior ministers in the Labor government, the opposition Liberal-National Coalition and the military command. It is also wholly bound up with a current war drive, at an even higher level than the neo-colonial occupations at the beginning of the century, and a related crackdown on democratic rights.

The atrocities committed by US-led forces foreshadowed the mass slaughter being perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza. That genocide is being supported by all of the imperialist powers, including Australia under the Labor government.

The Labor government has, in turn, presided over a massive assault on popular opposition, slandering the masses of people who oppose the murder of Palestinians as antisemites, while overseeing police attacks on them and attempts to ban demonstrations. The onslaught is not only an attempt to defend the war crimes in Gaza. It is a bid to outlaw anti-war sentiment more broadly, amid an eruption of global war, including Australias frontline role in US-led preparations for conflict with China.

A critical component of the fight against imperialist war is the defence of those being punished by the ruling elites for opposing and exposing militarist violence. That is why the working class, and all defenders of democratic rights, must come to the defence of McBride, and demand his immediate exoneration and freedom.
The ruling this month by the most senior judge at Londons Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) that the police raid on British journalist Asa Winstanleys London home on October 17, 2024 was unlawful is a blow against the Starmer governments efforts to criminalise opposition to Israels genocide in Gaza.

Police informed Winstanley by letter during the raid that they were investigating possible offences under Sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Asa Winstanley [Photo: Asa Winstanley/X]

Around 10 police officers were involved in the dawn raid. They seized seven itemscomputers, phones and other devicesfrom the journalist. At no point in these events and to this day was Winstanley arrested or charged with any crime relating to the police investigation.

Winstanley, associate editor at The Electronic Intifada (EI) has also written for Declassified UK, Middle East Monitor, Middle East Eye, The National, and Jacobin. He has a record of opposition to Israels genocide and has exposed Tel Avivs role in the removal of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, carried out by slandering him and his supporters as antisemites. This is documented in Winstanleys book: Weaponising Anti-Semitism: How the Israel Lobby Brought Down Jeremy Corbyn.

A May 27 EI article reported, The recorder of London, Mark Lucraft, Londons highest circuit judge, on 13 May ruled that a search warrant used by Londons Metropolitan Police to seize seven items from Winstanleys home was unlawfully issued.

EI cited a statement from Winstanley who confirmed that day that all seven seized items were handed back to him on Tuesday, May 27.

Lucraft wrote in the ruling, I am very troubled by the way in which the search warrant was drafted, approved and granted where items were to be seized from a journalist.

The ruling cited the observation by Winstanleys barrister Jude Bunting KC that the Court would be hard-pressed to find a more obviously unlawful order than the one made in this case.

Lucrafts ruling warned, Any warrant seeking material in the hands of a journalist requires extremely careful handling.

The senior judge denied the polices request for a production ordera tool which is available to police under clauses of two Acts of Parliament to require journalists to disclose documents in limited cases (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984).

Instead of applying for a production order, which must be approved by a judge, prior to raiding Winstanleys home police arrived with what are now proven to be unlawful warrants.

As Winstanley notes in his own article on the ruling, the police did not apply for a production order before raiding his home because the standard required to do so means that they would have needed to show some grounds to suspect criminality and justify that before a judge. Something they were clearly unable to do.

My lawyers successfully argued that my seized devices would include items subject to legal professional privilege by virtue of his involvement in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, or excluded material, or special procedure material by virtue of his profession as a journalist.

My legal teamled by my solicitor Tayab Ali (a Bindmans partner) and backed by the National Union of Journalistssuccessfully blocked the police from searching my devices and gaining access to my contacts, files and other protected journalistic material.

The day after the raid Tayab wrote to the police demanding they halt any search of the devices. Police agreed to this on the 19th of October [2024]. As a result, police say the contents of my devices have not been accessed by them.

Winstanley said that the unlawful warrants had authorised seizure of my devices plus any material that demonstrates a mindset conducive with the support of [the] proscribed group Hamas.

Police were unable to prove this thought crime even though, as Winstanley notes, their Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, sent his lawyers two detailed reports, covering the period October 2023 and February 2024, containing no less than 80 pages of screenshots of tweets alongside commentary from the police.

The second of these reports, writes Winstanley, was produced after the unit was contacted by a UK-based counter extremism think tank who expressed concern about a number of posts by Twitter User @AsaWinstanley.

Winstanley concludes, This think tank is not named in the report, but its highly likely that the police only consulted groups with a pro-Israel bias.

The aim, clearly, was to silence a prominent exposerwith a large social media followingof the criminal operations of the Israeli state, including their central role in the removal of the twice elected leader of the Labour Party, who was Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament.

Winstanley points out that he was targeted because I have spent the last 15 years reporting in detail on many pro-Israel organisations in the UKincluding the Community Security Trust, which has close ties to both Israeli intelligence agencies and to the British police.

Such was the desperation in ruling circles to silence a leading opponent of the genocidewith huge demonstrations in London against the slaughter of Gaza facing increased repression at the timethat as Winstanley reveals, Even the police themselves, in November correspondence with my lawyers, conceded that the warrants they used to search my home were unlawful.

Winstanley points out, In essence, the police were asking the court to retrospectively legitimise their unlawful raidwhich the most senior judge at Londons Central Criminal Court refused.

Winstanley wrote, I call on the police to drop their ongoing investigation into my tweets and to apologise for the unlawful raid on my home and seizure of my devices. They should provide compensation for the harm caused to me and my family, as well as for any detriment to my journalistic contacts and sources.

The ruling of the raid on Winstanley as unlawful raises the question of whether the police have also acted illegally in their detaining, arresting and charging of other prominent opponents of war and genocide under draconian counter-terrorism legislation.

Winstanley is one of a number of independent journalists and dozens of other opponents of Israels genocide who were raided by police in the space of a few months, as the Starmer governmentwhich came to power in July last yeardoubled down on its backing for the war criminals in Tel Aviv. These include Richard Medhurst, the first journalist arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act (2000) on August 15, 2024. Medhurst had his phone and recording devices seized by police. He was instructed by police to give up passwords for his devices, which heas did Winstanleyrefused to do.

As Medhurst noted in a May 2 posting on X, So I was arrested on August 15, and just the day before, Richard Barnard of Palestine Action was charged, on August 14. And on August 6, ten of their activists were arrested. Sarah Wilkinson was raided on August 29. Asa Winstanley was raided in mid-October. Tony Greenstein was charged in November. Another eight from Palestine Action were arrested that month and Natalie Strecker arrested as well. So theres a very clear calculated timeline of arrests, very clear crackdown against prominent critics of Israels genocide in Gaza.

Mass arrests were made at the January 18 national demonstration in London, including of several leaders of the UK coalition against the Gaza genocide who have organised dozens of marches in the capital.

The Old Bailey ruling in favour of Winstanley was followed just eight days later by an intensification of the persecution of the pro-Palestinian Kneecap rap group by the Starmer government. On May 21, the Metropolitan Police announced that Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh (Liam OHanna) had been charged under the Terrorism Act. Kneecaps opposition to the Gaza genocide and refusal to back down in their opposition to the genocidal final solution Israel is pledged to completing has won widespread support from young people and artists internationally.
TEHRAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran strongly condemned Israel's airstrikes on the Sanaa International Airport, said a statement released by the ministry on Wednesday night.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the attacks as another sign of Israel's "brutality and hostility towards the Muslim peoples of Yemen and the West Asia region," according to the statement.

According to the Al-Masirah TV operated by the Houthi group, Israeli warplanes on Wednesday morning targeted the Sanaa airport's runway and a Yemenia Airlines plane in four strikes, destroying Yemen's last remaining commercial aircraft operated by the airline.

Baghaei said Israel's strikes aimed to "prevent the transfer of Yemeni pilgrims to the Saudi Arabian city of Makkah for the imminent Hajj pilgrimage and was a big crime," calling on the international community, especially the International Civil Aviation Organization, to pay immediate and serious attention to the situation.

He also condemned Israel's "repeated aggressions" against Yemen's economic infrastructure and civil facilities, including ports, airports and food warehouses, calling the attacks "clear examples of war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Baghaei highlighted the legal and moral responsibility of all countries in West Asia and the world for confronting Israel's "law-breaking and crimes" in the occupied Palestinian territories and against other countries in the region.

The Houthi group has been conducting attacks against Israeli targets since November 2023 in what it describes as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group has stated it would only cease its military operations if Israel ends its military campaign and blockade of Gaza.

Israel has responded with several major airstrikes on Yemeni targets. Two weeks ago, Israeli forces struck the Sanaa International Airport, rendering it temporarily inoperable. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney stands next to King Charles III after the British and Canadian monarch delivered the Throne Speech, May 27, 2025. [AP Photo/Blair Gable]

Amid great pomp and circumstance, King Charles IIIthe reigning British monarch who doubles as Canadas head of statemade a two-day visit to Ottawa this week. It culminated Tuesday with his delivering the Throne Speech that opened Canadas 45th Parliament. In Canadas 158 year-history, this was only the third time that the monarch personally presented the Throne Speech, which outlines the governments priorities.

The corporate media, and the political representatives and strategists of Canadian imperialism have touted the Kings visit as a diplomatic and political coup in answer to US President Donald Trumps threats to use economic force to make Canada Americas 51st state.

It sends a message to people in Canada and the United States about why Canada is separate, why Canada is different, quipped one expert. The Kings presence was a show of muscle, a senior government source told the Globe and Mail, meant to emphasize Canadas distinctive history and identity as a way of underlining its sovereignty in the face of US aggression.

In truth, the visit and the regal and Canadian nationalist hoopla that surrounded it were a profession of bankruptcy and testament to the reactionary character of the Canadian ruling class, its state, and nationalist mythology.

To counter the fascist oligarch and would-be dictator Trump and assert Canadian imperialisms independent identity, the best that the Canadian bourgeoisie can do is to highlight its ties to, and reverence for, the British monarchy, an institution that embodies hereditary privilege, anti-egalitarianism, hostility to democracy, militarism and Empire.

One moreover that most Canadians, and an overwhelming majority of Quebecers, view with indifference or outright disdain.

Workers in Canada have every reason to oppose Trump and his threats of annexation. But, as the Socialist Equality Party has explained, they can do so only in opposition to the Canadian ruling class, all its regionally-based factions, and political representatives, and by fusing their struggles with those of workers in the US and Mexico in a common offensive for a socialist North America.

In so far as it opposes Trump, the Canadian ruling class does so only from the standpoint of defending its profits and predatory geostrategic interests and to uphold its sovereign right to the lions share of the riches generated through the exploitation of Canadas workers and abundant resources.

The Canadian bourgeoisie is using Trumps barrage of trade war measures and annexationist threats as the political cover for implementing the class war agenda for which it has long been agitating.

Justin Trudeau, who Canadian capital viewed as insufficiently aggressive in pursuing its interests, was summarily dismissed and the Liberal Party, its traditional party of national government, placed under new management, with the ex-central banker and blue-chip corporate chair Mark Carney placed at the helm.

In this, the trade unions and NDP social democrats have played a critical role. During the just completed election campaign, they promoted Carney and his Liberals as a progressive alternative to the Conservatives and their far-right leader Pierre Poilievre. And they have led the din of Canadian nationalist tub-thumping whipped up by the ruling class, while rallying behind Team Canadathe Carney-led, government-big business partnership established to plot and implement the bourgeoisies trade war strategy.

War and reaction

In keeping with the reactionary traditions of monarchy, the speech delivered Tuesday by King Charles, of which all but a few introductory remarks were scripted by the government, signaled a further sharp shift right. It pledged to slash social spending and enforce fiscal responsibility, while rebuilding, rearming and, reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces and strengthening Canadas military capabilities in the Arctic. The government also vowed to preside over the largest transformation of Canadas economy since the Second Worlda euphemism for intensified worker-exploitation and the rapid implementation of environmentally destructive resource extraction projects.

In a veiled admission that a new frenzied drive of the imperialist powers to redivide the world through trade and shooting wars is underway, the speech declared the world to be a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War, and referenced key battles from the world wars of the last century, in which Canada fought as one of the imperialist protagonists.

Even as the ruling class revels in its ties to the British monarchy and decries Trumps actions targeting Canada, its preference and primary objective is to secure for Canadian imperialism the status of a duly recognized junior partner in a Trump-led Fortress North America.

Negotiating a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States is at the very top of the Carney Liberal governments agenda. To underline this, the government made it the very first policy commitment in Tuesdays Throne Speech.

While the substance of these negotiations remain shrouded in secrecy, Carney last week talked up Canadas possible participation in Trumps golden domea scheme for a continental anti-ballistic shield aimed at giving US imperialism the capability to wage a winnable nuclear war.

The Kings visit and the disgusting celebration of aristocracy and wealth that surrounded it were not just an assertion of Canadian identity. They were also carefully choreographed as part of Ottawas efforts to woo Trump. King Charles and Queen Camilla adorned themselves with dress and jewellery that were in some way meant to convey their connection to Canada, and both spoke of their affection for their Canadian realm. Never, however, did they breathe the word Trump, let alone explicitly oppose his ambition to annex Canada. The signal intended, I think is quite brilliant, gushed former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson, Donald Trump, we know, loves the royals. Hed like to be King himself.

At the same time, with a view to both asserting Canadian imperialisms capacity to pursue its own interests and gaining leverage for redefining its relations with Washington and Wall Street, the Carney government committed to pursuing closer relations with the European imperialist powers, and others including Japan and Australia. The crux of Canadas expanding partnership with Britain, the European Union and its leading powers, Germany and France, is their common determination to continue the war with Russia and build up their independent military capacities; and their opposition to Trumps aggressive America First agenda, which has destabilized NATO and blown-up the world economic order, threatening their respective imperialist interests. The Throne Speech announced that the government will boost Canadas defence industry by joining ReArm Europe, the EUs trillion dollar initiative to rapidly procure the military means to act independently and, if need be against, the US.

Tensions with Britain over the monarchs role

The Kings visit has been proclaimed by the mediawhich led by the state broadcaster CBC accorded it fawning, saturation coveragea triumph that supposedly spoke to the gravitas of the moment.

What a pitiful and reactionary delusion, rendered all the more so by the fact that 2025 marks exactly 250 years since the thirteen colonies rose up in rebellion and ultimately revolution against the autocratic rule of King George III. In his great revolutionary tract Common Sense, Thomas Paine refuted the monarchical principle, with verve and wit, almost two-and-a-half centuries ago, declaring, One of the strongest NATURAL proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ASS FOR A LION.

In the weeks preceding King Charles IIIs visit, there was much gnashing of the teeth as to whether the monarch could be prevailed upon to come to the defence of his Canadian kingdom, due to countervailing pressures from Britains Keir Starmer-led Labour government.

It had beaten Ottawa to the punch in playing the royal card. When Starmer met with Trump in the White House in February, he brought with him a hand-written letter from King Charles inviting the US president for a state visit. While never officially acknowledged, the British government clearly leaned on the monarch not to disrupt this ploy by doing anything that challenged Trumps attacks on Canada.

This caused much consternation in Ottawa and within the ruling class, because it underscored Canadian imperialisms isolation under conditions of a resurgence of inter-imperialist conflict, but also because it threatened to undermine what little legitimacy the Crown has with the broader public.

As one of his last official acts, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was hastily dispatched to the Kings Sandringham estate on March 4 to plead with Charles to show support for Canadian sovereignty. A royal historian noted the differing interests of Canadian and British imperialism in the person of the King; Prime Minister Trudeau is focused on the threat to sovereignty, whereas Prime Minister Starmer is trying to keep a harmonious trade relationship with the United States.

In the weeks that followed, official Ottawa and its media hacks searched in the tea leaves and coffee-ground patterns to see if the King was showing support for his beleaguered Canadian kingdom. Did the Kings donation of a ceremonial sword to Canadas Usher of the Black Rod at Londons Canada House signify support? What about the signs transmitted by the various Canadian military medals which Charles sported on his chest? What signals were they sending? Was the wearing of a bright red coat and a string of enormous white pearls by the Princess of Wales to celebrate Commonwealth Day on March 11 a sign that the Royals were donning Canadas colours as claimed by Canadas High Commissioner to the UK, long-time Ottawa political operator Ralph Goodale?

All of this speaks to the venal and cloying character of Canadas ruling class. But most importantly of all, to the extent to which it is ever more socially and politically isolated from the mass of the populationa phenomenon that is one of the hallmarks of a pre-revolutionary period.

The role of the Crown in upholding capitalist rule

That said, the Crown is not an incidental or ornamental part of Canadas constitution and political order. The Crown stands at the apex of the state and it has been kept in place by the bourgeoisie, long after the sun set on the British Empire and Canada forged a close military-security partnership with Washington, for very definite, indeed fundamental, class reasons.

The Crown possesses vast, essentially unlimited reserve powers under Canadas constitution. They are seldom used, but they permit the ruling class, acting through its state machine, to override democratic norms and, if need be, over the heads of the elected government and parliament in a period of extreme crisis.

These powers, once used only with great reluctance, lest their frequent deployment expose the true class nature of the state, have been increasingly resorted to as the crisis of world capitalism has escalated. In 2008, amid the world financial crisis, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper instructed the monarchs representative in Canada, the Governor General, to proroguethat is shut downparliament for close to two months to prevent his minority government from being toppled by the opposition parties in a vote of non-confidence.

We noted at the time, The traditional bourgeois-democratic framework is breaking-down. This is due, on the one hand, to the intensity of disputes within the ruling class over how Canadian capitalism can retain its world position under conditions of mounting global trade and geo-political rivalries, and, on the other, to its inability to develop a large, stable base of popular support for its program of social reaction and militarism and its fear of an eruption of the class struggle.

Eighteen years later, the processes identified by the World Socialist Web Site are now far advanced. Prorogation has become just one more tool in the kit of an executive, comprised of the Crown, cabinet and Prime Ministers Office, which has accumulated nearly unchecked power, as seen by its increasing reliance on secret Orders in Council and even secret re-interpretations of the law. The latter arbitrary executive power was used by the government to enable its invocation of emergency powers to disband the 2022 fascist-instigated Freedom Convoy, with the legal justification subsequently hidden even from the judicial commission legally mandated under the Public Emergencies Act to review the governments suspension of civil liberties. Similarly, the Liberal government has used a patently illegal, cooked-up reinterpretation of the Canada Labour Code to repeatedly criminalize strikes over the past nine months, including by Canada Post, railway and port workers.

In Canada, as in all the imperialist powers, the bourgeoisie is turning to authoritarian forms of rule and promoting the resurgence and entry into government of far-right and fascist forces. This process finds it sharpest expression in Trumps drive to erect a presidential dictatorship but it is a universal process, as the ruling class is compelled to bring its political structures into conformity with the oligarchical character of contemporary capitalist society and the imperialist imperative to secure control over resources, production networks and strategic territories through aggression and war.

With this weeks nauseating celebration of monarchy and ostentatious privilege and wealth, the ruling class is more and more dropping its democratic mask. Writing in the National Post, columnist Carson Jerema enthused over the fact that in Canada, political authority is not constitutionally derived from the people. By convention, governments are appointed by the Crown (through the Governor General) based on their ability to command the confidence of the elected House of Commons. But a typical prime minister, instead, views their legitimacy incorrectly as inherent, rather than coming from their role as the Crowns primary advisor.

Left Canadian nationalism and the struggle for the political independence of the working class

Among those who attended Tuesdays Throne Speech and celebration of King Charles III were the NDP parliamentarians, Unifor President Lana Payne, Senator and former Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Hassan Yussuff, and his successor and the current head of the countrys principal labour federation, Bea Bruske.

For decades, the labour bureaucrats and the left-liberal organizations of the upper middle class have promoted the lie that Canadian capitalism and its state are a progressive alternative to the rapacious dollar republic to the south. This left nationalism has served as the political-ideological spearhead of their efforts to suppress the class struggle and subordinate the working class to the parties and institution of Canadian capitalism.

Traditionally, and very much in keeping with the origins of the Canadian bourgeoisie, which consolidated its control over the northern tier of North America in partnership with the British Empire and through the violent dispossession of the indigenous peoples, the main strands of Canadian and French Canadian/Quebec nationalism were explicitly right-wing. They rejected the United States as too democratic and too egalitarian, while celebrating Canada and Quebec respectively as British North America and the spiritual centre of Catholicism in North America.

Only in the 1960s, and very much in response to a growing insurgent movement in the working class, were Canada and Quebecois nationalism reformulated, with the assistance of the Stalinists and Pabloite renegades from Trotskyism, and given a progressive gloss.

The working class will quickly come into headlong conflict with the Carney Liberal government and do so as mass struggles erupt across the border against Trumps drive to eviscerate social and democratic rights.

As the SEP noted in its statement on the April 28 federal election, Oppose austerity, imperialist war, Trump and Team Canada! Unite Canadian, US and Mexican workers in the fight for a workers North America!:

All the major upheavals of the working class in North Americafrom the Knights of Labor through the sit-down strikes of the 1930s, and the mass social struggles of the 1960sgalvanized support on both sides of the Canada-US border, including among the French-speaking workers of Quebec. The task today is to appropriate the best elements of these traditions and infuse them with a new, higher socialist content. As Trumps trade war has so disruptively demonstrated, Canadian, American, and Mexican workers are exploited by the same giant multinationals and are involved in the integrated production of numerous commodities, from cars to food stuffs. Alongside the SEP US and our co-thinkers in the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), the SEP fights for the objective unity of North American workers to become a conscious revolutionary strategy. To Fortress North America, and the predatory ambitions of American and Canadian imperialism, whether as partners or cut-throat rivals, we counterpose the mobilization of the working class in the struggle for workers governments in a united socialist North America, as an integral part of a world socialist federation. This perspective, based on the common class interests of workers around the world, is the only viable answer to capitalist breakdown. Every issue confronting humanity, from war to climate catastrophe, pandemics and the bourgeoisies revival of fascism, is global in scope, and can only be addressed through a united movement of the international working class to put an end to capitalism.
Screenshot of the Red Media page, 27 May 2025 [Photo: Red Media]

In the midst of the boundless war preparations by Germany and the whole of Europe, the EU adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia on May 20, 2025. This also sanctions pro-Russian and pro-Palestinian media and German journalists and thus represents an open attack on the freedom of the press.

The May 20 sanctions are primarily aimed at the operators of military facilities and the so-called Russian shadow fleet. As the European Council explains, this is intended to deny Russia access to key military technology and cut its energy revenues, which are financing its war of aggression against Ukraine.

However, the EU is also targeting media platforms for censorship. These media outlets and several German journalists are having their accounts blocked and are banned from travelling in Europe simply because of allegedly making false reports about the war in Ukraine or the genocide in Gaza. As a result of the sanctions, no one is allowed to provide them with any economic resources.

The European Council and the German ministers who set the tone in the EU are thus directly violating the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental democratic right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press. This enshrines the right to report freely and without state censorship, to express ones opinion and to disseminate information. As Article 5 of the German constitution states: There shall be no censorship.

German government politicians have long since thrown this overboard. The EU sanctions list, which was adopted by the EU Council of Ministers, bears the signature of the German government. The new German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (Christian Democrat, CDU), who decided on the sanctions package in Brussels together with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (Social Democrat, SPD), declared on the news on the evening of May 20: We are determined to continue along this path. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also a member of the CDU, which has Friedrich Merz as Chancellor in Germany.

The EU sanctions list includes the pro-Palestinian news platform Red Media and its founder Huseyin Dogru, who reports from Berlin, as well as the Turkish media company AFA Medya, which was founded by Dogru. Red Media announced that it would have to cease operations even before the sanctions were officially announced. This was justified with a coordinated press campaign and state pressure, which would also jeopardise the personal safety of employees.

The EU accuses Red Media of systematically disseminating false information on politically controversial topics and specifically supporting narratives that are seen as destabilising for the EU. This essentially refers to the fact that Red Media reported on pro-Palestinian protests in Germany, interviewed Greta Thunberg and reported live from the occupied Humboldt University while pro-Palestinian activists occupied its premises. This is a thorn in the side of German government politicians.

The destabilising activities against the EU that Red Media is accused of are not defined in more detail anywhere. In a statement in which the web portal explains its closure, Red Media writes:

A coordinated campaign against Red Media has been underway for monthsled by a questionable alliance of German media houses, journalists, trade union officials and NGOs, some of which are directly founded or funded by the German or Israeli state.

Red Media has responded to the accusations and defends itself against them. In particular, they firmly deny having instigated pro-Palestinian protests in Germany or of coordinating the occupation of Humboldt University in Berlin by Palestinian activists. In response to the accusation of offering terrorists a platform, they write: [T]his refers to our interviews with relevant political actors in the Middle East. And they conclude:

What we are witnessing is not public discourse, but orchestrated repressionlegitimised by a media-generated myth of threat. It is an attack on independent journalism (...) What we are currently witnessing is the global normalisation of repressionwhere talking about genocide is criminalised.

In fact, the inclusion of Red Media in the EUs sanctions list means the banning of the platform without even an objective hearing of evidence, let alone a court decision. At the behest of the German government, the EU institutions are de facto cancelling the freedom of the press. Anyone who disseminates unfavourable opinions or does not report along official lines is to be sanctioned. The EU institutions is creating a precedent for censoring unpopular media beyond the rule of law.

The as yet unproven accusation that Red Media is financed by Russia is completely irrelevant. Not only because numerous German media products are financed from other countries. Above all, freedom of the press includes not only the freedom of opinion of the publishers, but also the freedom of the population to listen to the different sides of a conflict and form their own opinion. However, in view of the preparations for war against Russia, any position that does not follow the official war narrative is declared enemy propaganda and banned.

From this point of view, the sanctioning of German journalists living in Russia must also be rejected. The blogger Alina Lipp from Hamburg, with her Telegram channel News from Russia, and Thomas Ropers from Bremen, with his blog Anti-Spiegel, often present right-wing viewpoints and follow the Kremlins line. But the population has a right to view such perspectives and to compare it critically with the line of the German government as well as their own.

Chancellor Merz (CDU) and the EU leaders have already threatened even tougher sanctions against Russia. The censorship of allegedly pro-Russian media goes hand in hand with the pro-war policy that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of victims in Ukraine and is aimed at silencing all criticism.

Behind this lies the fear of government politicians and those controlling economics and finances of the growing resistance to war that is spreading among the population of Germany, Europe and the whole world.
Palestinians carry boxes containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana]

At least ten Palestinians desperately seeking food at distribution centers have been killed over the past two days, after Israeli troops opened fire on aid-seekers for a second day in a row Wednesday.

As hundreds of thousands of people queued up in a desperate attempt to receive food Wednesday, an Associated Press (AP) journalist reported hearing an Israeli tank and soldiers open fire, while the Israeli military admitted firing warning shots.

The massacres took place at distribution centers set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a project backed by Israel and the United States that seeks to displace Gazas established humanitarian organizations and gain control over the distribution of starvation rations to the Palestinian population.

The massacre of aid-seekers for a second day in a row confirms the warnings by the United Nations, Oxfam, and other humanitarian organizations that the US-Israeli aid distribution scheme is nothing more than a logistical component of Israels ethnic cleansing program.

The US and Israel have sought to present the creation of the GHF as an independent humanitarian organization aimed at feeding the starving population of Gaza. In reality, it is the logistical component of Operation Gideons Chariots, the ongoing Israel Defense Forces (IDF) offensive to completely conquer Gaza and transfer its remaining population to concentration camps in preparation for their forcible displacement from the enclave.

The GHF uses US military logistics suppliers for distribution and is guarded by US military contractors. It is unclear whether US contractors joined Israeli troops in opening fire on the aid seekers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the GHF is part of a plan to create a sterile zone in the South of Gaza, where the entire population can move for its own protection.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Avigdor Lieberman, Israels former Minister of Finance, made clear that the GHF is financed by the Israeli intelligence forces and the military. The money for humanitarian aid comes from the Mossad and the Ministry of Defense. Hundreds of millions of dollars at the expense of Israeli citizens, Lieberman said.

Footage from one of the distribution centers near Rafah showed aid-seekers penned into cage-like structures, where they had to submit to biometric scans before receiving rations.

In a statement, Gazas Government Media Office said Israeli forces opened direct fire on hungry Palestinian civilians who had gathered to receive aid at a distribution site in southern Gaza, wounding at least 62 people.

These locations were transformed into death traps under the occupations gunfire, the government media office said.

Commenting on the Israeli massacres of aid seekers, Jonathan Whittall, a senior UN humanitarian official, said the Israeli effort to seize control of food distribution was part of an assault on their human dignity. He added, Yesterday, we saw tens of thousands of desperate peopleunder firestorming a militarized distribution point established on the rubble of their homes, Mr. Whittall told reporters in a news briefing on Wednesday.

In a statement on Wednesday to the National Press Club in Japan, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that The model of aid distribution proposed by Israel does not align with core humanitarian principles.

He added, We have seen yesterday the shocking images of hungry people pushing against fences, desperate for food. It was chaotic, undignified, and unsafe, declaring, I believe it is a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities, he added, referring to civilian deaths during Israels air and ground war in the small coastal territory.

He called on Israel to allow the UN and other humanitarian agencies to distribute food, which has been almost completely blocked by Israel since March 2.

The Trump administration has fully backed the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, with Acting US Alternate Representative to the UN John Kelley calling on the international organization to work with the GHF and Israel to reach an agreement on how to operationalize this system in a way that works for all. He claimed the foundation was independent and aimed to provide a secure mechanism for the delivery of aid to those in need.

Israel meanwhile continued its mass killings throughout Gaza, massacring at least 63 people on Wednesday. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed 54,084 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded 123,308 wounded, according to Gazas health ministry.

In a post on X, UNRWA chief Lazzarini accused Israeli troops of carrying out a summary execution of one of its staffers on March 23. Kamal, a member of the UNRWA staff, was killed along with eight medical workers from the Red Crescent. Lazzarini said, Kamal was killed through one or multiple blows to the back of his skull. He was then buried next to the other @PalestineRCS team members in a mass grave.

Despite the establishment of the US-Israeli aid scheme, mass starvation is ongoing. A report by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification earlier this month estimated that almost 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be acutely malnourished over the course of the next 11 months.

The report said, The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with half a million people - one in five - facing starvation.
YANGON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 20 people were killed and 159 injured in 58 traffic accidents on Myanmar's Yangon-Mandalay highway between January and April this year, according to a report from the Road Transport Administration Department on Thursday.

The number of traffic accidents and fatalities on the highway this year decreased compared to the same period last year, which recorded 59 accidents, resulting in 33 deaths, the report said.

On Thursday, the state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television reported that the major cause of accidents on the highway during the period is human errors, as well as vehicle defects such as tire blowouts during the hot season.

The 587-km Yangon-Mandalay expressway connects the country's commercial city of Yangon and the second-largest city of Mandalay. 
YANGON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Hotels and Tourism inaugurated a new training school of Center for Tourism Development (CTD) in Kengtung town of Shan state with the support from the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund 2023, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism on Thursday.

Alongside the inauguration ceremony, hotel service training courses also began. These include front office, food and beverage services, and housekeeping, U Naung Naung Lin Aung, a director from the ministry told Xinhua.

A total of 62 trainees joined the courses, he said.

Kengtung has rich tourism resources, and the CTD in Kengtung aims to boost tourism development and create job opportunities for local people, he added.

There are now two CTD training schools in Myanmar-one in Yangon and one in Kengtung, U Naung Naung Lin Aung said. 
WELLINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a visit to Nepal, marking the first official trip by a New Zealand foreign minister to the Himalayan nation.

A New Zealand government statement said on Thursday that the visit celebrated the enduring bond between the two countries.

The high-level talks between Peters and top Nepalese political leaders focused on regional security, global peacekeeping, and strengthening multilateral institutions, the statement said. 
80s rock legends Simple Minds and Modern English recently joined forces for an epic concert in Denver, Colorado on May 27.

The two bands played together as part of Simple Minds Alive and Kicking tour, which stopped at Denvers Ball Arena. The members of both bands appeared to be in great spirits and were active during the performance, really getting their rock on. 80s synth duo Soft Cell  who are most famous for their 1981 cover of "Tainted Love"  is also part of the tour.

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 27: Charlie Burchill, James Kerr and Ged Grimes of Simple Minds perform during their "Alive and Kicking Tour" at Ball Arena on May 27, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Thomas Cooper/Getty Images)Thomas Cooper/Getty Images

Simple Minds, who are responsible for the hit song Dont You Forget About Me from the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, consists of frontman Jim Kerr, 65, and guitarist Charlie Burchill, also 65, who are the two remaining original members of the band. Joining them on tour are a group of collaborators, including Gordy Goudie on guitar, Ged Grimes on bass, Cherisse Osei on drums, and Sarah Brown on backing vocals. Modern English, who put out the 1982 hit I Melt With You, consists of vocalist Robbie Grey, guitarist Gary McDowell, bassist Mick Conroy, and keyboardist Stephen Walker, all original members of the band. They are joined by Gabriel Sullivan on guitar and Richard Chandler on drums.

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 27: Robbie Grey and Michael "Mick" Conroy of Modern English performs at Ball Arena on May 27, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Thomas Cooper/Getty Images)Thomas Cooper/Getty Images

In the coming days, the tour will play several dates in Texas and then move on to other areas of the United States through late June, where the tour will close out at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. From there, Simple Minds heads to Europe, where they will play the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands through the end of July.

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 27: James Kerr and Andy Gillespie of Simple Minds perform during their "Alive and Kicking Tour" at Ball Arena on May 27, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Thomas Cooper/Getty Images)Thomas Cooper/Getty Images

As for Modern English, the band does not have any shows scheduled after the Alive and Kicking tour just yet, at least not according to their official website.

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Simple Mind has released a whopping 21 studio albums since they were formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1977, as well as seven EPs. For their part, Modern English has eight studio albums to their name and an additional three EPs since their own formation in Essex in 1979.

Two Iconic Classic Rock Bands Join Forces For Epic Colorado Concert first appeared on Parade on May 28, 2025
The nonprofit agency One Joplin invites residents to attend a ribbon-cutting celebrating the latest StoryWalk installation at Leonard Park.

The event will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, at the city park at 408 Turk Ave.

This new installation features the childrens book "The Mighty McKraken," by local author Isaiah Basey, known as Izzy B. The story combines whimsical pirate adventures with a message about kindness and manners.

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The project is made possible through a collaborative partnership between One Joplin, OWN INC. and Joplin Parks and Recreation. This partnership reflects a growing commitment within the community to promote early childhood literacy, support local creatives and provide outdoor experiences for families.

"We are grateful for community-minded businesses like OWN Engineering that are willing to invest in educational initiatives," said Nicole Brown, executive director of One Joplin. "The StoryWalk at Leonard Park is a wonderful way for families to connect, enjoy nature and encourage a love of reading in their children."

Jessica Pommert, co-chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team, expressed enthusiasm about presenting a story by a local author.

"We were thrilled to highlight a story from one of our own. Izzy Bs 'The Mighty McKraken' brings laughter and learning to life  who knew pirates could be such good role models for manners?"

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The StoryWalk will remain in place at Leonard Park through August for families to visit the interactive reading experience. For those interested in more literary outdoor adventures, another StoryWalk is available at the Joplin Public Library.

Christina Matekel-Gibson, co-chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team, and the childrens librarian at the library, said, "Our goal is to create a rotating collection of StoryWalks that can be enjoyed throughout the community year-round. Were also exploring opportunities to establish additional permanent installations in other parks and public spaces."

One Joplin continues to drive initiatives that address community needs in education, literacy, health and poverty by fostering partnerships and collective action. The StoryWalk program exemplifies this mission, offering a fun and meaningful way for families to engage in literacy activities together.

"This is our second StoryWalk installation of the year, and were thrilled to bring a new reason for families to get outside and explore the beauty of Leonard Park, Brown added. "This project embodies what can be accomplished when organizations work together to strengthen our community."

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The StoryWalk Project was originally created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. It has since become a national movement to bring literacy into everyday outdoor spaces.

For more information about One Joplin and ongoing community literacy efforts, visit www.onejoplin.com or contact Nicole Brown at director@onejoplin.com or 417-726-9123.
Massachusetts has a lot packed into it: history, nature, culture, great towns and cities, beaches as well as so much more. It's understandable to wonder why someone might want to leave.

But as it turns out, Commonwealth flyers like going all over the country and even outside of it. It makes sense since airlines like Jetblue added more flights at Boston Logan International Airport.

A Logan spokesperson provided The Patriot Ledger with a list of the 5 most popular summer destinations from the Boston airport.

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These are the busiest routes out of Logan from this past summer, in no particular order.

San Francisco, California

Feb 6, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; A general view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the skyline of downtown San Francisco prior to Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, where hundreds of people were incarcerated and, in 1969, would be the stage of a historic occupation and land protest by Native American activists that lasted 19 months.

Orlando, Florida

A sign near an entranceway to Walt Disney World on MAY 22, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking that a federal judge be disqualified from the First Amendment lawsuit filed by Walt Disney Co. against the Florida governor and his appointees. The case revolves around the Governor taking over Disney's special governing district after Disney opposed Florida legislation that critics have dubbed "Don't Say Gay."

Disney World, Universal Studios and just a one-hour drive from the popular cruise ship port Port Canaveral, there are a lot of big-ticket destinations in Orlando so it makes sense that this destination is one of the most frequent.

Atlanta, Georgia

Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; General overall view of the downtown Atlanta skyline and Skyview Atlanta ferris wheel prior to Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A thriving city, Atlanta is packed with things to do, including the largest aquarium in the United States, Zoo Atlanta, the World of Coca-Cola, with lots of neighborhoods, museums and restaurants to spend some time at.

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New Arrivals: You can fly direct to over 50 international destinations from Boston in 2025. Here's where

Washington, D.C.

The Capital Wheel overlooks the National Harbor and Washington, D.C.'s skyline

There are the museums, the monuments, the history and, of course, the business of our national government, which all pull people toward Washington, D.C., for a trip.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has so many iconic places to visit: the Willis Tower (once known as the Sears Tower), the famous Bean statue (formally known as Cloud Gate) and Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Logan Airport flights: Five most popular summer flights out of Boston
Surgeons Repair Newborn Foals Broken Jaw At UC Davis originally appeared on Paulick Report.

In late February, Amanda Johnson awoke to find a frightening scene in her barn. The jaw of her 5-day-old foal Quincy was bloody and hanging out of place, appearing broken on both sides. She immediately called her veterinarian.



She was out of town but took the time to discuss the situation with me, said Johnson. She suggested I take Quincy to UC Davis. They would have the latest techniques to fix the jaw and give Quincy the best outlook for her future as a performance horse.



Johnson owns Johnson Livestock, a small American Quarter Horse breeding facility in Gilroy, California. She is a lifelong equestrian who started riding at age 4, began showing her Pony of the Americas at age 7, and moved up to reining as a teenager. As a young adult, Johnson gained an interest in Ranch Versatility Horses.

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We breed about 2-4 horses per year at Johnson Livestock, said Johnson. As a boutique breeder, we concentrate more on quality than quantity. We are focused on cutting bred mares or cow horse mares crossed with reiners. Were trying to achieve an all-around Ranch Versatility Horse  a horse that can be shown in a reining competition and a roping futurity; a horse thats not pigeon-holed into one discipline but can compete in broader ways.



She started Johnson Livestock by buying mares from an American Quarter Horse Association Best Remuda Award-winning ranch in Wyoming after the owner passed away. The Best Remuda Award is the oldest and most prestigious ranching award, created to recognize ranches for their efforts in raising outstanding American Quarter Horses.

Quincy is an example of the quality stock Johnson produces. Her dam is Buckin Bay Rose, a 12-year-old mare by Playboys Buck Fever. Quincy is her fourth foal with Johnson Livestock and sixth overall. The fillys sire is Call Me Mitch, the second highest earning horse in the history of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA). Mitch recently became a Million Dollar Sire and has won dozens of awards throughout his career including the 2023 NRCHA Worlds Greatest Horseman Champion.



When Quincy arrived at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, she was admitted to the Equine Internal Medicine Service by faculty member Dr. Rana Bozorgmanesh and resident Dr. Nicole Kreutzfeldt and later cared for by faculty member Dr. Fiona Wensley and resident Dr. Hillary Bunay. Apart from the obvious injury, the filly was alert, responsive, and in good health. X-rays showed complete displaced fractures of both of her mandibles. The injury left the foal unable to nurse, so a nasogastric tube was placed for feeding. Faculty surgeon Dr. Sandra Valdez manually reduced the fractures and bandaged the wound for short-term stabilization until surgery.



When Quincy was ready for surgery, the Diagnostic Imaging and Anesthesia Services prepared her for a CT scan to classify the fracture and help the surgeons plan their surgical approach.

After discussion with Johnson, it was determined that the fractures would be stabilized with external fixators. Faculty surgeon Dr. Scott Katzman and surgery residents Drs. Bridget Ratliff and David Orozco-Lopez reduced the fractures and placed locking compression plates on the exterior of her face. Intra-operative radiographs (fluoroscopy) were used to confirm accurate reduction of the fracture and placement of the external implants.

In surgery at the UC Davis veterinary hospital, an external fixator was placed to repair Quincy's broken jaw.UC Davis

Quincy recovered well from anesthesia and was able to nurse just one day after surgery. She was hospitalized for the following week before being discharged to continue her recovery at home. X-rays at her two recheck appointments showed appropriate healing, and the fixators were removed five weeks after surgery.



Johnson is happy to report that Quincys recovery is complete, and she looks forward to her foals bright future.

Quincy recovered from surgery at the UC Davis veterinary hospital to repair her bilateral mandibular fractures.UC Davis

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A $1.5 million donation has been given to Clayborn Temple to be rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire that was intentionally set.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund kicked off the fundraising campaign with a $1.5 million grant.

WREG photo (Photo by: WREGs Quintin Bearkley) Clayborn Temple Fire Sparks Renewed Urgency for Preservation (Photo by: WREGs Quintin Bearkley) The I Am A Man Plaza near Clayborn Temple (photo by David Royer/WREG) WREG photo FILE  This March 25, 2017 photo shows the Clayborn Temple in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) WREG photo

A news conference was held marking a month since the Clayborn Temple fire.

Fire destroys Clayborn Temple, historic Memphis church with ties to Civil Rights movement

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We have spent a month mourning, its been a month of tears, said Anasa Troutman, Founder and Executive Director of Historic Clayborn Team.

Clayborn Temple was the launching point for a march for sanitation workers rights that brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis in 1968. The iconic I Am A Man signs used in the march were printed there.

Dr. King planned to march with sanitation workers from Clayborn Temple on April 8, before he was assassinated on April 4 on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. His wife, Coretta Scott King, led strikers and thousands of supporters in his place.

The building dates to 1892, when it was originally Second Presbyterian Church. In 1949, the building was sold to the African Methodist Episcopal church and was renamed Clayborn Temple.

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Clayborn Temple fire ruled arson; person sought

Just imagine what this is going to look like when it is complete, said Martin Luther King II, Civil Rights Activist.

This is a sacred place for our city, and as we talk about whats next, we want you to know that Memphis is going to be apart that the city is going to play a role in whats next, said Mayor Paul Young.

People at Clayborn Temple have started design work, and new designs will be made for the remaining portions.

Memphis is known for its grit and its grind, and because of that spirit, we are going to make Clayborn Temple what it was, make it even better, said Congressman Steve Cohen.

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We might cry tomorrow, we might cry next week, but today, while we are together, we are going to rejoice in the beauty and the power and the possibility of what remains behind us, Clayborn Temple has been damaged, but it has not been destroyed, said Troutman.

MFD released photos of a person of interest in the Clayborn Temple fire.

There is a $10,000 reward for any information on the suspect who set the fire. If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Palestinians wait to receive free food at a food distribution center in the al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Dujarric challenged the Israeli authorities to allow the international press into Gaza to see what is happening.

UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A UN spokesman on Wednesday rejected Israel's claim that the world body has failed to pick up humanitarian supplies for Gaza at a border crossing.

UN humanitarians in Gaza continue to put their lives at risk, trying to pick up aid from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem, the only crossing that is open, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The spokesman made the statement in response to Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon's claim earlier Wednesday that the United Nations failed to pick up more than 400 truckloads of aid on the Gaza side of the crossing.

"As we speak, there are more than 400 trucks already on the Gaza side of the fence, waiting to be distributed. But the UN has failed to pick them up," Danon told reporters. "We opened the crossings. We provided safe routes for those trucks. But the UN did not show up."

Dujarric said UN staff in Gaza "are not sitting on their hands."

"Our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza are living in a time of great despair because they're also wondering where their next meal is going to come from. They're not sitting on their hands, neither are international colleagues who keep going in and out of Gaza," said the spokesman. "They are continuing to put their lives at risk, trying to pick up the aid from the one and only crossing that is open."

Dujarric said that picking up aid from the Gaza side is extremely difficult.

Palestinians wait to receive free food at a food distribution center in the al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

"What happens is that we submit goods that we want to bring into Gaza. The Israelis then decide which ones they will approve. The trucks then come in from the Israeli side into Kerem Shalom. The goods have to go on what is referred to as sterile trucks," he said. "So that already takes time. Then they have to be loaded on the Palestinian trucks. In order for us to go pick up those goods, we have to get clearance from the Israelis."

All the missions that the United Nations asked for on Wednesday had been denied by the Israeli authorities, said the spokesman.

"If we're not able to pick up those goods, I can tell you one thing: it is not for lack of trying," he said.

Asked whether the United Nations believes that Israel is hampering the UN humanitarian efforts on purpose, the spokesman said, "You have to ask them what their motivation is. But I can tell you, they sure aren't making it easy for us."

Dujarric challenged the Israeli authorities to allow the international press into Gaza to see what is happening.

"One way to clear up the dueling narratives that you hear would be for international journalists to be allowed into Gaza. So everyone -- you and your organizations -- could see things with your own eyes," he said. 
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  One person is dead and another was flown to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon.

According to the Mercer County Sheriffs Office, a 911 call was placed just before 12:45 p.m. regarding a car crash on Clover Four Road near Guadalupe Road in Marion Township.

2 dead after motorcycle crash near Dayton airport

Officials discovered a Ford sedan traveled left of center for an unknown reason into the opposite lane of travel, and struck a Jeep SUV head-on.

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The Ford driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as 22-year-old Trent Pleiman of Maria Stein.

The Jeep driver was transported to the hospital for her injuries before being transferred by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation. Findings will be forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office for review.

Officials say this is the third fatal traffic crash in Mercer County for 2025.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Honolulu police are responding to an apparent murder investigation in the Makaha area.

Officials said the incident happened on Wednesday, May 28 around 9 p.m. on Lahaina Street.

Honolulu EMS paramedics arrived at the scene and treated two 19-year-old males and one 39-year-old male with serious injuries.

Officials say the three patients suffered apparent gunshot wounds and were administered advanced life support before taking them to the hospital.

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The fourth patient, a 19-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to EMS.

No arrests have been made at this time.

This investigation remains ongoing.

This is a developing story. KHON2 will provide more information as it becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  One person died after a vehicle fled from a traffic stop along Interstate 65 early Wednesday morning.

Williamson County deputies attempted to stop a 2023 Toyota Camry, which was traveling southbound on I-65 at more than 90 mph.

According to a release, the sedan drove westbound on Murfreesboro Road at a high rate of speed before crashing into a pole near South Margin Street in Franklin.

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Driver seriously injured after Antioch crash

A passenger in the Camry, 42-year-old Kevin Ray House, was killed in the crash, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The 20-year-old driver was injured and taken to an area hospital for treatment.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, said Sheriff Jeff Hughes in a release. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of those affected.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The driver was identified by the THP as Zachary Chatman. He was charged with vehicular homicide, evading arrest and reckless driving.

No additional information was immediately released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Editors note: Story has been updated to reflect the Greenville County Coroners Offices correction of the name of the shooting victim.

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  One person is dead in a shooting on Thursday involving deputies in Greenville County.

The shooting happened along the 3400 block of Cannon Road, near Greer, according to the Greenville County Sheriffs Office.

The Greenville County Coroners Office confirmed that one person had died. He was identified as 51-year-old Johnny Andrew Collins, of Greer.

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According to Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis, deputies were assisting the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office with locating Collins due to the suspect having multiple warrants.

The suspect had appeared with a weapon, and deputies fired shots, according to Lewis.

Coroner Mike Ellis said that Collins was found in a deep wooded area.

The sheriffs office reported that all deputies involved in the fatal shooting are okay.

Were trying to determine why he was in this area, Ellis said. There may be a plausible explanation when we do more interviews with people who live here.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. All five deputies who were involved will be placed on paid administrative leave.

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A Critical Incident Community Briefing, providing detailed information regarding the shooting, will be released on the Greenville County Sheriffs Offices YouTube channel on July 13 at 8:00 am.

The coroner said an autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
A severe thunderstorm that crossed through the northeastern suburbs of Austin, Texas, Wednesday night, dropped hail and caused massive flooding that resulted in several water rescues. One person was swept away by the floodwaters and reported dead.

Floodwaters inundated streets as leaves and hail clogged drainage systems. Water rose rapidly after more than 3 inches of heavy rain, causing one river gauge to rise from 3 to 13 feet in 30 minutes. The storm also knocked out windows at the Capitol building.

Within about 20 minutes, some areas of Austin saw a blanket of hail carpet the ground, flood waters quickly pour into low water crossings, whole trees ripped from the ground and expansive damage to homes, property and electric equipment. pic.twitter.com/D50BQQMGa3  Austin Energy (@austinenergy) May 29, 2025

Winds gusted to 77 mph during the storm, according to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Local power company Austin Energy reported trees on homes and electric equipment down.

As many as 77,000 customers in Texas were without power overnight, mostly in Austin. That number had fallen to 33,000 Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.US.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  It was one year ago that a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the Saint Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral, which has stood as a Cleveland icon for more than a century.

One year later, a project to renovate St. Theodosius has begun.

Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after criticizing presidents big beautiful bill

Jim Wamelink of WR Restoration has been in the business for 40 years and said when he was summoned to the scene of the blaze in May of 2024, he knew that saving the historic church in the citys Tremont neighborhood would be one of the biggest challenges of his career.

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I was stunned, heartbroken. I could see the pain and anguish on everyone around me, you know, they didnt know what happened, what to do, Wamelink said.

Damage from the fire, reportedly sparked by repair work on one of the churchs copper domes, nearly led to the demolition of St. Theodosius, a symbol of Clevelands cultural melting pot and the backdrop for scenes from the 1978 movie The Deerhunter.

They instructed the church to either take down the dome or they were going to instruct the company to demolish the church because it was at risk of falling, Wamelink said.

Ultimately, the church was saved by the removal of the unstable dome, but the dean of the cathedral said the first couple of months after the fire were like being lost in the woods.

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Cleveland Clinic updates new co-pay policy after backlash

Father Jan Ciznar told FOX 8 News, Its about faith. Definitely, in the entire process, there are many discoveries and things that we did not anticipate.

The renovation of St. Theodosius will be done in four separate phases.

Right now, we have a temporary roof structure protecting the inside of the church, Wamelink said.

Although the blaze had a devastating impact on the roof and the upper walls of the church, most of its historic religious symbols and artwork somehow withstood the damage from the flames, smoke and water.

I can see the beauty, I can still smell incense here, not the smoke from the fire, but the incense from our services, so you see the damag,e but you still feel the spirit and you see the beauty, Father Cizmar said.

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The initial estimate of damage was $1 million, but as the scope of the destruction to the historic building became clear, church leaders now believe the total cost of the renovation project will be more than $10 million. The reality is that the churchs insurance carrier will not cover the cost of the entire restoration.

Ex-Cleveland officer sentenced for shooting in school parking lot

Father Ciznar told us, We will see what we can do. Hopefully, we will be able to finish the roof and close the building, and then we will just start fundraising.

For members of the renovation team, the project has become a personal crusade, and thats why they have reached out to the cast of The Deerhunter for assistance.

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I sent through Facebook a quick note to Meryl Streep and the other actors and actresses to see if they would be interested in maybe making a statement or visiting the church, but I havent heard back yet, Wamelink said.

The dean of St. Theodosius said returning the church to its previous glory will be yet another challenge for its loyal congregation.

Its about being faithful, flexible, patient, resilient, Father Cizmar said.

If everything goes according to plan, they are hoping the restoration of the cathedral will be completed by May of 2026.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A 1-month-old baby girl who was found dead in a Queens home on Tuesday wasnt mauled by a puppy as originally suspected, sources told PIX11 News Thursday.

The infant was discovered at the Queensbridge Houses around 6:30 a.m., according to authorities. Police said she was taken to a hospital where she later died.

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Sources said the babys face had been chewed on by a 6-week-old German Shepherd/pit bull mix, but thats not believed to be the cause of death.

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Police sources initially suspected the dog bites led to the childs death before an autopsy was done. The cause of death remained unclear.

No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was hurt in a rollover crash Thursday morning, May 29, in Central El Paso, a Fire Department spokesperson said.

The crash happened at about 11:40 a.m. Thursday along eastbound Interstate 10 near Raynolds and the car rolled over onto the rocks off the freeway, the fire spokesperson said.

One person was transported with non-life-threatening injuries (Code 1).

The Texas Department of Transportation said traffic was impacted along Gateway East but has since reopened.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
For a generation, the Sun Belt was the place where cities were growing the fastest, as retirees flocked to the warmth and relative affordability. But a new survey by moving firm Hire A Helper aimed to find out where moving momentum is strongest today.

Hire A Helper analyzed migration trends, employment shifts, and income changes across dozens of U.S. metros. By looking at how these factors changed between 2018 and 2023, they identified the cities where growth isnt just happening  its accelerating.

The result is a ranking of Americas emerging boomtowns: places attracting new residents, expanding their economies, and seeing incomes rise faster than the national average.

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While some well-known cities continue to thrive, the study finds a growing number of smaller metros are quietly reshaping the national map by offering more affordable housing, stronger job markets, and a better quality of life. Here is a tour of the top boomtowns.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Photo: Sioux Falls Tourism

Migration to Sioux Falls increased by 13.5%, one of the highest gains across all metros studied. While employment held steady, average incomes surged more than 21%  the highest increase on the Hire A Helper list. Home prices also increased 44% from 2020 to 2025, reflecting rising demand in a city known for its low taxes, growing finance and healthcare sectors, and pro-business climate.

Mayor Paul TenHaken exhalted the cities growth in his annual state of the city address earlier this year:

We are in the midst of incredible investments being made in this city. Theyre like pieces of a puzzle, slowly coming together over time, defining what Sioux Falls is and can be, and shaping how the world views our community. This progress will continue to draw people here to live, to work, to raise a family, and to stay and play... for generations to follow.

Roseville, California

Photo: Go Downtown Roseville

This city doesnt have the marquee name recognition of San Diego, Sacramento, LA, or San Francisco, but its quietly positioning itself as a popular place.

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According to Hire A Helper, just northeast of Sacramento, Roseville saw a 14.4% population increase, leading the country in migration growth. While employment dipped slightly, home values rose by nearly 35%, and incomes grew modestly.

Roseville continues to be recognized as one of the best places to live and do business in California. Affordable and reliable community-owned utilities, innovation, safety and livability make Roseville a community of choice for investment, said Melissa Anguiano, Roseville Economic Development Director.

Worcester, MA

Photo: Worcester Tourism

Long seen as a gritty industrial outpost of Boston, the city is undergoing a revival as people discover its affordability and durability.

According to Hire A Helper, Worcesters population grew nearly 12%, making it the fastest-growing metro in the Northeast. Although employment dipped slightly, incomes rose nearly 6%, and home prices climbed more than 60% over the past five years. Worcester is now gaining recognition as a rising tech and life sciences hub, boosted by local universities and biotech investment.

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Hire A Helper found that Worcester is emblematic of other New England cities:

While major cities continue to draw new residents, this years boomtown analysis shows that many of the fastest-growing metros are smaller, more affordable alternatives  especially across the Northeast and Midwest.

Jacksonville, Florida

Photo: Visit Jacksonville

While momentum may be shifting away from the Sun Belt, there are still some cities bucking the trend. According to Hire A Helper, Jacksonville posted a 9% migration increase, paired with positive job growth and a 7% income rise. Home prices rose over 50% in five years, as Floridas no-income-tax policy and lower cost of living continue to drive growth in this fast-expanding metro.





Jersey City, NJ

Photo: City of Jersey City

Migration to Jersey City climbed nearly 10%, and incomes rose slightly even as employment held steady. Located just across the river from Manhattan, Jersey City saw home values rise by 27%, offering residents urban convenience at a (slightly) lower cost for both renters and homebuyers priced out of NYC.



Newark, New Jersey

Photo: City of Newark

The city is known more lately for its airport troubles, but putting that aside, the city has a lot to offer: a location a stones throw from NYC, relative affordability, and a lot of amenities.

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Newark experienced an 8% increase in migration, with incomes rising more than 10%, despite a small decline in employment. The city continues to benefit from revitalization projects and its strategic location as a transit hub to New York City. Home prices rose roughly 50%, further signaling renewed interest in the area.

Providence, RI

Photo: Visit Providence

Providence saw a 6.4% increase in population, along with job gains and an 11.6% rise in income. With a strong arts scene and a growing reputation as a startup-friendly city, Providence has become an attractive place to live. Home prices increased by over 60%, suggesting high demand in this capital.



Buffalo, New York

Photo: Buffalo Aerial Photos

Buffalos migration rate rose about 7%, with growth in both jobs and income. The city has benefited from revitalization efforts and affordable housing, with home prices averaging well below national averages at roughly $225,000 in 2025. With a strong base in healthcare and tech, Buffalo is quietly becoming a Northeast hub.

Visalia, California

Photo: Visit Visalia

Visalia posted an 8.4% migration increase, alongside job growth in agriculture and logistics. Although incomes dipped by about 5%, home prices rose more than 40%, driven by demand from buyers priced out of larger California metros.

Antioch, California

Photo: City of Antioch

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Antioch saw a 5% migration gain, while incomes rose nearly 16%  one of the biggest jumps in the top 10. Located in the East Bay, Antioch has drawn new residents looking for more affordable housing within commuting distance of San Francisco.





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A 13-year-old succumbed to his injuries after falling from a trailer he was riding on during a Memorial Day parade in Ohio

The Summit County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Matthew Schultz

"His spirit and the love he gave so freely will live on in everyone he touched," according to the teen's obituary







The 13-year-old Ohio boy killed in a Memorial Day parade accident was remembered as a fun and loving son and brother who loved Star Wars, fruit snacks and video games.

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The Summit County Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Matthew Schultz of North Canton on Tuesday, May 27,

According to authorities, Matthew was riding on a trailer sponsored by Air Ninja Gym as part of the City of Greens Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26. A Ford F-150 pickup truck was pulling the trailer, described as a dual-axle car hauler.

The truck and trailer were approximately 200 feet north of the roundabout at Massillon Road and Steese Road when Matthew fell from the front of the trailer and was subsequently struck by the trailers tires, according to the sheriffs office.

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Emergency responders rendered aid to Matthew and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, the sheriffs office added.

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Authorities said there were about seven children between the ages of 7 and 13 riding in the trailer with an adult present on either side. They added that the trailer and truck were traveling below 5 mph.

I want to offer my personal condolences to the family and the entire Summit County Sheriffs Office as well. Its a horrible time for all of you. Were very sorry, Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The sheriffs office said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Fatheree also asked the public to respect the familys need for privacy at the moment.

According to Matthew's obituary, the teen was born in Canton and attended North Canton Middle School.

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Matthew brought a lifetimes worth of joy to those who knew him. He was a bright light full of curiosity, laughter, and love, his obituary read. He was always quick with a smile and a kind word. To his friends he was loyal, funny, and kind. The type of friend you made for life.

The tribute also noted that Matthew was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent numerous surgical procedures.

He never stopped fighting to get stronger, according to the obituary. Through all of this he kept his spirits up and always made others feel better.

Matthew is survived by his parents, his sister, his grandparents and other relatives. A funeral service is scheduled on Tuesday, June 3.

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Matthews absence leaves a hole that cannot be filled, but his spirit and the love he gave so freely will live on in everyone he touched, the obituary stated.

A GoFundMe was created on behalf of Matthews family to pay for their loved ones funeral expenses.

Matthew was a fun, loving, Star Wars-obsessed, fruit snack-loving, amazing young man. He was the best son and big brother. He was everyones best friend. The love we had for him is immeasurable, the fundraiser description read.



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ADDIS ABABA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Ministry of Health announced Wednesday that coordinated health monitoring and inspection measures are being implemented to prevent a potential mpox outbreak.

On Sunday, the East African country reported its first mpox case when a 21-day-old infant tested positive for the virus in the Moyale town near the Kenyan border.

At a news briefing on Wednesday, Minister of Health Mekdes Daba said subsequent testing had confirmed both of the child's parents were also infected with the virus, bringing the total number of cases to three.

The minister said that coordinated contact tracing activities are currently underway, with dedicated rapid response teams deployed across various regions.

She said mpox screening and testing have begun at all entry and exit checkpoints, including the country's border-crossing points and major international gateways.

The Ethiopian government has also identified areas that are considered vulnerable, Daba said.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes. 
Don't have an Aldi near you? Just wait, one is probably coming.

The discount grocery store chain sold most of the unconverted Winn-Dixie and Harvey's locations the company bought last year, but they're still moving forward with the locations that were in progress along with new stores.

There are currently 18 Aldi locations due to open soon across Florida, according to the company's coming-soon webpage, including Fort Lauderdale, The Villages, St. Cloud, and one opening in Ocala on Thursday, June 5. The first 100 customers will get gift bags with some fan-favorite products and a gift card, with a chance to win a $500 gift card through the weekend.

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"At our new Ocala ALDI store, shoppers will find that every decision we make, from our product selection to store layout, is to provide our customers with the best products at the lowest possible prices of any national grocer," said Matt Thon, Aldi regional vice president. "Our customers can save up to 36% on an average households shopping list."

About 220 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores will be converted to the smaller, simpler Aldi format by 2027, Aldi said. The company plans to open 225 new store locations in the United States in 2025, the most they've ever opened in a single year.

The no-frills German grocery chain acquired Southeastern Grocers Inc (SEG), the parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets, and announced an ambitious five-year, $9 billion plan to add 800 stores nationwide through new stores and store conversions. In less than a year, it turned around and sold most of them to a consortium of private investors led by SEG president Anthony Hucker, but kept the ones where conversion plans were underway.

What Aldi stores are opening in Florida?

On Aldi's grand opening page, the chain lists 18 new locations, most of them former Winn-Dixie sites:

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Several more Winn-Dixie conversions are still ongoing, including locations in Leesburg, Ormond Beach, Port St. John, and Sebastian. The company also continues to open brand new Aldi stores, such as another being built in Port Orange.

What Aldi stores have opened in Florida in 2025?

Several Aldi Florida locations, most of them former Winn-Dixies, have opened this year, including:

What is Aldi?

Aldi is an international chain of no-frills grocery stores with no coupons and few, if any, big-name brand products.

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Unlike Winn-Dixie, Aldi does not offer a meat counter, a deli, a pharmacy, a bakery, or a liquor store. There are no elaborate displays, no overhead music, a much smaller selection with few duplicates of item brands, lots of house brands, and fewer open hours. The goal of all of these is to keep prices low, the company says.

You pay a quarter to get a shopping cart (you get it back when you return the cart), and you bag your own groceries with empty boxes from the store, bags you bought there or containers from home.

There is a double-your-money-back "Twice is Nice" guarantee on its store brand products, and the chain regularly offers "FINDS," limited-time offers that change weekly or seasonally, and other discounted deals. The company does not offer a membership program.

The "Aisle of Shame" is Aldi fans' nickname for the aisles of limited-supply deals in each location.

The Aldi chain was founded by Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 (Aldi is an abbreviated form of "Albrecht Diskont"). After the brothers got into an argument over whether the stores should sell cigarettes, in 1960, they split the company into Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud, which both operate stores internationally in different regions. U.S. stores, including the new Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores, are operated by Aldi Sud. Aldi Nord also owns Trader Joe's.

Aldi U.S. is based in Batavia, Illinois.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Aldi still converting Winn-Dixie locations. Where in Florida
More than 150 years after their heads were severed from their bodies and shipped to Germany for research, the craniums of 19 Black people, which were recently returned, will be memorialized Saturday during a sacred ceremony in New Orleans.

Dillard University President Monique Guillory said at a news conference Wednesday that the memorial will be about confronting a dark chapter in medical and scientific history while choosing a path of justice, honor and remembrance.

Those who will be honored died in the citys Charity Hospital in 1872. Their heads were severed and shipped to Leipzig University in Germany to be studied  a common practice at the time, as researchers sought to confirm their unfounded theory that Black peoples brains were smaller than those of other races, therefore making them inferior.

The people subjected to the racist research practices died in New Orleans' Charity Hospital in 1872. (Jacob Cochran / Dillard University)

They were stripped of their dignity, Guillory said, over a practice rooted in racism and exploitation. They were people with names. They were people with stories and histories. Some of them had families, mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, human beings. They were not specimens, she continued, not numbers.

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The heads were returned to New Orleans about a week ago after a two-year journey, said Eva Baham, a retired Dillard professor. Representatives from Leipzig contacted the city in 2023 about their existence in Germany, where the university houses a skull collection dating to the 1800s. The school is in the process of repatriating or sending back skulls to their original locations. That initial call set in motion the creation of the Cultural Repatriation Committee, led by Baham.

We are not talking about them as if they are skeletal remains, Baham said at the news conference. We want to honor them by calling them the individuals that they are.

Leipzig University is repatriating a collection of human remains it acquired more than a century ago. (Jacob Cochran / Dillard University)

Dillard, a historically Black university, welcomed the opportunity to be part of this very sensitive acknowledgment of our people, that they are here, Guillory told NBC News. A visitation will take place Saturday at Dillards Lawless Memorial Chapel with a service. Laid to rest will be the remains of Adam Grant, Isaak Bell, Hiram Smith, William Pierson, Henry Williams, John Brown, Hiram Malone, William Roberts, Alice Brown, Prescilla Hatchet, Marie Louise, Mahala, Samuel Prince, John Tolman, Henry Allen, Moses Willis and Henry Anderson.

The two other people could not be identified.

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The committee tried in vain for two years to contact descendants of the victims but had no success. They did learn some information, Baham said, and found their names listed in municipal death records almost in succession.

In those records list what they died from, how long they had been in New Orleans, she said. We have people who were here in New Orleans from one hour in 1871, one day, a week, two months. And thats all very important.

The committee tried for two years to contact descendants of the victims but had no success. (Jacob Cochran / Dillard University)

Guillory said the service will be a New Orleans expression of respect.

We will do so in the most sacred way that we know how in our beloved city, in a true New Orleans fashion, with a jazz funeral that shows the world that these people mattered, she said. We have a very different relationship with death here and a very different relationship with what we believe is the spirit and our ancestors. And now they are home. And so, this is particularly poignant for people in New Orleans.

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When the opportunity arose, there were questions from people in the academic and local community, Guillory said, about why the parties involved would welcome their return. But the city, University Medical Center New Orleans, Dillard University and other entities did not blink.

A memorial and a proper jazz funeral are scheduled Saturday to lay the remains of the 19 people to rest. (Jacob Cochran / Dillard University)

Theres certain sensitivity to the material, to the macabre, somber nature of what were talking about, Guillory said. There was also a lot of uncertainty about whether we could actually bring them here. Should we bring them here? Who should be responsible for bringing them here? Why bring them back? And I think the committee itself had been very confident and convinced that this was the right thing to do.

The remains will be stored at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial.

We want that day to be not only of remembrance but of reckoning and renewal, Guillory said, and may we never forget them.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A 19-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Naomi Oglesby, 20, on Sunday morning. Oglesby was pregnant. Doctors could not save her, but they delivered her baby.

Matthew Criscenzo (KSN News Photo)

Police arrested Matthew Criscenzo at the scene in the 700 block of S. Laura St.

On Thursday afternoon, he appeared before a judge to hear the charges he faces:

First-degree murder and

Aggravated battery.

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Friends of pregnant Wichita woman killed in shooting honor her memory

Police have not said what Criscenzos relationship was with Oglesby, but the court document said her death is considered a domestic violence offense.

Naomi Oglesby (Courtesy: Tayleahna Officer)

District Court Judge Shawn Elliott set Criscenzos bail at $500,000 and scheduled his next court date for June 12. He will have court-appointed attorneys.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Honolulu police are looking for whoever opened fire during a fight between two groups in Makaha Wednesday night, killing a 19-year-old man and wounding four others.

At 9 :07 p.m., Honolulu Police Department officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting individuals being shot at.

Four people were injured, and one was pronounced dead at the scene. According to preliminary information, a group of suspects parked west of the location and approached the victims on foot. A physical altercation broke out between the two groups, which escalated when the suspects opened fire, shooting multiple rounds at the victims,  according to an HPD description of the shooting.

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Honolulu Emergency Medical Services officials said personnel responded around 9 p.m. to a Lahaina Street address where multiple people had been shot. A 19-year-old man was dead on arrival, according to EMS.

Police said the four people wounded during the gunfire are two 19-year-old men, a 21-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, according to police.

Detectives are interviewing witnesses at local hospitals and on scene,  while evidence specialists are processing the area and collecting physical evidence, according to HPD. No arrests have been made and the second-degree murder investigation is ongoing.

EMS said late Wednesday night that paramedics treated three shooting victimstwo men and a womanand took them to a hospital in serious condition.

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Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan said in a news release today, Without a doubt, this is a tough time for our Wai anae community. We want to assure everyone right now, the scene is safe, and were doing all we can to make an arrest in this case.

We know the community wants to helpand the best way to do that is to give us the time we need to carry out this investigation carefully and thoroughly. Also, share any information that you think could help.

HPD said anyone with information, photos, or videos to share with police should call 911 or Crimestoppers at 808-955-8300.

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LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Louisville man and a Manchester woman were arrested on Wednesday night after allegedly being found with a large amount of drugs during a London traffic stop.

Court records show that just before 6:45 p.m. on May 28, detectives with the Laurel County Sheriffs Drug Interdiction Unit helped with a traffic stop on East 4th Street.

The sheriffs office posted on Facebook that while searching a blue Dodge Charger driven by 44-year-old Johnny Asher of Louisville, authorities allegedly found a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, and a smoking pipe.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Asher was charged with first-degree conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, law enforcement officials found a plastic bag inside of a blue Dodge Charger on Wednesday, May 28, during a traffic stop on East 4th Street in London. (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) Roberta Ann Benge, 49, of Manchester, was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on Wednesday. (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) Johnny Asher, 44, of Louisville, was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on Wednesday. (Laurel County Sheriffs Office)

An arrest citation shows that 49-year-old Roberta Ann Benge of Manchester was in the passenger seat of the Charger during the investigation. Benge allegedly told authorities she had a small plastic bag of marijuana under her clothes. She was arrested and charged with first-degree trafficking in two grams or more of methamphetamine, first offensepossession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

The Laurel County drug investigation remains ongoing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Two people were arrested after Livingston Parish deputies found multiple illegal substances, guns and cash during a drug bust.

According to Sheriff Jason Ard, the investigation began after the Narcotics Division received an anonymous tip that Jametheron Tate, 39, also known as GEE, was distributing methamphetamine in the Denham Springs area while living on Colonial Drive.

Our investigation led to our team securing a search warrant for his residence, Ard said.

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Baton Rouge police make arrest in McDonalds shooting

On May 27, agents executed the warrant. They found a large amount of drugs and other illegal items in the house.

Items seized include:

Approximately 63 grams of fentanyl powder.

Approximately 16.2 grams of methamphetamine.

Approximately 123.2 grams of marijuana.

Around 300 dosage units of tadalafil.

Four firearms.

$1,480 in U.S. currency.

Packaging materials and digital scales.

Tate was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on multiple charges:

Sale, possession, or distribution of legend drugs with a secured personal surety bond set at $500.

Possession of drug paraphernalia with a $500 bond.

Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I controlled dangerous substances with a $50,000 bond.

Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substances with a $100,000 bond.

Possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substances.

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Paisley Fobb, 36, who was reportedly connected to the ongoing investigation, was also arrested.

Authorities said the investigation remains open.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Authorities on Long Island, N.Y. have accused a man of intentionally setting a house fire that killed three animals and injured two firefighters.

Jahan Kia, 40, was arrested after officers and firefighters responded to the house fire in Plainview at about 7:50 p.m. on Monday, May 26, according to a press release from the Nassau County Police Department. Police said Kia was a tenant of the home.

According to police, there were no residents inside the house but two dogs and one cat were found dead. Additionally, two firefighters were taken to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and hand burns, per the release.

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Police allege Kia intentionally set the blaze in the basement, though a motive remains unclear.

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Kia has been charged with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief and animal torture, police said. It's unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

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KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD)  Two people were hospitalized after a shooting Wednesday evening in Kentwood.

Authorities with the Kentwood Police Department say the shooting happened around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Wingate Apartments near 32nd Street and Shaffer Avenue.

Not long after police were dispatched to the scene, two women, 19 and 20, showed up at a local hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

KPD says there are no suspects in custody, but investigators do not believe there is any immediate threat to the public.

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Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the KPD Detective Bureau at 616.556.6604. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Silent Observer at 616.774.2345 or Silent Observers website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.






Samuel Shavings, 72, joined neighbors Albert Williams, 65, and Williams 19-year-old son for a fishing trip on Monday, May 26

During their excursion, their boat sank off the coast of Western Alaska near Nunivak Island in the Bering Sea

Williams' son was able to swim safety, but his father and Shavings are still missing







Two men are still missing after the boat they were on sank off the coast of Western Alaska on Monday, May 26, according to an Alaska State Trooper (AST) news release.

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Albert Williams, 65, and Samuel Shavings, 72, were on a 10-foot Ocean Pro boat with Williams 19-year-old son near Mekoryuk, a town located on Nunivak Island in the Bering Sea. Mekoryuk is a village of about 300 people on Nunivak Island in Western Alaska, and is 550 miles west of Anchorage.

Around 9 p.m. local time, AST received a call that a boat sank in rough water conditions.

The 19-year-old swam to shore and was transported to a clinic for further evaluation and treatment. Initially, the AST reported that a second man had been recovered safely, per Alaska News Source. However, on Tuesday, May 27, AST "corrected" its previous report and confirmed that both men are still missing.

Alamy Sea and the bluffs along the coastline of St. Paul Island in Southwest Alaska. Sea and the bluffs along the coastline of St. Paul Island in Southwest Alaska.

Williams daughter, Dallas, told the outlet that her father and brother were out subsistence fishing with their neighbor, Shavings. They were looking  my dad hadnt gotten a seal yet this spring  so they went to go look for seals, she explained. Its a seasonal thing every spring.

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She then explained how the boat sank. My brother says that [the sea] was getting really rough and they were taking water in from the motor side, she said. And it just filled up with too much water.

We have a whole bunch of family coming over to be with my mom so that were not alone, Dallas said. A lot of people have been bringing food, so we havent been alone at all since.

The ASP reported that two local boats and the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the men from Monday night to Tuesday morning. Additionally, the Rescue Coordination Center planned to launch a C-130 plane on Tuesday morning.

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A representative for the Alaska State Troopers did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Wednesday.



Read the original article on People
Two men are still missing after their boat sank on May 26 off the coast of Western Alaska, according to a press release from the Alaska State Troopers (AST).

Albert Williams, 65, and Samuel Shavings, 72, were riding on a 10-foot Ocean Pro vessel along with Williamss 19-year-old son in an area located near an island off the Bering Sea. Around 9 p.m. local time on Monday, authorities received a call that the boat had sunk amidst harsh conditions.

Related: Park Ranger Finds Campers in Altered State After False Death Report

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The 19-year-old passenger, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was able to swim from the wreckage to shore, where he was transported to a medical clinic for treatment. At first, the AST reported that a second passenger had been extricated from the water. However, on May 27, the AST corrected that report and confirmed that the older men are still missing.

Williamss daughter, Dallas, told Alaska News Source that her father and brother had gone out to hunt for seals. They were lookingmy dad hadnt gotten a seal yet this springso they went to go look for seals, Dallas explained. Its a seasonal thing every spring.

Related: 11 People, Including 2 Children, Injured in Memorial Day Boat Explosion

Dallas continued, detailing how the boat reportedly sank: My brother says that [the sea] was getting really rough and they were taking water in from the motor side. And it just filled up with too much water. We have a whole bunch of family coming over to be with my mom so that were not alone. A lot of people have been bringing food, so we havent been alone at all since.

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From Monday night into Tuesday morning, two local boats and a U.S. Coast Guard vessel searched for Williams and Shaver to no avail. On Tuesday, the Rescue Coordination Center launched a C-130 plane to aid in recovery efforts. A representative from the Alaska State Troopers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mens Journal.

Related: Cynthia Nixon Reveals 3 Things She Hated About Sex and the City'

2 Men Still Missing After Memorial Day Boat Tragedy first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
Today is another anniversary of the transfer of the Azerbaijani city of Irevan to Armenia. It happened on May 29, 1918. The decision made by the ADR government was politically incorrect, but the leadership of the young republic, proclaimed a day earlier, had few options to resist the powers. If there were any such options.

External actors hastily glued Armenia together from the territories torn off from Azerbaijan and Georgia. For the first time in this region, a state was created for Armenians, and this entity needed a city for the capital. Although after several waves of genocide and deportation, Azerbaijanis remained in the minority in the territory of modern Armenia, nevertheless, Irevan was still a city with an Azerbaijani majority and was part of Azerbaijan. The Entente countries threatened the ADR not to recognize the republic if it did not share territories with the Armenians. And the day after the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Irevan was ceded to the Armenian side.

An interesting nuance was discovered in the documents of that period by Azerbaijani lawyer and diplomat, Professor Namik Aliyev. From a legal point of view, Irevan still belongs to Azerbaijan. According to him, the decision made by the Armenian National Council on May 28, 1918, to establish "an independent Republic of Armenia on the territory of Russian Armenia as part of the territories of the former Erivan province and Kars region of the Russian Empire" makes the transfer of Irevan to the Armenian capital a legally illegitimate act. This decision was made before the Azerbaijani National Council announced its verdict on the transfer of the capital of the Irevan Khanate to the Armenians on May 29.

But that's not all. Namik Aliyev stressed that the very decision of the Azerbaijani National Council (Protocol No. 3 of May 29, 1918) is a priori invalid. "Firstly, it was adopted under strong pressure from Western countries, in the presence of Armenian bandit groups in these territories, who staged total terror against the non-Armenian population there. And secondly, the document itself shows that the vote on the transfer of Irevan to the Armenians was either falsified or adopted with violations. Just look at the numbers. The meeting was attended by only 18 members of the Council out of 28, which is less than 65 percent, i.e. less than two thirds, mandatory for making fateful decisions. Of the 18, 16 members of the Council vote in favor, which is even less. And finally, the most important thing: with 18 people present, according to the Minutes, 20 Council members took part in the voting. Interesting arithmetic, isn't it?" the international lawyer remarked.

All this, Professor Aliyev believes, makes this document legally null and void, and the Republic of Azerbaijan has every reason to recognize the seizure and subsequent possession by the Armenian Republic of the capital of the Irevan Khanate, the city of Irevan, as illegal.

Of course, Baku will not take such steps, and the concept of Western Azerbaijan does not envisage the return of exiled Azerbaijanis to present-day Yerevan. This concept refers to the return of refugees to Western Zangezur, and the legal illegality of owning Irevan may not bother the Armenian side. But neighbors should not forget whose lands they live on.

Let's take at least the center of Yerevan. In Armenia, they always find themselves at a dead end when faced with the question of why there is no evidence of history in this city "older than Rome." There are no ancient monuments, there are only churches and residential buildings built not so long ago, which are at most 150 years old, no more. It is difficult for the neighbors to answer this question, and they have never thought about it.

The historical, Azerbaijani Irevan was literally rolled into asphalt according to the master plan developed in 1924 by architect Tamanyan. His "sunny city" was created on the ruins of the true Yerevan, which remained under squares, fountains, administrative buildings and avenues. But the vandals were apparently in a hurry and carried out the falsification poorly, which is why in recent years the asphalt has begun to sag in places, and here and there remnants of ancient buildings have appeared from the ground. I remember that in 2003, during the renovation work on Republic Square, workers came across the remains of medieval buildings. Archaeologists happily ran in here, but they were only able to dig for 12 days until the authorities realized what was going on. The work was immediately curtailed. The excavation site was filled with concrete and covered with asphalt. To remedy the situation, archaeologists said they had discovered the remains of a 17th-century city "replicating the architecture of the ancient Armenian state of Urartu." This, of course, was complete nonsense. The only thing that came close to reality was the dating, because the real Yerevan is only 500 years old.

Pashinyan behaved differently in a similar situation. When the historical truth once again tried to break through the asphalt and concrete, in January 2020, the Prime Minister of Armenia announced the start of work on opening the historical layer located under Republic Square and turning it into a museum. "As a result, Republic Square will become a bigger attraction," the Armenian Prime Minister said enthusiastically, saying that he was discussing with experts the possibilities of restoring the old city.

Unlike the masses, who really don't know that they've been trampling on the real history of the capital all their lives, fraud experts got worried and began to convince the prime minister to leave this case. And this concern was quite justified, because under the streets and squares of Yerevan was the real old Irevan, the city of Azerbaijani Muslim Turks. Pashinyan's grandiose plans did not materialize because they explained their danger to him, and most importantly, because Armenia soon had no time for excavations.

Pashinyan's predecessors made attempts to create an artificial "historical center." These discussions have especially intensified on the eve of the far-fetched "2800th anniversary" of Yerevan. The city is almost three thousand years old, but there is no evidence of this. It's a scandal. Due to the lobbying of Armenian interests in foreign scientific centers, the far-fetched dating was accepted without evidence. Erebuni, located far from Yerevan and declared its historical predecessor, has become a grandiose Armenian fake. The ancient ruins were not only declared "historical Yerevan", but also brazenly completed (!!!). And what should be emphasized is that foreign scientific centers have always known about all this and turned a blind eye to it. And this is an even more disgusting fact than even the falsification by the Armenian side of the ancient Urartian settlement, which has nothing to do with Armenia and the Armenians.

Pashinyan's predecessors failed to implement their plans. Firstly, this madness required huge investments, and secondly, no amount of money could help Armenia prove its alleged antiquity. Therefore, the project was quietly forgotten. Is it worth the money if Armenian fakes have already been accepted in world historiography?

The Azerbaijani city of Irevan has been the capital of Armenia for 107 years. It is very sad that it has been preserved only in photographs...
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged the United States to completely abandon its erroneous practice of unilaterally imposing additional tariffs.

At a regular press briefing, spokesperson He Yongqian noted that the U.S. Court of International Trade on May 28 ruled that the global, retaliatory and so-called "fentanyl" tariffs were illegal and ordered their withdrawal and permanent cessation.

China has consistently held that there are no winners in trade wars, and that protectionism leads nowhere, He said.

Since implementing its unilateral tariffs, the United States has not resolved any of its own problems. "Instead, these measures have seriously disrupted the order of the international economy and trade, and severely interfered with business operations and people's consumption," He said.

The spokesperson emphasized that the tariffs have harmed others without benefiting the U.S. itself, and that they have triggered significant domestic opposition within the United States.

The spokesperson also noted that since the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva, the two sides have maintained communication on trade concerns at multiple levels in various bilateral and multilateral settings.

Recently, China repeatedly engaged with the United States regarding Washington's abuse of export control measures in the field of semiconductors, He said.

China once again urges the United States to immediately correct its erroneous practices, end its discriminatory restrictive measures against China, and work with China to maintain the consensus reached at the high-level Geneva talks, He added. 
Two New York City police detectives were placed on modified duty after the department learned they had a prior connection to a Manhattan townhouse where an Italian businessman was allegedly held and tortured.

One off-duty detective drove the alleged victim from the airport to the SoHo townhouse on May 6, sources told ABC News.

The 20-year veteran has been assigned to the NYPD's Executive Protection Unit, which handles the mayor's security, since December 2021. He works as part of the advance team, which checks out locations before the mayor arrives. He was working an off-duty security job, employed by one of the two crypto suspects, at the time he drove the victim to the townhouse, the sources said.

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MORE: What we know about the NYC crypto kidnapping and torture case

A second detective was also being paid by one of the suspects, apparently also as off-duty security, the sources said.

NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is looking into how long the two were employed by the crypto suspect and whether the employment had been approved internally. NYPD members are not permitted to work for private security without going through a strict series of approvals.

PHOTO: Police tape is shown at the scene on May 23, 2025, in New York, where a cryptocurrency entrepreneur allegedly tortured a man for weeks. (WABC)

Neither detective had knowledge of illegal or inappropriate behavior at the townhouse, and the mayor had no knowledge or connection to the two crypto suspects, according to city officials.

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"Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing," a statement from City Hall said.

James Moschella, an attorney for the Detectives' Endowment Association, said in a statement on Friday that it appears the two detectives "were working a legitimate job driving a private business client in their off-duty hours."

"There is simply no way to have predicted the true activities of what by all objective accounts were legitimate businessmen," Moschella said. "Most importantly, there is absolutely no indication that any officer witnessed any of the alleged illegal activity at that location or by any of the people involved."

"Had they actually witnessed any such activity, we are certain they would have been the first to take action to stop it," he continued. "We therefore ask everyone to withhold their judgment of these members until all the facts are in."

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MORE: 2nd suspect arrested in SoHo torture case, officials say beatings, drugs and gun used

Two men -- John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33 -- are accused of torturing the alleged victim over the man's bitcoin password, according to the criminal complaint.

The alleged victim -- a 28-year-old man from Italy -- was allegedly stripped of his electronics and passport, bound by the wrists and subjected to beatings, electric shock and a hit to the head from a gun, according to the complaint.

Police said the man escaped from the townhouse on Friday and ran to a traffic enforcement officer for help. Woeltz and Duplessie were subsequently arrested and initially charged with kidnapping, assault and unlawful imprisonment in the case. Duplessie pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, court records show.

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Woeltz has since been indicted by a grand jury, though the indictment will remain sealed until his arraignment on June 11. He has not yet entered a plea to the indictment.

Both suspects were denied bail at their initial court appearances. Their attorneys had no comment when contacted by ABC News.

2 NYPD detectives employed by suspect in crypto torture case under investigation: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Two veteran NYPD detectives  including a member of Mayor Adams security detail  were placed on desk duty Thursday for allegedly working private security without approval for one of the suspects arrested in the crypto torture case, police sources said.

The cop on the mayors detail, Detective 1st Grade Roberto Cordero, who joined the department in 2005, is believed to have picked up the alleged victim from a local airport on May 6, a source said.

The second cop placed on desk duty was identified by sources and an NYPD personnel order obtained by the Daily News as Raymond Low, a detective 2nd Grade with Manhattan North Narcotics who also joined the NYPD in 2005. He was placed on desk duty at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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Cordero and Low officially were sworn in as cops on the same day, Jan. 10, 2005, records show.

Investigators looking into the circumstances of the crypto torture case that has led to the arrests of two investors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, learned that Cordero and Low were employed by one of the two men, the sources said.

On a FOX 5 New York TV interview Thursday evening, Adams said he plays no part in what his NYPD security detail officers do after work.

I have security personnel, and we dont know what they do in their private lives. It has nothing to do with their professional capacity to make sure that Im safe while Im moving around the city, the mayor said.

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I do not determine their overtime, their approval, or what they do after work. Theyre just there to provide security for me, and they should do that to the best of their ability. Anything other than that, it goes through the proper procedures.

On Friday, the victim, an Italian national, 28, escaped from a multimillion dollar Soho townhouse and went to police. Investigators established he had been held for 17 days and tortured repeatedly, authorities said. Woeltz was arrested last Friday. Duplessie was arrested Wednesday.

It was unclear Thursday which of the two suspects the detectives were working for or how much they were being paid. The sources said a retired cop helped get the two detectives the job.

Investigators have not determined whether either Cordero or Low had any knowledge or involvement in the kidnapping and torture of the victim, the sources said.

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Cordero was transferred to the executive protection unit, which runs the mayors security detail, in 2021, before Adams tenure as mayor, department records show.

He made $204,216, including a base salary of $130,260 in fiscal 2024. Low made $305,628, including the same base salary of $130,260.

In a brief statement, an NYPD spokesman said, Members of the service were modified yesterday. The matter is under internal review.

Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing, said Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Adams.

Reps for the Detectives Endowment Association did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Neither Low nor Cordero could be reached.
Two police officers were shot while conducting a traffic stop in Ohio Wednesday evening, according to our media partners WBNS.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said two Mifflin Township police officers were conducting a traffic stop near Mecca Road and Perdue Avenue around 6:45 p.m.

The passenger got out of the car and began running about four minutes after the initial stop, WBNS reported.

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The passenger, later identified as 21-year-old Daevonte Dixon, shot the officers while they were chasing him, according to Baldwin.

He said the shooting was unprovoked.

Both officers were transported to the Grant Medical Center. One is in critical condition and another is in stable condition.

Columbus police initially said one person was in custody, but Baldwin later said that person was the driver.

He said they were cooperative and have since been released. The driver is not considered a suspect at this time, according to WBNS.

We do have information on the suspect. He is currently on the run. He is armed and dangerous, Baldwin said.

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Dixon, who was last seen in a gray shirt and camouflage pants, has been charged with attempted murder and felonious assault in connection to the shooting.

The Fraternal Capital City Lodge #9 announced it was coordinating with the Central Ohio Crime Stoppers to offer a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Dixons arrest, WBNS reported.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel told WBNS that two Columbus police officers were involved in a crash while responding to the shooting. Both were injured, but are described in stable condition.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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(FOX40.COM)  Two people were arrested Thursday morning after assaulting and shooting at a victim in Stockton, police said.

Video Above: What to do if you witness a crime

According to the Stockton Police Department, the 35-year-old victim arrived at a home around 2:35 a.m. on 8600 Acapulco Way to check on a known suspect.

The suspects opened the door and began shooting at the victim, however the victim was not hit.

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The suspects then grabbed her and dragged her inside the home and began assaulting her with a metal tool, SPD said.

While officers were at the scene, the victim was able to escape the location. She declined medical treatment.

Philicia Taylor, 36, and Donald Walker Jr, 37, were arrested on multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, and conspiracy.

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Two inmates  Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves  who were among 10 people who escaped from a New Orleans jail nearly two weeks ago may be in other cities, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill told CBS News in an interview on Wednesday.

Eight of the 10 Orleans Parish Prison inmates have been recaptured after their May 16 jailbreak went unnoticed for hours. Some of them were found within the city's famous French Quarter and others elsewhere within the state of Louisiana, but two of them were found in Texas following extensive surveillance efforts by the U.S. Marshals, authorities said Tuesday.

Attorney General Murrill said the escapees' primary networks are based in New Orleans, and the high-profile case makes it tougher for them to walk around without being noticed.

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"They can keep running, but they can't hide forever," Murrill said, adding that she's confident the two who are still on the run will be taken into custody.

Investigations into what Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the worst jailbreak in recent state history are ongoing, with at least 13 people arrested in connection with the breakout.

The state's top prosecutor said there are several factors that led to the escape, including the court system, jail staffing and infrastructure issues. A high-priority problem, Murrill added, is the issue of slow-moving criminal cases in the district's court system, which she says has led to overcrowding at the facility.

Although one-third of the jail's security cameras weren't working at the time, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, one surveillance video captured several inmates forcing open a cell door at about 12:22 a.m. CDT and breaching a wall behind the cell's toilet. At around 1 a.m., video showed, the inmates fled the building through a nearby loading dock, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.

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The escape went unnoticed by the sheriff's office until approximately 8:30 a.m. that day. At the time of the escape, no sheriff's deputy was assigned to the area where the inmates initiated the jailbreak.

The sheriff's office also said last week that locks on the cells were defective and the escapees were housed in that particular unit due to ongoing renovations at their previous unit, including new locks being installed.

Murrill, who visited the jail on Tuesday, said that one unit has had all hinges and locks replaced, while another 160 cells need to have the same work done.

"I think that there is hardening that needs to happen at that facility that's just physical changes to things like light bulbs and locks that needs to happen," Murrill said Wednesday. "But at the end of all this, you really have to be able to efficiently move cases, or you're still going to have a continuing problem with a violent population that's there for a very long time, and will continue to beat up and exploit any kind of weakness they can find in that facility."

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In a post on X, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office announced "significant flooding" problems at the jail following the escape, writing, "despite emergency repairs over the weekend, the plumbing challenges still remain, and water is continuing to accumulate in parts of the facility."

The sheriff's office added, "OPSO is working to bring in an external water supply to temporarily accommodate the plumbing issue."

On Wednesday afternoon, inmates at the facility yelled out to CBS News cameras outside the facility, "we need water."

The attorney general said she has spoken with the sheriff about those issues, as well.

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The dysfunction at the correctional facility dates back generations. In 1970, a federal judge declaring its overcrowding to be unconstitutional in 1970. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina stranded inmates in chest-high water and left the jail without power. In 2013, a video showed inmates using drugs, drinking beer and brandishing a gun.

Issues continued even after the 2015 opening of the state-of-the-art Orleans Justice Center, which houses nearly 1,400 inmates. There were major issues with the building from the outset, including a lack of supervision and adequate housing for mentally ill inmates, The Associated Press reported.

Following the escape nearly two weeks ago, Gov. Landry ordered the removal of all remaining state Department of Corrections prison inmates from the facility.

The Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams also vocalized concerns about the sheriff's office's ability to securely conduct business, telling CBS News in an interview Monday night he plans to request for a private security detail to temporarily secure the New Orleans courthouse.

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Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the jail, said she "takes full accountability" for the escape. She also announced she was temporarily suspending her reelection campaign, saying, in part: "Now is the time to focus on security, accountability, and public safety."

When asked what policy changes need to happen to ensure another jailbreak doesn't happen, Murrill said: "I think that jail officials know the population at their jail, and they know whether that it's suitable for the population that they have."

She added that everyone in the community needs to be paying attention and "participates in insisting that the leadership, the facility, and the court system are all doing their part to protect us and to move these cases through."

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May 29 (UPI) -- Hungry Gazans broke into an aid warehouse in central Gaza on Wednesday, which caused two reported deaths, according to officials with the U.N. World Food Program.

"Hordes of hungry people broke into WFP's Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution," the WFP said Wednesday in a prepared statement.

"Humanitarian needs have spiraled out of control after 80 days of complete blockade of all food assistance and other aid into Gaza," the WFP said.

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The agency said "alarming and deteriorating conditions" in Gaza and a limited availability of humanitarian aid to "hungry people in desperate need of assistance" have increased risks associated with aid distribution.

"Gaza needs an immediate scale-up of food assistance," the WFP said. "This is the only way to reassure people that they will not starve."

Displaced Palestinians received food packages in southern Gaza on Thursday after thousands of Palestinians on Tuesday rushed into a new aid-distribution center, leading to chaotic scenes as Israel implements a new distribution system. Photo by Hassan Al-Jadi/UPI

The WFP said initial reports indicate two died and several more were injured, but those reports were not confirmed as of Wednesday night.

Displaced Palestinians receive food packages in southern Gaza City on Thursday. Photo by Hassan Al-Jadi/UPI

Another 121 trucks owned by the United Nations and international organizations carrying flour, food and other aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, the BBC reported.

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Wednesday's warehouse incident occurred after Gazans overwhelmed two aid distribution sites in southern Gaza on Tuesday.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported three Gazans were killed, 46 injured and seven others were missing after Israel Defense Forces fired warning shots into the air as crowds of hungry Gazans swarmed over one of the aid distribution sites, NBC News reported.

The U.N. Human Rights Office said 47 people were injured during Tuesday's aid-distribution chaos and gunfire from Israel Defense Forces caused most of the injuries.

IDF and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation officials initially denied the reports and said no one was injured or killed during the first three days of food and aid distribution.

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IDF soldiers fired into the air and did not shoot towards people, an IDF spokesperson told the BBC. The IDF is investigating the incident.

They said the GHF and IDF are preventing Hamas militants from stealing the aid from four distribution sites in southern and central Gaza, which Hamas has denied, the BBC reported.

The U.S.-supported GHF is in charge of distributing aid within Gaza after Israel ended an 11-week blockade of all aid into the war-torn Gaza Strip after a recent cease-fire deal collapsed.

At least four distribution points in southern Gaza are being used to deliver aid to Gazans, and more distribution sites are to be added, NBC News reported.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2025, and like in 2024, we could see impacts here in Tennessee.

The Atlantic hurricane season goes from June 1st to November 30th. During the typical season, there are 14 named storms, with seven of those strengthening to a hurricane, and three of them becoming major hurricanes.

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The forecast from NOAA is for 13-19 named storms, 6-10 of those hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes.

Remember, a storm gets named when it reaches a minimum tropical storm strength. That means it has sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. Hurricanes have winds over 74 mph, and major hurricanes have winds over 111 mph.

Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson scale. This means the wind speed of the storm determines the category. The scale goes from category 1 to 5.

NOAA says there are a couple of factors that caused them to forecast an active season. They said the neutral El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can lead to an increase in storms in the Atlantic. ENSO is the ocean current in the southern Pacific Ocean, and it can impact the Atlantic Hurricane season as well as our weather during the winter.

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RADAR | Track weather across TN live

The other reason they are forecasting an active hurricane season is that the sea surface temperatures in the Gulf and the Atlantic are warmer than normal. Warm sea surface temperatures are what help fuel hurricanes.

Above normal activity has been common over the last several years. Eight out of the last 10 years have seen 15 or more named storms, and in 2020, we saw the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, with 30 storms!

In the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, there were 18 named storms, 11 of which were hurricanes, and 5 strengthened to major hurricanes.

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Last hurricane season, we saw impacts from 3 hurricanes here in Tennessee. The biggest impacts came from Hurricane Helene, with the historic/devastating flooding in East Tennessee. Hurricane Francine brought heavy rain and a low tornado threat to middle Tennessee. Hurricane Beryl caused tornadoes in Arkansas and heavy rain in West Tennessee.

Its rare to see impacts from three hurricanes in Tennessee, but with the active forecast, we could see tropical impacts this year.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The main threats from hurricanes here in Tennessee are flooding and tornadoes. By the time hurricanes reach the Volunteer State, they are typically weakened to just tropical depression strength. This means damaging winds arent a threat like they are when they first make landfall.

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During the months of August, September, and October, tornadoes are extremely rare in Tennessee, but if we see the remnants of a hurricane, we can get tornadoes. They are typically weak, short-lived tornadoes of EF-0 or EF-1 strength.

Here is a list of the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  After two years of reporting weather at WWLP-22News in western Massachusetts, Jack Wu is taking his career to West Palm Beach, Florida.

Long Island, New York native, Jack Wu, was a graduate of Arizona State University, where he obtained a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Before arriving at 22News, Jack was a weather anchor and sustainability reporter at Arizona PBS. He moved to western Massachusetts and started working for 22News in 2023.

Asparagus thrives in Pioneer Valleys unique soil

7 Day Forecast

On Wednesday night, Jack provided our viewers with one last forecast.

It all started two years ago. June 29th was my first time doing the 10 p.m. newscast. A lot has changed over the past two years, but its been a very memorable experience. And I cant thank everyone enough whos worked here, from the anchors to the producers, photographers, and behind-the-scenes staff in production as well. But most of all, the viewers, everyone in the community really made me feel so welcome, Jack Wu as he signs off for the last time on 22News.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  At least 23 people were taken into custody during a protest outside a U.S. immigration courthouse in New York City Wednesday night, according to the NYPD.

Police officers and protesters were seen clashing outside the court on Varick Street in videos posted to social media. Protesters told PIX11 News they showed up after hearing about migrants being carried away in white vans from the courthouse, leaving their families with no information as to where their loved ones were going and why.

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A demonstrator said police were using mace to subdue crowds.

Theres no way that we can stay silent, Mariposa told PIX11 News. Theres no way that we can trust the officials, government. They have betrayed citizens and people who have followed the legal court proceedings. This is not O.K.

The NYPD has not confirmed if anyone detained will face charges.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain Ni Ruchi addresses a symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership in Sakhir, Bahrain, on May 28, 2025. The symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership was held on Wednesday in Sakhir, bringing together nearly 100 representatives from the governments, academic institutions, and business sectors of both countries. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

MANAMA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership was held on Wednesday in Bahrain's Sakhir, bringing together nearly 100 representatives from the governments, academic institutions, and business sectors of both countries.

During the event, co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bahrain and the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies, the participants discussed China-Bahrain relations, bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence, and bilateral cooperation on economy and trade as well as under the framework of international organizations.

They highlighted the achievements made since the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership, and expressed strong interest in deepening practical cooperation on politics, economy, science and technology, and culture.

Speaking at the symposium, Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain Ni Ruchi highlighted strengthened political mutual trust, fruitful economic and trade cooperation, close people-to-people exchanges, and a deep shared understanding of each other's values and principles over the past year.

China is willing to work with Bahrain to further strengthen the foundation of strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, enhance people-to-people ties, jointly steer global governance towards the right direction, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Ni said.

Addressing the symposium via video link, Bahrain's Ambassador to China Mohammed Ghassan Mohammed Adnan Sheikhoo noted that during Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's visit to China in May last year, the two countries elevated their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Over the past year, bilateral trade has continued to grow, and the two sides have achieved fruitful results in infrastructure construction and joint investments, with Bahrain becoming a key partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, said the Bahraini ambassador.

The symposium would be a platform for in-depth dialogue and exchanges between experts from both countries, he said, voicing hope that the event's outcomes can further solidify the friendship between the two peoples. 

Participants from China and Bahrain engage in discussions at a symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership in Sakhir, Bahrain, on May 28, 2025. The symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership was held on Wednesday in Sakhir, bringing together nearly 100 representatives from the governments, academic institutions, and business sectors of both countries. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

Bahrain's Ambassador to China Mohammed Ghassan Mohammed Adnan Sheikhoo (on the screens) addresses a symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership via video link, in Sakhir, Bahrain, on May 28, 2025. The symposium marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the China-Bahrain comprehensive strategic partnership was held on Wednesday in Sakhir, bringing together nearly 100 representatives from the governments, academic institutions, and business sectors of both countries. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)
UPDATE: The road has since reopened. Original story continues below.

DENVER (KDVR)  Interstate 25 remains closed in both directions from Mead after a tractor-trailer crash caused minor injuries.

Mountain View Fire Rescue posted around 5 a.m. that a crash occurred below the overpass for Weld County Road 38 at mile marker 247. The road will be closed while crews clean up debris from inside the tractor trailer, the agency said.

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As of around 10:00 a.m. it remains unclear when the road will reopen, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The Mead Police Department, meanwhile, said in a Facebook post at 10:33 a.m. that officials expect to reopen both directions of I-25 this afternoon.

The crash resulted in minor injuries, with one person taken to the hospital. Their condition is not currently known, the MVFR said.

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Interstate 25 is closed in both directions from Mead (northbound exit 243) to Berthoud (southbound exit 250) due to a crash involving a tractor trailer. (Courtesy Mountain View Fire Rescue)

The CSP says the crash occurred at approximately 3:16 a.m. when a Freightliner hauling office supplies and driving southbound on I-25 near milepost 247 stuck a jersey barrier on the right side of the road, before traveling to the left side and striking the median jersey barrier.

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The Freightliner then continued traveling into the northbound lane, at which time it hit another semi-truck that was hauling gasoline and continued going northbound before rolling over onto its side, blocking both north and southbound lanes.

The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado State Patrol Hazmat Unit are on site assisting with the cleanup, the CSP said.

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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  A state prison offender has died.

Marc Best, 29, died May 28th in a comfort care setting at the Jameson Annex to the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls where he had been housed for some time, according to a news release from the Department of Corrections.

Rosebud Sioux Tribe declares state of emergency

At the time of his death, Best was serving sentences for aggravated assault from Hughes County, sliming/assault by an inmate, and simple assault on law enforcement from Minnehaha County.

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Attorney General Marty Jackley told KELOLAND News earlier in May there were three open death investigations of DOC inmates. Two inmates died within five days in the third week of May.

A group of protesters gathered outside the penitentiary in Sioux Falls on Friday. The group was protesting the conditions of the prisoners within the penitentiary.

Bests death marks the ninth person to die in DOC custody this year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
On June 3, 2025, South Koreans will head to the polls to vote for a new president.

The election caps a particularly turbulent several months in the countrys politics that began with right-wing President Yoon Suk Yeol declaration of martial law last December. The opposition-controlled National Assembly swiftly moved to rescind Yoons order and then impeached him just a week later.

After months of subsequent trial, during which South Korean society was polarized by public rallies supporting and opposing impeachment, the South Korean Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment in April.

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As momentous as the period has been for South Korean politics, it feels like deja vu from 2017, when a snap presidential election was held following the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye. As with that election, there is widespread anticipation that the opposition Democratic Party will win the presidency this time. However, during the two-month-long campaign season, the race has narrowed to a tighter-than-expected contest among the three leading presidential candidates.

Here are three key things to look out for as South Koreans head to the polls:

1. The oppositions challenge to the status quo

As the main opposition party that successfully impeached Yoon, the center-left Democratic Party has been the favorite to come ahead in the election. The party  together with a small grouping of other progressive-leaning parties  quickly unified around Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. Polls have consistently shown Lee in the lead, though his support has lagged behind public support for Yoons impeachment. This suggests that even among voters who favor political change, some remain ambivalent about the prospect of a Lees presidency.

In response, Lees campaign has sought to rebrand his political image.

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Generally regarded as a progressive political figure in favor of policies including a universal basic income and a pro-engagement foreign policy toward North Korea and China, Lee has shifted rightward, recruiting conservative political figures into his campaign and promising pragmatic, business-friendly economic policies.

Though, in the past, Lee has made comments critical of past U.S. foreign policy and appeared to suggest South Koreas strategic neutrality in the great power rivalry between Washington and Beijing, in this campaign Lee has reaffirmed his support behind the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

However, he has continued to encounter skepticism about the authenticity of his political moderation.

Lee also faces vulnerabilities due to his ongoing legal trials. In October 2024, a district court convicted him of violating election law by knowingly giving a false statement during a debate and suspended his eligibility for presidential candidacy for five years. Then, in March, an appeals court acquitted Lee, freeing him to campaign in the snap election. However, at the beginning of May, South Koreas Supreme Court overturned the ruling, remanding the case back to the appeals court.

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With the appeals court postponing the retrial until after the presidential election, Lees campaign has avoided the risk of being barred from the race. However, controversy continues over whether Lees trials would be suspended if he wins the presidency.

Lees campaign has asserted that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted, except in cases of treason. But the South Korean Constitutions ambiguity about whether such immunity applies to ongoing trials involving presidential candidates creates political uncertainty for the Democratic Party leader.

2. Ruling party tries to move past disgraced leader

The party of the now-impeached Yoon, the right-wing Peoples Power Party, has struggled to thread the needle of keeping Yoons supporters on board, while reconciling with the majority of South Korean voters who supported his impeachment.

This attempt to move on from Yoons contested legacy was reflected in a bitterly contested party primary to pick his successor. Kim Moon-soo, the former labor minister in Yoons government who opposed impeachment, was nominated and eventually secured the spot, but not before overcoming an internal upheaval by party leaders who were skeptical of Kims competitiveness in the general election.

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Facing an uphill battle, Kim has sought to reframe the election narrative by capitalizing on voters reservations about Lee. Contrasting himself with Lees legal allegations, Kim portrayed himself as an uncorrupt, principled candidate with a record as a labor activist during South Koreas military rule in the 1970s and 1980s.

However, Kim has continued to struggle to expand support among moderate voters who have criticized his political evolution from a renowned progressive activist to a hard-right political figure with close political ties to the disgraced Yoon.

Though Yoon eventually left the PPP voluntarily, Kims campaign has continued to walk a tightrope in distancing itself from the impeached former president without alienating Yoons supporters.

Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on Dec. 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images

Kims campaign strategy also reflects this tension. In an appeal to swing voters, Kim has pledged the development of regional provinces, increased child care and housing support for young families, and a constitutional amendment to limit presidential powers.

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But he has continued to keep pro-Yoon figures in his campaign team and has courted support from another impeached president, Park Geun-hye, who retains some support among core conservative voters.

Kims strategy appears to have partially been successful in closing the gap with Lee, though polls show Kim continues to lag by 5 to 10 percentage points.

3. Potential opening for a center-right third way?

The public dissatisfaction with both major-party candidates has left an opening for the center-right New Reform Partys presidential candidate, Lee Jun-seok. Lee, a 40-year-old legislator, previously served as the PPPs youngest party leader before being ousted by Yoons faction and subsequently founding his own splinter party. In the presidential race, he has presented himself as the only candidate not tainted by legal liabilities or ties to the impeached president.

Lee Jun-seok has sought to burnish his image as a center-right reformer who is committed to conservative policies but rejects the insulated, outdated political culture of the conservative political establishment. Supporting Yoons impeachment, Lee has also condemned Yoons unconstitutional abuse of martial law and espousal of election fraud conspiracy theory.

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During the presidential TV debates, Lee Jun-seok has persistently criticized the two establishment party candidates as unqualified to lead the country. That, and policies intended to address the concerns of the younger generation, has helped increase his support to around 10%  a meaningful achievement for a third-party candidate, as South Korean law guarantees a campaign reimbursement for candidates who receive over 10% of votes.

Looking ahead in the final days

South Koreas election law bans the release of public poll results during the six days leading up to an election. The final batch released before the ban period indicates that though Lee Jae-myung maintains a lead, his support has stagnated in the high 40s.

Two factors may impact the final election outcome:

First, Kims campaign has urged Lee Jun-seok to form a unity ticket, citing polls that show the combination of their support equals or even surpasses Lee Jae-myungs. However, Lee Jun-seok has rejected such overtures. Even if he suspends his campaign to endorse Kim, it is unclear whether his supporters would switch their support. Should Lee Jun-seok stay in the race, whether his campaign draws more votes from Lee Jae-myung or Kim could affect the election outcome.

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The second factor is whether voters are ultimately more motivated by retrospective or prospective judgments. Many South Koreans are receptive to Lee Jae-myungs view that the political party responsible for what many see as Yoons attempted self-coup should face electoral judgment.

However, many also resonate with Kim and Lee Jun-seoks warning that Lee Jae-myungs presidency, despite the latters reassurances, could result in radical economic and political changes, empowered by the Democratic Partys unchecked control of the executive and legislative branches.

For many of the remaining swing voters, it represents a dilemma of choosing the lesser of two evils. Whether they prioritize anger over the past presidency or apprehension of the prospective future president may decide the election.

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: Jong Eun Lee, North Greenville University

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Jong Eun Lee 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.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Three El Paso Community College (EPCC) Board of Trustees members were sworn in during the board meeting held on Wednesday, May 28, at the EPCC Administrative Services Center.

Incumbents in EPCC, San Eli ISD apparent winners in board races

EPCC District 4 Trustee Jesus Mendez

EPCC District 6 Trustee Diana Mooy

Trustee Diana Mooy with Husband Bruce Mooy, and son Bruce

Bonnie Najera, Belen Robles, Diana Mooy, John Uxer, Dr. Carmen Olivas Graham, Jesus Mendez, Brian Haggerty, and President Dr. William Serrata

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District 4  Jesus Mendez

Jesus Mendez, who was appointed to the EPCC board last year to fill a vacancy, was elected to a full term representing District 4, EPCC said.

Mendez, who is the owner of Winsupply of West El Paso and vice president of Common Cents Investment Group, took the victory against Eduardo A. Flores, an EPCC employee, and Luther Marcena in the May 3 election.

EPCC said Mendezs educational journey includes Western Tech, EPCC  where he received his certification in welding  Austin Community College, and UTEP.

Mendez said his time on the board has been fantastic and he looks forward to working with his fellow trustees.

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I just want to continue to support every student that comes to EPCC, that they have all the resources they need, and will graduate and be successful, Mendez said.

District 5  Carmen Olivas Graham

Carmen Olivas Graham, who is also a Socorro Independent School District administrator as director of Administrative Services, ran unopposed in the May 3 election and will serve a six-year term and continue to represent District 5, EPCC said.

EPCC said Olivas Graham has worked in education for 40 years. She said she was motivated by her love for education in the community.

EPCC is extraordinary in every way. We are an exemplary Board that has a laser-focused vision on student success and demands excellence, Olivas Graham said. As a trustee, I am committed to delivering on what we are elected to do, which is to work with the leadership to empower our community with access to affordable, top-quality education.

District 6  Diana Mooy

Ysleta Independent School District Associate Superintendent of Technology Information Services Diana Mooy was elected to represent District 6, EPCC said.

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Mooy won against Eduardo Mena in the May 3 election.

EPCC said Mooy is a 17-year veteran in education and began her career in 2007 as a teacher at Socorro ISD before being promoted to several positions over the years.

Mooy joined Ysleta ISD in 2020 as a coordinator in the Office of Student Services and was later promoted to director, EPCC said.

I took a year here at EPCC between my transition from high school to UTEP, so its absolutely the best place to start, Mooy said. As a trustee, I want to be a bridge between education and opportunity, connecting students of all ages to the resources they need to thrive. Ill advocate for programs that support early college, adult learners, and career pathways that meet real community needs. My goal is to lead with a servant heart and ensure EPCC remains a place where learning transforms lives.

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In addition, new board officers were also elected during the meeting, EPCC said.

EPCC said Judge Brian Haggerty will continue to serve as chair of the Board of Trustees. Bonnie Soria Najera was elected to serve as vice-chair and Olivas Graham was elected as secretary.

For more information on the EPCC Board of Trustees visit here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Many eyes were on Los Angeles County on April 7 as a claims board approved a long haggled-over $4-billion settlement, following a flood of lawsuits from victims who said they were sexually abused as children in county-run lock-ups and foster homes.

That same day, the L.A. County District Attorneys Office quietly finalized another decision: The man who had emerged in the lawsuits as the most prolific abuser would not face criminal charges.

Thomas Jackson, 58, a former probation official who was accused by more than two dozen women of sexually abusing them when they were minors, would not be prosecuted because the alleged incidents happened too long ago, the April 7 declination memo said.

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The District Attorneys Office also declined to prosecute Altovise Abner, 46, a probation supervisor who was investigated for having sex with a minor at a camp in 2006, according to another April 7 memo.

Since state legislators gave victims of childhood sexual abuse a new window to sue in 2020, L.A. County has been flooded by claims from nearly 7,000 plaintiffs who said they were abused by caretakers, probation staff or foster parents while they were children in county custody.

County officials referred only two of the cases  those against Abner and Jackson  to the District Attorneys Office for investigation in December 2023. The decisions not to charge them mean that no new criminal prosecutions will result from the allegations that make up the largest sex abuse settlement in U.S. history.

The charges that prosecutors considered against Jackson included statutory rape, oral sex with a minor and forced penetration with a foreign object, according to the declination memo by Deputy District Attorney Melanie Buccat.

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The potential charges for Abner, which included statutory rape, could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and were also outside the statute of limitations, according to Buccat's declination memo.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the D.A.s office called the alleged sexual assaults at probation facilities "deeply disturbing." The office remains "steadfast in our commitment to seeking justice whenever possible, and we urge anyone with knowledge of a potential crime to report it, so we can take timely action under the law," the statement said.

County officials have said that a dearth of records has made it impossible to defend against the lawsuits, fueling the historically large settlement. The same issues, they said, have made it difficult to investigate the claims for criminal prosecution.

Many victims, who were children at the time of the abuse, never knew the first names of their abusers. The perpetrators are usually identified in the lawsuits as some variation on John Doe, with few identifying details. The records to corroborate the allegations, some of which date back to the 1950s, have disappeared. People have moved away or died.

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Jackson, who resigned in 2023 after three decades with the county, is a notable exception. His full name was cited in at least 30 lawsuits, according to filings from four different law firms. Another 26 plaintiffs identified their abuser as having the last name Jackson but did not know a first name, according to attorneys from two other firms.

Courtney Thom, whose law firm represents 17 clients accusing Jackson of abusing them at a Santa Clarita juvenile camp, said the decision not to prosecute him was deeply disappointing.

The children he is alleged to have raped and molested in unthinkable ways never stood a chance  silenced then, and now, she wrote in a text message. To be met with a lack of accountability from those entrusted to uphold justice is not only heartbreaking  it is terrifying.

Abner, who was placed on leave in 2023, was accused in a separate lawsuit of groping a 17-year-old at a juvenile camp in Lancaster around 2006. Abner now works as a program manager at the homeless nonprofit HOPICS, according to her LinkedIn.

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Abner could not immediately be reached for comment. Jackson's attorney, Tom Yu, said his client was innocent, and he was pleased the case had been dropped.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This story has been updated with additional information

One person died and at least two others were taken to the hospital after being swept away in floodwater during Wednesday's severe storm, Austin officials said on Thursday.

The speed of this storm is a powerful reminder that all of us need to be prepared, Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said at a news conference.

Strong winds, hail, and lightning damaged electrical equipment and snapped tree limbs, resulting in downed power lines.

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More: Why did storms hit Austin so hard and fast? A clash of systems from Mexico to Colorado

More: More severe storms possible in Central Texas as Austin recovers from hailstorm damage

Tens of thousands of Austin Energy customers remained without power midday Thursday as the city worked around the clock to restore more than 100 broken utility poles and damaged electrical equipment. At the height of the storm, more than 72,000 outages were reported.

Stuart Reilly, interim general manager of Austin Energy, said at the news conference that the storm was the third-worst since 2012 in terms of power outages. The only other storms that saw more outages during that time period were the historic 2021 and 2023 winter storms, he said. Those were caused by a statewide power grid failure and frozen tree limbs falling on power lines, respectively.

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The city came under fire after the 2023 storm for failing to keep power lines clear of tree limbs. But Reilly said that was not a key factor this time.

There's no amount of vegetation management that can account for a 40 or 50 foot tree being uprooted and toppling, he said.

Austin Energy has not given a timeline yet for when power will be fully restored to impacted customers.

"Because damage is so substantial, outages & restoration are still expected to extend for multiple days," the utility service said in an update on X. "There is currently no estimated time of restoration for outages from the storm. We'll provide additional info once there is a more extensive assessment."

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As of Thursday morning, power had been restored to at least 20,000 customers, and all available repair crews have been working since late Wednesday.

Wednesday's storm was part of a broader pattern of severe weather expected across the region this week. It marked the third consecutive day of heavy rainfall, with continued chances for isolated to scattered storms through the weekend.

Multiple water rescues throughout Austin; 1 dead

The Austin Fire Department executed multiple water rescues on Wednesday. An adult patient recovered near the intersection of Steck Avenue and the MoPac Boulevard service road died with the person "reportedly submerged for over 20 minutes," said to Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz.

Another rescue took place in the 2100 block of Hancock Drive, where one person was rescued. A second person remains missing, and the operation has shifted from rescue to recovery.

Austin Fire Department is responding to a Water Rescue at Steck Ave and N Mopac Expy Svrd Nb. Callers reporting  two cars in the water one person on the roof of a car. Please avoid the area #atxtraffic pic.twitter.com/mSMiGSfDOD  Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) May 29, 2025

Severe storms cause damage across Austin on Wednesday

Some parts of Austin didn't see much, if any, rain, hail and wind on Wednesday. But other areas were battered, suffering severe and widespread damage.

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Ron Poole, owner of a tire and propane business on East MLK Boulevard, drove in from Houston to assess the condition of his shop. The storm had blown part of the roof off and toppled an electrical pole. This was a freak storm, Poole said. Ive never had damage like this and I live in the Houston area where there are hurricanes.

Nearby resident Freddie Dixon Sr., who has lived in his house for 50 years, also said he hadn't ever seen anything like it.

All hell broke loose here, said Dixon, 80, a retired pastor from Wesley United Methodist Church.

The storm knocked down a tree right by Dixon's front door and several in his backyard, and flooded his living room and dining room.

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Some of the city's oldest and most iconic properties suffered damage in the storm.

The largest oak tree at Austin's first Black cemetery lay toppled over several headstones on Thursday morning. Several other trees at Bethany Cemetery had snapped in half.

Im pretty devastated, said Sue Spears, the president of the Bethany Cemetery Association, as she watched employees from the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps saw up the felled trees.

Large hail shattered glass near the top of the Capitol rotunda and doorways at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The storm rolling through Austin broke some of the glass near the top of the Texas Capitol rounda. A big pane is broken and hanging up there pic.twitter.com/hKzocWXSbV  Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) May 28, 2025

There was also significant destruction at UFCU Disch-Falk Field  home of the Texas Longhorns baseball  which is scheduled to host the NCAA Tournaments Austin Regional on Friday. Strong winds tore green panels from the batters eye and scattered them into the outfield. The fencing that supports the structure was also dislodged, leaving debris across the warning track and deep center field.

A crew examine and begin to assess the repair process to damage done to the batters eye at the University of Texas UFCU Disch-Falk Field following a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday evening, May 28, 2025. The Longhorns are set to host an NCAA Tournament Regional, beginning on Friday.

Additionally, the roof over the pumps at a Shell gas station in the 7500 block of North MoPac Expressway collapsed while people were still inside their vehicles.

Bryan Bouillion looks at the scene where a gas station canopy collapsed on a car with his 16-year-old daughter inside during a storm on Greystone Drive in North Austin, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. She was not injured, but two cars were damaged by the collapsed structure.

No injuries were reported in these incidents.

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More: Saharan dust to hit Texas just as storms clear. When to expect hazy skies in your area

See photos, videos of damage: Severe storm leaves a trail of destruction in Austin

More severe storms heading to Central Texas ahead of Saharan dust

Severe weather is expected to return around midnight and continue into early Friday, bringing the risk of large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall capable of causing localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Austin.

Clear skies are forecast to return Sunday, just in time for a Saharan dust plume to drift over the eastern half of Texas, affecting areas from Houston to Dallas, including Austin and San Antonio.

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The dust is expected to bring hazy skies and reduced air quality.

More: Saharan dust to hit Texas just as storms clear. When to expect hazy skies in your area

Texas power outage map

How to report a power outage

Austin Energy customers

See Austin Energy power outage map

To report an outage: Call 512-322-9100 or go to https://austinenergy.ifactornotifi.com/ui/outage-reporting/

Pedernales Electric customers

See Pedernales Electric power outage map

To report an outage: Text "outage" to 25022 or go to https://pec.ifactornotifi.com/ui/outage-reporting

Oncor customers

See the Oncor outage map

To report an outage: Call 888-313-4747 or go to https://stormcenter.oncor.com/

Bluebonnet Electric customers

See the Bluebonnet outage map

To report an outage: Call 800-949-4414 or go to https://bluebonnet.coop/report-outage

Xcel Energy customers

See Xcel Energy outage map

To report an outage, call 800-895-4999 or go to https://www.xcelenergy.com/outages_and_emergencies/report_outage

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin power outage map: 30K+ without power, may last 'multiple days'
North Korea has arrested four officials in connection with a botched warship launch.

State media reaction to the incident signals Kim Jong Un's fury at the disaster.

North Korea experts say the officials face severe  possibly fatal  consequences.

Four officials detained after a North Korean destroyer was badly damaged on the day of its ceremonial launch into the water could face fatal consequences at the hands of Kim Jong Un, North Korea experts told Business Insider.

"I would say there's a very good chance they'd be executed," said Joseph S. Bermudez, an analyst in North Korean defense at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

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One striking aspect was the speed at which state-controlled North Korean media publicized the incident that damaged its newest warship and also named the officials.

The highly public nature of the announcements suggests Kim is "very upset," Bermudez added.

How it all went wrong

The arrests came within days of the botched launch of the nameless 5,000-ton destroyer, which saw the ship topple onto its side and its hull damaged. It's believed the mechanism that rolled the ship into the water malfunctioned, leaving the ship's bow stuck on the pier while its aft section lay in the water and flooded.

State-run outlets announced the arrests, placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of the shipyard's chief engineer, the head of the hull construction workshop, and a deputy manager for administrative affairs.

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At the top of the list: Ri Hyong Son, a vice director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Korean Workers' Party Central Committee, who was also arrested.

As of Friday, blue tarp was being used to try to cover up the damage to North Korea's new destroyer. Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies

The warship was one of two next-generation Choe Hyon-class destroyers. The first, the titular Choe Hyon, launched a month ago to great fanfare at Nampo Harbor on the peninsula's western coast.

But the second was constructed at the eastern Chongjin shipyard, which doesn't typically produce large warships, Bermudez said.

Rather than launching it in drydock or from a slipway, North Korea attempted a sideways launch  something the workers might not have been well-practiced at with a larger vessel, Bermudez said.

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When it came to the bigger ship, "all of a sudden, you're starting to use a piece that hasn't been used in years," he said.

On Monday, satellite images showed that the bow of the ship was still stuck on the pier, with evidence of a dredging operation at the harbor entrance.

A Monday satellite image of North Korea's stricken destroyer shows a crane barge nearby and numerous small vessels probably dewatering the ship's flooded aft section. CSIS/Beyond Parallel/Maxar 2025

Why Kim is turning up the heat

Following the launch, state media put the "responsible" officials on blast.

This was a choice.

"Normally these things are done quietly," Bermudez said.

Within hours of the disaster, the Pyongyang Times reported Kim denouncing it at length, calling it a "criminal act" that "could not be tolerated." Multiple detailed updates to the recovery operation have followed.

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The Choe Hyon-class destroyer is a step toward a major ambition of Kim's: transforming North Korea's primarily coastal navy into a blue-water fleet, Bermudez said.

A setback to that project is a "slap in the face" for Kim, he added.

Though the full capabilities of the new ship are not yet known, its sister ship, the Choe Hyon  the first in the class  wields modern capabilities such as an air defence system and vertically launched missiles.

State media has said it can carry nuclear-capable missiles  in which case, the program is "very much interlinked with North Korea's broader nuclear ambitions," said Edward Howell, an expert on North Korean politics at the University of Oxford.

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"The fact that it failed so miserably was pretty embarrassing for Kim," who is "captivated" by developing naval power, Bruce Bennett, a North Korea-focused defense analyst at the RAND think tank, told BI.

It's even more galling in the wake of large-scale South Korean naval drills in the Yellow Sea earlier this month  which showcased its naval power after the launch of the first Choe Hyon.

And there was another reason to denounce the named officials: In terms of domestic politics, "it puts everybody on notice," Bermudez said.

When big programs that really matter to Kim fail, "he's going to take retribution," he added.

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Though officials have now said the damage isn't as bad as first assessed  something BI couldn't independently verify  it's still going to be treated with utmost seriousness in order to "deal a telling blow to incautiousness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricist attitude prevailing in any field," state media said.

A generational punishment

It's unclear exactly what will happen to the officials named.

Various punishments are possible through the judicial system, but all too often, "'due process' is a bullet in the head," RAND's Bennett said.

In January, North Korea executed two unnamed nuclear power plant construction researchers for failing to complete their project and improve technological standards, Daily NK reported. Their junior colleagues were transported to what is believed to be a political prison camp, the outlet reported.

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Regardless of what punishment is handed down, one thing is likely: It'll also hit the officials' families. In the logic of the North Korean justice system, convictions are "because of a significant family flaw," Bennett said. "Therefore, three generations of the family need to be dealt with."

That could mean the officials' spouses, parents, and even kids could be sent to grim prison camps  and could also be downgraded within the country's system of social hierarchy, Songbun.

"We don't know what their fates will be," said Howell. "Their fates don't look to be very pleasant."

"But crucially," he added, "this is going to make no impact on North Korea's broader quest for naval modernization, military modernization."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Mexican girl is at risk of losing access to the lifesaving treatment she has been receiving in Los Angeles after her family's legal immigration status was abruptly revoked.

Her family is now fighting to have their status reinstated.

If they deport us and take away my daughter's access to her specialized care, she will die, Deysi Vargas, the girls mother, said Wednesday in her native Spanish at a news conference.

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Her 4-year-old daughter, who is being identified only by the initials S.G.V., was born with a defect in her small intestines known as short bowel syndrome. The condition does not allow her body to absorb nutrients from regular food.

Instead, the girl receives all the nutrients she needs intravenously through a treatment known as Total Parenteral Nutrition, or TPN.

As part of her daily routine, Deysi Vargas runs a saline solution through her daughter's intravenous line before her morning shower and school. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

"The doctors that are treating her have stated very clearly that if her treatment is interrupted, she will die within days," Gina Amato, an attorney for the family, told NBC News. "This is a classic example where deportation would equal death for this child. It is a very desperate situation.

To prevent malnutrition, S.G.V. receives her TPN treatment each night at home for at least 14 hours, the mother and her attorneys said.

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During the day, when the girl goes to pre-school or accompanies her mother to the supermarket, S.G.V. wears a portable version of the treatment in a backpack.

At least four times a day, Vargas spends one hour connecting her daughter to gastric tubes that attach to the backpack containing the nutrients she needs.

The company that manufactures the equipment that delivers the intravenous nutrition the girl needs does "not allow the equipment to travel outside the United States," Amato said at the news conference, adding that few places outside the U.S. can safely and effectively administer this treatment.

Deysi Vargas' 4-year-old daughter wears a backpack that delivers nutrients intravenously by pump. She wears a smaller unit for school, where her she is fed through a gastrostomy tube. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Before coming to the United States nearly two years ago, S.G.V. was in really terrible shape and was having a very difficult time surviving, Amato said.

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The girl had been receiving medical care in Mexico, spending many hours in a hospital bed receiving her nutrients intravenously, according to Amato and Vargas.

S.G.V. was "not growing or getting any better," Vargas said.

Desperate to get better medical care for their daughter, Vargas and her partner used the now-defunct CBP One app on July 2023 to legally enter the U.S. through the southern border. The family was then granted humanitarian parole for the purpose of seeking medical treatment for S.G.V.

The girl was quickly taken to a hospital in San Diego upon their arrival because she was in such poor health, the family and their attorneys said. A year later, she was referred to the Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles, which has one of the nation's best gastroenterology programs.

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Doctors there have been caring for S.G.V. for the past year, also monitoring the TPN treatment she receives.

"Now, with the help my daughter receives in the United States, my daughter has the opportunity to leave the hospital, see the world, and live like a child her age," Vargas said.

S.G.V. was at the news conference with her TPN backpack. She spent most of the time playing cards and making some arts and crafts to show how the treatment has helped improve her quality of life.

According to the family's legal team, the family's humanitarian parole was set to expire at the end of July and Vargas was fighting to get it extended.

Deysi Vargas and her daughter walk about 15 minutes to school. Vargas carries her daughter most of the way since she can't walk for very long. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

But last month, the family received a notice via email from the Department of Homeland Security terminating their parole and work authorization.

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"If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States  unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here," the notice, which was obtained by NBC News, reads.

Clearly they did not give individualized consideration to this case, because had they done so, Amato told NBC News, we believe that they would not have made this decision given the really poor condition of this child.

The notice also said, "DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own," using the CBP Home mobile app, which has a self-deportation feature.

The notice did not state a reason for revoking the family's parole other than DHS "exercising its discretion."

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Mexico's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the Mexican consulates of Los Angeles and Fresno are in contact with the family's attorneys "to intercede with state and federal legislators to prevent the deportation."

"The Foreign Ministry will provide full consular support and assistance in the daughter's case in coordination with the mother's attorney," the statement reads.

According to attorneys at Public Counsel, the legal firm representing the family, no one in the family has any convictions. The girl's father, who is not married to Vargas, does have a pending charge stemming from "a misunderstanding at the San Diego hospital when he raised his voice" when discussing his daughter's care in an area "where he did not understand he could not be loud."

Attorneys believe the charge will likely "be dismissed because hes complying with the anger management classes the courts requested of him," they said. "This does not influence the legality of Deysis case."

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Believing the DHS notice was perhaps sent by mistake, attorneys for the family wrote a letter to federal immigration authorities on May 9.

"They have not violated the terms of their parole," the letter, which was obtained by NBC News, reads. "We believe this notice was issued in error. Please correct this error."

Still, the family continued receiving notices about their parole's termination, Amato said at the news conference. So, they filed a new application for humanitarian parole through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The agency did not respond to a request for comment.

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A senior DHS official insisted to NBC News via email that reports about the family "actively being deported are FALSE. This family applied with USCIS for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered.

In the meantime, the family is very much in limbo, and theyre terrified, Amato said. Theyre no longer in status and theyre no longer authorized to work in the U.S. So, they face many fears.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Atlanta police are investigating a shooting that injured four people at a gas station Wednesday night.

At approximately 8:52 p.m., officers responded to the BP gas station at 2261 Cascade Road SW to reports of a shooting.

When they arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his neck, a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg, and another man who was shot in his right hand.

All three men were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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Officers were later made aware of a man who took himself to Grady Memorial Hospital after being shot in his groin.

Investigators with the Aggravated Assault Unit responded to the shooting scene and are continuing their investigation.

Atlanta police investigated several, separate shootings on Wednesday night.

A confrontation between two teens ended with a 16-year-old shot and killed near Oakland City.

TRENDING STORIES:
This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows a view of the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Harvard is facing an unprecedented crisis with billions of dollars in funding frozen, its tax-exempt status in jeopardy, and multiple investigations underway.

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that there should be a cap of around 15 percent on foreign students at Harvard University, while continuing to pressure it to submit its list of foreign students.

"Harvard has to show us their lists," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They have foreign students. About 31 percent of their students are foreign based. Almost 31 percent. We want to know where those students come. Are they troublemakers?"

Trump claimed that many of those students were troublemakers "caused by the radical left lunatics in this country."

"I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 percent, not 31 percent, we have people want to go to Harvard and other schools they can't get in because we have foreign students there," he said.

After Trump returned to the White House, he has targeted many U.S. universities, warning that those that do not adjust their policies will face funding cuts. The Trump administration's main demands include eradicating antisemitism on campus and abolishing diversity initiatives that favor minority groups.

With billions of dollars in funding frozen, its tax-exempt status in jeopardy and multiple investigations underway, Harvard is facing an unprecedented crisis.

On May 22, the Department of Homeland Security announced the revocation of Harvard's eligibility for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program -- one of the latest moves by the Trump administration aimed at pressuring the university.

Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, and a federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the ban, and a court hearing on the issue was scheduled for May 29. Previously, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration over federal funding cuts.

According to data from Harvard, as of fall 2023, international students made up more than 27 percent of the total student population. Currently, Harvard enrolls nearly 6,800 international students and scholars from over 140 countries and regions, most of whom are pursuing graduate programs. 
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program is asking for help in ensuring the project reduces its impact on historic sites in the Portland and Vancouver areas.

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires agencies to assess whether federally-funded projects could harm cultural resources and, if so, determine how to minimize that harm. As a result, the team behind ongoing efforts to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge is seeking public comment on its Draft Programmatic Agreement.

Residents appeal Oaks Amusement Parks plan to install 135-foot Drop Tower ride

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The proposed agreement reveals how leaders would address the programs potential adverse effects to historic places, such as physical damage, removal from their original location or alterations to the features that make the sites historic.

IBRP has identified more than 10 places that could face adverse effects of construction.

According to the programs Historic Built Environment Resources Treatment Plan, the Harbor Shops along 11915 N Center Ave. and Jantzen Beach Water Tank at N Center St and N Jantzen Ave. are the two Portland sites that could be completely demolished under the program. In Washington, around one-third of an acre of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and nearly one-quarter of an acre of the Vancouver Barracks Historic District would be demolished.

Program leaders have selected different treatment measures for the identified areas, but some  like the Northbound lanes of the I-5 bridge  will have their historic materials salvaged for future use.

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Preference will be given first to the public ownership and reuse of these materials within public spaces or structures in or adjacent to the [Area of Potential Effect] and second, to public ownership and reuse of these materials within public spaces or structures outside the APE, the drafted Programmatic Agreement reads.

Portland Fleet Week to bring extended bridge lifts next week

The program will also consider offering materials to the general public if public agencies dont express interest in using them.

Community members have until June 8 to weigh in on the PA proposal. They can submit their feedback through the online form or by emailing culturalresources@interstatebridge.org.

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Among their last social media posts were photos of the five band members posing at the international bridge leading across the Rio Grande from their hometown, the Mexican border city of Reynosa.

"We'll see you in a little while in McAllen, Texas," read the caption, which went on to express the group's hope to perform one day in the United States, following the path of many regional Mexican ensembles that have found binational success.

Those images on the bridge were among the last public sightings of the members of El Fugitivo, a group of local musicians, mostly in their 20s, who worked the border circuit, playing ranchera tunes and plaintive corridos, or ballads.

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The five dropped out of sight Sunday evening in Reynosa.

Their disappearance in the dangerous border town in the state of Tamaulipas  a mostly cartel-controlled area infamous for massacres and kidnappings  alarmed relatives and friends, who staged demonstrations this week to demand their safe return. Demonstrators staged rallies on a pair of border bridges and at other sites in Reynosa.

But it was all for naught: On Thursday, Tamaulipas prosecutors confirmed that authorities had discovered the bodies of the five at an unspecified site in Reynosa.

Authorities have made nine arrests in the slayings, Irving Barrios Mojica, the attorney general of Tamaulipas state, told journalists at an afternoon news conference. He blamed the slayings on Gulf cartel, which reigns supreme in the area, but gave no motive for the homicides. Nor did the prosecutor say how the five were killed or specify where the bodies were found.

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Authorities later learned that the five were kidnapped at 10 p.m. Sunday, apparently while en route to a private engagement in Reynosa. Forensic examination of the site is continuing, the district attorney said.

Tamaulipas  bordering Texas and the Gulf of Mexico  is widely considered among the most dangerous states in Mexico. It has long had one of the country's highest rates of homicides and disappearances.

Tamaulipas is also the site of two of the most grisly massacres in recent Mexican history  the slayings of at least 265 U.S.-bound migrants in two separate mass killings more than a decade ago in the municipality of San Fernando. Authorities blamed the Zetas gang.

The U.S. State Department urges U.S. citizens to not travel to Tamaulipas, citing the threat of crime and kidnapping.

"Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo," reads the State Department warning. "In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime."

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Musicians have not been spared in the gang violence that batters much of Mexico.

In 2020, 10 musicians and crew members of a regional band known as Sensacion Musical were ambushed and slain in the southwestern state of Guerrero while returning from a gig. Authorities called the bloody attack the result of a dispute between rival armed groups in rural Guerrero.

Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal contributed to this report.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk announced this week that his time as a special government employee leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has come to an end.

I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, Musk said on X late Wednesday. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

Musks departure was long expected. Under federal law, special government employees, as Musk is designated, are limited to working 130 days during any 365-day period.

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Here are some of his most memorable DOGE moments.

Revving up the chainsaw

Photo: Andrew Harnik (Getty Images)

Musk highlighted the early days of his mission to slash government spending by showing up at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February in Maryland. He famously wielded a chainsaw on stage.

Were, you know, were trying to get good things done, but also, like, you know, have a good time doing it and, uh, you know, and have, like, a sense of humor, Musk said.

Fork in the Road

Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

The email from the Office of Personnel Management, sent at Musks direction, was called Fork in the Road and there is still an official OPM page with that name. The ultimatum message to resign or get with the program followed a similar template Musk has used at his businesses. The email read:

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If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people to the best of your abilities and look forward to working together as part of an improved federal workforce. At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.

If you choose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country and you will be provided with a dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program

You can read the full email here.

List your accomplishments or resign

Photo: Samuel Corum (Getty Images)

Musk took to X in February warning ominously about an email that would be going out shortly across the government.

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All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week, he said. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation.

The full email was a short one and ultimately didnt mention resignation:

[Subject Line] What did you do last week?

Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week and cc your manager.

Please do not send any classified information, links, or attachments.

Deadline is this Monday at 11:59pmEST.

By the end of Musks tenure, the practice was widely panned.

DOGE police raid at...The Institute of Peace

Photo: Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images)

The Institute of Peace was created by an act of Congress in 1984 to promote peace around the world. Peace was anything but promoted during a DOGE standoff in March.

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DOGE officials, with police escorting them, took over the building and purged most institute employees. Acting head of the Institute of Peace George Moose said that, DOGE has broken into our building.

But a federal judge declared the DOGE takeover null and void because it is not part of the executive branch.

Take your child to work day

Photo: Andrew Harnik (Getty Images)

Musk, joined by his son X, delivered remarks alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in February.

The Independent said X stole the show, mimicking his billionaire father and picking his nose. The Independent reported that as Musk answered questions from the press, his son X proved to be a distraction by pulling faces, clinging onto his dads shoulders and interrupting him.

Selling Teslas on the White House lawn

Photo: Andrew Harnik (Getty Images)

After critics took their frustration with Jusk out on Tesla showrooms and cars, Trump briefly turned the White House lawn into a showroom.

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Tesla delivered five of its vehicles to the White House and parked them on a driveway for Trump to personally inspect, hours after he said on Truth Social that he planned to buy a Tesla to demonstrate his support for Musk

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An explosive device killed six soldiers and wounded two others in a western Mexican region wracked by drug cartel violence, an official military report seen by AFP on Wednesday said.

The blast late Tuesday near a town in Michoacan state destroyed the armored vehicle in which the troops were traveling, according to the internal document.

Military planes and helicopters were deployed to help the casualties, it said.

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President Claudia Sheinbaum described the deaths as "deplorable" and expressed solidarity with the victims.

Warring criminals in the region have a history of planting improvised landmines and attacking security forces with explosive-laden drones.

Several soldiers have been killed in similar explosions in the past.

Criminal violence, most of it linked to drug trafficking, has claimed around 480,000 lives in Mexico since 2006 and left more than 120,000 people missing.

U.S. President Donald Trump has designated six Mexican drug trafficking groups terrorist organizations, fueling speculation that he might order military strikes against them.

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Michoacan, where the deadly bombing took place, has been plagued by violence as a turf war rages between the influential Jalisco New Generation drug cartel and local criminal groups.

Last month, gunmen seized cargo trucks and set them on fire on a highway connecting Mexico City to Guadalajara, before police reported at least 18 similar cases in the neighboring states of Michoacan and Guanajuato. A Michoacan police source told AFP on condition of anonymity that the attacks were a reaction by Jalisco New Generation to a military operation in the area.

Last August, Michoacan's chief prosecutor confirmed that gunmen linked to drug cartels shot to death seven members of the community police force in the town of Coahuayana.

The influence of cartels has also infiltrated communities in the area. In December, a sign in a town in Michoacan was posted thanking a cartel leader  who has a $15 million bounty on his head in the U.S.  for holiday season presents for children. The message at a Christmas fair thanked Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera  better known by his nickname "El Mencho"  for the gifts.

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San Antonio's culinary scene is rich with history and unforgettable flavors, attracting locals and tourists alike with food unparalleled anywhere else in the world. But post-pandemic, the restaurant scene never fully recovered from the hits that it took, equally losing customer sales and employee retention rates. Just days after the beloved, similarly-iconic Denver-based Breakfast Inn announced it was closing its doors for good, San Antonio's legendary Mexican restaurant, Oscar's Taco House, dropped the bomb that it's unexpectedly shutting down permanently -- but not by choice.

According to multiple reports from local news sources, Oscar's Taco House is being forced to close by the city to make way for a new bridge. The bridge is part of a five-year project, officially named the South Zarzamora Street Overpass at Union Pacific Railroad, and it is expected to construct new bridges, roads, and sidewalks to improve mobility of the Southwest Side neighborhood. The restaurant's owner, Alex Pruneda, told local news source MySA that the city wanted the building closed by May 15, 2025, but Pruneda wrote a letter begging for an extension to give his 32 employees more time to prepare. The restaurant is set to officially lock up for the last time on June 28.

Read more: 11 Mexican Restaurant Chains, Ranked Worst To Best

Oscar's Taco House Has Been A San Antonio Staple For Decades

The exterior of Oscar's Taco House at nighttime - Paul Anthony II/Facebook

Oscar G. Garcia opened Oscar's Taco House in 1962 at 705 Barrett Place, San Antonio, operating it first as a carhop burger joint and soon adding classic Tex-Mex entrees (if you're curious, here's what makes Tex-Mex different from Mexican cuisine). Garcia's sons took over the restaurant in 1978 after he passed away, but maintained the classic, old-school feel of decor and service. Over 40 years later, the restaurant was purchased in 2021 by close family friend Alex Pruneda, who's continued serving burgers, enchiladas, and, of course, San Antonio's world-famous and unique puffy tacos ever since.

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In the midst of Oscar's Taco House ceasing operations, lifelong fans and devoted customers expressed their disappointment on social media. In a Facebook group for San Antonio Restaurants, people shared stories about decades of happy memories within the restaurant's walls. One commenter said "I never thought [this] would happen. I hope they relocate, [because] that's a fav in that area," while another agreed that "it will be missed by customers who called [it] home." Oscar's Taco House has no current plans to relocate, so in the meantime, San Antonians will have to visit one final time before the end of June and take a chance on some of the other absolute best restaurants in San Antonio.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Local and state leaders are reacting to the news that a former Michigan State Police sergeants federal criminal case has been dismissed.

Brian Keely was charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Samuel Sterling last year after he hit him with his cruiser during a chase. Court documents filed Wednesday show charges against Keely were dismissed.

Family shows News 8 a photo of Samuel Sterling.

When a case is thrown out, that is such an injustice and slap to the face of the family, that I am really shook up by this decision, Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack told News 8. This is an abomination of justice and its continuing to happen here in West Michigan.

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Womack added that he stands with the Sterling family during this time.

Judge tosses case against former MSP sgt in death of Samuel Sterling

We believe every family deserves their day in court when their child has been murdered because it gives everyone an opportunity  the community, law enforcement, parents and kids  to see what went wrong. What can the police do differently? What can the community do differently? he said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement that she stands by the arguments her team made in court.

Such a precedent is dangerous and fundamentally undermines the principles of justice and accountability our legal system is meant to uphold, she wrote in a statement.

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My heart breaks for the loved ones left behind by Mr. Sterling and the community who mourns him, Nessel wrote. This outcome is nothing short of a miscarriage of justice and my Department is considering our next steps.

Womack added that he believes this sends a negative and dangerous message to the community and the nation.

It setting a dangerous precedent to tell people in the community that an officer can be the judge, jury, and executioner on the spot and as this case was announced that there was immunity, that they seem to believe that police can operate with qualified immunity according to their statues but here in the United States of America, I will remind them that there is still power to the people, Womack said.

Family: Man hit by unmarked cruiser was father, rapper

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Keelys attorneys in a release said the ruling brings long-overdue relief to an officer who was doing his job to protect the public from a dangerous fugitive who escalated the situation by choosing to flee and place both officers and the community at risk.

This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity, the release said.

Nessel said shes exploring options to appeal. In civil court, attorneys representing the family of Samuel Sterling have filed an excessive force lawsuit.

The attorney who represents the Sterling family in the civil lawsuits, Ven Johnson, released a statement following the dismissal.

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It sends a troubling message that a police officer can run over an unarmed man and avoid facing a criminal jury, wrote Johnson, in part. Let me be clear: while this criminal case has been dismissed, our fight for civil justice is not.

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ACADIA PARISH, La (KLFY) In Acadia Parish, officials are gearing up for hurricane season by preparing residents for what could be an active season. The only concern they have is ensuring effective communication to notify the public.

Beau Petitjean, Acadia Parish Police Jury President, said its essential that Acadia Parish residents are as informed as soon as possible when it comes to preparing for hurricane season.

My concern is to make sure that the residents of Acadia Parish are safe and educated before a natural disaster such as a hurricane and after. Petitjean said.

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Petijean said a way they can do that is by staying up to date with notifications and updates via social media and visiting Acadia Parishs official websites.

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He said a way Acadia Parish is preparing for hurricane season is by working with other parishes and their Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. By doing that allows Acadia Parish the ability to push out preparations before, during, and after hurricanes to ensure the utmost safety for residents.

Thats what makes what makes the constituents safe of a parish is if you can unify all the leaders and have a plan in all the different situations during a natural disaster. And were kind of just reaching out to these other parishes and seeing what theyre doing. Petitjean said.

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With hurricane season beginning June 1, Acadia Parish residents are reminded to have a plan in place and stay updated. Officials also said a plan is in place for shelters to be available for people who may be homeless or need a safe place to be in the event of a hurricane. Enough time will be given to let the public know when and where these will be located.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is claiming that a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, is breaking the law and violating the rights of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees.

Lawrence police searching for person accused of stabbing elderly woman

The ACLU said immigrants being detained at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Leavenworth are currently facing a number of problematic and unlawful conditions, including:

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Lengthy lockdowns

Deprivation of basic needs

Crowded and unsanitary conditions

Use of force

Delays in medical care

Lack of language access

Lack of telephone access and confidential communications with legal counsel

Issues with legal mail

Lack of services

According to both detainee and attorney reports, the ACLU said a significant number of people detained at FCI Leavenworth continue to be held in ICEs custody even though they have already won their immigration cases.

A letter sent this week from immigration advocates urged officials to rectify concerns regarding conditions in the facility and the prolonged detention of immigrant detainees.

The letter was written by Advocates for Immigrants Rights and Reconciliation, the ACLU, the ACLU of Kansas, the National Immigrant Justice Center, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Missouri/Kansas Chapter of AILA and the Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.

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You can read the full letter here.

ICE entered into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in February to house immigrant detainees. The ACLU said people in ICE custody face more restrictive conditions than those in BOP custody, with less out-of-cell time and no access to outdoor recreation. Language barriers also create significant hurdles for detainees in need of medical care, the ACLU said.

Its illegal: Attorneys say FCI Leavenworth violated ICEs own policies

Michael Sharma-Crawford, a local immigration attorney and the current chair of the Kansas and Missouri chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said its a violation of the Sixth Amendment to deny detainees access to a lawyer.

Detaining someone and undermining their due process by blocking access to counsel is a clear and unequivocal violation of the Sixth Amendment, Sharma-Crawford said.

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That injustice becomes even more severe when it targets civil detaineespeople who are not accused of any crime. The harm in these cases is not just amplified; it is indefensible.

Eunice Cho, senior staff attorney at the ACLUs National Prison Project, said FCI Leavenworth is breaking the law.

The Trump administrations use of federal prisons to detain immigrants must end. Holding people in extended lockdown, and denying them access to adequate medical care, legal counsel, and even sunlight isnt just inhumane  its illegal, Cho said.

The taxpayer-funded conditions faced by immigrants held at FCI Leavenworth should concern us all.

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Karla Juarez, executive director of Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, said shes horrified by whats going on at the facility.

Whats happening at FCI Leavenworth is not only a violation of ICEs own policiesits a violation of our shared humanity, Juarez said. These are people who have already won their immigration cases and who should be free with their families, not locked in overcrowded cells without access to medical care or even sunlight.

We are horrified. We demand that ICE and BOP stop treating immigrant lives as disposable and immediately release those who have already been granted protection.

No communication with our families: Former detainee shares experience

An individual who was detained at FCI Leavenworth earlier this year shared his experience with the ACLU.

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The hardest thing I can express was that when we arrived, we were the second group, and it was an abandoned area, the former detainee shared. Everything was very dirty. We didnt have any cleaning supplies. Food was the hardest part because it wasnt a pleasant meal. There was no way to wash clothes. We only had one uniform, and that was it. Honestly, the time we were locked up in the cell was the worst. We had no communication with our families, and they didnt comply with the necessary resources.

He said he hopes ICE makes the necessary changes.

I hope they get out as soon as possible, he continued. There are many people who are there who have already won a case and are still there. I hope ICE pays more attention to their cases because they never get answers for them. I hope they are truly giving them enough food and they can communicate with their families and lawyers.

Earlier this month, the Kansas Federal Public Defenders office sent a letter to the FCI Leavenworth warden and the assistant general counsel at the BOP due to health concerns for residents  prompted by a monthslong rat infestation at the FCI facility.

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The letter also noted issues with video visitation of connectivity and timeliness interfering with reliable and confidential visitation for attorneys with clients. A responsive letter from the warden noted pest control measures taken and stated that attorney-client visits are unmonitored and confidential.

The FCI Leavenworth facility is run by the BOP. This is not the CoreCivic facility that the city has been battling in court.

FOX4 has been in contact with FCI Leavenworth and is awaiting their response. Check back in for the latest updates on this story.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of Kansas on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging the state over a recent law that was passed  blocking gender-affirming care for minors.

The lawsuit was filed in Douglas County on behalf of two transgender adolescents and their parents, who say the new law violates the Kansas Constitutions guarantees of equal protection and fundamental rights.

Missouri Supreme Court temporarily reinstates abortion ban

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In February, Kansas became the 27th state to ban or restrict such care when GOP lawmakers reversed Gov. Laura Kellys veto after President Donald Trump issued an order barring federal support for gender-affirming care for youth under 19.

Gov. Kelly vetoed the bill on Feb. 11, saying its inappropriate for politicians to infringe on parental rights. One week later, on Feb. 18, the veto was reversed.

The ACLU lawsuit was filed on behalf of a 16-year-old and his mother, as well as a 13-year-old and her mother.

Our clients and every Kansan should have the freedom to make their own private medical decisions and consult with their doctors without the intrusion of Kansas politicians, said D.C. Hiegert, Civil Liberties Legal Fellow for the ACLU of Kansas.

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Supporters of such bans argue that they protect vulnerable children from what they see as radical ideology about gender  and from making irreversible medical decisions too young.

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The Kansas law prohibits puberty blockers, hormone therapies and/or surgery for minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria who are trying to transition away from the gender assigned to them at birth. State employees caring for children are not allowed to provide or encourage such treatmentnor are they allowed to encourage social transitioning.

The law allows these same treatments to be provided to cisgender youth for any other reason.

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Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach released a statement in response to the lawsuit:

I look forward to meeting the ACLU in court and defending our Kansas law. Once again, the ACLU is attempting to twist the meaning of the Kansas Constitution into something unrecognizable. The Kansas Legislature was well within its authority when it acted to protect Kansas children from these harmful surgeries.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korean banks' capital adequacy ratio rose in the first quarter due to faster capital growth than risk-weighted assets, financial watchdog data showed Thursday.

The total capital ratio for 28 banks, bank holding companies and Internet-only banks under the Bank for International Settlements framework averaged 15.68 percent at the end of March, up 0.08 percentage points from three months earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service.

The ratio, a barometer of financial soundness, measures the proportion of a bank's capital to its risk-weighted assets. Banks are required to maintain the ratio above 11.5 percent.

The financial watchdog cautioned that risk factors remained amid the delayed economic recovery at home and the U.S. tariffs imposition.

The tier-1 capital ratio, which gauges common stock capital and retained earnings, increased 0.14 percentage points from three months earlier to 14.53 percent at the end of March.

The common equity tier-1 capital ratio, or the proportion of common equity to risk-weighted assets, advanced 0.13 percentage points to 13.20 percent in the cited quarter.

Banks are required to keep the tier-1 and the common equity tier-1 capital ratios above 9.5 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively. 
NEW YORK  More than a dozen activists were arrested Wednesday evening during a protest at U.S. Immigration Court in Manhattan, police sources said.

Activists were trying to gain entry to the court building around 7:50 p.m.  and were blocking vans that they believed were carrying migrant detainees near Varick and King streets in the West Village  when they were pepper-sprayed by Department of Homeland Security agents, the sources told the Daily News.

Around 22 protesters were arrested at the demonstration, the sources said.

The protest came in response to earlier arrests of migrants and observers including a Queens pastor at the Federal Plaza Immigration Court on Worth Street and Federal Plaza.

________
Multiple senior DOGE officials are in the process of leaving the Trump administration as Elon Musk officially steps away, sources told ABC News Thursday.

Among them is James Burnham, DOGE's top attorney, and Steve Davis, a longtime Musk lieutenant at Musk's private companies, who are both in the process of offboarding from their roles as a special government employees, a White House official confirmed to ABC News.

Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X who helped launch the Department of Government Efficiency in order to slash the federal government, said on X Wednesday night that he wanted to thank President Donald Trump "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end."

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MORE: Elon Musk announces departure from Trump administration as 130-day role ends

Musk and several other DOGE employees were hired at the start of the Trump's presidency as special government employees, which are limited to 130 days of service -- although Musk has previously said he expects DOGE to continue throughout Trump's term in office.

DOGE has thus far claimed government savings of $175 billion, although its aggressive cost-cutting tactics have spawned dozens of lawsuits and accusations that its work is unconstitutional.

Katie Miller, a special government employee who had served as a senior adviser and spokesperson for DOGE, is also leaving the administration and will work with Musk, sources said.

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Burnham was a key attorney working closely with Musk and DOGE on the team's legal strategy. Davis, who served as one of Musk's most senior advisers at DOGE, was viewed as running day-to-day operations, and worked across multiple federal agencies during his tenure.

PHOTO: Elon Musk flashes his T-shirt that reads 'DOGE' to the media as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, March 9, 2025. (Jose Luis Magana/AP, Files)

ABC News has reached out to those involved. Sources told ABC News that other special government employees who worked with DOGE were also planning to be off-boarded.

While Musk is stepping away from the administration, a senior administration official said he will continue to serve as an unofficial adviser to the president and could potentially attend White House meetings in the future.

While White House officials insist that Musk and Trump are on good terms as Musk departs, the president has been quiet about Musk's departure -- especially following Musk's critical comments to CBS News about Trump's "big beautiful" spending bill that passed the Republican-led House last week.

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"The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk said in the social media post announcing his departure Wednesday.

In addition to Musk, multiple top DOGE officials leaving Trump administration: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A coalition of 31 veterans groups is urging Senate leaders to strip a provision from the Republican budget reconciliation package which they say will allow for-profit schools to once again take advantage of student veterans.

In a letter sent Wednesday evening to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the groups noted that the provision concerning a repeal of the 90/10 rule could also cost the federal government as much as $1.6 billion, making the move concerning on a fiscal level as well as a ethical one.

Our organizations spent a decade with bipartisan lawmakers to solve this problem, the letter stated. That progress shouldnt be undone.

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GOP bill repeals rule on how for-profit schools count vets benefits

Veterans groups in recent weeks unsuccessfully lobbied House leaders to drop the provision before passing the reconciliation bill. The new effort includes a broader array of groups including Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Veterans Education Success.

At issue is the 90/10 rule, which covers how colleges must account for how much federal financial aid funding they take in.

By law, colleges and universities must have at least 10% of their revenues derived from non-federal sources in order to qualify for federal benefits. The idea behind the regulation is to ensure that for-profit institutions arent funded solely by federal monies, but instead also include significant investment by students interested in furthering their education.

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But for years, GI Bill benefits and Defense Department Tuition Assistance programs were not counted as federal dollars for the 90/10 calculation, despite being taxpayer-funded benefits.

As a result, schools could target veterans or troops receiving federal education payouts to boost their government funding well beyond the 90% cap.

Four years ago, as part of an emergency funding bill during the Covid-19 pandemic, lawmakers closed that loophole, reclassifying the GI Bill money and other military education programs as federal funding in the 90/10 calculations.

But the Republican-backed reconciliation bill  which includes changes to tax rates, Medicaid spending and a host of other federal program reforms  would revert to the pre-2021 rules on college accounting for federal aid. GOP committee members argued the change was needed to reduce regulations and promote more affordable options for student veterans.

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Officials from the Congressional Budget Office estimated the 90/10 reversal could cost as much as $1.6 billion over the next decade.

Congress designed the [rule] to be a market viability test to protect taxpayers from artificially propping up a failing college of such low quality that no employer or private-paying student is willing to pay for it, the letter stated. We urge you to vote no on repealing the common-sense rule.

Democratic lawmakers have been pointing to the rule change as one of many flaws in the Republican backed bill, which passed only party lines in the House.

Senate lawmakers are expected to take up work on the massive budget measure when they return from recess next week. Chamber leaders have said they hope for a floor vote on the bill before the congressional July 4 recess.
Federal Detention Center in Miami. (Photo via U.S. Bureau of Prisons)

A coalition of legal advocate groups is calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to ensure that individuals being held in immigration detention at the Federal Detention Center in Miami (FDC-Miami) are providing access to legal documents, legal mail, and access to counsel, which they say is now not the case.

Attorneys from half of a dozen organizations, including Americans for Immigrant Justice, Florida Legal Services, and the University of Miami Immigration Clinic, claim in a letter sent on Thursday that they have witnessed and documented troubling systemic failures to provide individuals detained in immigration custody with access to vital legal resources and counsel.

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Specifically, they claim that ICE and BOP have consistently failed to provide those detained at the facility with notices to appear, which the attorneys say are essential to enabling individuals in the immigration enforcement system to understand the charges against them, seek counsel, and prepare their cases.

ICE and BOPs denial of access to legal documents, legal mail, and to counsel is unlawful, the letter reads. Even the most restrictive version of ICEs detention standards that govern immigration detention provides that detained individuals must be allowed to retain all their legal documents, or, in instances where they have a large amount of documents, which must be kept in storage, access within 24 hours to such materials.

The Federal Detention Center in Miami is holding about 400 people for alleged immigration violations, according to Reason.com. Many of those detainees have been transferred from the Krome North Detention Center, another ICE facility based in Miami thats been accused of overcrowding, with people sleeping on floors, poor sanitation, and two detainee deaths earlier this year.

The state of Florida leads the nation in the number of 287(g) partnerships. Those are agreements that authorize ICE to delegate specified immigration officer functions to state and local enforcement officials that are taking place across the state.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Fire Department said it received more than 700 calls during the first hours of Wednesdays severe weather.

Many of those calls were for fallen trees and arcing electrical lines, and for water rescues of people being swept away.

RELATED | ATCEMS: Several water rescues reported after storms in Austin bring heavy rain

One water rescue call started near Hancock Creek after witnesses reported several people were washed away.

Flood waters rush downstream near Hancock Branch/Shoal Creek (Credit: Slim Zimmerman) Shoal Creek overflowing at NW Beverly Sheffield Park (Credit: Daren Brabham) Shoal Creek overflowing at NW Beverly Sheffield Park (Credit: Daren Brabham)

AFD said that Austin Police Department officers rescued one person while another safely escaped on their own.

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A third person who was swept away at that location died. Emergency personnel recovered their from a body of water near 49th Street Thursday morning, according to AFD. The National Weather Service said the deceased had been homeless at the time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
By Amira Karaoud

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky (Reuters) -Afghan asylum-seeker Wazir Khan Zadran and his family arrived in Kentucky nearly four years ago as the U.S. military withdrew from his country. Now, he worries about the future of his children, especially his girls, if they are forced to return to Afghanistan.

The Trump administration said it will end Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in July - raising the threat of being sent back to Afghanistan, where the Taliban rule according to Islamic law, if their asylum case is unsuccessful.

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"The future of children is bright here and they can study here, they can have a good future here. If we go back to my country, they are not good, especially for the girls," Zadran said. "They cannot go to school, they cannot go to university, they can do nothing. So, I hope they will do some things for the refugees of Afghanistan."

Zadran was a tribal leader who fought 20 years ago against the Haqqani network, a powerful faction within the Taliban. He and his family were picked up in a helicopter by Americans in 2021 and taken to the Kabul airport for travel to the U.S.

His oldest daughter Zuleikha is now preparing for college next year, but without permanent status in the U.S., the risk of deportation looms over her. The Zadrans' asylum application is pending, which means they can remain in the U.S. until a final decision is made on their case.

TPS is available to people already in the U.S. who cannot return to their home countries due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or other extraordinary events. The Trump administration has moved to terminate the status for some 14,600 Afghans as well as hundreds of thousands from Venezuela and other nations.

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I discuss with my girls that you are lucky that you are here, that you are going to school, then you will finish school and go to college," Zadran said.

"But if we were in Afghanistan, they will not have this right. Their future will be dark. But, in my country, the future of girls is so dark, its so bad for them."

The Taliban administration has barred girls over the age of 12 from school and women from university and has placed restrictions on women from traveling long distances without a male guardian. The Taliban says it respects women's rights in line with its interpretation of Islamic law.

Zuleikha Zadran is happy she has graduated from high school and is heading to college with a scholarship, despite her fears.

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"Lately, I have been worried because people are saying that those without documents might be deported," she said.

"I am scared that it will make my future dark, but even with that fear, I am proud of what I have achieved. And I am full of hope for what's ahead."

Afghans in the U.S. can still request asylum, the Trump administration says.

"Although TPS was terminated as required by law, any Afghan who fears persecution is able to request asylum," said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, adding that those with TPS revoked can apply for financial assistance to get resettled elsewhere.

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'REALLY WORRIED'

More than 70,000 Afghans entered the U.S. under former President Joe Biden's 'Operation Allies Welcome' initiative following the Taliban takeover in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Over 300 settled in Bowling Green, an agricultural and manufacturing city that has received refugees over the decades from Cambodians to Bosnians to Congolese.

Unlike some other immigrant communities, Afghan families in Bowling Green arent looking back - their investments and dreams are firmly rooted in the U.S.

One such family, the Habibis, bought a house here. Wahida Habibi speaks fluent English, has a wide circle of friends locally, works at a bakery with her husband and two years ago gave birth to a baby boy.

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Zadran, meanwhile, works at a car dealership and is learning the business with the goal of opening his own soon. His main complaint is only that legal status cannot come fast enough - he initially thought that would happen in less than a year.

"And the last three years  I was like whats going on?" said Zadran.

Shawn VanDiver, the founder of #AfghanEvac, the main coalition of veterans and advocacy groups that coordinated resettlements of Afghans with the U.S. government, said Republicans need to stand up to Trump so that Afghans are not forced to return a country where their lives are in danger.

"The Taliban hasnt changed. The threats havent changed," he said. "The only thing that has changed is the guy who sits behind the Resolute Desk."

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People who worked with the Afghans on resettlement said the fear is palpable.

The immigrant community, and especially the Afghans who have resettled a couple of years ago are really worried with all thats going on with immigration," said Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky which helps resettle refugees.

Another Afghan asylum-seeker, Mohamed Azizi, said he is stressed.

"We worry because right now the situation in my country is so bad and we worry about going back and starting life from the beginning," said Azizi.

(Reporting by Amira Karaoud; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay and Ted Hesson;Writing by Mary Milliken, editing by Deepa Babington)
Authorities are searching for the man who allegedly damaged the door of an Agoura Hills home displaying a Palestinian flag, according to investigators who are describing the attack as a hate crime.

The incident took place at the 30400 block of Passageway Place around 2 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2024, but the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department posted a social media post Tuesday, asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect who was videotaped by a doorbell camera.

LASD acting Capt. Dustin Carr said the investigation has been ongoing since the incident took place, and turned to the public's help this week after investigators were unable to identify the suspect.

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Detectives said the suspect approached the home and aggressively began pounding and kicking the door, spewing racist remarks and verbal threats in reference to a Palestinian flag displayed on an upstairs window.

The pictured suspect aggressively pounded on the victim's front door, caused damage to the door, and made threatening, racially charged statements at a home in Agoura Hills. (LASD)

The residents door sustained damages, the LASD said in the X post Tuesday. Carr said the door sustained multiple scratches and foot marks. Investigators do not believe the suspect lives in the area. The department confirmed the residents inside the home are not of Palestinian nationality.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim advocacy group known as CAIR-LA , commended the LASD for investigating the incident as a hate crime.

No one should face harassment or threats simply for displaying a flag that represents their identity or their call for justice. This alarming act is part of the broader rise in anti-Palestinian hate and Islamophobia, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said in a statement Wednesday. We must remain vigilant in opposing all forms of hate and ensure our communities can safely express their identities and stand up for justice and human rights.

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The incident comes months after a violent clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian students camping on UCLAs campus in May 2024.

The suspect, who remains unidentified, was wearing glasses and a white shirt with black pants. He is believed to be about 30 years old.

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact Det. Aquino at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Station at (818) 878-1808.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Two years ago this month, the Writers Guild of America went on strike for, among other key issues, a set of landmark AI protections to safeguard our writing and our finished work. It took six months of sustained solidarity, picketing and an outpouring of public support  everyone from fellow unions, politicians and yes, even Elon Musk  before the studios finally met our demands.

Today, writers, journalists and creatives across every medium are facing a new kind of existential threat to their professions from the interests of Silicon Valley. Tech companies have been openly lobbying the White House to rewrite copyright law to freely train their models on films, television shows, articles, books and beyond without paying so much as a dime to studios, publishers or writers. OpenAI has been referring to this as the freedom to learn. In New Jersey, its just called theft.

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Three weeks ago, Shira Perlmutter, the Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, was fired shortly after publishing a new report on Generative AI Training. The release advocated for preserving current copyright law and signaled a setback for Sam Altmans craven attempt to expand the Fair Use doctrine into a smash and grab campaign on decades of copyrighted material. In other words, tech companies cannot use stolen intellectual property in their models.

In the meantime, dozens of ongoing lawsuits against OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini) and Meta (Llama) making their way through the courts. Without a sympathetic judge willing to distort fair use, these companies could find themselves liable in billions of theft, potentially even more in damages, and in some cases, face total bankruptcy.

But weve been down this road before with Napster. The company launched as a free file-sharing app in 1999. Almost overnight people around the world could download entire music libraries in seconds. It was a groundbreaking use of technology that, at the time, felt too good to be true. And thats because it was. Napster was quickly sued out of existence for copyright infringement and racketeering.

Since then, major media tech platforms  YouTube, Spotify and even OpenAI until recently  have been making deals with studios, publishers and labels to compensate them for using their copyrighted work. While many of these agreements have been deeply flawed and exploitive, the firing of Perlmutter represents a pivot to something much worse.

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Silicon Valley is now asking the government for permission to steal our copyright in order to escape their pending lawsuits. They are knowingly trying to devalue our professions and countless others in order to freely enrich themselves without caring about the consequences.

In the case of screenwriters, copyright of an original script is sold to the studios in exchange for core benefits like health care, pension and residuals. This is one of the bedrock principles that has helped sustain writers during the highs and lows of this business. But if copyright protections were to be stripped away, then so begins the unraveling of the entire value proposition that union members past and present have fought so hard to maintain in the film and television industry.

In April, Sam Altman appeared onstage with Chris Anderson, the head of TED, who pointed out, At first glance, this [ChatGPT] looks like IP theft. The audience erupted in applause until Sam fired back, Clap about that all you want. Enjoy. And then Sam said something far more revealing: We do need to figure out some new model around the economics for compensating creative output. Exactly what that looks like, Im not sure.

But the copyright system isnt broken. Companies like OpenAI simply dont want to negotiate consent and pay. So, Sam can shrug about the economics for compensating creative output all he wants. Enjoy.

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The solution will always be the same. Stop stealing writers work and follow the law.

Larry J. Cohen and Sarah Montana are the co-chairs of the Writers Guild of America East AI Task Force. Cohen is a writer, producer and director who currently serves on the WGAE council. Montana is a writer and public speaker who currently serves on WGAE council.

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TUNIS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia has repatriated nearly 3,400 undocumented migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa between the beginning of 2025 and early May, National Guard Spokesperson Houcemeddine Jbabli said Thursday.

Two "voluntary return" flights are scheduled on a weekly basis, Jbabli told the state-run Radio Sfax, adding that no illegal border crossings were reported during the first quarter of the year.

The informal migrant camp in the Amra area, about 21 km from Sfax in southeastern Tunisia that houses some 3,000 migrants, is being cleared as part of a nationwide policy to eliminate unauthorized settlements, Jbabli said.

Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is a major departure point for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe through dangerous sea crossings.

As part of ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of undocumented migrants to their home countries, Tunisia is carrying out a "voluntary return" program coordinated with the International Organization for Migration. 
The Scene

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, kept herself busy on Tuesday. She confronted Elon Musk in a closed-door meeting, got Supreme Court justices John Roberts and Clarence Thomas arrested, ended the career of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and humiliated Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert.

Crocketts busy  and fictional  day unfolded on Mr. Noahs Stories, a YouTube channel that inserts the names of public figures into lengthy fanfiction videos. Its one of many accounts, across social media sites, that serves the appetite for dramatic, partisan stories by making them up.

With little fanfare  maybe with jaw clenched, as these overwritten stories often put it  Crocketts gotten a few of the fakes taken down, and ignored the rest.

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Clearly the algorithm loves my name, so people do stuff with my name, Crockett told Semafor. Ive just told people at this point, if its an AI-generated voice, its probably a lie.

Hard to avoid on TikTok, YouTube or Facebook, AI-generated slop has become a barometer of political fame, just as it has of pop culture celebrity. Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, and presidential family members regularly appear in fake stories with tidy narratives.

They fly under the radar. They sometimes get more views than real-world political reporting thats not built for the algorithms.

And theyve become irritating, and worrying, to some members of Congress. New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, who has introduced legislation to regulate and ban AI deepfakes, told Semafor that the need for reform was growing.

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Were definitely going to reintroduce it because the technology is becoming even more expansive, and with AI that supercharges it, Clarke said. The ways in which our communities are victimized, particularly Black women, by deepfake technology is unacceptable.

Know More

The proliferation of fake AI stories about politicians havent created real political problems for them yet. Other online fakery, like bogus estimates of politicians net worth, has taken up more of their time  lies to debunk before voters start to believe them.

These fake stories are very different, and tend to make their subjects look good. an illustrated story that has been reposted across Facebooks bogus news pages, suggests that the media is unfairly ignoring Hegseths decency and charity. The most popular version of this, including an AI image that shows the defense secretarys finger stuck inside of a levitating hamburger, has been shared nearly 6,000 times.

President Donald Trump and his family were some of the first subjects of this phony content mill, with less discouragement than Crockett. During last years presidential campaign, the Trump operation shared AI images of the candidate saving pets  cats, dogs, and even some squirrels  from swarthy immigrants and raging hurricanes.

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In this new term, the White House has shared He-Man Trump images created with AI; most controversially, the president shared a computer-generated fantasy of Gaza, after a possible Trump takeover, on his Truth Social account.

AI accounts have added to this with illustrated stories about the presidential family humiliating Trumps enemies  Do you know that Baron Trump has engaged in a public confrontation with the professors who signed the letter against Trump?  or singing gospel music. (The latter is one of the many pseudo-Trump music videos from Vivo Tunes, which has more than 230,000 YouTube subscribers, and a disclaimer that its content does not reflect the thoughts or attitudes of the imitated artists.)

The newer, more politically diverse fakery is typically about conflict, not singing contests. Its packaged like breaking news, reported from an alternate reality where clapbacks and call-outs can instantly send people to prison. It mangles some details, but gets others right; a confrontation between Attorney Gen. Pam Bondi and a non-existent liberal senator unfolds in Dirksen 226, which is indeed where the Senate Judiciary Committee holds its hearings.

Since Jan. 27, when the account was created on YouTube, Mr. Noahs Stories has added more than 42,000 subscribers and clocked more than 5.6 million views. The Crockett character was introduced on March 31, when she confronted a judge with evidence of his corruption, walking into a storm she always knew was rigged against her. It was a rewrite of a story that had initially starred Michelle Obama. But it was a much bigger hit.

David and Kadias View

Most of the political debate about AI and deepfakes has focused on potential reputational damage  words being put into a politicians mouth, a candidate being placed at an event they never attended. After New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver gave an interview about her arrest at an ICE facility, her lips were altered to match the singing voice of a Democratic activist. Thats the sort of thing Clarkes legislation could prevent.

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The AI fanfiction is another story, taking advantage of the freedom major social networks give to AI creators and churning out hours of strange fake news. And to be famous, in 2025, is to be faked. Crocketts emergence as an AI slop star is a function of her political stardom. Her real-life clapbacks, which inspired a clothing collection run by her reelection campaign, are popular enough for the slop merchants to create dramatic imitations.

Unsurprisingly, no creator of this content wanted to talk about it. (The accounts that made it possible to reach out for comment didnt reply to any questions.) They have found an audience, however small and however bot-laden, thats so hungry for political conflict stories that itll click on fakes.

Notable
By Ali Kucukgocmen and Bulent Usta

KARABURUN, Turkey (Reuters) - At his farm tucked away in an idyllic valley near the Aegean Sea, beekeeper Huseyin Ceylan helps people recover from ailments by having them inhale air from hives.

Ceylan says people come regularly in late spring to Karaburun, in Turkey's Aegean coastal province of Izmir, mainly to supplement conventional treatment with traditional "apitherapy," a term derived from the Greek for bees.

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Guests tend to stay several days in cabins in lush greenery, inhaling air from beehives for up to three hours a day, which Ceylan says helps with issues from allergies to migraines.

The government does not officially recognise the therapy though it is practiced by many other beekeepers round Turkey as well as in other countries including Germany and Russia.

Ceylan, who comes from a family of beekeepers and studied agriculture, started his bee farm in Karaburun 30 years ago. He has lobbied for years for the sector to be accepted, conducting research and presenting findings to officials.

"We are not against what we call Western medicine. After all, it is also very important too," he said, adding that his method goes hand-in-hand with conventional treatment.

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"I have been doing this for fifteen years, trying to bring this into medicine."

CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA

Ulku Ozman, 69, decided to try the therapy method after a friend suggested it when several surgeries and frequent use of medicines weakened her immune system.

In her nearly week-long visit, Ozman and others enter a cabin where ventilators connected to beehives deliver air.

Each session lasts 45 minutes, with participants moving every 15 minutes to breathe from three different beehives, each with a different smell. Guests pay around 5,000 lira ($128) per day for the treatment plus accommodation and food.

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Seated across from the beehives with ventilators on their faces, the guests take deep breaths.

Senay Ilham, 68, has breast cancer that metastasized to her spine but is in remission after receiving conventional treatment.

"This smell seems familiar. It's like it is (coming) from my childhood," she said, recalling being stung by bees while playing outside as children with beekeepers working nearby.

"(The beehive air) always brings me a breeze from these things. It relaxes me both psychologically and physically."

($1 = 39.1026 liras)

(Additional reporting by Umit Bektas; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Airbnb announced Wednesday it will be providing free temporary housing for San Diego residents who were displaced by the deadly plane crash on May 22.

Airbnb is offering the emergency housing in partnership with 211 San Diego, which provides referrals to community, health and disaster resources.

Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event in Tierrasanta, said Bill York, president and CEO of 211 San Diego. In times of crisis, collaboration is key. We are immensely grateful for the partnership with Airbnb.org, which allows us to swiftly connect displaced military families with compassionate Airbnb hosts offering temporary housing.

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READ MORE: Murphy Canyon Plane Crash

According to Airbnb, the housing will only be provided to impacted residents identified by 211 San Diego.

Dozens of families were displaced after a Cessna 550 crashed into a military housing community in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood on May 22.

(Above: Report by Tony Shin about family whose car was burned during the plane crash on May 22, 2025)

The crash happened near Salmon and Sculpin streets around 3:45 a.m. as the aircraft was headed to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

The crash caused downed power lines and spilled jet fuel, which led to fires that burned several homes and vehicles in the neighborhood.

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All six people on board were killed, according to investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board.

Those interested in helping residents in need of emergency housing can visit Airbnbs website for more information. Additionally, the organization is taking donations to help provide emergency housing for those affected by the crash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
NORTH CANTON, Ohio (WJW)  A new three-year strategic plan was announced Wednesday morning at the Akron-Canton Airport, piloting the airport toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

We continue to evolve as a regional airport, President and Chief Executive Officer Ren Camacho said.

Ohio hiking trail voted one of the countrys best

On Wednesday, Camacho led a presentation to explain CAKs strategic plan over the next three years, which will build on momentum gained over the last five years.

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We pride ourselves on that small-airport feel, but we have the big-airport amenities, Camacho said.

Camacho said the plan is to build and preserve infrastructure and IT systems to meet future needs. Leveraging technology is a big part of that.

The ultimate goal is to expand and optimize the airports terminal footprint to accommodate growth, including adding air service from existing partners.

What folks might expect moving forward is air service, Camacho said. So, we went from four nonstops during the pandemic to now 24. So, theres a lot more activity, a lot of hustle and bustle.

In June, Breeze Airways is opening a crew base at CAK. Three aircraft will be stationed there, opening up possibilities for more destinations and new jobs.

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CAK is also working with carriers on other potential routesperhaps Atlantato better serve business travelers.

A key goal is keeping costs down for airline partners so they can remain successful.

In a few years, the airports aging air traffic control towerone of the oldest in the countrywill be replaced.

Ohio woman preparing to swim the English Channel

The tower has seen better days, Camacho said. It was built for a different era. The sightlines can be a little challenging on certain days. So, part of the new project would be a standalone facility to modernize the tower. Theres a study that has to be done to anticipate where the tower would go. It would probably be about 30 feet taller than its current height.

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CAK also plans to rehabilitate its main runway, a multimillion-dollar project essential to safety.

Ultimately, the three-year plan is about continuing to be an easy and accessible airport, one of the biggest reasons why travelers choose Akron-Canton.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT)  Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall will be vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2026.

A campaign announcement video was posted online on Thursday morning, titled Alabama Strong, announcing Marshalls intention to run for U.S. Senate.

The senate seat will be left vacant by Alabama U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, who announced this week he will be running for Governor. Governor Kay Ivey is in her final term as Alabamas governor, meaning that seat will be open in 2026.

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Marshall is term-limited as AG, meaning he cannot run for that position again. In December, Marshall announced he would not run for Governor.

Another candidate running for Tubervilles spot in the U.S. Senate is former U.S. Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, who runs the anti-human trafficking organization, Covenant Rescue Group.

A potential candidate is Mo Brooks, who served six terms as U.S. Rep. for the 5th Congressional District, which includes Huntsville. Brooks, who was initially endorsed by Donald Trump, lost his U.S. Senate bid in a runoff against Katie Britt in 2022.

Brooks said he is considering his options, and his decision will be shaped by the field of candidates who emerge by the time qualifying for the seat takes place.

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The primary election in 2026 will be held on May 19.

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Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) on Thursday launched his bid for Sen. Tommy Tubervilles (R) Senate seat, pitching himself as a fighter for the state and a close ally of President Trump.

Marshall made the announcement in a video posted Thursday, featuring multiple instances of Trump praising him and reports of him meeting with White House officials. The video also includes clips about his efforts to oppose the Biden administration, concern about the effects of southern border crossings and support for law enforcement to fight crime.

Steve is the senator our state needs and our president can count on, the narrator states.

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Marshalls candidacy  after Tuberville decided against pursuing a second term in office to instead seek the governors mansion  comes as no surprise. The states top lawyer previously said he would consider running for the seat if Tuberville ran for governor and the Senate has been an overlay interest as hes worked as attorney general.

Having served since 2017, Marshall is term-limited from running for reelection next year.

Marshall lays out various conservative policy proposals on his campaign website, including opposition to federal funding for Planned Parenthood, support for securing U.S. borders and a call for Congress to pass Tubervilles legislation federally banning transgender women from playing in female sports.

Marshall is the second Republican to formally enter the race following Tubervilles announcement. Former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson launched his candidacy on Wednesday.

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A few other possible Republican candidates have expressed interest in the seat, including Rep. Barry Moore (Ala.), former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and former Rep. Mo Brooks (Ala.).

Whoever wins the Republican nomination will be the clear favorite to win the seat in the deep-red state.

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The front of Hugo L Black Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama on August 15, 2023. (Jemma Stephenson/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Attorney Generals Office said Wednesday the state may forgo drawing new congressional district maps before 2030 to prevent federal oversight of future redistricting.

The state made the argument during a meeting with a three-judge federal panel and attorneys for plaintiffs who successfully challenged two congressional maps drawn by the Legislature in 2021 and 2023 that the panel said earlier this month showed intentional discrimination against Black voters.

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The plaintiffs asked the panel to consider preclearance under the Voting Rights Act as a possible remedy. Preclearance would require federal approval of any changes to election laws. Alabama was subject to preclearance from 1965 to 2013, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the relevant section of the Voting Rights Act that dictated preclearance for areas with histories of voting discrimination. But the law does allow courts to impose it as a remedy.

Less than two hours before Wednesdays hearing, attorneys for the state filed a court document stating that while they maintain their arguments about the necessity and constitutionality of any remedial plan, legislative leaders will voluntarily forgo any rights that they may have to attempt to draw an additional congressional district map as part of remedial proceedings in this case.

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We have been talking to the state about the possibility of perhaps resolving some or all of the remedial issues in this case, and that we would like the court to give us an opportunity to continue to have those discussions if they prove fruitful, said Deuel Ross, an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund representing the plaintiffs, during the status conference.

Jim Davis of the Alabama Attorney Generals Office said during the status conference that, though subject to appeal, the state agrees that the map drawn by a special master would be the final remedial map.

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There have been a few discussions, Davis said to the three-judge panel. Its possible that it could influence the briefing, possibly even resolve some issues.

A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with the Alabama Attorney Generals office.

The three-judge panel set a June 9 deadline for parties to file a joint written report on the status of the case and the possibility of resolving outstanding issues, including a request to place Alabama back into federal preclearance.

Either were going to sort of settle things and resolve this case, or were going to continue on with our request for preclearance in this, Ross said in a phone interview after the status conference.

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The federal court ruling found that the Alabama Legislature had ignored previous orders to create a congressional map with two districts where Black voters would have a substantial opportunity to elect their preferred candidate.

Alabama has had at least one majority-Black U.S. House district  the 7th  since 1992, but plaintiffs argued that it failed to give proper representation to Black Alabamians, who make up about 27% of the states population but, with a single majority-Black district, only made up 14% of Alabamas U.S. House delegation. The three-judge panel struck down the 2021 map in 2022, ruling that racially polarized voting in Alabama meant that Black Alabamians could not select their preferred leaders.

The judges ordered the state to draw a new map, a move the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2023. That summer, the Republican-controlled Legislature approved a map with one majority Black district and one district that was 40% Black.

The judges sharply criticized the Legislature and appointed a special master who drew a map where two of Alabamas seven U.S. House districts  the 2nd and the 7th  have majority-Black or near-majority Black populations. This map was used in the 2024 elections, resulting in the first time in history that Alabama elected two Black U.S. Representatives simultaneously.

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The court Wednesday also provided a hearing schedule for the preclearance issue if a settlement is not reached. The state would file its brief by June 16, and the plaintiffs would have until June 23 to respond. Intervening legislative defendants would have until June 27 to file a reply.

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Commercial fishing boats are lined up at the dock at Seward's harbor on June 22, 2024. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

To help pull the struggling Alaska seafood industry out of its tailspin, state lawmakers passed some bills aimed at lightening the financial load on harvesters and advanced others that are intended to help businesses and fishery-dependent municipalities.

The bills stemmed from recommendations made by the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaskas Seafood Industry, which was created by lawmakers last year and which completed its work with a report at the start of this years session.

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Lawmakers passed two task force-related bills, giving unanimous or near-unanimous support. One of them, House Bill 116, allows Alaska fishing organizations to establish their own insurance cooperatives. The other bill, Senate Bill 156, shores up the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank with a long-term loan from the state to keep the cooperative organization in business.

The bills pose little to no costs to the state, according to legislative analysis. And they are only incremental steps toward addressing the big problems facing a major Alaska industry.

Multiple and often interrelated forces have dragged down nearly all sectors of the seafood industry: low fish prices resulting from glutted world markets, high operating costs, financial turmoil among processing companies, labor shortages and numerous stock collapses or poor returns tied to a variety of environmental conditions, including climate change.

While Alaska produces about 60% of the nations seafood, that volume is overwhelmed by international supplies and global economic forces, limiting lawmakers options to respond effectively, said Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau.

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Our role is not as big as we imagine. That means the Legislature has only so many tools, said Kiehl, who served on the task force. But you see us, I think, turning the knobs.

Beyond the bills passed this year, other bills resulting from the task force recommendations have advanced far enough to be approaching full floor votes; the Legislature works in two-year cycles, and bills introduced this year carry over to next year.

Those remaining seafood task force bills carry price tags for the state, however. They will get some extra scrutiny next year, given the states dire fiscal condition created by reduced investment earnings and lower oil revenues, task force members said.

We are in new and unusual times where, you know, we have to look at every issue and try to decide if its worth the additional cost, said Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, who served as the task forces chair.

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One bill, Senate Bill 135, would increase local governments share of seafood taxes that are currently split with the state government. Currently, fishery business and seafood tax revenues are split evenly between the state and local governments; the bill would allow the local governments up to 75% of those revenues.

Some fishing communities endured steep losses from the industrys woes. The island community of St. Paul, for example, saw a drop of nearly 90% of its tax revenue in 2024 after key crab harvests were canceled, according to legislative information.

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, listen at a Nov. 13, 2024, hearing in Anchorage to testimony about problems facing the Alaska seafood industry. Stevens chaired the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaskas Seafood Industry, established earlier in the year, and Stutes and Edgmon were members. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

To Stevens, the sacrifice of state revenue through a smaller cut of fish taxes seems justified. Local governments troubles are likely to continue, he said. I think that itll be even more apparent that we need to give those fellows a break, he said.

High hopes for value-added product development

Another important bill that resulted from the task forces report would broaden the state tax credit granted to companies that invest in equipment to create new seafood products, adding value to the fish they process. The two versions of the measure, Senate Bill 130 and House Bill 129, both had been sent to their respective bodies finance committees prior to last weeks adjournment of the session.

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The annual cost to the state would range from $930,000 to $4.2 million a year, depending on different scenarios, according to the state Department of Revenues analysis of the Senate version.

That might be seen as considerable, Stevens conceded. But I think its a fair cost, he said.

It could improve the fortunes of the processing sector and potentially result in more revenues ultimately to the state, he said.

Kiehl has high hopes for the bill. It will encourage the development of high-end products, key to the industrys recovery, he said.

As much as our seafood as we can put into a premium space, that will help, he said.

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Differentiating Alaska salmon, for example, as a premium product is critical when competition comes from huge amounts of cheap Russian salmon harvested by fish traps rather than by small family businesses, he said.

At the same time, there are opportunities for Alaska fish oil and fish meal to be molded into new products like nutritional supplements, Kiehl said. Those opportunities could be explored by companies investing in equipment to add value to the raw fish they process, he said.

The budget that lawmakers passed also reflects task force recommendations for boosted state marketing efforts. The budget includes a $10 million allocation for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, the state agency that promotes Alaska fish products domestically and internationally.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a similar amount from last years budget but has expressed support for the ASMI funding this year.

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An estimated 70 percent of Alaskas fish is sold outside of the United States, according to ASMI. To Kiehl, that shows the importance of the organizations international marketing.

Promotional stickers and pens touting the benefits of Alaska seafood are displayed on May 22 at the Alaska Seafoood Marketing Institute office in Juneau. The legislative seafood task force recommended boosted support for ASMI. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

I dont see a point in the next several decades when Americans buy all of our fish, he said. Americans arent eating salmon roe or herring roe. Americans dont eat sea cucumbers.

State and federal budget concerns

Not in the budget, however, is any significant increase for Alaska Department of Fish and Game fishery research, Stevens said.

That may be possible in the future if the state manages to bring in more revenue through tools like changes in oil taxes, he said.

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More ominously, the Trump administration has slashed positions and fisheries research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with potentially dramatic impacts to Alaska.

Thats really shocking, Stevens said. I am really concerned when the federal government talks about cutting science and research and all the things that they do right now to protect our fisheries.

The state cannot replicate that work by NOAA and its National Marine Fisheries Service, he said.

The assumption that some people make, Oh, the feds cant do it, the state will, However, we dont have the money to do all these things, he said.

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Beyond fisheries, Stevens worries about deep cuts to federal social programs like Medicaid. Its going to be an enormous problem, maybe $1 billion, that the feds walk away from. We cant fill that gap.

Other fishery-related bills in addition to those recommended by the task force are also pending.

One of them, House Bill 125, would reconfigure the state Board of Fisheries by designating two seats each to the commercial, sport and subsistence sectors, with the seventh seat to represent the science community. Sponsored by Rep. Nellie Jimmie, D-Toksook Bay, the passed the House on May 17 by a relatively close 22-17 vote. It now moves to the Senate.

A bill introduced by Dunleavy would expand ASMIs authority, allowing it to market mariculture products. The idea has received a mixed response from the mariculture industry; some kelp harvesters are receptive, but many key shellfish growers oppose it. The Senate version of the measure, Senate Bill 131, had reached that bodys finance committee by early May. The bodies finance committees are usually the last stops for bills before they put up for floor votes. The House version, House Bill 135, had not seen action since March.
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Thursdays Five Facts

[1] Police canine, suspect killed in officer-involved shooting near Sunport  An investigation is underway after an officer-involved shooting near the Albuquerque Sunport left a suspect dead. Chief Harold Medina says detectives tracked a suspect to the Comfort Inn near the Sunport around 10 p.m. Wednesday. Police say the suspect tried leaving the hotel, but ran back inside when he saw them. APD says the suspect jumped out of a second story window and a police canine assisted in stopping him.

[2] 4th teen arrested for role in hitting and killing man riding his bike to work  APD have arrested a fourth teen for his alleged role in the 2024 murder of Scott Habermehl, who was riding his bike to work. Investigators say Elijah Engelking, who was 15 at the time, was in the stolen car accused of intentionally crashing into Habermehl. APD previously arrested 13-year-old Johnathan Overbay, 15-year-old William Garcia, and 11-year-old Messiah Hayes in the case. APD says several people told detectives they recognized the sound of his voice when the video was posted on social media. Detectives determined Engelking also shared details about the crash and the investigation with friends through social media conversations.

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[3] Hotter temperatures around the state and stronger storms form in eastern NM  Isolated rain and thunderstorm chances continue in parts of New Mexico through this weekend. The highest chances for rain will be across the central mountain chain and in eastern New Mexico. Temperatures across New Mexico will also continue to heat up through Friday, when high temperatures will be well-above average statewide. The heat will stick around for most of the state through Sunday.

[4] Governor declares state of emergency due to severe drought in New Mexico  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency due to severe drought in New Mexico. The order was issued last Thursday and assembles a task force to coordinate a response, including helping communities conserve water, and share resources to other local and tribal governments. The task force also has until July 31 to recommend short-term measures to reduce wildfire risk.

[5] ABQ Parks and Rec conducting badger study  The Albuquerque Department of Parks and Recreation is enlisting the help of residents for a new study. Anyone whos captured a photo of a badger in the area is asked to send it in. They ask that all photos clearly show the animals head stripe, which functions like its fingerprint. They have not released the exact details of the study, but say the photos will help shape future land management.

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ALEXANDRIA, La. (KLFY)  Authorities are looking for two suspects in a murder in Alexandria who may be in the Lafayette area.

Shemell Jacobs, 17, and Keldrick Jordan, 18, are wanted on charges of armed robbery and second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 17-year-old Corey Brooks.

They are suspected of being in the Lafayette area, according to Alexandria Police. Both should be considered armed and dangerous.

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Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact the Alexandria Police Department immediately at (318) 441-6416 or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.

Shemell Jacobs (left) and Keldrick Jordan

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Brooks was killed in the 4000 block of Clark Street in Alexandria May 21.

20-year-old TreQuan Stanley has been arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery, principal to second-degree murder and accessory after the fact to second-degree murder in connection with the shooting.

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SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- All four crew members were killed in South Korea's military plane crash, local newspaper Chosun Ilbo said Thursday.

The P-3 maritime patrol aircraft with four crew members aboard took off from a military base in the southeastern city of Pohang for training at about 1:43 p.m. local time (0443 GMT), according to the defense ministry.

The patrol plane crashed into a hill near the base around 1:49 p.m. local time (0449 GMT) and no civilian casualties had yet to be identified, the ministry noted.

The newspaper said all of the crew members were found as burned bodies.

Three bodies were retrieved from the crashed plane's wreckage, according to Yonhap news agency.

The fire authorities mobilized helicopters, equipment and firefighters to extinguish the fire on the plane.

The crashed aircraft was allegedly burned down, and its shape could not be identified. 
May 29A 22-year-old accused of pulling a gun on an acquaintance during an argument in Kalispell in early May is now facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court.

Prosecutors brought Jay Ryan Kaufman up on one count of assault with a weapon following the alleged May 9 confrontation on Fourth Avenue West. He is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan on Thursday for his arraignment.

Neighbors reporting a disturbance possibly involving a gun summoned Kalispell Police officers to the Fourth Avenue West home about 11 p.m., according to court documents. The victim told investigators that Kaufman had driven him home that night and, on the way, the two began arguing. As the victim got out, Kaufman fetched a handgun and leveled it at him, court documents said.

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Seeing the firearm pointed at him, the victim began apologizing before begging and pleading for his life, according to court documents.

Another individual at the home told officers that they spotted the two arguing near Kaufman's truck. They reported trying to intervene when they saw Kaufman pull out the weapon, according to court documents.

When authorities later tracked down Kaufman, he acknowledged getting into an argument while driving around with the victim. But he disputed assertions he wielded a gun in the disagreement, according to court documents.

Kaufman allegedly told officers he owned a Taurus 9 mm handgun, and said it was stored in a safe in his home during the alleged confrontation. Investigators, though, found a black Taurus 9 mm handgun in Kaufman's truck, court documents said.

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Kaufman was convicted in 2022 of misdemeanor negligent endangerment in Flathead County District Court for pulling a knife on a parking attendant working a lot for patrons of the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo that same year. Initially charged with felony assault with a weapon, Kaufman later took a plea deal.

Judge Amy Eddy, who presided over that case, sentenced him to the county jail for 180 days, all suspended. She also ordered Kaufman to undergo an anger management assessment, participate in any recommended counseling, and pay court fines and fees totaling $325.

If convicted of assault with a weapon, Kaufman faces up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra speaks on the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

From snipes about turning the great white north into the 51st state to booing during The Star-Spangled Banner, the U.S. relationship with its northern neighbor and closest ally has seemingly soured since the election of President Donald Trump.

However Pete Hoekstra, the United States ambassador to Canada, offered a significantly more positive outlook during the Mackinac Policy Conference Wednesday, telling the attendees that Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are aligned in their goals of revitalizing each of their nations economies.

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Can you imagine what happens in North America if the Canadian economy is booming and the U.S. economy is booming at the same time? Hoekstra asked.

Weve got strong leadership, committed to economic growth, committed to the same types of economic principles who want to get to a deal. That gives me a lot of optimism, Hoekstra said.

However, there are some obstacles, Hoekstra said, notably pointing to the lack of a pro-American trade voice in Canada, noting that several provinces have banned the sale of American alcohol in retaliation to Trumps tariff policies.

These issues are pebbles in the shoes, Hoekstra said, predicting that the U.S. and Canada would mend fences sooner rather than later.

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Carney appears to be serious about meeting Canadas NATO defense spending targets, Hoekstra said, and Canada has shown interest in participating in the United States Golden Dome missile defense system.

In contrast to Hoekstras optimism, Carney recently was quoted as saying that the process of deepening integration with the U.S. is over and that Canada was in a position now where we co-operate when necessary, but not necessarily co-operate.

Jacques Shore, a partner in the Ottawa-based law firm Gowling WLG, told Michigan Advance that Carneys stance is one born out of necessity.

Shore, a past leader of the firms National Government Affairs Group, said that while Hoekstra has been making an effort to actually meet Canadians, which is appreciated, in and of itself it cant erase the downturn in relations.

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I would say the pebbles in the shoes are relatively recent, because they have really come about as a result of a new focus of the President in the way in which he views Canada, Shore said.

In reaction to Hoekstras comments, Shore said there is a sense that what had been a strong partnership between the two nations is now under some risk because of whats been said by Trump, but thats not to say that Canada is not absolutely engaged in wishing to do everything it can to restore the relationship.

However, Shore says the Presidents comments about making Canada a 51st state do not sit well with citizens of a proud and sovereign nation.

I think that our Prime Minister said it extremely well when he made the comment that he has through the last election period spoken with the owners of Canada, which is obviously the citizens of Canada, and I dont think he necessarily even needed to have a campaign to see that Canadians are perfectly happy being Canadians, having the country that they have, continuing to build the country they have, without becoming part of the United States, Shore said.

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Regardless, Hoesktra said while negotiations wont be easy, the U.S. and Canada could both see benefits to their manufacturing and energy industries if they reach a deal.

Joining Hoekstra on stage, WOOD-TV reporter Rick Albin pressed the ambassador on the speed bumps on reaching a deal, and whether this would be a short term or long term concern.

I think the president, and from what Im hearing from my Canadian sources, are that the President and the Prime Minister would like to get to a resolution sooner rather than later, Hoekstra said, emphasizing the American and Canadian jobs at stake.

When asked if the U.S. and Canada could reach a zero sum deal or if tariffs would remain on both sides, Hoekstra said the president had made it clear there would be tariffs for every country looking to do business with the U.S.

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However, in negotiating with his Canadian colleagues, Hoekstra said theres no reason why trade between the U.S. and Canada couldnt be the least restrictive in the world in regards to tariffs.

Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King contributed to this story.

This story was originally published by Michigan Advance. Like Maine Morning Star, Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor for questions: info@michiganadvance.com.

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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT)  Redstone Arsenal took shape as an Army installation during World War II and continues playing an important role in military logistics and development.

As the Army is gearing up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, leadership is looking back on how the Armys mission has evolved.

NWS confirm an EF0 tornado hit Redstone Arsenal

In the 1950s and 60s, Redstone Arsenal welcomed more personnel, becoming home to some of the nations leading rocket scientists who developed the systems that would carry astronauts into orbit then onto the moon.

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While engineers were pushing the bounds of propulsion technology, the Army continued its mission.

Their responsibilities grew in 2011 when Army Materiel Command (AMC) made the move to the Arsenal.

When we look at the development of the Army over time, AMC touches everything, said AMC Historian Issac Hampton. If the Army shoots it, drives it with fuel, eats it, AMC has that connection. As the premier logistics provider of the U.S. Army, nothing happens unless this command touches it.

AMC is responsible for the readiness of troops stationed around the globe. Hampton said it is a big job and one AMC can do because they learn from the past.

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Nearly everything the Army does is based on what happened yesterday with its future ops, future plans, Hampton said. You get to say the Army looks at a lot of the things that it did decades ago, years ago, to get an idea of how to, what it might look like in the future.

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Hampton said the future of AMC will include technological developments.

Now, AMC personnel and Army contractors are making new strides with artificial intelligence and 3D printing.

Command Sgt. Maj. John Fritz said operations and those new developments on the Arsenal require work from tens of thousands of people across North Alabama.

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Its a very large part of the community, Fritz said. It takes a lot of resources and effort from the community.

Fritz said the Army wants to celebrate the 250th anniversary with the community. The Army will host a public celebration at 3 p.m. on June 9 at Redstone Gateway, and the festivities will include food, fireworks and a demonstration from the U.S Army Golden Knights parachute team.

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Services will be held Saturday for drummer Mark Laws, who was shot to death on May 25.

Laws, 62, of Harrogate, Tennessee, will be honored in a ceremony at the Cawood Funeral Home Chapel in Middlesboro, Kentucky, from 1 to 3 p.m. A procession will follow the chapel service, and Laws will be buried at the Kibert Cemetery in Arthur, Tennessee, where graveside services will also be held.

Laws was shot twice with a 9mm handgun at a home on Old Pearman Lane in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, according to a Claiborne County homicide affidavit. Claiborne County Sheriffs deputies arrested Laws' stepson, Maxwell Alan Madon, 25, and charged him with criminal homicide.

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Laws founded The Curve Recording Studio and worked with some of the biggest names in country music. He played drums for Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Carlilse, Larry Cordle and Pam Perry.

For the past five years, Laws had been working with American Idol alum Alex Miller (who was on the television show's 19th season) as a drummer and band leader.

Miller, a recording artist for Billy Jam Records, will play at the funeral.

Laws is survived by his wife, Kristi; son Blake (Christy) Laws; grandchildren Brady and Caleigh Beth Laws; mother Patsy Laws; brothers Donnie (Anna) Laws and Randy (Barb) Laws; sister Robin (Greg) Daniels; and father-in-law Don Gulley, as well as many nieces and nephews, a funeral announcement said.

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Laws made a name for himself drumming for the Renfro Valley Barn Dance band.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Laws played drums at Renfro Valley Barn Dance and with 'Idol' alum
May 28Four months into a presidential administration that has sharply pivoted into a more aggressive stance with foreign nations, slashed foreign aid and proposed deep cuts to the State Department, Rep. Michael Baumgartner met in Spokane Wednesday with former ambassador Ryan Crocker and retired Vice Admiral Mike LeFever to argue America should not retreat from the world stage  though largely without any pointed criticism of the White House.

"America today faces a more complex set of national security challenges, I think, at any time since World War II," Baumgartner said. "There's almost no issue that happens anywhere in the world that doesn't have impacts everywhere else, so, truly, we are all connected."

The freshman GOP congressman expressed concern that Americans, including those in Eastern Washington, have become increasingly detached from world affairs, such as the war in Yemen, simmering tensions between Israel and Turkey, counterterrorism operations in Syria, the likelihood of increased refugee emigration in the future and more.

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The invite-only panel, hosted by the international affairs-focused organization U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, drew a relatively small crowd of business, military, religious, university and political representatives.

In info sheets laid out on each guest's seat, the coalition laid out Washington's dependence on international trade  $61.2 billion in exports in 2023 supporting more than 930,000 jobs  and made arguments in support of international aid that appeared tailored to try to appeal to a White House that has gutted USAID, placing nearly all of its staff on leave and terminating 85% of that agency's outstanding grant awards and 80% of its global health awards.

"MYTH: All U.S. foreign assistance goes to 'woke' or progressive programs focusing on cultural issues that many partner countries don't want anyway," one pamphlet read. "FACT: The vast majority of U.S. international assistance programs strongly align with Secretary (Marco) Rubio's imperative to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous."

The coalition argues that foreign aid and civilian initiatives can buoy the country's global position alongside its military operations, encapsulated in a banner outside Wednesday's event, in which former Secretary of Defense James Mattis was quoted as saying that cutting the State Department's budget meant the military needed to buy more ammunition.

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LeFever strongly agreed, saying that U.S. relief efforts in Pakistan following the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake had boosted America's approval rating in that country to its highest ever. Crocker noted he still saw the positive impact of that operation in America's standing in that region 20 years later.

Baumgartner agreed that foreign aid could be strategically beneficial to the U.S. and argued that Rubio and the White House fundamentally felt the same, but echoed the sentiment that "identity politics" in USAID's programming had burdened the office's budget and caused domestic sentiment to sour on foreign aid.

"I mean, I certainly am not in favor of some of the transgender operas in Peru and this sort of thing that the previous administration has done," Baumgartner said, echoing and somewhat garbling a claim made in February by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

A $25,000 grant awarded in 2021 under the Biden administration was for a university to produce an opera that would "raise awareness and increase... transgender representation," though it was in Colombia and not issued by USAID, but by a different office in the State Department. That same office also issued a $32,000 grant to a Peruvian organization to fund a comic book that featured "an LGBTQ+ hero to address social and mental health issues."

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In 2024, USAID's budget was $21.7 billion. Overall, foreign spending totaled nearly $72 billion, according to the Pew Research Center. As the coalition emphasized in one of its packets, the U.S. international affairs budget accounts for roughly 1% of the federal budget.

Baumgartner did praise certain USAID programs, including the 2003 "President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief," or PEPFAR, which the congressman called "the best thing America has done, from an altruistic standpoint, in the last 20 years."

"And my early indications from Secretary Rubio or in the administration is that  obviously there's a lot of high-profile political stuff going on, but they fundamentally understand the need to fund assistance as well," Baumgartner said.

The Trump administration's February stop-work order initially froze funding for PEPFAR programs, though the State Department did issue a limited waiver specifically for PEPFAR, allowing certain treatment programs to continue but not others, such as HIV prevention and ones for orphans and vulnerable children, according to a May report from health policy organization KFF, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation. Hundreds of other HIV-related USAID grants were terminated.

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In one of the few critical comments of the event, Crocker argued that the White House's efforts to use Biden-era programs to justify gutting USAID was an example of the "extreme polarization that we're seeing in American politics."

"The USAID, like any executive agency, is the tool of the executive," Crocker said. "That's what it exists to do, to carry out the policies of the president of the United States as resourced by Congress."

"What we've now gotten ourselves into, I think, and as we look at the wholesale destruction of USAID, I think it is unfortunately the poster child for polarization," Crocker continued. "Those programs were not the creation of USAID, they were the creation of the previous administration. And I greatly fear at this juncture we are doing ourselves great institutional damage by effectively eliminating USAID, and fasten your seatbelts at the State Department; that's happening next."

Baumgartner did caution against the "lure of isolationism," which he argued both parties faced.

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"I think everyone in this room understands that there's some ongoing political challenges for both parties on this lure of isolationism, that if we just come home, we can save money and we won't have to get trapped and everything will be fine," Baumgartner said. "And I think it's just an illegitimate viewpoint and a misunderstanding of the world."

The U.S. needs more foreign alliances, not fewer, Baumgartner said  and one way to do that, he argued, is cutting red tape that slows down the sale of military equipment to foreign countries.

"We sell equipment to other countries, we bind them to us," he said. "We can work with them, and we help our local economy, and people really want American military equipment."

But Baumgartner lamented that "like many things in the U.S. government," the process to sell weapons overseas had become too "bureaucratic and problematic to actually implement," adding that he was working in Congress to make that process speedier.
NEWARK, N.J. (WTAJ)  Five Amtrak employees have allegedly admitted to participating in a healthcare fraud scheme to defraud Amtrak, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Kevin Frink, 53, of Willingboro, New Jersey, Michael Toal, 35, of Hazlet, New Jersey, David McBrien, 37, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, Damany Walker, 41, of Irvington, New Jersey, and David Lonergan, 65, of Rockaway Park, New York, all recently pleaded guilty in federal court to the Indictment charging conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.

The defendants admitted to colluding with corrupt health care providers in a scheme to defraud Amtraks health care plan for personal financial gain. My office is committed to holding accountable those who profit from health care scams, like this one, that harm the public and the health care system.  U.S. Attorney Alina Habba According to Habba, four other co-conspiritors were charged.

Quinton Johnson, 53, of Irvington, New Jersey.

Gregory Richardson, 35, of Roosevelt, New York.

Timothy Bogen, 59, of Hamden, Connecticut.

Dion Jacob, 50, of Brooklyn, New York.

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Rodolfo Rivera, 41, of Clayton, Delaware, and Anthony Saloka, 44, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty.

From 2019 to June 2022, the Amtrak employees participated in a scheme to get cash kickbacks from healthcare providers in return for their agreement to allow their health insurance plan to be billed for services that were never provided and not medically necessary. According to documents presented to the court, the Amtrak healthcare plan paid over $11 million in fraudulent claims.

Each employee received thousands of dollars in cash kickbacks, including Punson Figueroa, an acupuncturist. Four of the men also got kickbacks from Michael DeNicola, a podiatrist. Both Figueroa and DeNicola pleaded guilty. Figueroa was sentenced to 34 months in prison while DeNicola is still awaiting sentencing.

The health care fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Walkers and McBriens sentencing is scheduled for July 24. Lonergans sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20. Toals sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. Frinks sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 9.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment against Johnson, Richardson, Bogen, and Jacob are merely accusations, and they are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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By Nupur Anand and Saeed Azhar

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Tariff uncertainty and market volatility have sent some companies looking for a flexible, more certain route to funding from private credit firms, resulting in the spurning of traditional lenders in some cases.

A number of companies have selected loans from private credit providers over traditional forms of credit since the beginning of April when back-and-forth policy over tariffs created market choppiness. Analysts and bankers forecast that private credit, a $2 trillion industry that has grown from $500 million a decade ago, benefited from the volatility.

"When you have volatility, it becomes relatively harder for the banks to place new deals into the syndicated loan market," said Mike Koester, a former Goldman Sachs executive who co-founded 5C Investment Partners, a private credit investing firm.

"And that is when private credit takes more share because it already has the capital and it can lend directly where it is required."

Recent examples have been Lakeview Farms, which sought to fund its $200 million buyout of yogurt-maker Noosa in April. Lakeview chose to obtain a loan from private credit firm Silver Point Capital because it offered more flexible financing than traditional lenders like banks via the syndicated loan process, two sources told Reuters. Citigroup was initially leading the loan talks, one of the sources said.

Citi declined to comment. Lakeview did not respond to a Reuters query for comment.

In another transaction, Blackstone and Apollo Global Management jointly led the private credit financing of about $4 billion for Thoma Bravo's acquisition of Boeing's Jeppesen navigation unit alongside other investors, two sources said.

"At the moment, private credit is very competitive," said Ted Swimmer, head of capital markets and advisory at Citizens Financial, which sometimes competes with private credit companies. It also lends to them and works with them on deals. "We were structuring a couple of syndicated loans but we could not price those loans competitively given the market volatility and lost the deals to private credit bids."

The total number of syndicated loans in the U.S. declined by 15% between January and May 21 versus the same period last year, according to Dealogic, as bankers said volatility in markets slowed public markets.

Direct lending transactions - which directly compete with the syndicated loan market and usually involve a handful of private credit funds - have fallen at a slower pace of 10% in the first quarter from the same period a year earlier, PitchBook's Leveraged Commentary & Data shows.
By Heejung Jung, Mark Bendeich and Thomas Escritt

SEOUL/LONDON/BERLIN (Reuters) -South Korea's young women are expected to lead a broad political backlash against the main conservative party at presidential elections on June 3, punishing it for months of chaos.

Multitudes of young men, though, are unlikely to join them.

In democracies worldwide, a political gender divide is intensifying among Gen Z voters, with young men voting for right-wing parties and young women leaning left, a break from pre-pandemic years when both tended to vote for progressives.

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Recent elections spanning North America, Europe and Asia show this trend is either consolidating or accelerating, with angry, frustrated men in their 20s breaking to the right.

First-time South Korean voter Lee Jeong-min is one of them.

He says he will vote for the right-wing Reform Party's candidate, Lee Jun-seok, on June 3. Lee, the candidate, vows to shut down the ministry of gender equality, speaking to an issue that resonates with men like Lee, the voter, who particularly resents that only men have to do military service.

"As a young man, I find this to be one of the most unfair realities of living in Korea. At the prime of their youth  at 21 or 22 years old  young men, unlike their female peers, are unable to fully engage in various activities in society because they have to serve 18 months in the military."

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In South Korea, almost 30% of men aged 18-29 plan to back the Reform Party compared with just 3% of young women, according to a Gallup Korea poll this month.

Overall, more than half of the men back right-wing parties while almost half the women want the left-wing Democratic Party candidate to win. The divergence shrinks for older age groups.

Political economist Soohyun Lee, of King's College London, said many young South Korean men felt unable to meet society's expectations: find a good job, get married, buy a home and start a family.

And they blame feminism, many believing that women are preferred for jobs. With negligible immigration in South Korea, Lee said, "women become the convenient scapegoat".

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ANGRY YOUNG MEN

In South Korea and other democracies, Gen Z men are seeing an erosion of their relative advantage, especially since the pandemic -- to the point where in a few countries the gender pay gap among 20-somethings favours young women.

EU data shows one of them is France, where men aged 18-34 voted in larger numbers for Marine le Pen's far-right party than women in last year's legislative elections.

In the UK, where more young men than women vote conservative, males aged 16-24 are more likely to be neither employed, nor in education than female counterparts, official data shows.

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In the West, young men blame immigration as well as diversity programmes for competition for jobs.

In Germany's general election in February, the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a record 20.8% of the vote, tugged along by an undercurrent of support from young men -- though the leader of the party is a woman.

Men aged 18-24 voted 27% for the AfD while young women ran to the other end of the political spectrum, voting 35% for the far-left Linke party, according to official voting data.

"A lot of young men are falling for right-wing propaganda because they're upset, they have the feeling they're losing power," said Molly Lynch, 18, a Berliner who voted for Linke, drawn by its stand on climate change and economic inequality.

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"But it's actually losing power over women that wasn't actually equal in the first place."

The gender divide is not restricted to Gen Z, voters born since the mid-to-late 1990s. Millennials, aged in their 30s and early 40s, have felt the winds of change for longer.

In Canada last month, men aged 35-54 voted 50% for opposition conservatives in an election turned upside down by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on his northern neighbour. The Liberals, which had been braced for defeat, rode an anti-Trump wave back to power, thanks in large part to female voters.

"It tends to be men who have a bit more life experience and are now in that situation where they're saying, 'This isn't working out for me and I want change'," said Darrell Bricker, global chief executive of public affairs at polling firm Ipsos.

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Nik Nanos, founder of Canadian polling outfit Nanos Research, agreed, saying social media was accelerating democracy's "angry young men symptom", especially in areas where blue collar jobs have dried up.

A FOREVER WAR?

Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, which promised a manufacturing renaissance and attacked diversity programmes, also resonated with young white and Hispanic men, but turned off young women, fuelling the country's big political gender gap.

Roughly half of men aged 18-29 voted for Trump, while 61% of young women went for his opponent, Kamala Harris. Young Black voters of both genders still overwhelmingly backed Harris.

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In Australia, which went to the polls this month, the Gen Z war did not play out at the ballot box. There was no clear divergence, with compulsory voting perhaps helping to explain why radicalised gender politics have not taken root.

"It tends to iron out extreme ideas, ideologies," said political scientist Intifar Chowdury of Australian National University.

So how does the Gen Z war end?

Pollsters said it could drag on unless governments addressed core issues such as home affordability and precarious employment. One cited young men's health as another policy challenge, especially high suicide rates.

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Lee, of King's College, said the divide could make consensus on over-arching tax and welfare reforms harder to achieve.

"If the future generation is ever so divided along the lines of gender and then refuses to engage with each other to build social consensus, I do not think we can successfully tackle these huge issues," she said.

(Additional reporting by Ju-min Park and Jisoo Kim in SEOUL, Byron Kaye in SYDNEY, Riham Alkousaa in BERLIN, Michel Rose and Elizabeth Pineau in PARIS, Jason Lange in WASHINGTON; Writing by Mark Bendeich; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
May 29The Anchorage mayor's office and members of the Assembly are pushing for a package of changes to zoning rules that they say are impeding development and stalling new housing construction the city desperately needs.

"Anchorage needs to build more housing, but some of our tools are broken. To build the future we want, first we need to fix our tools," Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said in a statement released alongside two key members of the Assembly, a signal the administration is aligned with legislators on the measure.

The ordinance from the administration, Assembly Vice Chair Anna Brawley and member Daniel Volland encompasses 51 pages of technical adjustments to a set of policies loosely labeled "site access." Those are the rules scattered throughout Title 21, the land use code, that cover requirements for various access routes people use to get into their homes and other buildings.

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"The proposal is complex but could be summarized as a simplification of standards for driveways, parking areas, and building frontages, with an emphasis on flexibility while providing for better physical definitions of private property and the street," according to a staff report from the municipality's Planning Department.

The proposed reforms, which are up for public testimony in June, came out of a monthslong working group that brought together developers, planners, community advocates, elected officials and others to address building rules that were hindering new projects.

"I would characterize this one less as 'unlocking a bunch of new housing.' This is fixing something that isn't working in the code now," Brawley said in an interview.

Over the last several years, elected officials from all different political backgrounds have been trying to change planning and zoning rules in ways that make it easier to build new residential units. But not all those adjustments have worked. Brawley said there are big sections of the building code that are so technical, cumbersome and hard to understand that simply parsing it has become a delay for builders.

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"If the code is too complicated to read, then it's not working," Brawley said.

The new proposal simplifies code around site access development. It also grants more administrative discretion for the many instances where projects, especially in-fill development and new multifamily structures, involve nuances and variables that are hard to completely square with written regulations.

"What problem were we trying to solve here?" asked Daniel Mckenna-Foster from the city's Long-Range Planning Division during a February meeting hosted by the Federation of Community Councils. "It's really about the interaction between private properties and the street ... and how people get from one to the other."

Many of the requirements addressed in the new ordinance have been on pause since the Assembly passed a moratorium on implementing them several months ago. That pause is set to expire this November. The working group proposal, which was endorsed by the Planning and Zoning Commission in March before it went along to the Assembly, would replace the previous site access rules.

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"It is more expensive and challenging than ever to build housing in Anchorage," said Tyler Robinson, vice president of Cook Inlet Housing Authority, in a statement released after the working group made its recommendations. "The changes to code introduced by the Site Access ordinance fundamentally broke our ability to provide more housing to the community  from single-family homes to large apartment buildings."

LaFrance has made housing a policy priority for her administration, emphasizing that the municipality and Assembly need a multipronged approach to add 10,000 new housing units in the coming decade. The administration, along with allies on the Assembly who are pushing for better development strategies, say one piece of that is promptly scrapping policies that aren't working.

"This is fixing problems we already know about, this isn't new policy," Brawley said of the new proposal. "I think it's both the product and the process we wanted to highlight."

The Assembly will hear public testimony on the ordinance at its June 10 meeting.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described Title 21 as the building code. It is the land use code.
YANGON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar police have seized 500,000 stimulant tablets in eastern Shan state, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint anti-narcotic task force searched motorcycles driven by two suspects in Tachileik township on Tuesday and confiscated the drugs, the report said.

One suspect was arrested, while the other fled, it added.

The total value of the drugs is estimated at 200 million kyats (about 95,200 U.S. dollars), it said.

The suspects have been charged under Myanmar's drug laws, and further investigations are ongoing, it added. 
Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing 21 total criminal charges in London including rape, assault, and human trafficking.

The New York Times reported that British authorities authorized the charges against the online influencer and his brother back in January 2024, prompting the release of European Arrest Warrants for the Tate brothers, but they were not publicly confirmed by the service until Wednesday (May 28).

In the official statement, authorities confirmed that the Tate brothers would be extradited to the United Kingdom following the conclusion of separate criminal proceedings in Romania. They were accused of forming a criminal gang to exploit women. The Tates were arrested in Romania in December 2022 during an alleged sex trafficking operation. The men were under house arrest prior to the newer accusations of sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons.

They will kill everyone. pic.twitter.com/WkDNIzO8kb  Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) May 29, 2025

Andrew is facing 10 charges including rape, assault causing actual bodily harm  a form of assault known under British law  human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, stemming from accusations by three women. Meanwhile, Tristan is facing 11 charges including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking, which are connected to allegations from a sole victim.

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Both brothers have previously denied all the accusations against them. Their attorney, Joseph McBride, said in a statement on Wednesday, These charges are old news. Nothing new has happened.

A European arrest warrant has already been issued and approved by the Romanian court after a travel ban on the Tate brothers was lifted recently.

Andrew is also facing a separate civil suit by four British women, who accused him of rape and physical abuse and claimed police and prosecutors failed them by not pursuing criminal charges years ago.

He issued a visual statement about the charges, claiming the UK government is trying to silence me. Andrew described the charges and claims as a set-up and political witch hunt.

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Watch it in full above.

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ST. LOUIS  Brewing giant and bedrock St. Louis business Anheuser-Busch is teaming with other local organizations to support bars and restaurants recovering from the May 16 tornado.

According to an AB executive, the St. Louis Restaurant Tornado Relief Fund will provide critical support restaurants, bars, and employees in the food service industry affected by the storm. Eligible businesses will be able to apply for financial assistance to cover staff wages, costs of refurbishing damaged buildings, and other needs. The application process will begin on Monday, June 2.

AB is donating $500,000 to the Missouri Restaurant Association to kickstart the relief fund.

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Sheriffs Dept. turns over findings in daycare death to Prosecuting Attorneys Office

Anheuser-Buschs history is deeply intertwined with our hometown bars and restaurants, where our people, family, friends, and members of our community meet to enjoy a beer, Cesar Vargas, Anheuser-Buschs chief external affairs officer, said. These establishments are the lifeblood of St. Louisand were proud to support recovery efforts in our hometown in partnership with the Missouri Restaurant Association and the broader community.

In the immediate aftermath of the May 16 tornado, Anheuser-Busch donated $100,000 to the United Way of Greater St. Louis disaster relief fund and supplied more than 100,000 cans of clean drinking water residents in the affected neighborhoods and to first responders in those areas.

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The character of Dr. Dolittle, who "walks with the animals, talks with the animals," was the central figure in an early 20th century series of children's books written by Hugh Lofting, acting as a kind of personal antidote to his trauma of experiencing the worst of humanity in the trenches of World War I. "A fox has his rights, the same as you and I have," the eponymous physician-turned-animal doctor said in one book. But Dr. Doolittle is eccentric and, of course, fiction.

Increasingly, however, talking with the animals is becoming less of a fantasy. This doesnt just invite some fantastic conversations, but recontexualizes the rights we allot to non-human creatures. The past decade has brought a slew of new findings that are changing our understanding of animal consciousness and communication. A new study on complex communication in chimps and another about bonobos' surprising language abilities, and recent findings about how sperm whale communication works, all suggest some animals have complex communication abilities that actually resemble human language in important ways. As AI and bioacoustics, as well as other clever new techniques, bring us ever closer to talking with animals or at least listening in on their conversations  should we prepare to update the way legal systems deal with animals?

"Compositionality, in a nutshell: It's the fact that we can combine meaningful units into larger structures whose meaning is derived from the meaning of the units," Melissa Berthet, a researcher in primatologist and linguistics at the University of Zurich, who studied bonobos in Democratic Republic of Congo (they are only found in the wild in forests in DRC, south of the Congo river) over an 8-month period, explained to Salon in a video interview. Combining units of language in meaningful ways is one of the hallmarks of what human language does, and its evidence of this in a number of animals that suggests we might not be able to use signs of language as a filter to separate humans, who get certain rights, from animals, who dont.

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The University of Zurich team observed a group of bonobos from a project by local biologists that had habituated the animals over 10 to 15 years, depending on the group. This meant that the animals were used to having humans around them, but Berthet's group, like the local scientists, avoided interfering with their behavior and did their best to avoid any disturbance. With this work, the hope is that the animals use essentially the same "dictionary" as they would use if there were no humans present.

"I really think the meaning is not really impacted," Berthet said, though she allows that they may perhaps talk  gossip?  about humans more than they would otherwise do.

There are two kinds of compositionality. In the first, and most common, individual units (like words, for humans), are combined to produce meaning. This is called trivial compositionality, and it has been observed in animals in the past. In the second kind, thought to only exist in humans, when you put two units together, the meaning of one unit will modify the meaning of the other. For example, in the phrase "a blue dress," the word blue has actually modified the word dress, giving it a different meaning than it had before. This kind is called non-trivial compositionality, and it allows us to create complex utterances.

"So far, it was thought that in animals, when they could do compositionally, it was mostly restricted to trivial compositionally ... we wanted to see whether bonobos had compositionally, whether it was something that was common in their vocal system. So here we took an approach that is a bit different from former studies, because usually people would investigate one combination, and here we managed to investigated all the combinations of their vocal system." This was possible, Berthet said, because they succeeded in adapting a linguistic method used in humans to the study of animal communications.

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"The idea was to see whether compositionally in other species can be as extensive as in humans. Because, like I said, humans use compositionally all the time. We create very long sentences. And so we did it with bonobos. And what was interesting is that we found that four of their combinations are compositional, and all the core types that they have, so all the units can be combined in a compositional structure. So it's basically like all their words can occur in sentences, just like in humans, we can put any words in a sentence, and they can really do the same. And so for us, this is really amazing, because it shows that even though they have a very limited vocabulary, they can really use them and combine them extensively," Berthet explained.

But it got better.

"Among those four combinations that were compositional," Berthet went on, "we found that three of them were non-trivial. And again, this is very big, because for us, it's the first time that we really managed to show that animals can have non-trivial compositionality. So I think what it really means, in general, is that, first, humans are not the only species that can do non-trivial compositionally. Second, other animals can also use compositionally a lot. It's not just about one combination in their own system, that could be a coincidence."

All this suggests that the last common ancestor of chimpanzees, bonobos and humans likely also produced compositional structures.

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"Compositionality is very common in human language. We use it all the time, and for some people, it's really a hallmark of human language. And there are some species that do a bit of compositionality, but it's always very limited," said Berthet.

The finding that among combination types, four are compositional, means they can convey information in a flexible way just like us.

"So it's basically like all their words can occur in sentences, just like in humans, we can put any words in a sentence, and they can really do the same."

About those whales

We have indeed known for a while that whales are intelligent creatures, with their own eerie and complex form of sound-based communication. Since the 1970s, humans have been entranced by the songs of humpback whales, for example. But another kind of whale communication, among the very social if less musical sperm whales, has more recently become a focus of research into exactly how whale communication, or language, might work.

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Sperm whales use a series of clicks, called codas, to communicate. Until last year, though, we couldn't really say how this form of communication  distinctly different, even alien, to our own  actually works to convey information. We had already used machine intelligence to analyze the codas, recorded using bioacoustics, and determined that both the clicks and the intervals between clicks are important. The question has been, though, how can a system of clicks and spaces, with some 150 individual coda types, defined by their characteristic sequences of inter-click intervals found globally (with different clans or groups of whales using a far smaller number), account for the social and behavioral complexity seen in these animals? Surely there must be some other factor dividing up the use of different codas to allow for more complex ways to combine them?

In recent years, our technological ability to listen in on whales has grown in leaps and bounds. So too, as a result, has our understanding of their unique forms of communication, which turns out, in the sperm whale at least, to be structured, complex, and expressive.

Last year, a group of researchers applied machine learning to the largest existing data set of sperm whale codas, from The Dominica Sperm Whale Project, to demonstrate that sperm whale codas can be sensitive to how they are used  that is, the context created by surrounding codas may change a given coda's intended meaning, just the way words in human sentences create a context that indicate, or change, the intended meaning of a given word. And they also showed that sperm whale codas are indeed combinatorial, similar to the compositionally shown by bonobos and chimps.

The researchers, members of Project CETI, used 8719 codas recorded over 13 years ending in 2018 from the Eastern Caribbean 1 (EC-1) clan, a group of 400 sperm whales. Clans are known to have their own culture, developing unique behaviors and repertoires of coda types. Over those years, Dominica Sperm Whale Project researchers manually recorded codas, while over the last four, Project CETI scientists studied EC-1s coda repertoire using aerial drones, small computers attached by suction cups (called D-tags or acoustic biologging tags), synced underwater microphones in their hundreds, and swimming robots. The data collected in this way was then analyzed using machine learning, allowing for the sort of complex analysis needed to find patterns indiscernible to the human ear, and in no way similar to what we might expect from our knowledge of human or even primate communication.

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"When analysing codas exchanged between whales, we observe fine-grained modulation of inter-click intervals relative to preceding codas, as well as modification of standard coda types via the addition of an extra click. We term these contextual features rubato and ornamentation. Next, we show that the coda repertoire has combinatorial structure: in addition to rubato and ornamentation, codas rhythms and tempos can independently be discretised into a small number of categories or types," the researchers wrote in Nature Communications this time last year. Essentially, these different features allow for coda repertoire to act as a kind of phonetic alphabet.

Project CETI doesnt actually aim to talk with whales, but to listen in and translate what theyre saying  ideally with permission, if they reach a point where they can understand if permission is given or withheld. The project itself is a non-profit organization funded by partners that include Amazon Web Services, Google Research, and the MOTH (More-Than-Human-Life) Program at NYU Law, which advises on the ethics and permission part, as well as universities in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and, notably, given some of the technology involved, in Israel.

"We show that all four features are sensed and acted upon by participants in the vocal exchanges, and thus constitute deliberate components of the whale communication system rather than unconscious variation. Rhythm, tempo, rubato and ornamentation can be freely combined, together enabling whales to systematically synthesize an enormous repertoire of distinguishable codas," they explain. The whales could put together long, finely detailed sequences of all of these features.

Chimp talk

Catherine Crockford, of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, an author of the new study, sees this combinatorial system as perhaps representing a transitional or intermediate phase between animal calls and language as seen in humans. Whether the chimps bigrams should be considered like human units of communication, similar to words, or simple phrases that can be combined in longer sentences, or even like the ideograms used in some human writing is, Crockford told Salon in an email interview, the million-dollar question.

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They do differ from words and sentences, but exactly how they differ is what we are trying to figure out  and involves knotty philosophical issues, like are the signals fully arbitrary, like words are; are they intentionally produced to convey a specific message to others; are they learned; what meaning is really conveyed  these are all questions several teams of scientists are trying to address in animals, she said.

But complex communication involving compositional structures and even a degree of syntax (or word order that plays a role in determining meaning, as in human language) isn't just a mammal thing. Just as we've had to gradually acknowledge that it's not only humans, then not only primates, that are capable of complex "sentence" structures that flexibly convey meaning  whether this represents something like a transitional evolutionary phase between animal calls and human-type language, or something complex and sophisticated enough to be considered a language of its own  we now have to further expand our understanding. As it turns out, the only living descendants of the dinosaurs also seem to combine in complex ways to produce an array of meanings. Among birds, the Japanese tit offers the first experimental evidence for compositional syntax in any non-human species.

Meanwhile, the southern pied babbler does not, in fact, merely babble. By playing back so-called "mobbing sequences", combinations of calls by which the birds seem to recruit other group members in response to danger and watching the reaction, scientists were able determine that the combination of two calls used for other purposes communicates information about the context  danger  and the requested action  "let's get together and fight"  in a form of rudimentary compositionally. These findings of two birds that combine individual "alarm" and "recruitment" calls to express a more complex idea using the two idea units suggests that syntax may in fact be more widespread than we thought.

OK, so what do they talk about?

This, Crockford said, is the most fascinating question.

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Chimps are highly social and intelligent. They have close friends and family that they like to spend the day with and nest together with at night. But they live in dense forest where its incredibly easy to lose each other without using sound. So their calls have become quite context-specific to firstly, tell others what they are doing: I'm resting, 'I'm travelling, so others know how to find them. Then they have specific calls to recruit others  to help in a hunt, to join them at food, to help them chase off a leopard or nasty neighbours  each call different. Then they have a bunch of specific calls they give when interacting with others to keep the interaction going longer, such as laughing during play, or teeth clacking during grooming, Crockford said.

And as they work on those bigrams, the researchers are beginning to understand call combinations. It seems they can combine two meanings together into an utterance, for example, 'rest' and 'food', which may translate into something like 'I'm staying longer at this food patch'. Telling others what you are doing, helps others decide if they want to stay and do it with you or move on. Such utterances probably mainly help bond partners to coordinate their activities in the dense forest vegetation so that they can stay together for longer, Crockford added.

By contrast, Berthet notes that bonobo communication focuses mostly on getting the group together. This makes sense, as the highly social, matriarchal primates live in fission-fusion societies, which means that they split up into smaller groups to forage during the day, then get back together again as a larger group.

And whales? We dont know enough yet to say, but they seem to be gossips, the matriarchal and matrilineal society of sperm whales apparently consisting of a bunch of yentas who chit-chat all day long, talking over each other about anything and nothing for the sake of being together, while the adult men, though stereotyped as loners, may hang out together, perhaps sharing their own feelings with close friends, on the high seas. Shane Gero, the Canadian whale biologist who founded the Dominica Sperm Whale Project twenty years ago and is now biology lead for Project CETI, told NPR last year that it's hard not to see cousins playing while chatting  to not see moms hand over to a babysitter and exchange a few words before walking out the door, so to speak, to go eat in the deep ocean."

Time to catch up

The structures that determine our relationships with animals and their status in relation to humans were all developed many years before we understood just how much some of them are like us. Like us, that is, in areas that have historically been important in determining these things among humans, such as showing compassion for our fellows, cooperation, strategic use of tools, culture and language. We might also note that plenty of research in human psychology  not to mention our apparent failure as a species to sustainably manage the ecosystems that in turn sustain us and all life on Earth  has demonstrated that our own claims to rationality and consciousness are, well, less impressive than previously advertised.

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As Anne Benvenuti, a professor emerita of Psychology and Philosophy at Cerro Coso Community College in California, put it in a 2016 paper in the International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, "While convergent research on animal cognition, emotion, and behavior has increasingly pointed in the direction of animal personhood, interdisciplinary research in human cognition has simultaneously confirmed Sigmund Freud's hypothesis that not only are human beings not always self-aware and rational, but also the human unconscious mind motivates much of human behavior; and that human consciousness is fragmented at best."

Language is a big part of this. Back in the 1870s, Oxford professor Friedrich Max Muller argued that "there is between the whole animal kingdom on the one side, and man, even in his lowest state, on the other, a barrier which no animal has ever crossed, and that barrier is language." The lack of flexible and open-ended communication, which occurs by means of combinatorial structures or compositionality that allows us to put just about any idea into language, was seen as the great barrier. Increasingly, this barrier is being eroded.

We still don't have evidence that bonobos want to be able to inherit property or that political participation is important to sperm whales. But we now know that many animals use complex communication systems that allow them to function as groups, or communities, and that they are able to express motivation, desire, fear and harm, all feelings that have political dimensions when they are threatened.

"Understanding the way [bonobos] communicate is also a way to understand what is important to them and what matters and what is relevant. So I think this is actually very important in terms of how we see them under the law. I hope it will help," said Berthet, who noted that when we started to understand that whales actually have a very complex language of their own, interest grew in protecting them. Bonobos, whose only wild populations are all in Democratic Republic of Congo, are highly endangered.

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"It's an area of the world that is really under a lot of threats because of all the mining and the logging. So I really hope that if we show that they have complex communication, that somehow they resemble humans in some respect, and that they have this intelligence, I might say, then I hope it will help to have concrete actions to really preserve them," Berthet said.

Meanwhile, the very artificial intelligence that is increasingly allowing us to eavesdrop on animals is increasingly showing us that our own intelligence may one day be truly topped by machines, if not by the often very different but perhaps equally complex and meaningful intelligence of our fellow animals. Add the examples from psychology and the bungle we're making of the Earth we "manage," and humans don't have good evidence to put ourselves at the top of some kind of evolutionary hierarchy after all. And then this accumulating research into compositional language increasingly supports the idea that many animals are complex, sensitive and flexible thinkers.

"This simple fact calls for a rethinking of foundational concepts in law and health sciences," Benvenuti wrote, nearly a decade before these latest findings.

We now realize, Crockford said about the chimpanzees, that to understand the complexity of animal 'languages', we need to study the animals' natural communication  what they communicate to each other. In the wild, chimps for example use specific calls for a number of contexts they never experience in captivity  they have a specific bark to recruit others to hunt, and other calls for territorial defense.

While the moratorium that currently exists on using chimpanzees in research in western countries, at least, is a good first step, its not enough. And rethinking rights could also allow us to increasingly understand our animal brethren, in a kind of virtuous circle.

We're just beginning to understand the complexity of chimp communication  as they have become critically endangered. As they are hunted by humans for the pet trade and for meat, and their forests are destroyed, their communities are broken up, risking that they lose their local cultures, Crockford said. If we do not find a way to stop their decline due to human disturbance, we may never get to understand the complexities of their communication.
State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln speaks in favor of gun reforms on March 16, 2023, in Lincoln. In her hand is a cut-out of a pre-schooler in Raybould's district, Octavia, who Raybould said the suggested reforms would support. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Another last-minute attempt by State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln to force a vote this session on a legislative proposal to slow Nebraskas voter-approved minimum wage increases failed Thursday to join an unrelated bill.

This time, she tried attaching the amendment to Legislative Bill 265, by State Sen. Tony Sorrentino of the Elkhorn area, a budget bill with business overtones that dealt with unemployment insurance tax rates and the Workforce Development Program Cash Fund.

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Opponents trying to stop the effort by Raybould, a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, filed motions to filibuster the amendment and keep it from being considered  a tactic her fellow Democrats used to successfully block it from becoming part of a bill Wednesday weakening Nebraskas paid sick leave protections, LB 415, which is heading to the governors desk.

Raybould said before withdrawing her amendment that she was going to do everything to work within the rules and follow the regulations of the body. She emphasized that if the rules had been followed, her bill would not have failed after Sorrentino missed the vote on final reading, because lawmakers would have been able to reconsider it on the same day and pass her standalone bill.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. March 31, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

I made a commitment to all the business leaders out there that are in the lobby [and] to the small businesses, daycare centers, dog groomers and yoga studios, Raybould said.

Raybould also emphasized that she wants to act now, saying the political dynamics facing her bill change if lawmakers wait. She said it would be harder to reduce pay for young people after the voter-approved law has taken effect.

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Her revived proposal, in its current form, would shrink the wage increases by setting the annual increase for adults at 1.75%. It also would create a youth minimum wage and amend a separate state training wage for people ages 16 to 19 in the first 90 days on the job.

Raybould and supporters of her changes said they would protect small businesses that could not afford to pay more. Lawmakers against slowing wage growth said they were defending the peoples will.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said Sorrentinos bill was hijacked by the Senator Raybould show during the debate as she was taking a third bite of the apple.

What troubles me about small business owners like Senator Raybould  is that they have more solidarity with large corporations than they do with the workers themselves, said Hunt, who runs a small store in Omaha.

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Raybould withdrew her amendment after it looked like lawmakers wouldnt have the time to consider the amendment, which many believe had the votes needed to pass. But before she pulled her amendment, she pushed back on what she called misrepresented dialogue from Democratic-aligned lawmakers against her proposal.

Its not something that were doing to save money, as some have alleged; its really to be an incentive to hire young people, Raybould said. I think there are several things that the Legislature can do to strike a balance on the [wage] increase approved in November and not forcing our small and medium businesses to shutter or sell out.

Opposed lawmakers eventually pulled amendments related to the filibuster of Rayboulds minimum wage amendment, but only after responding to her speech, letting the base bill, LB 265, eventually advance.

One state senator, speaking privately, said the drama from Thursday showed the statehouse is not a serious place, and that lawmakers are not serious people.

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Last fall, I created a scorecard for the journalism class I teach at Yale. It listed five strategies that authoritarian-leaning leaders have used to crush the free press in their countries. I flashed the scorecard on a screen. Take a picture, I suggested to the students, and keep track of which of those strategies might migrate to the United States.

I had culled the five strategies from a Washington Post essay, How the quiet war against press freedom could come to America, by New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger. His piece focused on leaders in democracies like Hungary and India who have weaponized existing laws and norms to cripple the news media, deploying an arsenal that includes normalizing harassment of journalists, abusing regulatory authority, and exploiting the courts with frivolous lawsuits.

Sulzbergers piece was intended to be a warning. The Trump administration apparently read it as a playbook.

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Like my students, Ive been keeping score too. Ive been around for a while  my first Trump-adjacent article was about the new USFL (Google it!)  so Im not surprised by much. But honestly, it is astonishing how quickly the scorecard has filled out. And its growing longer by the day.

By my latest count  and it is likely incomplete there have been more than 100 actions that threaten American press freedom, most taken since the November election or shortly before. And that doesnt count yesterdays headlines about Trump allegedly seeking more than $25 million from Paramount to settle a lawsuit over routine editing of a CBS 60 Minutes interview. The case is so widely considered frivolous  my pal Katie Couric yesterday called it bullshit  that some company execs fear settling it may lead to criminal charges of bribery.

All of these measures have been reported individually. But the visual list is a gut punch  and a wake-up call.

Heres the original scorecard:

And for those playing along at home, heres where the scorecard stands today:

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Mainstream media, for the most part, has remained steadfast in the face of the onslaught. Reporting from major outlets, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and ProPublica, remains robust, as does that from smaller news organizations and independent journalists, like those writing on Substack.

And to be clear, there are valid criticisms of the news media. Trust in the press has been declining for about half a century, long before the current moment, for a variety of reasons, including some that were self-inflicted.

But whats happening now is an order of magnitude greater than anything we have seen before. And its taking a toll  from threatening journalists safety to prompting self-censorship among news organizations for fear of reprisals for factual reporting. Already, executives at news organizations from CBS and WNET to The New York Post have allegedly pressured newsrooms to tone down or even kill some coverage of the Trump administration.

Im a firm believer in the notion, which I realize some colleagues think is outdated, that the role of the news media isnt to be the resistance. It is to hold power to account and to seek the truth, regardless of who is in power.

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If this scorecard shows us anything, it illustrates that the watchdog role is more important than ever, and how crucial it is for journalists, and all of us, to hold the line.

As Sulzberger rightly pointed out in a recently updated speech on the topic, Fear is contagious. But courage is also contagious.

This was originally published on Joanne Lipmans Substack.

Journalist, mom, and bestselling author of Thats What She Said and NEXT! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work, Joanne Lipman is the former editor in chief of USA Today, USA Today Network, Conde Nast Portfolio, and The Wall Street Journals Weekend Journal. Shes now a Yale journalism lecturer and on-air CNBC contributor.

The post The Anti-Press Playbook, in Charts appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Hall of Fame center and honorary degree recipient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is welcomed at Harvard Yard during commencement ceremonies at Harvard University, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

ASSOCIATED PRESS
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  Hundreds of climbers and their Sherpa guides scaled Mount Everest this month in Nepal, struggling against harsh weather to make it to the summit of the world's highest mountain before the climbing season finishes at the end of May.

Though several climbers did manage to reach the summit in mid-May, weather conditions deteriorated for days, forcing a retreat to base camp for many, including Kami Rita Sherpa, who was attempting to break his own record by scaling the peak for a 31st time.

He did manage to scale the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak on May 27, but several climbers were not so lucky.

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The route to the summit is equipped with ladders and ropes but these are removed at the end of May, marking an end to the climbing season before the monsoon brings heavy rainfall and bad weather.

According to Nepal's Department of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries were given permits to climb Everest by the end of May, along with a roughly equal number of Nepalese mountain guides.

Because of the limited windows of good weather near the summit, large numbers of climbers lined up, attached to the single safety rope, which is known as the Everest traffic jam.

Overall on Everest, weather is the key and it was not same as the forecast. And secondly, it was crowded because both professionals and beginners were there at the same time," said Pasang Rinji Sherpa, a guide, adding that movement was slow because of some of the novice climbers.

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Pasang Rinji has already climbed the peak twice but was forced to retreat this time because he got sick on the mountain.

He said there were many cases of flu and the Khumbu cough, named after a region on Everest, which affects climbers at high altitudes. Some climbers and guides abandoned or postponed their ascent, he said.

He said that only qualified climbers should be allowed to climb the peak to make the experience safer and easier.

Right now there are beginners with no experience or knowledge and professionals at the same time, and this is causing the problem, he said. There should be basic knowledge for the climbers to use gear properly and be safe while climbing Everest.

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Six-time Everest summiteer Jenjen Lama said the weather the biggest challenge this year because it would change without warning.

The weather was very difficult to predict and the forecast would be great for the following day, but on the day the weather would deteriorate every hour or so, he said.

Thursday marked the 72nd anniversary of the conquest of Mount Everest by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The West Springfield Police and Fire Departments were sent to an apartment fire Thursday morning.

West Springfield Concert Series announced for 2025

West Springfield Police Sgt. Joseph LaFrance told 22News that crews were called to 65 River Street at approximately 8:34 a.m. for a reported fire. Upon arrival, there was a small fire in the apartment complex on the second floor, however crews were able to put out the fire quickly.

Credit: Lieutenant Tony Spear of the West Springfield Fire Department Credit: Lieutenant Tony Spear of the West Springfield Fire Department

River Street is closed from Roanoke Avenue to Memorial Avenue.

MAP: River Street in West Springfield

Lieutenant Tony Spear of the West Springfield Fire Department states that no one was injured, however, two cats died in the fire. Three people have been left without a home. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Three additional people have been arrested in the homicide of an Infowars employee at the Chandelier Apartments in March, according to an Austin Police Department press conference Thursday.

Rodney Charles Hill, 17, was the latest arrest in the case, according to Detective Jason Jones. He was taken into custody Tuesday. He and three others, two of whom are under 17 and not identified under Texas law, face capital murder charges.

Officers responded to the complex in the 2300 block of Douglas Street  near East Oltorf Street and Interstate 35  around 11:57 p.m. on March 9. When they arrived, they found a man with trauma in the complexs parking lot, APD said at the time. He died the next day.

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Police previously identified the victim as Jamie White, an Infowars employee. According to APD, the initial investigation showed White was shot after interrupting people burglarizing his green Kia Soul in the parking lot of his apartment complex.

At this time, we do not believe that Jamie was targeted, Jones said. Instead, we believe this is a very unfortunate and tragic series of senseless events  involving the four individuals who obviously have no value for human life.

At the time, Infowars posted: Jamie was a light we were blessed to experience as much as we did. Hes a one-of-a-kind man who poured his devotion in anything he did.

Vehicle burglary led to deadly shooting of Infowars employee, affidavit says

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Earlier in May, APD announced the arrest of one of the four suspects connected to the deadly shooting. That person was identified as 17-year-old Eloy Adrian Camarillo, according to an affidavit. He was booked into the Travis County Jail on May 1 on a charge of capital murder by terror threat/other felony, with a bond set at $250,000, court records show. A 15-year-old was arrested May 5, and a second 15-year-old was arrested May 20, APD said.

Rodney Charles Hill (Austin Police Department Photo) Eloy Adrian Camarillo, 17 (Austin Police Department Photo)

KXAN reached out to Camarillos attorney and will update this story when we receive a response. Hill does not yet have an attorney, according to online court records.

According to the affidavit, the suspects were approaching Kia-brand vehicles before successfully breaking into the green Kia Soul.

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Court documents note that APD knows that car thieves frequently target Kia vehicles due to manufacturing defects that make them easy targets for auto theft.

Investigators said the suspects also allegedly stole other Kias between March 9 and March 11.

Jones said the case is still open and active, but APD believes all those responsible are in custody.

Tracking down suspects

Police traced a series of stolen vehicles as they worked to track down the suspects, Jones said. The car the suspects used when they arrived at Whites apartment had been stolen from a Kyle apartment on March 9. In turn, surveillance video showed the suspects had been in another stolen Kia when they stole that one, Jones said. Police used surveillance footage, cell tower data, cell phone data and license plate readers to identify the suspects.

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MAP: Where have Austins homicides occurred in 2025?

After his arrest, an arrest affidavit described that Camarillo told police he and three others had stolen two other cars and burglarized others before trying to break into Whites car. He said White confronted them, holding what looked like a bat, and that Hill shot him. An expandable baton and a single spent 9mm cartridge case were found at the scene, according to an arrest affidavit.

Police found audio recordings on Hills cell phone of a person they believe to be Hill rapping about Whites death.

The affidavit said some of the lyrics included a mention of Whites name and referenced what happened, including White boy came outside/Hit his damn a with a 9.

Your vehicle is not worth your life

Jones said there have been multiple cases in the last two years of people being hurt when trying to stop their car from being stolen, including one two weeks ago that resulted in the arrest of a 12 and a 13-year-old.

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I know weve had other incidents where young men have been interripted during a vehicle theft and fired rounds or shot somebody, and that person didnt die, Jones said. So this is a very big problem in Austin, and were doing everything we can to hold those individuals accountable.

He said the suspects in this case had tried to steal another Kia Soul, but it had a vehicle lock on it, so they moved on. He called protections like that on vehicles a very cheap way to fix this.

People should call 911, give good descriptions of suspects and where they head afterward, Jones said, instead of trying to confront anyone because what we are seeing in this city is all these kids are armed.

Your vehicle is not worth your life, he added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
TEHRAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Thursday reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's pivotal position in Tehran's policy of neighborliness, pledging to safeguard the "brotherly relations" between the two countries, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

Amid reports of an Iranian cleric's detention in Saudi Arabia during Hajj, Araqchi said he had immediately conferred with Iranian officials in Riyadh and the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization to ensure pilgrims' travel plans remained unaffected.

"We are quite serious about the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Our policy of neighborliness, which is already in effect, is very important. Saudi Arabia holds a very significant position in this policy," Araqchi told reporters in Tehran.

He stressed that Iran would maintain its "brotherly relations" with Saudi Arabia and would not allow any disruptions to affect bilateral ties.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. The attacks followed Saudi Arabia's execution of a Shiite cleric.

In April 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia formally declared the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect. 
A U.S. appeals court has reinstated President Trump's tariffs during the appeals process after a federal trade court said Trump did not have the authority. NBC News Senior Business Correspondent Christine Romans joins Katy Tur to explain more.
A federal appeals court has sided with Native American tribes in their fight against the federal government over a $10 billion energy transmission line designed to carry wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to customers as far away as California.

The Tohono Oodham Nation  along with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity and Archaeology Southwest  sued the U.S. Interior Department and then-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in 2024. They argued that the agency failed to properly consult with the tribes on a historic property designation for southern Arizonas San Pedro Valley.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a lower court erred in dismissing the case last year and ordered the matter to be reconsidered.

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The panel concluded the plaintiffs raised a plausible claim that a proper consultation would have resulted in the valley being designated as a historic property and that the agency was required to identify historic properties that would be affected and ensure any adverse effects would be avoided, minimized or mitigated before authorizing construction.

The Tohono Oodham Nation had vowed when the case was dismissed to pursue all legal avenues for protecting land that it and other tribes consider sacred. Tribal Chairman Verlon Jose reiterated that the tribe will continue to fight for its rights and that Tuesday's ruling marked an important victory in the long-running dispute.

The Tohono Oodham Nation supports clean, renewable energy  when it is done the right way, Jose said in a statement. With the SunZia project, the federal government failed to work with tribes to protect our cultural resources as required by law."

The valley represents a 50-mile (80-kilometer) stretch of the planned 550-mile (885-kilometer) conduit. The route is expected to carry electricity from wind farms in central New Mexico to existing transmission lines in Arizona to serve populated areas as far away as California. The project was among those touted as an important part of former President Joe Bidens goal for a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.

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Construction in the San Pedro Valley already is complete, said Matt Dallas, a SunZia spokesperson.

We are reviewing the opinion, and SunZia remains on track for commercial operation in 2026. Dallas said.

In response to questions about the latest ruling and whether the federal government was in discussions with the tribes, Interior spokeswoman J. Elizabeth Peace said the department doesnt comment on pending litigation.

Peace did say the agency remains committed to stewarding our natural and cultural resources, honoring tribal trust responsibilities and managing public lands for all Americans.

President Donald Trump in recent weeks has signed a number of executive orders promoting domestic energy production and has cited the need for reliability of the nation's electric grid amid growing demand driven partly by data centers and artificial intelligence.
A federal appeals court on Thursday temporarily stayed a trade court ruling that blocked most of President Donald Trumps tariffs.

The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit came after the Trump administration earlier told the court that it would ask the Supreme Court for emergency relief as soon as Friday absent a pause in the tariff ruling.

The administration is now expected to argue that it is granted broad powers under the law to levy tariffs and other duties.

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The stay follows a decision Wednesday night by the U.S. Court of International Trade that temporarily blocked the tariffs as unconstitutional while it considers legal challenges.





The trade court of three judges which included a Trump appointee held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give the president unlimited powers to enact tariffs and other duties.

The Trump administration filed an appeal shortly after that judgment.

Analysts have pointed out that the trade courts decision does not apply to tariffs on aluminum, automobiles and parts, which Trump applied under a different authority.





The post Appeals court stays ruling that blocked Trump tariffs appeared first on FreightWaves.
ARDMORE, Tenn. (WHNT)  City leaders in Ardmore, Tennessee announced that Vice Mayor Wayne Harvell has passed away.

According to the city, Harvell was also a reserve police officer and a chaplain for many years.

Wayne loved the Ardmore Community and always had its best interests at heart. We will miss him but we no he has no more pain and is walking the streets of gold. Fly high dear friend.

Services will be held Saturday, June 7 at West Hobbs Street Church of Christ in Athens, Alabama.

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Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:30 pm.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Argentina has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization, deepening a growing rift between Western populists and the U.N.s leading global health agency.

The ratification of Argentinas withdrawal was confirmed Monday during the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s visit to Buenos Aires. This action follows a February announcement by President Javier Milei, echoing the re-election campaign promises of President Donald J. Trump, who reentered the White House in January and immediately reinstated plans to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO.

The WHOs prescriptions do not work because they are not based on science but on political interests and bureaucratic structures, Mileis government said in a statement on May 26, as reported by The Guardian.

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Kennedy now says that both governments aim to construct a new international health architecture, grounded in what they call gold-standard science and national sovereignty.

I had a wonderful meeting with Argentine President @JMilei about our nations mutual withdrawal from the WHO and the creation of an alternative international health system based on gold-standard science and free from totalitarian impulses, corruption, and political control. pic.twitter.com/08VLQgxrgK  Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) May 27, 2025

A Joint Vision

In a joint statement released on May 27 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Argentinas Ministry of Health, Kennedy and his Argentine counterpart, Mario Lugones, said the WHO had failed to provide critical access to information and accused it of allowing political agendas to compromise scientific judgment.

Our shared commitment is to cost-effective, evidence-based public health interventions, the statement read, adding that the WHOs structure is increasingly reliant on voluntary contributions and vulnerable to the influence of non-scientific agendas.

Echoes of Trumps First Term

Argentinas move and Kennedys rhetoric mirror former President Trumps first break with the WHO in April 2020. At that time, Trump suspended funding and accused the agency of severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus, particularly its early reluctance to support travel bans from China, Politico reported.

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The United States was the WHOs largest donor at the time, reportedly providing over $400 million annually. The funding halt was met with fierce backlash from some in the medical community and Democratic lawmakers. Then-AMA President Patrice Harris warned the decision would undercut global efforts to combat the pandemic, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it an act of true senselessness.

Though President Joe Biden restored WHO membership after taking office in 2021, Trumps second administration reversed that decision within hours of inauguration in January 2025. An executive order posted to the White House website on January 20 stated the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States and fails to demonstrate independence from inappropriate political influence.

The order also called for the reassignment of U.S. personnel working with the WHO and pledged a review of all agreements related to the WHOs proposed Pandemic Accord and International Health Regulations.

A Divided West, a Shifting Landscape

Kennedy, who addressed the WHOs World Health Assembly via video last week, urged more countries to exit the agency, alleging undue influence from China, gender ideology, and the pharmaceutical industry, per The Guardian.

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Skepticism of the WHO has been growing in the United States since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the organization supported school closures in places like Iran, despite the relative lack of risk COVID posed to children.

In his May 20 video post, Kennedy said the WHO has become mired in bureaucratic bloat, entrenched paradigms, conflicts of interest, and international power politics, and that its failures during COVID should serve as a wake-up call.

Public support for WHO reform or withdrawal has found new allies, including activists like Diane Cotter, who thanked Kennedy in a reply on X, writing: We saw this firsthand when leading PFAS scientists discovered WHO was influenced by the cancer club I await our turn at bat to expose the firefighter serial killer. Cotter has campaigned against PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear, a cause Kennedy has previously supported.

Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a Houston-based ENT who made headlines for opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, responded to Kennedys May 20 post with a series of clapping hand emojis.

Global Health in Flux

Argentinas health minister, Lugones, echoed Kennedys call for a fresh start, saying the two nations would strengthen transparency and trust in the health system through bilateral cooperation.

Both nations now aim to rally others behind their cause. [We] invite all nations committed to scientific integrity, transparency, and the defense of human dignity to join us in shaping a new era of global health cooperation, their joint statement declared.
Photo by Andrii Koval | Getty Images

Republicans and a small group of Democrats in the Arizona Legislature want to let parents sue teachers for teaching antisemitism, but the measure they passed Wednesday uses a controversial definition of the word that encompasses some criticisms of Israel.

Legislators who supported the bill said it was necessary to address increased antisemitism on school campuses. But those who opposed it said that it infringed on First Amendment free speech rights and would create a chilling effect for teachers wishing to educate students about the war in Gaza and the complicated history leading up to it.

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House Bill 2867 would ban Arizonas public K-12 teachers and university professors from teaching antisemitism in their classrooms, schools from providing antisemitic professional development. And it would bar teachers, administrators and volunteers from taking money intended to teach students antisemitism.

Sponsored by Rep. Michael Way, R-Queen Creek, the bill would also allow students or their parents to bring a civil lawsuit against teachers who they claim violated the law. The legislation would require them to be held personally liable for damages, exempting antisemitism from laws that generally shield teachers from being sued for what they teach in the classroom.

Multiple Democratic legislators argued that this would put teachers at risk of losing their assets, including their homes, to defend themselves against allegations that they taught antisemitism. And it could make them targets of people wishing to use the law maliciously.

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Instances of antisemitism and Islamophobia in the United States both skyrocketed after Hamass brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israel that left more than 1,200 dead and 240 kidnapped and prompted a violent response from Israel. That retaliation has now lasted more than two years and has resulted in the deaths of more than 53,939 Gazans, including at least 16,500 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Reported incidents of antisemitism in Arizona increased eightfold from 2019 to 2023, according to the Anti-Defamation League, but decreased from 2023 to 2024. While the number of overall instances of antisemitism decreased, instances of assault and vandalism increased.

But the ADL has been criticized for changes it made in 2023 to its annual antisemitism tracking that classify all pro-Palestine activity as antisemitism.

In 2024 the Council on American-Islamic Relations received more than 8,600 complaints of Islamophobia across the country, the most since it began reporting them 20 years ago. Nationally, in 2024 the ADL reported more than 9,300 instances of antisemitism, a 5% increase from the previous year.

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It is part of a broader effort to falsely and slanderously associate advocating for Palestinian human rights with antisemitism, which is a dangerous and offensive conflation.

 Sen. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix

Listening today, it seems to me that some people dont even want to admit that it exists, said Sen. Hildy Angius, R-Bullhead City, before voting in favor of the bill on May 28. And it does exist, and its getting worse and worse and worse.

Angius, who is Jewish, said that President Donald Trumps support for Israel has given her hope.

Trump has long been criticized for associating with antisemites and trafficking in antisemitic rhetoric, including declaring that all Jewish people must be loyal first to Israel. His administration has hired a number of people who have close ties to antisemitic extremists, and Trump dined with Holocaust denier and white nationalist Nick Fuentes in 2022.

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Nearly every Democrat who spoke against the bill, including two who are married to Jewish men, condemned antisemitism, but said that Ways proposal was a flawed way to combat it.

One of those Democrats, Sen. Mitzi Epstein of Tempe, proposed an amendment to ban the teaching of various other types of discrimination, remove personal civil liability for teachers and apply the law to both public and private schools.

This would stop any kind of discrimination from being taught, and that, I think, is very important rather than to single out one kind of discrimination, Epstein, a former school board member, said.

She added that, because the state now provides significant funding for private K-12 schools through the universal voucher program, taxpayers have an interest in ensuring those schools dont teach discrimination, just like public schools.

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Her proposal was voted down along party lines.

Its not clear that the bill even solves a real problem. Epstein said that she had for over a month asked House Bill 2867s supporters for examples of K-12 teachers in Arizona schools providing antisemitic instruction, but none were ever provided.

Ive not heard of any specifically, said J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, who nonetheless backed the bill. Its a fair question to ask.

Epstein repeatedly objected to comments from Republican Sen. John Kavanagh, of Fountain Hills, when he implied that Democrats who voted against the bill must support some of the examples of antisemitism outlined in the definition of the word used in the bill.

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Senate President Pro Tem T.J. Shope threatened to kick Epstein out of the room for her repeated interruptions because he said she didnt properly cite a Senate rule that Kavanagh had broken.

Im curious which of these six (examples of antisemitism) those voting against this bill people think (teachers) should be able to do, Kavanagh said.

Ways bill uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, which includes 11 examples. In 2022, Arizona added the IHRAs definition into state law.

The examples that Kavanagh listed included advocating for Jewish genocide, Holocaust denial and making dehumanizing or demonizing comments about Jews or the collective power of Jewish people.

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But Kavanagh left out examples in the definition that helped to spur 100 human rights groups, including numerous Jewish organizations and groups located in Israel, to ask the United Nations not to use that same definition.

Those examples included claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour, which the groups said had been used to label anyone who criticizes Israel as antisemitic.

Even Ken Stern, who helped to draft the definition 20 years ago when he was the American Jewish Committees antisemitism expert, now advocates against its use in legal matters, arguing that it has been used as a blunt instrument to label anyone an antisemite.

Listening today, it seems to me that some people don't even want to admit that it exists. And it does exist, and it's getting worse and worse and worse.

 Sen. Hildy Angius, R-Bullhead City

Democratic Sen. Analise Ortiz, of Phoenix, said that HB2867 shamefully uses antisemitism to attack the free speech of teachers, administrators and students.

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It is part of a broader effort to falsely and slanderously associate advocating for Palestinian human rights with antisemitism, which is a dangerous and offensive conflation, Ortiz said.

She added that the bill discriminates based on viewpoint, favoring speech supportive of Israels actions over speech that is critical of Israels actions, which Ortiz said violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

Ortiz questioned whether lawmakers really wanted to pass a bill that would likely land the state in the middle of a lawsuit questioning its constitutionality. Mesnard said that amendments to the bill had quelled any First Amendment issues  but he also claimed that teaching did not count as protected speech, a notion that Democrats disagreed with.

During a Feb. 18 House Education Committee hearing on the bill, Rowan Imran, a member of the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance, said that her family lives in the West Bank where they must navigate military checkpoints, tear gas and road closures just to get to work or access medical care.

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This bill explicitly states that discussions about Israel are protected, while discussions about Israeli policies oppressing Palestinians could be criminalized, Imran said. Why? Why are we prioritizing the protection of discussions about a foreign nation in American classrooms while silencing the lived realities of Palestinian Americans?

Imran questioned whether her children would be accused of antisemitism at school if they talked about the experiences of their grandfather in the West Bank or if they talked about the existence of Palestine.

During the same committee hearing, Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, who founded Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale, argued that chants of Free Palestine and From the river to the sea and any attack on Israels very right to exist are nothing but pure, evil, disgusting and intolerable antisemitism.

During a December 2023 meeting of the Arizona House Committee on Anti Semitism in Education, Allouche urged members to pass legislation that would grossly violate First Amendment rights by banning antisemitism and Jewish hatred from every platform, including from campuses, newspapers and social media  even in private conversations.

The meeting was held after Jewish students faced increased antisemitism on college campuses in Arizona, following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and its aftermath.

But the instances of harassment that students spoke about during the hearing were at the hands of other students, not teachers. The students who were harassed also said administrators response to their reports of antisemitism were disappointing.

Michael Goldstein, a retired attorney from Ohio who has a history of writing legislation there and in Tennessee, brought the bill proposal to Way, saying that he aimed to combat the Muslim Brotherhoods goal of indoctrinating U.S. students in the teachings of Islam and antisemitism. The Muslim Brotherhood has little to no presence in America, and there is no evidence of widespread systematic indoctrination programs in U.S. schools.

House Bill 2867 was approved by the state Senate May 28 by a vote of 16-12, with Republican Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, the lone Republican who voted against the bill alongside Democrats.

The bill already made it through the House on March 3 by a vote of 38-20 with a handful of Democrats joining Republicans in support, including sisters Alma and Consuelo Hernandez, who are both Jewish and have a history of support for Israel and advocacy for expanding laws to combat antisemitism.

The bill now goes back to the House of Representatives for a final vote on amendments made in the Senate. If it passes that chamber again, it will go to Gov. Katie Hobbs.

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Voters wait in line at a polling station at the Guadalupe Mercado shopping mall in Guadalupe, Arizona.

Joshua Lott // The Washington Post via Getty Images

Voters wait in line at a polling station at the Guadalupe Mercado shopping mall in Guadalupe, Arizona. - Joshua Lott // The Washington Post via Getty Images

Arizona voters face more scrutiny of their citizenship and residency after judge upholds 2022 laws

Arizona election officials will begin frequently checking voters' U.S. citizenship and requiring voters to submit proof of residency when they register, under new laws upheld by a federal judge in early May.

Under those laws, if the citizenship checks show that someone has an ID typically given to someone who is not a U.S. citizen, they will be barred from registering to vote, or will be kicked off the rolls. And if new registrants don't provide documents proving they live in the state, they won't be able to vote in state and local elections.

While voting by non-citizens in Arizona rarely happens, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton concluded in her ruling, the new laws could help prevent it, and they wouldn't pose an overly burdensome barrier to voting.

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The investigations are likely to disproportionately involve voters of lower socioeconomic status and naturalized citizens, Bolton found, but she said they aren't inherently discriminatory. A Votebeat analysis found the laws are also likely to disproportionately affect younger voters and voters who live on college campuses, who often register to vote without providing documents proving residency or citizenship.

Bolton's ruling comes after long and complex litigation over two laws, HB2243 and HB2492, enacted by Republican state lawmakers and Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in 2022, that supporters said would help keep noncitizens from voting. Several voting rights groups, including those representing Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American voters, sued, alleging that the laws were discriminatory and violated federal voting rights laws.

Bolton's ruling follows a preliminary ruling in September and a 10-day trial in December. Taken together, her two rulings blocked the most restrictive elements of the new laws. For that reason, the Republican-controlled state Senate is likely to appeal Bolton's decision, according to a Senate spokesperson. It's unclear whether voting rights groups will, too.

Most significantly, Bolton's September ruling blocked any provision that further limits voting for those who haven't provided documented proof of citizenship, including provisions that would have prohibited them from voting for president or by mail.

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With the new ruling, the judge also blocked a provision that would have required voters to provide their birthplace when they register to vote, explaining that the information isn't a reliable or useful way to determine someone's voting eligibility. And she will not allow counties to investigate citizenship on the basis that a recorder had "reason to believe" that the voter was not a citizen, finding that the way the law is written would discriminate against naturalized citizens.

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes celebrated Bolton's ruling, saying in a statement that it "dismantles a blatant attempt to suppress the votes of Arizona's diverse electorate."

Bolton's rulings preserve the state's unique split voting system, which limits voters to voting in federal elections if they haven't provided documented proof of citizenship. That's because federal law doesn't require this documentation, but state law does. There are about 32,000 "federal only" voters in the state who haven't provided documented proof of citizenship.

It's unclear when election officials will begin using the new methods outlined in the law to verify residency and citizenship, and when the monthly citizenship checks will begin. Fontes wrote in a Elections Procedures Manual finalized in December that any program to systematically cancel registration records, such as the new monthly checks, should occur "at least 90 days before a primary or general election."

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Fontes' office did not respond when asked when the new procedures would begin.

Ruling finds voter citizenship checks are not discriminatory

Bolton wrote in her ruling that it is not illegal or discriminatory for the state to require county recorders to conduct initial and monthly investigations of voters' U.S. citizenship status and cancel registrations of voters who they confirm are not citizens.

While recorders already examine citizenship records when someone registers to voteusing records from the state Motor Vehicle Division and a federal immigration database, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Systemthe new law requires them to also use other databases to do these checks. If they see that the person has an ID that is issued only to noncitizens, such as a USCIS number, they must not process their registration. They also are required to send a list of these voters to the state attorney general for investigation.

The voting rights groups that sued the state told Bolton that these rules would require officials to rely on faulty or old databases that would likely incorrectly flag citizens, especially newly naturalized ones, resulting in the disenfranchisement of eligible voters and an uneven system around the state.

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Bolton in her ruling said that the databases are generally reliable, if not fully up to date.

Fontes issues rules for recorders as new laws go into effect

Fontes' new Elections Procedures Manual outlined rules about the new laws, including instructions apparently meant to protect eligible voters from being removed from the rolls as citizenship checks happen.

For example, he told county recorders they have to notify the voter that their registration will be rejected, and give them until the next election to send in documents correcting the record.

He also told recorders that they have no obligation to use other databases named in the new laws, such as the Social Security Administration database, because they don't have access to them currently, and the new laws only require them to do so "when practicable."

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The Arizona Republican Party and the Republican National Committee have challenged that instruction in a sweeping lawsuit, which claims Fontes' manual conflicts with state law and should be thrown out.

The new monthly investigations will work like this: The Motor Vehicle Division will send the Secretary of State's Office a monthly list of anyone who updates their address, moves out of state, or obtains a state ID given to non-citizens. The secretary of state will sort the list by county and send it to county recorders, who must use it and other databases to identify ineligible voters on their rolls. Voters will have their registration canceled only if the check shows that they have a noncitizen ID. If recorders just can't find documents proving citizenship, those voters will be barred from state and local elections, but remain on the rolls for federal elections only.

The rules still leave open the possibility that an eligible voter could be restricted from voting: Just because someone has a noncitizen ID doesn't mean they are not citizens. A naturalized citizen, for example, might have not yet updated their records with the state.

Michael McDonald, a political science professor at the University of Florida, analyzed Arizona's voter rolls and found that 6,084 full-ballot voters who have already provided documented proof of citizenship nonetheless also have a foreign identification card that would cause them to be flagged as noncitizens in the MVD database. These are naturalized citizens who appear to not have updated their state ID since becoming citizens, McDonald found.

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He also said the records show that 65 federal-only voters possess a foreign identification card or number.

Under the new laws, these voters would be immediately flagged for county recorders.

The new law also requires counties to immediately remove voters from the rolls when they tell the state through a jury-duty questionnaire that they are noncitizens.

Fontes in his manual told county recorders that the lists sent from the secretary of state and the juror questionnaires should not be taken as "confirmation" of noncitizenship. Recorders should still independently confirm this in other ways, he wrote, such as checking whether the voter has already provided documented proof of citizenship, checking other "relevant government databases," and in some cases, contacting the registrant directly.

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The Republican lawsuit challenging the manual claims that these instructions regarding jury notifications conflict with state law.

Fontes also used the manual to clarify that voters who registered in 2004, before the state law requiring documented proof of citizenship took effect, are exempt from providing the documentation.

Advocates for Native Americans, college students aired concerns

Bolton said she heard concerns from advocates for Native Americans that the new requirement for document proof of residency could disenfranchise residents of reservations where addresses may not have conventional street names or building numbers.

But Fontes clarified in his manual that the law doesn't require tribal members or other Arizona residents to have a standard street address.

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Advocates for student voters, meanwhile, told Bolton that the proof-of-residency requirement would disenfranchise Arizona college students from out of statewho aren't likely to have an in-state IDby prohibiting them from voting in state and local elections.

"That's the problem," Kyle Nitschke, co-executive director of the Arizona Students' Association, told Bolton in December. "They don't have that proof of residency. They don't have an in-state driver's license. They don't have a utility bill that matches with their dorm address  They really don't have proof that they are living at the dorm they are living at a lot of the time."

Bolton found that the state's requirements for proof of residency and citizenship are not overly burdensome.

This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
The Arkansas State Board of Education held a special meeting at the Blytheville School District on May 29, 2025. (Screenshot from livestream)

The Arkansas State Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to dissolve the Blytheville School Board and place the district under a Level 5-Intensive Support classification due to ongoing academic, financial and administrative issues.

The board authorized Education Secretary Jacob Oliva to assume the boards duties, appoint a superintendent and pursue the possibility of a transformation contract, a provision of the LEARNS Act that allows struggling public schools to partner with an open-enrollment public charter school or another state board-approved entity to create a public school district transformation campus.

Oliva notified the board on May 8 of his intent to recommend the states highest support classification. He initially alerted the board to his concerns with the Northeast Arkansas school district last July.

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Over the last year, the Arkansas Department of Education has provided on-site support to the district, ADE Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith said at the state boards special meeting in Blytheville Thursday.

The district is one of the lowest-performing in the state, struggles with declining enrollment and has financial issues, Smith said. Fiscal year 2025 revenue is down by about 15%, and the district has spent $1.5 million that was not budgeted, she said.

Teachers and administrators have been receptive to the states help, and Blytheville has a bright future, but more assistance is needed, Smith said.

People are showing up, but this is a district that is in need of a lot of support to be able to get them out of the hole that theyre currently in, she said.

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Oliva notified the Blytheville School District of his recommendation of a Level 5-Intensive Support classification and the state boards special meeting via a letter dated May 14. An ongoing lack of a permanent superintendent, delayed staffing decisions and stalled hiring processes have led to organizational instability, weakened strategic planning efforts, and impeded the districts capacity to effectively support students and staff, according to the letter.

In addition to an absence of coherent leadership, the letter also cited inconsistent governance structure and chronic student underachievement.

The district appealed the recommendation in a May 21 letter, which prompted a hearing at Thursdays special meeting. The letter, signed by Interim Superintendent Jennnifer Blankenship and board President Desmond Hammett, argued the district has worked tirelessly to implement the education departments recommendations and demonstrated both measurable academic progress and consistent good faith efforts to comply with all directives.

Specific actions include hiring a school improvement consulting firm, increasing the number of fully licensed educators and assigning mentors to novice teachers, the district leaders wrote. The letter also rebuts chronic student underachievement, noting that one school improved from an F ranking to a C ranking in one academic year.

Let us know what you think...

Additionally, the districts letter takes issue with Olivas past characterization of it as a failure factory, which undermines the morale of educators and students, its authors said.

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It is difficult to accept the designation of Level 5-Intensive Support while actively doing everything we were advised to do, the letter states. Rather than punitive reclassification, we respectfully submit that BSDs path would be better supported by continued partnership, encouragement, and recognition of its progress.

The letters authors said they also strongly disagree with Olivas comments about a lack of coherent leadership and inconsistent governance.

Blytheville has had two full-time superintendents and three interim superintendents since 2018, Smith said at the state boards May 8 meeting. Blankenship was appointed as the current interim superintendent on June 12, 2024. She also served in the interim role from July through December 2021.

After the previous superintendent was officially terminated last August, the board reviewed candidates in late November and decided to keep Blankenship. A consulting firm hired in February presented two of 13 applicants in late April, but the board declined to interview them and reposted the position, Smith said.

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According to the districts letter, the board voted to delay interviews because it hadnt received certain requested information.

Unfortunately, the ADE observer left the meeting without seeking clarification, which may have inadvertently contributed to subsequent misunderstandings about governance stability, the letter states.

At Thursdays meeting, Hammett said the board didnt refuse to interview the two candidates, but instead extended the application deadline by two weeks to gather a larger pool of applicants.

Smith confirmed that Blythevilles school board decided at its May 22 meeting to interview three applicants. One interview was scheduled for Thursday, and Smith said she would be embarrassed to interview a superintendent on the same day that the state board is considering whether to dissolve the school board.

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While it may be embarrassing to some, Hammett said, the board was committed to continuing its work. Blytheville has only been working with the state for a year, Hammett said, and he believes the district can continue to improve.

The state boards discussion of Blythevilles circumstances at its May 8 meeting was disappointing and discouraging, but the school board rose to the challenge, he said.

We didnt tuck our tails, we didnt run away from the challenge, he said. We became more committed, more engaged to show that were not dysfunctional, that were willing to do the work.

Much of Thursdays discussion centered on frustration with the boards actions, or lack thereof. Oliva discussed frustration of how much we have to babysit the people that are elected to govern the district.

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Meanwhile, members of the public like Blytheville native Bradley Ballard requested the state board dissolve the school board before more damage is done.

This [mess] is the result of a board that is too prideful to lead and too fractured to function, Ballard said. We cannot keep pointing fingers while our children fall through the cracks. Today you have the power to stop this. You can cut through the chaos and bring order, accountability and hope back to our schools.

The state board granted his request and voted to dissolve Blythevilles school board and give the district a Level 5-Intensive Support classification. Blytheville joins four other districts that already have the states highest support classification  Earle, Lee County, Helena-West Helena and Marvell-Elaine.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas State Police troopers arrested a man who was at the center of a nationwide alert in Eudora.

According to ASP officials, state troopers arrested 40-year-old Richard Dewayne Pope Thursday. ASP officials said they were informed that Pope was considered dangerous and traveling through Chicot County on a motorcycle.

FBI offering $10,000 reward for information on Arkansas inmate escapee Grant Hardin

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State troopers said Pope was found at a convenience store on Highway 65 South in Eudora. ASP officials said he was taken to the Drew County Detention Center where he is awaiting extradition to Louisiana. Pope is from Oak Grove, Louisiana, officials said.

Pope is facing several charges including six counts of second-degree attempted murder, six counts of impeding a witness, insurance fraud, aggravated arson and obstruction of justice due to evidence destruction.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The U.S. Army says it is on schedule to retire the last of its turboprop-powered intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft by the end of this year. Prior to the start of these divestments in 2022, the service had dozens of crewed turboprop ISR planes spread across units in the United States and forward deployed overseas. There continues to be questions about forthcoming capability and capacity gaps, with business jet-based replacement aircraft still years away from entering service and recent reports that the Army could ultimately buy just six of them.

The divesture of the AISR [aerial ISR] legacy fleet is ongoing and will continue throughout 2025, a spokesperson for the Armys Program Executive Office for Aviation (PEO-A) confirmed to TWZ. The RC-12X, MC-12, and EO-5 fleets will be divested by the end of 2025. The divestment of the legacy AISR fleet has been ongoing since 2022.

The RC-12X, also known as the Guardrail Common Sensor (GRCS), is a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air-based ISR aircraft equipped with a signals intelligence (SIGINT) package and a ventral sensor turret with electro-optical and infrared full-motion video cameras. The RC-12X is the latest in a line of Guardrail variants with steadily improving capabilities, the first of which entered service in the 1970s and were staples during the Cold War. Prior to 2022, the Army had 14 GRCS aircraft, plus five RC-12X(T) pilot trainers with no sensors fitted.

A picture of an RC-12 in South Korea in 2023, which appears to be one of the RC-12X(T) pilot trainers. US Army

Also known as the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS), the Armys MC-12S planes first began entering service in the 2010s. The fleet is an amalgam of additional Beechcraft King Air types with a variety of sensor configurations, including still and full-motion video cameras, radar and laser imaging systems, and SIGINT suites, as you can read more about here. The bulk of the 24 EMARSS aircraft had previously supported U.S. military operations on a contractor-owned and operated basis.

An MC-12S EMARSS. US Army

It is unclear how many EO-5C Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Multifunction (ARL-M) aircraft, also known by the program name Crazy Hawk, were still in service by 2022 when the aerial ISR divestment process started. The Army had eight of the aircraft, which are based on the four-engine de Havilland Canada DHC-7, or Dash-7, in inventory at least as of 2015. Originally designated as RC-7Bs, the ARL-Ms first began entering service in the late 1990s.

An EO-5C ARL-M. US Army

The Army had previously planned to replace the EO-5Cs with RO-6A Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E) aircraft based on the more modern twin-engine de Havilland Canada DHC-8, or Dash-8. Just like the EMRASS fleet, a number of the ARL-Es had already been providing ISR support through private contractors before the Army acquired them. The service retired the RO-6As back in 2022.

An RO-6A ARL-E. US Army

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The AISR mission continues to use legacy aircraft until fully divested with Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated (COCO) aircraft bridging the gap until [the] High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) is operational, the PEO-A spokesperson also told us.  The COCO aircraft are Airborne Reconnaissance and Targeting Exploitation Multi-Mission Intelligence System (ARTEMIS), Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARES), and Army Theater Level High-Altitude Expeditionary Next-Generation ISR aircraft (ATHENA).

The forthcoming HADES aircraft, now designated the ME-11B, as well as the ARES and ATHENA contractor-operated types, are all based on Bombardier Global 6000/6500 business jets. The ARTEMIS planes are based on Bombardiers Challenger 600 series.

One of the contractor-owned and operated ATHENA jets based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500. MAG Aerospace/L3Harris

A contractor-owned and operated Bombardier Challenger 600-series ARTEMIS jet. US Army

The transition to business jet-based ISR platforms has been the Armys stated plan for years now. In general, compared to turboprop types, jet ISR aircraft offer increased range and speed, allowing them to reach operating areas further away, do so faster, and stay on station longer. Those capabilities allow them to be more readily transferred from one area to another, as well. The added performance could be particularly valuable for future operations across the broad expanses of the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, thanks to higher operating ceilings, they can provide a better perch for sensors to see from. The Army has also presented all of this as helping to reduce vulnerability to increasingly more capable threat air defenses.

The exact mix of sensors found on the ARTEMIS, ARES, and ATHENA aircraft is unclear, as is the planned configuration for the ME-11B. The HADES package will at least include Raytheons active electronically scanned array (AESA) Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System-2B (ASARS-2B). ASARS-2B, work on which first began as an upgrade for the U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane, can produce synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images that are highly detailed ground maps, and has ground moving target indicator (GMTI) functionality to spot and track vehicles on the ground. GMTI data can be used for various intelligence purposes, including establishing patterns of life or targeting, as well as be overlaid on top of SAR and other imagery to help refine collection areas.

A rendering of one of the Armys future ME-11B HADES jets. Bombardier Defense

The ME-11B is also shaping up to be much more than just a traditional ISR aircraft, with its capabilities also set to include the ability to launch drones, potentially with ranges up to 1,000 miles. HADES might be able to launch electronic and cyber warfare attacks, as well.

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While HADES is expected to rapidly deploy and provide deep-sensing capabilities, the task force is learning the aircraft could provide even more capability than it initially imagined, including the ability to disable enemy space-based capabilities, Defense News reported earlier this month, but did not elaborate.

The task force referred to here is the Armys Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Force. Andrew Evans, the ISR Task Forces director, had spoken to Defense News and other reporters about plans for HADES and other developments at the Army Aviation Association of Americas (AAAA) Mission Solutions Summit on May 15.

We are committed to building HADES in a way that unlocks maximum value for Army and Joint forces operating anywhere on the globe, including USINDOPACOM [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command] as the priority theater, Evans subsequently told TWZ in a statement. The manner in which we will interact with and affect adversarial capabilities operating in the land, sea, space, and cyber domains remains classified.

Overall, the Army is certainly presenting HADES as a major upgrade over its existing crewed turboprop ISR aircraft, but the first of the jets are not currently expected to enter service until 2027, at the earliest. In addition, serious questions remain about what the future ME-11B fleet will ultimately offer, not least of which due to its planned size. The service has said in the past that it could buy at least 12 of the jets, and potentially as many as 14 to 16. However, reports earlier this month, citing an internal Army memo, say that number could be slashed to just six as part of a larger force structure shakeup.

The first Bombardier Global 6500 set for conversion into an ME-11B HADES jet, which was delivered to the US Army in 2024. Bombardier

Just how survivable the non-stealthy ME-11Bs would really be during a future high-end fight, such as one in the Pacific against China, remains an open question, as well. The jets still have to be able to get close enough to designated target areas to bring their sensors to bear, and available line of sight could be a further limiting factor. The aircraft also have to remain on station for at least some amount of time to gather useful data, making them a prime target. The air defense threat ecosystem continues to evolve and expand, and the U.S. Air Force has said that it could include anti-air missiles with ranges of up to 1,000 miles by 2050.

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In the meantime, there continues to be significant demand across the U.S. military for aerial ISR support in hotspots where the airspace is largely permissive, especially in Africa and Latin America. There are also a variety of peacetime surveillance requirements, including on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe. Army turboprop surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft have historically played a major role in meeting these kinds of demands.

A snapshot of RC-12 Guardrail and EO-5C deployments outside of the United States in 2015. US Army

Aerial ISR has been a major component of stepped-up U.S. military support along the southern border with Mexico since President Donald Trump took office in January. U.S. Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joints and U-2 Dragon Ladies, and U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidons  all far higher-end platforms than the Armys turboprop ISR fleets  along with MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-4 Global Hawk drones, have been employed on border surveillance missions in recent months.

The Armys aerial ISR divestments also come at a time when U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is moving to cut its own fleets of U-28A Draco and MC-12-type turboprop ISR aircraft. SOCOM does plan to leverage the resources freed up by retiring the U-28As and the MC-12s to help field its new OA-1K Skyraider IIs, but has stressed it does not see the new light attack aircraft as direct replacements for the ISR types. This has raised separate questions about ISR capability and capacity gaps, which the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a Congressional watchdog, is now notably scrutinizing.

A special operations MC-12W, in front, and a U-28A, at rear. Air National Guard Andrew LaMoreaux

It is worth noting that the Armys future aerial ISR vision includes a mix of other capabilities beyond crewed fixed-wing aircraft, including high-altitude balloons and very high-flying drones with extreme endurance. The service has also been investing in new types of smaller and shorter-ranged drones for more localized surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. There is also a broader move across the U.S. military to push a variety of surveillance and reconnaissance functions that have traditionally been performed by aircraft into space, with a number of at least prototype systems already in orbit.

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As has been done for years, the Army could use contractors to fill any new capacity gaps. Private companies that provide aerial ISR services might seek to acquire the aircraft the Army is now divesting. The planes could also go to other U.S. government agencies, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which operate similar types.

The Army will scale capability solutions to match the threats and demands voiced by Army and Joint Force commanders around the world. Today we are demonstrating the ability to generate transformational sensing capability at a volume and velocity that holds our adversaries at-risk anywhere in the world, in any weather, any time, Army ISR Task Force Director Evans also told TWZ in response to a question about concerns about future ISR capacity gaps. The way we deliver on that commitment in the coming years may evolve, but our approach will always remain THREAT informed and SOLDIER-focused. We will ruthlessly prioritize investments to ensure that our Soldiers have this level of support when they need it most. Lethality starts with Intelligence, and the future of our nation depends on it.

If nothing else, the Army is now on track to see an end to an era by the close of this year with the complete retirement of its remaining RC-12X, MC-12S, and EO-5C aircraft.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
VIENTIANE, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Thunderstorms and heavy rain will affect many parts of Laos, with the weather bureau warning the public, especially in northern provinces, to stay cautious of continuous rain that may cause flash floods and landslides.

Many parts of Laos are forecast to experience thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain through Sunday, according to a report issued by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

In the north, thunderstorms with strong winds are expected, followed by light to moderate rainfall over the weekend.

Central and southern regions will remain hot throughout the week, with scattered thunderstorms and strong winds in some areas. The Bolaven Plateau will see thunderstorms, heavy rain, and occasional strong winds.

Meanwhile, in Lao capital Vientiane, hot weather is expected to persist, along with thunderstorms, rain, and occasional strong winds.

Residents and local authorities are advised to remain cautious, especially in northern provinces where prolonged rain could lead to flash floods and landslides. Everyone should be prepared for weather extremes and keep track of forecasts, the weather bureau said. 
As Russia's systematic destruction of Ukraine's cultural heritage continues amid the full-scale war, Ukraine's art community is seeking innovative, if not unconventional methods, to preserve their country's legacy  among them blockchain technology.

Officially launched in February 2025, the Ukrainian Fund of Digitized Art (UFDA) was conceived with a bold mission: to digitize Ukrainian art and transform them into non-fungible tokens, or NFTs that could be sold at auction.

The UFDA aims not only to preserve and share Ukrainian cultural heritage but to engage the global community in the fight for cultural preservation, as it reads on the organizations website.

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Currently, the UFDA has digitized more than 3,000 works by 60 artists, spanning both contemporary and classic Ukrainian art. The UFDA collaborates closely with artists, museum curators, and other cultural institutions to ensure each work is captured in ultra-high resolution.

We believe that in the world of digital information, what we do will become extremely valuable (in the art world) and this is what drives us, said UFDA advisor Petro Bondarevskyi. Bondarevskyi is an early supporter and minority investor in the Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine will make its mark and set the bar.

At the same time, while artists involved in the UFDAs digitization initiative applaud its achievements, they also acknowledge that it raises important, and sometimes even uncomfortable, questions about how art is perceived and valued in the digital age.

A need to refine digitization

Having come up in the museum world, Anna Filippova  founder and curator of UFDA  understood, perhaps more than most, the necessity of digital preservation done right.

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I observed a lot of very low-quality pictures of artists work, Fillippova told the Kyiv Independent.

Each artwork is captured in a single ultra-high-resolution shot, preserving the original light with exceptional dynamic range.

Thats why we first came up with the idea for this project back in 2021 with no name, no structure, no actual idea  except digitizing.

At the heart of UFDAs digitization process is Digital Light Capture Technology  a technique that uses a high-end camera and precision lighting to reveal each brushstroke in vivid, high-resolution detail. The final images are captured in ultra-high resolution, ranging from 100 to 400 megapixels, with rich 48-bit color depth.

A screenshot of the behind-the-scenes of UFDAs digitization process is Digital Light Capture Technology, a technique that uses a high-end camera and precision lighting to reveal each brushstroke in vivid, high-resolution detail. (Ukrainian Fund of Digitized Art)

Many digitization processes rely on digital stitching  taking multiple photographs and merging them into a single image. Thats not our approach, Bondarevskyi said.

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Each artwork is captured in a single ultra-high-resolution shot, preserving the original light with exceptional dynamic range.

The UFDA team, drawing on their roots in the art world, began reaching out to contemporary artists and museum curators with the idea to digitize their work for broader accessibility and preservation.

Can art thrive on blockchain?

With the introduction of Bitcoin in 2008, blockchain technology has upended the way many people think about ownership. At the forefront of this digital revolution are NFTs  one-of-a-kind digital certificates on the blockchain that verify ownership of everything from memes to masterpieces of art.

The UFDA emphasizes that neither the organization nor the artists receive financial gain from the sale of these digitized artworks. Instead, all proceeds are directed to support Ukrainian NGOs.

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When an artwork is purchased, the transaction is recorded on a blockchain  creating a digital counterpart to the physical piece, or more simply, a digital analogue, Bondarevskyi explained.

Buyers who purchase the NFT version of an artwork digitized by the UFDA own it for up to a century, but copyright of the artwork itself, like with the purchase of the physical painting, remains with the artist.

(The UFDAs mission) is a way to document our era through culture, which will undoubtedly influence the development of art research.

The move to tokenize these digital artworks as NFTs came later and remains somewhat tangential to the organizations main mission, according to Filippova. Yet, both efforts gained a sense of urgency amid Russias full-scale war, transforming what might have been a quiet digital experiment into a vital cultural response.

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Why pay for a digital version of an artwork instead of the original? The UFDAs response is simple: as the way people experience art shifts, so too should the way they own it.

Twenty years ago, many people insisted that cinema could only be truly experienced in a theatre, projected from film. Digital, they claimed, could never match it, Bondarevskyi said.

A screengrab of the behind-the-scenes of UFDAs digitization process is Digital Light Capture Technology. The final images are captured in ultra-high resolution  between 100 and 400 megapixels  with a rich 48-bit color depth. (Ukrainian Fund of Digitized Art)

Yet today, virtually every stage of filmmaking is digital: from shooting to post-production to projection. This shift in medium illustrates how technology transforms not just how we consume content, but how we value it. For some collectors, the enduring value and permanence of digital ownership is becoming just as meaningful."

While many artists involved in the UFDAs efforts recognize the clear benefits of creating a comprehensive digital archive  one that encourages collaboration and improved practices among artists, curators, and art historians  they also voice some reservations.

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Even though the profit of sales goes to benefit NGOs, the commercialization of these digital reproductions raises complex questions for some artists around authorship, artistic intent, and the broader commodification of art.

When the full-scale war began, the UFDA evacuated works from my studio and digitized everything they took. Im very grateful to them  they really helped me out several times. But now, Im not sure I would agree to digitize my most recent works, artist Kateryna Lysovenko told the Kyiv Independent.

It feels as though you suddenly have another version of your work  like a second body  that's become alienated from you. It takes on a life of its own, one you no longer understand or control. It's not yours anymore, yet you watch as it moves, not by your hand, going somewhere unknown. Still, it's fascinating to observe.

Artist Polina Shcherbyna, whose work was also evacuated to safety during the war by UFDA, told the Kyiv Independent that the archive ensures a digital copy of the piece can actually outlive the original which for her, during wartime, is especially important.

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This was the start of our collaboration, which has only strengthened and continues to develop, Shcherbyna told the Kyiv Independent. (The UFDAs mission) is a way to document our era through culture, which will undoubtedly influence the development of art research.

Read also: Russia killed Ukrainian author Victoria Amelina  but not her words or quest for justice

Urgency to act

The UFDA was officially launched three years into Russias full-scale war, against the backdrop of a systematic campaign targeting Ukraines cultural heritage  an assault defined by both deliberate destruction and calculated theft.

Russian forces have damaged or destroyed more than 1,400 cultural heritage sites and over 2,200 cultural facilities since the start of the full-scale war, according to the latest report released by the Culture Ministry in early April.

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The destruction is widespread, impacting an estimated 20% of settlements across the entire country. However, with almost no access to occupied territories and the front-line zones, the true extent of the damage to Ukraines cultural heritage is far greater than currently documented.

Aside from destruction, the Russian military has also been stealing Ukraines cultural heritage from the occupied territories.

In what has been recognized as the largest museum theft since World War II, Russian occupiers stole over 33,000 artworks and historical artifacts from two Kherson art museums in the fall of 2022.

A museum staffer stands in an empty storage room at an art museum in Kherson, Ukraine, on Dec. 8, 2022, following a campaign of plunder during the Russian occupation of the area. (Kyodo News via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independents War Crimes Investigations Unit identified in its documentary Curated Theft the Russian military officer and three Russian-appointed officials from occupied Crimea who were personally responsible for the theft.

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With all this in mind, the UFDA found it important not only to partner with contemporary artists but museums to safeguard during wartime the legacy of seminal Ukrainian artists whose work has defined the nations cultural identity.

The UFDA team has digitized 46 paintings from the Nykonor Onatskyi Regional Art Museum in Sumy, including works by 19th-century realist Mykola Pymonenko, known for capturing Ukrainian traditions and daily life.

The museum also includes standout works by 20th-century Ukrainian avant-garde artists like David Burliuk, Vasyl Krychevsky, and Oleksandr Bohomazov. Home to one of the most distinguished art collections in Ukraine, the museum now faces a growing threat due to Sumys close proximity to the Russian border.

Weve long known how exceptional their collection is, and in November 2023, we began our communication with them, Filippova said.

What stood out to us is the museums unique and nationally significant holdings, especially in light of its precarious situation: located near the border with the aggressor state, and not yet evacuated, the museum is under constant risk of destruction.

During a Russian missile strike on April 13 that devastated central Sumy, killing at least 35 and injuring 117, the museum was damaged. It was not the first time that the building was damaged in a Russian attack.

Ukrainian emergency workers search through rubble after a missile strike in Sumy, Ukraine, on April 14, 2025. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)

Knowing the history of so many of the Ukrainian artists whose work is held in the museum  and the tragic ends many of them met at the hands of Russian repression over the past centuries  casts a poignant shadow over the UFDAs mission, according to Filippova.

Each digitized Ukrainian artwork ensures that, even in the worst-case scenario where the physical version is stolen, damaged, or destroyed, the voices and visions of these artists will endure.

Their legacy, preserved through technology, is not only a testament to the cultural richness of Ukraines past, but a reminder that its survival is essential for the future to endure as well.

Given the bloody history of the Ukrainian avant-garde  a story of repeated erasure, exile, and neglect  we felt a strong sense of urgency (in the case with the paintings in the Sumy museum) not to allow yet another chapter of cultural eradication, Filippova said.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thank you for reading this article. You might have noticed that none of our reporting is behind a paywall  thats because we believe that now, more than ever, the world needs access to reliable reporting from the ground here in Ukraine. To keep our journalism going, we rely on our community of over 18,000 members, most of whom give just $5 a month. Were now aiming to reach 20,000 members, to prove that independent journalism can thrive, not just survive. Help us today.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) stood by President Trump and the GOPs big, beautiful bill Wednesday as she faced down raucous crowds and pointed questions from constituents at two town hall events in her district.

The town halls in Elkader and Decorah were the first large in-person forums the Iowa congress member has held since the House passed Trumps massive legislative tax and spending package last week, The Des Moines Register noted.

She defended the bill  as she was jeered, booed and called a liar and dismissed misinformation from Democrats who describe the bill as a tax cut for the rich.

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I dont know why you boo tax relief for you. I think its really important that you get to keep more of your own money, Hinson said to the crowd, touting the bill as an example of promises made, promises kept.

She said she was proud to have voted for the bill and later reassured a crowd member that Medicaid work requirements in the bill would not apply to those with disabilities.

The crowd got animated at mention of tech billionaire Elon Musks efforts to slash government spending at the Department of Government Efficiency, with one constituent saying its like giving a billionaire a chainsaw, the Register reported.

Im not only speaking for myself, but Im speaking for all of the veterans, all of the federal workers that are out there, the constituent said, according to the news outlet. People dont need a billionaire, like Musk, running our country.

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Hinson defended the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.

I think that Elon Musk came in and helped to join and lead a team of people who are actively working to find this waste, fraud and abuse every single day, she said, according to the Register.

Some of the things that they are discovering every day would make your skin crawl, she added.

At the Decorah town hall, one audience member asked Hinson about the Pentagon accepting a new luxury airliner from Qatar on Trumps behalf, and the president selling his own meme coin.

Could you help me understand why you are silent about this corruption? the crowd member asked Hinson.

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Hinson defended the Qatar jet deal as ethical and noted she and her husband sold public stocks when entering Congress to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Hinson pledged to continue holding town halls and continue being transparent, in a post after the event.

I will always tell you where I stand, she wrote in a post on X. I enjoyed hearing from constituents at my in-person town halls today and sharing more about my work with President Trump to secure the border and lower taxes for the middle-class. Thanks to everyone who came out  Ill continue to be accessible and transparent to you.

Hinson also noted some people at the town hall praised efforts by the Trump administration, criticizing news outlets for failing to include those remarks.

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Im not afraid to face anyone and defend the Trump agenda that is going to help Iowa families, farmers, & workers. Thats why I do town halls across the district, Hinson added in a subsequent post.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

The Central Molecular Zone, spanning 700 light-years across the heart of the galaxy, contains a majority of the dense gas in the Milky Way.

While analyzing this region with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international team of scientists discovered a slew of strange "slim filaments" unassociated with star-forming regions.

The filaments are likely part of what the researchers call "space tornadoes," which distributes material throughout the CMZ efficiently.

Its been little more than half a century since scientists first proposed that a supermassive black hole lies at the heart of the Milky Way. And in the decades since, weve discovered a remarkable amount about our particular corner of the universebut theres always more to learn.

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One area that remains a particular mystery is the Central Molecular Zone, or CMZ, which stretches some 700 light-years across at the heart of the galaxy. This region contains roughly 80 percent of all dense gas in the Milky Way, whichaccording to the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysicsaccounts for about tens of millions of solar masses of material. Home to giant molecular clouds and numerous star-forming clusters, the CMZ is a swirling mystery, and there is no other place in the galaxy like it.

Now, a new studyled by a team of astrophysicists drawing upon data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chileis adding another curiosity to this already head-scratching region of the galaxy: unexpected slim filaments that have left astronomers guessing at their origin. Details of this surprising discovery were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics .

An array of 66 radio telescopes located under the remarkably clear skies of the Chajnantor Plateau in the Atacama Desert, ALMA (as its name suggests) is particularly well suited to examining the CMZ thanks to its high angular resolution and its ability to trace certain molecules found in abundance in this region of space. Among those molecules is silicon oxide (SiO), which serves as a tracer for shockwaves in the CMZ. By tracing the spectral lines of SiO, astronomers can better understand this chaotic environmentand, as it turns out, discover previously unknown filament structures.

SiO is currently the only molecule that exclusively traces shocks, and the SiO 5-4 rotational transition is only detectable in shocked regions that have both relatively high densities and high temperatures, Kai Yang, lead author of the study from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said in a press statement. This makes it a particularly valuable tool for tracing shock-induced processes in the dense regions of the CMZ. When we checked the ALMA images showing the outflows, we noticed these long and narrow filaments spatially offset from any star-forming regions. Unlike any objects we know, these filaments really surprised us. Since then, we have been pondering what they are.

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Using the SiO emission lines (along with those of eight other molecules), the astronomers confirmed that their velocities were inconsistent with outflows, show no association with dust emission, and are in hydrostatic equilibriuma delicate balance between gravity and pressure. All these anomalous findings, packaged alongside insights like unlike any objects we know,  inspire fantasies of massive alien structures hiding out in the heart of our galaxy. But the astronomers have a more science-based explanation, and it is no less mesmerizing.

We can envision these as space tornados: they are violent streams of gas, they dissipate shortly, and they distribute materials into the environment efficiently, Xing Lu, a co-author of the study from Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, said in a press statement. Our research contributes to the fascinating Galactic Center landscape by uncovering these slim filaments as an important part of material circulation.

The authors theorize that these filaments may be part of a depletion-replenishment cycle at the heart of our galaxy. First, shock waves create these filaments. Then, as these filaments dissipate, they refuel shock-released material in the CMZ and freeze back into dust grains. As scientists delve deeper into the mysteries of these filamentsand if theyre as widespread as this particular ALMA sample would suggestthen we may have uncovered an important cyclic process that lies at the heart of our galaxy.

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After years of paying millions in taxpayer money to the City of Jacksonville for fire rescue services through the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, the City of Atlantic Beach is asking whether it should be paying at all.

The conversation came up in an Atlantic Beach City Commission meeting on April 28th, when Mayor Curtis Ford brought up his concerns with continuing the citys contract with JFRD.

Read: Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers set to retire, city confirms

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Fire services are a county service and, therefore, should be paid by the county, Ford said during the meeting.

City commissioners said Atlantic Beach pays more than $1 million every year to the City of Jacksonville for fire rescue services. The money is used for staffing, equipment, and fire engines inside of Atlantic Beachs fire station, which the city owns. But since Atlantic Beach leaders pointed out Neptune Beach doesnt pay a cent for fire services from the City of Jacksonville, it doesnt believe it should have to do so, either.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

We shouldnt have paid last year, that was my thinking, and I dont think we should pay another penny after this year, said Commissioner Jessica Ring during the April meeting.

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The contract for fire services between Atlantic Beach and the City of Jacksonville recently expired. Atlantic Beach leaders initially had a plan to slowly stop paying Jacksonville for fire services over the next three years. But Mayor Ford called the plan generous, saying he doesnt believe another dollar should be paid.

Im very concerned about this, and this is the time to take action, said Ford.

The City of Jacksonville could not provide an interview with Action News Jax, but did provide a statement:

Over the past year, the City of Jacksonville and City of Atlantic Beach have been reviewing the interlocal agreement between the two cities. These discussions are ongoing. No decision has been made yet about fire services. Mayors Deegan and Ford will be meeting soon to discuss further.

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We asked the city of Atlantic Beach how fires would be managed in the city if it were to cut its contract with JFRD. The city told us it is working on arranging an interview with us to help answer this question. The City of Jacksonville tells us the mayors of the two cities are expected to meet next week to discuss fire services.

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Immigration rights activists Angela Ferguson and Jimbo Gillcrist stand outside the Immigration Court in Kansas City, Missouri, a day after security personnel ordered the volunteers to stop distributing information about legal rights to immigrants arriving for court appointments. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Activist Jimbo Gillcrist helped volunteers hand out flyers on basic legal rights to people headed into immigration court until security guards ordered the group to exit an office-building lobby for allegedly solicitating visitors.

Im not asking for anything. Im not selling anything, said Gillcrist, a former theology teacher inspired to work on immigrant rights issues. They responded by saying, Well, its private property. They told me if I didnt leave right then, that theyd call the police. We were outside the building, and they came out there and told us to get completely off the property.

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Gillcrist asked immigration attorney Angela Ferguson to advocate for the ousted volunteers Wednesday as security staff moved to lock entrance doors and limit access to elevators used to reach immigration courtrooms in the building on Grand Boulevard. Initially, Ferguson wasnt permitted to enter the public courtroom.

If they can do this to me, and lock me out of my livelihood, what are they doing to people that they say have no rights? Ferguson said.

Judge Jayme Salinardi, one of several immigration judges hearing cases in Kansas City, descended from the fifth floor to intervene in the standoff so observers could regain courtroom access.

Supporters of an immigrant rights organization had protested Tuesday in Washington Square Park across the street from the court. Three immigrants were detained last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after appearing for immigration court appointments in Kansas City, Ferguson said.

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The intimidating tactic of ICE agents served to encourage immigrants to skip court hearings, she said.

They cannot pursue their right to protection, their right to asylum or they cant have a chance to get legal if they dont show up for court, she said. We want people to come to court and pursue what rights they do have. This is just the wrong way to go about it.

Expedited removal

On Thursday, Ferguson and Gillcrist returned to the immigration court building to resume sharing information on defendant rights. They did so outside the fifth-floor courtroom but with greater discretion by shrinking a green one-page document to a narrow strip of paper easily passed from person to person.

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Inside the courtroom, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security attorney asked Judge Salinardi to dismiss a handful of cases pending against people who were present to fight their removal so the stage could be set for expedited deportation of those individuals.

Salinardi declined to accept oral motions from DHS attorney Ian Tomasic and ruled each had to be submitted in writing by government lawyers.

The judge cautioned targeted immigrants, who resided in Dodge City, Kansas, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Wichita, Kansas, they each had a maximum of 10 days to respond to a motion after it was filed. Failure of a defendant to answer in a timely way could be viewed as abandonment of the case and open the door to swift departure from the United States, he said.

If you fail to appear at any immigration court hearing, youll be ordered deported in your absence, the judge said.

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Salinardi repeated general advice to immigrants appearing in his court: I recommend you find an attorney immediately. He urged immigrants to confirm authenticity of people portraying themselves as lawyers because con artists were a plague on the immigration system. Every week, I have people who are taken advantage of and I dont want that to happen, the judge said.

Getting blindsided

Immigration attorney Megan Galicia, who works for a private law firm and spent the morning observing the Kansas City immigration court proceedings, said Salinardis preference for written motions was useful to immigrants who continued to press asylum claims. If he had considered accepting the oral motions from Tomasic, she said, defendants representing themselves wouldnt have been prepared to respond.

He wants everything in writing, which is very consistent with the way he manages his dockets, Galicia said. Im very pleased to see this because this puts people in the best possible position to be able to fight this. What weve heard across the country is that people are really just getting blindsided when they walk into court.

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Galicia said most individuals counseled by the judge to hire an attorney wouldnt be able to secure legal representation. The Kansas City area, she said, had an insufficient supply of nonprofit legal organizations or attorneys willing to represent immigrant clients. In immigration cases, the federal government doesnt provide public defenders.

On this day, the judge did offer a briefing on immigration court. His attentive audience sat on church-like pews in the small courtroom and had benefit of an interpreters Spanish translation of the judges remarks.

You are before the court because you have violated immigration laws of the United States, Salinardi said. In your case, the court will set deadlines. If you miss those deadlines, youll lose the chance to file applications or evidence.
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles will meet with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts at an Asian security forum in Singapore, the first trilateral talks since elections in Australia and the Trump Administration took office.

Marles will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, from May 30-June 1, making his first foreign visit since the centre-left Labor government won an increased majority in national elections this month.

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Marles will meet Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, his office said on Thursday.

The annual trilateral meeting was last held in November in Darwin, Australia, where the three countries agreed to increase joint military exercises, intelligence and surveillance cooperation.

Marles met Hegseth in February in Washington to discuss the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership, under which Australia will make a $2 billion payment to the U.S. submarine industrial base this year.

U.S. President Donald Trump's Pentagon officials have urged Australia to lift defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product, although Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Thursday his government would lift to 2.4% and invest in capability and relationships in the region.

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Defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from around the world are expected to attend the summit.

Marles will speak on Saturday about proliferating risks in the region, his office said.

"The Government is committed to strengthening our global defence relationships, while deepening our diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific," Marles said in a statement.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst for defence, Euan Graham, said the primary challenge for Marles is "to convince Australia's security partners gathered in Singapore that the Australian Defence Force has enough capability to be credible in the near term, in case a regional crisis happens before AUKUS and other long-term investments can make a difference".

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Under the AUKUS timeline, an Australian and British-built nuclear-powered submarine will not arrive until 2040, while the purchase of Virginia-class submarines from the United States in 2032 is under a cloud because of production delays.

Graham, previously based in Singapore for the summit's organiser, said Australia also needs to "do more to actively support extended nuclear deterrence by the United States".

Australia has rebutted criticism from China that AUKUS undermines nuclear non-proliferation, by emphasising the submarines will be conventionally armed.

"Conventional deterrence has to join up with nuclear deterrence to be credible," Graham said.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Saad Sayeed)
VIDEO: Arkansas Department of Corrections gives Wednesday afternoon update on Izard County escapee

FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark.  Faulkner County authorities said deputies assisted United States marshals and Department of Corrections personnel in a search on Wednesday following a tip of a reported sighting of an inmate who escaped from a north Arkansas prison.

Arkansas Department of Corrections officials said authorities responded to Faulkner County on Wednesday after receiving a tip of a possible sighting of Grant Hardin.

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Gateway mayor and murder victims sister reacts to Arkansas inmate escape

Officials with the Faulkner County Sheriffs Office said deputies searched the area between Damascus and Greenbrier after receiving a potential lead on a sighting of Hardin on Sunday evening.

FCSO officials said they have cleared the area and are continuing to investigate the validity of the lead.

We join all law enforcement agencies across the state in asking citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement personnel, FCSO officials said.

Escaped Arkansas prison inmate was let out by corrections officer, court filing says

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Hardin, who was serving a 30-year sentence for murder and rape, escaped Izard Countys North Central Unit prison on Sunday night by walking through the units main security entrance while dressed in clothing mimicking a law enforcement officers appearance.

Anyone who sees Hardin is asked to call 911 or the FCSO at 501-450-4917

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Another person faces charges in the sprawling $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud case after she allegedly tried to flee the U.S. following a raid at a St. Paul office federal authorities say is tied to the scheme.

Hibo Daar, 50, of Eden Prairie, is the 71st person to face charges in the case after her arrest Sunday by federal authorities at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. She remained in custody Wednesday night ahead of a Friday hearing before a federal judge in Minneapolis.

Daar had bought tickets to Dubai the same day media reports publicized an FBI raid at an office suspected of connections to Feeding Our Future, prosecutors allege in a criminal complaint unsealed this week in Minnesota U.S. District Court.

Search of St. Paul nonprofit

The FBI served a search warrant at the offices of the New Vision Foundation at 860 Vandalia St. in St. Paul last week, a nonprofit with ties to Feeding Our Future, Minnesota Public Radio reported. The court documents do not directly tie Daar to the foundation.

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Daar was a target in the overall Feeding Our Future investigation, according to the federal complaint. Law enforcement first contacted her about the investigation in April 2025 in connection with a federal grand jury investigation.

Federal prosecutors say the now-defunct Feeding Our Future nonprofit collected payments for millions of meals that partner groups never served during the pandemic. The organization has been shut down since the FBI raided its offices in January 2022. Prosecutors described it as the largest instance of federal pandemic aid fraud.

Daars meal site, Northside Wellness, collected about $1.8 million from Feeding Our Future, but only spent about $2,000 on food, prosecutors allege. It started operating in November 2020. By January 2021, forms filed by the group claimed it fed more than 50,000 children.

The numbers continued to grow. At one point, Northside claimed to be feeding 40,000 meals to children per week. In April 2021, it reported serving 5,600 meals a day. Daar signed off on the forms and emailed claims to convicted Feeding Our Future ringleader Aimee Bock, according to the complaint.

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Rather than serve meals, Northside made payments to Daar and others, according to the complaint. Daar received about $110,000 from the group, federal authorities allege.

Target of investigation

When authorities started communicating with Daar this spring, they told her she likely was a target in the investigation and could face criminal charges, according to the complaint.

When news broke of the search at New Vision Foundation, she bought a ticket to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates which was scheduled to depart on May 25 and return on June 2.

FBI Special Agent Travis Wilmer wrote in the complaint that, based on his experience, people buying round-trip tickets will sometimes do so to hide the fact that they do not intend to return.

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Daar faces a wire fraud charge and remains in federal custody at the Sherburne County Jail ahead of a detention hearing Friday. Her attorney couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz ordered she remain in custody at her initial appearance on Tuesday.

Besides Daar, federal authorities have charged 70 people in the case since September 2022. As of March, 37 had pleaded guilty; seven, including Bock, were convicted at trial; and two have been acquitted.

A 2024 review by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor found inadequate oversight at the Minnesota Department of Education created an opportunity for massive fraud to take place.

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Im an attorney, a political commentator, and an immigrant who came to America as an international student in 2008, when I was just 14 years old. In Trumps America, all of these basic facts about my identity fill me with dread.

This year, since assuming office on January 20, President Donald Trump has set about attempting to rapidly dismantle our democracy through an endless stream of executive orders, policy decisions, and blatantly unconstitutional actions and announcements. His strategy to flood the zone is meant to ensure were too overwhelmed by information to resist, challenge, or even address it all  and it is frighteningly effective. Trump has already completed many of the proposals laid out in Project 2025, the right-wing road map for his administration.

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Among many other things, Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of all January 6 insurrectionists; thrown the economy into turmoil with ridiculous tariffs; weaponized Civil Rights era legislation to go after colleges and institutions with policies, scholarships, curricula, or events designed to advance diversity; terminated thousands of workers across the federal government; moved to revoke the legal status of 532,000 Cuban, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Haitian immigrants; dispatched Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to college campuses to target and effectively kidnap international students over their political speech; detained and deported documented and undocumented immigrants, as well as US citizens, without due process; sent immigrants to Guantanamo Bay; signed an executive order ending the constitutional right to birthright citizenship, which has gone before the Supreme Court; threatened and intimidated law firms and judges who do anything he doesnt like; ignored Supreme Court orders to return wrongfully deported people; and posted the private address of the family of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to a Salvadoran mega-prison.

Trump has made clear that he has no regard for the Constitution or its checks and balances, and that those who challenge him can be arrested or deported. Fascism is not on the rise, its here  and Im angry about it. But there's a James Baldwin quote Ive been quietly repeating to myself over and over since Inauguration Day: You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.

Five years ago Americans watched in horror as Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on George Floyds neck for nine minutes as he pleaded for his life, cried out for his mother, and took his last breath. Police killed at least 1,159 people in 2020, but the murder of George Floyd resulted in what became arguably the largest civil rights movement in American history.

In the summer of 2020, amid a deadly pandemic, tens of millions of us took to the streets in more than 550 places nationwide to protest not just the murder of George Floyd, but police brutality, inflated police budgets, the prison industrial complex, the police state, and the criminal justice system at large.

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Some people romanticize the 2020 protests and Chauvins conviction for what they believe they represent: proof of a turning point in American history; of Americans finally calling for the dismantling of an oppressive institution. They focus on our collective action and what they believe it accomplished, not the states response to it.

When I think about the 2020 protests, however, I dont just think about George Floyd or the conviction of Chauvin; I think about the killings of Breonna Taylor, Dreasjohn Reed, MaKhia Bryant, and Ahmaud Arbery. I make sure that I think about the many protesters who received excessive charges for exercising their rights. I think about protesters being teargassed and beaten with police batons. I think about the people killed by police at the protests against police brutality, like David McAtee. I think about Kyle Rittenhouse shooting protesters and being turned into a celebrity.

It's important to reflect, not just on our collective actions, but the states violent response to them  the consequences and the backlash that always follow. Our collective actions are part of an ongoing struggle and resistance, not a final resting place. There will always be a response. The powers that be wont simply acquiesce to our requests without a fight, no matter how many of us protest.

But so many of the people protesting for the first time in 2020 didnt know that. So, in 2021, when we saw police budgets increase and people like tough-on-crime former New York Police Department officer Eric Adams get elected city mayor, they perceived these as fatal blows to the movement, proof that we were failing. I wasnt discouraged, though, because I remembered 2014s Ferguson protests, after 18-year-old Mike Brown was killed by police. I remembered the backlash, the sheer number of activists who were overcharged, imprisoned, or mysteriously died.

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I expected the backlash to 2020, and I wasnt discouraged about our potential to overcome it because Ive seen it before. I know how we resist  or, at least, that we can resist.

So, when I see Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, Rumeysa Ozturk, and Mahmoud Khalil get taken by ICE without due process  although Im heartbroken and terrified about whats happening and whats to come  I have to remind myself of that Baldwin quote. It tells me that weve been here before, that we are familiar with the America Donald Trump wants us to live in, and the tools he wants to use to oppress us.

Trump has only ever promised to move America backwards. Make America Great Again has always meant returning to the past. It's a past where white men dominated; where the rights of women and people of color were restricted; where immigrants and LGBTQ+ people were villainized; and police were encouraged to take up arms against civilians. Trump and his fellow Americans are trying to take us back to the worst of where weve already been.

That's why knowing our history is more important now than ever before. Learning about the power and collective resistance of Black communities, of queer people, of labor organizers, and of immigrants provides us with a road map forward.

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Trump isnt creating a fascist new world, hes revitalizing a fascist old one that we have fought before  and thats as terrifying as it is familiar.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

More great activism coverage from Teen Vogue:
JERUSALEM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel has received a new Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages proposal via U.S. intermediaries, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Thursday.

The proposal, presented by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, includes a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in two phases, the report said, quoting a senior Israeli official.

In return, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, along with the bodies of 180 Palestinians, the official said.

The proposal does not require Israel to commit to ending its 19-month offensive in Gaza but requires that both Israel and Hamas engage in negotiations on a long-term truce.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar would serve as guarantors of the ceasefire deal.

Witkoff announced Washington's intention to submit the new proposal on Wednesday. Speaking at the White House alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, he expressed optimism about achieving a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution.

Hamas said on Wednesday that it had reached an understanding with Witkoff on a general ceasefire framework, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the release of 10 living hostages, the handover of several bodies and Palestinian prisoners, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the transfer of Gaza's governance to a technocratic committee.

Israel estimated that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. They were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive.

Israel ended a previous three-phase ceasefire deal in March, following two months of truce during which Hamas released 33 hostages. It declined to proceed with the second phase and resumed its assault on Gaza.

The death toll in Gaza from the Israeli attacks has reached at least 54,084 since the start of the offensive, said Gaza's health authorities on Monday. 
Andrew Bailey has urged Sir Keir Starmer to build closer links with the EU to counter the negative effects of Brexit and boost trade in the face of Donald Trumps tariffs.

The Governor of the Bank of England cheered the Prime Ministers deal with Brussels and said that more could be done to bolster commercial links across the Channel.

Just as the Windsor Agreement on trade involving the UK and Ireland was a welcome step forward, so too are the initiatives of the current UK Government to rebuild trade between the UK and EU, Mr Bailey told an audience in Dublin.

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His words risk being seen as controversial, as the Governors predecessor Mark Carney, who is now Prime Minister of Canada, frequently angered Brexit supporters through his perceived criticism of the decision to leave the EU.

Mr Bailey stressed that he take[s] no position on Brexit per se but was concerned with the economic implications.

If the level of trade is lowered by some action, it will have an effect to reduce productivity growth and thus overall growth. Just as tariffs, by increasing the cost, can reduce the scale of trade, the same goes for the type of non-tariff barrier that Brexit has created, the Governor said.

This does not mean that Brexit is wrong, because there can be other reasons for it, but it does suggest, I think powerfully, that we should do all we can to minimise negative effects on trade.

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His comments come after Sir Keir Starmer signed a reset deal with the EU, which will force the UK to follow European food standards and submit to the European Court of Justice.

The agreement means fewer customs checks on exports to EU nations, but was dismissed as the worst of both worlds by Brexiteers and Labour rebels.

Sir Keir has been criticised for agreeing to follow EU rules without having a say over their design, whilst also potentially imperilling a deal with the US by signing up to Brussels standards.

Mr Bailey urged the Prime Minister to go further than the reset deal and seek closer ties with the EU in financial markets.

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The scale of investment needed requires access to global capital, supported by open financial markets, he said.

As such, there is merit in seeking to increase the openness of our financial markets by reducing non-tariff barriers.

In the same speech, Mr Bailey also acknowledged there were problems in global trade that needed to be addressed.

He said Mr Trumps assault on the trading system was not wrong-headed and agreed with the US presidents claim that the international economy was suffering from unsustainable trade imbalances.

The Governor highlighted Mr Trumps argument that the rules of the world trade system  have broken down, pointing to Chinas vast use of subsidies as a factor driving imbalances.

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He cited research from the International Monetary Fund that shows Beijing has implemented thousands of support schemes for critical industries in recent years.

Mr Bailey said: While I am an unshaken believer in free trade, I do accept that the system has come under too much strain, we have to work hard now to rebuild it, and it is incorrect to dismiss those who argue for restrictions on trade as just wrong-headed.

We need to understand what lies behind these arguments. That said, I want to get back to an open trading system.

The Governor said the US presidents policies were more of a symptom of the problems in trade than the cause.

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If it is believed that tariff action is needed to create the shock and awe to get these issues on to the table and dealt with, then something has gone wrong with the multilateral system, and we need to deal with that, he said.

The Governor warned against retreat[ing] indiscriminately from global trade, arguing diversifying supply chains among reliable partners who abide by international law was the best way to protect against geopolitical risks.

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The Bakersfield Area of the California Highway Patrol will host Coffee with a Cop from 10 a.m. to noon June 5 at the Starbucks at 4560 Coffee Road.

CHP said it's intended to give community members a chance to meet officers in a neutral spot to discuss issues, have coffee, build relationships and learn about the CHP's work locally.
FRANKLIN, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  In 2022, the bald eagle was taken off Vermonts endangered species list. Today, 45 territorial pairs live in the state.

One Franklin County man has put up a 24/7 webcam at Lake Carmi to capture a pair of eagles who have come back to the same spot at the lake to nest, including raising eaglets there four years in a row. Rick Willever, a retired computer consultant who has lived at the lake for 65-years, has made it his mission to give the public a birds-eye view.

We put this camera up in the tree 75 feet to look over at the eagles nest which is about 90 feet above our heads. The camera came about six or seven years ago. I had put cameras up for clients in New Jersey and we decided to use the same technology up here. And weve been putting the camera up every spring for the last six years, said Willever in an interview with ABC22/FOX44.

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The eagle cam can be viewed live at Willevers website, along with a collection of clips from previous years. Interested people can also leave questions or comments using a link at the bottom of the webpage.

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TOWN OF HALLIE  Jeff Peck farms about 1,000 acres in the Town of Hallie, and about 80% of what he grows is feed for his 350 cows. The rest of his crops goes to market, and frequently, is sold overseas.

We are pretty reliant on exports, Peck told U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Wednesday. We need to trade those extras. So, we really are a global economy.

Farmer Les Danielson told Baldwin that 30 years ago, only 2% of milk produced was sent overseas. Today, its 18% that is exported. Danielson noted that many farmers are filling containers with soybeans and also ship those out of the country.

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Were waiting to hear what were supposed to do with our crops this fall, Danielson said.

Both Peck and Danielson told Baldwin they are fearful of losing access to foreign markets because of a looming trade war over tariffs.

It takes a long time to build those relationships, but you can break them quickly, Peck said.

He added that signing early contracts hasnt helped. They were told that even if they pre-paid for seeds or other items theyve ordered from overseas, any tariff that is in place will be added on to the cost.

The farmers are on the bottom of the hill, Peck said.

Danielson agreed, saying it has been hard to figure out how to buy the items a working farm needs.

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Our supplier cant tell us the price of fertilizer, because of the tariffs, Danielson said.

Baldwin, a Democrat, spent about an hour touring the Peck family farm on Wednesday. At the conclusion of the event, she told area media it was important to hear directly from farmers about how tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are impacting them.

Export markets are in question, Baldwin said. The president campaigned on bringing costs down, on bringing groceries down, and other costs down. And the policies hes put forward have produced the opposite result.

Baldwin noted the U.S. Senate passed a resolution in an attempt to halt the tariff hikes on Canada, but the U.S. House of Representatives didnt take up the measure.

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What youve seen is the president is acting unilaterally and just forgetting Congress, she said.

Baldwin was frustrated over Trumps constantly changing positions on what levels of tariffs will be imposed and when they will go into effect.

Its just chaotic, she said. Its hard to pin him down.

The Senate will be back in session on Monday, and Baldwin discussed how they will begin deliberating on the budget bill passed by the U.S. House last year. The measure passed by a single vote. Baldwin noted that the Congressional Budget Office has indicated that up to 14 million Americans could lose their access to Medicaid if the bill, as written, becomes law.

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I think it has a tough road ahead of it, Baldwin said. She noted that some Republican Senators have objected to the deep cuts, while others, including Sen. Ron Johnson, want to see tax cuts paid for.

When asked what she does like about the House budget bill, Baldwin said it will give some tax breaks to co-ops and middle-class families.
The Trump administration this week formally agreed to comply with a ruling that ordered it to facilitate the return of a migrant who was unlawfully deportedin what was another loss for the government as it attempts to subvert basic due process rights in immigration proceedings.

The migrantnamed in court documents as O.C.G., who has no criminal historyarrived in the U.S. in May 2024 and sought asylum. An officer agreed he had a credible fear of persecution and torture if returned to Guatemala; a judge assented as well and granted him withholding of removal to that country.

During his proceedings, when he asked if he might be sent to Mexico, a judge replied: "We cannot send you back to Mexico, sir, because you're a native of Guatemala." Deportations to a nonnative country legally require, at a minimum, additional steps in the process.

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That was particularly relevant to O.C.G.'s case, because, as he testified in court, he claims to have been held for ransom and raped while passing through Mexico, securing release only after a family member paid the sum. Yet two days after his withholding of removal was granted, the government unlawfully deported himwithout giving him a chance to contest itto Mexico, after which he returned to Guatemala, where his attorneys say he lives in hiding and in fear of serious harm.

Particularly fraught is that the government had submitted in a declaration under oath that it could prove O.C.G. had no fear of returning to Mexico. Turns out that wasn't true. "The Court was given false information, upon which it relied, twice, to the detriment of a party at risk of serious and irreparable harm," Judge Brian E. Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts wrote. "Defendants admitted, hours before the scheduled deposition of the witness who could allegedly verify the facts included in the prior declaration made under oath, that, in fact, there was no such witness and therefore no reliable basis for the statements put forward by Defendants."

"O.C.G. is likely to succeed," Murphy added, "in showing that his removal lacked any semblance of due process."

The orderand the Trump administration's agreement to comply with itis noteworthy for a few reasons. Foremost, it shows that the government can, in fact, facilitate the return of someone it unlawfully deported. It has contested its ability to do so in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national whom the administration says it wrongfully sent to El Salvador, where he had a withholding of removal, due to an "administrative error." The Supreme Court last month ordered that the administration facilitate Abrego Garcia's return.

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Also in April, the Court ruled the government may not expel individuals under the Alien Enemies Act without due process, as the Trump administration had tried to do. This month, the justices extended an injunction prohibiting the government from using that law to remove Venezuelan immigrants, finding that detainees were entitled to a more robust process than the government had given them.

But Murphy's ruling is also a reminder that the administration will continue losing on this front, so long as it continues flouting the law. There is an irony there: In trying to deport people as quickly as possible, the government finds itself constantly spending time and resources in court, having to justify and backtrack on cases it fumbles. President Donald Trump campaigned on hawkish immigration policy, and as chief executive he is entitled to try to execute that vision. He is not entitled, however, to violate the Constitution to do so. That isn't going to change. It's not a conspiracy against him.

In this instance, O.C.G.'s case is fairly simple. "In general, this case presents no special facts or legal circumstances," Murphy writes, "only the banal horror of a man being wrongfully loaded onto a bus and sent back to a country where he was allegedly just raped and kidnapped." And now he will receive a taxpayer-funded plane ride back to the United States, so he can receive the due process he is promised by the Constitution.

The post 'Banal Horror': Asylum Case Deals Trump Yet Another Loss on Due Process appeared first on Reason.com.
Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

(NewsNation)  Much has been made of Barron Trumps time at NYU in the tabloids  why he was not active in the college Republicans, whether or not he has any friends, etc  but my impeccably placed sources say he did just fine his first year.

A friend on campus told me, Barron has a really nice girlfriend and hangs out with her a lot. He does have friends he just (unlike his father Donald Trump) screws the limelight.

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Country star joins fight against proposed TVA methane plant

Barron is, according to my source, much more like his mother, Melania  he keeps his head down and gets on with it. He is not trying to be BMOC (big man on campus).

Barron Trump is pretty apolitical: Source

Another interesting difference between Barron and his dad?

Barron is pretty apolitical  he doesnt get involved, my source said.

This account semi-jibes with the account Kaya Walker, the former president of the NYU chapter of the College Republicans, when she told Vanity Fair in February that the 18-year-old freshman was reclusive.

Barron Trump gestures after his father, former President Trump, introduced him during a campaign rally at Trump National Doral Miami, July 9, 2024, in Doral, Fla. (Marta Lavandier, Associated Press) WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA  NOVEMBER 06: Former first lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump look on as Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Americans cast their ballots today in the presidential race between Republican nominee former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as multiple state elections that will determine the balance of power in Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak with Melania Trump and Barron Trump during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center. FILE  Barron Trump stands on the South Lawn of the White House on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in Washington, Aug. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) FILE  Former first lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump listen at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) NEW YORK, NY  JULY 20: Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron Trump are seen at the funeral of Ivana Trump on July 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by JNI/Star Max/GC Images) US President Donald Trump and his son Barron wave as they board Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on August 16, 2020. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC  NOVEMBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron Trump walk across the South Lawn before leaving the White House on board Marine One November 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Florida for a campaign rally and is scheduled to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at his private Mar-a-Lago Club. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

He goes to class, he goes home, she told the magazine. Walker also told the mag: Barron was sort of like an oddity on campus. (Walker was forced to resign from the club soon after these statements were made public.)

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But it is clear that the hopes of Barron taking over from Trump and the Republican Party are, at least for now, not a reality.

Thats not what hes interested in, my source said.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a fatal car crash early Thursday morning.

Officers responded to the scene of a single-vehicle accident involving a 2005 Lexus RX330 in the 9800 block of Presidio Avenue around 5:30 a.m. According to police, the vehicle was heading east on Presidio Avenue when it may have hydroplaned, gone off the road, and hit a tree on the drivers side.

Police said there was standing water in the area and the road was still wet from recent rainfall. Investigators believe a combination of factors, including possible impairment, speeding, and poor tire tread, may have contributed to the crash.

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The driver, identified as Xavier Smith, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

One person is dead and another person was injured following a crash in Baton Rouge on Thursday, May 29.

One person is dead and another person was injured following a crash in Baton Rouge on Thursday, May 29.

Two children among five hurt in multi-vehicle crash on I-10

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Waco, TX (FOX 44)  Baylor Scott & White Health is celebrating the grand opening of its newest Urgent Care location in Waco.

The latest Urgent Care facility offers more choices and convenience to those seeking same-day care. It serves patients of all ages, including newborns for minor illnesses and injuries.

Were proud to say that we maintain door-to-door on most of our patients under an hour, Baylor Scott and White Urgent Care Regional Vice President of Operations Jason James said. Thats our goal, and we achieve it. And I think that patients will have a good experience to come here for a really long list of health care needs.

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While providing medical care to the community, the clinic will also be providing jobs in the field.

Services include walk-in and online appointments, physicals, labs, x-rays, and will offer extended hours.

This one is just a great location, Marketplace Convenient Care Medical Director Dr. Gregory Newman said. For instance, its close to the hospital. Its close to some of our other Hillcrest clinics that are here in town. And so, this will be an easy way for patients to come and get care at this clinic.

The new Urgent Care will help alleviate emergency room traffic while still ensuring Texas families have access to trusted healthcare.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  While many new graduates enter the job market or search for their first rental property away from home, the local Better Business Bureau warns that scammers may be targeting these young adults.

Experts share tips on how to navigate todays job market as graduation season is upon us

Cameron Nakashima from Better Business Bureau identified three types:

44% shortfall in Hawaii deepens crisis

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Fake Job Offers Scammers impersonate real companies or create fake ones. They offer remote jobs or hiring now roles via email, text message, or social media. After a short interview, victims are offered the jobbut must provide sensitive information or pay for training or equipment. Student Loan Forgiveness Scams: They mimic federal programs or call pretending to be with the U.S. Department of Education. They claim they can reduce monthly payments or eliminate loans altogetherfor a fee. Victims are pressured to act quickly and give up FAFSA credentials. Rental Scams Scammers copy real listings or invent fake ones, post them on social sites or rental apps, and collect deposits before disappearing. First-time renters are especially vulnerable because they often dont know what a legitimate lease process looks like.

Inside the 3D construction revolution: 10 eye-opening insights for Hawaiis future

Nakashima said to prevent falling into these schemes, you need to pay attention.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

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Watch out when people reach out to you  especially via text. Across the board, recent graduates and young adults report the primary method of losing money to scammers is through text messages and with digital payments and payment apps. Do your research on the company. Look up its website, look for the address and contact info  does it all look legit? For example, for student loan forgiveness, that should be a government website (.gov). If its not, thats suspicious. If the website looks good though, you should also check them out on BBB.org and other online reporting agencies to learn what people and professionals have to say about those businesses. Listen to your gut if something seems off  and get a trusted second opinion. If you feel like something is not quite right about an opportunity or offer but cant put your finger on it, get a second opinion. You can ask a friend of family member or you can even call your local BBB office and we can give you advice based on our database of information.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  We have leadership changes to report at two of the most prominent educational institutions in Bakersfield  changes that affect a combined 45,000 students.

These two top-tier transitions are for very different reasons.

Bakersfield College President Jerry Fliger is out after just 14 months on the job  out after a nationwide search to fill a two-year-long vacancy plucked him from a Galveston County, Texas, community college.

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Why the unexpected change at the 15,000-student campus? Its not clear.

Meanwhile, another unexpected change at the Bakersfield City School District, educational home of 28,000 K-8 students and almost 4,000 employees.

Wildfire ignites again, a day after 150 acres burns same area near Meadows Field Airport

Mark Luque, who attended BCSD schools as a kid himself, told the Board of Trustees Tuesday night that he would be leaving his job of four years, effective in 90 days.

This journey, he said in a follow up letter to the community, has been profoundly personal for me. I believe it is in the best interest of the students, staff and community to allow this board to select a superintendent with whom they have complete confidence, ensuring the momentum and vision for BCSD can continue without impediment.

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Therefore tonight I submit my letter of resignation as superintendent of the Bakersfield City School District, Luque said at Tuesdays board meeting.

Luque gave no reason for the surprise announcement and on Wednesday issued a no comment.

However, he issued his resignation to the board the same night one board member, speaking from the dais, told another to shut up after he tried to raise a point of order.

Meanwhile, Steven Bloomberg, chancellor of the Kern Community College District, announced Tuesday that Fliger had been placed on leave  permanent leave, in his words. He gave no reason for Fligers apparent termination after just one year into his three year appointment.

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Bloomberg did not indicate whether it was for cause or not  the difference representing whether the district was liable for the remaining two years of Fligers contract. However, a source told 17 News that the termination was not for cause.

Bloomberg, who became chancellor in December 2023 after a five year stint as president of Southeast Arkansas College, a two-year school in Pine Bluff, said he would serve as BCs president for the remainder of this week. He said he would then turn over the interim reins to the districts Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Student Success, Stacy Pfluger, who assumed that role 10-months-ago after moving from that same Arkansas community college, where she served most recently as interim president and provost.

Fliger was hired following a multiyear search after former Bakersfield College president Sonya Christian left to become district chancellor in 2021 and California Community College chancellor in 2023. Bakersfield College was led by two interim presidents during the search.

Bloomberg indicated that the district would immediately launch a nationwide search for a replacement.

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Theres no word on whether Pfluger would be a candidate.

Efforts to speak to Pfluger, Fliger or Bloomberg were unsuccessful.

The Kern Community College District released a statement, saying in part: We want to assure you that there has been no change in Bakersfield Colleges academic and fiscal standing, which remain excellent, and the college continues to operate smoothly and effectively.

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By News Centre

President Tayyip Erdo?an emphasised that in these days when polarisation is deepening and blocs are increasing, we are witnessing the international system gradually drifting towards a legitimacy crisis. Erdo?an spoke at the trilateral summit he held with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the city of Lachin, Azerbaijan, where he was in attendance on the occasion of Azerbaijan Independence Day. Erdo?an first opened the Lachin International Airport with Aliyev in Azerbaijan. Following the opening, Erdo?an and Aliyev also inspected the Kelbajar-Lachin Highway, bridges, and viaducts, and received information from authorities.

Erdo?an noted the following in his speech:

The crisis that the international system is in at this point is clearly exemplified by Israels unceasing atrocities in Palestine and its expansionist policies in the face of these atrocities. We are determined to continue to defend the rights of innocent children and people who are being killed openly in Gaza. I would like to emphasise once again that we will stand against all attempts to disrupt the peace of our region. Our region is saturated with blood and tears. From here, we call on the entire world to increase pressure on the Israeli administration to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure uninterrupted and urgent humanitarian aid is delivered to Gaza.

Emphasising that they stand behind every step towards transforming their unity with Azerbaijan into a strategic partnership, Erdo?an noted the following:

The developments in our region reveal the importance of solidarity between our countries with every passing day. With the liberation of Azerbaijani lands that have been under occupation for 30 years, we hope that the region will become the focus of stability, prosperity, and development. I believe that the Lachin Airport, which we opened this morning, will make a significant contribution to the development and integration with the world that the region has been longing for for many years.

Our wish is permanent peace

President Erdo?an, recalling that they hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif in Istanbul on Sunday, May 25, made the following assessments: During our meeting, we reviewed the cooperation processes within the scope of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. We agreed to further strengthen the deep-rooted historical and human relations between Turkiye and Pakistan. On this occasion, I would like to express our satisfaction that the tension that broke out between Pakistan and India ended with a ceasefire. I once again congratulate our brother Shahbaz and the Pakistani authorities for the calm and prudent attitude they displayed throughout the process. Our wish is for the declared ceasefire to evolve into permanent peace. Turkiye is ready to make every contribution it can on this path.

President Erdo?an stated that regular trilateral summits and ministerial meetings will be held with the participation of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan, and that in this way, the cooperation to be carried out will be institutionalized. Erdo?an stated that in this context, cooperation in the field of defense will be deepened, and that common determination will be maintained against terrorism and cross-border threats, and noted the following: We will aim to take joint steps in the areas of facilitating trade, encouraging investments, and digital transformation. In the field of transportation, which constitutes a highly strategic dimension of our cooperation, we will contribute to projects such as the Development Path, the Middle Corridor, and the North-South Transport Corridor together.

Drawing attention to the fact that Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan are located in a highly strategic region at the intersection of Eurasia, Erdo?an said, We are experiencing many challenges simultaneously in our regions and beyond, from security threats to economic downturns, energy and food crises. We see the development of our solidarity and joint action capability in the face of these challenges not as a choice, but as a necessity. Underlining that important issues were exchanged at todays summit to further advance cooperation between the three countries, Erdo?an said, (Foreign Ministers) will prepare a strong framework reflecting the common vision of our countries, especially on topics such as trade, investments, transportation, energy, defense industry, and the fight against terrorism, which shape our common agenda.

President Erdo?an addressed the participants at the event held on the banks of the Hekeri River on the occasion of May 28, Azerbaijan's Independence Day, as part of his contacts in Azerbaijan. Erdo?an said, "It is now time for Garabagh, which was liberated from captivity after 30 years, to write a story of success, peace, and development."

Reminding that they had previously put Fuzuli and Zangilan international airports into service with Azerbaijani President Aliyev, Erdo?an said, Today, we are once again fortunate enough to open Lachin International Airport. We are establishing strong cooperation with Azerbaijan in every field, from energy to transportation, from defense to trade, from agriculture to education. With the unique contributions of my brother Ilham, we are improving our relations day by day to a level that will set an example not only for the region but also for the entire world.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that thanks to the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, the energy map of not only the region but also a wide geography has changed and that they have started major projects in the fields of renewable energy production and export. Speaking at the Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, Aliyev said, We are proud of each others achievements and support each other in difficult times. Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye always stand for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and justice. Referring to the Pakistan-India conflict, Aliyev said, We have openly declared our solidarity with Pakistan from the very first day during this tense period.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif said, Long live Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan brotherhood and friendship. Speaking at the Turkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit, Sharif said that Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkiye are connected by deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties shaped by shared values and mutual support over centuries. My dear brothers, recently, we have further strengthened this historical relationship by standing by each other on Garabagh, Kashmir, or TRNC. Our strength lies in our solidarity and mutual respect, he said.
UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for a durable cease-fire in Gaza and efforts to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in the strip.

Since May 16, Israel has continued to intensify its military offensive in Gaza, which has completely destroyed the densely populated areas and caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Gazans in the past two weeks alone, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

Fu said the questions have been repeatedly asked: When will this conflict end? Are there no limits to the means of this conflict? Will the Palestinian people be forced to lose their homes once again?

In the face of such questions, China firmly reiterates that a durable cease-fire in Gaza cannot be delayed, and that Israel must immediately cease all military operations, he said.

"Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe is an immediate priority. Israel must lift the blockade, fully restore humanitarian access, and support the United Nations and other international humanitarian organizations in their efforts to provide assistance," Fu said.

Gaza and the West Bank are inalienable parts of the State of Palestine, he stressed, adding that the international community must firmly oppose any attempt to annex the territories of Gaza or the West Bank, and oppose the forced displacement of the people of Gaza.

The United States, as a country with significant influence over the party involved, should act in a fair and responsible manner and take effective and forceful actions. The Security Council shoulders the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. China supports the council in taking effective actions to promote a durable cease-fire and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, he said.

The implementation of the two-state solution is the only viable way to resolve the question of Palestine. The international community must step up its efforts to promote the political process of the two-state solution, said Fu. "We hope that the high-level conference on the implementation of the two-state solution to be held in June will provide fresh impetus to the prospect of realizing the two-state solution."

China will continue to make joint efforts with the international community to quell the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, realize a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, and restore peace and stability in the Middle East, he said. 
An NYPD officer brutally assaulted and robbed of his gun in the Bronx has a long road to recovery, but the victims brother said he is more concerned about the attacks mental toll on the cop.

Officer Chowdhury Nafees, 27, was released Wednesday from Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx days after he was violently beaten while off-duty by a pair of muggers who stole his service weapon, phone and wallet.

The facial fractures he suffered will require several surgeries, officials said, but Nafees proud younger brother worries that the emotional injuries will need more time to heal.

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The people in the hospital did a tremendous job bringing him back from what he was, said Chowdhury Navid, 25. We still dont know the psychological cost. We still need some time to process the whole thing. Well talk to therapists, then we will know how deep it is.

In the meantime, Navid said, his brother has been mercifully distracted by well-wishers and supporters, who have avoided detailed conversations about the incident that could make Nafees relive the nightmare.

Besides the physical injuries, Navid said he has been able to see a marked change in Nafees usually bubbly demeanor.

Hes not that jolly fellow, he said. Now I think he is silent. He is contrary.

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Navid said the family, originally from Bangladesh, has been leaning on his resilient mother for strength and guidance,

Shes holding on better than anybody else, Navid said. She is the glue that is holding together everything. She is being strong for all of us.

Nafees was attacked at knifepoint near St. Peters and Tratman Aves. in Westchester Square around 4:15 a.m. Saturday as he was returning home from work.

Nafees was wearing a civilian jacket over his police uniform when the pair ran up to him, threatened him with a knife and beat him unconscious, police said.

A good Samaritan called police after discovering Nafees, 27, unconscious on the pavement, and medics rushed him to a local hospital in critical condition, according to an online fundraiser created to help cover Nafees medical bills and support his family.

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The cop was left with severe head trauma, including fractures to his left orbital bone and right cheekbone. He will need oral floor reconstruction along with left cheekbone reconstruction, according to the fundraising site.

The two suspects, Taveon Hargrove and Wayne Lucas, both 23, were both arrested in Virginia.

Lucas, was captured Wednesday night, dressed in a womans wig, a disguise that did not fool cops who arrested him.

Im pleased to announce that this afternoon, Wayne Lucas was taken into custody in Virginia just as the officer he so brutally assaulted was discharged from the hospital to the cheers of his NYPD family, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch posted on X.

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Come for one of us, & youll have the full force of the NYPD coming for you.

Officers used the handcuffs belonging to Nafees when they took Hargrove into custody a day earlier, Tisch said.

Officials are working to extradite both Hargrove and Lucas back to New York, where they are expected to face attempted-murder, assault and robbery charges.

Cops said they caught a break when Hargroves father, Jeffrey Hargrove, 55, was arrested for petty larceny and criminal possession of stolen property after he was allegedly caught using one of the beaten cops credit cards.

The elder Hargrove was released without bail after being arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court.

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Navid said he believes his brother was targeted because he is a cop.

The video of the caught-on-camera beating shows the attackers knocking Nafees onto the ground on his back, then repeatedly punching him in the face. After they rifle through his pockets, steal his gun and make to leave, one of them backtracks to the victim and, in a final blow, viciously stomps on the helpless Nafees head.

Its not that they did it to a police officer, Navid said. They did it because he was a police officer. It was intentional. If you want my money, you want my wallet  take it. Anything you do after that is purely out of spite, against law and order, the NYPD and the nation itself.

Nafees came to the United States from Bangladesh five years ago and dreamed of becoming an NYPD officer to help his family, who live in the Bronx. The rookie cop has been on the force since September and worked as a 911 dispatcher for two and half years before that.

If you ask him what police work is to him, its honesty, brotherhood and service to the community, his brother said. Thats his moral. Thats what he believes in. We are very proud of him.
SAINT HELENA, S.C. (WSAV)  The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) reports that Talana Chaplin has been found safe and unharmed.

Beaufort County Sheriffs Office deputies are asking for the publics help locating a reported runaway 16-year-old.

Talana Chaplin reportedly left from her home in Saint Helena around midnight Monday, May 26, 2025, and hasnt return.

It is unknown what Chaplin was wearing when she left her home, but she is described as being 56 and weighing 90 lbs.

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Anyone who sees her or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff Offices non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  Beckley Common Council opted not to cancel an existing lease for a non-profit organization which operates from a city-owned building in East Park.

The Southern West Virginia Multicultural Museum and Community Center has operated from a Washington Street building in Ward 3 since 2011, offering classes, summer day camp and literacy programs, according to one of the founders.

Council members have said the non-profit should pay utilities, according to the terms of the 2011 lease agreement.

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Baldurs Gate 3: The Original Gish

However, Ward 3 Councilman Frank Williams, who began directing the community center several years ago, said the city had paid utilities for years and that he had no knowledge of the 2011 lease terms.

Council members have discussed a new lease agreement in order to clarify the terms.

City Attorney Bill File told Council members on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, they could vote to cancel the current lease and to set a new lease within 30 days, but Council unanimously decided not to do so.

A new lease needs to be completed prior to us cancelling this lease, said Ward 5 Councilman Janine Bullock.

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How many missing persons are found?

At-Large Councilwoman Sherrie Hunter agreed with Bullock.

I would rather the terms of the lease be presented to us first and then rather than waiting and not having a lease, said Hunter. We know how leases have, unfortunately, worked out before.

Last year, the owner and founder of Fruits of Labor Cafe moved out of a city-owned downtown building after operating there for around two years.

City officials came under fire for having invited the Fruits of Labor owner into the building without first entering into a binding lease agreement.



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China has sent two of its recently upgraded H-6 bombers to a disputed island in the South China Sea, satellite images have revealed.

The photographs, taken by Maxar Technologies, show the two aircraft on an airstrip on Woody Island in the Paracel archipelago on May 19.

The long-range bombers date back to the 1950s and were modelled on Soviet-era planes, but have been modernised and can now carry weapons including hypersonic and nuclear missiles.

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They are considered Chinas most advanced bombers, and it is the first time they have been on the island in five years.

The photographs also show two Y-20 transport aircraft and a KJ-500 early warning plane around Woody Island on the same day.

The KJ-500 is believed to be vital to Chinas ability to carry out increasingly complex air and sea operations.

The KJ-500 is believed to be vital to Chinas ability to carry out increasingly complex air and sea operations.

Located almost equidistant from China and Vietnam  about 220 miles from China and 250 miles from Vietnam  the Paracel Islands have long been at the centre of disputes between the two countries, which both claim sovereignty over the archipelago.

The islands are believed to sit on top of large natural gas and oil reserves, though there has been limited exploration of the area.

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In 2012, China built a city called Sansha on Woody Island, which Beijing uses to administer control over the rest of the Paracels as well as the Spratly Islands further south.

In the years since, Woody Island has grown into an urban hub, with a population of about 2,300 as well as an airport, schools, a courthouse, a cinema and hospitals.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative in the US estimates that China has at least 20 outposts across the Paracels, three of which have harbours that can dock large numbers of vessels and five of which have helipads.

The Paracel Islands also form a strategic triangle with the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing seized from the Philippines in a tense standoff in 2012.

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In April, during the Philippines annual exercises with the US called Balikatan, four men planted a Chinese flag on Sandy Cay, a sandbank in the Spratly Islands, leading to a heated exchange with Manila.

A month earlier, two H-6 aircraft were seen flying over the Scarborough Shoal shortly before Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, visited the Philippines.

China built a city called Sansha and a military garrison on Woody Island in 2012 - Quirky China News / Rex Features

Vincent Kyle Parada, a former defence analyst at the Philippines navy, previously told The Telegraph that it would make sense for Beijing to assert its sovereignty over these territories.

Having a Chinese presence in each of those features will allow [Beijing] a disproportionate amount of control when it comes to asserting its influence over South China Sea, whether its through economic disruption, freedom of navigation or safety at sea, explained Mr Parada.

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The timing of the latest H-6 deployment to the Paracels is unlikely to be a coincidence.

A British aircraft carrier is also expected to deploy to the South China Sea next month.

The Shangri-la Dialogue, considered Asias largest defence summit, begins on Friday, though Chinas defence minister is reportedly not attending.

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An iconic pizza spot located in Chicago will be closing its doors next month.

My Pi, a classic Chicago deep-dish pizzeria, announced earlier this month that it would be closing its doors in June after being in business since 1971.

"After more than five decades of making our signature pizzas, the time has come to say goodbye. With heavy hearts, we announce that My Pi Pizza will be closing at the end of June," Richard Aronson said in a statement on social media. "From our first location on Sheridan Road in 1971 to our Bucktown home since 2000, My Pi has been a labor of love."

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At one point the chain had 25 different locations across nine states.

"Weve been honored to be part of your celebrations, your cravings, your late nights, and your family dinners. Your support means the world to us," Aronson added before revealing the restaurant's final days will come at the end of June. "Our last day of service will be in late June, and well continue accepting nationwide shipping orders through June 22. Come by for one last bite and help us say goodbye the best way we know how  over great pizza."

View the original article to see embedded media.

"We make our Chicago deep dish pizza dough like a 5th generation baker would  fresh every day, with 3 perfect rises. You get a sturdier crust that holds all that artisanal cheese and tomato sauce made with a secret recipe of herbs and spices created by our founder in the 1950s," My Pi said on its website.

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While the beloved pizza joint will stop taking online orders on June 22, the Chicago Tribune reported the chain will be open until June 29.

Related: Beloved Breakfast Restaurant Closing After 50 Years

Beloved Chicago Pizza Chain Closing in June After 54 Years first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
A new report suggests the future viability of the world's most popular fruit could be in serious jeopardy, according to The Guardian.

The report, appropriately titled Going Bananas, was commissioned by Christian Aid and found that by 2080, there could be a 60% reduction in the area suitable for bananas grown for exports.

What's happening?

There are many banana varieties, but almost all bananas sold to developed nations are Cavendish. These are chosen for their high yields, long shelf life, distinctive coloring, and taste. Because the global market is so heavily dependent on a single variant, Cavendish bananas are particularly vulnerable to warming temperatures, extreme weather, and disease.

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The authors of the report spoke to several banana farmers, including Aurelia, 53, from Guatemala, who said: "What is happening is that my plantation has been dying. So, what has been happening is death. Death to my crops."

The Cavendish can be grown between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius and is sensitive to water shortages and flooding. Rising temperatures caused by pollution from dirty energy sources result in more frequent and severe extreme weather events that can destroy crop yields. Warmer temperatures also make fungal infections more widespread.

Bananas as a crop were nearly wiped out in the 1950s by Panama disease, per Time, and the Cavendish became successful because it was a variety of banana more resistant to it, but it's hardly inconceivable that a new variant of Panama disease could emerge.

Why are bananas important?

Bananas are a key cash crop and food source for millions across the Caribbean and Latin America. Eighty percent of banana exports come from this area. Additionally, 400 million people rely on bananas for a substantial portion of their daily calories.

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What makes the problem so tragic is that the people on the sharp edge of the crisis had so little to do with creating it. For example, Guatemala is the eighth-largest producer of bananas worldwide, per World Population Review, but is responsible for just 0.052% of the world's harmful pollution, according to Worldometer.

As Osai Ojigho, Christian Aid's director of policy and campaigns, told The Guardian, "The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat."

What's being done to protect bananas?

The study calls for a multifaceted approach to mitigating the future crisis. The first is reducing global pollution. The second is providing targeted support for farmers and transitioning to more just and sustainable food systems.

Individuals can also help by shopping smarter, being aware of climate issues, and supporting local initiatives.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  A family-owned staple of the Lafayette community, Breauxs Mart relinquishes ownership after 65 years in business. Manager Chase Breaux shares with that its a difficult decision but one that ultimately had to be made.

Breauxs customer Wallace Senegal patiently waits to buy a hot plate lunch from Breauxs Mart. Senegal does not stand alone; he is among many others. For Senegal, the cooks at Breauxs Mart are irreplaceable.

The cook and the employees because they have decent food, good food. Thats why I come here, Senegal stated.

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In other words, some hope the new owners will not try to fix whats not broken.

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Keep doing it. Keep feeding the people because you see the lines. I waited in line for a half hour, customer Barbara Treadway said.

Manager Chase Breaux describes the store as a home away from home. Chase recalls how his grandfather and great-grandfather opened the store in 1959.

Chase says hes been at the store his entire life; its all he has ever known.

Weve been here for so long. Its just been such a good experience, you know. Its the community, the customers and our employees that made it all worthwhile, Chase added.

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Chase explains that the decision was not an easy one.

Life is full of hard decisions, and sometimes you just have to make the one thats best for your family at the time, said Chase. Its not something that we came to quickly or easily.

Chase passionately shares that the patrons and community who have supported the grocery store for over six decades are truly like family.

We are just grateful for all the support and the love theyve shown us, and I know they are going to show the same love and support to the Lyons family, Chase explained.

Chase anticipates the transition to the new owners, the Lyons, will take place by the end of June.

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We've seen dozens of restaurants close their doors over the last few years, and the closures have happened for a variety of reasons. The pandemic, rising costs, a shifting desire in customer palates and remodeling have all led to a number of different closures in major American cities.

One beloved cheese shop, facing the ever-changing restaurant business, is closing its doors at its last location in New York City.

The Bedford Cheese Shop will shut down its location at 67 Irving Place in Gramercy, citing "an extensive, multi-year renovation" at the location.

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"This challenge, coupled with other forces outside our control  rising costs of doing business in New York City, increasing prices of products and supplies, and broader economic uncertainty  has made a path forward unfeasible at this time.

The first Bedford Cheese Shop - a female-owned and operated business - was established on Williamsburg's Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The pandemic forced it to close in 2020, ending a 17-year stint for the flagship location.

The shop was so popular that it expanded the Brooklyn location in 2016 to include a wine bar and an expanded menu that proved popular with locals.

"We know that change is a constant, and with every challenge comes the possibility of new beginnings," the shop said on Instagram, announcing the closure of the Manhattan location this week.

"For now, closing the Shop is a necessary step that will give us the space and time to reassess and reimagine what the next chapter of Bedford Cheese Shop might look like."

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Fans and others in the industry sent well wishes and condolences in the comment section.

"So sorry to hear this! This is a hell of a time to be a small business! Sending yall lots of love & light!," one fan said.

Sad news! We stopped by last year while in NYC. Loved meeting everyone and seeing this wonderful gem in the cheese world," another fan noted.

The restaurant closed its message with a salute to the artisanal cheese makers who helped stock the shop's shelves, and it urged fans to visit in the weeks ahead of its impending closure.

We'll see what the future holds for the Bedford Cheese Shop and for small restaurants and eateries all around an ever-changing New York City.

Beloved NYC Cheese Shop Is Closing Its Final Location first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
May 28BEMIDJI  The owner of Bemidji's Bar 209 is planning to open a similar establishment in Fargo, N.D., later this year.

Derek Leach said he hopes to launch his second Bar 209 in September at 3788 55th Ave. S in Fargo.

Derek and his brother, Brett, bought the original business at 209 Minnesota Ave. NW in 2011, then moved it into the former American Legion building at 217 Minnesota in 2018. They also opened Red Stu Breakfast Bar at the new location.

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Last year, the brothers

separated their commercial interests

on good terms, and Brett now operates the TRC Bar and Grill (Turtle River Chophouse).

Derek said he has been open to expansion opportunities and saw Fargo as a logical move.

"Fargo's got a great local economy," he said. "It's within distance that makes me feel a little more safe because I can drive there. And I kind of know the culture of it is very similar to what we have in northern Minnesota. So it was a good first step as I branch out."

Quinn Swanberg has been hired as general manager of the Fargo business. Derek said she and the kitchen manager have been working at Bar 209 in Bemidji to prepare for their new roles.

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"They are learning what we are about at 209," Derek said. The assistant general manager and front house manager have also been hired.

Derek said he plans to see how the Fargo operation goes before considering further expansion.

"I don't want to get too far in front of myself," he said, "but we'll take one step at a time, just like we always have. We'll see where this takes us and what challenges and opportunities it presents."

The Fargo business will not include a Red Stu Breakfast Bar, which is named after the Leaches' red-haired father, Stu.

"No, there won't be a Red Stu coming in Fargo, although that's been a common request," Derek said. "Maybe down the road at another location a Red Stu (could be included), but today it's just focused solely on the 209."
(NewsNation)  Ben Carson  a retired neurosurgeon, former Housing and Urban Development secretary and one-time presidential candidate  joins Morning in America to discuss the need for transparency regarding presidents medical information. He tells NewsNation that, once a president hits 70 or 75, they should take an annual mental status test.

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ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Four terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, officials have said.

The operation was conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Rarasham area of Musakhel district following reports of terrorist presence, a local police official told Xinhua.

"A fierce exchange of fire took place during the operation, resulting in the deaths of four terrorists," the official said, adding that the suspects were intercepted while attempting to plant explosives along a key highway in the area.

The terrorists were affiliated with a proscribed organization and were involved in multiple deadly attacks on passenger buses in Rarasham and nearby areas, he said.

Security forces recovered a cache of weapons, explosives, and other materials from the scene.

He said security had been tightened in the area and that investigations were ongoing. 
A partial deal is the wrong thing to do, he said. My stance on deals is very well known. We can bring them to their knees and cut off their oxygen.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fully aware of his "political red lines" and the consequences of crossing them during an interview with 103FM on Thursday.

Ben-Gvir emphasized that while others threaten to leave the government over policy disagreements, he is the only one who has actually done so.

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I dont speak in threats about whether to topple the government or not. I dont speak to the prime minister with threats, he said. The public knows that if my red line is crossed, unlike others, I follow through. Im the only one who left the government. I dont just make threats and then stay. The prime minister knows what my red line is, and he knows when he crosses it.

His remarks came as coalition leaders continued internal discussions over a proposed deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, based on what has been referred to as the "Witkoff framework."

Ben-Gvir reiterated his strong opposition to the deal, warning that any partial arrangement would embolden Hamas and weaken Israels negotiating position.

Israeli protesters demand the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, May 24, 2025 (photo credit: REUTERS/NIR ELIAS)

A partial deal is the wrong thing to do, he said. My stance on deals is very well known. We must keep pounding them. We can bring them to their knees and cut off their oxygen.

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Although he refused to say directly whether he would resign from the government if such a deal is approved, the minister stressed that his party, Otzma Yehudit, has stood firm in its principles.

Addressing criticisms that say that he is indifferent to the hostages fate, Ben-Gvir said, I want the hostages back just as much as you do. But this way [with the Witkoff outline], we get half and push the release of the other half even further away. Releasing the second half would mean raising a white flag. It would be a historic mistake.

He also condemned the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying it strengthens Hamas and undermines the war effort.

Were giving humanitarian aid to areas where Hamas is present and opening bakeries across Gaza, he said. A normal country that wants to survive doesnt give aid to its enemies. When theyre full, they know how to fight. When Hamas is hungry, they dont.

Ben-Gvir dismisses ICC arrest warrant threats

Ben-Gvir dismissed reports that the International Criminal Court may issue an arrest warrant against him, as well as against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as part of its investigation into actions taken during the Gaza war.

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There are parts of the world where well never look good, he said. The prime minister told me: Theyll issue an arrest warrant against you if you keep talking like this. In the end, they issued one against him.

He added that he does not travel abroad and is unfazed by potential international sanctions.

I take my vacations in Tiberias and Eilat. They dont scare me. They want to impose sanctions on us because there are antisemites who dont like us, and Im not intimidated by them.

On the haredi conscription bill, Ben-Gvir said a compromise could include drafting young ultra-Orthodox men not studying in yeshiva into police units.

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Im not a populist, I prefer to take action, he said. I established a haredi Border Police unit, and Ive asked for more. I believe there are solutions. Ive told Minister Goldknopf that I can draft your boys who arent studying into the police.

Ben-Gvir also addressed the dispute over the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), placing blame on Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara.

She ultimately wants to appoint, decide, and control, he said. The prime minister should appoint him definitively, and despite her decision.
Hamilton County has new lawyers to represent the taxpayers' interests in negotiations over Paycor Stadium renovations, with higher hourly rates.

The Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously voted May 15 to replace Tom Gabelman as special project counsel for Paycor negotiations and riverfront developments with attorneys from Dinsmore and Shohl. They also voted to replace Gabelman in negotiations for the Great American Ballpark lease with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich supported the move, saying the county had been "treading water" in negotiations on Paycor.

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Gabelman had been representing the county in stadium talks for nearly 30 years. After the county terminated its contract with him, he resigned as a partner with Frost Brown Todd. Gabelman noted that the new lawyers' rates were nearly twice his rate at the commissioners' meeting and in a memo he released after the meeting.

How do the lawyers' hourly rates compare?

Gabelman charged the county $250 an hour, which was a discount. He told The Enquirer in 2019 that his usual rate was $560 an hour. In 2019, Gabelman estimated that Frost Brown Todd had received $21 million from the county in legal fees over 22 years.

Pillich said the rate for Dinsmore partners will be $450 an hour, and $250 for its staff attorneys. When handling work on the Reds ballpark, partners with Vorys will make $425 an hour and staff attorneys will make $250.

The Bengals have to let Hamilton County know if they intend to extend the current lease by June 30.

Hamilton County prosecutor: New lawyers 'will work faster'

Pillich told reporters May 15 that she thinks the costs will wash out given the scope of the work and the fact that staff attorneys are billing at the same rate as Gabelman. She noted that the rates for the new law firms are also discounted.

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"I think that the law firms we recommended and the commissioners chose, I just think they've got an economy of scale based on how their offices are set up and based upon their national reputations. So I'm assuming they will work faster," she said.

Pillich said her primary concern was ensuring the county is in a position to more forward with the stadiums and with riverfront development.

"That's a huge part of our economic engine in this county and I want to make make sure they have the best tools available to them to make the decisions they need to make," she said.

Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com, @ee_glynn on X or @eringlynn on Bluesky.

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What the new Paycor Stadium lawyers will cost Hamilton County
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Bergen man faces up to 10 years in jail after admitting in court Thursday, his possession of machine guns, according to prosecutors.

Investigators said multiple first responder agencies executed a search warrant of 36-year-old Peter Celentanos home in Bergen in September 2024, where they found:

3D printed pistol frames

Firearm parts and accessories

Ammunition reloading equipment

Tools for constructing privately made firearms

Drill press

Two 3D printed machinegun conversion devices

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Subsequent searches of properties in Lyndonville and Medina led to the seizure of multiple lower receivers, 3D printed handguns, and additional firearm parts and accessories. A total of 200 firearms tied to Celentano were found.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that Celentano had given another person nine lower receivers, two of which had the third pin hole, making them classified as machineguns.

A person associated with the defendant later threw these weapons off the Beals Road Bridge into the Erie Canal. A dive team from the New York State Police searched the Erie Canal under the bridge in Medina, NY, and found a cardboard box that held 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, ammunition magazines, and other firearm components.

Celentanos sentencing is scheduled for October. The charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)  With school out for summer, New Bern Fire-Rescue urges families to stay safe as they head outdoors to enjoy the warm weather.

With the summer season bringing periods of hot, dry, and windy conditions, the risk of wildfires and accidental fires increase. Its important to not leave your grill unattended while cooking and to place the grill away from your home, deck railings, and out from under leaves and overhanging branches. Children, family, friends, and pets should stay a safe distance from any outdoor cooking fixture as it only takes a single spark to start a fire or to cause injury.

Not only is outdoor cooking dangerous, so is indoor cooking. Two fires in New Bern during the month of May were caused by cooking incidents.

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We want families to enjoy a safe summer, but with kids home from school and more people preparing meals at home, be aware that the risk of cooking fires increases, said Chief Damien Locklear. Practice fire safety so we can protect our properties, our community and our natural resources.

Below are several tips on how to stay fire smart, indoors and out.

Never leave the stove or a grill unattended while cooking.

Keep flammable materials away from stove burners and grills.

Use timers and reminders.

Keep a lid nearby.

Supervise children and teens.

Install and check smoke alarms.

Dispose of cigarettes properly.

Follow local burn bans and advisories.

Fire prevention and summer safety are more critical than ever, especially with kids out of school and summer activities ramping up across the region, said Chief Locklear. Its a popular time for families to enjoy warmer temperatures and the opportunity to get together to celebrate special events. Above all, have fun. But be smart and remain vigilant against summer fire danger.

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For more educational information and fire safety tips, visit their website here.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- A special session of the Kentucky Legislature is likely to be called to address disaster funding, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

It reassures me that help is coming. Homeowner reacts to FEMA going door to door in Henderson County

Beshear told the Lexington Herald Leader that the state is almost guaranteed to reach the $100 million cap on emergency funding, which the legislature set at the beginning of 2024. The funding amount was intended to cover the state through the end of this year.

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If a special session is not called, legislators wouldnt meet until January of 2026. Beshear told the Herald Leader that he hasnt addressed the issue with state leaders, but believes they will do what is needed to make the funding available.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday that trading partners including Japan were continuing to negotiate with the U.S. in good faith, and there has been no change in their attitudes since a U.S. trade court ruled against the Trump administration's latest tariffs.

But Bessent told Fox News Channel that trade negotiations with China were a bit stalled, but he expected more talks with Chinese officials in coming weeks.

U.S. trading partners "are coming to us in good faith and trying to complete the deals before the 90-day pause ends," Bessent said. "So we've seen no change in their attitude in the past 48 hours. In fact I have a very large Japanese delegation coming to my office first thing tomorrow morning."

(Reporting by Dan Burns and David Lawder; Editing by Chris Reese)
A top House Democrat is demanding more information about President Donald Trumps recent dinner for investors in his crypto meme coin.

Rep. Jaime Raskin, D-Md., the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, is calling on the president to release the names of attendees at the May 22 gala, which was billed as the most exclusive invitation in the world.

Publication of this list will also let the American people know who is putting tens of millions of dollars into our Presidents pocket so we can start to figure out what  beyond virtually worthless memecoins  they are getting in exchange for all this money, Raskin wrote in a letter to Trump, which was first reported by The Washington Post.

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The event was attended by the top 220 investors in digital currency. The invitees spent an average of more than $1 million on the coin, according to NBC News, with the top holders spending north of $10 million.

Profiting off the memecoin is just the latest in a bewildering gamut of schemes in which you and your family have profited after your return to office, Raskin wrote. Entities affiliated with The Trump Organization control 80% of the entire supply of $TRUMP coins1 billion coins in total and stand to reap the lions share of any profits from the venture, he added.

Raskins probe is the latest example of congressional Democrats targeting Trumps blurring of lines between his official role and his private business interests, including his meme coin, a form of online currency that is based on online jokes and holds no actual value.

Nowhere is Trumps blatant disregard and disrespect for the rule of law more apparent than in the way he has exploited the office of the presidency to promote shady, fraudulent crypto ventures that hold no real value, and serve no true purpose other than to pad his pockets, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif,, the ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee, said in a statement last week. Trumps crypto con is not just a scam to target investors. Its also a dangerous backdoor for selling influence over American policies to the highest foreign bidder. Waters concurrently introduced a bill that would prevent the President, Vice President, or members of Congress from profiting from cryptocurrencies.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has rejected accusations of a conflict of interest, arguing that they are invalid because Trump attended the dinner in his personal time and it was not, officially, a White House dinner.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The D.C. Department of Corrections denounced the recent findings from an audit of its facility that was released on Wednesday by the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor (ODCA).

While the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) agrees there is a need for a new jail, and Mayor Bowser remains fully committed to its construction through a public-private partnership, we do not believe the Office of the DC Auditors (ODCA) report as published is a fair, unbiased, and accurate assessment of the current state of the conditions at the DOC secure facilities, a DOC spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday morning.

The audit, which referenced a desperate need for a new jail, detailed reports of inadequate upkeep of the facility, presence of mold, substance abuse, assaults, high death rates and understaffing.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Its past time to act: DC jail audit shows urgent need for new facility, despite budget cuts

Upon receiving a draft of the audit back in April  before its public release  DOC Director Thomas Faust responded via a letter on April 30, claiming it was a seemingly biased approach and questionable methodology.

Faust mentioned various concerns regarding the process and findings of the audit, saying it did not follow policies, misrepresented facts and did not cite sources.

Thus, we are concerned that the intentional dissemination of opinion and hearsay, versus factual information, is an unwise tactic that will negatively impact our residents, workforce, and supporting stakeholder community, he wrote.

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According to Fausts letter in April, the ODCA didnt provide an entrance conference meeting before their audit, which would serve to lay out the scope, methodology and timing of the audit.

This was an oversight that the ODCA acknowledged and apologized for in their responding comments.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DC mayor presents 2026 budget amid forced cuts, impacts from federal job loss

Faust stated that the auditors never put in requests to visit the facilities themselves, but rather relied on attorneys who have visited the jail, former staff members and former inmates. This resulted in conclusions that were drawn on hearsay rather than evidence and failed to exercise transparency, he claimed.

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One such finding included a statement from an unnamed attorney that read, Recently met with somebody whose sink was dripping and not functioning properly, and he had to use his catheter to basically catheterize the sink and make sure that the water flowed.

No names, dates or specific information were provided to validate those claims or lead to an investigation, according to the DOC.

The ODCA defended its findings, opting instead to clarify and attribute the sources of the information cited throughout its report.

The final report includes descriptions of events or circumstances that are described in court filings or claims made in interviews with residents, their legal advocates, or staff, ODCAs response reads.

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Photos: New 14-gate concourse coming to Dulles International Airport

Overpopulation at the facility, specifically for those awaiting trial, was another concern raised in the audit  an issue Faust claimed the DOC had no control over due to a lack of authority.

The audit also said the facility had a mortality rate that was 3.5 times higher than the national average for U.S. jails, a notion the DOC said was an inappropriate comparison.

In addition to death rates, the audit stated there were at least 790 reports of assaults during the audit period. Faust argued that the auditors failed to consider the number of individuals prone to violence in the facility.

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Out of the 40% of DOC inmates at risk of engaging in violence  more than 12,000 people  only 24% were involved in violence during a three-year period of housing, Faust stated in April.

The smuggling of contraband was a large point for the ODCA, which detailed high rates of substance abuse, deaths by overdoses and the increased need to administer Narcan. The audit pointed to DOC staff contributing to the smuggling, citing that two former DOC staff members were guilty of  and two others were charged with  bringing contraband into the jail.

However, Faust denied full accountability for the presence of contraband brought in by DOC staff members, saying that the smuggling was complex and multifaceted.

Visitors, including family members, attorneys, social workers and volunteers, all contributed to the presence of contraband in the facility  an issue that needed to be addressed as a whole, he argued.

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Addressing this effectively is critical to our missionthus using less than sound reasoning and making conclusive statements that fail to fully address the issue, further call into question the accuracy of the Audit Report, Faust stated.

He said there were efforts to reduce substance abuse, including programs and the hiring of a trauma specialist.

Woman shot at CIA headquarters in McLean charged with DUI; court documents

As part of their recommendations, the ODCA said there should be a public compliance reporting requirement for correctional officers who do not have their body cameras on, saying officers did not have their body cameras activated during all required times.

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Faust said though it is DOC policy to have body cameras on, instances of noncompliance were investigated. He rejected the recommendation to enact a public compliance reporting requirement.

DOC tracks this information within the agency, and disclosure is confidential as part of DOC deliberative process, he stated.

In addition to substance abuse concerns, overall health and well-being were poor. Residents and staff reported rotten food as well as other concerns including bugs, rodents and screws, improperly heated meals and potentially contaminated water.

Recommendations to improve food options and provide more fresh options were denied by the DOC, citing that the facility met the nutritional standard requirements and that additional fresh items would be costly.

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According to a DOC spokesperson, the DOC has been accredited by the America Correction Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act federal audit.

Weve presented examples of the inaccurate claims and statements made throughout the Audit Report, which are concerning to me and my leadership team, all of whom are knowledgeable of correctional facilities and facility auditing protocols, Faust states. With a preponderance of conclusions not based in fact, the report requires immediate corrective action.

Following the response from the DOC to the initial draft, the auditors did amend or clarify some of the items for the final report, which was recently released, but held firm to other recommendations.

Specifically, the ODCA reiterated the need for DC Council oversight to ensure that the items the DOC claimed were already in practice were being executed.

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In some instances, DOC argues that they have an existing policy covering the issue raised and the resulting recommendation, the ODCA stated. But in many, if not most, of these recommendations, the issue is not the existence of an appropriate policy, but actual practice and the apparent failure of the department to meet its own policies with sufficient consistency.

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Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault. Please return to the homepage if you are not comfortable with the topic. If you are in distress and need to speak with someone, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Texas will close a loophole in its sexual assault laws after the Texas Senate passed House Bill 3073 on Wednesday, which makes it a crime in Texas to have sex with a person who is voluntarily intoxicated.

Sexual assault survivors testify to Senate committee on bill to close loophole

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I crawled the Austin half marathon in February for a world record attempt to begin raising awareness about the bill, thats when it was named after me by the politicians who joined to cross the finish line with me, Willis said. Our bill got voted out on the final day, in the final hour. Im excited about our story of hope and fight for survivors.

Previously, in order to convict someone for a sexual assault, prosecutors had to prove that a defendant had intentionally impaired the other persons power to appraise or control the other persons conduct by administering any substance without the other persons knowledge.

For survivors like bill namesake Summer Willis, this wording prevented her from pressing charges.

The new Texas Penal code language will instead read: A sexual assault  is without the consent of the other person if the actor knows that the other person is intoxicated or impaired by any substance to the extent that the other person is incapable of consenting

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The sexual assault statutes would now cite an already enrolled definition of consent  assent in fact, whether express or apparent.

The bill came out of Gov. Greg Abbotts Sexual Assault Survivors Task Force and supporters said that it had his support. Unless Abbott issues a surprise veto, the bill goes into law on Sept. 1.

HB 3073 narrowly avoided multiple deadlines near the end of the session. Willis and other organizers told KXAN that theyve been pushing for the change for over 10 years.

Previous: Survivors urge Texas lawmakers to close sexual assault loophole before bill dies

Time and time again, abusers escape prosecution by leveraging legal loopholes created by an arbitrary definition of consent, said Dallas-based survivors rights attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel. By acknowledging the power dynamics that yield coercion and that sexual contact is non-consensual if the survivor is impaired, Texas is taking a significant step forward in protecting survivors rights.

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The delayed start of the new law means that it will not cover assaults of intoxicated people occurring prior to September.

HB 3073 was authored by Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin; Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway; Ann Johnson, D-Houston; David Cook, R-Mansfield; and Nichole Collier, D-Fort Worth. Its Senate sponsor was Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) attend a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in Naqoura, Lebanon, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), on Thursday warned of the tense situation along the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated line marking Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

"Any mistake could lead to dire consequences," Lazaro said at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, during a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers that falls on May 29.

According to a statement released by UNIFIL, Lazaro said "the path to peace in southern Lebanon is a political one, and we must all work to create the proper conditions for a sustainable and long-term solution."

Noting the recent deployment of additional Lebanese army troops in the south, Lazaro said "their presence must be maintained, as they are the sole guarantor of the state's authority and security."

"Therefore, it is essential for international partners to continue providing support," he said.

Lebanon has witnessed fierce clashes between Hezbollah and Israel since October 2023 following the war in Gaza. A truce, mediated by the United States and France, has largely held since late November 2024, though sporadic flare-ups have continued.

In violation of the truce, the Israeli military continues to hold several strategically important positions in southern Lebanon and launch occasional strikes, claiming they were targeting "Hezbollah threats."

On Thursday afternoon, a municipal employee was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the hills of Nabatieh Fawqa in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). 

Soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) attend a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in Naqoura, Lebanon, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Lay wreaths during a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in Naqoura, Lebanon, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua)

Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), speaks during a ceremony marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in Naqoura, Lebanon, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
(FOX 5/KUSI)  Theres growing concern from California charter schools that a new bill in the state legislature would cut funding, if approved.

The Assembly members behind AB 84, titled the School Accountability Bill, said the bill is intended to create more oversight for charter schools, but the schools disagree and say the consequences of the bill may be detrimental.

Im doing animals, robotics and Im also doing crochet, kindergartener and soon-to-be first grader Vienna said shes taking those courses through the Homeschool Enrichment Centers.

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Woodworking, violin, sign language, skateboarding, French, Kung Fu, are just some of the courses offered through the Homeschool Enrichment Centers, which offer academic or extracurricular classes for homeschooled students or as independent study programs through charters.

I started it actually for my daughter, who just didnt fit that mold of being able to sit still in a regular classroom for 7 hours a day, Leslie Kitchen, the founder and owner of Homeschool Enrichment Centers, said. And now I just have a passion for alternative education for our students.

Through the centers, 16-year-old Ehmi Leonard just graduated from high school, as a junior in college as well.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi brought the bill forward, and said its aimed to be an oversight and accountability bill, sparked by the A3 Charter School Scandal, when several people defrauded the state out of more than $50 million in public funds by opening 19 charter schools in San Diego and elsewhere. Those behind the scandal were formally charged in 2019.

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Charter schools, they are privately run but receive public taxpayer dollars, these are education dollars that are meant for our kids, and unfortunately there are some bad actors that have recognized this as a money making opportunity to abuse the system and so thats what this bill is trying to crack down, were not going after the good charter schools, were trying to crack down on the bad actors, Assemblymember Muratsuchi said.

But Kitchen said it would have other detrimental consequences if it goes through, and says the charter school funding would be cut by 30 percent, forcing her to reduce classes by about 75 percent and spend millions of dollars on new audits, which she said some are already being done.

We already have laws in place, we already have audits in place, it seems a little one-sided, Melissa Allen, parent and educator at the center, said.

Will we have to close? Thats a good question, Kitchen said. That would mean having to cut the people who cant afford the classes, and that grips my heart.

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The bill would also no longer allow classes to be taught by people who dont have a California teaching credential, even if they are credentialed in other states, or have years of professional experience in the field they are teaching young students.

Local archaeologist Melissa Allen said this bill would hurt her twofold, as a teacher and as a mom.

Ninety percent of what I make comes from partnering with independent and charter schools, it would also be detrimental to me as a mother because I have my children in this program, said.

As a lifelong educator, whos taught in both charter and non-charter public schools, I understand the importance of flexible options to enhance educational experience and outcomes for our students, Assemblymember Robert Garcia, a backer of the bill, said.

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The heavily documented reports of fraud committed by non-classroom-based charters clearly reveal a concerning lack of oversight and accountability on the use of public funds.

AB 84 is not an anti-charter school bill- it is a comprehensive, school accountability bill implementing a number of recommendations made by unbiased and nonpartisan organizations such as the Legislative Analysts Office and FCMAT, to ensure greater transparency for all schools  district and charter alike. We owe it to our kids to ensure they are receiving the best education and resources that they deserve, Garcia said.

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State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, center, talks with State Sens. Paul Strommen of Sidney and Kathleen Kauth of the Millard area on May 28, 2025. Raybould sponsored a measure to slow voter-approved minimum wage increases while Strommen sponsored a measure to weaken voter-approved paid sick leave. Kauth chairs the Legislature's Business and Labor Committee. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  A majority of Nebraska Democrats and one Republican in the officially nonpartisan Legislature on Wednesday blocked merging a proposal that would have slowed the states voter-approved minimum wage increases with a bill set to weaken voter-passed paid sick leave protections.

State Sen. Jane Raybould filed her once-defeated minimum wage proposal as an amendment to Lincoln State Sen. Beau Ballards Legislative Bill 415 after Speaker John Arch decided not to reschedule her stand-alone bill due to time constraints.

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Lawmakers were unable to consider the amendment  which was likely to pass  because Democratic-aligned lawmakers had already filed several motions to filibuster Ballards original proposal.

Raybould said her reason for wanting to act now had to do with the political dynamics facing her bill if the lawmakers wait. She said it would be harder to reduce pay for young people after the fact.

Rayboulds revived proposal, in its current form, would shrink the wage increases by setting the annual increase at 1.75%. It also would create a youth minimum wage and amend a separate state training wage.

Raybould and supporters of her measure said her changes would protect small businesses that could not afford to pay more. Lawmakers against the legislative effort to slow wage growth said they were defending the peoples will.

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Despite continued efforts to walk back the voice of the people, Im glad that we were at least able to fight for everyday working Nebraskans by stopping this attack on minimum wage. State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln said after the vote.

Raybould pushed back by saying Nebraska lawmakers arent trying to undermine what voters approved the way Missouri and some other state Legislatures have done in recent months. Missouri recently repealed a paid sick leave law that voters approved just months before.

We care about our working families, Raybould said during the LB 415 debate. These two bills help our Nebraska families.

Worker advocates and union leaders have spoken out against the paid sick leave and mimmutin wage changes as attempts to undermine voters. Ballard had previously said he didnt consider Rayboulds amendment unfriendly and would have supported it.

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It was worth a swing, Ballard told the Examiner.

Even though Democratic-aligned lawmakers blocked Rayboulds amendment from being considered the GOP majority passed Ballards proposal 33-16. It adds new restrictions to the paid sick leave law Nebraska voters approved last year, which has yet to be implemented.

LB 415 would remove the voter-approved laws blanket sick leave requirements, letting employers offer no paid sick leave to young teens, ages 14 and 15, and none to temporary workers, seasonal agricultural workers and workers at the states smallest businesses, those with 10 or fewer employees.

Ballard said the proposal intends to clarify and make the ballot measure more feasible and workable for businesses.

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Passage of LB 415 is the latest part of a trend of the GOP-led Legislature pushing back against a handful of ballot measures passed by Nebraska voters. Targets this year include voter efforts to require paid sick leave, raise the minimum wage, repeal school vouchers and legalize and regulate medical marijuana.

Rayboulds stand-alone bill will most likely be voted on next session. Though highly unlikely, Arch could change his mind about scheduling it.

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California on Wednesday joined 15 other states filing suit against the National Science Foundation and its acting director, alleging the agency has illegally terminated millions of dollars in grants and imposed new fees that have ended or crippled research vital to health, the economy and the advancement of knowledge.

The Trump administration has defended its actions as both legal and necessary to align the NSF with the president's priorities.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York, specifically targets the science foundation for "terminating grants for scientific research that seeks to promote and understand diversity in higher education and the workforce," according to a statement from California Atty. General Rob Bonta.

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The suit alleges that the NSF's actions are illegally arbitrary and capricious and that they violate federal law on the management and use of federal funding.

Bonta's office asserted that from 1995 to 2017, the number of women in science and engineering occupations, or with science or engineering degrees, doubled with help from federal support; minorities, meanwhile, went from representing about 15% in the occupations to about 35%.

Read more: Scientists have lost their jobs or grants in U.S. cuts. Foreign universities want to hire them

The suit also seeks to overturn the Trump administration's 15% cap on indirect costs related to research, which universities say are crucial to carrying out their work. Such indirect costs include maintaining lab space, keeping the temperature controlled and the proper handling and disposal of biological, chemical and biochemical materials.

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Like other key federal agencies, the National Science Foundation has been in turmoil since Trump took office in January  undergoing across-the-board funding cuts, layoffs and reorganization as well as apparent ideological litmus tests for research, sweeping grant terminations and a funding freeze on grant applications.

The Trump administration has fired back at critics.

This month Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, criticized diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federally funded research, calling them close-minded in a speech before the National Academy of Sciences in Washington.

Kratsios also called for a reduction of red tape in scientific research, the online news site FedScoop reported. He said there is a crisis of confidence in scientists that comes from fears that political biases are impacting research.

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Trump officials also have repeatedly maintained that the federal government is rife with waste and fraud.

The federal actions have come at extreme cost, Bonta said.

President Trump wants to make Americas universities second tier with his backwards efforts to slash research funding that has kept us on the cutting edge of science and innovation, Bonta said. For more than 50 years, Congress has expressly authorized the National Science Foundation to train up the next generation of talent and invest in the infrastructure necessary to keep our position as a global leader" in science, technology, engineering and math.

"With President Trumps latest round of indiscriminate funding cuts, America is poised to fall behind its competitors at a critical moment in the global technology race. Were suing to stop him, Bonta said.

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In California, billions of dollars are at risk across the California State University, University of California and public community college systems.

"Many innovations  like the internet, GPS, and MRI technology  trace their origins to research initially funded by NSF. Without NSF funding, many California colleges and universities will be forced to substantially reduce or stop altogether potentially groundbreaking programs and research projects," according to Bonta's office.

Read more: Their work in peril, UCLA researchers decry Trump administration funding cuts at protest

Terminated NSF grants, for instance, include a five-year, $3-million project, Computational Research for Equity in the Legal System. This study examined crime data for patterns of racial bias while also looking at police misconduct and eviction policies, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

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Canceled UC Berkeley grants included projects on electoral systems and two on environmental science education.

The NSF also has told staff to screen grant proposals for topics or activities that may not be in alignment with agency priorities that had shifted under the Trump administration, the journal Nature reported.

The lawsuit lays out a wide range of benefits and goals of the federal funding.

"From developing AI technology that predicts weather patterns to protect communities, to developing sustainable solutions for environmental and economic challenges, to making power grids more sustainable, NSF-funded research at American universities ensures this nations status as a global leader in scientific innovation," the lawsuit says.

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The other states involved in the litigation are Hawaii, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Washington.

The pattern of federal cuts and turmoil related to research also is playing out with the National Institutes of Health. And California also is party to a lawsuit over cuts to these grants.

Tara Kerin, a project scientist who works in pediatric infectious disease research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, said that the funding cuts at the National Science Foundation echoed similar ones made at the National Institutes of Health.

That, she said, makes her "very nervous about the future of science and research."

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Kerin, whose work has partly focused on HIV prevention and detection in young adults, was funded by NIH grants  until they were cut this spring.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Binghamton is being recognized by other cities and villages across New York for its success in compelling railroad companies to fix their deteriorating infrastructure.

The city is receiving the 2025 Local Government Achievement Award from the New York Conference of Mayors. Its being recognized for its Railroad Bridge Improvement Project. For decades, underpasses and bridges owned by the railroads were neglected, becoming unsightly and unsafe.

In 2023, Mayor Jared Kraham commissioned a $41,000 engineering report that documented widespread deterioration and safety concerns.

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Kraham then shared the 914 page report with federal regulators and Norfolk Southern agreed to do millions of dollars worth of repairs. Kraham accepted the award at NYCOMs annual meeting today in Bolton Landing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department is hosting a recruitment expo Saturday.

East Lake Library reopening after being closed for 4 years in Birmingham

The event offers candidates the opportunity to complete the physical agility screening, while attracting and engaging future law enforcement and public safety professionals. Qualified applicants who complete training, and meet all departmental requirements will be eligible for the $10,000 signing bonus. Attendees will be able to speak with BPD recruiters and learn more.

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The goal is to increase enrollment for the July academy class. BPD is hiring for positions in corrections, security services, computer technicians, parking enforcement and more. For more information, call 205-915-2926.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department is seeking assistance from the public regarding a shooting that left a man dead in 2023.

Birmingham police investigating fatal early-morning shooting

Salhadine Adamou, 22, of Bessemer, was shot and killed while traveling in a vehicle near the 1100 block of 3rd Avenue North on July 3, 2023.

Anyone with information can call BPD at 205-254-1764.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Public Library will host its monthly Bards and Brews Open Mic event at East Village Arts on June 6.

The event will start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and the event is open to anyone ages 18 and up. The event will be hosted by Thed Weller, and it will feature keyboardist Marlon Spears. This months Bards and Brews event will serve as a tribute to Brian Voice Porter Hawkins, the spoken word advocate who hosted the event until his death in 2021. More information about Bards and Brews can be found here.

Volunteers needed for 2025 World Police and Fire Games in Birmingham

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East Village Arts of Birmingham is a non-profit artist collective dedicated to fostering local artists and promoting diversity and creativity through the arts in the Birmingham community. More events hosted at East Village Arts can be found on the venues website.

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LIMESTONE AND MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Mountain City Mayor Jerry Jordan sees multiple potential benefits if a Bitcoin mine comes to his town, but says I dont want to get snaked by any unexpected negatives.

County commission OKs Bitcoin lawsuit settlement

My reputations on the line. Ive lived here practically all my life, and I dont want to bring something in here thats going to be detrimental to this community and this town, Jordan told News Channel 11 Wednesday.

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Early that morning, Preston Holley stood across Lola Humphreys Road from Northeast Tennessees only active Bitcoin mine, in the New Salem community of Washington County. With a constant drone emanating from the fans that cool racks of computers  the machines that perform complex calculations to mine for Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency  Holley had a suggestion for Jordan and his community.

I would caution any community whos being told that this kind of a facility is going to be built to make sure that they (the Bitcoin company) hold themselves accountable for everything that they say theyre going to do, but not to trust anything as far as the noise levels go, Holley said. There will be noise no matter no matter what technology they use to dampen it.

Speaking of dampening, the company wanting to put a mine in Mountain City says it plans to use a newer cooling technology if it opens a facility there. CleanSpark, a national company that focuses specifically on mining Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, has been in talks with community leaders in Mountain City about opening a 30 megawatt mining facility just off Highway 421 south of downtown.

The site of a proposed Bitcoin mine and the substation that would power it in Mountain City, Tenn. (Photo: WJHL)

We are known in the industry as innovators in immersion cooling, CleanSpark Senior Vice President Harry Sudock told News Channel 11 in an email. Some deployments have significant noise mitigation benefits and those would be the designs we intend to deploy in Mountain City.

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Assurances from Jordan and Mountain Electric Cooperative CEO Rodney Metcalf  the utility would sell the massive amounts of electricity needed to power the computers that race to unearth new Bitcoins or verify crytpo transactions  havent yet put a stop to community opposition. Dozens of people turned out at a meeting earlier this month to voice concern over everything from noise and health impacts to strain on the power grid and a low number of projected jobs.

Im going on 16 years (as an elected town representative) and Ive never seen anything like this before, Jordan said.

We want to do our due diligence

Holleys community was hit unawares when a company called GRIID started operating the 20MW mine just off Bailey Bridge Road in early 2021. BrightRidge, the utility selling it power from an adjacent substation, had told Washington County commissioners only that it was planning to open a blockchain data center when it applied for a rezoning in 2020.

Once the noise began, the community rose up.

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This was normally a quiet, peaceful place to be, Holley said. You heard the birds. You heard farm sounds. Now we sound like were on a four-lane highway. Theres a constant sound of these fans running. Theres no tuning it out.

Commissioners, angered at the lack of early transparency, learned that the company may have built without a permit and that became the basis for a lawsuit. GRIID settled, offering to pay fines until closing the mine no later than March 2026. Eventually, CleanSpark bought GRIID, which was heavily in debt.

Part of a preliminary site plan for the proposed Mountain City facility. (Photo: WJHL)

Mountain Citys been grappling with the Bitcoin issue ahead of time. CleanSpark was open in its talks with Mountain Electric, which could use a large power customer to offset the loss of Parkdale Mills, which closed late last year. Planning commissioners discussed the proposal openly, and asked CleanSpark for more specific site plans and additional details.

I said, you know, the one in Limestone is a disaster, and they offered I could come down there and look at (an operating facility that uses liquid cooling), Jordan said. So we we took them up on their offer.

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A delegation of local leaders visited a facility in Norcross, Ga. that uses liquid cooling. Jordan, who took a decibel-reading app, said he came away convinced a facility housed inside a large building and using liquid cooling could operate without reaching nuisance levels of noise.

Asked whether the company could have simply dialed back the intensity of mining taking place to reduce the need for cooling, Jordan admitted that was a possibility.

They assured me they would be a good community partner, so Ill take them at their word, Jordan said. We reviewed the facility and looked at it. I dont see a problem with it.

Next up is a town-funded charter bus trip June 16 so citizens themselves can check out the Norcross facility.

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We want to do our due diligence, he said. We want people to see what we saw.

CleanSparks Sudock said the company understand(s) that past experiences have created community concerns, and thats why we are committed to transparency and education around how our facilities are designed.

He said the company conducts comprehensive sound studies to determine potential impacts and ultimately design facilities that integrate seamlessly into the community and support a peaceful, low-impact environment.

He said CleanSpark is continuing to engage with the Mountain City and hopes to share more about operations and the companys track record to help address concerns and build understanding.

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He said the companys approach has always been to listen first and proceed only where theres mutual interest.

What about grid stress and community benefit?

Concerns about stress on the power grid have been expressed across the country where Bitcoin mining is concerned  as well as data centers that support artificial intelligence  and thats no different in Mountain City.

Sudock said CleanSpark facilities can easily ramp down during peak demand to support the broader system, and in fact did so during recent hurricanes in Georgia. He said in the Tennessee Valley Authority region, CleanSpark is among the largest participants in TVAs Powerflex program, which he said directly benefits all ratepayers.

BrightRidge offered Bitcoin mine operator $100,000 incentive, said noise wouldnt be issue

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In addition, we contribute meaningfully to local tax bases, provide steady revenue to local utilities which helps stabilize household energy costs, and we are proud to support community programs through donations and sponsorships, Sudock said.

Jordan said he reckons the personal property tax from an eight-figure investment in equipment is likely to bring more than $100,000 to town coffers, and even more to Johnson County. While the number of jobs created isnt high, Jordan thinks the wages will be very competitive  and hed like to see conditions requiring most of those jobs go to local people.

If the noise isnt an issue and its safe and it only creates 12 jobs, those are 12 jobs we dont have and they will be good wages, Jordan said.

The preliminary site plan calls for a building about 400 by 60 feet (roughly 24,000 square feet). The earliest a Planning Commission okay could come would be June 27, more than a week after the public trip to Norcross.

Other communities are in opposition and understandably so

In Limestone, Holley is looking forward to the mines closure in less than a year  even though that means the free fiber internet BrightRidge has provided as part of the settlement wont be free anymore.

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But BrightRidge recently placed a moratorium on new data centers (including Bitcoin mines) after an outcry in Johnson City, where residents feared CleanSpark was planning to build a replacement for the Limestone mine. Holley said he hopes that doesnt create a temptation for BrightRidge and CleanSpark to keep the current mine open past next March.

Preston Holley on his property in Limestone, Tenn. with the CleanSpark Bitcoin mine visible in the background. (Photo: WJHL)

The other communities where theyre wanting to put these facilities are also in opposition to them and understandably so, Holley said. So if that slows down the process, yeah, I wouldnt like that. But at the same time, I dont want this on any community.

For Holley, its all going to come down to whether CleanSpark stands by its claims of wanting to be a positive impact on the communities where it operates. Much of that, he said, revolves around noise.

Sudock said the company is investing in advanced noise mitigation technologies, including immersion cooling, site design enhancements, and emerging acoustic cancellation tools.

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He called those efforts a core part of our engineering process, not an afterthought due to the companys desire for its facilities to blend into the community.

Holley said if he were a Mountain City resident with a chance to visit a facility and talk to company representatives, Id sure like to to know more about it.

But he said a company-arranged trip to another Bitcoin mine site would only be a nice start.

Seeing one might tell us a little bit, but Id like to talk to the community members and people around there to find out, how exactly has this affected you? Because, you know, (CleanSparks) side is one thing. Id like to hear from the people who have to be there every day.

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BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR)  Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a man in connection with a child porn investigation on May 27.

Blacksburg PD said that 21-year-old Nirish Chilakala was arrested on Tuesday after serving a warrant at a home on Broce Drive.

Former school faculty member accused of felony misconduct with minor

Nirish Chilakala has been charged with the following:

100 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Code of Virginia  18.2-374.1:1)

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Chilakala has since been released on a $10,000 secured bond.

Police said the investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding the incident(s), please contact the Blacksburg Police Department at 540-443-1400. You can remain anonymous by calling the Blacksburg Police Tip Line at (540) 961-1819 or by emailing ciu@blacksburg.gov.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
European officials report that China has reduced shipments of certain drone components to Western buyers while increasing deliveries to Russia. Beijing, however, insists it regulates exports of dual-use goods and rejects what it calls "baseless accusations".

Source: Bloomberg

Details: The media outlet recalls remarks by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stated that China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine and other European countries while continuing to supply Russia: "Chinese Mavic is open for Russians but is closed for Ukrainians. There are production lines on Russian territory where there are Chinese representatives".

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A European official told the media that Zelenskyys comments align with their own assessments.

The official added that China also appears to have restricted exports of certain components, such as magnets used in drone motors, to Western buyers, while simultaneously increasing such shipments to Russia.

Chinese manufacturers began limiting sales of key parts to the US and Europe in late 2024. Western officials view this as the beginning of broader export controls.

In a statement to Bloomberg, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it regulates exports of dual-use items like drones that could be used for military purposes: "Chinas stance on Ukraine issue has been consistent and clear: we have been committed to stopping the war and promoting peace talks. China has never provided any side with lethal weapons and strictly controls dual-use items. China firmly opposes baseless accusations and political manipulation."

Background:

Last year, Bloomberg reported that Chinese and Russian companies were jointly developing strike drones.

Since then, the US and EU have imposed sanctions on several Chinese firms for aiding Moscow in drone production and supplying critical components.

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"The damage is already done by creating such uncertainty (about) what's going to happen in the future."

As the U.S. administration intensified pressure on Harvard, international students have expressed deep concerns.
CHIPPEWA FALLS  A 46-year-old Bloomer man who provided alcohol to a 16-year-old girl in April 2023, then sexually assaulted her, has been sentenced to serve six months in jail.

Nicholas B. Bowden, 721 Oak St., pleaded no contest in Chippewa County Court to one count of third-degree sexual assault. Two charges of second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious victim were previously dismissed, while charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a juvenile age 16 or older were also read-in and dismissed.

Judge James Isaacson ordered the jail sentence, and has required Bowden to begin serving his sentence no later than July 15. Bowden also was placed on probation for three years. He was given Huber work release privileges.

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Bowden cannot have any contact with the victim or the victims family. Bowden must go through a sex offender evaluation and register as a sex offender. He also must pay $538 in court costs and must submit a DNA sample.

According to the criminal complaint, the assault happened in Bloomer on April 15, 2023. The 16-year-old girl said she was in a camper in the city with Bowden, who provided her with alcohol. She got super wasted and passed out. When she woke up, she was partially disrobed and Bowden was having sexual intercourse with her.

The victim submitted an impact statement, but it has been sealed by the court.

Bowden was arrested in May 2023 but was released on a signature bond and has been free since. As terms of his release, he cannot consume alcohol and cannot have any unsupervised contact with juveniles.

He did not have a prior criminal record in Wisconsin, court records show.
bluefield  Those who abandon animals in the city limits of Bluefield will now be subject to additional penalties.

The Bluefield Board of Directors approved the second reading of an animal abandonment ordinance Tuesday. The amended ordinance specifically deals with the issue of those citizens who relocate to another residence in the city, but leave their cats and dogs behind.

This just adds additional ammunition for our animal control officers to deal with people who are not properly caring for their animals, and are not actually living with the animals, but keeping the animals somewhere separate and far from where they live, City Attorney David Kersey said.

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Bluefield has had a number of cases over the past two years of people moving from one residence to another and leaving their animals behind without proper food, water and care, according to City Manager Cecil Marson.

Weve had over probably the last year a couple of cases where folks actually own property, but they are not actually living in the property and they have their animals there, Marson said. Its unacceptable, and the language in the original ordinance was somewhat vague on what the authorities and what legal rights we had to seize those animals. So this ordinance has been done in a manner to make sure we clear that up so our code enforcement and animal control teams and our police force can act if necessary if we see any type of mistreatment of animals.

The amended ordinance was approved by the board on a second reading Tuesday by a vote of 4-0 with board member Daniels Wells absent.

According to the existing city code dealing with animal cruelty, no one living in the city limits is allowed to impound or confine any animal in any place, and fail to provide at the same time a sufficient quantity of food and water.

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In other business Tuesday, Marson talked about all of the Memorial Day activities that were held in Bluefield over the past weekend, including the opening of the Ridge Runner and the Memorial Day service that was conducted in the grassy area of the 400 block.

Marson said all of the flags that were placed in the grassy area for Mondays ceremony were donated by Dreama Denver. He said Paul Dorsey and Felicia Holcomb helped to coordinate the Memorial Day program.

While the weather didnt cooperate, Marson said the program turned out well.

Despite cooler temperatures outside and a steady rainfall during most of the long holiday weekend, the Ridge Runner was still able to start making its runs across Lotito Park on Saturday.

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Marson said about 290 people rode the miniature train over the weekend.

But the train had to stop Sunday after a derailment occurred that involved one of its wheels leaving the track.

Marson was asked after Tuesdays meeting to elaborate on the derailment that occurred.

So yes, Sunday afternoon, we had no train turned over or anything like that, Marson said. It just got stuck in one spot. So we had to go out there this week and reshift the track and get it running.

The new splash pad at Lotito Park didnt meet its Memorial Day opening.

Rick Showalter, director of parks and recreation for the city, said the splash pad is just about finished, but some work must still be completed, including the fencing. Weather also has impacted the ongoing work.

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We dont have an opening date, Showalter said. We have hired staff, so all of that is going well. We will be training them when we get a little closer. We are very excited, and I think it will be a big hit with the kids.

Bottom line is with the weather, we have to get the dirt in and the fence in, Marson added. We have to have the fence for the safety and monitoring. So thats what has been our biggest hold-up.

Board member Treyvon Simmons said the public is getting excited about the pending opening of the splash pad.

Marson said final preparations also are underway for the start of the Cole Chevy Mountain Festival at city park.

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Trucks carrying carnival rides from the James H. Drew Carnival have started arriving at city park, and those rides will be assembled between now and Fridays opening.

We should have a very nice Mountain Festival this year, Marson said. And thanks to Cole Chevy for putting all of that together.

Contact Charles Owens at

cowens@bdtonline.com
The Arkansas State Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to dissolve the Blytheville School Board and place the district under a Level 5-Intensive Support classification due to ongoing academic, financial and administrative issues.

The board authorized Education Secretary Jacob Oliva to assume the boards duties, appoint a superintendent and pursue the possibility of a transformation contract, a provision of the LEARNS Act that allows struggling public schools to partner with an open-enrollment public charter school or another state board-approved entity to create a public school district transformation campus.

Oliva notified the board on May 8 of his intent to recommend the states highest support classification. He initially alerted the board to his concerns with the Northeast Arkansas school district last July.

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Over the last year, the Arkansas Department of Education has provided on-site support to the district, ADE Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith said at the state boards special meeting in Blytheville Thursday.

The district is one of the lowest-performing in the state, struggles with declining enrollment and has financial issues, Smith said. Fiscal year 2025 revenue is down by about 15%, and the district has spent $1.5 million that was not budgeted, she said.

Teachers and administrators have been receptive to the states help, and Blytheville has a bright future, but more assistance is needed, Smith said.

People are showing up, but this is a district that is in need of a lot of support to be able to get them out of the hole that theyre currently in, she said.

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Oliva notified the Blytheville School District of his recommendation of a Level 5-Intensive Support classification and the state boards special meeting via a letter dated May 14. An ongoing lack of a permanent superintendent, delayed staffing decisions and stalled hiring processes have led to organizational instability, weakened strategic planning efforts, and impeded the districts capacity to effectively support students and staff, according to the letter.

In addition to an absence of coherent leadership, the letter also cited inconsistent governance structure and chronic student underachievement.

The district appealed the recommendation in a May 21 letter, which prompted a hearing at Thursdays special meeting. The letter, signed by Interim Superintendent Jennnifer Blankenship and board President Desmond Hammett, argued the district has worked tirelessly to implement the education departments recommendations and demonstrated both measurable academic progress and consistent good faith efforts to comply with all directives.

Specific actions include hiring a school improvement consulting firm, increasing the number of fully licensed educators and assigning mentors to novice teachers, the district leaders wrote. The letter also rebuts chronic student underachievement, noting that one school improved from an F ranking to a C ranking in one academic year.

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Additionally, the districts letter takes issue with Olivas past characterization of it as a failure factory, which undermines the morale of educators and students, its authors said.

It is difficult to accept the designation of Level 5-Intensive Support while actively doing everything we were advised to do, the letter states. Rather than punitive reclassification, we respectfully submit that BSDs path would be better supported by continued partnership, encouragement, and recognition of its progress.

The letters authors said they also strongly disagree with Olivas comments about a lack of coherent leadership and inconsistent governance.

Blytheville has had two full-time superintendents and three interim superintendents since 2018, Smith said at the state boards May 8 meeting. Blankenship was appointed as the current interim superintendent on June 12, 2024. She also served in the interim role from July through December 2021.

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After the previous superintendent was officially terminated last August, the board reviewed candidates in late November and decided to keep Blankenship. A consulting firm hired in February presented two of 13 applicants in late April, but the board declined to interview them and reposted the position, Smith said.

According to the districts letter, the board voted to delay interviews because it hadnt received certain requested information.

Unfortunately, the ADE observer left the meeting without seeking clarification, which may have inadvertently contributed to subsequent misunderstandings about governance stability, the letter states.

At Thursdays meeting, Hammett said the board didnt refuse to interview the two candidates, but instead extended the application deadline by two weeks to gather a larger pool of applicants.

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Smith confirmed that Blythevilles school board decided at its May 22 meeting to interview three applicants. One interview was scheduled for Thursday, and Smith said she would be embarrassed to interview a superintendent on the same day that the state board is considering whether to dissolve the school board.

While it may be embarrassing to some, Hammett said, the board was committed to continuing its work. Blytheville has only been working with the state for a year, Hammett said, and he believes the district can continue to improve.

The state boards discussion of Blythevilles circumstances at its May 8 meeting was disappointing and discouraging, but the school board rose to the challenge, he said.

We didnt tuck our tails, we didnt run away from the challenge, he said. We became more committed, more engaged to show that were not dysfunctional, that were willing to do the work.

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Much of Thursdays discussion centered on frustration with the boards actions, or lack thereof. Oliva discussed frustration of how much we have to babysit the people that are elected to govern the district.

Meanwhile, members of the public like Blytheville native Bradley Ballard requested the state board dissolve the school board before more damage is done.

This [mess] is the result of a board that is too prideful to lead and too fractured to function, Ballard said. We cannot keep pointing fingers while our children fall through the cracks. Today you have the power to stop this. You can cut through the chaos and bring order, accountability and hope back to our schools.

The state board granted his request and voted to dissolve Blythevilles school board and give the district a Level 5-Intensive Support classification. Blytheville joins four other districts that already have the states highest support classification  Earle, Lee County, Helena-West Helena and Marvell-Elaine.

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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.

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NEED TO KNOW

A man was found dead and another was found injured inside a garbage truck

Police say the discovery was made when the truck stopped at a Long Island middle school on the morning of Thursday, May 29

Officials are conducting an autopsy on the dead man to determine his cause of death







Police are investigating after two men were found  one alive, and the other dead  inside a garbage truck that was stopped outside a Long Island middle school.

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The Suffolk County Police Department says the two men were in a dumpster located in Commack, New York, when it was emptied into a garbage truck in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 29. Authorities believe the men had been sleeping inside the dumpster.

The truck drove about five miles before stopping at William T. Rogers Middle School in Kings Park, where someone saw a person inside the back of the truck around 6:30 a.m. local time.

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.

That person was removed from the truck and transported to Huntington Hospital for treatment of a leg injury. The other man was pronounced dead at the scene, a public information officer for the Suffolk County Police Department tells PEOPLE in a statement.

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Officials don't suspect criminal activity in this case, according to NBC affiliate WNBC.

Officials are conducting an autopsy on the dead man to determine his cause of death but the Associated Press reported that officials do not believe the man was dead before getting dumped into the truck.

Kings Park Central School District Superintendent Timothy Eagen said in an online statement that the incident is, completely unrelated to our building, our students, or our staff, adding that, there is absolutely no threat to the safety of students, faculty or staff and the school day is operating as usual.

The two men have yet to be identified and the investigation is ongoing.

Read the original article on People
Kyle Levesque takes water samples from Wayside Spring in the Forest Hill neighborhood to be tested during a citywide water outage in Richmond, Va., Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for the Virginia Mercury)

Richmonds boil water advisory has officially been lifted after two consecutive rounds of water tests came back clean, city officials announced Thursday afternoon, ending a three-day disruption that once again exposed vulnerabilities in the citys aging water system.

At 2:30 p.m., Mayor Danny Avula announced that the Virginia Department of Health had cleared the citys water as safe for consumption following negative results from required compliance samples.

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Im deeply grateful to the residents and businesses for enduring this unexpected boil water advisory, Avula said. Residents and businesses expect better, and I am as committed as ever to finding the problems and fixing them. Doing this work requires being honest about whats working and whats not and I pledge my ongoing commitment to doing just that.

Testing began Tuesday night after a sudden drop in water pressure across large parts of the city led to emergency conservation measures and boil orders for neighborhoods served by the Ginter Park tank.

The first samples were taken at 7 p.m. Tuesday and came back negative by Wednesday evening. A second round collected late Wednesday morning also cleared, with final results received Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

Im encouraged that the first round of water sample results has come back with a negative result, Avula had said Wednesday evening. Some parts of Richmond are still under a boil water advisory as we await the second sample test, but this is very promising. Were hopeful for full clearance soon and are so grateful for everyones patience and care.

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Residents and businesses across impacted areas  including the Fan, Byrd Park, Carytown, Brookland Park, Jackson Ward, Oregon Hill, and parts of Southside  can now resume normal water use. Food service operations are being directed to state guidance on how to safely reopen.

This is a sign that we must reevaluate and improve our processes to ensure this doesnt happen again, City Council President Cynthia Newbille said, praising the citys emergency response but calling for systemic improvements.

The boil advisory was triggered by an operational failure early Tuesday morning when clogged filters at the citys water treatment plant led to low or no pressure across the system.

Internal records obtained by WTVR indicate that a May 12 maintenance request to clean plate settlers  filters that remove sludge  was postponed two days later because operations staff said this was not a good time.

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These plates are critical, engineer Joel Paulsen told the station. If theyre not cleaned, sediment overwhelms the system and clogs the filters.

City officials have confirmed high turbidity was to blame for this weeks filter failure but have not addressed whether the maintenance delay was a factor. Interim utilities director Scott Morris told city council Wednesday that a full root cause analysis will take several weeks and that new maintenance protocols are in development.

This weeks boil advisory followed a cascading system-wide failure in January that left large parts of Richmond and surrounding counties without reliable drinking water for several days. That event prompted a damning investigation by the Virginia Department of Health, which found the incident completely avoidable and cited a long chain of preventable failures.

In response to this weeks pressure drop, the city quickly resumed coordination with state health officials and ramped up emergency responses. This time, unlike in January, the city began delivering bottled water to nine high-priority populations  including hospitals, senior homes, public housing complexes, and childcare providers  distributing roughly 140,000 bottles since Tuesday.

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Still, the incident is likely to draw renewed scrutiny to Richmonds aging infrastructure and emergency preparedness. A 314-page report released in April identified more than $63 million in needed upgrades on top of $60 million already allocated in the citys capital improvement plan. Among the recommendations: modernized electrical systems, automated emergency protocols, and a complete redesign of the clearwell overflow system.

That overhaul is now under a state-mandated corrective action plan following a second formal notice of violation tied to the January breakdown.

In the current situation, the city said it reached out early Tuesday morning to water customers in Chesterfield and Henrico counties to reduce pressure on the shared system. Avula noted that public alerts were issued later in the day because the city first had to assess the scope of the issue and coordinate a response.

Morris, the citys interim Department of Public Utilities director, added that the coordination with surrounding counties allowed us to have more time to recover the facility and then make a plan of action to move forward.

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Still, some residents expressed confusion as city messaging shifted throughout the day. An initial 9 a.m. statement downplayed the impact on drinking water, only for a full boil advisory to be issued a few hours later.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that the boil water advisory in Richmond was officially lifted on Thursday, May 29, at 2:30 p.m., following two rounds of negative test results.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Part of the West Linn community is under a Boil Water Notice Thursday morning following an equipment failure that caused a loss in water pressure.

The notice comes after a communication error failed to notify crews of low pressure levels at the Rosemont Water Pressure Zone, according to city officials.

Portland has the worst housing crisis outlook, LendingTree finds

As a precaution, because crews cannot confirm system pressure was maintained above the threshold required to ensure safe drinking, the City has issued a boil water advisory for the Rosemont Pressure Zone, officials said.

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When water pressure drops below 20 PSI, it becomes possible for harmful bacteria to make its way into the supply system. For this reason, Oregon law requires a public notice.

To see if your home has been impacted, search for your address on the PublicAlerts map.

How to disinfect your water

A boil water notice means you should disinfect all drinking water or water you use for cooking, brushing teeth, or rinsing your contact lenses. However, you do not need to disinfect water used for bathing or laundry.

Residents appeal Oaks Amusement Parks plan to install 135-foot Drop Tower ride

The City of West Linn shared the following tips:

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Boiling. Boil water vigorously for 2 minutes after it reaches a full boil. Chlorine bleach. Use only unscented liquid chlorine bleach (granular bleach is poisonous). If water is clear, add 2 drops of bleach per quart of water (8 drops per gallon). If water is cloudy, add 4 drops per quart (16 drops per gallon). Mix well and let stand for 30 minutes. Purification tablets. These are available at drug stores or camping outlets. Follow the directions on the package. Tablets become less effective with age, discard or replace after one year. Use bottled water.

It is not clear how long this advisory will last. For the most up-to-date information, visit the PublicAlerts website.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  The Berkeley County Sheriffs Office is urging the public to be on the lookout as they search for a missing child.

7-year-old Andre Levon Ancrum was last seen on Summit Avenue in Goose Creek, the sheriffs office said.

He may be on a blue and black bicycle.

If you have any information on his whereabouts or surveillance footage that could help deputies as they investigate, call 843-719-4169.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Police arrested a Walker man charged with 32 counts of child porn possession on May 15.

Walker Police Chief David Addison said the arrest of Brian Michael Louviere, 52, was made after a credible witness shared information. A months-long investigation started in November 2024, leading to detectives securing a search warrant for Louvieres home and devices.

It is disturbing to learn that there are people in our community who engage in this type of criminality, Addison said. We want our citizens to know, however, that we are being diligent in seeking out such people and that we will aggressively pursue them, investigate, and lock them up. We do not want child predators in Walker.

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Louviere was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on a $3.2 million bond.

Police said an investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
The race to be Bostons next mayor is picking up steam as the candidates faced off for their second debate.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and her biggest competition, Josh Kraft, squared off alongside lesser-known candidates Domingos Darosa and Robert Cappucci at Prince Hall in Dorchester on Wednesday night.

Each solidified their pitches to voters and touted their accomplishments.

Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a longtime nonprofit leader, wasted no time criticizing Mayor Wu.

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Currently, I feel the city is headed in the wrong direction, and I want to work with each and every person in the city to get it going in the right direction, said Kraft.

Wu stood by the unprecedented progress she says shes made over the last three and a half years, including housing, jobs, early education, and violence in the city.

Over the last three and a half years, weve proven what is possible. Violence is at the lowest levels ever recorded in Bostons history, said Wu.

The topic of immigration drew some heated responses from the crowd, and the candidates shared their opposition to the Trump administrations mass deportation pledge.

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Im completely against President Trumps mass deportation plans and I will stand with our immigrant community wholeheartedly no matter who is in the white house, said Kraft.

Mayor Wu spoke about her immigrant family background and the actions shes taken to stand up against the Trump administration.

They are snatching people off the street right now, masked police not asking questions, trying to suggest that all immigrants have a criminal history, said Wu.

The hour-long debate was attended by about a hundred people, including disgraced Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.

The candidates spoke after the debate ended and assured voters there will be many more conversations to come.

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Mayor Wu highlighted Krafts well-funded campaign and his lack of experience in city government.

Never has been seen before that millions of dollars are pouring in from billionaires and Trump megadonors with attack ads of this scale, and at this point in the race, tearing down the city of Boston and our progress, said Wu.

Kraft portrayed Wu as a leader who doesnt listen to her community members enough.

A lot of people feel like they dont get listened to, and decisions are made without their input. Its almost like a check-the-box kind of meeting, said Kraft.

Most of the attendees Boston 25 News spoke with at the event said theyve already made up their minds about who theyre voting for.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Federated States of Micronesia's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

XIAMEN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held respective meetings with foreign guests attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, Fujian Province.

When meeting with the Federated States of Micronesia's (FSM) Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the two heads of state had reached an important consensus on strengthening mutual trust and friendship, and on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

China appreciates the resolution passed by the Congress of the FSM in support of the one-China principle, and believes that the FSM will continue to support China's just position on Taiwan-related issues firmly, Wang said.

China is ready to expand cooperation with the FSM in key areas such as infrastructure, climate change response and marine research, and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, he added.

Robert extended his congratulations on the successful conclusion of the foreign ministers' meeting and affirmed the FSM's steadfast commitment to the one-China principle. The country is willing to continue developing its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, he added.

When meeting with Vanuatu's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati, Wang said that the China-Vanuatu comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to develop under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries.

Since the new government of Vanuatu took office in February, it has maintained a positive, friendly policy on China, which China appreciates, Wang said. The two countries should seize this opportunity to strengthen exchange at all levels and expand practical cooperation, he noted.

Ati said that China's support not only helps Vanuatu improve its people's livelihoods, but also enhances its confidence and resilience in development.

Vanuatu's government adheres firmly to the one-China principle, and is ready to strengthen the synergy of development strategies with China, accelerate negotiations for bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs), promote cooperation in such fields as education, infrastructure, health and law enforcement, and move toward a more prosperous future, Ati said.

When meeting with Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko, Wang said that the two countries should implement the consensus reached between their leaders, open FTA negotiations as soon as possible, and deepen cooperation in various fields.

China values Papua New Guinea's influence as a major power in the South Pacific, as well as its role as a gateway to Asia, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island nations to implement the outcomes of the foreign ministers' meeting, and to make greater contributions to regional peace and development.

Tkatchenko said that Papua New Guinea's relationship with China is crucial. The government of Papua New Guinea is in firm support of China's efforts to uphold its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Papua New Guinea is willing to communicate and coordinate closely with China to promote Belt and Road cooperation, and to enhance practical cooperation on agriculture, education, telecommunication, energy and regional development.

Wang also met with Nauru's former President and current Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Russ Kun, Fiji's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Lenora Qereqeretabua, and the Pacific Islands Forum's Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Vanuatu's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Fiji's Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Lenora Qereqeretabua attending the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Carmen Simone of Dakota College at Bottineau was named interim president at Lake Region State College during a May 29, 2025, meeting at Bismarck State College. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

The leader of Dakota College at Bottineau will serve as interim president at Lake Region State College.

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education on Thursday approved Carmen Simone, the campus dean and CEO at Bottineau, to take over July 1. Simone will step in for Doug Darling, who is retiring June 30 after 12 years as president at Lake Region in Devils Lake.

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The two-year schools are about 100 miles apart in north-central North Dakota.

Dr. Simone has an extensive history of increasing administrative and leadership responsibilities in higher education, and specifically among two-year institutions, board chair Tim Mihalick said in a news release.

Simone earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota. Simone has served as dean and CEO at Dakota College at Bottineau since August 2022.

She was a finalist in the Dickinson State University presidential search earlier this year.

D.J. Campbell, left, was named vice chair of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and Kevin Black was named chair at a board meeting in Bismarck on May 29, 2025. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Scott Molander, who was named president of Dickinson State University in March, will start earlier than planned.

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The State Board of Higher Education on Thursday approved a Friday start date for Molander rather than July 1, the start of the fiscal year.

Ty Orton, executive director of the Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation, has been the acting president.

Molander replaces Stephen Easton, who resigned last summer as the schools nursing faculty resigned.

The state board, which oversees North Dakotas 11 public colleges and universities, on Thursday also elected new leadership.

Board member Kevin Black was elected as chair, and D.J. Campbell of Mandan as vice chair.

Their terms will start in July.

This article was updated to correct Scott Molanders name.

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Ashlee Dahlbergs son, Liam, came home from school with a headache; the next day he was rushed to the hospital, nearly unresponsive

An MRI that showed the 8-year-old's brain and spinal cord were covered by invasive Haemophilus influenzae bacteria, a sign of untreatable meningitis

Dahlberg is urging others to vaccinate their children against Hib, as doctors say Liam likely caught it from an unvaccinated child







An 8-year-old Indiana boy died of a rare bacterial infection after he likely caught it from an unvaccinated child, according to doctors.

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This is not your typical everyday flu, Ashlee Dahlberg said in an interview with WHTR, where she shared how invasive Haemophilus influenzae, also known as "H. flu, or Hib killed her son within hours.

Liam Dahlberg came home from school in April with a headache. The next morning, the family rushed the barely responsive child to the hospital. An MRI revealed the unthinkable: They discovered the amount of bacteria that was covering his brain and his spinal cord, his mother told the outlet. At that point in time, that's when there was there was nothing they could do.

Go Fund Me Liam Dahlberg, 8, died from an aggressive illness that doctors say was likely caught from an unvaccinated person. Liam Dahlberg, 8, died from an aggressive illness that doctors say was likely caught from an unvaccinated person.

Haemophilus influenzae causes a type of bacterial infection, the Cleveland Clinic explains, that despite its name, is unrelated to the flu. A mild infection causes bronchitis; more severe outcomes include septic arthritis, septicemia  and as was the case with Liam, meningitis (infection in the brain and spinal cord).

She shared a video of her son writhing in pain and moaning in the hospital, telling the outlet, I would never wish this kind of pain on my worst enemy ever. To have sat there and listened to the doctor say you did everything right, but there was just nothing we could do, and then to lay there with him as they took him off life support. And I could feel his little heartbeat just fade away.

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Pediatrician Dr. Eric Yancy told WHTR that the disease was absolutely devastating before the vaccine was available. He said it was likely Liam caught Hib from someone unvaccinated  possibly a child, as vaccination rates have fallen.

As the Childrens Hospital of Pennsylanvia (CHOP) explains, before the Hib vaccine was introduced in 1985, about 20,000 children in the United States would develop serious, sometimes fatal infections. Most children harmed by Hib were previously healthy and well nourished, CHOP says, adding that children who recover from a Hib infection may be left paralyzed, deaf, blind, or mentally impaired.

It's spread through respiratory droplets, the Cleveland Clinic explains, and can be contagious even if the person infected doesn't exhibit symptoms.

Getty Stock image of a baby getting vaccinated. Stock image of a baby getting vaccinated.

Liam was a bright and smart young boy, full of life and potential. His presence brought joy and warmth to everyone he met, his family wrote in a GoFundMe established to help pay their unexpected medical costs.

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Theres no words that can describe that pain, Dahlberg told WHTR. I feel I have failed my child because I could not protect him from everything that would cause harm.

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WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH)  Waterburys Brass Mill Center mall reopened Thursday after a shooting Tuesday which sent five people to the hospital.

Doors were open for employees at 9 a.m. and shoppers filed in at 10 a.m. Many were still trying to process what happened Tuesday.

19-year-old arrested after 5 shot at Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury

I was so shocked, boom, boom, boom, like that, recalled Bagel Factory owner Carlos Sietei.

Hes returning to his bagel shop for the first time since he heard those shots ring out. He was helping his employees and customers to the ground when it happened.

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I hear only shots five six times something like that, Sietei said. Everybody was panicked running and something like that.

It was back to business Thursday as shoppers filed in.

Former FBI agent Kenneth Gray, now a criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven said active shooter training plays a big role in keeping everyone safe.

Because of the occurrence of these since 1999, theyre learning also how to respond to this, Gray said.

Since the Colombine massacre, law enforcement agencies have been working with the public making sure responding officers and people in these situations are prepared.

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Connecticut governor on mall mass shooting: This type of crime is shocking

Originally, you would have SWAT teams surround the building and start negotiations, Gray said. But that evolved to have few number of officers show up form a team and go into the area go to the active shooter.

It took police three minutes to get to the mall.

Five victims were taken to the hospital. According to the police reports, multiple victims suffered more than one gunshot wound. Three victims have been released, two are still recovering but are in stable condition.

Handyman crews were at the mall today when it opened working to repair the damages left behind from the chaotic scene.

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As for the alleged shooter, Tajuan Washington, Thursday was his 20th birthday. He was arraigned and is being held on a $2 million bond.

He is facing multiple charges, including five counts of first-degree assault, carrying a pistol without a permit and criminal use of a firearm.

The Brass Miller Center mall released a statement saying, We are in discussions with Waterbury PD to implement increased police presence and patrols, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring visitors feel safe at the center.

There have been police cars parked throughout the parking lot and officers patrolling inside all day today. Police also setup this mobile security cameras Thursday afternoon.

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The community gathered at Grace Baptist Church Wednesday night to talk and to pray for Waterbury.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Brazilian prosecutors sued BYD for allegedly bringing Chinese workers illegally to the country and then subjecting them to working conditions analogous to slavery. Workers building the companys industrial plant in Camacari, a city in the Brazilian state of Bahia, were purportedly crammed in dormitories and had their passports and a majority of their wages withheld.

Brazilian prosecutors are suing BYD, Chinas biggest EV maker, accusing the company and two of its contractors of subjecting workers to conditions analogous to slavery.

Bahia states Public Labor Prosecutors Office (MPT) accused the three companies of illegally trafficking 220 Chinese workers into Brazil to construct BYDs new industrial plant in the city of Camacari, located on the countrys east coast just north of Salvador.

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The prosecutors ordered the three companies to pay a fine of 257 million reais ($45.1 million) in part because of the harsh conditions workers were subjected to, according to a statement published by prosecutors.

Public agents found workers crammed into accommodations lacking the minimum comfort and hygiene conditions, with armed guards, passports being withheld, employment contracts with illegal clauses, exhausting work hours and no weekly rest, a translation of the statement read.

In a statement to Brazilian news outlet Agencia Publica, who first reported complaints of poor worker conditions at the BYD construction site last year, the company said it does not tolerate disrespect for Brazilian law and human dignity. Later, in a social-media statement from December, a BYD spokesperson said the initial news about harsh worker conditions in Brazil was smearing Chinese brands, smearing China, and attempting to undermine the friendship between China and Brazil, the AP reported. BYD did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment.

Workers at the plant in Camacari allegedly lived in dormitories with their personal belongings mixed in with their food and some slept on beds with no mattresses, the statement read. There were few bathrooms in the dormitories, which were not separated by gender. The prosecutors alleged 31 workers in one dormitory shared one bathroom and were forced to wake up at 4 a.m. to use the facilities and wash up before their work began.

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In addition, in at least one of the dormitory kitchens, authorities say they found construction material alongside food items. In another room used by a cook, food was left in open containers on the floor exposed to dirt and without refrigeration, the prosecutors alleged.

Apart from the harsh conditions, about 70% of workers wages were allegedly withheld, and they each had to pay a deposit to initiate their contract, which was only refundable after six months of work. The workers also faced excessive costs to terminate their contracts early, which included the loss of the deposit, payment of the return ticket, and refunding the ticket they used to arrive in Brazil.

The contractual terms of the employment relationship constituted forced labor, the prosecutors wrote in the statement.

BYD has quickly emerged as one of the biggest electric-vehicle makers in the world, and previously outpaced Elon Musks Tesla on annual revenue, and most recently on European EV sales.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
SAO PAULO (AP)  Videos featuring emotional moments with hyper-realistic baby dolls have sparked both online fascination and political debate in Brazil, with lawmakers even bringing the lifelike dolls into legislatures.

Influencers have staged situations such as birth simulations and strolls in shopping malls with the hand-crafted baby figures, known as reborn" dolls, creating videos that have gone viral.

In Rio de Janeiro, the city council has passed a bill honoring those who make the lifelike dolls, pending Mayor Eduardo Paes' signature. Meanwhile, legislators elsewhere across the country have debated fines for those seeking medical help for such dolls, following a video allegedly showing a woman taking one to a hospital.

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Lawmakers have brought the dolls into legislative chambers.

On Tuesday, Joao Luiz, a state lawmaker from Amazonas, appeared with a doll at the State House to announce plans to ban reborn dolls from receiving care in the states public health system. However, local media reported that health authorities had never recorded any such cases.

Last week, congresswoman Taliria Petrone criticized the attention her colleagues were giving to the issue. Can we focus on what really matters? If someone wants to have a doll, let them. I have two real children and theyre more than enough work, she said.

Dozens of reborn mothers gathered at Villa Lobos Park, in Sao Paulo, on Saturday for a 10th annual meet-up. Participants say criticism should be aimed at attention-seeking influencers, not the broader community.

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The hyper-realistic baby dolls are often used for grief therapy or parenting practice.

Berenice Maria, a nursing assistant and longtime collector who owns eight dolls, says they offer emotional comfort. I love reborns, despite the hate we see out there, she said. I want the right to go out with them  go to the mall, go to the park.

Daniela Baccan, co-owner of a reborn doll shop in Campinas, Sao Paulo, said dolls sell from 700 reais ($124) to nearly 10,000 reais (nearly $1,800).

With the rising controversy, safety concerns are increasing.

Were locking up the store more, adding cameras, Baccan said. But at the same time, online demand has increased, and the store is seeing a much higher flow of people.

___

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  When the final school bell rang at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Bay District Schools students left their classrooms for the summer.

Panama City Beach firefighters were standing by with fire hoses to greet the students at Breakfast Point Academy.

We just come out to wish the kids a happy and safe summer and see them off on their last day with a little bit of fun. We got some water, I think were gonna have a water fight. Its probably our second favorite thing to do other than put fires out, Panama City Beach firefighter Travis Gregg said.

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Students, staff and the firefighters had a water fight outside. The students look forward to the tradition every year.

Definitely going to those school dances. The color run was a lot of fun. And every year, leaving here on the last day of school has always been a blast, Breakfast Point Academy eighth-grader Hunter Murray said.

The final salute took place as the students departed the campus.

Water from the fire hoses arched into the air, with water cascading down on the buses, and teachers waving goodbye for the summer. Some students got emotional.

Im really sad, Im going to miss all my friends, and Im going to miss my teacher, she was the best. Im gonna miss it, but two months until we go back to fourth grade, Breakfast Point Academy third-grader Molly Matthews said.

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Until then, the students say they plan to enjoy their summer.

Not that anyone is counting, but Bay District school students will return to class on August 11.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Justin Gaither, a former police officer in Venice, Illinois, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. Gaither struck a handcuffed man twice in the face, without provocation, leaving the suspect with a broken nose.

The post Brickbat: Tough Guy appeared first on Reason.com.
The keyboard has become a weapon of war, Defence Secretary John Healey announced at MoD Corsham, the UKs military cyber HQ, on Wednesday. Britains digital defences are facing daily attacks from hostile states, he warned, and the time has come to fight back with a 1 billion injection to fund new artificial intelligence capabilities and an army of hackers.

Yet while the money is certainly a welcome boost, the language used has raised a few eyebrows. Its talking about cyber operations as if theyre new, scoffed Matthew Savill, director of military science at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on the BBCs Today programme on Wednesday. Its been 15 years since Stuxnet.

Savill, who its fair to say has the inside scoop after several years as a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), was referring to the highly sophisticated computer virus discovered in 2010 that had been used to sabotage Irans nuclear facilities, widely attributed to a joint operation between the US and Israel.

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It was a watershed moment in cyber warfare  proving how nation states could now cause vast damage from behind a computer screen, without a shot being fired. Not only that, but it also revealed  to the concern of many  the impressive cyber operations several countries now had in their locker.

Indeed, the US had made dominance in cyber a strategic goal as far back as the mid-1990s. China and Russia had quickly followed in the early 2000s, with Moscow investing heavily in technology to boost its intelligence units and Beijing openly integrating information warfare into its military strategy.

Britain, however, was slower off the mark. Despite first being hit by state-sponsored cyber espionage in 2003, when malware designed to steal sensitive data was found on a government employees device, it wasnt until 2010 that the National Security Strategy officially ranked cyber attacks as a Tier 1 threat  on par with terrorism. Some 15 years on, as Savill told the BBCs Jonny Dymond, defence chiefs appear yet again to be catching up.

Defence Secretary John Healey is given a tour of MoD Corsham by Commander of UK Strategic Command, Gen Jim Hockenhull (left) and CIO of Digital Defence Charles Forte (right) - MoD

Government systems outpaced by cyber criminals

The danger this lack of action and investment has put the UK in was laid bare earlier this month in a report by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Crumbling Government computer systems have been outpaced by cyber criminals, MPs warned, with more than a quarter of all public sector IT systems using vulnerable, older legacy technology.

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Britains critical infrastructure has already felt the impact of these weaknesses  from the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack on the NHS in 2017 to the recent hits experienced by retailers such as Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods. Each attack only reaffirms the need to improve resilience.

Indeed, the UK Government is in no doubt of the need for  and effectiveness of  a world-leading cyber operation. Just keeping at bay the 90,000 cyber attacks the country has faced from hostile states in the past two years is difficult enough (double the previous number in the same time period up to 2023), less actually going on the offensive.

One of the reasons you might be seeing a pivot to spending more money on cyber in our armed forces, rather than bombs and bullets, is because it can level the playing field, says Prof Alan Woodward, cybersecurity expert from the University of Surrey. It acts as a force multiplier.

Smaller countries can get a bigger bang for their buck  theres no longer as much need for an overwhelming physical superiority over the enemy, you can instead just turn off their lights and gas. We are a much smaller military nation than we once were  the armed forces cant even fill Wembley Stadium. So cyber is a way of punching above our weight.

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If you spend the money wisely and you can develop the capability, then there is the possibility you can be ready for some of the threats in what is an increasingly volatile world. Its what allowed Ukraine to make a damn good fist of fighting what on paper should be an overwhelming physical force from Russia.

Why Britain is still behind

The UKs armed forces and intelligence agencies do in fact possess significant cyber expertise  Britains GCHQ being the jewel in its crown, helped by its close allegiance with its counterpart in the US, the National Security Agency.

Its offensive cyber unit once conducted a hugely successful cyber campaign against Islamic State in 2017 that made it almost impossible for the terror group to spread their hate online, to use their normal channels to spread their rhetoric, or trust their publications, according to Jeremy Fleming, then-head of GCHQ.

A major problem, however, lies in its size. The scale of its cyber teams is modest  numbering in the low thousands  and often relying on contractors or partner support for advanced operations. In contrast, adversaries like China or Russia deploy vast numbers of keyboard warriors. This was spelt out in the recent PAC report, which warned of a shortage of cyber skills experts, particularly in the public sector.

Sir Jeremy Fleming once boasted that GCHQs offensive cyber unit made it almost impossible for Isis to spread their hate online - PA

Woodward points to two main reasons behind this: firstly, the lack of students opting to study engineering, and secondly, the poor pay on offer for those who opt for the civil service. In China, between 30 to 40 per cent of graduates have a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) qualification  compared to around 5 per cent if youre lucky in the UK, he says. Theyre hard, complicated subjects and people dont want to do them, even though if you do computer science your chances of getting a job are practically guaranteed, and youll be earning one of the highest salaries.

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Yet the big-money jobs are generally only available in the private sector  where the pay on offer can often be nearly twice as much as their public sector counterparts. How do you compete against banks and people like that paying large salaries? says Woodward. In contrast, other nation states like China are going hell for leather in attracting the best talent to the military and government agencies.

Industry insiders have certainly noted the skills shortage. Police, security services and government departments need to recruit and accelerate cyber skills and capabilities to stay one step ahead of the bad actors, says Ed Dolman, head of Europe, Middle East, and Africa at digital forensics firm Cellebrite, which provides the MoD and other government agencies with the technology to carry out cyber investigations. Britain cannot afford to play catch up any more and sleepwalk into this increasingly dangerous world.

Growing volumes of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks perpetuated by rogue states and organised criminal groups mean that ramping up the UKs security capabilities should be at the very top of the Government agenda.

A 1bn boost to UK cyber defences

The Government has at least been looking to bolster its defences with cyber personnel. In 2020, the Government established a specialist unit called the National Cyber Force to carry out the UKs offensive cyber activity to protect the UK. Its aim is to reach 3,000 cyber experts by the end of the decade. To give a sense of scale of the fight Britain is up against however, estimates for Chinas own hacker army range between 50,000 to 100,000.

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The latest 1 billion injection to the UKs cyber defences will fund a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, which will upgrade targeting systems using an artificial intelligence kill web that connects military systems. Experts suggest it hints that the UK may start to go on the offensive with its cyber operations, similar to its allies and enemies.

The UK has been very cagey about talking about its offensive cyber capability, Savill told the BBC. Its only a very slight cracking open of what remains a pretty secretive world. But it sounds like they want to talk a little bit more about their ability to take on hostile states.

Woodward suggests the UK may in fact have far more capability than has been publicly acknowledged. The UK has definitely been building its offensive cyber capabilities, he says. Indeed, just because we havent yet used it, doesnt mean we dont have the technology. Its a bit like saying: Ive got a nuclear weapon, youve got a nuclear weapon, but Im behind because Ive never used it.

Instead, unlike Moscow, the UK has to be far more careful  and often its better not to show your hand until you need to, he says.

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Moscow has been far more aggressive and brazen about it. They like the disruption. Putins regime is very happy to play fast and loose with these things and takes a lot more risk than the British government is willing to.

We would never admit to it [offensive cyber operations], because if we did it would be an act of war.

An ethical dilemma

For several years, Russia has carried out cyberattacks on Western critical infrastructure through criminal groups  allowing them to deny any involvement. Yet on the battlefield, particularly in Ukraine, they have been far more gung-ho with trying out autonomous AI weapons, such as drones that can recognise targets and fire. In its fight for survival, Ukraine has also tried such technology out.

For the UK however, this presents an ethical dilemma. Britain finds it hard enough with driverless cars, jokes Woodward. Neither can it use criminal groups as a proxy for its dirty work. Yet, he suggests the UK has already carried out extensive digital espionage and may well be ready to unleash its own cyber weapons in the near future.

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If youre going for real disruption, like taking energy grids down, you dont want to play your hand, he says, suggesting that it may have already started the process. Stuxnet, for example, was only discovered years after it had been lying in place. We may have already planted the seeds in various places. But actually triggering them is a different proposition  you dont want to use it until you really have to.

So while it might seem like were late to the party, Woodward believes we may in fact be better prepared than some fear. Its not a sudden revolution in thinking, its an evolution, he says. I just think its accelerated.

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The British military is to spend more than 1 billion on artificial intelligence and a hacking attack team, the Defence Secretary has announced.

John Healey vowed to give the Armed Forces more power online to target hostile states such as Vladimir Putins Russia, as he warned that the keyboard has become a weapon of war.

The offensive operations will be conducted through a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, which will also oversee a 1 billion investment in upgraded targeting systems using an artificial intelligence kill web that connects military systems.

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Mr Healey said that the command unit, which will be included in the Governments Strategic Defence Review (SDR) being published on Monday, would set new standards in defence.

When asked if the Ministry of Defence was increasing its capability to attack enemy states such as Russia and China, Mr Healey said: Yes. The Cyber Command is part of removing duplication, setting new standards, giving new authority behind defensive and offensive cyber.

The comments are the most explicit confirmation by any minister so far of Britains appetite to carry out offensive hacks, in addition to defending its own interests against foreign cyber attacks.

Speaking on Wednesday from MoD Corsham, the UKs military cyber HQ, Mr Healey said: We are under daily attack, increasing attacks, and this is the nerve centre of the UKs military that helps us defend against these attacks. The keyboard has become a weapon of war.

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Mr Healey added that the SDR had recognised that the war in Ukraine had proved those that prevail will be those who are not just better equipped and better trained, but better connected and also capable of innovating ahead of adversaries.

He said: Thats what our new cyber command will allow us to do.

Cyber warfare intensifying

For the last five years, the National Cyber Force has conducted hacking operations on behalf of the military, as part of a joint venture between GCHQ and the MoD.

It will now coordinate offensive cyber capabilities with the new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, which will fight enemies on the web and lead defensive operations.

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Details of Britains offensive cyber capabilities are a secret. However, action by other countries has ranged from spying on officials to installing software that forces industrial machinery to break.

Hostile countries, including Russia, China, as well as Iran and North Korea, are all deemed to have hackers who work in espionage with the aim of breaking into sensitive information online, or engaging in online ransomware attacks.

In the last two years, the MoD has been subjected to 90,000 cyber attacks  double the number in 2023  from hostile states including Russia and China.

Mr Healey said: This is a level of cyber warfare that is continual and intensifying that requires us to step up our capacity to defend.

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He added that, while previous governments had spoken of the importance of cyber, it had not been promoted in a way that integrated the efforts of the RAF, British Army and Royal Navy.

You might have seen the talk, now youll see the walk, he said.

John Healey, right, speaking from MoD Corsham, the UKs military cyber HQ, said Britain was under daily attack from hackers - Rosie Hallam

Earlier this month, a report by the Commons public accounts committee warned that crumbling government computer systems have been outpaced by cyber criminals and that the Government is lacking experts with cyber skills.

It found that more than a quarter of all public sector IT systems use vulnerable, older legacy technology, which has led to a significant gap between the cyber threat and the Governments ability.

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It comes after a number of UK retailers suffered cyber attacks, including Marks & Spencer, Harrods and the Co-op.

Richard Horne, the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, told a cyber security conference at the start of this month that the number of nationally significant cyber attacks targeting the UK had doubled in the past six months.

The kill web

As part of the new military command, more than 1 billion will be invested in a Digital Targeting Web that will come into action by 2027. The system  known colloquially as a kill web  will operate by using AI and new software to better connect military weapons systems across all three forces, enabling quicker decisions to be made on the battlefield.

This could be done by identifying a threat using a sensor on a ship or in space, before it is disabled by an F-35 aircraft, drone, or offensive cyber operation.

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The new command will also exploit the militarys expertise in electromagnetic warfare, such as degrading the enemys command and control, jamming signals to drones or missiles and intercepting an adversarys communications.

The MoD likened it to how the Ukrainians were able to stop a Russian advance by using technology to find the enemy quickly and attack at scale.

The new unit will sit under General Sir James Hockenhulls responsibilities. He is currently Commander of UK Strategic Command, which oversees operations across all three services and includes cyber and space.

The MoD said that the SDR, which was announced by Labour last year to set out a path for defence over the next decade, would show how enhanced cyber defences will help bolster national security and support economic stability.

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Earlier this year, the MoD announced that military recruits would be fast-tracked into specialist roles to tackle the growing cyber threat to the UK through the Cyber Direct Entry programme.

Mr Healey added: Ways of warfare are rapidly changing, with the UK facing daily cyber-attacks on this new front line. The hard-fought lessons from Putins illegal war in Ukraine leave us under no illusions that future conflicts will be won through forces that are better connected, better equipped and innovating faster than their adversaries.

We will give our Armed Forces the ability to act at speeds never seen before  connecting ships, aircraft, tanks and operators so they can share vital information instantly and strike further and faster.

By attracting the best digital talent, and establishing a nerve centre for our cyber capability, we will harness the latest innovations, properly fund Britains defences for the modern age and support the governments Plan for Change.

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A DAY AFTER DONALD TRUMP called Bruce Springsteen a pushy, obnoxious JERK who ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT, I found myself in Manchester, England, for one of the opening shows of Springsteens Land of Hopes and Dreams tour.

It was a birthday surprise for my husband, Jim. And as we mingled on the floor of Co-op Live Arena, we talked with some American fans about why Springsteens tidy yet devastating critique of the Trump administration as corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous had drawn such a positive public reactionand such an unsurprisingly churlish one from the president himself.

I speculated that it was a combination of things, including the way Springsteen presented his argument as a patriotic defense (and not a condemnation) of the America I love. Then, too, many Americans are simply hungry for some unequivocal pushback.

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But for me, the real power of Bruces remarks could be found in one line: We will survive this moment.

Survive. The concept hit me with a wave of relief. It was a courageous affirmation of the exceptional nature of America when I needed to hear it most. Even as he acknowledged the ways the president has undermined democracy, and the failures of our system of checks and balances to protect the country from a demagogue, Springsteen was saying there is an innate resilience in the American people. Surviving is what we do.

And he said this at a time when that core belief has been shaken. Springsteen has always been attuned to trouble in America, and he had an early understanding of Trumps appeal. In September 2016, he told Rolling Stone that he thought the country was paying a price for not addressing the real cost of [American] deindustrialization and globalization. Trumps solutions were fallacious, he noted, but they offered hope to people who had been deeply hurt by these economic changes.

I read those comments during Hillary Clintons debate prep at the Doral Arrowwood Resort in Westchester County and found their truthfulness devastating. It was one of the few moments during the 2016 campaign that I thought we were going to lose. Another time was when Springsteen echoed these same themes during a performance of the song Long Walk Homewhich he now calls his fighting prayer for Americaat a rally for Clinton the night before the election. The alienation and disappointment conveyed in the song seemed too overwhelming for our campaign to overcome.

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And, indeed, we didnt overcome them. Fast-forward eight years and here was Bruce again, now assuring us that we will, eventually, make it back home.

I choose to trust his gut more than my own.

The country is going through a lot. Just know that were right there with youa source of sense and solace in crazy times. Become a free or paid Bulwark subscriber today.

FOR A FULL DECADE AND OVER THREE presidential campaigns, I have aided efforts to keep Donald Trump out of officeonly to see him emerge as the winner of the 2024 election with more support than ever.

Not everything we did to try and stop him was a mistake. That is a simplistic way of looking at one of the most vexing political problems America has faced since the Civil War. Nevertheless, our efforts to defeat him failed. Keeping Trump from being re-elected to a cataclysmic second term was the singular focus of Resistance 1.0. For the better part of a decade, it kept everyone aligned and helped us to organize around a clear goal.

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But now, we are no longer engaged in a debate; we are under assault. More Americans buy into his MAGA vision than ever, even as our argumentsthat Trump would do everything from wreck the economy to ruin democracyare being vindicated by his actions. What more is there to say? To combat Trump 2.0 effectively, we need a new direction.

Finding one has not been easy. The lack of a North Star for anti-Trump forces is one of the reasons it feels like Resistance 2.0 has floundered, or at least has failed to take real shape. My own failure to imagine a new approach has kept me on the sidelines of politics since the election last fall. I largely stopped doing television appearances and writing or even tweeting about politics. After thirty years working in the field, including five presidential campaigns and twelve years in the White House, I should have had something more sophisticated to contribute than Yeah, Democrats should do more podcasts. But I didnt. And so, I have said very little.

I needed something to feel certain about. The idea of surviving this moment gave me that certainty.

What Bruce said sounded to me like a new North Star.

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I am a believer in the power of a winning attitude in politics. The best presidential campaigns are built on it. If the candidate and staff expect to win, it affects every decision, producing leaders who are certain of what they believe in and what they are elected to do.

Thats what Bruce provided.

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If we keep in mind during this second and more damaging Trump administration that we will eventually win, our mission becomes clearer: We must do what we can to protect America and limit the damage until we get to the other side.

It's important and courageous for Springsteen to rebuke Trump, particularly when so many people in positions of power are busy kowtowing to him. Because every time he stands up to Trumpwhether it is with the corrupt, incompetent, treasonous comments, or opening his set with No Surrender after Trump threatened him with an investigation, or mixing up the lyrics of Wrecking Ball from come on, take your best shot, let me see what youve got to let me feel what youve got to let Trump know his online attacks had not left a markSpringsteen is also sending a lifeline to those of us who feel wholly alienated by Trumps debasing of American values. We are not alone, he is saying. We can get through this.

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It was that implicit commitment, his belief that America will make it through this dangerous time (and the lyrics of Land of Hope and Dreams where Bruce promises to stand by your side) that reduced me to tears of relief for three straight songs on the floor of the Co-op Live arena. It gave me a sense of agency I had not felt since Trump won the election in November. Trump controls the White House, MAGA Republicans are running Congress, and we cannot count on the president even to follow court orders or the Constitution. It is hard to imagine any meaningful way Democrats can hold him accountablebut having faith America will make it through is a powerful act of resistance. If we dont hold on to the belief that democracy will survive, we risk resigning ourselves to authoritarian rule. Faith in our democracy will help guide us through the rest of this administration. Because Trump will not be president forever.

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DONALD TRUMP IS AN ARCHETYPICAL Springsteen villain. He is the con man who preys on the vulnerable, the guy who ruined the boardwalk in Atlantic City, the Rainmaker who makes vulnerable people believe white is black and black is white, and, perhaps most aptly, the rich man who wants to be king from Badlands, which goes on to describe a king who will not be satisfied till he rules everything. But just as any Springsteen villain is never the focus of a song but the obstacle to be overcome, the Land of Hopes and Dreams tour isnt just about Trump. Its about how America survives him.

After opening his show with a litany of all the Trump administration has taken from us, an utterly defiant Springsteen spent the rest of it singing about the great things in America we will never let Trump own. It felt like he was telling the American people: We will define what it means to be an American, not Trump. The set list consists of songs that are decades old, in some cases, but have lyrics that resonate today. Because I am an obsessive fan, I kept notes on my phone of the lines Bruce seemed to give a special emphasis when he sang them. They add up to a kind of hymn to encourage us to hold on to faith in America now.

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It goes like this:

You will need a good companion for this part of the ride

A little revenge and this too shall pass

I walk the way I wanna walk

Maybe everything that dies someday comes back

Tell me, in a world without pity, do you think what I am asking is too much?

He steals what he will never own

Hold tight to your anger, dont fall to your fears

I make my way through this darkness, I cant feel nothing but this chain that binds me

Certain things are set in stonewho we are, what well do and what we wont

I have made my vows to those who have come before

May the truth ring out from every small-town bar

This train, faith will be rewarded.

It is not a great time to be an American abroad. I was reminded of this when the security agent at the Manchester airport told me, You can go ahead and put the eagle away. He was pointing at the logo of my American passport. There was an edge in his voice that suggested he had been hoping for some time that America would get its comeuppance.

That America will always be the country that elected Donald Trump twice is humbling. The repercussions of those elections will be felt for decades to come. My Springsteen hymn is my way of holding on to the faith that its within our power to preserve the best part of Americaeven now.

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This is not all a buildup to say, I have seen the future of the Resistance, and its name is Bruce Springsteen. (That said: Bruce, if youre reading this. . .) But its clear that Americans depressed over Trump need inspiration to keep fighting. Weve already seen some talented, committed leaders fill the void, like Senator Cory Booker with his history-making filibuster (Jersey is killing it!); Americas first pope, Leo XIV from Chicago, who almost certainly would not have been selected had Trump not won; and Harvard Universitys ingenious response to the administrations attacks: the offer of free online courses on civic engagement and the Constitution.

And so, I will do as a fan told me after the show, paraphrasing a lyric from Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street? I will spread the word that the dope is that there is still hope. I will survive and fight for what comes next. I am not putting the eagle away.

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A voter casts the ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3.

The early voting, which was adopted in 2013 and first applied to the 2014 local election, will be carried out for two days through Friday.

Among 44,391,871 eligible voters, those who wish to cast ballots before the election day will be allowed to vote at 3,568 polling stations across the country from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

At 9:00 a.m., the early voting turnout was 3.55 percent, surpassing the previous high of 2.19 percent for the parliamentary election in 2024.

It was also higher than the 2022 presidential election's early voting turnout of 2.14 percent for the same time. 

A voter casts the ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Voters queue at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

A voter prepares to cast the ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Voters are pictured at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Voters queue at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)

A voter casts the ballot at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

(250529) -- INCHEON, May 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Voters queue at a polling station at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)

Voters queue at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea, May 29, 2025. Early voting began on Thursday for South Korea's snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Whats bugging Ohio? Well, this past week its been midges, but bug-fearing northeast Ohioans better buckle up! Summer is just getting underway. And now, cicadas have emerged. Still ahead are mayflies and more!

PHOTOS: Ohio insects so close  your eyes will bug. YIKES!

Midges

Recently, swarms of midges have been spotted on cars, homes, light poles, and just about anything near Lake Erie. Even clouds of the generally harmless insects have been seen flying across the sky.

(Photo credit: Halie Lynn)

The good news? Midge season typically peaks in late May or early June, which means itll be over soon.

Swarms of noisy cicadas have emerged in southwest Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reports that the periodical cicadas are a unique group and differ from annual cicadas. They emerge every 17 years when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, which typically happens in the second half of May.

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The Associated Press reported on Friday that the cicada invasion is here. Check out the pics captured in Ohio below!

A female bluebird picks a periodical cicada from the grass, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A male bluebird picks a periodical cicada nymph from the grass, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada, in the process of shedding its nymphal skin, is seen on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. There are two large compound eyes, which are used to visually perceive the world around them, and three small, jewel-like, simple eyes called ocelli center. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A and periodical cicada flies to a branch of an American Sweetgum tree in the Valley View Nature Preserve, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Milford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Periodical cicadas fly and gather on a Eastern Redcedar tree at Valley View Nature Preserve, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Milford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A a muddy-faced periodical cicada nymph climbs the truck of a maple tree after a heavy rain, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Loveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A robin flips a periodical cicada nymph from the grass and into its mouth, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada sheds its nymphal skin and clings to the trunk of a maple tree, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Periodical cicada nymphs climb mushrooms after a heavy rain, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Loveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A periodical cicada flies from a branch of an American Sweetgum tree in the Valley View Nature Preserve, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Milford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The veins of an adult periodical cicadas translucent wings are illuminated shortly after shedding its nymphal skin, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A and periodical cicada flies to a branch of an American Sweetgum tree in the Valley View Nature Preserve, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Milford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Periodical cicada nymphs climb the trunk of a maple tree to shed their nymphal skins after a heavy rain, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A periodical cicada nymph climbs to the end of a fern frond, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Periodical cicada nymphs and adults are seen on the underside of a begonia plant after a heavy rain, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada pauses on a twig at Valley View Nature Preserve, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Milford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada, shortly after shedding its nymphal skin, clings to clover on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada crawls on an iris flower, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The veins of an adult periodical cicadas translucent wings are illuminated shortly after shedding its nymphal skin after a heavy rain, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) A periodical cicada flies up from the grass pursued by a cardinal, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada, shortly after shedding its nymphal skin, climbs up the leaves of an iris flower, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) An adult periodical cicada, shortly after shedding its nymphal skin, clings to iris leaves, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Periodical cicada nymphs and adults are seen on the underside of a begonia plant after a heavy rain, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)https://epix.ap.org/# An adult periodical cicada, shortly after shedding its nymphal skin, climbs up iris leaves, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Swarms of the bugs can certainly be unsettling for some, but experts emphasize that cicadas are harmless to people and pets.

The insects will remain active for three to four weeks as they search for a mate. CLICK HERE to learn more about them.

Mayflies

Despite what their names implies, Mayflies typically arrive in Northeast Ohio in late June.

Mayflies in Catawba  Courtesy of a FOX 8 viewer

Communities along Lake Erie are already bracing for the mass arrival of the light-loving insects. Last week, FirstEnergy announced that to help deter the bugs and keep roads safe, streetlights in select communities will be temporarily turned off.

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In years past, huge swarms of mayflies have been captured on FOX 8 radar arriving on the shores of Lake Erie.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has never concealed his autocratic tendencies. He had already unabashedly referred to himself as the worlds coolest dictator, but since enjoying the firm embrace of U.S. President Donald Trump, Bukele has grown emboldened. In recent weeks, he has intensified his crackdown on critics and accelerated his efforts to suppress dissent, turning the screws on human rights organizations, journalists and civil society at large.

Bukeles acolytes have arrested one of the countrys most prominent human rights activists, have enacted a foreign agents law that resembles the ones used in dictatorships like Russia and Nicaragua to weaken civil society, and have made life even more threatening for independent journalists, prompting more of them to flee into exile.

The millennial president, who became enormously popular by imposing draconian policing tactics that restored security to a country that had been plagued by brutal gang violence, quickly consolidated power after becoming president in 2019. He easily led his New Ideas party to full control of the legislature, secured an ironclad majority in the Supreme Court, and maneuvered to win a second term in office, even though the countrys constitution clearly limits presidents to a single one. Before long, he had full control of the country, steadily dismantling democratic institutions.

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Through it all, Salvadorans seemed satisfied with the bargain. Security had greatly improved the quality of life in their impoverished country. Polls consistently showed his approval hovering around 80 percent.

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In the past few months, however, as El Salvador has come under greater global scrutiny stemming from Trumps deportation of migrants to prisons there, even Salvadorans are having second thoughts. A recent poll showed Bukeles approval rating sliding to 55 percent, fully 20 points lower than a year ago, with two-thirds of respondents saying they disapprove of his controversial use of Salvadoran prisons to house deportees in exchange for cash from the U.S. government.

Bukeles notorious prisons stand at the center of the security policies that transformed the country and raised the alarm of human rights organizations and democratic activists. In 2022, he declared a state of emergency that remains in place to this day, allowing police to arrest and imprison individuals without any semblance of due process. The prison population has tripled, with human rights groups documenting hundreds of deaths inside and desperate families saying their relative have disappeared without a trace into the system. Thousands of innocent men have been swept up and warehoused in crowded cells without access to legal representation or communication with the outside world. Conditions in the terrorism confinement center, or CECOTwhich now also houses migrants deported by the Trump administrationare labeled as torture by human rights experts.

Instead of using security gains to steer El Salvador into a prosperous democratic future, Bukele is aggressively using his successes to turn the country into a dictatorship under his rule.

Now, after high praise from the U.S. president, a visit to Trump in the White House, and histrionic tours of the CECOT prison by administration officials like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Bukele is feeling no pressure from the worlds most powerful country to tone down his tactics. As a result, he is becoming less patient with his critics at home.

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On Sunday night, May 18, police arrested Ruth Lopez, one of the best-known anti-corruption and human rights lawyers in Central America. Lopez heads Cristosal, an organization that has been looking into corruption in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

Cristosal was investigating multiple instances of potential corruption under Bukele, including the misuse of pandemic funds, the diversion of public funds to acquire Pegasus software for spying on journalists, as well as secretive negotiations between Bukeles government and Salvadoran gangs.

Her organization lambasted Lopezs detention as part of a systematic strategy of criminalization against those who defend human rights under Bukele. Human Rights Watch said the arrest, is not an isolated incidentit marks a dangerous escalation in President Bukeles effort to silence dissent.

The Bukele administrations attorney generals office accused her of collaborating in the theft of funds from state coffers, linking her to the former president of the supreme electoral tribunal, Eugenio Chicas, who had been arrested earlier on charges of illicit enrichment.

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Chicas, who had also worked under the previous administration, denies the charges. The opposition claims his arrest is politically motivated.

Chicas and Bukele have an acrimonious history. Back in 2017, when Chicas was a government minister, Bukele accused him of rape. Chicas sued for slander and won. Bukele was ordered by the court to pay Chicas $50,000.

Earlier this month, two days after arresting the head of an NGO that was looking into malfeasance in Bukeles government, the legislature moved to silence just about any organization it deems threatening. By a 57 to 3 vote, the Bukele-controlled Congress passed the foreign agents law.

The pretext for the law was a protest by peasant families in front of Bukeles residence. The president claimed they had been manipulated  by globalist NGOs.

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Under the law, any organization that receives funding, including donations, goods or services from abroad must register as a foreign agent, which triggers steep taxes, crippling government interference and potentially a stain on its reputation. The laws definition of foreign support is absurdly broad, and defines as foreign supporters people determined by the Foreign Agents Registry to fall under this category. Groups that register are sharply limited in their activities and those which fail to register and are later found to qualify face destructive penalties. Most crucially, the law gives the government the ability to monitor and shut down organizations receiving foreign support. The government says the law aims to promote transparency, but Human Rights Watch says its real aim is to stifle dissent.

Foreign agent laws have become a preferred tool of autocracy. When Georgia, the former Soviet republic, introduced similar legislation, the action triggered months of massive street protests by democracy advocates, who correctly feared the new law would severely handicap their democracy.

There is no question that Bukele has done enormous good in El Salvador, pulling the country out of its morass of violence. But instead of using those security gains to steer El Salvador into a prosperous democratic future, he is aggressively using his successes to turn the country into a dictatorship under his rule. El Salvador didnt have to choose between security and democracy. But now, made even stronger by support from the Trump administration, Bukele seems more determined than ever to burnish his autocratic credentials.

Frida Ghitis is WPRs senior columnist and a contributor to CNN and The Washington Post. Her WPR column appears every Thursday. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads at @fridaghitis.

The post With Bukele Emboldened, El Salvadors Authoritarian Slide Is Accelerating appeared first on World Politics Review.
Simi Valley business owner Jonathan Youssef raced to his modest jewelry and repair shop on Memorial Day morning, fearing the worst.

The business owner next door had called him just after 6 a.m. to say that burglars had broken into their coffee and candy store and also breached Youssefs establishment, 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair.

His father and the shop's founder, 71-year-old Jacoub Youssef, had already reached the store, located inside a strip mall.

Thieves cut a hole in the safe of 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley. (Al Seib / For The Times)

The safe appeared intact. Jacoub tried to reassure his just-arriving son  and perhaps himself: "They didn't open the safe."

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But Jonathan wasn't so sure.

It was like a movie, like Oceans Eleven' or 'The Italian Job, said Jonathan Youssef, the stores co-owner. I couldnt believe it, but I told my dad to open the safe.

The patriarch did so, only to find gold bullion, customers' jewelry, decades of savings and other items missing.

It was a lifetimes worth of work  of struggle  gone, just gone, Jonathan Youssef told The Times on Tuesday evening as he fought back tears. Everything we owned and, worse, family heirlooms of our customers are gone. Its unthinkable.

Jonathan Youssef says community members have been offering support and sympathy in the wake of the burglary. (Al Seib / For The Times)

Simi Valley police received a call at 6:33 a.m. from the Youssefs. Senior Officer Casey Nicholson said an unknown number of burglars gained access to Dr. Conkeys Candy & Coffee shop next door through the roof.

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Nicholson did not confirm how the burglars moved into the jewelry and repair shop, noting that the crime was still under investigation. Surveillance video provided to KTLA showed burglars crawling on the floor.

Jonathan Youssef said detectives told him the burglars spray-painted security cameras as they entered Dr. Conkeys. They then spent about three hours cutting through both walls and about 8 inches of his 5,000-pound safe. They cut a hole and seized everything inside.

They were no slouches, and this wasnt their first rodeo, Jonathan Youssef said of the burglars. They knew where the cameras were, how to evade detection and what equipment to use to get into the safe.

Jonathan Youssef estimated his store lost between $2 million and $2.5 million in cash and inventory  gold bullion, silver bars, white gold and platinum pieces, multiple high-end Rolex, TAG Heuer and Omega watches, center-stone diamond engagement rings and more.

Jacoub and Jonathan Youssef decide on a design with Jaime Csiszar, left, who lost a necklace in a safe where all items were stolen. (Al Seib/For The Times)

It was store merchandise and the accumulation of a lifetime's worth of work for my dad, Jonathan Youssef said. Hes been devastated over the loss.

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Jonathan Youssef said his father had been too distraught to speak with the media. The elder Youssef emigrated to the United States from Egypt in the early 1970s as a 19-year-old.

Hes owned several other small businesses and handed over the jewelry store, which he opened 25 years earlier, to his son in 2015, Jonathan Youssef said.

They had just decided to reduce store hours as his father neared retirement; Jonathan had purchased a sign reflecting the change.

He was slowly dwindling his hours away from the store until his actual retirement at the end of the year, Jonathan Youssef said.

But those plans are now in flux.

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Read more: In cinema-style heist, tunneling thieves steal millions in gold, jewels from downtown L.A. store

The younger Youssef said his store couldnt afford to insure what was in the safe, so its a total loss. The only part that is covered by insurance is the damaged and ultimately ineffective safe, Jonathan Youssef said.

My father doesnt want to retire now," the son said. "He wants to work to help recoup some of these losses."

The younger Youssef estimates the store is several hundred thousand dollars in the red because of the loss of jewelry belonging to roughly 100 neighborhood customers. He said the stores main business was not selling jewelry but altering and repairing it.

Jacoub, left, and Jonathan Youssef are are trying to pick up the pieces after burglars drilled a hole through an adjacent building and got the store's safe. (Al Seib/For The Times)

Those are the irreplaceable items that are difficult to accept, Jonathan Youssef said. I could care less about our inventory.

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Since news broke, customers have turned the store into a de facto memorial site, Jonathan Youssef said.

Ive had ladies coming here and crying about their stolen engagement rings or grandmas diamond earrings, he said. There was a guy who screamed in my face about his wifes wedding ring, and it just hurts. Its rough.

Read more: Long Beach man who bragged about crime on Instagram pleads guilty to $2.6-million jewelry heist

Kathi Van Etten, chief executive and president of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the burglary shocked the neighborhood.

Its so hard because this is such a safe community and you dont expect these types of things to happen, she said. And they did everything right, from having security and taking precautions.

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Van Etten said some chamber members had reached out to her to ask how they could help. She said some were planning to bring meals to the Youssefs.

This is the type of community where people stick together and help each other, Van Etten said.

The younger Youssef said hed been sustained by community members who had delivered well wishes and hugs since shortly after the burglary.

One of his top customers created an online fundraising campaign , hoping to raise $20,000 to help defray some of the losses. The fund had nearly $18,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

My family is grateful to Simi Valley, to our community, for everything, he said. We have an obligation to this community, and were not going to rest until everyone who lost something is compensated.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A bill designed to establish business courts in Oklahoma  a key part of the Republican-led Legislature's budget agreement with Gov. Kevin Stitt  sailed through both chambers on what figures to be the penultimate day of the four-month legislative session.

Senate Bill 632 has seen multiple iterations and ridden a proverbial legislative roller coaster during that time, but it now has ended up on Stitts desk, awaiting his signature. On the morning of Wednesday, May 28, the Senate approved the bill 39-7. Later in the day, the House sent the legislation to the governor's desk in a 77-12 vote.

The creation of courts designed to handle complex business litigation long has been a goal of Stitt, as he believes the existence of such courts will help make Oklahoma appear more friendly to potential businesses looking for a place to locate.

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Critics have said having business courts could raise the specter of those courts providing preferential treatment to businesses over people seeking to sue them for alleged wrongdoing. Theyve also noted that by creating the courts, the Legislature is supporting an expansion of government, a point noted Wednesday by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, a leader of the Senates far-right members.

Bullard asked Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, who was presenting the bill, Are we growing government or shrinking it? Howard eventually acknowledged it was growing government, and Bullard eventually voted in favor of the bill. One far-right senator, Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, joined six of the Senates eight Democrats in voting against the bill.

How much would the business courts cost taxpayers?

The legislation would create a business court in any judicial district in Oklahoma containing a county with a population of more than 500,000  essentially, Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. Howard said the physical location of the two courts would be worked out between the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

The salary of a business court judge will be the same as that of an associate justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Currently, thats $161,112, but a bill thats not yet been acted upon by Stitt would raise that number to $185,612.

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According to an analysis by the Administrative Office of the Courts, the business court system will cost taxpayers about $2 million to establish.

Opponents of the bill have pointed out that the court system would also cost millions of dollars a year to run.

The business courts would focus on disputes regarding Oklahoma's complex business laws, including securities, trade secrets, professional malpractice, contracts, commercial property, intra-business disputes and e-commerce. Under the legislation, for an issue to be considered by the court, the amount in controversy must be $500,000 or more. The bill also would require any non-jury trial in a business court to be resolved within 12 months.

Any party can transfer a legal case into the business court if a district judge determines the business court has subject-matter jurisdiction over the case.

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The bill, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, had a long journey through the Capitol. Its stops included hearings by four committees, House amendments to the bill that were rejected by the Senate, and two conference committee reports, including one that was rejected on May 22. Members of both chambers on the conference committees agreed on the bills final language on Tuesday, May 27.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What is a business court? Oklahoma poised to establish with SB 632
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  An owner of a former business is paying back dozens of Pennsylvania families he admits to ripping off when they paid him for caskets or gravestone markers.

Richard Freeman Jr. 39, of Maryland, who was the owner of Greencastle Bronze & Granite, pled guilty in court in Franklin County to stealing more than $200,000 from more than 70 different families.

You lied to your customers, you were cowardly with your customers, Judge Mary Beth said while looking at Freeman.

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He was able to pay up $50,000, which is just part of the restitution, while in court Thursday. Instead of time in prison, Freeman was sentenced to spend 21 years on probation and is paying back the rest of the money he stole.

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This was agreed upon because if Freeman had been sentenced to prison time, no restitution would be paid. Shank brought up that if he goes to prison, he would make something like a dollar an hour in a kitchen.

To me, it wasnt as much the money as it was the hurt that to know my husband didnt get his marker, DeEtta Lesher said while trying to hold back tears. It just wasnt fair, just not right. He took advantage of those people at their worst, lowest point.

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Freeman faced up to four years in prison if he didnt come up with the initial $50,000 in restitution, and Shank told him he still faces prison time if he doesnt comply with his probation terms, including full payment of restitution.

Former Dauphin County Judge sentenced for attempted murder

One day Mr. Freeman  look at me  you are going to meet God, I would not want to be in your shoes, Judith Garretson, who paid for an order for her husband, who died in 2022, said in court.

When Shank gave Freeman a chance to speak, he looked at the judge said: I apologize to the victims and families affected, and let them know I am working to make this right.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Busy section of I-494 in Twin Cities to close over the weekend originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A busy section of Interstate 494 in Bloomington will close in both directions this weekend.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the south metro interstate will close beginning at 10 p.m. Friday between Highway 100 in Bloomington/Edina and Highway 77 near MSP Airport in Bloomington/Richfield.

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The road will reopen at 5 a.m. Monday.

It's part of work to complete the pedestrian bridge over I-494 near Chicago Avenue and remove the Portland Avenue bridge for reconstruction.

Rusty Clark, Flickr

Ramp closures will go into effect sooner, with all ramps along I-494 between Hwys. 100 and 77 shutting down at 8 p.m. Friday.

Drivers on I-494 will be diverted via Hwy. 77, crosstown Highway 62, and then Hwy. 100.

The closed section of I-494MnDOT

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.






Ajay Dev's 378-year sentence for sexual assault was overturned on Friday

The 58-year-old had 76 convictions

His trial setting conference and motion hearing date has been scheduled for Friday, June 13







A judge overturned a California man's 378-year sentence for sexual assault on Friday, May 23.

According to Superior Court of California, Yolo County court records reviewed by PEOPLE, Ajay Dev, 58, who had 76 convictions, was released on Friday, May 23, on his own recognizance (OR). A trial setting conference and motion hearing date has been scheduled for Friday, June 13.

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The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the District Attorney's Office will decide whether to retry Dev.

The ruling came down after Superior Court Judge Janene Beronio said that there was substantial evidence that Dev's accuser, his adopted daughter Sapna Dev, had fabricated the charges to "punish him and improve her prospects of remaining in the United States," per the outlet.

I have read the court material for seven years and believe there is a substantial likelihood that he didnt do this. I dont think $60,000 is reasonable... I think OR is reasonable," said Beronio, per DavisVanguard.org.

Sapna was adopted from Nepal in 1998 when she was 15. Dev, an immigrant from Nepal, was visiting the country with his wife. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, citing Beronio's ruling, in early 2004, Sapna's boyfriend broke up with her, and she claimed it was Dev's fault.

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She then proceeded to tell police that Dev "had sex with her two or three times a week for three or four years until she moved out of his home," per the outlet.

Four witnesses, however, testified during a recent hearing that Sapna stated the accusations were lies or were motivated by her anger towards him, according to the judge.

One of the witnesses whom Beronio classified as "credible" said Sapna said she made the accusations against her adopted father because she was determined to return to the United States and needed to use the criminal charges to do that."

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, Beronio also noted there was evidence showing that between 1999 and 2004, Sapna gave Dev and his wife cards and sent them texts and emails expressing her affection and love and a desire to continue to be part of their lives.

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Beronio said that if jurors had heard that evidence, the result of this case could have and most likely would have been different.

During court, Devs attorney, Jennifer Mouzis, emphasized that Dev had no prior criminal record before the case and had maintained a clean disciplinary record over his 16 years of incarceration, according to DavisVanguard.org.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Patricia Purcell, a member of the advocacy group that has held demonstrations in support of Dev, told The San Francisco Chronicle, "Judge Beronio was the first judge to really look closely at the evidence and read every document.

Read the original article on People
A San Mateo man is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly opened fire at an SUV carrying three high school boys who had poured oil over his porch and egged his home, authorities said.

Craig Miceli, 54, told police officers that his daughter had been a victim of constant bullying at her high school and that he was infuriated by the pranksters' antics, according to the San Mateo County district attorney's office.

Prosecutors said the boys  two of them age 16 and another 17  targeted the San Mateo home of a female classmate they did not like from Hillsdale High School.

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First they spread oil over Miceli's front porch on Friday. Then they returned in the early hours of Sunday morning and each threw an egg at his home.

Miceli then allegedly fired two shots at the boys' SUV, one of which struck the panel above the front passenger side wheel, according to the D.A.'s office.

He told police officers that he was already upset about having to spend time cleaning oil off his porch before the egging incident, so he angrily grabbed his gun and fired it at the boys' car tires, prosecutors said. Miceli said he then dumped the weapon into Water Dog Lake, authorities said.

Read more: SoCal boy takes round of ammo to school to show friends; dad is under arrest, officials say

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Police said they later obtained a search warrant and recovered an illegal automatic rifle and several types of ammunition from his home.

Miceli was charged with three counts of assault with a firearm, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle and two counts related to an unlawful assault weapon. He was arraigned in San Mateo Superior Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The court issued a protective order banning Miceli from contacting the teenagers. His bail was set at $25,000, and he is due back in court for a preliminary hearing June 9, according to the D.A.'s office.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Executives at a Los Angeles freight forwarding company smuggled billions of dollars in goods into Mexico from the U.S. for over a decade in a lucrative scheme involving drug cartels and corrupt customs agents, federal prosecutors say.

Ralph Olarte, 55, and Humberto Lopez Belmonte, 53, used fraudulent documents, shell companies, bribes to public officials, and kickbacks to Mexican cartels in the scheme, which lasted from at least 2013 to 2024, according to the 22-count indictment against Olarte, Lopez and their company, Sport LA Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Olarte, a U.S. citizen, and Lopez, a citizen of Mexico, allegedly hid the nature of the goods as well as the identities of the actual recipients from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Among items originating in the U.S. and exported to Mexico or funneled through the U.S. from other countries and then to Mexico were contraband including counterfeit cell phone batteries and medical devices, as well as goods that required licenses, such as handguns, ammunition, electronic cigarettes and marijuana, the indictment states. Mexican shell companies received the goods.

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The defendants avoided paying hundreds of millions of dollars in duties owed to the Mexican government by bribing Mexican customs officials, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office.





They used WhatsApp to direct truck drivers into specific Mexican customs lanes where officials who had been bribed were assigned. The agents permitted the trucks to enter Mexico without paying duties, the indictment alleges.

The defendants then smuggled large amounts of cash from payment for the goods into the U.S., which they laundered through the Mexican shell companies and back to the shipping companies they controlled.

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Throughout the conspiracy, defendants OLARTE and LOPEZ wired, and caused to be wired, tens of millions of dollars from the shell consignee accounts to the HRL defendants, according to the indictment. Both men allegedly received millions of dollars in the scheme.

Sport LA Inc. was a bonded freight carrier that did business as HRL, H&R Logistics and under other names. Lopez was CEO and secretary, and Olarte was chief financial officer. Bonded carriers are permitted to ship goods through the United States to other countries.





Kickbacks to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and other cartels allowed the defendants to continue operations, and contacts in Mexican law enforcement ensured the goods reached their intended destinations, prosecutors say.

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The charges range from conspiracy to commit money laundering to smuggling goods from the United States to submitting false and misleading export information.

Lopez pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, the day he was arrested, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. A July 21 trial date was scheduled, and he was ordered released on a $100,000 bond. It was not immediately clear whether Olarte, who was also arrested on Tuesday, had entered a plea.

If convicted, Olarte and Lopez face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count related to wire fraud and money laundering, up to five years for each count related to smuggling and making false statements, and up to two years for each count of knowingly submitting false and misleading export information.

Mark Werksman, Lopezs lawyer, told Courthouse News Service that Lopez denies the accusations.

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We look forward to defending against these charges in court, and were confident that a jury will agree that Mr. Lopez, his co-workers and his company did nothing wrong, Werksman said.

Homeland Security Investigations, CBP, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration are involved in the investigation.

Related:





Armenian crime rings charged with attempted murder, $83M Amazon cargo theft

The post California freight forwarder charged with smuggling billions in goods appeared first on FreightWaves.
After losing last month in Orange County Superior Court, the state of California is asking a state appellate court to overturn a Huntington Beach measure that could require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots in local elections.

Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, the state's top elections official, have been tangling with Huntington Beach in court for more than a year over Measure A, which amends the city charter to say that local officials "may" require photo ID for municipal elections starting in 2026.

In April, Orange County Superior Court Judge Nico Dourbetas said the state had not shown that "a voter identification requirement compromises the integrity of a municipal election." Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns called the ruling a "huge victory."

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Bonta appealed Wednesday to the 4th Appellate District, where the state hopes for a more favorable hearing. In February, a three-judge panel from the 4th District said that Huntington Beach's assertion of a "constitutional right to regulate its own municipal elections free from state interference" was "problematic," but kicked the case back down to Orange County Superior Court.

More than 53% of Huntington Beach voters supported the charter amendment in the March 2024 election.

The amendment also requires that Huntington Beach provide 20 in-person polling places and to monitor ballot drop boxes. The city has not shared plans on how the law could be implemented in next year's elections.

A representative for Huntington Beach didn't respond to requests for comment Thursday. The city's lawyers have argued that the city charter gives local officials autonomy to oversee municipal issues, including local elections.

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Bonta and Weber contend that while California's 121 "charter cities" can govern their own municipal affairs, local laws can't conflict with state laws on issues of "statewide concern," including the integrity of California elections and the constitutional right to vote.

The voter ID law is one of several fronts in the ongoing battle that conservative officials in Huntington Beach have waged against California since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has used similar arguments about its charter city status in fights over state housing laws, education policies for transgender students and "sanctuary state" immigration laws.

The issue of voter ID has become a flashpoint with conservative politicians, including President Trump, who in January demanded that California enact a voter ID law in order to receive aid for the devastating Los Angeles area wildfires.

California voters are required to verify their identities when they register to vote, and the state imposes criminal penalties for fraudulent registration. California does not require photo identification at the polls but does require that voters provide their names and addresses.

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The photo ID measure may also be invalidated by Senate Bill 1174, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last fall, which bars local election officials from requiring photo identification in elections.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
China's Tianwen-2 probe, atop a Long March-3B carrier rocket, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 29, 2025. China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system. The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

XICHANG, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars.

A Long March-3B carrier rocket blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 1:31 a.m. (Beijing Time). And about 18 minutes later, the Tianwen-2 probe was sent into a transfer orbit from Earth to the asteroid 2016HO3, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The spacecraft unfolded its solar panels smoothly, and the CNSA declared the launch a success.

Shan Zhongde, head of the CNSA, stated that the Tianwen-2 mission represents a significant step in China's new journey of interplanetary exploration.

Despite the mission's long duration and significant risks, he expressed his expectation of yielding groundbreaking discoveries and expanding humanity's knowledge of the cosmos.

POTENTIAL SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS

Known as a quasi-satellite of Earth, asteroid 2016HO3 orbits the Sun and appears to circle around Earth as well, remaining a constant companion to our planet.

Dubbed as "cosmic fossils," asteroids preserve critical information about the solar system's infancy, scientists say.

"Asteroids also provide critical insights into Earth's evolutionary history. A hypothesis holds that Earth's water was brought by small celestial bodies. Their cataclysmic collisions with our planet, such as the event that eradicated dinosaurs, have profoundly shaped terrestrial evolution," said Liu Jianjun, deputy chief designer of the Tianwen-2 mission and a researcher from the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The second target, 311P, a celestial anomaly discovered in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, occasionally spews out materials and resembles a comet with tails. Its discovery challenges astronomers' conventional understanding about a comet, as the region is too close to the Sun for a comet to retain its volatile materials like water ice.

Scientists are still uncertain whether main-belt comets originated in the asteroid belt or from the edge of the solar system. These special small celestial bodies hold significant scientific research value, Liu said.

Explaining why the asteroid 2016HO3 was chosen for sampling, Han Siyuan, deputy director of the CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center and spokesperson for the Tianwen-2 mission, said this asteroid has a relatively stable orbit, requiring lower energy consumption for spacecraft to reach it, while enabling a viable scenario for subsequent exploration of the main-belt comet 311P.

The Tianwen-2 mission is expected to advance understanding of the origins, evolution and characteristics of these two types of small celestial bodies, Han said.

Scientifically, the mission focuses on measuring physical parameters of the two celestial targets, including their orbital dynamics, rotation, size, shape and thermal properties.

The mission will also investigate the topography, composition and internal structure of the two celestial bodies, and possibly study the materials ejected by the main-belt comet, Han said.

After the samples are brought back to Earth, laboratory analysis will be carried out to determine the samples' physical properties, chemical and mineral composition and structural characteristics, he added.

NEW STEP IN DEEP SPACE

The entire mission process is complex. After launch, the spacecraft will journey for about one year to reach its first target, during which it will perform deep-space maneuvers and mid-course corrections until it is about 30,000 km away from 2016HO3.

The probe will gradually approach the target, carrying out close exploration by circling and hovering over the asteroid to determine the sampling area, with a strategy of flying and probing simultaneously.

Given the asteroid's weak gravity, sampling poses unique challenges. A hard surface may result in bouncing back, while a loose surface may cause sinking. The control of the probe must be precise and just right, Han said.

After completing the sampling, the spacecraft will fly back to the vicinity of Earth. A return capsule will separate from the main probe and is expected to deliver the samples to Earth by the end of 2027.

The main probe will then continue its voyage to rendezvous with the more distant target, the main-belt comet 311P, to carry out subsequent exploration tasks.

The probe is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including cameras, a visible and infrared imaging spectrometer, a thermal emission spectrometer, radar, a magnetometer, and analyzers for charged and neutral particles, as well as for ejected materials, according to the CNSA.

SUBSTANTIAL RISKS

The mission aims to overcome key technological challenges, including sampling on a low-gravity celestial surface, high-precision autonomous navigation and control, as well as trajectory design, according to the CNSA.

"Earth-based observations indicate that the asteroid 2016HO3, with an average diameter of about 41 meters, exists in near-zero gravity and rotates rapidly. Given these complex conditions, it's extremely challenging for the probe to achieve stable attachment with the asteroid and sampling within a limited time," Han said.

Asteroid 2016HO3 is located between 18 million km and 46 million km from Earth, while the main-belt comet 311P lies approximately 150 million km to 500 million km away. The immense distance from Earth imposes stringent requirements on the probe's communication system, trajectory design, power management, and the capability to maintain highly reliable long-term operational performance, Han said.

"The most formidable challenge we face lies in the multitude of unknowns regarding our exploration targets. The asteroid's shape, rotational behavior and surface characteristics all remain unclear, which significantly complicated the design of both the spacecraft and its sampling methods," said Chen Chunliang, an expert from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

"To address these uncertainties, we've conducted extensive ground-based simulations, enabling the probe to employ multiple contingency strategies," Chen said.

"Additionally, we've engineered lightweight, large-area flexible solar panels to ensure a sustained power supply during the deep-space voyage," Chen added.

The mission's name originates from the long poem "Tianwen," meaning "Questions to Heaven," written by Qu Yuan (about 340-278 BC), one of the greatest poets of ancient China. The poem poses philosophical and cosmological queries about heaven, stars, myths, and nature, reflecting a spirit of seeking the truth.

CNSA noted that all of China's interplanetary missions bear the Tianwen series name, symbolizing the nation's enduring pursuit of truth and exploring nature and the universe. China's first Mars exploration mission was named Tianwen-1. 

China's Tianwen-2 probe, atop a Long March-3B carrier rocket, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 29, 2025. China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

China's Tianwen-2 probe, atop a Long March-3B carrier rocket, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 29, 2025. China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

China's Tianwen-2 probe, atop a Long March-3B carrier rocket, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 29, 2025. China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

China's Tianwen-2 probe, atop a Long March-3B carrier rocket, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 29, 2025. China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

China's Tianwen-2 probe, atop a Long March-3B carrier rocket, lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 29, 2025. China launched its first asteroid sample-return mission, Tianwen-2, in the early hours of Thursday, an endeavour to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to achieve multiple goals over a decade-long expedition: collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and exploring the main-belt comet 311P, which is more distant than Mars. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)
OTTAWA  Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is signaling a bold shift in Canadian defense spending  one where the military is a national priority.

We need to rebuild our armed forces. We need to rebuild infrastructure. We need to build new defense systems, but we need to do that where we support Canadian industry, Canadian workers and Canadian autonomy, Champagne told POLITICO in a wide-ranging interview in his 18th-floor corner office.

Canada is nowhere near the NATO spending target of 2 percent of GDP. A report from the alliance pegs it at 1.37 percent, making it one of the worst offenders in the alliance. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once privately advised NATO officials that Canada would never meet the target, according to documents leaked from the Pentagon two years ago.

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Now, Secretary-General Mark Rutte says that target is likely to rise to 5 percent at next months NATO summit in The Hague.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, have implored Canada to pony up on defense. Its the same message American administrations have been sending to Canada for decades, including from Barack Obamas Democrats.

Champagne has served in numerous senior Cabinet portfolios: international trade, foreign affairs, industry and now as Carneys right hand at finance.

We want to do big things. We want to do them fast, he said.

Here is a transcript of our conversation, edited for length and clarity.

You met King Charles. How'd that go?

Today was a day that will go down in history. I love it when he said, the true north, strong and free. I think it resonated in the minds of Canadians and in the hearts of Canadians.

Hows that going to resonate in Washington?

They'll see that Canada has its own distinct institutions, that indeed we are a great nation, that we have an ambitious agenda for Canada of the 21st century. And that although we will always be friends, we will find our way like we did. When I look at 2025, it reminds me of 1945, where C.D. Howe kind of reinvented modern industrial Canada. It's one of these moments in history where we're really rebuilding the nation. And I think we're fit for purpose. We will be the supplier of choice to the world.

What message did you take away from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last week at the G7 finance ministers meeting in Banff?

The desire to work collaboratively with colleagues to tackle the big issues. We talked about over capacity, non-market practices. We talked also about going after money laundering, the call to action on financial crimes.

The communique had some strong language on Ukraine. It called it a brutal war. It blamed the fighting on Russia. How hard was it to get the U.S. to agree to that language on Ukraine? Did you sense the Americans growing frustrated with Russia? Weve since seen what Trump has said.

Without going into the detail of the discussion, there was really a sense of unity, understanding that Ukraine is fighting for democracy for all of us. And that it is incumbent upon us to look at every possible way where we can support Ukraine in this existential fight. And the message to the world is that we stand shoulder to shoulder, we're going to hold Russia to account.

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And very important in the communique is the statement that Secretary Bessent made whilst we were last in Washington that all the colleagues stood behind, which is the fact that anyone who supported directly, indirectly, the Russian war machine against Ukraine will not be able to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine. That statement in the communique embodies the unity of the G7, and our resolve to support Ukraine.

Whats Canada going to bring to the Ukraine reconstruction conference?

We will need to partner with the private sector. I see a big role for Canada when it comes to energy, conventional energy, when it comes to nuclear energy, when it comes to engineering firms. Canadian firms are very present. Fairfax is the largest insurer in Ukraine. There is a moral imperative to support Ukraine in its reconstruction, but there's also a lot of opportunities for Canadian companies.

You see a role for Canada and getting behind insuring risk? You mentioned Fairfax.

There's discussion being led by the U.K. and Norway about making sure that there would be an insurance and a reinsurance market for people who want to operate in Ukraine. I know there's discussion with EDC [Export Development Canada] with respect to that, and the fact that Fairfax is the largest insurer in Ukraine, we have a great positioning.

Ukraines energy infrastructure has been targeted heavily.

When we say Canada wants to be an energy superpower, people have talked a lot about conventional energy. But if you look in the nuclear field, Canada is one of the few countries in the world which can offer, basically, training for the people who build reactors.

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We provide the fuel, and we can also do the decommissioning. So you could almost sell energy as a service with these firms.

Today, energy security is key to providing stability and prosperity to people. It's true when it comes to Ukraine, it's true when it comes to Eastern Europe. It's true when it comes to both South Korea and Japan.

The Americans want to partner on nuclear too, right? It's part of their energy plan.

Nuclear power is going to be part of the energy mix. When you look at the remanufacturing that is happening in a lot of Western countries, and if you add to that the digital economy around quantum and AI, you cannot talk today about quantum or AI without talking about energy.

Your previous ministers had these various tax credits for clean energy. Are these credits going to stay? Are you going to streamline them, to become an energy superpower?

What I like about a lot of these tax credits, they were based on production. We were smart when we did that. For example, in the EV sector, and when we attracted these investments, the great thing in that is that we had a strategic and prudent approach with respect to fiscal policy.

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These credits have been very helpful for Canada to attract significant investment.

Will they stay in place, or will they change?

We want to build the strongest economy of the G7.

We need to have one Canadian economy, not 13. We need to give preferential treatment to Canadian companies when it comes to public procurement so that they can build a country together.

We're going to fight the U.S. tariffs because they are certainly harmful to the Canadian economy, and I would even add also make North America less competitive. At the same time, we're going to protect our workers and our industry and we're going to build this country. That's what you heard today, very much in the throne speech. This is about a vision for Canada. This is about a strong and confident Canada.

You've held virtually every major portfolio in Canada. How are you going to leverage all of that here?

I know the machinery of government. I know how Ottawa works, and I have the relationships to make things happen. Because when you are here sitting at the finance department, you have kind of this oversight in terms of what's going on in government to support the prime minister.

Your predecessors in this job have been really good at saying no to defense spending. Things have changed. And Mark Rutte said today: 5 percent. What do you think?

The outcome we want to achieve is to protect Canada, protect Canadian sovereignty. The world has changed significantly. I was at the G7 finance ministers. Clearly, there's a lot of discussion around defense spending that's going to be needed to collectively ensure the defense of our respective countries. But on the other end, it's smart investments, because we need to make sure what we're going to invest is going to serve to protect our sovereignty, build our armed forces, but at the same time, rebuild our industrial base in the country. Because we need to have a stronger defense industrial base here.

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You need to do smart procurement, smart investment and a smart approach to defense spending. We need to rebuild our armed forces, we need to rebuild infrastructure. We need to build new defense systems, but we need to do that where we support Canadian industry, Canadian workers and Canadian autonomy.

Is that how were going to get to 5 percent?

The discussion now is how were going to get to 2 percent.

But things could change in a month?

That goes back to why I think it was wise, prudent for me and the prime minister, to decide that we would have a budget in early fall. I want to bring stability and predictability. With the NATO defense summit coming in June, with the trade dispute we have with the United States, things could shift. Obviously, we have a big exercise around government efficiency.

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If you look at the big buckets on my radar screen: How can I support the minister of defense to protect Canada, protect our sovereignty and build our industrial defense base and our industrial defense industry? The second bucket is around government efficiencies and how we make a government more efficient, working with the minister of AI.

Speaking of the prime minister, how would you describe your working relationship with him?

We come from similar backgrounds. In a sense, we've been evolving in different international circles. We know some of the same people. We have this vision about an ambitious, strong and confident Canada. We both come with our experience, our expertise, and a common desire to bring Canada to be the best country and the best economy of the G7. This is no small endeavor. We're very complementary and that's why we get along. I think we will, together with our colleagues at Cabinet, be able to achieve big things.

You guys are doing so much stuff so fast. There was a bit of confusion around when there would be a budget. How did that happen?

Listen, we came to the conclusion it would be in the best interest of Canada  to bring a serious budget in early fall, once we have more clarity around defense, around the trade war that is happening now in the world, and certainly when we have also initial feedback from our initiatives on government efficiency. For me, this is about responsible government.
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI)  Canadian border crossings at New York ports of entry have dropped by over 20-percent from last year according to Senator Charles Schumers office.

In an announcement released on Wednesday, border crossings have dropped by around 290,000 according to the senators office. Schumer said that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump have caused a nose dive in entries.

What is the TACO trade on Wall Street?

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According to statistics from Schumers office, crossings at the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge saw the second-steepest decline percentage at 27.51-percent. Last year saw 43,945 entries, but thats down to 31,857.

The Thousands Islands Bridge also saw a drop of 20.2-percent from last year with 117,953 crossings. That number was 147,814 at this time last year.

The Seaway Bridge in Massena only saw a decrease of 1.91-percent 205,518 entries as opposed to 209,524 from last year.

According to Customs & Border Patrol (CBP), almost 290,000 fewer travelers crossed the Upstate New York-Canadian border last month than over the same period in 2024, a whopping 22% decrease.

Burning bridges and ruining relationships with our closest ally and key trading partner, Canada, right when summer tourism season is arriving, is about as destructive as it gets. Upstate NY is on the frontlines of Trumps destructive tariff war, and this shocking new data shows our tourism economy is paying the price from Buffalo to Ogdensburg. United States Senator Charles Schumer

The announcement was made in conjunction with the start of summer tourism season occurring with recent passing of the Memorial Day holiday.

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According to a recent North Country Chamber of Commerce survey, 66% of businesses are already experiencing a dip in Canadian bookings. Canada is the top source of international visitors to the U.S., with 20.4 million visits in 2024, generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs. Schumer said if there were even a 10-percent reduction in Canadian travel, it could mean as much as $2 billion in lost spending and 14,000 job losses across America.

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Cancer survivors invited to Dayton VA for fair, walk event

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Individuals that have survived cancer are invited to an event in Dayton.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 30, the Dayton VA Medical Center will welcome cancer survivors for a walk, symposium and vendor fair.

Attendees will need to head to Building 305 once on the campus to access the event.

The event is just two days before June 1, recognized as National Cancer Survivors Day.

If youre looking for programs or services while battling cancer or after cancer treatment, click here for resources that could help.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  All eyes are on the race for U.S. Senate. This comes after Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announced his run for Governor of Alabama Tuesday.

Candidates on both sides of the aisle are preparing to campaign for his seat. There are several potential contenders, and some say they havent made up their mind just yet.

The question is whether or not there is broad-based support around the state for a run for me for Senate, said Steve Marshall, Alabama Attorney General. And were having conversations right now.

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General Marshall is still finding out the answer to that question. He said he will make a decision soon on whether to run for U.S. Senate. Marshall said he wants to use his expertise in a role where he can best serve the state.

The issues that weve been involved with as A.G. overlap greatly with whats going on in the Senate, Marshall said. [We] clearly have an interest in whats going on in D.C. and its impact on Alabama. And well be prepared to make an announcement in the coming days.

John Merrill discusses Alabama governor, U.S. Senate races

Former Secretary of State John Merrill also has an interest in whats going on in D.C. He said he is considering a run for different roles, one being for U.S. Senator.

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Thats one of the races that were certainly considering at this point. Its not a race that we have decided we are going to enter at this particular time, said Merrill. Were certainly weighing our options on what races we need to consider from this point forward.

On the Democratic side of aisle, Mobile native Kyle Sweetser is vying for the Senate seat. As a former Republican, he said he wants to fight against tariffs and cuts to federal programs.

I think that Democrats have an excellent opportunity here to show everyone that we can get things done more than Republicans can, he said. This infrastructure in these rural communities, I mean, theyve done a terrible job.

Jared Hudson, a former U.S. Navy Seal from Jefferson County, has also announced he is running for the U.S. Senate seat. We are less than a year out from the primaries, which are on May 19, 2026.

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May 29 (UPI) -- The Capital Jewish Museum reopened Thursday morning with an invitation-only tribute to the Israeli Embassy staffers who were killed outside its entrance last week.

"Today's reopening is not simply a return to normal," museum president Chris Wolf told visitors, WNBW reported.

"It is an act of resilience," Wolf said. "It is a declaration that we will not allow hate to silence our voices or diminish our commitment to building a better future."

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Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser was among those invited and who attended the reopening of the museum that is located near the intersection of 3rd Street and F Street in the capital's downtown district.

"Part of my charge to my team in every difficult circumstance is that we have to get open [and] we have to get back to normal," Bowser said during the reopening event.

Photos of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, messages and flowers are seen outside of the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum on Thursday as it reopened in an "act of resilience." Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI

"Thank you for getting open," she told museum officials and staff.

Bowser also encouraged city residents and visitors to: "Keep showing up for the Jewish community."

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser thanked Capital Jewish Museum officials and staff for reopening during a private event held Thursday morning. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI

A 'most heinous form of anti-Semitism'

Museum officials called the attack the "most heinous form of anti-Semitism" in a statement posted on the museum's website.

An attendee reacts at the Capital Jewish Museum reopening event on Thursday morning in Washington, D.C., which had been closed since the evening of May 21 when a gunman shot and killed Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim after they left an event that was held there. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI

"They are a stark and tragic reminder of the hatred that, regrettably, still exists in our world," the statement says. "In the face of such darkness, we are called upon to respond not with despair, but with resilience."

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The museum had closed for a week following the May 21 double homicide of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, after they left a museum event and were waiting to cross the street outside while on foot.

Episcopal Diocese of Washington Bishop Mariann Budde, Adas Israel Congregation Senior Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, Masjid Muhammad President and Imam Talib Shareff and Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington Rev. Thomas Bowen speak at the Capital Jewish Museum reopening event on Thursday morning. Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI

Both were employed by the Israeli Embassy in the nation's capital and were a couple who many said likely were about to become engaged.

Lischinsky was an Israeli-German citizen and had purchased an engagement ring ahead of a trip to Jerusalem, where he planned to propose marriage.

Milgrim was born in Kansas and was a U.S. citizen.

A history of anti-Israel activity

Chicago resident Elias Rodriguez, 31, is a U.S. citizen and is charged with two counts of murder and other related crimes after traveling from Illinois to Washington, D.C., before the shooting.

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He did not enter a plea during his arraignment hearing.

Rodriguez has a history of involvement in far-left and pro-Palestinian events and is recorded shouting, "free, free, free Palestine," as he was being arrested, according to an FBI affidavit.

He had entered the museum that Lischinsky and Milgrim had just exited immediately after the shooting, the affidavit and witnesses say.

Witnesses said he yelled, "I did it for Gaza," while admitting to the attack when police arrived and arrested him.

Video footage from surveillance cameras in the area shows a man who looks and was dressed the same as Rodriguez walking past a group of four people, including Lischinsky and Milgrim.

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The man in the video then turned to face their backs, drew a firearm and shot Lischinsky and Milgrim in their backs.

Video footage shows the man reloading the firearm and shooting each victim several more times.

The FBI affidavit says law enforcement recovered a 9mm pistol from the scene that records show Rodriguez purchased in Illinois in 2020 and declared in his checked baggage when he flew to the capital.

Spent casings from 21 cartridges were found at the scene, suggesting the shooter used two 10-round magazines and a chambered bullet during the attack.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Just over a week after a deadly shooting outside its entrance, the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., reopened its doors Thursday in a somber ceremony honoring the two lives lost.

The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both young Israeli embassy staffers, were fatally shot by a gunman near the museums entrance last week. The attack sent shockwaves through the local community and reignited concerns about rising antisemitism across the country.

A reflective crowd gathered for the museums reopening, where mourners joined in song and shared memories of the fallen diplomats.

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We gather today under the shadow of immense grief, said Chris Wolf of the museums board of directors. Two individuals dedicated to the ideals this museum stands for.

Community members, city leaders, and diplomats paid tribute while grappling with the gravity of the violence.

That an attack could happen like this in our nations capital its truly a wake-up call, said Sus Stoloff, a longtime Washington resident. Weve been shouting it out for a while.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the need for unity and vigilance.

Keep showing up for the Jewish community and to keep showing up for the Capital Jewish Museum, she said.

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The newly appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, Jeanine Pirro, pledged swift justice in the case.

This will not go without just accounting. No more tolerance of hatred. No more mercy for criminals, Pirro stated.

As the museum reopens, its leaders say they will honor Lischinsky and Milgrim through a dedicated memorial and continued education efforts aimed at combating hate.

The investigation into the attack is ongoing.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Leaders from several faiths helped reopen the Capital Jewish Museum in Downtown D.C. Thursday morning, one week after two Israeli Embassy staffers were gunned down outside.

Since last weeks antisemitic attack after an event for young diplomats held at the museum, calls for peace came from Jewish leaders, and continued Thursday as the museum reopened its doors.

Israeli Embassy suspect charged with murder of a foreign official

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Reopening is more than a ceremony, its a defiant act of hope, Rev. Thomas Bowen of Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington said during his remarks, prior to the official reopening.

Flowers remain outside the museum to honor Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple who were soon expected to be engaged.

Seven days after the pair were killed, grief continues to grip the Jewish community  including for Dr. Beatrice Gurwitz, the museums executive director.

Im devastated, and I think we are all devastated, Gurwitz said. When you face antisemitic violence that grows out of dehumanization of the Jewish people, and we are telling stories of Jewish and the richest diversity of the Jewish world and that seems essential and I hope people will join us in visiting the museum.

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The shooting suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, was chanting free Palestine as he was being taken into custody by police.

It doesnt matter who the attacker or attackers are, or what they claim, their actions are criminal, inhumane, and not condoned in neither Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or other beautiful faith communities, Imam Talid Shareef of Masjid Muhammad, The Nations Mosque said.

Who were the victims of the shooting outside the DC Jewish Museum?

Chris Wolf, president of the museums board of directors, said future work being done at the museum will be dedicated to the memories of Lischinsky and Milgrim.

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Our celebration of Judaism and all it has contributed to society is perhaps the best antidote to antisemitism, Wolf said.

May we all do our part to rid our communities of hatred and violence, said Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Help us to see one another in your eyes, and to live in hope of that day where there will be peace in this and every land.

Rodriguez faces murder charges and is slated to appear in court on June 18.

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Officers carry the casket of former U.S. Senator and Governor Christopher S. Kit Bond into the Missouri State Capitol on May 20 to begin a memorial service (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Christopher Kit Bonds death brought very deep memories for me about a governor I have missed since he left the office in 1985.

My strongest memory of Bond was his pursuit as the Republican gubernatorial candidate to replace the Democratic governor who controlled a legislature dominated by Democrats.

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He began his election campaign critical of Democrats, until, as I was told, Republican Attorney General Jack Danforth advised Bond to put more focus on issues of importance to Missourians.

I suspect that was a factor in Bonds subsequent policy-focused agenda, which led his lasting legacy and the frequent description of Bond as a moderate.

Bonds successful agenda included consumer protection, campaign finance disclosure requirements, expanding education programs for children, the Sunshine Law providing public access to government records and reforming state government hiring.

Bonds focus on consumer protection issues was not surprising since he served as Danforths consumer protection director.

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Bond went further in his bipartisan approach, crossing conservative Republican lines when he supported Missouri ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (which ultimately failed).

His cross-party agenda came under dramatic attack from a few fellow statehouse Republicans. The most vivid demonstration of the split between Bond and his party came from long-time Carthage Republican state Sen. Richard Webster.

Angered by some of Bonds gubernatorial staff and proposals, Webster attacked Bonds staff on the Senate floor.

Webster coined the phrase kiddie corps, which he used in his Senate attacks to describe Bonds staff as brash younger folks, not sufficiently conservative for Webster.

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Websters attack reflected the views from some Republicans who had hoped for a new Republican-focused conservative agenda without a Democratic governor.

It was not to be.

I do not recall Bond ever wavering from his agenda.

Instead, Bond pursued issues that could win bipartisan support, including moderate Senate Republicans.

I still miss that era when a partnership with Bond, Democrats and moderate Republicans dominated public policy in the legislature.

Bond demonstrated his cross-party support for major issues when, after leaving the U.S. Senate, he returned to state government on behalf the Missouri Chamber of Commerce to support Medicaid expansion.

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Facing stiff statehouse GOP opposition, Bonds efforts failed in the legislature. But it was eventually enacted by initiative petition.

But it was another demonstration about how Bond could cross ideological and political boundaries for an issue he felt was important for our state.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  A woman has been charged with stealing from multiple elderly victims in Monongalia County over the past 10 years after a family said she took $20,000 worth of jewelry from a person she was hired to take care of.

On April 27, deputies with the Monongalia County Sheriffs Department began a criminal investigation into Julia Fowler, 51, of Albright, who had been hired by a family to care for an elderly person suffering from cognitive decline at a home in Morgantown, according to a criminal complaint.

Julia Fowler

Family members had reported that jewelry was going missing from the residence; after the investigation began, the elderly victims family members were able to identify 26 pieces of jewelry which were sold by Fowler to a pawn shop in Westover, according to the complaint.

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Man allegedly threw Crown Royal bottle near 2 children while in vehicle in Fairmont

Those pieces were sold to the pawn shop for a total of $6,986, but family members said the jewelry was worth approximately $20,000 to $25,000, deputies said.

Deputies also learned that Fowler had taken care of several elderly individuals over the course of approximately 10 years, and all have reported jewelry missing during Fowlers employment, according to the complaint.

Fowler has been charged with multiple counts of financial exploitation of the elderly. She is being held in the North Central Regional Jail on $100,000 bond.

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BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed an order to release the regulations on awarding military scientific research.

The new document, which will take effect on July 1, aims to implement the strategy of strengthening the armed forces through science and technology and regulate the process of awarding military scientific research.

The regulations establish a structured award system aligned with national and military strategic goals. Key features include prioritizing combat effectiveness as the sole benchmark, refining award nomination and review procedures, and strengthening oversight on discipline and confidentiality.

The regulations are expected to enhance innovation vitality in military research, accelerate breakthroughs in defense technology, and provide high-quality scientific support for the cause of building a strong military in the new era. 
CARTHAGE, Mo.  A Carthage project is underway to connect tens of thousands of meals with hungry kids.

The Carthage R-9 School District is hosting a free summer feeding program. A grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services means theyre serving breakfast and lunch at no cost five days a week.

JOPLIN SUMMER MEALS: Kids in Joplin to get free meals this summer; Heres where

Its available for any child 18 or younger  and you dont have to be enrolled in summer school to take part.

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We actually dont have a lot of people coming from the community. Its mostly the students enrolled. But based on last year, its been around 1500  1600 meals that we serve every day at lunch, said Janeane Myhre, Carthage R-9 Food Svc. Dir.

The meals are served at all six summer school locations Monday through Friday until June 25.

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(NewsNation)  A former stylist for Casandra Cassie Ventura will resume his testimony Thursday after telling jurors he had to jump on Sean Diddy Combs back to stop him from abusing Ventura when the two were dating.

Celebrity stylist Deonte Nash worked for Combs from 2008 to 2018. He told jurors he was very close to Ventura and learned about her relationship with Combs early in his employment.

Nash testified to observing several abusive interactions. Nash also corroborated Venturas testimony that Combs frequently beat and tormented her. Combs would threaten to hinder Venturas fledgling music career and said hed ruin her reputation by releasing recordings of their sexual encounters, Nash said.

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Nash discussed a particular incident around 2014 in which Combs allegedly grabbed Ventura by the hair and yanked her off the couch before beginning to hit her.

Stylist says Cassie confided that Sean Diddy Combs pressured her into sex marathons

The stylist said he was at Venturas apartment, helping her pack for a music festival, when Combs stormed in, grabbed her by the hair and beat her repeatedly. Nash said he jumped on Combs back in an attempt to get him to stop, but Combs bucked and threw him to the ground.

Combs resumed hitting Ventura, whod fled to a bedroom with Nash and another friend, knocking her head into the edge of the bed frame and causing a large, bloody gash above her eye, the witness said.

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Look what yall made me do, Combs said, according to Nash.

The stylist said he noticed a lot of blood coming from a cut on Venturas head from the beating. Jurors were shown photos of the injury.

Prosecutor Maurene Comey said she expects Mia  listed as Victim-4 in the indictment and one of Combss former employees  to be called to the stand Thursday.

Diddys defense team filed a motion for mistrial on Wednesday after a Los Angeles Fire Department investigator admitted evidence was destroyed without permission following the arson on Kid Cudis car in 2012. Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, had been dating Ventura.

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Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo called it outrageous, implying that someone here had something to do with the improper destruction of evidence.

Judge Arun Subramanian denied the motion and told the jurors to dismiss the related testimony.

Jiminez, who has been with the LAFD since 2003, was called to Cudis residence after the rappers Porsche was lit on fire.

R&B singer Cassie gives birth to third child as Sean Diddy Combs sex trafficking trial continues

Jiminez said a Molotov cocktail appeared to have been used to ignite Mescudis vehicle, but it did not explode due to a malfunction; however, the damage can be quite extensive if it had gone off, he explained.

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Chris Ignacio, a 16-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, took the stand Wednesday. He was the officer who took the call Dec. 22, 2011, when Combs allegedly broke into Mescudis Hollywood Hills home.

The police officer corroborated Cudis testimony that some Christmas presents were opened. Ignacio said he and his partner noticed a Black Escalade drive by twice. The second time, he said he ran the plates and found it was registered to Bad Boy Productions, Combs music label.

The police officer filed a trespassing report  it was not reported as a burglary because no items were stolen, he said  and said he was not told of any death threats.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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CASSOPOLIS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man was arrested a little more than six hours after he stole a police cruiser in Southwest Michigan, Cassopolis police say.

The Cassopolis Police Department said officers were trying to arrest the man around 1 p.m. Wednesday when he managed to get away, stole the marked police cruiser and drove off. Asking the public for help finding him, police warned the suspect was considered armed and dangerous.

Cassopolis PD flagged surrounding agencies, saying they responded swiftly and collaboratively.

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Police said the vehicle was found around 6:20 p.m. By about 7:20 p.m., officers had arrested the suspect on Shurte Street near O Keefe Road in LaGrange Township, a little north of Cassopolis. No one was harmed.

Cassopolis police said Pokagon Tribal Police put up a drone to help with the investigation, crediting it with playing with a key role in bringing the situation to a swift and safe resolution.

The first Facebook post from Cassopolis PD about the situation was at 5 p.m. Wednesday. That post was updated when the car was found and when the suspect was arrested. In a Thursday release, the department acknowledged concerns about the timing of public communication.

Our first priority was ensuring a secure response and minimizing public risk, the release said. That said, we recognize the importance of timely updates and will review our procedures accordingly.

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It said it is conducting an internal investigation into what happened, including transport protocols, vehicle security, and communications.

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A catastrophic glacier collapse tore through the Swiss Alpine village of Blatten on Wednesday, May 28, in a chilling reminder of the growing power of nature and the mounting costs of a warming planet. The massive landslide of ice, rock, and mud engulfed nearly the entire village, leaving one man missing and turning a once idyllic mountain retreat into a disaster zone.

Blatten, home to around 300 people, sits deep in the Lotschental Valley in southern Switzerland. It had been evacuated last week after authorities warned of a possible collapse from the Birch Glacier looming above. On Wednesday, those warnings came to life in a violent cascade of debris that roared down the mountainside, burying roads, homes, and even parts of the Lonza River.

Amid the devastation, regional police reported that a 64-year-old man remains missing. Search and rescue teams, aided by drones equipped with thermal cameras, are scouring the wreckage; but as time passes, hope is beginning to fade.

Video captured from the valley shows towering plumes of dust as the earth gave way, followed by a wall of brown sludge that submerged the village. What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90 percent of the village is covered or destroyed, said Stephane Ganzer, head of security for the Valais region, in an interview with local broadcaster Canal9. Its a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten.

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Unfortunately, the tragedy in Blatten is not an isolated event, its part of a broader trend that has Swiss scientists sounding the alarm. Glaciologists have long warned that rising global temperatures are accelerating the thaw of Alpine glaciers, destabilizing landscapes that have stood frozen for millennia.

According to BBC, the Swiss government has already promised funding to make sure residents can stay, if not in the village itself, at least in the locality. However, Raphael Mayoraz, head of the regional office for Natural Hazards, warned that further evacuations in the areas close to Blatten might be necessary.

Switzerland, a landlocked nation with more glaciers than any other country in Europe, lost 4% of its total glacier volume in 2023 alone. That followed a staggering 6% drop in 2022, marking back-to-back years of record melt. The consequences have been dramatic and increasingly dangerous as reported by the BBC.

Back in 2023, the eastern Swiss village of Brienz narrowly escaped a similar fate when residents were evacuated just before a massive rockfall tumbled down a nearby mountainside. The same village was evacuated again last year as cracks widened in the rock face above.

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With the Lonza River now partially buried by debris in Blatten, experts fear the situation could worsen if melting ice or rainwater becomes trapped and creates a natural dam. Theres a risk that the situation could get worse, Ganzer warned.

But beyond the immediate danger, the collapse of Birch Glacier underscores an uncomfortable truth: the Alps are changing faster than many had feared. For remote villages perched in the shadow of glaciers, the future is looking increasingly unstable.

Catastrophic Glacier Collapse Buries Iconic Alpine Village first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
A group of Roman Catholic bishops and priests filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging a new Washington law that requires clergy to report suspected child abuse or neglect, even when the information is received in confession.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, argues that the lawset to take effect July 27violates constitutional rights to religious freedom by forcing priests to choose between adhering to the centuries-old doctrine of confessional secrecy or facing criminal charges.

The plaintiffs include Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, Yakima Bishop Joseph J. Tyson, Spokane Bishop Thomas A. Daly, and eight priests from dioceses across the state.

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They are suing Gov. Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and all 39 of Washingtons county prosecutors in their official capacities.

At the center of the legal battle is Senate Bill 5375, signed by Ferguson on May 2.

The bill expands the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse under state law to include clergy, without exceptions for information received in the confessional.

Violations carry a penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The plaintiffs claim the law puts Roman Catholic priests to an impossible choice: violate 2,000 years of Church teaching and incur automatic excommunication or refuse to comply with Washington law and be subject to imprisonment, fine, and civil liability.

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Under canon law, any priest who discloses information received during confession is automatically excommunicated.

The plaintiffs say this punishment cannot be lifted by anyone except the pope and argue the new law specifically targets Catholic doctrine by removing privileges for clergy that still exist for other professionals like attorneys, union representatives, and domestic violence advocates.

Supporters of the law, including lawmakers who pushed the bill through the legislature, have framed it as a child protection measure, saying it is meant to ensure clergy cannot shield abusers behind religious confidentiality.

The complaint alleges the law violates the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment and similar protections under the Washington Constitution.

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The bishops also argue that their dioceses already maintain policies requiring priests to report suspected abuse, except when learned in confession.

They say they support broader mandatory reporting lawsso long as they respect the sacramental seal.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the laws implementation and declare it unconstitutional.
BOSTON (SHNS)  The House side of the Cannabis Policy Committee unanimously advanced legislation Wednesday to downsize and restructure the embattled Cannabis Control Commission and to address a handful of industry pressure points like retail license limits, restrictions on medical marijuana businesses, and the emergence of intoxicating hemp products.

All 11 representatives on the committee backed Chairman Daniel Donahues recommendation for a favorable report on the 46-page bill Wednesday, and it next heads to the House Ways and Means Committee. House Speaker Ronald Mariano earlier this year said a bill to deal with issues at the CCC was an early-session priority.

Frustration with the slow pace of CCC regulatory changes, headline-grabbing internal conflicts and a plea from the inspector general for the Legislature to intervene at the rudderless agency and revisit its unclear and self-contradictory 2017 enabling statute combined last summer to compel the committee to weigh a response.

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The committee has been working on this issue, its no surprise to anyone, weve been working on this issue for quite a while, Donahue said Wednesday.

The Worcester Democrat said the bill came about as a result of listening to the industry, CCC, experts about the challenges that the CCC has been chasing over the past couple years, and some of the ways that we think we can help industry and also reform the commission to be more nimble and more effective in its regulation of the market.

Created by the Legislature in 2017 after voters legalized non-medical marijuana in 2016, the CCC is a five-commissioner body, with appointments made singularly and jointly by the governor, attorney general and treasurer. Under the bill moving to the House, the CCC would include three people all appointed by the governor, with the governor also selecting one to serve as chair.

Donahue said the idea behind making all CCC members gubernatorial appointees is that it will create a unified structure and will make it easier for the CCC to coordinate with other agencies that fall under the governors office.

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I think that having this structure is going to help it to kind of focus in on its its role of promoting, regulating and enforcing the cannabis laws, he said.

Currently, the treasurer appoints the CCC chair.

A CCC spokesperson said the agency neither lobbies for nor against legislation, but looks forward to continued collaboration with the Legislature that would allow the Commission to address needed statutory updates in pursuit of our mission to oversee a safe, equitable cannabis marketplace in Massachusetts.

CCC Executive Director Travis Ahern said he looks forward to continued collaboration as the legislative process advances.

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Under the bill advanced Wednesday, the CCCs chairperson, rather than the entire body of commissioners, would hire the agencys executive director. Two potentially contradictory sections of the CCCs enabling statute delineating powers of the CCC chair and the agencys executive director were among the issues Donahue identified last July in a memo to Mariano.

There was some ambiguity that was there on exactly who was in charge and who had what responsibilities and where it was. So we hope that this way, having it a little bit clearer, will have a little bit of a better relationship up and down from the chair to the executive director, and hopefully have a little more effective management, Donahue said Wednesday.

The bill extends beyond cannabis products that are already under the CCCs purview to address intoxicating hemp-based products that largely fall into a gray area of the law and between the regulatory cracks. Since hemp-based gummies, energy shot-like drink bottles and seltzers proliferated across Massachusetts convenience store checkout counters and social media feeds in recent years, lawmakers and regulators have already expressed a desire to straighten out what is and is not cannabis, and how it should all be regulated.

Donahue said restructuring the CCC provides the opportunity to straighten out the ambiguity around what agency is supposed to regulate these products. The committee bill would ban the sale of hemp beverages and consumable CBD products unless the product is registered with the CCC and complies with regulations that the CCC would be required to promulgate to deal with things like product testing, labeling requirements and more.

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Its time for us, I think, to have to step up and look at how we can kind of get ahead of this product, which sometimes  is geared towards children, it might be sold somewhere thats not age-restricted and, to be honest, we dont know whats in it, it doesnt have the same standard as other cannabis products, Donahue said. So with the restructuring of the CCC, we see it as an opportunity  we need to have a place thats able to kind of set a standard on what is allowable and whats safe and where its at.

The bill adjusts the existing cap on retail licenses any one operator can hold. The current limit is three, but some business owners have said the cap prevents them from selling their businesses. Under the bill advancing towards the House, the cap on retail licenses would be raised to six over a three-year period (increasing first to four, a year later to five and finally to six), and the existing three-license caps would remain in place for cultivation and manufacturing.

Payton Shubrick, founder and CEO of the 6 Bricks dispensary in Springfield, told the Cannabis Policy Committee in April that she viewed her entry into the legal cannabis sector as an opportunity to create generational wealth, acknowledging the money that could be made. But cannabis prices have been dropping every month since her store opened in September 2022, she said, and the limit of three retail licenses per operator makes it hard for her to find a buyer for her business.

With the license cap in place, its prohibiting an exit that my family and I have worked hard and earned, in my humble opinion. At this point in time, Im sitting on an asset thats losing value over time with oversaturation and oversupply and creating a dynamic where I cant create a successful exit, she said.

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Opponents, including Equitable Opportunities Now and the Massachusetts Cannabis Equity Council, have warned that multistate operators are able to spend heavily to increase their market share and that allowing them to grow even more will hurt small and equity-owned businesses.

We dont want multistate operators dominating the market. And were keeping it to six, which I think is a reasonable number, in this draft of the bill to make sure that we have the competition and that the market share that [multistate operators] would have would be very small, Donahue said.

The bill also eliminates the requirement that medical marijuana businesses be vertically integrated, meaning they must grow and process all the marijuana they sell. Patients and advocates have been calling for that change for years, saying the medical-only options have become scarce across Massachusetts since cannabis was legalized for non-medical use. Donahue said the Cannabis Policy Committee has backed that idea each session since he became chairman in 2021.

It includes language that would let the CCC establish and provide for issuance of additional types or classes of licenses to operate medical use of marijuana-related businesses and would change the terminology in state law from medical marijuana treatment center to medical marijuana establishment. It also would carve out a new definition for fully integrated medical marijuana treatment center, essentially existing businesses that may continue to operate as vertically integrated.

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Donahue said medical marijuana retail licenses would be available exclusively to social equity applicants for at least the first three years.

The big push here is that it gives a whole other revenue stream to many of our social equity applicants by allowing them to also sell medical marijuana. And also, one of the big issues that were seeing is on the patient side. Weve had a lot of these medical marijuana treatment centers that have closed across the state, which kind of have created areas that dont have, if youre a patient and rely on this, you dont have access to it, he said. So this hopefully will allow for more dispensaries to have access to medical marijuana, so the patients have better access across the state.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  An Alabama man pleaded guilty Thursday for possessing an unregistered firearm.

Keyonstis Morgan, 24, of Centreville, pleaded guilty for illegally possessing a weapon made from a shotgun and a destructive device, specifically an improvised explosive device-type bomb, according to U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

Texas man pleads guilty to kidnapping child in Birmingham

Morgan was found in possession of the firearm and bomb on the night of Feb. 16, 2024, according to the plea agreement. The weapon has been made from a single-shot 20-gauge shotgun and was loaded with a shell.

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He was also in possession of a cardboard tube wrapped in electrical tape that contained 12 grams of energetic powder and a fuse.

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Artificial intelligence could wipe out half of all entry-level white collar jobs  if Anthropic cofounder Dario Amodei is to be believed, at least.

Speaking with Axios this week, Amodei claimed that the type of AI his company is building will have the capacity to unleash "unimaginable possibilities" onto the world, both good and bad.

Unsurprisingly, the billionaire tech entrepreneur has white collar job loss at the top of his mind.

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Amodei foresees the labor crisis unfolding in four steps. First, companies like OpenAI, Google, and Amodei's own Anthropic will work toward large language models (LLMs) that can "meet and beat human performance with more and more tasks."

As this happens, the government, anxious about China and widespread labor turmoil, will do nothing to "regulate AI" or warn the public about its potential. Your average worker, "unaware of the growing power of AI and its threat to their jobs," has no idea what's going on.

Suddenly, "almost overnight," businesses flip a switch and replace humans with LLMs en masse. "The public only realizes it when it's too late," Amodei told Axios.

To drill his point home, the CEO came up with some mind-boggling hypotheticals, like a world where "cancer is cured, the economy grows at 10 percent a year, the budget is balanced  and 20 percent of people don't have jobs."

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"We, as the producers of this technology, have a duty and an obligation to be honest about what is coming. I don't think this is on people's radar," Amodei bloviated.

It's worth asking why  if the tech tycoon truly believes what he says  he doesn't pull the plug on Anthropic altogether and dedicate his time and resources to fighting what he's framing as a terrifying threat to the economy. This isn't a fringe opinion held by some obscure tech blogger, but by the helmsman of a $30-40 billion AI company.

Rather than argue that the benefits of an epoch-changing LLM outweigh the risks  a simple enough copout  Amodei says that critics should consider "what happens if [he's] right."

But digging a little deeper than Anthropic's AI-hype, it's tough to imagine a world where the mogul's vision bears fruit.

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Sure, by their own benchmarks, companies are theoretically developing "better" LLM models as time goes on. But those newer models are also growing increasingly prone to hallucinations, sycophancy, and generalization errors. And that's without getting into the law of diminishing returns; today's best AI is barely making a dent in workplace efficiency, and gains may start coming more and more slowly.

While Amodei  who has a financial and political interest in selling the narrative of an all-powerful AI future  might think that human-level LLMs are right around the corner, most serious computer science researchers disagree.

If anything, it's tech industry bigwigs like Amodei  not China or the common worker  goading regulators into inaction by pedaling nightmare scenarios just like this one. Convinced of the mortal danger posed by AI, US lawmakers have been all too eager to hand tech corporations the power to self-regulate.

And many workers, in contrast to Amodei's proselytizing, are at least somewhat aware of the threats the AI industry represents. The CEO's perception here is telling, as automation anxiety is most highly felt by vulnerable populations who already face discrimination in the lower rungs of the labor market. (But those minority, working class people are likely the ones who will bear the brunt of AI-fueled job displacement.)

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To the extent that AI is currently impacting labor at all, it's the hype surrounding it  not some remarkable property of the tech itself  convincing corporations to lay people off. If Amodei wanted to uncover the source of AI labor disruptions happening right now, he only needs to find his closest mirror.

More on AI: A Billion Dollar AI Startup Just Collapsed Spectacularly
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Good morning! A federal court ruled President Donald Trump doesn't have the authority to impose some of his tariffs . The three-judge panel's unanimous ruling declared the tariffs would be vacated, throwing a massive wrench into what has been a key piece of Trump's second term. The federal government has filed a notice of appeal on the court's decision.

We're also looking at Anthropic's CEO stark warning about the tech's impact on the labor market .

What's on deck

Markets: The internet has a new favorite meme trade .

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Tech: Nvidia shows no signs of slowing down amid tariff uncertainty.

Business: Elon Musk says his time as a government employee is coming to an end and thanks Trump.

But first, AI in the office.

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The big story

AI's new job

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

A top AI executive is ringing the alarm bell on  AI.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs and push unemployment to as high as 20% within the next five years .

The above might seem like a coy way of touting a product's power in an ultra-competitive space, but Amodei told Axios he has "a duty and an obligation to be honest about what is coming."

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Some companies are ready to push the limits of an AI-led workforce. Take Retool, a platform for building AI applications. Its CEO, David Hsu, told BI's Lakshmi Varanasi its clients are asking " How do we get LLMs to actually replace labor ?"

It wasn't always supposed to be like this. Remember when AI was going to supercharge employees? The tech was going to make us as efficient as possible! Humans and AI  the best collab since peanut butter and jelly.

So what happened?

AI costs a lot of money to develop, and that's a problem with so much economic uncertainty. Sprinkle in an industry push to increase efficiency and reduce bureaucracy , and robots suddenly look much better than humans.

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The great AI automation comes with risks, though. (And I'm not talking about entrusting your business to a black box you don't really understand.)

As BI's Katie Notopoulos recently detailed, the excitement a CEO (and their investors) has over AI adoption isn't always matched by their customer base. Just ask Duolingo .

Mark Quinn used AI to help his job search after losing his job to the technology. Courtesy Mark Quinn

It's not all bad news when it comes to AI.

I hate to leave you on such a downer, especially right before a summer Friday. Here are some ways people are making AI work for them.

Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

John Minchillo/AP

Meta opened its first retail store in 2022 Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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What's happening today

Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes revised GDP growth figures for Q1 2025. "Manhattanhenge"  when the sunset aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid  returns. Costco, Gap, and Best Buy report earnings.

The Business Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider
YANGON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Health has been implementing preventive measures to prevent the outbreak of acute diarrhea during the rainy season, state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) reported on Thursday.

The health ministry also issued a statement outlining several preventive measures against acute diarrhea, the report said.

These included washing hands before and after preparing food, after touching dirt and trash, and after using the toilet. The public is also urged to maintain personal hygiene, use sanitary toilets, drink boiled water, eat thoroughly cooked food, and cover food to prevent contamination by flies.

The ministry also noted that acute diarrhea can occur in any season but is more common during the monsoon and the end of the rainy season, the report said.

The rainy season in Myanmar typically begins in mid-May and continues through October.

The health ministry also emphasized the importance of clean food, clean hands, clean water, and clean toilets in preventing diarrhea outbreaks, the report said.

MRTV reported that Yangon region, Ayeyarwady region, and Mon state recorded the highest number of diarrhea cases in 2024.

To address the situation, the Ministry of Health is conducting public awareness campaigns, monitoring high-risk areas, and preparing public hospitals to treat potential patients, if necessary, the report said. 
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Multnomah County leaders are making changes to the proposed $4 billion budget to prioritize mental health in schools.

Initially, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pedersons budget eliminated money that would pay for four, full-time mental health consultants at local schools.



Now, shes co-sponsoring an amendment by Commissioner Julia-Brim Edwards to save those positions by restoring nearly $700,000 in funding.

I appreciate the collaboration between our offices to honor all the community voices that have spoken out about the importance of this critical work to support our youth and families, Vega Pederson said.

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According to the amendment, that funding would come from the $250,000 in revenue generated by the countys school-based mental health program.



The remaining balance would be offset by reducing one new position and contracted services in the health departments proposed budget.

While we seek support from our board to fund these services, we must continue our conversations with our partners in this work and use this next year to uncover ways to increase business rigor so that this program is more self-sustaining in times of financial uncertainty while also keeping services available to as many children as possible, Vega Pederson said.

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NEW YORK  The two major candidates for New York City comptroller eagerly take aim at President Donald Trump on the campaign trail  but only one of them has called on the citys Trump-friendly mayor to resign.

The race for the fiscal watchdog job has served as the underwhelming undercard to the crowded and chaotic mayors race. And as they run for the job of being a check on the citys next mayor, the two leading candidates are battling over whether each has done enough to stand up to the current one.

If you're not willing to stand up to Eric Adams, how the hell can voters expect you to stand up to Donald Trump? City council member Justin Brannan said.

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As the City Councils Finance Chair, Brannan finds himself in a natural perch to criticize Adams  unlike his opponent Mark Levine, who as Manhattan Borough President enjoys a largely ceremonial role.

The brash, in-your-face Brannan is claiming his quieter, more cerebral opponent isnt a loud enough critic of the mayor. One of his main proof points: Levine never called for Adams to resign.

Now Brannan is hoping to make the differing approaches to the citys MAGA-minded mayor an issue in the race.

Hes the only one in the race that took on Adams (budget) cuts, a local deli worker says in one of Brannans ads  which feature loud balloon pops, clown horns, knife sharpening sounds and an angry Brannan yelling Hell no!

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By contrast, an early May ad from Levine features upbeat music, pie charts and focuses on his ability to communicate in five languages.

After the DOJ moved to drop federal corruption charges against Adams, Brannan joined fellow Democrats in calling for Adams to resign. Levine largely stayed mum.

And he took a light touch when the FBI raided the homes of several Adams campaign aides, saying in a TV interview, "Well it's serious if the FBI makes a raid on the office of a campaign treasurer, but there have been no charges filed yet, no suspects named yet. And we need to be calm and see where this goes. In the meantime, the mayor says that he's cooperating fully and he has full confidence at his team, and I'll take him at his word."

But Levine scoffed at the notion he is unwilling to criticize Adams, and said hes deeply concerned about the possibility the mayor is beholden to the federal government following the Department of Justices intervention in Adams now-defunct criminal case.

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The truth is he's not going to resign; he's made that clear, Levine said in a recent interview. He's either going to be removed by the courts or the voters.  I've been pretty unsparing in calling out what is an administration riddled with corruption.

Brannans focus on standing up to the mayor marks a shift from 2021, when he supported Adams in his path to winning the election. Adams fared well in the Coney Island section of Brannan's purple district, and the two shared in common the endorsement of police unions.

This year, Brannan has considerations beyond his district: In running for comptroller, he's secured the backing of the anti-police union  and decidedly anti-Adams  Working Families Party.

The record is clear: when the mayor tried to slash crucial funding to our city's libraries, pre-K, and housing, the Manhattan Borough President was completely silent, Brannans spokesperson, Alyssa Cass, said in a statement.

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Levines campaign responded with a four-page dossier that described Cass statement as incredibly false and cited the borough presidents 2024 and 2025 city charter-mandated responses to the mayors budget, which push back on a host of Adams proposals.

There have been myriad failings that I would call out as comptroller, Levine said. I talk about them regularly in the campaign, and they impact the priorities I care about.

He mentioned the need to speed up the approval process for affordable housing, expand the broken system for identifying children with learning disabilities and audit the system that public housing tenants use to request apartment repairs.

While the two candidates are fighting over who has stood up to Eric Adams, neither is willing to say much about Democratic front-runner Andrew Cuomo, who has a history of structurally weakening the positions of his opponents.

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While it is politically easy to criticize Adams  whose popularity in the deep-blue city has nosedived  standing up to Cuomo is a tougher task.

Unlike Adams, who faced calls for his post-indictment resignation from Democrats around the state, Cuomo has garnered support from power brokers within the party  even many those who had called for his ouster four years ago.

He also spent his time as governor removing checks on his power.

During his first year as governor, Cuomo greatly limited State Comptroller Tom DiNapolis powers by stripping him of his power to review certain state contracts before they are signed. His administration reportedly ridiculed him in the process  even referring to DiNapoli as chipmunk balls for his ineffectual use of the post.

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In 2019, after state lawmakers thwarted Amazons plans to open a second company headquarters in the city, the former governor greatly diminished the powers of a state board that oversees deals involving state public financing.

While Brannan and Levine both said necessary rebukes of the president and mayor are central to the comptrollers role, each demurred when asked about standing up to a would-be Mayor Cuomo.

I will stand up to any future mayor just as I've stood up to the current one, Brannan said.

Judge me by what I've done in my role for the past almost four years, where I've not been silent, I've been fearless, Brannan added, citing his work to restore short-lived budget cuts to city services put in place by Adams last year.

Levine provided a similar reply: I'm ready for whoever the next mayor will be, ready to use the considerable powers of the office which are established in the charter that no mayor can overturn  Im being very careful not to make an endorsement in the mayors race because I do want to be totally independent from whoevers elected.
May 29MASSENA  The chamber ambassadors are coming back in Massena.

Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce ambassadors once donned red coats and were present to welcome businesses or dignitaries to the community, and take part in grand openings, open houses and groundbreaking ceremonies.

Now, the group is being resurrected. Massena Town Supervisor Susan J. Bellor told town board members that a meeting for those interested in becoming chamber ambassadors had been held on May 14 to discuss "community engagement, advertising, and celebrations locally."

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St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Benjamin R. Dixon said the group was starting to form.

"Sue did mention that we are now having monthly meetings of the Massena ambassadors, which is kind of our boots on the ground volunteers and interested parties," he said. "I feel like we're getting a lot of traction there with them, and that I think is a big turning point for us in Massena, to have that group of engaged citizens working with us. It's a great group of people."

Dixon also highlighted some of the chamber's upcoming activities for the town board.

They include the annual tourism dinner Wednesday at the Freighthouse Restaurant in Ogdensburg, He said the Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock will receive the Tourism Destination Marketing Award.

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"They've been a great partner this year, and they brought in 37,000 visitors since they started from all 50 state and more than 30 countries. So, it's really been quite the asset for Massena and the county, and we're excited to recognize them," he said. "We'll also be giving our Best to the Guest Award to the Best Western University Inn."

Other upcoming events include the Dairy Festival June 6 and 7 in downtown Canton, Car-B-Que June 21 at Fort La Presentation in Ogdensburg, Business After Hours networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. June 24 at JJ's on the River in Ogdensburg, Massena Community-Wide Garage Sales on June 28 and 29, Canton Community-Wide Garage Sales on Aug. 2 and 3, and Craft, Food and Wine Open Air Market Sept. 20 at the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment in Madrid.

He said the garage sales will include an online map on the chamber's event page to indicate where the sales are being held.

Also on the schedule are a nonprofit conference Sept. 17 at the Best Western University Inn in Canton, annual dinner Oct. 22 at the GranView in Ogdensburg, and Craft, Food and Wine Holiday Market at a date and location to be announced.

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The 2026 calendar includes Canton Winterfest, the North Country Kids Expo, the annual membership breakfast meeting, and Massena Spring Fever Festival. Dixon said the ambassadors have been discussing ideas for the Spring Fever Festival.

"Chamber events, while just one element of our extensive programming, provide multiple benefits to our members, businesses, non-profit, service organizations, and communities of St. Lawrence County," he said. "Through them, we provide networking, exposure, education, commerce, tourism attraction, and quality of life opportunities."
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  Some residents of a Champaign County neighborhood are voicing their concerns with a potential future solar development being discussed.

Thursday night, the Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals will discuss a solar project and could give a recommendation of support or denial for the proposal to eventually continue onto the Champaign County Environment and Land Use Committee. For the neighbors by Bryarfield Court, they vote a big no on the project, and theyve been very vocal about that stance.

Illinois recognized as 4th in country for solar energy capacity

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Were not against solar, we just want to be smart about it, said Linda Hambleton, who lives right next to the site.

If eventually passed, the proposal would see 36 acres of a nearby farm field close to the neighborhood used for a solar energy farm. All solar farms in the county require a special use permit approval by the county board. Within the proposal are also four waivers  or requests  that go against the normal county ordinance.

Hambleton said not only would a solar farm ruin prime farming land, and potentially impact future housing market value, but the waivers concern her as well.

Right now, the zoning is a mile and a half from residential areas. They want to put it within 240 feet, Hambleton said. The other concern is we have a railroad track over there. They want to have it 65 feet from the railroad track. Not that you ever think that youre going to have an accident on the railroad line, but it has happened and it has happened in the state of Illinois. We are concerned about the hazards and the safety.

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Illinois House passes carbon sequestration protections for Mahomet Aquifer

Planning and Zoning members said two of the waivers are common, and have been requested on every solar farm approved by the county. However, two of them are unique to this development, with one seeking to build next to a railroad right of way, and the second with the solar company using a bond instead of a letter of credit for decommissioning.

If a recommendation of support is given on Thursday, the project will continue on to the County Board Environmental Land Use Committee meeting on June 5th and then onto the full County Board on June 26th.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
A federal judge dismissed charges against a former Michigan State Police sergeant who struck a man with an unmarked patrol car as the man attempted to flee officers, ruling May 28 the officer has immunity from state prosecution under a federal protection clause.

In May 2024, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office charged former MSP Detective Sgt. Brian Keely with one charge of second-degree murder and an alternate charge of involuntary manslaughter. Video released last year by the MSP showed Keely, driving an unmarked patrol vehicle, striking 25-year-old Samuel Sterling with the car as Sterling attempted to run away from law enforcement officers in Kentwood, a suburb of Grand Rapids, in April 2024.

Nessel had issued the charges in Kent County district court but Keely's attorneys had argued the case should be moved to federal court because the former sergeant was part of a U.S. Marshal's Service task force at the time he struck Sterling. In August, the case was moved to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, where Judge Hala Jarbou dismissed the case May 28.

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Sterling was putting air in a vehicle's tires at a gas station when officers approached him April 17, 2024. He tried to run away. Law enforcement pursued Sterling on foot and in vehicles. Sterling was running through the parking lot of a fast food restaurant when he was struck by an unmarked SUV. After being struck, Sterling told officers his whole body was in pain and struggled to move as officers handcuffed and searched him while he was on the ground, video footage shows.

Sterling was transported to a local hospital and died hours later.

Nessel, when announcing the charges, said Keely had created a very high risk of death or great bodily harm when he struck Sterling. But Jarbou stated prosecutors failed to show Keely acted with malicious intent.

Jarbou cited the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, writing since the task force Keely was a part of was focused on apprehending criminal suspects, he was carrying out his duties at the time he struck Sterling. Court documents show Sterling had outstanding felony warrants when he fled from officers who approached him.

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The Supremacy Clause allows federal law to prevail over conflicting state law.

Jarbou wrote "the State has not presented sufficient evidence to create a genuine dispute about whether Keely acted pursuant to federal law and did no more than what was necessary and proper for him to do in attempting to apprehend Sterling. Accordingly, Keely is entitled to immunity under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution."

Marc Curtis, a Norton Shores attorney who represented Keely, said in a statement: We are grateful that the Court recognized this case for what it truly was  a law enforcement officer doing his job in a high-risk encounter with a known fugitive."

Nessel said May 28 her office stands by its arguments that Keely was not acting reasonably when he struck Sterling. Prosecutors had argued that Keely was not entitled to federal protections because he was employed by MSP and was just a member of a Marshal's Service task force.

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I am disappointed that the cases transfer to federal court ultimately resulted in its dismissal and am deeply concerned with the precedent it sets  that individuals deemed federal officers by federal authorities can commit lethal crimes against Michigan residents with impunity," Nessel said in a statement.

Ven Johnson, a Detroit attorney representing Sterling's estate in a separate, civil lawsuit against Keely, said in a statement the ruling "sends a troubling message that a police officer can run over an unarmed man and avoid facing a criminal jury."

Jarbou is also the presiding judge in the civil lawsuit.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Charges dropped for ex-MSP sergeant who fatally struck man with SUV
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)  Charleston City Council members discussed taking control of a portion of Maybank Highway Wednesday which would allow them to add a new lane.

During the Traffic and Transportation committee meeting, Mayor William Cogswell presented members with a proposal to take ownership of the stretch from River Road to the Paul Gelegotis bridge. The road is currently owned by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

My wife works at MUSC downtown, I know that she is often frustrated by the traffic situation. So, I think that adding another lane would be beneficial, Kevin Gillen, a Johns Island resident, said.

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Nearby residents, like Gillen, told News 2, they are in favor of getting the additional lane as traffic can back up during peak hours. Officials said by owning this section, it can enable them to cut through red tape and expedite the process.

So, what were proposing is narrowing the lanes, but also slowing the speed limit so that people are safe. If you have an 11 foot lane youre not going 40 miles an hour. Youre going 25 miles an hour, Cogswell said. What that will do though is it may slow you down but the throughput is going to be obviously a lot more than just one lane.

Current designs from Charleston County and the SCDOT show the project taking over two years and the removal of many grand oak trees along the road. The city would be able to go around the requirements of the lane widths while maintaining safety and the trees. Additionally, this project would require funding from the County, which may come from money set aside from the 526 project. The settlement may allot for around $15 million.

Draft concept of Maybank Highway. Credit: City of Charleston

Gillen added living on Fenwick Hall Allee has allowed to get him and his wife to travel off the island faster, especially with the majority of the traffic being past the River Road zipper merge.

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Its one of the reasons why we picked the location were in is that we knew it would be a short trip on Maybank to get to the bridge. My wife knew that because of the situation further down on Maybank. Weve see a lot of growth here on the island, so Im sure as more people move in and the population increases  it just makes sense to put another lane in to plan for the additional traffic thats coming.

The mayor said this is a quicker, cost-effective solution to an issue that affects many coming off of Johns Island.

This is a real bottleneck, a real problem thats not going away anytime soon in fact its only getting worse. I think its incumbent on us in local government to try and address this as quickly as possible, Cogswell said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Dominique Chambers, left, sorts through post cards outlining labor concerns with other members of the SEIU. (Photo courtesy of 32BJ SEIU.)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport employees took to the floor of the Charlotte City Council on Tuesday to allege unsafe working conditions, high turnover, and inadequate wages at the states largest airport.

The employees delivered hundreds of postcards from members of the 32BJ Service Employees International Union outlining labor concerns at the airport before addressing the council during its public comment session at 5 p.m. Speakers from the union urged city lawmakers to raise wages and pass stricter safety standards for the airport at the local level.

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Dominique Chambers, a wheelchair agent at the airport, said working conditions directly interfere with his ability to assist elderly and disabled passengers.

Every day, we are met with low wages, minimum benefits, and poor working conditions, Chambers said. The turnover rate is so high and we are so understaffed that many passengers are left waiting. Sometimes, were even pressured to push two passengers at the same time.

Chambers said the cost of living in Charlotte has outpaced their wages to the point that colleagues of his are forced to stay with their families, live in their cars, or even remain unhoused altogether. Because he makes $12.50 an hour, Chambers said he has no choice but to live with his grandmother.

Donielle Prophete, the president of Communications Workers of America Local 3645, said that if councilors do not act on their concerns, then now is the time for us to act and vote you off of this dais. She asked the council to open a committee meeting to allow the union members to propose a new ordinance on workplace safety and higher wages.

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Charlotte Douglas is one of the largest economic engines in the city. If the workers who power it cant count on their elected officials to protect them, then who can they count on? Prophete said. No Charlottean should be working full-time and still unable to afford rent, food, or health care.

Later in the meeting, City Attorney Anthony Fox said the changes requested by the union are preempted by the states Wage and Hour Act, which largely reserves the right to set labor laws to the state legislature. He added that nothing the union has communicated to him about its proposal has changed that analysis.

I understand the merits of what theyre asking for and its altruistic, its noble, but we are restricted by law on what we can do and how far we can go, Fox said.

Councilor Victoria Watlington said it was her understanding that the unions current proposal is not a direct modification to wage and labor standards, but rather, a change to the criteria the city uses to award contracts at the airport that would take into consideration those concerns  something she said is in the councils purview.

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Though three members of the council  Tiawana Brown, Renee Johnson, and Watlington  requested a committee hearing on the issue, Mayor Vi Lyles declined to refer the issue, citing a need for further consultation with the city attorney.

Brown also requested that Lyles authorize the city councils Budget, Government, and Intergovernment Relations Committee to investigate safety and efficiency at the airport. Lyles said she would discuss the matter with Foxs office and make a determination based on his legal advice.

These are things that I think about in a way that, how do we create jobs for people that pay better? Lyles said. How do we do that? Thats by getting behind people in a way that we can provide these opportunities for them.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Lyless office did not respond to requests for comment.

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In a press release, the union said the council has the power to pass their proposal, and that arguing preemption by state law is a well-known tactic used by corporations and politicians to shut down common-sense measures that benefit workers and the public.

Dozens of cities across the country have passed similar legislation to raise airport standards  despite claims by some states that such local laws are preempted by state law, said SEIU Southern Regional Director Chris Baumann. It is disappointing that Mayor Lyles lacks the political will to do the same. Thousands of airport workers and their families wont forget this failure come election time.
CHICAGO  The officers were just north of 71st Street when they saw a man lying in the middle of Western Avenue, close to the eastern boundary of the Chicago Police Departments 8th District.

It was about 10:30 p.m. on May 13, and several witnesses told police that a silver vehicle was speeding north on the busy thoroughfare when the driver struck the man crossing the street.

An ambulance took the injured 76-year-old to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, but he was soon pronounced dead. Police records indicate he was just half a mile from his home. The offending driver, witnesses said, kept going north on Western after the collision.

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The man was among the hundreds killed in recent years in car crashes in Chicago. Citywide, fatal crashes now are occurring at a higher rate than before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when stay-at-home orders forced scores of drivers to keep off the roads.

Since the start of 2019, more than 1,040 people have died of injuries suffered in Chicago motor vehicle crashes, according to data from the Cook County medical examiners office. Of those, more than 300 were pedestrians. About 200 of those died in crashes that occurred on Chicago expressways, records show.

Of the dead, more than 30 were children aged 14 or younger.

In 2019, the year before the pandemic, Chicago recorded 115 traffic fatalities, according to medical examiners office data. Five years later, in 2024, the city saw 175 traffic-related deaths  a 52% increase. Through the first four months of 2025, another 32 people were killed in Chicago crashes, data show.

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Some researchers have found that aggressive and reckless driving was exacerbated by COVID-19, though they said traffic fatalities should eventually return to pre-pandemic levels.

While traffic trends showed meaningful yet temporary increases in road collisions in the aftermath of similar natural disasters, it is hypothesized that the changes in driving habits brought about by COVID-19 too will subside following the return to more typical work conditions, researchers concluded in a 2023 article published in the journal Transportation Research Record.

But in neighborhoods where crashes are most common, elected officials bemoaned a Police Department stretched too thin and a culture thats lost respect for law enforcement. Activists on the Southwest Side, meanwhile, pointed to societal trends  larger and larger vehicles, as well as in-car tech features that can distract drivers  along with the physical characteristics of several arterial streets.

Killed in traffic

Minutes after the fatal crash on South Western Avenue earlier this month, officers saw a silver Nissan with extensive front-end damage drive south past the scene. The driver was curbed a few blocks away.

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Officers saw two open bottles of vodka within arms reach of the drivers seat. More unsettling, though, was what could be seen stuck to the windshield.

Arresting officers further observed the vehicles front windshield to contain a chunk of hair consistent with the color of the victims, an officer later wrote in the drivers arrest report.

Officers allegedly could smell liquor on the driver, but she refused to undergo field sobriety tests. The 29-year-old woman, through slurred speech, asked to lean against a squad car to avoid falling over, an officer later wrote.

The driver, whose listed address is less than a mile from the crash site, remains in Cook County Jail pending trial. Prosecutors dropped the DUI charge against her three days after her initial court appearance, records show, though she still faces a charge of failure to report an accident involving injury or death, a felony.

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CPD does run anti-DUI efforts in the area. A saturation patrol was conducted in the Chicago Lawn District between March 14 and 15, according to the department. That mission did not result in a single DUI arrest, but more than 50 citations were issued, most commonly for unsafe vehicle violations.

A look at one district

Data shows that nowhere in the city are crashes more common than in the Chicago Lawn District. In fact, its the only one of CPDs 22 patrol districts to record more than 10,000 car crashes every year since 2021.

The district saw just three fatal crashes in all of 2019. Since the start of 2020, though, it has averaged more than one traffic death per month, more than any other police district, records show.

All told, the district has recorded more than 80 traffic-related deaths in the last six and a half years, records show. Most recently, 84-year-old Maria Ochoa Flores, a pedestrian walking just blocks from her home, was struck and killed by a vehicle at Archer and Laramie avenues over the holiday weekend.

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Several bouquets of flowers remained at the crash site Tuesday morning. Tire marks, left by drivers doing doughnuts, could be seen in the middle of the intersection.

This has to end, Alberto Ochoa, Ochoa Flores son, told reporters after the crash. My mom, all she was doing was crossing the street, and shes dead now.

All she was doing was taking a walk, crossing the street innocently and was run over, he added.

Ald. Marty Quinn, whose 13th Ward is covered by CPDs Chicago Lawn District, said several arterial streets are akin to expressways, and the areas police officers are regularly swamped with other calls for service and unable to discourage aggressive and reckless drivers.

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Pulaski has become a highway. Cicero Avenue has become a highway, Quinn told the Tribune last week. We had some issues earlier this year along 63rd Street. Weve had issues near the airport on 55th Street. I (attribute) it all back to the lack of manpower.

250,000 residents (in the Chicago Lawn District) and only 259 blue shirt officers  thats a problem, Quinn added.

Police officials have acknowledged in the past that patrol officers across the city are routinely tied down on high-priority calls for service. Jason Huff, of the Chicago Lawn District councilors, echoed Quinns concerns about the districts lack of officers.

I think drivers, especially younger ones, know this and they have no respect for law enforcement, Huff said. I think thats partially due to social media, partially other aspects that have influenced young people. And so they have no respect for the law or law enforcement and just feel they can do as they please until they either get into an accident or actually do get stopped by the police.

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The Southwest Collective, an equity-aimed nonprofit on the Southwest Side, started a campaign in 2023  Pulaski, Slow TF Down  to reduce traffic fatalities on Pulaski after two pedestrians who lived in the area were struck and killed by vehicles.

These were two people who were doing what everybody should be able to do, which is just walk around in their neighborhood, cross the street, come home from visiting a friend or getting groceries or doing whatever, Dixon Galvez-Searle, the Southwest Collectives transit advocate, told the Tribune last week.

A lot of people in the neighborhood and on the Southwest Side in general who live near Pulaski, work (and) spend time near Pulaski, were outraged, were upset, were angry, but were not terribly surprised, Galvez-Searle added.

During the City Councils meeting last week, a teacher at Curie High School, located at Archer and Pulaski across the street from a CTA train station, told aldermen that many reckless drivers in the area have no fear of legal reprisal.

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Like many CPS students, most of our students walk and commute via CTA to school, Veronica Schwenn, an English teacher at Curie, told the City Council on May 21. South Pulaski is especially unsafe. It is a wide road with little permanent infrastructure, and many drivers are willing to take their odds that no one will be there to give them consequences for their speeding, running red lights and drag racing. People have been killed by this behavior, and it makes our students feel unsafe.

The Southwest Collective last year surveyed nearly 500 people who live near the busy Pulaski corridor, and the vast majority said their three largest traffic concerns were speeding drivers, congestion from trucks and not enough time to use crosswalks. Meanwhile, a fall 2024 report on traffic crashes by the citys Department of Transportation noted that a four-mile stretch of Pulaski from the Stevenson Expressway to 71st Street has become a hot spot for egregious driving, leading to tragic consequences.

As part of a larger review of crash data, CDOT is also targeting locations of severe crashes, especially in historically underserved communities, with infrastructure upgrades and policies designed to address the key traffic safety issues.

The city in recent months has added more speed enforcement cameras to issue tickets to drivers going more than 6 mph above the posted limit. There are now more than 200 across the city. In 2024, the citys speed cameras generated more than 2 million citations against drivers, according to city data.

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A representative for the citys Department of Transportation said in an email, Speed camera locations are selected through a data-driven process that prioritizes areas experiencing traffic safety concerns.

The final decisions on identifying, selecting, and designing automated speed enforcement camera locations are made on a case-by-case basis, the email read, taking into account a variety of factors including feasibility, effectiveness, and equity.

_____
Italian sinologist Silvia Calamandrei speaks during the launch ceremony for the new book "The bridge of China-Italy friendship: China Today as written by the 1955 Italian cultural delegation" at the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, capital of China, May 8, 2025. (Xinhua)

TIANJIN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Yang Lin and Letizia Vallini, scholars with Tianjin-based Nankai University, feel profoundly inspired every time they read the China-related words by renowned Italian politician and jurist Piero Calamandrei.

In 1955, although diplomatic ties had not yet been established between China and Italy, Calamandrei led an Italian cultural delegation composed of experts from various fields, including jurists, philosophers, architects and zoologists, to visit China.

Centuries before, The Travels of Marco Polo sparked a China fever in the West. Likewise, the delegation members published numerous articles introducing the then China after visiting Chinese cities including Beijing, Shenyang, Fushun, Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Among these, the most influential was China Today, a special issue of The Bridge, a magazine under Calamandrei's editorship. Covering politics, economy, culture, and society in China, it became a vital window for Italian readers to understand China at that time.

Now, Yang, head of the Italian Department at the university's School of Foreign Studies, and Vallini, an Italian faculty member, hope to reintroduce this work to today's readers.

Earlier this month, the new book "The bridge of China-Italy friendship: China Today as written by the 1955 Italian cultural delegation," co-edited by Yang and Vallini, was launched at the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy.

This volume presents a carefully curated selection of articles from the original special issue, translated into Chinese and illustrated by rare archival photographs that document the delegation's historic visit to China.

Silvia Calamandrei, granddaughter of Piero Calamandrei, spent her childhood living and studying in China. During the launch event, she shared memories of cultural exchanges between China and Italy.

"This serves not only as a bridge connecting distant memories with the present, but also as a significant milestone marking how China-Italy relations have remained closely intertwined through different historical phases," she said.

Yang regards China Today as a precious cultural legacy left by Piero Calamandrei that continues to facilitate cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

"The delegation devoted itself to bridging two distinct civilizations, truly earning its title as a 'bridge'," said Vallini, who has lived in China for 12 years. She said these articles continue to tell stories of friendship and hope to Chinese and Italian readers alike -- precisely what makes this translation project invaluable.

The translation process, spanning over four years, was arduous, yet Yang and Vallini found constant joy in their work, driven by a greater mission to cultivate a new generation of "bridges" for China-Italy cultural exchanges.

"As translators, we're honored to serve as bridges connecting China Today with contemporary China, helping the fruits of friendship and wisdom reach more readers," said Wang Yifei, one of the 15 students who joined the translation and editorial project.

Yan Guodong, dean of the School of Foreign Studies at Nankai University, noted that China and Italy, both ancient civilizations, share long-standing cultural exchanges. The publication of this book represents contemporary scholars' commitment to upholding this historical mission.

"As the unprecedented changes of the world accelerates, the East and the West -- particularly China and Europe, as well as China and Italy -- once again face a critical moment where mutual understanding and concerted efforts are essential," said Luo Hongbo, a researcher at the Institute of European Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 

This photo taken on May 8, 2025 shows a scene during the launch ceremony for the new book "The bridge of China-Italy friendship: China Today as written by the 1955 Italian cultural delegation" at the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua)
CHICOPEE  On Thursday night, the City Council will deliberate and vote on a mayoral term limit ahead of the upcoming election.

The question about lengthening the mayors term  from two to four years  previously came about shortly before the last mayoral election in 2023. Frank LaFlamme, the council president, said a majority of voters were in favor of a longer term.

Now, the clarifying question before the council is when that four-year term will start.

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In the last mayoral election, voters approved the ballot question, which would make a four-year term start in January 2026.

The question will again be on the ballot this year, but it wouldnt go into effect until 2028, said LaFlamme on Wednesday, meaning there would be no change to the upcoming term and a four-year term would start in January 2028.

LaFlamme said he respects the opinions of the citys voters and will be voting in favor of the term extensions start date and to put a recall provision on the ballot for the upcoming election.

more news from Western Massachusetts

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WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A lucky Chicopee resident is the winner of a $100,000 Mass Cash grand prize.

Steven Dygon Jr. won his prize on a free Quic Pic ticket that he received during the Massachusetts State Lotterys Fishin for Quic Pics promotion.

Lottery skid extends through April

From May 6 to 19, lottery players in the state had the opportunity to win a free $1 Quic Pic ticket for Mass Cash, Keno, or The Numbers Game by purchasing any single ticket on a draw or monitor game for $4 or more.

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Dygon Jr. received this special ticket after making a qualifying Keno purchase at 7-Eleven, located at 425 Springfield Street in Springfield. The winning numbers were 10-11-15-18-25, which were selected during the May 16 Mass Cash drawing.

Courtesy of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.

On Tuesday, Dygon Jr. claimed his winnings at the West Springfield claim center. He said he plans on using his prize to take his children to Disney. 7-Eleven in Springfield will receive a $1,000 bonus for its sale of the ticket that produced the promotional ticket prize.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Houck Pharmacy of Mason City, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth)

An Iowa pharmacy has been fined $500 for committing an error that resulted in a childs drug overdose.

The Iowa Board of Pharmacy recently charged Houck Pharmacy of Mason City with incorrectly compounding a medication resulting in an overdose to a minor patient. The available board records give no indication as to the patient outcome or when the incident occurred.

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The board charged Houck Pharmacy with five regulatory violations: dispensing an incorrect medication to a patient; failure to comply with regulations related to compounding nonsterile preparations; failure to include all of the required information in compounding records; failure to maintain a perpetual inventory of Schedule II narcotics; and failure to maintain a controlled substance accountability program.

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To resolve the case, Houck Pharmacy has agreed to pay a $500 civil penalty and have its pharmacy license placed on probation for 12 months.

In a related matter, Hillary Lee Lunning of Mason City was charged by the board with incorrectly compounding a medication resulting in an overdose to a minor patient.

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The available board documents give no indication as to where or when the alleged violation occurred, but corporate records indicate Lunning is the president of Houck Drug Co., which operates Houck Pharmacy.

Lunning has agreed to pay a $500 civil penalty and have her license placed on probation for one year.

Pharmacist agrees to halt practice

A central Iowa pharmacist has agreed to refrain from practicing in Iowa.

According to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, Jeffrey Bates of Indianola has agreed to refrain from practicing any aspect of pharmacy in Iowa in order to meet the boards interest in protecting the public.

The publicly available board documents provide no information as to what led to the agreement but stipulates that Bates is unable to practice due to an administrative regulation that relates to pharmacists diverting prescription drugs from a pharmacy for personal use or for distribution.

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Although the board has not disclosed where Bates worked at the time of the alleged regulatory violation, his National Provider Identifier records indicate he has worked at the Hy-Vee pharmacy at 910 N. Jefferson Way in Indianola.

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Prague blamed Beijing-linked hackers for a cyberattack against a government communications network, drawing Western allies together in joint condemnation of China.

Czech officials said the campaign began in 2022 and targeted the foreign ministry, though they did not provide details of what damage was caused or if any specific data was taken. Beijing denied the allegations.

Western capitals have for years blamed Chinese government-backed groups for such attacks, including two huge hacks in 2023 and 2024 against US telecoms networks and government communications.

Beijing, for its part, has accused Washington of conducting its own such campaign, while Britain said today it would expand offensive cyber operations against China.
BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged increased support from the world's second-largest economy to Pacific Island countries in addressing climate change, during a summit China's Xiamen on Wednesday, according to a ministry readout.

The world's biggest bilateral lender will undertake 100 "small but beautiful" projects across Pacific Island countries with China ties over the next three years, Wang said, referring to one of the guiding principles of Chinese President Xi Jinping's flagship "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative.

Beijing will also invest $2 million in the island countries' clean energy, fisheries, oceans, low-carbon infrastructure and tourism sectors, the statement added, an amount in line with a downturn in Chinese lending as its $19 trillion economy slows.

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"China fully recognises the vulnerability of the economic and social development of the Pacific Island countries in the face of the climate change crisis," the statement said.

China's renewed push to boost its influence with Pacific Island countries comes as U.S. aid programs to the region have been frozen, and several nations have been hit with hefty U.S. tariffs.

(Reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
A one-two punch from the United States risks shattering the already fragile trade war truce between Washington and Beijing, with Chinese tech companies and students both dealt shock blows by the Trump administration Wednesday night.

Viewed from within China, things had been looking up after the worlds two largest economies agreed to dramatically roll back steep tariffs  a conciliatory step in a trade war that had threatened the entire global trading system.

Factories started whirring again. Long-delayed shipping containers began leaving Chinese ports, destined for the US. Chinese media celebrated the agreement as a national victory, while top officials adopted an upbeat tone in describing cooperation between the two superpower rivals.

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But the two jabs from Washington on Wednesday will have far-reaching effects across China, angering families and authorities alike. They also throw into question the future of US-China trade talks; the temporary truce only lasts 90 days, and the clock is ticking to reach a longer-term agreement.

The first hit came in a Financial Times report on Wednesday that said moves by US President Donald Trump had effectively cut off some American companies from selling software used to design semiconductors to China.

A Siemens spokesperson later told CNN that the US government on Friday informed the industry about new export controls on chip designing software to China and Chinese military end users globally.

These small chips - which power our smartphones, computers, automobiles and home appliances - have been at the fore of the US-China tech battle in recent years. The Biden administration had blocked China from accessing US-made semiconductors, and earlier this month, Washington warned companies against using AI chips made by Chinese tech giant Huawei.

A semiconductor silicon wafer fabricated with several microchip microprocessors, seen at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta, New York, on April 14, 2025. - Ted Shaffrey/AP/File

The obstacles were infuriating for Beijing, especially since it has poured tens of billions of dollars into its semiconductor industry, aiming to boost production at home and become less reliant on the US and other countries.

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Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, declined to comment on the reported chip software move but accused the US of overstretching the concept of national security, abusing export controls, and maliciously blocking and suppressing China in a statement to CNN.

But it was the second blow from the White House that landed right in the living rooms of Chinese families, with US State Secretary Marco Rubio saying the US will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students  especially those in critical fields or with connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

Its hard to overstate the impact. There were more than 270,000 Chinese students in the US in 2024, and even more before the pandemic. While some hail from Chinas political and business elites, many also come from middle-class families.

The path to the US is attractive, but arduous. Chinese families save for years and spend exorbitant amounts of money to send their kids abroad, with students attending cram schools or hiring tutors to polish their applications. Rubios announcement jeopardizes all of that  with students now facing potential deportation in the middle of their hard-won education.

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Given China is a one-party state that reaches deep into nearly every aspect of society, it can be difficult or impossible for many students to disprove any claims that theyre connected to the Communist Party  especially if the State Department defines that term loosely.

A spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry said on Thursday it strongly opposes the move, accusing the US of unjustly revoking visas under the pretext of ideology and national security.

Candy, a statistics student at the University of Michigan, who did not want to give her full name, said she feared her visa would be canceled before she graduates.

Ending up with only a high school diploma is something I dread, she said from China, where shes visiting family. I pray to make it through my undergraduate study safely and smoothly.

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When I first heard the news, I wanted to curse Trump.

While the visa threat comes as a shock, some argue the targeting of students may in fact be a boon to China in the end.

The number of Chinese students in the US had been declining in recent years, partly because of significant shifts in both policy and public perception. Experts say many Chinese students and families now worry about safety, racism and discrimination, and immigration difficulties in the US  especially as more competitive higher education options open in other countries, including in China itself.

Trumps crackdown could see more Chinese scholars, including some of the brightest minds in their fields, return to their home country  or choose to stay in the first place, rejecting a US education for a Chinese degree instead.

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And these researchers  including key leaders in technological fields  could be the key to China catching up with, or surpassing the US  the very thing many Trump officials are trying to prevent.

Wednesday did bring one bit of good news for China; a federal court blocked Trump from imposing most of his global tariffs, including the current 30% tariffs on China. But the administration immediately appealed the decision, leaving the status of those tariffs  and the trade war  up in the air.

CNNs Cynthia Chan contributed to this report

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President Volodymyr Zelensky said China has stopped selling drones to Ukraine and Western countries while continuing to supply them to Russia, Bloomberg reported on May 29.

"Chinese Mavic is open for Russians but is closed for Ukrainians," Zelensky told reporters, referring to the popular quadcopter drone manufactured by China's DJI.

"There are production lines on Russian territory where there are Chinese representatives," he added, according to Bloomberg.

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The Mavic, typically a civilian drone used for aerial photography, has been adapted by both Ukrainian and Russian forces for battlefield surveillance and as a weapon platform capable of carrying explosives.

Drones have played a decisive role in the war, with both sides using them for reconnaissance and precision attacks.

On April 7, Zelensky announced that Ukraine would scale up production of unmanned systems "to the maximum," including long-range, ground-based, and fiber-optic drones, which are resistant to electronic warfare.

Zelensky's recent remarks reportedly align with assessments from European officials. One official told Bloomberg that China has not only restricted drone exports to Ukraine and other Western buyers, but has also reduced shipments of drone components, including motor magnets, while ramping up deliveries to Russia.

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"When someone is asking whether China is helping Russia, how shall we assess these steps?" Zelensky said.

Beijing has repeatedly denied aiding either side with military goods. On May 27, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also rejected claims made by Ukrainian intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko, who alleged that Beijing provided special chemicals, gunpowder, and other defense-related materials to at least 20 Russian military-industrial facilities.

Ivashchenko also said that as of early 2025, 80% of critical electronic components in Russian drones were of Chinese origin. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated that China has "never provided lethal weapons" and "strictly controls dual-use items."

Despite its claims of neutrality, Beijing has deepened economic and strategic ties with Moscow, prompting Western concerns and NATO's designation of China as a decisive enabler of Russian aggression.

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Read also: Exclusive: Ukraine eyes new sanctions on China, but Kyiv wary of peace talks fallout

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By Eduardo Baptista

BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese private rocket firm Space Epoch said on Thursday it had successfully run a flight recovery test, as China looks to catch up with the United States by developing its own version of a reusable rocket that can rival SpaceX's Flacon 9.

As China and other space-faring nations look to develop tourism, infrastructure, and exploration, reusable rockets are indispensable to making their investments economically viable.

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Beijing-based Space Epoch, or SEPOCH, said its Yuanxingzhe-1 verification rocket was launched at 4:40 a.m from China's first sea-based space launch centre, off the waters of the eastern province of Shandong.

The rocket soared upwards, its engines briefly shutting down after the peak of its trajectory, then reigniting as it began its vertical descent to enter the Yellow Sea in a circle of fire, a video posted on Space Epoch's WeChat account showed.

"The success of this flight recovery test is a major breakthrough in the development process of liquid reusable rockets," Space Epoch said in a statement.

The flight lasted 125 seconds, reaching a height of about 2.5 km (1.6 miles), it added.

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Space Epoch's ambition to develop reusable rocket technology is highlighted by its demonstration of Vertical Takeoff and Vertical Landing (VTVL).

In this procedure, a rocket takes off vertically and returns to Earth with a vertical landing that uses rocket engines to slow and control the descent.

Used by SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship, VTVL is crucial for any firm looking to retrieve and reuse rockets after their launch, a growing focus for investors and firms worldwide that could drastically reduce costs and spread their use wider.

While tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX is already launching and recovering orbital-class rockets on a routine basis, no Chinese firm has yet matched this feat.

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SpaceX's Falcon 9 first successful landing test was almost a decade ago, highlighting the yawning gap firms like Space Epoch must bridge to catch up.

Space Epoch and Chinese peers, such as LandSpace, aim for maiden flights of their respective reusable rockets later this year, though no dates have been revealed.

Last year LandSpace completed a 10-km (6.2-mile) VTVL test marking China's first in-flight engine reignition in descent, a technique Space Epoch appears to have also mastered with its latest launch.

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
The International Center at Michigan State University | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz

Updated at 6:40 p.m.

The immigration status of thousands of Chinese international students housed in Michigan, and hundreds of thousands across the country, is under intense threat from federal officials which could lead to future deportations if they decide to take action.

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, read a post on the social media platform X by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday afternoon.

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Along with the post on X, the U.S. Department of State released a press statement in which Rubio specified that under President Trumps leadership, Chinese students visas will be aggressively revoked, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong, the statement concluded.

The revocation threats came shortly after the U.S. government decided to halt new student visa interviews for foreign applicants to U.S. colleges, where they plan to use the review of social media activity as a filter.

A week ago, during a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, Rubio stated that visas are a privilege, not a right. As of that moment, there was no exact count of how many visas had been revoked; it could be thousands, and, according to him, they probably have more to do.

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These actions came as part of an escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration against both the international student community and the Chinese government.

Since early spring, several hundred visas and SEVIS records of foreign students have been revoked indiscriminately and without explanation at universities across the country. Chinese students were among those.

In Michigan, dozens of international students were affected by this policy, and although some of them had their visa records restored days later, the uncertainty about their future remained latent. The nationalities of the students whose visas and SEVIS records were revoked were never officially confirmed.

Around the country, several foreign students, Chinese citizens among them, started suing the current administration to have their visas and SEVIS records restored. A Chinese doctoral student from MSU sued the Trump administration to have his status reinstated.

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On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed the new actions taken by the Trump administration during a press conference. Regarding the tense situation surrounding student visas, Ning responded to a question from Bloomberg, stating that this unjustified decision uses national security as a pretext.

It seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China, and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China firmly opposes it and has protested to the U.S. over the decision, Ning said.

Even though tensions between Chinese university students in Michigan and the U.S. government can be traced back to shortly before Trump began his second term, the latest statement from the federal government specifically targets them, exposing them all to uncertainty.

Five Chinese University of Michigan alumni were charged last October with misleading U.S. authorities following an FBI investigation into their activities around the Camp Grayling National Guard base. Although it was unclear whether the students were arrested, the case sparked national security concerns.

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Chinese students are among the largest groups within the international student community. Michigan colleges and universities house thousands of Chinese students per year under the F1, J1, or M1 visas, which include regular students, researchers, and vocational trainees.

At Michigan State University (MSU) alone, Chinese students make up the majority of the international student population, with a total of 1,016 students, according to the Geographical Sources of Students report from the Spring semester of this year. At the University of Michigan (UM), according to the 2024 annual report from the International Center, Chinese students also represent the largest international group, totaling 4,046 individuals.

Prior to publication, the Michigan Advance reached out in person to MSUs Office for International Students and Scholars seeking comment. However, the OISS responded that, due to the lack of clear information about the federal governments decisions, they are not in a position to provide any comments.

MSU spokesperson, Amber McCann, in an emailed statement to the Advance, stated that MSU is closely monitoring recent federal policy changes and analyzing the consequences that could affect international students in order to provide guidance and support.

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International education and exchange are fundamental to Michigan State Universitys identity as a leading public global research university. We will continue to advocate for policies that enable us to welcome international students and scholars from around the world and promote global engagement, McCann concluded.

In a statement, the International Center at the University of Michigan remarked that if a student is facing a visa revocation, they should contact the IC since their immigration status will be potentially affected.

The IC is closely monitoring this development and will provide additional updates and guidance as more details become available. We remain committed to supporting U-Ms international students, concluded the statement.

This story was updated to add comment from the International Center at the University of Michigan.

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By News Centre

In a significant step towards enhancing transcontinental rail connectivity, Pacific Holding Chairman of the Board Fatih Erdo?an, along with executives from Pacific Eurasia Logistics, met with China State Railway Group Chairman Song Xiude and his delegation in Beijing on May 23. The meeting took place as part of Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uralo?lus official visit to China.

The high-level talks focused on revitalizing the Middle Corridor  a key route in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative that links China to Europe via Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkiye. Both sides expressed a firm commitment to unlock the Middle Corridor's full potential, which currently lags far behind the Northern Corridor in freight volume and infrastructure investment.

We foresee that the Middle Corridor will become a major trade artery. It must be a corridor with China on one end and Turkiye on the other, Erdo?an told Anadolu Agency.

Erdo?an emphasized Pacific Holdings strategic alignment with the Middle Corridor vision since the foundation of Pacific Eurasia in 2019. With 55 companies and 2,500 employees across four major sectors  technology, real estate, construction, and energy  the group has rapidly become a leader in international railway logistics.

Leading the Way in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Line

Pacific Eurasia currently handles 95% of freight on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Line, which Erdo?an noted had seen limited use after its launch in 2017 until recent revitalization efforts. The companys efforts, he said, are guided by national interest and Turkiyes geostrategic advantages.

The company was behind several major milestones, including the first block train from China to Turkiye and the first export train from Turkiye to China. Despite momentum, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted operations at a critical juncture.

Middle Corridor vs. Northern Corridor

While the Northern Corridor  running from China through Russia to Europe  has reached an annual capacity of 20,000 trains and two million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the Middle Corridor sees only 300 trains a year. Erdo?an stressed the need for urgent development to realize its vast potential.

He added that the success of the Northern Corridor, which also began with limited capacity, demonstrates the transformative power of sustained investment and state support.

Strategic Commitment from China

Following long-term diplomatic and commercial efforts, Erdo?an said that China Railway executives recently visited Turkiye, and a follow-up meeting took place in Beijing with participation from Turkish Deputy Transport Minister Enver ?skurt. During these meetings, China State Railway Group acknowledged that the Middle Corridor is not just an alternative but a necessity.

Importantly, Erdo?an noted that China Railway agreed to offer incentives for cargo along the Middle Corridor and specifically for the Turkiye route  a move expected to dramatically accelerate freight volume and investment in the line.

Future Infrastructure to Boost Capacity

The meeting also covered major infrastructure projects that will enhance Middle Corridor logistics, including the Zangezur Corridor, the Development Road between Turkiye and the Persian Gulf, and the Northern Marmara Railway, which will provide a new connection to Europe via the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.

Erdo?an concluded by highlighting the broader diplomatic and economic implications of the Middle Corridor:

This is not just a logistics project. Its a peace corridor. If there is a road, there is civilization; if there is a road, there is connection.
Chen Changfeng (2nd L), president of the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance (APCA) and professor of Tsinghua University, and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle (3rd L) attend the opening ceremony of the APCA-ANPOR-UBD Conference 2025 held at UBD in Brunei, on May 27, 2025. (Universiti Brunei Darussalam/Handout via Xinhua)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The APCA-ANPOR-UBD Conference 2025 concluded in Brunei on Wednesday, following two days of vibrant academic exchange on artificial intelligence (AI), language, and sustainable communication.

The conference, themed "Communication and Languages in Asia-Pacific Regions: Connection, Collaboration, and Sustainability," was co-organized by the Asia-Pacific Communication Alliance (APCA), the Asian Network for Public Opinion Research (ANPOR), and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The opening ceremony was graced by Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle. Scholars and educators from across the Asia Pacific region explore key issues in sustainable communication, AI, communication and multilingualism.

Chen Changfeng, president of APCA and professor of Tsinghua University, commended the spirit of openness, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing that characterized the conference in her opening remarks.

In his remarks, Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle said, "In a world transformed by artificial intelligence, shaped by digital disruption and challenged by rising misinformation, our ability to communicate with purpose, ethics and inclusivity has never been more vital."

The conference featured five keynote speakers from world-leading institutions, addressing topics such as generative AI, digital ethics, multilingualism, language policy and sustainability.

Jack Qiu, professor of Nanyang Technological University, demonstrated how AI is reshaping reading, listening and writing, calling for renewed focus on human agency in education.

The conference marks a key milestone for the UBD Language Center, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for intercultural dialogue and sustainable communication, according to UBD. 

Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the APCA-ANPOR-UBD Conference 2025 held at UBD in Brunei, on May 27, 2025. (Universiti Brunei Darussalam/Handout via Xinhua)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands  Hidden components in Chinese-made solar power equipment have caused alarm bells in Western capitals amid concerns over Beijings ability to interfere with power grids. Europe may be particularly vulnerable, experts say, with most of its solar farms potentially at risk of remote shutdown.

The revelation of undeclared remote access devices in American solar farms, first reported by Reuters earlier this month, came less than a month after a power outage that shut down electricity for millions throughout Spain, Portugal, Andorra and parts of France, highlighting the possible fragility of even highly developed and integrated European power grids.

According to unnamed sources cited by Reuters, the communication devices that were embedded in solar farm gear were not shown on schematics and customer information of the products, suggesting they may have been deliberately concealed. The undisclosed devices were reportedly found during a routine disassembly of Chinese-made power inverters, which serve to connect solar farms to the electricity grid, control the flow of power and maintain the all-important grid frequency.

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While Iberian authorities have ruled out a cyber attack in the case of the peninsulas massive blackout, the finding has nonetheless instilled a new sense of urgency in European planning to make the continents integrated electrical grid safe and resilient.

Market dominance

Inverters are crucial in linking photovoltaic (PV) power plants, which output DC electricity, to the broader electricity network, which runs on AC. In 2023, 78% of all inverters installed in Europe came from Chinese vendors, with the overwhelming majority being made by Huawei and SunGrow, according to DNV, a risk consultancy. The report was commissioned by SolarPower Europe, an industry advocacy group.

This market dominance can likely be explained by a combination of Chinas large manufacturing capacity and the comparatively lower prices of Chinese inverters compared to European ones.

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Control over the inverters allows outsiders to simultaneously disconnect generating capacity from the grid, which can cause blackouts. It would also allow them to manipulate voltage and frequency settings to destabilize local grids and to override safety protections like anti-islanding systems.

Both Huawei and Sungrow have documented links to the Chinese government and the countrys ruling Communist Party, including formal ties, participation in government projects, and officials holding high-ranking positions simultaneously in both the companies and the state.

Under Chinese law, Huawei faces mandatory cooperation requirements with intelligence services. The 2017 National Intelligence Law declares that Chinese companies must support, assist, and cooperate with Chinas intelligence-gathering authorities. As a result of questions over its independence and safety, the electronics giant has already faced restrictions on work on critical communications infrastructure  especially 5G networks  in several countries. It is also front and center in a major investigation currently ongoing in Brussels surrounding bribery of European officials.

Energy sovereignty at risk

Europes energy sovereignty is at serious risk due to the unregulated and remote control capabilities of photovoltaic inverters from high-risk, non-European manufacturers  most notably from China, said the European Solar Manufacturing Council, an industry association.

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This isnt purely hypothetical, either. In November 2024, some solar inverters in the U.S., U.K. and Pakistan were actually disabled remotely from China. Very little was publicly revealed about this incident and its consequences; investigations later showed that the shutdown may have been the result of an industry dispute, according to Gunter Born, a German tech and cybersecurity journalist.

Following the decoupling of Europes energy needs from cheap and readily available Russian gas after the invasion of Ukraine, energy sovereignty has become a new priority for capitals across the continent. Renewables have been front and center, building on existing momentum to combat climate change and residual skepticism of nuclear power for its perceived safety shortcomings and high cost.

Today, over 200 GW of European PV capacity is already linked to inverters manufactured in China  the equivalent of more than 200 nuclear power plants, said Christoph Podewils, the ESMC secretary general, citing numbers by the DNV consultancy.

This means Europe has effectively surrendered remote control of a vast portion of its electricity infrastructure.

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The Iberian Peninsula blackout was triggered by a 2.2-gigawatt (GW) loss in electricity generation that occurred within seconds. Previously, DNV had estimated that a loss of 3 GW of generating power could have serious ramifications for the European power grid. A loss of this amount of input can result in cascading effects, leading to a large-scale shutdown of the power grid, just as had occurred in Spain on April 28.

The DNV report identified over a dozen threat scenarios, most of which it considered high or critical risks even after the full implementation of existing EU cybersecurity measures.

In the first three months of 2025 alone, nearly 68 terawatt hours of electricity were produced by solar panels, data from the energy think tank Ember shows. This marks an increase by almost a third over the same period a year earlier. It amounted to 8.2% of Europes electricity production in March, despite the shorter days at that time of year. In summer, around 15% of Europes electricity may come from the sun, with some countries  particularly around the Mediterranean  relying on it to make up over a quarter of their total energy mix during the daytime.

According to SolarPower Europe, the industry advocacy group, the installed PV capacity in Europe is expected to exceed 800 GW by 2030.

Wrangling the dragon

The shock of the Spanish power outage  even without it being caused by an attack  has jolted some in Europe into action. But consciousness surrounding a China vulnerability predates the grid collapse.

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Lithuania on May 1 implemented new legislation that requires photovoltaic projects above 100kW to use inverters that meet national safety standards. Existing projects must also be retrofitted. This practically outlaws Chinese inverters in the countrys power infrastructure.

Late last year, Estonias spy chief Kaupo Rosin said that Chinese technology in critical infrastructure, particularly solar farms, could open Europe up to Chinese blackmail.

Some EU lawmakers are also taking note, with one member of the European parliament submitting an inquiry on the topic of solar inverters and the risk of Chinese influence on May 15.

A 2022 EU directive called NIS2 provides the basis for joint cybersecurity defense measures of critical infrastructure, outlining 18 broad sectors that require particular attention, including electrical grids.

However, the directive primarily applies to very large projects, leaving smaller power generation projects vulnerable. This is particularly relevant to solar, which is not only produced in large farms but also by countless dispersed, smaller photovoltaic projects, such as those on rooftops and factory grounds.
Chinese cyber criminals have been accused of targeting two NHS hospitals as part of an alleged espionage campaign orchestrated by Beijing.

An urgent NHS investigation has been launched into data breaches at University College Hospital and University Hospital Southampton, which took place earlier this month.

Cyber security experts at intelligence firm EclecticIQ have said that the hackers responsible are linked to a group in China tasked with intelligence gathering

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They discovered that the group has conducted a string of attacks across the world, potentially targeting hospitals, local authorities and businesses in countries such as Japan, Germany and the US.

Cody Barrow, chief executive of EclecticIQ and a former US intelligence official, said it had discovered credible and urgent indicators that the NHS hospitals had been compromised by cyber attackers.

He said his firm had evidence that malicious actors had breached both hospitals by exploiting software provided by tech company Ivanti, which is used to manage mobile devices connected to a broader network.

Earlier this month, Ivanti confirmed that it had uncovered a very limited number of customers whose solution has been exploited.

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NHS England said there was currently no evidence to suggest patient data has been accessed and that no frontline services had been affected.

A spokesman said: We are currently investigating this potential incident with cyber security partners, including the National Cyber Security Centre, and the trusts mentioned.

However, a spokesman for University College Hospital told Digital Health News that some staff mobile phone numbers may have been stolen.

Affected employees are now being contacted.

EclecticIQ said it had uncovered data that suggested the hacks had originated in China, linked to a group it believed was targeting high-value individuals within public institutions, including government agencies, or in the private sector.

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The news comes after John Healey, the Defence Secretary, announced plans to spend more than 1bn on cyber defence and artificial intelligence.

This will include a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, which will seek to fight enemies online.

It is not the first time that the NHS has been targeted by cyber attackers.

In 2017, a cyber attack originating from North Korea devastated NHS IT systems and cost tens of millions of pounds.

Last year, Synnovis, a business that provided diagnostic services to the NHS, was also hacked, disrupting more than 10,000 appointments and more than 1,700 elective procedures.

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NHS data has revealed it also led to at least two cases of severe patient harm, meaning long-term or permanent health damage. The incident cost Synnovis more than 32m.

Meanwhile, an NHS hospital trust on the Wirral revealed that a hack in November led to missed cancer waiting list targets, while also costing up to 3m.

The latest incident comes amid a spree of attacks against major British companies, with Marks & Spencer and Co-op recently compromised by cyber criminals.

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No "critical fields": Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday evening that the visas of certain Chinese students would soon be revoked, especially those studying in "critical fields" and those with ties of any sort to the Chinese Communist Party, and that greater scrutiny would be applied to future visa applicants.

This isn't the first time a Trump administration has attempted a crackdown, but this one is likely to be much more widespread. "In 2020, officials in the first Trump administration canceled the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese graduate students and researchers after announcing they were banning from campuses Chinese citizens with direct ties to military universities in their country," reports The New York Times. "It was the first time the U.S. government had moved to bar a category of Chinese students from getting access to American universities, a ban the Biden administration kept in place."

"Such a politicized and discriminatory move lays bare the US lie behind the so-called freedom and openness that the US touts," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. "It will only further undermine its image in the world and national reputation."

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There may well be good reasons for the Trump administration to want to root out or preempt espionage, but it's not clear that such a widespread, untargeted crackdown is necessarily the best means of accomplishing that. Still, looked at as part of a whole pattern of behavior, it's a provocation: The U.S. has been souring ties with China, first through tariffs, then through negotiations over a rare earth minerals deal, and now through a crackdown on some 275,000 foreign students.

The administration is also trying to ban foreign students from enrolling at Harvard, and the State Department has halted all interviews for new student visas, saying it will focus more intensely on vetting prospective applicants' social media postings. It looks a bit like this administration simply wants most foreigners to leave, and to deter possible entrants from ever coming.

Huge tariff ruling: A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the president "had wrongly invoked a 1977 law in imposing his 'Liberation Day' tariffs on dozens of countries and they were therefore illegal," reports Bloomberg. That ruling also applies to the tariffs imposed before Liberation Day on China, Mexico, and Canada, purportedly over "national security" and fentanyl trafficking. Now, the Trump administration will appeal this ruling, possibly going all the way up to the Supreme Court. ("The ruling doesn't affect Trump's first-term levies on many imports from China or sectoral duties planned or already imposed on goods including steel," adds Bloomberg, "which are based on a different legal foundation that the Trump administration may now be forced to make more use of to pursue its tariff campaign.")

"It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency," said White House spokesman Kush Desai in a statement. "President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness."

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"The ruling is a welcome blow to the Trump administration's freewheeling use of [the International Emergency Economic Powers Act] in ways that seemingly ignored the plain text of the lawwhich authorizes executive action only in response to 'unusual and extraordinary' threats to the United States," writes Reason's Eric Boehm.

How to make DOGE permanent: President Donald Trump is sending suggestions for spending cuts to Congress in an effort to make the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts permanent. Unfortunately, the $9.4 billion-in-cuts package falls far short of what would actually be needed to make an impact.

Two Republicans familiar with the plan told Politico that "it will target NPR and PBS, as well as foreign aid agencies that have already been gutted by the Trump administration." But let's be real: There's $1.6 trillion in discretionary spending allocated each year, and discretionary spending itself is but a small chunk of the total federal spendingless than a third. Mandatory spendingthings like entitlement programsis the area that really needs to be attacked, but it's politically much harder to make, say, substantive reforms to Social Security.

So $9.4 billion in cuts it is! A tiny drop in the bucket. What a bleak political reality: that this is what DOGE's efforts culminate in, and that this is the way lawmakers intend to codify the cuts.

Scenes from Texas: I'm back home, where Governor Greg Abbott just signed a law requiring Google and Apple to verify app store users' ages. Some "lawmakers and some social media companies argu[e] that app stores should serve as centralized clearinghouses for verifying users' ages," notes CNN, with Abbott's office adding that "Texas will empower parents to have more control over the online content their children can access."

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It's similar to Utah's law, which also aims to prevent kids from being able to unilaterally download certain apps. Like Utah, Texas will now require app stores to both verify ages and obtain parents' consent before a child downloads an app or makes a purchase through an app. "But Texas' law adds an additional requirement," notes CNN. "The app stores must also confirm that the parent or guardian approving a minor's app downloads has the legal authority to make decisions for that child." On the one hand, this means parents are forced to hand over an ID (and hope these companies will protect their private data after it's been verified); on the other, it appears to be a pretty strict requirement that will be hard for kids to circumvent, so it might end up being effective.

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It's not clear to me how cutting off the supply of au pairs is a pro-family policy that will encourage people to have more kids:

The Trump administration just shutdown all new interviews for au pairs on the J-1 visa. pic.twitter.com/JSqbphtZ2S  The Alex Nowrasteh (@AlexNowrasteh) May 27, 2025

This could have the unfortunate effect of raising childcare costs in certain markets. But I also haven't heard a single person cogently argue why au pairs are a threat that must be suppressed; this is a form of childcare that can take the form of a nanny, or more the form of a mother's helper, and it can be very collaborative, allowing mother and au pair to tend to children side-by-side. Some mothers don't want to send their kids to daycare full-time or to have a full-time nanny, and there's a lot of gradient between "no help at all" and "totally outsourcing all domestic labor" that pro-family policy makers should consider. Au pairs, who live in the home with the family, are typically here for defined periods of timefrequently a 12-month minimum, with the option to renew for up to 12 additional months, if it's a mutually beneficial arrangementso it's a way for parents to secure an arrangement that's neither long-term nor short-term, operating somewhat differently from typical nanny arrangements. It's just so odd to me that the administration sees a problem with this.

"Only Two Companies Make Parachutes for U.S. Troops," reads a Wall Street Journal headline. "Deportations Would Crush One." Good read.

Several folks have reached out to me concerned that I fell victim to a satire website, re: Pete Hegseth item yesterday. Let me be clear: All roasting of Pete Hegseth is intentional, for your amusement and mine.

"Equity" curriculums basically just lower the bar for all students to an embarrassing degree:

New SF public school plan would - eliminate homework and weekly tests from counting toward semester grade

- allow students to take the final exam multiple times

- convert all B grades into As, and all Fs into Cs It's hard to see the difference between this policy and what https://t.co/1ajUs8Ay3Q pic.twitter.com/p6wMyJDHIi  Derek Thompson (@DKThomp) May 28, 2025

Pretty much:

Centrists are out of touch in that we care a lot about procedural and policy stuff the voters do not and sometimes treat normal people like incomprehensible ciphers, leftists are out of touch in that they are often literally in favor of murder https://t.co/Eha9xFtGuj  Kelsey Piper (@KelseyTuoc) May 28, 2025

The post The Chinese Student Crackdown appeared first on Reason.com.
The Trump administrations move Wednesday night to revoke Chinese students visas created another political headache for a powerful industry already struggling to deal with the White Houses barrage of changes to trade and visa policies.

Although the announcement was light on details, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Wednesday that the U.S. will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, singling out students studying in critical fields.

Computer science, math and engineering top the list of subjects that Chinese students study in the U.S.  areas that could well be in the crosshairs of national security concerns. Theyre also of central importance to the tech industry, which relies enormously on foreign-born talent.

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This is not just going after one of 10 different pathways into the U.S., Jeremy Neufeld, director of immigration policy at the Institute for Progress, told DFD. Its going after the primary way that we are recruiting talent, and it is going to significantly reduce the amount of talent that we are able to recruit.

A remarkable 70 percent of Silicon Valleys highly educated tech employees are from overseas, according to a recent study from a regional think tank  and of that group, China supplies more than any country except India. Eighteen percent of those employees are currently Chinese-born.

Its not clear how many of them literally came as college or graduate students, but at a moment when the U.S. is locked in a tech race with China, kicking out Chinese students strikes many industry observers as an ill-timed own goal.

This is, frankly, going to play into the Chineses hands, Rob Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, told POLITICO. Theyre going to ramp up the research and teaching quality of their universities even more, so that in 10 years even if we were begging them to send their students, theyre going to say, Nah, were not going to do that. 

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But the tech industry is  so far  largely keeping quiet about the policy. Of the numerous Big Tech companies and affiliated groups contacted by POLITICO in the wake of Rubios announcement, almost none were willing to go on the record Thursday. Meta, Google, Microsoft and Nvidia formally declined to comment. Tesla, Amazon and Apple didnt respond to POLITICOs emails.

Their silence speaks to the political squeeze that the industry finds itself in after largely accommodating itself to Trump  and even, for many leaders, pledging their explicit support for the president.

The argument over foreign tech workers began to stir up drama between the MAGA and techie wings of the GOP before Trump even took office for the second time. In the months between the election and Jan. 20, Elon Musk and Steve Bannon  both Trump supporters  found themselves embroiled in a high-profile public debate over H1-B visas, which allow companies to bring high-skilled workers to the United States. Musk, a champion of the visas, argued that although flawed, the program was necessary to compete with China and other high-tech nations; Bannon argued in nationalist terms that the program should be abolished entirely in favor of nurturing homegrown talent.

The visa move looks like another win for the Bannon wing.

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DFD reached out to influential voices in the right-leaning parts of the tech world  thinkers and investors who had supported Trump as a vehicle for accelerating American competitiveness. Like the Big Tech firms, they wanted no part of this conversation.

Andreessen Horowitz, the venture capital firm whose employees pepper the Trump administration and whose American Dynamism portfolio emphasizes a high-tech, pro-industrial vision of state capacity, simply pointed POLITICO to a blog post about talent that made no mention of student visas or foreign workers. Julius Krein, the conservative policy wonk who argues for a strong government hand in building competitive national industries, declined to comment, telling DFD its not really an issue I have any meaningful insight on. The Foundation for American Innovation declined to comment beyond pointing DFD to an essay by senior fellow Dan Lips promoting broad reforms to the student visa program.

One industry figure who did weigh in: Josh Wolfe, partner and co-founder at venture capital firm Lux Capital, who called the visa move part of a shortsighted pattern in U.S. immigration policy  and, like Atkinson, saw it as something of a gift to China.

If we make it harder for the worlds best minds to stay and build here, were not just stifling startups, were underwriting our competitors, he said. Talent is national security. We should act like it.

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The Bannonite contingent within the Republican Party has the advantage of a very simple message: Jobs in America should go to Americans, tech or otherwise. But the economic and geopolitical reality the countrys biggest industries have to navigate isnt quite that simple. Americans, at least for now, are not qualified to do many of the jobs required to meet the administrations goal of besting China on the world stage.

China graduates over 50 percent of the worlds AI undergrads, said Wolfe, whose firm invests in AI companies, and Americas share of international students has dropped from 23 percent to 15 percent over two decades. Thats less a statistic and more like strategic surrender.

China has four times the population of the United States, and a massive advantage when it comes to STEM education. According to a report from research firm fDi Intelligence, China graduated more STEM PhDs than the United States starting in 2007, and doubled the American number by 2022. Chinese industry is making huge strides in AI and microchip development, not to mention other fields like advanced biotech.

With that background, its not just policy wonks who are concerned about the Trump administrations hard-line nationalist policies putting America on its back foot. Though he didnt weigh in Thursday, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang  whose company produces the advanced microchips at the center of an ongoing trade war with China  warned Jim Cramer in a recent interview that China is filling the gap we left and growing exponentially.

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The only way we have a real chance at keeping up here is by using our advantage that we dont have to just rely on people here, we can rely on the best and brightest from around the world, the IFPs Neufeld said.

Its disappointing people arent willing to talk about this, he said. We need a balanced approach if were not going to just forfeit the technological competition.

Anthony Adragna, Daniella Cheslow, Gabby Miller and Christine Mui contributed to this report.
Chinese students are expressing anxiety after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the Trump administration would begin to aggressively revoke visas from scholars within the demographic.

This is a new version of Chinese Exclusion Act, Linqin, a Chinese student at Johns Hopkins, told The Associated Press. He asked the outlet to identify him only by first name out of fear of retaliation.

The 143-year-old law was used to issue an absolute 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to the U.S. and certain provisions within the law remained in place until 1943  when U.S. officials capped the yearly limit of Chinese immigrants at 105.

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Students studying abroad from Asia have voiced their concerns that similar confines will be put in place.

China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the U.S., behind only India. Last year, the group accounted for roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the U.S. as reported by the AP.

The U.S. decision to revoke Chinese student visas is fully unjustified. It uses ideology and national security as pretext, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday. It seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

China firmly opposes it and has protested to the U.S. over the decision, she added.

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Beijings officials have called the move politically motivated and discriminatory while some of the countrys top institutions say the move could drive an increase in enrollment from domestic talent.

Having fewer international exchanges is definitely not good for Americas development, Zhang Qi, a postdoctoral fellow in Beijing told the AP.

This could be a positive change for Chinas development, he continued. More talented individuals may choose to stay at Tsinghua or Peking University, or with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other top institutions in China, which would benefit the development of domestic science and technology.

In April, following President Trumps Liberation Day tariff announcement, Chinese leaders issued a travel advisory for citizens studying in the U.S.

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HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese students studying in the U.S. are scrambling to figure out their futures after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that some of them would have their visas revoked.

The U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those studying in critical fields" and "those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party," according to the announcement.

China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the U.S.

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Rubio's announcement was a new version of the Chinese Exclusion Act, said Liqin, a Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University, who asked to be identified only by his first name out of fear of retaliation. He was referring to a 19th-century law that prohibited Chinese from immigrating to the U.S. and banned Chinese people already in the U.S. from getting citizenship. He said Wednesday was the first time he thought about leaving the U.S. after spending a third of his life here.

Chinese international students are a point of tension

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, called the U.S. decision unreasonable.

Such a politicized and discriminatory action lays bare the U.S. lie that it upholds so-called freedom and openness," she said Thursday, adding that China has lodged a protest with the U.S.

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The issue of Chinese students studying overseas has long been a point of tension in the bilateral relationship. In 2019, during Trumps first term, Chinas Ministry of Education warned students about visa issues in the U.S., with rising rejection rates and shortening of visas.

Last year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry protested that a number of Chinese students were unfairly interrogated and sent home upon arrival at U.S. airports.

Chinese state media has long hyped gun violence in the U.S. and violent protests during the pandemic, and portrayed the U.S. as a dangerous place that wasnt safe for its citizens. The tense bilateral relationship has also meant that some Chinese students are opting to study in the U.K. or other countries over the U.S. after the pandemic.

Zou Renge, a 27-year-old public policy master's student at the University of Chicago, said she had planned to take some time off and work in humanitarian aid programs abroad after graduating at the end of this year.

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But now, she will refrain from leaving the U.S. and will look for jobs in the meantime. In a very uncertain environment, Ill try my best to find myself a solution, she said.

Hong Kong seeks to draw in talent amid uncertainty

Some were eager to capitalize on the uncertainty facing international students in the U.S. Hong Kongs leader John Lee told lawmakers on Thursday that the city would welcome any students who have been discriminated against by American policies to study in the city.

The students who face unfair treatment can come from different countries beyond the U.S. I think this is an opportunity for Hong Kong, he said. We will work with our universities to provide the best support and assistance.

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That followed a widely shared post by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) inviting Harvard students to continue their academic pursuits there after Trump said he would revoke the university's ability to accept international students.

Other Hong Kong universities including the Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong also said they would streamline or facilitate applications from international students coming from top universities in the U.S.

Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997, is a popular destination for mainland Chinese students to pursue their university degrees because of its international image and relative freedoms.

The city launched a new visa scheme in 2022 to counter the exodus of expatriates and local professionals that occurred after Beijing imposed a national security law to quell dissent and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Will Kwong, managing director at Hong Kong's AAS Education Consultancy, said his company was helping students with offers from American universities to apply to other institutions, predominantly in Britain and Australia, so that they had alternative choices.

U.S. was known for diversity and this will hurt it, students say

Having fewer international exchanges is definitely not good for Americas development, said Zhang Qi, a postdoctoral fellow in Beijing. "This could be a positive change for Chinas development. More talented individuals may choose to stay at Tsinghua or Peking University, or with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other top institutions in China, which would benefit the development of domestic science and technology.

For many, there is little they can do as they now wait for the fallout from the move.

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Chen, a Chinese student at Purdue University who only gave his last name out of concern for retaliation by the Trump administration, has been waiting anxiously in China for his visa approval. But he was also angry, and said this was the exact opposite of what he thought the U.S. stood for.

I was expecting freedom and tolerance. The U.S. was known for its diversity which allows international students to fit in, but it is a pity to see such change," he said.

-

Fu Ting reported from Washington, Wu from Bangkok. Associated Press researcher Shihuan Chen and video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Chippewa Street in downtown Buffalo will be closed to traffic during late night, weekend hours until Labor Day, Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon said Thursday.

The closures will take place from Delaware Avenue to Franklin Street from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The development comes after three people were stabbed in a large fight on Chippewa Street over the weekend  however, a spokesperson for Scanlon said that the traffic changes were not directly in response to the stabbing and that discussions had been taking place for weeks.

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The Vintage Room at 88 West Chippewa St. is temporarily closed after that fight, according to B-District Police Chief Tommy Champion. The fight spilled out into the parking lot and across the street. Three people were reportedly stabbed in the fight and suffered non-life threatening injuries, Champion said.

Scanlon said the Chippewa closures are intended to keep patrons, business owners, and police officers safe.

By reducing vehicular traffic during those peak hours in this corridor, were creating a pedestrian friendly environment thats safer, more walkable, and better suited for a night life activity and beneficial to all the restaurants and bars down here in this area, he said.

Scanlon is collaborating with Buffalo police and the Chippewa Alliance in this effort. It is unclear when the Vintage Room will be reopened.

Latest Local News

Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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RIO DE JANEIRO, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's relationship with the United States is not unconditional, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told a committee under the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, amid concerns that new U.S. restrictions could affect Brazilian citizens.

Vieira voiced concern over the U.S. government's recent decision to suspend new visas for international students.

"It's a worrying situation. We have a large number of Brazilian students at U.S. universities, and we'll have to monitor how this unfolds," he said.

Vieira stressed that under international agreements, host countries are obligated to grant visas for multilateral events, including those held by the United Nations or the Organization of American States.

The U.S. visa suspension is raising alarm in Brazil due to its potential to disrupt academic ties. Officials warned the move could hinder talent exchange and slow academic cooperation between the two countries.

Access to higher education abroad remains a key pillar in Brazil's national strategy for workforce development and innovation, Vieira said. 
Chris Hayes ran down the string of astonishing pardons Donald Trump has doled out to supporters this week along with other examples of what the MSNBC host called sheer corruption and moral obscenity. And in the end, Hayes reached two unsettling conclusions.

The first is that, Hayes argues, Trumps true goal here is to effectively end white collar prosecution and white collar crime as a category. And the second is that all of this poses the very serious risk of teeing the U.S. up for economic crisis at least as bad as the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis that caused the Great Recession.

After first running down some of those pardons, Hayes said, in many cases, Donald Trump uses the power of the presidency to grant a kind of criminal immunity to those he deems to be, for lack of a better phrase, his kind of people.

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Last year, you may remember, Trumps hand picked Supreme Court ruled that basically anything the President does, or at least i president does  Well see if this lasts, Hayes added, apparently suggesting this kind of ruling would not be extended to cover a Democratic president. Anything this president does that could possibly be construed as an official act of Office cannot be subsequently criminally prosecuted.

It was a wild ruling based on wholly invented doctrine, and it was effectively a pardon from the court to a man facing multiple criminal trials, including over his inciting a violent insurrection, Hayes continued. So now Trump wants to reorient the entire federal justice system to extend that same immunity to anyone he deems similarly above the law. Namely, anyone who commits the kind of crimes that Donald Trump might commit, anyone who is a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, Trump or commits crimes in his name, and most importantly, perhaps, anyone who was a family member willing to show up $2 million fundraisers.

Hayes ran through some examples of this  noting that its not clear for certain there was a direct 1:1 relationship between donations and pardons, but that the evidence certainly supports the conclusion.

We are seeing this story play out over and over again, especially when it comes to what we used to call corruption and white collar crime. Its the category of people who Donald Trump might have as say, Mar a Lago, members who, under his definition, and this is key to understand, cannot, by definition, be criminal, Hayes argued.

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He then ran down more examples of this, including his comments on Wednesday suggesting hes willing to pardon the men convicted of plotting the kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Then Hayes, continued, Clemency is a really important one. Its essential in the Constitution. It can be a very good thing. And I want to be super clear here, okay, in most all presidencies of my lifetime, that power has been woefully underused by presidents. People genuinely do get railroaded. They really do end up with insane sentences that dont match their crimes.

But Donald Trump is not attempting to redress systematic social injustice here, right? This is not a good faith effort. He has decided that the purpose of the pardon is to protect people who are loyal to him, Hayes continued, before quoting Oscar Benavides, fascist dictator of Peru in the 1930s, for my friends, everything, for my enemies of law.

People that commit the kind of crimes he thinks are like, not a big deal. Who cares? Tax evasion, fraud,. What he wants to do, I think its pretty clear, is effectively end white collar prosecution and white collar crime as a category, whether through pardons for a dismantle Department of Justice. And I gotta say, aside from the just sheer corruption and moral obscenity of it all, having lived through and covered the subprime mortgage mortgage crisis, Im going to go on a limb and say the combination of totally defanging white collar prosecution while deregulating and embracing the dodgiest parts of finance, like crypto, where theres billions of dollars sloshing around. is not gonna end well, Hayes added.

Watch the commentary below:

The post Chris Hayes Warns Trump Aims to End White Collar Prosecution After Sheer Corruption of Latest Pardons | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A United Methodist church in the Charlotte area became the site of unexpected federal law enforcement activity when armed ICE agents conducted an operation during preschool pickup.

No arrests were made, but the May 20 incident raised alarm among families and church leaders.

PREVIOUS: Details emerge about Mexican national arrested by ICE near Charlotte school

The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church (WNCC) condemned the operation in a May 22 statement, calling it a disruption to sacred space.

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Churches should not be staging grounds for law enforcement, the group said, emphasizing that their facilities are meant to be safe spaces for all people, regardless of immigration status.

PREVIOUS: ICE activity near Charlotte East Language Academy drop-off area sparks concern

The event comes amid what advocates describe as heightened ICE activity in Charlotte and other major cities since the Trump administration returned to office.

NC Council of Churches Executive Director Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland said all this does is create fear in the faith community.

It violates the integrity of that space, and it takes what is considered by people of faith as a place of peace and security and turns it into a place of fear and insecurity, Copeland said. Thats what were upset about.

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Legally, ICE agents can go to churches or schools just like this. That was changed in January when the Trump administration reversed guidance of arrests at sensitive spots just like these.

Copeland said the only thing that can be done is to support your neighbors.

The Bible also tells me to love my neighbor as myself, so what I need to be doing is actively looking for ways to support my neighbor, whether my neighbor is an immigrant or a 500th generation United States Citizen  documented or undocumented, Copeland said.

Queen City News has reached out to ICE for comment. The WNCC said it remains committed to protecting the sanctity of its spaces and the dignity of those who seek refuge within them.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A second town hall is taking place on Thursday for people concerned about the New Mexico National Guard helping fight crime in Albuquerque. People can voice their concerns about the National Guards presence starting at 6 p.m. at the Mesa Verde Community Center.

16 residents displaced after fire at apartment complex in Albuquerque

The town will be hosted by the City of Albuquerques Office of Equity and Inclusion. Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina and Major General Miguel Aguilar of the New Mexico National Guard will be there to answer questions.

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Virginia Beachs Summer Carnival, which has been held annually for more than 30 years, was abruptly cancelled this year three days into the festivities due to unanticipated city staffing gaps, the city manager said.

The city signed a service agreement with National Event Management on May 14 to run the carnival, according to records provided by Virginia Beach. Just over a week later, ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb went to the carnival site near Mount Trashmore to inform the organizers they would be pulling their deputies from the event by Sunday, according to Joel Cadwell, owner of National Events Management.

Come Sunday, the organizers received an email from a city representative ordering them to cease all operations, Cadwell said. Since the sheriff first delivered word to the organizers, theyve had private security firms survey the site. They submitted a plan on Tuesday put together by a private security company in an effort to rectify the situation.

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Cadwell confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the proposal was denied.

We will start tearing down tomorrow, he said in a text message.

City Manager Patrick Duhaney said in an emailed statement that an event of this size and scope requires public law enforcement officers with the authority to enforce laws, whereas private security alone has limited powers.

The event required increased security due to a fatal shooting that occurred during the event last year, according to a spokesperson for Virginia Beach police. The new security plan included 14 off-duty sheriffs deputies for interior event security and six off-duty police officers working the parking lot and surrounding areas, who would be paid by the event organizers.

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The sheriffs office was unable to provide the additional deputies. Its unclear how great of an increase this amount was over previous years security, but Cadwell estimated it was six to eight more deputies.

Our primary public safety responsibilities come first before private security functions, which are always staffed on an as-available basis, a sheriffs office spokesperson said in an email. We were not comfortable forcing our deputies to work a third-party vendor event.

Duhaney said he made the decision to cancel the carnival after consulting with the sheriffs office and police due to unanticipated city staff gaps. He said he shares the publics disappointment with the cancellation but encouraged the public to attend other city events that are listed on the VB Go app.

Each permitted event in our city has a robust security plan that undergoes a thorough review process and takes into consideration past years experience, growing attendance and/or footprint, and safety needs in order to prepare, prevent and respond to needs for this year, Duhaney said.

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The cancellation leaves about 150 staff members in limbo, will cause a large amount of food to go to waste and force the company to go without revenue until their next event in about three weeks, Cadwell said. The next event venue is booked up in the meantime so they cant move their equipment, Cadwell said.

We have nowhere to go until then  so I guess well hang around, he said, adding that staff have an off-site location with living quarters and even a school with a certified teacher for their children.

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said the city is facing a shortage of police manpower and was not able to provide enough off-duty police officers or sheriff deputies to properly staff the carnival.

The carnival may be able to return to Virginia Beach, but possibly during a different time of the year, when school resource officers would be available to cover some of the security shifts, Dyer said.

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Cadwell partnered on the carnival with Florida-based Deggeller Attractions, who has run the Virginia State Fair for about 60 years. He said its unlikely the event will return after the way things have unfolded this year.

Would you come back if this happened to your company? Cadwell said.

Staff writer Stacy Parker contributed to this report.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
A cadre of civil rights groups brought a lawsuit late Wednesday challenging Riverside County's use of cash bail to detain people as they await trial, citing squalid conditions inside the county's jails where dozens of inmates have died in recent years.

The class-action suit is the latest to challenge the legality of cash bail systems in California after a 2021 state Supreme Court ruling found it is unconstitutional to jail defendants solely because of their inability to pay their way out from behind bars.

Every day, Riverside County imprisons people based on nothing more than their inability to pay an arbitrary, pre-set amount of cash that Defendants demand for their release," attorneys for the civil rights groups argue in the 80-page complaint. These individuals are not detained because they are too dangerous to release: The government would release them right away if they could pay. They are detained simply because they are too poor to purchase their freedom.

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The suit was brought by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Civil Rights Corps, Public Justice in Oakland and several other law firms on behalf of two people incarcerated in Riverside County jails and two local faith leaders. It names as defendants the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Chad Bianco, the Riverside County Superior Court system and the county.

Lt. Deirdre Vickers, a Sheriff's Department spokesperson, said she could not comment on pending litigation, as did a representative for the county court system.

Brooke Federico, the county's communications director, said the county had "not yet been served with this lawsuit, and any comments would be premature."

While the suit argues that money bail is unconstitutional across California and seeks an injunction ending its use, attorneys said they are focusing on Riverside County following a spate of deaths in the jails in 2022. That year, Riverside County recorded 18 inmate fatalities, the highest number in a decade.

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The following year, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, a Democrat, opened what remains an ongoing investigation into complaints about living conditions in the county jails and allegations that deputies use excessive force against detainees.

Inmate deaths have fallen since 2022. The county reported 13 jail fatalities in 2023 and six last year, according to Vickers.

Bianco  a law-and-order conservative who has joined a crowded field of Democrats to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom in the 2026 election  has previously dismissed the state's investigation into his jails as politically motivated. Bianco maintains that the jail deaths, many of which authorities attribute to drug overdoses and suicides, are a reflection of the inmates' life choices rather than a sign of any problem with the jail system.

In a statement released by his campaign Thursday, Bianco defended the cash bail system and said he would oppose any efforts to eliminate it.

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"The pro-criminal lobby has tried for years to destroy the bail system, which has worked as intended since our country was founded," Bianco said. "I will never support a zero-bail system that puts our residents at risk. If criminals dont want to pay bail, Id advise them to stop breaking the law.

The cash bail system has deep roots in the U.S. as a means of pressuring defendants to show up for scheduled court appearances. Attend trial, and the sizable cash payments are returned to you or your family; skip court, and you forfeit your deposit.

Critics argue it effectively creates a two-tiered justice system, allowing wealthy defendants to pay their way out while awaiting trial, and leaving low-income defendants stuck behind bars. Proponents of eliminating the bail system contend that decisions about whether to jail defendants ahead of trial should be based on the severity of their crimes and the risk they pose to public safety, and not hinge on their income status.

Brian Hardingham, a senior attorney with Public Justice, said people sometimes spend days in jail awaiting their first court appearance, only for a prosecutor to decline to file a case presented by local police. That stint behind bars can have an outsize effect on people's lives, especially if they are low-income, Hardingham said.

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You meet people with 6-month-old kids in jail who, if theyre lucky, there is a partner or a parent or someone who can watch their kids," he said, adding that even a brief stretch in a county jail can result in people losing their job, vehicle or their residence.

Supporters of the cash bail system, including many law enforcement groups, say that doing away with it would leave too many defendants free to potentially flee and re-offend, leading to crime spikes.

Read more: Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco enters the 2026 California governor's race

The issue grew increasingly controversial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the virus spread with deadly consequences through the state's jails and prisons. Los Angeles County instituted a zero-bail policy for most offenses in 2020, trying to reduce jail crowding at a time when the virus was spreading rapidly. That policy was rescinded in June 2022.

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Despite concerns from police groups, a 2023 report to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors showed re-arrest and failure-to-appear rates remained relatively static among those freed pre-trial while the zero-bail policy was in place.

A similar lawsuit to the one filed against Riverside County prompted Los Angeles County court officials to revise their bail policies in 2023. Under the new system, the vast majority of defendants accused of misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies are now cited and released, or freed under specified conditions after a judge reviews their case. Defendants accused of serious offenses, including murder, manslaughter, rape and most types of assault, still face a stiff cash bail schedule.

Fears that the new system would result in a crime spike have not been borne out. Total crime in areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fell by about 2% in 2024, the first calendar year the reduced bail policy was in place, according to department data. The city of Los Angeles has seen significant decreases in the number of robberies, property crimes and aggravated assaults committed this year, as of mid-May, records show.

Given the 2021 state Supreme Court ruling and the changes in Los Angeles, Hardingham said he is hopeful other counties will shift their bail policies without having to engage in a court fight.

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"We would hope that they would be willing to see the writing on the wall and make the changes that are necessary," he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The company hired in 2021 to manage the claims process for the $626.25 million Flint drinking water federal court settlement has resigned, in the latest setback as tens of thousands of Flint residents harmed by poisoned drinking water still wait to get paid.

A water tower at the Flint Water Treatment Plant on Jan., 21, 2015.

Archer Systems LLC submitted a terse letter of resignation as administrator and trustee of the settlement fund to U.S. District Judge Judith Levy May 5, noting that under the settlement agreement it could resign at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.

Archer, which is headquartered in Houston Texas, was paid nearly $4.7 million for its initial work but has received no additional payments since March 2022. The company did not state a reason for resigning in the letter.

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Levy, the federal judge handling the case from her Ann Arbor courtroom, and Deborah Greenspan, the Washington, D.C., attorney hired to help Levy manage the case as a "special master," declined to comment.

Levy issued a May 21 order naming Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions Inc., an Oregon company hired by the court at the end of August to help create a claims payment system, as administrator and trustee of the settlement fund, replacing Archer. Costs related to processing claims now total at least $30.5 million. The court record does not say how much Epiq will be paid.

Archer representatives did not respond to requests for comment made by telephone to a company representative May 27 or a text message sent through a form on the company website the same day. But on May 29, Robert Marcino, chief project officer for Archer Systems, said in an email to the Detroit Free Press that the parties in the case, including Archer Systems, agreed "it was in the best interests of settling claimants" to align the roles of the paying agent and the fund administrator under one company  Epiq.

Archer's departure is not a complete surprise. Early in 2023, after the company had a lead role in compiling mountains of claims data, processing it, and loading it into a claims review program, officials discovered accuracy problems with the system and essentially had to start over, Greenspan said in earlier court filings. Around that time, three other firms were brought in to assist Archer Systems. Payments to Archer ceased but nearly $9.4 million has since been paid to Wolf Garretson LLC of Ohio, assisted by Pattern Data of North Carolina, and nearly $6.5 million has been paid to Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations of Washington, D.C., records show.

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Between 25,000 and 30,000 Flint residents and businesses who have made verified claims to receive settlements from the massive fund were initially told they could expect to receive payments in March 2023. Those target dates were later pushed back to December 2023 and December 2024. Since then, no new target date has been offered by Greenspan, whose Blank Rome law firm has so far been paid just under $8 million from the settlement fund.

"It's not fair to the people of Flint; they deserve better," said attorney Val Washington, a Flint resident and retired Genesee County circuit judge who has clients in the case and said he still purchases distilled water to brush his teeth.

"The frustration level is very high. You've got people who should have gotten paid who have now died. You've got other people who should have gotten money who have moved away. It's very frustrating and disappointing for those of us who still live here in Flint."

Flint's water crisis began when a state-appointed emergency manager switched the city's drinking water supply. It was intended as a temporary, cost-saving measure, but turned out to be a disastrous mistake. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has acknowledged it failed to require needed corrosion-control chemicals as part of the water treatment process. Before the 2014 water switch, the Flint City Council had backed a plan to join the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline to Lake Huron as a new water source, though members have said they thought the city would stay on Detroit water until the new pipeline was completed.

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After Flint River water began flowing, corrosive water caused lead to leach from joints, pipes and fixtures, causing a spike in toxic lead levels in the blood of Flint children and other residents.

The combined mass tort and class-action suit was filed in 2016 and Levy gave final approval to the settlement in November 2021. But approving and paying claims has dragged since then.

On the positive side of developments, while a $600 million settlement from the state of Michigan still makes up the bulk of the settlement fund, Veolia North America, which was hired by Flint as a water consultant during the water crisis, agreed to a $53 million settlement with individual claimants in February after the company one year earlier agreed to a $25 million settlement in the class-action portion of the lawsuit and a $1.3 settlement with close to 900 individual claimants who were minors at the time of the lead poisoning. Another Flint contractor, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, hired in 2013 to help get the city's water treatment plant ready to treat water from the Flint River, agreed to an $8 million settlement in 2024.

Those settlements bring the total fund close to $714 million, but those later settlements are tracked in separate accounts and not commingled with the original fund, because they mostly came with different terms about who is eligible to be paid under each.

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Those later settlements also came with their own associated attorney expenses and fees. So far, Levy has authorized the payment of more than $14.1 million in attorney expenses, which are in addition to the costs related to the claims process. And although the original plan was that no attorneys would get paid until Flint residents got paid, Levy has authorized the early release of more than $40.8 million in attorney fees, which are expected to total well over $200 million.

Still, there are signs the complex and protracted claims process might be nearing an end.

In April, Levy authorized the first payment to an actual victim of the 2014 lead poisoning of Flint's drinking water supply  $1.5 million to survivors of a Flint resident who died from Legionnaires' Disease, a serious type of pneumonia linked to the water crisis. The court order for the wrongful death claim did not identify the person who died or their personal representative "to protect the privacy of claimant and any surviving heirs," according to court records. As many as nine other wrongful death claims related to Legionnaires' Disease are being processed. Court records say attorney fees and potential liens from creditors will reduce the amounts heirs ultimately receive from those awards.

But the wrongful death cases represent only one small category of multiple types of Flint claims. For the vast majority of claims, many of which could be awarded as little as $1,000 unless the claimant can show specific injuries, all claims must be fully vetted, processed and approved and all appeals must be finalized, before any claims are paid.

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That provision of the settlement agreement, which is not standard in large mass tort and class-action lawsuits, has drawn criticism from at least one of the attorneys involved.

"We  would have preferred a streamlined process that allowed claims to be processed and paid out as they were completed and ensured everyone impacted by the crisis was paid and as quickly as possible," Ted Leopold, a Florida attorney who is co-lead class counsel in the case, told the Free Press in 2024. However, "the state insisted on a grid in which the amount of every claim was dependent on every other claim and fairly high levels of documentation were required for each claim."

Danny Wimmer, a spokesman for Attorney General Dana Nessel, whose office played a major role in negotiating the settlement agreement, declined to comment last year on Leopold's criticism, except to say Nessel "disagrees with many of Mr. Leopold's characterizations."

Interest earned on the settlement fund  pegged at $45 million a little over one year ago  could also help Flint victims. Lawyers in the case have asked for close to a one-third cut of the interest, on top of their share of the settlement fund, a request Nessel's office has opposed. Levy in 2023 referred that dispute to Greenspan, who has yet to make a recommendation to the judge.

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Litigation continues against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which on May 19 lifted a nearly decade-old emergency order related to Flint drinking water standards.

Flint switched back to Detroit water in October 2015, but the risk remained because of damage to the city's water distribution infrastructure.

Work to replace lead service lines to Flint households, funded largely by the federal and state governments, is largely completed.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Claims manager quits Flint water case as residents wait to get paid
Only hours after a public clash, negotiators made major progress on a new, two-year state budget that could lead to a final vote as early as Monday.

House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford had tangled with Gov. Ned Lamonts administration to the point that Ritter threatened to pass a one-year budget. That would have broken a tradition lasting more than 30 years as the state always passes two-year budgets in order to look ahead for the fiscal outlook.

But after a logjam was broken, the one-year plan was essentially off the table Thursday.

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We made substantial, substantial, substantial, substantial progress, Ritter said, repeating the word four times.

One of the reasons for the progress, he said, is that negotiators decided to pre-pay $200 million for the pension obligations for public school teachers that creates extra room under the spending cap and helps to balance the budget.

The key to the budget deal will be the teacher pension, Ritter said.

After numerous complaints at public hearings and private discussions this year, the public colleges will receive millions of dollars more than some expected. The University of Connecticut will receive $35 million more than the governors proposal in the first year, even though that total is less than what the budget-writing committee had recommended. UConn would then receive an additional $10 million more in the second year, he said.

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The Connecticut State University system, which includes the 12 community colleges, will rely on its large fiscal reserves in the first year, which had been recommended by the budget committee. CSCU would then be increased by $10 to $15 million higher in the second year.

But Ritter stressed that the totals for the second year, which would start in July 2027, could change.

For people that get too worried about year two, we come back and revisit things and see where we are, Ritter told reporters, adding that he had delivered the latest news to UConn President Radenka Maric.

Ritter also stressed that the final details were still being written by the nonpartisan staff  a laborious process that traditionally takes 48 hours after a handshake agreement.

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There is no deal, Ritter said late Thursday morning. I want to be very clear. We have not had that handshake.

On the tax side, a proposal to increase the capital gains tax that had been favored by liberal Democrats will not be in the final deal. The legislatures finance committee voted to raise taxes on the states wealthiest residents by imposing a capital gains surcharge of 1.75 percentage points on top of the 6.99% rate that the wealthiest earners currently pay, meaning that the new rate would be 8.74%.

But Lamont strongly opposed that idea as he has during his entire tenure as governor.

Lamont said he too was happy with the overall progress on the two-year, $55.5 billion spending plan.

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Were going to have a good budget, Lamont told reporters at the state Capitol. Its going to be done on time. Were not going to raise taxes. Were going to be able to honor the commitments to the most vulnerable. A budget is a reflection of our values. I think were in a good place.

In a potential trade-off with Lamont, the final deal is expected to include the creation of a new child tax credit for the first time in state history. House Democrats prefer the child tax credit instead of Lamonts proposal to increase the popular property tax credit on the state income tax to $350 per tax filer. As such, the credit would remain at $300 per year. Lamont said the potential trade-off was under discussion.

While the final version of the bill has not been released, the latest Democratic proposal calls for a permanent, refundable credit of $150 per child for a maximum of three children, or $450 per year. That represents a sharp drop from an original proposal of $600 per child for an overall total of $1,800 per year. With various pressing needs on the tax and spending sides of the complicated state budget, lawmakers say they are often unable to award as much tax relief as they would like.

Democrats have been pushing for the full tax credit to be available to single parents earning up to $100,000 per year, heads of households earning up to $160,000 per year, and couples filing jointly earning up to $200,000 per year, according to an analysis by the legislatures nonpartisan fiscal office. The credit would start on Jan. 1, 2026 and would save families a combined $82.7 million per year.

Teachers pensions

The idea of pre-paying the teachers pensions was written into state law by both Democrats and Republicans during the 2017 bipartisan budget compromise, but has never been enacted.

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In recent days, a staff member for the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis mentioned the provision, which immediately caught the attention of Democratic legislators as it expires in the 2026 fiscal year.

It may be fortunate and lucky, but it is not a gimmick, Ritter told reporters outside Lamonts office. Weve never done it, and it is the last year you can do it. This is literally what the law allows, and it has nothing to do with guardrails.

Ritter said that Lamont made various compromises in order to reach an agreement on spending.

The governor has met us, Ritter told reporters. He has moved. Appreciate that. His ability to adjust on volatility and to let us pre-pay. Things like Medicaid and the teachers pension. He moved, and when people see this, they will have that same response.  No, everyone doesnt get everything that they want, but there was a lot of movement by the executive branch in this budget.

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After meeting with top leaders in his office, Lamont emerged and said, Yeah, were going to get there.  I think well be in the end zone very soon.

Even with progress on the budget, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat, said the legislature will return to the Capitol after Labor Day.

It will be many months before the legislators know how big the federal shoe is when it falls and hits us, Looney said.

Besides the budget, another key bill in the final days of the session is the so-called implementer that provides specific details to implement the $27 billion annual spending plan. In the past, the implementer has sometimes turned into a hodgepodge of legislation that failed in various committees and then was jammed into the implementer at the last minute, creating bills that were so large that legislators would often miss key provisions that were purposely buried in obscure language.

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Ritter described it as a tight implementer, adding, So far, its the best one Ive seen.

House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford was not pleased because the budget talks have been between Lamont and top-level Democrats who control both chambers of the legislature.

When Republicans are not in the room, bad things happen, Candelora told reporters Thursday. I think we are going to see that this budget is going to be cobbled together with gimmicks to end-around the spending cap.  I want a real, two-year budget that is based in reality.

Striking workers debate

Breaking with the tradition of not spending precious debate time on bills that will be vetoed, Ritter said the state House of Representatives will be debating a controversial bill on awarding unemployment compensation to striking workers. The workers would become eligible after striking for more than 14 days.

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The tradition was adopted so that bills would not take up precious time in the final days of the legislative session, which ends at midnight Wednesday, when some bills will be left on the table with no time for a vote.

Ritter has long maintained the tradition, but this year will be an exception.

This is year three. Its time to have that issue addressed one way or another, Ritter told reporters. We have tried very hard in the House to find compromise, including last years bill. Were going to let it go on the board.  I think theres a solution there somewhere, but we havent been able to find it. Thats the one exception were going to make to that rule this year.

Known for accurately counting votes, Ritter said there would be at least 76 votes to pass the striking workers bill, but he said the House Democrats cannot muster 101 votes to override Lamonts expected veto. The 102-member House Democratic caucus has at least 20 moderate members who can break ranks with their colleagues and block any veto overrides.

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Candelora blasted the bill, saying it was purposely written to help unions.

I think its sending the wrong message to the state of Connecticut, Candelora said. If you think about all the bills weve done, we do labor bills every other day in this chamber, but we dont have conversations about how to grow Connecticuts economy. So we continue to see bills that are choking out our businesses in the state of Connecticut for a very small population of union workers.  We have abused our unemployment system in Connecticut.

Democrats have been under extreme pressure on the bill from union members, who have helped Democrats win elections for decades and can also find candidates to force primaries against incumbent Democrats.

The bill passed this week on strict party lines by 24-11 in the state Senate.

While the precise timing was still up in the air, the bill will likely be debated on Friday or Saturday  when the House will be in session as they rush to finish their work by June 4.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Clermont has a new police chief whos no stranger to law enforcement.

John Graczyk has been acting as interim chief since April.

He joined the Clermont Police Department in 2005. He became a sergeant in the patrol division and the crime suppression unit, as well as captain of the uniform service division. He was named deputy chief in January 2022.

Graczyk will replace former Chief Charles Broadway, who stepped down to take a job at another agency eariler this year.

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Chief Graczyk is a dedicated officer who has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to lead the Clermont Police Department, interim city manager Rick Van Wagner said. Our City Council, our staff, and our community have made it very clear who they believe should be Clermonts next Police Chief. It was an easy decision and we are pleased to have him.

He is also a former Marine who served in Iraqi Freedom.

Clermont is my home and I am honored to be given this opportunity to lead this outstanding staff of sworn officers, civilian staff and volunteers, Graczyk said. I am grateful for the overwhelming support of this community, our City Council, Interim City Manager and staff, my family and the entire department. I am excited and eager to continue to find new and better ways to protect and serve our community,

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SYDNEY, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A man has been arrested following a shooting in a rural Australian town that forced schools and businesses to close and a hospital to restrict access.

Police in the state of Queensland said in a statement on Wednesday night that a 25-year-old man has been charged with 30 offenses after a number of gunshots were allegedly fired into a property in the town of Kingaroy, about 150 km northwest of Brisbane, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The incident triggered a major police search for the gunman, with access to the Kingaroy hospital restricted and schools and businesses advised to close while the search was ongoing.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) said that the man was taken into custody by specialist officers around 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

He has been charged with 30 offenses, including acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous conduct with a weapon and attempting to enter a dwelling with intent whilst armed.

QPS Superintendent Douglas McDonald told reporters on Wednesday night that a woman who was inside the property at the time of the shooting was uninjured and was assisting police.

He said that the 25-year-old was found in possession of a "number of high-powered rifles" at the time of his arrest, which were allegedly stolen in the 24 hours prior to the shooting. 
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  An Italian-American Club formed in 1953 once again awarded scholarships to Mahoning County high school students planning to attend Youngstown State University.

Six of the nine students posed for a photo Wednesday before the Wolves Club scholarship banquet at Michael Alberinis restaurant in Boardman. A total of $103,000 in scholarship money was handed out, which was $11,400 per student.

Its a great organization. Youngstown State University, were partners, and its a matching fund as far as, if we give 50, Youngstown State gives 50, so we match our funds. Its one of the few organizations that Youngstown State does that with, said Chairman Jim Frankino.

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The scholarship recipients are the following:

Paul Armour, of Struthers

Robert Carcelli, of Struthers

Gianna Clement, of Lowellville

Rocco DiLisio, of Ursuline

Morgan Hollister, of South Range

Ryan Nigh, of Ursuline High

Gianna Noble, of Canfield

Maximus Scott, of Cardinal Mooney

Vincent Tufaro, of Poland Seminary

Throughout its 71 years, the Wolves Club has given out $1.4 million in scholarships  all to Mahoning County students attending YSU.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent letters Wednesday to hospitals that provide transgender care services to children, demanding data on their quality standards and finances.

CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz sent letters to select hospitals, giving them 30 days to provide specific information on medical interventions for gender dysphoria in children.

These are irreversible, high-risk procedures being conducted on vulnerable children, often at taxpayer expense, Oz said in a statement

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Hospitals accepting federal funds are expected to meet rigorous quality standards and uphold the highest level of stewardship when it comes to public resourceswe will not turn a blind eye to procedures that lack a solid foundation of evidence and may result in lifelong harm, he added.

In Wednesdays letters, Oz cited the Trump administrations unsigned report issued this month that questioned the evidence in support of gender-affirming care for children and adolescents. It advocated for a greater reliance on psychotherapy to treat gender dysphoria.

The reports findings were in contradiction of what major medical organizations, like the American Medical Association, recommend.

Pointing to the report, Oz wrote it was the position of the CMS that interventions for gender dysphoria like hormone therapy or puberty blockers were initiated with an underdeveloped body of evidence, [and] lack reliable evidence of benefits for minors.

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Oz requested that the hospitals provide information on their policies and procedures regarding informed consent for minors determining making life-changing decisions; any changes they plan to make in response to the Trump administrations report; and any adverse events related to gender dysphoria procedures.

He also asked for complete financial data for all pediatric sex trait modifications that were paid for part or in full by the federal government.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The U.S. Coast Guard says all four active flares lost in Lake Michigan during a military exercise earlier this month have been found.

The Coast Guard issued a warning Tuesday about three unaccounted phosphorous pyrotechnics that were lost in the lake during a joint exercise with the Air Force near Milwaukee.

Four flares did not activate when dropped in the water. These pyrotechnics are still considered armed when they do not activate, the Coast Guard said.

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The flares are encased in silver cylinders. When activated, the flares emit red smoke and a red flame that can reportedly reach temperatures of 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit.

One of the flares was found by a lifeguard on Monday on Montrose Beach in Illinois, roughly 90 miles away.

The Coast Guard announced on social media that the other three had been found by Wednesday night. They did not indicate where or how they were found.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Butch Laiti is president of the Douglas Indian Association, a tribal government in Juneau. The association has purchased a fishing boat and wants to buy a commercial fishing permit for its members to share, but a state law bars it from doing so. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

This story was produced as part of the Pulitzer Centers StoryReach U.S. Fellowship and the Public Media Accountability Initiative, which supports investigative reporting at local media outlets around the country. It was reported and edited by Northern Journaland APM Reports, with support from Alaska Public Media.

For decades, an economic catastrophe has been unfolding in the Indigenous villages along the Gulf of Alaska, with lost jobs and the destruction of a traditional way of life: hauling fish from the sea.

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That destruction is still playing out. More than 80% of people who responded to a recent survey sponsored by an economic development nonprofit said that Southeast Alaska and Kodiak Island villages are in a crisis of sustainability because of lost access to fisheries.

Indigenous leaders across the Gulf say its imperative that Alaska legislators pass reforms to the state law that they blame for the mess: a landmark 1973 statute that effectively prevents many residents of those coastal villages from earning a living by fishing for salmon.

New fishermen can only participate in the commercial harvest if they buy or inherit a state permit that, in some cases, can cost upward of $100,000  putting it out of reach for young rural residents with no credit histories.

We all have kids and grandkids that want to continue doing what their grandparents were doing a long time ago, Joe Nelson, a top official with Southeast Alaska regional Native corporation Sealaska, said at a reception for lawmakers in Juneau last month.

Joe Nelson, interim president of Southeast Alaska regional Native corporation Sealaska, spoke at a reception for state lawmakers and their aides in April. His green commercial fishing permit cards hung from his neck. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

But just up the street from Sealaskas offices, at the Alaska Capitol, the issue barely registers.

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Many lawmakers in Juneau represent urban districts or regional population centers and arent aware of the crisis playing out in the states rural, coastal communities; instead, theyre focused on state schools funding and a widening budget deficit.

Those who do represent coastal areas say they have to balance the interests of village constituents with the interests of another, politically connected group: existing fishermen in hub towns and urban areas who depend on their harvests to feed their families  and who could be negatively affected by legislative change.

Theres also still no consensus among advocates about how, precisely, the law should be adjusted.

The result is that despite growing discontent with the 1973 law, and a widening coalition of stakeholders who support changing it, the issue has gone nowhere in Juneau. Advocates hoped for a hearing on the subject during this years legislative session, but one never materialized, and lawmakers have proposed no bills to address the problem.

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Were operating under a law thats been in place for 52 years, and its broke  its not meeting the demands of today, said Robin Samuelsen, a Native leader from the salmon-rich region of Bristol Bay. The system needs to be changed, he said, or rural Alaska communities are not going to survive.

One by one, theyre going to disappear, he said.

Robin Samuelsen, a longtime fisherman and Alaska Native leader from the Bristol Bay salmon fishing hub town of Dillingham, posed for a photo there last year. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

The 1973 law, known as the Limited Entry Act, was designed to make commercial fishing more profitable and sustainable by limiting the number of boats on the water.

Skippers who had been operating at the time largely qualified for permits without having to buy them. But a provision called free transferability meant those permits could be sold on the open market.

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Over the years, rural Native communities have lost hundreds to Alaskas larger population centers and other states as owners sold out or took permits with them when they moved.

Earlier this year, Northern Journal sent a survey on limited entry and rural fisheries access to 16 state senators and representatives whose districts border the Gulf of Alaska; none completed it. Approached by a reporter at the Capitol, several lawmakers declined to discuss the issues; some pleaded ignorance.

Were going to work on it, and well try to do all we can, Senate President Gary Stevens said. But I dont see any reason I need to meet with you on this.

Senate President Gary Stevens has represented Kodiak Island in the Legislature for more than two decades. (Jenn Gifford/Courtesy of Alaska Senate Majority)

Stevens for 25 years has represented Kodiak Island, whose Indigenous villages were once home to proud commercial fishing fleets and a multi-generation heritage of fish-related trade.

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Those communities have seen some of the states steepest permit losses since lawmakers approved limited entry more than 50 years ago.

One village, Ouzinkie, has a single skipper left in its harbor.

Whats the holdup?

Butch Laiti started in the commercial fishing industry as a teenager in Juneau, where his family was part of a big Native fleet that harvested salmon from the Taku River outside of town.

At 76 years old, hes watched for decades as members of his local tribe have sold off their boats and permits  making them largely bystanders as others harvest the salmon once claimed as tribal property.

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Today, Laiti says hes one of the few Native fishermen left in his area. And the Tlingit elder wants to pass his decades of maritime expertise and knowledge to a new generation.

Laiti is the president of a local tribal government, the Douglas Indian Association, and under his leadership, the tribe acquired a parcel of waterfront property in Juneau where it hopes to one day build a communally owned fish processing plant.

And, in 2022, the tribe spent $210,000 on a commercial fishing boat: a 42-foot gillnetter, which will double as a marine debris cleanup vessel.

The Douglas Indian Associations F/V Ocean Gold was docked in a Juneau harbor in April. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

Then, Laiti went to the state agency that oversees access to Alaskas commercial fisheries to ask: Could the tribe also buy a permit to harvest salmon? That would give Laiti and other aging skippers the chance to take turns running the vessel and training aspiring young fishermen.

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But the answer from the agencys chairman was a hard no: The limited entry law only allows ownership by individuals, not by collectives such as companies or tribes. The lawmakers who designed the system in the 1970s wanted to keep fishing from being taken over corporate interests.

If the members of Laitis tribe want to own a permit and operate their boat collectively, they would have to change the law  a daunting proposition for an organization with no lobbyist and little muscle in Alaskas Capitol.

But a broader network of advocates has also been readying an organized push for legislative reform. It includes the Indigenous-owned regional corporations for Southeast Alaska, Bristol Bay and Kodiak, along with The Nature Conservancy.

Those groups havent decided on specific legislative changes to push. But Laiti says that tribal ownership would be one straightforward fix to the limited entry law.

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This is ours. It always has been ours, and because we joined the United States of America, somehow we have lost control of everything that has belonged to us, Laiti said. If weve got to buy back our heritage, then so be it.

He added a question for lawmakers: Whats the holdup?

Fiercely opposed

One reason for the holdup: the thousands of commercial fishermen who already own permits entitling them to chase a share of the harvest.

Salmon fishing boats operate outside of the Southeast Alaska town of Sitka. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

One group of such fishermen  a trade organization representing Southeast Alaskas fleet of salmon gillnetters  fiercely opposed a previous legislative proposal to allow community trusts to own permits, according to one of its leaders.

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In an email, Max Worhatch, executive director of the United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association, rejected the idea that lawmakers should change the permit system to boost rural fishermen.

Native corporations and a regional fisheries nonprofit in Bristol Bay have plenty of capital, Worhatch said, and both can easily afford to support rural residents seeking state loans that are available to all Alaskans.

In fact, that regional fisheries nonprofit, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., already has a program that subsidizes local permit ownership. But it hasnt stopped permits from leaving the region, and in fact, the losses have still accelerated in recent years, according to state data.

We dont have enough candidates from our communities stepping forward, said Samuelsen, who served as the nonprofits board chair for three decades. A lot of them say, We dont have the capital or the money to get involved.

Defenders of the current system say that the decline of the commercial fishing industry in remote villages is less about the limited supply of permits and more about the lack of demand for them.

There are not tons of folks breaking down the doors to get into fishing, Jerry McCune, a longtime Cordova-based fisherman and trade group lobbyist, wrote in a response to a Northern Journal survey of industry players.

The Alaska Fishermens Building in Juneau houses the United Fishermen of Alaska, or UFA, one of several industry trade groups with a presence at the Alaska Capitol, which is just down the street. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

McCune and some other industry veterans argue that factors outside the states control are at play: closures of processing plants in remote areas, shifts in salmon runs and reduced competition among the seafood companies vying to buy each vessels catch.

They also worry that even small changes to the permit regime risk upending the whole limited entry system  and, potentially, invite legal challenges.

Limited entry is a very complicated document, McCune said. Change one thing and limited entry could collapse.

Attorneys for the state have raised questions about the constitutionality of ideas like permit trusts.

But Jim Brennan, a longtime Alaska attorney who provided legal support to the attempt to create those trusts a decade ago, dismissed McCunes concerns. The overall permit system, he said, has survived previous court challenges.

I think thats kind of a scare tactic, he said. Its not a house of cards.

Does it force the other side down?

Lawmakers say they need to approach the issue of permit access deliberately  balancing the needs of rural communities with those of existing fishermen.

Kodiak Rep. Louise Stutes, who chairs the House Fisheries Committee, said in a statement that any legislative proposals would have to accommodate different constituencies.

I certainly support reducing barriers to accessing fisheries for Alaskans and keeping permits in rural communities, she said. However, I also believe that any potential change to limited entry needs to be the result of a stakeholder-driven process with existing permit holders, rural constituents, affected communities and the Department of Fish and Game.

Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks to the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

The Alaska fishing industrys own broader economic crisis is making the policy discussion even more sensitive. Oversupply, flagging demand and growing global competition have depressed prices paid to fishermen in recent years  putting many skippers in the red.

Sitka Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, who represents multiple Southeast Alaska fishing hub towns, as well as small Native communities that have seen sharp losses in permit ownership, said that the increasingly tough outlook for the industry has complicated the task for lawmakers.

Its really hard to say were going to come in and fix this problem thats been cooking since 1970  when people in the fishery now cant even make their living, she said.

Commercial fishing boats sit in the harbor in the Kenai Peninsula town of Homer last year. (Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

Nonetheless, Himschoot added, shes alarmed by permit losses in villages in her district and wants to explore ways to restore them without harming current permit owners.

But she acknowledged that the issue is politically delicate.

When we lift up one side, does it force the other side down? she asked.

Nathaniel Herz welcomes tips at natherz@gmail.com or (907) 793-0312. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Herz. Subscribe at this link.
North Cobb Christian Schools Grant Pool was admiring his new plaque Wednesday, and he ought to have been, because a Coca-Cola Scholar is what all of the best and brightest dream of being.

The Coke Scholarship had around 105,000 applicants this year, which makes it the most applied-to scholarship in the world, Pool said.

There are just 150 winners nationwide. Pool is one of a handful of graduating seniors to receive the honor, and $20,000, in Cokes home state of Georgia, and the first ever at North Cobb Christian.

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Weve had a lot of smart, gifted students at this school, but it takes a student thats truly, kind of a powerhouse, North Cobb Christian history teacher Beth Clark told Channel 2s Berndt Petersen.

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Grant is a top-rate student, a champion swimmer, and an accomplished viola player.

The Coca-Cola Scholarship looks for things beyond academics. It looks for broad areas of service and leadership, Grant said.

Which would include the nonprofit he formed called Pages of Hope. It promotes literacy and donates books all over the world.

Grant is sporting a smart-looking T-shirt these days. The Coke Scholar will be off to Yale, but hell always be grateful for where it all began.

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I came here when I was 4 years old and have grown up on this campus. Ive learned so much here. Its really been my basis in academics and also just my life, Grant said.

While Grant will be heading to Yale, he was also accepted to Brown, Cornell, Duke, Penn, UGA, and Georgia Tech.

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A proposed rule collecting the immigration status of Oklahoma public school students was blocked after Gov. Kevin Stitt let an altered set of rules take effect. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A controversial proposed rule from Oklahomas chief education official to require schools to collect immigration status of students will not take effect.

Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt let the legislatively altered set of rules governing the State Department of Education take effect without his signature.

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The measure, which passed the House and Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support, removed two of the most controversial rules: a requirement that public schools collect proof of U.S. citizenship during enrollment and that teachers pass the U.S. Naturalization Test to earn or renew their certifications.

Stitt had said he would reject the proposed immigration rule. He previously said even though it was a political issue that people would come after him for, it was the right thing to do and kids shouldnt be put on a list.

Lawmakers had argued the immigration rule didnt have any statutory authority and was unenforceable. The administrative rules are proposed by state agencies based on current law. They are subject to review and approval by the Legislature and the governor. When approved and enacted, the rules carry the force of law.

I will never waver in my belief that Oklahoma taxpayers deserve the utmost transparency  especially if their hard-earned dollars are being used to fund illegal immigrants education, said state Superintendent Ryan Walters in a statement Thursday.

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He said Oklahomans should know who is in their schools.

Conservatives have an obligation to uphold conservative principles, not just to win an election, but year round, Walters said.

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A view of the Colorado Capitol in Denver on June 6, 2023. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado Democrats and health care providers are warning of dire consequences for patients who rely on Medicaid for insurance coverage if the federal spending bill becomes law.

The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by one vote last week and now sits in the U.S. Senate, where it could be largely rewritten. It could take most of the summer to shepherd a final version of the bill to President Donald Trumps desk.

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Colorados four Republican House members voted for the bill and the four Democrats in the delegation voted against it. The bill enacts much of Trumps domestic policy agenda, including an extension of the 2017 tax cuts, and Republicans argue it targets waste and fraud in government spending.

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Some of the House-approved bills most sweeping provisions are changes to Medicaid, the nations health care program for low-income people that covers roughly 1 in 5 Americans. The changes include new work requirements for most people, more frequent eligibility checks and elimination of federal matching funds for some types of care, including gender-affirming care.

Those modifications would amount to about $700 billion in cuts over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

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It would also mean fewer people enrolled and more cost-sharing for states, which are in charge of administering Medicaid programs. Democrats wrote in a letter to the states congressional delegation this week that Colorados hospitals, clinics and other providers could lose up to $990 million in annual federal Medicaid funding.

The intent is to have people dis-enroll to save money in the short run. Make no mistake about it, Dr. Steve Federico, the chief of government and community affairs at Denver Health, said during a virtual press conference on Thursday with legislative leaders and health care providers. Ultimately, all health systems will see more patients who cannot afford to pay, thus seeing uncompensated care, which hurts all of us. These costs will stress health systems ability to care for patients, to provide needed appointments or to buy necessary medications or supplies. Hospitals and communities across Colorado will be at risk of decreasing services, decreasing access, or closing their doors all together.

When hospitals provide uncompensated care, some of the costs ultimately get shifted to people with private insurance through higher premiums.

Ultimately, all health systems will see more patients who cannot afford to pay, thus seeing uncompensated care, which hurts all of us.

 Dr. Steve Federico, chief of government and community affairs at Denver Health

Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Greenwood Village Democrat who chairs the Legislatures Joint Budget Committee, said an increase in administrative work could cost the state about $57 million and require thousands of new case managers. Lawmakers passed an ultra-tight budget this year that already required about $1 billion in cost-saving measures to absorb the cost of the states Medicaid program.

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(Republicans in Congress) talk about waste in government. This is $57 million that will be spent on admin and not health care. And this isnt a huge problem  were not seeing $57 million worth of health care provided to people who dont qualify, he said.

Democratic lawmakers said the proposed Medicaid cuts could result in 11% to 18% of participants losing coverage.

That could include Veronica Montoya, a Denver resident who began relying on Medicaid after her chronic illnesses made it difficult to work. Her coverage has made it possible to get appropriate and effective care, she said.

Ill be on this medicine for the rest of my life, God willing, because it has helped. But if I lose this medicine, I dont see a very good future, she said. I think about what these proposed cuts would do to me and I wonder how a silencer is more important than something that keeps me able to still function and have a life.

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The bill includes the elimination of a customer tax on firearm silencers.

The Colorado Legislature, which completed its regular 2025 session earlier this month, might need to reconvene for a special session if deep Medicaid cuts go through in order to find a solution that keeps the program functioning. House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said Thursday no decisions on a special session had been made yet.

Obviously theres a great deal of uncertainty at the moment. Whether or not a special session is in our future will depend on the impacts that ultimately are felt by the passage of the budget this year at the federal level, she said. So no decisions or determinations have been made on what our response will be  whether that is something that comes in a special session or next legislative session.

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DENVER (AP)  Colorado man who threatened election officials sentenced to 3 years in prison, had blamed exposure to online extremism.
Several members of the Colorado Springs City Council are pushing back against Governor Jared Polis's executive order enforcing new housing laws.
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday rejected Japan's irresponsible comments about China's military development.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press briefing when answering a question on the draft of Japan's defense white paper for 2025.

Zhang pointed out, in the draft of its defense white paper, the Japanese side repeats its irresponsible comments about China's military development, and points fingers at China's legitimate military activities and external military cooperation. "We are strongly opposed to this."

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

At this special historical juncture, it is even more important for Japan to reflect on its behaviors, instead of making unfounded smears and accusations against others, Zhang noted.

China urges Japan to follow the path of peaceful development, act prudently in the domain of military and security, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the international community with concrete actions, Zhang said. 
COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL )  23- year -old Columbus Police Officer Johnathan Robertson pleads not guilty to burglary, stalking, terroristic threats, and two additional charges of unlawful surveillance.

Johnathan Robertson appeared in recorders court Wednesday afternoon to have his probable cause hearing.

Columbus Police Officer arrested, charged with burglary

Sgt. Robert Nicholas with the Columbus Police testified the incident happened after Robertson saw his ex- fiance speaking with another man at a local bar.

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Nicholas says Robertson confessed to a friend about committing these acts. Nicholas testified that Robertson reached out to victims and witnesses, asking that charges not be pressed against him.

Chief Recorders Court Judge David Ranieri bound the case over to superior court. After hearing testimony from Robertsons mother, Ranieri granted him a nearly $30,000 bond, although he was reluctant.

Robertson has been ordered to wear an ankle monitor and have no contact with the victims or witnesses.

The Columbus Police Department has put Robertson on administrative leave with no pay pending the investigation.

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Former FBI Director James Comey criticized the bureaus current leadership and questioned why FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino would announce on social media that the bureau was reopening certain cases of potential public corruption.

In the process, he took a dig at Bonginos recent career switch.

Its a little confusing to me, honestly. Im sure its a huge adjustment to go from being a podcaster to being the deputy director of the FBI, but I dont understand this tweet, Comey told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on The Situation Room on Wednesday.

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Bongino said Sunday on social media the FBI is either reopening or dedicating additional resources toward investigating number of cases of potential public corruption.

These cases are the DC pipe bombing investigation, the cocaine discovery at the prior administrations White House, and the leak of the Supreme Court Dobbs case, Bongino said.

The first case apparently refers to the investigation into pipe bombs placed outside the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee a day before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Comey said he assumed that investigation was never closed.

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The FBI never closes such a thing, so I guess it means theyre going to focus on it more, he said.

On the leaked draft opinion in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which eventually led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Comey noted that the Supreme Court released a report on its investigation into the incident in 2023., which failed to identify who was behind the leak.

I dont know what the FBIs role is there, Comey said.

The third case involved the discovery in 2023 of cocaine at the White House, which quickly became political fodder for Republicans heading into the presidential election year.

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I thought the Secret Service investigated that, Comey said. So I dont follow it and understand it.

Comey also said it struck him as unusual that the deputy director would announce these FBI decisions via a post on the social platform X.

The FBI often calls for public assistance or, in matters of great public concern, will announce an investigation to reassure the public, he said.

This seems much more narrowly targeted, maybe to a former podcast audience, he added.

Comey said hes not confident in the FBI leadership but said he has faith in the career officials there, who Comey said he hopes will be able to guide FBI Director Kash Patel and Bongino.

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I hope the career people are able to support the director and the deputy director. There are lots of people in the FBI who know what theyre doing. I hope these two guys are letting them guide them, Comey said.

But he said he lacks confidence in the leaders themselves.

Nothing in their life or their career gives me confidence that they know anything about leading an organization like that. And so I would have serious doubts. I bet they do internally about whether they have doubts. Great. Let the people who know what theyre doing give you advice, and listen to them, he said.

President Trump ousted Comey from his post leading the FBI in 2017, and Comey has since been a vocal critic of the president, who has also taken various steps throughout the years to retaliate against the former director.

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Most recently, Comey took down an Instagram post of seashells arranged to form the numbers 8647 after critics accused him of threatening the president. The former FBI director has maintained that was not his intention and that his wife innocently suggested he post the photo to Instagram after they stumbled upon the seashells on a walk on the beach.

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Michigan has been fortunate to have few recent attacks on voting rights from the state Legislature, but a House Republican-led initiative calling for proof of citizenship to vote could curtail newly adopted constitutional protections, Common Cause Michigan said Thursday.

The assessment of Michigans voter protections came during a virtual press call hosted by the national branch of Common Cause, which featured updates on legislative voting rights attacks in Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Texas.

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Quentin Turner, executive director of Common Cause Michigan, said the fundamental right to vote in Michigan is mostly secure thanks to constitutional protections passed by voters in recent years. Those protections, however, could be at risk with House Republicans pushing for a constitutional amendment requiring proof of citizenship in order to register to vote.

If the effort prevails and a potential voter cannot produce those documents, they would be denied registration in the state. Turner said House Joint Resolution B, put forward by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford), was one legislative avenue Republicans used to try and institute the change.

On May 1, 2025, State Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) testified in support of his House Joint Resolution B, which aims to amend the state constitution to require proof of citizenship for voters. | Kyle Davidson

Turner said Posthumus resolution was an attempt at Scooby-Doo level villainy.

It wears the mask of election security, but when you pull it off, you see its been voter suppression the whole time, Turner said.

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The measure needed a two-thirds majority vote of the House to pass, but it failed to meet that threshold when it came to the House floor earlier this month, with Republicans only able to muster a simple majority.

The measure is pretty much dead in the water legislatively, Turner said, but the threat has not passed. Two approved ballot measures mirror the resolution and its requirement for proof of citizenship to register to vote, and the groups behind them could start collecting signatures soon.

[The resolution and the ballot measures] would cause several problems for current and future eligible voters, including additional red tape, additional financial burden, delays, confusion within clerks offices and [voters] potentially being removed from voter rolls with minimal warning, Turner said. It would block access to the ballot for millions of Michiganders who lack the right documents to comply, but are American citizens eligible to vote, nonetheless.

The effort would cut across wide swaths of the voting public here in Michigan, but would be especially harmful to rural voters, voters whove changed their name from their birth name for any reason, student voters, Black and brown voters and elderly voters, Turner said.

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Common Cause Michigan mobilized hundreds of its members to urge representatives against Posthumus resolution when it was moving through the House. That included an email writing campaign directed at legislators on both sides of the political aisle.

The same effort would be put toward educating citizens on the ballot measures, Turner said.

Just like we did with [the resolution], Common Cause Michigan is going to educate, organize and mobilize Michiganders so we can take the mask off these two-faced ballot measures and hinder efforts from those who attack our fundamental right to vote, Turner said.

Turner was asked about the Michigan Department of States recent report on the number of non-citizens who were found to have voted illegally in 2024, which totaled 16 individuals. The department has since referred 13 of those cases to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for possible criminal charges.

Quentin Turner, executive director of Common Cause Michigan, speaks during a virtual press call on legislative voting rights attacks in Michigan on Thursday, May 29, 2025 | Screenshot

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said then that the issue was serious but one that needed to be addressed with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer, referring to Posthumus resolution and the efforts to put proof of citizenship on the ballot.

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A reporter asked Turner what a scalpel approach would look like as opposed to the alleged sledgehammer proposed by Republicans.

Although Turner did not give a clear example, he said he agreed with Bensons assessment.

If youre trying to put a nail into your wall, you dont take a sledgehammer to it and destroy the wall. And this is exactly what this type of policy is doing, Turner said. This is an overreaction that would put millions of legal Michigan votes in jeopardy. And I think weve shown time and time again, over many, many years, that elections in Michigan are free, fair and safe, and there is no exceptional voter fraud thats happening in the state. And this legislation is attempting to continue this narrative that just doesnt exist in Michigan.

In response, Posthumus told Michigan Advance that the characterization of his resolution and the ballot measures was ridiculous, and that he believed 85% of the states population agreed that only U.S. citizens should vote in Michigan elections. That includes support for a requirement for presenting photo identification when appearing at a polling place to cast a ballot.

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This is absolutely a no-brainer, Posthumus said.

Although his resolution failed when it came up for a vote on the House floor, Posthumus said the caucus left open the option to bring it back. Whether that occurs is still an open question, but Pothumus said a legislatively-approved constitutional amendment would have to go before the voters, either way, and that there was more than one way to get there.

As to the idea that non-citizens voting in Michigan elections was not a major issue for the state, Posthumus said the story keeps changing when convenient for the Michigan Department of State.

A year ago, our secretary of state said that theres no evidence that any non-citizens voted in our elections. Then, in October, it was, OK, but its only one [non-citizen] voting in our election, Posthumus said. Now its 16. The fact of the matter is, we still dont know that [total number], and there is no mechanism by which we can know with any certainty how many non-citizens are voting in our elections.

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Posthumus said that was besides the point because the 2000 presidential election was decided by just over 500 votes and, more recently, a Michigan House election was decided by less than 20 votes.

Every single legal vote matters, and every single illegal vote shouldnt be counted, he said.

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HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB)  The Lake View community came together on Wednesday in a heartfelt service to honor John and Joene Pease, whose home exploded earlier this month.

The gathering took place at Wayside Presbyterian Church on Lakeshore Road, where neighbors united in a message of support and healing during the aftermath.

Neighbors react to Hamburg house explosion

Dozens of residents attended the ceremony, which was organized by Cory and Amy Gallagher from Concerts for the Soul. The siblings, who attended high school with the Pease children, brought an added personal connection to the event.

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Their program featured prayer, soothing music and intuitive poetry designed to provide comfort and wisdom to those in attendance.

Especially in this scenario, we really wanted to share our gifts and bring some healing and greater perspective to the family of Joene Pease and the Palyszeski family, the Gallaghers said. They lost everything in the fire next door.

Amie Maranto, the daughter of John and Joene, said John remains in critical condition, but is showing significant progress. While he is currently unable to communicate, Maranto remains optimistic about his recovery and hopes he will be able to return home within about a month. Due to the emotional nature of the event, the family watched the service via the churchs live stream.

The service extended beyond the families directly affected and also honored first responders who bravely fought the blaze that night. Several responders attended the event to pray and be recognized for their efforts.

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Officer who helped free man from house explosion debris describes rescue

Neighbors who endured the trauma alongside the Pease family were also present. Patty Bruner, who shares a fence with the Pease home, spoke about the collective impact on the neighborhood.

Thank God Im physically OK, Bruner said. Mentally, not so much, but it is good to bring people together because everyones so traumatized. I hope we get a big crowd here so we can all just breathe and know its going to be okay.

Becky Ventre, the congregational care director at Wayside Presbyterian, emphasized the hope and faith that sustained the community.

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We do have a hope that goes beyond tragedy, loss and pain, she said. Its in the person of Jesus.

Ventre also noted that the Palyszeski family, whose home was destroyed in the explosion, are members of Wayside Presbyterian. The husband had passed away just months prior to the explosion.

I just pray this service is a time to meet them in the grief they were already experiencing, now compounded by the loss of their home, Ventre said.

Hamburg PD: No evidence that house explosion was intentional or criminal

Authorities from the Hamburg Police Department confirmed that as of Wednesday, the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

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A free will offering was collected during the event to support all of those impacted by the tragedy.

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Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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SCRANTON  A company recently took control of the former Scranton State School for the Deaf campus in Green Ridge after completing a lengthy foreclosure.

The firm, 1801 Jefferson LLC, last week began fixing leaky roofs on several of the old, architecturally distinctive stone buildings on the 8.56-acre property straddling Dunmore and Scranton, according to company and borough officials.

The company also cleared trees from the rear of the former school campus and is removing debris from buildings.

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Were just cleaning it out and maintaining the property so it (deterioration) doesnt get any worse, Bob Burke of 1801 Jefferson LLC said Wednesday.

As for future plans for the campus, Burke said, I would assume apartments, but were not there yet. Right now, were just trying to protect our investment up here.

The foreclosure and renewed activity are the latest developments involving the campus that for more than a century had deaf students living and learning there.

A Pennsylvania state historical marker along North Washington Avenue in front of the campus commemorates the Rev. Jacob M. Koehler (1860-1932), founder in 1882 of the institute that would become the Scranton State School for the Deaf. An ordained minister who was deaf, he was concerned for this states uneducated deaf children and was a leading advocate of compulsory education of the deaf, according to the historical marker.

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The state ceased operation of the Scranton State School for the Deaf in 2009. Marywood University acquired the property from the state in 2010-11 and called it Marywood South. But the university never used the campus and started trying to sell it in 2015.

From 2018-20, proposals for the property included Los Angeles developer Lance Robbins plan to convert the campus into an artists apartment complex; and a separate plan for an art school and retreat center by the Elysian Sanctuary. Neither panned out.

In 2021, Marywood sold the property to the nonprofit Jarett Yoder Foundation, a Berks County-based nonprofit veterans assistance organization. The Yoder Foundations goal was to use the campus as the Patriot Resource Center at Marywood, a facility to assist veterans and community first responders in need. To buy the site, the foundation borrowed from Marywood and the university held the mortgage. But the arrangement soon unraveled and resulted in a default. In 2022, Marywood assigned the mortgage to 1801 Jefferson LLC, which took Marywood out of the picture.

In 2023, 1801 Jefferson LLC began taking legal steps in Lackawanna County Court to foreclose. During those proceedings, the property was headed several times for sheriffs sales but postponed repeatedly under continuing negotiations.

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The foreclosure was recently completed and deed transfers should follow shortly, Burke said.

The Jarett Yoder Foundation also is now no longer involved with the campus, he said.

The campus has eight old and architecturally distinctive stone buildings on 6.66 acres in Dunmore and one newer brick building at 1800 N. Washington Ave. on 1.9 acres in Scranton. The building in Scranton was largely move-in ready when the foundation acquired the property, while the older buildings were in various states of decay.

The 1801 Jefferson LLC firm got permits from Dunmore last week for roofing work on the stone buildings, said Dunmore Zoning and Planning Coordinator Michael Brazil. The zoning of the buildings was changed in 2023 under the collaborative Scranton-Abingtons Planning Association from institutional to a city/neighborhood mixed use, he said.

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Whether the firm would need zoning approval for future uses of the buildings would depend on what might get proposed, Brazil said, noting the company has not filed any zoning applications in Dunmore. Even if future uses comport with whats allowed under zoning, the firm would still need permits for interior renovations, he said.

The company also has not filed any zoning application in Scranton regarding the building situated in the city, said city Planner Don King.

Residents have taken notice of recent activity at the formerly stagnant site and wonder what its future holds, said Green Ridge Neighborhood Association members Laura Agostini and Roberta Jadick. They view the work to prevent deterioration as a positive step.

Now theyre actually doing work on it, so thats a good thing, said Agostini, who is association president.

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A Pennsylvania state historical marker, shown here in 2018, commemorates the Rev. Jacob M. Koehler, founder of what would become the Scranton State School for the Deaf. The 8.56-acre campus straddles Scranton and Dunmore in Green Ridge. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Roofs get repairs at the campus of the former Scranton State School for the deaf in Green Ridge on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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A Pennsylvania state historical marker, shown here in 2018, commemorates the Rev. Jacob M. Koehler, founder of what would become the Scranton State School for the Deaf. The 8.56-acre campus straddles Scranton and Dunmore in Green Ridge. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Concern for couple who have disappeared from Cloquet originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Authorities have issued an appeal to find a couple in their 60s who are missing from Cloquet in northeast Minnesota.

Daniel Latterell, 64, and Jane Korpela, 63, are believed to be together, and haven't been seen by family or friends since Sunday, May 25.

They were last seen in the area of 1600 Cloquet Ave. in Cloquet, with police describing the pair as "vulnerable" and say there are concerns for their "mental health and safety."

Minnesota BCA

They are known to be driving a 2010 gray Ford Escape with the Minnesota license plate JEP512 (pictured below).

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Latterell is described as 5'9" tall, weighing 200 lbs. with hazel eyes. Korpela is 5'3" tall, weighing 240 lbs., with hazel eyes.

Anyone with information should call Carlton County at 218-384-4185.



Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

Minnesota BCA

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
GOMA (Reuters) -Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila appeared for the first time in public in rebel-held territory in the country's volatile east on Thursday, meeting with religious leaders in what participants said was a push for peace.

Kabila, who has been out of the country since 2023, mostly in South Africa, is wanted in Congo for alleged crimes against humanity for supporting the insurgency in the east, including a role in the massacre of civilians. Congo has also moved to suspend his political party and seize the assets of its leaders.

The former president's camp denies any ties to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who have seized more territory than ever since January. He had been vowing to return to the Central African country for weeks to help find a solution to the conflict.

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His return could complicate Washington's plans for a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda. Massad Boulos, Trump's senior adviser for Africa, told Reuters earlier this month the deal could be signed this summer, accompanied by minerals deals aimed at bringing billions of dollars of Western investment to the region.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi's government in Kinshasa this week accused Kabila of "positioning himself as the rebel leader" along with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Kabila received religious leaders on Thursday at his residence in Kinyogote, west of the city of Goma, said reporters, who were barred from filming the discussions.

Dressed in a grey jacket and a blue shirt, the 53-year-old didn't speak to the press.

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"The former president... called us to express his wish to see peace return to the eastern part of the country and throughout the country," said Joel Amurani, president of the Interfaith Synergy for Peace and Mediation, a religious group, who attended the meeting.

A close aide of Kabila's said the consultation sessions were aimed at learning about security challenges in the region and that political, administrative, military and civil society figures were invited to further discussions on Friday.

It is unclear how long Kabila intends to stay in M23-held territory.

The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has provided arms and troops to M23. Rwanda denies backing M23 and says its military has acted in self-defence against Congo's army and a militia founded by perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.

(Reporting by Congo newsroom and Sonia Rolley in Paris; Writing by Ange Kasongo, Portia Crowe and Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Philippa Fletcher)
A bipartisan group in Congress recruited Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy earlier this month to help transform the Abundance Agenda into legislative action.

Maloy, who represents Utahs 2nd Congressional District, became one of the first 30 lawmakers to join the Build America Caucus with the goal of removing government obstacles to housing, energy and infrastructure.

The burden bureaucratic rules place on local leaders is what first drove Maloy to enter Republican politics. So when she received a phone call to launch an initiative to roll back federal overregulation  coming from a Democratic colleague  she said she almost drove off the road.

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We were speaking the same language, Maloy told the Deseret News. Thats the kind of political alignment that doesnt always come along. And when it does, youve got to take advantage of it.

What was once a conservative talking point is now a bipartisan movement, according to Maloy, as office holders grow sick of how long it takes to get things done  and the costs of those delays are passed on to taxpayers.

The group held its first meeting last week, Maloy said, to address a problem disproportionately affecting Utah: affordable housing.

To help this and other sectors of the economy grow, Maloy hopes the caucus will target inefficient policies by:

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Forcing agencies to respond to a permitting request within a certain time frame.

Requiring greater transparency about why requests are denied earlier in the process.

Reducing redundant oversight between agencies.

In 2024 and 2025, Maloy introduced the Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act which would require federal agencies to replace individual review processes with quicker permits by rule.

Maloy said she is currently testing the theory that permitting reform has bipartisan support as she lobbies Democrat lawmakers in support of her bill, which would also give agencies just 30 days to grant applications.

Those are all things that can get easy bipartisan support, Maloy said. Weve reached a critical point where the problem is clear to everyone.

Abundance in Utah

Around two-thirds of the Beehive State is managed by Washington, D.C.,  more than any other state except Nevada. This has made many Utah projects subject to intense delays caused by federal review.

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The TransWest Express Transmission Line Project, an example often cited by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, would transfer power along a 730-mile path from Wyoming to Nevada, crossing the entire state of Utah from Vernal to St. George.

At a recent Abundance Agenda policy forum," Cox said that plans for the project first crossed his desk in 2009, when he was a Sanpete County Commissioner.

The plans did not receive final approval from federal agencies until 2023.

During that time, nothing had changed  nothing to alter the route, or to protect wildlife, or to increase safety, Cox said. The only thing that had changed was the cost of the project, which had tripled.

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If youre taking 14 years or 15 years to just get approvals to build something, then we are broken, Cox said at the event last week. When I say weve become really stupid this is what Im talking about. That should never happen.

The first executive order of Coxs second term sought to streamline the state permitting process by allowing projects to be reviewed under more general standards and by allowing plants to update their facilities without having to undergo a new review.

This policy was then made permanent in a largely bipartisan vote. State Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, who sponsored the companion legislation, HB85, said this is an example of abundance in action, where a non-zero-sum mindset has made it easier to build.

There are opportunities for us to improve the permitting process without weakening environmental regulations, Clancy said. We can build better, more efficiently without sacrificing the robust standards that we have.

A federal problem

But there is only so much the state can do.

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The main roadblocks to large infrastructure projects are federal in nature, according to Thomas Hochman, the director of infrastructure policy at the Foundation for American Innovation.

And there is no worse offender, Hochman said, than the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA  a law enacted in 1969 that requires projects to undergo a review by federal agencies that routinely take 3-5 years, and sometimes longer.

The lags imposed by NEPA have produced counterproductive results that often hurt the environmental features the law was meant to protect, Hochman said.

One example where this has happened is in the case of the U.S. Forest Service attempting to make wildfire protection plans, Hochman said. But in many cases before the plans are approved, major wildfires have already swept through the area.

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A lot of these so-called environmental laws, end up getting in the way of the environmental protection that they aim to ensure in the first place, Hochman said. Stories like that are the sorts of things that I hope this caucus focuses on.

While an overhaul to NEPA is unlikely, Hochman said there are smaller permitting reforms that the Build America Caucus can include in infrastructure bills that eliminate unnecessary steps in the process.

Making these moves at the federal level will do more than speed up projects  it will begin rebuilding Americans confidence that they live in a country that can actually get things done, according to Chris Koopman, CEO of the Utah-based Abundance Institute.

While President Donald Trumps flurry of executive orders has completely changed the conversation on streamlining government regulations, Koopman said, Congress needs to take action to make the change in trajectory permanent.

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Its the difference between a patch and a solution, Koopman said. If we want to see this for the long run, it has to be a bipartisan effort so it can survive the shifting politics of each point in time.

Over the past several decades, the United States has chosen paperwork over progress, Koopman said, with NEPA representing the single greatest procedural barrier to American progress.

Reforming federal regulations to encourage innovation will allow the public and private sectors to raise up the skyscrapers, dams and technologies that made America great, and in doing so, will rebuild faith in U.S. institutions, Koopman said.

Thats where I think the bipartisan Build America Caucus is really going to play a key role here is being a voice within the halls saying, Its time to build again, Koopman said.
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP), a national organization for children, concluded on Wednesday its ninth national congress, which adopted resolutions on the work report of the eighth CYP work committee and on the amendment of the charter of the CYP.

The congress underscored the need for the CYP to pass on the traditions of revolution, inherit and develop Chinese cultural heritage, uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, and ensure well-rounded development of its members.

The congress called on the CYP to unite, educate, and guide hundreds of millions of young pioneers to always be ready to contribute to building China into a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

A total of 217 members were elected to the ninth CYP work committee. 
CONNEAUT  City administration spoke on how the potential loss of property tax revenue could affect Conneaut at a Tuesday council meeting.

City Manager Nick Sanford said a proposed state constitutional amendment that would abolish property taxes in the state would significantly impact the city, if approved.

The impact to the city of Conneaut by abolishing property tax is an annual revenue impact of $2.95 million, he said.

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Sanford described the impact on city departments.

Thats roughly three quarters of a million dollars to the fire department in operating revenues from their 2019 operating levy and the fire pensions, which is through inside milage, Sanford said.

The Conneaut Police Department would be affected too, Sanford said.

They operate on two separate levies that total, all in with the police pension on inside mileage, $1.1 million, he said. Thats a hit to the police department in revenue.

The citys street levy, which generates $576,000 annually, would also be lost, he said.

Sanford said the impact could be offset through sales and income tax.

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That also requires a vote of the people, he said. If those measures are defeated, then we have no recourse, and we are forced to essentially lose those services or curtail them accordingly.

Sanford has not heard any discussion of the amendment at the local level, he said.

The information needs to be presented objectively for everyone to contemplate as we move forward, he said.

Conneaut Finance Director John Williams said the city would need a minimum income tax rate of 3% to make up for lost revenue if property taxes are abolished.

The city currently has a 1.65% income tax rate, Williams said.

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I dont see how we can continue function, if you didnt have that income tax increase to replace that property tax, he said. The city could not provide the level of service that it is right now.

The city has begun advertising for the 2025 paving program, Sanford said.

The 2025 paving program includes Salem Street, from Rowe Street to its eastern terminus, Day Street, from Lake Road to Erie Street, Main Street, from Mill to Harbor streets, and Broad Street, from Liberty to State streets, Sanford said. The program includes an alternate to chip seal South Ridge Road West, from the Kingsville Township line to Route 7.

The citys Broad Street paving is independent from the Ohio Department of Transportation project, which is just north of the city project, he said.

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Sanford said the preliminary estimate for paving is roughly $285,000, and the conservative estimate for chip sealing South Ridge Road West is around $175,000.

The city is still talking to the Ohio Department of Transportation about adding signalization to the Interstate 90 and Route 7 interchange.

I will give them credit, Sanford said. Theyre very responsive.

Councilperson-at-large Mariana Branch and Fourth ward councilperson Nic Church were not present at the meeting.

Ordinances introduced at the meeting included having the city enter into a community housing and preservation partnership agreement with the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners.

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Sanford said he may ask council to consider the ordinance at a special meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday, before a planned council work session.

There were also proposed ordinances to alter the city managers contract and provide dispatching services for Plymouth Township.

Sanford said it would be okay for council to wait until a later council meeting to vote on those ordinances.

Sanford announced financing for a fire engine has matured after 10 years.

Thats great news, he said. [It is] just in time for the ambulance that was ordered in 2023 thats scheduled to arrive in August to begin payments. This is how the fleet strategy is designed to work.

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Sanford said the financing comes from the citys fire levy.

Its also a very constrained revenue source, he said.

Church said in his report on the Conneaut Port Authority, read by Council President Terry Moisio, that he would not be running for office in 2025.

Council heard a proclamation for the 40th annual MS Bike run.

The event is a bike race that will begin in Pennsylvania June 7 and end in Conneaut June 8.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  With the clock racing toward the end of the state legislative session on June 4, the Democratic Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives said leaders are substantially close to a deal on the next two-year state budget.

Hopefully, well have a handshake agreement tomorrow, State Rep. Matt Ritter, the House speaker, said late Wednesday evening.

Lamont, State Democrats battling over length of budget

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The announcement that leaders are nearing a final deal on the budget comes after months of back-and-forth over how much to increase state spending. Legislative Democrats, led by Ritter and State Senate President Martin Looney, have consistently called for larger increases than those proposed by Gov. Ned Lamont in his budget proposal, which was rolled out in February.

Budget talks between the Democratic legislative leaders and the governors administration grew in intensity in recent weeks, with a particularly notable exchange unfolding in public throughout the day on Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, Ritter publicly suggested that the state should adopt a one-year budget rather than the traditional two-year spending plan. Its a maneuver that is without precedent in the recent history of the state legislature but one that Ritter said could help the state address a series of overlapping funding conundrums it faces right now.

The next state budget, Ritter said, will require leaders to delicately thread a needle between several competing interests. Lawmakers must contend with the states system of legal spending controls, including a cap on the overall size of the budget, while also trying to respond to the requests of local school districts, nonprofit service organizations, healthcare providers, childcare advocates and higher education institutions  all of whom have been clamoring for more state funding. Complicating matters is the potential for funding cuts from the federal government.

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A good way to thread the needle between all those factors, Ritter suggested Wednesday morning, is a one-year budget.

Several hours after Ritter made his comments on the wisdom of a one-year budget, Lamont summoned reporters to his office to respond.

I just think we should sit down and try it again rather than run out and say, I give up and lets do a one-year budget,' Lamont said. That just breaks every commitment weve made to the taxpayers of the state over the last 40, 45 years.

Lamonts apprehension toward the idea of abandoning its decades-old practice of budgeting on two-year cycles was shared by leading Republicans in the legislature.

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I think this is fiscal irresponsibility, State Sen. Steve Harding, the leader of the State Senates 11-member Republican caucus, said. Its political posturing and frankly whats gonna happen is youre gonna see at home, tax increases to make up for this political posturing going on, this fiscal irresponsibility going on, this short-term planning going on.

While the governor wasnt as explicit in his criticism of the one-year budget concept, he did say that he was inclined to veto such a plan if it ever reached his desk.

After the public volley between Ritter and Lamont, closed-door discussions between the two camps resumed.

Late Wednesday evening, top Lamont administration officials convened in Ritters office for a meeting with the two Democratic leaders. By the time the two camps concluded their talks, word began to spread among legislators and Capitol insiders that a two-year budget deal was close. Multiple lawmakers briefed on the talks told News 8 they expected the deal to be announced on Thursday, echoing Ritters statements.

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The exact details of the deal discussed on Wednesday evening were not immediately available, but Ritter did offer insights into the broad outlines of the deal he hopes will be informally agreed upon on Thursday.

I think weve moved a long way, I think were able to fund things that we werent able to fund prior, Ritter said.

Lawmakers are set to reconvene on Thursday morning.

Stay with News 8 as this story unfolds.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Fairmount Street Watermain Replacement Project officially has rough start and end dates, announced the City of Sioux City Engineering Division.

According to the press release, the contractor plans to begin construction this June.

Starting on or around June 9, Fairmount Street from Leech Avenue to Gordon Drive will be closed to all traffic. This closure is expected until October. There will be a detour route using South Westcott Street and Leech Avenue.

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The release said, The outside eastbound lane of Gordon Drive at Fairmount Street will also be closed for approximately 3 weeks starting June 9, 2025, for utility connections.

Story continues below

The project will be the replacement of an already existing watermain on Fairmount Street from Leech Avenue to the south side of Gordon Drive. This will also include the replacement of sanitary sewer brick manholes, storm sewer, and streetlights. The street pavement as well as the sidewalks will all be replaced.

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On May 19, 2025, the Fairmount Street Watermain Replacement Project was awarded to Bainbridge Construction, L.L.C. of Kingsley, Iowa, totaling $1.5 million.

The project is being done in preparation for the Iowa DOT Gordon Drive Viaduct and Bacon Creek Conduit Replacement Projects, which will require Fairmount Street to be used as a detour route during construction.

The work is expected to be completed by October 2025.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed Thursday morning that he will veto the bill that would have repealed Floridas so-called Free Kill Law.

DeSantis nixed the law in Fort Myers, saying it would increase hiring costs for Floridians and make it hard to keep and hire doctors in the state.

The law blocks some families from suing for pain and suffering when they lose a loved one to medical negligence.

Its a devastating blow for families that have worked to repeal the law.

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The legislature passed the measure in the session.

It comes just before families gathered in Tampa to try to convince him not to veto the bill.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A convicted criminal has donated 468.468 Bitcoin to the Czech Justice Ministry, a spokesman announced on Thursday.

The cryptocurrency was auctioned off, generating proceeds of almost 40 million ($45.4 million), which are to be used for good causes, such as helping victims of crime and equipping prisons, the spokesman said.

The transaction has raised concern. The newspaper Denik N reported that the police have launched an investigation on the suspicion that the amount was raised through money laundering.

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According to the report, the donor was convicted for running an illegal darknet platform for drugs and medicine in the past, and served a four-year prison sentence.

Justice Minister Pavel Blazek rejected the criticism. "Why should a convicted person not be allowed to give something to the state, for example as a form of penance?" he said.

Blazek said he does not know the benefactor personally, but he knows his lawyer, as do hundreds of other lawyers. He stressed that he sees no ethical dilemma in the transaction.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Milagros Diaz, a senior at Coronado High School, has become a role model for her peers by overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Originally from Venezuela, Diaz said she struggled with English and confidence when she first arrived in the United States. Despite these challenges, she has transformed into a confident leader at her school.

I learned so much stuff from them, Diaz said, referring to her educators at Coronado High School. I remember middle school because I started in middle school, it was really hard  imagine zero English, Diaz recalled.

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I was the shyest person that you would have ever met, Diaz said, reflecting on her earlier years. I can talk to a camera to a person, Diaz stated.

Diaz has been named Student of the Year, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Im a big part of the clubs because in two clubs I am vice president and another one I am president, Diaz explained.

She writes inspirational lessons of empowerment for groups, sharing her journey and encouraging others. Despite being diagnosed with spina bifida, Diaz continues to persevere and excel in her academic and extracurricular activities.

Try to do your best  give your 100 percent  even when you cant, Diaz advised.

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Diaz plans to attend Nevada State University, where she intends to major in psychology, furthering her passion for understanding and helping others.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLAS. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLAS staff before being published.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A new report shows a promising trend nationwide: drug overdose deaths are on the decline, but what does that mean for us here in NEPA?

28/22 News Reporter Julie Dunphy spoke with the Lackawanna County Coroner to find out if this national trend is taking root locally, and whats behind the shift.

In Lackawanna County, the coroner says the trend is cautiously encouraging, but fentanyl remains a major threat.

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For years, the drug overdose crisis has devastated communities across the country.

But now, a glimmer of hope on the year-to-year plunge in drug overdose deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preliminary data shows overdose deaths in the United States dropped by nearly 27% in 2024 from 2023.

Across the commonwealth, those numbers are even greater at 31%.

With more than 4,870 drug overdose deaths in PA in 2023, down to 3,358 predicted cases last year.

In Lackawanna County, Coroner Timothy Rowland has been tracking the local impact.

Residents report citrus odor from kratom plant

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Drug overdose deaths dropped by more than 30% from 62 in 2023 to 43 last year.

Definitely a decrease, maybe we dont see that as is as prevalent as it is actually dropping because were still picking up one a week, it goes on and on, but statistically it is down, Rowland explained.

Efforts like expanded naloxone distribution, community education, and increased funding for treatment have all contributed to the shift.

Still, Rowland, the synthetic opioid fentanyl, remains the deadliest drug involved in overdoses.

The fentanyl that were talking about is the fentanyl that comes from China or Mexico or wherever it comes across the border. That fentanyl is made in clandestine laboratories offshore, theres no consistency to what it is, so you really dont know what youre getting, Rowland added.

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Experts say this decline is a hopeful sign, but not a signal to slow down.

Public health officials emphasize continued vigilance, access to care, and support for recovery.

In Lackawanna County, the fight is far from over.

The reason I think is that, that the community of drug users are, appeared to me, like theyre certainly maybe, be smarter users where theyre being more careful on what they take, Rowland continued.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, help is available.

You can call the Pennsylvania Get Help Now hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.
In 1967, Maj. James Capers Jr.s greatest threats were enemy fire and claymore mines. In 2025, they are friendly indifference and bureaucratic paralysis.

Capers is a legend  a decorated Force Recon Marine who led multiple assaults, saved lives and paid the price in blood. Everyone, without exception, who has reviewed the facts  whether it was 3rd Marine Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth, who spoke with Capers Marines in 1967, those who have read firsthand accounts or those who have seen Capers actions compared, side by side, with the actions of other Marines who rightly received our nations highest honor  agrees on one point:

Capers deserves the Medal of Honor.

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Some have stated, after reviewing the evidence and the comparative chart, that the Medal of Honor is not awarded by some mechanical checklist and that it has always involved subjective judgment.

The purpose of presenting the evidence and comparisons is not to suggest we can math our way to a MOH  its to highlight when we look at all things being equal (situation, actions, timeframe, organization, impact, etc.), Capers case should have been evaluated on par with others who received the MOH.

If the argument is that the process is purely subjective, then we must ask: What was the subjective factor that led to Capers receiving the Silver Star rather than the MOH? Was that factor justified? Was it fair? Was it consistent?

If we accept that everything is subjective with no need for comparison or review, then why not put everyone up for the MOH?

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Simply saying its subjective cant be the end of the conversation  we must understand the subjective input, or else we leave the door open to biases, oversights and errors. There must be some balance  guided by standards, fairness and accountability.

To that, most respond with a shrug:

It is what it is. For every Capers, there are dozens more who were also overlooked.

That resignation isnt leadership. Its surrender. Worse, its a self-fulfilling prophecy.

They assume Capers will not receive the MOH because they know others were left unrecognized  perhaps because they themselves never fought for them, or because they quietly accept that the system is broken.

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And if Capers is denied once again, theyll simply nod and say, See? I told you, instead of fighting to fix what they know is broken.

Others hide behind bureaucratic lines, claiming Capers case has already been reviewed or that there is no new information.

But if thats true  if the same facts now before the president, Congress and the public were substantially the same as they were before the awards board  then the boards conclusion was flawed. Capers would have, or should have, been recommended for the MOH.

A reasonable alternative explanation is that the Marine Corps awards board only considered Capers original end-of-tour Bronze Star with a V device for upgrade to the Silver Star, which they recommended.

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Why?

Because, procedurally, the Silver Star is the highest valor award a Marine can receive for an end-of-tour award.

The MOH is not an end-of-tour award  its for specific acts of valor. The board was procedurally constrained and Capers actions were not properly recognized.

Moreover, when the Navys decorations and awards board reviewed the matter, they assessed the information the awards board considered  not the process and not whether Capers actions were actually deserving of the MOH.

These procedural constraints, while understandable, cannot now be used to justify a faulty outcome.

And yet, while civilian members of Congress are leading this fight with aggressive determination  challenging the bureaucracy, introducing legislation and signing a bipartisan letter to the president  our Marine Corps leadership stands on the sidelines, citing adherence to a flawed system.

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That should trouble anyone who has ever worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

Semper Fidelis; honor, courage and commitment; and looking after our own mean nothing if we dont live and act in accordance with those words. Where is our integrity if we know whats right, yet choose to remain silent?

There is public reputational risk here, too. If the Marine Corps is seen as indifferent  or worse, obstructive  it invites hard questions: from the media, from the public, from the next news expose or feature. And if that happens  over the MOH for a legendary Force Recon Marine, who also just happens to be Black  the fallout could be devastating.

To be clear: There is no evidence of racial discrimination in this case, nor that this award has anything to do with diversity, equity and inclusion. Capers recommendation is 100% merit-based, backed by overwhelming evidence and support from his commanders.

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But that wont be the headlines.

This cannot be about politics, public pressure or optics. It must be about leadership  Marine leaders, past and present, standing up for one of our own. Being the champions that Capers  and every Marine  expects and deserves.

If were unwilling to correct this injustice simply because its hard, then weve lost our moral compass. And even if we fail, let it be said that we failed fighting for what is right  that we were not among those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

Now that President Donald Trump  the same president who rightly awarded the MOH to Sgt. Maj. John Canley, another Vietnam hero  is involved, its likely he will cut through the bureaucratic morass to ensure Capers receives the recognition he has earned.

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The only question is: Will the Marine Corps take the offensive to ensure Capers, now 87 years old, receives the MOH while he is still alive?

History will remember not only if we acted, but when.

The time to act is now.

Lt. Col. David Bull Gurfein is a retired prior-enlisted Marine infantry officer who served in Panama, the first Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. He is the CEO of United American Patriots.
TRIPOLI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday said that 134 Malian migrants have been deported from Libya to their country.

"IOM facilitated the voluntary humanitarian return of 134 migrants from Sebha, (southern) Libya to Bamako, Mali on 26 May," it said in a statement.

Due to the insecurity and chaos that followed the 2011 ousting of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has become a hotspot for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores.

So far this year, 9,285 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya, while 160 migrants died and 234 others went missing on the central Mediterranean route, according to IOM data.

The Voluntary Humanitarian Return program, run by IOM, arranges the return of illegal migrants stranded in Libya to their homeland. According to IOM, more than 98,000 migrants have returned home safely with the program since 2015.

Libya has urged the EU and countries affected by migration flows from Libya to provide more support in curbing illegal migration. 
WHEN DONALD TRUMP TRIED to stay in power after losing the 2020 presidential election, he lacked one crucial asset: the military. The armed forces stayed out of the fight, putting loyalty to the Constitution above loyalty to the president.

In his second term, Trump is working to rectify that mistake. Hes not just purging generals and installing his own loyalists. Hes also encouraging rank-and-file service members to side with him against anyone who stands in his way, including the courts.

Two weeks ago, Trump spoke to American troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Not once did he thank them for serving the United States. Instead, he thanked them for supporting him politically. Nobody [has] been stronger than the military in terms of backing us in three unbelievable campaigns, he boasted. I just want to thank you all very much.

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Trump did acknowledge one service member for an act of bravery. The hero, he explained, was an Air Force Reserve master sergeant who attended the rally where an assassin tried to take my life and raced to direct law enforcement toward the snipers perch. This noble deedattending a Trump rally and protecting Trumpwas the only physical act for which Trump thanked anyone in uniform.

The president joked that one of the militarys new planes was a tribute to him. Our air force will soon have the worlds first and only sixth-generation fighter jet, the F-47, he noted. Why did they name it 47? he asked, smirking. That was a nice thing.

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Trump also joked about running for a third term. Well have to think about that, he told the troops. He explained to them, in the manner of a bro soliciting laughter from his buddies, why he loved to talk about running again: Were driving the left crazy.

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This dig at the American left was an implicit move to enlist service members in domestic politics, evenin the case of a proposed third termto the point of defying the Constitution. And in case the troops werent clear about whom they should regard as the enemy, Trump added that Joe Biden and his administration were evil, bad people.

Trump even claimed that we won three elections, including his defeat in 2020. This was a blunt, false allegation that Democrats had stolen that electionthe only recent presidential contest they had officially wonand a signal that if Republicans were to lose the next election, the military should view the outcome as fraudulent.

All this he said openly on a U.S. military base in front of uniformed service members who had sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

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LAST FRIDAY, A WEEK AFTER his speech in Qatar, Trump announced plans for a military parade in Washington, D.C. On Truth Social, he declared, We will be hosting a magnificent Parade to honor the United States Armys 250th Birthday, on Saturday, June 14th. But that wasnt the only reason he gave for picking June 14. Its Flag Day, he explained in a May 2 interview on Meet the Press. And also: My birthday happens to be on Flag Day.

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Then, on Saturday, Trump gave a commencement address at West Point. He told the graduating cadets that the militarys job was not to spread democracy to everybody around the world.

What was the militarys job? On Meet the Press, he discussed two possible targets: Canada and Greenland.

Kristen Welker: Would you rule out military force to take Canada? Trump: Well, I think were not going to ever get to that point. It could happen. Something could happen with Greenland. . . . Welker: You are not ruling out military force to take Greenland one day? Trump: I dont rule it out. I dont say Im going to do it, but I dont rule out anything. No, not there. We need Greenland very badly.

But Trumps principal focus was at home. He invited the West Point graduates, like the troops in Qatar, to view his domestic opponents as an adversary. They dont like using the word liberal anymore, he told the cadets. Thats why I call them liberal.

Henceforth, said the president, a central purpose of our military would be to protect our own borders by fighting illegal immigration. On Day One, I deployed our military to the southern border, he observed.

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That deployment has run into trouble in the courts. The Posse Comitatus Act, for example, forbids any use of the armed forces to conduct arrests on American soil unless its expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress. But Trump had an answer to any judge who stood in his way.

Hopefully, the courts will allow us to continue, he told the cadets. The courts should yield to him, he explained, because we won the popular vote by millions of votes. . . . We had a great mandate, and it gives us the right to do what we want to do to make our country great again.

The right to do what we want to do. That sounded like an invitation to stand with Trump in any confrontation with the judiciary. And if the military were to stand with Trump, the courts would be powerless. JD Vance made that point to Trump in a podcast four years ago: When the courts stop you, stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did, and say, The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.

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ON MONDAY, AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Trump addressed a military audience one more time. In the annual presidential speech honoring Memorial Day, he thanked God not for protecting America but for engineering Trumps political comeback.

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Look what I have. I have everything, Trump told the crowd. Its amazing the way things work out. God did that. As Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others in the audience applauded, the president repeated: God did it.

Maybe, in the end, Trump wont run for a third term. Or if he runs and loses, maybe hell acknowledge defeat. Or if he wins, but the Supreme Court says a third term is unconstitutional, maybe hell accept that ruling.

But if he doesnt acknowledge defeator if he doesnt accept the Courts decisionwhos going to stop him?

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DENVER, Colo. (KREX)  On Thursday, a Federal District Court Judge for the District of Colorado sentenced Teak Ty Brockbank to 37 months of confinement and three years of supervised release. Brockbank had sent threats to multiple public officials between September 2021 and August 2022, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold and former Arizona Secretary of State and current Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.

Brockbank pleaded guilty to a count of transmitting interstate threats back in October 2024. He was found in unlawful possession of firearms at the time of his arrest. He was arrested in August 2024 in Cortez, Colorado.

Brockbank argued through his counsel that he was influenced by online conspiracy theories and brainwashed by the ecosystem on Gab and Rumble, which perpetuated unfounded conspiracy theories. He asked for leniency for his sentence, citing Trumps pardons of January 6 insurrectionists.

Secretary Griswold issued the following statement: The far right has spread conspiracy theories to incite threats and violence against secretaries of state and election officials. I will not be intimidated and I will not back down in protecting our democracy and our freedoms.

At least three other individuals have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to making threats of violence toward Secretary Griswold.

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Perhaps surprisingly, New Jersey senator Cory Booker isnt just blaming Donald Trump for the recent problems at Newark International Airport. During a recent interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the politician pointed to both infrastructure failures and Trump for the much mocked airport.

So youre telling me that its not necessarily Trumps fault, this situation we have in Newark? Kimmel asked the New Jersey politician.

Im telling you candidly, its both, Booker said. We have deferred infrastructure improvements that we should not have. But when Trump came in and DOGE and Elon Musk began firing key safety officials for the FAA, began laying off key personnel  one of the biggest issues right now is a personnel issue in addition to the technology issue.

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Earlier this months, hundreds of flight cancelations and delays at Newark caused Democratic Minority Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer to call for an investigation into the cause. It was eventually found that several compounding issues led to the widely mocked delays, including staffing shortages when it came to air traffic controllers, aging technology, the airport closing its busiest runways and bad weather. While on Kimmels show, Booker also noted that the infrastructure for U.S. airports is the same technology that was used when his grandparents were alive.

This is the president who said he was going to keep us safe by firing health officials, by firing FAA officials, by firing the people who inspect our food, Booker continued. This man has patently made us less safe as a nation. And this is an example he contributed.

That was far from the only shot Booker took at Trump on Wednesday night. The senator also called the president the greatest grifter to ever be in the White House and appeared shocked that Trump is doing it out in the open.

He has made billions of dollars since hes been in office by grifting off of that public position, and its disgusting. Theres very little accountability if Congress wont do what Congress was designed to do, which is to offer checks and balances to the presidency, Booker said. Watch the full ABC interview above.

The post Cory Booker Blames Both Trump and New Jersey for Newark Airport Chaos | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Cory Booker is turning his record-setting Senate speech into a book. The New Jersey senator, who spoke for just over 25 hours on March 31 into April 1, railed against the Trump administrations threats to Social Security, Medicare, and Trumps attacks on the judiciary in a speech that set a record for the longest Senate floor speech in history.

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The book, titled Stand, was announced on May 28 by The St. Martins Publishing Group. It will be published on Nov. 11, 2025, and is available for preorder now. According to the publishers notes, the book expands on Bookers speech and offers a compelling vision for the future to readers who are eager to make a difference.

'Stand': Senator Cory Booker to Release New Book Based on Speech

Stand

$30.99

Buy Now On Amazon

Buy Now at barnes&noble

Notably, Bookers speech surpassed a record previously set by Strom Thurmond, who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for just over 24 hours. However, Bookers speech was not a filibuster because it was not intended to stop a specific piece of legislation. Instead, Booker spoke broadly against the Trump administrations policies.

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Booker addressed the decision not to target a specific bill in an interview with Rolling Stone in May. In the modern Senate, its very hard to even get control of the floor. I said to my team, How did Ted Cruz get control of the floor? How did Rand Paul? Figure out how they got control. The person in the cloakroom told me, very annoyingly, We let [Rand Paul take the floor] because he promised it was only going to be a couple minutes  and he lied through his teeth. Are you willing to lie to [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune? I said, Thats not the way I roll. Im not going to lie, so lets just let them know that Im going to take control of the floor and hold it for as long as I possibly can.'

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May 28Personnel and overall operating costs are driving an increase in the proposed Whitefish city budget, which in turn is expected to bump property taxes.

The total proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 is $58 million, which is an increase of about $4.8 million in expenditures over the previous budget.

City Manager Dana Smith said the difference is mostly due to an increase in personnel costs and a significant increase in capital expenditures, which are offset by a reduction in operating materials and services.

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"While the decision to increase property taxes is never taken lightly, the proposed increase ensures the spending-down of reserves is reasonable and will not result in a significant increase in property taxes in a few years," Smith said in a memo.

Whitefish City Council holds a work session on the budget at 5:30 p.m. on May 28 at City Hall, 418 E. Second St.

Under the draft budget, a market value home of about $600,000 could see an annual increase in city taxes of about $45.

But Smith cautions that the budget "will change and should be considered a preliminary draft" since it's based on the current property tax system and several bills passed by the Montana Legislature will impact the system. The state releases final tax valuation numbers to cities in August.

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As part of the budget, resort tax collections will provide a tax rebate that is 7% higher than the prior year. The total property tax relief is estimated at $2.4 million.

Capital improvements in the budget are expected to increase by $4.5 million primarily due to the South Water Storage and Production project moving into the construction phase and significant resort tax funded street projects.

The budget calls for an increase in wages for employees of 4%, which includes a 2% cost of living adjustment plus longevity. However, the wage increase is based on the assumption that the city's taxable value will grow by 2%. If it does not, then the wage increase will also decrease.

The Montana Department of Revenue reappraises taxable property on a two-year cycle. As fiscal year 2026 is a reappraisal year, the city's taxable value will be adjusted to account for newly taxable property and the market value of taxable property.

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Given the uncertainty with state legislation, Smith said, the taxable value is projected to increase 2% from newly taxable property only.

Whitefish, Smith noted, has provided relief to property taxpayers in the form of reduced levies and assessments over the past six years with the exception of last year. This was made possible through the resort tax collections, sunset of the city's tax increment financing district and increases in the city's taxable value due to newly developed property.

"However, even with the property tax increase in FY 2025, many property taxpayers are still paying less to the city than they did in FY 2020," she said.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 levies 62 mills as compared to the previous year of 56.3 mills and fiscal year 2024 at 47.6 mills.

Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.
May 29Sexual abuse survivors in Maine are hoping a new appeal  and a new justice  will tip the scales in their favor, as the state's highest court considers yet again whether people should be able to sue for decades-old claims.

Earlier this year, 70-year-old George Eaton of Washington County won a lawsuit against Peter Boyce, 81, who Eaton said sexually abused him in the early 1970s. Eaton won by default because Boyce didn't respond to the complaint, according to court records.

Boyce was ordered to pay Eaton $1.1 million on Feb. 26  a month after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court overturned the 2021 law that made Eaton's lawsuit possible by "reviving" claims previously barred. Maine eliminated its statute of limitations for new claims in 2000, but until the 2021 law change people still couldn't sue for abuse that happened before 1987,

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Boyce, who now has an attorney, appealed that decision. Now, the same court that overturned the law will be asked to consider the issue again  but with one new justice confirmed in March and two justices who signed a dissenting opinion, some advocates hope the outcome will be different.

Eaton's lawyer, Michael Bigos, declined to comment on the case. Boyce's attorney, Jed Davis, did not respond to requests Thursday to discuss the appeal and allegations against his client.

Bigos represents more than a dozen people who sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland after the 2021 law passed, and whose cases were at the center of the court's decision. He and Timothy Kenlan said in February that their firm was representing at least 100 people whose claims were made possible by the overturned law, although not everyone had filed a complaint in court.

The lawyers asked the high court a couple of weeks after the ruling to reconsider. Bigos recently told lawmakers that request was summarily denied.

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He told the Legislature's Judiciary Committee that he hopes this appeal will end differently. He cited the court's new composition and the arguments made by the dissenting justices, who "raised issues that we believe are unsolved."

He said the court's majority opinion overlooked Mainers' rights to substantive due process under the state constitution, instead favoring principles dating to the 1600s "as a rationale for the majority to declare this unconstitutional."

He was testifying on LD 1978, which would allow people to sue governmental entities whose employees sexually abused them as children. (Such employers, including public schools and law enforcement agencies, are immune from most lawsuits. There is no exception for child sexual abuse.)

Rep. Ellie Sato, D-Gorham, noticed that the bill would eliminate a statute of limitation for those claims even after the supreme court's ruling in January.

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"How is this language different from that language, to make sure that the Law Court doesn't strike it down again?" Sato asked.

Bigos said he believes the Legislature still has the right to pass laws that serve their constituents.

"It is this practitioner's belief, and many others,' that the Maine judiciary exceeded its authority by impinging on the legislative authority, by declaring that (2021 law) unconstitutional," Bigos said.

DEFAULT JUDGMENT

Bigos and Davis have until later this summer to file briefs with the court outlining their arguments.

In his civil complaint, Eaton said Boyce abused him around July 1970, when Eaton was 15 years old.

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He said Boyce had hired him to do odd jobs around his workplace at Johnson Bay Marine, according to the complaint. Over the following year, Eaton said he was abused several times in Boyce's home, workplace and on a trip to New York, often after being given alcohol.

Eaton said he cut contact with Boyce in 1971 and told his parents what had happened. Now, more than 50 years later, Eaton said he still struggles with the trauma, the shame and betrayal.

In awarding damages to Eaton, Superior Court Justice Harold L. Stewart quoted a psychological expert who testified on Eaton's behalf during a hearing Feb. 5, who said Eaton has difficulty trusting others and still experiences a constant "fear of the world." The expert said it's likely Eaton's medical costs for therapy and other treatment will exceed $100,000 in the next 15 years.

Stewart wrote on Feb. 26 that he was aware of the high court's decision, but that it's the defendant's responsibility to raise the issue of a statute of limitations. This defendant never responded to the complaint against him.

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"The incident in this case occurred in 1970," Stewart wrote. "Plaintiff has lived with the effects and trauma of the sexual abuse committed by Defendant for 55 years."

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CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A country music artist has joined the fight against a proposed methane plant in Cheatham County and hes asking President Trumps help.

The Tennessee Valley Authority said the project is necessary. The TVA purchased the 286-acre site back in 2020. After reviewing options  including solar  they said there was not enough space. The company has proposed building a methane gas plant and transmission lines in Cheatham County to meet growing energy needs.

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Its to not only replace the generation that is aging and needs to be taken out of service, but also to meet the growing demand over the next decade and even the next 25 years into 2050, TVA spokesperson Scott Brooks said.

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However, country music artist John Rich said that plan disregards the residents in the county, so he has called for President Donald Trump to step in.

These are your people, President Trump, Rich said. This county voted for you  75%. These are your people; tell the TVA to find another spot.

Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver echoed that statement for federal support.

They [the TVA] dont answer to the county level. They dont answer to the state level, McCarver explained. At the federal level, the congress should be putting some guidelines and bumper guards in there to control them  They are not held accountable by anyone, and that is the root of the problem.

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Rich said the proposed methane gas plant would bring more harm than good, raising concerns over increased traffic on two-lane county roads, overwhelming emergency services, and creating a loss in community voice.

There are five schools within five miles of where this methane gas plant is going to go, Rich said. The chances of water contamination, destroyed farms, noise and air pollution  I would say 100% at some point.

McCarver told News 2 that hundreds of property owners would be affected by the plants transmission lines and more that would be affected by natural gas lines. The TVA also filed lawsuits against two landowners who refused temporary access for land surveys, raising alarm among residents worried about their generational farms being taken away.

All weve been doing so far is reaching out to property owners to say, Hey, there is a potential that we would want to purchase rights of way  not buy the property  not take the property outright, but rights of ways to be able to put power lines across the property,' Brooks explained.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Mister President  TVA has its foot on the throats of Cheatham County residents, a Chetham County resident known as Mr. Wade said when Rich asked him if he had any words for Trump. You are our only hope because they are unbridled otherwise.

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The fix to this is simple: find an industrial place to put this or pick some of the 293,000 acres you people already own, TVA, and put it there, Rich said. Instead of upending the ecosystem, running people off their farms.

The TVA wants property owners to know they are listening to the concerns of residents and are taking into account every opinion. McCarver told News 2 that he needs to see that sentiment in action.

Actions speak louder than words, McCarver said. Quit telling me you want to be a good neighbor. Do the right thing.

Since 2023, TVA has been holding public input sessions, and its wrapping up its environmental impact study. McCarver told News 2 that the next community meeting with the TVA has been set for September 23 at Cheatham County Middle School. Residents can weigh in on the environmental impact study.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  The Winston-Salem Forsyth County School district faces the daunting task of solving a $42 million budget deficit.

The school board was able to move a few things around to come up with a couple million dollars, but, now, they are looking at the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to fund the remaining $32 million.

Second Harvest Food Bank loses 1 million pounds of food due to federal cuts

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Don Martin, chair of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, said its too early to tell how the county or even the state will be able to help financially. But one thing Martin does know is that it is highly unlikely the county would hand over the full $32 million.

Obviously that is still a lot of money, said Don Martin. Its never a simple solution when you talk about tens of millions of dollars. There is not a lot of appetite on the county commissioners for this and not because we are trying to be ugly about anything, it is really about our budget and our fund balance has a purpose.

Martin said the first step to solving the problem is to get answers.

There is still a little bit of a question of what if we did nothing, what happens? And that question, quite frankly, hasnt been answered very well yet, but there may be some partial things that can be done, Martin said.

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One example is pulling funds from other places in the current budget allotment for the school district next year. Commissioners have set aside $180 million, but if the district can make tweaks to save cash, that money could go towards this years deficit.

This magnitude of a basically over expenditure has never happened to my knowledge, and I have been associated with schools since 1989, 36 years. It has never been of that magnitude of any kind of over expenditure, Martin said.

County leaders are also looking to the state for funds.

They have never done it or they have never been asked to do it, and there may be an opportunity there.  We have had some conversation with state folks, and they have never seen anything like it either, Martin said.

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There could be a piecemeal approach to solving the $32 million puzzle.

We anticipate to probably get more information from the school district about that and we will have to keep working on it. It is a challenging problem, Martin said.

The commissioners will meet for a budget workshop Thursday morning and discuss some possibilities. Then, next week, commissioners plan to meet with the state to explore more options.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Oxford Center's Brighton location. March 11, 2025. Photo by Jon King.

The owner of a Metro Detroit medical facility and three of the centers employees appeared in court Wednesday as an Oakland County judge set dates for preliminary exams to review evidence in a case where a 5-year-old boy died in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber explosion in which officials at the center stand accused of disregarding safety protocols.

Tamela Peterson, the CEO of Oxford Center, is charged with second-degree murder, which carries up to a life sentence. Oxford Center employees Jeffrey Alan Mosteller and Gary Marken also face the second-degree murder charge, with all three defendants having the alternative lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter should the court not deem second-degree muder appropriate in the case. Aleta Moffitt, another Oxford center employee is charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.

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The dates for the preliminary exams are set for September 15 and 16 after Oakland County Judge Maureen McGinnis said Wednesday that there were additional motions attorneys would be filing that might require a few months to resolve.

The death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper of Royal Oak was preventable, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, whose office is prosecuting the case, said back in March when her office charged staff members of the Oxford Center with murder and involuntary manslaughter.

Tamela Peterson, CEO of the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan appears over Zoom for a probable cause conference in an Oakland County Court on May 28, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

Jeffrey Mosteller, employee of the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan appears over Zoom for a probable cause conference in an Oakland County Court on May 28, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

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Gary Marken,employee of the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan appears over Zoom for a probable cause conference in an Oakland County Court on May 28, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

Aleta Moffitt, employee of the Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan appears over Zoom for a probable cause conference in an Oakland County Court on May 28, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

Instead, deliberate negligence and a blatant disregard for safety cost a child his life, Nessel said in a statement.

Cooper had received many in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber for ADHD and sleep apnea, attorney for the Cooper family James Harrington told WXYZ in February. But during the 36th treatment on Jan. 31, the chamber exploded with Cooper inside.

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Coopers mother tried to save her child, but could not get him out of the chamber, Harrington said.

Under no circumstances should anything like this ever happen, ever, Harrington told WXYZ. She was in the waiting room and was alerted that something was going wrong and rushed back, and he was engulfed in flames and she was trying to get him out and sustained significant burns to her arm.

The Michigan Attorney Generals Office is arguing that employees of the Oxford Center showed complete disregard for patient safety, ignoring safety protocols for the highly sensitive environment hyperbaric oxygen chambers create, using chambers beyond the scope set by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.

Whereas the air people breathe everyday is 21% oxygen, the air inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is 100% oxygen and can help patients heal wounds or fight off infection, according to the FDA. Conditions the FDA approves usage of hyperbaric oxygen chambers include crush injuries, burns, severe infections and sudden vision loss, but neither of the conditions Harrington said Copper had been receiving treatment for.

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The Oxford Center lists dozens of conditions hyperbaric oxygen chambers can be used for on the centers website including autism, anxiety and attention deficit disorder, whereas FDA has only approved usage for limited conditions.

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Photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows newly-built houses in a Jewish settlement near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday, Israel said it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what Israeli officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel said Thursday it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory.

A map released by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shows that the plan includes the reestablishment of two outposts, Homesh and Sa-Nur, in the northern part of the territory. Both outposts were evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank.

The announcement came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledges to take full control of Gaza, while pro-settlement ministers, including Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, advocate for resettling evacuated Jewish settlements in Gaza.

Israel seized the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and has expanded settlements there ever since. Currently, more than 720,000 Israeli settlers live in heavily-guarded communities there.

UN Resolution 2334, along with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, maintains that all Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are illegal.

The international community widely considers the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, where the Palestinians wish to establish their future state, an obstacle to achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians. 

Photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows newly-built houses in a Jewish settlement near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday, Israel said it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what Israeli officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows newly-built houses in a Jewish settlement near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday, Israel said it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what Israeli officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows newly-built houses in a Jewish settlement near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday, Israel said it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what Israeli officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows newly-built houses in a Jewish settlement near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday, Israel said it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what Israeli officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Photo taken on May 30, 2025 shows newly-built houses in a Jewish settlement near Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Thursday, Israel said it will establish 22 new settlements across the occupied West Bank, in what Israeli officials described as a strategic expansion of Israeli presence in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet's approval of the plan, calling it a "historic decision" to "strengthen our grip" on the West Bank. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The U.S. Court of International Trade ordered tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump to be halted after a multi-state lawsuit led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.

According to Wednesdays court ruling, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 does not afford President Trump the authority to impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world. Rather, the ruling affirmed Congress exclusive powers to regulate commerce with foreign countries, including in the form of collecting taxes, according to the Constitution.

AG Rayfield described the courts ruling as a victory not just for Oregon, but for working families, small businesses, and everyday Americans.

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Rayfield led the lawsuit against Trump alongside Arizona AG Kris Mayes, with several other states joining.

We brought this case because the Constitution doesnt give any president unchecked authority to upend the economy. This ruling reaffirms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions cant be made on the presidents whim, Rayfield said.

The existing IEEPA tariffs would be halted under the court ruling, with planned increases also stopped. That includes the proposed 145% tariffs on imports from China and 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union, Rayfields office said.

The other states that joined the lawsuit against Trump included the attorney generals for Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Vermont.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Three federal court decisions in the last 24 hours have injected fresh uncertainty into President Donald Trumps negotiations with the nations largest trading partners.

Some foreign officials say it may be to their benefit as they continue tariff talks with the U.S.

The Trump administration has for months projected confidence on the world stage  both slapping down and backing away from tariffs at will  and watched as countries scrambled to respond. For the first time, the courts decisions have put Trump on the back foot as his administration grapples with how to respond to a major setback of its sweeping trade agenda, and some countries see the rulings as a release valve for tense, and sometimes stagnating, negotiations with the U.S.

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The decision has reduced the pressure on countries to cave in to U.S. demands, one Filipino official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about negotiations, said of Wednesdays ruling at the U.S. Court of International Trade , which said the president overstepped his authorities in setting tariffs of 10 percent and higher on dozens of trading partners. That decision was stayed temporarily, however, by an appellate court on Thursday afternoon, allowing the tariffs to take effect pending further litigation. The administrative stay is expected to remain in effect through mid-June, according to a schedule laid out by the judges.

What this judge tried to do ... is basically upend these deals, many of them are about to be signed, Kevin Hassett, the head of Trumps National Economic Council, told Fox News after the appellate court issued its stay. "And the fact that the appeals court is giving us a lot more time means that we will have time to finish those deals up. And so it's really good news for American workers and farmers."

Another federal court ordered an injunction Thursday morning against those tariffs , though it applies only to the two companies who filed the suit.

The Court of International Trades decision strengthens Europes position, said an European Union official, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the state of discussions, adding that the president is now under extra pressure to pursue a constructive negotiation.

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But Europe, and a number of the United States other top trading partners, said even before the decision was stayed that they had no plans to abandon the talks, outright, given the number of existing  and potential future  tariffs on key industries that are still in effect.

Some of the outcomes we're pursuing, such as the reduction, if not outright elimination of tariffs in certain industrial product categories  that work is worth pursuing, regardless of the impact of this ruling, Olof Gill, the EU spokesperson for trade and economic security, said in an interview on Thursday. Indeed, that is something we have been interested in for many years. So in our view, it still makes perfect sense to continue the talks in their current format."

In addition to the sweeping levies under scrutiny in the court rulings, the administrations 25 percent tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum remain, with more sector-specific tariffs on semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and other industries looming.

Speaking in Canadas House of Commons Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said while his government welcomed the court rulings rejecting the Trump administration's arguments that there was a national emergency justifying some tariffs, our trading relationship with the United States is still profoundly and adversely threatened and affected by similarly unjustified  tariffs against steel, aluminum and the auto sector, as well as continuing threats of tariffs against other strategic sectors, including lumber, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

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It therefore remains the top priority of Canada's new government to establish a new economic and security relationship with the United States and to strengthen our collaboration, Carney continued.

Countries are face the very real possibility that the White House will simply choose to impose new tariffs under different laws, should the old ones be permanently blocked in court. The White House on Thursday hinted at expanding its industry-specific tariffs, which are authorized under a different national security law, even as it continues to battle in court over its tariffs targeted at countries, which are based on a 1977 national emergency law.

We are doing both, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday, asked whether the administration was already exploring enacting new tariffs under other laws, in addition to pursuing its appeal.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has already heard from countries around the world, that they intend to continue negotiations, Leavitt continued. They also probably see how ridiculous this ruling is and they understand that this administration is going to win.

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National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett also alluded to plans the administration is making to levy new tariffs during an appearance on Fox Business Thursday morning. He said that while the administration preferred using the statutory authority that was challenged in court, there are three or four other ways to do it.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the administration could theoretically re-impose tariffs targeted under the emergency law, and insisted the ruling would not tie the hands of the president. "The court, interestingly enough, basically said we were right, just use different rules and laws. So nothing has really changed here in that sense, Navarro said on Bloomberg Thursday morning.

But in court filings, the administration struck a different tone, arguing that the trade courts Wednesday ruling jeopardized both national security and a tenuous agreement with China.

It will threaten to shatter our negotiations with dozens of countries and will create an immediate risk that our trading partners feel a renewed boldness to take advantage of a perceived new vulnerability by retaliating against the United States, as the Treasury Secretary warns, the administration wrote in its request for a stay.

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Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declined to answer a question about how the ruling would impact forthcoming trade negotiations between the two countries during her daily press conference Thursday.

China has made its position very clear: tariff and trade wars have no winners, Mao said. Protectionism benefits no one and is ultimately unpopular.

Tensions between the two countries have continued to simmer after a May deal to lower tariffs and launch a broader trade negotiations beginning next month. Moves by the Commerce Department to quash development in certain Chinese industries have irritated officials and the court ruling boosted confidence among Chinese officials that Trump wont be able to sustain his tariff efforts.

Thats a bad combination, said one business official, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. It doesnt bode well for negotiations and we may be in for a new round of tit-for-tat retaliation, adding to the uncertainty felt by the business community.

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EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, meanwhile, may meet with Greer in Paris next week, while high level EU trade officials travel to Washington to work with their U.S. counterparts on the details of the trade negotiations.

But a second EU official said in an interview that the Court of International Trades decision strengthens Europes position, adding that the president is now under extra pressure to pursue a constructive negotiation.

Japan, too, is plowing forward. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke with Trump Thursday morning and the country is sending a top trade official to meet with his U.S. counterparts in Washington tomorrow. The timing is coincidental to the courts decision and is "unlikely" to alter the Japanese approach to the negotiations, said a person familiar with those plans but granted anonymity because of their sensitivity.

Japans economy has been roiled by Trumps 25 percent tariffs on autos and auto parts, which have led Japanese automakers to project significant losses this year. The country recently approved a $6.3 billion economic stimulus package to help the country navigate tariffs.

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Indeed, Everett Eissenstat, a White House trade adviser in Trump's first term who is now at the law firm Squire Patton Boggs, said that countries may be able to stockpile goodwill with the administration by continuing trade talks  even when they dont have to.

Itd be smart, actually, to keep going, Eissenstat said. If a country were wanting to show that they were interested in moving forward in a trade relationship  I think itd still be in their best interest to be at the table, and would show a willingness to be a good trading partner, regardless.

Other governments were still trying to decipher on Thursday what the court rulings mean for their talks with the Trump administration.

Said one Costa Rican official, granted anonymity to candidly express their view on the state of talks, We have no idea what is going on.

Gregory Svirnovskiy, Phelim Kine and Mike Blanchfield contributed to this report
Mirroring President Donald Trumps on-again, off-again international tariff gyrations, a federal appeals court pressed pause on a lower court ruling that struck down many of the presidents trade levies less than a day after the decision was issued.

On Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted a temporary hold on a ruling issued Wednesday evening by the U.S. Court of International Trade, deciding that the permanent injunctions entered by the Court of International Trade in these cases are temporarily stayed until further notice while this court considers the motions papers.

Per the appeals court, the plaintiffs in the lower court case have until June 5 to respond to the stay decision and Trumps legal team will have until June 9 to develop its argument for the pause to remain in place as the appeals process plays out.

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In a ruling issued late Wednesday, the trade court struck down a wide swath of trade tariff decrees by President Donald Trump since he took office, finding the president overstepped his authority with the international levies.

The ruling, should it stand, impacts new tariffs Trump has issued, without congressional approval, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of International Trade said Congress has exclusive authority to set and regulate international commerce and that authority is not superseded by a presidents emergency powers declaration.

The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the Presidents use of tariffs as leverage, the panel wrote in its ruling, per Reuters. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because (federal law) does not allow it.

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The ruling was in response to two lawsuits, one filed by a group of small retailers who argued their businesses had been harmed by the tariffs, and another group of 12 Democratic states. The judges gave the Trump administration 10 days to issue new orders reflecting the permanent injunction. Trump lawyers filed a notice of appeal immediately following the decision.

Which tariffs are impacted by the ruling?

Ahead of the stay, the trade courts decision halted the current blanket tariff of 10% on most import goods coming into the U.S., a 30% tariff on Chinese goods and 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The ruling does not impact other sector-specific tariffs issued by Trump including current levies of 25% on imported autos, auto parts, steel and aluminum, CNN reported. Those trade levies were issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act  a different law than the one Trump cited for his broader trade actions.

We won  the state of Oregon and state plaintiffs also won, Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason Universitys Scalia Law School and the plaintiffs lawyer, said to CNN immediately after the ruling. The opinion rules that entire system of liberation day and other IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs is illegal and barred by permanent injunction.

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On April 2, Trump issued a raft of new trade levies including a blanket 10% tariff on all foreign imports and additional reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, some as high as 50%, that were assessed on nations identified as having significant trade inequities or barriers.

A week later, the president announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal levies but kept the 10% blanket tariff in place. At the same time he also upped the import fees on most Chinese import goods to 145%. On May 12, following talks between U.S. and Chinese trade officials, Trump announced he was rolling China import levies back to 30% for 90 days.

Earlier, Trump had declared new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China aiming to quell the flow of illicit drugs and illegal immigration across U.S. borders.

The tariff tumult has led to ongoing volatility in U.S. and global investment markets and cast a cloud of uncertainty over business operators who have been left without a clear vision of how to plan for the impacts of trade fees.

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All of those new levies were issued under authority Trump claimed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, but the trade court judges disagreed.

(International Emergency Economic Powers Act) does not authorize any of the worldwide, retaliatory, or trafficking tariff orders, the panel of judges wrote in their ruling Wednesday. The worldwide and retaliatory tariff orders exceed any authority granted to the president by (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) to regulate importation by means of tariffs. The trafficking tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders.

What the White House had to say

In a statement, White House spokesperson Kush Desai argued trade deficits have created a state of national emergency for the U.S. and the trade courts decision to invalidate Trumps tariff strategy superseded its jurisdiction.

Foreign countries nonreciprocal treatment of the UnitedW States has fueled Americas historic and persistent trade deficits, Desai said. These deficits have created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base  facts that the court did not dispute.

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It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American greatness.

Following the stay on Thursday, Jeffrey Schwab, a lawyer for the business plaintiffs, said he was confident his clients would ultimately prevail.

This is merely a procedural step as the court considers the governments request for a longer stay pending appeal, Schwab said in a statement. We are confident the federal circuit will ultimately deny the governments motion shortly thereafter, recognizing the irreparable harm these tariffs inflict on our clients.

Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro told reporters Thursday that the effort to move forward with the tariffs would continue, even if the administration loses this round of the legal battle.

Even if we lose, we will do it another way, Navarro said.
COVINGTON, La. (WGNO)  This spring, the City of Covington is trying a new program that allows pedestrians to take safety into their own hands. Theyre called See Me Flags, and theyre posted at intersections around the citys downtown area.

Sometimes we forget our little Boston Street is actually State Highway 21, Covington Mayor Mark Johnson told WGNO News. Its a state highway.

26 years later, advocates still hope for bus crash memorial in New Orleans City Park

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See Me Flags is a company based in Virginia that provides reflective safety flags and holders which can be stationed at virtually any intersection. On the companys website, it boasts of See Me Flags being used in cities from coast to coast.

Using the flags is easy. Pedestrians grab a flag and wave it as they cross intersections while still obeying all traffic laws. In these days of cellphones and video screens on car dashboards, the flags are intended to help pedestrians make sure drivers see them.

Probably just as important is that seeing the flags, the pedestrians are starting to realize, Hey, I need to be careful here when Im crossing the street. Even if they dont use the flag, it raises their awareness, and I think thats been beneficial, Johnson said.

Mandeville Rotary Club spreads patriotism with flags

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Theres also the cost. Any city leader will tell you that improving infrastructure to protect pedestrians can cost hundreds of thousands  if not millions  of dollars. But a starter set for the See Me Flags is about $200.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
For the second day in a row, Dr. Judson Welcher took the stand in the retrial of Karen Read, defending tests he ran with an SUV similar to Reads which he says proves she hit John OKeefe.

Welcher spoke extensively about force, mass, and acceleration. He says damage to Reads Lexus matches OKeefes injuries.

Live court video, updates: Day 22 of witness testimony in Karen Reads murder retrial

Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey hired Welchers firm after Reads first trial.

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Welcher went head-to-head with defense attorney Robert Alessi on Wednesday afternoon.

Alessi questioned Welcher about his findings and also his fees.

So for 8 months of work. about $400,000. Is that correct? Alessi asked.

So theres three offices working on the case, Welcher responded.

Welchers theory is that Read reversed her SUV 87 feet and reached a speed of 24 miles per hour outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton.

He explained OKeefes head and arm injuries like this:

It is consistent with being struck by a Lexus and also make contacting a hard surface, such as frozen ground, Welcher said.

Is it uncommon in side-swipe pedestrian accidents to see no lower body injuries, broken bones? Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan asked.

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No, its not uncommon, Welcher replied.

Youre coming to a conclusion but that is based upon circumstantial information, correct? Alessi asked on the cross-examination.

Are you calling, like, pieces of the taillight at the scene around his body circumstantial information? Welcher replied.

Read did not comment leaving court on Wednesday.

Thursday is expected to be a half-day because a juror has an afternoon commitment.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
WARREN TWP., Ohio (WKBN)  A production company from New York is in the area, filming a short film.

Read next: YPD looking for man suspected in several burglaries on South Side

The film is called Buck Mark and is described as: A couples road trip takes a high-stakes adventure turn, after an unexpected gift from a charming ranch owner leads to unsettling truths.

The film was written and produced by Michael Egues, who also stars as the boyfriend in the film. The co-producer and director is Lucca de Oliveira, of Dead End Kid Productions. Taylor and Marco de Ornelas, of Lobo Films, are producing the film and have ties to the area.

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Egues spoke with WKBN about the project, saying this area is ideal for filming because the area, as well as the Ohio Film Commission, has been very easy to work with and welcoming.

Ohio has been just nothing but a great place to film, and I hope more production companies come out here, Egues said.

He added that the crews were given access to a private residence in the area and will also be filming at spots in Warren, Garrettsville and Niles.

People may see them out in Warren Township on Sunday, as a portion of South Leavitt Road between Kibler Toot and Risher roads, will be shut down for filming. The closure will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Egues praised Trumbull County Sheriff Mike Wilson and County Engineer Gary Shaffer for their willingness to work with them on the project.

Read next: Stunt performer sues Kevin Costner over his direction of a rape scene in his film series Horizon

He also said Johnny K Powersports provided UTVs, and Car Culture provided a vehicle, which will be used in the film.

Egues said they have also hired some production assistants who are students at Kent State University to help with the shoots.

Egues said that while they are working on a short film, it is a concept for a bigger movie and will be presented at multiple film festivals when it is finished.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Felonies

The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Bobby R. Alexander, 32, of Booneville, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, felony shoplifting.

Joshua Hanley, 35, of Pontotoc, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, sexual battery.

Joshua Allen Holcomb, 38, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, careless driving, driving with a suspended license, no insurance.

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Lazarius O. Rogers, 24, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, violation of Intensive Supervised Release (house arrest).

Lee County Sheriffs Office

The following reports were filed Wednesday by the Lee County Sherifs Office.

A Mooreville woman said a gray Kia has been abandoned on Treeside Drive at Highway 178. She said the car was first parked there Friday afternoon, and it was still there Tuesday morning. Deputies had the car towed.

A County Road 49, Tupelo, woman returned home around 6 p.m. and found her mailbox had been run over and broken. When she left to go to work around 4 a.m. it was still upright. A neighbor said he saw the mailbox had been toppled when he got back home around 9:30 a.m. The woman had no idea who could be responsible.

Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  This week on Crime Stoppers, police need your help identifying someone wanted for multiple retail frauds at a Jackson business and finding two people wanted on warrants.

If you have information regarding the cases below, call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at (517) 483-STOP. You can remain anonymous.

Those who contact Crime Stoppers with information can receive up to a $1,000 award.

Jackson Crossing Retail Fraud

(Photo: Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan) (Photo: Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan) (Photo: Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan)

The Jackson Police Department is asking for any information that could identify someone who has committed multiple retail frauds at a business in Jackson Crossing.

Bryan Michael Johnson

Bryan Michael Johnson, 20, is wanted out of Jackson on a warrant for unlawful imprisonment, tampering with evidence, and aggravated assault. He is 62 and 165 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Skyler Mark Goedert

Skyler Mark Goedert, 28, is wanted on multiple warrants related to retail fraud offenses and a separate warrant for cocaine possession out of Eaton County.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Five police personnel were killed when their vehicle plunged into a deep ravine in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, local authorities confirmed.

The police vehicle was en route from Haveli to Rawalakot when it lost control while negotiating a sharp turn and plunged into the gorge, Deputy Commissioner of Bagh Raja Sadaqat Khan told Xinhua.

Fatal road accidents are common in the hilly terrain of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, where narrow roads, sharp turns, and unpredictable weather often pose significant risks to travelers. 
Critics Ask Why Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley Are Pardoned By President Trump originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

Jordan Strauss via AP Photos

It all started with an eager daughter's podcast. Unlocked, hosted by Savannah Chrisley, highlights the intimate details of her parents legal troubles, with episodes like Fathers Day Behind Bars and No Testimony Without A Test. She hoped this, among other gestures, would be enough to get President Trump's attention.



The family, known for USA Networks Chrisley Knows Best, was separated back in 2022 after parents Todd and Julie Chrisley were sentenced to a combined 19 years in federal prison for $30 million worth of fraud and tax evasion. President Trump announced a full, unconditional pardon yesterday that would free the TV personalities.



But not everyone is on board with the Chrisleys' freedom, who have previously come under fire for public declarations of conservative views.



Both my parents are coming homeand I just dont believe its real, Savannah said in an Instagram post yesterday, sporting a white and gold hat with the words, Make America Great Again.

In the video, Savannah said she was walking into Sams Club and shockingly received a personal phone call from the president, saying he was signing the paperwork and her parents would be free in the next few days.



After the conviction in November 2022, the court issued Savannah, 27, sole custody of her younger brother and sister, ages 10 and 16 at the time. The podcast, she told People Magazine in an interview this year, has helped support her family financially while she pursued her parents' full pardon.



Its a terrible thing, but its a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean, President Trump said to Savannah over the phone, according to a video shared on X. They were given pretty harsh treatment, based on what Im hearing.

BREAKING!



President Trump calls @_ItsSavannah_ to inform her that he will be granting full pardons to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley!



Trump Knows Best! pic.twitter.com/j5WPMOOQ7L  Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 27, 2025

The president acknowledged Savannah, who previously referred to her mothers prison facility as so beyond inhumane, for fighting for Todd and Julies freedom. The video, posted by President Trumps special assistant and communications advisor, also showed him speaking to Savannahs younger brothers, offering them congratulations and saying their parents were lucky to have such good children.



I will forever be grateful for President Trump, his administration, and everyone along the way, Savannah said on Instagram.



But on this mornings episode of The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg said this is another pardon by President Trump that raises eyebrows for non-supporters, citing Paul Walczaks pardon that coincided with his mothers $1 million dinner.

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If you are a reality star with a lot of money, and a tax cheat and you commit fraud, then thats good, said co-host Joy Behar, approximating the words of the White House. But poor people on Medicaid or food stamps, according to this administration, those are the real moochers in the country.



Chrisley Knows Best ran for ten seasons until 2023, after the stars were convicted for various financial crimes. The show followed the familys decadent lifestyle in the Atlanta suburbs, where anything money can buy inspired intoxicating family drama.



Fellow reality TV star Joe Exotic shared his thoughts on social media across several platforms, writing on X: I guess being innocent is not enough in America. [The Chrisleys] all admitted to perjury on world television but yet Im left to die of cancer before I can get any help.



Exotic, who became a household name after the success of Netflixs Tiger King in 2020, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after allegedly playing a part in a murder-to-hire plot against his co-star Carole Baskin.

Savannah, however, has used her platform to publicly support President Trump, while in pursuit of her parents full pardon. In a 2024 Instagram post, following the then-candidates own conviction, writing: Alongside my sadness, there is also a profound sense of concern regarding the perceived abuse of power within the Department of Justice.



She fired at the US justice system again at the 2024 Republican National Convention, saying it was her parents conservative beliefs and public profile that landed them behind bars. In that same speech, she also loudly endorsed the now-president.



My parents get to start their lives over, Savannah said on Instagram. Thank you, President Trump. I vow to stand next to you and your administration.



On the phone, the Chrisley children heard this from the president: I dont know them, but give them my regardsI hear theyre terrific people. This should not have happened.

This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Baby Ravid was born via emergency C-section after prolonged resuscitation efforts failed to save his 30-year-old mother, Tzeela Gez.

Hundreds of mourners gathered on Thursday to say their goodbyes to Ravid Haim Gez, a 15-day-old baby whose mother was gunned down by a terrorist as she traveled to hospital to give birth to him.

Baby Ravid was born via emergency C-section after prolonged resuscitation efforts failed to save his 30-year-old mother,Tzeela Gez. Gezs husband, Hananel Gez, sustained minor injuries during the attack.

Tzeela Gez, the pregnant woman wounded in a terror attack and succumbed to her wounds, May 15, 2025. (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

Gez addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the funeral, telling him: Stop listening to the whole worldwe elected you to protect us.

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The bereaved father noted that he invited Netanyahu to the shiva (Jewish mourning) and to the NICU before baby Ravids death to look him in the eyes and tell him: this will never happen again.

Can we now say with certainty that there will be no more terror attacks? Or will there be another one tomorrow? Another family like mine? This has become normal, hasnt it? he said. We live in an upside-down world, where we pity terrorists who murder us.

You, Netanyahu, must take command. Dont listen to the EU. Dont listen to the world. Even Trump, no country in the world allows such animals to live, those who murder a pregnant woman on her way to the delivery room. They murdered her and her sona woman who did only good in the world, for hundreds and thousands of people. They murdered a baby who didnt even sin for one dayhe lived 15 days. What? A full angel, a complete woman, full of strength, love, and life.

Relatives and friends of the Gez family attend the funeral of two-week-old Ravid Haim, who was delivered after his mother Tzeela Gez was shot dead in the West Bank while driving to the hospital with her husband to give birth, in Jerusalem, May 29, 2025. Haim died two weeks after his birth by emergen (photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Honoring baby Ravid Haim and Tzeela Gez

Eulogizing the murdered mother and son, Gez said: "My Ravid, I stand here and my heart is broken twice. What can I say? Theres nothing to say. Tzeela, my dear, I miss you and love you every day. It's so hard for me without you. I cant believe that someone so goodthat this is what you got in the end. Its so hard. Our hearts are broken. But no one will break us.

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I was privileged to see Ravid Haim yesterday in the NICU. He was my sweet boyhe even opened his eyes for a few seconds, like an angel. I couldnt believe I got to see such a face.

Were here for a very simple reason: because we allow people who want to murder us to continue living here. Thats the simple reason. You dont need a lot of brains to understand: if someone comes to kill you, they shouldnt be here.

Nation of Israel, we need to uniteleft and right, religious and secular, Sephardi and Ashkenaziwe are one people. Why are we fighting each other? The whole world already wants to kill us. The Arabs who support terrorism, who incite against us, who hand out candies when we are attackedyou, today, start packing. All of you. This is not a request, its a demandand you will do it.

We are a people who respect all nations. We welcome everyone: Christians, Arabs, Muslimsall religions. All are welcome. We are a people who respect all nations. We welcome everyone: Christians, Arabs, Muslimsall religions. All are welcome. But if you murder us, you have no place here. We will not accept it.

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Gez stressed his belief that We need to keep building the Land of Israel. Every centimeter. Every border belongs to us. Theres no Area A, B, or C. Its A to ZIsrael. Only Jewish Israel.

In memory of baby Ravid and Gez, the head of the Samaria Regional Counci Yossi Daganl, declared: We promise you, Tzeela and Ravidwe will build more settlements.

We will establish a new settlement in your nameRavid Chaim and Tzalaso that your light not only wont go out, but will shine even brighterthrough settlement, through love, through goodness. And light will always overcome darkness," he promised.

Baby Ravids aunt, and the sister of Tzeela, shared: Our Ravid, a beautiful child, a pure angel. We waited so long for you. Ravid, you know, little angelthis is not how life is supposed to be. Usually, when youre born, theres blinding light and for a moment you dont feel safe. Suddenly, the umbilical cord doesnt feed you anymore. But theres a touch, a softness, the warmth of a mother that makes everything possible, that makes things less scary and painful.

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But you didnt get that. A mother to protect you, to kiss you and hug you. Mom is waiting for you among the angels, with open arms.

Naomi Gez, grandmother of baby Ravid, spoke to her grandson, telling him, We were so happy when your mom became pregnant. We prayed so hard that this difficult pregnancy would end in an easy birth. You had your bris in a cemetery. Dear Ravid, your mother chose your nameRavid, a precious jewel. And you truly are a jewel for the entire Jewish people. You entered the hearts of all of Israel.

And now, instead of Elijah the Prophets chair, you sit under the Throne of Glory, carrying all our prayers and hopes with you. We were with you in the NICU, we held your handsbut other than breath from your soul, we saw nothing. How I waited for you to squeeze my hand, but it didnt happen. No cry. No scream. The doctor said you never criednot even once. So now, Ravid, we are crying for you.

Ravid has now been laid to rest next to his mother at the Har HaMenuchot Cemetery in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem. The funeral notice read: Earth, do not cover their blood. And may we find comfort in the rebuilding of Zion and Jerusalem.
SACRAMENTO, California  A nonprofit with ties to Donald Trump is sponsoring state legislation from a Democrat in deep-blue California on an issue the president has embraced in his Oval Office comeback: cryptocurrency.

The group, co-founded by Mandy Gunasekara, former chief of staff at the Environmental Protection Agency during Trumps first term, is backing a bill from Democratic California Assemblymember Avelino Valencia that could make it easier to pay with cryptocurrency in the Golden State.

It comes as Trumps crypto ties are again in the spotlight this week at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas where members of his inner circle like JD Vance headlined, and after the industry spent millions to elect pro-crypto congressional candidates in the 2024 election. Meanwhile, Democrats in Washington remain divided on regulating crypto as they look to block the presidents agenda without angering the powerful industry.

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Valencias bill presents a crucial test for the nonprofit Satoshi Action Funds state-first strategy, given it deviates from the wider industrys Washington-focused approach.

The industry was playing a lot of defense, Satoshi CEO Dennis Porter, a crypto advocate and former podcaster who hosted his own show about Bitcoin, told POLITICOs California Decoded newsletter. [If] you're on defense 100 percent of the time, you'll never win a single match.



Valencia, a Southern California Democrat, said he wasnt previously aware of Satoshis Trump connection and hasnt worked directly with Gunasekara. He added he drew up the measure independently from Satoshi, though he said the group proactively provided feedback that informed his approach.

My understanding is that the organization is nonpartisan and is made up of individuals from all political ideologies, which is one of the reasons the organization stood out, Valencia added.

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Porter said he sees untapped opportunity beyond Washington. To him, statehouses like Californias present a cheaper and faster option for passing pro-crypto legislation that can pave the way for the industry to advance its priorities in Congress.

[The] Civil Rights Movement or women's right to vote, or the cannabis movement  all of these things grew their momentum at the state level, said Porter, who said he co-founded Satoshi with Gunasekara as a 501(c)(4) group in 2022.

We set the policy blueprint for the country at the state level.

Satoshi has been a driving force behind recent pro-crypto efforts in other, mostly Republican-controlled state legislatures, backing protections for bitcoin mining and crypto payments that passed in Montana, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The group also proposed model legislation that would allow states to invest public pension funds in cryptocurrencies, an idea Wisconsin and Michigan investors have embraced but has been slow to gain traction in other states.

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California poses a tougher challenge. The states deep-blue legislature has proven to be more crypto-skeptical: Lawmakers in 2023 passed a slate of new requirements and fees for digital asset traders.

Trumps entanglements in the crypto industry are complicating the issue for Democrats. The president held a private dinner with buyers of his memecoin, $TRUMP, earlier this month. His business empire, Trump Media & Technology Group, recently announced it was raising $2.5 billion to buy bitcoin.

Some Democrats are wary of supporting pro-crypto policies, as doing so could hand Trump a legislative win amid questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Porter said he sees Satoshis work and the pro-crypto policies it supports as bipartisan. He declined to disclose information about Satoshis donors, citing privacy concerns.

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Clearly, Republicans have sort of taken a lead on this stuff, but there are a lot of Democrats who for a long time have been very supportive of the technology, Porter said.

Valencia is one of those Democrats. The Anaheim lawmaker said hes been interested in digital currency since his time as a San Jose State University student and began drawing up crypto legislation after taking over as Assembly Banking and Finance chair in late 2024.

One of those ideas became the bill hes pushing with Satoshi, which would authorize California businesses to accept cryptocurrency as a valid form of payment. Local governments and other public entities wouldnt be allowed to charge extra fees for goods and services purchased with cryptocurrency.

Valencia said the bill ensures fair treatment for consumers paying with digital currencies without forcing businesses to accept cryptocurrencies.

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I have no doubt this is the currency and technology of the future, he said. The lack of clear legal treatment leaves consumers unprotected.

A version of this story first appeared in California Decoded, POLITICOs morning newsletter for Pros about how the Golden State is shaping tech policy within its borders and beyond. Like this content? POLITICO Pro subscribers receive it daily. Learn more at www.politicopro.com.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (FOX 56)  Day three of Steve Lawsons trial adjourned early on Thursday, May 29, after receiving word the rest of the defenses witnesses couldnt testify until Friday.

DAY 2 | Crystal Rogers case: Steve Lawsons stepchildren, former coworkers testify

Lawson is charged with conspiracy to murder and tampering with physical evidence, and hes one of three people accused in the Bardstown mothers presumed death.

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Brooks Houck, Rogers then-boyfriend, faces a murder and a tampering with evidence charge. Joseph Lawson, Steves son, is charged with tampering with evidence and conspiracy to murder. The two will be tried together, with the trial scheduled for June 24.

Rogers was last seen on July 3, 2015, and her mother reported her missing two days later after her vehicle was found, still running, at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway. She has since been presumed dead, but her body has yet to be found.

LATEST ON CRYSTAL ROGERS CASE:

Lawsons trial was moved from Nelson County to Bowling Green due to significant publicity surrounding Rogers disappearance.

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Cameras and recording devices are not allowed in the courtroom, per Judge Charles Simms orders. Simms initially expected both the Commonwealth and the defense to rest their cases by the end of the day and begin with closing arguments on Friday. But as of Thursday afternoon, theres still work to be done.

The prosecution called its final two witnesses on Thursday morning and was able to rest its case before lunchtime. Heres a look at the Commonwealths last pieces of evidence and witness testimony.

Mike Shafer is an FBI task force and Kentucky Attorney General detective who interviewed Lawson in August 2020. His testimony surrounded two phone calls between Lawson and Houck, including the deleted July 8, 2015, call from Houck to Lawson.

We now know this was the call that occurred during Houcks interview with former lead detective Jonathan Snow, which was introduced earlier in the trial.

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Special Prosecutor Shane Young played a recording of Shafers 20-minute-long interview with Lawson from 2020. The courtroom was unable to make out what was said, but Shafer testified that their conversation surrounded cellphone data and call logs from the night of July 3, 2015.

This marks the third witness whose testimony concerned Lawsons location data and call logs.

He had advised Lawson that they had cellphone data tracking his device to Bluegrass Parkway after midnight, and Lawson affirmed he didnt leave his house that night. Lawson now admits to being there to pick up his son.

Defense attorney Darren Wolff criticized Shafer for not bringing his case file for reference and said that his testimony would only be from memory of a case hes no longer over.

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Nick Houcks 2015 interview with Shafer and the polygraph was also introduced, although the results were inadmissible. Young outright called Rosemary and Nick Houck unindicted coconspirators in the disappearance of Rogers.

The defense then argued that Young asked Shafer, an investigator, to speculate and not rely on evidence, and pleaded with the judge not to allow further questioning of this nature.

Tensions were high in the courtroom as the pair approached the bench to have a private conversation with Simms. The judge was seen making a separating motion with his hands. Young turned abruptly, and a bailiff rushed to physically separate Wolff and Young at the bench.

Questions were then asked surrounding the reported four-hour window Lawson cant account for on the morning of July 4, 2015, when his phone was traced to the Thompson Hill Road farm.

Courtroom sketch of Mike Shafer during the third day of the Steve Lawson trial on May 29, 2025. (Sydney Young)

DAY 1 | Crystal Rogers trial begins: Judges final orders, first witnesses

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The Commonwealth called its final witness, Justin Hall, to the stand. He has served as the Nelson County jailer since 2023.

Two jailhouse phone calls between Lawson and his mother, dated Jan. 5, 2024, and Jan. 9, 2024, were introduced. His mom can be heard pleading for Lawson to tell her where Rogers body is.

Somebody had to know what happened to that girls body, she pleaded.

Lawson affirmed he had nothing to do with Rogers body or the alleged killing, only picking Joseph up from the Blue Grass Parkway.

There was no premeditation on my end, Lawson can be heard saying. I dont care what anybody says.

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His mom argued that Lawson shouldve spoken up and reported Joseph having Rogers car that night. He agreed.

You knew for eight [expletive] years; you could have saved that girls life, and you didnt even bother, she emphasized.

The recordings moved many members of the gallery to tears.

Hall was asked to walk the jury through how the phone system works, and that both parties are aware their call is being recorded.

Courtroom sketch of Justin Hall during the third day of the Steve Lawson trial on May 29, 2025. (Sydney Young)

The Commonwealth then rested its case. Once the jury exited the room, the defense moved for acquittal.

Wolff argued that no evidence introduced adequately proves that Lawson is guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, only tampering with physical evidence, which he admits to. Young said that because Lawson allegedly participated in the conspiracy to dump Rogers vehicle on the Blue Grass Parkway, he was part of Houcks overall alleged plan to get rid of Rogers.

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Judge Simms denied the motion for acquittal.

The courtroom was prepared for the defense to rest its case on Thursday afternoon, but after its first witness, proceedings were adjourned unexpectedly. Lawsons attorneys said that their final witnesses couldnt testify until Friday.

Simms had previously said that the trail was moving more quickly than expected.

Dr. Karl Reich during the third day of the Steve Lawson trial on May 29, 2025. (Sydney Young)

Dr. Karl Reich, a forensic DNA expert, appeared over Zoom to testify from Chicago. He reviewed evidence of two hairs recovered from Rogers vehicle that were never tested for DNA comparison.

His expert opinion was that if they were important to the case, they should have been tested before aging for nearly a decade.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Evidence doesnt improve with age, Reich emphasized. It gets worse over time.

Young asked Reich how much he was getting paid to testify on Lawsons behalf. Apparently, his rate is $350 per hour.

Ok, well try to get you to that hour, Young said before proceeding with cross-examination.

He said investigators never tested the hair to extract a DNA profile because it wasnt similar in characteristics to the four suspects. Only three men have been indicted in the case: Joseph and Steven Lawson, and Brooks Houck. The fourth suspect, Young said, is Houcks brother Nick.

Reich is subject to being recalled to the stand.

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The trial will resume at 8:30 a.m. CST on Friday, May 30, and begin with the defenses next witness. Its unclear if Simms still expects deliberations to begin on Friday afternoon.

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A Connecticut man was convicted Wednesday of killing one of his partners in a marijuana deal gone bad back in 2012.

Melkuan Scott, 34, was found guilty of killing Serafin Velez in Hartford on Feb. 16 of that year, the Justice Department said in a press release.

Scott was already in federal prison, where he had recently completed a 13-year sentence for running a drug trafficking operation in Connecticut.

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Velez was the broker on a marijuana deal between Scott and several people in New York, according to federal investigators. But when Scott paid the New Yorkers for the weed, they handed him fake marijuana in return.

Scott blamed Velez for the faulty deal, investigators said. He retaliated by forcing Velez into a vehicle, driving him to a street in Hartford and fatally shooting him, according to the feds. Velez was 27 years old at the time.

More than 10 years after the killing, Scott was charged in Velezs death in March 2023. Another man also in federal prison, Arthur Stanley, was also charged.

The jury convicted Scott of kidnapping resulting in death and killing Velez in service of a drug trafficking operation. Scott faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Anticipating faculty layoffs and up to 750 course section eliminations Connecticut State Colleges and University faculty are calling on leadership to use its reserve funds in the millions to stave off potential cuts.

Members of the CSU-AAUP urged the CSCU Board of Regents Wednesday to leverage the funds and protect faculty and students.

Cindy Stretch, an English professor at Southern Connecticut State University and vice president of CSU-AAUP, said the legislature expects the money accumulated by the System Office to be used for teachers.

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Instead the Boards Finance Committee is channeling Scrooge McDuck and stockpiling our funding in so-called reserve accounts, she said.

CSU-AAUP members argue that the potential cuts would result in fewer course options, a reduction in faculty, larger class sizes, a heavier course load for faculty and fewer opportunities to work individually with students to help them excel.

But CSCU officials say that the CSCU reserves are dependent on the funding allocation from the state, which has yet to finalize its budget and that the Board has no authority on how the money is spent, with any cuts made to programs or faculty done at the individual college or university.

CSCUs colleges and universities plan to use more than $130 million in institutional reserves over the next biennium, said Samantha Norton, director of communications for Connecticut State Colleges & Universities. At this point we do not know how much funding the CSCU system will receive. Our reserve plan is dependent on our funding allocation from the state.

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CSCU requested $555.4 million in each year of the biennium, according to Norton. In fiscal year 2026, this is $83.7 million more than what Gov. Ned Lamont proposed in his budget; and in fiscal year 2027, it is $70.3 million more than what the governor proposed in his budget, Norton said.

CSCU is a system of four state universities  Central, Eastern, Western and Southern  one community college with 12 campuses and Charter Oak State College, the states only public online college.

Complicated situation

Madeline St. Amour, director of communications for the CSU-AAUP, said that the Board of Regents is planning potential cuts of at least $12 million at the four CSUs in fiscal year 2026 and 2027.

Guay told the Courant that no number has been finalized yet.

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We are waiting for the budget to be finalized in June, he said. That will dictate what the ask is and what the cuts could be. A lot of the reserves sit at the institutional level and the institutions get together in a shared governance process to agree to how to move the institution forward with their fiscal constraints and reserves.

Adam Joseph, vice chair for external affairs at CSCU, said putting together a budget is like putting together a puzzle.

We are trying to adapt to what the state funding will be, he said. Each year our institution is operating within the budget that is available to them.

Joseph acknowledged that this has resulted in cuts in some cases over the years.

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Wearing red shirts that read Opening Minds, Opening Doors, the union members, all faculty members of CSU, attended the board meeting and went directly to Guay, wanting assurances that investments would be made in education.

But they said they were not given those assurances, and instead left with no answers.

Wendy Wallace, part-time faculty member in the English department at SCSU, said she believes the Board could allocate the funding from its reserves.

They have the money, she said. It is that simple. They need to allocate it.

But Norton said the vast majority of the reserves at $89 million at the System Office are held for debt service and deferred maintenance and are not readily available.

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It is not required for the state to fund those reserves first as the money is in our accounts, she said in an email.

Cuts over the years

The state has flat-funded the CSCU system for years, CSU-AAUP members say, leading to cuts over the years that have already left the CSCU system with fewer staff, with increased enrollment.

At Southern Connecticut State University, Provost Julia Irwin has proposed a $750,000 cut in the adjunct faculty for the 2025-26 year, which amounts to a 5% cut in part-time faculty across the university.

I am very concerned about part-time faculty losing jobs, myself included, and I am concerned about how this would impact student learning and resources for students and their opportunity to get an effective education, Wallace said.

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Wallace went on further to say that with an evolving society changing so fast and the impact of COVID on learning, students need a lot of individual attention and they need to be cared for.

They need the help, care and support that we as faculty provide, she told the Courant. The value of that cant be understated. Cutting the faculty will diminish our ability to provide those essential supports and essential education that they require.

Michael Brelsford, part-time faculty member in the English department at SCSU, said the cuts will have a huge impact on students, explaining that their whole college career and retention is at stake if they dont have a meaningful experience, also increasing the drop out risk.

St. Amour said the potential cuts will not only hurt students because of the limited course offerings but it may affect their ability to graduate on time because of a reduction in services and tutoring.

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Wallace said, It is a matter of do we want to have a world class education in this state or are we going to sacrifice that for dollars?

Stretch told the Courant the English department at SCSU is down a third since she has been there.

There are a lot of people in our department that dont know if they are going to have a job in the fall, she said.

She also spoke to the reduction in part-time faculty in her department, explaining that 20 years ago they had 80 teaching composition. That number is now down by half to 40.

There is nothing else to cut without making significant impacts on things like class sizes, she said.

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What I am concerned about is the Board of Regents does not seem to have a plan or a vision on how to get the reserves and make it possible for us to do the important work we have been doing and continue to do. Give us the resources to meet the needs of the students.

She said students do not want large class sizes.

They dont want that experience, she said. They want faculty members that know their names.

Fiona Pearson, CCSU sociology professor and chair, said in 2017 the department had a budget of $13,000. Now they are operating on $6,000. They are now expected to do more with less, she explained, with enrollment increasing and full-time faculty dropping in the department from 11 to nine. The department has doubled its part-time faculty, she said.
DENVER (KDVR)  The University of Colorado Boulder introduced Ann Huff Stevens on Thursday as its new provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective July 15.

CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz announced Stevens appointment after what the school says was a national search to replace the outgoing Russell Moore, who revealed he was stepping down as provost after 15 years last fall.

NFL rookie Travis Hunter ties the knot with a viral wedding gift

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Dr. Stevens background and accomplishments in public higher education during the past two decades present an extraordinary fit for the role of provost at CU Boulder, Schwartz said in a statement.

Stevens is currently serving as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin. The new CU Boulder provost received a doctorate in economics from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree in economics and political science from American University.

I couldnt be more honored to step into this role as provost and contribute to the future of CU Boulder, Stevens said in a statement. My research career as an economist has been driven by my belief that research contributes to the public good.

CEO pay rose nearly 10% in 2024 as stock prices and profits soared

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Stevens research interests include the incidence and long-term effects of job loss, connections between economic shocks and health and poverty and safety net dynamics, according to the university, which said support from grants and citations for her research puts her in the top 4% of economists worldwide.

My work in interdisciplinary settings and as dean has exposed me to a large span of academic disciplines, and I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students who contribute to an even broader range of academic inquiry, learning and excellence at CU Boulder, Stevens said.

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ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA)  CVS Health has filed a federal lawsuit against a new Arkansas law that it says unfairly targets out-of-state pharmacies and breaks several parts of the U.S. Constitution.

The law, called House Bill 1150 (HB 1150), was signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year and will start on January 1, 2026. It aims to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and stops pharmacies connected to PBMs from operating in Arkansas.

In the suit, CVS said the law is engineered to protect local pharmacy interests from competition with out-of-state pharmacies like itself. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, says HB 1150 basically bans most PBM-affiliated pharmacies, including CVS, from selling prescription drugs in Arkansas.

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PBMs act as middlemen between insurance companies, drug makers and pharmacies. They negotiate drug prices and manage pharmacy benefits for health plans.

Some big pharmacy chains, like CVS, have their own PBMs or work with them. HB 1150 only allows pharmacies connected to PBMs to operate in Arkansas if the PBM serves only its own employees health plan  a rule that mainly benefits Walmart, the states biggest employer, CVS claims in the suit.

Gov. Sanders signs bill that prevents pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies

CVS also claims the law breaks the Dormant Commerce Clause because it discriminates against out-of-state businesses, the Equal Protection Clause because it treats similar businesses unfairly and the Supremacy Clause because it conflicts with federal laws like ERISA and Medicare rules.

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CVS says if the law takes effect, it will have to close its 23 stores in Arkansas and stop its mail-order and specialty pharmacy services used by tens of thousands of Arkansans.

HB-1150-Complaint-5-29-2025Download

The full lawsuit can be viewed above.

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At the British militarys cyber headquarters in Wiltshire there is one critical task on everyones minds: ensuring the safety of Carrier Strike Group 2025.

This week, HMS Prince of Wales transits through the Bab-el-Mandeb in the Red Sea  the most perilous passage it will undertake on its eight-month mission. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, is all too aware of the dangers facing the 3 billion aircraft carrier and its group of support vessels.

The area has suffered sustained Houthi attacks for over a year with the Royal Navy actively involved.

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Meeting members of the Royal Navy, who are based at MoD Corsham, the UKs military cyber HQ, Mr Healey spoke with personnel who are monitoring Operation Highmast, as it is known, around the clock to ensure its safety.

In a room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that overlook huge digital boards covered with information pertaining to the movements of the strike group (CSG), Mr Healey asked those gathered: What preparations did you do to make sure they were secure before going into this area?

John Healey, right, was keen to know the centres plans to keep the fleet safe as it heads into waters targeted by the Houthis - Rosie Hallam

It was explained they had gameplanned situations to ensure they felt confident with a number of scenarios should the group encounter any trouble with the Iranian-backed Houthis.

Mr Healey took his hat off to their efforts, saying work in the cyber field was all the more important because we dont see it.

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We have to protect CSG in the next few days, Mr Healey told one sailor.

It will be a really dangerous high-risk passage, he said, adding that he was aware the 2,100 British military personnel involved in the mission were being digitally protected.

One important element of this is keeping an eye on phishing campaigns, which can happen at sea because personnel are connected to the internet.

When asked by The Telegraph if he was concerned about the threats CSG might encounter, Mr Healey said: The Carrier Strike Group is in a high risk area. We know that, they know that, they are fully trained for that and they are as well prepared and well protected as they can be, physically, militarily and digitally and in cyber.

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A senior defence source involved in operations at MoD Corsham warned: Houthis are well resourced by Iranians. They have offensive cyber capability.

When CSG set sail for the Indo-Pacific from Portsmouth last month, Commodore James Blackmore, in charge of the group, told The Telegraph he was ready to undertake any route required and would engage in active combat in the Red Sea if required.

Thats what a Carrier Strike Group does, that focus on that middle word, strike, he said.

The strike fleet is on an eight-month mission - Marina Militare

I know Ive got to transit through the Red Sea. Im acutely aware of the dynamics that are associated with the Red Sea at the moment. I am always prepared and ready to not only defend myself but also any stage in this deployment if I am asked to undertake combat operations, I am absolutely ready.

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From a practical point of view, those working at MoD Corsham are also on-call to help if something goes wrong. If something breaks down on the ship, we get notified and fix it here, one naval officer said.

On the walls on either side of the digital boards mapping the strike groups movements, clocks dedicated to telling the time of Op Highmast tick away.

Men and women in dark blue Navy uniforms circulate the floor, but there are also many in civilian clothing, some sipping Monster energy drinks as they hunch over computers  staff no doubt brought in for their cyber expertise, something the MoD is actively recruiting for.

Earlier this year, the MoD announced that military recruits will be fast-tracked into specialist roles to tackle the growing cyber threat to the UK through the Cyber Direct Entry programme.

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They were told that not only would starting salaries begin over 40,000, with potential for up to 25,000 in additional skills pay, but that there was no requirement to serve in dangerous environments or handle weapons.

The days when all British military personnel were hyper-fit and able to handle weapons are being left behind as cyber dominates the landscape.

As part of the highly anticipated Strategic Defence Review, which will be published on Monday, the digital realm will be put front and centre as the MoD seeks to explain how defence will look over the next decade.

A senior defence source from MoD Corsham explained the importance of developing AI systems for the front line. He stressed they would not seek to replace traditional weapons systems such as tanks and aircraft, but complement them.

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At the moment we put people into places without all the information which would give them the greatest advantage on the battlefield, he said.

Our approach around cyber will make sure all of them are fully integrated with wider operations. Its not about cyber winning the war. Its how cyber is a multiplier in the other domains.

The passage of Britains flagship carrier will be a crucial test in Britains ability to compete on the battlefield of the future.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State Universitys School of Criminal Justice will host a conference themed Thinking Globally to Respond Locally to Cybercrime this Friday, May 30th.

Experts from around the globe will participate in deliberating the rise of cybercrime and cybersecurity.

Topics for the event will include forensic research techniques, ransomware, the dark web, cryptocurrencies, and threats from hackers.

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Professor Tom Holt of MSUs School of Criminal Justice notes that no age group is immune to the threat of cybercrime, saying its common across the board and sex-tortion has become a really prominent issue in the last few years, especially affecting minors.

The conference takes place at the Henry Center and will last all day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

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ZAGREB, May 29 (Xinhua) -- More than two years after Croatia adopted the euro as its official currency, over 4 billion kuna remain in circulation, the Croatian National Bank told local media on Thursday.

"There is still more than four billion kuna in circulation, more than three billion in banknotes and more than a billion in coins," Damir Bicanic from the Cash Sector of the Croatian National Bank said in an interview with the Croatian Radiotelevision.

Bicanic urged kuna holders to exchange them for euros.

"If you have kuna banknotes or coins, you can still exchange them without any fee at the Croatian National Bank," Bicanic said, noting that kuna banknotes will be able to be exchanged permanently, with a deadline for kuna coins.

"This is the last year in which coins can be exchanged without a fee. The deadline is Dec. 31 this year," he said.

Bicanic said that in addition to exchanging kuna at the Croatian National Bank in person, exchange is also possible by mail, but with a limit of 15,000 kuna.

Croatia joined the eurozone on Jan. 1, 2023, and in order to help residents adapt to the use of the euro, the Croatian government introduced two weeks of dual circulation of both currencies from Jan. 1 to midnight of Jan. 14, when the kuna ceased circulation.

Croatian media have reported that Croatians are still holding a large number of kuna for commemorative reasons. 
A Prague court has handed a suspended sentence to teacher Martina Bednarova for denying Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Source: Czech news agency CTK, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Bednarova brought up the topic of Ukraine during a lesson for eighth-grade pupils in early April 2022. She told the pupils that Russias actions were a justified way to resolve the situation and claimed that "nothing was happening" in Kyiv.

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When the pupils pointed out they had seen footage of Kyiv being attacked on Czech television news, Bednarova replied that public television was biased. She also said that, in her opinion, Ukrainian "Nazi groups in Donbas" had been "systematically destroying Russians" since 2014.

The District Court for Prague 6 heard her case for the third time. She had previously been acquitted twice, with the second verdict upheld by an appellate court. However, in January, the Czech Supreme Court overturned the rulings and ordered a retrial.

The prosecutors office requested a suspended sentence and a five-year ban on working in education or any role involving children for the now dismissed Bednarova.

Bednarovas supporters cited freedom of speech and stressed the need for "tolerance of differing opinions", noting that some of the views she expressed have also been voiced by politicians such as Donald Trump.

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In the end, Bednarova was found guilty of violating education law, internal school regulations and the labour code. She was sentenced to seven months of a suspended sentence with a probation period of 20 months.

Bednarova was also banned from teaching for three years and must complete a media literacy training course.

The verdict is not final. Bednarova, who is running for the Chamber of Deputies in the upcoming elections on the Prague list of the Czech communist movement Stacilo!, called the court ruling political.

She also claimed that "Russians were tortured" in Ukraine, the mass killing in the town of Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, had not yet been investigated, and that the media is misinforming the public about the war.

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In Brockton District Court, 32-year-old David Mosley Lott appears before a judge for a Dangerousness hearing.

He is the latest person arrested in a brutal double murder that killed two teenagers near Brocktons Westgate Mall in March.

The prime suspect in the case, 22-year-old Davinci Leonard, is still on the run.

Prosecutors allege that days after the murders, Mosley-Lott helped Leonard by picking him up in Boston and driving to his Quincy home, where he let Leonard stay the night.

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They also allege he encouraged a woman with Leonard to get rid of her cellphone so she could not be tracked.

A judge found Mosley-Lott Dangerous and ordered him held without

David Mosley-Lott

Im just relieved they are holding him, Caitlin Alvarez told me.

She is the mother of murder victim Cevannah Alvarez.

Cevannah was just 18 years old and out with her friends when she was shot and killed.

Davinci is still out there. Thats who we really need. But Im glad anybody involved is getting held and held responsible, Alvarez said. He took my daughter. Hes taken two innocent lives, they didnt deserve this.

Davinci Leonard is now one of the states most wanted fugitives.

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Plymouth District Attorney Tim Cruz is urging Leonard to surrender.

They will get this guy eventually. And thats why I say to Davinci Leonard, turn yourself in. Its the way to go right now to make sure nobody else gets hurt, Cruz said. Lets get some justice for these two poor kids who were murdered on a night that should have been fun.Hes

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ST. LOUIS  In tornado-damaged areas of the City of St. Louis, some residents are still looking for help boarding up windows and tarping roofs.

Theres still a lot of cleaning up that needs to be done, said Lawrence Spriggs.

The construction worker was boarding up broken windows of a dry-cleaning business on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive on Wednesday.

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Local construction companiesteaming up to remove debris in the hardest-hit neighborhoodshave been a major source of help.

Almost every company in our city has come to the table to help, said Rick Moeckel, Clayco executive vice president.

There is still a lot of work to do but were on the way, said Terry Howard, a St. Louis resident.

Howard said witnessing neighbors, volunteers and strangers removing debris from his neighborhood has been inspiring.

The City of St. Louis continues to post updated information about ways to help with tornado relief efforts.

More information about ways to volunteer can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A D.C. man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges in connection with a nearly $500,000 mail fraud scheme, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia.

Dajuan Taylor, 24, was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud.

Montgomery County student who wrote school shooting manifesto sentenced to year in prison

According to court documents, between July 2018 and November 2021, Taylor participated in a conspiracy with multiple other people to steal, alter, and fraudulently negotiate 53 checks.

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The USAO states Taylor and the conspirators attempted to steal $497,766.80 through social media platforms, such as Instagram, to convince victims to give them their account information.

The conspirators then used the victims bank accounts to negotiate stolen checks and used the information from the fraudulent transactions to recruit more people.

Court documents add that some participants knew about the scheme while others were not aware.

The USAO states Taylor faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for each count. He is set to be sentenced on Tuesday, September 2, at 11:30 a.m.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified a woman who was killed in a shooting on Tuesday.

Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting at 12:41 p.m. on May 27, in the 2300 block of Pitts Place, SE, where Tequila Parker, 32, was found unconscious and not breathing and suffering from a gunshot wound.

Capital Jewish Museum to reopen one week after deadly double shooting

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Despite lifesaving measures by DC Fire and EMS, Parker was pronounced dead.

During a press conference on Tuesday, MPD Chief Pamela Smith said the woman and a neighbor had been involved in an ongoing dispute, which escalated on Tuesday when a fight broke out.

Shortly before the shooting, a man and woman chased her down the street. Thats when Smith said the man shot and killed her.

The shooting remains under investigation, and anyone with knowledge of the incident is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text the Departments tip line at 50411.

MPD currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating reports of multiple assaults involving inmates Tuesday at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

An estimated 10 inmates were injured and no staff were injured, a news release from the Attorney Generals Office said.

The assaults happened at the same time in different sections of the Jameson Annex. They were reported at about 1 p.m.

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Evidence suggests the assaults were gang related, Attorney General Marty Jackley said in the news release.

Five inmates received stab wounds. Three were transported to Sioux Falls hospitals, and the other two were treated inside the prison. Additional inmates were injured from assaults involving homemade blunt objects, and others with fists and feet.

DCI is working with the South Dakota Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General on the investigation. All reports will be reviewed by the Attorney Generals Office for potential criminal prosecution, the news release said.

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Police in New York were stunned to find what appeared to be the body of a missing fugitive in a homeowner's pool during Memorial Day weekend.

According to WABC News, a veteran detective in Suffolk County found the dead body of a man floating his pool on Sunday, May 25. The detective was opening his pool for the summer season when he made the discovery, calling 911.

In a press conference, Suffolk County police commissioner Kevin Catalina said the body is believed to be 23-year-old Matthew Zoll. Zoll has been wanted since November 2024 for allegedly killing his father.

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"We are currently waiting for a DNA analysis to confirm that, but, you know, based again on all of the ancillary evidence that we were able to uncover, we are investigating that strong possibility," Catalina said, according to CBS.

Police noted that Zoll was schizophrenic and had allegedly fatally stabbed his father Joseph Zoll, who was 61. The alleged stabbing took place at the Zoll residence in Rocky Point.

After stabbing his father to death, police say Zoll took an SUV and crashed close to the home in East Shoreham where he was found. After the crash, police say a badly hurt Zoll disappeared for months.

According to ABC 7 New York, the home and pool the body was found in belong to a member of the same task force that was searching for Zoll after the alleged stabbing several months prior.

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The detective who found the body opened the cover to his pool with his son.

"It was a Loop-Loc cover, but it appears that one of the portions of the Loop-Loc was undone, and somehow the body became secreted under that portion of the pool cover," Catalina said, explaining how the body got into the pool.

"I dont know why somebody would try to get under the cover. Its not a smart thing to do," neighbor Paul Gawreluk told WNBC.

The commissioner also stated that no signs of foul play were spotted in or around the home of the detective.

Police have yet to confirm that the body belongs to Zoll, and are awaiting definitive results after DNA testing.

Dead Body Found in Man's Pool Could Be Missing Fugitive first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
WASHINGTON, Mo.  A man was beaten to death and a woman was injured during a physical assault earlier this week in Washington, Missouri, police say. A suspect has since been arrested and charged with murder.

The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged William Jerald Vedenhaupt, 43, of Washington, Missouri, with second-degree murder and second-degree domestic assault.

The Washington Police Department reports via a news release that a 71-year-old man was killed and a 50-year-old woman was hurt in an assault Tuesday in the 400 block of Walnut Street.

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Sheriffs Dept. turns over findings in daycare death to Prosecuting Attorneys Office

When officers arrived to the scene, they found the man deceased inside the home and a woman with visible facial injuries. The woman provided information to officers that helped police identify Vedenhaupt as a suspect.

Police later found Vedenhaupt hiding in a storage building the 300 block of West 5th Street. He was taken into custody and is currently being held without bond at the Franklin County Detention Center.

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Investigators determined that Vedenahupt was known to both victims. The Washington Police Department reports that a motive has been established, but has withheld such information at this time.

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Authorities later determined that the 71-year-old man died as a result of the assault.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews suspects deportation fears might have contributed to a delayed emergency call for a 6-month-old baby who died around Easter.

Moews learned about the death of the child April 12 and planned a town hall meeting for May 21 at Community Church in La Vergne to communicate with the city's Hispanic population about emergency services.

"Nobody wants another dead 6-month-old baby," said Moews, a second-year chief. "Were here to help people."

Chief Christopher Moews

The child's death and planning for the town hall happened about three weeks prior to reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs agents had arrived in Rutherford County to apprehend people for possible deportation, Moews said.

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The baby's death remains under investigation and involved a male caretaker who noticed the child was not breathing and didn't call 911 for help. The caretaker's girlfriend arrived and did call 911, Moews said.

The male caretaker "was in the country illegally," Moews said.

Immigration issues: ICE says nearly 200 immigrants arrested in Nashville during recent operations

About 30 people attend town hall meeting

Commuters pass Community Church La Vergne May 27, 2025, on Old Nashville Highway.

Moews urged residents during the recent town hall to not be fearful to call 911 if faced with an emergency no matter their immigration status.

"We are trying to encourage people to call the police and not be afraid," Moews told The Daily News Journal May 27.

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About 30 people attended the town hall at Community Church on Old Nashville Highway in La Vergne, Moews said. The church sign touts worship services in English, Creole, Spanish, Nigerian and Arabic.

The chief said the turnout might have been stronger had there not been recent reports about ICE agents being in Rutherford County.

New law enforcement leadership: La Vergne offers police chief job to Milwaukee police Capt. Christopher Moews

Commissioner upset by ICE operations: 'I think its just domestic terrorism'

Among those who attended the town hall for people concerned with ICE operations is Rutherford County Commissioner Hope Oliver, D-La Vergne.

"Its sad," Oliver told The Daily News Journal May 27.

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"Thats whats going on under the current administration. I think its just domestic terrorism."

Oliver represents District 1 in north La Vergne and is one of two elected Democrats on the 21-member county commission that also includes 16 Republicans and three independents.

Hope Oliver

2022 election results: 21-member Rutherford County Commission will see new faces with 9 elected officials

ICE detains people in Murfreesboro in early May

Tennessee Department of Correction spokeswoman Sarah Gallagher confirmed to The Daily News Journal May 8 that ICE agents apprehended people in Rutherford.

"In a coordinated effort to increase public safety, 14 individuals were detained by ICE agents at TDOCs Probation/Parole Office in Murfreesboro this week," Gallagher said. "TDOC will continue to uphold the law, and partner with state and federal agencies to support ICE operations as needed."

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The town hall event in La Vergne also followed ICE operations conducted May 2-10 in Nashville that resulted in nearly 200 arrests during a joint operation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE.

ICE officials have not confirmed if any of those arrested during the May THP stops come from cities outside of Nashville.

May 7 report on raids: Nashville ICE agency says 84 arrested since May 3 in operation with THP

La Vergne police not teaming with ICE

In a May 9 social media post, the La Vergne Police Department said it did not participate with law enforcement on immigration enforcement.

"While we did become aware today that other agencies have been conducting enforcement operations within city limits, we have not been contacted or included in those efforts," the department said in a statement on Facebook.

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"We remain committed to transparency, community trust, and serving all residents of La Vergne with fairness and professionalism. If you have questions or concerns, please dont hesitate to reach out."

ICE operation in Nashville: Traffic stops with THP lead to arrests. Here's what to know

Police 'stuck in the middle'

Moews told the town hall audience that the city's police force is not partnering with ICE on apprehending people unlawfully present.

The La Vergne police force, however, will follow Tennessee law and notify ICE if officers learn about any immigrants in the city without legal status to be in the country, Moews said.

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"Were stuck in the middle," Moews said. "We have to provide service to the whole community, but we have to abide in the law."

Officers making traffic stops for speeding do not typically ask for immigration status, said Moews, who has served in law enforcement since 1994 in Wisconsin for most of his career before accepting his chief position in La Vergne in August 2023.

"I have personally done thousands of traffic stops, and I cant recall a single one where I asked about someones immigration status," Moews said.

UPDATE: Detectives seek witness of shooting death of man in car on I-24 near Waldron Road

Mayor backs chief's position: 'We enforce the law'

La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole also attended the town hall.

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"You had people there who were concerned about themselves or their neighbors, and you had people there who were actually trying to find out what the actual letter of the law is," Cole told The Daily News Journal May 27.

"Chief Moews put it simply. We enforce the law."

Jason Cole

Cole promised to attend the town hall provided that his flight home would arrive on time after promoting his city to businesses at the International Council of Shopping Centers event at the Las Vegas Convention Center May 18-20.

"Im supportive of listening to our residents and responding appropriately," Cole said.

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"The residents of La Vergne put me and the rest of the (La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen in elected office) to listen to them. To not listen or respond accordingly, would be a betrayal of their trust."

Mayor Cole also said he's never been asked about his status as a lawful citizen whenever he's been pulled over by police.

Election 2018: La Vergne Alderman Jason Cole tops incumbent Dennis Waldron in mayor's race

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

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Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: La Vergne community fears baby's death lead to immigration concerns
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Humanity has never ceased its efforts to explore the mysterious universe. As the Tianwen-2 probe embarks on its decade-long exploration journey, China is poised to contribute to understanding the formation and evolution of small celestial bodies and the solar system.

Tianwen-2 was launched on Thursday, aiming to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid 2016HO3 and explore the main-belt comet 311P. This marks another significant milestone for China's space exploration programs, which have achieved multiple major breakthroughs in recent years.

The newly-launched probe marks the country's first asteroid sampling mission. The mission is expected to yield groundbreaking discoveries and expand humanity's understanding of the cosmos.

The target asteroid, 2016HO3, is located far away and has low gravity, coupled with numerous unknowns, making the mission very demanding. China's scientists and engineers have demonstrated remarkable courage and innovation in designing the mission.

Why do asteroids long captivate human curiosity? Exploring small celestial bodies is at the forefront, and a key area of focus, in space exploration. Scientists believe that they are like "time capsules," preserving pristine materials from billions of years ago. Studying samples from missions like Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx sheds light on the origins of water and organic matter on Earth, potentially offering insights into the origins of life.

After Tianwen-2 finishes asteroid sampling, it will start the voyage to explore 311P, a celestial anomaly that orbits in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists hope the exploration may help them unravel the mysteries surrounding the nature and origin of this main-belt comet.

Aside from advancing science, the mission will push the boundaries of space exploration technologically, enhancing navigation and deep-space operations.

In 2012, the country's Chang'e-2 lunar probe, after completing its mission, rendezvoused with the asteroid Toutatis at a distance of 770 meters and took high-resolution images that later provided several discoveries.

In 2020, China launched the first probe of its Tianwen series of missions, which entered Mars' orbit and landed the Zhurong rover on the red planet in 2021. The mission has significantly advanced humanity's understanding of Mars' geology, environment and evolution, with the detection of hydrated minerals as new evidence of past water activity.

The country plans to launch the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission around 2028, with the primary scientific goal of searching for signs of life.

China names all its interplanetary missions "Tianwen", symbolizing the nation's eternal pursuit of truth and ardent desire for exploration and innovation. The missions demonstrate a steady and step-by-step approach to expanding the frontiers of human knowledge about the universe, providing a solid foundation for further exploration.

Though a latecomer to interplanetary exploration, China has demonstrated its commitment to building a community with a shared future in outer space alongside other nations. The country is now seeking payload proposals for the Tianwen-3 mission and has invited global partners to participate.

China has advocated the use of outer space for peaceful purposes to benefit humanity. Both its Tiangong space station and lunar exploration programs have yielded fruitful scientific achievements and significantly promoted international cooperation.

Outer space is a domain shared by humanity, and space exploration is a common cause for humanity. It is certain that the future achievements China makes in Tianwen missions and other exploration efforts will continue to boost the deep understanding of the universe while serving the well-being of humanity. 
This post first appeared at ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

American diplomats in at least two countries have recently delivered internal reports to Washington that reflect a grim new reality taking hold abroad: The Trump administrations sudden withdrawal of foreign aid is bringing about the violence and chaos that many had warned would come.

The vacuum left after the U.S. abandoned its humanitarian commitments has destabilized some of the most fragile locations in the world and thrown refugee camps further into unrest, according to State Department correspondence and notes obtained by ProPublica.

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The assessments are not just predictions about the future but detailed accounts of what has already occurred, making them among the first such reports from inside the Trump administration to surface publicly  though experts suspect they will not be the last. The diplomats warned in their correspondence that stopping aid may undermine efforts to combat terrorism.

In the southeastern African country of Malawi, U.S. funding cuts to the United Nations World Food Programme have yielded a sharp increase in criminality, sexual violence, and instances of human trafficking within a large refugee camp, U.S. embassy officials told the State Department in late April. The worlds largest humanitarian food provider, the WFP projects a 40% decrease in funding compared to last year and has been forced to reduce food rations in Malawis sprawling Dzaleka refugee camp by a third.

To the north, the U.S. embassy in Kenya reported that news of funding cuts to refugee camps food programs led to violent demonstrations, according to a previously unreported cable from early May. During one protest, police responded with gunfire and wounded four people. Refugees have also died at food distribution centers, the officials wrote in the cable, including a pregnant woman who died under a stampede. Aid workers said they expected more people to get hurt as vulnerable households become increasingly desperate.

It is devastating, but its not surprising, Eric Schwartz, a former State Department assistant secretary and member of the National Security Council during Democratic administrations, told ProPublica. Its all what people in the national security community have predicted.

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I struggle for adjectives to adequately describe the horror that this administration has visited on the world, Schwartz added. It keeps me up at night.

In response to a detailed list of questions, a State Department spokesperson said in an email: It is grossly misleading to blame unrest and violence around the world on America. No one can reasonably expect the United States to be equipped to feed every person on earth or be responsible for providing medication for every living human.

The spokesperson also said that an overwhelming majority of the WFP programs that the Trump administration inherited, including those in Malawi and Kenya, are still active.

But the U.S. funds the WFP on a yearly basis. For 2025, the Trump administration so far hasnt approved any money in either country, forcing the organization to drastically slash food programs.

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In Kenya, for example, the WFP will cut its rations in June down to 28%  or less than 600 calories a day per person  a low never seen before, the WFPs Kenya country director Lauren Landis told ProPublica. The WFPs standard minimum for adults is 2,100 calories per day.

We are living off the fumes of what was delivered in late 2024 or early 2025, Landis said. On a recent visit to a facility treating malnourished children younger than 5, she said she saw kids who were walking skeletons like I havent seen in a decade.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has pledged to restore safety and security around the world. At the same time, his administration, working alongside Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, swiftly dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, canceling thousands of government-funded foreign aid programs they considered wasteful. More than 80% of USAIDs operations were terminated, which crippled lifesaving humanitarian efforts around the world.

Musk, who did not respond to a request for comment, has said that DOGEs cuts to humanitarian aid have targeted fraudulent payments to organizations but are not contributing to widespread deaths. Show us any evidence whatsoever that that is true, he said recently. Its false.

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For decades, American administrations run by both parties saw humanitarian diplomacy, or soft power, as a cost-effective measure to help stabilize volatile but strategically important regions and provide basic needs for people who might otherwise turn to international adversaries. Those investments, experts say, help prevent regional conflict and war that may embroil the U.S. If you dont fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition, Jim Mattis, who was defense secretary during Trumps first administration, told Congress in 2013 when he led U.S. Central Command.

Food insecurity has long been closely linked with regional turmoil. But despite promises from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that lifesaving operations would continue amid widespread cuts to foreign aid, the Trump administration has terminated funding to WFP for several countries. Nearly 50% of the WFPs budget came from the U.S. in 2024.

Since February, U.S. officials throughout the developing world have issued urgent warnings forecasting that the Trump administrations decision to suddenly cut off help to desperate populations could exacerbate humanitarian crises and threaten U.S. national security interests, records show. In one cable, diplomats in the Middle East communicated concerns that stopping aid could empower groups like the Taliban and undermine efforts to address terrorism, the narcotics trade and illegal immigration. The shift may also significantly de-stabilize the transitioning region and only serve to benefit ISIS standing, officials warned in other correspondence. It could put US troops in the region at risk.

Embassies in Africa have delivered similar messages. We are deeply concerned that suddenly discontinuing all USAID counter terrorism-focused stabilization and humanitarian programs in Somalia  will immediately and negatively affect U.S. national security interests, the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia, wrote in February. USAIDs role in helping the military prevent newly liberated territory  purchased at a high cost of blood and treasure  from getting back into the hands of terrorists is indisputable, and irreplaceable, the officials added.

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The embassy in Nigeria described how stop-work orders had caused lapses in oversight that put U.S. resources at risk of being diverted to criminal or terrorist groups. (A February whistleblower complaint alleged USAID-purchased computers were stolen from health centers there.) And U.S. officials said the Kenyan government faces an impending humanitarian crisis for over 730,000 refugees without additional resources, as local officials struggle to confront al-Shabaab, a major terrorist threat in the region, while also maintaining security inside the countrys refugee camps.

In early April, Jeremy Lewin  an attorney in his late 20s with no prior government experience who is currently in charge of the State Departments Office of Foreign Assistance and running USAID operations  ordered the end of WFP grants altogether in more than a dozen countries. (Amid outcry, he later reinstated a few of them.) The State Department spokesperson said the agency was responding on Lewins behalf.

In Kenya, the WFP expects a malnutrition crisis after rations are cut to a fourth of the standard minimum, Landis said. She is also concerned about the security of her staff, who already travel with police escorts, given the likelihood that there will be more protests and that al-Shabaab might make further incursions into the camps.

In order for the U.S. to deliver its usual food aid to Kenya by the end of the year, it needed to be put on a boat already, Landis said. That has not happened.

A nurse evaluates a child for malnourishment at a WFP-supported health clinic in Turkana County, Kenya, in April 2025. Credit:Courtesy of World Food Program/Kevin Gitonga

In recent days, South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia have begged a visiting government delegation from the U.S. not to cut food rations any further, according to a cable documenting the visit. Aid workers in another group of camps in North Africa reported that they expect to run out of funding by the end of May for a program that fights malnutrition for 8,600 pregnant and nursing mothers.

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Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Malawi has been a relative beacon of stability in a region thats seen numerous civil wars and unrest in recent decades. Yet in early March, officials there warned Washington counterparts that cuts to the more than $300 million USAID planned to provide to the country in aid a year would dramatically increase the effects of the worsening economy already in motion.

At the time, 10 employees from a USAID-funded nonprofit had recently shown up unannounced at USAIDs offices in the capital Lilongwe asking for their unpaid wages after the U.S. froze funding. The group left without incident, and its unclear if they were paid, but officials reported that they expected countries around the world would face similar issues and were closely monitoring for increased risks to the safety and security of Embassy personnel. (Former employees at another nonprofit in a nearby country also raided their organization out of desperation for not being paid, according to State Department records.)

An hours drive from the nations capital, Dzaleka is a former prison that was transformed into a refugee camp in the 1990s to house people fleeing war in neighboring Mozambique. In the decades since, it has ballooned, filling with people running from conflicts in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. The camp, which was built to hold around 10,000, is now home to more than 55,000 people.

Iradukunda Devota, a refugee from Burundi, came to Malawi when she was 3 and has lived at Dzaleka for 23 years. She now works for Inua Advocacy, which provides legal services and advocates on behalf of refugees in the camp. She said tension is high amid rumors that food and other aid will be cut further. Since 2023, the Malawi government has prohibited refugees from living or working outside the camp, and there has already been an increase in crime and substance abuse after food was cut earlier this year. This is happening because people are hungry, Devota told ProPublica. They have nowhere to turn to.

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Now, the Malawi government is likely to close its borders to refugees in response to the funding crisis and congestion in Dzaleka, the WFPs country representative told the State Department, according to agency records.

Diplomats continue to warn the Trump administration of even worse to come. The WFP expects to suspend food assistance in Dzaleka entirely in July.

The WFP anticipates violent protests, the embassy told State Department officials, which could potentially embroil host communities and refugees, and targeting of UN and WFP offices when the pipeline eventually breaks.

ProPublica plans to continue covering USAID, the State Department and the consequences of ending U.S. foreign aid. We want to hear from you. Reach out via Signal to reporters Brett Murphy at +1 508-523-5195 and Anna Maria Barry-Jester at +1 408-504-8131.
Dear parishioners of St. John the Baptist,

I was deeply saddened to hear of the fire this afternoon at our beloved St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein. While the fire appears to have caused great damage, I am confident that the faith of this community remains strong.

Please know that I am holding each of you in prayer during this time of sorrow and loss. I will remain united with you in prayer in the coming days, months and beyond.

May Christ, our light in every darkness, bring each of you comfort, strength and peace.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After consulting their attorney in a closed executive session, Waldport City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday, reinstating Mayor Heide Lambert after she was expelled amid complaints she created a hostile work environment.

The resolution comes after Mayor Lambert challenged the decision, leading Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart to order the mayors reinstatement.

Unacceptable and aggressive behavior

The mayors removal and reinstatement stems from letters sent by two City of Waldport employees on March 27, alerting City Council of unacceptable and aggressive behavior from the mayor two days earlier when the mayor visited City Hall to get her mail.

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Mayor Lambert was clutching a small stack of envelopes, demanding to know why the letters had not been scanned to her and council, one employee wrote. I greeted Mayor Lambert, asking how I might help. She, obviously frustrated and with an accusatory tone, commanded to know why the letter scans had not been sent to her, as they were addressed to her. I let her know that the letters had, in fact, been scanned and sent to (City Manager Dann Cutter) and that their delivery would come from either Dann or (another City Hall staffer). As that is their role.

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She continued, in a confrontational manner, by insisting the letters be scanned to her and stated that all these letters are complaints against Dann, as she clasped the letters, shaking them at us in emphasis. How she could possibly be aware of the contents of the letters without having read them is beyond me, the letter continued.

During a pause in her relentless onslaught, I let Mayor Lambert know that since none of our answers would satisfy her, we should end this conversation, and she should speak with Dann. She, of course, had the last word saying, I wont be speaking with Dann. I will be speaking with legal counsel, the letter claimed.

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Im not easily intimidated, the letter continues, but Mayor Lamberts behavior was not only out of line but was also in violation of city charter.

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In response to the complaints, the mayor sent a letter to City Council, explaining, I have read both letters and feel concerned that my statements and demeanor, though

misinterpreted, might have contributed to feelings of unease, and I apologize for not

realizing this at the time.

The mayor continued, While I want to be accountable for anything I may have said or done that caused either of these employees to feel uncomfortable or Intimidated, I am baffled by the allegations and do not believe I was aggressive. Nor do I think I violated the city charter.

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Lambert explained that a community member had previously approached her at a supermarket and informed her that he submitted a complaint about Cutter. Before the City Hall incident, the mayor said she was advised to speak to CityCounty Insurance Services  claiming she was advised by CIS Attorney Ross (Davis) to pick up her mail and ask the county clerk to scan the letters and send them to council and the city attorney.

However, Davis claimed, I have read Ms. Lamberts 4/1 email. First, I am not an attorney and never claimed to be. Second, I did not advise her in anyway as she describes. She brought up the

complaint and I advised to follow whatever City protocols there are for complaints against any employee by a citizen.

In a unanimous vote on April 3, City Council expelled the mayor, citing a violation of the city charter, which states no member of the council shall directly or indirectly attempt to direct a city officer or employee in the performance of their duties.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

Disorderly conduct

One week later, the then-former mayor appeared at an April 10 City Council meeting where she was asked several times by council members to leave, but officials said she refused and hindered the meeting.

Members from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office attempted to remove Lambert peacefully, explaining the legal consequences. Officials said she continued to refuse.

Oregon Coast safari park owner arrested, 44 guns, 80 grams of meth seized

Eventually, Lambert was escorted outside and cited for disorderly conduct before being released, where she was able to return to the meeting and sit in the public seating area. In a memo, Lincoln County District Attorney Jenna Wallace later announced she would not be pursuing charges against Lambert.

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We have never had an elected city official treat staff this way. What may seem like a minor incident is actually a serious legal concern, Waldport City Council previously said. Hostile work environment complaints lead to staff leaving positions, to costly lawsuits against the city, and to a near stop in city operations. In January, each of us, including Mayor Lambert, swore to uphold the Waldport City Charter and the Oregon and United States Constitutions. We take that pledge seriously.

Lambert previously said this is a complicated situation, because community members had written formal complaints to her about the city manager that were labeled confidential.

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I went in to pick it up, and it had already been opened, and it had already been sent to the person that the complaints were about. And that was where I was confused, she said. So, I asked the city clerk to email the council those complaints, and I was told that was not what they were directed to do.

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Lambert hired a lawyer, previously telling KOIN 6 News that she had no interest in suing the city she was elected to lead but was prepared to take this issue to court if its not resolved.

Im fighting for my seat. I have to stick with my voters, and I have to keep running, keep fighting for my seat, Lambert said. I guess if its decided that I can be removed, then Ill have to be reelected.

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Defeat for democracy

In response to Mayor Lamberts reinstatement, Waldport City Manager Dann Cutter raised concerns, telling KOIN 6 News this marks a defeat for democracy.

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The mayor is claiming this is a victory for democracy. Sadly, I think its the exact opposite. It showed that the threat of an expensive lawsuit can be used to silence elected officials from preventing abuse of power and corruption, Cutter said.

The city manager then pointed to an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2023, which names Lambert. The lawsuit was filed by two staffers for the City of Yachats against the City  alleging they experienced discrimination and workplace harassment under several city managers, including Lambert, who was hired as the Yachats city manager in 2022. A spokesperson for the city told KOIN 6 News the city has no comment on the pending litigation.

Two years ago, Ms. Lambert was named in a lawsuit with the city of Yachats, alleging discrimination and the creation of a hostile environment. Yachats is still fighting that lawsuit. Instead, the Waldport Council attempted to stand up for their staff when the same hostile environment was created here. Technicalities of the law were used to threaten the city with hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars to fight over what boils down to an unlawful direction of city staff by an elected official  the very definition of abuse of power. The Council absolutely acted in the citys best interest then, and bravely, did the same last night  knowing that a small town cannot afford the fight, even when right. So, they put it back in the citizens hands to do the right thing, Cutter furthered.

The question is, will they? Will citizens stand up for the staff who work hard to build the city up? Or will they instead support a continuation of the behaviors for which their neighboring city is still paying. Because, after all is said and done, the Mayor never apologized to the employees, Cutter said. She claims she is supporting womens rights  but they are women too who have been subject to harassment and ridicule for daring to stand up against those unlawful actions. Instead, the mayor wants to make this about the City Charter, attempting to hide behind technicalities of process.

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So, no, this is a defeat for democracy and the protections against abuse by those in power  a theme we are seeing playing out nationally as well, Cutter concluded.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to Mayer Lambert and Waldport City Council President Greg Dunn for comment. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Longtime Market Basket CEO Arthur T. Demoulas has been placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation into allegations that hes been considering leading a work stoppage that could upend stores across Massachusetts and New England.

10 years after Summer of Market Basket, longtime workers praise customers for helping save company

The Tewksbury-based grocery chains board of directors informed employees on Wednesday that a law firm would be investigating credible allegations that Demoulas was planning to disrupt operations of the grocery giants 90 locations and over 30,000 workers by planning a work stoppage.

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The board said it believes that Demoulas alleged planned work stoppage was in retaliation against the board for requiring him to work collaboratively with them regarding basic company operations and plans.

At a time of great economic uncertainty for many households, such work stoppages would significantly harm and broadly disrupt Market Baskets stores and operations across New England, as well as its valued customers, associates, and vendors, the Market Basket Board of Directors told Boston 25 in a statement.

Justine Griffin, a spokesperson for Arthur T. Demoulas, said in a statement that the CEO and minority owner of Market Basket was ousted in a hostile takeover by his three sisters and three appointed board members-Jay Hachigian, Steven Collins, and Michael Keyes.

Hachigian assured employees that there would be no changes to their jobs, salaries, or benefits.

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There is no insurgent group, there is no one looking to change pricing, there is no one looking to change employee comp or benefits or profit-sharing, Hachigian told reporters. Everything will remain the same.

Demoulas daughter, Madeline, and son, Telemachus, were among several other Market Basket employees also placed on leave, Griffin said.

Under Mr. Demoulas leadership in December of 2024, the company paid off $1.6 billion in debt that financed the purchase of the company in 2014, Griffin said. The company is currently operating at its peak performance, and the notion that this board is going to conduct an investigation is a farcical cover for a hostile takeover.

Steven J. Collins, Director of Market Basket, added, Market Basket stores provide a place that our local communities consistently count on for both their livelihoods and daily needsthe Board has a responsibility to safeguard the companys effective operations now and well into the future."

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A spokesperson for the board of directors said that Demoulas will continue to be paid his full salary.

While Demoulas is suspended, the board of directors says leadership of the company will fall to the existing management team.

As you know, Market Basket takes great pride in operating with unwavering integrity that aligns with our high standards, treating our professionals with respect, and consistently delivering meaningful value to our customers, the memo reads. Thank you for your commitment to our Market Basket community and our customers.

The board of directors is unsure how long the investigation will take, but noted they have no plans to sell the company.

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Demoulas suspension comes 10 years after he was fired by a board controlled by Arthur S. Demoulas, his cousin and rival. After being sacked, store workers staged a walkout in support of Arthur T. that lasted six weeks.

GF Default - Market Basket employees hold protest at Tewksbury headquarters

To protest, hundreds of warehouse workers and drivers refused to deliver fresh produce, leaving shelves depleted. Not only did the workers stick together, but customers soon followed by boycotting the stores in solidarity.

Customers began to shop elsewhere because they couldnt find fresh food at Market Basket, while others stayed away in a show of support for workers and Arthur T. The usually crowded stores turned into ghost towns, with only a trickle of customers coming in.

After weeks of pressure from suppliers suffering lost revenue, and the governors of Massachusetts and New Hampshire getting involved in work negotiations, the company announced that an agreement had been reached for Arthur T. to pay $1.6 billion for the 50.5 percent share of the company owned by Arthur S. and other family members.

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The Oliver family says more than 40 years of history have been stolen by a group of alleged squatters.

We lost our father on Wednesday, on Thursday, we learned someone has taken over the home that he built with his hands, Lisa Oliver said.

They fought back tears while speaking to Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln. They said the squatters tore off the homes surveillance system around 1 a.m. last Thursday.

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And cut the door knob and lock box off the door, said Lisa.

They say this house holds a lot of meaning because its their childhood home.

Our father was one of the first Black attorneys to have a law firm in DeKalb County, she said.

I wanted to do my last walkthrough, because its the only house Ive ever known, Marlene Oliver-Bruce said.

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DeKalb County records show the property is still in their deceased parents names.

In a DeKalb County incident report taken last Friday, the squatter first told police he owned the home, but changed his story, saying he had a lease under a rental contract. He told police he put down $4,500 for a down payment on a lease.

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The Olivers say that the day they were supposed to close on the home to a new buyer, they learned squatters were already inside.

And when they went to confront the group, the men brandished rifles at their brother Kevin.

That person came to the door with a rifle, which I clearly recognized as an AR-15 rifle, Kevin told Lincoln.

Since moving in, the squatters have taken to social media advertising a large pool party this weekend. Advertisements boast a pool party with food trucks and VIP parking.

Lincoln went by the house, and spoke with the man behind all of the social media posts. When she asked him to show the lease, he would only reference the pool party. He claims the Olivers are not telling the truth and he has a lease, but he declined to show Lincoln the lease.

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We have people calling from Florida, and theyre saying, Hey, we saw your dads house on the internet, Lisa said.

On Thursday afternoon, Channel 2 Action News was the only station there when three sheriffs deputies arrived at the house and spoke with the man behind the social media post.

MORE FROM 2 INVESTIGATES:

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Under the Squatter Reform Act, the Olivers filed a squatters affidavit.

The act was recently passed, allowing law enforcement to cite suspected squatters criminally for trespassing.

A DeKalb County incident report reveals the alleged squatters were cited in this case.

If they have no documentation, theyll be out in three days, said State Rep. Devan Seabaugh, who sponsored the bill.

Under the new law, if the suspected squatter presents a lease, the case goes before a magistrate judge within seven days.

A fake lease adds an extra felony charge.

These are criminals that know exactly what theyre doing, and theyre taking advantage of the loophole that we had in our law. And weve corrected that, Seabaugh said.

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Lincoln learned several of the squatters at this property have criminal records, specifically crimes related to squatting.

The alleged squatters have until Monday to answer to this affidavit. There will be a court day next week on the matter.

In the meantime, the Olivers are calling for their neighbors to call the police this weekend if this party does happen.

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Early voting for two PSC seats began Tuesday with Democratic candidate Daniel Blackmans name on ballots statewide. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has affirmed a judges decision booting a Democratic candidate for the state Public Service Commission from the ballot for the June 17 primary.

Raffenspergers two-page decision released Wednesday agreed with Administrative Court Judge Dominic Capraros ruling that Daniel Blackman did not meet the residency qualifications to run in PSC District 3, which includes Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties.

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According to testimony, Blackman said he rented a home in Fulton County to be closer to his work while his wife and children continued to live in their Forsyth County home. Capraro found and Raffensperger agreed that Blackman was unable to provide evidence that the Fulton County property was his primary domicile.

Blackman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to state law, Blackman has 10 days from Raffenspergers decision to file an appeal with the superior court of Fulton County. The court can affirm the decision or remand it for further proceedings and has the power to reverse or modify the decision if they find Raffensperger erred, violated the law or abused his discretion.

Early voting for two PSC seats began Tuesday with Blackmans name on ballots statewide. If Blackmans ban is permanent, notices will be placed in polling places advising voters of his disqualification, Raffenspergers office said.

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Three other Democrats appear on the District 3 PSC ballot: Keisha Waites, a former Atlanta City Council member and ex-state representative; Peter Hubbard, founder of the clean nonprofit Center for Energy Solutions, and Robert Jones, a former utility executive. The winner will face GOP incumbent Fitz Johnson, who was appointed to the seat by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2021.

Stephens v Blackman Final Decision

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WASHINGTON (WCBD)  Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and former Democratic candidate for South Carolinas First Congressional District, is launching a bid for U.S. Senate to challenge Republican Lindsey Graham.

Andrews made the announcement in a May 29 video that showed several clips of Graham previously criticizing President Donald Trump, only to later change his tune.

Its embarrassing, and South Carolina deserves better, Andrews says in the video.

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Leaning on her medical background, Andrews also used a series of X-rays to demonstrate her disapproval with the Trump administrations health policy and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, whom she called the vaccine-denying, brainworm guy.

She also slammed Graham for voting to confirm various members of Trumps cabinet, including Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Andrews noted in her campaign ad that Graham, seeking his fifth term, has been a senator for half her lifetime, saying he doesnt deserve a free pass back to Washington.

The thing about that is hes changed his view on nearly every single issue over those 22 years because he doesnt really stand for anything, Andrews told News 2 in a May 29 interview following the announcement. He just does what it takes to stay in power.

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Andrews platform is expected to be similar to that of her past congressional run, in which she said, her duty as a pediatrician and mother was to advocate for children and their families. Healthcare costs and so-called corruption will be a central theme, she said, in addition to economic issues.

All of the things I was running for in 2022, those problems have grown bigger for the kids and families in South Carolina, she said.

After losing that race to Republican Nancy Mace in 2022, Andrews stepped away from her position with the Medical University of South Carolina and sought another means to further that goal. She started Their Future. Our Vote, a political action committee aimed at centering political conversations and policymaking around improving the world for future generations.

Nationwide, elected Democrats have also struggled in the early months of the second Trump administration to form a coherent message to counter the administration, but Andrews has a strategy.

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But, Andrews faces an uphill battle in South Carolina, where no Democrat has won a statewide race in decades. Grahams most recent re-election fight in 2020 against Democrat Jaime gained national attention, but Harrison still lost by double-digits despite raking in more than $100 million in fundraising.

I know that Democrats and Republicans alike are tired of this chaos and corruption that we see from career politicians in Washington, D.C., she said. I think voters are desperate for change, and theyre looking for authentic voices and authentic leaders who will actually fight for them, not just for themselves, like we see in Lindsey Graham.

The more effective you are in helping enact President Trumps agenda, the more Democrats want to take you down, Grahams campaign manager, Mark Knoop, retorted in an afternoon statement to News 2.

While Dr. Andrews pushes a radical liberal agenda that is out of touch with South Carolina, Senator Graham has always stood firm for conservative values  cutting taxes, securing the border, protecting the right to life, defending the 2nd Amendment, and confirming conservative judges to protect our freedoms, he continued.

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At least one other Democrat, Greenville engineer Lee Johnson, has also said he plans to run in 2026. Graham has also drawn a Republican primary challenger in Upstate businessman Mark Lynch.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Its an anxious time to be a Democrat.

The party wants to move forward after its excruciating loss to President Trump but keeps getting dragged into the past over revelations about the deteriorating health of former President Biden.

Its strongly united against Trumps big, beautiful bill, but is powerless to stop it in either chamber.

Party leaders are scrambling to attract more young voters, but the controversy surrounding David Hogg at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has threatened to undermine the effort.

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And while Trump has been successful in rallying Republicans behind even his most controversial policies, Democrats are sniping over the liberal identity politics that helped Trump return to office  and has some presidential hopefuls bashing their own party as out of touch.

Rahm Emanuel, a former Illinois congress member whos eyeing a run at the White House in 2028, recently told The Wall Street Journal that the Democratic brand is toxic in the eyes of too many voters, who see the party as weak and woke.

The internal tensions are creating enormous challenges for Democratic leaders, who stress the urgency of winning back the House next year to check Trump, but cant shake divisions over how to confront the brazen president in ways that will resonate with voters to achieve that goal.

Much of the clash is generational, especially in the wake of Bidens last-minute bump from the presidential ticket last year amid mounting concerns about his health, and more recently with the announcement of his cancer diagnosis. The news has rekindled accusations that the party institutionalists did far too little to challenge Bidens candidacy, and its been an unwelcome distraction for Democratic leaders, who want to shift the conversation to Trump  or anything else.

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Were looking forward, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said when asked recently about Bidens health by CNNs Kasie Hunt.

Thats it? Hunt asked.

Thats it, Schumer said.

The Hogg saga is proving another headache for Democrats, who voted the 25-year-old gun reform activist into a top spot at the DNC in February, only to sour on him after he vowed to spend millions of dollars on behalf of young progressive candidates, even if it means challenging Democratic incumbents. A vote on whether to redo Hoggs election is expected in June, sparking new charges from liberal activists who have long argued that party brass is protecting stale traditions at the expense of winning power.

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Theres a reason that the Democrats popularity in Congress is at a historic low. And theres a reason that people are so willing to primary their incumbents from the Democratic establishment, said Usamah Andrabi, spokesperson for the Justice Democrats, a liberal group advocating for a new crop of younger progressives.

The people of this country, particularly Democratic voters, are ready to clean-up shop in this party and unseat this large majority of corporate, do-nothing Democrats to elect real working-class champions who will fight back against Trump and Musks corporate coup with the urgency that this moment demands.

Democratic leaders have dismissed the criticisms.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has repeatedly pointed to a long string of state and local victories secured by Democrats in the months since Trump took office, including resounding wins in districts where Trump won by enormous margins. The list includes state senate victories in Iowa and Pennsylvania; a mayoral win against a MAGA incumbent in Omaha, Neb.; and a state Supreme Court victory in Wisconsin, where Elon Musk had spent more than $20 million only to see the Democrat win by 10 points.

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If thats losing, what does winning look like? Im confused, Jeffries told reporters last week. We have a very clear, quantifiably evident road map as to how Democrats are doing in this country and how Republicans are doing during this Trump era.

Some recent polls offer reason for Democrats to be optimistic. A New York Times/Siena College poll, for instance, found that, on a generic ballot, 47 percent of respondents would vote for the Democrat, while 44 percent would choose the Republican.

Other polls suggest they should be more worried.

A survey conducted last month by SSRS for CNN found that 37 percent of voters approve of how Republicans in Congress are handling their duties this year, while just 27 percent approve of the Democrats performance. And an Economist/YouGov poll conducted last week found that just 36 percent of respondents approve of the Democratic Party, versus 41 percent for the GOP.

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Many Democrats say its a crisis, not of values, but of marketing  especially for a party with no singular national leader at the helm.

Weve got to win back some independents, moderates  weve got to win back working people, and there isnt just one voice thats going to do that, said Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.), whos calling for every Democrat in Congress to step up their public outreach.

I want to see everybody generating content, us sharing that content, and having an apparatus to take on the media ecosystem, because were losing on that front. We know that, she continued. Weve seen the data in terms of the things that are getting shared and going viral. Its overwhelmingly Republican stuff right now.

Other Democrats said that, while public messaging is a huge factor as the party vies to win over the voters it lost to Trump, its not the only one. These voices maintain that Democrats can tap into the same vein of unrest that Trump did, but to do it they have to walk the walk when they return from the trail to Capitol Hill.

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We should set more on economic populism, talking more about the working class, the working poor, to win elections. But then when we get in office, we should do stuff on behalf of those communities, said Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), 28, the youngest member of Congress.

A lot of people are pissed off, and we have to keep talking about it. But it cant be about defending this stuff. We have to talk about where we want to go, he added. I didnt run for Congress just to protect this stuff. I ran for Congress to think about whats the next iteration.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Scoop

Annie Andrews took her shot at Nancy Mace. Now shes setting her sights on Lindsey Graham.

On Thursday, the South Carolina Democrat launched her uphill bid to unseat Graham, the senior US senator from the state, in next years midterms, emphasizing her background as a longtime pediatrician in the Lowcountry and Grahams shifting political positions.

And running against Graham is good business: Jaime Harrison raised $130 million in 2020 and went on to chair the Democratic National Committee. He did, however, end up losing to Graham by 10 points.

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Andrews insists this time will be different.

2026 is going to be a very different year than 2020. Jaime Harrison ran a really strong campaign, but that was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He could not have an effective ground game, and you cant win an election without that, Andrews said in an interview with Semafor on Wednesday. I dont sit out because things are hard.

No doubt, the neophyte politician has a big challenge ahead of her, both in running against Graham and convincing party leaders to assist her. There appear to be far more winnable races across the Senate map than in South Carolina, but Andrews has a leg up simply by virtue of getting in the race so early, leapfrogging the entry of top-tier candidates in places like Iowa and Maine.

She said shes spoken to Democratic leaders in Washington and South Carolina about her bid and that shes confident that by getting in this race now that were going to have the resources we need. Graham already has nearly $16 million in the bank.

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Hes also a close ally of President Donald Trump, who has already endorsed him for reelection. Andrews signaled she plans to weaponize Grahams alliance with Trump against him  a bet that will only work if South Carolina is souring on Trump.

She said the administrations tariff regime is already affecting voters at the states ports and auto plants.

Lindsey Graham has changed. Hes not the same person he was 22 years ago, and hes deeply unpopular and incredibly vulnerable right now, Andrews said.

Know More

Fritz Hollings was the last Democrat to win a South Carolina Senate race, back in 1998, and a Democrat hasnt won the state in a presidential race since 1976. Trump expanded his margin in 2024 over his previous runs. And Andrews was defeated handily by Mace, who represents the states 1st Congressional District, in 2022 by about 14 points.

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Yet despite her states conservative leanings, Andrews doesnt seem like a Joe Manchin-type candidate. Shes open to eliminating the filibuster  even as Senate Democrats wield the tool in the Senate minority. And shes not a hard no on Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader: Im really focused on my race. Im not in Washington yet. When I get there, Ill hear anybody out.

Her launch video focuses on her work treating children and calls Graham full of sh*t after changing his positions on Trump so dramatically over the past decade. Shes also prepared to whack Graham for his votes confirming Trumps Cabinet and his likely vote for the House-passed tax and spending package and its Medicaid cuts. She called Grahams votes for Trumps nominations, particularly Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., deeply distressing.

Despite ending up in a double-digit Graham win, South Carolina was the most expensive non-Georgia Senate race in 2020. If Andrews can raise some money, its easy to see how this one could similarly escalate.

Notable
Earlier this month, an adviser to Democratic donors texted me to ask if I had a copy of Original Sin, the new book from CNNs Jake Tapper and Axios Alex Thompson chronicling former President Joe Bidens decline, its cover-up and his disastrous choice to run again, in the words of the books subtitle.

I told him I didnt have one yet.

I want to know if theres anyone else we should be mad at, the adviser, who requested anonymity to preserve relationships, texted back.

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Even before the arrival of Original Sin, most leading Democrats had landed on a quartet of Biden advisers as clear villains in the tale of Bidens physical, mental and political decline: first lady Jill Biden; Anthony Bernal, one of her top aides who seemingly managed to accumulate power through loyalty, gossip and fashion advice; strategist Mike Donilon; and lobbyist-turned-adviser Steve Ricchetti.

Biden and those four, the Democratic Partys internal narrative goes, created a White House environment where bad news was snuffed out before it could reach the principals ears, enabling an autopilot decision to run an aging and unpopular president for reelection with no backup plan if things went awry.

The result? A revitalized Donald Trump threatening America with the very authoritarianism Bidens initial bid for the presidency was built around stopping, and a Democratic Party left listless and aimless.

For two decades, HuffPost has been fearless, unflinching, and relentless in pursuit of the truth. Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20  we cant do this without you.

All of the above advisers are so closely tied to Biden, whose unpopularity has already rendered him nearly persona non grata when it comes to the future of the Democratic Party, that there is little question they, too, will face a form of political exile. The question now facing Democrats is simple: Who still needs to say 50 Hail Marys as penance? Did anyone else commit a mortal sin deserving of banishment?

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A week after the books release, the party seems to have made its decision: Not really. Party leaders and potential 2028 candidates are happy to say Biden should not have run again, but seem reluctant to draw any further conclusions about what it means for the partys decision-making process or who should play a role in shaping its future.

So far, the number of Democrats publicly calling out additional top officials is small. Megadonor John Morgan, not known for his bashfulness, suggested top Biden officials should be disqualified from a future in the party. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, now running for governor of California, has demanded that both former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Vice President Kamala Harris be upfront with voters about what they knew about Bidens condition. (Harris is a potential candidate for governor, and Becerra, like Villaraigosa, has already announced a bid.)

People around the president were intentionally complicit, or told outright lies in a systematic cover-up to keep Joe Bidens mental decline from the public, Villaraigosa told HuffPost, noting the book specifically says Biden once mixed up Becerra with another Latino member of the Cabinet. Weve come to learn that this cover-up included two prominent California politicians. What did they know? When did they know it? Why didnt they say anything?

Harris didnt respond to a request for comment. Becerra, in a statement, simply said he met with President Biden when needed to make important decisions and to execute with my team at HHS.

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Its clear the president was getting older, but he made the mission clear: run the largest health agency in the world, expand care to millions more Americans than ever before, negotiate down the cost of prescription drugs, and pull us out of a world-wide pandemic, Becerra said. And we delivered.

The book "Original Sin" accuses a small group of the former president's advisers of hiding his deteriorating health. Spencer Platt via Getty Images

Those looking for new villains in the pages of Original Sin might not find what they are looking for. The book does not necessarily indict specific acts  if the actions it describes count as a cover-up, theres no shredding of confidential documents or witnesses bribed. Instead, it indicts a style of governance in which a small number of close advisers hold disproportionate sway and keep upsetting information from reaching the presidents ears while they insist on a reality of a fully functioning president not matched by evidence  one that would be scandalous even if Joe Biden was winning back-to-back episodes of Jeopardy!

The most glaring consequence of this, in the book, is Bidens repeated belief in polls indicating he was winning the 2024 election against now-President Trump. Over and over again, Biden attempts to reassure interlocutors by telling them polls show he (and sometimes only he) is beating Trump. This, to put it lightly, was not actually the state of polling in late 2023 and early-to-mid-2024.

One example: On July 3, 2024, Democratic governors from around the country flew into Washington to meet with Biden in the aftermath of his debate disaster. During the meeting, the president insisted polls showed him as the candidate best positioned to beat Trump (they didnt) and that voters cared more about saving democracy than about Bidens health (they also didnt).

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, on the way out of the meeting, confronted Ricchetti about the discrepancy between Bidens confidence and the polls the governors were seeing, which showed Trump gaining ground in blue states like New Mexico and Maine.

The presidents referencing polls where hes leading, Healey told Ricchetti. What polls is he referencing? Because theyre different from the polls that governors are seeing in our states.

Ive been doing this for 30 years, Ricchetti responded. I know polls.

A Biden spokesperson didnt address how the White House worked during the Biden administration, instead issuing a statement reiterating the former presidents fitness for office: There is nothing in this book that shows Joe Biden failed to do his job, as the authors have alleged, nor did they prove their allegation that there was a cover-up or conspiracy. Nowhere do they show that our national security was threatened or where the president wasnt otherwise engaged in the important matters of the presidency. In fact, Joe Biden was an effective president who led our country with empathy and skill.

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The others blamed are similarly unapologetic. In an appearance in February at Harvard, Donilon blamed the party for abandoning Biden after what he insisted was a single bad debate performance.

It was getting written as this fact, Oh, Biden was mentally impaired, he said. I dont know how much time any of those people spent with him  I know how much time I spent with him. I know what I saw.

Tapper and Thompsons prodigious reporting  they interviewed more than 200 people, most of them after the 2024 election  does name and at least attempts to shame many other Biden loyalists, particularly those who led the charge in combating journalists and others who questioned Bidens vitality.

But other high-profile figures in Bidens orbit mostly escape direct blame. Jeff Zients, Bidens second chief of staff, often seems like a background character, warranting just 31 mentions across the books 332 pages. Other key players, like Bidens first chief of staff, Ron Klain, leave the White House after the midterms and arent present as Bidens decline accelerates.

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Anita Dunn, the White Houses communications guru, may be the Biden insider with the most to theoretically lose. She played a key role in blessing and running Future Forward, the super PAC that raised $560 million to support Biden and then Harris in the 2024 election. Its unclear if Future Forward will remain the major Democratic super PAC going forward, and a broader backlash to Biden world could snuff out its hopes. Dunn is mentioned just 27 times. (For comparisons sake, Donilon warrants 80 mentions and Ricchetti 59.)

Some Democratic donors told me they are devoting additional skepticism to pitches from Biden-linked operatives, but there appears to be little desire for a party-wide reckoning. When I asked Villaraigosa, for instance, if he would no longer consider hiring former Biden operatives on his campaign, he demurred and kept the focus on higher-ranking officials.

I only know what I read, he said. The book focuses primarily on his coterie of advisers, the Cabinet and the vice president.

Other Democratic elites consider the book little more than a distraction driven by a hype machine that invariably spins up behind a book co-written by one of CNNs highest-profile anchors, and would prefer the party push forward and focus on countering the authoritarianism Bidens decision ultimately enabled. Others acknowledge the problem but have simply moved on to worrying about podcasts. A handful still have their heads in the sand.

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Does the party need to do more to repair its relationship with voters? In an interview with New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, Tapper said as much.

I think one of the reasons the Democratic Partys numbers are still so low is that they have not reckoned with the lies that they told about this, Tapper said. These are not lies about tariffs. These are not lies about economic policy or things that I dont fully understand as the average voter. These are lies about things that we all perfectly understand: aging, colds, being addled, not being your best. These are things that we all have access to.

Very few party operatives seem to agree. Most believe these questions about Bidens fitness for office wont haunt the party for long, enabling political comebacks for those close to Biden and allowing the party as a whole to move past the recent unpleasantness.

Its much more important for the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee to be able to answer tough questions about Joe Bidens immigration policy than for them to be able to answer tough questions about his age, said an adviser to a prospective presidential candidate, requesting anonymity to predict the future.
By Alimat Aliyeva

China has successfully launched its first deep-space probe, Tianwen-2, to explore asteroids and comets  marking another milestone in the countrys rapidly advancing space program, Azernews reports.

The launch took place on May 29 at 1:31 a.m. local time (May 28 at 9:31 p.m. Baku time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. The probe was carried into space by a Long March launch vehicle, which placed it into orbit 18 minutes after liftoff.

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the primary mission of Tianwen-2 is to collect soil samples from asteroid 2016 HO3, a quasi-satellite of Earth  meaning it orbits the Sun but remains in close proximity to Earth. The probe will then proceed to study comet 311P, located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The missions scientific goals include gathering data on the composition, structure, and evolutionary history of small celestial bodies. The Tianwen-2 spacecraft is equipped with advanced instruments to measure a variety of physical parameters such as size, shape, orbital behavior, rotation patterns, and thermal radiation. By analyzing this data, scientists aim to better understand not only the surfaces of these bodies but also their internal structures and the materials they are composed of.

An especially ambitious aspect of the mission is its sample return component: Tianwen-2 will attempt to bring samples from asteroid 2016 HO3 back to Earth by 2027. If successful, this would make China only the second country after Japan to retrieve material from an asteroid  following in the footsteps of missions like Hayabusa2.

Asteroid 2016 HO3, also known as Kamo?oalewa, is one of the most stable quasi-satellites of Earth and is thought to have a composition that may preserve ancient materials from the early Solar System. Studying such objects could provide critical clues about the origins of water and organic molecules on Earth  and possibly even the ingredients for life itself.
KABUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Afghan counter-narcotics police have seized 264 kg of illicit drugs, along with a cache of weapons and ammunition, during separate operations in two provinces, the Ministry of Interior Affairs reported late on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, the narcotics were confiscated during routine police operations on the outskirts of Farahroad district in western Farah province. One suspect was arrested in connection with the case, and his dossier was referred to the judiciary for further investigation and potential legal action.

In a separate operation, security forces discovered and seized a quantity of arms and ammunition in the Jaghori district of eastern Ghazni province, the ministry added.

The Afghan interim government has stepped up its crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the business, vowing to fight the menace until the country is free from poppy cultivation. 
Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration's termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death.

On Tuesday, The Times published the story of S.G.V., who has short bowel syndrome  a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients. She and her parents received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023.

Read more: 4-year-old Bakersfield girl facing deportation could die within days of losing medical care

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In a letter Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged her to reconsider the termination of the family's legal status.

"We believe this family's situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision," the lawmakers wrote. "It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless."

Last month, S.G.V.'s family, who now live in Bakersfield, received notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that their status had been terminated and that they had to leave the country immediately. Earlier this month, they applied again for humanitarian protections.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the family is not actively in the deportation process and that their application is still being considered.

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The girl's physician, Dr. John Arsenault of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wrote in a letter requested by her family that any interruption in her daily nutrition system "could be fatal within a matter of days.

The story about S.G.V. drew swift public outcry. An online fundraiser for the girl's care had amassed nearly $26,000 as of Thursday morning.

The letter to Noem was led by Reps. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Rivas said state legislators and constituents messaged her about the family, asking what she could do to help.

While the family lives outside of Rivas' district, which encompasses the north-central San Fernando Valley, she said it is her role as a California Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak up for immigrant constituents in districts where Republican representatives may not do so.

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"Thats why were organizing as members of Congress," Rivas said. "Without action from Secretary Noem and this administration, this little girl will die within days."

Read more: Father ripped from family as agents target immigration courts, arresting people after cases dismissed

In a post on X, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the situation "heartbreaking." Seeking to deport the girl despite her medical condition is "cruel and inexcusable," Chu added.

In another X post, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote: "Trump wants to deport a four-year-old who could die from a life-threatening medical condition if her treatment is interrupted. How does this cruelty make us a stronger nation?"

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The family and their attorneys held a news conference Wednesday at the Koreatown office of the pro bono firm, Public Counsel. The lawyers explained that the equipment administered by the hospital to S.G.V. for home use is not available outside the U.S.

"If they deport us and they take away my daughter's access to specialized medical care, she will die," said Deysi Vargas.

Attorneys for the family noted that S.G.V. is not the only child affected in recent months by the Trump administration's immigration policies. In an attempt to speed up arrests and deportations, they said, children are needlessly being swept up in the process.

Gina Amato Lough, directing attorney at Public Counsel, said the girl's case "is a symbol of the recklessness of this administration's deportation policies."

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"We're seeing a pattern of cruelty and a violation of our most treasured rights and values," said Amato Lough. "These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we're sending them to die. That's not justice, and it doesn't make us any safer."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SPRINGFIELD  Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is calling for the closure of a Forest Park bodega after it was labeled by law enforcement as a drug front while announcing mass arrests on Tuesday.

Mayor Sarno States Garcias Market Take Down Warrants a Shut Down! a press release headline read in bold letters Wednesday evening.

The call comes a day after Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni and Massachusetts State Police officials announced the results of a multi-year, multi-pronged investigation into sophisticated drug trafficking rings that spanned from Springfield to New York, in one case.

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The bust and related search warrants yielded thousands of grams of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, dozens of firearms and netted more than 50 arrests.

Gulluni identified Garcia Market at 344 Orange St. and Angels Used Appliances at 167 White St. in Springfield as fronts for a drug trafficking ring.

Sarno particularly called the market a den of iniquity he will task his legal staff to hit with a cease-and-desist order to stop ongoing business.

I spoke with both District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Police Superintendent Larry Akers earlier today to commend them and our State Police law enforcement officials for their continued brave and dedicated efforts to shut down this major drug and gun operation, Sarno said. As you know, I have no patience nor tolerance with these poison dealing, gun-toting violent offenders and their business fronts are not welcomed here in Springfield.

The market appeared to still be open on Wednesday.

Read the original article on MassLive.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR)  A number of local dispatches experienced impacts Tuesday, with 911 and non-emergency lines down for hours. Some areas continued to deal with problems Wednesday.

They are the numbers to call when something is wrong: 911 or your local non-emergency line. However, something went wrong with some regional dispatches Tuesday. Douglas Countys sheriff tells us they got an alert from one of the state-contracted network vendors.

We were notified by Lumen that they were getting alarms that our 911 system might be down, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said. Whenever that happens, we want to always alert the public that there is a potential if theyre on a wireless phone, that for some reason the call may not go through.

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Weekly says the sheriffs office sent out alerts on social media to the public, but there is an automatic system in place to make sure 911 calls still get answered in an outage.

Through no human intervention, an automatic switch happens when our system goes down, Sheriff Weekly said. Itll go to Arapahoe County. If Arapahoe County goes down, it goes to the Aurora Police Department. It Aurora goes down, it goes to Denver. So, somebody is answering those calls for service. My concern as the sheriff is Arapahoe County Sheriffs office, in their dispatch center, they already have a high call volume. Were adding on to their call volume. So, its concerning that this is happening and it seems to be happening on a more frequent basis.

The Denver Department of Public Safety tells FOX31 an outage on their non-emergency line yesterday was related to the City and County of Denvers citywide network outage, not the outages at other 911 centers in other jurisdictions.

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We received the following statement from the Technology Services team:

Yesterday around 11 a.m. the City and County of Denver experienced a failure in our virtual server environment which affected multiple applications and technology systems, including some limited interruptions to public services. The Denver Police Departments 911 line was never impacted. DPDs non-emergency line, however, was impacted, and we instructed community members to call 311, where their call was answered and then routed to DPDs non-emergency line. This outage was not related to the 911 issues jurisdictions across the state were experiencing yesterday.

Our Technology Services team worked diligently with our vendor to fix the outage, and we were able to restore our systems shortly before 9 p.m. Our team continued to monitor our systems overnight into today and our vendor will continue to analyze data that was extracted after the restoration to determine the root cause of the failure.

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As of Wednesday afternoon, Parker Police Department is still experiencing impacts. A spokesperson shared the following statement with FOX31:

The Parker Police Department is aware of a regional 9-1-1 outage and the disruption in emergency services that it may cause our community. Parker Police is actively working with our telephone provider to restore all 9-1-1 lines as soon as possible. We are continuing to work with Douglas and Arapahoe County Communication Centers to receive our 9-1-1s and provide us with timely information so we can provide emergency services to our community. The complexity of the 9-1-1 system and advancing communication technology is not unique to the Parker Police Department and in this time of outage we will do everything we can to continue to serve our citizens in their time of need while working with our partners to restore this valuable communication system.

A lot of these technology companies, theyre just typically doing this whenever theres a problem, Sheriff Weekly said as he pointed his fingers. Thats why theres an official investigation that takes place afterwards thats overseen by the Public Utilities Commission to identify what exactly happened. Was there a particular company that was at fault or was it a hardware that was a fault? What was the issue?

Those are answers Weekly hopes can help as soon as possible.

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This seems to be happening more and more, Weekly said. And my concern also is, if our system goes down and there is a major event, whether it be a natural disaster or a manmade disaster in another jurisdiction, its just compounding the problem for that dispatch center. So we need to get to the bottom of it, figure out whats going on and fix it.

FOX31 reached out the the PUC. We received the following statement:

By Commission rules, the PUC will conduct an investigation of any 9-1-1 center outage lasting longer than four hours. If this was a network issue, the PUC will do a full investigation, which the results will be made public. If this was a problem with the phone system, that is not in PUC oversight. We are currently waiting to hear the cause of the outages so that we can determine next steps.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This story has been updated with a statement from the U.S. Department of Education.

Middletown's school district  where Vice President JD Vance was a student  stands to lose millions of promised federal dollars after a funding recall from the U.S. Department of Education, the district said.

The Department of Education is recalling roughly $15 million across 18 Ohio school districts, Dan Wohler, the Middletown City Schools spokesperson, told The Enquirer. The funds were previously awarded to districts through two COVID-era relief programs: the American Rescue Plan, and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief.

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Middletown City Schools stands to lose $5.6 million in funds, which the district planned to use to build a new transportation center. The district was approved to receive $6.76 million toward the project in February, and had already received $1.2 million. The total cost is $10 million.

In an emailed statement, Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, said it is still considering funding extension requests, but for projects that specifically solve pandemic-related problems.

COVID is over," Biedermann wrote. "The department established a process to consider funding extension requests on a project-specific basis where it can be demonstrated that funds are being used for direct academic services to students to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on student learning."

The spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce did not immediately return The Enquirer's call.

Construction is underway on Middletown City Schools' new transportation and maintenance facility, but federal funding for the project could disappear.

Construction on Middletown schools' transportation center is almost half-done. The new facility will house an updated school bus garage, fueling station and space to perform bus maintenance. School buses are currently being parked at a temporary facility, the lease for which expires this fall, Wohler said.

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"The new facility is designed to address aging transportation infrastructure and consolidate maintenance operations to better serve MCSD students and families," a statement from the district read. "A $5.6 million shortfall would stall construction indefinitely and risk losing the investments already made."

Republican lawmakers ask Trump administration to release funds

Three local Republican lawmakers wrote letters to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, provided to The Enquirer by Middletown schools, in support of the district.

"As a fiscal conservative, I fully understand the need to cut unnecessary funding and applaud the efforts to eliminate excessive covid-era spending. However, there are certain projects, such as Middletown School's transportation construction project, that deserve flexibility given the investment they have made," U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson wrote.

Davidson co-sponsored a bill that would terminate the Department of Education at the end of next year.

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But the letter to McMahon signals the second time Davidson has gone against the Trump administration in recent weeks. The congressman, who is a staunch Trump supporter, was one of two House Republicans to vote against a major tax and immigration bill, prompting White House officials to say Trump would like to see Davidson primaried.

Ohio Rep. Thomas Hall and state Sen. George Lang also wrote letters to McMahon asking the department to release the funds to Middletown schools.

"I strongly believe it is unfair for a school to receive approval, begin construction after receiving a portion of the funds, and then be notified they will not be receiving the remainder  nobody can conduct business in this manner," Lang wrote.

Wohler, the district spokesperson, said Middletown schools also reached out to Vance. The Middletown native held his first rally as a vice presidential candidate at Middletown High School, his alma mater, last July.

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The Enquirer also asked Vance's spokesperson for comment, but has not yet received a response.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: School district in JD Vance's hometown to lose $5.6M in federal funds
Three suspects were arrested Wednesday after allegedly trying to cash forged payroll checks in Iredell County, the sheriff stated.

They stole more than $130,000 since early May. Two others are at large, according to investigators.

ALSO READ: Former Ballantyne USPS worker sentenced after stealing $1.9 million in checks

The Iredell County Sheriffs Office got a call on Wednesday about men cashing fraudulent checks at the convenience store at 104 Houpe Road, north of Statesville.

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Convenience store employees told the police they called the business, EW Fabrication and Manufacturing in Stony Point, from where the checks came and asked if they were real.

The checks were not real and had been used since the first of May to get over $130,000.

That business contacted the sheriffs office to file a report about the checks being stolen and forged.

Cody Dellinger, vice president of EW Fabrication and Manufacturing, showed Channel 9s Dave Faherty how closely the counterfeit check resembles one of their real payroll checks.

The question of how, Dellinger said. How could they do it? You think that the system is fairly safe with checks and balances to catch this, and this was happening under our nose the whole time and we were completely unaware.

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Three suspects returned to the convenience store later in the afternoon and tried to pass more checks, so employees called the sheriffs office.

Deputies found three suspects, Juan Dario Carcomo, Ezequiel Cruz Garcia, and Merin Arnoldo Sorto-Mata, but they ran.

Law enforcement put up a perimeter and K-9s were there to track the suspects.

Two were caught right away.

The third suspect was found but he resisted the deputies, so they Tased him.

K-9s Levi and Creek tracked the suspects down. It was Creeks first apprehension, the sheriff said.

Deputies believe the suspects may have been using other Hispanic stores in the area to cash the checks.

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The manager of Tienda Rios De Agua Viva, Oscar Salazar, showed Faherty surveillance video of one of the suspects in his store. The manager said he came up with an excuse not to cash it.

I said, Sorry, I cant cash them because I dont have money, Salazar said.

The business in Stony Point hopes to recoup its money.

Carcamo, 29, of Manvel, Texas, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor resist, obstruct, and delay of a law enforcement officer, felony conspiracy, two counts of felony uttering a forged instrument, and felony possession and transporting a counterfeit instrument. Magistrate M. Russel gave him a secured bond of $10,000.

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Sorto-Mata, 23, of Houston, was charged with felony conspiracy, and two counts of misdemeanor resist, obstruct, and delay of a law enforcement officer. Magistrate Russel issued him a secured bond of $6,500 and he was placed on an immigration hold.

Cruz Garcia, 23, of Statesville, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor resist, obstruct, and delay of an officer, misdemeanor assault on a law enforcement officer, and felony conspiracy. Magistrate Russel issued him a secured bond of $15,000 and the suspect was placed on an immigration hold.

Javier Cortez and Junior Mendez were charged with fraud and felony warrants are out on them.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be pending.

VIDEO: Woman steals $13K in checks made out to Girl Scouts, Huntersville police say
Deputies are asking for the publics help finding a rape suspect.

Richmond County deputies say Leland Candidate, 46, is wanted for a rape and aggravated assault that happened on Tuesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

They say Candidate was last seen driving a gold 2006 Nissan Murano with South Carolina tag 137BTU.

He is described as being six feet, four inches and approximately 200 pounds.

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Anyone who sees Candidate or knows where he might be should contact investigators at 706-821-1080.

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HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A 72-year-old man was taken to the hospital after he was pinned in his vehicle during a crash near Zeeland, deputies say.

Around 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, he was headed south on 96th Avenue in a Nissan and turned left onto Adams Street in front of a northbound Hyundai. The two vehicles crashed head-on, according to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office.

The driver of the Nissan, who is from Zeeland, was pinned inside his vehicle during the crash. He was later taken to the hospital with injuries that deputies say are life-threatening.

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The driver of the Hyundai, a 27-year-old Holland woman, told deputies she was injured but did not choose to be taken by ambulance.

The sheriffs office is investigating.

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PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Kentucky man accused of driving recklessly past a Putnam County deputy was taken into custody earlier this month for drug charges.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Office said Deputy James Hensel was helping a motorist on May 17 when he saw a Dodge Ram driving at a high rate of speed and making an erratic and unsafe lane change near the Interstate 40 exit on Highway 111.

According to an affidavit, right after the vehicle passed Hensel, two separate motorists spotted the law enforcement officer, pulled off the road behind his patrol car, and reported the pickup truck driving wildly,

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After he was cleared to pursue the Dodge, Hensel jumped in his patrol car, caught up to the truck, and performed a traffic stop, per the court document.

PREVIOUS: Erratic driving leads to drug arrest in Putnam County

When the deputy interacted with the driver  identified by officials as 42-year-old Ronald Allen Roper of Glasgow, Kentucky  Hensel reportedly noticed signs of possible impairment, including slow speech and the inability to concentrate or answer questions in a coherent manner.

After instructing Roper to exit the truck and move to the front of the patrol car, the deputy asked the driver if he had anything illegal in his possession, but Roper said he did not know, per the affidavit.

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According to authorities, when Hensel patted Roper down and asked him to empty his pockets, an uncapped and loaded syringe fell on the ground next to him.

Body camera footage shows Roper trying to pick up the needle and the deputy ordering him to stop and leave it alone.

When I questioned Mr. Roper he said that the clear substance in the syringe was speed,' Hensel stated in the court document.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Officials said a search of Ropers truck uncovered another syringe containing a clear liquid, a digital scale, and approximately 23.75 grams of a white crystal-like substance in a clear plastic bag.

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The Glasgow man was arrested and charged with felony manufacture, delivery, and sale of methamphetamine, along with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities reported.

It was uncapped, so thats obviously an officer safety issue, but inside that syringe was methamphetamine, so there was more going on than just erratic driving. Clearly this guy was transporting methamphetamine and driving with a loaded syringe. Clearly you only have that syringe loaded to inject into your body, so no telling what wouldve happened had he injected that syringe into his person, Putnam County Maj. Brandon Tayes said. Even though he was from Kentucky, he was clearly visiting our area of the state, bringing that type of criminal conduct to our area. Any time we can get somebody off the streets and put in our jail thats doing that type of behavior is a good thing for all the citizens of our community.

The sheriffs office announced on Wednesday, May 21 that Roper was being held in the Putnam County Jail on a $61,500 bond, adding that he was scheduled to appear in court that day. As of Wednesday, May 28, Roper is still behind bars, according to jail records.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
McDONALD COUNTY, Mo.  A Noel Deputy Marshal turns herself in to authorities after being charged with felony perjury in a fatal hit and run crash.

McDonald County Prosecutor Maleia Cheney filed the charge on Tuesday, and an arrest warrant was issued for Rhonda Wise. Wise was booked into the McDonald County jail last night  and was released on her own recognizance.

The charges stem from a probable cause affidavit Wise filed against a McDonald County woman last year in the fatal hit-and-run death of Michael Pruden. Those charges were dismissed after questions surfaced about evidence Wise said she had found in the case.

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The perjury charge is based on the sworn statement officers sign when they file a probable cause statement. That statement says they are signing the document under the penalty of perjury.

No court date has been set in Wises case.

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TEHRAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Oman on Wednesday issued a joint statement pledging to deepen cooperation on key bilateral and regional issues following Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's two-day official visit to Muscat, the official news agency IRNA reported.

At the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Pezeshkian arrived in Oman on Tuesday to reinforce the "strong historical bond between the two brotherly nations and to advance sustainable cooperation," the statement said.

During their talks, the two leaders reviewed prospects for collaboration across a range of sectors and agreed to enhance coordination on matters of mutual interest. They underlined their commitment to expanding economic ties and urged both governments to support private-sector efforts to boost trade and investment exchanges.

On regional affairs, both leaders condemned Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, called for an immediate, lasting ceasefire. They also stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid throughout Palestine.

Pezeshkian praised Oman's role in facilitating the indirect Iran-U.S. nuclear talks and welcomed the issuance of a joint postage stamp as a symbol of cultural diplomacy between the two neighbors. Haitham expressed hope that the Tehran-Washington dialogue would yield a mutually beneficial agreement, contributing to regional stability and prosperity. 
Zaur Gurtsiev, Deputy Mayor of the Russian city of Stavropol who led the airborne part of the operation to capture Mariupol, has been killed in a nighttime explosion on the night of 28-29 May.

Source: Governor of Stavropol on Telegram; RIA Novosti; Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Stavropol Krai; Astra and SHOT Telegram channels

Quote from the governor of the Stavropol Krai: "Zaur Alexandrovich Gurtsiev, a veteran of the SVO [special military operation, the name given by Russian propaganda to the war against Ukraine  ed.] and participant in the Time of Heroes programme, has been killed as a result of a nighttime incident on Chekhov Street in Stavropol."

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Details: The official said that law enforcement agencies and special services are working at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. The governor added that the theory of this "terrorist attack" having a "Ukrainian influence" is also being considered.

In September 2024, Gurtsiev was appointed first deputy mayor of Stavropol.

The Stavropol Krai Investigative Committee has posted a video of the site of the explosion.

The Telegram channel Astra writes that based on information posted on the website of the Time of Heroes personnel programme, Gurtsiev led the air component of the operation to capture Mariupol and "implemented his expertise in missile guidance technology, which made it possible to significantly increase their accuracy and effectiveness".

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Russian propagandists said that two people had been killed in a grenade explosion on Chekhov Street in Stavropol. The citys mayor Ivan Ulyanchenko specified that two men had been killed in the explosion, which occurred near a residential building.

Background:

In 2024, Russia decided to launch programmes to train and recruit participants in the war against Ukraine for government agencies and state-owned companies. These plans emerged after Russian ruler Vladimir Putin announced at the United Russia party congress the need to create similar programmes at regional level.

In particular, in May 2025, the authorities of North Ossetia appointed 34-year-old Yuri Abaev, a former Russian army officer who goes by the alias Buyvol, whom Ukraines Defence Intelligence has identified as one of the killers of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as the new Minister of Labour and Social Protection.

In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant were killed in an explosion in Moscow. The day before, the Security Service of Ukraine served the general with a notice of suspicion in absentia.

In April 2025, a car exploded in the city of Balashikha near the Russian capital Moscow, killing a lieutenant general of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Many families are enjoying their Summer break by spending time outdoors and going to the beach. But with the temperatures expected to rise this Summer, many parents are asking how do I keep my kids safe and protected?

BBB: New graduates become targets for scammers during end of school season

Dr. Aaron Fong, a Dermatologist at The Queens Health Systems tells us it only takes 10-60 minutes in the sun to burn and suffer skin damage that could possibly lead to skin cancer, depending on time of day, UV index, and skin type. The most dangerous time frame is usually between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Here are some tips to stay safe, according to Dr. Fong:

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Avoid peak hours, wear sun protective clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.

Select broad-spectrum sunscreen that says tinted on the label and has an SPF of 30 or higher.

Has broad-spectrum to block against wide spectrum of UV rays, and tinted to help block visible light.

Wear water resistant if going swimming or sweating.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

And Dr. Fong says if youre worried, see your dermatologist for skin cancer screening.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sabrina Davis holds a picture of her father, Navy Veteran Keith Davis, who died because of medical malpractice. (Photo courtesy Sabrina Davis)

The free kill repeal bill has been killed.

Gov. Ron DeSantis stuck to his promise and on Thursday vetoed legislation that would have eliminated a bar against parents of adult children and the adult children of single parents suing hospitals and physicians for non-economic damages for the deaths of loved ones.

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Whether the physician was perfect or whether the physician was not, if somebody doesnt make it through that, you know, that is a tragedy in one form or another, and the loss for a family member, even in someone thats an adult, an independent, at that point, is real. And I think everyone appreciates that, the governor said during a news conference outside Lee Health in Fort Myers.

I think the question, though, is what would this legislation do for costs of health care in Florida, access to care in Florida, and our ability to recruit and keep physicians, DeSantis said.

Joining him were Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, Lee Health President Dr. Lawrence Antonucci, and a spate of others who supported the veto. Non-economic damages include pain-and-suffering. Plaintiffs can still recover economic damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, and funeral costs.

DeSantis said it was their collective opinion that if this legislation would be enacted, it would lead to higher costs for Floridians, it would lead to less care for Floridians, and it would make it harder for us to keep, recruit, and maintain physicians in the state of Florida.

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While the veto drew support from a line of Tallahassee special-interest groups, it drew criticism from those whove been unable to fully win compensation for potential acts of medical malpractice.

The bill itself (HB 6017) passed overwhelmingly on bipartisans vote in the Republican-controlled Legislature  more than enough of a margin to sustain a veto override, which takes two-thirds majority, should it come to that.

DeSantis said the Legislature could win his support by including limits on non-economic damages in all medical malpractice lawsuits, plus caps on plaintiff attorney fees.

The Florida Senate previously voted by a razor thin, one-vote margin to reject limits on non-economic damages.

That really hurts

State Rep. Dana Trabulsy, via Florida House

I am aware that hes probably spoken to the lobbyists, but I havent found a single family yet that he spoke to who this is actually affected. That really hurts, because those are the people that he should be speaking to, Sabrina Davis told the Florida Phoenix.

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Davis has dedicated considerable time and attention to trying to remove Floridas non-economic damages ban after her father, Navy veteran Keith Davis, died from a blood clot after being admitted to a hospital for knee pain.

Davis successfully filed a complaint against the doctor with the Department of Health. The board found the doctor violated the standards of care and committed medical malpractice, hit him with a $7,500 fine, and made him take a continuing education course on blood clots.

Even if he had not vetoed the legislation, Davis would not be able to recover non-economic damages because the law wouldnt have applied retroactively. But she went to every legislative committee meeting, every local delegation meeting, and scheduled as many one-on-one meetings with legislators as she could since her dad died in 2020.

When asked why, Davis reflected:

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Well, it gives me peace, because I know my dad took an oath to fight for our countrys freedom, no matter what it meant. And although he didnt die on the battlefield, he did die by the very people that were supposed to protect him.

And so, when I think about it, Im reminded that my freedom was taken away after my dad died, and theres a small part of me that thinks, when this law ends, I can say that I helped and I contributed it to it ending. Then that freedom my dad fought for in the Navy would not be in vain, and that I, through him, or him through I, helped restore the freedom that he once fought for. 

The governor said earlier this month that he planned to veto the bill. So while Davis is upset, she isnt surprised.

Or alone.

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Bill sponsor Rep. Dana Trabulsy wrote the governor Wednesday asking him not to veto the legislation.

This entire conversation ultimately comes down to one word: justice. When a loved one dies due to admitted malpractice, and the law says their life has no legal value because they were an adult with no dependents thats not just a legal loophole, thats a moral failing.

Its shameful. It should break the heart of every Floridian, including yours. Florida remains the only state in the nation where some lives are legally worthless. We are the only state that shields bad actors from accountability in such a sweeping way. Governor, this bill is about doing whats right, not whats easy, Trabulsy, a Republican from Fort Pierce, wrote.

Florida Justice Association President Todd Michaels criticized the governor in a prepared statement.

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In a room filled with doctors, hospital executives, the insurance industry and other caps proponents, but not a single family or victim of medical negligence the Governor called for caps in all medical malpractice cases, a clear signal that he prioritizes the financial interests of hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies over the lives and rights of everyday Floridians, Michaels said. The FJA is the statewide association that represents trial attorneys.

DOH Secretary and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo (image via the Department of Health)

The issue of justice, legal justice, you know, economic damages, noneconomic damages, there simply isn't enough justice to go around and have the system be able to stand up on its two feet.

 State Surgeon General Joseh Ladapo

Ladapo acknowledged not being versed in legal matters but said he had been researching different states policies when it comes to medical malpractice.

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The issue of justice, legal justice  you know, economic damages, noneconomic damages  there simply isnt enough justice to go around and have the system be able to stand up on its two feet. Its just not possible. And the correct, I mean the right thing, to do, just the wise thing to do in that situation, is to have caps, he said.

Frankly its insane to have a system with no caps on non-economic damages and expect for that system to continue to sustain itself and function as it was intended to function, which is to provide care for patients. Thats just not possible.

The free-kill law has been in place for decades, having been signed by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles. The measure prevents parents of single, childless, adult children (25 and older) and adult children of single parents from suing hospitals and physicians fr non-economic damages if alleged malpractice resulted in death.

Florida Justice Reform Institute President William Large

Florida has had no caps on pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits since 2017, when the Florida Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional. But the makeup of the court has changed since then, with the majority of the justices having been appointed by DeSantis.

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The medical community is eager to put the rejuggled court to the test and, to that end, supported HB 6017 with the caveat that it include caps on non-economic damages in all medical malpractice lawsuits.

Florida is in a medical negligence insurance crisis. Significantly expanding medical malpractice liability for the states physicians and hospitals without any guardrails, as HB 6017 would do if enacted into law, would be catastrophic for Floridas healthcare system and the families that depend on it, Florida Justice Reform Institute President William Large said in a written statement to the Florida Phoenix.

Large, who joined the governor at the press conference, said the legislation proposed only to expand liability for our healthcare community without any safeguards to ensure that Floridas healthcare system and residents do not suffer as a result. Gov. DeSantis courageously stood with our health care delivery heroes in vetoing this legislation.

Large says a recent benchmark study conducted by Aon and the American Society for Health Care Risk Management determined that, although the frequency of hospital and physician professional liability or medical professional liability claims has remained relatively stable in recent years, the severity of claims  including indemnity and defense costs per claim  has been steadily increasing. For instance, 10% of claims closed in Florida in 2023 were in excess of $1 million, compared to 7.5% nationwide.

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The increasing costs mean increasing medical malpractice premiums, he said. Citing the Medical Liability Monitor October 2024 survey, Large added that Florida has experienced a notable 4.7% increase in med-mal premiums, whereas the regional average increase was 2.1%.

For the FJA the caps are a non-starter.

Weve seen this playbook before. Medical malpractice caps disproportionally hurt Floridas most vulnerablegrieving parents, the elderly, and womenslashing recoverable damages by up to 80% and reinforcing deep inequities in a system already stacked against them. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past by sacrificing the rights of vulnerable Floridians to appease the insurance industrys scare tactics, Michaels said. Despite nearly 50 years of tort reform efforts, data shows that caps on damages have not improved physician supply, reduced premiums long-term, or enhanced quality of care. Instead, they impose new barriers to justice and devalue the lives of those harmed by medical negligence. Justice is not negotiable. We cannot ask grieving families to give up their rights or have a price tag put on the value of life in Florida. Floridians deserve better.

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This story has been updated to include comment from the Florida Justice Association.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  As Hurricane Milton was inching closer to Tampa Bay, many evacuated along with their pets. However, one bull terrier was found tied to a fence along Interstate 75 in Tampa. That dog, named Trooper, was rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol. Now, theres a new law named in his honor that was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday.

This story is exactly the type of cruelty that we cannot tolerate in the free state of Florida, DeSantis said.

Troopers previous owner, who has since been charged with aggravated animal cruelty told authorities that he was evacuating to Georgia, and nobody would pick up the dog.

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Thats bad enough, but the water was rising very quickly, DeSantis said.

Whats known as Troopers Law makes it a third-degree felony for abandoning or neglecting an animal during an emergency or natural disaster. If convicted, thats up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Trooper Orlando Morales rescued the dog and still keeps in touch with his new owners.

He is doing absolutely amazing. I get pictures and videos, Morales said.

DeSantis also signed a bill dubbed Dexters Law after a bull terrier was found decapitated last year in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County just days after being adopted.

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Domingo Rodriguez was convicted earlier this year and sentenced to a year and 60 days in jail.

Current sentencing guidelines dont match the gravity of these crimes and it was evident that Florida law needed to do more to protect dogs from senseless violence, DeSantis said.

The new law offers tougher sentencing multipliers. That will give judges the ability to force someone to stay behind bars longer.

Animal Advocate Debbie Darino fought for the bill that will include a public database of those convicted or guilty of animal abuse.

Dexters Law seeks to deter animal cruelty and holds offenders more accountable for their actions, Darino said.

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On its website, the American Kennel Club has these two bills listed under monitor meaning it does not support or oppose the measures.

Dexters Law will go into effect on July 1st. Troopers law will go into effect on October 1st.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The Trump administrations latest salvo against Chinese students - promising to aggressively revoke their visas - underscores the tense state of the relationship between the worlds two largest economies: Despite the temporary truce in their tariff war, the divisions between Washington and Beijing remain just as gaping - and are perhaps even widening.

The detente that followed negotiations in Geneva this month is looking ever more fragile, analysts say, with ruptures on higher education, artificial intelligence chips and rare earth minerals.

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Both countries are, and have been, on a path of strategic decoupling, said Elizabeth Economy, a China expert at the Hoover Institution and former senior adviser on China in the Biden-era Commerce Department. Theres a complete lack of a foundation of trust and very few channels or opportunities to reinforce any kind of positive messaging.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States would revoke visas of Chinese students in the U.S., including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

He also said the administration would enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

It remains unclear whether the crackdown applies to other types of visa applications, like Chinese tourist visas, and the State Department did not respond to a request for clarification.

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The administration last week said it was barring Harvard University from enrolling foreign students - accusing the institution of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, without providing details. The largest proportion of foreign students at Harvard - almost 1,300 - are Chinese, and many top officials, including current leader Xi Jinping, have sent their children to the Ivy League school.

One Chinese student at Harvard, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal from the U.S. government, said there had been alarm among her cohort. Everybody was saying, how could this happen? the student said.

The subsequent visa announcement heightened the panic among Chinese students and scholars in the United States.

Its not just one attack, it comes again and again, said Yi-yi Liang, a research scholar at a Harvard humanities lab. I think the U.S. is still a good choice, but on the other hand, this kind of huge policy uncertainty really stops you from just going all in to pursue it. You just dont know whats next, and its very hard to make a plan.

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Americas prestigious universities have long been a draw for top Chinese students, and those educational links have provided a steady pillar in the otherwise testy relationship.

Xin Qiang, a professor of international relations at Shanghais Fudan University who just returned from an academic exchange in California, said the trade war in combination with the recent visa crackdown is set to push China-U.S. relations into an increasingly horrifying vicious cycle.

Xin said he is worried that this shutdown of direct communication channels will only escalate our hostility and hatred toward each other.

President Donald Trump has taken aim at higher educations relationship with China before. During his first term, the Justice Department investigated scientists and researchers for their links to Beijing under the China Initiative program. The Biden administration ended the program amid criticism that it was racially targeting Chinese Americans.

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The administrations current efforts to deter or exclude Chinese students from higher education in the U.S. follow several weeks of growing hostility after the niceties in Geneva, where negotiators met to de-escalate the trade war.

The first flare-up emerged on May 13, the day after the two countries slashed tariffs while they held trade talks, when the U.S. Commerce Department issued guidance warning companies against using advanced Chinese chips, specifically Huaweis Ascend AI chips, because they were likely developed or produced in violation of U.S. export controls.

The tiny semiconductors, which power advanced AI systems, have long been a source of tension as both countries vie to dominate the emerging technology.

Huawei, Chinas flagship technology giant, has been a particular target for Washington ever since the first Trump administration, which deployed economic tools to limit the companys access to advanced technology. Huawei did not respond to a request for comment.

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Chinas Commerce Ministry spokesperson fired back against the guidance last week, accusing Washington of undermining the consensus reached in Geneva and describing the measures as typical unilateral bullying and protectionism.

The ministry also said anyone who assisted in implementing the policy would potentially violate a Chinese law that punishes firms for complying with international sanctions regimes.

China is not happy, said Yanmei Xie, an independent geopolitics analyst. Its very clear that on advanced semiconductors, on AI, the U.S. wants countries to choose sides, she added. So the tech decoupling is still in progress, despite the pause on the trade escalation.

Further evidence of that emerged this week, with the Trump administration telling companies to stop selling chip-design software to Chinese groups, according to the Financial Times.

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Nor has there been much progress on rare earths, a group of minerals that are required to manufacture a wide range of goods in the defense, health-care and technology sectors.

China processes nearly all of the worlds rare earths and instituted export controls in response to Trumps tariffs, triggering consternation and alarm among U.S. officials and companies.

The Geneva agreement required Beijing to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures, but experts say there is no sign of the restrictions being lifted.

China is still taking a very, very tight approach to prevent its critical minerals being exported to the U.S., said Xu Tianchen, a senior economist for the Economist Intelligence Unit in Beijing, citing conversations with Chinese exporters and freight forwarders.

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The restrictions provide Beijing with a powerful source of leverage in future negotiations, said James Kennedy, a rare earths expert at St. Louis-based Three Consulting.

What happened is, they picked the fight, thought they had a winning hand, and China politely showed them four aces, he said, referring to the Trump administration.

Beijing has other reasons to feel confident.

Washingtons crackdown on Chinese students allows Beijing to portray itself, in contrast with the U.S., as a welcoming hub for cutting-edge research, analysts say.

This is something China is trying to take advantage of, said Feng Chucheng, founding partner of Hutong Research, an independent consultancy in Beijing. China is trying to position itself, he added, as the leader of innovation and uncensored scientific research.

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Already in recent months, Chinese universities have hired Charles Lieber, a former Harvard scientist who was convicted under the China Initiative, and Alex Lamb, a senior AI scientist who previously worked at Microsoft.

In the weeks since the temporary reprieve, Washington and Beijing appear to have held only limited discussions. The U.S. still has a 30 percent tariff on all Chinese goods - although that may decrease after a ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday - while Beijing has a 10 percent levy on American products.

Chinese and U.S. officials met on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation event in South Korea this month. Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with the new U.S. ambassador to China, David Perdue, last week and held a call with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Those open communication lines may offer a glimmer of hope, especially after the two countries abruptly cut off all contact during the height of the trade showdown in April, raising fears of a spiraling conflict.

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The bilateral channel for communications has been restored, said Xu, from the Economist Intelligence Unit. That is a positive sign - that means were starting to have more adults in the room, which can maybe prevent a reescalation going too far.

But it remains unclear exactly what is on the table for negotiation.

Economy, from the Hoover Institution, said the talks could yield a deal on fentanyl enforcement, which Trump cited when he announced trade actions against China in the first place. Trump has accused China of failing to stop fentanyl-related chemicals from being exported to the U.S., fueling a deadly opioid crisis.

Beijing has been cooperating in that area, and it could signal good faith by clamping down further, analysts say.

However, Economy said she doesnt expect significant progress on what Washington views as Chinas unfair trading practices.

The fentanyl issue could be a bright spot if the Chinese really have put forward something significant in terms of real enforcement, she said. But other than that, I dont see the Chinese taking any steps to restructure the way they do business to accommodate U.S. pressure.

- - -

Lyric Li contributed to this report.

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Dmytro Bodyu, a U.S. citizen and the pastor of the "Word of Life" Pentecostal Church in Russian-occupied Melitopol, was detained by Russians in March 2022. During his detention, he was accused of working for the CIA and received death threats from the Russian military.

Only an intervention by the U.S. State Department saved him.

"On the morning of March 19, several military vehicles and a couple of civilian cars stopped outside our home. Around 15 Russian soldiers were in full gear, wearing balaclavas and carrying shields... They treated me like a Mexican drug lord. They jumped over the fence, went through neighboring yards, and entered from all sides at once," Bodyu recalls in an in-depth interview for the Kyiv Independent's new investigative documentary "No God But Theirs."

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The pastor and his family were warned by the U.S. Embassy and given advice to leave Melitopol one month before the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine started. But Bodyu decided he could not abandon his Church.

During his detention, Russian special services repeatedly accused him of working for the CIA and demanded that he disclose his call sign and his "handler from Langley," he says.

"It felt like being in a psychiatric ward  you're an absolutely normal, healthy person, but they try to convince you that you're a schizophrenic, you just don't know it, and that soon you'll realize you're exactly where you should be," Bodyu recalls.

Meanwhile, Russian soldiers threatened to kill him.

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They took whatever they wanted. There are no laws; nothing functions in the occupied territories.

"The soldiers said: 'We have orders to shoot you. Now, we will question you. We know who you are, what you are. You're a CIA employee, a spy. You gave away our positions, our people died because of you. You led protests in the city, you're giving money to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, you lead the partisans here'  things like that," the pastor says.

After eight days, his time in detention was cut short.

Read also: Russias persecution of Ukrainian clergy is part of an organized genocidal campaign

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"We had an interrogation (with an FSB operative) during the day, and in the evening, he comes in and says, 'Well, that's it, you're going home.' And I'm like, 'What do you mean? That's unexpected.' He says, 'It was unexpected for us too, believe me.' I ask, 'So who decided I should go home?' He says, 'They decided up top.' I say, 'What do you mean? God decided?' He says, 'No, Moscow decided to release you.'"

After his release, Bodyu and his family left Melitopol.

They are now living near Kyiv. In Melitopol, his Pentecostal Church "Word of Life" was officially banned by the Russian occupation authorities a day after Christmas  on Dec. 26, 2022. The Church's building is now occupied by a department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Russian authorities also confiscated all of Bodyu's businesses (he owned seven cafes and restaurants in Melitopol).

"I call them pirates. That's what they are  pirates. They took whatever they wanted. There are no laws; nothing functions in the occupied territories." Bodyu says.

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In the investigative documentary "No God But Theirs," the Kyiv Independent's journalists also identified several officials implicated in the persecution of Ukrainian Christians in Melitopol.

Besides Dmytro Bodyu's Church, the Russian-occupation authorities also banned several other Churches  Melitopol's largest Protestant Church "New Generation," the Baptist Church "Grace" and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church subordinated to the Vatican.

They were stripped of all property, and their buildings now housed different Russian institutions.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
This photo shows the old slave auction block where enslaved people were sold in the St. Louis Hotel at 621 St. Louis St. in the French Quarter. The block rested under recessed arches and between columns in the hotels rotunda. (Credit: From the Historic New Orleans Collection; gift of Samuel Wilson Jr.)

NEW ORLEANS  Stretching 3 miles from the Mississippi River to City Park, Esplanade Avenue is today a leafy thoroughfare lined with 19th-century mansions, restaurants, bars, and other businesses. In the evenings, tourists make their way across the avenue from the French Quarter, drinks in hand, ready to take in some jazz at the clubs on Frenchman Street.

These visitors  or the current residents, for that matter  have little reason to give any thought to what once happened here in centuries past. The streetscape then could have included a cortege of enslaved Black people being forced-marched in chains from far away or from ships at the nearby docks or unloaded from wagons, all to be delivered to what amounted to urban prison camps.

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Before the Civil War, the blocks on and surrounding Esplanade Avenue were home to dozens of slave pens, stockyard-like enclosures of dirt lots surrounded by high brick walls to deter escape and shield public view. Inside were men, women, and children warehoused until they could be sold, either directly from the pens or on the auction blocks somewhere in the prosperous city of New Orleans.

The pens were foul places, attractive to flies and lice and vermin, hazy with acrid smoke from cheap pork cooked over open flames, and reeking of sweat and urine and feces and garbage, historian Joshua D. Rothman said in his book The Ledger and the Chain: How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America.

It was the stench and health concerns  not the inhumanity of the slave trade itself  that had prompted Quarter residents to push for the pens to be moved away from their fine homes into the neighborhoods along Esplanade.

The prisoners, many torn from family and friends and forced to walk or endure ship passage for hundreds of miles from the Upper South to serve new masters, were crowded inside by overseers concerned only with keeping them healthy and fit enough to bring top dollar on the market.

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Passersby might hear the cries of small children or the muted anguish of adults who are there, who are suffering what we call today PTSD or some sort of traumatic injury, who are trying to wrap their heads around whats happening, Calvin Schermerhorn, history professor at Arizona State University said in an interview.

Slave traders often dressed up enslaved people and provided other cosmetic care when bringing them to auction. This magazine illustration titled, Slaves For Sale: A Scene In New Orleans, shows a group of Black men, women and children standing alongside a building beneath a sign reading T. Hart Slaves. The engraving is from the early 1860s. (Credit: From the Historic New Orleans Collection; gift of Mr. George Denegre)

An alert visitor can find a historical marker on the neutral ground near Esplanade Avenue and Chartres Street, marking the citys connection to the brutal slave trade. Another marker across the intersection toward the river marks the location of the infamous slave pens where Solomon Northup, known for Twelve Years a Slave, was sold into slavery.

Theres a sin, a fearful sin, resting on this nation, that will not go unpunished forever, Northup said in his 1853 memoir of his life as a free man sold into slavery. There will be reckoning yet  It may be sooner or it may be later, but its a coming as sure as the Lord is just.

That accounting has yet to fully come to a city more associated with letting the good times roll than dealing with past sins.

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Outside of historians, academics and the generational memories of Black New Orleanians, relatively few people understand the enormity of New Orleans involvement in the slave trade, which helped build generational wealth for white residents and made the city the most financially powerful and influential in the South.

Gregg Kimball, Senior Consulting Historian for the Shockoe Institute in Richmond, Va., maintains that the slave trade was part of the 19th century U.S. economic boom that really made the United States a world power. It basically created American capitalism. Thats a big deal. Right?

For New Orleans, sugar and slaves were the driving forces for an economy that also thrived from the global cotton trade and its position at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Its those three intertwined. Its New Orleanss status as not only a port city, but as a place where banking is based and where trading happens in sugar and cotton and slaves, New Orleans historian Erin Greenwald said.

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Slavery is in the very bones of New Orleans, where the essential protective levees, streets and core buildings were constructed by enslaved workers. Captive Black laborers helped grow and harvest the lucrative sugar and cotton crops, loaded the yield onto the ships for export and even served as collateral for plantation owners bank loans to expand their land holdings and buy more enslaved workers.

From the early 1800s until Union Troops occupied the city about a year after the beginning of the Civil War, New Orleans was known as the slave market of the South. An estimated 135,000 people were bought and sold in the city and its immediate environs at more than 50 documented places.

These are the same places where residents and tourists today celebrate Mardi Gras, sleep in luxury hotels, drink in dive bars, and eat at fine restaurants. In 2025, there is little public acknowledgement of the atrocities of slavery beyond a few mostly low-key historical markers and some local tours designed to go beyond the usual sightseeing fare.

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The history of how slavery made New Orleans the city it is today rarely intrudes on the daily awareness of most people.

Greenwald said she values what she gets from reading academic histories.

Its great. But thats not whats going to penetrate the consciousness, she said. Its just not. Its expensive, its jargony.  Historians are speaking generally to each other. You have to have a lot of prior knowledge to access a lot of the narrative in academic history.

New Orleans history tour guide David Higgins traces his ancestry to a great-great-great-grandmother who he said was a slave in the French Quarter and mistress to a Dutch slave trader. When he gives an African American history tour, Higgins said, most people are interested in hearing about progressive things that happened after slavery, like New Orleans native Homer Plessy and his unsuccessful fight against Louisianas racial segregation laws in the late 1800s. (Ben Estes/Verite News)

There is also the citys reluctance to confront its painful past, focusing instead on tourism-friendly narratives and laissez les bons temps rouler marketing.

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Theres a powerful impulse to keep slavery in the rearview mirror, to present a story about the United States that is one of progress and improvement, Rothman, chair of the history department at the University of Alabama, said in an interview. People like to think slavery was terrible, but we fixed it. In fact, weve forgotten about it.

To those who know, the citys slave history is everywhere: former slave quarters operating as apartments and short-term rentals, historic structures built with slave labor and a culture of music and art that wouldnt exist without the influence and contributions of enslaved residents. But it isnt easy to track down the markers, read the academic research and all the other things that provide a thorough understanding of what happened.

In an upcoming series of articles, Verite News hopes to make the citys connection to slavery better known and understood by residents who are not familiar with stories and connections held dear by descendants of the enslaved and to the millions who come to visit the city that care forgot.

The historical marker for the St. Louis Hotel, the most famous slave auction site in New Orleans, is placed at the back of the luxurious Omni Royal Orleans hotel, next to a loading dock. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people walk past it each day without pausing to read about what took place there.

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The marker itself seems to downplay the connection to the slave market and its inhumanity. The luxurious St. Louis Hotel included a bank, ballroom, shopping arcade, and trading exchange, the marker boasts. Six days a week, under the hotels domed rotunda, auctioneers sold land and goods, before what almost seems like an aside of as well as thousands of enslaved people.

Slavery-related markers on The Moonwalk by the Mississippi River, The Merieult House on Royal Street, The Cabildo in Jackson Square, slave pen locations at Esplanade and Chartres, the New Orleans Slave Depot at Common and Baronne streets, and Congo Square are also easy to overlook.

The historical marker for the St. Louis Hotel, the most famous slave auction site in New Orleans, is attached to the back of the luxurious Omni Royal Orleans hotel, next to a loading dock. The marker notes that The luxurious St. Louis Hotel included a bank, ballroom, shopping arcade, and trading exchange. Six days a week, under the hotels domed rotunda, auctioneers sold land and goods. Only at the end, almost as an aside, does the marker include that the auction included thousands of enslaved people. (Tim Givens/Verite News)

And even for those who do stop and read, the official city guidance and literature provides little context for what it means and what the reader should think or do about it. While other cities around the world have benefited from building museums, permanent exhibits, and other educational structures on painful events, including the Holocaust, race massacres, and the atrocities and injustices of the Jim Crow era, New Orleans has mostly remained on the sidelines.

The removal of Confederate monuments from prominent positions in the city sparked a great outcry in 2017 from those who said they saw it as erasing history, but the recognition of enslaved peoples contributions to building and molding New Orleans has not received similar support.

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There had been this resistance, I think, in New Orleans generally to recognizing darker sides of history that complicate the fun-time celebration, exotic nature tourism of the city, said Greenwald, who put together Purchased Lives, an extensive exhibit on slavery that was on display at The Historic New Orleans Collection in 2015. New Orleans is not alone in that, but they might be one of the worst examples of covering up things that arent part of their tourism narrative, and that has changed.

Many of the slave markers were placed by a city commission appointed to mark the New Orleans Tricentennial in 2018. Freddi Evans, a New Orleans author and educator who was on the commission, said in an interview that the markers have had a positive effect.

Well, I dont know if it has an impact on the people who are coming here as tourists, but it has an impact on the people who are here, the citizens, she said, including the descendants of enslaved people who have taken it upon themselves to keep their history from being erased. The New Orleans Tricentennial Commission does offer a slave marker tour app that provides an immersive and dramatic self-guided tour of sites that played an important role in the domestic slave trade of New Orleans.

Each year, over the July 4 weekend, the New Orleans MAAFA Commemoration provides a community remembrance event to reckon with the horrors of the Transatlantic and Domestic Slave Trades, and a release from the chains of its legacy. Sponsored by the Ashe Cultural Arts Center, the event includes participants wearing white making a journey from Congo Square with stops at the Esplanade site, the Tomb of the Unknown Slave  pictured here, next to St. Augustine Catholic Church on Governor Nicholls Street  and other locations. Maafa is a Kiswahili word that means great disaster or great tragedy. (Ben Estes/Verite News)

Each year, over the July 4th weekend, the New Orleans MAAFA Commemoration takes place. Sponsored by the Ashe Cultural Arts Center, participants wearing white begin at Congo Square with stops at the Esplanade site, the Tomb of the Unknown Slave (next to St.Augustine Catholic Church on Governor Nicholls Street), and other locations. Maafa is a Kiswahili word that means great disaster or great tragedy.

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Hundreds of people come, Evans said. Its one way the city can memorialize those who suffered under slavery.

Harvard historian Walter Johnson has written that the whole city should be considered a memorial to slavery.

The levee is a slave-built levee. The entire economic development of the city was premised upon slavery. All the buildings were built by enslaved people or free people of color, Johnson told The Chronicle of Higher Education in 2017.

You could memorialize the city of New Orleans with a million markers of which enslaved people lived there, which enslaved people worked there, which enslaved people built this.
In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's federal court ruling that blocked the Trump administration's tariffs on nearly all imports, the president's allies have turned to a predictable excuse for the sweeping legal defeat.

"It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency," said Kush Desai, the White House's deputy press secretary, in a statement. "President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness."

"With activist judges, what is even the point of having a president?!" posted conservative pundit Charlie Kirk (in a tweet that inaccurately characterized just about every aspect of the legal ruling).

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"The judicial coup is out of control," wrote Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, on X.

These reactions are as inaccurate as they are lame. In Miller's view, apparently, a "coup" occurs when judges tell the president that he has overstepped the bounds of his powers under the lawrather than when a president seizes those expansive powers. That's a very silly definition of a coup.

More importantly, it's also a misleading description of what the Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday. In this case, it was the Trump administration, not the court, that was claiming to be able to exercise unlimited, unchecked power by invoking a law. Trump had used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on nearly all imports to the U.S., even though that law narrowly authorizes presidential actions only in response to "an unusual and extraordinary threat."

International commerce is plainly neither of those things, as the court concluded in its ruling. "We do not read IEEPA to delegate an unbounded tariff authority to the President," the judges wrote. "We instead read IEEPA's provisions to impose meaningful limits on any such authority it confers."

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By reviewing the actions of the executive branch to ensure they comport with the underlying law, the Court of International Trade merely fulfilled the constitutional role of the judiciary.

"This ruling reaffirms that the President must act within the bounds of the law, and it protects American businesses and consumers from the destabilizing effects of volatile, unilaterally imposed tariffs," Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, the public-interest law firm that represented the plaintiffs in the lawsuit before the Court of International Trade, told Reason in a statement.

In short, that's the opposite of a coup.

The claim that these were "activist judges" also doesn't stand up to scrutiny. For starters, one of the three judges who issued Wednesday's unanimous ruling was appointed by Trump. Judge Timothy Reif was nominated in June 2018, during the first Trump administration. The other two judges who decided the case were appointed by Presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan. That seems like a pretty fair panel: A liberal, an older conservative, and a Trump appointee. All three agreed that Trump had overstepped his authority with the tariffs.

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Additionally, the court's ruling leaned on two bits of jurisprudence that conservatives have long championed as a way for courts to check executive authority: the "nondelegation" and "major questions" doctrines. The former says, in effect, that Congress cannot delegate its core lawmaking authority to other branches of the government. The latter says the same thing in reverse: That major questions of policy must be decided by Congress, not the other branches.

The court found that Trump's tariffs failed on both counts.

In the ruling, the three judges wrote that "an unlimited delegation of tariff authority would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government. Regardless of whether the court views the President's actions through the nondelegation doctrine, through the major questions doctrine, or simply with separation of powers in mind, any interpretation of IEEPA that delegates unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional."

The idea that these judgesa majority of whom were appointed by Republicans and who were exercising a pair of conservative legal theories in evaluating Trump's tariffswere somehow unfairly biased against the president is simply laughable.

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There may be some questions about the basic legitimacy of the Court of International Trade, which most Americans have probably never encountered. Let's put those to rest too.

The court was created by an act of Congress in 1980 to adjudicate disputes exactly like this one. Like in all federal courts, rulings from the Court of International Trade can be appealedand the Trump administration has already indicated that it will appeal Wednesday's sweeping tariff ruling.

It's also somewhat telling that the Trump administration's lawyers have been trying to move other tariff-related cases into this court. Rather than viewing the Court of International Trade as illegitimate or biased, it seems like the administration believed that the court would be the friendliest legal venue for reviewing the president's claimed tariff powersat least until Wednesday evening. (That belief was shared by many trade policy observers, including myself, who were skeptical that the courts would be willing to intervene in such a direct way to block tariffs imposed under the IEEPA.)

Whether as a legal matter or a practical one, Trump's allies are simply wrong when they claim that the administration is the victim of judicial activism in the tariff ruling. The Court of International Trade's decision to strike down the tariffs and draw clear lines around the president's emergency economic powers is well-reasoned and appropriate. It's also the sort of ruling that conservatives would be universally cheering if it were brought down against a Democratic president's power grab.

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This isn't a judicial coup or an unfair result. Trump exceeded the limits of the power granted to him by Congress, and the courts put a stop to it. That's exactly how our constitutional system is supposed to work.

The post Did 'Activist Judges' Derail Trump's Tariffs? appeared first on Reason.com.
Hip-hop artist Sean Diddy Combs has been facing a federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial after he was arrested late last year in New York City.

A federal indictment unsealed in September 2024 depicted Combs as the head of an expansive criminal enterprise reliant on employees as well as the influence of Combss business empire to try to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.

Combs pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges in the wake of the indictments unsealing.

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Heres what you need to know about Combss trial so far:

What has Combs been accused of?

The federal indictment unsealed earlier this year alleged Combs abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct, per allegations going back to 2008.

Combss alleged criminal enterprise was used to protect and promote his reputation, supplement his enterprises power, lock down individuals loyalty and reward it, and safeguard Combs from being prosecuted or found out for his alleged crimes via acts of intimidation, manipulation, bribery or threats, according to the indictment.

A statement from a lawyer for Combs in September said that the rapper was disappointed due to his unjust prosecution.

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He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal, Marc Agnifilo said in the statement. To his credit, Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation, and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts.

When did Combss trial start?

Combss trial kicked off earlier this month via jury selection, according to The Associated Press, about eight months after the indictment was unsealed. The AP reported that Judge Arun Subramanian interviewed potential jurors using a questionnaire to assess their fairness and impartiality during a trial involving graphic video.

Possible jurors were provided with a brief description of the charges Combs faced via Subramanian, with the judge also stating that the rapper was presumed innocent and had pleaded not guilty, according to the AP.

What are some of the recent developments in the trial?

In 2011, according to testimony Tuesday from ex-Combs employee Capricorn Clark, Combs showed up at her apartment and said, Were going to go kill fellow hip-hop figure Scott Mescudi, who also goes by Kid Cudi, in the wake of learning of his former romantic partner Cassandra Ventura dating Mescudi, The New York Times reported.

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Ventura filed a lawsuit in November 2023 alleging that Combs had spent years beating and raping her, with the lawsuit being settled quickly after it was filed.

Mescudi also testified during the trial last week, describing multiple incidents of which Combs was a part, according to the AP. According to the outlet, prosecutors have alleged that Combss fury toward Mescudi drove him to set up the firebombing of Mescudis Porsche 911.

How much prison time is Combs possibly facing?

The AP reported that Combs may be looking at prison time stretching from 15 years to the rest of his life in the case he is convicted. Beyond possible long-term incarceration, Combs has also faced public backlash in the wake of abuse allegations against him coming into the national spotlight.

What have others said about the trial?

Former CEO of Death Row Records Suge Knight suggested earlier this month that President Trump could pardon Combs in the case he is convicted.

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I still feel that Puffys going to be all right and have a fair shot at it, because Puffy didnt  hes not a dummy, Knight said previously, talking to NewsNations Chris Cuomo and referring to Combs by another name.

Im quite sure somebodys going to talk to those jurors and convince one or two of them  thats all you need, is one, he added.

CNN legal analyst Elie Honig said in an episode of the Cafe podcast The Counsel from earlier this month that Combss trial is overwhelmingly likely to end with the fallen hip-hop moguls conviction.

The Hill has reached out to a law firm with a lawyer representing Combs for comment.

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KABUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A clash between two families claimed four lives and injured another in the eastern Afghanistan Khost province on Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Tahir Ehrar said Thursday.

The gruesome incident took place in Tanai district on Wednesday afternoon, during which three persons including a woman were killed from one side; while from the rival side, a man was killed and a woman sustained injury, the official added.

The bloody clash erupted over a child, the official said without providing more details.

Earlier on Sunday, a clash over land ownership between two families in Jaji Maidan district of the same province Khost left one person killed and injured seven others. 
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. Sign up to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs federal trial.

U.S. government prosecutors spent much of today attempting to back up testimony from key witnesses like Kid Cudi, the hip-hop artist who dated Diddys ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and accused the defendant of breaking into his house and setting his car on fire. The prosecution team also tried to bolster its racketeering conspiracy charge with more evidence of Diddys alleged crimes. Meanwhile, the defense team made a failed bid for a mistrial.

Heres what you need to know:

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Christoper Ignacio , a Los Angeles police officer, testified about responding to a break-in at Kid Cudis home in 2011. The Cadillac Escalade that cops saw leaving the scene was registered to Bad Boy Productions, one of Diddys companies, Ignacio said. The break-in wasnt reported as a burglary, he confirmed during cross-examination.

Lance Jimenez , a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, told jurors he found a Molotov cocktail inside Kid Cudis burned Porsche in early 2012. Jimenez characterized the car fire as a targeted crime. In the governments indictment against Diddy, arson is one of the crimes listed under the racketeering conspiracy charge.

Deonte Nash, a celebrity stylist, testified he once jumped on Diddys back to keep him from beating up Cassie. Nash said that he was thrown off and the rapper continued striking Cassie until she hit her head on a bed frame and started bleeding. Nash also testified that Diddy threatened to send sex tapes of Cassie to her parents workplaces to get them fired.

ALSO: Cassie gave birth yesterday, roughly two weeks after she testified, a source familiar with the matter confirmed. Its her third child with her husband, Alex Fine. NBC News Rebecca Cohen and Chloe Melas have details.

 The view from inside

By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas and Jing Feng

The trial came to an abrupt halt around 10:30 a.m. when Jimenez, the arson investigator, said some of the fingerprints lifted during the Kid Cudi break-in investigation were destroyed. Diddys lawyers argued that testimony about the lost prints should be struck from the record because jurors might infer that their client was somehow involved.

What the government has done is outrageous, Marc Agnifilo, Diddys lead attorney, told Judge Arun Subramanian. Subramanian seemed to agree. He struck mentions of the lost prints from the record. But the judge swiftly turned down the defenses motion for a mistrial.

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In other news: Nash, the stylist, was a spirited and sometimes amusing witness who made it clear to the jury that he would rather not testify against Diddy. He said he had kept in touch with the rapper and doesnt harbor any ill will toward him, despite the violence he said he witnessed.

I dont hate him, Nash said. Its just not me.

 Analysis: No mistrial, but not a setback for Diddys team

By Danny Cevallos

In denying the defenses motion for a mistrial, Subramanian said there was absolutely no testimony from [Jimenez] that was prejudicial in any way, shape or form. It seems to have been the right call. The questions might have been objectionable, but it doesnt seem that they were designed to suggest Combs tampered with evidence. It seems equally likely that the questions were designed to establish only that this witness wasnt responsible for destroying the fingerprint cards.

But was this a setback for the defense? Id argue it wasnt. First, even the defense likely didnt expect the mistrial to be granted. This was probably an example of making a highball demand, to get to the middle  where you want to be. The judge acknowledged that there was an issue with the testimony and excluded some of the evidence. Thats not what the defense asked for, but its a win.

 Whats next

Tomorrow: Nash will return to the stand. Were also expecting testimony from an accuser identified in the governments indictment as Victim 4.

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PSA: Every night during Diddys trial, NBCs Dateline will drop special episodes of the True Crime Weekly podcast to get you up to speed. Dateline correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News Chloe Melas and special guests  right in front of the courthouse. Listen here. 

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
On Thursday, an anonymous former employee of Sean Diddy Combs took the stand in his sex trafficking trial, accusing him of sexual assault and violence.

The witness, testifying under the pseudonym Mia, worked as a personal assistant and then executive for Combs from 2009 to 2017. Her real identity was revealed to the jury as an image of her passport was shown under seal. (Variety will refrain from describing her physical appearance as to respect the witness anonymity.)

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Mia described her time working under Combs as chaotic and toxic. Being his assistant was a relentless job with an initial salary of $50,000. Mia said she once worked five days straight without sleep, and used the drug Adderall to stay awake.

Looking down and speaking in a nervous, soft voice, Mia said Combs sexually assaulted me on multiple occasions. At the beginning of the trial, prosecutors previewed that Mia would testify that Combs forced her to perform oral sex and once entered her bed to penetrate her against her will.

Mia became close friends with Combs then-girlfriend Casandra Cassie Ventura, describing their relationship as like sisters. She said Combs exerted control over nearly every aspect of Venturas life and career, including how her nails looked and what music she was allowed to put out. He paid for Venturas homes and cars and would take them away from her when he was upset or couldnt get her on the phone, Mia testified.

Asked about whether she witnessed any violence in Combs and Venturas relationship, Mia stuttered and took heavy breaths. Ive seen him attack her, Ive seen him throw her on the ground, Ive seen him crack her head open. Ive seen him chase her, she said.

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On one occasion that has been previously referenced in the trial, Mia was hanging out with Ventura and her stylist, Deonte Nash, when an irate Combs knocked on the door, came into Venturas apartment and allegedly began beating her. Mia and Nash jumped on Combs to try to stop him, and Combs threw me against a wall so quick and so easily, Mia said. I realized we were in real danger.

Mia said she watched Combs pick up Ventura, and he slammed her head into the corner of the bed. Venturas head began gushing blood and she developed a scar on her forehead. Mia said that in the moment, she feared that Combs would kill her.

Mia said Combs then demanded that she call one of his assistants and tell her that Ventura was drunk and hit her head, and that she needed to see a doctor immediately.

During these fits of rage, Combs eyes would turn black and it was like he was looking through me, Mia said.

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On another occasion, around 2011 or 2012, Mia and Ventura decided to go to a party in Los Angeles hosted by the artist Prince, going against Combs instructions that they stay in. At the party, Mia and Ventura were dancing and having fun, when Combs suddenly entered and made eye contact with Mia. Oh crap, she thought.

To avoid Combs, Mia said she and Ventura ran out of the house and tried to hide in the bushes, but Combs caught Ventura and had her on the ground.

He started to attack her, but Princes security swiftly intervened, she recalled.

The next day, Mia was informed that she had been suspended without pay. Puff said I was being insubordinate, she said.

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Mias testimony matches up with many of the events described by Ventura, Nash and other witnesses. Combs is not accused of sex trafficking Mia. Rather, her testimony that Combs subjected her to forced labor  including sexual activity  through violence and threats, relates to the racketeering charge. Combs is accused of running a criminal enterprise, with security guards and other employees who allegedly helped him commit crimes and cover them up for decades.

If convicted, Combs could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

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POPLAR GROVE, Ill. (WTVO)  Walter Fuchs lost his wheelchair-accessible van in a crash last week and now looks to the public for help raising money for a new one.

The Vietnam veteran said he and his wife are both disabled from the waist down. Hes worked as an escort driver almost every day for the past three years, up until May 23rd.

Fuchs explained the van was destroyed in a 3-car-crash.

My daughter picked it up from the repair shop, Fuchs explained. She got less than five minutes away, and a driver going the opposite direction, rear-ended another car and hit my van and totaled it.

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Fuchs said he feels hopeless after losing his means of transportation and providing for himself.

I dont know what its like to not work, and Im afraid I will lose everything I own because I cant work, Fuchs said.

Elizabeth Carville, the Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of Boone County, wants to extend a helping hand after hearing about the tragic story.

We get several rides that are requested for veterans that might need transportation to an appointment or compensation exam, and were able to provide that at no cost for the veterans, Carville said. Theyre entitled to those benefits. They just have to have the right person to help guide them through it.

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Fuchs said he found a suitable van with a price tag of over $30,000, including transfer fees, located in Minnesota.

Fuchs is now turning to the public for assistance in raising money for a new van.

Im out of my livelihood and everything, Fuchs said. This is the only way we have to get to doctors to get to the store. Im beside myself. Im pretty much computer illiterate. Any help anybody can give me, I would really appreciate.

Anyone interested in donating to veterans in Boone County can reach the VAC at (815) 544-6464 or visit its website.

Fuchs encourages anyone to donate by using this phone number,(815) 995-9750, on Zelle.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton has appealed the sentence for the McCormick brothers in the First Circuit Court of Appeal, who faced money laundering charges.

In Dec. 2024, Robert and Thomas McCormick, both 51, were found guilty of multiple charges, including:

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Conspiracy to commit malfeasance in office.

Conspiracy to commit filing false public documents.

Conspiracy to commit felony theft.

Conspiracy to commit prohibited splitting of profits.

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On May 9, they were sentenced to three years of probation as well as paying restitution for $214,262 to the State Fire Marshals Office, $5,000 each to the Louisiana Legislative Auditors Office, and paying court fees.

Clayton believes the sentencing was too lenient. The district attorneys office asked for jail time for the brothers and almost $850,000 in restitution. In addition, the Legislative Auditors Office requested almost $98,000 in restitution.

In a press release, Clayton mentioned that similar cases received more just sentences.

The McCormick brothers made over $800,000 off their money laundering scheme and milked the state and its citizens of hundreds of thousands of dollars, said Clayton. Yet they were sentenced to only probation and to pay only $214,000 in restitution. We feel this sentence is excessively lenient for these crimes. They profited greatly from this illegal scheme. We feel strongly that the sentence should reflect the severity of these crimes.

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According to the DA, Robert was an employee of the Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office and Thomas was an attorney. The pair worked together to buy emergency supplies at a lower price and bid the items to the state for a higher price. These supplies included water, food, ice, and portable restrooms during state emergencies after hurricanes.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are leading a U.S. delegation to Singapore this week to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security conference, another signal of the Trump administration's intensified focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

Both Hegseth and Gabbard will attend the 22nd annual conference, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which this year will have more than 550 delegates from 40 nations, including military, intelligence, business and security leaders, from across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

Hegseth is expected to deliver a major speech to the conference highlighting the Trump administration's national security focus on China.

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"He'll provide an honest overview of the threat China poses to the region, underscore that our goal is to prevent war by establishing a credible shield of deterrence with our unmatched network of Allies and partners," said a senior U.S. defense official. "And he'll footstomp that this network is only strong if our allies and partners invest in their own defenses. It must be a two-way street."

Gabbard is expected to "discuss major security challenges" with leaders, a source familiar with Gabbard's plans told ABC News. This year's U.S. delegation includes higher-level representation than in previous years, said the source.

PHOTO: Senate Intelligence Cmte Holds Confirmation Hearing For DNI Nominee Tulsi Gabbard (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Both Hegseth and Gabbard are making their second visit to Asia seemingly reinforcing the Trump administration's renewed focus on the region. 

In late March Hegseth visited Japan and the Philippines to reaffirm the Trump administration's commitment to deterring Chinese aggression in the region.

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Shortly after her confirmation, Gabbard traveled to India and met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of President Donald Trump's bilateral meeting with Modi in February.

Gabbard's relationship with Modi spans more than a decade, dating back to 2013 when she became the first Hindu member of Congress.

They met again during her 2014 visit to India at Modi's invitation.

Earlier this year, Gabbard accepted an invitation from Modi to speak at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, a multilateral conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, but, before returning to Washington, Gabbard made stops in Japan, Thailand and France.

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Her diplomatic tour began in Honolulu, Hawaii -- her hometown -- where she represented the state in Congress for eight years.

While in Hawaii, Gabbard met with intelligence community partners and visited United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) headquarters in Honolulu.

In Singapore this week, both Hegseth and Gabbard will hold separate bilateral meetings with regional leaders.

A source familiar with Gabbard's agenda said she would "explore opportunities to chart a path that advances mutual interests of security, peace, and prosperity in the region."

Hegseth, Gabbard lead US delegation to major security summit in Singapore originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The South Dakota Department of Corrections has announced three methods of drug smuggling have been stopped after three offender deaths have been linked to drug overdoses in state prison facilities.

Woman charged in deadly shooting plans to plead guilty

According to a news release by the DOC, three methods of drug delivery into state prisons were identified and stopped:

Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with large amounts of drugs sent in through these packages; and

Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail; and

Through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation, which contributed to one of the deaths.

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We have identified and stopped methods used to introduce dangerous contraband that had a direct effect on the overdose deaths, DOC Secretary Kellie Wasko said in a news release.

The DOC, DCI and U.S. Postmaster General each have ongoing investigations where results may lead to criminal charges.

DOC is ending contact family visits in certain DOC facilities, while other policy changes are under review.

On Thursday, the DOC said a 29-year-old inmate died.

Attorney General Marty Jackley told KELOLAND News earlier in May there were three open death investigations of DOC inmates. Two inmates died within five days in the third week of May.

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A group of protesters gathered outside the penitentiary in Sioux Falls on Friday. The group was protesting the conditions of the prisoners within the penitentiary.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Toby Doeden announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota during an event on May 28, 2025, in Aberdeen. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

ABERDEEN  Toby Doeden, an Aberdeen businessman, officially launched his campaign for governor of South Dakota on Wednesday evening, promising a sweeping overhaul of state government including the elimination of property taxes.

Doeden is seeking the Republican nomination in 2026 and is the second member of his party to officially declare a candidacy, after state House Speaker Jon Hansen, of Dell Rapids. Other Republicans frequently mentioned as potential candidates include former lieutenant governor and current Gov. Larry Rhoden, who is serving the remainder of former Gov. Kristi Noems second term after she resigned to join the Trump Cabinet, along with U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and Attorney General Marty Jackley.

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Rhoden signed a bill earlier this year that includes several forms of property tax relief. Doeden said hell go further.

As governor, I will fight to eliminate property taxes so that each and every resident  regardless of class, color, creed or profession  can truly own their home and their land once and for all, Doeden told an enthusiastic crowd of at least a couple of hundred supporters.

He proposed the creation of a new agency, the South Dakota Department of External Revenue, to identify alternative revenue sources.

Doeden repeatedly criticized what he called a bloated $8 billion enterprise, referring to state government and its budget. He said he would create a South Dakota Department of Government Efficiency and promised to audit every state agency and publicly release every line item of spending. He also pledged to reject a salary, eliminate executive perks such as state-funded air travel, and shred all executive branch credit cards.

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Doeden called for reform of South Dakotas public education system. He pledged to refocus schools on reading, writing, math and critical thinking, and said classrooms should be free from indoctrination and divisive ideologies.

I will work with President Trump and our Legislature here at home to develop and implement an education system that prepares our children for a future of winning, he said.

Doeden tied his campaign closely to President Donald Trump, saying he would work to combat crime and illegal immigration.

Any elected official who suggests defunding the police will forfeit their right to hold office, he said.

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Doeden was introduced by state Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, who lost a 2022 primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Johnson. Among the other state lawmakers in attendance was Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer, R-Aberdeen.

Toby is a businessman, and we need someone who understands jobs, the economy, and why people are struggling, Schaefbauer said.

Doeden, a married father of four grown children, is the owner of Aberdeen Chrysler Center, Redfield Ford and other retail businesses and real estate.

When Doeden was publicly considering a challenge last year to Johnson, Doedens past social media posts drew scrutiny. He had encouraged the shooting of immigrants in gangs, used a profane insult to describe President Joe Biden, and labeled statistics about hatred of Jewish Americans as fake.

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Doeden ultimately decided against running for U.S. House last year. He founded a political action committee called Dakota First Action, which he used to support legislative candidates and play a role in 14 June primary losses by incumbent Republican lawmakers.

The committee faced immediate scrutiny due to a $100,000 contribution from Doeden himself. Following concerns raised about state campaign finance laws  particularly the $10,000 limit on individual contributions to PACs  Doeden amended the report, stating that the money was a loan rather than a donation. Because loans can be forgiven, critics alleged that Doeden had found and exploited a loophole allowing him to make an unlimited individual contribution.

The Legislature passed a bill this winter closing the loophole with a new requirement that any loan, when combined with contributions from the same source, cannot exceed contribution limits in state law. Had the law been in effect last year, Doeden would have been limited to a combined $10,000 of annual contributions and loans to his political action committee.

In October, Doeden and Dakota First Action hosted a fundraising event in Sioux Falls that sparked controversy for featuring a video message from North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. CNN had recently exposed Robinsons racist and sexually explicit comments on a pornographic websites message board, including referring to himself as a black Nazi, expressing support for reinstating slavery and praising Adolf Hitler. Robinson, who was running for governor of North Carolina, lost to a Democrat in the general election.

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(WOODLAND PARK, Colo.)  Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is reminding the community to be aware and respectful of wildlife, after a cow moose protecting her two calves chased a man and injured his two dogs near Woodland Park on Monday, May 26.

According to CPW, a man was chased down by a female moose and knocked to the ground while he was letting his dogs back inside near South Meadows Campground on Monday. CPW said the man had to roll under a car to escape the attack, and witnessed his two dogs get stomped on by the moose. Unfortunately, one dog had to be euthanized due to the injuries sustained. The other remains under observation.

On Sunday, the same mans wife was also charged by the moose, but escaped inside the home.

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This incident is a reminder of why we warn everyone to respect wildlife and give them their space, said Travis Sauder, CPW Assistant Area Wildlife Manager. We know Colorado residents love their dogs. But its important to understand that moose see dogs as predators and react in defense of themselves and their young.

Due to the location of the incident, CPW said it attempted to sedate and relocate the moose and her calves but observed the moose moving into better and more remote moose habitat. CPW has posted signs in the area warning that a potentially dangerous moose may be in the area.

File photo. Cow and calf moose. (Getty Images file)

CPW said the moose population in the state is growing, especially in Teller County. There are currently estimated to be 3,600 moose in the state, compared to 2,250 in 2013. With more people moving into Colorado and a growing moose population, its becoming especially important to take precautions when recreating or living in mountainous areas of the state.

This cow moose was exhibiting classic protective behavior of its calves, Sauder said. Be sure to give wildlife extra space, especially when they are raising their young. And it is always best to keep dogs on leashes or in a fenced area to reduce the chances of an incident with wildlife.

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Click here to learn more from CPW on how to avoid conflicts with moose.

As a precaution against run-ins with moose, Sauder urged hikers to avoid thick willow habitat near rivers where they are likely to be found eating or resting. Their calves, born in a 3-4 week period from the end of May to mid-June, are often lying in the willows while their mother is off grazing and will stay with their mother into the fall.

If photographing or observing wildlife, especially wildlife with young, always keep a safe distance. Called the rule of thumb, if you can cover the entire wild animal with your thumb, youre generally at a safe distance. If the animal looks larger than your thumb, you are too close and need to back away slowly.

If the animal changes its behavior at alllooks toward you, tucks its ears, makes noises, stomps the ground, etc.then you are too close and need to back away slowly. This is also another reason not to feed wildlife, as this can encourage animals to approach people looking for food.

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Near your home, keeping pets on a leash or in a fenced-in area is ideal. If that is not possible, it is recommended that you canvas the area before letting your dogs outside, and remain outside with them to watch out for wildlife. Understand that a pet left outside, unsecured and unobserved, may be in danger from moose, bears, and mountain lions as well as foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and even raptors like owls, hawks, and eagles.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
WUHAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The unique sensation of gliding above the city with a 270-degree panoramic view while experiencing the suspended monorail, Optics Valley Photon, in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, deeply impressed Mahdi Hameed.

"It's more than just a means of transportation, but also a genuinely enjoyable experience. I'm particularly impressed by the technological innovations behind Wuhan's sky rail," said the Iraqi reporter from the Rudaw Media Network.

Hameed was part of a group visit organized by the State Council Information Office to Wuhan from May 22 to 23, aimed at exploring the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

During the tour, he visited the East Lake High-tech Development Zone, also known as the Optics Valley of China, where he gained deeper insights into the city's rapidly growing high-tech cluster and its increasingly popular tech-driven tourism.

As China's first operational suspended monorail line, the Optics Valley Photon has attracted widespread attention since its launch in 2023. The train features fully automated driving and incorporates a range of low-carbon technologies, including energy-efficient permanent magnet motors, a lightweight body, and variable-frequency air conditioning.

Transparent floor panels in the carriages offer passengers a unique and immersive viewing experience, said Hu Huoli, deputy director of the suspended monorail division under Optics Valley Traffic Company.

"The 10.5-kilometer-long sky rail passes through both high-tech industrial parks and forest parks, blending technology with nature and adding to the appeal of this new mode of transport, " Hu added. "So far, it has attracted nearly 2.6 million visits. For many visitors to Wuhan, the Optics Valley Photon has become a must-see attraction alongside traditional landmarks like the Yellow Crane Tower."

As a national innovation hub, the Optics Valley leads in optical fiber production and serves as a key base for optoelectronic components, display panels, and laser technologies. Over the past 30 years, the area has achieved a series of breakthroughs in core technologies, establishing a strong presence in the optoelectronics industry.

From suspended monorail rides and autonomous robotaxi trips to 3D light shows and cyber-themed night markets, cutting-edge technologies are deeply integrated into everyday life. These immersive experiences are attracting visitors from around the globe, offering a vivid glimpse into the future of smart living.

The recent 20th Optics Valley of China International Optoelectronic Exposition in Wuhan drew nearly 70,000 visitors, including many families. Beyond industry professionals, curious parents brought their children to explore the latest advancements in humanoid robots, infrared telescopes and drones, turning the expo into an educational outing.

High-tech tourism is gaining popularity as visitors increasingly seek novel and distinctive experiences. During the peak cherry blossom season this March, Wuhan introduced six themed routes that blend scenic spring landscapes with smart transportation, digital innovation and futuristic design.

Wuhan has recently introduced an action plan to build itself into a world-class cultural and tourism destination. A key focus is strengthening tech-driven tourism by promoting innovations like the Optics Valley Photon monorail and developing landmark projects such as metaverse-themed districts.

With its strong industrial base, the Optics Valley is well-positioned to build a complete tech tourism ecosystem that is accessible, immersive and educational, said an official of the East Lake High-tech Development Zone. 
(Photo courtesy of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)

The dog who was left to drown during a hurricane is now the face of a new Florida law. On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed "Trooper's Law," making it a felony to restrain and abandon a dog during a declared natural disaster or when an evacuation order is in effect. The law was named after a bull terrier found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last fall.

The dog was discovered on Oct. 9 along Interstate 75 near Tampa, as evacuees fled the path of the Category 4 storm. Body camera footage shows Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales crossing a flooded field in the pouring rain to reach the frightened dog, who stood chest-deep in water and barked in fear.

"I don't blame you," Morales said gently, trying to calm the animal. "It's OK."

The dog's owner, 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia, told investigators he had been heading to Georgia to escape the storm but left the dog, originally named Jumbo, behind "because he couldn't find anyone" to care for him. He was later charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony. In a statement, Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said, "Quite frankly, I don't think [five years] is enough," and urged lawmakers to consider tougher penalties for abandoning pets during emergencies.

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The dog was renamed Trooper in honor of Trooper Morales and was adopted by a couple in Parkland, Florida. Trooper recently survived cancer and stomach surgery after ingesting more than 100 pieces of garbage while in his former owner's care.

Signed this week, Senate Bill 150 makes it a third-degree felony to leave a dog restrained and unattended during a declared disaster, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also codifies existing misdemeanor penalties for failing to provide confined animals with adequate food, water, shelter and exercise.

DeSantis also signed Dexter's Law on Tuesday, a second bill that strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. Named after a shelter dog who was killed just days after being adopted, the legislation ensures that those convicted of extreme abuse face criminal consequences that reflect the seriousness of the crime.

"Florida stands by man's best friend," DeSantis said in a statement.

Safe, healthy and loved, Trooper was recently honored as Parkland's "Favorite Dog" and now his name is part of Florida law.
USGS staff install a microsampler in a Milwaukee creek. (Photo by Peter C. Van Metre/USGS)

A field office of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Rice Lake that serves as part of an expansive national network monitoring water data is set to close next year as part of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort to terminate the leases of the agencys offices.

Federal fallout

As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and

whether to make up the difference.

Read the latest >



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The Rice Lake office and an office in Mounds View, Minn., are both operated by the USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center. They are among the more than two dozen offices across the country DOGE has targeted for closure, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

USGS staff and environmental policy workers across Wisconsin say closing the office in Rice Lake could harm the quality and quantity of the data available in the state  making it harder for local, county and state governments, as well as private citizens and businesses, to make plans and policies in a region that will be at more risk of both drought and extreme weather events as climate change intensifies.

The USGS water science centers operate thousands of streamgages across the country, gathering data on stream flows and water quality. That data can be used to help design plans for infrastructure such as bridges and dams; inform research on pollutants such as nitrates and pesticides; help farmers set irrigation plans during droughts; give homeowners information on flood plains and support recreational industries such as whitewater rafting.

The Rice Lake office is just a very important but small piece of what they do, and what they do is so fundamental to what so many other people are trying to do across so many sectors in the state of Wisconsin, says Erin OBrien, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Wetlands Association. They support state agencies and local communities and others doing not just land and water conservation work, but development and transportation planning and all these other sectors.

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The agency has been operating streamgages in the United States since the 1880s. One of the first 120 gages the agency installed was in Wisconsin in 1899, according to USGS data. That longevity gives scientists an essential resource for tracking Wisconsins bodies of water. Its easier to understand the effect of a 100-year flood when youre working with more than a century of data.

Each individual streamgage increases the value of the entire network, and every additional year of data further improves the data. Many practical uses of the data to understand how rivers and watersheds are functioning require 20 years of measurements, according to a 2021 report on the USGS streamgage network by the Congressional Research Service.

At a field office such as the one in Rice Lake, the staff is responsible for maintaining and repairing the gages. The risk of closing an office is that the staff wont be close enough to do that work, resulting in lower quality data, according to Paul LaLiberte, who serves as the chair of Wisconsin Green Fires Environmental Rules and Water Resources Work Group. LaLiberte worked on water quality issues for 36 years at the state Department of Natural Resources.

This flow data is continually recording, and [the field offices are] the ones that install the equipment, maintain the equipment, and, importantly, go out and calibrate it on a schedule and even in response to events, says LaLiberte, who worked with staff in the Rice Lake office when he was based in Eau Claire with the DNR.

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By closing the field offices, thats going to make it a whole lot harder to do this calibration and maintenance and even run as many stations as they do, he said. The consequences will probably be some combination of dropping some stations or having the data be less accurate, because due to travel times, they just cant send the crews out there to recalibrate the stations. So if the data is less accurate, then the predictions are going to be less accurate, and the infrastructure designs associated with that are going to be less accurate.

One USGS staff member who works outside of Wisconsin, granted anonymity because agency employees have not been authorized to speak to the media, says staff members across the country werent aware their offices were being shut down until the General Services Administration told their landlords the leases would not be renewed.

The staffer says the terminations are shocking because these offices are filled with lab equipment that is difficult to move and there are still not yet plans for alternatives. The result is that the data wont be collected.

I guess maybe this is apparent, but leaving these leases was not a strategy for efficiency, the staffer says. Theres no plan in place to leave these facilities and find other alternatives. And its a huge effort to now create a plan to find alternatives for these facilities when you know these facilities are in full use, and we dont see any other options. We will not be able to collect the data that we need to fulfill our mission, because we will be reassigning resources to deal with moving that we dont have.

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A USGS spokesperson said in a statement the terminated leases will not harm the agencys mission.

USGS remains committed to its congressional mandate as the science arm of the Department of the Interior, the spokesperson said. We are actively working with GSA to ensure that every facility and asset is utilized effectively, and where necessary, identifying alternative solutions that strengthen our mission. These efforts reflect our broader commitment to streamlining government operations while ensuring that scientific endeavors remain strong, effective, and impactful. This process is ongoing, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

The Rice Lake offices lease is set to end July 31, 2026.

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The "Hands Off" protest April 5, 2025 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Earlier this month, over a thousand of the brightest young minds on our planet converged on Columbus, Ohio, for the International Science Fair.

It was a special moment for me because I competed at the event as a high school senior, and that experience played a role in launching my physics career. To give back in some way, I volunteered to be a judge.

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Competitions like these are about the students. It prepares them to find their place in the vast and astoundingly successful landscape of American science, which is the envy of the world.

Its no coincidence that the international competition, which could be held anywhere on the planet, is held year after year in the United States.

Its also not a coincidence that it was held in Ohio. The organizers of the fair understood that Ohio is a scientific powerhouse, home to many thousands of scientists and engineers who meet the strict criteria to be judges.

For similar reasons, when I competed, the location was in silicon valley.

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If you are one of the many scientists and engineers in Ohio, then you are probably aware that in mid-April DOGE arrived at science funding agencies like the National Science Foundation. You are also aware that it isnt just the DEI, education, or climate-related grants now getting the axe.

Science agencies face up to 55% cuts across the board, reductions of tens of billions of dollars. But even before Congress can vote on these cuts, DOGE is already in the process of laying off staff at the National Science Foundation, just like they did at USAID and the US Department of Education.

These staff have masters or Ph.Ds in the fields of the grant programs being cut, precisely who you would want to oversee the investment of taxpayer dollars in scientific research.

All of this was on my mind as I interviewed students about their projects. I met students who had discovered new exoplanets using NASA data and artificial intelligence algorithms.

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I talked to students who took over their parents garage to test theories about light, fluids, or sound. As I interviewed these students, I wondered if they would get the same chances that I did to succeed.

When I was in college, I twice received National Science Foundation support to do summer astronomy research. Now, in summer 2025, the number of spots for federally funded undergrad research programs have been drastically reduced.

After college, I was fortunate to become a Ph.D. student at Ohio State. This year, anticipating the loss of federal dollars, Ohio State reduced their graduate admissions and some universities have even rescinded offers. (An Ohio State spokesperson emailed after publication and said this is not accurate. The spokesperson said that the university has not made any adjustments because of an anticipated loss of federal dollars.) If I were a student now, my career could easily be derailed by these roadblocks.

As a society, we have an obligation to give our kids the same opportunities to succeed that earlier generations had. Our students and postdocs should be on the ground floor of scientific discoveries with data from world-class instruments.

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Instead, it seems, they will be on the ground floor of nothing, and unable to build the professional relationships that grow into a cutting-edge career.

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Elon Musk is stepping back from the federal government but his so-called Department of Government Efficiency isnt going anywhere.

Just this week at the Interior Department, a 30-year veteran of the agency who told employees to ignore DOGE directives was escorted out of the building. Elsewhere, some DOGE employees have been hired on as permanent government staffers and given high-ranking positions inside agencies. The General Services Administration, for example, is an entry point for dozens of DOGE officials whove then gone to other departments.

And Cabinet heads like Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought have been quietly prepping plans for lasting changes that stand to be even more consequential than the initial rounds of cuts from Musks team, including through President Donald Trumps large-scale efforts to reduce the workforce and the presidents budget requests.

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DOGE is at work. Theyre not going away, Vought told Fox News recently. I talk to them every single day.

Similarly, a White House official granted anonymity to discuss the situation emphasized to POLITICO that the true DNA of DOGE is within the agencies where DOGE staff are political appointees who can stay for as long as they want.

DOGE and Musk did not respond to requests for comment.

With Musks 130-day special government employee status expiring, he made his exit official Wednesday night in a post on his social media platform X. As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, Musk posted.

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The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government, he said.

Stephen Miller, Trumps deputy chief of staff, chimed in to say that DOGEs work to eliminate the rot embedded deep within Washington has only just begun.

Now, the Trump administrations controversial and at-times chaotic attempt to reshape the federal government is entering a new phase. Gone is the shock and awe of the first 100 days of Trumps presidency and DOGEs initial gutting of the federal workforce, in which tens of thousands of workers have been fired, placed on leave or left their jobs and federal budgets have been slashed. Thats on top of gutting key agencies across the government, including the IRS and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Instead, DOGE staffers are continuing to find quieter ways to cut programs and staffing and are at times trying to access lesser-known institutions and departments even as they fight with courts over charges they want to implement. During the last two weeks, DOGE has tried to access the Government Publishing Office, the governments central publishing operation, as well as the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, which manages discrimination and harassment complaints in Congress. Thats on top of sending  or trying to send  teams to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Government Accountability Office.

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Some members of the DOGE operation are expected to continue their government-cutting roles inside agencies, while others who signed on to be DOGEs small-government revolutionaries are expected to leave their temporary gigs and head back to the corporate world.

Cabinet secretaries and department leaders are also publicly asserting their own control to make cuts as they ask lawmakers to endorse smaller budgets and pledging to be more efficient with less funding. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer recentlysuccessfully pressured GSA to reverse dozens of office lease cancellations that DOGE had previously targeted. And Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin has downplayed the role DOGE is playing inside his agency as he pursues spending and workforce cuts.

All decisions are made by me in the agency, Zeldin told senators during a congressional hearing last week when pressed about plans to cut that agencys stand-alone science office.

DOGE inside agencies

To understand how deeply DOGE has burrowed into the federal government, look at the Interior Department.

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A few weeks into the new administration, DOGE official Tyler Hassen assembled a meeting of the departments senior career executives in the Interior secretarys conference room on the fifth floor at its headquarters. Dozens of career employees were in the room; many more tuned in virtually.

Hassen introduced himself to the career staffers, explaining that his role was to make the department and the government more efficient. He told the staff he thought there was a lot of waste at Interior that could be cleaned up, according to a person who participated in the meeting.

Hassen delivered the speech from his office on the buildings sixth floor, the person said. He didnt even come down. He was one floor above us. That was kind of weird, said the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss an internal meeting.

By early March, Hassen had been given a senior appointment on Interior Secretary Doug Burgums team as acting assistant secretary of policy, management and budget. The move to give Hassen expansive authorities and a formal title on Interiors senior team sparked an outcry from critics who have accused Burgum of ceding his power to DOGE.

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An Interior Department spokesperson, in an email to POLITICO, criticized the leak about Hassan and defended him, saying, "Tyler Hassen is doing great work at Interior making sure we are following President Trumps directive to make government more efficient for American taxpayers.

Hassen did not respond to a request for comment.

Hassen isnt the only DOGE team member inside the Interior Department. A former SpaceX software engineer recently took over as Interiors top information technology official in the wake of a dispute between the departments IT officials and the DOGE team. The Interior Department also named Stephanie Holmes as its chief human capital officer. She had reportedly been DOGEs human resources expert.

Holmes did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Its not isolated to Interior. More broadly, Musk still meets with Trump and this month traveled with the president to Qatar, where the tech billionaire also announced that he was stepping back from funding political campaigns. At the same time, top DOGE figures like Steve Davis, described by The New York Times as Musks top lieutenant, and Antonio Gracias, a billionaire investor and top Musk ally, come to the White House once or twice a week to meet with officials like chief of staff Susie Wiles or deputy chief of staff Miller, according to a White House official granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics.

After the story was published, the White House sent a statement to POLITICO saying that DOGE remains an "integral" part of the federal government and will continue its work "under the direction of agency and department heads in the Trump administration."

At the same time, Vought has stepped in as the de facto power broker in Washington in trying to get DOGEs work codified into the law and working with agencies to carry out the remaining reductions in force, according to two other administration officials granted anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly. Vought, for example, put together the White House budget proposal reflecting DOGEs $160 billion in cuts, and is in constant contact with Hill appropriators as well as Republicans who have had reservations about DOGEs cuts.

Everyones more nervous about [Vought] than Elon actually, especially because he knows government a little bit better, said a federal government worker granted anonymity because they feared retribution. While people are excited that Elon is gone, this doesnt change much.

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Vought declined to comment for this report.

Agencies push back

In recent weeks, some agency leaders have also publicly broken with DOGE directives, a phenomenon that could become more widespread as Musk reduces his role.

In April, leaders of the National Institutes of Health rolled back DOGE directives that instructed staffers to send weekly emails outlining their productivity and limited purchases and travel on company cards, according to messages obtained by POLITICO. Thats partly because the data DOGE collected would have been expensive to store, and it was unclear if Musks office ever used it for anything consequential.

That prompted some staffers to suspect the agencys recently confirmed director, Jay Bhattacharya, and perhaps others at the Department of Health and Human Services, were willing to break with Musk and DOGE.

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Ive tried my hardest to turn the lights back on.  I heard you guys had to do five points every week. That was ridiculous. Im really proud that we dont have to have some of the best scientists in the world tell me what they did last week, Bhattacharya said at a town hall last week.

He also portrayed himself as powerless against DOGEs mass workforce terminations because they landed the same day he joined the agency in April, though he said he would reinstate some procurement staffers who shouldnt have been terminated.

But the movement at NIH and other HHS offices weeks after illustrates a more complicated portrait.

Since the start of the second Trump administration, at least six DOGE officials have descended at the agency with NIH credentials, and some have slashed scientific research grants and conducted staff reorganizations, terminations and other purported cost-cutting measures, according to an NIH staffer familiar with the matter granted anonymity out of concerns they would face a retribution. Bhattacharya and other HHS leaders have done little to stave off these deeper cuts, the NIH staffer, as well as another institute staffer who was also granted anonymity out of fear of reprisal, said.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. strongly supports DOGEs mission and views the team as a critical partner in restoring public trust in our health institutions, said Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson. Cutting waste, fraud and abuse at HHS remains a top priority.

In July, NIH is expected to turn in plans to dramatically consolidate the NIHs information technology departments, in which there are over a dozen teams in various sub-offices, even as it remains unclear how much work contractors can backfill, the staffers said. Bhattacharya contended at the town hall cuts like this would eliminate redundant offices, while some staffers said it could imperil logistics support for scientists.

Now employees have been charged to essentially fire each other by putting forward plans to slash the IT departments down to size, said the two staffers.

DOGE is still hungry, one of the NIH staffers said. Weve still got to feed the fing dog.

Ben Lefebvre and Nick Niedzwiadek contributed to this report.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A 30-year-old felon was sentenced Wednesday to serve seven-and-a-half years in federal prison for carjacking a San Francisco AIDS Foundation vehicle in the citys Tenderloin District, prosecutors announced.

San Mateo man shot at high school boys SUV after house egged, prosecutors say

Lafayette Davenport, of San Francisco, was sentenced to 90 months on several charges, including carjacking, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, said the Department of Justice Northern District of California.

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The incident unfolded on Aug. 24, 2023, after Davenport spotted the victim driving in a car that was marked with the nonprofit organizations logos.

As the victim driver completed a pickup of discarded needles and returned to the car, Davenport, wearing a ski mask, ran up to the victim and pointed a pistol at him, saying Dont make me shoot you and I swear Ill shoot you right here,' said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian in a news release. Davenport stole the victims watch and car keys and drove the San Francisco AIDS Foundation vehicle several feet before fleeing on foot to a nearby apartment building.

Davenport was arrested by San Francisco Police Department officers on Feb. 22, 2024, in the Tenderloin. He was found with the ski mask and the loaded pistol that he had used during the carjacking, police said. At the time of his arrest, Davenport was on probation and had been previously convicted of prior felonies, including second-degree burglary of cars while on parole.

Davenport was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2024, before pleading guilty this year on Feb. 11 to all three counts.

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He was also sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $500 in restitution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and SFPD assisted in the investigation.

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People have asked for Chicago gang kingpin, Larry Hoover, to be freed for decades after two separate convictions ensured he would spend the rest of his life in jail. In a surprise move, Donald Trump eliminated one of them, though it doesnt mean that the 74-year-old inmate is completely off the hook.

The current President Of The United States commuted Hoovers federal life sentence for operating a criminal enterprise on Wednesday (May 29). The father of three was handed that sentence, which sent him to a federal supermax facility in Colorado, while already serving 150-200 years of jail time for a murder in Chicago in 1973. While his days in Colorado are over, he will now return to Illinois to serve the remaining time on his initial murder conviction.

After nearly 30 years in federal solitary and over 50 years behind bars, Larry Hoover has been granted executive clemency by President Trump, his attorney Justin Moore wrote on X. His federal life sentence is over. Justice, mercy, and redemption prevailed. The fight continuesbut today, we celebrate [] This was all faith, legal precision and relentless determination. Six life sentences. Beneath the Rocky Mountains. Gone. Just like that.

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Justin Moore also revealed that Donald Trumps actions were a testament to his courage, as a previous President shied away. For those wondering, I had a direct, 1on1 convo with Joe Biden about commuting Larrys sentence, he shared on X. He decided not to citing push back from officials in Illinois- even though it was expressed that Larry shouldve been released. To Trumps credit, he did what others were afraid to do.

While many people in the Hip-Hop community celebrated, few people were happier than Ye. WORDS CANT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER, he wrote on X.

The artist formerly known as Kanye West had been a longtime advocate for Hoovers freedom, and even reunited with Drake to host the Free Larry Hoover benefit concert in Los Angeles back in December 2021. He also took the time to thank the Toronto superstar, despite his mixed feelings toward his on-and-off enemy as of late. Thank you Drake for for helping to bring Larry Hoover home, he added on X. Check out the full concert below.

FULL FREE LARRY HOOVER CONCERT STREAM



YE AND DRAKE ? pic.twitter.com/hg6myMNddD  Ghost Town ? (@GhostTownYZY) May 28, 2025

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Donald Trumps legal team made its latest filing in his lawsuit against CBS as settlement negotiations continue between network parent Paramount and the presidents team.

Sources said Wednesday that an opening offer to Trump has been made, in the eight figures, but that the discussions are still in the early stages.

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Meanwhile, Trumps team faced a deadline Wednesday to file a response to CBS motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Trump sued the network over the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris, part of an election special that was broadcast in October.

In a preview of the segment that aired on Face the Nation on October 6, Harris was shown giving an answer to a question about Israel-Gaza that was different than the one that was featured on the 60 Minutes broadcast the next day.

Trump claimed that the broadcast was deceptive in a way to boost Harris electoral chances. His amended, $20 billion lawsuit, filed in February, claimed violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the federal Lanham Act, laws typically used by consumers against false advertising. Trump contended that the interview improperly diverted traffic from his media platforms, including Truth Social.

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In a motion to dismiss, CBS argued that the 60 Minutes preview and broadcast were not commercial speech, but news programming protected by the First Amendment. The network also has denied that the 60 Minutes edits were deceptive and merely made for time constraints, noting that the first part of Harris answer was shown on the Face the Nation preview and the second for the shows broadcast.

In their latest filing, made overnight to a federal district court in Texas, Trumps legal team argued that determining that the First Amendment precludes the instant lawsuit would put the cart before the horsethe First Amendment is no shield to news distortion.

Trumps lawyers wrote that because they were misled by Defendants false advertising and tampering with the entirety of the Interview, viewers withheld attention from President Trump and Truth Social by directing their attention to Defendants media platforms. This increased Defendants engagement, viewership, and advertising revenue, and decreased the value of President Trumps ownership in TMTG and other media holdings.

Read Trumps response to CBS in 60 Minutes lawsuit.

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They further added that Trump was forced to re-direct significant time, money, and effort to correcting the public record regarding the content of the Interview and Election Special.

A number of legal experts see the lawsuit as meritless. Katie Couric, the former anchor of CBS Evening News, called it bulls in a recent interview with Jim Acosta, the former CNN host and correspondent. And based on a transcript of the unedited interview, neither part of Harris answer is clear.

But Paramount Global is seeking Trump administration approval for its merger with Skydance Media, and a settlement of the lawsuit is viewed as a way to secure a green light for the transaction.

In his interview with Harris, 60 Minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker asked her why Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not listening to the Biden administration.

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Harris replied, Well, Bill, the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by, or a result of many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region. And were not going to stop doing that. We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end.

The second part of Harris answer was shown on the 60 Minutes broadcast; the first part was shown on Face the Nation.

But in arguing that they were harmed by the broadcast, Trumps team wrote that merely having access to Defendants services does not mean that a consumer would have watched the Election Special even without Defendants deceptive advertising of it. Harriss meandering answer in the Preview was engaging in much the same way one cannot look away from a car crash happening in slow motion.

The Face the Nation preview was aired during the show, not during an advertising break. But Trumps team argued that CBS legal team, in their motion to dismiss, neglects to reckon with modern forms of advertising monetization; the consumers attention is the product which content creators vie for, which they can then monetize with advertisements.

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In another filing, Trumps legal team also argued that the Texas court, rather than New York, was a proper venue for the litigation, as CBS had argued that the president was engaged in forum shopping. In his amended lawsuit, Trump added a resident of the state as plaintiff: Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), the former White House physician.

The federal judge assigned to the case, Matthew Kacsmaryk, was nominated by Trump in his first term. During Joe Bidens presidency, conservative groups sought to file cases in his Amarillo jurisdiction, seeking favorable rulings, per the Texas Tribune.

In April, Kacsmaryk noted that he already had granted five deadline extensions for filings in the case, and that any further extensions would have to demonstrate good cause.

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A Coca-Cola, chips and a footlong breakfast sandwich landed on a MassLive reporters doorstep on Wednesday afternoon. It wasnt the glossy New York-style sandwich pictured on DoorDash  but that was expected.

What was surprising is that a sandwich arrived at all. Only 24 hours before, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced there had been 52 arrests in connection with three drug trafficking investigations.

One of them involved Garcia Market, which officials described as a drug trafficking front. It was also the Forest Park bodega where the DoorDash order had been placed.

Drug trafficking fronts

For two years, as people continued to order sandwiches, hamburgers and snacks from Garcia Market, officials investigated the market for possibly being involved in another kind of business: drugs.

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The task force, Gulluni said, had a highly successful and complicated investigation focused on sophisticated operations.

A lot of these folks have been doing this for a while, and they know how to do it and not get caught, Gulluni told the Republican.

The investigation into the two neighboring businesses, Garcia Market at 344 Orange St. and Angels Used Appliances at 167 White St. in Springfield, yielded more than 12,000 grams of cocaine, 530 grams of fentanyl and 15 firearms, Gulluni said.

Parts of the investigation went across state lines into New York. And it was all centered around money.

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People involved in these kinds of investigations are making hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars on peoples destruction and death, Gulluni said.

Gulluni believes the arrests will have an impact on the drug scene in Hampden County, deterring others from trying to do the same thing.

However, the arrests havent stop Garcia Market completely.

Calls for shut down

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno began calling for the closure of the bodega Wednesday night after an inquiry from MassLive.

Mayor Sarno States Garcias Market Take Down Warrants a Shut Down! a press release headline read.

Sarno particularly called the market a den of iniquity that he will task his legal staff to hit with a cease-and-desist order to stop ongoing business.

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I spoke with both District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Police Superintendent Larry Akers earlier today to commend them and our State Police law enforcement officials for their continued brave and dedicated efforts to shut down this major drug and gun operation, Sarno said. As you know, I have no patience nor tolerance with these poison dealing, gun-toting violent offenders and their business fronts are not welcomed here in Springfield.

The business has also since been shut down on DoorDash.

MassLive alerted DoorDash to the restaurants operations and use of fake photos Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday morning, DoorDash confirmed the bodega was removed from the platform.

We have deactivated Garcia Deli from our platform, and encourage anyone who becomes aware of potential fraudulent activity to reach out to our Support team as we strive to promote a safe environment for the DoorDash community, a DoorDash spokesperson told MassLive in an email.

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The store did not have accounts on GrubHub, Uber Eats or Instacart.

Bacon, egg and cheese reviewed

Overall, the bodega had 3.7 out of five stars. MassLive wouldve rated the $8.99 bacon, egg and cheese slightly lower at a 2.7.

It wasnt bad. But youre not missing anything by not being able to order it. Hot Table is better.

The reviews were wide ranging, which included 50 public reviews on DoorDash.

Amazing steak and cheese grinder especially the price for how big it is, Jose V. wrote, giving it five stars.

Highly disgusted, what a disappointment, after reading such positive reviews. I didnt recognize the bacon as it was shredded chopped up in small pieces and rubbery instead of crispy??? ... Hopefully I caught the cook on a bad day, but I wont order again, Cindy C. wrote, giving it one star.

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Bread and egg was good, but there was more chunks of bacon lard than bacon meat. AND I MEAN CHUNKS. ... Food was hot, James G. wrote, giving it two stars.

The reviews werent wrong either. There were chunks of bacon lard and the bacon was in small pieces. This probably wouldve felt like a completely acceptable sandwich if normal bacon had been used.

Additionally, while the sandwich is not as beautiful as the photo the store used on DoorDash, a photo of the actual sandwich likely still wouldve attracted customers. Again, it wasnt terrible.

Instead, Garcia Market used a photo widely shared on the internet, including on Reddit, of a completely different sandwich.

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Taking photos from other places was common marketing for Garcia Markets sandwich options on DoorDash, including its Tripleta Sandwich, a chicken sandwich and its hamburger.

However, it appears to have taken its own photos of drinks, which were placed in front of a roll of paper towels (a paper towel was also included in the order).

This type of fake marketing isnt allowed on DoorDash.

An option at the bottom of each restaurants page gives users the option to report a restaurant for using fake photos, which then gets reviewed by DoorDash.

DoorDash protections

The area around Garcia Market and Angels Used Appliances drew an inordinate level of police attention over the years, with 12 calls about people with guns, two calls for gunshot victims, 24 activations of the citys gunshot detection technology and 46 calls from the public about gunfire.

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For unsuspecting DoorDash drivers, there are safety measures in place.

We take the safety of our entire community extremely seriously, and have put robust safeguards in place to help prevent bad actors from abusing our platform, including enhanced real-time monitoring technology and multi-layer verification processes for merchants, a DoorDash spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Some of the safety measures built into DoorDashs system includes a SafeDash Check-In for if an order is taking longer than expected, safety reassurance calls to quickly connect to an ADT agent if needed and an emergency assistance button to silently request emergency assistance.

DoorDash also uses Samdesk to alert drivers to real-time incidents. If something happens near a restaurant, operations will be suspended in that area.

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This includes canceling any active deliveries so Dashers can avoid the impacted area and stay out of harms way, DoorDash said in a statement to MassLive. We will also proactively check-in on Dashers near any impacted area to make sure they are okay.

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A 1,644-acre forest tract in Dorchester County, known as Beech Hill, is to be preserved as a South Carolina state forest. (Photo provided by Brown Land + Plantation Advisors)

The number of state forests in South Carolina could jump from five to seven.

A land conservation group bought a 1,644-acre forest tract in the Lowcountry with plans to transfer it to the state Forestry Commission for management.

State forests

Harbison State Forest in Richland County

Manchester State Forest in Clarendon and Sumter counties

Poe Creek State Forest in Oconee and Pickens counties

Sand Hills State Forest in Chesterfield and Darlington counties

Wee Tee State Forest in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties

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Source: SC Forestry Commission

Thursdays announcement from Dorchester County follows a 2,700-acre purchase in Jasper County two weeks ago by the Nature Conservancy that was expected to become the first new state forest in 20 years.

The Open Space Institute closed last week on its $11.35 million purchase of land called Beech Hill in Dorchester County, located between the Edisto River Wildlife Management Area and Givhans Ferry State Park, about 12 miles west of the fast-growing town of Summerville.

The organization, in a statement, described the property as unusually high and dry for the Lowcountry, putting it in higher demand for potential development as growth moves northwest out of Charleston.

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According to the Open Space Institute, it will be open to the public with for hunting, hiking and biking.

This forested landscape represents a renewable resource that provides a multitude of benefits, including clean water, scenic beauty, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation, State Forester Scott Phillips said in a statement.

This is another win for our state, its residents, and wildlife as we continue working with our partners to ramp up efforts to conserve working forests.

A map of a 1,644-acre forest tract in Dorchester County to be preserved as a South Carolina state forest. (Photo provided by The Open Space Institute)

The land was previously used by WestRock to grow trees for its now-shuttered North Charleston paper mill.

The purchase includes funding from the Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Conservation Bank, as well as Dorchester County, which will contribute $4.1 million from its Greenbelt Program. County voters approved a 1-cent local sales tax for conservation in 2022.

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Management of South Carolinas protected forests is funded through timber sales on the properties, according to the Forestry Commissions website.

A quarter of revenue earned from the new forest will go to the Dorchester County School District, according to information provided by the Open Space Institute.

The Nature Conservancy bought the Jasper County property, known as Chelsea Plantation, for $32 million. Originally nearly 6,000 acres, other parts of the tract had already been sold to home builders.

Developing Chelsea would have ushered in a new era of expansion in an already fast-growing region, executive director Dale Threatt-Taylor said in a statement. We werent willing to leave it to chance.

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The timeline for transferring that property to the state is still being discussed.

Before these two announcements, the last time land opened to the public as a new, protected state forest was in 2004, when the Forestry Commission acquired 12,000-acre Wee Tee State Forest in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties.

Conservation groups helped purchase land to add to the forest in 2023, bringing its total to 18,000 acres.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  This week, members of the community helped celebrate the opening of the second Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department station. Sontos Chavez is the chief of the Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

It serves the eastern portion of our district so its a big deal for us to open our second station, Chavez said.

The Dove Creek VFD covers just under 300 square miles of the southwestern part of Tom Green County. Chavez said with the opening of the second location the response time to the areas further east in the coverage area will be quicker.

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It helps our response times to the eastern portion of our coverage area something that used to take us 15-20 minutes to get over herenow we have a station in the area that we can respond directly out of, Chavez said.

He said that with this new station, they will be able to receive a better ISO rating, which is a rating that tells everyone how well equipped an area is for fighting a fire. A lower ISO rating is a good thing and can help to offer lower home insurance for those in the area. Chavez said his department has been working on a lower rating and this second station is a step in the right direction.

This is going to help people with their insurance with protection for their homes and hopefully its a direct reflection that they can see in their pocketbooks that there is somebody here to help them, Chavez said.

He said that this new station would not have been possible if it were not for the support the department received from the Tom Green County Commissioners.

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This whole thing started with a call from the community looking for fire protection for their area. The call went to the commissioners and the commissioners went out and met with local VFDs, myself, Wall and Christoval Volunteer Fire Department got together and determined how we could make this work Chavez said.

The commissioners that helped with this project were honored with a special plaque thanking them for their work. Drew Darby, who could not be in attendance to the celebration, sent a show of support by giving the new station a Texas flag that had been flown over the capitol in D.C. Chavez said the opening of this second station is being considered phase one as he hope to expand and add training areas and classrooms in the future.

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BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged relevant countries to cease ganging up and stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, and to refrain from undermining regional peace.

Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a question regarding the joint patrols conducted by the Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea.

The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, and there is no issue with the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in accordance with international law, Zhang noted.

"Some countries engage in confrontation in the name of cooperation, showcase their military might under the pretext of freedom, and create chaos in the guise of order, emerging as the primary source of risks that undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea," he said. 
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  It has been a year since tragedy struck the city of Youngstown.

The Realty Building explosion killed one person, injured more, and left a gaping hole in the middle of downtown.

In the months that followed, downtown Youngstown became a ghost town once again, leaving businesses struggling to keep the lights on, while some others were forced to turn the lights off entirely for months.

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Were resilient. Youngstown has always been resilient, business owner Mark Canzonetta said.

Canzonetta reflected on a year of struggle and growth inside his restaurant, Casa di Canzonetta, one year after the Realty building exploded. A mural on a far wall honors the old restaurant  Bistro 1907  a reminder of what once was and what the city has overcome.

Its been a crazy year. Its been a year of transition. Its been a year of growth, soul searching, faith in God getting us through that tragic time, Canzonetta said.

The explosion shut down Bistro 1907 and the Doubletree Hotel for four months straight since the building was just across the street from the Realty Building. Canzonetta realized quickly he was in for a long struggle.

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The shock factor set in, What am I going to do? You know, how am I going to take care of our team members here? Canzonetta said. That was hard because I had 80 peoples lives that changed.

Other businesses struggled, too  as many people avoided coming downtown altogether.

The owner of Avalon Pizza said she thought there were moments their business might not survive.

When you go from sales to, you know, to basically very little in sales but yet you still have all your bills like you would normally have. Its scary. Its very scary, said owner Anne Massullo-Sabella.

Many downtown restaurant owners said the explosion was one of several blows to business and came after years-long struggles with the pandemic and the ongoing construction downtown. Restaurant owners say something needs to change. For now, they say its the community keeping downtown alive.

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Nothings going to beat us no matter how far down we are. Were going to find a way to bounce back. Were going to find a way to succeed, Canzonetta said.

We have survived that I never, ever expected to ever be and never thought I was going to survive it, but the only reason why we survived it is because of the community support that we got, Massullo-Sabella said.

Youngstown is alive, well and ready for people to come back, Canzonetta said.

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At least 70 members of the European Parliament are planning on attending this years Pride celebrations in Budapest, Hungary, despite the nations ban against LGBTQ gatherings, officials have told CNN.

Earlier this year, Hungarian lawmakers passed new legislation which outlaws Pride events in the country and allows authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those attending any events that go ahead despite the ban.

But officials from at least six groups of the European Parliament are planning on attending Budapests annual Pride march anyway, according to a spokesperson for Kim van Sparrentak, the co-president of the European Unions Intergroup.

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The Intergroup describes itself as an informal forum for Members of the European Parliament (MEPS) who wish to advance and protect the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.

Budapest Pride has remained determined in the face of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government, which has previously said it is outlawing the parade and other LGBTQ gatherings in the country due to child protection issues.

Organizers have vowed to hold the event anyway, and have called on international allies, activists, and friends to join the Pride parade though Hungarys capital on June 28.

Van Sparrentak, who is a Dutch MEP from the parliaments Greens/European Free Alliance political group, told CNN that she will be attending Budapest Pride to support the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary, to let them know that they are not alone (and) to be visible as a community.

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Pride is a protest, and if Orban can ban Budapest Pride without consequences, every pride is one election away from being banned, she continued.

Marc Angel, the other co-president of Intergroup, told CNN that he is attending Budapest Pride this year to show solidarity with LGBTQ Hungarians, as well as all of civil society, which he said was under attack in Hungary.

Angel said that he will be defending the right to assemble as a fundamental European right, adding that he hopes to show Hungarians who believe in democracy and in Europe that they are not alone.

Luxembourg's Marc Angel, of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, told CNN that he will be attending Budapest Pride. - Julien Warnand/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

On Tuesday, a group of 20 countries in the European Union signed a letter urging Hungary to revise its anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation, calling on the European Commission to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal if this doesnt happen.

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Angel suggested that some of these mechanisms could include stopping EU funding to Hungary and enacting an infringement procedure against the country for failing to implement EU law.

In Tuesdays letter, the foreign ministries of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden said that they are deeply concerned by Hungarys recent law changes.

The use of facial recognition software to identify people attending banned events was also condemned, with the countries saying that they are concerned by the implications of these measures on freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to privacy.

Respecting and protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including LGBTIQ+ persons, is inherent in being part of the European family. This is our responsibility and shared commitment of the member states and the European institutions, the letter read.

CNN has reached out to the Hungarian government for comment.

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The letter, signed by 66 Members of Knesset from both sides of the aisle, expressed "unshakable solidarity" with the diaspora community.

Some 66 members of Knesset from the coalition and opposition signed a letter initiated by Likud MK Dan Illouz on Thursday expressing solidarity with the Jewish Diaspora in the wake of the deeply troubling peak in antisemitic incidents worldwide.

The letter, which was made out to our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora  With love, with pain, and with unshakable solidarity, included signatories from nearly all of the Knessets Jewish parties, including the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) parties in the coalition and three opposition parties.

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On the 23rd of Iyar, 5785 (May 21, 2025), two people  Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lischinsky  were murdered in a shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, simply because the killer wanted to murder Jews, the letter began.

This was not an attack on soldiers. It wasnt a protest against policy. It was a vile act of antisemitism  pure and simple. And tragically, this wasnt an isolated incident. Its part of a deeply troubling global trend: Since October 7, antisemitism has been spreading at an alarming pace  on campuses, in the streets, across social media, and throughout the public sphere, the MKs continued.

Yet in the darkness, your light has shone brightly. You stood with us during our hardest moments. You marched, you gave, [and] you fought for the truth. You reminded us that Am Yisrael is one people  united. For that we thank you. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your determination. Thank you for your love. Because of you, we were not alone. And now you wont be alone either.

They continued, We, ministers and members of Knesset from across the political spectrum, speak to you with one clear voice: We are with you. We see you. We hear you. We feel your pain. And we will not be silent. The bond between the Jewish Diaspora and the State of Israel does not depend on circumstance. It is eternal.

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We are one family  bound by destiny, rooted in history, and entrusted with the mission of building a future of strength and dignity  together. From Jerusalem to Washington, from Tel Aviv to Toronto  we stand as one. And we say, with pride and with love: Am Yisrael Chai, the MKs concluded.

'Jews are targeted simply for being Jewish'

Illouz, who is originally from Montreal, told The Jerusalem Post, When Jews are targeted simply for being Jewish, our response must be united and unequivocal. This was not just a crime  it was part of a global wave of hate that demands moral clarity.

We want every Jewish community to know: you are not alone. Israel sees you, stands with you, and will always fight antisemitism wherever it appears. Am Yisrael is one family  and we stand together.

According to a report by the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel that was published in January, in 2024, antisemitic incidents in the US rose by 288% compared to 2022, and in Canada by 562%.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A driver has fled the scene after causing a 3-vehicle crash in north Abilene Thursday afternoon.

The crash happened near the intersection of N 10th Street and Westwood Drive around 4:00 p.m.

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Police at the scene told KTAB and KRBC an SUV traveling at a high speed east down N 10th Street hit a Jeep that was traveling west, causing both to spin out and hit a third vehicle.

All three drivers involved sustained minor injuries, and the driver of the SUV that caused the crash fled the scene. This driver has been identified but not yet apprehended, according to police.

No further information is available at this time.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A driver was seriously injured after crashing into a guardrail in Antioch early Thursday morning.

Offices were called to 3500 block of Pin Hook Lane near Hobson Pike around 2 a.m.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to Metro police, the driver of a white SUV hit a guardrail, which then went through the vehicle.

(Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

The driver was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries.

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Pin Hook Road was closed in both directions to traffic. The roadway reopened around 6:20 a.m.

No additional information was immediately released.

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 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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The international drone coalition has committed to providing 2.75 billion in 2025 to support Ukraines defence against Russian aggression.

Source: Latvian Ministry of Defence, as reported by the Oboronka project of Mezha Media, a technology and IT news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company

Details: Turkiye and Belgium have expressed their intention to join the coalition, which currently comprises 18 countries. Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds announced these developments during the Drone Summit in Riga on 28 May 2025.

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Spruds stated that the coalitions expansion will enable increased drone supplies to Ukraine while strengthening the defence industries of Latvia, the EU and NATO countries.

Since its establishment on 14 February 2024, the drone coalition has provided significant support to Ukraine, allocating 1.8 billion in 2024. Over two years, total support will reach 4.5 billion.

The minister noted that coalition members have collectively contributed approximately 180 million to the UK-led UAV procurement fund.

This fund supports centralised drone procurement alongside national support measures by each member country.

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Latvia plans to allocate 20 million in 2025 for drone purchases within the coalition framework, plus an additional 10 million for collaborative projects with Ukrainian defence companies. In 2024, Latvia contributed 20 million and supplied nearly 5,000 combat drones to Ukraine.

Background: The coalition currently includes Latvia, the United Kingdom, Australia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, Sweden and Ukraine. With Turkiye and Belgiums accession, membership will grow to 20 countries.

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Dua Lipa, Primal Scream, Massive Attack and Annie Lennox are among the signatories on a new open letter urging British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to end U.K. complicity in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The letter, organized by refugee charity Choose Love, accused the British government of continuing to allow U.K. arms to be sold to Israel and for providing licenses for arms manufacturers. In September 2024, the government suspended 30 licenses from companies involved in sending items to Israel.

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Last week, Sir Keir and his French and Canadian counterparts warned Israel that they will take concrete actions if it continues an egregious expansion of military operations in Gaza.

You cant call it intolerable, yet do nothing, the letter states. The world is watching and history will not forget. The children of Gaza cannot wait another minute. Prime minister, what will you choose? Complicity in war crimes, or the courage to act?

The letter comes as the United Nations warns that Gazas 2.1 million population is facing catastrophic levels of hunger, and the U.N. reports that 47 people were injured on Tuesday (May 27) while aid was distributed to crowds; Israel claims its troops only fired warning shots in the air.

Those who survive starvation wake up to bombs falling on them, the letter adds. Violence stamped with U.K. inaction  flown with parts shipped from British factories to Israel, could be obliterating families in seconds. Each arms shipment makes our country directly complicit in their deaths.

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The war in Gaza began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 and taking more than 250 people hostage; 58 are still in captivity. According to the Associated Press, retaliatory attacks by Israel have killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, with Gazas Health Ministry reporting that most of those killed were women and children.

More than 300 personalities from the world of British music, television and film  including director Danny Boyle, Bridgertons Nicola Coughlan, Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton and Gary Lineker  have also added their names to the letter.

On Wednesday (May 28) Kneecap was removed from the lineup at Glasgows TRNSMT festival in July due to safety concerns from the local police force; the band has said the removal was linked to its pro-Palestine advocacy. Liam Og O hAnnaidh of the West Belfast rap trio was recently charged with a terror offense in relation to an incident at a show in November 2024. He is due in Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18.

Read the open letter signed by Dua Lipa, Massive Attack and more below:

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Only 2,000 Idahoans dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid chose a specific insurance plan so far. But there's 90 days to decide. (Getty Images)

Correction: This story was corrected June 2 to reflect that Molina also previously offered Idaho duals plans.

Idaho is switching contractors that run health insurance plans for vulnerable patients.

Starting June 1, the private health insurance companies running Idaho Medicaid and Medicares plans will change to Molina Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare.

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That will only apply to the about 27,000 Idahoans who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, said Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesperson AJ McWhorter. Over half of them were already enrolled in an insurance plan run by a private company, called managed care.

People dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid qualify for disabilities, low income and age.

Many patients have already been automatically enrolled in one of the new duals insurance plans. But patients will have 90 days, or until Aug. 30, to pick, McWhorter told the Sun in an email.

Only 2,000 people chose a specific insurance plan so far, after Health and Welfare sent out letters in March, he said on May 22.

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Many people havent chosen a new plan because they like the plan they will be enrolled in if they do not make a selection. But we want to be sure that everyone who wants to make an active choice does so, he said.

Idahos dual Medicaid and Medicare offers two types of plans.

Molina began offering Idaho duals plans in 2018, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesperson Greg Stahl told the Sun in an email.

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How the new Idaho Medicaid duals contracts work

For people dually eligible, Medicaid generally covers costs not fully covered by Medicare, such as for nursing homes and home and community-based services, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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Both of the companies, Molina and United, will be required to honor existing patient authorizations for the first 90 days of the contract, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says.

Health and Welfare is winding down readiness reviews of the companies and hasnt spotted any concerning issues, Idaho Medicaid Deputy Director Juliet Charron told the Idaho Capital Sun in a May 19 interview.

Could there be bumps in the road? Of course, she said. But thats why she said Idaho officials are communicating proactively.

People who have questions or concerns should reach out to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, or United or Molina, she said.

How to get help with Idaho Medicaid, Medicare dual change

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has resources about the contract change available online on a frequently asked questions webpage.

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Patients can also contact Health and Welfare, or the insurance companies. Heres how:

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Website: mmcp.dhw.idaho.gov Email: IdahoDuals@dhw.idaho.gov Phone: 833-814-8568

UnitedHealthcare Website: https://www.uhc.com/communityplan/idaho Phone: 866-785-1628 for Medicaid participants, or 855-819-5909 for providers

Molina Healthcare of Idaho: Website: https://www.molinahealthcare.com/members/id/en-us/hp/medicare/enroll.aspx Phone: 866-403-8293 for Medicaid participants, or 844-239-4914 for providers



Idaho officials, companies resolved gap in duals contract

The health insurer Blue Cross of Idaho previously ran Idahos dual Medicaid and Medicare plans. Last year, Idaho went out for a competitive bid for the contract for the first time.

Initially, there was a six-month gap starting this June when Blue Crosss contract ended and United wouldve started, Idaho Reports reported in January. But since then, Health and Welfare has worked with the insurance companies to start June 1. One United plan is available starting Jan. 1, 2026.

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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivers a keynote address during the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

MACKINAC ISLAND  Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says a new attack ad launched by the party he was a member of until last year is an example of the type of political system hes campaigning against in his independent bid for governor.

The Democratic Governors Association launched a digital ad Thursday accusing Duggan of a long, corruption-riddled history.

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A press release from the group points to federal agents saying in 2022 that they had linked Duggan to a chain of events that ultimately outed a confidential FBI informant, alerting a target of an ongoing investigation of bribery, extortion and fraud.

As Mayor, Mike Duggan put himself and his corrupt insiders first, including apparently trying to undermine a federal investigation into one of his closest political allies who went to prison for accepting bribes, said DGA Communications Director Sam Newton.

Billboard image from DGA Victory Fund

During his keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Wednesday, Duggan railed against attack ads used by both Democrats and Republicans.

He pointed to an ad the campaign of Curtis Hertel ran accusing Tom Barrett of writing a bill that put women and doctors in jail, and Barretts campaign countering with an ad accusing Hertel of working for the Chinese Communist Party.

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How did we get here, to the point where fighting for our state is not as important as being angry with the other party, Duggan said.

Duggan added that Republicans are already running attack ads against U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) despite not having a candidate in the 2026 race yet.

They have no idea who their candidate is. But they know if theres only two choices  if we just make the Democrat terrible, we can win, Duggan said. We are not going to be living in a state where you only have these ads two or three months a year. Were heading to a state where 12 months a year, year in, year out, were going to have toxic ads.

The mayor said in an interview with the Michigan Advance on Thursday that the new DGA ad demonstrates his point.

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The Democrats are nothing if not predictable. They only know one thing: Tear down their opponents, Duggan said. I said yesterday that Democrats only united on two principles: They hate Republicans in general, and they hate Donald Trump in particular. But today, Ive gotten them to broaden their platform; now they hate me, too.

Duggan, for his part, is also running ads, though they are focused on his own campaign: Billboards along I-75 in northern Michigan declares Nov. 3, 2026, Independents Day.

He told reporters Wednesday that the series of billboards were meant to welcome people back as they drove up for the Mackinac Policy Conference.

Other candidates in the race to succeed the term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer include Democrats; Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Republicans; U.S. Rep. John James, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Attorney General Mike Cox and former congressional nominee Anthony Hudson.

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Polling commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber and released on the first day of the conference shows Duggans campaign could pull votes from both Democrats and Republicans.

Duggan said during the keynote that his inclusion in the race makes it more difficult for either party to win by simply attacking the other side.

If I come along, and theres a third choice, you cant just kill one party and automatically win, Duggan said. You have to actually say what youre for.

He told the Michigan Advance that Democrats are making it really easy for people to make a choice.

But just once, wouldnt you like to see the Democrats put up a billboard that says, heres our housing policy? They dont have it in them, Duggan said.

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Telegram and Elon Musk's xAI will enter a one-year partnership, integrating the Grok chatbot into the messaging app, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced on May 28.

Musk, the world's richest man who also owns Tesla and SpaceX, commented that "no deal has been signed," prompting Durov to clarify that the deal has been agreed in "principle" with "formalities pending."

"This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market," Durov said.

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"Elon Musk and I have agreed to a one-year partnership to bring xAIs chatbot Grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps."

The announcement comes as Musk announces his exit from his role in the Trump administration to focus on his business ventures, many of which saw their profits drop in the past few months.

Musk founded xAI in 2023, and earlier this year, another of his ventures, X Corp., which operates the X social platform, acquired the AI company. Grok is xAI's flagship project and has already been integrated into X.

Musk's takeover of X saw the social platform, formerly known as Twitter, become the leading source of disinformation, EU officials said. The Grok chatbot also faced scrutiny recently after posting unprompted comments on the topic of so-called "white genocide" in South Africa, Musk's home country.

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Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, currently resides in Dubai and holds Russian, Emirati, and French citizenship. He is under investigation in France for criminal activity on his messaging app.

Durov has claimed he is a pariah and has been effectively exiled from Russia, but it was reported last year that he had visited Russia over 60 times since leaving the country, according to Kremlingram, a Ukrainian group that campaigns against the use of Telegram in Ukraine.

Telegram remains one of the most popular social media platforms among Ukrainians. A September 2023 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that 44% of Ukrainians use Telegram to receive information and news.

Ukrainian officials have warned about security risks associated with using Telegram, leading to restrictions on its use by civil servants and politicians.

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BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China is highly concerned about the European Union's (EU's) anti-dumping investigation into imports of tyres for passenger cars and light lorries from China, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

At a regular press briefing, ministry spokesperson He Yongqian said that protectionist trade practices only increase the consumer burden, create trade barriers, disrupt the stability and smooth functioning of value and supply chains, and harm the interests of all sides.

China has consistently advocated for the reasonable, prudent use of trade remedy measures and urges the EU not to impose trade restrictions rashly, but instead to address mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, the spokesperson said.

China will monitor the EU's follow-up actions closely and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises firmly, she added.

She noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, and that their bilateral agenda includes many important items.

China will maintain dialogue and communication with the EU, handle economic and trade differences properly, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, work to move China-EU economic and trade relations forward on a positive trajectory, and inject more certainty and positive momentum into bilateral ties and the global economy, the spokesperson said. 
PARIS  The Netherlands worked out the costs of meeting NATOs new capability targets, providing a taste of the billion-euro budget challenge European members of the alliance face to boost their military posture in the face of a more aggressive Russia.

The Dutch calculate that meeting their share of the targets will cost at least 16 billion to 19 billion ($18 billion-$21 billion) a year on top of the existing defense budget, Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans told parliament in a letter last week . That would amount to about 3.5% of GDP, from 2% now  conveniently also the core defense spending target that NATO leadership is calling for.

NATOs Capability Targets 2025, to be formally set at a summit in The Hague in June, will significantly increase the requirements compared to previous targets, according to the Dutch. The CT25 focus will be on ground-based air and missile defense, ground-based fire support, land maneuver units and joint enablers, Brekelmans said.

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For the larger economies of Germany, France and the U.K., meeting the new targets means were no longer talking about a few billion extra per year, but tens of billions, said Dick Zandee, senior research fellow at Dutch think tank Clingendael Institute and former head of planning at the European Defence Agency.

The three countries have the biggest defense budgets of European NATO members, spending a little over 2% of GDP on their military. The Netherlands is Europes sixth-biggest spender, lifting its 2025 defense budget to 22 billion euros from 21.4 billion last year.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded NATO countries increase military spending to 5% of GDP, threatening to pull out of the alliance if members dont pay up.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said this week he expects alliance members to agree to a 5% spending target in The Hague, with a proposal for 3.5% of GDP for direct military spending and another 1.5% for related spending such as infrastructure and cybersecurity.

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The Netherlands also estimates meeting the new NATO capability targets will require 17,000 to 18,000 more personnel.

While the 32-nation alliance typically keeps the capability targets secret, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Adm. Pierre Vandier said in March the alliance will ask members to raise military capability targets by 30%  even with allies already 30% behind on delivering on existing goals.

The Dutch say the NATO standard path to fully meet the capability targets has been 19 years, but current threats make a faster build-up necessary, and NATO expects a significant part will already be built up in the coming years.

Brekelmans says around 9 billion to 10 billion of the calculated costs and 8,500 to 9,000 of the personnel count are attributable to the Netherlands not yet having fully met NATOs 2021 capability targets.

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While NATO defense planning is based on the principle that all the capabilities are realized, in practice of course, that is never achieved, Zandee said.

Neighboring Germany and Belgium have similar issues as the Netherlands of having to play catch up with the 2021 targets, with personnel shortages partially explaining the shortcomings, he said.

All countries are coming out of roughly two decades of severe budget cuts, all countries to a varying degree donated to Ukraine, reducing stocks and supplies, Zandee said. The Netherlands is not really in a unique position in this regard.

The calculations by Brekelmans exclude the costs of host nation support, with Dutch responsibility within the alliance for large-scale transfer of military equipment, as well as homeland defense and military activities outside the NATO treaty area, such as the Caribbean Netherlands. That means total defense costs would exceed 3.5% of GDP, according to Brekelmans.

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The Netherlands has typically been transparent about the costs of NATO targets, according to Zandee. Publishing the figures serves a political purpose in trying to muster broad parliamentary and coalition-government support for a bigger defense budget, a politically sensitive issue in the country, and gain popular support for more spending, he said.

Spending 3.5% of GDP on core defense is achievable for a country like the Netherlands with healthy public finances, and also quite doable for Scandinavian countries, Zandee said. For countries in southern Europe with high debt levels it does become a big problem, for example in France, where more defense spending will mean more borrowing.

Italy, Spain and Belgium, among the NATO members that spend the least on defense relative to their economy, all have government debt to GDP ratios above 100%. Greece and France, the other European Union countries in NATO whose debt exceeds GDP, have historically been bigger military spenders.

By contrast, the Netherlands had a debt to GDP ratio of 43.3% at the end of 2024, while for Germany the ratio was 62.5%. Zandee expects Germany under new Chancellor Friedrich Merz will agree to the 3.5% target, the British as loyal allies will commit despite major financial problems, while the Netherlands will ultimately also go along.

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The problem mainly starts in Belgium and then further south, Zandee said. The French will simply take the budgetary risk, because they are not going to back down. But the Italians and the Spanish in particular will have to perform some fancy maneuvering.

Some countries are already well on their way to meeting the NATO target. Estonia announced in April that it would increase defense spending to 5.4% of GDP already in 2026 and through to 2029, for an additional 2.8 billion of additional budget over four years, with the government saying spending would take into account the NATO capability targets.

Meanwhile, Denmark said in February it will spend an additional 50 billion Danish kroner (US$7.6 billion) in 2025 and 2026 to strengthen its armed forces in the short term, also with a view to NATO demands and capability targets, lifting defense spending to above 3% of GDP.

Poland is the only NATO country that has already met the new target, spending 4.1% of GDP on defense in 2024, for total spending of around $35 billion.

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Some countries may agree to 3.5% of core defense spending in The Hague with no intention of ever reaching the target, to keep NATO alive, even if they wont say so publicly, Zandee said. He said the same happened with the 2% spending target agreed in Wales in 2014.

When it comes to the survival of the alliance and keeping the Americans in, I think even those countries will simply agree to it, Zandee said. That 3.5% is almost a done deal. If Trump can wave that one piece of paper and say, Ive achieved all this, then the NATO summit will have been a success, its as simple as that.
The Dyke March has been kicking off every year in New York City for 31 years as a kind of antidote to the traditional and often corporate Pride Parade, held at the end of June. Its focus on women and trans people and its resistance to advertising has given it a more political edge: Its more of a protest than a party, and straight people tend not to go.

But it is teetering on the edge of becoming a victim of its internal politics.

Since Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7, 2023  killing nearly 1,200 people, kidnapping more than 200 and triggering a violent counteroffensive that has left more than 50,000 Palestinians dead  march organizers have argued over whether Zionists and symbols associated with Israel have a place in the march. The disagreement has reached a boiling point that threatens to fracture the event and symbolizes a larger reckoning happening in queer circles throughout the nation.

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Earlier this year, the Dyke March organizing committee announced that it was banning Zionists from participating in the event. Exactly what the ban means and how it should be interpreted has been hotly debated. Zionism can mean many things to different people, but in its most basic sense, it is a movement to establish a Jewish homeland in Israel.

Some have hailed the policy as a step toward providing a safer space for queer Muslims. Others have said its vagueness risks shutting out Jewish queers who might otherwise align themselves with the spirit and intent of the march.

The rift has highlighted long-simmering tensions that have sometimes turned personal.

Its really, its heartbreaking at times, said Jodi Kreines, who has been organizing the march for four years.

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Kreines still vividly recalls the magic of her first march in 2007. Fifth Avenue was packed with women and queer people that Saturday afternoon; she felt like she was standing in an episode of The L Word, the television series about the lives of lesbians and bisexual women in Los Angeles. Marriage equality wasnt legal yet, but, Kreines said, she had never felt more free.

Over the years, Dyke March New York City has grappled with different political stances, according to Valarie Walker, who was one the first organizers to attend the Lesbian Avengers, the group that started the citys Dyke March in the 1990s. The intention was to gather as many dykes across identities as possible, Walker said.

We are visible, we are united, topless, elderly, able-bodied and less so, pierced, not pierced, adorably, tattooed completely, some with a sun bonnet, Walker said.



Were all those things, and we put away other things to celebrate this aspect of ourselves, and thats always been super, because we cant draw a line without alienating others. Its as much your Dyke March as it is my Dyke March.

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Today, a lot has changed for many who have come to love the march, now in its 32nd year. The event, which offers a more feminist alternative to the Pride Parade, is in the midst of a particularly painful growth point.

Chicago, Boston and many other cities host their own versions of the Dyke March, each of them organized independently from one another. Unlike the New York City Pride Parade, the marches flood the streets without a permit.

D, who is Muslim and has been organizing the New York Dyke March for three years, said they have experienced discrimination at past Dyke March events.

Someone yelled at me last year that I will be dead in Gaza, said D, whom The 19th is identifying only by a first initial because they fear their immigration status could make them a target of the Trump administration. And then someone else came up and was like, Oh, like, what about the victims of sexual abuse on October 7?  So thats definitely the behavior that we dont want tolerated at the Dyke March.

Organizers of the New York City Dyke March are implementing a new policy that bans Zionists from participating in the 2025 march. (Syndi Pilar/ SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP)

In part due to these types of experiences, organizers felt strongly about making a statement this year that the march stood firmly for liberation and against all forms of genocide.

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But not everyone has found the statement liberatory. Nate Shalev, who joined the organizing committee of Dyke March a decade ago, resigned last year amid discussions of barring Zionists. Shalev is Jewish and married to an Israeli.

Theres this understanding, then, of Zionism and by proxy, a lot of Jewish identities being placed in the unsafe bucket because of that, Shalev told The 19th. The way that most Jews understand the conversation around Zionism is just the movement to establish a homeland for Jews in the historical land. Its a movement of liberation and self-determination. Its not at the expense of anyone or at the subjugation of Palestinians or not even, I would say, historically, in the way that Zionism had been enacted.

Tala Manassah, a queer Palestinian who is married to a Jewish person and raising a Jewish child, does not see Zionism the same way.

I actually think saying, you know, Zionists arent welcome, its like, Well, neither are other kinds of white supremacists, Manassah said. Weve got a term for it, right? Its progressive, except for Palestine. So youve got folks that believe in basically every other progressive cause, but somehow when we say, Now you have to be consistent about Israeli state violence, and about the preciousness of Palestinian lives in line with the preciousness of any other lives, the gear screeches to a halt.

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Part of the turmoil surrounding the new policy appears to be lack of clarity.

One key question is if those attending with Israeli flags would be in violation of the policy. Organizers have said they would not be asked to leave. Shalev believes the policy implies they would be.

D said there is no clear test for who belongs and who does not, that the event is meant to focus on Palestinian liberation, not on excluding any group of people.

Its kind of like a tricky line, like, how do you determine someones Zionist or not? D said. Like, thats obviously antisemitic.

Manassah challenges attendees to consider the outsized harms that have come to Palestinians worldwide as they consider how to show up at the march.

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The most important voices to platform are the voices of those who are most impacted, Manassah said. Im not interested in telling a trans person what symbols make them feel comfortable or uncomfortable. If they tell me that something makes them uncomfortable and something makes them feel unsafe, Im just not going to bring it.

Yuval David, an LGBTQ+ actor and Jewish advocate, said the debate within Dyke March represents larger fissures in queer spaces. He worries that queer Jews are being pressured into a limited set of political beliefs and ideologies.

Its OK for them to be conservative or progressive, liberal or traditional, that we all have a place within the LGBTQ community, David said.

Kreines has worried about that, too.

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The new policy bothers her. But despite having reservations about it, she has stayed on the organizing committee, working alongside D, answering for the policy and planning for June. Kreines recognizes that the march has historically failed many communities of color and still has work to do. Even if this policy isnt perfect to her, she still wants to do everything she can to make this years march as inclusive and wonderful as her first one in 2007.

We get over 50 wheelchairs for dykes that may need them during the march, said Kreines. How are we protecting the most vulnerable people on the day of? For me, its not via social media posts. Its whats actually happening logistically on the day of, and thats something Ill still stand by.

The post Dyke March New York City has banned Zionists this year. Organizers cant agree on what that means. appeared first on The 19th.

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Archaeologists working in the Tabuk province of Arabia have found the earliest documented evidence of the ritual application of a psychoactive substance, according to a new study published in Communications Biology.

Related: New Study Reveals Chilling Secret of Iron Age War Cemetery

While investigating a tomb comprising several rooms at the oasis settlement of Qurayyah, scientists came across organic residue inside stone burners and fumigation equipment found throughout the crypt. During an analysis, they were able to identify three extremely potent beta-carboline alkaloidsharmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmineby using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Those alkaloids were chemical signatures of Peganum harmala, which contains psychoactive and anti-inflammatory properties and is still used throughout the Middle East and Central Asia as a medical remedy. The researchers believe that, in addition to being buried with the deceased, Peganum harmala was smoked as part of visionary or purification rituals, which took place after burials.

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Related: Police Search for Nighthawkers Who Desecrated Archaeological Site

"This is the first direct chemical proof of Syrian rue being used in a funerary context anywhere in the world," said lead author Barbara Huber. "Our results demonstrate that individuals in Iron Age Arabia were already experimenting with sophisticated plant-based pharmacologies, not just for healing, but for ritual and sensory transformation."

Marta Luciani, the digs co-director, agreed. "This totally reworks our perception of early Arabian cultures," she explained. It represents a cognitive and cultural level of sophistication, where religious and therapeutic spheres interacted in significant, ritualized contexts."

Related: Park Ranger Finds Campers in Altered State After False Death Report

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The discovery recontextualizes what many researchers thought about Arabian societies, revealing that they were engaged in similar ritualistic practices to cultures in Central Asia, South America, and the Indus Valley. "We are not preserving artifacts, said Ahmed M. Abualhassan, of the Saudi Heritage Commission. We are restoring wisdom that continues to reside in oral traditions, domestic habit, and ancestral rituals.

Related: Archaeologists Make Shocking Discovery in 6th-Century Relic

Earliest Evidence of Psychoactive Substance Use Found in Tomb first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
May 28EAST GRAND FORKS  The East Grand Forks City Council reviewed two proposed ordinances regulating conduct in public areas during its work session Tuesday night.

The City Council is considering an ordinance that would restrict camping in public areas and another ordinance that would spell out rules and hours for public parks. Both ordinance changes have been in discussion at a staff level for some time and would add a way for the city to regulate unwanted and unlawful activities, city staff told the council.

"We don't have a huge issue here in East Grand Forks, but there certainly is a problem with occasionally camping in some areas where you're not supposed to be," East Grand Forks Police Chief Mike Hedlund said. "We definitely have an issue with some of the Greenway areas."

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Those issues are most pronounced near the Greenway, but issues have occurred elsewhere in the city, according to Hedlund. The camping ordinance,

similar to one recently passed by the Grand Forks City Council just last week,

would set a maximum $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail for violations. Violations would also be considered a misdemeanor, similar to other provisions in city code and how city code is generally enforced, said City Attorney Ron Galstad.

The other ordinance, being brought forth by the Parks Department, would set hours at city parks from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., mirroring the hours of the Greenway. It would also spell out where motor vehicles could and could not go, which has been an issue.

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"I see them driving down there (by the Point Bridge) all the time in places I don't know if they necessarily need to be there," Council member Dale Helms said.

Especially for the parks conduct ordinance, having proper signage is a top concern for the council.

"I think most of the time the people this is going to apply to are going to be younger kids who probably aren't aware of most city ordinances," Council member Ben Pokrzywinski said. "So if we can have something posted, even if it's just a QR code, I think it would be helpful."

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jeremy King said that it was doable, and signs could be posted at the kiosks at the parks.

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The fee structure was also of some concern. Hedlund said that the camping ordinance would likely be used as an educational and warning tool day-to-day, but that it allows for escalation if issues continue to happen. For the parks ordinance, making the rules crystal clear was Mayor Mark Olstad's suggestion.

"Here it just says misdemeanor, should we mirror it like the (camping ordinance) we just looked at?" Olstad said. "I'm just thinking that someone who reads it (may not understand the penalty)."

The council will consider the ordinances for preliminary approval as soon as its June 3 meeting.

In other news, the council:

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* Discussed the city's infrastructure bonding request to the state for 2026 capital bonding. The city is proposing to use funds it could potentially receive from the state for $9.1 million in industrial park road improvements. Having the list in ahead of time will also allow for members of the legislative committees deciding bonding allocations to potentially visit the projects as well.

* Discussed how it would like to amend the franchise agreement with Midco for cable services in public buildings. Due to federal rule changes, the in-kind services Midco provides will now be taken from the total franchise fee collection the city receives, around $3,000. The change will also mean that schools in the city will have to contract for their own cable services with Midco or another provider if they desire them, with the proposal favored by the council.

* In a special meeting, approved accepting a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for stormwater planning in the industrial park. The $87,890 grant requires no matching funds from the city and has to be expended by the end of April 2026. The planning being conducted could open up additional MPCA infrastructure funds in the future, City Administrator Reid Huttunen told the council.
EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN)  The East Liverpool City Hospitals Outpatient Pharmacy was recently named the best of the best community pharmacy in the Columbiana County area, but an important program it participates in is ending Friday.

The 340B program has been popular at East Liverpool City Hospital. Across an area in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, 1,800 people use it.

Director of Pharmacy Bill Smith said the program allows them to offer typically expensive drugs at a discounted rate.

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The hospital no longer qualifies for the 340B program, however. The hospital sent letters last week explaining the change, and the pharmacy has been working with patients to prepare.

Were refilling drugs as we can, within the guidance of Ohio law, and well help them as much as we can, Smith said.

The retail pharmacy is not closing. It has served over 4,000 patients over the last six months. It will still offer generic drugs at discounted rates, and two new pharmacy benefits managers may even have a lower price for a prescription than other retail stores. Patients will be able to ask about the new prices.

Any prescription written from any provider, we can give patients prices and tell them what they will be, Smith said.

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Losing the 340B program is tough. It filled the prescription needs of hospital outpatients, plus patients from the resident clinic, post op, wound care and the Wellsville rural health clinic.

For those expensive drugs, we wont be able to offer the discounted rate. We may still be cheaper than what patients pay at other retail stores, based upon their insurance or if theyre uninsured, Smith said.

East Liverpool City Hospital will reapply for the 340B program next year at this time to see if it qualifies again.

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TORRINGTON, Conn. (WTNH)  An Ecuadorian man was charged by a federal complaint for allegedly reentering the United States illegally after being deported, the U.S. Attorneys office said.

Roberto Muy, 35, was initially admitted to the U.S. in 2006 using a falsified Peruvian visa. In June 2012 Muy was convicted for second-degree sexual assault of a minor and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Mexican man sentenced for role in Hartford-area smuggling scheme

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The sentence was suspended after 15 months and Muy faced 25 years of probation before he was deported to Ecuador in 2013.

Muy allegedly reentered the U.S. in 2024 and was arrested on Nov. 9 of that year and charged with operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

He was sentenced on March 18 in state court for violating state probation and the 2024 motor vehicle stop.

Muy faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if he is convicted of illegal reentry.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Most Chicago homeowners will see their property tax bills rise significantly later this year  and thats before any tax hikes by schools, the city or other local governments take effect.

Now that Chicago property reassessments are complete, residential taxpayers will shoulder 54% of the citys property tax burden  up from 51% last year, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi reported. That shift will take effect with second-installment bills this fall.

In the world of property taxes, taxing bodies get the amounts they levy regardless of who pays, and assessments determine how those charges are divided between homeowners and commercial properties. Its a zero-sum game, replete with unhappy surprises.

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Three percentage points may not sound like a lot, but for a total property tax tab in the billions, such changes are meaningful indeed. Based on last years property tax haul in Chicago by various governmental bodies, that shift in allocation alone will add about $250 million to the residential burden, the assessors office tells us.

Of course, this years total tax levy will be higher than last years, thanks to Chicago Public Schools. CPS consistently has raised property taxes by nearly $80 million annually  the highest increase its allowed under law  so about $43 million of that increase will fall to homeowners following the reassessments. That brings the collective increase for Chicago homeowners to more like $293 million.

Details on how much residential property tax bills in Chicago will rise arent yet available as we await the final tallies on governmental levies and other data inputs. But based on recent experience the increase for many will be painful.

Before we continue, we should explain why were discussing property taxes only in Chicago rather than all of Cook County. Every three years, the assessor revalues property in a portion of the county for tax purposes. This year, its the city of Chicagos turn. Last year, it was the southern half of suburban Cook County. Next year, it will be the northern half.

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These reassessments can result in substantial changes to tax bills. In the south suburbs, median residential property tax bills increased nearly 20% last year following the reassessment. That followed a 4-percentage-point shift of the total burden to residential taxpayers from commercial taxpayers, due to the 2023 reassessments.

The impact of Chicagos 3-percentage-point shift is yet to be detailed; more precise estimates will be available this summer. But the south suburban experience suggests a median city increase in the low double digits.

Perhaps more comparable would be Chicagos experience after the previous triennial reassessment, in 2021. For that tax year, due to rising levies and a slightly higher share of the overall burden, residential tax bills rose by $261 million, according to the assessors office. That led to an 8% increase in median tax bills for Chicago homeowners, according to a report at the time by the Cook County treasurers office.

So whether the median increase is as low as 8% or as high as 15%, its fair to project that the majority of Chicago homeowners will see substantial increases in their upcoming tax bills. And some surely will get eye-popping hikes, as was the case in the south suburbs.

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Disparities will be seen neighborhood by neighborhood, too, thanks to differing property value increases in various parts of the city. Anecdotally, aggregate residential property values following the reassessment increased more in some low-income neighborhoods than in affluent areas such as the Gold Coast. That could lead to spikes in property tax bills in parts of the city populated by residents least able to absorb them and more muted increases  or even reductions  in neighborhoods where residents are better off.

Assessor Kaegi continues to point the finger of blame at the three-member Cook County Board of Review, which has the final say on property-owner appeals of the assessors work. The board cut Chicago commercial property assessments by $4.4 billion, or 17%, this year while trimming residential values by just $0.4 billion, or 1%, the assessor said in his May 20 news release.

Kaegis initial reassessments improbably would have boosted the commercial share of the tax load by 2 percentage points to 51%. The commercial share dropped to 46% after the Board of Reviews changes.

Members of the board  such as former Ald. George Cardenas, whose Board of Review district includes the Southwest Side and parts of the Northwest Side of Chicago  say theyre using property-specific data when considering appeals and that Kaegis more generalized methodology artificially inflated commercial values.

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This page has questioned whether Kaegis office appropriately accounted for the brutal losses owners of downtown office buildings and retail properties suffered. But the continuing back-and-forth between the assessor and the board simply underscores that both agencies need in the future to work to forge a common methodology for assessing property values.

In the short term, the pain to come for Chicago homeowners should serve as a warning to taxing bodies, particularly the city of Chicago. Last years revolt on the City Council floor over Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposed $300 million property tax increase likely will be but a prelude to a far rougher budget battle if the mayor attempts again to balance Chicagos books on the backs of property taxpayers.

Imagine how much more intense the anger this coming autumn would be if Johnson had won approval for that $300 million hike. That would have added another $162 million or so to residential increases that are approaching $300 million as it stands. Last December, aldermen rejected even Johnsons last-ditch attempt at a $68.5 million hike. They foresaw the dynamic were experiencing now.

So, even in the face of a $1 billion budget hole, hike property taxes at your political peril, Mayor Johnson and City Council members. And let this serve, too, as a warning to Chicago school board members, all of whom will be elected beginning in 2027. The relentless property tax hikes to finance a bloated public school system will get a harsher spotlight once all board members have to face voters.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Passengers board an Amtrak train at the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania station. (Photo b y Peter Hall/Capital-Star)

Despite the impassioned pleas of a handful of lawmakers, the Maine Legislature essentially killed a proposal to further explore extending passenger rail to Bangor.

After multiple failed votes, the Senate decided Thursday to indefinitely postpone LD 487, which rail advocates rallied behind this session as a means to bring passenger trains beyond southern Maine. The House of Representatives rejected the proposal Tuesday with a 93-52 vote, but the upper chamber has been at an impasse since senators were divided over the measure.

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This has been indefinitely postponed for 20-plus years, said Sen. Joe Baldacci (D-Penobscot) on the Senate floor Thursday, referring to the years-long effort to expand passenger rail in the state.

This bill sought to have the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority apply for federal funding to identify a potential passenger rail corridor from Portland through Auburn, Lewiston, Waterville, Bangor and ending in Orono.

Among the members of the Legislatures Transportation Committee, only one supported it with the other 12 in opposition.

During the House debate, Rep. Lydia Crafts (D-Newcastle), who co-chairs the Transportation Committee, admitted there is public interest in expanding mass transit in the state, but said LD 487 doesnt align with the states rail plan.

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She argued it wouldnt make financial sense for the state to invest in the line and eventually subsidize the cost of tickets because a propensity study indicated that the particular route would have low ridership. Rather, she said that study recommended the state invest in flexible, accessible bus service such as the two-year pilot project currently underway, which runs between Lewison and Portland.

Sen. Brad Farrin (R-Somerset) made similar points on the Senate floor, saying that the state will continue to grow rail at a reasonable and responsible rate if it follows the plan it has in place.

However, Rep. Tavis Hasenfus (D-Readfield), the bills sponsor, said the propensity study is a couple years old and doesnt account for improvements that have since been made to those tracks, which could reduce costs for the state. He also said it didnt account for all potential riders, only those who would have taken a car.

But talking about what the state would have to spend is getting ahead of what LD 487 sought to do, Hasenfus argued. As he explained on the House floor, his proposal simply asked the Department of Transportation to apply for the federal funding to investigate whether a passenger rail line to northern Maine is feasible.

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The proposal specifically asks for the state to apply to the Federal Railroad Administrations corridor identification and development program, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Meeting the deadline for this application cycle is vital because the $1.2 trillion law isnt guaranteed to be renewed, especially since President Donald Trump issued an executive order on his first day in office pausing the disbursement of funds under the law.

The train is literally about to leave the station and if we dont get on board now, we may never have the opportunity in the future, Hasenfus said Tuesday.

Cost shouldnt be the barrier that some see it as, Baldacci said during Senate floor discussions earlier this week, because the state should have been making passenger rail investments gradually over time. He said the whole state deserves to be connected and has a right to transportation options that already exist in southern Maine. LD 487 doesnt call for a significant financial investment by the state at this point, he said, it just asks lawmakers to utilize the options available to move the process forward.

Rep. Karen Montell (D-Gardiner) spoke in support of the bill, arguing that increased train options could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and road maintenance costs. She said that passenger rail could help build a Maine that is more future ready.

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Rep. Laura Supica (D-Bangor) agreed, saying that central and northern Maine could use passenger rail infrastructure so people can have easier access to jobs and education. She said this is especially true for her community of Bangor, which can feel like a bit of a vortex and disconnected from the rest of the state.

Hasenfus also cited a study the Rail Passengers Association published earlier this month that found extending the Amtrak Downeaster service to Bangor could generate more than $60 million in annual economic benefits for all 16 counties and draw more than 260,000 in the first year of service.

Having ridden it multiple times himself, Sen. James Libby (R-Cumberland) called the Downeaster a tremendous service. Though he acknowledged it could ultimately cost money, he said he supported the measure as expanded rail service would be an asset for towns like Waterville, where he works as a professor at Thomas College.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso District Attorney James Montoya has scheduled a news conference for Thursday, May 29 to discuss the Phoebe Copas murder case.

The news conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Family remembers Uber driver who was shot, killed

Montoyas office said he will be making an announcement about the case.

Copas was accused of killing Uber driver Daniel Piedra in June 2023. He was driving Copas along U.S. 54 South when he was allegedly shot by Copas. Piedra died from his injuries several days later.

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Piedras family will be at the news conference, the DAs Office said.

Copas died after what is being called a medical episode on March 25. Copas had said she was fearful that she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. She was out of jail awaiting trial when she died.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
JERUSALEM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- An employee of a private contracting company working on behalf of the Israeli Defense Ministry was killed on Thursday in northern Gaza, the Israeli military said in a statement.

It identified the employee as David Libi, who was carrying out "engineering work for the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) on behalf of the Defense Ministry," without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

Meanwhile, Malachei HaShalom, an illegal Israeli outpost in the northern occupied West Bank, said in a separate statement that Libi, a 19-year-old from the outpost, was killed while operating heavy machinery in Jabalia.

Israel has employed private contractors for engineering work in Gaza since the beginning of its military campaign in October 2023, including for clearing debris from bombed areas, flattening terrain, opening access routes for armored vehicles, demolishing buildings, constructing military posts and barriers, and locating and destroying tunnels.

Israel launched a ground and air offensive in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, in which Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. The ensuing Israeli bombardments have devastated large parts of the enclave, killing more than 54,000 people and wounding over 123,000 others, according to the health authorities in Gaza. 
In the current political moment, Democrats for El Salvador are about as common as coal miners for green energy. But theres at least one: Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, a Blue Dog Democrat and ally to the Central American countrys strongman leader and MAGA darling, Nayib Bukele.

In recent months, Democrats have been harshly critical of Bukele, who has become one of Donald Trumps most eager partners overseas, particularly on his immigration agenda. Bukele agreed earlier this year to hold over 240 Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States by the Trump administration in indefinite detention, and he has also refused to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran who the Trump administration conceded was mistakenly deported to the country. Bukeles bad blood with Democrats has only gotten worse with his avid support for Trump and willingness to troll congressional Democrats on Twitter.

But theres at least one Democrat still on Bukeles side. Gonzalez is, along with former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), the founding co-chair of the El Salvador Caucus, which they formed last year. Gonzalez is also the lone congressional Democrat to have met with Bukele on a visit to El Salvador as well as been granted a tour of CECOT in mid-May, the infamous Salvadoran prison to which the Venezuelan migrants and Abrego Garcia were sent. (Abrego Garcia has since been moved.) Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and other delegations of House Democrats who went to the country in recent months were unable to gain access to CECOT or meet with Bukele on their trip.

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Gonzalezs support of Bukele can be seen as consistent with his other centrist border and immigration stances. Gonzalez represents a 90 percent Hispanic border district that Trump won in 2024 and has been vocal about the need for immigration enforcement. He has hailed what he sees as the transformative effects of Bukeles crackdown on rampant gang violence in El Salvador and has described the country as a model for Latin America.

I think it's undeniable what he's done has been spectacular, in terms of bringing security to over 98 percent of the population that lived in turmoil for over a generation, the Texas Democrat told POLITICO Magazine in an interview. He clean[ed] up the most dangerous country in the world and turn[ed] it into the safest in the hemisphere. The murder rate in the Central American country has dropped drastically in the past decade, particularly since Bukeles first election, though critics say the price has been a severe crackdown on civil liberties.

After his trip to El Salvador in mid-May, Gonzalez said in a press release that El Salvador is crucial in helping the United States curb the flow of irregular migration and is an important ally in the western hemisphere. Since Bukele took office, migration to the United States from El Salvador has declined significantly.

All of this makes for a very unusual dynamic on Capitol Hill for Gonzalez.

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Out of 14 members, Gonzalez is one of only two Democrats in the El Salvador Caucus; the other is Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.). The organization is unapologetically pro-Bukele. In a floor speech announcing its formation, Gaetz said, The purpose of this caucus will be to vindicate the choices that President Bukele has made that, indeed, strengthen the U.S.-El Salvador relationship.

Gonzalez doesnt see a reason why his colleagues cant be a part of that relationship, too. I think Democrats  shouldn't shy from building a diplomatic relationship with the country of El Salvador, Gonzalez said. I think we have a lot in common. And I don't think Bukele comes from an extreme right-wing history. I think he's kind of been a middle-of-the-road survivor. He also said hes in the process of setting up meetings between the Salvadoran ambassador and Democrats to start improving relations.

The lawmaker has also been making the same case to Bukele. I told [Bukele] it would be very shortsighted to think that the only people he should have a relationship with are Republicans, Gonzalez said.

Gaetzs support is less unique among Republicans. Bukele has become one of the most beloved foreign leaders on the MAGA right, joining a pantheon that includes figures such as Argentinas President Javier Milei and Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Starting with his early embrace of bitcoin and crypto currency, followed by his crackdown on rampant gang violence in El Salvador (not to mention his ardent posting on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter), Bukele has become a star attraction at CPAC and was given the warmest possible reception when he visited Trump at the White House this year. (Even if Trump did take shots at El Salvador in his 2024 convention speech and on the campaign trail at times.) As one Republican strategist, granted anonymity to speak frankly, marveled, it was interesting to see the entire Cabinet in a meeting with the president of a country of six million who is not a player in a major region.

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At the same time, human rights organizations have become increasingly critical of Bukele. Roughly 2 percent of the population is in prison as a result of a crackdown on gangs, which also included a state of exception that Bukele declared in 2022 that allowed him to broadly suspend civil liberties in the country and is still in effect today. Activists in the country have been arrested and journalists have fled the country , but Bukele has remained remarkably popular. He won re-election in 2024 with nearly 85 percent of the vote.

In our interview, Gonzalez continued to praise the transformation of El Salvador but shared concerns over some of the Salvadoran governments actions and the steps it had taken to cooperate with the Trump administrations deportation efforts. I personally, as a lawyer, believe that the Salvadorans could be exposing themselves to legal liability in foreign jurisdictions for a long time to come if they get in the business of incarcerating foreigners, he said.

Gonzalez relayed that he had told Bukele, In 20 years, President Trump will be long gone and and the legal liability from actions that you take today can follow you for a very long time, as we've seen with Pinochet, as we've seen with Fujimori, as we've seen with Duterte, referring to foreign leaders who have faced criminal charges for human-rights violations after leaving power. Gonzalez thought this message was very effective.

One thing that I think would be a deal-breaker not only for me, but for millions of Americans, would be the idea of incarcerating Americans, Gonzalez continued. And I know that that was talked about by President Trump and suggested to him, and [Bukele] assured us that that would not happen and that he would not be accepting Americans for incarceration.

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In reference to Abrego Garcia in particular, Gonzalez said that he believed that if the U.S. government asked for his return, they would get [him].

Gonzalez said that the Venezuelans held at CECOT were held in very different conditions than Salvadoran inmates, which Gonzalez said he observed himself. There's a lot less people per unit. They're fed three times a day. They're given much more freedoms than Salvadorans in the prison, he said. In addition, Gonzalez also said that Venezuelan migrants who are not alleged to be part of any criminal organization are not at the prison and instead are living in a separate migrant detention center, similar to what we've had here for a long time.

This information, if true, is more than what others have been able to obtain about the migrants circumstances in El Salvador. Family members of Venezuelans detained in El Salvador have little if any information about their loved ones whereabouts since their deportations and the access that Gonzalez received to CECOT has not been given to international human rights groups, let alone other members of Congress.

Gonzalez chastised both Bukele as well as his Democratic colleagues for letting things get out of hand with a war of words on social media. Just as much as I get after my Democratic colleagues for making a spectacle out of the political conditions, I don't believe that the Salvadoran government should disrespect the United States senators and members of Congress who visit El Salvador, he said.

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However, Gonzalez thought there should still be a partnership. I think Bukele is a good person, and I really do think he means well and wants to do the best he can for his country, and I think we should work with him.

Like Gonzalez, Gaetz also told me that he thought Bukele would respond to some courting. I think Bukeles desire is to have a strong relationship with the United States no matter who's in power, he said. The former Florida congressman noted that the Central American leader frequently expresses his dismay that Kamala Harris never once called him when she was assigned to handle migration from Central America during the Biden administration.

Gaetz thought that Bukele had not yet burned the bridges and burned the boats with the Democratic Party.

Democrats, though, begged to differ.

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Already Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have introduced legislation that could potentially lead to an end to all security assistance from the United States to El Salvador in response to the deportations.

One prominent Democratic consultant granted anonymity to discuss the politics of this frankly noted that there wasnt any real political upside for engagement with Bukele.

"There are about a dozen ways to signal you are taking the immigration crisis seriously before cozying up to dictators, this person said.

Its a breach between congressional Democrats and Bukele that is probably more than can be fixed by a simple charm offensive like the one being proposed by Gonzalez. As Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) put it, There's always a path back from authoritarianism, but it requires structural changes, and not just personal change of heart on behalf of a malign dictator becoming a benevolent dictator.
WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Eleanor Delores Ellie Benich, was peacefully welcomed into eternity on Monday, May 26, 2025, in Warren, Ohio, at the age of 93. With hearts full of love and eyes lifted toward eternity, we celebrate the beautiful life of Ellie, who peacefully stepped into the light of forever and was graciously received into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born on April 10, 1932, in Lake Milton, Ohio, Ellie was the embodiment of devotion, to her family, her work and above all, her faith. She was one of 17 children, a testament to the large and loving family that shaped her life.

Find obituaries from your high school

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She was a proud graduate of Jackson-Milton High School.

Ellie poured her dedication into her work, retiring as the Commanders Assistant at the Vienna Air Base. Her professionalism, loyalty and integrity left a lasting mark on colleagues and friends alike.

Ellie attended North-Mar Church in Warren.

On October 1, 1955, at St. Mary Church in Newton Falls, she joined hands in marriage with Thomas Benich, her beloved husband, now joyfully reunited with her in eternity. Their love story was one of deep devotion and shared strength.

Ellies truest joy was found at home, surrounded by the people she loved. Her famous strudel, nut roll and stuffed cabbage were more than recipes, they were irresistible traditions that fed the soul and occasionally stretched a waistband. She cheered with gusto for her beloved Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians and her laughter and warmth lit up every room she entered.

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Ellies steadfast faith never wavered and in her final chapter, that faith bloomed anew, a quiet, radiant trust in the promise of eternal life. Her family takes comfort in knowing that Ellies journey did not end but simply changed course, into a realm where peace is unbroken, and love is everlasting.

She leaves behind a legacy rich with love and memory, her son, James (Michelle) Benich; her daughter, Denise (Tim) Putt and her treasured grandchildren, Michael (Leann) Benich, Sarah (David) Pepley, Carissa (Chris) McCall, Melissa (Matt Raters) McNabb and Wayne Perry and her great-grandchildren, Petra Pepley, McKenzie McCall, Michael and Thomas McNabb and Lorelei Perry. They will carry forward her legacy of kindness, faith and love.

Though we miss her dearly, we find comfort in the hope that she lives on, in our memories, in the legacy she leaves behind and in the eternal kingdom in which she so deeply believed.

Ellie has not simply left us, she has gone ahead.

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Friends may call from 10:00  11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Bernard P. Borowski Memorial Home in Newton Falls, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, with Pastor Myron Daum officiating.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eleanor Delores Benich, please visit our floral store.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

An Avangard electronics plant reportedly caught fire in the Russian city of St. Petersburg following a series of explosions, local Telegram channels and officials reported overnight on May 29.

In purported videos posted on social media, a large fire was seen rising from the factory's roof in the Kalininsky district of the city. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire began around 1 a.m. local time.

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The fire is reportedly burning on the 5th floor of a 6-story building, the St. Petersburg Emergency Services Ministry said, adding that the fire covers approximately 100-square-meters.

The plant reportedly specializes in the production of microelectronics and microcircuits.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the fire, and there were no official reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting the region ahead of the fire.

The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify reports made by Russian officials.

Kyiv has previously target St. Petersburg through drone attacks on the region.

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As Russia continues to reject calls for a ceasefire and the war drags on, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian territory. In particular, drone attacks in Russia have forced airport closures for several nights in a row.

A source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on May 28 that Ukrainian long-range drones hit the Raduga enterprise in the town of Dubna in Moscow Oblast, which produces cruise missiles.

Read also: Ukrainian drones hit Russian cruise missile factory, SBU source says, in one of largest reported strikes of full-scale war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An Elgin man has been arrested on charges he owned and shared multiple child porn videos, according to the Kane County states attorneys office.

Simone Agresti, 41, of the 3000 block of Settlers Parkway, faces eight counts of dissemination of child pornography, a class X felony, and six counts of possession of child pornography, a class 2 felony, a news release from the states attorneys office and the Kane County sheriffs office said.

Agresti was arrested at his home on May 27 and released the following day under pretrial supervision, the release said. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 13.

This investigation was conducted by the Kane County Child Exploitation Unit with assistance from the Elgin Police Department.
A Ramsey County District Court judge on Friday was scheduled to hear an unusual request from the Minnesota Attorney Generals office over the recent addition of a trustees daughter to the helm of the Otto Bremer Trust, one of the states oldest philanthropies.

The office was not seeking removal of Caroline Johnson as trustee, according to its latest filing, but asked the courts to force the philanthropy to trim her salary, impose training requirements and institute safeguards against future family appointments.

The hearing has since been canceled.

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Attorney General Keith Ellisons office, which regulates charities, informed the courts on Thursday that the two sides reached a resolution that has addressed the (offices) concerns and that the trustees have agreed to implement internal procedures regarding the selection of future trustees. Officially, the objections to her appointment have been withdrawn. The attorney generals office now takes no position, reads the latest filing, but reserves the right to do so in the future.

The newly averted legal clash centers on a $1.5 billion, St. Paul-based philanthropy that has been a major owner of Bremer Bank since its inception in 1943. The charitys three trustees have chosen their own successors  usually family members  for the past 80 years, one among a number of issues that have drawn scrutiny in recent years from the attorney generals office.

Daughter named successor

When Charlotte Johnson retired last August after 34 years as one of the three co-chief executive officers of the Otto Bremer Trust, she appointed her daughter as her successor. Prior to that, Caroline S. Johnson served as a Bremer Bank branch manager in New Richmond, Wis., a rural community of some 10,000 residents, since 2023. She started there as a bank teller in 2016 and spent roughly 20 years before that working in retail and interior design.

With her move to trustee, her annual salary, according to the attorney generals office, increased from $73,000 to $685,000. Her resume, according to the attorney generals office, did not reveal deep credentials administering sizable charities beyond her family roots.

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In 2023, the Otto Bremer Trust issued $105 million in grants and low-interest loans to charitable causes across Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Montana. Bremer Bank, the charitys largest asset at the time, is one of the states largest farm lenders and recently merged with Indiana-based Old National Bank, in which the charity maintains a sizable stake.

Efforts to get official comment from Caroline Johnson and the trusts attorneys for this story were unsuccessful.

Ellison raises issues of nepotism

The attorney generals office, as representative of the charitable interests of the public, does not have sufficient assurances that the selection is in the best interest of the beneficiaries, reads an April 16 legal filing from Ellisons office. Rather, trustees continuing pattern of nepotism substantially undermines the trust of the public whom trustees are supposed to serve.

Ellisons office noted that while trustees have a tradition of choosing their own successors, state law requires that they must comply with their fiduciary duties of care and loyalty when exercising that discretion, and that breaching those duties cannot have been the (founders) intent.

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Before the attorney generals office withdrew its objections Thursday, a hearing had been scheduled for Friday at the Ramsey County Courthouse.

Trustees defend Johnson

In their legal response to the attorney generals office, attorneys with Ciresi Conlin wrote that Ellisons office has never provided any evidence that her removal is necessary to best serve the interests of all beneficiaries.

Instead, it would be inconsistent with both 80 years of practice and Otto Bremers express preferences, spelled out in the trusts founding documents, that trustees select their own replacements.

The attorney generals office relies primarily on arguments it made and lost three years ago when the office attempted to block a bank sale in court, the attorneys wrote. This court has already rejected the (attorney general offices) campaign against what the (office) terms nepotism.  Charlotte did all she was required to do, and Trustee Caroline has faithfully administered the Trust since then.

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Charlotte and Caroline Johnson joined the Otto Bremer Trust in objecting to the attorney generals petition and defending her credentials, as have trustees Daniel Reardon and Francis Miley, who both submitted affidavits to the court.

According to her resume, Caroline Johnsons previous public service has included sitting on the board of directors and finance committee of the St. Croix Valley Food Bank during its capital campaign, serving on the board of directors of the Encampment Forest Association/Minnesota Land Trust, and serving for five years on the board of directors of the St. Croix County United Way, specifically its grants committee.

Reardon noted that Otto Bremer selected his grandfather, Bremers trusted tax consultant, as a trustee, who later selected his father, who later selected Reardon. He praised Caroline Johnsons high emotional intelligence and said her intimate knowledge of both banking and relationship building were assets during the recent bank sale.

This direct boots-on-the-ground experience in a Bremer branch bank was an excellent way to learn about the banking industry as well as Otto Bremers philanthropic vision for the Trust, Reardon wrote. Like me, Caroline grew up surrounded by the Trust. She learned about a life of service to Otto Bremers vision at the dinner table, by joining Charlotte on Trust retreats, and other events over the last 30 years.

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Ellisons office asked that the court adjust her salary and consider reviewing Caroline Johnsons skills and abilities and imposing training requirements and/or independent advisors as needed.

In her affidavit, Caroline Johnson noted she recently received a certificate from University of Minnesota Continuing and Professional Studies for completing a course on Leadership Essentials. She also completed another course on Introduction to Trust Administration at the University of Sioux Falls.

Asking for steps expected of a large nonprofit

Among its requests, Ellisons office had asked that the court require a more formal appointment process moving forward. After learning of Carolines appointment July 17, and given the familial relationship, the attorney generals office expressed concerns about the potential lack of an objective process on July 26, according to their filing of objection. She was seated anyway in early August.

Charlotte Johnson did not use any kind of objective process, such as collecting a pool of qualified candidates, applying objective criteria to narrow those candidates, and then making a selection applying those criteria that best serves interests of the public whom the Trust serves, said Brian Evans, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office, in an email early this week.

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Despite the fact that Trustees justify their substantial compensation by comparing themselves to CEOs of large nonprofit foundations, Johnson did not take the steps expected of a large nonprofit when replacing a high-level executive, he wrote.

Thursdays filing does not spell out what new internal procedures the Otto Bremer Trust had agreed to.

Previous efforts at removing trustees

The attorney generals office has sought to remove trustees before.

In August 2020, Ellisons office accused three trustees of attempting to inflate their compensation through a bank sale, among other forms of self-dealing. Following a 20-day bench trial, Judge Robert Awsumb chose to remove Brian Lipschultz as a trustee but retain Reardon and Charlotte Johnson.

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Lipschultz filed legal appeals, but they failed to sway the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court.

Bremer Bank completed its sale to Old National earlier this month, creating the third-largest bank to the Twin Cities  as measured by deposits  and one of the top 25 banking companies headquartered in the U.S. As a result of the merger, the Otto Bremer Trust will retain an 11% ownership stake in Old National, and Reardon will join the Old National board of directors.

This story has been updated with the latest information from the attorney generals May 29, 2025 legal filing, including a clarification that the office was not explicitly seeking Caroline Johnsons removal as a trustee in its recent legal objections.

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Elon Musk announced on May 29 that his time as a special government employee in the Trump administration is coming to an end, thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for the "opportunity to reduce wasteful spending."

The billionaire, who oversaw the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) massive layoffs and cuts across government agencies, said the department's mission will continue.

"The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Musk wrote on his social platform X.

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The later days of Musk's 130-day tenure, which is set to conclude on May 30, were accompanied by growing tensions between the world's richest man and senior members of the Trump administration, reportedly including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Musk also criticized a massive Trump-backed domestic policy bill passed by the Republicans in the House of Representatives last week, saying the legislation "increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."

A White House official confirmed to Reuters that the owner of Tesla, X, and SpaceX is departing the administration. His exit, described as quick and unceremonious, was reportedly decided on a senior staff level and without a conversation with Trump, who previously repeatedly praised the billionaire.

The businessman was one of the most visible figures of Trump's election campaign and the early days of his administration, leading the effort to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S.'s chief foreign aid agency.

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USAID was vital in providing humanitarian relief worldwide and funded thousands of programs supporting human rights, democracy, education, civil society, and infrastructure development.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, USAID has provided Ukraine with $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and more than $30 billion in direct budget support, helping to rebuild schools after Russian attacks, pay for bomb shelters, advanced medical equipment for hospitals and much more.

Despite massive repercussions for the work of federal agencies and their employees, DOGE's steps were described as falling short of Musk's bold cost-saving ambitions, with the initial goal of saving $2 trillion downgraded to $150 billion.

Musk eventually scaled down his public presence amid dropping popularity ratings and slumping Tesla profits.

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The businessman has also been vocal on the Russia-Ukraine war. While initially declaring support for the invaded country and providing his Starlink satellite communications to Ukraine, he gradually adopted pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian talking points.

Musk spread narratives that President Volodymyr Zelensky has minimal support in the country, despite numerous polls showing otherwise, and accused the Ukrainian president of perpetuating a "never-ending draft meat grinder."

The billionaire has also repeatedly campaigned against military aid for Kyiv, claiming it only prolongs the war.

Read also: Trump admits to protecting Russia from really bad things during Ukraine peace talks

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A month after announcing he would step back in his role at DOGE, Elon Musk announced he will be leaving the position entirely.

The announcement comes a few days after Musk shared his negative opinion of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that recently passed the House.

It's estimated that Trump's bill will add trillions to the national debt, which is something that Musk is concerned about. Adding more debt would mean his work for the Department of Government Efficiency would not amount to much.

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Now, it is not much of a concern for the billionaire as he announced his time as the leader of DOGE has come to an end in a May 28 post on X, formerly Twitter.

Elon Musk announces his departure from DOGE

Musk, who announced he would step back from his role as leader of DOGE at the end of April, shared he would officially leave the position entirely.

"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending," Musk said. "The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

During an April 22 earnings call for Tesla, Elon Musk announced that he would reduce his hours with DOGE, starting in May, to focus on his role as Tesla's CEO.

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During the earnings call, it was reported that net income for the quarter decreased by 71% due to a decline in vehicle deliveries. Tesla is facing growing competition from foreign brands, shifting trade policies and a growing backlash to the brand following Musk's alignment with the Trump administration.

When was Musk supposed to leave his position?

Musk was designated a "special government employee," which allows him to work for the federal government for a limited period, with or without pay.

According to the United States Department of the Interior, a special government employee is "an officer or employee in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government who is appointed to perform important, but limited, services to the Government, with or without compensation, for a period not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days."

Musk's 130 days allotted to work under the title of special government employee were expected to finish near the end of May. The earliest reported work from DOGE is dated Jan. 21, which would put the end of his 130-day period on May 31.

Musk's xAI issues in Memphis

With Musk no longer acting in his leadership position with DOGE, he will likely redirect his efforts to his companies, Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, which is located in Memphis. Since moving to the city in the summer of 2024, Musk and his company have faced heavy opposition from residents and some city leaders.

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In June 2024, the Greater Memphis Chamber announced that xAI, Musk's artificial intelligence company, was moving to the Bluff City.

The supercomputer, named Colossus, went live in September 2024 as a 100,000-chip supercomputer with 100,000 graphics processing units. It has since doubled to 200,000 GPUs, and plans are in place to eventually expand to one million GPUs.

In September, Musk's company filed to expand and build an $80 million wastewater treatment plant near the supercomputer.

On March 7, the Greater Memphis Chamber announced that xAI had acquired a one-million-square-foot facility in Southwest Memphis. The acquisition is expected to help xAI continue its planned expansion of its Colossus supercomputer at 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road.

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On April 9, the environmental advocacy group Southern Environmental Law Center claimed that xAI was operating 35 turbines at its Paul R. Lowry Road facility. The organization claimed the use and number of turbines violated the Clean Air Act.

In late April, the Greater Memphis Chamber hosted a virtual Q&A on April 23 regarding the ongoing expansion of Elon Musk's xAI facility in Memphis.

Over the last several weeks, elected officials, including state Rep. Justin J. Pearson and environmental advocacy groups such as Memphis Community Against Pollution and the Southern Environmental Law Center, have been critical of the Greater Memphis Chamber and xAI, citing concerns about transparency and potential water and air pollution.

On May 6, the Chamber issued a news release stating that some turbines would be removed from xAI's facility.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Elon Musk announces departure from DOGE, trump administration
Elon Musk said so long to his official government role Wednesday evening, as his status as a special government employee expires.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, Musk wrote. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

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Musks exit has been anticipated, as special government employees can serve for a period not exceeding 130 days per year. But Musks appearances at White House events have tapered off in recent weeks, a contrast to his ubiquitous presence earlier in Trumps term.

Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency effort to slash government agencies, wreaking havoc across the federal workforce as he and his staff quickly moved to shut down USAID, among other entities. Musk boasted of the achievement by brandishing a chainsaw at CPAC.

But his actions drove up his unpopularity and tarnished the brand of his electric vehicle company Tesla. Musk signaled this month that he would start moving away from politics to spend more time on his companies. He reportedly clashed with other administration officials including Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. They at one point had a shouting match at the White House over Musks efforts to install his own acting director of the IRS, according to a report in The Atlantic.

In an interview this week with CBS News David Pogue, Musk was critical of Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, the massive tax and spending package that recently passed the House. Although it would extend Trumps tax cuts from his first term, the legislation also is estimated to add trillions to the deficit.

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I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing, Musk said.

Musk became the target of protests, and his political influence appeared to wane after the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections. After pouring in $25 million to try to elect a conservative judge to the states highest court, rival Susan Crawford won handily and ensured a liberal majority.

Musk at one time contended that he could find $2 trillion to trim from spending, but he backed away from that. DOGE now claims to have found $175 billion in savings, and even that figure has been disputed.

In an interview this week with the Washington Post, Musk acknowledged that his work cutting government was more difficult that he expected. He said, The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.

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Among those who have been critical of Musk are Bill Gates, a longtime champion of foreign aid. He said that the closure of USAID has sidelined life-saving food and medical programs. The picture of the worlds richest man killing the worlds poorest children is not a pretty one, Gates told the Financial Times this month.

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After 128 days as Donald Trump's chainsaw-wielding bureaucratic executioner, Elon Musk finally said he was leaving government.

As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has a long history of failed forecasts and broken promises, and he has given mixed signals about his future involvement with the Trump administration.

But reports indicate that Musk, like Mark Zuckerberg before him, is genuinely disillusioned with politics and frustrated with the uphill battle hes faced in trying to remake the federal government the way he remade Twitter.

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There is also growing evidence of discord between him and the President, a collapse of the political bromance that defined the final weeks of the 2024 election and the beginning of the second Trump administration.

Things reportedly began souring in April after Musk donated millions to a MAGA-backed candidate that lost in Wisconsin. More recently, Musk allegedly flew to the Middle East with Trump to complain about an AI project his companies werent involved in, before publicly accusing Trumps "One Big, Beautiful Bill" of undermining his work with DOGE.

Elon Musk claims his time as a government employee is nearly over (Elon Musk via X)

So with Musk's legal 130-day term as a 'special government employee' set to expire on Friday, and Democrats gunning for his departure by that date, Wednesdays announcement was a good opportunity to suspend disbelief and evaluate his success so far.

Musk's stated goal as the (apparently informal) head of DOGE was to slash government spending and save American taxpayers money. Before the inauguration, he claimed he could cut $1 trillion from the federal budget before September 30 by ending "waste, fraud, and abuse"  already a downgrade from his $2 trillion promise on the campaign trail. He further claimed that most of the work required to make this happen would be done within 130 days.

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As of May 26, DOGE's online "wall of receipts" touts estimated savings of $175bn since the start of Trump's term, or $1,086.96 per taxpayer. The problem is that this figure may simply be nonsense.

Analysis by The New York Times last month found numerous errors in DOGE's numbers, including counting government contracts that had not yet been awarded, counting contracts that had ended years ago, triple-counting the same savings, and confusing "million" with "billion".

DOGE has since corrected some of those errors. Yet even today, many of its purported savings  including the three biggest on the list  treat the maximum potential value of a cancelled government contract as the actual amount saved, even if it did not legally require Uncle Sam to pay a single cent. (When The Independent tallied Musk's own contracts back in February, we counted only binding commitments in our headline figures.)

Other entries on DOGEs website give no information and offer no evidence, simply listing the name of the contract vendor or contract description as "unavailable".

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Some of these cuts arguably produce waste rather than reduce it. Cancelling ongoing scientific studies before they can deliver results means effectively throwing away any money already spent. And if we zoom out, more reliable data shows that overall government spending has risen by around six to seven percent compared to the same period last year.

Musk and Trump in happier times (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

All in all, then, DOGE's cost-cutting crusade has been a dramatic failure. But there are other metrics by which one might consider Musks role in the White House a roaring success.

Suppose, for example, that you wanted to blur the lines between public service and private interest and build precedent for plutocrats' direct participation in government. Musk's tenure at DOGE, overseeing cuts to agencies investigating his companies while apparently dodging conflict of interest rules, has certainly done that.

Or suppose you wanted to execute a partisan purge of the federal government, seizing control of independent institutions and driving out your perceived enemies. Firing federal employees en masse and forcibly taking over quasi-government bodies, as DOGE has done, would surely help.

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What if you wanted to centralize power under yourself, advancing a radical "unitary executive" theory and challenging Congress's constitutionally-mandated power over government spending? A good start would be to demolish an entire government agency by fiat, then dare your opponents to reverse it.

Similarly, if you wanted to deport millions of immigrants while massively increasing your ability to surveil and control U.S. citizens, you could do much worse than inserting DOGE staffers into numerous federal agencies to access and merge sensitive databases that have long been kept separate, while allegedly playing fast and loose with security safeguards.

Courts are still deciding how much of this was actually legal, and DOGE has faced setbacks in that regard. Trump will also be seeking Congress's permission for roughly $9 billion of past cuts. In the long term, its possible that Musks actions will prove just as toxic for Trumps public image as they have been for his own.

Yet by moving quickly and asking forgiveness rather than permission, DOGE has already made American government more chaotic and more autocratic. That is a win for Trump and his allies, regardless of what the worlds richest person chooses to do next.

Perhaps, for them if not for Musk, that was the real point all along.
Elon Musk's father Errol is once again sounding off about his billionaire son  and as usual, he has nothing nice to say.

In an interview with England's Sky News, the elder Musk heaped on the criticism when asked to describe his famous spawn's political prowess.

"He's not a very good conversationalist," the patriarch said. "He's not a very good politician at all."

"He's not a very good conversationalist. He's not a very good politician at all"



Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk describes his son to @skygillian, as well as the "swimming pool" of politics



Latest  https://t.co/lcEY84fHs8



 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/vIM5Pbs8iV  Sky News (@SkyNews) May 28, 2025

The former emerald miner went on to say that Musk doesn't have the "gift of gab" and suggested that he tried to warn his son against going into politics, which he bizarrely characterized as a bottomless "human swimming pool" in which nobody, including Winston Churchill or Donald Trump, can stay afloat.

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Notably, the Sky interview aired just before the younger Musk announced that his time as a "special government employee" in the United States was up. Soon after, the father  with whom Musk has been estranged since learning that he'd impregnated his step-sister  told GB News that his son and Trump still have a "good relationship."

During his Sky interview, the older Musk also argued with broadcaster Gillian Joseph, a Black woman, about whether or not a so-called "white genocide" is taking place in South Africa, his and Elon's home country.

When Joseph pointed out that a recent videos Trump shared purporting to show attacks against white farmers in SA was actually filmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and taken out of context, Musk  who's shared fond memories of how "well-run" the country was during apartheid  kept insisting that was "not true."

"Where's the evidence?" Joseph asked, as the elder Musk kept repeating "no, no, no" and spoke over her. Coincidentally, his billionaire son gave an extremely similar performance when speaking at Bloomberg's Qatar Economic Forum earlier in the month when reporter Joumanna Bercetche had the audacity to not laugh at one of his dumb jokes.

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For all their animosity, it seems Elon and Errol have a lot in common when it comes to being weird with women. Maybe the apple doesn't fall far from the emerald mine.

More on the younger Musk: You Can Suddenly Sense Elon Musk's Desperation
VIENTIANE, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Supreme People's Prosecutor of Laos and the Prosecutor General's Office of Russia have agreed to jointly carry out activities in 2025-2026, with the goal of enhancing legal cooperation and promoting mutual understanding in prosecutorial work.

Under an agreement signed here on Wednesday, the two sides will hold at least one official meeting each year and regularly exchange professional and legal documents. These exchanges aim to build institutional capacity, support legal reforms, and support the rule of law in both countries, the local Pasaxon newspaper reported on Thursday.

The two sides will convene joint meetings to discuss enhancing prosecutorial functions and the integration of digital technologies, including the potential use of artificial intelligence in legal work. Expert meetings will also be held on child protection and measures to combat crimes against children.

Additionally, both parties agreed to participate in joint training sessions at least once a year and to regularly exchange legal, technical, and scientific documents to strengthen prosecutorial cooperation. 
Elon Musk, one of the most influential humans of the 21st century, has announced that he will step away from his official advisory role within the Trump administration, marking the end of a productive chapter for DOGE.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO announced his choice to step away from his advisory role late Wednesday in a post on X, saying that his tenure as a Special Government Employee had come to its scheduled end.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

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Musks advisory work in DOGE, in which he helped bring red tape federal waste into the national spotlight, was more than symbolic.

Since its establishment by executive order at the start of Trumps second term earlier this year, the agency has reported over $175 billion in government savings, including a series of huge cuts to bloated contracts previously covered by The Dallas Express.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller praised the work Musk helped spearhead in another X post this week, saying, The work DOGE has done to eliminate government waste and corruption  the rot embedded deep within Washington  is among the most valuable services ever rendered to government. And the work has only just begun.

While some critics have attempted to diminish Musks influence, protests and growing patterns of violent attacks against Tesla dealerships and owners make his impact impossible to deny.

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Yet even some Musk haters admit that a $175 billion reduction in waste is difficult to ignore, let alone not appreciate.

DOGE was meant to be temporary by design, so maybe Musks departure is a good sign for scheduling.

The agency is still officially scheduled to end its work on July 4, 2026.

Some Americans believe that Musks efforts and the billions in taxpayer savings he helped generate demonstrate a significant legacy for the American government.
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In todays edition, we explore how Elon Musk is adding fuel to the fire for Republican skeptics of President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill. Plus, Andrea Mitchell dives into how Trump is fundamentally reshaping the the postwar alliance between the U.S. and Europe.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

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 Adam Wollner

Elon Musk emboldens GOP critics of Trumps big bill

Elon Musk took some of the wind out of the sails of the big, beautiful bill as it moves to the Senate next week after passing the House by the narrowest of margins.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning that will air in full this Sunday, Musk said he was disappointed that the massive domestic policy package would increase the deficit and said it undermines the work of the Department of Government Efficiency.

I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, I dont know if it can be both, Musk said.

Its not the first time Musk has broken with President Donald Trump on a major issue. (See his comments on tariffs last month). Nor is it the first time Musk has thrown a wrench into the middle of high-stakes legislating on Capitol Hill. (See his comments on a government funding bill late last year.)

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The criticism: Musk has suggested hes scaling back from his administration role to return his attention to the private sector. But his comments still served to embolden conservative critics of the multitrillion-dollar package, as the GOP faces a tight timeline and little margin for error for final passage.

Rep. Warren Davison of Ohio, one of only two Republicans who voted against the bill in the House last week, said in response to Musks interview on X: Hopefully, the Senate will succeed with the Big Beautiful Bill where the House missed the moment. Dont hope someone else will cut deficits someday, know it has been done this Congress.

Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Mike Lee of Utah reiterated their issues with the bill, which revolve around the deficit impact. The Congressional Budget Office has projected the legislation would add $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years.

This bill isnt a done deal yet, Lee said. The Senate version will be more aggressive.

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Republicans can only afford three defections in the Senate, and any changes they make there would have to go back through the House before the bill can go to Trumps desk, which they are aiming to do by July 4.

The defense: Trumps allies quickly rushed to defend the package, which is a product of delicate negotiations among Republicans with a thin House majority.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., took to X to say that their efforts to shrink the size of government would extend beyond the big, beautiful bill. They said they would seek to cut spending through a rescission package  a clawback of money that Congress has already appropriated  and through the regular budget process for the 2026 fiscal year.

The House is eager and ready to act on DOGEs findings so we can deliver even more cuts to big government that President Trump wants and the American people demand, Johnson said.

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What Trump is saying: Asked about Musks criticism, Trump said he was not happy about certain aspects of the bill, but thrilled by other aspects of it.

Read more 

Town hall heat: GOP Reps. Mike Flood of Nebraska and Ashley Hinson of Iowa faced intense questioning and jeers at town halls this week over their support for the big, beautiful bill.

How Trump is reimagining the U.S.-European alliance

Analysis by Andrea Mitchell

Has the Trump administration decided Americas closest European allies should be treated as adversaries?

Setting aside President Donald Trumps long-standing aversion to NATO and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling the Europeans pathetic in a now-infamous Signal chat, now the State Department is sending diplomats to Ireland and France to chide their governments for allegedly censoring free speech by right-wing political parties and movements.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio went on social media to criticize Germany for labeling a far-right opposition party extremist. And Vice President JD Vance caused a furor at the Munich Security Conference by attacking his hosts for a retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values  values shared with the United States of America.

Vances criticism, immediately rejected by some Republicans in attendance, was widely written off as an outlier. Now it has become policy.

An even more inflammatory statement just published on the State Departments official Substack is expanding on Vances critique and declaring U.S. support for the nascent right-wing movements across Europe. In a separate but related statement, Rubio announced visa restrictions against foreign nationals who try to censor Americans or foreign officials who demand that U.S. tech platforms moderate global content that reaches into the United States.

Leaders of the European Union, the worlds largest trading bloc, are also reeling from Trumps recent suggestion that the U.S. would impose a 50% tariff on E.U. exports  a proposal he put on hold after a sharp rebuke from the markets pending the conclusion of trade negotiations in July. But with plans underway for the annual NATO summit in June, European leaders are also bracing for the latest Trump salvo over their lagging defense commitments, coupled with a potential declaration that he will not sustain U.S. military support for Ukraine once the current pipeline of Biden-approved weapons runs out.

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As Europe scrambles to replace what it anticipates will be the U.S. abandonment of Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is leading the charge to rally European contributions  although they cannot duplicate American air defenses or intelligence. And Starmer is rushing to try to repair his countrys post-Brexit breach with the E.U. in expectation of an economic stalemate over tariffs with the White House. Meanwhile, the entire bloc looks toward Beijing as an alternative trading partner.

What isnt clear is how the Trump administrations criticism of Europe and tariff fights advance either U.S. security or economic interests. But this appears to be only the beginning of the administrations reimagining of a postwar alliance that rebuilt a devastated Europe and created the greatest, most sustained economic boom in American history.

 Today's top stories

 Pardon politics: Trump said he would look into possibly pardoning the men convicted in a scheme to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Read more 

 Pardon politics, cont.: Trumps recent string of pardons highlight the Justice Departments pullback from public corruption cases. Read more 

 Russia-Ukraine latest: Trump suggested hell make a decision in the next two weeks on how he will deal with Russias handling of peace talks with Ukraine. Read more 

 Deportation data: The Trump administration has dramatically stepped up its pace of deportations, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data obtained by NBC News, but is still lagging behind its target. Read more 

 New directive: The Trump administration has stopped scheduling new interviews for international students seeking visas to study in the U.S. as the State Department prepares for expanded social media screening of applicants. Read more 

Follow live politics updates 

Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner.

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If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Elon Musk is officially cutting ties with President Donald Trump's administration after slamming a massive government spending bill.

Musk's frustration reportedly boiled over when the GOP passed the high-cost domestic policy bill that, in his view, undermines the cost-cutting vision he once supported.

The split comes after months of Elon Musk being deeply involved in efforts to cut federal jobs, with his staff even sweeping through agencies to enforce wide-scale reductions.

Elon Musk Bows Out Of Trump-Era Government Role With Final Message On X

Aaron Schwartz - CNP / MEGA

Musk announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, through a post on his platform, X. The entrepreneur, who served as a Special Government Employee, thanked President Donald Trump for the opportunity to cut down on federal waste, writing:

"As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government."

His farewell sparked a wave of praise from X users. "Thank you, Elon. You are one of the saviors who changed the course of this world and guided it toward peace. I am truly grateful.

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Wishing you continued success and ever-growing prosperity in the future," one commenter wrote. Another stated, "Thank you for your service Mr. Musk. You will go down in history," while a third gushed:

"Thank you @elonmusk for opening our eyes to ummm...everything. Without "X" and you we would probably still be in the dark. You are one special human being!"

One user summed up the sentiment, "Thank you so much. For Doge and X."

The Tesla Owner Says Donald Trump Is Undermining DOGE's Work

POOL/EPA / MEGA

Musk's short-term government role came to an end this week, just one day after he took aim at Trump's new legislative push.

In an interview with CBS News, the 53-year-old criticized the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," saying the massive spending plan would balloon the deficit and undo the very savings DOGE was set up to find.

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"I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk said and then added:

"A bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion."

The legislation, backed heavily by Trump and still awaiting Senate approval, aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts, hike border security funding, add Medicaid work rules, and roll back clean energy incentives. But the Congressional Budget Office projects it would raise the deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034.

The POTUS Was Aware Of The Business Owner's Exit

Aaron Schwartz / CNP / MEGA

Musk's split from the Trump administration might have seemed sudden, but it turns out the plan had been in motion for weeks. The President had already informed close aides and cabinet members that Musk would be stepping back soon from his role in government, Politico reported.

Insiders claim that behind closed doors, the two had decided Musk would return to focus on his businesses and play a more behind-the-scenes role moving forward.

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Trump made the transition clear during a March 24 Cabinet meeting, telling those in the room that Musk's time as a high-profile government partner was winding down.

The 78-year-old brought cameras in for the end of the meeting and publicly praised Musk. "Elon, I want to thank you  I know you've been through a lot," Trump said, pointing to death threats and vandalism involving Tesla. He then called him "a patriot" and "a friend of mine."

The SpaceX Owner's Exit Comes After Claiming $1 Trillion Deficit Cut Goal Is Within Reach

Aaron Schwartz - CNP / MEGA

Musk seemed to have geared up to walk away from his role in the Trump administration after signaling that his work slashing government spending was nearly complete. During an interview, Musk said:

"I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion within that time frame."

Trump, for his part, confirmed the shift. "At some point Elon's gonna want to go back to his company. He wants to. I'd keep him as long as I could keep him," the President told the press.

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White House spokesperson Harrison Fields echoed that praise, calling Musk "instrumental" to the President's agenda and confirming he would stay on until told otherwise.

Elon Musk And Donald Trump Push Back On Media Spin

Matt Bishop/imageSPACE / MEGA

Musk refused to let the media twist the story of his departure from the Trump administration. Just ahead of his official exit, the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) account on X shared a message that read:

"In the coming days, legacy media will try to convince you that President Trump and Elon Musk are no longer friends, and that's why Musk left. What they won't tell you is that Elon was a Special Government Employee, limited to 130 days of service, and that term ends tomorrow."

The post came as a preemptive strike, anticipating how the press might frame Musk's decision to step away from his short-term government role.

Back in February, Musk and Trump sat down with Fox News in a joint appearance meant to shut down similar rumors that there was tension between the two. The message then and now was clear, they are still on the same page.

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During the interview, the host Sean Hannity chalked that up to a political strategy meant to "divorce" the partnership between Trump and Musk by fueling public doubt.

Trump did not hesitate to call it out. "I see it all the time Actually, Elon called me  he said, you know, 'They're trying to drive us apart.' I said, 'Absolutely,'" he said. Despite the noise, both men insist the work they have done together through DOGE has spoken for itself.

Elon Musk's role was always intended to be temporary, but the timing of his departure begs more questions.
Elon Musk announced his departure from the government on Wednesday after leading President Donald Trumps efforts to slim down the federal bureaucracy.

The billionaire took to X on Wednesday night to share the news.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, he wrote. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

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Musks 130-day term as a special government employee was set to come to an end this week.

His departure comes just a day after he slammed the main legislation to push forward Trumps agenda, saying that he was disappointed in what the president refers to as his big beautiful bill.

The bill includes tax cuts and stepped-up efforts to enforce immigration restrictions. Musk told CBS that the legislation was a massive spending bill that expands the federal deficit and undermines the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE.

I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, said Musk. But I dont know if it could be both.

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Musks interview with CBS was published on Tuesday night. Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump defended the legislation and his agenda, discussing the politics behind the negotiation of the bill.

Im not happy about certain aspects of it, but Im thrilled by other aspects of it, said the president, adding that further changes may be in the offing.

Were going to see what happens, he said. Its got a way to go.

Elon Musk thanked President Donald Trump as he announced that his time in government is coming to an end (AP)

Republicans recently passed the legislation in the House, and its under review in the Senate, where some Republicans share Musks concerns.

I sympathize with Elon being discouraged, Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson said.

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Musk aimed at cutting $1 trillion in government spending, but he didnt come close to that goal.

The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized, the billionaire told The Washington Post. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.

Musks criticism of Trumps legislation comes as he puts his focus once again on his companies, such as electric carmaker Tesla and SpaceX, the rocket manufacturer. He has said that he will rein in his political spending.

In terms of political spending, Im going to do a lot less in the future, he said earlier this month.

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I think Ive done enough, he added.

Lisa Gilbert, the co-president of Public Citizen, said in a statement following the announcement that Musks legacy, is lost livelihoods for critical government employees, hindered American education, loss of funding for scientists, and the violation of Americans personal privacy, all in the service of corrupt tech-bro billionaire special interests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Elon Musk's days working at the White House are over.

Musk, the billionaire Tesla CEO whom President Donald Trump enlisted to cut waste in the federal government, started offboarding from his role Wednesday, a White House official told NBC News, a day after he criticized a Republican bill to fund much of Trumps agenda.

Two sources later confirmed to NBC News that Musk's more than 114-day long tenure as a special government employee officially concluded Wednesday evening.

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Musk commented on his exit Wednesday on X, his social media platform. He called for the DOGE mission to become a way of life throughout the government, referring to his Department of Government Efficiency initiative.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, wrote Musk, the richest person in the world.

While a senior White House official has previously stressed that Musk is a friend of Trumps, the White House did not provide an on-the-record comment Wednesday about Musks departure.

NBC News has reported that special government employees, a class of temporary worker that included Musk, can typically work up to 130 days in a calendar year, though the days can be split up. The White House first publicly acknowledged Musks role on Feb. 3, so he was most likely nearing the end of that tenure.

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Musks official departure came at a charged moment in his relationship with Trump. On Tuesday, CBS News Sunday Morning shared a clip of him sharing his disappointment in the massive spending bill, which he said undermines the work of his DOGE operation, which has aimed to reduce federal spending by slashing the size of the federal workforce, cutting government programs and eliminating grants deemed wasteful.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the Republican funding package would add $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years, largely because of the extensions of Trumps 2017 tax cuts and new expenditures that outweigh the savings.

Musk initially set out to cut upward of $2 trillion through the operation, a goal he later significantly walked back.

Now he leaves the government with DOGE having thus far fallen well short of the trillions of dollars of savings he once touted on the campaign trail. As of Wednesday evening, the DOGE government website claimed $175 billion in savings, though its claims have been found to be questionable.

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Trump responded to Musk's criticisms Wednesday afternoon in the Oval Office, defending the funding package. He said the legislation would deliver on several of his key priorities, but he also noted the complexities of passing such a sprawling bill through a sharply divided House.

My reactions a lot of things. No. 1, we have to get a lot of votes. We cant be cutting a  you know  we need to get a lot of support, and we have a lot of support. We had to get it through the House, Trump said.

Musk was among the most visible people in the early days of the second Trump administration, securing Trump's favor after having fueled his 2024 presidential campaign with upward of $250 million, according to campaign finance reports.

He was frequently seen alongside Trump, often wearing a Trump hat while appearing with one of his young children. Musk appeared to relish his role as Trumps waste and fraud czar, taking the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February with a sizable chain saw to tout his cost-cutting initiative.

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Musk also at one point threatened to use his wealth to fund challengers to any Republicans who dared to oppose Trumps agenda.

But behind the scenes, tensions between Musk and other Trump administration members mounted, with some of those making their way to the public through news reports about tense meetings and shouting matches. Musk also took some of his grievances public, including criticism of Trumps tariffs.

Meanwhile, Musks public profile suffered  as did the perception of his most consumer-centric business, Tesla. Public poll numbers showed that he and DOGE were relatively unpopular, and Tesla vehicles and dealerships became the targets of protests and vandalism. Teslas stock is down 11% so far this year.

Trump continued to support Musk, at one point in March turning the South Lawn of the White House into an impromptu Tesla showroom and buying one of the vehicles.

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Musks power, both in terms of his cash contributions as well as his political clout, took a hit in late March when Republicans lost a high-profile judicial election in Wisconsin in which Musk spent heavily and became a target for Democrats.

Musk had maintained that his participation in the Trump administration and DOGE was temporary, but in recent weeks he has signaled that he may pull back from politics more broadly. Over the weekend, he wrote on X that he was "Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms." Last week, he said he planned to scale down his sizable spending on politics, though said he would spend in the future if he saw a reason to do so. I dont currently see a reason, he said.

While Musk has said DOGE will continue to operate, its unclear just how much pull it will have without him at the helm.

The legacy of the Musk-led effort will most likely be reflected legislatively, as the House is expected to soon put forth a rescissions package to codify DOGE cuts.

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We want to make sure that Congress passes its first rescissions bill, including the DOGE [cuts], and we will send more if they pass it, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought told Fox Business on Wednesday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
On Wednesday evening, Elon Musk announced on X that his time as part of the Department of Government Efficiency was officially at an end.

As a Special Government Employee, he is restricted to serving 130 days  a period which was due to finish this week.

However, as well as thanking Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending, Musk wrote that: The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.

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So what will happen to the controversial government agency now that its de-facto chief is stepping down? Heres what we know:

Elon Musks controversial time in government appears to be over - for now. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Will DOGE continue?

The agencys crusade to slash wasteful government spending isnt going anywhere, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Musk and Trump previously characterized DOGE, formerly the U.S. Digital Service, as tech support to end waste, fraud and abuse. DOGE is not so much an agency as an idea, according to the White House.

Employees within federal agencies are doing its work and, despite media perception, Musk has simply functioned as an adviser.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Leavitt said that although Musk was leaving the agency the entire cabinet were still committed to DOGEs core values

Musk officially announced he was stepping down on Wednesday night. As a Special Government Employee, he is restricted to serving 130 days (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

That's why they were working hand in hand with Elon Musk, and they'll continue to work with the respective DOGE employees who have onboarded as political appointees at all of these agencies, she said: So surely, the mission of DOGE will continue.

So who will lead DOGE and will Musks staffers stay?

Leavitt reiterated at Thursdays briefing that the DOGE leaders are each and every member of the President's Cabinet and the President himself, who were all wholeheartedly committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government.

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Questions about a specific leader of DOGE had swirled following the additional departure of Musks right-hand man at the agency, Steve Davis.

Davis had been a key leader at the agency and handled day-to-day operations including hiring and firing, staffers told The Wall Street Journal, adding that he had helped guide the work of the DOGE engineers working across various agencies.

The Wall Street Journal reported that much of the work done by DOGE will now be undertaken by the Office of Management and Budget  which is headed up by director Russell Vought. Vought has worked closely alongside Musk since 2024 (AP)

In addition, The Journal reported that much of the work done by DOGE will now be undertaken by the Office of Management and Budget  which is headed up by director Russell Vought. Vought has worked closely alongside Musk since 2024 and the two have driven the administrations vision of slashing the federal workforce and reducing spending.

As far as Musks underlings were concerned, Leavitt highlighted that many were now political appointees and employees of our government.

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To the best of my knowledge, all of them intend to stay and continue this important work, she said.

What has the reaction been to the departure?

While Musk did receive an outpouring of gratitude from fans on his own social media site, who hailed him as courageous and a true American patriot, others were less impressed.

Finally rooting out waste and abuse, former Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz joked in response to the news, with Democratic rep. Jasmine Crockett echoing the sentiment.

Elon came to Washington thinking he could run the government like one of his companiesfiring people left and right, gutting essential services, and tearing this s*** up from the ground up, she wrote. Its time for a full investigation into the damage hes caused and for the truth to come to light.

Trump and the White House did not specifically respond to Musks announcement, but a spokesperson directed The Independent to press secretary Karoline Leavitts comments at a Thursday press briefing (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Elon Musk in government is completely unprecedented, but there has never been a single person, certainly not a single non-presidential person, who has been as utterly and pointlessly destructive as Elon Musk, Robert Weissman, co-executive director of Public Citizen, a progressive consumer rights advocacy group, previously told The Independent.

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He has commercial motivations, he said, but primarily hes been engaged in an authoritarian wrecking project with no actual purpose, but really deadly impact.

Trump and the White House did not specifically respond to Musks announcement, but a spokesperson directed The Independent to Leavitts comments at Thursdays press briefing.

Alex Woodward contributed to this report.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  More news in the story of a one-day-old stillborn child who was supposed to be cremated in Dallas, but was found with the linens at a Shreveport contract cleaning service. The funeral home responsible has had other issues.

Golden Gate Funeral Home was already under investigation by the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) for separate allegations and has been in trouble before.

In January 2022, fourteen lawsuits were filed against Golden Gate Funeral Home for mishandling bodies.

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With the new allegations added to the current investigation, the Commission is reassessing Golden Gates compliance history.

TFSC Executive Director Scott Bingaman said, Every Texan deserves both protection from predatory practices and the ability to voice concerns about the services they receive. This case has created unnecessary and deeply distressing obstacles for a grieving family due to alleged negligence. The Commission is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to determine whether the childs remains were mishandled. If violations are substantiated, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the Commission is unable to release further details.

Mother abandons children, then reports them as missing

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On May 28th, Shreveport police are piecing together the events that led up to a gruesome discovery at a local dry cleaner after a deceased one-day-old infant was found.

Police say they were alerted at around 9 p.m. after receiving a call from employees of Alsco Uniforms. When officers arrived, they initially believed the infant was a doll wrapped in linens; however, on close inspection, the employee realized the remains were those of a small child.

According to the Shreveport police, the deceased baby was found in a shipment of linens posted from Golden Gate Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.

SPD says the baby had been embalmed and showed slight signs of decomposition.

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Police immediately contacted the funeral home and learned the baby died on May 3rd. The one-day-old infants funeral service was held at the Golden Gate Funeral Home on May 17, where the body was scheduled for cremation.

Detective on scene even told me it it smelled strongly of formaldehyde, which is something thats not typical, of any of our crime scenes, and thats when they began to realize that the child had already been embalmed or what they believe was embalmed and just a very bizarre set of circumstances, said Corporal Chris Bordelon.

However, authorities are trying to figure out how and why the baby ended up in Shreveport. Their preliminary findings indicate that the infants remains were mistakenly transported along with soiled linens.

36 unsolved homicides in Natchitoches Parish; mothers seek justice

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It presents issues because typically, when we have a child death in Louisiana, we have an autopsy. This is not really a child death in Louisiana. However, we dont come across finding children that didnt die in Louisiana  in Louisiana. This is a very strange set of circumstances that were writing the book as we go on this one, says Corporal Bordelon.

The baby was found wearing embroidered clothes with the initials K.M. on them. Police say they do not suspect foul play but are investigating the negligence involved in this bizarre incident.

According to Corporal Bordelon, the Texas Funeral Home Commission has been contacted, and theyll be partnering with authorities to investigate the incident.

The Caddo Coroner is in possession of the babys body, and they are working to get the one-day-old back to the family in Dallas.

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This is a deeply distressing situation, said Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith. Our thoughts are with the family of the child as this investigation unfolds. No foul play is suspected at this time, but the investigation remains ongoing.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Four gorillas are back in the wild after an impressive journey.

According to a news release from the conservation organization Re: Wild, a quartet of critically endangered female eastern lowland gorillas who were abducted into the illegal wildlife trade have since been rescued and are enjoying the wild world once again.

Gorillas Isangi, Lulingu, Mapendo, and Ndjingala are living free at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after soaring through their reintroduction process in a way that was "surprising" to conservation experts.



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The four gorillas' road back to life in the wild started in 2010, when the first of the gorillas arrived at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE) in Kasuhgo in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Between 2010 and 2016, all four of the gorillas ended up at GRACE after getting rescued from the world of wildlife trafficking. At the sanctuary, the quartet lived in a 39-acre facility that allowed them to socialize, climb, and play as they would in the wild and forget about the past.

"We've been caring for these gorillas since they were babies," shared Jackson Kabuyaya Mbeke, the Democratic Republic of the Congo director for GRACE Gorillas. "Our ultimate goal has been to help them recover from the trauma of the illegal wildlife trade and the circumstances that followed, and get them back to the wild."

GRACE One of the released eastern lowland gorillas One of the released eastern lowland gorillas

After years of rebuilding their natural ape skills, the four "extremely resilient" gorillas were tapped for a project to increase the wild gorilla population on Mt. Tshiaberimu in Virunga National Park, after "an analysis modeling different scenarios for the small population of isolated wild gorillas living on Mt. Tshiaberimu showed that there was a high probability that they would go extinct within 50 years unless new gorillas were moved to the area," according to the release.

"It was very clear that these four females could help contribute to the survival of their species in the wild," Mbeke added, so the animals began a multi-year rewilding process, which culminated with Isangi, Lulingu, Mapendo, and Ndjingala getting airlifted from the GRACE sanctuary in Kasuhgo to Virunga National Park in October 2024.

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Once at the park, the four gorillas were moved into a facility on Mt. Tshiaberimu, designed to help the animals transition to fully living in the wild. The female apes settled into their new surroundings quickly. A process that experts expected to take several months at least, and possibly several years, the gorillas coasted through in just two months.

By November 2024, the GRACE gorillas were attracting the attention of the gorillas native to Mt. Tshiaberimu. Notably, a wild silverback gorilla named Mwasa began visiting the fence line of the gorilla rewilding facility to make close visual contact with the four new females.

GRACE Mwasa visiting the female gorillas at the rewilding facility at Mt. Tshiaberimu Mwasa visiting the female gorillas at the rewilding facility at Mt. Tshiaberimu

"This was one of the major indicators that the caregivers and veterinarians had been looking for to determine if the females would potentially be accepted into a wild group," Re: wild's release explained.

Mwasa began displaying behaviors that showed interest in the four female gorillas, and the quartet of apes signaled that they were positively responding to the silverback's attention.

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After observing the gorillas' interactions over several days, the conservationists caring for the rescue gorillas decided it was time to release the animals into the wild.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

On Dec. 3, 2024, the gorilla monitoring team decided to open the gorilla rewilding facility so the four rescue gorillas could leave and explore Mt. Tshiaberimu.

"The gorillas surprised us by how quickly they wanted to leave the enclosure to go into the forest," Benoit Ishaba, head of gorilla monitoring on Mt. Tshiaberimu and a ranger at Virunga National Park, shared. "They wanted to be with the silverback, and they immediately started learning from him. Within three days, they were eating plants that grow at higher altitudes that they had never eaten before, such as bamboo leaves and bamboo shoots. Now, they eat more species of plants than any gorillas on Mt. Tshiaberimu, and they appear healthy."

GRACE Gorillas in Virunga National Park Gorillas in Virunga National Park

Since Dec. 2024, the four female gorillas have continued living in the wild. Dr. Eddy Kambale Syaluha, a veterinarian for Gorilla Doctors working on the rewilding project, said that the four gorillas have not required "a single veterinary intervention" since returning to the wild. Non-invasive monitoring of the animals shows the apes are healthy and being accepted by the other Mt. Tshiaberimu gorillas.

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"The move went better than we could have hoped for. It made me really proud to see them adapt to living on Mt. Tshiaberimu and settle into their new home so quickly," said Dalmas Kakule Syangeha, an animal care manager at GRACE.



The successful rewilding project marks many firsts. It is the largest-ever eastern lowland gorilla translocation and population reinforcement in Africa, bringing the number of gorillas living on Mt. Tshiaberimu in Virunga National Park from eight to 12. This release is the first time gorillas from GRACE in Kasuhgo have been reintroduced to the wild.

GRACE A released eastern lowland gorilla A released eastern lowland gorilla

"Following many years of preparation and extensive collaboration between Virunga National Park, local communities, and scientific experts, this is a huge milestone in efforts to bolster the eastern lowland gorilla population and we are delighted that the gorillas are successfully adapting to the wild," Emmanuel De Merode, the director of Virunga National Park, said.

Conservationists are hopeful that the four gorillas will continue to grow the gorilla population at Mt. Tshiaberimu with new births. According to Re: wild's release, at least one of the four recently released gorillas has been observed mating with Mwasa.



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May 29Environmental groups are appealing a federal judge's decision to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy to continue construction of the New England Clean Energy Connect corridor  a controversial 145-mile electricity transmission line through western Maine that is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker ruled in favor of the federal agencies last month after the groups sued them for not thoroughly assessing the environmental impacts of the transmission line, which will span 53 miles of forest to bring power from hydroelectric dams in Quebec through Lewiston.

The project will bring 1,200 megawatts to the New England electrical grid.

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The Army Corps previously determined that the $1.5 billion project had "no significant impact" on the environment. The Appalachian Mountain Club, Natural Resources Council of Maine and the Sierra Club-Maine Chapter asked the judge to revoke the permits because they say the agency failed to comprehensively analyze how the line could impact the aquatic ecosystem. But Walker ultimately decided the corps' assessment was fair and thorough.

The groups filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. District Court on Wednesday.

The project is organized under Avangrid Inc., the parent company of Central Maine Power Co. and a subsidiary of Iberdrola, a Spanish multinational energy company.

Maine voters had opposed construction of the power line in a 2021 ballot referendum, but construction resumed a few years later after a Cumberland County jury found, in a separate lawsuit, that the developer had "vested rights" to continue the project.

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An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a canal in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a water control project in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows fields in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Sanshenggong Water Control Project in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Bayannur section of the Yellow River in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a water control project in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a water control project in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows fields in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Sanshenggong Water Control Project in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a water control project in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a canal in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Sanshenggong Water Control Project in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Sanshenggong Water Control Project in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a canal in Linhe District of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows the Sanshenggong Water Control Project in Dengkou County of Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Hetao Irrigation Area, located in Bayannur, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been diverting water from the Yellow River for irrigation since ancient times. The irrigation project was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures in 2019. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)
ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Russia's proposal to hold another round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2 had heightened Ankara's hopes for peace.

NATO member Turkey has maintained good relations with both sides since the start of the war. It hosted an initial round of peace talks in March 2022 - a month after Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour - and again on May 16, the first direct meeting between Moscow and Kyiv in three years.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks in Moscow on Monday and Tuesday, including with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on Friday.

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Speaking to reporters on a flight from Azerbaijan, Erdogan said Ankara was in contact with both countries, and added that the recent momentum in peace efforts was an opportunity to reach lasting peace.

"The road to a resolution goes through more dialogue, more diplomacy. We are using all our diplomatic power and potential for peace," he was cited as saying by his office on Thursday.

Russia is under increasing pressure to agree a ceasefire, and while delegates from Moscow and Kyiv did not agree on one in Istanbul this month, they agreed to trade 1,000 prisoners of war and share their views on the contours of a truce.

Fidan, speaking to Turkish media representatives on a train ride from Poland to Kyiv, said that while the sides' demands for a ceasefire were different, they needed to converge their views to reach an agreement, adding other actors needed to help too.

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"The Russians have goals regarding the war, of course. These are goals they set themselves. They have targets regarding land, regarding the annexation of certain areas. How acceptable these are for the international community, in terms of international law, that is all debatable," he said.

"I don't really evaluate that this will be tied to a legal process too much," he added, saying he could call U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio following his talks in Kyiv.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Huseyin Hayatsever. Editing by Mark Potter)
BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Grant Hardin, an inmate at a north Arkansas prison who escaped on Sunday afternoon may not have been convicted of rape if it werent for a specific type of warrant, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Sexton.

Hardin, 56, a former police chief in Gateway in Benton County, was sentenced to 30 years for a first-degree murder conviction in 2017 and another 50 years for two counts of rape in 2019.

Grant Hardin, 56 (Courtesy: Arkansas Department of Corrections)

His 2019 rape conviction may not have happened without a John Doe warrant. But what is a John Doe warrant?

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A John Doe warrant is a type of warrant that prosecutors can use to avoid the potential expiration of a statute of limitations, according to the National Institute of Justice.

When DNA evidence is recovered and typed, it is given a unique identifying character.

If the DNA cannot be matched to a known individual (because no one has been arrested or the DNA does not match any profile in a database), there is no name to attach to the DNA, NIJ said.

Escaped Arkansas prison inmate was let out by corrections officer, court filing says

When third-grade teacher Amy Harrison was raped by an unknown gunman at Frank Tillery Elementary School in 1997, DNA was found at the scene.

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In 2003, the Rogers Police Department got the first John Doe warrant in the state of Arkansas.

What they had to do was do something to ensure that the statute of limitations did not run [out] while they had an active DNA sample, a sample that was now submitted to a database and were waiting patiently for a matching sample to finally pop up, Sexton said.

15 years later, the DNA from the case was matched to Hardin, a year after the same sample popped up in Gateway after the murder of James Appleton.

Had Rogers police not acted to get a warrant put in place for the information that we had at that time, we would not have been able to go forward on prosecution because we would have run the risk of losing the case on a technicality, Sexton said.

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Hardin was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to the rape.

2nd Milk president facing additional charges

Sexton said changes have been made to state law since the Hardin case, allowing for more justice in Arkansas.

Changes in state law since the Hardin prosecution allow the state a lot more latitude under the statute of limitations to go forward when the only evidence that we have linking someone to the crime is the DNA evidence, Sexton said.

Hardin faces more charges after escape

Hardin is now facing a second-degree escape charge after escaping from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison in Calico Rock.

A probable cause affidavit filed in Izard County Circuit Court on Tuesday said that on May 25, Hardin impersonated a corrections officer in dress and manner, causing the corrections officer operating a secure gate to open the gate and allow Inmate Hardin to walk away from the North Central Unit.

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This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands  The European Union has unveiled a sweeping security strategy for the strategically vital Black Sea aimed at countering Russian threats in the region.

Announced on Wednesday, the strategy will see the creation of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub to serve as Europes early-warning center in the region. According to the document, it will provide situational awareness and information sharing on the Black Sea, real-time monitoring from space to seabed, and early warning of potential threats and malicious activities.

The center will be tasked with monitoring critical maritime infrastructure, including submarine cables, offshore installations and gas and wind energy operations off the EU shores in the Black Sea, the strategic plan says. Hybrid warfare, including the apparent sabotage of ocean-based infrastructure, has been at the forefront of many Western leaders minds in recent years after a series of suspicious incidents in the Baltic Sea related to Chinese and Russian vessels.

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Among the other priorities outlined in the strategy are mine clearance, protection of commercial shipping routes, and means to deal with Russias shadow fleet of clandestinely operating and often decrepit oil tankers that Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions, a strategy also employed by North Korea.

At a press conference revealing the new strategy, Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, suggested the center could serve to monitor any eventual ceasefire or peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Details remain to be worked out on where exactly such a hub would be located and how the proposal will be realized. The policy paper promises that specific needs and present operational options will be worked out by the end of summer.

The initiative lacks a specific budget line and will instead rely on existing EU programs, including the 150 billion ($159 billion) SAFE initiative for defense spending. The groundbreaking plan, aimed at mobilizing cheap loans to drastically increase European defense spending, received the final green light from the EU member states a day before the Black Sea strategy was released.

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Besides the flagship Security Hub, the strategy promises major upgrades to regional infrastructure with an eye to military mobility. Included in the outline is the promise for significant work on ports, roads, railways and airports around the Black Sea to enable faster movement of military equipment.

These updates will help to ensure troops can be where they are needed, when they are needed, Kallas said, adding that the changes would reinforce NATO deterrence. The EU also plans tighter screening of foreign ownership in strategic facilities, particularly ports. Analysts have been worried about Chinese investment in strategic European ports, ostensibly as part of Beijings ambitious Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative.

Simultaneously, the EU will work to deepen its ties with non-EU partners Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, including enhancing regional cooperation on connectivity, according to a European Commission website on the project.

Security aspects are a prominent pillar in the new Black Sea strategy, which otherwise aims to foster economic growth and ensure environmental protection.
A so-called "Trump shock" has plunged Europe into its deepest crisis since 1945, but also presents an opportunity for the continent to forge a "new West," British historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash has said in an interview with the Kyiv Independent.

The first months of Trump's presidency dispelled any illusions in European capitals that the long-held transatlantic partnership would hold firm no matter who sits in the White House.

Washington has signaled reduced military presence in Europe and slashed funding for vital programs promoting democracy and human rights across the continent, putting the U.S.'s role as the leader of the free world in doubt.

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Amid perhaps the greatest challenge to Europe's security, Trump also seems to be washing his hands of the Russia-Ukraine war without even attempting to exert additional pressure on Moscow or boost Kyiv's fighting chance.

The "Trump shock" is only accumulating the security challenges facing Europe in what may be its deepest crisis since World War II, Ash told the Kyiv Independent during an interview in Lviv on May 16.

Yet, therein also lies an opportunity for European leaders to forge a "new West" that would preserve what's left of the liberal world order amid rising authoritarianism and populism, he adds.

Reflecting on world events since his last interview with the Kyiv Independent in May 2024, Ash admits that the U.S. may never be what it was. But, drawing on his background as a historian, he notes that history is full of examples of swings between surging authoritarianism, and a successful liberal fight-back.

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Editor's note: The interview has been edited for clarity.

The Kyiv Independent: Last time we talked, you said that we are at the beginning of a new era, and our first steps are going to shape what this new era looks like. One year later, Donald Trump has been elected U.S. president, he jump started major changes in the global security order, Russia's war against Ukraine continues, and populism is rising across Europe. How would you evaluate these first steps of the new era?

Timothy Garton Ash: The triple shock: the Putin shock, what I call the Xi Jinping shock, and now the Trump shock means that we are in the deepest crisis Europe has been in for a very long time, in some respects, since 1945.

But it also means that we all know that in Europe.

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Last Friday (May 9), while Xi Jinping and President Lula (of Brazil) and (Prime Minister) Robert Fico of Slovakia were sitting with Vladimir Putin on Red Square, EU foreign ministers were sitting in the Lviv City Hall just up the road to show their solidarity with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2025. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)

And then (French) President Emmanuel Macron, (German) Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, (U.K.) Prime Minister Starmer and (Polish Prime Minister Donald) Tusk were in Kyiv.

So the crisis has become deeper, but the possibility that Europe might seize the opportunity of the crisis is also more apparent.

The Kyiv Independent: Since the end of World War II, the U.S. has cast itself as a leader of the free world. Would you say that it is now abandoning this role? And if so, why now?

Timothy Garton Ash: Excellent question. I think there's no doubt at all that Donald Trump is not the leader of the free world, whatever that means, and that the West as a geopolitical actor does not exist today in the way we've assumed it existed for the last 80 years. And that is a result of two different things: America and Trump.

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There's a long-term trend of the United States becoming less committed to and less engaged in Europe, which started already after the end of the Cold War. It was happening under the Democrats and under the Republicans. It's turning either to what (Barack) Obama called nation-building at home, or the pivot to Asia.

"United States will never again be what it was before."

Then you have the Trump factor, which is this extreme narcissistic bully who obviously has a special relationship with Vladimir Putin and who is abandoning the notion of the United States as a defender of the liberal international order and basically positioning the United States as one transactional great power amongst many.

What does that mean? It means we have a really urgent challenge for the four years of Trump, but we also have a long-term challenge because the United States will never again be what it was before.

Donald Trump looks down from the Presidential Box at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., U.S. on March 17, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: If the U.S. abandons this role and the era of the U.S.-led unipolar world ends, how will the new global security order look?

Timothy Garton Ash: First of all, we never really had a unipolar world. Even the U.S.-led liberal international order was only a large part of the world. It worked because the United States was what the Princeton scholar John Ikenberry calls a "Liberal Leviathan."

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The Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO was always a U.S. general. We had the U.S. nuclear guarantee for our security in Europe. We certainly had a U.S. security order in Europe, in significant parts of Asia and in Oceania, Australia, New Zealand.

That's what's now in question. So I believe that if we are to preserve what's left of the liberal international order, which is not a great deal, it's up to us as Europeans, but also other liberal democratic partners.

"The forces of integration and disintegration in Europe are quite finely balanced at the moment."

Suddenly, Canada becomes much more important to us. Australia becomes important to us. Japan becomes important to us. In other words, there's a whole new constellation of liberal international order  if you like, a new West.

The Kyiv Independent: What is Europe's role in the era of weakening transatlantic relations, of rising authoritarianism around the world?

Timothy Garton Ash: First of all, our role is to defend ourselves and to look after what we've achieved in Europe over the last 80 years. That means defending ourselves against external enemies or challenges. Obviously, Vladimir Putin's Russia in the first place, but also China in a different way, and other powers.

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Read also: Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Debunking Putins root causes claims

Secondly, it would be to try and preserve at least some elements of what we call the liberal international order  for example, a free trading world, an international economic order. The EU is a regulatory superpower. Can we preserve some of those shared regulations around the world?

The Kyiv Independent: How would you evaluate Europe's response so far to these new shocks, specifically to the shock of the Trump administration?

Timothy Garton Ash: I think the political will at the top is now there. The question is capability. Just in purely military terms, there's a short list of things that only the United States can provide  the intelligence, the Patriot interceptor missiles, the strategic enablers.

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Beyond that, the political will may be there at the top in Europe, but can our leaders continue to persuade their publics through a whole series of national elections that this is the course we should stick to? We have Viktor Orban as the veto player in Hungary. We have Robert Fico in Slovakia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sign a memorandum after their meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia, on April 28, 2025. (Robert Nemeti/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Very soon, we will probably have a nationalist president of Romania (The interview took place on May 16, before far-right George Simion was defeated in the Romanian presidential election by pro-EU Nicusor Dan).

According to the current opinion polls, Mr. (Andrej) Babis will probably come back (to power) in the Czech Republic. So suddenly, you've got a whole group of countries that want a very different Ukraine policy and Russia policy.

The Kyiv Independent: How can Europe avoid sliding into populism? How can the continent avoid falling into the same trap as the U.S.?

Timothy Garton Ash: I would say the forces of integration and disintegration in Europe are quite finely balanced at the moment.

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We have to be tough on populism and tough on the causes of populism. We have to fight the nationalist populist and make a convincing case to our public for a different approach.

But we also have to understand why they continue to get large numbers of votes. For example, the sense that large parts of our societies have been both economically and culturally neglected in the name of liberalism.

And we need to show that we care, we're actually doing something for them economically, that culturally we don't just care about specific minorities in the name of multiculturalism, but we actually care about everyone in our societies.

It's pretty tough to do those two things at the same time, and also build up our defense spending and our support for Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent: In your book, Homelands, you talk about different definitions of Europe. You say that some European nations that went through dictatorships see Europe as a sort of community of democratic, liberal ideals that they seek to return to. And that's certainly true for Ukraine, as we've seen during the EuroMaidan Revolution. But if Europe and the West are indeed moving away from these ideals, how will that impact Ukraine's path toward democracy?

Timothy Garton Ash: There's always been an anti-liberal Europe, as well as a liberal Europe throughout European history. And it's always been a great mistake to believe that the liberal Europe has prevailed once and for all. By the way, there are also liberal and anti-liberal forces in Ukraine, let's make no mistake about that.

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The two things are intimately connected. It's very difficult to imagine Ukraine making a successful transition to a prosperous, sovereign, democratic European future if Europe is disintegrating next door. It's quite difficult to imagine a successful, liberal, democratic, integrated Europe if Ukraine is disintegrating next door.

Both because of the security and migration challenges, but also because we have, in a way, staked our European reputation now on Ukraine. European integration and Ukrainian integration, or European disintegration and Ukrainian disintegration.

But this won't be decided in the next few months. I would say, let's talk again towards the end of the 2020s, and we'll see which tendencies have prevailed.

The emblem of Donetsk Oblast is seen at the entrance to Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on Feb. 11, 2025. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Kyiv Independent: Since we are obviously heading toward even more challenging times, can history give us hope or teach us lessons about how democracy can persevere under these challenges?

Timothy Garton Ash: It's going to give us both hope and warnings.

The warning is that just when everybody takes things for granted, they start going wrong. The analogy there would be Europe before 1914. In a way, Europe  certainly before 2014, but arguably up to 2022  was assuming that it would just be more peaceful summers.

The hope is that we already have examples of successful liberal fightback. The Polish (2023 parliamentary) election is a classic example of a (country) which had nearly gone in the direction of Hungary and an electoral-authoritarian, non-liberal regime, and then it came back.

The larger lesson is that you have these wave movements in history. We had what I would call a liberal democratic revolution across Europe and much of the world from the early 1970s to the 2000s. Now we have an anti-liberal counter-revolution. But with time, people start discovering that that doesn't deliver either.

In fact, it delivers even less. And if you look at the enormous demonstrations in Serbia, large demonstrations in Hungary in support of an opposition candidate, and in Turkey after the imprisonment of Mr. (Ekrem) Imamoglu, you see that the fightback also comes from the countries that have gone authoritarian.

Read also: How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Martin Fornusek. I hope you enjoyed this interview.

To underscore its main points, we are facing one of the most challenging periods in history, and the actions of every one of us matter. Our team strives every day to bring you in-depth insights into Russia's ongoing war and Ukraine's resistance, but we wouldn't be able to do so without the support of readers like you. To help us continue in this work, please consider supporting our reporting.

Thank you very much.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(KRON)  An ex-boyfriend who sexually assaulted a woman after she refused to get back together with him was sentenced to prison on Thursday.

Prosecutors said Esbin Ramirez-Garcia was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William Alsup to serve 90 months in federal prison for committing aggravated sexual abuse within Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Marin Headlands.

Ramirez-Garcia, 28, a national of Mexico, pleaded guilty on Feb. 25. His crime happened on Aug. 2, 2024, when he picked up the victim from her workplace.

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Instead of driving her home, he asked her to get back together with him. The victim refused to resume their relationship and asked to be let out of the vehicle, but Ramirez-Garcia grabbed her with his hand and continued driving. Ramirez-Garcia deviated from the route to the victims home and drove his truck to a parking lot in the Marin Headlands, the U.S. Attorneys Office Northern District of California wrote.

Vallejo woman accused of staging fake violent carjacking

Ramirez-Garcia then sexually assaulted the victim against her will, prosecutors said.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Alsup ordered the defendant to participate in a sex offender treatment program. Ramirez-Garcia was immediately remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Former President Joseph Kabila has returned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, just days after he lost his immunity amid accusations he has helped armed rebels fighting in the eastern DRC, according to the Reuters and AFP news agencies.

Kabila, on Thursday, was visiting the eastern city of Goma, which had been seized by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia along with several other areas in the resource-rich east of the country earlier this year.

A team of AFP journalists saw Kabila meet local religious figures in the presence of M23s spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, without giving a statement.

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Citing three unidentified sources close to Kabila, Reuters also said the ex-president held talks with locals in Goma.

The visit comes despite the former president facing the possibility of a treason trial over his alleged support for M23.

Earlier this month, the DRC Senate voted to lift Kabilas immunity, paving the way for him to be prosecuted.





The ex-president, who has been in self-imposed exile since 2023, denies the allegations and has slammed the charges against him as arbitrary decisions with disconcerting levity.

On Thursday, a member of Kabilas entourage told AFP that though no formal alliance existed between his party and M23, both shared the same goal of ending the rule of President Felix Tshisekedi.

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The United Nations and the DRCs government say Rwanda has supported the M23 with arms and troops  an accusation the neighbouring country denies.

The renewed violence has raised fears of igniting a full-blown conflict, akin to the wars that the DRC endured in the late 1990s, involving several African countries, which killed millions of people.

The current fighting has already displaced about 700,000 people this year, according to the UN.

On Tuesday, Amnesty International accused M23 of committing abuses against civilians in areas under its control, including torture, killings and enforced disappearances.

These acts violate international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes, the group said in a statement.

M23 says its goal is to protect ethnic minorities against the government in Kinshasa.
By Saeed Azhar

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner was sentenced to two years in prison by a judge in a New York court on Thursday after playing a key role in a multi-billion dollar scandal involving Malaysia's sovereign fund 1MDB.

Malaysian and U.S. authorities estimated $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB in an elaborate scheme that spanned the globe and implicated high-level officials in the fund, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Goldman executives and others.

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Leissner, a former Southeast Asia chairman for Goldman, pleaded guilty in 2018 to a conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and participating in a money laundering conspiracy, all tied to his role in the 1MDB scandal.

Leissner's conduct was "brazen and audacious," judge Margo Brodie said during sentencing. While his cooperation with the government was taken into account, it did not make up for the harm caused by the corruption at the highest levels in several countries, the judge said.

"First and foremost, I offer my sincere apology to the people of Malaysia," Leissner, 55, told the hearing, his voice breaking as he read a statement. "I deeply regret my actions."

Goldman helped sell $6.5 billion of bonds for 1MDB, which former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib set up with the help of Low to promote economic development.

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Some of the funds were diverted to offshore bank accounts and shell companies linked to Malaysian financier Jho Low, who is now a fugitive.

Leissner became a U.S. government witness in the case after his arrest in 2018. He was allowed to remain free after he agreed to help the government in the investigation and testified against former banking colleague Roger Ng.

Ng has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to launder money and violate an anti-bribery law. The former head of investment banking for Goldman in Malaysia was convicted in Brooklyn and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but transported to Malaysia in 2023 to assist probes there.

Leissner met with the government on dozens of occasions, reviewing countless documents and communications he received related to the 1MDB scheme and other matters, according to a filing by prosecutors.

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"We respect the court's decision today and Mr. Leissner is prepared to serve his sentence and continue his future life of good works and care for his family," said his lawyer Henry Mazurek, a partner at Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC.

Prosecutors requested the court impose a sentence below the applicable guidelines range due to Leissner's cooperation in the probe.

Malaysian minister Johari Abdul Ghani, who chairs its 1MDB asset recovery taskforce, said the two-year prison term for Leissner was "too short".

"Considering he is one of the masterminds facilitating the 1MDB scandal, he should be given a maximum jail sentence," Johari told Reuters in a text message on Friday.

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ONLY CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST GOLDMAN

Leissner told the court that he had lost his freedom, family and financial independence in the wake of the scandal. The former executive said his health also suffered, and that he took pills and lost the will to live.

Goldman said in a letter to the court on May 21 that Leissner deceived his colleagues for years, culminating in the only criminal case filed against Goldman in its 156-year history.

Goldman in 2020 paid a record $2.9 billion fine in the United States and arranged for its Malaysian unit to plead guilty in U.S. court. It also clawed back $174 million in executive compensation.

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Malaysia's former prime minister Najib was found guilty in 2020 of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power for illegally receiving funds misappropriated from a unit of state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Malaysia's top court in 2022 upheld a guilty verdict against Najib, sentencing him to 12 years in prison. The sentence was later halved by a pardons board chaired by Malaysia's former king.

The former premier is currently in prison and is pursuing a legal bid to compel authorities to let him serve the rest of his sentence at home.

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar, additional reporting by Nupur Anand, Ashley Tang and Danial Azhar in Kuala Lumpur, editing by Lananh Nguyen, Chizu Nomiyama, Nia Williams and Nick Zieminski)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Image

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and current touring member of Pearl Jam Josh Klinghoffer has avoided a possible jail sentence after entering a plea deal in the vehicular manslaughter case that was brought against him last year.

Klinghoffer attended court in Alhambra, California, yesterday, and entered a no-contest plea in the case, which was brought after a vehicle Klinghoffer was driving struck a 47-year-old pedestrian, Israel Sanchez, in March 2024. Sanchez subsequently died from his injuries.

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The no-contest plea means that Klinghoffer accepts conviction but does not plead or admit guilt. He'll serve 60 hours of community service and a year of probation, and will also undertake a driver safety class.

At the time of Kilnghoffer's arraignment, Sanchez's family lawyer, Nick Rowley, claimed to be in possession of "a video of him on his cell phone at the time he hit and killed Israel Sanchez."

During court proceedings, the prosecutor warned Klinghoffer about his future conduct, saying, "If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder."

Klinghoffer played guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers for 12 years, appearing on 2011's I'm With You and 2016's The Getaway. Since John Frusciante's return to the RHCP, Klinghoffer has played with Iggy Pop and Redd Kross in addition to Pearl Jam, and on Elton John and Brandi Carlile's collaborative album Who Believes in Angels?
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A former Stallion Springs police officer has pleaded no contest to sexually abusing a child over a yearslong period, according to court records.

James Best Jr., 54, pleaded no contest Wednesday to two felony charges and is scheduled for sentencing June 26, records show.

The victim, now an adult, came forward in 2023 and told authorities Best sexually abused her from the ages of 9 to 16, according to court filings. Best admitted to sexual misconduct in a pretext phone call, the filings say.

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He was arrested in August in Maine and brought to Kern County.

In 2021, Best and his wife were sentenced to felony probation after pleading no contest to stealing from the Stallion Springs Police Activities League, which Best was in charge of from 2017 to 2019. He resigned from the department in 2019.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
ATHENS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Greece will introduce tougher legislation to curb irregular migration, including stricter penalties for rejected asylum seekers and expedited deportation procedures, Migration and Asylum Minister Makis Voridis announced on Thursday.

Unveiling the proposed measures during a cabinet meeting, Voridis said the draft bill will be submitted to the parliament for a vote in June. A key provision includes scrapping the rule that allowed undocumented migrants to apply for legal residence after seven years of continuous stay in Greece.

The new legislation seeks to accelerate the return of irregular migrants to their countries of origin, aiming to shorten the repatriation process, which currently takes an average of 18 months. In 2023, although Greek authorities arrested almost 74,000 undocumented migrants, only about 2,500 were successfully deported, Voridis noted.

Under the proposed bill, individuals found entering Greece illegally would face a minimum prison sentence of two years -- up from the current three months. In more serious cases, the penalty would increase from six months to at least three years, according to the state-run Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).

The reforms are also designed to align with the European Union's (EU) upcoming migration framework, set to take effect in 2026. The draft introduces stricter entry criteria, including mandatory denial of entry for those considered a threat to public order, national security, or public health.

Since 2015, Greece has been a major gateway into the EU for migrants and refugees, with over one million arrivals recorded. While the number of arrivals has declined in recent years, tens of thousands continue to risk the perilous journey each year in hopes of reaching other European destinations. 
Discoverys new documentary Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster premiered Wednesday night, revealing that Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates actually toured the OceanGate Titan submersible two years before its infamous 2023 implosion  and the adventurer deemed what he found concerning.

In 2021, Gates began working on an Expedition Unknown episode with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who tragically died along with four other passengers on a planned deep sea expedition to tour the wreckage of the Titanic. They intended on putting a spotlight on Rushs seemingly game-changing underwater explorations. Things did not go according to plan, however, as Gates first trip underwater in Rushs sub was mired by enough technical problems that he ultimately decided to scrap the episode altogether.

We all rely on that Spidey Sense. We all have that little voice that whispers to us. In my job, Ive learned I have to really listen to that voice, Gates explained over footage of himself hesitantly agreeing to being bolted inside the Titan sub with Rush. Noting that the vessel came equipped with no escape hatch of any kind, Gates told the Implosion team that Stockton just didnt see  even psychologically  the need for a way out of this sub.

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We were in the sub for hours with Stockton, Gates revealed later in his Implosion interview over video footage of his and Rushs aborted dive in 2021. The dive was interesting in that nothing really worked right. The sub didnt really do anything it was asked to do. After describing a number of the errors that the submersible experienced during his time in it, Gates concluded, It was non-functional.

He also recalled the conversation he had with Rush in the wake of their failed dive, including one instance when the OceanGate CEO revealed that he had ignored his subs carbon fiber weaknesses during one of his own deep sea descents. Once I saw that that was where he was willing to go to get this operation up and running, a kind of fear set in for me that was so much deeper than anything I experienced while riding in the sub, the Expedition X host admitted.

Gates very obvious concerns, as well as his decision to pass on his planned OceanGate project, were not enough to stop Rush from spearheading the fateful 2023 Titanic expedition that resulted in the deaths of French deep-sea explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani-British businessman Shahzada Dawood and the latters 19-year-old son, Suleman. Implosion, notably, features audio of the very bang that is suspected to be the implosion of the Titan sub.

It also features comments from Christine Dawood, the wife of Shahzada and mother of Suleman. We all know who the culprit is, she pointedly notes in the documentary. [It] does not change anything, does it?

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Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster is streaming now on Max.

The post Expedition Unknown Host Josh Gates Toured OceanGate Titan Sub in 2021 and Found It Non-Functional | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
(WBRE/WYOU)  Calvin Polacheks motive for telling such a lie is unclear at this time, but 28/22 news looked into what could potentially provoke this and other similar behavior.

28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli sat down with a local psychiatry physicians assistant on Wednesday, who provided insight.

The psychiatrist assistant 28/22 News spoke with talked about the behavior of Polachek and others.

She says these kinds of lies dont just happen overnight, and it may stem from a deeper sense of something missing inside.

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Calvin Polacheck recalled a terrifying scene that never occurred.

At a televised gun violence survivor rally in Kentucky, the former Dallas High School student spoke about a deadly school shooting at his alma mater.

There is definitely some deep-seated pathology going on here, psychiatrist physicians assistant Melanie Priebe said.

Children, pot found in car after chase, police say

Priebe called such behavior unusual and odd, but could be associated with someone willing to lie to feel wanted.

These people feel that there is a void in their emotional bucket, like they dont feel paid attention to or appreciated or worthy, Priebe explained.

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But Polachek isnt the first to lie about a terrible event.

Back in 2020, a Lackawanna County man, Chris Crawford, was charged with misrepresenting himself as a member of the military.

He even took it as far as stealing more than $16,000 from a local American Legion post.

In the early 2000s, Alicia Head, a Spanish woman from Barcelona, made national headlines when she claimed to be a survivor of the attacks on the World Trade Center.

She changed her name, joined a support group, and even said her fiancee died in the attacks. None of this was true.

Priebe says this kind of lying behavior can have real effects on those who actually suffered or are recovering from a tragic experience.

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Officials announce lineup for 2025 Bloomsburg Fair season

Because of all the trauma, they do all the work, and you hear this kind of story where its false and fabricated. I think that could be a trigger for these people and make them relive something, Priebe continued.

It can also put unnecessary pressure on police.

These claims have to be investigated, so you are wasting resources of local law enforcement, state law enforcement, Priebe added.

Priebe adds this kind of behavior doesnt pop out of nowhere.

Most of these cases may come from that feeling of neglect as a child, said Priebe.

28/22 News reached out to Calvin Polachek, who is now a grad student in Kentucky, but so far have not heard back.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.
A retired Russian commander who led airstrikes on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol died in a blast early Thursday in Stavropol in southern Russia, authorities said.

Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, received several medals for participating in Russia's grueling assaults on the cities of Mariupol and Avdiivka.

Authorities did not say what caused the explosion, but also did not rule out that Ukraine was responsible. Videos posted by Russian Telegram channels showed two men, one of them Gurtsiev, standing together in a residential neighborhood before a blast.

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A string of high-profile Russian servicemen have been killed in Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.

In December, the head of the Russian military's biological and chemical weapons unit, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, was killed along with his deputy in an explosion in Moscow, Russia's Investigative Committee said at the time. More recently, in April, an explosive device in Moscow killed a senior Russian general, General-Lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the main operational directorate of the military's general staff, according to Russia's investigative committee.

Kyiv has in some cases claimed responsibility or reveled in the attacks, calling them "legitimate targets" given Moscow's three-year offensive has killed tens of thousands. Ukrainian security forces told CBS News after Kirillov's death that Security Service of Ukraine killed him in a special operation, a claim that could not be independently verified but sparked Russian calls for revenge against Ukrainian leaders.

"Our hero, veteran of the special military operation and participant in the Time of Heroes programme, Zaur Alexandrovich Gurtsiev, has died," said Stavropol region governor Vladimir Vladimirov, using Russia's term for its Ukraine offensive.

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"All versions are being considered, including the organisation of a terrorist attack involving Nazis from Ukraine," he added, echoing the Kremlin's claim that it is fighting neo-Nazis in Ukraine.

The veteran's 29-year-old acquaintance died alongside him, Stavropol law enforcement said.

The Time of Heroes is the Kremlin's programme aimed to boost the careers of veterans stringently chosen to become part of Russia's future elite.

Gurtsiev was serving as Stavropol's deputy mayor.

He had commanded Moscow's air assault on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, a bustling Black Sea city devastated by Russian airstrikes.

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Russian forces rolled into Mariupol at the beginning of 2022 and imposed a brutal siege for nearly three months that resulted in 8,000 deaths, according to Human Rights Watch.

The siege included a deadly airstrike on a theatre where civilians were hiding.

Ukraine does not typically comment on clandestine operations on the enemy's territory.

SpaceX loses contact with its Starship, spins out of control

Full interview: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Trump's tariffs, ICE raids and more

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says Trump "exceeded his authority" with tariffs
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  Scammers are exploiting the inexperience of recent high school and college graduates to steal their money and personal information.

Kathryn Mobley, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana, said this age groups vulnerability makes them one of the top targets for scams.

18 to 24 is one of the top targeted populations for scams, Mobley said. I think generally people think its more of an older population, but its not.

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Scammers offer fake employment opportunities to those looking for a job. Mobley said red flags to look for are jobs that seem too easy, job offers for jobs you didnt apply for and unrealistic, high-paying opportunities. This is to trick job seekers into filling out a fake application with their personal information.

Mobley said one of the most common ways graduates are targeted is through student loans. Scammers offer a reduced rate or loan forgiveness, and victims pay upfront or give away sensitive personal information.

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Another graduation scam is tuition related, as another way for graduates to pay the scammers directly.

Theyre targeting the students or the parents and saying, Oh, well, you have unpaid tuition,' Mobley said. If you dont pay it, were going to revoke your degree.

Moving scams are also common.

Moving typically costs a good amount of money to pay someone to do that, Mobley said. So, people are paying for it, and then they just dont show up.

Theyll even pretend to rent apartments and homes to get graduates to pay for properties they will never be able to move into, which is a common scam.

Heres how graduates can avoid these scams:

Know the terms of your student loans. Understand what kind of interest you owe and when you need to start paying to protect yourself from believing loan forgiveness scams.

Be wary of unsolicited messages about unpaid tuition. Take caution from anyone who contacts you out of the blue demanding money. Call your schools bursar office with any payment questions.

Do research before accepting jobs or job interviews. Google the company and the person you are in contact with to confirm they are legitimate.

Dont accept every gift offer. Never offer payment information to claim a gift or special discount.

Beware of moving and rental scams. Dont pay more money than you were quoted for or pay for property you havent seen in person. Check the BBB to find Accredited movers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
The Austin school district will be reorganizing its central office, including eliminating and reassigning positions, as part of its ongoing effort to cut its budget deficit from $97 million to $78 million.

The districts austerity measures also align with discussions about potentially closing schools within the next year to slash long-term expenses.

Officials say these measures are essential to maintain financial stability, after a year of budget cuts aimed at reducing a deficit that had grown to $110 million by January.

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The central office cuts will involve both staff reductions and reassignments, Superintendent Matias Segura wrote in a public letter Friday.

We recognize the timing of this announcement puts a strain on our central employees, Segura said in the letter. Please know we did not arrive at this decision lightly.

The district is projecting a budget deficit of $19 million for the 2025-26 school year, but wont reach that target without making significant changes, interim Chief Financial Officer Katrina Montgomery told school board members during a meeting last week. This could put the districts fund balance  or cash on hand  at risk, she said.

That puts us in the place where we might have to borrow to cover payroll as well as accounts payable, Montgomery said.

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District leaders cut $63 million from the 2024-25 budget through spending and hiring freezes and streamlining operations, according to district officials. However, the district's predicted costs have also risen this year.

When the Austin school board adopted its 2024-25 budget last summer, it predicted a $78 million deficit. Since then, the district received $14 million less in property tax revenue, overspent by $40 million on special education, and lost $12 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements.

The district has pledged approximately $1.7 million each to three North Austin middle schools  Burnet, Dobie, and Webb  next year to improve their state-rated F rankings.

As part of long-term efforts to reduce costs, the district expects to close some of its 116 campuses before the 2026-27 school year and has pledged to announce its plans before the end of this year.

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Earlier this month, district officials announced plans for community conversations over the summer and to develop a framework for identifying schools that may be considered for closure. Officials dont expect to release the list of potential schools up for closure until the fall.

The district has grappled with declining enrollment for nearly a decade, resulting in smaller student populations at some schools and a loss of state funding. Texas funds school districts per child in attendance.

The districts student population has declined by about 10% since 2019, when it enrolled 79,787 students. Current enrollment, at 72,244 this year, has remained relatively steady since 2022.

In discussing possible school closures, the Austin district joins other urban or large suburban districts around the state, like Fort Worth and Spring Branch, seeking ways to temper crippling budget shortfalls.

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The Austin district is asking families and community members to fill out a survey about possible school closures, or consolidations, by June 6.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: AISD will cut central office staff, weigh school closures amid deficit
Travellers heading to or through Switzerland this summer may find themselves unexpectedly grounded.

The countrys national airline, Swiss, has confirmed it will cancel around 1,400 flights from now through October as it confronts an ongoing shortage of pilots.

The cuts will affect multiple short-haul routes from Zurich and Geneva, including flights across Europe. Some long-haul services, such as those to Shanghai and Chicago, will also operate less frequently.

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And some routes, including its summer service to Hurghada in Egypt, have been suspended entirely.

What Swiss is doing to address the shortfall

Swiss says it deeply regrets the situation and has introduced a range of short-term fixes to address its pilot shortage. Those include a voluntary retirement deferral program, a vacation buyback scheme and encouraging part-time pilots to increase hours.

The airline is also working with its pilot union, Aeropers, to improve roster flexibility and reduce last-minute, fatigue-related absences  all measures meant to help the national carrier alleviate its need for about 70 more full-time pilots.

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Swiss has promised to notify passengers of changes as early as possible. Affected travellers will be rebooked on flights with Swiss, the Lufthansa Group, other carriers in the Star Alliance network or  in the worst-case scenario  any other available airline.

Passengers can also rebook or request a full refund.

Could this be Europes summer of cancellations?

Swiss is not the only airline facing turbulence. Carriers across Europe are trimming schedules and forming contingency plans to cope with a mounting shortage of cockpit crew.

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KLM has publicly acknowledged difficulties staffing long-haul flights this summer, even though it claims to have more pilots than ever on its roster.

Sick leave and part-time work have increased in recent years. We lose around 50 full-time jobs a year due to all the part-time work, Eimerd Bult, head of KLMs flight service, said last September, as reported by Dutch newspaper the Telegraaf.

Air France pilots are temporarily operating KLM flights on certain routes, including Amsterdam to New York, from July until October this year.

British Airways and easyJet, meanwhile, are aggressively recruiting new staff, battling one another with competitive perks to poach from their rivals and lure back retired pilots.

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British Airways, for example, has offered to foot the bill for pilot training  which can cost as much as 100,000  for up to 60 prospects per year.

This comes after the airline suspended several short-haul routes this summer, including flights from London Gatwick to Santorini and Mykonos, and select routes from Heathrow to Greece and Croatia.

Why are there so few pilots?

The pandemic paused new pilot training and accelerated retirements, a one-two punch the industry has yet to recover from. In the US alone, the FAA projects about 4,300 pilot retirements each year through 2042.

Europe faces a similar crunch. Although some airlines previously had long waiting lists for pilot slots, today theyre easing language and nationality requirements to widen the pool.

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Related

The problem isnt just retirement, though. Its the pipeline.

Boeings long-term outlook estimates that the world will need 674,000 new pilots over the next two decades. By 2032, consulting firm Oliver Wyman says the sector could lack nearly 80,000 pilots globally.

Europe alone could be 19,000 pilots short of demand.

What does this mean for summer flyers?

Travellers with short-haul bookings, especially those involving connections, should brace for disruption as European carriers thin their summer schedules.

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Experts caution that these tighter schedules may result in fewer direct flights, longer layovers and more competition for seats. Travellers are advised to book early, allow extra time for transfers and monitor airline notifications closely.

Though rebooking and refund policies are in place, securing the best alternative could come down to how fast you move.
Claim:

Disneyland is moving from California to Texas.

Rating:

Rating: False

A rumor that circulated online in late May 2025 claimed Disneyland was exiting California to make an official move to Texas. Searches for this rumor on Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo all featured at the top of their results an article from the Disney fan blog Inside the Magic. That story, published on May 28, displayed the headline, "Disneyland Exits California, Makes Official Move to Texas." Snopes then received a reader inquiry asking if Disneyland truly was moving to Texas.

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However, the rumor of Disneyland leaving California for Texas was false. Despite the wording of the Inside the Magic headline, the story under the headline simply reported another matter. The article said that on May 27, as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary festivities, some Disney fans and influencers participated in an event featuring a celebratory hot air balloon in Dallas, Texas. The story also reported that, according to an Instagram influencer, organizers planned to next show off the hot air balloon in Houston.

Snopes contacted Inside the Magic by email to ask about this claim and will update this article if we learn more information.

Decades of untrue Disney rumors

The May 2025 rumor of Disneyland moving to Texas wasn't the first time the claim made the rounds. For example, as Snopes reported in 2020, the Uncle Walt's Insider website published an article showing the headline, "BREAKING: Disneyland is abandoning California, moving to Texas." Unlike Inside the Magic, the Uncle Walt's Insider website features a disclaimer about publishing "fictitious" content, as well as a "satire" tag for its stories.

Another rumor circulating in May 2025 claimed Disneyland's ownership planned to move to Las Vegas. That claim originated in a May 22 article and TikTok video from Mouse Trap News, which features an "About" page on its website describing its content as "the world's best satire and parody website." The headline of the article read, "BREAKING: Disneyland Is Moving to Las Vegas." The story's author reported Disneyland would close in October and move away from California, supposedly due to California Gov. Gavin Newsom's tax policies. Another Mouse Trap News article from May 26 read, "Disney World Removing All American Flags From Parks." These rumors about Disneyland and Walt Disney World were not true.

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In the past, Snopes covered other false rumors originating from Inside the Magic's many headlines, including Walt Disney World planning to close a theme park for four days, Disney shutting down the Disney+ streaming service, Disney ceasing all broadcasts of Disney Channel, Disney retiring Mickey Mouse and Universal Studios Florida planning to permanently close.

Sources:

DuckDuckGo - Protection. Privacy. Peace of Mind. https://duckduckgo.com.

Google. https://www.google.com/.

Microsoft Bing. https://www.bing.com/.

Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos. https://www.yahoo.com/.
Claim:

A picture authentically depicts journalist Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos' fiancee, with large lips and cheekbones enhanced by plastic surgery.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In late May 2025, an allegedly authentic image of former news anchor Lauren Sanchez, billionaire Jeff Bezos' fiancee and founder of aerial film company Black Ops Aviation, circulated widely online.

The picture spread on X, Threads and Facebook. Similar pictures purporting to show Sanchez's plastic surgery alterations also spread online.

(X user @DailyLoud)

However, this image is fake  as are the related pictures above. A comparison with legitimate photos of Sanchez on Getty Images credited to several different photographers show that the fake picture circulating greatly exaggerates her actual lips and cheekbones. Someone either digitally edited the image or used artificial intelligence to generate it  or both.

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Here is the original image that the digitally-altered image appears based on, per Getty Images:

A white woman with dark hair in a red dress stands next to a bald white man wearing a black tuxedo suit.

Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Getty Images)

It is unclear who made the image; a reverse image search largely returned the authentic image, rather than the altered one, making the source of the image difficult to determine. Snopes reached out to Daily Loud, one of the largest X accounts posting the fake picture, to ask about the origins of the picture. This story will be updated if they respond.

It is worth noting the "before" picture that often accompanies the digitally altered image of Sanchez appears to be an authentic photo of her from 2003.

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Legitimate pictures of Sanchez which the other digitally altered pictures appear based on are also available on Getty Images here and here.

Snopes often fact-checks fake and altered images of well-known people; see, for example, our story on an edited image of tech billionaire Elon Musk's chest and a fact-check debunking an image of United Healthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione allegedly wearing a "Sailor Moon" costume from the popular Japanese manga.

Sources:

Aussenard, Jean-Paul. "Lauren Sanchez during 'Dreamkeeper' ABC All-Star Winter Party At..." Getty Images, 6 Oct. 2010, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lauren-sanchez-during-dreamkeeper-abc-all-star-winter-party-news-photo/104845860?adppopup=true. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Faraone, Philip. "Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos Attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party..." Getty Images, 11 Mar. 2024, www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/lauren-s%C3%A1nchez-and-jeff-bezos-attend-the-2024-vanity-fair-news-photo/2074848885. Accessed 28 May 2025.

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Grant, Jesse. "Lauren Sanchez Attends the 11th Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker..." Getty Images, 6 Apr. 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lauren-s%C3%A1nchez-attends-the-11th-breakthrough-prize-ceremony-news-photo/2208739911. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Hill, Taylor. "Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos Attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party..." Getty Images, 11 Mar. 2024, www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/lauren-sanchez-and-jeff-bezos-attend-the-2024-vanity-fair-news-photo/2075868946. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Keenan, Stefanie. "Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos Attend the 2024 Vanity Fair..." Getty Images, 11 Mar. 2024, www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/lauren-s%C3%A1nchez-and-jeff-bezos-attend-the-2024-vanity-fair-news-photo/2074839617?adppopup=true. Accessed 28 May 2025.

Ord, Cindy. "Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Attend the 2024 Met Gala Celebrating..." Getty Images, 7 May 2024, www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/jeff-bezos-and-lauren-s%C3%A1nchez-attend-the-2024-met-gala-news-photo/2151803426. Accessed 28 May 2025.

"The Best Free AI Powered Reverse Image Search like No Other." Copyseeker.net, 2025, copyseeker.net/. Accessed 28 May 2025.
It's impossible to say how many owls, hawks, falcons and kit foxes Ted Murphy saved from certain death after he founded the Facility for Animal Care and Treatment at Cal State Bakersfield in 1975.

But the numbers surely soared into the thousands.

Murphy, whose friends and students say was born to be a teacher, but who also loved to dance and be involved in the community, died Sunday at his home in southwest Bakersfield, just four months after losing Peggy Murphy, his beloved wife and dance partner.

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Ted Murphy was 89.

"Ted was smart but humble. He was easy to talk to and just a really good person," said Nikki LeFebvre, who took several science courses at CSUB under Murphy's mentorship in the mid-1990s.

She also worked at FACT through one term, where she learned to give tours, feed the birds and soak up knowledge and knowhow from the master.

"It was definitely an interesting time," LeFebvre remembered. "He was my favorite professor and probably had the biggest impact on me of all my professors."

The longtime CSUB biology instructor not only founded FACT, which lasted nearly four decades before closing in 2014, he left an indelible imprint on countless CSUB students, animal rescuers and young children who visited FACT by the busload.

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Kathryn Errotabere is one of three or more neighbors and friends who became caregivers to Murphy during the final weeks of his life.

But some among the close network of good neighbors and good Samaritans have spent years watching over the Murphys.

"I took care of him and his wife for seven years," Errotabere said. "He was a remarkable man. He taught to the bitter end."

Teaching, she said, was in his blood, and any activity or conversation was, to the retired professor, an opportunity to teach and learn.

"We had an 89th birthday party for him in April  in his front yard," Errotabere said. "We had ice cream and food. He really enjoyed it."

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The day meant a lot to his friend and caregiver, too.

"I knew it was going to be his last," she said.

For decades, FACT benefited the community in myriad ways. Students and volunteers conducted tours and classroom programs for thousands of Kern County schoolchildren each year.

Murphy and a team of students built the facility and developed the landscape from the ground up, according to a 2014 Californian story. They did it with sweat, determination, donations and an annual barbecue fundraiser that would bring in between $7,000 and $9,000 each year.

A wooden shed on the property housed an office and lab, and the facility had several enclosures to display animals for visiting students, and several more for rehabilitating birds.

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It was not uncommon to see raptors with wings badly injured by barbed wire and other hazards being brought in by good Samaritans. It often took between four and six months before the animals could be released into the wild.

"Our biggest contribution to wildlife was the education of people," Murphy told The Californian.

In Murphy's latter years, Billie Swanson and her late friend Enid Hull often picked up Ted and Peggy to take them to dinner, to a play, a community concert or some other social event.

Swanson met Murphy through CSUB's 60+ Club, one of many organizations with which the retired professor was active.

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"At one point, he didn't have his driver's license anymore," Swanson said. "We would pick them up and take them to dinner.

"Ted loved to eat at J's Place," she said.

When Peggy began fading, Ted became Peggy's caregiver.

"He was very attentive to Peggy," Swanson said. "He had her at home to the very end."

But when Ted lost Peggy, it seemed to take the wind out of his sails.

"He was a very caring person," Swanson said. "He would do anything for you if he could.

"I'm going to miss him."
SEOUL (Reuters) -South Koreans go to the polls on June 3 in the country's 21st presidential election, aiming to restore political stability after months of turmoil and fill a power vacuum following former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's botched attempt to impose martial law.

Here are some details about South Korea's election system:

SINGLE ROUND ELECTION

The election is held in a single round and the candidate who receives the most votes is deemed the winner and entitled to serve one five-year term.

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LEADING CANDIDATES

The top three candidates based on a Gallup Korea poll a week ago were the liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, with 49% public support, followed by his main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party with 35% and another conservative candidate, New Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok, on 11%.

All of the candidates remaining in the race are men with no women in the final lineup for the first time since 2007, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). South Korea has only had one female leader, Park Geun-hye.

One of the six candidates, independent Hwang Kyo-ahn, quit the race on Sunday to back Kim, media reports said.

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The youngest candidate is Lee Jun-seok, who is 40, and the oldest is Kim Moon-soo at 73.

NUMBER AND MAKEUP OF VOTERS

There are 44.39 million eligible voters, with women accounting for 50.5% of voters, according to data on the electoral roll from the interior ministry.

South Korea is one of the world's fastest ageing societies and the number of voters aged above 60 accounts for about a third of the electorate, outstripping the 28% share of those in their 20s and 30s.

Gyeonggi Province is home to the largest number of voters, accounting for 26.4%, followed by Seoul at 18.7% and Busan at 6.5%.

A total of 205,268 people overseas voted between May 20 and 25 in 118 countries, the NEC said.

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ELECTION SECURITY

South Korea's acting President Lee Ju-ho has said the government was "transparently disclosing the entire process of the presidential election", according to his office.

The National Election Commission will air CCTV surveillance footage of rooms storing ballots from early voting, with their entrances sealed before counting starts and transported ballots given police escorts, Lee said.

After votes are cast, ballots will be initially sorted by machines and then election workers will count them, the NEC said.

ELECTION SCHEDULE

The official election campaign is relatively short in South Korea in a bid to contain costs. It started on May 12.

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There are 3,568 polling stations across the country open for early voting that will be allowed between May 29-30. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at any of the polling stations without pre-registration between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Turnout for early voting has generally increased over the years, with more than a third voting early in recent presidential elections.

In the latest election, 15.4 million, or 34.74% of the total, voted during early ballots between May 29-30, compared to the 2022 election's proportion of 36.9%.

Election day on June 3 is a public holiday and voting will run from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. with an indication of the results likely to start emerging that evening or early the next day.

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On June 4, the National Election Commission is expected to verify the results and the inauguration of the new president will be held.

SOURCES: National Election Commission, Gallup Korea

(Reporting by Ed Davies; additional reporting by Joyce Lee, Jack Kim; Editing by Saad Sayeed)
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C, Rear) poses for photos with Ramez Al-Khayyat (L, Rear), CEO of UrbaCon Trading and Contracting, and Syria's energy affairs chief Mohammed al-Bashir (R, Rear) during the signing of memoranda of understanding in Damascus, Syria, on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Syria signed a series of memoranda of understanding with international energy companies on Thursday to develop five major power projects, as part of efforts to rebuild its war-damaged infrastructure and accelerate the country's post-war recovery, state news agency SANA reported.

The agreements, signed in the presence of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, mark a total investment of 7 billion U.S. dollars and are expected to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

The deals include four combined-cycle gas turbine power plants to be built in Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria, Mhardeh, Zayzoun in rural Hama province, and Trifawi in rural Homs province, as well as a 1,000-megawatt solar energy station in Wedian al-Rabia town in the countryside of the capital Damascus.

The Ministry of Energy signed the agreements with a consortium of firms, including UCC Holding, UrbaCon Trading and Contracting, Power International Holding, Cengiz Enerji, and Kalyon Enerji. The projects will utilize American and European technologies, according to SANA.

"This is a historic moment and a turning point in Syria's energy and electricity sector," said energy affairs chief Mohammad al-Bashir during the signing ceremony.

He described the initiative as part of a strategic push to restore Syria's critical infrastructure and to enhance regional cooperation in the field of energy. "This agreement helps us stimulate clean and renewable energy projects, and will directly improve the electricity supply across the country."

Ramiz al-Khayyat, CEO of UrbaCon Trading and Contracting, called the deal a new phase of cooperation to achieve Syria's self-sufficiency. Al-Khayyat added that the projects will generate over 50,000 direct jobs and around 250,000 indirect jobs. 

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C, Rear) observes the signing of memoranda of understanding by Ramez Al-Khayyat (L, Rear), CEO of UrbaCon Trading and Contracting, and Syria's energy affairs chief Mohammed al-Bashir (R, Rear) in Damascus, Syria, on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
(FOX40.COM)  A federal jury returned a 41-count indictment against Warren Soto Delfin, 54, of Fairfield, charging him with failure to pay more than $2 million in trust fund taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, according to U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.

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Beckwith stated that, according to court documents, between January 2018 and December 2022, Felfin owned and operated five home health care businesses that made over $2 million in employment taxes. The tax liabilities stem from amounts Delfin withheld from his employers paychecks.

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Instead of Delfin paying the employees withholdings to the IRS as required under the law, he retained them and used the money to purchase luxury items, including a Lamborghini, jewelry, and real estate, according to Beckwith.

According to officials, if Delfin is convicted, he will face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,00 fine for each charged count, and any other sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, officials said.

Authorities stated that this case is being handed over to the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG)  Saturday night, in the 200 block of Rock Creek Parkway in Fairhope, a gunshot was fired inside a home just before 8 oclock.

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A 17-year-old rising senior at Fairhope High School was shot in the neck. She was quickly rushed to a hospital, where she remains in the trauma ICU at University Hospital in Mobile. She was last listed in stable condition.

The search for who pulled the trigger continues as police investigators try and question more than a dozen teenagers who had gathered for what police believe was the beginning of a party. It was kind of a gathering, probably moving toward a party, but at that point we had a group that was together, said Lt. Shane Nolte with Fairhope Police.



Since the shooting, investigators have made some progress and have used the term person of interest.

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We hope we have an idea, but we are going to continue that investigation to make sure we know who it is, said Nolte.



Nolte said the shot came from a handgun, but at this point, investigators still need to talk to some of the teenagers who may have the information that would wrap up this investigation.

We are still having to find those folks to get all the pieces we need to continue on in the investigation, said Nolte.

He said the problem they are running into is that some of the kids they need to talk to have already gone on summer vacation and are out of town, and in some cases out of state.



Nolte said no adults were present at the time of the shooting. The homeowner is cooperative with the police. Reports of an accidental discharge have not been confirmed.

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Everything is looked at in these investigations, said Nolte. Whether it be alcohol, accidental, or a fight, everything is looked at just to be sure.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A man from Fairmont was sentenced this week for federal crimes related to selling the fentanyl analog para-fluorofentanyl (pFF).

Darrell McHoney

Darrel Keith McHoney, 55, of Fairmont, was sentenced to nine years and two months in federal prison for selling pFF in Marion and Harrison counties. According to court documents, McHoney was arrested in 2022 after he sold drugs to an undercover agent. More than 100 grams of pFF were seized from his home, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), para-fluorofentanyl is a synthetic opioid, like fentanyl, but is slightly less potent, based on data from 2020-2021.

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Father charged after claiming death of infant in Lewis County was all his fault

A 2022 report from the State of Michigan, from where a lot of drugs are trafficked to West Virginia, said that there was an increase in pFF starting in 2018. The drug was common in the early 1980s and was listed a Schedule I in 1986. One thing that makes pFF unique compared to other similar opioids is that it will not appear on a routine toxicology test, according to the Michigan report.

West Virginia saw a spike in overdose deaths involving para-fluorofentanyl in 2022, according to West Virginia Department of Health data from 2024.

Although it is considered less deadly than fentanyl, it can cause fatal overdoses when used alone or in combination with other substances. Para-fluorofentanyl overdoses can be treated with naloxone, according to the CDC.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
EAU CLAIREEau Claire County is warning residents and businesses that fraudulent invoices have been circulating. The scam involves fake invoices that claim to be sent by Matt Michels while falsely claiming to be from the Eau Claire County Planning and Development Department.

These invoices look official and tend to reference planning or development related services. The county wants to be clear that they are not legitimate and are not affiliated with Eau Claire County or any of its employees.

The invoices are being received via email and include the Countys logo while requesting payment for unspecified or fabricated services.

The county is urging residents, contractors, and business owners to verify the legitimacy of any invoice that seems to be from the county before making payments. They should use the contact information for the Eau Claire Planning and Development Department from official contact information listed on their website.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI)  Fall River police have released the name of the officer who was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after he drunkenly forced his way into a strangers home.

The Fall River Police Departments Professional Standards Division revealed Thursday that the officer in questions name is David Silvia.

RELATED: Fall River officer drunkenly barged into strangers home

The investigation began after the Fall River Police Department received a call from a resident who claimed a man was banging on the front door asking for a woman by name.

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Police said the man, later identified as Silvia, eventually barged into the home and continued his search for the woman.

Silvia immediately left the home upon being informed by the resident that no one by the name lived at the address, according to police. He was taken into custody roughly half a block away from the residence.

Court records indicate that Silvia has been charged with breaking and entering, as well as improper storage of a firearm. He is expected to be arraigned on June 25 in Fall River District Court.

12 News reached out to Silvias attorney regarding the charges but she declined to comment.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Emotional moments outside San Diego Police Department headquarters Wednesday afternoon as Officer Austin Machitar was honored for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Machitar, 30, was killed during a police pursuit in Clairemont on Aug. 26 of last year. His name was formally added to the departments Officer Memorial Wall during a solemn ceremony attended by city leaders, fellow officers, friends and family.

Service, sacrifice and selflessness  those are the three words that best describe Austin, said Police Chief Scott Wahl. He was charismatic, he was a a good leader and just a good character person. When you see somebody have to give the ultimate sacrifice in doing this job, it rips your heart apart.

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Machitar had served with the department for five years. He and his partner, Officer Zachary Martinez, were assisting in a pursuit involving a BMW driven by a 16-year-old boy. The vehicle crashed into the officers SUV, killing both Machitar and the teen.

Officer Martinez survived the fiery collision but sustained critical injuries, including severe burns. He has since made a full recovery.

Mayor Todd Gloria praised Machitars bravery and emphasized the importance of remembering fallen officers.

What all of our officers do is heroic work, Gloria said. And when they die in the line of duty, as Austin did, we have to memorialize them.

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The ceremony included heartfelt speeches from family and colleagues, many of whom reflected on Machitars positive spirit and love for his job.

He loved what he did, said family friend Jeana Crossland. He loved protecting people and supporting people.

A memorial wreath at a ceremony on May 28, 2025 honoring fallen San Diego police officers. (FOX 5/KUSI)

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Sgt. Jessica Thrift, fighting back tears, addressed Machitar directly.

Every officer at Northern Division, your mom, your dad, your sister and all of your friends  we miss you, Thrift said. I would say, You did good, kid. And we miss you.

The city of San Diego recently announced plans to rename North Clairemont Park in Machitars honor, ensuring his legacy continues in the community he served.

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His name now joins those of other officers who gave their lives to protect and serve Americas Finest City.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The family of the Uber driver who was shot and killed by a woman who died before she could face trial for murder said they want to remind the community that he was the victim and they miss him terribly.

Thats the message from family members of Daniel Piedra during a news conference called on Thursday, May 29, by the El Paso District Attorneys Office.

Piedra was shot and killed while giving a ride to Phoebe Copas in June 2023. Copas said she believed she was being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. While awaiting trial, she died in March of this year of a medical episode that has been ruled natural causes, DA James Montoya said.

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El Paso district attorney to discuss Phoebe Copas case

Her untimely death made it so the family of Piedra and the defendant would not be able to present their sides during a trial and be vindicated, Montoya said.

Montoya said that he had no choice but to dismiss the case, but that left a big hole for the family of the victim.

Montoya said he was confident that if they had gone to trial, prosecutors could have proven that Copas actions were not reasonable and unnecessary, and were therefore not self-defense.

Because there will be no trial, Montoya said he wanted to give Piedras family a chance to speak since there would be no post-trial victim impact statements.

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Didi Lopez, Piedras niece, said, It was not fair how her uncle was taken from us.

We miss him so much, she said. He was the victim. He was not a criminal. He was just a hard-working man.

Her uncles death has left a huge hole in the familys lives, Lopez said.

He wasnt kidnapping her, she said. Uber has already said he was taking her the right way (to go to Speaking Rock). He wasnt abusing drugs. He was just a very funny, hard-working man.

Piedra had no criminal record, not even a ticket, his niece said.

Lopez also said that he had a huge impact on the people he met and is greatly missed by all.

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No questions were taken from the media after the family issued some brief statements, one in English and the other in Spanish.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PITTSBURG COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  A family was rescued after being trapped inside their home for over a week after a tornado tore through their county.

The tornado damage left roads impassable across Pittsburg County.

A mother and her three children were stuck inside their home, and with road crews already stretched thin, county officials turned to social media and asked for help.

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Thats where Mack Alford Correctional Center Warden, Margaret Green, saw the need and acted quickly.

I thought, let me see if I can get a work crew, said Green.

Within hours, nearly a dozen minimum security inmates volunteered, eager to help and maybe find a sense of purpose in the process.

All a man needs to do is atone, and theyve given us a chance to do that, said Brandon Boring, an inmate. If you let a man atone, we can actually go back and be great members of society.

Inmates who meet strict behavior and security requirements are allowed to participate in these work programs, and they are always closely supervised.

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There is a criteria they have to meet to get to work out in the public, said Lt. David Easley, with Mack Alford Correctional Center.

The inmate crew cleared a path in just hours, a job that would have taken the county days.

Its an army of orange. This one little section weve been watching, Im really proud, said Green.

For the county, the help was invaluable.

We are highly appreciative for them to come help us, said J.B. Sharp, county road foreman.

For the inmates, it was a chance to show who they are becoming.

If it gives back to the community, man, I love it, said Boring.

Department of Corrections officials said the work crew program supports public infrastructure and community recovery efforts across Oklahoma while giving inmates opportunities to give back and rebuild their lives.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The family of Tyrone Mason, a 31-year-old Black man in Raleigh, North Carolina, who died in a crash while being pursued by highway patrol, is calling for justice after prosecutors declined to file charges against the trooper involved in the Oct. 7, 2024, incident.

Mason's family spoke out during a press conference outside the Wake County Judicial Center in Raleigh on Thursday, along with their attorneys Ben Crump and Bakari Sellers.

"You told me to my face you was on my side and now you're on the side of the state trooper. The man who lied," said Mason's mother, Henrietta Mason, in a speech directed at the prosecutor in this case, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman.

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The press conference came after body camera footage of the incident was released last week following a judge's order by the North Carolina Highway Patrol  a division of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

The video, which was obtained by ABC station in Raleigh WTVD, appears to show Trooper Garrett Macario, who pursued Mason, providing false information to Raleigh Police officers who also responded to the scene. The video also appears to show his supervisor Matthew Morrison telling Macario not to disclose that the crash happened while Macario was pursuing Mason.

"While their dishonesty violates the standards to which law enforcement officers must adhere, the District Attorney is not pursuing criminal charges as the evidence would not support a successful prosecution," DA Freeman's office told WTVD in a statement.

PHOTO: Henrietta Mason, the mother of Tyrone Mason, a man who died after allegedly being chased by North Carolina State Highway Police, is flanked by two of her attorneys, Bakari Sellers and Ben Crump, at a press conference in Raleigh, N.C., May 29, 2025. (WTVD)

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The DA's statement also said that Freeman shared her concerns with the North Carolina Highway Patrol about the trooper's conduct and determined that her office will not prosecute any cases where "the testimony of either of these officers is required to prove the underlying offense."

ABC News reached out to the DA's office for further comment.

A spokesperson for the North Carolina Highway Patrol told ABC News on Thursday that the release of the body camera footage is governed by the state and can only be released through an order by the Superior Court where the recording was made.

"A petition was granted in this matter, but the recordings only can be released to the petitioner," the spokesperson said.

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ABC News reached out to Mason's family and their attorneys for further comment.

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Tyrone Mason died after his car crashed during a high-speed chase after Maracio attempted to pull him over for speeding, according to a final investigation report obtained by WTVD. According to the report, Mason sped up to about 100 MPH.

The trooper then slowed down and turned off his lights at the same moment that Mason lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a median.

Henrietta Mason filed a federal lawsuit against trooper Macario on May 21, accusing him of violating her son's civil rights and claiming that the trooper failed to render aid to Tyrone Mason after the crash. It is unclear if Macario has obtained an attorney and a response to the lawsuit has not yet been filed in court.

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Attempts to reach out to Macario and Morrison directly were unsuccessful, but ABC News reached out to the North Carolina Public Safety Department (NCPSD), the state's agency for law enforcement.

A spokesperson for NCPSD called the incident "heartbreaking" and told ABC News that both troopers involved have been placed on administrative leave while an internal review of the incident is ongoing.

"We do recognize and take ownership that words spoken and captured by video in the moments after the collision's occurrence do not reflect the high standards we place upon our members nor the lifesaving work that we see them carry out daily," the NCPSD spokesperson said on Wednesday. "We do believe, however, that this collision was a result of Mr. Mason's actions alone and that is reflected in the unbiased collision report completed by the Raleigh Police Department."

The DA's office said in the statement obtained by WTVD that the probe into Mason's death uncovered issues related to the Raleigh Police Department's handling of the crash reconstruction investigation and said that the trooper's "untruthfulness" led to delays and "confusion."

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A spokesperson for the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) told ABC News on Thursday that RPD cooperated with the DA's office and is reviewing their crash investigation procedures and are working to update policies regarding how they interact with the families of victims "to ensure more timely and effective communication."

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The police spokesperson also said that the trooper's account was "misleading," and led to "a series of communications failures" in this case.

"Compassion is one of our values, and we recognize and acknowledge the delay it took for Mr. Mason's family to get answers fell short of our high-held standards. Chief Rico Boyce extends his condolences to the Mason family," the RPD spokesperson added.

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Mason family attorney Sellers said on Thursday that RPD Police Chief Boyce did contact the family for a meeting and while they decided not to meet with him, they did "appreciate" the gesture.

Family slams prosecutor for not charging trooper who allegedly provided false info on fatal crash originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A family is suing the city of Charlotte, a garbage truck driver, and the operators of Myers Park Nursing Center, alleging the facilitys neglect led to the death of a 68-year-old resident who was struck and killed by a garbage truck after leaving the center unnoticed.

ALSO READ: Nursing home patients forced to move due to health, safety issues

This is the latest development for the troubled Myers Park Nursing Center, previously known as The Citadel.

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The same facility just lost Medicaid status due to health and safety concerns.

Family members are suing the city, truck driver, and the nursing home owners in the hope of getting answers as to how it happened.

The nearly 200-page lawsuit cites serious concerns for resident safety.

The lengthy wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this month claims that Myers Park Nursing Center is responsible for the death of 68-year-old George Marks, citing severe neglect, violations and misconduct.

The suit states that in October of 2023, Marks, who was cognitively impaired and wheelchair-bound, left the Myers Park nursing facility unnoticed and made his way to an intersection outside the center in his electric wheelchair where he was hit by a city garbage truck. The suit says the damage left anatomical devastation and Marks remained conscious, aware, in agony, and alone.

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Later that month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Services Regulation (NCDHSR) cited Myers Park Nursing Center for its failure to supervise Marks, and for failing to even attempt the implementation of basic safeguards to protect him.

Its not the first complaint against Myers Park Nursing Center, previously known as The Citadel at Myers Park, or its owning entities.

The lawsuit cites concerning NCDHSR reports, including a resident with an amputation who was found face down in a transport van.

Its also not the first time Channel 9 reported on these citations. For years weve reported on neglect allegations by the company.

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In March, Channel 9 reported the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) terminated its agreement with the facility after it allegedly failed to follow health and safety requirements.

The attorney representing the Marks estate told Channel 9s Hannah Goetz: This case raises serious concerns about resident safety and systemic failures at the facility. The complaint speaks for itself. At this time, we are focused on the legal process and will not be making further comments.

A representative for Myers Park Nursing Center told Goetz on Thursday there is no comment at this time.

VIDEO: Suspect in nursing students death granted bond after 6 years in jail
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday confirmed the commissioning of the country's third large-scale hospital ship, "Auspicious Ark," underscoring such ships' role in providing public security goods to the international community.

The "Auspicious Ark," is China's third domestically designed and built 10,000-tonne-class hospital ship, said spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press conference.

Equipped with combat-ready capabilities and advanced medical facilities, the new hospital ship joins the "Peace Ark" and "Silk Road Ark" as a core asset for maritime medical support operations, Zhang noted.

He also emphasized the ship's multiple missions, which include delivering international humanitarian medical services, providing emergency medical relief during major disasters, and promoting military medical exchanges. 
One of three remaining YSL trial defendants was sentenced to five years in prison by a Fulton County Superior Court judge Wednesday afternoon.

Damekion Garlington was originally facing life in prison if convicted on all charges  including murder and attempted murder  but he entered into an Alford plea with the district attorneys office earlier this week. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while admitting the prosecution likely has enough evidence to secure a conviction.

In exchange for prosecutors agreeing to downgrade the murder charge to aggravated assault and drop the attempted murder charge, the 29-year-old pleaded guilty.

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Garlington had been Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis last hope to hold one of the four people charged with the 2022 murder of Shymel Drinks accountable. Drinks was central to the prosecutions argument that Atlanta rapper Young Thug and 27 others were members of a criminal street gang called YSL. Last year, Willis team dropped murder charges against Miles Farley and Quamarvious Nichols, two of the three other defendants charged with Drinks murder, in exchange for guilty pleas on lesser charges. The third, Shannon Stillwell, was found not guilty in early December.

The district attorneys office did not respond to Capital B Atlantas request for comment.

Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Garlington to 20 years in jail  five years to serve incarcerated, and 15 years on probation. She suspended a five-year sentence for possession of a firearm during a felony that will be voided as long as he successfully completes probation. Garlington will also receive credit for the nearly three years hes spent in jail since his arrest in September 2022.

I hope that  this has been an opportunity for you to realize that the direction that your life was going is not a good direction, and that you are determined at this point to turn your life around and make good decisions from here on out, Whitaker said after the sentencing hearing.

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She reminded Garlington that he must stay out of Fulton County throughout his probation and will be required to serve the five-year suspended firearms sentence if he violates the terms, which include: no contact with the victims, their relatives, or any gang members; no drugs; no gang paraphernalia; and no guns or replicas of guns.

Other conditions stipulate that he must also complete a GED program within the first year of probation, which the judge noted he had already begun working on, and secure full-time employment within the first six months of his release.

Garlington will also have to sign a Fourth Amendment waiver as a condition of his release, which means that for the entirety of his probation he, his car, his home, and his social media accounts will be subject to search by law enforcement at any time with or without probable cause.

Garlington was one of the 28 people indicted on racketeering charges in May 2022 by the Fulton County DAs office for their alleged involvement in YSL  what prosecutors classified as a criminal street gang that operated in the Cleveland Avenue neighborhood. Like many of Young Thugs co-defendants, Garlington wasnt able to find a defense attorney by the time the main trial began so his case was severed and scheduled to be tried separately.

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Jury selection in the trial for the two remaining YSL racketeering defendants, Christian Eppinger and Demise McMullen, is scheduled to begin June 9.

The post After Fani Willis Drops YSL Murder Charge, Defendant Is Sentenced to 5 Years appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Do you like living your life a quarter mile at a time? If so, we have the purr-fect front seat passenger for you.

44% shortfall in Hawaii deepens crisis

For Wags n Whiskers Wednesday, KHON2 features Miata, a nine-pound, five-month-old Domestic Shorthair mix.

Need the perfect adventure buddy? Coast is the pup for you

According to the Hawaiian Humane Society, Miata has Dom Toretto energy and is described as a sleep feline with the agility of a drift king.

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With a coat as smooth as a fresh paint job and eyes sharper than a nitrous-fueled turn, Miatas built for speed, snuggles and loyalty to his crew. Hawaiian Humane Society

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

HHS added that hes a ride-or-die kind of cat who is always ready to race to the food bowl or snuggle on your lap.

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Miata will always put family first and loves to live the fast life.

In his world, its not just about the destination, its about whos riding shotgun.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

If youre ready to get in the fast lane, you can meet Miata at the Hawaiian Humane Societys Kosasa Family Campus at Hoopili daily.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
The death of a Hazel Park grandmother after a Detroit man crashed into her vehicle while being pursued by Warren police is bringing to the forefront the issue of drivers not stopping for police and the unintended consequences of police pursuits.

"This is a somber moment. A tragedy and an outcome that no officer ever wants to see. We understand the gravity of this moment," Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins said during a news conference Wednesday, May 28, four days after 71-year-old Wendy Drew died after the crash at 9 Mile and Van Dyke.

Drew was married to her husband for more than 50 years, had five sons and 23 grandchildren, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said, calling her death "tragic" and "a senseless loss of life."

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, far left; Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins, and Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski discuss a police pursuit that ended in the death of a Hazel Park woman during a news conference May 28, 2025 at Warren police headquarters.

Anthony Grier Jr., 33, who was charged after the approximately five-minute pursuit that Hawkins said exceeded 100 mph at times, is facing second-degree murder, fleeing police and assaulting, resisting or obstructing police.

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Grier pleaded not guilty during arraignment Tuesday, May 27, in 37th District Court, where court-appointed counsel was requested. No attorney was named in online court records. Grier is being held in the county jail without bond. A probable cause conference is set for June 5. A preliminary exam is scheduled for June 12.

Hawkins said it's unclear why Grier didn't stop, saying had a valid driver's license and no outstanding warrants. Grier has an unrelated carrying concealed weapons charge from March in the district court. Police said Grier has prior convictions for operating on a suspended license, receiving and concealing stolen property, attempted fleeing and eluding and 15 prior citations for speeding and other traffic offenses.

More: Suspect in custody after police chase, car crash kills woman at 9 Mile, Van Dyke in Warren

More: Prosecutor: No retrial for ex-cop Christopher Schurr in shooting death of Patrick Lyoya

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The two Warren police officers who initiated the pursuit are on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

"I want to make this perfectly clear: Anthony Grier killed Miss Drew," Hawkins said, adding the community is "thankful" for Lucido holding him accountable.

Police said the officers clocked Grier, driving a Chrysler 300 northbound, at 72 mph in a 40-mph zone on Van Dyke, south of 13 Mile, on radar about 9:23 p.m. May 24. The officers turned around to initiate a traffic stop on Van Dyke and Miller, south of 14 Mile, but Grier sped away, police said.

The officers initiated a pursuit, notifying dispatch and other officers, police said. The officers had activated lights and sirens. A Michigan State Police helicopter was requested, with officers told one was enroute. Police Lt. John Gajewski said the pursuit briefly went into Sterling Heights, then south on Van Dyke back into Warren.

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Police said Grier didn't stop, drove on a sidewalk and grass and in the middle turn lane. Gajewski said Grier ran six red lights, including one where the crash occurred. Police said he was speeding in areas where speed limits were 35-40 mph. Officers blocked traffic at intersections along Van Dyke, Gajewski said, and police said Grier evaded stop sticks at 10 Mile and Van Dyke.

Grier's car hit Drew's vehicle at 9 Mile, police said, with the impact causing another vehicle to be damaged. That driver was not hurt. Police said Grier ran, but was caught by officers. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor, police said.

"In this case here, there was a total disregard of life being on that road. Driving on sidewalks, in and out of traffic, middle lane, at a high rate of speed in the commission of a felony. How much more can I tell you?" Lucido said, adding this could have been avoided had Grier stopped when officers activated their overhead lights.

Warren police were involved in a pursuit two days later, on Memorial Day, when an officer tried to stop a car for window tint and other violations near 9 Mile and Masch. The driver, a 25-year-old Warren man, stopped on 9 Mile, but police said he refused to get out of his car and fled. They said he didn't have a valid driver's license and the officer spotted signs of suspected intoxication.

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Less than minute after the pursuit began, police said, the officer saw the driver lose control of his car near Toepfer and Audrey, hit several unoccupied parked vehicles and the front porch of a residence on Audrey. The driver fled, but was arrested and charged. No one was hurt.

Two other Warren police pursuits within the last year were fatal.

In November, a Warren officer was criminally charged in the September deaths of two men who were killed when a police cruiser collided violently with their SUV, with Macomb County Sheriff's officials indicating the cruiser was traveling at 93.8 mph at the time of impact and had no emergency lights or sirens activated. The officer's next court date is June 23 in the district court.

In July, two men were charged in a fatal crash during a Warren police chase that began when three Dodge Chargers were spotted speeding and suspected of drag racing. Police tried to conduct a stop. One driver stopped, police said, but the other two fled and officers gave chase. During the pursuit, one of the vehicles crashed into a Jeep, killing the driver.

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Hawkins said police pursuits are a "polarizing topic" and complex issue with nuance, with people seeing the issue differently and law enforcement handling the initiation and continuation of pursuits differently. Some agencies are more restrictive; others allow more discretion.

Hawkins said Warren police allow officers to initiate pursuits under certain conditions. He said the policy has been vetted and approved through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police accreditation process. Police officials said supervisors and officers are vested with the authority to terminate pursuits.

Warren police officials, who released a portion of video from the officers' dashcam in the May 24 pursuit, said per policy, a supervisor monitors vehicle pursuits live as they are happening, watching factors such as driving behavior, traffic volumes and vehicle speeds. Pursuits are reviewed by administration afterward to make sure there is compliance with policies and procedures, Hawkins said, and violations are subject to discipline.

Hawkins said pursuits in the city are down 50% year to date compared to this time period last year. He didn't have a specific number, but said there have been about 60 pursuits this year. He said roughly half of those pursuits that had been initiated, had been terminated by either the officer or supervisor and the "overwhelming majority of those pursuits" were found to be within policy and procedure.

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"Are we where we want to be right now?" he said. "I think that if you would ask our command officers and even our rank-and-file officers, they would probably say that there is improvement that can be made."

Hawkins said the number of people who are refusing lawful commands of officers and not stopping their vehicles "is absolutely astonishing." He said he believes work can be done at many levels to address that, including legislative opportunities and public service announcements.

But, he said, "the message has to be clearly set that this is not a police problem, this is a people problem. People who have refused to comply with lawful orders. People who refuse to have a sanctity of life ... philosophy when they are out in the streets. That has to be addressed."

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fatal police pursuits: Warren official blames people who refuse lawful orders
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) intends to release documents regarding the death of the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Numerous conspiracy theorists and other sceptics do not believe the official version that Epstein killed himself in his prison cell in 2019. "There's going to be a disclosure on this coming shortly," FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino told the news channel Fox News.

At the same time, Bongino left no doubt that he considers Epstein's suicide in the notorious abuse case to be proven. He said there is also a video to be released that shows no one entered the cell.

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"You're going to see there's no one there but him. There's just nobody there," said Bongino. "But there's no DNA, there's no audio, there's no fingerprints, there's no suspects, there's no accomplices, there's no tips, there is nothing that you have."

Bongino, in his previous job as an ultra-conservative radio host, had himself spread conspiracy theories that Epstein's death might have been a murder by influential elites. He has now clearly distanced himself from these claims once again.

Especially in right-wing circles of US society, Epstein's death led to wild speculation despite official findings, because the financier had excellent contacts in US high society.

Presidents and billionaires were often in his company. It later became known that Epstein had sexually abused underage girls.

This caused theories to boil over among ultra-conservatives that the elites they despised - often described as liberal - had Epstein killed so that he could not betray them in the upcoming trial.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Arkansas prison escapee Grant Hardin.

Hardin is a former police chief in northwest Arkansas who escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock Sunday. He was serving a sentence for rape and murder convictions.

TIMELINE: What we know about escaped Arkansas inmate Grant Hardin

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According to court documents, Hardin was reportedly let out by a corrections officer. A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections said Hardin escaped in an ADC-type uniform.

FBI officials said Hardin has ties to Garfield, Eureka Springs, Holiday Island and Huntsville. Authorities in Faulkner County said deputies conducted a search Wednesday after receiving a tip of a reported sighting.

Escaped Arkansas prison inmate was let out by corrections officer, court filing says

FBI officials say Hardin is 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 259 pounds. Officials say he is bald but has brown hair and blue eyes.

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Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at Tips.FBI.gov.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Grant Hardin, according to a news release.

The statewide search of Hardin has multiple agencies looking for him since Sunday, May 25. The most recent update believes he could be hiding in Faulkner County.

(Courtesy: FBI)

The FBIs Little Rock Field Office said an arrest warrant was issued for Hardin on May 26, by the Circuit Court of Izard County after he was charged with second-degree escape.

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Hardin should be considered armed and dangerous.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation released the Covenant School shooter's journal without an explanation on May 29.

The release comes less than two months after the Metro Nashville Police Department closed its investigation into the March 27, 2023, shooting where three children and three staff members were killed at the Covenant School.

Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs, all 9, as well as Covenant School staff members Michael Hill, Katherine Koonce and Cynthia Peak were killed when a shooter entered the school armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun.

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The shooter was killed by Nashville Police officers.

Nashville police said they were able to determine the motive based on journals left in the suspect's car.

More: Nashville Police whistleblower indicted in Covenant School shooting document leak

Various notebooks contained 1,299 pages of content, police said. The shooter did not leave a single reason for attacking the school.

The shooter chose the school to gain notoriety and because they considered it a soft target, police said.

The FBI uploaded a 112-page journal May 29 without an explanation.

A spokesperson for the local FBI office declined to comment, referring all questions to the bureau's national press office.

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A spokesperson from the national press office of the FBI declined to comment on the journal's release.

The Tennessean is one of the parties that sued seeking records related to the shooting from MNPD. The Tennessean has no plans to publish the shooter's writings verbatim and has sought to center coverage on public policy, the victims and the community.

In the journal, which features sketches, poems and writings, the suspect lists the names of faculty and staff at the Covenant School. Those names were redacted by the FBI.

The journal said the shooter debated pushing the attack from March 27 to April 17 because April reminded them of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: FBI releases Covenant School shooting suspect's journal
SYDNEY, May 29 (Xinhua) -- An international team of astronomers has uncovered a rare cosmic object emitting both radio waves and X-rays, shedding new light on one of the universe's enduring mysteries.

The Western Australia-based International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) said in a release on Wednesday that the object, named ASKAP J1832-0911, emits bursts of energy for two minutes every 44 minutes, a pattern never before observed in both radio and X-ray wavelengths.

Discovered by the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Western Australia, which was owned by the national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, and matched with data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the object is classified as a long-period transient (LPT), a class of mysterious sources first identified in 2022, the release said.

This marks the first time such a transient has been detected in X-rays, it said, adding that only 10 LPTs have been discovered so far by astronomers across the world, and scientists are still baffled by the objects' unusually regular and prolonged bursts of energy.

Finding this was like "finding a needle in a haystack," said the study's lead author Wang Ziteng from Curtin University and ICRAR.

"The ASKAP radio telescope has a wide field view of the night sky, while Chandra observes only a fraction of it. So, it was fortunate that Chandra observed the same area of the night sky at the same time," Wang said.

ASKAP J1832-0911 may be a magnetar, a neutron star with an extremely strong magnetic field, or a magnetized white dwarf in a binary system, but neither theory fully explains its behavior, he said, adding this discovery could point to new types of stellar evolution or even new physics.

The dual detection in both radio and high-energy X-rays provides a critical clue, helping astronomers refine theories about these mysterious objects and potentially uncover more examples, said the study newly published in Nature.

"Finding one such object hints at the existence of many more. The discovery of its transient X-ray emission opens fresh insights into their mysterious nature," said Nanda Rea, the study's co-author from Spain's Institute of Space Science. 
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The FBI task force is setting its sights on the Bluff City to help combat crime in rising cargo thefts.

Memphis is known as Americas distribution center, a major hub for storing, packing, and shipping goods, but according to the FBI, its also a hotspot for cargo theft.

Memphis cargo Photo by WREG Memphis cargo Photo by WREG Memphis cargo Photo by WREG Memphis cargo Photo by WREG

Jeremy Baker, assistant special agent in charge of the FBIs Memphis field office, told WREG about the problem of boxcar bandits and why he also says Memphis needs additional resources to help reduce our high homicide rate.

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Memphis mayor responds to FBI director calling city homicide capital of USA

FBI headquarters recognizing we have a significant transportation infrastructure that converges here in Memphis with rail, FedEx, I-40, and 55 with the Mississippi River, FedEx Super Hub. And all of that, unfortunately, presents a lot of opportunities for criminals, said Baker.

Baker said that they see insiders are often the ones committing crimes in warehouses and trucking firms. He is reminding business owners and operators to be vigilant.

So historically, the FBI has had a number of cargo theft task forces around the country, and Memphis still has one of those, said Baker. We are taking it very seriously, and were working with our partners to bring these criminals to justice, the best way possible, so they get the stiffest penalties possible. And this is all part of our public safety strategy, which is largely revolved around reducing violent crime.

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FBI Director calls Memphis homicide capital of the USA

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But reducing violent crime also comes at a time when the FBI field office recently moved from Memphis to Nashville. Still, Baker says the mission hasnt changed.

Baker said that he welcomes additional resources after FBI Director Kash Patel recently labeled Memphis the homicide capital of America and said they will be sending additional resources here.

But as law enforcement, were going to do what we can do. And that is putting together the best cases and, you know, arresting folks, and then really trying to work with our prosecuting officers to get the most violent offenders off the streets, said Baker.

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Baker could not mention the exact number of FBI resources coming to Memphis, but he says it will be beneficial to the city of Memphis and West Tennessee.

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Federal Communications Commissioner Anna M. Gomez traveled to Los Angeles this week to sound an alarm that attacks on the media by President Trump and his lieutenants could fray the fabric of the 1st Amendment.

Gomez's appearance Wednesday at Cal State L.A. was designed to take feedback from community members about the changed media atmosphere since Trump returned to office. The president initially expelled Associated Press journalists from the White House, for example. He signed an executive order demanding government funding be cut to PBS and NPR stations.

Should that order take effect, Pasadena-based radio station LAist would lose nearly $1.7 million  or about 4% of its annual budget, according to Alejandra Santamaria, chief executive of parent organization Southern California Public Radio.

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The point of all these actions is to chill speech, Gomez told the small crowd. "We all need to understand what is happening and we need people to speak up and push back."

Congress in the 1930s designed the FCC as an independent body, she said, rather than one beholden to the president.

But those lines have blurred. In the closing days of last fall's presidential campaign, Trump sued CBS and "60 Minutes" over edits to an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging producers doctored the broadcast to enhance her election chances. CBS has denied the allegations and the raw footage showed Harris was accurately quoted.

Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, upon taking office in January, revived three complaints of bias against ABC, NBC and CBS, including one alleging the "60 Minutes" edits had violated rules against news distortion. He demanded that CBS release the unedited footage.

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The FCC's review of Skydance Media's pending takeover of CBS-parent Paramount Global has been clouded by the president's $20-billion lawsuit against CBS. The president rejected Paramount's offer to settle for $15 million, according to the Wall Street Journal, which said Trump has demanded more.

Two high-level CBS News executives involved in "60 Minutes" were forced out this spring.

Gomez, in an interview, declined to discuss the FCC's review of the Skydance-Paramount deal beyond saying: "It would be entirely inappropriate to consider the complaint against the '60 Minutes' segment as part of a transaction review." Scrutinizing edits to a national newscast "are not part of the public interest analysis that the commission does when it considers mergers and acquisitions," she said.

Read more: Trump, 60 Minutes' and corruption allegations put Paramount on edge with sale less certain

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For months, Gomez has been the lone voice of dissent at the FCC. Next month, she will become the sole Democrat on the panel.

The longtime communications attorney, who was appointed to the commission in 2023 by former President Biden, has openly challenged her colleague Carr and his policies that align with Trump's directives. She maintains that some of Carr's proposals, including opening investigations into diversity and inclusion policies at Walt Disney Co. and Comcast, go beyond the scope of the FCC, which is designed to regulate radio and TV stations and others that use the public airwaves.

The pressure campaign is working, Gomez said.

When you see corporate parents of news providers ... telling their broadcasters to tone down their criticisms of this administration, or to push out the executive producer of '60 Minutes' or the head of [CBS] News because of concerns about retribution from this administration because of corporate transactions  that is a chilling effect, Gomez said.

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Wednesday's forum, organized by the nonprofit advocacy group Free Press, was punctuated with pleas from professors, journalists and community advocates for help in fending off Trump's attacks. One journalist said she lost her job this spring at Voice of America after Trump took aim at the organization, which was founded more than 80 years ago to counter Nazi propaganda during World War II.

The Voice of America's remaining staffers could receive reduction-in-force notices later this week, according to Politico.

Latino journalists spoke about the difficulty of covering some stories because people have been frightened into silence due to the administrations immigration crackdown.

Read more: How Trumps FCC chairman is stoking the culture war

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For now, journalists are able to carry out their missions "for the most part," said Gabriel Lerner, editor emeritus of the Spanish-language La Opinion.

But he added a warning.

"Many think that America is so exceptional that you dont have to do anything because fascism will never happen here," Lerner said. "I compare that with those who dance on the Titanic thinking it will never sink.

The White House pushed back on such narratives:

President Trump is leading the most transparent administration in history. He regularly takes questions from the media, communicates directly to the public, and signed an Executive Order to protect free speech on his first day back in office," spokesperson Anna Kelly said. "He will continue to fight against censorship while evaluating all federal spending to identify waste, fraud, and abuse.

FCC Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Capitol Hill. (Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Traditionally, the five-member FCC has maintained an ideological balance with three commissioners from the party in power and two from the minority. But the senior Democrat  Geoffrey Starks  plans to step down next month, which will leave just three commissioners: Gomez, Carr and another Republican, Nathan Simington.

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Trump has nominated a third Republican, Olivia Trusty, but the Senate has not confirmed her appointment.

Trump has not named a Democrat to replace Starks.

Some on Wednesday expressed concern that Gomez's five-year tenure on the commission could be cut short. Trump has fired Democrats from other independent bodies, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Gomez said if she is pushed out, it would only be because she was doing her job, which she said was defending the Constitution.

Read more: The network evening news is in flux: Why an American TV institution is under pressure

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Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Indio) applauded Gomez's efforts and noted that he's long appreciated coordinating with her on more routine FCC matters, such as ensuring wider broadband internet access.

"But now the fight is the survival of the free press," Ruiz said.

He noted that millions of people now get news from non-journalist sources, leading to a rise of misinformation and confusion.

"What is the truth?" Ruiz said. "How can we begin to have a debate? How can we begin to create policy on problems when we can't even agree on what reality is?"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SILVER SPRING, Md.  The Food and Drug Administration commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, said Wednesday that the decision of whether a pregnant woman should get a Covid vaccine should come down to a conversation with her doctor  not a recommendation by the federal government.

Makary took part in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s announcement Tuesday revoking the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendation that Covid shots should be offered to pregnant women and healthy children.

The data on the Covid vaccine booster in pregnant women is a mixed set of data, Makary said in an interview. Now, I think the decision should be between a doctor and a pregnant woman, but the idea that the government has to tell you what to do in this in an area where there is mixed data.

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That assertion  that the data is mixed  isn't supported by evidence, vaccine experts say.

The CDC doesn't mandate vaccination. For decades its panel of independent vaccine experts, called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, has recommended vaccination for certain groups of people based on data. The panel then passes recommendations to the director of the CDC to endorse. (For example, the CDC advises pregnant women to get an inactivated influenza vaccine during flu season.) The U.S. surgeon general established the committee in 1964.

Tuesdays decision skipped the usual process of consulting the CDCs vaccine advisory committee and having the CDC director formally sign off. (The CDC currently has no director.)

The CDCs recommendation plays a key role in determining which vaccines insurance companies must cover at no cost to patients.

Covid risks during pregnancy

OB-GYNs quickly raised alarms over patient access to the vaccine.

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Pregnant women are at increased risk of serious complications from Covid compared with people who arent pregnant, according to the CDC.

At the height of the Covid pandemic, doctors reported an unprecedented surge in pregnant women hospitalized and in critical condition after Covid infections.

Dr. Beverly Gray, an OB-GYN at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina, said she'll continue to recommend the Covid shot to pregnant women.

The evidence is overwhelming clear that it reduces the risk of miscarriage, risk of ICU admissions, risk of death, Gray said. And as an obstetrician-gynecologist who cared for patients through the Covid pandemic and who cared for patients who lost their pregnancies, there are really scary consequences of getting an infection.

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What the CDC recommends still matters, she added, especially with so much misinformation about vaccines. She worries that Tuesdays change will just add to the confusion.

Its really heart breaking to see this movement against science and data, she said.

Dr. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine and infectious disease at Georgetown University and a former chief scientist at the FDA, said hes not aware of any mixed data on the Covid vaccine in pregnant women.

I am aware of multiple studies that have shown the benefit of Covid vaccines in protecting pregnant women, who are very clearly at very high risk of more severe outcomes from Covid, he said. Several studies have also shown that maternal immunization helps protect against illness and hospitalizations in infants less than 6 months old.

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Dr. Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Pennsylvania, said pregnant women are 1 to two times more likely to be hospitalized and die from Covid infections.

It seems to be that the burden of proof on not recommending for pregnancy is on you to prove that it really isnt a value anymore, said Offit, adding that federal health officials hadnt provided evidence to end the recommendation.

Goodman added that if there are concerns about a specific study, the FDA should review the data and report on it.

Lets give people accurate information and freedom of choice, he said.

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As of Wednesday, the CDC hadnt updated its website to align with the new recommendations.

Kennedys announcement Tuesday  flanked by Makary and the director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya  drew attention for what it lacked: CDC officials.

Asked about the people involved in revoking the Covid vaccine recommendation, Makary said many scientists were consulted, but he didnt answer whether any were from the CDC.

I didn't organize that discussion, but there were a lot of individual discussions and group discussions, and I was part of those discussions, and I was certainly asked of my opinion, he said. The FDA has a very clear role of approving products based on the data presented to the FDA. The CDC has a role of issuing recommendations. And so, this really was a CDC announcement in consultation with many scientists.

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He also declined to say whether the Department of Health and Human Services will make any data about how it arrived at its decision public.

Well, look, the tradition, the system that we have, is a system whereby Congress gives us a charge as the nations top drug regulator, and that is to approve or not approve drugs based on the data presented to the FDA, Makary said. So our job has always been to review data that is submitted and then make a decision about it. Now, that data is sometimes made public, the companies make it public. We encourage total transparency of that data. They often make the data public once the drugs are approved.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said it was extremely disappointed by Kennedys announcement.

We have seen firsthand how dangerous Covid infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection, it wrote in a statement Tuesday. We also understand that despite the change in recommendations from HHS, the science has not changed. It is very clear that Covid infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
HOOKS, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  Following a federal disaster declaration, a temporary Disaster Recovery Center has come to Texarkana to assist Miller County with storm recovery.

Several homes hit by falling trees in Arkansas after thunderstorm

You have FEMA (Federal Emergency Managment Agency, SBA, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management all here on location where we can all work with you, get you started in your application process, and at the end of the day hopefully get you started on your recovery as quickly as possible, says Chandler Weber with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

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FEMA is primarily looking to fill in the gaps in assistance that insurance did not provide in the wake of severe weather between April 2nd and 22nd, which was covered by the disaster declaration.

Anybody who had any damages to their homes, whether it be a broken window, roof shingles, roof torn off, any kind of damage to their homes. Were asking you to come and apply for FEMA assistance, says Fabian Gutierrez with FEMA.

The SBA is offering low-interest loans of up to $2 million for businesses.

Wed rather see a small business take a loan out with us than see them potentially have to shut their doors at the end of the day, says Weber.

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Arkansas residents can apply for FEMA assistance after federal disaster declared

But the money being offered to rebuild goes beyond businesses.

The majority of our assistance actually goes to the individual, says Weber, We can offer up to $500,000 for physical damage that happened to their property, with an additional $100,000 for personal property. And that can cover anything from your personal vehicle to the clothes in your back.

FEMA says to be prepared to provide personal information and a list of what was damaged.

They have an inspector that will go out and be able to take a look at the home, take a look at the damage, and within 10 days or so, well be able to get back with you on what exactly we may be able to offer you. says Gutierrez.

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The purpose of having representatives available in person, though, is to make the entire process as easy as possible.

So the biggest thing if you can just bring your drivers license and a little bit of patience just because at the end of the day you are going to sit down with the customer service representative, whos going to work you through the application process. Theyre going to answer all of your questions, says Weber.

While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance

The agencies will be at the Miller County State Survivor Assistance Location at 409 Hazel St in Texarkana, Arkansas from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Saturday, May 31st. The SBA says their application deadline for physical damage is not until July 21st though.

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SBA applications can be submitted online at MySBA Loan Portal, and they can be reached at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or 1-800-659-2955.

FEMA applications can be found at DisasterAssistance.gov, and they can be reached at 1-800-621-3362.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - A court blocked most of President Donald Trumps tariffs put on imports from other countries.

Its a key part of the presidents economic plan aimed at bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.

Five small businesses and 12 states sued the federal government arguing President Trump doesnt have the power to unilaterally impose tariffs across the board.

They say the power to tax rests with Congress. On Wednesday night, a court agreed.

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President Trump imposed a tariff scheme intended to balance trade deficits and bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

Its our declaration of economic independence, the president said.

Almost two months later, a federal court confined the presidents authority.

A unanimous three-judge panel wrote these tariffs exceed any authority granted to the president.

The court blocked President Trumps 10% across-the-board tariffs on all imports. As well as, his reciprocal tariff scheme, up to 50% depending on the country and drug trafficking tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada.

Chinese goods got both, tariffed at a total of 145%. President Trump had already paused most of the tariffs leaving only the baseline and a 30% tariff on Chinese imports.

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The ruling left tariffs in place the 25% tariffs on cars, car parts and foreign-made steel and aluminum.

The judges noted the president has the power to impose 15% tariffs for 150 days on imports from countries where the U.S. has a large trade deficit.

The Trump administration has already filed a notice planning to appeal to the Supreme Court.

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(QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A federal court is blocking President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explains the ruling from a three-judge panel and what comes next.

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The federal government cut $400 million in grant funding for AmeriCorps, which terminated 80 Montana AmeriCorps members across five programs. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)

Late on a Sunday evening in April, Silas Smith, an AmeriCorps service member working with a food security nonprofit in the Flathead Valley, was scrolling the internet when he found a Reddit post detailing a proposed list of AmeriCorps programs that might be axed nationwide.

His program in Montana was on the list.

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The next afternoon, at 4:09 p.m. Smith received an email letting him know his AmeriCorps service programs had been terminated by the federal government, part of the sweeping cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

Effective April 28, 2025, you have been removed from the STATE OF MT DEPT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AmeriCorps VISTA project, the email read. It told Smith he was in an administrative hold, meaning he would continue to receive his living stipend for 30 more days, but was not allowed to participate in any AmeriCorps-related activities or projects.

Even with Smiths brief forewarning, receiving the official termination letter was surreal. It was strange.

I was watching a movie when I got the email and it was very cold and kind of heartless, Smith said. I think they literally sent the same termination email to thousands of people  no differentiation between any of us.

Silas Smith, an AmeriCorps service member working with Land to Hand MT, was terminated from his position as part of DOGE cuts to the federal government. (courtesy photo)

Smith said his AmeriCorps supervisor at the state health department hadnt known the program was going to be cut, was just as confused as I was, and was navigating it in real time with 27 service members across Montana.

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AmeriCorps is a national program established under President Bill Clinton to provide Americans with domestic service opportunities to foster civic engagement and address community needs, similar to the international Peace Corps. The program places recent college graduates and early-career professionals in roles with nonprofits, community organizations and public agencies. Service members receive a living stipend of around $18,000, in addition to an education award of up to $7,395 that can be used to pay for educational expenses or repay student loans.

On April 25, the Trump administration announced cuts of more than $400 million in grants  41% of its total grant funding  to AmeriCorps, and subsequently terminated more than 32,000 members and volunteers. Around 85% of the programs federal staff were placed on leave.

Each year AmeriCorps places more than 200,000 service members and volunteers nationally. Last year in Montana, 2,800 AmeriCorps members and senior volunteers worked at more than 300 locations, according to the agencys National Service Report. AmeriCorps invested more than $12.7 million in federal funding to community organizations and agencies in the state, and generated more than $10 million in outside resources from businesses, foundations, public agencies and other sources in Montana, according to the report.

These service members bring so much back to their communities. Theres something really big that will be lost if we arent bringing them in.

 Shannon Stober

Some AmeriCorps leaders in Montana have said that while they understand a need for belt tightening at the federal level, they dont see deep cuts at AmeriCorps as strategic.

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Jono McKinney, CEO of Montana Conservation Corps, which has around 320 AmeriCorps service members each year, said studies have shown that there is an average $34 return for each federal dollar spent on the program, with some programs generating twice that impact.

AmeriCorps is a real force multiplier. The return on investment is so dramatic, McKinney said. Its one of the most efficient uses of taxpayer money.

In Montana, AmeriCorps members  considered volunteers, not employees  work at schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, veterans facilities, and myriad nonprofits  of which Montana has a higher than average number per capita. They also work for some government agencies, including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which has used AmeriCorps members to work in state parks.

The federal cuts eliminated AmeriCorps programs entirely from 13 states, including Wyoming, and removed roughly $1.2 million in programmatic funding in Montana.

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I dont want to say we were lucky  thats just plain wrong  but some states lost it all, said Shannon Stober, a member of the Montana Last Best Alums Council, the official alumni group of AmeriCorps members in the state. Stober has spent more than two decades working in leadership roles for various AmeriCorps programs.

Stober said analysis of the proposed federal budget under the Trump administration indicates further cuts to AmeriCorps are planned, potentially jeopardizing the programs that escaped the first round.

The issue now is our remaining programs and just wanting to protect them, Stober said. Theres such a lack of trust and uncertainty at this point  we want our service members to feel protected.

According to a list compiled by Americas Service Commissions, in Montana, seven AmeriCorps grants were cut, which included five coordinating programs funding 80 service members and two planning initiative grants working to build out new programs.

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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Rural Dynamics Inc, Montana State University, the University of Montana, the Department of Labor and Industry, and Montana AgCorps, run through the Department of Agriculture, all saw grants pulled away with little warning.

Representatives from DLI, UM, Department of Ag, and the Department of Public Health and Human Services did not respond to repeated requests for comment, representatives from FWP and MSU were not authorized to speak about the cuts, and representatives from the governors office did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

These cuts are removing entry level positions for young people, taking away workforce development  AmeriCorps provides a space for those people, Stober said. These service members bring so much back to their communities. Theres something really big that will be lost if we arent bringing them in.

More than 150 AmeriCorps members visit Carroll College for a three-day training session in March. A month later, federal cuts to AmeriCorps terminated 80 Montana AmeriCorps service members and more than $1.2 million in grants. (Photo via Serve Montana)

Smith was part of the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program coordinated through DPHHS, which placed members with nonprofits working with underserved populations in the state.

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Smith was embedded with Land to Hand MT, which works to build a strong community food system that fosters socially just ways of accessing food, in the Flathead Valley. One program Land to Hand operates is a weekend backpack program in Columbia Falls, where school kids who rely on free or reduced school meals receive food bags for their families. The program gives out nearly 400 bags each week.

When he joined Land to Hand, Smith was assigned a project building on the weekend backpack program  setting up a food pantry to allow students and their families to have more choices in meals.

The goal of the pantry would be to match, or surpass the number of clients we serve with the backpack program, Smith said. With a pantry, people can drop in whenever they want. we can make it a relaxing environment thats intuitive in the way its laid out and work to reduce the stigma around using food-accessible services.

Smith said he felt called to his position, telling the Daily Montanan he understands how integral food is to a community.

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Better food is connected to so many things, he said. When kids have reliable access to food and they feel safe and comfortable getting food from a nonprofit like ours, they can self-actualize and get more quality in their education. They wont be restless in class. Parents and families with better access to food can parent better and have less stress at home.

Since starting in his position in January, Smith has been researching policies and procedures necessary to set up the pantry and working to see what the community needs most. He has a goal to get the pantry up and running by the start of the next school year.

To do any new big projects, it takes a lot of effort and work, said Land to Hand Executive Director Gretchen Boyer. Its a huge deal not to have that help. We were anticipating that help through the end of the year. Whenever nonprofits are doing something new, it takes time to raise funds and make plans. We thought we had this year to do that, but with no notice, all that help we had anticipated was just ripped out from underneath us.

Boyer said the organization decided they were going to fight to keep Silas with us, and called in their biggest fundraising partners. The organization has raised more than $30,000 from the community to keep him in his current role and are confident theyll be able to fund and house Smith for the duration of his term.

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Dont get me wrong, the government can work more efficiently, and we can be smart in how we spend our money. But when we just arbitrarily cut programs without seeing the impact on services and people, its ridiculous, Boyer said. These are young people coming to work in rural communities, working to eliminate poverty. And theyre living in poverty to do it.

To partner with AmeriCorps, organizations have to fund part of the project  Land to Hand paid $5,000 for its latest contract  and provide some of a rent stipend. Boyer said its one of the biggest returns on investment a nonprofit like hers can get.

Boyer added theres often a high retention rate among AmeriCorps members. Land to Hand has had an AmeriCorps member on staff for the last seven years, and all but one of the organizations staff members are previous AmeriCorps members  including two that served with Land to Hand.

These are young people coming to work in rural communities, working to eliminate poverty. And they're living in poverty to do it.

 Shannon Stober

Many AmeriCorps partner organizations, however, dont have the ability to raise money and retain their members.

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Astrid Weinstein, a member of Smiths AmeriCorps VISTA cohort based in Missoula, was also terminated.

Weinstein was working with Mountain Home Montana, a Missoula nonprofit that serves young mothers who are pregnant or already parenting, providing housing and services including child care and maternal health services.

She said her project with Mountain Home included working as a volunteer coordinator and helping create a baby boutique for mothers and families to come and shop for free or heavily discounted clothes and other early childhood accessories. She said shes 50-50 on whether the organization will be able to continue the program without a full-time staff member.

The termination of Weinsteins cohort in Missoula impacted her beyond her day-to-day job.

She had been in her role for eight months and lived with other service members, including her best friend, who had to move home to Alaska following the termination.

It was such a huge change for us. We thought we had a couple of months to figure stuff out, find next steps, said Weinstein, who was planning to apply to be the AmeriCorps cohort supervisor for her program for the next year. But now, I dont think I would try to do another AmeriCorps program. Everyone is on their toes right now and worried.

AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps crew Green Team 6 taken during pile burning on the Bozeman Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024. (USDA Forest Service Photo by Jamie Balke.)

AmeriCorps has three main service branches  the VISTA program, state and national programs, and the National Civilian Community Corps. NCCC members often work on disaster response, infrastructure and development-related projects.

In addition to the $400 million in grant funds that the federal government terminated, AmerCorps sent home all of its NCCC members.

The Helena Area Habitat for Humanity in a Facebook post said that more than 60 NCCC members have served with the organization, contributing more than 9,000 hours of service and labor to build affordable homes. In addition, six full-time AmeriCorps members with Habitat, a program that retained its funding, have helped build programs that simply wouldnt exist without their dedication and service.

These folks didnt just swing hammers. They laid the foundation for a stronger, more connected community. Their absence will be deeply felt.

One $100,000 planning initiative grant cut was housed at MSU where staff were working to create a Community Health Corps in the state. The program would have placed AmeriCorps members in community partnerships to address the states most pressing health challenges, including mental health and substance use disorder services, chronic disease prevention and management, and addressing social determinants of health.

All activities related to that planning initiative are paused with future funding in question.

Some programs, such as the North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish, had an AmeriCorps member finish a service term right before the federal cuts, but are now unlikely to get another member in the future.

For programs that escaped the April funding cuts, such as Montana Conservation Corps, concerns about future funding loom large.

Were not sure about if our grant for 2026 will be approved  normally we hear that announcement in April, McKinney told the Daily Montanan. The funds have been appropriated by Congress for that grant, but I dont know if theres the staff at AmeriCorps to be able to review and award those grants for next year. Im very worried in the long term.

Montana Conservation Corps onboarded 200 AmeriCorps members in their various conservation, leadership development and agricultural programs, bringing the total number of service members to around 320 for this year.

Some of MCCs projects last year included conducting more than 1,500 miles of trail maintenance, helping ranching communities build drought resistance and doing wildfire fuel reduction projects on federal lands.

McKinney said future cuts to the program could affect MCC in multiple ways  the $4 million annual AmeriCorps grants make up 28% of the organizations budget, and AmeriCorps members have their own special classification under the Department of Labor, which makes it easier to partner with, and receive additional matching funds, from federal agencies, such as the Forest Service and National Park Service.

We will not replace $4 million with philanthropic resources, nor will we replace the value of the service members, McKinney said

I think the loss of AmeriCorps for Montana communities and small local organizations is pretty devastating, McKinney continued. The beauty of AmeriCorps is that while its a federal program, its a locally driven service initiative. Local communities identify their needs and then leverage AmeriCorps members and resources to address them and bring about solutions.

Montana Conservation Corps Youth

(NPS/Adams)

At Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the funding cut affected nine AmeriCorps members stationed at state parks, but officials with the department would not discuss where those members were stationed or what the impact to park services would be.

According to a 2018 article FWP published in Montana Outdoors magazine, AmeriCorps members eased park managers burdens by creating interpretive trails, controlling invasive weeds, teaching in outdoor classrooms, organizing volunteer events such as spring cleanups, and more.

That year, AmeriCorps members conducted more than 577 educational and interpretive programs, coordinated 369 volunteers, and improved 264 acres of state park land.

Sarah Sadowski, director of the governors Office of Community Service, which coordinates the state-run AmeriCorps programs, was not authorized to speak to reporters, but provided a statement.

Upon receiving notice from AmeriCorps, the Governors Office of Community Service responded immediately to support service members through a transition period. Where possible, our office and network of partners has ensured the placement of AmeriCorps service members in new roles to meet needs of community programs administered by state agencies, including at the Montana Departments of Agriculture and Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

McKinney, though, said youth need the program, and the country needs the program too.

This is something our country should be supporting right now, McKinney said. Sure, it can be reformed and improved, but lets do that, not throw away this opportunity for young and old Americans to invest back into our country.

Cuts lead to federal lawsuit, finger pointing

In response to the funding cuts, a coalition of 24 states, plus D.C., have sued the Trump administration over the AmeriCorps cuts, alleging the White House did not have the authority to eliminate the program, which is funded and authorized by Congress.

Montana is not part of the suit.

Representatives from Gov. Greg Gianfortes office did not respond to requests for comment.

The Daily Montanan reached out to all four members of Montanas congressional delegation, and did not receive responses.

But a letter from U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy addressing the cuts and obtained by the Daily Montanan said the reductions were part of the plan to tackle the growing national debt, and attributed them to a lack of fiscal accountability by AmeriCorps.

In November 2024, the nonpartisan Inspector General of AmeriCorps found that AmeriCorps has been unable to produce an auditable financial statement in the past eight years. With $36 trillion in debt and growing, fiscal accountability must be asked of every part of our government, the letter states. The Trump Administration is working to balance the budget, lower taxes, lower costs, unleash prosperity, and help every American keep more of their hard-earned money. As the administration works to rein in spending, eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, and deliver government services more efficiently, I will work to ensure critical frontline services are protected.

Shannon Stober, though, a member of the Montana Last Best Alums Council, the official alumni group of AmeriCorps members in the state, said the argument is a double standard.

AmeriCorps shouldnt be politicized  for 30 years its been a bipartisan-supported initiative, Stober said. Audits arent meant to be verdicts. Auditors do findings, and those findings are not always corruption and waste. Agencies not passing audits is common in the federal government.

For example, Stober and JoJo McKinney, with Montana Conservation Corps, both pointed to the Department of Defense, which has received a disclaimer of opinion  the same finding AmeriCorps earned  on seven annual audits since 2018, meaning auditors could not express opinions on the financial statements, because the financial information was not sufficiently reliable, according to the 2024 audit results.

Editors note: A previous version of this article mistakenly referred to Jono McKinney as Jojo. The DM regrets the error.
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Harvard medical researcher Kseniia Petrova from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody but she will remain detained to face criminal charges related to the alleged smuggling of frog embryos, according to her attorney.

Petrova was detained by customs agents at Logan International Airport in Boston in February for allegedly trying to bring undeclared frog embryos into the U.S. as part of her research.

"We are gratified that todays hearing gave us the opportunity to present clear and convincing evidence that Kseniia Petrova was not carrying anything dangerous or unlawful, and that customs officers at Logan International Airport had no legal authority to revoke her visa or detain her," her attorney Greg Romanovsky said in a statement. "At today's hearing, we demonstrated that Kseniia is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk, and does not belong in immigration detention."

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The Harvard researcher is now set to be transported to Massachusetts due to a previous court order where shes expected to face criminal charges on allegations that she was attempting to smuggle the embryos into the U.S. A future bail hearing in that criminal case could ultimately determine her release.

MORE: Harvard researcher who prosecutors aim to deport to Russia faces up to 20 years for undeclared frog embryos

Petrova has been held in a federal prison facility in Louisiana since authorities sent her there after she was first detained in Boston.

PHOTO: An undated handout photo of Kseniia Petrova. (Courtesy Attorney Greg Romanovsky)

The federal criminal charges were unveiled earlier this month. Petrova faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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In her immigration case, federal authorities have been aiming to deport Petrova back to her native Russia, despite her fear of being returned to her home country where she says she faced past persecution for her political activities.

"Rather than imposing the appropriate monetary penalties for the customs violation, CBP improperly invoked their extensive immigration authority to impose a punishment grossly disproportionate to the situation," Petrova's attorney previously told ABC News.

Federal judge grants ICE bail for Harvard researcher, but she remains in custody on criminal charges originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
NEW YORK, May 28 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal court blocked on Wednesday President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law.

The ruling from a New York-based Court of International Trade came after a number of lawsuits arguing Trump has overstepped his authority on imposing across-the-board duties on imports.

A panel of three judges ruled that the executive orders entailing fentanyl-related tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China as well as the "worldwide, retaliatory" tariffs announced on April 2 "will be vacated and their operation permanently enjoined."

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize any of the executive orders mentioned above, said an opinion by the court.

"The worldwide and retaliatory tariff orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs. The Trafficking Tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders," said the opinion.

There is no question of narrowly tailored relief, meaning if the challenged tariff orders are unlawful as to the plaintiffs, they are unlawful as to all, added the opinion.

The judges ruled on two cases against the U.S. federal government filed by five businesses on April 14 and 12 states on April 23.

The IEEPA does not authorize the U.S. president to impose across-the-board tariffs, and not even authorize tariffs at all, argued the complaint by a group of small businesses.

"By claiming the authority to impose immense and ever-changing tariffs on whatever goods entering the United States he chooses, for whatever reason he finds convenient to declare an emergency, the President has upended the constitutional order and brought chaos to the American economy," said a coalition of 12 U.S. states in their complaint.

"It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America first, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American greatness," said a White House spokesperson in response to the ruling. 
A New Jersey federal judge on Wednesday said the federal governments detention of Mahmoud Khalil because of his pro-Palestinian advocacy at Columbia University is likely unconstitutional  delivering a major blow to the Trump administrations crackdown on student protesters.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz did not rule on whether Khalils free speech rights were violated, but said his lawyers were expected to succeed in their claim an obscure provision of immigration law as applied to Khalil was so vague as to be illegal.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately return a request for comment.

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Khalil, 30, was arrested on March 8 in his Columbia-owned apartment after the federal government moved to revoke his green card based on a rarely used section of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act that empowers the secretary of state to order someone deported if their presence is considered adverse to U.S. foreign policy interests.

(This) case, at least for now, is not about choosing between competing accounts of what happened at Columbia between 2023 and 2025. Or about whether the Petitioners First Amendment rights are being violated, Farbiaz wrote.

Rather, the issue now before the Court has been this: does the Constitution allow the Secretary of State to use (the section) to try to remove the Petitioner from the United States? The Courts answer: likely not.

The Trump administration has framed support for Palestinians  which Khalils grandparents were  as antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Khalil, however, has denounced the harassment of Jews and denied furthering the activity of Hamas.

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While an immigration judge in Louisiana has found Khalil deportable based on Secretary of State Marco Rubios determination, his lawyers separately brought the federal court case to ask Farbiaz to weigh in on the constitutional issues at play.

Our law asks about an ordinary person. Would he know that (the provision) could be used against him based on his speech inside the United States, however odious it might allegedly have been? the judge wrote.

Again, Farbiarz answered no.

Khalil was the first known international student to be taken into ICE detention as part of the Trump administrations crackdown on college protests. In the weeks that followed, multiple federal judges have moved to release student activists on bail.

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Khalil, however, remains in federal immigration custody in Louisiana, where he was forced to miss the birth of his first child and Columbia graduation. The court asked for more information in order to rule further on his request for bail and if not, his return to New Jersey.

We will work as quickly as possible to provide the court the additional information it requested supporting our effort to free Mahmoud or otherwise return him to his wife and newborn son, his legal team wrote in a statement. Every day Mahmoud spends languishing in an ICE detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, is an affront to justice, and we wont stop working until he is free.

Farbiarz said Khalils lawyers, however, were not likely to succeed on their argument against a second claim by the Trump administration, which has to do with the paperwork he filled out while applying for permanent residency. In doing so, he denied a motion for a preliminary injunction on the matter.

The federal government has claimed Khalil omitted his prior work at United Nations Relief and Works Agency from the application.

Farbiarz said he would issue an order later Wednesday outlining next steps.

_____
A federal appeals court has temporarily reinstated President Donald Trumps sweeping reciprocal tariffs as it considers the administrations request to leave the tariffs in place while litigation over their legality continues.

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an order Thursday afternoon granting an immediate administrative stay of a ruling Wednesday by the U.S. Court of International Trade that found Trump could not use emergency powers in an almost 50-year-old statute to impose tariffs on imports from countries around the globe.

The decision temporarily reimposes Trumps sweeping 10 percent global tariffs and the paused reciprocal tariffs that Trump imposed on more than 50 trading partners and has used as a leverage point in trade negotiations. It also applies to his 25 percent duties on Canadian and Mexican products and a 20 percent tariff on Chinese products in response to a purported national emergency on drug trafficking.

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The appeals court said the temporary stay would remain in place until it rules on the administrations motion for a longer-term pause of the lower court decision. The stay is likely to run through at least mid-June, according to a schedule laid out by the Federal Circuit judges.

In a separate case, a federal district judge also ruled against Trumps tariffs Thursday. That ruling  from U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington  is not covered by the Federal Circuits stay, and the Trump administrations appeal of Contreras ruling will go to a different federal appeals court. But Contreras put his own ruling on hold for 14 days to give the administration time to appeal. He also restricted its ultimate effect to the two companies that filed the lawsuit.

The seesawing rulings fuel the uncertainty over the administrations tariff agenda, as businesses and foreign leaders have scrambled to understand what the courts role could mean for ongoing trade negotiations.

The latest development comes hours after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a stern rebuke of the International Trade Courts decision, claiming that the judicial branch had railroaded the administrations sensitive discussions with foreign governments.
A ruling by judges at the U.S. Court of International Trade on May 28, 2025, stops President Donald Trumps tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada and nearly all imports into the U.S. Photo via Getty Images

New tariffs imposed on nearly all imports into the U.S. since April were struck down Wednesday by three federal judges in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City.

The judges ruled in favor of Arizona and 11 other states in their suit, as well as several businesses who filed a tandem suit, and against Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its leader, Kristi Noem, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and its leader, Peter Flores over the tariffs.

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The attorneys general argued in State of Oregon et al v. Donald J. Trump et al, filed April 23, that Trump was misusing a 1977 law and falsely claiming an unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States to justify the costly tariffs on nearly all imported goods.

The judges said that law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, does not authorize worldwide and retaliatory tariffs, and that, because of the Constitutions express allocation of the tariff power to Congress, we do not read IEEPA to delegate an unbounded tariff authority to the President.

Lawyers for Trump and the federal agencies insinuated at a May 21 hearing they would appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if things did not go their way at the international trade court.

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Trump lawyers argued the Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president broad latitude on financial regulation and foreign policy in the event of a national emergency, would address the threat of fentanyl getting into the country and the U.S.s trade deficit. The attorneys general argued Congress, not the president, has the sole authority to set tariff policy and that the tariffs Trump imposed had no relationship to the threats he said he wanted to confront.

Arizona and the other attorneys general  from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont  specifically challenged four of Trumps executive orders since April that have added fluctuating tariffs on most imports from China, Mexico and Canada and a 10% retaliatory tariff on most all other goods imported from other countries to the U.S. The order from the international trade court Wednesday stops these new tariffs and more that Trump planned to impose by July 9.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a news release Wednesday that the ruling is a victory for Arizona and its economic well-being.

I spearheaded this lawsuit because President Trumps tariffs  a tax on Arizona families and businesses  were poised to devastate our states economy, she said. I will continue to fight for affordability for Arizonans and against President Trumps illegal abuses of power.

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A ruling by judges at the U.S. Court of International Trade on May 28, 2025 stops President Donald Trump's tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada and nearly all imports into the U.S. (Getty Images)

New tariffs imposed on nearly all imports into the U.S. since April were struck down Wednesday by three federal judges in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City.

The judges ruled in favor of Oregon and 11 other states in their suit, as well as several businesses who filed a tandem suit, and against Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its leader, Kristi Noem, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and its leader, Peter Flores over the tariffs.

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The attorneys general argued in State of Oregon et al v. Donald J. Trump et al, filed April 23, that Trump was misusing a 1977 law and falsely claiming an unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States to justify the costly tariffs on nearly all imported goods.

The judges said that law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, does not authorize worldwide and retaliatory tariffs, and that, because of the Constitutions express allocation of the tariff power to Congress, we do not read IEEPA to delegate an unbounded tariff authority to the President.

Lawyers for Trump and the federal agencies insinuated at a May 21 hearing they would appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if things did not go their way at the international trade court.

Trump lawyers argued the Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president broad latitude on financial regulation and foreign policy in the event of a national emergency, would address the threat of fentanyl getting into the country and the U.S.s trade deficit. The attorneys general argued Congress, not the president, has the sole authority to set tariff policy and that the tariffs Trump imposed had no relationship to the threats he said he wanted to confront.

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Oregon and the other attorneys general  from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Vermont  specifically challenged four of Trumps executive orders since April that have added fluctuating tariffs on most imports from China, Mexico and Canada and a 10% retaliatory tariff on most all other goods imported from other countries to the U.S. The order from the international trade court Wednesday stops these new tariffs and more that Trump planned to impose by July 9.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a news release Wednesday that the ruling is a victory for people beyond Oregon and the states that sued.

President Trumps sweeping tariffs were unlawful, reckless, and economically devastating. They triggered retaliatory measures, inflated prices on essential goods, and placed an unfair burden on American families, small businesses and manufacturers, Rayfield said. We brought this case because the Constitution doesnt give any president unchecked authority to upend the economy.

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Brendan Demich speaks at a rally outside HHS offices in Washington, D.C. on May 22. (AFGE webstream)

Brendan Demich was on a bus to Washington, D.C., last week to attend a rally outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office.

At the same time, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was assuring lawmakers that critical programs in his department, specifically those protecting coal miners, would continue despite drastic cuts to his agencys staff and budget.

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It was the third in a series of contentious hearings for Kennedy. And for Demich, a Pennsylvania employee of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a research agency in Kennedys department, they were hard to stomach.

Federal fallout

As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and

whether to make up the difference.

Read the latest >



Hes part of a roughly 100-person team at NIOSHs Bruceton facility in Allegheny County that studies the best ways to prevent injuries, illnesses, and death in coal mines. Last month, he and all of his colleagues were notified that their jobs would be eliminated in June. Another team in Spokane, Washington, focused on safety in non-coal mines received similar notices.

Combined, they conduct the bulk of the agencys mine safety research.

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[Kennedy]s claiming that he hasnt fired any scientists, and that the only people that theyre cutting are doing duplicative work, but that is absolutely not the case, Demich told the Capital-Star. Our titles may be engineers, but we do science  And theres no other agency that does the work we do here at NIOSH.

The picture Demich paints is different from Kennedys.

The work at NIOSH will not be interrupted, Kennedy responded to a question from a lawmaker about layoffs. The work on mine safety will continue. We understand its critically important to function and we dont want to see it end.

The hearings took place over the last three weeks after reports emerged that critical and legally required programs to help miners with black lung disease were no longer functioning, after an estimated 90% of NIOSHs roughly 1400 full-time staff were laid off, offered early retirement or placed on administrative leave pending termination in early April.

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Miners developing black lung, an irreversible and degenerative disease, were suddenly not able to get approved for a program facilitating transfers to less dusty mines. Black lung screenings that can help miners with the disease receive federal benefits were also stopped.

This led to a class action lawsuit and pressure from Republican lawmakers to reverse the layoffs of federal workers whose jobs were ensuring mine safety.

So, earlier this month, Kennedy brought back over 300 NIOSH employees, including the Morgantown team that studies black lungs and ensures benefits for programs for miners who develop it continue to function.

Kennedy also restored a team focused on the health of 9/11 first responders, as well as a team that works on the same Pittsburgh campus as Demichs that tests and certifies respirators used by miners, firefighters and other professionals.

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But Demichs division is still expecting to be laid off.

Earlier this month, at a meeting, Demich said Pittsburgh employees in the mine safety division were told they no longer had to come into work, though a handful still do.

There had been hope with the Trump administrations rhetoric around increasing coal mining and U.S. Health Departments statements on the importance of miner safety that the job cuts would be reversed. But when NIOSH staff in other departments were brought back, Demich said, it crushed morale in the mining division. A lot of people see it as writing on the wall that were not being saved.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to detailed questions from the Capital-Star about future plans for the mine research divisions. But a spokesperson provided a statement saying, Secretary Kennedy has been working hard to ensure that the critical functions under NIOSH remain intact. The Trump administration is committed to supporting coal miners and firefighters, and under the Secretarys leadership, NIOSHs essential services will continue as HHS streamlines its operations. Ensuring the health and safety of our workforce remains a top priority for the Department.

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Demich finds HHS statements on preserving critical programs frustrating, given the cuts on his and similar teams.

I dont know how you can say that youre maintaining essential services for coal workers and miners when youre cutting the divisions that mainly do the research and provide the services to prevent mine injuries, illnesses and fatalities, he said. Our work does not overlap at all with the [Morgantown] division, other than that we both want to prevent black lung.

Those functions are going to disappear

There is virtually no operational mine in the United States that hasnt implemented safety measures based on research conducted by NIOSH.

The U.S. government got into mine safety research when the Bureau of Mines was established in 1910, after a series of deadly explosions killed hundreds of miners in just a few short years. The bureau was tasked with researching safer practices, inspecting mines and collecting data on the industry.

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The work was successful. For decades, miner fatality rates steadily and precipitously decreased. That continued after the Bureau of Mines was shuttered and effectively rolled into the Department of Health and Human Services in the 1990s, where it now sits.

NIOSHs mine safety divisions dont set or enforce rules, but research it conducts has led to breakthroughs in technology that detects coal dust levels in real time, prevents mine roofs from collapsing, increases mineshaft ventilation and provides barriers between miners and powerful explosions.

Those functions are going to disappear and Im not quite sure who else would be able to do those, said Tony Iannacchione, a former employee of NIOSHs coal mine safety team who now teaches at the University of Pittsburghs Swanson School of Engineering. Theres some pretty unique expertise. And if you dont have a government agency thats keeping its thumb on the pulse and coming up with modifications and improvements to the systems being used in mines, were gonna be in a bad way.

Iannacchione says that work is only getting more important. The more coal thats extracted, the deeper miners have to dig to find it. That makes for more dangerous mines and requires new research and safety protocols.

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As you go deeper, you get higher concentrations of methane gas and all these problems just get worse, he said. For the industry to react to all these problems, its really beyond their capability. You need the government involved.

Iannacchione cited recent NIOSH research that set new industry standards for blast walls that are placed between miners and explosives, as well as new methods for placing roof supports. The Pittsburgh team has also done extensive work on preventing hearing loss, which is an issue in underground mines that are full of loud machinery.

The coal mine safety team in Pittsburgh is also developing technology that can read silica dust levels in real time, but that has yet to be deployed. As miners dig into tougher terrain, theyre exposed to much more silica dust, which has led to an increase in the development of silicosis and black lung among younger miners and develops at an accelerated rate. Widespread use of real time monitors, Iannacchione said, could save lives. But its unclear if the work will be finished by the time the layoffs fully take effect in June.

Demich, the chief steward of the union representing Pittsburgh-area NIOSH workers, said he was working on a virtual reality training program for first responders and rescue teams to simulate mine disasters. They had begun training teams around the country, but the cuts effectively ended that work. He believes, with a little more time, they could have brought it to almost every mine rescue team in the U.S.

Benefit of the doubt

Sam Petsonk has been an advocate for coal miners for his entire career. The West Virginia-based lawyer led the recent lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services that resulted in an injunction ruling last week, effectively requiring the return of NIOSH workers running Black Lung programs in Morgantown.

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He successfully argued that the department was breaking the law by effectively shuttering congressionally-approved programs for miners with black lung by laying off the staff that implemented them. But, as he sees it, the law also requires the kind of research done by NIOSHs teams that are still facing layoffs.

These Pittsburgh programs are every bit as mandatory under the Mine Act, Petsonk told the Capital-Star. I would like to give Secretary Kennedy a bit of the benefit of the doubt here that hes still digesting his obligations here.

But the mandate is far less clear, with statute generally requiring NIOSH to conduct research, demonstrations, and experiments to support the Department of Labors Mine Safety and Health Administration, which sets and enforces rules for mine companies to follow.

The injunction ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Irene Berger focused on the availability of black lung programs, but also said the Court orders that there be no pause, stoppage or gap in the protections and services mandated by Congress in the Mine Act and the attendant regulations for the health and safety of miners.

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Asked if he would bring a lawsuit if the mine safety research teams are not brought back, Petsonk said he wants to wait until the end of the 20-day period that Berger allowed to comply with the injunction. That will be on June 2.

If they look at it, they will see the need to revive the mining research labs within NIOSH, Petsonk said.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star about whether it believes the injunction applies to the research teams, or whether law requires them to be operational.

They should just follow the law and re-open the research labs in Pittsburgh and Spokane because miners need it, Petsonk said.

While its unclear if a legal remedy would be available to advocates like Petsonk who want mine safety research at NIOSH to continue, Demich is trying another way. When he was in Washington, D.C. last week, he and his NIOSH colleagues met with the staff of an estimated 15 to 20 lawmakers in an attempt to inform them about the research being lost and ask them to restore their jobs and research funding.

As it stands, even though Demich and his coworkers in Allegheny County are still technically employed, strict limits on research spending and travel would prevent them from doing a lot of their previous work.

Demich would not say which lawmakers staff he and his colleagues met with, since discussions are still ongoing. But he said the initial conversations were promising. He personally met with staff from lawmakers from Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. He did note they were two Democrats and two Republicans.

Theres a lot of questions about coal mines and about all the work were doing here in Pittsburgh, Demich said. A lot of people want to follow-up and I think well be reaching out.

This story was originally published by Pennsylvania Capital-Star, which like the 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.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Ashley Cavender is the Equitable Nutrition and Food Access Director at Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development, or ARC&D.

Cavender said that recent funding freezes and cuts to state programs, as well as proposed funding cuts to federal programs, could affect local farmers markets and the farmers who rely on them.

I see on a daily basis how many consumers come to spend their SNAP and benefits at farmers markets, and I see the benefit that the farmers receive in that as well, said Cavender. So, its also going to affect consumer is being able to come to the market and also its going to affect their access to whole foods.

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Fort Blackmore United Methodist Camp opening new public pool in Scott Co.

Heather Shipley is the president of the Johnson City Farmers Market. She says one of the SNAP programs being cut is the Double Up Food Bucks, which doubles the amount of produce you can buy up to $20.

Theyre limited now to dollars that they do have at the farmers market or at the grocery store, wherever they decide to get their food items, said Shipley. If youre not spending that $10 with us, youre going to spend it somewhere else, youre going to look for more bang for your buck.

Cavender said last year that shoppers spent $19,000 in double-up food bucks at Northeast Tennessee farmers markets. She also said these cuts will affect farmers who provide the produce for farmers markets.

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All of that money that is generated just through SNAP and EBT alone is a really large number. So, their income is going to be affected, and were also seeing where federal funding is being cut for our farmers as well. So, any of those alternative options that they could seek out are also not an option.

When it comes to even our programming, were at risk of having federal funding cuts as well.

Shipley and Cavender said there are ways the public can help.

You can actually, as an individual or a company, is sponsor the EBT program yourself, whether you make a onetime donation or you make maybe a seasonal donation, said Shipley.

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Go to your local farmer, said Cavender. The prices are honestly at this point, probably less. Theyve always been a little higher. But go to your local farmers markets, go to your local grocery stores and try to purchase this locally as possible, because theyre going to need that now more than ever.

Cavender also said that incentive programs, such as those at farmers markets, are at risk.

One incentive program is the Farmacy Fit program, offered in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health.

This grant awards tokens to those who walk a mile at the farmers market to spend on certain products. Cavender said the Department of Health has delayed the funding cycle, meaning they will not know for sure if ARC&D will receive the grant until July.

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Deborah Byrd, executive director of Jonesborough Locally Grown, said they have their own private walking program, called the Farm Fresh Fit Walking Program.

In a statement, Byrd says:

We are able to continue our private walking program but dont have the funds to last all summer for the number of participants weve had, so well have to limit the number of participants until we have more funding. Deborah Byrd, executive director of Jonesborough Locally Grown.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Donald Trump lacks the authority to enact his sweeping tariffs under the emergency powers law. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes who co-led the lawsuit against Trump's tariffs discusses the ruling and next steps with Jen Psaki.
(FOX40.COM)  A historic ruling was made on Wednesday at the Sacramento County Superior Court after Ruslan Kochkin, of Folsom, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

 Video above: How deadly is fentanyl?

According to the Folsom Police Department, this marks the first time in Sacramento County history that a drug dealer was convicted and sentenced for a fentanyl-related homicide. Kochkin was sentenced for providing the fatal dose of fentanyl that claimed the life of a 30-year-old man on Sutter Street in January of last year.

A milestone in our fight against the deadly grip of this drug, said FPD.

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On January 19, 2024, Folsom police officers and fire personnel responded to the tragic overdose, stated FPD. Despite the administration of life-saving Narcan, the victim was unable to be revived.

Newsom speaks on court decision, says Trumps tariffs are unlawful

From that moment on, our Special Investigations Unit worked tirelessly to identify and arrest the person responsible, said FPD.

FPD stated that after a relentless investigation, they were able to arrest Kochkin, who was found in possession of an ounce of fentanyl and an ounce of methamphetamine.

Our SIU Detectives are committed to keeping Folsom safe from narcotics and the inherent dangers associated with drug sales, said FPD. We are proud to be able to bring closure to this family and show drug dealers that we will not tolerate the sale of poison in our community.

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Authorities ask the public if anyone has any inquiries about this case to contact LT. Dave Canepa at dcanepa@folsom.ca.us or 916-461-6465.

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KABUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 Afghan refugee families returned home on Wednesday, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Thursday.

A total of 1,019 Afghan refugee families returned from Iran and Pakistan on Wednesday, the state-owned media outlet said.

All the returnees have received necessary aid at the crossing points from the Afghan authorities, according to Bakhtar. 
The field of potential successors to Robin Kelly as 2nd Congressional District representative is growing, with five people either announcing their candidacy or exploring a possible run.

This week, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller said shes formed an exploratory committee comprised of south suburban mayors to study her options.

Yumeka Brown, a commissioner with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Matteson village clerk, said Tuesday she is a candidate after initially forming a group to explore a run. She is also president of the Rich Township Democrats.

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Lynwood resident Eric France, whose father worked for several Chicago mayors, plans to announce his candidacy at a news conference Saturday in Burnham.

With Kelly running to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, whos not seeking reelection, Kellys representative seat in Washington appears up for grabs, but with the primaries still nearly a year away the field of contenders could grow or shrink.

Kelly served in the Illinois House and won a special primary in 2013 for her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

State Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, had previously said he is a candidate for Kellys House seat.

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Matteson Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run.

Miller, a Lynwood resident in her second term as 6th District commissioner, was elected to the Cook County Board in November 2018 after winning the Democratic primary that March.

Miller is vice president of the Illinois Democratic Women organization and former president of the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs.

She said Wednesday her exploratory committee is comprised of Dolton Mayor Jason House, Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson, Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld, Lynwood Mayor Jada Curry, Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa, Olympia Fields Mayor Sterling Burke and South Holland Mayor Don DeGraff.

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The oddly shaped 2nd Congressional District stretches about 140 miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Indiana border, from 43rd Street on Chicagos South Side to south of Danville in central Illinois.

The district includes all or parts of Blue Island, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Dolton, Flossmoor, Glenwood, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Markham, Matteson, Monee, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Thornton and University Park.

If Kelly, a seven-term Democratic congresswoman from Matteson, stays in the Senate race, she would be unable to run for reelection in the House. She previously told the Chicago Tribune she wont circulate petititions later this year to run for another congressional term.

Chalmers-Currin, sworn in for her third term earlier this month, said she was working with business leaders and elected officials to study a possible bid for Kellys job.

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Peters took office as state senator in January 2019 to succeed Kwame Raoul, now state attorney general.

Peters district is entirely in Chicago, taking in all or parts of communities including the East Side, Hyde Park, Kenwood and South Chicago.

France, of Lynwood, heads up The France Group, a management consulting firm started by his father, Erwin France.

Erwin France spent nearly 20 years in public service beginning in 1967 when former Mayor Richard J. Daley brought the St. Louis native to Chicago as one of his administrative assistants, according to a Chicago Tribune obituary.

He worked in consulting jobs with city agencies during the administrations of former Mayors Michael Bilandic, Jane Byrne and Harold Washington, according to the obituary.






Four teenagers have now been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of a 63-year-old man

The victim was a physicist who was biking to work

Police allege the teenagers purposefully hit the man and posted video of the incident on social media, leading to their arrests







A fourth teenager has now reportedly been arrested in connection with an allegedly purposeful and fatal hit-and-run of a 63-year-old physicist who was riding his bicycle to work last May.



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Scott Dwight Habermehl, the 63-year-old physicist, was killed in the May 29, 2024 hit-and-run crash. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, four teenagers were involved in the incident, which they later posted video of on social media, leading to two of the teenagers arrests.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder on March 17 of this year, Albuquerque police previously announced. An 11-year-old boy and another teenager were also previously arrested in connection with the case.

Now, a boy who was 15 years old at the time of the crash has been arrested, according to a report by The Associated Press, citing police.

The APD did not immediately return an inquiry for comment from PEOPLE.



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In March, police said an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old are also accused of participating in the crime, while announcing the 13-year-olds arrest. The AP reports police discovered a fourth boy was inside the vehicle, which was stolen and used in the hit-and-run crash.

Several people police spoke to told investigators they recognized the sound of this fourth teenagers voice when they watched the video, according to the AP, leading to his identification. The teenager initially denied being in the vehicle with the other boys but had been sharing details about the crash with friends in social media chats, according to the outlet.

PEOPLE reported in March that the previously arrested 13-year-old boy was charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person.

The 13-year-old is believed to be the driver, according to police, who said at the time the 15-year-old would be charged with the same crimes as the other teenager arrested in March. Children 11 and younger cant be held at a juvenile detention center. New Mexico courts can try teenagers ages 15 to 18, and sometimes 14, as adults for first-degree murder after a grand jury indictment.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The APD said in March that it received an anonymous tip that cell phone video of the crash had been posted on social media, which included the identity of the Instagram account and its user. As detectives investigated the Instagram account, a middle school principal reported to Albuquerque Public Schools police that a student reported the same video of the crash.

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Police searched the teenagers phones and discovered videos they had taken of the crash from inside the vehicle.

That video captured the boys conversation as the 13-year-old driver said he was going to hit the bicyclist as he made the vehicle accelerate. The back passenger, believed to be [the 15-year-old], said not to hit the bicyclist going too fast. Just bump him, brah. The driver responded, Like bump him? [The 15-year-old] repeated, Yeah, just bump him. Go like1520,  police said in the March press release.

As the vehicle's front passenger side struck Habermehl, the 11-year-old, who was believed to be the front passenger, was allegedly waving a handgun in the vehicle, ducked and laughed, per the release. The crashs momentum then allegedly carried Habermehl and his bicycle on top and off the vehicle's passenger side.

I am horrified by the video footage of a brazen, heartless killing involving three New Mexico juvenilesages 11, 13, and 15who targeted an innocent cyclist," New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement in March. "This case is an appalling and heartbreaking reminder of the serious juvenile crime crisis we face in New Mexicoand our lack of tools to properly address it.

Read the original article on People
LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that a fire truck had overturned in a crash in Laurens County.

Authorities said that at approximately 9 a.m., the truck was heading back to its station on Arnold Lane in Waterloo when the truck went off to the side. The truck reportedly hit a ditch, and overturned.

No one was reported seriously injured, and the passengers were transferred to a nearby hospital with non-serious injuries.

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The driver of the truck was ticketed for driving too fast for conditions.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
The Malden Fire Department, alongside members of the Malden Police Department, are battling a residential fire.

According to Malden polices social media, they are assisting fire crews with an active residential structure fire in the area of 211 Ferry Street.

The Malden Police Department is assisting the Malden Fire Department with an active residential structure fire in the area of 211 Ferry Street, Malden. Please avoid Ferry Street between Eastern Avenue and Cross Street, as well as lower Eastern Avenue and the surrounding pic.twitter.com/Xqkjb5yN6m  Malden Police (@MaldenPolice) May 28, 2025

Police have asked the public to avoid Ferry Street between Eastern Avenue and Cross Street as crews work to extinguish the fire.

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At this time, it is unknown how the fire started or if there were any injuries.

Boston 25 will update this story once more information is provided.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Video above: Saharan dust plume heading for Florida  Heres what to know

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Tropical Storm Alvin, the first storm of the Pacific hurricane season, formed off the coast of Mexico on Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center said Alvins maximum sustained winds were 40 mph.

Saharan dust plume heading for Florida: Heres what to know

Alvin will strengthen some through Thursday night, but is expected to begin weakening on Friday.

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The storm is expected to move northwest at around 10 mph throughout the day before making a northward turn on Friday and Saturday.

This marks the first storm of the Pacific hurricane season, which began two weeks ago. The tropical Atlantic remained quiet on Thursday, just three days before the start of its hurricane season.

Watch Tracking the Tropics on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT.

Be prepared with the 2025 Hurricane Guide and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
If you visited Egypt and felt like your favorite fish dish cost much more than it should, you're not imagining things.

A new study from Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems reveals that fish farmers, especially in Egypt, are coping with serious challenges that are driving up seafood prices and making fish harder to find. And it's not just about the fish.

What's happening with fish farming?

Fish farmers in Egypt are having a tough time. Most farms are located in the Northern lakes of the Nile Delta, where rising sea levels are pushing salty seawater into freshwater systems. This mix can harm the fish and disturb the delicate balance that farms rely on.

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Water is scarce, temperatures are rising, and pollution is getting even worse. Together, these issues are making it more difficult (and costly) to raise healthy fish. If these conditions keep declining, some farms may be forced to shut down.

Why is this a big deal?

Fish farming is very important in Egypt, which makes sense considering this country is the main fish farming region in Africa.

Many families depend on fish farming to earn money and put food on the table. If farms are dealing with these obstacles, it can lead to higher food prices, job loss, and more hunger.

What's being done about the fish farming crisis?

People in Egypt are already taking steps to address the problems climate change is causing for fish farming.

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Some fish farms are trying out new ways of raising fish, like using systems that reuse water or mix fish farming with plant growing (that's called aquaponics). These setups are better for the environment and are more adept at handling weather changes.

Water scarcity is a big challenge to overcome as well. Since clean water is getting harder to come by, farms are implementing smarter ways to use it, like treating wastewater or finding new sources.

But there's still more work to do. Further research is required to understand how different farms are affected and how to solve it.

Most importantly, the conversation needs to include everyone, especially those small farmers who are directly impacted by the situation.

How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Five protesters have been arrested after reportedly targeting the central London set of Gal Gadots upcoming film The Runner.

Metropolitan Police responded to the Westminster set on Wednesday, where three people were arrested for harassment, as well as unlawfully obstructing access to a workplace. Another two were arrested over previous protests.

All five individuals remain in custody.

Police said the set was hit with demonstrations solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli.

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While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality, said Superintendent Neil Holyoak in a statement. "I hope today's operation shows we will not tolerate the harassment of or unlawful interference with those trying to go about their legitimate professional work in London."

Gadot, who was born in Israel and served in the IDF, has previously expressed her support for Israel, sparking pro-Palestine protests at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in March.

Her and Snow White co-star Rachel Zeglers opposing stances also hit headlines this year and plagued the released of the Disney live-action movie.

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi) has previously said Gadot films should be boycotted, claiming she has shown support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Four former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employees and one current MBTA employee were arrested and charged Thursday with allegedly falsifying Red Line track inspection reports.

Brian Pfaffinger, 47, of Marshfield; Ronald Gamble, 62, of Dorchester; Jensen Vatel, 42, of Brockton; Nathalie Mendes, 53, of New Bedford; and Andy Vicente, 36, of Bridgewater have been indicted for falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement.

Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were arrested Thursday morning and were expected to appear in federal court in Boston later Thursday.

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In a statement Thursday, MBTA officials said immediate action was taken when the alleged misconduct came to light.

The MBTA thanks the U.S. Attorneys office for their thorough investigation and diligent work toward holding people accountable for alleged criminal activity, MBTA officials said.

As a public agency, it is our responsibility to be good stewards of public resources and deliver safe and reliable service to transit users, MBTA officials said. Thats why General Manager Phil Eng took immediate action to hold these employees accountable when this misconduct came to light.

Their actions do not reflect the values of the MBTA, and they will not impact the improvements we continue to make across the system, MBTA officials said. We are taking these allegations very seriously, as we have an obligation to the public and to our workforce to ensure that every employee meets the highest standards of conduct.

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Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were former MBTA track inspectors whose employment with the MBTA ended last year.

Pfaffinger, who had been disciplined earlier this year, is currently on leave from his MBTA job.

Prosecutors allege that between Sept. 3, 2024 to Oct. 15, 2024, rather than complete MBTA inspections, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente allegedly falsified track inspection reports. The reports stated that they completed track inspections for Red Line tracks when they did not perform the inspections.

Prosecutors allege that instead, at the time of the inspections, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente were inside Cabot Yard, an MBTA location with a coffee and breakroom for Red Line inspection employees.

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Cabot Yard also contained a large garage where Gamble, Vatel and Vicente allegedly worked on private vehicles during work hours, prosecutors said.

On Sept. 19, 2024, during the time that Vicente allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Vicente (circled in red below) sitting inside of Cabot Garage holding his cellular phone, prosecutors said.

On Sept. 23, 2024, during the time that Mendes allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Mendes (circled in red below) sitting inside her vehicle. Mendes allegedly did not leave her vehicle until well after her inspection ended.

On Sept. 24, 2024, during the time that Vatel allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Vatel (circled in red below) chatting with other MBTA employees in the parking lot outside of Cabot Garage.

On Oct. 8, 2024, during the time that Gamble allegedly performed a track inspection, video surveillance depicted Gamble (circled in red below) performing detail work on a private vehicle inside of Cabot Garage.

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Pfaffinger, the former supervisor for Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente, allegedly not only knew that his subordinates worked on private vehicles during work hours, but had his subordinates work on his own vehicle, prosecutors allege.

On Oct. 14, 2024, Gamble created an inspection report alleging he conducted an inspection, but surveillance video showed that Gamble was inside of Cabot Garage with Pfaffinger, prosecutors said.

Despite knowing that the inspection report was false, and that Gamble was at Cabot Garage on Oct. 14, 2024, the following day, Pfaffinger allegedly created supporting documentation for Gambles Oct. 14, 2024, inspection, which he knew to be false, prosecutors said.

Transit Police last year referred the matter to the U.S. Attorneys office.

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If convicted of the charge of falsification of records and aiding and abetting the falsification of records, Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison to be followed by up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

If convicted of the charge of false statements and aiding and abetting false statements, Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel, Mendes and Vicente face a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

A statement sent to Boston 25 News from Ronald Gambles attorney, Michael Tumposky, said, The government is making a federal case out of an internal personnel matter. Mr. Gamble looks forward to his day in court.

Thursdays arrests came one day after former Norfolk County Sheriffs Deputy Superintendent Thomas Brady was arrested and charged with extortion.

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Brady, 53, of Norwood, is accused of forcing his subordinates to perform free labor at his house during their public work shifts, Foley said Wednesday.

He has been indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of extortion and three counts of use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44)  Five teenagers have been arrested after firearms were discovered during a College Station traffic stop.

Police say a traffic stop resulted in the recovery of three firearms, two of which were reported stolen. One of the firearms, a Glock 19, had a modified glock switch making it capable of being a fully automatic weapon.

(Courtesy: College Station Police Department)

Five arrests were made during this traffic stop.

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Jacarias Javon Hurst, 17, has been charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon and Minor in Possession of Tobacco. He is in the Brazos County Jail with bond set at $5,300. Darris Daquan Johnson, 18, has been charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon, Prohibited Weapon and an outstanding warrant. He is in the Brazos County Jail with bond set at $16,000.

Jacarias Javon Hurst. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail)

Darris Daquan Johnson. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail)

Trevin Tremaun Bell, 18, has been charged with Unlawful Carry of a Weapon Minor in Possession of Tobacco. He is in the Brazos County Jail with bond set at $4,300. Kennedye Nicole Young, 18, has been charged with Possession of Marijuana and Minor in Possession of Tobacco. She is in the Brazos County Jail with bond set at $2,300.

Trevin Tremaun Bell. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail)

Kennedye Nicole Young. (Courtesy: Brazos County Jail)

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A 17-year-old man was charged with No Safety Seat Belt Passenger.

Police also said a small amount of marijuana and tobacco products were found during the search of the vehicle.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
TOKYO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- "Whether my father was involved or not, it (the implementation of germ warfare and human experiments by the Japanese army during its invasion) was inhuman," 77-year-old Katsutoshi Takegami told Xinhua in a recent interview at his home in Komagane City in central Japan's Nagano Prefecture.

Takegami's father, Toshiichi Miyashita, was a member of Unit 1644 of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The unit, established in East China's Nanjing, claimed to be "the Central China Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department."

About seven or eight years ago, Takegami discovered several photographs and documents left by his father while renovating his family's warehouse. In the photos, Miyashita was dressed in military uniform, and the name of "the Central China Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department" appeared too.

Takegami had learned from "The Devil's Gluttony" by renowned Japanese writer Seiichi Morimura that the epidemic prevention and water purification departments were ostensibly engaged in providing clean water to soldiers but were actually involved in bacteriological warfare and human experiments.

In order to find out whether his father had been involved in germ warfare, Takegami began to investigate, hoping to uncover his father's experiences in China and obtain more historical truths.

However, in Takegami's memory, his father hardly mentioned his experiences in China during his lifetime.

What exactly did Miyashita do in the military? How did he rise from a private to a lieutenant without any education? All these questions troubled Takegami.

Takegami, who took his mother's surname, said "I couldn't find any information about the Central China Epidemic Prevention and Water Supply Department. I didn't even know where to look."

Wartime bacteriological units were secret units of the Japanese army, which destroyed a large amount of documentation when it was defeated. Therefore, the information about the epidemic prevention and water purification departments is particularly scarce.

In fact, there is still information about Unit 1644. The unit's personnel roster, an archival document that details the unit's members, has been secretly kept by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan.

Thanks to Takegami's unremitting efforts, in 2021, he finally received four copies of his father's military service record from the labor ministry through the Nagano Prefectural Government. Two of them are covers labeled "Unit 1644 roster," while the other two, clearly stamped with the labor ministry's seal, contain two lines of information detailing his father's military service history.

Although there are only two lines and his father's name was mistakenly written in the registration, Takegami confirmed it was indeed his father through the correct home address and date of birth.

"More importantly, the copies of these cover pages proved to me that the labor ministry has a complete version of the roster of Unit 1644," he added.

With the copy of the cover as evidence, Takegami asked the labor ministry for permission to review the complete list of the roster, but the ministry refused on the grounds of protecting privacy.

The Japanese government's attitude towards the Japanese bacteriological warfare units deployed in China has always been vague, evasive or even denying.

Hideo Shimizu, a former member of the notorious Unit 731 who also lives in Nagano Prefecture, criticized the Japanese military for having done so many bad things, but the Japanese government not only showed no remorse but also wanted to pretend that these cruel histories had never happened.

"Although the government has not made any official statement, based on the information I have obtained over the years, I believe that they (the Central China Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department) are very likely to have conducted germ warfare and human experimentation," Takegami said, adding that "this is completely inhuman and should be reflected upon."

Takegami approached other experts and scholars, and together they continued to put pressure on the government. Eventually, the labor ministry transferred the rosters containing detailed personal information on members of Unit 1644, Unit 8604, and Unit 8609 to the National Archives of Japan in March 2024.

On May 14 this year, the National Archives of Japan made public a number of archives related to the Japanese army's germ-warfare units in China, including the three rosters containing detailed personal information on unit members.

From the discovery of his father's belongings to the sight of the previously classified roster of Unit 1644, seven or eight years have passed, and a part of this "lost" history has finally been revealed.

"I hope that the public release of the rosters can promote progress in related research, and I will continue to investigate to uncover the truth," Takegami said. 
One of Africas most celebrated authors Ngugi wa Thiong'o has passed away. The Kenyan writer and academic was 87 years old.

Having published his first novel  Weep Not Child  in 1964, Ngugi pursued a rich and acclaimed career as a writer, teacher and decolonial thinker. His last creative effort was Kenda Muiyuru (The Perfect Nine), a Gikuyu epic that was longlisted for the 2021 International Man Booker Prize.

Kenyan academic and writer Peter Kimani sets out five things you should know about a legendary African writer.

He understood the politics of his time

Ngugi wa Thiong'o is regarded as one of Africas greatest writers of all time. He grew up in what became known as Kenyas White Highlands at the height of British colonialism. Unsurprisingly, his writing examines the legacy of colonialism and the intricate relationships between locals seeking economic and cultural emancipation and the local elites serving as agents of neo-colonisers.

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The great expectations for the new country, as captured in his seminal play, The Black Hermit, anticipated the disillusionment that followed. His fiction, from the foundational trilogy of Weep Not, Child, The River Between and A Grain of Wheat, amplify those expectations, before the optimism gives way in Petals of Blood, and is replaced by disillusionment.

He shaped a new African story

African fiction is fairly young. Ngugi stands in the continents pantheon of writers who started writing when Africas decolonisation gained momentum. In a certain sense, the writers were involved in constructing new narratives that would define their people. But Ngugis recognition goes beyond his pioneering role at home: his writing resonates with many across Africa.

One could also recognise his consistency at churning out high-quality stories about Africas contemporary society. This he always did in a way that illustrates his commitment to equality and social justice.

He has done much more, through scholarship. His treatise, Decolonising the Mind, now a foundational text in post-colonial studies, illustrates his versatility. His ability to spin the yarns while commenting on the politics that goes into literary production of marginal literature is a very rare combination.

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Finally, one could talk about Ngugis cultural and political activism. This precipitated his yearlong detention without trial in 1977. He attributed his detention to his rejection of English and embracing his Gikuyu language as his vehicle of expression.

Critics are divided on his greatest works

Its hard to pick a favourite from Ngugis over two dozen texts. But there is concurrence among critics that A Grain of Wheat, which was voted among Africas best 100 novels at the turn of the last century, stands out for its stylistic experimentation and complexity of characters.

Others consider the novel as the last signpost before Ngugis work became overly political. For other critics, its Wizard of the Crow  which came out in 2004, after nearly two decades of waiting  that encapsulates his creative finesse. It utilises many literary tropes, including magical realism, and addresses the politics of African development and the shenanigans by the political elite to maintain the status quo.

His work has been translated into more than 30 languages around the world.

He stopped writing in English in 1977

Without a doubt, Africa would be poorer without the efforts of Ngugi wa Thiong'o and other pioneering writers to tell the African story. He was an important figure in post-colonial studies. His constant questioning of the privileging of the English language and culture in Kenyas national discourse saw him lead a movement that led to the scrapping of the Department of English at the University of Nairobi  replaced by a Department of Literature that placed African literature and its diasporas at the centre of scholarship.

He never stopped writing

Ngugi remained active in writing even in old age. Among his later offerings was the third instalment of his memoir, Birth of a Dreamweaver that looks back on his years at Makerere University in Uganda. This is the period when he published his novels, Weep Not, Child and The River Between, while still an undergraduate. Also at this time he wrote the play, The Black Hermit, which was performed as part of Ugandas independence celebrations in 1962.

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In later years he was busy restoring his early works into Gikuyu, from the English language, which he bid farewell to in 1977, opting rather to write in his indigenous tongue.

Ngugi appeared on the list of favourites to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for a number of years. Since the workings of the Nobel award committee remain secret  the list of the committees deliberations are kept secret for 50 years  it will be decades before we know why he was overlooked when so many felt he richly deserved the prize.

This is an updated version of the article first published in 2016.

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: Peter Kimani, Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC)

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Peter Kimani does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM)  Two new state laws aimed at protecting animals and increasing accountability for abusers are set to take effect in Florida, following the recent signing of Dexters Law and Troopers Law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Dexters Law, named after a dog found brutally decapitated and stuffed into a plastic bag days after being adopted in 2023, strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and creates Floridas first-ever public registry of convicted animal abusers. The law takes effect July 1.

The measure introduces a 1.25 sentencing multiplier in cases of aggravated animal cruelty and requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to maintain a searchable database identifying individuals convicted of such offenses. Supporters say the law is a critical tool for transparency, deterrence, and prevention.

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Making the identities of convicted abusers public will empower shelters, rescue groups, and adopters to protect vulnerable animals, said Doll Stanley, Justice for Animals Campaign Director for In Defense of Animals. Dexters Law is justice for Dexter  and a powerful safeguard for other animals statewide.

In Defense of Animals, a national nonprofit, led advocacy efforts with more than 14,000 signatures pushing for justice in Dexters case and over 1,000 Floridians contacting lawmakers to demand legislative change. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Linda Chaney, Sen. Tom Leek, and Rep. Meg Weinberger, and championed by Port Orange resident Debbie Darino, also behind 2018s Ponces Law.

Gov. DeSantis also signed Troopers Law, which makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or mandatory evacuation. Named after a bull terrier rescued by Florida Highway Patrol during Hurricane Milton, the law goes into effect Oct. 1.

The new laws are especially relevant to the Tampa Bay area, where hurricanes and tropical storms are regular threats. Local animal advocates say Troopers Law could be lifesaving for pets and first responders alike during future emergencies.

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These are commonsense protections that reflect how seriously Floridians value the safety of animals, said Amy Rondeau, a longtime Tampa Bay volunteer with rescue organizations. Troopers Law will encourage more people to think twice before leaving dogs behind when a storm hits.

Experts note that these laws go beyond animal welfare. Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, a psychiatrist and president of In Defense of Animals, says cruelty to animals often correlates with human violence.

Dexters Law is not just about protecting dogs  its a public safety measure, Kroplick said. Identifying abusers can help prevent further trauma and violence in our communities.

With the enactment of both laws, Florida becomes one of the few states with a public animal abuse registry  a move animal rights groups hope other states will emulate.

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For Tampa Bay residents, the laws offer reassurance that abusers will face greater consequences and that pets, particularly during the states tumultuous hurricane season, will have stronger protections.

More information and resources are available through In Defense of Animals at idausa.org/justice4animals.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Leslie and Frank Hall had just rebuilt their home on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Idalia in 2023 when they watched in horror as Hurricane Helene  a monster of a storm  barreled into their coastal community last September and wiped out their house and business.

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It was a staggering one-two punch for the couple and thousands of other Taylor County residents, who had just gotten back on their feet from Idalia.

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Making matters worse, Helene  which destroyed hundreds of homes and caused more than $50 million of damage in Taylor County  came nearly two months after Hurricane Debbie plowed into Floridas Big Bend last August causing extensive flooding and days-long power outages. Idalia also hit Taylor County in August 2023, causing nearly $100 million in damage.

Now, Leslie Hall is not looking forward to this years hurricane season, which starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

Im very nervous, she said. If a hurricane hits us again, there will be no coming back from that. We have used every bit of money that we had trying to rebuild [from Idalia and Helene].  Mother Nature cannot be that cruel.

The early storm forecasts all show a good chance of a hurricane hitting the United States this year.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 60% chance of an above average hurricane season this year with between 13 and 19 storms forming in the Atlantic and Caribbean. Of those storms, six to 10 will be hurricanes, including three to five as major hurricanes. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or higher and has sustained wind speeds of at least 111 miles per hour.

Weather experts at Colorado State University in their April forecast also showed an above-average storm season, with 17 named storms, of which nine will become hurricanes, including four reaching major strength. Forecasters there give a 51% chance that a major hurricane will strike the countrys mainland.

Like the Halls, many Gulf Coast residents are anxious that after four hurricanes in two years  Idalia, Debby, Helene and Milton  another storm could deal a devastating blow to their small coastal communities, which have long relied on economies of fishing, scalloping, canoeing and visitors.

Hurricanes and tropical storms thrive in warm waters. And waters in the eastern subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean are warmer than normal for this time of year.

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But the good news is they are cooler than a year ago. And that means we could be in for a less intense hurricane season than 2024, according to meteorologists.

Yes, it is good news that they are not as warm as last year, said Levi Silvers, a research scientist for the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Colorado State University. But last year was literally off the charts. And Im surprised that last year was not as bad or as brutal as we expected.

Still, Silvers cautioned the April forecast calls for an above average hurricane season and Florida residents should be well prepared.

Were expecting a season of somewhere in between last year (with 18 named storms) and normal (of 14.5 named storms), he said.

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The chance of a hurricane making landfall on the Gulf Coast between Cedar Key and Brownsville, Texas, is 33%, slightly higher than the 27% average, according to the CSU report.

In coastal Central Florida: There is a 46% probability of a named storm striking Volusia County, but just a 3% chance it would be a major hurricane. In Brevard County, there is a 51% probability of a storm impact and a 7% chance it would be a major hurricane.

But after two years of devastation, Taylor County faces one of the lowest probabilities of a storm impact among Floridas coastal counties  with a 43% chance of a named storm striking, and just a 1% of it being a major hurricane.

Does that mean that Floridas Big Bend region is likely in the clear this year from a hurricane striking?

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The chances of that happening are pretty low, but they are not zero, Silvers said about a storm hitting the Big Bend. But if I was playing poker, I would not bet against it. Residents of the Caribbean and Gulf always need to be aware and be prepared. Even getting one major storm is a life-changing event.

CSU meteorologists will release additional forecasts through the hurricane season. Those later forecasts, Silvers said, tend to be more accurate regarding the number of storms and intensities because of changing weather patterns, wind shear and dust in the atmosphere.

In Sarasota County, Milton  a powerful Category 3 hurricane  struck Siesta Key last October, killing 42 people in Florida and causing tens of billions of dollars in damage. Much of the damage was from deadly tornadoes along Miltons path across the state.

The central and northern part of our island really took the brunt, said Howard Tipton, town manager of Longboat Key.

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Surprisingly, it was Helene, not Milton, that caused much of the damage on Longboat Key, he said. Thats because of Helenes storm surge of up to 8 feet that inundated older properties built decades ago at ground level. More than 90 homes were destroyed on Longboat Key.

Tipton recalled sitting in Town Hall last September as Helene stormed across the Gulf dozens of miles away.

When I saw a wall of saltwater go down the road, I thought: This is not good, he said. I was unable to leave Town Hall. My vehicle was totaled.  A storm doesnt have to be close to have a significant impact. Helene was 125 miles from our coast. But it was the worst storm we had in a hundred years.

In Taylor County, officials have launched promotional and advertising campaigns to lure visitors, especially for the scalloping season which runs June 15 through September 1. The county recently held fishing tournaments that have led to hotel rooms being booked in Perry.

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Were bouncing back, said Dawn Perez, executive director of the countys Tourism Development Council. There is some fear. But were keeping our spirits up. We want everyone to know, were open for business.

Taylor County Commissioner Michael Newman agreed.

Weve had some awful experiences, he said. But weve seen some good things, such as our churches and nonprofits helping with our recovery.  We dont look past the sense that many of our residents are still struggling with their recovery. But were thankful to be in this place.

Since Helene, the Halls have been renting a home while continuing to pay the mortgage on their destroyed house. They recently restarted their business Spring Warrior Fish Camp and Charter in Perry and have rooms ready to book for the scalloping season, a heavy tourist draw in Taylor County.

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But rebuilding their home will be a challenge as a new structure will have to be built at least 18 feet higher, a cost they cant afford and they are still waiting for money from FEMA.

But Leslie Hall is optimistic.

We are ready and open for business, she said.
The Trump administration has made it clear that undocumented immigrants in this country will be deported, but sheriffs in central Florida are saying that is not happening as promised.

Now the State Immigration Enforcement Council is sounding the alarm.

9 Investigates has been looking into some arrests after finding several cases where illegal immigrants were taken into custody and not detained.

In April, when we told you about Paula Hernandez Lazaro was arrested after a crash with a Belle Isle police officer. According to the report, she did not have a license nor legal status in the U.S. and entered the country illegally.

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She was taken to jail but then released.

The State Immigration Enforcement Council says cases like that are happening all over the state because of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Last week, the council passed a resolution asking the governor and other state officials to meet with Trump administration officials. The council would like a federal executive order making it easier for law enforcement to detain and hold all undocumented immigrants and not just those who have committed major crimes.

But that would mean having places to hold them until the migrants are deported.

The number of migrants in Florida who have been deported since January is unclear. The government has not been forthcoming about the actual number of deportations happening in this state or any other.

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But even if that did happen, there is no infrastructure right now for the state to hold everyone they pick up. That means right now the state cant crack down as hard as it said it would.

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A man convicted of defrauding people by pretending to be a licensed contractor is heading to prison.

Steven Parker, of Ormond Beach, was sentenced to eight years in Florida state prison followed by 22 years of probation for multiple cases of contractor fraud.

He is also ordered to pay back approximately $100,000 in restitution to several different victims.

Prosecutors say Parker preyed on people impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2023. The filings say that during a state of emergency, Parker solicited home repairs to multiple residents of Port Orange and advertised his services on popular local Facebook groups.

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Many of the services offered requiring specific licensing for plumbing, electrical or structural work, which he did not have.

Prosecutors say Parker was also caught using the business license of an actual contractor in south Florida with the same name.

In many of the cases, Parker was paid but did not finish the projects or did no work at all. One of these cases resulted in a victim losing her home.

The issue came to light when Parker stopped working on a home, and the victim filed a civil notice to get refund or force him to complete the work. But when Parker agreed to finish, it was found out that he did not have the required licensing to do the work for which he was paid.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The big story: Floridians wont have to wait long to find out who will be Floridas next education commissioner.

State Board of Education chairperson Ben Gibson has added an item to the boards June 4 agenda for a discussion on how to replace Manny Diaz Jr., who was chosen to lead the University of West Florida earlier this week.

Speculation is running high among education advocates and activists as to who might take the commissioner post, which lately has been a high profile bully pulpit for Gov. Ron DeSantis agenda including support for vouchers and opposition to diversity programs. Florida has been among the acknowledged leaders in setting the national education agenda for several years.

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But only a few names have circulated, with one DeSantis staffer  deputy chief of staff Anastasios Kamoutsas  getting mentioned frequently.

The board agenda gives no clues, as it includes no attachments for Consideration of the Appointment of Commissioner of Education. Gibson did not respond to an email asking who might be under consideration.

The State Board, which is filled with DeSantis appointees, is responsible for choosing the commissioner. Before DeSantis took office, the board would hold national searches for the job, taking the governors advice into consideration.

That process ended after the brief tenure of Tony Bennett, who came to Florida from Indianas top education post in 2012 and left under a cloud less than a year later. Since then, the board has not held searches, instead looking to internal candidates or relying on the governors choices.

Hot topics

UF president search: Conservative opposition to the appointment of Santa Ono to lead the University of Florida gained steam, with Donald Trump Jr. the latest to join in.  Pushback against the selection of Marva Johnson, a DeSantis ally chosen as Florida A&M Universitys next president, continued to grow, WFSU reports.

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Student nutrition: With classes ending, Florida school districts are ramping up their summer food programs, Spectrum 13 reports.

New schools: The Bay County school district plans to rebuild its K-8 school that serves the Tyndall Air Force Base, WMBB reports.

Medical school: Tallahassee leaders are looking to the USF-Tampa General Hospital model for a possible future of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare connected to FSU, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Hurricane aftermath: Fort Myers Beach officials and residents discussed the future of the citys elementary school, which has not been used since being damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022, WGCU reports.

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Charter schools: An Alachua County charter school is appealing the school districts decision to rescind its contract, WCJB reports.

Dont miss a story. Heres a link to yesterdays roundup.

Before you go ... The Scripps National Spelling Bee is under way, with the finals set for tonight. Heres a flashback to winning Tampa speller Bruhat Somas amazing spell-off from last year. This year, the regions contestant didnt make the finals.
MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA)  Two Florida port workers were arrested in connection with the theft of $50,000 worth of cruise terminal artwork, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate WTVJ, Miami-Dade County custodial workers, Angel Prudhomme, 27, and Tangela Parks, 50, were arrested on grand theft charges on Wednesday.

The sheriffs office said Prudhomme was caught on surveillance cameras removing artwork from the walls in Terminal G earlier this month. Investigators said he concealed the artwork in a stairwell and trash cans while trying to evade the cameras.

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Haines City teacher caught smoking meth in Winter Haven park, police say

Prudhomme was later seen moving the artwork with Parks and placing it in Parks car, according to the arrest report.

The sheriffs office said the pair took 24 mosaic and marble pieces, and half of them were damaged from being improperly removed.

After detectives recovered the artwork, Miami-Dade deputies said Prudhomme and Parks admitted to stealing it and were booked into jail.

As Sheriff of Miami-Dade County, I take individuals using their employment to steal very seriously. I am committed to ensuring that anyone involved in dishonest actions will be held accountable, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement to WTVJ.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
MANILA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Three people have died and seven others injured after an 18-wheeled trailer truck plowed into five vehicles while traveling along a four-lane road in the Philippine capital, police said Thursday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Lim told reporters that the crash happened around 11:30 p.m. local time Wednesday while the truck was descending a road in Quezon City.

Initial investigation showed that the speeding truck swerved to the left, causing it to roll on its side and crash into three motorcycles, a sedan, and a basic utility vehicle.

Among the dead were a pedestrian man waiting for a ride in a shed and a motorcycle passenger who died at the scene. Another person was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Those injured were passengers of the motorcycles and the cars.

The truck driver told police that he lost control of the vehicle due to brake failure. He is currently in police custody as the investigation continues. 
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A new case in Florida is set to undermine what little abortion access remains in the state, and its all based on a lie. Florida already bans abortion six weeks after a persons last menstrual period, but for conservative judges in the state, that isnt enough. The architects of State v. Uthmeier want to make it impossible for minors to ever get an abortion without parental approvalor potentially for any Floridian to get an abortion at all. Its ruling ignores two important historical lessons.

The case is a prime example of judges making a major case out of a teenagers personal struggles. It began when Jane Doe, who is 17, learned she was pregnant and went to court for what is called a judicial bypass. While more than 30 states including Florida require minors to notify their parents or get their approval before an abortion, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979 ruled that parental consent laws could be constitutional only if they offered a judicial bypass. This requires a hearing that takes place without the involvement of parents where a minor can attempt to convince a judge that abortion is in her best interest or that she is mature enough to make the decision on her own. Most minors will tell a parent before seeking an abortion, but some will not, often because they believe that the parent will force them to continue a pregnancy, or they fear being abused, kicked out of their home, or cut off financially.

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The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, but states that permitted some abortions often still kept their judicial bypass laws in place.

The Florida intermediate appellate courts have been taking aim at the states bypass law since last year. Then, a minor failed to convince a trial judge she was mature enough to make her own decision. When she appealed, the 1st District Court held that it couldnt hear the case because there was no opposing party. Thats because bypass hearings are confidential, designed to protect minors whose parents might harm them if they learned of the proceedings. A dissenting judge said that the whole bypass scheme violated parents constitutional rights.

When Jane Does case came to the 5th District Court of Appeals, the court was ready to hold just that. The judges asked the states Republican attorney general to file a friend-of-the-court brief, and he then intervened in the case, asking the judges to rule the bypass option unconstitutional. In a decision last week, they obliged, holding that the judicial bypass violated parents rights under the state constitution. The court stressed that, at common law, parents long had the right to control their childrens medical care. At a minimum, the court reasoned, parents had a right to be present and offer their own arguments before their child could get an abortion.

The first problem with the courts decision is that it is just plain wrong about our history. Our own research has shown that common law traditions on when parents got to make decisions for their kids were complicated and messy. While the common law gave fathers an almost absolute right to control their childrens labor, in other areas, including medical decisions, courts often allowed older minors to make their own choices. The key was whether a decision could advance a childs well-being. In the words of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Jasper Yeates in a case involving a minors enlistment in the Navy, minors could enter into agreements which may tend to their benefit.

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Such benefits should be obvious in the realm of reproductive rights. Teens have a twofold higher risk of death from pregnancy and birth than adults. Adolescent mothers are also far less likely than their peers to finish high school, more likely to experience mental health problems and poverty, and more likely to live in socially and economically disadvantaged communities. Choices about pregnancy are the type of decision that courts at common law would allow mature minors to make for themselves.

The 5th Districts ruling ignores a second historical lesson: Some teenagers just wont notify their parents, no matter the consequences. Studies suggest that notification requirements dont significantly impact sexual activity or contraceptive use, but they do lead more adolescents to become parents. It was precisely because of this kind of harm, our research shows, that states began to roll back laws requiring parental involvement in cases involving sexually transmitted infections and birth control in the second half of the 20th century. The Florida courts could return us to a regime in which the desires of a small group of parents carry more weight than the well-being of minors themselves.

The strangest part of the decision is that none of this was necessary to resolve the case. The trial judge and 5th District both found that Jane Doe wasnt mature enough to make her own decision. That could have been the end of it. But the 5th District is setting up the Florida Supreme Court to announce a general right for a parent to know about any medical procedure a minor receives. That would apply not just to abortion but to birth control, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and gender-affirming care. In the past, weve seen minors avoid doctors to dodge their parents, even when facing STIs with potentially debilitating effects. That could happen again in Florida.

And it may not just be about minors access to medical care. In Florida, the court has rooted parental rights in Article I, Section 2 of the state Constitution. In the past, three of the Florida Supreme Courts seven justices have already written that this part of the Constitution also recognizes fetal rights. A fourth, Chief Justice Carlos Muniz, has asked in oral argument whether the term natural person  in the Florida Constitution as a matter of ordinary meaning, include[s] the unborn. That suggests that a majority of the courts conservatives may be ready to hold that the state Constitution protects rights from the moment an egg is fertilized. That could mean even Floridas six-week ban violates fetal rights, as might the states narrow exceptions for rape and incest. If this case gives the Florida Supreme Court an opportunity to interpret Article I, Section 2, the justices might go far beyond parental rights.

Its been common to see Republicans claim to act in the name of parents. But as in cases like Doe, these laws use the idea of protecting parents to advance a broader agenda of eroding reproductive rights for all. Thats why the 5th District looked for any chance to get a major case to the state Supreme Court. The judges know that the fate of legal abortion is really on the line as much as the future of minors medical care.
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4)  The man from Florida charged in connection with the disappearance of Alisa Petrov self-surrendered to the South Jordan Police Department Wednesday evening, and South Jordan Police also arrested a third suspect in connection with the case.

According to a press release, Matthew Menard, 35, of Miami, Florida turned himself in the South Jordan Police Department for charges of Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Enticement of a Minor, and Criminal Solicitation.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Utah man, 41, messaged missing 15-year-old girl days before she disappeared: Documents

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South Jordan Police also confirmed that they identified a third adult man in connection with the case, Samuel Mitchell from Herriman, Utah. Mitchell was arrested on charges for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

Both suspects were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.

This comes a day after ABC4.com reported that Mitchell was a third person of interest in her disappearance, as he allegedly communicated with Petrov on the Discord app.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Men from Texas, Florida charged in connection to disappearance of 15-year-old Utah girl

South Jordan Police stated that it will continue its efforts to locate Alisa and follow other leads.

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Alisa is listed as a Runaway Juvenile who is endangered, police stated, Any knowledge of her whereabouts should be reported to Law Enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Alisa Petrov has been asked to call 801-840-4000 and reference South Jordan Case #SJ25-11568.

Who is Alisa Petrov?

Courtesy: Nikolai Petrov

Courtesy: Nikolai Petrov

Courtesy: Nikolai Petrov

Alisa Petrov, 15, was dropped off at school in American Fork, Utah, on April 21. Instead of going to school, family members said the teenager boarded a train toward Provo, Utah. Family members said nearby security footage shows the teenager walking away, and she hasnt been found since.

She is said to be about 53 tall and weigh about 122 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She is listed as a runaway juvenile and is said to be endangered. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, Alisa was last seen wearing a grey Harvard University shirt, a black hoodie, baggy jeans, and a dark backpack.

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It was later reported that she may have been trying to get to Las Vegas, and another tip revealed that she may have been communicating with a man in Texas. Officials in Texas City posted on social media on May 9 to ask for the publics help in the search for Alisa.

As of May 16, Alisas family was reporting that she still has not been found.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
FMCSAs crackdown on carrier fraud halves new authorities

(Chart: CarrierOK)

Recent identity verification changes by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are having a major impact on the number of newly minted operating authorities, according to research from CarrierOK. Beginning in early 2025, the FMCSA rolled out a new identity verification process that starts with applicants being redirected to Idemia, a third-party identity verification vendor. The next steps include the collection of personal information including biometric data to verify a carriers identity. After completion, applicants are able to complete the next step, which is being added to the Unified Registration System, the combined database that the FMCSA uses to house the data for carriers, freight forwarders and brokers.

Despite the fact that the FMCSA doesnt receive any personal data collected by Idemia except to confirm that identity verification has been completed, the results of this change are staggering, according to CarrierOK. The turning point from the monthslong anti-fraud rollout was in April, when the full facial recognition and ID upload requirement went live for all new applicants.

CarrierOKs initial data from April showed a major shift in new carrier application trends, which CarrierOK tracks through each stage of the process beginning with filed, published then granted. CarrierOK wrote in a blogpost, The Filed-to-Published conversion rate  typically around 60-65% in months prior  cratered to roughly 30% in April. In other words, well over half of all applications filed in April failed to advance past FMCSAs screening to the Federal Register published stage, whereas before April the majority would have made it through.

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The new bottleneck came from the filed-to-published step, which represents applications that cleared initial vetting and are now entering a 21-day comment period before final approval. In short, many applicants are hitting a roadblock due to the IDEMIA identity checks or address validation and thus never make it to publication, said CarrierOK. Cannot verify identity equals cannot get new operating authority.

While the 50% decline in published authorities has tightened the funnel, CarrierOK notes that legitimate new entrants are still applying. Its just that a large portion of those submissions, by possible fraudsters, are no longer making it to the finish line.

Looking ahead, this verification will also extend outward to existing carriers who need to renew their government forms. CarrierOK adds, Existing carriers will also have to undergo verification when they update their info, with ~800,000 current registrants eventually needing to verify identity as well.

April For-Hire Trucking Index: Weak volumes, more capacity exits

April brought further declines in volumes, pricing and capacity, according to recent data released by ACT Researchs For-Hire Trucking Index. The Diffusion Index shows a reading above 50 as growth while a reading below 50 signals degradation. The Volume Index saw its second straight month of significant softness, falling from 43.6 points in March to 43.4 points seasonally adjusted in April.

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Even with some degree of pre-tariff shipping happening, it appears the adverse effects of tariffs are already starting to play out. Declining container ship traffic suggests broadly weak volume will continue in the near term, but the 90-day step down in US/China tariffs is spurring significant activity into Q3, wrote ACT Research in the release.

The Pricing Index fell 12.1 points month over month from 51.5 in March to 39.4 points seasonally adjusted in April, levels not seen since August 2023. The report notes that demand softened following a surge in pre-tariff imports, interrupting the modest momentum in rates. The decline was the third-largest in the 15-year history of the survey. However, while pricing uncertainty remains, The supply side should contract as private fleets end their expansion, tariffs add to equipment costs, and for-hire fleet financials are impacted.

For fleets looking to hire, one positive indicator that remains is driver availability. That index rose 3 points m/m from 51 in March to 54 in April. Its the 35th straight month the index has been above 50, with the report noting a large factor behind the availability is the significant increases in wages during the pandemic. Another was owner-operators turning in their authorities and returning to work under larger fleets.

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NEWTOK, Alaska - A jumble of shipping containers hold all that remains of the demolished public school in Newtok, Alaska, where on a recent visit, a few stray dogs and a lone ermine prowled among the ruins.

Late last year, the final residents of this sinking village near the Bering Sea left behind the waterlogged tundra of their former home, part of a fraught, federally funded effort to resettle communities threatened by climate change.

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Nearly 300 people from Newtok have moved nine miles across the Ninglick River to a new village known as Mertarvik. But much of the infrastructure there is already failing. Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the regions fierce weather.

Newtoks relocation was supposed to provide a model for dozens of Alaskan communities that will need to move in the coming decades. Instead, those whove worked on the effort say what happened in Newtok demonstrates the federal governments failure to oversee the complex project and understand communities unique cultural needs. And it highlights how ill-prepared the United States is to respond to the way climate change is making some places uninhabitable, according to an investigation by The Washington Post, ProPublica and KYUK radio in Bethel, Alaska.

Dozens of grants from at least seven federal agencies have helped pay for the relocation, which began in 2019 and is expected to cost more than $150 million. But while the federal government supplied taxpayer dollars, it left most of the responsibility for the move to the tiny Newtok Village Council. The federally recognized tribal government lacked the expertise to manage the project and has faced high turnover and internal political conflict, according to tribal records and interviews with more than 70 residents as well as dozens of current and former members of the seven-person village council.

Federal auditors have warned for years that climate relocation projects need a lead agency to coordinate assistance and reduce the burden on local communities. The Biden administration tried to address those concerns by creating an interagency task force led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Interior Department. The task forces report in December also called for more coordination and guidance across the federal government as well as long-term funding for relocations.

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But the Trump administration has removed the report from FEMAs website and, as part of its withdrawal of climate funding, frozen millions in federal aid that was supposed to pay for housing construction in Mertarvik this summer. The administration did not respond to a request for comment.

Were physically seeing the impacts of a changing climate on these communities, said Don Antrobus, a climate adaptation consultant for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. And the fact that we dont have a government framework for dealing with these issues is not just an Alaska problem, its a national problem.

Newtoks relocation follows the resettlement of Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana, where land vanished under rising sea levels. Both relocations have been labeled blueprints for the federal governments response to climate change. Both have been mired in complicated and disjointed funding systems and accusations that the government neglected traditional knowledge.

For centuries, the areas Indigenous Yupik residents lived a nomadic subsistence lifestyle, timing their seasonal movements with the arrival of migratory birds in spring, fish in summer and the ripening of berries in early fall. But that changed in the 1950s after a barge, loaded with construction materials to build a school, got stuck near present-day Newtok and couldnt navigate farther upriver. So the Bureau of Indian Affairs built the school there.

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At the time, elders knew the location wasnt fit for permanent settlement because the low-lying ground would shift as the permafrost froze and thawed seasonally, said Andy Patrick, 77, one of two residents who remember life in the old village before Newtok.

My grandma used to tell me Its going to start wobbling, he said. But they moved because the BIA required their children to attend its school.

Born and raised in Newtok, Jack Charlie was relieved when he moved into a modest brown house in Mertarvik in 2022. His old plywood home in Newtok was moldy and sinking into the tundra as the permafrost that supported the land thawed.

But within months, the light fixtures in his new house filled with water from condensation, and gaps formed where the walls met the ceiling in his bedroom. Charlie started stuffing toilet paper into the cracks to keep out the persistent coastal winds.

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Once I found it was leaking and cold air drifting in, I said: Hell! What kind of house did they build? he said.

Charlie is one of multiple residents who complained about problems with their newly built houses. When KYUK asked for inspection reports, the tribe and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said they didnt have any. In the absence of an official inspection, KYUK hired a professional with expertise in cold climate housing to examine seven of the 46 homes, which were built by three different contractors, in Mertarvik.

According to the inspection performed last year, Charlies home is among 17 houses, built by one contractor, that are rapidly deteriorating because they were all designed and constructed the same way. The foundations are not salvageable, and the buildings do not meet minimum code requirements, said the inspector, Emmett Leffel, an energy auditor and building analyst in Alaska.

This is some of the worst new construction I've ever seen, and the impact is so quickly realized because of the coastal climate, Leffel said in an interview.

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His inspection report concluded: The totality of the work needed to correct these conditions and issues may cost substantially more than the original construction.

There are other problems beyond housing. The BIA committed more than $6 million for roads but failed to coordinate with other agencies to install water pipes underneath, according to a former project manager, the tribal health consortium and the Denali Commission, an independent federal agency tasked with providing critical infrastructure support to Alaskas most remote communities. As a result, none of the houses in Mertarvik has a flush toilet or shower. Residents go to the towns small well to fill jugs for household use.

As more people have moved to Mertarvik, the towns power plant hasnt kept up with electricity demand, leaving residents without heat or power in the winter, said Calvin Tom, the tribal administrator. And a wastewater system that handles sewage from the school, health clinic and a dormitory for construction workers has been overwhelmed for more than a year, he said. Last spring, sewage backed up into the schools basement.

The BIA, the largest funder of the relocation that helped plan the community, did not agree to an interview request. The agency said in an email that its working closely with the Newtok Village Council and that the council has established a plan to repair the homes. The tribes attorney, Matt Mead, said, NVC does have a repair plan and is seeking funding from multiple sources to allow for implementation of the plan.

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That was news to council secretary Della Carl and council member Francis Tom, whose home has some of the worst problems. Both said they knew of no such plan, and Mead declined to provide one. Four other council members (one seat is vacant) declined to comment or didnt return calls or emails. Mead said the plan to fix the houses needs to be better communicated to council members and residents. He said the tribe disagrees that the homes are deteriorating and declined to comment about its management of the project.

Patrick LeMay, the Anchorage-based contractor whose company was hired by the tribe to build Charlies and 16 other deteriorating houses, was fired last year because of the construction and design problems, according to tribal council members. LeMay didnt respond to questions or comment on Leffels report other than to say, I do not work for Newtok any longer.

Greg Stuckey, administrator for HUDs Office of Native American Programs in Anchorage, said the agency is not required to inspect the LeMay houses because the grant went directly to the tribal government. Federal law allows tribes to administer government programs themselves to recognize their independence and cultural needs.

So they cant say its the federal government, Stuckey said, because they chose this.

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Mead said the Newtok Village Council didnt dispute that.

The Government Accountability Office, however, has repeatedly recommended that federal agencies provide more technical assistance to small tribes in climate relocations.

When you have 20 or 30 different programs that can all interact together and they all have different rules, said Anna Maria Ortiz, GAOs director of natural resources and environment, thats going to cost more in the long run and can be nearly impossible for some villages.

In 1996, after decades fighting erosion from storms and the deteriorating permafrost, the Newtok tribe began negotiating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to exchange land for the relocation. Congress approved the trade in 2003. For the next two decades, the tribe worked with federal and state agencies to plan the new community at Mertarvik. Storm damage shut down the public school for good last year, and the Newtok Village Council voted to finish the evacuation.

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Dozens of remote communities in Alaska face similar threats from climate change, according to a 2019 report by the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The issues affecting such communities are well understood in Arctic regions around the world, but policymakers arent heeding warnings from relocation experts, said Andrea Marta Knudsen, a relocation and disaster recovery specialist in the Iceland prime ministers office.

It's not like this is a new thing or hasn't been researched, she said. The government should maybe say, Oh wow, we're dealing with a disaster or relocation. Who knows this? Let's have a team of experts working with the government on this.

Over the years, several government bodies tried to coordinate efforts in Newtok. At first, Alaskas commerce department formed the Newtok Planning Group to coordinate assistance for the relocation. But in 2013, the groups work stalled because the BIA paused its funding for the tribe after a political dispute resulted in two competing tribal governments. The planning group has met only three times since 2019.

The Denali Commission took on project management responsibilities in 2016 but ceded control to the BIA three years ago after the agency announced a $25 million grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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This inconsistent oversight and coordination has significantly affected the quality of housing, according to experts who have worked on the relocation.

The first two housing projects in Mertarvik received high ratings from Leffel, the inspector hired by KYUK. The Alaska-based nonprofit Cold Climate Housing Research Center designed 14 homes to maximize energy efficiency and withstand the harsh weather. The houses also provide space for residents to cut fish, dress moose and host large family gatherings - activities integral to the Yupik lifestyle. An additional 15 houses were built by a regional housing authority that has decades of experience on Alaskas Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Charlies home and 16 others were part of a third round of houses, designed and built by LeMay Engineering & Consulting. At various times, LeMay was also employed by the tribe in other roles, including tribal administrator and relocation coordinator. Representing the tribe while simultaneously earning money from it could create a potential conflict of interest, said Ted Waters, an attorney who specializes in federal grants administration.

According to Leffels inspection, the foundations of Charlies home and the others designed and built by LeMay do not meet minimum code requirements for corrosion resistance, adequate supports or structural integrity requirements. Two years of fuel usage data provided by the tribe shows residents in the LeMay houses pay more than twice as much for energy each year compared with the other two housing projects.

Francis Tom, the council member, said outside entities like LeMay and federal agencies often ignored his communitys needs. They dont know. They werent born here, he said. They dont spend enough time here.

A year before Leffel examined the houses, a group of BIA officials took a tour and saw the water pooling in light fixtures and moisture damage in several of the LeMay homes, council members said. Its unclear what they did with that information. The BIA said its staff has made three trips to Mertarvik since, and the tribes attorney said multiple homes were inspected by independent engineers this past year, something both council members Carl and Tom disputed. Charlie and nearly a dozen other residents said no one other than Leffel had been inside their homes to inspect them. The attorney declined to provide copies of any inspections.

HUD was also made aware of problems after a 2022 report submitted by the tribe showed occupancy numbers that exceeded the agencys overcrowding standards.

In addition to the problems with the LeMay homes, several other residents said theyre facing similar issues with some of the temporary tiny homes that were shipped in by barge in the fall because of the urgent need to move. Rosemary Johns was among the last families to relocate. John, who grew up in Newtok and raised her six kids there, said the move has been agonizing. Seven people are now living in her house. This winter, John posted a video to social media that showed water running down a wall and pooling on the floor.

Next door, in Dionne Kilongaks temporary house, the window sills are already covered in mold. She works at her kitchen table every day while her children, ages 2 and 4, scurry up and down the narrow hallway. She said winds bring water into her house.

I think these aren't for Alaska, she said.

With no solution in sight, Charlie has tried to make his house feel more homey. Tired of white paint that did nothing to hide the water damage, he found scrap paneling from one of the housing authoritys projects and fastened it to his walls.

Like most people in these houses, he said he hopes theyll be fixed, but hes unsure where to turn.

I have no idea whos going to be responsible for these homes, he said.

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GOMA, Congo (AP)  Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila, who is accused by the government of supporting Rwanda-backed rebels in the countrys conflict-battered east, on Thursday met with top religious leaders in the rebel-controlled city of Goma.

During the meeting  his first public engagement since Congolese authorities lifted his immunity amid a treason probe - Kabila expressed his desire to help achieve peace in the troubled region, according to one of the religious leaders.

The former president called us to express his wish to see peace return, Joel Amurani, senior bishop and president of the Religious Denominations Platform, said after the meeting.

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We told him to play the role of referee. For 18 years, he has worked for the unity of this country, and he still possesses this talent to contribute to the return of peace, Amurani added.

Kabila, who led Congo from 2001 to 2019, is accused by the government of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels that have seized two major cities in the countrys east. He had been in self-imposed exile since 2023 until April when he arrived in the key city of Goma in the east.

Among his alleged crimes include treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity and participation in an insurrectional movement in the countrys east, Justice Minister Constant Mutamba has said.

The Congolese government has not spoken publicly about any plans to charge Kabila for the alleged crimes. However, the senate last week voted to grant the governments request and lift his lifetime immunity because of his honorific title as senator for life.

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Congolese political analyst Hubert Masomeko described the current political situation as a dangerous standoff between the Congolese government and Kabila.

"Kabilas arrival in Goma is a political counteroffensive in retaliation for the measures taken by Kinshasa, Masomeko added.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R) has been pardoned by President Donald Trump, according to documents obtained by Nexstar Medias Washington D.C. Bureau.

This Week in Connecticut History: Gov. John Rowland sentenced for corruption

The former governor, who served from 1995 to 2004, resigned from office after a corruption scandal. He was one of several people the president pardoned Wednesday, a list that also includes reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and former New York Rep. Michael Grimm.

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I am very humbled and appreciative, Rowland said in a statement. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends that have been through a great deal over the years. This is a wonderful final resolution.

To this day, more than two decades after Rowland resigned from office and later pled guilty to a federal crime, the mention of his name still elicits strong reactions from those in the world of Connecticut politics.

State representatives Bob Godfrey, a Democrat, and John Piscopo, a Republican, both served in the legislature while Rowland was governor. Piscopo has been friends with the Rowland family for years.

It was a stain on Connecticuts history and our reputation, Godfrey said. This is just wrong. Just plain wrong.

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He was just running the state and maybe didnt keep his eye on a lot of what he should have been, Piscopo said. But at his core, hes a good guy. And he really deserves that pardon.

Connecticut Democratic Chair Roberto Alves released the following statement:

Donald Trumps pardon of John Rowland defies logic and facts. The former governors behavior was condemned by Democrats and Republicans, who in the wake of his arrest and conviction, passed landmark legislation to bring more accountability to elections and state contracting. To erase our states reckoning with corruption is disrespectful of Connecticut law and a shameful misuse of pardon power.

Despite the disagreements about Rowlands legacy, almost everyone who witnessed his rise and fall agrees that it is a singular event in state history.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR)  A room on the first floor of the Illinois State Library will now be named after former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias officially dedicated the Jim Edgar Reading Room on Wednesday. Edgar revealed in February that he has pancreatic cancer.

Pritzker says he will veto any budget with broad tax increases

The former Governor served from 1991-1999, and he also served as Secretary of State prior to that. Edgar, a Republican, has continued to foster bipartisan alliances through his Edgar Fellows program. Policy leaders from all over the state  from both sides of the aisle and from outside organizations  gathered for lessons in statesmanship and growing relationships outside of the tensions of the capitol.

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Libraries are the pillar of every single community in Illinois, rich or poor, rural or urban, Giannoulias said. And for Governor Edgar, it was all about making that knowledge more accessible and offering a public space to foster a love for reading and intellectual growth.

The honor is particularly fitting for Edgar. Both because he made supporting libraries a big part of his time in office, and because he oversaw the construction of the State Library when he was serving as Secretary of State.

Bill heading to Pritzkers desk to prevent time limit on anesthesia

The most important thing I want to tell you today make use of this beautiful building, Edgar said. This building ought to be libraries are only good if people are in them. Thats what a library is about, people. And we need to have people in this library all the time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday urged the U.S. side to stop fanning the flames on the Taiwan question, stressing that such behavior would only backfire.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to reports of U.S. military commanders' groundless accusations against Chinese actions related to Taiwan.

Taiwan is part of China. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, which brooks no external interference, Zhang reiterated at the press conference.

"For the cross-Strait situation, there is no factor more destabilizing than the provocations made by the 'Taiwan independence' separatists and the disruptions by foreign forces," Zhang said.

It is legitimate, necessary, lawful, and justified for the Chinese side to take actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhang told reporters.

Responding to reports of the U.S. side building up its military presence against the so-called "China's threat," Zhang noted that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation are the right path for the two countries to engage with each other.

"The U.S. side should stop conjuring up a 'powerful enemy' for itself, whether intentionally or unintentionally," Zhang said. "Such imagination is irrational and extremely dangerous."

The Chinese military will make all-out efforts to enhance its combat readiness and firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, the spokesperson added. 
Former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) received a primary challenge Thursday from volunteer firefighter and former Jeopardy! contestant Harry Jarin, who is seeking to make age a centerpiece of the campaign.

In a statement announcing his bid, Jarin, 35, said Hoyer, 85, represents a bygone era of politics that isnt working and that congressional seats should not be treated as lifetime appointments.

Ive seen from the inside how the Democratic Party has totally lost touch with working people, Jarin said. We didnt present a vision of the future or politicians that people could relate to, and thats what opened the door for Trump and extremist Republicans to take power.

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Politicians in their late 80s like Steny Hoyer simply dont know how to communicate in the era of social media, he continued. Democrats have to recognize how badly weve failed and change course if we want to win.

Hoyer was first elected to Congress in 1981 and has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection in 2026.

The primary challenge is the latest development in the debate over age in the Democratic Party. Recent revelations about former President Bidens health, including a cancer diagnosis, have reignited the debate over his decision to run for reelection in 2024. Additionally, three Democratic lawmakers have died in the past three months, calling attention to the topic and creating vacancies in the House.

Younger voices in the party have called for generational change, including Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg, whose organization Leaders We Deserve is focusing on challenging more than a dozen Democratic incumbents in safe seats.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa  A former substitute teacher with the Marshalltown Community School District has been accused of having inappropriate contact with a student.

According to the Marshalltown Police Department, the investigation into the alleged incident began on April 16 when a complaint was made against a part-time substitute teacher, identified as 63-year-old Daniel Terrones, at the Marshalltown High School. Marshalltown police said that during the investigation, it was discovered that Terrones allegedly had inappropriate contact with a student.

Johnston man killed in wrong-way, head-on Highway 30 crash

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On Thursday, police said Terrones turned himself in and has now been charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee. Terrones was booked into the Marshall County Jail.

The Marshalltown Community School District told WHO 13 that Terrones resigned from his position on May 5. The district released the following statement about his arrest:

The district was recently made aware that a former employee is facing a criminal charge of Sexual Exploitation By a School Employee. This individual was employed by the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) until he resigned from his position effective May 5. The district followed its policies and procedures as applicable to the situation. Following his resignation, law enforcement pursued and filed criminal charges. At MCSD, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a learning environment that is respectful, secure, and supportive for all individuals. We continue to reinforce clear expectations for professional conduct at all times. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to do so. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings and in accordance with privacy restrictions, we are unable to share further details at this time. MCSD

Iowa News:

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27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?

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MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA)  A former Monticello police officer has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison for possessing and disseminating child sex abuse material.

William Craig Griswold, 40, was in court on Tuesday to be sentenced on two counts that he pleaded guilty to in March. Both counts were of the same crime  reproducing child pornography depicting a victim under the age of 13.

Mattoon man sentenced to 58 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing his mother

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Court records show that during the hearing, new exhibits were admitted into evidence and sworn statements were then presented by the prosecution. After the state rested its case and the defense presented arguments and recommendations, Judge Gary Webber handed down his sentence.

Griswold was sentenced to 18 years in prison for each count, with the sentences to be served consecutively  a total of 36 years behind bars.

I am pleased with the outcome of the sentencing hearing, and I believe it was a just resolution of this case, Piatt County States Attorney Sarah Perry said in a news release. I appreciate the efforts of all involved, including the investigation conducted by the Illinois State Police and the collaboration with the Attorney Generals Office in prosecuting this case.

The offices of the Illinois Attorney General and the Piatt County States Attorney charged Griswold with four counts in August of 2024. The Illinois State Police reported that multiple tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) pointed them toward Griswold and he was arrested on Aug. 13 following a search warrant.

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Griswold resigned as a police officer the day after he was arrested.

In March, Griswold reached a plea deal with prosecutors that saw him plead guilty to two counts. The other two  both for reproducing a moving depiction of child pornography  were dismissed.

On Tuesday, in sentencing Griswold to 36 years in prison, Judge Webber stipulated that the sentences were to be served at 50% and that Griswold would receive credit for 287 days hes already served in custody. He will be required to serve three years of mandatory supervised release when he gets out, and Griswold will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Paxton Police arrest Bradley man for traveling to meet child

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Child exploitation is a horrific crime that is made even more reprehensible when the alleged offender is a member of law enforcement who has sworn to protect families, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. This sentence sends the message that offenders who commit these crimes will be held accountable  no matter who they are. I will continue to partner with local law enforcement officers and states attorneys to obtain justice for survivors.

Court records show Griswold was remanded to the custody of the Piatt County Sheriffs Office until he can be transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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Dr. Annie Andrews, a Mount Pleasant pediatrician, announced Thursday, May 29, 2025, that she is challenging U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Photo courtesy of Andrews' campaign)

A Lowcountry pediatrician is again running for a spot on Capitol Hill, this time aiming for the U.S. Senate seat held by Lindsey Graham, she announced Thursday.

Dr. Annie Andrews, who spent 15 years at the Medical University of South Carolina and attempted in 2022 to oust U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, is the second Democrat this month to announce a bid to topple Graham next year.

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I believe in South Carolina. I believe in the kids and families that Ive served for years, and Im not afraid to take on the people whove sold them out, and Im starting with Lindsey Graham, Andrews told the SC Daily Gazette ahead of her announcement on social media.

In response, Grahams campaign manager, Mark Knoop, said Andrews is pushing a radical liberal agenda that is out of touch with South Carolinians.

Andrews touted her medical experience during her 2022 run and will do so again amid debate in Washington over Republicans efforts to slash spending in President Donald Trumps second term.

An overhaul of Medicaid in the massive bill passed by the U.S. House last week by a single vote would cut spending on the government-run health insurance program by a projected $625 billion over a decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

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Most of the bills Medicaid reduction measures (an estimated 60%) apply to states that expanded coverage to more poor adults under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. South Carolina is among 10 states that never did. Still, anywhere from 40,000 to 67,000 South Carolinians could lose their Medicaid coverage, according to an analysis by KFF.

I am watching in real time as our health care system is being completely dismantled by conspiracy theorists and drifters who have no business being anywhere near our public health system, Andrews said. Ive seen both Republicans and Democrats watch and treat this as normal politics, which is not what this is at all.

Andrews first ventured into politics for the 2022 election, hoping to flip the coastal 1st District blue again after Mace brought it back to the GOP in 2020, defeating one-term Democrat Joe Cunningham.

But Andrews lost by nearly 14 percentage points as Mace swept every county in the district in the first election following the Legislatures decennial redrawing of congressional voting lines. In a split ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld those lines last year.

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In September 2022, weeks before voters cast their ballot, Andrews took a leave of absence from her role at MUSC due to political attacks during the election.

The following June, less than two months after announcing the creation of a political action committee dedicated to supporting children, Andrews announced her departure from MUSC.

Andrews lives in Mount Pleasant but works part time at Childrens National Hospital in Washington D.C. And shes active on social media, accruing more than 100,000 followers across Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.

However, that pales in comparison to Grahams 2.2 million followers on X alone, with another 164,000 on Instagram.

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Taking on Graham, who has Trumps endorsement and is a fundraising juggernaut, will be no easy task for any Democrat in a state in its biggest red wave in four decades. Graham had $15.9 million cash available in his campaign account, according to his latest filings with the Federal Election Commission.

But Andrews says its possible. Despite being the Senate Budget Committee chairman and one of the GOPs most visible faces, he remains divisive.

In Andrews eyes, that makes him vulnerable.

Republicans are just as fed up with the corruption in career politicians like Lindsey Graham in Washington D.C. as Democrats are, she said.

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Mark Lynch, a Greenville businessman who invested $5 million of his own money into his campaign as of the end of March, is Grahams lone Republican primary challenger so far.

Its likely that more Republicans will jump into the race. Graham usually draws multiple challengers in elections.

Grahams re-election campaign is co-chaired by Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

Before she gets to Graham, Andrews will have to win the Democratic nomination. Lee Johnson, a Greenville engineer, announced his bid earlier this month.

In a statement, Johnson said he welcomes anybody to the race and wants to find the best candidate to defeat Graham.

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My focus remains squarely on the mission: retiring Lindsey Graham with someone who shows up, listens, and delivers for all of South Carolina, the statement said.

Grahams spokesman said the senators rising number of challengers means hes doing his job.

The more effective you are in helping enact President Trumps agenda, the more Democrats want to take you down, Knoop said in a statement. Senator Graham has always stood firm for conservative values  cutting taxes, securing the border, protecting the right to life, defending the 2nd Amendment, and confirming conservative judges to protect our freedoms.

Two other Democrats previously jumped into the race to challenge Graham: Catherine Fleming Bruce and Kyle Freeman.

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Bruce ran unsuccessfully in 2022 to challenge U.S. Sen. Tim Scott. She was defeated in the Democratic primary and hasnt yet filed any paperwork with the FEC for the 2026 election. Freeman filed a statement of candidacy in September. He put $23,600 of his own money into the campaign and had less than $12,000 available as of March 31, according to his last filing.

When asked why she should be the Democratic nominee, Andrews said, Im a doctor. Im a mom. Im not a career politician. Ive been serving kids and families in South Carolina from every corner of South Carolina for 15 years, and Im in this fight for those kids and families.

Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect that Andrews is the second Democrat this month to announce a bid. Two other Democrats launched a bid earlier.
Josh Klinghoffer, May 2024 (Jim Bennett/Getty Images)

Josh Klinghoffer, the former guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers, has accepted a no-jail plea deal after being charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence in September 2024 for allegedly driving over and killing pedestrian Israel Sanchez in Alhambra, California. Klinghoffer originally pleaded not guilty through his lawyer, Blair Bernholz Berk, when the charges were first filed. When reached by Pitchfork, Berk offered no comment on the plea deal.

When appearing in the courtroom on Wednesday (May 28), Klinghoffer pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso sentenced the musician to one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor, as well as requiring him to complete a driver safety class and pay restitution, the amount of which will be determined at a later date.

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After Klinghoffer entered the plea, a prosecutor read a statement warning him about distracted driving again in the future: If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder. Klinghoffer said that he understood, reports Rolling Stone.

In July 2024, Sanchezs family sued Klinghoffer for wrongful death and negligence, claiming that the 47-year-old man was struck by the musicians car when he failed to yield at a crosswalk, resulting in Sanchezs death hours later due to blunt-force trauma to the head. The lawsuit claimed that Klinghoffer was on his phone while driving the SUV, and that no arrest was initially made in the incident despite camera footage.

Klinghoffers attorney in the civil case, Andrew B. Brettler, called it a tragic accident in a statement to Pitchfork. After the car struck the pedestrian, Josh immediately pulled over, stopped the vehicle, called 911, and waited until police and the ambulance arrived. He is fully cooperating with the traffic investigation, said Brettler.

The Sanchez familys attorney, Nick Rowley, told Variety that Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for homicide. Rowley continued: We have a video of him on his cell phone at the time he hit and killed Israel Sanchez, a loving father, in a crosswalk. Israel Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store to make soup for his family and never came home. He did everything right, looking for oncoming traffic and abiding by pedestrian signage, but tragically Mr. Klinghoffer, in a rush and on his phone, hit him fatally from behind with a large SUV. The loss and grief that the Sanchez family now faces is immense. We will not stop until there is accountability and justice for Mr. Sanchez and his family.

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Klinghoffer played guitar with the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, when he was replaced by returning member John Frusciante. Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2012, making him the youngest inductee ever at the time. Since leaving the band, he performed as a touring member of Janes Addiction before their abrupt breakup, and remains an active touring guitarist in Pearl Jam.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time in connection with the death of a pedestrian in Alhambra, California, in March of last year.

Klinghoffer, 45, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence in an Alhambra courtroom Wednesday, according to Rolling Stone. He received one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor.

Klinghoffer was driving a 2022 GMC Yukon when he struck and killed 47-year-old Israel Sanchez in a crosswalk on March 18, 2024. Security video of the incident shows Klinghoffer immediately stopped and called 911.

Josh Klinghoffer of Pearl Jam performs live on stage at Rogers Arena on May 04, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Jim Bennett/Getty Images)

Sanchez suffered blunt force trauma to the head and died from his injuries hours later.

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Klinghoffer also faces a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit filed by Ashley Sanchez, the victims daughter.

Klinghoffer joined the Los Angeles-based Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 after guitarist John Frusciantes departure. He became the youngest member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when he was inducted with the band at age 32 in 2012.

He left the group in 2019 when Frusciante returned and later performed with Pearl Jam and Janes Addiction.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
FAIRMONT  After facing the possibility the school would be closed and the students merged with Blackshere Elementary, former technology teacher Rusty Elliott is now glad that Marion County Schools is taking steps to preserve the historic building that houses Mannington Middle School.

Its one of those schools that was built in 1902, Elliott said. And its as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.

In March, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia announced Mannington Middle School had been added to the states Endangered Properties List. School Superintendent Donna Heston told WAJRs Talk of the Town in March she hoped the designation opened up opportunities for the school similar to what Alderson Elementary School in Greenbrier County received. According to an article from November 2024, the former Alderson High School was renovated into an elementary school after the school district worked with the West Virginia School Building Association, DC Shires and The Thrasher Groups engineering division to refurbish the school.

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Structurally it is sound, weve had engineers come in and look at it, Heston said about Mannington Middle on WAJR. Beautiful wood floors, it has a very historically rich structure as well as a historically rich library.

Heston said Mannington Middle Principal Jane DeVaul, a group of parents and the Preservation Alliance did the work to move the school onto the endangered properties list.

The school faced closure as the county school system worked to put together a bond proposal for the 2024 election. However, the proposal was removed from the final bond before it was presented to voters.

Elliott said while the building is structurally sound, the roof could use replacing. In 2023, Marion County Schools had the Thrasher Group check the tower area of the school. The Board of Education instituted safety precautions around the tower in 2022. The inspection led the Board of Education to believe there were no significant structural issues with the school.

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On its website, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia wrote that the building was built in the Victorian Romanesque architectural style, and is a significant part of Mannington and the states history. Its one of the oldest functional public schools in the state. The school was designed by an architectural firm out of Wheeling, and construction finished on the school in 1925.

While still functional, the BOE, stretched thin, hopes its inclusion on this list will help with the preservation efforts for this outstanding building, the alliance wrote on its website.

It added the Endangered Properties List is a powerful tool used by the alliance to raise awareness about threatened historic sites across the state. Earning a place on the list increases visibility, advocacy and access to preservation resources for historic places.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., is also working on a Rural Historic Tax Credit which could potentially support preservation projects like the one in Mannington. The Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act would reduce financial barriers to historic preservation in rural areas, alleviate burdens for small developers by boosting net proceeds and lowering compliance costs, as well as increasing access to capital to small towns who suffer from high construction costs but lower lease rates, which discourages developers.

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Elliott said the building should be fixed up, and doesnt require a lot of work to keep up. He supports the school now being on the Endangered Properties List.

Lets fix it up, he said. It is a treasure in the state of West Virginia. Too many times we tear down our treasures and dont keep them going.
Former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn is promising to rid herself of financial conflicts should she gain a post with the U.S. Department of Education. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Seeking a deputy secretary post in the Trump administration, former Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn is promising to eliminate financial conflicts of interest to get the job, including minimizing ties to a Tennessee lobbying firm.

Schwinn, who left the state job in 2023 and served for a short time as Vice President for PK-12 and Pre-Bachelors Programs at the University of Florida, was selected for the U.S. Department of Education position nearly as soon as President Donald Trump won election this year but still hasnt received Senate confirmation to take the appointment.

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In a May 5 letter to an Education Department ethics official, the former Tennessee education leader for Gov. Bill Lee described steps she would take to avoid any actual or apparent conflict of interest, including personal participation in any matter in which she would have a financial interest.

If confirmed for the job, Schwinn said she will resign from an unpaid position with Nashville-based 38 Ventures LLC and become a non-managing member, though she will receive passive investment income from the entity. Blake Harris, former chief of staff for Lee, is the registered agent for the company located at 611 Commerce St.

In addition, Schwinn said she would resign her post with BHA Strategy, a lobbying company founded by Harris, Lees former communication director Laine Arnold, and Brent Easley, the governors former legislative director. Schwinn wrote, though, that she would receive a set referral fee of 30% for a contract she brought to BHA.

Schwinn said two companies she controls, Bexley Group, LLC, and PLSchwinn LLC, which are set up to receive business income, would stop conducting business and representing clients. Bexley Groups listed address also is 611 Commerce St. in Nashville.

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After being confirmed, she also would resign from a post with Soliant Health LLC through which she holds vested and unvested incentives with TVG-Soliant Holdings, LP. She would receive a cash payout for her vested incentives before taking the deputy secretary post, according to the letter.

In addition, Schwinn said she would resign from posts with TVG-MGT, Edmuntum Inc. and Really Great Reading and would divest interests in Odyssey and Amira Learning.

Schwinn went through a similar ethics process in March 2021 when she told Tennessees Central Procurement Office she would distance herself from an $8 million contract with TNTP Inc., a reading skills educator training company that employed her husband, Paul.

Schwinn came under fire from lawmakers in 2020 when the legislature removed the education commissioner as a voting member of the Tennessee textbook commission and took away the commissioners ability to grant waivers for school districts seeking to use unapproved books and materials. Lawmakers were concerned that Schwinn was too involved in the textbook adoption process.

Schwinn 2




MANILA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine durian has gained market access to Egypt, the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry said.

"This development, confirmed on May 18, 2025, marks the successful conclusion of nearly two years of technical negotiations, pest risk assessments, and regulatory cooperation between the Philippines and Egypt," the bureau said in a statement on social media on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the bureau, the fresh market access reflects regulatory compliance and growing confidence in the country's plant health and safety systems.

The path to market access began in June 2023, when the Philippines formally notified its intent to export fresh durian to Egypt.

Since then, the bureau said it has actively collaborated with Egypt's Central Administration for Plant Quarantine, addressing key concerns related to pest surveillance, phytosanitary measures, and export protocols.

According to the bureau, the Philippines exported 14,156.87 metric tons of fresh durian in 2024 to various international destinations, representing a 199.23 percent increase from 2023, which highlights the growing global demand for Philippine durian. 
NEW YORK  A former terrorism prosecutor has been picked for the No. 2 post at the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, according to two people familiar with the matter. There, he will occupy a role that is expected to be especially influential because the head of the office has no prosecutorial experience.

Sean Buckleys nine years at the office include a role as co-chief of the terrorism and international narcotics unit and winning the conviction of a Saudi who was a high-ranking lieutenant to Osama bin Laden. Now hell become the offices deputy U.S. attorney, these people said.

A spokesperson for the office declined to comment.

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Buckley, a partner at law firm Kobre & Kim, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

In his new job, Buckley will work for Jay Clayton, the interim U.S. attorney, who has years of legal and regulatory experience, but none in criminal law. Claytons gap is unusual for any U.S. attorney, but particularly for one leading arguably the most important federal prosecutorial office in the country  one that oversees Wall Street and regularly prosecutes some of the biggest securities, terrorism and public corruption cases.

Buckley will return to an office that is still struggling to stabilize in the wake of the Justice Departments decision to drop one of the offices most prominent prosecutions: the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

After Justice Department officials ordered the office to dismiss the corruption case against the Democratic mayor, the acting U.S. attorney, Danielle Sassoon, refused to do so, calling the departments rationale improper. Sassoon resigned rather than follow the order, as did several other prosecutors in New York and Washington.

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Fallout from that episode has continued in recent weeks. Last month, three other Adams prosecutors resigned after accusing the Justice Department of trying to force them to admit wrongdoing in connection with their resistance to dropping the charges.

But public corruption prosecutions like the Adams case may not be a priority for the office moving forward, because Justice Department officials have highlighted other areas of focus, including the prosecution of transnational corporations, immigration enforcement and terrorism cases.

Those are areas that Buckley  and the recently appointed criminal chief of the office, Amanda Houle  may be well suited to prioritize, since both are alumni of the offices terrorism unit.

Carrie Cohen, a former prosecutor in the office, said Buckleys reputation and experience would be particularly helpful to the office in the wake of the Adams conflict.

Buckley, she said, was well respected in the office and well respected as a defense counsel.
UNION COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A former Porter Ridge High School student was arrested for allegedly having a weapon on the school campus.

On May 25, Union County deputies were notified of reports that 19-year-old Amen Sankar drove to the high school, parked under the covered walkway near the entrance and took photos of his car.

Sankar allegedly removed an AR-15-style rifle from the car and took more photos displaying the weapon just feet from the schools main entrance.

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These images were later shared on his Snapchat account, deputies say.

Fortunately, the school was not in session and the campus was unoccupied at the time.

Parents were notified of the incident by Union County Public Schools on the same day.

Earlier this week, Sankar was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on a school campus. He was transported to the detention center and issued a $5,000 bond, which he has since posted.

Sheriff Eddie Cathey addressed the incident, stating, The safety of our schools and the well-being of our students, staff, and community will always be a top priority for this office. Weapons are not permitted on school campuses, with the only exceptions being those specifically allowed and properly secured under North Carolina General Statutes. There is no excuse for violating these laws. This office will continue to respond swiftly, decisively, and without hesitation to any threat, act of violence, or unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds.

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This is an ongoing investigation, and detectives request that anyone with information related to this case call our main office at (704) 283-3789.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

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The Fort Worth Police Department is investigating a murder after a shooter killed one victim and wounded two others on Memorial Day weekend.

Police officers responded to a shooting call in the Fairhaven neighborhood of southeast Fort Worth on May 25, according to a press release. Detectives found a shooter had wounded three victims, one of whom later died.

When officers responded to the area near 4200 Carmel Ave. at 3:18 p.m., they found a victim with at least one gunshot wound, according to the release. First responders took the victim to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

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The victim who died after the shooting is 21-year-old Alvion Ferrell Norris, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner. He died at 4:04 p.m. in the hospital ER of multiple gunshot wounds. His manner of death has been labeled a homicide.

Detectives reported the shooting victims were in a parked car when the suspect approached the vehicle and had a brief conversation with them, according to the release.

The suspect produced a handgun and shot into the vehicle striking all three victims, the release reads. The victim who later died  now identified as Norris  exited the vehicle to run away but collapsed a short distance from the vehicle. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.

The two other victims drove themselves to a local hospital for treatment of their wounds, according to the release. Their condition is unknown at this time. The Fort Worth Police Departments Homicide Unit is investigating the killing.

The Dallas Police Department investigated three murders that took place across the city during Memorial Day weekend, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Fort Worth police also investigated two shooting deaths the previous week after arguments turned violent.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Several foundations have donated $1.5 million to help rebuild after arson gutted a historic Black church in Memphis, Tennessee, that played an important role in the civil rights movement.

Clayborn Temple had been undergoing a yearslong renovation when someone intentionally set a fire inside the church in the early hours of April 28, destroying almost everything but parts of the facade.

Before the fire, the Romanesque revival church was in the midst of a $25 million restoration project that included restoring a 3,000-pipe grand organ. The project also sought to help revitalize the neighborhood with a museum, cultural programing and community outreach.

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Despite the extensive damage, Anasa Troutman, executive director of Historic Clayborn Temple, has said they plan to continue moving forward with the restoration. Troutman announced the new donations for that effort Wednesday. The money comes from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund along with the Mellon and Ford foundations.

Located just south of the iconic Beale Street, Clayborn Temple was built in 1892 as the Second Presbyterian Church and originally served an all-white congregation. In 1949, the building was sold to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation and given its current name. In 1968, the church served as the headquarters for a sanitation workers strike, which brought the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis, where he was assassinated.
Four teenagers were arrested by East St. Louis police after gunshots were fired in the area of a school at 17th Street and Summit Avenue Wednesday afternoon.

No one was injured in the shooting outside the Teens Against Killing Everywhere, or the TAKE Center, which strives to provide job training for youths so they dont have to resort to violence, according to a school official.

East St. Louis Police Chief Kendall Perry said four males fired several shots in the area of 17th and Summit Avenue in the vicinity of the school in the area. The police department received a call about the shooting around 12:15 p.m.

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Responding officers saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspects vehicle in the 1700 block of Gaty Avenue.

The suspects vehicle hit a police squad car and the four males inside of it fled on foot but were arrested, Perry said.

When officers checked the vehicle, they located three assault rifles and one Glock handgun with an extended magazine, Perry said. He said two of the weapons had switches, which allow semiautomatic guns to be fired as automatic weapons.

The four suspects were taken to the East St. Louis Police Department without any further incident, Perry said. Charges have not yet been announced.

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Police officers said the suspects are about 17 or 18 years old .

Jonathan Marchbanks, director of operations at Teens Against Killing Everywhere, or the TAKE Center, was in the lobby assisting people to sign up for a summer youth employment program when the shooting occurred.

As I was in the lobby, I noticed a gray car pull up, he said. A young man wearing a mask was hanging out of the car. I watched it all unfold. The young man pulled out a gun. Everyone was running. Shots were fired. I started to get the people who were outside of the building on the inside, making sure they all were safe. Simultaneously, I called the police. Then I immediately started our active shooter procedure. In about a minute they had shot and were headed toward College Avenue. There were four people in the car.

There were seven or eight 17- to 18-year-olds out front. There were several young children in the front as well. I am grateful, that nobody was hurt, Marchbanks said.

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He said he is tired of the shootings and spoke of the work his organization is doing in East St. Louis.

We pride ourselves in providing young people with opportunities to make their lives better. Unfortunately, a lot of young people are taking the lives of their fellow young people. A lot of our work is centered around making sure young people have jobs so they dont have to resort to violence. While I am not afraid of what happens in our city, I am saddened and disheartened at what happened today.

These are two of the four guns that were seized by East St. Louis police officers Wednesday after four teenagers were arrested following a shooting near a school.

Marchanks said he is grateful for the quick response from the East St. Louis Police Department and Illinois State Police.

Vickie Kimmel, who is the executive director of the TAKE Center, was in the hallway of the building at 1798 Summit Ave. and heard one shot.

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I ran to the door to holler to get people inside. Two children who appeared to be under 6 years old were out there. One was with her brother. The other one was with a parent. There were girls hiding behind my truck. Everybody went into the hallway and into a classroom away from the glass, Kimmel said.

We called the police and told them they were shooting at our school, she said. We gave them a description of the car. We took the pictures off our cameras and they were to locate them two blocks away. I have been there 35 years and never had an incident like this. Its always been a safe place where people felt comfortable coming. We want to retain that.

Kimmel hopes the shooters are locked up forever because shootings are out of control in this country.

Kimmel said she is grateful for the relationship the school has always had with the East St. Louis Police Department and that four suspects were arrested and four guns were taken off the streets.

I have been a part of burying over 200 young people. Today is a very, very sad day. I am just grateful that no one was actually hit, Kimmel said.
A South Korean Navy patrol plane with four people on board crashed on a mountain in Pohang, a city in the south-eastern part of the country, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing authorities.

The crash happened at 1:50 pm (0450 GMT). Witnesses said smoke was seen rising from the mountain, according to the report.

The bodies of all four people aboard the plane have since been recovered, Yonhap reported.

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The navy, in a short statement to reporters, said the crash occurred after the aircraft took off for a training exercise, but crashed "due to unidentified reasons."

The navy said that it is investigating further details.

Fire workers were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
Four newspapers in northwest Minnesota have closed originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Wednesday was a sad day for news in Minnesota, as four papers in the northwest of the state issued their final editions.

The Leader Record, Grygla Eagle, Red Lake County Herald, and McIntosh Times have all gone dark. The papers are run by Richards Publishing, founded in 1972 by Dick and Corrine Richards, who will continue the commercial printing arm of the company.

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"After months of thoughtful conversation, difficult number-crunching and heartfelt discussions, weve come to a decision that was very difficult to make," Grygla Eagle editor Kari Sundburg wrote to readers and business partners. "Richards Publishing will be closing its four newspapers."

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Commercial printing makes up 80% of the company's revenue, with a decline in subscriptions and advertising putting the newspapers at just 20%. However, the newspapers, which were issued weekly, account for more than 20% of the costs, Richards told the Grand Forks Herald.

Between the four papers, they had roughly 25,000 subscribers, per the Star Tribune.

"Like so many small, hometown newspapers across the country, we've faced growing financial challenges over the past several years," Sundburg wrote. "Advertising dollars, which have always been the backbone of keeping a paper alive, have declined significantly in today's digital age. While we explored all possible avenues, including the idea of going fully digital to cut printing and postage costs, the numbers simply couldn't support the path forward."

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Richards told the Grand Forks Herald that the troubles likely go back to Walmart entering the rural communities, closing down grocery stores and other local businesses. That impact was heightened during the pandemic, when advertising dollars dried up. Afterward, advertisers didn't come back, opting instead to stick with digital ad options.

The closures are part of a troubling trend as more and more communities, especially in rural areas, become news deserts. A University of Minnesota study, released in 2024, found that 12% of Minnesota's local news outlets have closed since 2018, "a pace of more than 11 per year."

Those closures have largely been print publications and in rural areas, like the four issued by Richards Publishing.

According to a project on news deserts from the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, these closures leave just one paper in Clearwater County, three in Marshall County, two in Red Lake County, and a handful in Polk County, where these papers were located.

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"Yes, emotions ran high. Yes, this feels heavy. But it is not a failure," Sundburg wrote. "It's the closing of a remarkable, successful chapter. For over five decades, these papers have been a trusted voice in our communities, covering everything from town festivals and meetings to high school sports, community events, hometown heroes, elections and everything in between."

While their closures will limit coverage of local news and politics in the region, Sundburg has announced she is launching a "100% digital news source" called The Northern Neighbor in mid-June.

"Thank you for reading," Sundburg's letter concludes. "Thank you for believing in local news. And thank you for allowing us to be part of your stories."

Related: Uptown sex shop says it's 'dangerously close' to closing 'forever'

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Credit: Reuters

Hordes of hungry people stormed a warehouse in central Gaza as aid trickled into the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine, a United Nations agency said on Thursday.

Eyewitness video verified by Reuters showed thousands pushing into the warehouse and removing bags and boxes, while gunfire could be heard in the background.

Doctors at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah reported that two people died after being crushed in the crowd, and two others were shot dead. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the gunfire.

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The incident comes one day after the Israeli military was seen firing warning shots in the area outside a distribution site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which was briefly rushed by people waiting for aid.

Palestinians ferry bags of food aid after storming a World Food Programme warehouse in Deir el-Balah in Gaza - AFP

The World Food Programme (WFP), a UN agency, said the deadly stampede showed that an immediate increase in food aid was necessary to reassure people that they will not starve.

Hordes of hungry people broke into WFPs Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, Central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution, WFP said in a statement on X, the social media app.

Initial reports indicate two people died and several were injured in the tragic incident, WFP said, adding that it was still confirming details.

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On Tuesday, footage from the GHF site showed fences broken down by crowds as private security contractors fell back before restoring order. The UN human rights office said that 47 people had been injured.

The GHF said aid distribution continued on Wednesday without incident as it opened a second distribution hub.

Across the two sites, it has so far given out the equivalent of 840,262 meals. The GHF said it was working to open four sites and expand further in Gaza in the weeks ahead.

Israel ended an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza 10 days ago following international pressure, but so far only the GHF and the UN have been allowed to deliver the food and supplies.

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Sigrid Kaag, the UNs Middle East envoy, told the United Nations Security Council that the amount of aid Israel had so far allowed the UN to deliver was comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk when everyone in Gaza was facing the risk of famine.

Israel has denied cutting off aid, instead accusing the terror group Hamas of diverting and seizing supplies. Hamas has denied the claims.

Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israels killing of Mohammad Sinwar, the late Hamas Gaza chief, marked a turn towards the complete defeat of Hamas. The Israeli prime minister added that Israel was taking control of food distribution in Gaza.

Displaced Palestinians carried out bags of food and took wood to build shelters - EYAD BABA

Samuel Zbogar, the Slovenian ambassador to the UN, said some UN members were working on a draft resolution to demand unimpeded aid access.

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Remaining silent is not an option, he told the Security Council.

Danny Danon, Israels ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council that Israel would allow aid deliveries for the immediate future.

However, Israel ultimately wants the UN to work through the GHF, which is using private US security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution by civilian teams at so-called secure distribution sites.

The UN should put their ego aside and co-operate with the new mechanism, Mr Danon told reporters before the council meeting.

The UN and other international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say the plan is not neutral.

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People in Gaza have said they are frightened to attend GHF aid sites over concerns the deliveries are part of an Israeli plot to gather intelligence.

Eyewitness video verified by Reuters showed large crowds pushing into the warehouse and removing bags and boxes - REUTERS

It is still not clear who is funding GHF, a non-profit registered in Geneva and Delaware, which has been rocked by the recent resignation of two of its most senior officials.

Jake Wood, the executive director, resigned on Sunday because GHFs plans could not be consistent with what he called the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.

David Burke, the chief operating officer, also resigned, sources told the Washington Post.

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Jonathan Whittall, a senior UN aid official for the occupied Palestinian territories, told reporters in Jerusalem on Wednesday: This new scheme is surveillance-based rationing that legitimises a policy of deprivation by design.

The UN has refused to participate in this scheme, warning that it is logistically unworkable and violates humanitarian principles by using aid as a tool in Israels broader efforts to depopulate areas of Gaza, he said.

Elsewhere, the baby of the Israeli woman shot on her way to give birth two weeks ago has died, Israels foreign minister has announced.

Tzeela Gezs baby was delivered by emergency c-section after the attack near Bruchin in the West Bank, in which the mother was killed.

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Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X on Thursday: Doctors fought for the life of Ravid Chaim, her newborn baby, for two weeks.

Tragically, he did not survive. He passed away today.

It comes as Israels defence ministry confirmed the approval of 22 new settlements in the West Bank.

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Fox News host Brian Kilmeade finally admitted what everyone else has been thinking: Elon Musk isnt gone for good.

The Tesla billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) supremo announced his departure from the White House this week after a contentious tenure spent slashing the federal government.

President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have been working together since the president's inauguration on slashing the federal government. / Win McNamee / Win McNamee/Getty Images

But Kilmeade doesnt think hell stay away for long.

Hell be back, Kilmeade said during a Thursday episode of Fox & Friends. I think he is going to take a little while off and he will be back in some way, shape, or form.

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Kilmeade continued: Because he was also special assistant to the president. And I know they appreciate each others input. And I think whats most laudable is they dont always have to agree.

Musk and President Donald Trumps four-month-long bromance was strewn with bumps in the road, with the two disagreeing on more than one occasion and sometimes even publicly clashing about the presidents position on tariffs.

His companies also suffered during his tenure at the White House. Tesla sales are drastically down, especially in Europe where they fall by almost half in April. Tesla dealerships and the electric vehicles have also been targeted by vandals. On Tuesday, SpaceXs Starship tumbled out of control during a test flight, which appeared to be a brutal metaphor for Musks own professional tailspin.

Elon Musk and his son X  have frequently been spotted at the White House since Trump's inauguration. But on Wednesday, Musk announced that his time working for the president had come to an end. / Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

But fellow Fox anchor Lawrence Jones said he believed the two will remain friends and that Musk will advise the president on a host of issues outside of the White House as well.

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Musk has dedicated his time in Washington, D.C. to axing the federal budget and rooting out fraud and waste. As a special government employee, he was only permitted to work up to 130 days in a 365-day period. On Wednesday, he wrote on X that his scheduled time had come to an end.

The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government, he wrote on X, which he owns.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.



The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

Trump has yet to comment on Musks departure. The duo have worked together since the presidents inauguration to drastically cut federal spending, a hotly debated move that has led to thousands of layoffs and a reduction in funds that some deem criticallike money for cancer research.

Reuters reported in early May that at least 260,000 federal employees had been fired due to DOGE. The billionaires original aim was to save U.S. taxpayers at least $1-2 trillion.

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He fell far short of his goal. DOGE has reported that it has only saved around $170 billion, just 17 percent of the $1 trillion goal and 8.5 percent of Musks $2 trillion best-case outcome. Other reports put the tally at much lower.

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has saved far less for U.S. taxpayers than the billionaire originally promised. / JIM WATSON / Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Musk, the richest man alive, has admitted that his experiment was harder than expected. The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized, he told The Washington Post. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.

Musks time in the White House has been riddled with controversy, especially in recent weeks as Musk disagrees with the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill.

I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing, Musk said in an interview with CBS News.

Elon Musk originally promised to save U.S. taxpayers at least $1 trillion through his DOGE efforts. / Samuel Corum / Samuel Corum/Getty Images

He has since butted heads with Capitol Hill representatives.

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I think the elephant in the room is he is disappointed with Congress, and frankly, Im disappointed at them as well, Jones said Thursday. You have this man, with all these business experts that took a leave of absence from their careers, and they helped us cut all this spending. And we thought that Congress, especially since the Republicans won, that they were going to codify a lot of these things and legislation. But they didnt.

Jones continued: They were weak on it. Well, they did some of it. But they didnt cut nearly the amount as they should have cut.
Lisbon, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese president on Thursday nominated Luis Montenegro as prime minister, following the legislative election results and talks with parties represented in Parliament.

The official appointment and swearing-in of the new government will take place after the final election results are confirmed and the newly elected Assembly of the Republic holds its first session.

Following their meeting with the president, Carlos Cesar of the Socialist Party (PS) and Andre Ventura of Chega both voiced support for the formation of a government led by the Democratic Alliance (AD), headed by Montenegro. 
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A senior living facility in Franklin County will be closing down later this summer.

According to a WARN Notice filed with the Department of Labor & Industry, a SpiriTrust Lutheran facility at 2700 Luther Drive in Chambersburg, Franklin County, will be closing in the coming weeks.

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The WARN Notice says the closure will take effect on July 18, 2025  there is currently an unknown number of affected employees.

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According to SpiriTrust Lutherans website, the Chambersburg facility on 2700 Luther Drive is listed as SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice. SpiriTrust also operates several other senior care facilities nearby at The Village of Luther Ridge.

Currently, SpiriTrust Lutheran boasts six communities across five Midstate counties, which include their Chambersburg facility.

abc27 reached out to SpiriTrust Lutheran for more information, but did not hear back at the time of this publication.

abc27 news will keep you updated as we learn more.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
In the trucking industry, fraud and cargo theft are full-blown crises. Maybe this isnt Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese-level organized crime, but make no mistake, organized crime exploits vulnerabilities in our supply chains and its impacting everyone from small carriers to global shippers. We delve into the realities of freight fraud, the effectiveness of recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration identity checks and how industry initiatives like Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) verification and the Freight Fraud Task Force are reshaping the fight against these crimes.

Understanding Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft

At its simplest, freight fraud is a deception involving carriers, brokers or shippers to steal freight, money or even company identities. Common tactics include double brokering, where fraudulent brokers rebook freight without authorization, often leaving carriers unpaid, and carrier identity theft, in which scammers use legitimate carrier credentials, including MC or DOT numbers, to book and steal freight. Legitimate carriers suffer twice, losing income and getting saddled with compliance violations they didnt commit or lawsuits they had no involvement in.

Cargo theft has become sophisticated. Criminal groups arrange fake pickups using forged paperwork, forged credentials and counterfeit identification. Recently, authorities in Los Angeles County alone recovered over $1.3 million in stolen merchandise, ranging from electric bikes and Sony TVs to beauty products and electronics, emphasizing how lucrative and widespread these crimes have become.

Why Fraud Is Thriving

Part of the blame lies with the agency designed to prevent it, the FMCSA. Existing laws such as MAP-21 (2012) explicitly require the FMCSA to vet brokers thoroughly, yet these requirements, like mandatory knowledge tests and documented experience, remain largely unenforced.

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Today, anyone with roughly $1,500 (a $300 FMCSA fee, $1,000 down on a surety bond and minimal administrative costs) can become a broker. This ease of entry allows fraudulent brokers to scam shippers, pocket cash and disappear overnight. The FMCSAs own data systems are notoriously muddy and inadequate in highlighting fraudulent activity or clearly detailing limited authority for carriers, especially enterprise carriers, which frequently operate beyond their permitted scope.

FMCSAs Recent Identity Verification Rollout

Recognizing these vulnerabilities, the FMCSA began implementing stringent measures in April to tighten identity verification. Working with Idemia, the FMCSA introduced mandatory facial recognition and government-issued ID checks for all new motor carrier applicants. The immediate impact of this initiative was significant. According to data from CarrierOK, the filed-to-published application approval rate, previously around 60%-65%, plummeted dramatically to roughly 30% after the verification rollout.

This sudden drop might mean that the new ID checks are successfully weeding out fraudulent or incomplete applications before they even reach public review, or the agency is so slow in processing applications because of a lack of resources that its miring down the process. Although the number of total filings remains steady, the sharp decline in published approvals might indicate a crackdown effect, clearly demonstrating that tighter identity controls are effectively curbing fraud at the entry point. Notice I said might.

New Tools to Tackle Fraud

The industry isnt just standing by. Its tired of the crazy. Solutions are emerging to tackle freight fraud proactively, led by innovative platforms like FreightValidate. Founder Dale Prax and partners John Cantera, Jeff Dickinson, Bill Robinson, Claudia Atletts and others (including myself) have established or are part of the Freight Fraud Task Force Inc, to curb industry fraud through education, audits, best practices and accountability at every level.

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FreightValidates partnership with AU10TIX has introduced powerful, yet user-friendly verification tools. In under 90 seconds, carriers, drivers and brokers can complete facial recognition and real-time ID checks on any mobile device. This rapid validation ensures that the people handling the freight are exactly who they claim to be, dramatically reducing fraud opportunities before the truck arrives at the loading dock.

The Role of Blockchain, Smart Contracts and AI

I have long advocated for a cyberphysical approach to logistics fraud. A year or so ago, I wrote an article on a model for mitigating double brokering through integrated technologies. Leverage blockchain, smart contracts, digital identity verification and real-time tracking to build a trust-driven freight system. I even name-dropped Rich Mason, president and Chief Security Officer at Critical Infrastructure and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) legend, to hopefully draw him into this good time.

The idea centers on a blockchain-based reputation system, where carriers, brokers and shippers earn scores based on performance, disputes and reliability. Smart contracts would lock in terms and trigger updates on the blockchain with each completed task. Verified digital identities, powered by facial recognition or biometrics, would restrict access to only authenticated users.

Internet-of-things-based shipment tracking and AI-driven analytics could enhance this digital fortress to flag fraud patterns before a single invoice is sent. I believe that fighting fraud requires cybersecurity-level thinking. At the end of the day, our only solution is a solid cybersecurity program and some good CISOs to put it all together for us mere layman transportation folk.

The TWIC Advantage and the Shortcomings of Current FMCSA Initiatives

Ironically, FMCSA recently launched a costly facial recognition partnership with Idemia. Why spend millions on new systems when we already have proven verification mechanisms with a criminal background element like the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)? What sense does that make? Not much, but maybe the issue is we have such a revolving door at the federal agency that the people running the FMCSA arent familiar enough with the supply chain to know what we have and what we dont or how to use it practically.

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TWIC, used extensively in ports, provides biometric verification and comprehensive background checks that go beyond simple identity confirmation. Implementing TWIC requirements for brokers and carriers would significantly strengthen vetting, ensuring that criminals dont just find new ways around superficial security measures. An extra $125 added to the FMCSAs application fee could cover these deeper screenings, bringing significant ROI in fraud prevention without burdening taxpayers.

Educate, Audit, Prevent

The Freight Fraud Task Force emphasizes practical, actionable steps over mere technology deployment. Real-time, in-person carrier audits at loading docks, comprehensive fraud-awareness training and best practices education form the backbone of its strategy. Companies are encouraged to actively participate, share information and implement robust anti-fraud measures in-house.

The Task Forces Risk Assessment Audit Program provides audits, tailored training and certifications to proactively catch fraud early. The mantra here isnt cleanup after the theft, its prevention before the crime happens.

Its Time for Real Accountability

Ultimately, meaningful change requires industrywide accountability and governmental enforcement. As long as laws remain unenforced, cargo theft and fraud will persist, inflating consumer costs and damaging reputable carriers and brokers. FMCSA and the Department of Transportation need to commit fully to vetting carriers, brokers and shippers, enforcing existing laws and cooperating closely with private initiatives that are already making significant strides.

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The time to act isnt tomorrow, its now. The freight industrys future, its integrity and its profitability depend on stopping fraud and theft before they happen. Industry leaders, tech innovators, regulators and carriers must unite under a common mission: protecting the lifeblood of our economy by finally enforcing the accountability and integrity this industry deserves.

The post Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft: The Epidemic Nobody Wants to Talk About appeared first on FreightWaves.
Adult-only hotels and facilities could be under threat in France after a new campaign against the no kids trend accuses them of dividing society and excluding children.

The push to end adults-only travel and tourism comes amid a dispute over whether intolerance is growing against children in France. This has been seen in groups such as the French Federation of Nurseries, which has campaigned for childrens right "to make noise".

France's high commissioner for childhood, Sarah El Hairy, held a roundtable on Tuesday (May 27) with key players from the tourism and travel industry to discuss adult-only policies, as some politicians call for child-free spaces to be banned.

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"There is a growing intolerance, and we must not allow it to take hold," Ms El Hairy told broadcaster RTL. "Children and families are being pushed out and, in a way, this is real violence being experienced.

"It's not in our culture, it's not our philosophy, and it's not what we want to see as the norm in our country."

A child shouts, laughs and moves  we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury and the absence of children is a luxury, she added to radio station RFI, according to The Times.

The move against adult-only hotels, restaurants and other facilities is not aimed at couples who choose to remain childless, but at adults who do not want to be disturbed by children, she said.

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Ms El Hairy also said children are being put in front of a cartoon on public transport due to people complaining about noisy children, putting pressure on parents to keep them quiet.

The commissioner added that lawyers are mulling over whether it would be feasible to take legal action against establishments that do not allow children.

However, some lawyers say that there is no need for a new bill because they argue adult-only spaces could already be breaching laws that prohibit discrimination against origin, gender, family situation or age, The Times reports.

While the Travel Companies Union roughly estimates that only three per cent of commercial offers are adult-only facilities, this is not the first time French officials have tried to end no-children zones.

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Socialist senator Laurence Rossignol introduced a bill a year ago that would make it illegal to ban children from venues in France.

Ms Rossignol said at the time that the bill is aimed at promoting "a society that is open to children".

The senator's bill proposed that "the exclusion of minors from living spaces, public spaces, commercial spaces, transport and any other exclusion that is not justified by safety requirements specific to children or by the lack of civil capacity also constitutes discrimination.

Ms Rossignol also responded to Ms El Hairy s anti-adult-only campaign on X, stating: A year ago, when Ms El Hairy was Minister for Children, and to the utmost indifference of the government, I tabled a bill against no-kids places.

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I welcome her awareness. And if she wants to act, she should have this bill examined by Parliament.

While the socialist senator "is pleased that the government is taking up the issue, she doubts "the ability of commerce to self-regulate without a law that imposes a minimum requirement," and is therefore calling on the government to put its bill on the agenda of the Senate or the National Assembly.

"We cannot allow our society to be organised around our intolerance of others, where people organise themselves to keep their distance from anyone who does not fit into their idea of their neighbours," she added in a statement on Wednesday.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
A budget analyst for the New Mexico Legislature says the federal funding for K-12 public education most at risk of being cut is meant for students who are English language learners and their teachers. (Getty Images)

A public school budget expert told New Mexico lawmakers on Thursday that the federal government is likely to take away money meant for students who are learning English, but said a new state law will help compensate for the loss.

Legislative Education Study Committee Senior Fiscal Analyst Daniel Estupinan said the federal funding for K-12 public education most at risk of being cut is meant for students who are English language learners and their teachers, called Title III, because the Trump administration has mostly hollowed out the Office of English Language Acquisition, which ensured states and schools properly spent Title III money, and has recommended terminating its funding source. The office had just one staffer remaining as of March 21, Chalkbeat reported.

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So many nonprofits, so many other states, are basically going into a panic, Estupinan told the committee. Theyre panicking about their public school funding formulas not being responsive enough to potentially support English learners, to potentially support low-income students and support professional development in basic programs.

Overall, New Mexico will receive more than $633 million from the U.S. Department of Education for K-12 public education this year, according to estimates included in Estupinans presentation to the committee.

The Trump administrations preliminary budget proposal proposed keeping the same level of funding for low-income students and students with disabilities, while also cutting $4.5 billion in the various formula awards that go to public schools, according to Estupinans presentation.

Estupinan said the proposal calls for redesigning the federal funding scheme for K-12 schools, and changing to a block grant system in which states would receive one large pot of money without as many rules governing how to spend it.

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How much money the federal government actually provides to schools will depend on the final budget passed by Congress.

If left untouched, New Mexico may receive $4.7 million in English language learning funds that can pay for teacher training, family engagement and instructional materials, Estupinan said.

Estupinan said the state could, however, navigate losing federal funding as a result of House Bill 63, which reduces the states reliance on federal data.

Instead, starting on July 1, New Mexicos funding formula for English learners will use state income tax data, public benefits data and U.S. Census Bureau data.

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So were not completely independent from federal data, but were moving in the direction of basically data autonomy, Estupinan said.

That change will result in about $125 million flowing to districts and charter schools, and that money can be used to backfill a potential cut, he said.

HB63 also created the first guidance New Mexico has ever had for how money should be used to specifically support English learners, he said.

So if we see the elimination of Title III funding, or we see some revocation of federal protections through rule or statute for English learners, we now have a good foundation in state statute to build on, Estupinan said.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The 18 lawmakers who oversee South Dakota state governments budget will have an opportunity on Friday to discuss a required report on a multi-million-dollar funding program that the governor exclusively controls.

Container homes face challenges in Sioux Falls market

The Legislatures Appropriations Committee will look at how former Gov. Kristi Noem spent from the Future Fund in the final months before she left office in January.

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Businesses are required to pay into the program, which lawmakers established in 1987 at the suggestion of then-Gov. George S. Mickelson as a means to supplement research and economic development.

Lawmakers in 2024 passed legislation requiring semi-annual reports on the Future Funds use be submitted to the Appropriations Committee.

The current report shows that Noem distributed millions from the fund in the weeks before she resigned as governor to become the new federal Homeland Security secretary.

Sioux Falls Development Foundation received $15 million on December 9, 2024. The report says the funding was to offset the costs associated with siting and constructing the CJ/Schwans facility in Sioux Falls.

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South Dakota Community Foundation received $16.8 million on December 17, 2024, for the Build Dakota Scholarship Program, up from $10 million in the original agreement.

South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry received $50,000 on December 17, 2024. The report says the funding was for winners of the Giant Vision Business Awards Competition to encourage entrepreneurial activity within the state.

South Dakota Trade Association received $3 million on December 27, 2024, to support their effort to expand international trade for South Dakota businesses, according to the report. That was up from an agreed-upon original amount of $600,000.

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation received $13,940,211 on January 14, 2025, as support for the Registered Apprenticeship Program to expand its impact, according to the report. That was up from an original amount of $7,940,211.

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The Appropriations Committee meeting starts at 10 a.m. CT. The Future Fund report is the third item on the agenda.

A cover letter from Bill Even, who recently was appointed commissioner for the Governors Office of Economic Development by Gov. Larry Rhoden, states that GOED is committed to providing comprehensive and transparent information to the Joint Committee on Appropriations, in line with legislation and South Dakotas economic development goals.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Tom Gabelman is not bitter.

But when he learned Hamilton County was firing him and his former law firm, Frost Brown Todd, as outside counsel handling riverfront development and negotiations with the Bengals for a new stadium lease, he was stunned.

Within the last year and a half, we probably have had 12 executive sessions, and that's how we meet with the (Hamilton County Board of Commissioners) to advise them, Gabelman said on this weeks episode of The Enquirer's Thats So Cincinnati podcast. And in none of those executive sessions did we ever hear, oh, well, I don't think you're going in the right direction, or there's some issue with performance.

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Weve been counsel for almost 30 years, and we've demonstrated our record.

Gabelman reflected on those three decades working to secure property transfers, political deals and lease modifications  which he said benefitted the county  after voters in 1996 approved the half-cent sales tax increase that funded Paycor Stadium (formerly Paul Brown Stadium) and Great American Ball Park. He was on the front lines in 1998 when the late Todd Portune, then a Cincinnati City Council member, literally turned back the hands of time to meet a property transfer deadline.

We're going into this midnight deadline  and we were running behind. So (Portune) moved the clock, Gabelman said. Gabelman left city hall in the wee hours that morning with the deed in hand.

Gabelman did not hold back when rebutting critics who suggested he and his firm were profiting at the expense of taxpayers without bringing value, pointing to millions of dollars acquired in grants, tax savings and investments on the riverfront.

Tom Gabelman speaks before the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on May 15.

Gabelman's charging them a million dollars a year. Well, yeah, at a severely discounted rate that is probably a negative margin with my own firm, Gabelman said. But we put public good over profit because we saw the change that had been happening and the change that continues to happen.

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Despite the turn of events, Gabelman said the announcement of a new lease agreement is imminent.

Cincinnati City Councilman Todd Portune resets the clock to 11 p.m. from 11:51 p.m. during a late-night meeting in 1998 to approve a land agreement needed for construction of what would become Paycor Stadium. Bengals owner Mike Brown had set a midnight deadline for the deal.

"I am very optimistic," he said. "I think we left the county well positioned to get the deal done with the Bengals. They should get the deal done with the Bengals because we had 90 percent of it done."

Thats So Cincinnati, The Enquirers weekly podcast on what's making news in our community, features a whos who of special guests. Listen to it at Audioboom, Apple or your favorite podcast platform.

This story was updated to add a video and gallery.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fired county lawyer Tom Gabelman defends work on Bengals stadium deal
Gang member who 'trafficked in fear, intimidation, and death' sentenced to life in prison originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A Richfield man serving a 36 years in prison for murder has been sentenced to life behind bars for his role in the Bloods gang in the Twin Cities.

The FBI said Desean Solomon "chose violence as a way of life  trafficking in fear, intimidation, and death to exert power, feed criminal ambition and expand the Bloods grip on the streets."

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He was targeted as part of an effort launched by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota to target gang members in the Twin Cities for RICO (racketeer influenced corrupt organization) offenses following a wave of crime between 2020 and 2022, and was the first to be sentenced in the crackdown.

Desean SolomonMinnesota DOC

Solomon was already serving a sentence for killing a man at a north Minneapolis nightclub in June 2020, but the Star Tribune reports he was eligible for supervised release in 2047.

Now he will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being handed a life sentence plus 20 years.

A trial heard that the 34-year-old Solomon, aka "Black," has been a member of the Minneapolis Bloods street gang since at least 2020, and "has been a career criminal throughout his adulthood."

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His crimes include "two premeditated murders within a two-year span." The 2020 killing saw him and other Bloods members attack a rival gang member in the men's bathroom, with gunfire then breaking out outside the club.

Solomon and another Bloods member fired several times, killing the victim.

In April 2022, Solomon and other Bloods went to an Uptown bar and "started a large fight" with a rival gang, killing one of its members.

While sentencing Solomon, Judge Susan R. Nelson said she was "searching for a kernel of hope that you could be trusted to not be a danger to society," but found he had "utter and complete disregard for human life" and a lack of remorse.

"I am left with the certainty that you will always be a threat to public safety," she said.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
TEHRAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday expressed doubt about media speculations regarding an imminent nuclear deal between Iran and the United States.

He made the remarks in a post on the social media platform X while reacting to a Thursday report by CNN, which, citing anonymous sources, claimed that a "broad agreement" could be clinched between Iran and the United States when they meet next.

"Not sure if we are there yet," Araghchi responded.

He added that Iran was "sincere" about a diplomatic solution that would serve all sides' interests, stressing that, however, "getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights -- including enrichment."

Pointing to a Thursday report by Fox News saying that a new intelligence report "claims Iran is continuing with its active nuclear weapons program," Araghchi emphasized, "As for the latest fake news against Iran-U.S. diplomacy: using Iran to attack American critics is low."

Starting from April, Iran and the United States have held five rounds of Oman-mediated indirect talks, three in the Omani capital Muscat and two in Rome, on Tehran's nuclear program and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.

In recent days, Washington has repeatedly demanded that Iran completely cease uranium enrichment, a request firmly rejected by Tehran. 
(WTVO)  Trump has granted the founder of the Gangster Disciples, Larry Hoover, clemency for his federal life sentence, according to his attorneys.

Hoover has spent 30 years in solitary confinement in a Colorado prison known for being one of the most secure prisons in the nation.

Hoovers lawyers gave Mystateline a statement regarding clemency efforts:

Since the announcement of Larry Hoovers clemency by the federal government, there have been questions about whether he is going home today. We are actively urging Governor J.B. Pritzker to recognize what the federal government already hasthat there is no purpose in returning a 74-year-old man in failing health to prison after 52 years of incarceration. Nearly all of Mr. Hoovers co-defendants have received reduced sentences or clemency. The individual who admitted responsibility for the underlying state offense was released decades ago. Mr. Hoover has now received a full and complete commutation for his federal drug convictions. The Governor of Illinois must follow suit. Justice demands that Mr. Hoovers time be considered served.

Larry Hoovers federal life sentences have been commuted by President Donald Trump, Bonjean Law Group said in a statement. Mr. Hoover, who is now 75 years old, spent nearly 30 years in solitary confinement at ADX Florence, the most restrictive, draconian supermax prison in the United States.

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Hoover is still facing a separate 200-year sentence for the murder of a 19-year-old drug dealer in Chicago.

As a result of Hoovers commutation, the well-known gang kingpin will be transferred from Colorado to an Illinois prison soon.

Thankfully, Mr. Hoovers pleas were heard by President Trump, who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover, Bonjean Law Group explained. We are thrilled to see that Mr. Hoover will be released from federal custody.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KRON)  California is bracing for the closure of two major oil refineries, including one in the Bay Area. State lawmakers are sounding the alarm on what that could mean for gas prices.

At just under $5 per gallon in Walnut Creek, some drivers are forking out over $100 to fill up the tank. With two refineries preparing to shut down, thats expected to drive up prices.

In the East Bay, the Valero Benicia Refinery is expected to close in April 2026. Down in Southern California, owners of the Phillips 66 refinery are also planning to stop operations in the next year.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to phase out fossil fuels. He set a goal to ban the sale of gas-powered cars in the state by 2035 to cut down on emissions. But the U.S. Senate is blocking that goal.

Oakland residents blast citys removal of self-installed speed bumps

Either way, fewer refineries will mean higher prices. Its a simple case of supply and demand. That has some state lawmakers concerned about the future.

Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) said, If all were doing here in California is reducing our emissions, which are 1% global emissions, it doesnt matter a damn. I would argue again that when were thinking about climate leadership, we need to make sure that the policies that were implementing here in California are affordable and accessible for all Californians. I know that what climate leadership does not look like, and that is $10 gas.

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The head of Californias energy commission is telling lawmakers that the closure of two refineries could force the state to import more gas. So far, there has been no action from the assembly.

One estimate from the University of Southern California shows gas prices could jump by 75 percent when the refineries close. That would add up to more than $8 a gallon next year.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Gazans camped out close to a humanitarian aid distribution site near the city of Rafah on Wednesday night, as a controversial U.S.- and Israel-backed project to distribute food in the devastated Palestinian territory expanded.

Local journalists told ABC News that thousands of people gathered at the site northeast of Rafah in the hope of receiving food aid, but there was not enough to satisfy demand when distribution began on Thursday.

The site is located close to the Morag corridor -- a strip of land controlled by the Israel Defense Forces separating the Gazan cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

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Videos from the site showed large crowds of Gazans rushing to collect aid, carrying boxes stamped with the mark of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF -- which is directing the aid distribution in collaboration with the American and Israeli governments.

PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians carrying relief supplies return from aid distribution centres in Rafah to their tents in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025. (-/AFP via Getty Images)

"It is very difficult, we want to eat, we want to live -- what should we do?" one man said when speaking with Reuters.

Another man left the site empty-handed, telling Reuters, "Every time I go, I hold a box, a hundred people crowd over me, 300. I could not take anything."

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continued across the strip. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that 67 people were killed and 184 people injured by Israeli action over the previous 24 hours.

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The latest casualties bring the total toll in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, to 54,249 people killed and 123,492 injured, the ministry said.

MORE: Gazan children wait for food in long lines as starvation looms

The Israeli government had been implementing a blockade on all humanitarian aid being sent into Gaza since March 2. The blockade was instituted to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages, Israel said. Hamas still holds 58 hostages, with about one-third of them believed to be alive, according to The Associated Press.

The blockade has caused widespread malnutrition and conditions likely to lead to famine, according to the U.N. and other international aid organizations. Two million people in the Gaza Strip face "extreme hunger and famine without immediate action," the U.N.'s World Food Programme, or WFP, said last week.

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Last week, Israel began allowing small amounts of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, approving GHF's responsibility for distribution. Israel had demanded a new aid distribution system, having accused Hamas of previously siphoning off aid.

PHOTO: Smoke billows from an Israeli airstrike, as pictured from the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on May 29, 2025. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

GHF -- launched earlier this year and run by U.S. security contractors, former military officers and humanitarian workers -- has set up a handful of hubs protected by armed contractors close to IDF positions. Gazans have been told to travel to the hubs to collect aid.

The United Nations and other humanitarian aid groups have refused to take part in the new effort, citing concerns that it will allow Israel to control -- and weaponize -- aid supply.

WFP, for example, said it "cannot safely operate under a distribution system that limits the number of bakeries and sites where Gaza's population can access food. WFP and its partners must also be allowed to distribute food parcels directly to families -- the most effective way to prevent widespread starvation."

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GHF Executive Director Jake Wood resigned earlier this week, saying in a statement it had become "clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon."

MORE: As Ukraine negotiations founder, Trump turns to Middle East for signs of progress: ANALYSIS

GHF on Wednesday denied reports that it was forced to pause operations after thousands of Palestinians overran one of its aid distribution sites in Gaza on Tuesday.

The group said its "operations will continue to scale up" on Thursday, having distributed a total of eight trucks worth of aid -- enough for 378,262 meals -- on Wednesday.

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GHF later said that three of its sites were operational on Thursday, distributing around 997,920 meals. That brought the total number of meals distributed to approximately 1,838,182, GHF's statement said.

However, multiple aid organizations and nongovernmental organizations have said the aid distributed so far is just a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed.

ABC News' Helena Skinner, Diaa Ostaz, Joe Simonetti, Nadine El-Bawab, Camilla Alcini and Will Gretsky contributed to this report.

Gazans rush for humanitarian aid as Israeli strikes continue originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a woman was shot and killed by law enforcement after she refused to drop her gun during a traffic stop.

Carrie Hall, 50 of Cartersville, died at a local hospital Wednesday night.

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The GBI said Hall went to a home in Bartow County and fired a gun. The homeowner knew Hall and gave her information to deputies.

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Around 8:40 p.m., Bartow County deputies and Cartersville police spotted Halls vehicle at Ga. 20 and Conference Center Drive. The GBI said during the traffic stop, Hall got out of her car armed with a gun.

Deputies and officers reported that they told Hall multiple times to drop her gun, but said she refused.

They fired their guns at Hall and shot her. She died at the hospital. No officers or deputies were hurt.

The GBI continues to investigate.

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Democratic Gov. Josh Green has named Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Republican Rep. Gene Ward to represent Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley.

Green picked Gedeon out of a list of three potential replacements sent to him by a panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Wards district.

Gedeon will become the ninth Republican in the 51-member state House.

He will serve until Wards seat comes up for reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

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In an announcement from Greens office about Gedeons appointment, Gedeon said, Gene was a family friend, a mentor and a lifelong example of integrity and public service. His legacy in Hawai i Kai is profound and I hope to carry forward the values he championed : community, accountability and unwavering commitment to the people he served.

Gedeon was born and raised in Hawaii Kai, was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Henry J. Kaiser High School, Kapiolani Community College and ITT Technical Institute in San Diego.

He co-founded the marketing and advertising companies JPG Hawaii and JPG Media.

He was the youngest president of the Waikiki Rotary Club from 2016 to 2017 and serves on the board of directors of the American Advertising Federation of Hawaii and the Central YMCA.

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In a statement, Green said I appreciate the willingness of Joe Gedeon and the other nominees to step up and work hard to fill the huge void left by such a lifelong and passionate public servant as Gene Ward. We believe one human being cannot truly replace another, but we hope as Genes successor, Joe will bring the same caring dedication that made his predecessor so valuable to his community.

Ward had served in the House for 27 years.

This year, health issues kept Ward away from the Capitol for much of the legislative session.

On March 21, Ward announced his resignation effective March 31. He died April 4 at the age of 82.

As East Honolulu Republicans narrowed the search for his replacement, the Republican Party said in a statement that the process to fill a seat in Hawaiis Legislature vacated by a Republican had not occurred in over 60 years.
Russia has lost around 984,940 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on May 29.

The number includes 1,050 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,864 tanks, 22,645 armored fighting vehicles, 50,015 vehicles and fuel tanks, 28,386 artillery systems, 1,397 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,171 air defense systems, 372 airplanes, 336 helicopters, 37,999 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

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Read also: Germany pledges 5 billion euros in new aid to Ukraine, no Taurus missiles announced

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Five years ago, the world watched in horror as George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police  a moment that ignited a global movement for racial justice. For Selwyn Jones, Georges uncle, that moment wasnt just a tragedy; it was a turning point.

I watched one of my favorite people die right in front of my eyes, he tells Katie Couric Media in a new interview. When I first started watching the video, I didnt even realize who he was. We had just finished watching what happened to Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, and I remember thinking, Why are they still doing this to people?

I was feeling sorrow and pain for someone I thought was a stranger  and then I found out that person was my nephew, he continues. That moment threw me into what I now know is my calling to make a difference in this world.

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Since that tragic day, Jones has turned his grief into action, founding the Justice 929 Foundation and advocating for police accountability, civil rights, and community healing.

For the anniversary of Floyds death, Jones discusses his ongoing fight for justice, the legacy his nephew left behind, and why  despite the setbacks  he refuses to give up hope.

Katie Couric Media: Its been five years since Minneapolis police killed your nephew. I can only imagine how painful this anniversary must be. How did you and your family choose to honor his memory this year?

Selwyn Jones: There was a celebration in Houston, and there was a celebration in Minneapolis, which I attended. And let me tell you something, to stand to the side and to see all of the people, thousands of people that had candles for my nephew  it literally broke me up inside because he could have died anywhere in the world.

But the Lord made sure that a person with a good heart and a good soul, who had issues like everybody does in this world, meant something. And that nine minutes and 29 seconds made people weep and made them see the atrocities that people of color have to go through living in this society that we live in. Police brutality is real. Wrongful convictions are real. Domestic violence is real. Missing people are real. All of these atrocities were brought to the forefront when that young man died.

Georges death sparked a national reckoning and helped push forward some meaningful reforms. But the fight for police accountability continues. How do you see the current landscape? Has progress stalled?

Im not going to say it stalled, but in the six to eight months following Georges death, there was a lot of push. Over the last three years, it has slowed down, especially under the present administration. But thats OK, because life goes on. We will continue to push forward.

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Im advocating for a medical civil rights bill that would allow anyone in contact with authorities to receive medical assistance. If that bill had been passed, George would be alive today. Ive even created a prevention app that has a panic button, so if youre in any stressful situation, you can press it and itll alert your emergency contacts. Anybody within the range finder that we have, which goes up to 30 miles, can also come to your assistance.

Recently, the Trump administration announced plans to end federal oversight of more than two dozen local police departments. Whats your reaction to that move, especially when it comes to protecting civil rights?

Save your own. Thats the problem  we have a lot of older people who dont look like us making decisions for us. And thats not fair.

But people of color  were strong. Weve been fighting our whole lives here. Fighting for justice, for peace, for equality. And no matter what they say or how they say it, were still going to move forward.

It might be harder. But were going to keep going because what else can we do?

At the same time, cities like Minneapolis say theyll move ahead with the Justice Departments full reform agenda, even without federal pressure. Does that give you hope?

That gives me hope because theyre starting to realize that their system is broken. What we need is for more people to step up and take accountability, to say, Hey, we know things arent right. How can we fix this from the inside?

When you think about George now, what do you most want people to remember about him, beyond the headlines and the tragedy?

He was a jokester and a clown who always made you laugh. When youre poor, laughs are free, so we all know how to make people laugh because that doesnt cost anything.

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He was a good dude who had a demon. A lot of people have mental health issues, you know? Unfortunately, it didnt end very well for him on May 25 because of police brutality.

People tell me all the time, Im sorry, Im sorry. But what Im not sorry about is the ability and the opportunity that I have to make an impact and a difference. Do you realize how many George Floyds there have been? Millions, but there was only one of them that was my nephew.

What are you most proud of when it comes to your work at the Justice 929 Foundation?

I tell people all the time: I cant get George back, but what I can do is help someone no ones ever heard of  someone with no resources. Thats what the Justice 929 Foundation and I are all about: helping marginalized people.

We have divisions for missing persons, mental health issues, domestic violence, and gun violence. We also run a program called Shoot Hoops, Not Guns. And of course, police brutality is my focus. But we also work on wrongful convictions  we just got off a call with the Innocence Project.

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I cant do everything, but I can address these issues. And when you collaborate with others, when I can use my platform and my voice, we can get heard. Thats really all we want  to let people know theres someone out there who cares.

Theres a foundation willing to give you what you need  or at least move in that direction  just by reaching out. Because a lot of the time, all it takes is for someone to know that someone does care. And I do.

What do you say to people who feel discouraged by how slow  or uneven  progress has been since 2020?

Keep fighting. If you had been where I was on the anniversary of Georges death  if you had seen people from all different ethnicities and countries, standing together, holding candles for a Black man they didnt even know, and then witnessed what his death set in motion  youd believe too.

But dont stay quiet because if youre thinking about it but not speaking on it, that doesnt do much. So if you have a thought, share it with someone. There are also powerful groups you can be part of to fight against racial injustice, so lets keep the momentum going.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The post George Floyds Uncle Reflects on Loss, Legacy, and the Ongoing Battle for Racial Justice appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
A Georgia grand jury declined to charge a white woman who fatally shot her Black boyfriend. But Black social media is not responding how one might expect it to in this situation.

Hannah Cobb was arrested in February and charged with involuntary manslaughter after an incident in which she shot her boyfriend, Telvin Osborne, in the chest. According to police, the couple had allegedly been drinking when Cobb went to the master bedroom to check and clean her firearm and accidentally fired a fatal shot toward Osborne, as she said.

Multiple reports later revealed, the couple got into a heated argument after leaving the club, allegedly over Osbornes infidelity. The confrontation escalated, ultimately ending in the shooting of Osborne.

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Following the exoneration, the Burke County Sheriffs Office made a post on Facebook stating that violent protests regarding the decision would not be tolerated. But though many in the Black community are obviously saddened by the loss of one of its own, some social media users have expressed mixed reactions since Osborne apparently routinely scolded Black woman on his social media profile.

X user @blackdetta highlighted past posts on Osbornes account in which he praised White women and denounced Black women, including stating that he would rather sleep with a dog than a Black woman.

This one hurts because this is my man's family but I still gotta tell the truth



Ole boy telvin was on some coon shit with his praise of the white womens



This is just like that nigerian dude that got poked up by his white "blessing" then we found all the "akatas"



Damn telbo.... https://t.co/2bUurOzDUb pic.twitter.com/MQi4e6SoDY  Lineage Over Melanin (@blackdetta) February 25, 2025

TikToker @ControversialShannon also brought up some past controversial statements by Osborne which made him question his feelings towards the matter.

tiktok-7507815891317361951

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In my honest opinion, I dont care. Because Mr. Telvin Osborne had said a whole bunch of disgusting things about Black women, he emphasized. He also had tweets saying, if it aint snowing, he aint going blah, blah, blah. He even said that he would unalive for his girlfriend, who was a YT woman. He did indeed get unalived by his girlfriend, who was a YT woman. And thats why I dont care.

Others, including X user @BLKLiberation84 are using this entire case as a teaching moment for Black men who hate on Black women possibly due to a lack of self love and past trauma.

Let this Telvin Osborne killing be a lesson to all the self-hating men and women of the Black community. You come out here on social media or in the real world proclaiming how much you hate the people of your community and, in his case, his hate of Black women, please know we pic.twitter.com/eOyvnhajLu  Nicole's View  (@BLKLiberation84) February 27, 2025

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Daniel Blackman says hes appealing a decision to disqualify him from the primary ballot for the Georgia Public Service Commission in District 3.

The Democrat was ruled ineligible to run for office because he doesnt reside in the district, according to an order issued Tuesday by Judge Dominic Capraro of the Georgia Office of the State Administrative Hearings.

Capraros ruling said Blackman failed to meet his burden to demonstrate that he resided in Fulton County as of November 4, 2024.

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Blackman will remain on the ballot while the appeal process is ongoing.

We are grateful to the Fulton Superior Court for granting our request for an injunction while we litigate Daniels appeal, said Mr. Blackmans attorney, Matthew Wilson, of Bell Wilson Law in Atlanta. Once we are actually given a fair hearing, I am confident Daniel will prevail because all the facts and all the law are on his side.

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Clayton, Fulton and DeKalb counties comprise District 3.

Capraros ruling said Blackman introduced insufficient evidence to establish that he actually resided at the property in Fulton County. Other than the Respondents own testimony, there is no evidence that the property was the Respondents residence. ... He did not register to vote there, or anywhere in Fulton County, until April 2025.

Blackman said hes not giving up.

While I respectfully disagree with the ruling, I want to be clear: I am not stepping away, he said in a statement posed to his campaign website.

The states ruling said that there is no evidence that Blackman has stopped living at the home he continues to own in Forsyth County.

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Blackman said he disagreed with the ruling, but didnt address the issues raised by the state.

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Instead, his statement addressed the importance of the primary.

I entered this race because I believe Georgia deserves a regulator who puts people over profits, and transparency over politics, Blackman said. That belief hasnt changed. If anything, the events of the last few days have only deepened my commitment.

Among its duties, the Georgia Public Service Commission helps oversee what people in Georgia pay for utilities such as electric, telephones and natural gas.

The five commissioners of the PSC are elected statewide and serve staggered six-year terms.

Early voting for the PSC special primary for Districts 2 and 3 started Tuesday, the Georgia Secretary of States office said. The primary will be held June 17.

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A runoff for the primary will be held on July 15 if needed.

Blackman previously served as Regional Administrator for the EPAs Southwest Region, and was the first Black man to serve in this position, according to his official website.

With Blackman disqualified, three Democrats remain in the primary for District 3, according to the Associated Press: Keisha Sean Waites, Peter Hubbard and Robert Jones.

In District 3, Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson is running unopposed in his partys primary.

The commission seat of District 2 is also up for grabs in the special election.

That district is currently represented by Commissioner Tim Echols, who also serves at the vice commissioner and is running for re-election.

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He is being challenged primary by fellow Republican Lee Muns. Democrat Alicia Johnson of Augusta is running in the primary unopposed.

District 2 is comprised of a large swath of east Georgia, including the metro counties of Henry, Rockdale, Newton and Walton.

A lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the statewide delayed the 2022 PSC election, necessitating the odd-year election.

A federal appeals court found in 2023 that the current method of electing the Public Service Commission doesnt discriminate against Black voters.

Check your voting status and look at your ballot on the Georgia My Voter page.

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The election will be held Nov. 4. A runoff, if needed, shall be held on Dec. 2.

Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify that Daniel Blackman will remain on the ballot while he appeals his disqualification.

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U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock secured $13 million in federal grants to upgrade regional airports across the state.

According to a release, the funding will be used to facilitate more than 30 projects.

Georgias airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness. Alongside Sen. Rev. Warnock, we are pleased to announce this funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for airport upgrades across the State of Georgia. Our bipartisan infrastructure law will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgias infrastructure for years to come, Ossoff said in a statement.

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As far as what the funding will handle, the senators said it will support development and infrastructure projects to help ensure Georgias airports have the resources they need to support local businesses and communities.

In the metro Atlanta area, upgrade funding is headed to airports in Rome, Athens, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Griffin, Dallas, Morgan Newnan and Lawrenceville, as well as several others in the region.

This investment in Georgias aviation infrastructure is critical to our state and its economy, Warnock said. I was proud to help pass a bipartisan infrastructure law that centers the people, and this new funding is a testament to the good we can accomplish when we reach across the aisle. I will continue to do all I can to strengthen Georgias aviation economy.

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NAIROBI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- In western Kenya, maize farmer Josephat Ouma walked through rows of green, leafy stalks with a smartphone in hand. He paused and bent down before snapping a picture of a sickly-looking leaf.

"I used to wait for someone to come and help. Sometimes, they never came. Now, I take a photo, and the app tells me what is wrong," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Like Ouma, thousands of smallholder farmers in Kenya are turning to technology to manage crop diseases and fight declining yields.

In a region where traditional extension services are stretched thin as some counties have only one officer for every 1,500 farmers, affordable tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), mobile apps and WhatsApp groups are emerging as indispensable lifelines.

One such tool is called PlantVillage Nuru, a free app developed by researchers at Penn State University, which uses AI to analyze photos of crops and instantly diagnose diseases such as maize lethal necrosis or cassava mosaic.

It functions offline and supports local languages, making it especially useful in rural areas. "The app is so easy to use, even for farmers who are not literate," said an agricultural extension officer in Kakamega County of western Kenya, who works closely with smallholders using the app.

Across Kenya, localized WhatsApp groups now function as mini extension networks.

Farmers share pest alerts, crop management advice, and photos of affected crops, allowing others to crowdsource diagnoses and solutions. "It is like a daily clinic," said James Otieno, a maize farmer near the western Kenyan county of Kisumu. "You wake up, check your group, and see what others are facing."

In Bungoma County, Catherine Wanjala faced repeated losses to striga, commonly known as witchweed, a parasitic plant that attacks the roots of maize and sorghum.

Traditional methods, including herbicides and crop rotation, had failed. Then she was introduced to a fungal bioherbicide that significantly boosted her yields.

"Before using the bioherbicide, my maize was weak and yellow. It barely grew," Wanjala told Xinhua. "After the treatment, the difference was like night and day."

Agricultural organizations are also leading the way in digital adoption.

One Acre Fund's Kenya-based initiative Tupande has integrated AI and machine learning into its services to improve field-level recommendations.

"We use advanced systems to tailor advice based on farm-level data like soil moisture and productivity," said Makandi Laiboni, director of digital strategy at Tupande. "Even a simple change, like optimizing planting dates, can significantly reduce losses and boost yields."

The Tupande mobile app, which has about 150,000 users to date, is especially popular among youth aged 18 to 35.

"Reaching young farmers is crucial for the future of agriculture," added Karigu Ekumbo, Senior Communications Specialist at One Acre Fund. "They are more receptive to digital tools and help expand our impact in both rural and urban areas."

According to Ekumbo, barriers remain. Women, for instance, account for only 30 percent of Tupande's app users. "While that is above the national average, we are focused on closing the gender gap in agritech by tailoring support for female farmers," Ekumbo said.

A recent study by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis estimated that only 20 to 30 percent of Kenyan farmers have adopted digital agricultural technologies.

This limited uptake underscores a significant gap in scaling up these services, which hold immense potential to boost productivity, profitability, and market access for smallholder farmers.

"We used to wait and hope. Now we know and act," Ouma said, surveying his healthy field. "It is not magic. It is just good information." 
The Georgia Supreme Court threw out a constitutional challenge to a state law blocking anyone under 21 from carrying handguns in public.

The ruling came as a 20-year-old man from Lumpkin County sued, having issued a constitutional challenge.

Thomas Stephens, of Lumpkin County, sued the State of Georgia in Superior Court after a probate court in the county denied him getting a weapons carry license.

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The Georgia Attorney Generals Office filed to dismiss the lawsuit, saying that the block on anyone younger than 21 having a handgun in public was a permissible exercise of the police power authorized by Georgias constitution.

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The Georgia Supreme Court ruled unanimously to reject Stephens challenge.

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In the opinion, authored by Justice Andrew A. Pinson, the court said his quite narrow challenge did not argue that the statute violates the state constitution, as it has been applied by the Georgia Supreme Court for more than 100 years.

Additionally, the court said Stephens did not show a conflict between the prohibition statute and the Georgia Constitution, nor the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment.

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Most problematic, Stephens does not even say how or why that construction is not consistent with the provisions original public meaningat least not with any detail or real authority in supportand he offers no serious alternative construction that would establish, what, in his view, the correct understanding of that original public meaning is, Justice Pinson wrote. Instead, he asks us to uncritically import federal standards to guide the application of a provision unique to Georgias Constitutiona practice we have regularly criticized and disapproved.

According to the court, Georgia law allows anyone between 18 to 21 to have long guns, such as rifles, and carry them in public, as well as to have handguns and carry them on private property.

However, unless someone has received weapons training as part of military service, anyone under 21 cannot carry a handgun in public, the court wrote.

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ATLANTA (AP)  The Georgia Supreme Court upheld a state law Wednesday that bans most people under 21 from carrying a handgun in public.

Under Georgia law, anyone ages 18 to 20 years old can possess handguns on their own property, in their car, at their business or for hunting, fishing and sport shooting. Those in the age group who have been trained by the military are exempt.

Thomas Stephens, a 20-year-old man from Lumpkin County, sued Georgia after a probate court denied him a weapons carry license in 2023, when he was 18. Stephens asked the state to stop enforcing that law, which he said violated his constitutional rights.

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A trial court granted the states motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The Georgia Supreme Court denied his appeal, noting Georgia's Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms but lets the General Assembly regulate how they are carried.

Georgia has some of the loosest gun laws in the country. The decision comes in the aftermath of heated debates about gun control in the state after a mass shooting at Apalachee High School, northeast of Atlanta, where a 14-year-old boy stands accused of killing two teachers and two students and wounding several others last Sept. 4.

Stephens asked the state Supreme Court to pick one of two federal legal tests used for Second Amendment challenges, strict scrutiny" or history and tradition, to evaluate whether Georgia's law is constitutional. The decision, written by Justice Andrew Pinson, says those standards are not viable substitutes for determining what the text of the state Constitution originally meant. Unlike Georgia, the U.S. Constitution doesn't explicitly let legislatures regulate how people carry guns.

Pinson wrote in the decision that construing the meaning of a constitutional provision requires careful attention to not only the language of the clause in question, but also its broader legal and historical context.

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Stephens attorney John Monroe argued the law infringed on his clients rights. He also called it an arbitrary law because military training focuses on weapons other than handguns. But he knew unraveling the law would be an uphill battle.

It's not unexpected because there's over a century of precedent that was against us, Monroe said of Wednesday's decision. He said they are disappointed with the decision but it is what it is.

Stephens lawsuit came less than a year after Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill in 2022 allowing Georgians to carry a handgun without a permit from the state. A bill that would let people sue local governments for enacting gun safety measures died on the final day of Georgia's legislative session in April, and several gun safety proposals did not make it out of committee.

___

Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.
ATLANTA (WSAV) The Georgia Supreme Court upheld the state law that prohibits those under 21 years old from carrying handguns in public Wednesday.

Georgias highest court rejected the appeal by a 20-year-old who wanted to carry a handgun beyond the limited ways he can under Georgia law.

Georgia law does not allow people under 21 from publicly carrying a handgun, except for members of the military.

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Georgians who are at least 18 years old are still allowed to possess and carry handguns on their own property, in their car and in their place of business.

They also can use handguns and long guns for hunting, fishing or sport shooting with a license.

Stephens and the Georgia 2nd Amendment group sued the state after a probate court denied him a weapons carry license. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carrs office previously filed a motion to dismiss the suit, which was granted.

Stephens and the group appealed, but the Georgia 2nd Amendment later withdrew their appeal.

Stephens did not allege that this statute violates the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, but that it violated a portion of the Georgia Constitution of 1983, court documents reported.

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The Supreme Court said that the law doesnt violate Article I, Section I, Paragraph VIII of the Georgia Constitution.

The justices quoted Paragraph VIII of Georgias current Constitution which says, [t]he right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but the General Assembly shall have power to prescribe the manner in which arms may be borne.

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Guest opinion writer Natalie Crawford argues that proposed Medicaid cuts would hurt everyday Georgians and the state's economy. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

In Georgia, one in 10 adults or two in five children rely on Medicaid for their health care coverage, over 70% of which is federally funded. While Georgia already has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country with 1.2 million of our fellow Georgians living without critical coverage, lawmakers in Congress are right now weighing legislation that includes major changes to Medicaid which would reduce federal investment in the program by an estimated $625 billion. Not only would such reforms increase our already high uninsured rate and threaten Georgians access to care, but they would also deeply harm our local economies and state, putting pressure on the state budget.

Everyday Georgians, including those who dont receive their health care from the program, will ultimately be the ones shouldering the economic burdens caused by federal Medicaid cuts. Depending on the specific type of cut Congress ultimately enacts, Georgia could lose nearly 17,000 jobs, including nearly nine thousand healthcare jobs in 2026 alone. Georgia also potentially stands to lose $578 million in federal Medicaid funding, putting enormous pressure on our state budget, and forcing our state officials to make difficult choices about which programs will continue to get funding, potentially reversing the strides Georgia has made in addressing issues like maternal and infant mortality and mental health.

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If Congress were to move forward with the House-passed legislation, its estimated that between 72,000 and 120,000 Georgians could lose Medicaid coverage. And, we know that when more uninsured Georgians show up to hospitals needing medical attention, rates of uncompensated care increase. More uninsured Georgians means that we all will pay more for our health insurance, as premiums will go up when hospitals raise their prices to shift the cost of uncompensated care to those who can pay. These higher premiums also impact Georgias employers, especially our small business owners, who may have to make the tough choice between cutting employee benefits, reducing wages, or risking financial strain. Property taxes would also likely increase, because local governments rely on them to sustain struggling community hospitals.

Included in the House bill is a framework requiring states to implement work requirements for certain groups of Medicaid enrollees, a method Georgia has piloted for the past two years in Georgia Pathways, Georgias partial Medicaid expansion program, which launched in 2023. With its low enrollment numbers and high administrative costs, Pathways has proven that work requirements are burdensome to the state, the taxpayer, and the enrollee. In Georgias 2025 renewal application for the Pathways program, the state has requested to decrease the frequency of work reporting requirements because of the administrative burden. Congress right now is proposing to add reporting requirements for Medicaid programs nationally, which goes against everything weve learned in Georgia.

The impacts of proposed federal reforms to Medicaid would be felt most acutely by our states most vulnerable communities. Folks living in rural areas are more likely to be served by Medicaid, and cuts to the program will threaten an essential revenue stream for our rural hospitals, who often rely more heavily on Medicaid reimbursement. Nine rural Georgia hospitals have closed since 2010, and as many as 18 more are now struggling and in danger of closing or dramatically reducing services. Cutting Medicaid may push many of those over the line. Such closures have ripple effects  local businesses will suffer or be forced to relocate when rural hospitals close, leaving thousands of community members without jobs and access to healthcare.

As a proud lifelong Republican and former County Commissioner for Habersham County, I have spent decades pushing for fiscally responsible solutions for our state. Cuts to Medicaid are not only fiscally irresponsible, but they could threaten the livelihoods of our fellow Georgians and the economic opportunities that consistently make our great state a top state for business.

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Unfortunately, there are many influential voices who use divisive rhetoric, misinformation, and fear mongering to cloud the understanding of what the Medicaid program is delivering for our state, and who really benefits from this safety net. Chances are, you know someone who could lose access to their local hospital, their job, or their healthcare coverage as a result of the proposed Medicaid changes. It might surprise you to learn that I used Medicaid insurance as a young mother, which enabled me to have my first child and take care of my family without going into medical debt  or worse. Without it, I likely would not have been able to become a successful FinTech professional and small business owner, or fulfill my call to public service. Medicaid covers 40% of all babies and kids in our state, thousands of seniors in nursing homes and people receiving long-term care, and many hardworking adults like me. Buying into misinformation will lead to policy decisions that hurt our neighbors and our state economy.

While Congress is considering harmful cuts, its essential everyday Georgians be heard. If enough Georgians speak up for the health of our neighbors and our economy, together, a symphony of voices can rise above the noise. Call your representatives  let them know about the negative impacts that Medicaid cuts would have on Georgians like you and me. Remind them that work reporting requirements add costly red tape without improving accountability. Urge your friends, family members, and neighbors to do the same. A vote to cut Medicaid is a vote against the health  and the economic prosperity  of our state and Georgian families.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles is possible.

Source: European Pravda with reference to German TV channel ZDF

Details: Asked about supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles, Merz responded: "Of course, it is within the realms of possibility."

At the same time, he added that this would require several months of training for Ukrainian soldiers.

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Merz noted that transferring the system in six months or a year would not benefit Ukraine today, so military support for Kyiv is being improved now.

Speaking about further sanctions against Russia, the chancellor said: "Everything that can be done on a secure legal basis is possible."

Background:

On 28 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings in Berlin with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Julia Klockner.

During the visit, Germany promised new military aid to Ukraine worth 5 billion.

Among other things, a contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T systems and missiles for them. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov said that the total value of the contract is 2.2 billion

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A German court rejected a landmark climate case against energy giant RWE, but said that companies can be held liable for the impacts of their emissions.

The case was brought by a Peruvian farmer, who alleged that RWE  for more than a century one of Europes biggest electricity producers  contributed disproportionately to climate change, which in turn melted glaciers that now threaten the farmers property.

Although the court did not consider the threat to the farmers property as imminent, the ruling nonetheless represents a tailwind for lawsuits against fossil fuel companies. It is an immense historic shifting of the dial, the farmers lawyer told DW.
Three years, three months and two days ago, Olaf Scholz declared that Germany would undergo a historic Zeitenwende  or changing of the times, pivoting its attitude towards Russia and its own defence and security. Scholz flopped on his promise, but it seems that Germanys new chancellor Friedrich Merz is determined to deliver where his predecessor failed and finally square up to Russia.

For the first time, Merz hosted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin yesterday. Building on their meeting alongside other European leaders earlier in the month, Merz announced a new 5 billion (4.2 billion) aid package for Ukraine.

The chancellor agreed to finance a portion of Ukraines Starlink satellite coverage, so crucial for secure communication by Kyivs troops along the front line, and provide additional materiel and logistical support. Germany would also support Ukraine in other ways, including new sanctions on Russia and making sure the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would never be used again.

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The star item of Merzs package, however, was a commitment that Germany will finance the production of long-range missiles on Ukrainian soil. Berlin will invest directly into the Ukrainian arms industry, providing a much-needed boost to the countrys industry to help its ability to supply itself with weapons quickly, rather than simply waiting for western donations.

Announcing the joint missile development project, Merz added pointedly: There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory. In other words, Berlin wont stand in the way of Zelensky wanting to use these weapons  which will most likely have a range of over 150 miles  to strike deep into Russian territory. According to the German ministry of defence, they will start to filter through to the front line in a matter of weeks.

Merzs new package for Ukraine came two days after the chancellor sparked a great deal of confusion by declaring that there were no longer any restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine. Thanks to Scholzs reticence about triggering an escalation in the conflict with Russia, Germany had never donated long-range missiles to Ukraine, so it was unclear why Berlin would have a say over how those which had been used. Tellingly, on Monday he added: A country that can only counter an aggressor on its own territory is not adequately defending itself. Now, in light of yesterdays announcement, this makes a lot more sense.

It is clear that Merz is more comfortable than Scholz with taking a more confrontational line with Putin. In the first week of his chancellorship, he issued an order for the defence ministry to stop publishing lists of the weapons being sent to Ukraine to avoid giving the Kremlin an insight into Kyivs arsenal. This policy of strategic ambiguity for Ukraine suggests Merz wants to make good on his promise to make Germany a European bulwark against Russia.

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Thanks to his tough talk on defence for Ukraine, there is now, however, one promise that Merz is under pressure to keep: giving Kyiv Taurus missiles. With a range of 300 miles, they would, in theory, allow Ukrainian troops to strike as far as Moscow. Just last month, Merz reaffirmed his pledge to do just this  but only in agreement with European partners.

Germany has already, for many years, been Ukraines largest European aid donor. But, to engineer a fair end to the war for Ukraine, and defend the continents security interests, it is now up to Merz to shed the nerves of Berlins previous administration and stand strong against Russia.

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PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ)  Giant Eagle announced an agreement with Rite Aid that will allow the company to acquire customers prescriptions.

The pharmacy prescriptions will be transferred to 78 locations across Pennsylvania and Ohio, with them moving to a new location that is most convenient for the customer. The company expects to close on the purchase of the prescriptions in waves during the month of June.

They also noted that in two locations, Giant Eagle will assume operations at the existing Rite Aid pharmacy right after Rite Aid departs from those locations. At those two specific locations, they believe that there will be no interruption of store operations.

Here are locations that will be accepting transferred prescriptions:

Ebensburg Giant Eagle Pharmacy (June 4) will be accepting prescriptions from Rite Aids on Shoemaker Street in Nanty Glo and Admiral Peary Highway in Ebensburg.

University Park Giant Eagle Pharmacy (June 5) will be accepting prescriptions from Rite Aids on Bedford Street and Scalp Avenue in Johnstown.

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The agreements between Giant Eagle and Rite Aid are subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. More details will be available closer to the closing dates.

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A full list of the first 30 Giant Eagle Pharmacies acquiring prescriptions can be found below:

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PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA)  A 25-year-old man, formerly of Gibson City, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for four counts of possession of child pornography.

WCIAs partners with the Ford County Chronicle reported that Ryan J. Nelson received his sentence after pleading guilty in the Ford County Circuit Court on May 13.

Paxton Police arrest Bradley man for traveling to meet child

According to Ford County States Attorney Andrew Killian, Nelson, who was already on probation in DeWitt County for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, reported to the Ford County probation department on Jan. 31, 2025, and was discovered to have a cellphone in his possession that had not been registered as required by the Sex Offender Registration Act.

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While examining his cellphone, probation officers found what they believed was child pornography on it. They then reported it to law enforcement, who ended up arresting Nelson that same day, according to Killian.

Additionally, a search of Nelsons Gibson City house, pursuant to a search warrant obtained from Judge Matt Fitton, discovered more electronic devices that contained child pornography, Killian said, who then charged Nelson with 10 counts  including four Class 1 felonies and six Class 2 felonies.

Mr. Nelson was, with every video he downloaded, victimizing unknown children and driving the demand for this type of material to be created, Killian said in a news release.

Paxtons pool pump fixed, pool opening draws closer

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Nelson was then sentenced to four consecutive eight-year terms (32 years total) in the Illinois Department of Corrections upon entering his plea of guilty to the four Class 1 felony charges. He will receive credit against his sentence for the 103 days he has already served in the Ford County Jail.

Public defender Harvey Welch of Urbana represented Nelson in this case.

This case was a joint effort between Ford County Court Services, the Paxton and Gibson City police departments and the Ford County Sheriff`s Department, who spearheaded the investigation, Killian said.

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BEIRUT, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed on Thursday in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, the country's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

According to the report, an Israeli drone targeted the entrance of the Ali Al-Taher forest in the hills of Nabatieh Fawqa, killing municipal employee Mahmoud Atwi while he was riding a motorcycle on the way to perform duties.

Another person was killed from Israeli gunfire on the village of Kafr Kila, according to the NNA.

Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement has been in effect between Hezbollah and Israel, ending the hostilities triggered by the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah "threats." Israel has also maintained a military presence at five key positions along the Lebanese border, even after the February 18 deadline for its full withdrawal. 
A 15-year-old girl from Los Angeles who was reported missing after she left for school nearly a month ago has been found, police said Thursday.

The search for the missing teen began on May 1, after she was last seen leaving her home in the Watts neighborhood, but never returned.

Los Angeles Police Department investigators asked the public for assistance in their search, stating that the family was concerned about her well-being.

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In an update on the investigation Thursday, police announced she had been located and reunited with her family.

No further details about the girls condition when she was found or the circumstances around her disappearance were revealed.

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Emily Grace Mayo, 9, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound in a vehicle parked at a local park on May 27

Her father James Lee Mayo, 37, was also found dead in the car from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation

The GBI is now investigating while Emily's family is remembering her as someone who "loved her family and we loved her more than we could put into words"







A 9-year-old girl and her father were both found shot dead on Tuesday.

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Emily Grace Mayo, 9, and James Lee Mayo, 37, were found dead in a car at Brooklet City Park by police after a concerned citizen called in to report an "unresponsive child locked in a vehicle," according to a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Once officers made entry into the vehicle they discovered a child dead in the backseat with an apparent gunshot wound, the GBI said in the release.

They found James next, with the release saying that a man was found dead in the front seat from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The release goes on to say that a handgun was found on his lap.

Gofundme Emily Grace Emily Grace

An investigation into the deaths is now underway and autopsies are being performed on the bodies of both father and daughter, according to the release.

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Authorities would not say if the same gun or bullets were used to kill both father and daughter.

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Emilys family is now raising funds for her burial and funeral services on GoFundMe.

Emily had the most joyful smile and the biggest heart. She loved to laugh, dance, and sing, her aunt Amber Healy wrote about the young girl.

Healy said Emily loved her family and we loved her more than we could put into words, before adding: The world lost a huge light.

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She also asked that people keep us all in your prayers as we navigate through this nightmare we cannot wake up from, saying that Emilys mom is devastated to have to bury her little girl.

No parent should have to make these decisions, wrote Healy.

The GoFundMe has raised over $25,000 as of Thursday morning.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Read the original article on People
SPRINGFIELD  Empty container ships in China might mean empty shelves in American stores for back-to-school shopping, Halloween and, heres the big one, Christmas.

The ordering for that is five months or more out, said business consultant Kristen Rupert, who gave a talk, Global Trade Turmoil  Challenges, Implications & Opportunities, Wednesday afternoon for the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts. Things could change. But can you restart that process?

The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts was founded in 1927, just after the turmoil of World War I, as part of nationwide effort to combat xenophobia and isolationism among the American electorate. The lunchtime talk drew about 30 people.

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The instability and unpredictability of world trade and international relations in the second Donald Trump administration is already having an impact here in Massachusetts.

And unpredictability is the key word. Rupert, who once was the executive director of associated Industries of Massachusetts International Business Council, began her talk Wednesday by asking her audience to keep their phones on and scan for news alerts.

Its happening that fast, Rupert said. The global order has been upset. And it is going to take a long time to find a new order. If ever.

But the good news, she said, is that companies are resilient and adaptable. It will just take time.

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The tariffs on goods from China were to have been 245%, then a still-high 30%. A 50% tariff on European goods was pushed back until July 9.

Small businesses are the ones that are really struggling and are going to struggle, Rupert said. If youre Walmart and Target, you can absorb it.

She talks with owners and CEOs, including one high-end dressmaker who had to cut back on the textiles she can order from France, China and Italy.

Another manufacturer near Boston told her it pre-ordered materials ahead of the tariff in order to save money, but still had to lay off six workers.

She spoke of business worried that they would have to pay high import taxes on goods in transit. It was similar to stories told by V-One Vodka founder Paul Kozub of Western Massachusetts and others.

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She also warned of the economic impact from lost tourism  Canadians are a big tourism market for New England, and the loss of international students. At many colleges and universities, foreign students make up 5% to 25% of the student body.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst says in its website that it had 1,600 overseas students last year. Across the state, there were about 79,000 international students at Massachusetts colleges and universities in the 2022-23 academic year.

And they pay full tuition, Rupert said. And it is not just them. It is their families who come to visit.

She did have some advice. She wants business to make their case in the public and political spheres

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CEOs should measure the impact in terms of jobs and reach out to elected officials and use suppliers and customers in other states to get attention in Republican-leaning red and purple congressional districts.

Massachusetts can be at a disadvantage as a heavily Democratic state with less clout in a polarized Washington.

Stories by Jim Kinney

Read the original article on MassLive.
The future of US President Donald Trump's trade policy remained unclear on Thursday, after a US court ruled he lacked the authority to impose the extensive tariffs that have rocked financial markets in recent weeks.

The US Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday that the emergency powers act does not allow the president to impose sweeping tariffs on imports, dealing a blow to Trump's confrontational trade policy.

The White House hit back against the decision, immediately lodging an appeal. Spokesman Kush Desai said trade deficits endangered American communities and the defence industry, and argued unelected judges had no right to decide how to deal with a national emergency.

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The European Commission on Thursday declined to comment on the ruling. Trump unexpectedly threatened the European Union with punitive tariffs of 50% starting on June 1, before postponing the measures shortly afterwards to allow for negotiations.

Talks on a possible deal are under way, with both sides hoping to find a solution by July 9, when Trump's suspension expires.

A spokesman for the German Economy Ministry also said it was not possible to comment on legal proceedings in the United States. "We remain confident that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached in the negotiations between the European Commission and the US government," he said.

The court ruling affects almost all tariffs imposed by Trump's administration, including the punitive levies introduced on what the US president termed Liberation Day in early April, as well as certain tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.

While the decision was a clear defeat for Trump, the legal dispute is set to continue. Observers do not rule out the possibility that an appeals court will temporarily reinstate the measures. In the meantime, the trade situation remains tense.
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Golden Alert for a missing Nicholasville teen was canceled on May 29.

The Nicholasville Police Department said 18-year-old Deasis Thomas was found safe.

On May 28, the Nicholasville Police Department asked for help finding Thomas, who hadnt been seen since May 26.

According to a Facebook post, police issued a Golden Alert.

 MISSING IN KENTUCKY

Deasis Thomas has been missing since Monday, May 26 (Nicholasville Police Department)

In the pictures above, it is seen that Thomas has long, black, curly hair.

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By Laurie Chen and Larissa Liao

BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese students with offers from U.S. universities expressed despair after Washington promised to start "aggressively" revoking Chinese student visas and ordered U.S. missions abroad to stop scheduling new student visa appointments.

If applied to a broad segment of the 277,000 Chinese students already at U.S. colleges, the move could disrupt a major source of income for universities and a crucial pipeline of talent for U.S. technology companies as the Trump administration pursues its hardline immigration agenda.

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"It's pretty absurd. It doesn't seem like something that should happen these days. I scrolled social media and felt quite anxious seeing other people's reactions," said Chen, 22, who has a postgraduate offer to study a humanities subject from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

"Although my major is not sensitive, my visa application process hasn't started yet and my course begins in early August."

Chen, who lives in the southwestern megacity of Chengdu, is prepared to defer her studies for a term if the visa doesn't come through in time. She preferred not to share her full name for privacy reasons.

"If I really can't go to the U.S., I may take up an offer from the UK's London School of Economics," she said.

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Reuters reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked his department to pause the scheduling of student visa appointments until the department issues updated guidance on social media vetting of applicants.

The news set off a wave of confusion and despair on China's Instagram-like platform RedNote, as incoming students scrambled to book the last remaining visa interview slots and others complained that they could no longer book.

Wu said she stayed up until 3 a.m. on Wednesday frantically refreshing the webpage until she managed to snag a precious mid-June interview slot at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai.

"At nearly midnight I saw the news and immediately started booking, the page crashed several times," she told Reuters.

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The 29-year-old biology student, who preferred not to share her full name for privacy reasons, has an offer from the University of Minnesota Duluth and no back-up plan if her visa is rejected.

The cable, signed by Rubio, said previously scheduled appointments may proceed but did not specify when the interview booking system would resume. Nor did Rubio specify when the visa revocations would begin.

"The Department's scheduling of nonimmigrant visa interview appointments is dynamic," a State Department spokesperson said in response to Reuters' questions about the suspension of appointments.

"Visa applicants may continue to submit applications. Consular sections constantly adjust their schedules to allow for sufficient time to fully vet the cases before them."

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The spokesperson added that the Trump administration was focused on "upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process."

RUNNING OUT OF TIME

The announcement comes at a critical period in the international student application process, as many young people prepare to travel to the U.S. in August to find accommodation and settle in before term starts.

"I was super looking forward to starting my university life but then all this happened," said a Beijing high school senior with a media studies offer from Ohio State University, who declined to give her name for privacy reasons.

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"I still need 1-2 months to apply for my visa, term starts soon and I have no time left, it's really a disaster out of nowhere and really unfair to international students."

In their posts on RedNote, a few Chinese social media users also reported additional scrutiny of their listed social media accounts from U.S. consular officials during visa interviews this week.

In Beijing, the foreign ministry condemned the measures against Chinese students and said it had lodged protests with the U.S.

"The U.S. side, using ideology and national security as an excuse, irrationally revoked Chinese international student visas," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing on Thursday.

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"Its politically discriminatory practices pierce through the so-called freedom of speech it has always flaunted, this will only further damage its international image and reputation."

China is also at the epicentre of Trump's global trade war that has roiled financial markets, upended supply chains and fuelled risks of a global economic downturn. The decision to cancel Chinese student visas is happening despite a recent pause in the U.S.-China trade dispute.

International students - 54% of them from India and China - contributed more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

"It is superpower suicide to stop the best foreign minds from coming to the United States and using their talents to propel American prosperity and technological advantage," Rush Doshi, a former Biden administration China official and assistant professor at Georgetown University, wrote on X on Wednesday.

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"The iron fist has come down," wrote an anonymous Chinese PhD student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison on RedNote on Thursday.

"The good days are over and a new round of hard times will begin for international students."

(Reporting by Laurie Chen and Larissa Liao in Beijing; Additional reporting by Nicoco Chan in Shanghai; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  In an effort to relieve the taxpayer burden for use of the citys community center, Goodlettsville will implement a new fee for nonresident seniors who use the facility.

Starting July 1, nonresident seniors who use the Delmas Long Community Center will have to pay a $2 daily fee or pay a $100 annual fee up front.

Inclusive playground Rachels Garden nearing completion in Goodlettsville

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According to Goodlettsville Parks and Recreation Director Sarah Jennings, she and her staff began looking at ways to increase revenue for additional staffing needs and thought community usage fees would be the best way to go.

At the latest Parks and Recreation Community Advisory Board meeting, held Tuesday, May 27, Jennings outlined the rationale for the incoming usage fee.

They wanted to create a fee that wouldnt break the bank but would still help shift the burden from taxpayers to those who use the facility more directly.

Currently, the city allows adults 60 and older to use the center completely for free. Instead, Goodlettsville taxpayer dollars are used to cover the cost of all senior usersresident and nonresident alike.

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We want this to not be a burden for our taxpayers, Jennings told News 2.

Additionally, Jennings said there would also be small increases in usage fees for residents, but they would be minimal in scope. The current rates for the center are as follows:

Indoor Track

Resident per day: $2

Resident per year: $10

Nonresident per day: $4

Nonresident per year: $20

Gym  Adults

Resident per day: $2

Resident per year: $85

Nonresident per day: $4

Nonresident per year: $170

Youth 17 & Under

Resident per day: FREE

Resident per year: FREE

Nonresident per day: $2

Nonresident per year: $85

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All the new rates will begin July 1, Jennings said.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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ATHENS, Greece (AP)  The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, met with Greek shipowners on Thursday to discuss the potential use of nuclear power in future global goods transportation.

The United Nations agency recently launched an initiative to develop a regulatory and safety framework for deploying nuclear reactors on commercial maritime vessels. Its aim is to reduce global emissions, improve efficiency in the shipping industry, and ultimately help lower food prices.

Grossi has been engaging with shipping leaders in Europe to promote the initiative, known as ATLAS  Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea.

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In Athens, he held discussions on Thursday with Greeces ministers of foreign affairs and development, Giorgos Gerapetritis and Takis Theodorikakos, as well as with the leadership of the Union of Greek Shipowners.

We are at an important moment for nuclear science and technology, opening new opportunities for Greece  such as the IAEAs ATLAS initiative for the maritime sector, Grossi wrote in an online post.

Currently, nuclear propulsion at sea is limited to military use by advanced naval forces, powering submarines and aircraft carriers.

Wider civilian adoption has long been hindered by high investment costs, the need for comprehensive international regulation, and safety concerns. Critics also cite risks related to terrorism, piracy, and rising geopolitical tensions.

Greece consistently ranks as one of the worlds largest ship-owning nations, controlling a significant portion of the worlds commercial fleet.
It was the start of a four-day weekend for many families, and roads across Germany were already set to be clogged by people heading off on a May holiday break.

Then Google Maps decided to redirect drivers away from Germany's famously fast "autobahn" motorways due to dozens of unexpected closures on crucial roads.

In a day of what German media called "autobahn chaos", the Ascension Day public holiday on Thursday was marred by lengthy detours for many after it turned out Google Maps was falsely reporting motorway closures across the country.

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The online navigation service displayed red dots on road sections around Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and other major German cities. However police in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Mainz and the highly populated state of North Rhine-Westphalia could not confirm the closures to dpa.

Parts of the Netherlands and Belgium also appeared to be affected by the error on Google Maps.

"They can't have closed ALL the motorways," tabloid Bild quoted one Facebook user as posting. "Especially because the traffic news isn't reporting anything."

Google told dpa the information was being reviewed and that it was removing closures that were incorrect. "We cannot comment on specific cases," a company spokesman said, noting that the information on Google Maps comes from a combination of third-party providers, public sources and user inputs.

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"In general, these sources provide a strong basis for comprehensive and up-to-date map material," he said. Google Maps also allows users to report errors being displayed.

It's not the first time Google has invented a road closure in Germany, and at the beginning of May, the tech giant's service incorrectly displayed motorway tunnels in eastern Germany's Thuringia state as closed. Following a complaint from the police, the navigation instructions were corrected.

Germany's motorways are normally famed for their speed, having many stretches without a speed limit where drivers can go as fast as their Audis, BMWs or Porsches can carry them.

In the context of the climate crisis, lawmakers have long been debating efforts to stop drivers speeding on one of the world's few remaining motorways where you can legally - and considerably safely - reach speeds of over 300 km/h.
Republicans are reveling in President Trumps fight with Harvard University, fulfilling the years-long itch to take on leftists in the Ivy League and woke ideology, all while boosting the populist narrative of fighting elites.

Even as the escalating battle gets pushback from Democrats who warn about independence at Harvard and other educational institutions more broadly, Trump is far from crossing any lines for most conservatives.

Trumps fight against Harvard and other Ivy League institutions is one conservatives have been salivating at for years, especially since the on-campus protests against Israel following Hamass attack in October 2023.

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But more than anything, Republicans believe this is a perfect situation to paint Democrats into a corner and force them to defend Harvard and similar universities.

There is a bubble around Boston, New York, and D.C., maybe that thinks highly of Harvard. But these days, those who dont think that Harvard is horribly woke and lost think theyre condescending and full of it, said former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), who heads the Young Americas Foundation, a top conservative organization aimed at activating young conservatives.

So theres really not a lot of downside to what Trumps doing.

Theyve been able to get away with whatever they wanted before, Walker said of Harvard.

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And now, even in circles you wouldnt necessarily expect, people are like, Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.

Ire on the GOP side has been building for much of the past decade against Ivy League institutions, especially over what they maintain is a left-leaning bias that has stamped out the voices of conservatives on campus.

Harvards battle with Trump is serving as the culmination of those complaints. Republicans cheering on Trumps efforts to cut off federal grants to the school and prevent it from enrolling international students see no political downside.

The Democrats have become the party of the higher ed administrator  how they talk, their priorities, GOP strategist Matt Gorman said. Trump is drawing into this fight intentionally.  He is daring the Democratic Party  which needs to reach working-class voters and men, Latinos  to defend the most elite and effete institution in the country against foreign students.

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Democrats are Wile E. Coyote, Gorman continued. Theyre running full speed off the cliff and they dont realize until theyre 5 feet off that theres nothing underneath them.

The back-and-forth over foreign students erupted over the past week. The administration initially revoked the universitys Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification last Thursday, which was halted a day later by a federal judge in Massachusetts.

A hearing is set for Thursday over a possible extension of that temporary order.

Trump on Wednesday sounded a typically populist note on the issue, telling reporters the percentage of international students at Harvard and other schools should be capped at roughly 15 percent  nearly half of the universitys current total.

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We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools and they cannot get in, because we have foreign students, he said in the Oval Office. I want to make sure that the foreign students are people who can love our country.

I am looking out for the country and for Harvard, he said. I want Harvard to do well. I want Harvard to be great again  probably.

The moves have angered Democrats who believe institutions such as Harvard should be able to operate independently of the administrations wishes.

Donald Trump is attacking Harvard for refusing to carry out his political agenda. Now, innocent students are caught in the crossfire, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) recently said.

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She also sought to make the fight about something bigger than Harvard, which could be read as a sign the institution isnt seen as a sympathetic victim of Trumps ire.

Harvard is right to fight back. But this isnt just about Harvard  anyone who crosses Trump could be punished. Its a threat to all of us, Warren said.

Even some Republicans are squeamish at the Trump administrations aggressive tactics. Moderate swing-seat Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said that while Harvard has done a terrible job protecting Jewish American students, he had concerns with the approach.

I am sensitive though to the executive branch declaring war on domestic institutions. We are not an autocracy, Bacon told The Hill. [Former President] Biden did some similar attacks on educational institutions, and Republicans didnt like those actions. I counsel restraint and focus on putting a spotlight on Harvards behavior. When students vote with their feet and go somewhere else, that is the most effective.

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Some Democrats have signaled they arent in a mood to defend Harvard, particularly those who thought the Ivy League school and others like it should have more forcefully responded to what they saw as antisemitic protests on college campuses.

Theres a direct line from the antisemitism that was allowed to flourish on Harvard and other elite campuses and the type of antisemitism [recently] in Washington, D.C., Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), a Harvard alum, told CNN, referring to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in the nations capital last week.

Antisemitic words do become antisemitic murders, and the inability of progressives to check and condemn that antisemitism on the left has allowed these tragedies to unfurl, he said.

At the same time, Auchincloss signaled disfavor with Trumps efforts to go after Harvard and other schools.

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But MAGA is not the organization or movement thats going to address that. The hypocrisy on the hard right is just as galling, he said. Neither side is equipped to help build out a liberal, truth-seeking culture on these campuses, which is what Harvard needs.

House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)  a Harvard alum  warned that Trumps actions will hurt the nation, regardless of what one thinks of Harvard.

Trump is telling the world that its best and brightest are no longer welcome here and that they should fear the vindictive irrationality of American politicians, Raskin said.

Some say there are some risks for Trump in going after Harvard, including that he could trigger a backlash.

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Christopher Rufo  an activist who has spearheaded much of the conservative backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion policies and critical race theory, an academic framework evaluating U.S. history through the lens of racism that has become a political catch-all buzzword for any race-related teaching  argues the pushback on Harvard and other Ivy League schools should be centered on complying with federal antidiscrimination laws.

Rufo warned about getting too deep into the curriculum in an interview with The New York Times.

Universities are ultimately going to have to decide what they put into the course catalog. I dont think that the federal government should be micromanaging academic offerings to that extent. I think thats counterproductive. I think its getting too far into the weeds, he said.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Thursday that Israel has signed off on a 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal as Israeli army continues its military actions in the war-torn area.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed at a press briefing that U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump "submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel backed and supported."

"Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas. I can also confirm that those discussions are continuing, and we hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home," said Leavitt.

"I won't comment further, as we are in the midst of this right now," she added.

An Israeli official and a U.S. source familiar with the case confirmed that the proposed deal includes not only the 60-day ceasefire but also plans to release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 dead hostages, CBS News reported.

Hamas said Thursday that its leadership had received a new Gaza ceasefire proposal from Witkoff through the mediators and was studying it.

"The Hamas leadership has received Witkoff's new proposal from the mediators and is responsibly studying it in a way that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," Hamas said in a brief statement. 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Republican lawmakers are proposing major changes to federal student loan repayment plans, sparking sharp debate among education policy experts and borrower advocates.

Tucked inside the over 1,000-page Big Beautiful Bill, the GOP-backed measure would eliminate existing income-driven repayment (IDR) options introduced during the Biden administration.

In their place, the plan introduces two simplified repayment paths: a fixed payment plan and a new income-driven alternative.

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At a March hearing, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), the chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, championed the provision. He says an overhaul is long overdue.

This bill cleans up the mess, Walberg said. It streamlines student loan options and creates accountability for students and taxpayers.

Under the proposal, most borrowers would be automatically enrolled in a fixed payment plan with terms ranging from 10 to 25 yearssimilar to a mortgage. The new income-driven option would adjust monthly payments based on income but would require even the lowest earners to pay a minimum of $10 monthly. The plan retains a Biden-era policy that waives unpaid interest for borrowers who make consistent payments.

Conservatives say the changes will encourage repayment and reduce costs to taxpayers.

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The student loan portfolio is headed toward a fiscal cliff, said Madison Marino, an education policy expert with the Heritage Foundation. Only 38% of borrowers are currently repaying their loans. This program is very reasonable.

But critics argue the bill could make repayment harder for millions of Americans.

What this bill is going to do is lock borrowers into much higher payments for the long term, said Persis Yu, Deputy Executive Director of the Student Borrower Protection Center. The effects are going to be devastatingboth for borrowers and for the broader economy.

The bill passed the House without a single Democratic vote and now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where its future remains uncertain.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Gov. Kay Iveys Office announced that 55 new classrooms will be funded through the Pre-K through 3rd Grade for the 2025-2026 school year.

The 55 additional classrooms will be funded through the Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning Program (P-3).

This expansion will increase the number of classrooms implementing the P-3 approach to 454 across 29 counties.

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the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education, is working to align instructional practices, assessments and leadership from First Class Pre-K through third grade.

Each year, Alabamas P-3 approach continues to build momentum and grow to provide a smooth transition from pre-k to third grade. Through my Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative, we are setting the stage for lifelong success and empowering every child to reach their fullest potential, said Governor Ivey. Strong students lead to a strong Alabama, and these learning efforts will ensure we continue to strengthen our schools and provide the best education for all students.

The following schools in North Alabama are set to receive funding:

Highland Park Elementary in Colbert County

Webster Elementary in Colbert County

Parkside Elementary School in Cullman County

Hollywood Elementary in Jackson County

Kilby Laboratory School in Lauderdale County

Brindlee Mountain Elementary in Marshall County

Asbury Elementary in Marshall County

Sloman Elementary in Marshall County

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We are excited to welcome these new classrooms to the P-3 network of schools dedicated to aligning practices and learning environments to what research tells us works for young children, said ADECE Secretary Jan Hume.

The Alabama Pre-K3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning (P-3) builds upon student success and narrows the achievement gap by expanding access to Alabamas high-quality pre-k model. P-3 is funded by the ADECE through the governors Strong Start, Strong Finish education initiative.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU)  Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is investing in Iowas healthcare workforce through grants.

On Wednesday, the governor announced $2.94 million in grant funds for multiple healthcare systems throughout the state.

Iowas healthcare industry has faced worker shortages in recent years. Drawing on the earn-and-learn model for health career registered apprenticeships that has already trained 80 job-ready CNAs and EMTs and has 394 current active apprentices, our state is continuing to meet this challenge head on, said Governor Reynolds. The New Healthcare Credentialing Grant will support career pathways like CNAs, LPNs, RNs and CMAs that will build on the healthcare workforce where its needed most.

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One of the recipients is right here in Siouxland. Cherokees Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital Association (now called the Cherokee Regional Medical Center) received $174,750 to support their apprenticeship program, helping create more careers within the industry.

If youd like to see the full list of recipients, click here.

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GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa  Governor Kim Reynolds signed her top priority into law on Wednesday afternoon.

The Governor signed her own proposed legislation at the Guthrie County Hospital, with state health care leaders, lawmakers and health care workers in attendance.

The bill, HF 972, has a plethora of provisions aimed at incentivizing medical students in the state to practice here.

Iowa ranks 40th in the number of residency slots available to medical students, which means many of our graduates from Iowa medical schools dont get a chance to continue their education and training here, said Reynolds.

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The bill sets up a loan repayment program for medical students who commit to work in a rural health care system for at least five years  doubling the funding of the existing program to nearly $8 million.

Families part ways with 1,800 Iowa soldiers at deployment sendoff ceremonies

Iowa Health and Human Services is also directed to work on receiving $150 million in federal funding that will allow 115 new residency slots to be added annually to Iowas medical schools.

Just three to four years from now, the amount of time it takes for a typical residency rotation, we could have up to 450 more physicians being trained right here in Iowa, with some ready to enter the workforce, and were going to be ready for them, said Reynolds.

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The legislation also sets up a $3 million health care credential granting program that will allow hospitals to educate and train future health care workers.

Its no secret theres a physician shortage and a nurse shortage, said Chris Stipe, the CEO of the Guthrie County Hospital. But lets be honest, theres a shortage of all qualified health care workers in nearly every field. And workforce shortages are often more severe in smaller communities. If we are to continue to effectively care for our rural Iowa communities, critical strategies such as loan forgiveness programs and graduate medical education programs must be funded and expanded and run efficiently.

Governor Reynolds also signed another bill, HF 310, into law that expands the legal definition of health care provider to protect more health care workers who are assaulted while at work by an individual. Outside of expanding the definition, the penalties were increased for anyone who commits the crime.

Iowa News:

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)  Governor Henry McMaster will hold a ceremonial bill signing Thursday for a bill (H.3058) that criminalized revenge porn.

The bill would prohibit people from sharing intimate images of another person without their permission.

South Carolina is the last state to outlaw the act.

The bill takes the states already existing ban on sextortion, which is the act of blackmailing someone using sexually explicit images or video, a step further by making the circulation of such content illegal, even without the threat element.

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The legislation will take effect immediately once Gov. McMaster signs the bill. The ceremonial signing is slated for 11 a.m.

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Indiana Gov. Mike Braun ceremonially signs legislation in his Statehouse office on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. He is flanked by administration officials, lawmakers, law enforcement officers and impacted family. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

It may have been just a ceremonial signing but Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and advocates lauded two public safety bills Wednesday afternoon.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 324 and House Enrolled Act 1014, both bills to protect Hoosier families as a part of his agenda, he said.

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Keeping Hoosiers safe is our top priority, and weve secured several wins for public safety this session. Braun said in a news release. These bills will increase the penalty for pushing fentanyl on our streets, help keep police officers safe, and make our communities safer for Hoosier families.

SEA 324, effective July 1, increases penalty levels for crimes involving fentanyl. It also states that a court must consider requiring a person charged with domestic violence to wear a monitoring device as a condition of bail.

The bill hits close to home for one Indiana family: the Stoebicks, who attended the bill signing after losing a loved one to domestic violence.

Jessica Stoebick, a nurse at Riley Hospital for Children, was murdered by her ex-husband after a history of domestic abuse incidents on Dec. 18, 2023.

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Her mother, Bobbi Stoebick stood next to Braun as he signed the bill wearing a shirt that read I wear purple for my daughter. Stop domestic violence. Jessicas father and sister also attended.

Bobbi Stoebick said she thinks that if her daughters ex-husband was wearing a ankle monitor, her daughter would have had more time to prepare herself.

It is baby steps, She said after the signing. Women live in fear everyday, it has to stop.

Braun also signed HEA 1014, which will restrict government entities from hosting or organizing obscene performances.

Thats just common sense, Braun said about the bill. It just isnt what the government should be spending taxpayer dollars on.

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During the legislative session, no examples were provided of any such instances.

The law also makes it a sentencing aggravator to be in the U.S. unlawfully, as well as having distributed a controlled substance.

There are no disruptions from the federal border, Braun said. Things are already getting better.

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bluefield  More transparency about child neglect and death cases in whats been called a broken foster care system were among the remedial steps that West Virginias governor announced Wednesday.

Standing behind a lectern bearing the sign Transparency In Foster Care, Gov. Patrick Morrisey spoke in Charleston about changes coming to the states child welfare system. Hearing from residents who have dealt with the system helped to create the reforms.

Last week, I had a chance to attend a listening session held by the Department of Human Services in Martinsburg about the child welfare system in West Virginia, Morrisey said. In the overall listening tour we had eight meetings across the state which was organized by our terrific Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer, who unfortunately cant be here today because hes doing great things for the state.

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The state Department of Human Services has been working to identify ways to improve the child welfare system, according to the governor.

We launched this listening tour because we know the most valuable input we can have is from folks on the ground. Parents, guardians, grandparents, judges, lawyers, social workers and more gathered at these eight stops around the state to provide feedback based upon their lived and shared experiences, Morrisey said.

People attending these public sessions described a system with many problems.

When I attended the session in Martinsburg, I heard some of the attendees talk about a broken system, that they were disjointed, siloed, frustrated, a lot of words that we dont want to stand for any program in the state let alone something that affects so many of our kids, Morrisey said. Frankly, its tough to sit and listen to all those negative experiences about what many of the folks went through. I know that I shared some of that when I worked down the hall as the attorney general. We didnt have some of the tools that we needed to ultimately bring the kind of change to the system thats required. Thats changing now.

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Hearing about many child welfare issues that could have been avoided with better communications was difficult, he said. Eliminating bureaucratic red tape and giving Child Protective Service workers the right tools would have helped, too.

I think you know all of these issues have been going on for a very, very long time and. unfortunately, its the kids who suffer and we cant tolerate that, Morrisey said. West Virginia cannot, I repeat, West Virginia cannot keep kicking the can down the road as was done in the past. Thats not the model of this administration. In my administration, were making urgently needed changes to take the first steps to address issues within the child welfare system.

Morrisey said when he first took office, he received a letter from a local news outlet about one of their Freedom of Information Act requests that essentially had been stonewalled and ignored by the previous administration.

The information had to do with the fatalities and near-fatalities of children in West Virginias child welfare system, the governor said. There was no excuse, I repeat, there was no excuse to keep this information shielded from the public. No excuse. Were going to be different. Were going to be up front with the people of West Virginia and were going to be as transparent as the law possibly allows. So today, were releasing the response to that FOIA and all that the law allows.

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The child welfare reforms announced Wednesday included:

 Fully complying with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) and federal guidelines requiring public disclosure of key information in child abuse or neglect cases resulting in fatalities or near fatalities.

 Overhauling the Child Welfare Dashboard to make it simpler to use and easier to interpret the data.

 Requiring supervisors to conduct monthly reviews with their child welfare cases and work with our state office team to identify opportunities for improvement and launching a department-wide Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) initiative to better prepare our supervisors.

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 Creating a Critical Incident Review Team to conduct a deeper dive into every critical incident.

 Introducing a Comprehensive Practice Model to provide a foundational framework that can be standardized across the state.

 Allowing caseworkers to gather more comprehensive information on cases rather than relying solely on the referral.

For far too long, weve asked families and frontline professionals to navigate a system that has not kept pace with the complexities our families and children face today. That must change, Secretary Mayer said later. We are listeningintentionallyand using that feedback to shape a more responsive, accountable and transparent system built on trust. 

Contact Greg Jordan at

gjordan@bdtonline.com
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WBOY)  West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) signed three pieces of legislation into law on Thursday that relate to children and pregnant mothers.

Senate Bill 537, which expands the use of state funds for pregnancy help organizations, House Bill 2123, which increases the criminal penalty for child abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, and House Bill 2871, which classifies the loss of a fetus during a vehicle accident as a vehicular homicide death, were all signed during a ceremony in Beckley.

Gov. Morrisey said in a press release that the laws are strengthening West Virginias commitment to defending the sanctity of life.

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Man allegedly threw Crown Royal bottle near 2 children while in vehicle in Fairmont

West Virginia has a proud history of standing for the value of and dignity of life, Morrisey said in the press release. I am pleased to sign these bills into law to further defend and protect the most vulnerable among us.

You can read the full text of the bills at the links below:

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Sidi Ould Tah (front), newly-elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), attends the closing ceremony of the AfDB's 60th annual meetings in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, May 30, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)

ABIDJAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah was elected Thursday as president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) during the 60th annual meetings of the African banking institution currently taking place at its headquarters in Abidjan, economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire.

According to a statement from the AfDB, Tah won after three rounds of voting with 76.18 percent of the votes, defeating Zambian Samuel Maimbo (20.26 percent) and Senegalese Amadou Hott (3.55 percent).

Two other candidates, Chadian Abbas Mahamat Tolli and South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, were also in the race.

Tah was elected by the bank's Board of Governors, which is composed of finance and economy ministers or central bank governors from the 81 member countries of the bank group, both regional and non-regional.

The Board of Governors is the highest decision-making body of the AfDB. The elected candidate needed to secure at least 50.01 percent of the votes both regionally and non-regionally.

Tah has over 35 years of experience in African and international finance.

A former minister of economy and finance of Mauritania, he has held senior positions in multilateral institutions and led operations related to crisis response, financial reform, and innovative resource mobilization for Africa.

He also served as president of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for ten years starting in 2015.

"Let's get to work now, I am ready," said the elected president, addressing the bank group's governors and the media shortly after voting results were announced.

Tah will assume office on Sept. 1 for a five-year term, succeeding the current president, Akinwumi Adesina.

The 2025 annual meetings of the bank group, held under the theme "Making Africa's Capital Work Better for Africa's Development," began on Monday and will end on Friday.

Shareholder countries of the AfDB comprise 54 African countries that are called regional member countries, and 27 non-African countries known as non-regional member countries. 
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA)  Governor Ron DeSantis said he would not be signing a bill to repeal a 1990 law that prevents some medical malpractice suits from being filed in case of family deaths.

DeSantis voiced his opposition to HB 6017 during a press conference in Fort Myers Thursday.

Haines City teacher caught smoking meth in Winter Haven park, police say

Under current law, people who are 25 and older cannot collect non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits if their parents die. Likewise, parents cannot collect those damages if their child died at the age of 25 or older.

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Thursday, DeSantis said he would be vetoing the bill, citing the lack of caps for these damages.

I have been in contact with some of the legislators, particularly in the Senate, he said. I think the change to do the caps failed by one vote in the Florida Senate

HB 6017 has had overwhelming support in the Florida Legislature, winning the vote in the Florida Senate by 33 to 4.

Supporters of the bill said it would have given a chance for families to get justice in cases of medical malpractice, which is not always possible under what they call the Free Kill law.

Karen Augilar, who spoke to 8 On Your Side earlier in May, said the current law kept her from getting justice for her father when he died after going to an emergency room for back pain.

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You have no access to the court system because if you cannot sue for the non-economic damages, there is no lawyer that will take it, Aguilar said.

However, DeSantis and other opponents of the bill said they were concerned that it would drive up healthcare costs and drive away physicians.

If you want to do non-economic damages, put caps on the amount of damages, and cap the amount that attorneys can recover, he said. If you do that, then you are totally disincentivizing frivolous lawsuits, because theyll know theres a limited amount that an attorney is going to be able to recover. And if you think about it, if you have no caps on the non economic damages, that is an incentive to bring a lot of cases, and many of them probably wont be successful, but even then, you can probably get a settlement again, even if you havent done anything wrong, theres going to be an incentive to settle, because its very costly to go through with all this.

In addition to the caps, he proposed holding the physicians directly accountable instead of having a third party pay damages.

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However, people like Aguilar have blasted the governor for his insinuation that the bill would have opened up opportunities for people to make money off the suits, which he previously called jackpot justice.

I sat there for a moment listening to the words that came out of his mouth that were just disgraceful, Aguilar said. No, were not here sitting here trying to get rich. We want accountability.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has expressed her disappointment after President Donald Trump said he would take a look at pardoning the men who were convicted of plotting to kidnap her in 2020.

Im disappointed that they're even considering it, frankly, Gov. Whitmer, a Democrat, said in an interview with WOOD-TV on Thursday. Whitmer said she intends on expressing these feelings to the White House, also. She went on to condemn political violence as a wholesomething Trump was also a victim of in July 2024 after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Penn.

You know, when the President got it in Pennsylvania, I was one of the first people on either side of the aisle to condemn it, Whitmer said. We have to condemn political violence, no matter where it comes from, no matter who it's aimed at. It does a disservice to everyone, if we do anything short of that.

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Trumps comments were made in the Oval Office on Wednesday when he swore in Jeanine Pirro as D.C.s interim U.S. attorney.

I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention, Trump told reporters when asked if he would pardon the men. I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job. I'll be honest with you, it looked to me like some people said some stupid things.

In October 2020, during Trumps first term in office, the federal government revealed its bust of the elaborate conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer, who had been criticized by right-wing politicians, including Trump, over her COVID-19 policies.

The investigation resulted in the charging of over a dozen people linked with a local right-wing militia group, the Wolverine Watchmen. In the end, there were nine combined convictions and guilty pleas and five acquittals in the case.

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Read More: A Perfect Storm. The Michigan Plot Lays Bare the Dangers of Ignoring the Far-Right Threat

The same day that the Department of Justice announced the initial arrests made in relation to the plot to kidnap Whitmer, Trump criticized her via social media.

Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job, he wrote. My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist.

Trumps recent assertion that hell consider pardoning the men who plotted the kidnap come after his new pardon attorney, Ed Martin Jr., stated on The Breanna Morello Show podcast that he wants to take a hard look at the Whitmer case, particularly the two ringleadersAdam Fox and Barry Croft Jr.who are serving longer sentences.

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On the pardon front, we cant leave these guys behind, Martin Jr. said.



Read More: A Stark Look at the Recent History of Political Violence in America

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is often considered to be a potential 2028 candidate for the Democratic Party

Many consider Whitmer as a potential 2028 contender to run for President. Michigan is often regarded as a key swing state in the presidential racewith close margins in the past election and 15 electoral votes up for grabs.

The second-term Governor also has a strong approval rating63% according to the results of an Impact Research poll published in May.

Whitmer has been a key Democrat who has spoken about working with Trump, rather than against him, leading some to see her as a diplomatic choice for the 2028 election, amid ongoing efforts to bridge political divides.

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Whitmer has yet to confirm that she plans to run for Presidentin fact, she denied she has any intention of running in 2028 when asked during a July 2024 interview with the Detroit Free Press.

"I have no plans. I have no plans to run for President, not this year, not in the foreseeable future. I'm not making any plans on that front," she said.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A massive industrial development is underway in Indonesia  and it's threatening to displace Indigenous communities and destroy vital rainforests in the name of "green" energy.

What's happening?

According to Mongabay, Indonesia and state-owned Malaysian companies are teaming up to build Southeast Asia's largest hydroelectric project in North Kalimantan  a remote province on the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world.

The $20 billion plan includes clearing massive amounts of forests for five dams, expected to generate 9,000 megawatts of electricity to power a sprawling new industrial park.

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Kalimantan Industrial Park Indonesia is positioned as a future global hub for electric vehicle battery and solar panel manufacturing. But critics warn the dams are already causing harm.

One village of around 28 families has already been relocated, and over 500 families face removal as deforestation and construction continue.

At a national forestry policy meeting last year, Indigenous leaders and environmental groups warned that locals were not properly informed or consulted, despite government claims that the project reflects the shared vision of all "stakeholders."

Why is this project so concerning?

"Finding fish and animals has already become difficult," Yusmarang, a member of North Kalimantan's Punan Indigenous community, told Mongabay Indonesia. Yusmarang was among those forced to leave his homeland.

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In 2007, the governments of Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia (three of the countries in Borneo) signed the Heart of Borneo initiative and pledged to conserve nature on the island.

But plans for the new dams include flooding more than 600 acres of Kayan Mentarang National Park  the largest unbroken stretch of protected rainforest on the island and home to over 500 types of orchid and hundreds of rare animal species like clouded leopards, Borneo elephants, and sun bears.

While these hydro projects count toward international clean energy goals, environmental groups argue they come at a steep cost. Dams can trigger the "forcible displacement and deforestation of high-conservation-value forests," Mongabay Indonesia reported.

Clearing these forests stops trees from being able to absorb polluting gases and releases stored carbon, which will encourage temperatures to creep up and increase the risk of extreme weather patterns.

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In Borneo, these forests are also biodiversity hotspots. Their destruction erases crucial habitats and food sources for rare species, and it could even hinder future medical discoveries.

What's more, dams disrupt river ecosystems. As submerged vegetation rots, it produces methane  a potent planet-warming gas. Dams also fragment water flows and disrupt aquatic migration.

The project raises the question: Is the energy gain worth the environmental and human cost?

What's being done about it?

On the 28th International Day of Action Against Dams in March, communities impacted by dam projects, including those along the Mentarang River, called them "engines of violence, displacement and destruction," per the World Rainforest Movement.

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"These projects are fraudulently marketed as green energy, as they ravage rivers, forests and Indigenous communities," the statement continued.

Moving forward, environmental and community leaders can look to Brazil and the Amazon rainforest as a recent example of successful deforestation reduction, with a reduction of over 80% of clearing activity achieved between 2000 and 2010.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.






NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of emergency due to severe drought in New Mexico. The order was issued last Thursday and assembles a task force to coordinate a response, including helping communities conserve water, and share resources to other local and tribal governments.

New Mexicos river basins have seen below average precipitation this year, and our reservoir levels are among the lowest on record, said State Engineer Anderson in a news release. These conditions clearly justify emergency action. I commend the governors leadership in calling for a coordinated response and I look forward to focused work with the Drought Task Force in the coming weeks.

NM Environment Department proposes rule aimed at preventing heat illness for workers

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The task force also has until July 31 to recommend short-term measures to reduce wildfire risk.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont farmers and hungry Vermonters will soon have an easier time finding each other.

Governor Phil Scott signed House Bill 167 (H. 167) on Tuesday, a bill that provides state support for the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program of the Vermont Foodbank, a food bank that buys directly from local farmers by agreeing to a set price, quantity, and delivery schedule before the growing season.

Read the full text of the bill hereDownload

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The bill says in part: Food insecurity in Vermont, and across the country, has increased in recent years after a decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic for local food purchased from Vermont farms, every dollar spent contributes an additional $0.60 to the local economy.

Vermont Foodbank shows off new renovations

The Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program bought over 5.7 million pounds of food from 299 Vermont farms in 2025. In addition to providing annual grants to the program, the bill also allows subgrants to community partners who buy directly from smaller local farms and farm stands.

The bill also requires an annual administrative report to the legislature in March. It will come into effect July 1.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to address the Mackinac Policy Conference at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, which 6 News will be streaming in the player above.

The conference is an annual event where state and business leaders gather to lay out their plans for the road ahead regarding Michigans workforce and economic growth.

Some of the main topics this year included artificial intelligence and energy. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity presented its AI and the Workforce Plan, which aims to adopt AI statewide and create 130,000 jobs. The state also announced a public-private partnership with DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.

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A full transcript of the Governors prepared speech is available below:

Hello everyone! Great to be back at MPC in my seventh year as governor.

This afternoon, I want to talk about our ability to do hard things. Some people call it GRIT. Its our willingness to work together in the short-term to get things done that make a big difference in the long-term. Michigan is a diverse state in every sense of the word, but its our ability to unite around shared priorities that makes us special. We solve problems that others write off as unsolvable. We prove, time and time again, that we can do hard things.

We all know that citizens across the political spectrum are frustrated. Broken promises, stagnating wages, and increasing polarization leads to people listening to the loudest or angriest voice in the room.

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Michiganders deserve better. We cannot give in to the instant gratification that comes from cheap, divisive anger-driven politics. We need leadership that provides certainty and executes a clear, long-term strategy, instead of lurching from self-inflicted wounds to embarrassing controversy, week to week.

Historically, Michigan has been a model for doing hard things. Just look at the Mighty Mac. We have worked across the aisle, between government at all levels, and across industries of all kinds to make meaningful, lasting progress. Let me highlight just a few of the hard things that weve done, together.

First, Selfridge. Back in 2014, the A10 Warthogs at the air base in Macomb County were set to be retired. The clock was ticking, and a lot was at risk without another mission. After a decade of fierce, consistent Michigan advocacy, President Trump announced last month that Selfridge will receive a new fighter mission of F15-EX jets. This move protects 30,000 jobs, 5,000 military families, and $850 million of statewide commerce. For Michigan, this is a B-F-D.

Saving Selfridge was a Team Michigan effort. I advocated for the base in face-to-face meetings at the White House every year since I took office in 2019. I wont lieit made for some odd moments and even odder photographsbut at the end of the day, we delivered. We saved an economic anchor of one of our states largest and most prosperous counties. We bolstered our other bases. And we strengthened our growing defense and aerospace industries. We can do hard things.

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Moving on to Medicaid. Its a lifeline for 2.6 million Michiganders including:

Three in five nursing home residents,

300,000 people with disabilities,

And nearly half the births in Michigan, including 84% of the deliveries at Detroit Childrens Hospital.

Last week, Republicans in the U.S. House passed legislation to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid and SNAP. The cuts would terminate health care for millions of our most vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors. It would threaten food that nearly 15% of Michiganders rely on to feed themselves and their kids.

Here in Michigan, we worked together to expand Medicaid. When the Affordable Care Act passed, I was the minority leader in the Michigan senate. I knew we had to seize the chance to expand health care to hundreds of thousands more Michiganders. Governor Snyder supported it too. And our only chance at getting it done was working together.

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Not everyone agreed with my approach, including some of my own colleagues, who didnt want to give the governor a win. But, I saw a generational opportunity to do something transformative, and I knew that we had to put our differences aside. I went desk to desk to get the votes to get it done. We created Healthy Michigan, which still covers hundreds of thousands of people today. We can do hard things.

Moving on to our workforce. For decades we watched the evolution of work and knew Michigan needed to seriously upskill our workforce to compete for good jobs. This was a universal priority, and we had to take it seriously or risk losing businesses who needed a pool of skilled talent to move to or expand in Michigan.

Unfortunately, our policy had been heading in the opposite direction for years. Gutted funding for public colleges and universities made it less and less affordable for all and completely out of reach for too many. When I ran for governor, I prioritized higher education and skills training. Early on, I set our ambitious but achievable Sixty by 30 goal, to have 60% of our adult population earn a degree or certificate by 2030.

Since I took office, weve been inching closer and closer to meeting it. By working across the aisle, we established Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the Michigan Guarantee. If you graduate high school or are older than 25, you can earn an associates degree, tuition-free right now. If you attend a private or public university, you can save up to $27,500 right now.

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Since we established these paths, more than 100,000 Michiganders have used them to save money, graduate, and find a good-paying job. Over 100,000! And when it comes to our Sixty by 30 goal, weve gone from 45% of our working age population with a degree or certificate to 52%, despite a pandemic. See? We can do hard things.

Finally, a story from this year on minimum wage and paid sick time, a difficult issue that had been kicked down the road for a long time. Im pleased that Democrats, Republicans, businesses, and workers finally came together earlier this year to pass a reasonable, bipartisan deal.

We raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour one year ahead of schedule, which puts more money in the pockets of 700,000 workers. We increased the tipped minimum wage by the highest amount ever. And we delivered paid sick leave. We did all of this while maintaining flexibility for small businesses, ensuring they could continue operating in Michigan without raising prices or laying people off. We can do hard things.

Theres so much weve done together worth celebrating

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We protected abortion rights expanded LGBTQ+ rights and passed commonsense gun violence prevention laws.

We raised our credit rating, paid down $20 billion of debt, and brought our rainy day fund to an all-time high.

Were rolling back the retirement tax on our seniors and quintupled the state match of the EITC.

We slashed burdensome regulations on redeveloping brownfields and lowered the cost of R&D.

We will soon open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on the busiest land border crossing in North America. And Michigan loves Gordie Howe and Canadians for the record!

We can do hard things.

To succeed, you must be willing to work with people you disagree with about most things to find what you can do together. Its a harder path to take in the moment, but its always the right one. Success requires thinking about ways to help the whole team win instead of just padding your own stats. Thats why I dont care much about headlines. I care about making headway.

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I have 19 months left in this office. Im not counting downit really is the best job in the world. I go to work every day to make the place I love most a little better. As I think about how best to use the time I have left here, I want to lay out a few more hard things we must do.

Lets start with our kids. I believe that every child deserves access to a high-quality public education from preK through postsecondary. When I took office, we had been underinvesting in education for decades and had wide funding gaps between our public schools as high as $400 per-student.

For years, we had been trying to fix it, and in 2021, we finally closed the funding gap in our public schools. Since then, weve raised teacher pay and cut retiree taxes. We expanded on-campus mental health resources and started feeding all 1.4 million public school students free breakfast and lunch. Our graduation rate, AP class numbers, and career and technical education completion rates are all at all-time highs. We can do hard things.

But lets be frank we face a literacy crisis, not just in Michigan, but across the country. Just a quarter of our 4th graders can read proficiently. Thats unacceptable. Falling behind in reading follows you for the rest of your life. Literacy is statistically correlated to academic, financial, and physical health. And while this crisis impacts all our kids, I want to call attention to the fact that our boys are falling behind more than our girls. As a result, girls read at a higher level than boys, earn better grades, and are more likely to graduate, go to college, and earn more money.

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This is a hard problem to solve and were all juggling a lot. Parents are trying hard to make ends meet while raising their kids. Our kids have lived through a once-in-a-century pandemic and are being shaped by ever-changing technology. And Michigans incredible public educators show up, work hard, and care deeply about their students well-being and academic achievement. We all need to work together to tackle the literacy crisis.

The next hard thing we must do is make sure that every kid in Michigan can read.

We must focus every education policy to meet this high-level goal until we hit it. As the State Board of Education hires their new superintendent, I urge them to pick a candidate with a proven record on literacy.

We have the momentum here. Late last year, I signed commonsense legislation to use proven, science of reading strategieslike phonics. Its how a lot of us learned how to read and we should get back to it because it works. These new laws also require schools to test for dyslexia so they can identify students who need extra help early.

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Knowing how to read is an ordinary superpower that we all deserve to have. Lets do what it takes to get our kids back on track for the bright futures they all deserve. I know we can. Because we can do hard things.

Next, lets talk about roads. We need to deliver a sustainable, long-term solution for local and state roads so folks can get to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands without blowing a tire or cracking an axle. Im proud of my Rebuilding Michigan Plan, which has fixed our most economically-critical highways and bridges. I know its caused a lot of traffic in Southeast Michigan Yes, Ive heard about 696 Im sorry and youre welcome.

But as I said in my State of the State, Rebuilding Michigan was a temporary fix for a long-term challenge. We need to fix our local roads, which have been underinvested in for decades. Im grateful for the engagement on this issue all year long by members of the legislature in both parties. Were inching closer to a deal, and well have to compromise to do this right. That means new revenue and responsible cuts, too. Lets get it done while balancing our budget, without burdening the middle class. This year, we will. Because we can do hard things.

Finally, lets talk about our ongoing efforts to bring more advanced manufacturing to Michigan. In just the last few years, weve secured projects across the state in several key industries, but I want to focus on semiconductor chips.

Weve seen the devastating consequence of what a global shortage of chips can do. It forced our automakers to buy up parking lots and fill them with almost-done cars awaiting chips, and it jacked up prices on phones, computers, and appliances. In the decades ahead, being able to make chips top-to-bottom in America will allow us to stay on the cutting-edge of AI. Whoever dominates this technology, from design to production, will win the 21st century. We cannot afford to lose this race to China. We must win.

To do so, we have to build more semiconductor chip fabrication facilities, also known as fabs. Fabs are the most advanced factories on the planet and take an enormous amount of time and resources to build. A single chip plant uses more steel than the Mackinac Bridge. A dozen times more cement than Ford Field. And more miles of cable than Michigan coastline. All this work takes thousands of union construction workers around two years to complete. Once up and running, a chip plant supports thousands of good-paying local jobs.

Chips are the brains of devices we use every day and power the invisible systems that make modern life possible. They make trillions of calculations a second, allowing you to send texts, write emails, play music, or order delivery. They store information, from your photos and documents to all our medical records and financial data.

A fab is the kind of transformational project where a dad can work on pouring the foundation, his daughter can help wire it up to the grid, and his grandchildren can work inside, making the chips our world needs. Its an intergenerational investment that makes an entire region an economic magnet, inspiring families to move here and put down roots.

For a long time, the U.S. made 0% of the worlds advanced chips. We ceded far too much ground to foreign competition. Now, thanks to plants being built nationwide, were growing fast. Michigan should get in on the game. Ive been advocating for this directly with the Trump Administration and their new US Investment Accelerator.

Together, lets land and start building a chip plant in Michigan by the end of next year.

It wont be easy, but thats okay. We can do hard things.

Over the past six-and-a-half years, Ive found that leadership is about fighting hard, often quietly, for your big goals. It is your tolerance for taking a few punches to win the fight. Leadership is your ability to do hard things. Today, Ive outlined a few of the hard things weve already done and laid out three moreliteracy, roads, and chipsthat we must do.

But as I wrap up, I want to speak to the moment were in. The only certainty about the next few years is uncertainty. And while theres a lot to celebrate about the work weve done and will continue to do in Michigan, much of our fate is tied to decisions made down in DC.

I know you all are trying to read the tea leaves and figure out how your business, your community, your family will be affected by changes in national policy. As governor, Im watching every twist in the tariff story and tracking ongoing efforts to strip billions out of Medicaid and SNAP, among so many other issues. These are serious issues with huge stakes for Michiganders, from workers in the auto supply chain to parents figuring out next months budget.

We can do hard things in Michigan, yes, but we are living in hard times. We have to acknowledge whats within our control and whats not. I cant control the global tariff war and its impact on our economy. I cant control what happens in DC that, lets be honest, will hit Michigan harder than other states.

My commitment to you, as it always has been, will be to do everything in my power to move Michigan forward. Ill work with anyone to make life a little easier for our families, our businesses, and our communities. Thats why I ran for governor in the first place. For a long time, especially in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Michiganders were pessimistic about our states future. Compounding events like the Detroit Bankruptcy and the Flint Water Crisis made that worse. The fundamentals were broken and people had lost trust in their government.

In 2018, I ran for governor to tackle both those big challenges. I wanted to fix the fundamentals and restore trust to give people confidence that Michigan is headed in the right direction. Today, Im proud that Michiganders feel more positive about our states direction despite ongoing uncertainty about the national direction.

I know you feel it too. Just think for a second about the looks people used to give you 10 or 15 years ago when you told them where you were from. Remember how it made you feel. Compare that to today. We learned just a few weeks ago that Detroits population has grown again, for the 2nd time in nearly 70 years. Thats incredible. We should all feel proud of our flagship city, a place that has risen from a past defined by hardship to a future driven by endless possibilities. Detroit does hard things.

As a state, weve done a lot over the last couple of years, but were not done yet. Lets continue leading by example as a state that does hard things in the right way. And lets remember that were all on the same teamTeam Michigan. Thank you.

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The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border.

The government has approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank as part of a joint initiative by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the ministries announced in a joint statement on Thursday.

The decision includes plans to renew settlement activity in northern Samaria and develop new communities along the Jordan Valley border. According to the Defense Ministry, the move follows the repeal of the Disengagement Law in specific areas, enabling renewed activity in Homesh and Sa-Nur.

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The plan is intended to expand settlement infrastructure and strengthen Israels strategic position across the region.

The plan is intended to expand settlement infrastructure and strengthen Israels strategic position across the region.

It includes the return of residential activity to previously evacuated areas and the creation of four new settlements along the eastern border near Jordan.

These developments are intended to reinforce Israeli control along a key territorial corridor and are aligned with broader government planning to support population growth and land use in designated zones, the Defense Ministry said.

Settlement of Elon Moreh, near Nablus, West Bank, June 11, 2020 (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Katz and Smotrich praise the development of the 22 new West Bank settlements

Katz said the decision supports Israels regional positioning and settlement framework: The decision to establish 22 new settlements in the West Bank strengthens our presence in the area and affirms our commitment to ensuring security for the population centers of Israel.

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It is a step toward reinforcing our eastern axis and addressing ongoing security challenges.

Smotrich stated that the move represents a shift in government policy toward expanded development: With the backing of the cabinet, we are advancing a plan that focuses on construction and long-term development, he said. Our goal is to ensure continued presence and infrastructure growth in key areas.

Religious Zionist Party MK Orit Strock commented on the decision in a post on X/Twitter, saying, We made a promise, and we kept it. New settlements are being established in Judea and Samaria, closing a gap of decades in the settlement of the land and providing a Zionist response to vast spaces that have been neglected and abandoned.

"Through our actions, we express our right to the land and our duty towards it. We continue to correct the sin of disengagement."
Government officials claim that a mix of innovative approaches and incentives can solve the long-standing issue of unrecognized communities in the Negev.

About 300,000 Bedouin currently live in the Negev region, including some 90,000 residing in what is termed pzurah  unregulated and unrecognized settlements outside recognized state-sanctioned municipal lines.

This situation creates complex planning and social challenges that require comprehensive solutions.

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One of the primary obstacles to regional development in the Negev is the issue of land ownership claims. In the 1970s, the Israeli authorities decided to survey Bedouin land ownership claims throughout the Negev without officially granting a legal status to these claims. Various government committees concluded that some form of legal arrangement must be found to address these ownership issues if the pzurah issue is to be resolved.

The challenge is clear: It is impossible to establish regulated communities within someone elses ownership claims under current Bedouin-related legislation. Cultural codes also play an immense role in this complex situation.

This legal impasse has prevented meaningful development and created a cycle in which existing recognized settlements remain largely empty despite having designated areas for thousands of residents, while tens of thousands reside outside municipal lines.

A view of the home demolitions in the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran in the Negev, November 14, 2024. (photo credit: National Security Ministry and the Israel Lands Authority )

Several established Bedouin communities exist in the Negev, including Rahat, Lakiya, Kuseifa, and Segev Shalom. Many of these communities, however, are significantly underpopulated relative to their planned capacity.

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For example, some settlements designed to accommodate populations similar to major cities, such as Kfar Saba, have only a few thousand residents. This underutilization occurs because the settlements were established without resolving the underlying land ownership disputes.

Most of these areas lack basic infrastructure development, as the state cannot justify investing billions in sewage systems, roads, and utilities when settlements remain empty and uncertain due to unresolved land disputes.

The last major attempt to comprehensively address this issue was the Prawer-Begin Plan in 2013. The traditional approach has been to offer compensation packages: providing Bedouin claimants with partial land allocation and monetary compensation and bringing them to relinquish broader territorial claims.

This compensation-based doctrine has not proven successful, however, as Bedouin can still theoretically reach settlement status under current arrangements. Yet few do so in practice.

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The current government plan takes a different strategic approach. Rather than focusing solely on compensation, it recognizes that the existing unrecognized settlements are simply not viable for development in their current state. The plan proposes updating the legal tools available for reaching agreements with Bedouin claimants.

The strategy involves a clear timeline: offering generous settlement terms that go beyond strict legal requirements but with definitive deadlines. If agreements are not reached within this deadline, the state will proceed to redraw the municipal lines of recognized settlements, leaving unsettled claims outside the new town borders (dubbed blue lines) and leading claimants who refuse to reach a settlement to lose valuable land that has the potential to be developed.

The plan acknowledges that even without 100% agreement rates, it can still design viable, developable communities.

The approach is being implemented gradually, starting with pilot programs to understand what works effectively before broader implementation.

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Government officials believe this approach, which has been discussed with local representation as well as government authorities, offers a more realistic and feasible path forward than previous attempts. By combining generous settlement offers with clear deadlines and practical development timelines, the plan aims to break the decades-long impasse that has prevented both proper Bedouin community development and broader regional planning in the Negev.

The success of this initiative will depend on effective communication with affected communities and the willingness of stakeholders to engage with the new framework within the proposed timelines.

Jewish-Beduoin NGO: This means more demolitions

As is always the case with these complex issues, which involve a mix of politics, identity, and land, not everyone is celebrating this government decision. According to AJEEC-NISPED, also known as the Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Economic Development, an Israeli NGO that focuses on Jewish-Bedouin collaboration and coexistence in the Negev, the resolution is not feasible.

The decision comes at one of the most critical moments of crisis for Bedouin society, it told The Jerusalem Post, adding that on October 7, 2023, dozens of Bedouin in the Negev were murdered or kidnapped, and more than 10 children were killed by direct rocket fire from Gaza.

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The economic crisis that Bedouin society has faced since the outbreak of war is unprecedented  employment in agriculture, hospitality, and construction halted overnight, striking a severe blow to the poorest population in Israel, the NGO said.

According to AJEEC-NISPED, the government resolution meets Bedouin society at a moment when it needs assistance and support in employment and education rather than a confrontation marked by a wave of home demolitions and evictions.

Leaving communities outside the blue lines means, effectively, putting all homes that have been built there at risk of demolition, it said, warning that the long-term consequence would be a deepening of the gaps between Jews and Bedouin in the Negev.

Already today, rates of academic education and quality employment in the Bedouin community are the lowest in the country, the NGO said. According to the latest Finance Ministry report, released just weeks ago, the only population group in Israel that has seen a decline in youth employment rates is the Bedouin community in the Negev. These young people, already facing tremendous barriers to normative behavior, may become easy prey for criminal organizations and the cycle of violence.

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AJEEC-NISPED said the demolitions do not affect only the Bedouin community; rather, they have a compounding effect of exclusion, detachment, and hopelessness with negative consequences for Israeli society as a whole. The lack of trust between the state and the Bedouin population is a core issue, especially at this time.

As an Arab-Jewish community organization based in the Negev, working to reduce socioeconomic disparities in Bedouin society and promote Arab-Jewish partnership, we acutely feel the significance of this mistrust, it said. Above all, home demolitions are a state of emergency. Just as we mobilized during previous emergencies like the war and the COVID pandemic, we will now act during the demolitions. Families in need of food aid, families without shelter, children requiring psychological support, and the need to stabilize the situation on the ground  these are just some of the tasks that our volunteers and staff at AJEEC are taking on to support those affected in this crisis.

The path forward is one of dialogue, open communication, and transparency, it added. In the Negev, where dozens of individual farms, settlements, moshavim, and new communities have been established since the founding of the state, only seven towns have been established for the Bedouin. The Bedouin citizens of Israel deserve equal treatment, just like Jewish citizens in the Negev. This is not a theoretical discussion.

In Bir Hadaj, for example, a Bedouin locality with more than 10,000 residents, only eight building permits have been issued in recent years. Without the promotion of sustainable planning solutions and without open, transparent dialogue with Bedouin society, we will not be able to resolve this decades-long conflict between the state and the Bedouin community or build a shared and thriving society in the Negev.

Bedouin Authority chief: The best plan offered so far

Yuval Turjeman, head of the Authority for Development and Settlement of the Bedouin in the Negev, is not shaken by the criticism.

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Our new comprehensive approach offers a feasible way to reach agreements with title claimants, who do not have any legal title or formal ownership rights, as a means to allow full development of infrastructure and legal housing and receive financial compensation, he said. The fixed time window with both positive and negative incentives is in stark contrast to past attempts, where nothing really moved in any direction. The current completely deadlocked situation represents the worst possible scenario, making any change potentially beneficial.

Rather than starting with easier cases, the authority deliberately chose to begin with the most challenging ones, namely, communities with the most contentious land claims, Turjeman said, adding that this counterintuitive approach stems from the belief that only dramatic action can break the current impasse.

The implementation recognizes complex social codes within Bedouin society that cannot be crossed, he said. A fundamental paradox exists where 20% of the population claims land ownership, meaning that tens of thousands of families are left with no legal housing solutions, meaning they are living under constant threat of home demolitions.

Those who claim ownership often view land not through Western property concepts but through traditional social frameworks involving family and tribal considerations, including traditional perceptions of class when it comes to land ownership.

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Regarding the issue of cultural codes, Turjeman said Bedouin may speak of donating their land for schools, kindergartens, or roads. This becomes both a family and tribal business, creating intricate social dynamics that any solution must navigate carefully.

The new approach aims to move land claimants out of their comfort zones by offering substantial economic opportunities alongside relatively decisive action, he said. Success in Rahat demonstrates this models potential: Land was released by claimants, who then realized significant profits through commercial, industrial, or residential development.

The strategy recognizes that some individuals may initially have no incentive to reach settlements, Turjeman said.

But once they understand that areas outside the official blue line cannot be developed, this may encourage greater cooperation, he said.

Five pilot areas were selected based on having the highest land-to-population ratios: three rural settlements (Mulada, Abu Talul, and Marzet), and two urban councils (Lakiya and Kuseifa).

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Kuseifa exemplifies the problem. It has 24,000 residents allocated across 14,000 dunams, but only 20% of the area is utilized, with the remainder consisting of fields with individual ownership claims in a community facing severe housing shortages.

Since many land ownership claims dont withstand strict legal scrutiny, the state could theoretically pursue formal expropriation. But this approach would be counterproductive. Turjeman said.

Instead, the authority seeks consensual processes, even incorporating compensation mechanisms during expropriation phases for cooperative claimants, he said.

As heated debates over the plan continue, what is clear is that this new comprehensive approach represents a fundamental shift from previous models in an attempt to acknowledge both legal realities and cultural sensitivities, while creating clear timelines and economic incentives for resolution.
Ahead of a federal hearing over Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, the acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a letter Thursday giving the school 30 days to challenge the administration's revocation of that certification.

The letter formally notifies the school that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification would be withdrawn -- but backtracks from the administration's earlier stance by giving Harvard 30 days to achieve compliance.

"Your school has 30 calendar days from the date of service of this Notice to submit written representations under oath and supported by documentary evidence, setting forth the reasons why SEVP should not withdraw your school's certification," the notice said. "If SEVP certification is withdrawn, your school will then no longer be approved to enroll or continue to educate nonimmigrant students."

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MORE: Timeline: Trump administration's actions against Harvard University

The notice comes one week after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced she had ordered the termination of the school's SEVP certification.

"As a result of your refusal to comply with multiple requests to provide the Department of Homeland Security pertinent information while perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promotes pro-Hamas sympathies, and employs racist 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policies, you have lost this privilege," Noem wrote last week in a letter to the university.

At a hearing Thursday shortly after the Trump administration issued its 30-day notice, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said she plans to issue a preliminary injunction that prohibits the Trump administration from revoking Harvard's SEVP certification without first going through the legally required procedure.

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"I do think an order is necessary. It doesn't need to be draconian, but I want to make sure nothing changes. I want to maintain the status quo," the judge said at the hearing, which took place as thousands of Harvard students and their families gathered for the school's commencement.

PHOTO: Students cheer during Harvard University's commencement ceremonies, May 29, 2025 in Cambridge, Mass. (Charles Krupa/AP)

For now, Judge Burroughs said a temporary restraining order she issued last week will remain in place until a preliminary injunction is ironed out. Over the coming days, both Harvard and the Trump administration will submit proposals for an order that would block DHS from immediately revoking the schools SEVP certification.

Harvard, under the current ruling, will still able to enroll international students, but DHS said it still plans to pursue the administrative avenue to revoke Harvard's SEVP certification.

Judge Burroughs suggested she would allow that administrative process to play out, with Harvard submitting evidence to rebut the allegations made by DHS that they allowed antisemitism on campus and failed to provide information on international students.

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The judge said that, despite the Trump administration's backtracking, she felt an order was necessary to protect Harvard's international students.

"I would feel more comfortable given what has preceded this," she said during 20-minute hearing. "It gives some protection to international students who are anxious about coming here."

Department of Justice attorney Tiberius Davis pushed back on the restraining order, saying the issue had effectively become "moot" since the Trump administration changed course.

MORE: Judge temporarily blocks Trump's move to bar Harvard from enrolling international students

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"The Department has decided it would be better, simpler going forward, to go through the procedure," Davis said.

Despite the change, Harvard attorney Ian Gershengorn said that a restraining order was still necessary, arguing that the Trump administration was unlawfully violating the school's First Amendment rights by retaliating against the school for its decision not to budge to other demands from the government. He called the recent notice "the next step" in the Trump administration's campaign to retaliate against the school.

"There seems to be a different set of rules, procedures for Harvard," he said. "The First Amendment harms we are suffering are real and continuing."

Judge Burroughs suggested that the parties might end up coming back to court in a few months, once the legal process has played out, to determine if the potential revocation is retaliatory.

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"By that point, we think the case would be quite different," Davis said.

PHOTO: A graduating student wears their hat, decorated with a statement of support for international students, during the 374th Commencement exercises at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 29, 2025. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Arguing that the Trump administration actions are part of a "campaign to coerce Harvard into surrendering its First Amendment rights," Harvard has alleged that the SEVP revocation is unlawful because it violates the school's free speech rights; that the policy is arbitrary and therefore violates the Administrative Procedure Act; and that the policy runs roughshod over the school's due process protections because it was not given the opportunity to respond to the revocation.

"The surrounding events, and Defendants' express statements, make clear that the Department of Homeland Security took these actions not for any valid reason, but purely as punishment for Harvard's speech, its perceived viewpoint, and its refusal to surrender its academic independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," the school said in its lawsuit against the Trump administration.

"It is the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government's demands to control Harvard's governance, curriculum, and the 'ideology' of its faculty and students," said the suit.

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DHS officials have said that the revocation was necessary because Harvard failed to turn over information about international students -- including disciplinary records -- as requested by the Trump administration.

"It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments. Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused.' DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement last week.

MORE: Trump to push for end to all federal agencies' Harvard contracts

Harvard is also fighting the Trump administration's attempt to freeze more $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to the school. Harvard filed a separate lawsuit to challenge the funding freeze in April, and the next hearing in that case is set for July.

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Trump has continued to ratchet up the pressure on the school over the last two months, threatening to revoke the school's tax-exempt status, directing his administration to cancel contracts with the school, and continuing to demand information on international students. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump suggested that Harvard should cap the number of international students to 15% of the school's total student body.

"We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, they can't get in because we have foreign students there. But I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country," Trump said.

Trump administration backtracks on Harvard foreign student policy originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Grand Rapids man who police say tried to get a 12-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit pictures and also planned to get her from her Iowa home is heading to prison for multiple felony offenses.

An investigation into Khristian Michael Bouck indicated he was planning to go to Iowa and pick up / grab the girl from her guardian, court records show.

He was sentenced this week to six to 25 years for aggravated child sexually abusive activity. He received six to 20 years for using a computer to commit a crime.

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Kent County Circuit Court Judge Christina Mims also gave him 1.5 to four years in a separate case with similar charges. The sentences will all be served at the same time.

Grand Rapids man accused of planning to take girl from Iowa home

Meanwhile, authorities in Iowa have a hold on Bouck for sexual exploitation of a minor, according to jail records.

Bouck, 25, was arrested in August following a raid at his home in Grand Rapids North Park neighborhood. Grand Rapids police said they got information from Iowa officials that Bouck was reportedly grooming a 12-year-old girl. There also were allegations of sexual abuse, court records show.

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The girl disclosed to her adult cousin that on the night of the July 26th she was supposed to exit her bedroom window and go down to the road to meet Khristian, who would be traveling from Michigan to Iowa, court records show.

Bouck showed up in Iowa on July 26 and was confronted by the girls family, records show.

While the investigation was underway, authorities discovered Bouck was also the suspect in a child pornography case, which was turned over to a Michigan State Police task force.

In addition to prison, Bouck will have to register as a sex offender.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SACRAMENTO, the United States, May 29 (Xinhua) -- California's ports are experiencing worse conditions than during the COVID-19 pandemic as U.S. President Donald Trump's reckless trade war with China and other Asia-Pacific economies harmed the state's economy, triggering widespread job losses and forcing billions of dollars in budget cuts.

"The vessel calls, or cancellations, that we're seeing today are starting to exceed the number that we saw in COVID-19," Mario Cordero, chief executive of the Port of Long Beach, told CalMatters, an independent news agency focusing on California, in an interview published Wednesday.

The Port of Long Beach alone supported 2,714,707 jobs across the United States, representing one out of every 77 American jobs, according to a comprehensive economic impact analysis completed on May 12 by the Port of Long Beach. In California, the port said it supported 1.1 million jobs, accounting for approximately five percent of the state's total employment.

Trade expert Paul Bingham of S&P Global Market Intelligence confirmed the unprecedented nature of the crisis during another recent interview with Cordero.

"There's nothing like this that any of us that are still active in our careers have seen before," Bingham said. "From an economics perspective, we'd have to go back over 90 years to the 1930s to find tariff levels for the United States on a trade-weighted basis close to what they are right now."

The Golden State, the strongest state in the field of economy in the country, faced a 12 billion U.S.-dollar budget deficit, with Governor Gavin Newsom directly blaming Trump's "chaotic tariffs strategy" during his May 14 state budget announcement.

The Long Beach Port operations had seen dramatic deterioration, according to Cordero, the port received typically 20 container vessels weekly, but the number dropped to 14 vessels two weeks into May 2025 and current schedules showed only 18 this week.

At the Port of Los Angeles, Executive Director Gene Seroka said during a media briefing that the facility had expected 80 ships to arrive in May, but 17 were subsequently canceled.

The Port of Oakland in Northern California saw a 15 percent month-over-month drop in container activity in April, according to port spokesperson Matt Davis.

The human cost also proved devastating across California's supply chain network. Part-time port workers received no hours while full-time longshoremen struggled to reach 40 hours per week, according to Gary Herrera, president of the International Longshore Workers Union Local 13, speaking at a media briefing with Long Beach officials.

Eric Tate, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 848 representing about 8,000 truck drivers in Southern California, said in May that some drivers worked only one to two days weekly.

"When there's no work for longshoremen, there's very little work for us except gate monitoring," Luisa Gratz, president of International Longshore Workers Union Local 26, told CalMatters. "It's heartbreaking. It's putting people out of work."

California has deep economic ties with the Asia-Pacific markets. Chinese goods account for 40 percent of imports at the Port of Los Angeles, 63 percent at the Port of Long Beach, and 45 percent at the Port of Oakland, according to CalMatters' data.

The Port of Long Beach's economic impact analysis showed the facility generates 309 billion dollars in national gross domestic product (GDP) and 84.4 billion dollars in tax revenues annually.

The agricultural sector, California's economic backbone worth 59 billion dollars annually, faced significant losses. "We got hammered. We lost the whole Chinese market to Australia. At this point, I'm on the verge of losing everything," Christine Gemperle, an Almond farmer of Stanislaus County, told the Los Angeles Times last month.

Almond prices crashed from 2.5 dollars per pound to 1.4 dollars per pound due to tariffs imposed by Trump during his first term in 2018, according to research from the University of California's Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.

Furthermore, the uncertainty caused by tariff policies has resulted in substantial economic damage for businesses, said experts.

"The uncertainty here is not something because we have a virus we don't understand, it's the uncertainty around policy and what that has done to business, where there's a lack of certainty, a lack of ability to plan has imposed costs on all of us," Bingham said during his interview with Cordero.

Economic analysts have warned of broader recession risks. The International Monetary Fund slashed its U.S. and global economic growth forecasts, citing Trump's tariffs. Apollo Global Management's chief economist, Torsten Slok, forecasts a "self-inflicted recession" by summer 2025, with layoffs spreading from trucking to retail.

"You can't put the toothpaste back into the tube -- once you squeeze it, it's out," Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, told The Washington Post on April 28.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade invalidated Trump tariffs. In the ruling published on the court's website, "The court holds for the foregoing reasons that IEEPA does not authorize any of the Worldwide, Retaliatory, or Trafficking Tariff Orders." 
A 78-year-old Dacula man died Wednesday after pushing his twin 8-year-old granddaughters and his sister out of the way of a massive falling tree limb, his family says.

Manuel Javier Pinzon was with the girls around noon on Ewing Chapel Road when they discovered a small animal in his backyard. The twins had been excited about their find, sending pictures to family members.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

My girls found a baby deer in the backyard. Theyve been playing back here for years, said Jason Krause, Pinzons son-in-law.

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Pinzon and his sister joined the girls to help give the deer water. Thats when they heard a loud cracking sound from above.

There was a very loud cracking sound, crashing. Cracking is kind of how they described it, and they got shoved out of the way. Then when they turned back, he had gotten them out of the way and taken the full hit of a falling branch, a falling limb on his head, and he didnt make it, Krause said.

The 20-foot branch had broken off about 80 feet up from a massive tree. Krause estimates it weighed 75 to 85 pounds.

Eight-year-old Gabriela grabbed her grandfathers phone and called 911, her small hands covered in blood as she followed the operators instructions. Her twin sister Isabella ran for help from adults inside the house.

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My other aunt came out here, and I told her to pass me the phone, and I called 911 and they just told me what to do, Gabriela said through tears.

Pinzon was rushed to Northside Hospital Gwinnett, where he died about four hours later.

The heroic sacrifice was not the first time Pinzon had saved his family. Nearly 30 years ago, he fled Colombia with his wife and daughters after political violence claimed his mothers life, bringing them to safety in America.

He is remembered as someone who put others first until the very end.

He chose to protect his sister and these two girls instead of himself. And I dont think that should be forgotten. He was a hero, Krause said.

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President John Tyler's grandson, Harrison Ruffin Tyler, died on Sunday, May 25

His death comes 163 years after his grandfather died in 1862

President Tyler died 66 years before Harrison was born in 1928









Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the grandson of President John Tyler, died on Sunday, May 25. He was 96.

Harrison, who was the son of Lyon Gardiner Tyler and grandson of the 10th U.S. president, John Tyler, was the last living connection to an 18th-century presidential administration. On Harrisons maternal side, his mother, Susan Ruffin Tyler, was a direct descendant of Pocahontas.

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One hundred eighty years after his grandfather served in the White House, Harrison died of dementia in a Virginia nursing home, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch. He died five years after his last remaining sibling, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., who died in September 2020 at age 95.

CBS Evening News/YouTube Harrison Ruffin Tyler Harrison Ruffin Tyler

Harrison was born on Nov. 9, 1928, meaning he was born 138 years after his grandfather was born. At Harrisons birth, his father, Lyon Sr., was 75 years old, and his grandfather had been deceased for 66 years. The president was 63 when he welcomed Lyon Sr. He had a total of 15 children when he died in 1862 at 71 years old.

Harrison attended St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Va., and later William & Mary and Virginia Tech. In 1968, he and his business partner, William P. Simmons, founded industrial water treatment company ChemTreat, and would later serve clients such as Kraft and Philip Morris.

In 1957, Harrison married Frances Payne Bouknight Tyler, who died in 2019. They welcomed two sons, a daughter, and had eight grandchildren.

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Seven years later, he bought his grandfathers former home, Sherwood Forest Plantation. He and his wife then restored it and opened it up to the public. Harrison, who became a prominent preservationist, bought and financed the preservation of Fort Pocahontas in 1996. The historic site was a Civil War earthwork fort that was built by Black Union soldiers.

Then in 2001, he donated thousands of papers and books and $5 million to William & Marys history department. The department was then renamed in his honor in 2021, per The Richmond Times-Dispatch.

VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Portrait of John Tyler Portrait of John Tyler

Harrison's presidential grandfather was born shortly after George Washington's first inauguration in 1790 and grew up on a Virginia plantation, according to The New York Times. Tyler became president after the death of his predecessor, William Henry Harrison in 1841  the first vice president to succeed a president in this way. President Harrison died 31 days into his administration.

According to the Times, Tyler was "a lifelong slaveowner and a champion of states' rights," which at that time hinged on the issue of slavery.

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In 2012, he spoke with CBS about his late grandfather, stating: When you talk to about my grandfather born in the 1700s, there is a disconnect there." Adding, "It is somewhat incredulous because of the time frame."

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That same year, he opened up to the Intelligencer about his grandfathers legacy, and said it's very difficult to rank him among the other presidents.

Hes been maligned in some ways, because he was elected to the Confederate Congress, so people say hes a traitor, he explained. But actually, he should be known for his efforts as the organizer of the Peace Conference in Washington in 1861."

And he did not serve in the Confederate Congress. He was elected, he went to Richmond, where the Confederate Congress moved in January of 1862. He went to take his seat, but he unfortunately had a stroke and died a week later.



Read the original article on People
The illegal alien who allegedly killed a teen at Grapevine Lake was previously arrested and released during former President Joe Bidens administration, as reported by The Dallas Express. However, other local news outlets have largely overlooked this fact.

After police arrested two suspects who allegedly fled after 18-year-old Ava Moore was killed on Grapevine Lake over Memorial Day weekend, officials announced they were illegal aliens who had been arrested  and released  under Bidens administration, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.

The alleged killer, 21-year-old Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez  and the man who helped her escape, 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo  were illegal aliens from Venezuela.

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After Gonzalez allegedly killed Moore with a jet ski on May 25, Gonzalez and Perozo fled the scene. The Grapevine Police Department and Texas Game Wardens launched a multi-day manhunt and ultimately captured Gonzalez and Perozo on May 27.

Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that day that Gonzalez and Perozo were illegal aliens who never should have been in our country in the first place. On May 28, officials held a press conference and said the suspects were previously arrested and released when they illegally crossed the border under Bidens administration. The Dallas Express reported both stories soon after they broke.

After Paxton announced the suspects were illegals, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram only once reported the news, burying the fact that the suspects were illegal aliens until the end of the article  key intel that possibly explains the suspects motivation for fleeing. The outlet simply referred to them as undocumented immigrants. Likewise, only one time did the Star-Telegram mention the fact that authorities previously arrested and released the suspects. This information appeared in a brief paragraph halfway down another article.

The Dallas Morning News noted  briefly  that they were undocumented immigrant[s]. While the outlet has mentioned multiple times that they were in the country illegally, only once  in the body of an article  did it report that authorities previously arrested, then released, Gonzalez and Perozo when they crossed the border illegally.

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Gonzales entered America illegally on September 28, 2023, and Perozo entered illegally on January 22, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday. Both were released by the previous administration into the country. ICE has lodged immigration detainers with the suspects, and both are now in removal proceedings.

Ava Moore was a patriot serving her country when she was killed by an illegal alien in a hit-and-run over Memorial Day weekend. This senseless tragedy was 100 percent preventable, said DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin in a press release.

Daikerlyn Gonzalez and Maikel Perozo should have never been in our country and Ava Moore should be alive today preparing for the Air Force Academy. The previous administrations open border policies have cost too many Americans their lives.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a history of left-leaning coverage. In March, it published an opinion piece claiming it is a blessing to love America, but being proud of it is a dangerous curse. [T]he Fort Worth StarTelegram was purchased out of bankruptcy from a California company by a New Jersey hedge fund, Chris Putnam, CEO of The Dallas Express, posted on X. Theres nothing remotely Texan or Fort Worth about it.

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The Dallas Morning News admitted to a left-leaning bias in June 2024 when an editor published an opinion piece explaining why the outlet does not represent conservative viewpoints. As The Dallas Express reported at the time, the paper has published pieces criticizing Texas harsh moves against transgender youth and claiming tollways show little mercy for Texans of color.

Reacting to the editors piece in The Dallas Morning News, the papers readers echoed concerns about the papers failure to represent conservative opinions. As The Dallas Express previously reported, one reader wrote, Being a conservative Republican and multi-decade subscriber and a carrier way back in high school, I was on the verge of canceling your paper because of this and rising subscription rates.
MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WHNT)  A woman is paralyzed from the chest down after a tree fell on her car during severe storms that rolled through the Shoals on May 20.

For 28-year-old Angel Gatrey, the day that changed her life started out just like any other day. She was driving her brother and son to an appointment when the storms struck.

From Mess to Ministry: Huntsville barber gives haircuts and a little hope in hard times

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By the time we were finished with their doctors appointments, it started to rain and we kind of got caught up in it, Gatrey said.

Severe storms hit the Shoals area that afternoon, hard and fast.

The storms just let out immediately, it went from 0-100 quick, it started with extreme rain, I could barely see, and I started to slow down, Gatrey said.

Gatrey was driving down Reservation Road in Muscle Shoals when a large tree fell and landed on her car.

It just seemed like it fell out of the sky, it came from the other side of the road, so I didnt see any trees shifting or anything like that, all I seen was the rain, and next thing I know, a huge tree landed on us, Gatrey said.

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Gatreys car was crushed in half. Her brother and son were safe, but she was pinned under the weight of the tree, entrapped and pinned inside.

It was like the tree folded my car into the back of my head, so I was folded forward, and thats why I couldnt talk, so the tree wasnt on my body, Gatrey said.

After being taken to an area hospital, where they realized how badly she was hurt, Gatrey was taken to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. She underwent spinal cord surgery immediately to try and see what they could.

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I have a class A spinal cord injury, so Im not able to feel from my chest down, and my hands are still coming back into functioning, Gatrey said.

She says it was by the grace of God that shes alive.

Im so grateful to be alive, and I am excited and curious to see how god works through this situation because it felt like a freak accident, but I know God is sufficient in all circumstances, she said.

Gatrey tells News 19, she will be in the hospital for at least another week. She says after she gets out, she plans to start rehab as soon as doctors let her.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
BUTLER COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  A 26-year-old man is in prison for allegedly killing his great-grandmother.

Tristan Paul Weir made an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Maryln Harvey. An Alford Plea means that the defendant does not admit guilt in the case but acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to find him guilty.

The judge found Weir guilty of:

Voluntary manslaughter

Aggravated robbery

Theft

Maryln Harvey (Courtesy: Kayla Weir)

Police said that on Aug. 28, 2022, Harvey had picked up her great-grandson, Weir, from the Sedgwick County Jail, where he had been for a year. Other family members began looking for a hospital for Weir because they said he had a history of substance abuse and mental health issues.

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Later that day, Weirs mother and aunt went to get Weir from Harveys home, near Central and Andover Road. They could not get anyone to answer the door. They broke in and found Harvey had been badly injured. They called 911.

Harvey died at the hospital.

Police said Harveys car was missing, so they started searching for it. They found it, and they say Weir was nearby in a Wichita cemetery. Police say he was unresponsive, and they had to use two to three shots of Narcan to revive him.

He was treated at a hospital before being booked into the Butler County Jail.

Pickup driver charged in motorcyclists death

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Weir remained in jail as the case proceeded through the court system. A judge sentenced him to 175 months (14 years and 7 months) in prison. But with the time he has already spent behind bars, the Kansas Department of Corrections lists his earliest possible release date as January 2035.

According to court documents, Weir plans to appeal his case.

Some court documents and the Kansas Department of Corrections list Weirs first name as Tristan; however, some court documents list it as Tristian.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Two Greensboro parents accused of killing their 16-month-old daughter appeared before a judge on Wednesday to face new first-degree murder charges.

In court, prosecutors shared disturbing new details about the childs condition.

Something out of a movie: Greensboro man shot AR-style rifle at Myrtle Beach police in chase, police say

This child was taken to the medical examiners office in Chapel Hill. The medical examiner noted that she looked to be a victim of chronic intentional child abuse, said the prosecutor.

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Nykiah Singleton, 25, and Berry Williams, 30, appeared virtually before Judge Bill Davis for the first time on new murder charges tied to the November death of their daughter, Alexis.

Singleton was seen crying and distraught during the first appearance.

Alexis was just 16 months old when she was found unresponsive at a home on Kenneth Road around 3:49 p.m. on Nov. 6. She died on the scene.

Prosecutors said the medical examiner noted the 16-month-old had bruises on her head and body.

We did get his autopsy back, which noted about 10 different head injuries on this child, internal, old and new, the prosecutor said.

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Before the childs death, prosecutors said the child had been in foster care in Georgia and was returned to Singletons custody.

She weighed 16 pounds when she was back in Singletons care and had lost nearly half her weight by the time of her death.

At her time of death. She weighed 10 pounds and was a victim of physical abuse. So, as such, all of these charges were taken out as soon as the district attorneys office got that autopsy back, said the prosecution.

The judge ruled that both Singleton and Williams will be held without bond.

The two have another child. In court, it was brought up that Williams has another matter with DSS involving the surviving child.

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Neighbors who live near the home on Kenneth Road said the case has rattled this quiet Greensboro neighborhood.

There was crime scene units and a very large presence.  It was on super lockdown for a while. We dont see stuff like that ever over here, said Alex Cook, a neighbor.

Cook grew up on Kenneth Road and says her family knows the homeowner. She said she never saw Singleton or Williams interact much with neighbors and had no idea children were living there.

It was super quiet over there. Were familiar with the owner of the house. Hes super nice. He wasnt there at the time, as far as Im aware. Is someone related to him? But we never really saw them coming and going. It was always very quiet. Like either they were there or they werent, said Cook.

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Both Singleton and Williams next court dates are set for July 23 at the Guilford Country Courthouse. At some point the state will have a Rule 24 hearing in superior court for both on this charge, which will determine if this case qualifies for the death penalty.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A GOP congressman from Florida made headlines in D.C. news on Thursday after he proposed a bill to change WMATAs name to WMAGA.

So, who is Greg Steube, the man pushing for a Trump Train in the District?

RELATED COVERAGE: Florida Congressman introduces bill to rename Metro WMAGA, Trump Train

Steube is a member of the House of Representatives serving Floridas 17th District, where he was first elected in 2019.

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Before being elected to Congress, he served for two years in the state Senate and eight years in the House.

Steube touted himself as a representative who supports conservative immigration policies, stands up for our nations heroes, and fights for faith-based values.

He popped up in local conversation on social media Thursday after proposing a bill to rename the D.C. areas Metrorail to the Trump Train or face withheld funds from the federal government.

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Advocacy groups  and a state representative  are planning to raise concerns about the Michigan Public Service Commission and proposed utility rate hikes at a rally Thursday in Detroit, an hour before the regulatory agency's meeting.

The rally is set to start at 5 p.m. at Cadillac Place, 3022 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, where the commission's town hall-style meeting is scheduled as part of an ongoing, legally required process of looking at ways the commission can improve public participation in proceedings.

The meeting, set for 6-8 p.m., in Room L-150, is expected to include all three commissioners, chair Dan Scripps, Katherine Peretick and Alessandra Carreon, as well as staff, who are expected to be on hand to hear the public's ideas.

From left, Michigan Public Service Commission members Katherine Peretick, Alessandra Carreon, chairman Dan Scripps and Administrative law Judge Leslie Farrow, listen to public comments as MPSC holds public hearing regarding DTE electric rate increase request at Mumford High School in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the non-partisan political environmental organization which announced the rally on Wednesday, said the rally is an opportunity to "voice concerns about utility rates" and other issues.

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"Rallygoers will speak out about high energy bills, poor reliability and the powerful influence monopoly utility companies DTE and Consumers Energy hold in Lansing," the league said, adding the aim is to "call out the outsized influence of utility companies on lawmakers, high rates, poor reliability and the need to better hold them accountable."

In addition to its members, the league said it is expecting representatives from Clean Water Action, Detroit Action, Michigan United Action, Voters Not Politicians, and State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, who is also running for Congress, at the rally.

McKinney, who has been critical of DTE's spending on advertising as unnecessary because it is a virtual monopoly and executive benefits, told the Free Press he is concerned about the rate increase proposal. He also, he said, is working on legislation to continue to require the commission to be more accessible by holding meetings outside Lansing.

"I'll be there for a little bit today," he said Thursday, adding that an increase in utility bills is too burdensome to his constituents. "We just want to see the commission hold our utilities accountable."

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Scripps, who spoke to the Free Press on Wednesday, said he was unaware of the rally, but welcomed the chance to engage with Michiganders in person or by phone, email or mail to hear concerns, complaints or answer questions.

Over the last few years, he added, the commission has tried to do more to be accessible to Michiganders, including holding meetings throughout the state in cities outside Lansing that would be more convenient for people to attend.

Other groups, he said, have used commission meetings as an opportunity to organize.

More: Trump administration orders Consumers Energy to keep Michigan coal-fired power plant open

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There is no set agenda for the meeting other than remarks from the commissioners, representatives from the attorney generals office and the Utility Consumer Participation Board, and depending on turnout, group conversations, a commission spokesman said.

The commissioners are appointed by the governor to staggered terms.

DTE rate hikes are on the minds of utility customers because the commission is in the process of reviewing a rate hike of $574 million, more than twice what it granted DTE just months ago  and, if approved, it would result in higher electricity bills for customers.

Scripps said the commission will review DTE's request, line by line.

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Some Michiganders, including Michigan's attorney general, have questioned the rate increases and whether additional revenue will benefit customers or is aimed at improving the bottom line to make the company more attractive to investors.

"At some point, we have to ask how long utility companies like DTE and Consumers Energy will be allowed to treat customer bills and our energy rates like a blank check," Nessel said in an April press release. "My office will carefully scrutinize this rate hike request."

In separate investigations, the Free Press has scrutinized the commission. One report in late 2023 looked into whether the commission and the utilities it regulates were too cozy. Last year, another reported on how the agency handled consumer complaints.

Critics of the commission said its little-known formal complaint process for resolving grievances with a public utility was intimidating and difficult to navigate and placed the burden of proof on the consumer.

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Scripps, who is an attorney, explained that the commission, like any government organization, seeks to balance various competing perspectives and interests, including those between the public and the utilities.

In addition, Scripps said, in an effort to be fair, the commission is required to follow nuanced rules that can limit some conversations with parties outside the formal process on issues the commission is deciding.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Groups to rally ahead of Michigan Public Service Commission town hall
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  A national gun safety organization said one of its featured speakers during a Frankfort news conference lied about being a gun violence survivor.

On Feb. 12, FOX 56 covered a gun safety rally hosted by Everytown, an organization focused on ending gun violence.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Multiple people spoke at the event, including a University of Louisville student, Calvin Polachek.

Everytown identified Polachek as a gun violence survivor in the press release sent to FOX 56 and other media outlets.

During the rally, Polachek told an emotional story of a school shooting at his high school in Dallas, Pennsylvania, claiming his best friend and several classmates were killed.

However, in the past 24 hours, FOX 56 has received numerous emails and messages from community members in Dallas saying the story Polachek told was a complete lie.

The sentiments I was getting from our community were troubled and disappointed, and maybe a little bit more severe than that, said Dallas School District superintendent Thomas Duffy.

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Duffy said the district never experienced the shooting Polachek described.

There certainly was some discomfort with a story like that being reported about in a relatively small district in the northeast part of that state, Duffy added. The events that were described did not take place, thankfully, in our district.

Duffy said the district is working with its attorney to ensure parents and families know the truth.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

They were well aware that this didnt occur here, and obviously our current parents and families, but just to affirm that the information conveyed about this horrific act of school violence was inaccurate, said Duffy.

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Concern over Polacheks story isnt limited to Pennsylvania. Kentucky officials who attended the rally are speaking out, too.

Kentucky State Representative Adam Moore was one of the speakers that day and said he is deeply troubled by what happened.

Even if this is a person who is on my side of an issue, if that means responsible gun ownership, that does not mean that the lie is okay, Moore said. I hate this. It is absolutely unethical and plain wrong to be lying about this stuff, even if hes on my side of the issue.

FOX 56 reached out to Everytown to ask when they learned Polacheks story wasnt true, which they said was after its Kentucky Advocacy Day.

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A spokesperson said, Calvin Polachek is not an active volunteer with Moms Demand Action or Students Demand Action, and we are deeply disappointed that someone would exploit the tragic, lived experience of many to use our platform to share a story that was not true. Calvin reached out to our Kentucky chapter, shamefully lied to our volunteers, and shared a tragic story that we later learned was not true. This is an affront to the countless survivors of gun violence who show extraordinary courage every day by reliving their darkest moments in service of the fight to end our countrys gun violence crisis. We are revisiting our guidance to our grassroots networks in an effort to ensure this never happens again.

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FOX 56 also asked if Everytown is required to notify media outlets when something like this happens. The spokesperson reiterated what they said in the previous statement, saying, We are revisiting our guidance to our grassroots networks in an effort to ensure this never happens again.

We have learned that Polachek was a student in the Dallas School District.

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We reached out to him for comment, but havent heard back.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A gunman shot an innocent bystander as both drove on a Las Vegas freeway during a chase in a stolen car, documents said.

Two young men, King Johnson-Jackson, and Jonathan Santoyo, 18, face charges, including attempted murder, connected to the incidents from May 3, documents said.

That day, a person saw what she believed to be a family members stolen car in a northwest valley parking lot. She and her boyfriend then followed the vehicle as a masked driver and masked passenger sat in it.

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Someone in the car then started shooting at the woman and her boyfriend, striking several homes and an innocent bystander who happened to be driving in the area when a bullet came through his windshield, police said. The injured driver, who sustained a gunshot wound to his arm, was driving his wife, daughter and a daughters friend at the time.

The shootings started near Durango Drive and Grand Montecito Parkway and ended on the 215 Beltway near North Jones Boulevard, police said.

Detectives later discovered the stolen car burned near Blue Diamond Road and Jones Boulevard in the south valley.

Investigators believe the firearm utilized in the shootings was stolen in April.

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Police arrested Santoyo on May 23, records said. Johnson-Jackson first appeared in court on May 5.

Johnson-Jackson was not in custody Wednesday as prosecutors requested more time to investigate, records said. Santoyo remained in custody Wednesday as a judge denied him bail due to a suspended sentence in a separate case. Santoyo has several other active justice court cases involving grand larceny charges.

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ISTANBUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Turkiye is well-positioned to serve as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, offering a neutral ground for peace negotiations.

Fidan made the remarks to Turkish media while traveling from Poland to Kiev, where he is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other high-level officials.

"Given the circumstances, the parties need a place where they can come face to face and negotiate around a table. In this regard, Turkiye is actually an ideal actor," Fidan was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Fidan said he would present Turkiye's position on the conflict and emphasize the urgent need for a ceasefire during his meetings in Kiev. "As long as negotiations begin, the situation takes an optimistic turn," he said.

"Both sides have different ceasefire demands. These demands need to be reconciled -- that's what negotiation and mediation are for," the minister said.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that the second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held in Istanbul on June 2.

The two countries held their latest round of direct talks on May 16 -- their first face-to-face negotiations since March 2022 -- in Istanbul, but the meeting ended without a ceasefire agreement. 
The hacker who beamed AI-generated images of President Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk's feet onto federal computers was working during taxpayer-funded union time, according to the New York Post.

The person behind the stunt at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was identified earlier this year as a high-ranking union official. However, their name has not been revealed as the matter is still under investigation.

The official was working for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 476, a whistleblower, who has not been identified, told Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst.

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Reports of union bosses playing childish games and illegally engaging in partisan political activity while on the taxpayers dime are the latest in a string of concerning allegations against HUD employees in recent years, the senator told the paper. From bureaucrats relaxing on the beach or sitting in a jail cell while on the clock, the agency has been the poster child for why taxpayer-funded union time needs to end.

On Thursday, the president of AFGE Local 476, Dr. Ashaki Robinson, said the union unequivocally denies any involvement in the production or dissemination of the AI video featuring President Trump and Elon Musk.

This baseless allegation is another transparent attempt to attack and retaliate against AFGE for engaging [in] lawful activity to advocate for our members and federal employees nationwide, Robinson added to the Post. Official time amounts are negotiated and determined by both the agency and the union, and by law can only be used for employee representational matters, not for political purposes or internal union business.

An AI video showed Donald Trump kissing Elon Musks feet at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in February (@marisakabas.bsky.social/BlueSky)

Ernst, the leader of the Senate DOGE caucus, shared the allegations from the whistleblower in a letter sent on Thursday to Housing Secretary Scott Turner.

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This improper access to the HUD computer system was not only childish and unprofessional, but also potentially illegal, Ernst said in the letter obtained by the paper.

The AI-generated clip of Trump kissing Musks feet played on TVs in a cafeteria at the department, and included the message: Long live the real king.

The incident occurred earlier this year at the peak of criticism against Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency.

The incident occurred as criticism mounted against Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (@marisakabas.bsky.social/BlueSky)

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing and Urban Development told the Post that it is exploring how to reform the expansive and oftentimes abused flexibility inherent in taxpayer-funded union time.

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It is egregious [that] the American taxpayer is on the hook for subsidizing the paychecks of union workers while these nefarious actions take place, the spokesperson added. The Department will continue to work with leaders like Senator Ernst to return HUD to its mission-minded focus and stop the wasteful abuse of taxpayer dollars.

Ernst has previously criticized union time funded by taxpayers. As it stands, government employees are permitted to participate in labor activities during working hours. While government unions cannot negotiate pay and benefits, which are set by law, they can negotiate workplace issues.

The senator has requested data on taxpayer-funded union time from 24 agencies, and has advocated for legislation to end it.

The Office of Personnel Management found that in 2019, $135 million had been used for taxpayer-funded union time.

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Federal workers can engage in policy advocacy; however, the Hatch Act states that staffers in the executive branch cannot participate in rallies or ask for donations for political campaigns during working hours.

The 19-second video of Trump kissing Musks feet appeared on HUD screens in February on the day that federal workers were ordered back to the office after an executive order ended the practice of working from home.

The video played on a loop for five minutes on screens in the building, journalist Maria Kabas reported at the time.

Building staff couldnt figure out how to turn it off so sent people to every floor to unplug TVs, said Kabas, citing an anonymous source at the agency.
Hailey Biebers Rhode Scores a $1B Deal with e.l.f. Beauty originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are seen at Cipriani after his concert at Barclays Center on June 04, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)Photo by Gotham/GC Images

Despite offering only 10 products, Hailey Biebers beauty and skincare brand Rhode is worth $1 billion to e.l.f. Beauty, which announced their acquisition of the brand on Wednesday.



Bieber launched Rhode in 2022, and in less than three years, the brand skyrocketed, generating $212 million in net sales through direct-to-consumer channels alone.



With e.l.f. aiming to deepen its presence in the skincare marketan area of growing interest among its customer base, particularly younger consumersthe company has made strategic moves to expand its portfolio. In 2023, it acquired skincare brand Naturium for $355 million. Its latest acquisition of Rhode not only builds on this skincare momentum but also positions e.l.f. to engage a higher-income demographic, further diversifying its reach within the beauty industry.



JP Morgan was hired to oversee not only e.l.f.s biggest acquisition yet but also one of the most high-profile beauty deals in recent years. The deal, expected to close at the end of this year, includes $800 million in cash and stock, along with an additional $200 million in potential earn-out payments tied to the brands growth performance over the next three years.



Finding a home for Rhode was a really scary process, but as soon as I met the elf Beauty team, I could tell they had such a strong sense of community and that spoke volumes to me because I know how I feel about our Rhode community, Bieber tells Vogue.

Bieber will remain in her role as founder while retaining control over Rhodes creative and marketing direction as chief creative officer and head of innovation. In addition, shes stepping into a strategic advisory role for both Rhode and e.l.f. Beauty, cementing her growing influence in the beauty space.



Last year, Rhode became the No. 1 skincare brand in earned media value (EMV), with 367% year-over-year growth and $400 million in EMV. Biebers strategic marketing and tasteful aesthetic value is a perfect match for e.l.f. 's proven marketing and digital capabilities. While Rhode and e.l.f. typically differ in price pointsand, by extension, different consumer segmentse.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin says their approach to audience engagement will remain the same.



Alongside the acquisition, Rhode is set to appear in Sephora stores throughout North America and the U.K. later this year, extending the brands presence beyond Biebers following and its original direct-to-consumer model. Expanding product distribution remains a shared priority for both Bieber and Amin.



This deal marks a shift away from Biebers influence, letting the value of the products speak for themselves.



I want to be the biggest beauty brand in the world, and I believe that e.l.f. is going to help me get there, Bieber tells Vogue.

This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  From now through June 13, the community can give back by getting a haircut to raise money for Sarcoma cancer.

Nine independently owned and operated Great Clips throughout the Charleston area are raising money to Help Great Clips Cut Out Sarcoma Cancers in partnership with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.

According to fundraiser officials, customers can donate what they like, and if they donate, they will receive three dollars off their next haircut at one of the participating salons. All proceeds will go to furthering Sarcoma research and clinical trials

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Those interested in donating can visit any of the following salons:

Fundraiser founder, Karen Allen created Help Great Clips Cut Out Sarcoma Cancers in memory of her husband, Roger Allen, who was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma in 2011.

My husband left behind a great legacy, and annually we get to honor his memory with the help of our community by continuing the fight against Sarcoma Cancers with this fundraiser. Please join us in honoring a remarkable man and furthering local sarcoma research and clinical trials by visiting a Charleston area Great Clips salon to donate  every dollar makes an impact and helps save lives! said Karen Allen.

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This is the fundraisers ninth year, and over that time, with help from the Lowcountry community, Great Clips has donated over $60,000 for Sarcoma cancers.

To learn more, visit any of the participating Great Clips locations listed above.

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Earlier, Hamas said it was consulting with Palestinian factions on the Witkoff proposal.

US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Hamas are close to making a deal during a press conference at the White House on Friday.

"They're very close to an agreement on Gaza...I think we have a chance of making a deal with Iran also...If we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East, that would be a very good thing," Trump said, adding that the White House will have more details on the Gaza deal later Friday or on Saturday.

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Earlier, Hamas said it was consulting with Palestinian factions on a ceasefire deal proposed by US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff in a statement on Friday evening. Hamas received the proposal through mediators, it added.

On Thursday, an unnamed Hamas official told the BBC on Friday that the terror group is expected to reject the latest hostage deal-ceasefire proposal by Witkoff.

Hamas had said that it does not accept the outline of US envoy Steve Witkoffs proposed ceasefire and hostage deal at face value and demands certain changes, according to people familiar with the matter.

(Illustrative) US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff over a backdrop of Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. (photo credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool REFILE , ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

Hamas feels deceived by the US administration, believing it has been screwed over with a pro-Israel proposal that does not guarantee an end to the war, an informed source familiar told The Jerusalem Post.

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The information provided by the sources conflicts with reports published in Saudi newspaper Al-Hadath, which indicated that Hamas will shortly agree to a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18. As part of the proposal, the report claimed that 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,111 prisoners arrested after October 7, would also be released, and aid would be increased to the Gaza Strip.

The proposal also requires all hostages to be returned to Israel within a week, leaving Hamas without further leverage, the source said.

Ben-Gvir spoke out against the deal

"Mr. Prime Minister, after Hamas rejected the deal proposal again, there is no longer any excuse, for anyone, to continue with this shuffling in Gaza," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X/Twitter.

"We have already missed enough opportunities. It is time to go in with all our might, to destroy, kill and defeat Hamas."

Hamas said the new proposal was more biased in favor of Israel than previous proposals, and that Witkoff accepted most of the demands presented by Ron Dermer in a meeting with him on Tuesday, a source close to Hamas told Walla.

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Furthermore, the new proposal does not provide a clear American guarantee that the temporary ceasefire will lead to a permanent one, the source said. The proposal does not specify that if negotiations extend beyond 60 days, the ceasefire will also continue, and Israel will not be able to unilaterally violate it as it did in March, Walla quoted the source as saying.

According to a senior Israeli official, Contrary to reports, the Witkoff agreement proposed in recent days did not determine the new deployment line of the IDF, nor the manner in which aid would be distributed within the framework of a ceasefire.

Hamas said in a statement: The Hamas Movements leadership has received the new Witkoff proposal from the mediators and is reviewing it responsibly to serve the interests of our people, provide them relief, and achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim later added, "The agreement that Israel agreed to does not meet our demands. The Hamas leadership is responsibly considering its response to Wittkoff's proposal."

Witkoff's new proposal

The new proposal would include the release of 10 living hostages along with 18 deceased. The hostage release would take place in two rounds, a source told the Post.

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Additionally, both sides would agree to a 60-day ceasefire that can be extended after the deadline if Hamas and Israel agree.

Lastly, the IDF would withdraw from areas in Gaza, and the United Nations would take over the distribution of humanitarian aid, the source said.

The Israeli response to the Gaza ceasefire offer presented by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has failed to meet Hamas' demands, the group's senior official Basim Naim told Reuters on Thursday.

"The Witkoff proposal was still under discussion," he added.
(Reuters) - The Economist's latest printed edition for Asia featuring Vietnam's top leader To Lam on its cover has been banned in Vietnam, sources at two local media distributors told Reuters, in a new instance of censorship in the Communist-run country.

The May 24 issue, which is still available in the country in its electronic version, portrays Lam with two stars on his eyes on a red backdrop, in a reference to the country's national flag, with the title: "The man with a plan for Vietnam".

The subheading on its main Vietnam story said: "A Communist Party hard man has to rescue Asia's great success story".

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Vietnam's ministry of foreign affairs said it had no information about the matter.

The ministry in charge of public information did not reply to requests for comment on the reported banning.

The Economist did not immediately reply to a request for comment outside UK business hours.

Vietnam routinely prohibits books, movies and other cultural works and multiple media outlets are also banned.

"We were given orders to tear off the cover and the article about him (Lam), making the magazine no longer sellable. Later, we were ordered not to sell it at all," said an executive at distributor Ngay Moi, declining to be named because she was not allowed to speak to media.

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An employee at a second distributor, Global Book Corporation, said Vietnam's ministry in charge of public information banned the distribution of that particular issue, without elaborating on the motivations.

A third source at distributor Xunhasaba said it did not have that issue because it had not received enough orders.

Vietnam, a Southeast Asian industrial hub, faces a pivotal moment as it seeks to consolidate a prolonged economic boom amid U.S. tariff trade tensions that may undermine its export-oriented growth.

The Economist's article described Lam as an ambitious leader who emerged "from the security state" and who "must turn himself into a reformer" to adjust the country's economic model and make it richer.

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Lam, 67, rose from the powerful ministry of public security, which he had led for years, to reach the top of Vietnam's political hierarchy last year after a months-long power struggle, first becoming president and then head of the communist party, the country's top job.

The Economist's cover and articles were reposted thousands of times on social media by users in Vietnam with mixed reactions.

"Vietnam is stepping confidently into a new era of growth and the world is taking notice," Yumi Thao Nguyen, a sales manager, said on LinkedIn with a link to The Economist.

Le Thi Kim Ngoc, a self-described "Citizen of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam", said on Facebook The Economist's characterisation of Lam as a hard man "undermine the serious political and social developments currently taking place in Vietnam".

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The country is ranked 173th out of 180 surveyed nations in the latest press freedom index published by Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organisation.

Authorities in the one-party nation often detain people for "anti-state" online comments and maintain a strict control on the press and social media.

Last week Vietnam's technology ministry ordered the ban of messaging app Telegram over alleged crimes committed by its users, noting in an internal document the platform hosted groups created by "opposition and reactionary subjects".

Multiple users of the app in the country cannot access it this week. Telegram did not reply to a request for comment about the enforcement of the ban. It had earlier said it was "surprised" by the measure, noting it was responding to newly introduced requirements.

(Reporting by Reuters staff; Editing by Michael Perry)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The exit of a major retailer at West Ridge Mall is providing an opening for new growth and expansion at the Topeka shopping destination.

27 News got in touch with West Ridge Mall Manager Casey Richardson this week to learn more about how the shopping center will change now that JCPenney is officially closed. She said there are some exciting developments and new shopping opportunities on the way for locals as part of a larger effort to revitalize the mall.

JCPenney had its final day of business on Sunday, May 25. While other large retail tenants at the mall like the Furniture Mall of Kansas and Dillards remain, JCPenneys departure marks the end of an era at the shopping center.

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Topeka bridge to shut down for months

Richardson said plans are in place to make use of the large amount of space left behind by the department store chain. These plans are in line with earlier announcements from the mall and its new owner, Advisors Excel (AE), to convert part of the JCPenney area into office space for AE.

Redevelopment efforts will begin in the JCP space starting in July, Richardson said. The plan is to transform the lower level into new retail space and repurpose the upper level for Advisors Excels expanding office footprinta major step forward in the malls evolution.

Richardson went on to say the mall will be holding another fixture sale from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 in the old JCPenney location. Mall staff held a similar sale last year which included things like mannequins, tables, racks, hangars and other miscellaneous retail fixtures left behind by former tenants. Richardson said more details on the new fixture sale will be released in the near future.

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Stormont Vail Events Center to show off renovation work at upcoming Heritage Hall Showcase

People may also find some other things have changed inside the mall as well. Several current mall tenants have recently completed moves within the shopping center or are getting ready to shift to new locations soon.

While we havent added any brand-new tenants recently, several existing tenants have made exciting moves within the mall, Richardson said. Boss Babes Boutique and Saved Soles both reopened in new locations last month, and Heavenly Designs, Cookies by Gayla, and Smoothie and Pretzel Company will be reopening in new spaces in the coming weeks. These moves are part of a larger effort to optimize space and support our tenants long-term success as we continue progressing toward redevelopment.

AE is looking to bring some new stores into the mall to help revitalize the shopping center. AE told 27 News in January this year that it is considering bringing in stores like Banana Republic, Gap, Nordstrom Rack, Trader Joes and more.

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You can find West Ridge Mall at 1801 Southwest Wanamaker Road in Topeka. You can check out its current list of tenants and upcoming events by heading to its website.

Work on new Advisors Excel Hall starts soon, what to expect

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.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
President Donald Trumps administration must dismantle his reciprocal tariff policy after a federal court ruled he lacked the authority to create it. But that doesnt mean the fight is over or that some goods still wont face tariffs.

Trumps showpiece trade policy faced a major setback Wednesday after a three-judge panel on the federal trade court unanimously ruled against Trumps plan to impose his sweeping levies on nearly all of the U.S.s trading partners.

Within minutes of the decision, the administration filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, lambasting the unelected judges for their opinion. Stephen Miller, Trumps Deputy chief of staff, accused the court of a judicial coup.

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Its unclear at this time exactly when or how the administration will end Trumps tariff policy, leaving the future of the presidents trade agenda in limbo.

Heres what could happen next:

President Donald Trump's trade agenda is facing a major roadblock after the U.S. Court of International Trade blocked his sweeping reciprocal tariff policy on Wednesday (Getty Images)

The Court of International Trade, the judicial body that oversees civil lawsuits on customs and international trade law, has given the administration up to 10 days to complete the bureaucratic process of ending the tariffs.

A panel of three bipartisan judges, made up of appointees under former presidents Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and Trump, ruled that the president overextended his authority when he imposed the tariffs in April without congressional approval.

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The administration initially tried to justify Trumps tariffs by invoking a 1977 law that gives the president emergency powers over the economy. They claimed it was necessary to help balance the U.S.s large trade deficit. But the Court of International Trade found that the law does not allow the president to impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world.

The Trump administration has 10 days to complete the bureaucratic process of ending the 10 percent baseline tariffs as well as other reciprocal tariffs (AP)

The ruling means that the administration has to end the 10 percent baseline tariffs, as well as additional reciprocal tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico  or find another means of invoking them.

Trumps 25 percent levies on imported steel, aluminum and autos will remain, pending a Commerce Department investigation. Other sectoral tariffs, such as those on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, will also stand.

The White House is appealing the courts decision and believes it will be overturned, Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, said on Thursday.

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Whats going to happen is first, were going to see what happens on appeal, and were very confident in our success there because, after all, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Americans have died because of mostly Chinese fentanyl, Hassett told Fox Business.

Under this argument, the White House may claim that levies are necessary to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. from China through Mexico and Canada. However, the administration may need to provide concrete evidence to argue this.

The Trump team has appealed the decision, but for now must work on ending the program. (REUTERS)

If the trade courts ruling stands, the Trump administration may need to find new avenues to impose its tariffs.

One of the quickest ways Trump could maintain his tariffs is by seeking congressional approval under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to implement tariffs of 15 percent or less for up to 150 days. After that, Congress would need to pass an act to extend them.

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It could also impose tariffs under a different law, such as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which is also known as the Relief From Unfair Trade Practices.

Under this, the government can impose trade sanctions on foreign countries that violate U.S. trade agreements or engage in unjustifiable or unreasonable practices that burden U.S. commerce. That may require investigations into individual trading partners in order to justify the tariffs, which could take months.

James Liddell contributed to this report
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  The Hartford Police Department said its seized several illegally operated ATVs and dirt bikes.

Kansas man arrested after altercation on flight from Bradley

The department posted pictures of the vehicles, which were being driven on public roadways.

Police say riding ATVs and dirt bikes in unapproved spaces put other driver and pedestrians at risk.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  A New Hartford veteran was given a high honor by the New York State Senate on Wednesday, according to State Senator Joe Griffo.

Griffo announced on Wednesday, May 28 that Lawrence Badger of New Hartford has been inducted into the New York State Senates Veterans Hall of Fame. Badger is a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Vietnam conflict.

It is an honor to recognize Larry and all the other men and women who have been inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame this year, Senator Griffo said in a statement. Larry has selflessly and courageously served his nation with distinction. He remains committed to supporting and advocating for other veterans and their families and continues to be an active, dedicated and instrumental part of several organizations that support veterans in the region. I am grateful for Larrys service and all that he has done for the veteran community in the 53rd Senate District.

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Badger graduated from Proctor High School, and was a student at Mohawk Valley Community College when he enlisted in the Army. He served during Vietnam as a Paratrooper infantryman, serving in several campaigns, including two phases of the Tet Counter Offensive.

Badger received the Purple Heart in 1968 after being wounded in Vietnam. When he departed Vietnam in July of 1969 as a squad leader of the 93rd MP Batallion, he had received the following awards and medals:

The Purple Heart,

The Combat Infantry Badge,

The Army Commendation Medal with V Device,

The Vietnam Service Medal,

The Parachute Badge,

The Air Medal Citation,

The Good Conduct Medal, and

three Overseas Service Bars.

After leaving the Army, Badger was employed at the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 2008. He works behind the scenes at several Central New York veteran-related ceremonies and other events. He is a member and ranking member of several Central New York veteran organizations, including:

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Vice President of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America,

Finance Officer of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart,

an officer in the local post of the Masonic War Veterans,

a Trustee of the Yorkville Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and

a Director of Wreaths across America in Rome.

Badger is also a member of the American Legion Post in New Hartford.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com.
As graduating Harvard University students celebrated completing their degrees this week, some remained irked at the school for its decision a month ago to withdraw support for special ceremonies celebrating members of various identity groups.

Under pressure from the Trump administration, Harvard said it would no longer fund, staff or provide space for affinity group graduation ceremonies, such as events honoring graduating students who are Black, veterans, Muslim or members of other groups.

The school said at the same time that it would rename its Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging to the Office of Community and Campus Life.

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Some students saw the two moves as the school capitulating to the Trump administration, even as it battled the government tooth and nail on other matters.

At the time, Harvard senior Victor Flores told MassLive he was more excited to celebrate his upcoming graduation at a ceremony for other Latin American students than to attend the main graduation, which was held Thursday.

Theres nothing like celebrating in community, especially with peers of similar backgrounds and similar experiences, Flores said.

Without Harvards support, space or funding for identity group graduation ceremonies, he and other students took the challenge of planning the events on themselves.

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Eight affinity groups held graduation ceremonies over the past week, and at almost every one, speakers criticized the university for backing away from the events, according to the Harvard Crimson, the schools student newspaper.

At the Harvard Black Graduation, attended by more than 500 people at an off-campus hotel in Cambridge, New York Times reporter Nikole S. Hannah-Jones told graduates they deserved better than the capitulation of those in power here that would force you, with very little notice, to hold this graduation off campus and with no university support, according to the Crimson.

Other unofficial affinity group ceremonies honored Latino, first-generation, low-income, LGBTQ+, Muslim, veteran, disabled, and Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American graduates, the student paper reported.

Ahead of Harvards main commencement ceremonies on Thursday, Gabriel Rodriguez said his brother, a first-generation college student in a Mexican-American family, was among those students whose affinity group celebrations lost university support.

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He and his friends had to rally, and the rest of the Latino students had to rally, to get a Latino graduation set up, Rodriguez said. They were able to raise $15,000, but the fact that it had to happen on their own and they didnt have the universitys support really makes a difference.

Rodriguez said the last few months have been stressful  for his brother on a campus under pressure from the federal government, and for the family watching it from afar.

Harvard has spent weeks as the focal point of President Donald Trumps assault on higher education as his administration applied increasing pressure to enact massive change to Harvards admissions, hiring, management and curriculum.

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We were worried, because whenever theres such a spotlight on a university, you just never know whats going to happen, Rodriguez said. And so there were concerns that we just want to make sure that he was safe and that he was in a good place.

At an affinity group ceremony for first-generation and low-income students this week, Anthony Jack, author of The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students, said the event had been marred by broken promises by Harvard, according to the Crimson.

They tried to take our commencements away, Jack said. But nothing  no executive order, no coerced concession  can take away all that went into making this day possible.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
ADEN, Yemen, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government announced Thursday the reopening of a key highway connecting the southern port city of Aden with the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa after a seven-year closure caused by the ongoing internal conflict.

Ali Muqbil Saleh, governor of the government-controlled southern province of Dhalea, said on the social media platform X that the reopening is "an important step toward improving living and humanitarian conditions in the country," expressing hope that it would strengthen "communication and cooperation between different regions."

Another government official who asked to remain anonymous confirmed that senior officials from Yemen's Ministry of Defense supervised the reopening of the highway.

He said that, "for many families separated by years-long conflict lines, traders struggling to move goods, and patients seeking medical care across territorial boundaries, the road represents a lifeline that many feared might never reopen again."

"A number of tribal leaders and representatives of local humanitarian organizations conducted days of unusual coordination between the warring factions and finally succeeded in getting permissions to reopen the highway after dismantling scores of landmines and explosive devices planted previously in the area," added the official.

Travelers once faced arduous journeys of over 600 km through dangerous alternative routes to travel from Sanaa to Aden. The reopened highway reduces this distance to approximately 360 km, according to the official.

The Houthi group also announced the road's reopening through its Saba News Agency, describing it as an initiative "aimed at alleviating the suffering of citizens."

The conflict between the internationally recognized government and the Houthi group has cut off multiple main transit routes across the war-ravaged Arab nation since late 2014.

Yemen has been in a state of uneasy calm since Oct. 2, 2022, when the government and the Houthi group failed to renew and expand a UN-brokered truce.

Despite years of diplomatic efforts, neither side has shown a willingness to resume negotiations to end the conflict, which the UN estimates has killed hundreds of thousands of people and pushed millions to the brink of famine in Yemen. 
NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH)  A Norwich woman is claiming victory Thursday night after Harvard agrees to relinquish possession of early photographs of slaves.

Tamara Lanier says Renty, a slave in South Carolina, was her great, great, great, grandfather who taught himself how to read.

Harvard agrees to relinquish early photos of enslaved people, ending a legal battle

In 1850, he and his daughter Delia were the subject of daguerreotypes, an early type of photograph.

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The reason the daguerreotypes were created in the first place was to prove white supremacy, Lanier said.

She said the nude photos were commissioned by Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz.

As a mother of two daughters I can only imagine the trauma associated with such an experience, Lanier said.

In 2019, she filed a lawsuit against Harvard to try to get the 175 year old photographs released to her family.

Delia during the taking of the daguerreotypes actually cried, said Lanier.

The lawsuit claims Agassiz announced to the men gathered in the Charleston Literary Club, The brain of a negro is that of the imperfect brain of a seven-months infant in the womb of a White.

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They gave justification for black inferiority and slavery, Lanier explained.

In what she calls a landmark settlement, Harvard has agreed to relinquish the daguerreotypes from its Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to the International African American Museum in South Carolina.

The university released this statement: Harvard University has long been eager to place the Zealy Daguerreotypes with another museum or other public institution to put them in the appropriate context and increase access to them for all Americans.

It went on to say: While we are grateful to Ms. Lanier for sparking important conversations about these images Harvard has not been able to confirm that Ms. Lanier is related to the individuals in the daguerreotypes.

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What I shared with them were official government records, official probate records, Lanier said.

She said U.S. Census information proves her heritage.

For those who do not know the story of Renty and Delia it is all laid out in a book Lanier authored entitled From These Roots which also chronicles Laniers fight from start to finish.

The legacy will continue through him, Lanier said while she was holding her grandson Elliott during the News8 interview.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Harvards commencement Thursday was defiant and celebratory, with speakers stressing the values of diversity and truth amid the schools legal battles with the Trump administration.

Dr. Abraham Verghese, a Stanford professor, author and infectious disease physician who was this year's commencement speaker, began by acknowledging the unprecedented moment for Harvard University in this institutions almost four-century existence.

The commencement came just days after a senior Trump official told NBC News on Tuesday that the administration intends to ask all federal agencies to find ways to end their contracts with the school. The move would result in an estimated $100 million in cuts at the university and is the latest in tense sparring between the administration and the Ivy League institution.

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Verghese said that when he was asked to speak at the schools 374th commencement, he felt the graduating class deserved to hear from a Nobel Prize winner or the pope. But what made him agree to address the crowd of some 30,000 people Thursday morning, he said, had everything to do with where we all find ourselves in 2025.

When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country, including so many of your international students, worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps its fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me, he said to raucous applause.

Honorary degree recipient Abraham Verghese at Harvard commencement on Thursday. (Charles Krupa / AP)

Part of what makes America great, if I may use that phrase, is that it allows an immigrant like me to blossom here, just as generations of other immigrants and their children have flourished and contributed in every walk of life, working to keep America great," he said, in a reference to President Donald Trumps campaign slogan.

The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard, is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you, Verghese said.

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For months the Trump administration has gone after higher education institutions, Harvard in particular.

In April, the school announced that it was rejecting a list of 10 demands the administration said the university needed to make to address antisemitism. The requirements included banning international students who are hostile to the American values and institutions. As a result of Harvard's noncompliance, the administration said it was freezing more than $2 billion in grants, leading Harvard to hit back with a lawsuit.

The school waged another lawsuit against the administration last week after the federal government said it would revoke the universitys ability to enroll foreign students. On Friday, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking the Department of Homeland Security from implementing the policy.

Murmurs and some cheers were heard at commencement Thursday after a federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the Trump administrations revocation of Harvards ability to enroll international students.

Graduates celebrated commencement as Harvard wages legal battles with the Trump administration. (Eva Claire Hambach / AFP - Getty Images)

Verghese told students in his commencement address Thursday: No recent events can diminish what each of you has accomplished here, graduates. I also want you to know you have the admiration and the good wishes of so many beyond Harvard, more people than you realize."

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A cascade of draconian government measures has already led to so much uncertainty, so much pain and suffering in this country and across the globe, and more has been threatened, he said. The outrage you must feel, the outrage so many feel, must surely lead us to a new appreciation for the rule of law and due process, which till now we took for granted, because this is America.

Harvard President Alan Garber did not address the clash with the administration as openly, but received a loud ovation immediately upon welcoming the class of 2025 Thursday morning, and an even louder ovation when he welcomed students from around the world, just as it should be.

Several graduating speakers also spoke to the values of diversity.

Yurong Luanna Jiang, who is from China, said when she grew up, she believed the world was becoming a small village.

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I remember being told, we will be the first generation to end hunger and poverty for humankind, she said.

Jiang, who studied international development, said her program was built on the beautiful vision that humanity rises and falls as one.

Were starting to believe those who think differently, vote differently or pray differently, whether they are across the ocean or sitting right next to us, are not just wrong, we mistakenly see them as evil, she said. But it doesnt have to be this way.

Harvard's commencement this year brought a sense of unity and defiance. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

Harvards battles against the Trump administration have drawn praise from many prominent figures. On Wednesday during a graduating class ceremony, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said in a speech that he was moved by the schools opposition to the administration.

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After seeing so many towering billionaires, media moguls, law firms, politicians and other universities bend their knee to an administration that is systematically strip mining the U.S. Constitution, it is inspiring to me to see Harvard University take a stand for freedom, he said.

The sense of unity came in contrast to last year's graduation at Harvard College, the undergraduate school, when hundreds staged a walkout to decry the disqualification of 13 students who had been involved in protests against the war in Gaza.

This year, The Associated Press reported, protesters held a silent vigil a few hours before the ceremony, holding signs that read Ceasefire Now and Not Another Bomb.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Abraham Verghese admitted to thousands of Harvard graduates and their families on Thursday that he had his doubts about whether he should be the one to deliver the institutions 374th commencement address.

But he realized he was the right person for the job as the Trump administration revoked a key certification that allows Harvard to enroll international students  along with a cascade of draconian government measures taking place across the country.

Perhaps its fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me, he said.

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Verghese is a Stanford University professor, infectious disease doctor and best-selling writer. He was born in Ethiopia when it was ruled by an emperor and he lived under a military leader. He has seen at least one medical school classmate be tortured and disappear, he said during his speech.

He said immigrants keep the country alive and believe in America.

The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you, he said.

Read more: Shadow of Trump administration hangs over Harvard University commencement

The 374th commencement occurred at the same time that the institution fought in federal court in Boston over the certification being revoked.

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Harvard has two lawsuits against the Trump administration, including one focused on the revocation of the certification. The institution asked for a temporary restraining order, which a federal judge allowed. The judge also sided with Harvard on Thursday, approving a preliminary injunction.

The fight against the federal administration is a courageous one, according to Verghese.

More people than you realize are grateful to Harvard. For the example it has set by your willingness to look inward to make painful and necessary changes. But then ultimately, by your clarity in affirming and courageously defending the essential values of this university and indeed of this nation, he said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security gave Harvard a notice of its intent to withdraw the certification on Wednesday, which the institution has 30 days to respond to.

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Trump has also suggested a 15% cap on international students at Harvard University.

Harvard has been visible in taking decisions that are worthy of your universitys heritage and ones that will shape the institutions character, Verghese said.

Graduates, the decisions you make in the future when under pressure will say something about your character. While they will also shape and transform you in unexpected ways, make your decisions worthy of those who supported, nurtured and sacrificed for you, he said.

What has happened at Harvard?

Harvard has been in a battle with the federal government since April.

There has been a wave of federal research grant terminations at Harvard University, in addition to $60 million in multi-year grants, a $450 million cut and a $2.2 billion freeze.

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In addition to barring Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants, the Trump administration directed federal agencies to cut off existing contracts with Harvard or transfer them to other vendors on Tuesday.

Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that they share the same common ground, but the university will not surrender its core, legally-protected principles out of fear.

Garber pushed back on the administration through a lawsuit in April. The institution argues that its constitutional rights had been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding if the school didnt comply with demands for an overhaul. Following the $450 million announced cuts, the university amended its lawsuit.

No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue, the suit reads.

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Due to the federal cuts, Harvard announced that it was committing $250 million of central funding to support research impacted by suspended and canceled federal grants.

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Harvard University will relinquish photographs of seven enslaved people to the International African American Museum

The settlement comes between Harvard and Tamara Lanier after a six-year legal battle

Two of the photos depict Lanier's alleged ancestors, Renty and Delia, in South Carolina







Harvard University will relinquish photographs of enslaved people to the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, S.C. in a settlement reached on Wednesday, May 28.

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The Ivy League institution previously housed the images, believed to be the earliest taken of enslaved African people in the United States, in the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. The photos' subjects, identified as Renty and his daughter Delia, were taken in approximately 1850, when they were enslaved.

The daguerreotype portraits, which are 175 years old, were identified by Tamara Lanier as her great-great-great-grandfather and his child. The settlement between Harvard and Lanier comes after a six-year legal battle, per the New York Times. Lanier filed the suit on the basis that her ancestors did not consent to being photographed.

The outlet reports that the images were obtained by the university for Harvard biologist Louis Agassiz to use as evidence for a discredited pseudoscientific theory of Black racial inferiority in defense of slavery. Outside of the photographs of Renty and Delia, there are five other portraits of enslaved people that will be relinquished to the IAAM.

I have been at odds with Harvard over the custody and care of my enslaved ancestors, and now I can rest assured that my enslaved ancestors will be traveling to a new home, Lanier told the New York Times.

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She continued, They will be returning to their home state where this all began, and they will be placed in an institution that can celebrate their humanity.

James Chisholm, a spokesman for Harvard, told the outlet, Harvard has been committed to stewarding the daguerreotypes in a responsible manner and finding an institutional home for them where their historical significance is appreciated."

Leah Willingham/AP Benjamin Crump holding a photograph and standing with others raising their arms during an event Benjamin Crump holding a photograph and standing with others raising their arms during an event

Joshua Koskoff, Lanier's attorney, told the Associated Press that this outcome of the case was "unprecedented."

Koskoff elaborated, I think its one of one in American history, because of the combination of unlikely features: to have a case that dates back 175 years, to win control over images dating back that long of enslaved people  thats never happened before."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The AP reports that Susanna Moore, a descendant of Agassiz, was also in support of the settlement. Moore told the outlet that her ancestor's study was a deeply racist project.

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She continued to say, This victory reminds us that the meaning of such objects in museums can and should change. This woman standing next to me, she knew all along she was not small and she was not alone.

Moore and Lanier have become close personal friends. Lanier told the Times of Moore's family, I have vacationed with them. I have spent time with them. We stay connected."

IAAM CEO Tonya Matthews said in a statement to the AP, The bravery, tenacity, and grace shown by Ms. Lanier throughout the long and arduous process of returning these critical pieces of Renty and Delias story to South Carolina is a model for us all."

PEOPLE reached out to the IAAM, but did not immediately hear back.

Read the original article on People






NEED TO KNOW

Harvard University President Alan Garber received a standing award for celebrating students from "around the world" during his commencement speech.

The ceremony came amid relentless attacks on the university by the Trump administration.

In recent days, the White House has attempted to block Harvard from enrolling international students and cancelled $100 million more in federal contracts with the institution.











Harvard University hosted its commencement ceremony for the class of 2025 on Thursday, May 29, amid the institution's ongoing feud with President Donald Trump and his administration.

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The ceremony, held at the historic Tercentenary Theatre in Harvard Yard, featured remarks from prominent students, illustrious keynote speakers and faculty heads, each of whom addressed the tensions between the university and the current political administration.

Most notably, Harvard President Alan Garber began his remarks with an apparent dig at the Trump administration's attempts to kick out all of the university's foreign students.

"To the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country and around the world," he began, pausing for applause before repeating himself for emphasis. "Around the world, just as it should be."

The simple expression of solidarity with the entirety of his student body earned Garber a standing ovation.

Libby O'Neill/Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Harvard President Alan Garber took an apparent dig at U.S. President Donald Trump during a commencement speech Harvard President Alan Garber took an apparent dig at U.S. President Donald Trump during a commencement speech

Keynote speaker Dr. Abraham Verghese, a bestselling author and professor at Stanford Medical School, praised Harvard and its students for courageously defending the essential values of this university and indeed of this nation.

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No recent events can diminish what each of you have accomplished here, he told the graduates.

In April, the Trump administration issued Harvard  and several other prominent U.S. universities  a list of demands targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, the admission of international students, pro-Palestinian protests and more.

Libby O'Neill/Getty Protest signs were on display at Harvard University's commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025 Protest signs were on display at Harvard University's commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025

Since their bold refusal to comply with Trump's demands, Harvard has become the lightning rod for the administration's ire.

Recently, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced she had ordered the termination of the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which allows Harvard to enroll international students. The university sued, and on May 23, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that prevents the Trump administration from revoking Harvard's SEVP certification without further legal process.

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Then, on May 27, Trump ordered the cancellation of the government's remaining federal contracts with Harvard, worth an estimated $100 million. At the time, Garber called the move "perplexing," but said he believed the university needed to remain "firm in our commitments to what we stand for. And what we stand for  I believe I speak for other universities  is education, pursuit of the truth, helping to educate people for better futures."

"Why cut off research funding?" Garber continued. "Sure, it hurts Harvard, but it hurts the country because after all, the research funding is not a gift. The research funding is given to universities and other research institutions to carry out work  research work  that the federal government designates as high-priority work. It is work that they want done. They are paying to have that work conducted."

"Shutting off that work does not help the country, even as it punishes Harvard, and it is hard to see the link between that and, say, antisemitism," he noted.

Students also referenced the ongoing attacks on their university during Thursday's commencement speeches.

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Salutatorian Aidan Robert Scully, who delivered his speech in Latin, told the crowd that, Neither powers nor princes can change the truth and deny that diversity is our strength.

Chinese graduate student Yurong Luanna Jiang, reflected on how Harvard had opened her eyes to a global community.

When I met my 77 classmates from 32 different countries, the countries I knew only as colorful shapes on a map turned into real people, with laughter, dreams, and the perseverance to survive the long winter in Cambridge, she said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Fellow graduate Thor Reimann noted, We leave a campus much different than the one we entered, with Harvard at the center of a national battle over higher education in America.

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Our university is certainly imperfect, but I am proud to stand today with our graduating class, our faculty, and our president in the shared conviction that this ongoing project of veritas is one worth defending, he shared.



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On Thursday, just miles away from Harvard Universitys commencement ceremony, a federal judge in Boston announced that she plans to issue a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration, barring the Department of Homeland Security from revoking the universitys ability to enroll international students.

Shortly before Thursdays hearing, the Trump administration blinked in its battle with Harvard, pausing its order to give the school 30 days to respond with evidence to show why the government should not follow through on its threat.

In a five-page notice sent to Harvard on Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security laid out its intent to terminate the schools Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. This seemed to be a response to Harvards original complaint, which noted that the government did not follow a formal process when it initially blocked Harvards ability to enroll foreign students earlier this month.

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The administration's letter accuses the university of not complying with reporting requirements for international students and failing to maintain a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism.

Harvards refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a statement. Following our letter to Harvard, the school attempted to claim it now wishes to comply with SEVP standards. We continue to reject Harvards repeated pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hateit must change its ways in order to participate in American programs.

In court, a lawyer for the Justice Department argued that the governments move to give the university a brief reprieve made the schools request for emergency action unnecessary. But U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs disagreed.

Burroughs said the ambiguity of the situation was causing harm. She told the government she wanted to maintain the status quo and allow Harvard to continue hosting international students on visas as the case makes its way through the courts. Burroughs told both sides to work out an agreement for the time being.

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According to The New York Times, sporadic cheers could be heard from students and families at Harvards commencement ceremony as they began to get word of the courts decision. International students make up more than one-fourth of Harvard's total enrollment, according to 2024-2025 data from the university.

The judge said she plans to keep the emergency temporary restraining order against the Trump administration in place, which she handed down last week, until it can be replaced with a preliminary injunction. No date or timeline was discussed on when that injunction would be issued, NBC News reports.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Harvard constitutional law professor emeritus Laurence Tribe delivered a damning assessment of Donald Trumps recent attacks on his university, likening the presidents actions to those of a historical, brutal monarch.

In an interview with CNNs Kate Bolduan, Tribe was asked how far he believes the Trump administration has gone beyond the bounds of the law with his bids to ban international students from the university, freeze its grants and redirect its federal funds.

I compare it to King Henry VIII, King Edward II, Tribe said. Not even King George III, who was the proximate guy against whom we fought a war of revolution, not even he had this kind of power, because he needed Parliament. This president thinks he doesnt even need Congress.

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Tribe reminded viewers that its Congress that has the power of the purse and that Trump cant just move billions of bucks from one place to another all by himself.

He also warned of the wider fallout of Trumps targeting of Harvard.

Hes hurting the country, Tribe said. Its not Harvards interest in these wonderful foreign students thats all at stake. They come here; they meet others; they discover things. Some of them end up winning Nobel prizes. They are performing a great public service. Its a private university but its providing a public education.

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This photo taken on May 29, 2025 shows a view of the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

NAIROBI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The urgency to tackle the escalating global housing crisis took center stage as the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly opened Thursday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

More than 1,000 delegates, including ministers, city mayors, diplomats and representatives of industry, multilateral agencies, civil society and academia, attended the meeting scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

During the two-day meeting in Nairobi, participants are expected to finalize decisions deferred from the June 2023 session, injecting vitality into efforts to address the global housing crisis, transform informal settlements, and chart a future for people-centered smart cities.

In a video address to the assembly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the world's cities are grappling with multiple challenges such as the climate crisis, inequality, conflicts and lack of decent shelter.

Guterres said that universal access to adequate, safe and affordable housing is imperative in order to guarantee dignity, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods for the rapidly growing urban population.

"Housing is a human right, is a public good, and it is crucial to achieving Sustainable Development Goals," Guterres said.

Nearly three billion people globally lack access to adequate housing, secure land tenure, and basic services such as clean drinking water and sanitation, according to Annaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of UN-Habitat.

Rossbach also noted that over 1.1 billion people live in informal settlements globally, while 300 million are homeless, with the speedy implementation of UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan for the 2026-2029 period expected to tame the escalating housing crisis.

President of the UN-Habitat Assembly Enrique Javier Ochoa Martinez said that the enactment of progressive policies and innovative resource mobilization will be key to expanding access to decent shelter.

According to Martinez, delivering the "housing for all" goal will reduce inequalities, foster resilient growth, hasten urban renewal, and transform the livelihoods of city dwellers.

As demand for housing outstrips supply, governments have a duty to invest in supportive infrastructure and low-cost technologies required to expand access to affordable homes in cities, said Alice Wahome, Kenya's cabinet secretary in the Ministry for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development.

Wahome said that Kenya has rallied behind multilateral initiatives aimed at tackling the housing crisis affecting the urban poor while leveraging innovative financing to achieve the affordable shelter-for-all agenda.

As the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanization and human settlements, the UN-Habitat Assembly brings together all 193 United Nations member states and key stakeholders every four years. 

This photo taken on May 29, 2025 shows a view of the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

President of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly Enrique Javier Ochoa Martinez presides over the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

Dong Jianguo, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development of China, delivers a speech during the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Executive director of UN-Habitat Annaclaudia Rossbach delivers a speech during the resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

Alice Wahome, Kenya's cabinet secretary in the Ministry for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, delivers a speech during the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

This photo taken on May 29, 2025 shows a view of the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

This photo taken on May 29, 2025 shows a view of the resumed second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
Harvey Weinsteins defense team is still deliberating whether to put their client on the stand as his trial on rape and criminal sexual charges winds down.

Were going to make a game time, more or less, decision, Arthur Aidala, Weinsteins attorney, told reporters outside of the courtroom Thursday.

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Weinstein did not testify as part of his 2020 trial in New York, nor did he testify in his California case on sexual assault. Aidala noted that the decision to testify is ultimately up to the client, and that one of his partners had spent the majority of Memorial Day weekend prepping Weinstein for possibly taking the stand.

There is a part of him that is seriously contemplating in a he-said, she-said case whether human beings feel obligated to hear the other side of the story, Aidala said.

This comes after Weinstein gave an interview to conservative podcaster Candace Owens, in which he proclaimed his innocence, which was released last week.

Asked how Weinstein is viewing how the trial is proceeding so far, Aidala said: He thinks that the evidence at this trial has been challenged very forcefully and that many of the complainant stories have been torn apart.

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Weinstein has been present throughout the trial, which kicked off with opening arguments on April 23. The former mogul is being retried on a criminal sexual charge and a rape charge related to respective claims from a former production assistant on Project Runway, Miriam Haley, who alleges he forced oral sex on her at his Manhattan apartment in 2006, as well as from aspiring actress Jessica Mann, who alleges she was raped by Weinstein in 2013 in a Manhattan hotel. Those charges were part of the 2020 trial, but Weinsteins conviction was overturned in April 2024.

Weinstein is being newly charged with a criminal sexual charge related to claims from a third woman, Kaja Sokola, who says he forcibly performed oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel in 2006.

All three women have taken the stand over the past several weeks, and prosecution rested their case Wednesday. Weinsteins defense team began calling witnesses late Wednesday, and brought in a physician and pharmacist to the stand to describe an erectile dysfunction medication that had come up in testimony as the complaining witnesses described encounters with Weinstein.

On Thursday, the defense team brought in Helga Rose Samuelson, who had shared an apartment with Sokola in 2005, to question the nature of the relationship between Weinstein and Sokola, with Samuelson saying that Weinstein had visited their apartment and gone into a bedroom with Sokola. The latter denied this encounter happening when she was on the stand.

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At one point this week, the defense team raised the possibility of bringing in Owens as a witness, alleging that she had communications with Mann regarding whether she had viewed the encounter with Weinstein as rape. Aidala has asked Mann about this conversation in cross-examination, implying that she had said she did not consider it rape, but it was later stricken from the record and jurors received instructions to disregard the questioning as it was without factual basis.

Before the jury was read that stipulation, Aidala told Judge Curtis Farber that Weinstein wanted to know whether Owens could still be called as a witness, to which Farber said he would have to be notified. However, Aidala said Thursday that they did not expect to call her as a witness, as she had just had a child and he was not sure theres anything thats so gripping.

I dont think were going to disturb Ms. Owens, Aidala said.

Instead, the defense team plans to call two witnesses Friday who will be used to question Manns credibility. Aidalas team has also issued subpoenas for attorney Gloria Allred, who is Haleys personal attorney, but he noted they have not gone to great lengths to enforce the subpoena.

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If Weinstein does not testify, closing arguments are expected to take place Tuesday.

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Harvey Weinstein is still on the fence about whether hell take the stand in his own defense in his Manhattan sex assault retrial, his lawyer said Thursday.

As Weinsteins Manhattan Supreme Court trial inches to a close, the former Hollywood producer will have to make his decision before the defense rests its case in the coming days.

Its usually, but not always, the most difficult defense decision to make, defense lawyer Arthur Aidala said. Were gonna make a gametime, more or less, decision.

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Aidala said the defense team spent the Memorial Day weekend with Weinstein, whos being held in Bellevue Hospital, to discuss whether hell testify.

He thinks that the evidence at this trial has been challenged very forcefully, and many of [the accusers] stories have been torn apart, Aidala said. Still, he said, There is a part of him that is seriously contemplating whether in a he-said-she-said case, human beings feel obligated to hear the other side of the story.  Theres no easy answer.

The trial has featured testimony from three accusers  one-time actress Jessica Mann, former TV production assistant Miriam Haley, and Polish model and aspiring actress Kaja Sokola.

Mann and Haley testified at Weinsteins 2020 Manhattan Supreme Court trial, which ended in a guilty verdict and a 23-year prison term.

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The states highest court overturned the jurys guilty verdict in that case last year, ruling 4-3 that the trial court judge shouldnt have allowed testimony of uncharged, alleged prior sexual acts against persons other than the complainants of the underlying crimes.

On Thursday, the defense called Helga Samuelsen, who was Sokolas roommate in fall 2005.

Sokola testified that when she was a 16-year-old model, Weinstein rubbed her vagina under her pants and underwear in 2002, and two years later, he grabbed her breast in a limo. In 2006, she alleged, he forcibly performed oral sex on her in the Tribeca Grand hotel, while her sister waited at a restaurant table downstairs.

Samuelsen testified that Weinstein visited Sokolas apartment in 2005, and Sokola led her to a bedroom, where they stayed behind closed doors for about a half-hour.

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Prosecutors tried to cast doubt on Samuelsens credibility, pointing out that she sent a text to Sokola saying she felt forced to sign an affidavit for the defense, and bringing up her connections and friendships in Weinsteins circle.

With News Wire Services
Shelly Ten Napel, CEO of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, participates in a debate on Sept. 19, 2024, at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. She is part of a new coalition opposing cuts to Medicaid. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

A group of South Dakota health care advocates launched a Hands Off Medicaid coalition Thursday, pleading with the states all-Republican congressional delegation to avoid proposed cuts.

Medicaid is a federal-state health care program for low-income people. A U.S. House-approved budget reconciliation bill would reduce the program by $625 billion over 10 years under an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.

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Shelly Ten Napel, CEO of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, provided information about the proposed changes to Medicaid.

The proposed cuts will be especially harmful to rural South Dakota, Ten Napel said. When coverage rates fall, rural health centers lose critical funding  putting access to primary care, maternal care, dental services and behavioral health at risk for everyone in those communities.

Federal fallout

As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and whether to make up the difference.

Read the latest >



U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, voted for the bill last week. Its now under consideration by the Senate.

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This bill is a strong conservative work product, and one that is long overdue, Johnson said last week in a press release. It delivers a historic spending reduction and roots out abuse of federal programs. These changes are a meaningful attempt to turn our fiscal house in the right direction.

Hands Off Medicaids introductory press conference included Democrat Earl Pomeroy, who served as a U.S. representative for North Dakota from 1993 to 2011. He said millions of Americans could lose care.

This bill represents a complete retreat from decades of bipartisan progress in expanding access to health care, Pomeroy said. It will drive up the number of uninsured South Dakotans and leave rural hospitals drowning in tens of millions of dollars in uncompensated care.

That fear is shared by retired family physician Tom Dean. Born and raised near Wessington Springs, he retired after 43 years of practice and still lives in the small South Dakota town.

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Im really frightened about the impact it will have on nursing homes, Dean said.

About 147,000 South Dakotans are enrolled in Medicaid. The advocates said 49% of seniors and people with disabilities receive nursing home and community-based care through Medicaid. They also say one out of four births in the state is covered by Medicaid.

Medicaid is a major payer for prenatal, delivery and postpartum care, Dean said. And thats a major concern, especially in rural areas, but across the country. This country has an alarmingly high maternal mortality rate.

The U.S. maternal mortality rate in 2022 was 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to a report from the Commonwealth Fund, compared to zero in Norway, 1.2 in Switzerland, 3.4 in Japan, 3.5 in Germany, and 8.4 in Canada.

Dean said access to obstetric care is declining across the state because fewer facilities are offering those services, in part because it typically is a money-loser for hospitals, and especially for small rural hospitals that are already financially stressed.

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And if we lose Medicaid coverage, it will make that problem even worse, he said. And as a result, it will have a direct impact on outcomes.

The bill includes a policy change that would require Medicaid enrollees who are between the ages of 19 and 65 to work, participate in community service, or attend an educational program at least 80 hours a month.

The language has numerous exceptions, including for pregnant women, parents of dependent children, people who have complex medical conditions, tribal community members, those in the foster care system, people who were in foster care who are below the age of 26, and individuals released from incarceration in the last 90 days, among others.

Meanwhile, South Dakota officials are considering imposing their own work requirements on adult Medicaid expansion enrollees who dont qualify for a list of exceptions. South Dakotans voted in 2022 to expand Medicaid to adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level, a decision that allowed the state to capitalize on a 90% federal funding match.

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The first of two public hearings on the states Medicaid expansion work requirements proposal is at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the state Department of Social Services in Pierre.

States Newsrooms D.C. Bureau contributed to this report.

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Shelly Ten Napels first name, and to attribute quotes to Tom Dean that were mistakenly attributed to another participant in the event.

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On the latest Planet Normal podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player below, columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson discuss the economic tensions across the Labour Party and speak to stand up comedian, and free speech champion, Andrew Doyle about his latest book, The End of Woke.

So many seismic moments have occurred over the last couple of years, which have really accelerated what I think is the death of woke. Youve got Donald Trump signing this slew of executive orders, many of which are about preserving womens rights. And at the same time, youve had the stripping back of DEI policies throughout the corporate sector.

The Economist did a study about this, which I quote in the book, about how wokeness really kicked off in 2015, peaked around 2020 and has been declining ever since. And that decline as far as I can see is now pretty much terminal.

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Arch-Leftists... have been taking their pronouns out of their social-media bios. Just doing it on the quiet, not making too much of a fuss about it. I would say this all suggests that woke is dying in its current form.



The title of the book, the End of Woke, theres a kind of implied question mark there, but also its an aspiration rather than a prophecy. Im not positioning myself as a Nostradamus figure but I think all the signs are there. We can hear all the death rattles



Elsewhere in the podcast, as the spending review looms on the horizon, Labour is trying to hold off pressure from Reform by being seen to roll back on winter fuel payments and the two child benefit cap, brought in by the Conservatives.

Liam is concerned Reform would be falling into an easy trap to promise more spending; Theres something happening in British politics where spending pledges are now being thrown about like confetti. Reform are now going to start trading spending pledges with Starmer, who is very much to the Left of his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and could scapegoat her.

Allison sees a future under Reform where the party supports families again; In Farages speech he talked about making the family a more important element in British life, and tax breaks for married couples. Because as we know, if mum or indeed dad, but often its mum, elects to stay home and spend more time with the children, a couple is really penalised compared to a couple where both work.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
By Ahmed Kingimi

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) -At least 21 people were killed in north central Nigeria on Thursday when their homes were destroyed by heavy rains and nearly a dozen were missing, the local emergency agency said.

Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency told Reuters that 50 houses were submerged in water in two communities in the state.

"Twenty-one bodies have so far been recovered in the incident, while over 10 persons were still missing as the search and rescue operation continued," Hussaini told Reuters.

Nigeria is prone to flooding during the rainy season, which began in April.

(Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Sandra Maler)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The University of Oregon Portland is beginning a new chapter, after a grand re-opening in a new location in Northeast Portland Thursday evening.

After acquiring the former Concordia University campus in June 2022, UO administration made the decision to relocate from its previous space in the White Stag building in Old Town.

TriMet to launch new bus line along 148th Ave this weekend

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Although the university has had a presence in Portland for nearly 150 years, the White Stag building gave it an official home back in 2008, housing programs in business, law, journalism, as well as architecture and design.

The new campus will still provide all of the above programs and house six research centers. Further, a gift of $400 million helped launch the new Ballmer Institute for Childrens Behavioral Health.

The UO NE Portland Campus, seen on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (University of Oregon)

Further, renovation on the new campus, which holds more than 20 buildings on nearly 400,000 square feet, was completed in 26 months, according to the university.

The Portland Pickle chosen as grand marshal of Rose Festival Starlight parade

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To celebrate, they held a special event, featuring UO President Karl Scholz, UO Portland Vice President Jane Gordon and more.

This was an ambitious timeline and herculean effort by many to renovate and open this campus in just 26 months, said Gordon. We are excited to celebrate this milestone in our nearly 150-year history in Portland.

Andrew Hoan with the Portland Metro Chamber said it represents an investment in the citys future.

I think we have a message to send right now and that message is that Portland is a city on the rise, Hoan said. This is a cutting-edge facility right here in the Rose City.

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UO said the goal is to offer programs built for real-world impact.

Portland will play a pivotal role in this endeavor, said UO President Karl Scholz.

Classes are now underway at the new Northeast Portland location, but Thursday marked the official grand opening.

The University of Oregon bought the Concordia Campus for about $60 million, mainly funded by private donations. However, some state tax money helped with the renovations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This story has been updated with new information.

Multiple apartment fires within a mile of each other broke out in Greenwood along U.S. 31 highway between County Line Road and Fry Road.

All three fires were started within about 30 minutes of each other on May 29, 2025, according to Greenwood Fire Department Assistant Chief Brad Coy.

"These fires were unusual," Coy said. "We have a lot of investigating to do and samples to take before we can determine any type of cause or any suspicion."

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Coy said the fires were at:

Each of the fires was started inside a "common area" of the complexes, according to Coy.

At 3 p.m., the Greenwood Police Department announced a 50-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fires.

Westminster Apartments fire

The Greenwood Fire Department received its first reported fire at 8:01 a.m. for a structure fire and an entrapment person at the Westminster Apartments.

When firefighters arrived, they found that a fire had broken out in a common hall in the apartment complex, with flames blocking the stairway for residents to escape, according to Coy.

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Several firefighters conducted balcony rescues of residents, while other firefighters extinguished the flames in the hallway.

None of the residents were injured in the rescue and fire, according to Coy.

Polo Run Apartments fire

Dispatchers received a second report at 8:25 a.m. of a structure fire at the Polo Run Apartments about half a mile away.

Firefighters with the Greenwood Fire Department and White River Township were sent out to the apartment complex to handle the fire.

When firefighters arrived, they found a small fire in a common area and quickly extinguished it.

None of the residents were injured in the fire.

Auburn Place Apartments fire

While en route to the second fire, dispatchers received a third report at 8:33 a.m. that a significant structure fire had broken out at the Auburn Place Apartments.

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Similar to the last two reports, the fire at the Auburn Place Apartments was started in a common area of the complex.

While firefighters were extinguishing the fire, other firefighters were conducting balcony rescues of residents trapped in the building.

By about 10 a.m., all three fires had been extinguished.

State fire marshal will investigate Greenwood apartment fires

The Greenwood Fire Department requested the assistance of the state fire marshal, the Greenwood police and the State police to help with the investigation.

When asked if the common areas of the three apartment complexes were accessible to the public, Coy said it wasn't immediately clear if the front doors to each complex were unlocked at the time of the fire or if they were broken down by firefighters trying to get inside.

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"We are still investigating the matter," Coy said.

Multiple fire departments from the Indianapolis Fire Department, White River Township, Trafalgar Fire Department and other surrounding towns assisted the Greenwood Fire Department this morning.

All three of the apartment complexes were owned by different LLCs, according to public records.

Greenwood police make an arrest

After reviewing footage from video cameras in the area, investigators figured out who their primary suspect was and provided officers with his description.

At 11:43 a.m., police located the 50-year-old man sitting outside the Greenwood Public Library and arrested him on three counts of arson.

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Although the man's last known address was in Carmel, police believe he currently doesn't have a place to live.

IndyStar is not identifying the man because he was not formally charged at time of publication.

Several agencies helped with the investigation and extinguishing the fires this morning, including the Greenwood Fire Department, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Indianapolis, the State Fire Marshal, White River, Bargersville, Franklin, Indianapolis, Whiteland, New Whiteland and Needham Fire Departments.

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What we know about the 'unusual' Greenwood apartment fires
Earlier this year, New York City launched its congestion pricing program. It's been a controversial subject since it went into effect on Jan. 5.

Passenger vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street must pay a $9 toll during peak hours. Small trucks and charter buses, meanwhile, are charged $14.40 just to enter Manhattan.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul believes this program will reduce congestion in the city streets while also increasing revenue for its subway system.

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"State law requires that congestion pricing simultaneously raise money for the MTA and drive down traffic congestion," Hochul said in November 2024. "These are important priorities. I am proud to announce we have found a path to fund the MTA, reduce congestion and keep millions of dollars in the pockets of our commuters."

So far, Hochul's plan has raised an awful lot of money for the MTA.

According to Bloomberg, the congestion pricing toll in New York City has raised $215.7 million in four months.

Although this program has proven to be profitable for New York's subway system, the Trump administration has been trying to put an end to it for the past few months.

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Earlier this week, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order that'll prevent the Trump administration from withholding "federal funds, approvals, or authorizations from New York State or local agencies to enforce compliance."

Hochul applauded Judge Lewis Liman's decision, calling it a "massive victory" for New York.

"New Yorkers deserve to control our own traffic patterns, keep gridlock off our streets and protect our clean air. We need to make the massive investments necessary to support our transit system and prevent it from falling into disarray and disrepair. Congestion pricing is the right solution to get us there," Hochul said Tuesday.

As of now, New York City's congestion pricing is expected to bring in $500 million this year. That's if it remains intact.

Here's How Much Money New York's Congestion Pricing Toll Brought In first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 29, 2025. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution to extend the authorization for UN member states to inspect vessels suspected of Libya arms embargo violation.

Resolution 2780 extends for six months the authorization for UN member states, acting nationally or through regional organizations, to inspect vessels on the high seas bound to or from Libya, if they have reasonable grounds to believe the vessels are carrying arms or related materials in violation of an arms embargo imposed by the Security Council.

It requests the UN secretary-general to report to the Security Council within five months of the adoption of this resolution on its implementation.

Resolution 2780 was adopted with 13 votes in favor. Russia and China abstained.

In their explanation of the vote, Russian and Chinese representatives questioned the effectiveness of the EU operation, IRINI, which is the only regional conduct to inspect vessels under the authorization. They also called out the way the intercepted items were disposed of.

The Security Council imposed sanctions, including an arms embargo, on Libya in 2011 after the political turmoil that led to the toppling of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. In June 2016, the council adopted Resolution 2292 to authorize vessel inspections on the high seas to implement the arms embargo. 






A father died after saving his 13-year-old son, who had fallen into a river in Texas on May 25

The rushing water quickly pulled the 41-year-old man under, and he drowned

After the tragic accident, local fire officials urged people to wear life jackets and avoid fast-moving water







A 41-year-old father died after rescuing his son, who had fallen into a Texas river during a fishing trip over Memorial Day weekend, according to reports.

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The man was fishing with his 13-year-old child near a dam in Denison on Sunday, May 25, when the boy fell into the Red River, a 1,290-mile river on the Texas-Oklahoma border, CBS affiliate KXII, ABC affiliate KTEN and the Herald Democrat reported.

The man was able to pull his son from the water, but was caught up in the current and never reemerged. Shortly after, his body was recovered by rescue teams, according to KXII and the paper. Meanwhile, the boy was rescued.

Denison Fire Rescue told the outlet that the man, who has not been publicly identified, drowned. Texas Game Wardens are overseeing an investigation of the incident, KTEN reported.

The fire department, Grayson County Sheriffs Office and Denison Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs requests for comment.

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When emergency responders first arrived at the scene, they were responding to reports that a child was in the water.

The guys got the swift water boat, they got into rescue mode, headed down there as fast as they could, put a boat in the water, Deputy Fire Marshal Landon Lindsey told KXII. Come to find out, the child had been rescued by his father, and the father was now the one that was unaccounted for and went under.

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Fire officials said that neither the boy nor his father was wearing a life jacket, according to KXII and the Herald Democrat. They confirmed that that evening, the dam's floodgates were open.

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Even if youre a strong swimmer, it could drag you all the way downstream, and you may tire out by then, and youre in trouble, Lindsey told KXII. He urged people to wear life vests and avoid rushing water.

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The Department of Health and Human Service is pulling millions of dollars in funding for a human bird flu vaccine developed by Covid vaccine-maker Moderna.

Before President Donald Trump took office for his second term, the Biden administration had awarded $766 million to the Massachusetts-based drugmaker. They invested $176 million last summer, and tacked on another $590 million in January.

"While the termination of funding from HHS adds uncertainty, we are pleased by the robust immune response and safety profile observed in this interim analysis of the Phase 1/2 study of our H5 avian flu vaccine and we will explore alternative paths forward for the program," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement. "These clinical data in pandemic influenza underscore the critical role mRNA technology has played as a countermeasure to emerging health threats."

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HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon assured The Independent that the decision was made after a rigorous review.

Trump health officials just pulled millions of dollars for drug-maker Moderna. The money was being used to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including bird flu (Getty)

This is not simply about efficacy  its about safety, integrity, and trust, he said. The reality is that mRNA technology remains under-tested, and we are not going to spend taxpayer dollars repeating the mistakes of the last administration, which concealed legitimate safety concerns from the public.

Nixon also said that the move signals a shift in federal vaccine funding priorities with better-established safety profiles and transparent data.

The department said Modernas project does not meet the scientific standards or safety expectations required for continued federal investment, and that the decision reflects broader concerns about mRNA use. It noted that there are three other avian flu contracts under the National Prepandemic Influenza Vaccine Stockpile program.

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Researchers have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines for decades, for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccines work by using mRNA, a type of RNA, that is created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies.

The news comes amid the continued and pervasive spread of H5N1 bird flu, which has killed millions of birds, mammals, and other animals across the U.S. in recent years.

In response to infections that resulted in a nationwide egg shortage, the Trump administrations Department of Agriculture included vaccine investments in its $1 billion-dollar plan, allocating up to $100 million for research in that area.

USDA will be hyper-focused on a targeted and thoughtful strategy for potential new generation vaccines, therapeutics, and other innovative solutions to minimize depopulation of egg laying chickens along with increased bio-surveillance and other innovative solutions targeted at egg laying chickens in and around outbreaks, it said.

As H5N1 bird flu has spread around the country, 70 people have been infected. The virus has resulted in the culling of millions of chickens (AFP/Getty)

Of course, that proposal came before vaccine-skeptic and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., made his own: mass infections. Experts said that was a bad idea. Since then, however, reports of new human cases have stopped. Thats been puzzling to experts. To date, 70 people have been infected, most of whom are farm workers.

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We just dont know why there havent been cases, Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, told NPR. I think we should assume there are infections that are occurring in farmworkers that just arent being detected.

It may also be tied to seasonality, with cases peaking in the fall and winter as bird migrate.

So, the need for a vaccine for humans, such as Modernas mRNA-108, likely remains. The administrations decision comes as Moderna announced positive interim results from an early-stage trial of the vaccine.

"What we learned clearly during the last influenza pandemic is there are only a few companies in the world that make flu vaccines, which means in a pandemic there won't be enough to go around, Nuzzo said, reacting to the news. If the U.S. wants to make sure it can get enough vaccines for every American who wants them during a pandemic, it should invest in multiple types of vaccines instead of putting all of our eggs in one basket."

With reporting from The Associated Press






NEED TO KNOW

In April, Morgan Armstrong, a graduating senior at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, came out publicly and announced on social media post that she was in a relationship with a woman

A lawsuit filed by the student and her parents alleged that days later, the school suspended her and banned her from attending graduation

In a statement, a school official denied the allegations made in Armstrongs lawsuit, calling them misleading"







A student has filed a lawsuit against her high school, alleging that she was suspended, banned from campus and prohibited from attending graduation after coming out as gay on social media and revealing she had a girlfriend.

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According to a complaint obtained by PEOPLE and filed on May 19, Morgan Armstrong, an 18-year-old graduating senior at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, made the social media post on April 23, writing "cats outta the bag."

A screenshot of the post, which was included in the complaint, showed Armstrong and her girlfriend kissing and holding hands.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Armstrong defended the post. Everyone else gets to post their boyfriend or girlfriend. So just because I have a girlfriend and Im a girl, why does that mean that I shouldnt be able to?" she asked. "I love my girlfriend and I wanted to show it.

Days after making the post, Armstrong was summoned to the administrator's office and given a suspension letter, according to the complaint.

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The suspension letter, which was included in the complaint, stated that Armstrong would not be allowed on campus or any school events, including but not limited to graduation, which took place on May 10.

Although the school said that her diploma will be mailed to her on June 15, the complaint alleged that the school "explicitly threatened to sabotage Morgans college admissions process and to withhold Morgans diploma" if there was any "online slander" about the school or anybody associated with it.

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Additionally, the school alleged in the letter that Morgan's social media posting included "a disparaging remark reflecting the people at Tennessee Christian," a claim that Armstrong disputes.

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The complaint claimed that her suspension letter mentioned a private message that the senior sent to some of her friends that read: go like and comment on my post guys bc if no one on my socials knew I was gay then they sure as hell do now so this is a big thing tbh, also Im kinda scared about the facebook comments bc i have some ruthless trump supporting 'jesus' mfs on there.

However, according to the complaint, that message did not refer to the school, but instead to some of Armstrong's relatives  people who, according to Armstrong, profess but do not practice Christian principles of love, acceptance, and compassion.

The complaint alleged the real reason why the school suspended her was the fact that she had come out as gay"  and that even if she had violated the school's social media policy, since this would have been a first-time offense, the maximum policy should have been a 1 day in-school suspension.

In a statement shared with NBC affiliate WRCB, the school rejected the allegations made in Armstrongs lawsuit, calling them misleading.

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Despite this supposed legal dispute, Tennessee Christian remains fully committed to delivering Morgan Armstrongs diploma. Our goal continues to be the academic and personal success of each student, even in the face of conflict or disagreement. We wish Morgan Armstrong the very best as she continues her academics in college, wrote Jared Tilley, Tennessee Christians head of school.

PEOPLE contacted Tennessee Christian Preparatory School for comment on Thursday, May 29.

Armstrong and her parents, who are named co-plaintiffs in the suit, are seeking to expunge Armstrongs suspension record and disciplinary violation, allow her to take her final exams, forbid the school from withholding her diploma and prohibit the school from sabotaging Armstrongs college admissions process.



School is a place where every student is entitled to feel welcome, accepted, and supported, Daniel A. Horwitz, Armstrongs attorney, said in a statement It is not a place where any administrator should feel comfortable disciplining kids for being gay or threatening to sabotage their college admissions process.



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In an unfortunate turn of events, the Scottsdale Police Department has confirmed the death of popular hiking influencer, Hannah Moody. She was reportedly 31 years old. The social media personality, who documented her trekking expeditions for the internet while working at restaurants for a living, was found dead near the Gateway Trailhead of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale.

Heres everything you need to know regarding the untimely passing of the hiking influencer.

Hannah Moody cause of death explained

On May 22, Scottsdale authorities issued an official press release to announce Hannah Moodys death, having located her lifeless body near the aforementioned Arizona hiking trail. Encapsulating what had happened, the statement, shared by the officials on Facebook, read, Hannah was first reported missing around 7:50 p.m. on May 21 by concerned friends who had not heard from her. Scottsdale officers responded to the trailhead where she was last seen and located her vehicle still in the parking lot. Efforts to reach her by phone or ping her cellphone were unsuccessful. Officers began search efforts on foot, with drones and assistance from a Phoenix Police Department helicopter.

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The search operation went on for over four hours before the Scottsdale personnel put a halt to the efforts for the day. However, they resumed their pursuit to locate the 31-year-old the next day by deploying as many as 20 officers, with the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office search and rescue team and air unit providing drone assistance.

They soon became aware of Hannah Moodys death, with the search party discovering Hannahs body around 12:05 p.m., about 600 yards off-trail. While the Scottsdale detectives will be conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind Moodys passing, the authorities have not found any obvious signs of foul play or trauma at this point.

Prior to her unexpected death, Hannah Moody had noted that she had recently switched jobs and was now working in the day shift. Despite stressing over the transition in the initial stages, Moody noted a change in perspective in her last Instagram video, where she thanked God for allowing her to go on sunset hikes.

Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on ComingSoon.

The post Hiking Influencer Hannah Moody Passes Away at 31 appeared first on Mandatory.
DEERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Historic Deerfield is hosting a Juneteenth Concert, featuring award-winning musician Jake Blount.

Blount is a critically acclaimed interpreter of black folk music, whose work draws on centuries of African-American musical traditions. The concert will take place at the Deerfield Community Center, located at 16 Memorial Street, on June 19 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Springfield remembers upcoming 14th anniversary of EF-3 tornado

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This concert serves as part of Historic Deerfields ongoing efforts to uplift and honor African-American history through programs and partnerships within the community.

We are honored to welcome Jake Blount for this years Juneteenth celebration, said John Davis, President of Historic Deerfield. His music speaks to the deep historical roots and enduring legacy of Black artistry in America. This concert is not only a commemoration of emancipation, but also an extension of our commitment to telling a fuller American story, a goal weve pursued through projects like the Witness Stones Project, which honors the lives of enslaved individuals in Deerfields past.

Tickets are available now, costing $25 for adults and $10 for children ages five to 17. Tickets cost $15 for Historic Deerfield members. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit historic-deerfield.org.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
During the 1990s, Perus government carried out a ruthless campaign of forced sterilisation, depriving hundreds of thousands of women of the right to bear children.

Now, for the first time, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has held a public hearing on the abuses  a case hailed as a historic milestone: Celia Ramos vs Peru.

Celia Ramos was, like most affected by the mass sterilisation scheme, a woman living in poverty. Houses in her village of La Legua, Piura, were made of canes and mud, had limited electricity and no sewage system. Yet despite the hardships, Ramos, a mother to three girls, was a woman full of life, her eldest recalls.

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Then, in July 1997, 34-year-old Ramos was sterilised  despite repeatedly refusing  as part of the National Reproductive Health and Family Planning Programme. Nineteen days later, after suffering respiratory arrest from medication used during the operation, she died.

It was very abrupt  she was young and healthy and cheerful, said daughter Marisela Monzon Ramos, who was 10 at the time.

The entire family was shaken. My grandmother had to be sedated because the pain was too great. We felt the impact at every level.

Celia Ramos with one of her daughters - Supplied

Ramos was one of at least 270,000 women sterilised under the national programme, launched and overseen by then-president Alberto Fujimori and his health ministers between 1996 and 2001. The Peruvian government has argued the sterilisation programme was part of a broader reproductive health policy, claiming it would decrease poverty, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, and curb fertility.

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But estimates suggest fewer than one in ten of those sterilised gave consent, while most of those affected were poor and indigenous, and often illiterate or non-Spanish speaking.

Ramos ordeal began with a visit to the local health centre for a routine check-up, where nurses encouraged her to undergo sterilisation  which she refused. According to family testimony, health workers then visited Ramos home at least five times to harass her into the procedure.

They came insistently on several occasions, said Monzon Ramos told the court on Thursday. I thought, why do they come so much looking for my mother? She didnt want to have the procedure.

Celias daughters with her surviving parents  their grandparents - Supplied

Carmen Cecilia Martinez, an associate director for legal strategies at the Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR), which represents the family, said that health workers were under pressure to meet goals that were imposed to execute the national policy.

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Lawyers say doctors were given compulsory sterilisation quotas and received financial incentives for performing the operations. The doctors obeyed a scale of orders that were controlled by the highest level of the country. We have evidence of the goals and quotas, Maria Ysabel Cedano Garcia, who also represents Ramoss daughters, told the Telegraph last year.

Testimonies reveal that thousands of women were harassed and threatened into undergoing the procedures, with many blackmailed, and others tied down, blindfolded and knocked out with horse tranquilliser.

Ramos underwent a tubal ligation on July 3. Her legal team  which also includes DEMUS (The Legal Study for the Defense of Womens Rights) and the Centre for Justice and International Law  insists she never gave consent.

She was subjected to forced sterilisation, said Martinez. The health centre was unfit for any medical procedure, the conditions were precarious, and she died.

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Perus Ombudsmans office has linked 18 deaths to the scheme.

Celias picture, on display outside the court with images of other victims of forced sterilisation - Daniel Ruge Chamucero

Last year, the Telegraph reported on the ongoing fight for justice. Florentina Loayza recalled how at the age of 19 she was sterilised under the pretence of receiving vaccinations. The doctor put a drip in my arm and I fell unconscious. That is when they mutilated me, she said. Since then, I have been living in hell.

In another case, 27-year-old Mavila Rios De Rengiro, went to a clinic believing she was having a smear test. They told me I was having a pap smear, and then they locked us in, she said. I was afraid. The doctor didnt speak to me. I woke up in terrible pain and with a lot of blood.

It took years for the scale of abuse in Peru to become public knowledge, partly because it unfolded against the backdrop of a brutal internal conflict that left nearly 70,000 dead. Many of Fujimoris supporters continue to deny that forced sterilisations ever took place.

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The Ramos case was first brought before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 2010. In 2021, the Commission declared the Peruvian State responsible for violating Ramos rights and recommended reparations. However, Peru failed to act, and in 2023 the case was referred to the Inter-American Court.

This is a historic opportunity to establish the responsibility of the Peruvian state  not only for multiple human rights violations committed against Celia Ramos but also for the thousands of affected women, said Martinez.

In 2024, a landmark UN commission ruling concluded that Fujimoris policy amounted to sex-based violence and intersectional discrimination. It said that widespread and systematic forced sterilisation could constitute a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute.

Yet the CRR said that the Peruvian State adopted a denialist position during Thursdays hearing. It denied that forced sterilisations were systematically committed and questioned the existence of human rights violations affecting thousands of women, it said.

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Nancy Northup, the president of the CRR said that the decades of silence have only prolonged the cruelty. Every survivor, and those like Celia Ramos who tragically did not survive, deserves her day in court.

Ramoss legal team have requested the court declare the Peruvian state responsible for committing crimes against humanity and for violating multiple rights, including the right to life, personal integrity and health, reproductive autonomy and protection of Ramos and her family.

Maria Elena Carbajal, who was also a victim of the programme, said that the road to justice is long. Its been over 28 years of uncommitted and unaccountable governments, she said.

Monzon Ramos said she and her sisters hoped that after nearly three decades since our mothers death, the truth of what happened will be acknowledged.

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That justice will be done, that a real and thorough investigation will be opened, and that the State will recognise and repair the harm we have suffered, she said.

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Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd from the main balcony of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore after a prayer service in Rome, Italy, May 25th, 2025 Credit - Rocco Spaziani/Mondadori PortfolioGetty Images

Since the College of Cardinals selected Robert Prevost to become Pope Leo XIV on May 8, the first American Pope has generated much attention, with numerous publications attempting to peel back the curtain on the true identity of the new pontiff.

Yet, the Pope himself may have told the world something significant about his vision and philosophy for the papacy through the simple act of choosing a name. The choice of Leo XIV makes Prevost the first pope to take this name since Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903, a critical time at the turn of the 20th century when the world was heading into an industrial and increasingly globalizing era that would soon lead to the First World War.

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Based on the tenure of Leo XIII, this choice may indicate that Prevost places substantial emphasis on the Churchs responsibility to care for the poor, as well as the protection of workers rights in an era of growing economic inequality. Yet, it also may signal that the new pope aims to chart a middle course in an era of extremes and wont look kindly on those challenging doctrine or the Churchs hierarchy. If so, such a vision will be deeply rooted in a specific tradition of American Catholicism that emerged thanks to Leo XIIIs teachings.

Pope Leo XIII, born Gioacchino Pecci, ascended to the papacy in an era characterized by the spread of factories and wage labor, the rise of massive fortunes and the growth of worker discontent and organizing, and existential battles between the forces of capitalism and socialism. He responded by launching a transformative intellectual tradition known as Catholic social teaching.

Read More: Pope Leo's Style of American Leadership Is a Hopeful Opportunity

This body of thought, which had its most notable appearance in his 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum, introduced the world to a new approach to the social, economic, and political challenges of the day. Rerum upheld labor unions as a proper exercise of workers natural rights to dignity and authentic freedomand emphasized the obligation of the state to protect their rights and interests. Leo XIII also called for a remedyfor the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class. He underscored the Catholic Churchs care for the poor and its concern for the common good as well.

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Yet, Catholic social teaching wasnt a one-sided doctrine. In Rerum, Pope Leo XIII reflected on the spirit of revolutionary change that had long been disturbing the nations of the world. Instead of a revolution, this new approach contemplated a middle way between capitalism and socialism, one premised on a cooperative relationship between workers and management.

Another key document written by Leo XIII further emphasized that the Pope was not quite a radical. In 1899, he wrote a papal letter, Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae, which was directed at American Catholics and condemned what he termed the heresy of Americanism. The decision to write the letter may have stemmed from confusion and misperceptions about what liberal prelates and theologians in the U.S, were preaching.

Liberal priests, most prominently Isaac Hecker, extolled the virtues of freedom and liberty as it related to the Church in the U.S. In his 1876 book, The Faith of Our Fathers, for example, Baltimores James Cardinal Gibbons wrote of his country, [T]here is no nation on the face of the earth where the Church is less trammeled, and where she has more liberty to carry out her sublime destiny, than in these Untied States. Twelve years later, St. Pauls Archbishop John Ireland, proclaimed, In America, the Church is freeas the bird is free in the air to spread out its pinions and fly whithersoever it wills.

Conservative critics, both in the U.S., and in the Vatican, viewed these liberal prelates with suspicion because of their openness to engage in inter-religious encounters. Testum indicates that Leo XIII wanted to make clear that the Catholic Church in the U.S. wasnt spiritually distinct from the global church, and couldnt go its own way. It showed that, while sympathetic to workers and inequality, he wasnt prepared to see Church doctrine or the power of the Vatican challenged.

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Leo XIIIs legacy, then, was one characterized by deep concern for the plight of workers and the poor, but also one that reflected concern over maintaining hierarchical discipline within the Church. He also wanted to moderate any spiritual experimentation, however illusory in the case of Americanism, that may have suggested the potential for Catholics to stray too far from Church teachings.

Read More: What the History of Saint Augustine Can Teach us About Pope Leo XIV

Despite setting limits on the autonomy of the American Church, the social teachings of Leo XIII had enormous influence on Catholicism in the U.S., especially after the horrors of World War I. The National Catholic Welfare Council (now the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , or the USCCB ) gave its full support to the philosophy laid down by Pope Leo XIII in Rerum. In 1919, the Council adopted a Program of Social Reconstruction, which supported the institution of living wages, public pensions, and a variety of other government-provided aids for working men and women.

In the following decades, numerous labor priests, such as John A. Ryan, George G. Higgins, Philip A. Carey, Joseph F. Donnelly, and Charles Owen Rice, led the way in advocating for workers. They instructed workers about Catholic social teaching, and operated labor schools to educate them on their rights and on the Catholic Churchs positions on the important economic and social issues presented by the Great Depression and World War II. The Catholic Worker movement, led by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, was but one prominent example of the impact and the implementation of Catholic social teaching outside of theology courses and on American city streets. It provided charitable relief and practiced communal labor through its houses of hospitality, which Day envisioned would bring "workers and scholars together in a place where they could discuss Christian principles of organization as set forth in the encyclicals.

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Over time, American Catholicism has become fractured between theological conservatives and liberals. Today, the divides increasingly intersect with broader partisan battles outside the Church. In this landscape, Catholic social teaching and debates over the compatibility of Catholicism and Americanism are not mere historical relics of a previous century. They are vital issues that played formative roles in shaping the contemporary Catholic Church that Leo XIV now leads.

Whether the new Pope chose the name Leo XIV to signal his affinity for Leo XIII is probably something only he knows. Yet, in so much as it does, it may indicate both that the new Pontiff is interested in economic matters, especially the struggles of working men and women to scrape by, and the ever-present debates over freedom versus order and the meaning of liberty in a hierarchical institution like the Church. The choice of his name may suggest that while Leo XIV will thrill liberal Catholics on social justice issues, he may lean more toward the Church's conservative wing when it comes to maintaining doctrinal boundaries.

William S. Cossen is a historian of American religion and nationalism, and the author of Making Catholic America: Religious Nationalism in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era .

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra speaks on the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)

MACKINAC ISLAND  From snipes about turning the great white north into the 51st state to booing during The Star-Spangled Banner, the U.S. relationship with its northern neighbor and closest ally has seemingly soured since the election of President Donald Trump.

However Pete Hoekstra, the United States ambassador to Canada, offered a significantly more positive outlook during the Mackinac Policy Conference Wednesday, telling the attendees that President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are aligned in their goals of revitalizing each of their nations economies.

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Can you imagine what happens in North America if the Canadian economy is booming and the U.S. economy is booming at the same time? Hoekstra asked.

Weve got strong leadership, committed to economic growth, committed to the same types of economic principles who want to get to a deal. That gives me a lot of optimism, Hoekstra said.

However, there are some obstacles, Hoekstra said, notably pointing to the lack of a pro-American trade voice in Canada, noting that several provinces have banned the sale of American alcohol in retaliation to Trumps tariff policies.

These issues are pebbles in the shoes, Hoekstra said, predicting that the U.S. and Canada would mend fences sooner rather than later.

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Carney appears to be serious about meeting Canadas NATO defense spending targets, Hoekstra said, and Canada has shown interest in participating in the United States Golden Dome missile defense system.

In contrast to Hoekstras optimism, Carney recently was quoted as saying that the process of deepening integration with the U.S. is over and that Canada was in a position now where we co-operate when necessary, but not necessarily co-operate.

Jacques Shore, a partner in the Ottawa-based law firm Gowling WLG, told Michigan Advance that Carneys stance is one born out of necessity.

Shore, a past leader of the firms National Government Affairs Group, said that while Hoekstra has been making an effort to actually meet Canadians, which is appreciated, in and of itself it cant erase the downturn in relations.

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I would say the pebbles in the shoes are relatively recent, because they have really come about as a result of a new focus of the President in the way in which he views Canada, Shore said.

In reaction to Hoekstras comments, Shore said there is a sense that what had been a strong partnership between the two nations is now under some risk because of whats been said by Trump, but thats not to say that Canada is not absolutely engaged in wishing to do everything it can to restore the relationship.

However, Shore says the Presidents comments about making Canada a 51st state do not sit well with citizens of a proud and sovereign nation.

I think that our Prime Minister said it extremely well when he made the comment that he has through the last election period spoken with the owners of Canada, which is obviously the citizens of Canada, and I dont think he necessarily even needed to have a campaign to see that Canadians are perfectly happy being Canadians, having the country that they have, continuing to build the country they have, without becoming part of the United States, Shore said, adding that most Canadians would agree that both sovereign nations are greater by working together to strengthen the overall economies.

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He called it an aim with an historic foundation, pointing to the words of President John F. Kennedy when he spoke to the Canadian Parliament in 1961.

Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us, Kennedy said.

Regardless, Hoesktra said while negotiations wont be easy, the U.S. and Canada could both see benefits to their manufacturing and energy industries if they reach a deal.

Joining Hoekstra on stage, WOOD-TV reporter Rick Albin pressed the ambassador on the speed bumps on reaching a deal, and whether this would be a short term or long term concern.

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I think the president, and from what Im hearing from my Canadian sources, are that the President and the Prime Minister would like to get to a resolution sooner rather than later, Hoekstra said, emphasizing the American and Canadian jobs at stake.

According to the Detroit Regional Chambers 2025 state of the region report, 234,000 jobs in the Detroit Region alone rely on trade and investment with Canada.

Again, the President is focused on economic growth and prosperity for the American people, which means engagement with Canada as our number two trading partner. And the interrelationships we have on the auto industry and the interrelationships that we have on energy, we can become a global powerhouse, Hoekstra said, noting that cooperation would allow both nations to compete with China on automotive manufacturing and the Middle East on energy.

Additionally, energy is crucial for AI development, Hoekstra noted. Canada also has critical minerals and an integrated structure with the United States auto industry, Hoekstra said, emphasizing China is both nations competition.

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When asked if the U.S. and Canada could reach a zero sum deal or if tariffs would remain on both sides, Hoekstra said the president had made it clear there would be tariffs for every country looking to do business with the U.S.

However, in negotiating with his Canadian colleagues, Hoekstra said theres no reason why trade between the U.S. and Canada couldnt be the least restrictive in the world in regards to tariffs.

Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King contributed to this story.

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CLARKSDALE, Miss. (WJTV)  Warner Bros. and director Ryan Coogler brought Hollywood to the Mississippi Delta.

Special screenings of the hit film Sinners, which is set in Clarksdale, will be held at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium from May 29-31, 2025. Residents advocated for the film to be shown in Clarksdale due to the fact that the city does not have a movie theater.

Philadelphia honors Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired Abbott Elementary

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The Delta is such a special place, and to see something so big and so major happen here, I wanted to be a part of history. I wanted to be a part of something amazing. I wanted to be a part of something that the world is taking a look at right here in Clarksdale, Mississippi, said Katina Washington, who attended Thursdays screening.

Sinners is Cooglers first original film. It blends elements of supernatural horror, gangster drama, romance, blues music and action across one eventful day in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1932 in which a community opens a juke joint and then has to defend it from a vampire army growing outside.

The setting of the film was also inspired by his familys ties to a Mississippi of the past. One was his maternal grandfather who originated from Merrill, Mississippi, and moved to Oakland, where the family remains. The other was the man who introduced him to blues music, his Uncle James, who died while Coogler was making Creed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila (Rear) meets with local community representatives during their meeting in Goma, eastern DRC, on May 29, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)

GOMA, DR Congo, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila made a rare public appearance on Thursday at his private residence in the country's eastern North Kivu Province.

He began meeting with local community representatives, just days following his arrival in the region.

"We met with former President Joseph Kabila at his request to hear his views on the current situation in the country," said Joel Amurani, head of the Protestant church in Goma, after the meeting.

Kabila arrived in Goma, the capital city of North Kivu Province, late Sunday, accompanied by several close aides. The visit occurred on the heels of a recent address in which he called for a "citizens' pact" and a "patriotic awakening" to help the country walk through the ongoing crisis.

Last Thursday, the DRC Senate voted to lift Kabila's parliamentary immunity, paving the way for possible legal proceedings. The former president, who became a senator for life after leaving office in 2019, has been accused by the government of treason, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and allegedly backing the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, which is active in the east of the country.

According to his entourage, Kabila is expected to continue consultations on Friday with traditional chiefs and other local stakeholders before addressing the media in the coming days.

Since January, the security situation in eastern DRC has sharply deteriorated, with renewed fighting involving the M23, which has seized control of several strategic areas, including Goma and Bukavu.

Kabila, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2019, has been residing primarily in South Africa since 2023. He recently expressed his desire to return home to "contribute to finding a solution" to the ongoing crisis. 

Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila (L, Front) shakes hands with a local community representative during their meeting in Goma, eastern DRC, on May 29, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)

Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila (L, Front) shakes hands with a local community representative during their meeting in Goma, eastern DRC, on May 29, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)
Nearly two dozen homeowners in a community near Miller Lake in Orange City filed a lawsuit against commercial developers over severe flooding.

The neighborhood suffered from flooding after Hurricane Milton.

Neighbors say the flooding was caused by poor drainage and the way the land was developed.

A statement from attorneys representing the homeowners read, Months after Hurricane Milton, the water levels remain high, and these homeowners are left wondering if their homes will survive another hurricane season.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A beloved tradition returns this year, this time with the goal of protecting future K-9 officers by providing them with body armor.

It all began in 2022 with a generous offer from young Annalise Kenyon. She wanted to donate all of her birthday and Christmas money to an animal shelter in honor of her Aunt Amy  or Mimi, as the kids called her  who passed away unexpectedly due to kidney failure.

When she first passed, I wanted to donate my money to Animal Welfare League because she liked animals a lot but [my mom] said I couldnt do it. And so then I, Ive always wanted to have a lemonade stand, so then I had the idea and we just kind of went with it, and then it got really bigger, Annalise said.

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Its for our aunt who passed away, and it means a lot to us because we get to have a memory of her, Jordan Kenyon added.

Annalise and her brother, Jordan  with the help of their parents, Melissa and Gregory Kenyon  have hosted Aunt Mimis Lemonade Stand every year since. This year, the family is growing to include Jack Neapolitan, a retired Boardman police officer  and theyre going big.

I really wanted to build this more than just how it started off, just raising money for the dogs, Neapolitan said. The tremendous assets that are available in this area, and I want to showcase all of it.  Things that you can probably only see on TV, you can see in person.

It costs $1,050 for each vest, adding to the already extensive list of expenses involved with a K-9. But those vests can mean the difference between life and death for the brave, furry officers.

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The dogs and the handlers are the first ones that set off into the dark for the worst of the worst, Neapolitan said.

The police, they do a lot for us, and the dogs, they go through a lot of training and I think it would just be nice to have them be kept safe for any tragedies, Annalise said.

Theyve partnered with the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s and after hearing Neapolitans story of his own police dog, the organization donated the first vest in his memory. Another friend of Neapolitan made a significant donation that will cover the cost of another vest. Both of those will go to the Boardman Police Department K-9s, Jack and Mako.

The departments, they run on tax dollars and no one wants to pay more taxes, Neapolitan said. The departments budgets are normally very strained, and theres a tremendous amount of cost people probably dont realize goes into just having a K-9 program.

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In his talks with Vested Interest, Neapolitan learned that one K-9 officer was shot five times but survived, thanks to the vest, and was able to return to duty after it recovered.

Last year, it poured during their outdoor event, severely cutting down their profits. So this year, theyre moving to Penguin City Brewing, where they have the option of moving all the planned events inside the brewery should the weather choose to not cooperate.

There will be one big bash, held from noon until 4 p.m. on June 21. It will feature demonstrations by area K-9 teams, drone demonstrations, SWAT trucks on display, food trucks and, of course, you can see Annalise and Jordan at the event, making fresh-squeezed lemonade. There is no admission fee.

Their ultimate goal is to make $20,000 to protect our areas pawed protectors. Donations can be made virtually via Venmo @Melissa-Kenyon-5 or PayPal MKenyon1982@gmail.com. Melissa said in the past, theyve also received kind letters and donations to their home at 2039 Elm Trace St., Youngstown, Ohio 44515.

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Gregory says his sister would be proud of what their family is accomplishing in her memory.

[Amy] is definitely watching, definitely proud of the two kids for sure, Gregory said.

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ATLANTIC BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Horry County Fire Rescue initiated its mass casualty protocols during a series of fights during Sunday mornings Atlantic Beach bike week festivities in which 12 people were hurt, but the towns police chief still disputes claims of a mass casualty incident.

There were no mass casualties at the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival on Saturday evening as has been reported. There were a couple of fights that broke out, causing panic in the crowd and several people were injured trying to leave the area, Chief Carlos Castillo Jr. said on Sunday. Adequate police and medical staff were on hand to aid as needed and transport individuals to the hospital.

Horry County Fire Rescue said it was dispatched for a reported disturbance with multiple injuries.

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Because of the increasing number of patients from the initial dispatch, HCFR engaged its mass casualty incident protocols, which includes bringing resources like the Multi-Patient Unit bus to the scene and alerting local hospitals of a possible influx of transports, HCFR spokesperson Tony Casey said. These protocols may be enacted any time HCFR is handling five patients or more on a given incident. Additional to the two on-site ambulances, HCFR Command brought in seven ambulances from across Horry County to handle the patient load, along with other personnel.

12 people in total were taken to the hospital, all with non-life-threatening injuries, according to HCFR. Six other people signed medical transport waivers.

In a statement to News13 on Wednesday, Castillo reiterated that rumors of a mass casualty incident were inaccurate, though the situation did cause significant disruption.

The injuries sustained were primarily due to the panic  patrons ran to escape the fights, leading to trampling incidents, Castillo said. Emergency medical services (EMS) provided aid, 12 people were transported to the hospital and six additional people signed medical transport waivers. Reports indicate that these injuries were not from a single event but rather from separate fights throughout the festival.

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Castillo said the people involved in the altercations fled and could not be located, but that authorities are continuing to investigate.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

* * *

Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work here.

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Got a cool ride that might make an awesome Hot Wheels toy car?

Now might be your chance to make that a reality, or at least check out some potential candidates for die-cast fame, at what is billed as the world's largest traveling car show.

This weekend, the Hot Wheels Legends Tour heads to metro Detroit, the fourth stop on the U.S. leg this year. Those who register their custom build will have a chance to compete and possibly see their creation turned into a Hot Wheels die-cast that will be sold around the globe. The local winner moves on to the national semifinals, which will determine who represents the United States in the finale.

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Last years winner  a significantly modified 1968 Ford Falcon named La Liebre  hailed from Chile. Judges included Jay Leno and Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour will make a stop in metro Detroit on May 31.

The event, which is in its eighth year, began initially as a way to honor the legendary die-cast lines 50th anniversary, according to Bryan Benedict, key principal designer at Hot Wheels, who spent five years on staff at Honda but also worked in design for auto suppliers at automakers including Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

Shifting from design in the automotive industry to the world of Hot Wheels opened up a universe thats way more fun, but Benedict still gets to explore his passion.

We eat, sleep and breathe cars, he said.

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Benedict said the enthusiasm at the tour stops is through the roof. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon May 31 at the Walmart at 7555 Telegraph Road in Taylor. The show is free and open to anyone. There's also no cost to register a vehicle online for the competition, although slots are limited based on the size of the parking lot.

Hundreds of unique vehicles are expected. Special items will also be for sale.

Vehicles are judged on three criteria  authenticity, creativity and garage spirit. They need to make a bold statement and should show commitment by the owner, not just that someone was willing to put up some cash.

Sometimes you see a custom car, and you know thats a Hot Wheels, Benedict said.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hot Wheels Legends Tour heads to Detroit area
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  The start of June is just a few days and with June 1st comes the start of meteorological summer.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service have released their 2025 summer outlook for the United States. They predict above-average temperatures for the country for meteorological summer, which is June through August.

In New England, expect well above average temperatures over the next few months. A look at summers in Massachusetts from 1970 to 2024, according to Climate Central, the average number of summer days with above-average temperatures has risen by 11 days.

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Get ready for several years of killer heat, top forecasters warn

As the climate warms, so do our summers and the trend only looks to continue.

If you plan on going to the beach anytime soon on the Long Island Sound or Cape Cod be sure to use extra caution as ocean temperatures are still cold. The current temperature in the Long Island Sound is 56 degrees, while the ocean water off Cape Cod is 54 degrees. With water temperature in the 50s, hypothermia can occur within 30 to 40 minutes.

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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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Rep. Ashley Hinsons praise of President Donald Trump and his big, beautiful bill didnt hold up on Wednesday as constituents hit back with jeers, boos and laughter during a town hall event in Decorah, Iowa.

The president is, I believe, fighting for you and fighting for me , said Hinson (R-Iowa), just minutes into her prepared remarks at the event.

No! the crowd resoundingly shot back.

Elsewhere in her remarks, Hinson got a sour reaction when she name-dropped Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), and she got jeered when she described all of the damage done from Joe Bidens presidency before touting what she described as Trumps accomplishments.

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I was also proud to vote for President Trumps One Big, Beautiful Bill last week, she said of legislation that could slash $1 trillion in health and food assistance programs to pay for about $4 trillion in tax cuts to mostly high earners.

Boooooo! replied the crowd as some attendees  seemingly supporting Hinson  sprinkled in claps.

This is your time! Hinson hit back.

Hinson faced a similar reaction at a separate town hall event earlier in the day in Elkader, Iowa, per Cedar Rapids ABC affiliate KCRG.

Hinson: I believe President Trump is fighting for you



Crowd: No pic.twitter.com/85yOzxVakh  Acyn (@Acyn) May 28, 2025

Hinson: I was proud to vote for President Trumps one big beautiful bill



Crowd: Boooooo pic.twitter.com/vWovctE8Po  Acyn (@Acyn) May 28, 2025

The reaction to Hinson reflectsscenesat other townhallshostedby GOP lawmakers as they have attempted to defend their support for Trump in his second term.

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A spokesperson for Hinson, in a statement after the Decorah town hall to NBC News, said the congresswoman is not afraid to face anyone and defend her support for the Trump agenda that is going to help Iowa families, farmers, and workers.

Hinson on X, formerly Twitter, also defended her remarks at the town hall.

I will always tell you where I stand. I enjoyed hearing from constituents at my in-person town halls today and sharing more about my work with President Trump to secure the border and lower taxes for the middle-class, she wrote.

Thanks to everyone who came out - Ill continue to be accessible and transparent to you.

I will always tell you where I stand. I enjoyed hearing from constituents at my in-person town halls today and sharing more about my work with President Trump to secure the border and lower taxes for the middle-class. Thanks to everyone who came out - Ill continue to be pic.twitter.com/08G3zdBBPV  Ashley Hinson (@RepAshleyHinson) May 28, 2025

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HARPER COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  Two new housing developments broke ground in Harper County on Wednesday. Combined, the developments will create dozens of homes aimed at middle-income families.

Like other small communities across south-central Kansas, the cities of Harper and Anthony are home to major manufacturers and hope to continue economic expansion. However, attracting new residents is difficult without adequate housing.

They have a significant portion of their employees that travel into our community, and they are continuing to grow, which is great. They were partners in our grant application to show for their continued growth, they needed workforce, Tiffany Cooperrider, the Harper City Administrator, said.

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To address that need, two new housing developments are underway. Each will have two plots with houses built by a developer. The remaining lots are available for free, provided recipients hire a licensed builder to construct a single-family home on the property.

The projects are supported by both state and federal funding. Representative Kyle Hoffman of the Kansas Legislature noted that rural areas often struggle to attract contractors and skilled labor.

In an urban area, its a lot easier to get those contractors to work in those urban areas, he said.

Grants boost rural Kansas communities

Recognizing the shared need, the city administrators of Harper and Anthony collaborated to make the developments possible.

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If you can build the base of an economy bigger if you have additional taxpayers that can relieve the tax burden on existing properties, Cyndra Kastens, the Anthony City Clerk/Administrator, said.

One development in Anthony plans to include 16 homes; the one in Harper will include 11. Both cities have invested in key infrastructure, such as electricity and site grading, to get the projects started.

The ability to partner together as two small communities sharing those resources, sharing staff, thats what really makes a difference here in being able to go out after some of these grant sources, Kastens said.

The state says the request for state funding from the partnership comes at a time when Kansas is focused on expanding housing to keep up with growth.

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One thing that always stands out to me in Harper County is how much they collaborate and just work as a whole community, countywide. Anytime someone shows that true regionalization, you want to reward appropriately, Matt Godinez, the assistant secretary of commerce of Kansas, said.

So far, each development has a developer committed to building two homes. Most of the remaining lots are still available and offered at no cost. To qualify, recipients must build a home using a licensed contractor. Participants may also be eligible for tax incentives.

The strongest takeaway, the biggest communication piece of this project, is that partnership between communities and that support from the state level to meet this housing issue across the state of Kansas, Kastens said.

By working together, Harper and Anthony have managed to launch these projects under budget. Now, theyre looking for individuals and families ready to buildand put down rootsin Harper County.

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HOWELL COUNTY, Mo.  Earlier today, the Howell County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) received information of a suspicious person in the Moody and Bakersfield area who the reporting party felt resembled the escaped prisoner from the Calico Rock prison in Arkansas.

This undated photo provided by the Arkansas Department of Corrections Communications Department shows inmate Grant Hardin. (Arkansas Department of Corrections Communications Department via AP)

Grant Hardin, who served as police chief for the small town of Gateway, Arkansas, was serving a decades-long sentence for murder and rape. Hardin escaped Sunday from the North Central Unit, a medium-security prison in Calico Rock.

According to the the HCSO, a faded red colored car was also seen in very close proximity to the reported suspicious male. Deputies responded to the area shortly after receiving the information, but were unable to locate anyone in the area.

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Greene County deputies safe after vehicle hits patrol car on I-44

I have spoken with Sheriff Melton of Izard County, Arkansas, and the Arkansas State Police to advise them of the possible sighting, Howell County Sheriff Matt Roberts said in a social media post.

When I spoke with Sheriff Melton, there was no information at that time indicating the escapee had travelled into Missouri, Roberts continued. I have been closely following this incident for several days and know there have been other possible sightings in Arkansas. Most recently, investigators in Arkansas were following up on a tip the escapee might be in Faulkner County, Arkansas.

The HCSO currently has deputies and investigators canvassing the area, attempting to identify the identity of the subject who was seen.

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We are taking this matter seriously and devoting all available resources to locating or identifying this subject, Roberts said.

Roberts said that at this time, the HCSO has no information indicating with any degree of certainty that this suspicious person was the escapee or that he is even in Missouri.

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Human smugglers sentenced to prison after Indian family froze to death near border originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Two men who are part of an international human smuggling conspiracy have received prison sentences after an Indian family-of-four froze to death in Minnesota shortly after being brought across the Canadian border.

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, was sentenced to 10 years and Steve Shand, 50, received a sentence of more than six-and-a-half years for their involvement in a smuggling scheme that resulted in the deaths of Jagdishkumar and Vaishaliben Patel, 39 and 37, and their children Vihangi, 11, and Dharmik, 3.

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The family was found in northern Minnesota about 40 feet from the Canadian border on Jan. 19, 2022. All four died from exposure to the cold.

RCMP Manitoba

Per the U.S. Attorney's Office of Minnesota, Harshkumar Patel and Shand "were involved in a major human smuggling operation" bringing Indian nationals into Canada on fake student visas, and then smuggling them across the border into the U.S.

The court heard that Patel handled the smuggling from Manitoba into the U.S., with Shand picking them up after they crossed into the U.S. before bringing them to Chicago. Both men were paid for this, with the "going rate" to be smuggled from India to the U.S. an estimated $100,000.

The Patel family was among a group of 11 being smuggled into the U.S. by Shand and Patel during a January blizzard.

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As the blizzard raged, Shand's van got stuck in the snow, with the group "forced to travel on foot" for around seven hours in -36F wind chills as they looked for Shand.

Two found the van, but the others remained missing. Five were found by authorities, one of them suffering from severe hypothermia that required her to be flown to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the Patel family, who had become separated from the larger group overnight.

"Every time I think about this case I think about this family  including two beautiful little children  who the defendants left to freeze to death in a blizzard," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. "As weve seen time and time again, human traffickers care nothing for humanity. I am proud of the work of our law enforcement partners in holding these defendants accountable for their unspeakable crimes."

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John R. Tunheim said the family died on "one of the coldest nights of the winter," and argued Patel and Shand "could have done something" that might have made a difference.

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The pair were found guilty by a federal jury of multiple charges in November, including conspiracy to bring aliens to the Unites States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
KAMPALA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Six family members, including children, were killed in a fire outbreak in Uganda's central district of Wakiso on Thursday.

Police said in a statement that the victims killed in the early hours of Thursday included a father, a mother, and their children aged between seven and 16.

According to police, residents heard a loud blast before rushing to offer assistance.

"However, the fire had already engulfed the house, making rescue efforts extremely difficult," police said.

"Police were alerted, and the Fire Prevention and Rescue Services team responded swiftly, successfully containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to adjacent properties," the statement added.

The bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to a city mortuary, with an investigation underway into the cause of the fire. 
BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban championed Polish nationalist presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki at the CPAC Hungary conference on Thursday and announced a "patriotic plan" that he said should "transform" the European Union.

Nationalist Orban, who has been a long-time ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the United States' most prominent conservative gathering, in Budapest.

"Long live Nawrocki," Orban said ahead of Sunday's second round of the Polish presidential election.

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The candidate from Poland's ruling Civic Coalition (KO), Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, leads Nawrocki in the latest polls ahead of the vote.

Trump addressed the Budapest conference in a pre-recorded video message and called Orban a "great man".

Orban, who early next year faces the toughest election challenge since he swept to power in 2010, has scaled up his attacks on the media and LGBTQ+ people since Trump's inauguration in January.

On Thursday he said Trump's reelection has "changed the world" and presented a plan to reshape the EU in a conservative fashion.

Orban again rejected EU membership for Ukraine, said he opposed joint European taxation or borrowing, and reiterated his stance on protecting national sovereignty.

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"We want to take Europe back from migrants. We want a Christian culture, schools based on national principles," Orban said in his speech.

He also welcomed former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis as a speaker at the conference and endorsed the populist politician ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for early October.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, another Orban ally, is also scheduled to address CPAC later in the day.

(Reporting by Anita Komuves and Krisztina ThanEditing by Bernadette Baum and Sharon Singleton)
A barista making coffee. A group of Starbucks employees voted to unionize at a shop in Huntsville earlier this month.(Getty Images)

Workers at a Starbucks in Huntsville voted to unionize earlier this month, becoming the third Alabama store to organize.

Ten out of 17 eligible voters cast their ballot. Eight voted to join, while two voted against it.

Six baristas led the charge to bring the workers into the Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), which represents over 570 union Starbucks stores, including locations in Scottsboro and Birmingham.

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Were absolutely thrilled to win our union election here in Huntsville, said organizing member Briar Wolf in a statement. We cant wait to sit down at the bargaining table and fight for the respect and security we deserve.

Leaders of Starbucks Workers United have been trying to negotiate a union contract with the company since 2021. But four years later, hundreds of unionized stores and thousands of unionized workers later, there is still no contract.

Starbucks and the union announced a framework to address pending legal disputes over allegations of unfair labor practices and discrimination. According to the Guardian, talks broke down in late 2024 over pay issues and because they hadnt resolved the lawsuits.

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For months, and in many cases, over a year, union partners have been waiting for meaningful contract negotiations. Instead of engaging in earnest dialogue, the company has repeatedly delayed, walked out of sessions, and refused to meet workers basic demands for dignity, respect, and a voice on the job, Wolf said.\

Starbucks posted a statement on collective bargaining in 2023.

As we work toward building a bridge to a better future for all partners, we continue to be committed to bargaining in a way that honors and respects the dignity, individuality and privacy of our partners. Each stores contract will be negotiated separately and ratified accordingly.

The company did not respond to an additional request for comment.

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A husband and wife from Buford drowned in the Gulf of Mexico near a resort in Destin, Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Department said Wednesday.

Witnesses said the couple and their son were spotted struggling in the Gulf about 75 to 100 yards offshore of 1040 U.S. Highway 98 in Destin.

That address is where SunDestin Beach Resort is located.

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A bystander borrowed a boogie board and tried to rescue them, Okaloosa County officials said. He was able to get the 26-year-old son to shore, and his actions saved the young mans life.

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Beach safety personnel pulled the mother out of the water, while Destin Beach Safety and an Okaloosa County Marine Unit found the father.

Intense and extensive lifesaving measures were performed on both but were unsuccessful, the sheriffs office said.

Yellow warning flags were flying on the beach at the time, which indicate moderate surf.

Officials havent yet identified the couple.

Channel 2 Action News has reached out for more information.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A New Iberia man was arrested after a police chase that ended in a crash in Assumption Parish left a deputy injured.

Lafourche Parish deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop on May 4 after reports of a car driving recklessly, but a chase started, heading north toward Labadieville. The chase reportedly ended when the suspects car hit an Assumption Parish Sheriffs Office patrol unit on Louisiana Highway 1 at the parish line.

The suspect, Donavar Yancy Jr., 71, and a deputy were taken to hospitals with minor injuries. Yancy was booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail after he was released from the hospital.

Donavar Yancy Jr. (Assumption Parish Sheriffs Office)

Yancy was later booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on May 28 on charges of two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count each of aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer with force or violence, possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, and no liability insurance.

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Report identifies 5 Baton Rouge zip codes as the worst for car crashes

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An Afghan refugee and former Yale University student continued to be detained by federal immigration authorities on Thursday evening more than two days after an immigration judge issued an order releasing him on bond.

Federal immigration authorities did not respond by Thursday evening to multiple requests for an explanation of the continued detention.

Saifullah J. Khan, who was born in a Pakistani refugee camp after his family was forced from Afghanistan by the Taliban, has had an asylum application pending for 9 years. He was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who hit him with Tasers seven times on May 9 as he and his wife left an immigration hearing in the secure Hartford federal building.

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Khan required medical attention after his arrest. according to statements made in court.

In late March, after years of what Khans lawyers characterized as inaction on his asylum application, he sued in an effort to compel U.S. immigration officials to settles the question. The suit names senior Trump administration figures, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Within weeks of naming Noem and the others, Khan received a notice that ICE had begun proceedings to deport him and he was ordered to appear at the hearing after which he was hit with the Tasers and taken into custody, according to the court filing.

A witness has said Khan was confronted by plain clothes ICE agents who did not identify themselves and was trying to return to Hartford Immigration Judge Theodore Doolittles courtroom when he was taken into custody.

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After his arrest, Khan was held at a detention center in Plymouth, Mass. The order releasing him on $7,500 bond was issued early on May 27. Before his family could post bond, he was transferred to a privately run ICE processing center in Pennsylvania.

It was unclear on what grounds immigration authorities continue to hold Khan in custody. Lawyers who follow immigration matters said enforcement officers have claimed in other cases to have the authority to temporarily hold bond orders in abeyance.

A prosecutor with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration matters, argued against bond, called him a danger to society and a flight risk.

Khan, 32, is married to a U.S. Citizen and has lived in New Haven for more than a decade. He entered the U.S. on a scholarship from Yale in 2012 and applied for asylum in 2016 when he lost his student visa.

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The prosecutor called him a flight risk because she said the department had been unable to locate him for seven years preceding his arrest on May 9. According to statements made in court, immigration officials had Khans address and regularly mailed him notices, including the order to appear in court in Hartford on the day he was arrested.

Khan has no criminal record, but was accused by a Yale classmate of sexually assaulting her after a date in 2015. He was acquitted of all charges after a trial in criminal court. When Yale expelled him in spite of the acquittal after an in-house disciplinary hearing, he sued the school for defamation and related rights violations.

The Supreme Court said the Yale disciplinary process lacked a significant number of procedural safeguards  that in judicial proceedings ensure reliability and promote fundamental fairness. It said Kahn effectively was denied the right to defend himself because the Yale process did not require sworn testimony. The court said he also was denied the right to counsel, the right to cross examine witnesses and the right to call witnesses in his defense.

Yale has tried but so far failed to dismiss the defamation case.
Immigration officials questioned and detained contractors working on apartment buildings in Tallahassee, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Workers building an apartment complex near the Florida State University campus were detained Thursday morning by agents from U.S. Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, and Florida Highway Patrol.

After entering a construction site in Tallahassee, federal and state officials asked workers for identification and separated them into two categories, witnesses told the Phoenix.

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Some were free to go; others were handcuffed and led onto white buses with metal-covered windows to be transported away from the worksite, escorted by the Highway Patrol. Officials on the scene declined to provide information about the operation.

Construction workers whod been allowed to leave told the Phoenix that law enforcement officers had surrounded the site on West Gaines Street in FSUs College Town before the raid began at about 9 a.m.

Agents surrounded dozens of workers in line for the bus.

An ICE public information officer in Tampa told the Phoenix Thursday afternoon: U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigation served multiple search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation in the Tallahassee region.

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A social media post from Homeland Security Investigations called it a targeted enforcement operation.

Immigration officials questioned and detained contractors working on apartment buildings in Tallahassee, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Homeland Security Investigations Tampa posted on social media that it arrested more than 100 illegal aliens (some of which were previously deported and others with criminal backgrounds). Those arrested are from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, and Honduras and other countries, the agency said.

Calls to the U.S. attorney and U.S. district court yielded no warrant information. The Leon County Sheriffs office did not return a call asking whether the detainees were delivered to their detention facility.

Immigration officials questioned and detained contractors working on apartment buildings in Tallahassee, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Bystanders protesting the raid told agents they should be ashamed of themselves, criticized them for wearing masks, and told them they are all descendants of immigrants.

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Standing with them were workers family members, trying to communicate with their loved one who had been detained, asking where they were being transported to.

A man who identified himself as the manager of the construction site told the Phoenix theres no information about the raid.

Layne Griffith, 22, is a graduate student at FSU who just finished her masters degree in oceanography. She was packing to leave her apartment in College Town at around 9 a.m. to travel home to Pinellas County when she became aware of a large presence of people in the area.

So, the state trooper was kind of doing a perimeter check around the apartment buildings itself and I was curious to know what was going on, and I started to notice more of a police presence  people in camo outfits and people in masks and state troopers. I didnt know what departments they were working for, I couldnt tell from my apartment, she said.

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But I started to see dozens of people at that point in handcuffs getting walked to the opposite side of the construction site and I saw them all lined up behind the prison bus and I stood out there for a while and there were more people showing up and being detained.

Griffith said she saw law enforcement officers from a variety of agencies: the U.S. Marshals Service; the FBI; and lots of state troopers.

An immigration raid involving officers with the Florida Highway Patrol resulted in numerous detentions on a construction site in Tallahassee on May 29, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Layne Griffith)
TUNIS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and 27 others injured on Thursday morning in a traffic collision in Tunisia's northwestern province of El Kef, the private radio station Jawhara FM reported.

A truck transporting female farmworkers collided with a light vehicle on the national highway between El Kef and Tunis in the Dar Essalem area, killing one female farmworker and the driver of the light vehicle, Jawhara FM quoted Moncef El Houani, regional director of public health in El Kef, as saying.

The injured have all been transported to the Kef Regional Hospital for treatment, four of whom require further medical attention, Jawhara FM reported. 
A woman holds up a large banner that reads: ICE is here! Take precautions, in Spanish at the Phoenix Immigration Court in Phoenix on May 28, 2025. After several days of no arrests, ICE agents have resumed detaining people at the court, where migrants are caught between the risk of a potential arrest if they show up and the certainty of a deportation order being issued against them if they dont. Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror

Immigration agents have resumed arresting people who show up to immigration hearings, pulling over and detaining a mother and her children on Wednesday morning.

Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more than a dozen people over two days in hallways, elevators and the parking lot after federal prosecutors filed to dismiss their immigration cases, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.

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Similar scenes played out across the country, in Seattle, Miami and Los Angeles, in what legal experts say is a bid by the Trump administration to boost deportation numbers by targeting a population that is easy to access. Migrants with scheduled hearings must show up to court or risk a deportation order.

Federal immigration agents appear to be focusing on people who have recently arrived in the country. In January, President Donald Trump expanded the scope of expedited removal, a policy that speeds up deportations while at the same time sidestepping the right to a court hearing, from a limited application under the Biden administration that was enforced close to the border to the entire country instead.

That expansion means that federal officials can arrest anyone who has lived in the U.S. for less than two years. According to the Arizona Republic, the people whose cases were dismissed last week fell in that category.

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In Phoenix, the two days of raids were followed by several days of reprieve  until Wednesday morning, when immigrant rights advocates say federal immigration officials pulled a mother and her children over and arrested them after driving away from court. In a video posted by 50501 Arizona, a group that opposes Trumps policies, masked federal agents can be seen escorting a woman out of a white mid-sized suv into a van. The woman is carrying an infants car seat and holding the hand of a young girl walking behind her.

Ratt, a member of 50501 who was unwilling to give her last name, denounced the raids as human trafficking, and lamented to the Arizona Mirror that people who are complying with the legal process are being targeted.

Its bullsh. These people are doing everything right, theyre doing everything legally only to be followed and taken, she said. And its wrong, its so enraging.

Its bullsh. These people are doing everything right, theyre doing everything legally only to be followed and taken.

 Ratt

Beth Strano, the executive director of the Borderlands Resource Initiative, an immigrant rights organization that has helped organize multiple volunteer trainings and protests in response to the detainments, said that ICE agents are changing their tactics, likely due to opposition from advocates.

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Last week, agents in plain clothes waited in the courtroom and coordinated with other officers outside. But, according to protestors, Wednesdays actions appeared to be the result of officers trying to minimize their visibility by surveilling from the parking structure across the courthouse, identifying the vehicle of the person whose case was dismissed and then stopping them down the road.

Strano said that the presence of observers and protestors at the courthouse and other buildings where arrests happen, including Phoenixs ICE field office, is vital to be able to learn how federal immigration officials are conducting raids and keep vulnerable community members informed about their rights.

The more that we are watching and were seeing what theyre doing, the more we can report back to the community and people can make their plans accordingly, she said. They can know what their rights are, and they can have as much protection within their legal rights as possible.

A protestor writes signs advising people arriving at the Phoenix Immigration Court of their rights to make a call and appeal their cases dismissal in Phoenix on May 28, 2025. Earlier in the morning, ICE agents detained a woman and her children after their case was dismissed by federal prosecutors, which left her open to deportation proceedings. Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror

But while advocates last week were able to disseminate literature to people entering the courthouse about their rights, this week protestors dealt with new opposition from the property manager. A white rope was tied to the trees next to the courthouse, demarcating where the crowd should stand: on the public sidewalk facing Van Buren Street, several feet away from the courts entrance.

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Attendees set up a large white poster announcing Rights & Information against the rope in hopes of persuading migrants to approach. Other, smaller posters advising migrants in Spanish not to sign anything and to ask for an appeal if the judge dismisses their case, were difficult to read from that far away. Some walked to the intersection of Van Buren Street and 7th Avenue and held up a large banner warning drivers that ICE agents were present.

And a group that gathered in front of the entrance to speak to people arriving for their scheduled hearings during the afternoon session was quickly told to disperse by Phoenix police officers or be arrested for trespassing. The group relocated to the courtroom and lobby to observe hearings and ensure migrants leaving their hearings were advised about the danger.

While no arrests occurred during the afternoon session, multiple people missed their hearings. Its unclear if a fear of detainment was the reason.

Strano said that, while an arrest is possible, migrants should still attend their hearings. The alternative is a closed case, a deportation order in absentia and a much more difficult time restarting the legal process. Instead of skipping their hearings, migrants should try to show up to court with a lawyer or someone else who is either a legal permanent resident or citizen to serve as an observer who can contact family members if an arrest does occur.

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Strano added that migrants who are pulled over after their hearings shouldnt open their door or leave their vehicle unless ICE agents provide an arrest warrant signed by a judge.

Monica Sandschafer, the Arizona state director for Mi Familia Vota, speaks to the crowd after the days court hearings have ended, asking them to return in the following days to help observe and protest against ICE arrests that may occur at the Phoenix Immigration Court in Phoenix on May 28, 2025. Federal immigration officials have begun targeting immigration courts across the country to arrest people who have been in the country for less than two years, which allows them to fast-track the deportation process. Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror

Elected officials question DHS, ICE on courthouse arrests

As immigrant rights groups sound the alarm over what they view as due process violations, Arizonas Democratic congressional delegation is pushing back at the federal level. On Wednesday, Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly and Reps. Yassamin Ansari and Greg Stanton sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons expressing concern over the arrests.

The people detained at the courthouse, they wrote, have no criminal records and represent no danger to the community.

This action targeted those who followed the rules and showed up to their hearing to present their case to an immigration judge as part of the process for claiming asylum or other legal status, where they would be granted or denied status, the Democrats wrote.

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They noted that the administrations hyperfocus on immigration enforcement threatens to undermine public safety, and the latest bid to arrest people complying with federal law is just another example of that.

The administrations use of limited resources and reassignment of law enforcement away from drug trafficking and human trafficking cases to target noncriminal immigrants means that serious criminals may be allowed to continue roaming the streets at large  making Arizonans less safe, they wrote. Instead, finite resources should be focused on removing individuals who pose genuine threats to public safety, such as gang members and violent offenders, not people complying with the law.

The letter requests that the agencies provide, by June 3, the exact number of people arrested at immigration courthouses and their demographic information, including their country of origin and age; the number of people who were already in removal proceedings; how many of them have been placed in expedited removal; a copy of the guidance that was used to carry out the arrests; and information on how ICE is meeting federal requirements to conduct fear screenings for people in custody.

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Homeland Security Investigations (which is under ICE), along with the Florida Highway Patrol and other Florida and federal law enforcement agencies, conducted immigration raids on Thursday, May 29 in Tallahassee.

More than 100 people were detained in one of Florida's largest immigration raids at a student housing development construction site described as "a short walk from Doak Campbell Stadium" in the CollegeTown area.

Officers reportedly checked every individual's identification and permits before releasing or arresting them.

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A worker from a nearby building site said his construction site had been raided an hour earlier, with people fleeing and some caught.

Homeland Security Investigations Tampa led teams from various agencies "during the arrest of more than 100 illegal aliens (some of which were previously deported and others with criminal backgrounds) at a major construction site in Tallahassee, Florida, during a targeted enforcement operation today!" the agency said in a post on X.

"The illegal aliens are from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia & Honduras, to name a few," the post continued.

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations served multiple search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation in the Tallahassee region, an ICE spokesperson said in a statement. "There is no additional information available at this time."

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Here's what we know about the ICE raids in Tallahassee, Florida:

Who was detained in Tallahassee, Florida ICE raid in CollegeTown?

Law enforcement officers, some masked and wearing camouflage, detained more than 100 people at a construction site near the Florida State University campus. (An FSU spokesperson said the university was not involved.)

Detainees held near the site in a bus told reporters they were from Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Honduras.

According to ICE, people from Guatemala, El Salvador and Colombia were also among the detainees.

Where were the people detained in the Tallahassee ICE raids taken?

Detainees presumably will be taken to ICE holding facilities in Baker County or Walton County, though Leon County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Shonda Knight said a "few" with criminal charges will be taken to the Leon County jail on "ICE holds."

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The Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff's Office said they were not involved in the operation, spokespersons for the agencies said.

Where did ICE raid happen in Tallahassee, Florida?

The construction site where an ICE raid happened May 29 is located at West Gaines Street and Lake Bradford Road, near Florida State University's Doak Campbell Stadium, which is in Tallahassee.

How to locate detainees in custody? ICE inmate search

To locate detainees who are 18 or older and in ICE custody for more than 48 hours, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website has an online detainee locator system.

According to ICE, you don't have to provide any information about yourself or create an account to use the system, but the system collects information including your internet domain, IP address and the internet address of the website from which you linked directly to the ODLS website.

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However, ICE says the information is not used to identify or track users and isn't used in immigration enforcement activities.

April ICE raids in Florida netted 1,100 arrests

ICE and Florida law enforcement arrested 1,120 people in April during "Operation Tidal Wave," the largest joint immigration operation in Florida history. The operation lasted six days, April 2126.

Arrests were made in:

Alachua County

Baker County

Brandford County

Brevard County

Clay County

Hernando County

Hillsborough County

Indian River County

Orange County

Pinellas County

St. Johns County

Sumter County

Volusia County

According to Gov. Ron DeSantis, the countries of origin of those arrested included the following:

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437 from Guatemala

280 from Mexico

153 from Honduras

48 from Venezuela

24 from El Salvador

178 from elsewhere

In January, officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 32 undocumented immigrants who had been convicted of crimes over two days in Palm Beach County, the agency confirmed.

Who is cooperating with ICE to find immigrants? What is the 287(g) program?

State and local law enforcement partners have also been enlisted to help with federal immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program, an ICE initiative that allows local law enforcement agencies to help "identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the U.S.," according to ICE.

"State troopers, local police officers, county sheriffs  they're our eyes and ears," Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director, told ABC News. "They encountered these criminal aliens out and about during their regular duties, and they're able to go ahead and identify those public safety threats for us."

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Nearly 230 Florida law enforcement agencies, including sheriff's offices, city police departments and college and university campus police, have signed 287(g) agreements, the most out of any state in the nation, according to a joint report by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times.

More than 130 of the currently active agreements are under the task force model, which allows law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight, including questioning, arresting, and detaining people suspected of violating federal immigration laws.

Contributing: C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida; Antonio Fins and Valentina Palm, Palm Beach Post

Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ICE raid in Tallahassee, Florida: More than 100 arrested. What we know
David Libi leaves behind his parents and seven siblings.

David Libi, a 19-year-old employee of a contracting company that conducted engineering work for the IDF on behalf of the Defense Ministry, was killed on Thursday in northern Gaza, the IDF and the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council announced.

Libi leaves behind his parents and seven siblings.

"With deep sorrow, we announce the fall in battle in the Gaza Strip of David Libi, of blessed memory, a resident of the community of Malachei HaShalom in Binyamin," the West Bank council announced in a press release.

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David Libi was a third-generation descendant of Binyamins pioneering community, and he is remembered as a devoted builder and lover of the land, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council said.

IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip. August 19, 2024. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

David served in the IDF engineering corps

Libi was the eldest son of Eliav and Sarah Libi, who were dedicated members of the West Bank communities movement. In recent months, David served in the IDF engineering corps, operating heavy machinery used to destroy terror infrastructure, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council noted.

David was on the front lines of the war in Gaza. He demonstrated unwavering dedication to the mission of defeating the enemy. Many terror infrastructure sites were destroyed thanks to his actions, the council wrote.

Professional teams from the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council are currently supporting the family, and funeral details will be announced at a later time.

The IDF and the ministry extended their condolences to the family.
The IDF reported that dozens of terrorists have been killed during the broader campaign, and extensive infrastructure has been destroyed.

The Nahal Brigade Combat Team, under the 162nd Division, located and destroyed rocket launchers, weapons stockpiles, booby-trapped structures, and observation posts during operations in the Gaza Strip, the IDF confirmed on Thursday.

In one case, long-range rocket launchers were discovered adjacent to a building that had previously served as a school.

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The Nahal Brigade remains deployed in the Gaza Strip, continuing efforts to neutralize threats and defend Israeli civilians, the IDF noted.

Simultaneously, the Southern Brigade, operating under the Gaza Division (143), completed a focused mission in southern Gazas security zone aimed at uncovering underground terrorist infrastructure.

IDF destroys hundreds of meters of Hamas terror tunnels

Working alongside the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, troops exposed and demolished atunnel route stretching several hundred meters, with multiple exit shafts, some of which were rigged with explosives.

During the operation, soldiers identified a terrorist cell emerging from one of the shafts and quickly eliminated the threat.

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The IDF reported that dozens of terrorists have been killed during the broader campaign, and extensive infrastructure has been destroyed.

According to the military, the expanded security perimeter is intended to enhance protection for Western Negev communities.

Operations in the Gaza Strip are ongoing, the IDF said, with the goal of dismantling terrorist capabilities and safeguarding Israeli lives.
The IDF attacked Yemens Sanaa International Airport on Wednesday.

The IDF intercepted a Houthi missile that was launched from Yemen Thursday evening, the military announced. This is the fifth missile the Houthis have fired at Israel in the last week.

Sirens sounded in several areas of the country from Tel Aviv to Modi'in.

Israel Police is conducting searches to locate impact sites of munitions.

Magen David Adom confirmed that no calls have been received about casualties, except for cases of anxiety and people who were injured on the way to a protected area.

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On Tuesday, Houthis also launchedtwo missiles at Israel, both intercepted by the IDF. The missiles were launched only three hours apart, and sirens were only activated in the West Bank. All of the missiles in the past week were intercepted by the IDF.

(Illustrative) An anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets fired from Lebanon, near the Israeli border with Lebanon, October 22, 2024. (photo credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)

The IDF attacked Yemens Sanaa International Airport

The IDF attacked Yemens Sanaa International Airport on Wednesday in response to several Houthi ballistic missile attacks fired against Israel over the last week.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said the air force destroyed the last airplane the Houthis still had to use at the airport after Israel had already struck it multiple times in the past several months.

Katz continued, saying that Israel had or was in the process of instituting an aerial and naval blockade on the Houthis to try to deter them from future attacks on the Jewish state.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  Both houses of the Illinois legislature have passed a bill that would prevent police from ticketing students for misbehavior in school, and it now heads to Gov. JB Pritzkers desk to be signed into law.

The legislation amends the Illinois School Code to prevent school personnel from referring a truant student to law enforcement, including the School Resource Officer, or issuing a fine as punishment.

It also prevents schools from issuing a monetary fine as disciplinary punishment for any violations that occur on school grounds or during school-related events.

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A 2022 Tribute-Pro Publica investigation found that ticketing students in schools is common across the state, with some students fined up to $750.

The law applies to all public schools, including charter schools, and goes into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

Schools will also be made to report how often they involve police in student matters each year, and keep records of race, gender, and disabilities.

A 2015 law prevented Illinois schools from fining students directly, but the study found that schools were getting around the law by calling police to ticket students for violating local ordinances.

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Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) said the goal of the law is to make sure if there is a violation of school code, the school should use their discipline policies.

According to the initial study, 12,000 tickets were written to students over a three year period, and Black students were twice as likely to receive a ticket as white students.

It leads to the school-to-prison pipeline by legislating discipline, Ford said previously. Theres no reason for a student to be engaging with law enforcement when they break a school rule. Teachers and principals should deal with it by helping correct the behavior, by teaching lessons, not issuing citations with the law enforcement. Our goal should be to keep young people out of the criminal justice system, not introduce them or lead them.

Under the law, police can arrest students for crimes or violence.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  For Asian-American Pacific Islander Month, KHON2 highlights an immigrant composer who has forever left his mark in local politics and music.

Jose Libornio of Santa Ana, Philippines, was born to be a musician, his parents said.

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He had a great purpose  to seek a life of promise or escape a life of despair.

But this was during the late Spanish colonial period, and the young musicians would learn that the occupying aristocracy did not favor native talent, so he fled to a place that welcomed strangers of all colors, a place that loved music.

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Libornio auditioned for and was accepted into the Royal Hawaiian Band.

King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani immediately lauded his musical compositions. The daily bulletin newspaper once wrote:

Libornio appears to be a musical genius. He has composed a trombone solo will be played at Queen Emmy Square this evening.

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Finally, his talent was recognized, but to his horror, he soon saw history repeat itself, witnessing the fall of another native kingdom and culture to Western imperialism.

His queen was now deposed and imprisoned. The new Provisional Council demanded that government works sign oaths of loyalty, including members of the Royal Hawaiian Band.

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The band members themselves were unable to feel they could support this new regime, territory, government overseeing who they were as a people. So they took their idea to Eleanor Wright Predergast to compose something that showed our feelings, said Clark Bright, RHB Bandmaster.

The words alone were enough to get Prendergast arrested for treason, but put to a dulcet melody, non-Hawaiian speakers presumed Kaulana Na Pua was about flowers.

Libornia, theres some dispute whether he was the arranger or composer of the song, Bright added.

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Kaulana Na Pua is such an important song to this day. I think of it as a Hawaiian-Filipino collaboration, said Kim Compoc, UH West Oahu History and Humanities.

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I believe as a Filipino communitys culture, music is intrinsic. Its who we are. Although it sounds very beautiful, theres this underlying meaning of rebellion and revolt, using the poetry in that way to make a statement, said Michael Casupang, Mid-Pacific Institute.

The statement of loyalty to the Queen got Libornio on the governments deportation list, so he relocated to Peru, where he composed songs for another native leader, President Nicolas de Periola.

His death in 1915 at the age of 60 was mourned on both sides.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

In the islands, Jose Libornio is remembered for his tenure with the Royal Hawaiian Band and his collaboration on Kaulana Na Pua, still played by todays Royal Hawaiian Band.

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For Asian-American Pacific Islander Month, KHON2 salutes Jose Saban Libornio.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
May 29ICE detained a 20-year-old Honduran man after the Howard County Detention Center failed to honor an immigration hold on him, the agency alleges.

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Originally Published:May 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM EDT
The Indianapolis police union is calling for a close examination of the institutions that failed to protect 5-year-old Zara Arnold. Investigators say her father, Zachary Arnold, admitted to killing the girl in a series of brutal assaults between May 18 and May 19. He had full custody of the girl despite repeated allegations of abuse and a criminal history.

The Fraternal Order of Police is asking Gov. Mike Braun to form a committee to scrutinize how Zara fell through the cracks. "Take this little girl's death and work backwards from there," said Rick Snyder, FOP president. "Identify every instance in which the system, as a whole, or any of those stakeholders, had an opportunity to intervene and take steps that would have interrupted this cycle of violence."

More: 5-year-old Zara was tortured and killed after Indiana judge silenced mom's pleas for help

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Those stakeholders would include, at a minimum, the Indiana Department of Children's Services, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, the Marion County courts and multiple law enforcement agencies.

A DCS investigation found that Arnold had physically abused his daughter in November 2020, according to court documents filed in his May 2025 murder arrest. That case never resulted in criminal charges, and there is no public record indicating that the substantiated finding of abuse was entered into the custody case.

Six subsequent allegations of abuse made to DCS were not substantiated, and the judge overseeing the custody case ordered Zara's mother to stop reporting Arnold to the police and DCS.

A Marion County judge granted Arnold full custody of the girl in May 2024, citing concerns about her mother's unstable housing and "paranoia."

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During Zara's short life, Arnold twice avoided prison by entering plea deals with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. The most recent deal was signed May 12, one week before Arnold's arrest for murder. The previous agreement, signed in November 2021, dismissed a rape charge in exchange for three misdemeanor invasion of privacy offenses.

'She was brave': Zara's grieving mother hopes girl's killing prompts change

"Something has to change, because right now, folks within this system are running around with little to no accountability," Snyder said.

Police were contacted at least twice with concerns about Zara in the days before her death, but failed to lay eyes on the little girl. On May 11, her mother told police she'd seen Arnold grab Zara by the neck during a chance encounter. Police went to Arnold's house twice, but nobody answered the door. It's unclear if the judge who signed off on Arnold's May 12 plea agreement was aware of the police response.

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On May 18, two hotel employees called 911 after seeing Zara being abused in the business's parking lot. One of the employees, who was put on hold with 911, said police never responded. An Indiana State Police trooper collected surveillance tape two days after the girl died.

"We're not saying that anyone should be absolved of review," Snyder said. Accountability should apply to everyone in the system, he said.

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police union asks for internal review of Zara Arnold case
LUANDA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Angolan government launched a Youth Employment and Opportunities Project for 2025-2029, backed by 250 million U.S. dollars from the World Bank, to create 500,000 jobs for youths.

Approved on Wednesday by the Cabinet Council, the project aims to increase employment opportunities for young people and create 500,000 jobs over the term, prioritizing women and people with disabilities.

Teresa Dias, minister of the Public Administration, Labor and Social Security of Angola, said the effort began in 2023 with a World Bank study that recommended a job creation strategy to boost short-term productivity and invest in human capital development.

Dias said that the program, approved by the bank in March, will support vulnerable young people between the ages of 16 and 35. It is dedicated to eliminating barriers in the labor market, offering incentives for companies to hire new graduates, promoting green, digital jobs and entrepreneurship, and improving the quality of existing jobs.

The Angolan government said it strives to support 100,000 vulnerable young people with economic opportunities, 5,000 entrepreneurs with growth potential, and 400,000 people with employment opportunities. The project is expected to lower the country's high unemployment rate, it said. 
Despite grand plans, the European Unions hoped-for rearmament remains fully dependent on member nations stepping up their own defenses.

In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an 800-million-euro "Rearm Europe" plan to build out a defense architecture that has depended on the U.S. since the Cold War.

Russias invasion of Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trumps subsequent threats to NATOs security guarantees have alarmed the EU into at least the appearance of action.

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While some member states like Poland, Finland, or, more recently, Germany, are putting real resources into defense, the collective EU government is nowhere near becoming a military power. Its efforts at collective armament are already falling victim to the same infighting that has long dogged the blocs most ambitious plans, ranging from the Council of Europes "European Defense Community" to its failure to mediate the disintegration of Yugoslavia.

Consequently, national governments  not Brussels  are driving European rearmament, now and for the foreseeable future.

"It was the national leaders sitting at the table with (President Volodymyr) Zelensky," Sven Kruck, co-CEO of German drone company Quantum Systems, told the Kyiv Independent, referring to meetings with the heads of Germany, France, Poland and the U.K. in Kyiv at the start of May in advance of a prospective "coalition of the willing" to protect Ukraine.

"I think we are on the right path with the European national leaders. We are not ready with the European (Union) leaders because they are weak."

Taking up arms

The long-term problem facing the EU is a temperamental U.S. European states can't rely on the U.S. anymore. That is clear pretty much across the board, Patrick Gill-Tiney, a Germany-based fellow focusing on major power relations at the London School of Economics, told the Kyiv Independent.

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While the problem of the U.S. is clear, potential European solutions are more fraught. The Rearm plan is misleading, says John Foreman, a former military analyst for the EU as well as a one-time U.K. defense attache in both Moscow and Kyiv. Primarily, he says, that is because Rearm is masquerading as a new source of funding when it is not.

Rearm includes some loans, but is primarily a new EU authorization to member nations to take on more debt independently. Rearms 800 million euros is divided into two parts: one at 150 million euros and one estimated at 650 million euros. The 150 million euros is an EU loan offering to EU members as well as a few non-EU neighbors  notably the U.K., Switzerland, and Ukraine  secured by the unions budget.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gestures during a closing press conference at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Oct. 17, 2024. (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)

The 650-million-euro figure is a theoretical maximum amount that member nations could spend on defense over the next four years under new exemptions to the Stability and Growth Pact. The pact itself limits EU nations deficits to 3% of GDP. The Rearm plan authorizes the pacts escape clause to increase deficit spending if that deficit spending is on defense, meaning no penalties for member nations expanding their deficit spending.

The Stability and Growth Pact has been in play since the late 90s. But many EU nations regularly run deficits over 3%. Famously, the pact did nothing to prevent the 2010 Euro Crisis, caused by massive public debt taken on by many of the same nations least willing to spend on defense today: Spain, Italy, and Ireland, as well as Greece, whose large defense spending is mostly out of caution about neighboring Turkey. The Stability and Growth Pacts penalties are rarely enforced and have never resulted in a fine on a member nation.

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"The whole ecosystem is fixed and the market is closed, with heavy government influence, with long-term contracts and very difficult procurement."

"These nations and their defense contractors do not require the EU to tell them that it's okay to rearm," Foreman told the Kyiv Independent, quipping, "Its great, so now we can doff our caps to Brussels and say, 'Thank you, dear Ursula, for allowing us to spend our own money.'"

The most favorable to the European Unions proposal will be France and Germany, the EU nations with the largest domestic defense industries, who would therefore be the ultimate recipients of money spent on European-made defense. The rules for Rearm as presented allow manufacturers from the U.K., as well as Ukraine, to participate, but using Rearm funds to buy from non-EU defense contractors will likely draw the ire of the European Commission.

German servicemen transport MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems during Defense Minister Boris Pistoriuss visit to the German military compound in Jasionka near Rzeszow, Poland, on Jan. 23, 2025. (Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Shells at the Forges de Tarbes workshop, which produces 155mm munitions for French Caesar artillery in Tarbes, southwestern France, on April 4, 2023. (Lionel Bonaventure/Getty Images)

Europes traditional defense industries are, however, expensive and heavily regulated. Despite already seeing new orders, there has been a serious lag time in actually increasing production. Yet they remain territorial.

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"European militaries are difficult to sell anything to," Mikko-Pekka Hanski, a Finnish investor in Ukrainian defense companies. "The whole ecosystem is fixed and the market is closed, with heavy government influence, with long-term contracts and very difficult procurement."

Even other European nations fond of arming will be less enthusiastic about sending money to the economies of France and Germany to buy weapons that Gill-Tiney says are more expensive and outdated than their American competitors, largely due to economies of scale.

European defense contractors are, moreover, embedded in their respective national governments and territorial about where their respective militaries send their money. Despite their potential profits, even French support for the broader EU plan is in question.

"It looks likely that either we will have a relatively far-right or far-left president of France, and that either way their commitment to arming Ukraine, their commitment to NATO, will be weaker than under Macron," said Gill-Tiney.

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Meanwhile, Ukraine is mentioned by name as an acceptable non-EU participant in Rearm Europe. But Ukrainian export barriers mean that during wartime, Ukrainian producers, while eager to be the defense industrial base for Europe, have been sequestered. They also fear that the urgency to stockpile will leave Europe if a ceasefire halts Russias active, violent invasion in Ukraine.

League of nations

The history of the European Union is not rich in quick, decisive action, military or otherwise. The EU often deliberately precludes decisiveness. Aside from the formation of a prosperous trading bloc, the EUs greatest historical success is that none of its members have ever gone to war with each other, in contrast to the preceding millennium of European history.

Long before Trump, the U.S. harangued Europe to provide for more of its own defense. But member nations low spending levels are a historical novelty. Prior to 1990, France and Germany spent well over 2% of their GDPs on defense, with the U.K. standing at 4%. Indeed, in the 1960s, even Italy reached 3%, while the U.K. was at 7%. Those figures collapsed along with the Berlin Wall and the fall of the USSR.

NATO nations 20 years ago agreed on a benchmark of 2% of GDP for defense spending, despite commentators often treating that figure as a unilateral U.S. demand on European allies. While Russias invasion has added urgency, nations furthest away from Russia fall far short. Ireland spends less than a quarter of a percent.

Heads of state pose for a group photo during NATOs 75th anniversary celebration at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., U.S. on July 9, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

That failure to meet past defense commitments casts doubts on ongoing grand plans to get NATO members up to 5%, says Gill-Tiney.

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"The real issue for a lot of European states is that they agreed to spend 2%, or the NATO members agreed to spend 2%. And many of them then just didn't follow through with their own agreement. The fact that European states actually agreed to and didn't do it, I think is particularly problematic, or was problematic."

"The investments in Ukraine and in European countries defense sector show us that the full-scale invasion created a new market."

Less militarized EU members have already put up barriers to the latest plan for rearmament. Put off by the militarism, and a comfortable distance from Russia, Spain and Italy managed to get the entire plan renamed in its infancy from Rearm to Readiness, though even official channels are still referring to the plan under both names.

"They renamed it because they don't want to spend it all on arms, they said, 'We want to spend it on arms and soft power,'" as Foreman described it. "This is a very classic Eurofudge, from the Spain that only spends 1.1% of its GDP on defense. They are notorious laggards. And as soon as the idea comes up, they say, 'We will go spend this money on ourselves. Were not facing Russia's border.'"

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Persuading European voters that their money is well-spent on weapons rather than roads and schools is much harder without an immediate threat. And some European governments are quietly hedging for a ceasefire, say experts and industry stakeholders who spoke to the Kyiv Independent.

Leaderboard

Various EU member nations have individually expanded their defense budgets enormously.

Under recently elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany has emerged as the largest spender in the EU.

Most new German resources are heading for local stalwarts of defense. Rheinmetall, the countrys largest weapons maker, has seen its stock rise tenfold on the Deutsche Borse  a growth figure familiar among tech unicorns but unheard of in an established company, especially one making physical products largely dependent on a market of government contracts.

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The high profile of new technologies like drones and electronic warfare has also given rise to a whole new generation of defense contractors in Europe.

"Europe has now understood: Its not solving the problem of Russia and Ukraine," said Kruck. "Its solving the topic of how Europe wants to be and how Europe wants to defend itself."

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky present the first batch of Ukrainian-made Peklo (Hell) drone missiles delivered to the Defense Forces in Kyiv, Ukraine on Dec. 6, 2024. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)

"The investments in Ukraine and in European countries' defense sector show us that the full-scale invasion created a new market," says Hanski. "And parliament members in England or Sweden are now saying, 'How do we get growth in our country?' So many are thinking that security is the growth sector."

But the tightest correlation to increasing defense spending remains proximity to Russia, like Hanskis native Finland. Serving in the Finnish military in 1994, in the trough of European disarmament, Hanski recalls that exercises were always directed at a prospective invasion from the east.

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Even the fastest timelines Europe could manage  for example, a Rheinmetall ammunition plant set to open in Ukraine in the middle of 2026, barring delays  may be too late to help Ukraine in the current phase of the war. Ukrainians are keen to warn that the EU is next on the chopping block.

"We are trying to help Europe actually wake up," as Mariia Berlinska, head of volunteer unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) supplier Victory Drones, put it at a recent panel discussion in Kyiv.

"But I dont know if they are processing the fact that while this maniac (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is concentrating on us, they have time to ready themselves. Because sooner or later, this demented maniac is going to turn to them."

Author's Note:

Hi, this is Kollen, the author of this story  thanks for reading my latest dispatch on European defense from Russian aggression, reported from a Ukraine that is hanging its hopes on EU allies. The Kyiv Independent doesnt have a wealthy owner or a paywall. Instead, we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism funded. Were now aiming to grow our community to 20,000 members  if you liked this article, consider joining our community today.

Read also: Germany to do everything to prevent Nord Stream 2 restart, Merz says

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Arizona influencer Emilie Kiser filed a lawsuit Tuesday against multiple Maricopa County public offices to keep records of her 3-year-old son's death private.

Trigg Kiser was pronounced dead on May 18, six days after he was pulled unconscious from a backyard pool, according to the Chandler Police Department. He was hospitalized in critical condition until his death, NBC affiliate KPNX of Phoenix reported.

Emilie Kiser  the 26-year-old influencer who built a TikTok following of 3.4 million for her mom-and-wife lifestyle content  filed the suit over privacy concerns. Kiser also has a 2-month-old son, Theodore, with husband Brady Kiser.

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"Emilie and her family desperately want to grieve in private, but sadly, the public will not let them," the suit read. "Triggs death has become a media frenzy."

More than 100 public records requests have been filed with the city of Chandler and Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office since Trigg's death, which was accidental, according to the lawsuit.

Kiser has not reviewed any of the records requested, including the police report, security camera footage, body camera footage or autopsy reports, the suit stated, nor does she intend to.

Authorities found a 3-year-old unconscious and being pulled out of a pool when they responded to the drowning call in Chandler, about 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, on May 12, KPNX reported. The Chandler Fire Department previously told KPNX that police officers were the first to arrive and began CPR until firefighters arrived.

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The lawsuit cites Arizona law recognizing that family members have a compelling privacy interest related to the death of a loved one.

"Disclosure of graphic or intimate death-related records causes renewed trauma to surviving family members and violates their right to grieve privately," the suit reads.

A number of municipal offices were named as defendants in the suit, including the city of Chandler, the Chandler Police Department and Maricopa County.

"When Maricopa County learned the family was pursuing a court order to prevent the release of these records, the Office of the Medical Examiner worked with the family to place a seal on the record," Jason Berry, director of communications for Maricopa County, told NBC News on Thursday.

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The lawsuit will decide if a permanent seal will be placed on the records, Berry added, noting that the medical examiner's preemptive action to seal the records will allow the court to make the final decision.

Spokespeople for the city of Chandler and Chandler Police Department told NBC News on Thursday the offices do not comment on pending litigation.

Kiser's lawyers did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment. Kiser has not posted on social media since May 12.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(NewsNation)  Social media influencer Emilie Kiser has filed a lawsuit to keep records about her sons death private, nearly two weeks after the incident, according to reports.

Three-year-old Trigg Kiser died May 18 after he was pulled from a pool in Chandler, Arizona, six days before. On May 27, a lawsuit was filed in the Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County to prevent the release of documents related to her sons death.

Trumps pardon czar talks Chrisleys, providing a second chance

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The complaint claims that her son died from an accidental drowning at the familys home, and Emilie Kisers attorneys said that she and her family desperately want to grieve in private. They added that Trigg Kisers death has become a media frenzy.

According to Chandler, Arizona, police, the incident is under investigation, and no charges have been filed.

Over 100 requests filed for access to records on Trigg Kisers death: Lawsuit

The lawsuit stated that there have been over 100 requests filed with the City of Chandler, Arizona, and the Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office for access to records that are related to Trigg Kisers death.

The purpose of the lawsuit is to prevent officials from releasing public documents, including the 911 call, photos of the scene and the police report. Emilie Kiser and her attorneys have allegedly not seen any of the documents, but they believe they are exceptionally raw and graphic.

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Ex-mobster Michael Franzese on Diddy trial: We didnt beat up women

The lawsuit also states that the release of the public records would intrude upon personal dignity or cause unnecessary harm to private individuals.  Emilie is trying her best to be there for her surviving son, two-month-old Theodore. But every day is a battle.

If a judge wont permanently block the release of these records, Emilie Kiser has requested that the court review the records before they are released. This way, they can determine what, if any, information may be lawfully disclosed.

The lawsuit claims that releasing the documents would turn Arizonas Public Records Law into a weapon of emotional harm, rather than a tool of government transparency, and many of the requests made were most likely for commercial purposes.

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However, the law in Arizona doesnt consider requesting records for news gathering to be a commercial purpose.

Emilie Kiser and social media

Emilie Kiser has over 4 million followers on TikTok and over 1.7 million followers on Instagram. She became famous by sharing videos of her life on these platforms.

After her sons death, she stopped posting on social media, and her fans suspected something was wrong. Once the news broke, videos about Emilie Kisers son started being posted. Some videos even included footage that allegedly shows her son falling into a pool, but commenters say that the footage is from a different incident.

Amber Rose: Tory Lanez should be pardoned

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Other commenters have criticized the family for not having a fence around their pool. Some people are criticizing others for making videos about Trigg Kisers death. One commenter said, Lets normalize letting parents announce the death of their child. Lets normalize NOT judging parents in tragic situations like this.

Kiser is married to Brady Kiser and gave birth to Trigg Kiser in July of 2021. Then, they had their second son, Teddy, in March of 2025.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.

A bill to fund critical public works projects  including upgrading the states roads, protecting Minnesotas drinking water and expanding city sewers  is dead this year, legislative leaders said Thursday.

The Minnesota Legislature in even years typically passes an infrastructure package  known as a bonding bill around the Capitol because its funded with borrowed money  that costs hundreds of millions and sometimes billions of dollars. But partisan tensions appear to have won out this year and killed the bills prospects.

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Bonding bills require a 60% supermajority in both the House and Senate to pass, meaning it needs robust bipartisan support.

Legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz are working to button up budget bills in hopes of convening a special session next week to pass the biennium budget, after failing to complete their work before the constitutionally mandated May 19 adjournment. If lawmakers fail to pass a budget by June 30, the government will shut down.

The DFL-controlled Legislature passed a $2.6 billion infrastructure package in the 2023 session, including $1.5 billion in bonds, following three legislative sessions without an infrastructure deal.

The 2023 package included more than $317 million for upgrades to college buildings in the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems, $9 million for security upgrades at the State Capitol and $443 million for economic development initiatives, much of which went to Twin Cities metro nonprofits that assist people of color.

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Last year, the Legislature failed to pass a bonding bill. Democrats at the time blamed Republicans for making their necessary votes contingent on Democrats killing the Equal Rights Amendment.

House DFL caucus leader Melissa Hortman on Thursday told reporters that Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, is trying the same tactics this year.

Johnson has a price tag that includes lots and lots of other things far outside the bonding bill, and so I think hes going to overplay his hand, exactly as he did in 2024 and there will again not be a bonding bill, Hortman said, laying the blame on Senate Republicans.

Asked what kinds of demands Johnson is seeking, Hortman said, He just wants to rewrite every other bill.

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In a statement, Johnson said Democrats refused to compromise.

Democrats are the only ones unwilling to work together to pass (a) bonding bill and are playing political blame games to appease their activist base, Johnson said.

A lack of bonding bill this year could also cost Minnesota more money in the long run. Republicans in Congress are considering eliminating a tax break that lowers the cost of public infrastructure projects across the country, as they try to gather savings to pay for a major tax cut that would especially benefit the wealthy.

If passed, the cost of borrowing for state and local governments would increase, meaning taxpayers would foot the bill.
May 28WASHINGTON  The 100th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee continued for a second day on Wednesday, with some especially tough words eliminating the remaining contestants from the Northwest.

Gabriel Aguirre of Spokane Valley, 11, was eliminated in the first round on Tuesday when he misspelled "ape-ape," an herb that grows in Hawaii. He can try again next year and will be eligible until age 14.

Navtaj Singh of Pullman, 14, and in his last year of eligibility, correctly spelled "nouveau" and defined "vehemence" before being stumped by "subgum," a Chinese dish, in round 4.

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Andrew Ford of Sandpoint, 14, successfully spelled "svarabhakti"  a word of Sanskrit origin that describes introducing a vowel between consonants  and had no trouble defining "trespass" in round 2. But in round 3, a written test that was added to this year's bee, he didn't meet the threshold to advance.

Sonu Murali Mohan of Boise, 11, spelled "Ouagadougou," the capital of Burkina Faso, in the first round.

But he was tripped up in round 2 by the definition of "vicarious."

The National Spelling Bee finals take place in prime time on Thursday and will air on ION Television, which is owned by Scripps, starting at 5 p.m.

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
Mountaineers form a queue as they approach the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kunga Sherpa)

A new high-altitude climbing strategy is making headlines and stirring serious controversy in the mountaineering world.

Last week, four British climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest less than five days after leaving London. The group's organizer, mountain guide Lukas Furtenbach, told The Associated Press that they had inhaled xenon gas during a pre-expedition treatment in Germany.

The gas, along with training in hypoxic tents and use of supplemental oxygen, allowed them to bypass the usual multi-week acclimatization process required for most climbers attempting the 29,000-foot peak.

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"This showed that it can work," Furtenbach told The NY Times, adding that his company plans to offer two-week Everest expeditions beginning next year. "This can be the future of commercially guided mountaineering."

But others say it could put lives at risk and damage the mountain's future.

Mountaineers take a group selfie after summiting Mount Everest in Nepal, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kunga Sherpa)

Chris Dare, a Canadian climber who summited Everest in 2019, told CBC News that this kind of shortcut could worsen already dangerous overcrowding conditions. "Making the mountain easier to summit will likely attract more climbers," he said, "exacerbating the already serious overcrowding problem." That year, 11 people died during the spring climbing season.

Dare also raised concerns about safety and scientific uncertainty around xenon, saying "it just seems very, very risky at this onset, right at the beginning." He warned that climbers using gas-assisted techniques might overestimate their preparedness and suffer from altitude sickness or worse. "You're not training the traditional way of being on the mountain for a month and a half, two months to acclimatize in the natural environment," he explained.

Mountaineers queue up below Camp 4 on the way to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenjen Lama)

Xenon is a rare, odorless gas with medical applications, including use as an anesthetic and to diagnose lung conditions. Some researchers believe it can boost red blood cell production and oxygen-carrying capacity, mimicking high-altitude acclimatization. But experts remain skeptical of its use for mountaineering.

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"There's no science to say that this works at high altitudes for climbers, and there's no science to say that it doesn't," Dr. Peter Hackett, a high-altitude researcher at the University of Colorado, told CBC News. "It's worth studying, but not because it could help people bag a summit faster."

Hackett emphasized that Furtenbach's team also used hypoxic tents and supplemental oxygen, both well-known acclimatization aids, making it misleading to credit xenon alone for the team's rapid ascent.

Dr. Rob Casserley, a British climber and physician who has summited Everest eight times, said he worries about the psychological risks of skipping the usual adaptation period. "You start putting in people who've just come cold turkey out of their normal environment," he told CBC News. "It will put them at great psychological risk of having some kind of meltdown."

The Nepalese government is now investigating the climb, Himal Gautam, director of Nepal's tourism department, told The New York Times. "Using xenon is against climbing ethics."
On May 15, Coinbase revealed that criminals had stolen personal data from tens of thousands of customersthe biggest security incident in the companys history, and one that is poised to cost it as much as $400 million. The breach is notable not only for its scale, but the way the hackers went about it: bribing overseas customer support agents to share confidential customer records.

Coinbase has responded by publicly announcing it had put a $20 million bounty on those who stole the data, and who sought to blackmail the company so as not to reveal the incident. But it has shared few details about who carried out the attack or how the hackers were able to target its agents so successfully.

A recent investigation by Fortune, including a review of email messages between Coinbase and one of the hackers, has uncovered new details about the incident that strongly suggest a loose network of young English-speaking hackers are partly responsible. Meanwhile, the findings also highlight the role of so-called BPOs, or business process outsourcing units, as a weak link in tech firms security operations.

An inside job

The story starts with a small but publicly traded company based in New Braunfels, Texas, called TaskUs. Like other BPOs, it provides customer services to Big Tech at a low cost by employing staff overseas. In January, TaskUs laid off 226 staff members working for Coinbase from its service center in Indore, India, according to a company spokesperson.

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Since 2017, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, TaskUs has provided customer service personnel to Coinbase, an arrangement that reaps the U.S. crypto giant significant savings in labor costs. But theres a catch, of course: When customers email to inquire about their accounts or a new Coinbase product, theyre likely talking to an overseas TaskUs employee. And because these agents earn low wages compared with workers in the U.S., theyve proved susceptible to bribes.

Early this year we identified two individuals who illegally accessed information from one of our clients, a TaskUs spokesperson told Fortune, in reference to Coinbase. We believe these two individuals were recruited by a much broader, coordinated criminal campaign against this client that also impacted a number of other providers servicing this client.

The TaskUs firings in January came less than a month after Coinbase discovered theft of customer data, according to a regulatory filing from the company. On Tuesday, a federal class action suit filed in New York on behalf of Coinbase customers accused TaskUs of negligence in protecting customer data. While we cannot comment on litigation, we believe these claims are without merit and intend to defend ourselves, a TaskUs spokesperson said. We place the highest priority on safeguarding the data of our clients and their customers and continue to strengthen our global security protocols and training programs.

A person familiar with the security incident, who asked not to be identified in order to speak candidly, said the hackers had also targeted other BPOs, in some cases successfully, and that the nature of the data stolen varied according to each incident.

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This stolen data was not enough for the hackers to break into Coinbases crypto vaults. But it did provide a wealth of information to help criminals pose as fake Coinbase agents, who contacted customers and persuaded them to hand over their crypto funds. The company says the hackers stole the data of over 69,000 customers, but did not say how many of these had been victims of so-called social engineering scams.

The social engineering scams in this case involved criminals who used the stolen data to impersonate Coinbase employees and persuade victims to transfer their crypto funds.

As weve already disclosed, we recently discovered that a threat actor had solicited overseas agents to capture customer account information dating back to December of 2024. We notified affected users and regulators, cut ties with the TaskUs personnel involved and other overseas agents, and tightened controls, said Coinbase in a statement, adding it is reimbursing customers who lost funds in the scams.

Coinbase also stated that the $400 million figure it has cited publicly as the overall cost of the breach is at the top end of its estimates, and that its low-end figure is $180 million.

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While social engineering scams that revolve around impersonation of company representatives are hardly new, the scale at which hackers targeted BPOs does appear to be novel. And while no one has definitively identified the perpetrators, a number of clues point strongly to a loosely affiliated network of young English-speaking hackers.

They come from video games

In the days following the disclosure of the Coinbase breach in mid-May, Fortune exchanged messages on Telegram with an individual who called himself puffy party and who claims to be one of the hackers.

Two other security researchers who spoke with the anonymous hacker told Fortune they found the individual to be credible. Based on what he shared with me, I took his statements seriously and was unable to find evidence that his statements were false, said one. Both researchers requested anonymity because they were afraid of receiving subpoenas for speaking with the purported hacker.

In the exchanges, the individual shared numerous screenshots of what they said were emails with Coinbases security team. The name they used to communicate with the company was Lennard Schroeder. They also shared screenshots of a Coinbase account belonging to a former executive of the company that displayed crypto transactions and extensive personal details.

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Coinbase did not deny the authenticity of the screenshots.

The emails shared by the purported hacker include the blackmail threat for $20 million in Bitcoin, which Coinbase refused to pay, and mocking comments about how the hacking group would use some of the proceeds to help Brian Armstrong, the companys bald CEO. Were willing to sponsor a hair transplant so that he may graciously traverse the world with a fresh set of hair, wrote the hackers.

In the Telegram messages, the personwhose existence Fortune learned of from a security researcherexpressed contempt for Coinbase.

Many crypto robberies are carried out by Russian criminal gangs or the North Korean military, but the alleged hacker says the job was pulled off by a loose affiliation of teenagers and twentysomethings alternatively called the Comm or Com shorthand for the Community.

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In the past two years, reports of the Comm have bubbled up in media reports about other hacking incidents, including a New York Times story earlier this month in which one of the alleged perpetrators of a series of crypto thefts identified himself as a member of the group. And in 2023, hackers, whom investigators identified as part of the Comm, targeted the online operations of a handful of Las Vegas casinos and tried to extort MGM Resorts for $30 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Unlike the Russian and North Korean crypto hackers, who are typically seeking only money, members of the Comm are often motivated by attention seeking or the thrill of mischief as well. They sometimes collaborate on hacking attacks but also compete with one another to see who can steal more.

They come from video games, and then they bring their high scores into the real world, said Josh Cooper-Duckett, director of investigations at Cryptoforensic Investigators. And their high score in this world is how much money they steal.

In the Telegram messages, the purported hacker said that members of the Comm specialize in different parts of a heist. The hackers team bribed the customer support agents and gathered the customer data, which they gave to others outside of their group who are well-versed in carrying out social engineering scams. They added that different Comm-affiliated groups coordinated on social platforms like Telegram and Discord about how to carry out different portions of the operation and agreed to split the proceeds.

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Sergio Garcia, founder of the crypto investigations company Tracelon, told Fortune that the hackers description of the Coinbase exploit mirrors his observations of how the Comm operates and other crypto social engineering scams. The person familiar with the security incidents said those who targeted customers in recent social engineering scams spoke in unaccented North American English.

TaskUs workers in India are paid between $500 and $700 per month, according to a source familiar with the BPO workers wages. TaskUs declined to comment. Even though that amounts to more than Indias gross domestic product per person, the low wages of customer support agents often make them more susceptible to bribes, Garcia told Fortune.

Obviously thats the weakest point in the chain, because there is an economic reason for them to accept the bribe, he added.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
In the early hours of Sunday, May 11, a group of Nashville women sat staring at an empty Tennessee State Trooper Headquarters parking lot in South Nashville. The inky darkness was interrupted only by the gentle sounds of their idling vehicles, a buzzing streetlight and the occasional owl.

To many, this would be peaceful. But to these women, the silent darkness was a warning.

They must have figured out our schedule, said Ashley Warbington, a Nashville resident and legal professional, tapping the steering wheel as she looked at the parking lot, where there normally sat dozens of State Trooper vehicles. Where are they?

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Behind her sat Sarah Shoop Neumann, another Nashville resident and activist, her face lit only by her phone screen.

Maybe theyre giving us a break, she said. It is Mothers Day.

After a week of aggressive immigration enforcement in Nashville that saw the arrests of 196 people, most still not named publicly, Warbington and Neumann were bleary-eyed and exhausted.

They, along with dozens of volunteers across Nashville, were perched in similar locations across the citysome by law enforcement facilities, some by downtown businesses, some scouring the interstates  all connected by a series of encrypted group chats that help volunteers monitor ICE activity.

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The group, named Music City Migra-Watch, which operates under the local immigration advocacy group called The ReMIX, existed long before the surprise immigration operation that began in Nashville on May 4. After the week of arrests and detainments, the group had exploded in volunteer numbers.

Now, around 200 people are active in a volunteer effort to verify and respond to ICE activity in the area, 24 hours a day, on rotating shifts.

So in the early morning hours of Mothers Day, instead of looking forward to breakfast in bed or time with their children, Warbington and Neumann sat waiting in the dark for a call for help.

'The stops were so fast,' recount volunteers

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New Orleans Field Office announced May 13 that the weeklong immigration operation resulted in the arrest of 196 immigrants in Nashville.

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The agency said some had significant criminal histories, later naming five of the arrested.

The remaining 191 have not been publicly identified, leaving scores of families in Tennessee with little to no paper trail to find where their loved ones were taken.

The arrests were nearly all results of traffic stops initiated by the Tennessee State Highway Patrol, who had ICE agents either in the THP vehicle with them or tailing behind them, often in unmarked vehicles, volunteers working on the monitoring effort told The Tennessean. According to their accounts and video evidence provided to The Tennessean, many stops were made for tinted windows or broken headlights.

Ashley Warbington walks with other protesters alongside a bus being escorted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (ICE) and Homeland Security officers at the DHS field office in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Multiple immigrant rights groups gathered to protest what they believed to be a multi-agency operation to detain noncitizens overnight.

In a video of a traffic stop provided to The Tennessean by Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, on May 9, a THP officer who identified himself as Officer Phillips said the reason for the stop was because a car's headlight was out.

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When Jones asked if that warranted calling ICE, the trooper replied No, and added that ICE was with him.

The department said fewer than 10 troopers participated in the operation.

Migra-Watchs numbers are much larger. The group operates with a number of chats. One gathers social media reports of ICE activity and monitors tips sent into the Migra-Watch hotline. A second verifies information by doing more research or by flagging members in a third chat filled with volunteers ready to drive to the location at any hour of the day.

The third group chat is divided geographically by Interstate 40  currently, around 50 members of the group operate north of the interstate, and 100 operate below it. Many members are local activists, religious leaders, and relatives of immigrants and cover multiple overnight shifts each week.

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Once volunteers arrive at confirmed ICE activity, they video law enforcement activity. If an immigrant is detained, they try to get the immigrants name to inform their family.

Sometimes, the volunteers follow THP and ICE vehicles around town at a distance to report where law enforcement is focusing their efforts.

One night, maybe for 20 minutes, (THP officers) knew we were following them, Warbington said. They would try to lose us. They got on the interstate and got off on the next exit, circling. But in that amount of time I know that someone could have gotten pulled over, and they didnt. And that means everything to me.

Ashley Warbington sits in her car across the street from a Tennessee Highway patrol facility in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 10, 2025.

The group operates within the letter of the law, according to Warbington. They know they cannot interfere with an arrest, and with the recent passage of the 25-foot buffer law in Tennesseewhich goes into effect July 1 volunteers are cautious about how close they stand to law enforcement to video.

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Aside from specializing in bilingual legal advocacy, Warbington also has a close relative who has been working their way through the legal system to obtain their green card.

I felt like I needed to be there to witness and to help in that way, because I was able, she said. I keep trying to find the right word for what we witnessed. I dont have one. I wish I could have done more. And I carry some guilt about that.

She recounted getting the call through the hotline on the evening of May 4, when the operation started, reporting potential ICE activity.

I was really nervous, because we had not seen anything like this, she said. I did not know what to expect when I showed up. The second I got there, though, and we confirmed it was what the caller said it was, it was like I could not get the messages and the videos out to the group fast enough before I was stopped at another location.

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She snapped her fingers rapidly. It was one, after another, after another. The stops were so fast, one after another, in small locationsThey werent even ticketing anyone, that we saw. They were off to the next one, often before the car even pulled away.

Law enforcement is seen at the Tennessee Highway Patrol facility in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 9, 2025.

Sarah Shoop Neumann, who describes her life as pre-Covenant and post-Covenant, is well known in Nashville for her activism for gun reform following the 2023 Covenant School Shooting, where one of her children was present.

Over the past two years, she has been an active member of the immigration advocacy community.

I just felt sick, she said, describing watching the operation unfold on May 4. (The hotline) was getting all these phone calls from worried family members who had no idea where their loved ones were taken, and we realized that we need to step up and advocate for these people. They can't do this alone.

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She described one elderly woman who could not find her husband after the first wave of arrests. She was given a phone number by officers to call and locate her husband, but when she called the number, it didnt lead anywhere.

There was no real support from the people who are supposed to be our protectors of our city and our citizens, Neumann said.

The evening of May 4, there were only two volunteers on shift to verify claims south of I-40, Warbington included.

I dont even know how many calls came into the hotline that night, Warbington said. I wasnt even able to pay attention to it because it was moving so fast. I dont want to say we werent prepared, but we werent expecting that.

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She said that she and her shift partner saw at least 10 stops each, in separate areas of town, within the span of three hours.

Enforcement and Removal Operations officers are seen at a Tennessee Highway Patrol facility in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, May 9, 2025.

We were doing our best to upload videos and text people so that word got out on social media to get people off the roads, she said.

Still, some people did not get the message.

I cannot get the face of that gentleman as he got dragged out of the car out of my mind, Warbington said, referring to the arrest of Nashville resident Edgardo Campos on May 10, who was arrested after being unable to produce identification other than his expired drivers license. He was transferred to a detention center in Knoxville to await deportation proceedings.

The arrest sparked intense backlash from Nashvilles Catholic community, who called him the heart of his parish.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detain a man stopped by Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) at a gas station in South Nashville as he could not produce any alternative identification proof other than his expired driving license, during an operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to detain noncitizens across the city of Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Seth Herald

Neumann said the adrenaline rush after witnessing such arrests was startling.

I don't know if I would believe the things I saw if I didn't see them, she said. Especially like those first couple nights we went out: you just watched them pull over person after person who looked brown. Twice we saw them pull over somebody who turned out to be Black, and they just immediately let them gothey're clearly only looking for Latinos, and trying to just get as many as possible, as fast as possible.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which oversees the THP, in a statement said it "categorically rejects any suggestion that our troopers engage in racial profiling or target individuals based on ethnicity, race, or national origin."

Community looks ahead to future immigration operations

On the evening of May 14, nearly 100 people gathered sat in the small Center for Contemplative Justice in West Nashville chanting I have the freedom of speech!

The statement was part of the Bystander Training program, hosted by multiple advocacy groups, including The ReMIX, which focused on understanding the constitutional rights granted to immigrants and non-immigrants.

We are one community, said Lhorraine London Polite, Nashville resident and founder and CEO of the nonprofit group Laurel Crowned Women. The attacks that are happening on our community are attacks on us all. Because if I disappear, you will feel that. And if you disappear, I will feel that. So we are going to take every measure we can to protect us all.

People at the meeting later broke off into groups to train in the advocacy groups programs, including the Migra-Watch hotline.

Warbington said this effort is part of Migra-Watchs, and ReMIXs, attempt to be ready for the next wave of immigration arrests.

Volunteer members are closely monitoring immigration bills that were passed in the recent legislative session, especially one that would make it a crime to harbor or conceal individuals without lawful immigration status.

Everyone is talking about it, Warbington said. I dont know if we have a plan for it.

Care packages filled with Gatorade, Tylenol, water bottles, trail mix and different snacks were given to the volunteers patrolling for any ICE activity in the area in Nashville Tenn., Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Neumann compared the onslaught of immigration enforcementand the efforts of the community to support those in the crosshairsto stories of the Underground Railroad that she learned in school.

I grew up in Ohio, and where I lived, we had all the plaques about Underground Railroad houses, she said. And I've thought about who the people were that were willing to do that and help people along. What did they face? What was being said about those people at the time? Clearly they didn't care about reputation over doing the right thing.

The things that you learn about in school that just seemed so horrific and crazy, and you think Wow, I can't imagine what it was like to live in that, but surely people learned their lesson.

She sighed.

The USA TODAY Network - Tennessee's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Inside the volunteer group patrolling Nashville to look for ICE activity
BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center has confirmed an inmate died early morning Wednesday. Her official cause of death has not yet been determined.

Man wanted for 2021 Albuquerque murder is arrested in Louisiana

According to MDC, the individual was a 45-year-old woman. She was booked into the center on Monday morning at about 6 a.m. She was found unresponsive at about 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Detention center staff along with UNM Hospital staff administered life-saving measures. She was pronounced dead at 5:48 a.m. MDC is not identifying her at this time as efforts are underway to notify her next of kin.

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The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office was informed and responded to the scene. The incident is under investigation by the MDC Office of Professional Standards and BCSO. The womans cause of death will be determined by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.

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JUBA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday marked the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with pleas for lasting peace in the country.

The ceremony, held in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, saw participants acknowledge the courage and commitment of the 18,000 uniformed and civilian peacekeepers working in difficult and dangerous conditions to support South Sudan.

"We thank you for your unwavering support. We stand with you at this difficult time as you persevere against all odds to secure the better future that you deserve, because peace begins with me, with you, with all of us," said Guang Cong, deputy special representative for South Sudan and deputy head of the UNMISS.

Guang said the role of the UNMISS is to support all parties leading the transformation of South Sudan.

"We, together with our regional and international partners, urge parties to the peace agreement to resolve tensions through dialogue, build trust and confidence, secure a cessation of hostilities, and take the necessary steps to fully implement the peace agreement," he noted.

South Sudan has been grappling with a deteriorating political and security situation that risks plunging the country back into war as military confrontations and intercommunal conflict continue to plague parts of the country.

"We are witnessing a deteriorating security situation, characterized by military confrontations and intercommunal conflict," Guang said.

He said that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with 9.3 million people in need of aid at a time when funding is insufficient.

The UN official also paid tribute to the more than 4400 peacekeepers who have given their lives in the cause of peace.

South Sudan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Akuei Bona Malwal acknowledged the courage and commitment of the 18,000 uniformed and civilian peacekeepers working in the country.

"Peace Begins with Me (campaign) is really appropriate, especially considering what is going on in the world, and if we actually embraced that theme, Peace Begins with Me, perhaps the world would be a better place," Malwal added. 
More than 40 years after a 24-year-old man was killed in rural Iowa, a suspect has now been arrested in connection to his murder through DNA research, according to the Linn County Sheriff's Department.

Michael Schappert, 64, was arrested on Wednesday for the 1983 murder of Ronald Lee Novak, who was brutally killed on Dec. 23, 1983, in rural Walker, Iowa, officials announced on Wednesday.

At the time of the incident, a friend of Novak found him "deceased in an unheated room in his home" after "what appeared to be an apparent robbery and/or burglary," officials said in a press release.

PHOTO: Michael Schappert, 64, was arrested on May 28 for the 1983 murder of Ronald Lee Novak, according to the Linn County Sheriff's Office. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Novak had been beaten, shot in the chest and was found with his hands bound behind his back, officials said. At the time, the medical examiner ruled that Novak "died from a combination of those injuries, shock and hypothermia," officials said.

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Over the course of the last 10 to 12 years, investigators have tested DNA on Novak's clothing and a hammer believed to have been used in the attack. The testing eventually led to the identification of Schappert as the suspect, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Officials said genetic genealogy -- the process of taking unknown DNA and identifying it by comparing it to family members who voluntarily submitted their DNA samples to a database -- "assisted in Schappert's identification." Through testing, investigators were able to narrow the DNA down to three brothers, and did further testing to allow them to determine it was Schappert.

The investigation revealed that Schappert, who now lives in Fairview, Oregon, and others "likely went to Novak's home with the intent to rob him of money and marijuana," officials said. The investigation still remains open as officials said they believe at least one more suspect was involved in Novak's murder.

MORE: Cold case victim ID'd over 40 years after dismembered torso found in California

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"By naming a suspect, it may cause other people to now come forward that maybe weren't willing to do so previously, or maybe this has jogged their memory some 41 years later," Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said during the press conference.

Patti Wilson, Novak's sister, told reporters on Wednesday that the investigation has been "a long ride" for the family and she "didn't know if I would ever see this day come."

"You start to give up hope that there will be an answer. I wanted it so bad. We look forward to the trial," Wilson said.

PHOTO: Patti Wilson speaks to reporters at a press conference on May 28 regarding the arrest of a suspect in connection to her brother's 1983 murder. (KCRG)

Wilson said her brother was "a little elusive" and they are not sure who he was spending time with when he died, but she said the family did not recognize Schappert.

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"We recognize the pain and trauma that Mr. Novak's loved ones have endured for more than 40 years while his murder went unsolved. It takes strength to endure such hardship and to remain hopeful that someday the person or persons responsible would be caught and brought to justice," Gardner said in a statement.

MORE: Cold case solved over 50 years after a young mom was killed, her 3-year-old daughter left alive

Schappert has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held in the Multnomah County Detention Center in Portland, Oregon, "pending an extradition hearing to be returned to Linn County, Iowa," officials said.

It was not immediately clear whether Schappert has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

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Officials said anyone with more information related to the investigation or additional potential suspects related to this case should contact the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

Iowa cold case cracked more than 40 years after young man was killed following DNA breakthrough originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Iowa Department of Transportation is asking for feedback on a proposed bridge replacement project in Woodbury County, Iowa.

The bridge is located on Iowa 175 over Reynolds Creek. The project would remove the existing bridge and build a new and bigger bridge.

Officials say traffic will be detoured on county roads l-37 and E-16.

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Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2027 and is expected to be done in the fall of that year.

The estimated cost of the project is more than $1.7 million. People can go to the Iowa DOTs website to share their feedback by June 9.

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Adam King with PepsiCo fills up the specialized tank with B99 from the first above ground B99 pump in the country at a Pilot fueling station in Urbandale on Thursday. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

URBANDALE The Des Moines region is now home to the first above-ground B99 fueling pump, an action that was celebrated Thursday morning by leaders in the biofuels, trucking and soybean industries.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the new pump, which allows certain semi trucks to fill up with a 99% biodiesel blended fuel, shows a completion of the ag supply chain, from the field to the biofuel refineries and now into a truck.

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Every time I see this, or think of an infrastructure investment, I just know that thats more demand pulling through, and what that ultimately means is more demand for the things that we grow, Naig said. It adds value every single step throughout the chain.

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The pump is located at a Pilot fuel station in Urbandale, near the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Interstate 35, and for now will be used primarily by PepsiCo trucks which are equipped to utilize the fuel.

Eric Fobes, head of renewables for Pilot, said the new biodiesel pump is an adherence to the companys commitment to shaping the future of energy.

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To me and our customers, its important that we are offering decarbonized solutions, Fobes said. This is one of those offers.

The trucking company launched the first B99 pump at a travel center in Decatur, Illinois in March. The pump in Urbandale is now the second station in the country with the high blend of biodiesel fuel, but the first station with an above-ground pump. The company has plans to open another pump in Texas this summer.

PepsiCo has committed local trucks to using the biodiesel from the station, which is several minutes away from the beverage and snack companys Urbandale plant.

Sarah Towles, senior director of government affairs for PepsiCo, said the partnership with Pilot represents real scalable solutions for long haul transportation. Towles said PepsiCo has about 20 trucks prepared to use the station currently, but plans to equip other trucks in the future.

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Karl Thomas with Optimus Technologies, the company that helped to outfit the PepsiCo trucks to use the fuel, said decarbonizing the industry requires collaboration.

Together, were building an ecosystem for sustainable trucking by introducing a new fuel to the commercial trucking market in the U.S. Thomsas said.

Thomas said Optimus developed a vector system in the trucks which keeps the biodiesel from gelling during colder months. Thomas said this technology, and equipping long haul trucks to run on higher blends of biodiesel is one of the lowest cost technologies to decarbonize heavy duty trucking.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates 23% of transportation related carbon dioxide emissions came from medium and heavy-duty trucking. The agency encourages the industry to transition to lower emission fuels, like biofuels, hydrogen or compressed natural gas to lower emissions.

Biodiesel supports the soybean industry

Biodiesel in Iowa is made primarily from soybean oil, which means biodiesel demand is directly linked with soybean demand.

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Dave Walton, a director for both Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board, said the pump represents, real on the ground, progress in Americans transition to cleaner fuels.

Sen. Annette Sweeney, R-Iowa Falls, (left) Sen. Matt Blake, D-Urbandale, (center) and Rep. Larry McBurney, D-Urbandale attend the opening of a B99 biodiesel pump in Urbandale. (Photo by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch)

By fueling their Des Moines based fleet at this B99 pump, PepsiCo is showing that high blends of biodiesel arent just a future concept, theyre here and now, and working, Walton said.

Walton said biodiesel is critical to the farm economy and that the industry adds a 13% value to each bushel of soybeans produced by Iowa farmers.

According to 2024 figures from the Iowa Biodiesel Board, the industry added $2.2 billion in total sales and $123 million in labor income to the states economy.

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Projects like todays expands consumer access to affordable domestic homegrown fuels that increase good paying jobs for our hardworking Americans, Walton said.

Walton also commended Iowa lawmakers, specifically Sen. Annette Sweeney, R-Iowa Falls, Sen. Matt Blake, D-Urbandale and Rep. Larry McBurney, D-Urbandale who were in attendance, for supporting state incentives on biodiesel blends.

Calls for federal support

While the industry a high performing year, with a total of 350 million gallons of biodiesel produced in 2024, Walton said several plants in the state are idle due to the uncertainty of federal tax credits.

Walton said he also hopes EPA will approve 5.25 billion gallons of biodiesel for the upcoming Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS. This standard sets the minimum amount of renewable fuels required to be blended, annually, into diesel and gasoline. According to EPA, the 2025 requirement for biodiesel was 3.35 billion gallons.

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Naig echoed the call for strong Renewable Volume Obligations under RFS and said producers also need clear guidance on tax policy.

Renewable fuel producers in Iowa have been advocating for, and waiting on, definitive guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury on the 45z tax credit, which would incentivize sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel and other plant-based fuels.

A bill pertaining to eminent domain and carbon sequestration pipelines, could also impact the biofuels industrys ability to use these credits, which is a major reason why the industry has opposed the legislation, which is currently sitting on Gov. Kim Reynolds desk.

Naig said he has heard from folks on both sides of the issue, but the decision on the bill rests with Reynolds and her council.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  On Wednesday, hundreds of family members and friends came together to show their support for their loved ones who are deploying.

A total of 83 members of the Iowa National Guard out of Sioux City were given a send-off ceremony at Bishop Heelan High School.



The members are from the 113th Cavalry HHT & Company D of the 334th Brigade Support Battalion. They will be part of a total of 1,800 soldiers being deployed, serving a one-year deployment to the Middle East. This is in support of operation inherent resolve.

Story continues below

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I know it brings great pride to a lot of our members. I know, especially to me, to be able to represent the State of Iowa, United States and the military, to be able to go and serve for our country, have a fulfilling mission and then be able to come home and be welcomed home, said Captain Blair Emerson-Brown.

Operation Inherent Resolve is a rotational deployment that has been going for on for the last eight years, with different National Guard states and active duty units taking part in fulfilling the mission.

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Among those targeted were senior officials in the defense establishment, political figures, journalists, academics, and media professionals.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has thwarted 85 attempted cyberattacks by Iranian operatives targeting Israeli civilians over recent months, security officials revealed on Thursday.

The campaign, which appears to be escalating, has focused on gathering personal data to potentially support future physical attacks inside Israel.

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In coordination with the National Cyber Directorate, the Shin Bet identified a noticeable increase in online infiltration attempts aimed at individuals in sensitive or public-facing positions. Among those targeted were senior officials in the defense establishment, political figures, journalists, academics, and media professionals.

The attackers sought access to private devices such as mobile phones, computers, and email accounts, with the goal of extracting information including addresses, social connections, and routine travel routes.

Authorities believe the purpose of this surveillance is to enable Iranian elements to plan attacks within Israel, possibly by leveraging locally recruited operatives.

The silhouette of a man, seen over the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran (illustrative) (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

According to the Shin Bet, many of the attacks began with seemingly innocuous messages sent via platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or email. These messages were often tailored to appear relevant to the recipients background or profession in order to avoid raising suspicion.

Iranian cyberattacks and hacking methods

One frequently used method involved sending a link to what appeared to be a Google Meet session, which directed the target to a fake login page. If the victim entered their credentials, the attackers gained access to their Google account and associated data, including emails, saved passwords, location history, and cloud-stored media.

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In other cases, malware was embedded in documents or disguised as applications presented as legitimate files for reading or review.

A Shin Bet official said that such activity reflects Irans broader strategy of attempting to harm Israelis at the personal level. We continue to see unrelenting attempts by hostile entities to infiltrate and damage the lives of individuals, the official said. These cyberattacks can be avoided with vigilance, responsible behavior, and caution onlineespecially by refraining from clicking on unfamiliar links.

The Shin Bet stated that it would maintain close cooperation with other security agencies to track, identify, and disrupt Iranian cyber operations before they can achieve their objectives.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Senior Iranian officials on Thursday dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the countrys nuclear program to continue.

Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Irans nuclear rightsincluding enrichment, Abbas Araghchi, the countrys foreign minister, wrote in a post on the X.

Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to the countrys supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on X that previous U.S. presidents also had fantasies destroying Irans nuclear infrastructure, and warned that Iran has strong defenses and clear red lines.

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Talks serve progress, interests, and dignity, not coercion or surrender, he said.

The comments came a day after President Donald Trump said he has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the U.S. administration more time to push for a new nuclear deal with Tehran. The Israeli prime ministers office did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans program, if a deal isnt reached, while Iranian officials counter they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium.

Other Iranian hard-liners had harsher words for Trump.

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What Trump says about a deal with Iran to dismantle nuclear facilities is a combination of illusion, bluff, delirium, and confusion, Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander in the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said in a post on X.

The talks seek to limit Irans nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have acrimonious ties for nearly a half-century.

The U.S. and Iran have held five rounds of talks in Oman and Rome over the past few weeks. Last Friday, the most recent round of talks, Omani mediator and Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said Iran and the United States made  some but not conclusive progress " and that more negotiations are needed.

Trumps comments came as the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog said the jury is still out on negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program. Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency were in Tehran this week, and Iranian President President Masoud Pezeshkian was in Oman this week for a state visit,
The Israeli government says it will establish 22 illegal settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of some so-called outposts already built without government authorisation, in a move decried by Palestinian officials and rights groups.

Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the decision on Thursday, with Katz saying that it strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria, using an Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.

He added it was also a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.

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Smotrich, himself a settler on illegally occupied Palestinian-owned land and an advocate for Israeli annexation of the West Bank, hailed the historic decision.

In a statement, the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as a once-in-a-generation decision, emphasising its strategic value in fortifying Israels hold along the eastern border with Jordan.

Israeli settlers erect structures for a new Jewish seminary school, in the settler outpost of Homesh in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 29, 2023 [File: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]

Israel has already built more than 100 illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small outposts to larger communities with modern infrastructure.

The West Bank is home to more than three million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority governing in limited areas.

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The Palestinians see the territory as an integral part of a future state, along with occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza.

Palestinians slam dangerous escalation

Palestinian officials and rights groups slammed the Israeli governments decision, warning that the expansion of illegal settlements would further harm the prospects for a future Palestinian state.

Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh condemned the decision, calling it a dangerous escalation and a challenge to international legitimacy.

He accused Israel of fuelling instability in the region and warned the move breaches international law. This decision violates all international resolutions, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2334, he said, adding that all settlement activity remains illegal and illegitimate.

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Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned called on the United States and the European Union to take action.

The announcement of the building of 22 new settlements in the West Bank is part of the war led by Netanyahu against the Palestinian people, Abu Zuhri told the news agency Reuters.

The Israeli NGO Peace Now said the move will dramatically reshape the West Bank and further entrench the occupation.

The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal, it said in a statement.





This is the largest batch of illegal Israeli settlements to be approved in one decision, reported Al Jazeeras Nida Ibrahim from the occupied West Bank.

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Israeli settlements are strangling Palestinian communities inside the West Bank, said Ibrahim. These new settlements fill the gaps, making a future Palestinian state almost impossible on the ground. Israel is using this moment  while global attention is fixed on Gaza  to cement its occupation.

The settlement announcement comes just weeks ahead of a high-level international conference, jointly led by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, aiming to revive the long-dormant process to agree a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) -Israel's government has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, its finance minister said on Thursday, a move condemned by Israeli human rights groups that may strain ties with key allies that have threatened sanctions.

Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-nationalist in the ruling right-wing coalition who has long advocated for Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, wrote on X that the settlements would be located in the northern West Bank, without specifying exactly where.

Israeli media cited the Defence Ministry as saying that among the new settlements, existing "outposts" would be legalised under Israeli law and new settlements would also be built.

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A spokesperson for Defence Minister Israel Katz did not respond to a text message seeking comment on the announcement.

The Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited rule in the West Bank, and the largely Gaza-based Islamist militant group condemned the Israeli decision.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said it was a "dangerous escalation," accusing Israel of continuing to drag the region into a "cycle of violence and instability."

"This extremist Israeli government is trying by all means to prevent the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," he told Reuters, urging U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to intervene.

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Palestinians regard the expansion of settlements as a hindrance to their aspirations to create an independent state in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

There is a growing list of European countries demanding that Israel end the war in Gaza, while Britain, France and Canada warned Israel this month that they could impose targeted sanctions if Israel continued to broaden settlement in the West Bank.

BRITISH CRITICISM

Britain's Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, condemned Israel's approval of new settlements, calling it a "deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood."

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"Settlements are illegal under international law, further imperil the two-state solution, and do not protect Israel," Falconer wrote on X.

Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal. The Israeli government deems settlements legal under its own laws, while some so-called "outposts" are illegal but often tolerated and sometimes later legalised.

BTselem, a leading Israeli human rights organisation, accused the right-wing government of advancing "Jewish supremacy through the theft of Palestinian land and the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank."

In a statement, B'Tselem also criticised the international community for enabling Israels crimes.

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Breaking the Silence, a group representing military veterans, said settlement expansion was driven by "extremist" ideology, seizing more land at the expense of Palestinians, and warned that legitimising outposts rewarded violent settlers.

The decision was praised by Yisrael Ganz, chairman of the Yesha Council, which represents Jewish settlements and has close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ganz said the move countered the Palestinian Authority's bid to establish a state.

"This historic decision sends a clear message - we are here not only to stay but to establish the State of Israel here for all its residents and to strengthen its security," he said.

Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war. Israel later annexed East Jerusalem, a move not recognised by most countries, but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank.

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Settlement activity in the West Bank has accelerated sharply since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, now in its 20th month. Israel has also stepped up military operations against Palestinian militants in the West Bank and settler attacks on Palestinian residents have increased.

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Thursday's decision was part of "the war led by Netanyahu against the Palestinian people." He urged the United States and European Union to respond to Israel's announcement by taking action.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell, Ali Sawafta, Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Emily Rose and Muvija M; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Mark Heinrich and Mark Porter)
KABUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Police have discovered arms and ammunition during a series of operations in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province and arrested 10 individuals on charges of keeping and carrying arms illegally, a local media outlet Ariana News reported Thursday.

The weaponry, which includes 19 pieces of assault rifles including AK-47, pistols and bullets, has been rounded up from illegal armed persons over the past two months, the private media outlet reported, citing police sources.

After a preliminary investigation, police referred the cases of arrested individuals to the judiciary, police said, according to the media outlet.

The Afghan interim government, as part of efforts to ensure sustainable peace and security in the post-war country, has vowed to collect arms and ammunition from anyone living outside the security organs. 
Israels laser weapons debut in combat as NATO eyes next-gen defenses. Low-cost, battlefield-proven techbut geopolitics may block export deals.

The Defense Ministrys confirmation that Rafaels laser interception systems were used during the ongoing Swords of Iron war comes at a pivotal moment. NATO countries are preparing to raise their defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), a shift expected to generate some 800 billion in procurement.

With Israeli companies Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems already embedded in NATO supply chains, their next-generation laser systems could become Israels next multi-billion-dollar defense exportif diplomatic friction doesnt block the path.

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Despite more than 10,000 successful interceptions since 2011, Israels Iron Dome air-defense systemdeveloped by Rafaelhas never been sold as a full system to any foreign country. While the United Kingdom purchased its battle management center and the United States Marine Corps acquired its interceptors, no nation to date has received the complete platform.

This contrasts with the international success of other Israeli air-defense systems. The Arrow 3, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was sold to Germany in a $3.5 billion deal. Davids Sling, another Rafael system, was sold to Finland for 317 million. Rafaels Barak MX system has racked up roughly $10 billion in global sales. Despite Iron Domes strong brand recognition, it has lagged behind these systems in terms of foreign adoption.

Meanwhile, other Israeli-made weapons have already become NATO standards. Rafaels Spike anti-tank guided missiles have been sold in the billions of dollars and are produced in Germany, with previous manufacturing in Poland.

In recent years, Elbits PULS rocket artillery system has gained momentum, with confirmed sales to Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmarkalongside several undisclosed NATO members. Ukraines successful use of comparable systems against Russian targets has only added to the demand.

Launching ''David's Sling'' interceptor during operation Iron Swords. (photo credit: Instagram/Israel Air Force)

Israel's hopes for its defense technologies

Israel now hopes its laser-based interception technology will be next in line for global adoptionand its betting billions on it.

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The Defense Ministry recently disclosed the existence of two laser systems: Magen Or (Iron Beam), a high-powered 100-kilowatt laser developed jointly by Rafael and Elbit Systems, and Lahav Barzel (Iron Sting), a smaller 30-kilowatt system designed by Rafael. Magen Or has intercepted short-range rockets at distances of up to 10 kilometers in tests. The IDF is expected to deploy an operational version by the end of the year.

Lahav Barzel, which was used in combat for the first time during Swords of Iron, is more compact and energy-efficient. Rafael and Israeli vehicle manufacturer Plasan have already developed a mobile version mounted on Plasans SandCat armored vehicle, enabling rapid redeployment between combat zones.

Footage released by the Defense Ministry showed Lahav Barzel successfully intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Hezbollah. The laser doesnt obliterate the drones in dramatic fashionrather, it focuses heat on the drones wing or fuselage until the structural integrity fails and the UAV crashes. The cost per interception is just a few dollars, limited to the electricity required to power the laser.

By contrast, using interceptor missiles or air-to-air munitions can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per engagement. For American readers, that cost-efficiency could resonate strongly, particularly given current U.S. debates over defense budgets and aid allocations.

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As warfare becomes increasingly reliant on drone technologyseen most visibly in Ukraine and Russias tit-for-tat strikes involving hundreds of UAVs each weekIsraels laser defense systems offer something rare: proven battlefield results at a fraction of the price.

The case for Israels laser technology is not only tactical but financial. However, Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman acknowledged that export success also depends on geopolitical considerationsparticularly growing European criticism of Israeli operations in Gaza.

France, for example, reportedly attempted to dissuade Germany from purchasing the Arrow 3 system, and other European countries have downplayed their acquisitions of Israeli-made systems in response to domestic political concerns. While some European defense ministries are eager to procure Israeli technologies, officials are increasingly constrained by the political environment.

Nevertheless, the security rationale remains persuasive. NATO states such as Finland, Sweden, Poland, and Germanycountries increasingly concerned about potential Russian aggressionview laser interception systems as a vital new layer of defense. While the United States has deployed 60-kilowatt laser systems on naval vessels, Israel appears poised to be the first country to field a land-based laser system in operational service.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday called on civilians in several areas in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate immediately, saying "terrorist organizations" continue to operate there and so the IDF will expand its offensive there.

"Terrorist organizations continue their subversive activity in the region, and therefore the IDF will expand its offensive activity in the areas where you are present to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organizations," the IDF's Arabic speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee wrote on X, in Arabic.

Writing late on Thursday evening. he said the areas are now considered a combat zone and that residents "have been warned several times." He said they should evacuate to the west.

The post included a map with arrows pointing to the attack areas as well as the relocation zones.
Israel has used a new air defense laser to shoot down Hezbollah drones in the current conflict in the Middle East, it has been confirmed. What is described as an adapted version of the Iron Beam system made its combat debut last October, and the definitive version should be fielded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later this year, joining an already formidable, layered air defense network, something you can read about in more detail here.

The purported demise of a Hezbollah drone, targeted by the interim version of the Iron Beam last October. Rafael screenshot

The use of the Iron Beam  also known by its Hebrew name Magen Or  was announced by the IDF, Israeli Air Force (IAF), and defense contractor Rafael, in a joint statement. These three organizations, it is said, executed an accelerated development program to deploy revolutionary interception systems, as part of an effort that also involved Israels Directorate of Defense Research and Development.

A World First  Combat-Proven Laser Defense, Powered by Rafael



For the first time in history, high-power laser systems have been used to intercept aerial threats in combat.

This unprecedented breakthrough took place during the Swords of Iron War  with Rafaels advanced pic.twitter.com/B3D6UdCJvE  Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) May 28, 2025

The crash program saw the Iron Beam fielded by the IAF Aerial Defense Array, which used prototypes of the high-power laser to successfully intercept scores of enemy threats.

A close-up of the Iron Beam system. Israeli Ministry of Defense screenshot

Israeli media outlets described the Iron Beam as initially deployed as a scaled-down version of the definitive system, but provided no further details of how it differed or how the batteries were set up.

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In its definitive form, Iron Beam is trailer-mounted and uses a directed-energy weapon to destroy targets, including rockets, mortars, and drones. In the past, reports described the system as firing an electric 100-150 kW solid-state laser that will be capable of intercepting rockets and missiles.

In April 2022, IDF Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem said that the Iron Beam had been tested at challenging ranges and timings, according to the Times of Israel. The use of a laser is a game changer and the technology is simple to operate and proves to be economically viable, Rotem added.

That particular test included the interception of shrapnel, rockets, anti-tank missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles, in a variety of complex scenarios, according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Israel is one of the first countries in the world to succeed in developing powerful laser technology in operational standards and demonstrate interception in an operational scenario.

At the same time, the IDF posted a 103-second video online, showcasing what it claimed was the system locking on and destroying rockets, mortars, and a drone.

In general, developing and fielding a practical air defense laser has long been a challenge for many different countries, but for Israel, the benefits of such a system are especially obvious.

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For years now, the IDF has faced the threat of large-scale, barrage-type attacks by one or more of its adversaries, including significant numbers of relatively low-cost rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds.

Until now, defense against attacks of this kind has been entrusted to the Iron Dome system, which was developed specifically to counter small and fast-flying targets.

A general view of an Israeli Iron Dome air defense system, deployed to intercept rockets launched from Gaza City, over the southern city of Sderot. Photo by Saeed Qaq/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Multiple accounts testify to the effectiveness of Iron Dome, although this comes at considerable expense, since it burns through a significant quantity of Tamir missile interceptors. Larger barrage attacks risk exhausting the stocks of Tamir interceptors altogether, at least in the short term.

In contrast, Iron Beam can engage many targets at a drastically reduced cost.

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In April 2022, Israels then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that Iron Beam was able to shoot down targets at a cost of $3.50 per shot.

Israel has successfully tested the new Iron Beam laser interception system.



This is the worlds first energy-based weapons system that uses a laser to shoot down incoming UAVs, rockets & mortars at a cost of $3.50 per shot.



It may sound like science fiction, but it's real. pic.twitter.com/nRXFoYTjIU  Naftali Bennett   (@naftalibennett) April 14, 2022

More recent reports put the cost of a single Iron Beam shot closer to $2.50.

Regardless, this is a huge difference compared to the roughly $50,000 price tag  which is among the lowest estimates  for a single Tamir interceptor missile.

The Tamir missile as used by Iron Dome. Rafael

Even before the latest conflict in the Middle East, Israel was accelerating its plans to deploy Iron Beam, which was originally expected to go online in 2024. A key driver behind this was the worry that interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome and other systems could be exhausted in a more intense, longer-lasting campaign.

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Prior to the latest hostilities, it was assessed that Hezbollah had an arsenal of around 130,000 rockets, missiles, and mortar shells, while in Gaza, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad had many thousands of additional rockets and mortar shells. At the same time, there is a growing threat from long-range one-way attack drones, many of them supplied by Iran, which have also seen significant use in the current conflict. Notably, only Hezbollah drones are mentioned as having been shot down by the interim Iron Beam in the October engagements, although there may well have been other kinds of targets, too.

Approx. 40 launches were identified crossing from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted.



The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted 2 Hezbollah explosive UAVs that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory earlier this evening. pic.twitter.com/3iAVnEupcO  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 12, 2024

At the same time, laser weapons do have limitations, including their short-term magazine depth being limited to how many successive shots they can fire before thermal loads require the system to cool down. Additionally, laser systems dont function as well in heavy cloud cover and other inclement weather.

We can only shoot down with a laser what we can see, Rotem previously told the Times of Israel.

At the same time, a laser weapon of this kind is very much a point-defense weapon, with its short range meaning that multiple systems will be needed to provide coverage of a significant area. In some situations, even a single, very large military base might require multiple such systems to provide adequate defense.

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With that in mind, Iron Beam is viewed as a system thats complementary to Iron Dome and other kinetic systems, rather than a replacement.

Operators using the interim Iron Beam system. Rafael screenshot

Once again, while we dont know in what kind of form the interim Iron Beam was fielded, reports indicate that it was successful, at least to a degree.

The State of Israel is the first in the world to demonstrate large-scale operational laser interception capabilities, said Dr. Daniel Gold, the head of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development, who previously helped create the Iron Dome. Our vision for deploying laser weapons was realized during the war with tremendous technological and operational success.

Gold also suggested that the IDF plans to field similar kinds of laser-based interception systems on aircraft and on warships.

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Israel has already tested at least one high-powered airborne laser weapon, with the Ministry of Defense announcing in 2021 that it had successfully intercepted several target drones using a system of this kind. You can read more about that test here.

An Israeli high-powered laser system mounted on a Cessna 208 Caravan. Israeli Ministry of Defense screenshot

Intriguingly, Israeli defense company Elbit Systems responded to news of the combat use of Iron Beam with a tweet showing an illustration of an unnamed pod-based laser weapon arming an F-16 fighter. The accompanying text stated:

At Elbit Systems, hundreds of engineers and experts are working every day on the next frontier: airborne high-power laser systems. This is our mission. This is our future.

Concept art from Elbit Systems showing an F-16 armed with a pod-based laser weapon. Elbit Systems

Notably, developing and fielding an airborne laser system has proven elusive in the United States, something that TWZ has reported on on various occasions in the past.

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All things considered, laser weapons are still very much in their infancy. But the fact that Israel rushed a version of its Iron Beam into service last year indicates just how valuable this technology is considered. While laser weapons are not a cure-all for air defense needs, they clearly have a place, and the definitive version of Iron Beam will be a valuable addition to Israels already impressive multi-layered air defense array.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
The Israeli military has launched several air raids across south Lebanon, killing at least one person, Lebanons National News Agency reports, as it intensifies its attacks in the country, in the latest violations of a ceasefire agreement. Lebanons Health Ministry also reported a second person shot dead by Israeli forces in a separate attack.

The strikes on Thursday targeted areas near the towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Beit Lif, Ramia, al-Bisariya, Wadi al-Safa and al-Sarira. Low-flying Israeli jets and drones were also reported in several regions of southern Lebanon.

An Israeli drone strike killed a municipal worker operating a water well in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, according to the towns mayor, Zein Ali Ghandour.

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Ghandour said on Thursday that the victim, Mahmoud Hasan Atwi, was martyred while on his official duty of trying to provide water for the people of the town.

We condemn in the strongest terms this blatant aggression against civilians and civilian infrastructure as well as the Lebanese state and its institutions, the mayor said in a statement.

Ghandour called on the international community to press the issue and put an end to Israeli violations.

The Israeli military had claimed that it fired at a Hezbollah operative who it said was rehabilitating a site used by the group.

Lebanons Health Ministry later reported that a person was killed by Israeli gunfire on the Lebanese border town of Kfar Kila.





Israel has been carrying out near-daily attacks in Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire agreement it reached with Hezbollah in November of last year, causing mostly civilian deaths and injuries.

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Last week, the Israeli military launched a wave of air strikes across south Lebanon that it said targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.

Israel has also been regularly firing at fields and civilian homes on the Lebanese side of the border.

In an earlier attack on Thursday, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the southern village of Beit Lif, injuring at least one person, the National News Agency reported.

Israel claims that its attacks are in enforcement of the ceasefire, which requires Hezbollah to pull its forces to the north of the Litani River, about 30km (18 miles), from the border, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

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But the Israeli military has been carrying out strikes in the entire country, not just south of the river. Israel has bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut several times this year.

Early in April, an Israeli strike assassinated a Hezbollah official and killed three others in the Beirut suburbs of Dahiyeh.

Israeli troops also continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon in breach of the truce.

The ceasefire last year ended an intense Israeli bombing campaign that followed months of low-level hostilities linked to the war in Gaza between Hezbollah and Israel that were largely confined to the border area.





Hezbollah emerged weakened from the war after losing its top political and military officials, including its longtime chief Hassan Nasrallah, in Israeli attacks.

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Since the end of the war, Hezbollah has not responded to Israeli violations, saying that it is giving the Lebanese state the opportunity to stop the attacks through diplomatic channels. The group has warned, however, that its patience may run out.

But it is unclear if Hezbollah is capable of confronting Israel militarily, as it had for decades  including hastening an end to Israels occupation of south Lebanon in 2000 and fighting a 2006 war to a stalemate, after the heavy blows it suffered during the war.

Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, have repeatedly called on France and the United States  the main sponsors of the ceasefire deal  to pressure Israel to end its abuses.

Pressured by the US on disarming Hezbollah, Aoun has said the issue is a delicate one.
Israel has ordered the closure of al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, leaving health officials scrambling to relocate dozens of people who remain at the medical facility, as deadly bombardment and starvation rack the besieged enclave.

At least 70 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks since the early hours of Thursday.

The Gaza Health Ministry called Israels push, which forced the hospital out of commission, a continuation of the violations and crimes against the medical sector in the territory.

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Al-Awda was the last operating hospital in northern Gaza, according to health officials. Shutting down the hospital came amid continued Israeli forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, the latest order late on Thursday impacting large numbers of people north and east of Gaza City.

The Health Ministry calls on all concerned sides to ensure protection for the health system in the Gaza Strip, as guaranteed by international and humanitarian laws, the ministry said in a statement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said 97 people, including 13 patients, are still at the hospital. The United Nations agency is planning a mission on Friday to transfer the patients to another facility.

Due to impassable roads, the hospitals medical equipment cannot be relocated, WHO said in a statement.

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With Al-Awdas closure, there is no remaining functional hospital in North Gaza  severing a critical lifeline for the people there.

WHO pleaded for the hospitals protection and staff and patients safety.





Israel has been besieging and bombing hospitals across Gaza, killing more than 1,400 medical workers, as well as patients and the displaced taking shelter, since the beginning of the war, according to local authorities.

We havent seen any food or flour in five days

The closure of al-Awda Hospital comes as the humanitarian crisis becomes more catastrophic by the day in Gaza, with Israel continuing its suffocating blockade on the enclave.

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An effort, backed by the United States and Israel, to distribute limited food supplies at specific sites run by a shadowy organisation, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, continued to be marred by chaos on Thursday.

We have come a long distance, around 10km [6.2 miles] to take this box tainted with blood, Palestinian resident Saher Abu Tahoon told Al Jazeera in central Gaza.

We need this box because theres no food to eat. We havent seen any food or flour in five days. We went to get food for our children from a very faraway place. I cant even carry this box because I am too tired, and I am too hungry.

Multiple explosions were heard and Israeli gunfire was reported near a distribution centre in central Gaza earlier on Friday.

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Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud said Palestinians who walked to the newly opened aid site at the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza were unable to leave due to Israeli military activity in the area.

Many of the people who showed up at the site are trapped right now and unable to leave the area due to the presence of Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles [and] the ongoing shooting, Mahmoud said.

Theyve been sending appeals to the Red Cross to coordinate their departure from the area. Its becoming very risky for them to walk on their own.





Israel has been pushing to bypass and sideline the United Nations from the aid distribution process, a self-serving approach critics say would further weaponise humanitarian assistance in the territory.

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The problems are that the insecurity continues, and frankly, they are not making it easy for us to deliver humanitarian goods, Dujarric said.

There are 600 aid trucks on the Gaza side of the Karem Abu Salem crossing (called Kerem Shalom by Israel), but Israel has blocked the world body from retrieving the supplies for the past three days, he added.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said starvation is threatening the future of the children in the Palestinian enclave.

Whats urgently needed is a political will to allow the UN and partners to provide assistance at scale without hindrance or interruption, Lazzarini said in a post on X. Allow us to do our work.

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Amid the dire humanitarian conditions, Israel maintained its relentless bombardment on Thursday, killing at least 70 Palestinians in attacks across Gaza, according to medical sources.

The Palestinian Civil Defence said an Israeli strike on a residential building in Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza City left approximately 30 people missing under the rubble.

Due to the lack of heavy equipment, it is not possible to recover the missing individuals from under the rubble, the Civil Defence said in a statement.

Therefore, we call on the international community and human rights organizations for immediate and urgent intervention to protect civilians and innocent people in the Gaza Strip.




The escalation of Israels operations in Gaza has brought new upheaval for reservists and their families, as well as renewed resentment about haredi Orthodox Jews who avoid military service.

Tzemach David Schloss has spent 290 days in the IDF reserves over the last 19 months  close to half of the time that has passed since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He says the hardest part isnt just the danger of combat, but of what he experienced when he first came home.

I didnt want to get too close to my wife or children because I was scared that any minute Id be called up again, he said.

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Soon, he was. My son was born during the war into my arms at home, and a week later I was back in the rubble of Gaza, where at any given moment you can get shot, he said.

Ive probably spent more time in uniform than with my baby. That horrifies me, Schloss added. This is a critical stage for bonding. Hes been affected by this. I am, too. I feel like my fatherhood has been compromised.

Schloss says hell continue to report for duty when ordered. But he voiced deep frustration with what he described as a broken system, one that issues sudden, months-long call-up orders while relying on a shrinking pool of reservists to carry the load.

He is not alone. The global discourse about the war has focused on starvation and death in Gaza  concerns that have begun permeating Israeli discussions as well. But chief among Israelis concerns, along with the suffering of the hostages held by Hamas, are the welfare of their husbands, fathers and sons off fighting, and sometimes dying, at the front. Now, the escalation of Israels operations in Gaza has brought new upheaval for reservists and their families, as well as renewed resentment about haredi Orthodox Jews who avoid military service.

IDF reservists joining the ''David Brigades,'' the five new reservist brigades announced by IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, December 17, 2024. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

On Monday, the Israeli government authorized calling up as many as 450,000 reservists over the next three months  more than were called up on Oct. 7, 2023, and the most at any time in Israels history. When the first call-ups in support of an expanded offensive in Gaza went out last month  despite a decision made in November to cap reserve duty in 2025 at two and a half months  it was the seventh time being called up since Oct. 7 for some.

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I am aware of the weight of the mission, the responsibility, and the burden we place on you and your families, Eyal Zamir, the militarys chief of staff, told reservists after the orders went out. When we call you up, we do so with utmost reverence.

There are roughly 100,000 active-duty soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces, those in their mandatory conscription period  which lawmakers have extended during the war. After Oct. 7, the IDF called up nearly 300,000 reservists, who have served in multiple stints totalling 136 days per year on average.

While the IDF experienced an unprecedented 120% turnout rate for reservists on Oct. 7, current participation is less than half that, according to Zamirs office. The decline stems from exhaustion and economic hardship after months of repeated call-ups, anger over haredi draft exemptions, and a loss of trust in the government, especially as officials have said returning the remaining 58 hostages is not the wars top goal.

Signs of a crisis are mounting: Last week, a Knesset committee voted to extend the governments right to call up reservists, over the objection of opposition lawmakers who said the government should do more to conscript haredi soldiers before pressing others back into service. In recent days, two reservists in an advocacy group called Soldiers for Hostages  one who spent 110 days in uniform since Oct. 7, another who had reported for 270 days of duty  were sentenced to military prison for refusing to serve in what one called a never-ending war. And a report found that reservists are being called up despite mental health issues that should make them ineligible for service.

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According to data released in March by the Defense Ministry, an outsized portion of the wounded since the war began  66%  are reservists, approximately half of whom are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Ministry officials are anticipating that number to rise significantly as more cases are diagnosed.

Tal Zalcman is one of the reservists who has newly reported for duty. Immediately after Oct. 7, his Air Force squadron was deployed to Israels northern border. The site where he was first posted was struck by Hezbollah rockets. Soon, he found himself feeling anxious and depressed  a departure from his positive mental state before Oct. 7.

Everyone around me was so shaken, but I just shut off, he recalled. I stopped thinking about anything that went beyond the next technical task of guard duty, patrols, coordination.

After being released from his first stint in the reserves, Zalcman returned to his teaching job at a high school in Ramat Gan  a decision he now says was a mistake, given the acute mental state he was in at the time, with the onset of panic attacks for the first time in his life. After finishing the year, he realized he needed to make a change. When the school year began in 2024, he was not in the classroom.

The toll IDF reserve duty takes

His experience was not unique. A survey by Israels national employment service released in March found that 41% of reservists who served after Oct. 7 said they had been fired or otherwise left their jobs after returning to civilian life.

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The frequent churn of workers has strained workplaces and the economy, with watchdogs warning that the expansion of the war could unleash severe economic damage. The back-and-forth has also affected the many reservists who are university students, interrupting their studies and potentially setting them back.

Eitan Shamir, former head of the national security doctrine department at Israels Strategic Affairs ministry, now directs the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. He said faculty and administrators had begun recording lectures and softened attendance policies to account for students who were called into service.

Every lecturer takes personal responsibility to ease the burden on reservists, he said. But he noted that while digital tools have improved access across many departments, some fields  such as medicine and engineering, where in-person training is a must  have been hit especially hard, with students falling behind in ways that may be almost impossible to recover from.

As for Zalcman, leaving the classroom did not ease his depression, which worsened over time. He moved to a therapy farm in the central Israeli community of Nir Tzvi, then, at the urging of friends, traveled to Thailand. A few months later, he found himself in Koh Phangan, at a retreat called Davids Circle, a loosely structured healing space frequented by reservists and survivors of the Nova music festival. The island, known for its mix of hedonism and healing, offered a cocktail of ice baths, psychedelic ceremonies, and easy access to recreational drugs.

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Still searching for relief, Zalcman, who had already trained as a yoga teacher, enrolled in a monk ordination program at a Buddhist monastery. But after being forced to shave his head, relinquish his tefillin, and bow before the Buddha and the senior monk, something in him broke.

Everyone around me seemed happy, but I felt like I was in a cult, he said. He left the program halfway through.

Since returning to Israel Zalcman began planning what he hopes will be a first-of-its-kind retreat center: a men-only space for current and former reservists, offering overnight lodging and a program focused on yoga, meditation, and other forms of alternative healing.

There are only two options for how you come out of this, he said, referring to reservist service in wartime. Either youre in trauma or post-trauma and are therefore in treatment, or youre the one administering the treatment.

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But first, he is in Gaza as one of tens of thousands of soldiers flowing into the enclave to fight in Israels expanded offensive. In part, I returned to Israel for the reserves, he said. You go because they call, because its your duty.

For Schloss, too, there is no question about whether he will report for his reserve duties, even though he has a growing family and some others are declining to return to service over time.

Theres a fine line between fighting for a normal life and encouraging people not to show up, he said. We cant afford to cross it.

But those who do not serve weigh on his mind. For him and many other Israelis, the latest call-ups have underscored how unfair it is that haredi Orthodox Jews are not required to serve.

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Last year, amid intensifying tensions over who serves, Israels Supreme Court ruled that the haredi draft exemption in place for decades was illegal. Tens of thousands of haredi young men have been called up, but only a small fraction have reported to induction centers and others have joined street protests against conscription.

Those who have dodged the draft are subject to penalties, though the militarys strained resources, coming alongside Netanyahus close alliance with haredi political parties, have meant that few have been prosecuted. Still, the issue may end up collapsing Netanyahus coalition: Haredi politicians have demanded progress on a law formalizing the draft exemption by the holiday of Shavuot, which begins Sunday evening. Otherwise, they have threatened to leave the government, which could deprive the prime minister of a majority.

For Schloss, who describes himself as right-wing ideologically but not a supporter of the current government, the crisis around haredi enlistment is particularly painful given the upheaval in his own life.

If the threat is so enormous that you have no choice but to draft someone for 100 days with a weeks notice, then its time to take other steps, Schloss said. One step would be to stop funding haredi institutions altogether. To cut 100 million [shekels], or even 400 million. Thats not ethical? Or its undemocratic? Maybe. But so is tearing people from their lives for 100 days.

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Shamir noted that the current war  a prolonged, multi-front conflict involving non-state actors, regional powers, and global superpowers  is fundamentally different in character than all those that preceded it. Unlike the short, decisive campaigns of the past, he said, this is a war of attrition that tests the stamina of both the military and the civilian population.

It demands long-term resilience and endurance from the home front, not just from those serving on the front lines, he said.

Many of the reservists are married, with young children. Reservists wives have emerged as a political constituency in the war, successfully advocating for a 9 billion shekel (roughly $2.5 billion) pot of government funds for the families of deployed soldiers and for policies to otherwise support them. A year ago, under pressure from the constituency, the Knesset passed a law barring employers from firing or placing on unpaid leave the spouses of active-duty reservists, blunting one trauma that had played out for some families since the wars start.

But many other challenges have remained. A recent survey by the Reservists Wives Forum, which began as an informal Facebook group early in the war and now employs dozens of attorneys working on behalf of families, found that more than half of women with deployed husbands had to cut back on working to compensate for their husbands absences despite the protections. In the Facebook group, wives share stories of domestic violence, traumatized children, depressed husbands and financial crises.

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Last fall, a different survey by the organization, which now advocates for the conscription of haredi Israelis, found that virtually all reservists wives said their husbands service had induced emotional harm  37% to a very great degree.

The emotional part is the hardest and unfortunately, this is also the hardest thing for decision-makers to understand, Sapir Bluzer, one of the groups co-founders, said on the Israel Story podcast last year. Its much easier to explain to a person like  someone who works in the Treasury Office how it affects our career, than how it affects emotionally our families.

Kaley Halperin, an American-Israeli musician living in Jaffa, is one of the hundreds of thousands of Israeli women whose husbands reported for service on Oct. 7. She spent the first months of the war raising her four children alone while her husband Yoni, a commanding officer in the paratroopers, was deployed to Gaza. Since then, he has spent more than 200 days in the reserves, inducing turmoil in his work in the tech sector and at home.

In an interview in November 2023, Halperin recalled that during the early days of his service, Yoni didnt want to see his family  even when it was permitted  because, despite missing them deeply, he feared it would weaken his resolve.

He said he was working on hardening his heart, she said at the time. I told him, This war is for peace. You have to remember that.

A year and a half later, Halperin said shes come to understand how unsustainable that kind of emotional detachment really is.

Some people go into this with a deep sense of mission  of serving their team, their country, of doing something bigger than themselves, she said. But over time, that can blur into something else. It can make it easier to dehumanize the other side. I believe there has to be a space between committing war crimes and being killed. I pray were still in that space.

The strain of prolonged service seeped into her marriage, exposing differences in parenting styles and worldviews. Like in many families, it surfaced things that were already simmering, she said. The couple decided to separate.

Yoni has been called back into the reserves for another stint starting in July. He hasnt fully decided whether to report for duty.

I feel Ive paid too high a price. Ive lost money and business clients, and also paid a price with my family, he said. And also the mission itself isnt clear to me. Im not connected to it. Im not sure what were doing there, except for dragging our feet. We destroy some houses, were killing terrorists, its not clear to me at all.

He added, The combination of all fronts  my business, my home, my family, my personal experiences, my time, and my money  is too much.
May 29 (UPI) -- Israel unveiled plans Thursday for the most significant expansion of its presence in the occupied West Bank in years after approving 22 new Jewish settlements.

The scheme gives legal recognition to the 22 settlements, which already exist but are unofficial, said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Katz said the step would "prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel," but the Palestinian Authority and at least one anti-war group in Israel condemned the move.

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Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh called the Israeli government's approval of the new settlements in the occupied West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, a "dangerous escalation" that was an affront to international legitimacy and international law, including at least one U.N. Security Council Resolution.

He also called on Washington to intervene to halt "Israeli tampering" with what he said had implications for the entire region.

The Peace Now protest movement said the move would "dramatically reshape the West Bank and entrench the occupation even further."

Israel's some 160 settlements on disputed land it has occupied for almost six decades since the 1967 Six-Day War with its Arab neighbors are illegal under international law. But Israel argues it has a legal claim on the grounds that the West Bank is fundamental to its security and for religious and historic reasons dating back to the Balfour Declaration and beyond.

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Calling the settlement approvals "a historic decision," Smotrich dismissed criticism of the move, saying Israel was not seizing foreign lands but reclaiming "the inheritance of our fathers."

"This is a great day for settlement and an important day for the State of Israel. Through hard work and tenacious leadership, we have succeeded in creating a profound strategic change, returning the State of Israel to a path of construction, Zionism, and vision," he wrote in a post on X.

"Settlement in the land of our ancestors is the protective wall of the State of Israel -- today we have taken a huge step to strengthen it. The next step - sovereignty!" said Smotrich.

Katz and Smotrich's statements came hours after the governments of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain issued a joint communique reaffirming their commitment to the implementation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Only a "viable, contiguous Palestinian State, with internationally recognized borders, comprised of Gaza and the West Bank and with East Jerusalem as its capital, can fully satisfy the legitimate national aspirations and the needs of peace and security" of both peoples, read the dispatch issued after the representatives of the four nations met Wednesday.
Israel has stopped training female soldiers for combat over health and fitness concerns.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ended a pilot programme for women to serve in combat mobility units after finding they were unlikely to meet the required standards after six months training.

The IDF said female trainees showed very high abilities in the professional fields but in combat and physical fitness they were not expected to successfully complete the requirements for the profession.

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The decision to end the programme was taken by Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff.

Medical data indicated a possible health risk resulting from the continued training, partly in light of the expected increase in [physical] burden, the IDF added.

Women soldiers search for gunmen who fired on a bus in the West Bank in 2022 - Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images

Israels combat mobility units deliver equipment and supplies to infantry forces in enemy territory and recover wounded soldiers under fire.

Women currently serve in some Israeli infantry unit, where they are designated as combat soldiers but are not typically deployed to the most dangerous areas of the front line.

The IDF said that new pilot programmes for female infantry recruits would begin next year after the cancellation of the combat mobility scheme.

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With some exceptions, military service in the IDF is mandatory for both sexes, and is often lauded for creating a sense of solidarity across Israeli society.

The surprise Hamas massacre on Oct 7 2023 brought the question of women in Israels military into focus.

Female soldiers of the Caracal Battalion  an infantry unit that normally patrols Israels borders with Egypt and Jordan  engaged Hamas in an intense gun battle for several hours. It is believed to have resulted in the deaths of dozens of terrorists.

Senior commanders have also apologised for ignoring an all-female observer unit that raised concerns about suspicious activity by the terror group before the attack.

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Some blamed sexism for the fact the warnings were not acted upon. Several women in the unit were killed or captured during the Hamas assault.

A debate has recently reignited in the UK over women in front-line roles in the British Armed Forces.

Last month, a serving Royal Marine publicly raised concerns that standards were being lowered in an attempt to pass a woman through the elite units gruelling eight-month training programme.

The commando claimed that up to 1,000 of his comrades had backed a private letter to military chiefs that also raised fears that diversity, equality and inclusion policies were in danger of creating an unrecognisable, weak and compromised version of the corps.

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Women have been allowed to serve in all roles in the British Army since 2018, including front-line roles where the primary aim is to close with and kill the enemy, which previously ruled them out of the infantry and armoured corps.

It comes as Hamas said it had received a new hostage deal proposal from US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The terror group said it was studying it responsibly and would respond in a way that serves the interests of our people, provides relief and achieves a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said on Thursday that Israel had agreed to Washingtons Gaza ceasefire plan before it was sent to Hamas.

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She continued: Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas. I can also confirm that those discussions are continuing, and we hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home.

Ms Leavitt went on to say Mr Trump got the Israelis to support a humanitarian aid programme that started this week, distributing food to starving and devastated people in the Gaza Strip.

But a Hamas official later said on Thursday that the new US plan for a truce fell short of its demands, adding that they were still studying the proposal.

Bassem Naim, a Hamas political bureau member, said Israels response meant the continuation of killing and famine... and does not meet any of our peoples demands, foremost among them halting the war and famine.

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Nonetheless, the movements leadership is studying the response to the proposal with full national responsibility, he added.

Israel announced on Thursday the creation of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, putting further strain on relations with the international community.

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are regularly condemned by the United Nations as illegal under international law, and are seen as one of the main obstacles to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The decision to establish more, taken by Israels security cabinet, was announced by Bezalel Smotrich, the far-Right finance minister, himself a settler, and defence minister Israel Katz, who is in charge of managing the communities.

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The UK and neighbouring Jordan slammed the move. Hamish Falconer, Britains minister for the Middle East, slammed the decision as a deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood, saying settlements imperil the two state solution, and do not protect Israel.

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CANBERRA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The global scientific community was watching with keen interest as China launched its Tianwen-2 probe on Thursday, a landmark dual-target mission aimed at unlocking the secrets of a near-Earth asteroid and a main-belt comet.

"The Tianwen-2 launch marks an exciting milestone in our ongoing exploration of the solar system," Sara Webb, a Melbourne-based astrophysicist and lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, told Xinhua.

"Every time we are able to return samples from solar system objects, we gain valuable insights into their formation and evolution," Webb said.

Tianwen-2 will mark China's first attempt at asteroid sampling, targeting the near-Earth object 2016HO3. After collecting samples and dispatching a return capsule to Earth, the spacecraft will continue its voyage to explore comet 311P -- an unusual "active asteroid" located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

"If successful, Tianwen-2 will make China the third nation to return asteroid samples to Earth, and the first to conduct a dual mission involving a comet," said Richard de Grijs, a Sydney-based astrophysicist at Macquarie University.

"As such samples are rare at this time," he said, "any additional data will, without a doubt, offer significant new scientific insights, allowing us to better understand our place, origin and evolutionary history in the solar system."

De Grijs, who also serves as executive director of the International Space Science Institute-Beijing (ISSI-BJ), placed the mission in a broader global context, highlighting its scientific and technological importance.

"While the solar system's inner planets have long been explored by many of the major space-faring nations, detailed, in-situ studies of small rocky bodies in the inner solar system have gradually gained in importance," he said.

The choice of Tianwen-2's targets adds scientific intrigue. The asteroid 2016HO3, a near-Earth object in a peculiar orbit that keeps it relatively close to our planet, may hold clues to early solar system history.

"It may be a fragment of the Moon that could have been dislodged by an earlier impact on the Moon," said de Grijs. He noted that its orbit and composition could shed light on lunar ejecta and the broader materials present during the solar system's formation.

After the asteroid sample is dispatched back to Earth, Tianwen-2 will continue toward comet 311P. Unlike comets that typically originate in the icy outer solar system, 311P resides in the main asteroid belt and behaves unusually -- displaying multiple tails and episodic dust ejections.

"Scientifically, a close-up look at this object will offer insights into how asteroids break up, the impact of solar radiation on asteroids and the nature of these active asteroids," de Grijs said.

He described Tianwen-2 as a major technological leap forward for China, building on the accomplishments of Tianwen-1, which successfully placed an orbiter, lander, and rover on Mars in May 2021, making China the second country to operate a rover on the Red Planet.

The Tianwen missions, named after a classical Chinese poem, represent China's efforts in interplanetary exploration.

"The mission will put China among the few nations (United States and Japan) capable of executing asteroid sample-return missions," he explained. "An innovation with respect to previous international missions is that it will continue to a second target, providing in-situ measurements. This is rare in a single mission."

One of the mission's boldest elements is its attempt at the world's first deep-space anchored sampling -- a complex operation involving secure landing on a low-gravity body.

De Grijs believes Tianwen-2 reflects China's strategic and steadily advancing exploration agenda.

"China is on a really interesting solar system exploration trajectory," he said. "Each mission is designed to test certain key new capabilities and so far, this appears to have worked very well."

He also emphasized the value of international collaboration in space science. While Australia is a relative newcomer to deep-space missions, it can play a key role in the scientific analysis of mission data.

"As scientists, irrespective of where one comes from, global scientific collaboration benefits everyone involved," added de Grijs, who is actively fostering such cooperation through his leadership at ISSI-BJ. 
Israel has approved 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed on X on Thursday.

The controversial approval of the new settlements was granted at a meeting of Israel's security Cabinet, local media reported.

"This is a great day for the settlement project and an important day for Israel," Smotrich wrote.

Defence Minister Israel Katz described the decision as "historic," saying it is "anchoring our historic right in the Land of Israel."

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Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. Today, more than 700,000 Israeli settlers live there among the 3 million Palestinians.

The Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The Palestinians claim the territories as their own state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

According to information from the Israeli movement Peace Now, the approval recognizes numerous outposts that were previously illegal even from an Israeli perspective as settlements.

Only nine of the 22 approved settlements are actually new, but the move marks the largest settlement expansion in decades, Peace Now said.

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In a statement, the group sharply criticized the government's decision, which it said would "dramatically reshape the West Bank and entrench the occupation even further."

"The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the Occupied Territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal," it said.

The move has also drawn criticism from abroad. Hamish Falconer, British parliamentary under-secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, wrote on X: "The UK condemns these actions. Settlements are illegal under international law, further imperil the two state solution, and do not protect Israel."
Israeli Army personnel on duty in Hebron, West Bank, guarding Israeli settlers on May 24, 2025. Credit - Mosab Shawer - Getty Images

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that "22 new settlements" will be established in the West Bank. Some already exist as outputs, but will be made legal under Israeli law, whilst others will be entirely new settlements.

The politician called it a historic decision on Thursday, adding: We have succeeded in creating a profound strategic change, returning the State of Israel to a path of construction, Zionism, and vision. Settlement in the land of our ancestors is the protective wall of the State of Israel.

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Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the move anchors our historical right in the Land of Israel, and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism, adding that it is a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.

It is believed that two of the settlements will be Homesh and Sa-Nur, villages in the West Bank that were evacuated in 2005 as part of Israels disengagement plan from Gaza, in which all Israeli settlers withdrew from the Strip.

David Makovsky, a Ziegler distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute, argues that this expansion is viewed as essential for the ideology of the far-right in Israel, which he says includes both Smotrich and Katz.

Makovsky says that although the views of the far-right only account for a minority of the Israeli public, they have a significant say in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.

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Netanyahu is afraid to cross them because he doesn't want his government to fail, says Makovsky. This is the success of the hard right. They seek to blur the difference between security and ideology. The old Netanyahu kept that at bay, [but] now he seems to have given in to the hard right's desire to keep pressing forward [with settlement expansion].

Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for the president of the Palestinian Authority, called the expansion news a dangerous escalation and a challenge to international legitimacy and international law.

The announcement has also gained criticism from international lawmakers. British politician Hamish Falconer, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said that the U.K. condemns these actions.

In a post on X, Falconer said that the approval of these settlements "is a deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood" and that "settlements are illegal under international law, further imperil the two state solution, and do not protect Israel."

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The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, originally posted in Arabic, on X: This is a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and a clear violation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent, sovereign state.

Israeli activist group Peace Now has also heavily condemned the expansion. In a statement published on May 29, the organization said: "The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise, the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal.

Peace Now maintains that this is the biggest expansion of settlements in the West Bank since the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993. These accords were seen as hope of a potential route towards peace and a two-state solution, which has since diminished.

According to Peace Now, nine of the settlements will be completely new, one is an already established community, and 12 are outposts and farms that will now be recognized as official settlements.

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Read More: Hamas Leader Mohammed Sinwar Killed In Airstrike, Netanyahu Says

What is the legality of Israel expanding its West Bank settlements?

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are widely considered to be in violation of international law. The West Bank is defined by the United Nations as under Israeli military occupation, after it took control of the territory, as well as Gaza and East Jerusalem, in 1967 after the Six-Day War.

According to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.

However, Israel considers itself to be the administrative power, not an occupier. It administers the territory as Israel's Judea and Samaria Area. Therefore, any Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not deemed illegal under Israeli law.

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Read More: France and Italy Summon Israeli Ambassadors After Israel Fired Warning Shots at Diplomatic Delegation

The growth of the West Bank settlements

As of December 2024, there were 529,455 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank, spread across 141 settlements. The West Bank is also home to roughly three million Palestinians who live in pockets administered by the Palestinian Authority. Under Israeli rule, Palestinian residents must pass through the Israeli checkpoints they have access to, in order to move throughout the West Bank.

Israeli settler movement to the West Bank and the expansion of communities has accelerated since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. A U.N. Human Rights Office report found that between November 2023 and October 2024, construction plans were put in place for over 10,300 new housing units within existing Israeli settlements.

The report stated: Dozens of unauthorised roads have been paved by settlers and the army around settlements and outposts, helping to connect them while blocking Palestinians movement and enabling further seizure of their land.

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With the increase of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and with them venturing deeper into the territory, experts fear that a two-state solution looks far less likely. Makovsky says that the basis of this solution often comes with the idea that settlements near the Israeli border and urban centres would become part of Israel, while communities further within the West Bank would become part of a Palestinian state.

This rise in the settler population in the West Bank has been coupled with an increase in violence towards Palestinians. Between Jan. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, at least 616 Palestinians, including 115 children, had been killed by settlers or the Israeli military according to the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA).

In the same period, OCHA recorded 1,936 incidents of violence towards Palestinians, with 41,272 being displaced in the West Bank. These trends have been on the rise since 2020.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Princess Maria Carolina is recovering after a harrowing accident.

The Italian royal shared she has been hospitalized after suffering major injuries after crashing a motorcycle headfirst into a wall.

Im incredibly lucky to be alive. I crashed headfirst into a wall whilst riding a motorcycle and ended up in reanimation in the Intensive Care Unit. Surviving this was nothing short of a miracle, Maria wrote in a May 28 Instagram post alongside photos of her before the crash and during her time in the ICU. I wanted to share my own experience as Ive realized now more than ever that motorcycles are powerful and thrilling but also unforgiving. Please ride with care. Wear full protection, especially a proper helmet. Mine saved my life.

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The 21-year-oldthe eldest daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castrowent on to thank the hospital staff and first responders who helped her at the scene of the accident.

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My deepest thanks to the outstanding team at Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace for their expert care during those critical days, and to the emergency medical team and first responders on the scene, she wrote. Whose quick and decisive actions in those first moments made all the difference.

Just prior to her accident, Maria attended Grand Prix in Monte Carlo and walked the carpet during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Sharing shots from the evening, which she attended with her parents, Mariawho stunned in an Antonio Grimaldi dressreflected on the moment.

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Alongside pictures of her showing off her two-toned gown, Maria wrote on Instagram May 15, An incredible honor to walk the red carpet at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony.

Keep reading for more royal news from around the world

Prince Harry Loses Appeal to Dismiss Decision in His Security Protection Case

Over one year after the High Court denied additional security protection through the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, Prince Harrys legal fight ended when the courts dismissed the case May 2. His and Meghan Markles security was lessened after they stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2021 and moved to the United States. However, in the years that followed, Harry had requested security while visiting the U.K. The Duke of Sussex told the BBC May 2 that he was devastated about losing his legal battle. He emphasized, I cant see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.





Prince Harry and King Charles III Are Not Speaking

Harry told the BBC May 2 that his father King Charles III wont speak to him because of this security stuff, but added that it would be nice to reconcile. The Duke of Sussex, who shares kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with Meghan, said that he would love to reconnect with his family. But the ball is in his dads court. I cant see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point, he said. Its really quite sad that I wont be able to show my children my homeland. There is a lot of control and ability in my fathers hands, ultimately this whole thing could be resolved through him, Harry added. Not necessarily by intervening but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary and to carry on. Despite the years of conflict, hes waving the white flag in hopes of reconciliation. He added, Life is precious, I dont know how much longer my father has.





King Charles III Shares Insight Into His Cancer Diagnosis

Over one year after King Charles shared his cancer diagnosis, he wrote April 29 that his health journey and cancer treatment are experiences that bring into sharp focus the very best of humanity." "Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones," Charles wrote in the booklet for the reception to provide resources for those with cancer. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity." He also thanked healthcare workers who helped him amid his journey, adding, It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.





Prince William and Kate Middletons Family Skips Royal Familys Easter Service

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not attend the royal familys annual Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor April 20. While King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated with the rest of the royal family, William and Kate decided to spend the weekend at their Norfolk country home with their kids, multiple outlets reported. Their absence marked the second Easter they skipped, with the 2024 holiday taking place a week after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis.

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Royal Aide Who Accused Meghan Markle Of Bullying Receives a Promotion

Jason Knauf was announced as the new CEO of Prince Williams organization, The Earthshot Prize, April 15. He shared a statement on the website that he was looking forward to working with our exceptional team and incredible Earthshot community to advance our mission of urgent optimism for our planet. His promotion came nearly seven years after he made a complaint against Meghan Markle, accusing her of bullying two personal assistants and seeking to undermine a third staff member. A spokesperson for the Sussexes denied the allegations and told The Times that the rumors were part of a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. Buckingham Palace investigated the allegations and the case was wrapped up in 2022 without any findings made public.





Prince George Makes His First Public Appearance of 2025

William and Kates eldest son George attended a soccer match in Paris alongside his dad April 7. The father-son duo were all smiles at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final game as the Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC faced off at the Parc des Princes stadium.





Former Bodyguard to Prince Harry and Prince William Dies

Graham Crakerwho acted as a bodyguard for the royal family, including Prince Harry and Prince Williamdied at the age of 77 in April. Craker was notably with the boys when they learned their mother, Princess Diana, had died and he participated in her funeral services. On the latter, Craker told The New York Post in 2017, "I was standing at the rear of the hearse and William looked up and acknowledged me. I looked toward him and nodded. William was comforted that I was with his mum on her final journey.





The Duke and Duchess of Westminster Expecting Their First Baby

Hugh Grosvenor, who is King Charles IIIs godson, and his wife Olivia Grosvenor announced March 12 that she is pregnant with their first baby. The duchess is expecting a baby in the summer, a spokesperson told The Telegraph. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.

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Luxembourg's Prince Fredrik Dies at 22

Prince Frederikthe son of Prince Robert and his wife Princess Juliedied March 1 at 22 years old after a battle with PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his PolG Foundation, to so very many people the world over," Robert said in a statement. "Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example."





Prince Harry Reaches Settlement in U.K. Tabloids Lawsuit

The Duke of Sussex reached a settlement with News Group Newspaperswhich is responsible for The Sun as well as the now defunct News of the Worldon Jan. 22 after suing the organization in 2019 over alleged unlawful actions on the part of journalists and private investigators working for the newspapers to obtain information on the royal family. The deal included the company paying "substantial damages," as well as issuing a "full and unequivocal apology" to Harry and public acknowledgement of "the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, per NBC News.





Kate Middleton Is in Remission After Finishing Chemotherapy for Cancer

The Princess of Wales announced on Jan. 14 that she's in remission after complete cancer treatments. "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery," she wrote in a message on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 14. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal." "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," she continued. "There is much to look forward to."





Meghan Markle's Longtime Dog Guy Dies

The Duchess of Sussex mourned the death of her beloved rescue beagle, who she adopted in 2015 before meeting husband Prince Harry. She wrote on Instagram Jan. 7, "I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too." "Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy," Meghan added. "You filled my life in ways youll never know."

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Prince William Mourns Death of Former Nanny's Stepson

Edward "Ed" Pettiferstepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourkewas one of the victims of the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. "Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer," William said in a message posted on Kate Middleton's Instagram Stories Jan. 4. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."





Meghan Markle Rejoins Instagram to Reveal New Netflix Show

The Suits alumwho shut down her personal social media accounts shortly before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harrydebuted a solo Instagram page on Jan. 1. A day later, she announced a new Netflix series titled With Love, Meghan, which "reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old," according to a press release.




As the Trump administration moves to revoke Chinese student visas and increase vetting of all foreign students, the incoming chancellor of UC Riverside  who grew up in China and came to America 40 years ago to study  is speaking out.

"It is imperative for the federal support of international students and research to remain consistent so the U.S. will continue to drive the world economy in the generations to come," S. Jack Hu, who was named this week as the first Asian American chancellor of the Riverside campus, said Friday. "And it is my hope that Chinese students will continue to feel welcome to come to the U.S. and experience the same life-changing opportunity I experienced.

The UC Board of Regents announced Hu's appointment on Wednesday, shortly after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement and social media post that the U.S. would "aggressively" cancel visas for an unspecified number of Chinese students, who make up the largest slice of the 1.1 million foreigners enrolled at U.S. campuses. Rubio said that revocations would include those of individuals with "connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields."

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The timing  and Hu's own history as a Chinese international student  has amplified his voice amid growing tensions as the federal government tightens visa screenings for Chinese students, damaging longstanding academic ties with China. A State Department spokesperson said Thursday the actions reflect "how we keep America safe and secure and more prosperous.

"I came to America more than 40 years ago as a student, having grown up in a remote village in China. My dream was that of many young Chinese people, to pursue my dreams in the American university system," Hu said Friday. "Then, as now, the United States and its investment in education and research was a beacon."

Read more: Trump administration threat to revoke Chinese student visas roils California

Hu formally begins his role July 15, replacing Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox, who is retiring after serving in the role since 2013. Hu is one of two Chinese Americans leading campuses in the University of California, the nation's most prominent public higher education system. The other, UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang, will leave his three-decade posting at the end of the year to return to teaching.

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Hu's appointment takes place at a crucial moment for higher education, which is under fierce critique by President Trump as he revokes billions in medical and scientific research funding, derides diversity efforts and accuses universities of promoting antisemitism.

Hu will oversee a sprawling 1,900-acre campus that, under Wilcox, grew dramatically in enrollment and footprint and joined the American Assn. of Universities, a prestigious group of the top 71 American and Canadian research campuses. During Wilcox's time, UC Riverside increased in size by more than 5,000 students and 200 faculty, opened an $87-million business school building, and ushered in a new medical school that will graduate its ninth class next month.

Read more: James B. Milliken, University of Texas chancellor, named UC president

"Dr. Hu has championed innovation and academic initiatives that have increased opportunities for students and faculty and have positively impacted their lives and the communities they serve, UC President Michael V. Drake said in a statement. "UC Riverside has established itself as a global leader in providing world-class scholarship. Dr. Hu has the academic acumen and collaborative mindset to move the campus forward with integrity and purpose."

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Born in Hunan province, China, Hu was an undergraduate at Tianjin University before he moved to the U.S. to study at the University of Michigan, where he obtained masters and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering before joining the faculty. His annual salary will be $824,000, a slight increase over Wilcox's salary of $810,000.

Students at the UC Riverside campus. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

Hu, 61, most recently oversaw instruction, research, public service, outreach and information technology spread across 19 colleges and schools at the University of Georgia. He began his Georgia post in 2019. During his tenure, the university's graduation rate increased by 20%, and the campus retained its status as one of nine public universities with a six-year graduation rate of more than 90%, a common measure of higher education success.

In Michigan, Hu developed a specialty in researching the quality and productivity of manufacturing systems. He rose through faculty and administrative ranks for more than 20 years before being appointed vice president for research in 2015, a role in which he oversaw a $1.5-billion research portfolio.

Read more: With billions at stake, California joins suit to stop Trump cuts to university science research

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At Riverside, Hu will take the helm of a campus grappling with deep cuts to federal funding grants, including those from the National Institutes of Health, a UC-wide hiring freeze and a UC-wide Department of Justice investigation over allegations of antisemitic employment discrimination tied to pro-Palestinian protests. The Riverside campus has largely been spared from the targeted Trump administration investigations over admissions policies or antisemitism allegations that have hit UCs including those in Los Angeles and Berkeley.

In an interview, Hu acknowledged that "federal funding cuts are a tremendous challenge."

"The key as a country is that we must invest in science, in talent, in innovation," he said. "The UC system is a leader in the country in terms of being a research university system. We need to work with federal government, with agencies, to sustain the partnership that universities in the country have built with the federal government. Without such investment, I think the U.S will not be able to complete globally."

Read more: Trump lawyer says U.S. plans to sue UC over antisemitism allegations

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Hu said universities will "need to diversify the sources of funding: state support, federal funding for research, for students, industry support, foundation support, all of those are important."

Regarding federal actions affecting foreign students, Hu said he still believed the U.S. remained a "draw for international talents.

Those of us who came to study or work ... we are contributing to education and economic development and to the country, he said. "If you look at California  many of the newer technology companies and startups  its immigrants who contribute a lot to those new technologies and the economy of the country."

He added that his priorities will include "student success, social mobility, research and scholarship, expanding healthcare access for the region, and supporting communities in the Inland Empire region."

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Hu will lead one of UC's most diverse and unique campuses. UC Riverside traces its origins to agricultural research into citrus but has grown into a multifaceted research university with globally ranked programs in entomology  the study of insects  plant and animal sciences, air pollution and alternative fuels.

The university has more than 26,000 students and 4,700 faculty and staff. The campus, which draws more than 14,000 commuter students, was the top UC last year in accepting first-year and transfer students, and ranked first in the system for accepting low-income individuals and those who were the first in their families to attend college.

As it has grown in size and popularity, UC Riverside has also faced hurdles. While expanding its enrollment, adding new programs and building new centers, students have complained of crowded housing and dining areas, parking shortages and some offerings that are stretched thin, such as services for immigrant students. To address some of the shortages, the university is building a $156-million instructional facility as well as hundreds of new apartments.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  With too few hands and too many calls, Jackson County Fire and Rescue Teams say theyre challenged daily. The department is facing shortages, and leaders say the number of calls is only increasing.

Jackson County Fire Rescue has been understaffed in my estimation for a number of years. Part of that is because Jackson Countys population becoming elderly and more senior. And so with that elderly population, we certainly have more calls, more need for just County Fire Rescue Staff, Commissioner Paul Donofero said.

However, there could be a solution in the form of Floridas Coordinated Opioid Recovery or C.O.R.E. Project.

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Jackson County pursues former Marianna city manager for county admin position

Jackson County has received $700,000 to directly fight the epidemic.

The Northwest Florida Health Network is giving $500,000 to PanCare Health, which will provide treatment for overdoses and recovery services to addicts.

There were 247 suspected overdoses for the fiscal year of 2023 to 2024 for Jackson County. So that number is very significant, and we want to ensure that those folks who do happen to have an overdose will receive the services they need, Northwest Florida Health Network Behavioral Health Supervisor Lexi Harris said.

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Jackson County Fire Chief Charlie Brunner wants the remaining $200,000 to create two new full-time positions in Fire-Rescue to help meet the rising demand.

That will give us the ability to jump-start getting those positions created. And again, just wanting to be sure that we have the capability, funding-wise, to be able to fund those into the future, Donofro said.

Serious injury reported in two-car crash on U.S. 231

C.O.R.E. funding can only be used for treatment and EMS response.

Its not just the county getting these funds and just using it however they want. There is a structured layout of what they can use the funding for, and based on those options, the county will then make their decision on how they would like to use the funding, Harris explained

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Jackson County Commissioners will discuss Brunners request at their June 10th meeting.

Donofro said if commissioners deny the request, theyll consider adding fire rescue positions in next years budget.

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The City of Jacksonvilles Office of General Counsel has advised the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office not to enforce state and local laws that make it a crime to be in the state and county without legal status in the country.

In the new guidance, which was obtained by Action News Jax, city attorneys wrote a federal injunction on the state law would equally apply to the citys ordinance because the city ordinance was modeled after the state law.

The reason we passed this bill, one of the main reasons, is its a mandate from the President, said Council Vice President Kevin Carrico (R-District 4), who sponsored the local immigration bill.

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Carrico initially requested OGC weigh in on whether the injections impacted JSOs ability to enforce state and local immigration laws.

He questioned why OGC would advise against enforcing the local ordinance, given its never been challenged in court.

Its handcuffing law enforcement and its going against the will of the state, the Governor, and ultimately the President of the United States, said Carrico.

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While there is an active injunction against the state law, Floridas Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a letter to Floridas local law enforcement agencies in April, telling them, It is my view that no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes your agencies from continuing to enforce Floridas new illegal entry and reentry laws.

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Mayor Donna Deegan refused to sign the local immigration bill over concerns it may be unconstitutional, and instead let it go into effect without her signature.

The Mayors Office is completely separate and has no authority over the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. The Office of General Counsel represents the entire Consolidated Government and has repeatedly raised concerns that the local ordinance is redundant to the state law that is now blocked by a federal court, the mayors office told Action News Jax when asked about the advice issued by OGC. This is simply legal guidance offered by the General Counsel to another independent entity to avoid lawsuits being filed against the city.

But Carrico argued the new guidance reflects OGC doing the bidding of the mayor.

This is someone who always says were doing things political and everything is so political. Look in the mirror, said Carrico. This is very political.

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Action News Jax reached out to JSO asking whether the agency plans to stop enforcing the state and local immigration laws as recommended by OGC.

As a law enforcement agency, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office will always enforce federal, state, and local laws, said JSO in a statement.

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One Jacksonville teen went from being at risk of homelessness to becoming a high school graduate, escaping abuse and rebuilding her life along the way. Thanks to the helping hands of a local program, the teen found safe housing and is now back in school, working, and planning for college.

At just 18, Juliana Alcantarawho goes by Jayhas already faced more than most her age.

I was with my mom at the time, and it was just like a bit of unstable housing due to substance abuse and such, and the safest option for me was to come and stay with my brother, Jay said.

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After fleeing abuse between the ages of 15 and 16, Jay moved to Jacksonville seeking safety. For a while, she found it living with her brotheruntil he returned to South Carolina, the very place she was trying to escape.

And go back there I feel like in a sense...were having to relive it even more, she said.

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With nowhere else to turn, Jay found Daniels Project Prepare at the age of 17a local program that offers housing, life skills, and support to homeless and at-risk youth. She moved into the Independent Living Village last year, and everything began to change.

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Within like the short span. Im now here and I have my own job and I can find my own transportation and Ive been able to take up like a lot more responsibilities, Jay said.

Now at age 18, Jay graduated just last week from Fletcher High School.

Juliana Jay Alcantara participates in wrestling while attending Fletcher High School

Once I was getting towards the end of school, like wow, Im actually gonna graduate, and then like a couple days later it was like actually happening, she said.

Shes now working part-time and looking ahead to college, with dreams of becoming a cosmetologistor even a firefighter.

And we are proud of her because she did it, said Daniel Kids Program Director Carmella Prescott.

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Prescott said shes seen hundreds of teens in similar or worse situations than Jay over the past six years.

500 to 600 kids, most of them being successful, were usually the 90% success rate because were so intense, she said.

Nationally, more than one in four people experiencing homelessness are under age 25. 19% are children under 18, and 8% are young adults between 18 and 24, according to the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report.

Jay said to always trust the timing of thingsbecause she believes youll always end up at the destination where you want to be.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Jamie Smith is planning to announce a campaign to become the next mayor of Sioux Falls.

Smith, the South Dakota Democratic Partys 2022 nominee for governor and current District 15 Senator, will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Washington Pavilion.

Brookings businesses recovering after fire

In 2022, Smith lost to Republican Kristi Noem. He returned to public office in 2024 when he replaced term-limited Sen. Reynold Nesiba.

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David Zokaites has also filed paperwork to run for mayor again in 2026.

Mayor Paul TenHaken will continue to serve his final term as mayor until the next city election either June 2026 or November 2026.

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TOKYO (Reuters) -Cambodian authorities have said they detained some Japanese nationals in a joint effort to crack down on fraud centres in Cambodia, a Japanese government spokesperson said on Thursday.

Criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to scam centres in parts of Southeast Asia to help generate billions of dollars in illicit revenues each year, the United Nations says.

Japan is looking into the numbers and whereabouts of those detained, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular press conference.

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"We are in the process of confirming details such as exactly how many people were detained, and where and how they were detained," Hayashi said.

"We'll respond appropriately while continuing working with local authorities."

On Wednesday, citing people affiliated with the Cambodian government, the Kyodo news agency said about 30 people believed to be Japanese suspected of involvement in fraud were taken to Phnom Penh the day before following detention in the northwestern city of Poipet.

Scammers often reach out to victims on social media and messaging applications to build online relationships before luring them into making fraudulent investments.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Clarence Fernandez)
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed determination Thursday to defend rules-based, free and multilateral trade systems and work on expanding the main Asia-Pacific trade group at a time of tension over U.S. tariffs.

High tariffs will not bring economic prosperity," Ishiba told a global forum in Tokyo. A prosperity built on sacrifices by someone or another country will not make a strong economy. Japan seeks to work with the U.S. on investment, job creation and manufacturing high quality products for the prosperity of America and the rest of the world, he said.

His comment comes as Japans chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa travels to Washington, D.C., for a fourth round of talks aiming to convince the U.S. to drop all recent tariff measures. So far Japan has not been successful in gaining U.S. concessions and is reportedly considering purchases of more U.S. farm products and defense equipment as bargaining chips.

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Later Thursday, Ishiba telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump to touch base ahead of the talks in Washington. The two leaders now have deeper understanding about each other, Ishiba told reporters, though there is no change to Japans position on the tariffs. He declined to give further details.

Akazawa told reporters that defense equipment purchases could come into view during the talks because Japan's purchases of defense equipment would contribute to the U.S. trade surplus, though he said Japanese security policy is not subject to "a deal with another country.

Ishiba, in his speech, also called on other countries in Asia, a global hub of growth, to show the importance of rules-based, free and fair economic order," and said the way to demonstrate that is to promote the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.

The 12-nation CPTPP includes Japan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The U.S. is not a member.

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Ishiba pledged that Japan will work toward further expanding and upgrading the framework, which he said not only contributes to the economy but also to peace and prosperity.

While Tokyo is strengthening economic ties with Southeast Asia and Europe, Japan still considers the United States as its lynchpin of security policies.
SYDNEY, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Dams are causing significant harm to migratory river species, such as fish, eels, crustaceans and snails that rely on unbroken pathways between rivers and oceans to complete their life cycles, said a global study.

The research synthesized over 100 studies and is the first global analysis of how dam-induced river fragmentation affects these so-called diadromous species, Australia's University of Tasmania said in a news release on Wednesday.

The findings highlight a sharp decline in species abundance, diversity, and genetic health due to blocked migration routes and disrupted habitats, said researchers, including University of Tasmania freshwater animal ecologist Liew Jia Huan and the study's lead author Jeffrey Chan from the University of Hong Kong.

While fish passes or "fish ladders" are widely used to mitigate these effects, the study found they often fail, especially when not tailored to the local species' behavior.

"The impacts of dams were the harshest on species that cannot survive in isolated, landlocked environments, and fish with limited climbing abilities, unlike better climbers such as eels," Liew said.

The researchers identified dam removal as the most effective method to restore ecological connectivity, though it can be expensive and socially complex.

As global dam construction accelerates, driven by energy and water demands, the study, published in Biological Reviews, urges more rigorous environmental assessments before development begins, and calls for greater research into understudied tropical regions and lesser-known migratory species like snails and crabs. 
A rendering of a sausage production facility in Perry, proposed by JBS USA. (Rendering courtesy of JBS Foods)

JBS announced plans Thursday to build a $135 million sausage-production facility that will create more than 700 jobs in Perry.

Cameron Bruett, head of corporate affairs for the company, said the facility will be state of the art and that theres gonna be nothing like it in America.

This would probably be the first facility of its kind built in the last 40 years. And so thats exciting for us to be a new entrant, a new competitor, in a growing space in agriculture, Bruett said in a call with Iowa Capital Dispatch.

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The announcement comes nearly a year after the shuttering of a Tyson Foods pork processing facility in Perry that employed nearly 1,300 people.

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Bruett, who was in Perry Wednesday along with other members of JBS senior staff, said the reception to the project has been overwhelmingly positive.

We think that this could have a long-term positive impact on the community over the next 50 to 100 years, if we do this right, Bruett said. And its a community that I think is ready for a project like this, and, frankly, needs a project like this.

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The new facility will have 500 direct positions. While it doesnt fill the 1,300-slot hole left in Perry by Tysons departure, Bruett said he believes there will be ample opportunity for former Tyson employees in town to find work at the new facility.

Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh said at the time of the Tyson plant closure he was unsure how the town of about 8,000 would recover from the closure and loss of jobs.

Following the news from JBS, Cavanaugh. said the project was a potential game-changer for Perry.

JBS USAs intentions to invest here reflects the resilience and promise of our community, Cavanaugh said in a statement. This facility will not only create good-paying jobs but also provide long-term benefits for our schools, infrastructure, and local businesses.

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Bruett was unable to share wage ranges for the jobs the facility, if approved, would provide. He said the starting salary for other JBS facilities in Iowa is about $22 per hour and the Perry site would be comparable.

JBS also anticipates the construction of the facility will require around 250 local construction jobs, starting in 2025 when it hopes to begin building. The company expects the facility will be operational in late 2026.

The sausage-making facility would process around 500,000 sows to create 130 million pounds of sausage each year.

Bruett said the facility will create an additional outlet for local pork producers who currently transport most of their sows east for processing.

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Aaron Juergens, president of Iowa Pork Producers Association said he was excited to see the proposal from JBS and the opportunities it would bring for pork producers in the state.

It strengthens our states leadership in pork production, creates new opportunities for pork producers, and supports the rural communities that are the backbone of Iowa agriculture, Juergen said. This is a win for pig farmers, Iowas economy, and for the Perry area.

Additionally, JBS plans to invest in the Perry community through its Hometown Strong and Better Futures programs which fund projects in the community and help JBS team members and their family members attend community colleges.

We believe in giving back to the communities we call home, Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA, said in a statement. Our investments in Perry will go beyond dollars  they will help build careers, strengthen families, and ensure a thriving community for generations to come.

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JBS will submit a request to the City of Perry to change the zoning for the property, located on the southeast side of town, from agricultural to heavy industrial, according to Bruett. The city council will have to approve the project before it can begin construction.

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BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY)  For the 11th year in a row, Jenkins Subaru has partnered with Subaru of America to make a big donation to the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties.

The donation was part of Subarus annual Share the Love event, and according to General Manager Matt Jenkins, the car dealership picks a non-profit in the local community to give the proceeds from this event to, and they always choose the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties.

Weve always chosen United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties just because they have such an effect, you know, said Jenkins. They have so many different agencies that come in for needs and its hard for us to know exactly where that need is.

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Jenkins said that the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties vets all of the organizations that come to them for assistance, and they determine how many dollars should be allocated to each organization as the years go on.

Its really nice to know that the money going in the community goes exactly where it needs to go, by the professionals who actually know where the need needs to be fulfilled at, he added.

Once the Share the Love program kicks off each year, Jenkins Subaru will give up to $500 per car when a customer buys a new Subaru. The dealership offers five to six different agencies for customers to choose from for the funds to go to, and Jenkins added that Subaru of America matches some of the money as well.

We always obviously push them to our local United Way because we want the money to stay here local, Jenkins told 12 News. To help our youth, people on Meals on Wheels, just really any type of need that needs to be fulfilled.

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This year, Jenkins Subaru was able to present the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties with a check worth $71,973. An event was held on Wednesday afternoon, where representatives from the car dealership and the Jenkins family presented this check to the organization.

This is a tremendous day. Great appreciation to Jenkins Subaru for providing this, these funds today, said United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties Executive Director Martin Howe. These funds will be utilized for the other non-profits, the partner agencies that we do support for Harrison and Doddridge County.

These are the best schools in West Virginia, new 2025 report says

According to Howe, the money received will help partner agencies that promote education and health, as well as address homelessness and other worthwhile causes.

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Jenkins told 12 News that although a lot of local people may feel that their community doesnt have any needs, these needs still exist even if you dont see them. There is real need. I mean theres different areas that you see it more than others, but it doesnt matter where its at, people need help, he said.

As a result of this need, Jenkins stated that it was important to him and his family to partner with Subaru of America for this initiative thats carried on in communities across the country.

With every passing year, Jenkins stated that the communitys needs can look different. Its not a one-size-fits-all strategy. With [United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties], its nice to know that we can give them the money and its gonna be deployed the way it needs to be year by year, case by case, Jenkins added. So thats why we chose them and we continue to every year.

Jenkins stated that if anybody in the community wants to help support this initiative in the coming years, its important to just do the right thing. Its not all about the money, its knowing that the money were putting in the community is actually getting to the community, he added. Everybody has a budget, everybody has needs, everybody has the ability to give back in one way, shape or form.

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According to Howe, it would be very difficult for the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties to even come close to their goal without this annual assistance from Jenkins Subaru. It tremendously assists us as a non-profit, and we look forward to keeping partnerships going in the future for many different reasonstheyre a great family, great company, great business, and theyre just a great community partner, he stated.

Howe added that the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties is always accepting donations, including peoples services and volunteerism. To be able to get out and help the community members where they feel necessary is a big part of the organizations mission, he added.

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The man accused of ramming his car into the gate of actress Jennifer Anistons Bel Air home has been found not mentally competent to stand trial, for a second time.

This now delays the criminal proceedings for Jimmy Wayne Carwyle while he undergoes treatment.

Just last week, different psychiatrist previously determined he was mentally incompetent to stand trial, now a second doctor has confirmed that.

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Carwyle has been accused of stalking the Friends actress since March of 2023. Prosecutors said the 48-year-old Mississippi resident repeatedly harassed her, leaving her unwanted voicemails, and sending her messages over social media and email.

On May 5, he was arrested for allegedly stalking and crashing his car through the front gate of The Morning Show stars home.

Actress Jennifer Anistons home in Bel Air is seen here after an elderly man was arrested for crashing through her front gates while she was home. May 2025. (Sky5)

Aniston was reportedly home when this happened.

Carwyle has been charged with felony stalking, vandalism and more for the incident. If convicted, he could face three years in prison.

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Our quality of life in modern Britain is increasingly defined by those who believe themselves to be above the law as an epidemic of low-grade anti-social behaviour makes shared spaces increasingly intolerable.

Shops are forced to lock away goods and splash out on security to deal with shoplifters. High streets play host to businesses blatantly engaged in money laundering. And on public transport, fare dodgers  literal free-riders  are undermining the finances of providers.

At times, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick appears to be fighting a one-man campaign against this collapse in standards. In a video posted to social media, Mr Jenrick can be seen confronting three men who forced their way through ticket barriers at Stratford station, demanding they explain why they did not pay, and subsequently escorting one man to Transport for London (TfL) rail enforcement officers.

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Predictably, those whose nominal task it is to actually enforce the law have reacted with great displeasure at being shown up. The Transport Salaried Staffs Association, which represents the British Transport Police, condemned Mr Jenrick for playing hero on the commute and engaging in vigilante justice. Others took umbrage with his failure to obtain permission to film on TfL property.

These words would undoubtedly carry more weight if, for instance, various workers in day-glo vests slouching around Britains transport hubs were more inclined to play hero themselves and do their jobs. While Mr Jenrick is to be commended for his efforts, if Britain is to address its collapse in standards, it will need to begin with standards in enforcing the rules.

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Back-of-the-pack New York City mayoral candidates Jessica Ramos and Michael Blake wont participate in the second Democratic primary debate next month as they havent met the fundraising thresholds to qualify for it.

The citys Campaign Finance Board, which organizes the mayoral primary debates, announced Thursday that Ramos and Blake had not made the cut for the showdown scheduled for June 12.

Ramos, a state senator representing Queens, and Blake, a former Bronx state Assembly member, will participate in this Wednesdays first mayoral primary debate, though. The CFB set lower fundraising thresholds to qualify for that debate.

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Still, the exclusion from the second debate of Ramos and Blake, who havent mustered more than 1% support in most mayoral race polls, indicates the crowded primary field could start thinning out.

A campaign rep for Blake declined to comment Thursday. Ramos campaign said shes staying in the race despite being cut from the second debate.

The Democratic mayoral primary is set for June 24, and the debates will provide voters with an important window into the candidates messages as the campaign enters the final, hectic few weeks.

The candidates who have qualified for the second debate are Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Adrienne Adams, Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie and Whitney Tilson. All of them are also expected to participate in the first debate next week.

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Lots of attention at the first debate will focus on Cuomo, whos polling as the favorite to win the mayoral primary.

Typically in New York City, the winner of the Democratic primary tends to be a shoo-in to become mayor.

This year, that tradition is being put to the test, though, as Mayor Adams has dropped out of the Democratic primary to instead run as an independent in Novembers general election. He made that switch last month as he was facing intense political fallout from the Trump administrations controversial dismissal of his federal corruption indictment.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  On Wednesday, Jewish leaders in the D.C. area came together at George Washington University for a Jewish Unity and Solidarity Gathering.

They mourned the lives of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, the two Israeli embassy staff members who were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum last week. They also discussed ways to move forward.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

The evening started on an emotional high when Milgrims father called in to share a message.

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She was the perfect child, he said. Perfect in every way in her respect for her family and her love for everyone that was around her.

He finished by stating, Sarah wouldnt want our hearts to remain broken; she wants our hearts to mend so we can do what she set out to do  which was to fight hate, fight antisemitism, create love.

The gathering happened just a couple of miles away from the museum where the young couple was shot and killed. Elias Rodriguez, who has been charged in their deaths, told DC police, I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, after the shooting, according to an affidavit.

The museum is set to reopen on Thursday, starting with a 10 a.m. memorial service, and then opening to the public at noon.

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Those at the gathering also discussed how to move forward and called on others to help fight antisemitism.

What were the values they lived and they died for? said Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter.

Ron Halber, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, told DC News Now it is a fight for all communities.

The Jewish community has always been traditional allies of those who are under attack, and we expect others to stand up for us when were in our moment  of feeling isolated and needing assistance, he said. Its their moral responsibility.

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JK Rowling is supporting female-only breastfeeding support groups in protest of the NHS.

Many NHS trusts across the country dropped the term mother for terms like birthing person and people who have ovaries.

Some services suggested that chestfeeding by transgender women, who are biological males, was comparable to new mothers feeding with breast milk.

Chestfeeding involves prescribing a combination of drugs to a transgender woman to allow them to produce milk to feed a baby.

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The Harry Potter author has now donated to a new breastfeeding support group that was set up in opposition to the health services inclusion of transgender parents in post-natal support.

JK Rowling posted on X I love it when a plan comes together following the Supreme Courts ruling on the legal definition of women - @jk_rowling/X

MoMa Breastfeeding is a new non-profit organisation which is dedicated to supporting mothers who wish to breastfeed their children.

The group has stated: We saw that skills and knowledge were being lost through changes in language and the abandonment of mother-centred practice.

We realised that support for mothers and children that protects the mother-baby dyad is needed more than ever. That is why we have founded MoMa Breastfeeding.

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The volunteer-led organisation said its sessions will be entirely single-sex, excluding transgender women who are taking drugs to induce lactation. The charity makes an exception for the baby boys who may be breastfed.

Ms Rowling announced her support for the group on X, stating: Ive donated to this new breastfeeding support charity. Mother-to-mother support is incredibly important at what many women can find a challenging time.

I've donated to this new breastfeeding support charity. Mother-to-mother support is incredibly important at what many women can find a challenging time.

1/2 https://t.co/qeWUsvCOZl  J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 29, 2025

The NHS has been plagued by scandals about efforts to include transgender people in post-natal services.

In 2021, it emerged that midwives at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust were told to use gender-inclusive language, including mothers or birthing parents, breast/chestfeeding and maternal and parental.

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In 2024, University of Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust said that the milk produced by trans women after taking a combination of drugs is comparable to that produced following the birth of a baby.

That same year, Miriam Main, the director of the large breastfeeding support charity La Leche, quit her role over biological males being taught a poor imitation of breastfeeding in classes.

She said at the time: I hope that the wonderful work of hundreds of women is not lost through mixing causes and politics.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has sought to put an end to the encroachment of ideological hobby horses into womens services, and called for an end to misguided diversity, equality and inclusion practices in the NHS.

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Speaker Mike Johnson is standing behind the reconciliation bill amid criticism from Elon Musk on the bills spending.

Musk  a close ally of President Donald Trump whose chaotic tenure in Washington is coming to a close  had previously criticized the bill as undermining the cost-cutting work that his Department of Government Efficiency undertook.

Johnson said that after hearing Musks comments, he immediately reached out to his good friend Elon to defend the proposal.

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I sent my good friend Elon a long text message explaining it can be big and beautiful, Johnson said in an interview on Fox News on Thursday afternoon.

Johnsons rebuttal comes hours after Musk announced his exit from the administration, following months of a slash-and-burn approach to the federal government with DOGE and his butting heads with key members of the administration.

Musk said earlier this week he was disappointed in the massive reconciliation proposal in an interview with CBS News. In a rare criticism of President Donald Trumps key policies, Musk said that the proposed bill undermines the work that DOGE had done.

I think a bill can be big, or it can be beautiful, but I dont know if it can be both, Musk said. Musk and his electric car company Tesla also criticized plans to end clean energy credits this week.

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Johnson pushed back on Thursday, arguing that Musk  and some of his other critics on the Senate side, including Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)  were underestimating the growth that would come with passing the bill and enacting Trumps agenda.

He also said that Trumps tariff policies would also bring in revenue that wasnt being accounted for in the projections from the Congressional Budget Office.

We believe we're gonna get the economy going and this is going to be deficit reducing at the end of the day, Johnson added. It matters how you do the math.

A report from the Joint Committee on Taxation found that the Houses tax package would cost nearly $4 trillion trillion over the next decade.

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But Johnson also sang Musks praises, saying that his magic algorithms were the secret to DOGEs cuts that Congress is looking to codify. The White House is planning to send a multi-billion dollar recissions package to codify DOGEs cuts, predominantly on public media funding and foreign assistance, to Congress next week.

Elon's exactly right, the DOGE effort will go on long before his tenure as a temporary assistant in all this because it's changing the way people look at this, Johnson said.
ISLAMABAD, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Five terrorists were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, the military said on Thursday.

The operations were conducted in Loralai and Kech districts of the province on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement.

During the operation in Loralai, four terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces, the ISPR said. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the scene.

In a separate operation in Kech district, one more terrorist was neutralized, the statement added.

The ISPR said the terrorists were affiliated with a banned outfit and had been involved in several terrorist activities, including deadly ambushes on passenger vehicles along the N-70 highway in the Rarasham area in August 2024 and February 2025, which claimed the lives of at least 30 civilians.

Sanitization operations are being carried out to eliminate the presence of other terrorists in the area.

The military said the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. 
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A new face has been appointed to fill the vacant seat for House District 18.

On Wednesday, May 28, the Hawaii House Republican Caucus announced that Joseph Gedeon would be the successor to the late Rep. Gene Ward, who served the Hawaii Kai community for nearly three decades.

Former Rep. Gene Ward passes away at 82

Gedeon fills the seat as a born-and-raised Hawaii Kai resident himself and looks to continuously give back to his community through his involvement in many advocacy organizations.

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He brings in 20 years of business leadership experience, and currently works in marketing and advertising.

According to the Hawaii Republican Party, Gedeon has worked tirelessly to uplift conservative voices and support over 80 political campaigns across the islands through his work.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Multiple members of the Hawaii Republican Party expressed their excitement and appreciation for Gedeon to take the vacant seat.

We are confident Joe will bring energy, integrity, and innovative thinking to the State Legislature. He represents a new generation of Republican leadershipgrounded in local values, equipped with real-world experience, and ready to fight for Hawaiis future. Art Hannemann, Hawaii Republican Party State Chair

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., selected Gedeon out of three proposed candidates. He is set to serve in the House until the term expires on Nov. 3, 2026.

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Josh Klinghoffer, the former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, accepted a plea deal after facing a vehicular manslaughter charge.

Klinghoffer, 45, was charged in the death of Israel Sanchez in March after a collision last year in Alhambra. Klinghoffer was driving a black GMC Yukon at the corner of West Main Street and South Meridian Avenue when he turned left at the intersection while 47-year-old Sanchez was walking in a marked crosswalk. Klinghoffer then struck and killed Sanchez.

On Wednesday in court in Alhambra, Klinghoffer pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. He was sentenced to 60 days of community labor and one year of informal probation. He will also have to take a driver safety course and pay restitution.

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During the hearing, the prosecutor told Klinghoffer, If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder.

Sanchez's family sued Klinghoffer for wrongful death after the incident, alleging that Klinghoffer was on his phone at the time of the collision. Video of the incident shows that defendant Josh Adam Klinghoffer made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck Israel Sanchez, indicating that Defendant was likely driving while distracted.

This horrible outcome was foreseeable and demonstrates a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others, the suit continued.

Klinghoffers attorney in the civil suit, Andrew Brettler, said in a statement to The Times last year, After Josh struck this pedestrian in the intersection, he immediately pulled over, stopped the car, called 911 and waited until police and the ambulance arrived. Obviously, hes cooperating with the police throughout the traffic investigation. This was purely a tragic accident.

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Klinghoffer played guitar with the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, when longtime guitarist John Frusciante returned. Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2012. He has since performed as a member of Jane's Addiction and Pearl Jam.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Investigative journalists from The Kyiv Independent have identified collaborators responsible for religious persecution in the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, particularly in the city of Melitopol.

Source: investigative documentary No God but Theirs

Details: The journalists contacted a man currently heading the Department for Work with Religious Organisations under the Russian occupations military-civil administration in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. His name is Artem Sharlai.

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He is responsible for suppressing Ukrainian churches in the occupied city of Melitopol. Originally from Zaporizhzhia, Sharlai has espoused pro-Russian views since the early 2000s. During the Revolution of Dignity, he took part in the local Anti-Maidan movement and later joined the illegal armed formations of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) at the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war. He disappeared from the public eye for some time, returning in 2022 to launch a campaign against so-called "sects" in the occupied territory.

Sharlai told journalists about his colleagues: Andrii Zinchenko, Viacheslav Lytvynenko and Oleksandr Danylov. The latter, even before the annexation of Crimea, held mid-level administrative posts and openly promoted pro-Russian rhetoric.

After the start of the full-scale invasion, Danylov moved to Melitopol and now heads the Department for Internal Policy in the occupation administration.

Yevhen Balytskyi, a former member of the Ukrainian parliament who sided with Russia after the full-scale invasion began, signed decrees banning churches. These orders also stripped them of all movable and immovable property.

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As head of the occupation administration, Balytskyi is the key figure coordinating the persecution of Ukrainian churches in Melitopol.

Now, the seized church buildings are used by Russian occupation authorities. The former premises of the New Generation church host the so-called Ministry of Youth of Zaporizhzhia Oblast; the Grace church now houses the Ministry of Culture; and the Word of Life church building has been handed over to a department of the so-called Ministry of Internal Affairs.



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A hemp crop waits to be harvested in Lincolnshire for British CBD oil producer Crop England on Aug. 27, 2021, in Grantham, England. The farm supplies Crop England, a British CBD oil producer founded in 2019 by Mike and Jackie Lamyman. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

A federal magistrate judge has ruled that the state of Alaska did not violate the U.S. Constitution when it acted to limit intoxicating hemp products in 2023.

In an order published May 23, Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon granted summary judgment in favor of the state and against the Alaska Industrial Hemp Association, which sued two years ago in an attempt to overturn regulations imposed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

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The court order means intoxicating hemp products, common in many other states, will remain illegal in Alaska unless sold through a licensed marijuana retailer.

It was rewarding to be part of the process developing the regulations, and I was happy when we successfully defended against the motion for a preliminary injunction in 2023, said Assistant Attorney General Kevin Higgins, by email. Higgins represented the state in the case.

Im not patting myself on the back too hard though, he said. The Division of Agriculture was motivated by public safety concerns when it took measured action to regulate an emerging industry. This was an easy case to make, which is probably why the plaintiffs didnt file an opposition to the motion for summary judgment.

An attorney representing the plaintiff did not answer a request for comment on Wednesday.

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Alaska legalized the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes in 2014. The state subsequently created a tightly regulated market in which only licensed businesses may grow, process and sell marijuana.

Under a 2018 federal law and a state law enacted in 2021, cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% THC  a common psychoactive chemical  were considered hemp, not the more tightly regulated marijuana.

Even though those hemp products contain only small amounts of psychoactive chemicals, they could be extracted, processed and turned into intoxicating products that were available at convenience stores, gas stations and other stores not restricted by the states marijuana regulator.

While hemp products are federally legal, marijuana remains federally prohibited, and social media companies frequently restrict marijuana advertising, giving an advantage to the hemp market.

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Marijuana retailers urged action, and a task force organized by Gov. Mike Dunleavy recommended that the state enact regulations to limit intoxicating hemp products.

The Alaska Division of Agriculture enacted those in 2023, leading to the lawsuit that was resolved this month.

Plaintiffs had argued that the divisions regulations violate the constitutions supremacy clause, violate the dormant commerce clause, constitute a regulatory taking and are void for vagueness.

In each case, Reardon ruled against the plaintiffs and in favor of the state.

Early in the legal dispute, U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason rejected a request for a preliminary injunction, allowing the state to enforce its regulations as the case progressed.

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Already this year, enforcement officers from the Division of Agriculture and Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office have seized products from three businesses in Anchorage and one in Fairbanks.

Trevor Haynes, president of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association and manager of a Fairbanks marijuana business, said that while the association has issues with the way the state is regulating hemp, its good that the states regulations for intoxicating hemp products were preserved in court.

That is one way to stop the development of a gray area where people will  basically sell marijuana under the guise of hemp, he said.

He was critical of the states decision to require hemp retailers to sell products that contain absolutely no psychoactive substances. Removing all traces requires costly, specialized equipment and generally isnt economically feasible for small-scale Alaska businesses.

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I have a business thats purely a hemp business and so I understand it from both sides. Its unfortunate, and there might be a better solution, but (the regulations are) certainly a way to ensure that theres no gray area where intoxicating hemp, aka marijuana under another name, can be produced in the state and sold in the state.

Correction: The initial version of this article misstated the name of the federal judge who rejected the request for a preliminary injunction. It was Judge Sharon Gleason.
A federal judge Thursday blocked President Donald Trump from taking action to prevent Harvard University from enrolling foreign students amid a still-mushrooming feud between the White House and the nations oldest and most prestigious academic institution.

District Court Judge Allison Burroughs told the government she would issue an order to indefinitely prevent the White House from stopping the Ivy League school from hosting thousands of international students while the legal fight plays out.

The ruling extended her order from last week that paused Trumps effort to strip Harvard of its certification to host foreign students and threats to revoke the visas of its students. Burroughs asked both sides to propose language for an order on the issue.

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The judges action came as the White House shows little sign of backing down in its scrap with Harvard, which it accuses of being a hotbed of woke liberalism and a haven for student protests against Israels war against Hamas in Gaza that improperly target Jewish students.

Even as Burroughs issued her ruling, the Trump administration sent a letter to Harvard giving it 30 days to respond to the accusations, including claims that the university supposedly coordinated with China and failed to respond sufficiently to antisemitism on campus.

The legal sparring came as thousands of Harvard students, faculty and administrators gathered on the leafy campus in the Boston suburb of Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the universitys annual graduation ceremony.

Harvard President Alan Garber basked in a standing ovation that lasted for more than a minute when he mentioned the universitys global reach, noting that it is just as it should be.

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Aidan Robert Scully addressed fellow graduating seniors in Latin, and made no effort to hide his antipathy to Trumps right-wing agenda.

Neither powers nor princes can change the truth and deny that diversity is our strength, Scully said.

The Trump administration has already ordered federal agencies to cancel roughly $100 million in contracts with Harvard, canceled more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants and threatened the schools tax-exempt status.

The administration is demanding that Harvard make broad leadership changes, revise its admissions policies and audit its faculty and student body.

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The school counters that the government has no right to impinge on its academic freedom and independence, especially its emphasis on diversity and tolerance. Other top universities, including New Yorks Columbia, are facing similar attacks and cuts from Trump, which they fear could escalate.

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The Miami trial of five men accused of plotting the assassination of Haitis president has again been delayed, this time to March 2026  almost five years after the fatal shooting of Jovenel Moise at his suburban home outside Port-au-Prince.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra said at a recent hearing that she was not happy about delaying the federal trial, which was originally set for March and then postponed until September of this year.

Becerra said she had no choice but to push it back again because of the massive volume of evidence, including more than 2.5 million text messages, emails and other records, that federal prosecutors are still turning over to the defense lawyers  a basic discovery issue that has turned into a sore point for the judge.

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I do not take it lightly in any way that this case has been delayed, Becerra told the five defendants, who were arrested and taken into federal custody in the months after the July 7, 2021, assassination of Moise. This is not a delay that I am at all happy with.

Compounding the run-up to the Miami trial: Armed gangs have been terrorizing Haiti, a country in free fall without a political leader, making it unsafe for the defense lawyers in Miami to go there and question ex-Colombian soldiers jailed in Port-au-Prince on Haitian charges of assisting in the slaying of the president.

As a result, Judge Becerra granted the defense teams request to take video depositions of five of the Colombians, who represent about one-third of the former commandos in jail.

Although the difficulties of traveling to Haiti to conduct these depositions should not be understated, there appears to be no reason why the depositions could not take place over video conference, Becerra ruled after the May 19 hearing on the trial date and other issues.

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Despite the judges approval of these critical depositions, there is one potential Haitian witness whom the defense lawyers in Miami wont be able to question: Former Haitian Superior Court Judge Windelle Coq Thelot, who died in January.

Haitian authorities considered Thelot a key suspect in the investigation of Moises killing. But she took to the grave unanswered questions about her alleged role in the assassination plot and whether she indeed promised immunity to the defendants in Miami who are accused of directing it.

According to prosecutors in Miami, Thelot gained the support of the suspected plotters in South Florida as a replacement for Moise in June 2021, when they decided that Christian Sanon, a Haitian priest and physician, was not a viable option to take over the presidency.

Thelots apparent signature appeared on a written request for assistance to arrest Haitis president that purported to provide Haitian immunity to the conspirators in South Florida, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court. One of the suspects, Haitian-American maintenance worker James Solages, traveled from Haiti to Miami on June 28, 2021, to deliver the document to another suspect, Antonio Tony Intriago, the owner of a security business.

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On July 1, Solages traveled back to Haiti and five days later met with several conspirators at a house near Moises residence. Solages falsely told those gathered that it was a CIA Operation, and, in substance, said that the mission was to kill President Moise, the FBI affidavit stated.

Solages and other suspects drove in a convoy to the presidents home on the night of July 7, the assassination date. Once inside the residence, Solages declared they were involved in a DEA Operation to ensure compliance from Moises security team, the affidavit stated. Some of the ex-Colombian soldiers recruited for the mission were assigned to find and kill the president.

Suspect knew about assassination plan: FBI

On July 22, federal agents questioned Solages while he was in Haitian custody. After he was read his Miranda rights, Solages admitted that by mid-June 2021, he knew that the plan was to ultimately assassinate President Moise, according to the FBI affidavit.

To date in the U.S. case, five of the 11 defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill Haitis president, resulting in life sentences that they hope to get reduced with their cooperation. Among those convicted: two ex-Colombian commandos, a former Haitian senator, a Haitian-American man who worked as an informant for the DEA, and a previously convicted Haitian drug trafficker.

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A sixth defendant, a Tampa businessman, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving the smuggling of bulletproof vests that were illegally exported to Haiti for the group of ex-Colombian soldiers who carried out the deadly attack.

The remaining five defendants are charged with conspiring in South Florida to kidnap or kill Haitis leader and related charges, including recruiting the Colombian commandos. The conspiracy charge carries up to life in prison.

The defendants facing trial are: Intriago, the head of a Miami-area security firm, CTU; Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, a former FBI informant who joined Intriago at CTU; Walter Veintemilla, a Broward County financier; Solages, the Haitian American; and Sanon, who was initially seen by the group as a successor to Moise as Haitis president. All five defendants are being held in a federal lock-up before trial.

Of the five remaining defendants, Sanon was the only one who told the judge at the hearing this month that he opposed delaying the trial until March of next year.

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But Judge Becerra, while showing sympathy for his pre-trial detention over nearly four years in Haiti and Miami, said holding one trial for him and another for the others was not practical for several reasons.

Given the complexity of the case, the government wants all the defendants tried together, Becerra told Sanon. I am not inclined to try your case in September and all the other defendants in March [2026].

In February 2024, Sanon was charged with the others with conspiring to kill Haitis leader, after first being accused of trying to carry out a military expedition against a foreign country. It was the fifth superseding indictment filed by prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office and Justice Department. Since then, most of the team has been replaced with new prosecutors.

The other four defendants did not oppose the trial delay when questioned by the judge, though Intriago expressed his frustration over the prosecutions sharing of evidence in the high-profile case.

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I dont understand why we dont have everything in our hands, Intriago told the judge. I just wanted to express my frustration that the government give us all the information and not hide anything from us.

Haiti devolves into chaos

Since the presidents assassination at his home outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti has plunged into total chaos as armed gangs have terrorized the island nation with no presidential election on the horizon.

While the U.S. investigation led by the FBI moved quickly to arrests and charges in Miami, Haitis probe of the presidents slaying only resulted in an indictment in February 2024. A total of 51 people were charged by an investigative judge in collaboration with a prosecutor.

Sanon is the only defendant charged in the Haiti prosecution that was also named as a defendant in the Miami case.

Among those in Haiti accused of the deadly attack: the slain presidents widow, Martine Moise, who suffered gunshot wounds during the assault on the familys home.
NEW YORK (AP)  A grand jury has indicted a cryptocurrency investor who was charged with kidnapping and torturing a man for weeks in an upscale Manhattan townhouse in order to gain access to his Bitcoin.

John Woeltz, 37, has been jailed since his arrest Friday outside the luxury rental, where an Italian national told police he was severely beaten, drugged, shocked with electrical wires and dangled over a ledge by captors seeking the password to his digital assets.

Woeltzs alleged accomplice, William Duplessie, surrendered to police Tuesday and is awaiting his own indictment.

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At the hearing Thursday, an attorney for Woeltz requested his client be released on a $2 million bond, citing his lack of criminal record, philosophy degree and professional accomplishments.

Hes been very successful in the technology world, the attorney, Wayne Gosnell, told a Manhattan judge, adding that his client has every intention to fight this case.

The judge denied bail for Woeltz, who did not appear in court.

Gosnell also requested that Woeltz not be required to turn over firearms that he legally owns in Kentucky. And he disputed the prosecutors earlier claims that his client owned a private jet and helicopter.

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He has no means to flee, Gosnell said.

Woeltz has described himself in interviews as a blockchain investor who spent time in Silicon Valley before returning to Kentuckys burgeoning crypto-mining industry.

Authorities have said Woeltz and Duplessie, another cryptocurrency investor, knew the victim personally.

On May 6, they lured the man  whose name has not been released by officials  to a posh townhouse in Manhattans Soho neighborhood, one of the citys most expensive, by threatening to kill his family.

The man said he was then held captive for 17 days, as the two investors tormented him with electrical wires, forced him to smoke from a crack pipe and at one point dangled him from a staircase five stories high.

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He eventually agreed to hand over his computer password Friday morning, then managed to flee the home as his captors went to retrieve the device. The victim made it onto the street, bloodied and shoeless, according to police.

A search of the townhouse turned up cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor, night vision goggles, ammunition and polaroid photos of the victim with a gun pointed to his head, according to prosecutors.
BOSTON  A federal judge on Thursday extended her block on the Trump administrations bid to prevent Harvard University from enrolling foreign students.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs announced her plan during a court hearing shortly after the administration revealed that it would give the university a 30-day reprieve before canceling its authority to admit students from abroad.

That reprieve does not eliminate the need for a court order barring the administration from taking action against Harvard, Burroughs said.

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I know you dont think an order is necessary, but I do think an order is necessary, the judge told a government lawyer. I dont think it needs to be draconian, but I want to make sure that nothing changes.

The hearing took place in Burroughs Boston courtroom as Harvards annual commencement ceremonies were underway a few miles away in Cambridges Harvard Yard.

The case is the most prominent battle in a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on international students. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. plans to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students at American universities.

But the administration has singled out Harvard, threatening to cancel its federal funding and eliminate its entire foreign-student population, which makes up 27 percent of the student body. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem notified Harvard last week that the administration was canceling the schools certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which is what allows institutions to enroll foreign students. In a May 22 letter to the university, Noem said the cancellation was effective immediately.

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The next day, Burroughs issued an emergency order blocking the move and scheduled a Thursday hearing to consider further arguments.

Shortly before that hearing, the administration filed a letter with the court revealing that it was no longer trying to immediately impose the cancellation. Instead, the administration said, it would wait 30 days and give Harvard a chance to submit evidence to contest the cancellation.

But Burroughs, an Obama appointee, said during the hearing that the letter wasnt enough to give her confidence that the administration wouldnt take other steps in the meantime, such as holding up visas for Harvard students.

Burroughs indefinitely extended her earlier block, known as a temporary restraining order, while lawyers for both sides negotiate over a potential injunction that would preserve the status quo while the case moves forward.

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Burroughs opened the hearing by asking Justice Department attorney Tiberius Davis if the new letter amounted to a concession that, as Harvard claims in its lawsuit, the government didnt follow the required process before informing the school last week that its ability to enroll foreign students was revoked.

I dont think its an admission that anything was done wrong, Davis said, but added that it would be better to go through the procedures rather than to litigate an extended court block.

Harvards attorney Ian Gershengorn said the 30-day delay didnt erase ongoing harm the university is facing, including foreign students considering shifting to other schools.

A temporary restraining order remains necessary, Gershengorn said, because we want to make sure there are no shenanigans.

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Harvard still believes it is being unfairly targeted by the Trump administration, Gershengorn added.

There continues to be a different set of rules for Harvard and a different set of procedures for Harvard, he said.

The temporary restraining order, Burroughs said, gives some protection to international students who might be anxious about coming here. But the judge also said she recognized that some students wariness wasnt going to be resolved by a court order or the Trump administrations decision to call what amounts to a 30-day timeout.

As the judge discussed the wording of the injunction she plans to issue, the lawyer representing the Trump administration said he wanted to make sure it didnt extend beyond the move to revoke Harvards ability to enroll and maintain foreign students.

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I dont want to foreclose other legal rights that the government has, Davis said. He didnt elaborate, leaving it unclear whether he was alluding to Rubios announcement.

After weeks of belligerent rhetoric toward Harvard over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests and claims of widespread antisemitism on campus, there were signs Wednesday that Trump might be trying to jump-start negotiations with the almost four-century-old university.

While still declaring that Harvard has been a disaster and theyre getting their ass kicked, he also proposed a 15 percent cap on foreign students  an offer that would cut Harvards foreign student rolls roughly in half. During the freewheeling exchange with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump also expressed some affection for the school.

I'm looking out for the country and for Harvard, the president said. I want Harvard to do well. I want Harvard to be great again.  Harvard has to understand the last thing I want to do is hurt them. They're hurting themselves.

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At least 10 international students or scholars slated to study at Harvard in the fall reported that their visa applications were refused for administrative processing immediately after the administrations notice last week, according to a declaration filed with the court Wednesday from Maureen Martin, the director of immigration services in Harvards International Office.

Burroughs also raised that issue during the 19-minute hearing, saying there were indications of things happening in violation of the TRO.

Theyre saying visas that were approved have been revoked, that some visas that were in process are not being advanced, the judge said.

Davis offered few specifics in response. Im not fully sure on the timing of those things. Things were moving fast, he said.

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Burroughs is also overseeing a lawsuit Harvard brought against the Trump administration challenging its decision to cut more than $2 billion in grants to the university. And she previously handled a major affirmative action lawsuit against Harvard, ruling in the universitys favor in the case that eventually led to the 2023 Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action across the country.

Harvard and the Trump administration have been sparring for months about the schools more than 7,000 foreign visa holders, with officials demanding details such as disciplinary records, information about criminal charges against them and audio and video of protests involving these students.


Protesters hold hands as the Indiana State Police stand in a line in the background April 27, 2024, at Dunn Meadow in Bloomington. (Jacob Spudich /The Indiana Daily Student)

A federal judge has blocked Indiana Universitys expressive activity policy, issuing a preliminary injunction against the educational institutions 2024 rule on Thursday.

Protesters across the country, many of them college students, rallied in support of Palestine near the end of the 2024 school year. At protests on IUs Bloomington campus, police arrested 57 protesters at a pro-Palestine encampment following a last-minute rule amendment concerning temporary structures in Dunn Meadow that reversed a long-standing policy.

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Later that year, in November, the university implemented a new policy that required prior approval for daytime campus protests and banned activities occurring between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana responded by filing suit on behalf of students, faculty members and others who wished to protest against the school in the future.

According to the rule, an expressive activity can include protests, speeches, petitions and all other unapproved conduct and activities otherwise prohibited by school policy or law. Plaintiffs argued that the new language restricted activity during nighttime hours even if it wasnt disruptive while university officials maintained that its police department was too short-staffed to allow for overnight protests.

Determining that the case would likely succeed in court and potentially violated the First Amendment, U.S. Southern District of Indiana Judge Richard L. Young ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.

In sum, the Policy likely burdens substantially more speech than necessary to further the Universitys interest in public safety and thus lacks narrow tailoring, ruled Young.

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IUs policy would apply to activities such as peaceful candlelight vigils, silently holding a sign, or even wearing a t-shirt that protests world events. The First Amendment does not allow a governmental entity to prohibit all forms of expression during certain hours of the day. Were pleased that the Court agreed, said Ken Falk, the ACLU of Indianas legal director.

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This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows a view of Gaziantep, Turkiye. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

GAZIANTEP, Turkiye, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye-China ties are entering a new era of cooperation centered on innovation, sustainable development and connectivity through the Belt and Road cooperation, Fatma Sahin, mayor of Turkiye's historically rich Gaziantep city, has said.

Gaziantep has a deep historical link with China through the ancient Silk Road and its ties with China are growing, particularly in green industry, AI and tourism, Sahin told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Recalling her first trip to China in the early 2000s as a lawmaker and member of the Turkiye-China friendship group, she said she was impressed by the extraordinary transformation she witnessed in China over the years.

On her most recent visit to Beijing, Sahin said she was "amazed by the progress, especially the inclusiveness of the municipality's services."

The Chinese approach to municipal governance, aided by AI and data-based decision-making, offers valuable insights, she said.

"If we had access to such a data-driven model in Gaziantep, we could provide even more effective services to our citizens," she added.

Gaziantep, a prominent city along the ancient Silk Roads, has long been a center of commerce and cultural exchange. Today, with a population exceeding 2 million, it has become a major manufacturing hub.

Under the Belt and Road cooperation, Turkiye and China are deepening cooperation in infrastructure, trade and sustainable development. Sahin believed local governments have a key role to play in this process.

"We're working on transforming our industrial zone into a green, resilient and sustainable space," she said, adding that China's expertise in this area could help her city move faster and smarter.

Gaziantep is already benefiting from bilateral partnerships. Two local companies are currently cooperating with Chinese firms on solar energy projects, and Sahin hailed it as a win-win result for both sides and a boost for the local economy.

Sahin said green transformation is a top priority for Gaziantep. Gaziantep is carefully studying China's approach to green urban development as it pursues its own economic transition.

Tourism and cultural exchange are also on Sahin's agenda. Sahin expressed her hope that more Chinese visitors will come to explore the rich heritage of her city.

Gaziantep is "a unique destination where archaeological sites like Gobeklitepe and Zeugma offer deep historical value, and our gastronomy is world-renowned," she said.

In her view, the Belt and Road Initiative offers an opportunity not only for economic cooperation but also for forging stronger bonds between societies.

For Gaziantep, she said, the future lies in building bridges, not just between the East and West, but also between the past and future.

"Our ancestors have transformed the Silk Road into a development road ... and traded on it without making differences of race, religion or language, and everybody gained from this," she added. 

Tourists watch a giant mosaic work at Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep, Turkiye, May 24, 2025. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 26, 2025 shows a caravanserai, an inn built along the ancient Silk Road that provides accommodation, rest, and animal care for caravansier travelers, in Gaziantep, Turkiye. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 24, 2025 shows a group of sculptures depicting camel caravans along the ancient Silk Road, in Gaziantep city. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

People walk through a pistachio plantation in Gaziantep, Turkiye, May 24, 2025. Gaziantep is a leading region for pistachio productions in the country. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
An Indiana University policy enacted in response to pro-Palestinian protests will be paused after a federal judge ruled the policy may be violating students' First Amendment rights.

IU revised its "expressive activity" policy in mid-2024 to ban overnight camping and use of structures, such as tents, without approval  hallmarks of the pro-Palestine protest movement.

In response, the Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the policy last August. In its complaint, the ACLU alleged the university policy violates the First Amendment and is overly broad.

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Judge Richard Young of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana agreed and granted a preliminary injunction May 29.

"The Policy likely burdens substantially more speech than necessary to further the University's interest in public safety and thus lacks narrow tailoring," the preliminary injunction reads. "The Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Policy violates the First Amendment."

During the 2024 spring semester, protesters established an encampment in Dunn Meadow for several months. The protests drew national attention, resulted in dozens of arrests and required extensive repairs of the area.

Under the now-halted section of the policy, students, faculty and staff could not engage in protests and other expressive activities from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. without permission. If violated, one could face a range of disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion, loss of university employment and a responsibility to pay for damages.

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"While IU supports everyones right to protest, camping or using any item to create a shelter is not a permitted form of expressive activity," the university said in paid content published in the Herald-Times last fall. "This ensures campus safety and accessibility for all community members."

IU did not provide a reaction to the injunction since the university does not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Mark Bode said.

The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com or message her on Signal at @cate.charron.28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Judge pauses IU protest policy, says it likely violates 1st Amendment
May 29 (UPI) -- A federal judge in New Jersey ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration's efforts to deport Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil are most likely unconstitutional but did not set him free from custody.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote that Khalil, who was arrested in March by Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the intention of eventual deportation, was likely to win his case "on his vagueness challenge related to the Secretary of State's determination."

Khalil's legal team argued on his behalf that the reasons to detain him violated the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause, due to unconstitutional vagueness. According to Farbiarz's ruling, vagueness doctrine requires a law be clear enough that people understand the consequence should it be broken, and to block the use of laws that are so broad they bend the separation of governmental powers.

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In his conclusion, Farbiarz wrote that Khalil is "likely to succeed on the merits of his claim that Section 1227 is unconstitutional as applied to him," with Section 1227 being federal code for what makes a person a "deportable alien."

Khalil has been detained for deportation based on allegations that his application for lawful permanent residence was inaccurate, and because U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that Khalil being in the United States compromises "a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest."

However, the judge also determined that Khalil "is not likely to succeed" in his case in regard to his purported failure to complete his lawful permanent resident application correctly.

Federal officials allege that although Khalil did apply federally to become a lawful permanent resident, he didn't answer certain questions accurately, which can allow the federal government to remove an individual as per laws that pertain to "inadmissible aliens."

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Khalil remains in custody as the judge considers whether his assertion that his detention has caused him "irreparable harm," and has requested his legal team provide additional evidence of such before he considers his release.

ICE arrested Khalil, a Palestinian refugee raised in Syria and former Columbia University graduate student, in March for having allegedly "led activities aligned to Hamas," in relation to his on-campus pro-Palestinian activism. He was the lead student negotiator of an encampment on the campus in 2024 when Columbia was the center of nationwide student protests held against Israel's war in Gaza.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A judge ruled in favor of the City of Lees Summit in its lawsuit against Jackson County over the 2023 assessments and ordered the city to recover more than $250,000 in damages.

Judge Derek Spencer, who was brought in from Cass County, specifically sided with the city on two counts: breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing.

Jackson County likely to comply with latest order on assessments

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The judgment comes nearly two months after a bench trial was held in Jackson County Circuit Court. The lawsuit was first filed in 2023.

The courts order, filed Wednesday, stated that the county broke contract by failing to provide necessary records of the tax rolls to the city. It said that this ultimately prevented the city from collecting taxes and thereby prevented the city from receiving the benefit of the bargain: 1% of all taxes collected by the city pursuant to the contract the county and city have had since 2007.

It said it breached this contract on April 2, 2024, by excluding the city from the countys ASCEND system and the tax collection process.

Heres how to file a claim amid 23andMe bankruptcy

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There were a lot of statements made by the court in regard to the other issues we had, said Lees Summit Mayor Baird.

They basically were that they see Jackson County had increases that were not reasonable, that were in great excess of what they should be compared to other cities in Missouri.

The judgment awards damages to Lees Summit for $259,137.08, and said the city is entitled to pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.

The money equates to 1% of taxes collected in Lees Summit, which will be used to pay legal fees.

Were all about accountability. Thats what this is about. It isnt just property tax collection, but saying we want a fair, equitable process at the county when it comes to assessment of the properties of our citizens, added Mayor Baird.

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The last increases were a hardship for many of our citizens. Thats why we did this. Thats why we moved forward. We wanted to do what we could for our citizens, to shine a light on this, and provide some form of accountability.

On all other counts, the judge ruled in favor of the county, but added:

Mandamus and declaratory judgment relief are not appropriate relief as many of the issues related to the 2023 assessments relate to the discretion exercised by Ms. McCann Beatty and Mr. Frank White Jr., and certain rights the City request the Court enforce are not clear rights expressed in statutes enacted by the Legislature.

This is a developing story; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre madea available.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  The family of a man who died in an incident with a former Rusk County Sheriffs deputy is seeing their case proceed to trial after a judge confirms the deputy is not eligible for qualified immunity.

Longview PD identifies man arrested for officer-involved shooting

Timothy Michael Randall was fatally shot during a traffic stop three years ago. In January, Federal Magistrate Judge John D. Love recommended that former Rusk County Deputy Shane Iversens qualified immunity be denied.

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Qualified immunity shields government and peace officers from personal liability in a civil lawsuit. Months later, U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle confirmed the recommendation, denying Iversen any immunity.

The civil lawsuit, Wendy Tippit versus Sergeant Shane Iversen, stems from Randalls death.

He didnt pull anything out, and then he immediately threw Mr. Randall to the ground, the Randall family attorney Joseph Oxman said. Why? There is absolutely no reason he escalated this situation.

Iversen claimed it was self-defense in a videotaped deposition from 2022.

I saw him reaching into his waistband, which at that point in time turned this into a dangerous situation, Iversen said.

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17-year-old arrested after killing college basketball player in Camp County shooting, officials say

Iversen was not charged with a crime after a decision from a grand jury. Randalls mother said in an interview with NBC News earlier this year, all she wants is accountability for her sons death.

My sons life mattered, the Mother of Timothy Randall, Wendy Tippitt, said. Mattered to me, mattered to his brother, mattered to his family and so many friends.

The next court proceeding will happen in June to discuss a start date for the trial.

In a statement from the attorney representing Iversen, Robert S. Davis said, the ruling allows the case to proceed past the summary judgment stage and does not determine liability. We appreciate the courts work analyzing the legal and factual aspects and respect their decision to leave the facts of this case for a jury to decide.

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A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration wrongly ended humanitarian parole for hundreds of thousands of people allowed to live in the United States temporarily.

The decision is another legal setback for President Donald Trumps plans for mass deportation, but it may prove temporary and its immediate impact was unclear.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston sided with people who were already admitted to the United States but were unable to renew their short-term permits. They cover parole policies that benefited Afghans, Ukrainians, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans and children from Central American countries trying to join their parents in the U.S., among others.

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Talwani, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, said two orders by Department of Homeland Security officials to suspend renewals pending further review were unlikely to survive a legal challenge. One of the orders gives no reasoned explanation for the actions, she wrote.

The pause has now been in place for three months; the pause is, in effect, an indefinite suspension, she wrote.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokeswoman, said the administration acted within its authority.

The Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the U.S. which further fueled the worst border crisis in U.S. history. Under federal law, Secretary (Kristi) Noem - in support of the President - has full authority to cancel or modify these policies. Doing so is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect our national security, McLaughlin said.

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A group of American citizens and immigrants earlier this year sued the Trump administration for ending the long-standing legal tool presidents have used to allow people from countries where theres war or political instability to enter and temporarily live in the U.S. The humanitarian parole programs allowed in 875,000 migrants who have legal U.S. residents as sponsors.

Trump has been ending legal pathways for immigrants to come to the U.S. and implementing campaign promises to deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally.

The plaintiffs include eight immigrants who entered the U.S. legally before the Trump administration ended what it called the broad abuse of humanitarian parole. They can legally stay in the U.S. until their parole expires, but the administration stopped processing their applications for asylum, visas and other requests that might allow them to remain longer.

None are identified by their real names because they fear deportation. Among them are Maksym and Maria Doe, a Ukrainian couple; Alejandro Doe, who fled Nicaragua following the abduction and torture of his father; and Omar Doe, who worked for more than 18 years with the U.S. military in his home country of Afghanistan.
A ruling on Oklahoma's controversial social studies standards has yet to be made in a legal challenge in Oklahoma County District Court attempting to prevent their implementation. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  After nearly three hours of oral arguments Wednesday, an Oklahoma County district judge said he isnt ready to rule on a legal challenge to the states controversial social studies standards.

District Judge Brent Dishman said he wanted to wait for a written response from the group challenging the standards after the Oklahoma Board of Education moved to dismiss the case, arguing that critics failed to point to any violation of statute, and the state agency followed the process as required by law.

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Dishman has been asked to either enact an injunction to block the standards from being implemented or to dismiss the legal challenge outright.

A group of seven Oklahoma parents, grandparents and teachers represented by former Republican Attorney General Mike Hunter have sued and asked Dishman to nullify the controversial academic standards, which include language about discrepancies in the 2020 election, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and biblical lessons.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters, right, and Oklahoma State Department of Education general counsel Michael Beason, left, listen during a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Oct. 24. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Michael Beason, the state Department of Educations attorney, argued Wednesday that the lawsuit is a waste of taxpayer dollars as the defense searches for a needle in a haystack. He said a handful of educators dont like the standards and the plaintiffs do not have a case recognized under Oklahoma law.

The plaintiffs, though, argued the process used to implement the rules was flawed and the results are not accurate or best practices for academic standards.

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The new academic standards for social studies are reviewed every six years, but state Superintendent Ryan Walters, who was not present at Wednesdays hearing, enlisted national conservative media personalities and right-wing policy advocates to aid in writing the latest version of the standards this year.

Around half of the members of the state Board of Education later said they werent aware of last minute changes Walters made to the standards, but only one board member, Ryan Deatherage, voted against them. While the Legislature allowed the standards to take effect, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called for them to be sent back to the board to be reconsidered.

After the hearing, Hunter said he appreciated Dishmans careful interest in the arguments and that he expected a ruling by the end of June.

Despite the arguments of the defendants, there has to be a recourse by citizens when theres a process like this that is so flawed, he said. No vote by the Legislature and then an action of a state agency becomes law. If we believe the defendants arguments today, that Oklahoma citizens have no recourse in this situation based on a strained construction of the statutes, I just dont think thats good government, and I dont think that thats a correct argument, nor do I think the judge is gonna buy it.

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James Welch, an Oklahoma teacher and plaintiff in the case, testified at Wednesdays hearing that the review process was not a true collaboration of experts in the field and teachers in the classroom like he thought it would be.

Using a math analogy, the judge asked Welch, a volunteer member of the standards writing committee, if he would feel the same way about the standards and process if the subject were instead math and the standards omitted trigonometry.

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Welch said he would because omitting the most up-to-date standards of learning means students dont achieve full understanding of a subject.

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While the defense did not comment after the hearing, they argued that the plaintiffs could not point to a specific violation of law and simply didnt like what was in the standards.

Chad Kutmas, an attorney for the state Board of Education, said the plaintiffs complain about how the sausage is made, but thats just how its made.

Everyone knew it was going on and the political body let it happen, he said. Its inappropriate for a court to step in at this late stage.

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Note: This article includes attached video showing News Channel 11s Jeff Keeling and Anslee Daniels discussion of the Johnson City lawsuit settlement. An audio version is at the end of this story.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  A federal judge wont rule on a proposed $4.2 million settlement between Johnson City and women who reported sexual assaults to its police department from 2018-2022 until after a telephone hearing June 24.

U.S. District Judge Travis McDonough made the ruling Thursday, 10 days after plaintiffs attorneys filed their motion for approval of the class action settlement.

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Johnson City and the plaintiffs attorneys have already agreed to an overall settlement amount of $28 million. The bulk of that money will go to the original plaintiffs, nine women who said they were victimized by now-convicted sex offender Sean Williams and that the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) didnt adequately investigate the downtown resident.

That settlement doesnt require the judges approval, but the $4.2 million one does. It relates to an added element to the original lawsuit that came following release of the Daigle Report  an audit of JCPDs sexual assault investigations the city commissioned in 2022 after a completely separate lawsuit related to Sean Williams was filed.

That report found that while a number of JCPDs investigations between 2018 and 2022 were adequate, the department had a number of certain investigative practices that could negatively affect the quality and efficiency of their response to sexual assault cases.

JCs new transparency webpage covers police lawsuits related to Sean Williams

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Daigle noted a common theme running through many of these weaknesses: JCPDs response to sexual assault was challenged based on gender-based stereotypes and bias.

The report, and the addition of a plaintiff whose reported assault did not involve Sean Williams, led to the filing of a class action thats now the subject of the settlement proposal.

Johnson City has consistently denied all allegations in the lawsuits related to Williams and JCPD sexual assault investigations. The city also says JCPD has implemented the recommendations in Daigles report and is following a new sexual assault protocol devised by First District Attorney General Steve Finneys office  an assertion Finney has confirmed.

The class settlement would include both monetary relief  attorneys estimate about $7,000 to more than 350 people  and something called equitable relief.

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Equitable relief would come in the form of plaintiffs attorneys being provided audits of sexual assault investigations by JCPD every quarter for two years so they could review how well JCPD is complying with a new sexual crimes protocol it adopted in late 2023.

The motion for settlement approval is complex, and McDonough wrote Thursday, a telephonic hearing will aid in the resolution of Plaintiffs pending motion for preliminary approval.

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A federal judge in Boston said she will issue a preliminary injunction Thursday to block the Trump administrations directive to strip Harvard University of its ability to admit international students.

Judge Allison Burroughs issued the ruling from the bench after an emergency hearing on the administrations move, which upended the lives of the 27 percent of Harvards student body that is made up of foreign students.

I want to maintain the status quo, Burroughs said from the bench, according to CNN.

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Harvard quickly sued the administration last week after the directive was given by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which also ordered current international students at Harvard to transfer to other schools or risk losing their visas.

This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.

In a court filing Wednesday, Maureen Martin, the universitys director of immigration services, detailed a long list of consequences the directive had on Harvard in the week since it was announced.

Some international students are looking to transfer due to the order, others are declining offers to Harvard, those with Harvard visas are getting extra screening at airports, and other countries are looking to recruit students away from Harvard, she said.

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Before the hearing, the Trump administration said it would give Harvard 30 days to hand over certain information before implementing its directive, but the judge still chose to put her injunction in place.

Burroughs told the lawyers for Harvard and the Trump administration to work out an agreement to keep the student visa program in place, CNN reported.

It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure its worded in such a way that nothing changes, she said.

The ruling comes amid a heated battle between Harvard and President Trump, who has also targeted its federal funding and called for its tax-exempt status to be revoked.

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Trump has listed a variety of reasons for targeting student visas, including accusations of antisemitism and claims that foreign-born students are taking away slots from their American counterparts.

Harvard has refused to change its hiring and admissions policies or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the demand of the administration, and has seen billions of dollars in funding frozen and multiple federal agency investigations launched against it.

The administration and Harvard are locked in another lawsuit after the school challenged the first $3 billion in federal funding taken away. The next hearing for that case is in July.

Updated at 2:19 p.m. EDT

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Citing immunity under the Supremacy Clause, a federal judge has tossed the case of a former Michigan State Police sergeant who hit a man with a cruiser.

Brian Keely, charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Samuel Sterling last year, will not face federal charges, court documents say.

Looking to arrest Sterling, 25, of Grand Rapids, on a number of warrants, authorities tracked him to a Kentwood gas station on April 17, 2024. Police say he ran away when they moved in to get him. Officers chased him on foot to a nearby Burger King while Keely pursued in an unmarked cruiser. Video released by MSP shows Sterling being hit by Keelys SUV near the restaurants entrance. Sterling was hospitalized and died hours later.

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Abomination of justice: Community leaders react to Keely case dismissal

Family shows News 8 a photo of Samuel Sterling.

In August, U.S. District Court Judge Hala Jarbou decided that because Keely was operating as part of a U.S. Marshals task force, the case fell under federal jurisdiction. She moved it out of the state courts and into federal court.

Jarbou on Wednesday granted a motion from Keelys attorneys to dismiss the charges against him, saying the state does not have enough evidence to dispute Keelys actions.

Family: Man hit by unmarked cruiser was father, rapper

Keely had argued that he was immune under the Supremacy Clause because he was acting as a federal officer when attempting to arrest Sterling, and therefore cannot be face criminal prosecution under state law. To be granted immunity, it needs to be proven that Keely was acting in an authorized way under U.S. law and that he did not do more than was necessary and proper to carry it out.

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In the dismissal motion, the judge said that the state had originally argued Keely had criminal intent, acted with malice and seemed to argue he intended to kill or harm Sterling. The state did not provide evidence that Keely turned his wheel sharply toward Sterling or intentionally killed him, the court documents say.

Ex-MSP sgt details moments leading to deadly crash

FILE  Former MSP Detective Sgt. Brian Keely (background) next to his attorney Marc Curtis in a courtroom in Kentwood as his preliminary haring gets underway on Aug. 12, 2024.

While the state later disclaimed that hurting or killing Sterling was intentional, it still argued he could be found guilty of second-degree murder or involuntary manslaughter if he acted in disregard of life-endangering consequences.

The Court is not persuaded by the States argument, the court documents say.

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It noted that there were several warrants out for Sterlings arrest, including a domestic violence charge. It also notes Sterling led multiple officers on a long chase in a populated area as he tried to evade arrest.

Former MSP sergeant asks for stay in civil case

It was reasonable for Keely to assume Sterling was armed, the court documents say, and therefore a threat to the public and officers. Citing Keelys expert witness, the documents say the safety threat would have increased if he was able to get into the Burger King, where he could have taken a hostage or ambushed officers.

Considering these factors, even if Keelys actions were risky, he made a reasonable decision to try to block or deter Sterling from entering the restaurant in order to prevent more serious risks to the public and to the officers created by Sterlings flight, the documents say.

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in a statement said she stands by the arguments her team made in court.

I am disappointed that the cases transfer to federal court ultimately resulted in its dismissal and am deeply concerned with the precedent it setsthat individuals deemed federal officers by federal authorities can commit lethal crimes against Michigan residents with impunity, she said in a statement. Such a precedent is dangerous and fundamentally undermines the principles of justice and accountability our legal system is meant to uphold.

She said it is regrettable the case was never presented to a jury, adding that no one should be above the law. Nessel added that she is grateful for the work of her team.

Vigil marks one year since Samuel Sterlings death

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My heart breaks for the loved ones left behind by Mr. Sterling and the community who mourns him, she said. This outcome is nothing short of a miscarriage of justice and my Department is considering our next steps.

Keelys attorneys in a release said the ruling brings long-overdue relief to an officer who was doing his job to protect the public from a dangerous fugitive who escalated the situation by choosing to flee and place both officers and the community at risk.

We are grateful that the Court recognized this case for what it truly was  a law enforcement officer doing his job in a high-risk encounter with a known fugitive, Keely attorneys Marc E. Curtis and Lance LoRusso said in a statement. This ruling not only vindicates our client but also sends a strong message in support of those who serve with honor and integrity.

Nessel said shes exploring options to appeal. In civil court, attorneys representing the family of Samuel Sterling have filed an excessive force lawsuit.

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The attorney who represents the Sterling family in the civil lawsuits, Ven Johnson, released a statement following the dismissal.

We are deeply disappointed by the courts decision to dismiss the criminal charges against Sgt. Brian Keely. It sends a troubling message that a police officer can run over an unarmed man and avoid facing a criminal jury, wrote Johnson, in part. Let me be clear: while this criminal case has been dismissed, our fight for civil justice is not.

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May 28 (UPI) -- A three-judge panel on Wednesday struck down President Donald Trump's unilateral tariffs, including 10% imposed on most U.S. trading partners, calling them "contrary to law."

Despite several lawsuits filed in different courts, this is the first time a federal court has blocked them. The tariffs have rattled the U.S. stock market and some economists say the world can plunge into a recession.

The New York-based Court of International Trade, in a 49-page opinion, said the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give him the "unlimited" power to levy across-the-board tariffs.

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The Trump administration has appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Ultimately, it can be taken to the Supreme Court.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the U.S. trade deficits with other countries have "created a national emergency that has decimated American communities."

"It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement to CBS News.

The judges' decision was based on two cases brought by a group of small businesses and 12 Democratic state attorneys general.

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The judges were appointed by three presidents: Gary Katzmann by Barack Obama, Timothy Reif by Donald Trump and Jane Restani by Ronald Reagan.

"The President's assertion of tariff-making authority in the instant case, unbounded as it is by any limitation in duration or scope, exceeds any tariff authority delegated to the President under IEEPA," the judge wrote. "The Worldwide and Retaliatory tariffs are thus ultra vires and contrary to law."

Separate tariffs against China, Canada and Mexico "do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders," the court also found. These went into effect on March 4.

Trump imposed a 25% tariff against Canadian and Mexican goods, except for items compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada, and 10% for energy and potash from the U.S. northern neighbor. China was hit with a 30% tariff.

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The 10% duties went into effect on April 5.

The president has the right to impose tariffs, based on a 1970s court decision involving the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, which preceded the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The judges said the president's tariffs do not meet the limited condition of an "unusual and extraordinary threat" that would allow him to act alone without approval by Congress.

"Because of the Constitution's express allocation of the tariff power to Congress, we do not read IEEPA to delegate an unbounded tariff authority to the President," they wrote. "We instead read IEEPA's provisions to impose meaningful limits on any such authority it confers," the ruling said.

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Earlier this month, T. Kent Wetherell II, a district judge in Florida nominated by Trump, said the president has the authority on his own to impose tariffs, but opted to transfer the case to the Court of International Trade.

Several lawsuits have been filed since Trump announced the tariffs on April 2 as "Liberation Day."

Trump also announced on April 2 plans for harsher tariffs against the so-called worst offenders but one week later he paused them for 90 days until July. They include ones against America's greatest allies: 26% against India, 25% against South Korea, 24% against Japan and 20% against the 27 members of the European Union.

Trump also had announced a 125% tariff on top of 30% against China but he suspended that. He also excluded tariffs on electronic products in China but last week threatened a 25% one on Apple products not made in the United States.

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Last week Trump suggested 50% tariffs on the EU by June but paused them until July 9 on Sunday.

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat serving a House district in New York, introduced resolutions to terminate his tariffs. House Republicans used procedural tactics to block these votes.

"I'm encouraged by the courts decision today to block President Trump's so-called 'liberation day' tariffs, confirming what we've long known: these tariffs are an illegal abuse of executive power," the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement to UPI. "Trump's declaration of a bogus national emergency to justify his global trade war was an absurd and unlawful use of IEEPA."

He said that despite Trump's arguments to the contrary, the tariffs hurt families.

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"Trump's chaotic tariffs are nothing but a tax on American families, raising prices, shuttering small businesses and harming the economy," Meeks said.

"It's time for Republicans to stop enabling this economic sabotage."
MADRID, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and three others injured on Thursday when a warehouse collapsed in the northern Spanish region of Asturias.

According to local emergency services, the incident occurred around 1 p.m. local time (1100 GMT) near Coana, a town of approximately 3,000 residents in the western part of the province. The roof of the warehouse, which was under construction on a livestock farm, suddenly gave way.

Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.

A total of nine individuals were present at the site when the accident occurred. Three managed to escape uninjured, while one of the injured is reported to be in serious condition. 
Originally appeared on E! Online

Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley are no longer behind bars.

The Chrisley Knows Best couple, who spent the last two years incarcerated on fraud charges, have both officially been freed after President Donald Trump pardoned their prison sentences.

Not long after Todd was released from prison in Florida on May 28, Julie also walked out of the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Ky., their attorney confirmed to E! News.

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The pair are now on their way home to Nashville, according to the lawyer.

Todd, 56, and Julie, 52, were found guilty on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States in June 2022. They reported to prison in January 2023.

Though Todd was initially ordered to spend 12 years in prison, his sentence was reduced to 10 years in September 2023 amid his incarceration. Meanwhile, Julie's seven-year sentence was overturned in June 2024 after an appeals court ruled that the original judge in her trial had miscalculated, but later upheld.

Trump announced his plans to pardon the couple on May 27, telling their daughter Savannah Chrisley in an Oval Office phone call, "Give them my regards."

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"They were given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing," the president said, per a video posted by the Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin on X, formerly Twitter. "I hear they're terrific people. This should not have happened."

A White House official told E! News that Trump knows Savannah, but has never met Todd or Julie. Alice Marie Johnson, a criminal justice reform advocate who was granted clemency by Trump in 2018 after Kim Kardashian publicly pushed for her release, was the one who presented the Chrisleys' case to the POTUS.

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Trump announced his plans to pardon the couple on May 27, telling their daughter Savannah Chrisley in an Oval Office phone call, "Give them my regards."

"They were given a pretty harsh treatment based on what I'm hearing," the president said, per a video posted by the Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin on X, formerly Twitter. "I hear they're terrific people. This should not have happened."

A White House official told E! News that Trump knows Savannah, but has never met Todd or Julie. Alice Marie Johnson, a criminal justice reform advocate who was granted clemency by Trump in 2018 after Kim Kardashian publicly pushed for her release, was the one who presented the Chrisleys' case to the POTUS.

Broadimage/Shutterstock

"Thank you, Mr. President," Savannah, 27, tearfully told Trump during the phone call, with her brother Grayson Chrisley, 19, later jumping on the line to give his thanks for "bringing my parents back."

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The siblings' brother Kyle Chrisley, who Todd shares with ex Teresa Terry, also spoke out in the wake of the pardoning news, telling E! News in a statement, "I'm ecstatic. Truly."

"I know Savannah had been working at this for so long and she never gave up," continued the 33-year-old, who became estranged from Todd amid his legal troubles. "So, I'm just grateful to her and to President Trump for making this happen for my dad and Julie."

Tune into E! on June 1 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to watch Chrisley Knows Best all day.

For more on the federal case against Todd and Julie, read on.

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Indicted on Tax Evasion and Other Charges

Todd and Julie Chrisley were indicted on 12 counts by a federal grand jury in Atlanta in August 2019 on charges included wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to a document obtained by NBC News. Prosecutors claimed fraud began in the mid-aughtsinclusive of evading nearly $2 million in state taxes between 2008 and 2016 and hiding over $1 million dollars from the IRS. The day before the indictment was issued, Todd maintained he and his wife were innocent, and instead said a trusted employee had been stealing from and blackmailing the couple. "We have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be ashamed of," he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. "Not only do we know we've done nothing wrong, but we've got a ton of hard evidence and bunch of corroborating witnesses that proves it."





Todd and Julie Found Guilty

It wasnt until three years later that the Chrisley Knows Best stars went to trial. Following three weeks of testimonies, the pair, who had pleaded not guilty, were convicted on all counts of tax evasion and bank fraud on June 7, 2022. The U.S. attorney's office had alleged the duo and their accountant Peter Tarantinowho stood trial with themconspired to defraud banks out of more than $30 million over the course of a decade. "As today's outcome shows, when you lie, cheat and steal, justice is blind as to your fame, your fortune, and your position," Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a June 2022 statement. "In the end, when driven by greed, the verdict of guilty on all counts for these three defendants proves once again that financial crimes do not pay."





Sentenced to Multiple Years in Prison

Five months later, the Northern District of Georgia sentenced Todd to 12 years behind bars and Julie to seven years. (Peter was sentenced to three years in prison.) "Over the course of a decade, the defendants defrauded banks out of tens of millions of dollars while evading payment of their federal income taxes," U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in a November 2022 statement. "Their lengthy sentences reflect the magnitude of their criminal scheme and should serve as a warning to others tempted to exploit our nation's community banking system for unlawful personal gain." However, Julie and Todds respective sentences were shortened in September 2023with Julie scheduled to be released a year and three months earlier, and Todd two years earlier than his originally scheduled 2035 release. "Without a doubt, Todd and Julie are model incarcerated individuals who received exorbitant sentences," Jay Surgent, the pair's attorney, told Insider in September 2023. "I believe Todd is down to 10 years and Julie is now at five years."





Starting Their Sentences

The couple started their respective prison sentences in January 2023, with Todd serving his time at Federal Correctional Institution (FPI) Pensacola in Florida and Julie at a different federal prison in Lexington, Kentucky.

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No Contact

Six months after Julie and Todd reported to their respective prisons, their daughter Savannah Chrisley shared insight into how the duo were doing, revealing that her parents did not have contact during their time behind bars. "195 days without a word to each other" she wrote in an August 2023 Instagram story. "My heart is breakingPlease help to bring justice!" She also pushed back at rumors about their time in prison. "It's hilarious because one of them was like, 'Oh, he's let himself go,'" she said on her Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley podcast. "First off, news flash, they don't sell hair color in commissary. So of course his hair is gray! But, you know what, I would tell him today, if he was out, keep it that way. Like, it looks good! He's got a great prison barber."





Todd Details Filthy Prison Conditions

However, Todd spoke out from behind bars about the mistreatment he faced at the federal prison camp in Pensacola, Fla. "The food is dated," he said in a phone interview on a December 2023 episode of Cuomo. "It's a year past expiration." "You've got rats, you've got squirrels in the storage facility where the food is," he continued. "They just covered it up with plastic and then tore the ceiling out because of all the black mold and found a dead cat in the ceiling, and it dropped down on the top of the food." Beyond the horrors in the cafeteria, he alleged that someone also attempted to extort his family members. "There was a photograph taken of me while I was sleeping and sent to my daughter," he noted, "asking for $2,600 dollars a month for my protection."





Savannah Chrisley Speaks Out

Savannah, who has custody of younger siblings Grayson and Chloe amid her parents sentences, has explained how their convictions and their lack of contact with one another has weighed on her. "The last time they spoke was the morning they went into federal prison," she shared with E! News March 2024, alleging that there's "a lot of retaliation going on against my father for how outspoken we've been about conditions." In fact, she alleged that prison officials had been "blocking a lot of his emails correspondence to my mom." And while not wanting to make the experience about herself, she admitted that it was overwhelming at times. "What's tough for me is how Mom and Dad have that feeling that life is just continuing to move on without them," Savannah explained on her podcast Unlocked in April 2024. "In a way, I have that feeling with people in my life because it's like they just continue on living their lives." "I'm still sitting here struggling to catch my breath," she continued. "Whether it's financially with the kids, trying to parent, me in a relationship."





Julie's Prison Sentence Overturned

Julie's seven-year prison sentence was overturned June 2024 following a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Although the panel upheld her convictions, the court ruled the judge in the 2022 trial miscalculated the reality star's sentence. "The district court did not identify the evidence it relied on to hold Julie accountable for losses incurred before 2007, and we cannot independently find it in the record," the judges stated in their ruling. "So we vacate Julie's sentence and remand solely for the district court to make the factual findings and calculations necessary to determine loss, restitution, and forfeiture as to Julie and to resentence her accordingly." Her case was handed to a lower court to determine how her sentencing would be adjusted while Todd's sentencing remained unaffected.

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A Tearful Apology

Three months after her prison sentence was overturned, an Atlanta court ultimately upheld Julies previous seven-year prison sentence. And she made a tearful apologyboth to her children and the court. "I would like to say Ive had years to think about what Ive wanted to say and Im sorry for my actions and situations that let us to where we are today," Julie said before the court, per People, during the Sept. 25 hearing. "Ive had 20 months in prison, but it has been much more leading up to the trial and I apologize for my actions that led to where we are today," "I have done everything I can do to get closer to my family. Ive taken tests for new skills, such as driving a forklift and serving food in proper ways," she continued, "this has been the most difficult part of my life. I cant ever repay my children for what theyve had to go through and for that, I am so sorry," she added.





President Donald Trump Pardons the Chrisleys

The Chrisleys are heading home. They received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, he told Savannah in a phone call May 27, 2025. "For the past two and a half years, Ive done everything in my power to fight for my parents freedom and bring them home," Savannah said in a statement to E! News. "This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family." They were both released on May 28, 2025.



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley are coming home!

The incarcerated couple is finally regaining their freedom, and their children are swinging into action to ensure they both return home safe and sound.

Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley were thrown behind bars for a combined 19-year sentence served in separate federal prisons in 2022 for several bank and tax frauds.

Todd Chrisley And Julie Chrisley Getting Out Of Jail And Restitution

Nikki Nelson/WENN.com Newscom/ MEGA

As the couple relish their freedom from prison following a presidential pardon, their children are set to pick them up from their different holding cells. Savannah and Grayson Chrisley will reportedly head to Florida and Kentucky, respectively, to bring their parents home after two years away.

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PEOPLE confirmed that Savannah is on duty to fetch Todd from his Florida cell, while Grayson will be ferrying their mother, Julie, home from her Kentucky prison.

That is not all, there is an icing on the cake of the couple's release from jail. As stipulated under federal law, a presidential pardon has the effect of canceling any unpaid restitution owed by a prisoner.

This means that the Chrisleys, who were ordered to repay more than $17 million in restitution, are no longer obligated to pay the remaining amount. According to TMZ, their lawyer has indicated that while the couple has repaid some of the restitution, they have not yet paid all of it.

Savannah Chrisley Got A Personal Presidential Call About Her Parents' Release

MEGA

On Tuesday, May 27, Savannah announced on her Instagram that her parents are going to be released from prison due to a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

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As shared by The Blast, she excitedly shared that she received the incredible news during a phone call from Trump while she was shopping at Sam's Club.

The president personally informed her that he was signing pardon paperwork for both of her parents. With their release expected soon, she shared her gratitude to President Trump and his administration for their support.

Savannah then detailed the preparations she and her siblings were making for their parents' return, including organizing clothes and setting up their room.

She also emphasized her commitment to standing by Trump and his administration, vowing to whistleblow on corruption and continue advocating for prison reforms.

The Podcaster Is Committed To A Life Of Advocacy Against Injustice

Ron Sachs - CNP for NY Post / MEGA

The content creator also announced the news of her parents' pardon in a statement where she described the development as an answer to her prayers. Savannah detailed how she had pulled all her weight for the "past two and a half years."

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She acknowledged doing everything within her power to secure freedom for her parents and bring them home to unite with their loved ones.

"This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family. This administration does not hand out favors. It examines the facts and stands up for what is right," she explained.

Despite her victory, the content creator is not resting on her oars, and Savannah declared that her job as an advocate against injustice was far from over.

"Today is a victory for our family, but the fight against wrongful convictions and injustice within our prison system is far from over. I will continue to use my voice and platform to advocate for those who do not have one," she concluded under the post.

Julie And Todd Chrisley Were Billed To Be A Part Of The Upcoming Family Show From Prison

Curtis Hilbun / AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Days before the sudden news of their release, producers planned to bring the couple on board and have them appear in the family's upcoming reality television show, scheduled to air later this year.

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Last week, The Blast shared that Lifetime announced the new project featuring the Chrisley family, set to premiere in a few months. However, the show was not going to include visuals of the family's patriarch and matriarch while they are in jail due to strict regulations.

They would have showcased their phone conversations with their children and family members. Production is already underway, with Savannah and her brother Chase serving as executive producers.

According to reports, the upcoming show will offer an in-depth look into the lives of the Chrisleys since their parents began serving their sentences three years ago. With their release from prison, the show will undoubtedly offer more depth, as the parents will appear live.

Savannah Claims Parents' Incarceration Designed To Break Them

MEGA

Savannah has previously declared that Todd and Julie's political affiliations made them targets, hence their incarceration. She expressed her belief in an interview on May 17, claiming that her parents' fame played a role in their legal troubles.

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She turned the pages to the Democratic prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, suggesting a personal vendetta against her family overrode their initial reluctance to prosecute.

Savannah detailed the lengthy process that led to a federal indictment, which took nine years. She added that the outcome of the case was reportedly influenced by prosecutors who had previously donated to Democratic candidates.

During the trial, prosecutors reportedly referred to her family as the "Trumps of the South," and Savannah revealed a disturbing detail where her father's face was even displayed on a dartboard in their office.

In addition to these challenges, Savannah had earlier discussed the significant communication issues between her parents in March. Back then, she shared that Todd and Julie had not spoken to each other in over two years due to their separation in different prisons.

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She blamed the operation of the prison system for its lack of communication and emphasized that no one should have to endure such a reality.

With her parents' release, Savannah Chrisley has proven that tenacity indeed pays off!
A Justice man has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to the theft of more than $500,000 in retail goods, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raouls office.

Mahdi Alhaw, 34, was sentenced by Cook County Judge Stanley Sacks after pleading guilty to a Class 1 felony count of theft in excess of $500,000, the office said.

The sentence is the result of an investigation by Raouls Organized Retail Crime Task Force that recovered thousands of stolen items at several storage units in the Chicago area in December 2021, according to a news release.

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The sentence resulted from a multiagency investigation by Raouls Organized Retail Crime Task Force. During a search of Alhaws vehicle in 2021, the Chicago Police Department recovered items that led investigators with Raouls task force to several storage units where stolen merchandise was recovered, according to the news release.

The storage units contained four semitrailers of merchandise, including clothing, electronics, cosmetics, mattresses, pet supplies and other items. BNSF Railway Police also contributed to the investigation, according to the release.
ESPANOLA, N.M. (KRQE)  The First Judicial District Attorney announced that a juvenile who was found guilty of killing his friend in September 2024 has been sentenced to two years at the New Mexico Youth Diagnostic Development Center. The juvenile was convicted of vehicular homicide by reckless driving for the incident in Espanola.

Teen convicted of shooting 15-year-old during fight over gun

According to the DAs Office, under New Mexico law, vehicular homicide is not a crime where someone under the age of 18 can be sentenced as an adult.

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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.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  JXN Water held their first State of the Water System address on Wednesday to provide updates on improvements.

While there have been significant improvements, interim Third-Party Manager Ted Henifin believes that relying on federal funding can only take you so far.

Jackson City Council rejects JXN Waters rate hike proposal

We have to be self-sufficient. You know, weve spent $250 million of federal grant dollars to get to where we are today. Believe it or not, the federal government is going to be continuing to write checks to keep Jacksons water going. And were one of dozens of cities that would like to see that kind of investment. And so, I dont believe we can rely on federal funds, and really cant rely on the state funds, to make that happen here. Water is a local issue, he said.

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While billing and payments are a major part of improving JXN Water, Henifin said the past failures of the system led to the disruption of collections.

He said JXN Water is working to overhaul the citys water system by 2029.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  In the ahupuaa of Waiau, which lies in the moku of Ewa here on Oahu, stands a roadway named in honor of King Kamehamehas favorite wife. We are speaking of Kaahumanu St.

Born to chiefly parents in Hana, Maui, Kaahumanu grew up to become one of the most powerful of her time.

The Queen honored via the busy Queen St

She was taken by Kamehameha as his wife in 1785 prior to his unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

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Her father, Keeaumoku, stated to the future King that the only person strong enough to rebel against him was Kaahumanu.

Because of this fear, Kamehameha had declared a law that any man who were to sleep with her would be killed.

Following the Kings death, Queen Kaahumanu became the first Kuhina Nui, or co-ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The Kaahumanu Street of today is not the first as many of the earliest Honolulu streets are no longer.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Can you imagine where I now stand used to be the intersection of Merchant and Kaahumanu Streets once upon a time?

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What was the center of Honolulus business district during the monarchy? Kaahumanu Street played a significant role.

Known previously as Beef Lane or Kaukau Lane, native markets line the street along with shipping trade merchants.

Hawaiians called it Pipi kaula, meaning jerked beef, Naau puaa, meaning pig intestines, and Naau kakemeaning sausage.

It wasnt until August 30, 1850, when the name Kaahumanu was chosen by the Privy Council.

It was then that a total of thirty-five streets received their official names.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

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Nearly half remain.

Did you know? Now you do!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City Fire Department said its crew recently got a big assist from a couple of Good Samaritans who helped save not one, but two lives.

FOX4 spoke with two people who jumped into action when one of their customers went into cardiac arrest.

WATCH: Second car in 3 months crashes into roof of Excelsior Springs Veterans Hall

Nine years as a server at Kates Kitchen and this was a first: Chloe Rueter helped save a life.

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She said the customer collapsed right in front of her. Rueter said she called 911 immediately.

Hes one of our regulars that have been coming in here for a very long time, Rueter said. It was very scary.

Server Molly Budzinski said they couldnt find a pulse. Thats when she and another customer, a nurse, started hands only CPR.

There for a moment, youre literally someones heartbeat and that is a lot to come to terms with and understand, Budzinski said. But I would do it again in a heartbeat because it is someones life  no matter how scared you are in that moment.

The KCFD said a dispatcher helped the Kates Kitchen crew stay calm, while Rueter stayed on the line until emergency crews got to the restaurant.

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They responded within minutes, but those minutes felt like forever when youre trying to save a life, Rueter said.

That afternoon, at the Hy-Vee off Barry Road, another person went into cardiac arrest.

Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said employees jumped into action and began performing CPR. They also applied an AED.

Its crucial; its not like it is in the movies, Hopkins said. Your chance of survival outside of a hospital is less than 10%its closer to 5%. That increases with fast CPR starting and AED application.

The sooner you can start CPR and AED, the better.

He said the people who took action helped emergency responders save those peoples lives.

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Im not sure the names of the individuals who jumped in yesterday, but the families of these patients owe them a big hug, Hopkins said.

Rueter said she took CPR classes in high school, and Budzinski said shes CPR certified.

They are encouraging everyone to get trained.

Get CPR certified, and 911 is your best friend in those moments, Budzinski said.

It saved a life. I dont feel like a hero. It was actually one of the scariest 20 minutes of my life, but Im really grateful hes okay.

Family members of the man who collapsed stopped by the restaurant to say thank you and snap a photo of the staff.

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They took a picture with us and said weve got to show him back at the hospital and hes going to love to see you guys,' Rueter said. I would want them to do it for my family members.

Hopkins said both people were conscious and talking when they got to the hospital. Theyre expected to make full recoveries.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell, helped persuade the Kansas Legislature to pass a state sales tax incentive for developers of Kansas data centers valued at more than $250 million. On Wednesday, the planning commission of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, voted to endorse plans for a $12.6 billion data storage facility west of the Kansas Speedway. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The planning commission of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, endorsed a proposal to establish a 550-acre business park for construction of a $12.6 billion data center that would become part of the internets backbone.

The planning commission voted 4-2 to recommend Wednesday the Unified Government Board of Commissioners adopt a package of rezoning, preliminary platting and master plan amendments to accommodate six huge buildings with a total of 1.8 million square feet. The hyperscale facility bisected by Parallel Parkway would be on property currently zoned for residential or agriculture use.

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We think its responsible development thats going to bring the absolute best bang for the buck to the county, said Corb Maxwell, an attorney representing developer Red Wolf DCD Properties.

No corporate occupant has been publicly disclosed for the site several miles west of the Kansas Speedway, but it would likely be one of big-tech companies Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon or Alphabet.

Maxwell said the business park designation would lead to a development that looked more like office buildings than an industrial complex. The property would be ringed with eight-foot earth berms, 3,000 trees and other landscaping to obstruct the view of people living nearby.

Homes on the perimeter of the property would be 500 feet to 1,400 feet from the nearest data center building, he said.

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Its very much about  how do we give all of the neighbors the maximum buffer we can, Maxwell said. Youre trying to deliver a high quality development with attractive buildings. Youre trying to have performance standards that say all operations shall be conducted within a fully enclosed building. Youre saying no noise, odors, vibrations or other impacts shall be discernable off the premises.

The energy-devouring data center buildings would be packed with computer servers supporting the digital economy. Developers pledged to pay the cost of utility upgrades necessary to extend electricity service to the data center, a commitment that included paying the UG Board of Public Utilities to build two substations.

The substations would be called on to handle 600 megawatts of power. That would be an amount greater than BPUs current 500 megawatt capability, meaning the project would need to drawn from the Southwest Power Pool.

We believe it is growing power resiliency as well as growing revenues for the BPU and is a real reason for pushing this forward, Maxwell said.

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Against it. Period.

Planning commissioner Aaron Ward, who voted against the project, said anyone driving around the proposed site would quickly understand it was an agriculture region dotted with fields, pastures and livestock. The idea of dropping a business park into a mix of farmsteads and residential neighborhoods didnt make sense, he said.

In no way, shape or form is this industrial, Ward said. I just dont see how it fits in with the community that we have there, because it really doesnt.

James Sheets, who owns property in the development zone, was among folks who attended the planning commission meeting to register opposition.

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Im against it. Period, he said. This project has got me totally surrounded. I guess because I never returned calls about selling.

The UG should include in the development blueprint a requirement the data center run on solar or wind power, said Ty Gorman, who works with the Sierra Club. Albert McComas, who lives near the site, said the UG should establish a fund to compensate residents if their water wells became contaminated due to heavy construction.

Neal Palmer, another critic of the project, proposed a 30-day delay in the planning commissions vote to determine whether developers ignored a handful of procedural requirements.

Liberty Church representative Rich Lavin said the data center could be a deterrent to people who might otherwise attend the Parallel Parkway church in the future.

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There is simply too many unanswered questions concerning these data centers, Lavin said. Let your conscience be your guide.

Tax advantages

Advocates touted economic development potential of the project, and the fact it could become the countys largest source of property tax revenue at an estimated $12.9 million annually. The land on the site currently generated about $43,000 annually in property tax revenue for the city, county, state, schools, colleges and library.

We believe these rezoning projects for the data centers is a strategic and forward-thinking decision, said Greg Kindle, president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council. Development will occur in this area. We believe a business park would be preferable to alternatives that weve been looking at, including apartment complexes.

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During the final day of the 2025 session of the Kansas Legislature, a 20-year state sales tax exemption was approved for construction of Kansas data centers costing a minimum of $250 million.

The sales tax break covered purchases for development, acquisition and operation of a data center, including land and site improvements as well as buildings and equipment; labor services to install and maintain data center equipment; purchases by a contractor to build or modify a data center; as well as acquisition of backup generators.

A data center accepting the state sales tax break couldnt take advantage of a law lowering utility rates for large economic development projects by 20% to 40% over 10 years. The bill required developers to buy electricity for 10 years from the public utility providing the areas retail service.
Law enforcement officers inside the Kansas Capitol rotunda tackle and detain Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto organization, for violating a permit that limited protests to the exterior of the building. Hundreds of Catholics conducted a counter-protest in opposition of Satanic Grotto's presence in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Members of the Kansas satanist group appear to be off the hook for criminal charges that stemmed from a highly anticipated, hotly criticized black mass demonstration at the Statehouse that resulted in clashes with Catholics and, ultimately, their arrests.

Shawnee County prosecutors decided Wednesday not to pursue charges against Michael Stewart, leader of the Satanic Grotto, and two other group members. After the court hearing, Stewart returned to the Statehouse to discuss the details of his next protest with law enforcement.

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Attracting nationwide attention, Stewarts satanic protest in March drew ire from elected and religious officials. Hundreds gathered at the Statehouse in Topeka on March 28, some in support of the satanic organization, which is a nonprofit not affiliated with the Church of Satan, and others in vehement opposition.

About 11:30 a.m., following speeches, prayers, chants and sign-waving on the lawn of the Statehouse in Topeka, Stewart entered the building to perform a satanic ceremony, called the black mass, which can involve desecrating a host. Across the street, a Catholic mass and prayer service took place, where archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann lambasted nonbelievers. Naumann also tried to sue Stewart before the protests, falsely accusing him of stealing a consecrated host.

Stewart had a permit to demonstrate outside on Statehouse grounds and was warned as he entered the building that any protest would violate that permit.

He walked to the first-floor rotunda, accompanied by supporters, reporters and watchful counter-protestors and began a dedication to Satan.

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A man and woman with young children interrupted him, physically intervening. Stewart turned away, and then a counter-protestor, Marcus Schroeder, attempted twice to grab papers from Stewarts hands. On Schroeders second reach, Stewart punched him twice in the face before a law enforcement officer took his legs out from underneath him.

Stewart and two supporters were booked in jail and charged with unlawful gathering. Stewart faced an additional charge of disorderly conduct.

At a hearing Wednesday, county prosecutors said they dont plan to pursue charges at this time, Stewart told Kansas Reflector. However, the statute of limitations lasts five years.

A call to the Shawnee County District Attorneys Office seeking confirmation of the charges was not immediately returned Wednesday.

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After the hearing, Stewart traveled a few blocks to the Capitol building, where he talked about plans for a nighttime protest in August with a law enforcement officer to preemptively soothe any concerns.

Planned for early August, Stewart envisions the Witches Hour Protest taking place from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the Statehouses south lawn.

He plans to extend the invitation to Wiccans, pagans and any kind of witchy inclined hippie we can find.

Were happy that were able to get back at it, Stewart said.

He added the members of the grotto have been restless, as they awaited their fate.
MOSCOW, May 28 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent comments on the decision to remove range restrictions on weapons for Ukraine are obstructing ongoing peace efforts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Merz on Monday said that Germany and its allies had lifted restrictions on the range of weapons supplied to Ukraine. On Tuesday, he noted that the decision was actually made "months ago."

"This is nothing more than a further provocation of war. This is nothing more than further attempts to force Ukrainians to continue fighting," Peskov said.

Calling Germany's position "irresponsible," Peskov said Moscow hopes that it doesn't become a serious obstacle to any further efforts toward a peaceful settlement.

The second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held in Istanbul, Turkiye on June 2, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. 
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., is shown on Nov. 25, 2024. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

As a Kansas public school teacher and parent, I am deeply concerned about ongoing attacks on public education, most recently through executive actions by the Trump administration that include eliminating the Department of Education and targeting the free speech of students.

Halting federal support for our schools and students will ensure historically marginalized students do not receive equal opportunities, will take away resources such as student lunches and special education programming, and will stifle learning communities. Despite these attacks, educators and communities are showing fight and resilience that is cause for hope.

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Some leaders in Washington are pushing the Educational Choice for Children Act. If enacted nationwide, ECCA would divert billions of taxpayer dollars from our public schools to subsidize private institutions. In fact, similar bills were proposed locally in the Kansas Legislature, and recently, a coalition of organizations, including Game On for Kansas Schools, Showing Up for Racial Justice Education Core, Voter Rights Network of Wyandotte County, among many others, educated the public about the dangers of these with multiple screenings of the documentary Backpack Full of Cash.

The Kansas Legislature recently passed a budget that cruelly underfunds special education, but due to the work of pro-public education groups, the voucher bill did not come up for a vote this session. Voucher programs only worsen ongoing budget cuts to public school children, benefiting a privileged few while leaving low-income and rural students with fewer resources.

Most recently, the Trump administration issued an executive order on school discipline, implying that school discipline had gotten worse as a result of the policies of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In fact, the school-to-prison pipeline, or the more nuanced school and prison nexus, which is caused by disproportionate policing and punishment leveled on Black and brown students, is a crisis that Trumps executive order will only exacerbate.

While it is true that serious improvements need to be made in terms of how our system relates to educators, school staff, students and communities to improve schools for all, it is also true that investments in prisons and police have exceeded holistic investments in educating our young people. In fact, policing is nearly the greatest expenditure for school districts nationally. With Trump reversing the nominal pressure of past Democratic administrations on this crisis, we can expect even greater pressure on schools and teachers to increasingly criminalize marginalized students.

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Unfortunately, attacks on students, teachers, and communities do not stop with voucher bills and executive actions. Distressingly, there is bipartisan support at both the Kansas and national levels for punishing speech, especially in schools and against students who support Palestine or are simply critical of Israel.

It is also widely documented that immigrant students are struggling to learn along with their peers under increasing criminalization by the Trump administration. In fact, parents are reporting to school staff that they are afraid to bring their kids to schools because of widespread ICE raids ordered by this administration.

Resources for educators have popped up to help support immigrant students who are under attack. Families are also fighting back. In February, A Day Without Immigrants showed massive resistance to anti-immigrant attitudes and policies.

Furthermore, the GOP attacks on transgender students, and LGBTQ+ students more broadly, has reached a fever pitch and are being used to drive a wedge between Kansans who would otherwise stand for public education access for all children. Republicans voted to override Democratic Gov. Lauras Kelly veto and target some of the states most vulnerable children. According to advocacy organization Loud Light: Legislators expanded their targeting of LGBTQ kids by providing legal protections to potential foster or adoptive parents with anti-LGBTQ beliefs, no matter how extreme.

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Public education is the foundation of a multiracial democracy. If we are serious about ensuring quality education for all students  not just the wealthiest  we must reject efforts to defund public schools and criminalize our youth.

Michael Rebne is a teacher in Kansas City, Kansas, a leader with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ-KC) and a Board Member of Justice for Wyandotte. 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.
Prosecutors in Karen Reads murder retrial rested their case on Thursday after calling 38 witnesses to the stand in 23 days over the span of six weeks of testimony.

The defense will now get a chance to begin presenting its case starting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, after jurors were dismissed for the day shortly before noon.

Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of striking John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die alone in a blizzard outside of a house party in Canton at the home of fellow officer Brian Albert on Jan. 29, 2022, following a night of drinking.

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Read said last week that her team is planning a more robust case that is broader and deeper with more witnesses. A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile.

Testimony provided by the prosecutions witnesses focused on evidence collected at the scene of OKeefes death and witnesses who claimed they heard Read repeatedly say, I hit him.

Simplified approach

The prosecution, led this time by Hank Brennan, has taken a more streamlined, focused approach.

Unlike the first trial, where witness after witness undermined the prosecutions case, Brennan did everything to avoid those mistakes. Most significantly, he refrained from putting Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, on the stand.

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Proctor was fired in March after a disciplinary board found he sent sexist and crude text messages about Read to his family and colleagues. His testimony played a key role in the first trial. Defense attorneys used his text messages to attempt to show that Proctor was biased and ignored the possibility of other suspects.

Michael Proctor

Brennan also didnt put Brian Albert, the Boston officer who owned the house where OKeefes body was found, on the stand. He also passed on putting on Brian Higgins, a federal agent who had exchanged flirty texts with Read, on the stand.

All three testified in the first trial and could be called by the defense as it seeks to show OKeefe was beaten at the house party hosted by Albert and left outside to die.

Reads attorney, Alan Jackson, still managed to raise concerns about Higgins and Proctor.

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During the cross-examination of Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, he made him read all the flirtatious texts between Higgins and Read.

Jackson also brought up a text message chain with Bukhenik in which Proctor said, I hate that man, I truly hate him about David Yannetti, an attorney for Read.

Stick to the evidence

Broken pieces of Reads taillight. A broken cocktail glass. Reads words the scene.

Prosecutors have spent much of the trial building their case through evidence from the scene. Like before, they started by introducing several law enforcement witnesses who were among the first responders and recalled hearing Read repeatedly say I hit him after she found OKeefe.

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They also played several clips of interviews Read has done since the first trial, in which she talked about how much she drank and made comments suggesting she knew what she did. She also talked about pulling a piece of glass from OKeefes nose.

Could I have clipped him? Could I have tapped him in the knee and incapacitated him? she said during an interview for a documentary on the case. He didnt look mortally wounded, as far as I could see but could I have done something that knocked him out and in his drunkenness and in the cold didnt come to again.

Prosecutors called a neurosurgeon who testified OKeefe suffered a classic blunt trauma injury associated with falling backward and hitting the back of his head.

Brain surgeon Dr. Aizik Wolf testifies about the injuries to John O'Keefe during Karen Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Prosecutors also showed jurors pieces of the Reads broken taillight, which they say was damaged when she hit OKeefe. The defense argues the taillight was damaged later when she was backing out of OKeefes house and hit OKeefes car.

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Prosecutors also introduced evidence of a broken cocktail glass, found at the scene, which they said OKeefe was holding when Read backed into him.

DNA evidence played a part

Andre Porto, a forensic scientist who works in the DNA unit of the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, detailed various items he tested, including the broken rear taillight and pieces of a broken cocktail glass found in the yard. Only OKeefe was a likely match for both.

Porto found three DNA contributors but only OKeefe was a likely match. He also tested DNA from parts of a broken cocktail glass found in the yard and only OKeefe was seen as a likely match. Porto also tested a hair found on the taillight.

Later in the trial, analyst Karl Miyasako of Bode Technology testified that tests of the hair sample taken from Reads vehicle found a mitochondrial DNA match to OKeefe. He said that means the DNA could be a match to OKeefe or any one of his maternal relatives.

Whats next for defense

The trial could easily continue several more weeks as Reads defense team makes its case. Read has said the defenses case will be more robust this time. It listed over 90 witnesses who could testify.

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Im anxious for everyone to learn what we know, she said last week.

When asked if her team planned to call Michael Proctor, Brian Albert, and Brian Higgins to the stand, Read simply said, TBD. All three of them testified at length in her first trial.

Karen Read and her defense team watch jurors leave the courtroom during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Reads defense has vigorously questioned the prosecutions witnesses and called into question the evidence presented about OKeefes death. During opening statements in April, Brennan said Read admitted what she did that night and pointed to a television interview in which Read said could I have clipped him? about OKeefes death.

Read has previously said that she expects her lawyers to present her case in about seven to 10 days.

Get caught up with all of the latest in Karen Reads retrial.

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Karen Read answered several questions from reporters outside of Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court on Thursday after the prosecution in her murder retrial rested its case.

Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of striking John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die alone in a blizzard outside of a house party in Canton at the home of fellow officer Brian Albert on Jan. 29, 2022, following a night of drinking.

Prosecutors rested their case Thursday morning after Dr. Judson Welcher, a crash reconstructionist expert with Aperture LLC, was dismissed from the stand after three days. He most notably testified to the prosecution that damage to Reads SUV was consistent with a collision involving OKeefe if the vehicle was moving faster than 8 mph.

Before the jury enters the courtroom Karen Read shares a lighthearted moment with her defense team, during her second murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read and her defense team watch jurors leave the courtroom during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her defense attorney, Alan Jackson, during her retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell, Pool)

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Defense attorney Robert Alessi, center, confers with Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone as Karen Read, left, stands by during a sidebar during Read's murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022, during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022, during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

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Karen Read and attorney Alan Jackson look at the empty jury box while listening to Judge Cannone during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read looks on during her trial Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

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Defendant Karen Read, right, confers with her attorneys Alan Jackson, left, and Robert Alessi, center, before Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle, Pool)

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Defendant Karen Read talks with her attorneys during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Chavous/Enterprise News via AP, Pool)

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Karen Read

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Dedham, MA - April 12: Karen Read at her pre-trial hearing at Norfolk Superior Court. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Karen Read watches attorney Robert Alessi make a point during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court at Dedham, Mass., on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Judge approves joint motion to delay start of Karen Reads 2nd murder trial

Dedham, MA - July 1: Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone (not pictured) in Norfolk Superior Court. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read jurors tell judge theyve been unable to reach unanimous verdict

Day 3 of jury deliberations finishes without verdict in Karen Read trial

Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip

Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.

Karen Read

Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

Karen Read smiles after listening to her attorney Alan Jackson during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read

Karen Read

Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

The prosecution, led this time by Hank Brennan, has taken a more streamlined, focused approach through the first six weeks of Reads second trial. A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse and deliberating further would be futile.

The defense is expected to begin calling witnesses on Friday morning, and Read revealed who her lawyers plan to call upon first to open what she says will be a more robust case that is broader and deeper with more witnesses.

As Read walked through of sea of media waiting on the steps of the courthouse shortly after noon on Thursday, she was asked, Who will be the first witness for your defense?

Read said Matt DiSogra, director of engineering at DeltaV, would be the first person up. DeltaV is a motor vehicle accident reconstruction firm with locations in Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, Denver, and Fayetteville.

Matthew Disogra

When asked if she planned to take the stand in her own defense, Read said, TBD.

Read was then asked how long it would take for her lawyers to present her case. She estimated one-and-a-half to two weeks.

As Read climbed into a black SUV to leave Dedham, she was asked, How would you sum up the prosecutions case? One word. Read responded, Unjust.

Testimony provided by the prosecutions witnesses focused on evidence collected at the scene of OKeefes death and witnesses who claimed they heard Read repeatedly say, I hit him.

Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.

Get caught up with all of the latest in Karen Reads retrial.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Longtime GOP strategist and commenter Karl Rove predicts President Donald Trumps tariff policies will cost Republicans next years midterms, calling the administrations messaging a muddled mess.

The story isnt good for the GOP, Rove said in a column published in The Wall Street Journal Wednesday.

Rove warned fellow Republicans that Trumps tariff demands are weighing him down as his general job approval sinks and voters disapprove of his handling of the economy, citing data from RealClearPolitics.

Karl Rove (right) says President Donald Trump's (left) tariff policy is weighing him down and will cost Republicans the 2026 midterm elections Getty Images

Trump and Rove have clashed in recent weeks as the Bush administrations senior adviser became critical of the presidents strategy.

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Last month Rove said Trumps approval ratings are in bad shape when it comes to the economy. He also appeared on Fox advising the president to cooperate with the courts in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation case. Trump responded on Truth Social by calling Rove a total Loser whos been wrong about almost everything!

Now Rove is warning Republicans that the presidents frenetic back-and-forth on the subject, declaring a trade war one day then postponing new tariffs the next, leaves voters confused.

A more recent example of Trumps on-again, off-again tariff policy happened last week when he threatened to impose a 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union. That threat was backtracked on Sunday when EU heads asked to extend his deadline for trade talks until July 9.

Maybe these apparent flip-flops were all planned by the master of the Art of the Deal. But to many, it looks like cleanup on aisle six, Rove said.

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Roves sentiment was felt in Wall Street as investors came up with a new term to describe Trumps on-again, off-again tariffs, called TACO, which is code for Trump Always Chickens Out.

The administrations messaging is a muddled mess, Rove said, telling Republicans Trump should look towards reciprocity, a policy he describes as if countries lower their tariffs, well lower ours.

Rove ended the column by saying voters wont blame foreign countries for higher prices or fewer goods. Theyll blame Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

Related...
Washington doesnt know what to do about its tariff plan anymore.

Components of the White Houses tariff plan were shot down by two different judges on Wednesday and Thursday, sending the Trump administrations controversial economic strategyand its subsequent public defenseinto a tailspin. During a White House press briefing on Thursday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt aggressively asserted that the administration would win its appeals, all while insisting that other countries would blindly continue to negotiate with Donald Trump, even as the future of his tariff agenda is up in the air.

Why would other countries continue these trade deal negotiations? asked NBC Newss Gabe Gutierrez.

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Because other countries around the world have faith in the negotiator in chief, President Donald J. Trump. And they also probably see how ridiculous this ruling is, and they understand the administration is going to win, Leavitt said. And we intend to win, we already filed an emergency appeal, we expect to fight this battle all the way to the Supreme Court.

Leavitt then shared a missive for foreign nations, claiming that the president reserves other authorities to enact the trade policy.

But I can confirm our ambassador for trade, Jamison Greer, already heard from other countries this morning that they intend to continue with the negotiations, she added.

REPORTER: Why would other countries continue trade deal negotiations given the ruling?



LEAVITT: Because other countries around the world have faith in the negotiator in chief, President Donald J Trump. And they also probably see how ridiculous this ruling is pic.twitter.com/jc8md7ikJt  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 29, 2025

Trumps tariff plan was blocked by a trade court Wednesday, with a three-judge panel ruling that the presidents plan exceeded any authority granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Less than 24 hours later, another court intervened in Trumps levies, denoting in a two-page order that the duties were unlawful.

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Even Fox Newss Peter Doocy poked holes in the administrations strategy, asking whyif the judiciary says the tariffs are illegalTrump wouldnt ask House and Senate Republicans to just draft a new law. In response, Leavitt lied.

Well, these laws have already been granted to the president by the Constitution, and by laws that have been previously passed, Leavitt said. (If that were true, the court system would not have blocked the trade policy.)

Earlier this month, Justice Department lawyers were rebuked by the Supreme Court for refusing to accept lower court rulings, with Justice Elena Kagan flaming administration officials for driving cases they had uniformly lost to the nations highest judiciary.






NEED TO KNOW

Photographer Josh Shinner shared a photo of Kate Middleton that he took during their April visit to the Isle of Mull in Scotland

The snap was released earlier this month in connection to news that a rose had been named after the Princess of Wales

In the striking portrait, Princess Kate poses in nature, which has been a source of solace amid her cancer treatment last year







Kate Middleton posed for a portrait on a recent "sunny and leafy stroll," but instead of flashing her famous smile for the camera, she showed a different side to herself.

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On May 29, photographer Josh Shinner  who has gotten behind the camera on several occasions for the Princess of Wales' family before, including Prince Louis' recent 7th birthday portrait  shared a portrait of Kate on his Instagram page.

"Excellent company for a sunny and leafy stroll Thanks @princeandprincessofwales," he captioned the post.

The striking shot was first released earlier this month in connection with the news that a rose had been named in Princess Kate's honor by the Royal Horticultural Society, and it was taken on the Isle of Mull during a recent visit. Kate and Prince William headed to the Scottish island at the end of April, and the Princess of Wales appeared in the photo wearing the same outfit she wore for their royal engagement of meeting the rangers at the Ardura Community Forest, who play a vital role in local conservation.



Josh Shinner Kate Middleton Kate Middleton

The image shows the royal with her arms crossed, showing the engagement ring previously worn by Princess Diana, and staring directly at the camera. Instead of a full smile, Kate gave a slight smirk as she took in the outdoor setting.

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Princess Kate has long been an advocate of spending time outside, but her connection with nature took on a deeper meaning amid her cancer treatment last year.

In her first health update after announcing her cancer diagnosis, she appeared in a photo that showed her leaning against a tree in a similar pose to Shinner's portrait. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE of the snap, "There she is in nature, which has fortified her, and looking upward in a sign of real hope and encouragement for everybody."

The Princess of Wales also chose to honor Mother Nature on the U.K.'s version of Mother's Day in March, sharing a video of various outdoor scenes.

"Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary," Kate said in the caption of the Instagram post. "This Mothers Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature and recognize how our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life."

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Princess Kate and Prince William retreated from the public eye this week as their three children  Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7  have a school vacation. The couple usually reduces their royal outings during school breaks to spend time together as a family.



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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The United States Department of Justice says that a man from Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty in court for his role in a multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud scheme.

The DOJ says that 49-year-old Jamie McNamara operated several labs in Louisiana and Texas. He used those labs to get doctors orders for genetic testing, which would then be used in aggressive telemarketing campaigns to talk Medicare beneficiaries into receiving said testing.

However, the orders for the tests were signed by telemedicine doctors who werent the beneficiaries physicians, did not consult with the patients and did not follow up with them after the tests.

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McNamara would obtain these orders using illegal kickbacks and bribes, the DOJ says. He would also avoid attention from Medicare and law enforcement by shifting billing through the multiple labs and concealing his ownership of them by listing his family members as owners and representatives of the companies.

The DOJ says that in around a year and a half, McNamaras labs submitted over $174 million in claims to Medicare for genetic testing and received over $55 million in reimbursements. The government previously seized multiple luxury vehicles and more than $7 million from related bank accounts.

Additionally, while McNamara was on pretrial release, the DOJ says he fled from a DUI stop and cut off an ankle monitor, leading to another detainment.

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Man who showed no remorse for KCK deli murders gets life in prison

McNamara lined his pockets by preying on vulnerable Americans concerned about their health. The genetic tests Medicare patients were lured into receiving did not provide them with any answers on their predisposition to life-threatening illnesses and cost taxpayers millions of dollars, said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office.

Todays plea is the culmination of thorough investigative work and partnership between the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) to protect the public and ensure that justice is served.

Now, McNamara is facing up to ten years in prison for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9.

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May 29A Kennebunk doctor is appealing her conviction after a federal jury last year found her guilty of writing illegal prescriptions for five patients.

Dr. Merideth Norris was convicted on 15 counts of unauthorized prescribing of a controlled substance. Each count represented a prescription that Norris wrote for five patients in 2021 and 2022. They included high dosages of opioids, sometimes dangerously combined with benzodiazepines, another controlled substance, according to prosecutors.

Her case will now go to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.

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Norris was a well-known addiction medicine specialist, who still testifies against proposed legislation that would criminalize addiction, and was once president of the Maine Osteopathic Association and director of two methadone clinics, where people could receive medication to help with their withdrawal symptoms.

She was sentenced this month to three years of probation and community service, avoiding prison time. She is not appealing that sentence, which her lawyers said in an email that she was grateful for.

Her attorney, Timothy Zerillo, said they want to address "various pretrial issues" in her appeal, including some that they raised in 2023 regarding the constitutionality of the investigation into Norris' work.

They previously tried throwing out evidence obtained through a search warrant that she argued omitted an important detail: that the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure had cleared her of wrongdoing in its own investigation.

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Prosecutors mentioned the board investigation in their application for a warrant, but argued last year the board's findings were shallow.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen found that investigators "showed reckless disregard for the truth," but still denied Norris' request to throw out the evidence because she said police had enough corroboration beyond the board's investigation to suggest that Norris' patients were at risk, including investigations by other entities and opinions from medical experts.

Norris' trial last June lasted two weeks. A jury heard at length from a medical doctor hired by prosecutors to review Norris' patient records, as well as a pharmacist who reported one of Norris' prescriptions to Walmart pharmacies, leading to a companywide block.

Several former patients defended Norris' work overall. They said she took them in when other doctors would refuse care and treated them with dignity. Norris' lawyers argued that she accepted many patients who were already taking high doses of opioids at other practices, whose doctors had retired.

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Prosecutors said Norris still had an obligation to prescribe with caution. They said she ignored warnings from insurance companies that her prescriptions might carry risk, and indications that her patients were diverting their medication or also using illicit, non-prescribed drugs.

At sentencing, Torresen said it seemed Norris was "trying to help too many people for too long with too little."

"The patients that were the subject of the indictment, there were red flags that should have caused you to stop prescribing," Torresen told her. But the judge recognized that those 15 prescriptions were a sliver of Norris' work. At one point, Norris said, she was caring for more than 400 patients.

Norris said she had to close her clinic, Graceful Recovery in Kennebunk, after her trial. She lost her malpractice insurance and does not have authority from the DEA to prescribe controlled substances.

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ZAGREB, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Croatia will continue to offer "firm and strong" support for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on its journey toward European Union (EU) membership, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday.

"There is no greater ally and advocate of Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path than Croatia," Plenkovic told journalists in Zagreb. He expressed confidence that Croatia's role as a sincere supporter of BiH's EU aspirations will soon be more widely acknowledged by political leaders in the neighboring country.

The European Council decided last year to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a significant milestone in the country's EU integration process.

The Croatian government has long championed BiH's EU membership. Analysts note that this position reflects both strategic interests and deep-rooted ties between the two nations. Croats are the third-largest ethnic group in BiH, and Croatia shares the longest land border with the country. The two states are linked not only by geography but also by historical, cultural, and economic connections, making BiH's progress toward the EU a matter of shared importance. 
KEWANEE, Ill. (WMBD)  The Kewanee Police Department is working with the Illinois State Police and the Henry County Sheriffs Office to locate a missing man.

Catrelle Reed was last seen on May 22, at about 2 p.m., according to a Kewanee police Facebook post. He could possibly be wearing brown boots, blue jeans and a high-visibility vest.

Reed also has several tattoos on his upper body, in addition to a rose tattoo on his hand and wings on his neck.

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His vehicle was found in an alley near Reeds residence. Detectives determined the vehicle was being used between 7 and 8 a.m. on May 23.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kewanee Police Department at (309) 853-1911.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
A federal judge on Thursday said she will order Trump administration officials to not make any changes to Harvard Universitys international student visa program indefinitely, delivering another legal victory for the embattled school as its commencement unfolded with an air of protest not far away.

The brief court hearing before US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs came after the judge last week temporarily halted the administrations ban on Harvard Universitys ability to enroll international students. Burroughs made it clear Thursday that even a last-minute reversal of Trump administration demands of Harvard wouldnt be enough, and a court order was necessary.

The international student fight is just one front in a broader ideological battle between the White House and American colleges, with Harvard emerging as a central target. Harvard also is suing the White House over its freeze of $2.2 billion in federal money after the Ivy League school refused to take steps including eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs, banning masks at protests and enacting merit-based hiring and admissions changes.

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Here are some key takeaways from the closely watched hearing.

Maintain the status quo

Burroughs, of the District of Massachusetts, said Thursday, I want to maintain the status quo, allowing Harvard to continue hosting international students on visas.

Her comments came a week after Harvard argued revocation of its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program was clear retaliation for its refusal of the governments ideologically rooted policy demands.

Harvard argued last week that the administrations decision to drop the school from the Department of Homeland Securitys SEVP system violated the law.

Despite the Trump administration s attempts to defuse the situation by giving Harvard 30 days to respond to its demands, the judge said she is moving forward with putting in place a firm court order  a preliminary injunction  after stepping in on an emergency basis last week.

Hearing unfolds as many international students graduate

As attorneys for the Trump administration and Harvard faced off in court, Harvards commencement program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was underway across the Charles River, with many international students celebrating their degrees.

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The White House ban could impact nearly 7,000 Harvard students whose futures have been flung into uncertainty. The university says it has 9,970 people in its international academic population, and data shows 6,793 international students comprise 27.2% of its enrollment in the 2024-25 academic year.

Burroughs, who was appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, has told Harvards lawyers and the Justice Department lawyers to work out an agreement to stop the revocation of the student visa program for the time being.

It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure its worded in such a way that nothing changes, she said.

Harvard lawyer warns of government shenanigans

Harvard has assembled a top-notch legal team led by Ian Gershengorn, a well-established Supreme Court litigator and former acting US solicitor general in the Obama administration.

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Gershengorn is also notable for the firm he comes from, Jenner & Block, which was the subject of a severely limiting executive order from the Trump White House in recent weeks that was borne out of Trumps personal animus toward some lawyers.

Gershengorn told the judge Thursday that he wants to make sure there are no shenanigans once the court order is in place.

He said the notice of intent to withdraw letter giving the university 30 days to respond to the White Houses demands was sent to Harvard at 11:48 p.m. Wednesday.

The Trump administrations actions toward law firms like Jenner & Block and universities like Harvard have galvanized a resistance among a small group of power centers in American culture.

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Administration restrictions toward both firms and schools are perceived to be part of a broader political campaign to punish powerful intellectual institutions that have championed diversity, globalization and the rule of law.

Trump administrations last-minute about-face

Hours before the hearing, the administration said it would give Harvard a month to provide evidence to challenge the administrations attempt to strip the university of its ability to host international students.

The move appeared intended to unravel a legal challenge the school mounted against the White House effort last week. It also represented a sudden reversal of the administrations hardball stance on the student-visa issue.

Justice Department attorneys notified a federal judge early Thursday that the Department of Homeland Security sent the school a Notice of Intent to Withdraw it from the Student and Exchange Visitors Program.

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The five-page notice cited several reasons why the government was moving to strip the university of its ability to host foreign students and gave the school 30 days to respond with sworn statements or other evidence to rebut the alleged grounds for withdrawal.

The notice cited the same alleged issues the administration leaned on in its recent threats, including that the school hadnt complied with reporting requirements for foreign students and that it is not maintaining an environment Free from Violence and Antisemitism.

President Donald Trump has suggested Harvard enroll no more than around 15% of scholars from overseas.

Judge voices concern about potential students and visas

Burroughs said she was concerned potential Harvard students abroad have been unable to get visas from some US embassies abroad since last week, according to Harvards sworn statements.

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The Justice Department said Thursday that the case may be moot because of the administrations latest procedural move to delay the ban. Still, Burroughs indicated Harvards First Amendment claims may still need to be resolved in court.

But the judge appeared skeptical of the administrations latest procedural move.

I dont know whether to take that as an acknowledgment procedural steps were not taken, Burroughs said.

Arent we going to end up back here in essentially the same place? the judge asked.

The university has said it is being unfairly retaliated against. The Justice Department denied the claim, and said they will allow for additional administrative proceedings with the university over the student visa program.

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Six miles from the courthouse, Dr. Abraham Verghese  the bestselling author, Stanford University professor and infectious disease expert  began his commencement address by acknowledging Harvard is facing unprecedented times.

He told graduates, When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country, including so many of your international students, worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps its fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me.

Part of what makes America great, if I may use that phrase, is that it allows an immigrant like me to blossom, Verghese said, nodding to Trumps Make America Great Again slogan. The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard, is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you.

CNNs Ray Sanchez, Jennifer Hansler, Rebekah Riess and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

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A senior aide shared an update on King Charles amid his cancer treatment, saying the monarch is managing his illness as he continues his royal duties

"As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible. Thats exactly what he is doing," the aide says

The update comes after the King, 76, was briefly hospitalized in March due to an adverse reaction to his treatment







King Charles is carrying on amid his cancer treatment.

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In the first major update about the monarch's health since his brief hospitalization in March, a senior royal aide says the King, 76, is keeping a busy schedule of royal duties as he continues to manage his health  most recently, undertaking a two-day trip to Canada, of which he is head of state, with Queen Camilla.

The aide says, "The thing you learn about this illness is that you just manage it, and thats what he does."

Medical science has made incredible advances, and I genuinely see no difference in him," the aide adds. "As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible. Thats exactly what he is doing."

VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty King Charles visits Canada on May 27, 2025 King Charles visits Canada on May 27, 2025

King Charles publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. After a brief period out of the spotlight, he resumed small audiences before returning to public-facing engagements in April 2024.

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On March 27, he was hospitalized at The London Clinic "following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "The King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital."

Palace aides did not give further details on his particular condition or treatment program, but sources said his recovery continues to trend in a positive direction. "The most minor bump in the road thats very much heading in the right direction," a royal source said at the time.

After cancelling some scheduled engagements, King Charles was back on royal outings a few days after his hospitalization.

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla in Canada on May 27, 2025 King Charles and Queen Camilla in Canada on May 27, 2025

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The senior royal aide said King Charles' visit to Canada, his first since acceding to the throne in 2022, "was a reset and reaffirmation of that relationship, and for Their Majesties to see so many people turn out and to be so thrilled to see them was fantastic."

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"Almost three years on, everyone has a clear impression of what that is and the role that he will play, one that is both traditional for the monarchy and distinct to His Majesty," the aide added.

He has dealt with his illness in a very human way, and the way hes engaging with the public at a very human level," the aide says. "I think we now have a clear idea of what the Carolean age looks like and what it stands for  now and hopefully for many years to come."

The landmark moment of King Charles' Canada visit was his historic speech at the State Opening of Parliament, where he became only the second monarch to deliver the address following his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who did so in October 1957. His speech navigated his role as Canada's head of state and the U.K.'s allyship with the U.S. The recent election of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was viewed as a rejection of President Donald Trumps agenda amid his remarks that Canada could be "merged with the U.S." and become the 51st state.

Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth, tells PEOPLE that King Charles could "give a master class in diplomatic relations."

"The speech was really well handled," says Anderson. "It could have gone off the rails, and it didnt.

Read the original article on People
King Charles speech has very peculiar timing. The Monarch just addressed Canadas parliament about threats to the country as his son Prince Harry visited China.

Charles was invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to open Canadas Parliament. Its the first time a Monarch has done it since Queen Elizabeths speech in 1977. He assured that Canada will invest to strengthen its presence in the north, which is an integral part of Canada, as this region faces new threats.

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This comes after Chinas coastguard, in a joint patrol with Russian forces, entered the Arctic for the first time in October. The two countries are doing military exercises in the area.

During his Canada trip, Prince Harry jetted to China, where he addressed climate change in Shanghai. He was invited to a tourism conference in his capacity as the founder of Travalyst.

Related: Prince Harry Fears He May Not Talk to King Charles Again Before He Dies: I Dont Know How Much Longer My Father Has

Climate change isnt just an environmental challenge its a critical business emergency, costing the global economy $143 billion annually, the Duke told attendees.

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Newly elected Mark Carney invited King Charles after rebuking Trumps threats of making Canada the 51st US state. According to the Associated Press, the King does not write his speeches in Parliament, and instead he reads what was put before him by Canadas government. He can also make some remarks of his own. King Charles serves as a nonpartisan head of state for the country.

After losing his security appeal, the Duke of Sussex talked to the BBC about how he would like to talk to his father again. I would love reconciliation with my family. Theres no point in continuing to fight anymore.

Life is precious. I dont know how much longer my father has, he said about his father who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. He wont speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile. He also added that his father should be open to reconciliation and help solve his security problem. There is a lot of control and ability in my fathers hands, he said. Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts do what is necessary.

However, some people in his family might not be open to reconciling. A source told The Daily Beast: Charles might be happy to put up with this, but William wont. He loathes and despises Harry and Meghan with every bone in his body, he believes they have betrayed everything the family stands for and the idea that they are using their royal status as a calling card will enrage him.

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On top of that, a friend of Williams also shared with the outlet that Charles has completely lost control. Its apparent that Harry and Meghan have every intention of making his final years a misery, just as he feared they would. Meghan using her HRH exposes how weak and enfeebled he is. She knows he wont do anything. There is no way King William will stand for this. The titles will simply be removed when he is king. A way will be found.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Adam Kinzinger has been out of Congress for two years now, but his final term continues to define him and his mission.

This is not normal, Kinzinger said of President Donald Trumps first four months back in the White House. Regardless of your opinion of him, people can obviously look at this and say: This isnt how politics used to be. This kind of anger, this division is not sustainable.

Kinzinger spoke with WGN ahead of a speech Wednesday evening in Chicago. Since leaving office, he has traveled the nation for his Country First political action committee, telling the story of being one of only two republicans to serve on the Jan. 6 Committee. Despite having a conservative voting record, Trump supporters branded him a RINO, which stands for Republican In Name Only.

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GOPs Kinzinger explains his appearance at Democratic National Convention

Democracy is still worth preserving, Kinzinger said.

Kinzinger encouraged Republicans and Democrats not to tune out the daily drumbeat of headlines.

You have the daily clown show or the daily controversies. Some of it is so outrageous, you have to pay attention. Some of it is corruption, Kinzinger said. In the meantime, the stuff that really matters  did DOGE save $160 billion? It did not. By the way, they promised $2 trillion. The Big Beautiful Bill will actually cut Medicare and Medicaid and explode the debt. So people are talking about that, and then we hear about the Qatar jet. So, how do you kind of juggle all those balls and stay engaged? Thats the big key.

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Kinzinger doesnt sound like a man content to stay on the sidelines of government, but he has yet to announce his next move. In the meantime, hell continue to try to reach new audiences through social media, a regular column on Substack, YouTube videos, and commentary on CNN.

I want the younger generation to recognize: This doesnt have to be this way, Kinzinger said.

In 2022, WGN profiled Kinzinger as a politician without a party.

WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud

In 2024, Republican Kinzinger accepted a prime-time speaking role at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

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I look at the Democrats and say, sure, theres a lot I disagree with, but theres actually a lot I agree with that my party has abandoned, like foreign policy. I mean, standing with Ukraine in a fight against Russia, if you had told me 10 years ago that my party wouldve abandoned that fight, I wouldnt have believed you, Kinzinger told WGN at the time. When they call me a RINO, theres not much about me thats changed from what I used to be. The whole Republican party has changed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
The historic manhunt for the remaining inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail continues as only two men are still on the loose. On May 16, 10 men pulled off a successful jailbreak from Orleans Parish Justice Center, and in just under two weeks, more than 20 people, including eight of the inmates, have been arrested.

Although the race to find Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey is still ongoing, whats interesting about the case is the help all 10 escapees got to pull off the biggest prison break in Louisiana history. From a grandmother getting involved to the violent crimes each inmate was originally charged with, The Root is taking a closer look at all the lives affected by the ingenious escape.



Kendell Myles

Screenshot: X

The 20-year-old was the first to be taken back into custody after escaping from OPJ. But interestingly enough, this isnt the first time Myles escaped from a jail. Back in 2022, Myles escaped from the Bridge City Center for Youth, according to WWLTV. He was indicted on attempted murder and carjacking charges after allegedly shooting a man then jacking his car, according to WDSU. He was apprehended in the French Quarter after a brief foot chase, according to officials.

Robert Moody

Screenshot: X

Just hours after Myles arrest, Moody was taken into custody again. The 21-year-old was booked on weapons and drug charges. After escaping, he was found in the New Orleans neighborhood of Central City following a callers Crime Stoppers tip, according to FOX 8 New Orleans. By the time police caught up to Moody, he had a brand new wardrobe, wearing BAPE and Nike brands.

DKenan Dennis

Screenshot: X

Like Moody and Myles, Dennis didnt make it too far before being caught. The third escapee was apprehended the same day he escaped from OPJ. Dennis, 24, was arrested near Chef Menteur Hwy. and Dale Street. He was booked on multiple illegal weapons charges, extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery, and theft charges, according to WDSU.

Gary Price

Screenshot: X

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On Monday (May 19), the 21-year-old was arrested by police. According to reports, Price had been hiding out at a vacant home on Good Drive. Price will ultimately be transported to a secure state facility outside of the area, state police said Monday. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, simple assault, criminal damage, domestic abuse and battery and assault with a weapon, according to NewsNation.

Sterling Williams

Screenshot: La. Office of the Attorney General

Williams worked as a maintenance worker at OPJ before he was arrested on Tuesday (May 20). As we previously reported, police said Williams shut off the water to the cell where the inmates escaped. Although a simple move, Williams actions allowed the inmates to pull a toilet from the wall, helping them run free. The 33-year-old, is being held at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center on 10 counts of principle to simple escape and malfeasance in office charges. He claims his life was threatened if he didnt help the inmates.

Corey Boyd

Screenshot: X

Boyd was caught on May 20, according to reports. The 19-year-old is facing serious charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, obstruction of justice and threatening a law enforcement officer, according to NOLA.com. Boyd was one of three people charged in connection with the death of a man who caught the group robbing cars.

Cortnie Harris

Screenshot: X

We reported on Friday (May 23), Harris was arrested for allegedly helping the inmates. Police say she spoke with one of the inmates before their escape and drove two of the escapees around New Orleans to avoid the police. The idea that theyre bringing this hell this fresh hell to your doorstep means that they dont care, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said of anyone offering help to any of the escapees.

Corvanntay Baptiste

Screenshot: X

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Similarly to Harris, Baptiste was arrested for her role in helping an escapee, Boyd, once he got back into the real world. She was charged with accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Boyd get food. Someone had to provide that access, and that help... is a crime, DA Williams continued.

Connie Weeden

Screenshot: X

That same day (May 23), a third woman was arrested for helping another inmate. Weeden was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. WDSU reported Weeden allegedly contacted Jermaine Donald her grandson and one of the escapees before and after his escape. She allegedly wired him cash through a digital wallet app.

Emmitt Weber

Screenshot: New Orleans Police Department

The 28-year-old was arrested on May 24 after accusations he helped two inmates after they escaped. Hes been charged with accessory after the fact of simple escape.

Jermaine Donald

Two men who broke out of a New Orleans jail were recaptured by police after a high-speed pursuit in Huntsville, Texas, on Monday. The two escapees, Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald, were taken into custody and charged, the Huntsville Police Department said.



Tate and Donald were pic.twitter.com/4hytflTHAu  CBS News (@CBSNews) May 28, 2025

Donald was caught in Texas on Monday (May 26). As we previously reported, the 42-year-old was originally facing illegal carrying of a weapon and second-degree murder. He and another inmate, Leo Tate, were captured together after a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

Leo Tate

Screenshot: X

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The 31-year-old was already facing second-degree murder charges and attempted second-degree murder charges after a 2018 shooting where 19-year-old was killed and a 16-year-old was sent to the hospital, NOLA.com reported. Tate accepted a plea deal and was ultimately convicted of obstruction of justice and sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Now, Tate was charged with outstanding warrants for aggravated escape and escape from custody, we previously reported.

Lenton Vanburen Jr.

Screenshot: X

Also on Memorial Day (May 26), Vanburen was apprehended by police in Baton Rouge, La. The 27-year-old was arrested in 2021 following a deadly shooting, according to New Orleans police. By the time police obtained a warrant for his arrest, Vanburen was already in custody at OPJ on armed robbery charges. He pleaded not guilty in 2022.

Lenton Vanburen Sr.

Screenshot: X

Lenton Vanburen Sr. was given a $1 million bond after being accused of helping his own son escape. The 48-year-old was also given a $2,500 bond for a theft charge, according to WDSU.

Tyshanea Randolph

Screenshot: X

The 27-year-old was accused of helping Vanburen after he escaped. According to reports, she was charged with accessory after the fact.

Angel McKay

Screenshot: X

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Another woman, McKay was accused of helping Vanburen following the jailbreak. According to police, she was charged with accessory after the fact.

Casey Smith

Screenshot: X

Smith, 30, was accused of helping at least two escapees hours after their escape, according to NOPD. Officers arrested Smith before she admitted to helping the fugitives drive around the city. Smith was booked on accessory after the fact to simple escape.

Antoine Massey

Screenshot: Fox 8

Massey is one of only two remaining escapees. He has a long history of successfully escaping custody dating back to 2007, according to CNN. Hes reportedly escaped from detention facilities three times, and hes cut off his ankle monitor twice. There isnt an ounce of this mans history that doesnt say escape, Matt Dennis, an employee with the company that operates the monitors told WDSU. The 33-year-old was arrested on charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation and the theft of a car in 2024, according to New Orleans police . Massey was also charged with violating his parole.

Diamond White

Antoine Massey enjoyed his Memorial Day weekend as he continues to mock authorities and update fans with new his look. pic.twitter.com/QvaHVgdLQs  My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) May 27, 2025

The 21-year-old was accused of helping Massey after he escaped. According to reports, she was charged with principal to aggravated escape and obstruction of justice.

Derrick Groves

Screenshot: X

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Before escaping from OPJ, Groves was convicted of the 2018 killing of two people, Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson, during Mardi Gras, according to the Orleans Parish DAs office. According to WDSU, Groves was found guilty of two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder. He is still on the loose.

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In May 2025, claims circulated that signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry would give the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI unrestricted, warrantless, indefinite access to the applicant's personal data including health records, social media communications and court history.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are part of the Trusted Traveler Programs that allow travelers to be prescreened and cut down on wait times at participating airports. Travelers undergo security threat assessments as part of the application process for both programs.

As part of this assessment, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) do gather both biographic (name, address) and biometric (fingerprint) data about applicants to help determine if they can be prescreened. Both organizations share fingerprint data with the FBI.

However, we found no evidence that an application to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry would give the Department of Homeland Security "unrestricted, warrantless" access to any data about the applicant indefinitely. TSA PreCheck said it does not use "publicly available" data to carry out threat assessments. Both TSA and CBP have set retention policies and will delete data a set time after users discontinue their memberships of the programs.



In May 2025, claims (archived) circulated that signing up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry grants the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI unrestricted, warrantless, indefinite access to the applicant's personal data including health records, social media communications and court history. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are part of the voluntary, paid Trusted Travelers Programs, which allow travelers to reduce waiting time at participating airports by being prescreened.

The claims circulated on X, Facebook (archived) and Instagram (archived) accompanied by a clip from Victory News (time code 25:10), a religious news channel based in Arkansas, featuring KrisAnne Hall, the chief counsel of Liberty First Legal, a civil rights law firm started during the COVID-19 pandemic with an interest in protecting "religious and constitutional freedoms." Hall said:

So when individuals enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, they actually sign a release granting the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI unrestricted, warrantless access to all their personal data: health records, physical, mental, social media communications, court history  anything they want, they have access indefinitely. And this sweeping surrender of privacy is in the fine print few people ever really read, so the people end up giving up their permanent rights, or their rights permanently, for the convenience of maybe a little bit faster time in line.

Snopes readers also emailed and searched our site seeking more information about the claim.

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However, we found no evidence that an application to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry would give the Department of Homeland Security "unrestricted, warrantless" access to any data about the applicant indefinitely. According to Privacy Impact Assessments of both programs, the DHS does collect biographic and biometric information about applicants. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) share only fingerprints from applications to both programs with the FBI. We found no proof that a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application allows the DHS or FBI access to health records, social media communications or court history if that material isn't already public.

A CBP spokesperson said the agency did not "collect, store, or share information which isn't relevant to an individual's eligibility and continued membership in Global Entry" and referred us to a full list of information gathered by the agency about Global Entry applicants.

We reached out to the TSA and Clear, Idemia and Telos (three companies authorized to enroll travelers in TSA PreCheck) to ask if the claim was true and await a reply.

No 'single bright-line rule,' according to Hall

In an email to Snopes, Hall argued that the issue over data security lay with "expansive" statutes, regulatory "vagueness," and "judicial deference" surrounding the DHS and TSA.

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Hall wrote:

The current STA [Security Threat Assessment] framework grants DHS and TSA expansive, largely unchecked power to define and act upon "national security concerns" with little transparency, no clear standards, and minimal accountability. The initial consent given by applicants opens the door to continuous and intrusive investigation, often without the individual knowing the full extent of the review.

Hall wrote that fully understanding the regulatory framework that allowed for the alleged "unchecked" power involved "tracing a complex statutory and regulatory chain that even experienced attorneys must study."

Therefore, she argued, "because this legal framework is stitched together by statutory silence, judicial precedent, and internal practice, rather than a single bright-line rule, informed consent becomes the only real safeguard."

In so far as our investigation found, both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry do require a security threat assessment as part of the application to the program. For Global Entry, this means the applicant is tested against seven disqualifying factors, which mostly relate to an applicant's criminal record.

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The CBP provided copies of four consent forms that applicants to Global Entry must acknowledge. None of these forms said they gave the CBP unrestricted or warrantless access to health records, social media accounts or court records.

A TSA spokesperson referred us to the Privacy Act Statement for TSA PreCheck when asked about what information the program gathered for its security threat assessment. More on this below.

What TSA PreCheck and Global Entry actually know about applicants

Under the Privacy Act of 1974, federal agencies must provide certain information publicly about how and why they collect data from the public. The U.S. Department of Labor explained the concept on its website:

The Privacy Act of 1974 requires that when we ask you for information we tell you our legal right to ask for the information, why we are asking you for it, and how it will be used. We must also tell you what could happen if we do not receive it and whether your response is voluntary, required to obtain a benefit, or mandatory.

When applicants to the TSA PreCheck program start their application through one of three nominated providers, they soon encounter a Privacy Act Statement that carries out the function described above. This statement is the same across Idemia, Clear and Telos, the three TSA enrollment partners.

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On all three partner websites, the statement appeared early in the application process. On the Telos website, the statement appeared in a non-skippable pop-up window after clicking the "Apply" button.

Global Entry is part of CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs (TSA PreCheck is also part of this system but the application process is outsourced to partner companies). Applicants must first create a Trusted Traveler Program login through Login.gov, a portal used to access multiple government services. Login.gov has its own Privacy Act Statement.

None of the Privacy Act Statements we viewed outright authorized TSA or CBP to access health records, social media communications or court history if that material was not already public.

Federal agencies must carry out a Privacy Impact Assessment before "developing or procuring IT systems or projects that collect, maintain or disseminate information in identifiable form from or about members of the public," according to the DHS.

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According to a Privacy Impact Assessment in 2013, before the initial launch of TSA PreCheck, the program would gather the following information about applicants:

full legal name and any aliases;

current residential address;

mailing address if different than residential address;

previous residential address;

date of birth;

Social Security number (voluntary, but recommended10);

gender;

physical description (height; weight; eye color; hair color);

fingerprints;

photograph;

city, state, and country of birth; and

immigration status and an alien registration number for both naturalized citizens and aliens (if applicable).

Notably, this list did not include "health records, social media communications and court history," as Hall claimed. The Privacy Impact Assessment specifically said the TSA did not use "publicly available data" to carry out threat assessments. That could include things like social media communications (public comments and posts) and court documents.

Additionally, there was no indication that the TSA would have access to the information applicants provided indefinitely. According to the Privacy Impact Assessment, unless an applicant was "a positive match to a watch list," any information held by the TSA would be deleted one year after the applicant "notified TSA that he or she no longer is participating, or seeking to participate, in the TSA PreCheck Application Program."

If an applicant was a positive match on a watchlist, the TSA would retain information about that person "for 99 years after completion of matching activity, or seven years after TSA learns that the individual is deceased, whichever is earlier."

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Likewise, a Privacy Impact Assessment for Global Entry (and other Trusted Traveler Programs) in 2013 listed the information collected for that program which, in addition to the information collected for TSA PreCheck, also included:

Telephone numbers

Country of citizenship

Language preferences

Employment history (if available);

PASS ID or Trusted Traveler membership number, GOES user ID,

Password and answers to security questions (for lost passwords);

Countries visited in the last five years;

Criminal history;

Parental or Legal Guardian permission (if 18 years or younger);

Driver's license number; and

Issuing state or province of the applicant's Driver's License.

Some non-U.S. citizens are eligible for Global Entry, which is why the information collected for this program also includes citizenship and language preferences. The CBP holds data provided during the application process for Global Entry for three years after an individual's membership lapses, according to the Privacy Impact Assessment.

The full list of information collected about applicants to the Global Entry program was publicly available on the federal register.

In terms of what information the TSA and CBP could share from TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, the Privacy Act Statement for TSA PreCheck said that the DHS could disclose information to a third party "during the course of a security threat assessment, employment investigation, or adjudication of a waiver or appeal request to the extent necessary to obtain information pertinent to the assessment, investigation, or adjudication of your application."

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The TSA said in the Privacy Impact Assessment for TSA PreCheck that it would share information on "matches and potential matches to a watch list" with the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) and that it did not impose limits on "re-dissemination" of that information by the TSC.

The Global Entry Privacy Impact Assessment said that fingerprints submitted during an application were checked but not stored by the FBI. Global Entry could also share whether an applicant passed or failed their application with "partnering international countries."

As such, we found no evidence that an application to TSA PreCheck or Global Entry outright required an applicant to allow the DHS or FBI "unrestricted, warrantless" access to their health records, social media communications and court history. Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry use biographic and biometric data and share fingerprints submitted with the FBI. Both programs will delete biographic information about applicants after set periods of time if an applicant's membership lapses.

However, Hall argues that the legal authority for departments like the DHS to collect information about citizens in the name of national security is ever-expanding and can be difficult to navigate for the average traveller.

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People in the U.S. have the right to see and correct information that the federal government keeps on file about them under the Privacy Act.

Sources:

Apply for TSA PreCheck | TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA. https://tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov/workflows?servicecode=11115V&service=pre-enroll#:~:text=PRIVACY%20ACT%20STATEMENT. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Eligibility for Global Entry | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/eligibility. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Enrollment App. https://tsaprecheckbytelos.tsa.dhs.gov/. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Get Copies of Your Government Files through the Privacy Act | USAGov. https://www.usa.gov/government-files-privacy. Accessed 29 May 2025.

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Privacy & Security: Our Privacy Act Statement | Login.Gov. https://www.login.gov/policy/our-privacy-act-statement/. Accessed 29 May 2025.

"Privacy Act Notice." DOL, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/employers-and-advisers/plan-administration-and-compliance/fiduciary-responsibilities/privacy-information. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Privacy Impact Assessment for the Global Enrollment System. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 10 Jan. 2013, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/privacy_pia_cbp_ges_jan2013_0.pdf.

Privacy Impact Assessment for the TSA Pre Application Program. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 4 Sept. 2013, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/privacy_pia_041_tsa%20precheck%20application%20program_september%202013_0.pdf.

Privacy Impact Assessments | Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/privacy-impact-assessments. Accessed 29 May 2025.

@RealKahall. "When You Sign up for TSA Precheck, Global Precheck, CLEAR, or TWIC You Voluntarily Sign a Privacy Act Notice and Authorization, Which Gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)  Particularly TSA  Permission To:" X, 26 May 2025, https://x.com/RealKahall/status/1926803379688288547.

Trusted Traveler Programs | U.S. Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs. Accessed 29 May 2025.



Updates:

May 30, 2025: This article was updated with additional information from CBP about Global Entry.

June 19, 2025: This report was updated to include input from KrisAnne Hall and additional details about data retention and sharing by the TSA and CBP.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer recommend that healthy children and pregnant women receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday.

The controversial announcement backtracks on the current CDC guidance that calls for annual COVID boosters for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Public health and infectious disease experts said they were surprised and confused about the move, and questioned why the HHS did not offer any reasoning for its decision.

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Heres what to know about it:

RFK Jr. blows through agency process

Kennedys decision bypassed the traditional method of vaccine policy, which typically involves two separate agencies and an outside group of experts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decides whether to approve or authorize a vaccine, and the CDCs independent vaccine advisory panel convenes in an open public meeting to decide questions like who should get it, when and how often. It then sends recommendations to the CDC director, who signs off on them to make official policy.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices isnt scheduled to vote on the COVID vaccine recommendations until late June; Kennedys announcement seemingly renders it moot.

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During its previous meeting in April, committee members discussed whether to continue to recommend widespread COVID boosters or switch to a risk-based strategy targeting only the most vulnerable, but they did not vote.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to questions about why the department bypassed the CDC panel and what will happen at its next meeting.

Kennedy made the announcement in a 58-second video posted to social platform X. He was flanked in the video by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and Jay Bhattacharya, head of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The NIH is not involved in vaccine regulation.

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Absent from the group was anyone representing the CDC, which may or may not have an acting director with the authority to sign off on vaccine recommendations. Susan Monarez, who had previously been acting director, is awaiting Senate confirmation and isnt allowed to serve as acting director at the same time.

The HHS secretary isnt typically involved in vaccine decisions. But without an acting CDC director, Kennedy personally signed off on the panels recommendations for chikungunya vaccines earlier this month.

He has not acted on the other recommendations from the same meeting, including the use of a meningitis vaccine and an expansion of RSV vaccines to high-risk adults ages 50-59. Reuters reported earlier this month that a Kennedy aide has questioned the RSV and meningitis vaccines.

Physicians say decision shouldnt be cut and dried

There are no mandates for anyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and the number of people getting vaccinated has fallen sharply in recent years.

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According to the latest CDC estimates, just 13 percent of eligible children and 14.4 percent of eligible pregnant women received the latest version of the coronavirus vaccine. As Makary and Bhattacharya noted, some other countries dont recommend routine COVID shots for most healthy children.

But experts said the vaccines still provide a benefit, and the administrations move left little room for nuance or debate about unintended consequences.

Cutting the shot from the CDCs list of routine vaccines will make it much more difficult for people who want the shot to get it. Insurance companies will no longer have to cover it, and government programs such as Medicaid wont either.

While COVID-19 is not at the top of the publics mind, the CDC has said pregnant women and infants remain at high risk of complications from the disease. Vaccinating pregnant women extends the protection to their unborn child until the child is about 6 months old.

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According to the CDC, maternal vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization by around 54 percent among infants during the first three months of life.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in a statement said it was concerned and extremely disappointed by the move.

As ob-gyns who treat patients every day, we have seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection. We also understand that despite the change in recommendations from HHS, the science has not changed, ACOG President Steven Fleischman said.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America said in a statement the move does the opposite of what Americans have been asking for when it comes to their healthit takes away choices and will negatively impact them.

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As of Wednesday, the CDC still promoted the COVID shot on its website.

Administration sends mixed messages

Tuesdays announcement came on the heels of a new framework for narrowing the approval of updated COVID vaccines, which the FDA rolled out last week.

Under the plan, new COVID-19 vaccines intended for healthy children and adults will need to go through lengthy placebo-controlled clinical trials before they can get approved. The updated vaccines will continue to be greenlighted for people aged 65 and older and people with at least one health condition that puts them at high risk for severe disease.

But Kennedys announcement is seemingly at odds with that policy.

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A New England Journal of Medicine article, written by Makary and Vinay Prasad, the FDAs top vaccine regulator, explicitly listed pregnancy and recent pregnancy as risk factors that put people at high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

The CDC to date hasnt published any clarifying information, including what conditions would make a pregnant person or child healthy or unhealthy. In the video announcement, none of the officials mentioned why they think pregnant women dont need a COVID-19 shot.

According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America, pregnancy is a well-established risk factor for severe COVID-19 complications, including preterm labor and birth, preeclampsia, heart injury, blood clots, hypertension and kidney damage. Infants and children may also develop severe disease and may suffer from prolonged symptoms due to long COVID, which can negatively impact their development.

Move confirms, fuels fears around RFK Jr.

Kennedy has a long history of opposition to vaccines, and he petitioned the FDA in 2021 to revoke the emergency use authorizations of the COVID-19 vaccines. He also threatened to sue the agency if it authorized COVID vaccines for children.

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Public health experts said his end-run around the CDC raises serious concerns about pulling back on even more vaccines.

In my view, this marks the beginning of an era of vaccine recommendation scrutinization that extends far beyond COVID vaccines, Richard Hughes IV, an attorney at Epstein Becker Green and former vice president of public policy at coronavirus vaccine manufacturer Moderna, wrote in an email.

This is a concerning step by an HHS Secretary into directly determining which vaccines should and should not be recommended.

Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said the moves undermine the trust the medical and public health communities place in federal health recommendations.

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When the secretary said that  this step is a great step forward for making America healthy again, he is playing into his role as one of the nations leading anti-vaccine advocates, Besser said.

If the secretary is equating removing vaccine access as a step forward for health, were in really big trouble.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Here are the top headlines from this morning.

Hundreds of Siouxlanders gathered to show their support to loved ones deploying to the Middle East through the Iowa National Guard.

Iowans say farewell to National Guard members deploying overseas

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill to incentivize medical students to practice in Iowa.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill to help grow rural hospital workforces

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South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson spoke to students in Vermillion.

Rep. Dusty Johnson speaks to students in Vermillion about moves being made in Washington

Check out these headlines and more in the video above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
On May 20, 2025, Elon Musk, the South Africa-born tech billionaire who owns the space aeronautics company SpaceX (among others), spoke about his businesses at the Qatar Economic Forum.

Bloomberg's Mishal Husain asked Musk about potential conflicts of interest between his tight connection with U.S. President Donald Trump and his businesses. Discussing Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by SpaceX, Husain claimed there was "some evidence that companies are allowing access to it because they want to be close to the Trump administration," and pointed to South Africa as an example.

Musk responded by claiming that he couldn't get a license for Starlink in South Africa, because in his words, "I'm not Black."

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(It wasn't the first time Musk had made the claim  he also did so on his social media platform X on March 7.)

Users shared the claim widely on social media following Musk's remarks.

(X user @cb_doge)

However, South Africa's telecommunications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, told the BBC in March that Starlink wasn't banned from the country at all. The nation's foreign ministry said Starlink would be welcome to operate in the country as long as it followed South African law.

Snopes reached out to ICASA to ask whether Starlink had submitted an application in the last few months or if the South African government had come to an agreement with Musk that would allow Starlink to operate in the nation. A representative told us by email that Starlink "has not applied for a license with ICASA." In other words, Musk's company simply hasn't done the paperwork required to operate in the nation, according to ICASA.

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There is some legal nuance to this matter. Following the 1994 end of apartheid, the policy of legal segregation that effectively blocked the country's Black majority from participating in politics or the economy, then-President Nelson Mandela's government passed legislation aiming to prop up the nonwhite population's economic power. One such law requires many companies operating in South Africa to give local Black firms a stake in operations within the nation.

According to February 2025 reporting from Semafor, the South African government was considering giving Musk's ventures, including Starlink, an exception to that rule. On May 20, Bloomberg reported that the nation's government had in fact struck such a deal, partly to reduce tensions between the country and Trump. Snopes has not independently confirmed these reports.

Both Musk and Trump have publicly floated the conspiracy theory that there is a "white genocide" taking place within South Africa (Snopes checked the theory in 2018 and rated it false). The Trump administration withheld aid from the country in February 2025 on the grounds that white South Africans faced discrimination.

Sources:

Apartheid | South Africa, Definition, Facts, Beginning, & End | Britannica. 17 May 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/apartheid.

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Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment  The Department of Trade Industry and Competition. https://www.thedtic.gov.za/financial-and-non-financial-support/b-bbee/broad-based-black-economic-empowerment/. Accessed 22 May 2025.

Elon Musk's Starlink and the Racially Charged Row over Operating in South Africa. 16 Apr. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3d8gd8mno.

Gedeon, Joseph. "US Suspends Aid to South Africa after Trump Order." The Guardian, 6 Mar. 2025. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/aid-trump-south-africa.

Palma, Bethania. "Is a 'Large-Scale Killing' of White Farmers Underway in South Africa?" Snopes, 24 Aug. 2018, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/white-farmers-south-africa/.

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Prinsloo, Loni, and S'thembile Cele. "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal Before Trump Meet." Bloomberg, 20 May 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-20/south-africa-to-offer-musk-starlink-deal-before-trump-meeting.

South Africa Might Bypass Black Ownership Rules for Musk. 10 Feb. 2025, https://www.semafor.com/article/02/10/2025/south-africa-might-bend-black-ownership-rules-for-elon-musk.

"South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal before Trump Meeting, Bloomberg News Reports." Reuters, 20 May 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-offer-musk-starlink-deal-before-trump-meeting-bloomberg-news-2025-05-20/.
SARAJEVO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Gaza Tribunal, an independent civil society initiative, concluded its four-day public assembly on Thursday at the International University of Sarajevo, issuing a declaration strongly condemning Israel's military operation in Gaza.

Starting on Monday, the tribunal brought together legal scholars, human rights advocates, and civil society representatives from around the world. Their discussions focused on historical and legal analyses of genocide, the displacement of Palestinians, and structural violence under Israeli policies.

The Sarajevo Declaration issued at the conclusion of the assembly condemned what it called "decades-long settler colonialism, apartheid, and systemic persecution by the Israeli regime," and called for an immediate cessation of military operations and the lifting of blockades.

Labeling Israeli operation in Gaza "continuing genocide," the declaration rejected Zionism as a state ideology and urged the adoption of a new framework based on equal rights for all peoples.

The Gaza Tribunal, launched in London in November 2024, consists of a Steering Committee, three Chambers, a Jury of Conscience, and several advisory bodies. Its final moral judgment is scheduled to be delivered by the Jury of Conscience in October 2025 in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Organizers emphasized the importance of accountability and pledged continued global civil society cooperation in pursuit of justice for Palestine.

The death toll in Gaza from the Israeli attacks has topped 54,000 since the start of the offensive in October 2023, according to the latest figure from Gaza's health authorities. Israel estimated that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. They were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive. 
A cryptocurrency dispute led to the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian man in a luxury New York City townhouse for over two weeks, according to police.

Two men -- John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 33 -- now face kidnapping, assault and unlawful imprisonment charges in the case.

MORE: Crypto entrepreneur arrested for allegedly torturing a man for weeks: Police

"From what we know now, this was a dispute over crypto money," NYPD Chief John Chell told reporters. "They all know each other, but this was a kidnapping for roughly 17 days, where they tortured this person. When I say torture, forced them to take narcotics, put his feet in water and shocked his feet and other types of torture for 17 days."

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Here's what we know about the case.

PHOTO: Police tape is shown at the scene on May 23, 2025, in New York, where a cryptocurrency entrepreneur allegedly tortured a man for weeks. (WABC)

Alleged victim lured to NYC

The alleged 28-year-old victim, whose name has not been publicly released by authorities, told police he arrived in New York from Italy on May 6 and went to Woeltz's eight-bedroom SoHo townhouse.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Mattson said Woeltz and Duplessie allegedly lured the man to New York from Italy by threatening to have his family killed.

Once the alleged victim arrived, he was stripped of his electronics and passport, bound by the wrists and subjected to beatings, electric shock and a hit to the head from a gun, according to the criminal complaint.

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Woeltz allegedly carried the alleged victim to the top flight of stairs and hung him over the ledge and threatened to kill him if he did not provide his Bitcoin password, according to the complaint.

The alleged victim told authorities Woeltz and Duplessie used a saw to cut his leg, urinated on him and forced him to smoke crack cocaine by holding him down or forcing a pipe into his mouth, prosecutors said.

PHOTO: New York police officers arrest John Woeltz, May 23, 2025, in New York. (Kava Gorna via AP)

Alleged victim's escape

On Friday morning, the man escaped from the home, running to a traffic enforcement officer for help, police said. The alleged victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, police said.

The alleged victim was finally able to escape after believing he was going to be shot by telling his captors he would provide the defendants with his Bitcoin password contained on his laptop, according to prosecutors.

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When Woeltz left the alleged victim to retrieve the laptop, the man was able to escape down the stairs, according to prosecutors.

Inside the townhouse, prosecutors said detectives recovered a saw, crack cocaine, chicken wire, T-shirts with pictures of the alleged victim with the crack cocaine pipe in his mouth, body armor, night vision goggles, ballistic helmets, Polaroid pictures of the alleged victim with a firearm pointed to his head and firearm ammunition.

A gun was also recovered in the home, police said.

Law enforcement said they observed blood in various areas in the apartment where the man indicated he was allegedly tortured.

Suspects denied bail

PHOTO: Crypto entrepreneur John Woeltz is shown during a perp walk after being arrested on May 23, 2025, in New York. (WABC)

Woeltz, reportedly dubbed the "crypto king of Kentucky," was taken into custody on Friday. The crypto entrepreneur did not make any comments to reporters as he was escorted out of his apartment by police in handcuffs.

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Duplessie turned himself in at the NYPD's 13th Precinct on Tuesday. He did not respond to reporters' shouted questions while being escorted out of the precinct.

Both men were initially charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment and criminal possession of a firearm. They have pleaded not guilty, court records show.

Woeltz has since been indicted by a grand jury, though the indictment will remain sealed until his arraignment on June 11.

MORE: 2nd suspect arrested in SoHo torture case, officials say beatings, drugs and gun used

They were denied bail at their initial court appearances.

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Prosecutors convinced the judge to hold Woeltz without bail by pointing out that he is from Kentucky and has the means to flee, including a private jet and helicopter.

A judge denied Duplessie's attorney's request for him to be held under home detention with his father in Florida on $1 million bail, ABC New York station WABC reported. His attorney called the facts of the case and Duplessie's involvement "hotly disputed," according to WABC.

PHOTO: William Duplessie is escorted out of the New York Police 13th Precinct after turning himself in on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, May 27, 2025, in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Attorneys for both suspects had no comment when contacted by ABC News.

They face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top charge of kidnapping.

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A 24-year-old woman was also arrested on Friday for kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment in connection with the case, police said. Though the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is not prosecuting her at this time and she is not in police custody.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a local station Tuesday that the two men are currently the only suspects in the case.

"So far, it's those two we're looking at," she said. "There may be others."

What we know about the NYC crypto kidnapping and torture case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
CHICAGO (AP)  One of Chicagos most infamous gang leaders is among the people to receive commutations this week from President Donald Trump, a puzzling move that has raised questions about whether Larry Hoover will be freed.

The 74-year-old Hoover, who has received support from celebrities like rapper Ye and inspired popular rap lyrics, has been serving a life sentence at the nations most restrictive prison in Colorado. He was first imprisoned in Illinois for a 1973 murder and convicted decades later in federal court for running a criminal enterprise while behind bars.

Trumps move commutes the federal sentence of the former kingpin and prison entrepreneur. However, Hoover must still serve his lengthy Illinois sentence.

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Hoover's supporters say they are working on ways to get Hoover paroled or pardoned in Illinois, but questions linger about his chances and even where he will be imprisoned.

Notorious gang leader works behind bars

Hoover was a founder of the Gangster Disciples more than 50 years ago, which remains one of Chicagos most notorious street gangs.

At its height under Hoovers leadership, the gang generated about $100 million each year in cocaine and heroin sales, according to federal prosecutors.

He was the undisputed head of the organization. He ran it. Everybody reported to him, said Ron Safer, a former U.S. assistant attorney who led the prosecution of Hoover. The Gangster Disciples were monolithic, ruthlessly efficient.

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Hoover ordered the death of a gang member in 1973 and was convicted of murder. He was sentenced to 150 to 200 years in a state prison.

But prosecutors say that didnt stop him from spreading the gangs vast influence. For more than two decades, he ran the Gangster Disciples from behind bars, expanding it to chapters in more than two dozen states.

He was eventually charged with dozens of federal crimes, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. A federal jury found him guilty in 1997. He was sentenced to life the following year and sent to the supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, where he has spent years in solitary confinement.

Prison entrepreneur tries politics

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Hoover has left a prominent mark on pop culture, launching a jail-inspired fashion line, starting a political action committee and inspiring rap lyrics.

In 1995, he began his Ghetto Prisoner fashion line in hopes of having a positive influence on young people.

All kids in the ghetto can associate with the idea of prisoners and being treated like prisoners, he told The Associated Press in a 1995 phone interview from the Dixon Correctional Center in Illinois. Im hoping that it will wake them up and help them understand that we have to come together as a people and stop being sectarian.

Supporters said his political action committee, 21st Century V.O.T.E., inspired thousands to protest outside Chicago City Hall in the 1990s.

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His name was further memorialized in one of rapper Rick Ross most famous songs, the 2010 single B.M.F., which was an ode to Hoovers power and influence.

Rapper Ye, formerly Kanye West, and Drake were among the celebrities who championed Hoovers early release. West pleaded Hoovers case to Trump during a bizarre Oval Office meeting in 2018.

Three years later, Drake and Ye headlined a Free Larry Hoover" benefit concert in Los Angeles to help call attention to prison reforms.

Hoover's chances for freedom

Trumps move confused many, including Safer, who said the commutation was extremely disappointing given the years of trauma, drug addiction and lives lost in gang wars.

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There are some crimes that are so heinous and so extraordinary that they do not qualify for mercy, Safer said.

Hoovers many previous attempts for a sentence reduction or parole have been swiftly rejected, including a federal judge denying Hoovers request for a lower sentence in 2021. Last year, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board unanimously rejected his bid for parole and before that in 2022 with a 10-1 vote.

Attorneys have said Hoover became a symbol of gang culture, making it hard for courts to consider resentencing him, but that Hoover has since denounced gangs and is a changed man.

For instance, Hoover was illiterate when he entered prison and has since taught himself, earned his GED certificate and taken classes on robotics and art history.

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Hoover remains eligible for parole in Illinois and has a hearing later this year.

Hes not responsible for all gang violence that ever has occurred, said attorney Jennifer Bonjean.

She and others say they will push Gov. JB Pritzker to pardon Hoover, arguing that Hoover received a disproportionate sentence. Hoover's co-defendants have received reduced sentences, clemency or already been released.

There is no purpose in returning a 74-year-old man in failing health to prison after 52 years of incarceration, said a joint statement from attorneys Joshua Dubin and Justin Moore. Justice demands that Mr. Hoovers time be considered served.

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Pritzker declined comment Thursday.

Hoovers family celebrated the commutation. Almost home! his son Larry Hoover Jr. wrote on Instagram and posted a picture toasting his father.

While Trump said Hoover should be released immediately, it was unclear if or when Hoover would be moved out of the federal facility.

Federal prison officials confirmed Thursday that Hoover remained imprisoned in Colorado and determining a new release date would involve additional research and auditing.

Illinois officials declined to discuss the case.

The Illinois Department of Corrections does not comment on the timing or details of transfers from federal facilities to state facilities and has no additional information to share at this time, agency spokeswoman Naomi Puzzello said in statement.

___

Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin in Denver contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who were in prison after being convicted on federal charges of bank fraud and tax evasion, were pardoned by President Donald Trump and walked free Wednesday.

The couple is best known for the long-running TV series Chrisley Knows Best, which followed their family and luxurious lifestyle  which prosecutors said was boosted by bank fraud and hiding earnings from tax authorities.

The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks in the Atlanta area out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents.

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The pardons signed Wednesday are the latest example of Trump, himself a former reality TV star, pardoning high-profile friends, supporters, donors and former staffers.

Here are some things to know about the Chrisleys:

How they rose to fame

Chrisley Knows Best, which ran from 2014 to 2023, chronicled the extravagant exploits of the boisterous, tightly knit family of the couple and their five children, from high-end cars to luxury vacations to stunning mansions. It was recorded in the Atlanta area at first and then in Nashville.

In 2019 the show spawned the spinoff Growing Up Chrisley, which featured the couple's children Chase and Savannah living in Los Angeles.

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The couples 2022 trial started just after E! announced that it was moving forward with a new dating series, Love Limo, hosted by Todd Chrisley. It also came soon after USA announced the renwal of Chrisley Knows Best for a 10th season, while its spinoff was renewed by E! for a fourth season.

Why they were imprisoned

The Chrisleys were found guilty in 2022 in Atlanta on the fraud and tax charges. Until this Wednesday they still had years left on their sentences: Julie Chrisley was expected to be released in 2028, and Todd Chrisley in 2032.

At trial prosecutors detailed a laundry list of offenses that started before they became famous.

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The Chrisleys and a former business partner submitted false documents to banks to obtain fraudulent loans and then used new loans to pay off the old ones, prosecutors said. The couple was accused of spending lavishly on cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel.

Todd Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, walking away from more than $20 million in unpaid loans, according to prosecutors. Meanwhile Julie Chrisley created false financial documents to rent a home in Los Angeles, they said, but then the couple did not pay rent on it.

Once they were starring in the reality show, they operated a company that collected their income from the series and other ventures and kept the corporate bank accounts in Julie Chrisleys name to avoid collection of half a million dollars in back taxes that Todd Chrisley owed, prosecutors said.

When the IRS asked for information on the accounts, they transferred ownership to Todd Chrisleys mother to try to hide his income further, according to authorities.

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Prosecutors also accused the couple of not filing or paying taxes for several years

The Chrisleys lawyers argued that an IRS officer gave false testimony at trial and that prosecutors lacked evidence to support convictions.

A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld their convictions last year.

Their daughter's work to free them

Savannah Chrisley has been a staunch Trump supporter and endorsed his candidacy while also speaking about her parents in a speech at the Republican National Convention last summer.

My family was persecuted by rogue prosecutors and Fulton County due to our public profile ... and conservative beliefs, she said at the time.

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She has called the case against her parents politically motivated, though they were indicted in 2019 under a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, Byung J. BJay Pak.

In a social media post Wednesday, she praised U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, the Justice Department lawyer assigned to advise Trump on pardons and commutations.

Your leadership is already changing countless lives  including mine, she said on the social platform X. Thank you for standing boldly for truth, for justice, and for reuniting families like mine.

What happens next?

Todd Chrisley was released from a minimum security prison camp in Pensacola, Florida, in the evening, according to Shannen Sharpe, a spokesperson for his attorney, and Julie Chrisley left a facility in Lexington, Kentucky, Sharpe said.

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As Savannah Chrisley waited to meet her father at his prison, she said the family was planning to do a lot of catching up.

Were going to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, all the things, she said, because were going to make up for the lost time.

Trump said the celebrity couple had been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what Im hearing.

The Constitution grants broad pardon powers to presidents, and their clemency actions cannot be undone by courts or other officials.
President Trump and his administration are going after international student visas on multiple fronts and for multiple stated reasons.

From attempts to take away all of Harvard Universitys foreign students to Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatening to revoke student visas for all Chinese scholars, the Trump administrations initial fight with pro-Palestinian activists has evolved considerably.

As legal challenges and criticisms build, the Trump administration has shown it is determined to use all its power to get rid of foreign students they see as a threat.

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What to know about Trumps latest crackdown on foreign students:

Trumps effort to take away Harvard foreign students stalled in court

A federal judge sided with Harvard on Thursday during an emergency hearing after the Trump administration wanted to take away Harvards ability to admit and keep its foreign students.

Judge Allison Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction after Harvard issued a court filing listing the devastating effects the administrations directive had on the school.

International students are looking to transfer, some have declined offers to Harvard and others are afraid to go home because of the extra screening those with visas issued by Harvard are allegedly receiving at airports, according to the universitys director of immigration services.

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The Trump administration said it would give Harvard 30 days to turn over certain information before trying to take away its ability to admit foreign students. The judge said the lawyers for both sides should work out a deal.

It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure its worded in such a way that nothing changes, she said.

Rubio threatens Chinese students

Rubio announced Wednesday the United States would start revoking the student visas of Chinese nationals at universities.

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio posted on the social platform X.

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Republicans have been vocal with their concerns about the Chinese Communist Partys influence on U.S. institutions and students from the country working on projects connected to the U.S. military.

The order has Chinese students panicking, and the Chinese government has already denounced the efforts.

The US decision to revoke Chinese student visas is fully unjustified, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said in a statement.

Citing ideology and national security as a pretext, the move seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, Lin continued.

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The measure is likely to face legal action.

US embassies halt student visa interviews

The Trump administration told U.S. embassies to pause interviews for those looking to obtain a student visa to the U.S.

The temporary pause is happening as the administration considers expanding social media screening and vetting for student visa applicants.

The department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor visa applicants, the State Department said in an internal cable.

The delay could have effects on university payments from international students who have been accepted to their institutions.

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The administration has not said how long the pause will be in place.

Trump wants schools to limit number of international students

In the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Trump said a 15 percent cap could be imposed on the number of foreign students allowed at U.S. universities.

These countries arent helping us. Theyre not investing in Harvard  we are. So why would 31 percent  why would a number [be] so big, he said. I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 percent, not 31 percent.

We have people [who] want to go to Harvard and other schools, [but] they cant get in because we have foreign students there. But I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country. We dont want to see shopping centers exploding. We dont want to see the kind of riots that you had, Trump said.

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And Ill tell you what, many of those students didnt go anywhere. Many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical-left lunatics in this country.

The statement came after the Trump administration looked to take foreign students away from Harvard, where 27 percent of its student body is international students.

It is unclear how the federal government would implement such a directive.

Administration still looking to deport pro-Palestinian activists

While the fight with foreign students has expanded, many of those targeted in the Trump administrations initial sweep are still in legal battles to stay in the country.

Mahmoud Khalil, the first pro-Palestinian activist from Columbia University to be arrested, has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention since the beginning of March and missed the birth of his first child.

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A federal judge recently said the arrest was likely unconstitutional, but that Khalils lawyers have not responded properly to the federal governments allegation Khalil purposely left off prior work on his permanent residency application.

The Court provides its conclusion: the Petitioner is likely to succeed on the merits of this unconstitutional vagueness argument, District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote.

Other activists have been released from detention while proceedings move forward but are still not fully in the clear from the administrations goal to deport them.

While the Trump administration has argued these individuals present a threat to the countrys foreign policy, judges have been skeptical of the evidence presented to justify that argument.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MADISON  Drivers for delivery and rideshare companies such as DoorDash, Uber and Instacart would be eligible for incentives and benefits under a bipartisan Wisconsin bill.

The bill, introduced on May 19, would expand benefits to drivers for delivery network and transportation network companies that are currently not available to independent contractors under current state law.

What are delivery and transportation network companies?

A delivery network company is a person or company that provides a fast and reliable delivery service, often having a team of drivers and vehicles stationed in key locations to optimize delivery. Some delivery network companies include DoorDash, Instacart and Grubhub.

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A transportation network company is a business that connects passengers with drivers using a digital network, like a mobile app, and relies on independent drivers to use their personal vehicle to provide transportation services. Some companies include Uber and Lyft.

What would this bill do?

Currently, drivers are not able to participate in certain benefits that traditional full-time employees have, such as retirement accounts, health insurance and occupational accident insurance.

The legislation allows companies to offer independent contractors access to such benefits and contribute up to 4% of quarterly earnings to health care and retirement savings accounts.

Portable benefits are not tied to a specific employer, but rather to an individual worker, allowing workers access to benefits regardless of their employment status.

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Contributions made by companies can be used to compensate for lost income, individual retirement accounts, and vision, dental or health insurance.

Who introduced the bill?

The bill was introduced by Sen. Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin, and Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Markesan, who said in a cosponsorship memo on May 6 that the bill would protect drivers' independence and flexibility while also providing them with necessary benefits.

"Without this legislation, delivery and rideshare platforms would likely have to pick between providing the independence and flexibility that these app-based drivers overwhelmingly say they want or providing drivers with new benefits and protections," the memo says. "If this bill were to become law, these workers would remain independent contractors even if the delivery or rideshare platform offered these direct benefits to the driver."

While the bill has gained bipartisan legislative support, it is supported by a number of conservative-leaning organizations, including Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. The Wisconsin AFL-CIO opposes the bill because it doesn't require job protections and benefits for drivers.

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The language in the bill says it may give portable benefits  it doesnt guarantee them, Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, told CBS58. It doesnt guarantee any of the benefits they are touting.

What are the criteria to be considered an independent contractor?

Drivers would be considered independent contractors if the transportation network company or delivery network courier does not:

Set explicit hours.

Terminate a driver's contract if they do not accept a transportation or delivery service request.

Bar drivers from performing services for another company.

Limit a driver's ability to work for another authorized business.

Delivery network, transportation companies support the bill, steps to increase portable benefits for drivers

DoorDash has voiced its support for the legislation, applauding Wisconsin lawmakers for their efforts to provide benefits to drivers.

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"Thousands of Wisconsinites turn to platforms like DoorDash to earn on their own terms. This legislation reflects what we hear from Dashers time and again: they want both flexibility and access to benefits," DoorDash said in a press release on May 19.

In the last few years, DoorDash launched pilot programs in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Maryland to give its drivers access to portable benefits. Other companies like Lyft have also begun to launch portable benefits programs, its first beginning on Jan. 1 in Utah.

The bill was introduced during the previous legislative session and did not become law.

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin bill gives gig economy drivers access to benefits
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A young Knoxville family is paying a lot of money for what they call a substandard apartment.

They showed 6 News what appears to be violations of the Landlord-Tenant Act. Provisions in the act require a habitable and safe dwelling. For example, the home is free from hazards, and steps are being taken by the landlord to make repairs. The renters we met say they have none of that.

Makayla Phillips is like all mothers. She wants a safe, clean place for her kids. But thats not what she and the father of her children have. They live at Bramblewood Townhomes and apartments in Knoxville. Their lease for $975 a month was signed in late February. But there are problems.

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For example, there is no hot water. A video shows a rat skittering across their kids bedroom. The apartments back porch is dangerous. Its collapsed. Their refrigerator and freezer is not cold enough. And, theres more.

So the A/C has not worked. We have not had heat or air for the whole time we have been here. They were supposed to be exchanging parts for it, but it has been left open, wires exposed, and still has not been repaired, said Mikey Johnson.

Knox County mayor calls out apparent retaliation at juvenile detention center

Everything in [the refrigerator] is bad. It will go in and out. We have told them multiple times about it. Every single thing in here and de-thawed, re-thawed. It keeps on going in and out. Sometimes it will leak. Thats what this is from. It tore the whole floor up from it leaking, said Phillips.

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We noticed management closed the pool at the complex. What we saw behind the locked gates were appliances. There are a lot of them, and theyre exposed to the elements.

This is one of the refrigerators they just brought us. But they have an old pool down there that is filled with old refrigerators. They just pull it out of there and bring it to us. We clean all the mold, and there is still stuff that hasnt come off, said Phillips.

Johnson said apartment maintenance moved their stove into the center of the kitchen more than a week ago. The electric burners dont work because the stove is unplugged.

Police seek help to solve 2023 murder of Chris Hill in West Knoxville

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They told us they were going to be getting us a new one. But they said they would not be putting a new stove in here until the rat problem is gone, said Johnson. He showed 6 News a hole where pest control told them the rats were coming from.

In addition, a hole in the kitchen ceiling has not been repaired yet.

When we first moved in, we had a water leak that we didnt know about and maintenance didnt catch it, said Johnson.

The leak was fixed, but the cardboard remains.

Weve had to go and stay at places because of the rats. Weve had to go to places to cook, said Phillips.

The apartment has water, but Phillips says theres no hot water. Thats likely because the water heater isnt working properly. In the childrens bedroom, we asked about the rats that were caught on camera.

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Theyre coming here right here in between the wall. Theyre in the whole building really. Basically, theres been an infestation, said Johnson.

KCS Superintendent shares insight into preparations for upcoming school year

Outside, there is a dangerous issue with the porch.

So when we moved in, it was unlevel. Ive tried to jack it up and put some boards under it to make it safer. Now the trusses underneath have completely snapped in half, said Johnson.

We called the apartment office for a response to these issues last week, but no one answered, and the voicemail was full. We caught up with the landlord later by phone. Jim McSpadden blamed the issues on Phillips and Johnson, saying they created the problems. He said they accepted the apartment as is when they moved in three months ago, and he said the couple stopped paying their rent recently. Johnson admits he has not paid Mays rent because nothing has been fixed, but he says he did pay March and Aprils rent. For Phillips, all she wants is a safe place for her children.

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I want to be able to cook for my kids. I dont want to have to worry about where my kids sleep so they dont get bitten by rats, said Phillips.

Under state law, landlords must make necessary repairs and take steps to keep their property habitable. But it seems like thats not going to happen for Johnson and Phillips. The landlord tells us, since the couple knew of the problems, they accepted their unit as is. He said they made the apartment worse, creating even more issues, and they are behind in their rent. But as Johnson and Phillips told us, they asked that repairs be made, but then gave up, and held back their rent for May. Finally, the landlord told us he would begin legal proceedings to evict the couple.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
By Fatos Bytyci

(Reuters) - Hundreds of business owners blocked roads into Kosovo's capital Pristina on Thursday to protest at a regulatory mandate forcing them to buy power from the open market that they say could triple their electricity bills.

The energy regulator announced in March that from June 1 all companies with more than 50 workers or a turnover exceeding 10 million euros ($11.29 million) will no longer be shielded by government subsidies that make power bills in Kosovo some of the lowest in Europe.

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The regulator said that the move reflected its commitment to "market liberalisation", itself a condition for membership of the European Union. But businesses said it would hit their bottom line.

Lorries, small trucks and workers in uniforms blocked several main roads in Pristina. A strong police contingent monitored the protests.

Shaqir Palushi, the owner of Frutex, a beverage company, said that his yearly power bill would triple to around 1.3 million euros based on quotes he got from various suppliers.

"We are not against entering the open market, we just want a one-year period to make investments in solar panels and battery storage in order to self-produce a big part of the power for our own needs," he told Reuters.

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Kosovo, one of the poorest countries in Europe, produces more than 90% of its power from two aging coal-fired plants. But it relies heavily on imports to fill yearly shortfalls. Last year, the government purchased 114 million euros of electricity from the open market to fill the gap.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose party came first in February's parliamentary election but failed to win a majority, showed no sign of backing down.

"Fulfilling their request for more time does not resolve the problem but only transfers energy costs from 1,200 companies to your household bills," he told a government session on Thursday, before the protest.

Kosovo applied to join the EU in December 2022.

($1 = 0.8869 euros)

(Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; Editing by Ivana Sekularac, Edward McAllister and Olivier Holmey)
The Kyiv Independent's investigative documentary, "He Came Back," which exposes sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, has won the 2025 Ukrainian journalism award, "Honor of the Profession."

The winners were announced during an award ceremony in Kyiv on May 29.

The documentary, which identifies perpetrators of sexual violence in occupied Ukrainian territories, was recognized in the Best Investigative Report category.

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The film was authored by journalist Olesia Bida, a member of the Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigations Unit. The team also included editing director Maksym Yakobchuk, researchers Kostiantyn Nechyporenko and Myroslava Chaiun, and editor Yevheniia Motorevska.

"Sexual violence in war is a war crime and a systemic strategy used by Russian forces. "They face no consequences and continue committing these crimes in occupied territories," Bida said, following the award ceremony.

"It meant so much to me that after this investigation was published, one of the soldiers we identified was formally charged by Ukrainian authorities. His case has already been sent to court. I hope one day he will face a real sentence."

Bida called the piece "the most important work of my entire journalism career," and expressed deep gratitude to the Kyiv Independent team for supporting her through 10 months of research and reporting.

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"We are endlessly inspired by your work," the Ukrainian competition committee said in a statement, thanking every journalist who submitted work this year. "You are the witnesses and chroniclers of the country's life and its people during the most difficult period of our modern history."

The film previously won the Best Film award at the 2024 Press Play Prague film festival.

Since its foundation in 2023, the Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigations Unit has released nine documentary films, exposing Russia's kidnapping of Ukrainian children, torture of prisoners of war, repressions in occupied territories, and crackdown on religious communities.

The "Honor of the Profession" contest, organized annually in Ukraine, celebrates excellence in categories including best interview, war reporting, analytical writing, and publicist essays. This year's winners reflect the difficult reality and courage of reporting in a country at war.



A special nomination from the Supervisory Board of the contest "For dedication to the profession under the most difficult conditions" was posthumously given to late Victoriia Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity after disappearing in August 2023 while reporting from occupied territories.

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Her body, returned in February, showed signs of torture, including electric shocks and possible strangulation. A forensic examination revealed missing organs, suggesting an attempt to hide the cause of death.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Aigerim Turgunbaeva

BISHKEK (Reuters) -National security authorities in Kyrgyzstan have detained eight current and former employees of independent media outlet Kloop, their lawyers said, accusing them of inciting unrest amid a growing crackdown on media in the Central Asian country.

Five journalists from Kloop - known for its anti-corruption reporting - were arrested on Wednesday after authorities raided their homes and seized their electronic devices, lawyers for the people said. A further three people were arrested on Thursday.

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They face charges of calling for mass unrest and disobeying government officials, which can incur up to 10 years in prison.

Daiyrbek Orunbekov, the head of the presidential administration, wrote on social media that the media workers had "spread false information" and had published material "directed against the state".

A spokesman for the national security body declined comment.

Rinat Tukhvatshin, a co-founder of Kloop, said the government's claims were fabricated.

Syinat Sultanalieva, a Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, condemned the detentions as "yet another example of the Kyrgyzstani authorities' continued crackdown on freedom of speech and expression".

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Several of the people were released after hours of interrogation, while some are still in custody with no access to their lawyers.

Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, has historically enjoyed greater media freedom than its Central Asian neighbours.

However, under President Sadyr Japarov, who came to power in 2020, the government enacted a law prohibiting media and individuals from "discrediting" the authorities, providing a tool to suppress dissent.

Kloop, an independent outlet founded in 2007, was forced to shutter last year after state prosecutors filed a lawsuit arguing that its NGO publisher, Kloop Media, was not properly registered as a media organisation.

(Reporting by Aigerim Turgunbaeva; Writing by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Gareth Jones)
Harvard University President Alan Garber interacts with students during commencement ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States, May 29, 2025. A U.S. federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order on Trump Administration's policy that aimed to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Temporary Restraining Order "will remain in place" while parties confer and submit either a joint proposed preliminary injunction order or individual proposed orders for the judge to consider, after which time a final preliminary injunction order will be issued, according to court document from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) - A U.S. federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order on Trump Administration's policy that aimed to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Temporary Restraining Order "will remain in place" while parties confer and submit either a joint proposed preliminary injunction order or individual proposed orders for the judge to consider, after which time a final preliminary injunction order will be issued, according to court document from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Judge Allison Burroughs held a hearing on the case Thursday morning.

On May 22, the Homeland Security Department announced the revocation of Harvard University's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students.

On May 23, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over this policy. On the same day, Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration's ban, requiring that the status quo be maintained until a hearing could be held.

Before the hearing on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department submitted a notice to the court. This document, dated May 28, was issued by the Homeland Security Department to Harvard. The notice stated that the Trump administration would give Harvard 30 days to contest the policy. CNN reported that this move marked a shift in the administration's previously hardline stance on the issue following judicial intervention.

At the same time, the Trump administration continued to exert pressure on Harvard. On Wednesday, Trump stated that the proportion of foreign students at Harvard should be limited to about 15 percent. Additionally, Trump reiterated his demand for the university to submit a list of its foreign students.

According to data from Harvard University, as of the fall semester of 2023, international students accounted for more than 27 percent of the total student population. Currently, Harvard enrolls nearly 6,800 international students and scholars from over 140 countries and regions, most of whom are pursuing graduate programs.

The revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students is one of the latest moves by the Trump administration to pressure the university. Previously, Harvard had billions of dollars in funds frozen after refusing the government's demands for significant reforms to its governance structure, hiring practices, and admissions policies.

The Trump administration also threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status and launched multiple investigations into the university.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted several U.S. universities, warning that failure to adjust their policies would result in funding cuts. Key demands from the Trump administration include eradicating anti-Semitism on campus and eliminating diversity initiatives favoring minority groups.

U.S. public opinion widely believes that the Trump administration has focused on institutions like Harvard because Republicans view these universities as strongholds of leftist liberals or Democrats. 

Students attend commencement ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States, May 29, 2025. A U.S. federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order on Trump Administration's policy that aimed to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Temporary Restraining Order "will remain in place" while parties confer and submit either a joint proposed preliminary injunction order or individual proposed orders for the judge to consider, after which time a final preliminary injunction order will be issued, according to court document from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Students cheer during commencement ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States, May 29, 2025. A U.S. federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order on Trump Administration's policy that aimed to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Police officers stand outside the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston, Massachusetts, the United States, May 29, 2025. A U.S. federal judge on Thursday extended a Temporary Restraining Order on Trump Administration's policy that aimed to prevent Harvard University from enrolling international students.

Temporary Restraining Order "will remain in place" while parties confer and submit either a joint proposed preliminary injunction order or individual proposed orders for the judge to consider, after which time a final preliminary injunction order will be issued, according to court document from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)
It was the first and possibly the most dramatic act by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass after she took office: declaring a city emergency on homelessness.

That move, backed by the City Council, gave Bass the power to award no-bid contracts to nonprofit groups and to rent hotels and motels for interim homeless housing. It also allowed Bass to waive regulations limiting the size and scale of certain types of affordable housing.

Now, two and a half years into Bass' tenure, some on the council are looking to reassert their authority, by rescinding the homelessness emergency declaration.

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Councilmember Tim McOsker said he wants to return city government to its normal processes and procedures, as spelled out in the City Charter. Leases, contracts and other decisions related to homelessness would again be taken up at public meetings, with council members receiving testimony, taking written input and ultimately voting.

"Let's come back to why these processes exist," McOsker said in an interview. "They exist so the public can be made aware of what we're doing with public dollars."

McOsker said that, even if the declaration is rescinded, the city will need to address "the remainder of this crisis." For example, he said, the homeless services that the city currently provides could become permanent. The city could also push county agencies  which provide public health, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment  to do more, McOsker said.

Read more: An emergency declaration gives Karen Bass new powers. How will she use them?

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Bass, for her part, pushed back on McOsker's efforts this week, saying through an aide that the emergency declaration "has resulted in homelessness decreasing for the first time in years, bucking statewide and nationwide trends."

"The Mayor encourages Council to resist the urge of returning to failed policies that saw homelessness explode in Los Angeles," said Bass spokesperson Clara Karger.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, also known as LAHSA, reported last summer that homelessness declined by 2.2% in the city of L.A., the first decrease in several years. The number of unsheltered homeless people  those who live in interim housing, such as hotels and motels, but do not have a permanent residence  dropped by more than 10% to 29,275, down from 32,680.

The push from McOsker and at least some of his colleagues comes at a pivotal time.

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Last month, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to pull more than $300 million from LAHSA, the city-county agency that provides an array of services to the unhoused population.

Meanwhile, the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, which has been battling the city in court over its response to the crisis, is pushing for a federal judge to place the city's homelessness initiatives into a receivership.

Matthew Umhofer, an attorney for the alliance, said the city has "very little to show" for its emergency declaration in terms of progress on the streets.

"It's our view that a state of emergency around homelessness is appropriate, but that the city is not engaged in conduct that reflects the seriousness of the crisis  and is not doing what it needs to do in order to solve the crisis," he said.

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Inside Safe, Bass' signature program to bring homeless people indoors, has moved 4,316 people into interim housing since it began in 2022, according to a LAHSA dashboard covering the period ending April 30. Of that total, nearly 1,040 went into permanent housing, while nearly 1,600 returned to homelessness.

Read more: County supervisors create new homeless agency, despite warnings from L.A. mayor

Council members voted this week to extend the mayor's homelessness emergency declaration for another 90 days, with McOsker casting the lone dissenting vote. However, they have also begun taking preliminary steps toward ending the declaration.

Last week, while approving the city budget, the council created a new bureau within the Los Angeles Housing Department to monitor spending on homeless services. On Tuesday, the council asked city policy analysts to provide strategies to ensure that nonprofit homeless service providers are paid on a timely basis, "even if there is no longer a declared emergency."

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The following day, McOsker and Councilmember Nithya Raman  who heads the council's housing and homeless committee  co-authored a proposal asking city policy analysts to report back in 60 days with a plan addressing the "operational, legal and fiscal impacts" of terminating the emergency declaration.

That proposal, also signed by Councilmembers John Lee and Ysabel Jurado, now heads to Raman's committee for deliberations.

While some on the council have already voiced support for repealing the emergency declaration, others say they are open to the idea  but only if there is a seamless transition.

"I want to make sure that if we do wind it down, that we do it responsibly," said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who represents the southwest San Fernando Valley.

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Blumenfield wants to protect Executive Directive 1, which was issued by Bass shortly after she declared the local emergency, by enshrining its provisions into city law. The directive lifts height limits and other planning restrictions for 100% affordable housing developments, which charge rents below market rates.

Raman said the city must confront a number of issues stemming from the homelessness crisis, such as improving data collection. But she, too, voiced interest in exploring the end of the emergency declaration.

"This is also an extremely important conversation, and it is one I am eager to have," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced his run for the U.S. Senate against Senator Bill Cassidy in 2026.

Bill Cassidy leads Louisiana Senate race, new poll shows

Fleming says Senator Cassidy has a moderate, somewhat liberal voting record despite being a Republican for a conservative state.

I, on the other hand, after eight years in Congress, with a strong conservative voting record, and also a founder of the House Freedom Caucus, moved on into the Trump administration, where I served four years, culminating in the last year, as Deputy Chief of Staff. My official title was Assistant to the President for Planning and Implementation, said La. Treasurer Fleming.

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Fleming says President Trump deserved a second tour of the White House and has seen great things come out of it, like the Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill. Fleming adds that Senator Cassidy voted to convict the president in the second impeachment trial.

The state treasurer also spoke on his disapproval of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

7 competitive primaries to watch in 2026

He appears to be restraining some of the very, very good liability insurance reform bills that are going to be necessary to get our insurance rates down. Theres no way to do that unless we reduce the number of frivolous suits, which Louisiana has twice as many as any other state, said Fleming.

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Fleming says he is also concerned about a bill that the governor supports. The bill would turn the Insurance Commissioner, Tim Temple, into an insurance czar who can fix prices.

What we really should be doing is allowing the free market to work. But that requires certain restraints and regulations to be sure that people who are injured in car accidents and their car is affected and harmed in some way, can be properly compensated, but not like a lottery system where you can make a lot of money at it, said Fleming.

The state treasurer feels as though the legislature is being restrained and wishes the 2025 fiscal session could be extended to pass more bills.

Moving to state pension funds that provide retirement benefits, Fleming says research shows a number of funds are invested in Chinese companies. He says China has now become an adversary, and they do not follow the same bookkeeping or accounting rules as the United States.

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The U.S. is about to take off when it comes to our economy, with the passage of the Big Beautiful Reconciliation Bill thats going to extend the tax cuts and create new tax cuts, also the balance of trade that were getting too under President Trump. So, we need to onshore our industrial base back again, said Fleming.

He says he has urged for a divestment in Chinese companies and investment in the United States.

Senate GOP incumbents brace for MAGA primary challengers

On the topic of education, Fleming spoke of the K-12 Public School and Charter School Transparency project.

The project is a user-friendly, searchable website to help parents and families choose a school for their students, so they are not trapped in underperforming schools. The project highlights funding per pupil and expenses, performance in ELA and math, graduation rate, school grades, contracts and vendors, etc.

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Schools are just like businesses in some way, some are more competitive, some less competitive, what we really want is to make good schools better, and those that maybe are lagging and not giving good performance, and not efficient, we want to focus on those so we can help them, and get them to be more efficient, and certainty rule out any wasteful spending, said Fleming.

The state treasurer says transparency in government is always a good thing.

When the people know where their tax money is being spent, they can hold accountable the schools, the administrators, you know, their elected officials, who put that power of spending in their hands, only good can come of that, said Fleming.

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The U.S. Department of Labor, helmed by Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, has opposed a lawsuit by several labor-focused nonprofits to restore its axed international technical assistance programs, saying that the claims suffer from jurisdictional and substantive defects and should therefore be dismissed.

The Solidarity Center, Global March Against Child Labour and the American Institutes for Research, which filed their legal complaint in April, said in their motion for a preliminary injunction earlier this month that Congress had expressly instructed the Labor Departments Bureau of International Labor Aairs, or ILAB, to support projects that fought against child and other forms of exploitative labor in U.S. trading partner countries, appropriating the necessary funds to do so. They said that the Labor Department violated those commands when it abruptly terminated $577 million in grants, including 15 of their own, in March.

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The termination notices gave no project-specific reasons for termination, stating only that the programs were being cut for alignment with agency priorities and national interest, the motion said. Around that same time, on social media, defendants ridiculed the very concept of supporting workers rights abroad, despite Congresss express endorsement of that support through its funding for ILAB. Defendants also ignored that, as DOL had long recognized, helping American workers was a key reason that Congress required ILAB to fund projects like these.

In a filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia late last week, however, the Labor Department argued that a district court lacked the jurisdiction to grant relief to a federal grantee seeking contractual remedy over a federal grant agreement. They pushed back on the plaintiffs claims that the move to cancel the programs was unlawful because it violated various appropriations statutes, the Impoundment Control Act, the Anti-Deficiency Act, the Administrative Procedure Acts prohibition of arbitrary and capricious agency action and the Constitutions separation of powers principle.

These claimsreflect [the] plaintiffs fundamental misunderstanding of appropriations law and fail on the merits, the opposition said. [The] plaintiffs identify no statutory entitlement to the specific funds they were awarded by cooperative grant agreement; the appropriations they identify were to ILABs overall program, not any specific grant or grantee. The agency undoubtedly has explicit authority to terminate such agreements for any number of reasons under the agreements terms. None of the statutes [the] plaintiffs invoke to make their claims is applicable to the question [the] plaintiffs press: whether the terminations were valid.

The Department of Labor took aim at the plaintiffs alleged harms, characterizing them as all economic and thus quintessentially reparable. The balance of the equities and public interest also disfavor injunctive relief, it added, because the agency has determined that these tax dollars should not be spent on foreign projects that are inconsistent with its priorities and the national interest. It cited a presidential executive order that mandated federal agencies with responsibility for U.S. foreign development assistance programs to review the programs for programmatic efficiency and consistency with U.S. foreign policy.

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Plaintiffs also lack standing to challenge anything beyond the termination of their own 15 contracts, because their complaint and motion are devoid of allegations regarding injuries from the termination of non-parties grant agreements, it said. Additionally, an injunction ordering the agency to disburse funds would be improper because any such funds are unlikely to be recovered even if the agency ultimately prevails.

Critics of the Trump administrations decision to eviscerate foreign aid say that rather than putting America last, as Chavez-DeRemer previously contended, these grants helped place American workers on an even keel by uplifting labor rights everywhere else. The American Apparel & Footwear Association and the Fair Labor Association have sent letters urging ILABs preservation. So have over 100 civil society groups. Last Thursday, more than 70 Democratic lawmakers joined their ranks when they wrote to Congressman Robert Aderholt, the Republican chair of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, its Democratic ranking member, to request that they support ILABs funding.

As you know, ILABs mission is to promote a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking, they said. ILAB works to ensure that fully enforceable labor standards are at the core of our trade agreements and programs, and that trade partners laws and practices align with those commitments. The need to continue increasing these capacities across international supply chains and in workplaces around the world remains evident.

Representatives Ilhan Omar, Linda T. Sanchez, Hillary Scholten, Steven Horsford and others also said they rejected attempts to cut ILABs program funding because of the critical role it plays in enforcing labor-related trade obligations in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the legislation of which included $180 million over four years for ILAB to undergird labor justice reform and worker-focused capacity building in Mexico, including through a Rapid Response Mechanism that allows workers or unions to report rights violations to the U.S. government, which must investigate the grievances in 30 days.

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Gutting ILAB does not put America first, the letter said. It undermines American workers, distorts markets in favor of unscrupulous businesses and regimes, strips our trade and customs officials of critical enforcement tools, and accelerates a global race to the bottom on workers rights. ILAB is one of the only U.S. government entities with the infrastructure, expertise and on-the-ground partnerships necessary to effectively counter forced labor.

The Solidarity Center, Global March Against Child Labour and the American Institutes for Research opposed the Department of Labors opposition on Wednesday, saying that the district court does have jurisdiction and that they are entitled to either a summary judgment on the claims they made or a preliminary injunction. Anything short of injunctive relief, they said, would cause irreparable harm to the organizations and the strides they have made in promoting respect for labor rights around the world and safeguarding American economic interests both domestically and abroad.

ILAB funding accounted for 24 percent of the Solidarity Centers projected 2025 budget, 60 percent of Global March Against Child Labours and was the only source of support for the American Institutes for Researchs work with the Mexican government. The nonprofits said theyve had to lay off employees; scupper partnerships with governments, unions, universities and community organizations; and entirely shut down certain programs. Unless their funding is returned soon, they will be unable to rebuild these programs or maintain their work, given the difficulty rehiring staff with relevant expertise and connections and rebuilding relationships with partners they have had to abandon. The Solidarity Center added that it will have to shutter projects in Mexico, Uzbekistan and the Republic of Georgia, imperiling its legal status and ability to operate in those countries.

Abandoning their projects mid-stream will also hurt [the] plaintiffs ability to carry out their work and fulfill their missions, they wrote. Without restoration of ILAB funding, each plaintiff anticipates needing to make further cuts to their mission-critical work in the next weeks and months. Although, if funding is restored soon, [the] plaintiffs anticipate that they could rehire staff and rebuild their broken partnerships, doing so will become increasingly difficult as time passes.

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In the meantime, they said, workers in factories that supply the United States will lose their ability to gain union recognition and negotiate wage increases, government inspectors will no longer receive training and U.S. trading partner countries will have to make do without the technical support and accountability mechanisms to which they have become accustomed. The knock-on effects, too, will only continue to accrue.

Then theres the fact that the Labor Department hasnt addressed the fact that nixing all projects would render it impossible for ILAB to fulfill its statutory obligation as set down by Congress, including by ignoring substantial evidence showing whether each ILAB project lined up with the Trump administrations priorities, the organizations said. This included the results of a protracted questionnaire that the Office of Management and Budget had ILAB staffers instruct grantees to fill out.

Had [the] defendants evaluated any of the evidence before them about the alignment of ILABs cooperative agreements with agency priorities, they would have seen that much of this work is, in fact, consistent with their own stated desire to protect American workers, the motion said. As Congress itself recognized by continually funding ILABs technical assistance work, these projects make America stronger and more prosperous by, among other things, ensur[ing] workers and businesses in the United States are not put at a competitive disadvantage when other countries ignore their labor commitments.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A $2.5 million agreement between the city of Columbus and a Dublin-based firetruck manufacturer could be in jeopardy.

Union members at the company, Sutphen, went to a picket line at midnight Wednesday to protest what they said are unfair labor practices. On May 19, Columbus City Council approved the funding for a new fire truck from Sutphen.

First responders line roads as body of killed deputy returned to Morrow County

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The previous week, the Teamsters Local 284 union had asked council not to pass the funding until a months-long labor dispute between Sutphen and the union was resolved. Council was told negotiations were scheduled and approved the funding.

The next step would be for the city to negotiate the agreement with Sutphen. At the meeting, they said there would be multiple built-in safeguards allowing the city to back out of the agreement if the company did not conduct fair negotiations with the union workers.

The union stated that it has not received a contractual raise since 2023. Now, union members are picketing, saying they have been working without a contract for months and want the company to come to the table to negotiate pay and benefits.

There are 90 Teamster Local 284 members at Sutphen, and a representative said this makes up the production workforce.

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Weve been working for eight months without a contract, trying to fulfill what were doing, producing trucks for them and still no talks with them. So thats why were here, Teamsters Local 284 member Jerry Becker said. Were here to build fire trucks and we would like to get back to it.

This comes as the local firefighters union has raised the alarm about a critical fire vehicle shortage that they say could affect community safety.

In a statement, Sutphen representatives said it was working with union representation to reach a deal.

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Sutphen has and will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a fair and reasonable agreement for all stakeholders, the statement reads. With multiple meeting dates set on the calendar for the near future, we look forward to continuing bargaining efforts.

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Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel Remy said the agreement signed by the city allows for it to back out should labor disputes cause issues with the city receiving the fire engine. His statement reads:

Council is united in support of fair labor practices and in standing up for the rights of working people. That includes respecting workers voices on the factory floor and delivering quality, dependable equipment for our first responders.

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The legislation we passed, reflects our values and accountability: it requires a liquidated damages clause and allows for contract cancellation if the company fails to deliver on timeespecially if delays stem from labor disruptions or quality concerns tied to replacement workers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Editor of Country Life magazine once said to me, over a pint in Hampshire, that English people are very different to the French. Its not, according to him, the quality of wine we respectively produce, the bureaucracy, or the taste for protest.

What it apparently comes down to is our relationship with the countryside. When the wealthy die in France, Mark notes, they are buried in Paris. But the greatest burial an Englishman can have is in rural soil. There is a babbling brook running through the nations soul.

Its just over a week since Keir Starmer dealt the British fishing fleet an extraordinary body blow in the form of allowing EU vessels to pillage UK waters for 12 years. Fishermen throughout the country are justifiably up in arms. The remarkable thing is that Starmer, in his limp response to the outrage, has suggested this is a win for the industry because of Scottish salmon exports. Its a response thats insulting to fishermen and environmentalists alike.

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Keeping densely packed and sickly salmon in cages and feeding them on highly-processed food isnt fishing. Its factory farming at its most destructive. As Elspeth McDonald of the Scottish Fishermens Federation put it: if you and your Government had bothered to understand anything about the fishing industry youd know that farmed salmon and wild capture fisheries are completely separate industries.

But therein lies the point. When it comes to nature, the sea, and the countryside, the Labour Government seems neither to know nor care. Their follies mount by the month. Their reneging on the commitment not to change taxes on land was troubling enough for farmers, but the devil was in the detail.

Steve Reeds suggestion that only the largest farms would be affected was patently nonsense  the only landowners, of any flavour, whove done well out of the Labours meagre threshold are essentially wealthy retirees with a few paddocks or smallholders with a couple of sheep. It wasnt just a betrayal but an admission that the Government doesnt understand the working countryside.

There are all sorts of things you can deduce from their destructiveness, but ultimately they just dont seem to care about something that so many of us hold dear, something that is part of who we are.

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When this Government came into office, it became known that they were going to scrap the proposed and long fought for Natural History GCSE. This would give young people across the country, from urban spheres to rural ones, the opportunity to get out into nature to learn about why it matters.

Young people are hardly going to be concerned about the near-extinction of birds like the turtle dove and the curlew if they dont know that they exist. The story was that Labour was going to dump the GCSE because they viewed it as a Tory initiative.

The other great horror of recent months has been the effective scrapping of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which encouraged farmers to manage their land in a way that gave space to nature. In the weeks that followed the announcement, vital habitat across the country was torn up and planted with cereals. Less for wildlife, more food for us.

Yearly, the population of Britain grows. In 1500 there were 2.5 million people; there are now almost 70 million. Angela Rayner has said herself that we cannot allow the protection of endangered species to get in the way of more building. Concrete means progress.

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The Tories werent much loved in the countryside, and Labour had a real chance, but their disregard for British heritage is remarkable. Hes certainly not going to get my vote, but Nigel Farage sees the rural disaffected voter and they in their droves are starting to see him too.

Patrick Galbraiths Uncommon Ground: Rethinking our relationship with the countryside was published last month by William Collins

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SCOTT, La. (KLFY)  The 42nd annual award luncheon for Crime Stoppers of Lafayette was held at Dons Specialty Meats.

They celebrate the award recipients for their efforts over the 2024 calendar year. It also recognized Crime Stoppers as a big part of what law enforcement does.

Those tips that come in really provide investigative leads, either confirming or assisting us in the capture of those violent offenders. Colonel Robert Hodges, the Superintendent of State Police said.

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On May 16, ten escapees from the Orleans Parish jail. Colonel Hodges said Crime Stoppers was critical in assisting them in the capture of eight of those ten escapees.

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We still have two remaining and so were counting on Crime Stoppers to assist us. More specifically, for the public to call in with information that can help law enforcement capture and bring those escapees back to jail, because clearly theyre violent offenders and theyre a public safety risk, Colonel Hodges said. Without Crime Stoppers anonymous tips and rewards that they provide for that information and arrests. More importantly, our business community helps fund those we would not be successful as a law enforcement community.

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Greg Landry, the Crime Stoppers of Lafayette Board of Directors shares Crime Stoppers has been helping the community and law enforcement since 1983. He added they have awarded over $689,000 in tips.

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Every month when the board of directors for Crime Stoppers meets, we review all the tips that have come in and we approve a reward to that person for helping us to solve that crime. Landry said. We give out awards ranging from a couple hundred dollars to over $1,000 for those tips.

When someone calls in a tip to Crime Stoppers, theyre completely anonymous. Landry said even the person that theyre talking to doesnt know their name. The caller is assigned a number to keep their name anonymous and that number is what theyll use later to receive their tip.

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You dont have to worry about whoever youre calling the tip in against coming back against you or retaliating against you, because even we on the board dont know who called in the tip. The staff of Crime Stoppers doesnt know who called in the tip, so theres no way that the person who committed the offense is going to know your name or that you called in to try and help us clear that crime, explained Landry. The state legislature years ago passed a law that lets courts collect a small fee on each case thats prosecuted through their courts. Those fees are collected from throughout the Lafayette area, from the city courts and the district court. Those fees go into a fund, and thats where we get the funds to be able to pay tips for people who call them in.

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Colonel Hodges said they feel confident they have strong investigative leads regarding the last two escapees and they should see some arrests very soon. He said it takes the publics help.

Reach out to Crimestoppers, and provide those tips, no matter how little or how big. It may be just that one extra piece of information that provides us with a location, whether its a vehicle, a home, a public place, or a business that can help us. In any part of the state Crimestoppers is available and our troopers, along with our law enforcement partners, whether its city police or sheriffs office constables, city marshal and of course, our federal partners, the FBI and the ATF both have additional awards on top of Crime Stoppers. So you can obviously not only help your community but help yourself by providing that information if it leads to the capture and arrest of those who are still remaining at large, he said. We cannot do this without you. Its your community as much as it is law enforcement, no matter which city you live in or what parish across Louisiana, our goal is to make everyone safe.

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BURLINGTON, VT  The Vermont Lake Monsters have returned to Burlington for the teams 31st season.

Players started arriving at Centennial Field on Sunday, ahead of the 2025 season opener.

Hear from a couple Vermont born players that are back home and with the Monsters, in the video above.

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A pasture at the home of Barry and Jane Dunn in rural Brookings. (Courtesy of Barry Dunn)

EDITORS NOTE: This commentary is adapted from a speech to the 2025 Big Sioux Stewardship Summit in Sioux Falls.

My grandfather, Claude Lamoureaux, was a cowboy and an Indian. For a boy growing up in the 1950s and 60s, that was just about the coolest thing ever.

He and my grandmother, Hattie, ranched south of Mission on the Rosebud Reservation. My boyhood memories are of driving across the ranch in a two-wheel-drive, green Chevy pickup with my grandfather, checking the cattle and the windmills and making sure all the gates were closed and the fences were tight. Many times we rode horses, and from early on I saddled my own.

Barry Dunns grandfather, Claude Lamoureaux, in 1965. (Courtesy of Barry Dunn)

Grandpa was never very talkative, but I peppered him with questions to the point of annoyance, and I learned by some sharp looks that I needed to be quiet. I have no memory of him tucking me into bed or telling me he loved me or playing games. That was Grandmas job. But on horseback, in his truck, around the supper table, he taught me many lessons, most of which I understand better today.

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I graduated from high school at Christmastime and immediately went to the ranch working full time. Sadly, my grandma died soon after, and I found myself alone with Grandpa Claude. He was grieving, and I was trying to grow up, so it was a poignant time for both of us.

By then, his brown skin had darkened even more and he had wrinkles from a hard life defined by scarcity. He wasnt a tall man, but he was still rugged and straight, and his love for the land was obvious.

He was a member of the Sicangu Lakota. He was born on the Rosebud Reservation south of what is now Winner, into extreme poverty and just two years after the Wounded Knee Massacre on the Pine Ridge Reservation, a few miles to the west.

As a teenager, Grandpa rode in the last open range roundups in the Dakotas, clearing the reservations of Texas cattle to open the way for homesteaders. He described the landscape back then as beautiful, endless grassland, except for an occasional cottonwood grove, which was a sign of water and perhaps some shelter.

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Right after World War II, he bought a place called the Antelope Ranch. He used his Indian preference status and was very entrepreneurial, buying abandoned homesteads for dollars an acre. He put together 12,500 contiguous acres and renamed it the L7 Ranch, after his brand. He received that brand from his father, and I still have it.

Most ranchers talk about their prize cattle and their best horses, and Grandpa was very proud of his livestock. He ran a band of mares with a stallion. But his true love was for the land.

The L7 Ranch in the mid-1960s. (Courtesy of Barry Dunn)

During the homestead era, farmers had plowed up nearly every flat acre in Todd County they could find. When they failed during the Dust Bowl, they left the land abandoned, scarred and unproductive. Grandpa used to say that weeds were Mother Natures way of covering her nakedness. He found the old fields that he bought covered with weeds and annual grasses.

Without understanding the modern concepts of ecological succession, he called those fields go back  meaning to him that they were trying to go back to their native condition. As I reflect on that, Im left wondering where that understanding of the power of succession, of Mother Nature to reclaim herself, came from.

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He also knew that planting grasses would hurry the healing, and he worked with the Soil Conservation Service, which is now the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He planted hundreds of acres of scarred and blowing land back to introduced and native grasses, way back in the 1940s and 50s.

He planted alfalfa with cool-season grasses because he knew it was a natural fertilizer for hay ground, like he knew that purple prairie clover was a natural legume in grasslands. He knew the pastures needed to be properly stocked, so he was careful to put just the right number of cattle in each one.

Beavers had been eliminated from the landscape a century earlier by fur trappers  some of them my ancestors  and he understood that by building a series of small dams on Antelope Creek, he could raise the water table of the entire valley, increase its productivity and provide water for livestock and wildlife. An interesting phenomenon occurred after that: The beavers came back.

My grandpa didnt use fancy words when he talked about conservation and stewardship. He was pragmatic, blunt, usually quiet. He didnt mention his Lakota heritage as part of his values, but upon reflection, they were on clear display. His principles and practices are timeless and elegant. He loved the treeless prairie, and taught me to love it.

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One year, he won a small award from the Todd County Conservation District. He was so proud of it, and I was proud of him. My lifetime commitment to conservation was inspired by my grandfather and then solidified by education at South Dakota State University.

Barry and Jane Dunn with their children, Tom, left, and Michael, in 1990 on the familys ranch near Mission. (Courtesy of Barry Dunn)

From earning my undergraduate degree in biological sciences way back in 1975 to securing a masters and then a doctorate, Ive had many opportunities to learn more about the ecology of our great state and the grassland biome that runs from Canada all the way to northern Mexico, and from the Rockies to the Mississippi River.

Many years after that eventful spring and summer following my grandmas death, I saw a quote by the famous conservationist Aldo Leopold that reminds me of my grandfather. Leopold said, The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, water, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.

In short, a land ethic changes the role of homo sapiens from conqueror of the land community to a plain member and citizen of it. It implies a respect for the fellow members of the community.

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Leopold also said, Teach the student to see the land, understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands. In those terms, my grandfather was a successful teacher.

He was an old man when he built dams, planted grass and stocked his pastures. He didnt live much longer than my grandma, because he couldnt live without her. He wasnt around to see or personally benefit from most of the conservation work that he did. He didnt have to take the responsibility to leave the land better than when he found it, but I am certain he believed he did. His conservation work and land stewardship were an expression of his values and ethics.

It inspired me then and still does today. I clearly remember the moment when Grandpas land ethic clicked with me. It was 1971, during that pivotal time I spent with Grandpa after Grandma died.

It was a spring morning following some really good rains, which arent frequent in Todd County. It was a picture-perfect scene, something youd expect to see in a Western movie. I was by myself, atop a horse, checking fences in an area I had ridden a hundred times before. And there it hit me, as vividly as Dorothys world went from black and white to color when she landed in the Land of Oz.

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We all know how South Dakotas prairie can be that earthy amber color, a warm and sun-kissed reddish brown with golden undertones. But not that morning. Grandpa Claudes hillsides were lit up. Wildflowers were everywhere in response to those infrequent rains, and it was amazing. But the experience was much deeper than that.

The L7 Ranch in the 1970s. (Courtesy of Barry Dunn)

When I looked across the great expanse before me, I could see the difference in land ethics based upon land ownership. Grandpa Claudes hills were a quilt of blossoms stitched together by sun, wind and open sky. I didnt even need the fences to mark the boundaries.

The lack of conservation methods and stewardship and a land ethic contrasted drastically before me. The adjacent lands next to Grandpas pasture were being farmed for potatoes in Todd County, believe it or not. They looked like drouth-scabbed earth  patchy, uneven, gray, brown. They looked worn and diseased.

Beyond the beauty, there are important reasons why we all need those flower-covered hills. The journal Science recently reported that butterfly populations in the United States are dropping dramatically. In conservation terms, butterflies are what is known as a key species. The relative health of their population is an excellent indicator of the health of the ecosystem in which they live, and the health of all insects.

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Conservation, another science journal, reports that 40% of all insect species in America are on a dramatic decline. Insects help pollinate crops, and theyre on the food chain for birds and other animals. Theyre critically important in the loop that Leopold described, because its an interconnected world. Conservation ethics  or land ethics, as Leopold called them  are an important link in lifes fragile chain, whether we live in cities or in rural settings.

As I mentioned, Grandpa wasnt much for talking, but his actions and results spoke volumes. His land ethic instilled in me a love and respect for every blade of grass, every butterfly that flutters by, and even a birds nest where we dont want it. Hes the reason I brush worms back into the dirt from the sidewalk, why I pick up litter, why I recycle everything I possibly can.

My question for you today is, will our grandchildren or great-grandchildren have the same opportunities?

Will they experience the beauty of a swallowtail butterfly in its natural environment, or just view them in a museum of natural history or butterfly house? Will they hear a meadowlark sing or marvel at a red-tailed hawk on the hunt flying low across the prairie? Im concerned that they will not.

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Teach the student to see the land, understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.

 Aldo Leopold

Over the last several decades, native grasslands in South Dakota and the entire grassland biome that I described earlier have dramatically declined in total acres, and with it biodiversity, whose value we cant possibly measure. Fortunately, we know what to do. We know the basics of ecology. We know the importance of soil health. We know the principles of good range management. We know that with the right tillage systems, we wouldnt have dust storms. We know that conservation pays. We know what to do.

What we need is ethics. We need core values that reflect a love for the land on which we live and receive our sustenance. But can we muster the common sense and selfless spirit of our grandparents to do that? Im not sure.

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I think we need to commit again, every day, individually and collectively, to have a land ethic that expresses our care and compassion and our responsibility for the land.

Ill leave you with another quote from Theodore Roosevelt, one of my favorite presidents.

Here is your country, he said. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your childrens children.

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(Editor's note: The following is a statement released Wednesday, May 28, 2025, by Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) concerning the two Israeli Embassy staff members who were shot and killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. last week. The statement has been edited for clarity.)

Last week, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, two innocent young people were executed. For many of us, this was deeply personal and profoundly unsettling.

First, let me be as honest and as personal as it gets.

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I have had a hard time getting the image of being shot and killed out of my head. It happens almost every time Im in a big crowd now.

More: What is the Capital Jewish Museum? What to know about site of fatal DC shooting

Last Saturday at a rally back home, I decided not to have police protection. Standing in a crowd talking to constituents, I had the most vivid image: All of a sudden, I saw myself on the ground, dead from a gunshot. This is what actually happened a few days later to Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim.

Anti-Israel protesters have followed me around for the past year and a half. They dont just protest. They get in my face, screaming about the "genocide" Im causing. They threaten me and my family. "You will pay for this," they say.

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They slept outside our house for days.

Jen Mendoza of Northside was one of the protesters outside of U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman's Cincinnati home on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Landsman is a Jewish Democrat who represents Ohio's 1st Congressional District.

Many other Jewish members of Congress and local advocates who have also been vocal about Israel and the war deal with similar safety issues. Some members have constant police protection when theyre home. We worry about being on Capitol Hill, too. Without going into specific security concerns, we know that what happened to Yaron and Sarah could happen to one of us as we move around the Capitol. We think about it every time we leave our offices, leave a committee hearing, or cross the street.

To be clear, most of the protestors arent violent. They hate the war and the suffering of innocent people. I hate the war and the suffering of innocent people.

Most just want Palestinians to be safe and healthy, and to be in a position to rebuild. They want self-governance and self-determination for Palestinians. I do too.

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So, how does someone execute two innocent people outside of a Jewish event in D.C. about supporting humanitarian diplomacy in the Middle East?

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim who were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, pose for a picture at an unknown location, in this handout image released by Embassy of Israel to the U.S. on May 22, 2025.

One answer is that what happened last Wednesday is similar to the outrageous murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child outside of Chicago in 2023. "Otherization" is very real and refers to the process of treating a person or group as different and alien, and it can lead to marginalization, exclusion and murder. The tragedy of war throughout the globe should never lead to violence against its diaspora communities.

We allow people to "otherize" and demonize folks, and we forget to appreciate that it often turns violent. Everyone has to do a better job of ensuring disagreements dont lead to this disturbing and dangerous process.

A second explanation has to do with blood libels, which are core to understanding antisemitism. A blood libel is a lie about Jews killing innocent people, usually children. Ancient in its form, it spreads, Jew hate follows, and usually, Jews are killed.

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What happened to Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, was barbaric. Kidnapping Israelis, holding them hostage in Hamas tunnels, some of whom were executed, is also barbaric.

The war in Gaza against Hamas has also been awful. Hamas cannot remain in power. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians are safe with Hamas in power. But innocent Gazans have been killed in this war. Its terrible, and I want this war to end. Ill continue to push for a ceasefire that brings every hostage home and a surge in humanitarian aid.

Rep. Greg Landsman speaks during a rally to support Vice President Kamala Harris presidential candidacy held by Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece and himself in Cincinnati on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

Israel has gone after Hamas, and because of the tunnels and Hamass tactic of using civilians as human shields, innocent people and children have been killed. Israel has gone after Hezbollah in Lebanon, too, and there have been very few civilian casualties. The difference is Hamas.

Hezbollah allows civilians to flee.

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Some people have convinced themselves that Israelis are genocidal and evil; that Jews associated with and supportive of Israel are also genocidal and evil. Thats a blood libel, and its been spreading like wildfire for 18 months. I believe its why Yaron and Sarah were executed.

The antisemitism bill that has stalled in the Senate would help. It establishes a definition that would be profoundly informative for people. It offers education and training.

The bill doesnt say its antisemitic if you criticize the policies of Israel. Israelis criticize the policies of Israel. But denying Jews self-determination is seen by some as antisemitic, including me.

Denying Palestinians self-determination is anti-Palestinian.

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More: Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Gaza, laments 'cries' of parents of dead children

President Donald Trumps actions on campuses have not helped. Some campuses have become hotbeds of antisemitism, but his actions could have a chilling effect on speech.

Colleges that explained to students the difference between free speech and hate speech, and the difference between protest and chaos, and held their students accountable accordingly, did well. They protect speech and their students. It was pretty straightforward.

To fight antisemitism, we should pass the antisemitism bill and have colleges work with groups like the American Jewish Committee (AJC). The AJC and similar groups partner with organizations on how to identify and combat antisemitism without infringing on anyones First Amendment rights.

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I would encourage my colleagues on both sides to stop politicizing this. Our safety and well-being are at stake, and antisemitism should be a nonpartisan, noncontroversial issue. The same must be true for all forms of hate. Fighting hate should be nonpartisan and noncontroversial.

Those protesting the war, even the policies of Israel, should be intentional not to slip into blood libels and violent rhetoric. That requires some learning as to what would be considered a blood libel and violent.

I understand the desire for this war to end and for Gazans to be free. I hope people understand that Israelis and Jews desperately want security for themselves and their neighbors. They want peace. Either way, we should all advocate for what we believe in  and do so peacefully and without violence or hate.

We should also commit ourselves to being the generation that achieves a sustainable peace in the Middle East. Its not inevitable, nor is it impossible. Its up to us and others to fight for it.

Greg Landsman

U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat, represents Ohio's 1st Congressional House District and is a former Cincinnati councilman. He has traveled to Israel and the Middle East over a dozen times, including four times in his first term as a member of Congress. Landsman also worked in Israel from 2015-2020, prior to becoming a member of Congress, supporting philanthropic efforts.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Shooting at Jewish museum in DC fueled by hate, demonization | Opinion
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Lansing Police are seeking information on the whereabouts of Eric Russell Adams.

The 65-year-old man was last seen on May 27 at about 11 a.m. in the 1900 block of E. Miller Rd., according to police.

In a Facebook post, police say he is considered missing and endangered, and his disappearance was first reported by Adams family.

Hes described as 60 and 150lbs. He was last seen wearing a green and black shirt that says, Take me to Michigan, blue jeans, black puffer coat, and a black and white Detroit Tigers hat.

Eric Russell Adams, 65, is reported as missing and endangered, Lansing Police officials announced. (Courtesy Lansing Police Department/WLNS)

Anyone with information on Adams location is asked to contact Lansing Police 517-483-4600.

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The Great Neck Library is having a movie screening and author discussion at the Main Library, 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, NY 11023 on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event is FREE to attend. You may purchase an autographed copy of the book for $40. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.



Provided by the Gold Coast Arts Center:

Please join us at the Great Neck Library for a screening of the Academy award-winning film SUNSET BOULEVARD, followed by a conversation with author and film professor Foster Hirsch, who will discuss the film and his critically acclaimed new book, Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties: The Collapse of the Studio System, the Thrill of Cinerama, and the Invasion of the Ultimate Body Snatcher.

About the film: Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American black comedy film noir directed by Billy Wilder and co-written by Wilder, Charles Brackett, and D.M. Marshman Jr. Joe Gillis was played by William Holden, a struggling screenwriter, and Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, a former silent film star who draws him into her deranged fantasy world, where she dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen. Also stars Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, Jack Webb, Lloyd Gough, and Fred Clark. Director Cecil B. DeMille and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper play themselves, and the film includes cameo appearances by silent-film stars Buster Keaton, H. B. Warner, and Anna Q. Nilsson.



Praised by many critics when first released, Sunset Boulevard was nominated for 11 Academy Awards (including nominations in all four acting categories) and won three. It is often ranked among the greatest movies ever made. As it was deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant by the U.S. Library of Congress in 1989, Sunset Boulevard was included in the first group of films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. In 1998, it was ranked number 12 on the American Film Institutes list of the 100 best American films of the 20th century. In 2007, it was 16th on their 10th Anniversary list.



About Foster Hirsch: Foster Hirsch is a professor of film at Brooklyn College and the author of sixteen books on film and theater, including Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King, The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir, and A Method to Their Madness: The History of the Actors Studio. He lives in New York City. His newest book, Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties, is a fascinating look at Hollywoods most turbulent decade and the demise of the studio system is set against the boom of the postWorld War II years, the Cold War, and the atomic ageand the movies that reflected the seismic shifts.

Praise for Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties:



The definitive book on 1950s Hollywood.  Booklist An important, riveting look at our nation at its peak as a world power and at the political, cultural, and sexual upheavals it endured, reflected, and explored in the quintessential American art form. A gripping yet informative report on a time in show business where threats to the industry seemingly lurked around every corner of society[that] promises to entertain and educate movie lovers wanting to know more about the evolution of the film industry.
May 29Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said Thursday that the city plans to clear a years-old, significant homeless encampment from a Mountain View park by mid-June.

"Large encampments are dangerous  they're not safe for the people living in them, and they're not safe for people living nearby," LaFrance said in an emailed statement.

There isn't a precise estimate for how many people are currently living in the woods, fields and parking lots around Davis Park. The site has dozens of different encampments on it at any given time, from lone tents to broken-down vehicles to large reinforced structures made from improvised materials.

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Camps have been an issue in and around Davis Park at the northeast edge of the Mountain View neighborhood for years. Much of the parkland and areas around it, including beside a large snow dump, are federally owned by Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, which sits beside it. Efforts to move or discourage camping there, as well as lawsuits challenging those policies, have been steady. This winter, facing complaints about the sprawling encampments from members of the nearby community, members of LaFrance's administration assured the public they were making plans to abate the area.

City officials said they are taking a number of steps "to minimize potential negative impacts of removing such a large and longstanding encampment." Those include "pre-abatement outreach" from housing and homelessness officials; removal of "junk and abandoned vehicles"; posting notices about the abatement and signs barring camping; and connecting campers with housing and behavioral health resources.

The Anchorage Police Department also plans to "increase patrols in Mountain View and the surrounding neighborhoods to help prevent re-encampment," the administration said in its statement.

"Outreach is going to be the absolute key to everything we do," Farina Brown, the mayor's special assistant for homelessness and health, told reporters Thursday afternoon.

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The mayor's office pointed to the year-round low-barrier shelter in Midtown as an alternative place for campers to go, part of a "safety net of shelter and support services to provide people experiencing homelessness with options," according to its statement. The municipality runs an online dashboard with real-time data on where shelter beds are available. As of Thursday, nearly all the facilities were at or near capacity.

The plan, Brown said, is to spend the next several weeks using $5.1 million in Emergency Rental Assistance funds to move people currently in shelters into units managed by private landlords and transitional housing programs. That, she said, will free up beds in existing homeless shelters for people who might currently be camping around Davis.

The LaFrance administration says it has abated more than two dozen encampments since taking office last year, and is pursuing a range of strategies for helping homeless people get into shelter and housing.

[LaFrance administration aims to set up 24 'microunits' in Anchorage pilot program for homeless]

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The ACLU of Alaska has twice sued the city over abatement of camps on public property, including one lawsuit dating back to 2023 involving Davis Park.

Meghan Barker, ACLU of Alaska's communications director, said the organization is focused on its two existing cases but is "tracking other abatements," including the latest plans for Davis Park.

The city plans to have both Davis Park, as well as the wooded area next to the snow dump, cleared June 17.

[As summer approaches, Anchorage has a new homeless strategy. Will it be enough?]
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  An Oregon legislative committee has approved a massive education bill that, if passed, could mark the largest K-12 school budget in state history.

Senate Bill 5516 would dedicate $11.4 billion to the State School Fund, which serves as the primary funding source for school districts to pay for their teachers, supplies, and maintenance.

Portland has the worst housing crisis outlook, LendingTree finds

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It is our responsibility to make sure our schools are preparing Oregons young people for their career and college pathway, Sen. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro) said. Increasing funding while providing clear expectations and ongoing oversight will help ensure our students and educators are getting the support they need.

The bills advancement comes after Gov. Tina Kotek shared her budget recommendation for the 2025-27 biennium. In it, she requested more than $835 million in education  including a $600 million increase to the State School Fund to reach roughly $11.4 billion.

This bill matches Koteks recommendation. The funding, in addition to other school funds, could mean that Oregons schools will gain 10.5% in funding over the next biennium, equating to $16.7 billion.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

It also comes as Oregons schools face several roadblocks, such as losses in federal funding and drops in student test scores and graduation rates.

For years I have been a strong proponent of fully funding our schools, but the data shows that our schools are not adequately meeting the needs of our kids, Rep. Christine Drazan (R-Canby) said. We must reduce the regulatory burden on our schools and dramatically reform public education to give more options  and return more control  to the families of students who are not getting the education they deserve.

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SB 5516 is now up for consideration by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. If approved, it will advance to the Oregon House and Senate.

Drazan said shes glad the funding number didnt backslide, but she wants the state to take on a more individualized approach to education.

Whats missing is the accountability side, rather than perpetually increasing the funding number we look at the kids and say what do they need? she said.

Portland has the worst housing crisis outlook, LendingTree finds

Rep. Ricki Ruiz said Senate Bill 141 could help manage that. The bill, also advanced on Thursday, is aimed at addressing Oregons lagging performance in reading, math, and writing. It would require the Oregon Board of Education to track performance and attendance metrics while allowing the state to step in to help struggling districts.

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According to the Education Law Center, we ranked 18th in the nation when it comes to funding, but when it comes to results, were near the bottom. So I think Senate Bill 141 will help figure out what pieces we are missing, Ruiz said.

The OEA President Reed Scott-Schwalbach shared the following statement about the budget:

For more than a year and a half, educators have implored leaders in Salem to take action and address the $700M underfunding of special education services in Oregon. Not only does this underfunding threaten the ability for districts around the state to operate, but it disproportionately harms our most vulnerable students. Oregon educators have been clear from the start  in a time of growing student needs a budget that simply meets the Current Service Level is actually a budget that will cause deep harm to our students, our schools, and the communities they serve. OEA members will work tirelessly between now and the end of June to demand the legislature recognize the challenging times we are in, forgo putting money into reserves, and instead invest those dollars in needed public services like education. Oregon elected officials need to be the counterweight to the attacks on education in DC. While corporations and the profits of billionaires are being placed above the needs of working families and students by the current federal administration, Oregon can make investments when they are needed most. We do not need to put money into a rainy day account when its already pouring.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Larry Hoover Jr. has thanked Ye (formerly Kanye West) for his support over the years when it comes to advocating for his father, Larry Hoovers, freedom.

The elder Hoover had his federal life sentence commuted by President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 28). TheGangster Disciples founder has been locked up since 1973.

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It started a long time ago with Kanye. Kanye put us on the platform, he told TMZ. [Ye] had a very big part because he started it all off. He put us on the platform. He took us to the White House on his platform when he didnt have to do that.

Hoover Jr. continued, [Ye] stuck his neck out there. We know he dont have a problem with sticking his neck out there about what he believes in, and Im glad he believed in this.

Yeezy  who has been facing backlash for his hate speech  brought Larry Hoovers situation to the White House during a visit to Trump in the Oval Office in 2018. He headlined the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert at the Coliseum with Drake in late 2021, and even gave Larry Hoover Jr. a platform during his Drink Champs interview.

Larry Hoover Jr. also made an appearance on Yes Donda album, and the former Chicago gang leader was spotlighted on West tracks such as Jesus Lord and Vultures 2s River.

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Ye was hyped to learn that Hoover received federal clemency. WORDS CANT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER, he wrote to X on Wednesday.

While the 74-year-old convicted felon had his federal sentence commuted by Trump, it doesnt mean hes going to be home free just yet. Hes still dealing with a 200-year sentence in Illinois for the 1973 murder of drug dealer William Pooky Young.

In addition to commuting Larry Hoovers sentence, Trump has granted a series of pardons this week, including to YoungBoy Never Broke Again and reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley.

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The news of Larry Hoovers pardon by President Donald Trump on Wednesday cast a shadow over Atlantas own history with the Gangster Disciples.

For the past few years, Atlantas top elected officials and law enforcement officers have engaged in concerted efforts to combat gang violence and recruitment throughout the city. Their fight may have taken on a new layer with Trump commuting the federal sentence of the notorious Chicago gang leader. Hoovers Gangster Disciples are one of the largest gangs in America, with factions throughout the country, including in metro Atlanta.

My number one focus is targeting gangs. They are committing, conservatively, 75 to 80% of all of the violent crime that we are seeing within our community, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said to reporters in 2022 following her offices indictment of Atlanta-rappers Young Thug, Gunna, and 26 others for their alleged participation in YSL, an alleged criminal street gang.

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Hoover was convicted on federal RICO charges in 1998 for directing the Gangster Disciples  the gang he founded  from his Illinois prison cell, where he had been incarcerated on murder charges since 1973. After his conviction, he was transferred to ADX Florence in Colorado, the highest security federal prison in the country.

Just last year, three Georgians affiliated with Hoovers gang  a man from Atlanta, a man from Stone Mountain, and a woman from Athens  were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a gang-retribution killing that left three men dead.

According to prosecutors in the Justice Department, the men were high ranking members of the Gangster Disciples and the woman was a leader of the gangs female arm, Sisters of the Struggle.

When federal prosecutors went after the Gangster Disciples back in 2016, they indicted 38 high-ranking members on racketeering charges. While some of the co-defendants were from across the country, 22 were Georgia residents and 15 lived in metro Atlanta. One was a former DeKalb County police officer who was caught on recorded phone calls relaying sensitive law enforcement information to the gangs chief enforcer.

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Another Atlanta co-defendant testified at his trial that Georgia-based rapper Rick Ross allegedly paid $3 million to the Gangster Disciples for using Hoovers name in his 2010 single B.M.F (Blowin Money Fast).

Though hip-hop was invented just a month before Hoovers incarceration began in 1973, he has remained a popular figure to name check in lyrics over the years. The day Hoovers pardon was announced, Ross and Atlanta rapper Offset both posted pictures of Hoover on their Instagram stories.

NBC attributes Hoovers sentence commutation by Trump to Atlanta-born, Chicago-raised rapper Kanye West, who thanked Trump on X for commuting the federal sentence when the news broke.

Despite Trumps pardon, Hoover, 74, will remain behind bars on state charges for a murder conviction for which he was sentenced to serve 200 years in 1973. He is eligible for parole since he was convicted five years before Illinois abolished discretionary parole.

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The Illinois Department of Corrections lists Hoovers projected parole date as Oct. 25, 2062, which would be one month before his 112th birthday.

The post Larry Hoovers Pardon Puts Spotlight on Atlantas Own Gangster Disciples History appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Fire Department has a new deputy chief, who is a veteran of the department for 17 years.

The Fire Department said that Tibor Kocsis is the new deputy chief of administration.



Kocsis began his new duties May 19. Kocsis was a battalion chief for LCFD since 2021, serving in both administration and operations.



Im pleased and proud of the work Tibor has done for our community over the years, Fire Chief Michael Daniels said. Hes a proven leader and, over the years, has helped guide some of the most pivotal operations of our department.



I have the upmost confidence in Tibor and will lean on him for years to come, Daniels added.



Kocsis has helped lead the departments Technical Rescue Team thats been deployed to multiple mountain rescues over the years and to Ruidoso in the aftermath of flooding in 2024. He also assisted in the standup of operations during the influx of migrants in 2019, the Fire Department said.



Kocsis serves as New Mexico vice president on the board of directors for the Southwestern Fire Chiefs Association. He also served on the executive board of the local International Association of Firefighters and has been on labor management in his role as a chief officer.



Kocsis earned an associates degree from New Mexico State University and will complete his bachelors degree in business administration in December from Western New Mexico University.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Temperatures are heating up in the valley, and experts warn of a possible spike in gun violence during the summer months.

I know with summer, the rates are going to go higher, UNLV Pediatric Resident Anjali Agrawal told 8 News Now, regarding accidental shootings among juveniles. Kids arent at school. Theyre at home, theyre hanging out with their friends, and theyre often not as supervised as they should be.

According to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, so far this year, there have been four accidental shootings involving juveniles. One of those was a death. Meanwhile, in 2024, there were five accidental shootings the whole year, with one of those being a death.

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Research published by the American Medical Association found a link between high temperatures and an increase in shootings. According to a 2022 investigation by the JAMA network, nearly 7 percent of all shootings are associated with above-average temperatures.

Right before Memorial Day weekend, an AutoZone shooting in downtown Las Vegas left 21-year-old David Carcamo dead, after he was shot and killed with his own gun. The victims aunt, Reina Urriola, issued a message to the community on firearms.

We want the young people to know out there, that if they are going to carry a gun, be careful, be mindful of whats going on around you, she told 8 News Now.

Meanwhile, Agrawal called gun violence a public health emergency.

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It is only increasing with time, which is why it is the #1 cause of death for children, nationwide, she said.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department released its Use of Force and Vehicle Pursuit Annual five-year 2020-2024 report, highlighting the departments efforts to learn from and refine its police response.

Metro released the report Wednesday, which is a five-year examination of officer-involved shootings, non-deadly use of force incidents and vehicle pursuits.

In 2024, LVMPDs jurisdictional population was 1,699,140 and a total of 1,391,226 events were generated. Out of those events, 17 were officer-involved shootings, the report said.

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From 2020-2024, the number of officer-involved shootings ranged from a low of 10 to a high of 19. Over the five years, subjects were armed in 97% of the incidents. The report said there has been an increase in subjects armed with a knife or sharp object during the officer-involved shootings.

Most of the officers involved in an officer-involved shooting had one to five years of tenure and were assigned to patrol.

In 2024, 922 incidents ended with reportable non-deadly use of force, with 748 of those by LVMPD officers and 174 by LVMPD corrections officers. Over the five-year period, the total incidents ranged from a high of 947 to a low of 905, the report said.

In 2024, LVMPD had 51 vehicle pursuits, the lowest in the past five years. Most of the vehicle pursuits were initiated for felony offenses and a majority lasted for five minutes or less and traveled five miles or less, according to the report.

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Last year, LVMPD said it focused on areas of improvement such as effective communication, preplanning, officer safety, and supervisor response to critical incidents.

The report was prepared by the Office of Internal Oversight and Constitutional Policing.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  On Wednesday afternoon, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department gathered to honor heroes who dont just wear the badge, but embody its promise to protect and serve in extraordinary ways.

Applause filled the room as Officer Jason Rich stood among his peers, humbled and smiling alongside his six daughters.

For his quick actions, the lifesaving award goes to Officer Jason Rich, the announcer said.

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It was a moment of recognition for a night Officer Rich will never forget.

Last June, Rich was working overtime at a Las Vegas Aviators game when he heard screams echoing from Pavilion Center Drive.

I was working the crosswalk and remember standing there and hearing screaming down Pavilion Center, he recalled.

He turned to find a mother standing in the road, frozen with fear, holding her baby in her arms.

I ran over to her. As Im getting closer, I realize the baby has blood running down her mouth, down her shirt, Rich said. Im thinking, Babys not crying, babys not blue, so whats going on?

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The woman did not speak English. She tried frantically to explainbut there was no time for words. Without hesitation, Rich jumped into action.

I flipped her over, started patting her on the back, trying to calm her. The mom is yelling and screaming, he said. I kept patting her, and a couple [of] minutes later, we realized she had taken a barrette from her hair and put it in her mouth. It popped open.

Another officer arrived just in time to assist.

As Im laying her down, we could finally see the barrette, Rich said. Eventually, I hit her againand he caught the barrette as it fell out.

Thanks to Richs fast thinking and calm under pressure, the baby is alive and well today.

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When Officer Rich accepted his award, he wasnt alone. His six young daughters walked on stage beside hima beautiful and emotional reminder of the lives officers are sworn to protect, both at home and on duty.

This is just a small snapshot of what everyone is doing, Rich said. Of what all the officers are doing out there every day.

Rich was one of dozens of officers honored for heroic actions, from preventing a suicide attempt at Harry Reid International Airport to unraveling a complex murder-for-hire case.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A suspended Las Vegas Metro police sergeant has agreed to serve at least four years in prison  and as many as 10  as part of a plea deal involving arrests on the Las Vegas Strip and the possession of child pornography, documents said.

Metro police arrested Sgt. Kevin Menon, 43, in August. In his first case, the Clark County District Attorneys Office alleged Menon abused his power by creating fake scenarios that resulted in citizens, mainly Black men, being detained on the Las Vegas Strip, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported.

When detectives investigating that case seized Menons electronic devices, they said they found child sexual abuse material, also known as child pornography. This resulted in a second criminal case against Menon for child pornography-related charges.

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In his third case, Menon was accused of setting up recording devices in bathrooms in his home, prosecutors said. Natasha Menon and Tamara Russell, who live with Kevin Menon, have insisted they are not victims and submitted affidavits stating they were aware of the recordings.

Menon agreed to a plea deal Wednesday following a settlement conference between his attorney, Robert Draskovich, and prosecutors. Menon agreed to plead guilty to charges including oppression under color of office, subornation of perjury, possession of child pornography and capturing an image of the private area of another person, the agreement said.

As part of the agreement, Menon could serve up to 10 years in prison. He would become parole eligible after serving four years. Since August, Menon has been in and out of jail, meaning he earned credit for time served. A judge most recently increased his bail to $1 million.

Menon will be sentenced on Aug. 4.

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In court documents, Menon claims he tried to expose racism within the police department and that it is retaliating against him.

Investigators within the department believe Menon orchestrated fake arrests by instigating situations with the public without probable cause, documents said. In one case, Menon ordered the search of a car without any reason, police said. In another, the sergeant, who often worked in a plain clothes capacity, intentionally collided with a person on a pedestrian bridge, leading to their arrest, police investigators allege.

After his initial arrest, the department placed Menon on leave with pay and suspended his police powers pending an investigation. The department has since stopped paying him, and it was unclear what his employment status would entail post-plea.

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MASSILLON, Ohio (WJW)  For 22 years, Jim Nash served in the United States Navy as a corpsman and senior chief, including during the Gulf War.

He loves his time in the service he loves talking about the service anything everything he wants to be remembered for his time in the navy, said his daughter Cindy Nash.

Aboard the USS Guam, he participated in Operation Eastern Exit, the evacuation of more than 280 people from the United States Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1981.

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Ohio hiking trail voted one of the countrys best

Now a resident of Sprenger Assisted Living in Massillon, where he is enrolled in hospice care, the 71-year-old veteran was honored Wednesday with an emotional and surprise pinning ceremony conducted by Wellspring Hospice.

The ceremony brought tears to his eyes. But it was not his only surprise.

I think he loves animals and so he told us his last wish was to go to the zoo, said Erica Myers, Sprengers marketing director.

Unable to go to the zoo, however, the assisted living home worked to bring the zoo to him.

WJW photo

Hes battled MS for over 30 years he was still in the service when he got that and he just never gave up, said Cindy.

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Barkheimer Barns & Nickajack Farms brought animals  including a baby monkey, baby tortoise, baby goat, baby prairie dog, a rooster and an armadillo  to the nursing home as a surprise.

Hes immobile, hes bed bound, but he still has a smile on his face every single day, said Cindy.

The last big thing that we were able to do together, we took him to the Akron Zoo and so hes been wanting to go back to the zoo, she told Fox 8.

Akron Zoo sets attendance record

Its very special, we are just entirely thankful that we have the opportunity to do so, said Sarah Barkheimer of Barkheimer farms.

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I feel very honored and blessed to give back to someone who served 20 years in some small way to make his last wish come true, said Myers.

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Startups that help contractors decarbonize buildings, manage their workforces and make jobsites safer were some of the businesses that benefitted from fresh infusions of investor funding in the second quarter of 2025.

Here are six startups that caught investors eyes and raised capital for their businesses.

Wakecap

$28 million

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based WakeCap, a project intelligence software that uses sensors to track construction and safety progress, raised $28 million in a Series A funding round, the firm announced on May 13.

Via a sensor that attaches to a construction hard hat, WakeCaps tech picks up data around the jobsite, which is uploaded through its network and onto the platform, according to the companys website. The company said it provides information related to worker access and equipment utilization as well as safety alerts and progress tracking. Users report a 91% reduction in safety issues, a 25% productivity gain and 70% faster incident response times, according to the news release.

The new capital will be used to scale WakeCap's presence across existing and new markets, deepen its product capabilities, grow its team and expand integrations with key industry platforms, according to the news release.

Miter

$23 million

San Francisco-based Miter, which offers cloud-based field operations and expense management solutions, announced a recent $23 million Series B funding round led by existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners and Coatue Management, according to a May 19 news release. The round brings its total funding to $38 million.

Miter helps contractors modernize their back-office and field operations by connecting human resources, finance and operations into one platform, according to the news release. The company says it typically replaces desktop-based applications or industry-agnostic software.

Some of the platforms functions include tools to help with job costing, payroll compliance, employee onboarding, time-tracking, expense management and benefits administration. The firm wrote that builders leveraging the platform save between 20 to 40 hours per week on payroll processing alone.

Converge

$22 million

U.K.-based Converge, an artificial intelligence-powered concrete management and decarbonization tech firm, completed a $22 million investment round, according to a May 21 news release.

The startups flagship platform, ConcreteDNA, offers a suite of solutions for generative and predictive AI mix insights, real-time concrete monitoring and data management, according to the news release. The offering helps builders make faster, data-driven decisions, reduce embodied carbon and minimize resource waste, the company said.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that the federal government no longer recommends the COVID-19 vaccination for healthy pregnant people and healthy children, a move that immediately raised questions from medical experts.

Despite the change in recommendations from HHS, the science has not changed. It is very clear that COVID infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability, and it can cause devastating consequences for families, Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement. The COVID vaccine is safe during pregnancy, and vaccination can protect our patients and their infants.

Kennedy did not cite any data along with his decision, though he has long questioned the need for frequent COVID-19 boosters for children.

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Removing COVID vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendations for pregnant people or children could impact the availability of the vaccines or if they are covered by insurance. Dr. Sean T. OLeary, chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said that removing the recommendation could strip families of choice.

Those who want to vaccinate may no longer be able to, as the implications for insurance coverage and access remain unclear.  What is clear is that pregnant women, infants and young children are at higher risk of hospitalization from COVID, and the safety of the COVID vaccine has been widely demonstrated, he said.

An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to The 19ths request for comment.

Heres what we know about Kennedys announcement and how it could impact pregnant people and access to the vaccines.

Why were COVID-19 vaccines recommended to pregnant people and children to begin with?

Scientific studies have shown that pregnant people are at higher risk of developing more severe cases of the virus than people who arent pregnant. As a result, pregnant people are more likely to end up hospitalized. They are also over 10 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to the general population. Studies have also shown a link between COVID and an increased risk of stillbirth.

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Vaccinating pregnant people has not only been shown to lower these risks, but also offers some protection to newborns. Antibodies from a parent who received the vaccine while pregnant can provide some immunity to infants in the weeks and months after birth, according to Charlotte Moser, co-director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. [It] is the safest way to protect those babies, she said in an email.

Studies have shown that COVID-19 may be less severe in healthy children. But Moser said children who become infected with COVID-19 are at risk of being hospitalized, developing long COVID or dying from the virus. COVID-19 vaccines decrease those risks.

Will my health insurance still cover a COVID-19 vaccine if Im pregnant? What about for my children?

It is not totally clear yet, said Joshua Sharfstein, a public health professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He was also a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official under the Obama administration.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance providers are required to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC, but some experts, including Sharfstein, are concerned that this announcement could mean insurance companies are no longer mandated to cover the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy pregnant people and children.

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Its still too early to know whether private insurance companies will remove vaccines from their coverage. It may still be more cost effective for companies to pay for the vaccine, versus paying for severe illnesses that might result from being unvaccinated, experts said.

Sharfstein said private insurance is still clearly required to cover a COVID-19 vaccine for a pregnant person or child who has a medical condition that meets the criteria for a higher risk of severe COVID.

But its unclear who falls under these categories, said Dr. Kathryn Edwards, a longtime expert in infectious diseases. She noted that the health secretary is contradicting an FDA announcement last week that listed pregnant people as a high risk category that makes them eligible for the vaccine.

They need to get their message straight, she said in an email.

How will this affect access to COVID-19 vaccines?

Thats also unclear. Richard Hughes, an attorney at the law firm Epstein Becker Green, who previously served as vice president of public policy for a major vaccine manufacturer during the COVID pandemic, said manufacturers could eventually reduce their supply as they determine their bottom lines. That could shake up overall product availability at doctors offices and pharmacies.

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In addition, if private insurance companies stop covering the vaccine, it could be a barrier for those with low incomes.

We know that any amount of out-of-pocket [cost] for a vaccine is going to discourage a patient from getting vaccinated, he said. The more that increases, the less likely they are to get it.

This announcement does not immediately impact the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally-funded initiative that aims to vaccinate children whose parents or caregivers might not be able to afford them. However, given how the health secretary has sidestepped protocol to remove this recommendation for pregnant people, some experts worry that Kennedy may similarly make decisions for the VFC program.

Wait, so can Kennedy do this?

Medical experts say Kennedys announcement  which came via a one-minute video posted on X  appeared unilateral, since a key vaccine panel that would typically make such recommendations did not appear to vote on the matter. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is housed under the CDC, isnt scheduled to meet again until June.

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Kennedy, as HHS secretary, does have legal authority to modify recommendations made by an advisory committee, according to Hughes.

But experts say this decision is highly unusual. This is the first time a health secretary has circumvented the typical review process for vaccination recommendations, and experts stressed that making these kinds of decisions  which they described as not using the science-based procedures that are in place  puts lives at risk.

Several also noted Kennedys lack of medical expertise and his long history of vaccine skepticism.

This signals that health advice for all Americans is now subject to the whim of the secretary of HHS who has no relevant expertise and a long track record of misleading people about vaccines. This should be of concern to everyone, said Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at Harvards school of public health, in an email.

Will this decision face legal challenges?

I expect there will be lawsuits and I expect the administration is not in a good position for those lawsuits, said Dorit Rubenstein Reiss, a professor of law at the University of California College of Law, San Francisco.

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Reiss predicted the decision will be challenged in court by patients who could file a lawsuit if they are denied coverage for the vaccine from insurance companies. Cities and states who buy the vaccination could also sue, she said.

Both the lack of evidence presented by the health secretary and what appeared to be procedural irregularities in making this decision could bolster these court challenges, she said. Not only did Kennedy appear to sidestep the committee that makes these decisions, but he appears in the announcement alongside Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, and Marty Makary, the commissioner of the FDA. Those men have an anti-COVID vaccine bias, and neither role is typically involved in vaccine recommendations.

Its ignoring our usual process that involves expert deliberation and examination of the decision and making what looks like a political decision without a lot of consideration of the effects, she said.

The fact that Kennedy did not provide evidence for the change is also problematic, Reiss said.

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If you look at the recommendation for pregnant women, its a lengthy document by ACIP setting up why they think pregnant women should get the vaccine [which includes] data, she said. That decision cant be reversed with a one-minute video on social media, she said. Under administrative law, an agency is expected to explain its actions.

The post What the latest COVID vaccine changes mean for pregnant people and children appeared first on The 19th.

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Law enforcement seeking help identifying Ulta thieves

MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  Crime Stoppers of Mesa County is asking for the communitys help in finding two suspects regarding a theft.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m., Saturday, May 10, when a male and female couple entered Ulta Beauty, 632 Market St. While inside, the woman allegedly picked up several items from the shelves, concealing them inside a large black bag the man was carrying.

Not long after, the couple allegedly walked past the checkout counters and left the store without trying to purchase the items in the bag. The suspect fled the scene in a small silver sedan, according to Crime Stoppers.

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The estimated property loss is over $4,300.

Anyone who knows the suspects can submit a tip anonymously on the P3tips app, at 241stop.com or call 970-241-7867. Any information that leads to an arrest can result in a $1,000 reward.

The two suspects can be seen at Ulta Beauty on May 10.

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(WKBN)  If youve bought an appliance in the last few decades, youve seen the Energy Star sticker on packaging.

The emblem has been around since 1992 and lets consumers know their new appliance is energy-efficient, could save them money on energy bills, and could also come with a rebate. According to the Associated Press, the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Trump Administration, plans to eliminate the Energy Star program.

The proposed program cut is part of the EPAs reorganization. EPA has not confirmed when the program would end or what new guidelines might replace it.

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Trumps proposed budget asks that Congress eliminate the EPAs entire Atmospheric Protection Program, which houses the offices that run Energy Star. The budget described the program as an overreach of Government authority that imposes unnecessary and radical climate change regulations on businesses and stifles economic growth, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined colleagues in Congress in writing a letter to the Trump Administration asking him to reverse course on ending the program.

In their letter, the senators highlighted the cost-saving benefits of the program, which is projected to save the average American household $450 on utility bills each year simply by choosing ENERGY STAR-certified products.

Fetterman and his colleagues said that the Energy Star program is the epitome of an effective public-private partnership. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said during a hearing that the Energy Star program is an example of one that can be run outside of the government.

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Illinois lawmakers filed a long-awaited bill Wednesday that would reform the Chicago areas public transportation system with changes to its overall governing structure and a new police force to patrol its bus and train lines.

But the bill, filed just days before the scheduled adjournment of the spring legislative session, does not include a proposal for how those reforms will be funded as Chicago-area transit agencies face an impending $771 million fiscal cliff at the end of this year.

Transit agencies have warned that they would have to dramatically slash service if legislators dont find funding to plug the budget gap, which comes as COVID-19 relief funding runs out. The agencies have said they will need to start planning for those cuts soon, though lawmakers could punt the issue to later in the year.

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More than 50 L stations could close or see service slashed, and more than half of the CTAs bus routes could be eliminated entirely in that doomsday scenario, the Regional Transportation Authority has warned. On Metra, trains could run only once an hour on weekdays and service on the Metra Electrics line to Blue Island could be cut entirely. Pace bus service in the suburbs could be eliminated entirely on weekends.

Under the legislation filed Wednesday, the RTA would be renamed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. Notably, the bill does not consolidate the regions transit agencies under a single regional agency  a proposal opposed by labor groups, which instead supported a proposal that would boost coordination between the agencies.

Still, it makes a number of other changes after months of negotiations, including establishing a new law enforcement task force to address safety concerns and revising the balance of power on the boards that govern one of the largest transit systems in the country.

The makeup of the entities overseeing governance and policies of the system has been a key point of negotiations, and the proposal released Wednesday seemed to weaken the influence of Chicagos mayor.

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NITA would also oversee a law enforcement task force throughout the transit systems to address safety concerns for riders and workers.

The major public safety change to the systems would be the creation of the single task force that would be led by the Cook County sheriffs office with assistance from Chicago police, Metra police and other local law enforcement agencies within the systems purview.

Within a year, the task force would vote to implement a sworn law enforcement officer program on public transit in the region, as well as a crime prevention plan to protect riders and workers, the legislation says.

The primary mission of the task force would be the preservation of life and reducing the occurrence and the fear of crime on the public transit system, according to the bill text.

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For years, crime on the CTA  as well as the perception of crime  have been nagging concerns for riders. The rate of reported violent crime on trains spiked as the pandemic drained trains and buses of many riders, and though it has since gone down, it remained higher than pre-pandemic levels during the first half of 2024.

Through June 2024, there were about 5.1 violent crimes per million rides, comparable to the same timeframe in 2023 but well above the years before the pandemic. In the first half of 2019, for instance, 2.5 violent crimes were reported per million rides, a September 2024 Tribune analysis of CTA ridership and city crime data showed.

Updated CTA crime statistics were not immediately available from the CTA or CPD. But Chicago overall has seen a drop in nearly every major crime category this year with nearly five months in the books. For instance, homicides were down 23% from the previous year and robberies were down 36% during that period. Total shootings were also down by 33% in the last year.

The legislation suggests that the task force could develop a data-driven policing approach by focusing its crime-fighting efforts on hot spots known for violence, property crimes such as robbery and theft and code of conduct crimes, according to the measure. The unit could also partner with faith-based and community groups, and help people experiencing homelessness find shelter and appropriate social services.

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The legislation would also require the creation of a transit ambassador program by June 2026. Transit ambassadors would be workers dedicated to assisting passengers throughout the system, including by helping to connect them with social or medical services as needed. The ambassadors would also liaise with law enforcement and help ensure riders follow transit system rules, the legislation said.

Under the proposal, the CTA board would move away from a seven-member structure with a majority appointed by the mayor to six members, with half appointed by the mayor and others appointed by the governor and Cook County Board president.

The proposed makeup of the NITA board would also newly allow the governor to appoint five people, in addition to existing members of the RTA board that are currently appointed by the Cook County Board president, the mayor of Chicago and the collar counties. Many members of the CTA, Metra and Pace boards would also serve on the NITA board.

The bill also charges NITA  the newly named and empowered RTA  with setting fares and schedules so that the public transportation system in the metropolitan region operates on a one-network, one-timetable, one-ticket model for transit users.

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Specifically, the NITA in coordination with the boards would need to implement by February 2030 a single payment system for the region. Currently, CTA uses a different fare system than Metra.

The RTA has previously said the ability to integrate fares, and keep them relatively low, will depend on whether the state addresses the expected financial shortfall at the end of this year, which the legislation being considered so far does not address.

At an unrelated event at the Illinois State Library in Springfield, Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters he only briefly saw the new bill but said his focus is the importance of addressing the governance issues.

People should be able to get on a bus, a train, transit of any sort, and not have to worry about which ticket they have and the transfers that they may need to make and think about what the services are that RTA or that CTA are providing, he said. They should just be able to get on and go where they want to go. And that has not been happening with the governance that weve had up to now.

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In a statement, RTA spokesperson Tina Fassett Smith said the agency was still reviewing the legislation and intended to do a complete analysis before making public statements about its substance.

It is clear from initial review however, that this bill does not contain any new funding, she said. Reforms alone cannot close our fiscal cliff, and riders will need to brace for service cuts in 2026 if the state does not provide funding certainty by May 31st.

Representatives for the CTA, Metra and Pace did not provide comment on the legislation Wednesday.

Its not clear yet if lawmakers will address the funding concerns before the end of the spring legislative session on Saturday.

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But in an interview, Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, which has helped lead a coalition of labor groups heavily involved in the transit negotiations, said the organization would not back a bill that doesnt come with funding for transit.

Revenue and reform go hand and hand, Drea said.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN)  Groups worried about Washingtons proposed Medicaid cuts rallied at the state capitol in Springfield on Wednesday, four days before the end of the legislative session and as state lawmakers wrestle with how to stretch limited dollars.

The governors proposed budget is a half billion dollars short and the state is facing a loss of federal funding with the Republican-led Congress considering a variety of cuts. By some estimates, Illinois could lose more than $3 billion in funding, resulting in several hundred thousand people losing coverage.

We have a federal administration that not only seeks to weaponize every tool to hurt our people, but also uses all of our taxpayer money to literally hurt our people, said State Senator Graciela Guzman.

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State Rep. Kelly Cassidy urged those in attendance to not give up the fight.

Lives depend on it, she said.

Making matters worse, Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed cutting the states health care program for some undocumented adults.

President Trumps Big Beautiful Bill passed the House of Representatives and now awaits action in the Senate, where it faces a number of objections from Republicans. With the Illinois legislatures spring session scheduled to end Saturday night, leaders have floated the idea of coming back later this summer to address Medicaid.

5 ways the big, beautiful bill could impact Americans

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Illinois mulls ending a health program for some immigrants living in the US illegally

Elsewhere at the Capitol, Black interest groups and business owners, still reeling from the lack of diversity in the states legal cannabis industry, want Pritzker and the Democratic majority to make good on their economic access promises.

Political leaders who are vying for national offices need to demonstrate effective and equitable leadership here in Illinois, said Creola Hampton with the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity.

The same forces that have historically shut Black communities out of wealth building opportunities are already positioning themselves to do it again, added Samuel Wilson with the Illinois Black Hemp Association.

Minority-owned businesses push for Illinois cannabis equity

Also on the Springfield agenda: Chicago area transit. Lawmakers dropped a new reform bill that does not address the Regional Transportation Authoritys fiscal cliff.

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The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace, is seeking $1.5 billion in new funding, warning if lawmakers dont act, theyll face 40 percent service cuts and possible layoffs.

With the states huge financial challenges, Pritzker said hes standing firmly against across-the-board tax increases.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark.  Arkansas lawmakers in Washington D.C. are pushing against potential downsizing operations at the Pine Bluff Arsenal.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas), and Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-04) sent a letter to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, asking for a detailed plan for the future of Pine Bluff Arsenal.

Little Rock Air Force unit to destroy obsolete production items at Pine Bluff Arsenal Monday

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We remain committed to ensuring, in line with President Trumps directive to the department, that the military has the munitions it needs to fight and win decisively. Fortunately, Pine Bluff Arsenal can help the Army solve the munitions crisis, hence were not willing to allow its capabilities to wither on the vine, lawmakers said in the letter.

The letter comes after a different letter sent earlier this month in response to a directive to potentially downsize the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Cotton said this goes against President Donald Trumps goal of accelerating munitions manufacturing.

The nation has a munitions crisis, Cotton said. We simply cant produce enough munitions to meet our needs and the needs of friends in places like Ukraine and the Middle East and Taiwan, so we need to do everything possible to increase the rate of production.

Former Pine Bluff Arsenal deputy director named to Army Hall of Fame

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Cotton said he met with Driscoll about this and wants a cost analysis on why they think Pine Bluff and other arsenals may not be a part of the solution.

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May 29AUGUSTA  A proposal to guarantee the right to hunt and fish in Maine's Constitution won broad bipartisan support in the Maine House of Representatives Thursday, but the initial vote fell short of the two-thirds threshold needed to send the proposed amendment to voters.

Lawmakers voted 93-51 in favor of the bill sponsored by Rep. Liz Caruso, R-Caratunk, with several Democrats joining Republicans in support.

But the effort will need even more support to advance to a statewide referendum. Constitutional amendments require two-thirds support from lawmakers before they can be presented to voters for approval.

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The proposal will still get another House vote and a second chance to meet the threshold. It now heads to the state Senate for an initial vote in that chamber.

It comes after Maine became the first state in the nation to pass a "right to food" constitutional amendment in 2021, a rare success that led to a surge of proposed amendments that fell short in recent years. Those included a right to a healthy environment and a right to privacy.

While many have been widely supported, opponents have raised concerns about unintended legal consequences from such broad amendments.

Nearly two dozen other states have adopted constitutional amendments regarding the right to hunt and fish, according to the International Order of T. Roosevelt, which is advocating for the protection of hunting and fishing rights through constitutional amendments in all 50 states.

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Advocates for the amendment cited the adoption of similar provisions in other states during a floor debate in the House Thursday. Supporters said the measure would honor the importance of hunting and fishing in Maine's economy and culture.

"You may think we already have the right to hunt and fish, but it's only in statute," Caruso said. "And we know that laws can be changed with future legislatures."

"I believe LD 820 is good for Maine's people, Maine's wildlife and Maine's future," she added.

In addition to guaranteeing the right to hunt, fish and harvest game in the Maine Constitution, the amendment's language also states that hunting and fishing are the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.

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Only one lawmaker, Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, the House chair of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, spoke against the proposal. Roberts was also among a minority of lawmakers who voted against the bill in committee.

"This is a constitutional amendment  a serious permanent change to our state's foundational legal document," she said. "It demands clarity, necessity and restraint and this proposal meets none of these standards."

The proposal states that hunting and fishing are "subject to laws enacted by the Legislature and rules adopted by state agencies," but Roberts said the amendment would do nothing to safeguard against ballot initiatives and referendums targeting hunting and fishing.

She pointed out that after the right to food was passed in 2021, the state was sued by a couple who argued that Maine's Sunday hunting ban violated the state Constitution. The ban ultimately was upheld by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

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"If we bring this amendment forward, we risk reviving that fight too," Roberts said.

"This amendment doesn't strengthen hunting protections," she said. "It puts them under a spotlight and gives national groups a new target."

Caruso argued that the proposal won't change current state rules and regulations around hunting and fishing or protections for wildlife conservation and management, but will ensure that Maine traditions are honored into the future.

"This bill does not change Sunday hunting," she said. "It doesn't change rules, regulations or create a new governance structure, and it does not change or weaken private property rights. With regards to food, this bill will work in conjunction with the right to food."

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Rep. Sophie Warren, D-Scarborough, said that while she has never hunted and only gone fishing a few times, she sees the amendment as a good way to recognize constituents who value those activities.

"I do support Maine's strong traditions of harvesting wild game, both for sustenance as well as game management and control," Warren said. "This amendment ensures that all of our current hunting laws, which I support, will be protected into the future."

Rep. Jim Thorne, R-Carmel, said the proposal should be put to voters to weigh in on, which will happen only if both the House and Senate give two-thirds support.

"All we're saying is, is this worthy to present to the people of Maine to have them decide if this is worthy of an amendment to change the Constitution," Thorne said.

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Some Democratic state senators are demanding that the state attorney general clarify just what the Georgia Life Act covers.

The law essentially bans all abortions in Georgia after about six weeks.

The move comes over controversy surrounding the case of Adriana Smith, a pregnant woman from Lithonia. Her mother said shes brain-dead but is being kept on life support at Emory Midtown.

The mother said they couldnt remove that life support because it would impact the babys life, and Emory said it would violate Georgias abortion law.

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Emory cannot comment on the case because of federal privacy laws, but did issue a statement which reads in part, Emory Healthcare uses consensus from clinical experts, medical literature, and legal guidance to support our providers as they make individualized treatment recommendations in compliance with Georgias abortion law.

TRENDING STORIES:

Smiths mother initially supported an abortion but told Channel 2s Richard Elliot off-camera that she supports the childs birth.

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On Thursday, some Democratic state lawmakers demanded that Gov. Brian Kemp request a formal legal opinion from the Attorney Generals office about the Life Act.

We said this law is vague, State Rep. Park Cannon said.

The AGs office said last week that the Life Act doesnt apply in the Smith case, and in a statement, the governors office said, Holding a partisan press conference does not change the fact that the attorney generals office has already answered this question in the clearest possible terms.

Still, Duluth Democrat Nabilah Islam-Parkes thinks an official opinion is needed.

We are calling on the governor to do his job and request a formal opinion from the AG telling the people of Georgia what this law actually means, Islam-Parkes said.

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Republican state Sen. Ed Setzler wrote the Life Act. In a statement, he said that his heart goes out to Smith and her family.

He also condemned those Democrats, saying they were hurting Smiths family by dragging them through a sick political debate.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Lawrence Police Department is attempting to locate the person who stabbed an elderly woman.

Lawrence police officers responded just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, to the 700 block of Beatnik Court, near E. 19th Street, where they found the victim inside a home with life-threatening injuries.

Police said the victim was alone and she was not able to provide significant details.

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The victim was taken to a local trauma center, accompanied by an officer.

Lawrence police said they have no suspect information at this time.

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Anyone with information that can help detectives are asked to call dispatch at (785) 843-0250 or Crime Stoppers at 785-843-8477.

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KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  A 2024 lawsuit alleges that the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center put minors who are inmates in solitary confinement for many days. This comes before Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs called out potentially serious issues at the facility.

The June 26, 2024 lawsuit is a class action complaint by Disability Rights of Tennessee. The lawsuit accuses multiple juvenile detention facilities, including the Bean Center, of failing youth in Tennessees Justice system.

Knox County mayor calls out apparent retaliation at juvenile detention center

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According to the lawsuit, Bean Center staff put an inmate in solitary confinement for 23 hours per day, despite state laws limiting solitary to just six hours per day in juvenile detention centers. In another incident, the lawsuit says the center put an inmate in solitary confinement for three days, nearly 24-hours per day, for giving another resident a hot sauce packet.

It further claims that staff will falsely claim youth are suicidal as an excuse to place them in solitary confinement, sometimes for more than three days during which they are only fed crackers passed under the cell door.

The lawsuit said that the Bean Center lets youth opt out of school, in which case they are confined to their cells for days at a time. It also said that they once failed to have a nurse on staff for around three months. At another point, some youth failed to receive prescribed medicine for over a month, it alleges.

Woman arrested after crash, accused of kicking out Knoxville police car window

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DCS Defendants found in 2023 that Bean JDC violated legal restrictions on solitary confinement and failed to comply with DCSs licensing rules for years, the lawsuit said. But DCS continues to contract with Bean JDC for post-adjudication placement and has not sought adverse licensing or enforcement action against facilities using solitary confinement, nor has it provided technical or staffing assistance to reduce its use.

2024-06-26-DRT-v.-Tennessee-DCS-et-al-Final-ComplaintDownload

On Thursday, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs posted a video saying his office had learned information that could suggest serious issues at the center. He said that while he had no authority to directly address the issues, he is doing everything he can about them including requesting involvement from Governor Bill Lee.

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ACI Worldwide has unveiled its cloud-native payments hub, ACI Connetic, which integrates several major UK, EU, and global payment networks capabilities.

These capabilities include Swift cross-border payments and real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems such as Target2, SEPA Instant RT1, and TIPS payments.

The move is aimed at streamlining the payment processes for banks and financial institutions by offering a platform that combines account-to-account, card payments, and AI-powered fraud prevention.

The company stated that further enhancements to the platform's capabilities are planned.

ACI Connetic looks to meet the needs of modern banking, enabling financial institutions of various sizes to adopt a centralised approach to managing all types of payments.

The platform is engineered to provide financial institutions with scalability and resilience, and the ability to introduce new services to their customers.

It features cloud-native architecture, a modular design and open APIs that simplify the integration process with existing systems, reducing the time required to deploy.

To facilitate this integration, ACI is collaborating with various global clearing and settlement systems, including the Bank of England, Pay.UK, ECB, EBA Clearing, and Stet, as well as Swift, the Federal Reserve, and The Clearing House.

The aim is to provide banks around the world with access to a broad range of payment methods through ACI Connetic.

ACI Worldwide CEO and president Thomas Warsop said: ACI Connetic is not just a new product, it is a new standard for how banks must operate in the digital economy and approach payments transformation.

Against the backdrop of increasing payments complexity, the rise of new technologies and a shifting regulatory environment, ACI Connetic empowers financial institutions to unlock new revenue opportunities and navigate compliance in order to drive growth and financial inclusion.

ACI Worldwide disclosed a net income of $58.9m for the first quarter of 2025, swinging back to profit from a $7.8m loss reported in the same quarter last year.

"ACI Worldwide launches new centralised payments hub " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




A judge dismissed the asylum case of Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Lawyers say he faced "constant discrimination" because of his sexual orientation. NBC News' David Noriega reports more on the case. Immigrant Defenders Law Center's Lindsay Toczylowski, who is Romero's attorney, joins Ana Cabrera to share more.
LONDON (AP)  Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate will return to Britain to defend themselves against rape, trafficking and other charges, their lawyers said Thursday.

Prosecutors authorized charges in January 2024 against the Tates, dual U.S. and British citizens who moved to Romania in 2016. But the Crown Prosecution Service did not announce the charges involving several women until Wednesday.

Lawyers said the brothers, who are currently facing charges in Romania, are at a disadvantage because British prosecutors have not shared any information with them about the charges.

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These are historic allegations and our clients are not even being told who the supposed victims are, the Holborn Adams law firm said in a statement. This ... demonstrates a different approach on the basis of the profile of our clients.

The former professional kickboxers have millions of followers on social media. Andrew has drawn a much larger following with self-professed misogyny that has drawn boys and young men to the luxurious lifestyle he projects.

Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges related to three women that include rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain, prosecutors said. Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges related to one woman that include rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm.

The allegations from Bedfordshire, a county north of London where the brothers grew up, date back to between 2012 to 2015.

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The Tates were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring there that lured women who were allegedly sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape.

The siblings have denied all the allegations in Romania, and an appeals court there said in December that a human trafficking case could not proceed because of legal and procedural irregularities.

Romanian courts have issued an order to extradite the two to the U.K. once their court case is concluded in there, British prosecutors said.

Lawyers for the Tates said they may have information that could undermine the allegations, but police and prosecutors won't speak with them.

They said the Tates would return to England when their cases in Romania conclude, and that they will be aggressively defended.
The city of Leavenworth is continuing its legal fight in state court to get CoreCivic to comply with development regulations. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The city of Leavenworth has not given up its fight to force CoreCivic to follow development processes before reopening its prison facility as an ICE detention center.

The city refiled in Leavenworth District court this week after losing its case in U.S. District Court last week. Leavenworth officials asked for an injunction that would stop CoreCivic from housing detainees until the court could decide whether the private prison company must obtain a special use permit.

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A hearing on the request is set for 9 a.m. June 4 in Leavenworth District Court, 601 S. 3rd Street.

CoreCivic operated the Leavenworth Detention Facility until 2021 and has signed a contract with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to reopen the prison as the Midwest Regional Reception Center.

However, city of Leavenworth officials said CoreCivic must apply for a special use permit before it can reopen.

City manager Scott Peterson said in an email the city refiled in state court because it was following the logic of Judge Toby Crouse, whose ruling dismissed the case because he was not convinced it should be heard in federal court.

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At a city council meeting Tuesday, several people stood up to thank city officials for fighting to keep the prison from reopening. Mike Trapp, a former Columbia, Missouri, city councilman, noted how important it was for CoreCivic to follow development regulations.

Land-use decisions are the fundamental core government response, he said. You function as the board of directors for the city, you pass the laws, but the biggest thing you do is deal with zoning and platting issues, and land-use as the most fundamental and core function of government. And to see that challenged is unfortunate.

Peterson said the case has never been about politics, as CoreCivics lawyer claimed during the U.S. District Court case.

The city commission, composed of a healthy mixture of liberals and conservatives alike, chose unanimously to file this suit to protect the city of Leavenworths power to govern development within its jurisdiction, he said. All that the city of Leavenworth has ever asked of CoreCivic in this matter is to go through the Special Use Permit process, as outlined by the Leavenworth Development Regulations.

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CoreCivic had agreed that it would not allow any detainees in the facility until June 1 while the case was in court. Peterson said the city hopes that remains true.

We also hope that CoreCivic will act upon their vocal commitment to be good partners with the city of Leavenworth by not proceeding with any use of the Midwest Regional Reception Center until such time that this matter has been resolved, he said.

Ryan Gustin, CoreCivic spokesman, would not answer questions about when the company would begin accepting detainees after last weeks win.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Leavittsburg couple will spend 15 days in the Trumbull County Jail after they were each convicted of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Read next: Window World responds in wrongful death lawsuit

Jason and Amanda Carpenter pleaded no contest to the charge and were found guilty. It stems from a Warren Township officer finding a visibly malnourished dog running across Layer Road in February.



As part of their sentence, Judge Natasha Natale ordered both Amanda and Jason to pay a $150 fine and court costs, plus spend five years on probation with a condition that they cannot own, possess, harbor, transport, or have any contact with domestic animals.

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The Carpenters also agreed to pay restitution to the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project for expenses it incurred to care for the dog, and the amount will be determined at a later date.



The Carpenters will report to the court to begin their jail sentence on alternating dates, beginning with Amanda on June 6 and Jason on June 20.

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May 29DIXON  The Lee County Board approved an ordinance Thursday, May 22, to replace its zoning board of appeals with one licensed attorney.

Going forward, all public hearings on petitions filed with the zoning office will be held with Mandi Florip, a licensed Illinois attorney with a background in small business law, instead of a board of five people appointed by the county board chairman and confirmed by its members.

"Living in a small area, everybody knows everyone, so we repeatedly run into conflicts of interest, or perceived conflicts of interest...which creates mistrust from the public," Lee County Zoning Administrator Alice Henkel said.

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"It was also getting harder and harder to find people to serve [on the ZBA]," she said.

Currently, the ZBA has two vacancies  one member and one alternate.

For those reasons, the county started looking at what surrounding counties are doing and several of them, including Whiteside County, are switching or have switched to a zoning hearing officer format, Henkel said.

Whiteside made the switch in December 2020, Whiteside County Building & Zoning Administrator Suzan Stickle said in an interview with Shaw Local. Stickle became that office's administrator in 2018.

She said that before the decision to switch was made, the prospect of reducing to one hearing officer had been discussed by the previous administrator and the county board for several years because Whiteside was having issues similar to those facing Lee today.

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"We were having trouble getting a quorum sometimes...and just getting them on the [ZBA] board to begin with," Stickle said. "There was also a request by the assistant state's attorney at the time to make sure that the hearings were more objective."

Since making the switch, Stickle said those issues have been resolved.

"I think it's been going very well," she said, adding that scheduling hearings and meetings are a lot easier with just one person.

"I personally like it because it is more objective and it runs more smoothly," Stickle said.

She compared the hearings now to be run similar to a court proceeding.

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"The zoning hearing officer is an attorney, so it's a little easier, because that's the wheelhouse she does anyway, whereas volunteer board members, that's not usually what their livelihood is, dealing in that type of situation," Stickle said.

As zoning hearing officer, Florip will be paid $750 a night per hearing, which will include travel time and any time she spends outside of the hearing to prepare her report, Henkel said.

Originally, the board set the pay at $500 a night, but Lee County Board Chairman Bob Olsen said they weren't able to find anyone to do it for that price.

"We're looking forward to seeing how this works," Henkel said. "I will miss my board, though. Several of them had served for many, many years. We really appreciate their hard work and dedication over the years. That did not go unnoticed."

Serving on Lee County's ZBA were Bruce Forster of Dixon as chairman, Craig Buhrow of West Brooklyn as vice chairman, members Tim Crawford of Dixon and Luke Phalen of Compton, and Nathan Hummel of Dixon as an alternate.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Lees Summit home went up in flames Wednesday afternoon, the fire department said.

The Lees Summit Fire Department said crews responded to a reported fire at 4:13 p.m. in the 600 block of SE James Court.

Man who showed no remorse for KCK deli murders gets life in prison

Neighbors reported smoke and flames coming from a second-story bedroom and were concerned about people possibly being inside the home, the fire department said.

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When firefighters arrived at the home, they said smoke and fire could be seen coming from the window of the second-story bedroom.

After containing the fire and searching the home, firefighters determined no one was inside.

The fire was under control by 4:36 p.m., according to the fire department.

Investigators said the fire started in the second-floor bedroom, causing significant damage to the bedroom, hallway and the front of the house above the bedroom window  with smoke and heat affecting the rest of the home.

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The Missouri State Fire Marshals Office is investigating the cause of the fire. The Red Cross is assisting the residents.

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A year ago, Andry Jose Hernandez Romero left Venezuela to seek a better future in the United States.

He wanted to continue growing his career as a makeup artist. He left behind his lifelong home in the little town of Capacho Nuevo, where he lived with his mother, father, and younger brother.

On May 23, 2024  just two days after his 31st birthday  Andry left with the hope of one day opening a beauty salon in the US, or making a living from one of his other passions: design and tailoring. But all that hope has turned to anguish.

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The Venezuelan makeup artist made it to the US, but his journey became tragic, his mother, Alexis Romero, told CNN. Andry is one of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants who were deported by the US government to El Salvador in March. His loved ones have had no news of him; they are completely out of touch.

As of now, there is no certainty about what will happen to him or the rest of the detainees in the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) prison.

Please bring him back, its been two months of anguish. We cant take it anymore. Please, put your hand on your heart and send him back. This anguish is eating us alive  I hope these people say, Yes, hes coming back. That they say something, anything, just a little thing, pleads Alexis, 65.

A demonstration outside El Salvador's mission to the United Nations demanding the release of Venezuelan detainees deported by the Trump administration and jailed in El Salvador. - Jimin Kim/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP

Who is Andry Jose Hernandez Romero?

Andry Hernandez Romero turned 32 this Wednesday. He is from Capacho Nuevo, a town in the Venezuelan border state of Tachira that, according to official estimates, has fewer than 30,000 inhabitants. He is passionate about design, makeup, costume making, and acting. These artistic skills have made him well known in his hometown, where he has been an essential part of a local festival.

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Since he was 7, Hernandez has participated as an actor in the Reyes Magos de Capacho festival, which a few months ago celebrated its 108th anniversary and is a keystone cultural event in both Tachira and all of Venezuela.

Were from a small town, but we all know each other, Reina Cardenas, 36, and a childhood friend of Hernandez, told CNN. We became very good friends since we were little kids. He loved to do my makeup, loved to get me ready for the show. We shared many things, many interests. Besides the Reyes Magos festival, wed go out to eat, we were confidants, we have a very nice friendship.

In his teens and adult life, Hernandez continued acting in the festival and also started making costumes and doing makeup for cast members. He studied Industrial Engineering up to the fifth semester at the Santiago Marino Polytechnic in San Cristobal, a private university in Tachira. Tuition increased every month, so the work bug bit him and he decided to drop out to focus on his career, his mother says.

Up until then, he had spent his whole life in Capacho, except for some trips to Bogota, Colombia, and Caracas for work. And then came his trip to the US to seek asylum and grow professionally, a trip from which he has not yet returned.

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Hernandez has been far from home and out of contact for months in El Salvadors Cecot after being deported by the US government for alleged links to the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, accusations his loved ones deny.

The US trip that became a nightmare

Andry Hernandez Romero arrived in the US on August 29, 2024, specifically at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico, after leaving Venezuela a year earlier, according to Alexis Romero and Reina Cardenas.

He showed up for his CBP One appointment on August 29 and from that moment he was detained in a migration center in the US, says Cardenas.

The CBP One app, which was crucial for hundreds of thousands of immigrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry, was canceled last January by the Trump administration, which also canceled already scheduled appointments.

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Reina says that, from the moment he arrived  still during the Biden administration  Andry was linked to the Tren de Aragua because of his tattoos: a crown on each wrist and a snake on his forearm. His is not the only case in which US authorities have associated these tattoos with the Venezuelan criminal gang.

When that happened, we started sending all the evidence they asked for to prove otherwise and so Andry could continue his asylum application, adds his childhood friend.

They had nothing against him, no evidence, says Reina Cardenas. We submitted everything they requested at the time for the investigation they were conducting, because from the moment he entered the country they linked him to the Tren de Aragua and it was only because of the tattoos. They had no other reason, never submitted any evidence, just the tattoos.

Despite the circumstances, Cardenas says Andrys case was progressing favorably, according to their conversations with him while he was detained and with his legal defense.

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His asylum process, up to the last we saw, was favorable, Reina says. He passed the credible fear test. Everything was going very well. There were times when he wanted to be deported because of the time hed spent locked up, and the lawyers and the judge handling his asylum told him his case was going well and to be patient, that hed be admitted at any moment.

While Hernandezs immigration case was ongoing, Trumps second term began, along with a massive government campaign against illegal immigration. Last March, after more than half a year detained since arriving at San Ysidro, the young man was deported to El Salvador.

The exterior of the Terrorist Confinement Center known as CECOT in Tecoluca, El Salvador. - Alex Brandon/Pool/Getty Images

Deported under the Alien Enemies Act

Andry Hernandez is one of hundreds of migrants who in mid-March were deported to Cecot  the mega-prison built by El Salvador to incarcerate the worst of the worst, according to the countrys president, Nayib Bukele  under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime policy invoked by the Trump administration to expel alleged members of the Tren de Aragua.

The US government moved quickly to send hundreds of migrants, including Venezuelans, on flights to El Salvador, where they remain to this day, completely out of reach.

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The 32-year-old Venezuelan migrant is part of a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit argues that invoking the Alien Enemies Act is illegal and violates the constitutional due process rights of the immigrants involved.

That invocation is patently unlawful: It violates the statutory terms of the (Alien Enemies Act); unlawfully bypasses the (Immigration and Naturalization Act); and infringes on noncitizens constitutional right to Due Process under the Fifth Amendment, the lawsuit states.

Lee Gelernt, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) handling the case, said the goal is for both Andry Hernandez and the other Venezuelans in Cecot to have a fair process in the US.

We filed this lawsuit because we know there are more than a hundred Venezuelans who were illegally sent to a brutal Salvadoran prison without ever having the chance to defend themselves. Our goal is to get all of them back to the US so they can have fair hearings, Gelernt said in a statement sent to CNN by email.

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The ACLU attorney also says they have not been able to communicate with any migrants in Cecot, so Andry Hernandez and the other detainees have been unable to contact their families and loved ones for more than two months.

In May, the US Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trumps government resuming deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The decision was a significant defeat for the president, who wants to use the law to speed up deportations and avoid the usual required reviews. However, it is a temporary measure, and the legal battle over the presidents invocation has continued in various courts.

Federal courts in Texas, Nevada, Colorado, and other states have issued orders blocking the use of the law, at least in the short term, while judges consider a series of lawsuits filed by targeted immigrants. Several courts have also issued more permanent orders, and a Trump-appointed judge in southern Texas ruled on May 2 that the president had illegally invoked the Alien Enemies Act.

In May, the US Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trumps government resuming deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Tattoos with a different meaning

The family of this Venezuelan say the tattoos that led to him being labeled a member of the Tren de Aragua have nothing to do with a gang and, rather, refer to the traditional Reyes Magos festival in his town. The crowns on his wrists are related to the Reyes Magos and are accompanied by the names of his mother and father, while the snake on his forearm refers to one of the roles he has played in the festival, says Reina Cardenas.

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CNN asked the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about Andrys case and, without mentioning him directly, the agency said its intelligence assessments go beyond tattoos and social media reviews, without giving further details.

DHS intelligence assessments go well beyond just gang affiliate tattoos and social media, a senior DHS spokesperson told CNN in a statement sent by email. Tren De Aragua is one of the most violent and ruthless terrorist gangs on planet earth. They rape, maim, and murder for sport. President Trump and Secretary (of Homeland Security) Kristi Noem will not allow criminal gangs to terrorize American citizens. We are confident in our law enforcements intelligence. We arent going to share intelligence reports and undermine national security every time a gang member denies he is one. That would be insane.

Cardenas and Romero say that Andrys social media also does not prove the allegations that he is a member of the Tren de Aragua. On his Instagram profile, whose first post dates to 2015, there are hundreds of photos of his work as a makeup artist and costume designer.

Both shared multiple documents with CNN to prove Andrys innocence. Among them are a certificate of good conduct from the mayor of Nuevo Capacho, a certification stating he has no criminal record, and a petition from the Reyes Magos Foundation of Capacho  which organizes the festival and has watched Andry grow up  and the community at large to corroborate that Andry is a hardworking citizen from a good family with no criminal record, innocent and unjustly detained in El Salvador. This petition has been signed by around 600 people.

Asylum process

His friend and mother say the young man chose to seek asylum in the US because of problems he had while working as a makeup artist at a Venezuelan government-affiliated TV network. They say he suffered harassment for being openly gay and had difficulties for political reasons.

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In a statement that is part of the evidence in the class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration, Alexis stated that her son was persecuted both for his sexual orientation and for his refusal to promote government propaganda while working as a makeup artist at the TV network in Caracas. CNN asked the Venezuelan government about this accusation but has not received a response.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has previously spoken about the case of Venezuelans detained in El Salvador, calling the situation a kidnapping.

I swear to you that we will rescue the 253 Venezuelans kidnapped in El Salvador, in concentration camps, as seen today, Maduro said earlier this month during an event after the first video of the detainees at CECOT was released.

Lets demand that those young people who are kidnapped without trial, without the right to (appear before) a judge, without the right to defense, without having committed any crime, be released immediately. And we are ready to go get them on a Venezuelan plane and bring them back to their families, the South American leader added.

In March, El Salvador agreed with the US to admit up to 300 immigrants sent by the Trump administration to be detained at Cecot after the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, an unprecedented move. El Salvador would receive about $6 million from the US for taking in detainees at that prison, according to a renewable agreement between the two governments.

In April, El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele proposed to Maduro the exchange of people deported to his country and imprisoned in exchange for what he considers political prisoners of the Venezuelan government. Maduro responded by demanding that lawyers and family members be allowed access.

New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, pictured during a Tesla Takedown rally outside the Manhattan Tesla showroom, has spoken up for Andry Hernandez Romero. - Ron Adar/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP/File

Support from the United States

Meanwhile, in the US, pressure continues for the release of Hernandez and all detainees at Cecot. Margaret Cargioli, attorney at the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and legal adviser to Andry Hernandez, said in early May that due process matters and that they will not stop until everyone is brought back to the US.

One of the greatest forms of torture imposed by Cecot is isolating people from their loved ones: no visits, no contact, no communication, Cargioli said at a joint event of advocacy groups and politicians. For more than 50 days, Andry has been isolated from the outside world without due process. But due process matters. Immigrants matter. LGBTQ rights matter. Andry and all the missing men in El Salvador matter, and we wont stop until we bring them back .

For his part, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Democratic state senator from New York, commented that what Andry and the other detainees are going through goes against American values.

It is un-American to deport residents of this country without any kind of due process, and even more so to subject them to the conditions of a foreign prison without oversight or safety guarantees. Yet that is exactly what happened to Andry Hernandez Romero, and hundreds of others, who were sent to the notoriously dangerous Cecot prison in El Salvador, Hoylman-Sigal said at the event.

Mr. Hernandez Romero came to this country, as people have since its founding, in search of a better life after being persecuted for his sexuality in his home country, Venezuela. Today, New Yorkers gather to show our support for Mr. Hernandez Romero, demand that he and all those unjustly deported by the Trump administration be brought home immediately, and call on New York City and the United States as a whole to remain the welcoming refuge for those in need that it once was, he added.

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In April 1967, Marine 2nd Lt. James Capers Jr. ignored his numerous bullet and shrapnel wounds to lead his nine-man team from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company against an enemy ambush in South Vietnam.

The ambush had erupted with hidden explosives that threw Capers against a tree. Shrapnel from the blast punctured his body in more than a dozen places, including wounds to his abdomen and a broken leg, Capers told Coffee or Die Magazine in 2021.

Still, Capers ordered a mortar strike on the teams position to keep the enemy at bay. Despite losing a significant amount of blood and being administered morphine, he led his team to a helicopter landing zone.

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When a helicopter landed, Capers refused to get on board unless the crew took the body of the teams military working dog. After the helicopter was initially unable to take off, Capers twice tried to get out of the aircraft to lighten the load. Both times, a crew chief had to pull him back inside.

The helicopter eventually lifted off and ferried Capers and his team to a hospital. Capers later retired from the Marine Corps as a major, and in 2010, he was awarded the Silver Star for his bold leadership, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, his award citation reads.

A bill in Congress would authorize President Donald Trump to award the Medal of Honor to retired Marine Maj. James Capers Jr. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Erik Estrada.

Now, a lawmaker is trying for a third time to pass legislation that would authorize the president to award Capers the Medal of Honor.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) introduced a bill on May 13 that would waive a requirement that service members receive the Medal of Honor within five years of their actions that merit the award. In 2020, President Donald Trump signed a similar bill that allowed Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery 15 years earlier in Iraq.

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Mr. James Capers Jr. isnt just a hero, hes a living legend in every sense of the word, Norman said in a statement earlier this month. His courage in Vietnam, his humility throughout life, and his unwavering devotion to this country are second to none. Its an honor to reintroduce this bill, because a man like Maj. Capers deserves nothing less than the Medal of Honor.

Although Capers had been previously nominated for the nations highest military award for valor, administrative shortcomings and delays ultimately prevented him from receiving it, a May 14 news release from Normans office says.

During a March interview with Fox News, Capers was asked why he had not already been awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

That was 1967, and the world was a lot different in those days, Capers replied. The Marine Corps had been integrated in 1948, as a matter of fact, so we still had officers who commanded us that didnt quite understand all the things that we needed as African Americans. We could fight. We could lead. We could get it all done. But the leaders didnt see us as equals.

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Over the past four years, Norman has twice introduced legislation that would have authorized the president to award Capers the Medal of Honor, but Congress did not pass the bills.

Capers repeatedly demonstrated his bravery and his commitment to the Marines who served under him. He always insisted on being the last person to board helicopters when it was time to leave the battlefield.

In a different mission in January 1967, Capers ran from tree to tree to fire at the enemy, creating the impression that there were more troops on the ground, as the rest of his team was hoisted into a CH-46 helicopter.

On another patrol, Capers killed three North Vietnamese soldiers when his M16 rifle jammed. When another two enemy soldiers launched a counterattack, he killed them both with his pistol.

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In February, a group of 47 lawmakers sent a letter to Trump requesting that he consider taking action needed for Capers to receive the Medal of Honor, describing Capers as one of Americas greatest patriots.

They noted that Capers was the first Black Marine to lead a reconnaissance company and to receive a battlefield commission.

We firmly believe that Maj. James Capers Jr., has met the stringent criteria for the Medal of Honor, the letter says. His selfless actions, leadership, courage, and initiative uphold the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces. The exceptional valor displayed by Maj. Capers during his missions in the Republic of Vietnam from March 31 to April 3, 1967, serves as a shining example for all servicemen and women, and it is deserving of the highest recognition.

Now 87 years old, Capers lives alone. His son, Gary, who was born blind, died in 2003, and his wife Dottie died six years later.

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Capers told Task & Purpose that he originally served as a staff sergeant, but all the officers in his unit were killed, so he was commissioned to second lieutenant. After he was wounded, he spent a year recuperating at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland learning how to walk again.

He said that he owes his survival to his family and all the men and women who served with him in war  and he is adamant that he does not consider himself to be a hero.

I was just a Marine, Capers said. I had a job to do and I did it as best I could. Obviously, wed all like to be heroes, but those men in my unit, they were heroes. Theres only two of us left alive today.

The latest on Task & Purpose
NEW YORK, N.Y. (WSAV)  On Friday, Lester Holt will step down from NBC Nightly News. On Monday, Tom Llamas takes over anchoring duties.

Holt has been a steady presence in the anchor seat for more than a decade. And, while Holt isnt leaving NBC completely  he will continue to host Dateline NBC, he will be missed by those who have turned to him during many major events over the last decade. He reported weeknights during the pandemic, international conflicts and presidential elections, just to name a few.

DATELINE NBC  Season 33  Pictured:(l-r) Josh Mankiewcz, Dateline NBC Correspondent; Blayne Alexander,Dateline NBC Correspondent; Lester Holt, Anchor of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and Dateline NBC; Keith Morrison, Dateline NBC Correspondent; Dennis Murphy, Dateline NBC Correspondent; Andrea Canning, Dateline NBC Correspondent  (Photo by: Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty Images) Journalist Lester Holt during the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, on Thursday, July 18, 2024. The RNC chairman warned against complacency when his party concludes its official nominating jamboree this week with polls predicting ex-President Donald Trump prevailing over President Joe Biden in the November election. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images NEW YORK, NY  NOVEMBER 1: NBC Television newscaster, Lester Holt, left, interviews Kieran Burke, right, a FDNY fire marshal and resident of Breezy Point whose home was burned November 1, 2012 after Superstorm Sandy left millions without power or water in the Queens borough of New York. With the death toll continuing to rise and millions of homes and businesses without power, the U.S. east coast is attempting to recover from the effects of floods, fires and power outages brought on by Superstorm Sandy. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Holt spoke with Variety about his impending departure and his new role.

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The big buy-in was to be able to do more of the hours, Holt told Variety. I once spent two nights in prison for a Dateline, and Ive done heartbreaking stories on the asthma crisis and the economy. Ive done a lot of things that are outside of what many would think is a traditional Dateline, but I want to do more of those, and I want to be able to tell a producer, Yes, Ill be there for that interview next week, because I wont be jumping after whatever is happening for Nightly.

During the interview, Holt discussed how his decision didnt come quickly. It wasnt like one moment of epiphany. I never saw myself doing this job forever. I decided that I needed to come off the Nightly gig, but I still had gas in the tank.

You can see Lester Holts final night as anchor of NBC Nightly News Friday following WSAV News 3 at 6.

Tom Llamas will take over as anchor of NBC Nightly News on Monday, June 2.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Alchemy Pay has incorporated PayID into its payment network, following its registration as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).

This move enables Alchemy Pay to offer compliant fiat-to-crypto exchange services within Australia.

PayID's integration into Alchemy Pay's payment system aims to streamline the conversion of Australian dollars (AUD) into cryptocurrencies, thereby facilitating the onboarding process for Australian users.

PayID, a real-time interbank payment service, facilitates domestic transactions in Australia.

Expanding beyond Australian borders, Alchemy Pay has also integrated a variety of regional payment methods to cater to the needs of its international users.

In Europe, the company supports transaction options such as BLIK, Bancontact, Skrill, SEPA Instant, and Faster Payments, serving users in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

In Southeast Asia, Alchemy Pay's partnerships with payment platforms like Dana, OVO, and QRIS in Indonesia; Maya, Coins.ph, GrabPay, and GCash in the Philippines; Thai QR in Thailand; and Touchn Go in Malaysia.

Last month, Alchemy Pay obtained a money transmitter licence from the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions in the US.

Set up in 2017, Singapore based Alchemy Pay is a payment gateway that connects crypto with traditional fiat currencies for businesses, developers, and end users.

The company offers On & Off-Ramp, Web3 Digital Bank and NFT Checkout, Alchemy Pay supports payments in 173 countries.

"Alchemy Pay integrates PayID to support crypto payments " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




I am not aware of any legal action taken by an athlete born biologically female who has transitioned to male and seeks to compete against males. Certainly some American Civil Liberties Union attorney is craving this opportunity.

Why has this not happened? Perhaps it is because there is no competitive advantage to transitioned females competing against males. Maybe it is because those pseudo-males would have a zero success rate against biologically born males. There is no advantage. Precisely my point.

I believe transgender athletes who were born male are seeking an advantage by competing against biological females.

David Rupp

Alsace Township
The first 100 days of the Trump presidency can be summarized in two words: normalizing crazy.

The people have expectations for the president, and millions of Americans are demonstrating and protesting across the nation to let us know that President Donald Trumps actions are not normal.

It is not normal for the president:

 To defy the Constitution.

 To defy and violate court orders.

 To allow an unelected extremist to run roughshod over our country, especially when he gives millions of dollars to buy votes.

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 To fire tens of thousands of federal workers before taking the time to find out exactly what their jobs entail and how it might affect the American people.

 To appoint an education secretary who doesnt know the difference between steak sauce and artificial intelligence.

 To appoint a secretary of health and human services who told us to not take medical advice from him.

 To appoint a secretary of defense who is careless with war plans.

 To accept a luxury jet worth $200 million from an Islamic state and pretend its the new Air Force One. Its not the new Air Force One if the president plans to keep it after he leaves the office.

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 To spend millions of dollars on a military parade to commemorate his own birthday.

These actions do sound normal for a narcissistic, wannabe autocrat who acts like a spoiled brat on a daily basis, and we the people are ticked off.

Vali Heist

Cumru Township
To the editor: The great thing about government-funded research is that the results are in the public domain. This means that any citizen can make use of that research to develop and sell their own products.

This Los Angeles Times article exposes the folly of President Trumps cancellation of U.S. government research projects, the result being that other countries are already offering jobs to those researchers who have lost their funding ( Scientists have lost their jobs or grants in U.S. cuts. Foreign universities want to hire them, May 25). The next brain drain will come from our country.

Since the 1950s, the development of new materials, computers, communications, drugs and much more took place because the government sponsored research by providing public funds to researchers at universities and other organizations. It is a big mistake to take our country out of the running.

Roland F. Bryan, Santa Barbara

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  No one has to fight blood cancer alone and advocates are working to bring light to the darkness of cancer.

WSAV spoke to Katherine Welch about the upcoming about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Societys Light The Night Savannah Southeast.

While blood cancer survival rates have increased, but theres still research and work to be done.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for leukemia is 67.8%, for non Hodgkin lymphoma is 74.3% and Hodgkin lymphoma is 88.9%.

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At The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Light The Night, friends, families, schools, corporate teams and sponsors gather as a community to celebrate, honor and remember those touched by blood cancers.

The fundraising campaign for Light The Night will kick off June 4.

It will take place on Nov. 20, 2025, at the Park at Eastern Wharf, located at 101 Port Street.

You can register by clicking or tapping here. You can also visit the WSAV Fundraising Page to donate and for more information.

If you have questions or need support, please call 888-557-7177 in advance to discuss accommodations.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Authorities have ordered Level 2 Be Set evacuation orders for parts of Mosier in Central Oregon for a fire in the area.

The evacuation levels are for the area of Cherry Hill Drive and Kingdom Street in Mosier, according to the Wasco County Sheriffs Office.

Level 1 Be Ready evacuation notices have been issued for the area surrounding Cherry Hill Drive.

A wildfire in Mosier caused multiple evacuations. (Wasco County)

The evacuation levels were downgraded from a Level 3 Go Now around 7 p.m.

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Court orders Trump to halt tariffs after Oregon-led lawsuit

The fire burned approximately 2.5 acres.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
TERRA ALTA, W.Va. (WBOY)  As the town of Terra Alta awaits the states decision on whether to accept its budget after it was submitted nearly two months late, the Terra Alta Public Library has shared its own concerns about its future.

I was floored. I was shocked. My stomach literally dropped out. Terra Alta Librarian Karen Chroussis said, recounting how she felt when she first learned of the towns missed budget submission.

Chroussis was not alone in her reaction to the news of the lack of budget, which means that the town cannot collect on the levy that keeps the librarys lights on and its shelves stocked with books.

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What we just really want to do is sit down and cryor I do. Because Ive worked here at the library for 33 years. Its been a big part of my life, Terra Alta Public Library Board Member Ima Thomas said.

The current library levy was approved in 2023 and is good until 2028, with the library expecting to receive $97,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, but based on the budget the town submitted to the state on May 23, those library levy funds are in jeopardy.

Terra Alta Public Library (WBOY image).

Preston County Commission opposes proposed multi-state power line

The funding not only helps buy new books for the patrons the library serves, but it also provides genealogy tools, microfilm services, and other important services for the community.

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We have a lot of students come in to use Wi-Fi because they dont have it in their homes, and if that were lostI dont know where theyll go to get what they need for school, Wayne Williams, Terra Alta Library Board President, said.

What bothers me is the town is who voted to pass the levy for the library, Thomas said. Adding that in her decades-long career at the library, this is the first time that already-approved levy funding is in jeopardy.

They overlooked, and it happened twice before they realized that. Rectify it, but dont make the people who want itthis library to be heredont make them suffer, Thomas said.

Although the library is a recipient of Grants in Aid through the West Virginia Library Commission, Chroussis fears that it wont be enough to sustain it, even if for just a year.

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Well do what we can do as long as we can. But, Im afraid if we dont get our levy, the library will close, Chroussis said.

Williams suggested the library may instead operate on limited hours if the levy funds do not come through.

Terra Alta has been struggling to pick up the pieces since this situation came to light. Following the submission on May 23, Town Recorder Mikaela Bernard and Mayor Dan Hauger have both resigned from their positions.

The Town of Terra Alta is scheduled to have an emergency meeting on Thursday to appoint new members to the now-vacant positions, and is less than two weeks away from its election. Since Haugers resignation, the town has also created a brand new Facebook page, which you can find here.

Terra Alta Public Library (WBOY image).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
May 28A Libby man is facing a negligent homicide charge after his 3-year-old son was accidentally shot to death Tuesday, authorities said.

24-year-old Timothy Moore is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to the residence on Granite Creek Road on May 27 at about 10:05 a.m., for a report of a child who had been shot, according to a media release issued Wednesday. At the scene, deputies were informed a child had accidentally been shot in the face. The boy was administered life-saving treatments and transported to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center in Libby, where he later died.

Moore was arrested after deputies secured a search warrant and processed the scene, the release stated. The child's body was sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
When FBI director Kash Patel condemned Canada allowing Islamic terrorists to gain a foothold in North America, Canadian politicians and pundits, including new Prime Minister Mark Carney, dismissed Patels assertions as baseless fearmongering.

Unfortunately, it is clear that the Trump administration is correct: Radical Islamic ideology has become endemic in Canada over the past decade.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service itself has confirmed that, since 2015, radical Islamic ideology has become commonplace throughout Canadian society, as a result of the porous borders and the Liberal governments unwillingness to effectively regulate the influx of international migration into Canada. Numerous terrorist leaders and those with intimate connections to terrorist organizations such as Samidoun and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine have been permitted to migrate within the Canadian state and promote their own nihilistic ideology over the past decade.

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Islamic schools in Canada are not compelled to abide by a standardized curriculum and, consequently, covertly promote radical Islamic ideology and extremism to vulnerable children in Canada. At one prominent Islamic school in Canada, the East End Madrassah, administrators were recently pressured to issue a public apology after it was exposed for " teaching children that treacherous Jews conspired to kill the Islamic Prophet Mohammed."

Since 2015, explicit Islamic terrorist acts have become increasingly prevalent in Canada.

According to data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, "[N]early a dozen terrorism-related incidents [have occurred] in Canada or abroad involving Canadians" since Oct. 7, 2023, alone. In addition), "The number of terrorism charges laid in Canada jumped 488% last year" and "Canadian police have foiled six terrorist plots in the last 12 months alone, with arrests spanning from Edmonton to Ottawa to Toronto." The Liberal government recently publicly downplayed a report from the United Kingdoms Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office that a "terror attack attempt in Canada is very likely."

The globally renowned Counter Extremism Project has recently reported that "within the past few decades, several hundred Canadian civilians have been killed or injured in incidents related to violent extremism," and that, in spite of the glib posturing and "apparent policy shifts in the Trudeau government, Canada has historically viewed violent Islamist extremism as one of the leading threats to its national security."

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In addition, the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre recently warned the Canadian government that Canada will likely "experience a lone-wolf terror attack soon ... and antisemitism is overwhelmingly the motivating factor."

And to Kash Patels point, over the past decade Canadas porous borders and the Liberal governments tolerance of Islamic extremism have functioned in concert to enable various terrorists to transgress from Canada into America to commit crimes and even mass murder.

In 2024, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a longtime resident of Canada, attempted to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS in New York City, and Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the ISIS terrorist who committed the horrific "Bourbon Street Attack" in New Orleans, was also previously permitted to travel freely between Canada and the U.S. Furthermore, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service itself has long recognized Canadas modern transformation into an exporter of Islamic terrorism and for years has attempted to "monitor and respond to the threat of Canadian extremist travellers (CETs)."

According to Director Patel and the FBI, "over 300 known or suspected terrorists crossed into this country last year illegally  85% of them came through [Canada and] the northern border," and "This year, 100 known or suspected terrorists have crossed into this country illegally, 64 or so from the north." Even Justin Trudeau, Canadas previous prime minister, was recently forced to admit that "bad actors  have been exploiting [Canadas] immigration system for their own interests."

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Despite all this, the Canadian political establishment and the media have stubbornly denied any suggestion that Islamic extremism has successfully entrenched itself within Canada.

More importantly, it is readily apparent that until the Liberal government starts to earnestly secure Canadas borders and begins to excise Islamic extremism from within Canadian society, Canada will continue to serve as a womb for Islamic extremism in North America and a constant source of terrorism in the U.S.

William Barclay is a political theorist and private consultant. His work has been published by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Palgrave-Macmillan, The Hill Times, and the Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, among others. Follow him on Twitter/X @WillBarclayBBC.
A federal court ruled that Donald Trump overstepped his authority when he attempted to set unilateral 10% tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners.

The U.S. Court of International Trade said that the president's emergency powers justification for the tariffs didn't pass muster, in a ruling issued on Wednesday. The three-judge panel objected to the Trump administration's argument that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act granted "unbounded tariff authority" to the executive branch. In their ruling, they called for a narrow reading of the act and the powers it grants.

"The Presidents assertion of tariff-making authority in the instant case, unbounded as it is by any limitation in duration or scope, exceeds any tariff authority delegated to the President under IEEPA," they wrote. "The Worldwide and Retaliatory tariffs are thus ultra vires and contrary to law."

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White House spokesperson Kush Desai bashed the ruling, saying that Trump should be able to use "every lever of executive power to address this crisis."

It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency, he said.

The ruling is merely the latest judicial hindrance to Trump's second-term agenda. The president lashed out at his foes in the judiciary on Memorial Day, calling them "USA-hating judges" in a post to Truth Social.

"HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, INCLUDING THE SCUM THAT SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY THROUGH WARPED RADICAL LEFT MINDS... AND THROUGH JUDGES WHO ARE ON A MISSION TO KEEP MURDERERS, DRUG DEALERS, RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS, AND RELEASED PRISONERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN OUR COUNTRY," he wrote. "HOPEFULLY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, AND OTHER GOOD AND COMPASSIONATE JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE LAND, WILL SAVE US FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE MONSTERS WHO WANT OUR COUNTRY TO GO TO HELL."
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Libertas Academy Charter School celebrated its first graduating senior class on Wednesday.

Libertas Academy Charter School enters brand new facility in Springfield

Fifty-seven seniors were the first to graduate from the college-prep school that opened its doors in 2017. 87% of the seniors plan to go to college, and many have a full ride. Others plan to go to trade school or enlist in the military. The seniors said theyre hoping to keep this legacy alive.

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Dont give up, because I know it seems like its the end, its not, said Yiselle Pellot, Libertas Academy Charter School Graduate. Keep pushing, ask for help. Advocate for yourself and believe in yourself.

Signing Day included a performance from the school band, remarks from students, staff, and faculty. Representative Carlos Gonzales also gave a speech.

Family and students told 22News that the schools extracurricular activities will help them to succeed in their future pursuits.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Photo via Connor Lin / The Daily Upside

American Century is losing its head of ETF solutions, Rene Casis, who joined the firm just before it launched its first exchange-traded fund in 2018.

In regulatory filings late last week, the company disclosed that Casis will soon no longer be a portfolio manager on 11 ETFs. An American Century spokesperson confirmed in an email that Casis will leave the company in about three weeks to pursue another opportunity and that a search is underway for a successor. His last day managing portfolios is June 11, the spokesperson said. He remains with the firm until June 20 to assist as needed.

READ ALSO: Racing to Keep Up With Dual Share Class Applications and Investors Turn to Defined Outcome ETFs Amid Market Turmoil

An Active Presence

With about $60 billion in assets among its 47 ETFs, American Century is not one of the biggest players in the industry, though still among the top 20 ETF issuers broadly. But the company has made a niche in actively managed ETFs, with a focus on semitransparent ETFs, which disclose their holdings quarterly, rather than daily, and show a proxy basket of securities to give investors a rough idea about the portfolios. Through its Avantis Investors subsidiary, American Century is among the four biggest active ETF issuers by assets.

Casis, who has been with the firm as it built out its active and semitransparent ETF business, is a portfolio manager on several products with that structure. While six of the 11 ETFs he is on have two portfolio managers, others have larger teams.

The largest ETFs that Casis helps manage include:

US Quality Growth ETF  $1.5 billion, team of two managers

Quality Diversified International ETF  $326 million, two managers

Focused Dynamic Growth ETF  $284 million, four managers

Focused Large Cap Value ETF  $253 million, five managers

Moving On: All but one of the nine $1-billion-plus ETFs in the companys line are managed by, and branded under, its Avantis Investors subsidiary. Casis is not part of that unit. Generally we have a constructive view of the ETF business under American Century, said Hyunmin Kim, an analyst on Morningstars multi-asset strategies research team. Avantis is a bright spot.

This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive exclusive news and analysis of the rapidly evolving ETF landscape, built for advisors and capital allocators, subscribe to our free ETF Upside newsletter.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  Family, neighbors, and friends, young and old, called for increased pedestrian safety measures at the March for Mary on Wednesday morning.

81-year-old Mary Spitzer was crossing the street in her wheelchair at Beach Drive and Harrison Avenue, by her home at St. Andrews Towers, last week. Panama City police say a drunk driver blew through a stop sign and hit her.

She later died at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital.

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For years, weve known this is a dangerous intersection. It was Mary herself who was always making the comment, one day, somebody is gonna get killed on this corner.  And it just happened to be her, friend and neighbor of Mary Spitzer, Diane Cummings, said.

Although there is a four-way stop, protesters argue the stop signs are hidden by trees or light poles. They want a stoplight or a safety measure with increased visibility to return to this intersection.

When workers built the Harrison Streetscapes Project, the city removed the traffic light.

Protesters say theyve been asking city officials to put it back ever since.

When you come up the hill from the Beach Drive heading east, you cant see the crosswalk. Its because of the hill. Theres no way to see the white lines of the crosswalk. We dont have any flashing signs. We dont have any walk signals. We dont have anything like that, St. Andrews Towers Service Coordinator Darby Paille said.

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But the March for Mary was about the larger issue of pedestrian safety in the area.

Almost two months ago, 53-year-old Donna Santiago was fatally struck by a car while walking along Lisenby Avenue.

Id hate to see anyone in the position that Im in or the Spitzer family, so Im here advocating and just being a voice for these people. Pedestrian lives matter. Weve got a vision for safer streets out here, and were just ready to come together as a community and try to eliminate problems like this, son of Donna Santiago, Karson Walker, said.

Protesters reached City Hall just minutes before Allan Branch was sworn in as Panama City Mayor.

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Branch came out to address the protestors, saying he would advocate for the safest intersection at every city intersection, and encouraged protestors to follow up with him.

Mary lived in the towers for 20 years, making her one of the longest residents. Friends say she was loved by all who knew her.

This is a developing story. News 13 will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  The family of Madelyn Linsenmeir, who died in Massachusetts back in 2018, will receive a final settlement of $600,000, making their recovery total about $1.5 million.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts announced this settlement May 27.

According to The Associated Press, the lawsuit originally filed by the ACLU of Massachusetts and Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts contended Linsenmeir was arrested in September 2018 and charged with being a fugitive from a warrant in New Hampshire and giving a false name. Video after her arrest shows Linsenmeir telling police she was in pain, and might need to go to the hospital.

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Massachusetts city agrees to $900,000 settlement for death of a 30-year-old Vermont woman in custody

She was taken to the Western Massachusetts Regional Womens Correctional Center, where the plaintiffs contend she spent several days and didnt receive appropriate care. On Oct. 4, medical staff saw that she was in distress, and she was taken to the hospital, according to the lawsuit. She died there days later while in the custody of the sheriffs office, Associated Press reports.

Linsenmeirs family filed lawsuits against both the Hampden County Sheriffs Department and the City of Springfield. They received $900,000 dollars from the city in April 2024.

As part of the final settlement, HCSD must implement multiple policy changes, some of which are outlined in an ACLU release including Required screening for pain and other acute symptoms, together with documentation of medical complaints during the intake process.

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In a statement, the family wrote: This case may finally be over, but beloved children, parents, siblings, spouses and best friends remain incarcerated across the country in jails like the one where Maddie was denied life-saving healthcare; we hope her death will prevent what happened to her in HCSDs custody from happening again. With Maddie in our hearts, we turn our attention now to the people in our community who, like Maddie in that jail cell, need help and are not receiving it.

The Associated Press Contributed to this report.

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Warning: Disturbing content ahead, including stories involving murder, torture, and extreme violence.

1.The terrible killing of Margaret Clitherow, who was believed to be pregnant when she was "pressed to death" under heavy stones in 1586 in England. She died after fifteen minutes.

Historic Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Margaret, who was Catholic, had been arrested for harboring priests and refused to enter a plea to protect her family from testifying. She was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

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2.In 2019, a man died after eating a sample of a fishcake that was so hot it burned his throat. The burn was so bad that it had caused his throat to swell up so much that he choked to death less than 12 hours later.

David Sacks / Getty Images

According to the Independent, "Patrick Waugh, a pathologist who performed a post-mortem examination, said the case was very rare, only seen normally in people who have breathed in smoke in house fires, which burns the airways."

3.Just this month, a 23-year-old beauty influencer in Mexico, Valeria Marquez, was shot and killed during a TikTok live stream on May 13, 2025. At the time of her death, she had nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram. The incident occurred at her beauty salon, Blossom the Beauty Lounge, where she had been livestreaming her daily activities.

Investigators are exploring several theories regarding the motive behind the murder involving local cartel and personal relationships.

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4.The chilling case of Richard Chase, aka "The Vampire of Sacramento," an American serial killer, cannibal, and necrophile who murdered six people in Sacramento, California, between December 1977 and January 1978. His crimes were notable because he would drink his victims' blood, believing they would "cure" him of a "'condition' in which he believed U.F.O. death rays diminished his blood supply."

John Bingham / Alamy Stock Photo

Despite his defense arguing that he suffered from mental illness and the attacks weren't pre-meditated, Chase was found guilty of six counts of murder in the first degree in May 1979. The following year, Chase was found dead in his cell at San Quentin on Dec. 26, 1980. He was 30 years old.

5.In 2017, the decaying foot of a corpse from an adjacent grave landed on top of a man's, Cleveland Butler, casket as it was being lowered into the ground during his funeral. If you feel so inclined, you can see a photo from the incident here.

CBS New York / Via youtube.com

According to NBC 4 New York, "There was a brief service at the graveside, then Butler's casket was lowered into the ground. At a news briefing Friday, a family representative said a cemetery worker dropped a pack of cigarettes and his phone into Butler's grave, and when he used a rake to haul the items back up, the mourners were stunned: a human foot wrapped in cloth jutted out from the dirt and onto Butler's casket."

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6.The existence of a rat-tailed maggot that looks like something from a horror film (or just a really nasty tampon). Yes, you read that name correctly.

Related: "I Know You Arent Trying To Hurt Me." Doctors, Nurses, And First Responders Are Revealing The Most "Haunting" Last Words They've Heard From A Patient

And here's a video of it in action if you like being grossed out:

TheOddityCollector / Via reddit.com

7.The horrible fact that the shrimp farming industry has a common practice of removing the eyes of female shrimp  by crushing, cutting, burning, or tying them off  in order to stimulate ovarian development and increase egg production, calling it "eyestalk ablation."

Pipitpan Lerdpipitpon / Getty Images/iStockphoto

This procedure is done because it's based on a theory that the eyestalk produces a hormone that suppresses reproduction.

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8.In February 2016, a woman was found dead in an elevator in Xi'an, China, after being trapped for over a month. The elevator had reportedly malfunctioned and maintenance workers, upon hearing no response from inside, shut off the power and left for the Lunar New Year holiday. They returned in March to find her decomposed body.

Wang Mengmeng / Getty Images

Authorities determined that the maintenance crew's failure to properly check for people before shutting down the elevator constituted gross negligence. The incident sparked public outrage and protests from residents, leading to the suspension of the building's property management company and the arrest of two maintenance workers.

9.Earlier this month, a teenage driver accidentally drove off of a 40-foot cliff, killing her father, who was the passenger. It is believed her father was giving her a driving lesson in a closed supermarket parking lot.

KTLA 5 / Via youtube.com

The crash happened in Laguna Beach, California over Memorial Day weekend. According to police, there was "gas pedal, brake pedal confusion," and the teen drove through a fence with the car falling down a 40-foot embankment before flipping and landing on the sidewalk below.

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Related: 27 Grown-Ass Adults Who Threw Such Unbelievable Temper Tantrums, Even The Brattiest Toddler Couldn't Compete

10.The story of Walburga Oesterreich who, in the early 1900s, kept her lover, Otto Sanhuber (who was just 17), hidden in her attic for years while married to wealthy textile manufacturer Fred Oesterreich. Their affair began in 1913 and carried on in secrecy, with Otto living in the attic and only emerging when Fred was away. In 1922, after a heated argument between Walburga and Fred, Otto came out of hiding and shot Fred dead, staging the scene to resemble a burglary.

Archive PL / Alamy

Though Walburga was initially suspected, the truth didnt emerge until 1930 when Otto was discovered still living in the attic. He confessed to the murder but was released due to the statute of limitations, and Walburga's trial ended without conviction.

11.A 2013 survey revealed that more than HALF of pilots have fallen asleep while in charge of a plane. In the same survey, 56% of those who admitted sleeping, 29% said that they had woken up to find the other pilot asleep as well.

Halbergman / Getty Images

12.Speaking of scary plane-related stories, just last year, a passenger jet carrying 200 people flew for 10 minutes with no pilot after the copilot fainted while alone in the cockpit.

Steve Proehl / Getty Images

The incident occurred on a flight traveling from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, on Feb. 17, 2024. According to the Associated Press, the copilot fainted after the pilot got up to use the bathroom.

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13.In April, a 4-year-old girl was found inside a Bronx apartment alongside the dead bodies of her mother and 8-year-old brother. They had been discovered after a wellness check. Neighbors reported hearing the child's screams for several days before family members intervened.

NBC New York / Via youtube.com

Authorities said it's not yet clear how long the mother, who was a wheelchair user, and son, who had autism, had been dead before the discovery. However, the deaths have not been called suspicious.

14.Custom of the sea, a historically accepted practice of cannibalism, specifically cannibalizing the bodies of the deceased, as a means of survival during shipwrecks and sea disasters when food was scarce.

Duncan1890 / Getty Images

Historically, if survivors had no access to food, they sometimes would resort to eating corpses. If there were no corpses, then a lottery was conducted to select a victim. This practice was considered legally and morally acceptable among sailors. However, victims were often chosen because of perceived "expandability," meaning young boys, passengers, or enslaved people were often picked.

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15.The discovery of Hedviga Golik, a woman in Croatia who died alone in her apartment sometime in the '70s of unknown causes. Her body remained undiscovered for 35 years until her mummified remains were found in May 2008. Allegedly, Golik's death had gone unnoticed by neighbors and authorities for all that time.

Peter Turnley / Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

According to Fox News, "Forensics experts said Golik likely died in 1973, about the time a neighbor last saw her. Expert Davor Strinovic said she seemed to have died of natural causes, but 'it's almost impossible to say for certain' after so much time."

16.Early English settler John Ratcliffe (the villain in Disney's Pocahontas), had a horrific death. In 1609, during a failed negotiation, he was ambushed and then captured by the Powhatan tribe. They proceeded to torture him by skinning him alive with mussel shells and then burned him alive.

Duncan1890 / Getty Images

17.This 1950s news clipping from the New York Daily Mirror that asked, "If a Woman Needs It, Should She Be Spanked?" And then had responses by three men ranging from, "Why not?," to "Yes when they deserve it," and "You bet. It teaches them who's boss."

The responses read:

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Miguel Matos, Brooklyn, counterman: "Why not? If they don't know how to behave by the time they're adults, they should be treated like children and spanked. That ought to make them grow up in a hurry. If it doesn't at first, they'll soon get the idea."

Frank Desiderio, Brooklyn, barber: "Yes, when they deserve it. As a barber, I've got a lot of faith in the hairbrush. I think there are certain cases when it is advisable. When it is, there's no reason why you shouldn't go right ahead and do it. I can't knock the idea. In my business, a man sets a lot of store by the results he can get with a hairbrush properly applied."

Teddy Gallei, Brooklyn, parking lot attendant: "You bet. It teaches them who's boss. A lot of women tend to forget this is a man's world and a lot of men who stepped down as boss of a family wish they hadn't. Spanking might help get back some of the respect they lost."

18.Earlier this month, a Mexican Navy's tall ship, Cuauhtemoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to over 20 others.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

An investigation as to what caused the accident is still underway, though early reports are saying there had been issues with the ship losing power.

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19.Images from the aftermath of the Apollo 1 tragedy that killed astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. On Jan. 27, 1967, during a launch rehearsal test, a fire swept through the Apollo 1 command module, burning all three men alive.

Corbis / Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

According to NBC News, some of the last words spoken from the crew were:

"Fire!"

One word from Ed White.

Then, the unmistakable deep voice of Gus Grissom.

"I've got a fire in the cockpit!"

Instantly afterward, Roger Chaffee's voice.

"Fire!"

Then a garbled transmission, and then the final plea:

"Get us out!"

Then words known only to God, followed by a scream...

20.Last month, a man in Riverside County, California, was arrested for murder after a welfare check led to the discovery of human remains in his backyard. The suspect, John Cruthirds, was later arrested without incident and booked for murder.

Carlballou / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The victim was later identified as a 70-year-old family member, Debra Cruthirds. John Cruthirds is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.

21.Finally, in recently released footage, you can see Wendy Rush (widow of Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate), actually say, "What was that bang?" while monitoring the Titan submersible's descent, not knowing it was the submersible, with her husband inside, imploding. You can see the video here:

Also in Internet Finds: 51 Wildly Fascinating Photos Of Disorders, Injuries, And Variations In The Human Body That I Cannot Stop Staring At

Also in Internet Finds: 23 People Who Tried Their Best, But Crapped The Bed So Bad

Also in Internet Finds: 19 Things Society Glorifies That Are Actually Straight-Up Terrible, And We Need To Stop Pretending Otherwise
AUTHORS NOTE: This story contains details from testimony referencing suicide and suicidal ideations that are graphic, and some readers may find them disturbing. Discretion is advised before reading. If you or someone you know might be struggling, call the National Suicide Hotline by dialing 988 or text HELLO to 741741.

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  The final rebuttal witnesses are set to testify in the punishment phase of the trial of a U.S. Army veteran convicted of multiple charges stemming from October 2021, when he opened fire on multiple law enforcement officials.

Anthony Michael Kienlen, 38, of Wichita Falls, was found guilty by a Wichita County jury of attempted capital murder of a peace officer. Kienlen also pleaded guilty to 15 counts of aggravated assault against a public servant pending against him when his indictment was read.

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PREVIOUS STORY: Fellow veteran, Kienlens mother testify in punishment phase of trial

With Kienlen electing to have the jury also set his punishment, his trial will now move into the punishment phase, in which both the prosecution and the defense will have the opportunity to present evidence and testimony to the jury once again.

A recap of previous testimony can be found below:

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The prosecution, led by Joseph Vrechek, Assistant District Attorney of Wichita County, and John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, rested its punishment case after calling a handful of witnesses on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Kienlens defense, led by Dustin Nimz and assisted by Scott Stillson, rested Kienlens punishment case after calling multiple witnesses, including a fellow U.S. Army veteran who served with Kienlen, as well as Kienlens mother, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

PREVIOUS STORY: Jury reaches verdict in Anthony Kienlens trial

Prosecutors are expected to call at least one rebuttal witness on Thursday, May 29, 2025, before both sides close the case and present closing arguments in the punishment phase of Kienlens trial to the Wichita County jury of 11 women and one man.

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Kienlen faces a punishment range of 5 to 99 years, or life in prison, on each of the counts for which he was found guilty.

Below is a running live blog of testimony from the punishment phase of Kienlens trial. This story will be updated regularly on Thursday, May 29, so refresh this story often for the latest updates from the 78th District Court.

Judge Kennedy dismissed the jury into the jury room to begin deliberating. They will continue to do so until they reach unanimous verdicts on all 16 charges against Kienlen.

10:49 a.m.  Gillespie argued that Oct. 13, 2021, was a mass shooting event. He argued that many people ask when mass shootings are going to stop. He told the jury that they can say by their verdict that there are significant consequences for mass shooting events in Wichita County, and we will never justify mass shootings here.

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10:47 a.m.  Gillespie argued that the law protects law enforcement officers in the line of duty, and the jury can say to law enforcement by their verdict, We have your six.

10:45 a.m.  Gillespie referenced a statement often used in law enforcement, Weve got your six. He argued that every law enforcement officer who responded to the scene had our six. He argued that they are all local heroes. Words do not describe their courage. Words do not describe their bravery, Gillespie said.

10:42 a.m.  Gillespie recalled to the jury the testimony of the law enforcement officials who responded to Kienlens residence on the overcast October day in 2021, that it was a sleepy fall day until the shots rang out.

10:40 a.m.  Gillespie asked the jury to stand their ground and fight for what they believe in.

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10:39 a.m.  Gillespie argued that jury selection, each member of the jury indicated they were either comfortable or very comfortable sentencing a veteran to a lengthy sentence if the facts justify it and the law allows. I hold you to your oath, Gillespie said.

10:37 a.m.  Gillespie argued that the risk factors are too great. He argued that Kienlen will struggle with PTSD and life stressors for the rest of his life, and prison is the only place to manage the risk that Kienlen presents. At some point, you have to protect our community, Gillespie argued.

10:35 a.m.  Gillespie argued that Kienlen committed a mass shooting in our community and referenced previous testimony that the community was in danger on Oct. 13, 2021. He argued that the individual felonies alone dont warrant a minimal sentence.

10:31 a.m.  Gillespie argued that it was only a few inches at the aim and the grace of God that Kienlens case isnt a capital murder case, punishable by the death penalty.

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10:28 a.m.  Gillespie argued that a person shouldnt be given a minimum sentence for committing 16 first-degree felonies. He argued that his actions didnt warrant a minimum sentence or a probation sentence.

10:26 a.m.  Gillespie explained to the jury that, by law, the sentences they return will run concurrently, and its not possible to stack the sentences in Kienlens case.

10:23 a.m.  Gillespie argued that violence isnt how you solve problems, and that a domestic dispute with children in the home is unacceptable.

10:21 a.m.  Gillespie argued that Kienlen hasnt owned what he did, that he took the stand and denied attempting to kill Sgt. Roy Biter. He argued that Judge Kennedy had already ordered conditions for Kienlen when he was free on bond, but he violated them often.

Judge Kennedy informed the prosecution that they may bring the final arguments to the jury. John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, then addressed the jury with the prosecutions closing argument.

10:19 a.m.  Nimz argued that the jurys verdict can send a message that they care about law enforcement and veterans. He asked the jury to fight for Kienlen the way he fought for them when he served in the army.

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10:18 a.m.  Nimz argued to the jury that if they cant find it in their conscience to grant Kienlen probation, then they shouldnt throw Kienlen away. He argued that five years is an appropriate sentence on each of the charges hes been convicted of.

10:17 a.m.  Nimz argued to the jury that a probation sentence doesnt mean that they dont support law enforcement or that they dont acknowledge what they went through. He argued that a probation sentence would acknowledge what Kienlen has gone through since Afghanistan. He argued that prosecutors may thank him for his service, but are asking the jury to sentence him to life.

10:16 a.m.  Nimz argued that Judge Kennedy is the elected judge in Wichita County, and the jury can trust her to keep the safety of the community in mind when she sets Kienlens probation conditions. He argued that the first violation of any of the conditions would result in Kienlen being sent to prison.

10:13 a.m.  Nimz argued that Judge Kennedy can order Kienlen to be confined for an additional six months while receiving mental health treatment, for him to participate in the SAFP program in prison, for him to be in a substance abuse program, for him to live in a halfway house, and for him to undergo long-term inpatient treatment.

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10:11 a.m.  Nimz argued that Kienlen has owned that he hurt people that day and that he wants to make things right. He argued that Kienlen just wants to be normal. He argued that sentencing Kienlen to 10 years confinement and probation would allow him to seek the intensive treatment that he needs.

10:08 a.m.  Nimz argued that he brought them evidence of Kienlens bond conditions, even though he was ultimately unsuccessful on bond, to show that Kienlen was doing well while free on bond and seeking inpatient treatment.

10:05 a.m.  Nimz argued that Oct. 13, 2021, was the worst day of a lot of peoples lives, including Kienlens. He told the jury that Kienlen wasnt just his worst day. He argued that a lighter sentence would allow Kienlen a second chance.

10:02 a.m.  Nimz argued that when Kienlen was serving in Afghanistan, he couldnt decompress or seek counseling when he was shot at every day. He argued that Kienlen had to go back to the barracks and return to the battlefield day after day for 485 days. He argued that Kienlen was so broken when he returned home, the Army couldnt put him back in the fight and retired him.

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10:00 a.m.  Nimz argued that Kienlens case didnt begin on Oct. 13, 2021, but in 2007, when Kienlen returned home from Afghanistan. He argued that all of Kienlens mental health issues, from PTSD to alcohol abuse, are directly related to his service.

9:59 a.m.  Nimz told the jury that Kienlen had no history of mental illness and was a happy youth, but everything changed when he saw those towers fall on Sept. 11, 2001. He argued that Kienlen didnt just join up, but he enlisted in the infantry, and was shot at every day. He argued that Dr. Fabian, who testified yesterday, said theres no way Kienlen could have avoided getting PTSD.

9:57 a.m.  Nimz told the jury that this case is about sacrifice. He argued that Kienlens mother didnt want her son to enlist in the army because she was afraid of what it would do to him. He shouldve listened to his mom, Nimz said.

Judge Kennedy informed Kienlens defense that they may present their closing arguments. Dustin Nimz, Kienlens defense attorney, then addressed the jury.

9:54 a.m.  Vrechek asked the jury to come to their decision considering the acts Kienlen attempted to take, and that he looked forward to the jurys verdict.

9:52 a.m.  Vrechek asked the jury not to forget the reality of what could have happened on Oct. 13, 2021, that officers could have been killed. He argued that Kienlen intended to kill Sgt. Roy Biter that day, and theyve already found him guilty of that.

9:49 a.m.  Vrechek asked the jury to consider how much they trust that Kienlen wont do something like this again. He argued that when Kienlen decided to begin drinking while out on bond, neglecting the fact that his mother liquidated her retirement account to pay his bond, he showed he couldnt be trusted.

9:46 a.m.  Vrechek argued that a light sentence should never be an option, because Kienlens actions are so heinous, but if they wanted to consider a lighter sentence and probation, they should consider his actions while he was released on bond.

9:44 a.m.  Vrechek argued that a strong sentence would send a message to the community that Wichita County supports law enforcement.

9:40 a.m.  Vrechek thanked the jury for their service. He argued that this isnt about the defendants mental health issues, but his actions on Oct. 13, 2021. He asked the jury what kind of sentence is fitting for someone who endangered law enforcement.

The jury returned to the courtroom. Judge Kennedy read the charge to the jury, instructing it on how it was to proceed. Judge Kennedy then recognized the prosecution for closing arguments. Joseph Vrechek, Assistant District Attorney of Wichita County, addressed the jury.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
(NewsNation)  Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the USA Network reality show Chrisley Knows Best, were freed from prison Wednesday following pardons from President Donald Trump.

Convicted of bank and tax fraud in 2022, Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie Chrisley received seven years.

Trump called Savannah Chrisley to deliver the news

The couples daughter, Savannah Chrisley, exclusively told NewsNation that Trump called her while she was walking into a grocery store.

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Diddy definitely should walk, says Suge Knight: Exclusive

She said Trump told her he didnt know her parents personally but wished them a good life.

Trump was joined for the call by pardon czar Alice Johnson, whose sentence he commuted during his first term.

Chase Chrisley reacts to pardons of Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley

Todd Chrisley has five children  two with his former wife and three with Julie Chrisley. On Tuesday, Chase Chrisley, 28, and the son of Todd and Julie, spoke out on his parents pardons.

I am grateful to God and extremely grateful to President Trump and his entire administration, Chase told the New York Post. Im beyond thankful to finally have my parents back home and my family together again!

Chrisley Knows Best cast members Chase Chrisley, from left, Savannah Crisley, Julie Crisley and Todd Chrisley attend the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2014 Upfront at the Javits Center on May 15, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Savannah Chrisley attends the red carpet for Foxs Special Forces: Worlds Toughest Test at Fox Studio Lot on Sept. 12, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Reality TV personality Todd Chrisley visits Hallmarks Home & Family at Universal Studios Hollywood on June 18, 2018, in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) Julie and Todd Chrisley in the episode Lets Talk About Sex, Grayson. (Photo by: USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Kyle Chrisley also commented on the pardons, saying, I just found out a little bit ago, and I still just cant believe it.

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Lindsie Chrisleys lawyer, Musa Ghanayem, released a statement to NBC News:

When they make a pardon, sometimes presidents get it right, sometimes they get it wrong. This time, I think he got it right.

Savannah Chrisley has advocated for parents release

Savannah Chrisley has publicly advocated for her parents release, arguing their sentences were excessive. She told a crowd at the 2024 Republican National Convention that they were the victims of a two-faced justice system.

If I [believed] that my parents were guilty of what they did, then yes, they should have gone to prison, Savannah Chrisley told On Balance on Tuesday. I do not believe that even if they were guilty, the time they got was  I mean, it was absolutely insane.

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The couples 29th wedding anniversary was May 25, and Chrisley said her parents would have a late wedding anniversary celebration upon their release.

Todd Chrisley told NewsNation he was concerned about facilitys conditions

NewsNations Brian Entin has talked exclusively to Todd Chrisley from prison twice.

In December, the former real estate tycoon said he was concerned about conditions at the Pensacola, Fla., facility where he was held. He told NewsNation he and other inmates were subjected to filthy conditions.

Tiger King star Doc Antle set for sentencing

He said prosecutors and prison staff had it out for him.

The prosecutor said that we were the southern version of the Trumps, he said. Im not going to have someone like him break my family. And thats what he wanted to do, but hes not been able to do that.

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NewsNations Kellie Meyer and Damita Menezes contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
ROCHESTER, N.Y (WROC)  In April, the staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the agencys Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program were all fired as part of reductions in force.

Now, a local coalition which does community work to help prevent lead poisonings in children is left with uncertainty amid federal budget negotiations.

The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning is sounding the alarm after recently being revived thanks to support from a program in the CDC.

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The funding from the CDC for the coalition started in 2023 and then it was supposed to go to 2026 and now we have a big question mark, Program Director Clare Robinson-Henrie said.

The Coalition first formed in 2000 and was a driving force, at the time, behind Rochesters groundbreaking lead law, which passed in 2005 and was implemented in 2006, requiring all rental homes in Rochester to pass a lead test as part of the required Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) process.

Really it had great success, Robinson-Henrie said. In the city of Rochester, which had some of the highest lead poisoning rates previously went down really dramatically compared to the rest of the state so it really works well.

In 2023, Causewave Community Partners, on behalf of CPLP, was awarded funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) three year opportunity: Supporting Communities to Reduce Lead Poisoning.

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The Coalition tells News 8 those funds dramatically increased the groups capacity to expand and implement programs. In the last year, CPLP has presented to more than 150 community members and provided thousands of lead poisoning prevention materials county-wide.

For quite a few years there was no staff for the coalition and so we had great support from Causewave, which is our administrative and fiscal home, but no real staff to take it to the next level, Robinson-Henrie said. So, then came along this wonderful opportunity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which helped fund staff here, staff support, for the Coalitions work.

Robinson-Henrie tells News 8, in the April 1 announcement of staff reductions at the CDC, the Coalitions program officer was fired.

The group does significant work in the community to educate folks about the dangers of lead poisoning; New York State requires children get tested for lead at ages one and two and if elevated levels are found, there can be serious health complications.

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They could be at risk for all sorts of cognitive and behavioral issues, speech and language issues, Robinson-Henrie said. And unfortunately its cumulative, lead poisoning is cumulative so if they keep getting exposed in their home and nothing changes, then theyre just getting more and more of it and it settles into your bones eventually.

With kids, especially, they ingest it through their mouths. The lead dust that might be created from paint that is on like a door or a window, it has a lot of wear and tear so that creates invisible lead dust that is heavy, falls to the floor, falls on places where theyre walking or crawling or on their toys, whatever else, and they ingest it because, as you said, theyre putting a lot of stuff in their mouths, she adds.

Its also not just the CDC with systems in place to work towards mitigating lead exposure: Robinson-Henrie also notes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role to ensure the rules are followed; for example, a contractor doing abatement work inside homes with lead paint. All of these programs could be facing significant cuts as the budget process is currently underway in Washington.

I know that we are only one of many different organizations to be impacted by the changes on the federal level. And ensure that your congress people are hearing from you, making sure that our U.S. senators, you know Congressman Morelle, know about these issues and that you want to make sure that childhood lead poisoning prevention is funded and can continue through the next 25 years, Robinson-Henrie said.

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Its tragic because lead poisoning is almost entirely preventable and once a kid is lead poisoned its really hard to reverse those effects; its possible for them to thrive and have a full life for sure, I dont want to say that, but their opportunities may be narrowed, Robinson-Henrie adds.

To date, we have not seen any plans to reinstate the CDCs Childhood Lead Poisoning program. If these cuts are permanent, it will mean fewer resources to keep Monroe County children safe from lead exposure. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must put childrens health first and reinstate the program immediately in order to ensure their vital work is not disrupted further. Mel Callan, Chair of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning said.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Some local clergy members are joining in a national movement among faith leaders to go without food in protest to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Broome County Peace Action and Veterans for Peace organized a protest today outside the MetroCenter office of Congressman Josh Riley to call for an end to the War in Gaza. The activists renewed their accusation that Israel is engaging in genocide in its efforts to root out Hamas terrorists in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks.

Across the country, clergy from various religions are engaging in fasting for a 40 day period lasting through the month of June. Different faith leaders are abstaining from food in various forms as a sign of opposition to the war.

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Gary Doupe, a retired Methodist pastor, says he plans to go without eating during daylight hours every Thursday.

Im planning to do that through the remainder of June at least. I think I will continue with it until we really see a cessation of hostility in Gaza. The least I can do is refrain from food for a few hours a day, Doupe said.

Local Catholic, Presbyterian and Congregational clergy members are also participating. Following their rally, the protestors walked to the offices of Riley and US Senator Chuck Schumer in the federal building to deliver letters outlining their opposition to the war.

Riley issued a statement to News 34 Thursday night regarding the protest and the state of the ongoing war. I have serious concerns about the way war in Gaza has been conducted, and my heart breaks for the pain and loss of life this conflict has caused. We need an immediate halt to the fighting, returns of all hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. I will continue to push for proposals that bring us closer to a lasting peace, Riley said.

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They say they plan to rally every Thursday midday outside the MetroCenter through the month of June.

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SANDUSKY, Ohio (WJW)  The man accused of brutally stabbing a puppy in Sandusky County pleaded not guilty to felony animal cruelty charges on Thursday morning.

Many across the viewing area are outraged and concerned after the suspect was released following just one day in jail.

Mike Smeck and Nitros Ohio Army are pushing for change in Sandusky after the disturbing case of animal cruelty came to light on May 21.

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We want stiffer penalties, Smeck said. You know, people get by with just a slap on the wrist. Thats not deterring people from abusing animals.

Verdict in on Brandon Kings corruption charges

Terry Thomas, 41, was set to appear in court on Thursday. He is accused of viciously stabbing his pit bull puppy, Ivy, in the face after the dog had an accident inside the house.

The 8-month-old puppy suffered serious lacerations to her face, extending from her ear to her jaw. Part of her ear was also missing.

WJW photo

Thomas is facing felony animal cruelty charges under Goddards Law (F5).

He was not present in Judge Erich OBriens courtroom but pleaded not guilty through his public defender. A preliminary hearing has not been set.

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I dont see this getting delayed very long, OBrien said. I would anticipate it getting reset fairly quickly. Exactly when, thats going to kind of depend upon my assignment clerk, but hopefully sooner rather than later. But once again, him physically not being here isnt a big deal. As I tell people, I need the lawyer. I didnt need him.

FOX 8 has learned that Thomas has a violent criminal history, including prior animal-related offenses dating back to 2021. A misdemeanor animal cruelty case in 2022 was set for trial but never moved forward.

He has also served time in prison for robbery, domestic violence, drug possession and other offenses.

Thomas was released after OBrien issued a recognizance bond.

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Ohio troopers nab speeders going nearly double the limit

Due to a serious medical condition, thats the reason his bond was adjusted, OBrien said.

The Friendship Animal Protective League said Ivy is thankfully recovering after life-saving emergency surgery.

Her foster says she is giving kisses, allowing belly rubs and loves to be held like a baby. She is super sweet and smart. Her stitches came out today as well, Shelby Dowdell, communications and public relations manager for the Friendship APL, said.

Still, Nitros Ohio Army wants changespecifically for Thomas bond conditions to include a restriction that he not have a companion animal.

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I dont see why I cant make it a condition of his bond, OBrien said. Let me review that. If I havent, then I certainly will.

Thomas next court proceeding is expected to be scheduled within the next 15 days. FOX 8 will continue to follow this story closely.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local man is facing federal charges in connection with a child sexual abuse material case.

Read next: YPD looking for man suspected in several burglaries on South Side

According to the indictment filed May 14, Gary Hensperger, 43, is charged with receipt and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and possession of child pornography.

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The alleged crimes happened between February 7 and March 25, 2025.

Investigators seized a laptop during a March 2025 search at a home on Mathews Road in Boardman that they say contained child sexual abuse material, and at least one image involved a prepubescent child under the age of 12, according to the indictment.

Hensperger pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday. He is being held in the custody of U.S. Marshals.

No further court dates have been set.

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CHILLICOTHE, Ill. (WMBD)  A local police officer was recognized for his brave service to the people of Illinois.

Officer David Buchanan of the Chillicothe Police Department was awarded a 2024 Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor on Thursday, according to an Illinois State Police news release.

Buchanan joined the department last year after retiring from the Peoria Police Department.

He was recognized at the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor ceremony in Springfield, which honored 23 officers from 10 different agencies who performed acts of heroism or were killed or seriously injured while performing their duties.

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Today, we pay tribute to our heroic police officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty while protecting our communities, said Gov. JB Pritzker. From Palatine to Chicago to Granite City, our honorees saved lives and offered comfort and support to countless others.

While we will never be able to repay their bravery in full, we hope that this recognition can serve as a public reminder of our gratitude and a symbol of the sincere reverence we hold them in, the governor said.

Brendan F. Kelly, who heads the state police, said the recipients were being recognized for their outstanding examples of courage.

These men and women faced extreme danger, remained brave in the face of imminent threats, and performed with the highest heroism, he said. Today and forever, we thank and honor them.

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Chillicothe Chief of Police Jeremy Cooper said Officer Buchanan was recognized for a February 2024 shooting incident where he exchanged gunfire with a man after approaching a suspected stolen vehicle.

During the incident, Buchanan suffered a gunshot wound to the hand. A bullet also struck the chest plate of his bulletproof vest.

Throughout the incident and in his recovery, Officer Buchanan displayed great bravery, grit, and character, Cooper said. The City of Chillicothe and its Police Department couldnt be more proud of Officer Buchanan. We will forever be grateful for his courage and resolve that night that saved his life, and potentially the lives of others that the suspect would have come in contact with.

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(Reuters) - An intensifying auto industry price war in China has stoked fears of a long-anticipated shake-out in the worlds largest car market.

Shares of Chinas largest automakers sank Monday after Chinese electric-vehicle giant BYD offered fresh discounts across more than a dozen models, and an executive at another car company fretted openly about the countrys deepening price war. BYDs moves cut the starting price of its cheapest model, the battery-powered Seagull hatchback, to 55,800 yuan ($7,765), from nearly $10,000.

The BYD price cuts, along with other developments, signal a potential tipping point, where weaker players can no longer sustain deepening losses from the downward spiral on prices, said Tu Le, managing director of Sino Auto Insights, an advisory firm.

This points to a bloodbath later this year, he said. This could be the first domino that would finally put pressure on weaker players  startups like Neta and Polestar  that have been teetering.

On Friday, the chairman of Great Wall Motors, Wei Jianjun, warned that Chinas auto sector was in an unhealthy state, with pricing pressure hammering the bottom lines of car companies and suppliers. He even drew a parallel to Evergrande, the Chinese property developer that was liquidated last year after a major debt crisis.

"Now, Evergrande in the automobile industry already exists, but it has not collapsed," he told Sina Finance in an interview.

In another sign of stress in the market, Reuters reported that Chinese commerce regulators are examining a growing phenomenon that has also strained the industry: sales of used cars that are essentially new cars with zero miles. The tactic is seen as a way for automakers and dealers to hit aggressive sales targets, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Hong Kong-listed shares of BYD Co Ltd closed 8.6% lower on Monday, while Geely Auto fell 9.5%. Others, such as Nio and Leapmotor, closed between 3% and 8.5% lower.

A slew of startup companies have piled into Chinas car market over the past decade, drawn by the burgeoning electric-vehicle sector. The market has grown crowded with cut-throat price competition and most companies are sustaining heavy losses.

Of the 169 automakers operating in China today, more than half have less than 0.1% market share, according to data from research firm Jato Dynamics. The crowded field is reminiscent of the U.S. auto sector in the early 20th century, when more than 100 companies vied with big players such as Ford, before the industry consolidated.

Le said the price war has lasted roughly three years. Car makers once enjoyed a premium for advanced features such as driver-assistance systems that take control of steering and braking in certain situations, but now more have been offering these as part of the sticker price.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Valley took time Thursday to honor local police officers and sheriffs deputies who lost their lives in the line of duty.

People on Youngstowns South Side may have noticed a lot of police sirens Thursday morning. A procession of police cruisers with flashing lights and sirens headed down South Avenue for the Fallen Officer Memorial Service at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Youngstown. The group gathered in the WKBN 27 First News studio parking lot before making the procession to downtown.

Once at the church, speakers, including Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro, paid tribute to area law enforcement that protects and serves the Valley, the state and the nation.

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As part of the service, a rose was placed in a memorial wreath for the officers who were named.

Organizers say its important to honor those whose lives were lost.

Its work that we do for the communities that we serve, and when you give your life in defense of that community and for your brothers and sisters, its very important to honor and remember that as much as we possibly can. So we do it at least once a year, said Sgt. T.J. Assion, Ohio F.O.P. vice president.

This years event even drew officers from neighboring states.

Law enforcement has no boundaries. We have no  we have no connection or borders. Its a brotherhood and a sisterhood that doesnt know state lines. So were here to support our brothers and sisters that have fallen here in the Mahoning Valley area, said Officer Mike Sauger, Michigan F.O.P. president.

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The memorial service paid honor to 27 officers who have died in Mahoning County since 1891, as well as Patrolman Justin Leo, of the Girard Police Department, who was killed in 2017.

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This is an edition of Time-Travel Thursdays, a journey through The Atlantics archives to contextualize the present. Sign up here.

The month of May marks the first anniversary of my college graduationor, as I call it, the inevitable and dreaded start of my adulthood. This time last year, I questioned what I wanted from my future, endured the implosion of a close-knit social life, parted ways with a failed situationship, and tried to scrub a stubborn beer stain out of my baby-blue graduation gown. I remember the endless parties, cigars that smelled like chocolate but tasted like ash, cheap champagne that we shook and sprayed but hardly drank, all that beer and wine we did drink. Now, as I watch videos of underclassmen donning their own robes, I face the unwelcome reminder that grass grows atop the grave of my college days.

The morning of my graduation, I struggled to follow a TikTok tutorial on how to tie a tie (eventually enlisting my roommates help) and ate just a bag of Cheez-Its for breakfast. I walked across the stage for all of eight seconds, waving at the crowd without a clue where my family was seated. But none of those gripes mattered, because my dean winked at me as we shook hands and the schools anthem sounded better through Bluetooth speakers than it ever had through brass.

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At graduations, even the slightest pageantry is enchanting. One 1923 Atlantic article remarked that merely being asked Are you going to Commencement? provoked joy: Commencement had a meaning, the writer Carroll Perry explained. It meant that the Governor of the Commonwealth was coming to Williamstown, and the sheriff of the County of Berkshire, with bell-crown and cockade, in buff waistcoat, carrying a staff. It meant wearing your Sunday suit all day Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday; it meant pretty girls from big cities; pretty girls, in stylish dresses, with wonderful parasolsgirls who lived in New York.

But all of that pomp can be punctured by reality. At my alma mater, Columbia, there was confusion over whether the ceremony would happen at all, because of the campus protests against Israels war in Gaza. (Ultimately, commencement was canceled and smaller graduation events, including mine, were moved off campus.) Matriculating into adulthood too often means entering a world plagued by conflict. In 1917, amid the throes of World War I, a father wrote a letter to his daughter for her graduation: That, my daughter with your sheepskin in your hand, is the world into which you have graduated. It is a world in crisis; a world struggling toward a salvation only to be won by bitter effort, he wrote. No one of us is exempt from contributing what we have and what we are to that endeavor.

Uncertainty is the word that defines the waning months of college and beyond. Finding a post-grad path is hard, not least because of the pressure to select one that may determine your career forever. Graduate school delays the job hunt by a few years, but the outcomes can vary. Now, four years after having obtained an M. A. and a Ph. D., I am seemingly permanently unemployed, an anonymous graduate, with the byline of Ph. D., complained in 1940. And the pressure to keep up with your peers, especially financially, never goes away. One writer who was working as a carpenter went to dinner with old college friends, who all made substantially more money than he did, in white-collar positions. I think it cheered them somewhat to learn that my hands had not been able to keep pace with their heads, commercially, he wrote in 1929.

Any recent graduate will tell you that their head felt heaviest after the cap came off. The night after graduation, my friends and I snuck into our freshman-year dorm. We reminisced about our four years together and wrote a message for the dorms future inhabitants inside an electrical box in the same living room where we first met. And then the sun came up. I loaded my life into cardboard and loaded that cardboard into a minivan and slid my car window down to wave goodbye to it all. Thus we launch the schoolboy upon life. Commencement meant commencement; it was the beginning of responsibility. He had to make his own chance now, the minister Edward E. Hale lamented in an 1893 essay. His boyhood was over.

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At some point after the blur of my victory lap, I suddenly found myself back at home, all alone. Id been asked Whats next? by some 20 people by then, but for the first time, I was forced to actually confront the question. I had no answer. I just mourned my boyhood.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
GASTONIA, N.C (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The wait is finally over for North Carolina burger lovers.

Whataburger opened its doors in Gastonia Thursday morning, May 29, drawing long lines of fans ready to get their hands on the iconic Texas-born burgers for the first time.

Located at 3415 E Franklin Blvd., the Gastonia restaurant marks Whataburgers first North Carolina location, making it the 17th state to welcome the beloved fast-food restaurant.

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This grand opening kicks off a bigger plan for the regionten Whataburger locations are scheduled to open across North Carolina and even parts of South Carolina by the end of 2025, including restaurants in Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Hickory.

The Gastonia location is open 24/7.

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Gaston County

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DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  An American flag was hoisted outside of the long-shuttered U.S. ambassadors residence in Damascus on Thursday, in a sign of growing ties between Washington and the new Syrian government.

The U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, who has also been appointed special envoy to Syria, arrived to inaugurate the residence, Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported.

He met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and attended the signing of an agreement for a consortium of Qatari, Turkish and U.S. companies for development of a 5,000-megawatt energy project to revitalize much of Syria's war-battered electricity grid.

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Under the deal signed Thursday, a consortium led by Qatars UCC Concession Investments  along with Power International USA and Turkeys Kalyon GES Enerji Yatirimlari, Cengiz Enerji  will develop four combined-cycle gas turbines with a total generating capacity estimated at approximately 4,000 megawatts and a 1,000-megawatt solar power plant.

A statement sent out by UCC said that once completed, these projects are expected to supply over 50% of the country's electricity needs.

Washington hasn't formally reopened its embassy in Damascus, which closed in 2012 after protests against the government of then-President Bashar Assad, met by a brutal crackdown, spiraled into civil war. Assad was unseated in December in a lightning rebel offensive.

But Barracks visit and the raising of the flag were a significant signal of warming relations.

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Washington was initially circumspect about Syrias new leaders, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former leader of an Islamist insurgent group that the U.S. still lists as a terrorist organization. However, the Trump administration  encouraged by two U.S. allies in the region, Saudi Arabia and Turkey  has in recent weeks shown increasing openness to Damascus.

Trump held a surprise meeting with al-Sharaa in Riyadh earlier this month, and the U.S. has begun to roll back decades of sanctions slapped on Syria under the Assad dynasty.

Speaking at the ceremony celebrating the signing of the energy deals, Barrack praised the bold decision to lift sanctions and said the move comes with no conditions, no requirements."

There is only "one simple expectation and that expectation sits behind me, the alignment of these amazing countries, he said, referring to the flags of the U.S., Qatar, Turkey and Syria behind him.

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The U.S. State Department posted a statement on X on Thursday attributed to Trump announcing Barrack's appointment as envoy to Syria.

Tom understands there is great potential in working with Syria to stop Radicalism, improve Relations, and secure Peace in the Middle East. Together, we will Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN! the statement said.

Barrack thanked Trump in an X post for your bold vision, empowering a historically rich region, long oppressed, to reclaim its destiny through self-determination.
Rep. Ed Buttrey speaks about House Bill 60 during the 2025 Montana Legislature. (Photo courtesy of Montana Public Affairs Network).

Following a national search, the Montana Hospital Association Board of Trustees today announced that it has appointed F. Edward Ed Buttrey as President and chief executive officer for the Association.

Buttrey will begin in the role on July 1.

In this role, Buttrey will provide strategic leadership for association activities as well as provide direction to the associations charitable arm, the Montana Health Research and Education Foundation, and for-profit subsidiary, MHA Ventures.

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Ed is uniquely qualified to lead the Montana Hospital Association into its next chapter, thanks to his extensive experience in both healthcare policy and decades leading successful businesses. Ed understands the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare in Montana, the various solutions that can help or hinder them, and how to build and lead successful organizations. He has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of the people and communities he serves, and we believe Montana patients will continue to benefit from his vision and leadership, said Craig Aasved, MHA Board Chair and CEO of Shodair Childrens Hospital in Helena.

Buttrey, a graduate of Montana State University, is a business owner and long-serving state legislator from Great Falls. As a lawmaker, hes worked on the states healthcare policies and future, including improving access and affordability, and was the sponsor of the 2015 Montana Medicaid expansion bill and bills to renew and revise the program in 2019 and during the 2025 session.

He has served as a board member on the Benefits Health System (Great Falls) Board of Trustees since 2015.

In addition to his legislative work, Buttrey has extensive experience in business, with a focus on real estate, hospitality, technology and manufacturing. He has volunteered with numerous local organizations, including efforts aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, supporting youth programs, and promoting economic development in Great Falls and surrounding areas, according to the press release.

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This is an exciting opportunity to move from crafting policy to driving meaningful change in the healthcare system itself. For more than 14 years, Ive worked hard on a variety of healthcare policy issues because I have seen firsthand the importance of healthcare to our neighbors, our communities and our local economies. While the MHA is actively involved in the healthcare policy space, it also supports our states hospitals by providing quality improvement, safety, workforce development, emergency preparedness and other programs that enhance care in rural and frontier communities. I am deeply committed to applying both my legislative and business experience to build a stronger future for all Montanans who rely on the care our healthcare system provides, Buttrey said.

Buttrey will succeed Robert W. Bob Olsen, who has served in leadership positions for the Association since 1989 and has led the organization as president and CEO since 2022. During the course of his more than 30-year career with the association, Olsen has made significant contributions to federal and state regulatory, policy and advocacy matters. He was awarded the MHA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 and the Frederick C. Morgan Individual Achievement Award from the Healthcare Financial Management Association in 2025.

Ive witnessed significant changes in Montanas healthcare system during that time, yet one constant has remained: The need to adapt. Montana patients and healthcare providers will be well served by Eds innovative approaches, ability to bring together diverse stakeholders, and a longstanding commitment to improving healthcare for our state, Olsen said.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  After months of political turmoil, South Korean voters are choosing who will succeed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office over his ill-fated imposition of martial law in December.

Here is a timeline of events that led to Tuesday's snap election:

Dec. 1

According to their criminal indictments, Yoon meets with his defense minister to discuss gridlock in the National Assembly as liberal opposition lawmakers use their majority to impeach senior officials and prosecutors and cut government budgets. Prosecutors say Yoon told the minister he wanted to take emergency measures against the opposition, something they allege he had been saying for months.

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Dec. 3

In a televised announcement at 10:29 p.m., Yoon tells the nation hes declaring martial law, portraying the National Assembly as a den of criminals paralyzing government affairs. As lawmakers begin rushing to the National Assembly, the militarys martial law command issues a proclamation declaring sweeping government powers, including the suspension of political parties activities and control over media. It says anyone who violates the decree can be arrested without a warrant. Hundreds of heavily armed troops encircle the legislature, apparently to prevent lawmakers from gathering to vote on the martial law declaration.

Dec. 4

At around 1 a.m., 190 lawmakers, including 18 from Yoons own conservative People Power Party, vote unanimously to lift martial law. Troops and police begin to retreat from the National Assembly shortly after. At 4:30 a.m., martial law is formally lifted following a Cabinet meeting.

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Dec. 7

Yoon apologizes and says he wont shirk legal or political responsibility for declaring martial law. He survives an impeachment vote boycotted by most ruling party lawmakers.

Dec. 12

Yoon defends his martial law decree as an act of governance and denies rebellion charges, vowing to fight to the end in the face of attempts to impeach him.

Dec. 14

The National Assembly impeaches Yoon on a 204-85 vote. His presidential powers and duties are suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the countrys No. 2 official, takes over.

Dec. 31

The Seoul Western District Court issues a warrant to detain Yoon for questioning.

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Jan. 15

Anti-corruption investigators and police raid the presidential compound and detain Yoon, who is the first sitting president to be detained.

Jan. 19

The Seoul Western District Court grants law enforcement authorities' request for a formal arrest warrant for Yoon, citing concerns he could destroy evidence. His arrest triggers a riot by his supporters, who break into the court, smashing windows and equipment. Dozens are arrested.

Jan. 26

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office indicts Yoon on charges of masterminding an attempted rebellion, describing his power grab as an illegal bid to seize the legislature and election offices and arrest political opponents.

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March 7

The Seoul Central District Court orders Yoon released from detention, citing unresolved issues about whether investigators had the proper authority to detain him. He is released the following day.

April 4

The Constitutional Court upholds Yoons impeachment and removes him as president, forcing a snap election within 60 days to choose his successor. The government the following week announces June 3 as election day.

April 8

The government announces the presidential election will be held on June 3.

April 27

The main liberal opposition Democratic Party nominates former party chief Lee Jae-myung as its presidential candidate. Opinion polls project him as the clear frontrunner in the weeks leading up to the election.

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May 3

The conservative People Power Party nominates Yoons former labor minister, Kim Moon Soo, as its presidential candidate.

May 11

The People Power Party cancels then reinstates Kims presidential candidacy within hours, after a failed attempt to replace him with former Prime Minister Han, in a chaotic U-turn that underscores its disarray.

May 18

Lee, Kim, and two other minor candidates participate in the first presidential debate, which focuses on restoring political stability following the martial law saga and addressing trade challenges posed by the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

May 29

Two days of early voting are held in about 3,570 polling stations.

June 3

Polls open at 6 a.m. and are closing at 8 p.m. with the result expected to be known within hours.
A Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for trafficking large quantities of cocaine from California to the Pittsburgh area.

Jose Angel Sanchez, 33, admitted in a Pennsylvania federal court to conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, the United States Department of Justice announced Thursday.

His plea comes after a monthslong investigation into a drug trafficking operation that spanned multiple states.

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Between March and September 2022, federal investigators with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a federal drug enforcement program, tracked shipments of cocaine that Sanchez mailed from California to addresses in Pennsylvania, and later to his co-defendant in West Virginia.

After law enforcement intercepted a package containing 2 kilograms of cocaine bound for Pennsylvania, Sanchez allegedly changed his delivery location to the West Virginia residence of his co-defendant, Christopher Salgado.

Surveillance showed Salgado would then pick up Sanchez from the Pittsburgh International Airport and drive both him and the drug parcels to another co-defendant, Romaro Foster Sr., in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

In one instance, authorities stopped Salgado and Sanchez during a return trip to the airport. After releasing them, investigators observed Salgado discard a box in a fast food trash bin. The box had Salgados address and tested positive for cocaine residue, the DOJ said.

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In total, law enforcement seized multiple parcels containing approximately 6 kilograms of cocaine between the two co-defendants. A search of Salgados home in August 2022 turned up another shipment from Sanchez with 2 more kilograms.

Sanchez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life, along with a fine of up to $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2.

Salgado was previously sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the scheme.

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A man on bail in a 2021 homicide case when a California rapper was shot to death outside a Nashville recording studio in 2024 was captured in Los Angeles on an outstanding warrant.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police and FBI task force arrested Adrian Cameron Jr., 20, May 28 outside a home in the city, Metro Nashville Police said in a statement.

Cameron is under indictment in the robbery-related shooting death of 32-year-old Christopher Cheeks, known in the music industry as Chris King. Nashville police in March also arrested Amir Carroll, 19, on East Thompson Lane in connection with the shooting.

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Cheeks was shot April 20, 2024, about 2:30 a.m. in an alleyway between Hayes and Church streets in the Midtown area outside of a recording studio. Cheeks was chatting with friends when three men walked up to them and tried to rob them, police said.

Cheeks ran from the scene and was found wounded in the Hayes Street Hotel parking garage. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died.

Cameron was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the shooting while he awaited trial in the death of 50-year-old Lebanon man Josh Evans. Evans was shot during a drug transaction inside an apartment on Phillips Street in September 2021, police said. His body was later found wrapped in trash bags in the Cumberland River. Cameron was 17 at the time of Evans' death.

Nashville police said after the shooting outside the recording studio last year, Cameron's ankle monitor placed him in the area and was cut off shortly after the shooting.

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Cameron will be extradicted from California to Nashville in the near future, police said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police: Man wanted in death of California rapper captured
By Laila Kearney

(Reuters) -PG&E, California's largest electric utility, has seen a jump of more than 40% this year in requests for power supplies from data center developers across the northern part of the state, an executive with the company told Reuters on Tuesday.

California's Silicon Valley is one of the world's largest and oldest data center markets, but analysts have widely said that pricey land and costly electricity will limit the state's ability to capitalize on the current wave of demand for artificial intelligence data centers, which is concentrated in the middle of the country.

PG&E, however, said it is seeing signs that the state still has room to run.

Last month, PG&E, which delivers power and natural gas to about 16 million people in northern and central California, including Silicon Valley, launched a process for data center developers interested in connecting to the utility's system.

The so-called cluster study yielded 4.1 gigawatts of interest, on top of the 8.7 gigawatts announced during the company's most recent earnings call in late April, said Mike Medeiros, PG&E's vice president of South Bay Delivery.

Not only did the pipeline of prospective data centers being built within PG&E grow, but the size of the projects has also jumped since the previous year's cluster study, Medeiros said.

Last year, the typical data center wanting to power up through PG&E had 50 to 100 megawatts in capacity. Current proposals are for projects of 500 megawatts to as much as 1,000 megawatts.

"We're seeing quite a change in what customers are looking for, and some of that might be based on land availability or just scale and the efficiencies of building bigger," Medeiros said.

Unlike earlier data centers, those for AI are used primarily for training the large language models, like ChatGPT, and can be further away from city centers.

While California's older data centers are in Silicon Valley in the western part of the state, many of the new proposed developments are inland, including in Contra Costa County and the Fresno area.

Not all of the data centers making inquiries are expected to ultimately connect to PG&E. Some of the top challenges in data center expansion for the utility include meeting the tight timelines by developers and operators and backlogs in the equipment needed to build out the grid.

(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Richard Chang)
Close to the summit of an underwater mountain west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a jagged landscape of towers rises from the gloom.

Their creamy carbonate walls and columns appear ghostly blue in the light of a remotely operated vehicle sent to explore.

They range in height from tiny stacks the size of toadstools to a grand monolith standing 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) tall. This is the Lost City.

( D. Kelley/UW/URI-IAO/NOAA ). A remotely operated vehicle shines a light on the spires of the Lost City.

Discovered by scientists in 2000, more than 700 meters (2,300 feet) beneath the surface, the Lost City Hydrothermal Field is the longest-lived venting environment known in the ocean. Nothing else like it has ever been found.

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For at least 120,000 years and maybe longer, the upthrusting mantle in this part of the world has reacted with seawater to puff hydrogen, methane, and other dissolved gases out into the ocean.

In the cracks and crevices of the field's vents, hydrocarbons feed novel microbial communities even without the presence of oxygen.

Strands of bacteria living on a calcite vent in the Lost City. ( University of Washington/CC BY 3.0 ).

Chimneys spewing gases as hot as 40 C (104 F) are home to an abundance of snails and crustaceans. Larger animals such as crabs, shrimp, sea urchins, and eels are rare, but still present.

Despite the extreme nature of the environment, it appears to be teeming with life, and researchers think it's worth our attention and protection.

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In 2024 researchers announced a record-breaking recovery of mantle rock in the form of a 1,268-meter-long core sample dug from the Lost City Hydrothermal Field. It's hoped the core could provide crucial evidence on how life emerged on Earth billions of years ago under conditions preserved in the minerals.

While other hydrothermal fields like this one probably exist elsewhere in the world's oceans, this is the only one remotely operated vehicles have been able to find thus far.

The hydrocarbons produced by the Lost City's vents were not formed from atmospheric carbon dioxide or sunlight, but by chemical reactions on the deep seafloor.

Because hydrocarbons are the building blocks of life, this leaves open the possibility that life originated in a habitat just like this one. And not just on our own planet.

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"This is an example of a type of ecosystem that could be active on Enceladus or Europa right this second," microbiologist William Brazelton told Anna Kusmer at The Smithsonian in 2018, referring to the moons of Saturn and Jupiter.

"And maybe Mars in the past."

Unlike underwater volcanic vents called black smokers, which have also been named as a possible first habitat, the Lost City's ecosystem doesn't depend on the heat of magma.

Black smokers produce mostly iron- and sulfur-rich minerals, whereas the Lost City's chimneys produce up to 100 times more hydrogen and methane.

The calcite vents of the Lost City are also much, much larger than black smokers, which suggests they've been active for longer.

The tallest of the monoliths is named Poseidon, after the Greek god of the sea, and it stretches more than 60 meters high.

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Just northeast of the tower, meanwhile, is a cliffside with short bursts of activity. Researchers at the University of Washington describe the vents here as 'weeping' with fluid to produce "clusters of delicate, multi-pronged carbonate growths that extend outward like the fingers of upturned hands".

Unfortunately, scientists aren't the only ones beckoned by that unusual terrain.

In 2018, it was announced that Poland had won the rights to mine the deep sea around The Lost City. While there are no precious resources to be dredged up in the actual thermal field itself, the destruction of the city's surroundings could have unintended consequences.

Any plumes or discharges, triggered by the mining, could easily wash over the remarkable habitat, scientists warn.

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Some experts are therefore calling for the Lost City to be listed as a World Heritage site, to protect the natural wonder before it's too late.

For tens of thousands of years, the Lost City has stood as a testament to the enduring force of life.

It would be just like us to ruin it.

An earlier version of this article was published in August 2022.

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Two hikers who got lost on Cascade Mountain in upstate New Yorks Adirondack High Peaks dialed 911 to report the death of their friend.

But a ranger who arrived on the scene found the duo in an altered mental state after ingesting hallucinogenic mushrooms, per a press release from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

And their friend was actually alive, just not with them.

The drama unfolded around 9 a.m. Saturday.

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The third member of their party called and was not injured, said the DEC.

The two hikers were escorted to a waiting ambulance and New York State Police unit while their friend was taken back to their campsite, the department added.






On Saturday, May 24, two hikers called 911 to report that the third member of their hiking party on New Yorks Adirondack High Peaks had died, per a press release from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation

The two hikers who made the 911 call were in an "altered mental state" and had ingested "hallucinogenic mushrooms," per the press release

The third friend was not injured







Two friends had the trip of a lifetime on New Yorks Adirondack High Peaks over Memorial Day Weekend.

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According to a news release from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Forest Ranger Praczkajlo responded to a call for a reportedly deceased hiker on Cascade Mountain on Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m. local time.

Two hikers had called 911 to report that the third member of their hiking party had died, said the agency. When the two hikers encountered the Cascade Summit Steward, they also advised that they were lost.

Cascade Mountain is the 36th-tallest of the Adirondack High Peaks, according to LakePlacid.com.

Getty Summit of Cascade Mountain Summit of Cascade Mountain

AllTrails.com describes the area as a "challenging route" that is "a very popular area for hiking and snowshoeing."

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"You'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime," the website states.

For the friends, though, it wasn't the trail that caused the trouble.

According to the news release, the steward determined that the two hikers who made the 911 call were in an "altered mental state" and had ingested "hallucinogenic mushrooms."

Medical News Today explains on its website that Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical compound in certain mushrooms known as magic mushrooms.



Eating mushrooms that contain psilocybin can have various effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations, according to the agency.

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Ranger Praczkajlo escorted the two hikers who had ingested the hallucinogenic mushrooms to a waiting ambulance and a New York State Police unit.

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.

As for the third member of their party, the news release states they "called and was not injured." They were escorted back to their campsite by Praczkajlo.

Read the original article on People
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The state will get $359,000 in funding to monitor water quality as summer nears and people travel to Louisianas beaches to beat the heat.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant for monitoring and notifying communities of high levels of bacteria.

Ensuring the safety of beaches allows all Americans to have fun in the sun while providing an economic boost to coastal communities, said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. I applaud Administrator Zeldins initiative for ensuring our economies along the Gulf of America are vibrant and thriving.

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Why you may not want to use last summers sunscreen

Over 10 beaches are under an advisory as of the most recent samples from May 27. LDHs Beach Monitoring Program tests water at sites along the coast weekly from May to October for enterococci bacteria.

See which Louisiana beaches are under advisory:

Constance Beach

Cypremort Point State Park Beach

Long (Dung) Beach

Gulf Breeze Beach

Grand Isle Beach Site #2

Grand Isle Beach Site #3

Grand Isle State Park Site #1

Grand Isle State Park Site #2

Grand Isle State Park Site #3

Grand Isle State Park Site #4

Holly Beach Site #1

Holly Beach Site #2

Holly Beach Site #3

Holly Beach Site #4

Holly Beach Site #5

Holly Beach Site #6

Lake Chares North Beach

Little Florida Beach

Martin (Maes) Beach

Rutherford Beach

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Planning a trip to the coast soon? Click here to see the latest advisories.

According to LDHs 2024 report on beaches in Louisiana, bacteria densities were higher than in 2023 and higher than historic norms at several beaches, including Constance Beach Complex, Holly Beach, Lake Charles North Beach and Rutherford Beach.

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Rep. Beau Beaullieu has updated his proposal to change state ethics laws concerning gifts to public officials. (Allison Allsop/Louisiana Illuminator)

Louisiana lawmakers are no longer looking to broadly lift restrictions on gifts to elected officials and public employees while doing their jobs, but they still appear intent on discouraging ethics investigations.

Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-Iberia, removed language from House Bill 674 that would have allowed public servants to receive $200 worth of gifts annually. This would have applied to all local and state government employees, from a local police officer to the governor.

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Instead, Beaullieu has rewritten the legislation to keep a portion of a current limitation on government worker gifts in place. Now, gifts that arent food would be mostly restricted to $200 worth of flowers or a charitable donation to express sympathy for a family death.

New allowances for seasonal food and beverages remain in the bill, however. Under current law, most public officials are not supposed to receive food and drink as gifts unless its at a party or reception.

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Under existing rules, they have to consume the food in person at the event where it is given. The edible gift can cost no more than $79 per person, a cutoff the Louisiana Board of Ethics adjusts every year based on the Consumer Price Index.

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Beaullieus updated proposal would allow elected leaders and public employees to also take seasonal or holiday foods as gifts for a religious or state holiday, even outside of a party or reception. The cap on food gifts would also be $79 per person per holiday or whatever new price the ethics board adopts in future years.

Besides the gift policy changes, Beaullieus bill contains several ethics law modifications that would make it much harder for the state ethics board to investigate and charge people with misconduct.

The ethics board oversees enforcement of campaign finance laws and the state ethics code for public employees, elected officials and lobbyists. Anyone from a public school teacher to the governor can be subject of one of its investigations.

The adjustments Beaullieu proposes would require more members of the ethics board to vote in favor of pursuing an investigation and give the board far less time to decide whether a person should be charged with ethical wrongdoing. People accused of ethics violations would also have more ability to push back on the allegations under Beaullieus bill.

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If the legislation were to pass, the new standards that would have to be met in order for the ethics board to launch an investigation would be very difficult to achieve. For example, the ethics board would have to be confident that wrongdoing had occurred in order to sign off on any preliminary probe into the alleged misconduct.

Ethics Administrator David Bordelon said earlier this month the process Beaullieu seeks would skew the process in favor of the public servant accused of wrongdoing. He also took issue with a new restriction Beaullieu proposed Tuesday on ethical investigations and charges. The state representative added language to his bill prohibiting the ethics board from launching an investigation based on information it received through an advisory opinion request.

The board is frequently asked to explain how ethics laws apply in specific situations through advisory opinions. It issues at least a few of these public letters monthly providing feedback.

If someone submits an advisory opinion request that indicates a violation has already occurred, it should be within the boards prerogative to initiate an investigation of that, Bordelon told senators at a committee hearing Tuesday.

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Beaullieu said he is trying to overhaul state ethics investigations because many elected officials feel the board has been too aggressive when pursuing allegations.

But the states preeminent state government watchdog, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, has come out strongly against the bill.

This is designed to make sure we dont have ethics investigations, Steven Procopio, the organizations president, said of the proposed changes.

The legislation is backed by Gov. Jeff Landry, who has had several personal conflicts with the ethics board over his nine years in statewide office.

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In 2023, the board charged Landry in 2023 with the ethics violation of failing to disclose flights he took on a political donors private plane to Hawaii for an attorneys general conference. That dispute is ongoing because the governor and board members have not reached an agreement on what Landrys punishment for the violation should be.

Stephen Gele, the attorney representing Landry in this ethics dispute, also helped write Beaullieus legislation to overhaul the states ethics laws.

The Louisiana Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the bill Tuesday with no objections. An earlier version of the proposal also passed the Louisiana House unanimously, but both the Senate and the House will have to approve the amended version before it can become law.

It must pass by the Louisiana Legislatures session adjournment June 12.

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Republicans in the Louisiana House stifled a proposal Wednesday that would have banned the addition of fluoride in public water systems  rejecting a burgeoning movement backed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee shot down the measure in a 4-11 vote, with six Republicans joining five Democrats to defeat the measure. All four members who voted in favor are Republicans.

The proposal would have allowed public fluoridation only if residents petitioned for a vote in their jurisdiction and a majority of registered voters cast ballots in favor  a notably steep hurdle, particularly in areas with low voter turnout.

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The GOP-controlled state Senate advanced Senate Bill 2 in a 24-10 vote last month. The Louisiana Legislatures regular session runs through June 12, so the anti-fluoride measure could be revived.

Florida adopted a law this month to ban fluoride in public drinking water, becoming the second state to do so after Utah.

The U.S. has supported community water fluoridation programs since the 1940s, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deeming it a safe, cost-effective way to improve oral health.

But Kennedy, whom President Trump appointed to lead the nations health care programs earlier this year, has loudly voiced skepticism of water fluoridation despite objections from dentists and other health care providers who argue it helps prevent tooth decay.

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Kennedy posted on social platform X before his Senate confirmation that the Trump administration would advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. He referred to the naturally occurring substance as industrial waste that causes disease, though there is no scientific evidence to back up his claims.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  One woman from Bossier City demonstrates that with support, anything is possible.

Three-time U.S. Olympian earns new title, graduates from LSUS

LaShawn Benita Harley-Hill, who is blind, recently earned her masters degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport at the age of 54. Hill earned a degree in counseling, a success she attributes to her support system. It felt really amazing, said Hill. It was an amazing feeling to know that all of my classmates were looking for me at graduation, and I got big hugs from classmates and LSUS staff. I got home that day, took my makeup off and just cried.

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Prior to graduation, things seemed to be an uphill battle for the LSUS graduate. Hill cried every day for a month after she went completely blind in January 2017. She felt like a burden because she couldnt drive and depended on others. My husband Columbus told me its OK, its not the end of the world, and that people go through what they go through. Just ask God for help, and were going to get through this.

Social media trolls cant dim Leona Grays shine as she preps for SocialCon 2025

Hill has been married to her for nine years. After she lost her vision, he completely reorganized her closet and home so she would know where everything was located. Hill mentioned that her professors were also very understanding and allowed her additional time to complete assignments. Even the librarians assisted her by finding articles for her research topics when she had to write papers. Additionally, a mobility instructor helped Hill locate her classes at the beginning of each semester.

There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel because theres a lot going on, but I didnt give up, Harley-Hill said. Thanks to her support and determination, Hill completed her degree with a 3.9 GPA and is set to begin her career as a counselor with Pelican Bayou Counseling in Shreveport.

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Hill hopes she can inspire everyone and wants people to know that just because things happen in life, you dont have to count yourself out.

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DIAMOND MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4)  Due to low water levels, an emergency change issued by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) on Tuesday has increased the daily fishing limit at Crouse Reservoir, effective immediately.

The change, issued by DWR Deputy Director Michael Canning to the Utah Fishing Guidebook, now allows anglers to keep up to eight trout of any species, doubling the previous limit of four.

Utahs reservoir outlook: Why conserving water is key

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This emergency change will allow the public to harvest more fish from the reservoir so they can be used and not wasted as water levels continue to decline this summer, Canning said in a press release. Increased harvest will hopefully improve the survival of any remaining fish, as well.

The low water levels in Crause Reservoir can be attributed to the lack of snow Diamond Mountain received during the 2024-25 winter season. Pot Creek, the creek that feeds all of them, doesnt run year-round anymore and its mostly fed by snow melt runoff, Trina Hedrick, Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator at DWR told ABC4.com.

Gov. Cox signs executive order to establish new council focused on Utahs future and quality of life

Courtesy: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Courtesy: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Courtesy: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Courtesy: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Courtesy: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

We hold water at Matt Warner and Calder Reservoirs up above Crause, so it often stays low, Hedrick added. Its simply a matter of not getting enough snow, and its hard to maintain three reservoirs because of it.

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Hedrick also noted that DWR highly encourages anglers to take advantage of this opportunity, as the oxygen levels within the reservoir will suffer if the current fish population isnt reduced. She said the fish are really big and a lot of fun, and that they feel its best to encourage fishing there, and for Utahns to harvest and enjoy the fishing while its still there.

The change is currently in effect and will expire on December 31st, 2025.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  After a meeting of the Utah legislatures Rules Review and General Oversight Committee that discussed the Cox campaigns signature gathering, critics of Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson have taken to social media to voice their disapproval via comments that included death threats.

At the May 22 meeting, the committee discussed changes to Utahs signature verification process. Two supporters of Phil Lyman, including his running mate Natalie Clawson, were each given 10 minutes to present to the committee where they repeated claims that Gov. Spencer Coxs campaign did not gather enough signatures during the 2024 election, and accused Lt. Gov. Hendersons office, which contracts signature verification with the Davis County Clerks Office, of malfeasance.

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On May 27, Sophie Anderson, a former plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking access to sensitive election materials that Utahs appellate court ruled are protected, posted a photo of Lt. Gov. Henderson on X/Twitter and mentioned her account, asking, What should be the penalty for those who defraud elections? The post elicited approximately 80 responses in roughly 24 hours, with some users saying Henderson committed treason, others saying she should face time in jail or prison, while others called for harsher punishments, including death.

PREVIOUSLY: Illegitimate election claims fly as legislative meeting mulls changes to Utahs signature verification

Several users posted GIFs or photos of nooses, another posted a photo of an electric chair, and some responses simply said Death or Public executions. ABC4.com reached out to the lieutenant governors office, which said the office does not comment on her security.

Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson has received online threats over election fraud claims. Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson has received online threats over election fraud claims. Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson has received online threats over election fraud claims. Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson has received online threats over election fraud claims.

The online threats against the Lt. Governor were posted roughly a week after a man was arrested for allegedly stalking and harassing Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. ABC4.com spoke with the Utah Department of Public Safety about how it responds to online threats.

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Captain Tanner Jensen, the director of the Statewide Information Analysis Center at the DPS, said each threat posted online is taken very seriously.

With this situation, its concerning  very serious  and we dont take these types of threats lightly, Jensen said of the threats to the Lt. Governor.

Utah man arrested for allegedly stalking, harassing Salt Lake mayor over pride-themed city flag designs

Jensen said that analysts and agents evaluate online posts to see if what is posted is protected by the First Amendment or if it is a true threat. He also said there is a difference between those true threats and political hyperbole.

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Each post is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and then it is determined if continued monitoring is needed for the users who made those posts. Jensen said there are ways to monitor and assess threats, and to analyze the behaviors of people to see if there is a pathway to violence.

We definitely pay close attention to our elected officials in Utah and understand that they are a target of threats, Jensen said.

He said that DPS is often notified by social media companies when the platforms identify potential threats. Another way that the department learns of concerning posts is when members of the public raise concerns.

If you see something suspicious and concerning, please let law enforcement know, and well evaluate it, Jensen said.

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Jensen encouraged the community to stand up against this type of threatening language and hate.

Abigail Jones and Nick Butts contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Luis Montenegro was reappointed prime minister of Portugal on Thursday by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

A week and a half ago, Montenegro's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) won the snap parliamentary election by a large margin, but once again missed an absolute majority, meaning that the prime minister will still have to manage with a minority government.

Montenegro's first test is approaching soon when he has to present his government programme to the new parliament, which is scheduled to hold its inaugural session on June 3 or 5.

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If the new government's programme is rejected, the country faces political stalemate and possibly another snap election, which, according to the constitution, can only take place after a year at the earliest.

There have already been three snap elections since 2022. The most recent was necessitated because Montenegro clearly lost a vote of confidence he himself had called in March.

The 52-year-old lawyer came under pressure from the opposition due to opaque dealings of a family business. Since then, Portugal has only had a caretaker government with limited powers.

However, the allegations did not harm his alliance in the snap election on May 18. The conservatives even increased their number of seats in parliament from 80 to 91. The absolute majority of at least 116 seats, however, remained far out of reach.

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For the first time, the right-wing populists of Chega (Enough!) came in second place with 60 seats, ahead of the Socialist Party (PS) with 58.

Montenegro recently continued to rule out cooperation with the right-wing populists. A coalition between conservatives and socialists was also ruled out due to irreconcilable differences.

Observers warn of an uncertain future.
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The regulatory environment for digital assets in the United States is undergoing a significant evolution. Over the past month, several federal agenciesthe Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the Securities and Exchange Commissionhave issued new guidance or policy updates that collectively reshape how banks and financial institutions may engage with crypto assets. These developments signal both a maturing of regulatory oversight and a growing institutional acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial frameworks.

OCC Clarifies Bank Authority for Crypto Custody

On May 7, the OCC issued Interpretive Letter 1184, reaffirming that national banks and federal savings associations are authorized to provide crypto asset custody services. This letter builds upon earlier guidance and offers expanded clarity around what services are permissible and how they should be supervised. The OCC emphasized that crypto custody is essentially a modern extension of traditional bank custody services, provided it is executed with appropriate risk controls and in full regulatory compliance.

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Banks may offer services such as crypto-fiat currency exchange, trade execution, transaction settlement, recordkeeping, tax reporting, and valuation. They are also allowed to outsource these activities to third-party providers or sub-custodians, provided robust third-party risk management practices are in place. The letter also reinforces that when banks act in a fiduciary capacity, they must comply with the applicable regulations under 12 Code of Federal Regulations part 9, for national banks, or part 150, for federal savings associations. In essence, the OCC is reinforcing the idea that crypto-related services can be a natural part of a banks offeringsas long as they are well-managed and fully compliant.

The Federal Reserve Normalizes Oversight of Crypto Activities

In a significant policy reversal, the Federal Reserve announced on April 24 that it has rescinded multiple supervisory letters and joint statements related to crypto activities. Most notably, it withdrew its 2022 directive that required state member banks to notify regulators in advance before participating in crypto asset-related activities. Going forward, these activities will now be reviewed through the standard supervisory process that applies to all other permissible bank operations.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A controversial speaker initially listed for the upcoming USS Liberty Veterans Association reunion in Norfolk has been banned from speaking at the event at the Sheraton, according to organizers.

John Dixon, media director for the Liberty Veterans Association, also confirmed the VFWs decision to remove Peters from a separate memorial service at the USS Liberty Monument, hosted by VFW Post 4809 in Norfolk June 8.

As of right now, Stew Peters is banned, Dixon said. Thats all we can say. We dont know anything  the reasoning behind it. We dont know anything.

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The reunion, scheduled for June 69 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, will bring together survivors and supporters of the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy ship attacked during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Dr. Kenny T. Fountain, a professor and director of Writing & Rhetoric at the University of Virginia, said understanding the historical context is important.

Criticism emerged after an online flyer circulated listing far-right media personality Stew Peters among the speakers. Peters has faced backlash for pushing antisemitic rhetoric and conspiracy theories.

In a statement released last week to 10 On Your Side, the VFW emphasized it does not support extremist ideologies.

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Fountain said rhetoric like Peters is not just inflammatory, but potentially harmful.

Anti-Jewish sentiment that transcends the state of Israel gets kindled by these kinds of ideas, he said. Repetition can encourage belief, whether we like it or not.

City officials say a robust security plan is in place for the weekend, which coincides with Norfolks annual Harborfest celebration.

The city of Norfolk stated that Norfolk Police Department will have an increased security presence throughout downtown Norfolk during the entire Harborfest weekend. NPD also receives additional assistance from federal law enforcement partners during Harborfest. While specific details cannot be provided, the Norfolk Police Department maintains a robust security plan for large scale events such as this one to ensure the safety of our public. 

WAVY 10 has reached out the Sheraton numerous times, and has yet to receive a response.

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LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB)  Lynn Haven Elementary School students also celebrated their 176th and final day of the school year on Wednesday.

They took the Florida Assessment Student Thinking Test three times this school year to determine their promotion to the next grade level.

Students who scored a 4 or 5, or showed improvement on the test, received a special ticket to participate in a water play day.

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170 students got to enjoy the water slides and activities. However, they also say theyll miss their teachers.

The last in school can always be hard for me because, like, Ive always loved my teachers. Ive never had an extra strict teacher. Like, my teacher is always just perfect, Lynn Haven Elementary third-grader Kennedy Hudson said.

It would be a little great if we got to see them more during the summer, but they cant, and we have to come to school, and it may be a little bit sad that we have to leave them, Lynn Haven Elementary third-grader Nicholas Nelson said.

This year has been really fun. I really enjoy fourth grade. And all the teachers here are very nice, Lynn Haven Elementary fourth-grader Kealy Madison said.

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Thursday is the final day of school in Franklin, Gulf and Okaloosa Counties.

Liberty and Walton counties will end their school year on Friday.

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Last August, I packed up a 10-foot U-Haul, leaving behind my comfortable college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, ready to start graduate school in New York City.

When I moved to New York, I was only a year out from ending a long-term relationship with my high school sweetheart, so I planned to take my dating life slow. I hoped Id go on a few dates. But I didnt expect to fall in love. Until I met my boyfriend  a Fulbright scholar on a student visa.

We met organically at a graduate student social event outside of a bar in Greenwich Village last August. Friendly coffee meetups turned into dinners in Clinton Hill and walks along the Brooklyn Bridge. Until one night, after a first date filled with ferry rides and skyline views, he asked me to be his girlfriend at 11:59 p.m. in the middle of Times Square.

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When we first started going out last October, we discussed what a future might look like for us. Fulbright requires students to return to their home countries for two years after the completion of their program. We have talked about how we might navigate that time apart, but mainly we stay focused on the guaranteed time we have together until he graduates next spring.

Our experiences as graduate students living in New York have revolved around each other. Weve attended Broadway shows, Carnegie Hall performances and visited museums together. Weve taken the Amtrak train to different cities, like Boston and Washington, D.C. We can agree that this bustling city would feel a little less full without each other.

But this guaranteed time, the year and a half we have left while my boyfriend is on a J-1 student visa, has started to feel less guaranteed. The Trump administrations federal funding freeze led to delayed or partial stipends for Fulbright students earlier this year, creating uncertainty as to whether these payments would resume at all. My boyfriend is also from a country that the Trump administration has considered restricting in the latest round of proposed travel bans  so there is some anxiety about whether he can safely travel between the U.S. and his home country.

In light of recent immigration crackdowns, U.S. universities like Columbia University and Cornell University released guidance advising international students to postpone international travel plans over spring break.

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This month marks almost 10 months since hes seen his parents and siblings. Theres a plane ticket to his hometown burning a hole in his email inbox. For months he has agonized over whether it is safe to go, consulting with friends, family and immigration lawyers.

I just want to see my family, he says.

The author in Central Park in April 2025. Photo Courtesy Of Isabella Reilly

If my boyfriend chooses to travel and isnt allowed back into New York, hell lose the prestigious Fulbright scholarship he spent over a year applying for. Hell lose all his progress on the degree hes been working toward for almost a year. All those hours spent studying in his room and at the library will be wasted. Hell have nothing to show for it.

If he isnt allowed back into New York, we might lose each other, too. But I cant tell him not to go. With my mother a one-hour plane ride from me in North Carolina, and my dad a three-hour train ride away in Rhode Island, I dont know what its like to go without seeing my family for months on end.

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As much as I fear what may await him at the U.S. border, I understand that for him  someone with a marginalized identity  the stakes reach far beyond our relationship. Its a choice between family and his future.

Even though he is here legally and abides by the law, my boyfriend lives with the constant fear of being sent home. This fear isnt imaginary  but created by the Trump administrations aggressive revoking of several student visas at universities across the nation, like North Carolina State University and Columbia. The administration also recently blocked Harvard Universitys ability to enroll international students.

While the Harvard ban has been temporarily halted by a federal judge, my boyfriend would say that all of the back-and-forth has only made his decision harder. He wishes there was a definitive answer  something that would guarantee he would either have safe travels home or that he should stay put in the U.S. As I watch him agonize over daily news push notifications, I wish there were a clear answer, too.

Studying in the U.S. was supposed to be freeing, but instead it has made my boyfriend feel trapped.

Studying in the U.S. was supposed to be freeing, but instead it has made my boyfriend feel trapped. He spent his entire life idealizing the image of life in America. Now he wonders if it was truly worth all that he gave up.

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When youre in a place, and they keep telling you, We dont want you, eventually you start to believe no amount of fighting will make you belong, he told me on a recent FaceTime call.

It hurts to see my country do this to him. Like him, I feel trapped by Trumps deportation push. Ive spent hours worrying about what may happen if he chooses to visit home. Ive prayed a million prayers asking that he is able to travel back and forth safely. Ive tried to imagine what my life would be like if he never came back to me.

International students bring with them a diverse set of perspectives and cultural traditions that American students can learn from. Meeting my boyfriend has introduced me to a world of culture I wouldnt have found without him. Being in spaces where I am the only American at the table has sometimes made me uncomfortable, but it has forced me to recognize  and grow from  that discomfort, making me a more empathetic human being. I can confidently say I engage with the world around me differently now than I did less than a year ago.

Thats why Trumps crackdown on international students is so alarming. With more than 1 million international students attending U.S. colleges and universities each year, efforts to expunge these students come not only at a price to our nations economy  international students contributed nearly $44 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year  but also carry a number of other risks.

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With the majority of international students pursuing STEM-related degrees, we risk losing important research developments while simultaneously shrinking our worldviews and reinforcing a climate of xenophobia.

For my boyfriend and I, the administrations crackdown sometimes feels personal  but its about so much more than my relationship.

I dont know if my boyfriend will choose to use his plane ticket home. If he does, I have to hope his valid documents will allow him to pass through customs and that he isnt questioned simply because of his identity. I have to hope that he will come back to me.

Until then, I will cling to every present moment we have, praying our clock doesnt run out before its time.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.
We cannot build a prosperous, equitable and sustainable Michigan without placing families at the center of our economic strategy. Families are not a side conversation  they are the workforce, the innovators and the next generation of leaders. When we fail to prioritize their stability and growth, we undermine the very foundation of the states future.

But this week, as leaders from across Michigan gather at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference  one of the states most powerful stages for shaping our future  to debate economic competitiveness, talent retention and innovation, Michigans children and families are the critical component missing from the equation.

Students at School of Purpose in Detroit, Amari Cason, 4, Cyriah Dukes, 4, Dontrelle Stubbs, 2, CEO Tissua Franklin and Bailee Robinson, 5, dance to the song "Baby Shark" on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Tissua Franklin is hoping to change the literacy preparation for children in Detroit. Franklin not only published a handbook to help educators and parents help their children but she has created a daycare center that is focused on teaching children how to identify letters and numbers and words and to get a jump start on reading before kindergarten.

Lifelines at risk

Across Michigan, vital lifelines for families are at risk. Proposed federal cuts to Head Start, housing assistance (HUD), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid threaten the essential supports that keep children safe, parents working and communities thriving. These programs are not just safety nets. They are economic infrastructure.

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Consider this:

Over 30,000 Michigan children gain critical developmental support through Head Start and Early Head Start. Cuts would eliminate thousands of these opportunities.

Nearly 92,000 families depend on Housing Choice Vouchers to remain housed  housing that supports job security, school attendance and community stability.

Around 1.2 million Michiganders rely on SNAP to feed their families, which in turn supports local businesses and regional food economies.

Some 2.3 million residents, including children, are covered by Medicaid and CHIP. Cuts here risk access to preventative care, strain emergency services, and create ripple effects across schools and workplaces.

If we want to attract and retain talent, reduce long-term healthcare and education costs, and support a vibrant economy, we must invest in the systems that help families thrive.

Thats where Hope Starts Here comes in. We are a Detroit-based collaborative of over 40 organizations  nonprofits, educators, health care providers, foundations and more  working together to ensure every child in Detroit has the care, education, and resources to thrive. Our vision is bold: By 2027, make Detroit a city that puts young children and families first.

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Were already making real progress:

Partnering with the City of Detroit to amend zoning policies and reduce barriers to opening child care centers.

Improving early learning environments to better prepare children for school and life.

Supporting the development of a Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County Regional child care plan grant to address access, affordability and quality.

Convening partners across systems to build a stronger, more inclusive infrastructure for child and family well-being.

Coordinating advocacy city wide across each partner to increase awareness to center children and families in the Detroit mayoral election.

Connecting childcare providers with K-3 education, to ensure that children are meeting important milestones to prepare for Kindergarten.

We can't do it alone

But we cannot do it alone. To make this work sustainable  and to scale it across Michigan  we need policymakers, business leaders and community partners to act with urgency.

We call on state leaders to:

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Increase wages and benefits for early childhood educators  the workforce behind the workforce.

Raise child care scholarship reimbursement rates.

Implement a Michigan Child Tax Credit.

Make early childhood educators categorically eligible for state supports.

Protect and expand access to federal programs that stabilize families.

Growth doesn't happen in a vacuum

Mackinac Policy Conference is a place for bold ideas and courageous leadership. Lets ensure that this year, the conversation includes the most essential voices  our parents, caregivers, providers, and children. We must stop pretending that the equation for economic growth and workforce development happen in a vacuum. Lets ask how every policy on infrastructure, workforce, innovation, or investment directly supports Michigan families.

Hope Starts Here isnt just a name. Its our strategy. Investing in early childhood isnt a moral afterthought  its a smart, scalable growth strategy. Nobel Laureate James Heckmans research shows that early investments in children yield the highest economic returns. In other words: the sooner we invest, the stronger we grow. This was made evident when Detroit became a UNESCO city, centering all forms of sustainability.

Together, we can build a Michigan where families flourish, talent stays, businesses grow, and every child has a path to success. Lets expand the agenda, center the people who power our economy, and move Michigan forward  starting with its youngest residents.

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It's time to give them a seat at Michigans most important table.

Kirby Burkholder is president of Core Business Solutions at IFF. Alicia Guevara is CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. Jeff Miles is vice president of community impact at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Denise Fair Razo is a public health professional. James Ribbron is executive director of Detroit Champions for H.O.P.E.

Hope Starts Here is a Detroit-based collaborative of over 40 organizations, including nonprofits, educators, health care providers and foundations, working together to ensure every child in Detroit has the care, education, and resources to thrive. Learn more at https://hopestartsheredetroit.org/.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print.

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Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Child care missing on 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference agenda | Opinion
French President Emmanuel Macron came to Jakarta hoping to charm Indonesians with selfies and sweet words. Instead, he got a flood of emotional tweets - and not the endearing kind.

His motorcade rolled into the Indonesian capital on Wednesday afternoon, right in time for rush hour. By evening, Jakartas roads were jammed, tempers were flaring, and netizens were storming social media to let him know exactly how they felt.

Macron posted a cheerful selfie with some Indonesian students, writing on X (formerly Twitter), "Indonesia loves France  and the feeling is mutual!" But the comments section quickly turned into a digital traffic jam of its own.

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"You caused HOURS of traffic!" one user complained. Another added, "Your visit to our country caused a catastrophic congestion last night. Hope you have a nightmare while visiting here." And a third put it plainly: Nah, we hate you Macron.

Videos of gridlock on Jakartas main roads went viral. One clip showed a nightmare along Sudirman, the citys main business strip, with cars barely moving  except, of course, for a squeaky-clean lane reserved for the presidential convoy.

To be fair, Jakarta isnt exactly famous for smooth rides. With over 11 million residents and a car-obsessed culture, traffic is a daily battle. But Macrons visit lit the match on a powder keg of public frustration.

Local police rushed to clear things up. It wasnt Macron, said traffic director Komarudin. He insisted the gridlock was due to the usual midweek spike in vehicles and not because of the French leaders movements.

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Still, he admitted the roads were cleared just for a moment while Macrons convoy passed.

And in a twist that prompted mockery from some online, even Macron himself reportedly got stuck in Jakartas traffic. So did his wife, who was delayed returning from a museum visit.

Jakarta is among the world's most congested cities and in addition to having more than 11 million residents, there are millions more who commute in from nearby areas.

Indonesia has 17,500 islands - and with them many reasons not to stay in the dense and smog-ridden capital.

Most travellers to Indonesia want to quickly escape one of the world's most congested cities, and will only briefly see the sprawling city's traffic-choked streets while on their way to island beaches and volcanoes.

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The belching fumes from heavy traffic have long meant the wearing of face coverings by some of the tens of thousands of motorcyclists clogging the streets at rush hour.

Research has shown the continuing impact of air pollution in Asia makes it a bigger global health challenge than alcohol, cigarettes, dirty drinking water or traffic accidents.

Indonesia is Southeast Asias largest economy and has been investing in infrastructure development to boost growth and connectivity.

However Jakarta's traffic remains notoriously bad and many arrivals will quickly leave the capital's poor air quality behind for a train trip to Bali via Java and from there to the snorkelling haven of Lombok or to Komodo National Park.

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The government is even building a new capital, Nusantara, in the Kalimantan region on the island of Borneo, since Jakarta, with its smog and traffic chaos, is no longer viable as a capital in the long term. In addition, the city is falling victim to frequent flooding.

Jakarta's notoriously crowded streets force many to rely on motorbikes, often shared, for transportation. Soeren Stache/dpa

For years, epic traffic jams and air pollution have been putting a strain on Jakarta's population. Carola Frentzen/dpa
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary, the latest statewide poll from Texas Southern University found state Attorney General Ken Paxton leading incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, 43% to 34%, while roughly a fourth of the GOP voters havent yet made up their minds. (Click the link for more information on the polls methodology and margin of error.)

* On a related note, while Texas primaries wont be held until next year, Cornyn is already dipping into his campaign war chest to run attack ads targeting Paxton, suggesting the senators internal polling has offered him discouraging news.

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* A week after House Republicans advanced their inaptly named One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a progressive group called Protect Our Care has launched an ad campaign targeting 11 GOP lawmakers from competitive congressional districts. The Democratic-aligned group Families Over Billionaires recently began airing related ads focused on Republican Medicaid cuts.

* A related note: House Majority Forward, a political action committee aligned with the House Democratic leadership, also launched an ad campaign this week targeting 26 House Republicans from competitive districts.

* In a curious twist, the National Republican Congressional Committee also launched an ad campaign last week, targeting 25 House Democrats from competitive congressional districts for having voted against the far-right GOP megabill.

* In West Virginia, incumbent Republican Sen. Shelly Moore Capito was already facing one primary challenger from the right, and now shes facing another: State Sen. Tom Willis filed the paperwork for his Senate campaign last week.

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* And in Alabama, where Sen. Tommy Tuberville is giving up his seat to run for governor, there will likely be a crowded field of GOP candidates running to succeed him. Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL who leads a nonprofit that fights human trafficking, is apparently the first out of the gate.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* An increasingly serpentine story on tariffs: Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a brief order granting the Trump administrations request to pause an earlier ruling that voided several of the presidents tariffs. As a result, those tariffs have been reinstated for now. The businesses challenging the tariffs have until June 5 to respond, while the administration has until June 9 to file any reply, the appeals court said.

* The latest on Trumps political war against Harvard: A federal judge on Thursday extended a temporary order blocking the Trump administrations revocation of Harvards ability to enroll international students. The extension came after the Trump administration said it would give the university 30 days to challenge the revocation, according to a letter attached to a Wednesday night court filing.

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* All is not well at the FAA: A wave of staff departures is under way at the Federal Aviation Administration. Resignations and retirements are building across the agency, potentially affecting divisions that oversee everything from air traffic to legal matters and space launches, according to FAA documents and people close to the discussions.

* A new Covid variant: The World Health Organization announced last week that it was monitoring the variant, NB.1.8.1, following a rise in cases in several parts of the world, including Europe, Southeast Asia and North and South America. The variant appears to be more transmissible than the dominant strain worldwide, LP.8.1, meaning it has the potential to drive up cases this summer.

* In related news: The Department of Health and Human Services is pulling millions of dollars it had committed to give Moderna to aid the effort to develop a vaccine to combat the bird flu in humans, the company announced Wednesday.

* Speaking of fights over science: Sixteen states sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, asking a federal court to block cuts in programs and funding for the National Science Foundation that they argue are critical to maintaining the United States position as a global leader in science, technology, engineering and math. The states sought the court order on grounds that the foundations actions violated the law and would cause immediate and irreparable harm to the states involved in the lawsuit.

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* Reasonable questions: Democratic senators on Wednesday asked a top Trump administration official for details on the salaries of President Donald Trumps political appointees and raised questions about the administrations urging of agency leaders to max out the amount of taxpayer dollars allowed for these jobs while ignoring the standard hiring process.

* Trumps FBI vs. Trumps intelligence agencies: An F.B.I. intelligence memo unsealed on Wednesday offers new details on why the bureau concluded that some Venezuelan government officials were likely to have had some responsibility for a criminal gangs actions in the United States, pitting it against other intelligence agencies in a heated dispute over President Trumps use of a wartime law.

See you tomorrow.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Reuters reported last week that Thomas Barrack, the current U.S. ambassador to Turkey, was poised to pick up a second job as Donald Trumps new special envoy for Syria. The report came on the heels of the presidents surprise announcement that he was lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria, which were originally imposed during Bashar al-Assads regime, which came to an abrupt end late last year.

As it turns out, Reuters was correct: Trump announced by way of his social platform on Wednesday that Barrack will, in fact, take on this second diplomatic role. One day later, as The New York Times reported, the administrations newest envoy landed in Damascus.

The new U.S. envoy to Syria made his first visit to the country on Thursday, a sign of warming relations as he called for the countrys new leadership to work toward a nonaggression pact with Israel. The special envoy, Thomas Barrack, was appointed by President Trump just last week, days after Mr. Trump said that he would lift U.S. sanctions on Syria.

Time will tell whether Barracks efforts bear fruit, but its worth taking a moment to note why his name might sound familiar.

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After Trumps first election victory in 2016, there were a series of difficult questions surrounding the Republicans inaugural committee, which faced scrutiny  and subpoenas  from federal prosecutors over the first half of Trumps presidency, specifically on how the committee spent its considerable resources. As the investigation intensified, there were concerns that the inaugural committees chairman  Barrack  might face real legal trouble.

As it turned out, that investigation did not lead to an indictment, but in 2021, Barrack was criminally charged by the Justice Department, which accused Trumps longtime friend of unlawfully advancing the interests of the United Arab Emirates during the Republican campaign and administration.

Specifically, the California billionaire was accused of acting and conspiring to act as agents of the UAE between 2016 and 2018. He was also charged with obstruction of justice and making multiple false statements to federal law enforcement agents.

In late 2022, he was acquitted  a jury in New York found him not guilty on all counts  but it stood to reason that the underlying controversy and his criminal trial might have some effect on his reputation.

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Nevertheless, two years later, his longtime friend won the 2024 election, and Barrack now has two important diplomatic positions.

This report updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Its been a challenge keeping up with the flurry of pardons Donald Trump has issued in recent days, specifically rewarding his political allies and donors, though one trend is increasingly unavoidable: The incumbent president has a real soft spot for congressional Republicans whove been convicted of felonies.

Take former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm of New York, for example. NBC News reported:

Trump this afternoon pardoned former Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., who was convicted in 2014 of tax fraud and related charges. Grimm pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud after he was accused in a 20-count indictment of underreporting nearly $1 million in earnings and lowering payroll taxes through off-the-book payments at a Manhattan restaurant he previously managed. After the conviction, Grimm resigned from Congress and was sentenced to eight months of incarceration. He was released in 2016, according to Spectrum News.

Grimm had a brief and unfortunate career on Capitol Hill, punctuated by an incident in which he threatened physical violence against a reporter, vowing to break him like a boy after the journalist had the audacity to ask the lawmaker about the criminal investigations pending against him at the time. There was also a memorable incident in 2021 when Grimm, who ran on an anti-Affordable Care Act platform, was asked whether he would forgo the taxpayer-financed coverage he hoped to deny others.

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The Republican responded, What am I, not supposed to have health care? Two weeks later, Grimm voted to repeal the ACA and deny coverage to millions.

But it was Grimms crimes that derailed his career. Though he initially claimed he was the victim of a political witch hunt  a familiar phrase, to be sure  the New Yorker ultimately agreed to plead guilty to a felony count of tax fraud. Though Grimm tried to remain in Congress anyway, GOP leaders pressed him to resign. He succumbed to party pressure soon after.

More than a decade later, Grimm, who was seriously injured in a polo tournament last year, is the beneficiary of a presidential pardon. It coincided with Trump also pardoning former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland  who served three terms as a Republican member of Congress  whose record is even more controversial.

As The New York Times reported, Rowland was forced to resign in 2004 to avoid impeachment stemming from a corruption scandal. The Times added, He pleaded guilty later that year and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. Ten years later, Mr. Rowland was convicted again of public corruption, including obstructing justice, conspiracy, falsifying documents relied on by federal regulators and other violations of campaign finance laws.

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Theres nothing to suggest there was anything wrong with his prosecution, but Trump pardoned him anyway.

If at this point readers are thinking that the president has pardoned several former GOP members of Congress, theres ample evidence to bolster the point. The Washington Post published this memorable roundup on the last day of Trumps first term:

Since Trump took office, two incumbent Republican congressmen have been convicted of crimes, Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Duncan D. Hunter (R-Calif.), as has a former congressman, Steve Stockman (R-Tex.). Trump pardoned all three of them. Trump also pardoned four former Republican congressmen convicted before his presidency: Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), Mark Siljander (R-Mich.) and Randall Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.). ... [A]ccording to GovTracks Legislator Misconduct Database, Trump has now pardoned a majority of Republican congressmen convicted of felonies in the 21st century.

With the Grimm and Rowland pardons, the new total of Trump pardons for congressional Republicans convicted of crimes has reached nine  and counting. (While some congressional Democrats have also been convicted of crimes in recent years, to date, none of them has benefited from the incumbent presidents magnanimity.)

Whats more, if we widen the aperture a bit, its also worth emphasizing that the Trump administration has also abandoned the criminal case against a former Republican congressman whod already been found guilty of corruption by a jury, while simultaneously taking steps to abandon a corruption investigation targeting an incumbent Republican congressman.

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The message to Republican politicians convicted or accused of corruption couldnt be clearer: You have a friend in the Oval Office.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
On May 28, Bloomberg reported that BP Plc (NYSE:BP) is considering selling its Castrol lubricant business as part of an ongoing strategic review, citing internal sources. The report states that energy companies such as Indias Reliance Industries Ltd., along with private equity and investment firms including Apollo Global Management Inc. (NYSE:APO), Lone Star Funds, Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM), and Stonepeak Partners, could emerge as potential suitors.

BP Plc (BP) Nears Castrol Sale Amid Strategic Shifts and Investor Pressure

The Castrol business manufactures lubricants for automobiles and various industries. The asset has drawn particular interest due to its strong exposure to the fast-growing Indian market.

However, these developments are not new or surprising, as discussions have been going on for some past months.

In March, Bloomberg had reported that Saudi Arabian oil giant Saudi Aramco was considering acquiring part or all of BP's Castrol unit. These new potential buyers are expected to participate in the bidding process alongside Aramco. According to Bloomberg estimates, the Castrol assets could fetch as much as $10 billion. BPs Mumbai-listed subsidiary, Castrol India Ltd., currently has a market capitalization of approximately $2.5 billion.

Before that, on February 26, 2025, BP management unveiled a strategic plan to divest around $20 billion in assets by the end of 2027. The Castrol lubricants business was among the first to undergo review. The plan aims to sharpen the companys focus on its core operations while reversing the earlier plan to scale back investment in low-carbon energy. As part of this strategy, BP also reduced its share buybacks to between $750 million and $1 billion per quarter, down from $1.75 billion previously.

BP's strategic shift follows growing pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which disclosed a stake of over 5% in the company in April. Elliott is compelling BP to generate $20 billion in annual free cash flow by 2027, cut costs, and divest non-core assets.

While the process remains in its early stages and none of the involved parties have confirmed details, Bloomberg estimates that it could be several weeks before initial bids are submitted.

While we acknowledge the potential of BP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BP and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
At an Oval Office event on Wednesday, a reporter asked Donald Trump why he never followed through on his threats to impose economic sanctions on Russia. The president never quite got around to answering the question, but he did seem eager to emphasize a completely unrelated point.

I went to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and [the United Arab Emirates], and we brought back $5.1 trillion, Trump claimed. So, I made that money in about two hours, the money that were talking about. After briefly suggesting  without a shred of evidence  that Ukraine has misused U.S. security aid, the Republican went on say, Im more interested because I picked up $5.1 trillion and, by the way, got a beautiful big, magnificent free airplane for the United States Air Force, OK? Very proud of that, too.

For now, lets not dwell on the fact that the plane from Qatar wasnt free, and its proving to be far more controversial than the White House cares to admit. Lets instead consider that statistic the president is apparently quite excited about.

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If the $5.1 trillion figure sounds at all familiar, thats because Trump cant seem to stop talking about it. He referenced it a week ago when unveiling the Make America Healthy Again report, which came two days after he pushed the same line during a visit to Capitol Hill, which came one day after he repeated the talking point at the White House.

For reasons unknown, the president went on to say last week that the figure might even be $7 trillion at some undetermined point in the future.

To be sure, the boast certainly sounds impressive. Americans are apparently supposed to believe that Trump went to the Middle East, met with some officials for about two hours and left with investments so enormous, they represent roughly a sixth of the United States GDP.

But thats not what happened.

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For one thing, as The Washington Post reported, Trump has started referring to Biden-era foreign investments as his own, pretending that theyre new and that he deserves credit for them. The Posts report added:

The math behind the White Houses claim that Trump secured trillions on this trip is fuzzy even including the contracts that predate his presidency. The sum of the deals is under $1 trillion, but the White House is also counting announcements it made months before the trip, including a vague plan that the UAE said would result in $1.4 trillion in investment in the United States over the next decade. The UAE and White House previously announced that deal in March. The White House did not explain why its announcements included deals that predate Trumps presidency.

Around the same time, The New York Times took a closer look at the data and reported, The list of some of the agreements published by the White House left many details vague. The value of the agreements appeared to total about $283 billion.

If those investments happen, terrific. But they might not happen, and $283 billion is a small fraction of $5.1 trillion.

Whats more, as MSNBCs Paul Waldman wrote in a piece for Public Notice, some of the money Trump referenced might materialize in future decades. It led Waldman to conclude that the presidential claims amounted to little more than smoke and mirrors.

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The problem, however, is not just that Trump keeps talking up an investment figure that isnt real. The problem is made worse by the way that the president appears to be making plans to spend some of the money that doesnt exist.

At an Oval Office event last week, Trump was asked whether his wildly unrealistic Golden Dome idea might be prohibitively expensive. He responded, We can afford to do it. You know, we took in $5.1 trillion in the last four days in the Middle East, and when you think about it, this is a tiny fraction of that.

But therein lies the point: Trump didnt take in $5.1 trillion, so making plans to devote those imaginary resources to a missile shield project that wont work is an enormous problem.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  In the second episode of MADE Conversations, News 8s Mike Cerulli and WICCs Melissa Sheketoff talked about innovation, workplace culture, hiring and entertaining employees.

Connecticuts Chief Marketing Officer Anthony Anthony, Public Policy Associate at Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Jenna Grasso and Managing Director at the Connecticut Office of Innovation Jessica Dodge were guests on the show.

Watch the episode in the video above.

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The first event of the MADE series, a quarterly business leadership series designed to support Connecticuts industry professionals and entrepreneurs, took place in April at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Upcoming MADE events include:

Reputation MADE | October 2025 in the greater Fairfield County area, addressing how businesses can differentiate themselves and stand out in a crowded media ecosystem with authentic and strong brands.

Learn more at https://connecticut-made.com/.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  News 8s Mike Cerulli and WICCs Melissa Sheketoff hosted episode three of MADE Conversations at the Yale Innovation Summit, held inside the Yale School of Management in New Haven, where they explored the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and business growth.

Jodie Gillon, president and CEO of BioCT, Dave Steuber, the chief of staff at the Department of Economic and Community Development, and Chris DiPentima, president and CEO of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), were guests on the episode.

Watch episodes one and two of MADE Conversations.

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Upcoming MADE events include:

Reputation MADE | October 2025 in the greater Fairfield County area, addressing how businesses can differentiate themselves and stand out in a crowded media ecosystem with authentic and strong brands.

Learn more at https://connecticut-made.com/.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Editors note: Details of the story may be disturbing to some readers.

MADISONVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Madisonville man is facing a sexual abuse charge after allegedly watching pornography with a minor in the room with him.

According to an arrest citation, Preston Darnell, 31, told the police that he knowingly watched pornography while fully naked with a 10-year-old in the room on May 11.

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In the citation, Darnell also admitted to gratifying himself with the minor in the room.

Jail records show that, on May 27, he was booked into the Hopkins County Jail and charged with:

First-degree sexual abuse  victim under the age of 12

Distribution of obscene matter to minors

Court documents show that hes being held on a $20,000 cash bond and is due to appear for a hearing at 9 a.m. on June 6.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The "Make America Great Again" roadshow arrived in Europe this week with events in two nations where American conservatives see prime opportunities for a new transatlantic political culture -- one molded by President Donald Trump's right-wing populism and imbued with grand "clash of civilizations" rhetoric.

The Conservative Political Action Conference -- CPAC -- opened its week of European events on Tuesday in Jasionka, Poland, where Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was among the speakers, urging Poles to vote for right-wing presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki in this weekend's runoff election.

Noem eschewed the diplomatic norm of non-alignment in elections in allied nations, as have other administration officials including Vice President JD Vance. "You will be the leaders that will turn Europe back to conservative values," she told attendees in Jasionka.

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"We need you to elect the right leader," Noem said, dismissing Nawrocki's rival -- liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski -- as "an absolute train wreck of a leader."

"Donald Trump is a strong leader for us, but you have an opportunity that you have just as strong of a leader in Karol if you make him the leader of this country," Noem said.

PHOTO: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Jasionka, Poland, on May 27, 2025. (Alex Brandon/via Reuters)

CPAC's next stop will be in Budapest, Hungary, on Thursday, hosted by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- a totem of the European anti-establishment right wing who has long enjoyed cozy relations with Trump.

Peter Kreko, the director of the Political Capital Institute in Budapest, said Orban is positioning himself as "another recipient of the MAGA soft power export."

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"Orban is still positioning himself as someone who is exporting his campaign tactics, who can help others in terms of campaign consultancy and provide help from the United States," Kreko said. "He's trading off of his good partnership with Donald Trump."

On the web page promoting CPAC's Hungary event, the organization hit out at "corrupt elites" who it said "betray all that once made us great: patriotic virtue has been replaced by internationalism, common sense by bureaucracy and tradition by woke madness."

"People on both sides of the Atlantic have risen up against this repackaged version of socialism, but success can only be complete when the tides of change converge and the age of patriotism begins at both poles of the West," CPAC wrote.

MORE: Trump's impact on European politics: Rise of the right and liberals pushing back

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Internationalism is front and center in the CPAC event agendas. Among the speakers in Budapest will be American conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, Yair Netanyahu -- the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's far-right Vox party.

Also attending will be a host of other European conservative politicians from Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, France, Estonia and Greece -- among others.

"With the triumph of Donald Trump and the rise of the European Right, the Age of the Patriots of Western Civilization has begun -- CPAC Hungary 2025 will be the hub of this movement," the organizing website said.

But the CPAC events come at a moment of peril for transatlantic relations. Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs threaten to touch off a costly trade war with the European Union.

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Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the bloc. "Now we're going to charge the European Union," Trump said when unveiling his tariff plans in April. "They're very tough. Very, very tough traders. You know, you think of the European Union, very friendly. They rip us off. It's so sad to see. It's so pathetic."

PHOTO: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives in Tirana, Albania, on May 16, 2025. (Leon Neal/via Reuters)

Trump announced last weekend that his planned 50% tariffs on EU goods would be delayed into July. But the bloc remains on a collision course with the Trump administration.

The economic and political aspirations of all EU leaders rely heavily on the bloc's own fortunes, even for those populist leaders like Orban who so often define themselves in opposition to the grand European project.

The president's European offensive could yet sour budding ties between the MAGA movement and its foreign allies, if the latter's "core interests appear directly threatened by Trumpism," Celia Belin, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and head of its Paris office, told ABC News.

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Kati Piri, Hungarian-born member of the Dutch parliament and the Labour Party's spokesperson for foreign affairs, migration and asylum, told ABC News in a statement that "Trump's unilateralist policies are designed to hurt all Europeans, and that so-called allies will not be spared."

"Trump's continued threats of tariffs on EU products and global trade wars are making him an unpopular friend to have -- and this is fragmenting the unity of the global right," Piri suggested.

MORE: Rubio in hot seat as he faces European leaders at NATO headquarters

The glitz and glamour of CPAC's Budapest event will be welcome for Orban, Kreko said, as the prime minister grapples with his own domestic challenges -- not least the meteoric rise of liberal opposition leader Peter Magyar.

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Around 10,000 people rallied in Budapest earlier this month to protest government plans to restrict the rights of independent media organizations -- the latest in a wave of large protests against Orban and his Fidesz party government.

Kreko said Orban's popularity is flagging after 15 years of uninterrupted power, even as he positions himself at the forefront of the nascent right-wing "illiberal international."

"Orban is nowhere as popular as he was, let's say in 2022, when he won the last elections," Kreko said. "His popularity is waning, he is having a hard time getting it back and he also uses increasingly authoritarian tools to be able to keep power."

"He has a hard time at home persuading his own constituency that the regime he is promoting all over the world is as powerful, as beautiful, as successful as it is seen by the MAGA camp in the United States," Kreko added.

PHOTO: A participant wears a baseball cap with reference to President Donald Trump during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Jasionka, Poland, on May 27, 2025. (Wojtek Radwanski/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump's America has become the center of gravity of the global right-wing movement -- with the weight of the federal government and the broader national conservative movement behind it.

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This week Samuel Samson -- a senior advisor for the State Department's Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor -- gave an indication of the prevailing winds in American transatlantic policy, publishing an article setting out "the need for civilizational allies in Europe."

Claiming the existence of "an aggressive campaign against Western civilization itself," Samson accused European governments of having "devolved into a hotbed of digital censorship, mass migration, restrictions on religious freedom and numerous other assaults on democratic self-governance."

Opening the CPAC event in Poland on Tuesday, chairman Matt Schlapp told attendees, "The globalists intend to take each one of us out one by one -- to shame us, to silence us, to bankrupt us, to ruin us, to make our kids turn against us."

That is why, he said, it was important to "win all these elections, including in Poland, that are so important to the freedom of people everywhere."

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For now, Kreko suggested the transatlantic MAGA project is incomplete, as did recent election results in Romania, Portugal and the first round of Poland's presidential vote in which conservative and far-right candidates did not win power.

"What is common between Trump, Orban and many others in central and eastern Europe is that they really want to build this illiberal international," Kreko said.

"But at the same time, we also have to be careful about overestimating its impact," he said.

MAGA roadshow comes to Europe as trade war looms originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 28, 2025. Credit - Chris KleponisCNP/Bloomberg/Getty Images

You may be familiar with POTUS (President of the United States), MAGA (Make America Great Again), and GOP (Grand Old Party), but theres a new acronym that President Donald Trump isnt a fan of.

Short for Trump Always Chickens Out, Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong coined the phrase shortened as TACO to describe the Presidents pattern of making major disruptive policy moves, such as levying hefty tariffs on effectively every country in the world, before reversing course after the moves cause panic and economic shock.

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The shorthand, which has been picked up by others, has clearly ruffled Trumps feathers.

Dont ever say what you said, thats a nasty question, Trump shot back when a reporter asked him about TACO on Wednesday. To me thats the nastiest question.

You call that chickening out? Trump said. Its called negotiation, adding that he usually [has] the opposite problemthey say, youre too tough!

Trumps apparent sensitivity will likely only ensure the acronyms longevity among critics. I want to be famous for my dumb joke, definitely, but I also dont want the President to ruin the U.S. economy," Armstrong told Axios. And so Id like to have both of those things, if at all possible.

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But TACO isnt the only acronym to take off in Trumps second term. Heres a guide to some of the others to know.

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

DEI is DOA, Trumps son Don Jr. posted on X in March, referencing the medical acronym for dead on arrival. Its a common refrain among Republicans and supporters of the Presidents push to dismantle diversity-related policies across the federal government and private sector. Whereas Trumps first-term Administration focused most of its attacks on CRT (Critical Race Theory), his 2024 campaign and current Administration have made DEI a main target and scapegoat.

A sign that reads "DEI in our Military" is visible as Republican Senators question Trumps then-nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 14, 2025. Andrew HarnikGetty Images

DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)

What started in the 2010s as a nickname for an internet-viral shiba inu and morphed into a meme coin became an official initialism in November when then-President-elect Trump announced the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory body spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The initiative, aimed at slashing federal spending, has overseen mass layoffs and sweeping cuts to government programs in the early months of Trumps second term.

Musk, who announced on Wednesday that he is exiting the Trump Administration, has long hyped up the Doge meme, including naming a SpaceX satellite DOGE-1, and boosted the cryptocurrency, including when he changed the then-Twitter logo to the dog-image meme.

FAFO (F-ck Around, Find Out)

Amid a dispute over deportations with Colombias President Gustavo Petro in January, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform an AI-generated image of himself wearing a fedora with the letters FAFO in red on a sign next to him. This is awesome, Musk said, resharing the image on X. Trump had previously reshared a post by right-wing internet troll that said 5 days until FAFO alongside an image of Trump, on Jan. 15, five days before Trumps second-term inauguration.

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The acronym, which stands for f-ck around, find out, has been adopted as a slogan by far-right groups, according to Merriam Webster, but is also widely used across the ideological spectrum as an expression of schadenfreude about someone receiving negative consequences for their actions. The Times of London dubbed it Fafo diplomacy when Trump pressured Colombia to quickly reverse its opposition to accepting deportation flights after Trump threatened to hike tariffs on the nations exports.

( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post )

( Donald J. Trump - Jan 26, 2025, 2:51 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/qxrSqAKZ6m  Donald J. Trump  TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) January 26, 2025

MAHA (Make America Healthy Again)

MAHA is a spin on Trumps tried-and-tested slogan Make America Great Againonly with a focus on health. It took off in 2024 after Robert F. Kennedy Jr.known for his fringe and sometimes disinformation-based views on health including vaccine skepticismsuspended his presidential campaign and threw his support behind Donald Trump. Trump nominated Kennedy to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Kennedy has since continued to use the slogan for government initiatives.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at an event announcing proposed changes to SNAP and food dye legislation with West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey in Martinsburg, W. Va., on March 28, 2025. Stephanie ScarbroughAP

TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome)

Are you or your loved ones suffering from illnesses such as TDS, also known as Trump Derangement Syndrome? begins a satirical ad released by Kennedys former running mate, Nicole Shanahan, in late August, days after Kennedy suspended his presidential bid and endorsed Trump. (Trump even promoted the video on his Truth Social platform.)

Its a horrible, horrible terminal disease. It destroys the mind before the body, but the body eventually goes, Trump said of TDS at a Moms for Liberty event in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, 2024.

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While the phrase originated during Trumps first presidential campaign in 2016, TDS has become an increasingly popular diagnosis Trump and his supporters like to give his critics.

Five Republican state senators in Minnesota introduced a bill in March to codify TDS and categorize verbal expressions of intense hostility toward Trump as a mental illness. The bill defines TDS as the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of Trump. It also lists symptoms as Trump-induced general hysteria, which produces an inability to distinguish between legitimate policy differences and signs of psychic pathology in President Donald J. Trumps behavior.

This is possibly the worst bill in Minnesota history, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, a Democrat, said. If it is meant as a joke, it is a waste of staff time and taxpayer resources that trivializes serious mental health issues. If the authors are serious, it is an affront to free speech and an expression of a dangerous level of loyalty to an authoritarian president.

Rep. Warren Davidson, a Republican from Ohio, on May 15 also introduced a bill in Congress to direct the National Institutes of Health to study TDS. Instead of funding ludicrous studies such as giving methamphetamine to cats or teaching monkeys to gamble for their drinking water, he said, the NIH should use that funding to research issues that are relevant to the real world.

My team never sleeps  pic.twitter.com/THH4MiMMMI  Nicole Shanahan (@NicoleShanahan) August 29, 2024

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A federal judge said Wednesday the Trump administrations attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and former pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, is likely unconstitutional.

[T]he Court provides its conclusion: the Petitioner is likely to succeed on the merits of this unconstitutional vagueness argument, District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote, chastising the governments justification that Khalil could pose a threat to the foreign policy of the U.S.

But Farbiarz still did not order Khalils release because he does not believe Khalils lawyers have properly responded to the governments allegations that he did not disclose all of his former work on his permanent residency application.

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The Petitioners legal briefs still make no substantial argument as to the failure-to-disclose claim  even as lengthy supplemental briefs have been filed, he wrote.

The judge said he will consider Khalils request for a release as additional information is provided.

Khalil has been detained since March 8 and missed the birth of his first child after the federal government arrested and sought to deport him over his participation in last years student protests.

The Trump administration later added that he did not disclose prior work on his permanent residency application, such as his time at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, employment with the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut past 2022 and was a member of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group.

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His detention has dragged on, even as some foreign students who were arrested under similar justifications have been granted bail while their proceedings move forward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In Maine, the number of unhoused students has increased from 2,317 students in the 2021-22 school year to more than 5,000 in the 2023-24 school year, said Maine Rep. Kelly Murphy (D-Scarborough). (Photo by Getty Images)

Legislation to establish a fund to financially help students avoid homelessness passed both chambers of the Maine Legislature this week.

The bill, LD 384, would allocate up to $750 per academic year to the family or guardian of a student at risk of homelessness for housing-related needs, which could include rental assistance, utilities, critical home repairs and transportation. In light of increasing student homelessness, the disruptions to students learning caused by housing insecurity, in addition to a lack of available assistance to prevent homelessness, the bill was perhaps one of the most impactful bills that the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee heard this session, according to committee co-chair Rep. Kelly Murphy (D-Scarborough).

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The Maine Senate passed the bill on Wednesday with 28 members voting in favor and only six opposed. The House of Representatives had a narrower margin, with 81 members voting Thursday in favor of the bill and 62 opposed. The bill will go back to both chambers for final enactment votes.

Sponsor Sen. Joe Rafferty (D-York), who also co-chairs the education committee, explained that the bill builds on a pilot program approved in the 131st Legislature, which succeeded in helping more than 800 students. Several administrators who spoke at the public hearing vouched for the support they were able to provide struggling students in their districts through the pilot program, which LD 384 would make permanent.

It breaks my heart to know that there are students throughout Maine who are struggling with housing insecurity and dont know where theyre going to sleep each night, Rafferty said during the Senate floor discussion Wednesday. The bill before us today would continue with this good work by permanently establishing a program so that our students can grow up and learn without worrying about where theyre going to sleep. It is the right thing to do.

In Maine, the number of unhoused students has increased from 2,317 students in the 2021-22 school year to more than 5,000 in the 2023-24 school year, Murphy said.

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Opponents of the bill in both chambers said the intent was noble, but took issue with the $1.5 million fiscal note. Rep. Barbara Bagshaw (R-Windham) also questioned how much the one-time payment would help families avoid homelessness in the long term.

If a family is already on the brink, this amount is unlikely to provide lasting stability she said. Were offering a temporary fix to a systematic problem without addressing the root causes.

During the public hearing, Mallory Cook, director of training and early educator engagement for the Maine Education Association, cited a Maine Housing Coalition report from 2020 that said a vast majority of Maine tenants only owed between $1,000 and $1,500 to their landlords, making the $750 per student annual allocation in LD 384 critical in preventing student homelessness.

Its not a lot of money, but oftentimes when weve reached a crisis situation in these families, $750 does make the difference between being evicted or having your utility shut off, Murphy said Thursday. This is one way to prevent student homelessness and to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

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Sen. James Libby (R- Cumberland) said given the current budget deficit the bill was not likely to be funded and would likely languish on the appropriations table, where bills not provided for in the budget compete for remaining funds.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, all students experiencing homelessness are entitled to a free, appropriate public education. But it does not allocate any money to prevent homelessness, Murphy pointed out.

This week the Legislature also passed another bill, LD 747, which directs the Maine Housing Authority to develop a program to provide assistance to homeless students in coordination with the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.

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With Pacific Coast Highway reopened to the public and the National Guard leaving Malibu's fire-damaged neighborhoods, the city has approved a contract with a private security firm to provide extra patrols of homes left scorched and vacant by the Palisades fire.

The Malibu City Council voted unanimously at a May 21 meeting to spend an estimated $260,000 to employ the private security firm Covered 6 to provide patrols for 30 days, starting May 23, with the option to extend the contract.

Residents and city officials have raised concerns that the reopening of the 11-mile stretch of PCH on May 23 will make neighborhoods that were damaged or destroyed by the Franklin and Palisades fires more vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Since the January fires, PCH had been open only to emergency crews and residents.

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During the City Council meeting, Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins asked for a report of crimes committed in fire-affected areas in response to safety concerns raised by residents.

Traffic flows at 25 mph along a recently reopened Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Sgt. Chris Soderlund of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Malibu/Lost Hills station said he didn't have specific crime data at the time but added that he has heard about the safety concerns raised by Malibu homeowners.

"A lot of it is just hearsay," Soderlund said.

Read more: With PCH reopening this weekend, state and city tussle over Palisades security plans

Shortly after the Palisades and Eaton fires that scorched Los Angeles County in January, at least 20 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

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Sheriff's officials told The Times that there has been some criminal activity in Malibu since the fires, even when access to the area was restricted to the public, but it wasn't a high volume of reported crimes.

"I believe there may have been some burglary-related [crimes] which could refer to either commercial, residential or vehicle," Sgt. Sean Wax said.

With the departure of the National Guard scheduled for the end of the month, the community felt as though it was losing a level of safety, Councilmember Doug Stewart said.

A CoveredSix patrol car in the fire zone along Rambla Orienta Street in Malibu. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Covered 6 was chosen by the city to provide extra patrols "based on their extensive experience patrolling neighborhoods, working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station personnel and use of technology to enhance effectiveness and accountability," according to a news release.

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Read more: Malibu businesses struggling in the aftermath of fire and PCH restrictions

The company currently provides armed security services to the cities of Beverly Hills, Hidden Hills and Calabasas as well as two school districts: Las Virgenes in Calabasas and Eastside Union in Lancaster.

In coordination with the Malibu/Lost Hills station, Covered 6 has deployed four patrol units and a dedicated supervisor who all operate in marked vehicles.

"Fire-damaged areas face heightened risks of burglary, vandalism, and theft  particularly of construction materials  as many properties remain vacant during rebuilding," according to the city news release. "Looter suppression efforts will be intensified, with zero-tolerance approach to crime and traffic violations."

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Deputies at the Malibu/Lost Hills station have access to Covered 6's general deployment schedules, so they are aware of where they'll be and at what time.

But Wax emphasized that the local sheriff's station will continue its routine patrol and law enforcement efforts in the community. If Covered 6 has patrols in a specific area, sheriff's deputies also may have their "looter suppression efforts" at the same place as well.

"We do our own operation, but they're out there too acting as a deterrent as well," he said.

Officials continue to urge residents to take an active role in protecting their properties by ensuring gates, doors and windows are locked.

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Residents who observe suspicious activity or an unauthorized person on their property are encouraged to report it to the sheriff's station by calling (818) 878-1808.

Residents also can complete a Letter of Agency at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs station, which authorizes deputies to enforce trespassing laws on private property even when the owner is not there.

That means if an unauthorized person is on private property, officers can take action against the trespasser without first contacting the property owner.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani (D) has surged into a clear second place in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, though he still trails former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), a new poll found.

The Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey showed Cuomo leading in the first round of the ranked-choice vote system that New York City employs, receiving 35 percent of the vote. Mamdani was about 12 points behind with 23 percent.

Thats in line with other polls since before Cuomo even entered that have shown the former governor with clear, double-digit leads over the rest of the field. But its considerably closer than the last Emerson poll of the race from late March in which Cuomo was at 38 percent and Mamdani was the closest behind him with 10 percent.

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Its also closer than a Siena College poll from April in which Cuomo led by 24 points in the first round and a Marist University poll from earlier this month in which Cuomo was up 22 points in the first round.

In the Emerson poll released Wednesday, City Comptroller Brad Lander came in third in the first round with 10.5 percent, followed by former Comptroller Scott Stringer with 9 percent and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams with 8 percent.

Cuomo maintains a double-digit lead in almost every round as the lowest performing candidate is eliminated and their votes are reallocated to their voters next preference. Cuomo eventually won in the poll in the 10th round over Mamdani, 54.4 percent to 45.6 percent.

Mamdanis campaign touted the results and said it plans to leverage an unprecedented field operation in the final weeks before the primary.

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Andrew Cuomo has hit his ceiling, while were nowhere near oursand in just a few weeks, we will defeat the disgraced ex.-Governor and send him back to the suburbs, the campaign said.

Cuomo campaign spokesperson Rich Azzopardi downplayed the polls results, noting that its of registered voters and not likely voters and arguing that it appears to be an outlier. But he said the fact remains that Cuomo is the clear and consistent frontrunner.

Thats because New Yorkers know he is the only candidate in this race with the executive experience and the proven record of results to fix whats broken and put this city back on the right track after 12 years of failed leadership, Azzopardi said.

But the results show some reasons for hope for Mamdani, the Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidate who is seeking to be the main progressive alternative to Cuomo.

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Cuomo has led in the polls since early 2025, but Mamdani has surged, gaining 23 points and winning second-choice votes nearly 2-to-1, cutting Cuomos ranked-choice lead from 12 points to 9 points, Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a release. With four weeks to go, the question is whether Cuomo can run out the clock, or if he needs to win over second-choice voters to hold off Mamdanis momentum.

Pollsters found Mamdanis strongest base of support comes from voters under 50, 61 percent of which supported him in the final round. He leads among white voters with 57 percent and college-educated voters with 58 percent.

Cuomos lead in the final round was powered by the three-quarters of Black voters, two thirds of voters older than 50 and 58 percent of women who backed him.

Despite Cuomos advantage, the poll still showed him with an underwater favorability rating, with 41 percent of New York City voters viewing him favorably and 46 percent viewing him unfavorably.

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Still, both Cuomo and Mamdani have clear leads in a hypothetical general election match-up in the solidly Democratic-leaning city. Mayor Eric Adams, embattled by political and legal controversies, is running for reelection as an independent, while Curtis Sliwa, the 2021 GOP nominee, is likely to be the Republican nominee again.

Cuomo leads in the general election with 44 percent to Sliwas 13 percent, Adamss 10 percent and independent Jim Waldens 7 percent.

Mamdani also has a solid lead but by a somewhat smaller margin, 35 percent to 16 percent for Sliwa, 15 percent for Adams and 6 percent for Walden.

The poll was conducted May 23-26 among 1,000 registered voters, including 606 Democratic primary voters. The credibility interval, similar to margin of error, for the entire sample was 3 points and for the Democratic primary was 3.9 points.

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Updated at 9 p.m. EDT.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Reuters) -Business Insider is laying off about 21% of its workforce, an internal memo showed on Thursday, as the financial news outlet grapples with shrinking search traffic and the growing use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT.

The New York-based company joins several digital media companies in restructuring operations as consumers increasingly depend on artificial intelligence for news synopsis, which is eating into web traffic.

In the memo, CEO Barbara Peng told staff the company now generates twice as much revenue for each website visit as it did two years ago, but 70% of its business still has some degree of traffic sensitivity.

"We must be structured to endure extreme traffic drops outside of our control, so we're reducing our overall company to a size where we can absorb that volatility," Peng said in the memo seen by Reuters.

The New York-based company is accelerating adoption of AI, with a majority of employees already utilizing Enterprise ChatGPT and several AI-driven products to enhance operations and reader experience, Peng said.

The website is realigning its content strategy to concentrate on areas that attract high reader engagement, and is exiting the majority of its commerce business, Peng said.

It is also launching a new events business called BI Live, Peng said, adding that it has already seen some demand and will continue to build the team.

Earlier this year, Washington Post and Associated Press laid off 4% and 8% of their workforce respectively in a bid to cut costs and modernize operations.

(Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)






A 64-year-old man went missing when the majority of a Swiss village was swallowed after a glacier collapsed on Wednesday, May 28, authorities said

Blatten has been buried and "the damage is considerable," the regional government said in a news release

300 residents were evacuated from the area as a precaution on May 19







A man went missing when the majority of a picturesque village in Switzerland was buried after a glacier collapsed earlier this week, authorities said.

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On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 28, almost "the entire Birch Glacier, located above Blatten, collapsed, causing a gigantic landslide," the Valais government said in a Thursday, May 29, news release.

Eerie footage showed ice, mud and debris flowing near the village, which is located in the Valais region around 55 miles south of the Swiss capital, Bern.

"At the bottom of the valley, a huge deposit of ice and rock, several dozen meters thick and approximately two kilometers long, buried most of the village of Blatten. The damage is considerable," a translated government post said, adding that "one person is missing."

The Cantonal Police of Valais tell PEOPLE in an email: "Despite intensive efforts, the 64-year-old man, who according to initial findings was in the affected area at the time of the incident, has not yet been found. The search is ongoing."

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty A landslide is pictured next to the nearby village of Wiler on May 29, 2025 A landslide is pictured next to the nearby village of Wiler on May 29, 2025

According to a translated police news release, the man was reported missing around 4:35 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

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The government confirmed in a statement following the glacier collapse that 300 residents had been evacuated from the village on Monday, May 19, "as a precaution."

The BBC reported that geologists monitoring the area had warned that the glacier appeared unstable.

The regional government said in Thursday's translated press release: "The Lonza River is blocked, and a lake is forming. The challenge lies in the behavior of this accumulation of water and the Lonza River, which could cause a torrential lava flow if the river overflows onto the deposit."

The government said that "significant resources have been deployed to deal with this situation," adding that the army was "preparing to deploy its resources."

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"Civil protection has also been mobilized. The population is ordered to strictly comply with the authorities' instructions and not to travel to the affected area. The Cantonal Management Body is continuously analyzing the situation," the government added.

"Valais will use all means at its disposal to best support the population affected by this tragic event," officials said.

FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Gett A May 29, 2025 photo of the Birch glacier that collapsed A May 29, 2025 photo of the Birch glacier that collapsed

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Blatten's mayor, Matthias Bellwald, said at a press conference, according to Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen, that "we've lost the village, but not the heart."

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Bellwald previously said "the unimaginable has happened," the BBC reported.

Stephane Ganzer, the head of security in the southern Valais region, told local TV channel Canal9, What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90% of the village is covered or destroyed, so its a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten," according to the Associated Press.



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Authorities have identified the 71-year-old man killed in Rochester Township, Penn., after attempting to stop a tractor-trailer from rolling away

Gene Bores died at the scene

Police say he didn't park the tractor-trailer from Huron, Ohio, properly while undocking his truck at the facility

The accident occurred outside of a Sherwin-Williams facility







Authorities have identified the 71-year-old man killed in Rochester Township, Penn., after trying to stop a tractor-trailer from rolling away.

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Gene Bores died of blunt force trauma to the head, neck and pelvis, per WTAE, citing local officials. The death is ruled an accident.

The incident occurred on Cleveland Street near a Sherwin-Williams facility at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time, per KDKA News, citing local police. Police told the outlet that Bores' tractor-trailer, which had just left Huron, Ohio, was improperly parked when undocked at the facility.

"There's a lot of trucks and a lot of traffic during the day, so we try to keep the kids inside as much until after everything clears out," Kristina Warnick, who lives near the facility where the accident occurred, told KDKA.

Warnick elaborated, "What if one of the kids were outside and it went rolling? So you know, it is scary."

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The Beaver Valley Regional Police Department called in the Pennsylvania State Police to help investigate and check the braking system. They initially concluded that there was nothing wrong with the truck.

State police are still investigating the incident, per WTAE. PEOPLE reached out to Pennsylvania State Police, but did not hear back at the time of publication.

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VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (PIX11)  A man is accused of driving his car into a police cruiser with officers inside in Valley Stream on Tuesday, according to the Nassau County Police Department.

Police said Shawn Maraj, 31, was seen damaging cars along West Valley Stream Boulevard on multiple occasions. When officers arrived around 10 p.m., Maraj allegedly got into his 2018 Honda Civic and rammed into their police cruiser, according to authorities.

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Police said Maraj is accused of crashing into the cruiser several times, injuring two officers.

Maraj allegedly drove across a lawn and crashed into a fence and bush to run from the officers, according to authorities. Police said he was arrested and charged with assault, attempted assault, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Hes expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Police are searching for a suspect after an MTA worker was attacked inside a subway station in Brooklyn on Thursday, according to the NYPD.

The incident happened around 12:05 a.m. at the Bergen Street subway station.

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The 68-year-old MTA employee was cleaning the station when an unidentified individual approached him. The individual allegedly swung a metal pipe at him, but missed, police say.

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The suspect then punched the victim in the chest and fled, police say. He was last seen wearing all black clothing and carrying a black backpack.

The NYPD released the following surveillance video of the suspect.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital in stable condition.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man was arrested after being accused of helping an escaped inmate found in Baton Rouge.

According to an affidavit, Orleans Parish Jail escapee Lenton Vanburen was arrested in the 9600 block of Old Hammond Highway on May 26. During a search of Vanburen, officers found a room key for the Super 6 Inn and Suites. After discovering the key, investigators met with staff at the Super 6 Inn and learned that the room was reserved under the name Vi Duc Nguyen, 44.

Video surveillance confirmed Nguyen reserved the room on May 24, around 9:30 p.m., with cash. Footage also shows Nguyen driving his Toyota Rav4 around the back of the building. Nguyen entered the stairway, along with another subject who had on similar clothing to Vanburen during the time of his arrest.

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Nguyen was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of simple escape/aggravated escape and accessory after the fact.

Three Orleans Parish Jail escapees recaptured on Monday, two still at-large

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
ST. MARY PARISH, La. (KLFY)  Wanted for several charges, including murder, Corey James Hunter, 48, of Morgan City was arrested earlier this morning, deputies said.

Hunter was arrested and charged for three counts of resisting arrest or officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, resisting an officer by giving false information, disturbing the peace-intoxicated and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, deputies said.

In addition, officials said Hunter also held three other arrest warrants for the following charges possession of cocaine, resisting an officer, flight from an officer, driving under suspension, failure to signal when turning and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Hunter also held an active warrant through the Albuquerque Police Department for murder and tampering with evidence.

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Earlier this morning deputies said they were patrolling the Siracusaville area when they observed Hunter stumbling in the roadway. As they approached Hunter, he fled on foot and fell into a roadside ditch partially filled with water.

Deputies quickly made contact with Hunter, who allegedly resisted and provided false information during the encounter. During the interaction, Hunter allegedly in possession of crack cocaine.



Due to his intoxicated condition, deputies transported Hunter to a medical facility to be medically cleared prior to booking. While verifying his identity, deputies received confirmation Corey Hunter was also wanted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for murder.



Following medical clearance, Hunter was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

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His bond was set at $350,000, and a hold was placed for the out-of-state agency.

Corey James Hunter, 48, of Morgan City

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  A man is facing charges, including second-degree murder, after his brother was stabbed and their familys dog was drowned and incinerated Wednesday in Sevier County, the sheriffs office said.

The Sevier County Sheriffs Office said deputies responded to the 1000 block of Indian Gap Road around 8 p.m. on May 28 for a call about a man experiencing a mental health crisis. Before they arrived, deputies learned the man had a history of violence, had been using drugs, and killed the familys dog, SCSO said.

Woman arrested after crash, accused of kicking out Knoxville police car window

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Based on evidence from the investigation, deputies believe that Thomas Josha Carter, 36, drowned, mutilated and incinerated the familys dog. His father then left the home, and sometime later, his brother and father returned.

The sheriffs office reported Carter and his brother had a physical altercation, that resulted in the brother sustaining multiple stab wounds. The father then took the brother to a nearby parking lot and called 911.

The brother was taken to LeConte Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The sheriffs office identified the victim as Jeffrey Allen Todd.

Five family members charged after Hamblen County business property shot

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Detectives with the Sevier County Sheriffs Office and agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Carter was arrested at the home on Indian Gap Road on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated animal cruelty. He is being held at the Sevier County Jail and is awaiting a hearing in General Sessions Court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Authorities upgraded the charges of a man already in police custody for allegedly killing a Roxbury woman last Wednesday.

Kevin Boyette, 36, of Boston, is now charged with murder, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney Office.

He was previously charged with assault in connection to the beating death of 21-year-old Tatyiana Flood.

On May 20, Boston Police responded to the area of 20 Annunciation Road just after 6 a.m. for a report of a body found in front of the apartment complex.

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Officials identified the victim as Flood and arrested Boyette shortly thereafter.

It is unclear if Boyette and the victim were known to each other.

Boyette will be arraigned Friday in Roxbury District Court on the murder charge.

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Brazilian labour prosecutors have initiated legal action against Chinese carmaker BYD, accusing the company and its contractors of human trafficking and exposing workers to "slavery-like conditions" in the construction of a factory.

BYD, along with contractors JinJiang and Tecmonta, faces a lawsuit seeking 257 million reais ($45m) in moral damages, with additional individual compensation for the workers.

The lawsuit also aims to enforce labour regulations and suggests fines of 50,000 reais per infraction, multiplied by the number of workers affected.

In their defence, BYD has stated its commitment to human rights and adherence to Brazilian and international labour laws.

The company has been in discussions with labour prosecutors and intends to formally respond to the allegations through court documents.

The labour prosecutors' office revealed that in December 2024, 220 Chinese workers employed by BYD contractors in Bahia, Brazil, were discovered working under conditions likened to modern slavery.

These workers, who have since returned to China, were also deemed victims of international human trafficking.

Deputy labour prosecutor Fabio Leal mentioned that negotiations with the three companies started in late December but did not lead to a resolution.

Leal emphasised that the workers were brought to Brazil under false pretences and were not provided with the promised working conditions.

Leal further explained that any compensation awarded from the lawsuit would be distributed to the workers in China, with the responsibility of proving payment resting on the Brazilian companies.

He also noted that while a settlement is still an option, it would now require court mediation.

Leal stated: "Our lawsuit is very well-founded, with a substantial amount of evidence provided during the investigation process."

"BYD faces $45m lawsuit in Brazil over labour rights" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A man is dead following a shooting that happened in the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans on Wednesday, May 28.

According to the New Orleans Police Department, the shooting, which occurred in the 3300 block of Napoleon Avenue, was reported around 5:27 p.m. with confirmation around 5:38 p.m.

Man dead following Broadmoor shooting

On scene, a man was found inside of a home having been shot at least once. In a later statement from the NOPD, the man was declared dead and the incident was changed to be investigated as a homicide.

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No further information was provided.

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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AUSTIN / GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  The search is on for a man who escaped from the Cross Creek Psychiatric & Addiction Hospital in Austin.

Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell says McArthur Deashy Mathis was originally arrested on January 2 for multiple warrants out of the Victoria Police Department, as well as additional charges out of Grimes County including Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member, Obstruction or Retaliation, Deadly Conduct, and Burglary of Habitation.

Mathis was transported to the Cross Creek Psychiatric & Addiction Hospital on May 21, located at 8402 Cross Park Drive in Austin, and was left in their custody.

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Sheriff Sowell says Mathis was last seen at the hospital at approximately 8 p.m. on May 28. He kicked the back door open and jumped over a six-foot fence.

Five teens arrested after stolen firearms found during traffic stop

Mathis is 62 and weighs 185 pounds. He has multiple tattoos on his head and neck area. He was last seen wearing a navy blue shirt and teal pants.

Sheriff Sowell also says Mathis is a registered sex offender and is known to have contacts in Grimes County, Lavaca County, Brazos County, and Gonzales County.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, you can contact the Grimes County Sheriffs Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers at 936-873-2000, or visit www.p3tips.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
A metro Atlanta man has learned his fate after a jury convicted him of murder after the death of a rising actor and model.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Last Friday, a Clayton County jury convicted Victor Laray Isom Jr. of felony murder, possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

This conviction comes after the shooting and killing of Jovan Jerome Cook on Aug. 24, 2023.

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According to the Clayton County District Attorneys Office, Isom sped out of a gas station, almost hitting Cooks Mercedes.

Authorities said Cook honked his horn at Isom and the two men briefly exchanged words.

Thats when Isom fired two shots, with one bullet hitting Cook in the head, police said.

Cook later died from his injuries five days later.

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On May 22, after a 75-minute deliberation, Isom was found guilty.

A judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus five years to serve in confinement.

We hope this conviction offers some measure of solace to the family of Mr. Cook. This conviction also reaffirms our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and holding individuals accountable for their actions, DA Tasha Mosley said.

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Channel 2 Action News spoke with Cooks wife, Nicole, who said her husband was a righteous, devoted and loving man.

My husband couldnt even defend himself. He didnt even see it coming his way, said Nicole Cook.

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Loved ones said the victim was a rising model and actor.

Jovan was a rising and gifted model/actor. Unfortunately, his life has now been cut short due to the senseless acts of violence as it relates to road rage, a family spokesperson said.
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  A Box Elder man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for third-degree rape of an unconscious woman.

According to the Pennington County States Attorney, 40-year-old Travis Lone Hill will serve 15 years in the South Dakota State Penitentiary for third-degree rape. He also received credit for nearly one year of jail time already served for threatening a law enforcement officer.

Woman charged in deadly shooting plans to plead guilty

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A Pennington County jury found Lone Hill guilty of both charges late last year. The charges stem from a June 2024 incident in which a bystander witnessed Lone Hill sexually assaulting an unconscious woman along the bike path in Rapid City. Concerned citizens quickly alerted a nearby police officer, who arrived on scene and stopped the assault in progress.

When the officer intervened, the victim was unconscious, with her pants and underwear removed. A preliminary breath test showed her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit. Lone Hill was taken into custody at the scene. During his arrest, he shouted insults at the officer and threatened to have him killed.

Before imposing the sentence, Judge Linngren told Lone Hill it was deeply concerning that he failed to understand or acknowledge that consent ends when an individual is unconscious or otherwise unable to consent  regardless of any prior consent, the states attorney office said. She stated that this lack of understanding makes him a continued risk to the public.

29-year-old state inmate dead; 9th this year

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Third-degree rape is a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to 25 years in the state penitentiary and/or a $50,000 fine. Threatening a law enforcement officer is a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
On Christmas Day at the WaTiki indoor water park, Hans Wirt was getting winded from following his son up the stairs to the waterslides.

Wirts breathing became more labored once they returned to the nearby hotel where they and Wirts girlfriend were staying while visiting family in Rapid City, South Dakota.

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Then he grew nauseated and went pale. Wirt thought the cause might have been the altitude change between his home in Deltona, Florida - 33 feet above sea level - and Rapid City, at the edge of the Black Hills. But his 12-year-old son was worried and called for an ambulance.

I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was something a little more to this, Wirt said. So I can kind of thank my son for saving my life.

It turned out the 62-year-old was having a heart attack. A lousy Christmas present, Wirt said.

Medics stabilized Wirt before taking him to Monument Health - the only hospital in Rapid City with an emergency room - where he was treated over two days.

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Then the bill came.

- - -

The medical procedure

Paramedics used a defibrillator to restore a normal heart rhythm. Doctors at the hospital gave Wirt various medications, used an electrocardiograph and other diagnostic and monitoring devices, and inserted stents into his arteries to improve blood flow to his heart.

- - -

The final bill

$95,523.73, including $32,998.90 for medical supplies, mostly related to the stents, and $28,879 for treatment in a cardiac catheterization lab. After unspecified hospital adjustments to the bill, Wirt owed $77,574.44.

- - -

The billing problem

Wirt is covered by Floridas Medicaid program through Sunshine Health, a managed-care plan. But the South Dakota hospital refused to submit the bill to his out-of-state Medicaid plan, instead sending it to Wirt and eventually threatening to send the debt to a collection agency.

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Medicaid, the government health insurance program primarily for low-income people and those with disabilities, is jointly funded by the federal government and states. States are responsible for administering Medicaid, and most contract with private insurance companies like Sunshine Health.

Federal law says state Medicaid programs must reimburse out-of-state hospitals for beneficiaries care in an emergency.

Many hospitals bill out-of-state Medicaid plans in such situations. If they dont, they risk not being reimbursed at all, since Medicaid recipients probably wont be able to afford large bills, said Katy DeBriere, who was legal director for the Florida Health Justice Project when she spoke with KFF Health News in April.

But theres no federal law that requires them to do so, she said.

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Federal court opinions have noted that hospitals are not required to bill Medicaid for every individual beneficiary they treat, even if they generally accept Medicaid.

Monument Health didnt bill Wirts insurance because the hospital isnt enrolled as a health-care provider with Florida Medicaid, said hospital spokesperson Stephany Chalberg. She told KFF Health News that Monument bills Medicaid plans only in South Dakota and four bordering states: Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Minnesota.

The hospitals website says Medicaid patients who are not enrolled in one of those states are responsible for any charges.

Due to the significant credentialing requirements of our multiple hospitals and hundreds of physicians we do not participate with all states, a hospital representative wrote in a message to Wirt.

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According to Floridas Medicaid website, out-of-state providers that have treated one of its enrollees must submit five documents to bill the program, including a six-page application, a copy of the providers license and a claim form.

The process is different in each state, and many Medicaid programs reimburse out-of-state providers at lower rates than those that are in-state, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, a federal agency that advises Congress.

Provider enrollment barriers leave beneficiaries in an untenable situation, preventing them from accessing the coverage to which they are legally entitled, Chalberg said.

Wirt decided to submit his bill to his Medicaid plan on his own. But he said Sunshine Health told him it can process only bills received directly from providers.

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Elizabeth Boyd, a spokesperson for Sunshine Health, told KFF Health News that its staff contacted the hospital on Wirts behalf. She did not respond when asked why the plan cant process bills submitted by patients or what more it could have done to help Wirt.

- - -

The resolution

A few days after KFF Health News emailed officials at Monument Health for this story, Wirt noticed his balance due fell from more than $77,000 to $0.

Chalberg told KFF Health News that Monument Health covered Wirts bill through its charity care program. She said that appropriate patients are told about the program and that before any bill is sent to collections, it is evaluated to determine whether the patient may qualify for our financial assistance policy.

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To retain tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must have programs that provide free or discounted care to patients who cant afford their bills.

But Wirt said that when he first contacted Monument Health after receiving his bill and said he couldnt afford to pay it, officials didnt mention the program. He said they didnt share any resources when he asked whether there were outside groups that could help him pay the bill. Wirt said hospital officials just recommended setting up a payment plan, but the monthly bills were still too high for him to afford. Theres a reason why Im on Medicaid, Wirt said. Its just beyond me how they can expect somebody who had Medicaid to come up with that kind of money. Its unrealistic.

- - -

The takeaway

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Sarah Somers, legal director at the National Health Law Program, said the various cogs in the Medicaid system didnt operate correctly in Wirts situation. Nobodys exerting themselves enough to just smooth the way for this person.

States are responsible for managing Medicaid and are, therefore, the main cog, Somers said. She said Medicaid managed-care companies also are supposed to intervene.

Somers and DeBriere said Medicaid recipients who receive bills they dont think they owe should file a complaint with their states Medicaid program and, if they have one, their managed-care plan. They can also ask whether there is a Medicaid or managed-care caseworker who can advocate on their behalf.

The attorneys said patients should also contact a legal aid clinic or a consumer protection firm that specializes in medical debt. DeBriere said those organizations can help file complaints and communicate with the hospital.

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DeBriere said that had she assisted Wirt, she would have immediately sent a letter to Monument Health ordering it to stop billing him and to either register with Florida Medicaid to submit his bill or offer him charity care.

Wirt said the doctors who treated him and the medical care he received at Monument Health were excellent. He said he spoke out about the hospitals billing practices because he doesnt want others to endure the same experience.

If I get sick and have a heart attack, I have to be sure that I do that here in Florida now instead of some other state, he joked.

- - -

KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF - the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Posts Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A 35-year-old man from Maryland was killed in a shooting on Tuesday near Logan Circle in Northwest D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

In an update on Wednesday, the man was identified as 35-year-old Henry Crutchfield, of Waldorf.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | DC police investigating deadly shooting near Logan Circle

Police said officers responded to reports of shots fired around 4 a.m. in the 1600 block of 14th Street.

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There, Crutchfield was found unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text the Departments tip line at 50411.

MPD currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
A California man faces multiple felony charges after authorities say he fired shots at a vehicle being driven by three teen boys who had just egged his house.

Craig Miceli, 54, was arrested Sunday after he allegedly fired on an SUV carrying the three high school boys, two of whom are 16 and one who is 17.

Miceli allegedly told police that the teens had spilled oil over his front porch on Friday, then came back early Sunday morning to throw eggs.

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Miceli talked about how his daughter had been the victim of constant bullying at the high school and how angry he was having to spend time cleaning oil off the porch, the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

After throwing eggs at the house, the three teens fled in an SUV. Miceli allegedly told police he was aiming at the tires of the vehicle when he fired two shots from his handgun. One of the shots struck the panel above the wheel on the front passenger side, according to police.

After the shooting, Miceli told police he tossed his gun into Water Dog Lake, according to prosecutors. Police also said they found an illegal automatic rifle in his home after obtaining a search warrant.

Miceli has been charged with three counts of assault with a firearm, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle and two counts related to unlawful possession of an assault weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his next court date is June 9.

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The latest incident is just the latest in the U.S. where people have been shot at  and sometimes killed  over a prank.

In 2023, a 14-year-old girl in Louisiana was shot in the back of the head while playing hide-and-seek with her friends on a neighbors property. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

Also in 2023, a Tennessee man was accused of pulling a gun on teens playing a doorbell prank.
May 29An armed suspect who escaped a SWAT standoff was shot and killed by Albuquerque police officers early Thursday morning near the airport in an incident that also claimed the life of a police dog.

Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said two officers fired at the suspect, identified as Jorge Eduardo Dominguez, 39.

Gallegos said police had not yet determined if Dominguez fired his gun or whose bullets killed Rebel, a police dog who had been with APD for seven years. He said he didn't know if Rebel's K-9 handler was one of the officers who fired.

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There have been six police shootings so far this year, five of them fatal.

Gallegos said Dominguez had "an extensive criminal history."

Court records show Dominguez had been arrested several times over the past decade and was on parole after serving time in prison for a road rage shooting.

Dominguez had two warrants out for his arrest when he was killed, one from a DWI arrest in February and another for auto theft and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer from an incident Tuesday.

Police tracked a stolen box truck to a neighborhood off East Central and found it with Dominguez, who ran into a nearby apartment, according to court records. The situation quickly turned into a SWAT standoff but Dominguez was able to evade capture.

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Overnight Wednesday detectives tracked Dominguez to the Comfort Suites at 1401 Woodward SE, southwest of the Sunport. Gallegos said crisis negotiators tried to talk with Dominguez at 12:55 a.m. but he retreated into his hotel room, broke a window and jumped outside.

SWAT officers sent Rebel after Dominguez and the dog bit him, causing him to fall to the ground, he said.

"The dog maintained hold of the suspect, and as officers approached, they observed he had a firearm," Gallegos said. "Shots were fired, striking the suspect. The dog was also struck during the shooting."

He said Dominguez died at the scene despite attempts at lifesaving procedures, and Rebel was transported to a veterinary hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"A handgun was located next to the suspect's body," Gallegos said.
A California man will spend more than 2 years behind bars for his role in a high-end brothel network that spanned from Massachusetts to Virginia.

James Lee, 70, of Torrance, California, was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, according to a Department of Justice spokesperson.

2 high-profile names accused of paying for sex in Mass. brothel case due in court

Lee pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution; one count of money laundering conspiracy; and one count of wire fraud in February 2025.

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Lee, along with Cambridge residents Han Lee and Junmyung Lee, were arrested and charged in November 2023 for operating an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothel located in the greater Boston area and eastern Virginia.

Prosecutors said the three charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with women advertised on their websites. Buyers paid anywhere from $350 to upwards of $600 per hour for sex, depending on the services, and paid in cash.

Lee was in charge of renting the high-end apartments and serving as a liaison between the women working in the units and the property managers.

In addition to his prison sentence, the U.S. District Court judge ordered Lee to pay restitution in the amount of $569,123 for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds, and a money judgement of $63,000 related to the proceeds earned in the prostitution conspiracy.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A defendant received a sentence in a drug and gun case on Thursday.

Brandon Hasley, 32, was sentenced to 18 months in prison to run consecutively to his other sentences after he pleaded guilty to improper handling of a gun, possession of cocaine and aggravated possession of drugs.

The charge was amended after an affidavit filed in the case stated the gun found in the vehicle belonged to someone else, according to a court employee. The sentence was agreed upon by the parties in the case.

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Police arrested Hasley on Oct. 2 after they reported finding a gun, drugs and over $700 in cash following a traffic stop in Youngstown.

Police reported finding a loaded magazine on the front seat and an unloaded 8mm semiautomatic handgun under the seat. A pill bottle with several types of pills was found in the drivers side door, and a bag of crack cocaine and $731 cash was found on Hasley, the driver, according to a police report.

Reports said Hasley said at first he did not know the gun was in the SUV, then he said he did touch the magazine after he noticed it was on the seat.

Hasley has a 2021 conviction on a drug charge that prohibits him from having a gun. Additionally, he was free on bond awaiting sentencing on charges of failure to comply, a third-degree felony, and possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony.

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Court records state that last month, Hasley was sentenced to 36 months in prison in that case.

Joe Gorman contributed to this report.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Nearly six years after a deadly shooting that shocked a Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood, justice has been served.

On Thursday, a Wyandotte County judge sentenced 45-year-old Jermelle Byers to two life terms in prison for a 2019 double murder that claimed the lives of a woman and a beloved deli owner.

Inmate escapes from Johnson County work release, considered dangerous

The emotional courtroom was filled with family members and friends of the victims  many expressing relief, some through tears, as a victim impact statement were read aloud.

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The judge noted that Byers showed no remorse for the killings.

The violence unfolded on July 11, 2019, when Byers followed 42-year-old Lachell Day into Edwards Original Corner Market and Deli on 91 North Mill Street, following an argument. Inside the store, he opened fire.

Dennis Edwards, 62, the deli owner  known in the neighborhood as a friendly face and community fixture  attempted to intervene and chase Byers out.

He was shot and killed in the process, according to investigators.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

When police arrived on the scene, authorities say Byers pointed a gun at officers, prompting them to open fire. No officers were injured.

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After a two-hour standoff, Byers was taken to the hospital under police custody.

Byers was originally set to face a full jury trial, but midway through the proceedings, he pleaded guilty.

He later tried to withdraw that plea, but the court denied the request.

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On Tuesday, the judge handed down two concurrent life sentences for first-degree murder. Byers will not be eligible for parole for 620 months  just under 52 years.

With credit for the time hes already served since 2019, his earliest possible parole date is 2071.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  An Upper Marlboro man will spend several years in prison after he robbed multiple banks throughout Maryland and D.C. three years ago.

The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) said 44-year-old Jonathan Brown-Murphy robbed or tried to rob six banks over two days, covering his face in each incident and wearing different clothing to try and avoid detection.

He hit five banks in just two hours on one of the days.

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Virginia hits lowest recidivism rate in the United States, VADOC says

Shortly after 11 a.m. on May 23, 2022, Brown-Murphy entered a Truist bank in Temple Hills  his third attempt that day.

He approached a teller and passed her a note that read, Give me the money or I will kill you.

She refused and he left.

Less than an hour later, at about 12:04 p.m.  shortly after another failed attempt elsewhere  Brown-Murphy entered a Capital One branch in Southeast D.C. He walked up to a teller and passed a note that stated, Give Me The Money Dont Get Killed !!

(Courtesy: USAO)

Brown-Murphy then lifted up his shirt as if he had a gun, the teller later told police.

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She gave him cash from her register.

Capitol Heights man charged in deadly shooting of DC man

Two days later, on May 25 that year, Brown-Murphy entered a Wells Fargo in District Heights. Like in other robberies, he passed the teller a note, which said, GIVE ME THE MONEY!!! DONT GET KILLED!!!

Another bank employee saw the note and pressed an alarm, leading Brown-Murphy to flee empty-handed.

A witness saw him leave in a black Cadillac and gave responding officers a description. Police tried to stop him, but Brown-Murphy led them on a chase to nearby Suitland, where he bailed from the car and fled on foot.

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Police arrested him after a chase.

He was indicted on federal charges on Aug. 29, 2022, and has been in custody since then. The USAO noted he had two previous convictions for bank robbery and robbery.

He pleaded guilty on July 12, 2023, to three counts of bank robbery and was sentenced in May 2025 to 63 months in prison.

Brown-Murphy was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

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(Above: Previous report of stabbing that aired on Nov. 11, 2021)

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man who stabbed an elderly trolley rider in El Cajon with a knife four years ago and nearly severed his ear has been sentenced to prison, authorities said Thursday.

Back in February, a jury found Israel Valdivia, 27, guilty of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon for the unprovoked stabbing of Jose Serra at a trolley stop in El Cajon on Nov. 3, 2021.

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Authorities said Serra, who was 71 at the time, was standing at the Arnele Avenue Station and was on his way to work around 5 a.m. when he was attacked by Valdivia with an 11-to-13-inch knife.

Woman struck, killed while running across 805 freeway

Earlier reports by El Cajon police stated Serra had numerous life-threatening stab wounds and had been severely slashed across his face.

This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on a vulnerable older man who was simply exiting the trolley to go to work, said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan in a news release on Thursday.

The news release added that as Serra laid bleeding on the ground following the stabbing, Valdivia kicked him and left the scene.

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He was later arrested in Texas that same month and extradited back to San Diego to face charges for his crimes, the DAs office stated.

He was sentenced to seven years to life in prison.

This was just one of a handful of crimes related to public transportation in recent years. Last year, Angelina Stricklen was sentenced to 13 years in prison after she stabbed a 21-year-old man who was asleep on the Blue Line trolley in La Jolla.

In 2023, Ryan Rukstelis got 15 years-to-life in prison after he pushed a 68-year-old man into a moving freight train in Old Town, which led to his death.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A man wanted for a murder in Albuquerque was arrested Wednesday in Louisiana by the St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office. Corey Hunter is accused of fatally shooting Henry Barr Jr. in July 2021.

Police canine, suspect killed in officer-involved shooting near Albuquerque Sunport

Police say Hunter shot Barr during a dispute over a debt outside of Barrs apartment. Police were able to identify Hunter as a suspect after he left his wallet and a gun magazine at the scene when he fled. Detectives re-interviewed witnesses recently and on May 12, an arrest warrant for Hunter was obtained.

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Police say Wednesday around 12:50 a.m. the St. Mary Parish Sheriffs Office arrested Hunter in Louisiana. Hunter had several drug-relates warrants from that jurisdiction and deputies then discovered he had a murder warrant from Albuquerque.

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Man wanted in gun store burglary in Oconee Co.

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said they are looking for a man in connection to a burglary that took place at an Oconee County gun store.

On Saturday May 24, deputies were dispatched to the Deep South Defense store on Highway 123 near Old Clemson Highway, regarding reports of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies were told by the owner that the back door of the business was broken.

Authorities said that an AR-15 style rifle had been stolen from the store. Security footage showed a white man entering and exiting the building, as well as walking by the next door business.

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the investigation.

The Oconee County Sheriffs Office asks anyone with information about the incident to contact their office or submit an anonymous tip at 1-844-71-CRIME.

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WADESBORO, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A man has been arrested after a woman lost her life in a shooting Wednesday night, according to Wadesboro Police.

Around 8:38 p.m. on May 28, officers were called to the Oak Hill Apartments on North Greene Street, where they found a woman shot. She died before she could be taken to a hospital.

7-year-old boy hit and killed while crossing street in Gastonia: Police

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Police say Keayon Dorrell Richardson, who just turned 20 years old on May 20, was arrested in Cheraw, South Carolina, on Thursday. This comes after police announced that Richardson was wanted for murder and was considered armed and dangerous.

Wadesboro Police say Richardson was arrested with help from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Anson County Sheriffs Office and the Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

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Since the Trump administration revoked a key certification that allows Harvard to enroll international students, domestic and international students are reconsidering their futures at Harvard, according to a Wednesday court filing from Harvards director of immigration services.

At the same time, the institution is struggling to attract and enroll students with dozens of incoming students opting to defer admission or enroll elsewhere, said Maureen Martin, the director of immigration services.

The court filing comes after Trump suggested a 15% cap on international students at Harvard University and the federal government revoked a key certification that allows Harvard to enroll international students. Harvard subsequently sued and asked for a temporary restraining order, which a federal judge allowed. The judge has since allowed a preliminary injunction on Thursday.

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Martin said within hours of the revocation, she received reports that the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Custom and Border Protection at Boston Logan International Airport were requiring Harvard visa holders and their dependents to undergo secondary processing to verify if they would be admitted into the country.

At least 10 international students and scholars had their visa applications denied who were scheduled to travel to Harvard in the fall due to administrative processing immediately after the revocation, she said.

Admissions for domestic students has also been changing since the revocation as many students are stating that their experience would be different without any international students.

Martin said faculty and students have been dealing with profound fear, concern and confusion as transfer deadlines have passed or are limited and their research or funding grants will be taken away if they transfer.

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As a result, international students and scholars are dealing with emotional distress, fearful of attending their graduation ceremonies and have canceled travel plans for academic research or seeing their families because of concern that they will be not admitted back into the United States. They are also worried that they might be forced back to their home country and separated from their partners.

At least half a dozen foreign consulates have reached out to Harvard asking for information about the revocation notice and how it will impact the scholars of their country.

The revocation comes at a time when institutions abroad, such as Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, are offering unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures and academic support for current and incoming Harvard international students.

What is the certification the Trump admin revoked?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, also known as SEVP, allows higher education institutions to issue visa application forms to prospective international students after admitting them. The forms are used to apply for a visa to enter the United States.

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The certification requirements include that the school is operational and instructing students, has the necessary facilities and adequate finances to operate, provides instruction to a degree or objective and meets state requirements to operate, according to the Department of Homeland Security website.

Institutions are recertified every two years, but can be evaluated at other points in time if they have information suggesting it isnt complying with regulations.

If the certification is taken away, an institution isnt allowed to enroll international students. Current students would have to choose between transferring to another institution, leaving the U.S., or changing their immigration status, according to the ICE website.

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An example of the certification being stripped occurred at Herguan University in California in 2016 after its CEO pleaded guilty to providing fraudulent documents to the Department of Homeland Security, according to East Bay Times.

What has happened at Harvard?

Harvard has been in a battle with the federal government since April. There has been a wave of federal research grant terminations at Harvard University, in addition to $60 million in multi-year grants, a $450 million cut and a $2.2 billion freeze.

In addition to barring Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants, the Trump administration directed federal agencies to cut off existing contracts with Harvard or transfer them to other vendors on Tuesday.

Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that they share the same common ground, but the university will not surrender its core, legally-protected principles out of fear.

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Garber pushed back on the administration through a lawsuit in April. The institution argues that its constitutional rights had been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding if the school didnt comply with demands for an overhaul. Following the $450 million announced cuts, the university amended its lawsuit.

No government  regardless of which party is in power  should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue, the suit reads.

Due to the federal cuts, Harvard announced that it was committing $250 million of central funding to support research impacted by suspended and canceled federal grants.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
PARIS (AP)  Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman to lead Diors womens collections, announced Thursday she is stepping down as creative director after nine years at the storied French fashion house  the latest sign of mounting pressure and ongoing creative turnover at the top of the fashion industry.

The Italian designer confirmed her long-rumored departure in an Instagram post, capping a transformative era defined by bold feminist messaging, record sales and industry-defining collections.

I am particularly grateful for the work accomplished by my teams and the ateliers. Their talent and expertise allowed me to realize my vision of committed womens fashion, in close dialogue with several generations of female artists, Chiuri wrote. Together, we have written a remarkable and impactful chapter, of which I am immensely proud.

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Chiuri, 60, leaves behind a legacy that reshaped Diors creative direction and broadened its global appeal. Since her arrival in 2016, she steered Dior through a golden era of commercial and cultural success. Revenue reportedly rose by nearly $8 billion from 2017 to 2023 as Chiuris vision of empowered femininity resonated with a new generation of clients.

The house itself credited Chiuri with nothing less than redefining "the identity and femininity of the Dior woman, celebrated and reimagined the iconic heritage and savoir-faire.

Delphine Arnault, the LVMH executive who oversees Dior, paid tribute to Chiuris tremendous work with an inspiring feminist perspective and exceptional creativity, all imbued with the spirit of Monsieur Dior. Chiuri, Arnault added, not only designed highly desirable collections but has written a key chapter in the history of Christian Dior  a chapter that will forever be marked by the milestone of her being the first woman to lead the womens collections.

Chiuris debut for Spring 2017 made headlines with We Should All Be Feminists T-shirts, declaring a new era for Dior. She brought activism to the runway, collaborating with artists like Judy Chicago and Faith Ringgold. She revived icons such as the Saddle Bag and made space for womens voices, drawing on Diors past while rewriting its aesthetic.

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Chiuri departs as the first woman to lead Dior since its founding in 1947, having redefined the houses codes and opened the door to a new chapter at one of fashions most influential brands. Her exit comes amid a broader wave of creative upheaval across the industry. Pierpaolo Piccioli, her former co-creative director at Valentino, was recently named artistic director of Balenciaga  after Alessandro Michele, known for his maximalist, gender-fluid reinvention of Gucci, was appointed to succeed Piccioli at Valentino in 2024.

Meanwhile, Matthieu Blazy, who stepped down from Bottega Veneta last year, will debut at Chanel this fall, succeeding Virginie Viard  whose unceremonious departure shocked the industry.

The recent round of high-profile exits and appointments has amounted to fashions most dramatic game of musical chairs in years  and its giving the industry whiplash.

The moves reflect a period of transition for major fashion houses as they adapt to shifting consumer expectations, slower luxury growth, and the demands of a digital-first market. At least half a dozen top houses have changed creative leadership in the past year alone  a sign of the mounting pressure on designers to deliver both artistic vision and commercial results in an increasingly unstable landscape.

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Chiuri's shows spanned continents, from Mumbai to Kyoto, each celebrating craft and community. But for her final collection, Resort 2026, Chiuri returned home to Rome  staging the show at Villa Torlonia, enveloping her guests in ritual white, and invoking the spirit of Italian cinema with a film by Matteo Garrone. The choice of her native city, paired with the all-white dress code, signaled a deliberate full-circle moment; an intimate farewell and a subtle hint that Chiuri was preparing to close her chapter at Dior.

Dior has not yet named a successor, but speculation centers on Jonathan Anderson, who recently took over Diors mens collections.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Short Story Brewing and construction company March-Westing teamed up this May to brew a beer while making a difference for West Virginian ALS patients.

Together, March-Westin Project Manager Steve Raymond and Short Story Head Brewer Cody Higinbotham came up with the idea for Topped Off, a double dry-hopped IPA using Citra and Galaxy hops that comes in at 6.5% ABV.

Short Story Brewing in Westover, WV. May 28, 2025 (WBOY image)

When [March-Westin] came to us, man, we knew we wanted to do it, Higinbotham said. Me and Steve, weve known each other for a while, and once he got a hold of me it was lights out, we knew we were gonna do it.

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March-Westins owner, Phil Weser, is one of about 30,000 ALS patients living in the United States. Also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affects a bodys nerve cells, particularly in the brain and spine, and causes muscles to weaken over time and can even lead to paralysis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Every pour or can sale of the Topped Off IPA will go toward the West Virginia chapter of the ALS Association, which provides assistance to ALS patients in the state.

EXCLUSIVE: An up close look at the Green Bank Telescope

Not only is it a great cause for raising funds for ALS, but its also a really good tasting beer, Raymond said.  [Were] super proud about how it turned out, Short Story did a phenomenal job in brewing it with us, and, at the end of the day, its certainly worth a try to support a local cause, and youre supporting a local business.

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Right now, Topped Off can be found at all four Short Story Brewing locations, and a small number of cans are still available in the Westover Taphouse near Morgantown. You can also donate to the ALS Association directly here.

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Dive Brief:

Cancer drugmaker iTeos Therapeutics said Wednesday it plans to wind down operations and seek to sell the companys assets and intellectual property rights.

ITeos has for years struggled to develop a cancer treatment that sufficiently impressed investors and its pharmaceutical partners. Two weeks ago, it said it was shelving its most advanced drug prospect, a TIGIT-targeting treatment developed with GSK.

The immuno-oncology developer is the latest biotechnology company considering merger prospects or liquidatation of its assets this year. Others such as Cargo Therapeutics and Third Harmonic Bio have made their own plans to dissolve.

Dive Insight:

Investors are increasingly scrutinizing zombie biotechs, pressuring their executive teams to shut down and return capital to shareholders after their primary development efforts fail.

Typically, struggling companies have turned to mergers or pivoted to new programs to justify holding onto their cash reserves. Activist investors and analysts have argued they should give that money back to their investors instead. A new investment fund launched in April with the intention of liquidating billions of dollars in cash "trapped" on the balance sheets of nearly 300 public biotechs whose share prices have fallen significantly.

Cash that was raised through an efficient capital process to fund specific projects ... is now being allocated by a few insiders and spent on programs that investors are not willing to support, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Eric Schmidt wrote in a February note explaining how the goals of executive teams and investors can diverge in the wake of clinical setbacks. He specifically highlighted biotechs Cargo, BioAge Labs and Keros Therapeutics.

ITeos fits a similar mold. It developed an immunotherapy with Pfizer in the mid-2010s, but the pharma giant handed back rights to development in 2018 after the drugs promise faded. A few years later, iTeos brokered a deal with GSK to develop a so-called TIGIT drug for use in combination with cancer immunotherapies.

Testing of that candidate was stopped in mid-May after study results showed the drug regimen failed to significantly delay tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer. Data showed a trend below the meaningful threshold for drug responses in study participants with other cancers, iTeos said.

At the time, iTeos CEO Michel Detheux said: We believe the best path forward is to promptly evaluate a full range of strategic alternatives to unlock the value of our assets.
CLARKSBURG  A federal judge has sentenced a Marion County man to 9years in prison for selling para-fluorofentanyl and heroin in the North Central West Virginia.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh sentenced Darrel Keith McHoney, 55, of Fairmont, to 110 months in federal prison for selling para-fluorofentanyl in Marion and Harrison counties. Accordding to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, PFF, as it's known, "briefly infiltrated the drug market in the 1980s and later re-emerged in 2016 during a period of fentanyl analogue proliferation."

According to court documents and statements made in court, McHoney sold para-fluorofentanyl and heroin. Investigators searched his home and seized more than 100 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, a loaded firearm magazine, and drug paraphernalia. McHoney has a criminal history that includes attempted robbery and drug trafficking, according to a press release from federal court.

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McHoney will be on three years of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area-funded initiative, investigated the case.
American soldiers on the battlefield will soon be receiving a boost from Facebook. Meta (META), Facebooks parent company, has entered into a partnership with defense technology company Anduril to design, build, and field a range of integrated extended reality (XR) products that provide soldiers with enhanced perception and enable intuitive control of autonomous platforms on the battlefield.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the partnership being a natural evolution for the company.

Meta has spent the last decade building AI and AR to enable the computing platform of the future, Zuckerberg said in a statement. Were proud to partner with Anduril to help bring these technologies to the American servicemembers that protect our interests at home and abroad.

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Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey lauded the partnership as a needed technological boost to the military.

Of all the areas where dual-use technology can make a difference for America, this is the one I am most excited about, Luckey said. My mission has long been to turn warfighters into technomancers, and the products we are building with Meta do just that.

Zuckerbergs move into military technology comes as he has attempted to court President Donald Trump, including rolling back DEI initiatives and donating $1 million to Trumps inauguration. Trump ally Dana White also joined Metas board earlier this year. The UFC (EDR) boss is a friend of Zuckerberg, who has taken up martial arts as a hobby.

Metas development of military technology would appear to be fulfilling one of the companys goals outlined last year when when Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs, said the company hopes to have an active role in the debates that any administration needs to have about maintaining Americas leadership in the technological sphere.

Rocio Fabbro and Ben Kesslen contributed to this article.

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Marthe Cohn: I was very worried because I knew they were false papers

Marthe Cohn, who has died aged 105, was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in France; she survived the Holocaust, and after the liberation of Paris in 1944 she joined the French First Army intelligence service and crossed over into southern Germany, posing as a German nurse looking for her fiance.

The intelligence she sent back was instrumental in allowing the Allies to break through the Siegfried Line and enter German territory in 1945, leading to the end of the war.

In 2002, with Wendy Holden, she told her story in Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany.

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One of seven children, she was born Marthe Hoffnung on April 13 1920 in the north-eastern French city of Metz, in the Lorraine region that had been part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. She grew up fluent in both French and German.

The Hoffnungs were aware of the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany under the Nazis, and Marthe recalled how, after Kristallnacht, November 9 1938, the family home was opened to Jews fleeing Germany. In August 1939, at the urging of the French government, Marthe and her family left Metz for Poitiers, south-west of Paris, which became part of the occupied zone of France after the German invasion of 1940.

There, they were helped by French farmers and Marthe got a job as a municipal translator, and because she looked so Aryan, with fair hair and blue eyes, she became a favourite of the German commanding officer, who suggested she should make a career for herself in Berlin.

Behind Enemy Lines

One of Marthes sisters was living in Paris on false papers. Marthe acquired false papers of her own, moved in with her sister and attended nursing school. Meanwhile, her family were involved in helping hundreds of Jews cross over from the Nazi-occupied zone into the free zone of southern France, efforts which were discovered in 1942 by the Germans when they intercepted a letter written by Marthes younger sister, Stephanie.

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Stephanie was arrested by the Gestapo on June 17 and imprisoned, but she refused to tell her captors anything. In an effort to persuade her to talk, the Gestapo arrested her father. When that did not produce the desired result he was released. In September 1942 Stephanie was deported to Auschwitz. She never returned.

Marthe, meanwhile, organised her familys escape from Poitiers to the Vichy zone of France, where, thanks to her false papers, she continued her studies at the nursing school of the French Red Cross in Marseilles. But her fiance, Jacques Delaunay, a student she had met in Poitiers, who had been involved in the Resistance, was shot in October 1943 at Suresnes.

She tried without success to join the Resistance, and after the Liberation of Paris she joined the mad dash of people looking to enlist in the French army. But she was unable to provide a birth certificate and could not join the service until November 1944.

Marthe Cohn in 2019 - Portland Press Herald

She was assigned to work as a nurse until the colonel of her regiment discovered she was fluent in German and suggested that she enter the intelligence service: He explained that in the German army, all men were in uniform. So any man in civilian clothes would be noticed and arrested. Thats why they needed women.

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After training she was sent via Switzerland into Germany in early 1945 with false papers under the name Marthe Ulrich. Soon after crossing the border, she ran into a German soldier and raising her right arm, she said, Heil Hitler before he asked for identification: I was very worried because I knew they were false papers, and I didnt know if he would notice it or not, but he gave it back to me with no problems. I was now in Germany.

Her cover story, which she had invented herself, was that her parents had been killed in Allied bombing and she was an only child. All she had left was a photograph of the man she was supposed to marry, together with a stack of his love letters. They were very sympathetic toward me, Marthe said of the Germans she encountered, and she admitted to pangs of conscience at deceiving the families who showed her hospitality.

One day she came across a group of retreating German soldiers, including a non-commissioned SS officer who was bragging about his exploits on the Eastern Front: He was raving about the Poles and Jews and how many he killed. He could smell a Jew, he told her.

Suddenly the man, who had been wounded, collapsed in front of her, so I was a good German nurse. I took care of him. He ended up giving her valuable information about German troop movements, including the fact that the Siegfried Line had been evacuated, and where the Germany army was hidden in the Black Forest  key pieces of information for the Allies.

I made the V sign for victory

To deliver the information, she met up with Allied forces as they were about to enter Freiburg: The first tank arrived, and I went in the middle of the street and I made the V sign for victory. It was the only way for me to show them I was a friend. The tanks stopped in front of me because Im very lucky, and I asked to talk to the commander of the tanks. I was quite assertive, too.

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Marthe returned to France after the war, then in 1953, while undertaking further nursing training in Geneva, she met Major Lloyd Cohn, an American medical student. They married in 1956 and moved to the US, where Marthe worked as a nurse, and, later as a nurse anaesthetist. The couple had two sons and eventually settled in California.

For decades she remained quiet about her wartime work, but in 1998 she returned to France and asked to see her war records. To her surprise, officials agreed. Then, following the death in 2001 of her brother she decided the time was right: He knew I had been in Germany... He was the one who protected our whole family and paid for everything. After the war, he asked me to write a book. So when he died, I felt I owed it to him.

Marthe Cohn was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1945 and the Medaille militaire in 1999, and was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion dhonneur in 2004. In 2014 she was awarded the Verdienstkreuz, the Order of Merit of Germany, for saving German lives by helping to shorten the war.

Marthe Cohn, born April 13 1920, died May 21 2025

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A student works in a biology laboratory at the University of Maryland in College Park. (Photo by Jess Daninhirsch/Capital News Service)

Maryland has joined another lawsuit by multiple states against the Trump administration, this time trying to block its threatened cuts to scientific research.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in New York, also alleges that the National Science Foundation seeks to eliminate programs designed to increase participation by women and individuals from underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and math fields, or STEM.

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Between 1995 and 2017, under congressionally approved national policy, minority representation in those fields rose from 15% to 35%, the states suit says. But in an April 18 statement, the NSF announced that research projects with more narrow impact, limited to subgroups of people based on protected class or characteristics do not effectuate NSF priorities.

On that same day, the suit said, the foundation issued termination notices for projects that seek to increase STEM participation by women, minorities, and people with disabilities; that study misinformation; and that address environmental justice. It also applied an arbitrary 15% cap on indirect costs for projects, such as lab space, custodial services, biomedical disposal and administrative functions.

Institutions will not be able to maintain essential research infrastructure and will be forced to significantly scale back or halt research, abandon numerous projects, and lay off staff, the lawsuit says.

Colleges and universities are already feeling the impact. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement that the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, has lost nearly $5 million from seven programs that supported fellows, faculty diversification and research. Bowie State University, one of Marylands four historically Black colleges and universities, saw termination of a program to boost representation of Black males teaching STEM.

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Were taking legal action to stop these devastating cuts so our universities can continue to train the next generation of scientists and engineers who will strengthen our economy, protect public health, and produce groundbreaking research, Brown said.

The NSF declined comment on the lawsuit.

Similar Trump administration efforts to cap indirect costs at 15% from the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Energy have been temporarily blocked by courts.

In addition to Maryland, state signed onto the latest suit are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.

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On May 5, about 13 universities, the Association of American Universities, American Council on Education, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and 13 universities or university systems filed a similar lawsuit against the foundation for trying to make drastic cuts in science research and place a 15% cap on indirect costs.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore represents one of 19 land-grant institutions in the country.

 This story was updated on Thursday, May 29, to include the National Science Foundations refusal to comment.

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A 19-year-old high school student who prosecutors said obsessively wrote about carrying out mass shootings at two Maryland schools will serve one year of a 10-year prison sentence after being found guilty of threatening to commit mass violence.

Andrea Alex Ye, 19, of Rockville was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison, with all but 12 months suspended, after his detailed writings about carrying out an attack were flagged to law enforcement while in an inpatient psychiatric facility early last year.

Ye, who had previously been hospitalized for threatening to shoot up a school and homicidal and suicidal ideation, had a consistent obsession with school shootings and school shooters that he documented in a 129-page manifesto and shared with a fellow patient, leading to his arrest, said Montgomery County States Attorney John McCarthy at a press conference Wednesday.

Andrea Alex Ye, 19, of Rockville, Maryland, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison, with all but 12 months suspended, after being found guilty earlier this year of threatening to commit mass violence. WilliamSherman via Getty Images

Some of the things that were in the manifesto included things like, I want to shoot up my school. Ive been preparing for it the last few months, said McCarthy.

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Ye fantasized in his writings about gaining access to his fathers gun case, making bombs, and becoming a romanticized serial killer who receives tons of love letters and a Netflix documentary, according to the criminal charges.

Maybe the most chilling thing of all, the only reason why he didnt do this is because he didnt have access to a gun, McCarthy said back in January after Yes conviction by a Montgomery County judge. He said, If I had access to a gun, this would have happened.

As part of his sentence, Ye will serve five years of supervised probation after his release from prison. He will also have to undergo mental health treatment, perform community service, stay away from the two schools he threatened, and stay off the app Discord, which prosecutors said he routinely used to search for mass shootings and school shootings. Ye has already been behind bars for 14 months since his arrest last year but he waived his right to credit for that time already served.

McCarthy expressed regret and frustration about Yes prison sentence, arguing that rather than spending another year in a detention facility, he should receive long-term psychological treatment. He said a court hearing has been scheduled for September so that his defense can propose a supervision program for him upon his release.

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Attempts to reach Yes defense attorney for comment Thursday were not immediately successful.

These issues dont go away quickly and therefore I think longer-term treatment for a lot of our young people, Mr. Ye among them, is what we need to offer them, and thats what we were trying to offer them today, McCarthy said of his offices recommendation for Ye to attend a local youthful offender program.

McCarthy did credit the judge for offering to meet with Ye every two weeks during his probationary period to ensure that he gets the attention that he needs. He called that unusual step a possible reflection of the judges concern that she recognizes that theres a real danger if theres not proper supervision here when he goes back into the community.

Being on probation does not necessarily mean what I think some people naively think, he said, while emphasizing the workload those tasked with supervising offenders face. They are tremendously overworked and overburdened in terms of people they supervise in the community.
Its too early to tell how federal changes to student visas will affect colleges and universities statewide as Marylands higher education community continues monitoring the latest actions taken by the State Department targeting international students this week.

The State Department temporarily paused scheduling student visa interviews, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. The department is planning on expanding social media screening and vetting, an internal document reviewed by the AP said.

On top of the interview pause, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the State Department and Department of Homeland Security will work to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

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In the 2023-2024 school year, India was the top country of origin for international students nationwide with 331,602 students, followed by China with 277,398, according to data from the State Department-sponsored website Open Doors.

Baltimores Johns Hopkins University was one of the leading host schools for international students in the country, Open Doors data shows. About 27% of Hopkins student body, including undergraduate and graduate students, are international, a Hopkins spokesperson said Wednesday.

Hopkins did not comment further by deadline Thursday.

International students are not only going to large research universities like Johns Hopkins, however. Thirteen percent of the student body of Annapolis liberal arts school St. Johns College is made up of international students, according to Sara Luell, a college spokesperson.

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We continue to monitor the ongoing situation and are working closely with our students to support them and minimize impacts, Luell wrote in an email Thursday.

Towson liberal arts school Goucher Colleges international students come from 40 countries and make up 7% of the schools undergraduates, it said in a statement Wednesday. The school said it remains fully committed to global education.

We value the perspectives our international students bring to campus and the positive impact they have on our entire communitys learning experience, the statement reads.

We continue to monitor this issue and how it will impact our current students, incoming students, and exchange student populations.

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Meanwhile, in public higher education, over 10,000 international students were enrolled across the University System of Maryland as of fall 2024, the systems data shows.

We are carefully monitoring the State Departments decision to revoke visas for some international students and pause visas for others, wrote Michael Sandler, a spokesperson for the University System of Maryland, in an emailed statement Thursday.

We are very concerned for the welfare of all international students, as well as their ability to learn and study in the U.S. and make contributions to our broader academic communities. We continue to support our international community as we evaluate the impact these decisions have on our campuses.

A State Department spokesperson said Wednesday that it does not comment on internal communications but said the department has required applicants to give their social media handles on visa application forms since 2019.

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All visa applicants are continuously vetted, the spokesperson said, from the time they apply, through the visa adjudication process and then during the issued visas validity term.

The department referred The Baltimore Sun to its Thursday media briefing when asked about Rubios statement on Chinese students. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce did not specify what particular areas of study the critical fields Rubio referenced were during the briefing, saying the phrase, while specific, could mean many things.

The United States  will not tolerate the CCPs exploitation of U.S. universities or theft of U.S. research, intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power, conduct intelligence collection, or repress voices of opposition, Bruce said.

Every visa adjudication is a national security decision, she said.

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Bruce also confirmed that the reported details of Tuesdays leaked internal document were accurate.

These are the latest federal actions targeting international students in recent months. Some international students at Hopkins, University of Maryland, College Park and University of Maryland, Baltimore County had their visas revoked  and then later reinstated  last month.

The Trump administration recently barred Harvard University from enrolling international students, who make up a quarter of the schools student population. A federal judge blocked the order last week.

Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is suing President Donald Trumps administration in an attempt to stop funding cuts for scientific research.

Campbell and 15 other state attorneys general filed the lawsuit seeking to block the cuts to the National Science Foundation, which has provided federal funding for science and technology research since its creation in 1950. The Trump administration has been introducing cuts and funding caps, particularly targeting programs it views as related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Massachusetts is home to world-renowned scientific research institutions that not only drive innovative solutions to our worlds most pressing challenges, but also ensure our nation maintains its global, scientific leadership, Campbell said in a statement on Wednesday. I will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for the unlawful attacks on STEM funding, which jeopardize Massachusetts and this entire countrys public health, economy and national security.

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According to the lawsuit, dozens of projects seeking to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have been terminated since April 18. The federal government has also capped indirect costs of research projects, which typically fund laboratory space, equipment and other facilities, at 15%, a level the lawsuit called arbitrary. The lawsuit argues the cap would jeopardize millions of dollars in research that supports national security, the economy and public health.

Federal courts have already blocked the administrations similar caps on indirect costs for projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. Campbell has signed onto another lawsuit with other state attorneys general to block these caps.

The lawsuit says the NSF directives are illegal and unconstitutional because they change the agencys policies without regard for how Congress, which appropriates government funds, intends for it to run.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
BOSTON, Mass. (WPRI)  A New Bedford senator is pushing for human trafficking awareness training.

The legislation has been brought before Massachusetts lawmakers for years, but has never gotten anywhere. If passed, it would require training for certain hospitality workers.

The bill has drawn support from victims of human trafficking, but some lawmakers have raised concerns about the specifics of what it would entail if signed into law.

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Human trafficking is a problem right now in the Commonwealth, across the state in almost every hotel, said Sen. Robyn Kennedy, First Worcester District. There is very likely somebody, most likely a woman, statistically, being held against their will, and we have to act to do something. They deserve our protection.

During a Senate meeting on May 22, Sen. Mark Montigny, who sponsors the bill, urged the Senate to act. He and other supporters said the bill is a critical step to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.

All the hoteliers came in because the obvious question was who would be against it? Theyre all for it. They all joined us recently at a press conference, said Montigny. Every single time we have a chance, I think we should look at these victims who are surviving and struggling, and show that we actually care about them. Most of them are not getting the remedy they need, theyre not getting the human services they need.

The legislation would mandate hotline posters in restrooms and lobbies, and require hotels to document their efforts to combat trafficking, all under the oversight of the Attorney Generals office.

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These conversations need to happen because this affects the commonwealth greatly. I will support this amendment, because Ive seen firsthand experience as far as what happens when people are unable to detect a potential person who is trafficking someone else, said Sen. Kelly Dooner, who represents the Third Bristol and Plymouth district.

However, not everyone is on board. Senator Michael Rodrigues of Westport raised concerns over the scope and cost, including the number of employees who would need training.

While the goals are certainly applaudable, this is a situation where you really dont create a mandate that every hotel employee, whether they are front desk, janitors, dishwashers, window washers, be trained to recognize human trafficking without having extensive discussion, said Rodrigues.

The amendment did not get adopted, but legislators who support the bill said they are committed to moving forward with the legislation as the session continues.

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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Quynh Pham, a Massachusetts entrepreneur and the first Miniluxe franchisee in the country, appeared Thursday on Spotlight New England.

Pham told hosts Ashley Erling and Audrey McClelland that she emigrated from Vietnam at 19 to study in the U.S., and now serves as CEO and investor at four companies in the Boston area, including her nail salon.

Miniluxe, a chain of nail salons, is committed to using cleaner and more sustainable practices and products for its manicure services.

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Phams Miniluxe studio is located in Brookline, Mass.

Spotlight New England airs weekdays on the WPRI 12+ smart TV app and WPRI.com.

Watch the full interview in the player above.

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MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH)  A West Springfield, Mass., man faces multiple charges after he allegedly had sexual contact with three children in Middletown, according to police.

Police said Derrick Gaither, 59, allegedly had sexual contact with three minors in Middletown during 2011 and 2017.

Miracle no one was killed: Man accused of shooting 5 people at Brass Mill Center in Waterbury appears in court

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He was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault, four counts of risk of injury to a minor, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and one count of first-degree criminal attempt to commit sexual assault.

Gaither is being held on a $3 million bond for this case. He has been in custody on charges out of Enfield.

Anyone with information involving Gaither is asked to contact Det. Jimmy Lacasse at JLacasse@MiddletownCT.gov or 860-638-4134.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
By Sheila Dang

HOUSTON (Reuters) -Chevron shareholders voted against three stockholder proposals during the U.S. oil producer's annual meeting on Wednesday, including one calling for a report on the company's human rights practices, while larger rival Exxon Mobil faced no investor resolutions for the first time in decades.

There have been fewer resolutions on environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters this year than they did in 2024 and 2023 due to lack of investor appetite for such proposals. Lower-than-expected returns in renewable energy projects have also shifted shareholders' focus back to oil and gas.

Chevron investors rejected a resolution that would have allowed holders of at least 10% of the company's common stock to call special meetings. They also voted down a proposal to produce a report about whether company investments in renewable energy could result in so-called stranded assets, or projects that lose value prematurely, according to preliminary voting results on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Exxon's annual meeting featured no qualifying shareholder resolutions for the first time since 1958.

Exxon CEO Darren Woods said he attributed that to the company's performance that has outpaced competitors, and to Exxon's willingness to fight back against proposals he said were a detriment to the business.

Investors approved all director nominees and executive compensation plans for both companies.

(Reporting by Sheila Dang in Houston and Tanay Dhumal in Bengaluru; Editing by David Gregorio)
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  A Sioux Falls man criminally accused of improperly touching customers bodies without their consent while performing massages on them has permanently surrendered his South Dakota license.

29-year-old state inmate dead; 9th this year

Kurt Smit reached an agreement with the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy to give up the license, withdraw a pending renewal application and pay a $400 penalty to the board.

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The agreement also called for reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank that Smit had voluntarily surrendered his license after being informed of an investigation and that he is permanently and forever prohibited from practicing massage therapy in South Dakota.

In return, the board agreed to end the investigation into four complaints formally filed against Smit.

The board voted to accept the proposed settlement on April 23 after discussing the matter in private.

The board didnt publicly provide any information about the complaints or the accused person, however.

KELOLAND News subsequently filed a public-records request seeking a copy of the stipulation. The South Dakota Department of Health released it Thursday.

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A defense lawyer representing Smits had asked that criminal charges against Smit be dropped.

However, a Minnehaha County circuit judge said Smits must stand trial twice  once for each victim  on October 11-12 and on November 13-14.

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Residents and tourists on Rhode Island's Block Island were treated to quite a sight on Memorial Day: a "very large" shark making its way around the Great Salt Pond.

In a now viral video, taken by a woman named Jen Seebeck from the deck of a nearby seafood restaurant, you can see the shark's dorsal and tail fins moving through the water behind a small boat.

You can also hear someone in the background say "There's a shark in the pond" in a quintessential New England accent.

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The Atlantic Shark Institute shared footage of the incident on its official social media accounts, along with some more information.

"We got a number of calls yesterday as people on Block Island, RI were treated to quite the scene, kicking off the 2025 summer season!" the Institute wrote. "We got some wonderful video but loved this one from Jen Seebeck who was enjoying dinner at Dead Eye Dicks when she noticed the fin slicing through the water inside Great Salt Pond. Clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws on this 50th anniversary of the film."

The Atlantic Shark Institute also solicited guesses as to the species of the shark. While the image of the creature creeping through the water may have given off Jaws vibes, this was not a deadly great white.

Instead, it was a basking shark, according to the Institute's executive director Jon Dodd.

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"They are harmless filter-feeders but that wouldn't matter much if you were in the water when one came cruising by," Dodd said, adding that this particular species eat plankton and are usually found in the ocean.

"This guy made a mistake," Dodd said of the shark being in the pond. "It's the first one this year, but it won't be the last."

Whenever the next mistake happens, we can bet there will be someone there to capture it on camera again.

'Massive' Shark Was Spotted Near Rhode Island Town first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
LONDON (AP)  Being a leading man? Matthew Goode quite likes it.

Hes the star of Dept. Q, based on the books by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen and set in the cold case division of an Edinburgh police station. From The Queens Gambit showrunner Scott Frank, the nine-part miniseries launches Thursday and sees Goode playing a one-man combination of good cop/bad cop. While Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck is a brilliant investigator, he is equally successful at annoying people  even begrudging respect for his talent quickly turns into intense dislike.

Its not that Goode hasnt been No. 1 on the call sheet before, its just that he didnt enjoy it.

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Its something I shied away from after the beginning of my career where I was there for a bit and then I had some sort of bad things  things werent necessarily positive at that point, after that. And I just went, I just want to be, you know, not the lead anymore, he says.

Goode also acknowledges that actors dont get to choose if a main part is bestowed on them and notes that Frank fought to cast him in Dept. Q. The pair first worked together on The Lookout (2007) with the English actor portraying an American thief, a long way from the period dramas Goode has been recently known for, playing suave Brits in The Crown, Downton Abbey and Freuds Last Session.

Goode and Frank talked and teased each other in an interview with The Associated Press about working together, cast bonding and breaking Goode out of his period drama groove. The conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: To start with, can I get you to describe your relationship?

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GOODE: Father and son.

FRANK: Taxing, toxic, troubling.

GOODE: Well, hes the genius and I just do what he says, basically.

FRANK: I wish. We go way back. We made a film together, the first film I ever directed, in fact. And I was lucky that I had Matthew because he was outstanding and made it easier for me at that point. And I think we both just really know one another and I love this man  I would work with him in everything I ever did, but hes a pain in the ass.

GOODE: Well, you know. There has to be some cost!

FRANK: He is Carl Morck, in many ways. To know him is to want to strangle him. Does that sum it up?

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GOODE: OK, so now you see what Im working with. This is the second time hes given me a character that I genuinely dont think that many other people would have taken that chance, because I dont really scream Kansas City bank robber (in The Lookout). And I think this is a part that some people would have kind of gone, its a bit more sort of Tom Hardy-ish, perhaps. But thats what we are, were actors, but you dont necessarily get to be versatile a lot of the time, so I feel very indebted to you.

AP: And did you write this with Matthew in mind?

FRANK: I had always thought he would be terrific for this, and I didnt know if we would end up doing it together, but from the minute I started thinking about it, doing it here, I really thought, oh, and I knew he would love it.

I think a lot of times people only see actors in one way or a particular way, is because they dont really see them, they just see the roles theyve already played, theyre not really paying attention to what else is happening.

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AP: Its not a period drama.

GOODE: There you go, thats a prime example, yeah.

AP: So is that part of the appeal?

GOODE: I mean a career is, for want of a better way of explaining it, is a bit like a river where essentially you can go, theres the main channel in it, but theres eddies and you get caught in certain things and you get cast in certain ways. So youre not really ever particularly in control of it. Certainly unless you have your own production company or you become a massive star where you actually sort of have the keys to Hollywood and then you have a bit more of a sphere of influence and you can dip your toes in different waters. And he had to fight for me a little bit for this one. He had to go bat for me to actually do the part.

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AP: Have you played a detective before?

GOODE: No, this is my first time, I think. Ive got a memory like a sieve now; Ive got three kids, thats the only thing I really think about. But no, I think this is my first time.

FRANK: I dont think you have.

GOODE: Only with my wife with some dress up, but thats about it.

AP: Carl seems to wind everybody up.

FRANK: A lot of people he winds up are people you want him to wind up and then a lot of times hes shooting down. But then, the people hes shooting down at surprise you by coming straight back at him. They dont necessarily let him get away with Carl being Carl.

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AP: And hes not a posh character.

GOODE: No because (Frank) transposed it from the original Danish setting, Copenhagen, and it works brilliantly, obviously, in Edinburgh, and it becomes this amazing character. But he made the character English. But we havent given too much detail yet as to as to his past, which I love the fact, because were aiming to be able to keep doing this because theres 10 books.

AP: I spoke to Leah Byrne and Alexej Manvelov, who both had first day nerves and are so good in this. Did it surprise you that they needed reassurance?

FRANK: We all need reassurance. Including me.

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GOODE: Every actor Ive ever met.

FRANK: Your first day is really scary. There are all these people ... and acting, as I like to say, is the most difficult job in all of this because youre making yourself so vulnerable in front of a hundred strangers. So Day 1 is even worse.

AP: And Matthew went out with Alexej for a long lunch?

GOODE: I know it sounds a bit unprofessional, but actually, its really, for me, thats the way that I like to work is to give myself to the other people that Ive got major relationships in the show with, because Im not competitive as an actor. I really want to share the screen. I find it weird when it doesnt happen the other way toward me. And so thats a really important relationship ... and I wanted us to have a great friendship.

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FRANK: The one thing you cant fix in post-production is casting if youve not cast well. And there were a lot of different relationships happening here, so they all had to work together. And they were all terrific. I would be surprised every day by something one of these actors would do. And, what was really fun for me too, is how much Matthew appreciated the skill on the other side. He was never like threatened or felt he was being shown up, it was like this delight.

GOODE: Probably was being shown up.

FRANK: Oh, you were, trust me, they all steal it from you.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has called for a local business to shut down after police said it was at the center of a drug ring in the city.

DA Gulluni announces results of three major narcotics investigations in Springfield

Earlier this week, authorities announced dozens of arrests and the takedown of three drug rings throughout Springfield. The DAs Hampden County Narcotics Task Force and Strategic Action & Focused Enforcement Task Force began investigating drug trafficking activity around Springfields Garcia Market and Angels Used Appliances in October 2022. Throughout the investigation period, over 80 firearm-related calls were reported to police.

MAP: Orange and White Streets in Springfield

On May 15, 2025, investigators executed searches and arrests at these locations, which served as fronts for an extensive trafficking network. Law enforcement seized 12,138 grams of cocaine, 530 grams of fentanyl, and 15 firearms. As a result of this operation, 19 suspects were arrested and face charges including drug trafficking, firearm possession, child endangerment, and property theft.

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Now, Mayor Sarno wants to shut down Garcias Market on Orange Street. In a statement to 22News Mayor Sarno states, I spoke with both District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Police Superintendent Larry Akers earlier today to commend them and our State Police law enforcement officials for their continued brave and dedicated efforts to shut down this major drug and gun operation. As you know, I have no patience nor tolerance with these poison dealing, gun-toting violent offenders and their business fronts are not welcomed here in Springfield. In turn, I have requested City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti and Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris to pursue a seize and desist order to move to shut down this den of iniquity in the name of public health and safety for the good of our neighborhood residents and businesses of the area and beyond.

But he tells 22News that these things take time as the District Attorney and Law Enforcement have to build the case. I hope that the the courts and similar judges see fit to hold these individuals here, these dangerous individuals. And again, to put that poison out on our streets, how that affects the individual and their families and the multitude of guns that were taken away. People get hurt, God forbid, get killed.

Local News Headlines

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Someone unfamiliar with downtown Youngstown may not even realize the Realty Tower Building once stood at the corner of Market and East Federal Streets, because its now just another gravel space on Central Square  but Mayor Tito Brown hopes it doesnt remain that way.

My focus is to have residential and retail that will complement whats going to happen long-term downtown, and I think if we stick to that plan, its a win for us, Brown said.

Mayor Brown said his economic development team has talked with Brian Angelilli, whose company, YO 47 Properties, owns the land where the Realty Tower once sat.

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I think Brians kind of just waiting for kind of the dust to settle and just get through this first year. When you talk with Brian, he does have great ideas, Brown said.

For as big as the Realty Building was, for as tall as it was, 13 stories, the property that it sat on really isnt all that big. According to the Mahoning County Auditor, its just a little less than 2/10 of an acre.

Despite its small size, Bill Lawson of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society says the Realty Tower plot is significant because it occupies a corner of Central Square  first laid out in 1798. This is one of the oldest pictures, around 1870, shortly after the Civil War monument was erected. By the 1930s, Central Square was taken over by trolleys, cars and people. Its a historic place.

The way the city developed around the square, the events that occurred in the square for generations, going back almost to the beginning, Lawson said.

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You know, the one thing I can confidently say is I dont want a parking lot, Mayor Brown said.

Both Mayor Brown and Bill Lawson agree that something needs to go where the Realty Tower once stood.

Its going to be hard to really duplicate it, but we want to get as close as we can and so you can look when you go downtown, its like, thats a nice building, and you wouldnt be able to tell it was just built recently, said Brown.

I think the key thing is going to be quality of materials and the aesthetics of a popular design now that it reflects that and so thats how you create a substantial building thats going to last for generations, said Lawson.

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One other thing Mayor Brown would like to see on this spot is a plaque to commemorate the death of Akil Drake and what happened there one year ago.



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U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works (Photo via Pittsburgh City Paper).

Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick said Wednesday a pending merger between U.S. Steel and Japans Nippon Steel would preserve Americas control of the company and bring billions of dollars to Allegheny Countys Monongahela River Valley.

In an interview on CNBC, McCormick said the companys control structure would be subject to a national security agreement with the federal government. The deal was in limbo for much of last year as President Joe Biden awaited a recommendation from the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States over the security implications of a sale.

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McCormick said the CEO and a majority of the board of directors for the American subsidiary of Nippon would be U.S. citizens. He also described a golden share of the company that would require U.S. government approval of a number of the directors.

That will allow the United States to ensure production levels arent cut and things like that, and also allow the investment to come to the Mon Valley, McCormick said, noting the agreement would save about 10,000 U.S. jobs, including nearly 4,000 in Pennsylvania.

Of the $14 billion that Nippon would invest in U.S. Steel, at least $2.4 billion would be in the Mon Valley, McCormick said. That would include the construction of a new electric arc furnace that McCormick claimed would create another 10,000 jobs in the building trades.

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This is being extremely well received in Pennsylvania, he said. The steel workers there are wildly excited about it, and I think its going to be a great thing for my state.

But, United Steelworkers (USW), the Pittsburgh-based steelmakers largest employees union, expressed concern that details of the proposed tie-up remain sparse. USW said it has received no assurance the new investment would be directed to union-represented plants or toward genuinely new capital improvements as opposed to routine repair and maintenance.

Further, Nippon has not disputed reports that suggest up to $4 billion of the $14 billion would be earmarked for greenfield operations  and our members already know that our plants are not greenfields, and generally that means non-union, USW leaders said in a statement.

In a post Friday on Truth Social, President Donald Trump described the deal as a planned partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon, which began courting the American company in late 2023 with a $14 billion all-cash offer. Trump is scheduled to speak Friday evening at U.S. Steels Irvin Plant in West Mifflin.

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Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump, who has vacillated between support and opposition to the deal, said in the post the companies had negotiated an arrangement that would keep the headquarters in Pittsburgh and that his tariff policies would ensure steel will once again, forever, MADE IN AMERICA.

The USW noted Trumps post promised much of the $14 billion investment would occur in the next 14 months. That timeline would closely align with the expiration of the unions labor agreement.

Our core concerns about Nippon Steel  a foreign-owned corporation with a documented history of violating U.S. trade laws  remain as strong and valid today as ever, the USW statement said.

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Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday that he was cautiously optimistic following Trumps announcement, but added that much work remains to be done. He said he had engaged with elected leaders of both parties and union officials to understand what they were proposing, make sure it benefits Pennsylvania and protects the commonwealths workers and steelmaking industry.

I dont want this to be something our kids read about in the history books. I want this to be a place where people today want to go work and where their kids want to go work tomorrow, Shapiro said, adding that he spoke with Trump about the merger when he called in the days after the April 13 arson attack on the Governors Residence.

Shapiro said he emphasized, the need to make sure the investment was richer, that the jobs would be protected, and that there would be a pathway to growth.

In response to Trumps post, Democratic U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, whose Allegheny County district includes the Mon Valley, said consideration of workers and their communities must be central to the deal.

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What remains non-negotiable is our commitment to protecting the thousands of union jobs that anchor entire neighborhoods and communities across western Pennsylvania. Our region knows all too well what happens when decisions are made without putting workers, local community investment, and resident health at the center of the conversation, Lee said.

Among U.S. Steels two dozen locations, three separate plants in the Mon Valley outside Pittsburgh and one in Fairless Hills, outside Philadelphia, comprise the Mon Valley Works.

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Gov. Dan McKee nominated Robert Rapoza to fill a soon to-be open seat on the Rhode Island Board of Elections. Rapoza retired as the elections panel executive director in 2024. (Photo by Jocelyn Jackson/Rhode Island Current)

Fourteen months after his retirement as executive director of the state elections board, Robert Rapoza is back.

Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday unveiled Rapoza as his pick to serve on the Rhode Island Board of Elections board of directors. If confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate, Rapoza will fill the $5,100-a-year seat soon to be vacated by board member Diane Mederos, whose term expires June 1. Mederos did not want to be reappointed, Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKees office, said in an email Thursday.

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Raposa retired as the elections board executive director on March 31, 2024, after a nearly three-decade career with the state elections agency in which he served multiple roles.

Miguel Nunez, the former deputy elections director, was picked by the board to replace Rapoza as executive director following a nationwide search.

Bobs experience and understanding of our states elections system makes him a strong candidate for this role, McKee said in a statement. Protecting the integrity of our elections is essential to our democracy, and Im confident Bobs extensive knowledge of election laws, policies and procedures will help further the Boards work to build public trust in our electoral process.

The Rhode Island Senate has not yet scheduled a vote on Rapozas nomination, Greg Pare said Thursday.

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If approved, Rapoza will serve a nine-year term.

Rapoza began working for the Rhode Island Board of Elections in 1997 as its special projects coordinator, developing the plan to use optical scan voting equipment statewide. He served as executive director for the final six years of his tenure with the agency, running elections across the states 461 voting precincts alongside reviewing changes to state elections laws and working with local, state and federal agencies on election integrity.

Knowing the inner workings of the election process will complement the existing board as together, we will continue the boards mission for fair, accurate, and efficient elections, Rapoza said in a statement.

He has a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of New Haven and was certified as an elections and registration administrator through Auburn University.

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Gov. Dan McKee has proposed a $10 million budget amendment to open a 21-bed long-term behavioral health unit at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

Retooling a mostly-empty behavioral heath care wing at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to take new, Medicaid-eligible patients would help clarify funding and oversight of the program, while easing the states critical shortage of mental health services, state officials and health care providers agree.

But its unclear if Gov. Dan McKees proposal to inject $10 million in unspent state and federal funds into the 21 long-term psychiatric beds at Fatima will rise above other budget demands this year. Also in question: Will a new state investment make the struggling hospital more attractive to investors, and in turn, secure its sale to new owners?

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McKees office insists his May 27 budget amendment has nothing to do with the not-yet-finalized sale of Fatima and Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence from its now-bankrupt owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, to new owner The Centurion Foundation.

The budget proposal was unveiled two days before CharterCARE Health of Rhode Island, the local subsidiary formed by Centurion, expected to close on the sale of $140.7 million in tax and tax-exempt bonds, according to Morningstar. The financing is necessary to cover the $80 million capital injection  on top of an $80 million purchase price  for both parties to meet requirements set by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General and Rhode Island Department of Health.

And the bonds may be a hard sell to potential investors, given the less-than-favorable rating from S&P Global Ratings Agency. The credit ratings on March 25 gave the bonds a BB- rating, which denotes a relatively high risk for a non-investment grade bond. S&P analysts noting significant uncertainty surrounding future financial, strategic and operating performance, anticipating a 33% chance of a rating downgrade within a year.

Otis Brown, a spokesperson for CharterCARE Health, did not return multiple inquiries for comment regarding the bond sale. Bond underwriter Barclays also did not immediately return inquiries for comment Thursday.

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Jeffrey Liebman, CharterCARE CEO, attended a preliminary hearing on McKees budget proposal at the State House Thursday, but did not reference the bond sale during brief remarks to lawmakers.

Catastrophic results

Lynn Blais, a nurse at Fatima and president of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals, which represents 1,000 CharterCARE employees, is worried.

If these bonds arent sold, there are going to be catastrophic results for health care in Rhode Island, Blais said in an interview Thursday.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha also warned of the precarious state of the safety net hospitals, which have been struggling for years due to financial and operational mismanagement under its former private equity ownership.

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When we look at Roger Williams and Fatima, were on the edge of a knife there, Neronha said at a press conference Wednesday. Were on the edge of a knife as to whether they survive or not, and if they dont, there will be one reason why not, because we havent acted quickly enough.

A $10 million boost to Fatimas existing psychiatric services  which already span 60 beds across three units dedicated to acute, long-term and geriatric care  could help seal the sale deal, assuring investors of a new source of income and the states willingness to keep its facilities running, Blais said.

If these bonds arent sold, there are going to be catastrophic results for health care in Rhode Island.

 Lynn Blais, a nurse at Fatima and president of the United Nurses and Allied Professionals, which represents 1,000 CharterCARE workers

But lawmakers might not be willing to part with $10 million easily given the states projected $185 million deficit and the threat of federal funding cuts.

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House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi expressed concern, noting the challenging budget year, in a statement Thursday. However, Shekarchi pledged to reserve judgment until after an initial hearing before the House Committee on Finance Thursday night.

Senate President Valarie Lawson remained noncommittal on McKees proposal, awaiting further legislative review.

Our Lady of Fatima and Roger Williams Hospitals are critical components of Rhode Islands health care system, and we will explore all options to support their long-term stability, Lawson said in a statement.

United Nurses & Allied Professionals Local 5110 President Lynn Blais speaks during the first of two public hearings on the proposed sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to The Centurion Foundation on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Rhode Island College. The hearings were part of the states regulatory review process. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

Filling a shortage

McKees office describes the impetus for his proposal very differently.

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This proposal is neither in response to a request from CharterCare nor is it necessary to sell the CharterCare Bonds, Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee, said in an emailed response Thursday. EOHHS have been contemplating ways to support Our Lady of Fatima, including with the behavioral health unit, for years. The State is taking this step because we have unmet needs for patients with significant behavioral health conditions in Rhode Island. The intent of this proposal is to address those needs.

Fatima opened a 20-bed behavioral health care unit in 2016 under an agreement with the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services to ease capacity issues at the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital. Fatima is a community hospital, with most of its costs for Medicaid patients reimbursed through managed care organizations. But under the agreement to take patients from Eleanor Slater, EOHHS paid $850 per patient per day directly, according to a presentation by House Fiscal Advisor Sharon Reynolds Ferland, who outlined McKees proposal at a House Committee on Finance meeting Thursday night.

Just three patients from that original 2016 transfer remain at Fatima, and unit closed to new admissions several years ago due to confusion over the oversight and funding source. McKee is now asking to tap into $4.3 million in surplus state funds from fiscal 2025, along with an assumed $5.7 million federal match, to reshape the program in order to be federally recognized and eligible for managed care organization reimbursements through Medicaid. The rate recalculation would also open the beds to begin accepting new patients, either from short-term psychiatric programs at other hospitals, or those languishing in emergency rooms while waiting for a bed to free up.

As of Thursday morning, there were 46 adults waiting in hospital emergency rooms for inpatient psychiatric care, 11 of whom were designated as a potential harm to themselves or others, Richard Leclerc, director of the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), told lawmakers. Another 50 patients in acute, or short-term hospital psychiatric programs have been there longer than 30 days, and could benefit form longer-term treatment if it was available.

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This is filling a void for people in need, Leclerc said.

Long-term beds generally are meant for patients who require care for weeks, months or even years in some cases, Randal Edgar, a BHDDH spokesperson, said in an email Thursday. Acute psychiatric hospital beds are for patients with severe, life-threatening conditions but who can be stabilized and may stay up to a week. Edgar said.

The state has 112 long-term psychiatric hospital beds, including those at Fatima, according to information provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health. The bulk of them, 78 beds, are through the state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital. There are also 12 beds at Roger Williams Medical Center.

Rhode Island ranked 19th among states for the number of beds for adults with severe mental illness per 100,000 residents in 2023, according to a report by the Treatment Advocacy Center.

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Lack of beds forces potential patients to wait weeks for appropriate treatment, often biding their time in hospital emergency rooms, which are ill-equipped to help them with complex psychiatric and co-occurring diagnoses, Sen. Pam Lauria, a Barrington Democrat and nurse practitioner, said in an interview earlier Thursday.

Its a horrifying situation, said Lauria.

The Hospital Association of Rhode Island also expressed preliminary support.

Access to long-term behavioral health services is desperately needed for so many Rhode Islanders and we are hopeful that this unit will help alleviate some pressure on the states overwhelmed emergency departments, Howard Dulude, interim president of the hospital association, said in an emailed statement Thursday.

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Even McKees adversary, Neronha, offered a rare note of praise for the governor.

The designation of $10 million towards health care in Rhode Island is significant, and for that I tip my hat to the Governor, Neronha said in a statement Thursday. Rhode Island leadership needs to come together and do everything we can to support these safety-net hospitals.

Competing costs

Neronha stressed the need to address low Medicaid reimbursement rates, which he said are at the root of Roger Williams and Fatimas financial struggles.

We must invest in health care as infrastructure, and that means immediately funding Medicaid to reflect the true cost of care, Neronha said. Funding health care is not optional, and we need to design the state budget in a way that reflects health care as our top priority.

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Neronha on Wednesday unveiled a three-pronged strategy including litigation, legislation and a partnership with Brown University to combat the health care crisis. Among his legislative fixes is $50 million worth of Medicaid reimbursement hikes meant to push provider payments level with Medicare.

A separate pair of bills backed by the Hospital Association requires $90 million to increase Medicaid payments to physicians and advanced practice providers.

Lauria is leading the charge to reverse the drain of primary care providers as sponsor of a bill proposing a $1 million state scholarship program for doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who stay and work in Rhode Island after graduation. She also co-heads a legislative panel tasked with considering the feasibility of a state medical school.

Theres a lot of needs out there, Lauria said. Finding that balance is going to be key.

A Senate committee hearing on the governors proposed amendment is tentatively scheduled for next week, Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson, said in a text message.

Reynolds Ferland also pointed to a list of questions not yet answered by the governors office on his proposal. Among them: How soon would the state expect to receive the federal rate recalculation approval to begin accepting new patients at Fatima? Also uncertain is how the revitalization of a community long-term behavioral health care unit would affect state-run facilities at Eleanor Slater and the separate Rhode Island Psychiatric Hospital in Cranston.

Leclerc did not answer these questions during his testimony Thursday. The governors office referred additional details on the proposal to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, which did not immediately respond to follow-up questions from Rhode Island Current.

Updated to correct the details of McKees budget proposal based a presentation to the House Committee on Finance Thursday.

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A Muslim police officer alleges in a new lawsuit that supervisors and colleagues at the Melvindale Police Department targeted him because of his religion and ethnicity, leaving crosses and a Christian Bible in his work mailbox and trying to get him to quit the force.

Cpl. Hassan Hammoud also alleges in the lawsuit, filed May 29 in Wayne County Circuit Court, that racism is widespread in the police department and officers talk about "going hunting" when policing parts of the city closest to Detroit, a majority-Black city.

Cpl. Hassan Hammoud says in a lawsuit that he was targeted at the Melvindale Police Department.

Hammoud, who was born in Lebanon and joined the department in 2021, alleges members of the department used racial slurs to refer to Black people and would informally use a code number  "04"  to reference harassment of Black residents.

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The city of Melvindale and the Melvindale Police Department are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Melvindale Police Chief Robert Kennaley did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages left May 29.

Melvindale Corporation Counsel Lawrence Coogan said the May 29 lawsuit is the first he has heard of any of the complaints and he would have expected to have heard about such issues when they arose.

"I'm extremely concerned if any of these accusations are true  I'm not saying they are," Coogan said.

Hammoud is still employed at the department, according to the lawsuit, but says he has been on administrative leave since January "due to mental health issues caused by the working conditions that made the terms of his employment intolerable."

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The suit alleges that Hammoud was subjected to unspecified racial harassment from a colleague in 2021 and he complained to Kennaley, who at that time was still a sergeant. Hammoud alleges that two corporals made unspecified racist comments in his presence, one of them over the course of several years. Hammoud says in the lawsuit he confronted one of the corporals about racist remarks but was afraid of losing his job if he complained to supervisors. The suit says he did make repeated complaints to Kennaley and a lieutenant about discriminatory treatment.

More: Amid surveillance concerns, Dearborn approves $720K for police access to real-time videos

Hammoud alleges he found in his police mailbox:

A photograph of a nude girl in September 2024;

A wooden Christian cross the day after he found the photograph;

A job application for a pizza restaurant, with a note saying, "Go," in October 2024;

A Christian Bible and cross the day after he found the job application form.

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This lawsuit reveals a deeply disturbing culture of racism and religious bigotry that not only isolates and punished Corp. Hammoud because of his religion and race, but also directs that bias outward toward the communities the department is sworn to protect," Hammoud's Detroit attorney, Jonathan Marko, said in a news release.

"The City of Melvindale has allowed a system of discrimination to flourish unchecked  and our client is stepping forward to ensure accountability."

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The suit alleges Kennaley failed to act on his complaints, told him to stop writing up fellow officers for alleged racist language and conduct, and retaliated against him for continuing to complain. The suit alleges racist conduct by at least two specific officers but neither those officers nor Kennaley are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

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The suit alleges violations of Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act through unequal treatment, a hostile work environment and retaliation. It seeks unspecified monetary damages.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Melvindale officer alleges police racism, religious bias in lawsuit
Germany is to assist Ukraine in the production of long-range weapons, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin for the first time since taking office earlier this month.

But on the question of whether he would okay sending German-made Taurus cruise missiles - which Zelensky very much wants - Merz said he wouldn't rule it out, but added they might not help immediately on the battlefield.

"Of course, this is within the realm of possibility," Merz told public broadcaster ZDF about the Taurus missile deliveries. But he noted that using the missiles would require several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine and stressed that if the system were delivered in six months or a year, it would not help Ukraine now.

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That's why Germany is improving its military cooperation and support with Ukraine now.

"We want to enable long-range weapons. We also want to enable joint production," Merz said at a press conference in the German capital.

The move represents "the start of a new form of military-industrial cooperation" between Germany and Ukraine, "which has great potential," the chancellor said.

Ukraine, which has been fighting off a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years, is in need of missiles that can attack Russian airfields and supply lines deep inside Russian territory.

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Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, consistently opposed deliveries of German-made Taurus cruise missiles amid warnings that the move would escalate tensions with Moscow.

Merz reiterated his position, first issued earlier this week, that all restrictions on where Ukraine can use German weapons have now been lifted.

Zelensky made clear that he wants the Taurus missiles.

"Of course we need them," he said.

Defence ministers sign written declaration

Shortly after the press conference, the German Defence Ministry confirmed that Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov have signed a "written declaration providing for the financing of the production of long-range weapons in Ukraine."

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The package is worth around 5 billion ($5.7 billion), the ministry said. The ministry said the plan "will enable a considerable number of long-range weapons to be produced this year."

Commenting on the developments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday accused the German leader of further fuelling the war with his remarks.

"This is nothing more than an attempt to force the Ukrainians to continue fighting," he said, accusing Berlin of torpedoing efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Wadephul rejects Russian comments

In Washington, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on US television of being unwilling to end the war.

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"Russia has begun this war. Russia is going on with this conflict, and doesn't bring it to an end," he said in an interview with Fox News.

Earlier, Wadephul urged Europeans to do everything possible to enable Ukraine to defend its own territory.

During his visit to Washington, Wadephul met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio, among others. Following their meeting, Wadephul emphasized that despite existing differences, there is a fundamental alignment with the United States in the effort to achieve peace in Ukraine.

He strongly rejected Russia's accusation of warmongering because of Germany's commitment to jointly build missiles with Ukraine.

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"If there is anyone who should not be talking about warmongering, it is Peskov, because he and his regime are not only doing so verbally, but are actually waging an illegal war that violates international law," Wadephul said after talks with Rubio.

"And that is why we will not allow him to lecture us in any way," Wadephul said of Peskov.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Russian state news agency TASS that Germany was allowing itself to be drawn straight into the war by financing the production of Ukrainian missiles, which Wadephul rejected, noting that it was Russia that had invaded Ukraine.

Ceasefire efforts lose steam

The announcement comes amid signs that renewed European and US efforts in recent weeks to seek an end to the bloody conflict are losing steam.

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Merz has spent large portions of his first weeks in office abroad, attempting to revitalize German leadership in Europe in the face of the ongoing threat from Russia and an apparent shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump.

In the press conference with Zelensky, Merz underlined that "no one wants peace more than Ukraine itself," emphasizing that the Ukrainian government is ready for "technical conversations" with the Russian side "in the Vatican, in Geneva or at any third location."

But, he said, Russia's "massive aerial attacks" on Ukraine are a "slap in the face" for those seeking peace.

With ceasefire efforts stalling, the German chancellor appears to have turned his attention to shoring up Ukraine's military capabilities.

Joint consultations later this year

"We want to expand this further and, towards the end of the year, we will have German-Ukrainian government consultations again for the first time in many years," said Merz.

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Zelensky's Berlin visit - his fourth since the outbreak of the war in February 2022 - was only officially announced early on Wednesday, as Zelensky's travel plans are often kept confidential for security reasons.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed support for the strengthening of Europe and its defence, as he honoured European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony on Thursday.

The Charlemagne Prize is widely regarded as the most prestigious honour for contributions to European unity. Von der Leyen, this year's recipient, was praised by the award committee for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action."

During his speech, Merz emphasized the need for Europe to now embody peace externally as well. "This includes our historic task of making Europe so strong that it can restore peace on our continent and secure freedom in the long term," said Merz.

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"Germany stands ready to lead the way in this task with all determination in close coordination with our European partners and neighbours."

Turning to von der Leyen, the EU's most high-profile politician, Merz praised her leadership: "You give Europe a voice in the world - a European voice." He added that she was being awarded the Charlemagne Prize "most deservedly" for her efforts.

Merz also reiterated the German government's continued support for Ukraine, stating, "We will support Ukraine with all our strength."

Calling for deeper cooperation among European defence industries, he added: "We Germans are prepared to make far-reaching decisions at the NATO summit in June."
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohio lawmakers want to give parents more say in what their kids do on their smartphones and tablets. And Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is on board with the proposal.

Ohio lawmakers did pass a bill to require age verification in social media apps, but a federal judge struck that law down after social media companies challenged it, calling it a breathtakingly blunt tool to reduce harm. Gov. Mike DeWine called for lawmakers to take a new approach to age verification for minors, and that is where House Bill 226 comes into play.

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House Bill 226 would require app developers to determine whether their app is likely to be used by children under 16 years. If so, the developer needs to let the app store know that it will need age verification before being downloaded. This bill would largely impact social media like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Teens use more than 40 different apps a week, so thats a lot for parents and its a lot of personal information that would need to be shared with each individual app to verify who the parent is and the childs age, Head of Safety Policy for North America at Meta Jennifer Hanley said.

Hanley said she thinks this bill will be more effective, because it does not specifically call out social media apps.

Weve seen courts across the country say if youre looking at things selectively, examining the types of content or who the speaker is, then youre running into First Amendment issues, she said. We think here this kind of addresses that and resolved some of the First Amendment concerns by making it speaker and content neutral instead.

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First responders line roads as body of killed deputy returned to Morrow County

Hanley said age verification in this form is what parents want, and points to Utah and Texas that have recently enacted similar laws.

But some leaders at the statehouse think that companies like Meta are simply punting the responsibility to keep children safe.

There is certainly no excuse for these big social media, data companies, to not have some sort of guidelines, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. They certainly know how to develop the algorithms to target minors and theres no excuse for them not also being able to use that as safeguards.

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Russo said she does think that this is a step in the right direction but does not go far enough.

Do I think [HB 226] is going to be as effective as some of the other things we know [social media companies] have the capacity to do using their own algorithms? Certainly not, Russo said.

City of Columbus asks court to dismiss cyber lawsuits

We at Meta and other companies will still have a role to play in providing a safer, more age-appropriate experiences for teens and looking for those who are lying about their age, Hanley said.

The bill still awaits both a House committee vote and House floor vote before being sent to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

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*Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct the dollar figure related to the potential SNAP payment error rate New Mexico may face.

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Amid uncertainty on how federal funding cuts will impact Americans, New Mexico lawmakers are learning of the potential impact on New Mexicans and their SNAP benefits.

Story continues below

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In a hearing on Wednesday, a newly formed interim committee focused on federal funding, New Mexico lawmakers were briefed on how the funding cuts could impact the state.

According to state analysts, right now, the federal government pays 100% of the SNAP benefits to hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans. Proposed changes would have the state pay anywhere from 5-25% of that cost, based on the states payment error rate. Sometimes we do overpayments, sometimes we do underpayments to SNAP recipients, said an LFC analyst, explaining the error rate.

New Mexicos error rate is about 14%, which would mean the state would have to pay at least $290 million in benefits alone.

If this goes forward, weve got to figure out what that solution is before it goes forward so were not stuck with that bill, said Rep. Mark Duncan, (R-San Juan County).

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Also drawing concern, the proposed change to eliminate funding for the SNAP education program. A lot of preventative care goes into these programsand Im really really concerned as to these going away, more people are going to be subjected to unhealthy food, said. Rep. Raymundo Lara, (D-Dona Ana County).

Another proposed change would change the definition of a dependent child from under 18 years old to under seven years old. I want to what whoevers listening to realize this is going to impact real New Mexicans to real people, to people who really depend on it and need it, said Rep. Lara.

The state analysts said they are still working on details of just how many people will be impacted if these changes go through. On Thursday, lawmakers will get a briefing on how federal funding cuts will impact the states public education. That presentation is set to start at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

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May 29Before calling the sidewalks of Albuquerque home, Trina Hunter was a manager at Wendy's while volunteering at St. Martin's Hospitality Center on the side and raising a teenager.

Four years after escaping domestic abuse, Hunter said she has felt the effects of homelessness in various ways  mental illness, slipping hygiene and constant relocating. But the 40-year-old said she wakes up every day with hopes of something better on the horizon.

"I survived, and I'll keep surviving," she said, sitting on the sidewalk surrounded by everything she owns  all stuffed into two suitcases. "We've got to swallow it, choke it down, and keep going. Some of us do so much to make our way back home, but for some of us, it's too late."

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It's no secret that thousands of New Mexicans experience homelessness every year. But a recently released state Department of Health report found that number could be at least as high as 30,000 people homeless from 2019 to 2023, a number 2-to-4 times higher than other counts.

The NMDOH study relied on hospital visitation records with indicators of homelessness instead of traditional point-in-time methods.

"We're able to capture a lot more in this system," said NMDOH epidemiologist and one of the study's researchers, Hayley Peterson. "And so I definitely think it's a good, reliable way that we've done it here, but I definitely don't want to discount the good work that (the New Mexico) Coalition to End Homelessness has done."

Research by Peterson and NMDOH epidemiologist Dylan Pell reviewed data from the New Mexico Syndromic Surveillance Program (NM-SSP), which collects visitation records from most nonfederal hospitals across the state from 2019 to 2023. They found that 30,882 unique patients, an average of about 9,100 per year, had at least one hospital record indicating homelessness across the state.

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Their method relied on records from medical facilities with diagnosis codes for homelessness, inadequate housing, or housing instability  or if the patient's listed address contained the word "homeless" or some other indicator. They also looked through patient records, for terms such as "homeless," "unhoused," "unsheltered" and "transient."

Bernalillo County had the highest number of people experiencing homelessness, according to the NMDOH research. The report stated that 18,611, or about 60% of the total, were in the state's most populous county. That was followed by Santa Fe County, at 2,052 (7%), Dona Ana County, at 1,792 (6%), and San Juan County, at 1,479 (5%).

Many governments, including the city of Albuquerque, rely on the yearly point-in-time, or PIT, count to assess the number of people experiencing homelessness. The count occurs yearly on Jan. 29 and has dozens of volunteers counting the number of people staying on the streets and those in shelters.

For Peterson and Pell, the goal of their research was to supplement the work of PIT Count volunteers, not replace it.

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"I would say it's also a reliable measure of homelessness as it exists in health care systems in New Mexico, primarily emergency rooms," Pell said. "But we're not counting people who don't go to the emergency room. We're not counting people who aren't patients in these health systems."

That work falls on the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, which states in its yearly reports that the PIT count likely undercounts the population of unhoused New Mexicans.

"There are limitations to the PIT Count  inherent to the definitions and regulations that the U.S. Housing and Urban Development requires counts to adhere to  that inevitably result in an undercount of the true size of the population of people experiencing homelessness," the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness 2024 report stated.

Mark Oldknow, the associate director of the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, said it takes a small army to complete the yearly count. But that data serves a different purpose.

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"We all know that even using different methodologies and different sampling structures, we're never getting to anything other than a number that suggests that this is the floor, not the ceiling," Oldknow said.

But there's no feeling of competition between the two methods, Oldknow said, since the mission to understand the true scope of the problem is shared.

"I'd like people to understand that this is a daunting problem. It's a social problem that affects us all, whether or not we pay attention," Oldknow said.

For Peterson, some of the more striking findings included higher-than-expected populations of people experiencing homelessness under 5 years old and over 65.

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Their research also concluded that people experiencing homelessness require more frequent medical care. On average, the report found that unhoused residents visited the hospital 5.9 times over the five-year study period.

"A person with poor health might be unable to work or more likely to lose their job leading to financial instability and unstable housing, and a person without stable, clean, and safe housing will be more likely to experience negative health outcomes," the report read.

The report also noted disparities in gender and racial data.

Over two-thirds of the patients were male, about 39% were Hispanic, another 39% were white, 5% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 6% were Black, and less than 1% were Asian or Pacific Islander.

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None of what the study examined came as a surprise to Rachel Biggs, the chief strategy officer of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless. For Biggs, whose work includes advocacy and oversight of the health care system mandated to serve those without housing, the report can have a significant impact.

"We can point to some data points that show real numbers here in New Mexico, from hospital data to show the extent of the problem, to show the disparities across race and ethnicity, to show that the solutions need to be focused on housing," Biggs said.
The New Mexico State Ethics Commission has reached a settlement with the mayor of the village of Cuba over alleged violations of the Governmental Conduct Act.

Following an investigation, the Commission found reason to believe that [Mayor Denny Herrera] improperly benefitted from a village directive requiring employees to exclusively refuel Village vehicles at a gas station Herrera owns, the commission wrote in a news release announcing the settlement Wednesday.

Herrera, who is serving his first term as mayor, said in an interview Wednesday the directive was issued by prior administrations.

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I shouldve caught it sooner, since Day 1, he said. Its something that slipped by me, and it shouldnt happen.

Herrera said the village has long had a charge account at his gas station.

Once this was brought up, I issued credit cards to everybody in the whole city and released an internal statement stating that they could purchase fuel at any location that accepted WEX cards, he said. All we did was recommend that they purchase it within city limits if they could to keep the fuel tax in the city.

As part of the agreement, Herrera formally notified the village May 14 of his ownership interest in DDH Inc. Fuel Service Station and clarified that village employees are free to purchase fuel from any station that accepts WEX cards, in compliance with state and local procurement rules, the news release states.

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Herrera also agreed to pay $2,500 to the state and $1,000 to the village within seven days of the agreements execution.

New Mexicos Governmental Conduct Act broadly prohibits a public officer from using the powers and resources of their public office to obtain a private benefit, and the Act specifically forbids public officers from selling goods, services or construction to public employees under their supervision, the release states. The Commission works so that New Mexicans can trust that public officers will adhere to those basic principles.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexicans will vote in the countrys first judicial elections Sunday. The fiercely debated question is whether electing judges will deepen democratic decay or purge courts of rampant corruption and impunity.

The vote comes as power in Mexico has been increasingly concentrated in the popular presidents office, and as organized crime wields significant political influence in many parts of the country. Critics worry that electing judges will weaken checks and balances on government and stack the courts in favor of the ruling party.

Judges and court staff previously earned their positions through merit and experience. Now the election has more than 7,700 candidates vying for more than 2,600 judicial positions, including on Mexicos Supreme Court. Hundreds more positions will be elected in 2027.

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Weve never seen something like this before. What Mexico is doing is like an experiment, and we dont know what the outcome of it will be, said Carin Zissis, director of the Council of the Americas' Washington office.

Mexicos ruling party overhauls the courts

Mexicos judicial elections will pick judges across every level of government, an unprecedented situation globally.

Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led the push for the overhaul. The highly popular leader was long at odds with Mexican courts, which regularly struck down reform proposals and halted projects they called an overreach of executive power. Lopez Obrador went as far as publicly criticizing judges in his press briefings.

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Last September, after dominating presidential and legislative elections, his Morena party jammed the constitutional reform through congress. His ally and successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum, has continued to champion it.

The overhaul notably put limits on the Supreme Court's power to widely block presidential actions and laws, and set up a disciplinary tribunal for judges.

The way I see it, the Supreme Court is going to once again become irrelevant, just like it was in the old days of authoritarian rule ... when its ability to monitor constitutionality was basically null, said Rafael Estada, a constitutional historian.

Sheinbaum and Lopez Obrador have asserted that by popularly electing judges, they can root out corruption in the judiciary and bring the branch closer to the people.

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Who is going to choose the judges on the court now? The Mexican people. Thats the big difference between what once was and what now is, Sheinbaum said Monday as she called on Mexicans to vote.

And that, she added, is democracy.

Many on the ballot won a lottery after being screened by committees made up of people from the three branches of government  two of which are controlled by the presidents party. To qualify, candidates need a law degree, five years of professional experience, an essay and letters of recommendation from friends and colleagues.

Concerns about democratic decay

The passage of the reform legislation sparked weeks of protests by judges and judicial staff, a sharp rebuke from the Biden administration and concerns by international investors, causing the Mexican peso to dip.

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Opponents have called on Mexicans to boycott the vote, and the election is projected to have low turnout.

The opponents  former judges, legal experts, politicians and foreign observers - say that battling corruption and impunity in the courts is not a bad idea. Most Mexicans agree that the judiciary is rife with corruption.

The judiciary has a lot of scores to settle in this country, said Georgina De la Fuente, election specialist with the Mexican consulting firm Strategia Electoral.

But critics say the ruling party is simply politicizing the courts at an opportune moment, when Sheinbaum is highly popular.

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Judicial candidates are not allowed to announce their party affiliation and are unable to accept party funds or hold major campaign events. A number of former Morena government officials and allies, however, have posted lists on social media of which ones to elect.

Mexico's electoral authority said Wednesday it also had investigated cases of physical guides handed out to potential voters in Mexico City and Nuevo Leon state, something it said could amount to coercion.

The way in which this reform was designed does not give people greater access to justice. It was designed to take control of the judiciary and blur the division of powers, De la Fuente said.

Opening a Pandoras box'

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Others warn that the overhaul could open the judiciary to questionable judges and allow organized crime to further influence Mexicos justice system.

A number of candidates have raised eyebrows. Chief among them is Silvia Delgado Garcia, a former lawyer for drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who is running to be a criminal court judge in the northern border state of Chihuahua.

Critics speak out of ignorance because whether or not Ive represented some person doesnt transform you into that person, she told the AP as she handed out campaign flyers to people crossing the border from Ciudad Juarez to El Paso, Texas.

What I can promise you is Ill be an impartial judge, she told some voters.

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Watchdogs also say that last year's vote on the reform was rushed through, criteria for candidates wasnt always followed, the number of candidates was limited by a lottery and lower-court orders trying to keep the reforms from taking effect were ignored.

Zissis, of Council of the Americas, said the reforms could increase instability in the region at a time of rapid political change.

Mexicos government has been working furiously to talk U.S. President Donald Trump down from tariff threats and meet demands by his administration to crack down on organized crime. At the same time, Trump has been locked in political fights with courts trying to block various actions.

The turmoil could hurt international investment in Mexico if investors believe their money is less secure, Zissis said.

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It feels like Mexico is opening a Pandoras box," she said.

___

Associated Press journalists Maria Verza and Christian Chavez contributed to this report from Mexico City and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
China builds satellite constellations to enable smart connectivity from space

Xinhua) 08:32, May 29, 2025

A CERES-1 carrier rocket carrying four satellites blasts off from the waters near east China's Shandong Province, May 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- With four new satellites launched this month to expand the Tianqi constellation, China is accelerating a presence in low-Earth orbit to support its surging demand for smart device connectivity.

Following SpaceX's lead, an increasing number of Chinese aerospace firms have begun constructing Starlink-style satellite networks over the past years. Some of these commercial space firms are specifically targeting the development of critical digital infrastructure for IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity.

Tianqi, a satellite constellation developed and operated by GuoDianGaoKe Technology, has now reached its first phase with 37 satellites in orbit, forming a global network that provides services for smart cities, marine monitoring, emergency communications and environmental monitoring.

Upon the deployment of these four satellites, the constellation's revisit time will be shortened to just five minutes, representing a 37.5 percent enhancement in its operational efficiency, which is vital for facilitating real-time data transmission.

"Tianqi has filled a technological gap in China's low-orbit IoT satellite field. Its technical systems, performance and terminal indicators have reached internationally leading levels," said Lyu Qiang, chairman of the Beijing-based firm.

Tianqi is now exploring the expansion into consumer markets, including smartphones, smart vehicles and wearable devices. The company plans to design and launch additional satellites in its second phase, aimed at enhancing consumer-level applications.

CAR CONNECTIVITY

Another commercial satellite constellation project, funded by a leading Chinese automaker, is set to revolutionize intelligent connectivity for road vehicles from space.

Geely's Future Mobility Constellation, developed by commercial space subsidiary Geespace, has placed 30 satellites across three orbital planes. The constellation expanded last September with the launch of an additional 10 satellites.

This deployment enables 90 percent global coverage, making it the first Chinese commercial space enterprise to offer low-orbit satellite communication services to international users.

The constellation is focusing on scenarios in intelligent driving, smart mobility and consumer electronics, said Wang Yang, founder and CEO of Geespace.

It has a three-phase plan: 72 satellites for global real-time data communication in Phase One, 264 satellites for direct smartphone connectivity in Phase Two, and 5,676 satellites for global broadband services in Phase Three, according to Wang.

Supported by the constellation, some Geely's Zeekr and Galaxy electric vehicles now feature space communication. Users can send and receive messages via satellite when ground networks are disrupted.

In June last year, Geely's satellite constellation initiated international commercial operations in parts of the Middle East, and it plans to extend services to North Africa by 2025. This expansion marked a milestone for Chinese commercial space firms on the international stage.

Industry analysts note that satellite networks are particularly valuable for autonomous driving applications, as they provide reliable connectivity in areas where traditional networks are unavailable.

According to Grand View Research, the global autonomous driving market is projected to reach 557 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. The Chinese satellite constellation is positioning itself to capture a significant market share by partnering with multiple car manufacturers.

Geespace has established a state-of-the-art factory in Taizhou, a city in eastern China, leveraging modular design and intelligent manufacturing technologies. This facility is engineered to cut production costs by 45 percent and can produce 1 to 2 satellites per day, with an annual capacity of up to 500 satellites.

Another rapidly growing economic sector in China is also creating huge opportunities for low-Earth orbit satellite internet, as the increasing number of drones relies on low-altitude intelligent networking.

China is accelerating the development of low-altitude intelligent networking infrastructure and advancing the research and construction of 5G/5G-A, Beidou navigation, and satellite internet technologies.

"Low-altitude intelligent networking, as the digital foundation for the low-altitude economy, can ensure the safe operation of low-altitude aircraft," said Lu Feng, a researcher from a Beijing technology research institute.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Photo: Spencer Platt (Getty Images)

Chick-fil-A and Chipotle were the tip of the spear in augmenting new restaurant locations last year among top brands, per a new report from food service research firm Technomic.

Chick-fil-a grew its footprint by 4.9% in 2024 to a total of 3,109 restaurants, while Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) expanded 8.1% in the same period to a total of 3,644 locations, according to the firms Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.

It was the fourth year in a row of U.S. restaurants expanding their number of overall locations. Location development buoyed Top 500 performance, the company said. The Top 500 footprint expanded by 1.6% in 2024 to a total of over 236,000 restaurants, marking the fourth consecutive year of robust location development for chain restaurants.

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said in a February earnings call that part of the companys success rested on tremendous progress in expanding its footprint in Europe. The company, though, reported a slowdown in consumer spending during the first quarter of 2025, citing customers foregoing restaurant visits to save money along with adverse weather.

Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A had its sales slow in 2024, per Nations Restaurant News. The fast-food chain is charting a $1 billion international expansion overseas starting with five new locations in the U.K. and one in Singapore this year.

Chick-fil-A is also automating as part of a bigger strategy to reduce labor costs and improve company efficiency. Its tapping into other revenue streams as well, like selling lemon oil to the beauty and fragrance industries.

The increased competition among chicken-based restaurants is prompting more jockeying to increase market share, especially as consumers get pickier about where and how they spend their cash.

Raising Canes was another chicken-based fast-food establishment that grew enormously last year. In 2024, it expanded by 13.9% and reached 828 destinations, according to the Technomic report.

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Theres never a dull moment in the White House when Donald Trump is the president.

Elon Musk yesterday began offloading from his role overseeing the DOGE programme, after coming to the end of his 130 day limit as a special government employee.

But rumours abound of a falling out between Musk and Trump, with the South African-born businessman criticising the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill in an interview yesterday, claiming that the programme of massive tax cuts would actually raise the federal deficit, undermining his work cutting government spending.

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In this episode of The Daily T, Kamal Ahmed speaks to Michael Wolff - Trump biographer and author of four behind-the-scenes books about the president - who explains why the president wont be unduly bothered by Elon Musks criticism and the shock news that his global tariffs have been blocked by a US federal court.

The Daily Telegraphs Chief US Correspondent Rob Crilly also speaks to Kamal from Washington DC, having been in Delaware to witness Joe Bidens first public appearances since his cancer diagnosis.

Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (AP)  Democrat Gretchen Whitmer touted her accomplishments as Michigan's governor in a speech Thursday as she passes the midpoint of her second term and is continuously floated as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

Whitmer, who has been criticized by some Democrats for taking a friendlier tone with President Donald Trump than in his last term, suggested her willingness to work with others to get things done is what has made her an effective leader for the battleground state, which Trump won last fall and in 2016.

In the past month, Whitmer notched a successful deal with the Trump administration to secure new fighter jets and jobs at an air force base, and Trump assured Midwest leaders that he will fund a project to protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp.

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There also were some awkward moments alongside Trump, scorn from those who would like Whitmer to more vehemently oppose the Republican president and disagreement among top Democrats about how best to approach him.

Whitmer appeared with Trump, sharing a surprising embrace. The president praised her as doing an excellent job  a departure from his criticism of her during his first term. Whitmer also had an awkward encounter with Trump in the Oval Office earlier this year, something Whitmer made light of during her address by jokingly holding a binder in front of her face, emulating a photo taken that day in April.

And thats why I dont care much about headlines. What I care about is making headway, she said in an address given to Michigans political elites and business leaders at a policy conference.

Over the past six and a half years, I have found that leadership is about fighting hard, often quietly, for your big goals, she said. Your tolerance for taking a few punches to win the fight.

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Whitmer is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. A broad array of candidates have lined up since January to replace her. In interviews with The Associated Press, each Democrat in the race lauded Whitmer's leadership in the course of the second Trump administration: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

Mike Duggan, the longtime Democratic mayor of Detroit who is running for governor as an independent, had praise for Whitmers bipartisanship this year in a speech at the policy conference that denounced partisan politics.

I think the governor has shown us how to do it, he told The Associated Press after his speech Wednesday night. Shes disagreeing on the Canadian tariffs. And shes right. The Canadian tariffs certainly hurt Michigan, but shes disagreeing on a policy standpoint. Shes not doing personal attacks.

About half of Michigan voters in the 2024 election had a somewhat or very favorable opinion of Whitmer, according to AP VoteCast, while just under half viewed her unfavorably.

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Her speech comes a day after Trump said he is looking into pardoning two men who were convicted of leading a plot to kidnap and kill Whitmer in 2020 and are currently serving prison sentences. Whitmer wrote extensively about the experience in her political memoir that came out last year and blamed Trump for stoking the political hatred that motivated the scheme.

During a moderated session Thursday, Whitmer said she was disappointed in the news and hinted toward greater anger over it. She decried political violence, and she said she plans to talk to Trump about the matter.

We have an ongoing dialogue now ... very different from the first term, she said about Trump, turning to smile at the audience.

Whitmer said in her final 19 months as governor, she is looking to close a deal on road funding and improve Michigan's dismal literacy scores.

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Race to succeed Whitmer has started

The race to succeed Whitmer is closely tied to the same topics. Duggan laid out a plan to improve education Wednesday. Republican Senate minority leader Aaric Nesbitt, who is running for governor in 2026, criticized Whitmer for not making further improvements on either front during the six years she has been governor and said she has driven businesses out of the state by making Michigan less competitive.

Its missed opportunities, he said about her legacy in an interview.

Other Republicans jockeying to replace Whitmer are U.S. Rep. John James and former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.

Whitmer is one of several Democratic governors who are looked to as potential candidates for the presidency in 2028. Alongside California's Gavin Newsom, Illinois' JB Pritzker and Kentucky's Andy Beshear, each interaction with Trump has been scrutinized as the Democratic Party looks for a new leader.
May 28Gov. Janet Mills has signed one of several bills aimed at preventing another discharge of "forever chemical"-containing firefighting foam at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station.

The governor signed LD 407, An Act to Prohibit the Use of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam at the Former Brunswick Naval Air Station, last week.

It stipulates that starting Jan. 1, 2026, the use and storage of AFFF  a fire suppression foam containing a toxic PFAS chemical known as PFOS  will be prohibited at the former air station. Now known as Brunswick Landing, the area is operated by the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which has overseen the development of homes, businesses and the Brunswick Executive Airport on the former base.

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LD 407 among several "forever chemicals" bills that lawmakers are considering this session following a catastrophic firefighting spill at the Brunswick Executive Airport's hangar 4 in August 2024. The spill released 1,450 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, containing a toxic PFAS chemical known as PFOS, mixed with 50,000 gallons of water.

"The Governor was pleased to sign this bill into law to direct the permanent removal of harmful fire suppressant foam from the former Brunswick Naval Air Station," a Mills spokesperson said in an email. "This accountability measure will avoid future environmental harm and give the community peace of mind about conducting business at Brunswick Landing in the years ahead."

MRRA Executive Director Dan Stevenson said the authority is on-track to remove all AFFF by the end of the calendar year, as required by the law.

"We were aware of [LD 407] and had worked with Rep. (Dan) Ankeles on it," Stevenson said.

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Brunswick Executive Airport's hangar 5 still contains an active AFFF system. MRRA shut off the system in hangar 6 and removed 975 gallons of AFFF concentrate, which was shipped out by the Army Corps of Engineers for research last month.

MRRA has also removed AFFF from hangar 7, which remains on-site as it awaits transportation by PFAS remediation company ECT2. ECT2 has also removed remnants of AFFF from hangar 6, Stevenson said.

The now-law assigns the Department of Environmental Protection with enforcing the prohibition on property leased or owned by MRRA.

Brunswick lawmakers have backed four additional bills related to the August 2024 PFAS spill.

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The bills call for a statewide foam inventory (LD 400); a state-run voluntary foam collection, storage and disposal program (LD 222); increased public information on PFAS contamination standards (LD 1786); and the restructuring of the MRRA to add more oversight by members of the Brunswick community (LD 1637).

Both LD 400 and LD 222, the state inventory and takeback programs, are awaiting funding in the Senate before they reach the governor's desk.

LD 1786 and LD 1637 have both received initial approval in committee and face additional votes in the House and Senate.

The AFFF prohibition bill was introduced by Ankeles and backed by other Brunswick-area lawmakers, including Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry and Rep. Poppy Arford.

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"I'm very grateful to my colleagues for passing LD 407, the governor for signing it, and the people of Brunswick for using the power of their advocacy to ensure its success," Ankeles wrote in an emailed statement Wednesday, calling the legislation "a victory for every resident in the path of the spill."

"Brunswick will still have plenty to reckon with, especially those on private wells," Ankeles continued. "We must remain diligent in our efforts to protect them and make them whole, and we must keep pushing those in power not to abandon a cleanup effort that is likely to go on for years. Nobody deserves to be exposed to these poisons, in Brunswick or anywhere else."

Daughtry thanked the Brunswick community for its engagement in getting PFAS bills passed in the legislature.

"I'm proud to have worked on legislation to better protect Maine from future environmental disasters," Daughtry wrote in an emailed statement Wednesday night. "I'm especially happy that public testimony shaped these policies  this was truly a community-driven effort."

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"I'm grateful to Rep. Ankeles for introducing LD 407, which I co-sponsored, and proud to have sponsored LD 1637 to help hold local decision-makers accountable," she said. "Thank you to the entire Brunswick area delegation for their commitment. Together, these efforts mark a strong step toward prevention, transparency, and lasting protections for Maine."

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MILTON, Fla. (WKRG)  Milton police officers have arrested 22-year-old Mohamed Bakayoko after reportedly stealing $852,983.06 from the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court & Comptrollers Office.

Car spins out in front of WKRG crew on I-65 during rain; driver urges others to slow down

Known as a cybercriminal, Bakayoko allegedly used a sophisticated email scheme to impersonate vendors while using a compromised email account. According to police, the suspect had the Clerk of Courts office change the vendors bank account to one he could access.

Mohamed Tidiane Bakayoko. (Santa Rosa County Jail View)

Immediately following the transfer, the funds were dispersed across multiple financial institutions and accessed through substantial cash withdrawals.

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Im very pleased to report that approximately $650,000 of the stolen money has already been recovered and returned to the clerk of courts office, Milton Police Chief Jennifer Frank said.

Frank commended her team, saying its not easy to catch these scammers and recover stolen money.

Because our agency was able to cooperate with the financial institutions and be able to respond swiftly, were able to freeze those accounts, stop that money, and that allowed us to be able to identify the individual, Frank said.

Bakayoko was in Texas when police obtained an arrest warrant.

That individual had left the state, and so now we had to work with our other state and regional and community, in this case, federal partners, Frank said. Thanks to the FBI, arrest warrant was secured, they were able to arrest him, and he was extradited back here.

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At this time, police are uncertain if Bakayoko was working alone. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

Pensacolas Gulf Coast Culture Fest returns with art, music, food and film

Bakayoko currently sits in Santa Rosa County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Upon rescheduling, the author writes, "Researchers and medical professionals would finally be able to conduct studies with the rigor and scope this issue demands, helping us better understand the full spectrum of cannabiss therapeutic potential. (Photo by Getty Images)

As a U.S. Army veteran who served five combat deployments, Ive seen firsthand the physical and psychological scars that many of my fellow service members carry with them after returning home.

Ive walked alongside soldiers battling PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety and the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries. These are not just war wounds  they are life-altering burdens that often go unseen and untreated.

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In the years since I returned home, Ive come to see that the path to healing doesnt always come easily. And for many veterans, traditional treatments arent effective, leading us to turn to alternative treatments like cannabis.

I say this not as an outsider or a casual observer, but as a patient, an advocate and a former member of the Minnesota Cannabis Advisory Council. Ive had countless conversations with fellow veterans and civilians alike who have found relief through cannabis when traditional medicine failed them. Ive seen its power, not as a miracle drug, but as a legitimate and effective treatment for various conditions.

Thats why I strongly support the push to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The work that started during the Biden administration on this issue appears to have stalled out, and it needs a jumpstart.

Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III would be more than a symbolic gesture. It would represent a tangible, meaningful shift in how we treat cannabis and those who rely on it. It would open the door to comprehensive clinical research that has long been stifled under federal restrictions. Researchers and medical professionals would finally be able to conduct studies with the rigor and scope this issue demands, helping us better understand the full spectrum of cannabiss therapeutic potential.

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And lets be clear: Support for this change is not partisan. In fact, President Donald Trump has expressed support for rescheduling cannabis, recognizing the benefits of modernizing our drug laws. When leaders from across the political spectrum  conservatives, libertarians, progressives and independents  are aligned on an issue, it tells us something: This isnt a radical idea. Its a reasonable one.

Despite this growing body of evidence, our federal government still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, putting it on par with heroin and declaring it to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Veterans, perhaps more than any other group, understand the consequences of bureaucratic inertia. Weve watched the Veterans Affairs system struggle to keep up with the growing mental health crisis in our community. Weve watched our brothers- and sisters-in-arms cycle through prescriptions, such as opioids, antidepressants and sleeping pills, many of which come with debilitating side effects and limited long-term effectiveness.

Cannabis has been a lifeline for many of us. And the irony is, in states where medical cannabis is legal, veterans often still face stigma from health care providers and risks to their federal benefits if they choose to use it. Why? Because cannabis remains stigmatized by outdated federal laws that ignore decades of research and real-world experience.

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Reclassifying cannabis would legitimize it in the eyes of our health care system. It would allow providers, especially those within the VA, to have honest conversations with patients about medical cannabis as an option. It would remove the concern that many veterans face when they bring up cannabis with their doctors, fearing judgment or repercussions.

We cant talk about supporting veterans and then ignore a reform such as this one that could improve our lives. We cant claim to respect our service members while denying us access to a medicine that helps us live with dignity and purpose. We served our country with honor. We did our duty. Now we are simply asking our government to do theirs.
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH)  The man accused of shooting five people at the mall in Waterbury Tuesday is being held on a $2 million bond after a court appearance Wednesday.

The state asked for $3 million, saying the crimes warranted it.

Grace Baptist Church in Waterbury to hold prayer service following mass shooting at Brass Mill Center mall

The states attorney said its a miracle people did not die just about 24 hours ago when a gunman opened fire at the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury.

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The mall was closed Wednesday and its not clear when it will re-open.

The police chief said his officers arrived at the scene in less than three minutes when mayhem broke out at the mall.

Police say 19-year-old Tajuan Washington was apparently trying to settle an argument inside the mall and that lead to gun fire. He faced multiple charges in court including first degree assault, reckless endangerment and more.

Detectives say that five people were hit. Two people are still hospitalized.

By some miracle no one was killed, frankly, I still dont know how that couldve happened, States Attorney Maureen Platt said.

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People ran and took cover at the mall. Police officer training inside the mall made all the difference.

We have worked with them all for training, ironically active shooter training, so I think that may be part of it, us being familiar with the mall, Waterbury Chief Fernando Spagnolo said.

3 of 5 Brass Mill Center mall shooting victims released from hospital, mayor says

It took hours to search and clear the mall, and the public praised for thinking quick.

People really went with their instinct and they were able to shelter in place. They were very cooperative and assisting us with efforts to make the mall safe, the chief said.

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Dont like let these guys scare you, Lamont said. I want you back here in the mall, it means you just saying we are back on our feet.

Police believe the shooter acted alone.

Watch the full story in the player above.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan attorney general says she is considering appeals after a federal judge dismissed the murder case against a former Michigan State Police detective sergeant who hit a suspect with his cruiser, killing him.

The way this case was decided was nothing short of a miscarriage of justice, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Thursday, speaking to News 8 on Mackinac Island.

Judge tosses case against former MSP sgt in death of Samuel Sterling

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Her office had charged Brian Keely with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Samuel Sterling.

Family shows News 8 a photo of Samuel Sterling.

Looking to arrest Sterling, 25, of Grand Rapids, on a number of warrants, authorities tracked him to a Kentwood gas station in April 2024. Police say he ran away when they moved in to get him. Officers chased him on foot to a nearby Burger King while Keely pursued in an unmarked cruiser. Video released by MSP shows Sterling being hit by Keelys SUV near the restaurants entrance. Sterling was hospitalized and died hours later.

Keelys case moved into federal court after a motion by the defense, which said it belonged there because Keely was acting as part of a U.S. Marshals task force when the death happened. Nessels office has disputed that argument.

This was a Michigan state trooper who was acting in his capacity as a state employee. He was part of a federal task force, but he had a  memorandum of understanding that specifically indicated that he was going to continue to be acting in his capacity as a Michigan state detective sergeant paid by the state, Nessel said. In no way, shape or form was he considered to be a federal employee for any purposes.

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On Wednesday, Judge Hala Jarbou tossed out Keelys case. The judge ruled state prosecutors had not presented enough evidence to show Keely acted with disregard for Sterlings life and that Keely had reason to believe Sterling may pose a threat to members of the public.

Abomination of justice: Community leaders react to Keely case dismissal

Nessel said she was considering options to appeal.

At minimum, (the death was the result of) gross negligence on the part of the detective sergeant, Nessel said. We believe strongly that this family deserved to have their day in court and that all the facts and all the evidence should be presented to a jury, who could then make their decision as to whether or not the defendant was guilty or not guilty of that offense.

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The dismissal of Keelys case came the week after Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced he would not retry former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr in the death of Patrick Lyoya. Earlier this month, a jury deadlocked in Schurrs case and Becker said he did not foresee a different outcome with a different jury.

PROFESSOR: WHAT FEDERAL JUDGE CONSIDERED

Professor Tracey Brame, associate dean of experiential learning with Cooley Law School believes the outcome likely would have been much different if the case stayed in state court.

In the state review of the case, Michigan State Police sent it to the Attorney Generals office, and looking at the facts, looking at the body cam, they decided that the officer created an unreasonable risk right of death or great bodily harm and the officer was bound over in district court here in the area, right here in state court and local court. So the case would have proceeded toward trial here, Brame explained in a Zoom call with News 8 Thursday morning.

Brame added that once it was removed to federal court, the analysis was different.

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Obviously, same facts, but the federal judge looking at the facts decided that the state did not present any evidence of an intention to kill Mr. Sterling and therefore, according to the federal judge there was not enough evidence to justify charges and again, because they were in federal court, because of the Supremacy Clause, Officer Keely was immune to prosecution of state charges.

The Supremacy Clause, Brame explained, is a relatively historic and relatively complex concept of the division of power between state and federal courts.

States in general have the right to govern its citizens, to charge crimes under its laws, Brame said. They are independent entities in many respects, but if someone is acting in a federal capacity  theyre not acting in state court, theyre acting in federal court  federal court has different jurisdiction and if the federal law or decisions make another federal law clash with what state law is saying or what the decisions are state law, the federal law is going to trump that if that officer was operating in a federal capacity.

So, since Nessel indicated she will appeal, how long could this play out?

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(Nessel will) have a prescribed time in which to appeal the judges ruling, that will probably be within the next couple of months, Brame said. In the meantime, the civil case will kind of continue. The defense had asked for a stay in the civil case, pending the criminal charges; now that theyve been dismissed, well see if that kind of picks up steam, though the appeal might continue that pause for now.

With the recent announcement that Christopher Schurr wont be re-tried and now this, Brame offered her professional opinion on whether it could feel like these decisions are setting a precedent.

Thats hard, she said. You see the progression of cases since George Floyd in 2020 and kind of this arc, kind of police, unfortunately, police and citizen interactions, daily interactions, have not ebbed and they have stayed the same or gotten worse and now you kind of see the space where a case that might have been treated differently, and indeed, the state tried to treat differently, now still kind of being overturned at the federal level. So I know that could be frustrating to people.

Her hope is that communities can continue to look for ways to address lack of trust between police and the citizens they serve.

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One would hope be that someone like Mr. Sterling could be apprehended without being run over, even though in the moment I know that the officer said he wasnt trying to run him over, he was trying to kind of cut him off with the door. But I think we have to look at policing overall and is that a safe way to go about that, because you never want to get to a place where the community feels as though police are treating community lives as disposable.

Lyoya family heartbroken by decision not to retry Schurr

Attorney Ven Johnson is representing both the Lyoya family and the Sterling family in civil cases. At a Thursday morning news conference with the Lyoya family, Johnson said the parallel criminal decisions demonstrate a flaw in how the legal system treats officers.

There are things happening in these cases like no other case ever. When was the last time you heard of a murder trial pending and the judge threw the case out before trial? It happens so rarely. And when it comes to the police, it is different. It is a disturbing trend, to say the least, he said.

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He would not comment more on the Keely case, saying he would hold another news conference about it next week.

Nessel also said the Keely decision would harm trust between the public and police.

And I dont think that benefits anyone, she said.

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Citi Handlowy, Citis Polish arm, will sell its consumer banking business to VeloBank and shift its focus to institutional clients.

The deal, announced Wednesday and subject to regulatory approvals and antitrust clearance, is expected to close by mid-2026.

The estimated value of the sale for shareholders will amount to about 1.1 billion zloty ($292.5 million), Citi Handlowy told Reuters. In a press release, Citi said the deal will be financially immaterial to the bank, but that it expects it to lead to a modest regulatory capital benefit upon closing.

Citi Handlowy has been providing financial solutions to corporations in Poland through a history spanning 155 years, and we remain fully committed to Polands economic growth and to our institutional clients in the country, Ernesto Torres Cantu, Citis head of international, said in a prepared statement. This transaction enables us to deploy additional resources to our institutionally focused businesses, so we can continue to connect corporations in Poland to our global network.

The buyer, VeloBank, is affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation.

Citi Handlowys consumer banking business includes wealth management, micro business banking, credit cards and consumer loans, as well as deposits and assets under management, consumer clients of the brokerage business, branches and other consumer-related assets.

The bank plans to continue to invest in its institutional businesses. This is part of a broader retreat from retail banking in 14 international markets, which the bank began in 2021.

Thus far, Citi has closed sales in nine markets and wound down three of them. Poland marks its 10th sale, according to a spokesperson. The bank had determined the markets werent scalable, the spokesperson said.

Citis sole remaining international consumer business is in Mexico. In December, Citi separated its retail business there, Banamex, from its institutional operations, and plans to pursue an initial public offering for Banamex this year.

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CHICAGO  A 14-year-old girl who went missing after attending school Wednesday on the Southwest Side has been found safe.

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(WGN)  Two days after an armed maritime flare washed up on Montrose Beach, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that the remaining missing phosphorus pyrotechnics have been found.

The Coast Guards Great Lakes Division tweeted Wednesday evening all four pyrotechnics previously reported missing have been accounted for.

Previous Coverage: Armed phosphorus pyrotechnic found on Montrose Beach, 3 still unaccounted for

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According to the Coast Guard, three phosphorus pyrotechnics were still unaccounted for as of Tuesday afternoon after a joint military exercise between the Coast Guard and Air Force off the coast of Milwaukee earlier this month.

During the exercise, four phosphorus pyrotechnics, which Coast Guard officials also described as a maritime flare, did not activate when they were deployed in the water.

The first one discovered on Montrose Beach Monday was found by a lifeguard. The Chicago Fire Departments bomb squad was called to the scene and disposed of the pyrotechnic, and the Coast Guard went on to issue a warning to midwestern residents about the flares, which were considered to still be armed if they did not ignite after hitting the water.

The maritime flare that washed up on Montrose Beach (Courtesy: US Coast Guard)

The pyrotechnics are silver-colored cylinders that produce a red smoke and flame that can reach temperatures upward of 2900 degrees Fahrenheit.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Police in Covington informed the community that a Kentucky mother and two children were found on Thursday.

Just after 11 a.m. on Thursday, the department posted on Facebook that Brittany Becker, 29, and her kids Zeke and Aiden had last been seen on Wednesday, May 28.

 MISSING IN KENTUCKY

Authorities said they were last seen in a black 2017 Chevrolet Cruze with a Kentucky license plate that reads 036-WVE, which was possibly seen in Lexington.

Brittany Becker, 29, was last seen on May 28, per the covington Police Department. (Covington Police Department) Brittanys two kids, Zeke and Aiden, were last seen on May 28 inside a black 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. (Covington Police Department) Brittany and her two kids were last seen on May 28 inside a black 2017 Chevrolet Cruze with a license plate that reads 036-WVE. (Covington Police Department)

Anyone who may have information that could help find Brittany and her kids was asked to call 911 or submit a tip to the Covington Police Department at (859) 292-2234.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippi lawmakers met at the State Capitol on Wednesday for a special session to address the state budget.

House representatives had to wait several hours for bills to come out of committee to get on the floor. The bills that lawmakers are voting on will contribute to setting a budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposed budget is $7.1 billion, which is generated from taxes.

Mississippi governor calls special session to address budget

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Senate Minority Leader Derrick T. Simmons (D-District 12) said he, along with House Minority Leader Robert Johnson (D-District 94), requested that all bills agreed upon to be released to all members of the Legislature.

Every year, we are constitutionally required to take the peoples money and make appropriations to our state agencies at community colleges, school districts, the retirement. So, thats our obligation as legislators, said Simmons.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Mississippi Senate completed their part, and theyre waiting on the House to finish, so they can review the bills.

I know we would all love to be out of here today. I dont think is going to happen. I think well probably be back tomorrow just because, you know, you have to pitch a perfect game to get it all in at once, said State Senator Jeremy England (R-District 51).

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell announced the relaunch of Mississippis Most Wanted list.

Compiled by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the state, this list features fugitives with felony charges who pose a significant threat to public safety.

Two arrested, one wanted for fatal shooting near Jackson school

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We remain committed to enhancing public safety across our great state, said Tindell. The individuals on this list pose a serious threat to our communities. By increasing public awareness through the Mississippis Most Wanted list, we hope to assist law enforcement in locating and apprehending these fugitives.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of individuals listed on Mississippis Most Wanted, contact your local Crime Stoppers or call 1-888-8CRIMES (1-888-827-4637). Tips can be submitted anonymously, and you may be eligible for a reward if your information leads to an arrest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
Tulane University graduate student Augustine Nwokoye removes a water sample from the PS 200 isokinetic sediment sampler in the Lower Mississippi River Delta on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Stacey Plaisance/Tulane University)

NEW ORLEANS, La.  Mississippi River ships and barges carry over 500 million tons of cargo through the Southwest Pass shipping channel at the rivers end to reach major ports that handle 18% of U.S. waterborne commerce. For almost 100 years, levees and other human-made flood control structures have lined the banks of the river, obstructing its land-building silt, sand and clay from naturally rebuilding land along coastal Louisiana.

That sediment is essential to rebuilding  or at this point, maintaining  the fragile coastline that has been receding for decades. Without it, the small towns that dot the lower part of the Louisiana Gulf Coast are left exposed, with no protection against storm surges and hurricane-strength winds. But to reverse coastal erosion, scientists found that they first had to understand where sediment that could be used to rebuild settles instead.

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Most of the year, less than 10% of the rivers sediment reaches the critical Birds Foot Delta, according to scientists from the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative, known as MissDelta. The birds foot at the southernmost reach of the river system that juts into the Gulf of Mexico  plays a vital role in coastal protection, navigation, fisheries and energy infrastructure.

A map of the Birds Foot Delta of the Mississippi River on Louisianas Gulf coast, showing underwater depth based on the three distributaries. (U.S. Geological Survey map)

In 2023, MissDelta launched a $22 million, five-year research project spearheaded by Tulane University and Louisiana State University, and funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The study aims to evaluate the Delta and Southwest Pass, the critical navigation channel, with hopes of finding management approaches that will benefit both the delicate ecosystem and the people who live and work in the delta region, including fishers, charter-boat operators, offshore workers, shipyard builders, mechanics and petrochemical-facility operators.

During the first year-and-a-half of the study, researchers measured discharge by plunging a 200-pound sampler into the river at various depths. By tracking sediment from the sampler, the team can measure how much settles in the wetlands upriver versus how much exits into the deepwater Gulf, said Claire Kemick, a Tulane graduate student working to collect the samples.

The studys early findings, announced at Louisianas State of the Coast conference, show that the Mississippi River loses substantial amounts of water and sediment above whats called the Head of Passes, at the mouth of the river, where the Mississippi forms its distinct birds foot by branching into three directions: the Southwest Pass shipping channel (west), Pass A Loutre (east) and South Pass (center).

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That means the Birds Foot Delta is headed toward further degradation, after losing ground for decades, said Mead Allison, co-lead of MissDelta and a professor in Tulanes Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering.

Above the Head of Passes, substantial amounts of sediment carried by the Mississippi River are lost through both natural and manmade channels, such as the rapidly expanding Neptune Pass near Buras, Louisiana, in lower Plaquemines Parish. But most is lost well before then.

Using data on sediment movement, the team can calibrate models to predict what will happen to the delta by 2100 under different scenarios, with varied sea-level rise, storm frequency and river-flow fluctuations. Once the researchers develop the models, they will use them to test various interventions that could save the delta, such as closing river exits and changing water-flow patterns.

In the fall, the MissDelta team will return to lower Plaquemines Parish to study the saltwater wedge that creeps up the river during low flow periods. For three years in a row, the wedge of heavy salt water has crept up the river underneath the fresh water, imperiling drinking water in the greater New Orleans area.

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The goal is to find management approaches that can help build up this region, which Allison has called one of the most threatened places in the nation, if not on Earth.

But they cannot forge management solutions without an understanding of how the muddy Mississippi carries its load of sandy sediment in the lower delta. Right now, we dont know very much about where the sediment is in the Lower Mississippi River, Kemick said. Further research will help determine where the coarse sand is settling in the riverbed.

Sediment loss is especially high during low or average river flow, when the water is traveling slowly enough to allow the heavy sand particles to sink to the bottom. When the river floods, the faster-moving river brings sand from throughout the drainage basin to Louisiana. But it doesnt necessarily help to build up the Birds Foot area. Instead, it falls out in the channel, creating a need for more dredging to maintain the ship route.

The Mississippi Rivers sediment is an important resource for coastal restoration, Allison said. Sand is white gold for Louisiana. We need to keep it.

A cargo ship moves along the Mississippi River in lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, on June 7, 2024. Aerial support provided by SouthWings. (Photo by LaShance Perry/The Lens)

The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan was built upon this principle, with an ambitious plan for a sediment diversion, the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, that would be one of the largest environmental infrastructure projects in the history of the U.S.

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But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has suspended the permit to build the keystone project.

On May 21, more than 50 Louisiana business and civic leaders sent a letter to Gov. Jeff Landry urging him to resume construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion at the size and scale it was designed and permitted for.

These business and civic leaders are part of the backbone of Louisiana people who live, work, and invest in this region every day, said Simone Maloz, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Delaying or downsizing the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion threatens not just our coast, but our economy, our safety and our credibility as a state.

Conversations about the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion were absent from this years State of the Coast conference, an interdisciplinary forum hosted by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

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In some ways, I feel like Mid-Barataria is kind of haunting this conference, said Alisha Renfro, a coastal scientist with the National Wildlife Federation. She is hopeful Louisiana can find a pathway to resume the project, after investing $500 million into planning.

The state is also in danger of losing billions in federal funding if its leaders dont commit to finishing the construction.

It may be time to look for alternative coastal restoration projects, some scientists say. For Allison, that means not only determining how the Mississippi River sediment moves now but also where dredged sand could best restore coastal wetlands like the Barataria Basin.

Currently, dredge spoil used for coastal restoration remains relatively close to where it came from in the river. In the Barataria Basin, one project to restore approximately 302 acres of brackish marsh known as Bayou Grande Cheniere required nearly eight miles of pipes to move the sediment.

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Other solutions might involve closing gaps where sediment leaks out before reaching the Birds Foot Delta. The Army Corps is essentially testing this theory now, Allison said, with its plan to reduce the flow at Neptune Pass, a nearby branch in the river that is creating new land in Quarantine Bay.

The plan could boost land-building in the Barataria Basin, Allison said. While the Army Corps proposes using rocks to limit the size of the channels entrance and minimize the risk of navigational hazards, the construction at the outflow could reinforce the crevasses land-building power, he said.

In addition to building sediment retention structures, the Army Corps could pump sand out of the river and place it directly at the outflow of the channel, allowing the water to redistribute it into a more natural wetland building pattern.

Its really encouraging that the Corps is thinking about these forward-looking strategies to better use dredged material, Allison said.

A team of researchers from Tulane University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette pose for a portrait on a dock in Venice, Louisiana, with the PS-200 isokinetic sediment sampler used

to collect water samples from the Mississippi River on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by Stacey Plaisance/Tulane University)

This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation. It is reprinted here by permission.
JOPLIN, Mo.  More money for higher ed, thats one piece of the Missouri spending plan now on the governors desk.

Missouri Southern could see extra funding in the coming months.

Currently in the budget is a 3% core increase to our base appropriations. But that still needs to make its way to the governors desk for his signature. His original recommendation was a 1.5% and that is what we have included in our current year budget, said Linda Eis, MSSU Chief Fin. Ofc.

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Three percent would be about 900 thousand dollars, or 450 thousand for 1.5%. MSSU leaders say the extra funding would be crucial to keep up with growing costs.

We have increased costs across the board. Its everything from utilities, we have measures retirement. Thats a mandatory increase that we have every year. So when we take a look at some of those things, obviously we have those increases. We like to make investments where we can, whether its with our facilities employees, said Eis.

The 2026 state budget also proposes increased funding for two year schools like Crowder College.

I think that we recognize that higher ed is a mainstay. We talked about preparing people the future, thats a critical piece, and we know that theyve been falling behind a little bit, so an effort to try to help them stay current makes good sense, said MO Rep. Lane Roberts, (R).

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The governor has until the end of June to finalize the budget.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Just one day after the Missouri Supreme Court ordered a Jackson County judge to vacate injunctions that temporarily restored abortion access, the judge has complied  officially pulling back those protections.

But what happens next is anyones guess.

As FOX4 reported Tuesday night, this case is complex  and now were beginning to understand why.

Veteran trial and appellate court Attorney David Larson says the judges original injunctions were tossed because the states highest court determined she used the wrong legal standard.

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Federal trade court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law

The procedural vehicle in which the Supreme Court acted was through whats called an extraordinary writ process, Larson explained.

That extraordinary step has transformed what was already a politically charged issue into a full-blown legal showdown.

The roots of the fight go back to November, when Missouri voters passed Amendment 3, enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution.

The state quickly filed suit to challenge the amendment, and a Jackson County judge issued two injunctions aimed at preserving those rights while the case played out in court.

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But the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the judge applied outdated legal criteria when issuing those temporary protections.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Her responsibility will be then to  to do what she needs to do or what she believes is necessary and appropriate to apply the standards that the Supreme Court has instructed her to follow, Larson said.

Under the new standard, any future rulings must pass a strict four-part test, including showing that abortion rights advocates would suffer irreparable harm and have a strong chance of winning the case.

That legal shift stems from recent changes in how the 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals  which includes Missouri  handles injunctions involving challenges to state laws.

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The 8th Circuit had a prior set of standards to apply. They then subsequently changed that and updated that, and the Supreme Court in its ruling Tuesday elected to be governed by the more recent case, Larson said.

What comes next isnt clear. The judge could bring both sides back into court for arguments, or she might simply apply the new legal standard and issue a fresh ruling without another hearing.

Larson cautions that even if the standard is applied correctly, theres no guarantee the judge will reissue the injunctions.

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So far, theres no timeline for when a new decision might come  or how it could impact abortion access in Missouri moving forward.

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SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WKRN)  Authorities have arrested a suspect for his connection to a shooting that left a man injured months ago in Nashville.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Adonis Ellis, 23, was taken into custody on Wednesday, May 28 after TITANS Unit detectives found him in Springfield.

Suspect wanted out of Nashville in connection with California rappers 2024 murder arrested

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He was reportedly wanted for outstanding warrants related to a shooting that occurred on Sept. 17, 2024.

Officials said Ellis and the victim had an altercation hours before the shooting, which took place when they saw each other at the intersection of Buena Vista Pike and Kirk Avenue.

The 43-year-old victim was reportedly shot in the leg and taken to Skyline Medical Center for treatment.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

Ellis was convicted of robbery last July and sentenced to six years supervised probation, police said. Now, he is charged with attempted homicide, reckless endangerment, possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony and being a felon in possession of a weapon.

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Booking records show he is being held in Metro Jail on a $650,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
MISSOURI  The Missouri Council of the Blind is offering emergency relief and financial assistance to blind and visually impaired residents impacted by the recent tornado.

The assistance aims to address the immediate needs of those who have lost food due to power outages or are currently living with family and friends due to the damage.

A lot of those individuals are moving back into their homes, but one of our big concerns is that in the damaged area their not able to, a lot of these folks live alone. You may have windows out, you may have doors be in disrepair, the home many not even been in such a way they are safe for them to live in. And with them living in that home, and not being able to see whats going on around them, I have some real safety concerns as well, William Hawkins said.

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The council is particularly concerned about the safety of visually challenged individuals living in the affected area.

Residents who require help can contact the Missouri Council of the Blind at 314-832-7172 for assistance.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Nvidia's (NVDA) "new revenue sources" are causing the Street's worries about NVDA stock to ease significantly, Matt Bryson, the Managing Director of Wedbush Securities, told Yahoo Finance recently.

Meanwhile, as far as NVDA's first-quarter results are concerned, Bryson expects the company's positive catalysts to "offset" the difficulties that it started facing in China towards the end of Q1.

Nvidia (NVDA) Gets Bullish Nod From BofA; Wall Street Sees Up to 76% Upside

Bryson covers the Enterprise Hardware sector for Wedbush.

The Street's Perceptions of NVDA and Its Q1 Results

Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) has improved the performance of its new Blackwell chips, while the tech giant has made major deals with a number of governments, Bryson noted.

In light of these developments, the Street's fears about NVDA have become less intense, he stated.

"There are (fewer) concerns about Nvidia than there was two or three weeks ago because (it has) all of these other new revenue sources popping up," he said.

Meanwhile, NVDA's strong revenue from China in the first two months of the year, along with the increased output of its Blackwell chips as Q1 progressed, should offset the weakness in China that the firm experienced in March, according to Bryson.

While we acknowledge the potential of NVDA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  As summer approaches, leaders across the Lowcountry are working to keep children safe in and around the water. The YMCA of Coastal Carolina has launched a mobile swimming pool initiative to bring free swim lessons to kids in rural areas, just in time for the heat.

The portable pool is part of the YMCAs Splash Safe campaign, a summer-long effort that partners with local organizations to make water safety more accessible for families in Georgetown, Williamsburg, and Horry Counties.

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina has a strategic plan for the next five years, and one of our top priorities is to make swim lessons accessible to everyone, said Hatton Gravely, one of the campaigns organizers. This mobile pool helps us reach families in rural areas who dont have access to a public pool.

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The two-week program includes hands-on swim instruction from certified lifeguards, CPR training, and lessons on how to identify dangerous water conditions like rip currents. Organizers say the skills taught could be lifesaving.

The campaign was born out of tragedy. In 2009, a boating accident near Sandy Island claimed several young lives, underscoring the importance of swim education and drowning prevention.

It was devastating, said Beth Goodale. And it showed us how critical water safety education really is.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Thats why YMCA leaders are pushing to expand the program not just for kids, but for parents, too.

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This is a pilot program, but we want it to grow, said Donna Brown Cumbee, Senior Executive Director of the Williamsburg County YMCA. We also want to educate parents so they understand water safety and can teach their children.

The swim lessons are completely free. You can register through the link below:

Register Here

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
Algerian director Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina, whose 1975 drama Chronique des Annees de Braise (Chronicles of the Years of Fire) won Cannes Palme dOr in 1975, has died aged 91.

He was the oldest living recipient of the Palme dOr and Chronicles of the Years of Fire remains Africas only Palme dOr to this day.

Lakhdar-Haminas family said the producer and director died at his home in the Algerian capital of Algers on 23 May. Coincidently, the Cannes Film Festival screened Chronicles of the Years of Fire in its Cannes Classics program that day, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the films Palme dOr.

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Set between 1939 and 1954, the movie retells the Algerian War of Independence through the eyes of a peasant farmer, depicting the harshness of French colonial rule.

Lakhdar-Hamina competed for the Palme dOr four times, with The Winds of the Aures, which won the best first film prize in 1967, as well as Sandstorm (1982) and Last Image (1986).

After a 30-year break, Lakhdar-Hamina directed Twilight of Shadows, which was Algerias submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 88th Academy Awards in 2016.

Chronicles of the Years of Fire - Arab Film Distribution - Cannes Film Festival

Born on 26 February 1934 in MSila in the Aures region of north-east Algeria, Hamina studied in the southern French town of Antibes.

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During the Algerian war, his father was tortured and killed by the French army. He was called up to the French army in 1958 but deserted to join the Algerian resistance in Tunis, where he did an internship with Tunisian news. He ran Algerias news service, the lOffice des Actualites Algeriennes (OAA) from shortly after the revolution to 1974. He was also head of the Algerian National Office for Commerce and the Film Industry between 1981 and 1984.

French distributor Les Acacias Distribution will theatrically re-release Chronicles of the Years of Fire in cinemas in France on 6 August.
The Moline-Coal Valley School District Board of Education and the Moline Education

Support Personnel (MESPA) have reached an agreement on a three-year contract, according to a news release.

Moline-Coal Valley School District (molineschools.org)

Heres the join statement on the agreement:

The Board of Education and the MESPA are pleased to announce the ratification of a

three-year contract agreement for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 school years, the statement says. The agreement allows the District to continue to focus on student learning while maintaining strong fiscal responsibility. For the 2025-2026 school year, employee salaries will increase by an average of 3.5% followed by 3.75% for 2026-2027 and 3.75% for 2027-2028 school years.

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The statement says all applicable members will receive year of service increases to offset corresponding adjustments to health insurance and retirement benefits, ensuring sound financials moving forward.

According to the statement, the Board of Education recognizes the past and ongoing partnership with employees and their bargaining units. Given the financial situation of the current economy and education funding in Illinois, this spirit of cooperation allows the District to be fiscally responsible while maintaining a quality class education system for the Moline and Coal Valley communities, the statement concludes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.






NEED TO KNOW

A crew of inmates helped clear a road for a mother and her three children who had been stuck in their home for a week after a tornado caused devastation in Pittsburg County, Okla.

In just eight hours, the road was cleared with the help of the inmates and crew members from the county

"It was a godsend, Mike Haynes, district two commissioner, tells PEOPLE











A mom and her three children were rescued from their rural home one week after the third-widest tornado in Oklahoma history swept through one county.

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It was a godsend, says Mike Haynes, district two commissioner of Pittsburg County, whose crew worked with minimum security inmates from Mack Alford Correctional Center to clear the county road and private lane leading to the womans home on Tuesday, May 27.

They worked their tails off. We handed them chainsaws, he tells PEOPLE. They were cutting wood. Some of them looked like lumberjacks.

On Monday, May 19, the EF-3 tornado blew through homes, tossed vehicles and brought down power lines in the city of Pittsburg, resulting in no water for days. A week after the storm, Haynes says farmers were still missing some of their livestock and one of his employees was navigating the loss of her home, which was completely demolished.

In response to the devastation, his 24-person crew spent days working nonstop to clear fallen trees and debris from the roads and peoples homes. Even with the help of crews from neighboring counties, there was still more debris to clear.

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So, when Haynes received a call from Margaret Green, Warden of the correctional center in neighboring Atoka County, he jumped at her offer to send 10 inmates to help clear brush. (Green did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.)

The first stop was the mother, who was stranded due to the storm.

The woman lives on a remote road, about six miles from the nearest town, officials said. While the county had been able to clear an exit path for a small vehicle, there was more work to be done to make the mile stretch of road traversable because multiple trees had fallen down.

She had an exit route, but it was a hard exit route, says Haynes. It was tough.

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With chainsaws in hand, about 10 men from the county and the inmates spent roughly eight hours clearing out trees and putting branches through a wood chipper. The inmates, who volunteered to help, first had to meet strict security and behavior requirements before going to work. They were closely supervised during the day, according to a release shared by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

They knocked it out in short work, says Haynes. Without their help, it would have taken his crew twice the amount of time because they were helping in other areas.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The woman was grateful for the help, and so were the county workers.

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All our guys are already wore out, so to have reinforcements come in and help was great, says foreman J. B. Sharp.

The inmates from Mack Alford will work with the county until the storm recovery is complete, says Haynes. It was a benefit for the inmates, too.

All a man needs to do is atone, and theyve given us a chance to do that, said Brandon Boring, an inmate, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. If you let a man atone, we can actually go back and be great members of society.



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Alexandra Woodward, a mother of 8- and 10-year-old boys in Calhoun, Georgia, has been charged with cruelty to children in the first degree. If found guilty, she faces a minimum of five years in prison. Her crime? Letting her kids stay home alone for a few hours. They were fine.

Here's what happened: On April 15, Woodward and her boys made dinner together, and then played a game of Sorry. The boys did their homework. Woodward put them to bed and told them she had to drive to a storage unit about an hour away. (Woodward was having foot surgery the next week and wanted to take care of things while she could walk.) The kids asked her to bring home a few of their possessions.

Woodward left with her boyfriend, John McHugh. About half an hour later, one of the boys called their dad, or their dad called the boys (accounts differ on this point). Either way, they told him that mom had gone to the storage unit. Their dad then called 9-1-1 to request a welfare check on them.

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Two police officers arrived in combat-style vests. They found the kids doing just fine on their own, but called child protective services, anyway. Child services summoned dad to come pick up the kids. Woodward and McHugh arrived at home around midnight, and the copsnow five in numberhandcuffed them, and took them to jail.

They were fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in separate cells. After three days in jail, they were released on a $20,000 bond each. McHugh faces the same charges as Woodward.

While many parents might not make the decision to run an errand at night, that does not make it a crime, says attorney David DeLugas. DeLugas is the head of ParentsUSA, a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal help to parents arrested and prosecuted for child neglect in cases where a child was not in actual danger. A donation page has been established to help ParentsUSA cover Woodward's legal expenses, as well as other parents facing similar difficulties.

DeLugas noted that the charge of cruelty to children in the first degree is usually reserved for cases in which kids were beaten, locked in closets, or denied food.

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"Not when you went out for a few hours," he says.

Georgia law states that first-degree cruelty to children occurs when a person "willfully deprives the child of necessary sustenance," or "maliciously causes excessive physical or mental pain." Anyone convicted of this crime, "shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than 20 years." Since this case involves two children, the prison sentence could be doubled.

Woodward denies that her kids were incapable of fending for themselves.

"The more responsibility they get, the more they excel," she says.

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She later showed me family videos of the kids setting up a tent, mowing the lawn, and cooking chicken.

On the night in question, she said: "When I started cooking dinner, they asked me, 'Can I cook?' It was one of those frozen skillet things." They took over the cooking, everyone ate, and Woodward told them, "After this, we're gonna run and do this thing." The kids affirmed that this was okay with them.

"Here's your phone," Woodward says she told them. "Call me if you need anything." She added that they could also call their neighbor.

Exactly why the kids called her ex-husband after she leftor whether he initiated the callis unclear. When the first two cops arrived, they interviewed the kids, later writing in their report that the younger boy said he was nervous someone might break in, and that the older one was not scared because his mother often left them alone. In the body camera footage I reviewed, both the boys seemed perfectly calm.

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The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) publishes guidelines that state an 8-year-old child "should" not be left alone, but children aged nine to 12 can be, for a few hours. Woodward's younger son was a month shy of nine years old. The state guidelines also note that sometimes "a younger child has the maturity to be left alone to care for other children."

Either way, the thing about guidelines is that they are not laws. The DCFS website suggests following them. And now, a change in Georgia law, which will be effective on July 1, makes it crystal clear that charges like the ones leveled against Woodward and McHugh should not be prosecuted in the future.

Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed S.B. 110, the so-called Reasonable Childhood Independence bill, into law on May 14, making Georgia the ninth state to explicitly give parents the right to decide when their children are ready to be left at home, unless the parents show an "intentional disregard" of a "serious and imminent risk" that puts their child in obvious danger.

According to the police report, the cops entered the home and found "an open alcoholic beverage container"i.e., a can of Twisted Ice Teaand "a nicotine vape on the counter." It's pretty doubtful that an open can and a vape would meet the definition of a "serious and imminent risk" under the new law.

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Unfortunately, the new law isn't in effect yet, so it technically doesn't apply to charges filed before its enactment.

After getting out of jail, Woodward met with child services representatives, who told her she can talk to her kids by phone, but can only see them on supervised visits for now. She is also required to undergo drug, alcohol, parenting, and domestic violence assessments. Meanwhile, McHugh expects he will likely lose his job because he works at the airport and now has a felony charge.

The assistant district attorney declined a request for comment. Reached by phone, the boys' father, who has sole custody of the kids for the time being, said: "I understand there are reasons why people would make the decisions they could make, but a parent's always required to keep their kids safe."

Of course, the kids were safe. Nothing happened to them. Were they 100 percent safe? No. Because 100 percent safety is impossible; after all, any time a parent drives their kid in a car, they are putting those children at risk of potential danger. Kids who live in homes with stairs could always fall down them and hurt themselves, and sometimes do. Perfect safety is an illusion.

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Arresting a parent for allowing their child to do something that is extremely safe, like staying home alone for a few hours, is criminalizing a rational parenting decision, whether that decision is popular or not.

The post Mom Arrested, Facing 5 Years in Prison for Leaving 8- and 10-Year-Old Boys at Home appeared first on Reason.com.






Gwendolyn Girard, 35, was arrested in Florida for allegedly stabbing her 12-year-old daughter

The child, found with serious injuries, told deputies Girard attacked her with a knife before fleeing

Girard is being held on a $750,000 bond as the investigation continues







A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly stabbing her 12-year-old daughter and attempting to hide her body while she was still alive.

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Gwendolyn Girard, 35, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and child abuse after deputies located the 12-year-old with cuts to her face and neck on May 26, according to a news release from the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say the child was weak and needed immediate medical attention but before she was taken to a hospital, the 12-year-old told deputies that Girard attacked her with a knife and left her under the brush before leaving in a gold-colored van, the statement said.

Members of the nearby Lee County Sheriffs Office were able to find the van in North Fort Myers with Girard at the same location. According to their statement, the van was towed and Girard was brought in for questioning and arrested.

Detectives then interviewed Girard, who allegedly confessed to the stabbing and told them where authorities could find the knife used in the attack, their statement said.

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In my 33-year career, there are only a handful of times that I have been left speechless. This is one of those times. To attack a child with a knife I cant understand it, Sheriff Bill Prummell said in a statement.

The 12-year-old girl was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for her wounds. According to the sheriffs office, she is in stable condition.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Girard is being held at a local jail on a $750,000 bond, pending extradition to the Charlotte County Jail, the statement said. The investigation remains open and ongoing at this time.

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It is only by Gods grace that she is still with us today, and I pray for her as she heals from the horrific incident," Prummell said. "Unfortunately, the mental trauma inflicted on her may never heal."

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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The evangelical Christian lawyer who led the defense team in President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial is accused of trying to cover up the murder of one of his organizations employees by a New York City gang that preyed on gay men, after which he and his adult son allegedly tampered with evidence and impeded the police investigation into the 2022 killing.

In a $20 million-plus lawsuit filed Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court and obtained by The Independent, Linda Clary Umberger claims attorney Jay Sekulow and his son, Jordan, not only misled the cops about her sons murder, but also blocked her from collecting an insurance payout she had hoped to receive following his death.

Clary Umberger's suit paints the Sekulows alleged actions as an attempt to conceal the fact that they had hired a gay man to establish a local base for their faith-based legal nonprofit, the American Center for Law and Justice, in a sumptuous townhouse near Central Park .

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In her complaint against both men and the ACLJ, along with Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism (CASE), an organization headed up by Jay Sekulow that co-owned the townhouse, Clary Umberger says the response to her sons homicide ranged from unhelpful to hostile.

It appears from their conduct that Defendants were primarily interested in keeping the matter quiet, not wishing to draw public attention to the fact that they had spent $16.5 million  presumably raised from donors  to purchase New York City real estate and not wishing to draw public attention to the fact that they had employed a gay man who had been murdered, the complaint alleges. They were hoping the matter would be quickly and quietly resolved.

Linda Clary Umberger (left) is suing her late son John's former employers, Jay and Jordan Sekulow, over a raft of allegations related to his 2022 murder (Courtesy Linda Clary Umberge)

Reached on Wednesday evening by The Independent, Clary Umberger pointed out that it had been three years to the day since her son John Umberger was killed and said she was grateful for the interest in her lawsuit.

Compounding her woes, Clary Umberger, who lives in the Atlanta area, said her dog was recently bitten by a rattlesnake and remains hospitalized. Citing the ongoing legal action, Clary Umberger deferred any further comment to her attorneys, who declined to discuss the case on the record.

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On Thursday, attorney Michael Bowe, who represents Jay and Jordan Sekulow, denied the allegations in Clary Umbergers complaint.

The murder of John Umberger was a tragic and a huge loss of a very talented and good young man who ACLJ was honored to have as a colleague, Bowe told The Independent. The complaints allegations against our client are demonstrably untrue, which will become clear as the case proceeds.

The elder Sekulow, who gained significant public attention during Trumps first term as the lead lawyer defending the 45th president on the Senate floor after the House of Representatives impeached him for trying to blackmail Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into announcing sham investigations of Joe Biden and son Hunter, has a long history of anti-LGBT+ activism.

A veteran Supreme Court litigator who has argued  and won  multiple cases before the high court, Sekulow, 68, was the primary author of a 2002 amicus brief which urged the justices against overturning a Texas law which criminalized  homosexual conduct .

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Jordan Sekulow, 42, serves as the executive director of the ACLJ and co-hosts a syndicated radio program with his father.

John Umberger's fateful work trip to New York City in May 2022 would turn out to be his last (Courtesy Linda Clary Umberger)

During the last week of May 2022, John Umberger took a train from Washington, D.C. to New York City to enhance ACLJs contacts and presence [there], and to work on enhancing the townhouses security, housing and meeting facilities, according to Clary Umbergers complaint.

Once he arrived, Umberger penned a handwritten note to Jordan Sekulow, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work for the ACLJ, the complaint states.

He was excited to be working for Defendants, to be visiting New York City, and to be working on the Townhouse, it says. John had taken a reduction in pay to join ACLJ and the conversations at his hiring indicated he would have a path to partnership at the organization.

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On the night of May 27, 2022, Umberger and some friends went out to a Midtown Manhattan gay bar called The Q, where two men, Jacob Barroso and Jayqwan Hamilton drugged him with lidocaine and fentanyl-laced cocaine and led him back to the ACLJ townhouse.

There, the pair gained access to his mobile phone, wallet, and bank account, stealing $25,000 in cash, and used their own mobile phones to take video footage of themselves frolicking as Umberger lay dying as a result of the toxic cocktail hed been unwittingly given, according to the complaint. Barroso and Hamilton subsequently used Umbergers ACLJ credit cards to make a series of unauthorized purchases, including a despicable post-murder spending spree at a Footlocker store, the complaint contends.

John Umberger was thrilled to be working for the ACLJ, according to his mom's lawsuit (New York State Supreme Court)

Clary Umberger alleges in her suit that the ACLJ townhouse lacked security, without cameras inside or outside, or security personnel on-site.

Indeed, except for basic locks on the doors, the Townhouse lacked any security measures whatsoever, the complaint says. Accordingly, the perpetrators easily were able to gain entry with John in his incapacitated state.

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In the days that followed, Clary Umberger became concerned when she didnt hear at all from her son during the long Memorial Day weekend, according to the complaint. So, on June 1, 2022, she reached out to Jordan Sekulow to ask if he or his father had spoken to John.

Jordan Sekulow told her they hadnt heard from him since the previous Friday and said hed dispatch a property manager to check on him, the complaint states.

One of the Sekulows employees then discovered Johns body, and it was the Sekulows  plus their chief of security, a man named Jacob Carringer, who initially informed Umberger of the news, the complaint further alleges.

Among other things, Linda Clary Umberger claims Jay and Jordan Sekulow prevented her from collecting an insurance payout she was entitled to following her son's murder (Courtesy Linda Clary Umberger)

It says Jordan insisted there had been no foul play and told her that her son had died of natural causes. Yet, the complaint contends, he began telling ACLJ personnel that John had died of a self-induced overdose.

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That false rumor began making the rounds, by text message and otherwise, spreading information that would prove to be false, and tarnishing Johns image posthumously, the complaint states, further arguing that the misleading assertion also led NYPD detectives to initially treat Umbergers death as a non-criminal matter.

Whats more, Clary Umberger alleges that the Sekulows or their employee cleaned up the crime scene before calling police to report her sons death and allowing investigators access to the townhouse by removing his stationery, pens, papers, and company-issued laptop and concealing the computer  and its contents  from police investigators.

Although Clary Umberger received an undisclosed sum from life insurance coverage her son had taken out, her complaint says the ACLJ prevented her from pursuing any claim she could have been entitled to under a $10 million liability policy the organization had for staffers.

In short, the complaint states, Defendants made it impossible for the Estate or Linda to collect proceeds they would have been entitled to and thereby have necessitated the filing of this action.

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This March, ACLJ and CASE reportedly sold the Upper East Side townhouse where Umberger was murdered for $27.5 million, securing an $11 million profit  some 70 percent more than the initial purchase price  after just three years.

For his efforts on the project, Clary Umbergers complaint says, John lost his life.

The previous month, Barroso, Hamilton and a third man, Robert DeMaio, were convicted of Umbergers murder and that of another victim, 25-year-old social worker Julio Ramirez, who also died after being drugged at a Manhattan gay bar. Last week, Hamilton and DeMaio received prison sentences of 40 years to life; Barroso was sentenced to 20 years to life.

Clary Umbergers lawsuit claims negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and tortious interference, seeking compensatory damages of at least $23 million, plus punitive damages to be determined at trial.
Moms for Liberty, an ultra-conservative parental rights outfit the Southern Poverty Law Center considers an extremist organization, is fighting to immediately remove five obscene library books from an Upstate New York public school, insisting they are simply too dangerous to keep on the shelves.

The body of work being challenged supposedly normalizes violence and abuse of women and children, depicts rape, equates violence and pain with pleasure, [and] encourages and normalizes early sexual activity among minors, according to a petition filed this week in Wayne County Supreme Court by Moms for Liberty and an area evangelical pastor.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to appear Friday evening at an event hosted by the group.

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In their petition, the ardent culture warriors claim the books expose kids to obscene depictions of sexually explicit acts. The books in question include People Kill People, a YA novel by bestselling author Ellen Hopkins about the deleterious effects of gun violence; It Ends With Us, a romance novel by Colleen Hoover that was made into a Hollywood film starring Blake Lively; All Boys Arent Blue, a memoir-manifesto by journalist and LGBTQ activist George M. Johnson about his struggles growing up as a gay Black man; Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold, a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood centered on female empowerment; and Julia Scheeres Jesus Land: A Memoir, a New York Times bestseller about the authors unpleasant childhood experience at a fundamentalist church camp.

Donald Trump will make his second appearance in two years at the annual Moms for Liberty confab in Washington, D.C. (AP)

Jonathan Burman, a spokesman for the New York State Education Department, told The Independent that leadership stands 100 percent behind state education commissioner Betty Rosa for keeping the five books on the shelves in the face of past challenges. In April, Rosa ruled that Moms for Liberty had failed to demonstrate that the challenged books here lack literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, and suggested they had not even read the books they said they found so objectionable. To that end, some of the passages Moms for Liberty claimed were sexually explicit in fact had nothing to do with sexuality, Rosa wrote in her ruling.

But Moms for Liberty now argues that Rosas decision was arbitrary, an abuse of discretion, and based on a misapplication of the First Amendment, and are seeking an injunction to rid the library of the books while a lawsuit to ban them permanently winds its way through the courts.

Attorney Abigail Southerland, who is representing Moms for Liberty and serves as senior litigtation counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice, a Christian nonprofit run by former Trump impeachment lawyer Jay Sekulow, did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.

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The case was first reported locally by the Finger Lakes Times . Local chapter head Jennifer Williams told the outlet she would not comment until the case had been fully adjudicated. Moms for Libertys attempts to remove books from school libraries have spurred vehement backlash across the nation.

The battle began in early 2023, when Rev. Jacob Marchitell, who heads up the Christ Community Church in Clyde, New York, filed a formal request with the school board to have the books removed from the Clyde-Savannah Junior/Senior High School library. A committee appointed by the board reviewed the books and found them to be perfectly acceptable, according to the petition. But when Marchitell increased the pressure, the board yanked the books anyway.

Moms for Libertys book banning activities have spurred vehement opposition across the US (Original)

The school librarian and a teacher there filed an appeal, but the board reversed itself before a decision was handed down, the petition explains. Marchitell, now with Moms for Liberty on board, appealed the move, unsuccessfully, and in April 2024, Rosa ordered the books to remain on the shelves.

Moms for Liberty became involved because, according to the petition, at least five registered members of Moms for Liberty have children enrolled in the district and will be exposed and/or have access to these lewd and sexually explicit materials when they visit the Districts Jr./Sr. High School Library. A dozen or so more parents are members of the private Moms for Liberty page on Facebook, the petition states.

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This weeks petition, which initiated what is known as an Article 78 proceeding, runs a whopping 165 pages and includes specific examples of what Moms for Liberty and Marchitell find objectionable.

In addition to sex, Moms for Libertys petition says People Kill People contains at least 137 profanities, It Ends With Us contains at least 105 profanities, and All Boys Arent Blue contains numerous profanities. The petition flags no problematic profanity in Red Hood , but says it contains numerous instances of pornography, and that Jesus Land contains several examples of sexually explicit content and profanities.

[T]he sexual content contained within these books is excessive and severely undermines any asserted literary value for the students given access to the school library, the petition alleges.

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice will greet Donald Trump on Friday night at the groups yearly gathering (AP)

Moms for Liberty, which last year helped ban a book about book bans, has come out in favor of Project 2025, a right-wing blueprint for a potential Trump administration that has been accused of veering into authoritarianism.

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In a statement issued following Rosas April decision against Moms for Liberty, New York Library Association President Lisa Kropp said, The intimidation tactics used here are being repeated in classrooms and public libraries across the state and the country. As the voice of the library community in New York, NYLA will not allow this tactic to go unnoticed, unremarked, or unchallenged.

Trump, who has vowed to eliminate the US Department of Education if reelected, is making his appearance Friday evening with Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice at the groups yearly meeting in Washington, D.C. It will be the second time in two years he has shown up at the annual confab.
MONROE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  A Vredenburgh, Alabama, woman has been sentenced to house arrest and probation time for conspiring to and providing contraband to a federal inmate.

Biloxi man sets Mississippi saltwater fishing record

According to a news release from the United States Department of Justice, court documents show Beverly Castophney, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiring with a jail guard, identified as Reginald Thames, and a federal inmate, identified as Vincent Lambert, to bring contraband to the Monroe County jail.

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Castophney will serve six months of house arrest and three years of probation, according to the release.

USDOJ officials said Castophney and Lambert were in a romantic relationship.

While in jail, Lambert spoke with Castophney about leaving a package of contraband on Thames car in exchange for money, according to the USDOJ release.

Castophney was seen on Jan. 19, 2023, putting a package on a vehicle in the parking lot. Thames went to the vehicle, and Monroe County deputies found him and checked the package, which contained contraband cell phones, chargers, cigarettes and Adderall pills, the release sai.d

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According to the USDOJ, Lambert was sentenced earlier in 2025 to serve 12 months for conspiracy and possessing prison contraband. Thames was sentenced to serve six months for conspiracy and providing prison contraband to a federal prisoner.

The investigation included the Monroe County Sheriffs Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Gulf Shores wants your thoughts on possible music festival extension

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tandice Blackwood prosecuted the case.

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Definity Financial Corporation has agreed to acquire the majority of Travelers' Canadian operations for a cash consideration of nearly C$3.3bn ($2.4bn).

The assets to be acquired are the personal insurance business and most of the commercial insurance business of Travelers Canada, excluding its Canadian surety operations.

Travelers Canada, with approximately C$1.6bn in annual gross written premiums, is a national property and casualty (P&C) insurer with a diverse portfolio.

The deal is contingent on regulatory approvals and is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1 2026).

Definity plans to fund the acquisition through C$281m from a bought deal private placement, C$70m from a private placement with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, C$1.5bn in excess capital and C$1.6bn in new debt.

Upon finalisation, Definity is looking to divest C$1bn of the excess capital to repay a term loan, subject to regulatory approval.

The acquisition is expected to position Definity as one of the five largest P&C insurers in Canada, with around C$6bn in combined annual premiums, the Definity press release said.

It will also accelerate the transformation of Definity's commercial insurance platform and scale to its personal lines business.

Definity president and CEO Rowan Saunders said: This is a transformative acquisition that is squarely in line with the growth strategy we have set for Definity, one that will move us into the top four largest P&C insurers in Canada.

This highly complementary business will diversify our portfolios, provide additional expertise and product offerings, and continue our track record of shareholder value creation.

Travelers has stated that it intends to use approximately $700m of the net cash proceeds from the transaction for additional share repurchases in 2026, while retaining the balance for ongoing operations and general corporate requirements.

Travelers chairman and CEO Alan Schnitzer stated: This transaction is a reflection of our steadfast commitment to disciplined capital allocation and long-term value creation.

"The evolution of the Canadian market over the past decade has made Definity a natural long-term owner for this business, a view affirmed by the compelling value of their proposal.

Meanwhile, in March, Swiss Re agreed to divest its full 10.05% stake, amounting to 11,647,217 common shares, in Definity.

"Definity enters $2.4bn deal to buy most of Travelers Canada " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A former Wootton High School student who wrote a manifesto depicting a school shooting in 2024 was sentenced to prison on Wednesday.

Alex Ye, who was 18 years old at the time, was arrested in April of 2024 after he had written a book depicting a school shooting.

On Wednesday, Ye was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but 12 months suspended.

Ye waived credit for the time he had already served  almost 14 months  meaning that his one-year sentence begins now.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rockville student convicted after threatening to shoot up school

Ye will also have to serve five years of supervised probation after his release. During this probation period, he must check in with the judge every two weeks to ensure that he is meeting the conditions of his probation.

These conditions include mental health treatment, community service, staying away from the two schools he had threatened (Wootton High School and Lakewood Elementary School) and staying off the messaging app Discord.

The Montgomery County States Attorneys Office (SAO) said that meeting with the judge was a unique provision.

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I do think the court was asking the defense repeatedly for months to come up with a suitable option that would give this young man treatment but also keep the community safe. I think the sentence today was the judges attempt to do that, States Attorney John McCarthy said in a news conference.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Montgomery County police arrest high school student accused of planning school shooting

The SAO had recommended a 10-year sentence at the Patuxent Youthful Offenders Program, but the defense asked for time served.

McCarthy said it was frustrating that the defense did not provide any alternatives to Patuxent Institute, which offers a program for youth getting involved in crime.

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There will be an additional hearing on Sept. 25 for the defense to provide details on an after care plan for Ye after his release.

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(MONUMENT, Colo.)  The Monument Police Department (MPD) believes there are more victims of a sexual assault suspect recently arrested in Texas.

MPD said back on Feb. 14, 2025, police launched an investigation following a report of sexual assault. One of the suspects, identified was 19-year-old Spencer Adam Johnson, was arrested in Texas and is facing charges numerous charges including kidnapping and multiple sexual offences. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Colorado.

Spencer Adam Johnson, Courtesy: Monument Police Department

Spencer Adam Johnson, Courtesy: Monument Police Department

During their investigation, detectives uncovered more allegations against Johnson, some dating back more than four years, and believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.

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MPD said this is an active investigation; anyone with information or who believes they may have been victimized is asked to contact the MPD Investigations Division at (719) 419-9791.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
More than 1,200 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration reportedly may leave the agency in the coming months, as the U.S. air transit system continues to struggle with flight delays, aviation accidents, and technical issues.

Employees are departing the agency in mass quantities across all skill levels, read a May 7 internal presentation about the effects of a Trump administration deferred-resignation program, obtained by The Wall Street Journal .

A similar presentation obtained by the paper said more than 1,200 employees of the agency could depart under the program.

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The staff exodus under Trump could cause the agency to fall below its statutory and regulatory staffing requirements, one of the internal presentations said.

Front-line workers, including air-traffic controllers and airline inspectors, arent eligible for the resignation program.

FAA denies potential resignations will impact air safety (Getty)

The FAA told the Journal the impacts on staffing described in the presentations were theoretical.

The agency added that upcoming resignations and retirements amount to 3 percent of the FAAs 46,000-person workforce and will not impact mission-critical functions.

The potential resignations are the latest challenge for the FAA, which has struggled with accidents and uncertainty under the new administration.

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After a series of radar outages, software problems, flight delays, and a lack of air traffic controllers, officials reduced flights out of Newark Airport , a major hub for United and one of the busiest airports in the country.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has blamed the issues on the Biden administration and choices, such as the decision to relocate a key air traffic control station from Long Island to Philadelphia. At the same time, the secretary has also admitted more couldve been done to shore up the air system during the pandemic years, including under Trump.

The FAA has also played host to Elon Musks at times chaotic cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency program.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said Biden administration couldve done more to fix air traffic system during low-travel years of the pandemic (AP)

Hundreds of probationary FAA employees were fired and then rehired in recent months.

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Inside the FAA, a staffer from Musks space firm SpaceX reportedly threatened FAA employees if they opposed alleged efforts to integrate Musks Starlink satellite internet service into federal air infrastructure.

A series of aviation disasters have occurred since Trump took office, including a collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, but Duffy says it is a falsehood that these problems were rooted in changes that occurred since he took office.

The administration has sought billions from Congress to overhaul the air-traffic control system, and has boosted incentives for hiring and retaining controllers.
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Abandoned garbage at Everest's Camp 4. | Credit: Getty Images

Climbers hoping to scale Mount Everest could soon face even more rules and regulations after Nepal's government vowed to keep the Himalayas clean and safe from the dangers of overcrowding and climate change.

Speaking to more than 100 climbers at the Everest Summiteers Summit, Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey said Nepal had a duty to protect the Himalayas.

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The government is strongly committed to support mountaineering in every possible way by keeping climbers safe, by protecting the natural beauty of our peaks and by helping local communities grow alongside the spirit of adventure, said Pandey.

Summit attendees had complained about a growing number of climbers on the world's tallest mountain and the mess they leave behind.

Overcrowding has become a major issue on Everest, as most climbs are attempted in a short window from March to May. Queues to the summit, abundant litter, and abandoned human waste have all mired the Himalayan peak in recent years.

One sherpa told the BBC: "Our mountains have begun to stink. We are getting complaints that human stools are visible on rocks and some climbers are falling sick."

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Everest's highest camp is estimated to house around 88,000lb (39,916kg) to 110,000lb (49,895kg) of garbage. Due to the extreme conditions and weight limitations, climbers often abandon tents, gas cannisters, and other items just under 3,000ft (915m), beneath the summit at the South Sol camp.

Mount Everest rises to 29,035ft (8,849m) | Credit: Getty Images

Nepal's government has already taken several steps to combat these issues.

In January, it announced a 36% increase in climbing fees for foreign climbers on the mountain, raising the overseas royalty fee to $15,000 (11,204) rather than the previous total of $11,000 (8,217).

In a bid to discourage inexperienced climbers, legislation announced in April, which is currently making its way through Nepal's parliament, would also restrict permits to climbers who have already scaled at least one of Nepal's 7,000m (22,965ft) peaks. Medical check-ups from a government-approved hospital or medical facility would also be mandatory.

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These mountains are sacred, and it is our duty to protect them for the generations yet to come," continued Pandey.

The minister also promised to tackle the devastating effects of climate change in the Himalayas.

Earlier at the summit, he said: "Today, climate change and global warming are putting this future at risk. That is why we must act with care, with wisdom and with a deep sense of respect."

The Himalayan region has experienced a dramatic drop in snowfall in recent years. This year alone, snow persistence (the time snow stays on the ground) in the Himalayas has reached a 23-year low.

The dangers were apparent to lawmakers and experts in a recent fly-by, where they witnessed a drastic reduction in snow coverage on Everest and other Himalayan peaks.

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"In the past, wherever you looked, you would see snow-covered mountains. But now, black rocky hills have started to appear. The mountains that once looked completely white now appear as black peaks," Nepal's Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, told the Asia News Network.

Our senior staff writer Julia Clarke has been trekking to Everest base camp over the last week and arrived there today. You can follow her exploits here, along with all our summit season coverage, or on the Advnture Instagram account.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey ceremoniously signed three bills during an event at a Beckley, W.Va.,church Thursday, May 29, 2025. (West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey | Courtesy photo)

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Thursday celebrated the passage of three bills he said protect and defend life at all stages. Morrisey held the ceremonial bill signing for Senate Bill 537, House Bill 2123 and House Bill 2871 at CrossPoint Church in Beckley, West Virginia.

West Virginia has a proud history defending the sanctity of life for a long, long time, and Ive been very humbled to be an important part of that, serving as the first pro-life attorney general in state history, Morrisey said. And before I left, we were still busy defending the states pro-life law in the Fourth Circuit. Thats still pending, and weve been working constantly to try to keep expanding the provisions to protect innocent life.

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Senate Bill 537 expands the states Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program. The legislation allows the program to use state funds to cover new expenditures including new land and buildings, additional services for mothers, and staff training, Morrisey said. The Legislature also allocated $3 million for the program.

The goal behind that money and this bill is to give organizations that help pregnant women greater flexibility in using their funds, Morrisey said. What a good, noble cause.

The West Virginia Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support Program was established by House Bill 2002, signed by former Gov. Jim Justice during the 2023 legislative session.

State lawmakers passed a law making abortion illegal with narrow exceptions in September 2022 in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe V. Wade. The program provides funding for pregnancy support organizations except those that performs, prescribes, refers for, encourages or promotes abortion as an option for a pregnant woman.

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House Bill 2123 increases the penalties for a parents or guardians convicted of child abuse resulting in injury or neglect causing the risk of injury from one to five years in prison to two to 10 years in prison. The bill had unanimous support in both the West Virginia House of Delegates and in the Senate.

Once again, we have to protect our most precious among us, and if you harm a child as a parent or guardian, youre going to pay a heavy price, Morrisey said.

House Bill 2871 expands the vehicular homicide offense to include aggravated vehicular homicide and clarifies that victims can include embryos and fetuses. The bill was also passed unanimously by both chambers of the Legislature.

Now, the loss of a child in a womb, that can be considered a death for purposes of prosecution, Morrisey said. Thats good, and thats just common sense. A life in the womb is still a life. Our laws have to reflect that fact, and they are.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A building was reportedly damaged on the outskirts of Moscow following a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian capital overnight on May 29, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported.

This marks the second consecutive day of attacks on Moscow Oblast, with multiple industrial facilities targeted by Ukrainian drones and several unmanned aircraft reportedly downed on approach to the capital on May 28.

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Videos and photos posted on social media by residents purportedly show damage sustained by a residential building on Vernadsky Avenue in Southwest Moscow. Explosions were heard in the area around 1:40 a.m. local time.

Sobyanin claimed that no one was injured in the attack that occurred as a result of falling drone debris. He added that the crew is currently on-scene, inspecting the damage.

The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. Ukraine's military has not commented on the reported attack.

Russian air defenses shot down 48 Ukrainian drones overnight, including three over Moscow Oblast, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed.

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The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify reports or claims made by Russian officials.

The previous night on May 28, Russian air defenses shot down 296 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions overnight, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed, potentially marking one of the heaviest drone attacks against Russia during the full-scale war.

As Russia continues to reject calls for a ceasefire and the war drags on, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian territory. In particular, drone attacks in Russia have forced airport closures for several nights in a row.

Operations at Vnukovo airport were temporarily halted amid the overnight drone attack.

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Ukraine's recent drone strategy has been aimed at disrupting airport operations, overwhelming air defenses, and making the war more visible to ordinary Russians.

Read also: Electronics plant in St. Petersburg on fire following explosions, local officials report

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Russia has reiterated it is open to holding a second round of direct talks with Ukraine on a possible ceasefire in Istanbul on Monday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks could provide an opportunity to discuss proposals from both sides, in comments carried by Russian news agency Interfax.

His remarks came after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Wednesday evening called on Russia to immediately provide its memorandum detailing its conditions for a ceasefire, arguing that "only a well-prepared meeting has the potential to produce tangible results."

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But Peskov rejected such a move, saying it would not be "constructive" to publicly discuss the negotiations.

"It is necessary to either confirm the willingness to continue negotiations  or to do the opposite," said the Kremlin spokesman.

Ukrainian lead negotiator and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Wednesday that Kiev had already handed over its position paper to Moscow, shortly after the Kremlin proposed holding another round of talks.
Mosquitoes found in Glenview test positive for West Nile Virus

GLENVIEW, Ill.  Health officials in Glenview are offering a warning to residents after mosquito batches, which tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), were located in the village this week.

The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) said a batch of mosquitoes, which was collected from a trap in Glenview on Tuesday, May 27, tested positive for West Nile Virus on Wednesday.

Officials did not specify a specific area where the batch was pulled from.

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The NSMAD said while the risk of contracting WNV is low, residents are still advised to take personal protection measures to minimize mosquito bites.

Last year, after WNV positive mosquito batches were found in Dupage County, health officials warned the public to follow the 4 Ds of Defense:

Drain: Drain items that collect standing water around homes, yards, or businesses and scrub and refill pet water dishes and birdbaths regularly.

Defend: Use insect repellents that contain DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

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Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes to cover the skin when outside.

Dusk to Dawn: Wear EPA-registered insect repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.

So far this year, there have not been any cases of WNV in humans in the state, according to the Illinois Department of Public Healths West Nile Virus dashboard.

Last year, 69 human cases were reported in the state, which resulted in 13 deaths.

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Dockers footwear is ready for its next chapter.

The category, which is under license with Nashville-based Genesco, has undergone a massive transformation in recent seasons and executives are eager to show it off this upcoming market season.

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According to Genesco Brands Group president Rick Higgins, the company has been laser focused on evolving the brands shoe offering away from just an assortment centered around classic dress silhouettes.

We saw an opportunity to repurpose that legacy and build something that better fits todays consumer, Higgens told FN in an exclusive interview. The market is constantly moving, and our customer is looking for footwear that delivers on comfort and versatility along with the right look, and thats exactly where weve taken the line.

The exec noted that the company made some real strides thanks to listening closely to the Dockers consumer. Theyre telling us that they want footwear that can move with them, Higgens said. Something they can wear to work, on the go, or go out with friends, without having to sacrifice comfort or style. That insight has helped shape the way we think about design materials and the overall experience of wearing Dockers shoes.

Higgens added that the company has seen great support from its retail partners, which have been excited about the new direction for the category. There has been momentum on the self to our updated assortment  from new comfort platforms to more casual offerings, the exec said. It has been incredibly encouraging as we work on adding fresh perspectives and technical know-how to help take the product to the next level.

The executive also highlighted key styles for spring/summer 2026, which include the Resurgence shoe with the brands active rebound technology, the Bingley dress shoe series with elevated comfort features, and the Sorrento mens casual sandal with an active rebound footbed and outsole.

This comes as the company readies the opening of its brand-new showroom in New York City, which will be feted during market week on June 4. Now located at 1410 Broadway on the 10th floor, the showroom offers a more elevated presentation, the executive described. I feel like it showcases the brands better in this new space.

Bottom line, Higgens wants buyers to be on the lookout for Dockers elevated, technology-packed shoe collection this season. Were proud of where things are headed it feels like a fresh chapter for Dockers footwear.
When world leaders engage, the assumption is always that they engage on issues based on verified facts, which their administrative staff are supposed to prepare. Under this assumption, we thought the meeting at the White House on 21 May between South Africas president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and US president Donald Trump would follow this pattern.

Disappointingly, the televised meeting was horrifying to watch as it was based on misrepresenting the reality of life in South Africa.

Issues of agriculture, farming and land (and rural crime) were central to the discussions. What is clear to us as agricultural economists is that the skewed views expressed by Trump about these issues originate in South Africa. This includes Trumps statement: But Blacks are not farmers.

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In our work as agricultural economists, we have, in many pieces and books (our latest titled The Uncomfortable Truth about South Africas Agriculture), tried to present South Africans with the real facts about the political economy policy reforms and structural dimensions of South African agriculture.

Writing on these matters was necessary given that official data  agricultural census 2017, as well as the official land audit of 2017  all provide an incomplete picture of the real state and structure of South African agriculture. The reason is that the agricultural census, which is supposed to provide a comprehensive and inclusive assessment of the size and structure of the primary agricultural sector, and the land audit, which was supposed to record the ownership of all land in South Africa, are incomplete in their coverage.

The incomplete and inaccurate official data provides fertile ground for radical statements by the left and the right  and novices on social media. This is why South Africa has to deal with falsehoods coming from the US. These include Trumps statement that black people are not farmers in South Africa.

South Africa is to blame for providing inaccurate data to feed these false narratives.

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The facts presented here should allow a more nuanced interpretation of South Africas farm structure. Firstly, there are more black farmers in South Africa than white farmers. And not all white commercial farm operations are large-scale, and not all black farmers are small-scale, subsistence or emerging. Most farm operations can be classified as micro, or small in scale.

This is important so that one doesnt view South Africas agriculture as mainly white farmers. Indeed, we are a country of two agricultures with black farmers mainly at small scale and accounting for roughly 10% of the commercial agricultural output. Still, this doesnt mean they are not active in the sector. They mainly still require support to expand and increase output, but they are active.

The facts

In the wake of the circus in the Oval Office, we were amazed by the total silence of the many farmers organisations in South Africa. We have not seen one coming out to reject all of Trumps claims. The only thing we can deduce from this is that these falsehoods suit the political position of some farmer organisations. But at what cost? Will many of their members be harmed by trade sanctions or tariffs against South Africa? The US is an important market for South Africas agriculture, accounting for 4% of the US$13.7 billion exports in 2024.

When Ramaphosa highlighted the fact that crime, and rural crime in particular, has an impact on all South Africans and that more black people than white people are being killed, Trumps response was disturbing, to say the least: But Blacks are not farmers. This requires an immediate fact check.

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We returned to the text from our chapter in the Handbook on the South African Economy we jointly prepared in 2021. In the extract below, we discuss the real numbers of farmers in South Africa and try to provide a sensible racial classification of farmers to denounce Trumps silly statement.

As highlighted earlier, the two latest agricultural censuses (2007 and 2017) are incomplete as they restricted the sample frame to farm businesses registered to pay value added tax. Only firms with a turnover of one million rands (US$55,500) qualify for VAT registration.

We were able to expand the findings from the censuses with numbers from the 2011 population census and the 2016 community survey to better understand the total number of commercial farming units in South Africa. The Community Survey 2016 is a large-scale survey that happened between Censuses 2011 and 2021. The main objective was to provide population and household statistics at municipal level to government and the private sector, to support planning and decision-making.

Data from the 2011 population census (extracted from three agricultural questions included in the census) shows that 2,879,638 households out of South Africas total population, or 19.9% of all households, were active in agriculture for subsistence or commercial purposes.

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Only 2% of these active households reported an annual income derived from agriculture above R307,000 (US$17,000). This translates into 57,592 households that can be considered commercial farmers, with agriculture as the main or only source of household income. This corresponds in some way with the 40,122 farming businesses that are registered for VAT as noted in the 2017 agricultural census report.

If we use the numbers from the agricultural census it is evident almost 90% of all VAT-registered commercial farming businesses could be classified as micro or small-scale enterprises. If the farm businesses excluded from the census are accounted for under the assumption that they are too small for VAT registration, then the fact still stands that the vast majority of all farm enterprises in South Africa are small family farms.

There are, however, 2,610 large farms (with turnover exceeding R22.5 million (US$1.2 million per annum) which are responsible for 67% of farm income and employed more than half the agricultural labour force of 757,000 farm workers in 2017.

Another way to get to farm numbers is to use the 2016 Community Survey. Using the shares as shown in Table 2, we estimate there are 242,221 commercial farming households in South Africa, of which only 43,891 (18%) are white commercial farmers. (This is very much in line with the VAT registered farmers but also acknowledging the fact that many white farm businesses are not necessarily registered for VAT.)

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Lets consider only the agricultural households with agriculture as their main source of income, surveyed in the 2016 community survey. We end up with a total of 132,700 households, of whom 93,000 (70%) are black farmers. This reality is something that policy makers and farm organisations find very difficult to deal with and it seems that Trump also found this too good to be true.

We have tried here in a long winded way to deal with farm numbers and how to get to a race classification of farmers in South Africa. In the end we trust that we have managed to show that there are more black farmers in South Africa than white farmers. Their share in total output is smaller than that of their white counterparts. The National Agricultural Marketing Council puts black farmers share of agricultural production as roughly 10%. But these numbers are also incomplete and largely an undercount.

It will always be challenging to get to the real number of black farmers share of agricultural output as nobody would ever know whether the potato or the cabbage on the shelf came from a farm owned by a black farmer or a white person but operated by a black farmer, for example. As South Africans know, the labour on farms, in pack houses, distribution systems and retail are all black. So, the sweat and hard work of black South African workers are integral to the food supply chain in South Africa.

Lets get these facts straight and promote them honestly.

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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: Johann Kirsten, Stellenbosch University and Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University

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Wandile Sihlobo is the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC).

Johann Kirsten does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
In her decades as part of the Motown family, Pat Cosby has spent countless hours inside Hitsville, U.S.A.

This time was strikingly different.

It didnt take long for the tears to start flowing last week as she made her way to the Motown Museums second floor to take in a new exhibit devoted to her late husband, Hank Cosby.

Pat Cosby (right) is emotional as she gets her first look at a new Motown Museum exhibit dedicated to her late husband, Hank Cosby, on May 22, 2025.

Henry Hank Cosby: Tribute to an Original Funk Brother opened May 22 at the West Grand Boulevard museum, documenting one of Motowns most significant and multifaceted behind-the-scenes talents.

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As a saxophonist, the Detroit native was there from the labels earliest days in the late 50s, helping establish the studio band that would famously become known as the Funk Brothers. As a horn arranger, his fingerprints are all over a slew of Motown hits, including classics such as Dancing in the Street (Martha and the Vandellas) and Baby Love (the Supremes).

And as a composer, Cosby was a vital collaborator with a young Stevie Wonder, helping pen such hits as Fingertips, Uptight (Everythings Alright), I Was Made to Love Her and My Cherie Amour  a body of work that earned him induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame four years after his 2002 death.

Fingertips happened to pop up in the Motown Museum lobbys song rotation as Pat Cosby and family made their entrance May 22, arriving early for a VIP party that evening to welcome the exhibit.

The Cosbys had been closely involved with the project since last fall, working with the museums associate curator, Kemuel Benyehudah, to gather artifacts and relay their stories.

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More: Motor City invades the heart of Music City as Kid Rock's Detroit Cowboy opens in Nashville

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But this was their first glimpse at the finished product  an emotional moment as they took in the gleaming memorialization of a man they remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and musical master.

As she wiped away tears, Pat Cosby thought back to 2002, following her husbands death, when she approached a previous regime of Motown Museum officials.

Im thinking about when he passed away and we came to the museum hoping to get pictures  and nobody knew who he was. They didnt recognize his name, Cosby said. Those days are over.

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The spacious, two-wall exhibit documents Hank Cosbys life from his early childhood in Detroits Black Bottom and teen years at Northern High School, where he began sharpening his tenor sax skills  musicianship he would finesse under the mentorship of jazz great Julian (Cannonball) Adderly while serving in the U.S. Army.

It was during his stint playing Paradise Valley nightspots as part of the Joe Hunter Band that Cosby made his way into the fledgling Motown universe.

Motown saxophonist, arranger and producer Hank Cosby is the subject of the Motown Museum's newest exhibit.

For all the musical achievements, it was family life that mattered most to Cosby, who lived out his life in Detroit following Motowns departure for the West Coast in 1972.

Thats the ring, right there! Pat Cosby exclaimed when spotting a youthful photo of herself with her husband. She raised her left hand. Same ring!

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Pat Cosby worked in Motowns tape library in 1962 when she at last gave in to the musicians romantic overtures.

Hank would come by, lean over the Dutch door, and say sweet stuff, she recalled. As they plotted an early date, Pat Cosby asked him what hed like to do. Id like to make you happy the rest of your life, he said.

He kept his promise, Cosby said.

Pat Cosby poses next to a placard introducing a new Motown Museum exhibit devoted to Hank Cosby, on May 22, 2025, in Detroit.

For Benyehudah, who joined the museums curatorial team in 2023, the Hank Cosby exhibit serves a key purpose.

We wanted to broaden peoples perspectives on just who the original Funk Brothers were, he said.

The project unfolded over months of Zoom meetings, phone calls and early morning texts with the Cosby family as they zeroed in on the finished exhibit, which is supported by Sony Music Publishing and the Michigan Arts & Culture Council.

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I just dont have words for the appreciation, Pat Cosby said as she browsed the Motown Museum display. If anyone had told me in 1962 that I would see this day  I mean, this is just awesome.

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.

Motown Museum

2648 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit

Open Wednesday-Sunday

www.motownmuseum.org

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Motown Museum unveils exhibit honoring musician-songwriter Hank Cosby
MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH)  The body of Morrow County Sheriffs Deputy Daniel Sherrer was returned to Mount Gilead on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after he was shot and killed on Memorial Day in Marengo.

The main street in downtown Mount Gilead was shut down as people lined both sides, waiting for the procession. Dozens of law enforcement vehicles escorted him from the Montgomery County Coroners Office.

First responders line roads as body of killed deputy returned to Morrow County

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All these people that were lined up and all the officers that showed up for all, from all the different counties to show their respect and love, its amazing to see something in such a small area, Morrow County resident Brittany Daniel said.

County residents said theyve been in shock since Sherrer was killed, and on Wednesday, many wanted to pay their respects.

With it being the first one to ever happen at the Morrow County Sheriffs Office, it just, its painful, resident Dylon Gandee said.

It was silent as everyone watched the ambulance carrying Sherrer pass. Many Mount Gilead police officers were part of the procession and the mother and grandmother of one of those officers said its been a tough few days.

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Why Ohio flags will fly at half-staff beginning May 27, 2025

Weve always been concerned when he goes out and you never know whats going to happen and everything, but, you know, we pray, we pray for his safety, Anita Meadows, the grandmother of a Mount Gilead police officer, said.

It hits pretty close, a little too close, Lena Davis, that officers mother, said. Its emotional for me because it could happen to anybody.

Both Davis and Meadows said the Mount Gilead officer was close with Sherrer.

They were great friends and he knew him personally, our grandson, so its, you know, its just hard for us to know that, you know, hes taking it hard, too, Meadows said.

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Even those who didnt know Sherrer personally said its been an emotional time for everyone in the close-knit community.

This little town, Ive lived here my entire life, 32 years, and just something this tragic happening in this little of an area, I have no words, Daniel said.

Victorias Secret responds after website, app shutdown leaving customers in the dark

When the procession arrived in Mount Gilead, everyone watched in silence as Sherrers body was moved from the ambulance into the funeral home. It was a powerful show of respect for Sherrer and the Morrow County Sheriffs Office.

It means a lot, Davis said. It should be this way. It should be this way. It should always be this way. Im happy to see everybody come out to support.

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I just thank him for his service and sacrifice, Gandee said.

Sherrers funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Memphis Police Department has issued a warning after the departments non-emergency number was spoofed.

MPD says that on Thursday, the department received more than 10 reports of people getting a spoof call from the 901-545-2677 non-emergency number.

FBI targets Memphis cargo thefts to combat rising crime

Police say the scam calls have involved people impersonating officers, falsely claiming that the victim has a warrant, and trying to get the victims personal information.

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MPD is reminding citizens that the department does not initiate random or unsolicited calls from the non-emergency number. The police department says that officers do not call people to notify them of warrants or ask for personal information.

MPD also says that even if someone from the department was trying to call someone back from the non-emergency number, the number would not appear on that persons caller ID.

MPD is asking anyone who receives a spoof call to hang up immediately and report the call to the department.

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MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN)  Mt. Juliet police arrested a man wanted out of several Middle Tennessee counties during a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon.

A Mt. Juliet officer reportedly recognized a driver that he knew to be actively violating the law by driving with a suspended license. After the officer confirmed the suspension was still in effect, a stop was conducted along Nonaville Road.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

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The MJPD said that the driver, a 63-year-old Centerville man, and the passenger, a 35-year-old Centerville woman, were found to be in possession of methamphetamine intended for resale, counterfeit controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and a replica pellet handgun.

(Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Police Department)

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Additionally, authorities discovered that the driver was wanted for an outstanding felony probation violation warrant in Davidson County for the sale of cocaine. In Rutherford County, he was wanted for identity theft and forgery, police said.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Jumping the turnstile or covering a license plate will get commuters in trouble.

The MTA has been increasing fare and toll enforcement.

More Local News

At the monthly board meeting on Wednesday, officials discussed a number of major topics.

The MTA reports that fare evasion in transit is down 30 percent.

Fake plates and covered licenses are also a problem. The MTA has estimated losses of around $700 million a year.

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Enforcement actions at the bridges and tunnels happen weekly. During a Joint Task Force Update, recent numbers show more than 1,000 drivers have been arrested, 47,000 summonses have been written, and more than 4,500 vehicles were towed during a year of enforcement.

Security personnel have been assigned to some stations, and the MTA says fare evasion has dropped at those locations.

Money from fares and tolls goes to the operational expenses of the MTA. Service and ridership were also discussed.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow gave a presentation with the headline best subway performance in a generation. 

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More work is on the way.

The MTA Board officially approved the capital plan. Its for a span of 5 years and amounts to $68 billion. Projects include new trains and buses, station and track work, and elevators.

The focus is on the state of good repair and maintenance projects.

Paying for the plan is always a discussion point. The state raised the payroll mobility tax on businesses that make more than $10 million a year. Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature also included significant funding in the budget.

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Beginning overnight on Saturday, May 24, Russia rained down nearly a thousand drones and missiles on villages and cities across Ukraine in three nights of large-scale aerial attacks, as civilians spent hours sheltering underground.

Russias bombardment killed more than a dozen people and injured dozens more, in one of the largest coordinated attacks since the start of the war.

Such deadly storms of drones and missiles are not cheap to carry out, but the costs of these weapons are sensitive military information that Russia keeps classified.

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Experts and media outlets have estimated that attacks like the one this past weekend cost Russia hundreds of thousands of dollars in weaponry. The estimated figures vary significantly, however, and that's before adding in other costs beyond their price tag, like the price of a flight that launches a missile, or storage costs before weapons are used.

"The cost of these large strikes is quite difficult to estimate in the open-source because Russia goes to great lengths to obfuscate the cost of the missiles and drones," said Angelica Evans, a Russia analyst with the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

"Particularly with the onset of western sanctions and Russia's many sanctions evasion schemes, it's difficult to know how much all of the various components in the projectiles really cost, let alone the cost of production itself."

What weapons were used in the recent attack?

According to Ukraines Air Force, the weekend attack used Shahed drones, decoy drones, three types of cruise missiles, and Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles.

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Most of the 995 weapons  903 of them  were Shahed kamikaze drones or decoy drones meant to mimic the behavior of Shaheds and overwhelm air defense systems.

Russia also launched 69 cruise missiles: 64 of the Kh-101 variety, 4 Kh-59/69 missiles, and one Kh-22 missile.

The remaining 23 weapons were Iskander-M ballistic missiles or similar North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.

A KTRV Kh-69 cruise missile on display at the Army-2022 military-technical forum in Park Patriot, Moscow Region, Russia, on Aug. 20, 2022. (Wikimedia)

How much do the weapons cost?

Some experts have tried to come up with price tags for different weapons systems using open-source information, including examining the components of downed weaponry, comparing missiles to similar weapons in the West, and analyzing hacked procurement contract data.

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While these methods can give a better sense of how much Russia is paying to carry out its aerial attacks, they result in a range rather than a hard figure.

Take the Shahed, for example. One commonly cited figure is $50,000 per Shahed drone produced in Russia. Others have said the scaling of production in the past year within Russia has lowered the cost, potentially as low as $20,000.

Hacked documents between Russia and Iran, meanwhile, show that Russia negotiated prices for Iranian-made Shaheds earlier in the war in the range of $193,000 to $290,000 per unit, depending on the number ordered. To save money on drones, Russia is increasingly producing them at home. Satellite imagery has detected the expansion of the facilities where Shahed drones are manufactured in Russia.

The Iranian-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in western Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 11, 2024. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The cost of a Shahed used by Russia therefore heavily depends on when it was acquired and whether youre calculating its replacement cost or its original purchase or production price.

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Nor do these estimates account for modifications made to the drones by Russians in the field or at the unit level. Another consideration is whether to include the cost of paying the soldiers who deploy the weapon.

"Recent reporting estimates Russia can produce roughly 100 Shaheds per day."

The uncertainty is multiplied hundreds of times over for each drone in a major attack.

But the use of decoy drones provides another complication in calculating the cost of the recent Russian attack: How many of the 903 drones were Shaheds, and how many were the much cheaper decoy drones?

Ukraines Defense Intelligence Service believes the most expensive part of the decoy drones is their engine, which can be bought online for around $350$500. A complete decoy is likely to cost in the low thousands range.

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Yurii Ihnat, a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, has stated that almost half of the deployed drones may be decoys.

And these are only considerations for pricing a drone. Missiles have a heftier price tag  from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per missile  and can also come with a wider price range.

Stockpiling for 'rarer but more intense strikes'

Most ballpark estimates would put a dollar price tag in the high six figures for the recent three-day aerial attack, but the usefulness of such a metric is limited by how much variability there is.

A more helpful metric, said Evans of ISW, would be looking at how many weapons are being launched compared to how many weapons Russia can produce.

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Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to continue scaling up production of weapons, and drones in particular, calling them a major factor in combat successes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin observes Orlan-10 UAV drones at the Special Technology Center in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 19, 2024. (Contributor/Getty Images)

"We have seen recent reporting that Russia has been increasing its ability to produce Shahed drones and decoy variants for many months, and recent reporting estimates Russia can produce roughly 100 Shaheds per day," Evans said.

This suggests that the drones used in the past weekend's attack could be replenished in just over a week.

"Russian missile production capabilities are much more limited, particularly of Iskander ballistic missiles, and the Russians may be trying to stockpile cruise missiles so they can conduct rarer but more intense strike series like we saw over the weekend," Evans added.

Author's Note:

Hi, this is Andrea. Thanks for reading my article. At the Kyiv Independent, we work hard to inform the world about what's happening in Ukraine. To fund our reporting, we rely on our community of over 19,000 members from around the world, most of whom give just $5 a month. Were aiming to reach 20,000 soon  join our community and help us reach this goal.

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Read also: How Russias Shahed drones are getting more deadly  and what Ukraine is doing about it

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Real estate investment company DoveHill has reported a successful exit from its preferred equity investment in the US-based Courtyard New York Manhattan Chelsea hotel, resulting in an 18.4% internal rate of return (IRR) over four years.

This exit demonstrates DoveHill's strategic investment approach during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the company provided the necessary preferred equity capital to address the property's immediate financial needs.

This included covering operating shortfalls, maintaining loan reserves, and ensuring adequate working capital.

The investment was made at a last-dollar basis of around $229,000 per key, which was below the market trades and replacement costs in New York City, reflecting the company's commitment to value creation and risk mitigation.

DoveHill's investment strategy is underscored by its disciplined approach to securing off-market deals and creating asymmetric returns.

The company's Sponsor Fund I was established during the pandemic to capitalise on distressed opportunities in the hospitality industry, offering preferred equity capital at compelling valuations.

As a result of its success of the initial fund, DoveHill is now raising DoveHill Opportunity Fund 2.

DoveHill founder and CEO Jake Wurzak said: "We strategically deployed capital at a critical moment during the pandemic, leveraging our expertise and deep understanding of hospitality market cycles.

"This exit underscores our capability to identify, structure, and execute preferred equity investments with substantial upside while carefully managing risk exposure."

The new fund aims to continue investing in preferred equity within the hospitality sector and to acquire direct equity stakes in unique experiential and lifestyle-centric hotels.

DoveHillchief investment officer Charles Paloux said: "The successful exit of our preferred equity investment in the Courtyard New York Manhattan Chelsea validated our investment thesis.

Through our new vehicle, DoveHill Opportunity Fund 2, we continue to be focused on hospitality preferred equity opportunities across the US."

"DoveHill exits from Chelsea hotel investment" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  The Illinois State Police said people were injured after a multi-vehicle crash on the Murray Baker Bridge on Thursday.

The crash occurred at 1:32 p.m. in an eastbound lane of the bridge, which carries Interstate 74 over the Illinois River, said ISP spokesperson Jayme Bufford. One lane of traffic was shut down due to the crash, but reopened at 2:25 p.m.

Injuries have been reported, but the extent of the injuries and the number of people injured have not been released at this time.

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This incident remains under investigation, Bufford said.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  Multiple people were injured after a crash on Interstate 81 North in Washington County, Virginia on Thursday morning.

According to the Virginia State Police (VSP), two passenger vehicles and a tractor-trailer were involved in the crash shortly after 7 a.m. near mile marker 16.

A VSP spokesperson told News Channel 11 that multiple injuries had been reported.

The Abingdon Fire Department posted about its response to the crash on social media. The fire department stated that when crews responded, two vehicles had people trapped inside and one was on fire.

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Upon our arrival, our crews began immediate extrication operations to free individuals trapped in two vehicles, the post reads.

According to the Abingdon Fire Department, all of the people trapped were successfully extricated and given care. The fire department stated the Washington County Life Saving Crew and Abingdon Ambulance Service transported patients to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The fire department thanked a VSP trooper who helped extinguish flames on the burning vehicle, as well as the whole agency and all other first responders at the scene.

Traffic was moving through the area as of 10:15 a.m.

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HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  A Henderson man has accepted a plea agreement in the fatal shooting of a pregnant Evansville woman back in 2022.

Scott Terry, Jr. was originally charged with murder in the shooting of Candilyn Sexton on West Indiana Street.

Murder trial delayed in case of Scott Terry Jr.

According to police, the call came in shortly after 10 a.m. for shots fired at the home. Police say Terry Jr. was located near the Kentucky border.

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The coroners office states preliminary results found that Sexton died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, and Sexton was also in the third trimester of her pregnancy.

Sentencing is set for July 25.

Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Maurice Berrys murder trial was interrupted Thursday when two women loudly fought in a nearby bathroom.

Berry, 22, of Hammond, is on trial in Lake Superior Court in Crown Point this week for killing a bystander, Javier Campa Olvera, 49, at an East Chicago gas station and wounding Maurice Garrett  the intended target who had dated Berrys longtime on-and-off girlfriend after they broke up.

As Det. James Nielsen was wrapping his testimony, a screaming match erupted outside the courtroom.

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The two women also had children with Berry. One was there to testify for both the prosecution and defense. A man, who said he was her brother, was trying to calm her down for several minutes.

The other, who was pregnant, at one point appeared to yell she would fight and shoot the other woman.

Later, she apologized.

Both women were arrested. They said the other attacked them. Police couldnt see from a video who started the brief fight in the bathroom.

Both are expected to be charged with battery.

Afterward, Judge Natalie Bokota rejected defense lawyer Susan Severtsons bid for a mistrial.

East Chicago Police responded around 8 p.m. March 30, 2024, to a BP gas station, 4502 Indianapolis Blvd. Olvera was lying on the ground, shot multiple times.

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Surveillance video showed Berry pull up in a black Chevy Trailblazer, then go inside holding a concealed object in his hand.

Olvera was already in line. The other man  who was later wounded  walked inside and looked at Berry. On camera, the man and Berry appeared to exchange words.

Berry shot at the man. Olvera dropped to the floor immediately.

mcolias@post-trib.com
The New York Post faces being sued by one of its own reporters who claims it caught and killed a critical story about one of Donald Trumps controversial picks.

One of the Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloids longest-serving journalists claims that the papers editor-in-chief personally killed off a story which would have revealed key questions over Trumps candidate to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Veteran business reporter Josh Kosman told the Daily Beast he had worked for weeks on a tip that Terry Cole, Trumps DEA nominee, had been involved in missions which resulted in the unnecessary deaths of U.S.-backed operatives overseas.

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But eventually it was killed off by the papers editor-in-chief, Keith Poole, in an email saying Nope. Not running this. Weeks later Trump said Poole should replace Emma Tucker as editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, posting on Truth Social, Its an easy move for Rupert, and hell love the results.

Kosman told the Beast he was first told by his boss he should look for a new job and then suspended and placed under investigation after revealing the story-killing to Breaker Media, an industry newsletter written by Lachlan Cartwright, a former Daily Beast journalistand now is considering suing, alleging he has been retaliated against.

A Post spokesperson said the allegations of catch and kill and retaliation against Josh Kosman are absolutely, categorically untrue. Beyond that, we do not comment on personnel matters. The Post added that it has actually pivoted more toward investigative and enterprise reporting.

The story started with a tip about Cole to Kosman which was slated to publish on March 22.

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When the date passed, Kosman asked Sam Chamberlain, the papers political editor, what the status of the story was. Chamberlain had initially told Kosman he loved the story but emailed, Theres no good way to say this, so Ill just say it: KP spiked the story. I sent him the most recent copy and his response was, Nope. Not running this in a way that made clear there was no changing his mind.

Chamberlain added, Im very sorry. I thought we had the story but sometimes decisions are made above my pay grade.

Josh Kosman

Kosman told the Daily Beast he believes Poole spiked the story to help Trump, who has called the Post my favorite newspaper. It endorsed him for re-election last year after a complicated relationship with its hometown president, which had included an editorial in 2021 demanding he accept that he lost the election, then pivoting hard behind Florida governor Ron DeSantis, calling him DeFuture.

As well as telling Murdoch to give Poole The Wall Street Journal, Trump told a reporter on Saturday: I like Keith Poole.

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Kosman said he believed the episode was catch and kill, a scheme that traditionally involves publishers paying money to subjects to avoid the public disclosure of their stories. Kosman alleged that Poole spiked the story in light of his affinity for Trump.

US President Donald Trump (L) is embraced by Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of News Corp, during a dinner to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea during WWII onboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum May 4, 2017 in New York, New York. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) / Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

If our story had gone out as planned, likely the New York Times, Washington Post, would have worked on their own storiescalled the on-record sources, done their own reportingtheres certainly a strong possibility there would have been a lot of pressure on this nominee, Kosman said. By Poole catching and killing this story, he really helped Trumps nominee.

CNN eventually ran a similar story on April 29 with the headline Ex-agents question role of Trumps DEA pick in violent overseas incidents. The story, Kosman said, was similar but not as good as his original report. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Coles nomination to the full Senate along party lines, 12-10, earlier this month, but the full chamber has not yet voted on his nomination.

Kosman, 58, is now considering a lawsuit against the Post, where he has worked for nearly two decades. Yes, Im considering legal action, he said.

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This would have been year 16 of goodvery good reviews, said Kosman, 58. Ive never been put on probation.

The White House declined to answer questions about how it dealt with Kosman on the record but White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in a statement, We take great pride in holding reporters accountable who try to peddle fake news.

Trump has been caught up in a catch and kill saga before. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified last year during Trumps criminal trial over payments to porn star Stormy Daniels that he would buy the exclusive rights to stories involving Trump and not publish them. We didnt want the story to embarrass Mr. Trump or embarrass or hurt the campaign, Pecker said under oath.
Like an unforgettable song, Les Paul has remained on the minds of local history and musical buffs, though other people are still tuned in as well.

At least, Sue Baker, the program director for the Les Paul Foundation, has seen the lingering connection that the Wizard of Waukesha has with people in general and especially with those whose own lives revolve around music. Some seek music grants through the foundation.

But there are others. As Baker sees it, Paul's life, sprinkled with troubles early on but later an inspiration to those facing their own challenges, builds even deeper connections. Their devotion probably would've surprised Paul himself.

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"In one of the last conversations I had with Les, he said to me, 'Oh, I don't know if anyone is going to remember me after I pass.' And I said, 'Well, you're wrong,'" Baker said in a May 27 phone interview. "He said, 'How can you be so sure?' So I said, 'Because I'm going to tell your story.'"

For what would have been Paul's 110th birthday, on June 9, Baker is still telling his story now nearly 16 years after his death. She led an effort to put together a 12-day series of events  a mix of activities in Waukesha, Milwaukee and wholly online  for his milestone birthday.

"I'm always delighted when more people can know the backstory of Les," she said. "He's more than a guitar."

In this 2013 photo, Waukesha County Museum CEO Kirsten Lee Villegas takes Diana Robertson, the Southeast Wisconsin regional director for U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, on a tour of the Les Paul exhibit. The museum exhibit is included in a series of events in honor of Les Paul's 110th birthday in June 2025.

Waukesha Historical Society celebrates Les Paul in life and stories

Three events in Waukesha are all tied to the Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum, 101 W. Main St., where a Les Paul exhibit remains a cultural centerpiece in the city where he has been remembered in so many ways.

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From 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 6, the museum will staff a booth during Friday Night Live in downtown Waukesha to promote Paul, including the exhibit.

As part of a free day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 at the museum, guests can tour the immersive Les Paul exhibit, which explores his innovations and details his steps along the way. Museum staff will also demonstrate the "Les Paulverizer" and Log re-creations made by Dr. VJ Manzo and his students from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. Free Les Paul Maker Kits will be available that allows people to explore for themselves how sound works.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 10, Baker, who befriended Paul in his final decade as she helped put together an exhibit honoring him, will share stories about his life and career, which included his solid-body guitar, breakthrough recording techniques and dozens of gold records. It's a ticketed event.

Discovery World Educator Paul Mech explains one of Les Pauls inventions. The exhibit is included in a series of events celebrating Les Paul's 110th birthday in June 2025.

Discovery World in Milwaukee hosts Les Paul celebration as well

Though he hailed from Waukesha, Paul had a presence in Milwaukee County, too, and Discovery World, 500 Harbor Drive, reflects on other aspects of the man.

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The first includes hands-on activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14. Civic Music MKE, Girls Rock MKE, Kaltron Synthesizers to follow Paul's story from his humble beginnings in Wisconsin to his travels around the world. The museum hosts the Les Paul House of Sound exhibit, where from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. visitors can join in an activity exploring sound, music and design, facilitated by Julie Palkowski, Les Paul Foundation education coordinator. Participants also create their own DIY Guitar project in the Kohls Design It! Lab, included in price of admission.

Events for educators focuses on Les Paul as an innovator

Educators get two specialized opportunities to celebrate Paul's birthday.

From 6 to 7 p.m. June 5, they can join what planners are calling "a virtual birthday party." The online event, which requires pre-registration by May 29 to gain access to link for the virtual session, includes trivia and fun activities, and, of course, music. It's a nod toward Paul's role as an innovator, inventor and musical influencer. Palkowski is the contact for those with questions on the program. She can be reached via email at julie@lespaulfoundation.org.

The second event, Morning at the Museum, is from 10 a.m. to noon June 17 at Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum. It features a tour of the Les Paul Experience, with a focus on reinforcing classroom studies, and includes free classroom resources. Those interested must register by June 10.

"Les Paul celebrating 110 years," a new 72-page booklet, offers a personal look at Les and his inventions. The story includes Pauls years in Waukesha, snippets of personal conversations between Les Paul and writer Sue Baker and photos.

New book also summarizes Les Paul's life

Baker will also unveil a new book she penned on Paul. Titled "Les Paul celebrating 110 years," it's 72 pages offering insights into his life and inventions, including his years growing up in Waukesha, personal conversations between Paul and Baker and many photos not commonly seen to date.

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It's drawn from many sources, including her own work. She also writes for Paul's official website, www.les-paul.com, which she said provides "the broadest reach," with individual tabs covering his history, his music and his foundation. Baker also gives live presentations about Paul.

The $7 booklet will be available at the Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum, beginning June 6. (The gift shop can be accessed without museum admission.)

Foundation's director discusses why Les Paul still matters

Baker, whose interaction with Paul began in the late 1990s with long planning process for an exhibit the Waukesha museum, grew to be a "good friend" with the icon. She even assisted in helping him decide on his burial site, at Prairie Home Cemetery along with his mother, and the memorial there.

After his death in 2009, she also began working for his estate and two years later with the Les Paul Foundation.

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Her connection with Paul gave her a deeper appreciation of his life and what people should likewise appreciate. She even discussed that topic with Paul, addressing how he overcame obstacles, including "a rough childhood," and how he could serve as an inspiration.

"I said to Les that I worked with little kids when I held other positions, and I have seen so many kids who have felt insecure and lack self-confidence," Baker said. "They sometimes say it's because they have had a rough life. ... I think that his life is a wonderful inspiration not only for the kids who are going through tough times, but for that little kid that's inside all of us.

"He persisted. He didn't give up. And that's a great message for all of us," she added.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha and Milwaukee events celebrate Les Paul's 110th birthday
Elon Musk came to Washington with a chainsaw in hand, promising to slash trillions in government waste as a member of the Trump Administration. Three months later, hes leaving behind a complicated legacy that includes unmet expectations and uneasy questions about his leadership.

On Friday, as Musks brief stint in government formally came to an end, the billionaire entrepreneur stood beside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for a final farewell. Wearing a black DOGE baseball cap and a T-shirt emblazoned with the word Dogefather, Musk said he hoped to continue to be a friend and adviser to the President and expressed confidence that the cost-cutting effort he started would eventually find the $1 trillion in savings he had promised.

The DOGE team will only grow stronger over time, he said, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency, a network of engineers he led who were tasked with rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse from the federal government.

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Musks role as a special government employee working for Trump was always intended to be temporary, and he had recently expressed interest in returning his focus to his businesses, as Tesla in particular suffered from plunging sales. But his departure, announced earlier this week, marks a striking turning point for the federal governments ambitious cost-cutting agency he helped define.

During his brief stint in Washington, DOGE was perhaps best known for laying off thousands of federal employees and eviscerating government agencies whose funding had already been appropriated by Congress, sparking numerous legal challenges. Musks contentious slash-and-burn approach to cutting federal spending made him perhaps the most visible enemy of the left during the first 100 days of Trumps second presidency, even as he became a hero to many on the right.

White House officials have said that DOGEs efforts will continue after Musk leaves, and that he would likely continue to advise the President. "Elon is really not leaving. Hes going to be back and forth, I have a feeling," Trump said Friday. "Its his baby.

Heres what to know about the future of DOGE without Musk.

Why is Musk leaving?

Musks exit had long been expected. As a special government employee, his role came with a 130-day cap, which expired on Friday, May 30. Such designations are typically given to experts or consultants for specific roles on a temporary basis, allowing them to avoid required divestments of financial interests that may conflict with their federal work.

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My time as a special government employee necessarily had to end, Musk said in the Oval Office on Friday. It was a limited time thing.

But Musk, who spent nearly his entire career working in Silicon Valley, had also grown increasingly frustrated with working in government. He recently told The Washington Post that the federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than he expected, and it was an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least. He added in an interview with Ars Technica that I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics and that he intentionally reduced his involvement significantly in recent weeks.

Read more: Revisiting Elon Musks Most Controversial Moments in the White House

A recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans disapproved of Musks job performance in the Trump Administration. His entry into American politics also had real financial consequences for his companies. In just a matter of months, the worlds richest man had lost billions of dollars since he donated nearly $300 million to get Trump and other Republicans elected last year. Sales for his electric vehicle company Tesla, in particular, have fallen significantly.

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He didnt need this, Trump said on Friday. And we find that governments a little nasty on occasion.

Yeah, at times, Musk quickly shot back, drawing a chuckle from some in the room.

He went on to explain that he felt DOGE had become a bogeyman, blamed for every cut to federal spending even when it wasnt responsible: It just became a bit ridiculous.

Musk had also clashed with top White House officials during his tenure in government. In April, he criticized White House trade adviser Peter Navarro over the sweeping tariffs Trump had imposed on trading partners. In a series of posts on X, Musk called Navarro a moron and added that Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks. He followed with an apology, saying the comparison was so unfair to bricks.

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Trump on Friday thanked Musk for leading the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations, presenting him with a golden key emblazoned with the White House insignia.

But in recent weeks, their relationship appeared to cool off. Musk, who once called himself Trumps first buddy and appeared in his Cabinet meetings, had noticeably distanced himself after having an unusually visible presence in the early days of Trumps Administration. He had even publicly criticized Trumps so-called Big, Beautiful domestic spending bill that passed the House last week, saying he was disappointed that it would increase the federal deficit. I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful, Musk told CBS News a day before he announced his departure. But I dont know if it could be both. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said that the bills tax provisions would increase federal deficits by $3.8 trillion over the decade, while cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other services would only reduce spending by slightly more than $1 trillion over the same period. The White House insists that the bill would reduce the deficit.

Musk has said he would pivot back to running his companies 24/7 now that hes finished with DOGE. He also vowed to substantially cut back his political spending in future elections after he pumped nearly $300 million into the 2024 election helping Trump and other Republican candidates. "I think in terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future," Musk said on May 20. "I think I've done enough."

What has DOGE accomplished?

The U.S. DOGE Service, launched by executive order on Trumps first day back in office, was created to eradicate what the White House called waste, fraud and abuse from the governmentone of the Presidents campaign promises. Trump tapped Musk, the worlds richest person and a top campaign donor, to lead the effort, calling him a smart guy who really cares for our country.

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In later court filings, however, the government argued that Amy Gleason was DOGEs administrator, even though Musk had been the public face of the effort.

Under their leadership, receipts posted to DOGEs website show it has terminated more than 10,000 federal contracts it deems unnecessary or wasteful, including high-profile agreements related to federal technology infrastructure and healthcare programs. The contracts span around 40 federal departments and agencies, according to DOGE, totaling roughly $32 billion of the $175 billion it claims to have saved.

TIME has not been able to independently verify those savings, and media outlets have found DOGEs assertions to be exaggerated and misleading. Regardless, the $175 billion in reported savings is well short of Musks initial goal: He had previously said he expects to cut $2 trillion from the nations roughly $6.8 trillion federal budget, before walking back that figure to $1 trillion.

During the news conference on Friday, Trump listed several instances where federal money was going to waste, including $101 million for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the Department of Education, $45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma, $42 million for social and behavioral change campaigns in Uganda, $20 million for producing an Arabic version of Sesame Street, $59 million for hotel rooms for undocumented migrants in New York City, and $8 million for research to make mice transgender among others.

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Several of those alleged expenses have been refuted.

But the controversy over specific cuts were just one part of the upheaval Musk is leaving behind. His unorthodoxand often secretiveslash-and-burn tactics sowed chaos during his tenure in the government, critics say. Early on, he was criticized for sending his team of DOGE representativesmostly young engineersinto federal buildings to gain access to sensitive internal systems. It was part of his effort to shutter agencies that Musk and others in the Administration disliked, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Institute of Peace, whose funding had already been appropriated by Congress. The impacts of such moves were felt internationally: A global health researcher at Boston University estimated that the Administration's cuts to USAID alone have led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, most of them children.

DOGEs restructuring efforts also wreaked havoc on federal workers and prompted a litany of lawsuits seeking to rein in Musks chainsaw, many of them questioning the legality of DOGE's sweeping access to confidential data and the dismantling of agencies. More than 200,000 federal workers and contractors were laid off across more than a dozen agencies. The firings began after the governments offer for federal workers to accept a so-called buyoutan offer initiated by Musk allies at the Office of Personnel Managementexpired on Feb. 12. Musk later introduced a controversial requirement that employees send emails listing five things they accomplished each week, an effort he said would increase accountability.

Critics argued that the government was consolidating too much power under Musk, a private citizen.

Musks once commanding presence in the Trump Administration appeared to diminish in recent weeks. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Whats next for DOGE?

Although Musk is formally departing the government to focus more on his companies, he said Friday that he plans to continue advising Trump and DOGE. I expect to continue to provide advice whenever the President would like that advice, Musk said.

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Trump interjected: I hope so.

Trump and Musk both said that DOGEs efforts will continue following Musks departure, but the White House has yet to announce details on its revised leadership structure. The agency is scheduled to sunset in 2026.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that DOGE will be led by each and every member of the Presidents cabinet and the President himself. She added that the goal remains the same: to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the government.

Some have speculated that Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget known for his role drafting the conservative Project 2025 agenda, could soon take the helm of DOGE. The longtime Trump ally and budget guru worked closely with Musk on the initiative, leading efforts to cut agency regulations and pushing a controversial idea in favor of Trumps authority to impound funds.

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Trump confirmed that many of Musks associates are staying on the DOGE team.

This is not the end of DOGE, but really the beginning, Musk said Friday, comparing himself to the Buddha. The DOGE influence will only grow stronger. I liken it to a sort of person of Buddhism. It's like a way of life. It is permeating throughout the government, and I'm confident that over time, we will see a trillion dollars of savingsa trillion dollars of waste and fraud reduction.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
Investors gave a big thumbs-up to E.l.f. Beautys surprise announcement that it snapped up Hailey Biebers Rhode in a deal valued at $1 billion, despite increased pressure from tariffs.

The beauty companys share price surged 24 percent to close at $111.84 Thursday on the back of the news, which shocked many industry insiders.

More from WWD

The deal marks E.l.f.s biggest to date, and consists of $800 million in cash and stock payable at closing, and an additional potential earnout consideration of $200 million based on the future growth of the brand over a three-year timeframe. To fund the deal, which is expected to close during the second quarter, E.l.f. secured $600 million in debt financing.

In a research note, Anna Lizzul, an analyst at Bank of America, said she sees the deal as a positive for several reasons, including that since Rhode is an entirely direct-to-consumer brand, E.l.f. has significant distribution opportunity.

This will start to happen soon as its launching in Sephora stores in the U.S. and Canada in the fall, and Sephora U.K. by the end of the year. E.l.f. also recently launched its namesake brand at Sephora Mexico and sees opportunities for Rhode there too, as well as other international markets.

During an earnings call with investors, E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin said: Sephoras standard approach is to test a brand in a subset of stores before scaling. Given Rhodes breakthrough DTC success and Sephoras belief in the potential of the brand, Rhode is planned to launch in all Sephora stores across the U.S. and Canada this fall, and in the U.K. by the end of the year. Sephora sees Hailey well beyond her celebrity status. They view her as a thoughtful founder with a unique vision, incredible instinct and desirable aesthetic.

Lizzul expects Rhode to be accretive to gross margin, EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization] margin, and earnings, suggesting room for deeper investments in marketing.

John Andersen, an analyst at William Blair, shared the same sentiment: We believe the company is well positioned to be a share gainer in global beauty  cosmetics and skin care  and view the planned acquisition of Rhode as another strong arrow in the companys quiver. More specific, our recent review of [legacy] E.l.f. Beautys brand and white space opportunities suggest it can grow sales at a double-digit rate and can become a $3 billion business at retail by 2030, and Rhode should now be incremental to that.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  As tariffs on imports continue to affect Myrtle Beach businesses, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce asked its member businesses on Tuesday if they need more help navigating the changes.

The Chamber sent out a survey to its member businesses to see if the Chamber needs to give those businesses more educational resources to better handle tariffs effects.

News13 spoke to the owner of Maz Fresco Supermarket, which is not a Chamber member business. It is scheduled to open in two weeks.

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The owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, says tariffs have not yet affected the supermarket. However, he is worried that may change and impact the stores success.

As a grocery store, we want to be able to bring the best price to the market, the owner of Maz Fresco said. By that being in place, it would actually change the pricing, which would hurt the customers and us because people wont buy anything.

He also says he cannot stock up on his products from Mexico and Latin America because they will not last.

Our cookies and anything else other than canned goods only has about a month, a month-and-a-half-worth of shelf life, the owner said. So, you cant really sit there and stock a lot of things because we dont have the space to stock things like that.

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News13 also spoke to the owner of Asian Mart, another non-member business. Sak Yiengjuntuek said the market gets many of its products from China and Japan.

Unlike Maz Fresco, Asian Mart can stock up. Therefore, its customers can pay the same prices, even if tariffs increase.

But when suppliers raise their prices, Yiengjuntuek says he needs to do the same.

Sometimes suppliers, they change my price, he said. I have to do, probably, a 2% to 5% increase. Thats the most that I can do right now because I dont want to hurt the customers and local community here.

The U.S. currently has a 25% tariff on Mexican imports and a 20% tariff on Chinese imports.

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* * *

Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Astronomers have discovered a cosmic anomaly thats throwing out pulses of radio waves and X-rays every 44 minutes, and theyre stumped. Dubbed ASKAP J1832-0911, the object was detected by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, and its gotten attention.

This object is unlike anything we have seen before, said Andy Wang, an astronomer at Curtin University and lead author of a new study published in Nature. ASKAP J1832-0911 could be a magnetar or a pair of stars in a binary system with a highly magnetised white dwarf. However, even those theories dont fully explain what we are observing.

The discovery places ASKAP J1832-0911 in a rare class of astrophysical phenomena known as long-period transients (LPTs)cosmic lighthouses that emit radio waves at intervals of minutes or even hours. Unlike better-known pulsars, which release bursts of radio signals every few seconds or milliseconds, LPTs have been a cosmic mystery since their first detection in 2022. Only 10 have been catalogued so far.

What sets ASKAP J1832-0911 apart is its dual emission of radio and X-ray signals. The Chandra observatorys confirmation of X-rays from an LPT marks a first in astronomical observations, offering a potential breakthrough in understanding these enigmatic objects. Discovering that ASKAP J1832-0911 was emitting X-rays felt like finding a needle in a haystack, Wang said.

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Nanda Rea, a co-author from the Catalan Institute for Space Studies in Spain, suggested that this find hints at a broader population of similar objects. Finding one such object hints at the existence of many more, Rea said. The discovery of its transient X-ray emission opens fresh insights into their mysterious nature.

As researchers prepare for more observations with radio and X-ray telescope pairs, the hope is to unlock new models of stellar evolution or even unearth physics that weve yet to understand.

Related: New Discovery Reveals Gold May Be Leaking From Earths Core

Mysterious Object Beaming Strange Signals to Earth first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025






New York City's Office of the Medical Examiner tells PEOPLE that Kiyanna Winfield, a 1-month-old initially believed to have been killed by a dog mauling, was actually dead before the dog bit her

The infant was asleep between her parents when her mother allegedly woke to see their 6-month-old pit bull mix gnawing on the child's face around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday

The dog was seized by Animal Control, according to the agency's press office









The New York City medical examiner has determined that a deceased Queens newborn's injuries were inflicted by the family dog only after the infant had already died  contradicting initial police claims that the dog killed the child.

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Police initially believed that 1-month-old Kiyanna Winfield had been killed by her family's 6-month-old German Shepherd-pit bull mix while she and her parents slept on Tuesday morning in their apartment, PEOPLE previously reported.



But although the animal did bite the child, it did so post-mortem, according to New York City's Office of the Medical Examiner.

"The cause and manner of death are pending further study and will require additional testing, but the medical examiner has been able to determine this is not a fatal dog mauling," a spokesperson for the office tells PEOPLE.

Police were called to the Long Island City home on 12th Street near 41st Avenue just after 6:30 a.m. yesterday, per the New York Police Department's press office.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The child's mother told responding officers that she woke to find her dog gnawing her daughter's face as the baby laid between her and the child's stepfather.

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The baby, just born last month, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbors told CBS News New York that their building is full of friendly dogs and were shocked to hear the tragic news.



"As a mom of three, I was sad. Because honestly, as a parent, you don't expect your pet to attack your child," neighbor Maria Gutierrez told the outlet.

No arrests have been made, per the NYPD, which said the investigation is ongoing.

The dog was seized by Animal Control, a DCPI officer tells PEOPLE. The NYPD's press office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on People
Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks during a 2024 news conference in the Missouri House Lounge, flanked by House Speaker Dean Plocher, left, and state Rep. Justin Sparks (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

A new lawsuit filed by the Missouri NAACP accuses Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey of failing to follow state law last year when the annual vehicle stops report omitted data that shows whether minority motorists are being stopped more frequently than white drivers.

Filed Tuesday in Cole County, the lawsuit also accuses Bailey and the University of Missouri of violating the state Sunshine Law by withholding documents showing why the information called a disparity index was left out of the report on stops during 2023 and whether it was calculated at all.

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The lawsuit was filed just days before the report for stops in 2024 is due on Sunday.

The disparity index is a ratio of stops among an identifiable group compared to their share of the population of driving age. If the ratio is one, it means that traffic stops in that particular group align with their share of the whole.

Bailey has an absolute, statutory and ministerial duty, pursuant to (state law), to include a disparity index, that is a comparison of the percentage of stopped motor vehicles driven by each minority group and the percentage of the states population that each minority group comprises, in his annual report, the lawsuit states.

In the executive summary of the report issued June 1, 2024, the omission was explained as a decision to stop using a data point of questionable value and sometimes incorrect interpretation.

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A disparity index of two for any minority group, the summary states, means very different things in a community where 10% of the population are members of that group compared to a community where 50% of the population are members of that group.

The (vehicle stops report) already provides detailed information on traffic stops and rates relative to subgroup population, so no new objective information is provided by calculating the index, the summary states.

Missouri NAACP President Nimrod Chapel Jr. speaks during a May 15 rally on the Missouri Capitol steps (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

But Rod Chapel, president of the Missouri NAACP and a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said questions about the usefulness of a data point are not enough to excuse ignoring the law that requires it.

The requirements of the statute are clear, there shall be a disparity index that is produced by the attorney general, he said. Last year, Attorney General Bailey recognized that, I think, in his summary, and chose not to do it.

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For the state as a whole, the report for 2023 shows, 538 police agencies made almost 1.4 million traffic stops, issued almost 570,000 citations and made 57,713 arrests. White motorists accounted for 77% of the stops, another 17.3% of the motorists were Black and 3.1% were Hispanic.

The Independent calculated a disparity index that showed the index for white drivers was 0.97 while the index for black drivers was 1.59. For Hispanic drivers, the disparity index was 0.8, indicating stops in smaller numbers than their portion of the population. Those figures are similar to what past reports showed.

In the lawsuit, the NAACP is asking for an order directing Bailey to publish the disparity index calculations for the state as a whole and for the 538 police agencies that submitted reports on their traffic stops. The lawsuit also asks for an order stating he has a statutory obligation to include it in future reports and to turn over records requested last year regarding the decision to omit the index.

The Sunshine Law violations alleged in the lawsuit state that the last communication from the attorney generals office regarding a Nov. 13 request for records was Feb. 26. Baileys office said records would be ready in a week but has not delivered them, the lawsuit states.

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The University of Missouri performed calculations presented in the report, and the NAACP sought records regarding those calculations and the decision not to include the index. On May 16, the university, after taking six months, delivered 44,300 documents. But it also said, according to the lawsuit, that many of the records identified in response to your search criteria have been withheld under Sunshine Law provisions allowing records to be closed.

One of the exemptions cited is that the withheld records were related to legal actions or litigation or confidential or privileged communications with attorneys. In the court filing, the NAACP says that claim is a ruse because, other than the lawsuit filed Tuesday, the University of Missouri is not involved in legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving the requested documents.

Baileys office said it would not comment on the lawsuit.

University of Missouri spokesman Christopher Ave, in an email, said we deny liability for the violation alleged in this case and plan to present our defenses in court.

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The vehicle stops report has been published since 2000 under a law intended to detect and prevent racial profiling of motorists. The data reported has been refined over the years, including the disparity index.

The most recent version of the disparity index, before it was discontinued, was calculated based on total stops within a jurisdiction and for stops of motorists who reside within that jurisdiction.

That is an improvement in the data, Chapel said, because it shows whether minority visitors to tourist areas are being stopped in greater numbers than the resident population. The NAACP travel advisory for Missouri issued in 2017 used data from the vehicle stops reports to state that African Americans are 75 per cent more likely to be stopped and searched based on skin color than Caucasians.

The allegation is supported by data on stops that result in discovery of contraband, Chapel said.

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If you look at most of the data, it says that black and brown people get stopped more than anybody else, but the rate at which theyre found with contraband is lower, Chapel said. So that would say that we are misusing community resources in a way that is not effective.

In 2023, 25.5% of white drivers searched had contraband, compared to 20.5% for Black drivers and 16.3% for Hispanic drivers. Black and Hispanic drivers were, however, much more likely to receive a citation after the stop, with 38.2% of white drivers stopped receiving a ticket, compared to 55.2% for Black drivers and 50.4% for Hispanic drivers.

Don Love of Columbia, who has been analyzing the annual vehicle stops reports for more than a decade, said that he dislikes the disparity index because it is an imprecise measure of officer motives for a stop.

Hes argued for a new method to replace it.

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What they did wasnt replace it, but just to leave it out entirely, Love said. It wasnt good, but its illegal for them not to have it in there.

The use of ratios to analyze the data should be expanded, he said, to cover other data in the report, including the number of drivers searched, the contraband found and the arrests made, as well as whether drivers get a citation or just a warning.

Breaking the stop data into resident and non-resident stops added a new dimension to the data, Love said.

If you look at what happens for Black drivers when they leave their home jurisdictions and go someplace else, theres something more than two times the white rate, he said.

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Omitting the disparity index was not done without thought, Chapel said. The lawsuit is intended to discover the motive and prove that the law requires it as part of the report, he added.

Theres any number of things that the attorney general is supposed to do, Chapel said, and if hes just making the decision not to do it, we deserve to know.

This story was updated at 8 a.m. June 4 to correctly state the results of searches of vehicles after a stop.

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South Carolina Rep. Nancy Maces former staffers spoke out about her alleged strange behavior in a new report from WIRED.

Several past staffers claim that they were asked to create burner accounts on social media to monitor comments about Mace and even reply, "saying things that werent true," in order to boost her image.

The reporting, which Mace's office dismissed as "laughable," comes one week after the congresswoman shocked her colleagues by reportedly showing an image of her naked body during a House subcommittee meeting.









Former staffers of South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace are accusing the controversial congresswoman of making some questionable requests of her team.

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In a new report from WIRED, several past staffers spoke out against Mace, 47, under the condition of anonymity in order to avoid retaliation from their former boss. Mace's office dismissed the report as "laughable" when reached for comment by PEOPLE.

Some of the former workers alleged to WIRED that the Republican lawmaker would frequently monitor her image on social media, even creating bots to post in support of her. She allegedly also asked staffers to create fake profiles on social media in order to keep an eye on discourse and boost her online image.

We had to make multiple accounts, burner accounts, and go and reply to comments, saying things that werent trueeven Reddit forums, a former staffer claimed. We were congressional staff, and there were actual things we could be doing to help the constituents.

The congresswoman, once a self-described never Trumper, has become one of the presidents most outspoken allies in Congress during his second term. She has touted her tech expertise as a member of the House subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation.

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In fact, WIRED's sources claimed, Mace would often describe herself as a self-taught coder.

I would say [it was] at least a weekly comment, if not daily, another said of the congresswomans tech boasting.

PEOPLE asked Mace's office for comment on the WIRED report, to which spokesperson Sydney Long sarcastically warned that her response would have to be short. "I would give you an additional comment but we're too busy creating burner accounts, according to former staff," she prefaced.

Long's official statement read, "As Congresswoman Maces Communications Director, I can say with complete confidence: Ive never been asked to create a burner account, and the suggestion is laughable."

Andrew Harnik/Getty Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks off the House floor before a vote on the Republican budget plan on April 10, 2025 Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks off the House floor before a vote on the Republican budget plan on April 10, 2025

The latest reporting from WIRED comes just one week after Maces latest buzzy appearance on Capitol Hill. Just five months into the congressional term, she has already come under fire for yelling trans slurs on the House floor, hurling profanity at a constituent in an Ulta store, and threatening a fellow congresswoman to "take it outside" during a heated exchange.

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And most recently, Mace shocked colleagues by showing what she said was a screenshot of her "naked body" during a House subcommittee hearing.

On May 20, Mace delivered a speech at a hearing for the House Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee, titled Breach of Trust: Surveillance in Private Spaces."

During the speech, Mace  who accused her former fiance, Patrick Bryant, and three other men of rape and sexual misconduct in a nearly hour-long speech on the House floor on Feb. 10  recalled an alleged incident in which she said Bryant set up a "secret camera" without her knowledge.

Speaking in front of a black and white screenshot, Mace pointed out the silhouette of a body circled in yellow standing on the right side of the screen.

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Behind me is a screenshot from one of the videos I found of myself. The yellow circle, this naked silhouette, is my naked body," she claimed. I didnt know that I had been filmed. I didnt give my consent. I didnt give my permission."

The congresswoman went on to claim that her ex had secretly filmed her and saved the video "for over three years," allegedly without her knowing. She also claimed that he had filmed other women "without their knowledge, without their permission, and without their consent."

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Bryant has repeatedly denied Mace's allegations. Following her May 20 remarks, he shared a statement on Facebook, insisting, "I categorically deny the false and outrageous claims made by Nancy Mace. I have never raped anyone. I have never hidden cameras. I have never harmed any woman. These accusations are not just false they are malicious and deeply personal."

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"My mistake was loving and trusting someone who later weaponized our relationship," he continued. "Nancy Mace made these claims only while standing in Congress, purportedly shielded by legal immunity. If she believed them to be true and there was evidence to support her accusations, she would say them outside the chamber, away from her public role and protections, and pursue them through proper legal channels. She has not done so, because she cannot."

Bryant's statement concluded, "Her allegations are absolutely baseless. And, I will, at the right time, do whatever is necessary and appropriate to clear my name, to prove my integrity, and to restore my reputation in the community."



Read the original article on People
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WGN)  A Naperville man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI and animal cruelty in relation to the beating death of his familys dog, a black and white Shih Tzu named Rocco.

36-year-old Nathan Gonzalez was sentenced to concurrent terms of five and three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following his guilty plea to a pair of felony countsaggravated DUI and aggravated animal cruelty. Aggravated DUI carries a penalty of 1-15 years in prison, depending on its classification, while aggravated animal cruelty carries a 1-3 year prison sentence.

As part of his sentence, Gonzalez was also ordered that he shall not own, harbor or have custody or control of any animal for the remainder of his lifetime.

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On Oct. 23, 2024, DuPage County Circuit Court granted the States motion to deny Gonzalez pre-trial release following allegations that he killed the family dog and threatened his daughter and stepdaughter. He remained in police custody until his sentencing Thursday.

Previous Coverage: Naperville man jailed after allegedly killing family dog, threatening kids

On Sept. 29, 2024, at around 6 a.m., Naperville police dispatch received a 911 call from a 14-year-old female juvenile stating that her stepfather, later identified as Gonzalez, had killed their family dog and threatened the girl and her 11-year-old stepsister.

When officers arrived, they found the two girls at home, but Gonzalez and the family dog, Rocco, were missing. Through the course of their investigation, authorities learned that Gonzalez and his partner were out for the evening, but had a dispute and took separate rides home, with Gonzalez arriving home first.

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After the pair split, police said Gonzalez called his partner and told her he was going to kill Rocco. When she arrived home, she found Gonzalez at home, but Rocco was missing.

At this point, Gonzalez left the home. Several hours later, officers received a phone call telling them Gonzalez had returned home. When officers arrived, they learned that Gonzalez had fled the area on foot and he was found a few blocks away hiding behind a dumpster.

The following day, Naperville Animal Control officers found Rocco at a construction site. A necropsy found blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of Roccos death.

Following an argument with his partner, Nathan Gonzalez violently killed the family dog, Rocco, DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said. Mr. Gonzalezs unconscionable actions, that took the life of a beloved, defenseless family pet, are extremely disturbing. Our pets are family members and deserve our love and comfort, not a violent, painful death as Rocco was forced to endure.

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On Dec. 17, 2023, officers with the Naperville Police Department pulled Gonzalez over for speeding. When speaking with Gonzalez, officers smelled alcohol coming from Gonzalez, who officers said had glassy and bloodshot eyes. During the stop, officers learned that Gonzalez was driving on a suspended license out of Indiana.

He was arrested at the scene, and it was later determined that his BAC was .131. He was charged and released.

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By Joey Roulette

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the U.S. astronauts left on the International Space Station last year by Boeing's troubled Starliner capsule, are on the up after returning to Earth in March, emerging from weeks of physical therapy to ramp up work with Boeing and various NASA programs.

"Right now, we're just coming off of the rehab portion of our return," Wilmore, 62, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. "Gravity stinks for a period, and that period varies for different people, but eventually you get over those neurovestibular balance type of issues."

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Wilmore and Williams, who last year set off for an eight-day Starliner test flight that swelled into a nine-month stay in space, have had to readapt their muscles, sense of balance and other basics of Earth living in a 45-day period standard for astronauts returning from long-term space missions.

The astronaut duo have spent at least two hours a day with astronaut strength and reconditioning officials within NASA's medical unit while juggling an increasing workload with Boeing's Starliner program, NASA's space station unit in Houston and agency researchers.

"It's been a little bit of a whirlwind," Williams, 59, said in the interview. "Because we also have obligations to all of the folks that we worked with."

Williams said some of her post-spaceflight side effects were slower to clear up and she felt tired in late stages of recovery, as dozens of various muscles re-engaged. That made it hard for her to wake up as early in the mornings as she likes, until a little more than a week ago.

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"Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back," she said.

Wilmore had some issues with his back and neck before heading to space, being unable to turn his head all the way to the side, he said. That all went away in space where "you don't have any stress on your body."

When he returned in March, gravity greeted him with the neck pain he left on Earth.

"We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still hadn't even been extracted yet," he said, laughing.

The human body, evolved over millions of years in the gravity of Earth's surface, was not meant for spaceflight.

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The absence of gravity triggers an array of physical effects over time, such as muscle atrophy or cardiovascular shifts that can cause a chain reaction of other health changes. Confinement in a small space and higher solar radiation in space, without the protection of Earth's atmosphere, have other effects.

STARLINER PROBLEMS

Propulsion system issues on Boeing's Starliner forced NASA to bring the capsule back without its crew last year and to fold the two astronauts into its normal, long-duration rotation schedule on the ISS.

Boeing, which has taken $2 billion in charges on its Starliner development, faces a looming decision by NASA to refly the spacecraft uncrewed before it carries humans again. Boeing spent $410 million to fly a similar uncrewed mission in 2022 after a 2019 testing failure.

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Reflying Starliner uncrewed "seems like the logical thing to do," Williams said, drawing comparisons with Elon Musk's SpaceX and Russian capsules that flew uncrewed missions before putting humans aboard. She and NASA are pushing for that outcome, Williams added.

"I think that's the correct path," said Williams, who is "hoping Boeing and NASA will decide on that same course of action" soon.

Results from Starliner testing planned throughout the summer are expected to determine whether the spacecraft can fly humans on its next flight, NASA officials have said.

(Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Jamie Freed)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The debate continues between Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell and a Tennessee lawmaker over Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activity in the city.

The city of Nashville released a detailed spreadsheet of 35 interactions the Metro Nashville Police Department had with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Click here to read the complete report.

On May 4, Metro Police Chief John Drake called HSI to ask about immigration operations occurring in Nashville, according to the report. At the time, MNPD did not know about immigration efforts in the city. The HSI said they would not be in Nashville, but in neighboring counties, and investigators were working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

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In response to the release of detailed communications, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said by publicly posting the names of Department of Homeland Security and ICE agents handing intel to gangs like MS-13, who can now track down and potentially target these officers.

DHS: 196 arrested in Nashville ICE operations, 5 names released

State Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) wrote that OConnell is using official taxpayer resources to endanger DHS and HSI officials

The mayor has continued to say Metro police had no part in the major ICE operation. Homeland Security and judiciary committees will look into the mayor, his conduct and whether or not the city used federal dollars criminally, related to immigration.

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Congressman Andy Ogles confirms federal investigation into Nashville mayors office over illegal immigration

Business owners gathered Thursday morning to support local businesses struggling in light of the recent ICE operations and educate them on how to be prepared.

The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce chose to meet at Las Americas on Nolensville Pike once they learned the businesses was struggling.

The owner told News 2 in the last months or so, his business has lost out on more than half of its normal sales because workers and customers are afraid to come to the restaurant.

Nashville releases timeline of ICE activity across city

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He said its had an even bigger impact on business than the COVID-19 pandemic.

The only thing I can do is work like always. You can do nothing about that. If you dont have nothing for your family. Youre missing everything, explained owner Gerardo Gomez.

The operation ended with 196 people arrested, according to a statement from DHS that also claimed the Nashville mayor stands by pro-illegal policies.

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By Kalea Hall

DETROIT (Reuters) -General Motors is investing $888 million at a New York propulsion plant to increase engine production and build a next-generation V8, the company said on Tuesday.

The investment at the Tonawanda propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York, first reported by Reuters, is a shift from a previously announced $300 million commitment to make electric-vehicle drive units at the plant.

The move is likely another sign of automakers adapting to slower-than-expected market demand for EVs and comes after the Detroit automaker aggressively lobbied Congress to rescind California electric-vehicle rules.

GM said the investment will support the sixth generation of GMs V-8 engines, used in full-size trucks and SUVs expected to be more fuel-efficient.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the project will support 870 jobs at Tonawanda Propulsion, including 177 jobs deemed at risk. The state plans to provide up to $16.96 million in tax credits in return for investment commitments.

New York said last week it would pause penalties associated with any shortfalls of EV sales for two years.

GM has been more adamant in staying the course on its move to EVs than other automakers, but has also pulled back on some of its previously announced EV investments, including selling its stake in a battery cell plant to battery partner LG Energy.

GM CEO Mary Barra has said the automaker has a plan to sell only electric light-duty vehicles by 2035 but has said it will "be responsive to where the customer is."

Executives have more recently positioned the company to be focused on adapting to customer demand for EVs, but the automaker has also continued launching the vehicles. It now has about a dozen EVs available in the United States.

GM committed to a $300 million investment for drive unit production at the Tonawanda plant during the 2023 negotiations with the United Auto Workers union. Production of the drive units had not been launched there.

(Reporting by Kalea Hall in Detroit; Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Albany, New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Nassau County animal abusers could face jail time and hefty fines, and be prohibited from owning a pet in the future under proposed new legislation.

County Legislator John Ferretti introduced the bill, which would also double the time an abuser is listed on the offender registry, on Wednesday outside the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh.

First-time offenders will remain on the registry for 10 years and repeat abusers will remain on the list for 20 years, the legislation proposes.

Animal abusers across Nassau County could face serious jail time and possibly be banned from owning pets under new legislation proposed this week. Dennis A. Clark

The bill also toughens restrictions for all convicted abusers on the offender registry  which is currently 16 people  by making it a misdemeanor to own animals, according to the Nassau SPCA.

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If they are caught owning a pet, they would face a year behind bars and be slapped with fines of up to $1,000.

I feel that if you have abused an animal, you have lost the right to own an animal, Ferretti said.

This is more than just a legal issue, its a moral issue.

Earlier this month, neighboring Suffolk County passed a similar law, barring convicted animal abusers from owning pets and enacting the same penalties that Nassau has proposed.

County Legislator John Ferretti announced a landmark county legislation that would double the time an abuser is listed on the offender registry outside the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh, Wednesday. vvvita  stock.adobe.com

As for the timing of the legislation, great minds think alike, Ferretti told The Post.

He explained that his bill was drafted months before Suffolks was passed  but after seeing their legislation, the legislator implemented some of their law into his proposal.

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We have an obligation to protect our family, and thats what our pets are, theyre voiceless members of our family, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them, he said.

First-time offenders will be on the registry for 10 years, while repeat offenders will be on the list for 20 years. Dennis A. Clark

Gary Rodgers, a detective with the Nassau SPCA, echoed Ferrettis sentiments and pointed to data that suggests serial killers and mass murderers start with abusing pets.

Rodgers stressed the importance of stopping the sickos hurting animals before they move onto human victims  and said he believes this crackdown can make a difference.

This bill is very important, Rodgers said.

It gives us more teeth in the law that we need.

Ferrettis legislation is expected to be voted on during the legislative session on June 9.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Theres a new mission to help preserve historic symbols of power and innovation here in New Mexico. The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History is launching a campaign to preserve two significant artifacts in its collection  the Redstone Missile and the Convair RIM-2 Terrier surface-to-air missile.

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The museum says these missiles represent pivotal moments for America during the Cold War with Redstone launching the first American astronaut, and the Terrier playing a role in national defense. The museum says time in the desert has taken its toll, leading to faded paint and weathered surfaces.

The Redstone and Terrier missiles are more than just static displays; they are tangible links to our nations past and powerful tools for inspiring future generations in STEM fields, said President and CEO Jennifer Hayden. Preserving these iconic artifacts honors American innovation, reminds us of our nations strength, and upholds our responsibility as stewards of history.

The museum is trying to raise $40,000 to repaint, sand, and preserve these artifacts.

The campaign officially launches on Monday, June 2 and runs through July 4. Donations can be made online.

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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.
Video: Arkansas bill would prevent Pharmacy Benefit Managers from owning pharmacies

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A lawsuit was filed in Little Rock federal court on Thursday to overturn an Arkansas law preventing pharmacy benefit managers from operating pharmacies in the state.

The suit filed by the pharmacy benefit management firm Express Scripts by Evernorth claims that Act 624 of 2025 violates the Constitution and federal law. It requests that the court prevent Act 624 from going into effect.

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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs bill blocking PBM ownership of pharmacies into law

St. Louis-based Express Scripts is the pharmacy benefit management arm of The Cigna Group, a multinational health care and insurance company. Pharmacy benefits managers act as intermediaries between pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies to set rates, including the compensation amounts paid to pharmacies.

Act 624 prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies in Arkansas.

The lawsuit claims that Act 624 violates the Constitutions Commerce Clause and the Privileges & Immunities Clause. It also states the law violates the Constitutions Attainder Clause, which prevents laws from being passed that punish individuals or groups without a trial.

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The lawsuit continues to claim that it interferes with federal law since the act would prevent Express Scripts from honoring its TRICARE contract with the Department of Defense. TRICARE is the health plan, including pharmacy support, for active duty National Guard, reserve, and retired military members and their families.

The suit has multiple plaintiffs under the Express Scripts umbrella and is filed against the state pharmacy board and its members.

CVS shares statement after Arkansas bill restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies is signed into law

Evernorth Health Services Vice President of Pharmacy Practice and pharmacist Susan Peppers said the suit was filed to ensure continued access to care.

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Our family of pharmaciesincluding Express Scripts Pharmacy, Accredo Specialty Pharmacy and Freedom Fertility Pharmacyare proud to serve Arkansans, and this law will disrupt their access to the care we provide, Peppers said. If this law takes effect in January, hundreds of thousands of Arkansans will be left scrambling to navigate the forced closure of pharmacies and finding new ways to get their medicines and critical clinical support.

Peppers continued that Evernorth was doing everything we can to protect Arkansas patients.

Arkansas Attorney General Griffin signs letter asking for federal law to prohibit Pharmacy Benefit Managers from owning pharmacies

Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office will defend against the case, stated that PBMs hinder access and quality.

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Pharmacy benefit managers wield outsized power to reap massive profits at the expense of consumers, Griffin said. The rise of PBMs as middlemen in the prescription drug market has resulted in patients facing fewer choices, lower quality care, and higher prices.

Griffin added that PBMs leverage their affiliated pharmacies to manipulate prices, corrupt the market, and destroy competition. Through Act 624, Arkansas is standing up to PBMs on behalf of consumers, and I will vigorously defend our law.

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OXON HILL, Md. (AP)  With the benefit of hindsight, Vikram Raju knows there was almost no chance he would win after being a runner-up in the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The chances of getting that high are infinitesimally small, and the chances of doing it again are an order of magnitude smaller, obviously, Vikram said Wednesday. So its a really daunting feeling as well because you always try to outdo yourself from the previous year.

Don't tell Faizan Zaki those odds.

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Faizan, who lost to Bruhat Soma in a spell-off tiebreaker last year, was the only speller to earn a perfect score on the written spelling and vocabulary test that determined this year's quarterfinalists. Then he breezed through seven rounds on Wednesday to become one of nine spellers who will compete in Thursday night's finals for a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

And he's done it all with insouciant flair, sauntering to the microphone in a black hoodie, shaggy hair in his face. Once he's sure of the word, he takes his hands out of his sweatshirt pouch and matter-of-factly says each letter while he mimics typing in the air.

The 13-year-old seventh-grader from Allen, Texas, finally showed a bit of vulnerability on coterell, the word that got him to the finals, and he celebrated with a big fist pump after racing through its eight letters.

It was just very relieving. I have a lot of expectations put on me, so I'm just excited that I'm going to the finals again, Faizan said.

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No matter how often he flexes his knowledge of roots and unfamiliar language patterns, historical trends suggest Faizan is an underdog. In 96 bees over 100 years, only four runners-up have later gone on to win, and just one did so in the last 44 years: Sean Conley, the 2001 champion who finished second the year before.

Hopefully I can get it done, Faizan said. Especially back home, all of my friends, they tell me that I need to win this year.

Other runners-up

Disappointment has taken many forms for recent runners-up.

Naysa Modi, who finished second in 2018, was eliminated in 2019 by a written test that winnowed the field to 50 spellers, only to watch in dismay as the bee declared eight co-champions who aced words that she also knew.

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Simone Kaplan, the runner-up to those 2019 octo-champs, didn't get a chance to come back because the 2020 bee was canceled due to COVID-19.

Chaitra Thummala, runner-up to Zaila Avant-garde in 2021, never contended again, even though she had two more years before she aged out of the competition. Spellers can't be older than 15 or past the eighth grade.

Then came Vikram, who didn't make it back in 2023 after a regional bee in Denver that lasted 53 rounds over a span of more than five hours. Vikram and his parents unsuccessfully appealed to Scripps that he misspelled because the bee's pronouncer made one of several mistakes.

Now 15, Vikram returned to the bee to support his younger brother, Ved  who bowed out in the semifinals  and he's long past any bitter feelings about how his spelling career ended.

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Even if you know every single word in the dictionary, there are just factors that are completely out of your control, Vikram said. The nerves might get too big someday. Maybe the audience is distracting you in that one moment. Maybe your tongue slips. Maybe you get too excited."

I dont want to say that luck is the most important factor, but its a huge factor in this competition, he continued.

Youth and experience

Jacques Bailly has been the bee's lead pronouncer for 22 years, or nearly three times as long as this year's youngest speller has been alive.

Yet meeting Bailly was the highlight of a precocious bee debut for Zachary Teoh, an 8-year-old second-grader from Houston.

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We got to read the dictionary together! Zachary exclaimed.

Zachary was better than half the field in his bee debut. Out of 243 spellers, his official placement was a tie for 74th place after he bowed out on a vocabulary word  manifold  during the quarterfinals. He said he felt like it was among the more difficult vocabulary questions, and he knew how to spell the word even though he couldn't define it.

If Zachary somehow makes it back to the bee in each of his six remaining years of eligibility, he would break the record of six appearances held by Akash Vukoti, who debuted in 2016 at age 6 and spelled his final word in 2023.

Zachary wore a green tartan cardigan that he said has been his lucky garment since kindergarten. Its getting a bit snug.

If they give me a new one, he said, referring to his proud parents, I can wear both.

___

Ben Nuckols has covered the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2012. Follow his work here.
The United Kingdom and Germany will convene the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Format, at NATO Headquarters on 4 June 2025.

Source: press service for Alliance, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The previous Ramstein Format meeting was held on 11 April in Brussels, also convened by the UK and Germany.

Britain and Germany assumed coordination of the Ramstein Format following the change of presidential administration in the United States. Earlier meetings, starting in 2022 under Joe Bidens administration, were chaired by the US.

Background:

On 11 April, Germany and other countries announced the formation of the Electronic Warfare Coalition for Ukraine.

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Ramstein participants, calling for the supply of 10 Patriot systems.

The day after the upcoming Ramstein meeting, on 5 June, NATO defence ministers will gather at the headquarters to prepare for the Alliances summit in The Hague later in June.

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NATO wants Germany to contribute seven more brigades, or roughly 40,000 troops, to boost collective defense against Russia, Bloomberg and Reuters reported on May 28, citing their sources.

The news comes amid mounting tensions between the alliance and Russia and an increasingly uncertain U.S. commitment to European security.

The alliance's overall demand for the number of brigades provided by member states could go from 80 to between 120 and 130, an undisclosed senior official told Reuters.

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Germany agreed to provide 10 brigades to NATO by 2030. It currently fields nine brigades  each comprising around 5,000 soldiers  including one new formation stationed in Lithuania.

Though no firm date for implementing the changes has been set, 2030 has been mentioned as a preferred deadline, Bloomberg reported.

Allied defense ministers are expected to discuss the matter during a meeting in Brussels next week.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted European countries to hike defense spending in order to revive their military capabilities, which atrophied after decades of disarmament following the Cold War.

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The matter gained more urgency after signals that the U.S., the most powerful military in NATO, plans to scale down its presence in Europe as President Donald Trump shifts strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko recently warned that Russia will be able to replenish its forces between two and four years after the war in Ukraine, allowing it to launch aggression against Europe.

Read also: If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem

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MILLINGTON, Tenn.  The Navy is calling for assistance from some Millington homeowners or business owners with private drinking water wells to test for possible chemicals near the former Naval Air Station Memphis.

They are sampling water from private drinking wells to ensure its safe and meets the federal governments guidelines.

FBI targets Memphis cargo thefts to combat rising crime

Residents are being asked to schedule a sampling appointment by June 27.

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The Navy says its doing this because groundwater samples collected in 2023, from the former Naval Air Station in Memphis, exceeded the EPAs National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

Officials say the groundwater samples contained firefighting foam or other materials with human-made chemicals, also known as PFAs.

The Navy wants to determine if the water in nearby private drinking wells contains similar levels.

NAS-Memphis-PFAS-FactSheet-May-2025Download

Samples are not needed if your water is provided by the City of Millington or MLGW.

They say if your water is not publicly owned, your assistance is requested. Officials say you can expect to receive the preliminary results within 30 days.

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If the water samples dont meet federal guidelines, officials tell WREG they will work with property owners for a solution.

The Navy is asking residents to leave a name, property address, and phone number, and a representative will return the call. To schedule an appointment, call 888-671-2560.

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A middle school student from Concord is in the finals of the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Aishwarya Kallakuri, 14, will compete against eight other finalists Thursday night for the coveted Scripps Cup and a $50,000 cash prize. Kallakuri is an eighth-grade student at Valor Preparatory Academy in Concord.

If she wins the 2025 competition, Kallakuri would be the first speller from North Carolina to do so since 1970, when Libby Childress of Winston-Salem won by correctly spelling croissant.

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Kallakuri previously competed in the 2024 competition, tying for 23rd in the semifinals. This year, she clinched her spot among the nine finalists by spelling tallygalone, which is a type of Australian fish.

Holden Good, left, sits alongside Aishwarya Kallakuri, right, onstage at the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland. They were the last two remaining NC spellers in the competition until Goods elimination in the ninth round.

4 NC spellers make the semifinals

Eight students from North Carolina were among the 243 competitors from around the country in this years contest in National Harbor, Maryland. Of those, four made it to the quarterfinals and, later, semifinals.

Kallakuri made the semifinals along with three students from Wake County: Sach Akella of Cary, Holden Good of Raleigh and Kushi Gottimukkala of Raleigh.

Akella and Gottimukkala were eliminated in the seventh round, tying for 41st. Good was eliminated in the ninth round, tying for 20th place.

How to watch the National Spelling Bee

The finals of the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee air live Thursday at 8 p.m. You can watch it over the air, on cable, satellite or online on ION.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCT)  The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicle welcomed 80 new employees Thursday, after their annual graduation ceremony.

The ceremony took place at the DMV headquarters and comes after the employees five week training program. They will be placed at DMVs across the state to help improve services at driver license offices.

At DMV, we are a customer-focused organization. Our mission is to make every interaction with our customers as smooth, efficient, and as positive as possible, said Paul Tine, DMV Commissioner. The driver license examiners professionalism, patience, and expertise shapes the customers experience and their perception of who we are as an agency.

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Kinston and New Bern are among the agencies receiving a new examiner.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
(This May 28 story has been corrected to say that delivering vehicles and revenue, not the plan, are crucial for Nissan's comeback, in paragraph 4)

By Daniel Leussink and Maki Shiraki

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nissan has started offering buyouts to U.S. workers and has suspended merit-based wage increases worldwide, internal emails reviewed by Reuters showed, as the automaker expands cost cuts amid weak performance in key markets.

CEO Ivan Espinosa announced a new round of cost cuts this month that include closing seven production sites globally and cutting 11,000 more jobs, taking its total planned workforce reduction to around 20,000.

As part of the cuts, Nissan has offered separation packages to workers at its Canton plant in Mississippi as well as to salaried workers in human resources, planning, information technology and finance, showed one email sent last week.

"While substantial efforts have been made in the U.S. to help right-size Nissan, we need to take additional, limited, strategic action here at a local level," Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier said in the email. "The work we are doing today is crucial for Nissan's comeback - delivering the vehicles, revenue and delighted customers necessary for our long-term success," he said.

Reuters could not determine how many people have been offered buyouts or how many have accepted.

A separate email reviewed by Reuters showed Japan's third-biggest automaker has also suspended merit-based pay increases globally for the current business year.

The automaker said in a statement that Nissan North America is offering a voluntary separation program to a limited group of U.S. salaried employees. It declined to give more details as the process is ongoing.

Cutting U.S. workforce runs counter to President Donald Trump's aim of creating jobs and boosting domestic manufacturing through initiatives including a 25% tariff on imported vehicles.

But Nissan's operating profit margin in North America including the U.S., its biggest market, worsened in the business year ended March, even as it sold more cars than a year earlier.

It offered buyouts to Canton workers after launching a job-cut plan in November and has now followed that up with another round.

Analysts attributed Nissan's troubles to factors including an ageing line-up, a lack of hybrid models in the U.S. and excessive focus on increasing output under former top executive Carlos Ghosn whose near two-decade year tenure ended in 2018.

Separately, Nissan on Tuesday said it had paid 646 million yen ($4.5 million) in compensation to former CEO Makoto Uchida and three other executive officers who left their positions at the end of March.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU)  News out of the Cornhusker State, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has announced his bid for re-election.

Pillen made the announcement that he will be running for Nebraska Governor on Thursday morning.

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Pillen was sworn in as the states 41st governor back in January of 2023.

A statement from his office claims that over the past few years, Governor Pillen has successfully delivered historic tax relief, raised pay for state troopers, signed constitutional carry into law, and banned men from competing in girls sports.

In that statement, Pillen said in part quote I ran for governor with a clear mission. Make our great state even greater. Together, we are doing just that.

Pillen is the first to announce his campaign in the 2026 Nebraska Gubernatorial Race.

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Commissioners Kim Lowe of Kearney and Bruce Bailey of Lincoln of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. May 29, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission suspended its executive director, Hobert Hobie Rupe, without pay Thursday after a federal search warrant was served on the commission a day before.

The now two-member commission met for less than 3 minutes. Commissioner Bruce Bailey of Lincoln, the commission chair, said the search warrant came based on a joint federal-state investigation into alleged criminal conduct.

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These alleged offenses relate to his fitness and ability to continue to serve in his present position, Bailey said. An immediate suspension is necessary pending receipt of further information.

Bailey and Commissioner Kim Lowe of Kearney both voted to suspend Rupe. No other details were shared. Rupes current salary is $130,596.96.

A spokesperson for the FBI Omaha office confirmed federal agents executed the search warrant Wednesday, and no arrests were made.

Because it is an ongoing investigation, I cannot comment further, the FBI Omaha spokesperson said.

The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office declined to comment Thursday. A call to Rupe went to voicemail.

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The Governors Office declined to comment on a legal issue for a state agency not directly under Gov. Jim Pillens control.

Rupe began serving as the Liquor Control Commissions executive director Jan. 15, 2004. He previously served almost 10 years as an assistant attorney general. Rupe is admitted to practice before the Nebraska Supreme Court, the local U.S. District Court, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1992, Rupe graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Pillens staff said the governor would fill in due course a vacancy in representation on the three-member commission for someone to represent the 2nd Congressional District. The six-year term of former Commissioner Harry Hoch, Jr., of Omaha expired last Saturday.

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Voters in November gave the Liquor Control commissioners additional responsibility by placing the three commissioners also on the states new Medical Cannabis Commission. That new part of the job requires them to craft regulations by July 1 to begin licensing medical cannabis dispensaries by Oct. 1.

At the end of the Thursday meeting, Bailey told those in attendance: You all may be wondering a lot of things, as we are, and youll know more over the next few weeks.

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Republicans in the Nebraska Legislature managed to pass a bill that significantly weakens a voter-backed measure requiring employers to offer paid sick leave. And they did it with the help of a Democrat.

Backers of the bill overcame a filibuster on Wednesday with the exact number of votes needed  33  thanks to the support of a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln.

Raybould, whose family owns several grocery store chains in the state, was also the main sponsor of another bill that sought to restrict a voter-backed minimum wage law. That bill suffered an unexpected defeat earlier this session when a freshman lawmaker failed to show up for a vote on it. Raybould's attempt to attach it to the paid sick leave measure on Wednesday also failed.

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By a nearly 3-to-1 ratio, Nebraska voters in November approved a ballot measure that requires all Nebraska employers to provide at least some paid sick leave to their employees.

The ballot language, which had been set to take effect Oct. 1, required businesses to provide workers with one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to seven days at businesses with more than 20 employees. Employees at smaller businesses could accrue up to five days worth of paid sick leave a year. The leave could be used for the employees themselves or to tend to a family member.

But the bill passed Wednesday and expected to be signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen carves out exceptions. It allows businesses to withhold paid sick leave from 14- and 15-year-olds, as well as from temporary and seasonal agricultural workers. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees would not need to provide paid sick leave at all.

More concerning, opponents say, is a provision that strips from the new law the ability of workers to sue employers who retaliate against them for using paid sick leave. The removal of that enforcement language would essentially gut the paid leave measure, said Sen. John Cavanaugh, who opposed the bill. Cavanaugh reiterated that paid sick leave received nearly 75% approval  more support than most lawmakers got at the polls.

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The voters wanted this more than they wanted you here, he said, addressing fellow lawmakers. This is about respect for the will of the voters.

Nebraska joins other states leading efforts to counter voter-approved policies on everything from paid sick leave to abortion. Some states are seeking to limit the voter initiative process itself, leading to pushback from voters.

Supporters of the Nebraska paid sick leave rollback say they're seeking to protect both workers and businesses. Raybould has said throughout debate this session that teens under 16 will find themselves unable to get an after-school or summer job without changes to both minimum wage and paid sick leave measures. She says no one will hire teens with limited experience and federal child labor restrictions at $15 per hour  the minimum wage set to take effect Jan. 1.

We have to find that balance between business and labor, Raybould said during debate Wednesday. We have to be competitive, and we have to be flexible.

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Others went further, with Republican Sen. Mike Jacobson saying that government telling businesses what wages and benefits they must offer employees threatens democracy. If employees don't like the terms of their employment, he said, it's incumbent on them to find a different job.

Sen. Robert Hallstrom is another Republican who supported restrictions on both the minimum wage and paid sick leave. He said the Legislature has the right to make changes to voter-backed measures, asking if young or seasonal workers who would be affected by those changes would rather have a $10-an-hour job or no job?

The Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans coalition, which was behind the effort to get paid sick leave on the Nebraska ballot last year, said the bill passed Wednesday would remove paid sick leave protections for 140,000 workers in the state.

Despite thousands of Nebraskans demanding that our Legislature honor the clear will of voters, 33 senators ignored those calls yet again today," the coalition said in a statement. "It will prevent thousands of Nebraskans from being able to access the good life.
Neighbors of a former Boy Scout leader charged with molesting a boy and spying on minors say the allegations dont square with the man they know.

Andrew Howard Whaley, 61, is charged with sexually abusing a boy he met while in the scouts.

Investigators said they also found a hidden camera in a bathroom at his Forsyth County home that he allegedly used to record minors.

It is shocking, especially right in your backyard, and you know, we couldnt believe it, said Dianne Lacefield, whose house backs up to a cow pasture Whaley owns in Forsyth County.

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Channel 2s Bryan Mims said the driveway to Whaleys property on Aaron Sosebee Road near Cumming is blocked by a gate.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said this is where agents found the hidden camera and child pornography.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Whaley also owns a cabin and business in Lumpkin County, where hes accused of molesting a boy and possessing child pornography.

Im shocked, I really am, and Im angry if this is all true, said Susan Colangelo, another Forsyth County neighbor who lives in the Villages at Concord Farms subdivision.

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She said she spoke with Whaley when his cows often got loose in the neighborhood. And because shes a nurse, she said Whaley asked for help in caring for his ailing father.

He was a very devoted dad to his kids, but he was very devoted to his father, she said. I feel very sorry for his family. He loved his animals.

In Forsyth County, Whaley is charged with six counts of creation of child pornography and 13 counts of eavesdropping and surveillance.

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In Lumpkin County, hes charged with one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of child molestation and one count of possession of child pornography.

Whaley is locked up in the Lumpkin County jail.

The GBI said this investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with additional information may contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866.

Tips can also be left by contacting the GBI Tipline at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP)  Nepal's mountaineering community celebrated the conquest of the world's highest mountain with a rally of climbers, guides and others who gathered for International Everest Day.

The event Thursday marked the 72nd anniversary of the first summit climb of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.

Nepal's minister for culture and tourism led the celebration in the capital, Kathmandu, that included a walk around the city and a gathering at the old palace.

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We are celebrating May 29 as the international Sagarmatha (Everest) day because the world needs to continue to recognize the achievement and contribution of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, said Ang Tshering, who runs Kathmandu-based Asian Trekking.

The event was not just a celebration for the mountaineering community but also a festival for Nepal and the world, said Tshering, who has helped hundreds of clients scale the Himalayan peaks.

Nepal contains eight of the highest peaks in the world and every year hundreds of foreign climbers fly to the country in South Asia to tackle the mountains. The climbers hire thousands of people in Nepal to assist their climbs by carrying gear, cooking food and generally taking care of them as they spend weeks in the mountains.

Nepal's government collects money from the climbers through permit fees.

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The end of May also marks the end of the popular spring mountaineering season, when climbers finish their adventures and retreat from the peaks before the monsoon season brings foul weather.

"This day is celebrated also to mark the end of the climbing season where we gather climbers and the community," Jiban Ghimire of Shangri-La Nepal Trek said.

According to Nepals Department of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries received permits to climb Everest by the end of May, along with a roughly equal number of Nepalese mountain guides.

Many were able to scale the peak, but officials were still working to verify how many reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit. Climbers must report to the department with proof they reached the summit and cleared their garbage before they are issued the official certificate.

Famed Sherpa guide Kami Rita reached the Everest summit for the 31st time Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most climbs to the top of the famed mountain.
NESS CITY, Kan. (KSNW)  A Ness County couple convicted of mistreating and unlawfully confining a vulnerable adult were sentenced Wednesday in district court.

Lynn and Opal Schmidt were found guilty in March after prosecutors said they subjected the victim to prolonged and inhumane confinement. Lynn Schmidt was convicted of mistreatment of a dependent adult, criminal restraint, and endangerment. Opal Schmidt was convicted of mistreatment of a dependent adult.

Kansas couple discovers hundreds of bones in yard

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Although the state pushed for prison time34 months for Lynn and 38 months for Opalthe court granted probation in both cases. Lynn received 36 months of probation with a 40-day jail term to be served within six months. Opal was also placed on a 36-month probation. Both must perform community service.

The confinement of this victim went beyond unreasonableit was an outright deprivation of freedom and safety, Ness County Attorney Jacob Gayer said in a statement. While the outcome was not what we hoped for, the Court considered all relevant factors and heard thorough arguments from both sides. Ultimately, sentencing decisions rest with the Court, and this result remains within the bounds of Kansas law and sentencing guidelines.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
"I'm the prime minister and I'm hereshe doesnt show up. Arent human lives important enough?" Netanyahu said, according to a KAN report.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara due to her absence from the discussion during Israel's ministerial committee for the eradication of violence and crime in Arab society, KAN reported on Thursday.

"I'm the prime minister, and I'm hereshe doesnt show up. Isn't human life important enough?" he said in reference to the attorney-general, according to a KAN report.

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Deputy Minister Almog Cohen reportedly joined in the criticism, addressing Deputy Attorney-General Sharon Afek: "I cant understand the audacity and nerve she has not to attend such an important meeting."

"Not only is she not cooperatingit seems that, to her, Arab lives are worth much less," Cohen said.

Afek allegedly responded that Baharav-Miara had sent the relevant professional staff, the Deputy State Attorney, and himself.

Israeli attorney-general Gali Baharav Miara attends a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee leads a committee meeting in the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on November 18, 2024. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Attorney-General slams Netanyahu over Shin Bet appointment

This confrontation follows Baharav-Miara's statements on Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to advance the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Zini's position as head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is invalid and illegal, Israeli media reported.

In contraposition, the Israeli government "welcomed" Netanyahu's intention to appoint Zini as the head of the Shin Bet, according to a statement read at an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting, The Jerusalem Post learned.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  As we get closer to warmer temps and summertime, many people might be looking forward to some street food within Sioux Falls.

Los Bros Tacos opened just two months ago. You can find it on South Ellis Road serving up some authentic Mexican dishes.

Weve always enjoyed my mothers cooking. I like to cook like her so I want to share it, I suppose, with other people since we feel like its a good mix of spices and fresh vegetables and meats, Ramon Barraza, owner of Los Bros Tacos, said. My moms from Mexico so its some authentic, home-cooked Mexican recipes from her mother and so on.

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Barraza is looking forward to the summer months in the truck with his family.

Were a family-owned business. I do this with my mom and my brothers and my own son, Barraza said.

Another food truck you can check out this summer is 605 Island Guy. This truck has been around a little longer, coming up on its one year anniversary, but it does offer something newer to the area with its Hawaiian and Polynesian flavors.

Bringing the island flavor to South Dakota but with different twists here and there, Nefu Mageo, owner of 605 Island Guy, said.

Mageo used to run a restaurant at Lake Madison before taking to the streets.

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I love it, I love it. Its giving me the joy that I can do whatever I want, whenever I want and yet you got your kids with you, you family working with you. Its the best thing there is, Mageo said.

You can find him at various spots during the week and at some summer events.

Just come out and try the different flavor of island style and, you know, I bring a different island vibe to food trucks around town here. So, just something different if you want to try something different, Mageo said.

Another new food truck option in Sioux Falls this summer comes from a familiar name  Valentinos has opened a truck to go along with its restaurant.

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You can keep up with many of the areas food trucks through the online street food finder.

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(FOX40.COM)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated after a federal court ruled on Wednesday that President Donald J. Trump exceeded his use of emergency powers to enact broad-sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses.

 Video above: Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announce lawsuit against President Donald Trump over Tariffs

On April 16, Gov. Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit arguing that President Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.

Gov. Newsom and AG Bonta seek injunction to stop Trump tariffs

Like we said when we filed our lawsuit: These tariffs are illegal, full stop. The court agreed today that Donald Trump overstepped his authority with his unlawful tariffs, which have created chaos and hurt American families and businesses. Governor Gavin Newsom

The decision that was made on Wednesday was issued as part of a separate lawsuit that was filed by private parties and other states, but it aligns with the arguments made by California, according to Newsoms administration.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
The upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in the Ramstein format will be held on June 4 in Brussels under the chairmanship of the U.K. and Germany, NATO announced on May 29.

The Ramstein summit will take place as Washington is trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to end Moscow's full-scale war.

In the meantime, Russia is amassing forces for a new offensive against Ukraine while continuing its attacks on civilians across the country, straining Ukrainian air defenses.

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The last Ramstein-format UDCG meeting took place in Brussels on April 11 under the chairmanship of London and Berlin  a position previously held by the U.S.

Leadership over Ramstein transitioned following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the previous meeting, NATO allies committed more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion) in long-term military aid to Ukraine.

The move came amid growing uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine and efforts by European allies to close the gap as Kyiv resists Russia's ongoing war.

Read also: Russia amassed enough troops to attack Ukraines Sumy Oblast, Border Guard warns

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Conduit, a stablecoin company founded in 2021, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $36 million led by Dragonfly Capital and Altos Ventures with participation from Sound Ventures, DCG, and Commerce Ventures. This round, a Series A, brings Conduits total funding to $53 million. The company did not disclose its valuation in the round.

Founder and CEO Kirill Gertman says Conduits goal is to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper and more reliable for businesses worldwide. He said that his company settles international payments with stablecoinsa type of cryptocurrency that is designed to maintain a value in line with the U.S. dollarin an attempt to complete transactions more quickly than traditional banks.

In addition to helping companies send and receive stablecoins between countries, Conduit also helps its clients exchange local currencies for stablecoins and vice versa. Essentially, our service is the one-stop-shop for going in and out of local currencies and stablecoins, Gertman said.

Conduit supports 14 different fiat-currencies and operates in nine countries including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, and Kenya. We have a network of over 20 banks across nine countries that we work with very closely that gives us the best access to local rails, Gertman said, referring to the different payment infrastructure in each country.

Conduits payments service comes in the form of an app or can be embedded directly into a fintech platforms interface. The company produces revenue by charging customers a fee on each stablecoin transaction.

Since launching its flagship service in late 2023, Conduit has grown to process more than $10 billion worth of transactions annually, Gertman said. The company services over 5,000 merchants globally and over 100 fintech platforms have embedded Conduit into their platforms.

Many other companies are also focused on making cross-border payments easier with stablecoins. These companies include crypto firm Ripple and payments giant Stripe,which acquired Bridge, a stablecoin start-up, in October.

Conduit plans to use the money raised in this round to introduce its product in five Asian countries by the end of the year and expand its client base to include new types of businesses.

Clarification, May 28, 2025: This article has been updated to clarify that Altos Ventures co-led the round with Dragonfly Capital.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
By George Obulutsa

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Celebrated Kenyan novelist and playwright Ngugi wa Thiong'o, whose sharp criticisms of post-independence elites led to his jailing and two decade in exile, has died at the age of 87, Kenya's president said.

Shaped by an adolescence where he witnessed the armed Mau Mau struggle for independence from Britain, Thiong'o took aim in his writings at colonial rule and the Kenyan elites who inherited many of its privileges.

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He was arrested in December 1977 and detained for a year without charge in a maximum security prison after peasants and workers performed his play "Ngaahika Ndeenda" (I Will Marry When I Want).

Angered by the play's criticism of inequalities in Kenyan society, the authorities sent three truckloads of police to raze the theatre, Thiong'o later said.

He went into exile in 1982 after he said he learned of plans by President Daniel arap Moi's security services to arrest and kill him. He went on to become a professor of English and comparative literature at the University of California-Irvine.

'INDELIBLE IMPACT'

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Thiong'o ended his exile in 2004 after Moi left office following more than two decades in power marked by widespread arrests, killings and torture of political opponents.

Kenya's current president, William Ruto, paid tribute to Thiong'o after his death in the U.S. following reports of a struggle with ill health in recent years.

"The towering giant of Kenyan letters has put down his pen for the final time," Ruto said on his X account.

"Always courageous, he made an indelible impact on how we think about our independence, social justice as well as the uses and abuses of political and economic power."

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Although Thiong'o said upon returning to Kenya in 2004 that he bore no grudge against Moi, he told Reuters in an interview three years later that Kenyans should not forget the abuses of the era.

"The consequences of 22 years of dictatorship are going to be with us for a long time and I don't like to see us returning to that period," he said.

Thiong'o's best-known works included his debut novel "Weep Not Child", which chronicled the Mau Mau struggle and "Devil on the Cross", which he wrote on toilet paper while in prison.

In the 1980s, he abandoned English to write in his mother tongue Gikuyu, saying he was bidding farewell to the imported language of Kenya's former colonial master.

(Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Aaron Ross)
A federal judge in New Hampshire has approved a consent agreement resolving claims made in a robocall lawsuit alleging voter intimidation, coercion, and deception ahead of the 2024 New Hampshire presidential primary, court documents show.

The League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the League of Women Voters of the United States, and individual voters in New London, Dover and Barrington filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Concord in March 2024 against two Texas companies  Voice Broadcasting Corporation and Life Corporation  and a political consultant.

The lawsuit alleged that thousands of New Hampshire voters received robocalls that used artificial intelligence to mimic then-President Joe Bidens voice. The calls, which spoofed a prominent New Hampshire Democrat, falsely warned voters that participating in the primary would forfeit their right to vote in the general election, urging them to save their vote.

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The complaint named political consultant Steve Kramer and three corporations, including Voice Broadcasting Corporation and Life Corporation, as orchestrating and disseminating the message.

Under the consent judgment, Voice Broadcasting Corporation and Life Corporation acknowledge that the robocall, orchestrated by Kramer, their former client, had the potential to intimidate voters.

The companies have agreed to refrain from intimidating, threatening, or coercing voters in connection with U.S. elections and will implement a compliance plan to prevent the transmission of such messages in the future.

Life Corporaion of Arlington, Texas, and its owner, Walter Monk, arranged for the calls to go to between 5,000 and 25,000 Democrats on Jan. 21, 2024, two days before the vote on Jan. 23, Attorney General John Formella said last year.

It is important that you save your vote for the November election, said the Biden voice.

pfeely@unionleader.com
GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from New Hampshire was found guilty during a jury trial in Greenfield for stalking and threatening a child protection worker for several years.

In a news release sent to 22News from the Northwestern District Attorneys Office, 43-year-old Christopher Ray Stevens of Brentwood, New Hampshire, was found guilty after a four-day jury trial held in Franklin County Superior Court in Greenfield.

Police investigate shots fired reports in Turners Falls

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Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne said Stevens had terrorized an employee of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) who was merely doing her job. The victim addressed the court and described the long-lasting impact of the graphic videos and images of violence.

Youre not safe. Were coming for you Notes Stevens sent to victim repeatedly

The victim said she had lived in constant fear over the past five years with severe threats that prompted the DCF office in Greenfield to develop a safety plan for her and her colleagues.

DCF workers deserve protection from the courts of the Commonwealth. None of us should fear for our lives and the lives of our family simply for doing our job, she said. We deserve better, our families deserve better and the children of the Commonwealth who are at risk deserve better.

Stevens was found guilty of criminal harassment, stalking, witness intimidation, and

unlawful wiretapping. He was sentenced on Wednesday to two to three years in state prison on the stalking and witness intimidation convictions be followed by five years of probation for the conviction on illegal wiretapping. During his probation, he is ordered to stay away from the victim and wear a GPS monitoring device.

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He was aggrieved by a lawful process and he decided to target a frontline worker, verbally and

psychologically abusing her. He used his words as a weapon, said Gagne. He maintains what he has done was completely within the law and his failure to appreciate the wrongness of his conduct makes a stiff penalty warranted.

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As the Minnesota Legislature blew its deadline to pass a $66 billion budget last week, legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz said they hoped lawmakers would return to the Capitol for a special session to enact new state spending by the end of May.

Thats looking less likely by the day as disagreements over a budget framework deal reached by leadership continue to slow progress. As of Wednesday, lawmakers working in mostly private groups hadnt produced any major public progress on two-thirds of state general fund spending  K-12 education, health and human services.

If there isnt a state budget by June 1, thousands of state employees will start getting layoff notices warning of a potential government shutdown on July 1. Lawmakers must pass a budget by the end of June or the government runs out of funding.

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Even though its slower than we would like, things are going well, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said at her last availability with the media last Thursday. Nearly a week later, there had been little extra progress.

Special session

There was hope that there might be some kind of deal by the end of Memorial Day weekend. Now it looks like lawmakers wont return until next week at the earliest.

Even if they reached a deal on all budget items on Thursday, final preparations might take at least 24 hours after bills are posted. The governor said he wont call a special session until all legislation is ready to go.

There are a few areas of spending the Senate and House passed at the end of session  public safety, agriculture, housing and veterans affairs bills passed. But the biggest parts of the state budget remain unsettled. Deals on taxes, transportation and energy remain elusive as well.

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A global deal on the budget announced two weeks ago by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor-majority Senate, DFL-GOP tied House and the governor has been troubled by disagreements over finer details.

There has also been public opposition to a provision cutting state-funded health care for adults in the U.S. without legal status. DFLers ranging from self-described progressives to moderates say they oppose the change, which Republicans asked for in top-level negotiations.

Opponents gathered outside the governors office in the Capitol to protest the cuts on Tuesday, Forum News Service reported. While they oppose the cuts, Walz, House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and Senate DFL Majority Leader Erin Murphy have indicated theyll support them in order to prevent interruption of other state services.

Not ready to move forward

Its hard to tell how close members are to a deal.

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Discussions have mostly been happening in private working groups on various budget areas rather than committees. One of the few groups that is public is working on taxes, which has shed some light on the difficulties in the process.

Lawmakers working on the taxes bill werent in complete agreement last week about how the agreement will shape their decision-making.

Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, said theyd seek further guidance from leaders on how to proceed. And this Tuesday, she showed frustration with House lawmakers who didnt appear to be ready to move forward with their own offer.

Let it be known to our leaders that the House cannot even accept their own proposal, said Rest, the Senate Taxes chair, as the committee went into recess.

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Unique dynamics of co-leaders from both parties in the House working with the DFL majority in the Senate have complicated negotiations. The last time the House was tied was in 1979. Murphy called the House a two-headed monster.

Working groups have already passed their leadership-imposed May 21 deadline to finish work on bills, so leaders from both parties said they are getting more closely involved. Its possible they could take control of bills from committee chairs.

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Josh Klinghoffer, ex-guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has accepted a no-jail plea deal to resolve allegations that he fatally struck a pedestrian with his SUV last year.

The musician pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence when he appeared in a California courtroom Wednesday, May 28, Rolling Stone reported.

Klinghoffer, 45, was sentenced to one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor, according to the outlet. The guitarist must also take a driver safety class and pay restitution  an amount that will be determined at a later date

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If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder, a prosecutor told Klinghoffer, per Rolling Stone.

Klinghoffer  who has also toured with Pearl Jam and Janes Addiction  was driving his black GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California when he struck 47-year-old Israel Sanchez in a crosswalk on March 18, 2024.

Sanchez died from his injuries a few hours later at the hospital. His cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Sanchez family sued Klinghoffer for wrongful death last July, alleging he was on his phone and was likely driving while distracted and made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck the 47-year-old father, according to Rolling Stone. The ongoing civil case has a hearing scheduled for July 1.

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The musician was later charged with vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to California law. Convicted individuals can also face probation and be forced to pay restitution to the victims family.

Klinghoffer previously pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez said no one is above the law after one of her prosecutors was put behind bars, facing disturbing charges.

Hillsborough County Assistant State Attorney William Andrew Jones was arrested for child pornography.

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8 on Your Side

This office will never tolerate anyone who violates the trust of the people we serve, Lopez wrote.

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Jones role at the Hillsborough County State Attorneys Office was to ensure people accused of crimes are held accountable. Now, the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office is holding Jones accountable.

Pinellas County school campus monitor accused of sexually battering student

The Pinellas County Sheriffs Office said while interviewing Jones at his St. Petersburg home on Wednesday, Jones admitted to viewing and transmitting child pornography. Authorities arrested him.

Detectives with the crimes against children unit began their investigation last July after they said they received information about Jones accessing files of girls between the ages of 6 and 10 years old engaging in sexual acts.



Weve been colleagues, friendly adversaries, said Bryant Camareno, criminal defense attorney. Its been a great relationship, and Im shocked.



Camareno said while he would defend his clients, Jones would prosecute those facing criminal charges in the courtroom.

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Jones began working as an Assistant State Attorney within the felony bureau in Hillsborough County in 2021.



Floridas been known for its tough stance on child pornography, said Camareno. Pinellas and Hillsborough are some of the toughest counties and so potentially anybody charged with this type of crime is looking at prison time as well as sex offender designation and thats going to be for the rest of their lives.



Jones is now facing eight charges of child pornography. Jones was booked into the Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County for a warrant out of Pinellas County.

I am deeply disturbed and sickened by Andrew Jones actions, and he was terminated from his position as an Assistant State Attorney immediately following his arrest, State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement to 8 On Your Side. As prosecutors, our duty is to protect the public, especially our children. There is no place in this office or community for this behavior.



But for someone whos involved in the criminal justice system, knowing that their colleagues specialize and know this is what we look for these are the signals that we look for, the ques, its absolutely shocking because it couldve been prevented to begin with, Camareno said.

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Editor's note: The story was updated to include a statement from Russia's Foreign Ministry.



President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 29 accused Russia of stalling the peace process by failing to deliver a promised negotiations memorandum, warning international partners that Moscow is trying to deceive those still relying on diplomacy over pressure.

"Even the so-called memorandum they promised and claimed to be preparing for more than a week  no one has seen it," Zelensky said. "Ukraine hasn't received it. Our partners haven't received it. Even Turkey, which hosted the first meeting, hasnt received the updated agenda."

Russia's Foreign Ministry previously claimed its delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, would present the ceasefire framework at the June 2 talks, proposed by Moscow.

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Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed on May 29 that the same Russian delegation, led by Medinsky, will attend the new round of peace talks in Istanbul.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine has already shared its position paper with Russia.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, Zelensky said Ukraine is maintaining daily coordination with allies ahead of another round of talks in Istanbul.

Zelensky called for renewed international pressure on Russia, saying, "Words don't work with Moscow. They are doing everything to make these meetings meaningless. That is why sanctions and real pressure on Russia are essential."

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, whose country hosted the May 16 negotiations, said Ankara expects Ukrainian and Russian positions to come closer.

"If there's a diplomatic achievement here, it's not just thanks to Turkish diplomacy, but to the fact that both sides have been willing to talk and that these talks have led to tangible outcomes," Fidan said on his way to Kyiv, where he is expected to meet Sybiha and Zelensky.

Before his visit to Kyiv, Fidan met with Medinsky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Fidan said that during the visit, Turkey shared its vision of realistic conditions that could help make a ceasefire attainable.

"We conveyed Turkey's determined efforts in this matter to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, the chief negotiator, Foreign Minister Lavrov, and the intelligence chief. As a key regional actor, Turkey has shared its perspective on the realistic parameters that could make a ceasefire achievable, Fidan said.

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He also added that Russia's current demands for a ceasefire are putting Moscow in "a relatively weaker position."



"(U.S. President Donald) Trump expressed a firm desire to see an immediate ceasefire. This encouraged Ukraine and Europe to align more flexibly with the U.S. stance. However, Russia did not show the same flexibility, which has placed it in a relatively weaker position in the eyes of both the U.S. and other proponents of the ceasefire," he said

Russia has repeatedly claimed that it would agree on a ceasefire in case the so-called "root causes" of war in Ukraine are addressed, meaning its long-standing maximalist demands of Kyiv  the same ones it has voiced since the start of the full-scale invasion and has used as propaganda to justify its aggression against Ukraine.

Among them, Moscow insists Kyiv withdraw from four partially occupied Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed.

Russia's memorandum also reportedly includes a written pledge that NATO will not expand further eastward, effectively blocking Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova from joining, as well as the lifting of some Western sanctions, resolution of frozen Russian assets, and "the protection of Russian-speaking Ukrainians."

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Read also: Ukraine sends ceasefire memo, urges Russia to respond ahead of June 2 peace talks, Umerov says

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May 29ROCHESTER  A resolution has not been met in the criminal case against Shane Roper, the ex-Minnesota State Patrol trooper involved in a fatal crash in May 2024.

Roper appeared virtually in court on Thursday, May 29, for another hearing. He is facing nine criminal charges in Olmsted County District Court, including felony counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation, for his involvement in a fatal crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores.

The crash happened around 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the intersection of Memorial Parkway and 12th Street Southwest, near Apache Mall. Flores sat in the back seat of her friend's Ford Focus when the car was struck by a Minnesota State Patrol squad car, driven by Roper.

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During Thursday's hearing, District Judge Lisa Hayne said she would like to hear arguments on the change of venue motion "sooner rather than later." The next hearing, a settlement conference, was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20.

If the case is not resolved by then, Hayne said, both parties will present their arguments.

In previous court documents, the defense submitted a change of venue motion due to the case's publicity. If granted, the jury trial would move to a different county whose residents would be impaneled as jurors.

The court is looking at dates in early 2026 for a possible jury trial.

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Recap of the criminal complaint

According to the criminal complaint, Roper quickly approached the intersection of Apache Drive Southwest, an area where the primary entry points to the Apache Mall are located. This area tends to have "very active traffic ... on a typical Saturday."

When Roper's car was 400 feet from the intersection, the squad camera showed a green traffic signal for eastbound traffic. A larger SUV also traveling east entered the left turn lane to go onto Memorial Parkway Southwest, obstructing the view for vehicles turning onto Apache Drive Southwest, the complaint said.

A Ford Focus with three passengers was in that turn lane and attempted to drive through the intersection.

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"Due to Roper's excessive speed (traveling 83 miles per hour and at full throttle up until 1.4 seconds before impact), when the Ford Focus started through the intersection, Roper was unable to sufficiently brake or maneuver his squad car to avoid the collision," the complaint says.

Roper's squad car hit the passenger side of the Ford Focus, the vehicle Flores was in, while traveling at least 55 mph. The impact sent both cars east through the intersection to collide with a Toyota Rav4. There were two people in the Toyota.

Witnesses told police that the oncoming vehicle was "flying." Witnesses did not see or hear emergency lights or a siren.

According to the complaint, the Ford Focus driver sustained a liver laceration, a bruised kidney and numerous additional minor injuries. The front passenger sustained a broken pelvis, lacerated kidney and other minor injuries. The passengers of the Toyota Rav4 sustained physical pain from the collision. In the squad car, Roper had a ride-along passenger who sustained rib bruising and multiple fractures from the crash. Roper was also injured.

Weeks after the incident, Roper confirmed to law enforcement that he was attempting to "close the gap" between his squad car and a vehicle suspected of being in violation of a traffic code, the Post Bulletin previously reported. Roper said it was not an active pursuit and that he was not paying attention to his speed, according to the criminal complaint. He told police he did believe his lights were activated.
There is currently no indication that Russia is preparing to restart operations at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, an official from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on May 29, despite concerns over recent reports of new Russian infrastructure around the facility, Reuters reported.

"Our teams continue to confirm there is no indication at the moment that there will be any active preparations for a restart of the plant now," an IAEA official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The comment follows Ukraine's protest to the IAEA over what it called an illegal Russian attempt to connect the facility to its own energy grid. Yurii Vitrenko, Ukraine's ambassador to the IAEA, said any such move would be a gross violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty.

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Satellite imagery reviewed in a recent Greenpeace report and cited by the New York Times shows Russia has constructed more than 80 kilometers (49 miles) of high-voltage lines between the occupied cities of Mariupol and Berdiansk since February.

The group said this may be an effort to link the Zaporizhzhia plant to a substation near Mariupol, signaling potential plans to restart the facility and fully integrate it into Russias grid.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, located in the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar, is Europe's largest nuclear facility and has been under Russian control since March 2022. All six of its reactors remain shut down as the war continues, and the site has faced repeated power outages and safety threats due to nearby shelling.

Restarting any of the reactors would require a stable supply of water and external power. The plant lost access to its main cooling source, the Kakhovka reservoir, when the dam was blown up by the Russian forces in June 2023. Wells now supply enough water for cooling during cold shutdown, but not for full operations.

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"The plant lost its main source of cooling water, so the whole system cannot work as it was originally designed," the IAEA official said. "The consumption of water is orders of magnitude higher (when the plant is operating) compared to cold shutdown. We don't see any easy, quick fix for it."

In March, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told Reuters that restarting the facility could be feasible within months of a lasting ceasefire  something that remains elusive. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia are expected to meet in Istanbul for renewed peace talks on June 2.

Previously, the U.S. has reportedly proposed that control over the plant be returned to Ukraine before transferring its management to the U.S. to supply electricity to areas under both Ukrainian and Russian control. Moscow immediately rejected the suggestion, claiming it was in "very good hands" under Russian control.

Read also: Ukraine seeks US support in regaining control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, joint energy projects

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(NEXSTAR)  The House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act  a legislative package that combines tax breaks, spending cuts, border security funding and other priorities central to President Donald Trumps agenda  last week, sending the bill to the Senate.

Among the various aspects of the bill that may impact you, should it pass in its current state, is one that targets overtime pay.

Its a provision Trump campaigned on alongside tax breaks for tipping, but how will it impact you?

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Trump Accounts: What to know about the $1K-per-child investments

According to the House Ways and Means Committee, the move removes income taxes on the overtime pay premium for over 80 million hourly workers.

This isnt a permanent move, though. Its a temporary full deduction on the overtime pay you receive, Nexstars The Hill explains. The deduction is set to end after 2027, unless it receives an extension before then.

Because its a deduction, you would not see an immediate impact on your paycheck. Instead, you would claim the overtime pay on your taxes during the following year.

Combined with other aspects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, like the boosted child tax credit, no tax on tips, and an enhanced standard deduction, Ways and Means estimates that taxpayers could benefit from hundreds to thousands of dollars in cuts.

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Qualifying for overtime pay does, however, vary by industry.

US is ending penny production: How will you be impacted?

For many, overtime may begin to accrue after 40 hours of work. For others, that threshold may be higher. Firefighters, for example, have to work 53 hours a week before qualifying for overtime, Edward Kelly, general president for the International Association of Fire Fighters, said in a statement obtained by NBC News.

The Tax Foundation said last year that exempting overtime from income tax, then a campaign promise of Trumps, could encourage more employees to want to work overtime hours. It could, similarly, cause employers to be more aggressive to contain overtime requests as total labor costs rise.

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The Congressional Budget Office warned that exempting overtime pay from income taxes could lead to $124 billion in lost tax revenue.

Its too soon to say whether the overtime tax cuts will remain in the bill. Before the House passed Trumps budget bill, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to eliminate federal taxes on tips. It didnt stipulate the same treatment for overtime pay, and there is currently no bill in the Senate regarding overtime pay.

Conservatives in the Senate have also expressed frustration over the big, beautiful bill, saying it needs deeper cuts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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According to Bloombergs May 28 report, Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) is preparing to significantly reduce its footprint in France, having entered into exclusive discussions to sell its majority stake in Esso SAF to North Atlantic France SAS. The deal is valued at around 400 million ($350 million) for Exxons nearly 83% share, which includes the Gravenchon refinery located in Normandy.

This potential deal represents a strategic shift for Exxon as it lowers exposure to the European refining operations amid growing regulatory and economic headwinds. The deal is projected to close in the final quarter of 2025, pending regulatory and financial approvals.

Exxon (XOM) Set to Sell French Assets Stake for 400 Million

Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com

North Atlantic, a Canadian energy company, aims to transform the Gravenchon site into a hub for clean energy. It plans to utilize the existing infrastructure to scale up the production of low-carbon fuels and renewable energy.

Despite the sale, Exxon will continue to supply crude oil to the Gravenchon facility under its current agreements. The company also plans to keep a part of its French commercial and marketing operations where it will continue to market some products including chemicals, synthetic lubricants, and other specialty fluids.

This move is in line with Exxons efforts to consolidate operations and shift its core focus away from certain European assets. In recent years, the company has sold its Fos refinery in France and is currently considering options for selling its stake in Germanys Miro complex.

Exxon Mobil Corp. is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. Apart from its upstream operations, it also manufactures energy, chemical, and specialty products.

While we acknowledge the potential of XOM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than XOM and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Norfolk Police detectives are looking for Dennis W. McGhee, 77, of Norfolk, who was last seen nearly two weeks ago.

Dennis W. McGhee

Police said McGhee is about 6-foot-1, 175 pounds with gray hair and glasses, and it is not known what he may be wearing at this time. He was last seen May 15 in the 8200 block of Simons Drive and was last spoken with May 20.

Detectives are concerned for McGhees safety and say he requires medication.

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Anyone with information is asked to call 757-441-5610.

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PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  North Bay Haven junior Kaylee Goodpaster capped off one of the most impressive single-season performances ever by a Bay County athlete this spring, and now shes being recognized on the national stage.

Goodpaster, a Florida State softball commit, has been named a Second Team All-American by Prep Softball. The honor places her among the top 18 high school softball players in the nation and among the top six outfielders.

She finished her junior season with a .600 batting average, 51 hits, a state-high 61 RBIs and 12 home runs, a mark that ranks in the top 10 across Florida.

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Goodpasters dominance was on full display in the state finals, where she hit two home runs off a future Division I pitcher.

She said she hopes to deliver North Bay Haven and Bay County its first softball state title before she heads to Tallahassee.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Students across North Carolina experienced a state-wide computer outage while taking their End-of-Grade tests Wednesday morning, officials said.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, NCTest stopped functioning properly due to a system error. The outage lasted approximately 40 minutes.

All students in North Carolina who were taking the EOG test on Wednesday morning were affected by the outage, according to NCDPI.

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State officials said more than 209,000 students were impacted. Approximately 171,000 students were able to finish the EOG test after officials were able to resolve the outage. The remaining 40,000 students were given the option of resuming or restarting their test on Thursday.

Kira Kroboth, a mother of three, said the morning started as a big day for her youngest, a nine-year-old attending third grade at Exploris, a public charter school in Raleigh.

At carpool pickup, I asked my sons teacher how the EOGs went today, Kroboth said. She gave me this look. They had to sit there for an hour and a half while they tried to figure out what was going on.

According to Kroboth, her son was about halfway done with the test when the outage happened.

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[The state] puts so much emphasis on this testing, she said. Teachers have all this pressure put on them. And this is third grade. This is [my sons] first time ever taking this test. And this was his experience.

Not only does Kroboth question the impact of the outage, but teachers who asked to remain anonymous questioned how the test scores could be considered valid or acceptable for RTA promotion and retention purposes.

My biggest concern as a parent is how do we have a system required by the state do this to all our public schools? Kroboth said. I dont think youre going to get the same response from the kids the second day.

In the Wake County Public School System, the computer systems went offline at around 9:45 a.m. and returned by 10:30 a.m. All Wake County students are believed to have been able to continue taking their tests, according to district officials.

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According to Cumberland County Schools officials, students taking the RTA assessment and students enrolled in the summer program were among those affected by the outage. Some were disconnected while taking the test and others could not log in.

Most sites kept students in testing locations, provided snacks as needed, and resumed testing once the system was restored.

Durham Public Schools officials said they also experienced a 40-minute outage before the system came back online.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools was not affected by the outage due to testing not scheduled to begin until Friday, according to district officials.

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SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea enabled Russia to increase missile attacks against critical Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and supplied more than 20,000 containers of munitions, according to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a group comprising 11 UN members.

The group, launched in October last year to monitor U.N. sanctions against North Korea after a Security Council panel was scrapped by Russia and China, also said Moscow helped the North improve missile performance in return by supplying data.

As many as nine million rounds of artillery and rocket launcher ammunition was shipped from North Korea to Russia by Russian cargo vessels as part of military cooperation between the two countries in violation of U.N. sanctions, it said.

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"At least for the foreseeable future, North Korea and Russia intend to continue and further deepen their military cooperation in contravention of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions," the group said in its first report.

The group comprises the United States, South Korea, Japan, and eight U.N. member states and was introduced after Russia vetoed the renewal of a U.N. panel that enforced sanctions over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs for 15 years.

China abstained from the vote.

North Korea's help "contributed to Moscow's ability to increase its missile attacks against Ukrainian cities including targeted strikes against critical civilian infrastructure," the report said.

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Since it started shipping ammunition to Russia in September 2023, North Korea has transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles, self-propelled artillery, long-range multiple rocket launchers and munitions for them, it said.

Russia in return "supported North Korea's ballistic missile programs by providing data feedback ... leading to improvements in missile guidance performance," it said. Moscow also provided air defense equipment and anti-aircraft missiles as well as electronics warfare systems to North Korea, it said.

After months of silence, North Korea and Russia confirmed in April Pyongyang had deployed troops to fight for Russia in the war in Ukraine as part of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty their leaders signed last year.

The treaty includes a mutual defense pact. The two countries have not explicitly confirmed the exchange of military equipment or technology.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Russia and North Korea have engaged in "unlawful military cooperation," including arms transfers of up to 9 million shells and "at least 100 ballistic missiles" in 2024, according to a report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) published May 29.

The MSMT is made up of 11 United Nations member states and was formed in October 2024 to monitor and report on the implementation of UN sanctions against North Korea in light of deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The watchdog's first report presents evidence that North Korea and Russia violated United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and engaged in illegal activities throughout 2024.

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Violations include deliveries of weapons and military equipment, Russian training of North Korean troops for deployment in direct combat against Ukrainian forces, supply of refined petroleum products to North Korea above UN-mandated caps, and correspondent banking between the two countries.

In 2024 alone, North Korea sent Russia at least 100 ballistic missiles, an MSMT participating state found. These missiles "were subsequently launched into Ukraine to destroy civilian infrastructure and terrorize populated areas such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia," the report said.

Read also: Infighting around EU rearmament undermines grand ambitions for European defense

Russian-flagged vessels delivered "as many as 9 million rounds of mixed artillery and multiple rocket launcher ammunition" from North Korea to Russia in 49 shipments from January to December 2024, an MSMT participating state found. The cargo was sent from Russia's far-eastern ports to ammunition depots in southwestern Russia for use in the full-scale war against Ukraine.

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Open-source data reviewed by the Open Source Centre (OSC) indicates that Russian vessels delivered between 4.2 and 5.8 million rounds of 122 mm and 152 mm ammunition between August 2023 and March 2025.

The report also confirmed that North Korea deployed over 11,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk Oblast for training and combat operations against Ukrainian troops.

According to the MSMT, "these forms of unlawful cooperation ... contributed to Moscow's ability to increase its missile attacks against Ukrainian cities including targeted strikes against critical civilian infrastructure."

The MSMT also documented transfers of arms from Russia to North Korea. Moscow is believed to have sent Pyongyong short-range air defense systems, advanced electronic warfare systems, and at least one Pantsir-class combat vehicle, the report said.

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Russia provided additional support to North Korea's ballistic missile development program, leading to improvements in missile guidance performance, and MSMT participating state said.

The documented arms transfers violate longstanding UN embargoes on material shipments between UN member states and North Korea.

North Korea reportedly began supplying Russia with weapons in 2023. Pyongyang's involvement in the war escalated in fall 2024, when thousands of North Korean troops were dispatched to Russia's western border. The deployment came several months after the two nations signed a defense treaty in June, requiring either state to render military aid to the other in the event of an attack.

Despite this, North Korea only publicly admitted its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine in late April 2025. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said in May that his country's participation in the war was part of a "sacred mission."

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Recent days have also seen a surge in Russian aerial attacks against Ukraine. For three nights in a row, Moscow barraged cities across Ukraine with drones and missiles, including ballistics. The MSMT report confirmed that Russia has attacked Ukraine with North Korean-made ballistic missiles  and that these weapons contain foreign parts provided by third-party distributors.

Read also: How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

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Russia received up to nine million artillery and rocket munitions from North Korea in 2024, including 122 mm and 152 mm calibres.

Source: the first report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), established by 11 UN member states

Quote: "The munitions were then sent via rail from Russian Far East ports to ammunition depots in southwestern Russia, for use by Russian military forces against Ukraine."

,      ,             1  2024     2024 

Routes taken by Russian-flagged vessels delivering arms and related materiel between North Korea and Russia from 1 January 2024 to mid-December 2024.

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Photo: An MSMT participating state

Details: In 2024 alone, North Korea transferred at least 100 ballistic missiles to Russia, which were later launched against Ukrainian territory with the aim of destroying civilian infrastructure and intimidating the population, including in cities such as Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.

North Korea also supplied Russia with:

self-propelled artillery systems of 170 mm calibre produced in Korea for long-range use;

240 mm multiple rocket launcher systems;

over 200 pieces of equipment, including self-propelled guns, MLRS units and vehicles for reloading both types of weapons.

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North Korea also supplied Russia with anti-tank missiles.

Quote: "Upon examining the North Korean weapons recovered from the battlefield, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence concluded that the weapons North Korea supplied to Russia included Bulsae-4 anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) anti-tank rockets."

 170-   ,    

North Korean 170 mm self-propelled gun transported through Russia.

Photo: An MSMT participating state

Details: Media reports suggest that the accuracy of North Korean ballistic missiles is improving due to the data the country receives from the use of these missiles by Russian forces against Ukraine.

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The previous analysis conducted in JanuaryFebruary 2024 showed that the remains of a ballistic missile documented in Kharkiv were of North Korean origin.

This conclusion was based on distinctive features such as "unique jet vane actuators, the bolt pattern around the igniter and the presence of Korean (Hangul) characters on the barometers".

During a subsequent investigation in August 2024, Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a UK-based research organisation, documented the remains of four more missiles retrieved in Bila Tserkva, Vitrova Balka and Rozhivka (Ukraine), further confirming the use of North Korean-made missiles on the battlefield.

        ,  CAR   11  2024 

Front end of the rocket motor of a DPRK missile (left) and the rocket motor documented by CAR in Ukraine on 11 January 2024 (right).

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Photo: Conflict Armament Research

Quote: "One of these missiles contained components marked with the figure 113, possibly referring to the year 2024 in the Juche calendar (official dating system of North Korea), indicating its production in 2024."

 ,    ,    CAR

Numerical mark stamped on the jet vane actuator per CAR analysis.

Photo: Conflict Armament Research

Details: All missiles examined by CAR were identified as Hwasong-11A or Hwasong-11B.

The findings indicate that newly manufactured North Korean ballistic missiles were used against Ukraine, with a minimal interval between their production, transfer and deployment.

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Moreover, CARs detection of recently manufactured components that were not of North Korean origin indicates that the country continues to attempt to bypass UN sanctions by acquiring foreign parts through third-party suppliers.

According to information from one of the MSMT member states, Russia supplied North Korea with air defence systems. Since November 2024, it is believed that Russia has provided North Korea with short-range air defence systems and electronic warfare systems.

Russia also transferred to North Korea at least one Pantsir-class combat vehicle. This is a mobile air defence system designed to target aircraft and helicopters, cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Background: On 20 May, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) registered a draft resolution proposing to recognise the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) as an aggressor state due to its military cooperation with Russia in the war against Ukraine.

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SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led a party meeting on strengthening the military on Wednesday and inspected an artillery drill on Thursday, state media KCNA said on Friday.

In an expanded meeting of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim emphasised that roles of party organisations carrying out measures from the central leadership should be strengthened to solve "all the problems arising in the army building and military activities."

Kim also said it is "very important to frequently organize firing contests close to the actual warfare environment" to build a powerful military force, KCNA said.

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This was the latest in a series of moves by Kim reported by KCNA focused on strengthening the military in the past weeks.

During May alone, Kim visited tanks and munitions plants, led a short-range missile test and an air drill, and condemned a failed warship launch as "criminal," according to state media.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Sandra Maler)
NORTHVILLE  As Michael Zervos races toward the finish line of a world record journey  carrying recent stories from North Korea, Sudan and Poland that reveal just how complicated joy can be  hes ready to come home, reflect on the moments that changed him and dive into a new project.

After 17 months, 230 flights, 80 visas, four phones, three backpacks and nights spent in everywhere from hotels and guest houses to random couches, buses and the occasional airport bench, Zervos is set to return home Friday, May 30.

"After touching down in the U.S., I will have smashed the current Guinness record by almost two months," he wrote in an email to supporters.

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A Northville native and filmmaker, Zervos set out in January 2023 to break a world record by visiting every country in the world faster than any person in history. The current record is held by Taylor Demonbreun of Alabama, who in 2018 achieved the feat in 554 days.

But the trip  dubbed Project Kosmos  has always been about more than sprints through airports and stamps on a passport.

In every one of the 195 countries on the Guinness list, Zervos asked people a single question: What is the happiest moment of your life?

He heard thousands of stories. But in some places, he said, silence said more than words ever could.

'You have come to the wrong place'

Micheal Zervos interviews a woman named Liita about happiness in El Alto, Bolivia.

The people he met in Poland surprised him.

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While Zervos expected some cultural reserve in parts of Eastern Europe  maybe a little hesitation to talk on camera  he didnt expect a widespread inability to answer the happiness question at all.

I approached dozens of people in Warsaw, he said. Middle-aged, young, people who spoke English  and I kept hearing the same thing. I dont remember the last time I felt happy.

At one point, he started asking strip club promoters who were working the citys nightlife district.

Theyre paid to engage, he said. I figured, at least theyd talk to me. I even said Id go in if they answered the question. And still, nothing.

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One man sat with him, quietly repeating that he needed the commission, but had no honest answer to give.

He finally said, Friend, you have come to the wrong place if you wanted to ask about happiness. That moment stuck with me, Zervos said.

North Korea: Entering a closed world

Michael Zervos poses in front of the Great Leaders statues in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea  commonly known as North Korea.

Getting into North Korea was something of a surprise.

Entry to the country wasnt possible on his American passport, so Zervos, who holds dual citizenship, used his Greek passport and joined a small tour group  the first Western tourists allowed in since COVID. Two weeks later, the country slammed its borders shut again.

The process, he said, was complex - coordination from Ethiopia, transfer of money via Western Union and collection of proof for Guinness, all while staying under the radar of state surveillance.

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Once inside, the contrast between propaganda and real-life experience was compelling.

Michael Zervos poses with students in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea  commonly known as North Korea.

Theres a state religion there, and the 'Great Leader' is basically deified, he said. But the people  if you listen closely  you can hear their own voices in between the lines.

He saw real life playing out in quiet glances and off-script answers. He took pictures carefully, following strict rules about framing and content  and watched others sneak photos they werent supposed to take.

Still, he said, the experience left him with more curiosity than certainty.

I want to go back," Zervos said. "I want to spend more time there to really understand it.

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It was one of many, many places hed like to visit again.

In Sudan, war and welcome

Michael Zervos prepares to join Sudanese women for coffee.

His visit to Sudan, another holdout country, came through thanks to a lucky break with a long-established Italian tourism company.

Zervos was one of the first tourists allowed in since the outbreak of civil war.

There, he stayed on the eastern coast, in Port Sudan, far from active conflict  but close enough to see the scars.

Everyone had a story, he said. Everyone had lost someone, or left someone behind. But they welcomed me with open arms. They gave me what little they had.

Hes still in touch with many of the people he met there. Some fled civil war-torn capital, Khartoum, with nothing but their phones. Others left the country altogether.

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If those three days are representative of Sudanese culture  then the people are made of gold, he said.

Whats next: Homecoming and a book

Michael Zervos poses for a photo in Moon Valley, Bolivia.

A May 30 celebration organized by sponsors is scheduled at Detroit Metro Airport. Family, friends and supporters will gather to welcome Zervos home.

Then, hell rest. Sort of.

I havent had a routine in nearly two years, he said, noting he's looking forward to getting back to a regular exercise routine and getting away from meat and alcohol  both of which hes been consuming to conform with cultural norms during his travels.

Michael Zervos poses with staff at Atto di Vito Mollica, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Florence, Italy.

Hes also writing a book  the working title is Happiest  for Penguin Random House, a project that came about almost by accident. The email offer landed in his spam folder and he nearly ignored it.

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Im not a writer, he said. I write scripts for film. Theyre not meant to be read. But the chance to revisit these stories, and reflect on everything  thats something I couldnt pass up.

Michael Zervos poses for a photo with Rafa the coconut man in Havana.

The book, Zervos said, will be a tapestry of stories he collected  some familiar to Instagram followers, others too raw or complex to post online.

Ive got 2,000 to 3,000 stories, he said. Some of the best ones havent even been translated yet.

The book is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

Claiming a world record

Michael Zervos poses with the iVisa team, one of his sponsors, in Lima, Peru.

To claim the Guinness World Record, Zervos will need to submit a mountain of documentation, which hes been meticulously gathering all along the way.

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Requirements include two witness statements from each country, digitized receipts for travel and accommodations, GPS data points, journal entries, photos and video proof.

He also must create a detailed cover letter explaining how everything was organized.

Even then, approval isnt guaranteed.

One guy submitted 9,000 pages and got rejected four times, Zervos said. It could take months for them to go through it.

Follow Michael Zervos on Instagram @theprojectkosmos or visit project-kosmos.com.

Contact reporter Laura Colvin: lcolvin@hometownlife.com.

This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Northville globetrotter closes in on Guiness World Record
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  On Tuesday, the Texas Senate agreed to adopt the Houses amendments on Senate Bill 3, putting the bill to ban non-medical THC on Gov. Greg Abbotts desk. The following afternoon, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a news conference  not to celebrate the bill he calls the most important bill this session, but to call for more media coverage on the harms of unregulated THC.

I told you wed have snacks today

Tuesday evening, Patrick sent out a memo announcing his news conference.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will hold a media briefing, along with end-of-session beverages and snacks, the one-sentence release said.

A table with items hidden underneath a cloth in seen in the Texas Senate Press Briefing Room before a Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (not pictured) news conference on May 28, 2025. (Nexstar Photo/Adam Schwager)

Reporters shuffled into the crowded press conference room. In the center stood a table with a cloth hiding objects underneath.

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I told you wed have snacks today. Want to lift the snacks? Patrick asked his staffers. The removed cloth revealed THC and CBD products, including cereal bites, gummies, lollipops and drinks.

This is everything you can buy at a smoke shop and a vape shop that will either cause potentially paranoia, schizophrenia (or) tremendous health issues, Patrick said. Why have I called you here today? Because I dont think the media has taken this issue seriously. I dont think the story has been told. You talk about jobs being lost, you talk about a big industry, a big industry selling all of this to kids.

Texas House bans THC products, reduces criminal penalty for possessing intoxicating hemp

Patrick then started going through the products one by one.

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Its all sold for kids  designed for kids and adults. This one, this little bag of jellies  mango, peach  for $90 a bag. Send you sky high, he said. Sour bells. Slices. How about gummy worms? Gummy worms? This is what parents  you need to tell this story so that parents understand.

The Lieutenant Governor then explained how these products emerged due to a loophole in a law passed in 2019.

We heard this horrendous testimony of one 22-year-old who bought this. I dont know what product it was, I think she said wedding cake. He stepped in front of a train and got run over and killed, Patrick said. This is serious business. This is not Dans folly. This is not Dans priority. This is to save an entire generation of being hooked on drugs.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick tosses a Delta-9 THC-infused package of Cereal Bites towards reporters during a news conference on May 28, 2025. (Texas State Senate)

Patrick then proceeded to ask the room of reporters if anyone would want to buy an unknown substance that could change your whole mental state for the rest of your life? Then he proceeded to gently toss a bag of cereal bites to the pool of reporters.

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Texas Lt. Gov. announces compassionate use expansion amid THC ban

Anybody want this bag? Okay, you want it, Patrick said before tossing the THC snack. A reporter promptly put it back on the table. I dont think you want it. You wouldnt dare buy it. You wouldnt let your children, your grandchildren buy it. And by the way, come September, all this will be illegal anyway, so Ill be turning this over to the police before I leave here.

I now worry about the baked goods coming out of California

To illustrate his point, Patrick invited guests from law enforcement to share their stories.

We used to really worry about the cocaine out of Colombia or the methamphetamine out of Mexico. I now worry about the baked goods coming out of California and the candy coming out of Colorado, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said. Whats really interesting is the fact that many of these products that the Lieutenant Governor has here on the table  they dont allow them to be sold in their state. They just ship them to us to poison our children.

Law enforcement officers and State Senate Republicans flank Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (not pictured) as he holds a news conference about the dangers of THC on May 28, 2025. (Nexstar Photo/Tim Holcomb)

[The police] are the folks that are out there working the streets at midnight, the ones that are having to go knock on doors and give bad, bad information to parents whose children were killed because they got involved with some of this stuff, John Wilkerson with the Texas Municipal Police Association said.

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This right in front of you is a drug deal, thats all it is, Tomball Police Chief Jeff Bert said. Before moving to Texas five years ago, Bert worked in Los Angeles, where he says legalized marijuana wreaked havoc. Its the most insidious kind of drug deal, because it isnt somebody that sneaks off when a police officer sees him or her and runs into an apartment and we go chasing  theyre selling this in gas stations, right next to Snickers and Cheetos.

Jocelyns Law fails to earn enough votes in Texas House

Patrick also invited Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis to share his perspective.

They are targeting our kids, not adults, not patients but our kids, Willis said. In Collin County, we see the results of it. We see the psychotic episodes. We see the suicide attempts. We sit down with parents who are heartbroken and devastated after something has happened with their child, after they consume something that everybody thought was safe.

Eat a bag of this tonight, see if youre here tomorrow

When Houston Chronicle reporter Jeremy Wallace asked Patrick if there was a way to protect children while still giving adults access, Patrick passionately said he doesnt want adults to have access either.

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What are you crazy? You want to go home and eat a bag of this tonight, see if youre here tomorrow? We focus on kids because thats where they built the shops, but adults are buying this stuff too, Patrick said. Thats crazy talk. Thats the kind of talk  the reason why were here. Media that would say something as stupid as that. Im sorry, thats just true.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holds up Delta-9 THC-infused snacks during a news conference on May 28, 2025. (Nexstar Photo/Tim Holcomb)

Im not going to speak for the Governor

The final hurdle for SB 3  and a total THC ban  is a potential veto from Abbott. He has stayed very tight-lipped about anything regarding hemp and THC this session.

When initially asked if he was worried about the possibility of a veto, Patrick deflected.

I pass bills, the Governor signs or vetoes them, Patrick said. I know the Governor, I know where his heart is, and I know where he wants to be to protect children and adults.

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State of Texas: THC ban approved amid push to expand medical cannabis program

He was then asked why he called the press conference if the bill had already passed both chambers of the legislature.

Because theres a tremendous onslaught of pressure from an $8 billion industry that has unlimited money, and theyre trying to poison the story, to stop this from happening, thats why, Patrick said. I can tell you how effective they are, because most of you in this room  no criticism  personally, most of you in this room have bought into a lot of their story Im not worried about the Governor. Im worried about the pressure on the media and the general public to try to keep this going in some way.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick holds up THC-A infused candy during a news conference on May 28, 2025. (Nexstar Photo/Adam Schwager)

The question of Abbotts intentions then came up a third time, when a reporter asked if Patrick had spoken with him.

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I speak to the Governor every day, Patrick said.

About this? another reporter asked.

Look, Im not going to speak for the Governor, okay? Patrick said. He will do what hes going to do. I have total confidence in the Governor. You will know his decision when he makes it. The reason Im here today is for you to tell the story. Im not worried about the Governor understanding it. Im worried about you all understanding it.

After the press conference, Abbotts Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris wrote, Governor Abbott will thoughtfully review any legislation sent to his desk.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CALERA, Ala. (WIAT)  Two weeks after he was last seen, the Calera Police Department said continue to follow up on leads concerning the whereabouts of a missing 72-year-old man.

We have not given up on our search for Mr. Waithaka. We are following up on leads as we receive them and continue to work with private agencies and our state and federal law enforcement partners, the police department posted on Facebook.

City of Hanceville wont have police department until 2026, will sell off vehicles

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Reuben Barua Waithaka, 72, was last seen on May 15 around 11 a.m. in the area of Merion Drive in Calera. Waithaka was reportedly last wearing wearing khaki pants and a plaid button-up shirt. Hes described as being 5-feet-tall.

Reuben and his wife Elizabeth, who are from Kenya, were in Alabama to celebrate their first born grandsons graduation from Calera High School.

On May 15, Elizabeth said Reuben stepped outside of their sons home and appeared to be confused. She followed after him but returned to the house to lock the door. When she tried to catch up with him he was out of sight.

Police said he was given two rides that they know of. One of which was to the Chevron gas station across the street from the Timberline subdivision entrance.

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After an extensive search, led by Calera police and fire departments and other agencies, over four days on private property off Highway 25, the family believes someone else may have given him a ride.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Calera Police Department at 205-668-3505 or call 911.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Photo: David Ryder / Stringer (Getty Images)

Starbucks (SBUX) is looking to hire a corporate pilot  and the job will probably include a lot of trips to Newport Beach, California.

The coffee chain has a job posting on its website for a captain, Starbucks Aviation, with a salary range between $207,000 and $360,300. The gig involves flying the companys corporate jets and requires thousands of hours of recorded flight time.

And while the job posting doesnt go into too much detail about where the pilot will be flying, it seems likely to include trips for the companys CEO, Brian Niccol.

Niccol, who left his role as CEO of Chipotle for the gig, is based in Newport Beach, California and didnt appear to want to move to Seattle, where the company is headquartered.

According to the companys regulatory filings, Starbucks is allowing Niccol to use its corporate jet to super-commute and gave him the ability to use the plane for private travel, too, within reason.



Niccol made news recently when he told corporate employees in March to work harder and take accountability for the coffee giants financial health, and in October 2024, employees were told they must work at least three three days a week in the office or leave.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Idahos limited tenant protections, combined with the consequences of an eviction judgment on a tenants record, and the lack of available attorneys for tenants often make going to trial too great a risk. In this way, the cost of being charged reasonable attorney fees is to take your case to trial and risk losing your home, writes guest columnist Declan North.

Being taken to eviction court comes at a grave cost to Idaho tenants. Recent data shows that the threat of eviction leads to a significant increase in depression, anxiety, psychological distress, suicide, poor self-reported health, high blood pressure, and premature death.

Jesse Tree, an eviction prevention nonprofit in the Treasure Valley, estimates that 95% of all evictions occur due to a familys temporary inability to pay rent as a result of an unexpected expense like a medical emergency or car accident.

In addition to the physical and mental costs, the financial cost of eviction on tenants is equally harmful and far less covered by media and research articles.

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Falling behind on rent is only the beginning of a tenants financial hardship in Idaho. This is due to landlords shifting the cost of legal fees, including hiring an eviction attorney, onto tenants. As a result, tenants can enter the courtroom in debt to their landlord for rent and, after legal fees, leave with their debt doubled or tripled by a $1,500 attorney fee. This practice worsens housing insecurity for already vulnerable renters.

Landlords can shift these fees if the lease and eviction notice state that legal fees will be awarded to the prevailing party.

While Idaho has protections against unreasonable attorney fees, few tenants actually benefit from the spirit or letter of this law. The law specifies that the reasonableness of attorney fees must be determined by a judge after a case has gone to trial, but tenants are encouraged by advocates, nonprofits, and even judges to avoid going to trial.

Idahos limited tenant protections, combined with the consequences of an eviction judgment on a tenants record, and the lack of available attorneys for tenants often make going to trial too great a risk. In this way, the cost of being charged reasonable attorney fees is to take your case to trial and risk losing your home.

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In addition, there is no agreement on whether there is a prevailing party if cases do not go to trial. Most private landlords say that there is, but agencies like the Boise City Ada County Housing Authority do not.

Rather than go to trial, tenants can choose mediation to find an agreement out of court. In Ada County, legal fees billed after mediation can range from $600-$1,750. Despite this high price, the legal paperwork needed for a mediated agreement is minimal, only requiring the attorney to complete a few basic forms.

On top of this, landlord attorneys have started to increase their fees, knowing that they will be passed on to the tenant. While more understanding landlords offer payment plans to cover legal fees, tenants still have no choice but to pay the fees and often seek help from nonprofits like Jesse Tree.

When tenants are expected to pay portions of these fees on top of rent as they work to recover from the emergency that caused them to be at risk of eviction, they remain insecure in their housing longer-term. With these legal fee increases, even nonprofit assistance is not enough to prevent tenants from leaving court with more debt.

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Idahos eviction court process is uniquely problematic. A recent report shows that rents in this state are projected to rise faster than all but one other city in the United States. As rents increase, more and more renters will fall behind and find themselves facing eviction. Without serious reform, the court system will have unnecessarily pushed people into further housing insecurity and homelessness.

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A U.S. District Court judge ruled that the buffer zone outside of court where the Karen Read retrial is occurring is allowed to stand but the way its enforced by police has to change.

In a 20-page decision, Judge Myong J. Joun denied in part and granted in part 4 plaintiffs motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.

Judge Beverly Cannone, State Police Superintendent Geoffrey Noble, Dedham Police Chief Michael dEntremont, and Norfolk County District Attorney are all listed as defendants.

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The plaintiffs, Jason Grant, Allison Taggart, Lisa Peterson, and Samantha Lyons, argued that Massachusetts State Police troopers have been ignoring the Buffer Zone Orders without consequence and are unlawfully prohibiting protestors speech activities, according to court documents.

In his ruling, Judge Joun stated in part although the Buffer Zone Orders are clear, the record shows a persistent pattern of arrests or threats of arrest to protesters and non-protesters alike who are complying with the Buffer Zone Orders.

Examples of this included an incident involving plaintiff Jason Grant, where on May 16 he stood across from the Norfolk Superior Courthouse while holding an American flag and a sign containing a Bible verse that stated 2 Corinthians 3:17: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and Where the Spirit of the Lord is, There is Freedom.

According to the court documents, Grant was warned by State Police Sergeant Michael Hardman that signs related to the trial were restricted in the buffer zone. At some point, Grant wasnt permitted to stand across the courthouse with those signs.

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The buffer zone is not a people-free zone, Judge Joun stated. The public has the right of access, not only to the sidewalks and pathways of the courthouse, but access into the courthouse itself. The Buffer Zone Orders may be enforced only against those individuals who engage in activities that are intended to interfere with the administration of justice or are intended to influence trial participants in the discharge of their duties within the buffer zone.

In contrast to Grants incident, the judge pointed out that an Erica Walsh displaying FKR, which is understood to mean Free Karen Read, is not protected speech in the buffer zone, as its a direct message about Reads guilt or innocence.

Law enforcement officers are enjoined from enforcing the Buffer Zone Orders in ways that are inconsistent with this decision, the ruling read in closing. Prior to enforcement, law enforcement officers must be able to clearly articulate, without speculation, how any individual violated the Buffer Zone Orders, consistent with this decision.

The full decision can be read below:

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Not a people-free zone: Judge clarifies enforcement of buffer zone during Karen Read trial by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Gaza has endured 11 weeks of a blockade so total it lacks any precedent in modern history. The world has not seen urban hunger this desperate and extreme since the siege of Leningrad ended in 1944.

Eleven weeks. Bones started showing through skin. Children were whittled down to a few kilograms, to limp handfuls. Worms found the last sacks of flour before the people did. The dogs that grew fat during the first phase of the war by feeding on the uncounted dead turned haggard again. Six-month-old Siwar Ashour looked with watery eyes out from the gray pit of a man-made hellthe only world she has ever knowntoo young to know why her belly is distended like that, too young to understand why she has the skin of an old woman. And for 11 weeks, the elites of the Western world looked back into Siwars eyes (if they could even be bothered doing that) and said: Yes, she too should not be allowed to live.

At the moment of absolute crisis, when the Integrated Food Security Phase Classifications starvation maps were shaded completely redthe worst moment yet in 19 months of warit appears as if Israel and the United States have finally yielded. The new plan to allow food into Gaza might look like relief, might look like a change of hearta reluctant gesture that Siwar Ashour doesnt deserve to be punished for the accident of her birth or for the crimes made by men a full year before she was conceived.

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But in truth, this new humanitarian regime is not benevolent, fair, or equal, nor the heartbroken sympathy of the world for a people on the very brink of annihilation. It is a new phase in that annihilation, an instrument of Israeli policy to further dominate the Palestinians of Gaza, to more tightly restrict their calories and their movement. On Tuesday, this new phase began with the Israel Defense Forces blindly shooting at several thousand starved people who refused to wait patiently for the bread that is their right, killing three. It was no accident.

The new aid system is run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF. Its governance is a cloaked nexus of shell holdings, Swiss entities, escaped crooks, and U.S. military veteranswithout a single Palestinian (or Arab) voice allowed to provide even nonbinding advice. Its plan is to operate four Secure Distribution Sites: armoured citadels defended by a private security company (another shadowy shell outfit called Safe Reach Solutions). The foundation proudly admits that each of these hubs can feed 300,000 people. But this is only half of Gazas prewar population. Even if GHFs board promises to expand its capacity, one million Palestinians would still be starving, still without safe drinking water, still lacking even the simplest means of hygiene like toilet paper and tampons.

Israel has engineered this new system so the greater mass of Gazans will be more concentrated, simpler to spy on, and easier to control. Security cameras and biometric testing are planned to screen the needy. Importantly for the greater designs of the Israeli government, large areas of the Gaza Strip can be depopulated, ripe for the conquest the war cabinet approved earlier this month. And with only a handful of aid hubs to monitor, it saves the IDF the hassle of bombing each node of the old network individually, as it did when it flattened a U.N. distribution centre in Jabalia on May 9. It was, of course, empty. All the warehouses are empty.

While GHF might proclaim its strict adherence to humanitarian principles  ensuring assistance reaches those most in need, without diversion or delay, it is still beholden to its patron. During a hearing of the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that aid would in fact be conditionalonly those Palestinians who promise not to return to their homes in areas declared off-limits by the IDF can be eligible. The destitute must run the gauntlet south, over the Netzarim and Morag corridors, kettled and corralled into tiny areas around the Secure Distribution Sites to become utterly dependent on handouts. It also means concentrating men specifically, who are more likely to walk the long distances and then carry a heavy box all the way back. Their new homes will be hunger camps.





The first Secure Distribution Site proved to be anything but secure. On May 27, the mass of Palestinians who came southtoward Rafah, a city that no longer existsfound a 20-acre plot of earth with sand walls, squat watchtowers, and a staff incapable of controlling a desperate population, even with the help of a labyrinth of wire fences and steel gates. The fences were busted down, the GHFs staff retreated, and the IDF picked up the slack. Three Palestinians were killed and several dozen others injured in a spree of gunfire. Of course, some of the meager suppliesbeans, pasta, lentilsare produced in Israel, with Hebrew branding. War is a racket, Smedley Butler once said. Someone along the chain is making a killing from killing.

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Who is that someone? Even before its disastrous debut, the GHF seemed to empty itself of personnel, either out of shame or embarrassment. Jacob Wood, formerly of the aid group Team Rubicon, resigned his post as executive director, saying it was not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to  humanitarian principles. Nate Mook, the former CEO of World Central Kitchen, denied being a part of the GHF, even though his name appeared on early memos leaked to the press. Ex-South Carolina governor and longtime chief of the U.N.s World Food Programme David Beasley was the foundations best chance at appearing legitimate or impartial. His name too appeared in the briefing documents. He has wisely kept quiet.

It has long been the Israeli governments desire that Gazas economy should be utterly dependent on the largesse of their occupiers. Even before the war, 80 percent of the population needed some kind of humanitarian assistance to get by. Since 2007, according to a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable, Israel has kept the Strip functioning at the lowest level possible consistent with avoiding a humanitarian crisis. And since October 7, the Israeli army has deliberately wrecked four-fifths of Gazas agricultural land, which in the best of times could only feed a third of its people.

Now there will not be a country. It is extremely rare for Netanyahu to say openly what is being done to Gaza and its population. For 19 months, Israels prime minister stayed on messageget the hostages, finish off Hamaswhile deferring the bloody work of honesty to his deputies. Yet at the same Knesset committee, Netanyahu proudly admitted his true intent. We are demolishing more and more homes, he said. The Palestinians have nowhere to return. The obvious result will be the desire of Gazans to emigrate outside the Strip. In this sense, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and Israels newest government agencythe Voluntary Emigration Bureaugo hand-in-hand. They are the two tracks of a single strategy, the pincers advancing toward a clear goal: to get as many Palestinians as possible to leave their homeland and never come back.

Because the GHFs aid regime is a naked instrument of Israeli policy, the U.N.s relief agencies and other charities have unanimously rejected taking part in it. Their reasons are sound. Publicly they condemn any plan, as U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres put it, that would risk further controlling and callously limiting aid down to the last calorie and grain of flour. Privately they fear becoming complicit in a vast crime. Indeed, the worst crime of our age. The model of total control over aid delivery and distribution exercised by a party to the conflict, a U.N. discussion memo says, would become a standard that other Member States may seek to replicate. Israel is setting a standard, a precedent. The methods of annihilation trialed here can be trialed elsewherewill be trialed elsewhere. Anyone refusing to oblige or consent now is doing a favor to the future.

Take the long view. Look from above. What do we see? Not just a nation being dismantled, piece by gory piece. Not just the Israeli governments shameless perpetration of nearly every one of the gravest crimes humanity has written. We see exactly the techniques a sadist might use to make their captive helpless and pliable. The unrelenting airstrikes. The unceasing demolition of homes and farmland. The unnerving assassinations of journalists and aid workers. Above all, the use of hunger as a weapon of coercion. There is a word for what Israel is doing: torturethe torture of an entire society in the hope it might flee its torment or perish in the trying. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation cannot rescue the Palestinians. It is one more tool in a suite of destruction.
Donald Trump continued his pardon spree Wednesday when he commuted the federal life sentences of Larry Hoover, the co-founder the Chicago gang Gangster Disciples.

The 74-year-old was sentenced to six life terms in 1997 on federal charges, but at the time had already been serving a 200-year-sentence on state charges for murder.

Trump commuted Hoovers federal life sentences for murder and founding a criminal enterprise, but Hoovers state convictions will remain. It is unlikely he will be freed but he is expected to be transferred to another prison, according to The New York Times. His transfer date out of ADX Florence in Colorado is uncertain.

Trump commuted Hoover's federal life sentences, but the gang co-founder still has many years to serve in state prison. / Chicago Tribune / TNS

Hoovers attorneys told CBS News that they were thrilled to hear about the pardon.

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The Courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. Hoovers considerable growth and complete rehabilitation, they said in a statement. Despite the Courts unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters. Thankfully, Mr. Hoovers pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover.

Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland was convicted in two separate federal cases in 2004 and 2014. / Hartford Courant / TNS

Additional pardon recipients Wednesday include former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, a Republican, who was convicted in two federal cases, one in 2004 for conspiracy to commit mail and tax fraud and the other in 2014 for illegal campaign activity.

Trump also pardoned Mark Bashaw, a former Army officer convicted of disobeying COVID-19 rules in the military, as well as rapper Kentrell Gaulden, also known as NBA YoungBoy, for federal weapons charges.

Former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm, who pleaded to guilty to tax fraud for cooking the books at his Manhattan restaurant, was pardoned as well.

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During a failed 2018 GOP primary bid for his old seat, Grimm claimed that his prosecution was political in naturethe same rationale Trump used regarding his many legal cases. Grimm also claimed his opponent was insufficiently pro-Trump.

Trumps other pardons of late include include a reality television couple convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud, and a former Virginia sheriff who accepted bribes to give out auxiliary sheriffs badges.
DENVER (KDVR)  A housing unit for military veterans in custody was unveiled at the Downtown Detention Center on Wednesday.

The Denver Sheriff Department said in a press release that the new housing unit can hold 64 men and is designed to support veterans by providing a structured environment that fosters rehabilitation, personal growth, and successful reintegration back into the community.

Aurora police report 47 pursuits since policy changed under 3 months ago

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Were committed to supporting those who have served our nation, DSD Sheriff Elias Diggins said in a statement. The housing unit will have dedicated resources, structure, and guidance to transition veterans successfully back to the community.

The housing unit for military veterans will function as a modified therapeutic community, that the DSD said will foster discipline, responsibility and mutual support among participants.

A housing unit for military veterans in custody was unveiled at the Downtown Detention Center on Wednesday. (Courtesy DSD) A housing unit for military veterans in custody was unveiled at the Downtown Detention Center on Wednesday. (Courtesy DSD) A housing unit for military veterans in custody was unveiled at the Downtown Detention Center on Wednesday. (Courtesy DSD) A housing unit for military veterans in custody was unveiled at the Downtown Detention Center on Wednesday. (Courtesy DSD)

To be in the new housing unit, an individual must self-identify as a military veteran while being booked into the jail, according to the DSD, which said it will work with Veterans Affairs to then confirm their status.

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Family of man killed by Aurora police last May files suit against city, officer who fired deadly shot

The DSD said staff who work in the new military veteran housing unit will also collaborate with the Veterans Court to identify eligible participants and advocate for rehabilitative alternatives, when appropriate.

The Denver Sheriff Departments new Housing Unit for Military Veterans honors their service while providing the structured support they need to pursue accountability and meaningful rehabilitation, said Kerri Lombardi, Presiding Judge of Denver County Court, in a statement.

The new military veteran housing unit boasts fresh paint, graphics of each branch of the military with inception date around the unit, a floor-to-ceiling United States flag on two pillars, military branch flags draped from the ceiling and the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima in the sally port.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Theres a renewed push by some NoDa business owners to get rid of street vendors in the area.

Theyve been pushing for regulations for years, claiming the vendors are a nuisance and a public safety hazard. But supporters say street vendors bring life to NoDa.

During peak hours, the sidewalks in the area are filled with tables. Street vendors are a big part of the culture here. While some people like them, others are worried theyre taking up too much space.

PREVIOUS | NoDa group exploring task force to create new policies for street vendors

Were pretty much the staple of the community, said Michael Biggs, a street vendor.

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Biggs brings his mobile dispensary to the NoDa area seven days per week. Hes one of several street vendors who frequent the neighborhood.

When you come down the block, all the excitement, all the vendors hanging out on the block, everybody is cool with each other, he said.

Some business owners in the area arent as happy with their presence.

Theres no room for street vendors and yet, they dominate, said Paul McBroom, a business owner.

A couple of them spoke during Tuesday nights Charlotte City Council meeting, detailing their concerns with the sellers over the past few years and even calling the problem an epidemic.

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Theres been violence around it thats escalated to gun violence, to physical violence and ultimately is causing a nuisance in the neighborhood, said Michael Sims, a business owner.

Business owner Michael Sims speaks at Charlotte City Council meeting

Theyre asking for Charlotte leaders to look at permitting policies or potentially deeming NoDa a congested business district, which would ban the vendors.

The naysayers from NoDa tell a one-sided tale of exaggerated inconveniences and cost without accounting for real, abundant benefits provided by the street vendors, said Michael Roessler, a NoDa resident.

Not everyone is in favor of the idea, especially the vendors who feel like theyre doing everything right.

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We try our best not to hang out on the sidewalk, said Biggs. We clean up our trash. We try to be respectful of the neighborhood. Without businesses like this, I think it would lack character.

Charlotte City Council members are collecting information from people for and against the vendors and could vote on any potential changes in the coming months.

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Striking nurses picket outside UnityPoint-Health Meriter hospital Wednesday. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner)

Nurses at Meriter hospital in Madison and the hospitals management team are returning to the bargaining table Thursday, the third day of a five-day strike over a new labor agreement covering nearly 1,000 union-represented nurses.

The nurses, represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Wisconsin, went on strike Tuesday after their last negotiating session with UnityPoint Health-Meriter on May 19 ended without an agreement.

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As nurses rallied and picketed in front of the hospital Wednesday, the issue of staffing requirements was at the forefront of arguments offered by both the nurses and the hospitals management.

Meriter Nurse Carly Dickmann addresses her coworkers at a picket line rally in front of the hospital Wednesday. Behind her is Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner)

Let me be very clear, it is not unreasonable to want safe staffing guaranteed in our contracts, said Carly Dickmann, a Meriter obstetrics, labor and delivery nurse.

It is not unreasonable to want to feel safe at work and to have a voice in the procedures that impact us and our patients, Dickmann continued. It is not unreasonable to want fair compensation for our labor. Its long past time for management to take us seriously. Its time that Meriter listen to nurses and come to the table ready to make real, tangible changes to improve the hospital we love so dearly.

A management position paper distributed Wednesday by the hospitals communications department asserted that the hospital and the union both agree that staffing levels are a critical component to safe patient care.

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The paper stated that the hospitals approach to staffing assignments needed to remain flexible so it could move personnel in response to patient needs and census changes. It said the hospital would review the staffing matrix in four units the union identified as having problems, and that nurses and support staff in the affected units would be included in the process.

At the unions picket line rally on Tuesday, bargaining team member Amber Anderson said the management proposal fell short.

Meriter management refuses to put staffing solutions in our contract, Anderson said, calling the management proposal a vague promise to review staffing with no timelines, no accountability and no enforceable standards. That is not enough.

The union has also focused on security and on wages. Union proposals have sought increases particularly for nurses with the longest tenure, as well as metal detectors in certain areas.

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The management paper said average wages would go up by $4.67 an hour over the life of the agreement under the hospitals proposal, and that Meriter had plans to install weapons screening equipment in its emergency department this summer.

At Wednesdays picket line rally, striking nurses heard messages of support from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Black Earth).

Pocan recalled his visit to Meriter for three clogged arteries seven and a half years ago.

And I got time to spend in the ICU and other rooms here at Meritor, and I received excellent health care, Pocan said. Not because of the comfort of the bed or the colors of the wall, not because of the profitability of the hospital, but because of the staff and the nurses at Meriter.

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Johnson came to Madison because he sees issues in the strike as important not just for nurses in Madison, but really for nurses all across the state of Wisconsin, he said in an interview. When you stand with labor, its not just a sometime thing, its an all the time thing.

Strikers also got support from union activists organizing at other area health care employers.

The people who own the health care industry are running a race to the bottom, where executives try to lower quality of care, increase ratios as much as they possibly can get away with, said Colin Gillis, who has been active in the effort begun more than five years ago to win union representation for nurses at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison.

And when they do it here, at the hospital next door, they look at their nurses and they say, Hey, they take six patients at night, so can you, Gillis said. Well, you and your nurses are here to say, Heck, No!

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Dr. Ira Segal, who has been among the employees at Group Health Cooperative in Madison organizing a union, said his coworkers see the Meriter nurses as allies.

Together, we will persevere and we will shape a future where workers and patients come before profit, and where every voice is heard, Segal said.

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Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez didnt recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month with an agency-wide email as he has in the past  an omission rankling some staffers who requested such a message be issued this year to voice solidarity with Muslim employees impacted by the war in Gaza.

In April 2024, Rodriguez issued agency-wide message marking Arab American Heritage Month that did address the human toll of the war in Gaza. It urged all DOT employees to pause and reflect on the pain being felt by so many in the Arab American community, who have had family and friends impacted by the war in Gaza.

Communications reviewed by the Daily News and a DOT source confirmed staff asked department brass to issue a similar message this year. But Rodriguez issued no such message last month, sources confirmed.

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The internal tensions at DOT come as the war between Israel and Hamas remains a hot-button issue in New York, with pro-Palestinian protests playing out on city streets nearly every week and the conflict being hotly debated during this years mayoral campaign.

The DOT staffers told The News they were upset by Rodriguezs lack of agency-wide recognition at a time that Israels war in Gaza  which was launched in response to Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack  has left more than 50,000 Palestinians dead, according to estimates.

The staffers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were especially irked as Rodriguez did issue an agency-wide email recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month this past Tuesday that made multiple references to President Trump. That message, obtained by The News, lauded Trump for issuing a national proclamation on May 16 that made a commitment to the security of Israel.

This selective recognition not only undermines the agencys stated commitment to equity and diversity, but also sends a troubling message about which communities are deemed worthy of visibility and respect, said one Muslim DOT source.

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The repeated use of Trump in the email when he made statements about moving out the Palestinians from their land shows a lack of sensitivity to the Arab and Muslim staff, the source added, a reference to the presidents proposal to expel all Palestinians from Gaza.

DOT spokesman Nick Benson declined to speak to the question of why Rodriguez didnt act on the staff request to send an agency-wide email marking Arab American Heritage Month this year.

He said the department made a post about Arab American Heritage Month on an internal messaging board; that communication made no reference to the war in Gaza.

Kayla Mamelak, Mayor Adams spokeswoman, said his office wasnt involved in crafting the DOTs messaging. Mamelak noted the mayor marked Arab American Heritage Month by tweeting about the importance of Arab businesses on April 29 and joining members of an NYPD Arab fraternal organization for a heritage event on May 6.

With Evan Simko-Bednarski
ALBANY, N.Y. (WWTI)  New York State has announced a pair of tourism campaigns, including one targeted towards Canada, to help drive up sagging tourism numbers.

Governor Kathy Hochuls office announced on Wednesday the launch of I Love NYs new integrated summer tourism and travel campaign. This is highlighted by two new ads running through August across New York State, and in traditional drive markets including Canada.

Check out great tourism locations across the state with Destination NY

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This features advertising across broadcast, streaming and social platforms, and showcases some of the attractions and activities available. The summer campaign also includes I Love NYs largest mobile marketing tour ever, and additional complementary travel industry efforts to promote visitation to the States 11 different vacation regions.

The multi-layered summer tourism campaign begins with two new ads featuring a new tagline  New York State: Everything You Love.  reflecting the depth and breadth of the world-class attractions and memory-making activities available in communities throughout the state. The new ads can be viewed here and here. More information about planning a summer getaway in the state is available at www.iloveny.com/summer.

Tourism is crucial to New York State, supporting jobs and local economies, and we have so many incredible attractions ready to welcome visitors, from Niagara Falls to Montauk Point. This summer, New York wants to extend a special invitation to travelers from across America and all around the world: this is the perfect opportunity to plan a trip to celebrate history, explore our incredible landscapes, and enjoy all that our incredible state has to offer. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight

This news comes on the heels of a recent report from United States Senator Charles Schumers office about a decrease of border crossings from Canada.

A recent survey from North Country Chamber of Commerce survey, 66% of businesses are already experiencing a dip in Canadian bookings. Canada is the top source for international tourism in the United States.

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H.C. Wainwright analyst Heiko Ihle raised the price target for Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV) from $180 to $195, while maintaining a Buy rating on the company's shares on May 28. The adjustment comes after Franco-Nevada announced that it had reached a deal to purchase a royalty package on the Cote Gold Mine in Ontario.

Franco-Nevada Price Target Raised to $195 by H.C. Wainwright After Royalty Deal

The recently purchased royalty package covers the Chester 1, 2, and 3 claims and contains a 7.5% gross margin royalty on the Cote Gold Mine. This covers more than 99.9% of the present mineral resources found at the Cote Gold Mine as well as all mineral reserves.

Additionally, industry rivals IAMGOLD and Sumitomo, who also operate the site, have the opportunity to acquire up to half of Franco-Nevada's royalties under the terms of the arrangement. Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV) anticipates that the deal will close by the end of the second quarter of 2025 and that the royalty's economic benefits will start on the date of the deal's closing or July 1st.

While we acknowledge the potential of FNV to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than FNV and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

Read More: 10 Best Stocks to Buy According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and 15 Best Stocks to Buy According to Jim Simons Renaissance Technologies.

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OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A deputy who survived a life-threatening injury received an award from the National Association of Police Organizations on Wednesday.

Family, local leaders, and law enforcement honored an Corporal Lucas Watts, who was shot in the line of duty.

Watts was shot in November 2023 when trying to make a traffic stop.

The night of the shooting, we were not 100% sure how else things were going to turn out, and we knew it didnt look good, Watts said. It shows you that God has a way of deciding things that man does not decide.

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Watts spent several months in the hospital, fighting for his life. On Wednesday, he stood in front of the crowd to receive a Top Cops award, a prestigious honor from the National Association of Police Organizations.

Weve seen his little boy, Eli, running around today and that gives us hope, said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, Third Congressional District South Carolina. I know he was fighting hard to rehabilitate from his injuries to be here with his wife and his son. That speaks volumes about his love for his family.

Biggs presented Watts with a letter from Governor Henry McMaster, recognizing Watts bravery.

Biggs gave Watts a challenge coin.

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As a US congresswoman, I have my own challenge coins, said Biggs. I try to save those for special occasions. Today is absolutely a special occasion as we celebrate his resiliency and ability to come through on this event.

Watts was also given a flag that was flown over the United States Capital.

I hope that will signify why he did the work that he did and put himself out there in the line of duty to protect us, said Biggs.

I think if you take a look at Lucas as hes progressed from that day, every day, it just seems to me hes getting better and better, Watts said. Were grateful for that. Hes not only a brother who wears a blue uniform, as you saw today, but hes also a friend to all of us, actually more like family.

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The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said Watts is still recovering. His family appreciates the love and support the community has shown for the past year and a half.

The bottom line is that we just continue to support him, lift his family and his friends up in prayer and support, said Watt.

Last year, Watts was awarded the Governors Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  There were nearly 300 food recalls in 2024 and it doesnt stop there, as already in the first half of this year, the FDA has reported a staggering 45.

Whole cucumbers were recalled last week, over salmonella contamination, and that has now expanded to 16 states, including Virginia. Within the last 24 hours a salmon product from Aldi was scrapped from shelves due to a life-threatening allergen in three states out west. And earlier Wednesday, Hormel Foods is recalling about 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood.

These are prime examples of why theres a growing public concern. Its making consumers question whats safe to eat, and above all creates the greater risk for the development of foodborne illnesses. But are the recalls actually occurring more often?

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Professor Rishi Drolia, with the Old Dominion University biological sciences department, said food recalls may appear increased over time because of advanced technology used by the CDC, USDA and FDA to track foodborne illnesses.

I think stricter regulations are very important for food safety and for public health, he said. In the United States, there is a zero-tolerance policy for listeria monocytogenes. In some of the European countries, there is some tolerance. That means a certain amount of listeria can be still present in ready to eat foods, but here, the regulations are very strict.

Those tighter regulations help to track the outbreak faster through frequent checks of the processing plants, environmental sampling and sanitization. The other issue at hand is what the masses are consuming, along with lifestyle changes.

People do not have time to cook, Drolia said. The amount of ready-to-eat food products consumed has increased over the years. If you see, a majority of these outbreaks happen in a lot of fast food or raw food. And so in both the cases, what happens is that the people are consuming  food that is never cooked.

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Drolia also stresses the importance of knowing if you are immunocompetent or immunocompromised. Many people have compromised immune systems and are not aware.

For the majority of the foodborne pathogens, and including listeria monocytogenes here, the risk population is young, elderly, pregnant and immunocompromised, he said. And so, if you are in one of those susceptible groups, that is when you could avoid high risk foods and those high risk foods are ready to eat meat that are uncooked, unpasteurized milk, raw vegetables, raw fruits [and] cheese that is made up of unpasteurized milk.

He said to also thoroughly cook your food and practice safe food handling processes in your kitchen to avoid cross contamination. Those precautionary measures can help reduce illnesses, due to foodborne pathogens.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025  2:18 p.m.

BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV)  Officers with the Beloit Police Department provided an update on the previously missing 12-year-old girl from southern Wisconsin, saying she was safely located.

Sometime around 2 p.m., Beloit PD posted on its Facebook page that Gabriela Torres-Bolanos was safely located.

Original story: Officers in southern Wisconsin searching for missing 12-year-old girl

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025  12:48 p.m.

BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV)  Officers in southern Wisconsin are searching for a 12-year-old girl who was last seen Wednesday night and was reported missing Thursday morning.

Gabriela Torres-Bolanos, 12 (Beloit Police Department)

The Beloit Police Department posted on its Facebook page on the afternoon of May 29, asking the public if they have seen 12-year-old Gabriela Torres-Bolanos.

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Officers noted that Gabriela was last seen at her home in Beloit on the evening of Wednesday, May 28, and was reported missing to the Department early Thursday morning.

Overwhelming community outreach helps Menasha Police Department quickly identify fishing gear vandals

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Rock County Communication at (608) 757-2244 and reference BE2519699.

Local 5 will update this story when more information is provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Gov. Henry McMaster speaks about a new law criminalizing what's commonly called "revenge porn" at a signing ceremony Thursday, May 29, 2025. Behind him from left to right is Rep. Chris Wooten, Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette. (Photo by Shaun Chornobroff/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster praised a new law criminalizing the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, also known as revenge porn, which lawmakers said Thursday was long overdue.

Since last June, when a law in Massachusetts took effect, South Carolina had been the only state in the nation that didnt ban the distribution of nude photos of someone without permission. The Palmetto State ban applies to photos and videos. Those include fake images made through artificial intelligence or any other technology that are indistinguishable from an authentic visual depiction of the individual.

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Thursdays celebratory signing at the Statehouse comes 10 days after President Donald Trump signed a similar bill into law.

Weve seen tragedies occur. Weve seen these crimes occur. But this particular one in South Carolina was not a crime at the time, but it is now, said McMaster, who actually signed the bill into law on May 12. It took effect immediately.

Differences between the new state and federal laws include the punishment.

Under the federal Take It Down Act, the maximum penalty is a $5,000 fine and two years in prison  three years if the victim is a minor.

In South Carolina, the same crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. For any additional conviction, the violator faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The exception would be someone who can prove there was no intent to damage the victims reputation or cause harm. That would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail on first offense only.

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A provision in the federal law additionally gives victims a way to get a photo or video removed from social media. But that part, which requires online platforms to create a request-and-removal process, doesnt take effect until next year.

Rep. Brandon Guffey said the state laws passage signifies an age shift in the Legislature.

It shows that there is a new generation within the Statehouse that understands cybercrimes, said the Rock Hill Republican.

Rep. Chris Wooten, the lead sponsor for several years, has said previous efforts died not because of opposition, but rather a lack of understanding of the problem  or that it existed.

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The Lexington Republican started pushing for the legislation after his work on an oversight committee made him realize law enforcement had no way of prosecuting people who spread images without consent  but werent doing it for profit. He pre-filed his first bill in December 2022. At the time, South Carolina was among three states that didnt criminalize it. That bill died last year without ever getting a hearing.

Wooten pre-filed another bill ahead of this years session. This time, it passed both chambers unanimously before getting the governors signature.

I want to continue to protect not only our daughters, wives and significant others, but our sons too, Wooten said in McMasters office, signaling to Guffey.

In 2023, the Legislature passed a law banning sexual extortion, often called sextortion, when someone uses sexual photos or videos to blackmail people. That law is named Gavins Law after Guffeys 17-year-old son, who died by suicide three years ago after a scammer posing as a college girl on Instagram threatened to release explicit photos unless he kept sending them money.

A Nigerian man was extradited earlier this year to the U.S. to face federal charges for the scam.

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But Gavins Law applies only if money is involved, not if someone is using it embarrass, humiliate or harm someones reputation.

Beyond leading for the more protections in South Carolina law, Guffey traveled to Washington, D.C., in February to call on Congress to pass the federal version of whats commonly called revenge porn. He was recognized during the ceremony at the White House on May 19, when Trump signed it into law.

Attorney General Alan Wilson, who also attended the White House ceremony, said he prefers the South Carolina version because of the tougher penalties.

Thank you for what you did, Wilson said of the laws passage. Now we can get to work.

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Other laws passed this year will also help his office protect children, he said.

Gov. Henry McMaster holds up a law on Thursday, May 29, 2025, that criminalizes the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images. (Photo by Shaun Chornobroff/SC Daily Gazette)

Those include two bills criminalizing the use of AI  or any other technology  to create or morph images and videos of children into inappropriate content.

Another new law, one that Wilson lauded as a game changer, granted his office power to subpoena websites and internet providers to locate people suspected of accessing child pornography, speeding up these investigations.

These new laws will make it better for us to be able to go after people who exploit those using the internet, Wilson said.

All of those laws passed in the final days of this years legislative session, which officially ended May 8.

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Better late than never, McMaster said.

Some folks say in politics, nothing gets done without a deadline,' he said in his office, before sitting down for the public signing. It takes legislation a long time to pass. Sometimes, it takes way too long.
The Ohio legislature has proposed two bills that would make traffic ticket and arrest quotas illegal, and they are inching closer to becoming law.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 6, some state lawmakers hope this will help law enforcement focus on other crimes.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Right now, there are identical companion bills in the Ohio Senate and House. They have each passed their own versions and have sent them to the other chamber. Both the House and Senate will have to agree on one bill to send to Governor DeWine.

I think that would be a great idea to do, David Jones from Harrison Township said.

Banning traffic ticket and arrest quotas have been around the block in Ohios legislature before, but previous bills have not made it to the governor.

State lawmakers set up this bipartisan plan for companion bills in February.

When the public believes that police officers are writing tickets based on a need to meet a weekly quota, it undermines the public trust in law enforcement, Representative Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) said.

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Several law enforcement groups support this plan, including the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police as well as civil justice reform advocates.

Ohio could join 25 other states that have banned these quotas.

What our bill does is says you cant mandate a certain amount of tickets. Its just an arbitrary number, Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark) said.

Supporters of the bills say it would allow officers to focus on other priorities, and that quotas lead to bad police-community relations.

News Center 7 spoke to people in the community who say tickets can be a lot to handle for people who are already struggling.

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People are pushing to make ends meet, Stacey Cure from Cincinnati said.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol banned quotas as a part of their collective bargaining agreement.

Yes, Ive gotten a speeding ticket, David Jones from Harrison Township said. They are pretty pricey for the speeding tickets that Ive got.

As long as there are no changes to these companion bills, the first one to pass out of both the House and the Senate will head to the governors desk.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  An Ohio man will spend three decades in prison for sexually exploiting a Chicagoland girl he met online in 2020.

27-year-old Andrew Boltz, a Kenton, Ohio, resident, who was convicted on exploitation and child pornography charges by a federal jury in 2023, was handed a 30-year prison sentence during a hearing in federal court, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of Illinois announced Thursday.

According to prosecutors, in 2020, Boltz began communicating with a girl who was only 16 years old using the social media app Omegle.

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Boltz continued the conversations with the victim over text messages and through the app Snapchat and during their conversations, prosecutors said Boltz enticed the victim into sending him sexually explicit images of herself.

Prosecutors said Boltz even instructed the girl on what type of sexually explicit conduct should be portrayed in the images.

Boltz was convicted on four counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of receipt of child pornography on Oct 10, 2023, following a six-day trial in Chicago that included testimony from the victim.

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LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

The app Omegle was an online video chat service that would pair users with strangers at random. It was eventually shut down about a month after Boltzs conviction following years of mounting abuse claims.

Boltz sentence, which was handed down by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey on Friday, was the maximum possible punishment for his crimes.

Authorities did not provide a booking photo for Boltz.

The U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of Illinois urges anyone who may be a victim of sexual exploitation or worries that others may be victims, to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.

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Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.)

Ohio Senate leadership has given public school districts some hope that their version of the state budget will provide better financial support for education.

Cleveland Heights/University Heights City School District (CHUH) prioritizes musical expression for its students.

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Im part of band, and we go on trips and we play music, we perform, CHUH freshman Kennedi Brown said. We also do a lot of fundraisers, and its really fun.

For the flutist, she has been waiting for a trip for musicians to go to New York.

We do master classes, which actually enhance our playing and it makes us better players, she said.

Brown, Emmanuel Gutierrez, and a group of students and educators came to Columbus to represent the school, testifying before the Ohio Senate Education Committee about the importance of education funding.

The district would have received $7 million from the state under the expected full phase-in of Ohios Fair School Funding formula. But under cuts in the Ohio House version of the education budget, they would only receive $700,000.

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Asked if they fear that trip wont happen if school funding is cut, Brown responded, Absolutely.

She said she worries the state will squeeze school budgeting even more, through a House proposal to cap districts rainy day funds to 30%  and refunding anything above that back to the taxpayer.

The Senate Finance Committee is currently reviewing hundreds of amendments to the Houses passed budget, and although the chambers budget isnt out yet, Senate leadership has already said that the 30% cap isnt enough.

I, personally, think 30% is too low if we were to do a carryover balance cap, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, said.

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A week later, he added that the caucus would definitely need to have a conversation as to whether we want to have a cap at all.

Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, who helped come up with the idea, defended the cap.

Schools are just sitting on a lot more money than they can spend, Huffman claimed.

According to the House GOP, schools have carried over $10.5 billion, which should be going back to the residents. The bill would require counties to cut property tax rates, distributing unspent cash back.

The extra money that you have, that you didnt need to spend and you dont need to start your year  while your other taxes are coming in  were going to reduce the real estate taxes in that school district on a pro rata basis, the speaker said.

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School district treasurers and county auditors have warned that the plan to cap reserves would cause major problems. They say it would throw the most basic aspects of money management for schools into complete disarray, punish districts for being good stewards of public funds, and make financial planning, saving for projects, and managing risk all much more difficult.

The Cleveland Heights students hope that the Senate will follow through on public education funding.

Losing school funding could cut down on all of our stuff in the orchestra and everything in our school, Gutierrez said.

The substitute bill is expected to be announced in early June.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

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HAMILTON, Ohio (WJW)  Two drivers were recently cited for traveling 127 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Troopers reported the extreme speed violations occurred in Butler County.

Suspect remains on the loose after two officers shot on Northeast Side

Both drivers were charged with reckless operation and excessive speed, according to the patrol.

The citations are part of a troubling statewide trend, the patrol reported.

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Ohio woman wins $80K a year for 25 years: Heres how much she really gets

Since the beginning of 2024, troopers have cited more than 3,600 motorists for driving more than 30 mph over the posted speed limit.

The patrol is urging drivers to obey speed limits and drive responsibly, especially as traffic increases during the summer months.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  An Oklahoma County District judge said Wednesday he would need more time to consider arguments for and against a case that could see controversial social studies curriculum blocked from Oklahoma schools.

Last month, News 4 reported former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter had joined the legal team representing a group of parents and teachers in a petition filed against the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the State Board of Education to stop the standards.

The standards were approved by the State Board of Education in February, and lawmakers could have sent them back for additional review, but decided not to do so.

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They include biblical teachings and ask students to examine discrepancies in the 2020 election. The case is tied to the process in which the standards were approved and how they could impact Oklahomans.

Public school parent-led group provides social studies curriculum opt-out form

On Wednesday, Hunters legal team opened arguments asking for an injunction or temporary restraining order in front of Judge Brent Dishman. Current Putnam City Public Schools educator, plaintiff, and former standards writing committee volunteer, James Welch, PhD, was called to the stand to testify. During his testimony, Welch said that he was brought on as the sole person writing psychology and sociology standards last year.

Welch said last fall, he and 25 other teachers met in a University of Central Oklahoma conference room to review the standards. Welch said State Superintendent Ryan Walters attended and expressed to Welch and other attendees that he believed the committee members would do a good job. Welch said he was provided a set of standards from another state and was told attendees should model their standards based on them. He said he was concerned by blatant religious texts and pro-free enterprise standards, calling them extreme. He also said that other attendees he spoke with were alarmed as well.

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Welch noted that when he reviewed a draft copy of the standards in December, he noted that all mentions of the word diversity in his subject areas had been stricken. He said he found that problematic, and that the material pertained to subjects that were vital for an understanding in government. He said seeing the changes created a crisis of conscience for him and that he feared he would be reported, disciplined, or fired if he taught the areas omitted instead of what he described as a radical right wing viewpoint.

Oklahoma State Board of Education attorney, Chad Kutmas, pressed Welch about his experience, of which Welch admitted he had never been a part of standards writing processes prior to his volunteer commitment.

Oklahoma State Department of Education attorney, Michael Beason, pressed Welch about copies of standards handed out at the fall meeting Welch was not supposed to take with him outside of the meeting. Welch admitted to doing so, but when pressed about whether he shared them with media outlets, Welch said he did not. Beason argued that Welch was disgruntled because he didnt agree with the standards contents.

Hunters legal team argued the process to approve the standard was inconsistent and that there were amendments made that nobody had ever seen. He said the children across Oklahoma and their parents need to have confidence standards were implemented lawfully. Hunter argued the standards didnt come to the legislature lawfully, saying they were shoehorned in and werent properly deliberated.

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There has to be a recourse by citizens when theres a process like this that is so flawed, said Hunter.

News 4 has covered reports in which new board members appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt in February say they were not given enough time to review the standards, following the draft of the standards in December, and a 30-day window of public comment. News 4 shared in March that public comments obtained surrounding the altered standards were mostly negative, with only one comment supporting religious texts in schools.

Despite that, attorneys for the board and OSDE argued Wednesday that the process, which isnt legally required, other than public comment and the legislature consideration, was all done by the book. They said theres no legal precedent to move the case forward since the legislature took no action, saying doing so would open up a Pandoras Box.

Just because youre a lawmaker doesnt mean you dont make mistakes, said Hunter.

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Hunter asked a judge to consider a joint resolution filed this legislative session by Edmond Republican Adam Pugh that would have sent the standards back to the board. Pugh argued the standards would cost taxpayers millions of dollars in updates to textbooks and curriculum. Dishman seemed weary of accepting the quoted over $30 million figure Wednesday, but Hunter noted the board and OSDE hadnt provided any other figures. Hunter also wanted Dishman to review the public comments.

In this situation, we certainly want the judge to review everything carefully and thoughtfully, said Hunter.

Attorneys for the board and OSDE, while not providing another estimate, disputed the costs, but they did encourage Dishman to consider a motion to dismiss the case, arguing its only costing taxpayers more money in legal fees.

I just dont think thats good government, and I dont think that thats a correct argument, nor do I think the judge is going to buy it, said Hunter.

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Judge Dishman did not say when he expects to make a decision on separate motions for the injunction/restraining order or to dismiss the case. Hunter expects an update in June.

News 4 reached out to a spokesperson for State Superintendent Ryan Walters on Wednesday, but his office declined to comment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A popular Oklahoma coffee shop known for creating opportunities for those with special needs is facing uncertainty.

Not Your Average Joe is one of several non-profits that have been hit by federal cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency, slashing AmeriCorps staff.

The shop focuses on employing those with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

77.5% of that constituency are underemployed or unemployed altogether after high school, said Tim Herbel, founder and executive director of Not Your Average Joe.

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Isaac Meyers would be in that percentage if it wasnt for this job.

Its been like one of the best things that can ever happen, said Meyers.

Hes not doing it alone. Over the years, AmeriCorps members have worked alongside those like Meyers.

Theyve just always been helping me to know more of what I can do and to help me have more of what we can do as a team, said Meyers.

Herbel says over the last three years, Not Your Average Joe has had 22 AmeriCorps members.

They have served as mentors for those with disabilities, they help us build capacity in our community and they helped us grow to the point that we could provide this amazing award winning model of inclusionary employment for those with disabilities, said Herbel.

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White House to send DOGE cuts package to Congress as Speaker promises quick action

Now that support is being cut and the timing couldnt be worse.

Not Your Average Joe is in the process of expanding, after Stella Nova donated all of its locations to their mission.

Were about to hire up to 100 more Friends with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities and so we were about to receive six AmeriCorps members to serve alongside those individuals with disabilities, but now thats gone, said Herbel.

David Manning is neurotypical and works at Not Your Average Joe. He says the loss of AmeriCorps workers will be tough.

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Obviously less mentors that results in a harder training, environmental training and less time to prepare other employees for the job, said Manning.

Not Your Average Joe is now looking for more volunteers and donations to help fill the gap.

To learn more, click here.

Another way you can always help is being a customer.

Your coffee is going to make your day better, but that interaction is going to make your day even better and thats what its all about, said Herbel.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Reuters) -GE Aerospaces CEO said on Wednesday he is seeing supply chain improvements that will support an expected 15% to 20% increase in deliveries this year of jet engines used on popular narrowbody aircraft, after snags challenged deliveries in 2024.

CEO Larry Culp also told the Bernstein Strategic Decisions conference that the engine maker pledged to be completely in sync with customer Boeing, as the U.S. planemaker gradually grows production of its strong-selling 737 MAX to a monthly rate of 38 and possibly above this year. GE Aerospace, however, is still expecting a hit of more than $500 million from tariffs due to a U.S.-led trade war.

GE Aerospace holds a strong position in the narrowbody jet engine market through its partnership with France's Safran that produces the LEAP engine used by both Boeing and European planemaker Airbus .

While the U.S. market has seen some turbulence in domestic travel due to economic uncertainty, about 70% of GE's commercial engine revenue is driven by parts and services which remain in demand as older planes fly longer.

Earlier this month, GE Aerospace signed an agreement with Qatar Airways to supply more than 400 engines to power the airlines next-generation Boeing 777-9 and 787 aircraft.

Helped by internal changes, Culp said GE saw a double-digit increase in deliveries from critical suppliers in April and May, with some delivering twice as much as they were doing a year ago.

Were getting more and were getting more in a predictable fashion, Culp said.

Supply chain challenges, nevertheless, continue to dog plane production as Boeing and Airbus manufacture more jets, with no one particular bottleneck to blame.

"A lot of people say, what's the one thing you need to solve for? I wish it was just one thing, right? It's 1,000 and it changes," Culp said.

Culp added that he is working alongside Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on GE's imminent engine deliveries, and how those will step up in line with Boeing in 2026 and in 2027. Boeing has engines in its inventory after output of its strongest-selling 737 MAX slumped last year due to a quality crisis.

"They're working their way through that inventory," Culp said of Boeing. We want to make sure that we are completely in sync with them as we move forward.

GE Aerospace is holding its investor day at the world's largest air show in Paris on June 17.

(Reporting By Allison Lampert and Shivansh TiwaryEditing by Nick Zieminski)
Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed an income tax cut into law, accomplishing his main goal of the legislative session with days to spare.

The quarter-point cut will reduce Oklahoma's income tax rate to 4.5% for most earners, while costing the state between $160 million and $300 million a year in lost revenue, according to varying estimates.

Stitt has long pressed for reducing income taxes and reached a deal this year with the Republican-led Legislature to make it happen. The agreement includes a consolidation of income tax brackets and what Stitt has described as a "path to zero" income tax, with triggers meant to further reduce the tax rate in future years.

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While Stitt had opened the Legislative session in February by calling for a steeper half-point tax cut, he has still seemed pleased with landing a quarter-point cut.

Talking about the tax cut deal during a news conference on Wednesday, May 28, Stitt said it would "automatically trigger tax cuts, not in an irresponsible way, but with excess revenue, we'll be able to trigger tax cuts and put us on a path to zero."

The specifics of the cut are spelled out in House Bill 2764, which Stitt signed on Wednesday. By law, the Legislature has until Friday to finish its regular session business.

Critics have questioned whether lawmakers should reduce tax collections  and also dip into savings to cover some line items in the state's nearly $12.6 billion budget for the next fiscal year  at a time of economic uncertainty.

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More: Gov. Stitt, legislative leaders announce budget deal including tax cuts, tort reforms

According to an analysis by the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a nonpartisan Tulsa-based think tank, cutting income taxes by a quarter of a percentage point would reduce state revenues by $306 million annually.

The group's analysis also showed many Oklahomans stand to save only marginal amount on their annual income tax bill. A quarter-point cut could save people who make $79,700 or less between $9 and $95, and would save those in the top 1% of incomes  making $683,500 or more  $2,936 annually, the group found.

Stitt has said the cut will help out struggling families and cost the state about $160 million in lost revenue during the next fiscal year, citing Oklahoma Tax Commission numbers. Stitt has maintained because that money is spent by taxpayers, not state government, it's better for the economy.

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The tax cut bill passed by margins of 74-19 in the House and 34-11 in the Senate, largely along party lines.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt signs income tax cut bill: What you should know
On what was most likely the final day of the 2025 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, lawmakers moved aggressively on votes to override bills vetoed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, hoping to turn those otherwise-dead bills into new laws.

The last-minute push on Thursday, May 29, marked the final chapter of a four-month session that started with the governor's calls for a tax cut and ended with him signing a bill to do just that. The Republican-controlled Legislature also moved to curb the power of Oklahoma's top schools official, remediate the financial crisis at the state's mental health agency and drastically change the state's citizen-led initiative petition process.

While Stitt had acknowledged that lawmakers would close out their time at the Capitol by attempting to override at least some of the 68 bills he had vetoed through the morning on May 29, he responded critically when the time came for the Legislature to act. He called on Oklahomans to track how his fellow Republican lawmakers vote on the veto overrides  and use that information to decide which candidate to choose in the 2026 election cycle.

What are the notable bills Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed?

Some of the bills vetoed by the governor included efforts to expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and beef up state resources devoted to investigating the disappearances and killings of Indigenous Oklahomans.

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Stitt said in a video posted online Thursday, May 29, that he had only rejected bills that were "bad for Oklahoma" and "bad for taxpayers" and blamed special interest groups for trying to undo his decisions.

"Just because people have an 'R' by their name when theyre running, you've got to know how theyre voting, and today is the tell-tale sign," Stitt said in the video, apparently recorded in his state Capitol office. "Do they believe in freedoms and limited government, or do they believe in bigger government and whatever the lobbyist crowd want around this building?"

Lawmakers responded to Stitt's call by casting vote after vote in a coordinated attempt to override dozens of his vetos. In both chambers, legislators sped through veto overrides, not asking questions or debating before a vote.

"Evidently, since the governor has called for all of us to be primaried that overrides vetoes today, and his staff cant seem to read a bill correctly and they vetoed my bill, I make a motion to override the veto," said Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, when he moved to override Stitt's veto of House Bill 2459, a bill that deals with fire safety standards on food trucks.

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Rep. Melissa Provenzano received a standing ovation from legislators of both parties after they voted 83-3 to override Stitts veto of the bipartisan bill to expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screening. The Democratic representative from Tulsa, whos been diagnosed with breast cancer, smiled and wiped tears from her eyes as her colleagues congratulated her on the success of House Bill 1389.

At another point, as House lawmakers considered voting to override Stitt's veto of House Bill 1592, Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, asked Rep. John George, R-Newalla: "Do you suppose the governor and his staff perhaps are using something like ChatGPT to decide which bills to veto?"

That vote to override Stitt's veto of that bill, which aims to curb organized retail crime, passed 93-0 in the House.

How a vetoed bill can be overridden in Oklahoma

To override a veto, a bill must receive a two-thirds majority in both chambers, and a three-quarters majority in both chambers if it has an emergency clause attached that would make it take effect immediately. By midday May 29, more than three dozen bills had been overridden in at least one chamber and passed across the Capitol rotunda to the other chamber. It remained unknown as of publication time May 29 how many vetoed bills would ultimately pass both chambers and become law over Stitt's objections.

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By law, the Legislature must adjourn its regular session by Friday, May 30.

More: Oklahoma governor vetoes MMIP bill, saying investigators shouldn't prioritize cases 'based on race'

One of the vetoed bills that lawmakers were working to restore was House Bill 2769. Among other things, the bill would create the Oklahoma National Guard Career Center Assistance Program, which would provide financial assistance to Oklahoma guard members who enroll in a technology center. It also would create a fund to pay members when they become eligible for retirement benefits from the Defense Finance Accounting Service.

The House also voted to override Stitts veto of House Bill 1137, which would remove the federal funding requirement for an Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The law would authorize state funding for the office, which was created by Ida's Law, a measure signed by Stitt in 2021 allowing the state to seek federal funding to combat the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous Oklahomans through a designated investigative unit.

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The law was named after Oklahoman Ida Beard, a mother of four and member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe who was 29 when she went missing in 2005. In a veto message issued May 5  widely recognized as a national day of awareness for the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis  Stitt said he could not back HB 1137 because it "prioritizes cases based on race."

In the Senate, members voted 33-14 to override Stitts veto of Senate Bill 574, would give the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board additional flexibility in determining opioid abatement grant eligibility and would add public colleges and universities as eligible grant recipients. Attorney General Gentner Drummond, an announced candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election, had criticized the veto, saying in a news release it would fuel the states opioid crisis and result in preventable deaths.

In his veto message, Stitt said the bill would expand the Attorney Generals discretionary authority over settlement agreements in opioid-related litigation (and) would hand even more power to someone who has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to abuse it.

The Senate also voted to 38-9 to override Stitt's veto of Senate Bill 687. The bill would transfer administrative duties related to the sales tax rebate program for broadband equipment purchases to the Oklahoma Broadband Office from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The measure also would create a revolving fund for the rebate and seed it with $15 million.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers attempting to overturn dozens of Stitt's vetoes
The Passageway corridor of the Catalyst co-working hub was an alley before the adaptive reuse project that converted an old steel plant complex into a 170,000-square-foot co-working office space intended to spur innovation and healthcare inventions. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  Two decrepit buildings with an alley between them.

Thats how developer Jay Lund recalls the defunct midtown Omaha steel plant some four years ago when his team began contemplating a conversion project that partnered with the neighboring University of Nebraska Medical Center.

The groundbreaking for the Catalyst project was in May 2023, and shown here is a shell of the former Omaha Steel Works facility. (Kent Sievers/University of Nebraska Medical Center)

On Wednesday, the site crawled with academic, business and community members for a public unveiling of the repurposed product: the Catalyst, a 170,000-square-foot co-working hub expected to incubate new medical inventions, draw talent and burnish the areas reputation as a healthcare and research magnet.

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So far 20% full with 18 tenants, officials say investment in the private-public venture will reach about $97 million, $29 million of which is university funds and $6.3 million of which is public tax-increment financing from the City of Omaha.

Its the first facility to open in the EDGE District, a roughly 30-acre area across Saddle Creek Road thats considered UNMCs west campus and the future home of more development. UNMC is the states only public academic health science center, treating patients as well as discovering cures.

It still amazes me when I come in here, Lund, of GreenSlate Development, said as he reflected on the before and after images of the project at 4601 Catalyst Court.

Said co-developer Dean Koelbel of Denver: It was a beast of a building from taking it apart to putting it together.

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GreenSlate and Koelbel and Co. are the private partners in the venture with UNMC.

Serendipitous collisions

Speaking also at the grand opening was Gov. Jim Pillen, Dr. Jeffrey Gold, University of Nebraska president, Dele Davies, UNMC interim chancellor, and Corinne Wardian, Catalyst community manager.

Dean Koelbel of Denver-based Koelbel and Co., left, and Jay Lund of GreenSlate Development, partnered in the Catalyst adaptive reuse project with UNMC as the public partner. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

The idea behind the Catalyst, they said, was to provide an environment where healthcare-minded academics, nonprofits, startups and businesses can network, exchange ideas and feed on a common energy.

Serendipitous collisions, is what Lund calls the moments when those workers bump into each other at a coffee counter or hallway and share a thought that becomes an invention.

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Innovation dies in a corporate setting, added Koelbel.

Gold told visitors that he hopes to see the Catalyst lure talent worldwide and that he expects its tenants to help UNMC push the frontiers of research and innovation. He noted how hard academics and physicians work on the main UNMC campus but said a key is transferring knowledge to a commercial market.

At the end of the day, until that research improves a human life, it is really just an exercise, said Gold.

Among Catalysts anchor residents are UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization arm of the Med Center, and UNeTech, a university affiliate that identifies and supports promising startups.

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The two entities and other Med Center business will take about a fourth of the complex, the portion of the Catalyst thats owned by the university, which also owns the ground beneath the sprawling facility.

Michael Dixon, CEO of UNeMed, and his team is settling into their new office space at the Catalyst. Through the windows to the east is the University of Nebraska Medical Centers main campus. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

The upside is were around people that are thinking like us, want to do work like we do, said Michael Dixon, CEO of UNeMed. Its like building a team within a bigger team.

On the main floor, past a grand stairway and near an area filled with historical photos, Dixons team has started to move into an office area. Visitors are greeted with a trophy wall of wins, which currently showcases a virtual incision robot.

Over the past five years, UNeMed and the university have racked up 526 new inventions, 76 license agreements, 19 new startup companies and 732 patent applications. Each of the last five years, NU has been recognized as one of the top 100 universities in the world for creating new patented technology, Dixon said.

Ties to State Capitol

Visitors on Wednesday got the opportunity to walk through other parts of the hulking workplace that features exposed brick, high beamed ceilings and plenty of steel reminiscent of the former Omaha Steel Works industrial plant founded in 1906.

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The steel company produced parts for urban infrastructure and bridges, the railroad industry and a huge tractor company. In 1922, it was awarded the steel contract to construct the Nebraska State Capitol where state laws are made and government operations are managed.

Shown up high is the gantry crane that used to move steel in the factory and now is part of the historic decor. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

During World War II, the complex produced landing craft tanks and artillery shells.

The building itself is unique because of its physical attributes, said Lund.

But he said its UNMC-area setting made it especially attractive. A future skywalk across Saddle Creek Road will link the main campus with the EDGE District. The planned Omaha streetcar route will connect the tenants to downtown as well.

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When transforming to its modern use, the development and architectural team used the shell of the steel plant and preserved key historical touches  such as a huge gantry crane that once moved around steel and is now part of the decor.

You cannot create this kind of stuff, Lund said. Once you lose it, its gone forever.

The team kept a flavor of what was literally an alley between two old buildings. Now enclosed and called the Passageway, the atrium is dotted with places for workers to sit, work, dine and collaborate.

Tenants have access to a kitchen and fitness area. Theres an executive board room, a living room lounge.

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Added was a third level. Tenant spaces range from a desk to a studio to a 10,000-square-foot office.

On the public-facing side of the structure is a coffee shop and patios. Big Grove Brewery taproom and restaurant is to open in July. The Forge event hall is for rent to the public.

EDGE District to grow

Koelbel and university officials said Wednesday that private investment in the project had reached about $68 million, and university funds total $29 million. Catalyst of Omaha follows in the footsteps of Denvers Catalyst, a co-working hub also led by Koelbel.

The Passageway, now an enclosed atrium, used to be an alleyway between two old steel plant buildings. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

The Catalyst wont be alone in that triangular-shaped EDGE District, as a six-story CORE research and office building is under construction. CORE is an anagram for center of research excellence, and that facility will support computer-based as well as lab research in areas such as microbiology, genetics, life sciences.

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A 750-stall parking garage owned by the City of Omaha is being built next to the Catalyst and will offer EDGE District parking. (Edge stands for Explore, Develop, Grow, Engage).

Other development is planned in the district, university officials said. Pillen, a former NU Regent, said he envisions a benefit for generations.

Its gigantic for Omaha, he said of the new development. Its huge for the state of Nebraska.

A rendering shows a future view from the northeast corner of Saddle Creek Road and Farnam Street looking south and southwest into the EDGE District, which includes the Catalyst project. The overpass would connect the main campus to the new EDGE District. (Courtesy of Holland Basham Architects)

Photo taken during Catalyst construction in December shows the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus through a window that faces east, across Saddle Creek Road. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

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Catalyst lobby, looking toward the south entrance. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Outside the Catalyst, an adaptive reuse project led by private developers Omaha's GreenSlate and Denver-based Koelbel and Co. in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

A section of the Catalyst that features desk areas and smaller offices for lease. Above is the gantry crane that used to move steel around in the plant. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

The Passageway in the Catalyst healthcare-centric co-working office space. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Historic photos of the former Omaha Steel Works company that formerly operated at the Catalyst site fill a wall. The photos are part of the nostalgic touches in the co-working space. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Wednesday's official grand opening of the Catalyst co-working and office complex. From left is Dele Davies, UNMC interim chancellor, Dr. Jeffrey Gold, NU president, Dean Koelbel, a co-developer, Gov. Jim Pillen, formerly an NU Regent, Jay Lund, co-developer. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

Photo in May 2023 shows UNMC buildings through the shell of the former Omaha Steel Works, as the Catalyst project was underway. (Courtesy of Kent Sievers, University of Nebraska Medical Center)

Photo taken in May 2023 during a tour and groundbreaking ceremony for the Catalyst project just west of Saddle Creek Road near Farnam Street.(Courtesy of Kent Sievers, University of Nebraska Medical Center)

An early rendering of the "Catalyst" project west of Saddle Creek Road. The co-working office space expands the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus and is envisioned as a business hub for innovators in health care. (Courtesy of APMA and GreenSlate Development)

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Amirah Amirror Iman-Thiam, one of Akons four wives, has filed a lawsuit against Publix Super Markets after a traumatic 2022 incident where she says she was sexually assaulted by an employee while shopping. The rapper is seeking punitive damages for emotional distress, reputational harm, and lost earnings  alleging that Publixs negligence not only caused her to feel unsafe, but derailed her career.

According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the assault occurred at a Publix location in Roswell, Georgia, when stock clerk Jonathan Ross, approached her near the organic snack section. Though that area was outside of his assigned duties, Ross allegedly lingered and watched her. As Amirah checked out her items, she says he whispered, That dress got me rethinking my lunch break, before bizarrely grabbing her buttocks and vaginal area.

Reportedly, Ross was already on managements radar for prior erratic behavior. The store managers allegedly later admitted Ross had a troubling pattern of behavior yet remained unsupervised around customers. Per outlet, bodycam footage showed Iman-Thiam visibly shaken as she reported the incident to police, and Ross ultimately confessed and was convicted of sexual battery.

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The trauma, she claims, metastasized. Court filings state that the emotional distress forced her to cancel a 12-city European and African tour that would have earned her $4,000,000. Collaborations with Grammy-winning producers were paused, and she says her creative drive stalled. My creativitys gone, she reportedly told her therapist, explaining that she now relies on Instacart and hires a $150/hour security escort for even the most basic errands.

Iman-Thiams lawsuit, filed in Fulton County Superior Court, accuses Publix of maintaining a workplace that was as predictable as a Tuesday BOGO sale in terms of risk. Her attorneys shared that this wasnt just about one rogue employee, but a broken system weaponized against women. The attorneys highlighted that the company had no formal sexual harassment policies for frontline workers, despite at least 19 similar incidents across the state since 2020.

As a devout Muslim woman, Iman-Thiam shared that she faced spiritual consequences due to the nature of the unwanted physical contact. Her faith strictly prohibits sexual or physical touch from anyone other than her husband, and the violation meant she was considered spiritually unclean. Because of the incident, Iman-Thiam said that she undertook a year-long process of purification and healing under the guidance of an Imam in Senegal, her husbands native country.

The rituals included praying six times a day, daily cleansing ceremonies, and a spiritual rebalancing that adhered to traditional Islamic practices. This period, while religiously essential to her recovery, made it impossible for her to tour, create music, or engage with her audience in any public way. Iman-Thiam is suing for punitive damages not only for the emotional and physical trauma, but for the financial blow to her career, harm to her reputation, and the personal cost of undergoing religious rites that were, as she put it, never meant to be done for this reason.

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Publix has reportedly filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Ross acted independently. However, Iman-Thiams team has responded with damning evidence that Publixs corporate practices failed to protect its customers from foreseeable harm.

Just days after Ross conviction, the company reportedly allocated $4,200,000 million in its quarterly earnings for customer incident resolutions  something Iman-Thiams attorneys suggest raises eyebrows.

Akon has not spoken publicly about his wifes sexual assault case.

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JERICHO, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  One person was arrested and another left with life-threatening injuries after the crash that closed part of Vermont Route 117 Wednesday.

31-year-old Anthony J Burbo was driving with two passengers when he left the roadway and entered the oncoming-drivers lane, police say. The vehicle he was driving, a 2010 Subaru Outback then reportedly collided with a 1997 Honda Civic.

The Honda driver, from Richmond has life threatening injuries.

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Burbo was screened and arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs, among other charges. He was cited, taken to a correctional facility and lodged on $1000 bail. Burbo is due in court May 29, Thursday morning.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
This article is part of Running Out, an occasional series about Texas water crisis. Read more stories about the threats facing Texas water supply here.

LUBBOCK  Every winter, after the sea of cotton has been harvested in the South Plains and the ground looks barren, technicians with the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District check the water levels in nearly 75,000 wells across 16 counties.

For years, their measurements have shown what farmers and water conservationists fear most  the Ogallala Aquifer, an underground water source thats the lifeblood of the South Plains agriculture industry, is running dry.

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Thats because of a century-old law called the rule of capture.

The rule is simple: If you own the land above an aquifer in Texas, the water underneath is yours. You can use as much as you want, as long as its not wasted or taken maliciously. The same applies to your neighbor. If they happen to use more water than you, then thats just bad luck.

To put it another way, landowners can mostly pump as much water as they choose without facing liability to surrounding landowners whose wells might be depleted as a result.

Following the Dust Bowl  and to stave off catastrophe  state lawmakers created groundwater conservation districts in 1949 to protect what water is left. But their power to restrict landowners is limited.

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The mission is to save as much water possible for as long as possible, with as little impact on private property rights as possible, said Jason Coleman, manager for the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District. How do you do that? Its a difficult task.

A 1953 map of the wells in Lubbock County hangs in the office of the groundwater district. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

High Plains Underground Water District General Manager Jason Coleman stands in the districts meeting room on May 21 in Lubbock. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

Rapid population growth, climate change, and aging water infrastructure all threaten the states water supply. Texas does not have enough water to meet demand if the state is stricken with a historic drought, according to the Texas Water Development Board, the state agency that manages Texas water supply.

Lawmakers want to invest in every corner to save the states water. This week, they reached a historic $20 billion deal on water projects.

[Texas is running out of water. Heres why and what state leaders plan to do about it.]

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But no one wants to touch the rule of capture. In a state known for rugged individualism, politically speaking, reforming the law is tantamount to stripping away freedoms.

There probably are opportunities to vest groundwater districts with additional authority, said Amy Hardberger, director for the Texas Tech University Center for Water Law and Policy. I dont think the political climate is going to do that.

State Sen. Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican, and Rep. Cody Harris, a Palestine Republican, led the effort on water in Austin this year. Neither responded to requests for comment.

Carlos Rubinstein, a water expert with consulting firm RSAH2O and a former chairman of the water development board, said the rule has been relied upon so long that it would be near impossible to undo the law.

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I think its better to spend time working within the rules, Rubinstein said. And respect the rule of capture, yet also recognize that, in and of itself, it causes problems.

Even though groundwater districts were created to regulate groundwater, the law effectively stops them from doing so, or they risk major lawsuits. The state water plan, which spells out how the states water is to be used, acknowledges the shortfall. Groundwater availability is expected to decline by 25% by 2070, mostly due to reduced supply in the Ogallala and Edwards-Trinity aquifers. Together, the aquifers stretch across West Texas and up through the Panhandle.

By itself, the Ogallala has an estimated three trillion gallons of water. Though the overwhelming majority in Texas is used by farmers. Its expected to face a 50% decline by 2070.

Groundwater is 54% of the states total water supply and is the states most vulnerable natural resource. Its created by rainfall and other precipitation, and seeps into the ground. Like surface water, groundwater is heavily affected by ongoing droughts and prolonged heat waves. However, the state has more say in regulating surface water than it does groundwater. Surface water laws have provisions that cut supply to newer users in a drought and prohibit transferring surface water outside of basins.

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Historically, groundwater has been used by agriculture in the High Plains. However, as surface water evaporates at a quicker clip, cities and businesses are increasingly interested in tapping the underground resource. As Texas population continues to grow and surface water declines, groundwater will be the prize in future fights for water.

In many ways, the damage is done in the High Plains, a region that spans from the top of the Panhandle down past Lubbock. The Ogallala Aquifer runs beneath the region, and its faced depletion to the point of no return, according to experts. Simply put: The Ogallala is not refilling to keep up with demand.

Its a creeping disaster, said Robert Mace, executive director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. It isnt like you wake up tomorrow and nobody can pump anymore. Its just happening slowly, every year.

Groundwater districts and the law

The High Plains Water District was the first groundwater district created in Texas.

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Over a protracted multi-year fight, the Legislature created these new local government bodies in 1949, with voter approval, enshrining the new stewards of groundwater into the state Constitution.

If the lawmakers hoped to embolden local officials to manage the troves of water under the soil, they failed. There are areas with groundwater that dont have conservation districts. Each groundwater districts has different powers. In practice, most water districts permit wells and make decisions on spacing and location to meet the needs of the property owner.

The one thing all groundwater districts have in common: They stop short of telling landowners they cant pump water.

In the seven decades since groundwater districts were created, a series of lawsuits have effectively strangled groundwater districts. Even as water levels decline from use and drought, districts still get regular requests for new wells. They wont say no out of fear of litigation.

The field technician coverage area is seen in Nathaniel Bibbs office at the High Plains Underground Water District. Bibbs is a permit assistant for the district. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

A well spacing guide is seen in Nathaniel Bibbs office. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

You have a host of different decisions to make as it pertains to management of groundwater, Coleman said. That list has grown over the years.

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The possibility of lawsuits makes groundwater districts hesitant to regulate usage or put limitations on new well permits. Groundwater districts have to defend themselves in lawsuits, and most lack the resources to do so.

The law works against us in that way, Hardberger, with Texas Tech University, said. It means one large tool in our toolbox, regulation, is limited.

The most recent example is a lawsuit between the Braggs Farm and the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The farm requested permits for two pecan orchards in Medina County, outside San Antonio. The authority granted only one and limited how much water could be used based on state law.

It wasnt an arbitrary decision. The authority said it followed the statute set by the Legislature to determine the permit.

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Thats all they were guaranteed, said Gregory Ellis, the first general manager of the authority, referring to the water available to the farm.

The Braggs family filed a takings lawsuit against the authority. This kind of claim can be filed when any level of government  including groundwater districts  takes private property for public use without paying for the owners losses.

Braggs won. It is the only successful water-related takings claim in Texas, and it made groundwater laws murkier. It cost the authority $4.5 million.

I think it should have been paid by the state Legislature, Ellis said. Theyre the ones who designed that permitting system. But that didnt happen.

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An appeals court upheld the ruling in 2013, and the Texas Supreme Court denied petitions to consider appeals. However, the states supreme court has previously suggested the Legislature could enhance the powers of the groundwater districts and regulate groundwater like surface water, just as many other states have done.

While the laws are complicated, Ellis said the fundamental rule of capture has benefits. It has saved Texas legal system from a flurry of lawsuits between well owners.

If they had said Yes, you can sue your neighbor for damaging your well, where does it stop? Ellis asked. Everybody sues everybody.

Coleman, the High Plains districts manager, said some people want groundwater districts to have more power, while others think they have too much. Well owners want restrictions for others, but not on them, he said.

Youre charged as a district with trying to apply things uniformly and fairly, Coleman said.

Cant reverse the past

Two tractors were dropping seeds around Walt Hagoods farm as he turned on his irrigation system for the first time this year. He didnt plan on using much water. Its too precious.

The cotton farm stretches across 2,350 acres on the outskirts of Wolfforth, a town 12 miles southwest of Lubbock. Hagood irrigates about 80 acres of land, and prays that rain takes care of the rest.

Walt Hagood drives across his farm on May 12, in Wolfforth. Hagood utilizes dry farming, a technique that relies on natural rainfall. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

A furrow irrigation is seen at Walt Hagoods cotton farm. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

We used to have a lot of irrigated land with adequate water to make a crop, Hagood said. We dont have that anymore.

The High Plains is home to cotton and cattle, multi-billion-dollar agricultural industries. The success is in large part due to the Ogallala. Since its discovery, the aquifer has helped farms around the region spring up through irrigation, a way for farmers to water their crops instead of waiting for rain that may not come. But as water in the aquifer declines, there are growing concerns that there wont be enough water to support agriculture in the future.

At the peak of irrigation development, more than 8.5 million acres were irrigated in Texas. About 65% of that was in the High Plains. In the decades since the irrigation boom, High Plains farmers have resorted to methods that might save water and keep their livelihoods afloat. Theyve changed their irrigation systems so water is used more efficiently. They grow cover crops so their soil is more likely to soak up rainwater. Some use apps to see where water is needed so its not wasted.

Farmers who have not changed their irrigation systems might not have a choice in the near future. It can take a week to pump an inch of water in some areas from the aquifer because of how little water is left. As conditions change underground, they are forced to drill deeper for water. That causes additional problems. Calcium can build up, and the water is of poorer quality. And when the water is used to spray crops through a pivot irrigation system, it's more of a humidifier as water quickly evaporates in the heat.

According to the groundwater district's most recent management plan, 2 million acres in the district use groundwater for irrigation. About 95% of water from the Ogallala is used for irrigated agriculture. The plan states that the irrigated farms afford economic stability to the area and support a number of other industries.

The state water plan shows groundwater supply is expected to decline, and drought wont be the only factor causing a shortage. Demand for municipal use outweighs irrigation use, reflecting the states future growth. In Region O, which is the South Plains, water for irrigation declines by 2070 while demand for municipal use rises because of population growth in the region.

Coleman, with the High Plains groundwater district, often thinks about how the aquifer will hold up with future growth. There are some factors at play with water planning that are nearly impossible to predict and account for, Coleman said. Declining surface water could make groundwater a source for municipalities that didnt depend on it before. Regions known for having big, open patches of land, like the High Plains, could be attractive to incoming businesses. People could move to the country and want to drill a well, with no understanding of water availability.

The state will continue to grow, Coleman said, and all the incoming businesses and industries will undoubtedly need water.

We could say Well, its no ones fault. We didnt know that factory would need 20,000 acre-feet of water a year, Coleman said. Its not happening right now, but whats around the corner?

Coleman said this puts agriculture in a tenuous position. The region is full of small towns that depend on agriculture and have supporting businesses, like cotton gins, equipment and feed stores, and pesticide and fertilizer sprayers. This puts pressure on the High Plains water district, along with the two regional water planning groups in the region, to keep agriculture alive.

Districts are not trying to reduce pumping down to a sustainable level, said Mace with the Meadows Foundation. And I dont fault them for that, because doing that is economic devastation in a region with farmers.

Hagood, the cotton farmer, doesnt think reforming groundwater rights is the way to solve it. Whats done is done, he said.

Our U.S. Constitution protects our private property rights, and thats what this is all about, Hagood said. Any time we have a regulation and people are given more authority, it doesnt work out right for everybody.

Rapid population growth, climate change, and aging water infrastructure all threaten the states water supply. Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune

What can be done

The state water plan recommends irrigation conservation as a strategy. Its also the least costly water management method.

But that strategy is fraught. Farmers need to irrigate in times of drought, and telling them to stop can draw criticism.

In Eastern New Mexico, the Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, has been retiring irrigation wells. Landowners keep their water rights, and the organization pays them to stop irrigating their farms. Landowners get paid every year as part of the voluntary agreement, and they can end it at any point.

Ladona Clayton, executive director of the organization, said they have been criticized, with their efforts being called a war and land grab. They also get pushback on why the responsibility falls on farmers. She said its because of how much water is used for irrigation. They have to be aggressive in their approach, she said. The aquifer supplies water to the Cannon Air Force Base.

We dont want them to stop agricultural production, Clayton said. But for me to say it will be the same level that irrigation can support would be untrue.

There is another possible lifeline that people in the High Plains are eyeing as a solution: the Dockum Aquifer. Its a minor aquifer that underlies part of the Ogallala, so it would be accessible to farmers and ranchers in the region. The High Plains Water District also oversees this aquifer.

If it seems too good to be true  that the most irrigated part of Texas would just so happen to have another abundant supply of water flowing underneath  its because theres a catch. The Dockum is full of extremely salty brackish water. Some counties can use the water for irrigation and drinking water without treatment, but its unusable in others. According to the groundwater district, a test well in Lubbock County pulled up water that was as salty as seawater.

Rubinstein, the former water development board chairman, said there are pockets of brackish groundwater in Texas that haven't been tapped yet. It would be enough to meet the needs on the horizon, but it would also be very expensive to obtain and use. A landowner would have to go deeper to get it, then pump the water over a longer distance.

That costs money, and then you have to treat it on top of that, Rubinstein said. But, it is water.

Landowners have expressed interest in using desalination, a treatment method to lower dissolved salt levels. Desalination of produced and brackish water is one of the ideas that was being floated around at the Legislature this year, along with building a pipeline to move water across the state. Hagood, the farmer, is skeptical. He thinks whatever water they move could get used up before it makes it all the way to West Texas.

There is always brackish groundwater. Another aquifer brings the chance of history repeating  if the Dockum aquifer is treated so its water is usable, will people drain it, too?

Hagood said there would have to be limits.

Disclosure: Edwards Aquifer Authority and Texas Tech University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 1315 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
As President Donald Trump seeks to defund, devalue and maybe destroy Harvard, another prestigious university a little over a mile away is escaping his unreasoning wrath.

Since Trump is always ultimately about himself, we can assume that the reason is one he has often been able to cite as supposed proof of his good genes: that his paternal uncle was a longtime professor of particular brilliance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

You know my uncle was a greathe was at MIT," Trump said in March 2020 while visiting the Centers for Disease Control headquarters in Atlanta.

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He taught at MIT for a record number of years, Trump said He was a great super genius, Dr. John Trump.

Trump, in the Oval Office Wednesday, has previously boasted of his uncle John Trump as a

John Trump did not teach for a record number of years, but he was a professor there for 44 years, the last seven as an emeritus researcher, receiving considerable federal funding throughout his decades there. And he was recognized as an actual stable genius among many who would have called themselves one.

Genius, you have to be careful around here, we dont throw those words around here very loosely, O. Robert Simha, who helped John Trump develop a new laboratory facility at MIT in the 1960s, told the Daily Beast. Everybodys in the same business trying to make the world a little bit better, do interesting things, and he was a wonderful example of that. He made a great contribution.

Among other things, John Trump made major advances in using radiation to treat cancer. He was the younger brother of Fred Trump, who went into the family business started by their widowed mother.

John Trump, photographed for his MIT faculty portrait in 1954. / MIT Museum/Wikipedia.

The brothers were so different as to be an example of what genetics cannot explain about siblings. Fred was notably tall, irritable, conniving and avaricious, an unpleasant bully given to garish clothing. John was short, and his siblings opposite in seemingly every way.

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He was remarkably even-tempered, with kindness and consideration to all, never threatening or arrogant in manner, even when under high stress, fellow scientist Dennis Robinson wrote in his 1985 obituary of John Trump in Physics Today.

He was outwardly and in appearance the mildest of men, with a convincing persuasiveness, carefully marshaling all his facts.

Robinson further noted, He cared very little for money and the trappings of money.

John did not name his laboratory or anything else after himself. He did not tell his colleagues he had won a Presidential Medal for Science in 1983. They only found out when it was in the newspaper.

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He had served his country with distinction: His citation with the National Science & Technology Medals Foundation notes, During World War II, Trump went to work at the MIT Radiation Lab, which used microwave radar to help with the war effort. In 1944, Trump headed the labs British branch. After the liberation of Paris, he rode into the city with General Dwight D. Eisenhower to begin setting up a Paris branch for the lab.

A longtime colleague remembers that at a memorial gathering at an historic church in Lexington, Massachusetts, following Johns death in February of 1985, Fred remained outside the entrance in an expensive-looking silk suit.

Fred Trump came to his brother's memorial service, others who attended recalled. They did not remember seeing his son. / Universal History Archive / Universal History Archive/Univer

He was just standing outside, the colleague, noted medical physicist Bob Wenstrup, told the Daily Beast. He was not inside, where everybody else was. He was there just by himself, standing by the door, and with the impression that he was not going to go in there, and he was going to probably get the hell out of Dodge as soon as he could.

Fred struck Wenstrup as dour and crude and generally nasty.

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He made no pretense of being civil, Wenstrup remembered. I shook his hand. I might have liked to cut it off.

Wenstrup does not remember Johns nephew, Donald Trump, being there at all. But his uncles colleagues and the rest of the country came to know him.

John was as different from his nephew as you can imagine, and so I dont know why the DNA didnt spread over to his brother Fred, Sinha told The Daily Beast. We havent figured that one out yet.

Donald has nonetheless been quick to claim a genetic link to his genius Uncle John at MIT when in a place such as the CDC people might consider him to be a less-than-high-IQ individual.

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And that is surely why President Trump has largely spared MIT while fixating on Harvard. International students make up 27.2 percent of the total enrollment at Harvard. They make up 28 percent of the total at MIT. But Donald Trump has said nothing about foreign students at MIT, while seeking to bar Harvard from enrolling any at all.

John Trump (right) was, unlike his nephew, a member of the military, serving during World War II in Britain as part of an Army unit which used his and other MIT scientists' expertise. / MIT Museum/Wikipedia

We want those names and countries, he posted online.

MIT has also been spared the ominous threats and demands regarding such matters as diversity and course content that Harvard declared unacceptable. Trump is moving to end Harvards tax-exempt status and cut some $8 billion in research funding.

To her great credit MIT president Sally Korbluth told the student newspaper The Tech that while the university is not seeking to provoke the Trump administration, it will stand up against incursions into academic freedom. She indicated what is at stake for the whole county by pointing out a 2015 report that figured MIT has started over 30,000 companies that earn some $1.9 trillion a year.

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But while the uncle connection seems to have spared MIT from Trumps wrath, the university is still joining a host of other institutions - and science itself - in suffering his ignorance/indifference when it comes to cutting funds for research.

John G. Trump sits next to the compact electrostatic generator he and Dr. Robert J. Van de Graaff developed for use in disease treatment circa 1950. The apparatus, designed to rotate the patient, consists of a platform with a seat and a headrest and a generator mounted from the ceiling and enclosed in a sealed tank. / MIT Museum

Hes been very respectful of his uncles achievements here, but one cant really explain his mentality, Simha said. He has already done us a lot of damage.

Simha continued, The real problem is that the evolution of science and engineering is not something you turn on and turn off, and it takes a long time to train people, to have them work on problems, have them struggle through bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees and then work on research programs that take an issue and develop it.

He went on, Thats a long, long process. And when you stop it, when you cut off resources to support those young people, it does not come back. You lose it. And so you lose many years of talent that could have been put to much better use.

His nephew's long-standing fascination with gold was somewhat different to Dr. John Trump's golden moment: being awarded an honor for his scientific work. / The Boston Globe/Newspapers.com

He described support for graduate programs as mothers milk in terms of science and engineering.

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Cutting that off has a predictable result: You die, he said. Whoever is advising [President Trump] is somehow untethered to the reality of how progress in this country is made.

He was talking about research such as in the past enabled John Trump to use his genius for the continuing public good. He noted that we have gone through other administrations that were anti-science, and we will get through this one.

John Trump in 1939 when he was already on the way to being one of MIT's most important scientists. / MIT Museum

Weve been through other times, and you could see the results when those people try to shut down science, he said. We just lost many years of development in all kinds of fields.

He then said, But I mean, thats politics and youll have to explain that to me sometime.

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Wenstrup offered another measure of how different John had been from both his brother and nephew.

If John had something to say, hed say it very precisely, and then ask you if you agree or not, or is there more to be added to what he said? Wenstrup said. So he was a man on a very steady plane. He knew what he was.

Combined with the brilliance and kindness and unfailing good temper, John sounded like exactly what we need in a Trump.

Can we revive a dead man? Wenstrup asked. Boy, we could really do something.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  A candidate running for Town of Lee Supervisor has been arrested after a trail camera caught him stealing his opponents political sign.

54-year-old Joseph Mooney, of Ava, was arrested on May 28 and charged with petit larceny.

On May 23, New York State Police took a complaint from a running Town of Lee supervisor candidate that one of his political signs was stolen from the lawn of a friends property on Turin Road, in the Town of Lee.

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NYSP troopers searched for the sign, which was found in the dumpster behind a business next to where the sign was alleged to have been stolen from.

The sign was returned and placed back on the lawn. The owner then put out a trail camera for monitoring.

Days later, on May 28, NYSP received another call from the property owner who claimed the sign was taken once again, except this time, the suspect could be seen on the trail camera.

Troopers responded once more and interviewed the property owner.

The property owner showed Troopers footage of Mooney taking the sign from the property, said NYSP.

Mooney was then arrested and charged. He was processed and released with an appearance ticket to the Town of Lee court for a later date.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
(Reuters) -General Mills said on Tuesday it would record a charge of about $70 million in its current quarter, mainly reflecting severance expenses, as part of the Cheerios cereal maker's restructuring efforts.

The company's efforts, including "targeted organizational actions", are expected to be completed by the end of its fiscal year 2028, it said in a regulatory filing, adding the total cost of the restructuring would be about $130 million.

"While this news represents hard choices, they are necessary to fund product innovation ... and position General Mills for long-term success," a company spokesperson told Reuters, when asked for further details on the restructuring plans.

The move comes as the company grapples with choppy demand for its salty snacks and pet food in North America amid fierce competition from private-label rivals. In March, the company cut its annual sales and profit forecasts.

Shares of the company have slumped more than 15% so far this year.

Previously, the company had said that it was planning new initiatives targeting cost savings of at least $100 million in fiscal 2026.

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
May is winding down with record-challenging heat. First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says today will be the 18th 90 degree day in Jacksonville for the month, breaking a May monthly record for number of 90 degree days. The weekend is looking mainly dry with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Hurricane season starts Sunday, June 1.

Jacksonville police are looking for a man who they say stole a ferret from a pet store by putting it down his shorts. It happened on Tuesday night at Petland on Beach Boulevard near Hodges. An incident report describes the man as having a unique long mustache and that he was wearing a blue Under Armour cutoff shirt and Navy logo shorts. The report notes the man fondles the ferret for quite some time.

Three Big Things to Know:

Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters defends the way his officers handled the arrest of three people at a city council meeting. And a credit card sized knife that made its way past security and into Jacksonville City Council Chambers is putting pressure on the private company paid millions to protect City Hall and other Jacksonville buildings.

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The U.S. will soon revoke the visas of Chinese students. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

Florida stands by mans best friend. Thats what Governor Ron DeSantis said yesterday as he signed two animal cruelty bills into law. Troopers Law makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or evacuation order. Troopers Law is named after a dog named Trooper that was tied up by the side of the road during Hurricane Milton.

SPOTLIGHT: Sabeen Perwaiz of the Womens Giving Alliance (WGA), and Wanda Willis of The Community Foundation, join JMN to discuss an historic level of philanthropic grants oriented toward womens services in the Jacksonville Community, crossing a threshold of over $10 million in total contributions since their organizational inception. Learn more about these organizations and their respective philanthropic programs at WWW.WGANEFL.ORG and WWW.JAXCF.ORG.

WEEKEND: The Summer Fun season kicks off this weekend around Jacksonville. Music abounds at Dailys Place, Decca Live, at the Amp, and with the Jacksonville Symphony. Feeling competitive? JaxParks is hosting a Monopoly tournament! And if you want to enjoy the summer sunshine, explore the riverfront with Amplified Avondale. All this and more is featured in our Weekend Spotlight story!
Every day, approximately 600 students across the U.S. are physically punished at school  hit with wooden paddles or struck by objects by adults charged with their education and care. While corporal punishment may seem like a relic of the past, it remains legal in 17 states, including Mississippi, where it remains especially common.

While the practice itself is troubling, new research I conducted reveals something even more troubling: Corporal punishment isnt just disproportionately used on Black and gender-expansive students  those whose gender identity falls outside traditional norms  its also disproportionately condoned by the public when its used on these children.

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I surveyed more than 600 Mississippi residents to understand their attitudes about school discipline. Most disapproved of corporal punishment in general, but that feeling weakened when the child being punished was Black or gender-nonconforming. In short: Who a child is imagined to be affects whether that child is believed to deserve protection  or punishment.

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This finding echoes years of research and advocacy warning that corporal punishment is more than just an outdated disciplinary practice. It reveals deep-rooted inequities in Americas schools.

Research shows that physical punishment contributes to worse academic outcomes, higher dropout rates,and even increased involvement with the criminal justice system. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has linked it to long-term mental health impacts such as anxiety, depression and PTSD.

In Mississippi, Black students are far more likely to be physically punished than their white peers. A key reason is a well-documented bias called adultification  the perception that Black children are older, less innocent and more culpable than white youngsters. This leads educators and even the public to support harsher punishments for similar behavior.

Research from Georgetown Laws Center on Poverty and Inequality has shown how adultification affects Black youth, especially girls. My study confirms that the problem doesnt stop at how discipline is applied  it extends to how its justified.

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Even though 61% of respondents in my study agreed that corporal punishment should be banned, support for the practice increased or decreased depending on the perceived identity of the child. For example, on a six-point scale where higher scores indicated stronger support for corporal punishment, participants rated it significantly more appropriate (fitting the crime) for a hypothetical Black gender-expansive student (2.73 on the scale) than for a white gender-expansive student (2.32) or a Black cisgender female student (2.26). Thats not just unfair  its dangerous.

The good news is that public opinion may be shifting. A 2023 national survey revealed that 65% of U.S. adults agreed with a federal ban on physical punishment in schools, while only 18% were opposed. This growing consensus is reflected in recent legislative actions: Colorado and Idaho banned physical punishment in public schools in 2023, while Oklahoma and Tennessee introduced legislation in 2024 to limit the practice. My findings also show that a majority of Mississippians oppose corporal punishment in school. Yet state and federal laws still permit it, revealing a stark disconnect between policy and public will.

That gap must be closed. Heres how:

First, Mississippi lawmakers  and those in the 21 other states where corporal punishment is still allowed  should immediately ban the practice in all schools. No child should fear physical harm at the hands of a teacher or principal. Nationwide advocacy efforts by organizations like the National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools emphasize the critical need for legislative reform.

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Second, schools should adopt restorative justice practices, which focus on accountability, dialogue and healing. These methods reduce conflict and improve school climate without resorting to violence. Resources from the International Institute for Restorative Practices offer practical guidelines to help educators to implement these approaches.

Finally, transparency is essential. School districts should be required to report disciplinary data by race and gender identity so communities can see whats happening and push for changes when needed. Right now, the U.S. Department of Educations Civil Rights Data Collection offers a national framework for doing just that  including statistics on the demographic breakdown of students exposed to corporal punishment. However, with the ongoing uncertainty around federal policy, theres a risk that this resource could be cut, which would make it harder to track how corporal punishment is being used in schools nationwide. We need to speak up to make sure this data collection continues and even gets stronger.

Ending corporal punishment in schools takes a multi-pronged approach. It means changing laws, updating policies and working with communities to push for positive discipline methods that help children thrive without fear of physical punishment.

Its time to end this antiquated practice. Not just for some students, but for all of them.
If Americans want a glimpse of Trump-style education policy in action, they should look to Florida.

Over the last six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has turned the state into a laboratory for a hard-right agenda, disguised as parental rights but aimed at systematically dismantling public education.

Under the banner of culture wars, Florida has censored classroom discussions, politicized school boards and driven teachers out of the profession, undermining not just what students learn but whether they learn at all. Its a blueprint for control, not for education.

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Start with book-banning. Florida leads the country in book-banning, with 4,561 books banned in schools in 33 of the states 67 school districts. Banned books, including award-winning authors like Maya Angelou, Saul Bellow and Toni Morrison, classics from Proust to Ovid, bestselling authors like Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, and left-leaning social commentators like Jon Stewart.

This wave of book-bans aligns with broader efforts in Florida to reshape school curricula.

The states new educational standards include language suggesting that enslaved people may have developed skills that could be applied for their personal benefit. The state also placed limits on African American studies programs, claiming an Advanced Placement African American Studies course lacked educational value and violated state law.

Gay and transgender students and educators have come under increased scrutiny. Legislation and administrative rules have imposed restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students may use and have limited how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in classrooms.

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Under laws signed by DeSantis, teachers face legal risks for using the preferred pronouns of transgender students without explicit parental consent. One notable case occurred in Brevard County, where a beloved veteran teachers contract was not renewed because she referred to a student by a name chosen several years prior to the adoption of the rule.

Meanwhile, new laws require parental consent for basic services like nurses visits, accessing library books and watching PG films like Frosty the Snowman.

Because of these rules, tens of thousands of Florida students lose out because their parents have not filled out consent forms. School nurses risk losing their jobs for something as simple as putting a bandage on a scraped knee without prior parental consent.



The burden falls heavily on parents, who must navigate a maze of new forms, and on school staff, who are overwhelmed by the surge in paperwork. Many frontline educators and support workers live in fear of backlash from activist groups like Moms for Liberty, whose influence has turned everyday decisions into political flashpoints.

DeSantis has also gone to war with higher education, including the takeover of the New College of Florida. High-ranking administrators were fired and diversity programs eliminated. Scores of faculty have quit.

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DeSantiss hostility toward public education knows no limits. His state ranks dead last in teacher pay, Florida just posted the worst national test scores in more than 20 years and Florida has a universal school voucher program that disproportionately benefits higher-income students.

None of this has escaped the attention of Trump, whose executive orders explicitly encourage states to turn federal block grants into voucher programs. His latest proposed budget also slashes $4.5 billion in support for low-income students, undermining programs that help with high school completion, college access and work-study opportunities.

He proposes cutting teacher quality initiatives, funding for Howard University, the Office for Civil Rights and bilingual student programs. His proposed budget explicitly prohibits funding for progressive nonprofits and DEI programs.

Will Republicans in Congress realize that Trumps assault on education hurts the very institutions their communities rely on? Schools and universities arent just economic drivers in their districts, theyre centers of local pride, identity and opportunity.

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In places like Brevard County, where we recently held a town hall, hope is being replaced by fear. Parents, educators, students and community leaders all expressed shame and fury at the actions of their local school board and state policymakers.

Trump and DeSantis have taken the bullying approach to governing to new extremes. There is no honest debate, no give and take, no compromise. It is a relentless drive to push, divide and control. Cruelty is the point, and the negative consequences of children, families and educators arent a side effect  its a strategy.

Forty-two years ago, Republican President Ronald Reagan sounded the alarm on the state of American education by releasing A Nation at Risk. Today, that title applies to much more than our schools: our economy, our democracy, our environment, our global standing and our moral compass.

But no one is more vulnerable than 50 million American school children living under an immoral, unethical and criminal president. They cannot vote. They have no lobby.

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They are counting on us to fight back.

Jennifer Jenkins is a former Brevard County School Board member and chairwoman of Educated We Stand, a nonprofit committed to resisting right-wing extremism in Florida schools. Arne Duncan is a former U. S. Secretary of Education.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Thanks to a smaller-class-size mandate, by September 2027, New York City classes will be capped at 20 students in kindergarten through third grade, 23 in fourth through eighth grade and 25 in high school.

This will necessitate the hiring of 3,700 public school teachers, as well as the creation of hundreds of new classrooms within already overcrowded buildings. Parents have concerns about how the process will play out.

Many absolutely see the benefits of smaller classes.

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At a school with much larger class size  teachers dont have the time to teach the complex writing and reasoning skills students need, says dad Thomas Fiorella Jr. I dont know that my public school student wrote more than a few pages of expository writing all year in their public school with 33 kids per class.

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The issue of extra space looms large, however. Smaller classes require distributing the same number of students across more classrooms, and acquiring more supplies, from desks to chairs to books to science kits, to to stock those classrooms.

I am optimistic the smaller class sizes will benefit kids academically and socially, though how are schools going to allocate space for additional classrooms? an anonymous parent asked. Most of the rooms are already in use. Are they going to be the trailers? If so, are those going to be parked in front of the school in the yard? How are they going to allocate class times for each group to have specials including music, science, STEAM, art, gym, as well as the enrichment activities of dance, chess, drama?

There isnt additional  spending in the school budgets at the moment for equipment, etc., admitted the PTA president of an Upper West Side school. Our school has some unused space that will be brought online and some previously used furniture that will be used again.

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But not all schools have the luxury of repurposing unused spaces.

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We dont have the space to split up classrooms, fumed a parent of a child attending TAG Young Scholars in East Harlem. To get enough classrooms, we are considering destroying specialty classrooms (e.g. music, science, etc.) to convert them into general population classrooms  so goodbye, high-quality specialty classes (either completely or severely altering their curriculum quality). Its not like the music teacher can carry all instruments from class to class. Its shocking to realize how incompetently this policy change was shoved down from the top.

In December, Mayor Eric Adams promised extra funding to schools that submitted a detailed plan for shrinking class sizes by adding new teachers. In May, 741 schools learned theyd been approved to begin hiring.

However, not all schools took advantage of Adams offer, opting instead to shrink existing classes by not replacing students who leave and admitting smaller cohorts moving forward.

A parent in Queens District 24 explained that their school decided not to go for the extra teacher funding because they would have to get rid of the science, art and music classrooms  which seems so wrong! Something isnt working here. Why would anyone want to cut art, science or music from schools to get an extra teacher?

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As for the 741 schools that did receive funding to hire additional teachers, parents expressed trepidation that hiring so many new ones all at once means most will be inexperienced.

I am thrilled therell be smaller class sizes, though I do have concerns as to the qualifications of these new teachers and where they will be sourced from, worried another parent who asked to remain anonymous. Last year, my daughter had a first-year teacher, and it was not a successful year.

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Still other parents fear there simply wont be enough teachers to go around, experienced or otherwise, considering that NYC is already in the midst of a teacher shortage.

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At our (school leadership team) meeting, the principal shared that my daughters middle school received funding to hire six new teachers, a tall order for any school, wrote Jessica Schilling, Brooklyn mother of two. No one I know wants to work in public schools right now. Later that week, I learned my sons high school, which has more than twice the student population of my daughters, was also hiring. It feels like a citywide scramble for a shrinking pool of talent.

Within-district competition for teachers is not a new phenomenon. Decades of research has focused on the issue of teachers abandoning low-performing, usually poorer, schools for high-performing, usually wealthier ones. This leaves the neediest students with the least experienced teachers and, sometimes, no teachers at all.

With popular schools like Beacon HS, Bronx Science HS, Brooklyn Latin HS and Booker T. Washington MS, among many others, putting out the call for more teachers, it stands to reason that some of those currently employed at less selective schools will jump ship, leaving their students in a lurch.

We recognize concerns that experienced teachers may be attracted to higher-performing schools, leaving underserved schools with less experienced educators, conceded Jenna Lyle, deputy press secretary at the city Department of Education. Addressing this is a priority for us, and our strategic efforts, including targeted recruitment, retention incentives and professional development, are specifically designed to ensure that all schools  especially those in high-need areas  have access to high-quality, experienced educators.

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Those strategic efforts include an alternative certification program, where seven weeks of training over the summer qualifies candidates to begin work in the fall. (Though it also requires some time travel, as Training begins in June 2025 and concludes in early August 2024.) It seems difficult to imagine that a few weeks of theoretical instruction, without any classroom experience, would be enough to instantly create the high-quality, experienced educator promised in Lyles statement, much less dozens of them in one swoop. (It is, in fact, one of the main criticisms leveled against organizations like Teach for America and charter schools.) It appears equally unlikely that principals at high-performing schools would prefer to hire these new teachers over more experienced ones, leaving the inexperienced educators to be placed, as traditionally happens, in the weaker, neediest classrooms.

The biggest problem NYC and other urban school districts have is not attracting candidates, but keeping them over time, counters Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters. There are many surveys showing class size is a key component for what teachers are looking for in a job  and several studies show lower teacher attrition with smaller classes. This means in the medium to long term, all students, but especially the ones in the highest-need schools, will benefit from more experienced and effective teachers.

Whether that proves to be true in the medium to long term has yet to be seen. In the short term, Lyle promises, We are working diligently with our union partners, educators and staff to support schools as they staff up ahead of next school year and ensure every student has access to the quality education that they deserve.

The majority of parents who replied to the query I posted on my 4,000-plus-member NYC School Secrets mailing list were enthused about the concept of smaller class size in theory, but very worried about how it would be implemented in practice. After decades of broken promises ranging from pandemic school closures to expanding gifted-and-talented programs to a flip-flopping cell phone policy, NYC families are not feeling confident that the department will follow through on its latest pledge, or that its even mathematically achievable to begin with.
Okay. I admit it. I graduated from Harvard.

But the Harvard of 45 years ago seems very different from what we hear is happening on campus today. Harvard is being accused of allowing antisemitism and shutting down conservative viewpoints.

Let me be clear. That any Jewish person on campus would feel uncomfortable, silenced or unsafe is simply unacceptable. There were a number of Jewish students in my class and I dont recall antisemitism ever even being mentioned.

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If the teaching, course offerings and class discussions have undergone ideological capture, such that conservative opinions and values are scorned, that is an intellectual and educational failure. When I was studying at the school of government, several of the faculty departed for Washington when a new Republican administration was elected, and out-of-office Democrats came to repopulate the faculty. It was competence and experience, not ideological exclusivity, that the university promoted for our education.

If such egregious excesses really are happening, it is easy to understand why President Trump is angry. He has stopped over $2 billion in federal research funding to Harvard, which could decimate the extensive research labs and projects housed at the school.

Most recently, he has announced that international students can no longer attend Harvard. His administration has also begun steps to take away the schools tax-exempt status. With this latter move, Harvard would cease to exist in its current form.

In a letter to the university on April 11, the Trump administration outlined the steps Harvard must take to save itself. These include subjecting student applications to federal government review to assure that they are merit-based. In addition, current and future faculty must be screened for viewpoint diversity subject to federal government review. In addition, academic centers that the Trump administration has identified as contributing to Harvards current problems will be subject to sanctions by the federal government. Deadlines are imposed and outside auditors must be employed to verify Harvards compliance.

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I believe that by making an example of Harvard, the Trump administration may be able to redirect the course of American education. This is unprecedented!

But wait. Do we really want to set such a precedent?

What could happen if a future woke president decided to take aim at, say, BYU? Should the federal government, using the various levers at its disposal, be allowed to determine who is admitted, who can teach and what can be taught at a conservative private university?

Conservatives who believe in limited government should be deeply concerned with this heavy intrusion of the federal government into a private and independent school. As disturbing as are political protests against Israel, a key U.S. ally, and as upsetting as ideological capture by woke liberalism may be, we should guard against such a dramatic expansion of federal government creep.

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Some of the actions demanded in the April 11 letter reveal the problems that inevitably occur when government meddles too much. For example, Harvard would be required to admit students based on grades and test scores, ham-handedly selecting the student body on the narrow intellectual ability to test well. Shouldnt other things also be considered?

In addition, if the federal government determines that there is not enough viewpoint diversity, students would be admitted based on their political views. Does the federal government really want to encourage admission to top universities because of the political views teenagers pick up in high school? Sounds to me like a not-well-thought-out government mandate.

My wife and I were visiting southern China back in the 1980s when the reform of Chinas economic system was getting underway and personal freedoms were expanding. A student approached us on the street to practice his English. When he learned we were from Utah, he exclaimed, Oh! The two most famous universities are Harvard and BYU!

I am sure that BYU made his short list because the performances of BYU dance groups visiting China had recently been broadcast repeatedly on Chinese TV. Harvard made the list because it was, in his mind and in the minds of many others around the world, a preeminent educational institution.

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In most countries, most of the top universities are government creatures. Not in the United States. Might it be that top-notch private, independent universities are part of what makes America great?

But what of the current serious failings that the federal government has identified at Harvard and other top-tier private universities? If you believe in limited government, you must also believe in the ability of private institutions to right themselves. What university is going to want to continue to suffer withering criticism as a place where some students cannot feel safe and where academic discussion is limited to only one point of view?

I believe that Harvard can right itself without requiring the heavy hand of the federal government to squeeze it. We do not want that precedent to be set.
Youve heard of Generation X, Gen Y and Gen Z. The current crop of graduates in America could well be dubbed Gen T because theyve spent much of their lives under the shadow of Donald Trump. For the last three presidential cycles, he has been the often caustic commander in chief or the campaigner denying his election loss, and theres no doubt he will leave a mark on a generation of young adults who have watched him smash norms, stoke division, seek retribution and ignore the Constitution and the rule of law.

We witnessed the presidents disregard for norms Saturday during his commencement address to the graduating class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point while wearing a red Make America Great Again ball cap and delivering a speech that was more appropriate for a partisan political rally.

But lets be clear, Trumps MAGA hat was maybe the least offensive thing about his maundering one-hour speech at the formal and typically somber West Point commencement. In a bizarre campaign-style avalanche of words that was disrespectful to the cadets and their families, he rambled about trophy wives and yachts and expressed a distasteful zeal for butchering ones enemies while addressing the men and women poised to become the next generation of leaders in the worlds mightiest military.

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It wasnt that he didnt understand the assignment. He delivered the West Point commencement address in 2020 in a brisk 25-minute speech that focused on duty and even national unity, talking about the long gray line of the institutions history. His world outlook and his leadership style have changed and along with it the futures of the graduates at West Point and everywhere else, regardless of their political leanings.

Perhaps no group of Gen T graduates knows that better than those at Harvard, wholl be participating in commencement Thursday as the president escalates his feud with Americas oldest and most storied university. The Trump administration has frozen billions of dollars in federal research grants for Harvard, attempted to ban the university from enrolling international students and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status, and it has directed federal agencies to cut any remaining ties to the school. The administration accuses Harvard of tolerating an antisemitic atmosphere on campus, and some conservatives have more broadly described Harvard as an incubator for aggressive liberal ideology. Harvard, for its part, is fighting back in court.

President Donald Trump arrives Saturday to deliver the commencement address at the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy West Point in New York. (Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images)

The president has floated the idea of redirecting Harvards federal funding toward trade and technical schools, which may play well with working-class voters, but Trumps team has said little about what it would do to fill the gap in health, technology, scientific or geophysical research that takes place at universities like Harvard. Railing against academic elites is red meat, but cancer research benefits people in red states as well as blue states. Not only that, but people who work in factories building ships and cars or who farm soybeans in the middle of the country are often using technologies that emerged from research labs at elite universities.

This years graduates form the most diverse cohort this country has ever produced. But they are walking into a world where the very word diversity has been demonized and weaponized to cauterize the civil rights and human rights gains that should have been their true inheritance.

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The young people who remember the racial reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd are graduating at a moment when the Trump administration has swiftly dismantled diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives under the claim that DEI discriminates against white people. A claim codified under executive order with absolutely no proof.

They came through K through 12 where they learned these lessons about how you treat other people and to be accepting and how we were supposed to treat people that were different from us, said Tressie McMillan Cottom, a professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a New York Times columnist, only to arrive in college and find out that not only was that not the reality, but the very things they have been taught to value now makes them targets in their own country, either because they are those people, they embody those identities and those lived experiences or because they sympathize or empathize with those people.

McMillan Cottom, who spoke to me as I guest-hosted MSNBC's Last Word last Friday, continued: So theres a sense of loss of trust, not just between generations, but I think between young people and what they think is possible for them in the United States of America. And frankly, that is heartbreaking.

McMillan Cottom notes that internet culture set the stage by helping to destabilize the norms of what was acceptable discourse and then Trump-style politics helped show them if you can get away with it, then it is normal, which ... is an absolute horrible way for social cohesion to work.

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This seasons graduates are marching into adulthood on new terrain and on their own terms. But on the way there, they did what young people generally do  look to adults for guidance about guardrails and decorum. And what did they see?

Adults cheered a man making fun of disabled people and looked the other way when he talked about grabbing women by their private parts. In November, they saw a majority of those who voted accept and elevate a man who was twice impeached and convicted of 34 felony counts. And, since then, theyve seen too many adults remain silent as an administration smashes constitutional guarantees of due process and lectures about the need for merit-based ideologies while appointing a litany of Cabinet officials who are manifestly underqualified but unquestionably loyal.

Trump made significant inroads with young voters in the last election, especially college-age men. There has been a lot of analysis concerning why younger voters gravitated in his direction, but not enough about the impact his leadership will have on young peoples psyches or their prospects in life.

For not only are the graduates marching across stages this spring walking into a world where the norms have been upended, but theyre strutting into an uncertain job market and a tumultuous economy.

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They and their aging baby boomer and Gen X parents are less likely than generations past, for example, to have solid health care or benefit from researched-based medical advancements.

It has become clear that the real goal of this administrations chain saw approach to federal programs is not to cut waste, fraud and abuse but to provide more tax cuts for ultrawealthy Americans, an approach that will do nothing little to gild the futures of everyday American kids.

Heres wishing all who are graduating, from universities, trade schools, military academies, community colleges and high schools, the best of luck. Given all the changes Trump is enacting, the path may be steeper for some than it otherwise would be. But sometimes its easier to find ones footing when charging uphill. I hope this class discovers their best selves and creates a brand of leadership that combines courage and grit with compassion and curiosity. And I pray the adults that are presently in charge find a way to provide the opportunities in life that they all deserve.

This column includes an adapted excerpt from the May 23 episode of The Last Word.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Team Trump has a growing Iranian problem. Tehrans latest purported nuclear offer  a farcical proposal to pause uranium enrichment for a year in exchange for the release of Iranian frozen funds and Washingtons recognition of Irans right to enrich uranium for civilian and energy purposes  is an obvious strategic non-starter for both the U.S. and Israel.

As Freedom for the Defense of Democracies President Mark Dubowitz posted on X, Do [the Iranians] think were that stupid? Apparently so.

Despite President Trumps assertion that talks between Iran and the U.S. might produce good news this week, it is clear Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is intent on playing him for the fool.

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Iran has been allowed to play this dangerous nuclear shell game for far too long. It has proven repeatedly that it cannot be trusted, and Israel is done playing Iranian games.

The White House must forcefully push back and disabuse Tehran of the notion that Trump can be played or that a slightly revised present-day rehash of the ill-advised Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran is even remotely acceptable.

Irans strategic objective is apparent. Tehran is hell-bent on retaining its uranium enrichment capacity  a rapidly growing capacity that we have repeatedly warned would permit Iran to immediately produce five nuclear weapons within one week and exponentially many more nukes thereafter given Tehrans substantial centrifuge capacity to spin 90 percent weapons-grade highly enriched uranium.

Yet Irans nuclear shell game is becoming even darker. It is no longer simply the ultimate manifestation of Irans Axis of Resistance war against Israel. Rather, it is now also Tehrans key staying card in Russian President Vladimir Putins Axis of Evil.

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To preserve its status in both  especially given Irans growing strategic standing with Putin as a primary supplier in his Arsenals of Evil  Tehran is desperate to find ways to buy time to thwart any U.S. or Israeli military strikes against its nuclear weapons program.

Enter Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. His two-day state visit to Muscat, Oman earlier this week was a multifaceted attempt to do just that.

Accompanied by Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, Pezeshkian met with Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, ahead of a proposed sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Pezeshkians regional Middle East gambit is to persuade Oman  who is serving as a negotiating mediator between the U.S. and Iran (and negotiated the U.S.-Houthi rebel ceasefire)  to sanction Irans proposal to freeze uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief and U.S. recognition of Tehrans right to enrich uranium going forward.

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One of Pezeshkians main regional goals is to obfuscate the issue of uranium enrichment. Earlier, in mid-May, in the lead up to his state visit to Oman, Tehran proposed that Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other interested countries in the Persian Gulf region form a nuclear consortium to enrich uranium for commercial purposes.

Uranium enriched at levels below 5 percent  the amount required for hospital equipment and medical experiments  would be produced under the supervision of Iranian engineers. Irans goal is obvious  to obtain the backing and support of fellow Gulf States.

Although their interests in procuring low-enriched uranium are legitimate, the Sunni Arab Gulf states are not likely to sign on to Tehrans proposal. First, it would put Doha, Dubai and Riyadh in direct conflict with Washingtons zero-enrichment negotiating position. Second, it would potentially put them in Israels crosshairs, should any Iranian-controlled production facilities be physically located in their countries.

Intentionally or no, Israel sent a message to Iran and the Gulf States during Pezeshkians visit that it was a bad idea when it again struck Houthi targets in Yemen  Omans neighbor in southwest Arabia. To underscore the point, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully declared that Iran is responsible for aggression against Israel from Yemen.

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Notably, there was an even darker transregional element to Pezeshkians meetings in Oman. While he was meeting with the Sultan, Iran was also slated to participate in an Axis of Evil military summit being hosted in Moscow by Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian defense minister. Military and security officials from North Korea and Iran were in attendance. Disconcertingly, the United Arab Emirates was in attendance as well.

That meeting in Moscow is a timely reminder that Russia has a vested interest in disrupting any nuclear negotiations between Washington and Iran. It is also working to deter any U.S. military action against Tehran and its nuclear, ballistic missile or drone production facilities spread out throughout the country.

Khamenei, presently, is a key supplier of ballistic missiles and drones to Moscow  the importance of which was recently underscored when Irans parliament recently approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Moscow. Iran is doing its best to leverage its relationship with Putin to safeguard its nuclear ambitions. They are connected in that Trumps Special Envoy Steven Witkoff is negotiating this and the Russian ceasefire deal in Ukraine.

That pact, notably, comes on top of a free trade agreement that went into effect in mid-May under the auspices of the Eurasian Economic Union.

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Israel sees all of this for what it is: a highly dangerous nuclear shell game being played against Jerusalem and Washington by Tehran and Russia. Significantly, it is equally clear that Israel is likely nearing a military strike on Irans nuclear weapons program as evidenced by Trumps acknowledgement on Wednesday that he asked Netanyahu to wait.

The Israeli prime minister is short on patience with Iran these days given its support for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels.

It is time Team Trump saw this the same way and with the same level of clarity. Tehran, like its Russian ally, is attempting to play him for a fool. The White House needs to send a clear message to Khamenei, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and by extension Putin and his Axis of Evil allies, including China, that Washington is nobodys fool.

Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan E. Sweet served 30 years as an Army intelligence officer.

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President Trump recently visited a number of Persian Gulf countries, amid intense speculation about his administrations policy toward the Middle East.

If only his policy were to disengage from the region altogether.

Earlier this month, Trump announced that the U.S. had made a deal to halt strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff has continued to engage in talks with Iran toward a nuclear deal, while disagreements over the issue have roiled Trumps Cabinet and the Pentagon. The president also announced that he would lift sanctions on Syria and met with its new de facto leader Ahmed al-Shara, a former al-Qaeda militant.

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Meanwhile, Israels security cabinet has approved a plan to raze and occupy Gaza, permanently displacing its 2 million Palestinian inhabitants. Trump has previously suggested that the U.S. will take over Gaza and has suggested that its Palestinian residents be cleaned out.

Trumps eagerness to end hostilities with the Houthis, cut a deal with Iran, and lift sanctions on Syria are all encouraging. But his willingness to greenlight Israels ethnic cleansing of Gaza and his seeming desire to forge even closer ties to the Gulf states preserves and expands the worst aspects of longstanding U.S. policy toward the region.

For decades now, our country has devoted far too much attention to the Middle East, basing policy on preferential treatment of Israel and Saudi Arabia and hostility toward Iran. This vastly overstates the importance of the Gulf region for U.S. security and global affairs, while unnecessarily drawing the United States into troublesome entanglements in the region.

U.S. policy toward the Gulf during the Cold War was premised on that regions central role in the world energy market  and therefore the supply of oil to U.S. allies in Western Europe and East Asia. Washington made it a priority to prevent the Soviet Union or a hostile local power from dominating the region and disrupting the flow of affordable energy to its allies, which were still reindustrializing and remained militarily underdeveloped.

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Today, the United States need not protect energy supplies from the Gulf on behalf of its allies, nor does it face the threat of a single power dominating the region. In view of its own increasing resource constraints and the challenge posed by China, Washington should deprioritize the Middle East and have normal businesslike relations with all the powers in the region, rather than special relationships with some and adversarial relations with others.

Old habits die hard, however.

Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden both doubled down on their commitment to Israel and Saudi Arabia while seeking to isolate Iran. After Trump in his first term torched the Iran nuclear deal, the signal diplomatic achievement of the Obama administration, Biden refused to ink a new deal with Tehran, continuing on the collision course set by Trumps maximum pressure policy. Now, ironically, Trump seems ready to make a new deal very much along the lines of the old deal in order to avoid a war with Iran.

The Trump administration may make the mistake of thinking that an agreement with Iran requires concomitant concessions to the Israelis and Saudis. Trump has long sought to achieve Saudi-Israeli normalization in exchange for a U.S. security pact with Riyadh, the meat of the so-called Abraham Accords. Israels brazen rampage in Gaza has ruled out normalization and thus has so far been an obstacle to a U.S.-Saudi security deal.

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Some have noted that Trumps ties to Israel seem under strain. Trump did not consult with the Israelis before making a deal with the Houthis and has sidelined its concerns regarding a nuclear deal with Iran. Furthermore, he did not visit Israel during his trip to the region.

However, Trumps continuing endorsement of  and possible participation in  Israels reoccupation of Gaza, or his offer of U.S. security guarantees to Saudi Arabia, would be the worst possible recommitments to partnerships that have long been both strategically and morally unsound.

Moreover, while the U.S. has participated for too long in the wrecking of Syria, there is no need to lend legitimacy to the new government, whose trustworthiness is highly suspect  particularly in the wake of the massacre of Alawite minorities in recent months.

Trump has been willing to make some radical breaks with prior U.S. policy, putting European allies on notice, seeking an end to the Ukraine war, and being willing to cut deals with adversaries in the Gulf. But the best change would be to stop making concessions to Israel and Saudi Arabia, stop being drawn into their local rivalries, normalize relations with Iran, and largely forget about the regions security affairs altogether.

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Christopher McCallion is a fellow at Defense Priorities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Thursday, Harvard celebrates its 374th commencement while fighting off a full-throated executive branch attack.

Last week, President Donald Trump moved to prohibit Harvard University from enrolling and educating international students. That unprecedented move was immediately challenged in court, with U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Massachusetts issuing a temporary restraining order. For the moment, Harvards nearly 7,000 international students are safe. But this threat, to both Harvard and the more than 1 million foreign students studying across the United States, will have wide-ranging implications across the country and, indeed, the world.

Nonprofit public and private colleges and universities serve the public good in a variety of ways. This justifies their nonprofit status, which in theory should allow all of resources to be allocated to their educational missions. Depending on the institution, this mission could include generating groundbreaking research; creating, preserving and disseminating knowledge; and educating the next generation of young people to enter the labor market and contribute to the strength of our economy. Making that education available to all families, regardless of their incomes, contributes to equal opportunity and economic and social mobility.

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In 2023-24, about 6% of all college students were international. At Harvard, about 25% of students are international. For institutions that are educating graduate students in Ph.D. programs, the goal is to train the next generation of researchers to contribute to making discoveries to solve the worlds challenging problems. As of July 1, Harvard held over 5,800 patents, supported 96 startups in the last five years and has over 900 active technology licenses with over 650 industry partners. Innovations supported by Harvards research mission are wide-ranging, from 3D printing advances to new antibiotics and other health care improvements.

Harvard historically has used its best judgment to recruit and educate the next generation of Americas and the worlds skilled workforce and innovators. And it has been tremendously successful in this endeavor so far.

There is an added benefit to the United States if these talented researchers remain here rather than return abroad; they then can contribute more directly to innovation and discovery in our domestic economy. According to the Economic Innovation Group, a bipartisan policy organization, about 41% of international students graduating from U.S. institutions remain long-term in the United States, but three-quarters of highly trained Ph.D. recipients do.

It turns out you can put a number on this value. Undergraduate students, too, often contribute to our economy in a variety of ways. Many will work for U.S. companies, here or abroad, contributing to our skilled workforce that helps us innovate and compete in world markets. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion and supported 378,175 jobs to the U.S. economy during the 20232024 academic year. (MSNBC hasnt independently verified NAFSA's analysis.)

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Given all the benefits international students provide our country, it is a bit difficult to ascertain what is the ultimate objective of Trumps policy. When international students enroll in the United States, we are actually selling a service on the global market  access to higher education  in which we are highly competitive. The trade balance on these services is in our favor. It is a contradiction to encourage other countries to open their markets to our exports while telling our domestic producers of higher education services that they cant essentially sell abroad.

And if the goal is to increase the enrollment of lower-income domestic students, at Harvard or any other school targeted with this policy, there would be more effective alternative policies, such as increasing Pell grants and/or making Title IV funds contingent on a certain share of the student bodys being lower income.

Importantly, many institutions in the United States recruit international students, not only for their contributions to the education offered all students, but also because they contribute to tuition revenue, on which many institutions primarily depend. For some of the more tuition-dependent colleges and universities  and this includes both public and private institutions  losing that revenue could result in dire consequences. Without the tuition from full-pay international students, schools may have to cut back on need-based aid  meaning some additional American students will find college financially out of reach.

Harvard has already made great progress increasing the number of lower-income students in its student body, significantly increasing need-based aid. Currently, 24% of Harvard undergraduates pay nothing, and families with incomes above $100,000 up to $200,000 go tuition-free. Trumps measures would very likely change this calculus, reducing resources available for need-based financial aid.

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Higher education more broadly is facing a domestic demographic cliff over the next 15 years; the number of graduating high school seniors in the United States could fall by an estimated 13%. Institutions are going to have trouble finding domestic students, particularly those able to pay, to fill those seats. Many institutions could be pushed to the brink, accelerating mergers and closures, further disadvantaging their existing and future students. Since 2020, 79 public and nonprofit colleges have closed or merged or announced that they will be doing so in the near future.

Even for wealthier institutions like Harvard, the societal impact of these restrictions would be significant.

Thus the administrations policies, if implemented, would, of course, weaken Harvard. But there are real people who would also suffer as a result: international students, yes, but also potentially deserving but socioeconomically disadvantaged American. With fewer resources available for need-based financial aid, Harvard would have to admit fewer low- and middle-income students in favor of high-income domestic students.

These policies run counter to long-held conservative positions on the appropriate role of government intervention in the private sector. They would endanger Harvard's ability to recruit and educate innovators and leaders who contribute billions of dollars to the American economy and help fuel scientific breakthrough around the world. And they would potentially make it even harder for some American students to attend the colleges of their choosing. Its hard to see how this serves anyone, let alone the public good.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Its hard to feel much sympathy for Harvard University. It has historically absorbed billions of dollars in federal subsidies and research grants, while discriminating against some applicants based on their race prior to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.

But now, President Donald Trump is ending all remaining federal grants to Harvard. And beyond cutting off federal money, the administration has gone further by threatening to block Harvards access to all foreign students in 30 days. Worse, it is pausing all interviews for new foreign students, as well as the so-called exchange visas, while the administration considers whether and how to vet applicants social media accounts.

This goes way too far. Theres not a single terrorist attack in the last 50 years that would have been prevented by such a thorough and subjective search, but the administration would likely use it to exclude students with unpopular opinions. (On Thursday, a federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the administrations attempt to bar Harvard from enrolling international students.)

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Moreover, the administration is completely off-base in its attacks on universities and international students.

There are more than 1.1 million foreign students enrolled in American colleges and universities, amounting to just under 6% of the 19.1 million students enrolled in higher education. According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, 56% of foreign students studied STEM, about 25% studied math and computer science, and nearly one-fifth studied engineering.

Skilled immigrants often start as foreign students and end up staying. Elon Musk started as a student at the University of Pennsylvania before getting an H-1B visa. Usually, after the H-1B (or another temporary visa called OPT), the migrants are sponsored for a green card, and then they can eventually become American citizens, just as Musk did. Another South African immigrant, Patrick Soon-Shiong, completed his surgical training at UCLA before inventing the drug Abraxane for lung, breast and pancreatic cancer.

The innovation this country spawns is the only way I think that America continues to be the leader of the world, Soon-Shiong, now a billionaire and the owner of the Los Angeles Times, said in 2017. We still have the best universities, and I think its crazy that (foreigners) come here and we train them as masters and PhDs and then we kick them out. Thats ridiculous.

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The data bears out Soon-Shiongs observations in innovation and entrepreneurship. From 1950-2000, a 1 percentage point increase in immigrants results in 15% more patents on a per capita basis. But entrepreneurship is even more important for innovation, and thats where immigrants really shine. According to research by economist Pierre Azoulay and his co-authors, immigrants are 80% more likely to start a business, their businesses created about 50% more jobs, they start more businesses at every size, and they pay about 1% higher wages than firms started by native-born Americans.

Abandoning student visas doesnt mean kicking high-skilled immigrants out today, but it does mean that many fewer will be here in the future because theyre kicked off the bottom rung of the ladder. Canceling student visas will actually counteract the intent of the administrations trade war.

The administration started its trade war on the false notion that countries with trade surpluses have taken advantage of Americans. Were just not going to get ripped off anymore, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. But even if the trade surplus were an economically meaningful number, ending student visas is counterproductive because, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, they amount to a $50.2 billion export. The effect of canceling student visas is to increase the trade deficit.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced that the administration will more aggressively review visas for Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party and who study critical fields.

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Espionage is a legitimate concern, although an overblown one, but sending a signal to intelligent and hard-working Chinese students that the U.S. doesnt want them will do more harm. If the administration is truly worried about China, it makes little sense to lock their smartest students in a communist dictatorship during a trade war in which one of the main goals is to reduce the trade deficit with China (even though the latter point isnt important).

Beyond just the myopic assaults on immigration, policing international students speech isnt a worthy task for Americas border bureaucrats. And even if it were, they should be able to do it without pausing all student visas. The Trump administration should abandon this endeavor before it starts.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
On May 27, analysts at Goldman Sachs upped Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI)s stock from Neutral to Buy, raising its price objective to $431 from the prior target of $410. This upgrade stems from the expectations of structurally higher profitability in the companys Power Systems business, thanks to the new pricing structure extending beyond data centers.

Goldman Sachs Upgrades Cummins (CMI) Stock, Raises PT to $431

A mechanic standing proudly in a factory floor surrounded by the engines the company produces.

The upgrade also comes after the favorable outlook related to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)s regulations for 2027. Additionally, the firm highlighted the observation that US truck demand expectations are now significantly lowered.

Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) reported sales of $1.6 billion from its Power Systems segment. The revenues in North America went up by 15%, while international sales rose 22%, primarily because of higher power generation demand, mainly for the data center market. In its Power Systems business, Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) witnessed strong performance in both EBITDA dollars and percentage in Q1 2025 as it continues to benefit from operational improvements and strong end markets.

The company plans to invest over $1 billion in its engine and power systems manufacturing operations in the US over the next few years. The new price target demonstrates Goldman Sachs confidence in the company's ability to tackle the current market conditions.

As the company evaluates the current manufacturing footprint and the exposure to tariff regulations, Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) believes that it remains well-placed because it mainly produces engines and gensets in the markets where it sells them.

Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) is the leading manufacturer of diesel engines used in commercial trucks, off-highway equipment, and railroad locomotives, apart from standby and prime power generators.

While we acknowledge the potential of CMI to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CMI and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

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Over the weekend, The New York Times reported that Democratic donors are considering a $20 million strategic plan called Speaking with American Men that includes study(ing) the syntax, language and content that gains attention and virality in male spaces. The initiative is yet another example of Democrats trying to make sense of the 2024 election and, in particular, how they can win back male voters.

But polling data from the last four presidential elections suggests the root of their male voter problem  and the potential solution  might be rather straightforward: Support for Democrats among male voters dropped most dramatically when the partys presidential candidate was a woman  and rebounded when the party nominated a man.

At the outset, its important to note that there are significant caveats to this data. Four elections offer useful data, but its still a relatively small sample size. In addition, its impossible to say with certainty that the presence of a woman on the Democratic ticket sapped the partys support in presidential elections. Some of the reasoning here is based on circumstantial evidence. Nonetheless, the numbers tell a sobering tale.

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For example, last week, Catalist, a progressive organization that analyzes voter data, released its report entitled What Happened in 2024, and its clear that, across the board, Democrats lost ground with men. While women supported Kamala Harris at nearly the same levels that they supported Joe Biden in 2020, the share of men backing the Democratic ticket dropped from 48% in 2020 to 42% in 2024. In all, there was an 11-point shift from Democrats to Republicans. These declines were evident across every major demographic group.

For example, white and black women supported Biden and Harris at levels virtually unchanged from 2020, but there was a four-point drop among white men and a seven-point drop among Black men. Support for Democrats among Latino women fell by seven points, but among Latino men, the decline was 12 points.

Even more striking is the drop-off with younger voters. According to Catalist, the gender gap among 18 to 29 year olds widened to 17 points as women dropped slightly from 66% Democratic support in 2020 to 63% in 2024 while men dropped much further from 55% Democratic support in 2020 to 46% in 2024.

Again, these shifts took place across multiple demographic groups. Democrats lost one point of support with young Black women, but 10 points among young Black men. The partys share of support among young Hispanic women fell by 8 points from 2020 to 2024, but 16 points among young Hispanic men.

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The shift also held across college-educated voters  a group that in recent years has increasingly moved toward the Democratic Party. In 2020, Democrats won 54% of white college-age voters, but in 2024 that number slipped to 51%. However, nearly all of the decline was due to a six-point drop in support among college-educated men (versus just one point among college-educated women). A similar dynamic was evident among white non-college-educated voters. Harris matched Bidens numbers with women in this group, but lost three points with men.

To be sure, theres long been a gender gap in American politics, with women more inclined to vote Democratic than men. In 2024, Trumps presidential campaign made it a priority to target men, particularly occasional male voters. And its worth noting that Democrats lost significant support with white college-educated men in the 2022 midterms (though they gained ground with white non-college-educated men). So perhaps the decline evident in the 2024 numbers is part of a larger electoral trend? Perhaps men were more aggrieved by the state of the economy in 2024? Perhaps they were more turned off by Democratic positions on cultural issues like abortion, trans rights, etc?

All this is possible, but there is one complicating factor: The decline in male support for the Democratic Party in 2024 looks a lot like what happened with male voters in 2016, when Hillary Clinton was the party nominee.

In 2012, when Barack Obama faced off against Mitt Romney, there was an 8-point gender gap, according to Catalist. In 2016, the gender gap increased to 12 points. In 2020, Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, it closed back to nine percentage points. And in 2024, it had increased to 13 points. By and large, female support for the Democratic ticket was constant throughout these four elections; only male support for Democrats fluctuated.

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Again, this seesawing support is evident across virtually all demographic groups. Democratic support among white non-college-educated voters is perhaps the most striking example. The partys support with white non-college-educated women has been nearly constant in every election since 2012. But among white non-college-educated men, there was a six-point drop from 2012 to 2016, a two-point increase in 2020, and then a three-point drop in 2024. A similar gender gap was also evident among college-educated men.

So over the last four elections, we see a similar pattern  Democrats lose support with men when theres a woman on the ticket, and gain it back when they nominate a man.

Trump is undoubtedly a factor here as well. Hes long preached a traditional form of masculinity that undoubtedly appeals to a certain segment of American men. Conversely, Democrats have long been branded as the more feminine party, for their views on issues like trans rights, abortion and even social insurance programs. But then why did Trumps support among male voters shift so dramatically in 2020? If it was the result of, say, his handling of the pandemic, why would such anger materialize so acutely among men?

Its certainly possible that the Democrats problems with male voters will fade away when Trump is not on the ballot in 2028. And it bears noting that female representation in Congress has steadily increased since Trump first arrived on the national stage. In 2017, there were 105 female members of Congress. Today, that number stands at 151 (and that includes a substantial increase in female Republicans in Congress). However, the presidency is a vastly different office with significantly different responsibilities than a member of Congress. The U.S. stands out as one of the handful of Western democracies that has never elected a female head of state.

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As uncomfortable as it might be to acknowledge, the Democrats problem with male voters might be solved with the simplest, albeit most reactionary of solutions. Nominate a man for president in 2028.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A voter shows identification to an election judge. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Ohio senators are considering a plan to require voters show proof of citizenship to register to vote. In a hearing this week, more than a dozen organizers and activists argued the bills stringent requirements would wind up disenfranchising eligible voters.

There is still no evidence of widespread voter fraud, despite Republicans warning for years about the threat posed by alleged noncitizen voters. In Ohio, for instance, the attorney general found six cases of illegal voting spread over twelve years.

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Meanwhile, there is solid evidence that many Americans, more than 9% of voting-age citizens according to one study, dont have up-to-date documents proving citizenship readily available. Name changes from marriage and/or divorce, and the availability of that documentation, complicates things further.

The bill and the pushback

Under Ohio Senate Bill 153, new voters and those updating their registration would have to prove their citizenship before being allowed to vote. In practice, most verifications would happen behind the scenes. Voters would provide their state drivers license or ID number, and the BMV which typically has record of a persons citizenship status, will give the board of elections a thumbs up or down.

But if for some reason the BMV cant verify a voters status, theyd need to provide a valid birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization document before casting a ballot. If they dont, the voter would have to cast a provisional ballot and then provide proof after the fact.

SB 153 takes a skeptical view of those voters. Anyone who casts a provisional ballot and then doesnt show up with the required documentation would have their registration cancelled.

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Over and above the registration changes, the bill would eliminate ballot drop boxes and impose new requirements on petition circulators.

Some of that amounts to red tape  the canvasser would have to personally tally the number of signatures they collected rather than someone else in the campaign, for instance. Another change would require paid circulators to wear a badge identifying themselves as such.

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Opponents of the bill emphasized the complications it will create for voters. All Voting is Local Action Senior Campaign Manager Greer Aeschbury argued the changes would lead to a dramatic increase in provisional voting. Her organization tracks provisional ballots, and found some 34,000 of them got rejected in the 2024 election.

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The second most popular reason for rejection was a lack of proper ID, she explained. This means that voters attempted to vote, but because of our strict photo ID rules, they either didnt have the proper ID or simply forgot to bring it in.

Under SB 153s changes, Aeschbury said, those voters could show up at the next election, ID in hand because of that prior experience, only to learn their registration got canceled.

Scott Sibley recalled helping his 86-year-old grandfather get a state ID card when he was no longer able to drive. They gathered several documents including birth certificate and Social Security card, but couldnt meet all five of the elements required by the state BMV.

It took a total of three visits, Sibley said, to get all the necessary documents.

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At the time government photo IDs were not yet a requirement for voting, but after this episode, I understood the arguments against such requirements, he said. Is this any way to treat an elderly World War II veteran? I cannot imagine that we would have made it through this new process under SB 153. I think we would have thrown up our hands.

In addition to making registration more onerous for voters, Kelly Dufour, from Common Cause Ohio, explained the bill also puts new burdens on election officials already reeling from recent changes.

In the last two years, she said, more than 85 sections of related Revised Code have been amended, deleted or removed. The current proposal would amend 46 more and add three new ones.

It seems to me its a system thats set up to fail, she said. So, Im just asking to please slow down, maybe let the new laws simmer. Visit with election officials to get some of their input on meaningful improvements.

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She and others commented on election officials absence. While lawmakers were holding the hearing elections officials around Ohio were busy certifying the May 6 primary election.

Other voices weigh in

While many organizers criticized the bills aggressive approach to verifying registrations, several others argued it doesnt go far enough.

Half a dozen people showed up to speak as an interested party, warning poll workers arent adequately trained to verify citizenship documents, or that state officials should be even more proactive in reviewing the voters rolls.

Scott Taylor described himself as a poll worker from Montgomery County, and he zeroed in on the idea of a person providing proof of citizenship on Election Day.

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I got wondering, what would that certificate look like? he told the committee.

Taylor said he went online, found an example and did a bit of editing. He held up the printout, framed with an ornate, official-looking border a bit like a dollar bill.

So I generated my own certificate of citizenship, and I produced this in about 15 minutes, Taylor said. I went on to Google, and I found an example, and I just cut it up a bit, put a picture of a cat on it.

He argued that its unfair to ask poll workers to distinguish a real document from a fake, so he said that any voter who hasnt proven their citizenship prior to Election Day should be forced to cast a provisional ballot.

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Gail Niederlehner from Butler County insisted that in several ways the bill closed the front door only to leave the back door open. She said that voters shouldnt even be allowed to register without providing proof of citizenship.

Without pre-registration verification, the risk of noncitizen registration continues, she said.

Niederlehner criticized the bill for accepting expired documents like a passport as proof of citizenship and said the proposals regular reviews of the voters arent stringent enough.

To this point there has still been just one entity to voice support for the measure.

FGA Action, which previously went by Opportunity Solutions Project, is a Florida-based think tank that advocates for conservative policies in statehouses around the country. It gets some of its funding from the conservative dark money network controlled by former Federalist Society president Leonard Leo, and it backed the effort by Republican lawmakers in 2023 to make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution.

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky.

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A Pride flag, Oregon flag and U.S. flag rest on a desk in the Oregon Capitol. (Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

The 2000 report on hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center showed five hate groups active in Oregon. Its 2024 counterpart report just released this month found 24.

The difference is a matter of apples and oranges between these reports, which reflects a changing landscape in the area of extremism and hate groups. The SPLCs traditional focus on hate groups  it started as an anti-racist tracker and researcher, after all  has been expanded to include groups more devoted to relatively extreme positions on various cultural and political issues.

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Inclusion of anti-government groups, as distinct from groups more specifically focused on race, religion or other identifiers, has changed and even muddied the picture. Oregons experience  as the new report shows  suggests how.

Hate groups have been a factor in Oregon for a long time. The states early founders included many sympathizers with the Confederacy, and a century ago, Oregon was the number two state in the nation for Ku Klux Klan activity. It has been more notable in recent decades for pushback against bigotry, but hatred has not disappeared.

The SPLC long has been a national touchstone for tracking angry extremist groups. It said its current report documented 1,371 hate and anti-government extremist groups across the United States. These groups use political, communication, violent, and online tactics to build strategies and training infrastructure to divide the country, demoralize people, and dismantle democracy.

Theyre not all exactly hate groups, however.

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A minority of the groups were labeled as anti-immigrant (Oregonians for Immigration Reform), anti-LGBTQ (Pacific Justice Institute), general hate (Proud Boys and Rense Radio Network), Neo-Volkisch (Asatru Folk Assembly), and white nationalist (Active Club, Occidental Observer, Patriot Front). The Asatru Folk Assembly formerly was called the Viking Brotherhood.

But the real growth has been in the anti-government category.

The SPLC categorizes more than half of those listed in Oregon as anti-government (American Patriot Party, ASN Study Guide & University, American State Nationals, Constitution Party, Embassy of Heaven, Moms for Liberty Deschutes and Douglas, Oregon Parents Involved in Education, Oregon Statewide Jural Assembly, Parents Rights in Education Oregon, Peoples Rights, State of Jefferson, American State Assembly, Timber Unity).

In 2000, of the five extremist groups listed for Oregon, three were neo-Nazi and two were racist-skinhead. In 2012, the nine groups cited for Oregon included white nationalist, Christian identity, Black separatist, neo-Nazi, racist skinhead and general hate, but none described as principally anti-government. Even as those groups steadily expanded over successive years, to 15 in 2021, no anti-government groups were listed. Since 2021, the number of groups other than anti-government has diminished or stabilized.

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The makeup of the list changed dramatically in 2022, and has remained so. The previous roster of hate groups remained similar but diminished slightly, while in 2022 a large group of anti-government groups were added. You can find similar trends in other states.

SPLC said of that, For the last several years, the conspiracy theories and claims made by anti-government groups have penetrated the mainstream, making extremism and fascism central to discourse and politics in the country. In 2021, the conspiratorial and dubious view of government was pervasive, as evidenced by the movements popular rhetoric on such issues as COVID-19 regulations, local school curriculum, the Big Lie of voter fraud, and border security. These views largely continued in 2024, but with a marked and troubling rise in anti-government activity against inclusive public schools and the continued incorporation of white Christian nationalist ideas. The Jan. 6 insurrection was the most public moment for the movement since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

Many Oregonians will point out that however extreme some positions taken by some of these groups may be, many are largely political actors, such as Moms for Liberty, Timber Unity and the State of Jefferson. The Constitution Party is a political organization in Oregon and many other states, fields candidates and argues for policies recognizably within our political system.

One of those listed for Oregon in recent years is not an organization but rather a podcast, or bundle of podcasts, based at Ashland, called the Rense Radio Network.

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Theres a clear argument for tracking extremist groups, which can in some cases make cause with hate groups. But they still arent quite the same thing.

So what should count as a hate group? When does a political stance  albeit a harder-edged and more extreme one  slide over into something that fits more neatly with hatred and bigotry?

And should the two be meshed together with only categorical distinctions?

Maybe the SPLC will come up with some new thoughts by the time its 2025 report comes out.

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May 29OREGON  A proposed ordinance that would have required organizers of public demonstrations to apply for permits was tabled "indefinitely" by city leaders Tuesday night after one Oregon resident said its passage would have been "an act of tyranny."

Ordinance 2025-011 was introduced in April by City Manager Darin DeHaan, who told city commissioners that the new ordinance was needed to give the city necessary information and time to prepare for public demonstrations.

Its introduction followed three "Hands Off" rallies held April 5, April 19 and May 1 on two city sidewalks surrounding the historic Ogle County Courthouse in the city's center.

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Those events, organized by Indivisible of Ogle County, the local chapter of the Indivisible Project network  a grassroots organization founded in 2016  included signs opposing President Donald Trump's policies and executive orders during his first 100 days in office.

The rallies drew 400, 250 and 150 attendees, respectively, and were held at the intersection of Routes 64 and 2. The Oregon rally was one of several May 1 rallies that drew hundreds of thousands across the world and in the U.S.

Before the first rally, Jan Buttron of Chana met with officials from the Ogle County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon Police Department, the Oregon Fire Protection District and the city of Oregon to make sure safety guidelines were followed.

DeHaan told the council in April that he believed a permit process was needed because Oregon was a small community with limited resources, and a demonstration permit would allow the city to prepare by having the necessary law enforcement and ambulance services available.

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He said the Indivisible organizers and demonstrators were "great to work with" and that he fully supported the First Amendment and citizens' rights to assemble, but he was concerned that future demonstrations could create safety issues if more people attended.

Buttron was one of five people who spoke out against the ordinance at the May 13 council meeting. She questioned the timing of its introduction, adding that the rallies were needed because the country was in a "constitutional crisis" due to Trump's policy decisions and executive orders.

She said Trump has deported American citizens and other individuals without due process  some to prisons in other countries  and committed other unconstitutional acts.

On Tuesday night, Buttron said the rallies represented peaceful and nonviolent views against Trump's actions.

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"If these things weren't happening, we would not be out there," Buttron said. "We have followed all of the rules. We will continue to do that."

Veronica Mathews offered each commissioner copies of case law that she said showed how such an ordinance would be "sweeping control over public expression" and a violation of First Amendment rights.

"I know this discussion is about process, not passage. But the questions you ask tonight will shape the future of this ordinance. And more than that, they will shape how the public understands your intent," Mathews said. "That's why I hope you'll sit with this ordinance not just as decision-makers, but as neighbors. As people who know how this town works. How it has always worked. Because what this ordinance represents isn't safety policy. It's a shift in relationship between the public and the government. And the more people read it, the more that shift becomes clear.

"What concerns me most is this: When authority is broad and the rules are vague, enforcement becomes unpredictable. Even with the best of intentions, policies like this can be misused, or be perceived as being used unfairly. And once public trust starts to erode, it's incredibly difficult to rebuild. None of this is an attack. I know how seriously many of you are taking this. I also know you're hearing from residents who are genuinely alarmed."

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John Dickson said the proposed ordinance was on the "wrong" path.

"It sets the government above the people by requiring permission to assemble, arbitrarily defining assembly size, allowing a single entity to grant approval, stipulating ineffective appeal process, and requiring details of minutia  and it is an act of tyranny," Dickson said.

"The sidestepped point is when two or more people meet, it is considered an assembly. Assembly is a right of liberty, a quotation familiar to all of us," Dickson said, quoting from the Constitution. "Rights are not to be traded away nor restricted in their exercise. Asking for a permit to assemble is as despicable as asking for permission to speak, write, print or pray. The only qualification of assembly is it shall be peaceable. It is up to the people to assemble and do so peaceably.

"The people have the right to assemble in a peaceable manner, to consult for the common good, to make known their opinions to their representatives and to apply for redress of grievances. These are the limits of governing you have sworn to uphold."

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He said the city could provide a process for requesting additional city services  if organizers of public demonstrations thought they were needed.

"If the city's intention is to provide services, then the city needs to come up with a request for services process," Dickson said. "You can deny or approve services. ... You cannot dictate to an assembly that is peaceable. And that belongs to the people. Government was created to preserve liberty, and tonight I request that this ordinance be properly killed by whatever process is expedient."

After the public comment period, Mayor Ken Williams said the ordinance was intended to help the city address logistical issues for crowds that gather.

Williams said traffic control, crosswalks for pedestrians, public restroom access and other details were issues city officials thought the ordinance could help address.

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"Basically, we're trying to assist," Williams said. "And so, what we were saying, if you look at the ordinance, is we 'really want to help, but trust us, we won't go too far.'"

But Williams said he was not in favor of adding more ordinances.

"I don't think we need another ordinance," Williams said. "I was going to go ahead and make a motion to table it. ... And that would basically kill it. I also want to open it up for discussion."

Commissioner Tim Krug immediately made a motion to postpone the ordinance indefinitely, with Melanie Cozzi making the second.

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Commissioner Terry Schuster said he liked Dickson's suggestion that the city develop a "request for services" process.

"Because that was the intent," Schuster said. "There was no other intent behind this."

In May, Schuster, Krug and Cozzi questioned the definition of "spontaneous" gatherings such as candlelight vigils and were concerned they could fall under the new guidelines.

Commissioner Josiah Flanagan agreed that the motion should be postponed.

The motion to table the ordinance passed unanimously 5-0.

"Yes, it's over," Williams said.

"I'm just glad they made the right decision," Buttron said after the vote.

"I'm glad I don't have to spend any more sleepless nights doing research," Mathews said.

The next rally, titled "No Kings," is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 14.
A wildfire outside Ukiah in Umatilla County in 2024, part of the Battle Mountain Complex of fires that burned more than 183,000 acres. Gov. Tina Kotek has asked the Oregon Legislature for more than a year to find more, stable funding to fight wildfires in the state. (Courtesy of Northwest Interagency Coordination Center)

A bill to repeal the states unpopular Wildfire Hazard Map passed the Oregon Senate unanimously in April, signaling it would be one of the least controversial and most bipartisan bills to pass this session.

But that momentum hit unexpected headwinds May 22, when the bill  Senate Bill 83  landed in the Oregon Houses Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, where Democrats opted to send it to the House Rules Committee, rather than to the House floor for a final vote.

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The decision to delay a vote on Senate Bill 83 came as a surprise to Republicans on the Committee, who later accused Democrats, House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, and Gov. Tina Kotek of using it as a bargaining chip in negotiations over a wildfire funding proposal that would redirect $1 billion from the states kicker tax return. That proposal would require a two-thirds supermajority vote in each chamber, meaning at least two Senate Republicans and four House Republicans would need to approve along with all legislative Democrats.

The speaker has been consistent that we cannot responsibly repeal the wildfire risk maps without also having a clear, workable plan for how we manage wildfire risk in the future, including how we fund that work, Jill Bakken, Faheys spokesperson, said in an email.

Anca Matica, a Kotek spokesperson, said in an email that the legislative branch is the custodian of information regarding bills moving through the legislative process, not the Governors Office.

Oregon Republicans have long insisted that the kicker  returned to Oregon taxpayers when personal income taxes collected by the state end up at least 2% higher than budgeted  is not to be spent by the Legislature.

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In a news release May 22, Ashley Kuenzi, communications director for the Oregon Senate Republicans, said the spirit of collaboration has seemingly vanished between Democrats and Republicans on Senate Bill 83. State Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, who supported its passage in the Senate, said in the release it was a stunning reversal and clear betrayal.

Holding rural Oregonians hostage over votes for future wildfire funding is not only obscene, but disgraceful. Put the damn bill on the floor for a vote! he said.

On the line

If passed, Senate Bill 83 would repeal the map produced under a multi-year effort by scientists at state agencies and Oregon State University that show where the highest risk of wildfires are throughout the state. The map provoked backlash from homeowners in some high-risk areas worried about wildfire insurance rates and coverage and potentially having to comply with new building requirements.

State Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, who carried Senate Bill 83 in the Senate, has been outspoken that the map should be repealed because of unintended consequences, including widespread misinformation about how the map was intended to be used, creating distrust between some property owners and state agencies.

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In a text, Golden said House Democrats decision not to move the bill straight to the House floor for a vote is making the repeal of the maps more complicated than it needed to be.

To me, the smartest path from the start was to unite around map repeal and get it to the Governors desk to show folks we all put protecting the state ahead of politics, he said. Thats what we did in the Senate. Looks like the thinking in the House was different but nobodys told me what it is.

Golden is also behind the proposal just now gaining steam to use $1 billion of the states anticipated $1.64 billion kicker to fund much needed wildfire prevention and response work throughout the state. Golden proposed the idea months ago to little fanfare, but Gov. Tina Kotek recently signaled her support for the idea in the absence of other options, telling reporters at a news conference May 20 it would be a beneficial approach.

Kotek has asked the Legislature for more than a year to come up with a reliable and consistent funding mechanism to support statewide wildfire work and has so far not received any proposals that come close to meeting her desired target of an additional $150 million per year. Putting $1 billion of the kicker into an account that accrues 5% interest each year could provide the state with at least $50 million of that.

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That would be very helpful for the state, Kotek told reporters.

CORRECTION: Kuenzi is communications director for the Oregon Senate Republicans, not House Republicans, as previously reported.

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In this photo provided by the Oregon State Police, a lion is seen at the West Coast Game Park Safari near Bandon, Ore., May 15, 2025. via Associated Press

An Oregon zoo owner was arrested on drug charges after a raid uncovered 80 grams of methamphetamine, eight grams of cocaine, 44 firearms, and about $1.6 million in cash, cashiers checks, bonds and certificates.

Brian Tenney, 52, was arrested Tuesday and released the same day, police said.

Police served multiple search warrants at the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, Oregon on May 15 as a result of a criminal investigation into the zoos operations. More than 300 animals were seized at the end of the days-long raid. The animals were relocated to animal sanctuary or rescue facilities, according to the police. No animals were released into the wild.

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A chicken, kinkajou and camel were euthanized because of their physical condition, police said.

Over the last 11 years, Ive never seen anything quite like this, Coos County Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio told reporters. The amount of agencies  the amount of people. I believe there was more officers from all the different agencies than there are in the entirety of Coos County.

According to an April United States Department of Agriculture inspection report, a lioness, lion and leopard had decreased muscle mass and their hips, ribs and spine could be seen under their skin.

A March report states that there was no readily identifiable facility attendant present at the zoo in areas where between 50 and 100 combined sheep, goats, llamas and deer roamed free. An October 2024 report stated the same thing.

Related...
The reward for the arrest of the two remaining inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail this month has more than doubled to $50,000, authorities announced on Thursday, as police said they believe they are closing in on the "dangerous" fugitives.

Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves are among 10 inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, according to Louisiana State Police.

In the nearly two weeks since, eight of the inmates have been captured, but Massey and Groves remain on the run, police said.

PHOTO: Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves are shown in these undated booking photos released by the Louisiana State Police. (Louisiana State Police)

There are now rewards totalling $50,000 per inmate for tips leading to their arrest, according to Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col Robert Hodges. That includes rewards being offered from the Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, he said.

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Hodges said police have "some strong leads" about where the remaining two fugitives are, though they still need tips because of the men's movement.

"We're confident that we are closing in on the remaining two escapees, and that we should have them in custody soon," he said during a press briefing on Thursday. "We're resilient, and although they're going to get tired and frustrated as they try to move around Louisiana or move around the metropolitan area, they know the walls are closing in."

MORE: 8 New Orleans inmates captured, 2 remain missing after more than a week on the run

Authorities urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the two fugitives to reach out while acknowledging that may be difficult.

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"We understand, along with our law enforcement partners, that some of you might be reporting a friend, a loved one, a relative, and albeit not easy, it is critical to your safety and the safety of the public that you report that," Walter Martin, chief deputy U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana, said during the briefing.

Martin vowed to recapture the "dangerous inmates." One of them, Groves, was recently convicted of two counts of second-degree murder in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting and faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said. Unrelated to that case, he also subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, online court records show.

PHOTO: This compilation released by the Louisiana State Police shows the escaped convicts who have been captured, and those who are still at large. (Louisiana State Police)

Hodges warned that anyone who helps the remaining fugitives will be arrested and prosecuted.

"Now is the time to make the right choice," he said.

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MORE: Facial recognition technology use in search for New Orleans jail escapees under scrutiny

Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans President and CEO Darlene Cusanza said Thursday the organization has received nearly 700 tips related to the inmates' escape, resulting in the arrest of three of them. One inmate was arrested within 30 minutes of receiving the tip, she said. Three tipsters will be paid $10,000, she said.

The 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in the early morning hours of May 16 after climbing through a hole behind a toilet. Their disappearance was not noticed for several hours and touched off a massive manhunt.

Over a dozen people have been arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees, including another inmate in the jail and a jail maintenance worker who is accused of shutting off water to the toilet allowing escapees to remove it.

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Three of the 10 inmates who escaped were apprehended in New Orleans within the first 24 hours of the jailbreak. The others were captured in the following days, including in Baton Rouge and two in Texas.

The eight captured inmates have been transported to a secure state facility in Louisiana, Hodges said.

New Orleans jail escape: Reward for tips leading to arrest of 2 remaining fugitives increases to $50,000 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
ORWIGSBURG  Schuylkill Countys first county seat will ring in the nations 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.

Were asking residents, businesses and churches to ring their bells to celebrate Americas semiquincentennial, said Jennifer Bowen, Orwigsburg Historical Society president. Any kind of bell will do  church bell, school bell, cow bell  just get out and ring it.

The bells echoing across the borough will include the one that sat atop the first Schuylkill County Courthouse in Orwigsburg.

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Manufactured in Philadelphia in 1817, its on display at the historical society headquarters, 109 E. Mifflin St.

Gov. Joseph Heister was instrumental in securing the bell, which sat atop the courthouse.

Gov. Joseph Heister helped get the bell atop the first Schuylkill County courthouse in Orwigsburg. It will be rung for the nations 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. RON DEVLIN/STAFF PHOTO

Bowen, who co-chairs America250PA-Orwigsburg, the boroughs anniversary committee, outlined preliminary plans for next years celebration.

The initiative centers around a parade on July 4, 2026, followed by activities in Veterans Memorial Hall.

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Efforts are underway to recruit a fife and drum corps, Readings Ringgold Band and local dance troupes.

The program will include an evening show and possible fireworks.

Amanda Koehler, who co-chairs the committee with Bowen, said a time capsule buried on Market Square during the nations bicentennial in 1976 will be unearthed.

I was a junior in high school when it was buried, said Koehler, a professional photographer who lives in Maryland. All of us who were on the committee agreed to come back in 50 years and open the capsule.

Its contents are unknown, Each of the committee members submitted manila envelopes with tape recordings, photographs and other memorabilia.

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The envelopes were placed in a small concrete waterproof burial vault.

The goal, Bowen said, is to make the anniversary celebration a community-wide event.

The AmericaPA250-Orwigsburg committee includes representatives of the boroughs government, business community, churches and social organizations.

The committee will kick off a year-long lead up to the semiquincentennial this July Fourth.

The historical society will periodically post historical facts on signs on Market Square and at Veterans Memorial Hall.
ADA, Okla. (KFOR)  According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, an Ada man has been arrested for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Officials say the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the OSBI about a cybertip regarding child sexual abuse material.

LOCAL NEWS: This was a failure all the way around: Oklahoma County DA will not file charges for death of Cleveland County K-9 officer

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The OSBIs Internet Crimes Against Children Unit began investigating and identified the suspect as 38-year-old Jesse Chazarreta.

Jesse Chazarreta. Image courtesy OSBI.

According to the OSBI, special agents served a felony search warrant on May 22 alongside the Ada Police Department at a local business. Based in the evidence found, Chazarreta was arrested and booked into the Pontotoc County Jail on charges of Aggravated Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals and healthcare systems struggled due to a surge of patients and a shortage of nurses. OSF Healthcare is aiming to help bolster their ranks with their College of Nursing in Peoria.

Austin Blair, the schools dean of admissions and marketing, visited WMBD This Morning to talk about the college. He said theyve been making major strides in recent years.

This fall, were projected to be over 700 students, which is our largest enrollment, he said.

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The college is also introducing a new program to help licensed practical nurses become a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Blair explained this will help open more opportunities for professionals.

We offer a transitional course as well with that, he said. So they get some of their current experience utilized to be able to go back to school and jump right in to our BSN curriculum.

OSF Healthcare is also working to build relationships with central Illinois high schools. According to Blair, any high school senior can reserve a spot at the college for up to two years. And with dual credit opportunities, students can graduate with a their BSN in less than four years.

Blair also said they offer many resources for scholarships and student aid. Any OSF employee can get their entire tuition covered.

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We offer a lot of endowed scholarships, we offer a lot of tuition assistance, as well as opportunities to work within the college, he said.

For more details on the College of Nursing, you can visit their website at osfhealthcare.org.

Love WMBD This Morning? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our Daily Newsletter .

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
US granola brand NuTrail has received an undisclosed investment from private-equity firm EagleTree Capital.

Alongside what EagleTree said was a "strategic investment", Sheila Stanziale has been appointed as the CEO of Miami, Florida-headquartered NuTrail.

New York-based EagleTree said the new CEO will work alongside co-founders Ilya Avshalumov and Roni Avshalumov.

Commenting on the investment and appointment, Ilya Avshalumov said: We are excited to partner with EagleTree and Sheila, who share our vision and values.

Both Sheilas expertise and EagleTrees resources and incredible team will enable us to accelerate NuTrails growth.

Stanziale founded and led Spudlove Snacks as CEO, worked as CEO of Mighty Leaf Tea Company, and was president of Diageo-Guinness USA.

She also held senior executive positions at PepsiCo for 14 years.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Stanziale has been working as an independent board director at EagleTree since April 2024.

Founded in 2019, Nutrail offers no-sugar-added nutritionally superior granola flavours such as chocolate, honey nut, and cinnamon pecan.

Stanziale described NuTrail as an exceptional brand, with amazing products and a very talented team.

George Majoros, co-managing partner at EagleTree, added: We are thrilled for NuTrail to be the second food sector investment in our latest fund.

We have had the pleasure of partnering with Sheila as a board member on our prior food sector deal and look forward to collaborating with her as CEO of NuTrail.

EagleTree focuses on investments in sectors including consumer products, media, business services, and speciality industrial.

In 2023, the New York-based investor acquired Summit Hill Foods, a supplier of cooking sauces and meal ingredients.

Summit Hill Foods' retail brands include The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce, Better Than Bouillon cooking sauces, and Better Than Gravy.

Summit Hill Foods, formerly known as Southeastern Mills, has a history dating back to 1941 when it started as a family-owned bakery.

In 2015, the company acquired The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce brand from Bruce Foods Corp. for an undisclosed sum.

The company's rebranding to Summit Hill Foods occurred in 2020

"Granola brand NuTrail gets investment from EagleTree Capital" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV)  An Oshkosh man who was convicted of sexual assault multiple times in the 1990s has been federally indicted on five counts of allegedly receiving obscene depictions of child sex abuse.

Richard G. Frohling, the Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that 52-year-old David Dejanovich was federally indicted for allegedly receiving child sex abuse materials in April 2024.

2 arrested after nearly 600 grams of illegal drugs, $300 cash recovered from Waupaca apartment

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The indictment further alleged that he received the material as a person who is required to register as a sex offender. Dejanovich was also charged with one count of receiving child pornography.

If convicted, he would face a mandatory 15 years of prison time and up to 40 years in prison per count. If he is proven to be a sex offender, he would face an additional 10 years of mandatory prison time with the obscenity charges.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections official sex offender registry, Dejanovich was convicted of sexual assault in Dodge County multiple times in the 1990s.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR)  Oklahoma State University (OSU) is celebrating a big boost from the state announcing on Thursday a historic $250 million fund supporting the construction of a new veterinary teaching hospital.

OSU leaders say, the state appropriation is the universitys largest in advancing the future of veterinary education, food, security and public health in Oklahoma. The new 255,000-square-foot facility is set to replace the existing veterinary hospital expanding the programs ability to train the next generation of veterinarians.

OSU President Jim Hess says, veterinary medicine is a cornerstone of Oklahomas economy and public health, highlighting the transformational investment directly supports OSUs land-grant mission to serve the states needs.

Dr. Jim Hess, President of Oklahoma State University. Image OSU

Thunder win Western Conference Finals, make first NBA Finals appearance since 2012

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Today marks a very historic day for Oklahoma State University and the entire state of Oklahoma, Hess said. Gov. Stitt and the members of the Oklahoma Legislature are to be congratulated for their contribution and transformational dedication to our College of Veterinary Medicine, the food supply of Oklahoma and the agricultural economy of our state.

OSU officials say, the new facility continued compliance measures are tied to facility upgrades after the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine was previously placed on probationary accreditation in the fall of 2024.

This $250 million investment powerfully answers the call to build a new teaching facility for OSU`s veterinary medicine school, and we thank our elected leaders for their commitment to this vital project and the veterinarians who fought for it, said Oklahoma A&M Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel.

We celebrate this significant progress as a win for Oklahoma State University, its veterinary students, and the agricultural community. The facility will serve the state for at least the next 40 years and equip our graduates to meet the evolving needs of Oklahomas vital animal industries. Our mission is to be number one in the nation, and this will be the launching pad to achieve our shared vision, advancing the universitys top-tier status as a land grant institution.

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OSU officials confirm, its veterinary college is just 1 of 33 accredited veterinary colleges in the United States meeting veterinary workforce needs.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Graduation ceremonies are in full swing across the San Diego Unified School District, with 6,009 seniors set to receive their diplomas this year.

The district is celebrating a projected graduation rate of 90.9%, marking a significant achievement for students and educators alike. This years ceremonies highlight the accomplishments of students who have excelled in various academic and civic areas.

San Diego County Fair announces semi-finalists in Fair-tastic Foods competition

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Among the graduating seniors, 687 have earned the State Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing their proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This achievement underscores the districts commitment to fostering multilingual skills among its students.

Additionally, 76 seniors have been awarded the State Seal of Civic Engagement, which honors students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.

As graduation ceremonies continue throughout the week, San Diego Unified School District celebrates not only the academic success of its students but also their readiness to engage in a diverse society.

FOX 5s Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KSWB. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KSWB staff before being published.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A total of 1,279 of the approximately 2,500 Azov fighters held in Russian captivity as POWs have been returned to Ukraine since being captured, including 455 from the Azov Brigade, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said on May 28.

The confirmed statistic, which includes soldiers in multiple units who fought to defend the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol, comes amid social media outcry criticizing Ukrainian authorities for failing to return certain captives, including Azov fighters, during the war's largest 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange, which concluded on May 25.

"Behind each number is a human life, and no statistics can replace loved ones for individual families," Andrii Yusov, deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters told Radio Liberty on May 28.

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Ukrainian society has rallied for captured Azov fighters who defended the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol during the Russian siege of the port city in 2022. The battle, one of the most brutal of the entire war, is credited with buying time for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prepare itself and receive international military aid against Russia's invasion during the initial phase of the war.

Azovstal defenders were ordered to surrender to the encircling Russian forces after nearly two months of constant bombardment of the besieged plant. While hundreds of these fighters have been released since 2022, hundreds more remain in captivity.

Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov National Guard Brigade, described the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange as a "mockery" due to the lack of fighters from the Azov Brigade, in a post on Facebook on May 25.

"Ukraine is fighting for every one of its citizens. We are working under extremely difficult conditions amid the full-scale invasion, and the Mariupol garrison remains one of the top priorities for repatriation," Yusov said on May 25 in response to to the frustration seen on social media.

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Ukraine has long advocated for an "all-for-all" exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, following the mass exchange, pledged to "bring back every single one of our people from Russian captivity."

The three days of prisoner exchanges were negotiated by Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on May 16th, during the first direct talks between the two countries in three years.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 28 that Moscow has proposed June 2 as the date for the next round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.

Read also: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul









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A view of Big Sewickley Creek downstream from PennEnergys proposed water withdrawal site shows erosion control (center) and a portion of the project workspace and parking area (gravel and log on right). (Courtesy: Rose Reilly/Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association)

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here.

A natural gas company has surrendered its permits to pump water from a western Pennsylvania creek in a move welcomed by environmentalists fearful of rising industrial demand for surface water and the growing threat of climate change.

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PennEnergy Resources asked the states Department of Environmental Protection in April to rescind its permits for 1.5 million gallons a day from the Big Sewickley Creek in Beaver County near Pittsburgh, saying the creek would not likely provide enough water for eight horizontal wells it plans nearby.

Years earlier, the company had requested to drain 3 million gallons a day from the main-stem creek and a million gallons from its north fork. DEP denied the application, citing risks to a fish, the southern redbelly dace, that the state classifies as threatened. The company modified its application, and in January 2024, the agency issued permits for a withdrawal of 1.5 million gallons a day.

But PennEnergy, a Pittsburgh-based independent oil and gas company, no longer wants the smaller amount, saying that changes in the stream flow would not provide enough water as required in its permits.

We noted naturally occurring alterations of the stream-bed conditions making it unlikely that our approved withdrawal location would be viable to meet bypass flow conditions as specified in the permit ahead of the need for our well-development operations, said Amanda Peterson, a PennEnergy spokeswoman.

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Peterson declined to say if the company had found a new source of water. But she noted that each well uses between 9 and 18 million gallons for hydraulic fracturing operations, about two-thirds of which is recycled. She said the request to rescind the permits was a voluntary action and not a response to public pressure or instruction from regulators.

Across the country, the average hydraulically fracked gas or oil well uses about 4 million gallons of water, or about as much as New York City uses every six minutes, according to the American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group. Opponents of fracking say water from surface sources such as creeks are the wrong use of a common and natural resource by a for-profit company.

Critics had urged PennEnergy to withdraw water from the nearby Ohio River or another larger waterway, not the Big Sewickley Creek. But the company first rejected that option, saying the creek fit its policy of using a withdrawal site as close as possible to its gas well pad, cutting truck traffic.

The workspace and parking area constructed at the water withdrawal intake site on Big Sewickley Creek for PennEnergys B50 Aboveground Waterline Project. (Rose Reilly/Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association)

Advocates for the creek welcomed the companys decision as a victory for the local environment.

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Big Sewickley Creek does not have sufficient flow, and other water sources should have been more thoroughly considered, especially prior to the clearing of mature forest, and the construction of a gravel pad in the creeks most beloved recreational area, Katie Stanley, president of the Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, said in a statement.

Theres no evidence that the permit surrender reflected public opposition to the water-withdrawal plan, said the associations treasurer, Rose Reilly. But volunteers had planned to monitor stream flow and told PennEnergy that it would be held accountable to its permit limits. This may have weighed into their decision to rescind the permits, Reilly said.

PennEnergy may not have fully grasped the creeks flow and its back channels, she said. A significant portion of the stream bypasses the site in Beaver County where the water would have been withdrawn, Reilly said. After heavy rains early this year, some 70 percent of the stream flow bypassed the intake site, she said.

If the withdrawal had gone ahead, Reilly said, it would have reduced the creeks water quality and the areas water table, harming the habitat it offers, including for southern redbelly dace.

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DEP spokesman Brandon Glass confirmed that PennEnergy voluntarily asked the agency to withdraw the permits. He said oil and gas companies occasionally opt out of permits.

PennEnergys conclusion that Big Sewickley Creek would not be a reliable water source could be followed by companies inside and outside the fracking industry as climate change upends rainfall patterns, predicted Emma Bast, a staff attorney at PennFuture, an environmental nonprofit.

A view of Big Sewickley Creek approximately 100 feet upstream of PennEnergys proposed water withdrawal site. (Rose Reilly/Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association)

Industrial water users, including fast-growing data centers, may feel less confident about water from surface sources after the drought of 2024. Heavy rains in the spring of 2025 have only added to climate unpredictability, Bast said.

With climate change, and this variability increasing, I would not be surprised to see something like this happening more often, she said.

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Heather Hulton VanTassel, executive director of Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a nonprofit that advocates for water quality in the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers and their watersheds in the Pittsburgh region, said many fracking companies withdraw water from nearby creeks but the proposed take by PennEnergy from Big Sewickley Creek was unusually large.

VanTassel predicted fracking in southwestern Pennsylvania will deplete waterways as companies vie for naturally flowing water and recycle less of it. Its a matter of time, she said.
Christopher Boyce and Andrew Daulton Lee were childhood friends, altar boys raised in the Catholic pews and prosperous suburbs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

By the mid-1970s, Boyce was angry about the Vietnam War and Watergate. He was a liberal, a stoner and a lover of falcons. Lee, a doctor's adopted son, was a cocaine and heroin pusher who was spiraling into addiction.

How they became spies for the Soviet Union is a story emblematic of 1970s Southern California, where the state's massive Cold War aerospace industry collided with its youthful anti-establishment currents.

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Everyone agrees it should never have been possible.

In the summer of 1974, Boyce, a bright but disaffected 21-year-old college dropout, got a job as a clerk at the TRW Defense and Space Systems complex in Redondo Beach. He won entree through the old-boys network: His father, who ran security for an aircraft contractor and was once an FBI agent, had called in a favor.

Boyce made $140 a week at the defense plant and held down a second job tending bar. TRW investigators had performed only a perfunctory background check. They skipped his peers, who might have revealed his links to the drug culture and to Lee, who already had multiple drug busts and a serious cocaine habit  the white powder that would inspire his nickname.

1971 booking photo of Andrew Daulton Lee. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

In "The Falcon and the Snowman," Robert Lindsey's account of the case, the author describes Boyce beginning the day by popping amphetamines and winding down after a shift puffing a joint in the TRW parking lot. Falconry was his biggest passion. "Flying a falcon in exactly the same way that men had done centuries before Christ transplanted Chris into their time," Lindsey wrote.

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Boyce impressed his bosses and was soon cleared to enter the steel-doored fortress called the "black vault," a classified sanctum where he was exposed to sensitive CIA communications pertaining to America's network of espionage satellites. The satellites eavesdropped on Russian missiles and defense installations. Among the goals was to thwart a surprise nuclear attack.

Reading CIA communiques, Boyce didn't like what he saw. Among its other sins, he decided, the U.S. government was deceiving its Australian allies by hiding satellite intelligence it had promised to share and meddling in the country's elections.

"I just was in total disagreement with the whole direction of Western society," Boyce told The Times many years later. He attributed his espionage opportunity to "synchronicity," explaining: "How many kids can get a summer job working in an encrypted communications vault?"

Convicted spy Christopher Boyce holds up a TV Guide to make the case that movies glorify espionage, during a Senate committee hearing in April 1985. (Bernie Boston / Los Angeles Times)

Soon he made his life's "biggest, dumbest decision." He told his buddy Lee they might sell government secrets to the Soviets. Lee talked his way into the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City, where Russians fed him caviar and bought classified documents with the toast, "To peace."

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Lee's KGB handlers devised protocols. When he wanted to meet, he would tape an X to lampposts at designated intersections around Mexico City.

For more than a year, thousands of classified documents flowed from the TRW complex to the Soviets, with Boyce sometimes smuggling them out in potted plants. In exchange, he and Lee received an estimated $70,000.

At parties, Lee showed off his miniature Minox camera and bragged that he was engaged in spycraft. In January 1977, desperate for money to finance a heroin deal, he flouted KGB instructions and appeared unannounced outside the Soviet Embassy. Mexican police thought he looked suspicious and arrested him.

He held an envelope with filmstrips documenting a U.S. satellite project called Pyramider. Under questioning, Lee revealed the name of his co-conspirator and childhood friend, who soon was also under arrest. Boyce had just returned from a hawk-trapping trip in the mountains.

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The espionage trials of the two men presented special challenges for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles. The Carter administration was ready to pull the plug on the case if it meant airing too many secrets, but a strategy was devised: Prosecutors would focus on the Pyramider documents, which involved a system that never actually got off the ground.

Joel Levine, one of the assistant U.S. attorneys who prosecuted Boyce and Lee, said only a fraction of what they sold to the Soviets ever came out at trial.

"I was told these other projects should not be revealed. It's too costly to our government, and you can't base a prosecution on them either in whole or in part," Levine said in a recent interview. "You just gotta stay away from it."

For federal prosecutors in L.A., hanging over the case was the memory of a recent humiliation: the collapse of the Pentagon Papers trial, as a result of the Nixon administration's attempt to bribe the presiding judge with a job. It had caught prosecutors by surprise.

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"We were afraid it would ruin our reputation forever if something like that were to happen," Levine said. "So we made it very, very clear right from the get-go that if we smelled something like that was afoot, we would walk into court and have the case dismissed on our own."

The defendants had sharply different motives. Lee was in it for the money, Richard Stilz, one of the prosecutors, said in a recent interview. But "Boyce was totally ideology. He wanted to damage the United States government," Stilz said. "He just hated this country, period."

The defendants got separate trials. A rift that had been growing between them deepened with their mutually hostile defenses. Lee's defense: Boyce had led him to believe he was working for the CIA, feeding misinformation to the Russians. Jurors convicted Lee of espionage, nonetheless, and a judge gave him a life term.

Boyce's defense: Lee had blackmailed him into espionage by threatening to expose a letter he had written, while stoned on hashish, alleging secret knowledge of CIA malfeasance. Jurors convicted Boyce as well, and a judge gave him 40 years.

Christopher Boyce is escorted into a federal courthouse in Los Angeles in January 1977. (Getty Images)

In January 1980, at a federal prison in Lompoc, Boyce hid in a drainpipe and sprinted to freedom over a fence. He was on the run for 19 months. He robbed banks in the Pacific Northwest until federal agents caught him outside a burger joint in Washington state.

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He was convicted of bank robbery and got 28 more years. In 1985, the same year a popular film adaptation of "The Falcon and the Snowman" was released, Boyce testified on Capitol Hill about the despair attending a life of espionage.

"There was no thrill," he said. "There was only depression, and a hopeless enslavement to an inhuman, uncaring foreign bureaucracy.... No American who has gone to the KGB has not come to regret it."

He spoke of how easily he had been allowed to access classified material at TRW. "Security was a joke," he said, describing regular Bacardi-fueled parties in the black vault. "We used the code destruction blender for making banana daiquiris and mai tais."

Cait Mills was working as a paralegal in San Diego when she read the Lindsey book and became fascinated by the case. She thought Lee had been unfairly maligned, and she spent the next two decades fighting to win him parole.

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She got letters of support from the prosecutors and the sentencing judge attesting that Lee had made strides toward rehabilitation. He had taken classes in prison and become a dental technician. He won parole in 1998.

She turned her attention to freeing Boyce, with whom she fell in love. She wrote to the Russians and asked how much value there had been in the stolen TRW documents and received a fax claiming it was useless. He got out in 2002, and they married. They later divorced but remain close. Both live in central Oregon.

Stilz maintains the damage to America was "enormous."

"In a murder case, you have one victim and a person dies," Stilz said. "In an espionage case, the whole country is a victim. We were so far advanced over the Russians in spy satellite technology. They leveled the playing field. Thats probably the most important point."

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He gives no credence to the Russian government's claim that it derived no value from the secret information. "Of course theyd say that," Stilz said. "What do you think theyd say? 'Oh yeah, it allowed us to catch up with the United States in terms of spying.' Theyre not gonna say that."

Cait Mills Boyce said that Boyce and Lee, childhood best friends, no longer speak, and that the silence between them wounds Boyce.

"He said, 'I love that man; I always loved him. He was my best friend.' It hurt him so badly."

She said Boyce, now in his 70s, lives a solitary life and immerses himself in the world of falconry. "His entire life, and I kid you not, is falconry," she said. "He will die with a falcon on his arm."

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Part of what pushed him into the world of espionage, she thinks, was the challenge. "I think his uncommon smarts led him down a whimsical path that ended up being a disastrous path, not just for him but for everybody involved," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Islamabad, Pakistan  Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Azerbaijan in February, and Turkiye only a month ago, in April.

Yet, this week, he was back in both countries, as part of a five-day, four-nation diplomatic blitzkrieg also including stops in Iran and Tajikistan, where Sharif will hold talks on Thursday and Friday. And he isnt alone: Sharif is being accompanied by Army Chief Asim Munir  recently promoted to Pakistans only second-ever field marshal  and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

Their destinations might be familiar, but the context has changed dramatically since Sharifs previous visits.

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More than two weeks after a four-day standoff between Pakistan and India  during which they exchanged missile and drone attacks  diplomacy has become the new battlefront between the South Asian neighbours.

India has launched a global diplomatic campaign, sending delegations to more than 30 countries, accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorist groups responsible for attacks in India and Indian-administered Kashmir.

We want to exhort the world to hold those responsible for cross-border terrorism accountable, those who have practiced this for 40 years against India, that is Pakistan. Their actions need to be called out, said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for Indias Ministry of External Affairs, last week.

On April 22, gunmen killed 26 people, most of them tourists, in Pahalgam, a hill resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, in the worst such attack on civilians in years. India blamed the killings on The Resistance Front (TRF), which it alleges is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based group designated as a terrorist entity by the United Nations. New Delhi accused Islamabad of complicity in the attacks.

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Pakistan denied the allegations, calling for a transparent, credible, independent investigation.

Then, on May 7, India launched a series of missiles aimed at what it said was terrorist infrastructure in parts of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Islamabad insisted that the missiles struck civilians, mosques and schools. More than 50 people, including at least 11 security personnel, were killed in the Indian missile attacks.

This was followed by drone incursions and, on May 10, both sides fired missiles at each others military bases, as they stood on the brink of a full-fledged war before they agreed to a ceasefire that the United States says it brokered.

Now, Pakistan, say officials and analysts, is looking to flip Indias narrative before the world  projecting itself as an advocate of peace and stability in South Asia, and New Delhi as the aggressor looking to stoke tensions.

We want peace

Interactive_Kashmir_Territorial Control_April23_2025

On Wednesday, Sharif expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with India on all matters if India reciprocates in all sincerity.

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Speaking at a trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, Sharif said trade could resume if India cooperated on all issues, including counterterrorism.

I have said in all humility that we want peace in the region, and that requires talks on the table on issues which need urgent attention and amicable resolution, that is the issue of Kashmir, according to the resolutions of the United Nations and the Security Council, and as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, he said.

Kashmir, a picturesque valley in the northeastern subcontinent, remains the root of conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations since their independence in 1947.

A 1948 UN resolution called for a plebiscite to determine Kashmirs future, but eight decades later, it has yet to take place.

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India and Pakistan each administer parts of Kashmir, while China controls two small regions. India claims the entire territory; Pakistan claims the portion administered by India, but not the areas held by Pakistans ally, China.

Contrasting diplomacy

But there are other motivations driving Pakistans diplomatic outreach, say officials and experts.

Indias diplomatic delegations that are currently touring the world include members from various political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Congress (INC), projecting a unified stance.

In contrast, Pakistans current mission is led by top state officials, including Sharif and army chief Munir, widely considered the most powerful figure in the country.

The Pakistani delegation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir, also made a stop in Iran during their four-country tour [Handout/Pakistan Prime Ministers Office]

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The trip also reflects strategic alignment, say analysts. Turkiye, whose drones were used by Pakistan in the recent conflict, is a key defence partner.

Pakistans defence cooperation with Turkey is especially deep, said Christopher Clary, assistant professor of political science at the University at Albany.

Evidence suggests several Turkish-origin systems were used in this recent clash, with varying levels of effectiveness, so there is much to talk about between the two, he told Al Jazeera.

Khurram Dastgir Khan, a former federal minister for foreign affairs and defence, is part of a Pakistani delegation set to visit the US, United Kingdom and European Union headquarters in Brussels next month.

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He said the current trip by Sharif, Munir and Dar is at least partly about highlighting Pakistans capacity to wage a modern war against a larger adversary. There is immense interest in how Pakistan fought the recent war, Khan said.

There are countries deeply interested in learning the details, what capabilities Pakistan used and what Indians had, he added.

This opens new strategic possibilities for Pakistans defence forces to provide training to others. We are battle-tested. This makes us highly sought after, not just in the region but globally.

Pakistan relied heavily on Chinese-supplied weaponry, including the fighter jets and missiles it deployed against India, and the air defence systems it used to defend itself from Indian missiles.

Post-conflict narrative battle

Though both countries claimed victory after the conflict, the battle over narratives has since raged across social media and public forums.

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Pakistan claims to have downed six Indian jets, a claim neither confirmed nor denied by India, while Indian missiles penetrated deep into Pakistani territory, revealing vulnerabilities in Pakistans air defences.

India has also suspended the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a critical water-sharing agreement that is vital to Pakistan.

Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Pakistanis to reject terrorism. Live a life of peace, eat your bread or choose my bullet, Modi said, during a speech in Indias Gujarat state.

He also criticised the IWT as badly negotiated, claiming it disadvantaged India.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, right, and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speak to the media following talks in Berlin, Germany, May 23, 2025 [Annegret Hilse/Reuters]

Muhammad Shoaib, an academic and security analyst at Quaid-i-Azam University, said Modis remarks reflected ultra-nationalism and were targeted at a domestic audience.

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The Indian diplomatic teams wont likely focus on what Pakistan says. They will only implicate Pakistan for terrorism and build their case. Meanwhile, the Pakistani delegation will likely use Modis statements and international law regarding the IWT to bolster their arguments, he told Al Jazeera.

Khan, who is also a senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), the governing party which premier Sharif belongs to, said the upcoming diplomatic mission that he will be part of will focus on issues like Indias suspension of the IWT.

Our fundamental point is that Pakistan seeks to maintain lasting peace in South Asia, but three major hurdles are posed by Indian aggression, he said.

The first, according to Khan, is Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, in which, he claimed, more than 20 people have been killed over the past four years. India has been accused by the US and Canada of transnational assassinations. In January 2024, Pakistan also accused India of carrying out killings on its soil. India denies involvement. Pakistan also accuses India of backing separatist groups in its Balochistan province  again, an allegation that India rejects.

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The second point is Indias utterly irresponsible suspension of the IWT, Khan said.

Pakistan has rightly said that any step by India to stop our water will be treated as an act of war. This is something that can bring all the region in conflict and I believe that if India acquires capability to divert waters in next six to 10 years, and tries to do so, it will lead to a war, Khan warned.

The third issue, Khan said, is Pakistans concern over Indias status as a responsible nuclear power.

In the past, New Delhi has frequently cited the nuclear proliferation facilitated by Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistans nuclear programme, as evidence that Islamabad cannot be trusted with the safe management of its nuclear weapons.

But in recent days, Indias internal security minister, Amit Shah  widely viewed as the countrys second-most powerful leader after Modi  has confirmed that India used its homegrown BrahMos missile against Pakistan during the recent military escalation.

The BrahMos, developed with Russia, is a supersonic cruise missile capable of Mach 3  three times the speed of sound  and a range of 300 to 500km (200 to 300 miles). It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and be launched from land, air, or sea.

Khan, who served as defence minister from 2017 to 2018, warned of unimaginable consequences from using such weapons.

Once the missile is in the air, you cannot know what payload it carries until it hits the target. This is very, very irresponsible, he said. India has already shown recklessness when it mistakenly fired a missile into our territory a few years ago.

Khan was referring to an incident in March 2022, when India fired a BrahMos accidentally into Pakistani territory, where it fell in the densely populated city of Mian Channu, roughly 500km (300 miles) south of capital Islamabad.

India at the time acknowledged that accidental launch was due to a technical malfunction and later sacked three air force officials.

A man waves a national flag in front of a cutout of Brahmos Missile during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis road show in Ahmedabad, India, on May 26, 2025 [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]

Ceasefire holds, but tensions linger

While the conflict brought both countries to the edge of war, the ceasefire declared on May 10 has held, with troops gradually returning to peacetime positions.

Shoaib, also a research fellow at George Mason University in the US, expressed cautious optimism.

Initiating hostilities is risky. No side wants to be seen as irresponsible. For that to break, it would take a major incident, he said.

Tughral Yamin, a former military officer and researcher in Islamabad, noted that while diplomacy offers no guarantees, the ceasefire could last.

India has seen that Pakistan is no cakewalk. It has both conventional and nuclear deterrence, he told Al Jazeera. Both sides will remain alert, and Pakistan must address weaknesses exposed in the standoff.

Clary added that while the India-Pakistan relationship remains fragile, history suggests that intense clashes are often followed by calmer periods.

It is reasonable for both countries and international observers to hope for the best but prepare for the worst over the next few months, he said.

But Khan, the former minister, questioned Modis comments after the military crisis, where the Indian PM said any attack on the countrys soil would now be seen as worthy of a military response, and that New Delhi would cease to draw any distinction between Pakistans military and non-state armed groups.

The new stated policy of the Indian government is to attack Pakistan even after minor incidents, without waiting for evidence. This puts the entire region on edge, he said. This trigger-happy policy should concern not just Pakistan, but the entire world.
A Palm Beach resident may be one of many people across the country who fell victim to a scam known as "SIM swapping."

Palm Beach Police on May 28 arrested a 31-year-old man and 29-year-old woman who live in Westlake, but whose scheme to bilk unsuspecting people from hundreds of thousands of dollars may stretch across state lines, according to their arrest reports.

The pair were arrested after the Palm Beach resident, who lives on the South End, called police to report that someone had accessed his phone and financial accounts, gained access to about $1,500 in cash from an ATM and attempted to wire transfer more than $200,000 from his bank account, according to the arrest reports.

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What officers found what a scheme they said was orchestrated by the Westlake couple, who tricked the man into transferring his phone numbers to a new carrier  without him knowing, the arrest reports said.

Here's what to know about SIM swapping and this case.

What is SIM swapping?

"SIM swapping," or "SIM hijacking," happens when fraudsters gain control of a person's phone number and then use it to access their banking and other financial and personal accounts, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center, also called the IC3.

More: Palm Beach Police: 'SIM swap' scam tried to steal more than $200,000 from Palm Beacher

How does a SIM swap scam work?

The Palm Beach resident told police that he received a call on April 8 from a person who said who said they were with AT&T, and that he needed to validate his phone numbers using a code sent to him via text message, an arrest report said.

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The resident provided the code that he received to the person, but later discovered that the code was used to forward his phone number to a different provider, Verizon, police said. By giving that code to the person who said they were from AT&T, he allowed them to complete the final step to move all three of the phone numbers on his account to the other carrier, police wrote in the arrest report.

About 20 minutes after that phone call, phone numbers connected to the resident's AT&T account stopped working, police said.

Once the phone numbers were transferred, someone tried to withdraw money and make a wire transfer from the Palm Beach resident's bank account, police said. Someone also successfully took over one of the man's email accounts.

Detectives determined that once the couple gained access to a person's phone line, they could "circumvent two-factor authentication and gain access to victims' financial accounts, resulting in substantial unauthorized wire transfers and fraudulent transactions," the arrest report said.

How common are SIM swap scams?

In recent years, the number of SIM swap cases in the U.S. has dropped from a peak in 2022, according to the IC3's annual reports:

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In 2024, there were 982 complaints of SIM swapping with a total reported loss of $25,983,946.

In 2023, 1,075 SIM swapping complaints were made with a reported loss of $48,798,103.

In 2022, 2,026 cases were reported with a reported loss of $72,652,571.

In 2021, the IC3 received 1,611 complaints about SIM swapping with estimated losses of $68 million.

Once the phone numbers were transferred, someone tried to withdraw money and make a wire transfer from the Palm Beach resident's bank account, police said. Someone also successfully took over one of the man's email accounts.

How widespread was this SIM swapping case?

It's unclear from the arrest reports just how many people may have been affected.

However, Palm Beach Police talked with at least one person in another state, Nevada, who provided evidence that they may also have lost money to the same people who targeted the Palm Beach resident, an arrest report said.

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When the Westlake home where the couple lived, Palm Beach Police found a yellow notebook with "Work $" written on it, the arrest report said. Inside the notebook, officers said they found bank account details, Social Security numbers, addresses, names and more personal details about more than 50 people in Florida and across the United States.

What should someone do if they think they've been a victim of SIM swapping?

Those who believe their case may be connected to the one in Palm Beach should call the Palm Beach Police Department's non-emergency line at 561-838-5454, department spokesman Capt. Will Rothrock said.

Complaints can also be filed with the IC3 at ic3.gov.

Palm Beach has cautioned residents to be wary of potential scams.

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"Most of these cases nationally go unsolved," Rothrock said. "The work and tenacity that our detectives put into this to follow the leads to the end and bring a successful conclusion are noteworthy."

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach County-based scam could extend across U.S., records show
PANAMA CITY, Fla (WMBB)  Panama City is welcoming new leadership: Mayor Allan Branch, Ward One Commissioner Robbie Hughes and Ward Four Commissioner Josh Street were all sworn into office on Wednesday.

City, county, and state leaders all attended the inauguration ceremony and offered support to the trio.

Hughes and Branch are both Panama City natives and talked about how theyre excited to begin serving their hometowns in a different way.

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Lynn Haven Elementary School students celebrate last day of school with a water play day

You can love something and acknowledge that theres challenges and hurdles and theres flaws in it. Since Hurricane Michael, my goodness, weve come so far, the progress weve made. Weve challenged ourselves. Weve got progress happening in certain parts of the city, we need that to echo in the rest of Panama City. You can be proud of yourself, but not satisfied, Mayor Allan Branch said.

Im not going to try to worry about saving my seat for the nextIm not going to make a decision for four years from now. That doesnt matter. This is a job. A seats a seat. Im here to serve you guys. And I promise you every day you lay your head on the pillow, just know that I have done everything that I can possible, in working with this team and City Hall and staff to make the quality of life better in Panama City, Ward 1 Commissioner Robbie Hughes said.

The new commissions first meeting will be June 10.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
For more than a century, Covington, Virginia has had one dominating feature: its paper mill. Smokestacks tower over the community of 5,500, many of whom work there. But according to a new report, the mill spews more nitrogen oxide, methane, and greenhouse gases than is generally known.

The snow is not white here. Its ash, its nasty, and its all over the place all of the time, Robin Brown, a 65-year-old resident who lives near the mill, told the researchers. And theres that funky odor, like rotten eggs. Its all you can smell.

The Covington mill is among the industrys worst polluters, according to a report the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project, or EIP, released today. It detailed similar issues at 185 such facilities nationwide. And, because of Environmental Protection Agency reporting rules, the report found that climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from those mills are being undercounted by some 350 percent.

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The EPA houses the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, where facilities report their emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. But EPA facility totals dont include what are called biogenic CO2 emissions, or those that come from natural sources such as wood, which is a primary fuel for the paper industry.

According to the EIP investigation, the 10 pulp and paper mills that reported the most greenhouse gases in 2023 were able to lower their reported total emissions by between 61 and 90 percent each because they burned wood products. Biogenic emission data is buried deeper within EPA data and, when those emissions are included, the largest paper mills can emit as much as a large oil refinery, the report noted.

It masks the true impact of the industry, said Courtney Bernhardt, director of research for EIP and an author of the report. It hides the fact that there is an urgent need to address.

The American Forest & Paper Association, which represents the industry, did not respond to a request for an interview. The EPA told Grist it would review the report. Smurfit West Rock, which owns the mill in Covington, did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

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EIP also used data from the National Emissions Inventory, an annual estimate of the output of gases like sulfur dioxide, methane, carbon dioxide, and dozens of others. One of the major reasons that pollution levels are so high, Bernhardt explained, is that many paper plants continue using outdated equipment that is far less efficient than modern machinery. The boiler at the Covington mill, for example, is 85 years old. The average age across the 185 facilities that the report found data for was 41 years.

The Clean Air Act effectively grandfathers in the equipment until it comes time to replace it, and the emissions reductions can be stark when that happens. Bernhardt cited the Ahlstroms Thilmany Mill in Wisconsin as an example. The plant, built in 1883, replaced its boiler in 2020 and emissions of sulfur dioxide, a health-harming air pollutant, fell from 4,800 tons to 410 tons. A facility in Washington saw an 87 percent drop and one in Georgia plummeted 96 percent.

Theres going to be a large number of these plants that are going to need to install new boilers [in the next decade], said Bernhardt. She would like them to move toward more efficient options, especially those that run on electricity derived from clean energy instead of natural gas. But its unclear exactly how, or how quickly, any transition will unfold.

Developing a technology that can both be financially attractive and reduce carbon dioxide emissions is not easy, said Sunkyu Park, a professor at North Carolina State University who specializes in pulp and paper processing. His research focuses on trying to develop a more efficient recover boiler, which accounts for the majority of CO2 emissions during production. He is studying electric options, as well as those that use less natural gas. His work remains at very early stages, but the goal is that eventually industry can implement that technology.

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In the meantime, Bernhardt hopes the EIPs report can focus attention on cleaning up an industry that is often seen as an alternative to plastics, but carries its own baggage.

We need paper. We need cardboard, she said. [But] theres a lot of greenwashing that makes paper seem cleaner than it really is.

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Paper plants can emit as much CO2 as oil refineries. Theyre flying under the radar. on May 29, 2025.
Marc Steinberg is already on the boards of Etsy and Pinterest. - BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS

Honeywell International is adding an executive from activist investor Elliott Investment Management to its board ahead of the industrial conglomerates split into three companies.

The details

The company appointed Marc Steinberg, a partner at Elliott, as an independent director and audit committee member, effective at the end of this month, confirming an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal.

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal

The appointment comes with a cooperation agreement between the industrial conglomerate and Elliott. The agreement will give Honeywell standard protections around confidentiality and other matters for a set period.

Elliott revealed late last year that it had amassed a more than $5 billion stake in Honeywell and called on the company to break itself apart.

Honeywell Chief Executive Vimal Kapur said Wednesday that he appreciated the constructive insight Steinberg has shared with the company in recent months. Steinberg has been at Elliott since 2015 and is responsible for public and private-equity investments across a number of industries.

Steinberg previously worked at the boutique investment bank Centerview Partners. He currently sits on the boards of Etsy and Pinterest, as well as two private companies, Syneos Health and Nielsen Holdings.

The context

In a letter sent to Honeywells board late last year, Elliott called for many changes centered on simplification that could create greater value for shareholders. It didnt explicitly ask for board seats.

Honeywell, which has a market value of around $145 billion, is separating its aerospace division from its automation business, and spinning off its advanced-materials arm. The breakup is expected to be wrapped up by the second half of next year.

Kapur has been pursuing a string of smaller acquisitions to bolster certain Honeywell divisions, particularly in aerospace and defense, which has experienced stronger growth lately. (Elliott has said a stand-alone Honeywell aerospace business could be worth well over $100 billion.)

Honeywell in late April raised its full-year guidance for earnings per share, saying it will use pricing and other actions to protect its bottom line in President Trumps trade war.

Elliott, meanwhile, just wrapped up a heated boardroom battle at the oil refiner Phillips 66, winning two of the four board seats it wanted.
Donald Trump and Paramount dont have a deal yet to settle POTUS months-old $20 billion 60 Minutes lawsuit, but the Shari Redstone-ruled media company has put some serious millions on the table in the hopes to make this roadblock to a merger with Skydance disappear.

Its very early days, a source close to talks between Trumps lawyers and Paramounts attorneys and execs tells Deadline. An opening offer has been made, but more negotiations are underway, the source confirmed. But they would not go into specifics beyond saying, Right now, its an eight-figure discussion.

More from Deadline

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In the waning days of last years bitter election, Trump went after longtime foil CBS over the way that its 60 Minutes had edited a wide-ranging interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Asking for a headline-grabbing $20 billion, the Hail Mary action alleged violations of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which typically is used by consumers for false advertising claims.

Earlier today, The Wall Street Journal reported that Paramount has offered $15 million, but Trumps team wanted $25 million and an apology from CBS News. When asked by Deadline if the $15 million number that the WSJ reported today, the Trump teams rejection and threat of a new suit was accurate, another individual with knowledge of the mediation replied, Sounds about right, as where things are at.

RELATED: Hes Just Going To Keep Coming Back For More: Stephen Colbert Mocks Paramounts Potential Settlement Of Donald Trumps 60 Minutes Lawsuit

A rep for Paramount declined to comment on the state of the bargaining or the WSJ story Wednesday on the sums being discussed Trumps legal team, and the White House did not respond to Deadlines request for comment.

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Since first filing his 60 Minutes suit in October, Trump handily beat the then-VP Harris and returned to the White House.

Even before his second inauguration as tech overlords, moguls and CEOs began to bend the knee, Trump secured a $15 million and more payout from Disney over a March 2024 edition of ABCs This Week where George Stephanopoulos said that juries have found Trump liable for rape.

Parsing the legal distinction, Trump actually was found liable early last year by a civil jury for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll  an outcome the former and current POTUS has ridiculed constantly. As well as handing Trump a win and some cash, the Bob Iger-run media giants resolution of the then-candidates defamation suit set the tone for Trump 2.0, even as companies and executives that have sought to curry favor found themselves just as quickly back in the firing line.

RELATED: Peter Bart: Having Survived Decades Of Enemy Attacks, 60 Minutes Must Now Defy A New Phalanx Of Powerful Legal & Political Foes

Opening by promising to go after his enemies real and imagined, Trump quickly launched a Project 2025-fueled purging of the federal government  with the help of his top backer Elon Musk  and instituted more Viktor Orban-inspired attacks on the media. To that, the prospect of a settlement in Trumps 60 Minutes suit has rattled CBS News and the acclaimed newsmagazine series in particular, as leaders have been resistant to such a move.

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Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, resigned last month, saying that he no longer could get the independence that the show long has enjoyed from the parent corporation. Wendy McMahon, the president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, announced her departure this month. She was a defender of the news division amid concerns over the settlement. Even as the likes of Sen. Bernie Sanders warned Redstone that any deal with Trump could constitute a violation of federal bribery laws, some CBS News staffers took McMahons exit as a sign that a settlement could be imminent.

They might be correct, at least from what we are hearing today and the thrust of the WSJ piece.

RELATED: 60 Minutes Does Segment Explaining Departure Of Executive Producer Bill Owens: Paramount Began To Supervise Our Content In New Ways

Still, even in that context, Trumps 60 Minutes lawsuit is widely seen as meritless. Yet, the litigation comes as CBS parent company Paramount Global and majority shareholder Redstone are desperate for the administration to grant regulatory approval for its multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance.

Shari Redstone and David Ellison

The David Ellison-led Skydance, with a little help from patriarch Larry Ellison, and backer RedBird Capital agreed in July to acquire Paramount Global with an $8 billion investment, capping a bumpy seven-month courtship. But the drama continued as the deal requires approval by the FCC, currently headed by Chair Brendan Carr, who was promoted by Trump personally. Its been slow going, and the would-be partners saw a 90-day extension set off in April.

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Before he took his position as FCC chair, Carr said that the 60 Minutes complaint, which also is the subject of Trumps lawsuit, was likely to arise as part of the merger review. He has since said that the presidents lawsuit, though, is on a totally separate track from the merger consideration.

RELATED: FCC Chief Insists Donald Trump CBS Lawsuit Unrelated To Paramount-Skydance Review  We Are Staying In Our Lane

Over the weekend, a commencement speech from 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley a few weeks ago went viral and drew strong and immediate scorn from MAGA media. Speaking to Wake Forest University graduates, Pelley said: Our sacred rule of law is under attack. Journalism is under attack. Universities are under attack. Freedom of speech is under attack. An insidious fear is reaching through our schools, our businesses, our homes and into our private thoughts. The fear to speak. In America?

As for that looming threat of Trump launching a new lawsuit against CBS and perhaps Paramount, this is what POTUS attorney, Ed Paltzik, said last week: During ongoing settlement talks, CBS News and Paramount aired a new, defamatory 60 Minutes segment regarding President Trumps legitimate and necessary executive orders addressing unlawful activity in the legal profession, including election interference and employment discrimination. CBS and Paramounts attempts to subvert the legal process with lies and smears may necessitate additional corrective legal action, which President Trump reserves the right to pursue.

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Not too many lines you need to read between there to know whats up: Trump wants money and a pound of media flesh.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A fight among parents at an elementary school graduation in West Memphis, Arkansas, is now under investigation, prompting a zero tolerance response from the districts superintendent.

The fight at Faulk Elementary was captured on camera in the school hallway, showing multiple women and men throwing punches at each other on Wednesday.

In the background of the videos audio, you can hear what appears to be children screaming and pleading for the parents to stop.

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WREG Reporter: What do you think that type of message sends to kids, seeing parents fight like that?

Eric Thompson, West Memphis, AR resident: That they can do the same thing and its a bad influence and they are not handling themselves as an adult.

One woman in West Memphis agrees that this type of behavior sends the wrong message to children and says that those who are involved should face consequences.

It shouldnt be happening around children, especially, and these are grown folks at a kids graduation. It shouldnt be happening at all, she said. All of them need to be held accountable for it. Everybody whos involved. Thats what I think about it.

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The superintendent of the West Memphis School District, Eric Foister, says the district is in full support of the prosecution of those involved.

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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Foister stated that the district has zero tolerance for the unacceptable behavior depicted in the video.

Below is the statement from the school district in full:

The district is aware of an incident involving parents that occurred today at Faulk Elementary School. The safety and security of our students, staff, and school campuses remain our top priority. We have zero tolerance for any behavior by parents, students, staff, or visitors that disrupts the learning environment or threatens the well-being of anyone on school grounds.

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Such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The district is fully cooperating with the West Memphis Police Department and will actively support efforts to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and secure environment at all of our schools.

The West Memphis Police Department says it will review video footage of the fight and determine the next course of action regarding criminal charges.

Video of the fight can be viewed at the top of this story. The footage is courtesy of Aleicia Evans.

The West Memphis School Board has a special-called meeting tonight at 5:15. Right now, its unclear if this fight will be discussed at tonights meeting, but WREG will let you know if it is a topic.

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(NewsNation)  The San Francisco Unified School District delayed its grading for equity plan after it was met with major backlash. Some components of the initiative include: homework and weekly tests being excluded from final grades and changing the scoring system, converting any F to a C and any B to an A.

The San Francisco Voice writer John Trasvina, who broke the story about San Franciscos changing education system, tells Blake Burman of The Hill that there needs to be lot more communication and the school district should involve parents more in the decision-making.

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The Parren J. Mitchell memorial outside the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis. (Photo courtesy of the City of Annapolis)

Keiffer Mitchell Jr. remembers that his uncle, the late Rep. Parren J. Mitchell, would always arrive a bit late for November and Christmas dinners.

We would say, Uncle Parren, where you were? How come you were late? the younger Mitchell said in an interview Wednesday. He sat and had dinner with the men and women in the penitentiary. He represented his people.

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It was just one of the memories shared Wednesday at the dedication of a memorial honoring Parren Mitchell, the first African American member of Congress from Maryland as well as a pioneer in other areas.

A few hundred friends, family members and dignitaries braved the rain to honor Mitchell during the dedication of the black stone memorial at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, featuring images and words from the late congressmans life.

Wednesday was the anniversary of Mitchells death in 2007 at age 85. He made history as the first Black member of Congress from Maryland, but Mitchell was making a name for himself well before his election to the House in 1970.

Born and raised in Baltimore, he joined the Army in 1942 and was assigned to the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division. He served in Italy, earning a Purple Heart, and on his return used his GI Bill money to earn a bachelors degree from what was then Morgan State College. He then successfully sued for the right to attend the University of Maryland, College Park, becoming the first Black graduate student on the campus and earning a masters in sociology.

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He was elected to Congress in 1970 from Marylands 7th District and served eight terms before stepping down in 1987. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a fierce advocate for policies protecting small- and minority-owned businesses. When then-President Jimmy Carter signed the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act in 1978, the legislation included amendments from Mitchell to fund and support minority businesses.

When Sen. Nick Charles (D-Prince Georges) and Del. H. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County) sponsored proposals in the 2024 legislature requiring state agencies to set aside 10% of contracts for minority- and veteran-owned businesses, they named it for Mitchell. Their bill ultimately passed and was signed into law.

Congressman Parren Mitchell did so much that, even in his death, that his legacy still lives on, said Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Montgomery), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. Our Maryland Black Caucus will continue to make sure that his legacy and his work and his leadership lives in all of the work that we do.

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Gov. Wes Moore (D)  who attended the 90-minute ceremony with his wife, Dawn Flythe Moore  credited Mitchells trailblazing with making it possible for him to be governor today.

I want to be very, very clear: I am not the 63rd governor of the state of Maryland had it not been for Congressman Parren Mitchell, Moore said at Wednesdays event.

Moore also read a citation which he gave to the Mitchell family.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) gives remarks during memorial dedication ceremony for the late Rep. Parren J. Mitchell. Carl Snowden, right, convener of Caucus of African American Leaders, listens. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

What you see here is you see an entire mosaic of our state in celebration. Today is not just a great day for Anne Arundel County. Today is a great day for the state of Maryland and a great day for the United States of America, Moore said to a warm applause.

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Moore received a standing ovation when he walked to the microphone to speak on the importance of Mitchells legacy.

Not everyone was as welcoming of Moore, who this month vetoed a bill that would have created a Maryland Reparations Commission.

We need that reparations bill. We need it, Greg Thrasher shouted toward Moore. Thrasher, who recently moved to Anne Arundel County from Michigan, said he is not part of a local Black Lives Matter group, but after elected officials and others were acknowledged, he yelled, Black Lives Matters is here, too.

But most of the afternoons proceedings were celebratory. The Caucus of African American Leaders and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee led efforts that helped raise $100,000 for the memorial in just four months.

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Although Mitchell was a Baltimore City native, the memorial in Annapolis has a Mitchell connection: His nephew, former state Sen. Michael Mitchell, was arrested during a sit-in at a segregated restaurant in Annapolis and called Moyer, a former mayor, to post his bail, according to an article in Eye on Annapolis.

Parren Mitchells niece, Lisa Mitchell Sennaar, thanked everyone and mentioned her uncle didnt have any children.

I see the legacy of Parren Mitchell in this room. We are His children. We are his legacy, said Mitchell Sennaar, a small business reserve compliance manager in the Governors Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs.
Part of the Western Hills Viaduct will be closed all day on Saturday, May 31, for inspections.

The lower deck of the Viaduct will be closed in both the east and westbound directions for inspection from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 31, according to an Ohio Department of Transportation news release.

The ramp from Interstate 75 South to the lower deck by way of Harrison Avenue (Exit 2B) will be closed as well, the news release says.

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From I-75 South, traffic will be detoured via the Western Avenue/Liberty Street exit (Exit 2A) and Winchell Avenue.

Motorists are advised to visit OHGO.com for live traffic, construction and weather-related information throughout the state.

Inspections will be completed by the Michael Baker International company, according to the news release.

Project update: I-75 traffic will 'be a challenge' as new Western Hills Viaduct moves into high gear

The inspections come days after residents voiced their concerns with the state of the Viaduct at a Cincinnati City Council meeting on May 28, according to Enquirer media partner Fox19.

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"The city remains committed to replacing the Western Hills Viaduct and continues to work with our regional, state and federal partners to ensure this project moves forward," a city spokesperson told Fox 19. "As the city works through the design process for the replacement project, it performs regular maintenance and inspections on the viaduct. Safety precautions also include net installations to catch loose debris that otherwise may not be easily reached by maintenance crews."

The city has been talking about fixing the aging but vital Western Hills Viaduct since it was declared "functionally obsolete" in 2007.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Western Hills Viaduct lower deck to close all day Saturday
Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are chemicals that linger in the body and are linked to health issues like cancer, obesity, liver damage, decreased fertility, thyroid disease, high cholesterol and hormone suppression. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Lawmakers passed two bills to expand testing for contaminants in private wells in the state.

On Thursday, the Maine Senate passed LD 493, which will require landlords of residential buildings who have private wells to test the water for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, every five years and share those results with the tenants. The bill does not require them to treat the water if contaminants are found.

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Support from the upper chamber came after the House of Representatives voted 78-69 on Wednesday to pass it.

Beyond more robust testing for renters wells, the Legislature also passed LD 500 this week to add PFAS to the list of contaminants the Department of Health and Human Services recommends testing for in private wells. The proposal would also provide free well water testing for low-income residents.

The House of Representatives passed the bill with a 79-66 vote.

Both bills still need enactment votes from each chamber. But before heading to Gov. Janet Mills for final approval, they will likely end up on the special appropriations table. LD 500 has a fiscal note of about $150,000 a year, while LD 493 is projected to cost between $110,000 and $125,000 annually.

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More than half of Mainers get their drinking water from private drinking wells, which arent regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

Landlords are already required to test for arsenic in wells that provide drinking water and share the test results with tenants within 10 days of being notified of the results. The new legislation builds upon that by requiring landlords to also test the water for PFAS, and other potentially harmful contaminants including lead and uranium.

PFAS have been linked to health concerns including cancer, liver damage, pregnancy complications, increased cholesterol levels and more. PFAS contamination in water is a concern in Maine not only from the historic practice of spreading chemical-laden sludge on farmland, but also from spills of toxic firefighting foam like the one in Brunswick last summer as well as landfill leachate.

There is enormous mental stress associated in wondering whether your drinking water is making you sick, said Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono), who sponsored LD 493, during discussion on the House floor.

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Some House Republicans opposed LD 493, arguing that landlords may have to raise rents to cover the cost of testing, which goes against affordable housing priorities.

When discussing LD 500, Rep. Michele Meyer (D-Eliot), who co-chairs the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee, argued that paying for these tests is much more affordable than the health care costs associated with PFAS.

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A Kansas man who allegedly dragged an American Airlines flight attendant up the aisle of a plane is facing charges, the Department of Justice said on Wednesday.

Julius Jordan Priester, 24, was traveling from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, to Chicago on Tuesday night, the DOJ said. American Airlines said in a statement that the plane was bound for O'Hare International Airport.

The flight took off around 9:30 p.m. Less than an hour into the flight, Priester allegedly stood up, began to take off his shirt, and ran to the back of the plane yelling "Help me," federal prosecutors said.

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Priester then allegedly grabbed a seated flight attendant and shouted "You're coming with me," the Justice Department said. Priester allegedly pulled the flight attendant to the ground, then attempted to drag the attendant up the aisle.

Other staff and passengers intervened in the incident, the Department of Justice and American Airlines said. Priester was returned to his seat, but continued to "act erratically and make incoherent statements." The pilot declared an emergency, and the flight was diverted back to Bradley International Airport.

Once the plane landed, the Connecticut State Police removed Priester. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, the Department of Justice said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police are investigating.

Priester has been charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants. The charge carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Priester made a court appearance before a magistrate judge in Hartford, Connecticut, on Thursday. He is being detained pending a bond hearing scheduled for Friday, the Department of Justice said.

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American Airlines said in a statement that it does "not tolerate violence."

"We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance," the airline said.

Last month, an American Airlines flight from New York to Milan had to turn around after a man allegedly became irate after not receiving his preferred meal and being told he couldn't sit in an exit row with a baby.

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ORANGE, Mass. (WWLP)  A man is being charged after allegedly attempting to strike a traffic aid with his vehicle at a construction site in Orange.

NH man sentenced to prison for threatening Massachusetts DCF employee

The Orange Police Department states that on Wednesday at approximately 8:33 a.m., a civilian traffic aid was working a posted detail when a man intentionally accelerated and swerved his vehicle in an attempt to hit them.

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The driver then proceeded to speed through the construction site without looking out for the workers. The man was eventually stopped by an Orange Police Officer working a paid detail on the other end of the site. Police say that the man admitted to the investigating officers that he intended to kill police officers. The man will face various charges, including:

Speeding in a Construction Zone

Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

Failure to Drive in the Right Lane

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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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(VIDEO WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised.)

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON)  An Oakland Unified School District teacher was killed and another person injured in a crash Wednesday night following a high-speed chase in Oakland involving the California Highway Patrol. The Oakland Police Department told KRON4 that its investigating the crash, which occurred just before 7:45 p.m. in the area of 12th Avenue and East 21st Street.

OPD said a CHP air unit notified them they were pursuing the vehicle in Oakland. CHP patrol officers pursued the vehicle briefly but ended the chase shortly thereafter, OPD said.

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The vehicle, however, continued to drive recklessly and traveled to the area of 12th Avenue and East 21st, near the San Antonio Recreation Area. The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a fire hydrant and two pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Berkeley homeowners react to enforcement of 5-foot rule

At that point, the suspect got out of the vehicle and ran before being taken into custody by CHP officers.

CHP said the suspect, who has been identified as Eric Scott Hernandez-Garcia, 18, of Oakland, was booked into Santa Rita Jail on several felony charges.

Arriving at the scene, OPD officers located a man and a woman lying on the ground with severe injuries. The man died at the scene. The woman was transported to the hospital where doctors listed her as stable.

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Both victims, according to OPD, were Oakland residents in their 40s. An Oakland Unified School District board member has confirmed the identity of the deceased man as Marvin Boomer, a math teacher at Castlemont High School.

There is a growing memorial at the crash site, and a vigil is planned for Friday, May 30.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and that drugs or alcohol do not appear to have played a factor in the crash.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee released a statement on the crash Friday, saying:

Our prayers and love are with the family of the man senselessly killed in a crash at 12th Avenue and East 21st Street. We wish the second person who was badly hurt a speedy and full recovery.

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The person who died is a treasured educator and member of our Castlemont High School community. We have not yet released his name as our team is still working to connect with his family. Both victims worked with the incredible community space makers at the Black Cultural Zone.

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, loved ones, and community who are heartbroken at the devastating loss of a brilliant and compassionate human being.

Watch the full report by KRON4s Sara Stinson in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and former congressional candidate, is launching a Democratic bid to challenge Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) next year.

In her roughly three-and-a-half-minute ad, Andrews used her background as a pediatrician to slam the Trump administration for its handling of different health crises and concerns. Her ad also criticizes Graham for voting to confirm President Trumps appointees.

Her campaign ad also reminds voters of Grahams past criticism of Trump, playing several clips of Graham calling the president a kook and suggesting Trump should go to hell. Graham has since turned into a key Trump ally since the 2016 election.

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In an interview with The Hill ahead of her launch, Andrews described Graham as being ideologically inconsistent and suggested he prioritizes the business and donor community over everyday Americans.

She said Graham had been in the Senate for about half her life, saying that one of the problems with that is that hes changed his position on nearly every issue over the span of those 22 years, because he doesnt believe in anything or stand for anything other than himself.

Lindsey Graham will take food off of kids plates  let prices spiral out of control, gut our nations Medicaid program, which is the largest insurer for children, just so he can cut taxes for billionaires and his donors and special interests, she said.

Grahams campaign manager Mark Knoop responded to Andrews campaign against the GOP senator in a statement saying, The more effective you are in helping enact President Trumps agenda, the more Democrats want to take you down.

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While Dr. Andrews pushes a radical liberal agenda that is out of touch with South Carolina, Senator Graham has always stood firm for conservative values  cutting taxes, securing the border, protecting the right to life, defending the 2nd Amendment, and confirming conservative judges to protect our freedoms, he added.

Andrews spent 15 years at the Medical University of South Carolina, leaving the university in 2023. The pediatrician has previously run for office before, running against Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) in 2022; Andrews lost to her by 14 points that November.

Andrews noted she does do some work in Washington, D.C., telling The Hill that she has a part time role at Childrens National Hospital and a faculty appointment at George Washington [University], and so I spend a few days a month up there taking care of sick and injured children in our nations capital.

Andrews has medical licenses in Washington, D.C. and South Carolina, the latter of which is set to expire next month. Andrewss campaign confirmed to The Hill she plans to renew her license in the Palmetto State.

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If elected to the Senate, Andrews said, one of her legislative priorities would be expanding and making permanent the child tax credit.

I also want to work towards policies that will help working families, that will lower the costs of groceries, that will lower the cost of child care, that we rein in the cost of health care, get prescription drug costs down, she told The Hill. All of these things will benefit Americans, whether theyre Republicans or Democrats in every corner of this country.

Andrews faces an uphill battle to topple Graham. Democrats bet big on Democrat Jamie Harrisons bid to unseat the incumbent in 2020. Despite raking in more than $100 million over the course of his campaign, Harrison ultimately lost to the GOP senator by 10 points.

The pediatrician noted some of the barriers present during 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, wont be present during the 2026 cycle.

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Jamie ran a great campaign, but it was in the middle of the COVID pandemic, which really hamstrung their ability to have an effective field operation. So, we wont have those limitations this time, she said.

She added that we are in a very different moment in this country in comparing 2026 and 2020, saying we are seeing attacks on our health care system and attacks on the social safety nets that are really the bedrock and foundation of this country, among other concerns.

Folks are feeling that in a way that they were not in 2020.

Updated at 12:12 p.m. EDT

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  Florence County first responders are among several Pee Dee agencies receiving grants from Duke Energy to help with severe weather emergency preparedness.

Florence County and the city of Florence Fire Department received grants totaling $20,000 and $14,000, respectively. Duke Energy is awarding $500,000 to 38 nonprofit groups and government agencies across South Carolina through its Helping Emergency Response Organizations grant program, also known as HERO.

Florence County officials will use the money to pay for a utility task vehicle, or UTV, and road barricades that will help officials prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, Duke Energy said in a news release.

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The city fire department will use the money to install a vehicle repeater system for communications equipment to keep lines of communication open when power outages and

damaged infrastructure disable traditional radio systems.

Reliable communication is the backbone of effective emergency response, and during recent severe weather events, weve experienced firsthand how dangerous gaps in communication can be  for both our firefighters and the citizens we serve, Florence Fire Chief Shannon Tanner said. This funding will allow us to implement a much-needed vehicle repeater system, enhancing our ability to coordinate resources, protect lives and maintain operational control when conditions are at their worst. Were grateful for Duke Energys continued partnership and commitment to helping communities like Florence build resilience where it matters most.

Marion County is also receiving a $20,000 grant that will help fund emergency management software used to plan for and monitor evacuation activities during emergencies and track structures within a flood zone.

The past offers us valuable insights into the outcomes of previous disasters; insights we can study, record and learn from, said Justin Turner, the countys emergency management director. This knowledge empowers us to make informed, critical decisions for our communities. By learning from history and planning ahead, we equip ourselves to face the uncertainty of tomorrows storms.

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Others receiving grants include:

City of Hartsville , $17,500 to help pay for a utility task vehicle, or ATV, and road barricades that will enhance the citys ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.

Dillon County Emergency Services , $20,000 to buy a standby generator for use when severe weather events create multiday power outages.

City of Lake City , $6,000 to buy additional handheld multiband radios so firefighters can communicate more effectively.

Georgetown County, $12,000 to pay for additional radio equipment to allow the emergency operations center to communicate with state and other partner agencies when other communication systems are inoperable after a severe weather event.

The one thing our company and communities learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is you can never be too prepared for severe weather events, said Tim Pearson, Duke Energys South Carolina president. Now more than ever, we are committed to providing our fellow first responders the tools and training they need to handle whatever Mother Nature throws our way.

* * *

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Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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(WHTM) A Pennsylvania lawmaker is introducing a bill allowing parking authorities to suspend vehicle registrations with multiple unpaid parking tickets.

The bill, circulated by state Representative Manuel Guzman (D-127), aims to address issues regarding unpaid parking tickets by having stricter regulations. The memo says that, according to the Parking & Transportation Association of PA, the City of Reading alone has $28 million in unpaid parking tickets.

Parking authorities can only respond to illegal parking by giving offenders tickets, many of which never get paid.

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Rep Guzman argues that having additional enforcement opens curb space to people who need it most, especially those with disabilities, local residents, and emergency responders.

The memo says that the bill would allow parking authorities to suspend vehicle registrations for drivers with six or more unpaid parking tickets or a total of at least $500 in unpaid parking tickets.

Rep Guzman says that the model is based on those used by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Turnpike Commission.

Guzman added that municipalities can improve collections of unpaid tickets and invest more in the local community.

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PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  A Pensacola man and woman were arrested Wednesday on fentanyl-related charges among others.

Todd and Julie Chrisley have been released from federal prison (live updates)

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Darius Andreas Brooks, 37, and Jennifer Lynn Beck, 53, were arrested.

Darius Brooks, left, and Jennifer Beck, right. (Escambia County Jail View)

Brooks is accused of trafficking fentanyl, trafficking heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Beck is accused of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl and possession of controlled substances without a prescription.

Todays arrests highlight FDLEs unwavering commitment to fighting fentanyl traffickers in Florida, FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams said. I am proud of the dedicated FDLE agents and crime analysts who continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure drug traffickers are held accountable.

An investigation began in July 2024 when FDLE was tipped off about fentnayl distribution in Pensacola. Brooks and Beck were named in the tip.

Further investigation revealed both were trafficking drugs along with David Ryan Thompson, who was arrested in February, according to the FDLE.

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Law enforcement served search warrants Wednesday in Pensacola, Molino and Cantonment. They seized about one kilogram (or over 2.2 pounds) of fentanyl, trafficking amounts of heroine, trafficking amounts of methampetamine, trafficking amounts of MDMA, about one pound of cannabis, an AR-15 rifle, a stolen AK-47 rifle, cash, several cell phones and a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro.

Brooks and Beck were taken into custody and booked into the Escambia County Jail without incident.

The First Judicial Circuit Office of the State Attorney will prosecute the case.

Biloxi man sets Mississippi saltwater fishing record

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This investigation included FDLE, the Pensacola Police Department, the Escambia County Sheriffs Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Kendra Day contributed to this story.

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The Russians attacked the Polohy district in Zaporizhzhia Oblast with guided aerial bombs, killing one person and injuring another.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The enemy attacked the village of Verkhna Tersa with guided aerial bombs at dawn. At least five bombs were dropped on houses. Residential buildings have been destroyed and damaged. People are trapped under the rubble."

Updated: Later, Fedorov reported that one person had been killed and another injured in the Russian attack on the Polohy district.

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An investigation is underway after a person was stabbed outside Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Thursday morning, officials said.

Officers responding to a report of a stabbing near the hospitals lobby just after 8:30 a.m. found an adult victim suffering from a stab wound, according to the Boston Police Department.

Police described the victims injuries as non-life-threatening in nature.

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The stabbing suspect, whose name hasnt been released, was quickly identified and taken into custody near 90 Blossom Street, police told Boston 25 News.

Police didnt share any additional details on the investigation.

Boston 25 News has reached out to MGH for comment on the incident.

The brazen act comes just days after a man attacked a police officer, got hold of their department-issued firearm, and shot himself during a struggle near the hospital on Wednesday.

The suspect in that incident has since been ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)- A local agency in Columbiana County is continuing to give back to people 60 years into its existence.

The Community Action Agency in Lisbon announced that they have opened a new pharmacy at the 7800 block of Lincole Place. This is their second pharmacy to open after their first one opened in East Liverpool in 2021.

Community Action CEO Tom Andrews said that the agency tries to find a way to get medications to their clients with as few issues as possible.

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If you dont have health insurance, or if you have limited health insurance based on your income, you can come here, Andrews said.

Pharmacist David Hudoba said that this pharmacy will help CAA patients adjust after the recent closures of Rite-Aid pharmacies in the area.

With us opening here now, our biggest draw is that our patients are able to see our providers right after their appointment they can get their prescription sent here, Hudoba said.

In his presentation, Andrews celebrated the former CAA Executive Director Carol F. Bretz, who worked to help CAA with many resources, including a public transit system. Bretz passed away in 2023. Andrews renamed the CAA Administration Offices the Carol F. Brentz Center.

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What was special about Carol was her zest to bring things to this community, Andrews said.

In addition to this, Andrews recognized CAA board members for their years of service.

To find out how to apply for all CAA programs, visit their website.

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Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swanks conflicts with other elected leaders made its way to court Wednesday after an attorney acting as Swanks lawyer served three county officials a demand for mediation over issues such as his desire to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

That demand, made Friday, led the countys elected prosecutor, Mary Robnett, to seek a judgment in Superior Court prohibiting the attorney, Joan Mell, from providing legal advice to Swank or other officials. According to Robnett, only the Prosecuting Attorneys Office can act as Swanks attorney.

Joan K. Mell has unlawfully exercised the public office of the prosecuting attorney or deputy prosecuting attorney for the County of Pierce, State of Washington, a copy of the complaint reads.

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Robnett argued in part that Mells legal advice about Swank cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could expose the county to millions of dollars in potential liability. She said its unlawful for county officials to cooperate with ICE.

The states Keep Washington Working Act, a bipartisan law passed in 2019, limits law enforcements ability to work with ICE. Adams County was sued by the state Attorney Generals Office in March for allegedly helping federal authorities with immigration enforcement.

Superior Court Judge Susan Adams on Wednesday morning granted Robnett a temporary restraining order.

Adams found that Mell was making legal demands on Swanks behalf and that she wasnt authorized to do so, according to a copy of the order, which expires at the next court hearing June 13.

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Mell, an attorney with law offices in Fircrest and Montana, was out of state at the time of the hearing. According to an email provided by Mell, she was notified of the hearing Tuesday evening via email. In a Wednesday-morning response, Mell objected to not being heard on the motion, and she said she wanted the opportunity to object to the case being litigated in front of a Pierce County judge, particularly one with ties to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office.

In a phone call with The News Tribune, Mell said she believed Robnett had incorrectly advised Swank and that Robnett was duty-bound as counsel to adhere to his requests, for example, challenging the Keep Washington Working Act, which Swank has called unconstitutional. Mell said Robnett had failed to adhere to Swanks requests.

Nothing shes doing is consistent with lawyering, Mell said. Fundamental to lawyering is taking the direction from your client, figuring out a way to accomplish what your client wants you to accomplish and carrying out his objectives.

Swank did not respond to a phone call Wednesday afternoon. Mell said he was out of the country and unavailable until June 8.

Prosecutor Mary Robnett photographed in Superior Court on Jan. 10, 2025, in Tacoma. Brian Hayes/bhayes@thenewstribune.com

Emails show tense exchanges between Swank, Robnett

The breakdown of Swanks relationship with Robnett appeared to begin with an executive order issued by County Executive Ryan Mello earlier this month declaring that all contracts that accept federal funding would be subject to a thorough review, and that all departments and elected officials would need to designate someone to review the contracts.

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Swank emailed Robnett on May 13, asking if Mello had the authority to impose an executive order on him and what would happen if he didnt abide by it, according to correspondence between Swank and Robnett filed in the court record.

Robnett responded the next morning that Mello had lawful authority because Swanks elected position was created by the Pierce County Charter, which makes his position an executive department subject to executive orders.

Swank disagreed and said he would be seeking legal advice elsewhere.

Why Swank was upset by the executive order seemed to baffle Robnett, and she cautioned him that he wasnt authorized to seek outside legal advice, saying he would be acting at his own peril.

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The Executive order from yesterday did not really change anything, Robnett wrote. I am a little confused about why this has struck such a nerve with you. I am an independently elected official and I am subject to the same contracting rules.

Swank explained that if Mello could impose this order on him, it meant he would be subject to other orders and that Mello could tell him how to run his office.

As far as my own peril, you are my peril, Swank said.

He told Robnett that he had asked the artificial-intelligence service ChatGPT the same question about Mellos authority over him, and it had a quite different response.

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I have no faith in your counsel, Swank wrote in the May 15 email. I believe that you are either incompetent or you are trying to sabotage my office.

Swank added that he believed Robnett was trying to cause him undue stress, and that it was planned because Robnett wanted his opponent in the 2024 General Election for sheriff to win over him.

You didnt want someone to upset the apple cart, Swank said. You wanted a sheriff who would go along with the program and keep everything status quo.

Robnett responded later that day, thanking Swank for spelling out his position and suggesting that they meet with Mello to discuss where each of them fit into county government under the charter.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank shown delivering remarks at his swearing-in ceremony at Frontier Park Lodge, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, in Graham. Brian Hayes/bhayes@thenewstribune.com

Lawyer for Sheriff Keith Swank demands mediation

About a week after Swanks email exchange with Robnett, Mell emailed Robnett, Mello and County Council Chair Jani Hitchen a demand for mediation under RCW 36.46.010, a state law that requires elected officials to attempt to work out a dispute before a lawsuit can be brought.

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Mell signed the demand letter lawyer for Sheriff Keith Swank. It said Swank had reached an impasse with the three officials on six issues: Sheriffs Office independence and personnel, professional recruiting, the Humane Society, independent representation and a County Council resolution affirming compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act.

In regard to the independence of the Sheriffs Office and its personnel, the letter claimed Mello could not require Swank to comply with any executive orders that conflict with Swanks authority to carry out the core functions of his office. It said the County Councils power over its personnel was limited to consenting to the number of deputies and other necessary employees.

Sheriff Swank has the authority to adequately train his deputies, the letter reads. Should he deem it necessary to obtain training outside the state to do so, the Executive may not prevent the Sheriff from achieving this core function.

Of recruiting, the letter said Mello and the County Council had undermined Swank by putting money in the general fund that his office acquired to use for recruitment by University Place. The Sheriffs Office is contracted by University Place to provide them police services.

The letter also targeted the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce Countys relationship with the Sheriffs Office, stating it depleted public safety dollars and was outside the purpose of the office. According to a 2018 report from the county, it contracted with the Humane Society for sheltering and licensing animals.
Meat giant JBS is to invest $135m in a new sausage plant in Iowa through its US subsidiary, creating 500 jobs on completion.

The company expects construction to start at the Perry site late this year and to complete in late 2026.

Brazil-headquartered JBS said in a statement today (29 May) that the facility will produce some 130m lbs of sausage each year from processing around 500,000 sows.

In the first phase, the plant will employ 250 workers in one shift and the company plans to double the staff count and introduce a second shift in the future.

"This output can feed more than four million people nationwide annually, helping meet growing consumer demand for high-quality protein," JBS said.

Wesley Batista Filho, the CEO of the US business unit, added: "This investment underscores our commitment to rural America and our confidence in the strength of the US market. We plan to be a long-term partner for Perry and, if approved by the community, the facility will help foster job creation and economic stability in the region."

Aaron Juergens, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, said in the same statement: "Were excited to see continued investment in Iowas pork industry with the proposed opening of this new processing facility.

It strengthens our states leadership in pork production, creates new opportunities for pork producers, and supports the rural communities that are the backbone of Iowa agriculture."

JBS USA is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, and produces meat and poultry products. It is a majority shareholder of poultry producer Pilgrims Pride.

In February, JBS unveiled a $200m investment plan to boost beef production at facilities in the US states of Texas and Colorado.

Rival meat processor Tyson Foods announced in March last year it would close its pork facility in Perry, affecting more than 1,200 employees.

"JBS to invest $135m in new US sausage plant, creating 500 jobs" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Humane Society of Louisiana (HSLA) says 42 pitbulls are ready to be adopted after they were saved from mistreatment.

On March 14, Concordia Parish deputies searched a Clayton home and found the dogs tied to trees in connection with a dogfighting investigation. According to the HSLA, tipped-over barrels were the dogs only shelter, dozens stood in mud and water up to their ankles, and all showed signs of neglect.

Maurice Sheppard, 44, was arrested and charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty on March 26.

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We are very grateful for the Concordia Sheriffs Office and the different humane organizations that lent their workforce, expertise, and resources to this important case. It sends a clear signal to other animal abusers that law enforcement will arrest them and confiscate their animals. We also hope people will donate toward their care and medical support, HSLA Director Jeff Dorson said.

Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana) Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana) Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana) Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana) Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana) Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana) Pitbulls seized after mistreatment (Photo courtesy of the Humane Society of Louisiana)

The dogs caretakers said all the dogs are very friendly and would make great pets. The dogs are currently being cared for in East Feliciana Parish.

A GoFundMe was created to raise funds for medical care and sterilization for all of the dogs. The adoption fees are $150 per dog, which includes being fixed and vaccinated.

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If the adoption process is approved, the HSLA can transport them to their new homes.

Those interested in adopting or learning more should contact the dogs caretaker, Stacey Alleman, at staceyalleman@la.gov.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  When your sweet tooth is ready to bite into a treat, theres a new place that can make it happen.

The cases are loaded and full of items at G-Dabs Sweet Treats in Boardman. Its been open for a month, featuring numerous must-try treats. It features cookies, pastries, New York rolls, and other classic sweets and stays away from breads and sandwiches.

G-Dabs Sweet Treats was started by a scratch baker whos hoping you taste a home-baked feel.

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G-Dabs, we pride ourselves on using the freshest ingredients, making everything fresh here in the bakery from either mixes or from scratch. So when you taste it, youre going to taste the finest product every day, said Debbie Jupp.

G-Dabs will add an espresso machine next.

Its open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The store is located at 8578 Market Street.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Northern Irelands legendary Giants Causeway has survived a lot over 60 million years including volcanic eruptions, crashing waves, and even myths of battling giants. However, pocket change is becoming its latest threat, and authorities are now asking visitors to stop jamming coins into the iconic rocks.

If youve ever visited the Causeway, you know the awe that hits as you step onto its iconic basalt columns, rising like natures staircase into the sea. But look a little closer, and youll start to notice tiny metallic intrusions shoved into cracks and crevices. Dozens, hundreds, and thousands of coins, that seem to multiply everywhere you look. What began as a superstitious gesturecoins left behind for luck or lovehas turned into a headache for conservationists. And now, the National Trust is asking visitors to knock it off.

"People see others put coins in, so they copycat, they take a coin out of their pocket and they might take a stone off the ground to hammer the coin in, but they might miss and chip the stone itself so that's doing damage," says Dr. Cliff Henry, nature engagement officer with the Trust.

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This tourist behavior results in rust stains, chipped stone, and structural damage to some of the site's most fragile formations, especially an area known as The Loom, which is a cluster of 10-foot-tall leaning columns that are already feeling the wear.

Courtesy Image: National Trust

Why are coins a threat?

Once the coins are in, they dont just sit there. The salty sea air accelerates corrosion, and expanding metal puts pressure on the basalt. In some cases, pieces have already broken off. Then there's the rust. A reddish-brown wash now stains the lighter-colored rocks, thanks to metals like copper, iron, and nickel leaching out and streaking the stone.

This is rapid erosion on a geological scale, says Henry. And were talking about a World Heritage site here.

The Giants Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. 684,000 visitors came last year alone, as attendance steadily climbs back toward the pre-pandemic peak of nearly one million.

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In response to concerns over damage caused by visitors wedging coins into the rock formations, the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland is supporting a cleanup effort. According to Dr. Kirstin Lemon, the first step is the safe removal of the coins, a task already underway with the help of a professional stonemason who has extracted about 10% so far. The hope is that once the coins are gone, the damaging habit will disappear as well.

We dont want visitors trying to pry them out themselves, warns Henry, emphasizing the risk of causing further damage. Speaking to the BBC, he added, Its Northern Irelands most iconic natural wonder. If we cant protect this, what does that say about how we care for the rest of our landscape?

For now, new signs and stronger messaging are on the way, but ultimately, the Causeways future depends on people respecting whats already there.

Pocket Change Is Causing Destruction at Iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
Police activity in Puyallup has blocked off several streets Thursday morning for a domestic-violence incident.

Police are in the area of 2nd Street Southeast because they are negotiating with a person who is refusing to come out of their house, Puyallup Police Department spokesperson Capt. Kevin Gill told The News Tribune.

Gill said the incident started as a threat and then progressed. The victim is safely out of the house and with police.

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There are mental health specialists and negotiators on scene as police are safely trying to get the person outside for arrest.

The roadway between 4th Avenue Southeast and 7th Avenue Southeast is closed. Police are in the area of 2nd Street Southeast, according to the Puyallup Police Department on X at 10:21 a.m.

The post said there is no active threat to the community right now. The public is asked to avoid the area.

Afternoon update: A man has been arrested following negotiations, according to Puyallup police.

The man reportedly had a firearm before his surrender and a 5-year-old was in the house with him, Gill said. The child is now safe.

The roadways will reopen shortly, police say.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI)  A Fall River police officer was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after he drunkenly forced his way into a strangers home, according to authorities.

The investigation began after the Fall River Police Department received a call from a resident who claimed a man was banging on the front door asking for a woman by name.

Police said the man eventually barged into the home and continued his search for the woman.

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The man immediately left the home upon being informed by the resident that no one by the name lived at the address, according to police.

The resident described the man as being heavily intoxicated, adding that he appeared confused or mistaken about where he actually was.

Police said officers spotted the man roughly half a block away from the residence and realized that it was one of their colleagues.

It is common practice for law enforcement, when encountering individuals under the influence who have unknowingly trespassed onto private property, to use discretion and arrange for medical treatment if needed, the department explained. However, in this case, given the subjects status as a police officer and the higher standard to which officers are held, no discretion was exercised.

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The officer, who has not been identified, was taken into custody and a criminal complaint has been filed against him, according to police.

Its unclear what charges he will be facing at this time. Police said the officers name will be released upon arraignment with the court.

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LEIGHTON, Ala. (WHNT)  An investigation into a fire at an old middle school in Leighton led to police identifying and locating two underage suspects who may have committed arson.

The Leighton Police Department said officers were dispatched to a structure fire at the Old Leighton Middle School building, located at the intersection of Jimmy Hughes Street and 1st Street, alongside the Leighton Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday.

LPD said that witnesses saw two suspects leaving the school. Fire personnel believed the fire may have been the result of arson.

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The department, in collaboration with the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office, launched an investigation. During their investigation, police said they identified two underage suspects and a vehicle that may have been involved and issued a local BOLO (Be On the Lookout).

According to LPD, the Florence Police Department located the suspects. Their names will not be released at this time.

LPD said the investigation is still active and ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.

Please note: This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

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MENOMONIE, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in western Wisconsin are investigating a series of vandalism incidents involving spray paint damage to vehicles and buildings.

According to the Menomonie Police Department, multiple reports have come in over the past few days from residents in North Menomonie. Victims reported discovering their property spray-painted during the overnight hours.

Green Bay Metro Fire Department holding its first-ever Rescue Rally

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Keep an eye out for this criminal activity, and if you see something, say something, the department urged in a social media post.

Anyone with surveillance footage or information regarding suspicious activity is asked to contact Menomonie police at 715-232-1283.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
On Tuesday, May 27, JP Morgan analyst Dominic OKane maintained a Neutral rating on ArcelorMittal S.A. (NYSE:MT) with an unchanged price target of 30.5. His stance reflects the mixed implications of a potential deal between Nippon Steel (OTC:NPSCY) and United States Steel (NYSE:X), which recently received support from President Trump.

On the positive side, OKane believes the transaction could significantly benefit ArcelorMittal. He pointed to an October 2024 agreement between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel regarding their 50/50 joint venture for the Calvert mill. Under the agreement, ArcelorMittal would have the right to acquire Nippons 50% stake in the mill for just $1. In exchange, Nippon would inject capital and forgive approximately $900 million in partner loans. The Calvert mill is a strategic asset in the U.S. flat steel market, and its ownership will provide ArcelorMittal with a potential competitive edge.

JP Morgan Stays Neutral on ArcelorMittal (MT) Amid Uncertainty

A machinist inspecting a freshly-cut steel beam, ready to be shipped to its intended destination.

However, the analyst notes that, according to the Calvert agreement terms, this benefit depends entirely on Nippon completing its acquisition of U.S. Steel; otherwise, the JV will continue. The acquisition by Nippon has not yet been confirmed and may ultimately take the form of a partnership rather than a complete takeover. This adds uncertainty to the transaction and its financial benefits to ArcelorMittal.

Additionally, tariff-related supply chain exposure remains a structural risk for ArcelorMittal. Therefore, the analyst maintained a cautious stance on the stock.

ArcelorMittal is one of the worlds leading integrated steel and mining companies, the largest steel producer in Europe, and among the largest in the Americas.

While we acknowledge the potential of MT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A large Metro police search in a northwest valley neighborhood ended early Thursday morning  more than six hours after it began  with a suspects arrest.

According to Las Vegas Metropolitan police, officers were investigating a stolen vehicle near Decatur Boulevard and Vegas Drive, and as they approached the car, an armed suspect fired shots at police as he ran away from the vehicle.

Numerous officers responded to the scene to search for the suspect. The suspect was arrested around 4 a.m. with the help of a police dog. Metro said the dog injured the suspect, who was taken to University Medical Center for treatment.

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When the suspect fled, he left behind a dog, which was turned over to animal protection services.

Police did not release additional information on the suspect or the charges they might face.

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SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Georgia man is facing charges after he allegedly fled from officers during a chase where he traveled over 100 mph on the Turnpike.

Jordan Hayes Morrisey, 23, of Atlanta, is facing multiple charges after officers tried to pull him over for speeding, according to a criminal complaint. On May 24, troopers with Pennsylvania State Police saw a black Nissan Rogue traveling 89 mph in a 70 mph zone on the PA Turnpike.

Troopers made contact with the driver, later identified as Hayes-Morrisey, and asked him to roll down the window. The driver refused to roll down his window for officers and when they asked him to step out of the vehicle, he also refused to do so. The trooper at this time called for backup, and Hayes-Morrisey then drove off.

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PSP looks to identify two involved in Indiana County storage unit thefts

Police followed him and activated their emergency lights and sirens. According to the complaint, he reached speeds up to 140 mph as he continued to flee from police.

Police also alleged that Hayes-Morrisey almost struck another vehicle while he was passing vehicles in the Allegheny tunnel and almost rolled his vehicle. According to the affidavit, the Nissan had multiple of its wheels spiked during the pursuit before Hayes-Morrisey drove it into a ditch.

Once the vehicle was in the ditch, he allegedly refused to exit the vehicle and had to be forcefully removed. Police arrested Hayes-Morrisey and got a search warrant for the vehicle. Officers allegedly found marijuana paraphernalia in the vehicle.

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Hayes-Morrisey is in the Somerset County Prison with bail set at $75,000. He is facing felony charges of fleeing from officers, resisting arrest, recklessly endangering another person, possession of drug paraphernalia and multiple summary driving charges.

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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11.

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LOUISA, Ky. (FOX 56)  A police investigation turned up empty in response to viral posts on social media that alleged human trafficking on Tuesday in Lawrence County.

Crystal Massey, a West Virginia resident, told Nexstars WOWK that her family was traveling on May 26 through Kentucky when they decided to stay in Louisa. They planned to spend the night at the Budget Inn Express, and Massey said she was alarmed by what she believed was peculiar behavior by the hotel personnel. She made a social media post the next day that was also shared by her son, and the posts went viral.

Just the questioning when I got there and the fact that he never put my information into a computer, Massey told WOWK. He only wanted to write down my ID information. He did not charge me sales tax to make it (a legal) transaction. He just wanted my money and wanted to get me in a room, and before he gave me the key, he said that he had a special room for me and then he went out and spoke to the guys in the parking lot and pointed at a room before he came in and gave me my key.

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He told me whenever I asked if he had a room that he had someone that had a reservation for his last room that he would call to see if they were coming and then he got on his personal cell phone instead of using the desk phone and had it on speaker and was speaking in his language to a woman that was also speaking his language, so I felt that he was not speaking to a customer.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

The Louisa Police Department (LPD) told FOX 56 that an officer responded and a report was filed, but nothing at the time was believed to be criminal.

There were no signs of trafficking, coercion, or unlawful restraint observed during the officers inquiry, LPD said in a news release.

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The department said it will review the case with the county attorneys office.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Louisa police confirmed that previous human trafficking and prostitution charges tied to the motel involved a sexual favor being exchanged for a discounted room.

Human trafficking is a grave and deeply concerning crime, and we treat every related report with the utmost seriousness. The safety and well-being of all individuals in our community is a top priority, and we remain committed to responding swiftly and thoroughly to any report of suspicious or unlawful activity. We appreciate the vigilance of the community in reporting concerns, and we encourage the public to continue to do so. At the same time, we also ask that individuals avoid spreading unverified or misleading information on social media platforms, as this can cause unnecessary panic and divert resources away from legitimate investigations. Louisa Police Department

Massey told WOWK that she isnt sure she completely trusts the departments investigation and results.

I personally believe that they have something else going on that my post may have messed with and I apologize for that truly, but, as a mother and a woman, I am terrified for any other person that goes there that gets put in that situation because I dont know what would have happened, but I want to thank my God for protecting us and I pray that they are able to get behind what is going on there, Massey said.

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Payden Hinkle and Camille Hantla contributed to this story.

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LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The La Vergne Police Department issued a warning to community members after launching an investigation into a recent rise in thefts from residential mailboxes.

According to authorities, individuals have been searching mailboxes for checks or anything of monetary value.

When they get the checks, theyll wash them or alter them, Detective Nicholas Liedtke explained. At that point, they can change the amount on them and theyll put them in their name or a name of a fake ID that they have.

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Man wanted for attempted murder added to Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives list

Victims reported the thefts after businesses that were supposed to receive checks from the victims notified them about unpaid bills.

We understand how frustrating and disruptive this can be. Our detectives are actively working on these cases and have already identified potential suspects. Please know that we are taking this matter seriously and are using all available resources to bring those responsible to justice, the department posted on Facebook on Tuesday, May 27. We want to thank our vigilant residents who have reported suspicious activity and provided helpful information. Your involvement continues to make a real difference.

La Vergne law enforcement could not comment on any suspects since this is an ongoing investigation.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Police advise against mailing checks, gift cards, or anything valuable or sensitive from home for the time being. Instead, community members are encouraged to submit payments online, visit the post office directly, or hand-deliver important payments to trusted businesses.

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Police Scotland has been accused of comparing gender-critical feminists to Nazis after an internal document drew parallels between the two.

The document said that gender binary  the belief that there are only two genders  was a key feature of the Nazi racial policies.

It said that right now, some 88 years later the gender-critical movement has a strong voice and presence and questioned whether this was an echo of how past hostilities arose.

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The document also asked whether the strength of gender critics, who argue there are only two genders, meant we have failed to understand the lessons we should have collectively learned from our shared history.

It was posted on a divisional noticeboard to mark Trans+ History Week in May, which aims to celebrate the history of gender diverse people, including trans, non-binary and intersex people.

Police Scotland said the document had been removed but critics said it should be a wake-up call about how the force deals with gender and sex.

Last September, the force reversed a policy that allowed rapists to self-identify as female as it fostered a strong sense of belonging.

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The furore over the document erupted after the Supreme Court ruled in April that trans women are not women.

Police Scotland announced that it would review its policies on trans issues and a meeting was held behind closed doors at its Tulliallan headquarters on Thursday to discuss the implications of the ruling.

Responding to the document, which was disclosed by the Scottish Daily Mail, a force spokesman said: The content does not reflect the views of Police Scotland and has been removed. Advice will be given around the use of language.

Dr Lucy Hunter Blackburn, of policy analysts Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said: It is welcome Police Scotland recognise this is unacceptable language.

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But this should be a wake-up call about the culture around sex and gender in the force. The Supreme Courts clarification of the law offers an opportunity for the leadership to break with the past. They urgently need to take it.

Deeply offensive

Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Tory MSP, said: Its unbelievable that such outrageous language made it into an official Police Scotland document.

This is a deeply offensive comparison. People with concerns about the SNPs flawed gender self-ID plans shouldnt be vilified for standing up for common sense.

The document said Trans+ History Week was a chance to learn and celebrate the rich and long history of trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people.

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At a time when anti-trans rhetoric is on the rise, this can be a week where we can uplift the trans community and send a clear message  trans people have always been here.

It said the event was timed to coincide with the anniversary of a Nazi raid on the worlds first ever trans clinic in 1933, adding that: Gender binary was a key feature of the Nazi racial policies.

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Police are asking for the publics help identifying a man in connection with a bank robbery Wednesday morning in Nashua.

Investigators said the TD Bank on Daniel Webster Highway was robbed just before 10:30 a.m. They are seeking information about a middle-aged man who was seen on security video wearing a black, full-zip hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

During the robbery, the man indicated to a bank employee he was armed, according to a written news release from the Nashua Police Department.

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He fled the area in a white vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash, officials said. No one was reported injured during the incident.

Police released three photos, one they say shows the man before the robbery and two photos of the clothing he was wearing during the robbery.

Anyone with information about the mans identity or whereabouts can call the Nashua Crimeline at 603-589-1665 or email Detective Daniel Hodges at hodgesd@nashuapd.com.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Columbus Police Department are asking for the publics help in identifying a man who robbed a Chevron Gas station on Monday, May 26.

Around 11:28 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery at the Chevron at 1790 Williams Road. Upon arrival, officers learned a man entered the store, demanded money from the register and fled the scene with an undetermined amount of money.

Detectives are actively working the investigation and ask that anyone with information to contact Sergeant Michael Dahnke at 706-326-3556 or by email at mdahnke@columbusga.org. A monetary reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the suspect. All tips will remain confidential.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Boston Police are seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect after the Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam War Memorial in Brighton was vandalized.

The war memorial, located at the intersection of Cambridge and Henshaw streets in Brighton, was vandalized on Wednesday, May 21, between approximately 6:10 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., police said Thursday.

Police described the suspect as a white male in his 30s, approximately 59 tall, who was last seen wearing a long brown trench coat.

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Detectives are actively investigating the incident, police said.

Anyone with information for investigators is strongly urged to call Boston Police detectives at 617-343-4256.

Community members who wish to provide information anonymously may also call the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS, text the word TIP to CRIME (27463), or submit a tip via the departments website.

Photos and videos related to this investigation may also be submitted anonymously.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Less than a quarter of Americans (22%) agree with President Trumps policy of prioritizing white Afrikaners for resettlement in the U.S. over refugees from other countries, according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll.

In contrast, a majority of Americans (52%) think the U.S. should not accept Afrikaners as refugees before resuming acceptance of refugees from other countries.

The survey of 1,560 U.S. adults was conducted from May 22 to 27, 2025, shortly after the Trump administration welcomed 59 Afrikaners into the country while the rest of the U.S. refugee program remained on indefinite hold  and just days after Trump surprised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office by repeating the widely discredited claim that Afrikaners are victims of white genocide.

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We have many people that feel they're being persecuted, and they're coming to the United States," Trump said during the meeting. "So we take from many ... locations, if we feel there's persecution or genocide going on.

There is just no genocide in South Africa," Ramaphosa later told reporters.

A split over whether Afrikaners deserve refugee status

To test Americans views, Yahoo News and YouGov first had respondents read the following description of the situation:

Afrikaners are the descendants of white Europeans who came to South Africa centuries ago and later created its system of apartheid. Today, South Africa is more than 80% Black and some Afrikaners say they are being denied jobs and targeted with violence because they are white.

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Respondents were then asked if they think the U.S. should accept Afrikaners as refugees. They seemed divided, with slightly more than a third of Americans (36%) saying yes, slightly less than a third saying no (31%) and about the same number (32%) saying theyre not sure.

To some degree, initial attitudes on the Afrikaners diverge along partisan lines, with Republicans (50% yes, 19% no) and independents (40% yes, 29% no) largely in favor of accepting them as refugees and Democrats (25% yes, 47% no) largely opposed. Still, roughly equal numbers of Democrats (28%), Republicans (30%) and independents (31%) say theyre not sure what to think.

but clear opposition to fast-tracking them

Things get a lot less murky, however, once respondents are exposed to more information about how the Afrikaners fit into Americas current refugee system under Trump.

In general, few Americans think the Afrikaners are either more (10%) or less (24%) deserving of coming to the U.S. as refugees than people from other countries. A far greater share (47%) say they are equally deserving.

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The issue for Trump is that he has effectively treated the Afrikaners as if they are the most deserving of refugee status  and Americans do not agree with that.

One of the presidents first actions on his first day back in office was to sign an executive order freezing Americas refugee resettlement system, contending that the country has seen an influx of immigrants in recent years and that communities across the United States were not in a position to welcome refugees, as the New York Times put it in February.

Various groups have sued to restart the program, but it remains almost entirely suspended today  leaving tens of thousands of refugees [who] were conditionally approved to resettle in the United States  still waiting abroad amid increasingly dangerous conditions, according to Church World Service, a leading resettlement organization

Meanwhile, the 59 Afrikaners who arrived in the U.S. on May 12 saw their applications fast-tracked.

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This context is crucial. Overall, far more Americans approve (61%) than disapprove (19%) of "accepting refugees from other countries" after reading that such refugees "are people who flee their own country and seek safety in another country, usually because of persecution or violence. But they also think that in recent years, the U.S. has accepted too many refugees from other countries (43%) rather than not enough (13%) or the right amount (23%).

Nonetheless, they still narrowly oppose  at 38% approve to 42% disapprove  Trumps decision to sign an executive order "indefinitely halting the arrival of all refugees coming into the U.S."

And when they learn that typically, refugee resettlement takes years, but for the Afrikaners, it took three months, that opposition grows considerably. Asked whether they think the U.S. should accept Afrikaners as refugees before resuming acceptance of refugees from other countries, again, only 22% of Americans say yes. More than half (52%) say no.

White genocide?

Likewise, just 26% of Americans accept the false claim  long circulated by right-wing groups and now echoed by the president  that Afrikaners are victims of white genocide; the other three quarters of U.S. adults either reject the claim (40%) or say theyre not sure (34%).

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The only demographic group that mostly believes that Afrikaners are victims of white genocide is 2024 Trump voters (54%).

In February, a South African judge dismissed the idea of genocide as clearly imagined and not real. According to Reuters, South African police recorded 26,232 murders nationwide in 2024. Just 44 of them were linked to farming communities (where Afrikaners predominate); only eight of the victims were farmers themselves. And while Trump and others have criticized a new South African land reform law that Reuters says is intended to redress the injustices of apartheid by allowing for expropriations without compensation when in the public interest, for example if land is lying fallow, the truth is no such expropriation has taken place, and any order can be challenged in court.

In the end, a plurality of Americans (again, 43%) may say the U.S. has recently accepted too many refugees from other countries  but few actually know how many refugees the U.S. typically accepts. According to the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, that number has hovered around 65,000 refugees per year since 1990 (many of them from countries such Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

But when Yahoo News and YouGov asked respondents how many refugees they think the U.S. accepts per year, on average, just 21% selected the correct category (between 50,000 and 100,000). A third (33%) opted for a higher number; even more (36%) said they werent sure.

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Only 11% picked a number that was too low.

__________________

The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,560 U.S. adults interviewed online from May 22 to 27, 2025. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2024 election turnout and presidential vote, party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Party identification is weighted to the estimated distribution at the time of the election (31% Democratic, 32% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.9%.
A new poll has a double-barreled dose of good news for President Donald Trump, whos been struggling to get his head above water when it comes to his overall approval rating among American voters.

Nearly half of all respondents (55%) to the latest Insider Advantage survey said they approve of the Republican presidents job performance, compared to 44% who said they did not.

The poll of 1,000 likely voters, conducted between May 17 and May 19, also showed Trumps approvals ratings on the upswing among a key voting bloc.

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Thatd be Hispanic voters: Nearly 60% of whom said they approved of Trump, compared to 40% who disapproved, according to the poll, which had a margin of error of 3%.

That represents a more than 22% jump from late April to early May, when more than 38% of Hispanic voters said they approved of Trumps job performance, compared to about 20% who said they did not.

Only white voters, a key part of Trumps base, registered higher numbers, at nearly 63%.

Trump was underwater with Black respondents. Only about 28% of Black participants in the poll approve of Trumps job performance, while about 71% disapprove.

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Unsurprisingly, Trumps approvals were high among self-identified Republicans, 88% of whom said they approved of his job performance. Democratic respondents went the other way, with 70% saying they disapproved.

Independent voters, who can play a key role on Election Day, were in a statistical dead heat, with 51% approving of Trump, compared to just shy of 48% who said they did not.

The Republican president continues to command stronger loyalty among male voters (59%) than women (50%) on his job performance.

And voters aged 40-64 (60.7%) hold the highest opinion of Trump compared to voters aged 18-39 (51.8%) and voters aged 65 and older (53.9% disapprove), according to the poll.

More political news

Read the original article on MassLive.
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Robert Stiller, best known as the former CEO and founder of Keurig Green Mountain coffee, has awoken luxury brokers and buyers in coveted Palm Beach by listing his sprawling waterfront mansion for $90 million.

The 13,375-square-foot home, which was built in 2013, comes with a deep water dock, seven bedrooms, and over 150 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. Stiller  the former coffee king who left the Green Mountain board in 2013  and his wife, Christine, have not owned the home for long, buying it in 2023 for $66 million, according to the Palm Beach Daily News. The potential $24 million windfall the couple could make on the home, not including fees, closing costs, and capital gains taxes, works out to about $2 million per month of ownership.

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An Opportune Time To Sell

The Stillers have picked an opportune time to sell, as Palm Beach homes have sold for record-high prices since the election. According to Douglas Elliman data, single-family homes in the wealthy South Florida enclave have seen 31 sales, an increase of 63.2% compared to Q1 over the same period last year.

Higher-end home sales have been particularly robust, with median sales prices of $13.95 million enjoying an 11.6% jump year-over-year. The luxury sector, representing the top 10% of the market, was up 22.2% over the previous year. According to the report, median sales in the highest echelon also soared to $23.75 million, a 70.9% increase from a median of $13.9 million a year earlier.

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Its unlikely Stiller, whose net worth is $508 million, will be counting on selling his home to pay his bills. The innovative coffee magnate made his fortune by selling coffee and K-Cups, the now-popular single-serve coffee pods. Despite a financial setback in 2012, when he was forced to sell 5 million shares to cover margin calls to cover loans taken against his position, Stiller has enjoyed success after success.

Keurig Sells For $13.9 Billion

Stiller initially sold coffee as a retailer in Vermont after discovering Green Mountain Coffee Roasters during a ski trip to the state in the 1980s, Inc. reported, but stopped that side of the business to focus on manufacturing. The company went public in 1993 and enjoyed a soaring stock price in the 2000s, during which time Green Mountain became one of the first coffee companies to join the Fair Trade movement.
Pope Leo XIV reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages and for leaders on both sides of the war to fully respect international humanitarian law.

From #Gaza, the cries of parents rise to heaven ever more intensely as they clutch the lifeless bodies of their children, searching for food and shelter from bombs, the pontiff said in a Wednesday morning post on social platform X. I renew my appeal to leaders: cease fire, release all hostages, and fully respect international humanitarian law!

Leo  who was elected as pope on May 8, becoming the first American pontiff  has appealed for conflicts in the Middle East and eastern Europe to end.

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I, too, address the worlds great powers by repeating the ever-present call never again war, Leo said May 11, calling for peace in Gaza and in the ongoing three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Leo denounced recent Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Leos calls for peace come as thousands of Palestinians rushed into a new aid distribution center in the south of the war-torn enclave Tuesday. The center, which began its work this week, is operated by the U.S. backed-Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and is set up to distribute food packages.

So far, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has dished out around 8,000 food boxes, a senior U.S. administration official said Tuesday.

Each box feeds 5.5 people for 3.5 days, totaling 462,000 meals, the official said.

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Israel previously had an 11-week aid blockade in place.

The United Nations said it would not be involved in the work of the organization, arguing it does not adhere to its principles of independence and neutrality.

The foundations executive director, Jake Wood, resigned from his post Sunday, pointing to a lack of independence.

It is clear that it is not possible to implement this plan while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon, Wood said in a statement to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A popular seafood restaurant in Florida announced the closing of a location that had been around for nearly a decade.

Wahoo Seafood Grill revealed the sudden closure of its Gainesville location with a brief statement where it thanked loyal customers for their support over the years.

"After many wonderful years serving the Gainesville community, Wahoo Seafood Grill has made the difficult decision to close this location," a statement from the restaurant chain said. "We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers for your support, your smiles and the memories we've shared. Thank you for allowing us to serve you."

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As for the Gainesville location, it too released a statement, one that sparked plenty of reaction on social media.

"With heavy hearts, weve made the difficult decision to close our doors, the Gainesville location said in a statement. We are incredibly grateful for your loyal patronage, your celebrations, your family dinners, and every moment you chose to spend with us over the years. Its been an unforgettable journey. From all of us at Wahoo, thank you.

From the crab legs to the fried green tomatoes, customers flocked to the Facebook announcement to reveal their favorite offerings - and sadness that the restaurant is closing its doors.

"This is beyond sad. So many incredible memories here. Nothing could beat their all you can eat crab legs and the swamp bucket. Wahoos will be greatly missed," one person said.

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"Oh nooo! My favorite appetizer was their fried green tomatoes!!! The best I've had in Florida!" offered another.

When one customer asked, "Is this effective immediately or a set date in the future?" the restaurant revealed it had already shuttered its doors the day prior.

Related: Beloved Breakfast Restaurant Closing After 50 Years

Popular Seafood Chain Wahoo Seafood Grill Suddenly Closes Location first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
The final McCormick & Schmick's outpost in Charlotte, North Carolina closed its doors earlier this week.

The longstanding seafood and steakhouse chain once had multiple locations in the Queen City, but one shut down last year. Now, the McCormick & Schmick's on South Tryon Street is no more, having shuttered for good on Sunday, according to The Charlotte Observer.

McCormick & Schmicks located at 200 South Tryon Street closed at the end of day on May 25, following the expiration of its lease, McCormick and Schmicks COO Shah Ghani wrote in a statement to CharlotteFive.

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Weve truly enjoyed being a part of this community and are grateful for the support over the years and encourage you to visit our other locations in the area including Dos Caminos, Del Friscos Double Eagle, Mortons The Steakhouse and The Palm. Together with our sister properties, were committed to helping our team members transition into new opportunities within the organization."

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant is sold to Landry's for 131.6 million on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images

Founded in Portland, Oregon by Bill McCormick and Douglas Schmick in 1974, McCormick & Schmick's has been well-regarded for years for its steak, chops and seafood, including oysters and other raw offerings.

"McCormick & Schmicks has a long reputation of being a company that offers Chef inspired food, award-winning happy hour, energetic bars, hand-crafted Mixology, and world-class private dining event spaces," the company's official website reads. "The combination of an open imagination and a respect for tradition is what makes McCormick & Schmick's the classic and successful business that it is today."

However, since being acquired by Landry's in 2011, the chain has downsized considerably nationwide.

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Following the closure of this second Charlotte location, there are now fewer than 20 McCormick & Schmick's left around the country.

Popular Steakhouse Chain Closes Final Location in Charlotte first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
May 29Portland police have arrested three teens they say are responsible for firing more than a dozen shots into a Cumberland Avenue apartment building in December.

No one was injured in the shooting, but multiple units at 139 Cumberland Ave. were hit with bullets and several shell casings were found in a neighborhood park across the street called Peppermint Park.

Portland police on Thursday announced the arrests of three 18-year-old suspects, one of whom was 17 at the time of the shooting. They were brought to the Cumberland County Jail Wednesday night and face charges of attempting aggravated assault and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

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At least two of the teens are still in custody and their bail is set at $250,000 in cash.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Protesters clashed in East Portland Wednesday, as the battle over funding parks versus police continues.

Its the latest fallout after Portland City Council voted to shift $1.9 million slated for the Portland Police Bureau in Mayor Keith Wilsons budget to fund Parks and Recreation maintenance instead.

Court orders Trump to halt tariffs after Oregon suit

The last-minute amendment passed by a slim 7-5 vote, but the move has not been without controversy.

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Hosted by Future Portland, the event brought Gresham City leaders, neighborhood association members, and former police officers together to oppose the decision at the intersection of 122nd Avenue and East Burnside Street  a longtime hotspot for crime.

I think the Mayor, very wisely, chose to try to address the staffing issue -that took us three decades to build. The city grew but the number of police officers serving it declined, said Eli Arnold, a former Portland police officer. So, I think we should follow his lead. I think its a shortcoming that needs to be addressed because one of the fundamental tenets of community is that when you need help, there are people around you to offer it.

Just as speeches started, counter-protesters quickly filed in to support the move by city council. Holding signs in favor of funding parks and uncreasing police, behind the speakers  many of them also stepped up to the microphone.

Every year, Portland police, and police departments across the country keep asking for more and more money. The United States has the highest number of people in our jails and prisons of any country in the world, said Sandy Chung, Director of the ACLU of Oregon. If funding our police made our communities safer, we should be the safest city and country in the world But that has not been the answer.

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Despite opposing voices and a few harsh exchanges, both sides told KOIN 6 News public safety was at the forefront of their argument.

This is a dangerous area in our city. Shootings, stabbings, robberies -they happen here and we need to be honest about that reality, explained Terrence Hayes, a former Portland City Council candidate.

A longtime resident of the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood, Hayes works with youth violence prevention programs.

If something happens, we do expect police to show up. It doesnt matter if you like police or not  they are the answer, he added.

Hayes ran for District 1 Portland City Council, representing East Portland, and was endorsed by the Portland Police Association. However, he ultimately lost out to councilors Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, and Loretta Smith.

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Bend memory care home sued after patients death

Parks are also part of public safety, said Liz Knapp, a counter-protester. The solution to our crime is not more police, it is funding our community and giving them the programs they need to thrive and that includes parks.

According to Mayor Keith Wilson, the money was earmarked to help boost police recruitment.

Were looking at how the decision to remove $1.9 million in proposed PPB funding may impede our efforts to recruit a next generation of law enforcement first responders who will represent and serve our community, Wilson wrote in a statement last week. As well as the critical missions that get pounds of fentanyl and human trafficking victims off our streets.

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When asked if the Mayor has explored options with council to come together on the issue since, a spokesperson with Wilsons office said the former statement still stands.

However, councilors Angelita Morillo and Avalos, who led the amendment, claim the shift was meant to offset nearly $7 million in cuts to parks and recreation proposed in the Mayors budget.

As the debate continues to draw heated reactions, Portlanders on both sides of the argument told KOIN 6 News they wish this wasnt an issue of funding either or, but rather, both.

I dont think parks shouldve been pitted against policing, Hayes said. Usually when you underfund parks, its Black, Brown, and immigrant communities that suffer the most. If we make it about police, we spit on the issue and we dont really get the results we need  which is a healthy police force and parks that are funded the proper way.

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The City Council is set to vote on a final budget in late June.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Former Ukrainian top official Andriy Portnov met in Ukraine with Oleh Tatarov, deputy head of the Presidential Office, and Oleksii Sukhachov, director of the State Bureau of Investigation, days before he was killed in Madrid, Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 29, citing undisclosed sources.

Portnov was shot dead by unidentified attackers outside the American School in Madrid on May 21. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that two or three people are believed to be involved in the attack, though no arrests have been made so far, and the motive remains unclear.

Portnov served in the administration of pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych between 2010 and 2014. After the EuroMaidan Revolution, he lived alternately abroad and in Ukraine and was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2021 over allegations that he was involved in corruption.

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Four sources confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda that Portnov was in Ukraine between May 17 and 18 and held meetings with senior officials overseeing Ukraines law enforcement agencies, including Tatarov and Sukhachov.

The sources said they were unaware of the topics discussed.

Tatarov is the most controversial official in President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration. He was charged with bribery before joining the administration, but the corruption case against him was obstructed by law enforcement agencies and courts and eventually closed.

According to the media outlet's sources, Portnov has recently been seeking ways to have U.S. sanctions against him lifted. He also reportedly gathered information on the activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and civil society activists in Ukraine.

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The Kyiv Independent submitted official requests for comment to the Presidential Office and the State Bureau of Investigation but did not receive an immediate response.

Portnov led the legal team of then-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from 2005 to 2010 and sat in the parliament between 2006 and 2010. After 2010, he became the head of Yanukovych's main judiciary department and deputy head of his administration.

The ex-official left Ukraine for Russia and later Austria after Yanukovych was ousted in the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2014, but returned to Ukraine in 2019. Portnov fled Ukraine again in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion broke out, even though the travel ban for military-age men was already in effect.

Read also: Hated, tainted, and covertly pro-Russian  Andriy Portnov, the top Ukrainian ex-official shot dead in Spain

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
LISBON (Reuters) -Portugal's president named Luis Montenegro, head of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) that won a snap national election on May 18, as the prime minister on Thursday and invited him to form his second minority government, the presidency said.

The AD won 91 seats in the 230-seat parliament - 11 more than in the previous legislature, but still far from a working majority - in an election marked by far-right party Chega replacing the Socialist Party (PS) as the main opposition force.

Montenegro, who first came to power in March 2024, has refused to make any deals with the anti-establishment, anti-immigration Chega, which garnered 60 seats, two more than the PS after the latter's worst showing in four decades.

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The office of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said in a statement after he consulted the three main parties on Thursday that Montenegro would announce his new government after parliament convenes for its first session.

No confirmation vote is required, although any party can present a motion of rejection.

The election, the third in as many years, was called after Montenegro failed to win a vote of confidence in March when the opposition questioned his integrity over dealings of his family's consultancy firm.

He has denied any wrongdoing and voters ended up punishing the PS for its role in bringing down Montenegro's government, in what many people saw as an unnecessary election.

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Parliament is expected to enable the new government on its return next week. PS's interim leader, Carlos Cesar, promised his support in that initial step.

While the government's first big test is likely to be the 2026 budget towards the end of the year, no new parliamentary poll can be called until at least mid-2026 because Portugal will hold a presidential election next January.

Although that doesn't guarantee political stability, the centre-left PS's weakened position is likely to make them a more amenable opposition with more affinities with the AD than with Chega, analysts say, seeing little danger of a legislative paralysis in the medium term.

(Reporting by Andrei Khalip and Sergio Goncalves. Editing by Mark Potter)
EAU CLAIRE  A Chippewa Falls man whom authorities accuse of causing a crash as he attempted to speed away from a sheriffs deputy may see the case end in a plea agreement.

Cameron Bosire, 18, faces charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, attempting to flee or elude an officer, possession of THC and bail jumping. All but the drug charge are felonies, though low-ranking ones on Wisconsins scale.

A status conference Wednesday saw Bosires attorney tell the court the two sides are close to an agreement to resolve all matters. He requested an additional status conference, which the court set for June 13.

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The reference to resolution for all matters is significant. Bosire faces multiple cases in Eau Claire County, all filed last year.

The first case charged Bosire with second degree recklessly endangering safety, a Class G felony. Authorities filed it in April 2024. The above mentioned case came next, in June 2024, and it carries the most serious charges.

Two more cases were filed in September 2024. The first is a single charge of bail jumping, while the final case includes charges of bail jumping, misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint in the most serious case, a deputy spotted a vehicle going 74 mph in a 40 mph zone on Hastings Way. When it reached a section with a speed limit of 50, the Bosire accelerated to 84 mph.

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Bosire did not pull over when the deputy tried to stop him. He left Hastings Way at North Crossing, striking a pickup in the intersection. Two people in the pickup were injured. The deputy found an open Twisted Tea in Bosires vehicle, along with marijuana.

That incident followed an April case in which investigators say Bosire was texting and calling a woman repeatedly because he objected to her being at a party. He eventually showed up, repeatedly honking his cars horn outside.

The woman told Bosire the party had been warned about noise and asked him to leave. He turned the car toward her and accelerated. Witnesses said he missed her and a neighbor who came out to ask him to quit honking the horn by inches. He threw out two empty Twisted Tea cans when he drove off.

Investigators contacted Bosire at his home, and he claimed to have been asleep. He denied being anywhere near the party. But his vehicle had damage consistent with witness reports of him hitting a tree. He couldnt explain that or debris on the cars tires consistent with jumping the curb.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis radio personality found possibly hundreds of pieces of mail scattered across a busy downtown street early Tuesday morning during her commute to work.

Debbie Monterrey, a longtime KMOX radio host, came across the scene around 4 a.m. Tuesday on 14th Street near its intersection with Clark Avenue, just steps from the Enterprise Center.

Monterrey shared a 15-second video clip of her experience with FOX 2, a news partner of KMOX, and reflected on the odd discovery Wednesday during The Chris and Amy Show on KMOX.

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Im just driving in how I do. And I get towards the light and Im like What?,' said Monterrey. At first I thought somebody knocked over a garbage can, but then I realized, this is mail. Then, as I started looking around, there was tons of it. And those bins, the sort of white corrugated bins they use for the mail, there were a couple of them smashed in the street and just some piles. Pretty significant piles and then just mail scattered everywhere.

The video shows letters and parcels of various sizes, some in piles, spread out over several car lengths. Monterrey estimated there may have been hundreds of pieces of mail.

I didnt know what to do because you cant call the post office at 4 in the morning. No one is answering the phone, said Monterrey. I called 911 and no one answered the phone. I thought I dont know if I should call police, but someone needs to get the mail off and its not my job. What am I going to do?

Monterrey then headed to her office, and another co-worker who showed up shortly after informed her that someone, believed to be a mail worker, was cleaning up the mess.

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So how did it get there? That remains unclear.

Its worth noting the U.S. Postal Service has a major St. Louis processing facility less than a mile away at 1720 Market Street.

My theory here is it probably fell off a truck because it didnt look like stuff that was being delivered by a postal carrier, said Monterrey. It looked like stuff that was being trucked somewhere else.

FOX 2 reached out to a USPS spokesperson for comment, who provided this brief statement, but nothing more: Were making every effort to ensure all mail has been recovered and delivered timely.

Its unclear how many pieces of mail may have been scattered or whether any deliveries were damaged or delayed.

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FOX 2 will update if new information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Berlin  When Karin Prien's mother brought her to Germany as a little girl in the late 1960s, she gave her one urgent warning: "Don't tell anyone you're Jewish."

Nearly six decades later, Prien is now post World War II Germany's first Jewish federal cabinet member, having been selected as the Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Prien told CBS News she intends to use her platform to confront the rise of antisemitism in Germany and further afield, and the fragility of democracy in a country still reckoning with its past.

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"Well, in a way, I'm proud," the minister told CBS News in a candid interview. "Proud to be a minister in the federal government, but also that I'm recognized as Jewish and that German society is now so far [advanced] as to accept that Jewish people have a right to be a self-conscious part of this society."

Karin Prien, Germany's federal minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. / Credit: Christoph Soeder/picture alliance via Getty Images

Prien's political career, and her personal story, represent an arc of conflict, tension and reconciliation that echoes that of post-Holocaust Germany itself.

"A question of responsibility"

Born in the Netherlands to Holocaust survivors, Prien moved to Germany at the age of 4. Even as a child, she was heavily aware of the silence surrounding her family's identity. Her mother's warning that it was still too dangerous to talk about being Jewish  more than two decades after the war ended  shaped her early years.

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"There was always fear. My mother was afraid that there were too many Nazis still around," Prien said. "It wasn't taken for granted that you could talk about being Jewish. It was something you kept inside the home."

Karin Prien with her mother. / Credit: Courtesy of Karin Prien

But that silence eventually became intolerable. As a young teen, she said she began to understand that the democratic values she cherished  freedom, human dignity, anti-discrimination- required defending.

"I decided, 'I have to do something about it. Democracy is not something you can take for granted,'" she said.

But Prien still waited decades before publicly acknowledging her Jewish identity.

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The turning point came in the early 2010s, when she was already a member of state parliament in Hamburg. Prien began pushing for systematic documentation of antisemitic incidents in schools. When a journalist asked why the issue mattered so much to her, she paused and then told him: "Because I'm Jewish."

"That was the moment I realized I had a political voice," she recalled. "I had some kind of influence. And for me, it was a question of responsibility."

Lessons from the past for the threats of today

That sense of responsibility weighs heavily on Prien in today's Germany, where she said antisemitism is no longer confined to the political fringes.

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"We see rising antisemitism all over the world," Prien said. "They dare to be openly antisemitic. I think it's now more than after the end of World War II. They dare to be openly antisemitic, and that's also in Germany getting stronger and stronger. That has changed. And so we have antisemitic tendencies on the margins, but we also have it in the middle of society."

While Germany once appeared to be a model of historical reckoning, Prien said she fears complacency is setting in.

After some "honest decades," during which Prien says Germans confronted themselves with the stark realities of their country's history, "now, people are dying. And now we have to find new ways to talk about that."

Prien thinks that should include a shift in Holocaust education. She wants German schools to expand from their current focus on the atrocities of World War II to also teach the history of Israel, the cultural contributions of Jewish Germans, and the origins of antisemitism.

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"Jewish identity is part of German identity," she told CBS News. "Young people need to know that Jews are not only victims. Jewish people are diverse. They have a voice. They are part of this society."

Prien said she draws inspiration from figures including Margot Friedlander, a Holocaust survivor who famously coined the phrase: "Be Human."

That, Prien said, should be the foundation of any education system in a democracy: teaching empathy and human dignity.

But it's not only historical facts and universal dignity that need defending, she said, it's also Germany's democratic fabric.

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"We are an immigration society," Prien said. "But we're not very good at having fair and equal chances for children who start with more difficult conditions."

She sees educational equity and national democratic resilience as intrinsically linked.

Prien is now leading efforts to limit mobile phone use in German elementary schools, warning that parents and policymakers have been too naive about the risks of digital exposure for young people.

"We are anxious about the real world. We drive our kids to school and into the classrooms but we are not anxious about the stuff online," she said. "That has to change."

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Asked what message she has for young Jews with political ambitions in Germany today, Prien didn't hesitate: "Stay. Don't pack your luggage. This is a different Germany. This is a country where you can live safely. And it's our job to make that promise true every day."

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Lambert Dodard Chancereul (LDC), the France-based agri-food group, has appointed a new CEO at Pierre Martinet after concluding a takeover.

Benjamin Montlahuc, formerly in charge of AGIS, a subsidiary of LDCs convenience food division, will now head up the family-owned salads and tabbouleh producer founded by chairman Pierre Martinet.

Martinet will remain board chair for a three-year period, LDC said in a statement revealing the closure of the deal first announced a year ago.

The financial terms of the transaction, which was approved by France's competition regulator in April, have not been disclosed.

LDC said the acquisition allows it to have a presence across 70% of categories within supermarket and hypermarket convenience food departments, supported by a strong new brand to complement its existing Marie ready-meals line.

The Fermiers de Loue poultry brand owner added that Pierre Martinet enhances its convenience food offering with fresh salads and other plant-based recipes. Pierre Martinet owns its namesake brand, along with La Belle Henriette.

Philippe Gelin, chairman of the management board of LDC, described the deal as a pivotal transaction for the convenience food division, fully aligned with the 2026-2027 development plan.

Pierre Martinet, with over 700 employees across five French sites, reported 231m ($260.5m) in revenue for 2024, according to the statement.

LDC director of the convenience food division, Christophe Guyony, said: "Following Marie in 2009, the acquisition of the Pierre Martinet Group marks another important step in the growth of the division, which now has a high-quality plant-based offering.

With this new high-value asset, LDC now offers the most extensive range in the fresh convenience food aisle.

The acquired group's integration into LDC's convenience food division accounts will commence on 1 June.

Chairman Martinet added: "I founded this brand, which has become iconic and dear to French consumers over nearly 60 years. Today, a new chapter begins, and it is now up to LDC to uphold the quality and excellence of the Pierre Martinet Group's products for the benefit of all consumers."

LDC reported revenue of 6.32bn for the 20242025 financial year, representing a 2% increase over the corresponding period. Its operating income declined by 14.2% to 317.6m. Net income rose 22% to 20.8m.

Other recent acquisitions by LDC included Groupe Routhiau, a meat and plant-based business in France, that was cleared by competition authorities late last year.

It also took a majority interest in Germany-based European Convenience Food (ECF Group), a retail and foodservice supplier, in 2024. And LDC acquired the Konspol Poland ready-meals brand and factory from agri-food giant Cargill.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice a postal worker was sentenced to prison on Wednesday after a fenta-pills conspiracy was discovered in Central Florida.

According to the DOJ release, two other suspects Jayson Perez-Quinones, 48, and Jovan Rivera Rodriguez, 36had arranged to receive thousands of pills pressed to look like medicine.

However, these pills actually contained fentanyl, known as fenta-pills.

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The pills would get packaged into bags at the home where Perez-Quinones lived, where theyd be given to distributors.

59-year-old Orlando Rosa Rodriguez was one of the distributors who would give those pills to customers, which included the parking lot of his workplace at the U.S. Postal Service.

According to investigators, Rodriguez earned over $300,000 in a 20-month span, in addition to his USPS salary and VA disability benefits.

He pleaded guilty back in February and was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and money laundering.

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For critics of President Donald Trumps tariffs, Wednesday may have become the new, unofficial date of Liberation Day.

The U.S. Court of International Trades unanimous ruling against Trumps signature tariffs is not the first judicial rebuke of Trumps second term administration  and it will not be the last  but it may be the most serious and consequential to date. For the time being, the decision provides a major source of relief to the large majority of Americans who opposed Trumps tariffs; to the U.S. businesses, both large and small, whose operations were existentially threatened by a policy that changed by the day; to the countrys foreign trading partners, whose economies were thrown into disarray; and to international financial markets, which quickly rose after the decision came down.

It was also not particularly surprising. The administrations legal position was precarious from the start, and as the inevitable litigation unfolded, it did not get better over time.

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The ruling on Wednesday came down in two cases  one filed by a group of small businesses and the other by 12 Democratic state attorneys general. There are at least five other cases challenging the tariffs pending at the Court of International Trade and other courts throughout the country (including one that dealt Trump another defeat Thursday), but Wednesdays decision was importantly the first ruling on the merits that Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing such sweeping tariffs. It will also likely pave the way for a more definitive resolution  the administration quickly filed notices of appeal and moved to stay the ruling  perhaps going all the way up the Supreme Court.

There were recent signs of desperation on the part of the administration as the courts skepticism became increasingly evident over the course of lengthy oral arguments in the two cases.

Late last week, Justice Department lawyers told the court that a ruling against the government would undermine the administrations leverage and unravel the complex and delicate foreign-affairs negotiations unfolding around the globe. Interfering with the negotiations in their present state, DOJ added, would create a foreign-policy disaster.

The argument was backed by declarations from three Cabinet secretaries  Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick  along with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The gambit  arguably a not-so-subtle form of political blackmail  evidently flopped with the three judges, who are appointees of Trump, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan.

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The litigation is not over, but the legal terrain is probably not going to get any better for Trump. In some respects, it may actually get worse as the case moves up on appeal.

And although Trump has a Supreme Court that is heavily skewed in his favor  a 6-3 super-majority of Republican appointees that includes three named by Trump  it is far from clear that they will bail him out when all is said and done.



To fully understand the legal headwinds that continue to face the administration, it is helpful to zero in on a 50-year-old decision that quickly emerged as a central point of contention among the parties  and that the Court of International Trade relied upon heavily in ruling against Trump.

The case in question is known as United States v. Yoshida International, which affirmed President Richard Nixons power to impose a 10 percent tariff on imports that he announced in August 1971, under a statute known as the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA). The TWEA was the predecessor statute to the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump invoked to support his tariffs.

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Nixon justified the tariff by claiming that an overvaluation of the U.S. dollar at the time had contributed to a trade imbalance and a deficit in Americas balance of payments (a broader economic measure that includes both trade and capital flows). The tariff was short-lived  Nixon terminated it in December 1971 after negotiating a realignment of exchange rates with a group of developed countries  but in the meantime, U.S. importers that paid the additional tax challenged Nixons legal authority.

One of those companies was Yoshida  now known as YKK  which challenged the tariff on zippers imported from Japan. The company filed a lawsuit and won in the lower court, but the decision was overturned on appeal several years later. (The lower court was then known as the Customs Court, and the appellate court was known at the time as the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. Those courts have since been renamed the Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, respectively. As a result, the decision binds the current Court of International Trade.)

Yoshida at first glance appeared to be quite helpful to the Trump administration.

The court concluded that the tariff was legally justified under the TWEA to address the trade imbalance and pointed to language in the statute that authorized the president to regulate the importation of foreign goods in the event of an emergency. That language was carried over into IEEPA as part of a much longer list of actions permitted by the president, though that list does not explicitly mention either tariffs or taxes (a point to which we will return).

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In light of the parallel statutory language in TWEA and IEEPA, the Justice Department argued that Yoshida continues to control today and requires the Court of International Trade to rule in favor of the Trump administration.

As Wednesdays decision makes clear, it was not so simple.

In several crucial respects, the Yoshida decision cut sharply against the administrations position. That put the Justice Department in the awkward  and generally unenviable  position of having to pick and choose which parts of the decision that it likes, and which parts of the decision the courts should ignore.

For starters, the Yoshida decision rejected a key proposition that is at the heart of the governments defense of Trumps tariffs  the notion that courts have no power to review a presidents actions under IEEPA.

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The court ruled in Yoshida that each presidential action under the statute must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances. The court went on to emphasize that its ruling, while favorable to the Nixon administration, was not a blanket approval of any future surcharge of a different nature, or any surcharge differently applied or any surcharge not reasonably related to the emergency declared; that the presidents actions under the statute must also bear a reasonable relation to the particular emergency confronted; and that emergencies are expected to be shortlived.

In other words, the facts matter. But the facts then under Nixon  and the facts now under Trump  are markedly different.

Nixons tariff was fixed at 10 percent and in place for less than five months. Trumps tariff framework is far more ambitious, open-ended and has been all over the place since his inauguration  with the effective dates and applicable countries, rates, exceptions and concessions under seemingly constant revision.

And if Trump and some of his advisors are to be believed, there would be no end in sight. If President Trump succeeds like he wants to succeed, Trumps trade adviser Peter Navarro said earlier this year, we are going to structurally shift the American economy from one over-reliant on income taxes and the Internal Revenue Service, to one which is also reliant on tariff revenue and the External Revenue Service. That is a far cry from a five-month, supplemental 10 percent tariff like what Nixon imposed.

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Two other, subtler points in the Yoshida decision made things worse for the administration.

First, Nixons tariff did not apply to all imports  only those that had been the subject of prior concessions under the governments tariff schedule  and Nixon made clear in announcing the policy that the rates would nevertheless be capped at levels that Congress had previously set for the relevant goods. As a result, the court concluded in Yoshida that the congressionally established rates remained untouched and that Nixon was not claiming the power to simply impose whatever tariff rates he deems desirable.

Trump made no such concessions, which made it a relatively straightforward matter for the court on Wednesday to contrast Nixons limited tariffs with those imposed by Trump. Indeed, given the administrations position that the courts cannot review Trumps emergency declarations in support of the tariffs or circumscribe his authority to issue tariffs under IEEPA, he has effectively claimed the power not just to issue whatever tariff rates he deems desirable but to impose those tariffs whenever he wants, for any reason that he wants and for however long he wants.

Second, as a footnote in the Yoshida decision notes, Congress later enacted a specific statutory provision to address the problem that attracted the Nixon administrations attention. That provision authorizes the president to impose tariffs in response to large and serious  balance-of-payments deficits, but it caps those tariffs at 15 percent and limits them to a duration of just 150 days unless Congress authorizes an extension.

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Needless to say, the Trump administration did not invoke that statute, and Justice Department lawyers sought to downplay its significance given the fact that Congress kept the statutory language at issue in Yoshida on the books in IEEPA.

This argument also did not move the three judges on the Court of International Trade. They concluded that the existence of the statute demonstrated that even large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits do not necessitate the use of emergency powers and that they justify only the Presidents imposition of limited remedies subject to enumerated procedural constraints.

The argument was rooted in the conclusion in Yoshida that if a president wanted to impose a similar tariff in the future, he must comply with the statute now governing such action.

Trump, of course, had no interest in doing that.

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There is no way to definitively predict how the appellate court  and eventually the Supreme Court  will approach the matter. But there is good reason to question whether Yoshida will spur them to come to Trumps rescue.

To start, the countrys federal courts  led by the Supreme Court  have become more committed to textualism as a mode of statutory interpretation. That has generally led to more fine-grained and narrower readings of statutes passed by Congress.

It is far from clear, for instance, whether the current Supreme Court would agree with the conclusion in Yoshida that the power to regulate the importation of foreign property under the relevant U.S. law includes even a limited power to impose tariffs or otherwise tax those goods. The textual analysis of that position was debatable even at the time and, if anything, is even shakier now.

To take just one example: In 2015, the Supreme Court threw out a conviction under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a case involving the captain of a commercial fishing boat who had attempted to obstruct a federal wildlife investigation by tossing out fish he was not legally permitted to capture.

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In the plurality decision in Yates v. United States, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg concluded that the relevant statutory provision  which prohibits the destruction of tangible object[s]  did not cover fish. She pointed to the rest of the statutory text and the relevant historical context (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed in the wake of corporate accounting scandals) in concluding that the provision covers only objects one can use to record or preserve information, not all objects in the physical world.

It is not hard to see how a similar interpretive approach could yield the conclusion that the language in IEEPA authorizing the president to regulate foreign imports does not include the unilateral and unfettered power to impose taxes or tariffs on them. That is particularly true given the fact that IEEPA was passed in the 1970s as part of an effort to limit the presidents emergency economic powers, not expand them.

As it happens, Chief Justice John Roberts joined the Yates decision, as did Justice Sonia Sotomayor; Justice Samuel Alito supported the result in a concurring opinion that focused heavily on textual analysis. Four of the justices currently on the court were not seated at the time  Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson  but in a book published last year, Gorsuch strongly implied that he agreed with the result in Yates.

The Supreme Courts conservatives have also developed and emphasized two broader interpretive doctrines and themes that suggest that the outcome in Yoshida would not be the same today.

Under the so-called major questions doctrine, when an executive action exceeds an undefined threshold of economic and political significance, the justices insist on a clear delegation of authority from Congress on the matter. That does not exist in the case of Trumps claim to sweeping, open-ended and unreviewable tariff powers.

And in overruling the Chevron doctrine last summer, the courts conservatives emphasized that judges should not simply defer to the executive branchs interpretation of ambiguous statutes when evaluating legal questions. The decision specifically concerned deference to statutory interpretations by federal agencies, but it also reflected the larger skepticism that the conservative justices have expressed about broad delegations of power from Congress to the executive branch  including under a nondelegation doctrine that has attracted the attention of some of the justices.

Indeed, the Court of International Trade cited  though did not fully rely upon  both of these points in ruling against the administration.

Both the nondelegation and the major questions doctrines, even if not directly applied to strike down a statute as unconstitutional, the court wrote, provide useful tools for the court to interpret statutes so as to avoid constitutional problems. The judges went on to explain that those tools indicate that an unlimited delegation of tariff authority from Congress to the president  which the Trump administration effectively claims that it has under IEEPA  would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government.

The Justice Department has argued that these lines of argument do not apply to the president himself, particularly when the relevant conduct implicates national security and foreign policy. And there is an undeniable strategic logic to the Trump administrations position, which they sought to bolster with the declarations from Rubio, Bessent, Lutnick and Greer claiming (very dubiously) that a ruling against the administration would create a foreign policy disaster.

Under normal circumstances, courts are generally reluctant to intrude upon the presidents authority in matters involving national security and foreign policy, so framing Trumps tariffs that way  as a matter of obtaining critical leverage over foreign countries in international affairs and diplomatic negotiations  could prove appealing as the case goes up on appeal. The Trump administration on Thursday said it would seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court to avoid the irreparable national-security and economic harms at stake if interim relief was not granted by the appellate court.

Still, it is a curious argument  and it may not carry the day, even with the Republican appointees on the Supreme Court.

After all, if the judges on the Court of International Trade and the plaintiffs are right  that Trumps tariffs are illegal and unconstitutional  then Trump obtained his leverage over those foreign countries by breaking the law.

The notion that courts must now ignore that fact  because the administration disrupted the global economy, angered our foreign allies and created diplomatic turmoil across the globe  is like saying that the Trump administration should be given a pass because it has been violating the law on such a wide scale and for so long that the resulting chaos has itself become the legal justification for the policy.

Seen that way, it is not a particularly intuitive or appealing argument. But at the moment, it may be the best one Trump has.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  After Wednesdays storms, power companies in Central Texas continue to work to restore power in some areas.

How to check for Central Texas power outages

At the height of the storm, Austin Energy said it had more than 72,000 customers without power.

At 9:45 a.m. Friday, Austin Energys map showed 337 active outages, affecting more than 19,000 customers.

Looking at our outage history data in our system, which goes back to 2012, this event is the third worst storm we have had in Austin Energy, said Stuart Riley, Austin Energys interim general manager.

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Because the damage is so substantial, outages and restoration activities are still expected to extend for multiple days, Riley continued. There is currently no estimated time of restoration for outages related to the storm.

Tree branch snapped on Tillery Street (KXAN Viewer) Wild hail in Windsor Park ( Courtesy: Kristen Harper) Flooded Street on Rockwood Lane (KXAN Viewer) Front yard covered in hail (Courtesy Pattie Farley) Fallen tree at 16th Street and Ulit Avenue (KXAN Viewers) Tree down in Creestview neighborhood (KXAN Viewer) Tree snapped at Mcneil and 620 (KXAN Viewer) Hail in Cedar Park (Courtesy Celeste Luxeder) Hail 3 miles south of Bertram Hail between Burnet and Bertram (Courtesy: Khris)

The utility said it would continue to work to restore power.

All available crews are working on the system. Austin Energy thanks customers for their patience, Riley said.

GALLERY: Storms downpour rain, hail across Central Texas Wednesday

Austin Energy told KXAN a neighborhood in far east Austin had a large number of outages Thursday afternoon. In that neighborhood, there was widespread damage to power lines from falling trees.

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Tonisha Williams, a breast cancer survivor, said she felt like she was in the middle of a tornado during the Wednesday night storm.

It was very intense, Williams said. I was up all night. Then, of course, at 1 a.m., Oh, we have light, and all of a sudden, no light.

A large oak tree fell on a power line in front of her house. As of Thursday afternoon, she still had no power.

I have a lymphedema machine that I have to use for my arm because Im a breast cancer survivor, Williams said. I havent been able to use my pump for my machine. I now have not used it for two days, of course, because we have no power. Thats one reason why I gotta pack up and go to my grandparents house.

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As a reminder, AE said never touch a downed power line.

Stay at least 35 feet away from downed lines and never use an object to move a downed wire. Never touch anything or anyone in contact with a power line. When a live wire touches the ground, electricity fans out throughout the area, AE said.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative also dealt with two major outages initially impacting more than 800 customers.

Austin Energys phased approach

Riley said the company takes a phased approach to restorations. It starts with critical life safety and public safety facilities.

Getting power back on to hospitals, emergency call centers, critical communications equipment, Riley said.

Austin Energy said it does not have an estimated time of restoration. (Photo: Austin Energy) Austin Energy said it does not have an estimated time of restoration. (Photo: Austin Energy) Austin Energy said it does not have an estimated time of restoration. (Photo: Austin Energy) Austin Energy said it does not have an estimated time of restoration. (Photo: Austin Energy)

Phase two prioritizes outages affecting the largest number of customers. Phase three focuses on remaining smaller outages.

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These are often more complex and more time-consuming, which can take hours to complete those types of outages and restore only one or two customers at a time, Riley said.

Austin Energy called for help from neighboring utilities. Two hundred mutual aid crews will be deployed in the field.

Anytime you have an incident of this magnitude, mutual aid is very common. [As] Austin Energy, [it] would take us a very long time if we didnt have these crews that came in to help, Austin Energy Director of Support Services Craig Brooks said.

Hoping we get a quick fix

Austin Energy customer Michael Phillips is among those without power. He said it went out as soon as it started hailing.

Michael Phillips said the water in the creek behind his house rose by six or seven feet during the storm. (Photo: KXAN)

It really sounded like people were just constantly throwing rocks at every window all at the same time, Phillips said. Fifteen seconds trying to cover our cars, and both of us were drenched, head to toe. We both have bruises from the hail.

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A tree in his backyard was uprooted by the storm and fell on a power line. With no estimated time of restoration, Phillips hopes it wont be much longer.

Michael Phillips said the water in the creek behind his house rose by six or seven feet during the storm. (Photo: KXAN) Michael Phillips said the water in the creek behind his house rose by six or seven feet during the storm. (Photo: KXAN) Michael Phillips said the water in the creek behind his house rose by six or seven feet during the storm. (Photo: KXAN)

Really hoping we get a quick fix, because its starting to get hot, Phillips said.

On Friday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the Austin Public Library branches and Austin Parks and Recreation Department facilities will act as cooling centers for those without power.

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Researchers in central Spain say they may have uncovered one of the most ancient symbolic objects bearing a human fingerprint on record in Europe, dating back tens of thousands of years. Unlocking the secret identity of exactly who made the mark involved enlisting the help of forensic experts working in crime scene investigations.

The pebble marked with the print, found in the San Lazaro rock shelter in Segovia, hints at the possible capacity of Neanderthals to create symbolic art, according to a new study. The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence, including cave markings and paintings unearthed in recent years, building the case that our prehistoric relatives who went extinct about 40,000 years ago were more like modern humans than some might think.

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The team of Spanish researchers spotted the oblong rock below 5 feet (1.5 meters) of sediment during an excavation in July 2022 and reported their findings in a paper published May 24 in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. San Lazaro is a site believed to have been occupied by Neanderthals, according to the study.

Researchers discovered the pebble in the San Lazaro rock shelter in Segovia, Spain. - Alvarez-Alonso, D., de Andres-Herrero, M., Diez-Herrero, A. et al./Springer Nature

When we saw (the pebble) the first time  we were looking at the stone, all the team and students, and we were like Uh, it looks like a face, said study coauthor Maria de Andres Herrero, a professor of prehistory at the Compultense University of Madrid. This kind of finding in a Neanderthal context was unexpected, she added.

Herrero said she and her team carbon-dated the fingerprint, and they are certain it dates back about 43,000 years. The rock had been found near a riverbed and deliberately brought to the rock shelter, the researchers believe. Unlike other artifacts found in the shelter, this pebble was unique: It appeared to have no functional use and had a peculiar red dot that intrigued the researchers.

We felt that the red dot had something, I dont know what  and the only way we could know there was a fingerprint was to contact the main specialist in Spain (for) finding fingerprints, Herrero said. Thats why we contacted the police.

At left, a photo shows the excavation in the San Lazaro rock shelter where the archaeological artifact was found. At right is an image of the 3D model obtained for the documentation of the excavation. - Alvarez-Alonso, D., de Andres-Herrero, M., Diez-Herrero, A. et al./Springer Nature

Unraveling a Neanderthal mystery

With the help of experts working in crime scene investigations with Madrids forensic police corps, the researchers were able to confirm that a fingerprint existed within the dot.

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But the police were initially skeptical about the find. They are used to identifying fingerprints that are very recent, from 2 days, 1 week, 1 month. But 43,000 years ago  it was very weird and very difficult for them, Herrero said.

Using forensic techniques and multispectral analysis (an advanced method of capturing images), the investigative experts and the study team were able to discern a fingerprint within the red dot. We couldnt believe it really, Herrero said. The forensic investigator created a special camera to capture the evidence, and it was the first time such techniques were used to identify a Neanderthal fingerprint, according to Herrero.

The imaging technology section of the forensic team then analyzed the marking to confirm it was compatible with a human fingerprint  and to make sure it didnt belong to any of the researchers. The police unit was able to verify that it likely belonged to an adult male Neanderthal.

Around 43,000 years old, this mark is the oldest known complete human fingerprint on record. - Alvarez-Alonso, D., de Andres-Herrero, M., Diez-Herrero, A. et al./Springer Nature

The verification of the fingerprint by forensic experts shows beyond doubt that this derived from direct contact with a human fingerprint, said Paul Pettitt, a professor of paleolithic archaeology at Durham University in the United Kingdom.

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The artifact could be the oldest complete hominin fingerprint ever found, according to Herrero. Another, possibly older print was found in Konigsaue, Germany, back in 1963  but that one is a partial fingerprint.

The San Lazaro fingerprint could also be the oldest associated with a pigment, according to the study. The researchers were able to confirm that ocher, a clay pigment, was applied to the tip of the finger that made its mark on the quartz-rich granite pebble.

Statistical modeling used by the researchers showed that the mark on the pebble was not random and rather, intentionally placed, Herrero said.

Pettitt said he was unsurprised by the findings.

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It represents yet another example of the emerging data that are revealing Neanderthal visual culture, he explained. This is an admirably clear and unequivocal example of the Neanderthal use of red pigment, one of a growing database that reveals that Neanderthals were routinely using pigments to leave marks of their bodies (hands, fingertips) on cave walls and portable objects.

One theory is that the hollows on the rock resemble parts of a face: eyes, mouth and chin. The placement of the red dot, the researchers hypothesized, could be the place of a nose. If that is the case, the pebble marking would constitute a visual sign with a symbolic purpose.

A. Experts used an Automated Biometric Identification System to study the print. These images show characteristic points detected by the system that coincide with the central part of a finger. B. Characteristic points identified here coincide with the palm. - Alvarez-Alonso, D., de Andres-Herrero, M., Diez-Herrero, A. et al./Springer Nature

A meaning or message exists, however simple the object and action may appear, the study authors wrote. They added there is reason to suspect that the pebble was intended to be a representation of a face.

The study, which called the characteristics of the pebble exceptional, suggests it might be a visual symbol that could be considered a piece of portable art in some contexts.

Neanderthals vs. modern humans

If thats the case, scientists understanding of what Neanderthals were capable of could continue to shift. The fact that the pebble was selected because of its appearance and then marked with ocher shows that there was a human mind capable of symbolizing, imagining, idealizing and projecting his or her thoughts on an object, the study authors wrote.

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Though there is no way of knowing for certain, Herrero thinks its a demonstration of how our understanding of the thin line separating Neanderthals from modern humans is getting thinner. They were able to recognize faces in objects, as you and me are able to recognize a lion in the clouds, she said.

Pettitt offered a similar outlook, saying the findings fit with emerging evidence that the Neanderthal imagination was experimenting with the human form and with recognition and extension of that form within and onto objects in their natural world.

Herrero said the research team is now planning to search for more invisible artifacts to help interpret the past. The forensic police will play a role in finding information not visible to the naked eye.

We have to collaborate and integrate forensic technologies in archaeology, and maybe archaeology in forensic technologies, she explained, saying the collaboration is opening a new window to check our past.

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State Sen. Lisa Cutter speaks in April during a bill signing at the Colorado Capitol. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

A new Colorado law will let people donate their unused and unopened prescription drugs so that other patients can access them for free or a minimal cost.

Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 25-289 into law on Wednesday, which establishes the states drug donation program.

Every year, the United States spends billions to dispose of unused prescription medicines from nursing homes, assisted living residences, hospices, and jails, bill sponsor Sen. Lisa Cutter, a Jefferson County Democrat, said in a statement. Additionally, many left-over prescriptions are flushed down the toilet or thrown into the trash, which causes immeasurable harm to our environment and water supply. With this new law, we are creating a program to reduce waste, protect the environment, and help Coloradans access the medication they need.

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The bill was also sponsored by Rep. Kyle Brown, a Louisville Democrat, and Rep. Emily Sirota, a Denver Democrat. It passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support.

The program relies on the work from a task force on the issue created in 2022. Colorado technically already allows for re-dispensing of medication under limited circumstances, but there isnt an easy mechanism for patients to access those drugs. There is one program in the state, at a clinic in Colorado Springs, that accepts donated medications from nursing homes.

Under the new law, individuals and institutions such as long-term care facilities, nursing homes and prisons will be able to more easily donate medicine to hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. That medicine would then be used to fill prescriptions for low-income and uninsured patients.

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In 2021, about 10% of Coloradans did not fill a prescription because of cost, according to a report from the Colorado Health Institute.

The program wont allow for the donation of opioids, scheduled medications and medicines that require special storage conditions unless the recipient can ensure correct storage. The recipient of the donated drugs will be required to keep records of donations, keep the donated drugs separate from regular stock and have a licensed pharmacist inspect the donation.

Forty-five states have drug repository programs in place, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, though the program scopes vary. Georgias program, for example, has filled over 981,000 prescriptions worth more than $78 million over eight years. Wyomings program has existed since 2007 and has helped about 29,000 patients.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President Donald Trumps recent wave of pardons is drawing national attention and sparking fresh debate.

Among the latest to receive clemency are reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, convicted for bank fraud, and several individuals jailed for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot.

On Tuesday, Trump personally called the Chrisleys children to inform them their parents would be released. The couples daughter had endorsed Trump during last years Republican National Convention.

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I heard theyre terrific, the president said of the family.

Meanwhile, Trump has confirmed he is considering pardons for Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Foxtwo men found guilty in 2022 of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020.

At the time, authorities said the plan was an attempt to incite civil war in the lead-up to the election. Trump expressed doubts about the verdict, calling it somewhat of a railroad job and adding, its been brought to my attention.

Since his return to office, Trump has issued dozens of pardons, including for people convicted in connection to the January 6 Capitol attack. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who accuse the president of abusing his clemency powers.

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One particularly controversial pardon was for Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins. A jury convicted Jenkins last year of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes, and he was sentenced to ten years in March.

Trump defended the move, saying Jenkins was a victim of what he called an overzealous Biden Department of Justice.

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia called the pardon a slap in the face.

Gov. Whitmer has made two public appearances alongside President Trump since his return to the White House. Her office has not responded to a request for comment.

Although more people were implicated in the Whitmer kidnapping plot, only Croft and Fox received federal sentences, which makes them eligible for presidential pardons. Trump has not indicated when a final decision on their cases will be made.

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In a statement, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said, Im deeply disturbed President Trump is considering pardoning the men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Governor Whitmer. I would want anyone who tried to hurt the president, or worse, tried to assassinate him, to be held accountable. Those who tried to harm the governor must be held accountable as well, not released to do further harm to her or anyone else.

As Trump continues to wield his pardon powers, critics argue its part of a broader effort to reward political allies and undermine institutions. Supporters claim he is correcting what they see as political overreach by the previous administration.

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By Steve Holland and Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Some Republicans in Congress and White House advisers are urging U.S. President Donald Trump to finally embrace new sanctions on Moscow as frustration mounts over Russian President Vladimir Putin's military assault on Ukraine.

Trump has held off on such penalties for months, believing he could have fruitful dealings with Putin to end the war and considering sanctions in general to be overused and often ineffective.

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White House officials say Trump still hopes to develop an economic partnership with Russia. He sees sanctions as an escalation in tensions with Moscow that could derail hopes of a ceasefire in the three-year-old conflict.

But his frustration with Putin is genuine and increasingly severe, according to aides. They said he is giving sanctions serious consideration after Russia escalated its attacks in recent days.

"He is always looking at different ways to apply pressure," a senior White House official said. "This is no different. He's always weighing his options."

U.S. officials have prepared new economic sanctions against Russia, including banking and energy measures. They say that sanctions package is ready to implement based on Trump's order.

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One option supported by some Trump advisers would be for the president to embrace, or at least not obstruct, legislation introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal last month that would set a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil.

Some advisers believe the bill could be useful because it would allow consequential sanctions to go into effect while Trump could in essence tell Putin the sanctions decision was out of his hands, according to one U.S. official with direct knowledge of the matter. That in turn could help Trump maintain a viable line of communication with Putin.

That U.S. official and another person familiar with internal deliberations said the Trump White House believes secondary sanctions - that is to say sanctions on countries that do business with Russia, not just Russia itself - are needed for them to be effective.

Graham and fellow Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, both close Trump allies, said this week that now is the time to increase pressure on Putin.

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"I believe President Trump was sincere when he thought his friendship w Putin would end the war. Now that being the case, IT'S TIME FOR SANCTIONS STRONG ENUF SO PUTIN KNOWS 'game over,'" Grassley said in a social media post on Tuesday.

WAR DRAGS ON

Trump entered office in January predicting he would be able to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. But in the months since, he has absorbed the grim reality that the conflict is more intractable than he originally believed and has blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for allowing it to happen.

Last week, Trump spoke with Putin for two hours and thought he had a deal to begin ceasefire negotiations immediately. Then Russia launched a barrage of drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, prompting Trump to say Putin had "gone absolutely CRAZY" and that he was "playing with fire" by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks with Kyiv.

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Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump explained why he felt imposing sanctions could antagonize Putin.

"If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said.

Asked whether Putin wanted to end the war, Trump said, "I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks," noting he was waiting on Russia to submit its latest peace proposal.

"We're going to find out whether or not he's tapping us along or not, and if he is, we'll respond a little bit differently," Trump added.

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Trump has threatened sanctions before, only to back off. He talked about the possibility of sanctions back in January and again before his most recent call with Putin.

Putin said last week that he had agreed to work with Ukraine on a memorandum that would establish the contours of a peace accord, including the timing of a ceasefire. Russia says it is currently drafting its version of the memorandum and cannot estimate how long that will take.

Republicans generally have followed Trump's lead on foreign policy in the months since he began his second term in office, making their pursuit of sanctions on their own noteworthy.

White House officials have held conversations with Senate Republicans about the contents of the sanctions bill, according to one of the U.S. officials.

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Should the Senate bill move forward, there is a bipartisan companion bill in the House of Representatives, although support for Ukraine among House Republicans has been notably weaker than in the Senate.

The European Union, meanwhile, has been ramping up sanctions on Russia. An EU measure adopted last week hit over 130 entities and individuals, and listed 75 new sanctions entities including major oil firm Surgutneftegaz.

In meetings in recent days in Washington, U.S. officials have said they have no qualms with the new measures, according to one person with direct knowledge of the matter.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Gram Slattery; Editing by Colleen Jenkins)
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Preston County Commission approved a resolution Wednesday opposing the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link project by the NextEra Energy company, which would build a 100-mile extra-high voltage transmission line to help strengthen the backbone of the energy grid.

The resolution does not stop the project, but rather is a formal move made by the Preston County Commission to show that it opposes it. Dozens of Preston County residents expressed their concerns over the proposed project, while others said they were for it.

NextEra Energy has held several open houses in the past few weeks across West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, where the proposed transmission line would go through. However, some Preston County residents, like Rachel Stevens, said questions still remain about the benefits to Preston County.

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They have answered a lot of my questions, but I still conclude at the end of it that this doesnt serve the people who are affected by the development of the project. Thats my ultimate conclusion at this point, Stevens said.

These are the best schools in West Virginia, new 2025 report says

Theres just been nothing that has come to the forefront with dialogue with the Economic Development Authority that would even show anything great coming from this. Theres no intention of dropping power into the Hazelton sub-station, theres nothing that could help promote economic development, Preston County Commissioner Samantha Stone, who is a part of the Economic Development Authority, said during the meeting

Commissioner Hunter Thomas was behind the resolution opposing the transmission line and worked on it.

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Were coming at this with opposition right at the right timethe filing deadline is Oct. 1, so if theyre going to put the project through West Virginia, theyre going to file and thats probably going to be the end of it. So we need to show our opposition and put up as much of a fight so they decide that West Virginia isnt the path of least resistance. West Virginia citizens dont want this going through our area, lets put it through PA, and PA should take the burden of the powerline because theyre the ones creating the energy that gets to Virginia, Thomas said.

The commission received a letter from NextEra Energy with more details on what potential economic benefits would come to West Virginia and Preston County if the project goes through the area. In the letter, NextEra Energys President Evan Yager said that based on the companys preliminary estimates, the line is expected to provide anywhere from $150,000,000 to $400,000,000 in incremental tax revenue to West Virginia.

Yager added that the range is dependent on the final route, which will need approval by the West Virginia Public Service Commission, but that if the route passes through Preston County, tax revenue is estimated to be between $50,000,000 and $100,000,000.

Despite the large monetary estimates, the letter does not specify a time period through which the tax revenue funds would come through, an omission that the commissioners focused on.

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Although the states and counties where the project is proposed to go through have been announced, it is still unknown what path the line will take.

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SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / May 29, 2025 / Elektros, Inc. (OTC PINK:ELEK) is rapidly expanding its lithium strategy in Sierra Leone as the company eyes a leadership role in the clean energy transition. With electric vehicles, energy storage, and global infrastructure relying on lithium, the time for action is now.

Elon Musk was recently quoted saying, "The biggest constraint on EV growth is lithium. We need more lithium - fast."

Financial Times report noted, "Lithium is not just about energy-it's a strategic asset for global growth and power distribution in the 21st century."

Reuters wrote, "As lithium projects scale, early entrants are attracting unprecedented investor interest. These firms are setting the tone for energy's next era."

Tickers such as $ALB, $LTHM, and $SGML have captured market momentum. Elektros, with its untapped mineral access, could soon enter this conversation.

CEO Shlomo Bleier said, "We're acting with urgency. Elektros has identified a world-class opportunity, and we're assembling the right partners to turn it into shareholder value."

The lithium revolution isn't waiting - and neither is Elektros.

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.elektrosinc.com

Email: info@elektrosinc.com

Facebook: fb.com/elektrosinc

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future business operations, strategic partnerships, and market opportunities. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections, and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the availability of financing, regulatory approvals, and the risks inherent in the development and commercialization of mineral resources. Elektros Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Elektros, Inc.





View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire










Key Points

Someday, when Prince William becomes King, he has expressed a desire to do it his own way.

That said, a royal author predicted that his leadership will be a mixture of his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, and his mother, the late Princess Diana.

Edward White, who wrote the book Dianaworld: An Obsession released last month, said that the Prince of Wales is trying to do a Diana reboot of the monarchy.







Prince William has said himself that he intends to do it his own way when he takes the throne somedayand his approach to being King will, of course, in many ways mirror his father King Charles, but his leadership will also have touches of his late mother, Princess Diana.

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Edward White, author of the newly released Dianaworld: An Obsession (which hit shelves April 29), said that William is aiming for a Diana reboot of the monarchy when he takes the top job, with White adding (via Marie Claire) that Williams style will likely be a blend of Diana and the late Queen Elizabeth, Williams grandmother.

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images Prince William in Cape Town, South Africa on November 7, 2024 Prince William in Cape Town, South Africa on November 7, 2024

White told The Mirror that Diana raised William in a way that would keep the monarchy relevant: Diana said that she was trying to raise a future king that would ensure the monarchy survived into the 21st centuryand William is trying to do a Diana reboot of the monarchy, combining the best of his mother and his grandmother, White said.

Williams approach mirrors Dianas in many wayshe is empathetic, action-oriented, and people-focused. William also inherited a passion for some of Dianas chief causes during her royal work, like eradicating homelessness; William launched an initiative, Homewards, in 2023 that seeks to do just that in the U.K., and last year released the ITV documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, about his efforts in the space. In the documentary, the Prince of Wales shared about his mother taking him to shelters as a boy, and that now as an adult, he struggles with not doing more.

Getty Prince William and Princess Diana in March 1991 Prince William and Princess Diana in March 1991

Ive spent enough time learning and listening to what people have been through that I feel almost guilty every time I leave, William said.

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Of parallels to Dianawho died in 1997, when William was 15 years oldShe seemed to think that if she wasnt taking the most extreme course of action to remedy a problem, then she wasnt actually taking any action at all, White told The Mirror.

Princess Diana Archives/Getty Images Princess Diana in 1995

While in Cape Town, South Africa last November for the fourth iteration of his Earthshot Prize Awards, William explained his philosophy as Prince of Wales (and, someday, King) when he said, I can only describe what Im trying to do, and thats trying to do it differentlyand Im trying to do it for my generation. Im doing it with maybe a smaller r in the royal, if you likethats maybe a better way of saying it.

Its a reinvention, Jason Knaufa former aide who is now CEO of the Earthshot Prizetold The Times recently. How do you communicate to the generation that you serve? And it has to be different. Its not change for changes sake, but a question of how youre going to cut through a world where people are consuming things much more in terms of images than anything else.

Getty Prince William on March 11, 2025 Prince William on March 11, 2025

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told The Times, A question that gets asked when youre in the public eye is: what are they like behind the scenes? What are they like in real life? And to the extent that Im able to see Prince William in real life, I would say hes exactly the same person. The areas that hes interested in and that he works in, hes very genuinely motivated by.

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Ardernwho met William in 2019said the future king has a very collaborative way of working. There is humility there, which is an extraordinary thing when youre born into a role of this nature.

Getty Prince William on February 12, 2025 Prince William on February 12, 2025

Anwar Hussein / Hulton Archive / Getty Images Princess Diana in Hyderabad, India in 1992

That humility, no doubt, has Princess Dianas fingerprints all over it. Its difficult to meet anybody who met her and had a bad word to say about her, White told The Mirror. People just instantly liked her. She had amazingly good social skills, she seemed to be very, very likeable, and I think sincerely cared about people. So theres a huge amount to like about her.

Read the original article on InStyle
Royal experts say Prince William is determined to permanently sideline Prince Andrew from royal life due to his damaging scandals, particularly ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The future king reportedly holds a deep grudge with his uncle and sees him as a liability to the British monarchy's reputation.

With public support on his side, reports claim Prince William plans to exclude Prince Andrew from any official role once he ascends to the throne.

Prince William Likely To Sever Ties With Prince Andrew To Preserve Monarchy's Future

MEGA

According to Fox News Digital, royal experts revealed that Prince William is expected to take decisive action regarding Prince Andrew's role in the monarchy once he becomes king.

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British royal expert Hilary Fordwich explained that "Prince William has long had a strained and distant relationship with Andrew," reportedly holding "a grudge against his disgraced uncle."

She noted: "Andrew's future within the royal family is beyond bleak since Prince William is firmly opposed to any public rehabilitation with no foreseeable path back. He wants Andrew to vanish from public view."

Fordwich emphasized that William's stance on the matter has remained "consistent and unwavering," driven by a deep desire to "protect the monarchy's reputation," and ensure its long-term survival.

"[William is] very in touch with the public," she added, per the New York Post. "Every public opinion poll has Andrew at the bottom, reinforcing Prince William's stance. Once king, no doubt, Prince William will ensure Andrew is completely excluded from royal life, as well as all public appearances."

Royal Experts Agree Prince William Is Firm On Excluding Prince Andrew To Protect The Monarchy

MEGA

Fordwich's remarks echo recent statements by longtime BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, who told Closer Weekly that William has little interest in managing his uncle's tarnished reputation.

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"William has been a strong voice in managing 'the Andrew problem," Bond said. "He is adamant that there is no way back for his uncle."

Bond emphasized that William is focused on keeping the monarchy relevant in a rapidly changing world.

"I think [the Prince and Princess of Wales] are completely united in doing all they can to keep the monarchy connected with the younger generation," she explained. "They look modern, they act modern."

The Prince Of Wales 'Recognizes The Public Animosity Towards' His Uncle

Mirrorpix / MEGA

British broadcaster and royal commentator Helena Chard echoed similar sentiments regarding William's feelings about Andrew in a conversation with Fox News Digital.

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Chard said that "Prince William's role within the royal family is more prominent and influential than ever, as is his center stage position in diplomatic relations."

"He recognizes the public animosity towards Andrew," Chard explained. "He views him as a complete liability with his series of scandals, both past and present, shoveling shame on the family. His stance towards his uncle is tough. He will not entertain anyone toxic to the brand. Andrew will not be part of the streamlined monarchy."

Prince Andrew's 2019 Interview Sparked Public And Royal Backlash

MEGA

Once positioned as second in line to the British throne, Andrew has become a lasting figure of controversy.

His public image took a significant hit after a widely criticized BBC interview in 2019, which was an attempt to address his connection to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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Instead of offering clarity or compassion for Epstein's victims, Andrew's responses raised more questions and sparked widespread backlash.

The fallout was swift as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, removed him from official royal duties and patronages, effectively sidelining him from public life.

In recent years, his older brother, King Charles III, has reportedly sought to further distance the monarchy from scandal by encouraging Andrew to vacate Royal Lodge, a vast, 30-room residence on the Windsor estate, and relocate to a smaller cottage within the castle grounds.

Despite these efforts, Andrew has held onto the property, resisting pressure to downsize.

Prince William Is Making Tough Decisions Amid King Charles' Health Battle

MEGA

According to reports, William is also slowly "seizing" power from his father as the monarch continues to battle cancer.

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Since King Charles III was diagnosed with the illness last year, he has reportedly handed over more and more responsibilities to the Prince of Wales, seemingly "acknowledging that his time to rule will be sooner rather than later."

Now, the heir apparent is said to be making bold, tough decisions, regardless of whose toes he steps on, amid his influence growing in recent months.

He is also not hesitating to let go of those who oppose him, particularly when it comes to making decisions he believes will benefit the Crown in the long run.

"It's no secret that anyone who pushes back against him will be swiftly shown the door," a palace insider told Intouch.
In a discovery fit for a royal thriller, a long-lost secret will written by Princess Diana  just weeks before her tragic 1997 death  has been uncovered  hidden inside a forgotten desk drawer in one of her favorite rooms at Kensington Place.

A stunned palace maid is said to have fainted on the spot when she stumbled upon the yellowed, handwritten document while cleaning out a storage room rarely used since Dianas passing. Tucked inside a jammed drawer of an antique writing desk the princess once favored for private correspondence, the will was dated just five weeks before the fatal Paris car crash that shocked the world.

This changes everything, a royal insider says. We always suspected she left behind a second set of instructions, but no one could ever find them  until now.

According to palace sources, this second will was immediately reported to royal lawyers and archivists, who kept its content under tight lock and key  until now. But the National EXAMINER has obtained exclusive details of the shocking secrets Diana left behind  stunning revelations about her sons, her ex-husband, King Charles III, and his then-mistress Camilla Parker Bowles that have left the monarchy reeling.

Diana knew she was being watched, says one royal insider. She kept this second will hidden because she didnt trust anyone around her  not the staff, not her own lawyers, and certainly not the Firm.

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In the official will Diana signed in 1993, she left the bulk of her estate to Prince William and Prince Harry, and different sums to charitable causes and her 17 godchildren.

But the newly discovered will includes other stunning last wishes and instructions.

A Plea To Her Boys

Dianas heartbreaking message to her sons reveals a mother both loving and fearful.

Protect each other always, no matter what they say about me, or about you, she wrote in a note attached to the new will. She also added that no royal duty should come between their bond  and that she feared the crown would demand more than love could withstand.

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Royal sources say William was moved to tears upon reading the line, I pray you never forget who you are, not who they want you to become. Remember I taught you to be brave.

She also added words to her boys future wives.

Love William and Harry until death do you part, she wrote. I was denied that pleasure.

She also said, If your father takes a second wife, respect her but I pray you will always keep me safe in your heart.

A Kingdom For Harry

Part of the wills last requests was to younger son Harry, along with this note: I know you are a sensitive young man. I have left you a deed to land and a village of your own in a secret place in Africa. The people will welcome you with open arms and make you their king. I have included a map for you to get there. Go alone. To bring someone else invites danger.

To Queen Elizabeth

Diana wrote to her mother-in-law: You never understood me, no matter how desperately hard I tried. Love my sons. She left Queen Elizabeth II a key to a safety deposit box with a note saying, For your eyes only. Please return to its rightful owner and tell her Im so sorry. Of course, the queen is gone so lawyers will have to rule what to do with the mysterious contents of the box.

A Final Word On Charles And Camilla

In what insiders call a devastating swipe, Diana expressly forbade Charles from attending her funeral  a wish that, of course, was ignored after her untimely death. She didnt want Charles crying over her, says an insider. He didnt.

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To Camilla Parker Bowles

Diana reportedly instructed that Camilla receive nothing of mine  whatever is left behind in my apartments, I want disposed of upon my death so Charles second wife cannot.

However, she did leave Camilla all 500 of my romance novels with certain notes she made in the margins.

She included a bottle of gin with a saucy note that said, A toast to placing second.

For Schoolgirls In Lahore, Pakistan

Diana set aside a scholarship fund for female medical students in Lahore, the hometown of Hasnat Khan, a heart and lung surgeon who Diana had reportedly described as Mr. Wonderful. Diana also left various amounts for other beloved charities in the same documents.

What Happens Now?

Royal experts are calling this new document the most important royal find since the queens wartime letters.

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And questions swirl around whether it truly disappeared or if someone in the royal family intentionally hid it. The monarchy has been thrown into a panic.

Dianas voice was too powerful, even in death, says one royal confidante. Someone didnt want her last words heard.

Now that her secret will has finally come to light, supporters are calling for a reexamination of her true wishes. As one fan says tearfully, She was silenced too soon. Maybe now, they can finally listen.
Princess Eugenie is taking up more Royal roles. Her duties as HRH have heavily increased amid reports that her cousin Prince William is going to take more cautionary measures against her father Prince Andrew.

Princess Eugenie was named a mentor for the Kings Foundations 35 under 35 network, which is one of King Charles charity. She announced her involvement in an Instagram video: Hi, everyone. It is such an honour to be here today at the Garrison Chapel celebrating the Kings Foundation and its 35 years. She was also announced as Global Ambassador for Thirty Six For Coral, the worlds first international art exhibition and auction dedicated to coral reef conservation.

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The news comes after reports of Prince Wiliam wanting to keep Prince Andrew out of the Royal familys business. Prince William has long had a strained and distant relationship with Andrew, British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News in May 2025, adding that William has a grudge against his disgraced uncle.

Related: William Is Done With Harry After His Abhorrent Behavior Toward CharlesHe Caused Irreparable Harm

Andrews reputation suffered after his involvement with convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. he resigned from his public roles with the royal family in May 2020, and had his honorary military affiliations and royal charitable patronages removed by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in January 2022. He was also a defendant in a civil sexual assault lawsuit filed by Giuffre in New York State.

In late 2024, Hello! magazine reported that Eugenie and Beatrice were taking turns to visit their father. The girls take the grandchildren to visit him most weekends, a source told the outlet. They are spending far more time with him now than they have done in recent years. The anonymous source continued, They are quite close to their father; they seem to be quite protective towards him.

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When William becomes King, hes reported to have a stricter attitude towards his disgraced uncle. Fordwich said, the Prince of Wales wants his uncle completely excluded from the royal family. [William is] very in touch with the public. Every public opinion poll has Andrew at the bottom, reinforcing Prince Williams stance. Once king, no doubt, Prince William will ensure Andrew is completely excluded from royal life, as well as all public appearances.

King Charles is said to be fed up with the Andrew problem, although he has a softer approach to his brother as he is family, Chard said. Prince William, however, has never been a fan of his uncle. He has no time for him. Allegedly, he was also disappointed that Andrew did not welcome his wife into the family with open arms all those years ago.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also explained to Fox News that, while Charles may privately feel sympathy toward Andrew, William has to be kept at arms length from his Uncle to preserve his reputation as King. His best future is well behind him, said Fitzwilliams.

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Bill Lessa began his career at New York City's Cardinal Hayes High School in 1971 as a social studies teacher and worked his way up to principal by 2008

Nearly 54 years after he began his career at the school, he was honored by students, faculty and alumni at a retirement ceremony

The success that I had in shaping and influencing young men was extremely rewarding and I would not change a single moment," Lessa said









A beloved New York City educator who spent more than 50 years working at the same high school  first as a social studies teacher and later as a principal  has called it a day.

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On Thursday, May 22, students, faculty and alumni of Cardinal Hayes High School paid tribute to Principal Bill Lessa, 75, at a retirement celebration held at the all-boys Catholic institution in the Bronx.

We honored a Hayes Icon for the countless Hayesmen hes mentored and guided through the halls of Cardinal Hayes! the school  whose famous alumni include Regis Philibin and Martin Scorsese  said in an announcement shared with PEOPLE.

According to the Archdiocese of New York, Lessa, who received a standing ovation at the beginning and end of his retirement celebration, is the longest-serving educator at a single Catholic institution in the Bronx, the New York Post reported.

Casey Conner Bill Lessa (R) with Bishop Joseph Espaillat Bill Lessa (R) with Bishop Joseph Espaillat

I am lucky and blessed to have been able to serve my Church and our community for 54 years in a role that I enjoyed each day, Lessa said in his remarks at the event last week. A role that rewarded me many times with the knowledge that I was making a difference in the world.

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The success that I had in shaping and influencing young men was extremely rewarding and I would not change a single moment that I spent in the service of the young men I worked with at Cardinal Hayes High School, he continued.

Casey Conner Mr. Bill Lessa is with some members of Cardinal Hayes' board of trustees and board of directors Mr. Bill Lessa is with some members of Cardinal Hayes' board of trustees and board of directors

Born in East Harlem, Lessas relationship with the school began in September 1971 after his own graduation from Iona College, according to a biography shared with PEOPLE by the school.

He first taught social studies and religion until 1974, when he was appointed a freshman counselor for Cardinal Hayes guidance department. Two years later, he became a college advisor who helped the schools seniors and their parents navigate through the college admissions process.

In 1978, he began acting as Cardinal Hayes director of guidance, a role he held until 2014, during which time he also served as both assistant principal (a job he held from 2004-2008) and principal.

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Although Lessa said that he had other opportunities to work somewhere else, he decided to stay because of the appreciation he received from the school community.

"These kids are the only kids I ever wanted to be with, the only kids I wanted to work with, Lessa told the Post.

Casey Conner Bill Lessa is with his wife Mary Anne, Son, Bill Jr., Bill Jr.'s wife and kids, Daughter, Jaime and her husband and kids Bill Lessa is with his wife Mary Anne, Son, Bill Jr., Bill Jr.'s wife and kids, Daughter, Jaime and her husband and kids

Lessas work in education also extends to his family. His wife Mary Anne previously served in the Rye City School District, and the couples two children, Bill Jr. and Jaime, work as a guidance director and a third-grade teacher respectively.

Additionally, a scholarship at the school has been named after Lessa.

I thank all the wonderful teachers that I worked with and the leaders that I served with and of course everyone else that labored in this great school, Lessa concluded his remarks at his retirement celebration last week.



Read the original article on People
A photo taken at 3 a.m. on March 29, 2024, shows interior lights in the South Dakota State Penitentiary's East Hall. The lights stayed on after a night of unrest. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Following a protest in response to a string of violence and deaths at state prisons and amid continuing talks about potential prison construction, South Dakota officials say theyve busted a ring of drug smuggling in prison facilities and imposed a non-contact visit policy.

No drug charges have been filed, according to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Corrections, which said an investigation is ongoing involving its Inspector Generals Office, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. postmaster general.

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If the results of the investigation warrant prosecution, criminal charges will be sought, the news release said. We will continue to counter every attempt to introduce dangerous contraband into our facilities.

The news release said three methods of drug delivery into prisons were identified and stopped:

Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with drugs sent in through the packages.

Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail.

And through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation.

The press release went on to say that three inmate deaths  one in February and two this month  were linked to drug overdoses on the penitentiary campus in Sioux Falls.

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The Department of Corrections has also imposed non-contact visits for family and friends of inmates in certain facilities, the press release said. It also said non-contact visits may be expanded to other prison facilities and additional policy changes are also under review.

We wanted to ensure that the public is aware of the work that has been done in these cases. We are taking action to keep staff and inmates safe, said a quote in the news release from Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko.

The drug investigation is occurring against the backdrop of activism against prison conditions and inmate treatment, including a protest Friday by about 50 people. Meanwhile, the states Project Prison Reset task force is considering plans to construct new prison facilities. The groups next meeting is Tuesday in Pierre.

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CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday said he would veto any budget proposal that includes broad-based taxes that would have a negative impact on working families.

Lawmakers are working to finalize a budget plan in Springfield before a May 31st deadline.

According to WLS, Pritzker was speaking at an unrelated event when he said he would specifically veto any budget that includes tax increases on individuals, corporations, or the sales tax.

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I would veto a budget like that, Pritzker said.

Pritzkers FY26 budget proposal put forward a $100 million targeted tax on electronic gambling and casino table games.

State Senators and House Representatives have proposed joint resolutions to raise over $6 billion in new revenue, citing that the states current tax system is unfair to low-income residents.

A 2023 poll found that 51% of Illinois residents cited high taxes as the primary reason theyd consider leaving the state.

A recent study showed that Illinois residents pay 10% of their annual income to state and local taxes.

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According to the Illinois Policy Institute, the state lost population for nine consecutive years, a trend reversed by an influx of noncitizen migrants in 2023 to 2024, 4.6 times higher than the 2010-2020 average.

However, migrants accounted for 10.7% of the states population loss to other states, suggesting that Illinoiss economic conditions may have also affected that trend.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR)  Governor Pritzker drew a line in the sand Wednesday, as lawmakers scramble to pass a budget before the end of May.

He said he would veto any budget that included broad tax increases, echoing similar sentiments from his February budget proposal.

Ive been opposed to any taxes that are broad based or that would affect working families in this budget, Pritzker said.

Pritzker specifically pointed to increases in the income tax, sales tax and the creation of a service tax as initiatives he would not support.

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If those are truly off the table, its unclear what other options lawmakers have to turn to besides cuts to agency budgets. With only three days left in May, they still have not revealed a budget. The negotiations this year are some of the most complicated that the state has had to deal with in recent years.

In an interview last week on Capitol Connection, lead Senate Budgeteer Elgie Sims would not say whether or not the Senate Democratic caucus was considering tax increases or not.

House Democrats were polled on their receptiveness to a wide array of potential tax increases to potentially help balance the budget, but none have been officially proposed.

Republicans have already started to criticize and draw attention to potential tax increases. They tried to build up public opposition to tax increases, as well.

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Illinois is facing $1 billion budget deficit, Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said. Why is that? Its because our state has not been growing for year after year after year. And we certainly arent keeping pace of other states in the Midwest to facilitate economic growth.

Pritzkers comments Wednesday sets his intentions clear for this budget. When asked if he believes Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch shared in his opinion, Pritzker didnt speculate.

Ive been pretty clear with everybody that, you know, individual income taxes, corporate income taxes, sales taxes, Pritzker said. We are not about raising those taxes at all. I would veto a bill that does that.

Lawmakers have known since November they would be dealing with a deficit for the coming fiscal year. Despite using optimistic revenue projections, Pritzker proposed a relatively austere budget in February that included no tax increases, flat spending, and cuts to a program giving non-citizens between the ages of 42 and 64 access to state sponsored healthcare. His budget did however, still increase spending from last year.

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Since then, revenue projections came in $500 million short of Pritzkers projection, and the state is also facing the threat of cuts from the federal government and the Trump administrations attempts to downsize government.

The Trump White House has not made our job easy, Sims said.

The state has already been impacted by tons of cuts, including those from the Department of Government Efficiency. Recent negotiations in Congress over a spending plan of their own could lead to huge cuts to Medicaid, SNAP Food Assistance Programs and Clean Energy incentives the state has been benefitting from. However, Congress has yet to settle on a plan, so state lawmakers cant settle on a clear way to react. The uncertainty has led to some conversations about lawmakers returning later in the summer to adjust their spending plans.

Whatever the uncertainty that happens coming out of Washington will respond in kind, Sims said. So if weve got to come back, we will. But by May 31st, our plan is to pass a budget that that funds our reality, a reality for the fiscal year, funds our priorities for the fiscal year.

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Republicans downplayed those ideas, though, due to certain provisions not taking effect immediately.

I think thats pretty silly, considering nothing will be effective immediately. Well have a lot of time to adjust and adopt, Spain said.

Lawmakers have until May 31st to pass the budget, or else the vote threshold needed to pass both chambers goes from a simple majority to a three-fifths majority. Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers, so they could still pass a budget without Republican support if they go past the May 31st deadline.

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Supply chain visibility technology provider E2open has been taken private in a $2.1 billion acquisition by logistics software solutions provider WiseTech Global.

The sale gives E2open a new home more than a year after the company initiated a strategic review in March 2024, and enables the Australia-headquartered WiseTech to scale its U.S. presence.

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E2open will join another freight tech business under the WiseTech Global umbrella, CargoWise, which is a logistics operations software primarily used by freight forwarders and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) like Ceva Logistics, Seko Logistics and DHL Global Forwarding.

Although WiseTech already has 16,500 customers across CargoWise and its other platforms like multi-modal rail solutions provider Blume Global, the acquisition will add about 5,600 customers to WiseTechs network. The cloud-based E2open platform will also give WiseTech access to more than 500,000 manufacturing, logistics, channel and distribution partners, tracking more than 18 billion transactions every year.

With E2open in the fold, WiseTech will have direct connectivity to ocean carriers like Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk and CMA CGM, with the technology tracking 67 million containers annually. Roughly 18.5 percent of global export container bookings are managed through E2opens platforms.

The WiseTech team sees the E2open product site as a complement to the wider CargoWise ecosystem, since it includes tools for supply chain planning and trade compliance, among others.

These product opportunities extend our reach in key adjacent markets such as global trade management and supply chain planning whilst filling in gaps in our own products that would have required substantial investment over time, said Richard White, founder and executive chair at WiseTech Global, in a Monday morning briefing. These extended capabilities will be attractive to existing and new customers alike and allow our combined customer base access to new and expanded capabilities and new geographies and markets.

Andrew Cartledge, interim CEO of WiseTech Global, said there was very little overlap in products between both solutions.

WiseTech sees an opportunity to take advantage of the growing need for supply chain and logistics software solutions, citing Gartner data indicating that total spend on these technologies would expand from $28 billion in 2024 to $57 billion in 2025.
Five protesters have been arrested after reportedly targeting the central London set of Gal Gadots upcoming film The Runner.

Metropolitan Police responded to the Westminster set on Wednesday, where three people were arrested for harassment, as well as wrongfully and unlawfully obstructing access to a workplace. Another two were arrested over previous protests. Sources tell Deadline the protests have not impacted the productions schedule.

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In a news release, police said the set was hit with demonstrations solely because an actress involved in the production is Israeli. Deadline has reached out to Gadots rep for comment.

While we absolutely acknowledge the importance of peaceful protest, we have a duty to intervene where it crosses the line into serious disruption or criminality, said Superintendent Neil Holyoak in a statement.

Directed by Kevin Macdonald from a script by Mark Gibson, Amazon MGM Studios The Runner stars Gadot as a high-powered attorney who must race through London, following the cryptic commands of a mysterious caller, as she fights against time to save her abducted son.

Gadot, who was born in Israel and served in the IDF, has previously expressed her support for Israel, sparking pro-Palestine protests at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in March. Her and Snow White co-star Rachel Zeglers opposing public stances also recently plagued the release of the Disney live-action movie, to the tune of a $115 million loss.



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Andrii Portnov, a lawyer and court fixer who was close to the fugitive former president Viktor Yanukovych, visited Ukraine a few days before his murder in Madrid and met with Oleh Tatarov, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine, and Oleksii Sukhachov, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Without trial or investigation. What was Andrii Portnov doing on the eve of his murder?

Details: Four independent sources have confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda that Portnov was in Ukraine on 17-18 May.

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The sources also said Portnov had had meetings with senior officials during that time.

Quote from the article: "During the visit, Portnov met with top officials responsible for law enforcement, including Oleh Tatarov, Deputy Head of the President's Office, and Oleksii Sukhachov, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation."

Details: However, all of the sources stated that they did not know what was discussed at these meetings.

For reference: Portnov was deputy head of the presidential administration under pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2010-2014. He denied crimes committed by the security forces against participants in the Revolution of Dignity in the winter of 2013-2014 and later fled Ukraine. He returned in 2019 on the eve of the inauguration of the newly elected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Portnov was also believed to be an influential fixer in the Ukrainian courts.

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In 2018, criminal proceedings were opened against Portnov for treason. But in 2019, Portnov announced on Telegram that the Security Service of Ukraine had closed the criminal case against him, posting the relevant documents.

In 2019, investigative journalists released tape recordings of conversations from the office of the notorious judge Pavlo Vovk. From these conversations, the journalists extrapolated that Portnov, together with Vovk and the then head of the President's Office, Andrii Bohdan, had illegally influenced the dismissal of Stanislav Shevchuk as chairman of the Constitutional Court.

When Iryna Venediktova became prosecutor general in April 2020, Portnov blackmailed her, saying that he had compromising information about illegal activities that she was allegedly involved in.

In the same year, Oleksandr Sokolov, then acting director of the State Bureau of Investigations, admitted that there were "influential groups" within law enforcement agencies that had disclosed confidential information and key details of investigations to former officials, including Portnov.

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In December 2021, the US government imposed sanctions against Andrii Portnov and his charitable foundation.

Portnov was 51.

Background: Portnov was shot dead on the morning of 21 May outside an American school in Madrid, Spain.

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Ukrainska Pravda has reported that Andrii Portnov, a lawyer and court fixer with close ties to the fugitive former president Viktor Yanukovych, had been coordinating investigators since December 2021 with respect to the so-called "coal case" in which Ukraines fifth president, Petro Poroshenko, was accused of treason. Portnov was shot dead on the morning of 21 May outside an American school in Madrid.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Without trial or investigation. What was Andrii Portnov doing on the eve of his murder?

Details: The case was formally investigated by the State Bureau of Investigations, headed by Oleksii Sukhachov. However, Ukrainska Pravda has information that it was Portnov who coordinated the investigators' actions from the moment the case was activated at the end of 2021.

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Under the scheme, which was first exposed by Ukrainska Pravda in 2016, coal from occupied mines in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts was supplied to Ukraine instead of being bought from South Africa. The scheme was allegedly started by Petro Poroshenko and Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician who is also known for his connections to Vladimir Putin.

After years of stagnation with only a semblance of investigative action, the investigation suddenly intensified immediately after the National Security and Defence Council approved sanctions against several political figures, including Poroshenko.

One of Ukrainska Pravdas sources familiar with the case explained: "Portnov had been seeking personal revenge for years. His main target had always been Poroshenko  a political antagonist of his and a man who did not keep his promise to him. The coal case was his personal project."

Quote from the article: "It was the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv  a key link in Portnov's vertical structure  that limited the time the defence had to study the case materials, which Poroshenko's lawyer Illia Novikov said was a way of exerting pressure."

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Details: The court that will hear the case has not yet been determined, but Ukrainska Pravdas sources say that control over its progress remains in the hands of the same power structure that Portnov formed within the judiciary.

Poroshenko's team also says Portnov was the main initiator and overseer of most of the cases involving Ukraine's fifth president.

Previously:

Ukrainska Pravda reported that Andrii Portnov visited Ukraine a few days before his murder in Madrid and met with Oleh Tatarov, Deputy Head of the President's Office, and Oleksii Sukhachov, Director of the State Bureau of Investigation.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in an evening address on 12 February 2025 that the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) would impose new sanctions but did not name any names.

Sources close to Ukraine's fifth president and current MP, Petro Poroshenko of the European Solidarity party, and the NSDC told Ukrainska Pravda that Poroshenko was among those targeted by the sanctions.

Poroshenko called the sanctions against him "a colossal blow to internal unity".

On 13 February, Zelenskyy approved the NSDC's decision to impose the sanctions.

In May, Ukrainska Pravda learned that the investigation against Poroshenko in the "coal case" had been completed and that he had been charged with treason. The court that will hear the case has yet to be determined.

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Lansing Police| Susan J. Demas

Updated at 7:55 a.m.

This story was published in partnership with The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence.

The first fatal shooting of the year in Lansing, Michigan, was solved quickly. All four alleged shooters in the drive-by killing of 21-year-old Jaivion Husband on January 27 were arrested the same night.

The circumstances around the men involved in the shooting were complicated; three of the four were fellows with Advance Peace, a violence intervention program that was launched in Lansing in 2022, after initial hesitation from law enforcement. The fellowship is designed to keep people who have been engaged in shootings away from situations like these through concentrated mentoring, daily communication, job opportunities, skills development, and monthly stipends.

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After the suspects had been arrested, Paul Elam, a criminologist at the Michigan Public Health Institute who helped bring Advance Peace to town, visited the fellows. One of them, a 19-year-old who had been with the program since the beginning, broke down in tears, telling Elam that he knew getting into the car that night was a mistake. He told me, I let you down, I should have called, Elam recalled. They let somebody influence them to hop in the car and go do something. He was able to articulate that he was changing his behavior, but he had this moment where he didnt do what he knew was right.

The tragedy reminded the leaders that a moment is all it takes. The fellows have so much coming at them daily, Elam said. You dont know what theyre being pressured to do.

In the two-plus years since Advance Peace came to Lansing, gun violence in the city has dropped by 52 percent, according to police data, and community activists, along with law enforcement, are pointing to the programs success. The program isnt perfect, some city leaders acknowledge, but it is making long-term strides to accomplish mutual violence prevention goals.

Residents in Lansing said the actions taken by the police, including a focus on repeat offenders and illegal firearms, have also played an important role. To sustain the citys progress, police officers and community workers are navigating the streets carefully  cooperatively, but independently.

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Since its inception in 2010, Advance Peace has been effective in other cities including Richmond, CA and Rochester, NY. Unlike other national anti-violence organizations, this one doesnt focus on geographical areas, victims of shootings, or people who could potentially get involved with gun violence. Instead, their violence interrupters identify people through information from family members or others plugged in on the streets who are shooters  people often unknown to the police. Once they identify the shooters, they enroll them in an 18-month fellowship program, during which they work directly with community violence interrupters, or credible messengers, who check in on them multiple times a day. In Lansing, one interventionist works with as many as five fellows at once.

If a shooting occurred this week, nobodys going to talk to the police, but theyre going to talk to our people, said Elam. The target population for us is folks who are engaged in gun violence, who are evading law enforcement and the justice system.

Throughout the mid-to-late 2010s, shootings in Lansing werent concentrated in specific areas; gun violence was more sporadic and random, especially across the south side of the city, where 60 percent of the population lives. No particular demographic or age group was overrepresented among perpetrators or victims, a reflection of the citys relative progress in addressing the historic segregation that still dogs nearby cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo.

That all changed after COVID-19 hit and retaliatory conflicts worsened between different groups on the southwest and west sides  neighborhood beefs, escalated on social media during lockdowns, turned into shootings. Shootings in Lansing increased by 80 percent between 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the city notched the highest number of homicides ever, with 25.

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It was lawless. A lot of young men were engaging in this back-and-forth, cyclical gunfire, and you had kids dying, said Michael Lynn, a local activist who runs The Lansing Empowerment Network and The Village Lansing, two organizations focused on addressing and providing wrap-around services to those most affected by gun violence. When the pandemic happened, it was like a bomb went off in the city.

Shootings in Lansing have been in decline since the peaks of 2021, similar to national trends and the result of strategic work by community groups and law enforcement after the surge in youth violence. Though the program now receives widespread praise, when Advance Peace was first introduced in 2021 as a potential option for tackling the worsening crisis, Police Chief Robert Backus said the model didnt sit well with his colleagues. There was skepticism about how it focused on people you knew were your priority offenders, Backus said.

Marlon Beard, a credible messenger with Advance Peace, said at first everybody was looking at it like, so you guys gonna pay shooters and sponsor them to buy them guns. I think that was just ignorance of not really sitting down to do your research.

Once law enforcement and city leadership were educated about the mechanics of the program, they became more receptive to it, Beard said.

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During a recent event on the Michigan State campus, a handful of fellows, along with the credible messengers, learned about financial responsibility and entrepreneurship through an exercise led by Archie Hudson, a local business owner in Lansing. On the streets, these kids are often treated as  or posture as  adults, but in this setting, as they asked inquisitive questions and answered with yes, sir and no, sir, their age was apparent. Some were just 13 or 14. More importantly, they were comfortable around the credible messengers and other leaders of Advance Peace, the result of a hard-won trust.

We never involve the police. Every conflict weve had resolved doesnt involve the police, said DeAndre McFadden, one of the credible messengers, as theyre called, who is working for the program. They know they cant infiltrate the situation the way we can. So far, the police have respected our space and our work.

Though Advance Peace doesnt share any information with the police, a key reason the organization retains its credibility, the authorities provide Advance Peace with regular shooting data and a list of names of people they believe to be involved in gun violence.

Its almost like were running parallel to each other, like we both have the same goal, which is no more violent incidents, Chief Backus said, noting that the priority of police is enforcement and accountability. We have an obligation to represent victims, and if someone is our suspect, we have an obligation to put that person in front of a judge.

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Despite the success of recent efforts, distrust between residents and the Police Department persists. That distrust stems from a decade of police shootings in and around Lansing, and a lack of transparency from the department on how the investigations progress, community leaders said. Since 2020, there have been four officer-involved shootings in Lansing, which has a population of roughly 112,000, and all of the cases were deemed justifiable. By comparison, in the 10 years before 2020, there were four. In the most recent case, in December 2023, officers shot and killed Stephen Romero, a Hispanic man, after they were called for a domestic dispute.

How can we create real positive relations when all of this is consistently going on, asked Lynn, the local activist.

Backus acknowledged that police shootings erode progress, and since theyve happened more frequently since 2020, its been difficult to rebuild trust. When theyre happening so often in a short time, it doesnt give us time to repair those relationships, he said, adding that unsolved homicides and peoples unwillingness to speak to the police also hurt officers credibility in the community.

Aint nothing changed, said Beard, the Advance Peace worker, referring to the tense relationship between the community and law enforcement. The same way we get looked at as Black men  because one Black man did something, we all did it  thats kind of how we view the police.

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One of the fellows with the program said if the police ever tried to talk to him, hed just walk away and not say anything.

Over the last few years, the department has tried to put more emphasis on developing trust in the community by hosting more events, getting in front of active local groups, and being more visible in struggling areas. It has also focused more on firearms access. But the road to strategic cooperation is long.

Thats why activists, residents, and police agree that Advance Peace is crucial. A recent study of the program revealed some promising data, showing that over 90 percent of the fellows no longer use guns to resolve their conflicts. Yet just as the program is beginning to show its worth, the city is in jeopardy of losing it, as its funded in large part by community violence interruption grants from the federal government that were terminated in April by the Department of Justice, leaving cities like Lansing scrambling for alternative funding sources. Some groups have joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration to restore the funding.

DeVone Boggan, who is originally from Lansing and founded Advance Peace in Richmond, California, in 2010, said the recent funding issues are another example of why local cities and counties need to include funding for community violence intervention work in their fiscal budgets. That local infrastructure must budget for CVI practices, Boggan said. Thats the only way to sustain the work.

This story was updated to reflect that Advance Peace was started in Richmond, California.
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ)  A state legislator has announced plans that would now ban children from buying certain semi-automatic assault rifles in Pennsylvania.

Representative Melissa Shusterman shared in a memo to other lawmakers that the current regulations are unacceptable and have allowed for tragedies like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

On Feb. 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz entered the high school and opened fire on students and staff. Seventeen people were killed and 17 others were wounded. Its the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. History, and in November 2022, Cruz was sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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Pennsylvania bill would require school staff to undergo seizure training

As legislators, grandparents, parents, and siblings, we have been forced to stand idly by for far too long as tragedies unfold over and over again, Shusterman said in her memo.

In Shustermans memo, she writes that despite a lengthy history of violence and concerns from others, Cruz was still able to legally purchase a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition.

She goes on to say that children cannot buy alcohol or cigarettes because of the potential side effects, but questions why they should be allowed to buy weapons designed for combat.

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This is unacceptable  we cannot continue to allow children to purchase weapons with such firepower, Shusterman wrote.

The proposed bill would ban anyone under 21 from purchasing a semi-automatic assault rifle that accepts a detachable magazine containing over five rounds of ammunition.

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You can read the full memo here.

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Thursday rested its case in chief in the retrial of Karen Read, who is accused of striking her off-duty Boston police officer boyfriend with her vehicle and leaving him to die in January 2022.

Prosecutors called nearly 40 witnesses as part of their case, including friends and family of the victim, John OKeefe; first responders and investigators; and a slew of expert witnesses who analyzed and explained a raft of digital and physical forensic evidence.

Now, Read gets the opportunity to present her case and call her own witnesses, as she aims to convince jurors of enough reasonable doubt that they will finally acquit her in OKeefes death.

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Reads first trial ended in a mistrial when that jury, after several days of deliberations, told Judge Beverly Cannone they could not reach a unanimous verdict. In that trial, the defense case took less than two days, with Reads attorneys calling just six witnesses  most of whom were experts.

Read expects her attorneys to present a more robust case than last years, she told reporters last week, according to CNN affiliate WCVB. This time, her defense will include more witnesses, and be broader and deeper, she said.

The prosecution  led by special prosecutor Hank Brennan  has accused Read of killing OKeefe by putting her vehicle in reverse, pressing her foot on the gas and backing up at 24 miles per hour, hitting the victim outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, just after midnight on January 29, 2022.

Prosecutor Hank Brennan speaks to Dr. Judson Welcher, an accident reconstruction expert, during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell, Pool) - Mark Stockwell/Pool/AP

But Reads defense contends she is the victim of an elaborate cover up, alleging other off-duty officers inside that home killed OKeefe and conspired to frame her.

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Exactly how much of that argument will be presented to jurors remains to be seen. Reads defense team will begin presenting her case on Friday.

In a pre-trial ruling, Cannone decided the defense could develop through the evidence its theory of a third-party culprit as part of Reads right to a fair trial, allowing her to illustrate the alleged inadequacy of the police investigation.

At the conclusion of testimony, the defense may seek a jury instruction about third-party culprits, Cannone ruled, though the court may ultimately exclude that evidence.

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ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK (WROC)  In court Thursday: the seven suspects charged in the case of Sam Nordquist, a Black transgender man from Minnesota who was found dead in the Finger Lakes earlier this year.

Thursdays court date was for a motions hearing, intended to hash out some of the technicalities and complexities behind this case. And, establish how future court proceedings will look for each of the defendants.

The seven suspects are accused of torturing and killing Nordquist. Each suspect pleaded not guilty to all of their charges back in March.

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Thursday was considered a motions hearing where both the prosecution and defense attorneys moved towards how their respective cases will proceed once they go to trial.

While the defense attorneys argued that each case should be tried separately, Ontario County Assistant District Attorney Victoria Porter said the request for this is premature.

We have to determine first if we can use the statements that were elicited from the defendants and then determine if and how we would sever the case, Porter said.

All seven suspects face charges including first degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child.

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All suspects, except Thomas Eaves, have been charged with concealment of a human corpse.

A major discussion inside the courtroom revolved around Discovery Laws, which are the procedures prosecutors are expected to follow to present their evidence to the defense in a timely fashion.

Porter said this evidence is being handed over as soon as its able to.

The discovery in this case is voluminous, theres many things outstanding. This is an active police investigation, there are things that are being created even as we speak that have yet to be turned over to the defense attorney, Porter said. Realistically though, there may be discovery coming far past the hearing dates. Theres still material at the lab for example, and things that need to be tested.

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The legal team for Arzuaga requested a change in venue in respect to the fairness of her future trial. The prosecution countered, saying due to this case making national headlines, it isnt necessary.

Porter also addressed the legal challenges ahead and the emotional toll this has had on Nordquists family and friends.

I know that this is a difficult process and its slow and its painful and they dont have a lot of the information that we all get, Porter said.

We learned all seven suspects will be due back in court in early September  where the court is expected to proceed on some of the motions raised Thursday.

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A camera attached to a colposcope, a magnifying device used to closely examine the vagina and cervix, transmits a live view of the exam to the remote sexual assault nurse examiner. Staffing shortages at New Mexico's crime lab are contributing to a new backlog of rape kits. (Photo by Arielle Zionts / KHN)

After nearly a decade and more than $6 million in dedicated funds, New Mexico has decreased Bernalillo Countys backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits, but prosecutors say new delays are forming and expanding to other parts of the state.

In a legislative Courts, Corrections and Justice interim committee hearing earlier this week, prosecutors from the 1st and 2nd Judicial Districts said staffing shortages at the states laboratory, incoming court rules and reliance on federal funding threaten prosecutions of sexual assault cases.

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The problems are expanding beyond the historic backlog, which mostly affected Bernalillo County, said Haley Murphy, a deputy district attorney for the 1st Judicial District, which includes Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties.

She pointed to one case of a kit submitted to the Department of Public Safety in August 2023, after a 16-year-old made a report of a sexual assault.

Today, 636 days later, we still dont have the testing complete on the kit, Murphy told lawmakers. Were now well into a case, 20 months into a case, and the biggest outstanding issue is the lack of scientific testing.

The states forensic lab has a vacancy rate of 30% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, according to the report card prepared by analysts at the Legislative Finance Committee. The laboratory had 134 sexual assault evidence kits that were not completed within 180 days, the time-frame required by a 2019 state law.

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No one from the states forensic crime lab attended Tuesdays hearing.

Murphy said prosecutions are repeatedly being delayed because of the lack of physical evidence.

We are in a holding pattern, at the mercy of an overwhelmed crime lab, she said.

The Supreme Courts proposed changes to the 1st Judicial District court procedures to increase the speed of moving cases to trial, expected in January 2026, compounds the pressure, Murphy said.

These long delays in testing will absolutely result in a compromise to our communitys safety, she said. Individuals will be allowed out of custody; cases will be dismissed; evidence will be suppressed.

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Federal cuts have already impacted the work on trying to clear the 2016 backlog.

According to 2nd Judicial Deputy District Attorney Jack Jacks, federal grants pay for seven of the nine members of the Bernalillo County sexual assault cold case division; all of the further laboratory testing, which often requires shipping out of state; and expert witness fees. He said its uncertain for how much longer the federal government will continue to fund the work.

Like a lot of people in January, I received the email from the Department of Justice saying that the funding was put on hold, Jacks said. A few days later, it was said it was not on hold. So theres a little uncertainty that causes me some concern.

New and old backlogs in Bernalillo County

In 2016, a state audit found more than 4,000 untested evidence kits in Bernalillo County, some dating back to the 1980s, accounting for three-quarters of the untested kits across New Mexico. All of the kits were tested by April 2021, but court proceedings continue.

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Bernalillo County prosecutors examined 4,281 cases for review and screening based off of the backlog, and dismissed 3,751 cases  approximately 87%. Insufficient evidence followed by statute of limitation constraints primarily caused those dismissals, according to a chart released by the 2nd Judicial District.

Jacks said Bernalillo County prosecutors have brought charges in 82 cases, resulting in 52 convictions, five acquittals and one dismissal, while 24 cases are still pending further action.

At present, 149 cases from the historic backlog remain under review by prosecutors for potential charges, Jacks said. He recommended the district attorneys office publish a review in 2026 to examine what happened in the 10 years since the initial audit.

Bernalillo County is now experiencing impacts from this new backlog that has developed over the last two years, said Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, a deputy district attorney for the 2nd Judicial District special victims unit.

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When we dont have labs, meeting these deadlines even under the law, when theyre supposed to test the kits, it devastates our cases, and essentially then puts us in a backlog, Brandenburg-Koch said. Theres many times where we dont move forward on a case until we have results, because we dont want our cases to get dismissed. Because of that, then cases are sitting three, four, five years until that testing is done.

Lawmakers said they would plan additional sessions this year on the topic.

Sen. Antonio Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque) said the Legislature would work to prioritize additional funding, since the state remains flush with record-high revenues.

We certainly have the money now to alleviate that backlog at some point, he said.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Some Memphians protested outside a Tennessee House members office after President Trumps Big, Beautiful Tax Bill moved on to the Senate after being passed by the House.

One of the House members, Republican David Kustoff, who represents the 8th congressional district of Tennessee, voted for the bill.

According to The Hill, the bill  titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, adopting Trumps slogan for the measure  extends the tax cuts enacted by the president during his first term in 2017; boosts funding for border, deportation, and national defense priorities; imposes reforms, like beefed-up work requirements, on Medicaid that are projected to result in millions of low-income individuals losing health insurance; rolls back green energy tax incentives; and, among many other provisions, increases the debt limit by $4 trillion.

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On Tuesday, outside his office, were dozens of protesters who gathered, saying they want Kustoff to explain himself.

House passes Trumps big, beautiful bill in marathon overnight session

Following the passage of the bill last Thursday, Congressman Kustoff released a statement saying he is proud to support this bill that will cement President Trumps America First agenda and deliver unprecedented relief to all Americans.

Because we have tried for months to have a town hall so he can hear from his constituents and hear our concerns and know how we want him to proceed, and he has ignored that, so we are here to let him know that, regardless of what youre doing. We will hold you accountable. We see you ignoring us, and we will not be ignored, said Amber Hampton, Indivisible Memphis.

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These are not numbers, these are not just statistics, they are people that live near us, said Hampton. They are our neighbors, they go to school with our children, and just because I am not directly benefiting from these programs does not mean it will have an impact on people that I care about. Or our community and prosperity of America as a whole.

WREG reached out to Congressman Kustoffs office for comment, but has not heard back.

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Luis Boza / NurPhoto via Getty Images Michael Kors owner Capri Holdings struck a deal to sell its Versace Luxury brand to Prada last month.





KEY TAKEAWAYS

Shares in Capri Holdings, which last month struck a deal to sell its Versace luxury brand, are dropping in premarket trading Wednesday after the fashion conglomerate posted a larger-than-expected quarterly loss amid the trade war and lowered its full-year outlook.

"There is uncertainty around the impact of tariffs on the global economic environment," Capri CEO John D. Idol said.

Capri shares, which have lost more than 15% of their value this year entering Wednesday, are down around 1% in premarket trading.









Shares in Capri Holdings (CPRI), which last month struck a deal to sell its Versace luxury brand, are dropping in premarket trading Wednesday after the fashion conglomerate posted a larger-than-expected quarterly loss amid the trade war and lowered its full-year outlook.

The Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo parent reported a fiscal fourth-quarter adjusted loss of $4.90 per share, far wider than the adjusted loss of $0.16 per share expected by analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha. Revenue of $1.04 billion topped estimates of $986.6 million.

"Fiscal 2025 was a challenging year for Capri Holdings, but we are optimistic about our path forward as we enter fiscal 2026, Capri CEO John D. Idol said. While there is uncertainty around the impact of tariffs on the global economic environment, we remain focused on executing against our new strategic initiatives that are designed to return Capri Holdings to future growth.

Looking ahead, Capri projects total revenue of $3.3 billion to $3.4 billion for fiscal 2026 and earnings per share of $1.20 to $1.40. In the third quarter, Capri had forecast fiscal 2026 revenue of approximately $4.1 billion.

The company, whose merger with Tapestry was blocked by a federal judge late last year, agreed last month to sell Italian luxury brand Versace to Prada for almost $1.4 billion. Versace will be classified as a discontinued business starting in fiscal 2026, Capri said Wednesday.

Capri shares, which have lost more than 15% of their value this year entering Wednesday, are down around 1% in premarket trading.



Read the original article on Investopedia
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Fifty-six people walked into the Old State Capitol Wednesday from all corners of the globe. They walked out sharing one thing in common: theyre the United States of Americas newest citizens.

The group, originally from 25 different countries, all received their certificates in a ceremony presided over by District Judge Colleen Lawless.

For some of you the choice to come here was an easy one. While others, it was one of the most difficult decisions of your life, Lawless said. But no matter what your journey was or what choices you had to make by getting here, every one of you has made the American dream a reality by becoming citizens and proudly making our country your new home.

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300 people attend funeral of Springfield veteran with no known family

They each left the ceremony with an American flag and a newfound sense of gratitude.

I really liked the ceremony, definitely, and I feel very thankful with all of this country and with Illinois today, Raquel Muchnick, a citizen naturalized in the ceremony originally from Honduras, said.

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher addressed the newest citizens and welcomed them to the capital city.

Your presence here reminds us that what truly unites us is not where we are born or how we are here, but what we believe in our heart, Buscher said.

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Accessible exhibit opens in Springfields Lincoln Museum

The day was even more special for the naturalized citizens as it was held in the room where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous House Divided speech and the grounds where Barack Obama launched his presidential campaign.

It was a privilege to us that the ceremony was here in the capitol, in a historical place, to know Abraham Lincoln was here, Muchnick said.

The group crossed the finish line of their citizenship journey surrounded by their family and friends and love for their new country.

It was a long, long journey to be here but Im very thankful, Muchnick said.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan.  In a meeting set for Thursday night, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, commission will open the floor to residents about using STAR bonds to fund a new home for the American Royal.

Among the agenda items to be discussed is the creation of the American Royal Community Improvement District and levying a sales tax within the district.

Royals affiliate buys Overland Park Aspiria campus mortgage

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The American Royal project has been in the works for the better part of a decade.

It would result in the American Royal moving from the West Bottoms to Kansas City, Kansas, and building a facility that would cost close to half a billion dollars.

A public hearing will take place during the commission meeting Thursday night so the community can give their feedback on the plan.

Some residents have pushed back on the project, citing concerns about their property taxes going up.

Visit KC estimates the new American Royal would bring in more people than those that visited the Kansas Speedway and Childrens Mercy Park last year combined.

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The project has hit some speedbumps over the last 10-plus years. Crews broke ground in 2023, but construction stopped because there was no more money.

Kansas news: Headlines from Wichita, Topeka and around the Sunflower State

This is where the STAR bonds kick in.

In April, the Kansas City Business Journal reported that the Unified Government approved a $155-million-dollar STAR bond deal, which would be used to pay for the American Royals new home, similar to the Kansas Speedway and the goal for a potential Chiefs or Royals stadium.

The full commission meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday at the municipal office building, 701 N. Seventh St. Trafficway.

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When Britain released the satirical film the Death of Stalin in 2017, Russia accused the British Government of waging a psychological war by seeking to insult Soviet history, and banned it almost immediately. Ironically, the Kremlin itself is now engaging in a psychological campaign against its own citizens using Stalins legacy.

Last week, a statue honouring Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was unveiled in Moscows metro station. This is not the first time that Vladimir Putin has sought to glorify the authoritarian leader. More than 100 such statues have been erected across Russia. These monuments are emblematic of a decades-long Kremlin-led effort to rehabilitate Stalins image.

In 2015, for example, when his government took over Russias last intact Gulag, the Perm-36 memorial complex, it replaced content about the lives and struggles of prisoners with content honouring the guards and the camps role in World War II timber production. Likewise, since 2020, Moscow law enforcement has prevented demonstrations commemorating victims of the Great Terror.

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In 2021, the government forcibly shut down Memorial, an organisation which documented Soviet human rights abuses, arguing that Memorial besmirches our history [by making] us  a generation of victors and the heirs of victors  to justify our history.

In 2023, Putin introduced new mandatory high school textbooks that effectively absolved Stalin of blame for the effects of Stalinism while unequivocally praising his successes. As Stalin himself stated: education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it. In 2024, the government even began rescinding symbolic acquittals granted under Gorbachev and Yeltsin to millions of falsely accused defendants whom Stalins regime tortured and killed

These moves collectively reveal the regimes effort to rehabilitate a totalitarian dictator  one who orchestrated mass attacks and deliberate starvation against his own citizens, condemned millions to death in Gulag labour camps, and perpetrated atrocities across multiple countries during World War II  as a national hero.

This makes perfect sense for Putin, who is capitalising on and amplifying Stalins popularity to justify his own imperial ambitions in Ukraine.

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The two leaders have much in common. Both have committed horrific war crimes, both seek the subjugation of Ukraine, both demonise and persecute internal opposition, both control the information space entirely, and both see their citizens as replaceable pawns to be manipulated and taken advantage of.

This overlap is no accident. Putin has shaped his rule in the shadow of Stalins, and it is thus imperative that he reinforces positive public opinion about his reign. It seems to be working, with 39 per cent of Russians naming Stalin as the most outstanding figure of all times and nations in 2021. Through these domestic information operations, nationalism has steadily risen in Russia as well, with 70 per cent of citizens regarding Stalin as a great leader in 2019.

To effectively respond to Putins orchestrations, the UK must confront the realities of public opinion. Sending tales about Western democracy will not resonate with the Russians  London must instead appeal to nationalism by portraying Putin as a weak leader who destroyed Russian glory with his war in Ukraine.

As the Kremlin basks in the glow of its recent Victory Day celebrations, the UK should revive old jokes about Stalin, unsettling the image of power and historical legitimacy that Putin seeks to construct. Effective information operations could show Russians how their country went from a nation of international respect and prestige to a global pariah. The UK should demonstrate that instead of Making Russia Great Again, Putin has Made Russia Weak Again.

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President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a deadline of two weeks.

Again.

Asked on Wednesday whether he believes Putin really wants to end the war in Ukraine, Trump said hes still mulling it over, promising a determination soon.

I'll let you know in about two weeks, Trump said. Were going to find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not. And if he is, well respond a little bit differently.

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It was that rare case where a politicians well-worn evasion to a pointed question was quite striking  because when it comes to deciding on Putin, Trump has been giving the same two weeks timetable for more than two months. In so doing, he is avoiding facing up to the reality that he has not been able to quickly end the war in Ukraine, as he promised hed do during last years campaign  and repeatedly putting off the question of how to deal with an autocrat who has befuddled a succession of American presidents.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday the possibility of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul next week is why Trump is allowing additional time before considering a change in strategy.

We believe that meeting is going to take place. That is a meeting the president encouraged and urged, for these two sides to come together and negotiate directly, Leavitt said. Hopefully, next week, it will move the ball forward.

Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the Russian leader snubbing his peacemaking efforts by amping up attacks on Ukraine. He has tried, without success, to entice Putin into talks with promises of future deals and occasional pleas on social media, a carrot-heavy approach thats been a sharp contrast to his stick-first treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And he is wary of greenlighting a secondary sanctions bill backed by a bipartisan Senate majority, unsure it would be enough to force Putin into peace talks and nervous about foreclosing any future resetting of the U.S.-Russia relationship.

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Its very clear there is something holding him back from actually putting more pressure on Putin, said one European official granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. He may want the reset with Russia most of all, more than peace. If he just wants to get the war ended so he can do these deals [with Putin], then he may be weighing the cost of poisoning their potential relationship.

But, at least outwardly, Trump has been suggesting for months that an inflection point is just a fortnight away.

On April 24, Trump deflected a question about continued aid to Ukraine, telling a reporter they could ask that question in two weeks.

When asked three days later on April 27 if he trusted Putin, Trump responded: Well let you know in about two weeks.

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More than two weeks after that, when he was asked aboard Air Force One whether he had made a determination as to whether Putin was, as he had put it in a social media post , tapping him along, Trump said he was on the cusp of deciding.

Ill let you know in a week, he said.

And on May 19, when asked if Ukraine was doing enough to allow the Trump-led negotiations to succeed, he was again undecided.

Id rather tell you in about two weeks from now because I cant say yes or no, he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to comment on what conditions Russia will put forward in its draft memorandum for a ceasefire, saying that this should be discussed privately.

Source: TASS and RIA Novosti, Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlets, citing Peskov at a briefing

Quote: "Russia will not publicly discuss the content of documents on the settlement in Ukraine; negotiations must be held in private."

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Details: Peskov also called Ukraine's demand to "immediately hand over the memorandum" unconstructive. According to the official, Russia proposed a meeting in Istanbul on 2 June, but has not yet received a response from Kyiv.

He added that "the main thing now is to continue the process of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations".

Peskov also stated that Putin's conversation with US President Donald Trump "could be organised at any time if necessary" because "all channels of communication were open".

Background:

Russia proposed that the second round of negotiations with Ukraine be held in Istanbul on 2 June, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, who headed Ukraine's delegation at the talks with Russia in Istanbul, handed over a document to Russia that reflects the Ukrainian position and is waiting for their "memorandum" in response.

On 16 May, direct talks were held in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations for the first time in over three years. Serhii Kyslytsia, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, a member of Ukraines delegation at the Istanbul talks with Russia, stated that the Russian representatives, led by Medinsky, behaved aggressively and issued direct threats to the Ukrainian side.

On 19 May, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to work on a memorandum with Ukraine which would include a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time.

On 19 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv would be waiting for the Russian memorandum. "If Russia proposes a memorandum, we will be able to formulate our vision," he noted.

On 23 May, Zelenskyy stated that the fact that Russia had been drafting a so-called "memorandum" on a ceasefire for a week is a mockery of the entire world.

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Once upon a time, college was the dream destination and a guiding goal for high school seniors in Los Angeles and beyond.

But nowadays things are more complicated, said Christina Sanchez, a school and college counselor at Triumph Charter High School in the San Fernando Valley.

Sanchez, who has worked as a counselor for more than two decades, has put in the time in schools to know what students think and feel about their possible future career paths.

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She said career and technical education is rising in popularity amongst todays high school seniors, and, as far as she can tell, even some universities are feeling the shift.

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But from her perch at Triumph Charter High, a high-performing, Title I school, Sanchez also said students should be mindful of the path they choose, whether it be college or the workforce.

If they are going to college just because somebody told them its best, that usually doesnt work out, she said. But I also think they should consider the benefits of a college education.

Read on as Sanchez weighs in on why the CTE is ascendent, what colleges are doing to adjust, and whether this shift is good for students.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

University enrollment has declined over the past decade, and vocational programs are rising in that same timeframe. Have you noticed this trend and what do you attribute this to?

We still have students going to college, but yes it is definitely a declining number.

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I would say theres more interest in a quick payout. They see that more in trades. So, students are gravitating toward trade school where they can focus on a career and get out sooner. They feel they can make money quicker, and just as much, if not more, as with a college education.

Theyre equating education with money more, especially since the pandemic. Yes, there are obvious connections between those. But, its not the only factor, and it really depends what field you go into.

What are universities doing to avoid a decline in enrollment?

There are still schools like UCLA and UC Berkeley who are very selective. UCLA is not begging anybody to apply.

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Ive definitely seen private colleges sending marketing emails more to get students to apply, and even waiving application fees. Sometimes they say you dont even need to do the extra work, just send us a transcript. Public universities are extending deadlines often as well.

Community colleges are also increasing and promoting their trade programs more than ever. Thats becoming a focus for them because theyre trying to compete.

Are there more downsides to a college degree now than in years past, and are students more pessimistic about going to college?

Theres definitely a resistance to taking out student loans. It doesnt help that parents will often highlight cautionary tales, like a niece or nephew who went to college and is now working retail.

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I havent noticed any increases in unemployment rates or underemployment rates. Those are specific instances, not really a trend. When we do hear back from our alumni who went to college, they are almost always working on something related to their degree. I rarely have a student come back and say they havent been able to get a job.

Why are trade careers becoming more interesting to students?

There are always trending careers, but they ebb and flow. Today, social media has more of an impact on what careers students see. Sometimes I talk to students and ask, How did you even know about that? and they say they saw it on social media.

People highlight their career paths, and students see the best of it. They see what the person chooses to show. Just like it is with peoples private lives, you may not see the bad days or the bad sides of it. Theyre not highlighting the negatives. I definitely see that influencing students when it comes to career paths, especially in the last five years.

What advice would you give to a student choosing between a trade school and a university in this current job climate?

I think everybody should do whats right for them. If they are going to college just because somebody told them its best, that usually doesnt work out. But I also think they should consider the benefits of a college education, other than what type of job you can get. I do find that there are benefits beyond that.

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Some are not seeing that job opportunities are wider with a college degree. If you are trained in one industry and you dont enjoy it, you dont have as much flexibility as someone with a college degree. Youre 17 years old, how do you know you want to be an electrician?

When they make the decision, they need to be open to everything so that they know for sure it is the right one for them and not just one they made because they didnt work to explore their options.

I think what needs to be done more in schools is career exposure. Students are mostly making decisions based on what they see on the internet, what they read, and random examples. Theyre not really experiencing the world of work because we have such an academic focus in our schools. Many schools promote college prep, and it almost seems like career things are considered anti-college.

That might be doing students a disservice to students who dont get to see all these careers and what they look like. So I do think schools should do more with career guidance. Im in support of career education, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment, but it should be done for careers you get with a college degree, not just trade school careers. It does seem like when schools do have career programs, they tend to be in the trades. It should be both.

This article is part of a collaboration between The 74 and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Teak Brockbank was sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening to kill then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in 2022. Photo via FBI/Justice Department

A Colorado man who wrote online about how he had the right to execute then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and made similar threats against Jena Griswold, the Colorado secretary of state, was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison.

Teak Ty Brockbank blamed being exposed to far-right extremism content online, including the QAnon conspiracy theory, for motivating him to make online threats.

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In the criminal complaint for the case, FBI agents included posts from Brockbank that included the common QAnon catchphrase WWG1WGA and references to other QAnon beliefs.

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Acronyms are popular among the QAnon community, and the most well known is WWG1WGA, meaning Where We Go One, We Go All, a phrase used as a rallying cry among the digital soldiers of the QAnon community.

Brockbanks online avatar was a version of a cartoon frog that has become popular in antisemitic, conspiracy theory and racist online circles.

In August 2022, Brockbank posted on the video service Rumble, which has become a favorite platform for misinformation, that people like Hobbs and Griswold were committing treason for alleged election fraud. There is no evidence of widespread election fraud or election fraud perpetrated by Hobbs or Griswold.

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Once these people start getting put to death then the rest will melt like snowflakes and turn on each other and we will sit back why (sic) the worst of them get pointed against the wall as well, Brockbank wrote in a comment on a Rumble video. This is the only way. So those of us that have the stomach for what has to be done should prepare our minds for what we All are going to do!!!!!!

Brockbank, who used to live in Cave Creek, also claimed that he had a right to execute Hobbs in public.

[W]e the people have every right to walk up to one of them and execute them for their actions, Brockbank wrote in another comment on Rumble.

FBI agents also discovered posts Brockbank made stating that, if federal agents came to his residence, he would murder them.

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ATF CIA FBI show up to my house I am shooting them peaces (sic) of shit first No Warning!! Brockbank wrote in response to a post about the arrest of an ATF agent. Then I will call the sheriff!!! With everything that these piece of shit agencies have done I am completely justified to just start dropping them as soon as they step on my property!

While Brockbank said in court that he regrets his decisions and has blamed drinking for his behavior, the U.S. Department of Justice in a recent filing pointed to threatening remarks he aimed at federal officials as recently as 2024 and the discovery he was possessing firearms, when he is a prohibited felony possessor, as indicators of his insincerity.

There was so much ammunition in the residence that agents elected not to count it, the DOJ wrote. The firearm near the front door, moreover, was loaded and cocked.

Hobbs declined to comment on the sentencing.

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Chikli referred to the financing that radical Islamic organizations tied to the Brotherhood are getting from EU institutions and declared: Europe is financing its own death.

BUDAPEST - Israeli speakers participating in the fourth CPAC conference in the Hungarian capital, gathering leaders of patriotic and sovereigntist parties from Europe and the Americas, harshly attacked Qatar for its massive support of spreading radical Islam in the West and intentionally working to impose Sharia law on European societies.

At the conference, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, stressed in his speech the recently published report on the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in France and the central role Qatar and Turkey are playing in financing and promoting the Brotherhood with the aim of imposing Islamic law in the European countries where the organization is active.

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Chikli also referred to the financing that radical Islamic organizations tied to the Brotherhood are getting from EU institutions and declared: Europe is financing its own death.

He emphasized that Israel is at the forefront of the global war against radical Islam. We do not ask others to fight for us; we fight ourselves, said Chikli, adding, We dont do it because we like war, but because we dont have the luxury to retreat.

However, the minister expressed his wish to see more European leaders who understand the danger of radical Islam taking over Europe.

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli seen at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on March 27, 2025 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Yair Netanyahu criticizes Qatar

Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was invited to the conference as a prominent political influencer, also criticized Qatar, calling it a Muslim Brotherhood regime, which, unlike other Gulf emirates, wants to subject all the West to Sharia law and brainwashes American and European youths to hate their countries and identity.

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Netanyahu told participants at the conference that the so-called pro-Palestinian riots that have taken place in the West since the October 7 massacre are not about Israel or the Palestinians but an expression of a desire of the red-green coalition to destroy the West. The Left and the Islamists want to destroy Western civilization for different reasons, but they have the same goal. Israel is just the first target.

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev called on French President Emmanuel Macron to open his eyes in light of the reports findings on the activities of the Brotherhood in his country. Remember, not only the Jews are threatened on French soil, but France itself, she sent a warning to Macron.

Regev accused the EU of adopting antisemitic resolutions time after time against Israel and called on the European right-wing participants to work together in order to change the EUs attitude toward Israel. She also called on all European airlines to resume their flights to Israel, which were stopped after a Houthi missile hit Ben-Gurion Airport at the beginning of May.

There is no reason not to fly to Israel, stressed the minister. All Israeli speakers praised Hungary and its government under Prime Minister Viktor Orban for its support of Israel before and after the October 7 massacre.
POOLER, Ga. (WSAV) Big changes are happening today for drivers in Pooler. This morning, the city will break ground on phase one of the Quacco Road improvement project. Officials say its a step toward easing congestion and keeping up with the areas explosive growth.

Its a milestone moment for Pooler, which has transformed from a small town into one of Georgias fastest-growing communities. With tens of thousands of cars passing through the road daily, city leaders say this project is long overdue.

This $25 million investment will add nearly 1.7 miles of new road stretching east from Pooler Parkway. The project is designed to improve safety, reduce congestion, and give drivers an alternate route to I-16 and Savannah.

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This is just the beginning of a multi-phase plan to keep up with Poolers rapid growth and the surge of traffic from nearby developments like the Hyundai Metaplant. The road expansion also ties into broader plans to manage growth while protecting the regions natural resources.

Is an important investment is going to expand that roadway to accommodate some of this growth, the development that weve seen just to be clear, its going to be four lanes from approximately Blue Moon crossing to East Haven and then from East Haven. It will begin to taper back down to tie back into the existing roadway, said Heath Lloyd, the City Manager of Pooler.

The construction is expected to last about 3 years. But the long-term payoff will be smoother traffic and better connectivity. The groundbreaking here today will be at 9 a.m. near Fire Station 4 in Pooler.

Officials are urging drivers to be patient and cautious during construction. They also say they will be investing in sidewalks along the road. Well be at the groundbreaking later this morning with more coverage.

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ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  From mystery novels to thrillers, Oakley Dean Baldwin has authored more than 30 books.

But out of his entire body of work, the true crime story of his relative, Pauline Pusser, hits especially close to home.

Im distant cousins to her. My grandmother and her father, Jack Mullins, were raised together back in Haysi, Dickenson County, Virginia, explained Baldwin, author of Murder of Mrs. Buford Pusser.

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Who was legendary lawman Buford Pusser?

Pauline and Buford Pusser

Baldwin remembers Pauline as a very giving and loving person. She was murdered in an ambush meant to take out her husband, Sheriff Buford Pusser.

The couple was driving and the killers ambushed their car with a barrage of gunfire.

At least thats the story told for decades but Baldwin isnt so sure thats the truth. Baldwin and his family started doing their own research.

We were shaking our head at every turn with the evidence that we were finding. Nothing was making any sense. A lot of red flags, said Baldwin.

Why were Pauline Pussers remains exhumed?

Pauline and Buford Pusser

You have the sheriff whose 36-year-old wife gets murdered and you dont do an autopsy on her thats really strange to me, said Baldwin.

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Baldwin would know the proper investigative steps as he spent decades in law enforcement working real-life crime mysteries. But the one about his own cousin wasnt stacking up.

For example, the day Pauline was killed, she was out on a service call with her sheriff husband when the killers ambushed the car.

But Baldwin claims the patrol car  a key piece of evidence in Paulines cold case  was allowed to be put back into service at the sheriffs office.

They repaired all the bullet holes and the glass and it was put back into service for deputies to drive. And thats something thats really odd. If you havent solved the crime, and you dont think someone is a person of interest, you dont release the evidence like that. So that was a red flag when I read that  who in the world would release that car? asked Baldwin.

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Baldwin called the investigation back then shoddy and says the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is more professional organization today than it was in 1967 when politicians had more sway over investigators.

Over the years, many have speculated that Buford killed his own wife and covered it up.

The TBI recently exhumed Paulines body in hopes of solving the case.

Thats the $64,000 question. Thats why we are all looking for the autopsy results. I feel like thats either going to clear up a whole lot or its going to stir up a whole lotWe just want the truth to come out. Let the chips fall where they fall.

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Baldwin said once the current investigation is wrapped up and the autopsy revealed, he will update his book with the new findings.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A raccoon tested positive for rabies on Wednesday in Meriden, according to the Meriden Department of Health and Human Services.

The department is reminding residents and their pets to protect themselves from interactions with wild animals.

7th grader charged with arson after fire at Meriden middle school

Recommended precautions:

Be sure to vaccinate your pets, and rabies vaccinations are up-to-date.

Keep family pets indoors at night. Dont let them roam free.

Dont attract wild animals to your yard. Make sure garbage is put away and food is stored.

Dont feed, touch or adopt wild animals.

Get wild animals removed from your home.

Teach children not to touch any wild animal they do not know.

Let animals wander away if they are on your property.

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to your local health department.

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For more information, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
RADFORD, Va. (WFXR)  The Radford Army Ammunition Plant held an online community meeting Wednesday.

It included updates on incidents that occurred over the past year.

There was a nitric acid spill on April 22 at the plant. Environmental Manager for government contractor BAE Systems, Nelson Hernandez, says they ultimately determined 6,500 gallons were spilled. The preliminary estimate was 600 gallons. The spill covered an area about 500 by 10 feet in size, he added. Hernandez says there was no immediate impact on the environment or public health.

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The area is a natural clay-based soil, he explained. It prevents any kind of permeation.

RELATED STORY | Explosion at Radford Army Ammunition Plant

We are going through the due diligence to properly profile and analyze the material so we ensure that BAE Systems properly disposes of the material. Thats next and really the last step of this process.

He also addressed the thirteen totes swept away during Hurricane Helene in September. Hernandez says they recently found the tenth downstream of Big Falls. Hernandez says the 275-gallon chemical container didnt leak.

There are still three containers missing. Anyone who thinks they see one is asked to contact their local sheriff.

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Andrea Henry with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also provided an update on the plants energetic waste incinerator. The first of its kind facility is an alternative to their Open Burning Ground, which is where they burn propellant to process it.

RELATED STORY | Radford Army Ammunition Plant spill cleanup continues

It will nearly eliminate use of the OBG, she said.

Theres nearly a year-long delay. The project was supposed to be complete this July, but its now set for June 2026. Henry says their contractor has brought in additional crews, but that weather impacts over the last several months, plus redesigns and construction challenges, have contributed to the slowdown.

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You can watch the whole meeting on the Radford Army Ammunition Plant Facebook.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
While U.S. logistics providers wait out the post-trade war lull in import shipments, BNSF Railway is setting up its network to handle an expected surge following a pause in tariffs between China and the United States.

I guess probably the most overused words in logistics is this air pocket that hit us the last couple of weeks, said Jon Gabriel, group vice president, Consumer Products, for Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF, in an interview. Now, we do have some line of sight on shipments that are coming our way, but not yet. But if you look at the bookings coming out of Asia, certainly youve seen kind of that V-shaped check mark.

It was several weeks after the tariff pause went into effect in May that the railroad started to feel the import air pocket.

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Were probably three to four weeks removed from starting to see things charged back up on the West Coast, LA-Long Beach, the Northwest Seaport Alliance [of Seattle and Tacoma], Gabriel said. Post-Fourth of July, we think things will be busy. Were excited again to demonstrate that were ready to move a lot of freight from the supply chain, just like we did in the first quarter.





Jon Gabriel

The railroad has also used the import downturn to position itself for the coming recovery.

We have more than 100 locomotives that we would call a surge fleet, ready to go in the state of California alone, some 3 miles of locomotives, Gabriel said. And we have a large quantity of railcars set up against traffic in California, Arizona and in Washington for the Pacific Northwest. We have also taken the opportunity to do some preventative maintenance, both on tracks and rolling stock, in pre-position against the West Coast.

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So again, we feel really good about our ability to quickly respond when traffic starts to make its way into the West Coast.

Gabriel compared the resumption to the period in 2024 after an early peak season caused by shippers frontloading to avoid East Coast port labor disruptions by the International Longshoremens Association.





I think we went through both those on the West Coast with strong performance levels, moved a lot of freight, made a lot of capacity available.

Based on what hes hearing from supply chain partners and customers, we suspect weve already bottomed out; weve started to see what we call build, not just in traffic thats sitting on the docks, or within earshot, of the West Coast, but not yet on a railcar. That has bottomed out and started to climb again. We have started to hear from our carriers that they have gone back to essentially full vessel utilization, meaning that for a couple of weeks, if there were still boats running, they just werent full, and now the boats are full.

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Gabriel described the initial build as the first little bit of a wave, and said that based on new vessel capacity strings and other transit from Asia, the surge is probably three to four weeks away.

Well probably see a gradual decline and then a gradual increase, followed by a step-level increase, once all this new added vessel capacity gets to the West Coast, he said. The capacity is coming back into the lane.

That would include major carriers Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, which this week announced new direct service from Asia to the Port of Long Beach, but also smaller carriers such as CU Lines, seeing an opportunity in sharply rising rates. The China-based company is deploying five vessels of 2,400-2,800 twenty-foot equivalent units each from three Chinese ports to Long Beach.

At the moment, Gabriel said BNSF intermodal volumes are modestly above year-ago levels, on lingering diversions away from the East Coast in late 2024 and frontloading in the first quarter by shippers looking to stay ahead of tariffs.

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Its nothing that we  feel like our network cant handle, offering considerably better transit service and experiences for our customers.

Gabriel said BNSFs network is performing at its best level since 2020, when volumes were depressed across the supply chain by the pandemic. While there are no pressure points on the network we do suspect that there could be some pull-forward of fourth-quarter demand to beat that August 12 [tariff pause] deadline.





Gabriel said BNSFs prior investments have helped it manage through the vagaries of the Trump administrations changing trade policy.

The railroad in the past several years added 100 miles of new main track on its transcontinental route between Los Angeles and Chicago, for double-, triple- or quadruple-track configurations, to accommodate denser traffic when necessary. BNSF has also added more than 8,000 parking spaces at intermodal ramps across its network, the equivalent of one entire Alliance Intermodal Facility in Fort Worth, Texas, largest on the railroad.

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Thats surge capacity for our network, and at the same time, weve added more production tracks so we can lift-on lift-off more traffic simultaneously, Gabriel said. We havent had a quote-unquote normal period going back several years in the supply chain. If we recognize thats kind of a new state of life that were in, hence, weve made all these resiliency, and I would say, recoverability, investments.

As for Chicago, the mid-American choke point for rail freight, Gabriel said BNSF has the most rail capacity of any Class I, operating a total of four facilities. Three are domestic intermodal, while the fourth is a major international rail terminal, outside Joliet, Illinois. BNSF has added on- and off-site parking throughout, and a three-year expansion project at Cicero, Illinois. has increased capacity by 30%.

Manufacturing is starting to flex up in China even as companies look to diversify supply chains throughout the region rather than to North America.

I think you saw a large movement of that during the Trump 1 tariffs in 2018, said Gabriel. China Plus One didnt necessarily mean China onshore to nearshore; theres certainly some of that, but really it was China to somewhere else in Southeast Asia, which bodes well to the West Coast and in our networks.

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As for cross-border traffic with Mexico outside of automotive, Gabriel said, I wouldnt say that weve seen meaningful movement in nearshore activity, from a manufacturing standpoint. What weve really seen is modal conversion, and thats all were targeting, just like we are stateside of highway traffic thats going cross-border.

Gabriel said BNSF isnt seeing much warehousing on the rails as was typical post-pandemic in 2021.

Dwell has stayed really, really low, historically low levels. We havent seen a lot of rolling storage on our network; the product has continued to leave our rail ramps in a relatively normal flow. Less than 12 hours for our truckload segment, 24 to 30 hours for international, somewhere in that two- to three-day morning [delivery].

That reflects well on supply chain partners, as well as the railroad.

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That tells you, if the supply chain is relatively intact and moving, theres deep, relatively good balance, Gabriel said. Chassis drayage, drivers, warehouse capacity, all those elements, those underpinnings seem like theyre holding up and more positioned to move traffic here throughout the next several months.

This article was updated May 29 to correct BNSFs base to Forth Worth, Texas.

Subscribe to FreightWaves Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your inbox.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Baun joins railcar builder Greenbrier as chief commercial officer

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Norfolk Southern expands short line interchange improvement program

Rail agenda steams up as short lines blitz Congress

Coal extends surprising lead in weekly US rail traffic

The post This railroad has 100 extra locomotives ready to handle a container surge appeared first on FreightWaves.
SAN FRANCISCO  Of all the blue state legal challenges to President Donald Trump, none have delivered as big a blow as two court rulings striking down his tariffs on imports from dozens of countries.

Democratic governors and attorneys general seized the pair of rulings on Thursday as an affirmation of their warnings about the economic toll of rising prices on consumer goods and emptying shipping containers at ports along the East and West coasts.

It was a stinging rebuke of Trump  and a rare victory for Democrats out of power in Washington and increasingly dependent on the courts system and Democratic-controlled state capitals to mount their resistance to the president.

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Its raining tacos today, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on the MeidasTouch Podcast on Thursday, an apparent reference to the TACO acronym that Wall Street investors have used to refer to whiplash over Trumps see-sawing import taxes. The president has bristled at the name, which stands for Trump always chickens out.

Newsom, whose state was among more than 14 that sued to challenge the tariffs, added, Its not a good day for Donald Trump and his central economic program. Were very, very pleased at this moment, this brief moment.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, basking in the victory for blue states, told POLITICO that of all the lawsuits Democrats have filed to challenge Trumps policies, the tariffs issue is the most substantial for our economy, for our prosperity.

Democrats victory lap came after the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade struck down Trumps tariffs on Wednesday, concluding his actions were not authorized by the emergency economic powers he cited in signing four executive orders earlier this year  a major blow to his strategy to use tariffs as leverage to strike trade deals around the world. A second federal court issued a similar ruling invalidating Trumps tariffs on Thursday morning, when a D.C. District Court judge ordered a halt to duties collected from two toy companies that brought the case.

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Its interesting watching the president flail around here; he proposes tariffs and then he backs off, said New York Rep. Joe Morelle, a Democrat from the Rochester area along the Canadian border. If this is people's idea of a master negotiator, I dont know what people think a bad negotiator is.

Wednesday's decision covered a case filed by Oregon and 11 other Democrat-led states, including Colorado, New York, Illinois and Minnesota, challenging the constitutionality of Trumps actions. California, the first state to sue over Trumps tariffs, is challenging his actions in a separate but related lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

The Trump administration immediately appealed the rulings, and a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated his sweeping reciprocal tariffs as it considers the administrations request to leave the tariffs in place while litigation plays out. However, that pause only applies to the ruling from the Court of International Trade.

The economic effects of the rulings are still far from certain. And even as Democratic politicians rejoiced, a pervasive sense that Trumps trade war could still go wrong permeated the nations largest ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach.

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Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka told KNX Radio that although the court ruling is encouraging, it added to the whipsaw effect of information that has left even the most seasoned international trade experts scrambling.

It's not going to open up the gates of American imports just yet, he said.

Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero shared those concerns, saying shipping companies have told him they need time to assess the potential impacts of the court ruling before deciding whether to bring in more imports.

We expect the canceled sailings at the Port of Long Beach in June to remain canceled until there is additional clarity about collection of tariffs, Cordero said in a statement.



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Seroka said the port has seen a recent uptick in activity after Trump lowered a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods to 30 percent, as American importers moved to scoop up products that had already arrived but were sitting on the docks. The initial 145 percent levy resulted in 17 ships canceling bookings and a 30 percent drop in imports over the first two weeks of May.

But it could still be weeks or months until the ports see imports pick up, Seroka warned, and lagging trade comes at a critical time for American businesses, which typically would already have orders placed for Christmas and year-end holiday shopping season.

Still, Democratic officials on Capitol Hill and in states across the country relished the chance to check Trumps executive powers.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the 12 attorneys general who sued the Trump administration in April, hailed Wednesdays trade court ruling in a social media post: The president cannot ignore the Constitution and impose massive tax hikes on the American people.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sought to reclaim the label Trump put on his tariffs announcement by posting Liberation Day.

Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who served as both California attorney general and a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which deals extensively with tariffs, noted the weight of the trade courts ruling coming from a three-judge panel.

It wasn't just significant. It was consequential, Becerra said. This decision, especially because it was unanimous  and especially because it included two judges appointed by Republicans  I think this crystallized what many of us have said: 'The president has a lot of authority, but it's not omnipotent, and he has to respect laws.

Becerra, who is running for California governor in 2026, told POLITICO that the result of the judges' decision will provide a measure of predictability for industry and businesses.

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The president has some authority to help implement or execute on the tariffs, but it's got to be within those margins," he said. And they went way beyond the margins.

Mike Frerichs, the Democratic Illinois state treasurer, said the rulings could stave off the most severe economic effects of Trumps tariffs on vulnerable industries, including corn and soybean farmers. Moreover, Frerichs said whiplash with Trumps trade policies has already undermined his supposed goal to bring manufacturing jobs back to the middle of the country.

No company is going to make a long-term commitment when there is no belief that they will stay in place, Frerichs said. Wall Street has been talking about TACO this week So why would you shut down a factory in China and move it to the U.S. if, two weeks from now, the tariffs are going to disappear?

Christopher Cadelago, Liz Crampton, Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Shia Kapos contributed to this report.
Ramsey County has named Nadir Abdi as deputy county manager of the health and wellness service team, with his role beginning July 14.

Abdi will join the countys executive leadership team. His role includes implementing county board policies and advancing integrated services for residents. The search process for the position began in February.

Abdi has more than two decades of experience in government administration, social policy, and community engagement and is currently Dakota Countys director of employment and economic assistance, a role he has held since 2020.

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Im passionate about delivering care with dignity and supporting the incredible staff who make that possible every day, Abdi said in a statement. I am looking forward to working together with the team at Ramsey County to ensure community feels supported and valued when they need it most.

He held leadership positions at Equus Workforce Solutions, Jewish Family Services in Ohio and JP Morgan Chase. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Master of Management and Leadership from Hamline University.

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A Nantucket jewelry designer and store owner is seeking a jury trial against Marissa Collections, a Palm Beach-based retail operation, after plans for a potential business partnership on Nantucket disbanded.

Katherine Jetter, designer and owner of The Vault Nantucket, claims that Marissa Collections used proprietary information that she had shared confidentially and contractually to map out plans for a Marissa Collections store, which is scheduled to open next month just steps from her own store, The Vault Nantucket.

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Jetter filed a complaint on May 19 in Nantucket Superior Court against Boutique Tere Inc., which operates as Marissa Collections, alleging breach of contract, unfair and deceptive trade practices, tortious interference and other charges. Three executives at the company, Marissa Hartington, Burt Hartington and Jay Hartington are also named in the 119-page document. Jetter is seeking injunctive relief and damages on behalf of herself and her company, as well as legal fees.

Jetter started her namesake company, which includes accessories, in 2008, and she debuted a freestanding store on Nantucket in 2017. A Tuesday morning hearing for the preliminary injunction was canceled.

Both retailers sell high-end jewelry and accessories from other brands, as well as apparel. Jetter said that she learned of Marissa Collections plans for a store at 1 Cambridge Street on the Massachusetts island on May 9 via an Instagram post. With a rendering of its new shingled location, the Florida company flagged its location and June 27 opening, as well as 13 brands it carries including Brunello Cuccinelli, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors Collection and Gianvito Rossi, among others. The post featured a bubblegum pink backdrop that is similar to the shade used on The Vault Nantuckets site.

In a press release that was shared with WWD Tuesday, Marissa Collections said the Nantucket location will be a 700-square-foot summerlong pop-up that is being called Marissas Cottage. The Harry Heissmann-designed space will feature residencies and activations from Christy Lynn, Lela Rose, Tammy Fender, Holistic Skincare, Temperley London and others.

Jetters company offers her signature jewelry such as the $29,800 Fiery Bird of Paradise ring, and a $52,000 Paraiba tourmaline origami bangle. Located in the hub of the in-town shopping area, The Vault also offers other high-end items including Hoorsenbuhs $1,045 sunglasses, a Silvia Furmanovich $5,500 clutch and a Kwiat $56,900 emerald-cut diamond ring. Its online apparel assortment is considerably more limited than Marissa Collections, which offers dozens of designer and other established brands.
Water flows out of the Bonneville Dam along the Columbia River between Multnomah County, Oregon and Skamania County, Washington on July 23, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

After dropping to historic levels last year due to ongoing drought and high temperatures, hydropower generated in the Northwest is expected to rise slightly this year from much needed precipitation.

Hydropower in the region is expected to increase about 17% compared to last year, a welcome boost to growing energy demand, but will still be below the 10-year average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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Officials at the Energy Information Administration published their 2025 forecast on May 19, as well as annual expectations for water supplies in key river basins generating the hydroelectricity.

Overall hydropower generation in the U.S. is expected to rise 7.5% in 2025, which will also still keep overall hydropower generation below the 10-year average. Hydropower represents about 6% of the countrys electricity.

The increase in hydropower expected in 2025 is due in large part to above average precipitation in northern California, Oregon and eastern Washington during the past winter and this spring. Parts of southeast Oregon received record rainfall this spring, causing Gov. Tina Kotek in March to declare a state of emergency.

Despite the increased precipitation in some parts of the state, the Upper Columbia River Basin near Grand Coulee Dam in Washington will have a below-normal water supply this year when compared to the past 30 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Northwest River Forecast Center. Water supply will be about normal or above normal in the southern portion of the Columbia River, which includes the Snake River Basin.

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Eleven Western states produce up to 60% of the countrys hydroelectricity. Washington, California and Oregon are the three largest contributors, with dams in Oregon and Washington producing more than one-third of all U.S. hydropower. About 40% of the electricity used in Oregon comes from the regions hydroelectric dams.

But ongoing drought, periods of low precipitation and rising summer temperatures that melt mountain snowpack too quickly have led to lower-than-usual power generating capacity at dams in the West.

Oregon and Washington generated 20% less hydropower in 2023 than they did in 2021, and hydropower generation in the Northwest dropped to a historic 22-year low between October 2022 and September 2023. Hydropower generated in 2024 was the lowest its been since 2010, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

The loss in generating capacity has cost the hydropower industry billions in revenue in recent years, according to researchers from the University of Alabama. The sector lost about 300 million megawatt hours of power generation between 2003 and 2020 due to drought and low water compared with the long-term average, equating to about $28 billion in lost revenue. Half of the drop in power generation was due to drought in Oregon, Washington and California.

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In Oregon, the hydroelectricity sector is estimated to have lost more than $1.5 billion in revenue over those 18 years.

Oregon Capital Chronicle, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Shumway for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were released from federal prison Wednesday night, one day after President Trump announced he planned to pardon the couple of their fraud and tax evasion convictions.

The ostentatious patriarch, 56, and his 52-year-old wife were released from federal lockup in the hours after the president signed off on one of his latest batches of controversial pardons.

Both Todd and Julie Chrisley were granted a full and unconditional pardon, per the executive grants of clemency published by the Department of Justice. The grants ordered the Chrisleys be immediately released from their respective prisons.

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The couple, known for their USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best, were convicted in 2022 of multiple financial crimes, including tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud Atlanta-area banks out of more than $30 million in loans by submitting false documents.

Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years behind bars at a federal facility in Florida, while Julie was given seven years at a prison in Kentucky. In addition to their sentences, the reality personalities were ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.

Both had denied any wrongdoing and were in the process of appealing their convictions prior to the pardons, though Julie tearfully apologized in court last year.

I cannot ever repay my children for what theyve had to go through, and for that Im sorry, she said. I apologize for my actions and what led me to where I am today.

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Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley  who campaigned for Trump and spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention  received a call from the president on Tuesday informing her that her parents would be pardoned, citing what he believed to be an unfair trial and harsh treatment.

President Trump recognized what weve argued from the beginning: Todd and Julie were targeted because of their conservative values and high profile, the Chrisleys attorney, Alex Little, said in a statement. Their prosecution was tainted by multiple constitutional violations and political bias.

While the Chrisleys walked free, it was unclear as of Thursday if they would regain any of the money they paid toward the restitution they owed. Representatives for the couple would not elaborate further when reached for comment by the Daily News.

The Chrisleys release from prison continued a pattern of Trump pardoning his high-profile friends and supporters  encapsulated by his pardon attorneys No MAGA left behind tweet on Monday.

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This week, Trump also pardoned former New York City congressman Michael Grimm, twice-jailed former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, and Scott Jenkins, a Virginia sheriff convicted of bribery, among others.

With News Wire Services
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  The Connecticut political world has been buzzing since hearing the news that former Gov. John Rowland was pardoned by President Donald Trump.

He was once a rising political star who suffered a huge fall from grace, and were learning how Rowland got word of the pardon.

Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland pardoned by President Donald Trump

Rowland served from 1995 until 2004 when he was convicted in a corruption scandal, for accepting gifts and favors from state contractors. Then, in 2014, trouble came knocking again and he was convicted of hiding political campaign work and payments.

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The head of the Connecticut Republican Party told Dennis House on This Week In Connecticut hes happy with the news.

The word had been out that an application had been made to the Department of Justice and the White House and the President has been issuing pardons, Ben Proto, chairman of the Connecticut GOP, said.

Rowland in a statement says hes humbled and appreciates the pardon. News 8 spoke with his wife Patricia Thursday, she did not want to talk on camera but told us that they were really happy the pardon came through and that it wasnt a surprise.

We got an e-mail from the White House, thats how we found out, Patricia Rowland said.

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The prosecutor who put him behind bars said on This Week in Connecticut that the pardon doesnt pardon away the facts of a case.

I dont know how John Rowland is viewed, all I know what he did and what a jury convicted him of doing, Chris Mattei, the prosecutor, said. The jury convicted him of these very serious felonies.

Justice was finally doneweve waited a long time for justice, Patricia said.

Rowland could run for governor again if he wanted with the new pardon. But, most people close to Rowland say he is done with politics, wanting to enjoy time with his grandchildren.

Keep in mind a pardon does not erase the conviction or the pardon, that follows the former governor forever.

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Watch the full story in the player above.

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In 2020, as the world was gripped by the coronavirus, the killing of George Floyd shocked Americans into action and into the streets by the millions, protesting the unrelenting killing of Black people by police.

The moment sparked a nascent reckoning in America around systemic racism and institutional inequality  in many cases, with Black women at the center. They led protests and were hired to fix broken institutions and diversify boards. They also did the emotional labor of educating their friends and neighbors. Already the backbone of our democracy, many were called on to also be a bridge to racial healing.

Then, it seemed like the country was ready to listen, understand and move toward a freer, fairer, more equal democracy. Five years later, many of these same Black women find themselves at the center of a backlash, confronted with attacks on the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that were previously championed.

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As I reflected on the five-year anniversary of the start of the reckoning, I thought about the Black women who were on the frontlines  in the streets and workplace, from the boardroom to the classroom. At this milestone, I wanted to hear from them about what this moment had cost them, then and now.

I reached out to several Black women I talk to often with a single question: Five years after the racial reckoning of 2020, what did that moment ask of you  and what, if anything, did it give back? Their answers, in their own words (with some editing for length and clarity), were insightful and honest.

Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones produced The 1619 Project, a New York Times mMgazine project that frames the beginning of the U.S. as the moment the first ship carrying enslaved African people arrived on its shore. (Robert Bumsted/AP)

Nikole Hannah-Jones, staff writer, The New York Times Magazine

The so-called racial reckoning of 2020 asked me to do all that I could, with the platform I had, to use that moment to push us past the superficial to a deeper historical understanding of what spawned the reckoning and the scale of the debt that justice required. Those of us who are students of history, who spend our time analyzing this country from a racial lens, understood that the racial reckoning would not last long because the American attention span to injustice is always fleeting.

We also knew an intense backlash was sure to follow. So, I tried with my writing and my voice to push us as far towards transformation as possible, understanding the short window we had. That was my obligation. But in trying to fulfill that obligation, the reckoning also asked me to open myself up to an intensity of personal attack and efforts to discredit my work that I had never known. In that period, I saw how alone you can be in doing this work once it becomes unpopular. In every way, the so-called racial reckoning of 2020 was a time of clarity.

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What did the racial reckoning of 2020 give back five years later? It gave back everything. The allies who marched in the street for racial justice have gone largely silent, and companies have abandoned their efforts. Black people striving for equality have been blamed for the electoral choices of White voters. People are being killed by the police in higher numbers than they were when George Floyd was murdered. And a significant segment of the media has abetted the backlash. Things have reverted so fiercely that the racial reckoning feels like it was but a dream because we are most certainly now living in a nightmare.

Joy-Ann Reid, host and commentator

The uprisings that spread across the [United States] five years ago despite the pandemic were passionate and multiracial. Even the fires and the damage were quickly revealed to be both rare and often caused by right-wing interlopers. Minneapolis-based Target led a veritable corporate parade of embracing Black Lives Matter, Black people, Black executives, Black small businesses and Black customers. We watched as at long last, military bases named inconceivably for Confederate traitors were renamed. Even the face of American leadership and justice changed, as a new president, Joe Biden, brought powerful Black women with him, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Still, I honestly was shocked when former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of killing Mr. Floyd. But it felt like a new wind was blowing in America.

But like everything in this country, the wind shifted back quickly. Trump defeated Harris to become president again. The Justice Department has ended all federal intervention against violent police departments. Trumps wholly unqualified defense secretary moved to change the names back.

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The violent insurrection of January 6, 2021, has been certified as patriotic and pardon-worthy by Trump and his party. And our democracy itself is being dismantled around us, by men and women whose apparent true religion is hating diversity, equity and inclusion. What Ive learned about America five years after George Floyds public lynching on that ordinary street in Minneapolis is what I already knew: that this country changes only with vicious reluctance, and that it shows no greater passion than when it changes back.

Karine Jean-Pierre was the first Black White House press secretary and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in that role. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary

As a Black woman, I wasnt newly awakened in 2020  I was already living the reality the world was suddenly recognizing. What that moment did ask of me was to hold space for others awakening, to carry even more weight in naming and resisting the structures harming us, all while navigating my own grief and exhaustion. It demanded visibility, labor and vulnerability  often without adequate care or reciprocity.

And yet, five years later, I sit with the weight of this anniversary and ask: Are we worse off now than we were then? In many ways, yes. The initial wave of momentum  the commitments, the DEI initiatives, the promises of transformation  are being undone or abandoned. Were seeing backlash codified into policy, historical truths banned from classrooms, and the language of equity distorted and weaponized. This isnt fatigue  its systemic resistance. And as we look around today, its hard not to feel that we are going backwards.

But that doesnt erase what the reckoning gave us: sharper clarity, deeper solidarity and a refusal to be gaslit. It taught me that the work we do  whether seen or unseen  is sacred and ongoing. Im reminded of the words of Maya Angelou: We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated. The system may try to undo the progress, but our presence, our resistance and our vision for justice endure.

Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

The 2020 racial reckoning dared Black people to suspend a cynicism born from centuries of betrayal in guarded hope that America might do better. Five years later, its been reconfirmed that this country remains gripped by a deep-seated and irrational fear of equality and justice and has yet to learn the hard lesson of linked fate.

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Nonetheless, we are somehow stronger for it. We have more converts to fight for racial justice. More clarity about who are our foes. And more resilience to withstand the battles ahead knowing that we who believe in freedom are growing in number with a generation that witnessed a radical reckoning that we cant unsee.

Karen Finney, Democratic consultant

It asked everything. And what it gave back is the unwavering understanding that we must continue  not because the system is changing, but because we are still here  and we refuse to be erased.

I just couldnt sit through one more conversation where someone tried to soothe the nation with the same old platitudes  This isnt who we are.

No.

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This is who we are.

But its not who we have to be.

The truth was undeniable  especially in the midst of a global pandemic that was already exposing the deep, layered inequities in how different communities were being impacted.

In polling and focus group work that summer, even disparate groups  like infrequent Black voters and White suburban women who leaned Republican  agreed: There was an urgent need for criminal justice and policing reforms. Even many in the political establishment  largely run by White consultants who usually advise candidates to avoid talking about race  had to acknowledge that silence was no longer an option.

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What that moment required of me was to show up  fully, boldly, unapologetically  as a Black woman in politics. I was called into and embraced by a circle of Black women where I could breathe, cry and strategize. We lifted each other up. We worked to amplify our sister-leaders and push forward a national conversation about the need for leaders who bring a different lived experience.

The post From reckoning to backlash, Black women reflect on the stakes of the moment appeared first on The 19th.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  As global trade policies continue to shift, the impact is being felt far beyond international borders, including right here in Central Illinois.

On this edition of On the Record, were exploring how tariffs are affecting shipping ports, and what this means for Central Illinois farmers. We sat down with Robert Sinkler, executive director of the Corn Belt Ports, to break down the ripple effects and the strategic importance of the Peoria Lock and Dam.

Over half the goods that pass through the Peoria Lock and Dam are agricultural products, he said. Illinois is the largest agricultural exporter in the Midwest, and more than 60% of our products move through here, down the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and out through ports in Louisiana to global markets.

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Shipping ports across the country are experiencing a slowdown due to trade uncertainties. For instance, the Port of Los Angeles reported a more than 30% drop in volume during the first week of May.

The ports executive director said inventory is not rebounding despite the Trump administrations 90 day deal to lower tariffs on China from 145% to 30%. Farmers also have to deal with reciprocal tariffs to sell their goods to China.

China is the worlds largest importer of soybeans. Its also a major importer of corn and pork. While Central Illinois hasnt yet seen a massive decline, Sinkler pointed to the 2018 trade war as a warning sign.

We lost nearly 20% of our market share to China for ag products, he said. We just dont want to see that repeated.

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Export levels havent fully rebounded since 2018, and Sinkler said thats causing concern for farmers and local businesses alike.

The Midwest isnt going anywhere, and neither is the Corn Belt, said Sinkler. Our infrastructure is solid, but businesses and farmers dont like uncertainty. It affects planning, investment, and long-term growth.

The sooner we get past these trade uncertainties, the better it will be for everyone. Reducing that uncertainty is critical for the businesses and farmers who rely on waterborne commerce.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
SEOUL, May 29 (UPI) -- South Koreans turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots as early voting kicked off on Thursday, with long lines at many of the country's polling stations ahead of the June 3 snap presidential election.

According to the National Election Commission, voter turnout reached 19.58% as polls closed at 6 p.m., the highest first-day total since South Korea introduced early voting for presidential elections in 2014. The figure represents some 8.7 million of the country's 44.4 million eligible voters.

The election is being held in the wake of a months-long saga precipitated by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's shocking martial law declaration in December. The short-lived decree led to Yoon's impeachment and eventual removal from office on April 3, while long-simmering political divisions in the country have grown deeper.

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Six candidates are vying for the top office, but liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung and conservative People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo are seen as the top contenders, while Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party is a distant third.

Lee, the strong frontrunner in most opinion polls, cast his ballot in the morning in the Sinchon-dong neighborhood of western Seoul.

Frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party takes a selfie with supporters after voting at a polling station in Seoul Thursday. Photo by Jeon Heon-kyun/EPA-EFE

After voting, Lee called on the public to send a message repudiating Yoon's martial law attempt.

"I hope that the people will participate in the vote and severely and strongly judge the forces of insurrection that brought about this wrong result," Lee told reporters.

Early voting reached a record first-day turnout of 19.58%, with long lines being reported at polling stations around the country. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

"The fate of the Republic of Korea lies solely in the hands of the people," he said. "In the end, the only way to exercise sovereignty is through voting."

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Kim Moon-soo, who served as labor minister under Yoon and received the impeached president's endorsement, voted with his daughter in Seoul's neighboring city of Incheon.

Six candidates are vying for the presidency, but the race is between Lee Jae-myung and the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

Despite lagging in polls, Kim said he believes he is closing the gap with Lee.

"The final chase is happening, but I am confident that the results will be good," Kim told reporters.

A voter looks over ballot information outside a polling station in Seoul on Thursday. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

"I think [early voter turnout] shows high interest in the election," he added.

Alongside the fallout of Yoon's impeachment, voters are worried about the economy, which is facing deep uncertainty around the 25% tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on the export-driven country.

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Geopolitical concerns, including an increasingly dangerous North Korea, and a looming demographic crisis caused by the world's lowest birth rate are also on voters' minds this election season.

Other high-profile political figures casting their ballots on Thursday included former presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in.

Moon, who won the presidency in 2017 as the Democratic Party candidate, urged voters to hold the Yoon Suk Yeol administration "strictly accountable through an overwhelming judgment."

"I hope the people remember why this early presidential election was held," Moon wrote on Facebook after voting. "This is an election to judge the Yoon Suk Yeol government's total failure of state affairs and internal strife."

Early voting continues from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Election day is Tuesday.
Red Cow reveals its newly revamped brunch menu originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Red Cow, the burger chain with five restaurants in the Twin Cities, is revamping its brunch plans.

Last week, it launched a new brunch menu available at its 50th and France restaurant, as well as the recently opened Wayzata hub.

The new menu centers around brunch staples like steak and eggs, eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, and a ham and gruyere omelette.

Creme Brulee French Toast at Red CowCourtesy of Red Cow

But those dishes are augmented by less familiar brunch items, like creme brule French toast, salmon toast, and a breakfast fried rice made with bacon, kimchi, sesame, ginger, and a sunny-side up egg.

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"Chef Trevis and I have been writing and tweaking this menu for months now, Adam Lerner, Corporate Chef at Red Cow and Red Rabbit, said in a statement. "Its a complete overhaul, so youll find new twists on some of our classic items, alongside plenty of completely new dishes."

The new menu also touts fresh-pressed juices and breakfast cereal shakes, including a Captain Crunch shake.

The new menu will roll out to other locations soon, landing in the North Loop on May 31. It'll then head to the Uptown Minneapolis and St. Paul restaurants on June 7. At each location, it'll be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Related: Where to find the best Twin Cities food trucks the week of May 26

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
ST. LOUIS  The Red Cross is now giving financial assistance to those impacted by the May 16 tornado in St. Louis.

FOX 2 had the chance to speak with one tornado survivor who is receiving help from the organization. This survivor, Yusmary Perozo, came to St. Louis a year ago for a better life with her family.

She also recently gave birth.

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Her baby boy is just a few days old. Yusmay was released from the hospital on Tuesday, but she initially had no home to return to following the tornados devastation.

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(Yusmary) was obviously very scared and very desperate because she had never lived through something like that before, Red Cross Executive Director Lakricia Cox explained to FOX 2.

Perozo was inside her home on May 16 when the tornado hit. When the weather took off, she hid under a few boxes.

Suddenly, the windows started to explode and she started running down to the basement, Cox said.

The weathers impact began intensifying, with bricks from the home coming down.

In the aftermath of the tornado, Yusmary, her husband and their four children had no roof over their heads.

The reason she came to this country was to provide stability for her children and from night to day they no longer have that home anymore, Cox told FOX 2.

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And even after giving birth, the hospital that cared for Yusmary did not want to release her, fearing she had no place to stay. The Red Cross, however, came to the familys assistance.

The organization provided Yusmary and her family a hotel to reside at for now. The family will remain there until further notice.

Yusmarys story is one of many victims recovering in the aftermath of the tornado. To help St. Louis storm victims, visit here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Approximately 800 remaining full-time Voice of America (VOA) employees are expected to receive a notice of termination this week amid the Trump administration's funding cuts, Politico reported on May 28, citing four VOA employees.

On March 15, Trump administration officials gutted funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA.

In an email obtained by the Kyiv Independent in March, employees at VOA were instructed "not to enter USAGM premises" nor "access USAGM systems." Over 1,300 journalists, producers and support staff working at VOA were also placed on administrative leave.

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A senior VOA employee told Politico that USAGM-led layoffs would likely affect all staff, effectively shuttering operations. Earlier this month on May 15, about 600 contractors working for VOA received termination notices.

VOA was founded in 1942, broadcasting in almost 50 languages around the world.

Amid attempts by journalists to overturn the decision to gut funding, a U.S. federal judge on April 22 ordered the Trump administration to restore all employees and contractors at VOA, saying the administration's efforts to dismantle the outlet likely violated U.S. law.

Last week, a federal appeals court overturned the decision, deciding that it would not intervene in the Trump administrations efforts to dismantle the long-standing network.

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Trump has long criticized U.S.-funded media organization, criticizing them over their coverage of the U.S. president, and often referring to them as "fake news."

Trump's crackdown against VOA has been celebrated by Russian propagandists, who welcomed the cuts to the network.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul





















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The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.



Top 5 Upgrades:



Citi upgraded Lamar Advertising (LAMR) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $135, up from $114. The firm increased revenue estimates following a reduction in tariff-related risks to the advertising market.

Piper Sandler upgraded Claritev (CTEV) to Overweight from Neutral with a price target of $44, up from $19. The firm sees an improving fundamental outlook following the Q1 revenue and adjusted EBITDA beat.

Wells Fargo upgraded HCA Healthcare (HCA) to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $385, up from $320. The firm is now more constructive on the hospital group and sees policy risks as having receded following the House passage of budget reconciliation legislation. Wells also upgraded Tenet Healthcare (THC) to Overweight from Equal Weight.

Deutsche Bank upgraded Southwest (LUV) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $40, up from $28. Southwest's refreshed board of directors "ushered in a new era of change," which will drive higher shareholder returns, the firm tells investors in a research note.

Summit Insights upgraded Nvidia (NVDA) to Buy from Hold after its Q1 results and guidance. The risk of double-ordering on its Hopper generation AI GPU and the risk of China export controls are now priced into the stock, the firm tells investors in a research note.

Top 5 Downgrades:



RBC Capital downgraded Salesforce (CRM) to Sector Perform from Outperform with a price target of $275, down from $420, after the company reported a relatively in-line quarter. The downgrade is primarily driven by the formally announced acquisition of Informatica (INFA) for $8B and merger model, as well as longer-term concerns, the firm says.

TD Cowen downgraded Starbucks (SBUX) to Hold from Buy with an unchanged price target of $90. The firm believes Starbucks is settling into a new 2026 through 2028 earnings base versus consensus that does not appear to be considering labor investments that are central to the company's turnaround.

BofA downgraded SentinelOne (S) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $21, down from $24, following "a mixed quarter." For a few quarters now, results have been "uninspiring," with two consecutive quarters of reduced guidance, and the company is growing at rates similar to CrowdStrike (CRWD), despite having an 80% lower revenue base and carrying about 650 basis points lower profitability, adjusting for scale, the firm tells investors in a post-earnings note. JPMorgan and Wells Fargo also downgraded SentinelOne to Neutral-equivalent ratings.

Citi downgraded Paramount (PARA) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $12, down from $13. The firm continues to expect the Skydance transaction to close in 2025, but believes the equity's risk/reward is relatively balanced at prevailing levels.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego County Medical Examiners Office said remains that were found on Torrey Pines State Beach last week belonged to a 10-year-old girl who was one of those on board a panga that capsized in Del Mar earlier this month.

The remains were found by a passerby on May 21 who immediately contacted law enforcement.

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On Thursday, the Medical Examiners office confirmed the remains belonged to a 10-year-old girl named Mahi Brijeshkumar Patel.

PREVIOUS: 5 arrested after deadly smuggling incident off San Diego coast; girl remains missing

Local law enforcement is is seen at Torrey Pines State Beach after a boat was spotted on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Credit: On.Scene.TV)

Patel was one of the passengers of a panga that had capsized on May 5 at Del Mar Beach, according to the medical examiners office. The office added that Patel was missing and could not be located when law enforcement and other emergency personnel arrived.

The vessel was found near the 12000 block of North Torrey Pines Road and triggered a multi-agency response from the San Diego Police Department, Del Mar lifeguards, Border Patrol agents, the United States Coast Guard and other local authorities.

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According to local officials, as many as 18 people were believed to have been on the boat at the time, including alleged smugglers.

Jorge Sanchez, deputy fire chief with the Encinitas Fire Department, confirmed that at least three people were killed in the incident.

Three bodies were recovered, including a 14-year-old boy from India identified in court records as P.P.B.

Eight of the nine migrants who had been missing from the boat were accounted for, with the exception of P.P.Bs 10-year-old sister, authorities previously stated.

On Wednesday, May 21, a passerby at Torrey Pines State Beach came across human remains which were later turned over to authorities.

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The medical examiner stated Patels parents have been notified of DNA testing that confirmed her identity.

Bodycam footage shows man brandishing hatchet before police shooting

The cause and manner of her death are still pending investigation.

Five Mexican nationals were detained in relation to the alleged smuggling scheme after Border Patrol agents stopped vehicles that were seen leaving the area where the boat capsized.

Julio Cesar Zuniga-Luna, 30, and Jesus Juan Rodriguez-Leyva, 36, were charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain. Meanwhile, Melissa Jenelle Cota, 33, Gustavo Lara, 32, and Sergio Rojas-Fregosa, 31, were charged with transportation of illegal aliens.

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TODAY MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY of the death, at 97, of Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. And in three days comes another important date for Smith: June 1 is the 75th anniversary of her Declaration of Conscience speech denouncing her colleague Senator Joseph McCarthys hunt for alleged Communists in the U.S. governmentan extraordinary act of political bravery, and one that came at considerable cost.

Smith entered public office under unhappy circumstances. A lifelong Republican, she was married to Clyde Smith, a representative from Maine twenty-one years her senior, from 1930 until his death on April 8, 1940. According to public accounts at the time, Clyde died from a heart attack. His actual cause of death was advanced syphilis, which had been diagnosed in 1938. As Margarets biographer Patricia Schmidt writes, its unclear whether she was ever aware of her husbands diagnosis. But she once told a historian that Clyde loved the ladies and they loved him.

Margaret was her husbands secretary and knew his congressional district as well as he did. At the age of 42, she was elected to serve out the remainder of his term; she then won four full terms in her own right.

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During her near-decade in the House, Margaret Chase Smith built a reputation as an independent thinker. As Schmidt relates, Smith supported President Franklin Roosevelts Lend-Lease program to help Britain defend itself against dictatorshipthe only member of Maines House delegation to do so, which set her against the stance of the Republican partys isolationist wing. She also took a stand counter to most of her Republican colleagues to support a bill to allow merchant ships to be armed and permitted in combat zones.

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With these votes and others, she became a champion of national defense and a strong foreign policy. Though rooted in principle and independent judgment, these stances ultimately proved politically savvy as well: Maine was the home to several military installations and defense contractor facilities, such as the Bath Iron Works shipyard.

While Smith maintained the persona of a traditional mid-twentieth-century American woman, she was a strong advocate for womens equality. She was especially attentive to the needs of mothers who worked during the war as civilians and women who joined the military as nurses and other noncombatants. She fought for increased funding for childcare in war-time factories and for improved status of women serving their country in uniform. On various occasions between 1945 to 1972, she cosponsored and voted for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

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In 1948, she ran for the Senate. Maine was solidly Republican in those days, and after roundly defeating her primary opposition (which included both the sitting governor and a former governor), she won the general election with an impressive 71 percent of the vote. She had ruffled a lot of Republican feathers, and she was not the favorite of the party establishment, but her independence and attention to her constituents helped secure her victory.

Senator Smith was the first woman to serve in both the House and the Senate, and from 1949 to 1954, she was the only female senator. With the Senate as a more prominent platform, she immediately went to work to raise her stature. Smith was selected to temporarily act as Senate minority leader in March. She was more than once named the Associated Presss Political Woman of the Year. She was mentioned as a potential contender for the vice presidential slot in the 1952 election. Many Republicans believed her moderate voting record and her gender could be useful in balancing the 1952 ticket.

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EVENTS OF 1950 WOULD ALTER the course of her political career. It was in February of that year that Senator McCarthy began his long cynical campaign of fearmongering and exaggerationstarting with claims that he possessed a list of Communist Party members working at the State Department. McCarthy promised to release details supporting his assertions, but few particulars and no complete list of names was ever revealed.

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The Senate established the Subcommittee on the Investigation of Loyalty of State Department Employeesthe Tydings Committee (for its Democratic chairman, Millard Tydings of Maryland)to investigate McCarthys claims. Nine State Department employees were investigated but were cleared. The Tydings Committee determined that McCarthys list was a fraud and a hoax. Most Republicans joined McCarthy in rejecting the committees conclusion as partisan.

Margaret Chase Smith was a committed anti-Communist and took seriously the threats presented during the Cold War. However, she had serious objections to McCarthys methods and doubts about the veracity of McCarthys claims. Troubled by McCarthyism, she was determined to speak against it.

Smith hoped that speaking out would position her as a forceful and courageous advocate for the truth, but she knew it could be a political landmine. In 1950, at the start of McCarthys campaign to root out Communist subversives, many Republicans viewed this new Red Scare as a great opportunity to score points against the Truman administration, in advance of that years midterms and the 1952 presidential election. Certainly at first, more Republicans were with McCarthy than against him.

Although she knew she would face criticism from her own party, Smith chose to act on her principles. On June 1, 1950, she delivered the speechher first in the Senatefor which she would be most remembered.

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Smiths ringing Declaration of Conscience criticized both Republicans and Democrats. She accused the Truman administration of complacency regarding Communist influence and espionage, but she also reproached Republican politicians who alleged that certain Americans presented domestic threats.

Her words from 1950 resonate today:

Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism The right to criticize. The right to hold unpopular beliefs. The right to protest. The right of independent thought.

She went on to critique the present ineffective Democratic administration but nevertheless cautioned about giving power to a reckless Republican party.

Yet to displace it with a Republican regime embracing a philosophy that lacks political integrity or intellectual honesty would prove equally disastrous to the nation. The nation sorely needs a Republican victory. But I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of CalumnyFear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear.

Smith persuaded six other moderate to liberal Republicans to join her in a statement issued concurrent with her speech. The statement closed with this:

It is high time that we stopped thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats about elections and started thinking patriotically as Americans about national security based on individual freedom. It is high time that we all stopped being tools and victims of totalitarian techniquestechniques that, if continued here unchecked, will surely end what we have come to cherish as the American way of life.

She didnt name McCarthy directlybut she didnt have to: The target of her attack was obvious. She later recalled having run into McCarthy on their way to the Capitol. McCarthy asked if she was heading there to make a speech; she replied: Yes, and you will not like it. He sat two rows behind her during her speech.

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SMITH EVENTUALLY PAID a steep political cost for her political courage. Immediate reaction within the Senate was mixed. Many senators remained fully aligned with McCarthy at that early stage in his effort. Some of her colleagues praised and congratulated her.1 Others, including those who agreed with her, were reticentthey didnt want to appear soft on communism, especially not once the Korean War ignited a few weeks later. Even most of her Declaration of Conscience cosigners eventually abandoned her, the exception being Sen. Wayne Morse of Oregon, who left the Republican party, becoming an independent in 1953 and a Democrat in 1955.

The Republican party establishment punished Smith. She was removed from the Permanent Investigating Subcommittee of the Senate Expenditures Committee by McCarthy, who was the ranking Republican on the committee. She was removed from the Republican Policy Committee. She was left off the list of speakers at the annual Lincoln Day rally and was scheduled for only two speaking engagements at Maine Republican rallies in the leadup to the 1950 electiona snub for a sitting senator.

Perhaps more notably, talk of her as a potential vice presidential candidate dried up. A small grassroots effort at the 1952 convention to put her name in nomination fell apart. Eisenhower stated his preference for Richard Nixon, and Senator Smith opted out of attending the convention to be with her dying mother back in Maine.

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While Smiths standing in the party fell, McCarthys rose, if only for a short time. He spoke at the 1952 convention, and with Republicans capturing the Senate that year, McCarthy became chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI). He used the PSI as his platform to continue pursuit of alleged Communists. (He was assisted by an aggressive young prosecutor named Roy Cohn, who later became a mentor to a certain New York real estate developer.)

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Ultimately, though, Smith was vindicated. McCarthys clout declined beginning in 1953 as more of the Washington establishment, including Republican officials, came out against his extremism. On December 2, 1954, the Senate voted 6722 to censure McCarthy. Republicans split evenly, 2222. While he continued his anti-communism campaign, his stature and credibility were irreparably diminished. McCarthy died in 1957.

Senator Smith continued to display her independence and courage in the Senate for another eighteen years following McCarthys downfall. She defied Eisenhower and Nixon on several occasions. Her voting record included support for education, civil rights, voting rights, the War on Poverty, and consumer protection. She declined to fight against the closure of an outdated Air Force Base in her own state (this would simply be playing politics with our national security).

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Smith launched a dark horse candidacy for president in 1964. While she failed to win a primary (Illinois was her best showing with 25 percent of the vote), she stayed in the race to the convention and denied Senator Barry Goldwater a unanimous delegate vote for the nomination. She was the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for the presidency at a major party convention.

Her luck ended with her 1972 Senate re-election bid. She received 47 percent of the vote in a state where Nixon received 65 percent. At 74, she was returning to private life after 32 years.

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THE POLITICS OF 2025 would likely not be a good fit for Senator Smith. Maine Republicans might consider her too independent. After all, the most recent Republican governor was Paul LePage, who said in 2016, I was Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular.

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And she would probably find todays Senate strange. What would she say about the motivations of senators who, at one moment (say, after an insurrection) are harshly critical of Trump, only later to turn shamelessly obsequious toward him? What would she think of Ted Cruz (a modern-day McCarthy figure if ever there were one), Mike Lee, Tommy Tuberville, and Lindsey Graham? Would she make another Declaration of Conscience to compare Trump and his sycophants to McCarthy? Would anyone even listen to her?

Its possible that Senator Smith would find common ground with at least one fearless group: the Republican women who oppose Trump, who became especially prominent in 2024. The list is long and includes Liz Cheney, Barbara Comstock, Nancy Kassebaum, Christine Todd Whitman, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Cassidy Hutchinson, Sarah Matthews, Stephanie Grisham, and Olivia Troye. All were former elected officials or served in Republican administrations, and all endorsed Kamala Harris.

Smith might also have a pleasant conversation with the woman who holds her Senate seat, Susan Collins, who voted to convict Trump in 2021, did not endorse Trump in 2024, voted against the Hegseth and Patel nominations, voted to block Trumps tariffs, and raised objections to some of Trumps budget proposals.

Collins, an admirer of Senator Smith, could put to good use Smiths counsel from June 1, 1950, and warn fellow Republicans to not ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of CalumnyFear, Ignorance, Bigotry, and Smear. Perhaps Smith would advise Collins to make a new declarationone that fully rejects Trumpism.

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Collinss Maine colleague, Senator Angus Kingan independent who caucuses with Democratsrecently paid tribute to Smith in a Senate speech. He warned of President Trump exceeding his constitutional powers.

King is sending the right message, but we need Republicans to make their own contemporary Declaration of Conscience. The time has come once again to directly challenge a radical movement.

Whenever youre ready, Senator Collins. . .

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1

One notable instance of praise for Smith came a year after the speech when Hubert Humphrey told Smith she was doing a whale of a job. According to biographer Patricia Schmidt, Smith replied, Hubert, if you think Im doing such a good job, why dont you join me? To which Humphrey said, Oh my God, that would be political suicide.
ST. ALBANS, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  A partnership between a New England energy company and Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream will lead to more electricity for Vermonters  and less food going to the landfill.

PurposeEnergy and Ben & Jerrys announced the grand opening of the St. Albans Renewable Energy Facility on Thursday. The New Hampshire-based company has already built several facilities in Vermont, such as in Middlebury last year. The first major step towards building this one, which is located in the St. Albans Industrial Park south-west of downtown, was in 2021 when the company signed an agreement with Ben & Jerrys to receive organic and food waste. A dedicated pipeline will carry waste from Ben & Jerrys, which has a nearby warehouse, directly to the plant, which will then be turned into electricity and clean water.

Governor signs Vermonters Feeding Vermonters grant program

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Jenna Evans, the Global Sustainability Manager at Ben & Jerrys, said, This project strengthens B&Js commitment to environmental sustainability by providing a long-term solution for organic waste. It will reduce Vermonts road traffic, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease phosphorus pollution.

Construction of the plant began in May 2023, and within just over a year and a half it was already producing energy for the Vermont power grid. It is expected to generate 8.75 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year, enough for an average electric car to circle the earth over 1,000 times.

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VERMILLION, S.D. (KCAU)  This week, South Dakotas representative stepped away from Capitol Hill to speak with students in Vermillion.

Wednesday morning, Representative Dusty Johnson answered questions from students at the University of South Dakota.

The students are members of the American Legion Auxiliarys Girls State Program, which helps girls get involved in government and volunteering.

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While Johnson was visiting, many of the same topics were brought up, including concerns about cuts to Medicaid. He said most folks wont be impacted.

If youre on the program [as] an illegal alien, youre going to have a problem. If you are an able-bodied, young person without dependence at home [or] if youre a 27-year-old who can work but chooses not to, yes. Our work requirements are going to require you to volunteer, go to school, get in a training program, or go to work, and we do that because we want you to improve your life, Rep. Johnson said.

When asked about being a possible candidate for governor or trying to keep his seat, Rep. Johnson said hell have to make a choice about the decision soon.

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South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden also answered questions from the students at USD on Wednesday and remarked he wasnt ready to talk about his plans for 2026 yet.

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Rep. Steny Hoyer has drawn a primary challenger with a pointed message about the 85-year-old: The incumbent Maryland Democrat is too old to run again.

Harry Jarin, a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter and emergency services consultant who once competed on Jeopardy!, launched his campaign Thursday because he said Democrats need to "stop treating congressional seats like lifetime appointments.

"When I started going around asking people whether I should do this, nobody could tell me that in their heart, they really thought Steny Hoyer at 89 years old [at the end of] the next Congress was the right person to represent us in this district, Jarin said in an interview with POLITICO previewing his candidacy.

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Hoyer  who has not said if he will seek a 24th term  was first elected in 1981. While in office, Hoyer has been a stalwart supporter of the partys top issues. He was an early supporter of the ADA in 1990 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002, and as majority leader he played a key role in the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

A Hoyer spokesperson declined to comment. When Hoyer stepped back from leadership in 2022, he directly addressed his age, telling CNN: Have you heard I was 83?

I think all of us have been around for some time and pretty much have a feel for the timing of decisions. And I think all three of us felt that this was the time, Hoyer said at the time, addressing his decision and the decisions of Nancy Pelosi and Jim Clyburn.

As the party continues to reckon with its November loss to President Donald Trump, Democrats have been looking for ways to inject new voices into the conversation. Those arguing for change say bringing in new people will bring new ideas to Congress, as well as new strategies for reaching an electorate that has soured on their party. But Democrats have tread carefully around the issue of age, particularly around former President Joe Biden  even in the wake of fresh questions about whether his decision to run for reelection amid his deteriorating condition set the party back.

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Not Jarin.

Jarin acknowledged that his differences with Hoyer are not necessarily ideological, but rather rooted in his age. He cast the former majority leader as out of date with his approach, which he said was too incremental and unable to keep up in the changing media landscape that is so crucial to courting younger voters.

"Steny is still operating in this 1980s information environment where maybe he does some media hits and he stands on the floor of the House and makes a speech to an empty chamber and nobody's watching," he said. "We're not reaching young voters."

After a string of deaths among older Democratic members since the start of this Congress, Jarin said, it's time to make explicit the conversation about whether incumbents are too old to serve.

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I'm not trying to be cruel or callous," Jarin said, "but I want Democrats to win, and there are consequences for having this gerontocracy, and we have to reckon with that.



Hoyer, who long served as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's second-in-command in the House before the two stepped back from leadership, is one of several senior Democrats who are facing primary challengers from younger generations demanding new leadership.

Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Pelosi (D-Calif.), have all drawn opponents from within their party. After drawing a challenger, Schakowsky announced she would no longer seek reelection.

Democrats, of course, aren't the only ones to contend with age in office. Former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stepped back from his leadership role at the age of 82 after more than two decades of being the chief Senate Republican. And President Donald Trump, at 78, became the oldest president to be inaugurated in American history this January.

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The party has also been roiled by DNC Vice Chair David Hogg, who has pledged to spend big on primaries against ineffective, asleep-at-the-wheel members of his own party.

Jarin has not spoken to Hogg about his potential support, but he flexed his ties to Democratic donors, including his husband, who he said bundled for Biden, and he thinks he will raise enough to put up a fight against Hoyers $573,000 cash on hand.

When Hogg announced his plan to primary incumbents, he specifically noted he would not back a Hoyer challenger.

Jarin said that the party has work to do as it sorts through its election losses from last year. The partys focus on Trump, he said, has distracted from presenting an affirmative message to voters.

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We've been the anti-Trump party for the last 10 years, but what do we actually stand for? he said.

Jarin said Democrats at all levels know that having too many older members can be a problem and says there's plenty of private support behind him.

But to win, his supporters will need to make their frustrations with older members clinging to their seats public.
SYLACAUGA, Ala. (WIAT)  School leaders in Sylacauga had an unexpected surprise on the first day of their summer learning program when an Eastern Alabama Railway train derailed five railcars Tuesday afternoon.

The stalled length of the train ended up blocking the entrance to Indian Valley Elementary School.

Its just rolling with the punches, said Thomas Osborne, the chief financial officer for Sylacauga City Schools. We come to expect the unexpected. Thats what we do in education.

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As of Wednesday evening, there were still two overturned rail cars, and a crew member said that the ground was simply too soft to bring in the heavy equipment needed to upright the railcars.

No one was injured, and the rail cars were not carrying hazardous materials, according to Tom Ciuba, a spokesperson for Eastern Alabama Railway.

Jason Hamric, founder of Substrate Radio who celebrated Birmingham art scene, dies

Three of the five cars derailed remained upright, according to Ciuba. He said the railcars were carrying crushed limestone.

He said they expect to have the scene fully cleared by Thursday. A crew member said at the scene, however, that while they hope to have the track repaired, removing the two railcars and debris may take longer.

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The stopped railcars in front of the entrance to Indian Valley Elementary School on Oldfield Road created somewhat of a parking dilemma for staff and parents.

The trains were across the tracks, and we have to cross the tracks to enter and exit the school, Osborne said.

They had to figure out a way to move all the cars that were parked in front of the school Tuesday afternoon to the back of the school, Osborne said.

Motes Road and Oldfield Road entrances dont connect and neither do the parking lots, Osborne said. We had to kind of divert traffic thru the grass around the building through the parking lot to get into the old lot to be able exit out Motes Road.

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Cpt. Jason McNeill with the Sylacauga Police Department offered a warning to drivers in light of the partial closure along Oldfield Road stretching from Indian Valley Elementary to Nichols-Lawson Middle School.

A portion of Oldfield Road is closed, and were asking the drivers to avoid Oldfield as much as possible, McNeill said. Unless you live on it, just try to avoid it.

Hall of Famers. A Heisman winner. An MMA fighter. Tuberville is not the only sports politician

Barri Carter, whose family lives on Oldfield Road, said she had not received any updates from any officials about whats going on outside her front door.

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We did have a lot of workers and a lot of equipment out here last night, Carter said. All through the night, the dogs were barking.

She also mentioned that this isnt the first time theres been a train derailment in her neighborhood.

The last time it happened, it happened down at Motes Road, Carter said. The train cars were not backed up this far.

Ciuba said there was a derailment in the area within the past two years. He said, however, that theres nothing at this point to suggest the two derailments are related.

Ciuba said there an investigation was underway into the cause of the derailment.

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Nearly half of Hampton households cannot afford basic necessities, and most of them are making too much money to receive benefits, according to a new report from the citys Economic Empowerment and Family Resiliency department.

The study looked at poverty, with 2023 Census data showing 13% of Hampton households fall below the federal poverty line  roughly 2% higher than national average. However, another 31% of the citys households are classified as Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE), meaning they earn above the federal poverty line, but not necessarily enough to afford necessities like health care, food or transportation.

The current federal poverty line for a single person is $15,650 and $32,150 for a family of four. Across Hampton Roads cities, the percentage of households living in poverty ranges from 9% in Virginia Beach to 19% in Portsmouth.

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Economic Empowerment and Family Resiliency Director DeAnna Valentine said during Wednesdays presentation to City Council that despite their work to climb out of poverty, the Hampton residents in that limited income population are one mishap away sliding back down, and dont have social safety nets to support them.

These are people that dont necessarily qualify for state benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, but also dont necessarily make enough money to get out of the situation where they currently are, Valentine said. So any sort of a critical illness, vehicle might need repairs, housing repairs, could very easily slide these individuals and these families backward into poverty.

The data is a continuation from 2022, which saw roughly 45% of Hampton households at or below ALICE levels, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Poverty is dispersed in different pockets around the city, Valentine said. She noted Black and Hispanic households, each with roughly half of each demographic sitting at or below ALICE levels, are disproportionately faced with poverty.

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Those pockets also span across neighborhoods like downtown and Hampton University, where more than 70% of the population of both areas is considered asset limited, according to the study. In Historic Phoebus, 66% of households are asset limited with and a roughly $30,000 median household income. The neighborhood is sandwiched between three communities where the median household income is more than $90,000.

Poverty bleeds into other aspects of life, including substance use, crime and hunger, according to Valentine. When the majority of your neighbors are experiencing the same hardships , Valentine said it can create an isolating cycle and climbing out of it can seem impossible.

If the people that you are connected with are also in the same situation that you are in, sometimes its hard to find that positive person, Valentine said. Sometimes its hard to have that positive outlook if everyone is in that same boat struggling along.

Financial resources can be hindered by accessibility issues, city budgetary constraints and systemic issues barriers like evictions, Valentine said. Thats why the city is looking at solutions.

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While initiatives like community marketplaces and temporary housing have worked for other localities in the past, City Manager Mary Bunting said the climb out of poverty usually happens slowly, and many people become trapped between taking a small pay raise and losing their state or federal benefits.

As a result, Bunting said its up to the city to take up the mantle to continue supporting its residents and ensure peoples effort to work their way to a better livelihood is worth it.

For many people, there are disincentives built into the system, Bunting said. Especially if you have children or things of that nature, the incremental increase in wages that you get may not be enough to offset what you lose.

Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  A new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center found there were over a thousand hate and antigovernment groups in the United States in 2024, and 33 of them were in Colorado.

Two of the organizations FOX21 spoke with in our region say being on the list is a badge of honor.

Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit, civil rights organization that releases an annual Year in Hate & Extremism report that looks into hate and antigovernment extremist groups in the United States as well as their influence on local, state, and national government.

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Hate groups in the US decline but their influence grows, report shows

These groups use political, communication, violent, and online tactics to build strategies and training infrastructure to divide the country, demoralize people, and dismantle democracy, the report said.

Over 2024, the report found there were 1,371 hate and extremist groups in the United States, a 5% decline. However, the number of hate and extremist groups in Colorado has been slowly increasing, based on the new report.

Colorado has 33 hate and antigovernment groups: report

The report outlines 33 groups across Colorado on its Hate Map, all of which are said to be hate and antigovernment groups. 10 groups are located in Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Fountain.

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Heres which groups across Colorado are on the list and what Southern Poverty Law said is their ideology:

Group Ideology Location Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform Anti-Immigrant Lakewood Family Policy Alliance Anti-LGBTQ Colorado Springs Family Research Institute Anti-LGBTQ Colorado Springs Focus on the Family Anti-LGBTQ Colorado Springs Gays Against Groomers  Colorado Chapter Anti-LGBTQ Denver Generations Anti-LGBTQ Elizabeth The Pray in Jesus Name Project Anti-LGBTQ Colorado Springs Colorado Eagle Forum Antigovernment General Brighton Constitution Party  Colorado Antigovernment General Statewide Faith Education Commerce (FEC United)  Northern Colorado Antigovernment General Northern Colorado Freedom First Society Antigovernment General Colorado Springs Moms for Liberty  Boulder County, CO Chapter Antigovernment General Boulder County Moms for Liberty  El Paso County, CO Chapter Antigovernment General El Paso County Moms for Liberty  Larimer County, CO Chapter Antigovernment General Fort Collins Moms for Liberty  Mesa County, CO Chapter Antigovernment General Mesa County Moms for Liberty  Weld County, CO Chapter Antigovernment General Weld County Parents Involved in Education  Colorado Antigovernment General Statewide Tactical Civics  Colorado Antigovernment General Statewide Tactical Civics  Colorado Springs, CO Antigovernment General Colorado Springs Tactical Civics  Fountain, CO Antigovernment General Fountain Tactical Civics  Weld County, CO Antigovernment General Weld County Tactical Civics -Longmont, CO Antigovernment General Longmont We Are Change  Denver, CO Antigovernment General Denver Scriptures for America Worldwide Ministries Christian Identity Laporte American Freedom Network Conspiracy Propagandists Johnstown Northern Kingdom Prophets General Hate Pueblo Colorado Mountain Boys Militia El Paso County Asatru Folk Assembly  Colorado Neo-Volkisch Statewide The American States Assembly  Colorado Sovereign Citizens Movement Statewide Colorado State Assembly Sovereign Citizens Movement Statewide Peoples Operation Restoration Sovereign Citizens Movement Statewide Team Law Sovereign Citizens Movement Grand Junction Patriot Front  Colorado White Nationalist Statewide

Focus on the Family says its mission is to support healthy and thriving marriages, but theyve also advocated conversion therapy for gay people. The Director of Family Studies says if that lands them on a hate list, then theyll wear it with pride.

Our big focus now is family, marriage, and parenting, Glenn T. Stanton, the Director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, explained. From day one, it has been like Dr. Dobson, who founded the organization, said lets put up a shingle and lets just trust God and see who shows up and need our help, and thats exactly what we do and webe been doing that every day since the mid seventies.

Focus on the Family made the list for an anti-LGBTQ ideology, while El Paso Countys Moms for Liberty was labeled as anti-government.

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When did we start considering families and parental rights and people who want the government to get out of their household as terrorists or hate groups? And thats how far weve come, Darcy Schoening, Member of Moms for Liberty, explained. So, you know, people like me, Moms for Liberty, we have to keep standing up.

Lawsuit filed over Kelly Loving Act

Moms for Liberty is among several groups suing the state of Colorado over the Kelly Loving Act, which expands transgender protections in Colorado. Those behind the suit claim it violates free speech and parental rights.

Were just asking for the government to stay out of our business and not to trans our kids behind our backs, Schoening said.

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Although the total number of hate and extremist groups may have dropped in the country, it continues to rise in Colorado. Previous reports tracked 30 groups in 2023 in Colorado, 31 in 2022, 18 in 2021, and 17 in 2020.

During the start of the report in 2000, the Hate Map only noted seven groups in Colorado.

While the number of white nationalist, hate, and anti-government groups around the U.S. dropped in 2024, the report said this isnt because of the shrinking influence. The report attributes the decline to the lesser sense of urgency to organize because these beliefs have entered politics, education, and society.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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May 28Cuts in federal grant funding pose new challenges to programs at Barton Community College. The challenges and possible solutions were discussed at Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting when Director of Grants Krystall Barnes reported. These include finding new funding for RSVP/AmeriCorps, whose federal funding has been reduced by $400 million nationwide.

"We lost our RSVP funding," Barnes said, adding, "It was a big cut nationwide. More than 1,000 programs were cut nationwide."

Barton has been a sponsor of the program for 49 years and is supportive of the program, Barnes said. The college provides support such as office space for the local director.

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"I talked to Linn Hogg who has been running our program for 14 years," she said. Hogg knows directors regionally and nationwide, and the consensus is that rural programs were harder hit than urban programs. "Over 1,200 meals on wheels are delivered every month (in our area). This is big for our seniors."

Solutions

Barnes said the Barton Foundation is taking the lead to secure future funding and support. It is working with other foundations and community partners such as United Way to find ways to collaborate to keep those services going. The college is looking for new local, corporate, foundation and federal grant opportunities.

Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki said these are critical services. "I appreciate what people are doing to keep it going."

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TRIO programs

Barnes said funding for federal TRIO programs is also in jeopardy. They are also targeted for elimination in the federal administration's proposed 2026 "skinny budget" that the House of Representatives passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Senate has not yet voted on the act and the final version could change.

"They have to go through that whole process of examining everything," Barnes said.

TRIO programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and serve first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities. There were 800 programs across the United States. Barton has four:

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Barton County Upward Bound (BCUB) serves 60 students a year.

Central Kansas Upward Bound (CKUB) serves 60 students a year.

Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) serves 1,000 students in a 35-county area  not just Barton's service area.

Student Support Services (SSS) serves 200 students a year.

Vice President Mark Dean said Congress has already allocated the money for these multi-year grants but it's being held.

CKUB is the program that comes up first and Barnes said there have been some reassurances that the funds may be awarded. "We have to wait and see. They really don't have any answers for us yet."

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"There's obviously an appetite in DC to cut these programs," Garstecki said, noting first-generation students are more successful with assistance that TRIO can provide. "Hopefully we can continue to work through it."

Barnes concluded that the fate of federal grants continues to change and she may learn more any day. "We are taking it day by day."

Barton's proposed solutions to the new challenges are to advocate at the local, federal and state levels. Advocates are creating awareness of TRIO programs' impact on students. Barnes maintains contact with and receives guidance from the Council for Opportunities in Education (COE) and the national TRIO program. Among other things, they are collecting success stories from alumni.

Other grants

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Barnes' report was on grant programs also included the Adult Education & Family Literacy Act, funded by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) via the U.S. Department of Education. Adult Ed helps clients earn GED, and offers assistance such as tutoring services and job referrals. It helped 120 students this year.

Carl Perkins CTE (Career Technical Education) grants are applied for every year through the Department of Education.

KBOR offers short-term grants. Recent funding paid for state-of-the-art equipment, such as an ambulance simulator for the Nursing Department and the APEX Officer virtual reality (VR) system for the Criminal Justice Department. The Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) is funding community digital literacy through Barton's Workforce Training and Community Education (WTCE) Division. The Kansas Arts Council supported the Barton County "Nutcracker" performance.

There are also partnerships with Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University. The Classroom to Classroom project with FHSU helps recruit future teachers from rural areas. Students start with scholarships at Barton before they transfer to Fort Hays. Both FHSU and K-State partnerships help Barton offer support for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs. Barnes noted that Barton has an active STEM club that was created through this grant.

For clarification, Linn Hogg is director of the Volunteers in Action (VIA) of Central Kansas and AmeriCorps Seniors Programs. RSVP, formerly the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, is part of AmeriCorps Seniors, and has been replaced in Great Bend by VIA. Other services provided are medical transportation, Medicare counseling and AARP tax preparation.
Police are investigating after a persons body was found near a Dayton home on Thursday morning.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 5, Montgomery County Regional Dispatch originally told News Center 7 that police responded to the 1200 block of W. Grand Avenue around 9:41 a.m. on reports of a shooting.

TRENDING STORIES:

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When News Center 7s crew got to the scene, police said they responded to reports of a dead body.

The Montgomery County Coroners Office was seen at the scene as well.

It was reported just blocks away from Liberation Park.

This is a developing story. Well provide updates as we learn more.

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US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has presented a new proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that includes the release of 10 hostages, according to Israeli media.

As per the new draft plan, the hostages are to be released in two groups within a week, several outlets reported. Palestinian extremist group Hamas would also have to hand over the bodies of 18 abductees still held in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

The two-month truce is set to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Hamas on an end to the almost 20-month-long conflict which was triggered by the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

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If Israel and Hamas manage to come to an agreement, the remaining hostages held in Gaza are due to be released under the latest proposal.

The proposal also stipulates that aid distribution in the Gaza Strip will once again be handled by the United Nations and international aid organizations.

The Israeli army is to withdraw to the positions it held before the start of the latest offensive in March, according to the proposal.

According to Israeli sources, at least 20 hostages are still alive in the Gaza Strip. The fate of three other kidnapped persons is unclear, while the bodies of 35 abductees are believed to be held in the sealed-off coastal area.

Witkoff expressed optimism at the White House on Wednesday about a possible ceasefire in the Gaza war. He told journalists that he had "very good feelings" about a ceasefire and a long-term peaceful solution to the conflict.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has presented a new proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that includes the release of 10 hostages, according to Israeli media.

As per the new draft plan, the hostages are to be released in two groups within a week, several outlets reported.

Palestinian extremist group Hamas would also have to hand over the bodies of 18 abductees still held in Gaza. The bodies of 180 Palestinians would also be handed over.

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In return, 125 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,111 Gaza residents who have been detained Israeli jails since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, should be released.

The two-month truce is set to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Hamas on an end to the almost 20-month-long conflict, according to the reports.

If Israel and Hamas manage to come to an agreement, the remaining hostages held in Gaza are due to be released under the latest proposal.

The proposal also stipulates that aid distribution in the Gaza Strip will once again be handled by the United Nations and international aid organizations.

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The Israeli army is to withdraw to the positions it held before the start of the latest offensive in March, according to the proposal.

According to Israeli sources, at least 20 hostages are still alive in the Gaza Strip. The fate of three other kidnapped persons is unclear, while the bodies of 35 abductees are believed to be held in the sealed-off coastal area.

Witkoff expressed optimism at the White House on Wednesday about a possible ceasefire in the Gaza war. He told journalists that he had "very good feelings" about a ceasefire and a long-term peaceful solution to the conflict.

At least 23 killed in Israeli airstrike in central Gaza

At least 23 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Thursday.

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A building in the al-Bureij refugee camp was hit, according to the report.

In total, some 37 people were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since early morning, WAFA reported.

The Israeli military has so far not commented on the reports relating to al-Bureij. Israel has repeatedly stressed it is taken steps to ensure the safety of civilians as it targets Palestinian extremist group Hamas.

More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the latest war following the Hamas-led massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023.

While the figures compiled by Hamas-controlled health authorities do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, international organizations including the UN believe them to be largely credible.

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Roughly a third of those killed in Gaza are minors, according to the local health authorities.

UN: Gaza Foundation aid plan puts civilians at risk

United Nations officials have raised serious concerns over Israel's plan to allow only the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) - established in February and backed by private US security firms - to distribute food aid in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

"The plan of the foundation puts people in need at risk," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in a statement to dpa on Thursday.

"They have to take long walks through a war zone to reach distribution points, and once they make their way home with food items they may themselves be targeted by looters."

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Laerke emphasized that in a humanitarian crisis as severe as Gaza's, food must be delivered directly to people where they are.

If only small amounts of food are distributed at just a few locations, chaos and violence are almost inevitable, he warned.

Recent reports from southern Gaza have described chaotic scenes at GHF-run distribution points, including overcrowding and unrest. The foundation has denied these accounts.

According to the UN, civilians in the region are now facing extreme hunger and a critical lack of food, clean water, medicine and other essentials.

Israel maintains that there is no shortage of aid and accuses Hamas of stealing supplies to fund its operations - claims the group denies. The UN says Israel has provided no evidence to support this allegation.

UN excluded from distribution

Israeli authorities are reportedly preventing the UN from delivering tons of aid stockpiled at Gaza's borders. Instead, they are mandating the newly created GHF to handle all aid distribution.

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The UN has little direct contact with the foundation, Laerke said. Communication with the GHF, if it happens at all, occurs through Israeli intermediaries, Laerke added.

"We have raised our concerns about the foundation's distribution plans with Israeli officials ... but our concerns have not been taken into account," he said.

"We have the food, we have the distribution system, we know how to do it and we have proven during the ceasefire that we can deliver."
BOSTON (SHNS)  Scouring for ways to fortify a 2022 law, reproductive care providers and supporters are advising lawmakers to tighten protections around electronic medical records, omit certain information in a prescription monitoring database, and modify prescription labels.

The Legislature passed the abortion and gender-identity shield law soon after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, with the aim of protecting providers and patients, including those traveling to Massachusetts for care, from out-of-state-legal action. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed that law in July 2022.

But with President Donald Trump back in the White House House and restrictions on abortion access  including emergency abortion care  escalating across the country, Massachusetts Democrats have shown a heightened interest in revisiting the shield law to address what some see as lingering threats.

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Though the Attorney Generals Office believes firmly in the strength of our shield law and stands ready to defend it should the need arise, we recognize that the national landscape has shifted since its original passage, and that there are gaps in the shield law that urgently need to be closed to ensure Massachusetts providers and patients are protected, Allyson Slater, director of the offices reproductive justice unit, told the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy on Wednesday .

By way of example, we know that states like Texas and Louisiana have initiated civil and criminal cases against a shield law provider in New York. Were watching these cases closely, Slater continued. Further, Project 2025 has called for increased surveillance of abortion, weaponizing state data collected by states to further restrict and undercut access to this care, even in states that protect it.

While the Senate committee hearing did not focus on an explicit piece of legislation, discussion closely hovered around a bill (S 2522) that chair Sen. Cindy Friedman filed with AG Andrea Campbell in mid-April to install additional protections around reproductive and transgender care. Friedman, who helped author the original shield law, was named this year to helm efforts by Senate Democrats to respond to the Trump administration.

Friedman told the News Service her colleagues were interested in hearing about the content of the bill, which is around making sure that we do everything we can to protect legally sanctioned health care in this commonwealth, and its especially being attacked around reproductive health and gender-affirming care.

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Asked about areas where the shield law has fallen short, the Arlington Democrat said, The law has worked out.

Theres more to be done, Friedman said. For instance, around prescribing and realizing now a doctors name is on a bottle for mifepristone, and thats something that somebody whos out to get that doctor can get access to.

Putting the name of the providers practice on the label, rather than the specific prescriber, adds a critical layer of anonymity for providers, said Claire Teylouni, senior director of policy and programs at Reproductive Equity Now. Echoing Slaters warning, Teylouni also invoked Dr. Maggie Carpenter, the New York doctor facing a hefty penalty from Texas and a felony charge from Louisiana for prescribing medication abortion.

We can act now to hopefully prevent any Massachusetts provider from also being identified with their personal information on a prescription, Teylouni said.

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Friedmans proposal blocks state agencies from cooperating with or providing information for federal or out-of-state investigations into legally protected health care activities here. It also curtails the sharing of electronic medical records with out-of-state entities, and blocks insurance companies from discriminating against nonprofits that provide reproductive and gender-identity care.

According to Senate President Karen Spilkas office, the bill also requires hospitals to provide emergency services to any person who presents at the hospital or is brought to the hospital by emergency medical services. Slater said this provision stems from the federal governments unwillingness to enforce the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, given the Justice Departments decision to drop its case challenging Idahos abortion ban and refusal to abide by EMTALA.

Slater said the existing prohibition on law enforcement cooperating with out-of-state or federal investigations should be extended to all state and local agencies.

Campbells office also needs explicit authority to enforce the shield law, Slater said.

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The 2022 shield law was silent, in particular respect, with the attorney generals enforcement mechanisms, with respect to certain provisions,  Slater said. I think our offices recommendation would be to create explicit in the statute the fact that the attorney general could enforce certain mechanisms and certain protections, so that anytime the shield law was invoked, we would be notified and we would be in a position to defend and work with the providers or the patients that were subject to the shield law.

Gavi Wolfe, legislative director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, urged senators to impose new limits on the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program. To raise awareness among prescribers, the system tracks drugs that come with a risk of abuse or potential for psychological or physiological dependence.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has used information from the states monitoring program to sue physicians for prescribing gender-identity medications, Wolfe said.

Lets make sure that our state Prescription Monitoring Program cant be used by the feds to go after reproductive or gender-affirming care, Wolfe said. The Prescription Monitoring Program was established to prevent abuse of prescription drugs, especially opioids, but theres no reason that medications related to reproductive health and gender-affirming care need to be included in its vast database and made vulnerable to prying eyes.

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Aiming to curtail access to another trove of information, providers and advocates urged lawmakers to improve privacy protections around sensitive electronic medical records.

With most Massachusetts hospital systems using the same platform, called Epic, peoples medical histories can be easily accessed. That information could become potentially harmful in the wrong hands, said Dr. Megan Evans, an OB-GYN representing the Massachusetts Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Although this is helpful in accessing prior notes and labs to add to a patients history or better understand their disease, it can also detail a patients abortion procedure, IVF, or gender-affirming care, even if received in another state, Evans said. When seeking care, patients may unknowingly provide consent for access to this information, or providers with malintent may say a patient provided consent for medical records when they may not have or may not have fully understood what they were consenting to.

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, who pointed to past efforts to develop a streamlined, common platform like Epic, asked how the system could be adapted to address mounting privacy concerns.

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Evans said providers could make certain records protected, which would require future providers to secure specific consent from their patients before they can access the information. Medical records dealing with behavioral health care, HIV testing and genetic testing already require explicit consent from patients before they can be released, added Dr. Chloe Zera, a Boston-based maternal fetal medicine physician.

Im not too concerned that it can be done technologically, Friedman told Tarr. I would worry how its done, because as we know, electronic health records have been both a good thing and a bad thing, and we dont want to add to the confusion. But you raise a really good point.

Ahead of the hearing, practicing and studying obstetricians and gynecologists pressed for stronger abortion protections and access to care, and shared support for Friedmans bill.

The Senate referred Friedmans bill to the Health Care Financing Committee, which Friedman chairs, on April 14. The House non-concurred with that action Tuesday and sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee. On Thursday, the Senate receded with its referral and also sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee.

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Senate members of the Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity earlier this month favorably reported out Sen. Cindy Creems location shield law (S 197). The bill would also tighten abortion protections by blocking the sale of location data to third parties.

Friedman said Creems bill is part of the whole package of abortion protections.

If people are selling your data, if theyre tracking you, if we dont have any privacy, then were just adding burdens to people who are providing legally protected care and getting legally protected care, Friedman told the News Service.

Physicians and students also advocated for the location shield bill, which in the House is sponsored by Reps. Lipper-Garabedian and David Vieira (H 86). Lipper-Garabedian said that in 2023, more than 171,000 women traveled out of state to seek reproductive health care, with many getting care in Massachusetts.

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We know this in part because a federal investigation last year revealed that a data brokerage firm tracked interstate travel visits to Planned Parenthood clinics in 48 states, including here in Massachusetts, and then sold that data to the largest anti-abortion campaign in the country, said Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose).

Patients deserve privacy and dignity in making deeply personal health care decisions, she added. Providers like you, who dedicate your lives to delivering life saving care, deserve to do so without fear and interference.

[Ella Adams contributed reporting.]

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton, center, spoke about the GOP's budget bill in a press conference at the Colorado State Capitol on May 29, 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Speaking over heckling chants from a nearby crowd of protesters, two of Colorados top Republicans stood outside the state Capitol on Thursday, defending their partys sweeping federal budget bill in a press conference that leaned heavily on a series of misleading claims about Medicaid and immigration.

U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert of Windsor and Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton were among the 215 House Republicans who voted last week to approve the bill, which includes many of President Donald Trumps key domestic policy priorities. Despite deep cuts to social programs, headlined by the largest-ever reduction in Medicaid spending, the bills tax cuts and new funding for the military and border security mean it would add an estimated $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over 10 years.

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This is a victory for our values, for our communities and for our American way of life, Boebert told reporters. Its about cutting wasteful spending  the waste, the fraud, the abuse, the illegal aliens who are receiving taxpayer benefits.

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We are protecting Medicaid for the people that need it most, Evans said. We are removing 1.4 million illegal immigrants from the taxpayer-funded rolls of Medicaid.

Immigrants in the U.S. unlawfully are not eligible for federal Medicaid benefits. Republicans budget bill would enact multibillion-dollar penalties for 14 states, including Colorado, that choose to cover some undocumented immigrants using state funds. But regardless of how states respond to those new rules, the vast majority of the funding cuts and insurance coverage losses projected to result from the bill will fall on citizens and lawful residents.

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Under a program that went into effect this year, income-eligible pregnant people and children can receive some benefits from Colorados state-administered Medicaid program regardless of their immigration status. The state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing estimates the program will cover about 15,000 undocumented individuals in 2025, at a cost of $50.8 million.

Those figures represent a small fraction of the annual loss of roughly $1 billion the state faces under the GOP bills Medicaid changes, and of the 124,000 to 207,000 current enrollees who are projected to lose coverage, according to the nonprofit KFF. Most of the coverage losses would result from the bills rollback of Biden-era rules aimed at streamlining enrollment and renewal, and enactment of new obstacles in the form of more frequent eligibility checks and work requirements for able-bodied adults without children.

Many health care advocates say those new hurdles will tie up Medicaid programs in red tape and deny coverage to millions of eligible Americans. Nearly two-thirds of Medicaid recipients are already employed, and nearly all the rest are caregivers, students and people with disabilities. Studies have shown that state-level Medicaid work requirements, like one enacted in Arkansas, result in substantial losses of coverage and higher administrative costs, but no change in the rate of employment.

Without Medicaid, people die, Sara Loflin, executive director of the advocacy group ProgressNow Colorado, said in a statement Thursday. Evans wants voters to believe that the people who will lose coverage dont deserve health care, but thousands of Coloradans will fall through the cracks, and some of them will die as a result of Evans vote.

Protesters chanted and heckled Colorado Republicans as they held a press conference touting the U.S. House GOPs budget bill at the state Capitol on Thursday. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Evans in the spotlight

Evans and Boebert were joined at Thursdays press conference by GOP state Sen. Byron Pelton of Sterling, Rep. Carlos Barron of Fort Lupton and Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams. The group spoke for about 45 minutes as a few dozen activists from ProgressNow and other left-leaning groups, separated from the press conference by a few yards and a loose cordon of Colorado State Patrol officers, shouted in protest  especially of Evans, the first-term representative from Colorados battleground 8th Congressional District.

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Despite representing one of the nations most evenly divided districts, Evans, a former state lawmaker who won his seat by fewer than 2,500 votes last year, has done little to distance himself from Trump or House Republican leadership during his first five months in Congress. Demonstrators chanted and held signs urging Evans to hold in-person town hall events to hear from his constituents, something he has so far refused to do.

Its really unfortunate, as a mother of four boys and a grandmother, that I see more order in my home with children than I do with radical leftists, Boebert said of the demonstrators. We want to have a conversation. We want to be able to answer questions, but the tolerant left doesnt seem very tolerant.

Evans, noting that projected Medicaid spending would still see year-over-year increases under the GOP plan, at one point claimed flatly that Medicaid is not being cut, eliciting howls of derision from the protesters.

At nearly 10% of total projected spending, the bills $625 billion in total cuts to Medicaid spending over the next decade would be the largest reduction in the programs 50-year history. Nationwide, a total of 10.3 million people would lose access to Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

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Asked repeatedly how many of his constituents, nearly 1 in 3 of whom are enrolled in Medicaid, would become uninsured under the GOP plan, Evans did not answer, and instead twice recited the categories of people who lose coverage. Statewide, Colorado Medicaid enrollment would shrink by between 11% and 18%, according to KFF.

Do you not know the number? asked a reporter.

Im telling you the number right now, said Evans, who did not say a number. You may not like the answer, but thats the answer. Next question.

Republicans in the U.S. Senate are expected to pass their own budget reconciliation bill that differs significantly from the Houses version, a process that could extend well into the summer. Alongside the Medicaid cuts, other key components of the bill include extensions of broad-based income and business tax cuts enacted during Trumps first term, and hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding for border security, law enforcement and the military.

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Evans said claims that the bill amounted to taking from the poor and giving to the rich were patently false. But the benefits of the GOP plans tax cuts are heavily skewed towards people with higher incomes: The top 1% of earners would see their after-tax incomes rise by over 4%, while incomes for the bottom 20% of earners would rise by just 0.6%, or an average of $90 a year, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The nonpartisan CBO found those meager tax savings for low-income people would be more than offset by the bills cuts to Medicaid and other social programs, causing household resources for the lowest income decile to drop 4% by 2033 while rising for higher-income households.

When you see your bill getting more and more unpopular as people learn the truth about it, you lie more, said Wynn Howell, state director of the Colorado Working Families Party, after Thursdays press conference. When all you have is lies and scapegoats, you have a problem with your bill.

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President Donald Trump's pardon of former Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld means he could run again for office now that his rights have been restored after his felony bribery conviction.

If he wanted to, of course.

Sittenfeld didn't say anything publicly on Thursday about his future plans now that his federal corruption case is behind him. Those close to him also weren't talking.

Does the man who people once saw as the frontrunner for Cincinnati mayor and one of the region's rising Democratic stars now have a political future again?

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Republicans and Democrats in Cincinnati seemed united in not wanting to say much about Sittenfeld or his political future, if there is any.

The pardon by a Republican president of a Democratic politician has put both parties in an awkward position.

Sittenfeld still has $850,000 in campaign money

As for Sittenfeld himself, he did not respond to messages from The Enquirer seeking comment.

In a letter he wrote to the judge in 2023 before he was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison, Sittenfeld said his focus was no longer on his personal ambition but "now about my family life, my faith and about helping others who are enduring lifes crucibles.

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He still had $850,493 in his campaign committee's coffers as of his last filing in January 2025, according to records with the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

'I don't see him on the comeback trail'

His past conviction and Trump endorsement doesn't disqualify him from a future run for city council, mayor or any other office, even in a city where Trump lost by a three-to-one margin, said David Niven, the University of Cincinnati political professor. But Niven doesn't think you'll see Sittenfeld campaign signs anytime soon based on his past statements and the fact that his previous political life almost cost him everything.

"I think he could if he wanted it," Niven said. "People love a redemption story. He obviously demonstrated a capacity to connect with people. But I don't see him on the comeback trail."

Vice mayor: 'P.G. is now able to get back to work in some way'

Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, who served with Sittenfeld on city council for less than a year in 2020 before Sittenfeld was suspended from council, had more to say than most.

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In a texted statement to The Enquirer, she saw some future for Sittenfeld in the city but didn't specify what.

"There is more work to do, and with his legal matters behind him, P.G is now able to get back to work in some way for the people of Cincinnati," Kearney said.

She praised Sittenfeld's past contributions including to the "underserved communities" and pushing for affordable housing. She said Sittenfeld was working to establish a civil rights commission when he resigned from city council.

Sittenfeld's past colleagues quiet

Many people who knew Sittenfeld and worked alongside him didn't publicly celebrate or condemn the pardon. Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman, who served on Cincinnati City Council with Sittenfeld, released a statement saying he didn't know much about the pardon.

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"I know what you all know, which is what I'm reading," Landsman said. "I'll wait to learn more, and may have more to say then. In the meantime, I don't know much, other than what I'm reading in the news."

One of the region's more prominent Democratic funders and Sittenfeld supporter, philanthropist Richard Rosenthal, told The Enquirer it was better not to say anything.

"There's stuff that I'm thinking about, but I don't think that it would be helpful to your readers, or to P.G. or to my family for me to comment on the pardon," Rosenthal said.

GOP chair credits Trump, raises concerns

Republicans who were not sympathetic to Sittenfeld during his political career were reticent to say much about Trump's decision to pardon Sittenfeld. Hamilton County GOP Chairman Russ Mock sent a statement to The Enquirer that gave Trump credit but also expressed concerns about the pardon.

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"President Trump certainly knows about how federal and state corruption prosecutions can be wielded as political weapons, but it could undermine anti-corruption efforts locally, especially as the original conviction was based on a jury trial with substantial evidence," Mock said.

When asked for an interview to elaborate, Mock said he didn't have time. Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou, who was the Hamilton County chair when Sittenfeld was on city council, did not respond to a message seeking comment.

City Council not commenting

Few of the all-Democratic, nine-member Cincinnati City Council had much to say. The nine members were elected with the pledge of rebuilding public trust in the wake of the corruption scandals that led to the arrest of Sittenfeld and two others council members, Jeff Pastor and Tamaya Dennard.

City council members Mark Jeffreys, Scotty Johnson, Anna Albi, Meeka Owens and Cincinnati's Democratic Mayor Aftab Pureval declined to comment when asked by The Enquirer on Thursday about Sittenfeld.

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Councilman Seth Walsh wouldn't speculate on Sittenfeld's future.

"The corruption scandal that happened is an incredible black mark on Cincinnati, period," Walsh said. "Whether he has a political future, whether any of the individuals that are involved in it have any future with Cincinnati, is less relevant to me than the work that needs to happen to rebuild the public trust."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: PG Sittenfeld's political future uncertain with Trump's pardon
Republican lawmakers are pushing to increase endowment taxes for U.S. universities, proposing a new tiered system that could cost elite colleges hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

But the proposal includes language carving out exceptions for most religious schools, exempting them from the higher costs.

The tax increases are part of President Donald Trumps larger tax reconciliation package making its way through Congress. The package, officially the One Big Beautiful Bill, would implement policies ranging from border security to energy production.

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It would also incorporate major tax provisions, including a tax increase on college endowments intended to crack down on woke, elite universities that Republicans claim abuse generous benefits provided through the tax code.

What are endowments and how would this bill affect colleges?

The tax portion of Trumps big beautiful bill would establish a tiered system implementing new taxes based on schools student-adjusted endowments.

Endowment funds are made up of donations to support a college or university and generate financial returns. The funds are typically managed by the school so they can dole out portions of the endowment in annual payments.

Endowments, which are considered investment income, go toward financial aid and scholarships, faculty salaries, research funding, academic programs, and more. The funds can be restricted by donors who want the money to go toward specific projects, or colleges can have unrestricted endowments to be used for any purpose.

Former Vice President Mike Pence gives a lecture at Christ Chapel on the campus of Hillsdale College, in Hillsdale, Mich., on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. | David Guralnick, Detroit News via Associated Press

Endowment taxes are primarily applied to private colleges and universities with an enrollment of at least 500 students and exceeding $500,000 per student. Under current law, those schools are subject to a 1.4% tax on their investment income.

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However, the new system would implement different tax amounts for schools based on their student-adjusted endowment, meaning the monetary amount per student.

For schools with endowment values of $500,000 to $749,000 per student, the university would maintain the current rate of 1.4%. But for schools with endowment values of $750,000 to $1,249,999 per student, schools would face a 7% tax rate.

Schools with endowment values of $1.25 million to $1.9 million would face a 14% tax rate, and schools above $2 million per student would face a 21% tax rate.

Endowment taxes would exempt religious schools

The new system has a number of exceptions to determine which schools would be subject to the tax increases, laying out guidelines based on religious affiliations as well as international student populations.

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The biggest carveout tucked into the tax package is for religious universities, leaving them mostly exempt from the tax increase. However, those schools must meet certain criteria to apply.

The package outlines specific requirements to be considered a religious university, noting the school must have been established or in association with and has continuously maintained an affiliation with a recognized religious organization and must maintain a published institutional mission that is approved by the governing body of such institution and that includes, refers to, or is predicated upon religious tenets, beliefs, or teachings.

The bill also states that colleges and universities are exempt from the endowment taxes if they were founded after July 4, 1776, and meet certain requirements related to being a qualified religious institution.

The founding date requirement targets only a handful of schools that were founded before the American Revolution such as Harvard, Columbia and Yale. Trump has repeatedly gone after Ivy League Schools since being reelected, most recently attempting to halt all federal funding to Harvard.

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Republicans have largely backed these efforts, arguing the new endowment tax system would prevent schools from operating like major corporations and other tax-exempt entities.

Are all religious universities exempt?

While the package carves out exemptions for religious colleges and universities, some schools have expressed concerns the specific requirements could disqualify their institutions.

Most religious schools founded after the required date have a tie to a specific denomination. However, for those that are considered nondenominational, questions arise about whether they will be subject to the higher taxes.

For example, Hillsdale College in Michigan is officially considered a nondenominational university despite being founded by the Freewill Baptists in 1844. While the school has long declined to accept federal money, it utilizes endowments to pay for scholarships and faculty salaries funded by private donors.

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The school has not said whether it believes it will be exempt from the increased taxes. But top college officials have warned the new system penalizes schools, such as Hillsdale, for operating independently from the federal government while leaving public universities funded by taxpayer dollars largely untouched.

This is not merely bad policy. It is a profound inversion of the American idea, Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, wrote in an opinion piece for the City Journal. The resources entrusted to Hillsdale College are not drawn from the public treasury. They are given freely by those who believe in our mission. To tax these gifts is to tax philanthropy itself  to burden those who would lift burdens. It is to weaken those who do good precisely because they are free to do it.

Tax system could face legal challenges

Aside from challenges about what constitutes a religious university, other legal challenges could arise from the proposed tax increases.

Some opponents have argued the exemption shows favor for religious institutions over those that are secular, violating the Supreme Courts 1982 ruling in Larson v. Valente that certain denominations cannot be officially preferred over others.

Others have expressed concerns with the founding date requirement, arguing it unfairly discriminates against older organizations.
The United States faces no shortage of fiscal fictions. Among the most pernicious is the pretense that meaningful spending restraint can be achieved without conflict. In Washington, every dollar already appropriated is treated not as a proposal, but as holy writ. This illusion must be dispelled. The 1974 Impoundment Control Act, crafted in response to Nixons unilateral deferrals, created a legal mechanism known as a rescission, an executive request to Congress to cancel previously approved spending. In other words, a constitutionally sound instrument for dislodging funds from the grip of bureaucratic inertia.

Why does rescission matter now? Because the Trump administration, newly re-inaugurated in 2025, faces a deficit-swelling omnibus known, somewhat grotesquely, as the Big Beautiful Bill. While Republicans rightly tout the pro-growth elements of that legislation, it was also larded with waste. Enter the Department of Government Efficiency, previously led by Elon Musk, which has identified over $200 billion in unnecessary federal spending. Yet the rescission package currently under discussion, barely $9 billion, borders on insult. It is not a budgetary scalpel. It is a plastic butter knife.

To grasp the gravity of the moment, consider the statutory power at Trumps disposal. Under the Impoundment Control Act, the President can send a rescission request to Congress, triggering a 45-legislative-day countdown. During that window, the funds in question can be temporarily frozen. Most crucially, rescission bills are immune to the Senate filibuster, they require only a simple majority to pass. If the GOP cannot act under these favorable conditions, when can it?

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History offers precedent. President Reagan submitted over 600 rescission proposals during his two terms, amounting to more than $43 billion in cuts. His largest single-year package in 1981 topped $15 billion, in todays dollars, north of $50 billion. Reagan understood the virtue of confrontation. Congress would fund frivolity; he would try to claw it back. Sometimes he succeeded, sometimes not. But he never mistook the possible for the adequate.

Contrast this with Trumps first term. In 2018, he proposed a $15 billion rescission package, mostly unobligated funds from dormant accounts. It passed the House, but failed in the Senate, with two Republican defections: Susan Collins and Richard Burr. Their objections? Minor cuts to CHIP reserves and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. A few million dollars. The message was unmistakable: Even within the GOP, there were those who would not trim fat if it endangered a feather.

But that was then. Today, the political terrain is different. Trump has a popular mandate, a reconstituted Cabinet, and a bureaucratic insurgent, Elon Musk, unleashing efficiencies at scale. Musks DOGE team has frozen foreign aid, paused discretionary grants, and placed USAID on administrative ice. These are not hypotheticals. They are operational victories, albeit temporary ones. If Congress does not enact these cuts via rescission, courts will restore the funding. The choice is between permanence and performance.

And yet, the current package is a paltry $9 billion, reportedly focused on foreign aid and public broadcasting. That is a good start, but a terrible ending. The GOP has been handed a procedural gift: a fast-track, filibuster-proof tool to enact real reductions. Why act timidly? What signal does it send to voters when Republicans, handed control of Congress and the executive branch, manage only a rounding error?

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Let us be clear. A meaningful rescission package must not nibble at the margins. It must reflect the scale of the problem. If DOGE has found $200 billion in waste, why not propose half of it? A $100 billion rescission package, strategically constructed, could achieve three goals: demonstrate seriousness about fiscal restraint, codify Musks emergency pauses into law, and dare Democrats to vote to restore waste.

Republicans need not fear this fight. Public broadcasting subsidies, foreign NGO grants, and dormant loan programs do not poll well outside Beltway salons. The American public is not clamoring for more funding for USAID consultants or climate workshops in Davos. They are demanding accountability. And rescission is accountability in legislative form.

Moreover, the GOP faces political peril in 2026. The House majority is fragile. The Senate map is unforgiving. Republicans cannot afford to campaign on slogans alone. They need deliverables. Passing a $9 billion rescission bill would be an asterisk. Passing a $100 billion bill? That would be a headline.

Some will protest that deeper cuts would endanger Republican unity. But this misses the dynamic of contemporary conservatism. MAGA voters do not reward caution. They reward courage. DOGE is not running a think tank it is running a demolition crew. And it has found the rot. Now it is Congresss turn to wield the hammer.

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There is also the matter of principle. If Republicans shrink from rescissions, they surrender the very argument for their existence. They campaign on reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. If they will not cut what Musk and DOGE have already identified, what will they cut? If not now, when?

The procedural stars will not align again soon. The filibuster-proof window is a rare gift. Trump should demand more from his team. The rescission package should be ambitious, unapologetic, and immediate. A $9 billion trim is not a reform. It is a press release.

If Republicans want to keep the House, retake the Senate, and fortify Trumps second term, they must deliver a genuine fiscal victory. Rescission is not just a budget tool. It is a test. Of will. Of vision. Of fidelity to the promises made.

Cut deep. Cut now. Or prepare to be cut down in 2026.

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Photo: Screenshot from online meeting hosted by the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition.

Four years ago, Orange County activists and homeowners successfully challenged what they believed were unfair and inequitable property revaluations in Chapel Hills historically Black Northside community. Many of those same individuals were shocked in March when new property valuation notices showed what they saw as more of the same across the county.

Last week, the recently formed Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition, shared data from the countys largest historically Black communities that show significant vertical regressivity, meaning newer larger homes in those communities are undervalued while older homes are systematically overvalued.

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Orange County is way worse than I expected, said Hudson Vaughan, director of the Community Justice Collaborative at the North Carolina Housing Coalition. I thought, especially after the work that folks did with the tax office four years ago, that things would look much better this time around.

A record of unjust valuations

In 2021, activists in the Northside community found that property tax assessments of many new, larger student housing properties in Chapel Hill were lower than those of smaller homes owned by Black residents. According to Vaughan this is a common problem. He noted that in many established Black communities across the nation, homes are often undervalued for resale, bank loans and equity purposes, but over-assessed for property tax purposes.

Hudson Vaughan (Photo: Screenshot from online meeting)

Speaking at a recent virtual meeting held via Zoom, Vaughan said, I think what youll see is that some of the student rentals in Northside got valued a little higher [in the recent revaluation], but across the county, the historically Black communities are way overvalued compared to other wealthier, historically white neighborhoods and without market justification. Vaughan resides in the Northside neighborhood and helped lead the effort to bring fairness to tax assessments in 2021.

Northside residents efforts in 2021 eventually resulted in about a $7 million reduction in assessed home values. Meanwhile, under-assessed rental properties saw assessment increases of $5 million to $6 million.

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Vaughan recently led property tax assessments examinations across the Research Triangle. He said several neighborhoods in Wake County and Durham have real problems. Throughout North Carolina, Vaughan said, many homeowners in the lowest price housing are affected. In some counties, he said, they are paying proportionally twice the property taxes of owners of the highest price housing.

And yet, even though thats the case, over four times as many high-income owners, primarily from white census tracts, appeal their tax values for being too high, he said.

Vaughan shared an example from the current revaluation in Chapel Hills Northside community: On one side of the street, a home owned by a Black resident for more than 50 years that is 1,200 square-feet and more than 100 years old is valued at a higher rate for property taxes than investor-owned property directly across the street. The investors property has a duplex with a detached home behind it. Together, the investor-owned property contains at least eight bedrooms and totals 2,900 square feet. The smaller homes taxable value is $656,00 compared to $652,000 for the larger duplex and detached home across the street.

The homeowner on the left [the Black homeowner] will end up paying higher property taxes as a result of this valuation, Vaughan said.

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He projects a $2 million total increase in property taxes for the historically Black neighborhoods he and other advocates have looked at, even if the county adopts a revenue neutral tax rate.

Weve already heard Orange County and Chapel Hill and Carrboro talk about how theyre going to have to raise taxes, likely this year for very good reason, and we are in support of that, but it cannot be on the backs of the historically Black neighborhoods, Vaughan said.

The county responds

County tax administrator Nancy Freeman said her office explained to Vaughan and the coalition that when issues are found to be prevalent throughout several properties in appeals, that information can be taken to the Board of Equalization and Review for its consideration.

We can show them that we see there is a problem with all of these properties, or there could be problems with all of these properties that are still under appeal, and we would like for you [the Board of Equalization and Review] to direct us to review this property or this neighborhood again, Freeman said. Thats how we would be able to go back and review the property and make adjustments, if needed, and make corrections to all affected properties in that neighborhood.

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After a preliminary review of the information provided by Vaughan and the coalition, however, Freeman said her office isnt seeing any prevailing issues with properties it has been able to identify and review.

Thats not to say there are not problems within that need some attention but at this moment weve not completed a review and at this moment, the ones that weve looked at, theres nothing thats prevalent from all of them at this point, Freeman said.

So far, Freeman said there have been 3,500 informal property valuation appeals, with more than 200 formal appeals, which are made to the Board of Equalization and Review after an informal review of a propertys tax value.

We suspect we might get another 500 [formal appeals] before the end of July [when the appeal filing deadline closes], Freeman said.

Activists gather online

The virtual meeting at which Vaughan held forth was hosted by the Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition. The coalition is made up of community organizers from historically Black neighborhoods across Orange County including Councilville, Mars Hill, Fairview, Rogers Road, Piney Grove, Efland-Cheeks, Cedar Grove, Northside, Pine Knolls, Tin Top, and Glosson/Davie Rd.

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The effort is supported by The Marian Cheek Jackson Center, the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association, Justice United, Habitat for Humanity, and The Community Justice Collaborative of the NC Housing Coalition.

George Barrett (Photo: Screenshot from online meeting)

These historically Black neighborhoods are some of the most historic, culturally diverse, and, you know, are the spaces of remaining affordability within the county, said George Barrett, a former Northside resident and executive director of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center.

Our neighborhoods and our communities hold so much history and so much connection and love and spirit, Barrett said. Our communities and our neighborhoods arethe ones who are facing an intense amount of threat by these new revaluations. In these existing hubs of the Black community within Orange Countywe, as a coalitionhave formed to fight back against this and really preserve the future of our neighborhoods in the midst of these current revaluations

Horace Johnson Jr., the son and namesake of Hillsboroughs first and only Black mayor who recently died, warned those on the Zoom call that he would be blunt in his assessment of the revaluation.

Horace Johnson Jr. (Photo: Screenshot from online meeting)

This is extinction level gentrification, Johnson said.

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He called the assessments mind numbing, a phrase he said he reserves for things that cannot be reasonably explained.

Johnson said Hillsborough leaders are using high taxes to turn the town into an OAW community.

OAW represents old and white, specifically for Hillsborough, a town thats rich in tradition, Johnson said. Ive been here all my life. Theyre trying to turn this community to old and white, which brings it back to class, the have and the have nots.

Johnson said his late father would not want him to just weep and mourn. Hed want him to continue to fight against injustice.

Judge Beverly Scarlett (Photo: Screenshot from online meeting)

Retired District Court Judge Beverly Scarlett joined the meeting and said high property taxes can make owning a home unaffordable for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, who might be forced to put off buying medication to pay bills.

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Ive seen this within my own family, [where someone] will decide Im not going to buy my medication because I need to put together money, put my pennies together to be able to pay these taxes  thats going to lead to negative health outcomes, Scarlett said.

Vaughan said the good news is that tax offices can make neighborhood adjustments, and many other counties have.

Guilford County adjusted land values in a historically Black neighborhood when they realized the land values were wrong, he said. Wake County is currently looking at two neighborhoods that had much more complicated differences and yet were problematic for a lot of the long standing historically Black residents.

Durham is also looking at systematic tools, and all of the counties have access to the regressivity tools that Vaughan shared. Orange County decided not to use the tool this time and made huge mistakes, Vaughan said.

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Barrett said more than 100 residents from across the county have signed a letter to county commissioners asking for fairness and justice on property tax assessments.

We want to see these neighborhood wide adjustments in historically Black and Brown neighborhoods be made and we want to also have a revisitation of undervalued, wealthier neighborhoods, Barrett said. Investor-owned buildings should carry their fair share of the property tax burden.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Some Portlanders are pushing back on Oaks Amusement Parks plan to install a ride they worry would hinder the surrounding neighborhood and animal habitats.

The Citys Hearings Office heard an appeal on the proposed 135-foot and 5-inch Drop Tower on Wednesday. Portland Permitting & Development tentatively approved the plan on March 25, but the Bird Alliance of Oregon, Urban Greenspaces Institute and Friends of Oaks Bottom challenged the decision with an appeal the following month.

New COVID variant detected in Washington, around the world

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The Bird Alliance is arguing the proposal violates city regulations against structures that are more than 30 feet tall within residential farm zones, although Oaks Park Association Marketing & Events Director Emily MacKay previously told KOIN 6 that rule predates the 120-year-old park.

But according to appellants, the high-intensity lights and historic light poles proposed along with the Drop Tower would also violate the citys rules against exterior lights that arent shielded on top or on the sides. Both the Bird Alliance and Friends of Oak Bottom claim the lights could disorient birds, in addition to being an eyesore for the Sellwood neighborhood.

Wild birds are in trouble, with a third of North American migrants destroyed over the last 50 years, yet the City has decided to put essential habitat, migratory airspace, and the many special status species of Oaks Bottom and surrounding areas at risk, Portland resident Eileen Stark wrote in testimony to the Hearings Office. Oaks Park Association must curtail  or at the very least  drastically modify its Drop Tower lighting design and provide a biological opinion and photometric plan that realistically evaluates impact to vulnerable wildlife.

On the contrary, Jesse Roper  the biologist that Oaks Park tapped to conduct an analysis of the proposal  claimed wildlife in the surrounding area is too far away to be negatively impacted by the Drop Tower.

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In general, the effects from ALAN on migrating birds are a legitimate concern, Ropers presentation read at the hearing. However, these specific lights in this specific location are outside of typical migration flight paths.

Sleeping woman sexually assaulted at TriMet MAX station in Hillsboro

City Planner Andy Gulizia further noted that officials accepted the proposal with conditions that are stricter than what is typically expected of an amusement park. Oaks Park Association CEO Brandon Roben added that the proposed rides lights would only be illuminated during the parks limited daytime operating hours.

Portland Hearings Officer David Doughman is expected to issue a decision on the appeal in early July.

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By Clara Denina, Ernest Scheyder and Melanie Burton

(Reuters) -Rio Tinto's board and Jakob Stausholm agreed to part ways last week amid mounting concerns the CEO was reluctant to follow board priorities, including focusing on costs, after years of expansions in lithium, copper and iron ore, three sources said.

Rio, the world's second-largest listed mining company, surprised investors last week by announcing Stausholm would step down later this year when a successor is appointed.

No reason for Stausholm's exit was given, and sources said it was not tied to any scandal. The CEO had as recently as two weeks ago given no indication of his departure at a major industry conference in Spain, according to three sources who attended.

Reuters spoke with six people who were familiar with board considerations, or who had been briefed on them, or briefed by management. They agreed to speak on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters or private conversations.

Rio Tinto declined to comment for this story, while Stausholm did not respond to requests for comment.

Stausholm took the helm at Rio in 2021 at a low point in the company's history after his predecessor was sacked. The Dane started his tenure with a listening tour of the company's global portfolio, which stretches across every continent but Antarctica.

He led a turnaround in the miner's fortunes by resetting relationships in Guinea and Mongolia to bring its next wave of iron ore and copper projects online. Stausholm also inked three major lithium deals in the past year.

As his successes mounted, one source said Stausholm became more likely to push back on board suggestions and too quickly dismissed opportunities the board felt could have been better explored.

One of those opportunities included Stausholm's rejection of an approach by Glencore executives last year seeking a potential merger, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Another related to reviewing options around the stake of its largest UK shareholder Chinalco, which came up with investor pressure for the miner to review its dual Anglo-Australian share market listing, said the first source.

While the board backed Stausholm's investments and strategic decisions, it held concerns that rising costs had to be dealt with now rather than in a few years' time, two of the sources said.

Rio's average headcount has climbed by 22% to around 60,000 people since Stausholm's appointment in 2021, according to its most recent annual report. Meanwhile, revenue has dropped more than $10 billion over that time, with prices of its key profit generator, iron ore, expected to fall further in coming years.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Indicted Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown met with constituents in Steele Creek Wednesday evening. The town hall-style meeting was her first district event since she pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges.

This has been one of the most difficult six days of my life, Brown told the crowd gathered at Good Shepherd Church.

The Department of Justice accused Brown and her two daughters of conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than $100,000 in COVID-19 relief money. District 3 residents who spoke with Queen City News at the meeting withheld judgment.

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Charlotte council member, daughters indicted for misusing COVID funds, including $15,000 birthday bash

I dont want to be presumptive at all, I want to hear her side of the story and not just whats been in the news, said Robin Emmons.

Jerry Esposito said the indictment did not surprise him, but also said he still wants to see the legal process play out, adding that Brown should not resign.

Jerry Esposito said he still wants to see the legal process play out.

I dont know that resigning is the answer resignation, thats pacifying those people that say its an outrage, that doesnt rectify the problem, he said.

Brown was not asked a single question about her indictment during the events Q&A portion. Most dealt with recent development and road projects.

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While on her way out, she was asked if she thinks her constituents care about the federal charges. She told reporters she is doing the job I was elected to do.

Brown has another hearing set for late June.

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Among the Tampa Bay locals who were killed during last years historic hurricane season, many shared a tragic trait in common: They were over 60 years old. Most lived in mandatory evacuation zones but didnt leave. Some also had mobility issues, such as needing walkers to get around.

Jeff Johnson, the state director for AARP Florida, which advocates for people over the age of 50, said that in addition to physical hurdles, older adults also may have a harder time, emotionally, leaving their homes and not knowing what itll look like when they come back. After living somewhere for decades, possibly filled with items that represent friends and family who have passed away, the process can be difficult.

But its important to heed mandatory evacuation calls.

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Johnson noted that even if residents think theyre safe from storm surge on an upper floor of a condo high-rise, they need to consider what it would be like to live there without any power or water for days, including if the elevators go out in tall buildings. Some people of all ages might need help evacuating, too, because they lack transportation or the financial means to book a hotel room.

For people who need help evacuating ahead of a hurricane, there are resources available.

Residents who rely on medication, oxygen or power can add their names to the states special needs registry before a hurricane looms. That registry, run by the Florida Department of Health in coordination with county governments, is at snr.flhealthresponse.com.

Pinellas County: County officials encourage residents with medical needs, who lack transportation, or need help walking or getting out of bed to register for the countys special needs program. Residents can ask their home health care provider about registering or do so online at pinellas.gov/special-needs. You can also request a form by calling Pinellas County Emergency Management at 727-464-3800.

Hillsborough County: Special needs residents should register at the state health department website above, according to county officials. The Hillsborough County Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool at hcfl.gov/residents/stay-safe includes real-time shelter locations, evacuation zones and HART bus evacuation routes. For assistance, the countys main information line is 813-272-5900. Residents can also call the storm information line when emergency staff are activated: 833-427-8676.

Pasco County: Residents with special needs can find information on registering, plus a short video on how to register, at pascocountyfl.net/services/emergency_management/special_needs.php.

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Kevin Guthrie, the director of Floridas Division of Emergency Management, said residents can also call 800-729-3413 with questions on evacuation orders or for assistance getting out.

Times staff writer Justin Garcia and Times/Herald staff writer Romy Ellenbogen contributed to this report.

A version of this story was previously published in the Tampa Bay Times.

The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here.

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  You dont have to leave West Virginia anymore for an authentic Philly cheesesteak, as Heathers Original Philly Cheesesteaks is making them fresh in Morgantown the way a steak should be made.

Heather Rau has been living and breathing Philly cheesesteaks her whole life. In the 1980s, she worked for the master cheesesteak man Samuel Sherman or Chink in Northeast Philly. Heathers Original has been following in Chinks footsteps since 2016.

Rau told 12 News about the impact Chink and his wife Millie had on her.

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They taught me a whole lot about what its like to be a business person and if you really are going to put the time into it, you may as well make something that you really like, Rau said.

Restaurant Road Trip: The HoneyBee Stand

Rau also said she learned another valuable lesson: a Philly cheesesteak does not have cheese whiz on it, and dont even think about asking for it. Rau learned that from Chink himself and remembers how Chink would react when people would ask for cheese whiz.

Hed shake his head a little bit, Rau said. And then honestly, he just pointed and what he would do is he would point to South Philly and tell people if you want that, you go to South Philly for that.

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Heathers Original is a moving business. You can see her red tent set up at festivals, and shell come cater to you for any parties or events. You can follow where Heathers Original Philly Cheesesteaks will be next on her Facebook page.

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A retired firefighter who served for over 50 years across the Miami Valley has passed away.

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Doug Wright passed away on May 27 at the age of 74 in his Greenville home, according to his online obituary.

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Wright graduated from Mississinawa Valley High School in 1970.

He had a heart of gold and lived for helping people and his community, as exemplified by his 55 years as a firefighter, and his time on the Greenville City Council, his obituary stated.

Wright started his career as a firefighter in 1968 with the Union City, Ohio, Fire Department, where he rose to the rank of fire chief in 1998. He joined the Liberty Township Fire Department in 2008 and served as the Jefferson Township Fire Chief in 2020 until his retirement in 2023.

Visitation is May 30 at Tribute Funeral Homes in Greenville from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

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A Firefighter Memorial Bell Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday at the funeral home, his obituary said.

A celebration of life will be held at Reverent Church in Greenville on May 31 at 10 a.m.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind.  A local teacher has been guiding students for over three decades now, and while she is retiring at the end of the school year, she will continue to help education in the state of Indiana.

State Representative Tonya Pfaff

Tonya Pfaff has taught at all three schools in Vigo County throughout her 32 years in the classroom and has served as State Representative for Indiana House District 43 since 2018.

Pfaff has been passionate about the welfare and support for education since the beginning of her career.

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Today, she believes the shift in technology has made holding students attention increasingly more challenging.

When I first started, there was a lot of money in public education to do field trips, activities, really dive in and problem solve, Pfaff said. We had materials and resources to do that. Advance 32 years later and you have the world in your pocket. Almost every kid, almost every student I teach, has a cell phone and they would just much rather be entertained by that.

Although Pfaff is retiring as a teacher, she will continue to serve on the education committee at the state level.

She says she will continue to support and be a voice for education.

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The way I can help is just being in the statehouse and reiterating the fact that we need funding, Pfaff said. Quite frankly, our children deserve the best that they can, so we need to support our teachers, we need to support our schools. The children are the future and the better teachers we have and the more resources we have, we can individualize and help students get to that point where they can be as successful as they want to be.

Pfaff said she is thankful for the time she has spent with her students and the privilege of watching them grow.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released his 73-page MAHA Report, commissioned by the Trump administration, last week. Aiming to find the root causes of chronic disease in the U.S., it included sections on childhood illness, ultra-processed foods, chemicals, technology and childrens mental health, and medication and vaccines for children.

It cited 522 studies, with RFK calling the report a milestone achievement for public health filled with gold standard science.

But now its veracity has now come under scrutiny, as the non-profit, non-partisan outlet NOTUS revealed that several of the studies were misinterpreted in the reportand that seven of them did not exist.

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Epidemiologist Katherine Keyes, who is cited in the report as the author of a study on anxiety in adolescents titled Changes in mental health and substance use among US adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, told NOTUS that not only was she surprised to hear she was cited in the report, but that she did not write any such paper.

The paper cited is not a real paper that I or my colleagues were involved with, Keyes told NOTUS. Weve certainly done research on this topic, but did not publish a paper in JAMA Pediatrics on this topic with that co-author group, or with that title.

The link for the alleged study is broken, and the journal issue that the report cites it to be in contains no papers on that topic.

NOTUS also revealed that two papers included in the reports section on corporate capture of media could not be found. Each allegedly illustrated the concept that direct-to-consumer advertising was driving medication use among children and adolescents. But one of the authors cited confirmed that he did not write the article cited in the report, while the other researcher didnt seem to exist.

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In another case, pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Harold J. Farber denied writing a study cited in a section of the report titled, American Children are on Too Much MedicineA Recent and Emerging Crisis. He said he never worked with the other listed authors, either.

Misinterpreted data

Farber told NOTUS that the MAHA report had egregiously overgeneralized research about the overprescribing of asthma medication to children.

It is a tremendous leap of faith to generalize from a study in one Medicaid managed care program in Texas using 2011 to 2015 data to national care patterns in 2025, Farber told NOTUS.

That seemed to be a common theme in the rest of the report, NOTUS found. In one section about mental health medicationanother point of contention for Kennedythe report cites a paper as evidence that therapy alone is as or more effective than psychiatric medicine. But according to one of that papers statisticians, thats not an accurate takeaway. Joanne McKenzie, a biostatistics professor at an Australian university, told NOTUS that their study didnt measure or compare therapys effectiveness as a mental health treatment at all.

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We did not include psychotherapy in our review. We only compared the effectiveness of (new generation) antidepressants against each other, and against placebo, she said in an email to NOTUS.

Another medical researcher revealed to NOTUS that the MAHA report mischaracterized her study on how screen time affects childrens sleepand further, RFK Jr.s report named the wrong journal of publication for the study.

The conclusions in the report are not accurate and the journal reference is incorrect. It was not published in Pediatrics. Also, the study was not done in children, but in college students, Mariana G. Figueiro told NOTUS.

The Trump administration responds

In response to NOTUS findings, press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the inaccuracies formatting issues, and stated that the White House has complete confidence in both RFK Jr. and his MAHA commission.

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I understand there were some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed, and the report will be updated, she said at a press briefing on Thursday. But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports thats ever been released by the federal government, and is backed on good science that has never been recognized by the federal government.

For more on RFK Jr.:

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
ENDWELL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Good Shepherd Village at Endwell held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the completion of a $15 million project.

The two-year project provided extensive improvements to the campus in order to improve resident care and wellbeing.

The upgrades include a larger dining room, a brand-new library, pub, and cafe, as well as upgraded outdoor spaces. A state-of-the-art physical therapy and fitness center was also constructed.

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President and CEO Jason Santiago says keeping the residents safe and comfortable during the renovation was vital. He says the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Good Shepherd is special.

Even more than the aesthetics of Good Shepherd Village, its truly the people that make Good Shepherd Village a special place. Both the residents and the staff make Good Shepherd Village more than just a place to live and work. Those same people make this place a special community, said Santiago.

Joining Santiago in cutting the ribbon on Thursday was Rose Papa.

Papa has been a resident of Good Shepherd Village for over 15 years, serving in leadership roles on the Residents Council, starring in the communitys commercials, and offering her home for tours.

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Papa says the new addition is beautiful.

It was and still is a caring community of strangers who became friends and look out for each other. We may be twice the size now, but the feeling of community and caring is still here, and thats one of the reasons I like it here, said Papa.

Papa commended the staff for their excellent care over the years.

The project was made possible by a grant from the Broome County Industrial Development Agency, as well as an additional local donation.

The renovation was led by William H. Lane Incorporated.

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Palisades Village  the luxury shopping and dining destination that ultimately served as a tony town square for residents of Pacific Palisades, California  is eyeing a reopening of early to mid 2026 in the wake of catastrophic fires that ravaged the area.

Palisades Village owner Rick Caruso and key members of his Caruso team were on site Wednesday afternoon for an official press conference to announce the news and reveal that Palisades retail guru Elyse Walker will aid revitalization efforts by bringing her namesake shop to the flagship space on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Swarthmore Avenue. Walker, who opened her Palisades store in 1999 and expanded over the years into something of a retail empire with stores in New York, Newport Beach and Southampton, lost her shop on Antioch Street in the Palisades Fire.

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Today marks an important milestone for Palisades Village as it signals not only hope, but our steadfast and unwavering commitment to the Palisades. Our future here at Palisades Village is brighter than ever, said Caruso CEO Corinne Verdery to kick start the press conference against the backdrop of an active construction zone, hard hats and all. Our end goal is simple, its to bring families back, small businesses, jobs, spark economic revival and make Palisades stronger.

They plan to accomplish that by reconstructing the public park inside Palisades Village, rebuilding streetscapes around the hub to beautifully restore the sidewalks, lighting and landscape, bringing back the annual Christmas tree lighting and Menorah celebration this holiday season and adding an exciting new dining concept, the latter of which will be announced in the coming months, Verdery confirmed.

She then welcomed her boss to the podium. Caruso, the billionaire businessman who made a bid to become mayor of Los Angeles, has emerged as a key figure in the citys rebuilding efforts. He founded Steadfast L.A., an organization led by the private sector to prioritize action, accountability and results over red tape.

When the fire hit, and obviously in the wake of that fire, it touched every corner of our city. I became a student of what it takes to bring back a city or a town or a community from a disaster, offered Caruso in opening his comments. What he learned was that public and private partnerships become key to rebuilding efforts because the problems are too big for a government alone, and that common spaces that foster community become even more crucial.

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People want to congregate. They want to shop, they want to dine, they want to gather, they want to have a cup of coffee with their friends and their family. So how do we accelerate all of this? Its not only about rebuilding a town, its about an acceleration of the rebuilding, he added. I believe you have to have an economic engine. If you look at all the examples around the country or around the world, if you have a partner  whether its a retailer or a restaurateur that believes in the future of a community thats committed not only to great commerce but great community  you create a powerful partnership.

That thinking led Caruso to pick up the phone a few weeks ago to share his big idea that called for her to move into the Palisades Village space formerly occupied by Saint Laurent. Elyse said, I am in, lets rebuild the Palisades, recalled Caruso, who saved Palisades Village with the help of a private for-hire firefighting team. Then she said something that was very powerful. She said, We will be unstoppable.

Caruso then welcomed Walker to the podium with quite a compliment: In my 35 years of being in the development business, Ive done business with a lot of retailers, the best and the brightest, but let me tell you something, there is nobody better than Elyse Walker. The Palisades resident and retail vet, who raised her two sons in the city and opened a shop there so she could walk them to school, expressed optimism about the announcement while also nodding to the destruction still visible on all the surrounding streets.

Today is an exciting day. Its also with mixed emotion as just five months ago, we watched our beloved community of the Pacific Palisades experience incredible loss, and my team and I lost our flagship Elyse Walker Palisades store, our work home, a store that had just celebrated 25 years, she explained of the elysewalker boutique. However, I have always believed that the Palisades community is strong, and that in time we would heal and rise up together. Today is the beginning of our rebuilding efforts.

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She called this moment the most pivotal time in the Palisades community history, and said that her new location will mirror the old one and align with what Caruso has created at Palisades Village by becoming a hub for community and something more than a place that sells clothing, handbags and designer items.

Our goal is to create jobs and enthusiasm. Reopening in the Palisades and moving our flagship across the street to the Palisades Village is incredibly exciting and important as we focus our efforts on supporting the strong and resilient town, she said. We fully intend to recreate the Elyse Walker experience at the Palisades Village and look forward to a time very, very soon when we can open our doors and our community can reunite.

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Thursday marked one full week since the portals at Epic Universe officially opened, and thousands have now visited central Floridas newest theme park.

Reviews are pouring in from tourists, local business leaders and even ride-booking drivers who are reaping benefits from the new park.

Comcast, the parent company of NBC Universal and Universal Orlando Resorts, said its $11 billion investment is anticipated to generate $2 billion for the state of Florida in the first year alone.

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Epic Universe is the first theme park to open in central Florida in more than 25 years and is also expected to create 17,500 jobs across the country in its first year of operation, according to Comcast.

The CEO and president of Icon Park, Chris Jaskiewicz, said its too soon to have hard data on the parks impact, but he believes Epic Universe is contributing to a spike in new visitors to Icon Park attractions, like the Orlando Eye.

This is now the state-of-the-art park in the industry. And Its very good for us, said Jaskiewicz, I cant give you exact numbers, but I know that were getting more traffic because of the increased visitor count.

On Thursday, Channel 9 spoke with tourists visiting Epic Universe from across the United States and overseas, including Marissa Medlock, who planned her 10-year anniversary trip around the parks opening.

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We were debating if we should come earlier to avoid the heat and stuff, but we had to come and see Epic, said Medlock.

Shes visiting Orlando with her husband and three sons from Phoenix, Arizona.

During the familys one-week trip, it is also visiting Disney, Cocoa Beach and several local businesses.

Channel 9 spoke with the Medlock family as they were getting lunch at the But First. Coffee Shop, in Orlando.

We wanted to go with a cute local shop, said Medlock.

Meanwhile, Channel 9 also heard from ride-booking drivers on Thursday who said theyve already dropped off multiple passengers at the new park.

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Kirby Rodriguez said one week since Epic Universe opened, its become a regular destination for his Lyft passengers.

Parking at Epic can cost anywhere between $32 and $50, and Rodriguez said people are skipping the parking line and turning to rideshare apps.

Its getting more business for us, said Rodriguez. They dont want to pay the parking. So if they get a rental, they leave the car in the resort and they get an Uber.

While some are seeing a business boost, not all drivers were eager to make the trip to Epic Universe with some stating they try to avoid busy tourist areas all together.

Thats a no no sometimes for us to accept those kinds of rides, said Uber driver Carlos Rigo, The main concern is the traffic that sometimes we have around the area.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The loved ones of a Robertson County Sheriffs Deputy killed in a domestic violence-related incident have spoken out since Governor Bill Lee signed a bill honoring her life and legacy.

On Tuesday, Lee signed Savannas Law, which creates a public registry of habitual domestic violence offenders. The legislation is named after Savanna Puckett, who was murdered at her Springfield home in 2022. Her mother, Kim Dodson, pushed for the laws passage and testified before lawmakers on the issue.

RELATED | Gov. Lee signs Savannas Law, creating habitual domestic violence offender registry and honoring Robertson Co. deputy

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Kim said that Puckett was just starting a promising career at the Robertson County Sheriffs Office when her life was cut short in 2022.

She wasnt even on patrol a year when this incident happened, Kim said.

James Conn is the man responsible for Pucketts death; in August 2023, he pleaded guilty to three major counts in her murder. He has since been sentenced to life in prison.

Savanna met this young man online, her stepfather Jason Dodson said. Hes a monster.

Kim said that Pucketts death couldve been prevented had she been able to research Conns criminal history, which included domestic assault.

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I just dont know that theres words to describe the emotion I went through, Kim said.

Savannas Law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, creates a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders. Rep. Sabi Doc Kumar (R-Springfield) sponsored the bill.

For a good, loving people and for a good town, this was very tragic, Kumar said. Especially the sheriffs people who knew her well.

Sharon Roberson, President and CEO of the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, said that the law has the potential to be helpful.

I think that were going to have to look to see whether that plays out to see whether or not it will provide a resource for individuals to better understand who theyre dealing with, for instance, Roberson said.

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APRIL 2024 | Its time we stand up: Mother of murdered deputy pushes for domestic violence offender registry

The Dodsons told News 2 that they had been wondering what their next step would be and think the law is a good move forward.

This has been amazing, Dodson said. We left many a times with tears in our eyes trying to figure out whats our next step  whats our next step?

For anyone in a crisis, help is out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Salesforce already possesses an extraordinary amount of data on the worlds biggest companies. The software giants acquisition of data management and analytics firm Informatica, however, signals its AI-agent platform, dubbed Agentforce, might need a boost.

Salesforces dramatic pivot to AI agents seems to have stalled in its early days. The software giant is betting its $8 billion purchase of data-management firm Informatica, however, can help turbocharge the Silicon Valley stalwarts transformation.

Generally, investors have richly rewarded companies for pioneering agentic AI, or artificial intelligence that could autonomously perform tasks on a humans behalf without constant intervention, a technology that could fundamentally change white-collar work. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioffand his historical penchant for aggressive acquisitionshas proved polarizing, though, and the companys stock has struggled mightily in 2025 as the firm has so far failed to meet lofty expectations.

When reports of a potential deal first surfaced last April, Informatica shares traded at nearly $40. Now, Salesforce will pay stockholders $25 per share, according to a joint press release. At that price, Wall Streets foremost tech bull thinks the deal is a no-brainer.

Informatica is a gold mine of data, Dan Ives, a managing director and senior equity research analyst at Wedbush Securities, told Fortune. Salesforce is acquiring data, [Informaticas] customer base, and the ability to cross-sell. And in the AI revolution, data is king.

As the industry leader in so-called customer relationship management, or CRM, Salesforce already possesses an extraordinary amount of data on the worlds biggest companies. For Ted Mortonson, managing director and technology desk sector strategist at Baird, the acquisition signals Salesforce doesnt have the pieces internally to make its AI-agent platform, dubbed Agentforce, an immediate success.

Think about it as the toolset to jump-start their data cloud operations, he told Fortune.

The companys shares ticked up over 1.5% on the news but are still down roughly 16% this year. Informaticas stock, meanwhile, has risen over 20% to trade around the $24 mark since the Wall Street Journal reported discussions between the two companies on Friday.

Together, Salesforce and Informatica will create the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry, Benioff said in the press release.

What is Informatica?

Mortonson described Informatica as a company that helps customers manage the inflow of their data onto the cloud and then specializes in running analytics on that data. Founded in 1993, the company has also focused on offering artificial intelligence capabilities like Claire GPT, its generative-AI tool to assist clients.
ROCHDALE, Queens (PIX11)  A proposed spike in monthly fees at one of the largest co-ops in the country is causing outrage in Queens.

Residents of Rochdale Village co-op complex rallied Wednesday, pushing back against a proposed 22.3 percent spike in monthly co-op fees  a move they say would hit families hard. Longtime resident Phyllis Williams-Corney said an increase would be devastating.

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Itll impact me cause I cant afford it, Williams-Corney said. Im on a fixed income.

She added, It makes no sense, and then even if I could afford it, it dont leave no money for nothing else.

According to the co-ops bulletins circulated earlier this year, Rochdale Villages board of directors cited a monthly cash flow shortfall that has left the co-op unable to pay key expenses, including a $13 million debt to the New York City Water Board and more than $8 million owed to contracted vendors.

The board is projecting a $48.2 million shortfall over the next two years. Residents, however, tell PIX11 News they shouldnt be held responsible for years of mismanagement, negligence, and lack of oversight.

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Its absurd that we pay good money to management companies and we elect board members who would allow it to get to that point, said Jacques Armand, a resident at Rochdale Village.

He added, That mustve been happening over time. What steps are we taking to resolve that?

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Rochdale Village is home to more than 20,000 residents and was originally established under the Mitchell-Lama program  a state initiative designed to provide affordable housing for middle-class New Yorkers. The states housing agency, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, oversees the Mitchell-Lama program for the Queens co-op.

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An HCR spokesperson said in a statement, As with all Mitchell-Lama housing companies, cooperators and the board must be in compliance with Mitchell-Lama statutes and regulations and have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure the financial integrity and self-sufficiency of the housing company. HCR does not comment on pending applications.

Still, residents are hoping the state will reduce the proposed increase or do away with it altogether.

Im really hoping that we dont get the increase or not this large amount of increase, said longtime resident Selma Jackson.

The state has taken steps to help Mitchell-Lama buildings manage rising expenses, including $110 million in the fiscal year 2026 budget designated for preservation work in New York City, according to HCR sources.

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The proposed fee increase is currently awaiting state approval.

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May 28ROCHESTER  The Olmsted County Sheriff's and the Rochester Police Department are celebrating Night to Unite on Aug. 5 to promote police-community partnerships.

According to a release, neighbors are encouraged to organize gatherings and register them online.

"Building a safer community starts with knowing your neighbors," Rochester Police Chief Jim Franklin said in the release. "Night to Unite is a great opportunity to come together and strengthen our connections in support of a safer Rochester."

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Law enforcement officers from RPD and OCSO will visit as many neighborhood celebrations as possible, according to a release.

"The goals of Night to Unite and our Sheriff's Office mission statement are intertwined, to promote and protect the well-being, safety, and security of all people in our community," Sheriff Kevin Torgerson wrote in the release. "We look forward to joining with our friends and neighbors again this year to work towards those common goals here in Olmsted County. We will see you in your neighborhood on August 5!"
May 28ROCHESTER  Rochester Public Schools has submitted a two-page appeal to the U.S. Department of Education regarding the discontinuation of a $1.9 million grant originally meant to increase the number of mental health workers in the school district, particularly those from "underrepresented backgrounds."

RPS was originally awarded the grant in 2023. The Department of Education notified RPS earlier this month that it would discontinue the grant because of the priorities of the new administration. In its appeal, RPS said it will no longer make decisions based on race if it is allowed to keep the grant.

"We agree to not use any factors related to race, gender or sexual orientation to select or support candidates for the grant program," Superintendent Kent Pekel wrote in the letter. "Our focus is on merit, excellence, and meeting the urgent mental health needs of our students."

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RPS Communications Director Mamisoa Knutson said the district is unaware when or if it will receive a response to the appeal.

The grant was part of a partnership between Rochester Public Schools and Winona State University. When it was first awarded to RPS, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited Rochester to mark the occasion.

In an earlier statement about the grant cancellation, Pekel wrote that the program was helping "fill a gap that Rochester Public Schools cannot fill on its own: enabling talented people who are already working in our school system to earn the licenses and degrees that they need to provide students with counseling and other forms of mental health support."

In the original notice about the grant's discontinuation, the Department of Education gave a handful of possible reasons for discontinuing the grant without directly saying what the reason was.

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"The Department has undertaken a review of grants and determined that the grant specified above provides funding for programs that reflect the prior Administration's priorities and policy preferences and conflict with those of the current Administration, in that the programs: violate the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; conflict with the Department's policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds."

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the federal government has moved to reverse many existing policies aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion.

Although Pekel indicated in the appeal that the district would not take racial factors into account when administering the grant, he also explained that it was partially meant to be a way to support individuals from minority groups.

"While the original grant guidelines encouraged consideration of applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, RPS has implemented the program in a balanced manner," Pekel wrote. "Two-thirds of participants are people of color or Indigenous individuals, while one-third are white. This reflects our commitment to both diversity and merit-based selection."

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The district's response to the letter also criticized the Department of Education's decision to discontinue the grant, saying that the "premature termination of this grant" would waste the funding that has already been invested in the mental health initiative.

"This program represents exactly the type of innovative, merit-based approach needed to address the critical mental health needs of our students," Pekel wrote in the letter. "The termination of this grant sends a troubling message about the federal government's commitment to student mental health and efficient use of taxpayer resources."
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A man faces charges after robbing a Rockford post office on Tuesday, according to police.

Around 3:02 p.m., Anthony Johnson, 58, reportedly walked into the United States Post Office, at 1140 Broadway, carrying a handgun, and demanded cash from the clerk.

After taking the cash, Johnson fled, but was identified by Rockford Police Detectives and U.S. Postal Inspectors.

On Wednesday afternoon, authorities raided Johnsons home in an attempt to catch him. During the search, Johnson is said to have fled into a neighboring apartment, but was apprehended by detectives.

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Johnson has been charged with two counts of Armed Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, and Criminal Trespass to a Residence.

He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail after 9 p.m. Wednesday and awaits the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing.

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On the same day that the clip of Elon Musk trashing House Republicans big, beautiful bill has been making the rounds, Politico is reporting that the White House has picked back up its effort to force congressional Republicans to choke down some of the DOGE cuts.

In a clip of a CBS News interview the network put out today, Musk said he was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit  and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.

A bill can be big or it can be beautiful, Musk said in a clip of the interview published Tuesday night, commenting on the legislation that is set to kickstart Trumps fiscal agenda  if it ever passes the Senate. But I dont know if it can be both.

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Now, the White House is reportedly planning to send a chunk of the DOGE cuts to Congress next week in the form of a rescissions package, according to Republicans and senior administration officials who spoke to Politico. When and how much of the DOGE rampage to send over to Congress has been a lingering question for some time.

Of course, as weve often noted, the way the White House is handling the rescissions process is constitutionally backwards: Congressional Republican ceded their power to appropriate funding and stand up (or shut down) federal agencies to the executive branch. Under our system of government, of course, Congress approves spending, not the White House. That has been upside-down since January, one of many violations of the separation of powers that came with Trump II. A rescissions package would be a way to begin to paper over that violation  assuming that Congress would approve the DOGE cuts, which is far from a safe assumption.

Some Republicans like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) have been quietly hinting since Musk first began his lawless ransacking of the executive branch  freezing and rescinding congressionally appropriate funds and purging federal employees  that hes aware and concerned that Trumps DOGE activity might well be not legal until Congress acts. In an acknowledgement of that sentiment, the White House has been privately preparing a rescissions package that would officially claw back some $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid projects and gut NPR and PBS. But the White House has been non committal about when it would actually send over such a package: it was initially going to send something to Congress earlier this spring, but decided to delay while the House and Senate focused on passing Trumps big, beautiful reconciliation package just a few weeks back. The delay has caused some MAGA types like Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to start posting on social media about the necessity of such a move.

Its not too late



If you want Congress to codify the DOGE cuts, please tell your senators and representatives https://t.co/NkAMOyi5Dp  Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) May 27, 2025

Just hours after Musks clip started making the rounds criticizing the ways in which the House reconciliation package will add to the federal deficit, Trump whisperer Stephen Miller chimed in on Twitter, to correct Musk:

DOGE cuts are to discretionary spending. (Eg the federal bureaucracy). Under senate budget rules, you cannot cut discretionary spending (only mandatory) in a reconciliation bill. So DOGE cuts would have to be done through what is known as a rescissions package or an appropriations bill.

Something Strange Afoot In Portage County, Ohio

A webpage on the Portage County, Ohio Republican Partys website advertising a $99 training taking place in the county in June has been taken down after local news outlets and a Democratic state senator caught wind of the upcoming event. The description of the training is unnerving: it is supposedly designed to help teach communities to identify individuals and organizations hostile to liberty and creatively and lawfully flush them out, according to a copy of the flyer that was published by WKYC, a local NBC affiliate.

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The event is called an Into Action class and, it appears, will be hosted by a something called an Allied Special Intelligence Group. The flyer on the local GOP website described the organization using some militia-coded language: a unique organization of patriots who are military combat veterans with special operations experience, former law enforcement, elected officials and intelligence professionals.

By the end of the course students will be organized with a clear operation plan to effectively accomplish specific missions in their communities to reduce the adversaries ability to operate, while beginning the process of re-establishing a Constitutional Republic form of government in your communities, the flyer said.

Its unclear if the event has been canceled or if the Portage County Republican Party just chose to stop advertising it.

Of Course

The Trump DOJ has filed the first voting complaint of the new administration and it is directly related to the months long election-stealing attempt orchestrated by Jefferson Griffin, the Republican candidate in the North Carolina Supreme Court race. Griffin tried, and ultimately failed, to get tens of thousands of votes thrown out to try to steal the election from the Democratic incumbent.

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Justin Levitt explains the whole ordeal a lot better than I can here, but the Justice Department is alleging that North Carolina violated federal law by not requiring voters to provide the right information when they registered to vote. The basis of Griffins challenge revolved around some voters not providing all the identifying information required by law when they registered to vote. However, the states voter registration form didnt ask for it when some of them registered to vote.

More here.

In Case You Missed It

Trump Nominates His Defense Lawyer-Turned-DOJ Yes Man For Federal Appeals Court

Republican Attacks On GAO Escalate After Office Condemns DOGE Cuts

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Trump Stonewalls Federal Judges In New Round Of Brazen Defiance

Yesterdays Most Read Story

The Trump White House and The Great Quieting

What We Are Reading

Migrants, and a Pastor, Arrested Inside Manhattan Immigration Courthouse

Democrats Cant Buy Themselves A Joe Rogan

Trumps attack on Harvard hampered by his inability to STFU
MIAMI, Okla.  An Ottawa County woman was sentenced to five years for lying to authorities surrounding the circumstances of the fatal shooting of her husbands girlfriend.

Charlana Nichelle Kelly, 55, of Commerce pleaded guilty in Feb. 2024 to accessory to felony murder in the 2021 death of Toni Moran.

Since her plea, Kelly has been in a nursing home for a medical condition, according to court testimony and court records.

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The Judge sentenced Kelly to 20 years, but then suspended 15 years of that sentence. Kelly is required to serve the first five years. She was also fined $2,000 and will be under court supervision when released.

Floyd McKibben, Morans brother, gave a witness impact statement in a previous court hearing when Kellys sentence was delayed due to her being in a nursing home. McKibben spoke of the hardships Moran encountered during her lifetime and said she didnt deserve to be killed.

Moran died from multiple gunshot wounds to her head and body on Nov. 1, 2021.

The autopsy report showed Morans body had 12 abrasions, including a laceration to her tongue and a contusion to the left side of her head. A toxicology report showed Moran had methamphetamine in her system and a trace of amphetamine. Antidepressants were also detected in Morans system, but not confirmed, the autopsy report states.

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According to federal court records, Jimmy Kelly Jr., 53, Charlanas husband of over five years, arranged a confrontation between the two women.

Jimmy Kelly and Charlana Kelly/OSBI/Ottawa County Jail

Charlana Kelly pleaded guilty to providing an alibi to investigators for her husband, knowing that it was false.

Jimmy Kelly was sentenced in US District Court in Tulsa to 303 months for second-degree murder in Indian Country and 120 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm, for Morans brutal slaying.

Prison Romance

Moran was being held at the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita in connection with the death of her son. At that time, Jimmy Kelly was serving a federal prison sentence for the death of a Picher man.

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The two struck up a relationship and began corresponding, despite his marriage to Charlana.

Charlana Kelly

Under the name Tony Torres, Moran was sentenced to a mental hospital after she was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the drowning death of her 17-month-old son, Alex. The toddlers body was found submerged in about 20 feet of water, approximately four miles north of Twin Bridges State Park in northern Ottawa County. Moran was ultimately located sitting on the riverbank. According to Morans statement to investigators, the toddler clung to her as she waded into the river.

She was released in 2011 because the court ruled she was no longer a danger.

In 1991, Jimmy Kelly was convicted of murder for the beating death of Vernon C. Moyer, of Picher. Testimony showed Kelly beat Moyer with a tire jack and nearly decapitated the man, decimating his neck, larynx, and voice box. Kelly then disposed of the body in a nearby pond.

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According to court records, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison and was released on April 30, 2018, where he began serving five years of supervised release.

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ROME, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  A proposal aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Utica and Rome police departments was approved by the Rome Common Council at its meeting on Wednesday.

First reported by the Daily Sentinel, the agreement  put in front of the Council by Rome Police Chief Kevin James on Wednesday, May 28  would eliminate certain steps that need to be taken for one department to request mutual aid from the other.

It is not the intent of this agreement to circumvent any collective bargaining agreements in place within either jurisdiction in regards to staffing and payment of overtime to cover shift shortages, a document quoted by the Sentinel stated. Rather, it is the intent of this agreement to maximize the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of the officers and personnel of all of the local governments while working their pre-scheduled shift with the exception of pre-established on-call specialized investigative teams.

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According to the document, the agreement extends to dispatchers, animal control officers and SWAT teams. In the future, the document said, the agreement could lead to a forensic crime scene response team that spans many jurisdictions.

The agreement also intends to ensure an adequate number of officers for emergencies and other crisis situations. Rules for when mutual aid can be provided will be established by both chiefs of police and the Sheriff.

In the event that an incident results in an officer-involved accident, both the Utica and Rome Police Departments will consult with each other and share information in the investigation.

The Utica Common Council approved the agreement at their meeting on Wednesday, May 21. The agreement is scheduled to terminate until December 31, 2030, at which point both legislative bodies can approve a renewal retroactive to January 31, 2031.

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You can look at the full agreement, plus other measures taken on by the Rome Common Council in the document below. The text of the agreement can be found beginning on page 7.

5.28.25-CC-AgendaDownload

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Ron DeSantis cannot run for governor again in 2026. But a DeSantis might.

Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, scheduled to speak Thursday, May 29, in Daytona Beach at the 2025 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solutions Summit at Daytona International Speedway, has not officially jumped into the race, although she has reportedly been considering it. But she's not in a hurry.

I've got to save the Free State, but we literally just went through an election cycle, right?" she said at a Tampa event for her Hope Florida program. "Were 100 days into the presidency. And you talk to a lot of people around the state, and they are so tired of politics.

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In a February poll, Casey DeSantis was favored well over potential candidates U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, former U.S. Rep Matt Gaetz, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. However, by May, Donalds was polling 19 percentage points above her after voters were told Donalds, who has declared his candidacy, had President Donald Trump's support.

It's also not helping that a criminal investigation has been opened into a $10 million donation from a state Medicaid settlement to Hope Florida that was funneled through the program's fundraising arm to a political committee controlled by the governor's then-chief of staff to fight a constitutional amendment that her husband wanted to stop.

Hope Florida is a state program whose stated goal is to help steer Floridians away from state assistance and toward services offered by nonprofits and faith-based organizations. The governor had been pushing lawmakers to codify his wife's program into law, but the bill failed to move after the revelations.

When does Ron DeSantis' term end?

DeSantis was first elected in 2018 and began his term in office on Jan. 8, 2019. He was re-elected by a landslide in 2022.

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He will be ineligible to run again in the next Florida gubernatorial election in 2026 and will leave office in Jan. 2027.

How old is Ron DeSantis?

DeSantis is 46 years old. His birthday is September 14.

What are the qualifications for Florida governor?

The governor must be at least 30 years old and have been a resident and registered voter of Florida for at least seven years, according to the Florida Constitution.

The same qualifications hold for lieutenant governor and each cabinet member.

Is DeSantis up for reelection? Could DeSantis run for Florida governor again?

While DeSantis isn't up for reelection, he could someday run for governor again.

The Florida Constitution says "No person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term."

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But that would not prevent DeSantis from running again after someone else has served a term as governor since it would not be consecutive. And that's assuming that restriction isn't changed before his time runs out.

What are the Florida governor term limits?

Florida, like 22 other states, limits governors to two consecutive, four-year terms.

The others are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Arkansas, California, Delaware, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota and Oklahoma all limit governors to no more than two terms in a lifetime.

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Vermont and New Hampshire have no term limits on their governor but they limit terms to two years instead of four.

Virginia is the only state with a one-term lifetime limit.

How many Florida governors have served two terms?

Four state governors have served two full four-year terms:

Bob Graham: 1979 to 1987 almost served two full terms but resigned with three days left in his term to take a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Lawton Chiles was elected to two consecutive terms, in 1991 and 1994, but died in office in 1998 before his second term was completed.

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ron DeSantis: When Florida governor's term ends, can he run again?
The News

Senators are making noises about changing President Donald Trumps sweeping tax and spending bill. Then theres Ron Johnson.

The hard-charging Wisconsin Republican is leading a full-on assault on the House-passed bills deficit-expanding impacts, armed with charts, presentations to his colleagues, and a myriad of media appearances knocking the legislation. And if Johnson cant support the legislation, it will further hamstring Republican leaders, who have already lost one senators vote in their 53-seat majority.

In several recent interviews, Johnson made clear he wants big changes but is trying to be reasonable. He accepts Republicans contention that expiring tax cut extensions do not need to be paid for and concedes its unlikely hell prevail in splitting the bill up into two pieces at this point.

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But the man who nearly took a pass on running for a third term in 2022 has little to lose politically as he makes his push: Hes already served longer than he planned. And its clear he sees the fight in front of him as a legacy-maker for his career, which began with a shocking victory against a longtime Democratic senator.

I ran in 2010 because I was panicked for this nation. Im more panicked now, Johnson told Semafor. Theres a lot that I love about what President Trumps doing. Im a big supporter. I want to see him succeed. But right now, the big, beautiful bill? Thats just rhetoric. Its completely false advertising. Its literally divorced from reality.

Summing up the growing deficit, he said: Were currently projecting $2.2 trillion.  Obama is under a trillion. Trump had increased it, Biden increased dramatically. Trumps not doing anything to fix that.

Johnson alone cant sink the bill. But the situation echoes a similar problem Speaker Mike Johnson faced in the House: fiscal conservatives balking. Speaker Johnson won out by tweaking some of the bills dials; Sen. Johnson says he needs more than that.

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And he isnt alone in his criticism: Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., oppose the House legislation and want bigger deficit reductions. Theres no question that Ron Johnsons seen as the bills lead critic.

Nobody should underestimate it. I mean, its not like Rons been shy about his position on this. And hes been the conservative conscience of the chamber, certainly of the [Republican] conference, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Hes serious. And we ought to take him seriously.

GOP leaders say they are doing just that amid a careful balancing act. If Senate Majority Leader John Thune and his team pursue harsher austerity to win over conservatives, they risk alienating centrists.

Two GOP leadership aides expressed confidence they can get it done. One said Republicans are currently drafting legislation that delivers on the Republican agenda and delivers 51 votes.

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The Senate is going to work through its own processes and make changes along the way. Tax permanency and maximum savings are among the Senates top priorities, said a second leadership aide. Failure isnt an option.

Know More

GOP leaders want to see action before the July 4 recess, and the pressure to support the legislation will start to build Monday and peak right before the holidays. Many Republicans concede the real deadline is later. Some think August is more realistic; Cramer suggested the end of the fiscal year  Sept. 30.

The legislation currently includes a lift to the debt ceiling, which could come up as soon as late summer. Johnson knows what the argument is going to be.

They package everything into one big bill and: Youre gonna allow us to default? Youre gonna allow a massive tax increase? Johnson said. Weve got a structural deficit of about 6%, the gap between revenue and spending. Thats probably gonna go to 7% with the big, beautiful bill. That is the wrong direction.

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Johnsons record is filled with uphill fights. In 2017 he threatened to vote against the GOPs Obamacare repeal bill but ultimately supported it. That same year, he took on the GOPs tax cuts  using his early opposition as leverage to increase pro-business proposals in the bill, which he supported.

In 2021, a livid Johnson forced the Senate clerk to read the entire Democratic American Rescue Plan. After winning reelection in 2022, Johnson helped lead the opposition to the reelection of Mitch McConnell as the Senate Republican leader and backed Scotts failed upstart bids.

In other words, Republicans are not writing off his words as just rhetoric.

Its really not that absurd what hes suggesting. Its just something that will take longer than between now and the Fourth of July, Cramer said.

Burgesss view

Johnson  or RonJohn  sees a chance to make a mark. After Paul, he appears to be the most likely GOP senator to vote no. Hes always been a loose cannon (particularly after winning reelection in 2016 with scant national support) and hes a wealthy businessman who doesnt need the job.

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But Johnson is a lot more comfortable fighting with congressional leaders than he is with Trump, and theres a decent chance Johnson is using his platform (hes been all over the airwaves during the Memorial Day recess) to help shape the bill and get Trumps attention.

Johnson was also one of the loudest critics of Trumps tariffs. But when the Senate voted on canceling them, he sided with the president  who, to be fair, eventually watered down the levies.

Room for Disagreement

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told Semafor that while critics from the right are loudest, there are plenty of senators with more nuanced opinions.

You have some people who come to the conversation with just a very principled view on spending and what we need to do with reductions in spending, and do it in an aggressive, aggressive way, Murkowski said. But you have others who are looking at it through perhaps a little different lens. And so how are we going to work it out? Itll be much like the sausagemaking that went over on the House side.

Notable
A doctor in the south-central region of Los Angeles County is calling it quits after years of battling denizens of a rooftop homeless encampment that have continuously terrorized her and her employees, costing the general practitioner tens of thousands of dollars in the process.

Dr. Tahani Soliman owns the building she runs her practice out of on the corner of Rugby and Zoe avenues in Huntington Park.

A multi-level parking garage next door to her practice has reportedly been a hub for unhoused people, who are easily able to access her roof, camp out, steal electricity and scrap metal from her air-conditioning units and start fires.

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Police address homeless encampment terrorizing L.A. doctors office

The doctor told KTLA that she estimates shes spent more than $100,000 on repairs and deterrents such as barbed wire and a fence that the homeless simply tear down.

We are living in hell, Soliman said. They ruined my roof. I have to put in a new roof and electricity from the air conditioning. I have to replace all of them.

A rooftop homeless encampment in Huntington Park has terrorized a neighboring doctors practice for years. (viewer pic) A rooftop homeless encampment in Huntington Park has terrorized a neighboring doctors practice for years. (viewer pic) A rooftop homeless encampment in Huntington Park has terrorized a neighboring doctors practice for years. (viewer pic) A rooftop homeless encampment in Huntington Park has terrorized a neighboring doctors practice for years. (viewer pic) A rooftop homeless encampment in Huntington Park has terrorized a neighboring doctors practice for years. (viewer pic)

On Tuesday, crews with the Los Angeles Fire Department extinguished a blaze on the rooftop of the parking structure and its not the first time. Gaby Rodriguez, who works for Dr. Soliman, said there was another fire in the same spot in 2023.

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It was firefighters who told the doctor and her staff that homeless people were living on top of the parking garage.

Violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene at core of lawsuit against Kevin Costner

We ended up putting up a fence with barbed wire. They took that down, Rodriguez said. We put cages around our AC units, and they took those down.

According to Rodriguez, Huntington Park police have told the doctor and her staff that there is not much they can do about the problem and that the offices calls to the city for help have gone unreturned.

Dr. Soliman, frustrated and angry about the lack of support for her business, staff and patients, said she has had enough.

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No protection for my employees, for my patients or my tenants, she told KTLA. Thats why Im going to retire, because of this, I lost everything.

KTLA reached out to Huntington Park city officials who said they would investigate the situation.

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This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

SAP expanded its partnership with Microsoft to help drive enterprise adoption of the ERP providers Business Suite bundles for finance, supply chain, human resources, procurement and customer experience functions, the two companies said Tuesday.

The joint migration acceleration initiative complements extensive platform integration plans unveiled along with the Business Suite offerings last week during SAPs annual Sapphire conference.

The integrations announced May 20 connect SAPs Joule AI assistant with the Microsoft 365 suite of productivity tools, including Copilot, Teams, Outlook and Word. Microsoft also extended its Sentinel, Defender and Entra security tools across SAPs cloud ERP and aims to launch SAP Business Data Cloud and SAP Databricks on Azure analytics services later this year.

Dive Insight:

SAP is counting on technology partners to guide customers to its S/4HANA cloud-based ERP as the company prepares to terminate mainstream support for on-premises ERP Central Component deployments in 2027.

By combining forces, we provide partners with proven frameworks, shared resources, and scalable tools that address complex challenges, Karl Fahrbach, chief partner officer of SAP, said in the Tuesday announcement.

The bundled offerings are designed to ease migrations by targeting function-specific business processes with traditional ERP capabilities in combination with data pipeline, analytics and AI services.

While Microsoft is the first hyperscaler to offer the Business Suite Accelerator program, SAP recently expanded existing pacts with AWS and Google Cloud to ease the flow of ERP data across clouds.

AWS and SAP launched a generative AI development initiative to help Accenture, Deloitte and other ecosystem partners build agentic tools using ERP data and the hyperscalers Bedrock platform, the companies announced on May 20. Initial use cases include identifying financial anomalies in real time and mitigating supply chain disruptions, according to SAP CTO and Chief AI Officer Philipp Herzig.

In addition to integrating the Databricks-powered Business Data Cloud on Azure, SAP connected the data pipeline to Google Clouds BigQuery data warehouse to bring together data stored in ERP and third-party repositories. SAP Business Data Cloud will be deployed in three Google Cloud regions in later this year, according to a May 20 announcement.
DES MOINES, Iowa  The citys first game lounge and cafe with a full restaurant and bar opens this weekend at 300 SW 5th Street in Des Moines.

The Rook Room features hundreds of board games and puzzles, with staff on hand to explain rules and recommend games.

Adventure Pass is back at Iowa public libraries

The owners say opening a unique space presented a few challenges, but they are excited to see how it plays out.

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Now that we are here, we are excited to keep expanding the idea of what any kind of space could be and help build that kind of third space thats not work and its not home. Its that third space that you can go and be yourself and build strong relationships, said co-owner Anelise Tarnowski.

The Grand Opening Celebration is from 7:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 31st. You can learn more about the space and what the Rook Room has to offer by checking out its Facebook page.

Metro news

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Royal Insider Shares Statement on King Charles' Health originally appeared on Parade.

Despite ongoing cancer treatment, King Charles III is pushing forward with his royal duties.

According to a Hello! article from Thursday, May 29, a senior royal aide recently shared insight into the Kings health, revealing that he is "managing" his cancer and continues to live as "normally as possible."

A senior royal aide explained, Medical science has made incredible advances, and I genuinely see no difference in him. As long as you do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible, and thats exactly what he is doing.

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It's no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well. As everybody knows he is driven by duty, so he just gets on with it, the aide revealed.

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The King and his wife, Queen Camilla, recently completed a tour of Canada, packed with back-to-back engagements, 76-year-old Charles not missing any. In Ottawa, he even delivered a 26-minute speech in both English and French during the state opening of Parliament.

Although the King and Queen are taking a brief pause from their public commitments, the royal calendar remains as busy as ever, with events such as Trooping the Colour, Garter Day, Royal Ascot, and an upcoming state visit from French President Macron. Despite the King's health, aides are "planning the program as usual" but with little success in lightening the load.

The royal couple was warmly received in Canada, where the King was "very touched" by the reception. The senior aide noted that the visit marked a "reset" of the relationship between the King and the people of Canada, which was met with enthusiasm. The visit was particularly meaningful as it was the Kings first official trip to Canada since ascending to the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022. While the trip had originally been planned for 2024, it was postponed after Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024.

Royal Insider Shares Statement on King Charles' Health first appeared on Parade on May 29, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Royal Navy warships and helicopters have tracked Russian vessel activity in British maritime waters for the second time this month.

Source: Royal Navy statement, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The British destroyer HMS Dragon monitored the Russian intelligence vessel Yury Ivanov, which was sailing near the Outer Hebrides off the coast of Scotland following NATO exercises in the area.

A Merlin helicopter was launched from the destroyer to gather aerial intelligence on the Russian vessel. The operation continued until the Yury Ivanov turned north, heading back to its base in the Arctic.

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Meanwhile, Royal Navy ships HMS Ledbury and HMS Hurworth, along with the 814 Naval Air Squadron, were tasked with tracking the Russian corvette Stoikiy as it passed westwards through the English Channel, escorting two Russian merchant ships.

"The Steregushchiy-class corvette subsequently escorted the two cargo ships eastbound, with Portsmouth-based HMS Hurworth watching every move as the Russian group headed back to the Baltic Sea as part of combined NATO efforts," the Royal Navy stated.

The navy also recalled that only three weeks ago, the patrol vessel HMS Tyne was deployed to observe the Russian submarine Krasnodar.

Background:

In March, the Royal Navy tracked a Russian warship and a merchant vessel as they transited the English Channel and the North Sea.

Since 2022, the United Kingdom has banned Russian ships from entering its ports.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Royals have confirmed with FOX4 that a business affiliated with the team has bought the mortgage of a possible stadium site in Johnson County, Kansas  the old Sprint Campus near 119th and Nall, now known as Aspiria.

The Kansas City Royals continue to explore all options throughout our community to develop a new stadium for the team, part of a team statement said that FOX4 obtained late Wednesday afternoon. We have not yet decided on a site, and any assertion to the contrary is inaccurate.

KCK planning commission to consider $12.6B data center near Kansas Speedway

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As part of our ongoing efforts, we have negotiated with or made investments in multiple potential sites  both in Missouri and in Kansas, the statement goes on to say. One of these investments was the acquisition (by an affiliate of the Royals) of the mortgage on the Aspiria campus through an arms-length sale process.

Earlier Wednesday, FOX4 talked to three elected leaders on the Missouri side about the upcoming special session that Missouri lawmakers will have. One of the main priorities of the special session will be Republican Governor Mike Kehoes stadium package that tries to keep both teams in the Show-Me State.

Wednesday, Democratic Jackson County Executive Frank White said it was his goal to still keep the Royals and Chiefs in his county. He supported the Vote No side of the April 2024 sales tax election for both teams though.

White said he could not speak for the state when it comes to something like the special session.

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For the county, you know what weve done for the teams over all these years, he said. Our plan is still to get a deal that makes sense for both Jackson County and both teams, and we hope to keep both teams in Jackson County.

The Aspiria campus surrounds the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and they dont plan to leave.

Were not for sale. Were not moving, said Scott Slabotsky with the center. We hope the Royals dont go there, but well do our best to be a good neighbor if they do.

Slabotsky also runs his own real estate investment office. He says the transaction is a brilliant move from investors.

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They either get a nice payday or they have the ability to put pressure on other suitors for a Major League Baseball stadium, Slabotsky told FOX4 on Wednesday. Kansas City is lucky to have such a great ownership group. Were just hoping that they locate downtown.

Slabotsky thinks that pressure will be felt on both sides of the state line.

It puts pressure on a Aspiria to try and scramble to get money to pay them off so they dont have to worry about a stadium. It puts pressure on the Missouri legislature to try and get something accomplished. It puts pressure on North Kansas City to put a deal together. It puts pressure on Brookridge, Corporate Woods and every other location that might be a possibility.

Tech company Fiserv announced in April that they would be moving into the Aspiria campus, which is still a possibility.

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Im sure theres a good chance that Aspiria will get new financing to pay that off, Slabotsky said. I dont know what the odds are for that, but thats a strong possibility.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

One person who did not support the stadium package during the final week of the legislative session was Republican State Senator Joe Nicola from Grain Valley. Nicola told FOX4 he thinks the teams are important to the county though.

But more importantly, its our property taxes, and thats what Im fighting for, Nicola said Wednesday. We need to have some property tax relief.

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Nicola says he wants that relief before hed support the stadium bill. Property tax relief was not a part of Kehoes Tuesday morning news conference though when it comes to what will be discussed during the special session.

But he and I have had discussions, Nicola said of his conversations with Governor Kehoe. Ive discussed it with leadership with the Speaker of the House, and my property tax bill is supposed to be part of the Special Session, so thats what Im pushing for and fighting for, and I think we have the consensus in the Senate to get something passed.

Nicolas bill would give the State Tax Commission authority to withhold up to 50% of all taxes that Jackson County is due if theyre ordered to lower assessments.

Missouri Republican Congressman Mark Alford said that a domed stadium would be great for the Chiefs to try to get a Super Bowl.

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But I also understand my constituents out in Eastern Jackson County who dont want to pay for a stadium to subsidize it, he said to FOX4. I think part of the equation though, a large part is the tax revenue thats brought into this region from these two teams.

The special session starts Monday at 12 p.m. in Jefferson City.

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Video: Prior coverage.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Downtown Daytons RTA bus hub could see more security after Wednesdays city commission meeting.

In the meeting, an amendment (Section II, group C, titled Revenue to the City) that proposes that off-duty officers be staged at Wright Stop Plaza, the hub on 4 South Main Street and the adjoining areas was passed to the commission for a vote.

The effort would incur a $112,000 cost and would happen through Dec. 31, 2025.

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The issue was presented in the aftermath of recent violence.

In April, Alfred Hale III, 18, was shot and killed at the bus hub. Hale, a student at Dunbar High School, was waiting on a bus to take him to school.

Local lawmakers stress student safety after downtown bus hub shooting

Earlier this month, his parents spoke out publicly about the incident. Each expressed their frustration with the school district and the bus hub.

Its just they put them kids out there without a plan, without protection, without any deep thought of what would possibly happen, said Nellie Bailey about busing from the hub to DPS schools.

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Save these kids, said Hale II. Let this be the catalyst to change something, to save the children. These children are our future, right? Well why are we not looking out for our future?

Last November saw a similar instance of violence as a young adult male was shot in the chest at the hub.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The Greater Dayton RTA recently unveiled a newly designed bus to honor local veterans.

From start to finish, the RTA says the project was extremely special, as several RTA workers have family members who have served in the armed forces.

Cancer survivors invited to Dayton VA for fair, walk event

The military has always meant a lot to me, and Ive always had a lot of respect for the military and veterans even before I served, said Gary Daugherty, RTA maintenance supervisor. This us is literally an answer to prayer.

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Daugherty has been the maintenance supervisor at RTA for more than 20 years. Recently, he was invited to a roundtable meeting with RTAs CEO Bob Ruzinsky to come up with ideas for a new bus.

Im not good at coming up with great ideas, and I literally prayed, Lord, please give me an idea, said Daugherty. Thats when later, the idea for this bus came to me, and so when I presented this to Bob in the roundtable meeting, he loved it.

From there, RTAs Carmen Gaines was tasked with executing the design, and her inspiration was personal.

My son is in the Navy, and I thought that I would dedicate it to him, my grandfather and other veterans that have fought for us, said Carmen Gaines, RTA graphic designer.

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For Daugherty, it was also about family.

Im a third generation Army veteran, my son is a fourth generation Army veteran, ive got a son-in-law who is an Army veteran, and my grandson recently enlisted in the Navy, said Daugherty. He will be fifth generation military.

Dayton Foodbank debuts new food van for expanded deliveries

Once the bus was rolled out, it was everything theyd hoped for.

It was amazing. I showed it to my son, he was so happy. He thought it was really good, but that could be because his mom did it, said Gaines.

Now, the Dayton community can enjoy the design as well.

Already started receiving emails from the general public, people who saw the bus and appreciated it, said Daugherty.

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RTA debuted the bus earlier this month, and plans to keep it on the streets for the foreseeable future.

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(NewsNation)  Chinese students with ties to their countrys Communist Party or studying in critical fields will have their visas revoked, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media Wednesday.

Rubios statement came amid the Trump administrations trade war with China and an order for U.S. embassies and consulates to pause scheduling visa interviews for international students while considering ways to revise social media screening and vetting for applicants.

The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio said on the social platform X.

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Student visa pause disturbing: Ex-education secretary

Under President Trumps leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio said. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

The State Department issued an internal cable Tuesday, signed by Rubio, stating that effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days, multiple outlets reported.

Trump administrations ongoing visa battle with Harvard

Earlier this year, the administration revoked the visas of thousands of international students.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement later restored more than 1,500 foreign student visa registrations in its reporting system.

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security moved to terminate Harvard Universitys student and exchange visitor program, barring the Ivy League school from enrolling international students. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the universitys international students would need to transfer to another institution or risk jeopardizing their legal status.

The Trump administration and Harvard attorneys are scheduled to face off for the first time in a Boston federal courtroom on Thursday for in-person arguments about the ban.

Judge orders release of Harvard scientist from ICE detention

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On Wednesday, President Donald Trump suggested imposing a 15% cap on the percentage of foreign students that Harvard and other U.S. higher education institutions can admit.

While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump suggested that international students take up too much of the student body and raised issues over some of the foreign students he called troublemakers.

These countries arent helping us. Theyre not investing in Harvard  We are. So why would 31%  why would a number so big, he said. I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%.

We have people [who] want to go to Harvard and other schools, [but] they cant get in because we have foreign students there. But I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country. We dont want to see shopping centers exploding. We dont want to see the kind of riots that you had, Trump said. And Ill tell you what, many of those students didnt go anywhere. Many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left lunatics in this country.

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He also said, without elaborating, that he doesnt want radical people coming to the U.S. as students and making trouble in our country.

NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Alabama U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville says he is running for governor, meaning there will be a reshuffling of the state political map.

It has already encouraged new candidates to enter the U.S. Senate race. The states Agriculture Commissioner also announced a bid for Lieutenant Governor, as current Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, long expected to run for governor, said he wont seek that seat.

Coach Tuberville for Governor: Tubervilles campaign site goes live

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And the major question Tubervilles announcement raises is who wants to replace him in the U.S. Senate?

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has not announced his plans but has said he could pivot to the U.S. Senate race if Tuberville chose to run for governor.

Former U.S. Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, who runs the anti-human trafficking organization  Covenant Rescue Group announced Wednesday he is running for Alabamas newly open U.S. Senate seat.

Another potential candidate is Mo Brooks, who served six terms as U.S. Rep. for the 5th Congressional District, which includes Huntsville. Brooks, who was initially endorsed by Donald Trump, lost his U.S. Senate bid in a runoff against Katie Britt in 2022.

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Brooks said he is considering his options, and his decision will be shaped by the field of candidates who emerge by the time qualifying for the seat takes place. He sent the following statement to News 19 on Wednesday:

The keys to whether I will run for the U. S. Senate are whether I have confidence other GOP candidates have a track record that persuades me they (1) have a good understanding of how to properly handle a myriad of dangerous economic issues looming on Americas horizon, (2) will do what it takes to get Americas debt under control (not just mouth the right words to get votes but actually do what it takes come hell or high water), and (3) do what it takes to protect the jobs and incomes of struggling American families from an ongoing tsunami of cheap legal and illegal foreign labor.



Personally, I hope there is another GOP candidate who has the strength of character to do what America needs doing. If not, I will give a Senate race strong consideration. Former Congressman Mo Brooks

In terms of fundraising for the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, a former federal candidate like Tuberville can only use $1,000 of the $671,000 in his current Senate campaign war chest for the governors race, under Alabama law.

Candidates who have raised significant money for state races, like Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth with $1.2 million raised or Marshall, with $171,000 on hand, cannot use any of that state-race money for a federal campaign.

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Former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, who has been considered a potential candidate for both Governor and U.S. Senator, said in an interview with our sister station CBS 42 on Wednesday that hes been approached by supporters about both races, and he is still considering his options.

And Wednesday evening, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who succeeded Brooks in representing the 5th Congressional District, said he plans to continue serving in the U.S. House.

After prayerful thought and consideration, I have decided that the best way I can serve Alabama is to remain in the United States House of Representatives, Strong said. For that reason, I will be seeking re-election to Congress in 2026 and no other office. Representing north Alabama in Washington has been the most rewarding experience in my career of public service. I truly believe I am where the Lord wants me, and I want to continue to represent my community.

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BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Russia on Thursday accused Serbia of exporting arms to Ukraine, saying its a stab in the back by its longtime Slavic Balkan ally.

Serbian defense enterprises, contrary to the neutrality declared by official Belgrade, continue to supply ammunition to Kyiv, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, SVR, said in a statement.

The statement alleged that the export of the Serbian arms to Ukraine are going through NATO intermediaries, primarily the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria. Recently, exotic options involving African states have also been used for this purpose.

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Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic told the state RTS television that he has recently discussed the issue of the arm exports to Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that it was agreed that the two countries form a working group to establish how Serbian-made weapons reach the Ukrainian frontlines.

Serbian arms exports to Ukraine, mostly the Soviet-era-caliber ammunition still used by Ukraines defense forces, have long been known since 2023, but its not clear why the Russian foreign security service decided to react now.

In March, Serbia denied it exported arms to Ukraine after Moscow demanded to know if it had delivered thousands of rockets for Ukraines fight against Russias invasion.

The SVR statement said the arms sales are being carried out through a simple scheme using fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries" serving as "a cover for anti-Russian actions.

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It added: The contribution of Serbian defense industry workers to the war unleashed by the West, the outcome of which Europe would like to see as a strategic defeat of Russia, amounts to hundreds of thousands of shells ... as well as a million rounds of ammunition for small arms.

It is unlikely that such supplies can be justified by humanitarian considerations. They have one obvious purpose  to kill and maim Russian military personnel and the civilian population of Russia.

It seems that the desire of Serbian defense industry workers and their patrons to profit from the blood of fraternal Slavic peoples has made them completely forget who their real friends are and who their enemies are."

The attacks on Serbia from the East and West are frequent because it leads autonomous and independent policies, Vucic said.

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Although claiming he wants Serbia to join the European Union, Vucic has maintained close relations with Russia. He defied EU warnings and attended Russias Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. EU officials said that it was inappropriate for Vucic to stand side by side with Putin, considering Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Vucic has said his decision to attend the parade, which marked the World War II victory over Nazi Germany, was part of efforts to maintain traditional friendships  Russia is a fellow Slavic and Orthodox Christian nation  while seeking EU entry.

Serbia, which relies almost fully on Russia for its energy supplies, has refused to join Western sanctions on Russia imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and hasnt supported most EU statements condemning the aggression.

___

This story has been corrected to correct the spelling of Russia in headlines.
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service has complained that Serbian defence companies continue supplying ammunition to Ukraine despite Serbias official stance of neutrality.

Source: European Pravda, citing Russian propaganda media outlet RIA Novosti

Details: Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that Serbian companies sell ammunition through a scheme involving fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries.

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These intermediaries are most often NATO member states, primarily Czechia, Poland and Bulgaria. Several African countries are also involved.

The contribution of Serbian plants reportedly amounts to hundreds of thousands of shells for multiple-launch rocket systems and howitzers, as well as a million rounds of small arms ammunition.

Russian intelligence alleged that Serbias largest defence companies are part of the scheme, including Yugoimport SDPR, Zenitprom, Krusik, Sofag, Reyer DTI, Sloboda, Prvi Partizan and others.

Background:

Last summer, the Financial Times reported that since 2022, Ukraine has received Serbian ammunition worth 800 million.

At the same time, Serbian authorities claimed that Serbia is not a party to the war in Ukraine, although it does sell ammunition to Western countries that may then transfer it to Kyiv.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that he does not object to Serbia selling ammunition to intermediaries who forward it to Ukraine.

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Starbucks is looking for an airplane captain, and its willing to pay upwards of $360,000 annually for the right person. Ideal candidates have tact and decorum, with a customer service flair that meshes well with the high-level executives flying for business. But being personable is just one piece of the equationapplicants need 5,000 hours of experience, a bachelors degree, and many certificates to make the cut.

Starbucks is looking to fill a new role, but it looks far different from churning out lattes and breakfast wraps for hours on end. The coffee giant is now hiring a captain to fly its planeand will pay a salary as high as $360,000 for the right talent.

Many of the duties are straightforward: managing the flight and crew of the assigned aircraft, directing preflight planning, and evaluating risk factors to ensure the safest traveling possible.

But the role isnt for any flying novice; there are strict hurdles to even qualify, but its a shot at a job that pays 10 times as much as the typical barista gig and upwards of $160,000 more than the average airline and commercial pilot salary of $198,000 per year.

Applicants must come prepared with a slew of certificates, and an image that positively reflects the Starbucks Coffee Company, as well as some other unusual requirements like tact and decorum, the job posting writes.

What it takes to land Starbucks new $360K job opening

The $111 billion coffee titan is not just looking for a pilot with professionalism, who will be a Starbucks ambassador both at home and abroad. Being a good culture fit is one thing, but having all the technical skills is another.

The job posting lists a long list of preferred qualifications: a bachelors degree, five years of experience as a captain with a corporate flight department, and 5,000 hours of total flight time. A top candidate will also have international large-cabin business jet experience, strong problem-solving prowess, and organizational skills.

Other essentials include a valid airline transport pilot certificate, a first class medical certificate, a valid passport, and an FCC restricted radio operator certificate.

Customer service expertise is also a mustthe posting notes the position regularly deals with the highest executive levels at Starbucks. Note: CEO Brian Niccol may even catch a ride, especially as he commutes from his home in Newport Beach, Calif., to Starbucks headquarters in Seattle. And yes, handling the passengers luggage is also part of the job.

These job requirements are dizzying to many; it takes anywhere from five to eight years of experience to meet the bare minimum of being a major commercial airline pilot. Captains need to master different kinds of aircrafts, pass written and oral exams, and work their way up to multi-engine planes. Its also worth noting that its not always the most comfortable gig. With no cushy office or remote setup to retreat to, pilots are moved around at the whim of their job.
Russia has concentrated a sufficient amount of forces in Kursk Oblast to potentially launch an attack on Ukraines Sumy Oblast, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on May 29.

The statement comes amid warnings of a new possible Russian offensive this summer as U.S.-mediated peace efforts have failed to produce a ceasefire deal.

Russia has become increasingly active in Sumy Oblast after mostly pushing out Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian authorities recently confirmed that Russian forces captured four Sumy Oblast villages close to the border: Novenke, Zhuravka, Veselivka, and Basivka.

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Speaking on national television, Demchenko said Russia began amassing forces when it attempted to push Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine launched its operation in August 2024.

Russia continues to maintain a force in Kursk Oblast, and Ukraine periodically detects a "certain change in the number of both soldiers and equipment in this area," the spokesperson said.

Russia "has enough forces there (in Kursk Oblast) to carry out operations against our border and attempt to attack the territory of Ukraine," he continued.

The remarks came days after President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is accumulating 50,000 troops near Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, seeking to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone in the area.

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According to Kyiv, Russia planned to launch an offensive into Sumy Oblast already back in 2024, but the plan was disrupted by Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast. Moscow has repeatedly indicated plans to create a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia in the area.

Read also: Trump holds off on sanctions to push Ukraine-Russia peace efforts

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Russian forces have been attacking Ukraine with 90 Shahed-type attack drones and various decoy drones since 23:20 on 28 May. Ukrainian air defences have struck down 56 drones and strikes were recorded in nine locations.

Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote: "As of 09:30, air defences downed 56 enemy Shahed-type drones in eastern and northern Ukraine. Ten were shot down using firepower, and 46 disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare. Enemy airstrikes were recorded in nine frontline locations in Sumy, Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts."

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Details: The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo, Orel and Kursk, targeting frontline territories.

The attack was repelled by Ukraines anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare teams, unmanned systems and mobile fire groups from the defence forces.

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Moscow is planning to deploy multiple Oreshnik missile systems to Belarus by the end of 2025, State Secretary of Belarus' Security Council Alexander Volfovich said on May 28.

The "Oreshnik" is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that Russia touts as an experimental weapon capable of bypassing advanced air defense systems.

In December 2024, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko requested Moscow deploy 10 Russian Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus, pro-Kremlin journalist Alexander Yunashev reported on his Telegram channel.

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"The locations for its deployment have already been determined," Volfovich said, without specifying how many missile systems would be deployed.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify claims made by Belarusian officials.

On Nov. 21, 2024, Russia launched an Oreshnik missile against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. The Oreshnik missile is designed to carry nuclear weapons, however, the missile was not armed with a nuclear warhead during the attack.

Russia launched the Oreshnik missile against Ukraine following Kyiv's first successful use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on a military target in Russia. Moscow later acknowledged additional ATACMS strikes on targets in Kursk and Bryansk oblasts.

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While Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed Russia has begun mass production of the Oreshnik, a U.S. official told The Kyiv Independent that Moscow likely possesses "only a handful" of these experimental missiles.

Belarus has been a key ally to Moscow and has previously been reported as hosting Russian tactical nuclear arms on its territory, after the two countries signed an agreement in May 2023.

Lukashenko said in December 2023 that the transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus was completed in early October.

Despite the claims, Ukrainian foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform published on May 26 that Belarus possesses nuclear weapon delivery systems but no warheads.

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Read also: Belarus has nuclear weapon delivery systems but no Russian warheads, Ukrainian intel chief says

























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A hacker group linked to Russia has posed as journalists and carried out a cyber espionage operation against the UK Ministry of Defence. The attack has been foiled.

Source: Sky News

Details: Details of the thwarted hacking attack emerged after Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK military was strengthening its offensive capabilities to carry out cyber attacks against enemy states such as Russia as part of a long-awaited review of the UKs defence framework.

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The Strategic Defence Review is expected to be published on Monday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer kick-started it in July 2024, ahead of the NATO summit in June 2025.

"The nature of warfare is changing," Healey told a group of journalists during a visit to a secure facility in Wiltshire where the team that repelled the Russian cyber attack is based.

"The Ministry of Defence detected a spear phishing campaign targeting staff with the aim of delivering malware," the National Cyber Security Centre said in its analysis.

"The initial campaign consisted of two emails with a journalistic theme attempting to represent a news organisation.

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The second campaign followed a financial theme, directing targets to a commercial file share," the centre said.

The official said that it took about an hour to detect the attack.

According to another official, the malware was linked to a Russian hacking group called RomCom.

Background:

The North Atlantic Alliance has proposed including spending on cybersecurity and activities related to border and coastal security in the alliance's new target of 1.5% of GDP for defence-related spending.

On 28 May, the Czech government stated that China was behind the cyber attack on the country's foreign ministry, which had been ongoing since 2022.

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(Reuters) -Russia opened a criminal case on Thursday after two men, including a local government official who had fought in Ukraine, were killed in an explosion in the southern city of Stavropol, Russia's Investigative Committee and the regional governor said.

Zaur Gurtsiev, a city official who was due to be appointed to Stavropol's regional administration, and another unidentified man, were killed.

Video footage published on social media showed two men standing close to some parked cars and a bench when a bright light filled the screen and the footage cut out.

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Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said the bodies of two men with multiple injuries had been discovered on Thursday outside a multi-storey building and that criminal cases investigating murder and the illegal possession of explosives had been opened.

Stavropol Region Governor Vladimir Vladimirov and other officials offered their condolences to Gurtsiev and his family.

(Writing by Alexander Marrow; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
A bipartisan proposal to place tough sanctions on Russia has more than 80 Senate cosponsors, but, unlike during President Trumps first term, Senate Republicans are leery of putting the bill on the floor without his approval  and so far he hasnt given GOP lawmakers the green light.

Senate Republicans deference to Trump on Russia sanctions represents a remarkable shift compared to his first term, when Congress acted decisively to punish Russia, ignoring his reservations at the time.

Now, Trump has a much firmer grip on the Republican Party, and his Senate Republican critics, who exercised significant influence over the foreign policy debate on Capitol Hill eight years ago, are gone.

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GOP senators say theyre ready to slap heavy sanctions on Russia and countries that buy its products, but they want Trump to lead the way  in contrast to his first term, when leading Republicans viewed Trump as a foreign policy neophyte.

If the White House concludes that tougher sanctions are in order, were here for it. Weve got a bill ready to go that has an overwhelming bipartisan majority of senators on it, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters before the Memorial Day recess.

He made it clear, however, that Senate Republicans would not move without Trump, saying Republicans would try and work with the administration on sanctions legislation.

Thune reiterated that message on the Senate floor Thursday, arguing that now the ball is in [Russian President Vladimir] Putins court.

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If Russia is not willing to engage in serious diplomacy, the Senate will work with the Trump administration to consider additional sanctions to force Putin to start negotiating, he said.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) says senators are holding off on moving sanctions legislation at Trumps request, but predicted it would pass quickly if Trump signals hes finished trying to broker a deal between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Weve been holding off because President Trump wanted time to negotiate with Russia, Mullin, who has worked on sanctions legislation with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the lead sponsor of the measure, told Fox Newss Sean Hannity on Tuesday.

He said that as soon as Trump gives senators the go-ahead, well be able to pass this in the Senate, well be able to pass this in the House, and President Trump will sign it, he said.

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Some Republicans have tried to ramp up the pressure on Trump to take a harder line with Putin.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Senates president pro tempore, pushed Trump on Tuesday to let Putin know its game over.

I believe president Trump was sincere when he thought his friendship w Putin wld end the war. Now that being the case ITS TIME FOR SANCTIONS STRONG ENUF SO PUTIN KNOWS game over, Grassley posted on the social platform X.

Trump on Wednesday asked for more time to feel out Putins willingness to strike a deal.

Well find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not, and if he is, well respond a little bit differently, but it will take about a week and a half to two weeks, Trump told reporters at the White House Wednesday.

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The presidents efforts to broker a peace deal have dragged on for months with little progress to show.

His comments Wednesday came over the backdrop of a massive weekend bombardment of Ukrainian cities by Moscow.

Trump has at times appeared to lose patience with Putin  including chastising him for the weekend strikes  but nevertheless is keeping Republican lawmakers in a holding pattern.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to meet in Istanbul on Monday for another round of talks, where they are expected to present memos detailing their conditions for a peace deal.

The current political dynamic represents a shift from Trumps first year in office in 2017, when the Republican-controlled Senate and House overwhelmingly passed sanctions legislation against Russia  and other foreign adversaries, including Iran and North Korea  despite Trumps strong objections.

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Trump had little choice but to sign the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in August 2017 after it passed the Senate 98-2 and the House 419-3, reflecting huge veto-proof majorities in both chambers.

Trump complained in his signing statement at the time that the legislation was seriously flawed, because he said it encroaches on the executive branchs authority to negotiate.

The dynamic is certainly inverted for this administration. In 2017, we saw Congress pass overwhelmingly the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act on a bipartisan basis. And the reason for this was concern that Trump at that point would make serious concessions to Americas adversaries, said Benjamin L. Schmitt, senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvanias Perry World House and Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.

Eight years ago, Schmitt said, Congress was taking its Article 1 role very seriously to lead our foreign policy decisionmaking and make sure that there were not decisions made that would undermine our national security and foreign policy objectives.

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But he said the dynamic between the Trump White House and the GOP-controlled Congress is substantially different eight years later.

You see that with Trumps second term, Congress has been much less willing to lead, Schmitt said.

In 2017, there were several Republican senators who were openly skeptical or critical of Trump in positions of influence.

Then-Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Then-Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), another Trump critic, was a senior member of the panel.

And then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), an outspoken Russia hawk, still wielded a lot of power as chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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Corker and Flake retired from the Senate in 2018, after it became increasingly clear they were out of step with the GOPs gravitation toward Trump.

McCain died in August 2018.

The current leaders of the Senates Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee, Sens. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), respectively, have shown less willingness to break with Trump  or pressure his administration  than their predecessors.

Another key difference between 2017 and now is that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was Senate majority leader at the time.

McConnell called out Putin as a thug in February 2017 after Trump, who was newly sworn in as president, suggested a moral equivalency between the United States and Russia on the subject of extrajudicial killings.

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Not only are leadership positions across the Senate effectively a lot less willing to speak out and put pressure on the Trump administration itself to do more to support Ukraine  you also have different dynamics within the administrations, Schmitt said.

In the first Trump administration, you had a much more, I would say, traditionalist, internationalist group of Republicans that was in and around Trump when it comes to foreign policy decisionmaking and national security decisionmaking. You dont have that now, he said.

Trumps first Cabinet, which included Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and White House chief of staff John Kelly, was also viewed as far more hawkish on Russian than his present-day team.

One Senate Republican aide said theres a different set of actors this time around, both in Congress and the administration.

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Eleven Senate Republicans voted for a bipartisan resolution in January 2019 to rebuke the Trump administration for relaxing sanctions against companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally.

The House voted overwhelmingly that month to stop the Trump administration from lifting the sanctions, 362-53, sending a stern message across Pennsylvania Avenue.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Kremlin sent North Korea an advanced air defence system in exchange for thousands of troops that battled Ukrainian forces inside Russia.

Since late last year, Russia has supplied at least one Pantsir mobile air defence system, electronic warfare systems and other military support to Pyongyang, an international monitoring report showed on Thursday.

The transfer marks a major violation of international sanctions and signals Moscows deepening military alliance with North Korea following the signing of a strategic partnership treaty last June.

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Moscow, according to the findings, also helped its ally improve missile performance in return by supplying data.

The group behind the report - the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team - was launched last year to monitor UN sanctions against Pyongyang after a Security Council panel was scrapped by Russia and China.

It found that Pyongyang has supplied more than 20,000 containers of munitions since September 2023, enabling an increase in attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

The shipments include nine million rounds of artillery, more than 100 ballistic missiles and over 200 heavy artillery munitions, as well as anti-tank guided missiles and rockets.

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These transfers make up enough supplies to equip three full brigades, the report released by South Koreas foreign ministry said.

Confirming Western intelligence estimates, it also added that Pyongyang sent over 11,000 troops to Russia in 2024, with 3,000 soldiers sent as reinforcements recently.

The foreign troops have so far been confined to fighting on Russian territory and were considered instrumental in helping Russia expel Kyivs troops from the Kursk border region.

Another 8,000 North Korean workers have been sent to Russia to work in sectors such as construction and tech, the report stated, in another breach of sanctions banning the hiring of North Koreans overseas.



It also added that Moscow has provided the North with more than one million barrels of fuel between March and October last year, despite sanctions prohibiting Pyongyangs annual imports of refined petroleum to 500,000 barrels.

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At least for the foreseeable future, North Korea and Russia intend to continue and further deepen their military cooperation in contravention of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, the monitoring group, which comprises of of the US States, South Korea, Japan, and eight other UN member states, said.

05:02 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage.

We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

04:59 PM BST

Pictured: UK warship monitors Russian intelligence vessel

HMS Dragon (in the background) escorts Russian intelligence gathering ship Yuri Ivanov as it loitered in the waters off the Outer Hebrides - ZJON

04:01 PM BST

Russia accuses Serbian defence firms of arming Ukraine

Russia said Thursday it had evidence Serbian defence companies were supplying Ukraine with ammunition, in a rare rebuke of one of Moscows friendly allies.

Serbia, a Balkan nation with close historical links to Russia, has maintained an official policy of neutrality throughout Moscows three-year invasion of Ukraine and has denied arming either side.

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But media outlets, including the Financial Times, have reported hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Serbian ammunition has indirectly made their way to Kyiv via contracts with third countries.

In a statement headlined: The Serbian military industry is trying to stab Russia in the back, Russias foreign intelligence service alleged Belgrades largest defence companies were involved in covert arms export schemes.

A simple scheme involving fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries is being used to cover up these anti-Russian activities, it said.

03:33 PM BST

Russian vessels tracked by Royal Navy for second time in May

Russian ships in the English Channel and Outer have been monitored by the Royal Navy for the second time this month.

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The Royal Navy said it carried out a five-day operation, starting on May 18, to track Russian vessels and escort them through UK waters.

Warships and helicopters were activated in a bid to ensure the security and integrity of the UKs critical sea lanes, Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw said.

03:10 PM BST

No indication Russia trying to restart Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

There is no indication on the ground that Russia is preparing to restart the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, an official from the UN nuclear watchdog has said.

Our teams continue to confirm there is no indication at the moment that there will be any active preparations for a restart of the plant now, the International Atomic Energy Agency official told Reuters on Thursday.

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The IAEA has a small team on the site currently, which Russia has occupied since March 2022.

It follows reports that Russia was allegedly trying to build power lines to connect the site, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, to its own power grid in an effort to reopen it.

03:07 PM BST

North Korea enabled Russian attack on Ukrainian civilians

North Korea enabled Russia to increase missile attacks against critical Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and supplied more than 20,000 containers of munitions, according to a new report by an international monitoring group.

02:26 PM BST

Russia opens criminal case into commanders death

Russia opened a criminal case on Thursday after two men, including a former Russian commander, were killed in an explosion in the southern city of Stavropol, according to authorities.

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Zaur Gurtsiev, Stavropols deputy mayor who led airstrikes against the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, and another unidentified man, were killed.

Russias Investigative Committee said the bodies of two men with multiple injuries had been discovered outside a multi-storey building and that criminal cases investigating murder and the illegal possession of explosives had been opened.

02:01 PM BST

Watch: Russian commanders final moments

The final moments of Zaur Gurtsiev, a former Russian commander who led a bombing campaign against the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, have been captured in footage posted on Telegram.

The video shows an acquaintance of Gurstiev walking around on his phone before approaching the former commander, who is wearing a light jacket. The two are then killed in a mysterious explosion.

Credit: 360.Ru and @vchkogpu / Telegram

01:49 PM BST

Nato wants Germany to contribute 40,000 more troops

Nato wants Germany to contribute around 40,000 more troops to boost the alliances collective defence against Russia, according to reports.

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The alliance, let by Mark Rutte, wants to boost the number of brigades from 80 to between 120 and 130, one official told Reuters.

Germany agreed to provide 10 brigades by 2030. It currently fields nine, including one recently established in Lithuania.

01:21 PM BST

Trump gives Putin deadline to end war

Donald Trump appears to have set Vladimir Putin a deadline for ending the war in Ukraine.

Asked in the Oval Office on Wednesday if he thought the Russian president wanted to end the war, Mr Trump said: I cant tell you that, but Ill let you know in about two weeks.

The US president continued: Well find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not and if he is, well respond a little bit differently but it will take about a week and a half to two weeks.

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Mr Trump added that he was very disappointed by recent missile and drone attacks by Russia. When I see rockets being shot into cities, thats no good. We arent going to allow it.

The US president had already suggested in April that he wanted to see a deal to end the war in two weeks or less, though the latest deadline comes days after he labelled Putin crazy and accused him of playing with fire.

The US president said he is considering imposing fresh sanctions on Russia, though said he did not want to do so if he thought a deal was close.

It came after Russia proposed new direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday. Kyiv said it was considering the proposal but that it wanted the outline of a ceasefire from Moscow first.

Donald Trump appeared to give Russia a two week deadline to end the war before facing consequences - AP

01:01 PM BST

Kremlin says no plans for Putin-Trump call

Vladimir Putin currently has no plans to speak to his American counterpart Donald Trump, the Kremlin said today.

Mr Trump has shown increasing frustration with Putin in recent days, warning on Tuesday the Russian leader was playing with fire by stalling ceasefire talks.

In response to Trumps remarks, the Kremlin said on Wednesday that Putin prioritises Russias national interests above all else.

12:30 PM BST

Russias peace proposal likely to consist of unrealistic ultimatums, says Kyiv

Russias refusal to share its peace memorandum ahead of a proposed meeting with Ukraine suggests it likely contains unrealistic ultimatums, Ukraines foreign ministry said.

The Russians fear of sending their memorandum to Ukraine suggests that it is likely filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process, spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi wrote on X.

Yesterday, Ukraine asked for Moscow to share its peace settlement proposal before it would agree to talks in Instanbul on Monday. Russia has so far refused.

12:10 PM BST

Pictured: Ukrainians train with fixed-wing drones

Photos of Ukraines 45th separate artillery brigade using drones at an undisclosed location - Ukraine's General Staff

Artillery without eyes is like a sword in the dark, Ukraines General Staff posted - Ukraine's General Staff

A troop carries a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle through a field - Ukraine's General Staff

11:44 AM BST

Erdogan urges Russia and Ukraine not to shut the door on talks

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president, has called on Russia and Ukraine not to shut the door to dialogue ahead of an possible meeting between officials from both sides in Istanbul on Monday.

We are in contact with Russia and Ukraine....We are telling them not to shut the door as long as it remains open, the Turkish presidency said on Thursday.

11:18 AM BST

Russia captures three more villages in eastern Ukraine

Russia said its forces on Thursday had captured three more villages in eastern Ukraine.

In a statement, Russias defence ministry said its army had captured the village of Stroivka in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region, as well as Gnativka and Shevchenko Pershe in the Donetsk region.

The Telegraph cannot independently verify the battlefield reports, which come despite Moscow proposing fresh rounds of peace talks with Kyiv next week.

10:57 AM BST

Pictured: The graves of three Ukrainian children killed in Russian strike

Soft toys cover the graves of Tamara, Stanislav and Roman Martyniuk, three children killed in a Russian missile strike in Korostyshiv, Zhytomyr region, Ukraine, May 28 - REUTERS

10:47 AM BST

Russian commander who led Mariupol bombing killed

A former Russian commander who led a bombing campaign against the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol has been killed in a mysterious blast.

Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, a decorated major, was blown up early on Thursday in Stavropol in southern Russia, authorities said.

Gurtsiev received several medals and honours for commanding Russias bombardment of Mariupol during the early months of the full-scale invasion and later attacks on the eastern city of Avdiivka.

Authorities did not say what caused the explosion, but also did not rule out that Ukraine was responsible. The veterans acquaintance, 29, died alongside him.

A string of high-profile Russian servicemen have been assassinated inside Russia throughout the three-year war, often using homemade bombs.

Kyiv has in some cases claimed responsibility or revelled in the attacks, calling them legitimate targets often due to their participation in the killing of Ukrainian civilians.

All versions are being considered, including the organisation of a terrorist attack involving Nazis from Ukraine, Vladimir Vladimirov, the Stavropol governor, said, calling Gurtsiev a hero of Russia.

Zaur Gurtsiev, a decorated former Russian commander, was killed in a mysterious blast in southern Russia

10:19 AM BST

Kremlin: Ukraine yet to respond to peace talks offer

The Kremlin has claimed that Ukraine is yet to respond to an offer to hold direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2.

Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putins spokesman, said it was important to continue direct talks with Ukraine after their first meeting in more than three years earlier this month.

Moscow proposed the talks on Wednesday after Donald Trumps criticism of Vladimir Putin suggested he was running out of patience with Russia.

It said it planned to present its plan for a peace settlement, but Kyiv said it needed to see the proposal in advance.

We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum, Rustem Umerov, Ukraines defence minister, said last night.

09:43 AM BST

Britain to unleash army of hackers on Putin

The British military is to spend more than 1 billion on artificial intelligence and a hacking attack team, the Defence Secretary has announced.

John Healey vowed to give the Armed Forces more power online to target hostile states such as Vladimir Putins Russia, as he warned that the keyboard has become a weapon of war.

The offensive operations will be conducted through a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, which will also oversee a 1 billion investment in upgraded targeting systems using an artificial intelligence kill web that connects military systems.

Mr Healey said that the command unit, which will be included in the Governments Strategic Defence Review (SDR) being published on Monday, would set new standards in defence.

When asked if the Ministry of Defence was increasing its capability to attack enemy states such as Russia and China, Mr Healey said: Yes. The Cyber Command is part of removing duplication, setting new standards, giving new authority behind defensive and offensive cyber.

09:06 AM BST

German Taurus missiles a possibility for Ukraine

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has failed to rule out sending long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

Asked about the weapons on Wednesday, Mr Merz said: Of course, thats within the realm of possibility.

Kyiv has long pleaded with Berlin for the weapons, which could be used to strike targets deep inside Russia.

But Mr Merz also cautioned that Ukrainian troops would need months of training before they could be used.

It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, visited Berlin on Wednesday, where the two countries agreed to develop long-range missiles together.

08:38 AM BST

Pictured: Ukrainian soldier prepares to strike Russian positions in Donetsk

Ukrainian soldier prepares to strike Russian positions in Donetsk - Ukrainian 24th Mechanized brigade

08:24 AM BST

Russia to deploy Oreshnik missiles to Belarus

Russia will deploy Oreshnik missile systems to Belarus by the end of 2025, Minsk has said.

The Oreshnik missile, an intermediate-range ballistic missile unveiled by Vladimir Putin last year, is capable of bypassing advanced air defence systems, according to Moscow.

Alexander Volfovich, state secretary of Belaruss security council, said: The locations for its deployment have already been determined.

He did not say how many would be transferred.

08:01 AM BST

Trump can still stop Putin, but only by acting now

Donald Trump has warned Russia that it is playing with fire by persisting with its military offensive against Ukraine. This is all very well, but his threat will count for nothing unless it leads to the White House adopting a more robust attitude in its dealings with the Kremlin, writes Con Coughlin.

Among the worst features of Trumps involvement in the Ukraine conflict has been his inability to maintain a consistent line towards Vladimir Putin.

One minute he is praising the Russian autocrat as being a smart guy with whom he can do business. The next he is berating Putin for being absolutely crazy for maintaining Russias missile and drone attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.

The constant fluctuations in Trumps approach to Russian aggression are all part of his unconventional effort to bring hostilities in Ukraine to an end.

07:35 AM BST

Russia wants legally binding mechanism for Ukraine peace

Russia, as part of its peace proposals, wants legally binding mechanisms to guarantee that the Ukraine conflict will not resume, the foreign ministry has said.

The ministry said that Kyiv was aware of Moscows position that a final settlement was possible only if the root causes of the conflict were completely eliminated, the state-run TASS agency reported.

Moscow has repeatedly called for the root causes of the war to be addressed before any peace deal is reached. It is shorthand for preventing Ukraine from joining Nato and forcing it to become a neutral country.

07:26 AM BST

Russia proposes new direct talks in Istanbul

Russia has proposed the next round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday.

Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, confirmed the talks would be a continuation of negotiations which took place on May 16 in the same location.

In Istanbul, it was agreed that Moscow and Kyiv would prepare documents setting out the positions of each side to reach a sustainable resolution, Mr Lavrov said.

The Russian side, as agreed, promptly drafted a corresponding memorandum, which lays out our position on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis.

Kyiv said it was considering the proposal for talks in Istanbul but said it wanted to see Russias outline of a ceasefire first.

07:23 AM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Well bring you the latest news and analysis throughout the day.

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Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three people and injured 27 others over the past day, regional authorities said on May 29.

Ukrainian forces downed 10 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Forty-six drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement.

Drones that disappear from radars before reaching their targets are usually decoys. Russia launches them alongside real drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense.

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A Russian drone attack killed a man in the Bilopillia community in Sumy Oblast overnight and injured a woman, according to the local authorities.

One person was killed in the village of Rivne in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Thirteen other people suffered injuries in the region over the past day.

A Russian guided aerial bomb attack on the village of Verkhnia Tersa in Zaporizhzhia Oblast killed one person and injured another one, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. The attacks destroyed five houses and damaged 50 more, with about 600 homes left without electricity.

Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring two people.

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In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 40 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. Ten people were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul

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A Russian ballistic missile strike on a farm in the Horokhivska hromada, Mykolaiv Oblast, killed one worker and injured three others. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Source: Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: The attack targeted an agricultural company with a ballistic missile, local authorities report.

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Four employees were initially injured. One died in an ambulance en route to hospital, while the three others are receiving medical treatment.

Aftermath of the Russian attack

Photo: Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration

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MILAN (AP)  Stellantis, the maker of Jeep, Fiat and Ram vehicles, named a new chief executive officer Wednesday as the world's fourth-largest car manufacturer navigates the impact of U.S. tariffs, burgeoning competition from China and the transition to electric vehicles.

Antonio Filosa, who is currently Stellantis chief operating officer for the Americas and chief quality officer, takes the post effective June 23, when he is expected to announce his leadership team. He turns 52 next month.

He replaces Carlos Tavares, who resigned under pressure last year.

The move returns the running of Stellantis, created from the 2021 merger of Frances PSA Peugeot with Italian-U.S. carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, to Italian hands after three years under Tavares, who previously served as Peugeots top executive. John Elkann, heir to the Fiat-founding Agnelli family and the main shareholder in Stellantis through the Exor family holding company, remains chairman.

Elkann praised Filosas deep understanding of our company, including its people, who he views as our core strength, and of our industry.

Robert Peugeot, who represents the second-largest shareholding family, said the boards choice was unanimous, calling Filosa a natural choice due to his leadership track record and knowledge of the business and the complex dynamics facing our industry.

Filosa joined Fiat in 1999, spending much of his career in Latin America, where he held positions from plant manager to head of purchasing and later chief operating officer. He was credited with making the Fiat brand the regional market leader and boosting the market share of the Peugeot, Citroen, Ram and Jeep brands. He also was CEO of the company's top-selling Jeep brand.

Filosa was promoted to chief operating officer of the Americas in 2024 in an executive shakeup as sales slumped in North America, its main source of profits.

In a note to employees, Filosa recalled his first job at Fiat as a paint shop quality supervisor at a plant in Spain, saying this company is in my blood. He said he would travel to plants and offices around the world in the coming weeks.

Italy's industry minister, Adolfo Urso, welcomed the appointment as "an excellent choice,'' while Italian unions said they hoped that Italy would be put at the center of the automaker's strategy, citing frequent production stops at Italian plants.

Stellantis has been lagging globally in the transition to electric powertrains and facing stiff Chinese competition. Analysts also have said Stellantis, with 14 brands, is yoked by too many under-performers, including Maserati and Chrysler.
The Russian commander who led a bombing campaign against the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol has been killed in an apparent suicide blast attack.

Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, a decorated former major, was blown up on Thursday in Stavropol in southern Russia, authorities said.

Gurtsiev received several medals and honours for commanding Russias bombardment of Mariupol during a brutal siege in the early months of the full-scale invasion that killed up to 8,000 civilians.

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Russian authorities did not say what caused the explosion, but local reports suggested that it was a suicide blast attack, possibly involving a grenade or sticks of TNT. A 29-year-old man who approached Gurtsiev just before the explosion died alongside him.

The possible assassination comes amid a volley of tit-for-tat accusations between Kyiv and Moscow on Thursday over the stalling of peace negotiations, while Russia continues to capture more ground in Ukraines war-shattered east.

In CCTV footage of the blast on Thursday, the other man is seen on his phone, waiting until the former commander arrived. As they walked towards each other, an explosion went off between them, killing them instantly.

Credit: 360.Ru and @vchkogpu / Telegram

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Russias investigative committee said the bodies of two men with multiple injuries had been discovered outside a multi-storey building and that criminal cases investigating murder and the illegal possession of explosives had been opened.

A string of high-profile Russian servicemen have been assassinated inside the country throughout the three-year war, often involving Ukraines military intelligence and homemade bombs.

There has not yet been a response from Kyiv, which does not typically comment on clandestine operations on Russian territory.

Our hero, veteran of the special military operation and participant in the Time of Heroes programme, Zaur Alexandrovich Gurtsiev, has died, said Vladimir Vladimirov, the region governor of Stavropol, using Russias term for its war in Ukraine.

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All versions are being considered, including the organisation of a terrorist attack involving Nazis from Ukraine, he added.

Gurtsiev had been serving as Stavropols deputy mayor. In Ukraine, he also commanded troops in the brutal battle for Ukraines eastern city of Avdiivka, which Russia captured at high cost in early 2024.

An injured pregnant woman is carried from a maternity hospital damaged during a Russian air strike on Mariupol in March 2022 - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

Kyiv has in certain instances claimed responsibility or revelled in the assassinations on Russian soil, calling them legitimate targets, often due to their roles in the killing of Ukrainian civilians.

Russian Telegram channels, with links to security forces, suggested the explosion may have been caused by a grenade or an improvised explosive device hidden inside the other mans bag.

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Some reports alleged he had been hired by unknown people to collect information on Gurtsiev and had been given equipment that concealed an explosive device.

The attack comes as Moscow claimed Kyiv had not yet responded to its offer to hold a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on June 2, where it wants to present a so-called memorandum outlining its conditions for a long-term peace settlement.

But Kyiv on Wednesday had said the meeting would not yield results unless it saw a copy of the proposal in advance, a demand which Russia dismissed, calling it non-constructive.

In response, Ukraines foreign ministry on Thursday said the memorandum was likely full of unrealistic ultimatums, accusing Moscow of being afraid to reveal that they were stalling the peace process.

Devastation in the southern port city of Mariupol, where Zaur Gurtsiev led the Russian bombing campaign in early 2022 - Pavel Klimov/Reuters

The Kremlin has so far refused to agree to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire and has shown no signs of scaling back its maximalist demands.

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Also on Thursday, a new report detailed that Moscow had sent Pyongyang an advanced air defence system in exchange for thousands of the pariah states troops.

The transfers mark a major violation of international sanctions and underscore Moscows deepening military alliance with North Korea following the signing of a strategic partnership treaty last June.

The findings by the UN monitoring team also confirmed that Pyongyang had supplied more than 20,000 containers of munitions to Russia, including more than 100 ballistic missiles.

Pyongyang deployed more than 11,000 troops to Russia in late 2024, with 3,000 reinforcements sent recently, to help Moscow expel the last of Ukraines troops from the border region of Kursk.

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On the battlefield, Russia said it had captured three new villages in Ukraines east, where most of Moscows offensive actions are focused.

Its defence ministry said its forces had occupied the village of Stroivka in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region, as well as Gnativka and Shevchenko Pershe in the Donetsk region.

The Telegraph cannot independently verify the claims, which come at a time when Moscow is trying to capture as much ground as possible to improve its position during peace negotiations.

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Russia is once again sending the same delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, to the next round of peace talks with Ukraine scheduled to take place in Istanbul on 2 June  a delegation previously criticised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for its low level.

Source: Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, on air at the state-owned TV channel Rossiya 24, as reported by Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster

Details: Zakharova stated that the composition of the Russian delegation will remain unchanged and will again be headed by Vladimir Medinsky.

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Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the composition of the Ukrainian delegation would depend on the Russian one.

The upcoming round of negotiations may be held in Istanbul on 2 June. This date and location were proposed by Russia, but Ukraine has not officially agreed to it yet. Kyiv is calling on Moscow to send over the proposed "memorandum" on a ceasefire before the talks take place.

Background:

Zelenskyy said on 29 May that the Russian side had failed to deliver the so-called memorandum to the US, Ukraine or Turkiye, despite earlier promises.

On 28 May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed that the second round of negotiations be held in Istanbul on 2 June.

Earlier, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov had handed over a document to Russia outlining Ukraines position and was awaiting their "memorandum" in response.

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Russian-linked hackers targeted U.K. Defense Ministry staff in an espionage operation while posing as journalists, Sky News reported on May 29, citing the British government.

The cyber attack was detected and thwarted, the government said.

Speaking to reporters at a government facility where a team had disrupted the Russian-backed operation, U.K. Defense Minister John Healey revealed the formation of a new cyber command tasked with managing both offensive and defensive cyber efforts.

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"The nature of warfare is changing," Healey said, according to Sky News. "The keyboard is now a weapon of war and we are responding to that."

Western officials have warned about surging cases of Russian-linked cyberattacks and other hybrid operations, primarily targeting countres backing Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Earlier this month, London accused Russia's military intelligence (GRU) of a cyber campaign targeting Western logistics and technology organizations involved in delivering foreign assistance to Ukraine.

Similarly, the French Foreign Ministry accused a GRU-linked hacker unit of escalating cyberattacks against French ministries.

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Both Ukraine and Russia have also employed cyberwafare as part of the full-scale war, targeting state institutions and companies providing critical services. The U.K. is part of the intarnational IT Coalition supporting Ukrainian cybercapabilities.

Read also: Stavropol explosion kills Russian official who led attacks on Ukraines Mariupol

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A Russian deputy mayor and prominent veteran of Moscows war in Ukraine was killed in an explosion in southern Russia early on Thursday, authorities said.

Zaur Aleksandrovich Gurtsiev, who was 34 according to Russian state media, died alongside another man in the blast on a street in Stavropol, which investigators said committed using a homemade explosive device.

As part of the investigation, the scene of the incident is being inspected, examinations are being ordered, and the necessary investigative actions are being carried out to establish all the circumstances of the incident, Russias Investigative Committee said in a Thursday statement.

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Video footage circulated online and on state media appears the show the moment of the blast, which occurs just as Gurtsiev meets the other man in a darkened street, near a row of parked cars.

After the blast, the footage seemingly shows Gurtsiev lying on the ground, while the second man is rocked back by the explosion.

The man who died in the explosion in Stavropol along with Gurtsiev rented an apartment in a building near the scene of the incident, emergency services told state media outlet TASS.

Regional governor Vladimir Vladimirov wrote on Telegram that all versions are being considered, including the organization of a terrorist attack involving Ukraine.

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Gurtsiev had taken part in the Time of Heroes program set up by President Vladimir Putin, used to promote veterans of Russias war in Ukraine to official positions in the government.

According to the Time of Heroes website, Gurtsiev, despite his relatively young age, led the air part of the operation to liberate Mariupol.

He introduced his developments in the technology of targeting missiles, which allowed them to increase their accuracy and effectiveness many times over, including hitting the Azov supply base.

Russian forces seized control of the port city of Mariupol in 2022 following a brutal 86-day siege  one of the deadliest and most destructive battles since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.

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According to United Nations estimates, 90% of residential buildings were damaged or destroyed in Mariupol during Russian attacks, and around 350,000 people out of the pre-war population of about 430,000 were forced to flee.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview earlier this year that 20,000 civilians are believed to have been killed, though the death toll cannot be independently verified. Ukrainian officials accused Moscow of trying to cover up evidence of civilian casualties, a claim the Kremlin denies.

Gurtsiev is the latest in a number of Russian military figures to have been killed inside the country over the past year, a period in which the ramifications of Moscows war have increasingly been felt domestically.

Last month Russian authorities charged a Ukrainian special services agent with terrorism, after he was detained in connection with a car explosion that killed Russian General Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

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And in February Armen Sarkisyan, the founder of a pro-Russian militia group in eastern Ukraine  described by authorities in Kyiv as a criminal mastermind  died following a bombing in central Moscow. The bombing took place in an upmarket residential complex in the capital city, state media outlet TASS reported at the time.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct Gurtsievs age and title.

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Russia has tripled its projected budget deficit for 2025 amid a sharp drop in oil revenues, driven by Western sanctions and plunging crude prices, President Volodymyr Zelensky's commissioner for sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said on May 29.

According to Vlasiuk, the Kremlin has recently approved changes to its federal budget, increasing the planned deficit from 1.17 trillion rubles ($14.8 billion) to 3.8 trillion rubles ($48.3 billion), or from 0.5% to 1.7% of GDP.

"The reasons? Cheaper oil and a strengthening ruble, which together are slashing oil and gas revenues by nearly a quarter  a loss of 2.6 trillion rubles ($33 billion) from the original forecast," Vlasiuk wrote in a statement. He pointed to a revised price forecast for Russia's Urals crude, cut from $69.70 to $56 per barrel.

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Reuters reported earlier this month that Urals and ESPO crude blends dropped to $48.90 per barrel  the lowest level in two years and about 40% below the $82.60 price Moscow had initially budgeted for 2025.

Vlasiuk said international sanctions remain a key driver behind the decline in Russia's energy revenues. "Sanctions against Russia are working," he said. "This is confirmed by many indicators, and we are grateful for all the work that has already been done."

Ukraine has long been advocating for tighter sanctions against the Russian energy sector, particularly its shadow fleet. Despite hundreds of Russian tankers already under sanctions, many vessels remain operational and continue to ship Russian oil.

"Half of the sanctioned shadow fleet is still functioning," Vlasiuk said, calling for expanded measures  including sanctions on Russian ports, terminals, and even individual ship captains.

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Russia's energy sector, which provided nearly 30% of the federal budget in early 2024, has been hit by drone strikes from Ukraine and increasing global pressure. The recent plunge in prices followed new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 7, which spurred fears of a global recession and dragged oil prices to their lowest levels since May 2023.

Speaking on May 5, Trump claimed that Russia had become more willing to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine due to falling oil prices. "I think Russia, with the price of oil right now, oil has gone down, we are in a good position to settle, they want to settle. Ukraine wants to settle," he told reporters.

The financial strain comes as Moscow boosts defense spending by 25% for 2025, raising it to 6.3% of GDP  the highest share since the Cold War. The Kremlin has acknowledged the challenges, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the global market conditions "extremely turbulent" and vowing economic measures to "minimize the consequences."

For Ukraine, Vlasiuk said the latest data sends a clear message: "We are grateful for all the work done so far... But if we want to level up, more needs to be done."

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The U.S. recently blocked a G7 push to lower the $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports, the Financial Times reported on May 27. The cap, imposed by the G7 and EU in December 2022, bars Western firms from servicing Russian oil sold above that price to limit Moscow's war funding.

While Canada, the EU, and key G7 members supported tightening the cap, the proposal was dropped after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent withheld support. The European Commission had reportedly planned to propose cutting the cap to $50.

Read also: Sanctions on Russia are working, Ukraine just needs more

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Russias reluctance to share its draft memorandum for peace negotiations suggests it contains unrealistic ultimatums and is an attempt to stall the peace process, Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated.

Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, Spokesperson for Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on X (Twitter)

Quote: "The Russians' fear of sending their memorandum to Ukraine suggests that it is likely filled with unrealistic ultimatums, and they are afraid of revealing that they are stalling the peace process."

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Details: Tykhyi urged Russia to release the document immediately, echoing earlier calls from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Quote: "If not, they must pass the document immediately, as Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, and stop playing these games, which only show that they probably want the next meeting to be empty."

Background:

On 23 May 2025, Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov delivered a document outlining Ukraines position to Russia and said that hes awaiting their memorandum in response.

On the same day, Zelenskyy stated that the fact that Russia had been drafting a so-called "memorandum" on a ceasefire for a week is a mockery of the entire world.

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In 1953, Polish-American lawyer Raphael Lemkin, the man who coined the term "genocide," wrote a text titled Soviet Genocide in Ukraine. In it, Lemkin spoke not only about the Holodomor  the man-made famine organized in Ukraine by Stalin in 19321933 that claimed the lives of around 4 million people  but also about the Kremlin's broader genocidal practices against Ukrainians, which, he argued, had begun as early as the 1920s.

Lemkin wrote that Ukrainians were too numerous to be exterminated entirely in the way Adolf Hitler had attempted with Europe's Jewish population.

"Ukraine is highly susceptible to racial murder by select parts, and so the Communist tactics there have not followed the pattern taken by the German attacks against the Jews," the lawyer argued.

He went on to describe how this was carried out: "The first blow is aimed at the intelligentsia, the national brain, so as to paralyze the rest of the body.... Going along with this attack on the intelligentsia was an attack against the churches, priests and hierarchy, the 'soul' of Ukraine."

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As an example of this attack against the "soul of the nation," Lemkin cited the liquidation of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. "That Russification was clearly demonstrated by the fact that before its liquidation, the Church was offered the opportunity to join the Russian Patriarchate of Moscow, the Kremlin's political tool," he emphasized.

We are bringing back Lemkin's text again today, not for purely historical reasons. It helps explain what the Kremlin is currently doing in the territories of Ukraine it occupies.

We already referenced Soviet Genocide in Ukraine last year. In our investigative documentary Destroy in Whole or in Part, we argued that Russia's current genocidal practices in Ukraine broadly mirror what the Soviet regime has been doing a century back.

Our latest investigative documentary, No God but Theirs, which has just been released, compels us to revisit Lemkin's analysis once more.

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Read also: Breakaway churches, spiritual awakenings, prayers in captivity. How war is changing Ukraines faith

This investigation examines the systematic persecution of Ukrainian Christians in Melitopol  a city in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast, occupied by Russia since February 2022. It tells the story of churches (Protestant and Catholic alike) being banned, stripped of all property, and of priests and congregants being arrested, interrogated, and exiled.

While restrictions on religious freedoms are typical for Russia, the persecution in the occupied parts of Ukraine goes far beyond what occurs inside Russia itself.

And these persecutions indeed resemble an attack on the "soul of the nation"  precisely the kind Lemkin described.

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It is an attack on Christians who, at the very outset of Russia's invasion, demonstrated a clear national identity. In response to the arrival of Russian troops and tanks in Melitopol, local believers began gathering daily on the city's central square. Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians together resisted the Russian occupation through joint prayer for Ukraine.

Moreover, in the chaos created by the Russian occupation, churches became islands of stability and order. Priests and pastors were seen more and more as moral authorities. For the Russians, therefore, to attack those churches in Melitopol meant also to strike against any alternative centers of power.

And the parallels with Lemkin's text do not end there.

Just as a hundred years back, as described by the author of the term "genocide," before simply banning the churches, the Russians attempted to absorb them first.

Rescuers climb a ladder outside a destroyed church after a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Aug. 10, 2023. (Marina Moiseyenko/AFP via Getty Images)

Pastor Mykhailo Brytsyn of the Grace Baptist Church recounts in our documentary how the Russian troops offered him a chance to publicly support the Russian authorities. Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest Oleksandr Bohomaz tells how agents of Russian security services tried to coerce him into revealing the secrets of his confessional. Pentecostal pastor Dmytro Bodyu describes how, during his imprisonment and interrogations, he was offered the chance to become a Russian informant.

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Only after these efforts to convert Ukrainian clergymen in Melitopol into Russian assets had failed did Kremlin representatives decide to simply eliminate them  once again, fully following the model Lemkin described.

And there is another crucial point to highlight.

While restrictions on religious freedoms are typical for Russia, the persecution in the occupied parts of Ukraine goes far beyond what occurs inside Russia itself. This means that in places like occupied Melitopol, Russia is not merely replicating its usual policies  it is crafting a new, much harsher one specifically for Ukrainians.

Given all this, our new investigation of the persecution of Ukrainian Christian churches in Melitopol is a direct continuation of the previous documentary, which laid out the genocidal intent behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Because, in line with Raphael Lemkin's deep and nuanced analysis, these persecutions amount to an attack on the Ukrainian nation as a group. An attempt to eradicate the soul of the Ukrainian nation  with the broader aim of destroying the nation in whole or in part.

Ultimately, the story of the persecution of Christians in Melitopol gives yet another reason to finally dare to use, in reference to Russia's actions in Ukraine, the very word that Lemkin coined  genocide.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Faith under fire: Russias war on religion in Ukraines occupied territories

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(Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday, saying he knew the slain Japanese leader had dreamt of finally concluding a post-World War Two peace treaty.

No treaty was ever signed as the two countries could not resolve a dispute over the then-Soviet Union's seizure at the end of the war of four islands in the Southern Kuril chain, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.

Russian media said Abe and Putin met altogether 27 times during the nearly nine years the Japanese leader was in office. Abe left office in 2020 and was assassinated two years later while making an election campaign speech.

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"I know that his dream - and he truly strived to achieve this - was to conclude a peace treaty between our two countries. The situation is different now," the Russian leader said.

Putin, whose comments to Abe's widow in the Kremlin were reported by Russian news agencies, also said fulfilling that dream was not possible in the current international situation given the conflict in Ukraine.

"Your husband did a great deal for the development of Russian-Japanese relations. We had very good personal relations," Putin was quoted as telling Akie Abe.

Russia's relations with Japan have been strained by Tokyo's support for sanctions imposed by Ukraine's Western allies over Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. All negotiations on clinching a peace treaty have been suspended.

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Akie Abe told Putin, according to the agencies, that her husband had wanted to meet Putin even after the start of the Ukraine conflict "but unfortunately circumstances were such that he was no longer able to meet you. His life was cut short."

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Howard Goller)
Clarksdale, Miss. (AP)  Hundreds of people packed inside a local auditorium Thursday to see the hit film  Sinners, set in their community and steeped in Mississippi Delta culture.

The special screening of the blockbuster horror film included an appearance by Director Ryan Coogler and was made possible by a community petition.

I have family from Mississippi  my uncle, my grandfather  and I had never been until working on this script, Coogler said, addressing the crowd. It really changed me, just to come here.

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The movie, starring Michael B. Jordan as twins, is about two brothers coming home to Mississippi to launch a juke joint. It's also a supernatural vampire flick that blends elements of drama, action and music.

Sinners composer Ludwig Goransson, actor Miles Canton and others who worked on the film also attended the screening.

Anytime that filmmakers take the time out to pay homage to the Delta, especially, because were the root of music, the blues culture, that means a lot, said Brandice Brown Williams, a theater teacher who brought two of her students to the screening.

The film is set in 1930s Clarksdale, Mississippi, but current day Clarksdale doesnt have a movie theater, making it difficult for people to see the film about their hometown. Community organizers decided to change that, starting a petition to invite the cast and crew to Clarksdale and to collaborate on hosting a public screening.

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The love you have for Southern folk, Mississippians and Clarksdale came to life through your commitment to writing us right, community organizer Tyler Yarbrough said. We are ready. We are waiting. And we would be proud to welcome you back to where it all began.

During the screening, the crowd was expressive  in response to various scenes, they gasped, laughed and cheered. Afterward, Coogler and others stayed for a Q&A.

One attendee, Cindy Hurst, praised the film, calling it a "really good visual representation of the beauty of the Black culture.
The man accused in the Davis park shooting that wounded three people and triggered chaos amid UC Davis Picnic Day pleaded not guilty to charges, but a Yolo Superior Court judge rejected prosecutors demands to increase his bail Wednesday in Woodland.

Yolo County prosecutors labeled Joseph Allen Davis a danger to the community; at 19, a member of the Oak Park Bloods street gang with a history of gun crimes who walked with a loaded weapon onto a crowded Davis park before the shootout that sent revelers scrambling from the gunfire.

Two teens and a 24-year-old were wounded in the April 12 shooting at the end of one of the citys signature events  the annual welcome to the University of California, Davis, campus. Davis police teamed with state and federal investigators in the search for clues as Davis leaders tried to reassure a city shaken by the shooting. Davis police and Sacramento County sheriffs deputies arrested Davis on May 23 at his Sacramento home. Detectives found an illegal assault-style rifle at the home during the arrest, the Police Department said.

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He put himself in the situation of a shootout where three individuals were shot, Yolo County deputy district attorney Carolyn Palumbo told Yolo Superior Court Judge Clara Levers. Hes a felon in possession of a firearm by a gang member in a park that was populated by people, including kids. Hes a public safety risk.

Yolo County prosecutors said Davis was a felon on probation and faced a separate Sacramento gun charge from an October 2024 incident when he allegedly opened fire at a crowded Community Park in Davis.

Davis faces five felony and misdemeanor charges in the Picnic Day shooting, including felony possession of a weapon by a person previously convicted of a felony; felony possession of an assault weapon; felony possession of a weapon by a person under 30 years of age with a prior juvenile conviction and wardship; possession of ammunition by a person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm; along with misdemeanor possession of a large capacity magazine.

Gun convictions in Sacramentos juvenile courts means Davis cannot possess firearms until he turns 30.

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All were laid out in a four-page complaint filed Tuesday by Yolo County District Attorneys Office prosecutors that also shed light on Davis juvenile criminal history. Prosecutors filed a case enhancement in their charging document alleging Davis prior convictions as an adult or sustained petitions in the youth courts are numerous or of increasing seriousness.

Davis, freed on bond, appeared for the Wednesday hearing before Levers. Davis sat in one of the gallerys rows before the afternoon hearing, wearing an oversized sweatshirt pulled up to his eyes, as he told a bailiff he had not yet hired an attorney. Davis was then assigned a public defender.

Davis had posted bond on $45,000 bail following his arrest Friday in Sacramento by Davis police and Sacramento County Sheriffs deputies. At Davis arraignment Wednesday, prosecutors demanded bail raised to $300,000, but Yolo Superior Court Judge Clara Levers reluctantly let Davis bail stand ahead of his next appearance June 23 in Yolo Superior Court.

Im troubled, but Im left with the charges filed, Levers said, ordering Davis to check in weekly with Sacramento County Probation Department, not associate with known gang members and appear in person for all court dates.

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His newly appointed defense counsel, Lisa Lance, had argued that Davis appeared on his own Wednesday due to the $45,000 bail amount and that weekly check-ins to his Sacramento County probation officers  not increased bail  were enough to ensure he made future appearances.

Prosecutor Palumbo disagreed: To say the community is safe because hes on probation is not true. Every time he leaves the house, hes armed because hes a gang member. His appearing in court is not the issue. Public safety is the issue.
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After several days of heavy rain and storms, another atmospheric shift is headed for Texas  this time, a plume of Saharan dust.

The dust, drifting westward across the Atlantic, is expected to bring hazy skies and reduced air quality to parts of the state in the coming days.

While the heaviest concentrations are forecast for the southeastern U.S., the eastern half of Texas, particularly the stretch from Houston to Dallas, will still experience dust-filled skies beginning this weekend. Fortunately for Texans, the dust wont be as dense as whats expected in other states, but it can still be uncomfortable for people with respiratory issues.

Saharan Dust Forecast Animation

When is the Saharan dust expected to roll into Texas?

A light layer of dust is expected to enter South Texas on Sunday before moving north into Houston, Austin and Dallas by Monday. It will likely linger for several days, lasting through the end of next week.

What is Saharan dust?

This refers to the dust carried by winds across the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert. Thunderstorms in the Sahara region stir up dust and push it into the atmosphere. The dust is then transported across the Atlantic and deposited in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. While it primarily affects Puerto Rico, it can also reach states such as Florida and Texas.

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According to the CDC, Saharan dust transported to the United States is a normal occurrence, especially from late June to mid-August.

Air quality index map: See current conditions

You might expect colorful sunrises and sunsets, hazy afternoon skies, poor air quality, and sometimes allergy symptoms.

Although dust concentrations are not particularly high at the moment, they will still have some impact as they reach urban areas. Sahara dust will also inhibit thunderstorm development and increase daytime temperatures by keeping the skies dry and trapping heat close to the ground.

Is Saharan dust dangerous?

According to the CDC, Sahara dust can be harmful as air quality becomes poor. As particulate matter and concentration in the air increase, this can be harmful when inhaled, entering the lungs and bloodstream and affecting individuals with allergies, respiratory complications, and asthma.

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Large particles from Sahara dust can also cause skin and eye irritation, the CDC said. It is recommended to stay inside as much as possible and avoid outdoor activities.

Among potential symptoms are:

Allergy problems.

Skin and eye irritation.

Sore throat.

Respiratory issues.

Will Saharan dust impact tropical storm activity?

While dry, dusty air from the Saharan plume can sometimes weaken or inhibit hurricane formation, experts believe it may have actually contributed to the rapid development of Hurricane Beryl last year.

Record-high ocean temperatures helped fuel Beryls transformation into a Category 5 hurricane, and its proximity to the plume, which can carry substantial moisture, provided one of the key ingredients for tropical cyclone development.

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Beryl made history for its swift development before striking Matagorda, Texas. The storm intensified from a tropical storm to a major hurricane in less than two days, with wind speeds increasing by 65 mph in just 24 hours and 95 mph in under 48 hours  one of the earliest and fastest examples of rapid intensification ever recorded in the Atlantic.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Saharan dust moving across Atlantic. When will hazy skies reach Texas?
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A massive plume of dust is drifting across the Atlantic and heading for Florida.

This has the benefit of causing gorgeous sunsets and tamping down tropical development, but it also carries health risk for some.

NOAA predicts above average 2025 hurricane season: Heres how many storms we could see

On Tuesday, the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico reported hazy skies and conditions that could aggravate allergies and cause issues for sensitive groups.

What is Saharan dust?

The Saharan Air Layer, commonly referred to as Saharan dust, results from ripples in the atmosphere that loft large amounts of sand and dust from the African desert into the air, according to NOAA. The blanket of dry air and strong winds travels thousands of miles across the Atlantic, creating a less favorable environment for tropical cyclones to form.

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Thats good news for us as the projected above-average hurricane season is just days away.

Saharan dust is common this time of year. The plumes typically begin in mid-June and run through mid-August, peaking somewhere in the middle. The plumes of dust seem to rapidly subside after mid-August, which is also when we begin to see an uptick in tropical activity, according to NOAA.

The dust plume blocks some sunlight from reaching the ocean, which cools it down a bit. The dry air also keeps potential tropical systems from getting the moisture they need to develop.

Will we see Saharan dust sunsets?

Saharan dust interacts with sunlight to create beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

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However, thicker plumes can partially block out the light.

Thicker plumes of dust can lead to hazy skies. A layer of dust may appear as it falls to the surface.

Watch Tracking the Tropics on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT.

Be prepared with the 2025 Hurricane Guide and stay ahead of tropical development with the Tracking the Tropics newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  Senate Bill 290 was signed into law on April 8, 2025. It increases the cost of marriage license fees in New Mexico for the first time in over 22 years. The Sandoval County Clerks Office is reminding the public that increase goes into effect on Friday, June 20.

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Licenses are going from $25 to $55. Clerk Brady Romero said in a news release, Its important to note that marriage licenses in New Mexico have no expiration date. Couples can obtain their licenses now or closer to their wedding. The application process begins in person at our office and does require an appointment. After the ceremony, the signed certificate is returned to the Clerks Office within 90 days for official recording.

Fees collected for marriage licenses will be distributed as follows:

$20 to the county clerks office for document preservation and technology improvements

$20 to the childrens trust fund for child abuse prevention and support services

$15 to the county general fund

In Sandoval County, marriage license appointments are available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (505) 867-7572.

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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.
SANDUSKY, Ohio (WJW)  A Sandusky man accused of brutally stabbing his 8-month-old pit bull entered a not guilty plea through a public defender on Thursday, according to Sandusky Municipal Judge Erich OBrien.

The suspect, identified as Terry Thomas, did not appear in court. Judge OBrien said Thomas has a medical condition and was released on a personal recognizance bond.

Cleveland Clinic updates new copay policy after backlash

Terry Thomas

Thomas is facing felony animal cruelty charges after authorities say he severely injured his dog, Ivy, in what humane officers call one of the most graphic abuse cases theyve seen.

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This was one of the most brutal attacks Ive seen where the animal actually survived, said Greg Willey, executive director of the Friendship Animal Protective League in Elyria.

According to Willey, the APL received a call on May 17 from the Northview Animal Clinic in North Ridgeville about a dog brought in with severe facial injuries. The pit bulls wounds extended from ear to jaw, with part of one ear missing.

Courtesy of Friendship Animal Protective League Friendship APL Friendship APL Friendship APL Friendship APL Friendship APL

Willey said Thomas allegedly stabbed the dog as a punishment after it had an accident indoors.

Despite her injuries, Ivy survived and has undergone extensive surgery. She is expected to need continued care during her recovery.

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First responders line roads as body of killed deputy returned to Morrow County

Judge OBrien said a pretrial hearing could be scheduled within the next 15 days but may happen sooner, depending on developments. He also noted the court may revisit Thomas bond conditions to potentially include a restriction preventing him from owning pets.

Friendship APL tells FOX 8 that Ivy is recovering in a foster home. Her foster says she is giving kisses, allows belly rubs and loves to be held like a baby.

If you would like to donate to support Ivys recovery, click here. (Editors note: The photos on the linked Facebook page are graphic.)

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Three people from Nitros Ohio Army gathered outside the Sandusky Justice Center during Thomas hearing to rally for stronger penalties against those convicted of animal cruelty.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Santa Monica residents are reportedly stepping up their efforts against driverless Waymo cars.

The vehicles and their beeping have become a nuisance for those who live near the parking lot where the Waymo vehicles charge when not in use.

Locals have been raising concerns in recent months, but the Los Angeles Times reports the battle has escalated beyond simple words.

Using cones, cars and sometimes themselves, residents have taken to blocking the Waymos from entering their company-funded parking lot, so much so that the company has called the cops on them a half dozen times, the Times reports.

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Neighbors fed up with incessant robotaxi beeping at Santa Monica lot

As the Times details, government regulations require autonomous vehicles to beep as they reverse, something that often occurs in the Waymo parking lot.

City officials, however, werent aware that the charging lot would be in the city until residents starting complaining.

Waymo, a sister company of Google, will continue to learn and improve how we introduce ourselves to new communities when we arrive, a spokesperson told the Times.

We strive to be good neighbors in the cities that we operate, and are committed to being a positive presence in Santa Monica, a Waymo spokesperson added.

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Neighbors, however, say the beeps havent abated and instead occur nearly 24 hours a day, and they continue their efforts to frustrate the vehicles attempts to enter the lot.

I want the noise stopped, neighbor Darius Boorn told the Times. I thought it was cool, and then those freaking noises started. And then I thought, Oh no, this cant be happening.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Iranian cleric Ghasemian was arrested in Mecca for insulting Saudi Arabia but was quickly released and returned to Iran before completing Hajj. Both countries downplayed the incident.

Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Ghasemian, a cleric and TV presenter affiliated with the Iranian regime and close to Ayatollah Ali Khameneis household, was recently released after being arrested in Mecca for filming a video that insulted the Saudi government and Sunni beliefs while on Saudi soil.

Ghasemian uploaded the video earlier this week, as he was on pilgrimage in Mecca. He addressed his viewers with a Quranic verse about divine punishment for wrongdoers before launching a sharp critique of conditions in Saudi Arabias holy cities.

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He sarcastically suggested that viewers could just travel to Makkah and Madinah instead of going to Antalya, Turkey, claiming that the Saudis, whom he referred to as merchants and usurpers of Mecca, have established gambling houses, prostitution centers, and raunchy concerts in the holy cities.

He then proceeded to compare these alleged conditions to the Umayyad workhouses, a historical reference to the dynasty of rulers of the seventh-eighth centuries Islamic empire, traditionally viewed in Islamic historiography as having strayed from Islam.

The Iranian cleric emphasized in his video that what is happening here represents not just atheism, but the essence of atheism. Ghasemian urged his followers: Dont be fooled by diplomatic visits, referring to Saudi-Iranian relations.

He highlighted what he deemed were severe restrictions on pilgrims, suggesting that these conditions signal divine intervention is imminent. Finally, Ghasemian concluded with a prayer that the Shiite Owners of the House (of Allah) would retake Mecca out of the hands of the merchants and usurpers of the Qibla.

The countries decided to sustain a diplomatic atmosphere

Strikingly, Iranian state media reported the arrest as a result of comments Ghasemian made regarding the situation in Mecca and Madina, without disclosing any further information regarding the defamatory content of the clerics address and without posting the video he made.

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Despite Ghasemians defamatory comments and the backlash they drew on social media, the countries decided to sustain a de-escalated diplomatic atmosphere.

During Ghasemians arrest, Alireza Enayati, the Islamic Republics ambassador to Saudi Arabia, lauded Saudi Arabian authorities for making every effort to serve Iranian pilgrims. He added, without referring directly to the arrest, that Iranian pilgrims respect the sanctity of these places and adhere to the prevailing laws, and no one accepts obscene and offensive words.

For their part, Saudi state-controlled media outlets maintained a resounding silence, avoiding reports regarding the affair. Ghasemians quick release may also signify a will to remain on good terms with Iran, despite the perceived grave offense of badmouthing the kingdom.

Ghasemian returned to Iran on Thursday, and local social media accounts showed crowds celebrating his arrival at the airport. However, online users noted that his return from Saudi Arabia at this time means that he was prevented from completing the Hajj, as the rituals are still ongoing.
President Donald Trumps decision this week to pardon reality show stars Todd and Julie Chrisley of fraud and tax evasion brought excitement and relief to their adult children, including daughter Savannah Chrisley, who had lobbied for their release via social media, a podcast and a Republican National Convention speech.

The president issued full pardons on Wednesday for the couple, whose show Chrisley Knows Best followed the lavish lifestyle of real estate mogul Todd Chrisley and his family. The couple were convicted in 2022 of defrauding banks of tens of millions of dollars and of hiding earnings from tax authorities.

Prosecutors said the crimes helped boost the Chrisleys extravagant, expensive lifestyle that they displayed on their show, including luxury cars and travel. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, while Julie Chrisley was sentenced to seven years. They were also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.

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Its a terrible thing, but its a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow. Is that OK? Well try getting it done tomorrow, Trump said Tuesday in a phone call with their daughter. I dont know them, but give them my regards and wish them a good life.

Savannah Chrisley, daughter of reality television star Todd Chrisley, speaks outside the Federal Prison Camp, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. Dan Anderson via Associated Press

The 27-year-old has been advocating on behalf of her parents for the past few years, relying on social media as well as her Unlocked podcast to bring awareness to their imprisonment and to voice support for Trump. She described her parents as victims of political persecution while speaking at last years Republican National Convention and discussed the possibility of a presidential pardon while having lunch at the White House in February.

Let me make one thing crystal clear: I didnt have to sell my soul  I stood on truth, persistence and Gods favor, she said in a Wednesday statement. I fought a broken, weaponized system with everything I had ... and I won.

The couples son, 28-year-old Chase Chrisley, told The New York Post that hes grateful to God and extremely grateful to President Trump and his entire administration. Kyle Chrisley, Todds estranged son from his first marriage, told E! News that he was ecstatic to hear about the pardons.

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Truly, the 33-year-old said. I just found out a little bit ago and I still just cant believe it.

The Chrisleys are the latest in Trumpspardon streak for high-profile supporters  including disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, former Las Vegas city council member Michele Fiore, former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins and, of course, hundreds of followers who violently stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to keep Trump in power.

Trump is also a failed businessman with his own criminal history. A jury found him guilty last year on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in relation to his hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. He was charged in 2023 with taking classified documents from the White House and keeping them in Mar-a-Lago, though a Trump-appointed judge dismissed the case last year. Trump also faced charges last year over efforts to subvert the 2020 election and the peaceful transfer of power, but special counsel Jack Smith dropped the case.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Savannah-Chatham County public school leaders are taking a unique approach to search for their next principals in two schools that score on the lower end of the states criteria for success.

Hubert Middle and Beach High School both need new principals. For the next school year, the district is hoping to lead those schools to success by gathering feedback at community meetings about how the hiring process should work.

In the past, Beach was stellar. This community was stellar, but it is on the rise up, and we want to make sure this principal is vested in the community as well as the school, Co-President of the Cann/Jackson Park Neighborhood Association Altheria Maynard said at a meeting Wednesday night.

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The Georgia Department of Educations 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index measures individual schools success by four categories: content mastery, progress, closing gaps and readiness.

Graduation rate is also considered for high schools.

Beach ranks in the bottom five of all Chatham County high schools in every category other than progress and is below the state average in the same categories, according to the index.

Hubert, according to the index, is in the bottom five and below the state average in all categories except graduation rate, which does not apply to middle schools.

In a series of meetings held Tuesday and Wednesday night, district officials met with parents and community stakeholders about what they want to see in their childrens next principal.

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Hiring a leader and a principal of a school is more about a person who brings all the competencies to the table, and were not doing anything special because of a performance of a school, Chief of Schools for Savannah Chatham County Public Schools Raymond Barnes said.

To determine what competencies the new principals should have, district officials had members of the community vote.

It was a good showing, but I wouldve liked to see a whole lot more people here involved in the process because the more we educate ourselves about where that bar is, then we can help the school community meet that bar, Deborah Clarke, Ph.D., a Beach High alumnus and retired SCCPSS educator, said.

Going forward, district officials will incorporate the community feedback into interview questions for principal candidates. Then SCCPSS Superintendent Denise Watts, Ph.D. will recommend candidates for the Savannah-Chatham Board of Educations approval.

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According to district officials, the goal is to have the new principals at both Hubert and Beach named by July 1.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
ON APRIL 27, 31-YEAR-OLD ADBUL RAHMAN WAZIRI was shot outside his apartment complex in Houston, where he lived with his wife and two young children. According to security camera footage, the shooter became frustrated when Waziri briefly double-parked in front of a mailbox to get his mail. Waziris familys lawyer, Omar Khawaja, said the two men then engaged in a heated exchange before the shooter went back to his car to grab a weapon. With his hands raised, Waziri pleaded, Please dont shoot. Seconds later, gunfire took his life.

The shooter later called 911 on himself. When the police arrived, he surrendered his firearm, and law enforcement took him into custodybut then, after questioning him, the police released the shooter without charges. Houston District Attorney Sean Teare, who initially declined to bring charges, said he may reconsider convening a grand jury.

Lets not kid ourselves: Had it been me or another American veteran killed over a parking spot, Sean Teare would have charged the shooter outright long ago, Thomas Kasza, a former Green Beret and founder of the charity 1208 Foundation for Afghan veterans, told The Bulwark.

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KASZA WAS REFERRING TO WAZIRIS service with the American military, in which he saved countless American lives as a member of the elite National Mine Reduction Group (NMRG). American Green Berets trained NMRG members to preemptively detect mines, IEDs, and other explosive ordnance before the Green Berets and American Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians advanced. They went in first to protect not only the lives of Afghan local nationals but also their American brothers-in-arms.

With a fairly high degree of confidence, Id call sweeping IEDs during a special forces night raid the most dangerous job in Afghanistan, said Kasza.

NMRG was a family business, whereby members were hired upon the recommendation of another member. Many NMRG members worked for nearly twenty yearsalmost long enough to qualify for a pension if they were American. However, as Afghan contractors, they received no such compensation.

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A Green Beret who requested anonymity for fear of retribution told The Bulwark, On missions where we drove, they were the lead vehicle, [or] often walking on foot in front of the vehicle and defusing or blowing up IEDs. On missions we flew to, they were the first ones off the helicopter, rushing into dusty uncertainty and leading the way for their American brothers.

Nearly twice as many NMRG members were killed in action as Green Berets between 2015 and 2021, according to Kasza. Consequently, many Green Berets have a deep respect and trust for these men, and NMRG members were the only Afghan service members officially permitted to carry weapons on American bases. According to one special forces soldier, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, they were a group that was recruited, trained, paid by, and fought with the U.S. Army Special Forcesand fought with such bravery that if they were American, there would be a Medal of Honor ceremony once a month.

Waziri spent more than five years with the NMRG. Ben Hoffman, a Green Beret who served alongside him in 2019, told The Bulwark, He was a lion of a man but also one of the most gentle warriors I have ever seen. He was so talented that he was selected to be an instructora role he held until NMRG members received their last paychecks in April 2021. Due to his close work with the U.S. military, Waziri had a price on his head when the Taliban retook Afghanistan.

Despite the enormous target on his back, he worked tirelessly to create safe houses for fellow Afghans to survive until they could secure a ticket to safety. Due to his extensive service, Waziris American special forces counterparts were able to initiate the process for him to obtain a Special Immigrant Visa. His flight to America departed just two hours before the ISIS-K attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport. Two months later, his wife and infant daughter joined him in Houston, where they put down roots and had a second child.

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NOW WAZIRIS WIDOW AND THEIR CHILDREN, 4 years old and 9 months old, have fled the state out of fear of living near the gunman. The inaction of the Houston Police Department and the prosecutors office has left the Afghan refugee community feeling rattled with fear and despair.

We want answers, Hamid Yousafi, a former special immigrant visa and current green card holder who resides in Houston, told The Bulwark. Why is a cold-blooded murderer running wild? . . . How can we tell our children that following the rules will not get them in trouble?

Im a lawyer. I understand how these cases unfold. . . . Theres no reason why we dont even have the assailants name, Hajji Omar, an Afghan-American citizen in Houston, told The Bulwark. Frustrated and seeking answers, members of the Afghan community have protested at the Houston Police Department in hopes that the police will give the case the attention it deserves.

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Every May, Builder magazine releases its ranking of the top 200 single-family home builders in the U.S. based on closings of homes built for sale and for rent.

This year, most of the top 10 home builders have retained their positions on the Builder 100 or remained close. However, Salt Lake City, Utah-based SH Residential Holdings  the U.S. subsidiary of Japanese home builder Sekisui House  moved from No. 20 on the 2024 Builder 100 to No. 6 in 2025 after completing its acquisition of M.D.C. Holdings in April 2024, pushing Clayton Properties Group out of the top 10.

Heres how the lists top 10 builders performed in the past year. To compare against last years numbers, see our 2024 coverage.

1. D. R. Horton

2024 revenue: $33.8 billion

2024 closings: 93,311 (including 3,902 build-to-rent homes)

Regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, West

Company fact: D.R. Horton remains on the top of the Builder 100 list for the 23rd year in a row, and has moved up to No. 5 on the National Multifamily Housing Councils Top 25 Developers list, with 4,590 units started in 2024. Its single-family build-to-rent completions are down by almost 2,000 from the previous year.

2. Lennar Corp.

2024 revenue: $33.8 billion

2024 closings: 80,210 (including 1,005 condos)

Regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, West

Company fact: Quarterra, formerly known as Lennar Multifamily, made the NMHC Top 25 Developers list at No. 22, with 1,628 units started in 2024. The brand sold off two of its property portfolios in 2024  a $2.1 billion sale to KKR in June and a sale to QuadReal Property Group in September for an undisclosed price.

3. PulteGroup

2024 revenue: $17.3 billion

2024 closings: 31,219

Regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, West

Company fact: Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is the grandson of William Pulte, founder of PulteGroup. He served on the companys board of directors between 2016 and 2020.

4. NVR

2024 revenue: $10.3 billion

2024 closings: 22,836

Regions: Northeast, Midwest, South

Company fact: NVR operates both mortgage and settlement and title services for buyers through its NVR Mortgage and NVR Settlement divisions.

5. Meritage Homes

2024 revenue: $6.3 billion

2024 closings: 15,611

Regions: South, West

Company fact: Meritage has partnered with Operation Homefronts Permanent Homes for Veterans program for 12 years, donating mortgage-free homes to military veteran families.
At Californias Imperial Beach theres a reason why nobody, beyond a determined bunch of early-morning surfers, ventures into the sea.

Its the same reason local restaurants source their fish from further up the coast, and residents keep their windows shut at night, even during the sweltering West Coast summers.

The beach, a short drive south of San Diego, is being polluted by billions of gallons of raw sewage flowing across the Mexican border every year.

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Its beaches have been forced to close, its air is being contaminated by pollutants hundreds of times above levels deemed safe, and locals are falling violently unwell.

The issue is now a source of tension between the US and Mexico, and The Telegraph understands that Donald Trump has given a personal commitment to tackle it as the two countries attempt to negotiate a solution.

Polluted water flows into a river in Imperial Beach - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

When The Telegraph visited earlier this year, Tom Csanadi, a retired paediatrician, was looking out at the view from his home on the beachfront.

To the north he could see the curve of the coastline as it arcs towards San Diego, and directly in front of him the blue of the Pacific Ocean, with an old wooden pier stretching a quarter-mile out to sea.

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Rising up on a hillside to the south, beyond the border wall, is the Mexican city of Tijuana, which even at a distance of a few miles seems to dwarf Imperial Beach.

S--- flows downhill, Dr Csanadi said. And were downhill.

Tijuana is one of Mexicos fastest-growing cities, exploding in size since the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) came into force in the mid-1990s.

But its development was too fast for the antiquated and neglected sewage systems on either side of a border, which were overwhelmed by the demands of a population that now numbers more than 2.3 million and is climbing ever higher.

Tijuana can be seen beyond the Mexico border wall. Sewage floods into Imperial Beach from the Mexican city - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

Instead, up to 80 million gallons of its waste is flooding into the Pacific Ocean and the cross-border Tijuana River every day.

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The river used to disappear during the dry months, from around June to September. But these days it is kept flowing by a cocktail of raw sewage and industrial chemicals, bearing viruses, bacteria and parasites into the US.

Imperial Beach is bearing the brunt of it, and has become what some locals refer to as Mexicos toilet.

Dr Csanadi and his wife, Marvel Harrison, thought they had staked out their own share of paradise when they bought an undeveloped plot on the beachfront 10 years ago.

Over time, it became a family home for them and their children  along with a pet chicken roaming outdoors called Daphne  and at the back of their minds, they thought they would be there for the rest of their lives.

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They dont think that any more.

In the years since moving in, Dr Harrison, a psychologist, has developed a condition similar to asthma that has left her with a chronic cough and means she has to use an inhaler. There are some days when she cant walk on the beach because of the strain it puts on her lungs.

Were a small town with a global problem, she said, taking sips from a large mug of tea in her kitchen between barely-suppressed coughs.

Some locals refer to Imperial Beach as Mexicos toilet - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

As for Dr Csanadi, he has developed an E coli infection that is resistant to antibiotics and regularly comes down with sinus issues.

Accounts of chronic illness are common throughout Imperial Beach, where residents report cases of migraines, respiratory conditions, stomach problems, fatigue, skin infections and nausea.

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Authorities say hundreds of Navy Seals, training at the base a short distance up the coast, have developed gastrointestinal issues from contact with contaminated ocean water.

The dead animals that regularly wash up shows the wildlife isnt immune either. A group of bottlenose dolphins found on a beach one summer were killed by sepsis caused by bacteria transmitted via urine or faeces, researchers at State Diego State University found.

Most of Imperial Beachs population stays out of the sea, where access has been restricted for around three years. Warning signs instructing swimmers to stay away are planted in the sand every 20 feet or so.

A sign warns people not to swim in the water - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

But people are falling ill anyway because the pollution is spreading through the air from the churn of the diseased river and crashing waves of the Pacific.

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Every night, somewhere between midnight and 2am, the city is enveloped by a strong smell. It can happen during the day as well, albeit less commonly, leaving locals prisoners in their own homes.

Nobody can quite agree what the odour is: some compare it to rotten eggs, while others say it has a bitter chemical tang.

To TJ Jackson, who lives along the beachfront, it simply smells like Tijuana.

The stench is the result of hydrogen sulphide emanating from the Tijuana River, according to Benjamin Rico, a PhD student studying the pollution at the University of California San Diego.

Typically, hydrogen sulphide levels are below one part per billion (ppb), and California has set a safe limit for children and pregnant women at 7.3ppb.

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But Mr Rico shared research with The Telegraph showing hydrogen sulphide levels taken from one neighbourhood in Imperial Beach reached up to 4,500ppb. And it is just one of potentially thousands of pollutants being given off by the river, and spread over the rest of the county.

At one pollution hotspot on Saturn Boulevard identified by Mr Rico, the sulphur smell is overpowering.

Water pours out of a concrete pipe into an estuary, churning untreated sewage, chemicals and metals. Many of the nearby trees, their branches dipping low towards the water, are withered and black.

Water pours from a concrete pipe into an estuary of untreated sewage - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

The area was deserted, with the exception of a young boy who cycled past with a T-shirt clamped over his mouth and nose.

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Paloma Aguirre, the mayor of Imperial Beach, hit out at the response from Gavin Newsom, the California governor.

He has not done enough, she said. And it borderlines on gross negligence that he is actively refusing to help us, despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to the fact that we are really being harmed here.

He hasnt done more than send a letter to [former US president Joe] Biden asking for more funding.

A spokeswoman for Mr Newsom said Ms Aguirres frustration was misdirected because sewage infrastructure was under federal and international jurisdiction.

She said the California governor had been a strong advocate for Imperial Beach, and last year secured critical funding and support to address cross-border pollution from the Tijuana River while holding authorities accountable to expedited timelines.

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We call on the Trump Administration to continue to fund repairs and complete infrastructure to protect public health and safety and end this environmental crisis once and for all, she added.

Paloma Aguirre says Gavin Newsom has not done enough - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

So far, locals are quietly optimistic about Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who visited Imperial Beach in April and declared the sewage crisis was top of mind for Mr Trump.

Mr Trumps administration submitted its plan to Mexico earlier this month, and the two governments are in the midst of thrashing out a deal that is expected to be concluded within weeks to upgrade sewage treatment facilities.

Were literally going line by line on past agreements, and pressure testing everything to see what can be completed faster, a US government source said.

If it says five years, could it be done in two years? Could it be done in 100 days?

To date, Mexico is said not to have rejected any of Washingtons proposals, and negotiations have been spurred along by both Mr Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, who are committed to solving this problem.

But the move comes too late for some Imperial Beach residents who have packed up and moved away, worn down by what they feel is years worth of neglect from the government.

Among their number is Serge Dedina, Ms Aguirres predecessor as mayor, who suffered sinus, ear and stomach infections and whose son required urgent care when he fell violently ill after swimming in the sewage-infested waters.

Ms Aguirre, however, plans to stick around and see what happens next to Imperial Beach.

I cant leave  Im the mayor, she said. I go down with the ship. Thats my responsibility.

The Mexican government has been approached for comment.

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Experts say the United Kingdom is falling behind the United States and European Union when it comes to tackling the microplastics problem and are calling for increased action from the government.

What's happening?

Scientists with the University of Portsmouth's Global Plastics Policy Centre want the U.K. to establish a road map with measurable targets and timelines to take on microplastics.

The Guardian summarized a policy brief that the group recently presented to members of Parliament, which focused on targeting microplastics at their source, funding research to establish safe exposure limits, and identifying interventions for what they call neglected topics, including soil and air quality. The publication added that the country is falling behind the U.S. and EU, which have some enforceable limits on microplastics in place.

Why are microplastics important?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that break off from larger plastics, polluting the environment and endangering human health. They have been found in our air, water, soil, food, beverages, and bodies.

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Scientists are still exploring the potential health impacts of microplastics, but one study tied them to an increased risk for respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Other research indicates that microplastic exposure could facilitate the spread of cancerous cells and contribute to anxiety, among other health concerns.

However, "the fact that the evidence is still emerging should not be a reason to delay action," said Antaya March, director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre, according to The Guardian. "A national road map informed by international developments is not only timely but necessary to ensure policy coherence and future readiness."

What's being done about microplastics?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is leading microplastics research. Meanwhile, regulatory measures such as the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which prohibits the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads, help address the problem, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration monitors microplastics and nanoplastics in food.

In the EU, a recently revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive calls for systematic monitoring of microplastics and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and puts the cost of advanced treatment on the polluting industry. For instance, the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries, which are responsible for the lion's share of micropollutants in wastewater, will be required to pay at least 80% of the cost for their removal.

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While microplastics are already all around us, you can help reduce your exposure by using fewer plastics. This will also help decrease the amount of new microplastics entering the environment for future generations.

Scientists are also developing new methods to remove them from the environment. For instance, one group of researchers found a way to remove microplastics from farm soil using a type of processed farm waste.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.










Key Points

Taurine, a common ingredient in energy drinks and supplements, was found to fuel the growth of aggressive leukemia cells.

Leukemia cells use a specific transporter protein to absorb taurine, and certain cells in the body  including those in the bones, brain, and heart  are capable of producing taurine naturally.

Research shows that inhibiting taurine production or its uptake by cancer cells slowed leukemic progression, indicating a potential new treatment strategy.







It seems that energy drinks are everywhere. The U.S. energy drink market alone grew by 73% between 2018 to 2023 and was valued at a staggering $23.9 billion in 2024. However, a new study published in the journal Nature provides compelling evidence that, in certain circumstances, taurine, the common ingredient that gives those drinks their kick, could be fueling more than just your afternoon energy.

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In May, researchers from the University of Rochester published their findings on taurine and its role in driving the growth of aggressive forms of leukemia.

The team behind the study, led by researchers at the University of Rochester, discovered that taurine doesnt just get digested when you drink it or take it in supplements. Instead, certain cells in our bones, brain, heart, and muscles can also actively produce it (and it is often found in fish and meat as well). In individuals with leukemia, taurine appears to stimulate the multiplication of cancer cells.

To understand why, it helps to know a little about how blood cancers like leukemia flourish in the body. Leukemia, the National Cancer Institute explains, often starts with a small number of damaged stem cells in the bone marrow, which is also where your blood is produced. These cancer stem cells can grow uncontrollably and hinder the body from producing the red and white blood cells it needs. Furthermore, this new study shows that those leukemia cells may be nourished by the taurine your body already produces.

Related: Teens Should Never Have Caffeine, According to New Guidelines

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The researchers discovered that as leukemia progresses, certain cells in human bone marrow begin producing more taurine, as the cancer cells absorb it through a specific protein known as TauT, which stands for taurine transporter. This taurine can assist the cancer cells in generating energy more efficiently, potentially causing them to grow at an accelerated rate.

However, in mouse models, when the researchers blocked either the production of taurine in the bone or the cancer cells ability to absorb it, the growth of leukemia slowed. The mice with leukemia lived longer, and their cancer spread less quickly, indicating a potential new pathway for treating this disease.

"We are very excited about these studies because they demonstrate that targeting uptake by myeloid leukemia cells may be a possible new avenue for treatment of these aggressive diseases, Jeevisha Bajaj, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Genetics at the University of Rochester, and lead author of the study, shared.

It's essential to understand that this study does not state or imply that energy drinks and supplements will cause cancer in any way. However, it found that when the mice with leukemia were given additional taurine, similar to what you would consume in energy drinks, the cancer progressed significantly faster.

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Related: A New Study Says Yogurt Can Help Reduce Your Risk of Colon Cancer

It's also important to remember that taurine has been shown in early-stage studies to be potentially helpful for people undergoing chemotherapy, as it could help mitigate side effects like nausea. Additionally, other studies have also shown that taurine couldmight have the potential to combat gastric cancers in the stomach.

Still, the authors concluded, "Since taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is often provided as a supplement to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy, our work suggests that it may be of interest to carefully consider the benefits of supplemental taurine in leukemia patients."



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SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Here are this mornings top stories with KELOLAND On the Go.

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A woman who was involved in a deadly shooting in sioux falls plans to plead guilty for her role in the crime.

Woman charged in deadly shooting plans to plead guilty

A Batesland, South Dakota woman is in the Pennington County Jail, accused of attacking a police officer.

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Woman arrested for attacking officer with scissors in RC

A one-time popular Irish restaurant in Sioux Falls is set to reopen next week. McNallys, which has been closed for the past five months, is under new ownership.

McNallys prepares for its re-opening next week

We are starting the day with some sunshine and cool temperatures across the region. However, more isolated showers could develop today in the far southeast, a trend well watch later today.

Much warmer weather ahead this weekend; Thunderstorms next week

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Campervan drivers face paying a tourist tax to drive through the Scottish Highlands because the roads cannot cope with the number of visitors.

Tensions have risen in recent years between locals and campervan drivers following a surge in motorhome tourists, with accusations they are clogging up roads and illegally dumping waste.

The number of visitors to the Highlands has risen by 65pc since 2012 with nearly 36,000 campervans touring the region in 2022, according to the local council.

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The increase is in part down to the construction of the North Coast 500, a scenic 500-mile route around the north coast dubbed Scotlands Route 66, which has attracted tourists from around the world and led to a rise in visitors renting campervans to complete the drive.

A study by Glasgow Caledonian University found the route, which was launched in 2015, has boosted the local economy by 22m a year, creating about 200 full-time jobs.

However, Labour and SNP politicians are calling for campervan drivers to pay a levy to visit the area with some suggesting the council install cameras to track the registration plates of drivers to make sure they pay.

Shaun Fraser, who is standing to be Labour MSP for Inverness and Nairn, said: Initiatives such as the North Coast 500 have transformed the dynamics of Highland tourism, with a huge rise in campervans using rural singletrack highland roads. Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing.

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Highland communities and local services must benefit from tourism. I support a fair and well-designed visitor levy and sensible measures to manage the impact of campervans.

I would be open to looking at options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using highland roads. I think that this should be considered.

Highlands MSP Emma Roddick says it is fair that campervan visitors help preserve the area - Barbara Neal

It comes after Highland Council introduced a voluntary scheme last year whereby campervan visitors could pay 40 for a seven-day pass to park in some of the local authoritys car parks with daily access to showering facilities.

The initiative was shunned by tourists with the council forecast to raise 20,000 from the initiative in its first year despite setting a target of 500,000.

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Emma Roddick, of the SNP, has called for campervan visitors to be included as part of a wider tourist tax being considered by the council.

The Highlands MSP said it was fair that campervan drivers contributed to the preservation and maintenance of the areas they enjoy so much.

Highlands Council is currently reviewing whether to impose a 5pc charge on overnight accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets that it suggests would raise 10m a year, increasing further if campervans were included.

The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from local business groups who fear the tax would put the area at a disadvantage to the rest of the UK and detract visitors.

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If approved, the levy could come into force by the end of next year, the earliest permitted under legislation passed by the Scottish government last year.

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UINTA BASIN, Utah (ABC4)  In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a project that will bring a railway through the Uinta Basin.

In the 8-0 ruling, the Supreme Court determined that reviews of infrastructure projects conducted under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) dont need to consider certain environmental impacts. Under NEPA, the government has been required to consider the proposed environmental impacts of projects that will build things like highways and pipelines.

This decision will reinstate the Uinta Basin Railway project, which aims to connect Utah to the National Railway system by building a railroad through the heart of the Uinta Basin. The proposed railway would transport materials like oil, gas, and mined materials.

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Supreme Court to consider limiting climate assessments for infrastructure projects

This decision affirms the years of work and collaboration that have gone into making the Uinta Basin Railway a reality, said Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, the projects public partner.

Environmental advocates believe the decision will be harmful and lead to government leaders ignoring environmental concerns in the future.

Todays decision undermines decades of legal precedent that told federal agencies to look before they leap when approving projects that could harm communities and the environment, said Earthjustice Senior Vice President of Program Sam Sankar

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A lower court previously ruled that the projects environmental review did not fully consider the impacts of increased oil production that could occur due to the project.

Bennet warns railway project would endanger Colorado River basin

Governor Spencer Cox released a statement following the ruling:

The Court rightly recognized that the National Environmental Policy Act is intended to inform agency decision-making  not to paralyze it with speculative analyses of distant, unrelated impacts. This ruling restores clarity and predictability to the permitting process.

Attorney General Derek Brown issued the following statement:

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For Utah, the Supreme Courts decision in the Uinta Basin Railway case is a win for our rural communities and our countrys energy independence. It also sends a clear message that its time to rein in abuse of NEPA. The Uinta Basin Railway will expand economic opportunity and improve transportation infrastructure, the environment, and public health and safety.

The proposed railway would begin near Castle Gate in Carbon County and follow US-191 northeast toward Duchesne before veering east towards the Green River in Uinta County.

Latest headlines:

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Few things are as inconvenient than an unwanted visitor who just wont leave. But the reality was more than mere annoyance for Washington, D.C. resident Linda Chaplin, whose apartment was overrun by raccoons for more than a year.

After months of unanswered complaints, Chaplin has finally been able to move into a new space, according to ABC 7News. But the path to a new home has been anything but easy.

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Heres how she finally broke free from the infestation.

Wildlife intervention

After getting basically ignored by her Congress Park Plaza landlord, who had only put up wooden boards over the holes in her home, Chaplin reached out to 7News in one final attempt to get help.

Chaplin shared photos of raccoons poking their heads through holes in her home with the news team. The animals had dug their way through the wooden boards, and when local reporters visited Chaplins government-managed property, they witnessed a raccoon knocking a clock off her wall.

Im going crazy, makes me seem like Im going crazy, losing my mind, Chaplin told 7News. If I go to sleep, Im scared theyre going to come out. They scratch the walls.

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The team at 7News looked into Chaplins management company, SE Washington Development Associates II LP, and discovered theyre facing numerous violations, fines and lawsuits. And that landlord is managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

After 7News aired its report, the building finally called out a wildlife team to her home to remove one of the raccoons  and returned to remove 14 more. The critters had clearly made their home in Chaplins apartment, as well as the neighboring units.

Wildlife Solutions said that Chaplins infestation was the worst theyd seen in a single property and that if the landlord had called them six months earlier, Chaplin would have been able to remain in her home safely. But now, the only way to address the situation was to move Chaplin out.

They might as well pay rent in here then," Chaplin told 7News, referring to the animals. They might as well pay rent, not me, theyre running me out [of] my home. It's crazy.

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Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method to make big profits off you  and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs

Obligations to keep tenants safe

Throughout the stations investigation, reporters found the process for reporting unsafe conditions in government housing was a challenge, contacting multiple government offices, housing agencies and tenant associations.

HUD rules show that government-managed properties have no less obligation to ensure safe living conditions for tenants than private management companies. Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and property owners are expected to be communicative with residents on all issues, and any complaint should be resolved as soon as possible. Property agents are not allowed to retaliate, intimidate, harass or neglect any resident filing a complaint.

HUD codes hold that PHAs are required to either make repairs to such conditions within a reasonable period of time or to abate the situation (usually by moving the tenant's family).

Making your voice heard in unsafe living conditions

Chaplins situation is unfortunately not unique. About 2.2 million Americans are living in public housing and thousands may be experiencing poor conditions such as mold, plumbing issues, pest infestations and lead paint, according to governing.com. In such cases, its important for tenants to advocate for themselves and demand their rights to a safe dwelling.

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One of the first steps to reporting unsafe conditions is to contact the PHA managing your property. If management doesnt immediately address the issue, like in Chaplins case, a tenant may need to contact HUD directly to report housing discrimination. Make sure to include documentation of complaints already filed with the PHA and include descriptions and photos of the conditions.

A tenant may also want to reach out to local tenant organizations or legal aid groups who can help access free or low-cost legal help, as well as help locate a replacement dwelling if the PHA wont address the conditions.

According to HUD, a tenant has the right to organize with neighbors and distribute information to other residents if the issue is widespread throughout the property.

And, like Chaplin, a tenant might consider contacting local news stations, which often have hotlines or other ways to lodge complaints, create unwanted attention for the landlord and force a quick resolution.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
A courtroom sketch of Sean Combs blowing kisses to people in the audience on May 19. - Credit: Elizabeth Williams/AP

Follow all our Sean Combs trial coverage

A former personal assistant for Sean Combs took the witness stand Thursday and claimed the Bad Boy Records founder worked her around the clock, physically abused her and subjected her to traumatizing sexual assaults that she had planned to take to her grave.

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The woman, using the pseudonym Mia, often broke down in tears as she described working for Combs from 2009 to 2017. She said Combs was a mercurial and manipulative boss who might treat her as a best friend one day then hurl a computer at her head during a tantrum over his internet connection the next.

She claimed Combs repeatedly slammed her arm with a heavy door in 2012 after he snatched her phone and she tried to get it back. She recalled once jumping on Combs back to stop a violent assault, saying she was thrown off into a wall. She never went to authorities, she confirmed.

I made a lot of excuses for him in my head, she told jurors. I believed Puffs authority was above the police.

Mia sobbed as she described the alleged sexual assaults at the hands of Combs, saying they happened randomly and that she always believed each one would be the last. She said the first started with Combs praising her work ethic in a hotel penthouse while he was celebrating his 40th birthday. He poured her two shots of vodka, which hit her much harder than she expected, she testified. Suddenly, Combs was leaning in for a kiss, and he put his hand up her dress, leaving her mortified, she testified.

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I was shocked and I froze. I didnt process what was happening, Mia said. Her next memory was waking up in another room on a chair. She later convinced herself Combs was drunk, and that it was probably a huge accident, she testified. But then it happened again, she said.

Mia said in 2009 or 2010, Combs snuck into her room and climbed on top of her while she was sleeping in a staff bunk bed at his Los Angeles mansion. She wasnt allowed to lock her door and woke up to the weight of a person on top of me, she said. Combs told her to be quiet and put himself inside of me, she testified. I just froze, I didnt react, she said. It was very quick, but it felt like forever.

Another time, Mia was in Combs closet, packing a bag, when he allegedly ambushed her and forced her into performing oral sex on him. She said the alleged assaults left her terrified, confused, ashamed and scared, but she felt trapped.

There were several other sexual assaults, Mia claimed, but she blocked many of them out, only able to recall a dark horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach surrounding them. Describing the sensation, Mia said she once was on a private jet flight with Combs when he allegedly pushed her into a bathroom. Mia said she tried to get away by warning Combs that others on the plane might notice. It didnt work, she said, adding that when she tries to remember specific details of the alleged attack, her memory goes blank because she suppressed them.

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Mia believed that if she spoke up, Combs would crush her. She said human resources was only around if [Combs] wanted to punish you. She claimed one of Combs assistants was fired for raising concern about the physical abuse Combs was inflicting on his girlfriend at the time, Casandra Cassie Ventura.

I couldnt tell him no. I couldnt tell him no, even about a sandwich, she said. As an example, she recalled how Combs got aggressive and pressured her to snort ketamine while at Burning Man, despite her refusals. There was no way I could tell him no, [because] then he would know I thought that what he was doing was wrong, and I would be a target. He would fire me and ruin my future and somehow twist the story into making me look like a threat, she testified.

Mia promised herself she would bury the trauma. I was going to die with this. I didnt want anyone to know ever, she told jurors. This is the most traumatizing thing thats happened to me.

Mia was identified as Victim-4 in the Southern District of New Yorks criminal indictment against Combs, with her allegations tied to the racketeering charge against the music mogul. (Combs has pleaded not guilty to the five felony counts against him.)

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She is one of two witnesses who the court is allowing to use a pseudonym after she declared that testifying about extremely sensitive details under her real name would result in humiliating and retraumatizing publicity. Mias lawyers also noted she was fearful of reprisal and harassment from Combs and his supporters.

On Thursday, she clasped her hands and looked at the ground when she entered and exited the courtroom. Arriving with a group of women, all wearing shades of pink, Mia was clearly nervous and often answered questions with a wavering voice. By the end of the day, she was in tears.

Mia told jurors she got the job with Combs after moving to New York and first working for fashion designer Georgina Chapman and later as an assistant to actor Mike Myers. She said Combs greeted her in his underwear for her first interview and that she worked 24 hours straight her first day. She once worked five days straight without sleeping, relying on Adderall to keep going, she testified. Part of her job included high-level development at Revolt Films, but she also had to clean up nightmare messes in hotel rooms after Combs freak-offs. She said the rooms would be littered with broken glass, candle wax, menstrual blood, and baby oil on the walls.

She wasnt allowed to leave Combs residence without his permission, even if he was sleeping, she said. At a moments notice, he might ask her to crack his knuckles, write a film, or do his taxes, she testified.

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I had a physical breakdown. My hearing went; it felt like I was underwater, my equilibrium was off, blurred vision, out of nowhere I was hysterical and could not stop crying, she testified, according to NBC News. At that point, Puff said [I] could go to sleep.

Mia said Combs would flip between treating her like a best friend and a work partner, promising her executive roles at his companies, to making her feel worthless and threatening to take away her credits.

Mia said most of her tenure overlapped with Combs relationship with Ventura, one of the women Combs is accused of sex-trafficking. Combs allegedly forced the R&B singer to have sex with male escorts in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual encounters that he called freak-offs.

There was only one time Mia said she saw Ventura in the middle of a freak-off  which she knew as hotel nights  was when she was summoned to Combs hotel room in New York City to drop off some supplies. Mia said Ventura answered the door in a bright blue wig looking different than Mia had ever seen her before. The singer looked like she was struggling, Mia said, adding that Ventura quickly said she was okay and shut the door.

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Mia was privy to other alleged abusive behavior. She told jurors Combs closely controlled Venturas whereabouts, appearance, and career, and that part of her job was to keep tabs on Ventura. When she and Ventura, who became like a sister, did something without Combs permission, the punishment could be unpredictable and terrifying, she testified.

She claimed that she saw Combs chase Ventura, slam her to the ground, and crack her head open. She said Ventura did not fight back. Ive just seen her with her arms up, she testified.

Mia recalled one incident in August 2013 when Combs appeared at Venturas apartment and allegedly turned violent. Echoing prior testimony from Ventura and celebrity stylist Deonte Nash, Mia said she jumped on Combs back to stop him. I thought he was going to kill him, she said, referring to Combs and Nash. She claimed Combs threw her against a wall. His eyes turned black, there was no getting through. It was the first time I realized the severe danger we were actually in, she testified.

In prior testimony, Ventura and Nash told jurors that Combs shoved Ventura into her bed frame that day, causing a deep gash in her eyebrow that required stitches. Venturas head started gushing blood, Mia testified Thursday. When Combs ordered Mia to call a plastic surgeon and report that Ventura injured herself while drunk, Mia complied, she said. I thought that was the only way to get her help, she testified.

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Mia also recounted a scary encounter during a trip to Turks and Caicos with Combs and Ventura. She told jurors she woke up to Ventura racing into her room, begging for help. You gotta help me, hes going to kill me, Ventura pleaded, according to Mia. The women barricaded the door with heavy wooden furniture and ran down to the beach to hide from a screaming Combs.

At another point during the vacation, the women fled from an irate Combs on paddle boards, she testified, leaving Combs pacing and yelling on the sand. She recalled the weather taking a dramatic turn and fearing that a storm was coming. I was trying to weigh if it was scarier to face Mother Nature or Puff, she testified. They ended up returning to land.

Before Mias testimony, not much was known about the employee, although her name was mentioned a handful of times during testimony from Ventura. The women were friends, Ventura said, hanging out socially, with Mia spending a week in South Africa with Ventura while she filmed a movie in 2015.

During her four days on the witness stand, Ventura testified that Mia was physically present on several occasions when Combs attacked her, including the alleged beating in August 2013. A few years earlier, during Grammy weekend in 2010, Ventura said she and Mia fled a party at Princes home that they attended without Combs permission. Back at Venturas hotel, Combs barged inside the room and beat Ventura, leaving her with a black eye, knots in her head, and a busted lisp, Ventura and her friend, celebrity makeup artist Mylah Morales, testified.

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Testifying Thursday, Mia said she was suspended from work after attending the Prince party with Ventura. Puff said I was being insubordinate, she told jurors, because she had disobeyed him by going out that night. Mia also claimed Princes security swiftly intervened when Combs allegedly got physical with Ventura outside the party.

According to prosecutors, Combs wielded his vast wealth and multi-faceted business empire to fulfill his sexual desires with crimes including physical assault, threats, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. He allegedly forced his sleep-deprived employees to do his bidding by subjecting them to physical force and threats of financial and reputational harm.

The government has already established that several of Combs employees and people on his payroll saw the mogul physically abusing Ventura over the course of their relationship. Mia is the fourth former personal assistant to testify against her former boss. Her testimony is expected to mirror that of George Kaplan, David James, and Capricorn Clarks who all claimed they worked around the clock for Combs and were expected to be available at any second.

Clark alleged that she averaged between two and four hours of sleep a night while working as Combs assistant in 2004 and 2006. During a three-month period, Clark said she was owed $80,000 in overtime pay. When Combs was presented with the paperwork, he ripped it up, Clark testified.

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In her own opening address, Combs attorney, Teny Geragos, told jurors to consider Mias motive. What are the reasons she is saying what she might be saying now, what she never said before? Geragos questioned. And certainly never said when she first started cooperating with the government?

However, prosecutors stated that Mia took years to grapple with her experience. Mia will tell you how she could not talk about what happened to her until recently, how she wanted to take the secret of what the defendant did to her to her grave, prosecutor Emily A. Johnson said.

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Sean McLaughlin - GMG

Sean McLaughlin has been named vice president and general manager of Graham Medias Houston NBC affiliate KPRC 2 and Click2Houston.com, effective July 1, 2025.

McLaughlin will continue in his current role as vp of News for Graham Media Group, leading news strategy across all seven stations.

"Sean's leadership represents Graham Media Group's unwavering commitment to the future of local news-one that honors journalistic excellence while embracing the innovations necessary to serve our communities in an ever-changing media environment," said Catherine Badalamente, president and CEO of Graham Media Group.

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He joined Graham Media Group in 2024 as vp of News and depending on how you look at it, he has a reputation of being a local news innovator and an industry disruptor.

"I'm incredibly excited to lead KPRC 2 at this pivotal moment for local news," said McLaughlin. "Houston is one of the most dynamic cities in the country, and KPRC 2 has a long legacy of serving this community. We have a unique opportunity to reimagine what a local media powerhouse can be - one that doesn't just report on the community but truly connects, innovates, and leads."

McLaughlin began his career as a news reporter before advancing to news director roles in Springfield, Illinois, Tulsa, and St. Louis. He later became executive news director and creative services director at KMOV, then served as VP of Content and SVP of Local News at E.W. Scripps before joining Graham Media Group.
In an interview with Bloomberg Television last Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, shown here during a news conference in Switzerland earlier this month, articulated a plan aimed at bringing down long-term Treasury yields. - Fabrice Coffrini/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has an idea in mind that he says should help to bring down long-term Treasury yields, which act as a benchmark for interest rates. But one big question remains: Will it work?

The plan is to soon lower the supplementary leverage ratio for banks, which should theoretically allow them to hold more U.S. government debt, lend more freely or both. The SLR, established in 2014, is aimed at ensuring that banks have sufficient capital to absorb losses, particularly during periods of stress, and requires them to hold a specific amount of high-quality capital relative to their total leverage exposure.

Most Read from MarketWatch

A potential revamp of the SLR  which has been talked about for months  has already gained support from the banking sector. It came to the fore during an interview with Bloomberg Television last Friday, when Bessent said: I think we are very close to moving the supplementary leverage ratio, SLR. That is moving along very quickly between the three banking regulators, which are the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. So I would think we could see something on that over the summer.

Uncertainties over the Trump administrations tariff policies have raised questions about investors willingness to keep buying U.S. government debt and where future marginal buyers will come from. This, in turn, has led to a recent bond-market selloff, which drove the 30-year Treasury yield BX:TMUBMUSD30Y to almost 5.09% last Wednesday  the highest level since Oct. 25, 2023, according to 3 p.m. Eastern time figures. The narrow passage of President Donald Trumps tax and spending megabill in the House of Representatives last Thursday, which moved the package to the Senate, has only added to worries about the U.S. fiscal outlook.

Lowering the SLR could play into Trumps overall agenda by potentially freeing up banks to do more lending, persuading them to add more Treasurys to their balance sheets or both, as well as by reducing long-term borrowing costs for businesses and households and stimulating economic growth. In February, the administration pledged to focus on containing long-term Treasury yields, which gave rise to speculation among traders that the SLR rules would be reviewed.
Police are investigating a stabbing that ended in the death of a man in downtown Seattle late Wednesday night.

Around 10:15 p.m., officers responded to an assault at 5th and Pike. At the same time, Seattle Fire responded to that area for reports of a man with stab wounds in an alleyway.

Seattle Fire tried to save the man in the alleyway, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police later learned that a fight had happened between two men, and one stabbed the other. The man who was stabbed ran away and collapsed in the alley.

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Officers found a knife at the scene and took it in for evidence.

The man allegedly involved in the stabbing cooperated with police.

The investigation is ongoing.

If you have any information, call SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
NEW YORK  Sean Diddy Combs was accused of raping his former assistant and subjecting her to brutal working conditions as prosecutors beefed up their Manhattan federal court case against the disgraced rap mogul on Thursday.

Testifying under the pseudonym Mia, the woman said she worked for Combs from 2009 through 2017, first as his personal assistant and then for his media company Revolt Films. She told prosecutor Madison Smyser that Combs sexually assaulted her multiple times in sporadic attacks.

The first time, she said, was in 2009, just a few months into her employment, at his 40th birthday blowout at The Plaza hotel in Manhattan, which Vanity Fair reported on stars like Bono, Jimmy Fallon, and Christy Turlington attending.

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During the night, Mia said Combs plied her with shots, and she became heavily intoxicated, more so than felt normal. She recalled him at one point forcibly kissing her and putting his hand up her dress and then coming to the next morning on a chair in the penthouse with a foggy memory.

Mia said she initially gave Combs the benefit of the doubt, putting the disturbing encounter down to his drinking, but that he would mess with her again. Describing an encounter at Combs home in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, she recalled waking up in the night to the weight of a person on top of me. It was Combs, telling me shh, be quiet.

Mia, who became emotionally distraught discussing the assault, said Combs then awkwardly used his hands to put himself inside of me and rape her. Struggling to speak, she went on to describe another encounter in which Combs forced her to perform oral sex on him.

Like trash, Mia said when asked how the latter incident made her feel. Scared and ashamed. Like an idiot.

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The former assistant, who recounted several more sexual assaults in graphic detail, said she had frequently been the target of Combs violence. She said reporting the incidents wasnt an option in the pre-#MeToo era and that she was scared to tell him no, with his constant threats leaving her paralyzed with fear about being retaliated against and blacklisted in the industry.

I didnt want to die or get hurt, Mia said. I just thought I would be punished.

Mia said her job working for Combs was hellish and all-consuming, with her longest shift, fueled by Adderall, lasting for five days. She said Combs hired her on a base salary of $50,000 and that when she turned up for her job interview, he opened the door wearing nothing but underwear.

In one exhibit pulled up in court, Mia described some of her job responsibilities in 2011 as anticipating his needs, whims, and moods, maintaining his professional and personal routines from when he woke until he fell asleep at night, and anything from cracking his knuckles to writing his next movie to doing his taxes.

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Getting cursed out, berated, having her intelligence questioned by the Bad Boy Records co-founder and being treated like a worthless piece of crap was par for the course, the witness said. While working as his live-in assistant, the jury heard she couldnt leave his properties without permission or lock her bedroom door, even off the clock.

Mia recalled Combs sending his security guards to find her in 2009 or 2010 when she went out after hed gone to bed one night, desperate to see some friends.

I didnt realize I wasnt allowed to leave, she said.

Puffs mood determined the atmosphere, Mia said, and was impossible to predict. She recalled one instance where he didnt want her to leave the room, and when she finally spoke up to say she desperately needed to change her tampon as there was blood running down her leg, he became furious and threw a bowl of spaghetti at her. The jury heard that she would escape, stay in a hotel, and later be suspended.

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On another occasion, in 2011 or 2012, Mia said simple Wi-fi connection issues were the source of Combs flying into a fit of rage, recalling him throwing a computer at her and screaming, I dont care if you have to call Bill Gates.

Following Casandra Cassie Ventura, Mia is the second of three alleged victims the jury is slated to hear from in the feds sweeping case against Combs. Manhattan federal court Judge Arun Subramanian ordered court artists and members of the public not to sketch her likeness in any way. A third woman, Jane, also a pseudonym, is yet to testify about allegedly being forced into demoralizing sex acts with strangers.

The Manhattan U.S. attorneys office alleges that from 2004 to 2024, when he was teetering on the edge of billionaire status and considered among the most influential forces in hip-hop, Combs was running a criminal enterprise operated by a network of staff who engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, bribery, obstruction of justice, kidnapping, and arson.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, transporting individuals for prostitution, and related offenses and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

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Ventura spent four days on the stand during the first week of testimony, describing violent beatings and being coerced into debasing sexual performances with male performers that Combs dubbed freak-offs.

She said she never wanted to participate in the sessions and that Combs hung videos of the humiliating encounters over her head as blackmail in testimony backed up by Combs and Venturas former stylist, Deonte Nash, on Wednesday.

Mia said on Thursday that she and Ventura were as close as sisters, but she never confided in her about the sexual assaults.

I thought I could just die with it  the most shameful thing of my life, she said.

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She said she considered Venturas relationship with Combs toxic and inequal, with Combs lording over his much younger girlfriends career and appearance. Mia recalled seeing Combs being viciously violent with Ventura all the time, including cracking open her head, giving her black eyes, fat lips, and digging his nails into her arm, and constantly monitoring her whereabouts.

In addition to a host of other incidents and details about Combs lifestyle and copious drug use, Mia corroborated testimony jurors heard from Ventura and Nash about a particularly savage beating that left Ventura gushing blood from her head, a wound that Combs would send her to a plastic surgeon for. Mia and Nash said they tried jumping on Combs to get him to stop.

His eyes turned black, she said. I was trying to get him to stop. It was like he was looking through me.

The trial continues Friday.

_____
(Reuters) -Police in Georgia have detained an opposition politician, his party said on Thursday, the second such detention in a little more than a week of figures denouncing government policies bringing the country closer to Russia.

The Coalition for Change, Georgia's largest opposition group, said one of its leaders, Nika Melia, had been detained. News reports said he was being held on charges of abusive behaviour towards a law enforcement officer and would be appearing in court.

Previously one of the most pro-Western and democratic of the Soviet Union's successor states, Georgia under the leadership of the Georgian Dream party is accused by its opponents of moving in an authoritarian and pro-Russian direction.

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Last week, a Georgian court on Thursday placed Zurab Japaridze, another leader of the Coalition for Change, in pre-trial detention for an indeterminate period of time.

Japaridze had refused to appear at a parliamentary inquiry into alleged crimes committed under jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili, between 2004 and 2012.

Georgian Dream, after winning an election last November denounced as rigged by the opposition, said it would halt talks on joining the European Union until 2028. Membership of the 27-nation bloc is a popular goal among Georgians and incorporated in the constitution.

Georgian Dream dismisses allegations that the November poll was falsified. The outcome triggered large-scale protests, with protesters confronting police and water cannon in the capital.

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Georgian Dream says it still wants to eventually join the EU, but also wants balanced relations with Russia, which ruled Georgia for around 200 years until 1991.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Editors note: The above video aired on May 25, 2025.

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  A second man was arrested for allegedly beating an NYPD officer the same day the cop was released from the hospital, authorities said.

Wayne Lucas, 23, was taken into custody in Virginia on Wednesday afternoon, according to the NYPD. His accomplice, Taveon Hargrove, 23, was arrested in Virginia on Tuesday.

The charges against the suspects were pending Thursday, police said.

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Officer Nafees Chowdhury was wheeled out of Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx on Wednesday with his family by his side as his fellow officers applauded.

Chowdhury replied with a thankful nod to the crowd before NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch greeted his family.

Come for one of us & youll have the full force of the NYPD coming for you, Tisch said in a post on X.

Police said the suspects allegedly put a knife up to the officers throat and stole his gun, iPhone, and wallet on St. Peters Avenue at around 4 a.m. Saturday. Chowdhury was critically injured after he was stomped in the head, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

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The officer had just finished an overnight shift and was heading home. Surveillance footage shows Chowdhury, still in uniform, walking at 4:08 a.m. right before being attacked by two masked suspects.

They approached himone in front, one in the backand they caught him off guard, Adams said. One of them stepped on his face in a violent way.

The officers brother-in-law, Gazi Hasan, said the family is devastated.

The family is shocked about the situation, he said.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

Rubio said in his announcement posted on X that the government will aggressively revoke visas for students from China, which is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the United States.

On Tuesday, Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students as the department prepares guidelines for increased vetting of their activity on social media. The announcements from the State Department added to uncertainty for Americas international students, who have faced intensifying scrutiny from President Donald Trumps administration.

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University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student Vladyslav Plyaka was planning to visit Poland to see his mother and renew his visa, but he doesnt know when that will be possible now that visa appointments are suspended. He also doesnt feel safe leaving the U.S. even when appointments resume.

I dont think I have enough trust in the system at this point, said Plyaka, who came to the U.S. from Ukraine as an exchange student in high school and stayed for college.

The announcement came days after the Trump administration moved to block Harvard University from enrolling any international students, a decision that has been put on hold by a federal judge, pending a lawsuit.

Trump said Wednesday that Harvard, whose current student population is made up of more than a quarter of international students, should limit that percentage to about 15%.

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I want to make sure the foreign students are people that can love our country, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested and tried to deport students who had been involved in campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war. And the Trump administration abruptly terminated the legal status of thousands of international students before reversing itself and then expanding the grounds on which students can lose permission to study in the U.S.

International students see new reason for caution

The uncertainty raised by the suspension of visa appointments will do further damage to the U.S. reputation as a destination country, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association that represents international educators. Students generally commit to their program of study in late spring, meaning now would be peak time for students to schedule their visa interviews.

International students and scholars are tremendous assets that contribute to U.S. preeminence in innovation, research, and economic strength, Aw said in a statement. Undermining their ability to study here is self-defeating.

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At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the climate of uncertainty led one international student to cancel a trip home to Vietnam this summer. He emails the schools international office frequently to make sure his legal status is secure.

Theres just this constant unease. Its quite stressful, really, said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted.

The pause affects three categories of visas that cover university students, as well as high school exchange students and boarding school students. The largest category, F-1 visas, includes students who are enrolling at full-time accredited schools. Students participating in exchange programs enter on J-1 visas, and those enrolling in vocational or non-academic programs enter on M-1 visas.

Around 1.1 million international students were in the United States last year  a source of essential revenue for tuition-driven colleges. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. Often, they pay full price.

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Northeastern University, which has more than 20,000 international students, has set up contingency plans for those who hit visa delays, said spokesperson Renata Nyul, without elaborating.

This is a very dynamic situation, and we are closely monitoring the developments in real time to assess any potential impacts, she said.

The US plans more in-depth reviews of visa applicants social media

Visa applicants have been required to provide social media handles to the State Department since 2019. The cable did not indicate what kind of additional scrutiny the new guidelines would cover, but suggested the new reviews may be more resource-intensive.

The additional vetting will deter students from coming to the U.S., said Jonathan Friedman of PEN America, a literary and free expression organization.

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The details remain vague, but this policy risks upending the long-standing place of the U.S. as a beacon for intellectual and cultural exchange with the world, Friedman said.

The move to cut off international enrollment at Harvard stems from a dispute with the Department of Homeland Security, which has demanded that it provide information about foreign students that might implicate them in violence or protests that could lead to their deportation. Harvard says it complied with the records request, but the agency said its response fell short.

On Wednesday, Trump said more scrutiny of Harvards students is necessary.

Theyre taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized, and we dont want them making trouble in our country, Trump said.

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The Trump administration has cut over $2.6 billion in federal grants for Harvard as it presses demands for changes to policies and governance at the Ivy League school, which the president has described as a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. Harvard has pushed back and filed a lawsuit against the administration.

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(Texas Scorecard)  Legislation to hold manufacturers liable for advertising harmful vaccines passed out of the Senate on Tuesday with a 21-10 vote.

House Bill 3441, authored by State Rep. Shelly Luther (RSherman), allows manufacturers to be held liable if they advertise their vaccines in Texas and it causes an injury.

HB 3441 was an unexpected and unprecedented success for medical liberty champion Shelley Luther, and represents a huge step toward holding vaccine manufacturers accountable for their products, Michelle Evans, political director for Texans for Vaccine Choice, told Texas Scorecard.

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We are excited to see this signed into law to protect Texans from products deemed unavoidably unsafe.

According to the legislations text, vaccine manufacturers can be held liable for actual damages and court costs up to three years after the date of the injury.

The measure does not include doctor-patient discussions, written materials provided by a healthcare provider, or promotional materials found in a providers office regarding a vaccine.

State Sen. Bob Hall (REdgewood), the Senate sponsor of the bill, stated in his opening remarks on the floor that the measure does not concern whether or not someone should be vaccinated. Instead, it simply gives individuals peace of mind by providing accountability that any other company would have.

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Currently, due to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, vaccine manufacturers hold no liability [for] a vaccine or countermeasure harm or interest in Texas, stated Hall. This is the only product that I know of that cannot be held responsible for any injury to a consumer.

Imagine what our society would look like if any other manufacturer had this same protection.

The proposal has cleared both the Senate and the House. Now, Gov. Greg Abbott must either sign it, veto it, or allow it to take effect with no further action from him.

The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.
Bowing to public and political pressure, Senate budget writers approved a spending and tax credit proposal to leverage up to $3.7 million in support for the arts.

In another major decision, the Senate Finance Committee more than doubled the amount of state aid to the University System of New Hampshire that had been included in the House-approved spending plan.

The House budget would eliminate all funding for the Council on the Arts, essentially eliminating the council.

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Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, had convinced his budget colleagues earlier this month to set aside only $1 for the state Council on the Arts and to seek private donations and federal grants to pick up the slack.

My email inbox was filled when I allocated $1, Lang said. This creative solution leverages scarce state resources with matching private sector donations and federal grants to generate more than $3.7 million for the Arts Council.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte had been pushing senators to reconsider their position after she had proposed $2 million in state and federal grants for the arts  about half of what the council currently receives.

Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, authored the new proposal with Lang.

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Senate budget revives state support for arts

Sharon Carson

We all wanted to find a way to keep the Arts Council alive, Carson said.

The proposal creates a Granite Patron of the Arts program that would provide donors with a 50% state tax credit. The program would have a total donation limit of $700,000 a year, which would cost the state $350,000 in tax credits.

The plan also sets aside $150,000 each year that should cover overhead costs for the arts council, and allows the council to seek federal grants that could amount to up to $1 million a year.

Sen. Daniel Innis, R-Webster, who had been urging his GOP colleagues to support the arts, said, I think we are in a good spot with this change.

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Reversing the House

The move is the latest of many the Senate committee has made to undo actions taken by House budget writers.

The Senate Finance Committees action on funding for the university system would bring annual state aid to the systems three four-year colleges up to $85 million annually. Ayotte had proposed state aid each year of $91.2 million.

Carson noted the first decisions Senate budget writers made were to reverse House-approved cuts to Medicaid providers and programs for mental health and individuals with developmental disabilities.

The House spending plan also eliminated funding for the Office of the Child Advocate, the Commission on Aging, the Human Rights Commission, the Housing Appeals Board and the Board of Land and Tax Appeals.

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The Senate restored all of those programs in some form, reducing the Housing Appeals Board by one member, giving the Commission on Aging a significant budget cut, and requiring the Human Rights Commissions annual report to address a critical performance audit that came out late last year.

The Senate budget would also create a one-year advisory council in the judicial branch to monitor how well the Human Rights Commission is addressing its case backlog and other administrative shortcomings that auditors found.

More action

The Senate spending plan would also use an estimated $10 million from the sale of the former Laconia State School to a private developer to purchase 1 Granite Place in Concord, an office building that houses the Department of Justice.

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Concord developer and former state Republican Party Chairman Steve Duprey owns the office complex.

Also winning approval was $3.8 million in state dollars to maintain a call center that is used to help the Department of Health and Human Services make timely decisions on Medicaid eligibility for nursing home placements.

The call center opened a few years ago with the support of federal American Rescue Plan Act grant money that is no longer available, state officials said.

Brendan Williams, chief executive officer of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, said nearly all private nursing homes are facing critical cash shortages as they wait months for potential residents to be approved for admission.

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Nursing home executives have agreed to a state fee increase to help support the effort.

We think this is the means to give the department the resources to timely make these critical decisions for our industry, Williams said.

Family planning funds

The Senate budget would also provide $500,000 in state grants for family planning programs that generate roughly double that amount in federal support.

Finance Committee Chairman James Gray, R-Rochester, said his panel will make final votes on its budget proposal next Tuesday.

A key decision still to be made is whether to grant $28 million each year in pension benefit enhancements for first responders with government jobs who had their retirements cut by a 2011 reform law.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
A sweeping GOP-led proposal to crack down on abortion pills in Texas died without a House vote Tuesday, angering anti-abortion Republicans, relieving Democrats and potentially setting the stage for future electoral and legislative battles.

Senate Bill 2880 would have allowed private citizens to sue organizations that mail drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol to patients in Texas for $100,000 or more per violation, mirroring the enforcement mechanism in a 2021 law that opponents dubbed the bounty hunter ban.

The measure also would have empowered the Texas attorney general to enforce the state's criminal abortion laws, including a ban originating in 1857, by suing violators on behalf of "unborn children of the residents of this state." Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, authored the bill.

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Both chambers held exhaustive, hours-long hearings on the legislation in April, and the bill passed the Senate on a party-line vote nearly a month ago. But after the measure advanced out of a House committee on Friday, it got stuck in administrative limbo and never reached the panel that sets floor calendars.

The lower chamber's most fervently anti-abortion Republicans slammed House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, and his leadership team for failing to advance the bill.

"If we can't pass a bill to protect the most innocent Texans, then what are we here for in the Republican-led Legislature?" asked Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, on Friday.

Texas Right to Life director John Seago also criticized House leadership, telling the American-Statesman on Wednesday that he's "extremely disappointed" the bill didn't pass.

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In response, Burrows' press secretary, Kimberly Carmichael, pointed to this session's passage of a ban on taxpayer-funded abortion travel as evidence that "protecting innocent life and promoting the health of Texas families will always remain a top priority for the House."

"Texas has the strongest pro-life protections in the nation, including laws that prohibit the mailing of abortion-inducing drugs into our state," Carmichael wrote in an email to the Statesman on Wednesday. "Speaker Burrows supports the states ongoing legal efforts to hold those in violation of these provisions accountable."

Anti-abortion groups hoped the measure would cut off the influx of abortion pills that persists despite the state's near-total abortion ban. Texans who terminate their own pregnancies cannot be held liable under current state law, meaning they do not face legal consequences for self-managed abortions.

Democratic lawmakers, on the other hand, labeled the bill a bounty hunter bonanza that challenged constitutional protections and judicial norms. The proposal would have prohibited state district judges from ruling on the law's constitutionality and allow those that did to be sued for $100,000 or more in damages.

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"These bills are designed to isolate women, threatening the family, friends, doctors, organizations, lawyers and judges they might turn to for help," said Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, during a floor debate in April.

Popular support for abortion restrictions in Texas waning

The bill's fate reflects a "political decision" on the part of House leadership, said Mark Jones, a Rice University political scientist who specializes in Texas politics.

Polls show that Texans overwhelmingly oppose the state's current abortion ban, which makes no exceptions for rape, incest or fatal fetal diagnoses. At the same time, the majority of Texans do not support legalizing abortions up to 20 weeks, as was the case under Roe v. Wade, Jones added, citing a February poll from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs.

He posited that the availability of pills insulated Republicans from consequences over 2021 laws banning abortion.

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One of the reasons we didnt see as much blowback in 2022 and 2024 is because of the wide availability of medication abortion, Jones said. If they cut off that route or close that pipeline, that could essentially transform abortion into a more salient political issue, which Republicans dont want.

In preventing a floor vote, University of Texas political scientist Jim Henson said, the House leadership shielded Republicans from a tough decision: either approve a bill that could hurt them in a general election or reject a proposal supported by the GOP base, which holds stronger conservative abortion views than most Texans and is active in primary contests.

Burrows and other House leaders also likely prevented Democratic members from pulling out every stop to drag out debates on the bill, which could have killed other conservative priorities as the legislative clock ran out.

"Burrows in particular and the House leadership have to balance dissent on the right with managing the opposition that played a big role in bringing them to power," Henson said. "They had to look at what the far-right was going to do and what the Democrats were going to do and make a judgment."

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Texas voters also lack appetite for the proposal's civil enforcement mechanism, according to an April poll of 1,200 registered voters from the University of Texas and the Texas Politics Project. Just 25% of survey respondents said they supported giving individuals the right to sue people who help bring abortion pills into Texas illegally, while more than 54% opposed such a measure.

"Even among the most committed, strong Republicans, there's just not overwhelming enthusiasm for extending these kinds of bounty-hunter proposals that were pioneered here a few years ago," said Henson, who conducted the poll with his colleague, Joshua Blank.

Henson noted that there was significantly more public enthusiasm for the concept behind Senate Bill 31, which would clarify that doctors can intervene when pregnant Texans face life-threatening conditions. The bipartisan bill comes after three women in Texas died after doctors hesitated or failed to provide abortions, as ProPublica reported.

'There's a balance to this equation'

SB 31 was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday after clearing both chambers. But it wasn't a priority for anti-abortion groups like Texas Right to Life, Seago, the group's director, told the Statesman.

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"We made it clear to members: This is not a priority because it doesnt move us forward," Seago said.

The group's only priorities were SB 2880 and SB 33, a measure to ban taxpayer funding for out-of-state abortion travel.

One Republican state lawmaker suggested that passing SB 31, dubbed the "Life of the Mother Act" by Hughes, was a tradeoff in exchange for the restrictions promised by SB 2880.

"The Texas House worked hand in hand in a bipartisan effort to pass the Life of the Mother Act," Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville, said in a news conference Friday. "We think that that was a very noble thing to do. But there's a balance to this equation that has to be completed."

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The success of SB 31 and failure of SB 2880 suggests the GOP isn't as bullish on abortion rights as they used to be.

Seago said members have become significantly less passionate about the issue since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 struck down the right to abortion established in Roe v. Wade.

"We did see a huge drop off after 2022 in enthusiasm and passion for this issue and weve been dealing with Republican apathy ever since 2022," Seago said. "Some people think that we as a pro-life group still get a blank check. That's not the case."

Austin Democratic Rep. Donna Howard, however, doesn't see Republicans as less interested in restricting abortion.

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"They've done what they can do," said Howard, a leading voice on abortion rights who joined the Legislature in 2006. "They've spent a decade building this up, and now they have to kind of stretch to find additional things to do."

Republicans succeeded in passing a number of other bills on "red meat" issues this session, including a requirement that the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom, restrictions on school library books and property tax relief.

But Seago said he believed House leadership could see a blowback in GOP primaries over the death of the abortion pill crackdown proposal.

Abortion rights advocates, on the other hand, said they're focused on general elections. And while they're relieved that SB 2880 didn't make the cut, they remain wary of future efforts to crack down on the procedure.

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"Our numbers will keep growing while they're fighting over the next way to double down on their extreme abortion ban," said Shellie Hayes-McMahon, executive director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes.

Asked if he would refile the same bill in the next legislative session, which convenes in 2027, Hughes, who authored SB 2880, did not respond. The bill's House sponsor, Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, also did not respond to the Statesman's request for comment.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Legislature: House lets abortion pill crackdown proposal fizzle
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A total of $7 million has been secured in the state budget for the new Wyler Aerial Tramway  bringing the total state investment to $27 million, state Sen, Cesar J. Blanco, D-El Paso, announced on Wednesday, May 28, in a news release.

The funding, included in Article VI of the budget through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, marks a major milestone in efforts to reopen one of El Pasos most iconic attractions, according to the news release.

As we previously reported, the tramway has been closed since 2018 due to safety and infrastructure concerns.

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Blanco issued the following statement:

When the tramway shut down, our community lost a local gem.

Since 2019, Ive been proud to work with our state delegation to prioritize and secure $27 million in state funding to replace the Wyler Tramway. This funding moves us closer to reopening this local treasure in the El Paso region.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside partners like Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and the Camino Real RMA (Regional Mobility Authority) to keep this momentum going until we cut the ribbon on a modern tramway that our families, visitors, and future generations can enjoy.

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HARTSVILLE, S.C. (WBTW)  South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham was welcomed by his constituents in Hartsville on Wednesday where he talked about President Trumps plans and a number of topics that he said are going as planned.

There are a million reasons not to do something but failure is not an option folks, Graham said. Ive come here to Hartsville to tell you we are not going to let you down. Were going to deliver.

Graham supporters, like Danny Nicholson, said the information delivered gave understanding for whats to come by the administration.

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In this world today, there is such a divide, Nicholson said. But if anyone does it well, I think Senator Graham does walk that place and to express and help understand the things that are important to all of us as a people.

Graham said he feels the war in Ukraine can end by placing tariffs on China, whose purchases of Russian oil help fund the war.

Its now time to be tough with Putin, Graham said. I want to end this war. I want to end it in a way we wont start new wars. The way you end this war, you get Putin to the table. And the way you get him to the table, I think, is put more pressure on him.

The senator also said the presidents plan for tariffs, in the long run, will help not only the country, but South Carolina.

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Reciprocal tariffs are coming, and that will help America grow its trade footprint, Graham explained. China closes American businesses out. Trumps tired of it. Give the man some time, its going to take a while to level the playing field.

I think by July the 9th, well have a new trade agreement with European Union that will open up Europe to American products, Graham furthered. He wants BMW to build the engines in South Carolina, not just put the car together. Thats a major leap forward for BMW in South Carolina. What hes doing will work, just be patient.

Democrats, meanwhile, say tariffs could lead to retaliation from other countries and impact the states export industry.

* * *

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Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here.

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After months of negotiations, the developers of the Dana Reserve housing project and the groups that sued to block its progress have reached a legal settlement that will trim nearly 230 units from the final total  with the affordable housing segment taking the largest hit.





The number of units for the lowest income tier of potential residents will be cut by half.

That was the biggest compromise developers made to resolve issues brought by two groups in lawsuit against the project.

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In May of 2024, the Nipomo Action Committee joined forces with the California Native Plant Society to sue Dana Reserve developers NKT Commercial for potential environmental impacts, citing concerns over the water supply, wildfire safety and protected tree species in the proposed project area.

To address these concerns, the new project plan reduces the original 1,470 unit housing development by 229 units  about a sixth of the total.

It also calls for over 1,500 new trees to be planted and includes perimeter changes while still retaining affordable housing options for school district employees and locals and other benefit programs to support the community, according to a joint news release from project managers and the Nipomo Action Committee.

The approved Dana Reserve housing project initally called for 1,470 housing units of varying size to a 288-acre piece of land in Nipomo that is currently home to an oak tree ecosystem. A legal settlement reduced the number of units to 1,242.

The settlement will create a revised Dana Reserve Specific Plan to better balance the needs for local housing with long-term habitat preservation on the Nipomo Mesa, while offering some accommodation for the impacts of a rapidly growing community, the groups said in the release.

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Alison Martinez, director of the Nipomo Action Committee, said the six-month negotiation between the parties was rigorous.

We were never anti-Dana Reserve, but we wanted a better project that better served the community with fewer impacts, Martinez told The Tribune. The settlement is not really a win or a lose  but its something we can move forward with.

The modified Dana Reserve project will now return to San Luis Obispo County for review and re-approval. The Planning Commission will review the revised project likely by the end of August or early September before the decision comes before the Board of Supervisors later, SLO County planning and building director Trevor Keith told The Tribune.

The board originally approved the previous version of the project in April 2024. If approved again, the project will be cleared for construction.

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We have worked closely with NAC and CNPS to modify the project in a way that is mindful of the community concerns and still provides a meaningful ladder of housing, Nick Tompkins, managing partner of the Dana Reserve, said in the release. We appreciate our local representatives who make land use decisions. Our hope is that the commissioners and supervisors will support the settlement and recognize the time, effort and compromise it took to reach this agreement.

Nick Tompkins of NKT Commercial leads a tour of the Dana Reserve housing development site between Willow Road and Sandydale Drive and Highway 101 in Nipomo in July 2022.

What changes were made to the Dana Reserve project?

Last year, the Nipomo Action Committee and the California Native Plant Society filed a California Environmental Quality Act  or CEQA  lawsuit against the Dana Reserve project on the grounds that the projects environmental impact report was inadequate.

Specifically, the groups took issue with the projects reliance on the Nipomo Community Services Districts water supply, allegedly incomplete evacuation plan in the event of a fire and the projects disruption of the 3,000-tree oak forest that spans the proposed construction site. The CEQA lawsuit alleged that the environmental report lacked sufficient analysis of these issues and project alternatives.

The additional discovery of a potentially new species of manzanita by the California Native Plant Society was also cited in the lawsuit.

Dr. Bill Waycott and researchers from San Francisco State University have identified a potential new species of manzanita they say grows only in San Luis Obispo County. Waycott said around 350 of an estimated 700 individual Arctostaphylos nipumu plants are located on the Dana Reserve housing development property in Nipomo.

To address their concerns about the environmental impacts associated with population growth, the project scope was reduced by 16% to a total of 1,242 housing units, Dana Reserve spokesperson Jocelyn Brennan told The Tribune.

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The largest reduction in housing type came from the affordable housing units.

In the original plan, 156 affordable units were spread out across two neighborhoods  Neighborhood 10A and 10B. The lawsuit identified neighborhood 10A as a sensitive biological area, so developers combined the two neighborhoods into one Neighborhood 10 with 78 affordable housing units, Brennan said.

That is a reduction of half the original number.

Thats the only big change, Brennan said. The middle and missing work force housing is staying the same.

The new affordable units will be built in partnership with Peoples Self-Help Housing and rent will be based on income, Brennan said.

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We are supportive of anything that leads to more housing actually getting built, Michael Massey, the president of pro-housing group Generation Build, told The Tribune. He wrote an op-ed for The Tribune calling for an end to the lawsuit in March.

Sings opposing the development are on streets next to the proposed Dana Reserve on April 1, 2024.

Other available units will include market-price single-family units, 345 multi-family units  including 87 below-market units for moderate-income renters  78 deed-restricted affordable housing units and other housing types to help address the regions housing shortage, Brennan said.

There was a 38-unit reduction in the number of multi-family units in Neighborhoods 1 and 2, a five-unit reduction in the single-family homes in Neighborhood 9 and an eight-unit reduction in the single-family homes in Neighborhood 7 to keep a contiguous area of manzanita together, she said.

The addition of 100 accessory dwelling units required by the Board of Supervisors was also removed, but people can still build them on their own if they choose, Brennan said.

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For the deed-restricted units, first priority will be given to Lucia Mar Unified School District employees, the release said. Other benefits that remain include a down payment assistance program, housing priority to locals and three on-site childcare options, as originally approved.

Changes were also made to the perimeter to address some neighborhood and community concerns, including moving the set-back farther away from Hetrick Avenue to create a larger buffer area near Neighborhood 9 and reducing Neighborhood 3 perimeter homes to single story, Brennan said.

Another change made as a term of the settlement was additional and significant offsite biological mitigation effort to help support long-term protection of sensitive manzanita habitats outside of the project boundaries, the news release said.

Opponents of the Dana Reserve project say they are fighting preserve Nipomos last remaining oak woodlands, pictured here. As currently proposed, the project would remove over 3000 oak trees.

The new project design includes protection of additional sensitive plant species and 195 more coast live oaks, bringing the number of total protected trees to 1,979.

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Notably, Dana Reserve also agreed to plant 1,554 new oaks and 814 other trees onsite to offset the environmental impact caused by construction.

Dana Reserve will also donate significant funds for the public benefit of Nipomo as a part of the settlement agreement, which will be overseen by the Nipomo Action Committee. The release did not say how much money would be given.

This settlement will provide significant financial resources to address future priorities of our community, Martinez said in the release. I anticipate this settlement, as agreed, will now proceed through the county approval process.
As hundreds of foldable white chairs spread across Harvard Universitys campus on Thursday morning, President Alan Garber began his speech with a dig at the Trump administrations attempt to revoke a key certification that allows Harvard to enroll international students.

Welcome members of the class of 2025. Members of the class of 2025 from down the street across the country, and around the world, Harvard President Alan Garber said.

Around the world just as it should be, he said.

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The 374th commencement is happening at the same time the institution is fighting in federal court in Boston over the certification being revoked. Harvard subsequently sued and asked for a temporary restraining order, which a federal judge allowed.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security gave Harvard a notice of its intent to withdraw the certification on Wednesday, which the institution has 30 days to respond to.

As Garber began his speech, he was met with unrelenting applause from the crowd and community members in regalia on stage.

Thank you. Thank you, he said.

He crossed his hands towards his heart and smiled at the crowd.

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" You are the hope of this institution embodied. Living proof that our mission changes not only the lives of individuals but also the trajectories of the communities that you will join, serve and lead. May you carry the best of what Harvard is and does into the world that awaits you. May you chart a path for others to follow as you choose your own," Garber said.

Harvard student, Thor Reimann, who gave the senior English address, also pointed to the Trump administration in his speech.

The purpose of our time here really starts today as we leave campus, especially as we leave a much different campus than the one we entered with Harvard at the center of a national battle over higher education, Reimann said.

 Now look, our university is certainly imperfect, but I am proud to stand today alongside our graduating class, our faculty and our president, with the shared conviction that this ongoing project of Veritas is one worth defending, he said.

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Turing Luanna Jiang, in her graduate English address, spoke to the importance of her program in international development having a diversity of countries represented.

When I met my 77 classmates from 32 different countries, the countries I knew only as colorful shapes on a map turned into real people with laughter dreams. And the perseverance to survive the long winter in Cambridge, we danced through each others traditions and carried the weight of each others walls. Global challenges suddenly felt personal, Jiang said.

She said that a connected world is becoming one with division, fear and conflict.

 Were starting to believe those who think, those who think differently, vote differently or pray differently whether they are across the ocean. Were sitting right next to us are not just wrong. We mistakenly see them as evil, she said.

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 But it doesnt have to be this way. What I gained most from Harvard isnt just calculus or regression analysis, is to sit with discomfort. Listen. Deeply and stay soft in hard times because if we still believe in a shared future, let us not forget those who were labeled as enemies. They, too, are human. In seeing their humanity, we find our own, she said.

More Higher Ed

Read the original article on MassLive.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A new restaurant opened in New Haven Thursday, and the owners gave away free food to make their mark on the community.

New Haven man accused of hitting Marco Polo restaurant employee with tip jar

The owners got their start in Queens 20 years ago, operating out of a food cart. Now, they have 90 restaurant locations, including 11 in Connecticut.

Thankfully, we did finally get here after location number 11, Mohammad Mashriqi, co-owner of Shahs Halal Food, said. Were super excited to be a part of this vibrant town, and we have nothing but positivity from the customers, and were hoping well do very well here.

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Shahs Halal Food is now open at the Shops at Yale.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  She likes to travel, she likes to go to the supermarket, said Deysi Vargas, Sofias mom.

What might seem like normal activities, are a whole new experience for this little four-year-old. For her first three years, a life-threatening condition kept her inside the walls of hospitals all day, every day.

My daughter was born with a syndrome in the intestines and she needs specialized care to survive, said Vargas. Sofia is connected 14 hours at night. During the day, its four timesits a gastro-tube which lasts for one hour.

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When doctors in Mexico couldnt help, Vargas knew she needed to do more to save her daughters life.

She applied to enter the United States to get better treatment for her daughter, and waited until that application was granted before coming here, said Rebecca Brown, Sofias lawyer.

4 people hospitalized after truck collides with school bus near Shafter

Vargas daughter found a specialized team in a Los Angeles childrens hospital, and was finally able to leave the hospital with a feeding system she carries as a backpack.

The family found a home in Bakersfield, but in April everything changed for them.

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In the last few months we received letters from immigration cancelling our humanitarian parole and my work permit, said Vargas. In these letters they tell us that we run the risk of being deported and the best thing that we should do is to leave.

That might be a death sentence for this little one, as the feeding system that keeps her alive is not available in Mexico.

The family has set up a GoFundMe and you can click here to donate.

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NEED TO KNOW

Racquel "Kelly" Smith, the mother of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith, has been sentenced to life in prison alongside two other men in connection with the trafficking of her child

Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn have also been sentenced by a judge in South Africa

Judge Nathan Erasmus said during the sentencing on Thursday, May 29 that "there is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose"









A South African mother and two others were sentenced to life in prison this week for trafficking the woman's 6-year-old daughter.

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Racquel "Kelly" Smith, who was convicted on kidnapping and trafficking charges earlier in May after authorities claimed she possibly sold her daughter to a local healer, was sentenced on Thursday, May 29, alongside boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and friend Steveno van Rhyn, according to CNN, CBS News and the BBC. The sentencing comes more than a year after Smith's daughter, Joshlin Smith, went missing from her Saldanha Bay home in February 2024. She remains missing.

Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced Smith and the two men to life in prison for human trafficking, as well as a concurrent 10 years for kidnapping, per CBS News.

During the sentencing, the South African judge said the mother showed "no indication of remorse" over her daughter's disappearance, with CBS News noting that the courtroom cheered amid the verdict. "There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose," Judge Erasmus said.



Per both CNN and CBS News, Erasmus said that the fact that the perpetrators were drug users was not an excuse for their actions. Joshlin's grandmother was also present in court, wearing a T-shirt featuring Joshlin's face.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Gallo Images/Die Burger/Jaco Marais; Executive Mayor Andre Truter/Facebook Kelly Smith, Joshlin Smith Kelly Smith, Joshlin Smith

On May 2, Smith was convicted of trafficking her daughter, Reuters reported earlier this month, with the BBC also reporting that Appollis and van Rhyn were found guilty on their respective kidnapping and trafficking charges in connection with the girl's disappearance.

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Per the BBC, a neighbor at the trial testified that Smith confided in her about plans to sell her daughter to a traditional healer who "wanted her for her eyes and skin" before the child vanished. All three denied involvement in Joshlin's disappearance at the time.

RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Racquel "Kelly" Smith in court on May 29, 2025 in South Africa Racquel "Kelly" Smith in court on May 29, 2025 in South Africa

Lourentia Lombaard, Smith's neighbor, testified that the mother told her she did something silly and sold my child to a sangoma"  a traditional South African healer  adding that she also offered her money in exchange for her silence, the BBC previously noted. Joshlins teacher reportedly added at the trial that Kelly told her Joshlin was "on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa.

Edna Maart, Joshlin's teacher, described the girl as a "very tidy" and quiet student, per the outlet.

Executive Mayor Andre Truter Facebook Joslin Smith Joslin Smith

According to the BBC, a pastor also testified that the mother once spoke of selling her children for 20,000 rand (roughly $1,100) each.

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The BBC previously reported that a woman believed to be a healer was arrested and questioned while authorities were searching for Joshlin before being released due to a lack of evidence. Smith broke into tears when her guilty verdict was read earlier this month.

More than 17,000 kidnappings took place in South Africa during the 2023/2024 financial year, according to CBS News, which cites police statistics. That marked an 11% increase over the previous year.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



Read the original article on People
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is planning to open a chip design centre in Munich, Germany, reports Reuters.

The facility is expected to contribute to the development of advanced chips for applications such as AI.

TSMC Europe president Paul de Bot was cited by the news agency as saying at the company's 2025 Technology Symposium that the facility is expected to become operational in the third quarter of 2025.

Bot said: "It's intended to support European customers in designing high-density, high-performance, and energy-efficient chips with a focus on applications again in automotive, industrial, AI, and IoT.

TSMC is also involved in a major semiconductor manufacturing project in Dresden, Germany, through a joint venture known as European Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (ESMC).

The venture, which includes partners Infineon, NXP, and Robert Bosch, is building a 10bn ($11.3bn) microchip fabrication plant aimed at boosting Europes production capabilities.

TSMC executive Kevin Zhang noted that the Munich centre will work on all ESMC nodes.

Zhang said that TSMC is in discussions with its partners about supporting Europe's ambitions in AI chip development through both the ESMC plant and the new design centre.

"I'm all for building up the most semiconductor capability in Europe for AI applications... This design centre obviously potentially can be leveraged to bring the leading node support," he added.

The ESMC facility in Dresden will manufacture chips using smaller-scale technologies that have not been previously available to European companies such as Infineon, STMicroelectronics, and NXP.

In April 2025, TSMC started construction on its third semiconductor fabrication facility in Phoenix, Arizona in the US.

TSMCs first fab in Arizona is scheduled to begin production using 4nm technology in the first half of 2025.

A second fab will focus on advanced 2nm technology and next-generation nanosheet transistors, with production targeted for 2028.

"TSMC to build chip design centre in Germany" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  More than 60 years ago, Kathleen Van Orsdel joined the US Air Force just as the Vietnam War was heating up. Now she continues to serve in different ways.

Van Orsdel is a skilled artisan. She designs and creates three-layered textile works of art: quilts.

The veteran is one of three female veterans serving in the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. The unit presided over 300 funerals last year.

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It thrills me that I am able to go and do a final farewell to someone who has served my country. I think that every one of us who goes out realizes that the individual deserves every bit of respect and honor that we as an Honor Guard can give them, said Van Orsdel.

Vietnam veteran helps other vets heal with visits overseas

Van Orsdel joined the US Air Force in 1964, at the beginning of the Vietnam War. She was 19 at the time.

Im unique, because there are not a lot of women veterans from the Vietnam Era. There are more women in the military today, but back in the 60s, there werent, said Van Orsdel.

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As a former airman and mom, she has a special passion for using her talents to make Quilts of Valor. At an event in White Pine, the recipient was an Iraq War veteran. Kevin Gilliam served in the US Coast Guard, then in the US Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne, where he was deployed to Iraq. Many veterans in the audience were wowed by Kathleens artistry.

You happen to have one of the quilts that I made for a veteran and Im so pleased to be able to present it to you, said Van Orsdel during the event.

Shes very special, she means a lot to us, everything shes done in the service and after service, said Gilliam.

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Van Orsdel and her crew have created hundreds of Quits of Valor, and she doesnt plan on stopping. For Van Orsdel, there is nothing better than making a veteran happy.

Veterans Voices: Hear the stories of those who served

If you know a Veteran who could be recognized, send Don Dare an email at ddare@wate.com or give him a call at 865-633-6923.

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NEWTON TWP., Ohio (WKBN)  Investigators are now saying that a pair of armed robberies in Newton Township were arranged intimate meetings that went rogue.

The Trumbull County Sheriffs Office is investigating the pair of romantic rendezvous robberies, which investigators say the victims reported connecting with a woman on social media who arranged for an intimate encounter at Foster MetroPark.

On both occasions, she requested that they bring a firearm to the location, said Major Doug Bobovnyik with the Trumbull County Sheriffs Office.

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Both reported the crimes happened last week, just five days apart. Investigators say during the scheduled meetings, the victims  who are both men  were approached by three armed men and robbed of their firearms.

Where these weapons are now, we have no idea. Whether theyre gonna be used in a crime in the future, thats very likely, Maj. Bobovnyik said.

Maj. Bobovnyik says its happened twice that they know of.

It could be happening in other areas outside our jurisdiction that we dont know about but were working with other agencies closely to try to see if theres any other agencies to try to see if theres any other pattern thats occurring, he said.



Maj. Bobovnyik says investigators want these meetups to stop before someone gets hurt or worse.

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The biggest concern isif it occurs again, its going to end in a gun battle between a victim and a suspect, so we want to avoid this at all costs, said Maj. Bobovnyik.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call the Trumbull County Sheriffs Office at (330) 675-2508.

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Editor's note: This article has been updated with comments by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on May 29 denied Russian foreign intelligence (SVR) claims that Serbian defense enterprises continue to supply ammunition to Ukraine, despite Belgrade's stated neutrality.

"The Serbian defense industry is trying to shoot Russia in the back," the agency's statement read.

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The Serbian government has maintained friendly ties with Russia under Vucic, who has denied previous claims of Serbian arms supplies to Ukraine.

Belgrade has positioned itself as neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, striving to balance its position as an EU candidate with its long-standing relationship with Moscow.

Russian intelligence accused Serbian companies of funneling arms to Ukraine via third-party intermediaries, namely NATO countries like Czechia, Poland, and Bulgaria.

"More recently, exotic options involving African countries have also been used for this purpose," the report claimed.

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The Serbian contribution amounts to "hundreds of thousands of shells for multiple-launch rocket systems and howitzers, as well as a million small arms sounds," according to the intelligence report.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims made by Russian officials.

Later on May 29, Vucic denied the allegations made by Russian intelligence, saying that some of the claims are not true.

"For example, they correctly say that there is a contract with the Czech Republic. But no permission was given, and none of the missiles were delivered" to Ukraine, Vucic told Serbian outlet RTS.

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"We have formed a working group, together with Russian partners, to establish the facts... we work only for Serbia," he added.

The Financial Times reported in June 2024 that Serbian ammunition worth $855 million has made its way indirectly to Ukraine.

Read also: How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Authorities have identified three suspects in connection with a Statesville shootout that reportedly began as an argument at a job fair.

The suspects, identified as Antonieo Yurome Clark, 18, Noel Ethan Alexander, 25, and Chakrisis LaRichard Ramseur, 24, all of Statesville, are wanted on multiple felony charges for shooting into an occupied dwelling or vehicle, according to the Iredell County Sheriffs Office.

As of Friday afternoon, police said all three remain on the run.

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The incident happened around 2:20 p.m. Thursday, May 29, when deputies with the Iredell County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of gunfire on Wall Street. The shooting reportedly broke out after an argument that began between two groups during a job fair earlier in the day.

Charlotte mother accused of assaulting Randolph Middle staff, including now suspended principal

Surveillance footage captured the two groups leaving the fair in separate vehicles, which escalated into gunfire between the cars as they went through town, the sheriffs office said.

Once on Wall Street, one vehicle reportedly opened fire on the other. In response, those inside the second vehicle returned fire. Several suspects then abandoned their car and fled.

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Some residents reported hearing as many as 10 gunshots ring out in quick succession.

They were just pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, just one right after the other, said local resident Deborah Boovey, who witnessed the chaos. We never have any problem over here.

Parents held on $1.5M bond each after 7-year-old fatally struck crossing street unsupervised

Law enforcement, K-9 units, drones, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the area on Thursday to search for the suspects.

Thanks to witness statements and evidence found at the scene, detectives were able to identify Clark, Alexander, and Ramseur as the suspects involved.

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Each man is now wanted on felony charges. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but deputies have warned that the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Iredell County Sheriffs Office at 704-878-3100.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM

Iredell County

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May 28MORRISON  A Rock Falls man who served prison time for a murder in Cook County and who is now out on parole for a 2018 drug conviction that landed him a 12-year prison sentence has once again been charged with drug offenses in Whiteside County.

John Trumbla, 56, appeared Tuesday, May 27, in Whiteside County Circuit Court on five drug charges  one of them a Class X felony accusing him of delivering cocaine during school hours within 500 feet of Merrill School. If he is convicted, he faces a possible 30-year sentence and a sentence enhancement because he has previous drug-related convictions.

Other charges filed against him in the case include one count of delivery of 1 to 15 grams of cocaine, a Class 1 felony; and three counts of delivery of less than 5 grams of meth. Court documents list three separate dates on which the alleged offenses occurred  March 25, 2024; April 10, 2024; and April 24, 2024.

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The newest charges were filed in January; he was arrested on a warrant, taken into custody Friday, May 23, and was held in the Whiteside County Jail until Tuesday, May 27, when he was granted pretrial release. According to court records, prosecutors did not file a petition asking for Trumbla to be detained. His pretrial release conditions include being placed on home detention with a GPS monitor and to abstain from using drugs. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to appear in court June 16 for a preliminary hearing.

The charges come just one year before his planned sentence discharge date in a 2015 Whiteside County drug case in which he pleaded guilty to one charge in 2017, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In that case, filed in March 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver more than 500 but less than 2,000 grams; and one count of unlawful possession of cannabis, more than 500 and less than 2,000 grams. Four charges of delivery of cannabis were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

He served five years of the 12-year sentence; he was released from prison and placed on parole in June 2023. His sentence discharge date in the case was set for June 2026, according to the IDOC.

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Also according to the IDOC, Trumbla was taken into custody in a 1984 Cook County murder case when he was 15 years old and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Court documents indicate that he had completed his sentence and was discharged in that case, as well as for the following convictions, all of them in Whiteside County:

* A four-year prison sentence for a 2002 conviction of possessing a stolen vehicle

* A 10-year prison sentence for a 2007 conviction of delivery of cannabis, 2,000 to 5,000 grams. Four weapons charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

* A five-year prison sentence for a 2015 conviction of driving with a suspended license in a 2014 case.
Ive spent the last few days asking myself the same question: How did we get here? How did we reach a point where antisemitism is so thoroughly normalized that it barely registers?

Earlier this month, I sat in the Capitol Building on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and found myself reflecting on a painful truth: Since October 7, weve watched similar patterns that preceded the Holocaust begin to repeat. Synagogues defaced. Jewish students assaulted. Blood-libel conspiracy theories spread, such as the age-old trope that Jews operate in secret cabals that control world events. Jews being falsely blamed for all the worlds evils. Antisemitic slogans  like Jews run the media and Globalize the Intifada  are broadcast through bullhorns.

And each time, just as before, the overwhelming response has been silence. Attacks, slurs, threats, and vandalism targeted explicitly at Jews were met not with outrage, but with rationalization, dismissal, complacency, denial, misinformation, or some deranged distortion of history.

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I sat and reflected, watching as the last remaining Holocaust survivors walked into our Capitol 80 years after the end of the Holocaust. Abraham Foxman spoke about his experience as a survivor, a living reminder of what happens when complacency goes unchecked. Then he uttered words that shook me: Silence is a choice. Were not absolved of our moral responsibility to ensure never again by turning away: Saying nothing is also an active choice.

As a lifelong activist, Ive learned the importance of drawing lines  clear boundaries that define what culture will and will not tolerate. Since October 7th, I have searched endlessly for that line as it pertains to Jews. Is there a limit to the overt antisemitism that my peers and friends would tolerate? Was anything ever going to cross the boundary when they wouldnt choose silence? I watched every boundary be crossed, over and over. Still silence.

If someone had told me two years ago that Kanye West would release a song called Heil Hitler, in which he repeatedly did a Nazi salute in a music video distributed around the world  and the dominant cultural reaction would range from detachment to casual amusement  I wouldnt have believed it. That Adolf Hitler, the architect of the systematic genocide of six million Jews, could be publicly lauded by a global celebrity without immediate and widespread condemnation? Impossible. Its like the most surreal test of how far people would let this virulent, incessant Jew-hate spread. And still, silence.

But this isnt about Kanye West (as much as he might wish it were). Its about a society that encounters a song called Heil Hitler and chooses not to care. What was once confined to backrooms and fringe forums is now broadcast in the open  and the response is a collective shrug. The hate is horrifying, yes. But its the detachment, the complacency, that allows it to flourish. People treat silence as neutrality. But Abe is right: Silence is a choice. The Holocaust didnt begin with gas chambers. It began with silence, with yellow stars and Jewish professors quietly dismissed. And with neighbors watching passively as it all happened  each one grasping for a reason that made the horrors a little easier to justify.

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That same silence reverberated during the pogroms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Jewish families were attacked and no one intervened. It echoed when Jewish communities were cleansed out of all the countries in the Middle East from where they originated. And it echoed again, painfully, after October 7th, when Jewish women were raped, mutilated, and murdered  and many of the loudest feminist voices fell silent. Some remain silent still. Maybe believe women didnt mean Jewish women?

Antisemitism doesnt go away. Its a virus with a long memory.

As I write this, my phone buzzes: Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two staffers for the Israeli embassy, have been murdered by terrorists. Their deaths are not theoretical. Theyre the tangible consequences of a culture that dismisses antisemitism until it turns violent. This is the intifada being globalized. The hateful rhetoric of these mobs turned into action. Sarah and Yarons murderer yelled Free Palestine  the same words used to harass and target Jews outside of cancer hospitals, libraries, synagogues, and their homes.

I keep asking myself how this hate became so mainstream, but I know the answer. Its something Jews have always known: Antisemitism doesnt go away. Its a virus with a long memory. It mutates and reemerges with each new generation.

In an age where were finally having honest conversations about the systemic racism and misogyny embedded in our culture, where were being asked to examine our own complicity, our inherited biases, the subconscious ways we perpetuate harm, Im asking: Can you extend that same lens to antisemitism? And if your knee-jerk reaction is, Im not antisemitic, or to recite some historical narrative, can you look inward and ask yourself how age-old conspiracy theories about Jews have, just maybe, seeped into your worldview? How assumptions about Jewish power, wealth, loyalty, and identity might be coloring your reactions, or lack thereof? For years, I have been trying to teach  with compassion and patience  what antisemitism is, with the genuine hope and belief that if people only knew, they would learn and change. And yet, despite the collective understanding that hate speech should be defined by how its received and not intended, I am gaslit over and over by the very people that echoed those sentiments for every other marginalized group  by the idea that the very real hate and trauma that we know to be antisemitic is, in fact, not.

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I dont want to live in a world where Heil Hitler is a trend, Or where a couple is gunned down on the streets of D.C. for attending a Jewish event (which happened to be about raising money for aid to Gaza). I dont want to live in a world where women are raped on video by terrorists, and families are stolen out of their beds, and the response is Yeah, but I dont want my children to live in a world where Jewish suffering is dismissed. Because thats exactly what led to the Holocaust. I want to believe were better than that.

So please: If youre reading this, dont choose silence. Listen to our stories and our experiences, and teach your children about them. Call hate what it is, and refuse to let a hate anthem become a cultural moment. We do know how we got here, because its happened before. And we know how this story ends: With people like Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky (zl) murdered, days after the world scrolls mindlessly past a song praising a genocidal dictator. Your silence is a decision; your silence is antisemitism. So if indeed youre not antisemitic, then make a different choice.

Mandana Dayani is an Iranian-born attorney, business leader, human rights activist, and co-founder of I Am A Voter, a national, nonpartisan civic engagement organization; she most recently served as President of Archewell, the media and philanthropic organization founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In January 2025, President Joe Biden appointed her to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Councils Board of Trustees; a vocal advocate against antisemitism, Mandana recently addressed the United Nations Special Session on Sexual Violence on October 7, and her video condemning Hamas has been viewed over 50 million times.

The post Silence in the Face of Antisemitism Is a Choice  Its Time to Choose Differently appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has cancelled a Silver Alert for a man who was last seen in Montgomery County earlier this month.

According to the TBI, Johnny Amabile, 60,. was last seen in Clarksville on May 7.

READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County

The TBI reported early Friday morning Amabile was found safe.

No additional details were released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A church in Sioux Falls is once again stepping up to help people suffering from the war in Ukraine. After raising almost 150 thousand dollars in earlier efforts, Westminster Presbyterian Church is joining forces with a longtime Ukrainian partner to support wounded soldiers still fighting on the front lines.

Jamie Smith to make announcement Saturday

For 15 years, the Ukrainian Church of Sioux Falls shared its home with Westminster Presbyterian. A bond built between congregations  one rooted in faith, friendship, and a shared sense of mission.

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Their prayers are deep, their tears are deep, their spirit is authentic

said Valerie Putnam, a retired pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church who is helping organize the fundraiser.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, that bond turned into action and a fundraiser to provide aid to families who had lost their primary breadwinners to the war.

The Ukrainian members all took all of their jewelry, their gold, and everything and sold it, and collected everything they could, but the congregation they helped take it on, said Putnam.

The two churches reached out to the community, raising 140 thousand dollars,

Now, they are ready to help again, this time to support a new relief center for wounded soldiers. As government resources stretch thin, churches in Ukraine have stepped up to fill in the gaps. Jim Holbeck, a church member, went to Ukraine to see the project for himself.

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The church here in Sioux Falls is working with building a center for these soldiers to be able to come to, and their families to come to, and to work through all of the problems from their physical ailments, also to the mental ailments, Holbeck.

The new campaign hopes to raise enough money to fund medical supplies, rehabilitation services, and emotional support for soldiers returning from the front lines.

Holbeck, a former school superintendent and church member, says seeing and talking with Ukrainians himself was life-changing.

Id say, what would you like to say to the American people if you could. The most common answer that came back was, Dont forget us, please keep supporting us. Its not just whether you send weapons, its be on our side and support us for all we are going through, said Holbeck.

As they fight for their freedom, much like Americans did almost 250 years ago.



https://secure.myvanco.com/YPP1/home



https://westminster-pres.org/content/welcome.html



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On Tuesday, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) announced its plans to establish a new chip design center in Munich, Germany. This announcement was also made earlier by Paul de Bot, President of TSMC Europe, during the company's 2025 Technology Symposium event, where he said that the Munich Design Centre would open during the third quarter of 2025.

TSMC to Open New Chip Design Center in Munich, Germany, By Q3 2025

A close-up of a complex network of integrated circuits used in logic semiconductors.

The Munich Design Centre is slated to commence operations in the third quarter of 2025. Its primary purpose is to provide support to European customers in the design of high-density, high-performance, and energy-efficient chips. The focus of these chip designs will be on applications within the automotive, industrial, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors.

This development is part of TSMC's broader engagement in Germany, where it is also collaborating with Infineon, NXP, and Robert Bosch to construct a microchip manufacturing plant in Dresden, which would be named the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC).

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) is identified as the world's largest contract chipmaker. Together with its subsidiaries, the company manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the US, and internationally.

While we acknowledge the potential of TSM to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than TSM and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
President Donald Trump's pardoning of former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld comes as no surprise. It's par for the course for Trump, a man who fundamentally doesn't believe in the concept of political corruption and is on a crusade to stick it to the justice system for his perceived unfair treatment by the courts and prosecutors.

Trump's controversial pardons in his second term have included January 6 rioters and many political allies and loyalists, such as Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted for handing out deputy sheriff badges in exchange for more than $75,000 in bribes. The only shocking thing about Sittenfeld's pardon is that he is a Democrat who has publicly criticized Trump.

"This pardon is perfectly in keeping with Trump's worldview that anyone in office can solicit and take any benefit from anyone they want," said David Niven, a political science professor at the University of Cincinnati. "The one surprising element is that Sittenfeld is not exactly pro-Trump. It's not like he's at home polishing his Trump statues."

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More: White House: Trump pardons PG Sittenfeld, ex-Cincinnati councilman convicted of bribery

Former Cincinnati City Councilman PG Sittenfeld, enters Potter Stewart United States Courthouse for his sentencing on bribery and extortion, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Sarah Coyne, left, and mom, Elizabeth Curtis.

Sittenfeld's pardon is not typical of Trump

Sittenfeld's conviction on federal bribery and attempted extortion charges ended a promising political career, in which he was the frontrunner for mayor in 2020. The case against him centered on donations to his political action committee, which federal prosecutors said he solicited from an informant for the FBI and FBI agents posing as developers of a downtown Cincinnati project. Prosecutors said Sittenfeld's actions went beyond campaign fundraising and crossed the line into bribery.

In his defense, Sittenfeld didn't deny that the interactions took place, but he argued that prosecutors were reading too much into his conversations with the informants. Steve Goodin, a Clifton resident, attorney at Porter Wright and a former Cincinnati councilman, said this notion of "prosecutorial overreach" may have resonated with Trump given his views on the myriad criminal cases brought against him.

"Trump has a real problem with the way he was treated," said Goodin, a Republican who was appointed to City Council in 2020 to replace a different member who was suspended for taking bribes. "I'm no fan of Donald Trump, but I think a lot of the criminal cases brought against him were not very well thought out, and a lot of people feel the prosecutors were using bad judgment or being political. I think Trump is trying to use the power of the pardon to send a message about what he feels happened to him."

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Sittenfeld doesn't have a lot in common with some of Trump's other pardons, either politically or in the scope of their crimes. Maybe Trump wanted to throw Democrats a bone, appear less partisan. There's no real downside politically in freeing a guy who has said he's made peace with being out of politics. And if the conviction didn't wipe out Sittenfeld's standing in the Democratic Party, accepting a pardon from Trump might be the finisher.

Editorial: Sittenfeld trial exposed ugly underbelly of Cincinnati politics

Sittenfeld pardon could save Trump from harsher scrutiny

Trump might also have been trying to distract from some of his sketchier pardons, Niven said.

"So many of these other rogue political characters Trump has pardoned were putting money in their own pockets with their corruption. Sittenfeld was right on the line between "this is business as usual" and "this is a step too far," Niven said. "In that sense, this is a much more defensible pardon and less of a grand statement."

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Goodin said Trump's pardon of Sittenfeld might have averted an even worse outcome for efforts to tamp down on political corruption. Sittenfeld's case was potentially headed to the United States Supreme Court on appeal, and his attorneys were taking a novel approach with a First Amendment defense of his conviction. Goodin said it's possible the high court could have sided with Sittenfeld and opened a Pandora's box that "would have made quid pro quo prosecutions difficult."

"The pardon cuts off that part of it," Goodin said. "No bad case law coming from the Supreme Court in the short term."

Former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld walks into federal court alongside his wife, Dr. Sarah Coyne, on Friday July 8, 2022, as a verdict in his public corruption was reached. He was found guilty on two of six counts.

More: Can someone pardoned by president vote again? Can they run for office? What it means

Regardless, it feels like justice for the people of Cincinnati wasn't fully served. Sure, the pardon doesn't clear Sittenfeld's name; his conviction remains. But Sittenfeld spent more time out of prison during his appeals (a year) than he did behind bars (four and a half months). Tamaya Dennard and Jeff Pastor, two City Council members who were convicted of taking direct bribes around the same time as Sittenfeld, can't say the same.

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Sittenfeld's pardon is illustrative of the privilege that some people have available to them. What is inconceivable to the average person is always conceivable to people who have money and connections. It's unknown whether Sittenfeld had some relationship somewhere that gave him the ability to make a case to Trump. But neither the politics nor the principle behind why a Republican president with no love lost for Democrats would let a fairly liberal politician from a "sanctuary city" off the hook makes any sense.

It's either connections or, as Goodin put it, "Dead luck."

"Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good," Goodin said. "Today, Sittenfeld was lucky."

Kevin Aldridge, opinion editor for The Enquirer. Photo shot Thursday June 16, 2022.

Opinion and Engagement Editor Kevin S. Aldridge can be reached at kaldridge@enquirer.com. On X: @kevaldrid.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trump pardon lets Sittenfeld slip past justice | Opinion
Auburn police arrested six juveniles on Monday for alleged assault, robbery, and prowling vehicles, the Auburn Police Department (APD) posted on Facebook.

At around 2:20 p.m. on Monday, six to seven teens were seen wearing ski masks while tampering with a womans parked car at an apartment complex near Southeast 320th Street and 124th Avenue Southeast, APD said.

When officers were on scene, one sergeant saw three people who matched the description of the original report, allegedly assaulting a man at a bus stop, and robbing him before boarding a Metro Bus, Auburn police posted.

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Bodycam video posted by Auburn police shows officers giving commands to the three males on the bus before arresting them for first-degree assault.

Three females were also arrested in connection with the vehicle prowling; one was found to have a previous warrant, and two were released to their parents, APD said.
Around 66 million years ago, a six-mile-wide asteroid hit Earth, triggering the extinction of three-quarters of all living species. The age of dinosaurs, which had lasted 165 million years, ended with a fiery crash and suddenly sooty skies.

Farther back in our planets history, volcanic eruptions, rapid climate change, and plummeting oxygen levels have caused at least four additional mass extinctions, with smaller pulses of biodiversity loss also showing up in the fossil record. In each of the five largest events, which spanned anywhere from thousands to tens of millions of years, at least 75 percent of Earths species died out. These are the most commonly agreed upon major mass extinctions in paleontology.

Youve also likely heard about a sixth one. Many ecologists and biologists say were on the precipice (or already in the midst) of another era of mass extinction. This sixth mass extinction, also referred to as the Holocene or Anthropocene extinction, is described as ongoing and caused by human activities. Hunting, overfishing, habitat destruction, human encroachment, and invasive species introductions are the major drivers of the losses incurred thus far. Human-caused climate change is also set to become another factor, as decades of rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increasingly extreme weather catch up to already stressed ecosystems.

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Its indisputable that humans shape life on Earth in major ways, and that animals and plants are dying out at an alarming rate. But is it true that our impact is on par with that of an asteroid? Not all scientists agree.

One section of the Wall of Bones at Dinosaur National Monument in Utah, USA. The Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction killed off the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Credit: Getty Images by Mike Lyvers

A biosphere in crisis

There is no question that Earth is losing species fast. Biodiversity crisis is a pretty accurate term to describe the present moment, says John Wiens, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Arizona. Extinction crisis is another, he adds, based on the large number of species that are threatened with extinction.

Five other experts that Popular Science corresponded with for this article all agree on this crisis terminology. In comparison with background levels of extinction, all of our sources said that current extinction rates are much higher.

Extinction isnt always a sign of disaster. Its also a natural outcome of evolution. As species diverge, compete, and struggle to survive, not all of them make it long-term. Conditions on Earth shift over geologic time, and those forces inevitably lead to some dead ends on the tree of life.

[ Related: Earths 5 catastrophic mass extinctions, explained. ]

However, throughout most of our planets history, the rate of new species emerging has exceeded the rate of species dying out, says Gerardo Ceballos, an ecologist and conservation biologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Thus, biodiversity normally exists in a positive balance.

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Currently, were losing species far faster than new ones emerge. Present extinction rates are up to 100 times faster than background levels, according to one 2015 study co-authored by Ceballos. In that analysis, Ceballos and his colleagues estimated the natural vertebrate extinction rate sits at around two species lost per 10,000 species each century. Then, they compared that statistic with the number of confirmed and likely extinctions recorded on the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They determined that, even using conservative numbers, the extinction rate for every vertebrate group was between eight and 100 times the background rate. The species losses incurred in the past 100 years would have taken thousands of years to occur naturally, per the assessment.

Other counts find the current rate of extinction is even higher. One often cited 2014 study concluded Earth is losing species 1,000 times faster than natural background rates. That analysis also reported the level of loss is poised to accelerate to 10,000 times the background rate in the near future.

These numbers vary widely in large part because the estimates of background extinction rates are difficult to pin down. The fossil record is incomplete, so scientists generally rely on mathematical models and reconstructions of the past to determine what was once alive and when it died out. Small shifts in starting assumptions can lead to major changes in the final calculations. The time period youre calculating average extinction rate over and types of organisms youre assessing also impact the result. This same ambiguity in estimating extinction rate persists in the present.

Extinction is tough to track

Though Wiens describes our moment as a biodiversity crisis, he doesnt believe it meets the bar for a sixth mass extinction. No one has provided a quantitative analysis that has really shown that, he says.

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If the top five major mass extinctions in the paleontological record each killed off at least 75 percent of species at the time, then the sixth one should theoretically cross the same threshold. Yet so far, the IUCN has confirmed fewer than 1,000 extinctions from the past 500 yearsjust about 0.1 percent of all known species, according to an analysis co-authored by Wiens in April.

Summary of the conservation status of living organisms from Wiens April 2025 analysis. Credit: John J. Wiens, Kristen E. Saban

We have not catalogued every living species, and the IUCN is far from having assessed all known species. The IUCN database is also biased, skewing towards large, charismatic vertebrates and wealthy regions like North America. The criteria for extinction are strict, requiring extensive surveys, and yet sometimes species reappear after being declared gone forever. Still, the IUCN dataset is among the best windows we have into the state of life on Earth, and it suggests theres a way to go before three quarters of species are gone.

[ Related: Earths Great Dying killed 80-90% of life. How some amphibians survived. ]

However, its worth noting that other assessments estimate a much higher proportion of species have already disappeared. One 2022 paper, which extrapolated extinction rates from data on mollusks, found that upwards of 10 percent of all species may have gone extinct in the past 500 years.

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And, those like Ceballos who argue a major mass extinction has already begun, point to calculations that indicate we could reach that grim, 75 percent mile marker in just a few centuries. If all IUCN threatened species went extinct in the next 100 years, and that rate of species loss continued, Earth would surpass 75 percent loss of species across most vertebrate animal groups in under 550 years, according to a landmark 2011 review paper. This study published in Nature, remains among the most thorough quantitative assessments of extinction trends.

Yet to write every threatened species off as doomed to imminent extinction would be a mistake, says Stuart Pimm, a conservation biologist at Duke University and president of the conservation non-profit, Saving Nature.

We have no idea what the future is, he says. And, in the meantime, theres a lot of things we can do. Pimm points to conservation success stories like the rebound of certain baleen whale populations and the stabilization of savanna elephant numbers over the past 25 years. He worries that claims about the sixth extinction might leave the public resigned to what might otherwise be a preventable catastrophe.

Its not inevitable, Pimm says.

An elephant herd migrating under a giant sand dune in the Namib Desert. CREDIT: Getty Images Buena Vista Images

We cant predict the future (but it doesnt look great)

From the paleontological perspective, mass extinctions are something that can only be definitively confirmed in the past tense. They are defined based on the proportion of species that existed before, but not after a cataclysmic event like a major asteroid strike. If theres not yet an after, its impossible to say for sure what number of lineages died out. There are no crystal balls in science. And in that uncertainty, theres room for hope that we could stop species from sliding off the cliff.

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But nearly half of all animals are losing population worldwide, according to a 2023 estimate, based on trend data for more than 71,000 species. Barring exceptional levels of investment and intervention, lots of species are already doomed to extinction, says Sarah Otto, an evolutionary biologist at the University of British Columbia. Many of the extinctions we think that humans are causing havent actually happened yet. These are the living dead species whose population sizes are small, whose habitats are fragmented, she explains. Theres a lot of extinction debt.

[ Related: An ancestral bottleneck took out nearly 99 percent of the human population 800,000 years ago. ]

A 2020 report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) found that an average of 25 percent of species across animal and plant groups are threatened with extinction within decades, and that the human impacts to blame are intensifying. Without preventative action, as species disappear, there will be a further acceleration in the global rate of species extinction, the report authors write.

Species depend on one another for survival, Otto notes. For example, in our acidifying and warming oceans, coral reefs are teetering on the brink. If they go, then the fate of the many species dependent on the infrastructure they provide is unclear. Major losses of marine life could then have knock-on effects on land.

Dead coral reefs in shallow water. CREDIT: Getty Images Sirachai Arunrugstichai

Notably, the IPBES report doesnt directly consider the influence of climate change on future extinction rate. If it did, those projected numbers could really go up, says Otto.



Even under Wiens comparatively rosy outlook, he still expects 12 to 40 percent species losses over the next century. And if species dont disappear across their entire ranges, local losses and population declines can still have major repercussions for ecosystem function and human society.

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The 75 percent threshold is an arbitrary line, Otto notes. Lots can go wrong before we officially place sixth in the worlds worst contest. Human impacts on biodiversity will be seen in the fossil record, she says. Whether or not its going to be up there in the top six is really a matter of what we do next.

This story is part of Popular Sciences Ask Us Anything series, where we answer your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the ordinary to the off-the-wall. Have something youve always wanted to know? Ask us.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A Wichita Falls man is facing a felony charge after police say they saw him put a large bag into the trunk of a car while wearing a ski mask, leading to the recovery of a stolen semi-automatic rifle.

Domonic Mims booking photo courtesy of Wichita Co. Jail

Domonic Mims is charged with theft of a firearm and interfering with public duties.

Due to several disturbance calls resulting in gunshots, officers with the WFPD Special Operations Unit conducted marked and unmarked patrols on Wednesday, May 28, around 9:35 p.m. at the Washington Village Apartments in the 1000 block of Redwood Avenue.

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Police said they saw a man wearing a ski mask, later identified as Mims, place a large bag in the back of a gray Honda, get into the backseat with several other people, and then leave the parking lot.

Officers followed the car and made a traffic stop in the 700 block of Harding Street.

When police approached the car, they said they smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Officers then began a probable cause search while the occupants were detained and seated on the curb, but police said Mims kept trying to stand up.

Authorities said they told him more than once to stay seated, but Mims continued arguing with officers and kept trying to stand up.

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Police said after being given several warnings to stay seated, Mims was placed under arrest.

The probable cause search revealed a tan Ruger Model 10/22 Carbine in the bag Mims placed in the trunk.

At the time of publication, Mims was jailed on bonds totaling $11,000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, who is set to retire from the force on Friday, slammed President Donald Trump for pardoning rioters convicted or facing charges for their role in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

It was, I think, a slap in the face to every police officer that was here, Manger told CBS News Scott MacFarlane in an interview shared Wednesday.

Manger was initially pulled out of retirement to take the agencys top post after his predecessor, former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, stepped down in the wake of the deadly riot.

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Trumps Jan. 6 pardons on his first day in office included hundreds of his supporters who had been convicted of assaulting officers, roughly 1,000 nonviolent offenders and around 200 people accused of assaulting police with pending cases. A number of those pardoned have sincebeen rearrested.

Manger told MacFarlane that the day Trump issued the pardons was probably one of my worst days in this job.

I think it sent a chilling message to every police officer in this country, he said of the pardons.

That you can be involved in some massive public disorder event and that you could have a politician later on decide that, well, I liked what this other  this side was doing, so were going to pardon all these people.

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He also hit back at conspiracy theories tied to the riot, some of which have been peddled by right-wing media figures and Republican lawmakers alike.

For somebody to make up some story that, Oh, it wasnt that bad,  it is just not true, he said.

Manger has previously weighed in on Trumps pardons of Capitol rioters, telling CBS News Norah ODonnell in January that he was concerned officers would question why they had put themselves in harms way because of the move.

He also recently declared that he was extremely disappointed that the family of Ashli Babbitt  who was shot and killed while attempting to get through a smashed glass door during the riot  reportedly received a settlementof $5 million from the government.

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Manger, in an interview with Roll Call, said matters on the force are better than they were when I started although he still sees room for more improvement  including a need for additional funding to fulfill staffing goals.

When asked about the biggest challenge for the department moving forward, he stressed that officers should stay focused on the mission and protect themselves from political influence.

When asked by HuffPost about Mangers remarks, the White House shared a previously released statement by press secretary Karoline Leavitt that the president campaigned on pardoning January 6th protestors, won the election with an overwhelming mandate, and delivered on his promise.

Related...
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP)  Slovakias central bank chief, who is a member of the European Central Bank committee that decides monetary policy for 20 countries, was convicted of bribery and fined 200,000 euros ($225,000) on Thursday.

The verdict against central bank Gov. Peter Kazimir was issued by Judge Milan Cisarik at the countrys Special Criminal Court in Pezinok.

Kazimir's attorneys argued that he should have been acquitted because of the recent changes in Slovakia's penal code, which reduced punishment for corruption and that recently ended a number of corruption cases and trials.

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Kazimir wasn't present at the court. He said in a statement that he would appeal. His six-year term in office expires on Sunday.

Kazimir was accused of paying a bribe of 48,000 euros ($54,000) at the turn of the year in 2017-18 to the head of the countrys tax office in connection with a tax audit of several private companies.

At the time, Kazimir was acquiring a luxury villa located in an upscale neighborhood of Bratislava, the capital, from the owner of the companies.

Kazimir, who pleaded not guilty, had previously said that he considered the charges to be illegal and fabricated.

The case dates to when Kazimir served as finance minister in the leftist government of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico from 2012 to 2019. He was a member of Ficos Smer, or Direction, party before taking the central bank job.

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Smer lost the 2020 general election and was replaced by a coalition government whose parties campaigned on an anti-corruption ticket.

Since that government took power, a number of people linked to Ficos party faced prosecution in corruption scandals.

Kazimir was the first minister of Ficos government to stand trial.

Slovakia is one of 20 countries that use the euro currency, and Kazimir is a member of the ECBs governing council, its main decision-making body.

A number of people linked to the prime ministers party faced prosecution in corruption scandals.

Fico returned to power for the fourth time in 2023 after his leftist party Smer won the Sept. 30 parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform.

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In February 2024, lawmakers loyal to Ficos new coalition government approved changes to the penal code and eliminated the office of the special prosecutor that deals with major crime and corruption.

The legislation faced sharp criticism at home and abroad while thousands of Slovaks repeatedly took to the streets to protest.

The changes include a reduction in punishments for corruption and some other crimes, including the possibility of suspended sentences, and a significant shortening of the statute of limitations.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) The Smith County ESD2 held a traditional push in ceremony on Thursday morning at their Jackson Heights Fire District, dedicating their new engine 132 to service.

KETK news had the opportunity to speak with Smith County ESD2 Chief of Operations Eric Greaser about the history behind push in ceremonies and the impact the engine will have on the local community.

Smith County firefighter rescues cat trapped in storm drain

What is a push in ceremony?

Dating back 100s of years ago, a push-in ceremony is related back to when horses pulled the steam pumpers while the firemen would wash down the wheels and back them into the fire station.

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Horses dont back up very well, so the firemen would push the steam pumpers back up in the firehouse, put them away and be prepared for the next call, Greaser said. So today we pay tribute to that.

Along with the push ceremony, they also did a dedicatory pray for the piece of apparatus to serve the citizens in Smith County along with the people in their district that will ride on the equipment.

Greaser explained that this million dollar purchase is over a year in the making and he is very grateful the community helps them provide new equipment.

Were very appreciative to our residents, businesses and taxpayers that provide for us so that we can serve them, Greaser said. In the last 18 months or so weve been able to put five of these in service. Weve even been able to improve our water rescue capabilities and put a boat in service.

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Greaser said that this engine will be an addition the continuous effort to serving Smith County to the best of their ability.

Smith County ESD2 helps save home of award-winning Hank the Cowdog author

The district has invested heavily into our communities, Greaser said. Were now staffed in 12 fire stations across the county. Thats all the way from the north end of the county all the way across to Bullard. And those are full-time, around the clock staffing. So those engine companies are in service, ready to respond at a moments notice.

Some of the equipment on the engine includes:

Custom pump

1,000 gallon water tank

Seating for four firefighters with air packs

Two flip down seats

All rescue equipment and safety features

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In this station, in this firehouse, we are ready to respond to the calls and needs of

our communities, Greaser said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Motown legend Smokey Robinson filed a countersuit Wednesday against the four former housekeepers who have accused him of sexual assault  and their attorneys.

Robinson is suing them for defamation, claiming in his countersuit that the four women fabricated rape allegations in support of their extortionate scheme.

The Robinsons did not abuse, harm or take advantage of plaintiffs; they treated plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity, his cross-complaint said. Unfortunately, the depths of plaintiffs avarice and greed knows no bounds.

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Robinson and his wife also gave the women multiple gifts  including money for dental work, clothing, vacations, concert tickets, and a car  and treated them like family, his lawsuit said.

Robinsons suit also details an instance in which his safe and bank information went missing, implying that one or multiple of the women may have stolen it from him.

Robinson is also suing for emotional distress and financial elder abuse stemming from a press conference.

Plaintiffs did not have the right to create a media circus of a press conference, and use that platform to slander the Robinsons, the suit added.

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Robinson has denied the allegations against him, with his attorney Christopher Frost previously saying the housekeepers lawsuit was simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon, according to NBC News. Frost did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on Wednesday.

Along with the countersuit, Frost also filed a motion to get the womens suit dismissed on the basis of their being granted anonymity.

The allegations in the complaint are so far removed from the truth that the Robinsons cannot identify which Doe is whom, the motion said, according to, Rolling Stone. For instance, the Robinsons expect the facts will show that two of the plaintiffs are sisters, one inviting the other to work for the Robinsons, during a time that she now claims she was already being sexually assaulted.

The women, named in the lawsuit as Jane Does 1 through 4, accuse Robsinson of sexual assault and rape on numerous occassions between 2007 and 2024.

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One woman claims in the suit, filed on May 6, that Robinson assaulted her at least 23 times between May 2014 to February 2020. Another claims he assaulted her at least 20 times between 2012 and 2024. A third says Robinson assaulted her at least seven times during the year that she worked for him before quitting in 2024.

Another woman said she worked with the Robinsons for 18 years, but she did not say how many times Robinson allegedly assaulted her. She resigned in 2024.

The four women also claimed that Robinsons wife, Frances Gladney, failed to take the appropriate corrective action to prevent Defendant Robinsons deviant misconduct.

We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and must be stopped, the womens attorney John Harris said at a news conference when announcing the lawsuit.

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Harris and Herbert Hayden, who is also representing the women, told HuffPost in a statement that the countersuit is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.

This cross-complaint will not stand. We are filing an anti-SLAPP motion to strike it in its entirety and will seek attorneys fees and costs for having to defend against this abusive tactic, Harris and Hayden continued in their joint statement.

The women remain committed to seeking justicenot only for themselves but for all survivors who have been silenced by fear of retaliation. This case is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that power is not used to harm or suppress others, they added.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department launched a criminal investigation into the allegations shortly after the womens lawsuit was filed, but no charges have been filed at this time.

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Robinson founded famed R&B and soul group The Miracles, which was known for songs like Youve Really Got a Hold on Me in 1962, Ooo Baby Baby in 1965 and The Tears of a Clown in 1970.

The Motown legend has been inducted into both the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is currently on his 50th anniversary Legacy Tour.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
LOS ANGELES  Motown legend Smokey Robinson filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging defamation by four former housekeepers who accused him in a lawsuit this month of sexual assault and abuse.

Lawyers for Robinson also filed a motion in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to have the complaint against him dismissed, arguing that it was filed under false names.

Robinson, 85, was sued in early May by four women identified in court documents as Jane Does 1-4. They alleged Robinson assaulted them while they worked as low-wage housekeepers at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Chatsworth.

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Robinson has denied the allegations.

In addition to the civil lawsuit, which seeks no less than $50 million, a law enforcement source told NBC News two weeks ago that Robinson is under criminal investigation. No charges have been filed.

Robinsons lawsuit against the four women who have accused him says that they were treated in a collegial, even familial, manner and that they never alleged any abuse while they were employed.

They first demanded $100 million before they sued, attorneys for Robinson wrote in the cross-complaint.

When the Robinsons resisted the extortionate demands, Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit, says the lawsuit filed by Robinsons' attorney, Christopher Frost. It also alleges that subsequent public statements made against the Robinsons were false.

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Plaintiffs did not have the right to create a media circus of a press conference, and use that platform to slander the Robinsons, the suit reads.

The women, three of whom appeared at a May 6 news conference wearing masks to protect their identity, said they didn't speak out earlier because they were afraid of losing their paychecks and they were embarrassed, one of their lawyers, John Harris, said then.

The women's lawsuit is against Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson. Their attorneys said Frances Robinson was aware of the abuse the women allege.

The suit claims Smokey Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras.

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It alleges that he assaulted another former employee at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for him, beginning in 2012. According to the suit, Robinson would force her into his bedroom and perform a ritual of leaving his bathroom naked or nearly naked.

According to the suit, Robinson would then place a towel on his bed so the linens would not be soiled for what was about to occur.

The suit says he subjected two other plaintiffs to the same behavior. One of the former housekeepers worked for Robinson for 13 months, during which, she alleges, he assaulted her at least seven times.

Robinson's defamation lawsuit named the four Jane Does, Harris and his law firm, among others.

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It singles out Harris' use of the phrase "serial and sick rapist and serial assaulter" referring to Robinson at the May 6 news conference.

Harris said at the news conference that we believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist that must be stopped.

At another point, Harris said, "We have reason to believe that this behavior has existed for many years, and I think, given the allegations, we're fairly confident that he's a serial assaulter."

Harris and his law firm partner, Herbert Hayden of Harris & Hayden of Los Angeles, called Robinson's defamation lawsuit "nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinsons sexual battery and assault."

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"It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward," Harris and Hayden said in a statement Wednesday in response to the suit.

They said they will file a motion to strike Robinson's complaint, citing a California law about "strategic lawsuits against public participation," or SLAPP.

Robinson, a recording, producing and songwriting legend, is known for, among other hits, "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "Ooo Baby Baby" and "The Tracks of My Tears."

Robinson's lawsuit seeks damages of not less than $500 million. It alleges defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy, among other claims.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
After his son took a bullet to school to share with friends, a Moorpark man is under arrest, authorities said.

Ricardo Nunez was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child endangerment and having an unregistered weapon. A search of the man's home turned up a number of guns and ammunition, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

On Tuesday, Deputy KLynn Jackson, school resource officer for the Moorpark Unified School District, responded to reports from Campus Canyon College Preparatory Academy  a K-8 public school  that a student was in possession of a single round of ammunition that he had been showing to his friends.

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Nunez was soon contacted by detectives, according to the release. They found two unregistered assault rifles, a handgun, ammunition and high-capacity magazines at the Nunez residence and identified him as the owner, officials said.

Nunez was apprehended and charged with criminal firearm storage, possession of assault weapons and child endangerment, among other firearms-related charges.

In the release, the Moorpark Police Department advised gun owners to abide by regulation gun storage and safety standards.

These incidents dont happen frequently," Jackson told The Times, "but any reports of any weapons calls to the school are taken very seriously. School safety and the safety of our teachers is our No. 1 priority.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By James Davey

LONDON (Reuters) -The boss of British supermarket Asda said he was seeing "green shoots" of recovery after the group slowed the rate of its sales decline in its first quarter, helped by lower prices and better product availability.

Asda, Britain's third largest food retailer after Tesco and Sainsbury's, said like-for-like sales in the four months to April 30, adjusted to include Easter trading, declined by 3.1% - an improvement on the 4.2% fall in the previous quarter.

Asda said it had seen further improvements in May.

"Although we are seeing the green shoots in sales performance, there is a long way to go," executive chairman Allan Leighton said on Thursday.

Private equity firm TDR Capital, Asda's majority owner, brought Leighton back to the grocer in November, more than two decades after he served as CEO and turned the chain around before selling it to Walmart.

In March, Leighton warned his plan to be 5% to 10% cheaper than rivals would "materially reduce" profit. His comment hit the shares of Tesco and Sainsbury's on fears of a price war.

Asda said it had cut the prices of about 10,000 products, more than a third of its range, establishing a price gap of 3% to 6% over its full-service supermarket rivals.

It said product availability had increased from 90% to 95% since January, while customer satisfaction had also improved.

"People who've been in the industry a long time are amazed at the progress that we've made on availability in a relatively short period of time," Leighton told reporters.

Industry data published Wednesday showed Asda's sales fell 3.2% over the 12 weeks to May 18 year-on-year, with the group's market share down 90 basis points to 12.1%.

Market researcher Kantar said it was, however, Asda's best performance since May 2024.

(Reporting by James Davey, Editing by Paul Sandle)
The Republican Party faces an important fork in the road: Do they stand with Donald Trump who wants to add over $3 trillion to the nations debt or do they stand with the families and small business owners who can no longer bear that burden?

As the so-called Big Beautiful Bill limps its way from its one-vote margin in the House, Senate Republicans will have to decide how much of the presidents domestic agenda theyll support.

But whether they realize it or not, theyll also be debating the future of the Republican Party. Is it a party of Trump  tossing new parents, tipped workers and seniors a few crumbs while cutting the social safety net and giving very wealthy individuals a massive tax cut? Or are there enough old-school conservatives left to make the bill more economically responsible?

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Lets be clear: This isnt a battle over fiscal prudence. It is a battle over obedience. If they side with Trump, theyll have to defend cutting programs like Medicaid and SNAP. They will have to answer to constituents who will feel the direct effects of their vote. We are not talking about the price of eggs anymore. We are talking about the cost of healthcareor having access to healthcare at all. Do they think the voters wont remember who took their safety net away?

But this is also a battle between the remnants of traditional conservative philosophies about managing the nations debt versus unfettered economic retribution at the hands of Trump. Its no secret that the Republican Party is a shell of its former self, even as it insists that its not. The bill is touted as a display of conservative consensus, but Trumps economic vision has never had a consensus because he is not a fiscal conservative. His presidency is defined by underfunded tax cuts, record deficits and erratic tariffs that hurt American consumers  if not the global order.

Despite all the Republican noise and infighting over the nations debt and the deficits they continue to create, todays Republican Party has long since exchanged whats left of anyeconomic policy for the incoherent economic whims of Trump. Consequently, Republican lawmakers arent being asked to pass legislation. Theyre being asked to participate in a loyalty test.

The bill still faces significant hurdles, as Republican senators indicate that they want substantial changes, even though they appear to disagree on what those changes would be. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul derided the spending cuts as wimpy and anemic, while Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson  a staunch fiscal conservative  described the bills financial impact as mortgaging our childrens future.

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The Republicans opposing the bill may sound skeptical, but lets not mistake delay for daring. This bill may die in the Senate or undergo significant changes, but the questions it raises will linger far longer. The real fight playing out on that Senate floor isnt over the size of the government, but the size of Trumps shadow. Blocking the bill would require the courage to stand up to the nihilism that has consumed the modern-day Republican Party. So far, no one seems willing to truly risk their political careers on principle.

Which is why Trump remains so smug about passage of his Big Beautiful Bill."

In reality, this bill has come to represent what Trump believes he can controlRepublican members of Congress, regardless of who they represent or the states they come from. What Trump wants holds greater value for them than what their constituents need.

Are Republican senators willing to stand up to Trump?

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Well know the answer soon. Although, somehow I believe we already do.

For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch The Weeknight every Monday-Friday at 7 p.m. ET on MSNBC.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, after he assaulted another man and barricaded himself inside a smoke shop in Socorro, the Socorro Police Department said in a news release.

Socorro Police said that shortly after 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the 9900 block of Alameda Avenue about a welfare check regarding a subject down in the roadway.

Upon arrival, officers found an unconscious 23-year-old man who had sustained injuries consistent with an assault. The victim was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment, Socorro Police said.

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Socorro Police said that during the course of the investigation, officers attempted to make contact with a man, later identified as Edgar Allen Marquez, 24, located nearby. Marquez ran into the Valley Smoke Shop and barricaded himself inside.

Detectives responded to the scene, secured a search warrant, and entered the business, ultimately detaining several individuals, Socorro Police said.

The investigation revealed that Marquez was responsible for the assault, Socorro Police said. He was taken into custody and charged with assault causing bodily injury. He was then booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $10,000 bond, Socorro Police said.

Socorro Police said a subsequent search of the business resulted in the discovery of narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

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Subsequently, a 20-year-old woman, Bryanna Chantal Salas, was arrested for an outstanding criminal warrant for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance with a $15,000 bond, Socorro Police said.

The remaining individuals located inside the business were released at the scene.

This was an isolated incident. Our officers did exactly what theyre trained to do  act quickly, work together, and keep our community safe. Well continue to do our part to make sure anyone bringing criminal activity into our city is held accountable, Chief of Police Robert C. Rojas said.

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EVANS, Ga. (WJBF)  A local veteran injured in combat and his family are getting the home of their dreams with the help of a nonprofit, A Soldiers Journey Home, and local firefighters.

They dont want us to show it because that veteran hasnt yet seen the home. Its being built by the group A Soldiers Journey Home. Saturday, Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class David Mathis and his family will see this new, fully accessible home for the first time.

He was injured double amputee in 2017. So, his wife also is a veteran, and she was a marine firefighter. So that makes it unique for our situation, said Mark Coffman, Lead logistics Coordinator for a Soldiers Journey Home

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A Soldiers Journey Home is a nonprofit organization that helps build homes for injured veterans throughout the nation.

This is a 100% mortgage-free home. We also purchased the property for them as well. So when they move in, they have no house payment, said Coffman.

Local Columbia County and Augusta Fire are helping build the home. They have been a part of the mission before. Scott Freeman, a lieutenant with the Augusta Fire Department, is a founding board member of the nonprofit.

We train our warriors; we send them off. They come back, however they come back. We dont teach them to be civilians again. Some of the people weve built for would just be living in a truck, homeless. Theyve earned it, said Scott Freeman, Lieutenant, Augusta Fire Department.

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This is the fifth house retired Columbia County Firefighter Roy Wright has helped build.

They signed the dotted line to go and sacrifice for us. So, this is my way of helping  being a part of something that gives back. Just cool to be part of something here locally to help out a local veteran, said Roy Wright, Teacher at Evans High School, retired Columbia County Fire Rescue.

A Soldiers Journey Home builds one house a year. Volunteers from around the country come together to make the veterans perfect home, but they do not want to just leave them after everything is all said and done.

We are here for about 18 to 20 days. The house itself starts, and we do it in 14 days. We have a huge footprint here, and then were gone. So, what we try to do is get the local community involved so that when we leave, they still have support systems around them, said Coffman.

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This is the nonprofits 11th build and first build in Georgia. You can find more information on A Soldier Journey Home on their website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A growing shortage of child care teachers is shutting down classrooms and straining working families across Pennsylvania, prompting Somerset County leaders to call for urgent state investment.

At a press conference Thursday hosted at The Learning Lamp Center for Children, lawmakers, business advocates and child care experts detailed the economic fallout of the staffing crises, pointing to recent state and local surveys. According to a statewide survey of child care providers, 92% reported difficulty recruiting staff, while 85% cited ongoing shortages. In Somerset County alone, 17 positions remain unfilled, leaving more than 200 children without care.

Dr. Leah Spangler, CEO of The Learning Lamp, said the Somerset location is down seven teachers. If fully staffed, it could serve an additional 63 children. Across six locations in Somerset, Cambria, Fayette and Westmoreland counties, 48 open jobs translate into nearly 300 children unable to access care.

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Business leaders also shared the results of a Pennsylvania Chamber Survey, which found that 81% of employers are struggling with recruitment and retention due to limited child care options. Another 69% said helping employees meet child care needs is extremely or very important.

The economic toll is staggering. A ReadyNation and PA Early Learning Investment Commission report estimates the child care crisis is costing the state $6.65 billion annually in lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue.

State Senator Pat Stefano (R-32), who attended the press conference, emphasized the broader implications.

For every teacher that were missing, were missing those students that could be filling those spots, Stefano said. Which means there are mothers and fathers who cant go to work. Creating a workforce crisis.

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The event also pointed out the United Ways latest Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) report, which shows 45% of Somerset County households earn below the ALICE Threshold, meaning they struggle to afford basic needs despite being employed. The average child care teacher salary, $29,480, sites just $764 above the minimum survival budget for a single adult in Somerset County.

Poll results released by the Early Learning PA Coalition showed overwhelming public support for action. Among 700 likely voters surveyed, 98% agreed early childhood education is vital, and 83% supported more state funding for child care teacher recruitment and retention.

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Advocates are now urging lawmakers to back Governor Josh Shapiro proposed $55 million budget item that would provide licensed child care centers an extra $1,000 per educator to fill vacancies and stabilize the workforce.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Sonora Police Department has released information regarding the incident that sparked a multi-agency manhunt for an armed and extremely dangerous murder suspect on May 28 following the subjects capture.

In an alert issued on the morning of May 28, the City of Sonora stated that Austin John Rodriguez, 30, was wanted by the Sonora Police Department, Sutton County Sheriffs Office and Texas Rangers for murder. The City advised that he was armed and extremely dangerous and encouraged citizens to contact local law enforcement should he be seen or information about his whereabouts be gathered.

The City then reported at 4:30 p.m. that same day that Rodriguez had been captured and taken into police custody after an intensive search and great team effort. The Sutton County Sheriffs Office stated that, as of the time of publication, Rodriguez is in the Sutton County Jail with a charge of murder.

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RELATED: Sonora murder suspect captured on Wednesday afternoon

What we know

Sonora PD stated that officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Glasscock Avenue at approximately 8:58 p.m. on the evening of May 27 in response to a 911 call reporting a shooting.

Upon arriving at the scene, an individual identified as Cynthia Luna was discovered to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The department said that Rodriguez had fled the scene immediately following the shooting.

Sonora PD said a coordinated manhunt was launched with the assistance of the Sutton County Sheriffs Office and Texas Department of Public Safety. The investigation into the incident was then transferred to the Texas Rangers after the crime scene was secured.

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Luna was transported to an area hospital for emergency treatment, as per the department. She was transferred to Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo after being stabilized.

Sonora PD said that, despite the efforts of medical personnel, Luna died due to her injuries in the early morning hours of May 28.

The department stated that the search for Rodriguez intensified with the involvement of multiple agencies. The hunt for Rodriguez ultimately concluded at 4:02 p.m. on May 28 after he was taken into custody without incident on West 2nd Street in Sonora.

Affidavit: Argument at party with gang members preceded fatal shooting of San Angelo teen

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His capture follows an extensive manhunt involving multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Del Rio, der Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), DPS, Texas Rangers, and the Sutton County Sheriffs Office, Sonora PD.

Sonora PD thanked first responders and law enforcement for their coordination and assistance during this critical operation.

The Sonora Police Department extends its gratitude to these agencies for their assistance, their tremendous courage, and their quick response, as well as to the Sutton County Volunteer Fire Department, Lillian Memorial Hudspeth Hospital Staff, Sutton County EMS and Texas Department of Transportation for their support during this critical operation, Sonora PD said.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser was created on May 28 to pay for Lunas funeral and memorial expenses and support her children. The fundraiser webpage states that Luna was the mother of six.

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Any contribution, big or small, would be deeply appreciated as we honor Cynthias life and say our goodbyes, the fundraiser webpage reads.

The fundraiser has raised $9,860 as of the time of publication. To visit it, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
A South Bay Man Who Was Part of a High-End Brothel Network Sentenced to Federal Time originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

A Torrance man was hit with more than two years behind bars for being what prosecutors call a facilitator of a high-end brothel that serviced wealthy men on both coasts (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

A South Bay man who federal prosecutors say was at the center of a members-only luxury brothel network that regularly flew high-end escorts to service elite clients in Los Angeles was sentenced to two years in federal prison on Thursday by a Boston judge.



James Lee, 70, was an elderly pimp connected to a network of human traffickers who operated the underground sex-for-a-fee escort service that catered to wealthy and influential men in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Los Angeles. Lee was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $569,123 in connection with the fraudulently obtained COVID-19 funds and a money judgment of $63,000 related to the proceeds earned by the defendant as a result of the prostitution conspiracy, prosecutors say.



Lee was arrested at his Torrence home in late 2023 with co-defendants Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Junmyung Lee, 31, of Dedham, Massachusetts.



The trio have since made deals with the government. Han Lee was sentenced to four years in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release in March, and was to forfeit nearly $5.5 million in money made by the human trafficking operation. A month later, Junmyung Lee, 32, was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. The Court also ordered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $200,000, equal to the amount of proceeds earned by the defendant during the conspiracy.

Meanwhile, white shoe defense lawyers for a plethora of John Does identified in the black books of the sophisticated interstate high-end brothel network continue the fight to keep their clients' names secret from the public.



"They are doctors, they are lawyers, they're accountants, they are executives at high-tech companies, pharmaceutical companies, they're military officers, government contractors, professors, scientists," former U.S. attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy said at the time of the bust in November 2023.



Since then, the names of a dozen clients - like Dr. Mitchell Rubenstein of Chestnut Hill, who remains on leave from his position as Executive Vice Chair for the Department of Dermatology at Brigham and Womens Hospital - have been released as prosecutors say that paid a fee to join the members only network and then ponied up anywhere from $350 to $600 an hour to have sex with Korean women.



A police commander described the services this way at a court proceeding: "For example, GFE refers to a girlfriend experience, and provides a more intimate experience and blurs the boundaries between a financial transaction and relationship," said Cambridge Police Lt. Jarred Cabral. "Typically including any and all sex acts."



But other names of johns who were brothel members remain a secret. "They will undoubtedly lose their jobs, lose their professions and have their lives ripped apart," attorney Benjamin Urbelis, representing five of the alleged brothel clients whose names continue to be shielded, argued before the Supreme Judicial Court.

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Prosecutors say Lee rented several high-end apartments in Boston and Eastern Virginia that were used as brothel locations and was the sole and legal tenant of at least six locations that were used for sexual hook-ups chosen from a menu of options advertised to the underworld outfit's members. Officials were concerned that the Koreans behind the scheme were collecting intelligence and compromising information on powerful men.



A Department of Homeland Security Investigations affidavit filed by an agent in the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit pointed out that the three accused pimps - including the elderly Torrance man who ran several businesses in Los Angeles - are from a country that the U.S. considers an adversary and the money they were making selling sex was sent back to South Korea.



"Lee was regularly compensated by his co-conspirators for both leasing apartments and for his travel to and from the brothel locations," prosecutors say. "He also served as a liaison between the females working in the units and the property managers by fielding calls and coordinating any issues that arose relating to maintenance and inspections."



"This commercial sex ring was built on secrecy and exclusivity, catering to a wealthy and well-connected clientele," Levy said at the time of its takedown. "Business was booming."



Clients went through an arduous background check and submitted employment information and referrals before they could join the elite brothel club, which prosecutors say then charged rates of $350 to $600 or more per hour for prostitution services, depending on the services.

This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A newly passed law, backed by Sen. Greg Hembree of Horry County, will allow South Carolina public schools to hire uncertified teachers in hopes of combating the statewide teacher shortage.

News13 spoke with parents and education professionals in Horry County and received mixed reactions about the pilot program for the new law, which would allow uncertified teachers to make up 10% of teaching staff at state public schools.

Just because I have a mom that is a certified teacher, I dont know if I would want an uncertified teacher teaching my kids, retired teacher Vicki Owens said. I feel like theres a reason that theres a certification for that.

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Many parents expressed concerns that uncertified teachers could negatively impact the quality of their childrens education.

After 30 years in the classroom, Owens said she thinks there are better ways to address the ongoing teacher shortage, both nationally and in South Carolina.

They could raise teacher pay and just listen to the teachers voices, Owens said. Its all about behavior right now, these days. The administration just does it. They dont have the teachers back when it comes to kids in the classroom disrupting and taking away their chance to even be a teacher. So its hard these days.

The law requires candidates to have a bachelors or graduate degree and at least five years of experience in the subject they want to teach.

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Sara Heist, an uncertified teacher at a nature-based outdoor school called Mindful Journey, said shes open to allowing uncertified teachers in public schools.

I have no college degree whatsoever, Heist explained. I think that it could be a really great thing, because really all you need to be able to teach is a passion for children and education and some knowledge in whatever subjects that youre going to teach.

But Tom Woodle, who spent nearly 40 years teaching college courses, is on the fence about the new law.

Im thinking that you probably need some sort of quality assurance for teachers, he said. I dont know that certification is an absolute necessity, but you do need to have some idea of the background of the person. Some specific qualifications that have given them what they need to teach in specific areas.

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Some retired teachers News13 spoke with said they could be open to hiring uncertified teachers if, and only if, there is a certified teacher accompanying them in the classroom.

* * *

Shelby Martin is a multimedia journalist who joined the News13 team in May 2025. Shelby is from Orange County, California, and graduated in 2023 from California State University, Fullerton. You can read more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A new coalition of healthcare professionals, patient advocates, rural leaders and small business owners from across the state is launching Hands Off Medicaid  South Dakota to oppose proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and ACA subsidies.

29-year-old state inmate dead; 9th this year

This bill represents a complete retreat from decades of bipartisan progress in expanding access to health care, said Earl Pomeroy, former North Dakota Congressman and Insurance Commissioner in a press release. The group emphasized the proposed cuts would be especially harmful to rural South Dakota health centers. More than 147,000 South Dakotans currently rely on Medicaid, according to the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS).

Medicaid gives people access to lifesaving medications and treatments like insulin, asthma inhalers, prenatal care, and cancer screenings. For almost 27,000 South Dakotans, this bill means losing coverage entirely. said Ben Hanson, Head of Government Affairs for the American Cancer Society  South Dakota in a press release.

The coalition formed after the U.S. House passed a budget to cut Medicaid coverage, which would pull coverage from thousands, hurt rural hospital funding, and threaten mental health and addiction servicesdespite only 9% of SD voters supporting the cuts.

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When coverage rates fall, rural health centers lose critical funding  putting access to primary care, maternal care, dental services, and behavioral health at risk for everyone in those communities. said Shelley Ten Napel, CEO of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas in a press release.

The coalition plans to continue expanding in the coming weeks and months, and urges South Dakotans to contact Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune about protecting Medicaid as the budget bill heads to the U.S. Senate.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakota schools, politicians and lawyers are weighing on the national conversations surrounding international student visa restrictions across the country.

Within the last week of May, the Trump administration announced two orders to limit international student activity in the country:

The U.S. State Department will cancel any new F-1 student visa embassy appointments an interview process for international students looking to pursue an education in America- all while social media vetting expands. The U.S. State Department will revoke the visas of some Chinese students, who reportedly hold connections to the Communist party or study in critical fields, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Major gold find near Spearfish, South Dakota reported

Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune told KELOLAND News the Trump administration is applying more scrutiny to whos entering the U.S.

If somebody has been identified and perhaps is going to lose their status or visa in this country, theres a reason for that, and we just need to make sure thats the case, Thune said.

Thune said dangerous, illegal criminals should be the target for the Trump administration and he thinks the administration is doing good work at making America safe, especially at the Southern border and through stricter vetting processes.

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If youre in this country and youre following our laws in this country, you should be fine, Thune said. I think that most of the work thats being done right now to identify people, its people who represent national security threats, people who are perhaps have, you know, some sort of criminal activity on their records.

In response to the recent national reports and how South Dakota could be affected, the South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) sent KELOLAND News the following statement:

The South Dakota Board of Regents and its universities are closely monitoring the ongoing national discussions about student visa appointments and potential delays that may affect our current and future students. Our public university system is committed to welcoming prospective students who are navigating the complexities of the international application process in an effort to study in the United States at one of our six institutions. Shuree Mortenson, BOR Director of Communications

These are not the first attempts from the Trump administration to crack down on international students activity.

Back in April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terminated immigration records across the nation, even in South Dakota.

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In April, School of Mines graduate student Priya Saxena filed a lawsuit against DHS, suing the department for revoking her F-1 student visa and terminating her SEVIS records without notice.

Jim Leach, a Rapid City attorney representing Saxena in her lawsuit, said the federal governments actions were unlawful.

I chose to become her lawyer because I thought what was happening to her was really terrible and wrong, and as soon as I started to look at it, I saw that it was completely unlawful, Leach said.

Further, Leach said everyone deserves due process under the law, even with the newest attempts to limit international student activity in the U.S, and the federal government needs to be accountable.

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What theyve done so far  which the courts have really uniformly held was unlawful  was just telling foreign students, leave, Leach said. Well, theres a process they have to go through and the process is set by law. And the reason thats important is that reflects the separation of powers we have in this country.

Leach said international students make the states economy stronger, as these students pursue degrees and jobs in STEM and agriculture fields.

These are just people who came here to study Leach said. Foreign students, they tend to be really good people. And theyre here because they want to try and they want to learn. And I dont think we have any reason to be afraid of them. We should welcome them.

In South Dakota, over 2,200 international students attend a South Dakota public university, with 250 international students attending a private higher institution in the state, according to a 2025 BOR report.

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Back in March, KELOLAND News reported on the exact number of international students at each public university, with the largest international student population being at South Dakota State University (SDSU), the University of South Dakota (USD), and Dakota State University (DSU).

In May, Saxena got her legal status back to graduate from the School of Mines. Then, a judge ordered a preliminary injunction for Saxena to keep her legal status and pursue further education in the state.

[Saxena] is the kind of person who helps make our society better, Leach said. We accomplished so much through technological advances, and shes at the forefront of chemical and biological engineering.

For Saxena, the next step is to make the injunction permanent  although theres no scheduled court date at this time, Leach said. A permanent injunction would secure Saxenas opportunities in education and bar DHS from further tampering with her immigration records.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
UnitedHealth Group improperly uses workers funds to reduce its own 401(k) contributions, according to a lawsuit against the nations largest health insurer that is seeking class-action status. The company denies the claims. Its just one in a string of lawsuits facing the beleaguered company.

Add two more lawsuits to the pile facing UnitedHealth Group.

Americas largest insurer is facing two purported class-action suits from former employees alleging the company misused their 401(k) contributions.

The latest suit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Minnesota, claims that UnitedHealth Group held on to employees money after they left and used it to improperly lower its own costs, the plaintiffs argue. The move is a breach of UHGs duty to act in the best interests of its retirement plan participantsie, the current and former workers invested in its 401(k) plan.

As the suit describes it, UHG, which took in $400 billion in revenue last year, has a fairly standard corporate 401(k) plan, contributing up to 4.5% of employees pay under certain conditions. However, employees forfeit the money UHG contributed to their plan if they leave before completing two years with the company.

Between 2019 and 2023, UHG used $19 million in forfeited funds to reduce its own matching contributions, instead of using it to reduce administrative fees for the 401(k) accounts. That was a breach of UHGs fiduciary duty to plan participants, the plaintiff argues.

A prudent fiduciary in like circumstances would have defrayed expenses to the Plans participants rather than defray costs to the employer, says the lawsuit, claiming UHG caused participants to incur millions in expenses that could otherwise have been covered in whole or in part by forfeited funds. In not acting in plan participants best interests, UHG violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the suit claims. It is seeking class-action status.

UHGs 401(k) plan has $22 billion in assets and counts 267,000 participants, according to Department of Labor documents.

Our 401(k) plan fiduciaries have always acted in accordance with ERISA and in the best interests of plan participants, and we strongly deny any allegations to the contrary, a company spokesperson said in a statement. We will move to dismiss at the earliest opportunity.

Last year, UHG paid $69 million to settle claims that fund selections in its 401(k) plan underperformed the market.

Its also facing a number of lawsuits relating to its provision of health care. CalPERS, the California state retirement system, has sued UHG claiming the insurer illegally upcodes Medicare Advantage treatments, making patients seem sicker than they are, an allegation of massive fraud that is also subject to a federal Department of Justice investigation. Families of patients who died are suing UHG, alleging the company relied on an AI algorithm to deny care, and shareholders have sued in connection with UHGs reaction after the killing of CEO Brian Thompson.
By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) -Lee Jae-myung, the liberal South Korean politician elected on Tuesday as the country's next leader, overcame a knife attack, martial law and criminal charges on his unexpected path to the presidency.

Running for the Democratic Party, Lee defeated his conservative opponent by a wide margin in the snap election called after Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office over his brief attempt at martial law in December.

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Lee's unlikely journey from child labourer to human rights lawyer to governor known for his COVID-19 response reached the top level when he narrowly lost the presidency to Yoon, who later accused Lee of obstruction in justifying the martial law decree that led to Yoon's ouster.

Lee, 61, called a "gladiator in a suit" by one adviser, faces the task of soothing polarised politics and addressing rising economic concerns while negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on everything from tariffs to the cost of hosting American troops in the country.

On foreign policy, Lee is seen as likely to be less hawkish than Yoon on North Korea, potentially aligning him with any efforts by Trump to reach out to the country's leader, Kim Jong Un. His vows to improve ties with China and Russia, however, may prove to be areas of friction with Washington.

Legal accusations, although rejected by some courts, threatened Lee's eligibility for president. Yet key rulings were delayed until after the vote, paving the way for his run. It is unclear whether those cases will proceed while he is president.

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During Yoon's six hours of martial law on December 3, Lee climbed the National Assembly's walls to avoid security cordons deployed on Yoon's orders. He livestreamed his exploit, urging viewers to come to parliament and demonstrate to prevent the arrest of lawmakers.

Shortly after, he told Reuters the crisis was like a "virus" that had infiltrated the South Korean system, and that he was dedicated to eradicating it.

"We have to focus on removing the virus," he said. "With proper, rapid treatment, we will recover, and through the process, our nation and democracy will become even stronger."

ROUGH START

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Born to an impoverished farming family in a remote mountain village in the country's southeast, Lee worked as a child in chemical factories. He says the experience, which left him with impaired hearing and an arm deformity, explains his focus on economic equality.

As a human rights and labour lawyer, he entered politics, becoming mayor of Seongnam, south of Seoul, in 2010. Aiming for higher office, he came in third in the 2017 DP presidential primary after the impeachment and removal of conservative Park Geun-hye. The next year Lee was elected governor of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea's most populous province.

During the 2022 presidential campaign, his outsider image was initially considered a liability against establishment competitors. But with many disillusioned by runaway housing prices, poor employment prospects and a string of corruption scandals, Lee's populist message drove him to the head of the DP pack.

When Yoon squeaked out South Korea's narrowest presidential victory ever, Lee became the new president's main opponent as DP leader in parliament.

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In a rare step, Yoon refused to meet Lee and later cited unprecedented obstruction by parliament as a justification for martial law, an argument rejected by the Constitutional Court that removed him.

In January 2024, Lee was stabbed in the neck by a man who had written a manifesto saying he wanted to ensure Lee never became president. The assailant is serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder.

Democratic Party lawmaker Mo Gyeong-jong, who worked with Lee for over six years as his secretary and aide, told Reuters he expects Lee's leadership to focus on unity.

"He really hates unnecessary formalities and procedures," Mo said, explaining Lee would take a pragmatic approach to personnel appointments and pick the right people including from outside his political cohort.

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POSITIONS, SCANDALS

Lee is a contentious figure, particularly for his opponents on the right.

The conservative People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who lost to Lee in the election, branded him a "dictator" and his Democratic Party a "monster," warning that nothing will stop them from working together to amend laws simply because they do not like them.

Once having compared himself to Bernie Sanders, Lee more recently told TIME magazine he shares Donald Trump's drive to protect national interests.

On policies, Lee tempered some of his messages ahead of this election.

His zeal for proposals like a universal basic income faded in favour of issues more popular with businesses, including flexibility on working-hour restrictions, reforming inheritance taxes, and credits to companies that keep production in South Korea.

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Lee faces his share of scandals and legal entanglements.

He was convicted in November of violating the election law, getting a sentence that could have disqualified him from the presidency. An appeals court overturned the conviction but the Supreme Court reinstated it and ordered the lower court to sentence Lee. That sentencing, which could have barred Lee from office depending on its severity, was delayed until after the election after the courts said they wanted to avoid interfering.

Lee was cleared in November of a charge of having forced a witness to commit perjury. Prosecutors have appealed that ruling.

His other trials include one involving a $1-billion property development scandal and another linked to an alleged scheme to use an underwear company to transfer funds to North Korea and facilitate a visit to Pyongyang when he was a provincial governor.

He has denied all the charges.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by William Mallard and Saad Sayeed)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A South Korean navy plane crashed during a training flight on Thursday, killing all four crew members on board, the navy said.

The P-3 patrol plane took off from its base in the southeastern city of Pohang at 1:43 p.m. and crashed due to unknown reasons, the navy said in a statement. It said it had identified the bodies of the four crew members and was in the process of recovering them.

There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties on the ground. The navy set up a task force to investigate the crash and temporarily grounded its P-3s.

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An emergency office in Pohang said that rescuers and fire trucks were dispatched to the site after receiving reports from residents that an aircraft crashed on a hill near an apartment complex and caused a fire.

Photos showed firefighters and emergency vehicles near the crash site with flames flickering as a smoke engulfed trees. Fire crews sprayed water on what appeared to be the aircraft debris.

In December, a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed at Muan International Airport in southern South Korea, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. It was one of the deadliest disasters in South Koreas aviation history.
A South Korean Navy patrol plane with four people on board crashed on a mountain in Pohang, a city in the south-eastern part of the country, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing authorities.

The crash happened at 1:50 pm (0450 GMT). Witnesses said smoke was seen rising from the mountain, according to the report.

Two bodies have since been recovered, with the fate of the remaining two passengers initially unclear, Yonhap reported.

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The navy, in a short statement to reporters, said the crash occurred after the aircraft took off for a training exercise, but crashed "due to unidentified reasons."

The Navy confirmed that four people were on board, adding that it is investigating further details.

Fire workers have already been dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Koreas presidential race has devolved into personal attacks and petty disputes, drowning out meaningful policy debate after former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeols ouster over his martial law fiasco.

The bitter mudslinging between liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung and conservative opponent Kim Moon Soo escalated during the final presidential debate last week, with Lee branding Kim Yoon Suk Yeols avatar and Kim denouncing Lee as a harbinger of monster politics and dictatorship."

Here is a look at the words and controversies that have roiled campaigning for Tuesday's election:

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Lee roasted over coffee beans

Consistently trailing Lee in opinion polls, Kim has focused on dredging up his legal troubles and casting the outspoken Democratic Party candidate as a dangerous, hardline populist whose economic promises are detached from reality.

For days, Kims camp has seized on what appeared to be a casual comment by Lee about the profitability of running coffee shops during a May 16 campaign rally in Gunsan city.

Lee was touting his past policy as Gyeonggi governor in 2019, when he relocated unlicensed food vendors from the province's popular mountain streams to clean up and revitalize tourist areas.

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Lee said he offered to help vendors transition to legitimate businesses and suggested it would be far more profitable to sell coffee than their labor-intensive chicken porridge. Lee said he noted that a cup of coffee could sell for 8,000 to 10,000 won ($5.8 to $7.3), while the raw cost of beans was just 120 won (9 cents).

The remarks quickly struck a nerve in a country where the rapid spread of small coffee shops has come to symbolize the struggles of the self-employed in a decaying job market.

Kim's People Power Party accused Lee of driving a nail into the hearts of small business owners by portraying coffee shops as profiteering and said he misunderstood the factors behind retail pricing.

Lee accused the conservatives of distorting his remarks, saying he was simply explaining how he had helped vendors operate in a better environment.

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Kim sidesteps a Chanel bag scandal

Kim's avoidance of direct criticism of Yoon over his martial law decree has been a major source of Lee's political offensive against him.

When Yoon appeared May 21 to view a documentary film justifying his martial law decree and raising unfounded claims about how the liberals benefited from election fraud, some PPP members lamented he was practically campaigning for Lee.

Kim, formerly Yoon's labor minister, only said he would do his best as president to eliminate suspicions of alleged election fraud.

Kim also has not offered any notable reaction to various scandals surrounding Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee.

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Prosecutors in Seoul are investigating fresh allegations that the former first lady received luxury gifts, including two Chanel bags, from a Unification Church official seeking business favors after Yoon took office in 2022.

She previously faced several other allegations including receiving a Dior bag from a Korean American pastor and involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme.

During the presidential debate, Lee claimed Yoon would return as a shadow ruler behind Kim, and Kim skirted Lee's question about whether he would pardon Yoon.

Allegations from a room salon

The room salon is a long-standing symbol of South Koreas male-oriented nightlife culture. The expensive, private karaoke bar where hostesses drink and sing with male customers abruptly emerged as a hot election issue.

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Lees party alleged a judge handling Yoons rebellion trial visited one of the bars in affluent southern Seoul last year with two unidentified people. It said his companions paid the bill and they were likely linked to his work as a judge, representing a conflict of interest.

The judge, Jee Kui-youn, has been at the center of bipartisan wrangling since he approved Yoons release from prison in March and allowed him to stand his trial without physical detention.

We should strip him of his judge robe," party spokesperson Noh Jongmyun said. "Isnt it preposterous for him to serve as chief judge for the rebellion trial where the fate of Koreas democracy lies?

Jee denied the allegations, saying that like many ordinary people he enjoys samgyeopsal, grilled pork bellies, and somaek, shots mixing beer and the traditional Korean liquor soju.

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Conservative critics accuse the Democratic Party of trying to tame the judiciary branch as Lee faces five criminal trials over corruption and other allegations.

Chaos over unifying candidacies

South Korea declares a winner from a single round of voting and does not hold runoffs. Subsequently, when there is a clear front-runner, it is common for two remaining rivals to unify their campaigns and for the one who withdraws to support the other in exchange for a high-profile role in the government.

Conservatives engaged in such maneuvering as Lee maintained his front-running status, but the extremely chaotic, undemocratic manner failed and hurt Kim's campaign.

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Believing Han Duck-soo, Yoons former prime minister, had a better chance of defeating Lee, PPP leaders consisting primarily of Yoon loyalists held late night, emergency meetings to cancel Kims nomination and push a candidacy by Han, an independent. Party members rejected the idea in a vote, however.

Kim called the move an overnight political coup" and later made efforts to align with Lee Joon-seok, the candidate of the smaller conservative party. Lee has flatly rejected the overture.
A Southern California mother was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing her car with her children still inside.

On Memorial Day, Upland police responded to the collision near Campus Avenue and Arrow Highway in Upland just after 10 p.m.

The woman, who was driving a Chevy sedan, had crashed into the rear of a Jeep SUV that was parked on the side of the road.

A mother was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing her Chevy sedan into a parked Jeep in Upland while her children were still inside on May 26, 2025. (Upland Police Department) Police provided a blurred photo of a mother who was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing her Chevy sedan into a parked Jeep in Upland while her children were still inside on May 26, 2025. (Upland Police Department) A mother was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing her Chevy sedan into a parked Jeep in Upland while her children were still inside on May 26, 2025. (Upland Police Department)

Photos from the scene showed the womans car sustained heavy front-end damage. The impact had shoved the Jeep onto a curb and left damage on the rear passenger side.

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Police arrived at the scene and found two young children in the backseat of the womans car. The children were uninjured, but the woman sustained minor injuries. Officers said the woman also appeared to be drunk.

In a video posted by Upland police, the woman appeared confused as to why she was being taken into custody.

She was arrested for felony DUI and child endangerment. Her children were later released into the custody of family members.

No further details, including the womans identity, were provided as the case remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Loved ones are devastated after a 19-year-old nursing student was killed by a suspected DUI driver in San Bernardino County.

Larenz Fondren was pursuing his passion and was two months away from graduating and becoming a licensed vocational nurse.

Larenzs family said working in healthcare was his dream, inspired by his own lifelong battle with sickle cell disease.

Larenz Fondren, 19, is seen in a family photo. Larenz Fondren, 19, is seen in a family photo. Surveillance video captured the moment Larenz Fondren was struck and killed by a speeding, suspected DUI driver in Colton on May 2, 2025. Surveillance video captured the moment Larenz Fondren was struck and killed by a speeding, suspected DUI driver in Colton on May 2, 2025. The suspect, Antonio Medrano, 30, of Colton, was arrested at the scene for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence and for driving without a license on May 2, 2025. (Colton Police Department) The Fondren family is seeking justice for Larenz Fondrens death. (KTLA) Family members shared a collection of Larenz Fondrens trophies and academic awards on May 28, 2025. (KTLA) Video on social media showed the suspects car, which appeared to be a custom-painted blue and white Dodge Challenger, allegedly speeding in the bike lane moments before striking Larenz Fondren on May 2, 2025.

On May 2, he was on his way to work at a clinical rotation when he crossed the road near Washington Street and Center Drive in Colton shortly before 7 a.m.

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Surveillance video captured the moment Larenz, who was dressed in scrubs, crossed the street and was suddenly struck by a speeding driver.

My son flew 20 feet in the air, Wayne Fondren, Larenzs father, told KTLAs Shelby Nelson. When I went out there, it was him. I just cried, I couldnt do anything. Just imagine thats your son or someone elses. The pain, what Im feeling. He took my sons life.

Police said Larenz was later struck by multiple cars after the initial impact.

The driver, Antonio Medrano, 30, of Colton, was arrested at the scene for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence and for driving without a license.

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He was booked on $100,000 bail. Two days later, Medrano paid the bail and was released. After learning the suspect was out on the streets again, the victims family said they were beyond outraged.

My question is, how do you kill somebody on Friday and get out Sunday morning? Wayne said. With a DUI and your license having been suspended numerous times and now youve killed my son.

The suspect, Antonio Medrano, 30, of Colton, was arrested at the scene for gross vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence and for driving without a license on May 2, 2025. (Colton Police Department) Video on social media showed the suspects car, which appeared to be a custom-painted blue and white Dodge Challenger, allegedly speeding in the bike lane moments before striking Larenz Fondren on May 2, 2025.

A spokesperson with the Colton Police Department said the crash remained under investigation as they awaited toxicology results.

But nearly a month later, family members said they have yet to receive an update.

They did say that [the suspect] openly admitted to smoking marijuana, said Felisha Fondren, the victims sister.

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Video on social media showed the suspects car, which appeared to be a custom-painted blue and white Dodge Challenger, allegedly speeding in the bike lane moments before striking Larenz.

According to court records, Medrano has a reckless driving history, which includes previous infractions for speeding.

The 19-year-olds family said they hope the suspect is convicted and removed from the streets before another person is hurt or killed.

We want justice for Larenz Fondren, thats all we want, is justice, Wayne said.

There was no bad part about him, said Felisha Fondren, the victims mother. Not just saying that because hes our son. If you talk to anybody [about him,] you would know that.

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The Fondren family will be holding a public event at Cal Skate in Grand Terrace on June 7 to celebrate what would have been Lorenzs 20th birthday.

The San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office said they are aware of the case and is awaiting final reports to review before deciding whether to file charges.

Anyone with information on the case can contact Detective Isabel Jaramillo at 909-370-5142 or or email ijaramillo@coltonca.gov.

Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A new congressional watchdog report looking into whether U.S. Space Command's headquarters would be best served by remaining in Colorado found that new construction would be needed to fix significant problems, a major revelation as the Trump administration weighs moving the command to Alabama.

The Government Accountability Office, Congress' watchdog agency, published a report Thursday examining how former President Joe Biden's administration chose Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as Space Command's headquarters location despite the Air Force identifying Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as its preferred location, selected in the waning days of President Donald Trump's first term in 2021.

"The command is fully operational, but U.S. Space Command officials told GAO that they faced ongoing personnel, facilities and communications challenges," the report detailed. "As a result of identified challenges, officials stated the command's posture is not sustainable long term and new military construction would be needed to support the headquarters' operations in Colorado Springs, Colorado."

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Read Next: Trump Pardons Former Army Officer Convicted of Disobeying COVID-19 Safety Rules

The political fight over Space Command's future in either Alabama or Colorado has been a partisan tug-of-war for more than four years between the Trump and Biden's administrations, as well as the two states' delegations in Washington. Ultimately, with Trump back in office, many Republican lawmakers have been teasing for months that the president or his recently confirmed secretary of the Air Force would reverse Biden's decision.

Thursday's GAO report is just the latest round in the battle over the command's location. Colorado's delegation, as well as other lawmakers, requested a GAO and Department of Defense inspector general's report following Trump's 2021 announcement, and Alabama lawmakers requested two similar probes into Biden's move to reverse that choice in 2023.

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Defense budgeting experts such as Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said the revelation that new construction would be required for Space Command to stay in Colorado is a blow to that state's lawmakers.

"The main argument for keeping it in Colorado was always that new construction would not be needed right away," Harrison told Military.com. "But if that situation has changed, it certainly makes Alabama more favorable."

The uncertainty in the final basing location has led to personnel issues, the GAO report said, revealing that Space Command was not fully staffed as of fall 2024 -- filling only 1,024 of 1,379 authorized positions, including 576 of 809 government civilian positions.

Space Command officials interviewed by the GAO said this was "due to uncertainty regarding the command's final location and the complexities of hiring government civilians over the more straightforward process of assigning military personnel."

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In addition to the staffing woes, Space Command officials said existing facilities had shortcomings, noting they required "military construction of a permanent, purpose-built facility that is better suited to meet its unique power, information technology, square footage and security needs."

The officials also told the GAO that "without new construction, command, control, and mission operations will continue to operate inefficiently with greater vulnerabilities to mission, facilities, and personnel."

While being in Colorado and near other bases and commands -- U.S. Northern Command is nearby, for example -- offers benefits such as enhanced communication networks, there are also issues with sharing information technology networks with Peterson Space Force Base, the officials added.

Alissa Czyz, director of the GAO's Defense Capabilities and Management team, told Military.com that the new report probed how Biden's decision was made, as well as what issues currently face Space Command.

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"There was some rigorous analysis performed, kind of in response to some shortcomings identified both by GAO and IG [the DoD inspector general] in our original reports, citing the need for additional analyses and also incorporating military leaders' views of the risks with whatever location," Czyz said.

The GAO probe was one of two investigations into the Biden administration's decision requested by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., alongside a Pentagon inspector general investigation that was released last month. Rogers used his power over the Armed Services Committee to insert language into the annual defense policy bill in 2023 that temporarily halted funding for any Space Command headquarters construction pending the results of the investigations.

Thursday's GAO report noted that, in July 2023, Space Command "proposed a construction project for a new multistory, permanent headquarters facility to replace its current temporary and leased facilities," which would start in 2029 and be complete by 2034 for a price tag of $1.5 billion.

But Rogers' halt on construction funding froze those developments.

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"According to U.S. Space Command officials, this project was put on hold and no further planning for the construction of a headquarters facility in Colorado Springs had been initiated as of March 2025," the GAO report noted.

Rogers released a statement on the new GAO report Thursday saying the findings provide further reason for the command to move to his state.

"The GAO report yet again affirms that Huntsville is the best option for Space Command

s headquarters," Roger said in the release. "When making his decision to locate the combatant command headquarters in Huntsville, President Trump prioritized transparency, national security, and a commitment to saving taxpayer dollars."

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Notably, neither former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall nor former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Pentagon investigators, citing privileged conversations with former President Biden. The DoD IG report, released in April, showed key details were still missing as to how Kendall identified Redstone Arsenal in Alabama as the preferred location, but Biden made the ultimate announcement and call.

Czyz told Military.com that the GAO spoke with Kendall; according to her, he told investigators that "he was informed of the decision shortly before it happened." They also spoke with other senior defense and Air Force officials, but were not able to get information from the Biden White House, she added.

The multiple investigations since 2021 have done little to sway opinion on Capitol Hill, where the Alabama and Colorado delegations have dug in and claimed vindication after each successive report.

Colorado lawmakers appeared unready to give up Thursday, despite the GAO findings.

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"The release of today's GAO report is clear: Colorado Springs is the best home for U.S. Space Command's headquarters. Continued efforts to move the headquarters only hurts [sic] our national security," Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, posted on social media. "Space Command is fully operational, and the Department of Defense needs to move quickly to construct a permanent HQ at Peterson Space Force Base to put the issue to bed, once and for all."

Related: Key Details Still Missing on Why Biden Made Final Call on Space Command's HQ, New Report Details
A rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is on the horizon  and when this so Florida thing occurs, it's very Instagram-worthy.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will potentially launch a GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force on Friday, May 30.

Though rockets here blast off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, people beyond the Space Coast can sometimes see this phenomenon.

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Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, a rocket launch from Floridas Space Coast could be visible from Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach to Vero Beach and West Palm Beach (see videos and photo gallery with this story). When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, theres an opportunity for unique photos  the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo.

Below is more information on rocket launches in Florida and suggestions on where to watch them.

Rocket launch tally: Here's a list of all 2025 missions from Cape Canaveral, Florida (psst, there's a lot)

For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Space Reporter Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space.

When is the next SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? Friday, May 30: SpaceX GPS III-7

Mission: SpaceX will launch a Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite for the Space Force's Space Systems Command atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

Launch window: 1:23 p.m. to 2:08 p.m. ET Friday, May 30, 2025

Launch location: Launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida

Sonics booms: TBA

Trajectory : TBA

Live coverage starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space: You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Networks Space Team, which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space, starting 90 minutes before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play, or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

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Tom Cruise and untitled SpaceX project: 'Mission: Impossible' star who lives in Florida may shoot a film in outer space

Live weather radar: Will it rain in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel a rocket launch?

Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast, Brevard County, Orlando and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.

Where to see a Florida rocket launch in Palm Beach County: What does a West Palm Beach rocket launch view look like?

Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, some rocket launches from the Space Coast can be visible in Palm Beach County. When theres a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, with a southeast trajectory, theres an opportunity for unique photos. Some examples include United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket launch and SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

From Cape Canaveral, Florida, to West Palm Beach, Florida, it's about 150 miles.

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What the views look like: Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral spotted in West Palm Beach

Rocket launches from Cape Canaveral can often be seen from Palm Beach County, and it can be as easy as walking out of your house and looking north. Try to get away from any obstructions, such as trees, tall buildings, and bright lights. Obviously, cloud cover can also get in the way.

If the forecast is for clear skies and you want a better view, some good places to watch the rocket launch from Palm Beach County include:

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida SpaceX rocket launch: What time is liftoff from Cape Canaveral
NASA hopes to put astronauts on the moon in just two years, but a critical spacecraft required for the mission keeps exploding or disintegrating: SpaceXs Starship, the largest rocket ever built. Originally envisioned as a Mars rocket, it is also a key piece of NASAs plan to outpace China and land humans on the lunar surface for the first time in more than half a century.

On its ninth launch Tuesday, the 403-foot-tall Starship managed to reach space, but as it reentered the atmosphere it began to tumble out of control and broke apart. The two previous Starship launches ended in explosions over the Caribbean.

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The consecutive failures may have decreased the likelihood SpaceX can meet NASAs 2027 goal, observers said, a schedule that has already been questioned as overly ambitious.

Aerospace experts did not appear greatly alarmed, however, with several noting that Starship is a boundary-breaking feat of engineering and that, even when the skies are filled with flying debris, progress is being made. That was also the message from SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk on his social media platform X after Tuesdays mission:

Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Musk wrote. Also, no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent. Leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Lot of good data to review.

NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner said Wednesday that the agency is encouraged by the latest test flight and that each test yields important data. The first lunar landing will use a different version of Starship for its human landing system than the early developmental version tested. We have confidence SpaceX will fully investigate every aspect of their test flight and address any issues.

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Phil Larson, a former space adviser to President Barack Obama who is now a senior strategist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, was similarly upbeat.

This is to be expected and actually fun to watch, he said Wednesday. This is our version of the space race in the 60s, updated with new technology, better rockets, reusable systems.

But Tuesdays test flight - whether a failure or not - comes at a delicate time for NASA and its moon program. Under NASAs elaborate plan and ambitious timeline for returning to the moon, failure to work out the kinks in Starship is not an option.

The problems that caused the two previous explosions of Starship were resolved, noted Mamta Patel Nagaraja, an aerospace consultant and former associate chief scientist for exploration at NASA. But NASAs goal of boots on the ground in 2027 may be implausible, she said.

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The fact that they actually go to space, that at least is progress. Now, does it change the timeline? she said. Of course its going to push the timeline.

Artemis - as NASA has dubbed its program to return humans to the moon - was conceived during the first Trump administration. In 2019, the agency set a 2024 date for landing astronauts, but the timeline slipped.

Artemis I sent an uncrewed capsule around the moon in 2022 without landing, and Artemis II, a similar journey with a crew, is supposed to launch next year. Artemis III, which aspires to land astronauts near the moons south pole, is scheduled for mid-2027, NASAs outgoing administrator, Bill Nelson, said in December.

But the Artemis program has drawn criticism from outside NASA and even from Musk, who has called it a distraction from the greater goal of reaching Mars. President Donald Trump has echoed that argument as well. Artemis and precursor programs have been costly, on the order of $100 billion already, according to a NASA inspector generals report.

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Some of the most withering criticism has been directed at the complex mission architecture, which has the feel of a system designed by many disputatious committees.

The current architecture of Artemis does not make sense, said Robert Zubrin, a veteran aerospace engineer and president of the Mars Society, which advocates Mars exploration.

The elements dont fit together, Zubrin said. Its five separate elements which have each been funded for different reasons.

The current plan uses a NASA-owned heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System, to send four astronauts to lunar orbit in a NASA-owned capsule, Orion. Then comes what may be the biggest challenge: getting two of those astronauts to the surface and back again safely.

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NASA has given SpaceX $4 billion in Artemis contracts that include using a modified Starship, called the Starship Human Landing System, to dock with Orion and then transport the astronauts to and from the lunar surface.

The lunar lander is so tall - more than 160 feet - that the astronauts will have to take an elevator to the surface. When blasted back to lunar orbit, they would rejoin the other two astronauts in Orion, which would send them back to Earth.

Major elements of the mission are far from complete or have not passed critical tests or design reviews. That includes milestones that SpaceX hasnt achieved.

To carry out its tasks, SpaceX has to launch a set of uncrewed Starship tankers to orbit to create a fuel depot. Fuel will then have to be transferred to another Starship that would travel to the moon. SpaceX also must land an uncrewed Starship on the moon before attempting to do it with astronauts.

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If NASA wants to fly Artemis 3 in 2027 like its on the books, SpaceX should be doing its uncrewed landing demo on the moon no later than mid-to-late next year with Starship, Pam Melroy, a former astronaut who flew three space shuttle missions, including one as commander, and later served as deputy NASA administrator under President Joe Biden, said in an email.

Although progress has been made in launch and recovery, the challenge is that SpaceX also has to start to prove the ability to have a fuel depot and be able to successfully launch Starships to it and fill it up with propellant, which is also required for a landing on the Moon, Melroy said.

SpaceX has demonstrated engineering virtuosity since its days as a start-up company two decades ago, and thanks to its Falcon 9 rocket is now the dominant provider of launches globally. American astronauts fly to the International Space Station via the Falcon 9 and the Dragon spacecraft. But although SpaceX wins plaudits for its achievements, Musk has a history of overpromising on meeting mission milestones.

Starship is an order of magnitude more challenging than Falcon 9 was, said Lori Garver, the NASA deputy administrator in Obamas first term. Some of this is new ground. The size of the vehicle is unique. Weve never done a reusable vehicle this large. It was also not initially planned for the lunar mission; it was planned for the Mars mission.

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Musk has maintained since he founded SpaceX more than two decades ago that human settlement of Mars - eventually developing into a civilization completely independent of Earth - is necessary to make humanity a multi-planet species capable of surviving existential threats. He has denounced federal regulators who he claims have slowed progress on Starship.

We want to enable anyone who wants to be a space traveler to go to Mars! Musk wrote on X last year. That means you or your family or friends - anyone who dreams of great adventure. Eventually, there will be thousands of Starships going to Mars and it will a glorious sight to see! Can you imagine? Wow.

Standing in the way of Musks dream are tremendous technical challenges and the wishes of Congress, which pays the bills and passes the legislation telling NASA what it must do. Congress is invested in Artemis. And NASAs Moon to Mars program makes clear that the one is a stepping stone to the other.

And the first step is still - 56 years after Apollo 11s heroic journey - a big one.

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Spanish law enforcement has declined Ukraines proposal to form a joint task force to investigate the murder of Andrii Portnov, a lawyer and influential figure linked to Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian former president of Ukraine who fled the country after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Without trial or investigation. What was Andrii Portnov doing on the eve of his murder?

Quote: "Immediately following Portnovs murder, Ukraine proposed forming a joint investigative group with Spanish law enforcement, but the offer was declined. Spanish investigators have not ruled out that the Ukrainian security services may have been involved."

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Details: Ukrainska Pravdas sources suggested two possible motives for Ukraines interest in a joint investigation. One is to obtain access to investigation materials, including Portnovs phones and devices, which may contain sensitive information. The other is a desire  particularly on the part of Oleh Tatarov, a key figure overseeing Ukraines law enforcement  to expedite the investigation and clarify the circumstances of the killing.

The Spanish authorities have also refused to release Portnovs body to Ukraine, but are expected to do so early next week.

For reference: Portnov was deputy head of the presidential administration under pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2010-2014. He denied crimes committed by the security forces against participants of the Revolution of Dignity in the winter of 2013-2014 and later fled Ukraine. He returned in 2019 on the eve of the inauguration of the newly elected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Portnov was also believed to be an influential fixer in the Ukrainian courts.

In 2018, criminal proceedings were opened against Portnov for treason. But in 2019, Portnov announced on Telegram that the Security Service of Ukraine had closed the criminal case against him, posting the relevant documents.

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In 2019, investigative journalists released tape recordings of conversations from the office of the notorious judge Pavlo Vovk. From these conversations, the journalists extrapolated that Portnov, together with Vovk and the then head of the President's Office, Andrii Bohdan, had illegally influenced the dismissal of Stanislav Shevchuk as chairman of the Constitutional Court.

When Iryna Venediktova became prosecutor general in April 2020, Portnov blackmailed her, saying that he had compromising information about illegal activities that she was allegedly involved in.

In the same year, Oleksandr Sokolov, then acting director of the State Bureau of Investigations, admitted that there were "influential groups" within law enforcement agencies that had disclosed confidential information and key details of investigations to former officials, including Portnov.

In December 2021, the US government imposed sanctions against Andrii Portnov and his charitable foundation.

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Portnov was 51.

Background: Portnov was shot dead on 21 May 2025 outside the American School in Madrids Pozuelo de Alarcon suburb, shortly after dropping off his children. Spanish police suspect the attack was meticulously planned, possibly by a professional assassin using a silenced pistol, with at least one accomplice and a prearranged escape route. No arrests have been made and the motives under consideration include organised crime and political retribution.

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Key Points

XRP is benefiting from regulatory wins as the Trump administration takes a softer stance towards the cryptocurrency industry.

While XRP looks unlikely to repeat its prior performance, it is poised to outperform most of its peers.

10 stocks we like better than XRP 

There is a lot you could do with $6,500 -- put a down payment on a new car, buy a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, or even take an extended vacation somewhere warm and sunny. But if you used that cash to buy XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) in 2015, you would have a jaw-dropping $1,000,000 today. That's enough to stop working and earn more than the US's median income ($42,220) just from the interest on 30-year treasury bonds.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20; otherwise, we would all be rich. But while it is challenging to know which assets will generate such life-changing returns in the future, that won't stop us from trying. So let's dig deeper to see what the next five years might have in store for XRP.

A unique spin on the cryptocurrency industry

When San Francisco-based Ripple Labs launched the XRP blockchain in 2012, the cryptocurrency industry was very different from what it is today. Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, had launched just three years earlier, and people still didn't know what to make of the new asset class and how it could be useful in real life. XRP aimed to help bring this technology into the mainstream by disrupting the international payments market.

The developers realized that crypto represents an ideal bridge currency. Someone who wants to transfer U.S. dollars to South African rand can use their dollars to buy XRP and then use that XRP to buy rand, bypassing potentially slow and expensive centralized intermediaries.

Ripple designed their blockchain to prioritize everyday usability, with an average transaction time of just 3 to 5 seconds and low fees of just 0.00001 XRP, which is worth a fraction of a cent. For context, the average Bitcoin transaction costs $1.52 and takes 44 minutes to complete at the time of writing.

A lot has happened since 2012. New blockchains have become faster and cheaper than XRP. Meanwhile, dollar-pegged stablecoins, such as Tether, can often serve as better bridge currencies because of their fixed prices. That said, XRP's early-mover advantages give it a level of trust and mainstream acceptance that will be hard for new blockchains to beat. This edge is crucial in the often poorly differentiated digital asset markets.

Regulatory wins are a long-term tailwind

Regulatory wins are another long-term tailwind for XRP, which has faced intense legal scrutiny in previous years. However, under the Trump administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has backed away from regulatory enforcement to prioritize clarity. XRP's developer, Ripple, has benefited from this policy change.
Spanish King Felipe VI has firmly rejected calls to dismantle the European Union, warning against the rise of "dangerous and misguided voices" advocating for a return to isolated national politics.

The king made the comments on Thursday during a speech at the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen, Germany.

"We need to confront them! Dangerous and misguided voices that argue that Europeans will be freer, more independent and sovereign if they inhabit separate national political communities and work alone to address global challenges," he said.

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"The international environment - I strongly believe - calls for more Europe. It is now, truly, the time for Europe. Not for a more 'euro-centric' vision of the world," he added.

The Charlemagne Prize is widely regarded as the most prestigious honour for contributions to European unity.

This year's recipient, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was praised by the award committee for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action."

The award ceremony is taking place in the city hall of Aachen, an ancient city on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands linked to the 8th/9th century European emperor, Charlemagne.
Originally appeared on E! Online

A sperm donor with a rare genetic mutation linked to cancer is sparking debate about regulation of the practice.

In the years between 2008 and 2015, sperm from the same donor was used to conceive at least 67 children from 46 families, Edwige Kaspera biologist at Rouen University Hospital in Francerevealed, per CNN, during a May 24 presentation at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics in Milan.

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And of the children conceived using the unnamed donors sperm, ten have already been diagnosed with cancer.

At the heart of the problem seems to lie the regulation, Kasper explained during the presentation, or maybe the lack of regulation of the number of births by a single donor.

While analysis proved that the donor was healthy himself, it also showed that he possessed a rare mutation in a gene named TP53, which is likely to cause a rare disorder that increases a persons risk of developing cancer called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.

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The mutation was not known when the donation was made, Kasper clarified, but children born from this donor have since been identified in eight different European countries. And ten of them have been diagnosed with cancers such as brain tumors and Hodgkin Lymphoma. Another 13 children, per CNN, are carrying the gene but have not yet developed a cancer.

Because of the childrens increased risk of developing cancer, Kasper added that they will require regular medical examinations throughout their lifetimes. After all, they have been predisposed to have a 50% chance of transmitting the mutation onto their kids.

At the time of donation, the man had only donated to a single private sperm bank, per CNN, The European Sperm Bank in Denmark.

LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images

The donor has been thoroughly tested even above the required standards, Julie Paulli Budtz, the organizations Vice President of Corporate Communications, told CNN in a statement. But preventative genetic screening is reaching its limits here.

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Every human being has about 20,000 genes, she added, and it is scientifically simply not possible to detect disease-causing mutations in a persons gene pool if you dont know what you are looking for.

And while there is currently no limit on the number of children that are allowed to be born using a single donor, per CNN, Budtz expressed her desire to change that.

In addition to following national pregnancy limits, she stated, we have proactively implemented our own international limit of 75 families per donor.

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SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  According to the Washington County Sheriffs Office, two firefighters are facing criminal charges after allegedly stealing close to 10 thousand dollars from the city of Johnson, with one firefighter coming from the Springdale Fire Department.

Springdale Fire Chief Blake Holte said he felt upset after he learned of firefighter Brian Copelands alleged involvement in stealing thousands of dollars.

Two former Northwest Arkansas firefighters accused from embezzling funds from City of Johnson

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Its unfortunate. We take our responsibility seriously, said Chief Holte.

According to Holte, Copeland has been put on administrative leave until more information on the case comes out.

We want all of our people to have the implicit and explicit trust with the public, all the time, said Holte.

When Springdale resident Mikayla Barker learned about the arrests of two northwest Arkansas firefighters the same day, she said she now questions the very group of people who are sworn to protect the community.

The firefighters are supposed to be like the best kinds of people. Like, they give a lot to their community. And its weird for them to take away, said Barker.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  June 1 marks the 14th Anniversary of the devastating tornado that damaged several communities across Western Massachusetts.

Its something many still remember very vividly. The 22News Storm Team warned thousands of people about the devastating EF-3 tornado that cut a path of destruction from Westfield to Charlton on June 1, 2011.

Temperature outlook for summer in Massachusetts

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One of our guys behind the scenes moved our Springfield Skycam towards the Connecticut River, looking over towards West Springfield, said Nick Bannin, former 22News Meteorologist. And then we saw live on camera a tornado, developing and dropping down into West Springfield, then crossing the Connecticut River.

Trees, buildings and homes were torn down, power was out, and the streets were empty.

I remember my mother and mother-in-law calling me, You should stay put, and me sort of shooing them and saying, No, well be fine, therell be no tornado,' said Denise Hurst, Springfield School Committee Member. And then hours later, walking out of this doctor appointment, and just having this very eerie feeling, that I was like the only one that existed in the city.

The tornado damaged several communities in western Massachusetts and killed three people. In Springfield, Mayor Domenic Sarno told 22News that 38 people were severely injured.

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Youve got to let people know three things: what happened, one, two, what youre going to do about it, and three, just as important, hope, said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

In the hours following the tornado, Mayor Sarno was on the ground with local, state, and federal officials conducting searches and rescues for almost 18 hours a day. Now that the city has recovered, Mayor Sarno keeps the boots he wore on those days in his office as a remembrance.

Mayor Sarno encourages everyone to take a moment of silence on Sunday, June 1, at 4:38 p.m. He is also asking local houses of worship to ring their bells at that time to signify the time the tornado touched down in Springfield.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)State lawmakers are pushing back as the closing of Springfields Small Business Administration Office looms just days away, and no staff remain for the office.

E-bike rider killed in Springfield car crash

The lease for the Springfield office was terminated by DOGE officials earlier this year and officially ends on Sunday, June 1st. That means small business owners in our area will face an hours-long trip out to Boston if they need to visit an office for aid.

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Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, alongside Congressmen Richard Neal and Jim McGovern, are all speaking out. Theyre demanding a solution for western Massachusetts entrepreneurs, calling on Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler to work to keep the Springfield district office fully staffed and open.

They emphasize that this district office helps connect rural, underserved, and emerging markets to federal resources that support local economies. Having played a key role in helping small businesses apply for loans and disaster relief programs.

There are no longer any employees working at the Springfield office, following a string of mass firings of SBA workers back in February. Lawmakers say theres no plan to relocate the Springfield office or hire any new workers.

State lawmakers have sent a list of questions to the SBA, asking who closed the office and what support will be given to people in our area. Theyre demanding a response by Saturday before the building closes Sunday.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) took a moment to celebrate their top students before soon-to-be graduates move their tassels and walk across the stage.

Springfield cyclists to ride 100 miles for Special Olympics

The college held its annual Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday evening. The celebration recognizes the efforts of dozens of honors students and how they go above and beyond. From the hard work and demonstrated excellence within their academic programs, to their leadership and service to the surrounding community.

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We are also just having a celebration of curious students who lead in their classrooms, who lead outside of classand just make the campus achieve its mission, said Christopher Thuot, Vice President of Academic Affairs, STCC.

STCC will celebrate its full class of 2025 on Thursday. Commencement will take place at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
For the past few months, seniors at Springhill Retirement Community have been communicating with students at McKean Elementary School the old-fashioned way, by handwritten letter.

In January, second graders began writing to their pen pals at Springhill every week, and the seniors have been writing back.

Presque Isle beaches named among most underrated in the US

It was an opportunity to practice penmanship and learn more about the older generation.

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After five months of writing, on Thursday, the pen pals got a chance to meet in person.

The second graders visited Springhill and performed a patriotic play. When the performance concluded, the introductions began.

It was a constant back and forth throughout the winter and spring months so far, said Katie MacKenzie, director of wellbeing for Springhill

I just got her last letter was Im so excited, I get to meet you soon! Ann Townsend, a Springhill resident, told us.

She was all excited, and that excitement, its catchy, Jan Gossman, another Springhill resident, went on to say.

Erie students create their own cooking shows highlighting regional food

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About 20 seniors and 20 students took part, and many plan to continue their correspondence.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
METAIRIE, La. (KLFY)  Lafayette Sr. Cpl. Segus Jolivette was one of three fallen Louisiana law enforcement officers honored Wednesday at the 23rd annual candlelight vigil at the Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Jolivette was killed in the line of duty July 25 at an armed standoff in Jeanerette.

Nearly one hundred law enforcement officers gathered at Metairie Cemetery Wednesday evening for the annual candlelight vigil and memorial service.

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The memorial, inspired by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C., was established to recognize the service and sacrifice of the more than 500 Louisiana law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty since 1870.

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Also honored at the service were Officer Russell Croxton of the Dubach Police Department and Constable Alfred E. Kelly Karlton of the Tangipahoa Parish Constables Office.

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SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a suspicious note found in the restroom of a local business in Navarre on Tuesday, May 27.

According to a news release, the note was written by a female victim who indicated she was being held against her will at a nearby residence and feared for her life.

Police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Jordan Williams using surveillance footage, prior case records and witness interviews. Williams and the victim had a documented history with the SRSO of domestic violence.

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A search warrant was executed at the listed residence, and deputies located the adult female, who confirmed the authorship of the bathroom note. She further confirmed a prolonged period of abuse.

Authorities said the victim detailed repeated assaults, threats involving weapons and being held in isolation for several months by Williams. Upon arrival, she had visible injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of broken bones and other suspected trauma.

Jordan Williams was arrested on several charges:

Felony, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon

Felony, kidnap-false imprisonment

Felony, battery

Misdemeanor, batter, touch or strike

Felony, battery by strangulation

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Williams was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail on Wednesday and will appear in front of a judge on Thursday, May 29, to determine if a bond will be set.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119, where help is available 24/7.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
I-HWA CHENG / AFP via Getty Images Morgan Stanley analysts on Tuesday affirmed their "overweight" rating and $160 price target for Nvidia, run by CEO Jensen Huang





Key Takeaways

Morgan Stanley named Nvidia its "top pick" among semiconductor stocks Tuesday, a day before the chipmaker's expected earnings release.

Despite near-term concerns, there is a clear path to "re-acceleration" for Nvidia in the second half of the year, the bank said.

Wedbush said increased AI spending in the Middle East could mitigate the effects of a U.S. ban on sales of Nvidia's H20 chip to China.







Morgan Stanley named Nvidia (NVDA) its "top pick" among semiconductor stocks Tuesday, a day before the chipmaker's expected earnings release, despite near-term concern over sales to China.

The bank's analysts on Tuesday said potential issues that might trouble investorslike the impact of the Trump administration's ban on the sale of Nvidia's H20 chips to Chinaare "well telegraphed" and the "path to a [second-half] re-acceleration is clear." Nvidia has said it expects to face a $5.5 billion charge related to the tightened export controls.

The bank affirmed its "overweight" rating and $160 price target, which implies a roughly 22% upside over the stock's closing level last Friday. The analysts said they are "not buying the stock for the [quarter] explicitly, but buying it for what we believe is coming."

Middle East AI Spending Could Fill China Void, Wedbush Says

The impact of tighter export restrictions on China is softened by demand growth in the Middle East, Wedbush Securities analysts said Tuesday. Earlier this month, Nvidia announced a deal to supply chips to a Saudi Arabian startup and reportedly is involved in a deal allowing UAE to import advanced American-made chips.

AI spending from Saudi Arabia and UAE "could help fill the void left by this near-term China uncertainty in Nvidia's future business" and potentially add $1 trillion to the global AI market in the coming years, the Wedbush analysts said. Wedbush's price target for Nvidia is $175, whichunlike Morgan Stanley'sis above the Visible Alpha analyst consensus approaching $164.

Shares of Nvidia rose more than 3% to $135.53 in recent trading Tuesday to move into slightly positive territory for the year.



Read the original article on Investopedia
Weeks before St. Cloud was set to declare Pride Month for only the second time in its history, council members decided to pause all proclamations and vote on a new process for considering them  a decision set to take place June 12, the nine-year anniversary of the shooting at Pulse.

While council members didnt explicitly say Pride month is the reason behind the pause, the citys first openly gay council member said it was the clear target.

The proclamation will not be issued, said Deputy Mayor Shawn Fletcher, the citys first openly gay council member. To take the time to basically say youre not valued or worthy enough to be a resident of the city is just unbelievable.

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Issuing proclamations  an official recognition of a person, group, cause or event  is a common endeavor for elected boards across Florida and around the country. Most are non-controversial, but some spark political division, though it rarely leads to the contortions now occurring in St. Cloud.

The Osceola County city of 60,000 is also pausing other proclamations for June, including some that would have been expected to win quick approval, such as Home Ownership Month and Fatherhood Awareness Month.

The city council will discuss its policy on proclamations at its June 12 meeting, its last for the month, which effectively nixes the ability to declare June as Pride month in St. Cloud.

June is recognized as Pride month in many communities around the country in recognition of the Stonewall Uprising in New York in 1969, a protest considered a turning point for gay rights in the U.S. In Central Florida, June has even deeper meaning for the local community because of the 2016 massacre at Orlandos Pulse nightclub, a haven for the LGBTQ community, in which 49 people were killed.

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But in St. Cloud, council member Kolby Urban proposed a moratorium on proclamations during a May 20 workshop meeting, saying some may be controversial and the current policy doesnt allow enough time for review.

The policy currently states that proposed proclamations are placed on the next city council meeting agenda, meaning they can quickly be voted on. But the council unanimously agreed to look at establishing a longer review process before proclamations come up for a vote at a meeting.

There are certain issues that our city has nothing to do with, theyre state and federal issues, Urban said at the meeting. Its controversy that the city doesnt need.

The pause comes amid years of Florida legislation that aimed to stifle pride celebrations and sparked fear in LGBTQ communities.

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In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the Protection of Children Act that prohibited minors from viewing sexually explicit performances, a provision aimed at drag shows, and also punished businesses who knowingly allowed children at these events. The legislation prompted many cities across the state to cancel Pride celebrations  including St. Clouds very first.

St. Clouds LGBTQ pride festival held its inaugural celebration in 2022. But the following year, amid fear of the legislation, it was cancelled. It returned in 2024 with a rebranded name and more community support as Proud in the Cloud.

The festivals founder, Kristina Bozanich, wrote a letter on May 26 to the city council following the decision to pause all proclamations expressing her profound disappointment and concern.

This action sends a deeply troubling message to the LGBTQ+ residents of St. Cloud and undermines the progress our city has made towards inclusivity in just the past few years, Bozanich said in the letter. Last years Pride Proclamation was a significant moment for our community, being a clear demonstration of respect, support, and commitment from our citys leadership.

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Fletcher introduced the citys 2024 Pride month declaration with unanimous support, and this year he thought it would be the same. But at the first city council meeting on May 27 after the pause on proclamations, Fletcher asked other council members to approve the Pride month proclamation already pending for June 12. It was met with silence.

Ill take that as a no, Fletcher said at the meeting.

In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Fletcher said the pause forces the pride proclamation to be dropped as the June 12 meeting is the final one for the month. The city had already revisited the policy last year in May, a factor Fletcher said is troubling.

Weve already went through the policy and a lot went into that to make sure it was done the right way, Fletcher said. So now to go back and look at it again at the same time seems like there could potentially be a pattern.

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St. Cloud isnt the only governing agency with proclamation issues.

In June 2023 in nearby Polk County, commissioners rejected the proclamation declaring Pride month on their agenda.

In 2023, an Orange County School Board meeting got heated when a board member blasted the annual proclamation declaring October as LGBTQ+ Awareness and History month. It was ultimately approved that year and again in 2024.

Last year, the school board changed it proclamation policy to label them celebrations/observations instead, all of which will be placed on the board agenda in August of each year, Orange Schools spokesperson Michael Ollendorff wrote in an email.

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LGBTQ+ Awareness and History month will be on the August agenda for approval for the 2025-2026 school year.

Osceola County, where St. Cloud is located, is set to vote on declaring June Pride month at its upcoming June 2 commission meeting.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A firefighter with the St. George Fire Department (SGFD) helped save the life of a toddler who lived not too far from his home.

On April 18, 2025, St. George Fire Captain Aaron Kowal was working on his home when he was alerted by his wife about a drowning two blocks away from where they live.

His wife is St. George Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Meg Kling. She saw the call come across her phone.

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Captain Kowal said his wife initially saw the call because it was a 911 call and appeared on the departments emergency response app. That meant the fire department and EMS were on the way to the scene.

He jumped into his truck on his day off and drove over to where the drowning took place.

When he arrived, Kowal saw a family member in the front yard and then went to the backyard, where he saw more family and the toddler.

The St. George firefighter said the toddler could not get an adequate breath in and was blue.

Kowal said he repositioned the toddler and used maneuvers to clear his airway.

Paramedics then arrived at the scene, and they later said, Without Captain Kowals quick response, the first responders most likely would have been administering CPR when they got there as the body can only go without appropriate ventilation for so long, according to Kling.

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She said that without Kowals intervention, the toddler would not have been ok for much longer.

Police: 4-year-old girl drowns at Zachary community pool

Despite his actions, Kowal does not consider himself a hero in this case. When you have the training to help someone that you know needs help, its just the right thing to do, he said.

St. George firefighters Wyatt Spring, Aaron Kowal and Luke Bertrand stand in front of a firetruck. (St. George Fire Department)

The St. George firefighter added he just wants to help people.

Kowal said, I grew up riding in the back of my dads truck when he was a firefighter with my brother and watching him impact peoples lives for the better.

The St. George Fire Department recommends that people follow these drowning prevention tips.

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ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis drug trafficker linked to nine murders was sentenced Thursday to two life terms behind bars.

A federal judge sentenced Anthony TT Jordan, 38, to two consecutive life sentences, plus five additional years. Jordan was also ordered to pay $67,000 in restitution.

In February, a jury convicted Jordan of one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and nine counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime resulting in death.

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Evidence and testimony presented at that trial showed that Jordan led a major cocaine trafficking ring and enforced a lethal code against those who snitched, those who stole, and those who targeted his associates, according to a sentencing memorandum.

Sheriffs Dept. turns over findings in daycare death to Prosecuting Attorneys Office

Investigators say, after one of Jordans associates was murdered, he retaliated by targeting a St. Louis gang he believed was responsible, along with their family members, with help from others.

Jordan was tied for multiple non-fatal shootings and the murders of nine people from April 2008 to February 2014, including:

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Al Walters

Linnie Jackson

Keith Burks

Marquis Jones

Keairrah Johnson

Anthony Blinky Clark

Robert Parker G Parker

Clara Walker

Michail Yellow Mack Gridiron

Todays sentencing of Anthony Jordan wraps up the last and most violent of the 34 defendants

responsible for large-scale drug trafficking directly sourced from Mexican cartels, said Special

Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division via a news release. Dismantling an entire criminal enterprise is what the FBI does best. Together with our law enforcement partners, this is how we are making the greatest impact in protecting our community.

Investigators say Jordans cocaine was often supplied by Adrian Lemons, who obtained cocaine in bulk from representatives of a Mexican cartel. Lemons, 47, of St. Louis, is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence.

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ST. LOUIS  Several small business owners gathered Thursday in St. Louis to speak out against a new wave of U.S. tariffs they say are driving up operating costs, disrupting supply chains and making it harder for businesses to survive.

A Thursday news conference, organized by national advocacy group Tariffs Cost Us, featured testimony from three St. Louis-based entrepreneurs, each highlighting how tariffs are challenging their industries.

In April, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new trade policy that imposes tariffs on many of the nations top trading partners, including a 10% baseline tariff on all imports and steeper rates on countries with significant trade surpluses with the U.S.  most notably a 34% tariff on Chinese goods and 20% on imports from the European Union, according to the Associated Press.

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Two federal court rulings, including one on Thursday, have temporarily blocked key portions of the plan, finding that Trump cannot claim unilateral authority to impose tariffs by declaring a national emergency over trade deficits. Still, an appeals court granted the Trump administrations emergency request to keep collecting from tariffs while a legal appeal proceeds.

The legal and economic uncertainty has left many St. Louis local businesses on edge.

Big Heart Tea Company

Beth Burns, general manager of Big Heart Tea Company, founded her company out of St. Louis in 2012, which specializes in organic, plastic-free teas made with global ingredients. The company expanded to national distribution in 2017.

Burns acknowledged that the companys tea is not readily grown in the United States, and Big Heart Tea Company depends on raw materials come from other countries. She says the company is navigating unpredictable supply chain issues because of that, including when certain supplies might come and how much they will cost upon arrival.

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Were trying to keep our team and our small business up, said Burns. The uncertainty of everything and the constant change of the news on the tariffs is whats keeping us a little stressed out these days. Right when we think weve got something nailed, it changes.

Burns noted her company recently paid $3,000 in tariffs on one shipment of tea bag materials, doubling the original $3,000 shipping cost.

We want people to understand that tariffs are a tax on small businesses, said Burns. We need a government thats in our corner and cares about small businesses and small manufacturers that are driving the country.

Beauty Supply Refresh

Trinita Rhodes, co-owner of Beauty Supply Refresh, launched her business in 2020. She echoed similar concerns.

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Rhodes business serves customers in need of hair essentials and medical wigs, particularly those experiencing hair loss from alopecia or cancer treatment.

With the impact of the tariffs and with the wig industry primarily being made and being shipped from China, my customers can expect to see maybe a 25 to 35% increase, said Rhodes. She anticipated, for example, a wig that initially cost $59 may now cost upwards of $100.

Rhodes added that her company is experiencing shipping delays and supplier hesitation as ripple effects of tariff uncertainties. She said she is not only worried about staying open in the long term, but also supporting vulnerable customers.

We want our customers to know that we are definitely thinking of them. We are concerned for them, but we are also thinking about our businesses. This is our livelihood, said Rhodes.

Switchgrass Spirits

Nick Colombo, co-founder of north St. Louis whiskey distillery Switchgrass Spirits, said the company tires to locally source whenever possible, but tariffs have already led them to make some strategic and costly decisions.

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For example, Colombo said Switchgrass used its line of credit to stockpile glass bottles from Italy ahead of the expected price hike. But tariffs on other essentials, including corks from Portugal and various packaging materials, are squeezing profit margins thin.

The company has also halted plans to export whisky to European and South Korean markets due to uncertainty to tariffs. Instead, we are going to try to sell to Chicago and Tulsa, he said. There is no chance of us making that huge of a commitment in time and money to open up a new market with this uncertainty.

Colombo also warned that if tariffs prevent large producers from exporting their products, the domestic market could become flooded with excess supply, depressing prices and hurting smaller distillers.

If those bottles dont go overseas because of a massive tariff, theyre going to want to be sold here and thats going to flood this industry, said Colombo. We are the local manufacturer. We are the people who are bringing money into a community and it is hurting our business.

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All three speakers agreed that tariffs are not only driving up various costs, but also threatening the viability of small businesses and customers they serve.

NOTE: Video attached provided by national advocacy group Tariffs Cost Us

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It doesnt lead the world in developing new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. It isnt breaking new ground in science, technology, or even in music, literature or fashion.

Still, Sir Keir Starmers Labour Britain is at least leading the world in one respect. It has become better than anywhere else at driving out the wealthy, the young, and the ambitious. There is just one catch. The Government doesnt appear to have any ideas on how to stem the exodus, nor how to replace all the tax revenues that will leave with them.

The evidence that money and talent is fleeing Britain is becoming more alarming all the time. Guillaume Pousaz, Swiss-born billionaire founder of fintech giant Checkout, has become the latest to leave. We learned this week that he has shifted his tax residency from Britain to Monaco, following the decision by the Chancellor Rachel Reeve to abolish the non-dom rule that allowed wealthy foreigners to limit their tax bills in the UK.

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He joins the likes of the billionaire steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and the senior Goldman Sachs banker Richard Goode in getting out of the country. Over the last year, an estimated 10,000 millionaires have left the UK, according to Henley & Partners, second only to Russia, and the real total may be even higher.

But it is not just a handful of the super-rich who are getting out. The young and ambitious are increasingly leaving for the Gulf States such as Dubai or Qatar, for Australia, where the youth mobility scheme allows them to live or work, or for the United States, if they can get a visa. Likewise, the Henrys, or High Earners, Not Yet Rich are fleeing as well.

It is not hard to understand why. The non-dom crackdown has created one of the most punitive tax regimes in the world for foreigners. They are now subject not just to our income taxes, but to inheritance tax at 40 per cent on their global assets, as well as capital gains tax if they sell their company. Many simply have to leave or face financial ruin.

Likewise, frozen thresholds and tapered personal allowances now mean many successful self-employed or young professionals face marginal tax rates of 70 per cent or more on their earnings (and even more if they are crazy enough to live in Scotland).

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Perhaps worse of all, the dire state of the public finances means that everyone knows there is far worse to come over the next two or three years, with taxes rising relentlessly to pay for soaring welfare bills and public sector wages. The only rational decision is to get out while you still can. A desperate Labour Chancellor  perhaps an Angela Rayner-type  may even impose an exit tax, as other countries have tried to.

It is catastrophic for any country to lose its wealthiest, most energetic, talented, ambitious, and hardest-working people. They drive investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. More than any other group, they create the wealth that allows the country to flourish.

But it is especially catastrophic for Britain. The reason is simple. Over the last thirty years, we have narrowed our tax base, so that the Government is very dependent on a small group of people. The top 1 per cent now pay 28 per cent of the total for income tax, and the top 10 per cent pay 60 per cent of the total.

For capital gains tax, dividend taxes, and corporation tax the percentage will be even higher. As they leave, the revenue collected will collapse. Even worse, as the exodus gathers steam, the Government is doing precisely nothing to stop it. Any rational government, faced with losing 30 per cent of its tax revenue, would be frantically finding ways of persuading them to stay.

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Instead, Labour is complacently watching them leave, as if it makes no difference. It is going to prove a very expensive mistake  because the UK will find it very hard to get all those people back once they have left.

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Asking voters if they genuinely trust Nigel Farage with the economy was a bold strategy by this Prime Minister.

Keir Starmer was setting out the Labour case against the insurgent force of Reform UK following a series of opinion polls giving Farages party a decisive lead over the main parties, and after its narrow but devastating victory in the Runcorn by-election earlier this month.

Thats the question you have to ask about Nigel Farage, the Prime Minister told an audience of business leaders in the north-west. Can you trust him? Can you trust him with your future? Can you trust him with your jobs? Can you trust him with your mortgages, your pensions, your bills? [Farage] set out economic plans that contain billions upon billions of completely unfunded spending  precisely the sort of irresponsible splurge that sent your mortgage costs, your bills and the cost of living through the roof. Its Liz Truss all over again.

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Strong stuff, and handily exploiting the focus group-identified anger that many voters still feel about the Truss Interregnum, which many still blame for the countrys current economic woes. And there is no denying that Starmer is at least party right in his criticisms of Reform and its implausible programme for government (although it feels like a day trip through Alice in Wonderland when the Labour Party is accusing a party to its right of irresponsibility by advocating for the scrapping of the Conservatives two-child benefit threshold).

But the event, rather than presenting solid alternative policies to Farage, saw Starmer merely reheating phrases and sound bites that have been well-aired since last years general election, despite signs that fundamental policy reforms  the scrapping of the Winter Heating Allowance for wealthier pensioners, for example, or potential swingeing cuts to benefits  are on the cards following a public backlash and back bench unhappiness.

And given Starmers own appalling approval ratings and the many accusations against him of broken promises, right from the very start of his leadership of his party, can he afford to accuse anyone else of being untrustworthy?

More significant than actual policy solutions to the Reform threat was the fact that the event was taking place at all. Like John Swinney, the Scottish first minister, who last month held a cross-party summit to discuss how to deal with the far-Right threat to democracy, Starmer chose to confront the threat of Reform head-on in an attempt to calm the nerves of his supporters who view Farages progress since last year with increasing alarm. But so far, Labours response, as exemplified by todays speech, lacks political coherence. And that may well be rooted in a failure to understand what Reform actually is and what it represents.

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Starmer has been accused of allowing Reform too much of his own head space, and it is certainly true that it takes up a lot of his time. But what are the results of such contemplation?

This week we saw the latest attack on Farage personally from Labour, which accused the Reform leader of being a privately-educated stockbroker. A couple of points worth mentioning here is that this is not the first time Labour has attacked Farage for his personal wealth, and we may assume it will have exactly the same impact as on previous occasions  ie, none.

It reminds me of Labours woeful attempts to smear the Conservative candidate in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election in 2008 by dressing Labour activists up in top hats and tails to emphasise his privileged background. Inevitably he won the contest. Well, of course he did: Labour never prospers when it attacks opponents for their wealth or the educational decisions taken by their parents. It was telling that less than a year after Tony Blairs departure from Number 10, the party had already forgotten the importance of working-class aspiration that the partys most successful leader (himself privately educated) had exploited.

Yet here we are with another Labour Government hitting out at a charismatic political leader for his educational background and his wealth, as if ministers believe that voters considering switching their allegiance to Reform were unaware of Farages background, or even cared about it.

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Those considering voting Reform, whether former Labour or Conservative voters, are not doing so because they have analysed Farages policies and found them adequate to the task of government; they have not decided that Reform has a plausible alternative programme to steer the country right.

They are simply sick of the litany of failures and disappointments which have been served up by successive governments, particularly on cultural issues like immigration, DEI initiatives and trans ideology. It is a consistent under-estimation of that anger that has steered both main parties so drastically wrong. Voters dont support Reform because of their policies; they support Reform because it is not one of the old parties. A plague on both your houses was never more enthusiastically deployed as a political strategy than by todays disillusioned electorate.

Where does that leave Labour  or the Conservatives  in terms of a political response to this insurgency? Certainly it should rule out any more silly attacks on Farages personal finances or educational background, which sound increasingly panic-infused. Even attacks on the few policy announcements already made by Farage will have limited impact so long as Reforms chief appeal is to that section of the electorate who are now tainted with the stain of anti-politics.

Radical and unprecedented though it may sound, perhaps some solid, positive policies from the main parties could help turn the tide. Reform of the immigration appeal system, for example, to stop judges allowing paedophile rapists to remain in the country lest they be ill-treated in their homeland? Or how about halting and reversing the capture of schools and teachers by the genderist activists who have successfully peppered the curriculum  even for toddlers  with rainbow flags and advice on how to change gender?

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There are plenty of other areas where the main parties could actually address the concerns of voters actively considering Reform. Repeating the Governments economic mantra since last year wont cut it, and neither will personal attacks on Nigel Farage. They had better think of something: the next electoral tests will roll round soon enough, and Labour at some point will run out of time. And excuses.

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Sir Keir Starmer was told he should be stabbed and shot to death in a series of threatening emails, a court heard.

Mark Tew, 63, is charged with sending the offensive material to the Prime Minister, a criminal barrister and former Conservative ministers, including Dame Priti Patel.

The emails, which were sent between January and November 2021, were not read by the MPs themselves but were intercepted by their staff who subsequently notified the police, Southwark Crown Court heard.

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In one email allegedly sent to the then leader of the opposition, Mr Tew wrote You should be beaten up Starmer, stabbed to death, shot to dead. You gutless yellow bastard Starmer. Tell the truth you miserable uneducated tosser, the court heard.

In another sent on March 11, Mr Tew was said to have written: Starmer, Ive heard a lot of journalists are out to get you.

To beat you up. To kick your f---ing head in. You gutless dirty bastard. You pathetic wimp. You f---ing coward Starmer. I hope they get you and bash the living daylights out of you.

Paul Jarvis, KC, prosecuting, said: The prosecutions case is that Mr Tew was a prolific emailer who would often send emails to politicians and, later, barristers to raise issues and complaints he had with them and others.

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The tone of those emails was frequently rude and discourteous but politicians in particular are expected to be thick-skinned and so while those emails were unpleasant, they were not we would suggest criminal.

The eight emails that this case is concerned with were different. Their content was more than just rude and discourteous, but contained either a grossly offensive message or indeed threats or both.

The first of Mr Tews messages was sent in January 2021 to Ms Patel, who was then the home secretary.

He sent an email with an image of a man attached in which he wrote: Patel, you thick Ugandan b-----, was this man in the IRA? He says he was in the IRA. Was he?, the court heard.

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Ms Patels staff reported the email to the police, and Mr Tew was arrested for sending a malicious communication.

He told the police he was autistic and suffered from several medical conditions for which he was receiving medication, the court heard.

When the police seized his phone, they found the emails that had been sent to Sir Keir, as well as Rishi Sunak, the then chancellor, and Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary.

Mr Tew, of Camden, North London denies six counts of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause stress or anxiety, and two counts of sending an indecent or grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause stress or anxiety.

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The trial continues.

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Key Points

The company reported an important milestone in one of its projects.

It delivered an onboard computer for a project that will target comets.

10 stocks we like better than Redwire 

Space exploration equipment supplier Redwire's (NYSE: RDW) stock defied gravity in the best possible sense on Tuesday. Its shares seemed to be strapped to a rocket, as they closed the day nearly 21% higher on news of the company's latest delivery. With that gain, they were practically in a different orbit than the S&P 500 index, which bumped higher by 2% on the day.

Next-generation brain in space

That morning, Redwire divulged it had delivered, to a business partner based in Italy, an onboard computer for one of the most important clients in the space exploration field. This is the European Space Agency (ESA), whose Comet Interceptor craft will use the device to assist it in its comet-analyzing endeavors.

Image source: Getty Images.

Redwire is not only the company securing delivery of the onboard computer; it is also its developer. In space, it will perform a variety of functions as the "brain" of Comet Interceptor, including communications and systems monitoring.

The device is currently on the premises of that partner, OHB Italia. It is scheduled to undergo integration and final acceptance review before being deployed to Comet Interceptor. The craft is slated for launch in 2029.

In its press release touting the computer's delivery, Redwire did not provide any financial details of the project.

An encouraging trajectory

Space stocks remain rather speculative investments, as they often trade on potential and/or ambition rather than actual deliverables. So when a company in the field actually ships or deploys a product, investors get understandably excited about the news.

Personally, I'd be a bit more cautious, preferring to wait for details of the financial impact of such work. Still, this news makes Redwire a stock to keep an eye on in the space space.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department on Thursday notified Congress of an updated reorganization of the massive agency, proposing cuts to programs beyond what had previously been revealed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a steeper 18% reduction of staff in the U.S.

The planned changes, detailed in a notification letter obtained by The Associated Press, reflect the Trump administration's push to reshape American diplomacy and scale back the size of the federal government. The restructuring has been driven in part by the need to find a new home for the remaining functions of the U.S. Agency for International Development, an agency that Trump administration officials and billionaire ally Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency have dismantled.

The proposal includes an even higher reduction of domestic staff than the 15% initially floated in April. The department is also planning to eliminate some divisions tasked with oversight of America's two-decade involvement in Afghanistan, including an office focused on resettling Afghan nationals who worked alongside the U.S. military.

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The letter sent to Congress by the State Department notes that the reorganization will affect more than 300 bureaus and offices, saying it's eliminating divisions it describes as doing unclear or overlapping work and that Rubio believes effective modern diplomacy requires streamlining this bloated bureaucracy.

The document is clear that the reorganization is also intended to eliminate programs  particularly those related to refugees and immigration, as well as human rights and democracy promotion  that the Trump administration believes have become ideologically driven in a way that is incompatible with its priorities and policies.

These offices, which have proven themselves prone to ideological capture and radicalism, will be either eliminated, with their statutory functions realigned elsewhere in the department, or restructured to better reflect their appropriate scope and the administrations foreign policy priorities, the notification says.

The reorganization notes USAID's dismantlement and the shifting of some of its work to the State Department, particularly under a vastly restructured Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. PRM, as it is known, will have under its responsibility U.S. international disaster relief operations that had previously been tasked to USAID.

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Under the new scheme, PRM also will shift from facilitating migration into the United States to focusing on migrants targeted for deportation and "supporting the administrations efforts to return illegal aliens to their country of origin or legal status, the notification said.

The bureau will also actively facilitate the voluntary return of migrants to their country of origin or legal status, it said.

Another office tasked with human rights issues and refugees also is being renamed and having its focus shifted to reflect an emphasis on border security issues.

The bureaus set to be cut include the Office of Global Womens Issues and the State Departments diversity and inclusion efforts, which have been eliminated government-wide under Trump. The letter says the women's issues office is being eliminated to ensure that promoting womens rights and empowerment is a priority across the full scope of the Departments diplomatic engagement.

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Efforts to cut the department's Afghan programs received immediate backlash from veterans groups and advocates who have spent the last three and a half years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan working to resettle and integrate Afghans into life in the U.S.

This is not streamlining, said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and head of #AfghanEvac. This is deliberate dismantling.

CARE, which stands for the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, was created in October 2021 in the aftermath of the withdrawal. The office was designed to help Afghans, like interpreters who aided the U.S. military, who were eligible for resettlement in the U.S. due to their work helping America during the war.

The State Department notification says its work will be realigned to the Afghanistan Affairs Office.

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Over time, CARE was credited with streamlining visa and immigration processes that many people helping Afghans and Iraqis, who benefited from similar resettlement programs, said were overly bureaucratic, opaque and left at-risk Afghans waiting for far too long on programs specifically intended to help them.

In December, then-President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision authorizing the CARE office for three years, but ever since President Donald Trump took office, concerns have loomed over the offices future.

Eliminating it  without public explanation, transition planning, or reaffirmation of mission  is a profound betrayal of American values and promises, VanDiver added.

___

Amiri reported from New York.
FAIRLEA, WV (WVNS)  As the State Fair of West Virginia celebrates and reflects on the past 100 years, they are gearing up for the future.

State Fair CEO Kelly Collins told 59News they are moving forward with a $30 million master plan over the next several years.

What does the State Fair of West Virginia Endowment Fund do?

This money will help upgrade and modernize the fairgrounds. She said they have to make concessions in regards to logistics and infrastructure, much like cities do every day.

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Our first project is going to be restoration of the grandstand. It is in great shape, but we want to make sure that it stays that way. We want to increase our campaign and fix some of our camping lots and make them more accessible for folks. There is not a lot of hotel rooms. We have great hotel partners in Lewisburg, but we need more. So, we hope to enhance our campground. We have got some livestock facilities we also want to fix over the next couple of years, said Collins.

Collins said they will have to raise funds to make this plan a reality through methods such as private donors.

Some of the other ideas for this money includes more handicapped accessible restrooms and other things to accommodate those with sensory issues.

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Officials with the Braun administration pointed to Gov. Eric Holcomb as the reason Indiana opted out of a student summer meals program. (Getty Images)

Indiana Gov. Mike Brauns second-in-command, along with a key executive branch agency, pointed to a lack of planning under Gov. Eric Holcombs administration as the reason hungry Hoosier schoolchildren wont be able to use a summer meals program.

The previous administration did not file for SUN Bucks in the way they should have, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith told a crowd at a Zionsville town hall on Tuesday. Im working with Gov. Braun to get those SUN Bucks dollars back.

That lapse, along with other perceived failures of Holcomb, were part of what propelled the duo into office, Beckwith continued.

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Last year, 669,000 Hoosier children who qualified for food benefits and reduced-price school meals got an additional $120 while schools were closed for the summer, for a total of roughly $80 million. But Indiana opted out of the program this year, saying that Holcombs administration hadnt done the legwork in advance of 2025.

Oversight costs for the program would be roughly $3.7 million for the state, according to the administration, a tough sell following the states projected $2 billion revenue shortfall earlier this year. In response, budget writers trimmed nearly every agency by 5% and sharply cut into economic development and public health programs.

The successful implementation of the SUN Bucks program required early planning and strategic coordination to launch in Summer 2025. To ensure a timely rollout, the Division of Family Resources (DFR) needed clear direction from state leadership during late summer to early fall of 2024, during the prior administration, Marcus Barlow told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Barlow is the deputy chief of staff and director of the office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs for the Family and Social Services Administration, which administers the program alongside the Department of Education.

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He said due to the complexity of procurement processes and system enhancements, the Holcomb administration should have done the following before 2025, which is when Braun took office:

Finalize contract amendments with the Electronic Benefit Transfer processor to allocate funding for Summer EBT

Secure a system vendor to support technical enhancements and application processing for 2025

Summer EBT, or S-EBT, is the official name for the SUN Bucks program. The Food and Nutrition Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, handles the program at the federal level.

More details

Its unclear what changed between the programs administration in 2024 and 2025 that necessitated such changes. In response to a follow-up question, Barlow noted that since that prior administration didnt move forward, no decisions were made regarding whether or not to use the same vendor.

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Upon taking office, this administration quickly submitted a waiver application to the Food and Nutrition Service to explore all possible avenues for launching the program this summer. However, our review revealed that the gaps in prior preparations prevented implementation in time for Summer 2025, Barlow said.

That waiver application, dated for March 2025, appeared to indicate that the state was moving forward with the program and would be submitting a Plan for Operations and Management for approval under Brauns administration.

However, Barlow didnt respond to further questions about that plan and whether it was submitted or approved, saying the Indiana Capital Chronicle would need to submit a records request for the document.

The federal government also declined to share a copy of Indianas plan or comment on whether it was submitted or approved.

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USDA Secretary (Brooke) Rollins believes in empowering states to tailor programs and policies to their specific circumstances, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach. She recognizes that states are best equipped to understand their own populations and encourages them to explore innovative ideas to address their unique needs. Under Secretary Rollins, USDA is committed to engaging with Indiana to find bold and sustainable solutions that support and protect both participants and taxpayers, a USDA spokesperson said.

What to do this summer

Barlow pointed to existing resources under the USDAs Site Finder Map and the Hunger Hotline for families to connect to food resources. The hotline is accessible Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) for English speakers or at 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) for Spanish speakers.

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At the Tuesday town hall, the devout Beckwith continued on the topic of summer meals by saying that the state should take advantage of the federal money being offered.

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We should go after that federal money, Beckwith said to cheers. Its just going to go to a different state.

Additionally, the Noblesville pastor asked the faith community to step up in place of the state to be the hands and feet of Christ in these communities this summer.

I dont think the state is equipped to do it as well as nonprofits, Beckwith concluded.  Its a nonprofits (and) faith communitys job to do it. They can do it better than the state (and) far more efficiently.

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(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Since taking his post in President Donald Trumps cabinet, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spearheaded a national movement to make America healthy again, including a plan to phase out synthetic dyes from foods, which have been linked to adverse effects in children. Virginia lawmakers also worked on a law to ban synthetic dyes from foods in public schools that Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed this spring.

But cuts to the federal agencies responsible for food regulation are alarming, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, and Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, said on a call Wednesday, and work against the food safety and the public health goals Kennedy has professed.

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The Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention play key roles in regulating the nations food supply  from packaged products like baby formula, to produce, to animal products like meat and eggs. Entities like the FDA and USDA ensure consumer protection through inspections, while the CDC investigates sources of foodborne illness outbreaks. From there, the Department of Justice can prosecute those responsible for related mistakes, if needed.

But in recent months a DOJ unit that handles such cases was disbanded, several data-tracking divisions of CDC have been cut, a President Joe Biden-era rule limiting salmonella levels in raw poultry has been withdrawn, and two USDA food safety advisory committees were dismantled. The cuts are part of overall shrinking efforts spearheaded by Trump advisor Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency and hamper transparency concerning food safety, Hashmi said.

She cited a Washington Post report about an Indiana boy who nearly died after eating a salad due to an E. coli outbreak that had been traced last fall but not publicly disclosed since Trumps administration took office.

A lawsuit against the grower of the lettuce in the salad filed by the boys parents last month said the bacteria affecting the child was a match to the strain that killed a person and sickened about 90 people in 15 states last fall. Federal health agencies then investigated the cases and linked them to a farm that grew romaine lettuce. A February 2025 internal FDA memo linked a single lettuce producer and ranch as the contamination source, but officials never issued public recommendations or identified the grower after the investigation.

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The FDA, under the Trump and RFK administration, have decided not to name names or make the public aware of the dangers. The parents deserve and we deserve accountability, Hashmi said.



Federal fallout

As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and

whether to make up the difference.

Read the latest >



Meanwhile, one of the two FDA committees that were dismantled had been tasked with reviewing the regulatory process in the wake of a deadly Listeria outbreak in a Virginia-based Boars Head facility that occurred last year.

After highlighting these challenges, Hashmi and Sickles laid out their ideas for actions state lawmakers could take.

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Both suggested legislators pursue updates to Virginia law that could constitute state-level food regulations. As chair of the Senates Education and Health committee, Hashmi said shes already pursuing similar measures when it comes to special education standards in Virginia to fill gaps created at the federal level.

But Sarah Sorscher, a regulatory affairs director with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, emphasized that even if states like Virginia pursue state-level regulations, the nature of interstate food supply chains means there would still be gaps in consumer protections.

We cant rely on states to take care of issues, because food could be coming in, being served to Virginia consumers thats made in other states that have weaker protections, Sorscher said. So thats sort of a failure of using the state system to address food safety.

Still, Sickles thinks there are strategies Virginia could explore to bolster consumer protections when it comes to food safety. He said that state legislators havent been as hands-on because of federal oversight on the matter, but that he now plans to keep a closer eye on the issue, and wants his 139 colleagues in the General Assembly to do the same.

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As chair of the House of Delegates Health and Human Services committee, Sickles is planning a July boot camp gathering that will focus on social services and the states health department.

We need to spend more time looking more closely into areas like this and we than we ever have before our committee, Sickles explained.





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Officials in Ohio are launching a new campaign to encourage parents to spend time practicing safe driving skills with new teen drivers.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, right now were in what state troopers call the 100 deadliest days, which are between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

TRENDING STORIES:

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In 2024, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office found that Montgomery County is one of the deadliest for teen drivers. Butler, Clark, and Warren counties also made the list.

Thats why Governor Mike DeWine said parents need to be proactive.

Most teen drivers are eager to get behind the wheel.

Ive been there, done that, but you know, when youre young, youre willing to take chances which are not worth it, Oakwood resident Derek Sherk said.

State officials said that teen drivers have been at fault for nearly 70% of the fatal crashes involving teenagers.

Ive had to teach a couple of things to my kids, like not tailgating, you know, just slow down, Sherk said.

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Sherk is one of the millions of parents DeWine is encouraging to spend more time in the passenger seat with teen drivers.

I mean it would help, but that would be a drag for both sides, he said.

Ohio law requires teenagers to complete 50 hours of driving practice with a parent before getting a probationary license.

Sherk said he thinks state officials should increase those required hours.

Keep things in perspective and keep their eye on the road, and not being distracted, he said.

The Ohio Traffic Safety Department will be offering free advanced driver classes over the summer.

For more information, click here.

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(WJET/WFXP) Pennsylvania State Police are putting out a warning to residents about more text message scams in the area, this time impersonating the Pennsylvania DMV and Turnpike Commission.

Troopers from PSP Meadville said Thursday theyve received an increased number of reports about these impersonation scams and are reminding the public not to give out any personal information or click any attached links.

Text scams cost consumers $470M in 2024: FTC

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Police said scammers have been texting people around the area pretending to be from the DMV or Turnpike Commission to collect a fine for a traffic ticket or outstanding toll fees, some of which had a fake website attached and threatened more fees or worse.

Just like previously reported scams, people targeted by them have also been threatened with more fines, suspended licenses, and even arrest if the phony fines arent paid immediately.

Police said scammers usually have their targets buy gift cards and give the card information, or wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Chautauqua Co. DMV warns residents of text message scam

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If youve received a text like this, police said, do not give out any personal information or click any attached links. Scam texts like these have been sent out to residents in the area all year may look something like the one given to us by the Turnpike Commission in February, pictured below.

You can also report the scam texts directly in your text messaging app or by copying the message and forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) to help cell providers block scam texts.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  State Rep. Wendell Gilliard (D) is recovering at home after being involved in a multi-car crash on the interstate Wednesday, according to his office.

Gilliard was reportedly traveling home from Columbia on I-26 when his vehicle was struck near Exit 177 by another vehicle that was swerving to avoid something further down the road.

The representatives office said Gilliards car was forced onto the median strip but stopped by a safety barrier before it entered oncoming traffic.

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He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and has since been released, according to a senior advisor.

Rep. Gilliard is in stable condition, but he remains deeply concerned for the well-being of all individuals involved in the incident, a Thursday morning news release stated. He has requested that the public join him in offering prayers for everyone affected by this accident.

Rep. Gilliard and his family appreciate the outpouring of phone calls, emails, and texts expressing concern, support, and wishes for a quick recovery, it continued.

The crash remains under investigation.

Lawmakers convened in Columbia on May 28 to approve the states $14.7 billion budget plan.

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Gilliard represents District 111 in the South Carolina House, which covers portions of downtown Charleston, North Charleston, and West Ashley.

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The cloud-based supply chain software provider, E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ETWO), announced on May 25 its agreement to be acquired by the Australian logistics tech company WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC), in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.1 billion.

WiseTech Acquires E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (ETWO) in $2.1 Billion Software Deal

A view of a modern city skyline from the top of a financial institution, symbolizing the company's investments in the local area.

As per the agreement between the two companies, shareholders of E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ETWO) will receive $3.30 per share, a 68% premium over its stock price on April 30, the day before rumours about the acquisition emerged. It is worth noting that, on May 19, Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal-Weight rating on the stock with a $2.10 price target, while raising its bullish scenario to $4.05. The move forecasted a cautious optimism around the companys strategic alternatives.

WiseTech, known for its CargoWise platform, has turned to a consortium of nine international banks to fund the deal through a new $3 billion debt facility. In addition to adding key capabilities in trade compliance, procurement, and channel management, the acquisition of E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ETWO) comes with a network of over 500,000 partners and more than 18 billion transactions tracked annually. With its acquisition, WiseTech positions itself as an end-to-end logistics solution provider.

This largest deal to date in WiseTechs history comes at a time when both companies are heavily scrutinized. WiseTech founder Richard White recently transitioned to executive chairman after governance-related controversies, while E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ETWO) faced uncertainties arising from broader macroeconomic pressures.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025 after regulatory approvals. E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ETWO) will delist from the NYSE post the deal closure

ETWO could be a potential investment opportunity. But our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ETWO and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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The Georgia Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a state policy barring those between 18 and 21 from carrying a handgun in public. Ron Bailey/Getty Images

The Georgia Supreme Court upheld a state law that bars most people between the ages 18 and 21 from carrying handguns in public without military training Wednesday.

The court unanimously backed a lower court in rejecting the challenge from Thomas Stephens, a 20-year-old Georgian seeking to end enforcement of the prohibition.

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Georgians between 18 and 21 can carry long guns in public, and they can carry handguns at home, in their car or in their place of business and use them for hunting, fishing or sport shooting with the associated license. But only 18- to 20-year-olds who have received weapons training as part of military service are generally able to carry a handgun in public.

Stephens attorney John Monroe argued that the exception is arbitrary and other young adults may be as capable of safely carrying handguns as members of the military.

When you look at the nature of the training that a young person in the military gets, which is, as we said in our briefs, geared toward rifles and using other small arms like hand grenades, thats not very well-suited or significant when it comes to carrying handguns in public, as opposed to training that people might get outside of the military thats geared exactly towards carrying handguns, he said.

The state, represented by the Office of Attorney General Chris Carr, argued that the prohibition on handguns for young adults is authorized by the Georgia Constitution as a permissible exercise of police power.

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The unanimous opinion authored by Justice Andrew A. Pinson rejects Stephens call to overturn state precedent in favor of tests created by federal courts, describing it as a request to uncritically import federal standards to guide the application of a provision unique to Georgias Constitutiona practice we have regularly criticized and disapproved.

The state Legislature has been at the center of a debate over firearm access in recent years, especially since last Septembers shooting at Apalachee High School, in which four people died. Proposals designed to encourage safe firearm storage stalled during the 2025 legislative session.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  The West Virginia Supreme Court has upheld the sentence of a man convicted of shooting and killing a Charleston police officer in 2020.

According to a release Wednesday from West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskeys office, the state supreme court unanimously affirmed a second-degree murder conviction for Joshua Marcellus Phillips, who shot and killed officer Cassie Johnson in December 2020.

Phillips was found guilty following a trial in June 2022, during which he claimed self-defense, the release said. He was later sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder charge, plus six months for a drug possession charge.

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Suspect in Cheat Lake fatal denied request to go back to his home country

Following his sentencing, Phillips appealed the conviction due to various issues, including change of venue, jury selection, evidence ruling, jury instructions and the sufficiency of the evidence, the release said. That appeal was officially denied on Wednesday.

Johnsons death sparked a legislative movement in the Mountain State to increase protections for first responders. This movement peaked in 2023 with then-Governor Jim Justice signing the Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act into law, which bolsters penalties for anyone who deliberately causes the death of a first responder in West Virginia.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Protecting your bodily autonomy while pregnant is challenging enough when you are capable of advocating for yourself. Adene Sanchez via Getty Images

In recent weeks, the story of Adriana Smith  a Georgia woman, declared brain dead, being kept alive by the state due to her pregnancy, without the consent or input of her family  has captured national attention.

Smiths mother, April Newkirk, told a local Atlanta TV station after her daughter had been on life support for 90 days (with aggressive medical bills piling up) that the experience was torture. And it is all due to the laws in the state that required physicians to prioritize a potentially viable fetus over the will of Smith and her family.

Advance directives exist for a reason, as a means for a person to preemptively state in a legal document what they want to happen if they are near death or incapacitated in a lasting way. However, depending on the state you live in, your final wishes  like those of Smith and her family  can actually be ignored or bypassed just because you are pregnant.

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Yes, this does functionally put an asterisk over the whole concept of an advanced directive for more than half of the population in the majority of U.S. states, particularly if you live in any of the nine states that automatically toss out a pregnant persons advance directive:

Alabama

Indiana

Kansas

Michigan

Missouri

South Carolina

Texas

Utah

Wisconsin

But thats not the complete story. A 2019 study published in JAMA examined the way all states navigated pregnancy and advance directives and found that 39 states identified pregnancy as a condition that influences either an incapacitated [patients] advance directive or surrogate decision making.

They also noted some of the nuances that vary between states: which states test for pregnancy before they allow someone to be taken off life support (Alaska, Georgia and Oklahoma); the five states (Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota) that specified that life-sustaining therapies may be discontinued if they cause the woman undue pain that cannot be alleviated by medication and the lone state (Pennsylvania) that offers to take on the financial burden of keeping a pregnant person on life support in these situations.

A map outlining the states that restrict treatment decision-making for pregnant people in end-of-life care situations. JAMA

Yet, among these states, the actual laws are hardly public knowledge  only eight of the states advance directive documents seek someones pregnancy-specific care preferences. Of the 31 states that had restrictions on taking pregnant people off life support, 29 of these states have restrictions in their state statutes. However, 69% of the advance directive forms from these states made no mention of them.

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And these are meant to be thorough forms  after all, they are one of the few things to speak up for you when you cant speak for yourself.



When you fill out an advance directive, theres typically a lot of questions, Stacey Lee, professor at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Bloomberg School of Public Health, said. The majority of states are silent about what happens when you become pregnant. You may think, Im covered! I have the advanced directive. Im good to go, but states dont give the heads up.



A Shocking Silence



These laws are often so obscure that even practicing health care providers are often unaware of the state-specific restrictions. Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an OB-GYN and hospitalist practicing in Portland, Oregon, first sounded the alarm about the discrepancies on her Substack after initially writing an educational post on the importance of advance directive documents in the aftermath of Smiths story.



I am an author and educator on social media and am very active in creating educational content regarding reproductive rights, health care access, and abortion. I consider myself pretty well-informed when it comes to these spaces, so I was shocked when I had written on my Substack about the importance of advance directives as a way to take control in states where abortion is restricted Lincoln told Huffpost. I had never heard of what are called pregnancy exclusions before, so I looked into it, and what I found shocked me  and thats hard to do to an OBGYN in America in 2025.

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The sneakiness of these laws follows a familiar playbook that abortion rights advocates will recognize  the quiet, state-by-state restricting of just one small part of pregnancy, in this case, end-of-life care, is not too different from Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers (TRAP) Laws that steadily chipped away at reproductive health care access in various states in the decades leading up to the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

There has been a real concerted effort among people focused on protecting the fetus at all costs to look for whatever types of law are possible for the state to step in and champion  often at the expense of the mother  the rights of a bunch of cells, Lee adds. Its always been an effort thats been in the background, but because of the comfort of Roe, I think people took their eyes off the ball.



While that is the prevailing reproductive health care narrative of the last 30 or so years, the experts we spoke to still maintained that the ethics of these laws have disturbing implications and heartbreaking (and, given U.S. health insurance costs, expensive) outcomes for the families that survive individuals affected by them.



Whats so sad about this is  this is not a medical issue. The law has provided everyone the right and encouraged you to have an advanced directive. There is never a fine print notice to say, Hey, if youre female and you become pregnant, this is meaningless, Lee adds. The idea that the state can spring to life and use my body in a way that I do not consent to and do not want in some states, regardless of whether the fetus is viable? The harm that is inflicted on the family to use a womans body that way.

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Lee notes that there are major racial disparities in these situations, too, that cant be overlooked: Things like this fall disproportionately on Black women, who are more likely to receive inadequate care and to have their medical wishes overridden, in terms of legislation.

Ultimately, it comes back to a prevailing narrative that reproductive health care experts and advocates have been urging more Americans to consider: These sort of restrictive laws, pieced together by people with little knowledge of medicine or pregnant bodies cannot fairly legislate around the unique medical needs of pregnant people and the health care providers who care for them.



All of us who care about bodily autonomy are broken records when we say this: pregnancy is too complicated to legislate, Lincoln said. These restrictions take away the freedoms of the family to carry out the wishes of their dying relative. They tie the hands of the doctors who took an oath to put the patient first. It adds an extra layer of trauma and horror to an already traumatic situation. It is inhumane and unethical.

Unsurprisingly, Lee notes that there isnt a comparable law on the books restricting or overriding the advance directives of people who cant get pregnant.



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So lets say for the sake of saying that my spouse is incapacitated and he has made it really clear that I dont want to have any more kids, but I extract his sperm anyway, Lee said. Theres no knowledge I have of [laws] that contradict a males right to not go forward with the creation of life.



What They Dont Cover In Medical School

Unsurprisingly, these specific nuances of end-of-life care arent covered in medical schools  at least not to the extent that modern physicians in a post-Dobbs v. Jackson world might need.

Something like this? I dont think that your average provider is aware of this. I dont think this is part of your medical school education, Lee said. I think that most physicians believe in following the advance directives.

And Lincoln outright acknowledges that these nuances were not discussed in her training.

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I never learned about this aspect of end-of-life care in medical school or in my residency training, which was why I initially was so embarrassed when my follower messaged me, Lincoln said. I thought I had missed something everyone else knew, but then when I shared this update in another Substack, I had dozens of responses from other doctors, lawyers, ethics workers and more who were equally in the dark. At the end of the day, I think the fact that so few people in these fields know about pregnancy exclusions is maybe the scariest part of all. The fact that its flying under the radar in a time when we know fetal personhood laws are only gaining traction is chilling.

This highlights a broader issue: state legislations impose an additional burden on health care providers who are already striving to support their patients.

As Lee notes, the ethical issues providers face when it comes to end-of-life care arent dissimilar to the ethical issues providers now face providing abortion care: It puts them in a vulnerable place of really having to consider whether their state will come after them for providing necessary, compassionate care to their patient.



The issues of pregnancy and when you can intervene in a pregnancy, especially in states where an abortion is not legal, [have doctors considering] how do you thread that needle to avoid a potential lawsuit? Lee said. In terms of ethics, its less of an immediate decision [in end-of-life care situations], but the lack of urgency doesnt lessen the ethical issues.



What You Can Do To Protect Yourself And Your People



Regretfully, as weve seen throughout the post-Dobbs landscape, there is no silver bullet to getting around reproductive health care restrictions that werent written with pregnancy (the condition) in mind. But Lee and Lincoln did have some solid advice for how to best arm yourself with knowledge and set yourself up for the best possible odds of winning the fight over body autonomy in a situation where youre incapacitated.



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Know the laws of your state. Take a look at the map and familiarize yourself with the specific laws in your area. I want pregnant people to be fully informed of what the laws are in their state so there are no surprises if a tragedy happens, Lincoln said. I still recommend they have an advance directive and discuss it with their families and their health care team, even if they are in a state with hostile pregnancy exclusion laws.





Be prepared to leave if that is the right decision for you. If you think you could be having a complicated pregnancy, consider getting the hell out of the states that throw your directive out, Lee said.

Add a pregnancy-specific clause to your advance directive.Just because your state might not offer the fine print or the opportunity for you to speak to pregnancy-specific issues, you can still make the move yourself to be explicit about your desires in these scenarios.

Double down, document and be explicit. Lee suggests going as far as making a video where you explicitly state that you are competently expressing your wishes for what should and shouldnt happen if you are in one of these dire medical situations. Write a Microsoft Word document and share it with your people as well  make sure it is widely known where you stand on this. Id have a separate pregnancy addendum and a plain language document with my philosophy on pregnancy and life support: I want to retain my bodily autonomy and my dignity and this is not what I want, Lee added. Id talk loud and long to my loved ones.





Have a trusted health care proxy. Lee recommends that you also have a trusted health care proxy (who you should ensure has access to your medical records well in advance) on deck, prepared to advocate for you and use all the documentation you already have to your advantage.





Be aware of the helpers. Organizations like If/When/How (a group of lawyers working for reproductive justice) are great resources to know if a pregnant person or family has questions or is having issues with advance directives being followed, Lincoln said. They also have a helpline number (844-868-2812) to assist with all kinds of reproductive health care legal dilemmas.

Beyond getting your own individual protections and resources buttoned up, theres work to be done from an advocacy standpoint, too  and theres work already being done thats really promising.

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I also want to provide a glimmer of hope that organizations and people are fighting back against these exclusions. Just a few weeks ago, in Washington, the governor signed a law that removes pregnancy exclusions from end-of-life care, Lincoln said. Similar work was done by If/When/How in Idaho in 2022.

Lee adds that people concerned about this issue can and should contact their individual states and state representatives to push for transparency in advance directive restrictions and encourage legislation that upholds a persons advance directive regardless of their pregnancy status.

In your own communities, Lincoln recommends raising the alarm and speaking with others in the reproductive health care and legal spaces around you: Tell your OB-GYN or midwives, I bet they have no idea this is happening, and they can use their positions of power to advocate for change. Contact your representatives (yes, it works!) and tell them you want them to prioritize removing these exclusions. Educate others. It all helps.



Related...
A school bus drives through El Paso, Texas. The state is among those leaning toward stricter school discipline procedures with a bill that would allow pupils as young as third grade to be suspended. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

In the wake of President Donald Trumps executive order aiming to reinstate common sense school discipline, more states may follow and expand the authority of teachers and school officials to deal with disruptive students.

The order, signed in April, repeals prior federal guidance that encouraged schools to address racial disparities in discipline, arguing that such policies promoted discriminatory equity ideology and compromised school safety by pressuring administrators to underreport serious student misconduct.

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In some states, new legislation already is trending toward giving teachers more authority to address student misbehavior.

In West Virginia, for example, a new law creates a structured process for responding to violent, threatening or disruptive behavior among students in grades K-6.

Under the law, a student exhibiting such behavior can be immediately removed from class, evaluated by counselors or behavioral specialists and placed on an individualized behavior plan. If theres no improvement after two rounds of intervention, the student could be moved into a behavioral intervention program or an alternative learning environment.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, and supporters say the law empowers teachers to maintain safe classrooms.

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This legislation provides teachers with the tools to regain control of the classroom and ensure safe learning environments for our kids, Morrisey said at the bills signing.

In April, the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill referred to as the Teachers Bill of Rights with a bipartisan vote of 124-20.

That bill, now sitting in the Senates education committee, would significantly expand the grounds for out-of-school suspensions, allowing students to be suspended for repeated disruptions or threats beginning in third grade. It would reverse earlier changes that limited suspensions for younger students. It also would mandate that students making terroristic threats or assaulting school employees be placed in alternative education programs for at least 30 days.

Texas civil rights groups argue that the bill would impose a one-size-fits-all punitive approach, rather than addressing students developmental and behavioral needs.

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Alycia Castillo, associate director of policy at the Texas Civil Rights Project and a former teacher, said state lawmakers are taking the wrong approach by mandating sweeping discipline policies for a state as diverse as Texas.

During the 2020-21 school year, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Education, Black students faced the highest rates of disciplinary action across all categories  suspension and expulsion  among all racial and ethnic groups.

They were 39% more likely than white students to receive in-school suspensions, 70% more likely to face out-of-school suspensions, and 71% more likely to be expelled.

The disparities were even starker for Black students with disabilities, who experienced suspension and expulsion rates far exceeding those of both their white peers and non-disabled students.

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Reviving old, harsh disciplinary policies risks disproportionately harming students of color, students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds, Castillo said.

What works in Austin may not work in West Texas, Castillo said.

Children are naturally disruptive  thats part of their development, she added. Excluding them only harms their growth into functional adults.

Restorative justice models

In recent years, some other states have passed laws promoting restorative practices in schools, in which students and teachers work through problems and focus on repairing the harm caused by disruptions or conflict.

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Michigans 2017 law requires schools to consider restorative approaches before suspensions or expulsions, aiming to repair harm rather than exclude students. Nevada began mandating restorative justice approaches in 2019, but scaled back that approach in 2023.

This year, Maryland passed a law requiring the state to establish restorative practices schools, specific schools with trained educators who use the approach in everyday discipline.

Kimberly Hellerich, an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University and a former K-12 teacher, said discipline policies should go beyond punitive measures to foster accountability and community healing.

Adding restorative practices to accompany codes of conduct can allow students to recognize the impact of their actions on themselves, peers, the teacher, the class and the school community, Hellerich said.

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In her own classrooms, Hellerich used what she called community circles to guide students in processing behavior, offering apologies and rebuilding trust. The apology served as a way to restore the students relationship with the entire class community, she said.

Calls for a cultural shift on expectations

While lawmakers debate discipline procedures, other education advocates warn that an even deeper issue is unfolding inside classrooms: the gradual erosion of behavioral expectations and academic rigor.

Jessica Bartnick, co-founder and CEO of the Dallas-based mentorship program Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E., said that declining school discipline and lowered standards are quietly undermining educational outcomes.

Discipline is the backbone of effective learning, Bartnick, who supports the Texas legislation, told Stateline in an email. Without it, classrooms become chaotic, instructional time is lost and teachers are forced to shift their focus from instruction to behavior management.

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Bartnick said efforts to promote equity sometimes inadvertently lower behavioral standards and deprive teachers of the tools they need to maintain safe learning environments.

She also criticized lenient grading policies and unlimited test retakes, arguing that they diminish the value of preparation, responsibility and resilience.

If students are shielded from the discomfort of failure, they are also shielded from the growth that comes with it, she wrote. If we want to prepare students for a world that will not offer endless second chances, we must return to a classroom culture grounded in discipline, responsibility, and rigor.

Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez contributed to this report. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.
An explosion in Russias Stavropol on May 28 killed Zaur Gurtsyev, the city's deputy mayor who participated in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

Stavropol Krai Governor Vladimir Vladimirov confirmed Gurtsyevs death, describing it as a "nighttime incident on Chekhov Street" without providing further details.

The Investigative Committee of Russia reported that the bodies of two men with multiple injuries were found at the scene.

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Multiple Russian Telegram channels identified Gurtsyev as one of the victims and shared what they claimed was footage of the explosion.

Shot Telegram channel, which appears to be close to Russian security forces, suggested the explosion may have been caused by a grenade or an improvised explosive device.

Gurtsyev took part in Russian President Vladimir Putins "Time of Heroes" ("Vremya Geroev") program. According to the programs website, he led Russia's aerial operation to capture the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in 2022.

Vladimirov suggested possible Ukrainian involvement in the incident but provided no evidence to support the claim. The investigation is ongoing.

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The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims. Ukraine has not commented on the incident.

Previously, Kyiv has targeted Russian officials who had played a key role in Russia's full-scale invasion.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (WWTI)  North country congresswoman Elise Stefanik is urging United States Army officials to fast-track approval for repairs to Fort Drums Wheeler-Sack Airfield.

In an announcement from Stefaniks office, the representative for New Yorks 21st congressional district said that she sent a formal request to fast-track $70 million in funding to make critical repairs.

Fort Drum museum makes military history accessible, relevant to soldiers, community

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Stefanik asked Army leadership to reallocate the 2027 Army Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization funds into the 2026 fiscal year. This move would speed up work on projects slated for the 2027 fiscal year.

Reallocation of the funds would allow the base to address issues with Wheeler-Sacks power system according to the announcement.

The functionality of this airfield is essential to maintaining the rapid deployment capabilities and operational readiness of the division. However, the current condition of the airfields electric power system is rapidly deteriorating. This poses an unacceptable risk to flight operations, training, and Army support for U.S. power projection in the near-term. United States Congressperson Elise Stefanik

Stefanik added The functionality of this airfield is essential to maintaining the rapid deployment capabilities and operational readiness of the division, Stefanik said. However, the current condition of the airfields electric power system is rapidly deteriorating. This poses an unacceptable risk to flight operations, training, and Army support for U.S. power projection in the near-term.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller warned that the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests are about to grow exponentially.

The Trump administrations ghoulish immigration politico said on Fox News Wednesday that he and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem were looking to set a goal of a minimum 3,000 arrests for ICE every day to reach a target of one million deportations a year.

President Trump is gonna keep pushing to get that number up higher each and every single day so we can get all of the Biden illegals who were flooded into our country, out of our country, he added.

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Already, there has been a marked increase in deportations under Donald Trump. In the first 100 days of the Trump administration, ICE said it had removed a whopping 65,000 people. By comparison, ICE arrested 759 immigrants a day during the final stretch of the Biden administration.

Last week, ICE embarked on a nationwide sweep of arrests at immigration courts, dismissing immigrants legal cases just moments before taking them into custody.

Despite assurances from members of the Republican Party that Trumps immigration crackdown would focus primarily on criminals, many of the individuals being detained have no criminal record. Some of them are U.S. citizens or legal residents and children. Its clear that imposing such a high quota will lead to wrongful arrests on increasingly shaky legal grounds.

Boosting immigration enforcement will come with a hefty price tag: Congresss latest budget bill has earmarked an additional $150 billion over five years to further the presidents immigration agenda. ICE has already begun to line the pockets of private prison companies to expand the government immigrant detention capacity with new facilities.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was among a number of high-profile names to lash out at a federal trade court for blocking Trumps Liberation Day tariffs.

The judicial coup is out of control, Miller wrote on X after the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977the law Trump cited to justify his tariffsdoesnt allow him unbounded authority.

The worldwide and retaliatory tariff orders exceed any authority granted to the president by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs, the three-judge panel determined. The challenged tariff orders will be vacated and their operation permanently enjoined.

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The ruling was made even more brutal by the fact it came from one of Trumps own appointees: Judge Timothy Reif. Reif was nominated to the federal trade court in 2018 by the president. Alongside Reif were Judge Jane Restani, a Reagan appointee, and Judge Gary Katzmann, an Obama nominee. A White House spokesperson criticized all three.

It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency, Kush Desai said in a statement to the Daily Beast.

Trump is expected to appeal the result. The president announced his tariffs in April, blaming, in part, a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships.

Elsewhere on the right, allies of the president expressed similar outrage.

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On Fox News, Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy told Laura Ingraham that the presidents ability to institute tariffs was pretty clear.

You mean a federal judge has intervened with the other two branches ability to make policy? he said. Im shocked. That hasnt happened since yesterday. Itll be appealed. I think its pretty clear that the president has tariff authority. Congress gave it to him.

More outrage came from podcaster and serial plagiarist Benny Johnson, who called the panels ruling corrupt.

Conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, like Miller, labeled the decision a JUDICIAL COUP.

Steven Crowder used the same term. This is a judicial coup against the President and the American people who elected him, Crowder wrote on X. These corrupt judges might as well be doing the bidding of Beijing at this point.

Miller wasn't the only pro-Trump figure who called the ruling a

X user Gunther Eagleman, meanwhile, called on Republicans to rein in the rogue judiciary.

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To challenge Trumps tariffs, a dozen states and a group of small businesses sued the administration.

This ruling reaffirms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions cant be made on the presidents whim, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield told NPR.
The wife of Stephen Miller, President Donald Trumps chief policy head, has reportedly left the White House to work for Elon Musk.

Kate Miller was working as an adviser for Musks Department of Government Efficiency but now that the moguls time in Washington, D.C., is up, she is working for him full time, CNN reported. Sources told the network that Kate Miller has been taking the lead on communications, including arranging Musks interviews in connection with SpaceXs Starship launch.

She shared content on her X account from Musks interviews at SpaceXs Starbase in Texas and a quote from him about how DOGE is a way of life, like Buddhism.

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Musk officially announced his departure from the White House Wednesday after his 130-day term as a special government employee came to an end this week. Kate Miller was also considered a special government employee, which enables private sector individuals to work for the government for a limited number of days per year.

Kate Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, was working as an adviser for Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. She has reportedly gone to work for him full time. (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

She was assigned to head up Musks communications at DOGE before his transition to the White House, according to a WIRED report in February.

Her relationship to Musk was central to DOGEs interactions with the rest of the White House, an official told the outlet. Shes the key intermediary, delivering the DOGE message of the day to the rest of the administration. Shes also the one to deliver any sensitive or bad news to Musk.

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Stephen Miller and his wife of five years were both pivotal figures in Musks orbit during his stint at the White House, WIRED reported.

The couple met in 2017 when their paths crossed as they carried out some of the first Trump administrations most controversial immigration policies. Kate Miller had landed the role of deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, while Stephen Miller was forming the administrations family separation policy, which sparked international outcry. The work led them to the Southern border.

She went on to become press secretary to former Vice President Mike Pence in 2019. The couple married in 2020 at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. and have three children together.

Kate Miller had landed the role of deputy press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security in 2017, while Stephen Miller was forming the administrations controversial family separation policy. Their work led them to the Southern border. (CQ-Roll Call/Getty)

Musks departure - with Kate Miller in tow - comes just a day after the Tesla CEO said he was disappointed in what the president refers to as his big beautiful bill.

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The bill includes tax cuts and stepped-up efforts to enforce immigration restrictions. Musk told CBS that the legislation was a massive spending bill that expands the federal deficit and undermines the work of DOGE.

Stephen Miller hit back at the claim without naming Musk directly and said that the bill would reduce the deficit.

DOGE cuts are to discretionary spending. (Eg the federal bureaucracy). Under senate budget rules, you cannot cut discretionary spending (only mandatory) in a reconciliation bill, he posted on X Tuesday, shortly after Musks comments aired.

So DOGE cuts would have to be done through what is known as a rescissions package or an appropriations bill.

Musk officially announced his departure from the White House Wednesday after his 130-day term as a special government employee comes to an end this week. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

After Musk shared news of his departure on X Wednesday evening, Stephen Miller responded in a post that praised DOGE for being among the most valuable services ever rendered to government.

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Musk complained that he faced an uphill battle in politics. The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized, the billionaire told The Washington Post. I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.

In terms of political spending, Im going to do a lot less in the future, he said earlier this month. I think Ive done enough.

The Tesla CEO didnt get anywhere near his initial goal of cutting $1 trillion in government spending.

After four months of chaos, during which time he posed with a chainsaw, wore a cheese hat in support of a failed conservative candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and held a Tesla car show in front of the White House, Musk is turning his attention back to his business empire.
For some people, looking at credit scores is like reading a new language. Without any context, seeing the numbers alone doesn't necessarily help you understand how good (or bad) your credit is. But learning about credit score ranges can help.

FICO and VantageScore  the two leading companies that calculate credit scores  have different score ranges or tiers they deem "excellent," "poor," or somewhere in between. While being in a higher range doesn't guarantee you'll qualify for every new loan or credit card, it certainly helps.

As a credit expert and former credit counselor, here's what I believe every person should know about credit score ranges and what they mean.

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Understanding the different credit score ranges

Credit score ranges can be confusing, since they're not always based on the same number of points. For example, some credit score calculations assign you scores between 250 and 900 points (typically, these are industry-specific scores, like when applying for a car loan), while others assign between 300 to 850 (most common).

For scores that range between 300 to 850 points, here's how FICO and VantageScore classify each range:

The higher your credit scores are, the easier your financial life can be. When you move into a higher range, you'll be more likely to get the credit cards and loans you want, and qualify for certain jobs or new apartments.

However, keep in mind that each creditor has its own requirements for the scores needed to qualify for certain products. And once your scores pass 760, you can usually qualify for the best products and lowest rates available, regardless of whether or not you ever move into the "excellent" or "exceptional" range.

As I used to (half-jokingly) tell my credit counseling clients who were worried about achieving perfect 850 credit scores, Once you hit 760, find another hobby!"

How to check your credit scores for free

There are a lot of places you can potentially go to see different versions of your credit scores for free, but these are the places I recommend looking:

Your financial institution

If you have a credit card, there's a strong chance you have access to free credit score monitoring through the card issuer. Plus, many banks offer this perk too.

For example, if you have a Bank of America credit card, you can monitor your FICO score for free each month through your credit card account. For US Bank clients, you can use your bank account to see your free Vantage score.

Want to find out if your bank or creditor offers this perk? Here's where you can look:

The bank or credit card app

Your online account

Your account statements

Another bank or credit union

Some banks offer free credit score monitoring, even if you're not a customer. For example, anyone can sign up for Chase Credit Journey or CapitalOne CreditWise for access to free credit scores and more.

My Money from Yahoo Finance

Our new personal finance platform, My Money, gives users access to their TransUnion VantageScores  plus much more. You can sign up for free here.

If you want to see your FICO scores specifically, you can sign up for a FICO Free Plan to get free access to your FICO 8 score. Signing up for a new service might seem unnecessary if you already get complimentary scores elsewhere. But this service only takes a couple of minutes to set up and doesn't require a credit card. So its valuable if you don't have access to your FICO scores elsewhere.

Alternatively, you can use FICO's free score estimator tool without having to set up an account. This tool asks about 10 questions and then estimates your score range. I've always found the tool to be very accurate. However, my most recent estimate was a bit low (755-805) compared to the score I saw on the Free Plan (848).

Credit score ranges FAQs

What is the average credit score?

In 2025, the average FICO credit score is 715, and the average VantageScore is 702. Both of these averages fall into the good credit score range.

Should you pay for credit scores?

You can pay to see certain versions of your credit scores, but it's not necessary. To see your credit scores for free, you can sign up for FICO's Free Plan or check to see if your bank or creditors offer free score monitoring.

What credit score is needed to buy a house?

Most mortgage lenders require a minimum credit score of 620. However, there are special loan programs where the requirements are flexible. For example, you can potentially qualify for an FHA home loan with credit scores as low as 500.
May 29MORRISON  A Sterling man has been sentenced to prison after admitting he set fire to his Sterling apartment last fall as officers arrived at his address to investigate an aggravated battery call.

Alan G. Marshall, 48, pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 28, to aggravated arson as part of a plea deal in connection with a Sept. 25 fire in the 600 block of West Fifth Street. He also pleaded guilty in a separate case to aggravated battery with strangulation for the call that brought police to his doorstep in the first place.

Sterling police were dispatched to that address shortly before 3:30 p.m. Sept. 25 for the battery call. Marshall, who police said was identified as a suspect in the domestic abuse case, fled from officers as they got into the area, ran into his residence, a duplex on West Fifth St., and barricaded himself in a room, according to a Sterling Police Department news release.

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Officers then noticed the room Marshall was in was on fire and began evacuating everyone inside the duplex, including another separate apartment. Marshall left the residence on his own after a short period, was taken into custody, then taken to CGH Medical Center, police said.

Meanwhile, Sterling and Rock Falls firefighters along with CGH emergency medical services were dispatched to the fire scene. When they arrived four minutes later, at 5:09 p.m., smoke was showing from the 2 1/2 -story wood-frame duplex, and police worked to secure the scene and account for all occupants.

Firefighters were told to remain on standby, which they did for about 10 minutes, before they could fight the fire and enter the structure to look for occupants, according to the news release. In the meantime, a box alarm was issued to bring in firefighters from nearby communities.

The fire in a second-floor bedroom extended into the attic and second-floor ceilings. A second box alarm was issued at 5:43 p.m. to help with crew relief and assistance with the fire overhaul. The fire was declared under control at 6:50 p.m., and the state fire marshal was called in to investigate.

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Sterling police at that time said Marshall would be charged upon his release from the hospital, where he was treated for smoke inhalation. Marshall was arrested near CGH Medical Center about 3:45 p.m. Oct. 2 on a warrant charging him with residential arson, arson and aggravated arson and also was formally charged with two counts of aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery and unlawful restraint in connection for events leading up to the fire. He has been held in the Whiteside County Jail since his arrest.

Marshall's case had been moving toward trial until a negotiated plea was announced and considered at a May 5 hearing in Whiteside County court. That plea deal, which covered both cases, was rejected by the court.

Under terms of the new plea agreement considered and accepted Wednesday, Marshall pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, a Class X felony, and was sentenced to nine years in prison with credit for 239 days served. One count each of residential arson and arson were dismissed.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated domestic battery, strangulation, and sentenced to seven years in prison to be served concurrently with the arson sentence. One count each of aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery and unlawful restraint were dismissed.

He was ordered to serve four years of mandatory supervised release after his prison term and must pay $2,028 in fines, fees and court costs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC4)  The Saratoga Springs Police Department provided a small update to a shooting that happened in Saratoga Springs in March.

In an email from police on Wednesday, the Saratoga Springs Police Department said detectives have developed several leads, and they are actively and diligently investigating this case.

In March, two people were shot and killed at a Saratoga Springs home on Willowbrook Lane and two months later, some neighbors are still wondering why they havent received more of an update from the police.

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I wish we had more information, neighbor Chris Bernier said.

The information known from the Saratoga Springs Police Department is this:

Two individuals were shot inside of a house near Willowbrook Lane in Saratoga Springs. One was 8-year-old Eli Painter, who died on scene, and the other was 43-year-old Jessica Lyman, who died after being transported to the hospital.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman dies after being found injured in Saratoga Springs home with 8-year-old son

A 17-year-old girl made the initial call to the police after arriving home. She told police she saw both Lyman and Painter unconscious on the floor and covered in blood.

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Weve never had anything like this happen before, Bernier said.

Bernier has lived near Willowbrook Lane for just over five years, and he says some neighbors, including himself, have many unanswered questions about the shooting.

Are we safe in our neighborhood, is this a one-time thing, do we need to be extra careful now? Bernier asked.

Retired Deputy Chief of Police and private investigator Chris Bertram says these kinds of investigations sometimes take longer than expected because of the intensity of the case.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 8-year-old dead, woman in extremely critical condition at Saratoga Springs home

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Theyre waiting to get digital evidence back, forensic evidence back, and trying to put all the puzzle pieces together to say what type of death investigation this is, Bertram said.

Bertram suspects as investigations go forward, officials might not want to say much  in fear of tipping off the suspect or making an incorrect statement too fast.

As time goes on, we might understand better why they kept that information quiet. On the other hand, if they keep it quiet and something else happens theres big consequences to that, Bertram said.

This is an ongoing investigation, and Saratoga Springs police say that because of how sensitive this case is, no further information can be released to the public right now.

Latest headlines:

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The Stockholm International Music Competition (SIMC) has been linked to Russian state institutions, prompting the Historical Museum in Stockholm to cancel its hosting of the event, following an investigation by Swedish broadcaster SVT.

Source: SVT Nyheter

Quote: "The competition was to be held at the Historical Museum and at the Nacka Music School. After the ties with Russia became apparent, the Historical Museum terminated the agreement with the competition, but the music school did not."

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Details: The Swedish government issued a directive in 2022 that Swedish cultural institutions should not cooperate with Russian state entities.

Journalists found out that the entrance fee for the competition is paid to a Russian bank, and 14 jury members are employees of Russian state institutions that publicly support the war in Ukraine. The partner of the competition is Herzen University in St Petersburg in Russia, which also supports the war and sent humanitarian aid to Russian forces.

Director of the Historical Museum Asa Marnell, in a conversation with journalists, replied that she did not know about the Russian connection.

The final concert of the competition has been held at the Historical Museum for several years, even after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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After an interview with SVT, the Historical Museum announced the termination of cooperation with the competition, "since this is contrary to the policy of the authorities."

Several more stages of the competition take place at the Nacka Music School. Operations manager Catharina Gruner Kronqvist also commented that she did not know about ties with Russia. However, this weeks competition will not be cancelled.

The organisers of the international music competition deny ties with Russia. In particular, the co-founder of the competition, Galina Ehrngren, noted that "there is no politics in competitions. Its just music, nothing else." However, she added that they did not know that the Russian state university supported the war.

What is known about the international competition and relations with Russia

Journalists report that the competition was created in 2009 by two Russian musicians called the Savshinsky International Competition in St Petersburg.

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A year later, one of the founders, Dmitry Mikhaylov, launched a similar competition in Stockholm with pianist Galina Ehrngren and violinist Anna Sundin. Since then, Swedish competitions have been held annually.

Mikhaylov is registered in St Petersburg as an individual entrepreneur. In the information about the competition, Russian participants who cannot use bank cards after the suspension of SWIFT are asked to pay the entrance fee directly to his account with the sanctioned bank Sberbank.

Journalists found the final concert of the Savshinsky competition in 2025, where Mikhaylov says from the stage that he "organises a similar competition in Stockholm". In the same video, Galina Ehrngren appears as a member of the jury. She was identified using the Amazon Rekognition facial recognition tool.

In addition, the official rules of the competition list jury members "from many countries", but there is not a single mention of Russia. Thanks to a search in open Russian sources, SVT was able to find 18 out of 47 jury members of Russian origin. Of these, 14 work in state cultural or educational institutions that directly support the invasion of Ukraine.

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In particular, several jury members work at Herzen University in St Petersburg. This university signed the appeal of the Russian Rectors Union in support of Vladimir Putin and the army, and the university also sends humanitarian aid to Russian forces. Some also work at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. The university has its own patriotic programmes, including discounts and concerts for military personnel. Some members of the jury work at the Mariinsky Theatre, which since the spring of 2023 has been providing free tickets to theatre and concert performances to soldiers participating in Russias war and their families.

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Participants walk through the Broadway Townhouses in Camden, N.J., as part of a training program to help neighborhoods affected by violence. The Community-Based Public Safety Collective, which offered the training, is one of at least 554 organizations affected by the U.S. Department of Justice's abrupt termination in April of at least 373 public safety grants. (Photo courtesy of Aqeela Sherrills)

Community-based violence intervention programs nationwide have long worked alongside law enforcement officers to deescalate conflict, prevent retaliatory shootings and, in some cases, arrive at crime scenes before police do.

In many communities, these initiatives have been credited with saving lives and reducing violence.

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But the Trump administration last month abruptly terminated at least 373 public safety grants from the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs, pulling roughly $500 million in remaining funds across a range of programs, according to a new report by the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonprofit think tank. The cuts come just as summer is approaching  a season when violence consistently peaks.

The grants were initially valued at $820 million, but many were multiyear awards at different stages of rollout, which means some of the money has already been spent.

At least 554 organizations across 48 states are affected by the cuts, many of them small, community-based nonprofits that rely on this money. The rescinded grants supported everything from violence prevention and policing to victim advocacy, reentry services, research, and mental health and substance use treatment. Some of the grants also were cut from state and local government agencies.

Another new report from the Council on Criminal Justice dug deeper into local effects: It found that the Trump administrations cuts also eliminated 473 minigrants  known as subawards  passed from primary recipients to smaller groups that often face challenges accessing federal dollars directly, such as rural government agencies and grassroots nonprofits.

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About $5 million of those subawards was intended for state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies working to reduce violence in rural areas, according to the report.

Experts warn the timing couldnt be worse. The summer months  historically linked to higher rates of violent crimes  are approaching, and the safety net in many cities is fraying. A growing body of research has found a correlation between spikes in temperature and violent crime, with studies suggesting that heat waves and sudden weather swings can inflame tensions and increase aggression.

These programs are having to cut staff and cut services, and that will be felt in communities in states all over the country at exactly the time when theyre most needed, said Amy Solomon, a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice and the lead author of the report.

Solomon also previously served as assistant U.S. attorney general in the Biden administration, where she led the Office of Justice Programs  the Justice Departments largest grantmaking agency.

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Many of the primary grants that were terminated contained no references to race, gender or diversity-related language, according to the report  despite claims from federal officials that such criteria were driving the cuts. Primary grant recipients received their funding from the feds directly.

Wasteful grants

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the cuts in a late April post on X, stating that the department has cut millions of dollars in wasteful grants. She also signaled that additional cuts may be on the way. In her post, she specifically cited grants that supported LGBTQ+ liaison services in police departments and programs providing gender-affirming care and housing for incarcerated transgender people.

The Department of Justices cuts come amid a broader push by the Trump administration and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency to pull funding from a range of federal programs  a move they say is aimed at reducing spending and saving taxpayer dollars.

For some groups, the sudden withdrawal of funds has meant scaling back crime victim services or pulling out of some neighborhoods altogether.

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Community violence prevention groups aim to stop shootings and other forms of violence before they happen by working directly with those most at risk. Staff  often with experience in the justice system  mediate conflicts, respond to crises, and connect people to support such as counseling or job training. In some cities, theyre dispatched to high-risk areas to deescalate tensions, often before police arrive.

And research shows that community-level violence prevention programs can contribute to drops in crime.

After a historic surge in homicides in 2020, violent crime in the United States dropped in 2024 to pre-pandemic levels  or even lower  in many cities. Preliminary 2025 data suggests that the downward trend is continuing in major cities, including Baltimore, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

But the progress hasnt reached every community. Some neighborhoods are still grappling with high rates of gun violence and car theft.

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Organizations that faced the toughest financial cuts had been funded through the U.S. Department of Justices Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative  the federal governments primary mechanism for supporting this work.

Since the programs launch in 2022, the federal Office of Justice Programs has invested about $300 million in community violence intervention efforts and related research. But nearly half of that funding has now been wiped out, according to the Council on Criminal Justice report.

Its really unprecedented to see these kinds of grants cut midstream, Solomon told Stateline. This was an effort that had bipartisan support [in Congress] and in the field all across the country.

Impact on communities nationwide

In late April, Aqeela Sherrills received a letter from the federal Justice Department terminating a $3.5 million grant that supported the Community-Based Public Safety Collective. Sherrills is the co-founder and executive director of the national organization, which focuses on community-led approaches to preventing violence, including mediating conflicts, building relationships in high-risk neighborhoods and connecting people to resources such as housing, mental health care and job training.

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The letter said the organizations efforts no longer aligned with the federal Justice Departments priorities, which include supporting certain law enforcement operations, combatting violent crime, protecting American children, and supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.

Until the end of April, the collective had an agreement with the Justice Department to provide training and technical assistance to 95 local groups  including community groups, police departments, city and county governments, and state agencies  that had each been awarded $2 million over three years to run community violence intervention programs.

We're bracing for what could potentially be a high-violence summer.

 Aqeela Sherrills, co-founder and CEO of the Community-Based Public Safety Collective

But after the department cut $3.5 million, the Community-Based Public Safety Collective was forced to lay off 20 staff members.

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Without the significant funding  it destabilizes the organizations. Peoples ability to be able to provide for themselves and their family is at risk, Sherrills said in an interview. Were bracing for what could potentially be a high-violence summer.

The deepest funding cuts hit states led by both Republican and Democratic governors, including California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington.

About $145 million in violence intervention funding was rescinded overall, along with an additional $8.6 million for related research and evaluation efforts, according to the Council on Criminal Justice report.

Some of the canceled grants funded studies and research on forensics, policing, corrections issues and behavioral health. Now, those projects may be left unfinished.

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Some of the largest losses hit intermediary organizations, such as the Community-Based Public Safety Collective, that support smaller programs by providing microgrants, training and technical assistance.

For organizations such as the Newark Community Street Team in New Jersey, the loss of federal funding has left some areas of the city without coverage.

The funding had allowed staff to monitor neighborhoods and engage directly with community members to prevent violence. That included weekly community walks, where team members connected with victims of crime and people who may have witnessed violence, linking them to resources such as counseling or legal aid. The team also operates a hotline where residents can report crimes or alert staff to tensions that might escalate  allowing the team to step in before violence occurred.

Some of the lost funding also supported school-based initiatives, where mediators helped students resolve conflicts before they escalated into fights or other forms of violence.

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Of the 15 Newark positions affected by the cuts, four employees were reassigned to other departments; the others were let go. Some of the teams staff members are formerly incarcerated, a vital trait that helps them connect with residents and build trust in communities that are often wary of traditional law enforcement.

We just have to continue working and serving our community the best we can, said Rey Chavis, the executive director of the street team.

That work appears to be contributing to a decrease in the communitys crime rates.

City crime data from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2025, shows a significant drop in violent crime in Newark compared with the same period in 2024. The total number of violent crimes reported to police fell by 49%, driven largely by a 68% decrease in robberies, according to Statelines analysis of the data. Homicides dropped by 53%, while aggravated assaults declined by 43%. Rapes dropped slightly by 3%.

Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKBN)  Testimony is expected to resume Friday in Columbus in the disciplinary hearing for a former local judge.

Read next: Window World responds in wrongful death lawsuit

Dom Leone, who had been ordered to stay away from Struthers Mayor Catherine Miller two years ago, is now being accused of misconduct during his time on the bench by the Ohio Disciplinary Council.

The matter is being heard by the Board of Professional Conduct of the Ohio Supreme Court. Among those testifying Thursday was Miller.

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The Disciplinary Council is asking that Leone be found in violation and sanctioned.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ODESSA, Texas(KMID/KPEJ)-Odessa College is getting ready for the upcoming semester, registration is now open for the 2025 Wrangler Orientation sessions. These sessions are mandatory for all incoming students who have applied and been accepted to the college. Orientation is designed to prepare new students for a successful academic journey at Odessa College. To learn more about the benefits, registration and what to expect watch the video above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
As the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, it is vitally important for Floridians who are potentially in the line of fire to have the most accurate, up-to-date weather information available.

A new study by London-based marketing and analytics firm Kantar suggests that it might come from AccuWeather.

Based on forecasts during the 2024 Atlantic season, Kantar determined that "AccuWeather's forecasts are, on average, the most accurate, the best communicated, and overall the most useful for people to make the best decisions to protect life and property."

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However, other meteorologists pointed out problems with Kantar's report.

"The AccuWeather 'study' makes claims about their forecast skill that cannot be falsified, and thus are not scientific," said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, co-founder, president, and chief meteorologist of Tallahassee-based weather forecasting company WeatherTiger.

"Without offering a study methodology to scrutinize, there is no way to evaluate the so-called findings in the slide deck, other than to say the document overall reads like something put together by consultants with no background in meteorology, working backwards from a conclusion," Truchelut said in an email.

"As Accuweather does not issue detailed track and intensity forecasts to the public each 6 hours as the NHC does, there is no independent means of verifying their forecasts, as the NHC rigorously does after each season."

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Other critics pointed out that the report seemingly does not include false positives where AccuWeather forecasted system developments that never happened, the study looked at only one year, and it may not have compared apples to apples in the data.

"The report is an exercise in marketing and self-aggrandizement, and nothing else," Truchelut said. "Furthermore, it is also in extraordinarily ill taste to attack the NHC now, with NOAA and the NWS suffering continued cuts."

National Weather Service struggling to maintain services without staffing

The report comes as the Trump administration has made drastic cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Service, among other agencies.

More than 550 of the 4,800 weather service employees have been dismissed, retired or accepted incentive offers to step down, leaving many of the forecast offices shorthanded with staff reductions from 20-40% and scrambling to cover staffing and maintain the usual quality and number of measurements. Several offices were forced to end weather balloon launches, which can reduce the agency's ability to predict weather, and CNN reported on May 2 that 30 NWS offices no longer had a lead meteorologist.

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This has never happened before. Weve always been an agency that has provided 24/7 service to the American public, Tom Fahy, legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, told ABC News. The risk is extremely high  if cuts like this continue to the National Weather Service, people will die.

Weather forecasts: Trump cuts leave National Weather Service scrambling to cover vital shifts

Project 2025, the conservative roadmap and wishlist from right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation, calls for NOAA to be broken up due to its position in the "climate change alarm industry" and says the government should charge for National Weather Service data that is currently free.

Trump disavowed Project 2025 during his campaign, but many of his initiatives mirror or surpass the project's goals and he has placed some of its writers into administrative positions including key author Russell Vought, now the Trump administration's budget office director.

Kantar study declares AccuWeather the most accurate

The study concluded, after analyzing coverage of all storms during the 2024 season, that AccuWeather was, on average:

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6.2% more accurate than the NHC and other sources for track forecasts

8.9% more accurate for storms that made landfall

8.6% more accurate for landfall location prediction

37.8% more accurate for landfall intensity forecasts

4% more accurate for maximum wind intensity forecasts

Kantar said AccuWeather's storm track and intensity forecasts extended 25 hours further into the future than the NHC and all other sources for all 2024 storms, and 31 hours further into the future for those that made U.S. landfall. It also praised AccuWeather's proprietary RealImpact Scale for communicating the potential dangers of hurricanes as compared to the standard Saffir-Simpson Scale, which only measures windspeed.

"We are very gratified by these results, which further support our mission of saving lives and protecting property," said AccuWeather Founder and Executive Chairman Dr. Joel N. Myers in a release. "This historic report marks the first time a third-party has verified that another source has been more accurate and more effective in predicting hurricanes and their impacts than NOAA's National Hurricane Center."

Not everyone took the report at face value.

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"With professional respect to my colleagues at AccuWeather, this is a study *paid for* by AccuWeather that uses highly questionable methods and makes a number of false claims," Matthew Cappucci, a meteorologist for the Washington Post, in a series of posts on X.

"AccuWeather claims to win 'all landfalling storms,' presumably with a U.S. bias... ...which allows them to completely throw out their absolutely erroneous forecast of a high-end Category 2 slamming into Florida. (It died over the Yucatan as a T.S.)," he said, referring to Tropical Storm Sara, a November 2024 storm that made landfall in Central America.

"Case in point," Cappucci said. "AccuWeather wants to make a case that they were right from the beginning with regard to Francine, but then sweep many other forecasts, like that of Sara, under the rug."

Right here, for example  AccuWeather claims to win "all landfalling storms," presumably with a U.S. bias...



...which allows them to completely throw out their absolutely erroneous forecast of a high-end Category 2 slamming into Florida.



(It died over the Yucatan as a T.S.) pic.twitter.com/iarEynP39x  Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) May 21, 2025

Dr. Levi Cowan, FSU meteorology grad and owner of forecast site tropicaltidbits.com, pointed out that the report analyzed forecasts at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 84 and 108 hours from the issued time.

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"But @NHC_Atlantic issues forecasts at lead times of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, and 120 hours, making it unclear exactly how this analysis was done," he said in an X post. "Was interpolation of some data to a different set of lead times performed? Was mean absolute error or some other metric used? We don't know, because the report is opaque."

AccuWeather calls the National Hurricane Center 'vital, life-saving'

In a release, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said that the important foundational work of the National Hurricane Center should in no way be disregarded. But AccuWeather, unlike most other weather services, uses its own data as well as data from the NHC.

"The agency provides a vital life-saving service," he said. "Our work complements this effort and state and local agencies and companies that need the most accurate forecast of hurricane tracks and impacts ranging from storm surge to rain flooding to tornadoes to wind and water damage, we are not discouraging the use of the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service forecasts, but if you want the best and access to expert consulting meteorologists that you can speak to at any time 24/7, AccuWeather is the answer."

AccuWeather, NHC predictions for 2025 hurricane season

AccuWeather is predicting the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season could bring:

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Named storms: 13 to 18

Hurricanes: 7-10

Major hurricanes: 3-5

Direct U.S. impacts: 3-6

NOAA is predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance for a below-normal season. Forecasters predict:

Named storms: 13-19

Hurricanes: 6-10

Major hurricanes: 3-5

Colorado State University meteorologists predict:

17 named storms

9 hurricanes

4 major hurricanes

Dr. Ryan Truchelut of WeatherTiger hedged his bets and predicted that the 2025 season has a 50-50 chance of landing in the ranges of:

16-21 tropical storms

7-9 hurricanes

3-4 major hurricanes

Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Is AccuWeather more accurate than NHC? Critics call study unscientific
A new study published by archaeologists at Bournemouth University (published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology) has revealed surprising information about bodies found at a war cemetery at the Iron Age site of Maiden Castle in Dorset, one of the U.K.s most famous archaeological sites.

Related: Police Search for Nighthawkers Who Desecrated Archaeological Site

When the burials were initially discovered in 1936, archaeologists believed that they died from a single battle. But after renewed analyses using radiocarbon dating, researchers found that rather than perishing in one mass-casualty event, the individuals had been killed due to violent clashes throughout many generations, from late first century B.C. until late first century A.D. The find of dozens of human skeletons displaying lethal weapon injuries was never in doubt, however, by undertaking a systematic programme of radiocarbon dating we have been able to establish that these individuals died over a period of decades, rather than a single terrible event, said Martin Smith, Associate Professor in Forensic and Biological Anthropology at Bournemouth, who analyzed the bodies.

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Related: Park Ranger Finds Campers in Altered State After False Death Report

Scientists believe the cause of the deaths could have stemmed from an era of dynastic turmoil or localized tension, resulting in executions. Whatever the cause, the new discovery upends decades of assumptions on behalf of researchers.

Since the 1930s, the story of Britons fighting Romans at one of the largest hillforts in the country has become a fixture in historical literature, Miles Russell, the digs director, explained. With the Second World War fast approaching, no one was really prepared to question the results. The tale of innocent men and women of the local Durotriges tribe being slaughtered by Rome is powerful and poignant. It features in countless articles, books, and TV documentaries. It has become a defining moment in British history, marking the sudden and violent end of the Iron Age.

Related: 2 Men Still Missing After Memorial Day Boat Tragedy

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The trouble is it doesnt appear to have actually happened, Russell added. Unfortunately, the archaeological evidence now points to it being untrue. This was a case of Britons killing Britons, the dead being buried in a long-abandoned fortification. The Roman army committed many atrocities, but this does not appear to be one of them.

Researchers are now scrambling to recontextualize the site, with much of what they assumed about the cemetery at Maiden Castle proving erroneous. "The intermingling of differing cultural burial practices contemporaneously shows that simplistic approaches to interpreting archaeological cemeteries must now be questioned, said Bournemouth archaeological scientist Paul Cheetham. Here we have either a number of distinct cultures living and dying together, or that an individual's burial right was determined by complex social rules and/or hierarchical divisions within this Iron Age society."

Related: Archaeologists Make Shocking Discovery in 6th-Century Relic

In addition to the renewed context surrounding the bodies already found, the team is now asking themselves what other undiscovered secrets might lie around the grounds of Maiden Castle. Whilst Wheelers excavation was excellent in itself, he was only able to investigate a fraction of the site, Cheetham said. It is likely that a larger number of burials still remains undiscovered around the immense ramparts."

Related: Graves Discovered on Silk Road Route Reveal Ancient Burial Customs

New Study Reveals Chilling Secret of Iron Age War Cemetery first appeared on Men's Journal on May 29, 2025
Exposure to two common pollutants could increase the risk of pediatric thyroid cancer, according to a new study.

What's happening?

The Yale University-led research found a "significant association" between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and outdoor artificial light at night and an increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer in children and young adults up to 19 years old. These exposures occurred during the perinatal stage of life, which is typically defined as the period that starts when pregnancy occurs and lasts up to a year after birth.

The study, summarized in News Medical Life Sciences, found the strongest association between exposure and thyroid cancer in teenagers aged 1519 and Hispanic children.

Why is this study important?

"These results are concerning, especially given how widespread both of these exposures are," lead author Nicole Deziel said. "Fine particulate matter is found in urban air pollution due to automobile traffic and industrial activity, and artificial light at night is common, particularly in densely populated urban areas."

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She added that thyroid cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers among children and adolescents.

"Our study is the first large-scale investigation to suggest that these exposures early in life  specifically to PM2.5 and outdoor light at night  may play a role in this concerning trend."

Children are often diagnosed with thyroid cancer at more advanced stages and with larger tumor sizes compared to adults, according to the university. Long-term effects for pediatric survivors can include temperature dysregulation, headaches, physical disabilities, and mental fatigue  these all can affect major life milestones such as education, employment, and having a family.

Meanwhile, additional research has pointed to many other dangers of air and light pollution. One study found a connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and the development of psoriasis, a chronic and often debilitating skin condition. Another paper found a link between artificial light and cerebrovascular disease, a diagnosis that includes numerous conditions, including stroke, that cause blood flow problems in the brain. Light pollution can also impede survival for animals like coral and fireflies.

What's being done about light and air pollution?

A number of cities and countries are trying to cut down on air pollution to help protect public health and reduce planet-warming emissions. For instance, Wales is banning most new roadway projects, and a New York law will require all Lyfts and Ubers to be EVs by 2030. You can help by opting for more climate-friendly transportation, which can reduce traffic-related pollution for everyone.

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Plus, at least 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have laws in place to reduce light pollution, according to Emerson Electric Co. Meanwhile, you can fight light pollution at home, too. DarkSky International recommends turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night, avoiding the use of blue lights, and switching to LED lighting with warm-colored bulbs.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A stylist who worked for Sean "Diddy" Combs and Casandra "Cassie" Ventura told jurors in the music mogul's sex trafficking and racketeering trial that he introduced Ventura to actor Michael B. Jordan during a lull in her relationship with Combs.

Deonte Nash testified on Thursday, May 29 that Ventura learned Combs had been involved with another woman while she was in South Africa in 2015 filming Honey 3.

Why does he keep humiliating me and trying to ruin my career? Nash said Ventura had asked him.

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Nash said he introduced Ventura to Jordan because she and Combs had broken up at the time.

"I did hook her up with Michael B. Jordan, he testified. He fine, she fine. I mean, why not?

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They started talking, dating  getting to know each other more so, he also said under cross examination.

Xavier Donaldson, one of Combs' attorneys, asked Nash how Ventura got Combs approval to film the movie. Nash did not respond directly.

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Nash testified Wednesday, May 28, that he witnessed Combs beat Ventura, pressure her to participate in "freak offs"  elaborate, drug-fueled sexual encounters with male prostitutes that sometimes lasted days  and threaten her with releasing sex tapes of her, including to her parents' jobs to get them fired.

Those sexual encounters are at the center of the government's case, which accuses Combs of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and his lawyers have said any sexual encounters were consensual.

Read the original article on People
Frequent flyers who dont want to pay hundreds of dollars for a travel credit card annual fee, you can enjoy decent points for staying at IHG hotels and resorts. Its not a premium traveler credit card, but if youre an IHG loyalist, you can earn rewards every time you stay on IHG properties, as well as when you pay for dining, gas, and monthly utilities.

Limited-time offer: Earn up to 5 free nights when you open a new IHG One Rewards credit card

Learn more IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card Annual fee $0

Welcome offer Highest points offer of 2025  Earn 120,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in first 3 months

Card type(s) Travel, Hotel

Ongoing Purchases APR 19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Recommended credit score Excellent/Good Rewards rate 17x when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts 3x on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants 2x on all other purchases

Benefits $0 annual fee Redeem 3 nights, get the 4th night free Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad



Additional benefits

With your IHG One Rewards Traveler credit card, youll also get benefits for being an IHG One Rewards member, including:

No blackout dates

Late check-out

Free WiFi

Other card benefits for IHG One Rewards members include automatic Silver Elite status (with a path to Gold Elite status when you make at least $20,000 in purchases each calendar year), 20% savings on rewards points purchases, early access to IHG Reward Night sales, and 10,000 bonus points when you spend $10,000 in a calendar year. Finally, youll get a boost when you redeem your points for Reward Nights with a fourth consecutive night free when you redeem three nights.

The card itself offers some extra perks, like purchase protection, trip cancellation insurance, reimbursement for lost luggage, and no foreign transaction fees.

Because this card is issued by Chase, you also get access to My Chase Plan, where you can pay off purchases over time if theyre $100 or more. Youll pay a small monthly fee  but no interest  to enroll in the plan and can make payments anywhere from 3 to 24 months, depending on the purchase amount.

Related: How to use your credit card for international travel

How to earn rewards

Youll earn rewards every time you stay at IHG hotels and resorts and book your stays with your IHG One Rewards Traveler credit card. Most of your reward potential comes when you purchase your stay with the card, since youll get up to 17x total points on stays.

You can also earn rewards when you purchase rewards with your IHG One Rewards Traveler credit card and save 20% on point purchases when you do.

When you use your card for non-IHG purchases, youll continue to earn at least 2x points, and more if the purchase falls within bonus categories. Make sure youre taking advantage of bonus categories by charging eligible monthly bills, gas purchases, and dining to your card (especially if you dont have another rewards card with these categories).

Like other credit cards, certain types of transactions will not earn points, including money orders, cash advances, lottery tickets, fraudulent charges, card fees, and more. You can find all the details about eligible purchases within your card agreement.

How to redeem rewards

If youre a frequent traveler, youll probably want to redeem your IHG rewards points for hotel stays at eligible IHG properties, including Regent, Kimpton, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and more than a dozen other hotel and resort brands. You can book a stay with just points or a combination of points and cash. IHG has dynamic rewards, so the points needed for your stay can vary depending on your trip and when you book.

You can also redeem your point for other rewards when you log into your account on the IHG website. You can go shopping through a third-party partner site and use your points to buy products, like AirPods, tumblers, and more. You can also redeem points for digital subscriptions, like books, magazines, movies, and others. You may want to donate your points to one of IHGs nonprofit partners or transfer to a partner airline program.

Who is the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card best for?

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit card is a great option for folks who are loyal to the IHG brand and its properties. If you prefer to stay at an IHG-owned hotel or resort, you can earn rewards for those bookings and stays. You can also earn rewards towards those stays every time you swipe your card.

If you want to build up rewards to lessen the cost of hotel stays  or stay completely free  this card might be great for you. But if you dont want to be locked into one hotel brand or you arent sure if you will use the card to take advantage of the rewards for hotel stays, you may want to explore other types of travel cards.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card pros

Easy to earn rewards. Since this is a Mastercard credit card, you can use this IHG card wherever Mastercard is accepted. While there are different tiers of earnings (and a minimum 2x points on non-bonus purchases), you can earn rewards with every card use.

Generous sign-up bonus. You can earn 120,000 bonus points when you sign up for the IHG One Rewards Traveler. You can easily use those points on your next hotel stay. While theres a $2,000 spending requirement in the first three months of opening your account, you can spend that money on anything, whether its restaurants, gas, or other travel accommodations.

No annual fee. Theres no annual fee for this card  a big benefit, since annual fees can be common among many travel credit cards. Theres also no foreign transaction fee, so you can use this card around the world without facing any extra charges when abroad.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card cons

Limited ways to redeem rewards. Likely the most common way to redeem rewards is by using your points for future stays at IHG properties. Unlike more flexible rewards cards, popular redemptions options like cash back or a statement credit may not be available.

High spending for higher status. While youre automatically enrolled in the Silver Elite Status, youll need to spend $20,000 each year to reach Gold Elite, which gets you more and better perks. Silver Elite will get you a 20% discount on point purchases, while Gold gets you 40%. Youll also get rollover nights for next year  rather than unused nights expiring  which you cant get on the Silver plan.

Where can you use IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card?

You can use this card anywhere Mastercard is accepted around the world. You can use it when booking travel accommodations, filling up your gas tank, dining out at a restaurant, or even regular shopping both home and away.

How to make an IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card payment

This card is issued through Chase, so youll pay your statement balance through Chase. Once you create an account and sign in, you can link your bank account to your credit card and set up payment.

You can also set up auto pay so you never miss a payment and avoid facing late payment fees. In your account, you can see when your next payment is due and for how much. You can also see if any of your recent transactions are eligible for My Chase Plan, so you can break up payments over a few months without facing APR charges.

Other payment options include by phone or mail. Here are the details:

Phone: 1-800-436-7958

Mail: Cardmember ServicesP.O. Box 6294Carol Stream, IL 60197-6294



IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card customer service info

You can call the number on the back of your card to reach customer service for your IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. You can also sign into your Chase account and send a secure email as well.

For Chase customer service, call 1-800-698-0120. For IHG One rewards questions, call 1-800-421-5162. Phone customer service for Chase is available 24/7, 7 days a week.

Alternative cards to consider

If the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card isnt right for you or if you want to see what else is out there, consider a few other cards that might work for you.

Learn more Chase Sapphire Reserve Annual fee $795

Welcome offer Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel promo credit after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

Card type(s) Travel

Ongoing Purchases APR 20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Recommended credit score Excellent Rewards rate 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct 3x points on dining worldwide 1x points on all other purchases *After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually

Benefits Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more Receive up to a $120 statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS



This card comes with a hefty annual fee  $795  but it also has plenty of value and flexibility. Youll also get a $300 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck, and more.

Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review

Learn more IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Annual fee $99

Welcome offer Best offer of 2025  Earn 5 Free Nights after spending $5,000 in first 3 months

Card type(s) Travel

Ongoing Purchases APR 19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Recommended credit score Excellent/Good Rewards rate 26x points at IHG hotels and resorts 5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations 3x points on all other purchases

Benefits Earn a free night on each account anniversary, plus get a fourth night free when you redeem your points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG properties Receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability when you book at least 72 hours in advance



If you want to stay within the IHG One family, you can opt for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. Youll earn more points on your purchases too, starting with up to 26x at IHG hotels and resorts. Plus get 5x points on travel, at restaurants, and at gas stations and 3x on all other purchases. This card also gives you a free anniversary night (worth up to 40,000 points) and automatic Platinum Elite status. But theres a $99 annual fee.

Learn more Hilton Honors American Express Card Rates & fees, terms apply Annual fee $0

Welcome offer Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of card membership (offer ends 8/13/25)

Card type(s) Travel, Hotel

Ongoing Purchases APR 20.24%-29.24% Variable

Recommended credit score Excellent/Good Rewards rate 7x points on eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio 5x points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations 3x points on all other eligible purchases

Benefits $0 annual fee Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad



This American Express card is best for Hilton loyalists. Youll earn 7x points when you stay at Hilton hotels and resorts; 5x at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets; and 3x on all other purchases. As an added benefit, get automatic Hilton Honors Silver status. Like the IHG One Rewards Traveler, this no annual fee hotel card (see rates & fees) also has a great welcome bonus.

Read our full Hilton Honors American Express Card review

This article was edited by Kendall Little

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the banks website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Over the last week, two local deputies and their K9 companion have made 23 arrests.

According to a post from the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office Facebook page, Deputies P.J. Montgomery and Cole Boatright, along with K9 Qlark have been conducting proactive patrols in concerning areas. As a result of their efforts, 23 individuals have been arrested for numerous different crimes.

Some examples of their work are as follows:

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One male was apprehended following a traffic stop in Sullivan for possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia.

Another traffic stop in Sullivan resulted in the arrest of a male, who has been wanted since 2019, for a warrant from Vigo County for sexual battery.

One female was arrested in Hymera following a traffic stop. The female was found to be in possession of methamphetamine with her juvenile child in the vehicle.

Two individuals were arrested in Hymera after a traffic stop revealed they were in possession of illegal narcotics and a firearm.

In Merom, a man was arrested and charged with domestic battery and strangulation following a thorough investigation by responding deputies.

A Chicago man was arrested following a traffic stop for auto theft. During the stop, deputies discovered the male was driving a vehicle that was reported as stolen from Cullman County, Alabama.

A Carlisle man was arrested for domestic battery and neglect of a dependent after a joint investigation with the Indiana Department of Child Services.

A Dugger man was arrested for domestic battery and strangulation after deputies responded to a domestic disturbance report.

Two were arrested in Shelburn after a physical altercation in which a female attempted to run over a male with a vehicle. Both were arrested for domestic battery and additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Twelve other individuals were also arrested and taken in by the trio for driving with suspended licenses in separate incidents.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a Massachusetts students challenge after he was barred from wearing a T-shirt that read There are only two genders to school on May 27.

The Courts decision preserves a lower court ruling siding with Nichols Middle School in Middleborough, Massachusetts, which had told then-seventh grader Liam Morrison to remove the shirt or leave school. The case, L.M. v. Town of Middleborough, drew national attention and divided legal experts, parents, and civil liberties groups over how far First Amendment protections extend inside public school classrooms.

Morrison, who brought the case with the help of his father and stepmother, was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and the Massachusetts Family Institute. His legal team argued that his constitutional rights were violated when he was sent home twice in 2023 for refusing to remove T-shirts bearing messages critical of gender ideologyone reading There are only two genders, and a second with There are [censored] genders written on tape covering the original wording.

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School officials reportedly defended their actions with complaints from others in the school and concerns that the shirts made classmatesparticularly those who identify as transgenderfeel unsafe.

Both a federal district court judge and the Boston-based First U.S. Circuit Court affirmed the schools decision.

The Supreme Courts refusal to intervene was announced as part of a routine order list. While most denials are unsigned and unexplained, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito both dissented, warning that the case raised significant questions about student expression and viewpoint discrimination.

In a detailed dissent, Alito called the situation an issue of great importance for our Nations youth, arguing that schools cannot selectively permit speech based on whether it aligns with their ideological preferences.

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Public schools may not suppress student speech either because it expresses a viewpoint that the school disfavors or because of vague concerns about the likely effect of the speech, Alito wrote.

Thomas, who has previously argued that student speech rights may not be protected by the Constitution at all, nonetheless joined Alito in dissent. He emphasized that under Tinker v. Des Moinesa 1969 Supreme Court precedent that prohibits schools from censoring student speech unless it causes substantial disruptionMorrisons shirt did not meet the standard for suppression. Thomas wrote, Unless and until this Court revisits it, Tinker is binding precedent.

ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman said in a statement that the group was disappointed by the Courts decision. Students dont lose their free speech rights the moment they walk into a school building, Cortman said, pointing to what he described as a double standard where schools allow pro-LGBT messages while censoring dissenting views.

The case reignited debate about how far public schools should go in managing speech. In online forums, including a Reddit thread that received over a thousand upvotes and comments, users were sharply divided.

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The fact that this case even made it to the Supreme Court in the first place is laughable, one Reddit user wrote. And the fact that Alito and Thomas wanted to waste time ruling on it is telling.

Others disagreed. Its truly insane how the courts have bastardized the Tinker test, another user posted. Were now in a place where political viewpoints that make someone feel uncomfortable are deemed dangerous.

In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a group of students who had been suspended for wearing black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. The Court held that students do not hold their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate. The decision established a key precedent: public school officials cannot censor student speech unless it would cause a substantial disruption to the schools operation.

The ruling underscored the principle that student expression, even if politically charged or controversial, is protected under the First Amendment. In the Tinker case, the Court found that the students silent protest did not disrupt the educational environment and, therefore, could not be lawfully punished. The case has since become a cornerstone of student free speech rights in America, frequently cited in legal arguments and public debates involving expression in schools and online platforms.

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This latest case echoes previous high-profile student speech battles, including Morse v. Frederick (2007), in which the Court sided with a school that disciplined a student for displaying a BONG HiTS 4 JESUS banner. In that case, both Thomas and Alito were part of the majority, though Alito issued a narrower opinion reserving room for political expression.

While the Courts decision not to take the case leaves the appeals court ruling intact, it does not establish a national precedent.
During his first few months in office, President Donald Trump has been establishing a framework for deporting undocumented immigrants en masse. Its something he has previously vowed will be the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.

Part of that operation includes whats known as the federal 287(g) program. Established in 1996, it allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose work is normally carried out by federal officials, to train state and local authorities to function as federal immigration officers.

Under 287(g), for example, local police officers can interview people to determine their immigration status. They can also issue immigration detainers to jail people until agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement take custody.

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Illegal immigration has wide-ranging consequences, including a troubling surge of dangerous drugs into our state, T.K. Waters, sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, said in a February 2025 statement to explain his offices participation in 287(g). We remain committed to partnering with President Trumps administration and our federal counterparts to secure our borders, protect Floridians, and establish a framework for the rest of the nation to follow.

Local police authorities across the country  from Jackson County, Texas, to Frederick County, Maryland  are participating in 287(g) for similar reasons.

Since Trump began his second term in January, ICE has increased 287(g) agreements from 135 in 25 states in December 2024 to 628 in 40 states as of May 28, 2025.

As a criminal justice scholar, I believe the surge of 287(g) agreements sets a dangerous precedent for local policing, where forging relationships and building the trust of immigrants is a proven and effective tactic in combating crime. In my view, the expansion of 287(g) will erode that trust and makes entire communities  not just immigrants  less safe.

Past federal-local cooperation

There is a long history of federal authorities collaborating with local police to enforce immigration laws.

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During the Great Depression, federal officials blamed Latinos for taking American jobs, and local agencies helped them deport up to 1.8 million people to Mexico. Its estimated that 60% of those deported were U.S. citizens.

In the early 1930s, local police participated in immigration raids in California and other states. As author Adam Goodman details in his book The Deportation Machine, state and local government agencies, including social workers, welfare agencies and police, acted as de facto immigration agents.

Trumps mass deportation plan mirrors President Dwight D. Eisenhowers 1954 federal immigration initiative, which resulted in 1.3 million deportations.

As author Natalia Molina notes in her book How Race is Made in America, local police often served as immigration cops in Eisenhowers program because the federal government did not have enough agents to cover such a large territory as the U.S.

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During his two terms, President Barack Obama deported over 5 million people and used the 287(g) program to help him do that, primarily to target jailed or recently arrived undocumented people. Obamas use of 287(g) peaked at 76 agreements during his first term but dropped to 35 during his second term.

A Justice Department investigation launched in 2008 found the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office in Arizona engaged in unconstitutional law enforcement actions against Latinos. The Justice Department found that the sheriffs office engaged in a pattern of unlawful seizures, including unjustified stops, detentions, and arrests, of Latinos in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio looks on as inmates are moved in Phoenix, Ariz., in April 2009. Joshua Lott/Getty Images

Power of local policing

Forty states have adopted 287(g) agreements as of May 2025.

This could have effects outside of the immigration laws.

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In the past 45 years, many law enforcement professionals in urban areas have highlighted the importance of forging relationships and building trust with immigrant communities. Thats because the police depend on the participation of all citizens to prevent crime and solve criminal investigations.

But police departments across the U.S. have found that 287(g) partnerships erode that trust.

In 1979, Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates created Special Order 40 that prohibited local officers from enforcing immigration laws in response to community complaints alleging discrimination against Latinos. Gates issued the order to encourage immigrants to cooperate with police and build community trust.

Other large police departments followed. In places such as Chicago and San Francisco, they shifted focus from helping federal immigration officials to prioritizing community relationships.

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William Bratton, who led six police departments, including in Boston, Los Angeles and New York, criticized 287(g) in a 2009 op-ed. He said that deputizing local officers to enforce immigration laws immediately undermines their core public safety mission.

Conservative police scholar George Kelling, co-author of the broken windows theory, which presumes that visible signs of disorder can lead to crime, also expressed support for local police agencies prioritizing their community relationships.

In a 1999 study, Kelling highlighted a San Diego police memo announcing its refusal to enforce federal immigration laws. The San Diego Police Department, he wrote, thought through its values, mission, and functions and elaborated a policy that put public safety and harmony above aggressive attempts to ferret out undocumented aliens.

During Trumps first administration, some police chiefs echoed Bratton and Kelling. They warned that employing local officers to enforce immigration measures could spark fear and damage public safety.

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Former Seattle Police Chief Kathleen OToole stated in 2016 that Seattle police officers were prohibited from inquiring about a persons immigration status.

And former Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn announced in 2016 that his department does not enforce immigration law.

He added, It is our opinion, our strongly held belief that our responsibility is to protect the residents of our city. To protect them, they must trust us, they must be willing to report crimes, they must be willing to be witnesses.

A Cameron County sheriffs officer puts handcuffs on a suspected undocumented immigrant detained during a traffic stop in South Texas. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images

Consequences of 287(g)

President Trump has frequently linked immigrants with higher crime rates, calling them murderers and rapists.

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But multiple studies have found that undocumented people commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens.

Although the Trump administration is expanding the use of local police in immigration enforcement, research casts doubt on using mass deportation as a crime reduction strategy.

A 2018 study on 287(g) from the libertarian Cato Institute found no evidence that ICE-led partnerships with local police decreased crime rates.

And a 2014 study on the Secure Communities Program, which calls for local police agencies to share arrestee information with federal immigration officials, found that this program has no discernible impact on crime in medium and large municipalities.

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The Trump administrations expansion of 287(g) ignores the shift that some big city police departments have made away from immigration enforcement in favor of community policing. And I believe it threatens to undermine the relationship between local police and the increasingly diverse communities they serve.

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: W. Carsten Andresen, St. Edward's University

Read more:



W. Carsten Andresen was employed in the past (2000-2003) at The Police Institute, a Rutger's University Think Tank run by George L. Kelling.
Surgeon Kuldeep Stohr is being investigated for potential failures in 800 medical cases.

A surgeon suspended from the private Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge,UK, asked a patient to perform a heil Hitler salute, recordings released by ITV News last week revealed.

Surgeon Kuldeep Stohr is being investigated for potential failures in 800 medical cases. The latest recording was submitted as part of a complaint against her during her private practice. A Sky News investigation revealed that the trust may have downplayed concerns about Stohr as early as 2016 after an initial review found there may have been some issues with surgeries she performed.

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A senior source at the hospital told Sky News that children were "severely permanently harmed" and "some of the cases are horrendous."

The patient, teenager Georgia DArcy, was instructed to perform the salute during a consultation, ITV News reported. Hospital management also reportedly heard Stohr deliver the instruction.

If I say can you do this sort of movement for me, so like a heil Hitler or a heil Caesar, any pain when you do that? Stohr is heard saying in the clip.

Russian influencer went to the hospital with a cold. She found a metal spring in her lungs. Illustration. (photo credit: YnetteT. Via Shutterstock)

The 18-year-old reportedly broke her rib while on holiday in 2023, which was confirmed by a hospital in Dubai as well as the Cambridge institution.

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When meeting with Stohr in January at the Nuffieldhospital, recordings revealed that the surgeon disputed that the rib was broken and grew increasingly frustrated with the family.

Youre still not letting it go, are you? Stohr told the mother in response to requests for an MRI of the rib.

After the mother responded Pardon to Stohrs comments, she responded Youre not letting it go, are you. Youve come here for an opinion, and how do you explain what Ive just said? Ill get an MRI scan of whats relevant.

Okay, Im getting angry actually, so I need to take just a deep breath, she later told the mother. ... I just need to take a deep breath and channel my emotions, Im sorry.

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In a statement, Ms Stohr told ITV: "I am not able to comment on individual cases due to my duty to protect patient confidentiality.

"I always strive to provide the highest standards of care to my patients. I am cooperating fully with the investigation, and it would not be appropriate to say more at this time."

A spokesperson for Nuffield Health stressed to the news site: We are aware of this complaint that dates back to January 2024. We took the complaint extremely seriously and conducted a thorough investigation at the time, ensuring that the patients family received regular updates throughout the process.

At Nuffield Health we hold ourselves to the highest standards of care and professionalism. The standard of care and conduct fell significantly below what we expect from any of the independent consultants who operate out of our hospitals, and we issued a full apology to the patient and their family.

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The consultant in question no longer practices at our Cambridge Hospital, and she hasnt operated here since October 2023.

Issues with surgeries performed by Kuldeep Stohr

A hospital source told Sky News that much of the damage suffered by patients had been entirely "avoidable."

"The lives of children and families have been ruined," the source said. "Stohr destroyed people's lives by performing very poor surgery. She destroyed some hip joints."

In one case, a child was said to have been left with a broken arm for 11 days after Stohr failed to spot the injury.

Staff were "bullied and intimidated when they tried to raise concerns," and told there was no problem with Stohr's practice.

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The surgeon was also said to have failed to consistently take CT scans after surgeries took place, despite post-surgical expectations for treating Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

One mother who approached Stohr for support in treating her son's painful birth defect on his foot was told by the surgeon, "There is no operation within my remits or that I can or am willing to perform, go away and leave it in the hands of God," the mother told Sky News.

While the child was treated at another hospital, his mother said, "I've been told that if she had done something sooner or even attempted to do something sooner, then he probably would have stood a bit better chance than what he's currently going through."

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May 28Described as "brilliant," "compassionate," and "generous," Dr. Jim Bonnet was a shining light in the Flathead Valley.

From bringing vascular surgery to the valley to opening the hospital's first dedicated breast center to serving on the founding board of the Glacier Symphony, Bonnett's reach ranged and helped to grow Flathead County's medical capacity and cultural opportunities.

Bonnet died May 6 of cancer in Kalispell, leaving behind a legacy that will be etched into the Flathead Valley. He was 78.

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His light will never dim, said longtime friend Gayle Vidal.

"He was more than a blessing, he was such a credit, such a force in the community without really letting people know about it. He just did it quietly because it was the right thing to do," Vidal said.

Now 77 years old, Vidal reflected on the first time she met Jim Bonnet. Gary Robbins, a surgeon and friend of Vidal's, invited her and her husband to a house party on Flathead Lake in their early 20s. Bonnet was Robbin's new surgical partner.

The way Vidal explains it, Bonnet immediately drew people in. The first time she saw him, he was standing in a doorway, wearing an emerald green robe. The first thing he said, Vidal laughed, was "bless you, my friends."

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A man from Louisiana, with Cajun roots and a Catholic background, Vidal said it just made perfect sense.

"I looked at my [husband] and said, we have got to get to know this guy better, and we did," she laughed.

From that point on until the day he died, the Vidals and Bonnet talked nearly every day. When Vidal got sick in 2020 and was bound to a wheelchair, she remembers hearing a surprise knock at the door, after they had moved out of Kalispell.

"Who was it but Jim Bonnet," she said.

Bonnet stayed for three days, assisting with daily tasks and helping with medicine. If it reveals anything, Vidal said, it was that Bonnet was an incredible man. An incredible friend.

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"I don't know another person like him, a person with that sort of capacity, medical expertise and devotion. The work he did overseas, the work he did here. He truly was amazing," Vidal said.

Born in 1946 in Lafayette, Louisiana, Bonnet's interest in medicine began at an early age. He graduated from the Tulane School of Medicine in 1971 before completing a five-year residency at the University of Southern California.

He then went on to complete a fellowship in peripheral vascular surgery in Australia before joining various medical missions in need of a surgeon, traveling to Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Bonnet connected with Dr. Gary Robbins while living in California, and, upon his return from overseas, the pair started what turned out to be a 30-year partnership in general and vascular surgery in Kalispell.

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"I feel privileged and fortunate to have known him in my life," said Michael Barth, president of the Logan Health Foundation.

In 2002, Bonnet opened an office dedicated to solely breast-related health care after watching his sister Carol's struggle in negotiating her state's medical system for the treatment of breast cancer. In 2009, the endeavor turned into the Bass Breast Center, a coordinated care center on the Logan Health campus.

"We have a breast center at Logan Health because he was a leader," Barth reflected.

Just last year, Bonnet honored his sister's legacy further with a donation to the Logan Health Foundation to start Carol's Fund, an endowment providing essential resources and assistance for breast cancer patients.

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For Judy Cowan, one of Bonnet's longtime surgical nurses, his medical expertise and awareness was one of a kind.

"He was an excellent doctor and a great surgeon," Cowan said. "What stands out most to me was his ability to take wonderful care of his patients. He had great hands; he was as talented as the first day he operated with me to the day he retired."

While expanding Kalispell's medical capabilities, Bonnet was also a generous patron of the arts. He served on the board of what is now the Glacier Art Museum and served on the founding board of the Glacier Symphony. Many remember him for his love of music.

Bonnet retired from surgery in 2007. After 14 years of remission from a previous cancer diagnosis in 2009, cancer was found in his throat and was treated aggressively without success. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol, and his parents.

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He is survived by his partner of many years, Patrice LaTourelle.

"We all have an opportunity to be more like Dr. Jim Bonnett, to follow his example, to follow his lead, to find opportunities to quietly give back and make our community stronger in however we see fit," Barth said.

"We all have an opportunity to do our part to make this world a better place like he did."

On Thursday, May 29 there will be "A Gathering of Friends to Pay Tribute to Jim Bonnet, the Man, Medicine and His Music" at 3 p.m. in Room 139 in the Arts & Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.
CHICAGO  Denise Howard was not related by blood to the 10-year-old girl who lived about a block away from her in Streamwood. But to that little girl, she was grandma.

She was always clean. Always beautiful looking, Howard said. And she always loved to wear pink  and she looked good in it. The mother took very good care of her.

When Howard heard the news around 3 a.m. Thursday that Uyani Jones, along with her sister, Janiya Jenkins, 21, had been found stabbed to death in their home Wednesday night, she said she was devastated.

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I just started crying. I couldnt go back to sleep, Howard said. Im gonna miss her. Im gonna miss her dancing. Im going to miss her hugs. Im going to miss her trying to get the Oreo cookies.

On Thursday evening, police were still searching for the suspect in the sisters deaths, Jalonie Jenkins, 25, who they called armed and dangerous. A relative identified the suspect as a step-brother of the victims.

His last known location was in Bensenville, where police said officers had located the suspects vehicle in Redmond Park. They said they searched the park with the help of drones and search dogs.

The Cook County Sheriffs Office declined to comment on the investigation. Police said to call 911 if someone sees him and to not approach him.

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In Streamwood, residents described the neighborhood as a generally calm and tranquil place. Neighbors knew something was amiss after police were dispatched to the home on the 1600 block of McKool Avenue around 7:50 p.m. The sisters were found dead inside the residence, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office.

Longtime residents said the degree of violence was unusual.

Ive lived here 21 years, Manfred Malagan said. Never seen anything like that.

Howard, who said she met Uyani about three years ago, said the neighborhood was in mourning after hearing the news.

This affected the whole community. This should have never happened to that family, Howard said. Today when I came out and my neighbor came out, we hugged each other because its sad.

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Howard said Uyani would come over after school for treats and to play games with her grandkids. The little girl loved Oreos and was always dancing.

U-46 School District officials confirmed shed been a fifth grader at Parkwood Elementary School; her older sister a 2021 graduate of Streamwood High School. The district sent a crisis support team to Parkwood Elementary Friday afternoon for students and staff and offered condolences to the victims family.

Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to this family and all who are grieving, officials said in a statement.

Thursday morning, yellow police caution tape surrounded the house, which had a stroller laying in the front yard. People walked by the home with dogs, a few stopping by to look at the crime scene.

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Jalynn Perez, 16, lives near the house where the stabbing took place. She was watching a movie when around 6:30 p.m., her living room lit up with cop lights. A few minutes later, she said she saw fire trucks and ambulances pull up.

While Perez didnt know the victims personally, she said she knew a few kids who would go to the house.

I see in that specific house that it happened in, teenagers and kids and stuff were always running in and out of there, Perez said. Her friends described it as just a chill place to hang out, but Perez herself had never been inside.

For Perez, who had moved to the neighborhood around Christmas last year, the news was shocking.

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Its the suburbs, I thought it was supposed to be so good and stuff, Perez said, noting that she had been warned that things can get a little rough in the summer time. I live four minutes away from my (grandmas) house, and its beautiful over there. And then this happens.

Police asked anyone with information to contact its Crime Tip Hotline at 630-736-3719 or email police@streamwood.org.

_____
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man wanted in connection with an April 2024 robbery-related murder has been arrested in Los Angeles, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

FEBRUARY: Arrest made in April 2024 murder of California rapper

Christopher Cheeks, 32, was killed in what police said was a robbery-related murder outside a music studio on Hayes Street in April 2024. Cheeks was also known by his stage name Chris King. On Wednesday, the MNPD announced in a social media post that a joint FBI and Los Angeles Police Department task force arrested Adrian Cameron Jr. in connection with the case.

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In a press release, the MNPD said that at the time of Cheeks murder, Cameron had been free on bond for the September 2021 murder of 50-year-old Josh Evans of Lebanon.

It was a horrible crime. He did not deserve that, Joshs sister-in-law Mary Evans told News 2. Were all relieved that hes arrested. I just hope they dont let him out again.

Cameron was reportedly on an ankle monitor as part of his bond conditions, however data from the monitor indicated that it had been cut off shortly before Cheeks was shot.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

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Cameron was known to be an associate of 19-year-old Amir Carroll, who was arrested in connection with the case in February. Cameron has appeared on the MNPDs Most Wanted list of suspects several times and had 12 outstanding grand jury indictments related to the incident.

The MNPD added in a Wednesday night press release that Cameron would be returned to Nashville from California in the near future.

We are finally getting the justice we are wanting, Cheeks friend Maynor Acip told News 2.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ELMWOOD PARK, Ill.  A stolen vehicle has been recovered and a person is in custody after a brief foot chase in the northwest suburbs overnight.

Chicago police say it all started after officers in the city spotted a black SUV that had been reported stolen from Belmont Cragin.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Officers said they followed the vehicle, but once they got to Elmwood Park, the suspect, a male whose age is unknown, fled from the vehicle on foot near the 7600 block of West Grand Avenue.

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LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Officers chased the suspect and eventually took him into custody less than a mile from where he allegedly fled from the vehicle.

Charges against the suspect are currently pending and authorities have not provided a booking photo.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Fire officials say they responded to reports of a potential shark bite Wednesday off the North Carolina coast.

The Sunset Beach Fire Department said a swimmer was bitten on the leg near the pier at 31st Street.

The victim recalled the harrowing event in the water.

Standing up, I felt something bite down on my calf-shin region, just bite down on my leg, and it let go pretty quickly thereafter, said Sean Barton.

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Barton was visiting from New Mexico, according to our ABC partners. He received 11 stitches after being bitten, but hes expected to be OK.

CHECK IT OUT >> Fishermen catch, release great white shark off NC coast

The fire department is warning visitors to be cautious. Marine life, including sharks, are natural inhabitants of these waters, and its crucial to take precautions to minimize potential risks, SBFD said in a statement.

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, which keeps track of shark attacks worldwide, there was only one unprovoked shark attack in North Carolina in 2024. There were two in South Carolina in 2024.

(VIDEO: Research group tags largest ever white shark off East Coast)
A swimmer was injured in a possible shark attack off the coast of North Carolina on Wednesday, authorities said.

The Sunset Beach Fire Department said it received an emergency call around 11:05 a.m. for a potential shark bite at Sunset Beach. The swimmer had sustained a leg injury off near the 31st Street beach access point, authorities said.

"Upon arrival, Beach Rescue personnel provided medical care to the injured swimmer, who was conscious and alert," Sunset Beach Fire Chief Richard Childres said in a press release.

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MORE: 2 friends injured in shark attack in the Bahamas speak out

The injured swimmer was treated at the scene and then transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

"At this time, the full extent of the patients injuries remains unknown, and medical professionals are working to assess the situation," Childres said.

PHOTO: People are shown on the beach near the pier in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. (STOCK IMAGE/Getty Images.)

Additional details on the victim were not released.

Officials are urging beachgoers to stay vigilant.

MORE: Shark believed to have injured 4 people in waters off South Padre Island on Fourth of July

As of Wednesday afternoon, no further shark sightings had been reported in the area.

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Unprovoked shark bites are very rare. There were 47 unprovoked shark bites -- including four fatal incidents -- reported globally in 2024, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File. Among those, 28 were in the United States, including one fatal attack, according to the database.

Swimmer injured in possible shark attack off North Carolina beach, authorities say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A massive landslide triggered by the collapse of a glacier buried much of the Alpine village of Blatten in Switzerlands Lotschental valley on Wednesday, destroying 90% of the town and leaving a 64-year-old man missing, authorities said.

Search-and-rescue efforts were suspended Thursday due to unstable debris as the region grapples with the aftermath of what glaciologists describe as a climate-driven disaster.

The collapse of a large chunk of the Birch Glacier, located above Blatten, sent ice, rock, and mud crashing down the mountainside, flattening homes and submerging buildings in brownish sludge, according to video footage and satellite images. The debris also blocked the Lonza River, causing whatever buildings were left standing to be flooded by the backup of the river.

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State Councilor Stephane Ganzer told Radio Television Suisse that the disaster obliterated nearly the entire village.

Bethan Davies, a glaciology professor at Newcastle University, described the event to ABC News as a cascading disaster. The glacier had been destabilized since last week when millions of pounds of rock debris fell onto its surface. Warm temperatures on Monday exacerbated the instability, accelerating the collapse.

This is a marked acceleration, Davies said. Lots of cracks started to form, a sign of the tension in the ice.

Authorities evacuated about 300 residents and livestock earlier this month after observing increased glacier melt and debris flow, a precaution that likely saved lives. Mathieu Morlighem, a glaciologist at Dartmouth College, told ABC News the collapse was likely caused by thawing permafrost, which acts as glue to stabilize mountain rock.

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What happened to Birch Glacier is what we would expect from rising temperatures in the Alps and elsewhere, Morlighem said, comparing it to a 2023 landslide in Switzerlands Silvretta Alps but noting Birch Glaciers larger scale due to excessive ice and meltwater.

One resident told Reuters she lost everything in the mudslide, while another said, You cant tell that there was ever a settlement there.

Werner Bellwald, a resident of the nearby hamlet of Ried, said the landslide wiped out his 1654-built generational family home.

The Cantonal Police of Valais halted search efforts for the missing man Thursday afternoon, citing falling debris. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter is scheduled to visit the area on Friday.

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Glaciologists link the disaster to climate change, which has accelerated glacier retreat in Switzerland. The country, home to Europes most glaciers, lost 4% of its glacier volume in 2023, following a record 6% in 2022, The Washington Post reported.

Average temperatures in the Swiss Alps have risen 3 degrees Celsius since the 1970s, said Daniel Farinotti, a glaciologist at ETH Zurich, who warned in March, Switzerlands glaciers could vanish completely by 2100.

A 2024 International Cryosphere Climate Initiative report predicts one-third of European Alps glaciers will disappear by 2050, even without further warming.

Davies noted that warming climates increase mountain landslides by melting permafrost and altering freeze-thaw cycles. Sridhar Anandakrishnan, a glaciologist at Pennsylvania State University, told ABC News that glacial degradation can also form unstable lakes, as seen in the Himalayas and Andes.

The Blatten disaster underscores the growing risks to Alpine communities. Glacierologists are urging further study of climate-driven glacier instability to prevent future catastrophes.
Johnnys Dock, the marina restaurant in downtown Tacoma, will resurface after all.

The property owners of Thea Foss Marina and Landing confirmed this week that they have leased the building to a new tenant, ending a multi-year operational hiatus for the waterfront location.

Gurinderjit Gary Purewal and Poojadeep Purewal will open a restaurant under the name Johnnys Dock Seafood and Grill, according to an application filed with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in May.

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They did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their plans.

State business documents show they also operate several restaurants in King and Island counties, including Clay Pot on the east side of Seattles International District and Tasty India in Oak Harbor.

The restaurant, last known as Johnnys Dock Restaurant, closed in March 2020 when the owners decided not to weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At that time, the restaurant was owned and operated by the property developer, Pacific Harbor Landing and Marina. One of the investors, Steve Novotny, told The News Tribune that summer they were unsure of its long-term fate but didnt see a sensible path forward amid the initial crisis, which led to the permanent closure of thousands of restaurants across the country.

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Novotny purchased the property in 2018 with Roy Kissler, Ken Rody, Adam Raygor, Mike Rozumny and Neil Holden, The News Tribune previously reported. They invested $1 million to modernize the space and the offerings. Some day, they wanted to build a condominium or hotel on the site, but that idea has fizzled.

In a phone call on Wednesday, Kissler said he and Rody are nearing retirement and never intended to be in the restaurant business. After the pandemic closure, they were in talks with a Seattle-based restaurant group to purchase the property, including the restaurant, but a drawn-out sale process eventually collapsed. They opted to put it up for lease and through conversations with a few interested parties landed on the Purewals.

In addition to having the restaurant come alive again, they anticipate putting a little bit more energy into the surrounding marina in the coming months.

Added Rody in a separate phone call, For Tacoma, it is a big deal. Johnnys has been around for years and years and years

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They could not speak to details of the new restaurants concept, menu or timing, outside of a hopeful mid-summer debut.

Before their proprietorship, Johnnys Dock had, since 1986, been under the purview of John Crabill and Dave Bingham. They had bought it from Crabills grandfather, Johnny Meaker  yes, that Johnny, also behind Tacomas beloved seasoning salt.

When the pandemic hit, Crabill and his wife Anita also owned Johnnys in Fife, established 1968. It closed that spring, but the official never-to-reopen came more than a year later, in June 2021. The space remains vacant today.

Johnnys Dock seems to have a way of resurrecting itself. The original opened near Pier 3 at the Port of Tacoma in 1954 but burned down in 1961. It was rebuilt in the same location, but Johnny and Beulah Bea Meaker moved the restaurant to Thea Foss in 1977.

JOHNNYS DOCK SEAFOOD & GRILL

 1900 E. D St., Tacoma

 Details: Thea Foss Waterway restaurant will reopen under new ownership, target mid-summer 2025
Faced with the growing threat of an invasion by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), Taiwanese military and industrial leaders will hold a two-day demonstration of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs). Scheduled for June 17 and June 18, the demonstration is designed to help speed up the island nations maritime drone production, a spokesman for the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said.

The move comes amid a surprising dearth of Taiwanese USVs, also known as drone boats, despite warnings from U.S. and Taiwanese officials that China could feel confident in its ability to launch a successful armed intervention against Taiwan by 2027, if not earlier. Such a conflict, as we previously reported, would likely become a huge drone war, with China also having made its own substantial investments in loitering munitions and swarming technologies in recent years. Chinese drones are proliferating in the air, on the ground, and at sea, and everything points to the mass use of uncrewed systems being a deciding factor in a conflict between Taiwan and China, something that has been enforced by the lessons of influential war games.

Images of a new Chinese large trimaran drone test ship emerged last November, one of Chinas many uncrewed developments in recent months. (Chinese Internet)

The drone boat demonstration will be hosted by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), Taiwans top military research organization. It will take part in two phases, according to NCIST.

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Participating companies will first showcase their technologies through static displays featuring models, video presentations, and equipment exhibits at Lungteh Shipbuildings Plant No. 6 facility, the Taiwanese TVBS news outlet reported. The program will then transition to live operational demonstrations at the Jiugongli Viewing Platform, where manufacturers will establish shoreline control stations to direct unmanned vessels through real-world missions including surveillance operations and long-distance navigation tests.

The goal is to inform future military procurement specifications to expand Taiwans drone boat fleet, the outlet noted.

The initiative represents a significant milestone in Taiwans broader strategy to modernize its naval defense capabilities amid regional security challenges, TVBS posited.

Taiwan is about 100 miles east of mainland China across the Taiwan Strait. (Google Earth)

Spurred in part by the success of Ukraines drone boat development, Taiwan is starting to build its own USVs. In March, we reported that Taiwan unveiled a domestically produced drone boat called the Endeavor Manta. Somewhat surprisingly, this was said to be the first of its kind to have been developed.

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Endeavor Mantas existence was disclosed by Taiwans China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC Corp.), which produces ships and submarines for military and civilian use, during a launch event held in the port of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. The event included a demonstration of the USVs at-sea capabilities. You can read more about that USV and its specifications in our original story here.

In March, Taiwan unveiled the Endeavor Manta, a new drone boat said to be the first of its kind for the Republic of China Navy (ROCN). (Taiwan Ministry of Defense)

NCSIST is also developing its own attack drone boat called the Kuai Chi. Details about its specifications are sparse.

Although appearing similar to USVs being produced by private manufacturers, the Kuai Chi attack drone boats internal guidance and control systems as well as other core technologies, are developed and produced entirely in-house by the NCSIST,  Taiwans CNA news agency reported.

The Kuai Chi will not take part in the NCSIST demonstration. Thats due to the sensitive nature of the project, Sun Chun-ching, an official with the Systems Development Center at the NCSIST, told reporters during a Ministry of National Defense (MND) briefing on Wednesday.

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The Kuai Chi will likely undergo separate combat evaluations next month, according to CNA. Following that, the USV will be demonstrated to the military during a precision live-fire missile drill at Jiupeng Base in Pingtung County in August, CNA suggested. The planned demonstration will simulate a battlefield scenario where the NCSIST drone boat engages various surface targets.

If those trials are successful, the Kuai Chi could be introduced to the public during the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition in September, Sun added.

The NCSIST demonstration will feature several drone boats being developed by private industry, Sun explained.

12 firms will enter the June USV demonstration in Yilan, Taiwan, with 4 live demonstrations (Thunder Tiger, Carbon-Based Technologies, Corum, and Lung Teh) and 8 additional static displays (JetSea AI, GEOSAT, Robuff, Ocean Aero, MARTAC, DSRG, Auterion, and HII).



(Up Media) pic.twitter.com/PE5vQlMkHw  Taiwan Defense News Tracker  (@TaiwansDefense) May 28, 2025

All this comes as Taiwan is planning to build out its first-ever army drone units later this year, The Wall Street Journal reported. It is part of a broader push to modernize its forces amid escalating threats from China. The move builds on a similar initiative by the countrys Marine Corps, which has already converted several tank and artillery battalions into drone units, Defense Minister Wellington Koo told the Journal.

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The step reflects Taiwans growing focus on asymmetric warfare, leveraging smaller, more innovative, and more agile systems to counter the overwhelming scale of Beijings military in the event of an invasion.

It would be best if China wakes up every day feeling like todays just not the day to invade, Koo stated.

Beyond concerns about a full-on invasion of Taiwan in the next two years, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) recently suggested that the PRC could also try to squeeze Taiwan by attacking two small islands close to the mainland.

China possesses a variety of military options to coerce Taiwan, including increasing the frequency and scope of Chinas military presence operations, air and maritime blockades, seizure of Taiwans smaller outlying islands, joint firepower strikes, and a full-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan, the DIA said in its 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment released earlier this month.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency suggested that the Peoples Republic of China could try to take two small Taiwanese islands close to the mainland. (DIA)

Ukraine has proven the value of asymmetrical weapons like drone boats, having largely pinned down Russias Black Sea Fleet and taken out fixed and rotary aviation with its fleet of USVs. You can see a documentary about Ukraines sea drone effort below.

While Ukraine has a very well-developed drone boat fleet, Taiwan has yet to field any operationally. It remains to be seen whether Taipeis growing urgency about its own drone boat development will provide a viable threat to China within the projected timelines of a potential PRC attack.

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While these small explosive-laden drone boats have their tactical disadvantages, they are uniquely well suited to making an invasion of Taiwan much harder for the Beijings forces. Defending against them is possible in many circumstances, but doing so takes resources and attention, and can limit a ships maneuvering. They also pose a threat to shore targets, like ships at dock and harbor facilities. When working in numbers, the proposition of stopping them becomes much harder. Taiwan could flood the channel with these weapons as one measure to at least slow a cross-channel invasion operation and increase its cost, which serves as a deterrent.

While line-of-sight and satellite datalinks to control these boats can be disrupted via electronic warfare, which China is increasingly adept at, and can help in an enemys detection of their presence, the infusion of basic artificial intelligence will make those communications unnecessary in the near future. That is if the user is willing to accept the moral implications of allowing autonomous weapons to choose their own targets. This would make defending against these types of vessel much more challenging, leaving hard kill as the only option once they are deployed.

Taken as a whole, it is somewhat concerning that Taiwan hasnt done everything possible to procure lethal drone boats, especially considering their relevance in a cross-strait conflict and their area-denial performance in the Black Sea. It also fits directly with the U.S. vision of turning the strait into a kamikaze drone hellscape, not just to inflict damage on Chinas Navy in a war there, but to deter one from starting. So, this seems to be a case of better late than never, and this exercise should help spur further growth in this sector. But even then, Taiwan needs to get very serious about procuring these capabilities quickly, potentially including from external sources.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  President Donald Trumps trade strategy hit a roadblock Wednesday after a U.S. court said the President overstepped his authority when he placed tariffs on imported goods from nearly every country in the world.

The US International Court of Trade said the administration could not rely on emergency powers to implement sweeping tariffs. The court is moving to put those tariffs on hold as the White House appeals.

Ashton Ferrazzo, who owns Freedom Fitness near NoDa told Queen City News that much of his inventory comes from mainland China. He said this latest ruling puts him in a position of uncertainty.

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This creates a lot more unpredictability. Its really disappointing because yes it struck down temporarily but the executive branch has ten days to either fight it or appeal it or things can remain the same or they can change drastically, said Ferrazzo.

Even if the White House fails to appeal the ruling, UNC Charlotte Professor Matthew Metzgar said the administration has options.

Theres other channels, that they could use to implement those tariffs. You know theres other agreements and other things they could do its just more of a slower process, said Metzgar.

Whatever the result, Ferrazzo hopes those in power can find consensus.

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This industry needs stability in the tariff, in the decisions that are being made on an international relations and trade scale.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (DC News Now)  The threat of tariffs is bringing uncertainty for many Northern Virginia businesses, including some in Falls Church.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner met with Vietnamese business owners at the Eden Center on Wednesday afternoon for a roundtable discussion. The center is a hub for Vietnamese American businesses and culture  but business owners are worried.

Every single day, the news creates uncertainty for a lot of the small business owners, said Anh Vu, owner of Sam Cargo.

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Trump administration moves to dismiss lawsuit over Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation error

The roundtable centered around tariffs impacting the community.

They want to know how to operate when theyve got potentially a 46% tariff on goods coming from Vietnam. Now that has been put on pause, but who knows whats going to happen next? Warner said.

If tariffs take effect, business owners are asking what they can do to stay afloat.

Some of these are unique products that they can only get from Vietnam. To maintain their cultural ties to the nation they came from, why should we discriminate against that? Warner said.

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Tuyet Nhi Le, who owns several restaurants in the area, said shes had a shipment of packaging products from China stuck in a U.S. port for six months. She was told she had to pay $110,000.

Stretch Your Dollar: Experts warn that tariffs schemes could trick consumers into paying fake fees

Were trying to work with whoever is in charge of signing off the papers to see whats possible. What do we have to pay just to get the shipment here? Le said.

In the meantime, she hopes Warner can help and that President Donald Trump will listen.

Were trying to do as best as we can to deal with all the different uncertainties that get thrown our way, Le said.

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I can understand how people are frustrated. Youre the senator. Cant you give us the answer?' Warner said. I can give you the answer. If I can find five of my Republican friends to vote with me and say, No, Mr. Trump, you cannot make up these crazy tariff policies all on your own. Congress has a constitutional obligation to set tariff policy.'

Trump did pause tariffs on other countries, except for China, until July 9. Its not clear what trade agreements will happen between now and then. Trump said he set tariffs high so countries could negotiate with him.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28 that a potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine is not being ruled out.

"Of course, that's within the realm of possibility," Merz said on air on ZDF TV channel when asked about the possibility of Taurus deliveries for Kyiv.

The chancellor nevertheless emphasized that using the missiles would require a lengthy training period, potentially taking "several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine."

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The comments come after Merz hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin on May 28. During the visit, the German government announced 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in new military assistance and financial support for the Ukrainian long-range missiles program.

Merz made no new announcements about a delivery of Taurus missiles. Zelensky's visit was accompanied by fresh speculations about a possible policy reversal, as Merz declared earlier this week that Germany and other Western partners have lifted all range restrictions on arms provided to Kyiv.

The chancellor later clarified he was referring to a decision made "many months ago."

Talking to ZDF, Merz said that a delivery within six months or a year would be of no use to Ukraine today, which is why Berlin is focusing on improving Ukraine's current military position.

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Before becoming chancellor, Merz, elected for the CDU/CSU conservative alliance, signaled he would overturn the ban of his predecessor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, on delivering Taurus to Ukraine.

The Taurus is a powerful cruise missile capable of striking targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles), more than the long-range capabilities Ukraine received from other partners.

Ukraine has been using U.S.-made ATACMS for over a year, and U.K.-French Storm Shadow/SCALP for more than two, initially being allowed to deploy them only against Russian targets on Ukrainian territory.

Only in late 2024, the Biden administration and other allies eased the restrictions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian military targets on Russian territory.

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In range, speed, and payload, Taurus much resembles the Storm Shadow, which is made by Taurus manufacturer, MBDAs French affiliate. The primary distinction for Taurus is in the design of the actual warhead  Taurus can be programmed to explode after hitting a specific target, such as a bunker.

Read also: Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
TAYLOR, Ala. (WDHN)  Taylor City councilman, Meritt Carothers announced his candidacy for the Mayor of Taylor in a recent new release he posted on his Facebook.

Carothers campaign will focus on growing the community, making the infrastructure better, helping families and businesses improve and preserving Taylors small-town character.

He served 20 years in the Alabama National Guard and spent 35 years as a defense contractor at Fort Novosel.

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According to his news release, where he announced his campaign run, Carothers said the city is growing quickly and it needs quick leadership that understands where Taylor needs to be.

He mentioned running for mayor is about keeping Taylor safe and making decisions that will make the city better.

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Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information.

A Wayne County district court judge is facing a public misconduct complaint with accusations he embroiled himself in his chief judges election, called her names, displayed her opponents photo from the bench, and repeatedly broke court rules.

Taylors 23rd District Court Judge Joseph Slaven was formally accused by the Judicial Tenure Commission, the states judicial oversight body, in a complaint announced May 28.

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The complaint largely centers on his role in a multi-year election fight between 23rd District Court Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford and Administrative Law Judge Michael Tinney, though Slaven is also accused of unrelated misdeeds, including driving with an expired registration and repeatedly flipping off the middle finger at courthouse security cameras.

23rd District Court Judge Joseph Slaven is shown in a photo from the city of Taylor website.

The Free Press reached out to Slaven through his court staff, phone numbers and an email believed to be tied to the judge. He did not provide a comment on the allegations. He has 14 days to issue a formal response to the commission.

Shackelford could not be reached for comment. The 23rd District Court administrator, Deanna Warunek, in an email said Shackelford would not comment but that she and the court staff were "fully committed to carrying out their responsibilities at the court." Slaven appeared to conduct hearings on a live stream Thursday.

More: Visitors from Norway, fan pages, gifts: How judges' online fame affects Michigan courts

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More: No teeth: Cases of 2 embattled Michigan judges highlight concerns with accountability

The complaint is the first step in a court-like process that, at its most severe, could lead to a suspension or removal of a judge, depending on the findings and a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court.

A public complaint itself is a rarity for the tenure commission and is reserved for situations it deems most serious. Most grievances filed with the commission do not result in findings of fault, and those that do are primarily resolved behind closed doors.

The complaint accuses Slaven of misdeeds, including:

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Calling the chief judge Shackel-fool from the bench and seemingly mocking her after she told him to make his face visible during Zoom hearings, where it had been obscured. He subsequently obscured his face with flowers and a Bible during a session, called her a control freak and referred to clueless people, the complaint said. Slaven told the commission he simply repeated what an attorney said when he made the first comment and was not referring to the chief judge with the latter comments. The commission qualified those defenses as making false statements.

Promoting the candidacy of Tinney by randomly discussing him and displaying slideshows with his picture while on the bench. Hes also said to have printed 160 copies of Tinney campaign materials and voter precinct maps using court resources.

Recording conversations with Shackelford in 2021 and 2022 and lying about it when she directly asked him if he was recording during one.

Directly disobeying orders from her to not copy court staff on emails with concerns on court policies, then copying them on an email saying her misunderstanding of court rules might be due to a lack of reading comprehension.

Repeatedly failing to follow court rules to wear his black robe, even when prompted by multiple chief judges and a state court administrator. Sometimes he placed it in his lap.

Calling court staff incompetent and threatening contempt.

Driving with expired registration and an illegible license plate.

Slaven won his seat on the bench first in 2014.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Name-calling, campaign at center of Taylor judge complaint
A Scranton man, upset over his broken vehicle, attacked his girlfriend as she was trying to contact emergency services, Taylor borough police charge.

Chad Thomas, 30, of 533 Hemlock St., is facing charges of strangulation, assault and resisting arrest.

According to the criminal complaint:

At about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Taylor police officers responded to a call for help to emergency dispatchers from 57 Kennedy Boulevard, Taylor.

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When officers arrived, they found Thomas and Marquitta Ward standing on the top of the staircase of the residence and ordered them downstairs.

Officers interviewed Ward, who said she and Thomas had been arguing all morning. She said Ward woke up upset over his broken vehicle.

The argument escalated and Thomas put his hands around her neck, restricting her ability to breathe normally, she said.

Ward was able to push away from Thomas and called 911.

At that point, Thomas grabbed her cellphone and then slammed her onto the bed.

Officers noted Ward had a scrape on her left elbow.

As police were attempting to arrest Thomas, he tensed both of his arms, preventing officers from putting him in handcuffs.

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Officers were eventually able to restrain Thomas and take him into custody.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on June 10 before District Judge Laura Turlip.

Thomas remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.
tazewell, va.  The popular farmers market in Tazewell will soon have a new and permanent home.

The town of Tazewell has been awarded a $296,500 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission for the first phase of the Clinch River Pavilion and Farmers Market project. This project will provide a new home for the Tazewell Farmers Market while also providing a new option for community events and economic growth.

The farmers market is currently located off Fincastle Turnpike at the first Tazewell exit, but the new location will provide consistency for the market as well as shelter from rain and other weather, Tazewell Town Manager Leeanne Regon said.

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So the town council has agreed to allocate funds to match the Tobacco Commission award, Regon said Tuesday. The town council has allocated the same. Without the tobacco commission awards we would not have funding to do this first phase. So the first phase will be site development and construction of the pavilion. And when it is not in use by the farmers market, it would be available for other events.

Regon said the Cumberland Forest Community Fund also has awarded a $15,000 grant to the town to construct a river walk area near the rear of the Clinch River Pavilion and Farmers Market property.

The new farmers market is planned at the site of the former bowling alley in North Tazewell. That location has already undergone significant improvements with the removal of the dilapidated structure and site remediation, which was completed through funding provided by the Virginia Department of Environmental Qualitys Brownfields program.

Regon said the development is a work in progress, adding the town is looking at the possibility of acquiring a pre-fabricated facility for the shelter. She said Delegate James W. Will Morefield, R-Tazewell, and Senator Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, are both backing and supporting the project on the state level.

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The town is hoping that the new Clinch River Pavilion & Farmers Market will serve as a catalyst for a second project  the North Tazewell Business District Revitalization. Regon said the town has received a planning grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for that project which will allow for facade improvements for the properties in the business district as well as the redevelopment of a commercial property that is being transferred to the town of Tazewells Industrial/Economic Development Authority.

We would welcome just about any business, Reagon said when asked what type of business would be sought for the redeveloped commercial property.

Regon said the town will seek a Community Development Block Grant in the future from the Department of Housing and Community Development for the business district revitalization plan.

Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
Sen. Ted Cruz used a Fox News interview to act as a human shield for Elon Musk, demanding Americans get down and kiss the billionaires feet for his DOGE work.

Musk has called time on his stint at the Trump administration, with his 130-day special government employee status elapsing on May 30. His time at Trumps side was tumultuous, with Tesla caught up in the pushback against his cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency.

Cruz appears shocked by the backlash, telling Fox Newss Sean Hannity on Wednesday evening that Americans should be expressing deep gratitude to Musk and chanting Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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The lefts reaction, he said, was somewhat different. It shows what utter hypocrites they are, he told the host.

Musk has announced his departure from government, but has said the work of DOGE will continue. / Samuel Corum / Getty Images

The Texas senator was likely referencing the pushback towards Musks government position, which inspired claims of a conflict of interests and triggered a backlash that saw violent protests at Tesla dealerships and charging stations, with cars defaced, battered, and even burned.

Cruz said Musk had been a hero to the left through his championing of electric alternatives to gas-guzzling vehicles.

And then he had the temerity to actually speak the truth, to support Donald Trump, to speak up against the madness of open borders, to speak up against the insanity of men and womens sports, to speak up against the woke mind virus. And the left decided he was Adolf Hitler. He was the embodiment of evil, he said, branding the attacks on Tesla dealerships domestic terrorism.

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I think the American people ought to be saying to Elon, Thank you, thank you, thank you! He came and spent four months working for the American people free of charge, didnt collect a salary, made nothing. He rooted out massive waste, fraud and abuse, and he did so at enormous cost to himself, Cruz continued.

Musk called in Donald Trump to help him bolster Tesla sales. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

You look at his stock holdings, his stock holdings dropped tens of billions of dollars. It was a personal sacrifice and the death threats that were directed against him were massive. I think Elon is an extraordinary entrepreneur, an extraordinary business leader.

Hannity emphatically agreedrecounting how he bought a Tesla out of solidarity with Musk.

Its the best car Ive ever driven. The best engineer[ed] car. It is the fastest car, the most fun car. Its really amazing, he said.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPE)- A Midland teen accused of assaulting his grandmother earlier this month was arrested over the weekend on a warrant. Blake Marquez, 19, has been charged with Injury to an Elderly Person and Resisting Arrest.

According to a Midland Police Department report, on May 11, officers were called to a home to investigate an alleged assault; at the scene, they found an elderly woman with bruising and swelling to her eye. The woman told investigators that her grandson, identified as Marquez, had knocked on her door to ask for some milk. The woman said she told Marquez to check in the refrigerator; as the two were talking, she said Marquez suddenly ran toward her and started hitting her.

Neighbors who heard the disturbance and tried to catch Marquez as he ran away from the scene. While speaking with police, the victim again stated that the attack came without warning and that she shuddered to think what would have happened if the neighbors had not intervened.

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On May 25, Marquez was taken into custody and booked into the Midland County Detention Center where he remained as of Thursday afternoon on a combined $15,000 bond.

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EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11)  A 17-year-old boy died after being shot in the head in East Harlem on May 17, according to the NYPD.

The incident happened around 5:48 p.m. near 151 East 115th Street.

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Police responded to a call of an assault and located Chance Leggett with a gunshot wound to the head. EMS transported Leggett to a local hospital in critical condition, where he passed away on May 28.

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Jermaine Vanderhorst, 19, was taken into custody on May 18. Police charged Vanderhorst with attempted murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A 14-year-old and an 18-year-old were charged in connection with a deadly shooting May 12 in Franklinton, according to police.

Arrest warrants were filed against Joseph Johnson, Jr., 18, and the 14-year-old for murder and other felony offenses, police said. The two were arrested by Columbus Police SWAT officers on Tuesday.

Autopsy shows 6-year-old Columbus girl had trace amount of fentanyl, strangulation injuries

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The shooting happened along South Princeton Avenue after an apparent argument, according to an incident report.

Richard Murphy, 19, was killed in the shooting.

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Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Wednesday to demand an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages still held by Palestinian militant group Hamas, marking 600 days since their abduction.

Crowds assembled at Hostages Square in the centre of the city to draw attention to the fate of the hostages.

"Tonight we count 600 days without you. And you are counting the seconds  nearly 52 million seconds," said the mother of hostage Alon Ohel in a speech.

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Former hostages shared accounts of their time in captivity. "In the tunnels, you don't know if a terrorist will get up one morning and shoot you, or if a bomb will destroy the tunnel where you're sleeping," said Yair Horn, who was freed in February. His brother Eitan is still held captive.

Ahead of the demonstration, chaotic scenes unfolded between protesters and police. According to Israeli news portal ynet, about 20 people were detained after occupying the headquarters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and blocking nearby streets.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by militants from Hamas and other groups on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.

There are still 58 hostages in the Gaza Strip, the majority of whom are no longer alive.
The biggest story of President Donald Trumps second term thus far is his going to great lengths to expand his own power  and daring Congress, the courts and anyone else to stand in his way. Those who do so are labeled usurpers.

But the sheer brazenness of Trumps power grabs has steadily come into focus via a stream of major judicial rebukes.

And its not just the language of the decisions that looms large; its also the sources. Even several judges appointed by Trump himself have now ruled he and his administration have gone too far, too fast. Its a list that keeps growing.

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That makes it increasingly difficult for the administration to continue arguing that the adverse rulings are truly about the judiciarys overreach  as opposed to its own.

A case in point is Wednesdays ruling by the US Court of International Trade striking down many of Trumps most significant tariffs. The ruling could be one of the most significant yet, halting a centerpiece of both Trumps economic and foreign policy agendas, though it was later paused by an appeals court while it considers more arguments in the coming weeks.

The unanimous three-judge panel of the International Trade court ruled that Trump exceeded his authority by effectively treating Congress granting of certain tariff authorities as carte blanche to do whatever he wanted.

And some of the language is pretty stark.

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The case deals with Trumps use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977. The act allows the president to levy tariffs to deal with any unusual and extraordinary threat emanating from outside the country to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

Trump has declared national emergencies related to drugs and crime, as well as persistent trade deficits with other countries. He has sought to use those declarations to justify tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, as well as the global tariffs he announced on what the administration deemed Liberation Day last month.

But the three-judge panel said the IEEPA does not authorize anything as unbounded as the Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariffs. It said that such a reading would create an unconstitutional delegation of power.

The panel said tariffs were not a valid method to deal with the threats Trump cited, because creating leverage over other countries doesnt directly address drug trafficking.

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(In a rather dryly worded footnote, the judges noted that the tariffs do not change the effective rate of duty  i.e. 0 percent  for smuggled drugs themselves.)

And it rejected the administrations argument that the courts couldnt question Trumps emergency declarations, saying a provision in the law that limits a presidents tariff authority is not a symbolic festoon.

The White House responded to the major setback with familiar talking points. They took aim at the actions of unelected judges, asserting they shouldnt be able to question Trumps foreign policy actions. Top White House adviser Stephen Miller added on X: The judicial coup is out of control.

But yet again, the ruling included none other than a judge appointed by Trump.

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Trump first nominated Timothy Reif to the federal trade court back in 2018. Reif joined in the unanimous opinion  along with judges appointed by former Presidents Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan.

There is some nuance here. Trump allies note that Reif was a Democrat who served in the Obama administration. (Trump had to nominate a Democrat, given the court is capped at five appointees from one party or another.)

Judge Timothy Reif is seen in this screengrab from November 2018. - US Senate Judiciary Committee

But Reif was also a political appointee in the Trump administration, serving as a senior advisor under then-U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer before his nomination to the federal trade court. Indeed, his decision to serve in the Trump administration reportedly caught allies off guard, as the Daily Beast reported in 2017.

The Wall Street Journal described Reif as a Democrat with a reputation as a protectionist, which would suggest he could be sympathetic to Trumps trade policies and tariffs. (One of Trumps top trade advisers, Peter Navarro, is also a protectionist former Democrat.)

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In sum, this is a vote that the administration would certainly prefer not to lose  especially given his vote wasnt even necessary for the courts majority.

But this is becoming a familiar tale. Repeatedly and increasingly, Trump-appointed judges have said the administration is grabbing too much power.

Earlier this week, a Trump-appointed US district judge in New York, Lewis J. Liman, blocked the administrations attempts to thwart New York Citys congestion pricing program. He said the administrations policy undermines the authority of a sovereign state to authorize policy decided on by its elected representatives.

Last month, another Trump-appointed US district judge, Stephanie A. Gallagher, ruled the administration had wrongly deported a man and had to facilitate his return.

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Another, Trevor McFadden, ruled the administration had unconstitutionally retaliated against the Associated Press by barring it from White House events, calling US officials actions brazen.

Yet another, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., in recent weeks became the first district judge to fully reject the administrations use of the Alien Enemies Act for rapid deportations.

Another, Stephanie Haines, said the administration could use the Alien Enemies Act. But she sharply undercut its utility by saying the administration hadnt provided migrants enough time to challenge their deportations. The judge required they give 21 days.

And then there is, of course, the Supreme Court. Each of Trumps three appointees to that court  Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  has declined to dissent when the court sought to check Trumps deportation powers. Its actually been the other conservative justices, the ones appointed by Republican presidents before Trump, who have been more amenable to the administrations actions. (The Supreme Court sometimes issues rapid orders that dont denote who voted which way, but justices can note when they dissent.)

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Its somewhat fraught to focus too intensely on which president nominated a judge who issues a major decision. Federal judges, with the insulation of a lifetime appointment, are supposed to interpret the law without regard to politics.

But it says a lot that the people Trump has seen fit to appoint to such important roles have increasingly thwarted some of his boldest moves. That speaks to just how far hes pushed the envelope in challenging the limits of his power.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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Temperatures continue to heat up across New Mexico through this weekend. Isolated storm chances continue with widespread rain moving in by next Monday.

Showers and storms have again developed Wednesday afternoon in northern, northeastern, and eastern parts of New Mexico, along with the Sacramento Mountains. A couple of these storms have turned severe in northeastern parts of the state. Temperatures have been hotter today where drier conditions are in place. Storms will be ending later tonight. An east canyon wind will again bring in higher humidity into the Rio Grande Valley by Thursday morning.

Isolated rain and thunderstorm chances continue in parts of New Mexico through this weekend. The highest chances for rain will be across the central mountain chain and in eastern New Mexico. Although a few storms will also be possible in some of the western mountain and surrounding areas. Temperatures across New Mexico will also continue to heat up through Friday, when high temperatures will be well-above average statewide. The heat will stick around for most of the state through Sunday.

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A storm system will be approaching New Mexico from the west Sunday, drawing up moisture from the south as well. This will bring an increase in rain chances in southern New Mexico Sunday afternoon. But the storm will move into New Mexico Monday, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms. Rain will start in western New Mexico Monday morning, becoming widespread across the state Monday afternoon. Temperatures will be cooler as this storm moves in and winds will pick up.

Dry air quickly returns Tuesday as temperatures warm back up to around average again. Breezy winds will stick around early next week as well.

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LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  On Wednesday, tornado survivors moved into temporary travel trailers at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park in London.

The campers are provided by the state to those who have been displaced because of the storms.

Seven families so far have made the transition. London Mayor Randall Weddle said there are more trailers on the way for others.

One of our first concerns were where are we going to put individuals that we know were displaced because of the storms and we started coordinating with Gov. Beshears office, he continued. We said thats a need [temporary homes] and they immediately started working on it and as the result of that, you see this out here now.

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The campgrounds can hold up to about 130 campers; as of now, there will be a total of 90 supplied for families.

Tina Carnes and her family and pets were among the first to move in.

Her family lost their home in the tornado; however, she said she is thankful they are all safe.

She said the level of support from officials and volunteers has made the transition process a bit easier.

Its cramped, I mean, just to have a big family in a tiny camper, but yeah, its a lot, but I mean, its better than not having anything, and Im blessed beyond measure and I know this is just temporary and we will pull through it, Carnes said.

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Weddle said this time of recovery is about hope and staying together.

Ohio man hopes to heal hurting hearts in wake of London tornado devastation

One thing weve heard constantly is, It starts local and it ends local, so if this is going to be built back, it has to be done by London and Laurel County, Weddle said.

There is police patrolling the park area to ensure everyone and their belongings are safe.



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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Wednesday, Utah! Today will be even warmer than yesterday across the state, with daytime highs in the upper 80s for most valleys while St. George climbs into the upper 90s. Expect partly cloudy skies with a few isolated thunderstorms in mountainous regions, but theres a slight chance that some valleys see a thunderstorm as well.

Temperatures continue to rise through the next few days. Fridays highs will be in the upper 80s to low 90s for valleys, and St. George is forecasted to hit the first triple-digit temperature of the year! By the weekend, well be getting into record territory across the state. Most of us will see mid-90s this weekend and the hot spots will be in the low to mid-100s. On Sunday, northern Utah holds in the 90s, but southern Utah will cool back down to 80s for most and mid-90s for lower Washington County.

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While the majority of the state stays dry through the remainder of the week, each day brings a chance of isolated mountain thunderstorms with the heat of the day, but nothing widespread or long-lasting. However, unsettled weather revs up across the whole state on Monday as a system swoops in with cooler, soggier air and scattered thunderstorms.

Well track the latest updates in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

Latest headlines:

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SHERWOOD, Ark.  A storm of opposition is building in the Brushy Island community, as residents push back against a plan to construct a police shooting range in their neighborhood.

The unincorporated area in Pulaski County was the scene of a heated town hall meeting Wednesday night, where dozens of neighbors voiced their concerns over the Sherwood Public Works project.

In a packed room filled with passionate voices, community members made their stance clear: They want no part of it.

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New Sherwood development raises concerns in Brushy Island community

We must come as one, represent as one, and take it to her(the mayor of Sherwood), one resident urged during the meeting, rallying neighbors to unite against the development.

At the heart of the debate are concerns over safety, noise pollution, proximity to residential homes, and potential lead contamination from spent bullets left on the ground in the flood zone.

In response, residents unveiled a new petition opposing the range, already gathering over 280 signatures in a neighborhood of fewer than 300 homes.

Thats phenomenal, said Kennedy Young, the meetings moderator. It shows how deeply this community cares.

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The outcry began following the City of Sherwood and its groundbreaking. Residents say that was the first they had heard of the outdoor shooting range.

Sherwood city officials have defended the range, citing public safety and the need for localized training for officers.

Theyve highlighted efforts to reduce impact, including the construction of a 30-foot berm and plans to restrict firing hours.

Still, residents say the justification doesnt add up.

If its inconvenient for them to go outside their city limits, then this is outside their city limits, one neighbor said pointedly.

Adding a new wrinkle to the dispute, the Pulaski County Quorum Court has passed an ordinance requiring permits for all shooting ranges, even in unincorporated areas. Justice of the Peace Patricia Young-Baker called the ordinance she sponsored a necessary measure.

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If you want to operate this firing range, you are going to have to meet the regulations we adopted, she said, outlining requirements for environmental studies, erosion and sound control, and range safety planning.

However, it remains unclear whether the ordinance will apply retroactively to the Sherwood project, which is already under construction. Ambiguity now clouds the future of the range.

According to Young-Baker in 2016 and 2019, the City of Sherwood voted this plan down, which included the shooting range.

If it wasnt good enough for Sherwood, its not good enough for us, Young-Baker added.

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Davids Burgers owner withdraws application for North Little Rock slaughterhouse

Absent from the town hall were key figures, like the Pulaski County Judge, the Sherwood mayor, and the Sherwood police chief, all of whom were invited.

In response to a request for comment, the mayors office said there was no new update at this time.

As construction continues and community pressure mounts, one thing is certain: Brushy Island residents are not backing down.

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Jeff McComas, who lives in Minnesota, was diagnosed with terminal intestinal cancer and wants to travel to Colorado, where medical aid in dying is legal

The 55-year-old is unable to end his life through Colorados End-of-Life Options Act because the law requires in-state residency

McComas and two Colorado physicians are now suing Colorado, claiming the law is discriminatory and unconstitutional







A terminally ill Minnesota man is suing Colorado, claiming that the states ban on assisting out-of-state residents with medical aid in dying is unconstitutional.

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Jeff McComas, a retired engineer from Woodbury, Minnesota, was diagnosed with stage 4 intestinal cancer in January 2023. With chemotherapy, the 55-year-old was able to give himself more time. However, doctors informed him that his disease is terminal.

The news came as a shock, and my family and I were in a state of disbelief. We have gone from shock to denial and anger, to negotiating, and finally to acceptance, he said in a statement. While the side effects of cancer and its treatments can be burdensome, I fight through them, try not to complain and make the best of my time.

But even with my phenomenal medical team, my options in Minnesota are limited. Ill never be cancer free or in remission. And at some point, the chemo will stop being effective, and either my cancer will continue spreading or the tumors will grow in size. I dont want a long, drawn-out end. I didnt pick this road, but Im on it, and I want control in deciding when Ive suffered enough.

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McComas said he wants the option of medical aid in dying (MAID). However, its not available in his home state  a fact that he calls madness. So, McComas said he wants the option to travel to Colorado, where the End-of-Life Options Act went into effect in 2016.

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The law allows patients with terminal illnesses to end their lives with lethal medication  without supervision of their medical team. It's different from euthanasia because the patients themselves administer prescribed drugs to end their lives, rather than a doctor. Euthanasia is illegal in the United States.

In addition to Colorado, MAID laws have been authorized in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and New Mexico.

However, to qualify in Colorado, individuals must be residents of the state.

If the pain from my disease becomes unbearable, I want the option of medical aid in dying, McComas said in a statement. Since I cannot die on my own terms where I live, I should have the option of traveling to Colorado to access the care there. Right now that option does not exist.

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On May 22, nonprofit organization Compassion & Choices filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of McComas and two Colorado physicians. The complaint argues that the residency requirement of Colorados End-of-Life Options Act violates the U.S. Constitutions Privileges and Immunities Clause which prohibits State officials from restricting non-resident visitors access to medical care within its borders absent a substantial State interest and restrictions narrowly tailored to those interests.

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Additionally, the filing also claims that it violates the U.S. Constitutions Commerce Clause, which prohibits state laws that discriminate against interstate commerce by preventing providers from providing specific and appropriate medical services to otherwise qualified patients who are non-Colorado residents.

The law is discriminatory. Appropriate health care options should not be denied to someone based on their zip code, Jess Pezley, Compassion & Choices senior staff attorney, said in a release. Firsthand experience from countless doctors and patients, and decades of data, make it clear that the residency restriction functions more as a barrier to access than as a safeguard.

Dr. Barbara Morris and Dr. Jennifer Harbert, the physicians who brought on the lawsuit along with McComas, have both prescribed medical aid in dying medications to Colorado residents. However, they said theyre often contacted by out-of-state residents seeking the same care.

I regularly hear from people who live outside Colorado and want to come here for help with medical aid in dying, said Morris. But under current law, I face the threat of criminal prosecution and civil liability if I offer non-residents the same compassionate care I provide to Colorado residents. That defies logic.

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As the law is currently written, I cannot provide the same medical care that I deem appropriate to non-Colorado residents, added Harbert. I am simply saying that all the patients I treat in Colorado should have access to the same care.

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The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit Colorado officials from enforcing the residency provision of the law, which limits access to medical aid in dying.

McComas explained that although he wants the option to travel to Colorado for MAID, the ultimate goal is to have the option available in Minnesota.

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I need Minnesota to pass a medical aid-in-dying bill soon, he said. I wont see 2030. I want to be empowered to make my own end-of-life decisions, not having the medical community fighting to keep me alive one more painful day.

If the end is here, Im of the mindset that it is better a day too soon than a week too late, McComas continued. I need to be allowed to pick the day and manner of my choosing, and have my wife and children at my side. I will not slowly, painfully, inexorably pass away. I will be in charge of my own passing. Im willing to do what it takes and travel, but Id much prefer to die painlessly in our home in Minnesota.



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A group of high-powered Tesla investors are growing tired of CEO Elon Musk's "outside endeavors," saying in a letter to the company's board chair that the automaker is facing a "crisis" and Musk needs to return to work.

According to the letter, investors are urging Teslas board to require Musk to work a minimum of 40 hours per week at the Austin-based automaker as a condition for any future compensation plan. The letter also calls for the board to establish a clear succession plan for the companys management.

Teslas stock price volatility, declining sales, as well as disconcerting reports regarding the companys human rights practices, and a plummeting global reputation are cause for serious concern, the letter, addressed to board chair Robyn Denholm, stated. Moreover, many issues are linked to Mr. Musks actions outside of his role as Technoking and Chief Executive Officer at Tesla, including his high-profile role as an architect of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

An airplane tows a Save Tesla Fire Musk banner over the Capitol Tuesday April 22, 2025.

The letter coincides with Musk's confirmation of his departure from Washington, D.C., marking the end of his time with DOGE and his renewed commitment to his companies.

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The Delaware Court of Chancery ordered Tesla to rescind Musk's $56 billion CEO pay package from 2018 early last year. The court determined that Musk had exercised control over the company and that the board's compensation committee had misled shareholders. Additionally, reports indicate that Musk is seeking to increase his stake in Tesla, aiming for approximately 25% voting control of the automaker.

Tesla has faced extensive backlash as a result of Musk's role in the federal government and close ties to President Donald Trump.

Tesla's profit fell 71% in the first three months of 2025, and as of new data, sales in Europe slumped 49% in April compared to a year ago. Tesla's stock is down 12% this year.

The Axios Harris Poll, which is a ranking gauging the reputation of the most visible brands in America, used to see Tesla ranked in the top 10. This year, however, Tesla dropped to 95th overall, behind six other automakers.

Cybertrucks are lined up at Tesla Giga Texas on Tuesday April 2, 2024.

The Axios Harris Poll, which evaluates the reputation of the most visible brands in the United States, previously ranked Tesla among the top 10. This year, however, Tesla landed in 95th place overall, falling behind six other automakers.

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Tesla showrooms and vehicle owners have been subjected to protests, vandalism and threats of violence. An Austin showroom was targeted in March, and the Austin Police Departments bomb squad later seized potentially incendiary devices after identifying them as a possible threat. One study found that between January and April, 46% of Tesla owners reported that their car has been vandalized, with a third considering getting rid of their vehicle within the next year.

Speculation circulated after Tesla's April earnings call that Teslas board was looking for a new CEO, which the board chair later denied.

"Earlier today, there was a media report erroneously claiming that the Tesla Board had contacted recruitment firms to initiate a CEO search at the company. This is absolutely false (and this was communicated to the media before the report was published). The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk and the Board is highly confident in his ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan ahead," Denholm said in a statement.

Collectively, the investors who signed the letter own about 7.9 million shares in the company. Their letter accuses the Tesla board of being "unwilling to act in the best interest of all Tesla shareholders" by not requiring Musk's full attention on the company.

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The letter also urged Tesla to appoint a new independent director without personal ties to existing board members. Earlier this month, Tesla announced former Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung would join its board. However, Hartung previously worked with Musks brother and Tesla board member, Kimbal Musk, who was also a board member at Chipotle.

On Wednesday, Musk confirmed plans to rededicate more time to Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Musk must work 40-hour week, Tesla investors say as company faces 'crisis'
A Teutopolis man and an Ohio man were pronounced dead after separate vehicle crashes on May 26: One on Interstate 70 seven miles west of Greenup, and another on Moccasin Road north of Altamont.

A three-vehicle accident on I-70 occurred at approximately 1:03 p.m. According to Illinois State Police Trooper Jayme Bufford, one person was pronounced dead and one with injuries was flown to a regional hospital. The road closed and reopened at approximately 11 p.m.

Cumberland County Coroner Jennifer Phipps identified the deceased as Joseph Hotlzmann, 60, from Ohio. An autopsy was scheduled for May 27, and results from the toxicology report will take at least a week, said Phipps.

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The other crash at approximately 9:32 a.m. occurred on Moccasin Road, about half a mile east of 600th Street. The Effingham County Sheriffs Department, ISP, the Effingham County Coroners Office, the ISP Traffic Accident Reconstruction Unit and the ISP Crime Scene Unit all responded to the one-vehicle crash.

According to Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes, a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Ford pickup driven by David Hollinshead, age 72 of Teutopolis, Illinois was west bound on Moccasin Road when he ran off the north side of the roadway, struck a utility pole and overturned.

Hollinshead was alone in the vehicle and was pronounced dead by Rhodes at the scene. An investigation by the Effingham County Coroners office, ISP Investigations and the ISP Accident Reconstruction Team is ongoing, according to a press press release.
Texas schools will be able to use harsher punishments to discipline students after the Texas Legislature passed a sweeping package on Wednesday  part of their efforts to stem student violence after the pandemic.

Disruptions are impeding both the ability of teachers to teach and the ability of students to learn, said state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock.

House Bill 6 would extend how long schools can place students in in-school suspensions from three days to as long as they see appropriate. Principals would need to review the placement every 10 days. Students facing in-school suspension still complete schoolwork in a different classroom on school grounds.

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Because the bill would allow schools to use out-of-school suspensions to discipline all students when they engage in repeated and significant classroom disruption or threaten the health and safety of other children, it would make it easier for schools to discipline students experiencing homelessness and the state's youngest students. That's because the bill would reverse state laws from 2017 and 2019 that put limitations on when and how those students could be disciplined. When schools do out an out-of-school suspension to students in kindergarten through third grade, theyll need to provide documentation of the students disruptive behavior.

Both chambers have approved the legislation  the Senate last week and the House last month. With the Houses approval Wednesday of 19 Senate amendments to the bill, 114-19, it now heads to the governor.

The legislation also amends when schools send students to alternative education settings, a strict environment that often leans on computer-based work and is in a different building. While students caught vaping were previously required to go to alternative education settings, schools can now give students caught with a vape device less severe consequences if it is their first offense. Schools can also teach students in alternative education programs remotely  a mode of instruction that was shown to contribute to learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perry, who shepherded the bill in the Senate, said the legislation was six years in the making.

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We've reached a crisis point where there's just some kids that absolutely are such a deterrent to the overall learning process that we have to find a better way, Perry said on the Senate floor last week. With that, HB 6 found that balance. I like where we landed.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.

First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 1315 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Gordon P. Gallagher first joined Colorado's federal trial court in 2012 as a part-time magistrate judge stationed in Grand Junction. In March 2023, the U.S. Senate confirmed him to a lifetime appointment as a district judge  one of five Biden administration appointees to the state's U.S. District Court.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Senate Joint Resolution 1  a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent bail for those not lawfully in the country accused of certain crimes  fell 13 votes shy of the 100 votes needed to pass the Texas House.

Known as Jocelyns Law, after 12-year-old Houston girl Jocelyn Nungaray was allegedly killed by a pair of men illegally in the country last year, SJR 1 was a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott.

Illegal immigrants who are arrested should be considered a flight risk, denied bail and turned over to [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)], Abbott said during his state of the state address in early February.

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Opponents of the bill argued that the bill would lead to racial profiling in minority communities. State Rep. Ramon Romero Jr., D-Fort Worth, spoke about the impact he believed it would have on his community.

A young man may get pulled or may get stopped just simply for jogging and not carrying his ID, and I can say that it offends me because this has happened to my own son, Romero said.

State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, who sponsored the Senate bill, said the intentions of the bill were not coming from hatred or prejudice, but rather was going after criminals.

Rapists, murderers, human traffickers, drug dealers, child molesters. Are these the type of people we want to vote to protect?, Smithee asked his colleagues from the front of the chamber floor.

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While the Texas legislature has passed tangential laws designed to uphold Abbotts vision, such as Senate Bill 8 which requires local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE on their 287(g) detention program.

Nexstar reached out to the Governors office to ask what his thoughts were on a potential special session if Jocelyns Law did not pass. A spokesperson in the office said in a statement, Governor Abbott made bail reform a top priority this session and has delivered on that promise. The Texas Legislature has passed the strongest bail reform package in Texas history to ensure the most violent criminals are kept behind bars and our streets are safe. The Governor looks forward to enacting this package and sending to voters for their approval.

Earlier this month the Texas House did pass another bail reform measure  SJR 5  which would give judges and magistrates the discretion to deny pail to a person charged with a violent crime if the judge deems they pose a safety risk to the public. The constitutional amendment would have to be approved by a majority of voters in the November ballot.

SJR 1 took nearly three months to reach a House floor vote on May 19, passing to a third reading with an 88-50 vote. However, thats not enough for constitutional amendments which require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the legislature and a majority vote from the public.

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After failing to get the required 100 votes, SJR 1 was postponed. And postponed again. In total, its been postponed seven times before Wednesday. It passed the Senate 28-2 all the way back on Feb. 19, but Senate Democrats had reservations about the bill.

The senators worried about how broad the language is concerning the definition of illegal alien. As it is written, Jocelyns Law defines an illegal alien as anyone who entered the United States without inspection, or anyone who entered the country as a nonimmigrant and failed to maintain that status before they are accused of a crime. A nonimmigrant can be any foreign person allowed to enter the country for a certain amount of time and for a certain purpose, such as a student visa.

The senators argue the language should be refined to ensure that those who may have initially entered the country without authorization but have since gone through the appropriate legal processes to gain lawful status are not impacted by this legislation.

What SJR 1 would do

SJR 1 is modeled off of the United States Congress Laken Riley Act. It requires judges to deny bail for those defined as illegal aliens if theyre accused of committing one of these crimes:

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First-degree felony criminal solicitation

Murder

Capital murder

Aggravated kidnapping

Trafficking of persons

Continuous trafficking of persons

Indecency with a child

Sexual assualt

Aggravated sexual assault

Felony injury to a child

Aggravated robbery

First-degree felony burglary with intent to: Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or disabled individual Indecency with a child Sexual assualt Aggravated sexual assault Prohibited sexual conduct

Aggravated promotion of prostitution

Compelling prostitution

Possession or promotion of child pornography

A felony where: A deadly weapon was used or brandished The accused was a party to the felony where a deadly weapon was used or brandished

A felony under the election code

An offense involving the manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance with intent to delivery

An offense involving the manufacturing, delivery or possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone, if the accused had already been convicted of committing a similar crime

A judge or magistrate must deny bail if they determine there is probable cause the person engaged in the accused crime at a hearing.

Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch is an immigration attorney and has been following SJR 1. She is concerned that local criminal courts will have to make decisions on someones immigration status, a job she feels is better adjudicated in a federal court.

Those are two independent systems and they should be independent because immigration is complicated and its federal law, Lincoln-Goldfinch said. Ive represented people whove been accused of being terrorists just because they have tattoos. Ive seen firsthand the way detention can be politicized. I, personally, do not trust the fact that that would not happen at the state level.

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The House and Senate must pass all bills on third reading by midnight on Wednesday. Any bills not passed are considered dead.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Project Summary:

This story is part of KXANs Preventing Disaster investigation, which initially published on May 15, 2024. The project follows a fatal car crash into an Austin hospitals emergency room earlier that year. Our team took a broader look at safety concerns with that crash and hundreds of others across the nation  including whether medical sites had security barriers  known as bollards  at their entrances. Experts say those could stop crashes from happening.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Despite a VERY aggressive lobbying effort by the Texas Hospital Association to kill a bill aimed at preventing vehicle crashes at emergency entrances  following last years deadly crash at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center  a state senator is pledging to refile the same safety measure next session, according to a senior staffer.

Senate Bill 660, sparked by a KXAN investigation, sought to require crash-rated vertical barriers, called bollards, at Texas hospital entrances. The proposal was supported by the Texas Nurses Association, which said all protections should be considered to ensure healthcare workers are safe and protected.

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It passed the Senate but stalled in a House committee despite a last-minute amendment to only require bollards at new hospitals in cities with a population of 1.2 million or greater.

I am disappointed that Senate Bill 660 died in the House Public Health Committee, especially after we took so many suggestions from stakeholders on modifying the legislation, said the bills author, Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, who called the bollard requirement common-sense public safety legislation.

No one else will have to suffer

Levi and Nadia Bernard with their toddlers, Sunny and Rio, left, before being run over by a car in the lobby of St. Davids North Austin Medical Center. (Source: Austin Police Department) Surveillance video shows a vehicle crashing into the entrance of St. Davids North Austin Medical Center on Feb. 13, 2024. The driver was killed and five others injured. (Source: Austin Police)

On Feb. 13, 2024, a drunk driver drove into the lobby of St. Davids North, running over all four members of the Bernard family, including their two toddlers. The driver, Michelle Holloway, 57, was killed. After the crash, the Bernards  who were seriously injured  spoke exclusively to KXAN about their ordeal and their goal moving forward.

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That no one will have to suffer like we do, said Nadia Bernard, who was still in a wheelchair recovering at the time.

KXAN identified 584 crashes at or into medical-related sites since 2014 in these states. (KXAN Graphic/Wendy Gonzalez)

That plea led to a more than year-long KXAN investigation looking into crashes and finding solutions to prevent them. After surveying dozens of hospitals, watching bollard crash-tests at Texas A&Ms Transportation Institute and learning about the strength of the security barriers, we were asked to share our findings with lawmakers as they considered SB 660, which would have required bollards at hospitals statewide.

Without a uniform statewide approach, we found a patchwork system where some hospitals are protected while others remain vulnerable, KXAN investigative reporter Matt Grant told a Senate panel.

EXPLORE: KXANs Preventing Disaster investigation into medical center crashes

Definitely informed the debate

Using data from the non-profit Storefront Safety council, TxDOT, police and media reports, we built our own nationwide database of crashes over the past decade.

KXAN identified more than 20 deaths from crashes at medical sites since 2014 in these states. (KXAN Graphic/Wendy Gonzalez)

We looked at places patients receive care, according to the states definition of health care provider that includes doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists, among others.

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The result: By the start of the legislative session, we had identified more than 400 crashes since 2014 including more than 100 in Texas.

KXAN identified crashes at or into nearly 160 hospitals since 2014 in these states. (KXAN Graphic/Wendy Gonzalez)

Months later, as we continued to track and collect data, the list of crashes into, or at, medical-related sites had expanded to more than 580. The majority were caused by drivers who were either hurt, intoxicated  like at St. Davids  or had pressed the wrong foot pedal.

Nearly 160 of the crashes were at hospitals and almost half of those impacted the ER entrance area.

In all, we identified at least two dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries.

I think youve built the best dataset in the country right now, said Ware Wendell, a consumer and patient advocate with Texas Watch.

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So, it definitely informed the debate here in Texas, Wendell added. And, I wouldnt be surprised if it informs the debate all around the country as hospitals evaluate how they are protecting folks inside of their emergency rooms.

I have to credit you, Matt, and your team at KXAN, for doing the deep dive, for digging into the data. Ware Wendell, Texas Watch

Map of crashes that have occurred at or into Texas hospitals since 2014. Source: Texas Department of Transportation, media reports, Storefront Safety Council. (KXAN Interactive/Dalton Huey)

Unfunded mandate

The Texas Hospital Association, which represents 85% of the states acute-care hospitals and health care systems, testified against SB 660.

Singling out hospital emergency rooms to install bollards would not prevent, based on the statistics were aware of, the overwhelming majority of these types of accidents because they simply dont occur in hospitals, THA General Counsel Steve Wohleb told lawmakers in March, referring to a majority of crashes occurring at business storefronts.

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Behind the scenes, sources tell KXAN the industry group lobbied heavily against the proposal.

In a memo sent to hospitals around the state that we obtained, the THA criticized KXAN for including other medical centers in our data, not just hospitals, and, citing autonomy and cost as a factor, called the bill an unfunded mandate, without evidence-based support.

What is the cost of life safety?

I would question that, said Thomas Ustach with the McCue Corporation. What is the cost of life safety?

McCue is the same bollard-making company that allowed KXAN to watch its crash tests in Texas last year. The company has installed security barriers at dozens of hospitals across the country.

Bollard crash-testing at Texas A&M Transportation Institute (Courtesy McCue Corporation)

The cost to secure an ER entrance, typically, is between $10,000 and $30,000, depending on how many bollards are needed, Ustach said.

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A single crash-rated bollard, on average, costs around $1,500-$2,000 to purchase and install, he pointed out.

Its really not a difficult or costly fix to the problem, Ustach said. So, Im surprised that theres so much pushback against the bill.

Ustach said hes proud the crash-testing we witnessed last year could shine some light  to the public and policymakers  on why, when it comes to bollards, testing and strict performance requirements are necessary.

You cant leave it up to chance when youre talking life safety, he added.

Killed by hospital special interests

Today, the Bernard family is in the middle of a $1 million lawsuit against St. Davids for not having bollards at the time. St. Davids previously said it does not comment on litigation.

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This isnt the first time a hospitals lack of protective barriers has been the focus of a lawsuit. In 2020, a driver lost control and drove into the patient entrance of Atlanta-based Piedmont Hospital. Several people were hit and a 55-year-old woman was killed. The lawsuit blamed the hospital for its failure to provide bollards or other barriers outside of its ER.

Piedmont settled for an undisclosed amount and previously did not respond to KXANs request for comment.

St. Davids North Austin Medical Center added a dozen bollards outside its ER after the fatal crash on Feb. 13. (Courtesy Howry, Breen & Herman)

St. Davids previously told us it installed $500,000 worth of bollards at its Austin-area hospitals after last years deadly ER crash. However, it has repeatedly refused to say if any of those bollards are crash-rated.

When asked about the bollard bill not advancing, St. Davids said it does not have anything to add to your story.

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This month, the hospital system admitted for the first time that it opposed Austins ordinance, which passed nearly six months ago, requiring crash-rated bollards at new city hospitals.

If these hospitals wont do it voluntarily, there must be laws to protect all families from this predictable and preventable destruction. The Bernard Family in a statement to KXAN

A spokesperson for St. Davids said the opposition was due, in part, to a belief the measure selectively targeted healthcare facilities based on an incident at one of its hospitals.

Photo of Levi and Nadia Bernard with their two toddlers, Sunny and Rio, taken before the accident. (Courtesy SJ Culbertson Photography)

Our family is very disappointed that this common sense, statewide public safety bollard bill was killed by hospital special interests, the Bernard family told KXAN.

We are so grateful that Austin bravely acted to pass protective bollard legislation and know this proactive law will eventually pass at the statewide level, the family added.

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Former Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly said she is incredibly proud of the local bollard ordinance she initiated. She hopes it serves as a model for other communities.

While Im disappointed that SB 660 did not make it out of the House Public Health Committee this session, I remain hopeful and encouraged, Kelly said. Austin led the way by acting before tragedy struck again, and I firmly believe this ideas time will come at the statewide level.

Protecting patients, emergency personnel, and hospital visitors should never be a partisan issue  its a matter of life safety, she added, saying she looks forward to supporting the measure again next session.

The chair of the House Public Health Committee, Rep. Gary VanDeaver, R-New Boston, gave the bill a hearing but did not bring it back up again for a vote, allowing it to die.

His office, and the Texas Hospital Association, did not respond to a request for comment.

Graphic Artist Wendy Gonzalez, Director of Investigations and Innovation Josh Hinkle, Investigative Producer Dalton Huey, Investigative Photojournalist Chris Nelson and Digital Director Kate Winkle contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A Texas man pleaded guilty Thursday to kidnapping a 3-year-old girl in 2021, according to U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

Steven Holguin, 42, of El Paso, TX, pleaded guilty on conspiracy to commit kidnapping charges. A Birmingham police officer responded to a call regarding the kidnapping of a child on Nov. 4, 2021, according to the plea agreement. Family members said they believed that the childs uncle, Elis Salgado-Galindo, planned to take her to Mexico, where her father lives, or Honduras, where her fathers family is located.

3-year-old girl found safe in Mississippi after being kidnapped from Ensley, 2 men charged

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After taking the child and leaving, an Amber Alert was issued along the Alabama/Mississippi State line. Rankin County and Mississippi Sheriffs Department issued a traffic stop on a vehicle that matched the description of Holguins vehicle. Holguin, who was the driver, was instructed to exit the vehicle, and the other individuals along with the toddler were removed. Both men were taken into custody.

Holguin was convicted in 2020 for conspiracy to transport aliens. He was sentenced to six months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. Salgado-Galindo, a citizen of Mexico, was turned over to ICE custody.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On Thursday, the Texas Senate voted 20-11 to pass House Bill 229, known as the Womens Bill of Rights.

This bill, which defines man and woman based on biological reproductive systems for state records such as birth certificates and drivers licenses, now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.

Authored by Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) and carried in the Senate by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), the bill aligns with efforts by President Donald Trump to enforce a biological definition of sex, including an executive order targeting transgender participation in womens sports. HB 229 requires state agencies to classify individuals as male or female based on whether their reproductive system is developed to produce ova or fertilize ova, respectively. An amendment clarifies that intersex individuals are not a third sex but must receive accommodations under state and federal law.

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Supporters argue the bill protects womens single-sex spaces, such as locker rooms and shelters, and clarifies legal definitions.

With this bill, women and girls will know that Texas has their back and will not allow hard-fought rights to be eroded by activists who seek to erase them, Troxclair said, The Texas Tribune reported.

M. E. Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, praised the vote: The message is clear: You dont mess with Texas women. HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again!

Opponents, including LGBTQ rights advocates, argue the bill marginalizes transgender and intersex individuals.

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Sen. Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) called it a form of state-sponsored discrimination, telling the Texas Tribune, If a law forces non-binary Texans, who are real people, into categories that dont reflect their lived experiences or identities  that would actually become discrimination in practice.

Sarah Corbin of the ACLU of Texas questioned its enforcement: The question of the hour is how will [HB] 229 be enforced and applied. What we do know is that its incredibly disrespectful to so many Texans the Legislature represents, and completely disregards their identity.

The bills legislative intent section, which does not alter statutes but guides interpretation, emphasizes immutable biological differences, noting womens historical vulnerability to violence and the need for single-sex spaces.

Critics, like Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, D-Dallas, raised concerns about intersex individuals and women unable to conceive, arguing, We should not be boiling down a humans existence into ones ability to reproduce, because this is harmful, it is dangerous, and it is really just freaking insulting.

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Troxclair countered that the bill applies to systems designed for reproduction, whether or not they are fully developed, whether or not they are capable of functioning.

With more than 120,000 Texans identifying as transgender, advocates worry about practical impacts. Shelly Skeen of Lambda Legal said mismatched identification documents could force transgender individuals to out themselves in everyday situations, such as voting or banking.

Heather Clark, whose wife is transgender, testified that carrying a drivers license misaligned with appearance would be untenable, creating ample daily opportunities for discrimination against her.

Texas becomes the 14th state to pass such a law, following states like Kansas and Montana, where similar measures have faced legal challenges. Laura Lane-Steele, a University of South Carolina law professor, noted potential constitutional issues, including privacy and free speech violations, calling the laws application a big fat question mark. Montanas law was struck down in February for violating privacy and equal protection rights, while Kansas law faces ongoing ACLU challenges.

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The bill lacks civil or criminal penalties and focuses on record-keeping, but its broader implications remain unclear. Corbin said the ACLU of Texas is monitoring whether it will be narrowly applied to documents or used for wider policy changes.

If it starts being used that way, theyll definitely hear from us, she said.

A 2022 survey found that 63% of Texas voters, including 87% of Republicans, support defining gender by birth certificate sex.
BANGKOK (Reuters) -A royal insult prosecution against an American scholar in Thailand that raised concerns in the U.S. government has been dropped, his lawyer said on Thursday, as authorities confirmed the academic had left the country.

Paul Chambers, 58, a political science lecturer, had been in legal limbo since his arrest last month on a lese-majeste charge, which led to the loss of his job, his work visa and the seizure of his passport.

I am relieved that this situation has been resolved. I have always had great respect for the Thai royal family and anyone who knows me understands that these charges were always based on false allegations by unnamed parties in the military," Chambers said in a statement issued by Global Reach, a non-profit dedicated to freeing Americans held abroad that worked with his family.

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Chambers, who first came to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1993, said he was returning to the U.S. but "will maintain my many friendships with the people of Thailand.

Thailand has one of the world's harshest lese-majeste laws, setting jail terms of up to 15 years for anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family.

The prosecutor earlier this month dropped the case against Chambers but police appealed that decision. The attorney-general overruled the appeal earlier this week, said Chambers' lawyer, Wannaphat Jenroumjit.

"The case is now concluded," she said, adding the legal team was appealing the revocation of his work visa.

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The U.S. State Department had expressed alarm at the arrest of Chambers, saying the case "reinforces our longstanding concerns about the use of lese-majeste laws in Thailand".

The charges against him, which came after a complaint by the royalist army, had stemmed from a blurb for an online academic seminar at which he was a speaker, according to his lawyers. The blurb was posted last year on the website of a research institute based outside of Thailand.

Thailand's constitution enshrines the king in a position of "revered worship" and royalists regard the palace as sacrosanct.

A party that won the 2023 election was dissolved last year over its campaign to amend the lese-majeste law, under which more than 280 people have been charged since 2020, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights legal aid group, which also represented Chambers.

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Thai immigration police confirmed Chambers' passport had been returned to him and that he had left the country earlier on Thursday.

"The case is closed as the attorney-general decided to drop it," Police Major General Sarawut Khonyai, a commander of immigration police in northern Thailand, told Reuters.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Martin Petty and Giles Elgood)
(Photo by Prostock-Studio/Getty Images)

Our admiration goes to the Davids of the world: those who stand up, speak out and fight back, refusing to let the Goliaths intimidate or silence them.

A recent example is a story by Clark Kauffman, reporter at the Iowa Capital Dispatch. He detailed the allegations in a lawsuit filed by a former certified nurse aide at a nursing home in Fonda, Iowa. The suit was filed against the Fonda Specialty Care nursing home, its parent company, Care Initiatives, and a licensed practical nurse working at the facility. You can read the April 30 story here.

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The suit alleges that a certified nurse aide observed an 87-year-old resident with a tracheostomy struggling to breathe. The aide sought help from the on-duty nurse to suction the residents airway. The nurse refused to intervene despite multiple requests from staff members. The aide attempted to contact off-site management but could reach no one. She asked for permission to call 911 and was rebuffed. The resident ultimately died in a manner the lawsuit describes as agonizing and painful.

The suit also claims that after the certified nurse aide finished her shift, she received multiple text messages from the facilitys administrator to keep your mouth shut and keep your opinions to yourself. She was also instructed not to communicate with the family of the resident who died. The next day, the aide was fired. The facility cited resident complaints as the reason. The nurse aide said she was fired for reporting the incident to the state.

KTIV television in Sioux City posted Kauffmans article on their Facebook page, drawing nearly 600 reactions and 200 comments. Responses were candid and often angry. A small sample includes:

I would never put my parents or anybody I know in a nursing home.

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The fact that the nursing home tried to cover it up is just as horrible (as the death).

My heart breaks for the family and the aides that witnessed it.

This makes me sick.

This makes us sick, too. How about you?

Imagine being in the shoes of the staff member who allegedly tried to do the right thing, witnessed a horrible death, was fired by her employer, and then had to decide whats next?

This nurses aide chose not to keep her mouth shut but instead to challenge a powerful corporation in court. Some would say thats a fools errand. We view it as an admirable act of courage.

Put this in a larger context. We live in a time where many people, including elected officials, organizations and businesses, find themselves in situations similar to the nurse aide where they are expected to do what they are told and avoid speaking out or acting on what they believe is right.

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Here are recent examples: Legislators who dont vote the way a governor or president demands. The student on campus who speaks up for Palestinians. The university president or corporate head who doesnt comply with diversity, equity and inclusion directives. National news organizations that write an editorial or airs programs the powers that be dont like. Foreign leaders who disagree publicly with a U.S. government representative. Law firms that challenge governmental actions. Entertainers who bring attention to social injustices. The list could go on and on.

Its not a good time to be an independent thinker, to swim against the tide, or to tell the emperor that they have no clothes.

The message to all the rulebreakers out there is this: Toe the line. Do what youre told. There will be hell to pay if you disobey.

The fact that its not a good time to speak out is why we need people to speak out. We applaud the certified nurse aide and all those like her who are courageously standing up for what they believe. They are making what John Lewis called good trouble.

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Davids can and do defeat the Goliaths. Not all the time, not without great difficulty. But is the fight worth fighting? Indeed, it is.

John and Terri Hale own The Hale Group, an Ankeny-based advocacy firm focused on older Iowans, Iowans with disabilities and the caregivers who support them. Contact them at terriandjohnhale@gmail.com
A series of joint law enforcement operations launched by California Gov. Gavin Newsom has led to more than 6,700 arrests, nearly 5,000 stolen vehicles recovered, and hundreds of firearms seized across San Bernardino, Bakersfield, and Oakland, officials announced this week.

Through these partnerships, officials aimed to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity in high-crime areas in 2024.

I am proud of the CHP Officers, who continue to serve their communities, deter crime, and hold bad actors accountable, Newsom said in a statement. Their partnership with local law enforcement has helped to bring a sense of safety to communities across the state and exemplifies Californias commitment to putting the publics safety first.

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DOJ launches Title IX investigation into trans athletes in California girls sports

In Bakersfield, 3,315 arrests were made, including 680 felony arrests, 1,174 stolen vehicles recovered, and 87 firearms seized.

The city of Bakersfield announced that 2024 was its safest year since 2021, showing a 57% drop in homicides and 60% fewer shootings compared to previous years, a news release said.

Oakland experienced a 34% overall reduction in crime, including a 25% decrease in robberies and nearly a 50% decrease in burglaries, alongside 2,101 arrests, 1,504 of which were felonies, the recovery of 3,578 stolen vehicles, and the confiscation of 192 illicit firearms.

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In San Bernardino, where operations began in October, officers made 1,311 arrests. They deployed high-tech surveillance tools to target vehicle theft and sideshow activity, which contributed to a broader decline in violent and property crimes.

Since 2019, California has invested $1.1 billion in combating crime and bolstering law enforcement resources, according to Newsoms office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
May 29 (UPI) -- Thousands of First Nations people in northern Manitoba are being evacuated as the central Canadian province issued a state of emergency to battle fast-moving wildfires, officials said.

There are a number of wildfires burning across thousands of acres in northern Manitoba, mostly near the border with Saskatchewan.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 First Nations communities in the province, said in a statement that evacuation orders have been issued for nearly 17,500 people in four First Nations communities with two more communities on evacuation notice.

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"A lot of our First Nations are under threat because of the fires that have consumed a lot of territory in our area, and I'm just asking all of you, my relatives, to be strong and to be brave and to be courageous during this very difficult time," MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee said in a recorded statement published to Facebook.

"This is a very, very critical time in our First Nations."

Premier Wab Kinew of Manitoba on Wednesday declared a provincewide state of emergency, which will be in effect for 30 days to ensure federal, provincial and local resources can be deployed in a coordinated response.

Manitoba has declared a province-wide state of emergency to safely evacuate and shelter 17,000 people - the largest wildfire evacuation in recent memory. To those leaving home: you're not alone. These measures protect you. We'll get through this - together. pic.twitter.com/sLSU0X06qt Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) May 29, 2025

A statement from the provincial government states that evacuation orders have beeb issued for the city of Flin Flon and the First Nations of Pimicikamak and Mathias Colomb.

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"This is the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory," Kinew said during a press conference.

"This is a moment of fear and uncertainty. This is a moment of concern. But I want to tell you that your fellow Manitobans will welcome you. We will get through this difficult period, and we will get through this trying period the way we always do -- by working together. "

He said he has spoken with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who agreed to his request for assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces.

The military, he said, will be aiding with evacuation flights to the province' capital of Winnipeg.
Senate Bill 128, which would repeal a portion of the 2021 law setting up a farmworkers' bill of rights, won a resounding 25-6 bipartisan vote from the state Senate and is now on its way to the House.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Tennessee Highway Patrol is joining local law enforcement agencies in a new task force to combat crime in Memphis, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

The Bluff City Task Force was launched in May to focus on traffic enforcement to reduce criminal activity.

Courtesy of TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security

The task force comes after years of Shelby County asking for more troopers on roads. The last time there was an increase in THP officers was in 2023 when Gov. Bill Lee approved 60 troopers.

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In Memphis, we are standing shoulder to shoulder  state troopers, deputies, and city officers  making our streets safer one traffic stop at a time, said Colonel Matt Perry, commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. With increased staffing and smart enforcement strategies, this task force is already getting results.

FBI targets Memphis cargo thefts to combat rising crime

The department said the task force began when the highway patrols were focused on combating drag racing on interstates, where results were seen. This allowed more patrols in communities with high crime rates.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security said in a release that in May, task force members recovered illegal firearms, drugs, and arrested repeat offenders.

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That progress has been very successful for us, just having those troopers in those areas, Sergeant Rico Mazique, Tennessee Highway Patrol. We try to strategically plan out where we are going to put the troopers at on a day-to-day basis.

Nonprofit calls jail transfer into question after inmates death

They say in several cases, firearms seized have been linked to homicides and shootings in neighboring states.

We want to make sure you are safe and you shouldnt have to feel afraid when you go to certain areas or when you are traveling on the interstate, said Sgt. Mazique.

It is unclear how many additional troopers have been sent to Memphis. THP says the work of the task force will be proactive than reactive.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  Hattiesburg residents who live in Ward 3 will vote for a new City Council member on Tuesday, June 3.

LeAnn Vance (R), Keenon Walker (D) and Joey Henry Wiley, Sr., (I) are vying for the spot.

Vance has a background in sales and marketing. She wants to attract business opportunities to help keep younger generations in Hattiesburg.

I am passionate about keeping Ward 3, especially a place to where my boys, who are both here at USM, want to stay. And where other people, their generation dont just look at Hattiesburg as a pass through city. That they really want to put roots down where they see that they can start a business or where they where theres business opportunities that they can work for, she said.

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Mississippis 2025 Municipal Election: Key voter reminders

Walker is focused on addressing homelessness and wants to livestream City Council meetings in order to increase transparency.

The time of the meetings is kind of an inopportune time for most people getting off work. We can at least provide those meetings, via live stream. And so, someone can even go back and watch after the fact. Its going to help. Well see more people getting involved with the community because they know whats going on, he said.

Wiley, a former National Neighborhood Board member, said hell prioritize basic services like water, drainage and trash.

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I want to bring the neighborhoods together and let us all sit down at the table. That way we now what this one needs and what that one needs, figure out whats best. Its the idea that when we do for one, we do for all, he said.

The candidate who wins the election will replace long-time City Councilman Carter Carroll, who is retiring.

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We caught a little sunshine yesterday and overall warmer temperatures. But, dont get too excited because more rain is coming this morning and will linger into the early afternoon. We can all get excited for the weekend, though!

Download our KOLR 10 weather app

The rain today will gradually end from west to east. Even some late-day sunshine is possible in Western Missouri.

A few storms today may become severe south of Highway 60, where instability will be slightly higher than elsewhere. An area of low pressure will pass through southern Missouri and northern Arkansas at the surface. This could create an interesting lift and wind environment. A weak, spinup tornado may be a possibility, but the risk is very low. Some small hail and gusty winds may also occur.

The rain clears the Ozarks late this afternoon, and skies gradually clear overnight tonight. Temperatures will be chilly out the door Friday morning in the low 50s. Friday will be a very nice day. Temperatures will rise to the mid-70s and skies will feature a mix of sun and clouds.

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Warm weekend weather will follow. Both Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny with cool morning temperatures and warm afternoon highs hitting 80 in most spots. There is a system diving through the region Saturday night, but rain chances are questionable. Just file it away as a possibility this weekend. All in all, much nicer this weekend than last weekend.

As we flip the page on the calendar from May to June, look for an early summer pattern to settle in. And yes, the warmth does come with humidity. Lows and highs will be much warmer than recent days. A chance for showers and thunderstorms returns Tuesday and Wednesday, and there may even be a risk for stronger storms Wednesday into Thursday as a cold front nears the area.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Local researchers with the University of California San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography examine how pollutants in wastewater travel and move along the San Diego coastline.

Researchers took samples of water and air from the U.S.Mexico border to the Scripps Pier in La Jolla and found a mixture of illicit drugs, chemicals from tires and personal care products in the air. Their study discovered pollution from the Tijuana River is affecting the air quality.

This is a new route of inhalation exposure, people who are exposed to it are breathing it in and thats hard to control. We can control people not going into the beach, but now how do we control in the air, said Jonathan Slade, UCSD Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

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Imperial Beach is seeing the most impact from airborne chemicals as is Border Field State Park, Slade said. In La Jolla, the research shows chemicals were also found in the air, but not as high as in the South Bay.

The samples were collected in 2020, but researchers say little has changed in how sewage released from the river is processed.

The Tijuana River is a very dynamic environment with implications for public health, lead author Adam Cooper said. Ours is one of the most comprehensive studies to date investigating water-to-air transfer of these pollutants.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
30 May 2025 at 2:18 am

Listen, Tim Walz is just pointing out that Elon Musk finally did what he said hed do.

The Democratic Minnesota governor had a pretty clever response to news on Wednesday that Musk was exiting the so-calledDepartment of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In a simple, six-word response to an Associated Press report breaking the news, Walz hilariously said:

finally rooting out waste and abuse.

finally rooting out waste and abuse https://t.co/SQO9akLbMj  Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 29, 2025

The former vice presidential candidate does have a point.

Musk had initially promised his department would cut $2 trillion from the $7 trillion federal budget by identifying what the White House described as waste, fraud and abuse.

Instead, the tech billionaire and his team caused utter chaos by unlawfully accessing sensitive government data and firing nonpartisan federal employees, most likely illegally, only to hire some of them back. Earlier this month, Musk claimed that DOGE had delivered just a drop in the bucket of his original promise  just $150 billion in cuts  and even that number hasnt been verified.

Walz cracking a joke about Musks exit also seems fitting because DOGE was literally created as a joke.

Musk first suggested a Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE  a reference to an antiquated internet meme and cryptocurrency that Musk has frequently promoted  as a quip.

When reporters asked Trump during his campaign if hed consider naming Musk to a Cabinet position, Trump said he would. In response, Musk tweeted a pretty unserious image of himself at a lectern with his stupidly named and made-up agency on it.

I am willing to serve, Musk wrote on X alongside the image.
RELATED VIDEO: Escaped Arkansas inmate may not have been convicted of rape without John Doe warrant, prosecutor says

GATEWAY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The manhunt continues for convicted murderer and rapist Grant Hardin after his prison escape in north Arkansas  heres a timeline of what we know so far.

August 6, 1990  May 22, 1991: Employed by Fayetteville Police Department; terminated for poor performance and issues with conduct under stress.

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1991 (post-May): Worked at Huntsville Police Department; specific details unknown.

1993- 1996: Employed by Eureka Springs Police Department. Earl Hyatt becomes ESPD police chief in 1996; fires Hardin six weeks into tenure for misconduct including lying on a report and excessive force.

Frank Tillery Elementary School in Rogers, Arkansas.

Nov. 9, 1997: Detectives launched an investigation after a man sexually assaulted teacher Amy Harrison in a bathroom at Frank Tillery Elementary in Rogers, where she had been preparing her lesson plan on a Sunday morning while a church service was underway in the cafeteria, police said. Her case eventually becomes cold.

1996  2008: Employment history unclear.

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2009  at least 2016: Elected and reelected as Benton County Constable.

Nov. 2016  Feb. 2017: Corrections officer at Northwest Arkansas Community Correction Center up until his arrest in Feb. 2017, according to Arkansas Department of Corrections records.

2016: Hired as Police Chief of Gateway; resigned within months. Tensions between Grant Hardin and 59-year-old James Appleton, a Gateway water department worker and volunteer firefighter, over a police car repair led to repeated clashes, according to a documentary detailing the case. Hardin resigned after a city council ultimatum, the Associated Press reported.

Feb. 23, 2017: Nine months after Hardins resignation, Hardin fatally shoots Appleton just outside of Pea Ridge. Appletons body is found in a car, and Hardin is arrested as the main suspect.

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October 2017: Hardin pleads guilty to Appletons murder and is sentenced to 30 years in prison. No motive is given.

Hardin prior to guilty plea in Oct. 2017.

April 2, 2018: While serving his sentence, Hardin pleads not guilty to the 1997 rape of a Rogers schoolteacher after DNA links him to the crime. He was an officer in the Eureka Springs Police Department at the time, the Associated Press reported.

Feb. 8, 2019: Hardin pleads guilty to the rape charges and receives an additional 50-year sentence. A prosecutor says Hardin may not have been convicted of rape without John Doe warrant.

May 2023: HBO Max releases Devil in the Ozarks, a documentary about the rape case and the two-decade investigation that led to Hardin.

Screenshot of surveillance video depicts Hardins escape.

May 25, 2025: Hardin escapes from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock, at around 2:50 p.m., impersonating a corrections officer and pushing a loading cart. A screenshot of surveillance video captures the escape.

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May 26, 2025: A court filing reveals that Hardin was released by a corrections officer. The incident has drawn responses from a former prosecutor and Appletons sister, current mayor of Gateway:

May 28, 2025:

A map from the Associated Press shows the North Central Unit in relation to Gateway and Little Rock:

May 29, 2025: FBI offers up to $10K for information to capture Hardin.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Editors Note: The video above is previous coverage on this story.

CLEVELAND (WJW)  A suspect has been arrested in connection with the June 2024 kidnapping and rape of an elderly woman, Cleveland police announced Thursday.

James Collins was taken into custody on May 27 by members of the Cleveland Division of Police NICE Unit after investigators received multiple tips from the public, police said. He was located on the citys West Side following a renewed appeal for help in identifying the suspect.

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Sandusky man enters plea in dog stabbing; Ivy the pitbull recovering

The assault occurred June 25, 2024, near East 79th Street and Rawlings Avenue.

The victim, an elderly woman, was severely beaten and raped. The suspect fled the scene in a dark-colored Chevy Equinox with a distinctive small spare tire on the rear drivers side.

After a renewed call for help in the case was issued, police said the Sex Crimes Unit received several leads that ultimately led to Collins arrest.

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The Cleveland Division of Police extends its sincere thanks to the public for their assistance and to all officers involved in the investigation and apprehension, the department said in a statement.

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The investigation remains ongoing.

Collins was given a $150,000 bond in court Wednesday.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
MONTPELIER and BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  People having fun out on Lake Champlain and Vermonts other lakes this summer will want to make sure to bring a map, life jacket, and to make sure small boats are clean and dry after getting out of the water.

Those are three out of a total of 17 recommendations by Vermonts Agency of Natural Resources.

Fish & Wildlife announces statewide Summer Free Fishing Day this June

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While most boaters are aware they shouldnt be driving a boat while drunk or under the influence, some other recommendations are less known, such as the requirement to travel slower than 5 miles per hour when within 200 feet of the shore or any swimmer or other boat. Cleaning, draining, and drying boats after taking them out of the water helps prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants from lake to lake, such as water chestnut and curly-leaved pondweed.

The University of Vermonts Cancer Center, which is visiting communities in Vermont and Northern New York this summer, also reminds anyone enjoying the sun to wear sunscreen and cover up. Water reflects up to 80% of the suns damaging UV rays, which puts swimmers and boaters especially at risk  not to mention that an unpleasant sunburn can ruin a fun vacation.

Welch, Sanders, Gillibrand urge federal funding for Lake Champlain programs

We have a lot of power when it comes to skin cancer prevention  and its easy things that make a big difference, said dermatologist Santana VanDyke.

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Among their recommendations, which reflect national standards, are to put on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, wear UVA or UVB-rated sunglasses, and wear a wide-brimmed at to protect your face.

Even on cloudy days in summer, people are still at risk of sunburn, since up to 80% of the suns rays can still make it through the clouds. People planning on extended outdoor activity should check the forecast UV Index, such as by using a mobile app recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Authorities are searching for an 18-year-old who was last seen by friends at Vancouver Lake near the Columbia River on Friday.

Franky Fred was wearing black Nike shoes, black pants, and a white hoodie with Hawaiian flowers when he went missing, and some of his personal items were left at the beach near the Columbia River, according to police.

Franky Fred in an undated photo. (Vancouver Police Department) Franky Fred in an undated photo. (Vancouver Police Department) Franky Fred in an undated photo. (Vancouver Police Department)

Investigators describe Fred as a Pacific Islander male with black hair and brown eyes who stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

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Anyone with information about Fred is encouraged to contact Vancouver police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Todd Chrisley boasted about his prison bod as he enjoys his newfound freedom after being pardoned by President Donald Trump.

His daughter Savannah Chrisley posted the video on Instagram following her fathers release from a Florida prison, with the caption @toddchrisley is Jacked. Todd Chrisley, 57, asked his daughter, 27, to feel that muscle.

Yall Im not gonna lie, its hard, she said in the clip.

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Savannah, donning a bright pink MAGA hat, earlier went to greet her dad from prison on Wednesday. The multimillionaire Trump-supporting couple, whose show Chrisley Knows Best ran from 2014 to 2023 on basic cable, were serving prison sentences after being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022.

Savannah Chrisley posted the video on Instagram following her fathers release from a Florida prison, with the caption @toddchrisley is Jacked. Todd Chrisley, 57, asked his daughter, 27, to feel that muscle. (Instagram/@savannahchrisley)

Savannah Chrisley helped secure the pardon for her reality TV parents.

The White House confirmed the couples full pardons Tuesday and Trump signed them on Wednesday afternoon. Savannah Chrisley revealed in an interview that Trump said her parents didnt look like terrorists and he wanted to give them the full pardon.

Well, he did say, he was like, you know, You guys don't look like terrorists to me, she told NewsNation's On Balance with Leland Vittert Monday. His exact words, which was pretty funny.

The multimillionaire Trump-supporting couple, whose show Chrisley Knows Best ran from 2014 to 2023 on basic cable, were serving prison sentences after being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. (Invision/AP)

Critics accused the Trump administration of blatant corruption for pardoning the Chrisleys.

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For context: The Chrisleys are well-known Trump supporters, Ally Sammarco, a Democratic strategist, told her followers on X.

Trump just pardoned TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, who conspired to defraud Atlanta-area banks out of $30 million in fraudulent loans. In Trumps America, crimes are celebrated and prison sentences are cut short, said Harry Sisson, a Democratic influencer, on X, calling it actual insanity.

In another post, Sisson noted that the pardons for the Chrisleys come as Trump also pardoned a corrupt Virginia sheriff who took over $75,000 in bribes (Trump called him a wonderful person), and a man convicted of serious tax crimes, whose mom donated $1 million to Trump and worked on his campaigns.

Sisson called it blatant corruption.
Channel 2 Action News has obtained copies of the presidential pardons for Todd and Julie Chrisley.

President Donald Trump pardoned the reality star couple on Wednesday, who had been serving time in federal prison after being convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud.

Local prosecutors told Channel 2s Audrey Washington that the pardon is like a smack in the face to the men and women who worked on the case.

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Yes, the president can pardon, and Im sure it was a devastating blow to them, Former prosecutor A.J. Richman told Washington.

Richman said he knows it was difficult for the federal prosecutors on the Chrisley case to watch the couple walk out of prison on Wednesday.

The case that they spent years on, millions and millions of dollars on interviewing people, having it go away by the president, Richman said.

The Chrisley family has been strong supporters of Trump and lobbied to have them released.

A cellphone recording captured Todd Chrisley joking about life after prison.

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I didnt have to deal with this in prison, Todd Chrisley is heard saying to daughter Savannah.

What kind of precedent do you believe this sets? Washington asked Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon.

I think Donald Trump has made it very clear in his first term and in this term that if he sees an injustice being done, hes going to use his pardon power, McKoon said.

But why the Chrisleys? Washington asked. There are other people who are behind bars, looking for a pardon who say they are innocent. Why the Chrisleys?

Well, we can ask the same question as for why they were singled out for this prosecution? And I believe they were singled out because they were prominent people, McKoon said.

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Following their convictions, the Chrisleys were ordered to pay more than $17 million dollars in restitution. They are now back in Nashville since being let out of federal prison on Wednesday.

You can read the pardons for Todd and Julie Chrisley below:

Todd Chrisley Pardon by WSB-TV on Scribd

Julie Chrisley Pardon by WSB-TV on Scribd
Dario Amodei, CEO of leading artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, warns that AI may eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs and spike unemployment within the next five years if lawmakers and companies dont do anything about it now.

Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen, Amodei told Axios. It sounds crazy, and people just dont believe it.

Amodei told Axios politicians and companies can still prepare and protect Americans from job cuts in a range of entry level white-collar fields including technology, finance, law, consulting and more.

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We, as the producers of this technology, have a duty and an obligation to be honest about what is coming, Amodei told the outlet. I dont think this is on peoples radar.

Amodeis warning came a week after Anthropic launched its newest Amazon-backedAI model Claude Opus 4, which is used for complex, long-running coding tasks. Its currently released under specific safety measures after testing raised concerns over the tools capabilities.

For instance, Anthropic revealed in a safety report that Claude Opus 4 had sometimes taken extremely harmful actions in test scenarios such as blackmailing engineers who posed a threat in taking it down.

Co-founder and CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, warned that AI may eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs and spike unemployment within the next five years. Chesnot via Getty Images

Anthropic co-founder and chief scientist Jared Kaplan also told Time magazine that their tests revealed the AI model could potentially teach people how to produce biological weapons.

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You could try to synthesize something like COVID or a more dangerous version of the flu  and basically, our modeling suggests that this might be possible, Kaplan said.

Amodeis warning focuses on the economic impact of AI models like his, but says theres still time to mitigate his worst-case scenario from happening.

The CEO suggests raising awareness, creating a joint committee on AI or formally briefing all lawmakers on the technology, encouraging workers to use AI to augment their tasks, and begin debating policy solutions for an economy dominated by AI.

One policy the CEO recommends is a token tax, which taxes whatever money the AI company makes every time someone uses its model.

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Obviously, thats not in my economic interest, Amodei said. But I think that would be a reasonable solution to the problem.

Amodei is not the first executive to warn of AIs potential consequences.

Nvidias Jensen Huang told an audience at the Milken Institutes Global Conference earlier this month that youre not going to lose your job to an AI, but youre going to lose your job to someone who uses AI, CNBC reports.

LinkedIns Aneesh Raman warned young workers in an op-ed published in The New York Times that AI also poses a real threat to their entry-level jobs, saying virtually all jobs will experience some impacts, but office jobs are expected to feel the biggest crunch.

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You cant just step in front of the train and stop it, Amodei told Axios. The only move thats going to work is steering the train  steer it 10 degrees in a different direction from where it was going. That can be done. Thats possible, but we have to do it now.

Related...
Sen. Richard Blumenthal believes his relationship with Pentagon and Veterans Affairs leaders has never been as adversarial as it is right now.

Ive been in the United States Senate for almost 15 years, and throughout most of my career  my requests for information were answered, and the departments have been responsive, the Connecticut Democrat said during a recent interview with Military Times. They know our responsibility is to do oversight and accountability, and information is what the public deserves.

Now, its stonewalling and stalling and often just refusing to answer at all requests for basic information.

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Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, insists that he wants open and productive communication with the Republican administrations at VA and in the Defense Department.

But in the last five months, he has become a key foil for the executive branch on a host of reform and reduction plans, especially in VA.

Lingering cost worries cloud plans for veterans disability reform bill

VA Secretary Doug Collins has frequently pointed to Blumenthal  sometimes by name, sometimes by insinuation  as a critic who is spreading misinformation about looming changes at his department. Blumenthal, in turn, has publicly said he regrets his vote to confirm Collins because of the poor leadership he has shown in the Cabinet role since February.

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The biggest points of friction have been Collins public plans to cut around 80,000 VA staffers from the department workforce and his cancellation of hundreds of contracts in cost-saving moves. Blumenthal said Congress is still awaiting critical details on both actions.

Theyve refused to do it, he said. Theyve continued to slow-walk us, stonewall us.

These are the kinds of basic information that both sides of the aisle deserve to receive. And nobody on the Republican side is saying to me, We shouldnt have that information. Nobody on the Republican side is saying, Were okay with this lack of responsiveness.

But GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate have not moved to aggressively rebuke Collins for a lack of communication or information. Blumenthal said his party will continue to be active in offering legislation and blocking nominees until changes are made. Along with other Democratic members, Blumenthal already has a blanket hold on all VA and defense confirmations.

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They should provide us basic information before we move forward with confirmations, Blumenthal said.

[Republicans] could still put those nominees on the floor anytime they want, and there would be a vote. So nothing is really blocking the administration from moving forward with them. But my feeling is that we should hold them accountable for this information.

Administration officials have accused Blumenthal and his fellow Senate Democrats of supporting the status quo for both departments, rather than allowing meaningful reforms to move ahead. Blumenthal bristled at those claims.

Theres no question that theres waste in the VA. Theres waste in the Pentagon. We need to reduce it wherever we can, he said. But it takes careful, thoughtful analysis of specific areas of activity.

If youre going to remodel your house  you dont burn down the house and then rebuild the whole house. You can approach each room individually and more cost effectively. This is a matter of how to approach change, not whether to do it.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Work crews are preparing to shut down a bridge in the Oakland neighborhood for several months this summer repairs.

Mark Schreiner with the City of Topeka said in a press release on May 29 that workers with Bettis Asphalt and Construction Company will be full closing the Branner Bridge next month. The closure is expected to start on Monday, June 2 and last for 110 days or around three-and-a-half months.

Schreiner said the closure includes Branner Street from Southeast Third Street to about 250 feet north of Northeast Atchison Avenue. Workers will replace pavement in the road, approach slabs along with abutment and pier expansion ports on the bridge and nearby streets.

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Wamego highway closure will result in nearly 30-mile detour for drivers

Drivers are encouraged to follow one of two detour routes depending on whether they are traveling north or south while this project is ongoing. The detour routes include:

Northbound traffic. Travel east along Southeast Fourth Street to Southeast Golden Avenue. Head north to Northeast Seward Avenue. Lastly, head west back to Northeast Branner Street.

Southbound traffic. Travel east along Northeast Seward Avenue to Northeast Golden Avenue. Go south to Southeast Fourth Street. Finally, head west back to Southeast Branner Street.



The City of Topekas Public Works Department previously reported the budget for this project is just under $825,000. The citywide half-cent sales tax and federal dollars will fund the project.

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Topeka farmer accused of defrauding the federal government

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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MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Sheriff Buford Pussers fame reached beyond McNairy County in the 1960s and 70s. In fact, he ran in the same circles as Elvis, Billy Graham and big politicians at the time.

Want to know more about Pusser? Well, Steve Sweat is your man.

This is one of Bufords guns, said Sweat, as he showed News 2 the Pusser memorabilia he has accumulated over the decades.

Who was legendary lawman Buford Pusser?

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Lawmakers recently designated Sweat the honorary state historian of Sheriff Pusser. His home is practically a museum of the late sheriffs belongings, including the burned up license plate from Pussers car crash that resulted in his death.

When this tag became available, I told my wife, Sherry, I want that tag. Because that was the last time Id seen Buford. That was Friday night. And his tag was burned and he died Tuesday night, said Sweat, recalling the day back in 1974 when Pusser died.

Sweat is also a big fan of the sheriff, who was famous for carrying a big stick and cleaning up bootlegging, prostitution and gambling.

I think his story is more powerful today than its been since the beginning, expressed Sweat.

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Sweat even owns a replica of the Dodge Polara that Pusser drives in the 1973 Walking Tall film.

This is a recreation of the first Walking Tall movie car that Joe Don Baker was in, said Sweat, leaning against his replica car parked outside his home.

I dont drive it as much as I used to, but Ive driven it in different states even to different functions, but its pretty cool, he added.

Walking Tall star Joe Don Baker dies at 89

McNairy County has an actual museum, where Pussers old home was located, and the curator gave News 2 a tour.

This house looks like he just left it this morning, said Tina Mullis-Jarrell.

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Mullis-Jarrell is the curator at the Buford Pusser Museum. At least 177,000 people have toured the museum since it first opened 37 years ago.

Mullis-Jarrell was quick to clear up any myths, including that Pusser carried a big stick to fend off criminals. Pusser fans might be disappointed to find out Hollywood exaggerated that a bit.

Youll see several sticks, but he didnt walk around all the time with a stick like they showed in the movie, she explained.

However, it is true that he was as physically large as the movies portray. The curator said extra long bedding was even marketed in his name. He was 6-foot-6 inches tall, 250 pounds and wore a size 15 shoe.

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Pusser wasnt just large in stature, he also created a larger than life persona. Some credit his former career as a pro-wrestler for teaching him how to market himself as sheriff. Whatever the secret, it worked. Pussers reputation made him a household name and allowed him to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.

Supposedly Elvis slept in this room We were told that Elvis and Buford were friends and Graceland said the same thing, added Mullis-Jarrell.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to the museum, during a gathering for the state Republican party at Johnny Cashs home, leaders tried convincing Pusser to run for governor of Tennessee. However, Pusser remained in law enforcement, serving three consecutive terms the max at the time before his tragic death in 1974.

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He had been in Memphis, came home, mowed the yard, got in his corvette, went to the fair, and died that night, said Mullis Jarrell. Investigators reported the deadly crash was an accident.

Immediately before his death, Pusser had announced that Hollywood was creating a second Walking Tall film after the success of the first. But in the sequel, Pusser was going to try out his acting chops and play himself. Tragically, that never happened.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Tourists at a beach property in South Carolina who initially thought they found fossils have accidentally discovered they found human remains at a forgotten burial site dating back 200 years, authorities said.

The incident occurred last Friday when the Colleton County Sheriffs Office in South Carolina received a call regarding human remains being discovered on Edisto Island, according to a statement from Colleton County Sheriffs Office.

MORE: Black bear found sitting on stove inside home after crashing through ceiling

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Deputies were dispatched to the Jeremy Cay community near Legare Road, a beachfront property, after tourists exploring the area uncovered what they initially believed to be fossils, police said. Upon closer examination, they realized the remains appeared to be human and promptly contacted the Colleton County Sheriffs Office and the Edisto Beach Police Department.

Police responded to the call and secured the scene before conducting an initial investigation.

MORE: 11-year-old boy accidentally shot to death by sibling inside of their home

The location of the discovery is historically significant, once home to the 19th-century settlement known as Edingsville Beach, authorities confirmed. Early indications suggest the remains may originate from a long forgotten burial site.

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The Colleton County Coroners Office responded to assist in the recovery of the human remains, which have since been taken to the Medical University of South Carolina for forensic analysis and identification.

The identity of the individual and circumstances surrounding their death remain unknown, police said.

MORE: Florida man shoots neighbor's cow 5 times after it wandered onto his property

The investigation is currently active, and Colleton County authorities are working with the coroners office and other partner agencies to determine more about the remains and their origins.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available, police said.

Tourists at beach house find human remains dating back 200 years originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Tourists in South Carolina made a gruesome discovery while exploring an island off the state's coast last week, officials said.

The tourists were in Jeremy Cay, a beachfront part of Edisto Island, when they found what they at first believed to be fossils  only to realize they had discovered human remains, officials said in a news release. The tourists, who have not been identified, then called the Colleton County Sheriff's Office and the Edisto Beach Police Department.

Officials secured the scene, then launched an investigation. Early indications from the investigation "suggest the remains may originate from a long forgotten burial site," the Colleton County Sheriff's Office said.

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The remains were found in an area that had once been known as Edingsville Beach, the sheriff's office said.

During the 19th century, Edingsville Beach was a settlement of about 60 homes, according to the Edisto Island website. The area was a popular vacation destination for wealthy Southern families, with homes overlooking the sea and a nearby marsh. There were also several churches, a schoolhouse and other communal buildings.

But over the decades, weather and erosion took their toll, and by the time the Civil War began in 1861, the settlement and the rest of the island were mostly uninhabited. In 1885, a massive storm destroyed most of the homes there. The remaining structures were demolished when another hurricane hit the area in 1893.

An undated photo of a beach on Edisto Island in South Carolina. / Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler/Avalon/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The newly-found remains were recovered by the Colleton County Coroner's Office. They have been transported to the Medical University of South Carolina for forensic analysis and identification. The sheriff's office said it is working with the coroner's office and other agencies to "determine more about the remains and their origin."

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Colleton County coroner Rich Harvey told Newsweek that the remains included a skull and several separated bones. They might date back to the Revolutionary or Civil War, he said.

Bones have previously been found on the island, officials said. In 2015, a Pennsylvania tourist found several bones near the northern part of the island. Shortly afterwards, a former ranger visiting the island found a skull with some teeth still attached. That skull was dated to between 1865 and 1870, officials said.

Broken tools, china and building materials from the settlement's heyday have also been known to wash up in Jeremy Cay, according to an essay shared by the Jeremy Cay Homeowner's Association.

Last week, skeletal remains found on New Jersey beaches were identified as those of a 19th-century schooner captain.

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Trump administration reacts to federal court's ruling on tariffs
The Air Force Academy's newly minted second lieutenants will need all the tenacity they developed over their four years to face a rapidly evolving global conflict, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink told about 900 cadets during a cold and rainy ceremony Thursday morning.
It took something called the United States Court of International Trade, which before today I couldnt locate on a map (its a glass cube in Lower Manhattans Foley Square), to halt President Donald Trumps tariff binge. This is what no sounds like.



The law to stop Trumps trade war mayhem, much like the judicial body that finally used it, was hiding in plain sight. In 1977, Congress passed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. The name makes it sound like it was intended to expand the presidents emergency powers, but in fact it was intended to limit them. The IEEPA was passed to end the executive branchs overreliance on the 1917 Trading With the Enemy Act, a law passed in wartime that, as amended in 1933, allowed President Franklin Roosevelt to claim expanded economic powers in peacetime simply by declaring a national emergency.

The economic situation in 1933 was unquestionably an emergency. But in the early 1970s, Congress discovered that no president had ever called that four-decades-old emergency off. As a consequence, presidents continued to exercise the 1917 laws various emergency powers by, among other things, imposing tariffs wherever and whenever they wished. A Senate Special Committee on the Termination of the National Emergency was established, chaired by liberal Senators Frank Church and Charles Mathias. A 1976 law limiting use of the 1917 law to wartime was one result. The IEEPA was another. It limited the presidents emergency powers in peacetime and empowered Congress to block, by joint resolution, any tariff or other emergency action claimed under the 1977 law.

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None of this should have required this court to step in and save the day. The ersatz national emergency that Trump cooked up as justification for his revenue-hungry tariffs ought to have been put to rest by means of a congressional joint resolution. Before Trump, no president had ever claimed IEEPA authority to impose a tariff. But todays Republican-controlled Congress is James Madisons worst nightmare, too frozen by terror of a vindictive chief executive to check his power.

In April the Senate did pass one resolution, 5148, blocking Trumps nonsensical 25 percent fentanyl tariff on Canada, and later that month the Senate narrowly failed to pass a second resolution, 4949, blocking Trumps Liberation Day tariffs. Under IEEPA, such resolutions are privileged, meaning the majority party cant keep them from coming to the floor. But the House Rules Committee, chaired by the reactionary battle-ax Virginia Foxx, snuck language into a March spending bill blocking House consideration of the Canada resolution.

While Congress dithered, 12 state attorneys general and the Liberty Justice Center, a Texas nonprofit that represented five import-dependent small businesses, filed suit with the United States Court of International Trade. In its summary judgment, the court noted that the IEEPA said its emergency powers could be invoked only to deal with an unusual and extraordinary threatwhich Trump failed to substantiateand that any interpretation of IEAA that delegates unlimited tariff authority to the president is unconstitutional.

The ruling doesnt strike down all of Trumps tariffs, because not all of them rely on the IEEPA. But it ends the Liberation Day tariffswhich, while seemingly changing by the hour, have always included a 10 percent universal tariffas well as the fentanyl tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China. Gratifyingly, two of the three judges who voted the tariffs down (there are five judges altogether) were appointed by Republicans, and one of them (Timothy Reif) was appointed by Trump himself in 2019. That renders fairly hollow a White House spokesmans statement that it is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency and Stephen Millers complaint that we are living under a judicial tyranny.

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According to CNBC, Trump may ask the Supreme Court to grant emergency relief from the Court of International Trades decision as soon as Friday. One wonders whether even the Supreme Courts most conservative members are getting a little tired of babysitting Trump. Trump filed 41 emergency appeals to the high court during his first term, according to Georgetown Law professor Stephen Vladeck. Thats more than five times as many as George W. Bush and Barack Obama filed during their combined four terms. Trump will probably beat that record before the year is over. Its not like the high court doesnt have plenty of other things to do.

Update, 6 p.m.: The United States Court of Appeals this afternoon imposed an administrative stay on the Court of International Trade ruling while it weighs an emergency appeal from the Trump administration.
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (WJW)  A Thursday crash caused all lanes to close on Interstate 77 South at Pleasant Valley Road, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The crash, reported just after 1 p.m., was at one point causing a delay of more than an hour between mile markers 152 and 154, according to the department.

Ohio troopers nab speeders going nearly double the limit

(Ohio Department of Transportation) (Ohio Department of Transportation)

Why the FOP supports a new Browns dome: I-Team

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ODOT cameras showed traffic backed up at least as far as Hillside Road. Drivers were routed off the interstate.

The highway reopened later Thursday afternoon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
More than two thirds of guns recovered at Mexican crime scenes originate in the U.S. For decades, Mexico has struggled with staggering levels of gun violence fueled in large part by weapons trafficked across its northern border.

Now an investigation published by The Conversation has arrived at a new estimate of the scale of this illicit gun trade between the U.S. and Mexico in 2022: 135,000 guns.

Investigative journalist Sean Campbell and Topher McDougal, a professor of economic development at the University of San Diego, spent a year combing through multiple databases and court documents and conducting interviews to understand how the flow of guns works.

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Their investigation reveals where in the U.S. the guns are coming from, what impact these American guns are having in Mexico, and how difficult it is for American law enforcement agencies to prosecute those trafficking guns across the border.

Listen to Campbell and McDougal talk about their investigation on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

You can read the full investigation here.

This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

Newsclips in this episode from PBS News, CGTN, France24, ABC 7 and NewsNation.

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Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts.

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: Gemma Ware, The Conversation

Read more:



Sean Campbell and Topher McDougal do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations.
The Melbourne Police Department responded to a scene of a Florida East Coast train striking a semi-truck Thursday morning.

At approximately 9:00 A.M., MPD was called to the scene on US-1 and Lake Washington Road.

The FEC train was northbound and struck the semi-truck after it became disabled on the railroad tracks due to a mechanical failure.

The driver of the semi-truck was able to escape to a safe distance before it was struck.

There were no reported injuries from the crash.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Two transgender teenagers and their parents are challenging a Kansas law banning gender-affirming care for minors, arguing the measure violates the state constitution and is actively harming Kansas families in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in a state district court.

Kansass Senate Bill 63 prohibits health care providers from administering treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria, characterized by a severe psychological distress that stems from a mismatch between a persons gender identity and sex at birth.

The bill, passed by the state Legislature in January, includes exceptions for minors born with a medically verifiable disorder of sex development. Health care providers who break the law, which also targets social transition, face civil penalties and may be stripped of their license.

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The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Kansas filed Wednesdays challenge in Douglas County District Court pseudonymously on behalf of plaintiffs Lily Loe, 13, Ryan Roe, 16, and their mothers, Lisa Loe and Rebecca Roe.

The two children have been thriving since they started receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy, the lawsuit states, but now their trusted doctors in Kansas can no longer help them, and they are at risk of unimaginable suffering.

For their parents, Senate Bill 63 impermissibly infringes on the fundamental right to the care, custody, and control of their children, the lawsuit says, by displacing their medical decision-making authority with a government mandate, even when they, their adolescent children, and medical providers are all aligned.

Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach, who is named in the lawsuit, did not immediately return a request for comment.

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Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill in February for the third time in as many years, though her veto ultimately did not stand.

It is disappointing that the Legislature continues to push for government interference in Kansans private medical decisions instead of focusing on issues that improve all Kansans lives, Kelly said in a statement at the time. Infringing on parental rights is not appropriate, nor is it a Kansas value. As Ive said before, it is not the job of politicians to stand between a parent and a child who needs medical care of any kind.

The states Republican-led Legislature overrode Kellys veto the following week. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson (R) and House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) said they voted to override the governors action in honor of the children Governor Kelly failed to protect with her repeated vetoes of this sensible legislation.

The ACLU and the ACLU of Kansas are seeking an injunction to block enforcement of the law while the case moves forward.

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Our clients and every Kansan should have the freedom to make their own private medical decisions and consult with their doctors without the intrusion of Kansas politicians, said D.C. Hiegert, civil liberties legal fellow for the ACLU of Kansas.

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Wall, S.D. (KELO)  Any trip this summer to the Black Hills needs to have Wall, South Dakota, on a places to see list.

Measles inching closer to South Dakota

This town sees thousands of visitors each day.

For many, summer kicks off after Memorial Day Weekend. However, for Wall, guests start arriving as early as late April.

Kind of preparing people to stop here in Wall, but once they get here we definitely have the Badlands and thats well known. We get a lot of travelers that will come through the Badlands, see the Badlands, then come through Wall and stay in Wall and then kind of finish through the Badlands to the Black Hills,  Wall Chamber Executive Director Ali Webster said.

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Mary Williams, the current and first female Mayor for Wall, has seen an evolution over the years as more people continue to show up.

Welcome to Wall is what we say to the new faces that come and yes Wall Drug since 1931 has made this community an international destination because of their billboards they have world wide, Williams said.

Wall Drug struggled at the beginning. However, after putting up their famous signs, the business began to grow by first handing out free water to people going through the Badlands. Now that growth is seen a few generations later.

Ted went and hired a high school boy and lettered the sign, went out and put it up and before he got back to the drug store, the first customers had already stopped. They were giving out free glasses of ice water, they were selling ice cream cones, Coca-Colas, snacks and knickknacks and instantly they werent going broke anymore, Wall Drug Chairman Rick Hustead said.

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Over the years, Ricks father Bill Hustead constructed the Wall Drug seen today and increased its size from roughly 4,000 square feet to now 76,000 square feet.

And youll notice in our community we have paved streets throughout town and thats important for us to give our visitors just a very inviting look when they drive into our community, Williams said.

So far, Williams has counted people from 37 different states that have already visited this season, with around a dozen different countries represented as well.

Constantly growing, constantly shifting, to how we meet the needs of the people who are coming here. Do we need to build new hotels, do we need to renovate hotels that are already existing? Just trying to keep it a pleasurable experience for all of our visitors, Webster said.

In addition to seasonal staff, several people who grew up in the area have returned to take over shops and businesses from previous generations.

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And theyre taking over businesses in the agricultural area, as well as the tourism area. So yes, Wall Drug is in their fourth generation, and weve got other main street businesses in that same manner, Williams said.

Wall Drug itself employs close to 200 staff to help it navigate its busy season

We believe were the best roadside attraction in America and we want to keep that title. We want our customers to have a great experience, enjoy Wall Drug and keep them coming back generation after generation, Hustead said.

Wall averages around 10,000 to 15,000 visitors each day, who stop by to eat, shop or just take in all that Wall and Wall Drug have to offer on their travels.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  After just five weeks on the job, the treasurer of New Mexicos democratic party abruptly quit, claiming the head of the party has sabotaged her efforts every step of the way. It is tremendously disappointing, said Julie Rochman, former Treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

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Julie Rochman began her term on April 26 as Treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, hoping to sharpen fundraising efforts to maximize the partys impact in all 33 counties of the state. But she claims that from the beginning, the chair and the vice chair of the party made it clear she was unwelcome. It was made clear to me from the moment we were elected that I was not a welcome part of the leadership team, said Rochman.

After five weeks on the job, Rochman submitted her letter of resignation. The decision that I made to resign was one of the most difficult decisions I think Ive made as a Democrat, said Rochman.

In the letter, Rochman said in part, Despite friction during the campaign, the chairs refusal to even acknowledge me when I offered a sincere congratulatory handshake was telling. Going on to say, they dont inform or engage with me. In short, theyve made clear that my expertise and input are unwelcome.

Rochman told KRQE News 13 that Chair Sara Attleson and Vice Chair Cam Crawford left her out of staff meetings and ignored her. The only thing they have sent me is a non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreement to sign. Its the only time when they have engaged with me, said Rochman.

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Rochman said that when she asked if it was the same agreement that prior officers signed, she was told no and that a paragraph had been added. In other words, I cant say anything bad about the other officers, or they could sue me, and that that would last well beyond my time at the party. That to me is a gag order. Thats antidemocratic. Its against our right to free speech. It is telling me I cant speak truth to power, said Rochman.

Rochman said shes going to continue her work for the party, So I actually feel kind of freed up to do the work, and I wish the other officers very well, but Ill be doing my work in another way.

In a statement, Chair Sara Attleson responded to Rochmans resignation, saying:

Last month, Vice Chair Cam Crawford and I stepped into our new leadership roles at DPNM with plans to get to work and strengthen our Party. Working with Secretary Brenda Hoskie and Democrats around New Mexico, weve done just that. Since we were elected on April 26th, weve traveled to rural counties and built up Party infrastructure in counties that previously had none. As Democrats, we hold strong convictions and are effective and spirited campaigners. In last months State Central Committee elections, Julie Rochman ran as part of a slate of candidates including candidates for Chair and Vice Chair who each came in second place. Team DPNM was hopeful that we could all move forward together, regardless of which slate of candidates won or lost. Contrary to her letter, we welcomed Julie to be a part of the movement were building. Unfortunately, shortly after the election, she decided this team wasnt an ideal fit for her. We respect her decision and wish her all the best in future endeavors and Democratic activism. New Mexico Democrats proudly draw our strength from our diversity, which is apparent in our leadership. The majority of our statewide elected leaders are Hispanic, including our Governor, as are the majority of our federal level elected leaders. Within our internal Party structure, we bring an array of experiences and backgrounds  Vice Chair Cam Crawford is a 23-year old African American, Brenda Hoskie of McKinley County is a member of the Navajo Nation and fluent in Dine, several other DPNM Officers recently elected as Congressional District Vice Chair are Hispanic, and our State Central Committee spans demographics and truly looks like the communities they represent. As DPNM leaders elected by our Party faithful, we have to lead by example. We have to trust the will of the voters who elected us and respect our Partys role in the upcoming Democratic primary. This means we have to be responsible stewards of sensitive voter data and campaign strategies we are entrusted with. At a time when billionaires are dictating public policy and Donald Trump is eliminating essential services, we have to stay focused on fighting for working class New Mexicans, not turning on each other. Sara Attleson, Chair of New Mexico Democratic Party

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group will return in the coming days from its nine-month deployment, with the Truman itself returning Sunday.

The carrier group includes the USS Gettysburg, USS Stout, USS Jason Dunham, and Carrier Air Wing 1. Carrier Air Wing 1, with its nine embarked squadrons, will return from Thursday to Saturday, while the USS Stout will return Sunday, along with the Truman, according to a news release issued Thursday.

The Truman shipped out for the Red Sea to beef up U.S. forces combatting the Houthi rebels in Yemen in September Its deployment was extended in March.

The deployment had made headlines repeatedly. The carrier collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt, a F-18 Super Hornet fell overboard during an attack by the Houthis, and the USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down another Super Hornet in December .
City officials had not recommended the City Council vote Tuesday because they were still working on how to adapt the state law limiting parking requirements for multi-family housing to the city's needs.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Leavittsburg man pleaded guilty and was sentenced in a case stemming from a dogs medical issue.

Rick Mason pleaded guilty to prohibitions concerning companion animals, a first-degree misdemeanor, in Warren Municipal Court on Thursday.

Mason received a 15-day jail sentence, and he will be on probation with the condition that he not own or have any animals, according to court records. He is scheduled to report to jail on June 16.

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The case against Mason stems from an incident in December when Jason Cooke with the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project called Warren Township police after the dog was surrendered to a concerned neighbor. According to a police report, Mason told officers someone dropped the dog off about a year ago.

The report goes on to say Mason told officers he knew about the mass and the dog hadnt been to a veterinarian.

The dog had surgery to remove the mass.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday accused Harvard of disrespecting the United States, threatening the elite university is going to get its "ass kicked."

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that he wanted Harvard to be "great again" but that it "has got to behave themselves."

"Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect, and all they're doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper," he said.

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"They want to show how smart they are, and they're getting their ass kicked," Trump added.

The Trump administration has targeted several universities it accuses of promoting left-leaning politics, cutting funding and trying to stop programmes like diversity initiatives.

Officials have pointed to pro-Palestinian protests on campuses and allegations of tolerated anti-Semitism as reasons for the crackdown. Critics say these claims are being used to pressure and punish institutions that do not align with the government's views.

Unlike other universities, Harvard has refused to comply with many of the administration's demands. As a result, it has lost billions in federal grants.
Supporters of Mahmoud Khalil rally outside the federal courthouse in Newark on March 28, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor)

A federal judge said Wednesday that attempts to deport a pro-Palestinian Columbia University activist likely violate the Constitution, dealing a potential blow to efforts by the Trump administration to kick political student activists out of the country.

But U.S. Judge Michael Farbiarz stopped short of releasing Mahmoud Khalil, a legal resident of the U.S., from the Louisiana jail where he is being held. Farbiarz directed Khalils legal team to present more arguments on why he should be released.

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The judge added that while Khalil may be successful in challenging the governments vagueness regarding his detention, the government may still be justified in detaining him based on their allegation that he lied on his green card application. Khalil contends he is a political prisoner detained in violation of his free speech rights.

If an immigration court holds that the Petitioner did not have to disclose the allegedly omitted information, that could fully dispose of the underlying ground for removal, without any need for a federal court to reach a potentially complex First Amendment question, Farbiarz wrote in the 106-page decision.

Khalil was arrested by federal immigration agents in New York City on March 8 and has been held in immigration detention in Louisiana since. He was among the first in a wave of pro-Palestinian legal residents who have been arrested by federal authorities as the Trump administration has ramped up mass deportation and tested the limits of immigration law.

While Khalil hasnt been charged with a crime, hes facing removal based on two claims: inaccuracies on his green card application and a determination by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Khails presence in the country would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences and compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest.

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Khalils legal challenge to his detention is playing out in two courts  immigration court in Louisiana, where a judge said she had no authority to question the governments decision to remove Khalil, and in federal court in New Jersey, where Khalil was temporarily held while his attorneys filed a petition for his release.

Farbiarzs ruling says Rubio likely overstepped his authority when he invoked a rarely used provision of federal law called section 1227 to target Khalil and other student activists for deportation. The statute allows for the deportation of non-citizens if the secretary of state determines their presence or activities  would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.

The petitioner is likely to succeed on the merits of his claim that section 1227 is unconstitutionally vague as applied to him through the SoSs determination, Farbiarz wrote.

Removal of this kind, he added, would be unprecedented.

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The judge asked for additional briefings on the governments claims surrounding Kahlils green card application. He also said he would soon issue another order with the next steps in the case.

The American Civil Liberties Union, part of the legal team representing Khalil, said in a statement they vow to keep fighting for his release.

We will work as quickly as possible to provide the court the additional information it requested supporting our effort to free Mahmoud or otherwise return him to his wife and newborn son. Every day Mahmoud spends languishing in an ICE detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, is an affront to justice, and we wont stop working until he is free, his legal team said.

Khalil is protected from being deported immediately under a previous order from Farbiarz that bars the government from removing him while his fight to be released from detention proceeds.
Donald Trumps administration has appealed to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to bless his effort to deport a group of migrants to South Sudan, a war-torn African country, with little notice and in express violation of a judges order.

The high court has already smacked down the administrations efforts to conduct rapid deportations without due process twice now. This time, Trumps Department of Justice is trying to persuade the justices to undermine the rule of law, with a misleading brief that is undercut both by the judicial record as well as flight-tracking data reviewed by Rolling Stone.

A Massachusetts federal judge, Brian Murphy, previously issued an order barring the Trump administration from deporting people to third-party countries, or nations where they are not from, without a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate that they fear being persecuted, tortured, or killed if they were sent there. The judge also required the administration to give people at least 15 days of notice to challenge their removals.

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When the Trump administration moved to deport a group of detainees to Libya, an exceedingly dangerous country, without giving them an opportunity to raise fear-based objections, the judge clarified that would violate his order. Last week, the Trump administration began the process of sending a group of men to South Sudan, another dangerous country, with less than 24 hours of notice  leading the judge to find that officials had violated his order and demand the government maintain custody of the migrants so they have an opportunity to object to being sent there.

Murphy did not demand the administration bring the men back, allowing officials to pick where to hold them as they move to comply with his order. They are currently being held at a military base in Djibouti, in east Africa.

An attorney for the men told Rolling Stone on Thursday morning that her team still had not been given phone access to their clients, one of the conditions of last weeks ruling.

On Tuesday, Trumps Justice Department bypassed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit as it filed an emergency brief at the Supreme Court. The administration argued in the brief that Murphys orders are causing irreparable injury in the diplomatic, immigration, and foreign-policy spheres.

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In a brief to the Supreme Court, Trumps Solicitor General John Sauer writes: Having slammed on the brakes while these aliens were literally mid-flight  thus forcing the government to detain them at a military base in Djibouti not designed or equipped to hold such criminals  the court then retroactively clarified its injunction to impose an additional set of intrusive and onerous procedures on DHS. As a result, the United States has been put to the intolerable choice of holding these aliens for additional proceedings at a military facility on foreign soil  where each day of their continued confinement risks grave harm to American foreign policy  or bringing these convicted criminals back to America.

Sauer, who previously served as Trumps personal lawyer, represents the current situation as a burden put upon the government by Judge Murphy, and dubiously claims that the judge forced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain the men in Djibouti. In reality, as Judge Murphy wrote in a memorandum this week, this is the result Defendants asked for. His order had left the practicalities of compliance to defendants discretion.

I honestly think that this is a sanctionable brief, immigration attorney Aaron Reichlin-Melnick wrote on X on Tuesday. It falsely claims that the District Court forc[ed] the government to detain [8 men] at a military base in Djibouti. This is false. As Judge Murphy himself repeatedly emphasized, it was the DOJ that requested the option of holding them overseas!

The governments description of the sequence of events is further undermined by Rolling Stones real-time tracking of the Gulfstream V jet that flew the men from Texas to Djibouti last week. (The flight was first noticed by reporter and former flight attendant Gillian Brockell, who saw that a plane that had previously flown high-level government missions took off from Harlingen, Texas, late Tuesday morning, at approximately the same time the mens lawyers found out from their clients that they would be sent to South Sudan.)

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Judge Murphy held two emergency hearings last Tuesday night and Wednesday mid-day, responding to the migrants lawyers emergency filing notifying the court that their clients had been given less than 24 hours notice that they would be deported to South Sudan.

During the hastily-convened hearing on Tuesday night, Judge Murphy ordered the Justice Department to find out where the plane was and tell everyone involved in the flight that they could face criminal contempt sanctions if his earlier order barring rapid deportations to third-party countries wasnt followed.

At 8:55 p.m. Tuesday night, when Judge Murphy filed his order requiring the government to maintain custody of the men, the Gulfstream V was still over the Atlantic Ocean, and the plane was closer to U.S. soil than Africa, according to Rolling Stones review.

We were able to follow the planes trajectory to a stop at Shannon Airport in Ireland at approximately 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, presumably for refueling, where it sat for almost three hours before taking off and continuing toward Djibouti.

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The plane ultimately landed at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, a shared military and civilian airport, at 9:54 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to Rolling Stones live tracking of the flight.

Wednesdays court hearing in the case, scheduled for 11 a.m., started late, and by the time Judge Murphy made what the Justice Department called his clarification of his injunction, some time after noon, the plane had been sitting on the Djibouti airport tarmac for over two hours, according to Rolling Stones tracking.

In that hearing, the plaintiffs asked for the men to be returned to the U.S. for the period of due process, according to independent law news site LawDorks live updates of the hearing, but the judge allowed the Justice Department to offer its own remedy to the situation and asked DOJ attorney Drew Ensign for a suggestion.

Any remedy should be narrowly tailored. If they werent given meaningful opportunity to express fear, give them that opportunity. No need to bring them back, Ensign said, according to LawDorks transcript.

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Are you suggesting they have a reasonable fear interview where they are now? Is that practical, the judge asked Ensign, who replied that he would consult with his client and report back. Later in the hearing, the DOJ reported to the judge that it was in fact possible for the men to do their credible fear interviews where they were, in Djibouti, later in the hearing.

In his ruling last Wednesday, Judge Murphy wrote, DHS, in its discretion, may elect to provide this process to the six individuals either within the United States  should it choose to return them to the United States  or abroad, if at all relevant times DHS retains custody and control over the individuals in conditions commensurate to those the individuals would be housed in were they still in DHSs custody within the United States. This order reflects a remedy, in light of the courts finding of a violation of its preliminary injunction, that has been narrowly tailored in accordance with principles of equity.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio filed a declaration to Murphy two days later, part of the governments appeal, arguing that the mens detainment in Djibouti had negative consequences to important U.S. strategic interests, including in Libya, South Sudan and Djibouti. Rubio claimed that Judge Murphys order threatened to negatively impact the relationship between the U.S. and South Sudan, making moving humanitarian relief  food, medicine, etc.  into the region  more difficult.

Meanwhile, humanitarian relief in South Sudan has been notably devastated by Trumps effort to gut foreign aid.

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DHS did not respond to requests for comment. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to outreach from Rolling Stone.

The Trump administration flew eight men to Djibouti, but one is a South Sudanese national and another will be deported to his home nation of Myanmar, the government said. That leaves six men subject to order for a reasonable timeframe to raise fear of torture. The men  from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, Mexico and South Sudan  were all previously convicted of violent crimes.

The plane that flew them to Djibouti is registered to two related Florida private charter companies Tannjets and Journey Aviation

Tannjets and Journey Aviation were both founded by a pilot who founded the first private airline in Uzbekistan after the fall of the Soviet Union. An executive at Journey Aviation told Rolling Stone they had no idea if their plane was involved in the South Sudan deportation flight last Wednesday.

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The narrative that Judge Murphy forced the government to go to Djibouti began taking shape last week. On Thursday White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Now these illegal criminal murderers and rapists have to sit in Djibouti with our ICE agents who now have to sit there for more than two weeks. its truly despicable whats happening in our court system and the president hopes that the Supreme Court will do what it needs to do during a press conference.

Later that day, The State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce further distorted the events, saying I would also point you to Karoline Leavitts remarks the hour before my briefing here, where she noted a court order required the flight to go to Djibouti during a State Department briefing.

Civil unrest in South Sudan deteriorated to the extent that the U.S. ordered all non-emergency staff to leave the country in March. The State Department warns: Do not travel to South Sudan due to crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

The departments 2023 report on human rights practices in South Sudan found credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings; enforced disappearance; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces, opposition forces, armed militias affiliated with the government and the opposition, and ethnically based groups; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; [and] arbitrary detention.

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Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Jackson, who oversees the emergency docket for appeals in the First Circuit, responded to the Trump administrations emergency request on Wednesday, giving lawyers for the men sent to Djibouti a week to reply.

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A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Major Breakthrough Or More Endless Stonewalling?

In what could be a major breakthrough, the Trump administration told a federal court Wednesday that it has taken affirmative steps to retrieve an unlawfully deported Guatemalan man and return him to the United States so that he can receive the due process he was initially denied.

It was the first concession of its kind that the Trump administration has made in the handful of cases where courts have ordered it to facilitate the return of wrongfully deported foreign nationals and which have become the focal point of a constitutional clash between President Trump and the judiciary.

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The concession comes in the case of O.C.G., a gay man who had succeeded in U.S. immigration court at not being deported to his home country but whom the Trump administration them immediately deported to Mexico., which in turn sent him to Guatemala. In his immigration court hearing, the man claimed to have been previously kidnapped and raped in Mexico, but the immigration judge (probably correctly, under current law) said the case at hand was limited to Guatemala.

O.C.G.s situation emerged in a larger case in federal court in Massachusetts challenging third country deportations without notice and hearing. Its the same case where the Trump administration tried to get around a court order with last weeks deportation flight to South Sudan.

The government alerted the court of its efforts to return O.C.G. in a filing that said certain paperwork had already been completed and that the administration is currently working with ICE Air to bring O.C.G. back to the United States on an Air Charter Operations (ACO) flight return leg.

A few words of caution about what this means for O.C.G. and the other facilitate cases:

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O.C.G. is not back yet. Throughout his business and political life President Trump has dragged his feet at every step of litigation, including later stages after concessions have been made or a settlement reached. While this is a significant step compared to the previous defiance, its not a done deal yet.

Unlike Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Cristian, the other two major facilitate cases, O.C.G. was not incarcerated after his deportation. He has remained in hiding in Guatemala, not in prison. That distinction is one that the administration may use to justify not similarly returning other wrongfully deported migrants.

Unlike Cristian and the dozens of others incarcerated at CECOT in El Salvador, O.C.G. wasnt deported under the Alien Enemies Act, which the Trump administration has sought to use as an entirely separate legal basis for removals and will likely use to distinguish O.C.G.s case.

All of which is to say that while the administrations signal that it will abide by the court order to facilitate O.C.G.s return is a potential breakthrough that undermines its legal position in other cases, Id caution against leaping to the conclusion that it is the beginning of a wholesale walk-back of the administrations outrageous conduct in these key anti-immigration cases.

Judge Rules In Favor Of Khalil  Sorta

In one of the most obtuse judicial opinions youll ever encounter, U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz of New Jersey ruled that the Trump administrations attempt to deport Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, was likely unconstitutional, but stopped short of ordering Khalils release until both parties can file further briefs.

Shouting The Quiet Part

Education Secretary Linda McMahon provided valuable evidence on national TV that the Trump administration is targeting universities for illegitimate political reasons:

Trump Wants Loyalist On Appeals Court

President Trump announced his plan to nominate his former criminal defense attorney, now serving as the No. 3 at the Justice Department to a coveted seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit (which covers PA, NJ, DE, and the USVI).

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Bove has been a leading figure in rapidly bringing the Justice Department firmly under Trump White House control, erasing its storied independence and eroding its professional reputation.

Trumps social media post announcing Boves nomination to the lifetime seat on the appeals court described the job in startling political terms: He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

Pardonpalooza

Following on remarks from U.S. pardon attorney Ed Martin, President Trump confirmed he is considering pardoning the violent extremists convicted in the 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), falsely claiming that they got railroaded.

President Trump pardoned former Rep. Michael Grimm, the Staten Island Republican who resigned from Congress in 2015 and did prison time for tax fraud. Grimm was paralyzed last year in a horseback riding accident. Trump has now pardoned a total of nine members of Congress convicted of corruption and/or tax crimes.

Grimm wasnt the only corrupt politician among the more than two dozen people Trump pardoned yesterday, a list that included political allies of his.

The kicker to Trumps pardonpalooza: Trump is exacting retribution against more than three dozen former death row inmates whose sentences President Biden commuted by sending them to the nations only supermax prison. A judge has cleared the way for those transfers, saying the inmates had not yet exhausted their administrative remedies with the Bureau of Prisons, a necessary predicate to filing their federal lawsuits.

For The Record

Nancy Marks, one-time campaign manager to ousted Rep. George Santos (R-NY), avoided jail time for her role in his campaign finance schemes. The ousted fabulist congressman was sentenced last month to seven years in prison. Her possible cooperation with investigators against Santos has never been confirmed. Im going to leave that an enigma, her lawyer said.

The Corruption Is Obvious Even To Them

CBS News parent Paramount has offered $15 million to settle Donald Trumps bogus lawsuit against it for how it edited an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign. Trump is holding out for $25 million and an apology, but Paramount executive are leery of paying more than the going rate for these corrupt settlements of spurious Trump lawsuits because it might expose them to legal liability, the WSJ reports:

During the Trump-suit negotiations, one sticking point for Paramount executives has been whether a settlement could expose directors and officers to liability in potential future shareholder litigation or criminal charges for bribing a public official, according to people familiar with the conversations. By settling within the range of what other companies have paid to end litigation with Trump, some Paramount executives hope to minimize such liability, some of the people said.

Paramount is eager to settle for its own corrupt purpose: winning government approval for a planned merger.

Huge Blow To Trumps Illegal Tariff War

The Court of International Trade blocked major elements of President Trumps regimen of massive tariffs, ruling that he had exceeded his statutory authority and usurped Congress role.

RFK Jr. Watch

HHS has undermined the countys capacity to fight future influenza pandemics by cancelling a $600 million contract with Moderna to develop flu vaccines.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blindsided CDC officials with his surprise announcement on social media that he was unilaterally changing the governments guidance on who should get COVID vaccines and when.

The Toils Of Climate Change

A massive chunk of Switzerlands Birch Glacier  destabilized by climate change  came loose, unleashing a debris flow that almost completely wiped out an already-evacuated Alpine village. The BBC has video of the shock wave advancing across the valley floor.

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
The United States will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday in a major escalation of tensions with Beijing, and another blow to American higher education institutions.

The plan was met with strong opposition from China, which said on Thursday it had lodged a formal protest with the US over what it called a politically motivated and discriminatory move.

The revocations will target Chinese students including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Rubio said.

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We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong, he said, noting that the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security would work together on the visa revocations.

The surprise announcement risks disrupting ongoing efforts by the US and China to de-escalate tensions, coming just weeks after both sides declared a 90-day truce over punishing tariffs on each others goods, and deepens the spiraling confrontation between President Donald Trump and the nations top universities.

Rubios comments follow a series of extraordinary steps by the Trump administration to deter foreign students from studying in the US  from ordering embassies to pause new student visa appointments to revoking Harvard Universitys ability to enroll international students. (A federal judge later halted the Harvard ban.)

The latest move is set to spark consternation and outrage in China, the country of origin for almost a quarter of international students in US higher education. Its also likely to deepen anxiety across American universities, where Chinese and other international students are a significant source of revenue.

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There are signs that Beijing has been caught off guard by the announcement. For much of Thursday, Chinas state-controlled media remained largely silent on the news that will significantly impact the fate of hundreds of thousands of Chinese students.

That changed when official comment eventually came from Mao Ning, a spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry, who accused the US of using ideology and national security as a pretext for the move.

This politically motivated and discriminatory move exposes the lie of Americas long-touted claim of being free and open, and will only further damage the United States international image and national credibility, Mao said in a regular news conference.

She added that it would harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

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Fear and anger is already spreading among Chinese students studying in the US.

Candy, a statistics student at the University of Michigan, who did not want to give her full name, said she feared her visa would be canceled before she graduates.

Ending up with only a high school diploma is something I dread, she said from China, where shes visiting family. I pray to make it through my undergraduate study safely and smoothly.

When I first heard the news, I wanted to curse Trump.

A pipeline of talent

For decades, American universities have attracted some of Chinas brightest minds. Seen as a path to a prestigious education and better career opportunities, US colleges have drawn Chinese students from middle-class families as well as the political and business elites. Many Chinese officials have sent their children to American schools, including leader Xi Jinping, whose daughter Xi Mingze studied at Harvard under a pseudonym.

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Some top Chinese officials have been educated in the US themselves. Liu He, Xis former economic tsar, obtained a MPA from Harvards Kennedy School of Government in the 1990s; Wang Huning, the Chinese Communist Partys ideology guru, was a visiting scholar at the University of Iowa in the 1980s.

Many of Chinas officials, entrepreneurs, and scientists  especially those who played key roles during the era of reform and opening-up  received their training in the US, said Zichen Wang, a research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, a non-government think tank in Beijing.

When they returned to China, they brought back not only professional knowledge and credentials, but also a deep respect and admiration for America as an open and inclusive society, he said.

Student exchanges have been a key constant in the ebb and flow of US-China relations  ties that are now increasingly defined by growing geopolitical rivalry that has fueled an ongoing trade and tech war.

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China was the top source of international students in the US for 15 straight years until it was surpassed by India just last year, according to figures from Open Doors, a State Department-backed database tracking international student enrollment.

After decades of growth, the number of Chinese students in the US reached a peak of over 372,000 in the 2019-2020 school year, before declining to more than 270,000 in the 2023-2024 year  a drop that coincides with the Covid-19 pandemic but also increasing friction between the two governments.

The number of American students in China is much smaller, plunging from more than 10,000 to the low hundreds during the pandemic. In the 2023-2024 academic year, an estimated 800 American students were enrolled in China, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Even as relations plummeted, Chinese officials have repeatedly underscored the important role of people-to-people exchanges in stabilizing fractured ties.

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During a visit to San Francisco in November 2023, Xi said China was ready to invite 50,000 American students to China over the next five years. In June last year, the Chinese leader again called for more exchanges between Chinese and American universities to boost mutual understanding.

Now, the Trump administrations move to revoke Chinese student visas risks further undermining an already fragile bilateral relationship, said Wang, the researcher who recently graduated from a masters program at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Despite numerous challenges in bilateral relations, student exchanges remain one of the few genuine and impactful areas of engagement between the two countries, he said. The fact that an announcement like this comes at a time when mutual trust between China and the US is at a historic low is, in my view, quite saddening.

Growing concerns

On Tuesday the US State Department instructed American embassies and consulates worldwide to pause new student visa appointments as it moves to expand social media screening and vetting to all applicants of student visas.

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The following day a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry said the country is following the development, and urged the US to protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of all international students, including those from China.

Rubios statement on Wednesday did not specify what are the critical fields, but there has been long-standing concern in Washington about Chinese academics accessing sensitive and military-applicable American technology.

To crack down on the perceived threat of Chinese students conducting espionage on US soil, Trump introduced a ban during his first term that effectively prevented graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields from Chinese universities believed to be linked to the military from gaining visas to the US.

His first administration also launched the now defunct China Initiative, a national security program intended to thwart Chinas intelligence activities in the US, including those aimed at stealing emerging technology from research universities.

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The program, which drew comparisons to the anti-Communism red scare of the 1950s, was cancelled by the Biden administration after facing widespread blowback for what was seen as overreach and complaints that it fueled suspicion and bias against innocent Chinese Americans.

Its also unclear how US officials will define students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party which is ubiquitous across China and boasts 99 million members. As a result, many Chinese students could have parents or relatives who are party members or work in the vast state-owned sector.

If you count in all the friends and relatives, it wouldnt be farfetched to say that almost everyone is somehow linked to the Communist Party in China, Wang said.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Cynthia Chan and Simone McCarthy contributed to this report.

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For what appears to be the first time, Donald Trumps administration will facilitate the return of a wrongfully deported immigrant following a court order.

A gay Guatemalan man referred to as O.C.G in court documents says he survived sexual violence and kidnapping in Mexico on his way to the southern border last year. But federal immigration authorities failed to screen him for a credible fear assessment before deporting him back to the same country where he was raped and held for ransom.

Last week, District Judge Brian Murphy ordered the administration to facilitate his return  echoing court orders in two other high-profile immigration cases involving wrongfully deported immigrants.

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In general, this case presents no special facts or legal circumstances, only the banal horror of a man being wrongfully loaded onto a bus and sent back to a country where he was allegedly just raped and kidnapped, Murphy wrote.

On Wednesday, lawyers for the Department of Justice said Homeland Security officials are preparing to return him to the United States  and potentially release him from custody for humanitarian reasons.

A flight crew in Phoenix is working with Immigration and Customs Enforcements air division to put him on a charter flight, according to court filings.

Murphys ruling marks at least the third time that the Trump administration has been ordered to return a wrongly deported immigrant.

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Last month, a Trump-appointed federal judge found that the governments removal of a 20-year-old Venezuelan man named in court documents as Cristian violated a court settlement intended to protect young immigrants who have pending asylum claims.

The Supreme Court has also unanimously agreed that the Trump administration illegally deported Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father and husband living in Maryland. Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador as a teenager in 2011. He has been imprisoned in his home country since March 15.

More than a month after the highest courts decision, the Trump administration has yet to facilitate his return, and is engaged in a tense legal battle to avoid answering what steps, if any, it is taking to bring him back, and arguing that the administration does not need to answer to questions from a federal judge about its arrangement with El Salvador.

The administration has filed a motion to try to dismiss that case altogether.

Immigration authorities are in the process of putting a gay Guatemalan rape survivor on a plane to the United States after Trump administration officials were accused of failing to give him due process before deporting him to Mexico (ICE)

O.C.G.s case is part of a wider class-action lawsuit targeting the administrations so-called third-country removals, in which immigrants are deported to somewhere other than their home country. Murphy has blocked removing those immigrants without adequate notice  which he alleges the administration defied when authorities sent a group of immigrants to South Sudan.

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Murphy, who was appointed by Joe Biden, has faced a barrage of attacks from the White House, which labeled him a far-left activist who is trying to protect the violent criminal illegal immigrants. Trump called him absolutely out of control and accused him of hurting our country.

This week, the judge accused government attorneys of manufacturing chaos surrounding the case.

Immigration officials initially claimed that O.C.G. had agreed to be sent to Mexico, but the administration later admitted in court documents that their claim was based on erroneous information. An immigration official wrote in a sworn statement that ICE was unable to identify an officer or officers who had even asked the man about his credible fear.

How was this mistake made? Murphy asked government lawyers during a hearing last week.

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This is a really big deal, he said. It is a big deal to lie to a court under oath. It is an extraordinarily big deal to do so when there are matters of national importance at stake. I take this extremely seriously.

He suggested he could call Homeland Security officials into court to testify under oath.

While mistakes obviously happen, the events leading up to this decision are troubling, Murphy wrote in his order on May 23. The Court was given false information, upon which it relied twice, to the detriment of a party at risk of serious and irreparable harm.

Lawyers for the Guatemalan man are likely to succeed in showing that his removal lacked any semblance of due process, according to Murphy.
By Yoshifumi Takemoto and Makiko Yamazaki

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan is considering using the purchase of U.S. defence equipment as a bargaining chip in tariff talks, its top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Thursday as he heads for a fourth round of the negotiations in Washington.

The defence equipment purchase would be among a package of proposals to gain U.S. concessions, which also include technical cooperation in shipbuilding, revision to inspection standards for imported automobiles and increased imports of U.S. farm products.

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"Japan's purchase of defence equipment would contribute to the U.S. trade surplus, so in that sense, it could be considered (in the trade talks)," Akazawa told reporters.

Akazawa will meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday in the fourth round of trade talks in Washington, as Japan faces a 24% tariff rate starting in July unless it can negotiate a deal with the U.S.

"We plan to discuss trade expansion, non-tariff barriers and economic security cooperation," he said before heading to an airport.

Japan and the U.S. have agreed to deepen the trade discussions with the G7 leaders' summit on June 15-17 in mind, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are set to meet in person.

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A source familiar with the talks said a U.S. trade court's ruling to block Trump's sweeping tariffs would not change Japan's strategies in the trade talks.

Japan wants to eliminate not just "reciprocal" tariffs but also industry-specific tariffs on automobiles, said the source, who declined to be identified as the matter is private.

Speaking to reporters on the potential defence equipment purchase, Akazawa did not specify which equipment Japan is considering buying. Japanese media reported that Trump pitched the F-47 and other fighter jets in a phone call with Ishiba last week.

Meanwhile, a Japanese government spokesperson denied a report by the Asahi Shimbun that the government has started considering increasing its share of costs for U.S. troops stationed in Japan.

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The budget for the costs of stationing U.S. troops "has been shared appropriately," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular press conference.

Similarly, Akazawa said national security and tariff deals should be separated as they are different matters.

When the two countries started trade talks in April, the issues of currency rates were high on the agenda, as Trump's past remarks accusing Japan of intentionally maintaining a weak yen fuelled market expectations that Tokyo will face pressure to strengthen its currency's value against the dollar.

The pair has set the currency issues aside for talks between their finance ministers, and so far both sides said they have not discussed setting currency targets.

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In what could be interpreted as giving a nod to current rates, the U.S. Treasury Department said last week it agreed with Japan that the dollar-yen rate at present reflects fundamentals. Japanese officials, however, reiterated they have never discussed current foreign exchange levels with the U.S.

($1 = 145.3300 yen)

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki, Yoshifumi Takemoto, Mariko Katsumura, Satoshi Sugiyama and Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Michael Perry)
By Nathan Layne

(Reuters) -The Trump administration told federal agencies on Thursday to halt the use of statistics on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin in the hiring process, marking its latest effort to extinguish use of diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

The directive was part of a broader set of guidelines sent to human resources leaders at government agencies fleshing out an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January aimed at "restoring merit" to the center of the hiring process.

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All hiring and promotion decisions must be based "solely on merit, qualifications and job-related criteria  not race, sex, color, religion, or national origin," the memo from the Office of Personnel Management on Thursday said.

The memo further ordered human resources leaders to "cease using statistics on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin, or the broader concept of 'underrepresentation' of certain groups," in relation to recruiting or hiring. The memo also said dissemination of such data was banned.

The directive is the latest move by Trump to undermine diversity and inclusion programs, many of which have been in place for decades in an effort to remedy historical injustices for marginalized groups. Trump and his allies have called such programs anti-merit and discriminatory against white people and men.

Advocates and experts have said racial or gender data collection, which has long been a standard across the federal government and many private sector U.S. companies, is a necessary tool to identify inequities or potential discrimination within hiring practices.

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The OPM memo also said government agencies have been too focused "on elite universities and credentials, instead of merit, practical skill, and commitment to American ideals."

In addition to hiring veterans and individuals with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, agencies should recruit more young people from state universities, religious colleges, trade schools, faith organizations and homeschooling groups, the memo says.

"Going forward, agencies shall ensure that early career recruitment focuses on patriotic Americans who will faithfully adhere to the Constitution and the rule of law," the memo says.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administrations effort to deport pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is likely unconstitutional, but the judge stopped short of freeing him from jail.

Instead, Khalil must present further legal arguments for why he should be released, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote in a 106-page decision.

Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and recent Columbia University graduate student, has not been charged with any crime. But he has been detained in Louisiana since March, after authorities arrested him in the lobby of his university residence and put him into deportation proceedings.

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Khalil was the first of a group of foreign-born pro-Palestinian academics who were swept up by the Trump administration even though they had green cards or valid student visas. Judges have ordered several of the other academics released from jail, but Khalil has remained locked up while fighting his deportation on two parallel tracks: Farbiarzs courtroom in New Jersey and a separate immigration court proceeding in Louisiana.

During Khalils time in jail, his wife gave birth to their first child.

In seeking to remove Khalil from the country, the Trump administration invoked a rarely used provision of federal law that allows the deportation of any noncitizen if the secretary of State determined the persons presence or activities in the U.S. would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.

Farbiarz, a Biden appointee, ruled Wednesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio likely acted unconstitutionally when he used that provision to target Khalil.

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Rubio, the judge wrote, never explained whether Khalils activities affected U.S. relations with any other country, and as a result, his use of the provision was likely unconstitutionally vague.

An ordinary person would have had no real inkling that a Section 1227 removal could go forward in this way, the judge continued, referring to the section of federal law that contains the deportation provision.

But that does not mean Khalil should automatically be released, Farbiarz wrote. The judge said he wants additional briefing on other issues, including the governments claim that Khalil omitted relevant information, including his membership in several organizations, when he applied for his green card.

Khalil and his lawyers have argued that the administration is illegally retaliating against him for his role in organizing campus protests of the Israel-Hamas war.

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The district court held what we already knew: Secretary Rubio's weaponization of immigration law to punish Mahmoud and others like him is likely unconstitutional, Khalils lawyers said Wednesday in response to Farbiarzs ruling. We will work as quickly as possible to provide the court the additional information it requested supporting our effort to free Mahmoud or otherwise return him to his wife and newborn son.

While Khalils case has been pending before Farbiarz, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled that Khalil can be deported as a national security risk. Immigration judges are employees of the Justice Department and ordinarily do not grapple with constitutional questions as extensively as U.S. district judges.

Khalil is expected to appeal the immigration judges ruling. He cannot be deported immediately because Farbiarz previously barred the government from removing him from the country while his legal challenge is pending.
The Trump administration has cancelled a $766 million contract with Moderna for the development of its human bird flu vaccine, the company has announced.

The pharmaceutical giant was awarded the multi-million dollar contract by the Biden administration last year, as the H5N1 virus began to ravage US dairy and poultry farms.

It has since infected more than 70 people in America, killing one, and experts say it is only a matter of time before it starts to spread between humans  an event that could trigger a new pandemic.

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Just yesterday, an 11 year old boy died in Cambodia after becoming infected, the fifth H5N1 death in the region this year.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said that after an internal review, the agency had decided to cancel the Moderna contact.

Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a long time vaccine sceptic, has repeatedly expressed concern over the safety of mRNA vaccines despite them having saved millions of lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This week Mr Kennedy also announced that mRNA Covid vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children or healthy pregnant women.

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Currently, the US lacks sufficient bird flu vaccine stockpiles, with only 0.82 doses available per person, according to disease analytics firm Airfinity.

The agreement with Moderna was intended to strengthen the countrys pandemic preparedness by diversifying its emergency H5N1 vaccine stocks.

It is thought mRNA vaccines can be developed and produced more rapidly than traditional flu vaccines which are grown in chicken eggs  a method that is both slow and difficult to scale.

The cancellation of the contract came on the same day Moderna announced positive results for the jab from its first preliminarily clinical trials: testing of 300 people found the H5N1 vaccines to be 98 per cent efficacy, and generally well tolerated.

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The cancellation [of the contract] means that the government is discarding what could be one of the most effective and rapid tools to combat an avian influenza outbreak, Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security told Reuters.

The European Union has secured 450 million doses of bird flu vaccines  enough for one dose per EU resident  from multiple manufacturers, including CSL Seqirus, GSK, and Pfizer.

Moderna, founded just 11 years ago and based in Massachusetts, received over $30 billion in US government funding during the Covid-19 pandemic under the leadership Dr Anthony Fauci, which allowed it to quickly develop and deploy millions of doses of its vaccines.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security

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President Donald Trumps administration has emerged as a staunch defender of Alternative for Germany, a political party with Nazi echoes that has risen in popularity  and that German intelligence officials recently classified as a proven right-wing extremist organization.

The party is known by its German initialism, AfD, and it has included leaders who have embraced old Nazi slogans and minimized the atrocities of Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have criticized the German governments efforts to isolate and investigate AfD, arguing that such actions amount to undemocratic persecution of a rival political group.

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Its one thing to say that a particular set of views is gross ... or somehow outside the Overton window, outside the bounds of reasonable discourse, Vance said in an interview last week in Rome, where he attended Pope Leo XIVs inaugural Mass. I think that it is very, very dangerous to use the neutral institutions of state  the military, the police forces ... the intel services  to try to delegitimize another competing political party. I think thats especially true when that political party just got second in an election and is, depending on which poll you believe, either the [most] popular or the second-most popular party.

Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk, a Trump confidant who has wielded significant White House power, has gone further than Vance and Rubio, having campaigned with AfD ahead of elections in February, when the party finished in second place and further established its popularity.

Only the AfD can save Germany, Musk posted on X, his social media site, in December.

The Rubio-led State Department reinforced the Trump administrations line Tuesday.

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In a post on Substack, Samuel Samson, a senior adviser in the departments Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, wrote that the German government has established elaborate systems to monitor and censor online speech under the guise of combating disinformation and preventing offense.

Samson specifically cited the recent decision to label AfD as extremist. He also raised concerns about the treatment of far-right parties and leaders in other European countries, including Marine Le Pen, whose recent embezzlement conviction in France could prevent her from running for president in a 2027 race she had been favored to win.

Americans are familiar with these tactics. Indeed, a similar strategy of censorship, demonization, and bureaucratic weaponization was utilized against President Trump and his supporters, Samson wrote. What this reveals is that the global liberal project is not enabling the flourishing of democracy. Rather, it is trampling democracy, and Western heritage along with it, in the name of a decadent governing class afraid of its own people.

Samson added that Europes democratic backsliding not only impacts European citizens but increasingly affects American security and economic ties, along with the free speech rights of American citizens and companies.

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Our hope, he continued, is that both Europe and the United States can recommit to our Western heritage, and that European nations will end the weaponization of government against those seeking to defend it.

Vance emphasized similar themes in a speech in February at the Munich Security Conference, where he chastised German leaders for, among other things, refusing to include AfD in the countrys governing coalition despite its electoral gains. While he was in Germany, Vance met with Friedrich Merz, now the chancellor, and with Alice Weidel, a co-chair of the AfD.

Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, co-leaders of Germany's AfD. (Jens Schlueter / AFP - Getty Images file)

An AfD spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The party has long denied the charge that it is an extremist group, and it sued Germanys Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution over the intelligence agencys recent classification. A spokesperson for the agency, citing the lawsuit, declined to comment.

During last weeks interview, Vance emphasized that he has not endorsed AfD or encouraged Germans to support it. He described his and Rubios advocacy as a matter of democratic principles.

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Trumps first campaign for president in 2016 fed on chants by his supporters to lock her up!  a reference to his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, who had not been charged with any crime. More recently, he and his allies accused former President Joe Biden, who beat Trump in his 2020 re-election bid, of weaponizing the Justice Department against Trump and other Republicans.

The Trump administration launched an investigation this month of former FBI Director James Comey, a Trump critic who had shared on social media a photo of seashells arranged to spell out 8647.

Trump allies interpreted the message as an assassination threat, noting that 86 can be a slang term for getting rid of something and that Trump is the 47th president. Trumps director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has called for Comey to be imprisoned over the post. But the number 86 does not always have violent connotations; its use in the hospitality industry can refer to removing or refusing service to a customer.

Asked how his and Rubios concerns square with such Trump administration actions and rhetoric, Vance argued that there is a reasonable question about whether Comey had advocated for Trumps assassination.

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Im a pretty big believer in free speech, Vance said. But I dont think that saying you should kill Donald Trump is an acceptable part of public debate. Everybodys going to draw their line. I think where I draw the line is encouraging violence against political opponents. If theres a determination that Comey encouraged violence against a political opponent, then thats a problem. And if theres a determination that he didnt, then thats a different question.

While Vance has not endorsed AfD, he described a pro-AfD piece Musk wrote in December as interesting.

Also interesting; American media slanders AfD as Nazi-lite, Vance wrote in his Jan. 2 social media post that called attention to Musks piece. But AfD is most popular in the same areas of Germany that were most resistant to the Nazis.

AfD was founded in 2013, its early messaging geared toward anti-European Union voters. In subsequent years, the party became known for its strident anti-immigrant rhetoric. In 2017, an AfD ad criticized as Islamophobic asked: Burkas? We prefer bikinis. Another, featuring the image of a pregnant woman, asked: New Germans? Well make them ourselves.

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The party has grown in popularity, coinciding with a rise of right-wing voter sentiment across the United States and Europe. Last year, AfD became the first far-right party to win a state election in Germany since the Nazis.

Meanwhile, links and comparisons between AfD and the Nazis have been inescapable.

At an AfD rally in 2017, attendees chanted that they would build a subway to Auschwitz for their political opponents. A founding AfD member, Alexander Gauland, once described the Nazi era as a mere speck of bird excrement in German history. A party leader, Bjorne Hocke, has twice been found guilty by a German court of purposefully employing Nazi rhetoric. (He has appealed the rulings.) Another AfD politician, Maximilian Krah, resigned his party leadership post under pressure and suspended campaign activities last year after he said the SS, the Nazis main paramilitary force, were not all criminals.

When Musk appeared virtually at an AfD campaign event in January, he leaned into a talking point consistent with the partys desire to move beyond the guilt over Nazi-era atrocities, lamenting that there is too much focus on past guilt. The same week, Musk faced criticism after he offered a gesture many found similar to a Nazi salute at a Trump rally in Washington.

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In its designation of AfD as an extremist organization on May 2, the German intelligence agency asserted that the party aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society. AfD also does not consider German nationals with histories of migration from Muslim countries as equal to German people, the agency added at the time.

The report drew a quick rebuke from Rubio, who is also Trumps national security adviser.

Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition, Rubio wrote on X. Thats not democracy  its tyranny in disguise.

Vance then piggybacked on Rubios post with a Cold War analogy.

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The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it, he wrote. The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt  not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment.

Vance contended in last weeks interview that holding down a rival political party because of its beliefs allows its beliefs to take on an almost mystical power by removing them from the public dialogue.

I dont like Nazism, and I dont like people who are sympathetic with Nazis, Vance said. But I think the way to beat back against it is to debate it and defeat it and not believe that you can, kind of, like, bury this thing underground, because you cant.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  The Trump administration is dropping plans to terminate leases for 34 offices in the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the agency responsible for enforcing mine safety laws, the Department of Labor said Thursday.

Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency, created by President Donald Trump and run by Elon Musk, had targeted federal agencies for spending cuts, including terminating leases for three dozen MSHA offices. Seven of those offices were in Kentucky alone. Ending the MSHA leases had been projected to save $18 million.

Musk said this week that hes leaving his job as a senior adviser.

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A statement released by a Labor Department spokesperson Thursday said it has been working closely with the General Services Administration to ensure our MSHA inspectors have the resources they need to carry out their core mission to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthy workplaces for American miners.

Some MSHA offices are still listed on the chopping block on the DOGE website, but the statement did not indicate whether those closings will move forward.

MSHA was created by Congress within the Labor Department in 1978, in part because state inspectors were seen as too close to the industry to force coal companies to take the sometimes costly steps necessary to protect miners. MSHA is required to inspect each underground mine quarterly and each surface mine twice a year.

Thats a relief and good news for miners and the inspectors at MSHA, said Jack Spadaro, a longtime mine safety investigator and environmental specialist who worked for the agency.

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Mining fatalities over the past four decades have dropped significantly, in large part because of the dramatic decline in coal production. But the proposed DOGE cuts would have required MSHA inspectors to travel farther to get to a mine.

I dont know what they were thinking when they talked about closing offices, Spadaro said. They obviously did not understand the nature of the frequency and depth of inspections that go on in mines. Its important for the inspectors to be near the mine operations that theyre inspecting.

A review in March of publicly available data by the Appalachian Citizens Law Center indicates that nearly 17,000 health and safety inspections were conducted from the beginning of 2024 through February 2025 by staff at MSHA offices in the facilities on the chopping block. MSHA, which also oversees metal and nonmetal mines, already was understaffed. Over the past decade, it has seen a 27% reduction in total staff, including 30% of enforcement staff in general and 50% of enforcement staff for coal mines, the law center said.

Coal industry advocates are also trying to save hundreds of jobs within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Some estimates had about 850 of the agencys roughly 1,000 employees being cut by the Trump administration.

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Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered the restoration of a health monitoring program for coal miners and rescinded layoffs within NIOSHs respiratory health division in Morgantown, West Virginia. The division is responsible for screening and reviewing medical exams to determine whether there is evidence that coal miners have developed a respiratory ailment, commonly known as black lung disease.

At a May 14 Congressional hearing, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he was reversing the firing of about 330 NIOSH workers. That same day, the United Mine Workers of America was among several groups that filed a lawsuit seeking to reinstate all NIOSH staff and functions.

For months, coal communities have been raising the alarm about how cuts to MSHA and NIOSH would be disastrous for our miners, said Vonda Robinson, vice president of the National Black Lung Association. Were glad that the administration has listened and restored these offices, keeping mine inspectors in place.

Were going to keep making progress and do whatever it takes to protect coal miners from black lung disease and accidents, she said.
The Trump administration said in court filings Wednesday that it was working to bring back a Guatemalan man who was deported to Mexico in spite of his fears of being harmed there, days after a federal judge ordered the administration to facilitate his return.

The man, who is gay, was protected from being returned to his home country under a U.S. immigration judges order at the time. But the U.S. put him on a bus and sent him to Mexico instead, a removal that U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy found likely lacked any semblance of due process.

Mexico has since returned him to Guatemala, where he is in hiding, according to court documents.

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In a court filing Wednesday, government lawyers said that a so-called significant public benefit parole packet had been approved and was awaiting additional approval from Homeland Security Investigations. The designation allows people who aren't eligible to enter the U.S. to do so temporarily, often for reasons related to law enforcement or legal proceedings.

Officials in the Phoenix field office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, spoke with the man's lawyers over the weekend and are working to bring him back to the U.S. on a plane chartered by ICE, the court filing said.

An earlier court proceeding had determined that the man, identified by the initials O.C.G., risked persecution or torture if returned to Guatemala. But he also feared returning to Mexico, where he says he was raped and extorted while seeking asylum in the U.S., according to court documents.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who called Murphy a federal activist judge, said O.C.G. was in the country illegally, was granted withholding of removal to Guatemala and was instead sent to Mexico, which she said was a safe third option for him, pending his asylum claim.

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Murphys order last Friday adds to a string of findings by federal courts against recent Trump administration deportations. Those have included other deportations to third countries and the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran who had lived in Maryland for roughly 14 years, working and raising a family.

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. from a notorious Salvadoran prison, rejecting the White Houses claim that it couldnt retrieve him after mistakenly deporting him. Both the White House and the El Salvadoran president have said they are powerless to return him.

___
The Department of Homeland Security is working to place an immigrant who was improperly deported to Mexico onto a charter flight back to the United States, the Trump administration told a judge on Wednesday.

The revelation is the first public sign that the Trump administration may comply with court orders to facilitate the return of at least one of the men who were found to have been deported without legally required due process. Still, the administration has resisted orders from two other judges to seek the return of two other immigrants whose deportations were ruled improper.

The new development came in the case of a Guatemalan man who is identified in court papers only by the initials O.C.G. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy ruled that officials must take all immediate steps to facilitate his return.

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O.C.G. has claimed that he was raped and otherwise targeted for being gay during a previous stay in Mexico. Murphy, a Biden appointee, found that he wasnt provided meaningful notice or an opportunity to raise those fears about torture or persecution when the Trump administration hurriedly deported him to Mexico in February.

Federal law and a U.S.-ratified treaty bar deportations to countries where an immigrant will face torture.

After the U.S. deported O.C.G., Mexico in turn deported him to his home country of Guatemala, where he has also faced persecution and threats of violence. His lawyers said he is hiding there at his sisters home.

Immigration officials now say they are arranging a way for him to fly back to the U.S.

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement office in Phoenix is currently working with ICE Air to bring O.C.G. back to the United States on an Air Charter Operations (ACO) flight return leg, federal officials told Murphy in a court filing late Wednesday.

The status update is a marked contrast from how the administration has thus far handled the cases of two other deportees whom the administration has been ordered to try to return: Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Daniel Lozano-Camargo. Both men were deported in March to El Salvador, where they remain in prison.

The Supreme Court in April noted that Abrego Garcias deportation was illegal because it violated a 2019 immigration court order barring officials from deporting him to El Salvador. The justices affirmed a federal district judges order for the administration to facilitate his return.

A different federal judge found that Lozano-Camargos deportation violated a court-approved settlement agreement that protected certain immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors. A federal appeals court upheld the judges order to facilitate his return.

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But the Trump administration has taken no public steps to try to bring Abrego Garcia or Lozano-Camargo back to the U.S., even as Trump himself claimed that he could get Abrego Garcia back by making a single phone call.

The administration also did not comply with another judges order in March requiring officials to reroute two planes that were then flying a group of deportees out of the country.

Murphy denied a request from the government on Monday to reconsider his orders to bring back O.C.G. The judge added that the administration had repeatedly violated a separate ruling he had issued when it put several immigrants on a flight to South Sudan last week, in an attempt to hurriedly deport the men.
The Trump administrations announcement this week that Chinese students visas would be aggressively revoked has inflamed the uncertainty among the nation's international students  and in California has ignited anger among leaders in the Chinese American community who said such a targeted action is xenophobic.

Little has been disclosed about the administration's plan, which represents yet another salvo in President Trump's combative push to reshape higher education, which has roiled academia, disrupted campus life and spilled into courts across the country.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a social media post that the visa revocations will include those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, without elaborating on what areas of study would be targeted or whether the move would apply solely to college students.

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Rubio said in a statement that the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security would revoke the visas, while also revising visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong.

Scholars and international students fear such an action could jeopardize the academic future of tens of thousands of Chinese students enrolled at colleges across the country, and threaten billions of dollars in tuition payments desperately needed by universities already facing the loss of research funding and other cuts effectuated by Trumps education policies.

The potential financial fallout is of acute concern in California, where Chinese students constitute the largest international group. About 51,000 Chinese nationals in California make up more than a third of the states nearly 141,000 foreign students.

Trumps plan was widely criticized Thursday by politicians, professors and others in California and beyond. For many, Rubios invocation of the Communist Party triggered dark recollections of past anti-Chinese policy, including 1882s Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned immigration from China .

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Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the visa decision xenophobic, and said it would only hurt America.

This is yet another example of the Trump administration targeting Chinese people instead of the Chinese government, assuming that every Chinese person is a pawn for the Chinese Communist Party, Chu said. "That is what xenophobia is all about, and it is reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion Act."

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a news briefing Thursday that the agency would not elaborate on the criteria that the U.S. would use in vetting visas. She said the department is thinking about the nature of how we keep America safe and secure and more prosperous.

Bruce raised the specter of intellectual property theft by China  a well-documented scourge that is estimated to have cost the U.S. billions of dollars.

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Read more: Trump lawyer says U.S. plans to sue UC over antisemitism allegations

"The United States ... will not tolerate the CCPs exploitation of U.S. universities or theft of U.S. research, intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power, conduct intelligence collection or repress voices of opposition,  she said. "... The nature of what China has been doing with technology, stealing information, intellectual property, U.S. research, copyrights, etc.  this is not new or confusing, and this is one way that we certainly can try to mitigate that issue.

Some warn of brain drain

Even as some educators questioned the administration's willingness to carry out its plan  one UCLA professor likened it to posturing designed to rattle students and scholars  others said they expected the policy to initiate a wave of departures that could touch off a major "brain drain." Such an exodus could hand China an advantage in the global race for supremacy in key fields including technology, defense and medicine, they said.

"The U.S. basically has succeeded by not caring what passport a brain carries  we care about the brain," said David M. Lampton, a professor emeritus at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an expert on China. "This is just senseless, counterproductive policy. We will drive many [Chinese scholars] away, for sure. And it will make China a more attractive place for research for some professors."

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But it isn't just about China. Lampton and others said that revoking Chinese student visas will have a chilling effect on academia and could turn off the brightest minds from other countries as well.

Read more: With billions at stake, California joins suit to stop Trump cuts to university science research

"This is unattractive to scholars all over the world," said Lampton, who noted that countries such as England and Germany could benefit from academics seeking safe harbor outside the U.S. The visa revocation plan, coupled with other elements of Trump's assault on universities  such as the slashing of research funding from the National Institutes of Health  will "weaken the competitive advantage of the United States," he said.

Universities in California expressed concern. The University of California has 17,832 Chinese students across all of its campuses. Locally, USC has nearly 6,000 and UCLA has 2,208.

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"The University of California is concerned about the U.S. State Departments announcement to revoke visas of Chinese students," said Rachel Zaentz, UC senior director of strategic and critical communications. "Chinese students, as well as all our international students, scholars, faculty and staff, are vital members of our university community and contribute greatly to our research, teaching, patient care and public service mission."

Ray Wang, a Chinese student at UCLA, said he and others "feel kind of helpless."

All of us are constantly monitoring the news, said Wang, who will graduate next month. I think the biggest problem is that there's no clear road map. The administration is issuing very mixed signals, and the real issue is with the inconsistency.

Chinese student are a financial boon

Chinese students have been a boon for American universities, because, like other foreigners, they pay a lot more than U.S. students do. Foreign students typically pay a school's full rate and, in some cases, a special fee.

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At the University of California, for example, there's a nonresident fee of $34,200 per year for those entering the system. So how much do Chinese students contribute to UC coffers?

With annual tuition and fees of $49,134 per Chinese student, they could pay a total of more than $876 million a year, according to an estimate calculated by The Times. And their overall economic impact, inclusive of other items such as room and board, is much higher.

This is a significant source of income for the universities, especially in a year with so many other financial strains, said George Blumenthal, former UC Santa Cruz chancellor and former director of the UC Berkeley Center for Studies in Higher Education. In the current moment, this will have a significant financial impact on at least the public universities in California.

Blumenthal said universities are simultaneously dealing with financial hits and stressors on multiple fronts, including state cuts related to a tight budget year, widespread cancellation of federal health- and science-research grants, and a sharp reduction of federal reimbursement for overhead costs related to research.

International students reeling

The Trump administration's dizzying array of executive orders and other directives focused on higher education has been especially overwhelming for international students and faculty.

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Read more: S. Jack Hu, new UC Riverside chancellor, defends international students amid Trump crackdown

This week, the State Department stopped scheduling visa interviews with students from foreign countries and said it was preparing to increase the vetting of prospective international students social media activity.

"Using social media as a valid means to identify bad foreign students also seems an inadequate and invasive tool, but part of a larger pattern of an administration bent on political cleansing," said John Aubrey Douglass, a senior research fellow at UC Berkeley Center for Studies in Higher Education. "... It's all part of an effort to erode the autonomy and credibility of American universities, with a surprising level of intensity."

On Thursday, a federal judge extended an order that had blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to stop Harvard University from enrolling foreign students  the latest in an increasingly rancorous fight between the nation's oldest university and the federal government.

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But among those in L.A.'s Asian American community, the issue of the visa revocations was top of mind.

Connie Chung Joe, chief executive of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, said the visa issue called to mind the Chinese Exclusion Act  a part of American history that has widely been denounced as racist against those of Chinese descent because it wrongly labeled them as untrustworthy or inherently dangerous.

It seems the administration is choosing to repeat history by implementing an immigration policy that specifically targets students of Chinese nationality without clear and justifiable cause, she said.

Wang, the UCLA student, will soon be applying for a work visa  under a cloud. He said the unpredictability of the Trump administration has left him feeling unsafe.

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And, he said, "unprotected."

Times staff writer Jaweed Kaleem contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
US immigration officials are working on flying back a Guatemalan migrant who says he was wrongly deported to Mexico, according to new court filings, in what appears to mark the first time the Trump administration has made plans to bring back a migrant after a judge ordered the administration to facilitate their return.

Phoenix-based immigration officials are currently working with ICE Air to bring O.C.G. back to the United States on an Air Charter Operations (ACO) flight return leg, the Justice Department said in the Wednesday court filing, referring to the pseudonym the migrant is using in the case.

US District Judge Brian Murphy, who sits in Boston, ordered O.C.G.s return last week. The case that Murphy is overseeing concerns the deportation of migrants to third countries, or nations that are not their home country.

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After entering the US and being deported a first time, the Guatemalan man reentered the US again in 2024, at which point he sought asylum, having suffered multiple violent attacks in Guatemala, according to court documents.

On his way to the US during the second trip, O.C.G. said, he was raped and held for ransom in Mexico  a detail he made known to an immigration judge during proceedings. In 2025, a judge ruled he should not be sent back to his native country, the documents say.

Two days after the judge ruled he should not be removed to Guatemala, the government deported him to Mexico, according to Murphys order. O.C.G. had claimed in the case that he had not been given the opportunity before his deportation to communicate his fear of being sent to Mexico and that his pleas before his removal to speak to an attorney were rejected. The government had been arguing in the case that O.C.G. had communicated to officials before his removal that he had no fear about being deported to Mexico. But recently, the government had to back down from that claim, acknowledging that it could not identify an immigration official who could substantiate that version of events.

Before Murphys ruling, O.C.G. filed a declaration that said he was now in Guatemala, where he has been living in hiding, in constant panic and constant fear.

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O.C.G.s removal to Mexico and subsequently Guatemala likely lacked due process, Murphy said in his ruling. During his immigration proceedings, O.C.G. said he feared being sent to Mexico, but the judge told him that since Mexico isnt his native country, he cant be sent there without additional steps in the process, the ruling said.

Those necessary steps, and O.C.G.s pleas for help, were ignored. As a result, O.C.G. was given up to Mexico, which then sent him back to Guatemala, where he remains in hiding today, Murphy said.

Murphys ruling came days after an appeals court denied the Trump administrations request to put on hold an order requiring it to facilitate the return of a 20-year-old Venezuelan migrant wrongly deported to El Salvador earlier this year.

During a hearing earlier this month, US District Judge Stephanie Gallagher said officials had done virtually nothing to comply with her directive that they facilitate the migrants return to the US from the mega-prison in El Salvador where he was sent so he can have his asylum application resolved.

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In a similar case, the Trump administration has been in a standoff with another federal judge in Maryland over her order that it facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was mistakenly deported in March.

US District Judge Paula Xinis, who is overseeing the case, has faced repeated stonewalling from the Justice Department and members of the Trump administration, who have continued to thwart an expedited fact-finding search for answers on what officials are doing to facilitate his return from El Salvador.

CNNs Karina Tsui contributed to this report.

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A federal judge in New Jersey ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration's effort to deport pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil on foreign policy grounds is most likely unconstitutional but stopped short of releasing him from detainment.

In a lengthy order, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz said Khalil was "likely to succeed" in his claim that the administrations determination that he is a threat to U.S. foreign policy is "unconstitutionally vague."

Farbiarz said the rarely used provision in immigration law the government cited for Khalil's detention was "unconstitutional as applied" to Khalil and added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not "affirmatively determine" that Khalil's conduct had any impact on U.S. relations with another country.

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Farbiarz said deporting Khalil under the provision would be unprecedented.

Khalils legal team said in a statement, The district court held what we already knew: Secretary Rubios weaponization of immigration law to punish Mahmoud and others like him is likely unconstitutional.

They added that his continued detention is an affront to justice and vowed to continue fighting for his freedom.

The Justice and State departments did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday night.

The ruling is the first time a federal judge has weighed in on the constitutionality of the Trump administration's use of the immigration provision.

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Farbiarz ordered Khalil's legal team to submit additional information while he considers its request to release Khalil and block the administration from invoking the law against other noncitizens who have spoken out in support of Gaza or were critical of Israel while the case proceeds.

Still, Farbiarz said, Khalil's attorneys have not made a "substantial argument" against the government's allegations that Khalil withheld information from his permanent residency application. Farbiarz said his attorneys are permitted to address the issue in subsequent filings.

Khalil, who is a permanent U.S. resident, was arrested at his Columbia University apartment in March as part of President Donald Trumps crackdown on foreign students who his administration alleges are a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

After he was arrested in New York, Khalil was transported briefly to a facility in New Jersey and then transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he is currently held.

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Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement Wednesday night: "It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should no longer be in this country."

Khalils attorneys have submitted evidence rebuking allegations of antisemitism, and they denied he ever provided support to Hamas or any other terrorist organization.

Multiple federal judges in recent weeks have ordered the government to release other pro-Palestinian activists, including Mohsen Mahdawi, Rumeysa Ozturk and Badar Khan Suri, from immigration detention while they fight the administration's efforts to deport them.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Abilene is quietly transforming from a quiet West Texas town into a potential global epicenter for artificial intelligence, thanks to the ambitious Stargate Project and President Donald Trumps backing.

Stargate, a $500 billion plan led by tech heavyweights like OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, hopes to redefine the future of AI while reshaping Texas economic landscape.

Following a White House meeting earlier this year, word surfaced that construction had already begun in remote parts of West Texas. Now, Trump has announced the monumental project alongside some of the most influential names in the AI industry.

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This will be the most important project of this era, said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, during a 2025 White House visit.

The main goal of the massive endeavor is allegedly to boost Americas leadership in AI technology, and Abilene is already anticipating the benefits of being chosen as the headquarters for Stargate. This undertaking could bring tremendous economic opportunitiesand huge pressure.

The Stargate Projects data center is already under construction on a nearly 900-acre site near the city. Once completed, the facility is expected to house almost 4 million square feet of data center space powered by around 1.2 gigawatts of electricity, per BusinessInsider, making it one of the largest AI-focused data centers in the world, if not the largest to date.

To support the huge computing demands, Oracle plans to invest around $40 billion in acquiring 400,000 of Nvidias latest GB200 chips  some of the most advanced technology in the modern computing era. These chips will likely be installed/used at the Abilene facility to provide the necessary power for advanced AI applications, applications that could change our perception of technology as we know it.

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Local leaders of the small Texas city have already been vocally optimistic about all the economic benefits the Stargate Project will bring to West Texas.

Stargate is expected to create numerous job opportunities and stimulate the local economy. Local media outlets, such as BigCountryHomepage, have already posted several high-paying job opportunities.

According to the Development Corporation of Abilene, the City Council approved a tax abatement agreement that could grant Crusoe, the data centers developer, an 85% property tax break based on a minimum $2.4 billion investment in the area.

$2.4 billion could do a lot for Abilene, a city with a listed population of around 130,000 by the 2024 census.

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To meet the other huge energy requirements the Stargate hub needs, plans are underway to construct an on-site natural gas plant capable of producing up to 360.5 megawatts of power, per BusinessInsider. The new facilities could provide both primary and backup power exclusively for the data centers needs, hopefully locking in a reliable energy supply for one of the biggest demands in Texas history.

AI holds incredible promise for all of us, said Oracle founder Larry Ellison in January after a speech from Trump on Stargate.

Weve been working with OpenAI for awhile. The data centers are actually under construction, the first of them are under construction in Texas. Each building is half a million square feet. There are 10 buildings currently being built, but that will expand to 20 and other locations beyond the Abilene location, which is our first location, Ellison added, per The Abilene Reporter News.

There is no word yet on how Stargate will affect the states energy grid, which has had Texans begging for more stability and consistency after recent storms, as The Dallas Express has consistently covered in the past.
Donald Trump has accused European countries of not helping with the HIV/Aids pandemic, as the UN warned sweeping US cuts to its HIV response programme will cost millions of lives.

Speaking to The Independent, comments included in a new documentary on the impact of the cuts, the president said the United States had spent billions and billions of dollars to combat the disease and was the only country assisting, adding that now it was Europes turn to step up.

Nobody does anything but the United States Other countries should be helping us with that, he said onboard Air Force One during a trip back from Florida this month. Were the only country. Where are the others? Where is France? Where is Germany? Weve spent billions and billions of dollars.

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Although the US has by far been the largest funder of HIV support worldwide  providing more than two-thirds of the cash, according to the UNs Aids agency (UNAIDS)  France, Germany, and the UK are also among the top five contributors globally.

The Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) was first introduced by Republican president George W Bush in 2003 and is widely regarded as one of the worlds most successful responses to a global disease crisis, having saved over 26 million lives.

UNAIDS told The Independent that Pepfar was integral to putting the world on track to end the HIV/Aids pandemic by 2030. But that progress is now in jeopardy.

In a shocking move during the first few hours of his presidency, Mr Trump signed an executive order freezing almost all foreign assistance for 90 days while programmes were reviewed to ensure they aligned with American interests.

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That included a funding freeze for Pepfar, disrupting supplies and treatment for 20 million people worldwide.

Elon Musk and his son join Donald Trump as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office (AFP/Getty)

Although a waiver was later issued by the State Department to allow the continuation of life-saving services, it remains unclear if the waiver is being implemented on the ground. The 90-day freeze period has now passed without a permanent decision made on the future of funding for programmes like Pepfar.

A documentary investigation by The Independent, which includes reporting from remote areas in Uganda and Zimbabwe, shows that money is not getting through. Clinics are having to close and patients have lost access to their medication, causing illness, death and medication-resistant HIV strains.

The Independents own calculations, based on UNAIDS data, show that if funding is not reinstated and nothing changes, the HIV/Aids death toll will triple by 2030  reaching the devastating levels seen in the 1990s and early 2000s. At the same time, there could be an additional 6 million new infections, including 1 million children, due to mother-to-child transmission.

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Pepfars impact tracker has predicted that, as a result of the aid freezes, an estimated 35,000 deaths have already occurred.

On the ground in Uganda, The Independent met women like Hadja, 27, a mother of three in Uganda, who is HIV positive and pregnant but unable to get hold of antiretrovirals  meaning she cannot prevent transmission of HIV to her unborn child.

The documentary also features Hardlife, a 15-year-old Zimbabwean who lost both his HIV-positive parents earlier this year because they could not afford or find their medications.

The film also visits an HIV/Aids clinic in southern Uganda that was 100 percent funded by USAID.

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Staff said they had to shut down for two months, then reopen with a skeleton crew working without pay. They now have only two months worth of drug supplies left and worry about the future of their patients.

In Uganda, Hadja, a pregnant mother of three, is worried that without her HIV medication the virus will spread to her unborn baby (Bel Trew/The Independent)

Angeli Achrekar, deputy executive director of UNAIDS, told The Independent there were challenges in applying the waiver.

The whole HIV service delivery system is an ecosystem. Any one kink in the system could cause a real ripple effect across the entire HIV ecosystem, she said.

When asked about the apparent failure of the waiver, MrTrump told The Independent that it shouldnt be happening and urged the countries involved to act properly on the waiver.

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But I do ask: why are we the only country doing it? Im a big fan of getting this solved, he added.

Although the US was carrying the lions share of the financial burden of funding the fight against HIV/Aids  and is in the words of UNAIDS the most important donor  it is not the only donor.

According to data shared by the Global Fund to Fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, Germany and France are among the largest donors.

The Global Fund is another major part of the global response to HIV/Aids that pools resources from governments, civil society, and the private sector to fund programmes to end these diseases.

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Their data shows France, a founding member of the Global Fund is the largest European donor and the second-largest public donor overall, behind the US. They have contributed 6.9bn since the fund was started 20 years ago.

In the last replenishment conference in 2022, France pledged 1.6bn for the years 2023 to 2025  nearly a quarter increase from its previous contribution.

Hardlife, 15, and Shallom, 16, separately lost their parents to HIV in the last few months  Chimanimani, Zimbabwe (Bel Trew/The Independent)

Germany, meanwhile is the fourth-largest public donor overall, contributing over 5.3bn since the fund was created 20 years ago. It pledged 1.3bn for the 20232025 cycle, according to the Global Fund.

UNAIDS officials told The Independent that while the US has provided the most funds, countries have also played a significant role relative to their economic size.

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There has also been a move to increase domestic funding and resilience from countries hardest hit by the HIV/Aids pandemic.

We do recognise and want to celebrate that the US has been the largest donor and has done an amazing job during the last decades. Thanks to that we are where we are in the HIV response, so it has been amazing leadership and contributions, Jaime Atienza Azcona, a director at UNAID, told The Independent.

Others have done their part, but to a lesser degree. Going forward, we need a more balanced approach among the different donors. But we still need donor support and we still need the US leadership, even if it is at a lower scale.

The Independent reached out to the foreign ministries of both France and Germany for comment on President Trumps accusations but has yet to receive a reply.

This story has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid series
President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of notorious former gang leader Larry Hoover after being lobbied for years by Kanye West.

Hoover, now 74, was the leader of the Chicago-based Gangster Disciples and was convicted in 1997 for running the criminal enterprise.

He was serving a 200-year federal sentence in a Colorado supermax prison, but after the presidents intervention, he will be transferred to a state prison in Illinois to see out the rest of the sentence on state charges.

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Prosecutors described Hoover as one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history. In court filings, they said that he was responsible for directing violence and drug trafficking in Chicago from at least 1970 until 1995.

Kanye West, pictured in the Oval Office in 2018, has lobbied President Donald Trump for years to pardon Larry Hoover, the notorious gang leader. The president has commuted Hoovers sentence and he will be transferred from Colorados supermax prison to a state prison in Illinois. (AFP/Getty)

Hoovers attorneys welcomed the move from Trump and said that Hoover has demonstrated considerable growth and complete rehabilitation behind bars.

Despite the Courts unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters, they said in a statement to CBS News. Thankfully, Mr. Hoovers pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover.

Hoovers legal team was told Monday that the commutation was going ahead, according to The New York Times.

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This is an older gentleman who has a lot of health concerns and who has aged out of criminality, Justin Moore, one of his lawyers, said.

Prosecutors described Hoover as one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history. In court filings, they said that he was responsible for directing violence and drug trafficking in Chicago from at least 1970 until 1995. (Larry Hoover Jr.)

Trump was lobbied to commute the gangsters sentence by West, which intensified after Alice Marie Johnson, the presidents pardon czar, was appointed to advise the White House, according to Moore.

WORDS CANT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER, West said in a post on X, even though Hoover will remain locked up.

West met with Trump at the White House in 2018 where he said it was very important to him to free Hoover.

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 I have to go and get him free because he was doing positive inside of Chicago, just like how Im moving back to Chicago, and its not just about, you know, getting on stage and being an entertainer and having a monolithic voice thats forced to be a specific party, West said, according to a transcript of the meeting.

Trump was lobbied to commute the gangsters sentence by West, which intensified after Alice Marie Johnson, the presidents pardon czar, was appointed to advise the White House, according to one of Hoovers attorneys. (Getty Images)

In 2022, Hoover claimed he is no longer the Larry Hoover people sometimes talk about, or he who is written about in the papers, or the crime figure described by the government.

He claimed he was anecdotally aware that some misguided people had used him as a symbol, adding that he wished this were not so.

I am no longer a member, leader, or even an elder statesman of the Gangster Disciples, Hoover wrote. I want nothing to do with it now and forever.

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Federal prosecutors claimed that Hoover has continued to orchestrate gang activity in some capacity while imprisoned, and have stated that they believe he would attempt to reclaim his position as the gangs leader if released.

In July 2020, Chicagos top federal prosecutor, US Attorney John Lausch, told the judge that it would be a miscarriage of justice to reduce [Hoovers] sentence in any way, shape or form.
President Donald Trump seems to be fond of handing out pardons to people who apparently make nice to him or to people who seem to not deserve it. We see it with the current batch of crooks hes letting loose, including 1,500 January 6 rioters; two Washington D.C. cops who killed a Black man; and most recently, reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley who flexed $30 million in fraud.

Trump is getting headlines for commuting the sentence of Larry Hoover, co-founder of Chicago gang Gangster Disciples, who was sentenced to prison in 1973 for ordering the murder of a drug dealer. Trump said that these people and a list of others were victims of a weaponized criminal justice system, but there are others who he has not yet explained why they are being released.

Hoover was hit with between 150 and 200 years and was federally convicted in 1997, receiving a life term. He must still serve the state charges, so currently theres no sign hell walk free.



But Trumps decision to commute Hoovers sentence is a mixed bag. Heres why:





Hes Been a Cause Celebre For Years

Hip-hop has advocated for Hoovers release for quite some time now. In 2021, Kanye West and Drake performed in a benefit concert for him, that was put together by Rap-a-Lot founder J. Prince. Many in hip hop have been part of an effort to gain awareness of Hoovers efforts to reform the GDs (which he proclaimed in the 90s to mean Growth and Development and helping to form a record label and a nonprofit organization.

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There definitely was more to it than just him being a gangster. He was a real leader, and he was trying to lead people in the right direction, Larry Hoover Jr. told WBEZ last year.

His Legacy is Unquestionably Sordid



On the other hand, nobody can deny what the Gangster Disciples meant in the streets of the Chi for many years. The GDs were one of a number of South and West side gang sets, which are still infamous. While the GDs evolved from other gangs that formed to push back against racist gangs terrorizing Black Chicagoans, the latter result was Black Chicagoans still living in terror.

The GDs were not responsible for all of this, but they did have their share, and it was largely the result of what emerged from Hoovers actions.

A Leering Third Question

Okay, so Trump is saying Hoover is done serving time as far as hes concerned. But if hes granting him a reprieve, presumably because of the unfairness of the justice system, then can the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York do the same for Assata Shakur, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and Joy Powell, respectively?

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Or at least get the FBI off Shakurs back? Not to mention the people ICE is disappearing from the country just for being Latino or Muslim. Although the three names mentioned are state cases, the evidence is clear that what Trump considers justice means its time to question the entire justice system.



Madison J. Gray is a New York-based journalist. He blogs at www.starkravingmadison.com.

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President Trump has commuted the sentence of top political donor Imaad Zuberi, who had been sentenced in 2021 to 12 years in prison for giving illegal campaign contributions to former President Biden and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

A White House official confirmed the news to The Hills sister network NewsNation on Wednesday.

Zuberi had pleaded guilty in 2019 and 2020 to tax evasion, lobbying top U.S. officials while working as a foreign agent, campaign finance violations and obstruction of justice. Alongside the 12-year sentence, U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips ordered Zuberi pay close to $16 million in restitution and a nearly $2 million fine.

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Im deeply sorry and, of course, humiliated, Zuberi previously told Phillips. I have no excuse for what Ive done.

Zuberi has also been accused of putting together meetings with U.S. and foreign politicians as well as being behind a straw donor plot.

Everyone wants to come to Washington to meet people, Zuberi said in a decade-old email in which he was attempting to put together a meeting between the president of Guinea and a congress member, according to the AP.

We get request(s) for meeting(s) from all scumbag of the world, warlords, kings, queens, presidents for life, military dictators, clan chiefs, tribal chiefs and etc.

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The New York Times previously reported Zuberi donated more than $1.1 million in the three months following Trumps first election to committees linked with the president and the GOP after previously backing former President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her 2016 bid for the presidency.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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President Donald Trump set a two-week deadline Wednesday for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to make progress on ceasefire negotiations over Ukraine, adding thinly veiled threats about the consequences for Moscow if he isn't satisfied.

The two leaders have long shared a public rapport, but tensions have mounted recently, with Trump increasingly frustrated by the Kremlins demanding what essentially amounts to a surrender by Kyiv in the two countries three-year-long war.

Trump recent complained that Putin is stringing him along, paired with his answer, Ill let you know in about two weeks, when he was asked in the Oval Office whether he thought Putin was serious about a peace deal.

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Were going to find out whether or not hes tapping us along or not, and if he is, well respond a little bit differently, Trump added.

A Ukrainian soldier near Chasiv Yar, Ukraine, on Tuesday. (Oleg Petrasiuk / Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

The challenge is that a plausible timeline for getting to a real ceasefire is just longer than two weeks or two months, said Samuel Charap, the distinguished chair in Russian policy at the Rand Corp., a California-based public policy think tank.

Charap added that in the absence of a regular negotiating format, there was also little clarity over whether the deadline could produce any serious results.

The president sees this as something that could, can and should be finished and dealt with immediately, and that is just not the nature of the way this war is going to end, he said.

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The White House now faces the question of whether the openly cordial relationship between Trump and Putin has failed to achieve the ceasefire it promised, instead emboldening the Kremlin.

Senior U.S. officials are ramping up pressure on Trump to consider tougher measures against Russia.

They include imposing new sanctions on Moscow, which Trump said Sunday he would absolutely consider before he contradicted himself Wednesday, saying, I dont want to screw it up by doing that.

But Trump may not have a choice if the Senate's Russia hawks get their way and pass a bipartisan bill that includes a 500% tariff on buyers of Russian exports, including oil.

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Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said last week that their putative bill had 81 co-sponsors before Graham underscored his point in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Wednesday.

In it, Graham warned the Senate would take action if Putin continued to play games, adding, Im hoping for the best, but when it comes to the thug in Moscow, we should all prepare for more of the same.

The aftermath of a Russian airstrike on a residential area in the city of Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday. (Jose Colon / Anadolu via Getty Images)

Moscow has done little to dispel that reputation of slow-walking the president in recent days. Putin has yet to deliver a memorandum for a peace agreement that he promised shortly after the two leaders spoke on the phone over a week ago.

The Kremlin says that a document is in its final stages and that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday proposed fresh direct talks with Ukraine on June 2 at which, he said, Moscow would hand over its proposal.

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Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov accused Russia of delaying the process Wednesday on X, calling on the Kremlin to deliver its memorandum beforehand and pointing out that Kyiv had already done so.

Other advocates of tougher measures against Russia say the United States and its allies ought to target Russia's shadow fleet of around 500 shipping vessels used to export Russian oil around the world, which has largely evaded oil price cap sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.

White House officials previously feared such a move could trigger higher energy prices, with potentially damaging political and economic consequences, but the E.U. and Britain did just that last week as they announced a new raft of sanctions on Russia.

The Biden administration also sanctioned 183 Russian vessels in its final weeks in January.

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Such vessels have largely slipped under the West's gaze by avoiding any contracts for Western services, as well as certain types of insurance.

Russias shadow fleet strategy circumvents sanctions by avoiding reliance on Western service providers in the export supply chain, rather than concealing the origins and destinations of their cargoes, Craig Kennedy, an expert on Russian oil at Harvard University's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, said in a recent analysis.

Sanctions have already affected Russia's oil export revenues: The market price for Urals oil has slipped to $65 a barrel from a peak of $100 a barrel in 2022, shaving an estimated $142 billion off the Russian economy, according to the Kyiv School of Economics.

But that figure hasnt been as large as previously hoped, Kennedy said.

A woman says goodbye to her grandson, Roman Martyniuk, 17, at his funeral Wednesday in Korostyshiv, Ukraine. He was killed by a Russian aerial attack Sunday. (Paula Bronstein / Getty Images)

Western sanctions have significantly reduced Russias oil export revenues, Kennedy wrote, adding, Nonetheless, its fair to say that sanctions have fallen far short of their potential for limiting Russias export earnings, while avoiding counterproductive market disruptions.

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Even so, Trump has significant leverage over Russia if he chooses to use it, experts say, including blacklisting the rest of the shadow fleet, imposing secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil and gas and even imposing a full U.S. financial embargo on Russia.

That would raise doubts about how long Moscow can continue to wage a costly war in Ukraine, said Daniel Fried, a retired American diplomat who worked in Eastern Europe and helped craft sanctions on Russia during the Obama administration.

Fried cited studies suggesting Russia will have trouble continuing the war at this pace once its [currency] reserves run out, which theyre likely to do.

Itll never be 100% effective. The good news is it doesnt have to be, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administrations attempt to strip Harvard University of the ability to enroll international students.

U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs agreed to extend a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from enforcing its action, after the government gave the school a 30-day deadline to challenge its revocation of Harvards Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.

Burroughs said she intended to issue a preliminary injunction, which would prevent the Trump administration from moving forward without the proper legal procedures. I do think an order is necessary. It doesnt need to be draconian, but I want to make sure nothing changes. I want to maintain the status quo, Burroughs said at the hearing Thursday.

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News of the order sparked a wave of relief at Harvards commencement, as students learned that the governments crackdown on their peers could not be enforcedfor now.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced last week that the government would revoke Harvards SEVP certification because the school had supposedly failed to comply with the administrations requests for information. Noem alleged that Harvard had collaborated with the Chinese Communist Party and failed to address antisemitism on campus.

If Harvard lost its SEVP certification, not only would the university not be allowed to accept foreign students for the 20252026 academic year, but those who were already enrolled would have to transfer or lose legal status, as well. International students currently make up about a quarter of Harvards student body.

In a brief filing last week, Burroughs granted Harvards request for a temporary restraining order, after the university immediately sued the government for what the school called an unlawful and unwarranted action.

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The Trump administration responded Wednesday night, requesting that Harvard provide evidence to rebut the grounds for withdrawal of certification and even more information about its international students, as well as assurances to provide a campus environment free from violence and antisemitism.

In a post on X Thursday, Noem claimed that the school had demonstrated a pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hate.

The administrations crackdown on Harvard comes amid a broader crusade to shutter pro-Palestinian speech on campuses, following the arrests of several international students for a range of noncriminal activity, including advocating for institutional divestment from Israel in an op-ed and having family ties to a former adviser for Hamasa blatant violation of their First Amendment rights.

This latest development also comes hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would begin aggressively revoking the visas of Chinese students. The administration has also temporarily halted all student visa interviews.

This story has been updated.
Calla Hayes, the executive director of A Preferred Womens Health Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, is used to protesters. The clinic sees thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators outside of its doors each year; the same group of faces greets her each day.

But in the months since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, shes seen a change in their behavior. Hayes believes that turnover in the White House, along with the Supreme Court decision nullifying Roe v. Wade in 2022, has emboldened the activists outside her clinics doors to start pushing boundaries.

Theyre just, like, giggling with glee, because theyre getting to push and see how far they can go, said Hayes about the newly empowered anti-abortion protesters.

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The shift in atmosphere came as the Trump administration scaled back enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act, which was approved on a bipartisan basis in 1994. That measure outlawed obstruction and property damage intended to hamper a clinics ability to conduct reproductive health services, including abortion. But with the Trump administrations order on the FACE Act, a bomb threat like the one Hayess clinic received in the summer of 2024 is no longer considered to be a threat worth reviewing by the federal government; indeed, the FBI has communicated to Hayes that it has dropped its investigation of the incident.

In a memo announcing its change in policy, the Department of Justice argued that the FACE Act was a prototypical example of weaponizing the legal system against conservatives. The agency will now only enforce the law under extraordinary circumstances, such as cases involving death, serious bodily harm, or serious property damage. Shortly after taking office, Trump also pardoned 23 anti-abortion activists who were convicted under the FACE Act, many of whom are now pressing forward with efforts to continue to obstruct abortion services.

Julie Burkhart, the founder and president of Wellspring Health Access in Casper, Wyoming, is intimately familiar with what can happen if abortion opponents decide to take drastic action. An arsonist set fire to Wellspring, the only facility providing procedural and medication abortion in the state, weeks before it was scheduled to begin seeing patients in 2022. The damage to the building set back its opening by a year. The threat has not been eliminated: Burkhart said that she had been recently alerted to videos posted to social media alluding to the fact that it wouldnt be a bad idea if it were set on fire again.

It really sends, you know, a chill down all of our spines, because we dont know who in law enforcement is going to have our back, said Burkhart. If, God forbid, there were a shooting, or an arson, or a place being floodedany act of violence at a facilitywe just dont know whos going to be there to respond and to help us.

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Without guarantee of federal response, Hayes is also concerned about how local law enforcement will engage. Despite spending several years building a relationship with city officials, the recent public struggles of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departmentincluding an ongoing audit of an alleged settlement with the police chief, who is now retiring at the end of the yearhave left Hayes worried about the degree to which the department will be able to focus on threats to the clinic.

Its always just that much more frustrating when [protesters] do something, and maybe the cops do come and they ask them to stop, but theres no no charges, theres no accountability, theres no nothing, said Hayes. Youre seeing this confusion about what to enforce and what not to enforce.

Meanwhile, abortion opponents are urging local law enforcement to follow the federal governments lead and stay out of their way. If youre a Christian police officer, a pro-life police officer, you need to commit in your heart not to arrest rescuers that are defending children, leave them be, even if it costs you your job. If youre not willing to protect the children yourself, let us do it, said Jonathan Darnel, one of the anti-abortion activists pardoned by Trump, in a recent online event.

Although the threats against clinics have yet to reach the apex of the anti-abortion demonstrations of the 1980s and 1990s, before the FACE Act was approved, providers warn that the current political environment could lead to a return to those conditions. A recent report published by the National Abortion Federation outlined thousands of incidents of violence and disruption against clinics in the years 2023 and 2024. This included 777 instances of obstruction of clinics, 621 instances of trespassing, 296 threats of death or harm to abortion providers and patients, and 128,570 protesters demonstrating outside of clinics over that two-year period. The report also noted that disruptions were likely being underreported, as clinics may not report all incidents, and not all abortion providers are members of NAF.

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Providers are also wary about the growing prevalence of abolitionist sentiment among abortion opponents who believe that people who seek abortions should be criminally liable. While this notion is still on the fringes of anti-abortion politics, it has become increasingly acceptable among mainstream politicians, with more than a dozen bills introduced in state legislative sessions across the country to assign personhood to embryos. Although these measures are considered long shots for passage, providers worry that the Trump administrations actions and the Dobbs decision have granted abolitionists a second wind.

Weve already talked to clinics in 2025 who have experienced increased hostility, higher numbers of protesters, and [are] really noting that it seems like the protesters have had a shift and are just emboldened and more aggressive and hostile under this administration, said Melissa Fowler, the chief program officer at NAF.

Fowler noted that, in the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, abortion opponents may travel to demonstrate at clinics in other states where the procedure remains legal. While 12 states have implemented a total ban on the procedure, there has been an increase in abortions since the Dobbs decision, in part because pregnant people seeking abortions will travel out of state. She also said that even in states where abortion is prohibited, clinics that provide other reproductive health services will still attract protesters.

It really just shows, I think, that these protesters dont really care about what theyre doing or the effect it has on people, and they really just continue to target anyone that walks into a facility, Fowler argued.

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Burkhart added that the worries about threats can be detrimental for both patients and clinic staff, which in turn can hamper their ability to provide care. That psychological weight that people who work in the clinics carry, being yelled at and harassed going into a parking lot, that raises your heart rate. Thats a stressor, she said.

Despite the potential risks and uncertainty, however, providers remain determined to offer abortion care, regardless of the political environment. Helen Weems, the owner of All Families Healthcare in Whitefish, Montana, said that her clinic was doing everything we can to heighten our security and our vigilance.

We wont be intimidated. We wont be cowed into shutting down, Weems said. We will continue to show up for our patients, because the need continues unabated.
Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House said Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism earlier this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Israel backed and supported the new proposal.

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Hamas officials gave the Israeli-approved draft a cool response, but said they wanted to study the proposal more closely before giving a formal answer.

The Zionist response, in essence, means perpetuating the occupation and continuing the killing and famine, Bassem Naim, a top Hamas official, told The Associated Press. He said it does not respond to any of our peoples demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine.

Nonetheless, he said the group would study the proposal with all national responsibility.

Hamas had previously said it had agreed with Witkoff on a general framework of an agreement that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an influx of aid, and a transfer of power from the militant group to a politically independent committee of Palestinians.

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Here's what's known about the emerging negotiations that aim to bring about an extended truce in the war in exchange for hostages that remain in captivity:

What do Israel and Hamas want?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. He has said Israel will control Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

Palestinians and most of the international community have rejected plans to resettle Gazas population, a move experts say would likely violate international law.

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Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages  its only bargaining chip  in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. It has offered to give up power to a committee of politically independent Palestinians that could oversee reconstruction.

Hamas is still holding 58 hostages. Around a third are believed to be alive, though many fear they are in grave danger the longer the war goes on. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its airstrikes and ground operations after ending a ceasefire in March.

The dispute over whether there should be a temporary ceasefire to release more hostages  as Israel has called for  or a permanent one  as Hamas wants  has bedeviled talks brokered by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar for more than a year and a half, and there's no indication it has been resolved.

What is the latest ceasefire proposal?

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Witkoff has not publicized his latest proposal, but a Hamas official and an Egyptian official independently confirmed some of the details. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.

They say it calls for a 60-day pause in fighting, guarantees of serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce and assurances that Israel will not resume hostilities after the release of hostages, as it did in March. Israeli forces would pull back to the positions they held during the ceasefire Israel ended that month.

Hamas would release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during the 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

Each day, hundreds of trucks carrying food and humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, where experts say a nearly three-month Israeli blockade  slightly eased in recent days  has pushed the population to the brink of famine.

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Why is it so hard to end the war?

Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages. More than half the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israel has rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.

Israel's ensuing military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly 2 million Palestinians, with hundreds of thousands living in squalid tent camps and unused schools.

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Hamas has been vastly depleted militarily and lost nearly all of its top leaders in Gaza. It most likely fears that releasing all the hostages without securing a permanent ceasefire would allow Israel to launch an even more devastating campaign to ultimately destroy the group.

Israel fears that a lasting ceasefire and withdrawal now would leave Hamas with significant influence in Gaza, even if it surrenders formal power. With time, Hamas might be able to rebuild its military might and eventually launch more Oct. 7-style attacks.

Netanyahu also faces political constraints: His far-right coalition partners have threatened to bring down his government if he ends the war too soon. That would leave him more vulnerable to prosecution on longstanding corruption charges and to investigations into the failures surrounding the Oct. 7 attack.

A broader resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict appears more distant than ever.

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The Palestinians are weak and divided, and Israel's current government  the most nationalist and religious in its history  is opposed to Palestinian demands for a state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war.

The last serious peace talks broke down more than 15 years ago.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. AP writers Fatma Khaled in Cairo and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed reporting.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
President Trump and Russian officials are engaged in a war of words, a sign of escalating tensions between the two powers as Trump grows increasingly frustrated over the lack of progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump has posted in recent days on social media that Russian President Vladimir Putin had gone absolutely CRAZY and warned he was playing with fire with continued strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Moscow, meanwhile, has issued coy responses to Trump as it carries out deadly strikes against Kyiv, cautioning the U.S. president against emotional overload and warning that the only bad outcome would be WWIII.

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Lawmakers in both parties have used the shift in tone to urge Trump to take a tougher stance through sanctions on Russia, while experts argued it was still unclear whether the president would match his stronger rhetoric with action.

Were going to find out whether hes tapping us along or not. And if he is, well respond a little bit differently. But it will take about a week and a half, two weeks, Trump told reporters Wednesday when asked if he thought Putin wanted to end the war.

They seem to want to do something, but until the document is signed, I cant tell you. Nobody can, Trump added. I can say this  that Im very disappointed at what happened a couple of nights now where people were killed in the middle of what you would call a negotiation.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border for weeks. Tens of thousands of troops on both sides of the conflict have been killed in the more than three years since.

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Trump campaigned in 2024 on a pledge that he would end the war in Ukraine before even taking the oath of office. But he has found it more difficult than expected to strike a peace deal, and he has lashed out in recent months at both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump aides have met separately with officials from both Russia and Ukraine, and Russian and Ukrainian officials spoke directly earlier this month for the first time since the war began. While Ukrainian leaders have said they would back a 30-day ceasefire, Russia has not shown a serious interest in any kind of pause in fighting.

In recent days, Trumps ire has been directed mostly at Putin. Trump has in the past drawn intense scrutiny from Democrats for his friendly approach to the Russian leader and his desire for good relations with Moscow.

But Trumps patience appeared to be wearing thin as Putin launched a barrage of strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent days while the U.S. pushed for a detente.

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The president claimed Tuesday that he was the reason lots of really bad things had not happened to Russia. That came two days after Trump said Putin was needlessly killing a lot of people, and Im not just talking about soldiers.

Some experts see Trumps newfound frustrations as a change in tone.

I do think its a shift, and one that may be designed to send a signal to Putin that Trump is not going to write him a blank check, said Brett Bruen, a former diplomat who was director of global engagement in the Obama White House. Whether or not hell accept something far short of what is smart remains an open question.

Bruen likened Trumps back-and-forth with Putin to his first-term dalliance with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which shifted between bombastic rhetoric that raised the specter of conflict and two in-person summits that presented a chance at diplomacy but ultimately yielded limited results.

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Senators in both parties, perhaps sensing an opening with Trumps public frustration with Russia, have urged the president to take a firmer posture toward Moscow.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Trump should take decisive action against Putin like he has done in cutting off federal grants for Harvard University.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally and a leading backer of a bill in the Senate that would impose additional sanctions on Russia, argued Tuesday that Putin has shown he is not willing to end the war.

Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.), the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S. must join our allies in levying new sanctions on Russia to intensify the economic pressure.

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Zelensky told reporters Tuesday that Trump indicated during a recent meeting in the Vatican that he supported additional sanctions on Russia.

Our conversation was positive from the point of view that I perceive our conversation as a confirmation of the U.S. policy of imposing strong sanctions against Russia if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire, Zelensky said.

While lawmakers and foreign leaders waited to see if Trumps tough talk toward Putin would lead to action, the U.S. president has signaled he may feel the need to meet with the Russian leader face-to-face for there to be any clear progress.

Trump shrugged off Putins absence at negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey earlier this month, arguing there was no reason for Putin to attend if Trump himself would not be there.

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Trump has talked repeatedly about a potential in-person summit with Putin this summer, though the timing and location of any such meeting is still up in the air.

Experts cautioned that it plays to Putins advantage the longer the U.S. continues to bide its time.

Hes learning how difficult this kind of diplomacy with the Kremlin is, Bruen said. I think hes significantly underestimated what is a pretty shrewd actor in the case of Putin.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Like so many stories about Donald Trump, this one begins with a tweet.

More than a decade ago, Trump mused about whether Vladimir Putin would attend a beauty pageant that Trump was sponsoring in Moscow and, if so, whether Putin would become my new best friend. That seemingly random 2013 Twitter missive launched one of the most enduring and significant geopolitical bromances in recent timesone that has persisted despite election-interference allegations, a special-counsel investigation, and the invasion of Ukraine.

But in recent weeks, the relationship has begun to show signs of strain.

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Exasperated by Putins reluctance to sign off on a cease-fire with Kyiv and by new images of violence in Ukraine, Trump has expressed rare public anger at the Russian leader while privately mulling a series of sanctions meant to force Moscow to the negotiating table. Trump has started to feel humiliated that Putin is, as the president said this week, tapping him along, and is frustrated that Putin does not seem to want to end the war, two outside advisers to the president and a third person familiar with the negotiations told us. At the same time, Trump said yesterday that he will wait two weekshis favorite verbal crutch when stalling for timebefore deciding on his next move toward Russia, raising the specter that the Trump-Putin relationship will survive.

The two-week time frame also postpones a potential inflection point in the Ukraine war: Will the president walk away from the conflict, which would bolster Russia? Or will he, for the first time, truly stand up to Putin?

[Tom Nichols: Trumps tirades arent swaying Putin]

I do detect signs that hes trying to put some blue water between himself and Putin. He thought, because they were good friends, he could wrap up the deal in 24 hours. Obviously none of that came close to being true, John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser, told us. Now Putin has started to push him a little bit. Theyre starting to mock him.

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This is not how Trump thought it would go. He has long been impressed by Putin and his strongmans grip on power, and he worked hard to establish a relationship with his Russian counterpart. During Trumps first term, the pair met on multiple occasions without any staff present, a departure from protocol. And, infamously, Trump sided with Putin over his nations own intelligence agencies when asked during a 2018 Helsinki summit about Russian interference in the U.S. election two years earlier.

During his time out of office, Trump praised Putin as a genius and said repeatedly that, once back in the White House, he would settle the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a single day. He has since sought a summit with Putin that could turn into a made-for-TV moment to announce the end of the warand a long-coveted Nobel Peace Prize for himself. (He really wants a Nobel Peace Prize, Bolton told us. Hell take it for Ukraine, hell take it for Gaza, hell take it for Pakistan-India. Hes not particular.) In his early months in office, Trump has been eager to make business deals with Russia and blamed Ukraine for somehow instigating a war that actually began when Russia deployed its military across the border. He berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office and temporarily cut off U.S. intelligence sharing and military aid, allowing Russia to make gains on the battlefield.

He also claimed that Ukraineand specifically its leaderwas the biggest obstacle to peace. Trump has flashed deep antipathy toward Zelensky, whom he deems ungrateful for U.S. support and at least partially responsible for his 2019 impeachment. (Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate the family of his political rival Joe Biden.) In an Oval Office interview with The Atlantic in late April, when he was asked if there was anything Putin could do that would make him say he was on Zelenskys side and not Putins, Trump again underscored his fraught relationship with the Ukrainian leader: Not necessarily on Zelenskys side, but on Ukraines side, yes, the American president said. But not necessarily on Zelenskys side. Ive had a hard time with Zelensky.

Yet Zelensky had quickly agreed to a new U.S. proposal for a 30-day cease-fire in March. Russia stalled in doing the same. More than two months later, Moscow still has not agreed to a pause in the fighting and instead has escalated the violence, unleashing waves of drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, killing more than a dozen people.

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That onslaught was the latest act of defiance from Putin, coming days after he skipped a possible meeting with Zelensky and Trump in Istanbul and then blustered through a two-hour call with the American president without agreeing to a cessation in hostilities. On Sunday, Trump bemoaned Putins defiance, writing on Truth Social, Ive always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! A Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, responded by musing that Trump was having emotional reactions.

Trump initially believed that Russia was willing to negotiate, according to the person familiar with the negotiations, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal conversations. But once Ukraine accepted the cease-fire proposal, it was almost like calling the Russians bluff, and its clear at this point Putin is playing a delay tactic and the president finds it very frustrating, the person said. Hes genuinely frustrated that he thought Putin was in a place to have meaningful dialogue and seems to have reversed course.

Despite Trumps claim, there is little evidence that Putin has changed in some way; the KGB officer turned dictator has a long history of deceit. For more than a year, the United States and its allies have assessed that Putin is not willing to negotiate an end to his war in Ukraine, because he thinks hes winning. Multiple intelligence evaluations have reached the same conclusion: For Putin, negotiating would mean giving something upfor example, ceding territory or agreeing to let Western powers continue to arm Ukraine. Putin is simply not willing to do that. And he likely believes nowwith some justificationthat he is successfully disrupting the NATO alliance and dividing Kyiv from Washington, according to intelligence officials in the United States and Europe.

[Tom Nichols: Putins still in charge]

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Trump, who hates scenes of war, has been disturbed by recent images of dead Ukrainian civilians, including children, according to the two outside advisers, who were granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. Had Putin accepted Trumps cease-fire offer instead of ratcheting up Russias attacks, Trump believes, those killings could have been prevented. It would not be the first time that gruesome images have spurred him into action. In 2017, Trump ordered missile strikes on a Syrian air base after he was shown what he said were horrific images of dead children killed by chemical weapons days before. Months later, he delivered a rare rebuke of Saudi Arabia after he was presented with photos of Yemeni children who were at risk of starving to death because of a blockade ordered by Riyadh.

In Trumps first term, his administration sanctioned Moscow for a variety of misdeeds, including sponsoring election interference and cyberhacking, but the president himself has long been reluctant to punish Russia in any meaningful way. Although Trump has in recent days talked with aides about unleashing new sanctions against Russia, he is waiting to see what happens when representatives from Ukraine and Russia meet for a second round of talks, set for next week in Istanbul; the U.S. is not planning to send a delegation, but White House aides said Trump wants to see progress.

The president is mad, but he also wants a deal, one of the outside advisers told us. Hes trying to figure out the best path to get therebut believe him when he says hell walk away.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally, has co-sponsored a bill with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut that would impose more sanctions against Russiaas well as secondary sanctions against other nations that do business with Moscowif Putin does not commit to peace talks. The measure now has the support of a bipartisan group of more than 80 senators, a veto-proof majority. But the White House is worried about a global rise in gas prices if stringent measures are put in place, an administration official and one of the outside advisers told us. Some in the administration are also leery of secondary sanctions, which could anger U.S. trading partners that purchase Russian energy, including China and India.

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President Trump inherited the brutal Russia-Ukraine war from Joe Biden, and has put forth great effort to solve it, in order to save lives, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told us in a statement. The President is hopeful this war will soon be solved and if it is nothe has options on the table.

If a frustrated Trump fully walks away from trying to bring an end to the conflict, that decision will almost certainly work to Russias advantage. Without pressure from Washington to negotiate, Russia is likely to further escalate its violence. (Moscows recent uptick in attacks came after Trump had said he might abandon talks.) If the Trump administration also decides to stop sharing intelligence or aid with Ukraine, then the momentum of the conflict could shift dramatically. Europe would bear more of the responsibility for supplying Ukraine with weapons and guaranteeing its security. Although the continent has rallied around Ukraine since the war began, European militaries cannot match the ability of the United States to fortify Kyiv.

[Jonathan Lemire: Trump weighs his options against Putin]

This is hardly the art of the dealeffectively telling Putin that if he doesnt engage in serious negotiations, he will suffer no costs and get everything he wants, Rebecca Lissner, a former deputy national security adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, told us. This is not particularly surprising, as Trump is perennially reluctant to get tough with Putin.

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Despite the recent tension with Trump, Putin has gotten nearly everything he has wanted from Washington since Trump returned to the presidency in January. Trump has weakened U.S. soft power around the world and feuded with traditional allies. If Trump were to walk away from talks now, or fail to follow through on his threats to punish Moscow, hed yet again be helping the man who in many ways did become his friend.

Shane Harris contributed reporting.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Theres nothing personal about President Donald Trumps ongoing war with Harvard University, according to the White House.

Representatives for first lady Melania Trump swiftly shut down rumors that the presidents aggressive campaign against the oldest Ivy League school began after son Barron Trumps application to the university was rejected.

Barron did not apply to Harvard, Nick Clemens, spokesperson for the office of the first lady, told E! News in a statement published on Wednesday. Any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false.

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Trumps youngest son, 19, recently wrapped up his first year at New York University, where he is enrolled in the Stern School of Business.

The president appears to have taken particular umbrage with Harvard since he embarked on his crusade to weed out diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and combat antisemitism at the nations top institutions, along with targeting international students critical of his administration.

President Donald Trumps beef with Harvard has nothing to do with his son, Barron, being rejected from the Ivy League. In fact, representatives for first lady Melania Trump say the teen never even applied to the school. Illustration: Kelly Caminero/HuffPost; Photo:Getty Images

After the Trump administration withdrew billions of dollars in federal grants from Harvard in April, the Department of Homeland Security subsequently attempted to revoke the prestigious universitys authority to issue visas for international students.

Hours after the administration terminated Harvards authority to sponsor student visas last Friday, a U.S. district judge temporarily blocked the effort, however. That order was extended on Thursday.

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As Harvard held its commencement ceremony for the class of 2025 that same day, the schools president, Alan Garber, was both trenchant and measured in his address to students.

Attendees erupted in applause as he greeted them, saying, Members of the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country and around the world  just as it should be.

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Imagine this: Youre in a heated public confrontation with a person on the street. A chaotic scene, raised voices, they shove you and you shove back. The problem is that the person you shoved is an undercover federal officer. No badge. No ID. No uniform. Next thing you know, youre charged with a federal crime by a federal prosecutor and facing eight years in federal prison. Bond denied. Trial delayed. And the government gets to call you a violent criminal on every news channel until your day in court.

Now imagine youre a sitting member of Congress.

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On May 19, 2025, federal prosecutors charged Rep. LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, under a little-known federal statute18 U.S. Code Section 111for allegedly assaulting and impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a visit to a Newark detention facility. The officers refused her entry to conduct a federally authorized oversight visit. Its still unclear whether the claimed assault was alleged to be physical or verbal. But whats clear is that Rep. McIvers prosecution reveals something much larger: Under the current administration, Section 111 is being reimagined as a blunt political weapon. Not to deter violencebut to silence dissent and criminalize opponents.

Section 111 makes it a crime to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with federal officials engaged in their duties. But heres the problem: You dont even need to know theyre federal officials. You can be convicted for shoving someone you think is just someone yelling in your face, even just placing them in reasonable fear of harm without physical contactif they turn out to be a plainclothes agent. Thats not hypothetical. Thats precedent, courtesy of the Supreme Court over 50 years ago.

Which means this: An undercover agent embedded in a protest, a public meeting, even a constituent town hall could claim to have been impeded, and the federal government can treat that moment as a federal crime. Under the current administrations appetite for authoritarianism, thats not a loophole, its a feature.

The right to resist unlawful force, including by the government, is as old as American law itself. As Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia explained, the Constitutions Bill of Rights is designed to guard against a spirit of oppression and tyranny on the part of rulers. The Second Amendment enshrines the right to self-defense as a direct check against government oppression.

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To this end, courts have recognized the legitimacy of self-defense, defense of others, and deadly force against state officers when force is excessive or unlawful. But by not requiring knowledge that the person is a federal officer, Section 111 erodes that principle, creating a chilling catch-22: Lawfully defend yourself against someone who looks like an attacker, and you could still spend months or years in jail before you are acquitted. Why? Because self-defense is a question for the jury at trialnot arraignment or pretrial. Trial may not come for months or years. Meanwhile, the prosecution insists: Were just following the law.

In practice, its even worse. Federal agents increasingly operate in masks and plain clothes, drive unmarked SUVs, and make arrests without warrants or even identifying themselves. Meanwhile, impersonators are exploiting this ambiguity often without fear of federal prosecution. Despite impersonation being a federal crime, federal prosecutors have not prosecuted ICE impersonatorsarmed with ICE-branded clothes and SUVs that look just official enoughwho have improperly removed people from jail, kidnapped civilians, and terrorized neighborhoods. In many communities, the difference between a rogue officer and a criminal impersonator is nearly impossible to discern. Yet the law criminalizes any mistaken resistance.

All of this is politically useful.

Because now, prosecutors and politicians dont have to justify the force, the policy, or even the officers conduct. Prosecutors just have to say, Were enforcing the law. And nontargeted politicians can merely deflect as their colleagues are silenced and worseas Rep. Don Bacon, A Nebraska Republican, did when asked about Rep. McIvers case, saying, I trust our law enforcement. In the end, weve got judges and juries, appeals. A confrontation becomes a crime. The arrest becomes the message. The criminal charge becomes the narrative: Criminal. Vermin. Thug. Enemy from within.

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McIvers case is a warning shot. And she wont be the last. Under this administration, Section 111 will be the perfect cudgel: hard to challenge, easy to abuse, and ready-made for headlines. You dont need conspiracy theories when the statute is already written.

Congress has a solution: Amend the law. Require that the defendant knewor at least should have knownthat the person they allegedly resisted was a federal officer. Thats not radical. Thats just fair. Such a requirement would not only align Section 111 with foundational principles of criminal culpability but also prevent the statutes overreach into matters more appropriately handled by state law. Litigating a shove between two people who perceive each other as private citizens in federal court federalizes conduct that lacks any meaningful federal interest. Without this fix, were one shove away from turning routine political protest, or routine oversight, into a federal crime.

This isnt just about Rep. McIver. Its about every person, journalist, activist, or legislator who lawfully defends themselves against unlawful force. The governments message is clear: obey or be made an example.

And if this sounds like a law President Trump would loveits because it is.
BALTIMORE  Mark Hemmis still cant bear to watch a YouTube compilation of harrowing 911 emergency calls from Ellicott City residents as brown water rushed down Main Street carrying cars and debris during the deadly 2016 flooding.

I cant get more than 90 seconds into it. Its unbelievably hard to listen to, said Hemmis, whose restaurant had to relocate up the street to accommodate flood prevention efforts. In 2018, the historic downtown endured another catastrophic storm.

Now, nine years later, two pieces of the citys ambitious flood mitigation plan  stormwater retention ponds funded by $10 million in low-interest loans  are being paused by the Trump administrations Federal Emergency Management Agency as it assesses the value of such disaster prevention projects.

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According to documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun, FEMA is also canceling as much as $150 million in additional funding designed to reduce flood potential and damage in some of Marylands most at-risk areas, including South Baltimore and the cities of Cambridge and Crisfield on the Eastern Shore.

In Crisfield, a flood-prone, Chesapeake Bay community in which most residents are supporters of President Donald Trump, the loss of multi-year grants totaling as much as $72 million is really disheartening. It means everything, said Mayor Darlene Taylor. Weve had businesses ruined. Some of the homes dont have insurance.

In picturesque Ellicott City, the pausing of low-interest loans for the large retention ponds is seen by residents as another barrier to overcome in a resilient town that experienced two devastating floods within 22 months.

I dont know enough about national politics to know what DOGEs plans are, said Hemmis, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency, a cost-cutting organization headed by billionaire Elon Musk.

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Hemmis purchased an old brick property in 2020 and moved his restaurant there, now called Phoenix Upper Main. The site of his former restaurant is now a park.

Hemmis remains committed to Ellicott City. The (Howard County) Safe and Sound program will move forward. The tunnel is underway, he said.

A mile-long tunnel, targeted for completion in 2027, is designed to move 26,000 gallons of water per second from the citys West End to the Patapsco River, diverting it away from Main Street. The tunnel is funded in part by a $75 million low-interest loan that was secured through a federal program in 2022, before Trump began his second term.

Trump seems to have a weird fascination with anything that has the words climate or environmental justice attached, said U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat whose district includes Ellicott City. Were seeing increased flooding again across this country. Rising tides dont recognize who is president. They dont care which is a red district or a blue district.

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Many of the now-scrapped projects were either funded or in the application or review phase of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program administered by FEMA.

FEMA, headed by Trump appointee Kristi Noem, canceled the program last month, calling it yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program. It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters.

Any program grant money not already distributed  amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars  will be immediately returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury, FEMAs announcement said.

The BRIC program was created by FEMA during the Republican Trumps first term. It became vulnerable because it was associated with climate change mitigation a politically volatile issue within Trumps administration while Democrat Joe Biden was in office.

Impacted areas

Affected projects include the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative, designed to reduce flooding in the area around MedStar Harbor Hospital in South Baltimore.

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About $5.2 million was previously awarded as Phase 1, but the remaining $26 million for Phase 2 had not yet been awarded under the now-canceled program, said an April memorandum of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management that was obtained by The Sun.

Other affected areas include Crisfield, which for years called itself the Seafood Capital of the World. Its downtown is regularly inundated by water. Main Street businesses must close during heavy floods.

Crisfield was seeking two flood mitigation grants from FEMA of about $36 million apiece. One was applied for by the state Department of Emergency Management but was not awarded.

The other is listed in the agencys memorandum among those that cant be applied for due to the cancellation of the BRIC program.

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A $16 million project to protect against major storms in Cambridge, a Dorchester County waterfront community, was also derailed for the same reason, the agency said.

Key to our survivability

Crisfields plan is basically to build a sea wall around our community, Taylor said. For two years, she said, the city held biweekly meetings with FEMA contractors and others to work out technical details of the plan.

It was really key to our survivability, she said. Businesses are reluctant to come here because the flooding is so frequent and so severe.

U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, raised the Crisfield examples during a May 1 committee hearing, calling them very, very heartbreaking.

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Communities spend years planning, and these not only make them safer through flood mitigation but it also contributes significantly to their economies, the senator said.

Asked for comment about the Maryland projects, FEMA sent The Sun a general statement similar to the one released by the agency when it cancelled the BRIC program. Under Secretary Noems leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need, it said.

We are disappointed

Flood-prone Ellicott City is in a valley near the Patapsco River. Heavy rains in 2011, 2016 and 2018 caused major flooding in the historic district, killing three people and leaving behind massive destruction.

The two retention ponds are part of a multi-year flood prevention effort costing well over $100 million. The plan includes five total ponds, a culvert project, and the tunnel.

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Howard County officials received approval in December for two $5 million, low-interest loans secured through the state before Trump took office in January. But closing on the loans  which are separate from the BRIC program  is on hold pending FEMA review and approval, according to Safa Hira, director of communications for Howard County Government.

We are disappointed that the $10 million to support the NC-3 and T-1 Pond projects is currently being held and reviewed by FEMA, said Felix Facchine, deputy chief of staff to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, a Democrat. While this funding is under review, we remain committed to advancing all components of the Safe and Sound Plan to safeguard Ellicott City from future flash floods.

Neither Hemmis nor Carrie Foley, the restaurants general manager, blamed Trump or anybody else for the funding delay.

I hope that resolves itself, but honestly, I know there are so many other things that are going on, Foley said. I have faith that things will work out. This town has been here long before us, itll be here long after. I think thats important.

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President Trump granted clemency to more than two dozen people Wednesday, including longtime political allies, reality TV stars and a Louisiana rapper.

His decision was influenced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson and the newly named Department of Justice Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, whose nomination for U.S. attorney for D.C. was withdrawn amid ethical concerns.

Today 26 deserving individuals were granted clemencies and pardons. Each one represents a story of redemption, rehabilitation, and resilience. Their second chance is a second shot at life, Johnson wrote in a Wednesday post on social platform X.

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The pardon czar later wrote that she was Tag teaming freedom with Ed.

Trump critics have questioned the motives behind the presidents unprecedented pardons and their projected impact on the criminal justice system.

Here is a look at some individuals granted clemency:

Imaad Zuberi

Imaad Zuberi was sentenced in 2021 to 12 years in prison after being convicted of obstructing an investigation into the presidents 2017 inaugural committee, in addition to violating lobbying, campaign finance and tax laws.

Zuberi donated more than $1.1 million to the Republican Party and committees with ties to the GOP after Trumps successful White House bid in 2016.

Former Gov. John Rowland

Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R) received a pardon after being convicted in two federal cases. Rowland, once the nations youngest governor, was elected to three terms prior to resigning.

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He also served as chair of the national Republican Governors Association in addition to three terms in Congress in the 1980s.

In 2014, he was convicted of election fraud and obstruction of justice. The guilty verdict came more than a decade after he pleaded guilty to being involved in a $90,000 pay-to-play scheme that brought him luxury flights from Key Air of Oxford to Las Vegas and Florida, according to NBC Connecticut.

Former Rep. Michael Grimm

Former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) was pardoned after resigning from the House of Representatives and pleading guilty to one count of felony tax fraud, and he acknowledged committing perjury, hiring illegal immigrants, and committing wire fraud, according to The New York Times.

The outlet said he operated a Manhattan restaurant where he failed to report $1 million in earnings and hundreds of thousands of dollars in employee wages. Grimm has been a vocal advocate for the president in recent years, taking to television to defend the New York native.

Former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson

Former Arkansas state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson was pardoned after being sentenced in 2023 to more than four years in prison in two cases involving bribery and tax fraud. He was one of several lawmakers and health care executives convicted in a Medicare fraud case, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported.

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Hutchinson is the son of former Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) and the nephew of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R).

James Callahan

Labor union leader James Callahan received a pardon one day before his scheduled sentencing before a federal judge.

The former general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty to accepting $315,000 in unreported goods and services from an advertising firm that the union used to place ads. The gifts he received ranged from free tickets to sporting events, concerts and theater showings in addition to hospitality packages, according to The Associated Press.

I dont know why you were pardoned, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said, AP reported.

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You werent pardoned because you were wrongfully convicted. You pled guilty to the misdemeanors. You werent pardoned because you were missentenced. Sentencing hadnt even occurred. You werent pardoned because the law was somehow unfair, either in general or to you.

Former Cincinnati City Council member Alexander Sittenfeld

Former Cincinnati City Council member Alexander P.G. Sittenfeld (D) received a pardon following his 2022 conviction for bribery and extortion related to donations to a political action committee, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. He accepted $20,000 from undercover FBI agents posing as advocates for a downtown property. His case appeared headed to the Supreme Court for review.

Sittenfeld was on the rise and expected to launch a successful mayoral bid before his conviction resulted in a 16-month prison sentence in 2024. He served more than four months before being released while his case was appealed, the Enquirer reported.

Mark Bashaw

Mark Bashaw, a former Army officer who was convicted by a military court-martial for refusing to follow the Pentagons COVID-19 safety rules, received a pardon.

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He was discharged from the Army in 2022 after a military judge ruled that he failed to comply with the Armys COVID protocol. Bashaw refused to take the COVID-19 shot and would not work remotely or submit a coronavirus test before reporting to work in person in addition to not wearing a face mask indoors.

Todd and Julie Chrisley

Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were granted clemency Wednesday after a 2022 conviction on bank fraud and tax evasion charges.

Their familys lavish lifestyle was documented on the show Chrisley Knows Best, which ran from 2014-23. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years in prison plus 16 months of probation, and Julie Chrisley received seven years behind bars plus 16 months of probation.

Kentrell Gaulden

Kentrell Gaulden, also known as NBA YoungBoy, is a Louisiana-based rapper who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon. He received a pardon. Gaulden, 25, is the father of 10 children and previously served several stints in juvenile detention.

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I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building  as a man, as a father and as an artist, Gaulden said in a statement on Instagram.

Larry Hoover

Trump commuted the federal life sentence of Chicago gang founder Larry Hoover. He co-founded the Gangster Disciples, which still operates on the street and in prison.

Hoover, who was convicted of murdering a rival gang leader, is still serving a 200-year sentence for a state murder conviction, the Chicago Tribune reported. Advocates have urged Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) to pardon the inmate, who says hes no longer affiliated with the Gangster Disciples, the outlet said.

Charles Tanner

Charles Tanner received a pardon five years after Trump commuted his life sentence at the end of his first term in 2020, The New York Times reported. He had been convicted of a nonviolent drug offense. The former a professional boxer from Indiana was arrested in 2004 for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

Charles Scott

Charles Scott was convicted of fraud for his role helping an Ohio corporation defraud investors. He also attempted to manipulate the companys stock, according to the Department of Justice. In 2024, he was sentenced to three years in prison for securities fraud and ordered to pay a $500,000 fine. He received a pardon Wednesday.

Earl Smith

Earl Lamont Smith, a former Army reserve sergeant, was convicted of theft of government property for stealing thousands of government computers and selling them for profit. Smith pleaded guilty and waived his right to a trial. He was pardoned Wednesday by the president.

John Moore and Tanner Mansell

John Moore and Tanner Mansell removed sharks from a government-sanctioned fishing line in federal waters. They were convicted of theft in 2022, despite their claims that they rescued the sharks from an illegal poaching operation, according to The New York Times. The two were pardoned for their crimes.

Marlene and James Kernan

Marlene and James Kernan of New York were convicted of willingly employing a felon at their New York business and subsequently sentenced to probation in 2010. They were pardoned, as reported by the Times.

Garnett Smith

Garnett Smith was found guilty in Maryland of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and five years supervised release. Trump commuted his sentence, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

Edward Sotelo

Edward Sotelo was sentenced in Texas to life imprisonment and five years supervised release in addition to a $50,000 fine for nonviolent drug offenses, including conspiracy, possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, and more. The president commuted his sentence, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

Joe Sotelo

Joe Sotelo received commutation of his life sentence. He had been given life imprisonment with five years supervised release for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram of cocaine, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

Marian Morgan

The president commuted Marian Morgans 33-year sentence after she was convicted of wire fraud, attempts to defraud the United States, money laundering and making false statements on income tax returns, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

Anabel Valenzuela

Anabel Valenzuela was serving a 32-year sentence with five years supervised release. Trump commuted her sentence, which followed her conviction for possession and conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit money laundering and criminal forfeiture, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

Lawrence Duran

Lawrence Duran had a 50-year sentence commuted. He was ordered to pay $87,533,863.46 in restitution after committing health care fraud and money laundering, as recorded by the Office of the Pardon Attorney.

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Updated at 4:09 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A certain judge isnt going to stand for this type of nonsense anymore!!!!!!!!!

Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

One of President Donald Trumps executive orders, targeting law firms he doesnt like for incredibly petty reasons, was struck down Tuesday by Richard Leon, a U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia.

In addition to calling Trumps order unconstitutional, Leons 73-page opinion utilized a specific type of punctuation that Trump frequently uses himself: a crap-load of exclamation points.

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Leons opinion included a total of 26 exclamation marks (plus one more in a quotation of a comment by Trump). Its rare to see a judge make such use of the exclamation mark, an expression of strong emotion that legal writing experts discourage. Perhaps Leons usage was an attempt to communicate with Trump in a way the president could actually understand.

Related: 18 Major Global Events That American Media Is Ignoring Right Now, And Why They Actually Matter To Us

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Related: "MAGAs Are The Dumbest People On This Planet": 26 Tweets About The Sad State Of Politics This Week

Some highlights from the opinion include Leon describing the Trump administrations arguments in court as absurd! and responding to one of the governments requests with an exasperated Please!

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At one point, Leon memorably writes: The Order shouts through a bullhorn: If you take on causes disfavored by President Trump, you will be punished!

Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted several law firms that either refused to represent him or were associated with people he doesnt like by suspending their attorneys security clearances and barring their employees from federal buildings.

In March, he aimed his ire at the law firm WilmerHale because it had hired former special counsel Robert Mueller, who oversaw the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation. WilmerHale quickly fired back by suing the Trump administration in an attempt to block the order, stating that it is a plainly unlawful attack on the bedrock principles of our nations legal systemour clients right to counsel and the First Amendment.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Leon ruled in WilmerHales favor Tuesday, the third time this month that a federal judge in Washington has found Trumps attacks on law firms unconstitutional.

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Leon even took the time to explain the fundamentals of democracy to Trump in his ruling  and its sassy!

The cornerstone of the American system of justice is an independent judiciary and an independent bar willing to tackle unpopular cases, however daunting. The Founding Fathers knew this! Accordingly, they took pains to enshrine in the Constitution certain rights that would serve as the foundation for that independence. Little wonder that in the nearly 250 years since the Constitution was adopted no Executive Order has been issued challenging these fundamental rights. Now, however, several Executive Orders have been issued directly challenging these rights and that independence. One of these Orders is the subject of this case. For the reasons set forth below, I have concluded that this Order must be struck down in its entirety as unconstitutional. Indeed, to rule otherwise would be unfaithful to the judgment and vision of the Founding Fathers!

This article originally appeared in HuffPost.

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President Trump on Wednesday celebrated a ruling from a judge allowing his lawsuit against the Pulitzer Board to proceed.

In a decision Wednesday, a Florida judge ruled Trumps defamation lawsuit against the body, which awards the annual Pulitzer Prize recognizing the years best journalism, can proceed.

Trump, after he left office following his first term, sued the board in 2022 in connection with Pulitzers that had been awarded for stories about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

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The president, in a Truth Social post Wednesday, called the ruling a major WIN in our powerful lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board regarding the illegal and defamatory Award of their once highly respected Prize, to fake, malicious stories on the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, by the Failing New York Times and the Washington Compost, the Florida Appellate Court viciously rejected the Defendants corrupt attempt to halt the case.

They were awarded for false reporting, and we cant let that happen in the United States of America, he continued. We are holding the Fake News Media responsible for their LIES to the American People, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Lawyers for the board had asked the judge in January to pause consideration of the case until after Trump was no longer president.

In a statement to The Hill on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Pulitzer Board said allowing this case to proceed facilitates President Trumps use of state courts as both a sword and a shield  allowing him to seek retribution against anyone he chooses in state court while simultaneously claiming immunity for himself whenever convenient.

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The Pulitzer Board is evaluating next steps and will continue our defense of journalism and First Amendment rights, the spokesperson said.

Updated at 2:25 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When members of the Air Force Academy's class of 2025 graduated on Thursday, the commencement ceremony took place without its signature culminating event.

Due to overcast skies and low visibility, the Thunderbirds' flight demonstration team canceled its flyover, which, combined with the celebratory hat toss, typically signals the end of the graduation ceremony.

The Thunderbirds have been an Air Force Academy graduation staple for more than six decades, according to the academy website. Thunderbird pilots were present when the class of 1959 graduated, even though they didn't fly because the ceremony was held indoors.

In 1984 President Ronald Reagan spoke at graduation, and security screening prevented many parents and guests from getting into Falcon Stadium before he finished his speech, according to the academy. They returned to their cars, and Federal Aviation Administration canceled the Thunderbirds' show because the parking lot was not clear of people.

According to several reports, Thursday's cancellation was the first time the Thunderbirds were absent from the graduation since 2013, when the team was grounded in response to a series of automatic budget cuts known as sequestration.

That year, the National Museum of World War II Aviation and the Houston-based Texas Flying Legends Museum provided WWII-era planes to fly above the graduating seniors and their families.

Longtime Colorado Springs residents may remember 2016, when a Thunderbird jet crashed in a field just south of the airport following a graduation flyover. The pilot, who ejected safely, reportedly steered the jet away from homes.

Two years ago, the team concluded the airshow just ahead of a hailstorm that sent cadets, families and friends scrambling for cover right after the ceremony.

On Thursday, despite the lack of an aerobatic display, the class of 2025 celebrated its graduation with the hat toss.

New graduate Griffin Anderson was disappointed that the Thunderbirds didn't do the flyover. But the wet weather didn't dampen his spirits.

"When throwing my hat in the air, I'm just like, 'Oh my gosh, it's over,'" said Anderson, who hopes to become a pilot. "At the end of the day, graduation is still graduation."
Donald Trump has angrily dismissed claims that he always chickens out on his tariff threats.

Buffeted by the White Houses flip-flopping, Wall Street traders have coined an acronym to describe their investing strategy: Taco (Trump always chickens out).

Some traders are making millions of dollars from the approach, by increasing bets on stocks that fall when Mr Trump announces harsh tariffs, only to then recover when he backs down.

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But asked about the Taco trade, the president lashed out and claimed his approach was working.

Six months ago, this country was stone-cold dead. We had a dead country, we had a country  people didnt think it was going to survive. And you ask a nasty question like that, he told a journalist.

Its called negotiation  But dont ever say what you said. Thats a nasty question. To me, thats the nastiest question.

Later in the press conference, he added: They will say, oh, he was chicken, he was chicken, thats so unbelievable.

I usually have the opposite problem. They say youre too tough.

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Since coming to office in late January, Mr Trump has imposed costly tariffs on all of the USs biggest trading partners and accused those who have a net trade surplus of taking advantage of America.

He has also argued that his heavy taxes on steel, cars and other products will help stimulate a domestic manufacturing revival as foreign firms are forced to relocate factories to the US.

However, the president has also made a habit of threatening huge levies  sending stock markets into a tailspin  only to back down just days or weeks later.

For example, last Friday Mr Trump lashed out at the European Union, claiming negotiations with the bloc were going nowhere, and vowed to impose tariffs of 50pc from June 1. His comments sent shares tumbling.

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But by Sunday Mr Trump had pushed back the deadline to July 9 following a phone call with top EU figures. This caused US stocks to rally on Tuesday when markets reopened following the Memorial Day holiday.

Similarly, at one point the president imposed 145pc tariffs on China for a lack of respect and predicted that Beijing would back down.

However, after the Chinese government retaliated with tit-for-tat measures  and top supermarket bosses warned Mr Trump that American stores faced empty shelves  he later agreed to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods to 30pc following negotiations.

Challenged on Wall Streets Taco acronym on Wednesday, Mr Trump defended his policies.

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[They say] that I chicken out? Ive never heard that. You mean because I reduced China from 145pc, that I set down to 100pc, and then to another number, and I said you have to open up your whole country?

And because I gave the European Union a 50pc tariff, and they called up and said please, lets meet right now?

You call that chickening out?

The comments came just hours ahead of a decision by the US Court of International Trade on Wednesday which ruled that Mr Trump did not have the authority to impose his liberation day tariffs using emergency powers.

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U.S. President Donald Trump hopes that the forthcoming peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will "move the ball forward" on his efforts to broker a peace deal, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on May 29.

Moscow proposed that the next round of direct talks be held on June 2 in Istanbul, where Russia will present a long-awaited memorandum outlining its conditions for a ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Russia's delay in releasing its terms as a stalling tactic.

Trump claimed on May 28 that it would "take about two weeks, or week and a half," to know if Russian President Vladimir Putin was stalling or truly interested in peace.

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In response to a question about Trump's recent comments, Leavitt said that the U.S. expects the Istanbul talks to go forward.

"It is my understanding and it is our hope that Russia and Ukraine will engage in direct talks and negotiations next week in Istanbul," she told reporters.

"And we believe that meeting is going to take place, and that is a meeting the president encouraged and urged, for these two sides to come together and negotiate directly. And the president has been clear from the very beginning of this conflict that he wants to see this conflict solved on the negotiating table, not on the battlefield."

Trump has expressed his hopes for a negotiated settlement to both Putin and Zelensky in private and public comments, Leavitt said.

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"So hopefully next week it will move the ball forward in this effort."

Leavitt did not confirm whether or not Trump would be participating directly in the next round of peace talks, saying she would update the press if the president chose to send a representative.

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Washington's attempts to broker a peace deal have not yielded any substantial breakthroughs thus far. For months, Moscow has resisted pressure to impose a full 30-day ceasefire, instead proposing (and subsequently violating) partial short-term truces, calling for further talks, and insisting Kyiv make extreme concessions to maximalist demands.

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Meanwhile, Russia has dramatically escalated drone and missile attacks against civilian targets in Ukraine.

While Ukraine has been ready to accept a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire since March 11, the Kremlin has refused, dragging out the process with inconclusive talks while building up its forces in preparation for another military offensive in Ukraine this summer.

During a phone call with Putin on May 19, Trump was told that a "memorandum of peace" outlining conditions for a ceasefire would be delivered shortly. The Kremlin's failure to deliver the memorandum amid mass attacks signaled Russia's lack of urgency regarding the peace process.

Trump has at times criticized Putin for appearing to delay the negotiations, but has never followed through on any of his sanctions threats. Trump again threatened sanctions after Russia launched three days of mass attacks against Ukraine in a row, calling Putin "crazy" and warning that his actions could lead to "the downfall of Russia."

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But on May 28, Trump said he would not impose new sanctions on Russia due to the forthcoming peace talks in Istanbul.

"If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Europe did not outsource its defense capabilities to the USA, but it did allow itself to become dependent, and hence vulnerable. It did the same with the constellation of industries which create artificial intelligence. On both issues, the dangerous consequences are only truly being felt during President Trumps second term.

By undermining NATO, attacking U.S. academic institutions, and injecting deep uncertainty into Americas role on the world stage, Trump has suddenly and alarmingly revealed the U.S. to be an unreliable ally. Europe is left exposed.

On defense, European leaders have learned the lesson with initial plans announced to spend 150 billion to rearm the continent. The real objective of this step change is to avoid being dependent on the U.S. for the protection of Europes vital interests.

Dangerous dependence

Yet on AI and advanced technologies, the continent has not moved so decisivelyand time is running out. For the best part of a century, American firms have been more innovative and more effective at commercializing technology than companies elsewhere. Gradually, without many people noticing, Europe became largely reliant on the U.S. for its own development and deployment of innovative technologies.

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If it is unacceptable to be dependent on an unreliable ally for defense, it is equally unacceptable to be dependent for the provision of artificial intelligence. AI is already at the heart of many business and government processesanalyzing data, generating options, taking decisions, and increasingly, implementing them. Imagine if the provider of a vital AI agent suddenly declared it was no longer available.

Facebook now threatens to withhold services from customers in European countries because it does not like their regulations. Its services are valuable, but they are not arbiters of life and death. Yet what if Microsoft or Oracle were to do the same with software that millions of organizations rely on for their most basic operations? What if the Pentagon were to suddenly disable AI agents which are critical to the operation of Europes missile defenses?

Full-stack AI

China is not the answer. Trumps behavior enables China to present itself as the reasonable alternative, and it is surprising that China is not doing more to exploit this opportunity. In any case, no one in Europe thinks that replacing OpenAI with DeepSeek will solve its problems.

If Europeans do not want to become pliant vassals, they really have no choice. Europe must build a full-stack AI industry, from chip manufacturing to data centers and the development of more foundation models like Frances Mistral. It must conduct fundamental research and it must build tech giants.

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This will be vastly expensive, and it will not happen overnight. But anything else will leave the people of Europe vulnerable to the whims of others. China has shown that it can be done. In the years since the first big bang in AI took place in 2012when deep learning arrived on the sceneBeijings strategic planning and massive investment has in effect created a global AI duopoly between the USA and China.

Europe does not need to become the world leader in AI, nor even to overtake China to claim second place. But it does need to break into the AI duopoly. It was never a good idea for humanitys most powerful technology to be the preserve of just two countries.

Private and public

This endeavour must be a joint venture between the public and private sectors, which will annoy ideologues on both the right and the left. The right correctly observes that private companies are better placed than governments to take risks and be innovative. But the left is correct to point out that whole new industries dont sprout from nowhere. Silicon Valley was seeded by defense money in the 1930s and 40s, with graduates from Stanford University building radio and radar equipment. Hewlett-Packard, the Valleys first tech giant, was founded in 1939 and initially focused on electronic test equipment, including for radio systems.

The ingredients of a successful AI industry are data, money, and talentlots and lots of each of them. Europe has no shortage of data. The EUs 450 million people (520 million when you add back the U.K.) generate enormous amounts of data as they consume services in health care, education, energy, and all manner of consumer goods. Their governments are as good as any at collecting and analyzing this data.

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Europe also has money, but it does a poor job of channelling it toward early-stage tech companies. It will be no small feat to improve this, but the scale of the challenge can be overstated. In percentage terms, U.S. pension funds allocate a hundred times more of their capital to VC investment than their European counterparts do. But it is still only 1.9% of their total capital.

Perhaps the single most important contribution to a strong European technology industry would be the deepening of the single market. Differences of language, taxation, regulation, and custom and practice make it far harder to start a company in Milan and sell its services in Marseille than is the case in Memphis and Manhattan. An obvious part of this process is to reverse the self-harming foolishness of Brexit.

Talent and transformative purpose

Talent is something that Europe has in spades. Its world-class universities churn out a steady stream of talented AI researchers and engineers. But the continent needs to do a much better job of retaining them.

American universities and companies pay better and offer superior access to hardware and other resources. Trumps attacks on Americas academic institutions may be triggering a brain drain, but Europe will have to up its game to attract and retain that talent for the long term.

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Europe needs an AI industry to ensure the welfare and prosperity of its citizens, but it could also aim for something truly remarkable and inspiringsomething that seems impossible at first sight but which could nevertheless be feasible thanks to the exponential improvement in technology. Something like curing most cancers within a decade or two.

The nation builder

The task of building an AI industry is not an easy one, but it is also not something that Europe really has a choice about. The alternative is abject surrender to the whims of whoever makes and controls the AIs. The task should not be viewed as antagonistic toward the U.S. or China: It means standing up straight alongside them. It imposes several significant challenges, but they are all worthwhile in their own right.

Trump has shown Europe that it needs to build a full-stack AI industry. The Chinese call him the nation builder, but they mean that he is helping to build China rather than the USA. Inadvertently, he could also help Europe rebuild after decades of reliance on America for its defense and its development of innovative technology. Trump is making Europe great again.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

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This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Donald Trump Jr. called on the University of Floridas board of governors to reject former University of Michigan president Santa Ono as UFs president following the schools board of trustees unanimous vote to hire Ono.

WTF! Have the decision makers at @UF lost their minds!??? Trump Jr. exclaimed in a post on X on Wednesday. This woke psycho might be a perfect fit for a Communist school in California, but how is he even being considered for this role in Florida?

Every single member of the Florida Board of Governors should vote against him!!! he added.

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The post is the latest example of conservatives pushing back Ono stepping into the universitys top leadership role, citing his past stances on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), which has become a target of the Trump administration.

Ono wrote in a recent op-ed that his views on the issue have evolved.

Like many, I supported what I believed to be the original intent of DEI  ensuring equal opportunity and fairness for every student, Ono wrote in an op-ed in Inside Higher Ed earlier this month. Thats something on which most everyone agrees. But over time, I saw how DEI became something elsemore about ideology, division and bureaucracy, not student success.

On Tuesday, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) called the universitys board of trustees move to approve Ono a grave mistake, urging the board of governors to reject Ono.

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Today, Dr. Ono gave it his best college try walking back his woke past, claiming hes now evolved. But Im not sold, Steube said in a post on X.

This role is too important to gamble on convenient conversions. As the flagship university of a state that has led the way on truth and freedom, UF should be LEADING the fight against woke ideology, not coming around only when its politically convenient.

Florida gubernatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and the states former governor Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have also spoken out against Ono leading UF.

However, the states Gov. Ron DeSantis (R ) has largely avoided stepping into the controversy surrounding Ono, saying earlier this month that he trusts the universitys decision makers.

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I trust the people that were involved in that process. They were trustees that Ive appointed, that have performed exemplary for the state of Florida in those capacities, DeSantis said.

The Chair of UFs board of trustees Mori Hosseini, who is a DeSantis ally, has backed Ono as the pick to lead the university.

Santa Ono is precisely the right person to be president of the University of Florida at this moment in its history, Hosseini said in a statement following the boards vote on Tuesday.

He is a remarkably accomplished scholar and a solidly proven academic leader, and his values align perfectly with ours here in the great state of Florida. Dr. Ono will ensure that merit and scholarship, not ideology, are the gold standards for success, and he will see to it that the University of Florida continues its ascent toward becoming Americas premier public university, bar none.

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The president is trying to overstep the judiciary in his quest to defang Americas newsrooms.

On Truth Social late Wednesday, Donald Trump claimed that his defamation lawsuit against the Pulitzer Board had forced the journalism association to rescind an award they had given to The Washington Post and The New York Times in 2018 for investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and its ties to Trumps campaign.

But in reality, a Florida court had simply allowed the case to progress.

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BREAKING! In a major WIN in our powerful lawsuit against the Pulitzer Prize Board regarding the illegal and defamatory Award of their once highly respected Prize, to fake, malicious stories on the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, by the Failing New York Times and the Washington Compost, the Florida Appellate Court viciously rejected the Defendants corrupt attempt to halt the case, Trump wrote.

They won a Pulitzer Prize for totally incorrect reporting about the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, he continued. Now they admit it was a SCAM, never happened, and their reporting was totally wrong, in fact, the exact opposite of the TRUTH.

Theyll have to give back their Award. They were awarded for false reporting, and we cant let that happen in the United States of America, the president said. We are holding the Fake News Media responsible for their LIES to the American People, so we can, together, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

In 2021, Trump contacted the Pulitzer Board asking them to strip the countrys highest journalism honor from the teams that had investigated him. After a thorough and independent review of the stories, the board determined that the articles were verifiably accurate. It rejected Trumps request on the basis that the the separate reviews converged in their conclusions: that no passages or headlines, contentions or assertions in any of the winning submissions were discredited by facts that emerged subsequent to the conferral of the prizes.

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But Trump took issue with that language. In reaction, he sued 20 members on the Pulitzer Board, claiming that the statement defending the award amounted to defamation.

Three years later, in a seven-page opinion issued Wednesday, Floridas Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that the case could move forwarddespite protestations from the defendants that this would violate due process and that Trumps expanded presidential immunity prohibited such a suit. In the opinion, the appeals court wrote that such privileges are afforded to the President alone, not to his litigation adversaries, noting that only Trump could assert his immunity privileges and that he had not done so in this case.

The Presidents lawsuit is an attempt to intimidate the press and drive a political narrative, a spokesperson for the Pulitzer Board told The New Republic. The Pulitzer Board takes seriously its mission to honor excellence in reporting, literature, history, and the arts, and we will continue our staunch defense of journalism and First Amendment rights.

This story has been updated.
First, the State Department stopped interviewing applicants for student visas to the U.S. Then Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that hed revoke visas for Chinese students working in critical fields or with Communist Party ties.

Both moves landed this week as part of President Donald Trumps monthslong crackdown on elite institutions like Harvard that have multibillion-dollar endowments. But they also threaten to blow up the finances of state universities and other schools with far fewer resources that have grown reliant on foreign students.

Public institutions in Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan and Texas rank among the top schools for international enrollees, who pay full out-of-state tuition. Its a population that generated $545 million for Arizona State University in the 2023-24 school year alone and even more for University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, thats now under threat.

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That dependence on international students has become unavoidable for schools that dont want to raise in-state tuition as their state legislatures have spent years cutting taxpayer support. It also means that a drop in foreign enrollment could now affect everything from financial aid for U.S. students to teaching support on campus.

The University of California and California State University, two of the largest public university systems in the country, are already both facing a 3 percent budget cut this year, which amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars for each institution.

International students are a key part of how University of California is able to balance its budget, and so freezing student visas has a huge impact on not just UCs budget, but on just the quality of our academic experience at UC, said Democratic state Sen. Jesse Arreguin, whose district includes UC Berkeley, which drew $576 million from foreign-born students in the 2023-24 school year.

At public colleges, the average in-state tuition is roughly $21,270 and $37,430 for out-of-state. An international student on average pays between $874 and $5,218 more in tuition and fees than out-of-state students, according to a study of six large state schools from the American Council on Education, which represents leaders at 1,600 colleges and universities. Also, about 277,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S. last year, making them the second-largest group of foreign students in the U.S., after people from India.

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Almost always international students are full-tuition students. Just from a revenue side, the tuition and fees they pay in a lot of cases help subsidize aid to lower-middle income American students, said Jon Fansmith, senior vice president for government relations for ACE.

The State Departments pause on interviews while the agency steps up its scrutiny of candidates social media profiles is also coming during what some in the international students community call visa season. Students have already decided what schools they plan to attend and a visa interview is one the many things they need to complete before leaving for campus in the fall.

Pausing visa interviews is not an abstract exercise, Miriam Feldblum, the executive director of the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which represents more than 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities. For some students, it's going to be really disruptive because they have already turned down other places and now they dont know how long the pause will be.

On Wednesday, in a legal challenge over the Trump administrations decision to revoke Harvards ability to enroll foreign students, the schools director of immigration services, told a federal court its international students were asking about their options for transfer. They also said dozens of incoming students wanted to defer their enrollment.

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A ripple effect is likely even if the pause ends soon, said Tom Dretler, the CEO of Shorelight Education, a company that helps international students enroll at U.S. higher education institutions. He fears that the processing times will be slowed down as the consular officers adjust to a new workflow, and some students wont be able to get approved before the fall.

I don't know what percentage decrease for fall 2025 is going to be but it's going to be a meaningful percentage, Dretler said. The administration has done this at exactly the wrong time, and they're protecting us from nothing. They already have very significant and detailed vetting processes for international students.

The University of California wrote in a statement that it is very concerned about the interview pauses and urged the agency to start interviews as soon as possible.

Our international students and scholars are vital members of our university community and contribute greatly to our research, teaching, patient care and public service mission, the school stated. It is critical that interviews resume as quickly as possible to ensure that applicants are able to go through the process and receive their visas on time so they can pursue their education."

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The pause on interviews and States plans to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students are just the latest in a series of actions the Trump administration has taken against international students.

In the spring, it suddenly pulled visas for hundreds of international students across the country, often with minimal explanation  a decision they ended up reversing. In May, Rubio said his department would review the visas of those who participated in protests at a Columbia University library. Last week, Joseph Edlow, the presidents nominee for director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, told lawmakers he would end Optional Practical Training, a program that allows international students to work in the U.S. for a limited time after graduation.

There is a big perception among foreign nationals that the United States is not the most welcoming place at this time, said Chris Richardson, a former Foreign Service officer who co-founded Argo Visa, a consulting service that helps students from overseas apply for visas and other resources.

House Education and Workforce Chair Tim Walberg told POLITICO in April his office was fielding constituent requests of concern" over the administration's decision to pull visas. But he says he still supports the presidents efforts.

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"While I support an individual's ability to come to our country to pursue an education, we must ensure that schools are not enticed to choose foreign revenue streams over national security or safety for American students, Walberg said in a statement Wednesday. For too long our universities have thrown caution to the wind while chasing foreign funds, and I support President Trump's efforts to make sure our higher education system truly promotes American interests.

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), who chairs the House Education and Workforce subcommittee on higher education and workforce development, had previously told POLITICO that he believed visa revocations were tied to disruptive behavior during protests.

Todd Wolfson, the president of American Association of University Professors, criticized the administrations ramped up attacks on international students.

This latest attack on higher education does not combat antisemitism. It simply weaponizes antisemitism to serve Trumps radical right-wing agenda to destroy our colleges and universities, Wolfson said in a statement. This obsession with controlling what can be taught and said on college campuses is antithetical to higher education and free inquiry and it undermines our democracy. This is about naked political power.

Eric He and Bianca Quilantan contributed to this report.
Updates with details on Trump response, reports of White House appeal.



Investing.com-- President Donald Trumps proposed reciprocal trade tariffs on major U.S. trading partners were blocked by a federal court on Wednesday, on the grounds that the president overstepped his authority.

The Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday that Congress held exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries, and that Trumps emergency powers did not supersede this authority.

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Wednesdays ruling was on a lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center on the behalf of five small U.S. businesses that import goods from the countries targeted by Trumps tariffs.

The trade court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which was invoked by Trump to carry out his tariff agenda, did not grant the president sufficient authority to impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world.

The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder, the court said in its ruling.

Wednesdays ruling poses a fresh challenge for Trumps agenda to impose steep trade tariffs on countries with large trade surpluses with the United States. But several reports said that the White House planned to appeal against the ruling.

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Trump made a social media post claiming that he was "on a mission from god," and that "nothing can stop what is coming," although it was unclear if he was directly referring to the court ruling.

Trump had initially unveiled his planned tariffs in early April what the president dubbed as liberation day. Trump announced double-digit levies on several major U.S. trading partners, and also targeted countries he alleged were trade proxies for China.

But he had shortly after announced a 90-day extension in the planned tariffs, except for China. Trumps tariffs on China rose as high as 245% in April, before Washington and Beijing agreed to deescalate earlier in May.

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President Donald Trump said he will look at pardoning the men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. One of the men, Barry Croft Jr., is from Bear, Delaware.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on May 28, Trump was asked whether he was looking at such a pardon. He answered, "I'm going to take a look at it."

The question came after Ed Martin Jr., who is the new pardon attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, made a comment on "The Breanna Morello Show" podcast last week. Martin said that he was taking a "hard look" at whether Croft and Adam Fox warranted pardons, comparing them to the people Trump pardoned in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by his supporters on the U.S. Capitol as Congress met to certify the 2020 election for former President Joe Biden.

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Trump made his remarks to reporters as he attended the swearing-in of former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin had previously been tapped for that role but his name was pulled after he began to lose Republican support in the Senate.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, right, stands next to Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, on the day President Donald Trump signs executive orders and proclamations, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on April 9, 2025.

Asked about pardons for the conspirators in the Whitmer case, Trump said, "Its been brought to my attention. I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job, Ill be honest with you. It looked to me like some people said some stupid things. You know, they were drinking and I think they said stupid things."

Trump went on to say that "a lot of people are asking me that question (about pardoning the conspirators), from both sides actually. A lot of people think they got railroaded ... and probably some people dont."

BEFORE THE MICHIGAN CASE: Barry Croft Jr. was pardoned for Delaware felonies

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MORE ON BARRY CROFT JR.: Tracing the online footprints of Delaware man charged in plot to kidnap Michigan's governor

Whitmer's office did not respond to an inquiry sent in the afternoon on May 28 about Trump's comments.

The comments come less than two months after Trump praised Whitmer in the Oval Office for "doing an excellent job," as she helped win the Republican president's support for a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County and to get work started again on a barrier to keep invasive Asian carp from reaching Lake Michigan. Trump followed through on both commitments during a trip to Michigan in April.

As president, Trump may pardon or commute the sentence of anyone convicted under federal law.

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While the president has the authority to unilaterally issue pardons or commutations, the Office of the Pardon Attorney typically reviews and investigates applications for clemency that are submitted to the Justice Department, then forwards recommendations about whether to grant them or not to the president. It's unusual for a pardon attorney to comment on a case, even when an application has been filed. Neither Fox nor Croft appears to have applications in the Justice Department files.

The federal government alleged in 2020 that Barry Croft and Adam Fox were two members of a group (led by Fox) that plotted to kidnap and possibly kill Whitmer after being disgruntled with her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Testimony during the trial revealed Fox, Croft and others, including FBI informants, traveled to northern Michigan where they cased Whitmers vacation home.

Fox and Croft are the two defendants federal prosecutors were able to successfully convict after a pair of trials in 2022  initially, a jury acquitted Brandon Caserta and Daniel Harris, whom the government also alleged plotted to kidnap Whitmer, and were hung on Fox and Croft. But at a second trial later that year, jurors in west Michigan returned guilty verdicts for the latter two. Fox was sentenced to 16 years in prison on conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess weapons of mass destruction charges, while Croft was sentenced to 19 years on the same two charges as Fox, plus a third charge of knowingly possessing an unregistered destructive device. Their trials were held in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. Federal court proceedings aren't typically livestreamed, although an audio dial-in broadcast of the trials was provided.

During the trials, attorneys for Fox and Croft argued the two were entrapped by rogue informants and undercover FBI agents, and the two were just engaged in crude talk about their dissatisfaction about the pandemic.

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Fox, originally from Potterville, was living in the basement of a Grand Rapids vacuum repair shop at the time he was charged. His defense attorney argued he couldnt have possibly led a kidnapping plot because he was such a loner.

Croft was a truck driver from Delaware. He was arrested by FBI agents at a truck stop in New Jersey. During the trial, Croft could be heard on an audio recording explaining he was making explosives. At his sentencing, Crofts attorney said the former truck driver fell way down a conspiracy rabbit hole.

Two other men, Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin, pleaded guilty to kidnapping charges and testified at the trials. They've both served reduced prison sentences and have been released, according to online federal prison records.

Fox and Croft are currently serving out their sentences in a maximum security federal prison in Colorado. In April, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed sentences for the pair, who argued they didnt get a fair trial before they were convicted because of how the judge overseeing the case set rules on how long their defense attorneys could cross-examine government witnesses.

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The kidnapping plot and the ensuing trials sparked debate over the rise of radicalism and domestic terrorism in the United States, while defense lawyers argued the charges were a product of overzealous FBI informants and undercover agents.

At the time Fox and Croft were convicted, Whitmer said the verdicts "prove that violence and threats have no place in our politics and those who seek to divide us will be held accountable."

State prosecutors had mixed results in local courts, landing convictions for others accused of providing support to the kidnapping plot. Others charged at the state level were acquitted. The Constitution only permits the president to pardon convictions in federal courts.

In total, 14 men were charged as part of the plot.

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Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump may pardon Barry Croft Jr., other Whitmer kidnap plotters
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Paul Walczak didnt have a plausible defense, but he did have a backup plan. As a Florida nursing-home executive, hed defrauded taxpayers out of almost $11 million, using it to fund a lavish lifestyle. He pleaded guilty last fall, but applied for a pardon after Donald Trump retook office, claiming that hed been prosecuted because of his mother Elizabeth Fagos support for Trump. Only after she attended a $1 million-per-person April fundraiser, which promised face time with the president, did Trump grant Walczak a full pardon.

The press cant declare things bribes without concrete proof, and its not entirely clear how much of the money Fago donated herself, but even the staid New York Times resorted to snark in describing the case. A judge had justified the incarceration by declaring that there is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for the rich. The pardon, however, indicated otherwise, Kenneth Vogel wrote.

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A million bucks is, by the standards of this administration, pretty paltry. Trump has made many millions off being president. Earlier this week, my colleague David Frum took stock of the corruption of Trumps second term and concluded, Nothing like this has been attempted or even imagined in the history of the American presidency. Throw away the history books; discard feeble comparisons to scandals of the past. Yet even against this backdrop, the brazenness of the pardons timing makes it stand out.

Whether or not Trump was bought in this case, hes eager to create the impression that he is for sale. And for good reason: Whats bad for the integrity of American rule of law has been very good for Trumps bottom line. After a career of high-profile mediocrity, punctuated by flamboyant failures, the selling of the presidency is the most successful business venture of his career.

Business prowess is at the center of Trumps renown and political appeal, but the impression that he is a titan of industry is more a creation of The Art of the Deal and The Apprentice than his actual CV. By the time he ran for president for the first time, hed largely given up on the real-estate development that made him famous, instead concentrating on licensing his name to products and buildings. That was mostly a concession to reality: At that point, Trump was struggling to find lenders because hed stiffed so many banks.

Trumps businesses declared bankruptcy six times, and although he has consistently defended these filings as savvy business moves, an even savvier business move is not needing to declare bankruptcy. Trump managed the impressive task of losing money as a casino owner. Although Atlantic City was in decline as a whole during Trumps time there, a Temple University legal scholar found that Trump underperformed competitors: His casinos were not the best and not even average. They were the worst.

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The presidents lofty net worth was less a product of success than a product of coming into his fathers fortune. In 2021, Forbes calculated that he would have made more money if hed just put his inheritance in an S&P 500 index fund. (And the money that he did make might have been less if he hadnt been committing extensive fraud.)

During Trumps first term, he began finding ways to profit from the presidency. He charged the Secret Service big bills to stay at his properties while protecting him (even though son Eric claimed that they stayed at a discount), and had officials like Vice President Mike Pence unnecessarily rack up charges there too. Moreover, the hotel he owned near the White House became an essential location for any officials looking to influence him. There was, it seemed, a benefit to being seenand probably more importantly, to spending some dosh. Although this seemed like a clear violation of the Constitutions emoluments clause, attempts to enforce it were stymied in court.

But in his second term, Trump has far surpassed these relatively petty hustles. The profits started rolling in even before he won reelection, as speculators poured cash into Trump Media and Technology Groupa business with wretched numbers but high upside for anyone wishing to influence the president. Since November, the flow has increased. Few if any legitimate investors entrusted their money to Trumps businesses when he was out of office, Frum noted, but now Middle Eastern governments, Chinese crypto investors, and American corporations are all finding ways to get money into Trump-related businesses. The White House claims that because Trumps sons run these companies, no conflict of interest exists, but experts have noted that Trump hasnt really distanced himself meaningfully from his companies and he continues to profit from them.

And nearly everyone involved is winning. Trump is making out like a banditperhaps very much like a banditand people such as Paul Walczak are getting their pardons. (Notably, Trump seems quick to pardon people charged with either fraud or corrupt use of government positionsboth offenses of which he has been accused.) Unfortunately, the losers are the American people: anyone who might want the government to support rule of law, discourage corruption, and operate as something other than a concierge desk for those wealthy enough to buy in.

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When news emerged earlier this month of Trumps plans to accept a $400 million airplane from the Qatari government, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, a Republican, dismissed any concerns about emoluments. I think nobody believes that Donald Trump can be bought, he said. I mean, what does Donald Trump need more money for? This is either deeply cynical or painfully gullible. Trumps entire career has been consumed by his quest for more moneythis is a man who once cashed a 13-cent prank check from a Spy magazine correspondenteven if he hasnt always been very good at it. Now that hes found a reliable way to keep the cash rolling in, hes not going to turn it down.

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Todays News

An appeals court temporarily paused a lower-court ruling that had blocked most of President Donald Trumps tariffs. The acting director of ICE gave Harvard University 30 days to challenge the Trump administrations ban revoking the colleges ability to enroll international students. Elon Musk announced yesterday that he is leaving the Department of Government Efficiency after saying that he is shifting his focus from politics back to his companies.

Dispatches

Time-Travel Thursdays: Any recent college graduate will tell you that their head felt heaviest after the cap came off, Amogh Dimri writes.

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Evening Read

How America Lost Control of the Seas

By Arnav Rao

He who commands the sea has command of everything, the ancient Athenian general Themistocles said. By that standard, the United States has command of very little. America depends on ocean shipping. About 80 percent of its international trade by weight traverses the seas. The U.S. needs ships to deliver nearly 90 percent of its armed forces supplies and equipment, including fuel, ammunition, and food  In the middle of the 20th century, the U.S. had a thriving, well-regulated ocean-shipping industry. Then the country turned its back on the system that made it all possible.

Read the full article.

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Emil Bove, one of his closest and most truculent legal allies, to serve as a judge on a federal appeals court.

Bove previously was one of Trumps top criminal defense attorneys. And for the past four months, as a senior official at the Justice Department, he has implemented Trumps demands for aggressive immigration enforcement as well as retaliation against prosecutors and FBI agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases.

Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone, Trump wrote in announcing the pick on Truth Social. He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. He added: Emil Bove will never let you down!

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If confirmed by the Senate, Bove will fill a vacancy on the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Bove, 44, is currently the principal associate deputy attorney general, a top Justice Department post in which he oversees all of the departments operations. He overhauled the departments strategy on immigration, redeploying anti-terrorism squads toward immigration enforcement and ordering the prosecution of state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration authorities.

Bove has earned a reputation as an aggressive and often indelicate manager, most notably for his dismantling of the criminal case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Bove ordered the Manhattan federal prosecutors handling the corruption case against the Democratic mayor to drop it, suggesting the charges were politically motivated and saying the prosecution was interfering with Adams ability to carry out Trumps immigration agenda. But acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, once a friend of Boves, refused to do so, instead resigning in protest, along with several other prosecutors in New York and Washington.

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In her resignation letter, Sassoon accused Bove of entering a quid pro quo with Adams. And when U.S. District Judge Dale Ho finally agreed to dismiss the case, he sharply criticized every rationale Bove had presented for abandoning it.

Boves actions roiled other parts of the Justice Department as well. Shortly after taking office, he accused FBI leadership of insubordinationfor failing to turn over the names of Washington, D.C.-based agents and employees who oversaw the investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. And a memo Bove wrote formed the basis for the firings of dozens of prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases.

Boves short fuse came as no surprise to those who had worked with him earlier in his career at the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office, where he co-led the terrorism and international narcotics unit. In that role, he was criticized  and nearly demoted  for his bellicose leadership style.

Before Trumps reelection last year, Bove defended him at his criminal trial in Manhattan, where he was convicted of 34 state felony counts of business fraud. Trump is appealing that conviction.

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And Bove represented Trump in the two federal criminal cases against him, both of which were dropped after Trump won the presidential election.

Bove worked closely on those cases with Todd Blanche, who is now the deputy attorney general, a position that makes him Boves direct boss at the Justice Department. Moments after Trump nominated Bove for the judgeship, Blanche praised his colleagues work.

Ive known Emil for years and his dedication to this country, along with his integrity and brilliant legal mind will make him an excellent judge, Blanche wrote on social media. Well earned, my friend!


Three transgender senior cadets earned their diplomas from the Air Force Academy on Thursday, but they did not commission as officers with their peers.

Hunter Marquez is among the three, earning degrees in aeronautical engineering and applied math and meeting the Air Forces physical standards for men.

The cadets cant commission because of a U.S. Supreme Court order that allowed a Trump Administration ban on transgender troops to be enforced ahead of a resolution of legal challenges to it.

A follow-up policy issued May 23 specifies that if cadets chose not to voluntarily leave the Air Force, they could be forced to repay their educational benefits. They must apply to voluntarily leave by June 6.

While all cadets attend the academy for free, the education is valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

However, Marquez said he heard from the headquarters of the Air Force on graduation day that he will not have to repay his tuition, if he is involuntarily separated.

It will allow him to continue fighting for his childhood dream of serving in the Air Force if the ban is reversed by the courts. He had been selected to serve as a combat systems officer. He said the news gave him hope.

I really want to stay in for as long as possible, fight this out, he said.

When asked for comment from The Gazette ahead of graduation, an academy spokesperson reiterated the Department of Defense policy.

The statement said that cadets who have a diagnosis of, a history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria may graduate from their respective programs but will not be commissioned into the Air Force or Space Force. Following graduation they will be placed on administrative absence until they are separated from the Air Force.

Marquez is among those suing the government as part of the Talbot v. the United States of America case that argues the Trump administrations ban violates transgender service members' rights to equal protection under the law.

President Donald Trump said in an executive order that transgender troops cannot meet the high standards for troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity and integrity because of their medical, surgical and mental health constraints.

The order also stated it conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle.

A 2023 position paper against transgender troops put out by a group known as STARRS, or Stand Against Racism or Radicalism in the Services, equated gender-affirming care to other medical conditions that disqualify people for military service.

Gender transition medical treatments adversely impact the military and (Department of Veterans Affairs) budgets due to the high cost of surgeries and lifelong hormone treatments, mental health counseling and medical care, the paper said.

Marquez said in court documents he found the language of the order demeaning.

It says that I am undisciplined, selfish, and dishonest. None of those are correct descriptions of my character or my abilities. I have achieved alongside my peers throughout my time at the Academy, the court documents said.

An academy staff member who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of repercussion said that all three of the transgender cadets excelled in their classwork, in military training and physically, with all three passing both genders physical fitness tests.

We want warfighters. We want people with grit, that are resilient, they have done all that, he said.

The three were the first three cadets to be openly transgender at the academy and while there were some challenges, they were generally supported, he said.

I think most people just want to see cadets that come in succeed, he said.

An open letter published in March, aimed at encouraging transgender cadets and midshipmen at the service academies, has drawn nearly 970 signatures from alumni.

Air Force Academy graduate Ashley Anderson penned the letter that states being transgender is in no way incompatible with any of our Academies cherished virtues and values.

Anderson graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2006 and wanted to help counter the language in the executive order. She is hopeful that steps like the letter and one-on-one conversations can help build understanding about the transgender community, since few people know someone who is transgender and a service member.

I am very hopeful in the medium- to long-term that there will be a remedy for the injustice that is happening, she said.

The anonymous staff member noted that the roller coaster of the fight in the courts, including a pause on the ban and then the Supreme Courts order allowing enforcement, has been tough on the cadets.

They are just at the point of exhaustion, he said.

Threatening cadets with possible repayment of their tuition if they dont voluntarily leave is counter to how the academy has handled medical separations in the past, said retired Brig. Gen. Marty France, a former academy professor. In some previous cases, cadets have been medically retired and allowed to have veterans benefits.

You shouldnt be threatening them with financial ruin, France said.

He also worries that if the transgender troop ban is allowed to stand, it could open the door to limiting the rights of gay and lesbian members in the military or women in combat roles, he said.

But in the long term he expects the ban will be reversed.

The path of justice is a long one, he said.

While service members can put in for waivers, they have to be able to serve as the gender they were assigned at birth and that is not available to those who have transitioned.

There may be some service members who can fulfill the requirements of the waiver but that means choosing between their military service and their identity, the anonymous academy staff member said.

I think the military also loses in that situation because we may not be getting them at their best because they cant be their true selves, he said.

While Marquezs peers celebrated this week, with parades and ceremonies that he took part in, he found the experience bittersweet.

But he does not regret his time at the academy and said he is thankful for all the people that hes met. He said its tough to see his dream potentially shattered.

Theres still a lot of anger and frustration and sadness, just because I have worked so hard to be a second lieutenant in the Air Force and at the very end that was taken from me, he said.

Marquez medically transitioned while at the academy during 2022 and 2023.

I honestly feel like my life opened up and I could finally be happy, he said.

He spent a large portion of last summer in the gym to get stronger ahead of his physical fitness tests. It was a great feeling when he met the male standards, he said.

I got a better score than I ever expected I could get, he said.

After Trumps reelection, Marquez said he feared a transgender troop ban, but he was in shock after it happened and for a few weeks nothing changed.

Then he needed to go down three floors from his dorm room to the nearest single-use restroom in Sijan Hall, and trek from Sijan Hall to Vandenberg Hall across the terrazzo to the a single-use shower to adhere to the new gender rules, he said in court filings.

He also crammed the last semester of classes into an accelerated schedule. While his peers had until May 16 to complete their coursework, he finished by March 25. The faster timetable ensured he would have met the requirements to graduate, even if he was forced to separate under the ban.

During the intense weeks of study, his friends would come into his room and without saying anything get out their homework and study alongside him, he said.

I made it through because of them, he said.

In the coming weeks, he expects to be placed on administrative absence, so he will still receive medical benefits and cadet pay.

While he still hopes to commission, Marquez plans to apply to the University of Colorado Boulder to pursue a graduate degree in its aerospace engineering program.

I am staying realistic, while also trying to hope for the best, he said.
Donald Trumps legal team claims in a new court filing that the president suffered mental anguish over the 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris at the center of his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News, arguing that the network is wielding the First Amendment as a sword.

In a pair of objections filed in response to the networks motions to dismiss the defamation suit, which legal experts have described as frivolous, the presidents lawyers reiterate that Trump was caused personal financial harm by the editing of the interview, claiming that CBS' parent company, Paramount, and Trump Media  which owns Truth Social  are competitors.

The latest development in this legal fracas comes after the Wall Street Journalreported Paramount had offered the president $15 million to settle the lawsuit, only for Trump to reportedly demand at least $25 million along with an apology over the interview. Trump also threatened to file another lawsuit accusing the network of biased news coverage, according to the Journal.

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Even though Paramounts legal team filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit in March, calling it an affront to the First Amendment without basis in law or fact, the company has proposed settling the complaint as it needs the Trump administrations approval to complete an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.

The discussions around a settlement, which Paramount chair Shari Redstone has pushed for ahead of the merger, have resulted in tensions within the network. In recent weeks, 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and CBS News chief Wendy McMahon, who had made it clear they would not apologize as part of any deal with Trump, abruptly announced their resignations.

The 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris caused Donald Trump mental anguish, the presidents lawyers argued in a recent court filing. (60 Minutes/CBS)

Meanwhile, mediation sessions between Paramount and Trumps team have stalled over the past month, though the two sides were scheduled to meet again on Thursday. Redstone, meanwhile, has recused herself from the negotiations.

On the last day to file an objection, the presidents lawyers opposed both of Paramounts motions to dismiss on Wednesday night.

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Regarding Paramounts efforts to get the lawsuit kicked out of court due to improper venue and lack of personal jurisdiction, the presidents legal team rejected the notion that it was naked-forum shopping by filing the case in the Northern District of Texas. Instead, they argued that Trump and his co-defendant Rep. Ronny Jackson (D-TX) have sufficient minimum contacts in the state, and their complaints arise from that.

The fact that such commercial speech was issued by a news organization does not insulate Defendants from liability under the First Amendment, the objection states. The First Amendment is no shield to news distortion.

As for the motion to dismiss based on failure to state a claim, Trumps lawyers stated that the interview  which the president has asserted was deceitfully edited to make Harris look good and therefore interfere with the election  caused personal damage to both Trump and viewers.

This led to widespread confusion and mental anguish of consumers, including Plaintiffs, regarding a household name of the legacy media apparently deceptively distorting its broadcasts, and then resisting attempts to clear the public record, the opposition motion declares.

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Additionally, the presidents team claimed that Paramount and CBS seek to wield the First Amendment as a sword, arguing that they cannot be held responsible for illegal conduct, intended to mislead the masses and undertaken in the pursuit of profit, because such conduct was the result of editorial judgment.'

Donald Trump and his legal team asseted that the First Amendment is no shield to news distortion in a recent court filing in the CBS lawsuit. (AFP/Getty)

No matter how many times they claim the conduct at issue was editorial speech, that ipse dixit does not make it so, the objection adds.

While Paramount appears to want to settle the complaint that CBS News has said is completely without merit sooner rather than later, it is also getting its ducks in a row in case the deal with Skydance falls through.

According to the Journal, the company is expected to nominate three new directors to the board in the coming weeks to bring the total to seven. Additionally, a current director is expected to step down soon and will also need to be replaced.

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Though the media conglomerate seems desperate to settle with the president, some executives have expressed concerns that paying the president to make the lawsuit go away could open them up to liability or even criminal charges for bribery.

In fact, several Democratic senators have already warned Redstone and Paramount that they could face investigation for violating anti-bribery laws if a settlement with Trump is reached. Furthermore, the Freedom of the Press Foundation has said it intends to sue Paramount if the company settles with the president.

Due to those concerns, the board is hoping to keep the settlement amount in the range of other media companies that have recently reached deals with Trump, in hopes that this would minimize any liability.

The $15 million that Paramount is reportedly offering Trump, for instance, is the same amount that Disney paid to end his defamation suit against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos over an interview that saw Stephanopoulos claiming that Trump was found civilly liable for rape rather than sexual abuse.
NBC News' Tom Winter and legal analyst Barbara McQuade join Morning Joe to report on President Trumps controversial commutation of former gang leader Larry Hoover, described by prosecutors as the chairman of the board of the Gangster Disciples. Hoover is serving multiple life sentences and has not renounced his gang affiliation, according to federal officials. Trump is also floating the idea of pardons for the men convicted in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, calling
As part of a flurry of presidential clemency this week, President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned a former Army officer convicted of disobeying COVID-19 safety measures in 2022.

Former 1st Lt. Mark Bashaw announced the pardon on social media, thanking Trump and all his supporters who took a stand against tyranny. He also posted a picture referencing conspiracy theories that the COVID-19 virus was a planned event by global elitists for unspecified, nefarious reasons.

Bashaw was convicted but given no prison sentence after refusing to obey orders designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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He had previously worked as an entomologist at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and commanded the headquarters company for the Army Public Health Center.

Army officer convicted in first known COVID court-martial

Military investigators said Bashaw refused to telework and traveled to his office without submitting evidence of a prior COVID-19 test. Both were required of soldiers at the facility in 2022 who were not vaccinated against the virus.

Bashaw was also found guilty of refusing to wear a mask in indoor areas, in violation of military protocols at the time. He was the first service member court-martialed for refusing to adhere to COVID mitigation protocols.

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He was discharged from the Army in 2023.

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in recent months have worked to overturn a host of past punishments and dismissals for pandemic violations in the military, including offering reinstatement and back pay to some troops forced out for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

Although Bashaw did not have any prison time related to his conviction, Trumps pardon erases his criminal record completely. White House officials did not release a statement on the reasoning behind the pardon.

More than 500,000 U.S. troops contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic from March 2020 to May 2023, but fewer than 100 died of complications related to the virus.
A former Congressman who pleaded guilty to tax fraud has become the latest beneficiary of Donald Trumps sweeping pardons after the president used his executive power to offer clemency.

Michael Grimm, who once threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony, served seven months in prison and one month under house arrest after pleading guilty in 2014 to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return.

Reality TV Personalities Julie Chrisley and Todd Chrisley. / Paul Archuleta/Getty

The Republican was offered a full pardon on Wednesday, just one day after Trump also pardoned reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, both of whom were also convicted on tax-related charges.

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Grimm represented Staten Island in the US Congress from 2011 to 2015, but his political career eventually came to an end amid a series of tax crimes.

Among other things, he admitted to concealing $900,000 in receipts from a Manhattan restaurant he was involved in, called Healthalicious.

An accountant then used the false information to file false federal and state tax returns for the restaurant.

Grimm was also caught once caught on camera threatening to throw a New York television reporter off a balcony following Barack Obamas State of the Union address in 2014.

The reporter had asked him about an investigation into his 2010 campaign finances, prompting the former FBI agent to threaten to break him in half.

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Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again, Ill throw you off this f------ balcony, he was heard saying.

Later that year, Grimm was paralyzed from the chest down after he was thrown from a horse during a polo tournament.

He sought re-election in his old seat three years later, but was defeated in the 2018 primaries by a Trump-backed candidate.

Trumps latest pardon continues his second-term trend of issuing clemency for loyalists and allies, including for those convicted of white collar crimes.

While it is not uncommon for presidents to use their executive powers in this way, Trump has issued an unusually large number of pardons during his second term after years of claiming that he had also been the victim of a weaponized justice system.

Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump / Reuters

Before becoming president, Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal with porn star Stormy Daniels that could have derailed his chances of becoming president in 2016.

In a separate civil case last year, a New York judge also ordered him to pay more than $US350 million after finding he had committed fraud while building the real estate empire that helped catapult him into the White House.
President Trump on Wednesday took a slew of clemency actions, including pardoning former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and commuting the sentence of a former Chicago gang leader.

Trump granted a full pardon to Grimm, a White House official confirmed. The former congressman represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn from 2011-15. He served seven months in prison after pleading guilty to felony tax fraud.

Grimm was seriously injured last September after he was thrown from a horse during a polo event.

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In addition to Grimm, Trump commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, who co-founded the Gangster Disciples and had been serving multiple life sentences in prison.

Hoover was sentenced to life in prison for murder in the 1970s. He was given another life sentence in the 1990s for operating a criminal enterprise. Hoover and his allies have argued for his release under the First Step Act, a criminal justice law Trump signed in 2018.

While Trumps actions will commute Hoovers federal sentence, he is still serving a state sentence. Hoover was being transferred from a federal prison in Colorado to a state prison in Illinois, The Chicago Tribune reported.

NOTUS first reported on Hoovers commutation.

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Trump also pardoned Kentrell Gaulden, a rapper who goes by the name NBA YoungBoy, who has faced a litany of legal issues.

The president pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R), who pleaded guilty in a corruption investigation in 2004 and was later convicted on federal charges in 2014.

Trump also granted pardons to Mark Bashaw, who was convicted in 2022 for refusing to follow COVID-19 rules in the Army, and Tanner Mansell and John Moore, who were convicted after releasing sharks from a government-sanctioned fishing line, according to the Palm Beach Post.

In addition to those acts of clemency, Trump pardoned Annabelle Valenzuala, Maryanne Morgan, Kevin Basin and Earl Lamont Smith, according to a White House official. Those pardons were part of a push by Alice Marie Johnson, whom Trump has dubbed his pardon czar.

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Trump has been on something of a pardon spree in recent days.

Trump pardoned reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted on tax evasion and bank fraud charges in 2022. He also pardoned Paul Walczak, who pleaded guilty to tax crimes. That pardon came after Walczaks mother attended a major fundraiser at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., last month.

Updated at 6:06 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(This story was updated to add new information.)

WEST PALM BEACH  President Donald Trump has pardoned two Florida shark divers convicted of theft for rescuing sharks and a goliath grouper from what they believed was an illegal longline.

The May 28 pardon grants full clemency to John Moore Jr. and Tanner Mansell, who spotted the longline 3 miles off the Jupiter Inlet on Aug. 10, 2020, and pulled it ashore. The gear alone cost the vessel owner about $1,300; the value of the lost sharks amounted to several thousand more.

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Tourists aboard Moore and Mansells boat said the men believed they were doing the right thing by confiscating the line and releasing the 19 sharks snagged by its hooks. Defense attorneys Marc Seitles and Ashley Litwin, who helped secure the men's pardon, said the decision to charge them anyway was a clear case of government overreach.

Trump agreed.

"Whether people believe in his politics or not, he chose to pardon me  somebody who deeply cares for the environment and only ever wanted to help," Mansell said in a text after his pardon. "I can't help but feel extremely grateful."

He and Moore have said from the beginning they thought they were thwarting a crime, not committing one. It's why they called state wildlife officers to report the line, and why they smiled as they hauled the fishing gear onto a Jupiter dock  a moment photographed and shared online by a local blogger.

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The photo went viral. It ruptured an already tenuous relationship between the local fishing and shark-diving industries and prompted Scott Taylor, captain of the boat to which the longline belonged, to call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and seek a criminal investigation.

Shark theft divided jurors and the public

The 3-mile longline belonged to one of only five vessels in the world permitted by NOAA to harvest sandbar sharks for research. Federal prosecutors argued that the divers knew the line was legal and sabotaged it anyway to preserve shark populations for their own commercial interests.

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $28,000 for the divers legal defense, while one launched for the fisherman raised about $4,500. The divers rejected a misdemeanor plea deal on the eve of trial and chose not to testify in their defense, either.

Two Jupiter divers were charged with theft after releasing sharks from a fishing line they said they believed was abandoned and illegal. Images contained in court records show numerous sharks ensnared on the line's hooks.

Jurors deliberated for three days  longer than the trial itself  before finding the divers guilty.

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U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks sentenced the pair to one year of probation and ordered them to pay $3,345 in restitution to the Fort Pierce fisherman whose equipment was destroyed. Though spared from prison, their convictions made them felons, unable to vote, own firearms or freely travel abroad.

Appellate judge questioned shark divers' prosecution but didn't reverse conviction

Trump wasn't the first to question Moore and Mansell's prosecution. During a 2024 hearing in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, two judges asked why the men were charged with a crime to begin with.

Judge Barbara Lagoa said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Watts-Fitzgerald prosecuted the men "for reasons that defy understanding." She compared him to Inspector Javert  the relentless lawman from "Les Miserables" who pursued a man for decades over the theft of a single loaf of bread.

"Moore and Mansell are felons because they tried to save sharks from what they believed to be an illegal poaching operation," Lagoa wrote. "They are the only felons I have ever encountered, in eighteen years on the bench and three years as a federal prosecutor, who called law enforcement to report what they were seeing and what actions they were taking in real time.

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Mansell's appellate attorney Andrew Adler stressed the fact that a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer declined to investigate the longline immediately, and instead told Moore to leave it on the dock for him to collect later. By the time the officer finally returned, the line had been picked clean of its hardware and loaded into a dumpster at the order of the harbormaster.

John R. Moore Jr., pictured handling a shark, was convicted of stealing fishing gear but has been pardoned.

Go deeper: Jupiter divers who freed sharks from fishing line want their theft convictions overturned. What the judges said.

Despite what Lagoa called "troublesome aspects of the case," she and two other judges affirmed the divers' convictions, rejecting the argument that Middlebrooks should have told jurors that theft requires intent to use the property for personal gain.

The court held that under federal law, it was enough that the divers intentionally took property that wasnt theirs.

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"Often in criminal defense, it's a long road where you feel like you're banging your head against the wall and no one cares," Litwin said. "This felt that way."

White House contacted shark divers' attorneys  not the other way around

Litwin's outlook changed in April, when attorney Sean Hayes with the Office of the White House Counsel called her and her co-counselor, Seitles, to inquire about the case. After hearing their pitch for why the men deserved to be pardoned, and without needing a formal application, Hayes initiated the pardon review.

When Hayes called again May 28, Litwin said she assumed he had more questions. Instead, he had good news.

"I screamed," Litwin said. "I said, 'Do I get to tell my client, or do you?'"

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Report: Trump pardoned tax cheat Paul Walczak after $1M donation from mother Betsy Fago

Trumps pardon marks the latest in a series of high-profile clemency actions targeting what he has described as prosecutorial overreach. Some of those pardons have helped prominent campaign donors and associates of the president  categories neither diver falls into, Seitles said.

"Of course people ask: 'Did you pay money?' There was no money paid," he said. "These guys are hippie guys swimming with sharks. They don't have money."

Mansell's trial attorney, Ian Goldstein, said he was "absolutely thrilled" by the news.

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"There couldn't have been a more deserving client," Goldstein said. "This case never should have been brought in the first place."

Watts-Fitzgerald declined to comment on both the pardon and the Inspector Javert comparison. He instead referred questions to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office, who also declined to comment.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump pardons Florida divers who freed sharks from fisherman's longline
Former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld, who was convicted of federal bribery and attempted extortion charges, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

An "executive grant of clemency" signed May 28 by Trump directs the Attorney General to sign and grant a "full and unconditional pardon."

Sittenfeld's convictions derailed a promising political career where he once was the frontrunner for mayor. He was arrested months after announcing his campaign for Cincinnati mayor in 2020.

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The case against Sittenfeld centered on donations to his political action committee, which prosecutors said he solicited from an informant for the FBI and FBI agents posing as developers of a downtown Cincinnati project. Prosecutors said Sittenfeld's actions went beyond campaign fundraising and crossed the line into bribery.

Former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld walks into court alongside his wife, Dr. Sarah Coyne, on Friday July 8, 2022, as a verdict in his public corruption was reached. He was found guilty on two of six counts.

A jury found him guilty in 2022. After a lengthy post-conviction legal battle, Sittenfeld was sentenced to 16 months in prison, although he only served about four and a half months. In May 2024, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals released him while his appeal was pending.

Earlier this year, the 6th Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, upheld the convictions at the same time as all three Trump-appointed judges appeared to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.

Two of the judges said they believed the Supreme Court should review it. The third judge, who authored the majority opinion, said it "may be time for the (Supreme Court) to revisit or refine" its previous holdings.

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Former U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker, who oversaw Sittenfeld's trial, told The Enquirer that the pardon "undermines the dutiful work that was done by my office at the time, along with our federal law enforcement partners."

It also "casts aside the deliberative work of the jury, the district court judge, and the judges of the (6th Circuit)."

"Corruption is a crime that knows no political lines and should be addressed wherever and whenever it happens," Parker said. "This case was prosecuted because of the criminal behavior that clearly occurred as decided by the jury. Remember, to even reach a pardon, one first has to acknowledge that a crime was actually committed. That is definitely the case here and a pardon is inappropriate, to say the least."

Sittenfeld has taken his case to the U.S. Supreme Court in an effort to overturn his convictions. It's not clear if Sittenfeld will continue to challenge his convictions. The lead attorney for the Supreme Court case did not respond to messages seeking comment.

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Sittenfeld did not respond to The Enquirer's attempts at seeking comment. His wife told a reporter who went to their East Walnut Hills home that she would not comment.

Staff writer David Ferrara contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: PG Sittenfeld: President Trump pardons former Cincinnati councilman
Two Palm Beach County men running a tourist shark-diving charter who cut what they believed was an illegal shark fishing line, but was actually an authorized commercial set-up, have been granted clemency by President Donald Trump.

Captain John R. Moore Jr., of West Palm Beach, and his mate on the boat Tanner J. Mansell, of Jupiter, were convicted by a federal jury in 2022 of theft of commercial fishing gear in the federal waters off Palm Beach County. Trump granted them both full clemency Wednesday.

In August 2020, Moore Jr. and Mansell took a group of six tourists less than 10 miles offshore of Jupiter, in federal waters, for a charter trip to snorkel with sharks, federal court records show. Both worked for Florida Shark Diving, a charter company based in Jupiter, and held licenses from the U.S. Coast Guard to operate charters.

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Moore Jr. and Mansell took the group to a spot with bull sharks, and they all saw a bright orange buoy as they headed north afterward in the Jupiter Inlet in the afternoon of Aug. 10, 2020, according to transcripts of the court proceedings. Moore Jr. and Mansell told the tourists the fishing set up beneath the buoy was an illegal fishing line, killing sharks and other marine life.

Some of the tourists on the boat documented on their cellphones for several hours what prosecutors argued was an intended crime  Moore Jr. and Mansell pulling in and cutting the fishing line, releasing more than a dozen sharks as they cut, according to trial transcripts. Prosecutors maintained that the tourists were conned by Moore Jr. and Mansell into helping remove the fishing line, thinking that they were saving sharks from an illegal endeavor.

But the fishing set up that they had dismantled that afternoon was owned and operated by a commercial fishing boat, Day Boat III, that was authorized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to research sharks, according to trial transcripts.

The defense said that Moore Jr. and Mansell simply made a mistake and believed what they were doing was intervening with a crime that was already being committed, not intending to commit one themselves, according to court transcripts.

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They were wrong. But they are not criminals, defense attorney Marc Seitles said in his closing statement at trial. They made a mistake. But they are not criminals.

Assistant United States Attorney Tom Watts-Fitzgerald argued in his opening statement at trial that Moore Jr. and Mansells motive was that the commercial boat meant competition for their business.

They want the sharks to be there. They get tips from the passengers, the prosecutors said. They get paying passengers to go out. They get nice video to put on their website. They get photos. But if a shark fisherman takes some of the sharks, maybe their job is a little harder.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for both men, and a judge sentenced them each to a year of probation and more than $3,000 of restitution, federal court records show.

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Seitles told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the trial only lasted two days, but it took the deadlocked jury five days to return the verdict.

When they appealed, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Barbara Lagoa questioned why the case was filed, when it appeared there was no criminal intent, Seitles said. But the lower courts conviction was upheld.

The facts were nobody knew that the line belonged to anybody, he said. They were out there in the middle of the ocean and see a line with sharks and other animals caught to a line.

A representative from the White House contacted Seitles and his partner about the case after having read coverage of it, which spanned outside Florida, he said.

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Moore Jr. has since moved to California and is starting a charter wildlife tour company there, Seitles said. Mansell was on a plane to Indonesia on Wednesday when he received the news of his pardon, heading to take people on a shark tour.

In a statement to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Thursday, others on Mansells and Moore Jr.s defense team said it was a case prosecutors never should have pursued.

We are extremely grateful that justice has finally been done for Mr. Mansell and Mr. Moore, attorney Ian Goldstein said. This is a case that never should have been filed. I couldnt be more happy for these two very deserving gentlemen.

Attorney Andrew Adler, another member of Mansells defense team, said in a statement: The Framers had the foresight and wisdom to include the Pardon Power in the Constitution. This case illustrates why. We are grateful that the President has exercised that power and corrected this miscarriage of justice.
President Donald Trump assured that Harvard is getting their a-- kicked as the school continues to fight the administrations demands.

While addressing reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday following the swearing-in of former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, DC, the president chastised Harvard for its behavior.

Harvards got to behave themselves, he said. Harvard is treating our country with great disrespect and all theyre doing is getting in deeper and deeper and deeper.

Trump says Harvard is

The president clarified that Harvard has to understand the last thing I want to do is hurt them.

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Theyre hurting themselves. Theyre fighting, he said.

Trump went on to compare the oldest university in the nation to Columbia University, which has caved in to the administrations demands on every occasion.

You know, Columbia has been reallythey were very, very bad, what theyve done. Theyre very anti-Semitic and lots of other things, he said. But theyre working with us on finding a solution, and, you know, theyre taken off that hot seat.

But Harvard wants to fight. They want to show how smart they are, and theyre getting their a-- kicked, he declared.

Harvards president, Alan Garber, has urged other universities to not abandon their values in the face of the current administration, stating that we need to be firm in our commitments to what we stand for.

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Trump promised that he had the institutions best interest at heart, and that he was simply looking out for the country and for Harvard.

I want Harvard to do well. I want Harvard to be great again, probably, because how could it be great? he added skeptically.

Harvard refuses to give in to the administration's demands. / JOSEPH PREZIOSO / Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Trump also blasted the university for its remedial math class, saying that the school is bragging about how theyre teaching students basic mathematics.

How could it be great, when you have Harvard announce two weeks ago that they are going to teach remedial mathematics, remedial, meaning theyre going to teach low-grade mathematics, like two plus two is four, he said.

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The schools new introductory math course is being offered to students who have taken a break from mathematics, and will use techniques taught in high school algebra classes.

How did these people get into Harvard if they cant do basic mathematics? How did they do it? he asked.

Where do these people come from? he mused, saying that this is why we have to look at the list, referring to a list of every international student currently at Harvard, which he demanded the institution hand over.

The administration tried to ban Harvard from enrolling international students. / RICK FRIEDMAN / Rick Friedman/AFP via Getty Images

Trump has also used this new math class to justify banning international students from the university, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing Thursday that it would be revoking the schools Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification.

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This means Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status, the DHS statement read.

The ban, which would have affected 6,800 international students enrolled at the university, was quickly blocked by a federal judge the next day, and the school was issued a temporary restraining order.

But this didnt discourage the administration. Only four days later, the State Department ordered U.S. embassies to temporarily stop scheduling new student visa appointments as they expanded their screening process for applicants.

Harvard President Alan Garber led the charge against the Trump administration by refusing to bow down to the president's demands. / Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images

Most recently, Trump has threatened to withhold $3 billion more of federal grant money from the institution, in addition to the $2.2 billion in federal funding it has already frozen.

The administration is also moving to cancel its remaining federal contracts with Harvard, which are worth about $100 million in total.
Nearly four months into Trumps second term, his arguably one-sided bromance with Putin has soured. Handout via Getty Images

Historically, President Donald Trump and Russias President Vladimir Putin have enjoyed a very special relationship  at least if youre viewing it through Trumps perspective.

As far back as 2013, Trump was envisioning a friendship with the Russian authoritarian leader, whose allegiance to Trump has proved more ambiguous through the years.

Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow  if so, will he become my new best friend? Trump, the beauty pageants then-owner, tweeted in June 2013.

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Later, Trump praised Putin as a big hero in Russia and a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond. (CNN has a more exhaustive list of Trumps effusive remarks about Putin, if youre into that sort of thing)

Putin has spoken admiringly of Trump here and there, including a compliment about Trump behaving like a real man after an assassination attempt last year.

But many, including former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, believe Putin sees Trump as an easy mark on the global stage.

As a former KGB agent, Putin knows exactly how to manipulate him, Bolton told the Kyiv Independent in March. (Of course, all of this is complicated by multiple investigations that have documented Russias interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which Trump won. Putin has denied any tampering.)

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That very brief history brings us to the current day: Nearly four months into his second term, Trumps arguably one-sided bromance with Putin has apparently soured. Trump has become increasingly disillusioned with his political BFF as Putin continues to refuse to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine.

I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! Trump wrote in a widely mocked Truth Social post last month.

On Sunday, after Putin launched the largest aerial attack of Moscows three-year full-scale war on Ukraine, Trump again criticized the Russian leader.

Ive always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! Trump wrote on Truth Social. He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and Im not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.

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Then came Putins response, which couldnt have gone over well with Trump. Trump seemed to be experiencing emotional overload, the Kremlin mused  the geopolitical equivalent of telling your wife she sounds crazy in the middle of an argument.

Whats going on with these two? Is the honeymoon stage over? Was there ever much of a bromance to begin with? To untangle all of this, we reached out to Tracy Ross, a couples therapist in New York City, who characterized Trump and Putin as very much a toxic couple.

For years, Trump unhealthily idealized and even seemed to aspire to be like the Russian strongman leader, Ross said. It didnt seem to register for Trump that the relationship was unrequited.

He seemed to exhibit denial in order to maintain his version of who Putin is and what their relationship was, she said. Trump acted like someone with blinders on  rose-colored glasses, defending Putins intentions and reasoning.

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The way he continuously expresses alignment with Putins positions  even making the audacious claim that Ukraine started the war  mirrors an unhealthy relationship dynamic (not to mention, puts the U.S. at risk).

The stakes are different but the dynamics are similar, Ross said. In a toxic or unhealthy relationship dynamic, one person ignores, justifies or reasons away the behavior of the other that is damaging and even destructive.

"In a toxic or unhealthy relationship dynamic, one person ignores, justifies or reasons away the behavior of the other that is damaging and even destructive," couples therapist Tracy Ross said. Mikhail Svetlov via Getty Images

Trump held tightly to his trumped-up, idealized version of Putin because he believed he was equally admired and respected by the other man, and that his loyalty to would allow him to influence Putins actions.

That doesnt seem to be the case, which may come as a surprise to Trump, but not to outsiders, which  again  mirrors an unhealthy relationship dynamic when the world sees what you dont because you are too far in it, or invested in your version until something breaks through the denial, Ross said.

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While it does appear that Trump is finally waking up when it comes to all things Vlads, the tone hes taking lately is the opposite of strong or statesmanly. Those Truth Social posts speak to Trumps insecurity and need for approval and validation.

The Vladimir, STOP! statement is oddly childish and groveling, Ross said. Its the way you would speak to someone you are very familiar with and close to. Hes trying to express his disapproval and yet hoping to maintain the perceived relationship, the emotional attachment he has to Putin.

It wont be effective, because Putin doesnt need the approval and validation the way Trump does, Ross said.

The Kremlins emotional overload comment is a classic deflective response. Its textbook gaslighting, but then again, so was Trump calling his buddy absolutely CRAZY earlier this week.

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Neither one is taking any accountability or trying to gain clarity, Ross said.

"Neither one is taking any accountability or trying to gain clarity," Ross said. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images

If this were a therapy setting, we would work on being interested in how they are impacting one another, trying to get them each to take responsibility instead of escalating, and trying to find resolution instead of upping the ante and continuing to place blame, she explained.

In a marriage, these kinds of petty and small interactions would only lead to more fission. In a geopolitical bromance, the same could be said  but then it wasnt much of a bromance to begin with.

Friendship requires reciprocity, taking each others feelings and points of view into account, a back and forth, a give and take, and mutual respect and regard, she said.

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The Trump-Putin rapport always felt asymmetrical and politically imbalanced, with Putin gripping the lions share of the power.

Trump often praised or defended Putin, while Putin remained measured or even condescending. There was admiration but it was one-sided, Ross said. Given that this was more of a fantasy bond than an actual bond, a friendship reconciliation is unlikely to happen.

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President Donald Trump has responded to billionaire and former number-one ally Elon Musk, after he heavily criticized the White House's so-called "big, beautiful bill."

Over the weekend, Musk told CBS News that he's "disappointed" by the price tag of the tax and spending bill, arguing that it "increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."

"I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful," he added, "but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion."

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It was a once-rare but increasingly common moment of public disagreement between the two ultra-public figures, who had stood side by side during the contentious election last year when Trump ultimately retook the White House.

Asked about Musk's reaction to the bill, which would indeed raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, Trump offered a word salad response.

"We have to get a lot of votes, we can't be cutting  we need to get a lot of support," the president told reporters on Wednesday, as quoted by USA Today, arguing that the bill would've lost momentum with deeper proposed cuts. "I'm not happy about certain aspects of it, but I'm thrilled by other aspects of it."

It's a particularly notable inflection point for Musk, who announced that he would be stepping away from his role as a "special government employee" after months of implementing disastrous and chaotic cost-cutting measures with the help of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

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"The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," he tweeted Wednesday evening.

But the White House seemed eager to move on after the increased friction with Musk. His "off-boarding will begin tonight," a White House official confirmed to Reuters hours earlier.

However, given the power Musk has accrued in the White House, it's unlikely the billionaire will simply vanish from the scene. As his tweet suggests, his influence will likely be felt for a long time to come.

Where all of this leaves Musk's relationship with the president is hard to read. Trump has been left with the cleanup job and is looking to codify some of DOGE's catastrophic budget cuts. He's expected to send a whopping $9.4 billion rescissions package to Congress next week, proposing deep cuts to USAID  which has already been gutted by DOGE  and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which formed NPR and funds PBS.

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Musk's departure from the White House will come to the relief of many, including Republican lawmakers in Washington, DC, and investors in his ailing carmaker Tesla.

The mercurial CEO's embrace of far-right ideals and his tenure in the government cutting federal funding have proven to be incredibly damaging to Tesla's brand, sending sales off a cliff worldwide.

Trump, for his part, could certainly do with a whole lot less of Musk, whose popularity has tanked, dragging down the administration's favorability with him.

After all, the president is certainly fully capable of sowing mayhem all by himself  without a tempestuous billionaire whispering in his ear and rebuking him in public.

More on Elon Musk: Elon Musk Just Ghosted a Huge Company Meeting
President Donald Trump is entertaining the idea of pardoning those convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020.

Trump said Wednesday he will take a look at pardoning four men convicted on federal charges. That escalates a suggestion from the DOJs new pardon attorney, Ed Martin, who recently described the case as a fed-napping plot.

I will take a look at it, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Its been brought to my attention.

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Trump, 78, said he watched the groups criminal trial and that it looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job.

Whitmer has been criticized for her appearances alongside President Trump / Scott Olson/Getty Images

You know, they were drinking, and I think they said stupid things, but Ill take a look at that, Trump added.

The suggestion that those involved merely spoke of kidnapping Whitmer during a drunken bender is misleading. Fourteen people were arrested in an October 2020 sting that included the use of informants and undercover FBI agents, who testified that the group planned to capture the governor at her vacation home, blow up a bridge to distract responding cops, and provoke a civil war ahead of the 2020 election.

Whitmera Democrat who has been criticized by her own party for cozying up to Trump since his return to the White Househad previously said her targeting was the result of violent and divisive political rhetoric in America, suggesting the men were inspired by Trump. Her office did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast.

Over 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters were pardoned by President Donald Trump when he took office in January. The Whitmer kidnapping plot was foiled in October 2020, on the eve of the presidential election. / Kent Nishimura / Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

When our leaders meet with, encourage, or fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions and they are complicit, she said in 2020, referring to Trump.

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Nine suspects were convicted in total, but only four on federal charges. A presidential pardon would only apply to those convicted in federal court, meaning those serving time on state charges in Michigan would not be home free.

Barry Croft Jr., 49, and Adam Fox, 42, were the ringleaders of the scheme. Croft was sentenced to spend nearly 20 years in a federal prison, the longest sentence of the group.

Barry Croft Jr., left, and Adam Fox, right, were convicted for plotting to kidnap Whitmer in 2020 after her Covid-19 policies. / Kent County Sheriffs Office

Trump has been on a pardon spree since returning to office. He said on Tuesday he would pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of defrauding banks out of more than $30 million through fraudulent loans. The day before, he said he would pardon Scott Jenkins, a former Virginia sheriff convicted of corruption-related charges who was set to start a 10-year sentence this week.

The president also pardoned 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters on his first day back in office, including some who were convicted of harming law enforcement. He pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who had been serving a life sentence for running a crypto-based market for drugs like heroin and meth, the following day.

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Granting clemency to those who intimately planned to kidnap Whitmer, who is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, would likely be considered among Trumps most controversial pardons.

Martin, who became a MAGA figure for his support of Trumps 2020 stop the steal movement, said this month he is taking a hard look at the case. He suggested on his podcast that, if it were up to him, he would wipe away the mens federal charges.

On the pardon front, we cant leave these guys behind, Martin said. In my opinion, these are victims, just like January 6.
President Donald Trump shrugged off ethics and security concerns to accept a new luxury plane from Qatarnow hes complaining about its size.

Its too big, Trump told reporters Wednesday. Frankly its too big, much too big.

He nonetheless touted the jet as beautiful, big and magnificent, offering no further explanation for his issue.

Measuring 250 feet long, the Boeing 747-8 indeed stretches 18 feet beyond the older Boeing 747-200B that currently serves as Air Force One, according to The Guardian. But the $400 million gift from Qatars royal family, dubbed a flying palace, would seem to suit Trumps taste for the grandiose just fine.

Trump toured the new jet in February and reportedly fell in love with it immediately. Despite strict rules on presidential gifts, he accepted the plane from Qatar. / Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

According to an aircraft specification summary document posted online when the plane was listed for sale several years ago, it has at least three lounges, two bedrooms, nine bathrooms, five galleys and a private office. The art-deco inspired interiors feature oversized couches and recliners, wood paneling, built-in bookshelves, and big-screen TVs.

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Moreover, one reason Trump apparently wanted the new plane so badly is that the size of the current Air Force One made him feel insecure when parked next to jets owned by Middle Eastern royals.

When you land and you see Saudi Arabia, and you see UAE, and you see Qatar, and you see all this, and they have these brand new Boeing 747s mostly, and you see ours next to it, this is like a totally different plane, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity.

Trump wants a new Air Force Onefastbut Boeing has repeatedly delayed its delivery of a replacement, frustrating the president. / Win McNamee/Getty Images

Its much smaller, he said. Its much less impressiveas impressive as it is.

The new jet is technically a hand-me-down, having once been used by the division of Qatar Airways that serves the royal families and other top government officials. It now sits at an airport in San Antonio, Texas, where its being reworked by the U.S. Air Force to meet presidential requirements.

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While Trump boasted Wednesday that he got the plane for free, Fortune reported that modifying the jet may cost taxpayers up to $1 billion. And at the end of Trumps term, the jet wont stay in serviceinstead it will be transferred to Trumps presidential library foundation.

Trump has come under fire from both Democrats and Republicans for accepting such a lavish gift from a foreign government. A new CNN report has contradicted Trumps free gift narrative, with multiple sources claiming that Trump sought out the jet after realizing that Boeing wouldnt be able to deliver a replacement for the aging Air Force One until 2027. Two new Boeing 747-8 planes are currently being specially customized to become the next generation of Air Force One, but the project has been hit with delays.

Were waiting too long from Boeing, Trump said Wednesday, Boeing has got to get its act together.
FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN)  The woman overseeing the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump toured a Central Texas gun manufacturing facility Thursday morning as part of a nationwide tour.

Kelly Loeffler, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, visited Staccato in Florence, about an hour north of Austin. KXAN was invited to join her exclusively.

Thats what the Small Business Administration is about, its about creating opportunity for small businesses like this one that are creating jobs and economic growth across this country, Loeffler said. Weve proposed to Congress doubling our manufacturing loan size to $10 million from $5 million so that manufacturers can continue to grow and invest just like here.

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler

Earlier this year, the SBA announced a Made in America Manufacturing Initiative which it says will cut down on red tape and regulations, make loans more accessible and promote a local manufacturing workforce. You can read the full list of promises made under the initiative here.

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Thats what President Trumps agenda is about, its deregulation, its tax cuts, its economic opportunity and growth for all Americans, said Loeffler.

The initiative promises to support President Trumps manufacturing agenda, including tariffs to restore fair and reciprocal trade but some Central Texas businesses have expressed concern about the impact tariffs may have.

We asked Loeffler about those concerns Thursday.

Yeah, so when we hear the word tariff think fair trade, Loeffler responded. Our small businesses have been incredibly disadvantaged by unfair trade policies in the last 30 years that hollowed out this countryremember, manufacturing is 99% small businesses.

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Thursday, a court blocked most of President Trumps tariffs and then another reinstated them.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
US President Donald Trump speaks at a Hurricane Helene recovery briefing in a hangar at the Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, North Carolina, on January 24, 2025. Trump said he may "get rid of FEMA," if deemed necessary. Credit - Mandel Ngan / Getty Images)

Two weeks before Election Day last year, Donald Trump dropped into western North Carolina, where the devastation from Tropical Storm Helene was still fresh and frustration with Washington was boiling over. If elected, Trump pledged, he would do better in future crises, learning the lessons of the destruction the hurricane had unleashed there on Sept. 27.

The power of nature, nothing you can do about it. But you got to get a little bit better crew in to do a better job than has been done by the White House, because its not good, not good, Trump said during a two-day trip to a state that weeks later would vote for Trump as president for the third time in as many elections.

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Now back in power, however, his Administration is not exactly championing the rebuild of that part of Appalachia, where 95 people died and about 185,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in North Carolina alone. In fact, hes scaling back federal help available for that region and telling the states to take bigger pieces of the financial burden for future storms, just as hurricane season gets underway.

Given the chance to take extraordinary steps to continue full government funding, Trump is declining, breaking with how his predecessors handled major crises. In North Carolina alone, the price tag to recover from Helene is expected to be around $60 billion; Gov. Josh Steins budget proposal in March called for total state spending on all programs to be almost $34 billion, meaning folks expected Washington to carry much of the recovery.

But Trump wants to shift the burden back to Governors. The shortfall is especially worrying as hurricane season starts this weekend with most expertsincluding those inside the Federal Emergency Management Agencywarning that the feds are nowhere close to being ready. It looks like there will be about $8 billion in disaster costs that are not funded by the time the new federal budget starts in October, and the White House seems fine letting that check fall beyond the Beltway.

Anyone who has watched Trump knew this was a likely outcome. The mismarriage of campaign trail pitch and White House action is a hallmark of his governance style. Given a chance to make grand promises, Trumps salesman DNA kicks in. When theres a chance to kick a political foe, its an even surer bet.

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Whats happened there is very bad. Theyre offering them $750 to people whose homes have been washed away, Trump told a crowd in Butler, Penn., on Oct. 5, repeating debunked claims that the Biden Administration was capping rebuilding funds and instead spending cash on people improperly in the United States. And yet we send tens of billions of dollars to foreign countries that most people have never heard of. Theyre offering them $750. Theyve been destroyed. These people have been destroyed.

But given a chance to keep the cash that Biden had sent the State flowing, Trump has decided to throttle it back. Stein estimates the scaling back will cost the state an extra $200 million in federal dollars to clear debris and take emergency measures to safeguard surviving infrastructure.

To be clear: FEMA is still on the ground and likely will be for months to come. In other parts of the government, federal programs to rebuild often take years to get finished. But instead of the feds picking up the full cost of the clean up, as has been the case after major storms that defy any one states capacity to get roads back open and mountains of shattered timber out of leveled neighborhoods, the feds share is going to notch down to 90% of the cost. Its still better than the typical 75% reimbursement rate for other disasters, but Stein had wanted to keep it at a 100% level for at least an extra 180 days. And the request is not without precedent: Hurricanes Katrina, Maria, and Ike were covered at 100% during previous moments of crisis that took a long time to clear out.

The downgrade in federal cover to dig out dropped to the current 90% in March but Stein and the congressional delegation had lobbied to have the Trump team reconsider. Stein asked FEMA to give it another look at the time but was rebuffed. He appealed and lost the ask in April. And in a letter on May 22, FEMA stuck to the position that North Carolina needs to take care of at least 10 cents of every dollar going to clear away the lingering damage.

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Zooming out, this decision is of a piece of Trumpisms ongoing campaign to get Washington out of things that, in the Presidents mind, should be someone elses problem. FEMA in particular has been a source of contempt. On his first trip outside of Washington during his second term, he visited North Carolina and said he was considering eliminating FEMA. He appointed a task force to study how to wind down FEMAs reach and work has begun. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week that our goal is that states should manage their emergencies and we come in and support them." She suggested a rebranding of FEMA might help.

That has left Governors chasing exemptions. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was Trumps top spokeswoman during his first term, successfully asked Trump for a second look after his administration initially rejected an emergency declaration after tornados hit her state, but it was a point of serious frustration. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe found himself in limbo after a tornado hit St. Louis, only to get it after Sen. Josh Hawley confronted Noem during a hearing last week. And Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves was stuck twisting after tornadoes arrived in his state.

But banking on state governments to match the resources of the federal governmentcash, expertise, largessis an inefficient use of funds, as states in most cases have to stay in the black and cannot use debt for operations like a from-the-ground-up rebuild. That apparently is not Trumps worry. But as hurricane season starts in earnest, it may soon be everyone elses.

Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.
An appeals court has temporarily lifted the blockade of almost all tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which had been ordered by a lower court.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which issued the stay, is now reviewing the case, an order said on Thursday.

The parties have been asked to submit further statements, the court said.

Trump's administration had earlier taken legal action against the decision of the Court of International Trade in New York, which had declared almost all of the president's tariffs to be unlawful.

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Just before the appeals court order was issued, the White House had sharply criticized the court's ruling and had said legal action had been initiated against it.

The judges had "brazenly abused their judicial power to usurp Trump's authority," his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in Washington.

The US government, she said, was once again confronted with an example of judicial overreach.

The United States has recorded a trade deficit on goods every year since 1975, she pointed out. "President Trump is delivering on his promise to fix this problem," Leavitt said in defending the US tariff policy.

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Trump's justification for introducing the high tariffs was legally sound and based on common sense, she claimed. She said it was right for the president to have declared a national emergency when it came to issues like the drug fentanyl or the trade deficit.

In the interest of the country, the US Supreme Court must ultimately put an end to the matter, she said, adding that Trump will continue his trade policy. He also has other legal powers to impose tariffs, Leavitt stressed.

On Wednesday, the trade court ruled that Trump did not have the authority to impose extensive tariffs by invoking an emergency law. The relevant tariffs would be revoked and their application permanently prohibited, the court ordered.

The decision affects almost all tariffs imposed by Trump's administration. While the decision was a major setback for Trump's aggressive trade policy, the order of the appeals court is now a first success for the US president - but not final. The legal dispute is likely to make its way through the courts. It is also not the only ongoing legal dispute over Trump's tariffs.

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The European Commission on Thursday declined to comment on the first ruling. Trump unexpectedly threatened the European Union with punitive tariffs of 50% starting on June 1, before postponing the measures shortly afterwards to allow for negotiations.

Talks on a possible deal are under way, with both sides hoping to find a solution by July 9, when Trump's suspension expires.

A spokesman for the German Economy Ministry also said it was not possible to comment on legal proceedings in the United States. "We remain confident that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached in the negotiations between the European Commission and the US government," he said.

The initial court ruling affected almost all tariffs imposed by Trump's administration, including the punitive levies introduced on what the US president termed Liberation Day in early April, as well as certain tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.
President Donald Trump has shut down a $15 million offer from Paramount Global to settle his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The lawsuit stems from CBS 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris last fall, which the president claims was deceitfully edited. Trump is asking for $25 million to settle and an apology from the news network, WSJ reports.

The two parties have reportedly discussed a tentative mediation session for Thursday.

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Paramount shares were trading flat in after-hours trading after the Wall Street Journal report.

The lawsuit and Paramounts handling of it led to a mass exodus of top members at 60 Minutes and CBS. Executive producer Bill Owens resigned from his 60 Minutes role in April. He said in a memo to the staff that he lost the ability to make independent decisions.

My 60 Minutes priorities have always been clear. Maybe not smart, but clear. Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, Owens wrote in a memo to staff.

To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show- and what we stand for  from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward. The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer.

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Wendy McMahon, a longtime defender of 60 Minutes, also stepped down as president of CBS News and Stations among the tumult caused by the lawsuit. She said in a memo its become clear the company and I do not agree on the path forward, according to the New York Times.

Months into Trumps term in office, the FCC opened investigations into the news practices at CBS News. The FCC also has to approve Paramount Globals merger with Skydance  which is valued at $8 billion. Back in January, CBS handed over an unedited transcript and footage from the 60 Minutes interview with Harris in compliance with the FCC.

Paramount declined TheWraps request for comment.

The post Trump Shuts Down Paramounts $15 Million Offer to Settle 60 Minutes Lawsuit | Report appeared first on TheWrap.
President Trump suffered mental anguish and confusion as a result of how 60 Minutes and CBS deceptively edited its interview with Kamala Harris leading up to the 2024 election, the presidents lawyers said in a legal filing on Wednesday.

The filing is an objection to parent company Paramount Globals push to dismiss his $20 billion lawsuit against CBS for how it edited the Harris interview last year.

Defendants conduct, including news distortion, constituted commercial speech

which cannot by any reasonable interpretation be found to have constituted editorial judgment, and that speech damaged Plaintiffs, the presidents lawyers argued in the filing.

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They continued:The fact that such commercial speech was issued by a news organization does not insulate Defendants from liability under the First Amendment.

The court filing from Trumps attorneys argued 60 Minutes intentionally edited its Harris interview to misrepresent significant portions of what she said  which ultimately misled the American public and led to widespread confusion and mental anguish for both viewers and the president.

Trumps attorneys also argued viewers withheld attention from President Trump and Truth Social, his social media platform, due to the false advertising and tampering tied to the Harris interview, resulting in a decrease in value for Trump Media and Technology Group and his other media holdings.

CBS News has maintained that Trumps accusations of deceitful editing were false, explaining that the promo shown on Face the Nation used a longer section of Harris answer. It also turned over the transcript and camera footage from the interview to the FCC as part of the agencys investigation into allegations of news distortion.

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In a March filing to dismiss the Trump suit, CBS called it an affront to the First Amendment and without basis in law or fact.

They not only ask for $20 billion in damages but also seek an order directing how a news organization may exercise its editorial judgment in the future, the motion said. The First Amendment stands resolutely against these demands.

The latest filing from Trumps team comes after he recently shot down Paramounts offer to settle the lawsuit for $15 million, with the president aiming to get at least $25 million and an apology, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Per the Journal, the parties are set to meet for a mediation session on Thursday as settlement discussions continue.

Paramount Global has been looking to smooth relations with the Trump administration as it awaits FCC approval of its pending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval from the agency due to a required transfer of broadcast licenses of Paramounts 28 owned-and-operated local TV stations, had previously triggered its first automatic 90-day extension after failing to close by April 7.

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FCC chairman Brendan Carr has argued that the settlement talks with Trump are unrelated to the agencys review of the Skydance deal. But he has warned that all options remain on the table in the agencys ongoing investigation into alleged news distortion, including potentially revoking CBS broadcast license if the network is found to have violated the agencys public interest standard. He has also previously threatened to block M&A for companies who embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and is reportedly seeking concessions in the Paramount-Skydance deal.

Disney previously paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit Donald Trump brought against ABC News and star anchor George Stephanopoulos. Meta also paid $25 million to settle Trumps lawsuit about being kicked off Facebook and Instagram after the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The post Trump Suffered Mental Anguish and Confusion From 60 Minutes Kamala Harris Interview, Lawyers Claim in Bid to Deny Dismissal appeared first on TheWrap.
Two of Colorados largest grocers are at risk of facing a workers' strike.

The union representing Colorado grocery workers has not reached an agreement with either Krogers King Soopers and City Market leadership or Albertsons Safeway for new employee contracts.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 is already taking action to initiate a strike against Albertsons and Safeway. The timing comes as the "100 days of peace" between the union and King Soopers that halted the last strike from earlier this year expired Wednesday.

Over Memorial Day weekend, the union scheduled strike votes for Safeway and Albertsons employees spanning from Denver to Pueblo and Grand Junction beginning Friday going into next week.

In bargaining updates posted on UFCW Local 7s Facebook page, leadership stress both grocers have been pushing to give workers less than what their current benefits offer.

We have been bargaining with Safeway and Albertsons for eight months now, the update posted Friday said. Unfortunately, the Company has chosen to follow the path of King Soopers and City Market by insisting that workers take unwarranted concessions.

Union President Kim Cordova did not respond to a request by The Gazette for an interview.

An Albertsons spokesperson said the company is committed to productive conversations with UFCW Local 7.

We respect the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and are negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that is fair to our employees, good for our customers and allows our company to remain competitive, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The union said it has worked on improving the language over a new alcohol and drug rehabilitation policy and protection of workers assigned to curbside delivery  adding Safeway is far behind on economic issues such as healthcare, pension and wage increases.

Union leaders claim the grocer is proposing lower wage increases than other competitors, health care cuts and isnt addressing chronic understaffing of stores.

If workers vote to strike, the union can choose when to call on employees to walk off their jobs and establish a picket line.

Strike votes are scheduled for the metro Denver area as well as Boulder, Castle Rock, Pueblo, Vail, Fountain, Salida and Grand Junction. No vote is scheduled for Colorado Springs.

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Strikers could return to King Soopers

Its been about 100 days since the last strike that hit King Soopers during Super Bowl weekend and Valentines Day.

It was the second strike against King Soopers and City Market stores this decade, following a strike in 2022.

The union and the grocer created a temporary peace deal in February to end the strike and continue bargaining after contracts expired earlier this year. At the time the agreement was placed, the union's president said they were willing to strike again if negotiations didn't result in a new contract.

We can strike again and we will if we have to, Cordova said in February. My hope is that they're going to come to their senses.

During the 100-day period, the union promised not to strike and King Soopers promised to not implement any offers or lock out workers.

But the relationship began to sour halfway through the peace period as the union claimed Kroger, King Soopers and City Markets parent company, violated the agreements and put forth ultimatums well before the 100 days expired.

Similar to the negotiations with Albertsons and Safeway, the union claimed earlier this month that King Soopers is pushing for workers to take concessions on health plans and wage increases. It also said the grocer is trying to weaken the union's ability to strike in the future by ending union dues when contracts expire.

On Tuesday night, the union told its members in a social media post that it "made limited progress with the Company, but we are still talking."

"Unfortunately, the Company is continuing to maintain concessionary proposals on a number of key issues," the most recent post update said.

It's not immediately clear if the union can call a strike after the peace period expires or if it has to schedule another vote.

A representative for King Soopers said on Tuesday that the companys offer of competitive wage increases and low healthcare costs is still on the table.

We are open to productive conversations should the Union wish to reallocate the wage investments currently in our proposal, a King Soopers spokesperson said in an emailed statement. We continue to bargain in good faith and are hopeful that a collaborative path forward can be found today or tomorrow.

But King Soopers has also claimed the union is stalling and delaying pay increases for its workers.

We believe, unfortunately, the Unions continued use of delay tactics and threats of yet another labor stoppage only serve to undermine the goal we all share  reaching a fair agreement for our associates as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said.
WASHINGTON  In a pathetic act of cowardice last year, a handful of Democrats tanked one of President Joe Bidens judicial nominees, Adeel Mangi.

Mangi, who was a veteran civil litigator in New Jersey, was an objectively impressive and qualified pick. He also happened to be Muslim, so Republicans subjected him to adisgustingmonthslongsmearcampaign aimed at baselessly casting him as an antisemitic terrorist sympathizer.

Despite his horrific treatment, Mangi hung in there, racking up endorsements from major Jewish groups, and could have been confirmed if Democrats stuck together. But wary of their own reelection bids, a handful of senators chickened out and said theyd vote no. Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) said they would vote no because of opposition by law enforcement groups, which was rooted in nonsense. Former Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) abruptly declared he would longer support any judicial nominees who didnt have GOP support. That included Mangi.

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Then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sealed his fate by cutting a deal with Republicans to expedite votes on a batch of judicial nominees  but not Mangi.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday whom he plans to nominate to this seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit: his personal criminal defense attorney, Emil Bove, who is currently known as Trumps hatchet manat the Justice Department.

Emil is SMART, TOUGH, and respected by everyone, Trump said on social media. He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Emil Bove will never let you down!

Bove, 44, was a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York before leaving for a private law firm in New Jersey. Todd Blanche, who is Trumps deputy U.S. attorney general, recruited Bove to help him defend Trump in his 2024 criminal indictment trial. Bove now serves as principal associate deputy attorney general under Blanche.

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In his short time at the Justice Department, Bove has been abusing his role to punish people whom Trump considers his political enemies or to push out people who could stand in the way of Trump doing whatever he wants, laws be damned.

Among other things, Bove forced the transfer of top career officials who were seen as a firewall against political inference at the department, which otherwise operates independently from presidential administrations in enforcing laws.

He ordered the firings of federal prosecutors involved in the cases against more than 1,500 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Bove also demanded the FBI turn over the names of its agents assigned to Jan. 6 cases, which led to a lawsuit and attorneys for the FBI agents saying they couldnt trust that the Justice Department wouldnt give their names to Trump purely so he could retaliate against them.

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Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond and a federal judicial nominations expert, said Boves actions at the Justice Department alone should disqualify him for life tenure on the federal bench.

Surprise! Trump has nominated his personal attorney and diehard loyalist Emil Bove to a lifetime federal judgeship. Pool via Getty Images

Tobias also brought up Boves role in the Justice Departments effort to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations, but Bove pressured federal prosecutors to drop all charges in what appeared to be a brazen quid pro quo, with the administration dropping the case in exchange for Adams cooperating with Trumps immigration policies.

Several career attorneys resigned from the Justice Department rather than comply with Boves demands, including Danielle Sassoon, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, who wrote in her resignation letter that it was her constitutional duty to prosecute crimes without fear or favor. The case was ultimately dismissed.

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Boves DOJ efforts show that he is a Trump loyalist and lacks the qualifications, especially wisdom and temperament, to serve as a federal judge, said Tobias.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who recommended Mangi to Biden for this seat in 2023 and unsuccessfully fought for his confirmation, called Boves nomination deeply troubling.

It is vital that the federal judiciary in New Jersey be committed to upholding the ideals of independence and objectivity, Booker said in a joint statement with Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.). On this measure, Emil Bove has fallen short, repeatedly engaging in conduct as a top advisor in Trumps administration that undermines his credibility as an objective jurist.

Progressive judicial advocacy groups have denounced Boves nomination and urged senators to oppose his confirmation to the 3rd circuit court, which has jurisdiction in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

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Lets speak plainly: Emil Bove is being nominated to a circuit court seat because of his proven loyalty to Trump, Maggie Jo Buchanan, interim executive director of Demand Justice, said in a statement.

Bove has demonstrated time and time again his willingness to use his position to advance even the most dangerous and extreme actions of this administration, she said. Any member of that chamber that purports to respect our system of governance must reject this nominee as antithetical to the foundational values of our nation and our courts.

Caroline Ciccone, the president of Accountable.US, a progressive watchdog group focused on corruption in government, said every American should be alarmed by Boves nomination.

Bove has consistently placed his loyalty to Trump over the Constitution, Ciccone said in a statement. And his lifetime appointment would all but guarantee Trump and his allies could seek out favorable rulings regardless of how unconstitutional their actions are.

Trumps first batch of judicial nominees is getting a hearing next Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but Boves nomination hearing hasnt been announced yet.
A federal appeals court has paused a seismic ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade that found Donald Trump exceeded his authority with his sweeping tariff agenda.

A panel of judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit temporarily reinstated Trumps so-called Liberation Day tariffs Thursday while legal challenges play out.

The decision from the appellate court panel follows a second federal court decision that found Trump cannot unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

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Wednesdays decision from trade court judges similarly ruled that the presidents Liberation Day tariffs  which established a 10 percent baseline tax on all imports and even higher taxes on imports from nearly every trading partner  illegally exceeded authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Judges also rejected the presidents use of emergency powers to tax Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports because those tariffs dont specifically deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared, as required by law.

A federal appeals court has temporarily paused the first of two decisions that blocked Trumps sweeping tariff agenda while legal challenges play out (AFP via Getty Images)

An unlimited delegation of tariff authority would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government, the judges wrote in their unsigned order on Wednesday.

The three judges on that Manhattan panel were appointed by different presidents: Ronald Reagan appointee Judge Jane Restani, Barack Obama appointee Judge Gary Katzmann and Trump appointee Judge Timothy Reif.

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The presidents attempt to delegate unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional, they wrote.

That judgment is now temporarily stayed until further notice while this court considers the motions papers, appellate judges stated. The freeze is expected to stay in place until at least June 9, the deadline for both sides to submit their arguments.

Trumps tariffs being back in place is a blow to the UK, which is still grappling with the 25 per ent sector-specific steel, aluminum and car tariffs imposed by the president despite this months trade deal.

The measures in the deal are yet to be implemented, and Sir Keir Starmers business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will meet his U.S. counterpart next week in a bid to set a timeline for lifting the 25 percent levies.

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If Trumps appeal is defeated, it could end up being a coup for Sir Keir, who would have negotiated a route out of the damaging tariffs on cars, while the blanket 10 percent reciprocal tariffs would fall back to an average of around 2.5 percent.

But the uncertainty is causing chaos for companies attempting to trade between Britain and the United States with no clear indication of what will happen next.

Trumps officials have raged at federal judges and the plaintiffs bringing cases against them after a series of court rulings defanged the presidents agenda and his executive orders that tested the limits of executive authority.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called the trade courts ruling judicial tyranny.

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Before Thursdays order from the appeals court, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt unloaded on the judiciary as she vowed the administration would take court rulings against Trumps tariff agenda to the Supreme Court.

She accused judges of brazenly abusing the courts to usurp the authority of President Trump.

There is a troubling and dangerous trend of unelected judges inserting themselves into the presidential decision making process, she told reporters at the White House. America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president, for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges.
The U.K.s auto sector is reeling from its worst month for production since 1952when the Morris Minor ruled the countrys roads and Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throneas Trumps tariff war added to a bearish environment for the countrys biggest carmakers.

U.K. plants producing cars like Range Rovers, Bentleys, and Toyotas pumped out 59,200 models in April, marking the lowest monthly output figure in more than 70 years, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Carmakers are set for their worst start to the year in production terms since 2009 and the depths of the Great Recession.

Commercial vehicle exports fell by more than 75% in April as automakers digested the fallout of Donald Trumps tariffs on the car industry and his more sweeping plans announced on Liberation Day. Cars bound for the U.S., which represented about a sixth of the U.K.s car exports, experienced a slight decline in April, with EU exports fueling the biggest drop.

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U.K. luxury carmakers, including Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin, were regarded as being particularly vulnerable to a trade war because much of their appeal comes from keeping most production at their historic local plants.

Jaguar Land Rover said in early April that it would be pausing U.S. shipments while it assessed the fallout from Trumps tariff announcements. The carmaker sold more than 128,000 cars to the States, its biggest market, in 2024.

The end of March also marked the closure of the Stellantis-owned Vauxhall factory in Luton, where the carmaker employed more than 1,000 workers. Employees at the 120-year-old factory faced a stark ultimatum: a 140-mile relocation north or accepting a redundancy package.

A calendar quirk of the Easter break falling later in 2025, which accordingly shuttered production for an extra two days over the bank holiday, also contributed to depressed production figures, the SMMT said. Indeed, March production figures showed nearly 80,000 vehicles being produced in the U.K. that month.

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Aprils awful production figures are likely to be an anomaly, and not just owing to the quirk of the calendar. Earlier in May, the U.K. and U.S. hammered out a landmark trade deal that would see import tariffs on cars to the States reduced from 25% to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles.

The development is expected to prevent a lot of pain in the U.K. auto market, and SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes is taking a victory lap after demonstrating the sectors influence on the U.K.s international relations.

Government has recognized automotive manufacturings critical role in driving the U.K. economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the U.S., EU, and India in the space of a month, said Hawes.

To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth, and decarbonization will flow across the U.K.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Update: Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a brief order granting the Trump administration's request to pause an earlier ruling that voided several of the president's tariffs.

As a result, those tariffs have been reinstated for now.

The businesses challenging the tariffs have until next Thursday to respond, while the administration has until June 9 to file any reply, the appeals court said.

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Earlier: On Wednesday, a federal trade court voided some of the tariffs the Trump administration has imposed as part of its effort to shore up the trade deficit and boost manufacturing.

Less than 24 hours later, just anter noon Thursday, a second court, the District Court of Washington, D.C., issued a similar ruling.

The rulings have set the stage for a contentious court fight, as the White House immediately filed an appeal of the initial decision. The Trump administration may ask the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as Friday to pause the rulings, CNBC reported.

In the meantime, under the terms of the initial decision, the U.S. has until June 9 to direct customs officials to cease collecting the import taxes Trump imposed under an emergency powers statute.

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They include the "fentanyl tariffs" that Trump imposed at the outset of his second term, the "reciprocal" tariffs he announced on April 9 (which so far have extended only to China) and the de minimis tariffs on low-cost imports from China.

The trade court also held that the U.S. must refund the tariffs it has collected under the emergency powers statute, according to analysts with Nomura Holdings financial group, who added in a note to clients that even if Trump ultimately replicates those tariffs using other authorizations, the refund obligation would remain in place.

An attorney for one of the plaintiffs said its not clear whether everyone would be entitled to refunds.

The rulings inject further uncertainty into the markets and the economy.

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In the meantime, assuming the rulings are allowed to fully take effect, here are the tariffs that would and would not be affected.

Tariffs struck down

10% universal baseline tariff

20% duties on Chinese goods in response to its alleged failures to combat fentanyl trafficking (plus 25% on certain goods from Canada and Mexico that do not comply with the USMCA trade agreement)

10% "reciprocal" duty targeting all Chinese goods

De minimis tariffs affecting on Chinese goods valued at less than $800

Tariffs that remain in place

25% on auto imports (excluding non-U.S. content of USMCA-compliant autos)

25% on auto parts imports (USMCA-compliant parts exempt)

25% on all steel, aluminum, and aluminum articles

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Donald Trump turned down a $15 million offer to settle his lawsuit against CBS News over its editing of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The figure, however, did not seem to be high enough for the president, who reportedly is seeking a settlement deal of over $25 million as well as an apology from CBS News, the Journal said, citing a source familiar with the situation. Trump also has threatened to launch another lawsuit against CBS, pointing to alleged bias in its reporting, the newspaper added.

Trump sued CBS last year for $20 billion, alleging that the newsmagazine had deceptively edited its interview with Harris in October 2024  an allegation vehemently denied by the show. Legal experts have also dubbed the case meritless.

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While people within the newsroom reportedly opposed the idea of a settlement, Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, CBS parent company, is in favor of reaching an agreement with Trump over concerns that the dispute could block the companys merger with Skydance, which awaits regulatory approval. Redstone reportedly has recused herself from negotiations with Trumps team.

Three Democratic senators wrote to Redstone last week, noting that the companys efforts to settle with Trump could run afoul of federal anti-bribery laws. That warning has been weighing on Paramount executives, who believe that a hefty settlement could expose them to other legal liability, the Journal said.

The tension over Trumps lawsuit has already had ripple effects within CBS. Wendy McMahon, the president of the network, last week said she would be exiting CBS, writing that its become clear the company and I do not agree on the path forward. Her announcement came about a month after Bill Owens stepped down as executive producer of 60 Minutes, citing a loss of journalistic independence.

In a million years, the corporation didnt know what was coming up  they trusted 60 Minutes to report the stories and program the broadcast the way 60 Minutes saw fit, Owens told his staff in a meeting at the time, according to The New York Times.

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Any change to this approach was a slippery slope, he added.

Both McMahon and Owens had reportedly ruled out issuing an apology to Trump as part of a potential settlement.

Related...
Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Trump administration, in a visit to the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center said a new VA facility for Indianapolis "is very much a priority" for his agency, despite concerns that it was on the chopping block due to DOGE cuts.

The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center is more than 60 years old and members of Indiana's congressional delegation have pushed for commitments from the VA to kickstart work on a new facility in Indianapolis. But earlier this year the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency reported it canceled a $1.9 million contract for a feasibility study on construction of a new VA medical center in Indianapolis. As of May 28, the canceled contract is still listed on the DOGE website as part of its list of cuts.

"We're having to look at our whole construction schedule right now," Collins said. "We're wanting to make sure that facilities like this get the attention they need. There's a process that goes through though. Frankly, I have my members of Congress here. This is a budgetary issue that they're going to have to look at."

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Collins toured the Roudebush VA on May 29 and participated in a recognition ceremony for staff members at the Indianapolis facility. He was joined at Roudebush by Gov. Mike Braun, U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz and U.S. Rep. Andre Carson. The Secretary said he also stopped at Crown Hill Cemetery.

VA cuts to avoid medical staff, Collins says

Collins' Indianapolis stop is among several VA facility visits the secretary has made around the country since he was confirmed in early February. On May 28 he toured Evansville's VA Health Care Center with U.S. Sen. Jim Banks and U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer.

But the Roudebush visit also comes following reports of disruptions to health care for veterans since Collins took over the agency, claims he denied. Additionally, the VA in March was reportedly considering cutting nearly 80,000 jobs as part of President Trump's plans to reduce the federal workforce.

In Indianapolis, Collins said cuts to his agency would primarily be administrative and focused on removing "artificial barriers" that get in the way of veterans receiving care. The secretary said the VA is looking at avoiding cuts to doctors and nurses, but emphasized that employees not doing their jobs or hurting veterans would no longer have jobs.

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"The days of upward promotion in the VA, of you do something wrong and we promote you or we put you in an in a more administrative role, those days are over," Collins said.

Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.

Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar politics and government reporters.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Trump VA Secretary Doug Collins on Indy's aging Roudebush Medical Center
Trump won Wisconsin last November, albeit narrowly by 29,000 votes out of over 3.3 million cast. As the consummate swing state, his Wisconsin win exemplifies his surprise triumph in the national popular vote as well.

For context, recall that Republicans lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections before Trump/Vance 2024.

But in Wisconsin, Trump improved his margin materially among the states large Catholic population, did much better with women vs. prior runs, and soared among young men. Those same trends held true nationwide.

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But just months later, in the Wisconsin state supreme court race on April 1 of this year, the liberal candidate Susan Crawford easily prevailed against former conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Despite a radical record as an activist and judge, Crawford sailed to a +10% margin victory, beating Schimel by nearly a quarter million votes. Trump endorsed Schimel, who seemed to run a competent campaign that was well financed, with record millions in donations pouring into the race on both sides.

So, what explains this divergence between last fall and this spring in the Badger State?

Some issues are peculiar to Wisconsin, to be sure. For instance, in a heavily unionized state, Democrat get-out-the-vote operations matter massively in an off-year election without a marquee name to motivate right-leaning voters.

But two larger issues loom, ones that we in the America First movement must acknowledge and manage going forward, especially into the key 2026 midterms.

New GOP Coalition

First, the GOP transforms into the party of patriotic populist nationalism, a coalition of working-class voters, across racial and ethnic lines. This coalition is a winning one when properly activated, and even attracts legions of young people. For instance, Trump won 18-year-olds nationally. Among young men 18-29 years old, Trump went from 41% of that vote in 2020 to 56% in 2024. Among Hispanic young men, Trump moved an astounding +38% on margin.

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These incredible gains point to the potential for a populist Right political domination for decades to come.

Low Propensity Voter Base

But  there is a problem. These voters are generally not politically obsessed, and they are difficult to turn out, especially without Donald John Trump on the ballot.

So, given these circumstances, how do we motivate these voters and win elections?

To find answers, my League of American Workers advocacy organization commissioned an extensive poll of over 3,300 Wisconsin voters. Respected pollster TIPP Insights conducted the survey and asked penetrating questions of the Trump voters in the heartland.

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Among the key findings are these three characteristics of Trump voters:

Its Not a Personality Cult. Yes, Trump has indeed earned a committed ride-or-die base. But, the overwhelming majority of Trump voters approach politics pragmatically. In spite of media narrative, these voters do not worship Trump, but instead make a sensible choice to determine which politician will benefit their own lives, and the success of our nation. For instance, among Trump voters, only a fractional 7% responded "I only care about Trump." In contrast, over 70% of those voters who switch down ballot reported that they either "do not trust" other Republicans, or that those candidates are "part of the establishment."

The GOP Brand Is Tarnished. Trump voters convey material disdain for the party. These voters totally dismiss the Democratic Party as awful, to be sure. But neither do they trust Republicans broadly. In this survey, 43% of Trump voters admit they do not vote for other Republicans.

Nationalism and Authenticity Matter Most. Unlike non-Trump voters, this electorate does not place economic issues at the top of their priority list. Instead, they emphasize "America First" policies combined with a genuineness they can trust. For instance, when queried in a "max diff" exercise, where the respondent must pick between two competing goals, twice as many select "puts America first" vs. "trust his economic policies." The top three priorities in the max diff analysis are: "America First," followed by "strong on immigration," and then "delivers on promises."

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So, given these traits, how does the GOP convert on this opportunity and activate this coalition? In turn, how does our movement leverage the party?

The primary consideration in this new age with little partisan attachment: Candidate selection becomes paramount.

More than the right ideas, more than funding - this broad, energetic, restless coalition simply demands very different nominees compared to Republican norms.

To get specific, on policies, the candidates must be aligned on America First. Meaning, they believe in sovereignty to their core - and will fight like rabid dogs to secure Americas borders and get dangerous illegals out of our country. Other policies are negotiable.

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Aside from that strong stance, they must be believable. Trump voters are understandably ticked off, because they recognize that the ruling class of this country has disparaged and disregarded them for decades. These deplorables know that a crooked system has cheated them, and they have almost zero automatic trust for a candidate, even with an "R" after their name.

Admittedly, pre-judging candidate authenticity can be tough. But, as a rule, defer to outsiders. Find impressive people who have not held office, or at least not for long. Search for achievers outside of politics to have some measure of name recognition.

Authenticity + patriotic populism is the winning formula. Only then will we capture this volatile but promising moment in American politics.

Lets get to work.

Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group, and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote. He is a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance, and a former commentator for Fox News and CNN.
For nearly a decade, U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters have raged against the deep state and how it has allegedly been weaponized against him and his followers. If one believes the MAGA narrative, a coterie of unelected bureaucrats implacably opposed to Trumps agenda have disregarded their obligations to implement it. Instead, they have engaged in a variety of strategic leaks, excessive lawfare and malign resistance to thwart his America First policies.

A month into Trumps first term, for instance, his chief strategist at the time, Steve Bannon, famously declared war on the administrative state. The first Trump administrations attempts to accomplish this proved to be fitful at best. Just a few months into his second term, however, these redoubled efforts have had greater success at eroding the size and influence of the federal bureaucracy. These initiatives include staff layoffs overseen by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE; the planned expansion of Schedule F employees who can be fired at will; and the trauma inflicted on those bureaucrats who have stayed on.

In other words, the deep state is getting shallower.

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The idea that the federal bureaucracy needs reform is hardly unique to Trump and his MAGA supporters. More than a decade ago, my Fletcher School colleague Michael Glennon argued in his book, National Security and Double Government, that the unelected bureaucracy was now exercising unprecedented influence over U.S. foreign policy, superseding the Madisonian institutions that the U.S. Constitution empowered. The bureaucratic politics literature within political science is replete with hypotheses about how institutional imperatives and organizational culture can affect policy implementation. Bureaucrats within the federal government often possess an informational advantage over political appointees, making it easier for them to resist undesired policies.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

Furthermore, these bureaucratic issues have bedeviled presidents since long before Trump. After Dwight Eisenhower was elected president, Harry Truman famously said, Poor Ike! When he was a general, he gave an order and it was carried out. Now hes going to sit in that big office and hell give an order and not a damn thing is going to happen. And at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the U.S. military continued U-2 overflights of the USSR despite heightened tensions, John F. Kennedy bemoaned, There is always some [expletive] who doesnt get the word.

Perhaps the most pernicious effect has been in the areas where the shallow state is trying to comply with the administrations priorities, as the bureaucracy is often picking the lowest-hanging fruit to reach those goals.

The bureaucracy has similarly stymied Trumps foreign policy preferences on occasion. During his first term, Trump often found himself rolled by the Pentagon on questions of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. In 2020, his outgoing Syria envoy infamously bragged to the press about the shell games he and others played in order to obfuscate how many troops the U.S. had in the country after Trumps decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria in 2019. Even in his current term, there is evidence that elements of the national security bureaucracy are still up to their old tricks. When Trump asked for metrics to measure progress in the short-lived U.S. bombing campaign against the Houthis, for instance, U.S. military commanders reportedly responded by providing data showing the number of munitions dropped. Relying on quantitative metrics that are only loosely related to the stated policy goal is Bureaucratic Politics 101.

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As the Trump administrations efforts to winnow the bureaucracy have made inroads, one might expect to see a more docile bureaucracy that keeps its head down and tries to accomplish its assigned tasks. In actuality, however, the political science literature offers multiple cautionary tales against assuming that life is that simple.

The most obvious and direct problem is that the ways in which the Trump administration has attacked the bureaucracy have weakened the states capacity to perform any essential tasks. One can complain about unnecessary red tape all day long, but Americans like knowing that nuclear weapons will not accidentally explode, airplanes will land safely and extreme weather events will be detected and responded to. Despite its loud denials, however, the Trump administrations myriad staffing cuts at the National Nuclear Security Administration, Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Emergency Management Administration have put all of these essential government functions at risk.

And despite the claims of the libertarians in the administration, like Elon Musk, the private sector will not necessarily be able to pick up the slack for the erosion of public goods. Indeed, the provision of public goods often facilitates the functioning of private markets. Unfortunately, that can work in reverse as well. The elimination of positions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for example, will make private insurance more difficult to issue.

A related problem is tasking bureaucracies with multiple, conflicting goals. That is a surefire way to reduce government efficiency, and yet this is exactly what Musks DOGE has done time and again during the first half of this year. For example, the Social Security Administration, or SSA, has a longstanding history of efficiency at fulfilling its primary task: accurately and speedily processing payments to retirees and other beneficiaries. Its skill at this task was so good that James Q. Wilson made it one of his exemplary cases in his classic text, Bureaucracy.

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As has been well-chronicled, however, DOGEs efforts to install anti-fraud measures at SSA proved debilitating to the agencys core mission. The DOGE-led staff reductions have slowed the pace of claims processing. DOGEs changes are causing the SSAs website to crash on a near-daily basis. Wait times on the phone have increased dramatically. All the while, minimal amounts of fraud have been detected, mainly because the claims of Social Security fraud, waste and abuse were wildly inflated among Trumps MAGA base.

Perhaps the most pernicious effect has been in the areas where the shallow state is trying to comply with the administrations priorities, as the bureaucracy is often picking the lowest-hanging fruit to reach those goals. This has been on prominent display in the efforts to adhere to Trumps executive orders prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives as well as his crackdown on immigration.

On the former, the bureaucracys efforts to scrub anything DEI-related from official websites has led to absurd overreaches, such as wiping any references to the World War II-era aircraft that dropped the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, because its namethe Enola Gayprobably tripped a keyword filter. Trumps defenders have accused the bureaucracy of malicious compliance. But the problem also stems from the lack of clarity in Trumps directives, which can lead to overzealousness from bureaucrats seeking to avoid opening themselves up to charges of dereliction of duty.

Even in areas where the administration has not cut staff to the bone, the shallow state is implementing Trumps preferred policies in a shallow manner. Consider the efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and deport undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States. Trump and his subordinates initially signaled that criminals and gang members would be the priority for these deportations. Over the past four months, however, the shallow state has implemented deportations in ways that expose myriad bureaucratic shortcuts, badly warping the process.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents have relied on caricatural metrics, like tattoos and hoodies, to identify gang members, with unsurprising results. The Cato Institute recently concluded that more than 20 percent of the Venezuelans deported to El Salvador in March had entered the U.S. legally and committed no criminal offense. ICE has also scooped up those who have scheduled meetings with immigration officials because, according to political scientist Auston Kocher, they are the easiest people for ICE to collect. Kochers analysis of ICE data shows that detentions of immigrants with no criminal record have grown three times greater than those of convicted criminals. This has led to the internment of individuals who have endeavored to comply with all the rules.

Trump might very well succeed in eviscerating his fantasized deep state. The result will not be a more efficient bureaucracy, however, but a shallow state that is unable to perform its vital functionsincluding carrying out the directives of the president of the United States.

Daniel W. Drezner is distinguished professor of international politics at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is the author of Drezners World.

The post Trumps War on the Deep State Will Hurt His Own Agenda appeared first on World Politics Review.
President Donald Trump says there is a genocide of white people taking place in South Africa, meaning that Black South Africans are deliberately attempting to kill white farmers because of their race.

Trump and his spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, have said violence targeting white farmers in South Africa justifies admitting about 60 white Afrikaner farmers to the U.S. as refugees in May 2025.

This comes after Trump, in January, suspended admitting people, most of whom are not white, from other countries through the United States refugee program. The U.S. had previously given refugee status  a legal right to remain and work in the country  to tens of thousands of people each year who were fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries.

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During a May 21 White House meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Trump highlighted white genocide in South Africa, saying, We have thousands of stories talking about it. Ramaphosa denied that a white genocide is happening in his country. Trump then had a staffer dim the lights and play a video that, among other inflammatory content, showed white crosses along a road.

These are burial sites, Trump said. Over a thousand white farmers.

Trumps white genocide claims, which echoed assertions he made during his first term, were quickly debunked by independent fact-checkers.

Fact-checkers pointed out that while crime rates in South Africa are high in general, there is no evidence of white genocide there. The crosses in the video Trump showed did not mark mass graves of white farmers. They were part of a 2020 tribute to two white farmers murdered by armed men who stormed their house that year.

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As someone who has studied genocide and far-right extremists for years, I think it is necessary to understand what white genocide is and how it developed into a central issue in U.S. immigration debates starting in Trumps first term.

A group of South Africans who were granted admission to the U.S. as refugees arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on May 12, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The origins of white genocide

As I detail in my 2021 book It Can Happen Here: White Power and the Rising Threat of Genocide in the US, white genocide is a far-right extremist conspiracy theory claiming that allegedly bad people, often Jews, are carrying out a dangerous plot to destroy the white race. While this idea circulates worldwide, it has distinctly American roots.

This conspiracy dates back to the 1800s and the rise of nativism, a xenophobic belief held by some white Protestant Americans that certain immigrants, especially German and Irish Catholics, were dangerous and threatened to disrupt American traditions, culture and economic security.

Nativist fears have continued to influence U.S. politics and culture.

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The American lawyer Madison Grant, for example, made nativist arguments in his 1916 book The Passing of the Great Race, which warned of immigrants threat to Americans and race suicide. Adolf Hitler once called Grants book his bible.

Nativism has also influenced white power extremists, who believe in white superiority and dominance. They began using the specific term white genocide after the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, which they perceived as eroding white peoples power.

The growth in this terms popularity among some right-wing extremists also coincided with Congress approving the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1965. This act significantly increased the number of immigrants the U.S. legally accepted into the country each year and also allowed more non-European  and nonwhite  immigrants to settle in America.

In the 1970s, William Pierce, an American former physics professor turned neo-Nazi, wrote a book called The Turner Diaries. The book, which the FBI has called the bible of the racist right, is about how a fictional extremist group, The Order, overthrows a U.S. government that gives power to nonwhite citizens and is controlled by Jews. The order proceeds to kill nonwhite people and Jews, as well as race traitors who dont support their cause.

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The book inspired a 1980s group of violent neo-Nazis who also called themselves The Order, based off the fictitious group in Pierces book. Timothy McVeighs 1995 bombing of Oklahoma Citys Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which killed 168 people, was modeled on a scene from The Turner Diaries, which depicts the extremist groups bombing of the FBI headquarters.

In 1988, David Lane, a former member of The Order, crystallized the idea of white genocide in a short essay, The White Genocide Manifesto. The manifesto asserts that there is a Zionist conspiracy to mix, overrun and exterminate the White race.

Jews do this, Lane claims, through control of the media  industry, finance, law and politics and by promoting antiwhite policies such as desegregation. To prevent white genocide, Lane calls for the establishment of a white homeland in North America  by violence, if necessary.

White genocides entry into the mainstream

Research shows that 61% of Trump voters believe a group of people in this country are trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants and people of color who share their political views.

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This belief is often known as replacement theory, a variant of the idea of white genocide.

Many of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists believed that white Americans were being replaced. So, too, did the far-right protesters who chanted, You will not replace us! at the extremist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.

There are also instances of such white power extremist views leading to violent acts. One example is the mass shooting of 11 Jewish people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. Another is the El Paso Walmart shooting that resulted in 23 murdered Latino victims in 2019.

Right-wing populists such as Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk have helped fuel replacement theories by contending that Democrats are trying to replace white voters with nonwhite immigrants.

Neo-Nazis and white supremacists march leading up to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017. Zach D Roberts/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Concern for white farmers isnt actually about South Africa

I believe that Trumps recent focus on alleged white genocide in South Africa has little to do with South Africa. It is all about American politics and advancing some of Trumps goals, such as reducing immigration into the U.S.

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First, by suggesting white genocide is taking place in South Africa, Trump amplifies his supporters fears that they, too, could soon be outnumbered by nonwhite people  in this case, immigrants.

Trump has been harping on the alleged dangers of nonwhite immigration since he first ran for election in 2015, and it was central to his 2024 election victory.

Replacement theory claims also help justify Trumps goal of deporting immigrants living illegally in the U.S., as well as stopping refugee admissions from many countries, by highlighting the supposed dangers nonwhite immigrants pose to Americans, both in terms of potential threats to their physical safety and job prospects and security.

This recent example is not the first time Trump has made white genocide claims to advance his agenda. Based on his track record, it is likely he will do so again.

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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: Alex Hinton, Rutgers University - Newark

Read more:



Alex Hinton receives receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America, Rutgers Research Council, and Henry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.
The Colorado Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday in a case challenging the Colorado Springs City Council's ability to rule on appeals involving Colorado Springs Utilities.

The case centers around the 2023 construction of a Utilities water tower in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood. Utilities applied for a modified height permit mid-construction when neighbors noted the tower was 60 feet tall , even though the development plan capped the tower's maximum height at 45 feet.

The Planning Commission ruled against the modification and Utilities appealed the decision to the City Council. The council, which also serves as the Utilities Board of Directors, voted 5-2 in November to allow the excess height.

The nearby Flying W Ranch sued the city and Colorado Springs Utilities weeks after the vote, arguing that the council abused its quasi-judicial discretion and could not fairly consider neighbors' complaints because of its role on the Utilities board. The El Paso County District Court dismissed the case in July 2024, which Flying W appealed.

Murray Weiner from the Mulliken Law Firm represented Flying W in the Appeals hearing Wednesday. Weiner argued that this was a unique circumstance where the council could not separate its two roles even if it declared its impartiality during the original hearing.

"If they went left, they violated the one on the right. If they went right, they violated the one on the left, in this scenario, where we have CSU being an appellant in front of its own board," Weiner said.

The appeals judges questioned Weiner about separating due process from the necessity of the City Council's role. Judge Ted Tow said the appellant seemed to request a special exemption to Colorado Springs city charter, which said that only council decisions on land use can be appealed, in order to offer due process.

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"What you're asking us to do is find an ordinance unconstitutional when we don't have to under established principles of law," Tow said.

Tow asked Weiner if it were possible that the decision in favor of Utilities was also the decision supported by the impartial evidence. Weiner said the risk of bias in favor of Utilities was too great because of the Utilities Board's financial duties.

Attorney Ann Turner, representing the city and Utilities, said that the city charter requires the council to hear and rule on every appeal made for a Planning Commission decision. Turner said the council decision is necessary to allow the next step of court challenges, which is a Rule 106 appeal.

"In effect, you are saying the planning commission's decision will be unreviewable if you don't allow the City Council to hear the case," Judge David Yun said. Turned agreed.

The judges asked Turner whether the council could get around the concerns by okaying the Planning Commission ruling without deciding on the merits of the case. Turner argued that there needed to be an active decision to appeal and not a recusal-based one.

Tow challenged Turner on the limits of the city's ability to determine what counted as a conflict of interest for council members. He said there are clear differences between one member of the council being connected to an appeal and the entire body having a connection.
An appeals court has temporarily lifted the blockade of almost all tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which had been ordered by a lower court.

The court is now reviewing the case, an order said on Thursday.

The parties have been asked to submit further statements, it was further stated.

Trump's administration had earlier taken legal action against the decision of the Court of International Trade in New York, which had declared almost all of the president's tariffs to be unlawful.
Pressure is mounting in the US on President Donald Trump over his reluctance to impose new sanctions against Russia.

Source: Reuters

Details: Some Republicans in Congress and White House advisers are insisting on immediate pressure on Moscow over its continued war against Ukraine.

Trump has so far postponed a decision, believing he has a chance to reach an agreement with Vladimir Putin on ending the fighting. He has also repeatedly stated that sanctions are often ineffective and only increase tensions.

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According to administration officials, the president's frustration with Putin's actions is growing. "He is always looking at different ways to apply pressure," a senior White House official said. "This is no different. He's always weighing his options."

A new package of sanctions, including restrictions on the banking sector and energy, is already in the works. Congress has also proposed a bill imposing a 500% tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian oil. One US official believes this will allow Trump to distance himself from the decision and maintain contact with the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, according to Republican Chuck Grassley, "it is time for sanctions strong enough so Putin knows game over".

Although Trump said in January that he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, recent events, including new missile strikes by Russia, have changed his rhetoric. After a recent two-hour conversation with Putin, the US president said that the Russian leader was playing with fire and gone absolutely crazy.

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"If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," Trump told reporters, explaining his delay in imposing sanctions.

Background:

US President Donald Trump is considering imposing sanctions against Russia this week.

On 25 May, condemning the latest Russian attack on Ukraine, Trump said he was considering imposing additional sanctions against Russia.

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By Ceyda Caglayan

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkish companies see big opportunities in neighbouring Syria as a lifting of U.S. sanctions clears the way for investment in post-war reconstruction, but they remain wary of challenges, from lingering insecurity to banking and tax headaches.

President Donald Trump's decision to end long-standing restrictions that severed Syria from the global financial system under former President Bashar al-Assad is seen as a lifeline for a nation decimated by 13 years of war.

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Construction, transportation and manufacturing firms from Turkey - a close ally of Syria's new administration after backing anti-Assad rebels - are poised to play a major role in repairing the damage, which the U.N. estimates at nearly $1 trillion.

"The lifting of sanctions was just an urban legend, rumours for a time. But with Trump's announcement, everything has suddenly changed," said Omer Hot, a director at Istanbul-based Formul Plastik.

Syria's Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh has called his country "a land of opportunities" and said the government plans to overhaul the tax, customs and banking systems to foster foreign investment and facilitate donor funding pledges.

Interviews with officials from two dozen Turkish companies reflect both optimism over the potential of a previously sealed off market with vast needs and caution over rushing investments in a country where even money transfers can be difficult and banknotes scarce.

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Formul Plastik has received the first plastics orders from Syria, Hot told Reuters. He estimated that Turkish companies could end up with a quarter of Syria's reconstruction pie.

But he is already facing hurdles.

"Rather than banks, there are brokers such as exchange bureaus that mediate trade payments. This model will have to be used for now," Hot said.

Other Turkish companies at the Buildex construction materials expo in Syria's capital Damascus this week said demand from Syrian counterparts was very high, even as they listed worries over tax rates, customs snarls and creaking transport infrastructure.

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"We are taking a calculated risk, let's say," said Burak Serim, regional export manager at construction materials producer Entegre Harc.

SECURITY AND INVESTMENT

In the wake of Assad's December ouster and the establishment of a government under new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkey is already feeling economic benefits.

Ankara has pledged to help rebuild Syria's economy, including by providing natural gas. And Ziraat, Turkey's top state bank, told Reuters it would step in to support its banking sector when conditions are right.

Turkish firms Kalyon GES Enerji Yatirimlari and Cengiz Enerji are set to expand Syria's power grid under a new deal.

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Syria's trade with the rest of the world all but dried up during the war. But Turkish exports to its neighbour were up 37% year on year in the first four months of 2025, official data show.

In an indication of its gaping needs for construction materials, Syrian imports of Turkish machinery more than tripled and non-ferrous metals doubled. Glass and ceramics were up 73%.

Pledges of financing have, meanwhile, come in from wealthy Western nations, multilateral donors, and the likes of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

But for the most part, those are still largely promises. And Turkish company managers voiced concern there may not be enough for all the roads, bridges, dams and power plants that must be rebuilt.

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Syria's economy shrank dramatically during the war years. And with over 90% of its 25 million people now living below the poverty line, according to U.N. agencies, the government has scant resources.

Volkan Bozay, chief executive of the Turkish Cement Manufacturers' Association, told Reuters that much hinges on which lenders finance the reconstruction projects but added that Turkish companies would play a major role no matter what.

"It is out of the question that we will not take advantage of the opportunities," he said.

Beyond construction, Turkish manufacturers are also eyeing Syria as a possible hub for low-cost production.

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"Lower production costs in Syria are an advantage," said Ahmet Oksuz, a board member at Turkish textile manufacturer Kipas.

"But Turkish and Syrian authorities should coordinate to establish organised industrial zones that will ensure entirely safe areas for manufacturers," he added.

Questions of security in a country still awash with arms where the new central government wields only tenuous control remain at the top of the list of concerns for many would-be investors.

Hakan Bucak, former Turkish-Syrian business council board director, said Syria will likely need six months to ensure security and set up bureaucratic systems.

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"Security risks should be fully eliminated and investors need to feel it," said Bucak, who is already looking to open a quarry near the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

"If we feel safe, we have plans to invest."

(Reporting by Ceyda Caglayan; Additional reporting by Riham Alkousaa in Damascus; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Joe Bavier)
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP)  Five Turkish nationals appeared in court in northern Greece on Thursday following a wave of police raids and arrests triggered by a shooting incident reportedly targeting Greek intelligence officers.

Three of those arrested were charged and later sentenced to five months in prison for unrelated drugs offences while two others were cleared but remain in police detention for questioning, authorities said.

The incident occurred outside in the northern city of Thessaloniki on Wednesday when a group of unidentified suspects at a gas station opened fire at officers who were keeping them under surveillance. No one was injured.

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State-run television reported that the officers were from Greece's National Intelligence Service, but authorities have not publicly commented on their identity.

Greece is combatting a surge in violence involving Turkish organized crime groups over the past two years, including several gang-linked assassinations and other shooting incidents.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM)  Two people were arrested on Wednesday after police said they were associated with a burglary at a business in downtown Ithaca.

Michael D. Jones Jr., 47, and Ynasia O. Adams, 32, both of Ithaca, were arrested on Wednesday, May 28, on the following charges:

Jones:

Burglary in the third degree, a class D felony.

Criminal mischief in the third degree, a class E felony.

Resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor.

Obstruction, a class A misdemeanor.

Harassment in the second degree, a violation.

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Adams:

Burglary in the third degree, a class D felony.

Bath man facing felony charges after suspected assault at hospital

Around 2:18 a.m., officers with the IPD were sent to a business in the 100 block of East State Street for a reported burglary. Police noticed someone forced their way into the business, finding Jones Jr. still inside.

Jones Jr. was arrested but resisted and was fighting with officers by punching at and spitting in the face of one of the officers.

Following Jones Jr.s arrest, police learned another person was inside the store but left before officers arrived. Leads were obtained and a search warrant was issued on an apartment on East Green Street where police found a number of stolen items from the business. Around 12:41 p.m., officers found and arrested Adams, linking them to the burglary.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Israeli attacks have killed at least 70 people across Gaza, the Health Ministry says, as starving Palestinians struggle to access the limited amount of aid supplies that have entered the coastal enclave.

At least 23 people were killed on Thursday in a series of Israeli attacks on residential buildings in the Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza, according to Gazas civil defence.

Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum said casualties from the Bureij attack were transported to al-Awda Hospital and Al-Aqsa Hospital.

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There has been a state of alert in the emergency department as emergency services said they spent at least 30 minutes recovering casualties from the site of the strike, Azzoum said.

At least seven people were killed in strikes on a kindergarten and a home belonging to the Azzam family in Jabalia, northern Gaza, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Blasts at aid distribution site

Later on Thursday, multiple explosions were reported near a newly opened aid distribution point, run by the previously unknown United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), at the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blasts and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

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The explosions came after 10 people were killed when Israeli forces shot at Palestinians seeking aid at another GHF site in southern Gaza in separate incidents on Tuesday and Wednesday, Gazas Government Media Office said.

Dozens of people were injured when thousands of hungry Palestinians rushed the GHF site in the first incident on Tuesday.

The GHF has been accused of helping Israel fulfil its military objectives, while excluding Palestinians, bypassing the United Nations system and failing to adhere to humanitarian principles.

Surveillance-based rationing

The UN and other international aid groups have boycotted the foundation, which they said undermines the principle that humanitarian aid should be distributed independently of the parties to a conflict and based on need.

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This new scheme is surveillance-based rationing that legitimises a policy of deprivation by design, senior UN aid official for the occupied Palestinian territory, Jonathan Whittall, told reporters in Jerusalem.

The UN has refused to participate in this scheme, warning that it is logistically unworkable and violates humanitarian principles by using aid as a tool in Israels broader efforts to depopulate areas of Gaza, he said.

Israels ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told the Security Council on Wednesday that Israel would allow aid deliveries for the immediate future via both the UN and the GHF.

Danon said the UN should put their ego aside and cooperate with the new mechanism.

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According to the foundation, it handed out the equivalent of 840,262 meals on Tuesday and Wednesday.





Hordes of hungry people

In a separate incident on Wednesday, the World Food Programme said hordes of hungry people broke into the al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, looking for food supplies.

Initial reports indicate two people died and several were injured in the tragic incident, WFP said in a statement on X, adding that it was still confirming details.

After ending an 11-week blockade last week following growing international pressure, Israel has allowed limited humanitarian supplies to be delivered, but aid groups have warned that the amount is not nearly enough.

Sigrid Kaag, the UNs special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, told the Security Council that the amount of aid Israel had so far allowed the UN to deliver was comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk when everyone in Gaza was facing the risk of famine.
Rep. Jeremiah Moore (right), R-Clarendon, and Sen. Kim Hammer (second from right). R-Benton, listen to opposition to House Bill 1150 from Randy Zook, president of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, during the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Two federal lawsuits filed Thursday argue that a new state law will harm hundreds of thousands of Arkansans by affecting access to needed medications.

Two of the countrys largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) filed the complaints in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, both arguing that Act 624 of 2025 violates the U.S. Constitution by interfering with interstate commerce. The suits also allege that federal law preempts state laws that affect employee health plans and Medicare coverage.

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The suits filed by Express Scripts Inc. and CVS Pharmacy Inc. name the eight members of the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy and its executive director as defendants. The new law empowers the pharmacy board to enforce its provisions.

Both complaints ask the court to bar enforcement of the law as well as declare it unconstitutional.

Act 624 imperils the health of 50,000 Arkansans who rely on Express Scripts for pharmacy benefits through their health insurance, the PBMs complaint says.

The General Assembly created the law for the exclusive benefit of Arkansas-based pharmacies who spearheaded the legislation in order to increase their market share by eliminating out-of-state competition, the complaint states.

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Health insurer Cigna owns Express Scripts; CVS Pharmacy owns the PBM Caremark Rx. Together with OptumRx, owned by United Healthcare, the PBMs manage 79% of prescription drug claims for approximately 270 million people, according to a 2024 Federal Trade Commission report.

Arkansas became the first state in the nation to ban large, vertically integrated healthcare companies from also operating drugstores in the state when Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed House Bill 1150 into law in mid-April. The law doesnt take effect until January 2026.

If left to stand, the law will have devastating consequences across Arkansas  including forcing numerous pharmacies operating in the state out of business, costing the more than 600 Arkansans employed at those pharmacies their jobs, and creating pharmacy deserts for the nearly 40% of Arkansans who live in rural areas that often lack brick-and-mortar pharmacies, Express Scripts asserts in its complaint.

The law will also dangerously limit patient choice and deny access to lifesaving drugs at affordable prices by high-quality pharmacy providers. And it will create mass confusion among Arkansans about where and how they can receive needed prescription medications, the suit adds.

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In its complaint, CVS says that if the law takes effect on Jan. 1, the company will have to cease not only its operations at 23 CVS retail pharmacies across the State, but also its mail-order and specialty-pharmacy services. Indeed, the law will likely shut down a substantial portion of all mail-order and specialty-pharmacy prescriptions flowing into the State because the majority of such providers are out-of-state pharmacies with PBM affiliations.

The complaint notes that CVSs 23 pharmacies served more than 340,000 patients and filled over 2.4 million prescriptions in 2024.

Complying with the law will impose undue burdens on CVS because of the intricacies of its corporate structure, the complaint says. CVS further claims the law already has begun affecting its business, as it has lost patients to in-state competitors and its become harder to attract and retain employees in Arkansas.

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The CVS complaint calls Act 624 a blatantly protectionist measure, a characterization echoed in Express Scripts argument for a court-ordered injunction: Because Act 624 is unconstitutionally protectionist, unconstitutionally punitive, and preempted by federal law, enforcement of the statute must be enjoined.

Both lawsuits argue that the Arkansas law violates various commerce provisions of the Constitution, and CVS argues that it violates the equal protection clause by banning CVS and most other PBM-affiliated pharmacies from Arkansas while exempting the only Arkansas-based pharmacy affiliated with a PBM [Walmart], without a rational justification for this distinction.

Express Scripts complaint also notes that Act 624 will adversely affect members of the military, their families and veterans because the PBM is the primary mail-order pharmacy provider for Tricare, the militarys health insurance program.

The law allows the state pharmacy board to issue limited permits to PBMs if they provide drugs that are otherwise unavailable in the market to a patient or a pharmacy that would otherwise be prohibited under the law. Republican Sen. Kim Hammer of Benton, the laws co-sponsor, told the Senate this will allow Tricare beneficiaries to continue receiving medications while PBMs transition out of Arkansas.

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Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement that Arkansas is standing up to PBMs on behalf of consumers via Act 624 and vowed to defend the law.

Pharmacy benefit managers wield outsized power to reap massive profits at the expense of consumers. The rise of PBMs as middlemen in the prescription drug market has resulted in patients facing fewer choices, lower quality care, and higher prices. PBMs leverage their affiliated pharmacies to manipulate prices, corrupt the market, and destroy competition, Griffin said, echoing many of the talking points of the laws proponents as it made its way through the Legislature.

Shortly before Act 624 became law, Griffin was the lead signatory of a bipartisan letter to Congress from attorneys general in 39 states and territories, advocating for the policy in Act 624 to be enacted federally.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Police remain on the hunt Thursday for a man on probation who they say ran away from a traffic stop before turning and firing at two officers, striking both.

The suspect is Daveonte Dixon, 21, and officials believe he is armed. Dixon has prior convictions, including burglary and obstruction of justice, and is legally prohibited from carrying a firearm.

Those with information are asked to contact law enforcement, with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers offering a $10,000 reward over his arrest.

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First responders line roads as body of killed deputy returned to Morrow County

Daveonte Dixon (Courtesy/Franklin County Sheriffs Office) Police presence at Perdue Avenue and Agler Road following the report of two Mifflin Township police officers being shot Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (NBC4) Police presence at Perdue Avenue and Agler Road following the report of two Mifflin Township police officers being shot Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (NBC4) Police respond to the scene near Mifflin Township on Wednesday, May 28. (NBC4) Large police presence reported at a local hospital after a reported police response near Mifflin Township Wednesday, May 28. (NBC4)

Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said the incident started during a traffic stop by Mifflin Township officers about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Perdue Avenue and Mecca Road, in a part of the Northeast Side that falls outside of Columbus city limits.

During the stop, Baldwin said that Dixon, the passenger in the car, started to run away. When officers chased after him, Dixon turned and fired.

We have video of the shooting and you can clearly see that the passenger gets out, and as he runs, the officers go after him, he just turns and he opens fire on both of them, Baldwin said. This was just a simple traffic stop. Its unknown why the passenger got out and turned and opened fire.

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Baldwin said a firearm was recovered, but he did not know if it was the gun allegedly used by Dixon.

Lt. Brian Steel of Columbus police, who serves as president of the local lodge for the Fraternal Order of Police, said the Mifflin Township officers were taken to the hospital. One was initially listed in critical condition, but it was later reported that he was stable, with the chief of the township force saying a long recovery is anticipated.

The other officer was listed as stable.

Baldwin said the driver of the vehicle in the traffic stop cooperated with police, is not considered a suspect and has been released.

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Our focus right now is on the recovery of our injured officers and bringing the individual responsible to justice, Baldwin said. We are asking anyone with information to come forward immediately.

Baldwins office is part of the investigation, as is the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which typically handles officer-involved shootings.

Steel also reported that two Columbus police officers were stable after their cruiser crashed while responding to the officer-in-trouble call. The crash happened in the 2000 block of Cleveland Avenue.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
DENVER  The Fort Carson soldier arrested for alleged cocaine distribution just days after a large-scale federal raid of a Colorado Springs illegal nightclub in late April has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Staff Sgt. Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez, 27, appeared out of custody Thursday after a federal judge ruled he was eligible for release at his last hearing May 15.

Orona-Rodriguez's attorney, Stephanie Snyder, entered the not-guilty plea on behalf of her client, who is facing one federal count each of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

According to a May 1 federal indictment, Orona-Rodriguez's offenses related to the alleged cocaine distribution started no later than Sept. 16, 2024, and continued through at least April 9.

Also, court records showed Orona-Rodriguez worked as armed security at the nightclub, identified as Warike. The early morning raid on April 27 resulted in 104 arrests, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. During earlier hearings, prosecutors said his wife also acted as security for the nightclub.

Orona-Rodriguez was one of 17 soldiers at the nightclub during the early morning raid  among around 200 partygoers, officials said. About 300 law enforcement agents from federal and local agencies were said to have participated in the raid at 296. S. Academy Blvd., including the DEA, Colorado Springs police, and the El Paso and Douglas County sheriffs offices.

Orona-Rodriguez previously received counseling from his commanding officer at Fort Carson to discontinue his work through the company Immortal Security, where he was alleged to be in a leadership position, according to his arrest affidavit.

It remains unclear what punishment, if any, Fort Carson may impose on Orona-Rodriguez. During the May 15 hearing, Deputy U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly told the court the soldier will be processed for administrative separation, but that the process isn't anticipated to start for several more weeks. Starting the process does not mean Orona-Rodriguez will immediately be kicked out of the Army, McNeilly said.

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Many questions remain over a month after the multi-agency raid, including the whereabouts of 86 individuals taken into custody that morning.

The most recent Gazette report had the official number of arrests sitting at 104, according to information from ICE. An ICE spokesperson said 18 people out of the 104 arrested had previously been ordered to be deported and were subject to a final order of removal.

The remaining 86 people without a deportation order will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings, according to the same ICE spokesperson. Multiple questions in an email to ICE have gone unanswered, including whether or not they have access to their families and if all the detainees are on a no-bond hold.

The Gazette has found that only three individuals are facing criminal charges after the raid, the most notable being Orona-Rodriguez. Two other men were arrested on outstanding warrants. Julio Santiesteban, 33, and Pedro Trevizo-Perea, 29.

No new dates were announced for the Fort Carson soldier's next appearance in court.
TYE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A post made on the City of Tyes official Facebook page revealed that the citys entire public works department has now resigned. This comes after multiple city employees and city officials have stepped down from their positions, with some citing irreconcilable differences after the most recent election for city leadership.

Dark hallways, police uniforms unceremoniously placed aside, and alert calls with no one to answer them. This is the new norm for Tye City Hall, and with the entirety of the public works department resigning, city services will be processed a lot slower for the time being. This most recent round of resignations was announced on Tuesday, May 27th, on the City of Tyes official Facebook page. Tye Police Chief Christopher Selander says that the city has now lost members from a variety of city departments, including city employees and many officers from the Tye Police Department. Its a problem that Selander said will lead to greater difficulties down the road.

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Obviously, thats going to hurt the city as well, because then there wont be any income coming in to pay the water bills, which therefore we need to pay Abilene. So, the city is going to suffer quite a bit, Selander explained.

Tye City Hall closed, public works services suspended amid staff shortages

As it stands, the City of Tye now has only three council members (Jason Moore, Greg Treadwell, and Police Chief Selander, who is serving as an acting council member) and three city employees. Interim City Mayor Jason Moore explained how a disagreement over city leadership has led to this outcome.

They were not happy with certain members who did win the election, but the people spoke, and the council is who the people want. So, you know, like it or lump it, we are going to do our very best to serve the city, Moore said.

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Two of the three city employees remaining are officers for the Tye Police Department. City officials have stated that the lack of a fully staffed police department has prompted them to seek assistance from the Taylor County Sheriffs Office to supplement city patrols. However, Tye citizens arent sure it will be enough. Ricardo Pequeno has lived in Tye for some time and says the lack of officers makes him concerned about his own safety and that of his family.

Now with only two officers around, crime rates are going to go up. Every town has its little wild side and protection. Like I said, everybody who lives around me has children, and anything can happen, Pequeno shared.

Tye mayor, 2 council members, multiple fire fighters resign

Another Tye resident who voiced concerns over the citys current situation was Journee Pugh. She said that her family moved to Tye roughly eight months ago and stated that in that time, she has noticed several issues with city services.

We dont get any alerts. Weve never gotten a water bill from the City of Tye. Weve called a few times, and theres no answer on that, Pugh explained. Our trash We never know when its going to be taken out. This isnt the first time its happened, but it was supposed to be taken out yesterday, and its not.

The leadership of the City of Tye says they are looking to rapidly fill the needed positions. They added that the challenge is difficult because with so few members, it is harder to process these potential candidates in a way that is in accordance with city regulations. However, city officials are hopeful that a good portion of the vacant positions will be filled within the next 60 to 90 days.

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In speaking with Chief Selander, he informed our studios that this will be his last week as Chief of Police for the City of Tye and that his plan to retire was in no way influenced by the current conditions the city is facing. With Selander leaving, the city will be left with just two city council members. Jason Moore and Greg Treadwell.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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NEED TO KNOW

In 1982, seven people died in Chicago after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol

James Lewis, who died in 2023, was considered a primary suspect for decades, though he was never charged in connection with the crime

In May 2025, Netflix released a docuseries titled Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders, featuring Lewis







Its been over 40 years since the Tylenol serial killer triggered a nationwide panic after seven people in the Chicago area ingested poisoned pain medication and were left dead.

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Over the course of just over 48 hours, victims between the ages of 12 and 35 suffered cardiac arrest immediately after taking Tylenol capsules that had unknowingly been laced with lethal doses of cyanide. As each victim was hospitalized, medical professionals worked around the clock to uncover what had caused their sudden deaths.

It was the joint effort of a fire lieutenant, a public health official and an ICU doctor who connected that all the patients had taken the pain killer just before their death. Given their symptoms, the doctor concluded that the victims had exhibited signs of cyanide poisoning, and lab tests quickly proved his theory correct, per the Chicago Tribune.

The swift thinking of emergency personnel helped expedite the process to inform the public and save the lives of many other potential victims. But just who was behind the murders was a mystery  and the case remains unsolved to this day.

While James Lewis, a man who sent a ransom letter to Tylenol manufacturer Johnson & Johnson shortly after the murders, has been a primary suspect for the past 40 years, he was never charged with the crime. Although he did spend time behind bars for extortion, he maintained his innocence until the day he died in 2023.

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Now, the Tylenol murders are being revisited in the Netflix documentary Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders, which is currently streaming and features interviews with Lewis.

So what happened during the Tylenol murders? Here's everything to know about the crimes and decades-long investigation.

What were the Chicago Tylenol murders?

AP Photo/Ed Bailey Extra-Strength Tylenol bottle pictured on October 6, 1982. Extra-Strength Tylenol bottle pictured on October 6, 1982.

In September 1982, numerous people in the Chicago area died under mysterious circumstances over the span of just a few days  and their deaths were eventually linked to Tylenol capsules that had been contaminated with cyanide. The incident led to mass panic from the public surrounding over-the-counter medication.

Within hours of contaminated medication being discovered, news spread around the Chicago area. News publications and radio stations extensively covered the poisonings to spread the word before more people could be impacted. Police officers drove through neighborhoods and used bullhorns to tell the public to throw out their Tylenol. Public health officials went door-to-door with flyers.

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Tylenol was quickly pulled from shelves around Chicago, per the Chicago Tribune, eventually leading to a nationwide recall of Tylenol products.

How many people were killed by the Tylenol serial killer?

Courtesy of Netflix Adam Janus, Theresa Janus, and Stanley Janus. Adam Janus, Theresa Janus, and Stanley Janus.

In total, seven people were killed by ingesting contaminated Tylenol, although there may have been other unknown victims. The casualties included a child as well as three members of the same family: Mary Kellerman, 12, Adam Janus, 27, Stanley Janus, 25, Theresa Terri Janus, 20, Mary McFarland, 31, Paula Prince, 35, and Mary Reiner, 27.

How were the deaths linked to Tylenol?

Terri Janus's parents, Jan and Helena Tarasewicz, from left, grieve at the mass for their daughter at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church.

The first death linked to the Tylenol poisonings was 12-year-old Mary Kellerman, who collapsed at home and was pronounced dead just hours after ingesting a laced capsule, per the Chicago Tribune. Later that day, Adam Janus, a 27-year-old mailman, also died shortly after being hospitalized. His death was initially ruled a heart attack, according to CBS News, but what happened in the days that followed alerted medical professionals that foul play may have been involved.

Just hours after Adam was pronounced dead, his brother Stanley and his wife Terri visited his home to begin making funeral plans. Not feeling well, they each took Tylenol capsules from the bottle that had unknowingly caused Adams death. They both immediately began experiencing chest pains and collapsed.

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It was Fire Lt. Chuck Kramer who recognized that just that morning, authorities had responded to a similar emergency at the same address. Believing the incidents were linked and could have affected other members of the family, he ordered everyone else in the house to be quarantined at the hospital. He then contacted Arlington Heights only public health official, Helen Jensen, to begin an investigation into the deaths, per the Chicago Tribune.

After interviewing family members, Jensen concluded that all three people had taken Tylenol shortly before their deaths. She later went to the Janus family home and picked up the bottle of Tylenol, realizing that it was a new bottle that had only been used by the three family members. She brought it back to the Cook County medical examiners office and declared that there must be something wrong with the pills. She was initially ignored.

Meanwhile, others were coming to the same conclusion. Dr. Thomas Kim, who was treating the Janus family, told Lt. Kramer that he believed the deaths were caused by something they had all ingested. Later that night, when Lt. Kramer spoke to a firefighter on the scene of Kellermans death, he learned that the little girl had also taken Tylenol  and they began putting things together.

When Dr. Kim learned of the connection, he began brainstorming what could have caused such a sudden onset of symptoms. After consulting with poison experts, he concluded that the effects of cyanide matched up with the victims sudden cardiac arrest. Unable to run tests at his hospital, he sent two vials of blood from Stanley and Terri to a 24-hour lab via a taxi cab.

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With the information from Dr. Kim, the medical examiners office began to look into the Tylenol bottles from the Janus and Kellerman households. With just a smell test, an investigator could tell there was cyanide inside. The countys chief toxicologist began to run tests on the Tylenol capsules and quickly realized that some of the pills contained nearly three times the amount needed to kill someone.

Shortly after, lab results confirmed that Stanley and Terri  as well as several other victims  had died from acute cyanide poisoning.

Who was responsible for the Tylenol murders?

AP Photo James W. Lewis arrives in federal court in Kansas City for a hearing on unrelated charges. James W. Lewis arrives in federal court in Kansas City for a hearing on unrelated charges.

No one has ever been charged for the deaths resulting from the tainted medication, and the identity of the Tylenol serial killer remains unknown. However, Lewis has long been considered the primary suspect.

In the midst of the investigation surrounding the contaminated Tylenol bottles, authorities uncovered that Lewis had sent a ransom letter to Tylenols parent company, Johnson & Johnson, demanding $1 million in order to stop the killing, according to the Associated Press. He immediately became a suspect in the case.

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At the time, Lewis was described by police as a chameleon, living across several states and using at least 20 aliases. He worked numerous different jobs, including computer specialist, tax accountant, importer of Indian tapestries and salesman of jewelry, pharmaceutical machinery and real estate, per AP.

He also had a history of trouble with the law. Several years prior to the poisonings, he had been accused of murdering and dismembering Raymond West, who had been one of his accounting clients. The charges were ultimately dropped because Wests cause of death was not determined and some evidence had been illegally obtained.

Then, in 1981, Lewis was convicted of mail fraud as part of a credit card scheme, using the name of a former tax client to illegally obtain 13 credit cards. Around that time, he also sent a letter to then-President Ronald Reagan, threatening to kill him with a remote-controlled plane, per UPI.

Given his troubled past and his letter to Johnson & Johnson, authorities began an intensive investigation into Lewiss involvement in the crime.

Was James Lewis convicted of murder?

Courtesy of Netflix 2025 James Lewis in Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders. James Lewis in Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders.

Lewis was never convicted of murdering the seven people who died after ingesting the contaminated medication, but remained a primary suspect for the majority of his life.

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During early interviews with Lewis, he denied involvement in the poisonings but confessed to writing the extortion letter to Johnson & Johnson. The letter referenced how easy it could be to contaminate medication and said it could take him less than 10 minutes per bottle.

While he did not admit to contaminating the Tylenol, he did offer an explanation as to how he believed the crime took place. He told authorities that the culprit was likely to have bought the Tylenol and then later added the cyanide and returned the bottles to store shelves. In the years that followed, he said he offered the explanation because he was treating the investigation as he would a business situation.

I was doing like I would have done for a corporate client, making a list of possible scenarios, he told AP in 1992. He called the killer a heinous, cold-blooded killer, a cruel monster.

Lewis was not able to be linked to the tainted bottles through forensic testing, and he could not be placed in Chicago at the time of the crime. Despite the suspicion surrounding him, there was not enough evidence to convict Lewis. He was never charged with murder but did go to trial on charges of extortion stemming from the ransom letter he wrote to Johnson & Johnson.

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In June 1984, he was convicted of extortion and sentenced to 10 years in prison, per The New York Times.

What happened during subsequent investigations into the case?

Jim Davis/The Boston Globe/Getty FBI agents walk out of an apartment building at 170 Gore Street in Cambridge carrying evidence they collected from the apartment of James Lewis, a suspect in the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders. FBI agents walk out of an apartment building at 170 Gore Street in Cambridge carrying evidence they collected from the apartment of James Lewis, a suspect in the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders.

Over the past four decades, authorities have continued to investigate the Tylenol serial killer case. On several occasions, they have come up with leads, with many seemingly pointing back to Lewis.

Around 2007, further investigation was prompted by authorities who wanted a complete review of all evidence developed in connection with the poisonings with the benefit of advances in forensic technology.

During an undercover sting operation, Lewis confessed that it had taken him three days to write the extortion letter, per the Chicago Tribune. Using advanced technology, investigators were able to uncover that the letter had an Oct. 1, 1982, postmark  meaning that Lewis began writing the letter before news of the poisoned Tylenol was made public. When Lewis was presented with the information, he recanted his statement, claiming to have a faulty memory.

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In the years that followed, the FBI met with or had phone conversations with Lewis at least 34 times, according to CBS News. The FBI also obtained fresh samples of his DNA and fingerprints, but they did not match any of the DNA recovered on the contaminated bottles.

Authorities also raided Lewis suburban Boston condo and storage locker, seizing a laptop among other items. They also collected a poison handbook that Lewis had in his home prior to moving to Chicago in 1981, per the Chicago Tribune. Investigators even found Lewis fingerprints on pages that discussed how much cyanide would be needed to kill someone.

Lewis continued to deny his involvement in the crime, and authorities were unable to charge Lewis with murder.

Where is James Lewis now?

Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/Getty James Lewis in Cambridge, Massachusetts. James Lewis in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In July 2023, Lewis died at the age of 76. Police in Cambridge, Mass., told PEOPLE that Lewis was found unresponsive in his home and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Following an investigation, Lewis death was determined to be not suspicious, police added.

After the news was made public, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Margolis, who had prosecuted Lewis for extortion, told the Chicago Tribune and CBS News Chicago that he was saddened to learn of James Lewis death  not because of the death itself but because Lewis didnt die in prison.

However, before his death, Lewis was interviewed for the 2025 Netflix docuseries about the case. He continued to deny his involvement in the poisonings, saying, "They make it look like Im the worlds most horrible, dangerous person ever ... and I wouldnt hurt anybody."

Read the original article on People
HONG KONG  The United States will start aggressively revoking the visas of Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday, including those with connections to the ruling Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

The announcement is the latest move in the Trump administrations campaign against U.S. universities and international students in particular, after it revoked thousands of students visas, detained or deported other students over political activism and sought to bar international students from enrolling at Harvard University.

Rubio said in a statement that visa criteria would also be revised to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.

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Under President Trumps leadership, the U.S. State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, he said.

China said Thursday that the United States was unjustifiably canceling Chinese student visas under the pretext of ideology and national security.

This politically discriminatory move exposes the hypocrisy of Americas long-proclaimed values of freedom and openness and will only further damage the United States international image and credibility, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said at a regular briefing in Beijing.

China is the second-biggest source of international students in the United States after India, though numbers have been dropping in recent years amid growing U.S.-China tensions and disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic.

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About 277,000 Chinese students were in the United States in the 2023-24 academic year, down from a peak of more than 370,000 in 2019. By contrast, there were only about 800 Americans studying in China last year, down from a peak of about 15,000 in 2014.

Though Rubio did not specify what he meant by critical fields, the United States and China are concerned about each others advancements in strategically sensitive areas such as biotechnology, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

It is also unclear what Rubio meant by connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

There were more than 99 million members of the Chinese Communist Party as of the end of 2023, or about 7% of Chinas 1.4 billion people, official figures showed. The party also runs the Communist Youth League, which has about 74 million members ages 14 to 28, with some overlap between the two groups.

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Up to 75% of university students in the Chinese capital, Beijing, which has the most higher education institutions in the country, apply for party membership during their undergraduate years, according to a paper published in 2016.

Another study in 2014 found that the youngest party members are more likely to report self-interest, such as helping their careers, advancing politically and improving social status, as their reasons for joining.

John Burns, an emeritus professor at the University of Hong Kong who specializes in Chinese politics and governance, said the move to revoke visas for Chinese students showed that the United States is paranoid about the Chinese Communist Party.

However, the American government has no independent way of verifying whether a Chinese student is a party member unless individual students or people they know reveal it, Burns said in a phone interview Thursday.

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The best students in Chinas elite universities are approached by the party and asked to join, Burns said, and its probably a wise decision on their part, as the party is the network of all networks to get ahead in China.

Pragmatism is the order of the day, he said. Chinese people are not more or less pragmatic, I would say, than anyone else.

Burns said the loss of students from China or other countries would do huge damage to the advancement of science and tech in the United States.

They need to be recruiting the best of the best  wherever theyre from  not based on some ideological bias, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
London - The controversial U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), whose operations got off to a chaotic start this week in the war-torn Palestinian territory, says it is winding down its Swiss operation after three months. The move comes as Swiss authorities said GHF was breaching rules for foundations registered in that country. GHF told CBS News that moving forward, its only operations would be based out of the United States.

The legal complication for GHF in Switzerland emerged as the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health said one Palestinian was killed and 47 others were wounded when Israeli forces fired shots as people were seeking food at one of its aid distribution hubs in southern Gaza on Tuesday. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Tuesday that troops had only fired "warning shots" to restore order at the site. GHF later said in a statement that "no shots were fired at Palestinian crowds" and "there were no casualties." Some injured Palestinians could be seen in video footage of the incident verified by CBS News Confirmed, which showed hundreds of people around the distribution center.

Little has been made public about GHF, including who funds it. CBS News has been told by one source that GHF has employed at least 300 American contractors, all heavily armed, who have been given "as much ammunition as they can carry."

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The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said, according to a document obtained by CBS News that appears to have been written by the group, that it was registering in both Delaware and Geneva, Switzerland. The Swiss "affiliate" was established in order to "address donors who would prefer to participate outside of the U.S. structure," the document says.

"The Swiss GHF Board and Executive team will closely mirror that of the U.S. GHF and will adhere to the same principles, mission and values," says the document.

A separate document seeking to register the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Switzerland, dated Jan. 31, 2025, was published as part of the country's commercial register. The foundation is shown as being registered from Feb. 12.

According to the Swiss registration document, "the foundation pursues exclusively charitable and philanthropic objectives for the benefit of people in need of support for material, psychological or health reasons, and more specifically to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip, including the secure provision of food, water, medicine, shelter and reconstruction."

Displaced Palestinians receive food packages from GHF, a U.S.-backed foundation distributing humanitarian aid, in western Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 27, 2025. / Credit: AFP via Getty Images

It lists three individuals as leaders of the Swiss foundation: David Papazian, who the document says is from Armenia but based in the U.K.; Lolk Samuel Marcel Henderson, an American in Arlington, Virginia; and David Kohler, from Switzerland.

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Subsequent documents, dated May 19 and May 23 respectively, announced the removal of Swiss national Kohler from the board of the foundation, and then the end of Swiss accounting firm OGH Expertises Comptables et Fiscales SA's role as an auditor of the foundation.

Switzerland's Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations, known as the ESA, told CBS News on Wednesday that, according to its assessment, the Swiss branch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is "currently not fulfilling various legal obligations," in the country.

The ESA said the aid group's Swiss branch does not have the required signatory member of its board resident in Switzerland, that it doesn't have the minimum three board members required by Swiss statutes, and that it did not appear to have a Swiss bank account, a valid Swiss address, or an auditor  all of which are requirements for foundations like GHF which are registered in the country.

"Based on this information, the ESA assumes that the Swiss foundation has not yet commenced its activities and is therefore inactive," the authority told CBS News. "The ESA has informed the foundation of its legal requirements and requested that it clarify the situation. The necessary clarifications are currently under way."

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A Swiss non-governmental watchdog organization, TRIAL International, said it had filed two legal submissions to the Swiss government on May 20 and 21, with the Federal Supervisory Authority for Foundations and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, seeking to assess GHF's compliance with the Swiss legal system, as well as with Switzerland's Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad.

The legal submissions were "intended to urgently remedy potential breaches by the GHF of various rules of national and international law, in particular concerning 'private security services' within the framework of the foundation's activities, such as the militarized security of distribution points and the control of individuals," the NGO said in a statement.

Switzerland "has a moral but also a particular legal obligation to make sure that entities operating from its territory, themselves, respect the Geneva Conventions. That's enshrined in the first article of the Geneva Conventions," TRIAL International director Philip Grant told CBS News.

"So we just wanted to understand what they did" through the Swiss entity, he said.

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Grant said it was unclear how much GHF activity had actually taken place in Geneva, which was part of the motivation for his group's submissions. It was also looking to find out whether GHF had requested and received necessary approvals to engage private military services, the use of which is tightly regulated under Swiss law for organizations registered in the country.

In response to CBS News' request for clarity, GHF said Wednesday that "the only GHF entity that is in use today is the foundation established in the United States by Loik Henderson in February 2025. That is the only entity through which GHF is operating and will operate moving forward. Swiss entity was created as a contingency; is not operational; and is being wound down."

James Smith, a doctor who has worked inside Gaza, told CBS News that both the presence of armed contractors at aid distribution centers and the locations of GHF's hubs in the south of Gaza raise red flags for humanitarian workers. He said the location of the hubs could potentially serve as a way to forcibly displace the population of Gaza to the south of the Strip.

"They are undignified. They are inhumane. We've seen people being corralled into cages in the baking heat," Smith said.

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Smith pointed out concerns raised by the United Nations, which has declined to work with the organization, about the methods of GHF and even "some of the people that, until the last couple of days, worked for GHF and have since resigned, saying that they cannot adhere to the humanitarian principles if they continue to work for this entity."

"The risks posed by armed military actors, particularly those who are parties to a conflict, also providing humanitarian assistance should be and has been roundly condemned and is not something that any reputable humanitarian organization, academic of humanitarianism or humanitarian practitioner should ever support," Smith said.

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A Southern California-based photographer on Thursday shared footage showing a U.S Coast Guard boat speeding over two gray whales off Laguna Beach.

Mark Girardeau, who has spent countless hours on marine mammal excursions off Orange County, shared the footage to illustrate that vessels of all types pose a threat to whales that feed or migrate in California waters.

One of the challenges gray whales face is boat traffic, especially along the California coast where there is no shortage of cargo ships, oil tankers, personal yachts, ferries, jet skiers, search & rescue operations, etc., Girardeau stated via Instagram. All which are not actively watching for whales.

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ALSO: Author recalls intense encounter with swimming grizzly bear; video

Girardeau explained that in this case, which he described as a close call, the Coast Guard vessel did not strike either of the whales, one of which can be seen diving to avoid being struck.

The Coast Guard crew, Girardeau added, had been searching for a swimmer who had been pulled to sea by a current and did not survive. Its likely that the crew did not even see the whales.

Girardeau told FTW Outdoors that he captured the footage in 2019 with a drone that he piloted from shore.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: U.S. Coast Guard boat shown speeding over whales off California
The Court of International Trade has ruled that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority in invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs on the countrys biggest trading partners.

The New York-based federal judicial panel comprised of nine presidentially appointed judges handed down a decision to block the Commander in Chief from levying the double-digit duties, writing Wednesday that The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs.

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The judges who heard the case included Trump appointee Timothy Reif along with Gary Katzman, who was appointed by Barack Obama, and Jane Restani, who took to the bench during Ronald Reagans presidency.

IEEPAa niche trade law used rarely in the modern era and scarcely known by average citizenswas put in place by Jimmy Carter in 1977. It authorizes the president to regulate international commerce under the circumstance of an unusual and extraordinary threat to American security or the economy originating outside of the country. Once the president declares a national emergency under IEEPA, they can block transactions with other nations, freeze assets and confiscate property to defend U.S. interests.

Trump invoked the law on April 2Liberation Daywhen he announced reciprocal duties on about 90 countries, as well as an international baseline tariff of 10 percent. The 25-percent duties separately levied on Mexico and Canada, spurred by complaints about border security and fentanyl trafficking, were also invalidated by Wednesdays decision.

Trumps repeated claims that trade imbalances with other nations amount to fleecing the U.S. and its industrial base dont rise to the standard of a national emergency under IEEPA, the courts decision surmised. Therefore, the president cant circumvent Congress to impose the duties on July 9, when their previous deferral expires.

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The decision doesnt apply to 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, autos and parts that Trump imposed using Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, though. The Commerce Department is investigating whether the importation of those items poses a risk to national security.

The administration has 10 days to comply with the ruling and stop the tariffs, though it quickly and quietly appealed the decision. As of end-of-day in Washington, the president had not even Truthed his stance on the matter, though White House spokesperson Kush Desai indicated that the administration would use every lever of executive power to address this crisis. He added that It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.

The trade court complaints stemmed from lawsuits filed by small businesses and American companies, as well as 15 complaints from states including California, New York and Oregon.

The courts agreeDonald Trump exceeded his authority when he tried to impose his chaotic, disruptive tariffs that have done nothing but increase costs for American families, the Golden States governor, Gavin Newsom, wrote on X Wednesday evening.

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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who filed the states complaint against the Trump administration, called the Court of International Trades decision big news.

This means we wont see the uncertainty when it comes to prices that we pay in the grocery store. Itll be more certainty for small businesses. It means that household families are going to have that $3,800 increase every year as a result of these tariffs, he tweeted.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March that boosted the spirits of cryptocurrency investors - and created a digital money mystery.

Trump directed the treasury secretary to create two national stockpiles of crypto assets, putting digital currencies alongside gold, foreign currencies and other assets in the U.S. reserve.

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The assets are to include crypto seized by federal agencies in criminal or civil proceedings. But the government has not disclosed how much bitcoin, or which other crypto coins, it holds.

New data on what crypto cash the U.S. government has seized may now provide some answers. It suggests the crypto reserves will together hold more than $21 billion in cryptocurrency.

Trump ordered the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which Trump described as a virtual Fort Knox for digital gold, and a separate U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile to hold other cryptocurrencies. The stockpile will be funded with whatever crypto assets the Treasury holds other than bitcoin, leaving the stockpiles composition to be largely determined by a mixture of chance and criminal conduct.

That unconventional method for selecting government financial holdings had the benefit of making the reserves cost-neutral for the taxpayer. It also provided a way to estimate what exactly might go into the two pools before results are released from an official accounting of U.S. crypto holdings that is underway.

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Because government seizures are disclosed in court documents, news releases and other sources, crypto-tracking firms can use those notices to monitor which digital assets the U.S. government holds.

Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics firm, reviewed cryptocurrency wallets that appear to be associated with the U.S. government for The Washington Post. The company estimated how much bitcoin it holds, and the other crypto tokens in its top 20 digital holdings as of May 13, by tracking transactions involving those wallets.

The United States top 20 crypto holdings according to Chainalysis are worth about $20.9 billion as of 3 p.m. Eastern on May 28, with $20.4 billion in bitcoin and about $493 million in other digital assets. It has been scooped up from crimes such as stolen funds, scams and sales on dark net markets.

Those estimates put the U.S. governments top crypto holdings at less than the approximately $25 billion worth of oil held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Their value is nearly double the Feds listing for U.S. gold holdings, although that figure uses outdated pricing and would be over $850 billion at current prices.

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The Treasury declined to comment on U.S. government crypto holdings.

Before Trumps order established the crypto reserves, the U.S. government had not had a cohesive plan for handling its digital assets, said Eric Jardine, cybercrimes research lead at Chainalysis. It had regularly off-loaded pieces of its digital holdings through asset sales and restitution to crime victims, he said, apparently in part because crypto wasnt an asset it was considered strategic.

The crypto tokens headed for the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile according to the Chainalysis list include ethereum, the worlds second-largest digital asset, and a string of other crypto tokens with punier name recognition.

They include derivatives of bitcoin and ethereum that mirror those cryptocurrencies prices, several stable coins designed to be pegged in value to the U.S. dollar, and 10 tokens tied to specific companies, including the cryptocurrency exchanges FTX, which imploded in 2022 after defrauding customers, and Binance.

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The 20 tokens on the list are generally those with the largest market capitalizations in the $1.3 trillion crypto industry. Trumps March 2 Truth Social post that announced his intention to establish the reserves said they would include XRP, Solana and Cardano, causing their prices to jump, but none feature in Chainalysiss estimate of the top 20 tokens held by the government.

Trumps order said creating the reserves would centralize disparate government crypto caches and that there is a strategic advantage to being among the first nations to create a strategic bitcoin reserve. Economists have warned that national reserves of cryptocurrency are likely to benefit only existing investors in the coins selected for inclusion, who could reap profits if the U.S. governments endorsement causes prices to increase.

There is broad support for the digital reserves from the crypto industry, which Trump has embraced. Lawsuits and investigations into crypto firms by federal regulators have melted away since his return to office. Last week, the president dined with top investors of a meme coin named after him that generates profits for Trump and his family.

Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, a crypto infrastructure company, said in an interview that the bitcoin reserve provides the industry a reputational boost, signaling the U.S. government considers crypto a safe-haven asset, like gold, currencies and government bonds.

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Nazarov was not aware his companys own crypto token, LINK, appears to have a good shot at landing in the Digital Asset Stockpile until The Washington Post informed him. He called the coins potential inclusion a generally positive thing.

Chainalysis estimates the government holds about $1.5 million worth of the token, which has a market capitalization of over $10 billion, placing it among the top 20 crypto tokens by value.

Not everyone in the crypto community favors the U.S. government anointing cryptocurrency as a strategic national asset.

The original spirit of crypto, Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of ethereum, said in a March interview with The Washington Post, is about counterbalancing power, including government and corporate power.

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Bitcoin, the first widely adopted cryptocurrency, was created during the Great Recession of 2007-2009, amid deep skepticism about traditional finance. Buterin is excited about the idea of governments embracing certain aspects of crypto technology. But the movement becoming too closely associated to one particular government team or even a particular corporate team, he said, could violate cryptos original mission of decentralization and openness.

Austin Campbell, a professor at New York Universitys business school and a principal at crypto advisory firm Zero Knowledge, sees hypocrisy in crypto enthusiasts cheering the governments strategic reserves. The bitcoin community in particular has historically been about freedom from sovereign interference, he said.

Campbell argues the U.S. government could put seized crypto coins - and its gold - to better use, by filling in some of the national debt or reducing spending. He would not oppose a crypto reserve, he said, if the United States were running a budget surplus.

Trumps use of an executive order bypassed congressional debate on crypto reserves but state lawmakers attempting to establish similar reserves have gotten mixed results.

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New Hampshire and Arizonas governors this month signed bills paving the way for state crypto reserves.

Other states - including Florida, Oklahoma and Wyoming - have rejected or postponed similar bills. One common concern has been that cryptocurrencies are more volatile than many conventional financial assets.

A 2024 Pew Research Center report found that 17 percent of Americans have invested in, traded or used crypto. Among Americans ages 18 to 29, the figure was 29 percent. Some younger investors even consider highly speculative meme coins to be their generations best shot at the American Dream.

One challenge to consumer adoption of crypto has been the need to invent tools and services to make it easy to manage digital assets. Owning crypto depends on a private cryptographic key a few dozen characters long - making it easy to transfer funds but also to lose them or get scammed.

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Some crypto enthusiasts and institutions store bitcoin in special devices not connected to the internet, to stop hacks. The U.S. government has lost some of its seized crypto dating back to the takedown of the Silk Road dark net marketplace in 2013.

The government has built better and better processes of managing crypto assets over time, but there have still been some mistakes, Chainalysis CEO Jonathan Levin said in an interview this month.

The Department of Justice announced in July 2024 that it had awarded a five-year contract to Coinbase, a leading crypto exchange, to provide crypto custody and trading services for its cryptocurrency assets. The company declined to comment further on the U.S. crypto reserves.

Levins predicts there will now be a greater level of sophistication applied to managing and securing the governments reserves.

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GRAPHIC

https://washingtonpost.com/documents/bb78a1aa-db03-45f1-89d1-d3611c1fa2c7.pdf

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U.S. Issues New Travel Advisory for France  What You Need to Know originally appeared on Parade.

The United States has updated its travel advisory for France amidst concerns of possible terrorist attacks and civil unrest.

As of May 28, France is listed as a Level 2 threat, with the U.S. Department of State recommending travelers exercise increased caution when going to the country.

Pickpocketing and phone thefts are common, especially in crowded places. Terrorist groups continue to plan possible attacks in France and may attack with little to no warning. There are also regular, peaceful protests and strikes in Paris and other cities throughout France. the advisory reads.

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For those who continue on with their travel plans, be extra mindful while in crowded public places like popular tourist spots, transportation hubs and airports, markets and shopping malls, government facilities, and sporting arenas.

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According to the U.S. Department of State, travelers should stay alert at tourist locations and crowded public places and avoid demonstrations and areas with significant police activity. They also recommend following the instructions of French authorities and checking local media for breaking events.

The decision follows recent Level 2 advisories in European countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

The U.S. Department of State encourages travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive messages and alerts from the U.S. Embassy and to make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Other resources include Frances Country Security Report and the CDC page to find the latest Travel Health Information.

Currently, there are around 80 countries and regions worldwide under a Level 2 advisory.

U.S. Issues New Travel Advisory for France  What You Need to Know first appeared on Parade on May 29, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
The United States Department of State's main priority is to keep Americans safe and secure when traveling overseas. With that said, a few travel advisories have been issued this week.

Travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State range from Level 1 to Level 4. The lowest advisory level simply urges U.S. citizens to exercise normal precautions. The highest level, however, is a "Do Not Travel" warning. A Level 4 advisory is only issued if there are life-threatening risks present.

Earlier this month, the United States placed a Level 4 advisory on Venezuela due to the high risk of wrongful detention and terrorism.

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"The U.S. government warns U.S. citizens against travel to Venezuela for any reason. Venezuela has the highest Travel Advisory level  Level 4: Do Not Travel  due to severe risks to Americans including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure," the U.S. Department of State wrote.

On May 28, the U.S. government issued three more travel advisories.

Malta and South Korea have received Level 1 travel advisories. Although Americans are allowed to travel to both countries, there are some concerns about South Korea due to its political situation.

"Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. North Korea continues to conduct missile launches and other military activities that may increase tensions. Travelers should monitor local developments and remain vigilant. The South Korean government conducts civil emergency drills throughout the year," the U.S. Department of State said. "Read the country information page for additional information on travel to South Korea. Please note that consular services, including passport services, are not available at the U.S. Consulate in Busan; they are only available at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul."

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France, meanwhile, received a Level 2 advisory due to terrorism and civil unrest. That means U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution while there.

Pickpocketing and phone thefts are reportedly common in France, especially at airports, subways and tourist attractions.

U.S. Issues Travel 'Warning' for 3 Countries on May 28 first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a National Day of Prayer event at the Capitol complex on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

MIAMI  A federal judge locked horns repeatedly with the prominent lawyer defending Attorney General James Uthmeier during a hearing Thursday on potential sanctions against the states top legal officer amid a suit over a new state immigration law.

U.S. Judge Kathleen Williams stated multiple times that Uthmeier was not above the law and that he had to abide by the courts orders. But Uthmeier may emerge from the legal quarrel relatively unscathed despite drawing Williams ire for calling illegitimate and unlawful her order temporarily blocking the immigration law that led to the arrest of a U.S. citizen.

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Although it would be extraordinary for a judge to hold a Florida attorney general in contempt, the sanctions discussed during the hearing included having Uthmeier issue another directive, which she offered to write, to law enforcement clarifying that they cant enforce a law making it a first-degree misdemeanor for a person to enter the state as an unauthorized alien.

There needs to be an appreciation and abiding by court order, or else this all becomes anarchy, Williams said.

Uthmeier didnt attend the hearing.

Redress for wrongful arrests

Plaintiffs attorneys  from the ACLU Foundation of Florida, ACLU Foundation Immigrants Rights Project, Americans For Immigrant Justice, and Community Justice Project  also want the judge to make the state pay their fees and establish a way to provide legal help for anyone who may have been arrested under the state law after April 18.

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The groups filed the suit on behalf of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, the Farmworker Association of Florida, and two women lacking permanent legal status.

An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times found that law enforcement arrested 25 people after Williams first blocked the law on April 4, but didnt find any arrests after April 18, when Williams ordered Uthmeier to notify law enforcement about her order. Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a U.S. citizen from Georgia, was one of those arrested by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The 20-year-olds arrest, first reported by Florida Phoenix, garnered international attention.

Uthmeiers letter could lead to sanctions

At the heart of the hearing was a letter Uthmeier sent to law enforcement agencies, sheriffs, and police chiefs on April 23, stating that he couldnt stop them from making arrests under SB 4C, and that, in his view, no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes your agencies from continuing to enforce Floridas new illegal entry and reentry laws.

The April 23 letter came after another that Uthmeier had sent five days earlier, following Williams order, stating that no arrests should take place.

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Uthmeier brought in Jesse Panuccio, whod been acting U.S. associate attorney general for parts of President Donald Trumps first term, to represent him on Thursday. Panuccio got into heated back-and-forths with Williams over what he called an unfair interpretation of the letter that took it out of context.

Panuccio, whom Uthmeier had named co-chairman of his transition team following his appointment as AG three months ago, scolded the judge for bringing up comments Uthmeier made in interviews and for talking about his social media posts.

You invited me to consider context, and I am considering context, Williams said to Panuccio.

Elected or appointed officials, such as Uthmeier, shouldnt be policed over the comments they make in public as part of their job, Panuccio said. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Uthmeier, his then-chief of staff, to the top legal spot in the state in February.

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They do engage in puffery that has been part of our politics since the dawn of the republic, Panuccio said.

Continued oversight on arrests

The judge is also contemplating requiring the defendants to submit weekly or monthly reports on arrests under the suspended law. The lack of reported arrests pointed to a consensus that Uthmeiers letter didnt violate the court order, Panuccio said.

Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU Immigrants Rights Project, told the judge that the lack of arrests didnt exempt Uthmeier from the consequences of disobeying her order.

Its not because of the attorney generals conduct, its in spite of it, Wofsy said.

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Leading up to the hearing, Uthmeier said during an interview that aired on Newsmax on May 6 that he wouldnt rubber stamp her order.

Williams brought up that interview when she said she could write another letter and make Uthmeier send it to law enforcement groups.

He need have no qualm about it being authorized by him, she said.

Uthemeier and the other defendants  the statewide prosecutor and states attorneys  have appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Williams injunction barring enforcement of the law.

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King Soopers and the grocery workers union will continue negotiating for at least another week to avoid a strike.

The Colorado grocery chain operated by Kroger and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 had a 100-day peace agreement to halt Februarys strike and continuing bargaining for a new contract, with the period set to expire Wednesday night.

The two parties agreed to extend the peace period until the end of June 8, the grocer and union announced in their bargaining updates.

King Soopers, which includes City Market stores, said in a Wednesday night update that the company and the union made promising progress over the last two days of bargaining.

We were able to reach tentative agreements on several contract language items, according to King Soopers. This important step helps clear the deck of most non-economic proposals and allows us to focus squarely on the remaining priorities needed to reach a fair and balanced agreement.

The union said it reached an agreement with King Soopers on issues such as limiting the grocer from subcontracting curbside pickup work to Instacart gig workers, creating a sanitation and floor maintenance department in at least 20 stores over several years and letting other workers from Kroger-affiliated stores carry over seniority for benefits such as healthcare, pay and vacation time.

Still, UFCW Local 7 is calling out King Soopers for trying to implement what the union believes are concessionary proposals on economic issues such as healthcare and retirement benefits.

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While any potential strike against King Soopers has been pushed back, the union is looking to take action against the grocer's competitor Safeway and Albertsons over the same issues.

Are Colorado's King Soopers and Safeway stores both at risk of a strike?

The union scheduled strike votes across the state beginning this weekend, with some votes to be held next week.

King Soopers/City Market and Safeway/Albertsons are operating like partners-in-crime to try and force these critical health care cuts on Colorado grocery workers, according to the unions Facebook post Wednesday night. It is more important than ever to remain UNION STRONG.

Earlier this week, an Albertsons spokesperson said the company is committed to productive conversations with UFCW Local 7.

We respect the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and are negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that is fair to our employees, good for our customers and allows our company to remain competitive, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (WTAJ)  The U.S. Marshals Service is asking for the publics help to find a suspect charged with homicide in August 2024.

Denarii Kadeem Springs, 26, was charged with homicide by the Sunbury Police Department after a man was shot on the 100 block of Market Street in Sunbury.

Marshals are offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to Springs arrest.

Springs is described as standing six feet two inches and weighing roughly 200 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He is said to have known connections to the Bronx, NY area and is associated with addresses in Northeast Pennsylvania, specifically Northumberland County.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Anyone with information is asked to call the U.S. Marshals Service tip line at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332).

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Residents are asked to use caution as Springs may be armed and dangerous.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia  The U.S. is expanding its military presence in northern Australia as it looks to project power and provide a deterrence against the increasing threat of China in the Asia-Pacific. China's President Xi Jinping is thought to have ordered his armed forces to be ready to invade the island of Taiwan by 2027, if necessary, raising fears of a conflict that could draw in American forces.

In response to Beijing's expanding footprint in the region, the U.S. has seen Australia, a country located around two-and-a-half-thousand miles south of China, as a key strategic partner.

U.S. Marines participate in joint military drills in Australia. / Credit: CBS News

In 2012, the first deployment of roughly 200 U.S. Marines rotated through the country's Northern Territory. Now it's close to 2,500 each year. The U.S. military presence is now at its biggest since 1945 at the end of the Second World War.

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CBS News gained access to a U.S. Marine Corps exercise, including Australian and Japanese allies in the rugged outback, as preparations against Chinese aggression ramps up.

The exercise involved Australian troops playing the role of enemy combatants who attack a platoon of U.S. Marines. The drill was conducted by more than 500 U.S. Marines and over 2,000 troops in total, across an area bigger than the state of Maryland.

"Knowing how one another works is of the utmost importance and being ready to respond is something critical," Major Nicholas Foust, the officer commanding the exercise with U.S. Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, told CBS News.

Military experts say a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is not inevitable and that China may want to avoid war, especially with the U.S. But China's armed forces are going through an unprecedented modernization  from aircraft carriers to hypersonic missiles.

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While the key goal for the U.S. and its allies in the region is to deter any potential Chinese aggression, Brigadier Ben McLennan, commander of the Australian Defence Force's 3rd Brigade, told CBS News that they are preparing for the worst possible outcome.

"Every time you commit to an exercise like this, it is a rehearsal  and you treat it as your last opportunity to do so before war arrives," he said. "A rehearsal for a war the likes of which we haven't seen since the Second World War."

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Freight trains sit idle in railyards in Grand Junction on May 16, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a controversial railway that would connect Colorado to Utahs oil-rich Uinta Basin, allowing the state to ramp up oil exports.

The unanimous decision released Thursday clears a major hurdle for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway, which has been held up in the courts for several years after Colorados Eagle County and five environmental groups sued in 2022.

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In 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit sided with Eagle County and the environmental groups, ruling that the railways initial environmental review was incomplete and failed to consider certain risks, like threats of wildfire or possible water pollution.

Thursdays ruling overturns that decision, returning the case to a lower court for consideration. While its a win for the railway, the project still faces other regulatory roadblocks before construction can begin.

The Uinta Basin Railway would transport waxy crude oil  a type of oil that, as its name suggests, is viscous like shoe polish  from the Uinta Basin to national rail lines in Utah, where it would then be exported through Colorado and eventually to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

The 88-mile railway extension could transport an estimated 350,000 barrels each day, massively increasing the states oil production  the refineries in Salt Lake City, for instance, currently have a market capacity of 85,000 barrels per day.

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Proponents of the project say the railway will help Utahs economic growth and bring jobs to the Uinta Basin.

But in their lawsuit, environmental groups and Eagle County argued that the federal Surface Transportation Board  the agency tasked with the environmental review  fell short in its analysis in 2021, failing to consider the risks of the railroad expansion.

That includes the upstream risks, like the environmental impact of more oil production in the Uinta Basin; the downstream risks, including potential harms caused by increased oil production on the Gulf Coast; and the downline risks of exporting more oil along the railline, which the lawsuit claimed could harm wildlife, increase risk of wildfire, and lead to more pollution.

The appeals court ultimately sided with that argument, nullifying parts of the original environmental impact statement required under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and instructing the board to conduct a more detailed analysis of the risks.

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In his opinion issued Thursday, Justice Brett Kavanaugh rejected that decision, writing that the boards review of the project only needs to focus on the railways immediate impacts  not the ripple of environmental concerns flagged in the lawsuit.

The Board did not need to evaluate potential environmental impacts of the separate upstream and downstream projects, Kavanaugh wrote. The environmental consequences of future oil drilling in the Basin are distinct from construction and operation of the railroad line.

Justice Neil Gorsuch did not take part in the consideration of the case.

Welcome news: Utah politicians react

Proponents of the project on Thursday celebrated the ruling, calling it a significant victory, welcome news and a decision that empowered local and state governments.

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The Supreme Courts unanimous ruling poses a firm and a clear message: NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock, said Utah Republican Sen. John Curtis, quoting the decision. For too long, litigious groups have weaponized environmental reviews to stall critical projects  oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, and more. Ill keep pushing for real permitting reform to unlock our full potential to provide affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

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Utah Republican Rep. Mike Kennedy said the project will give an economic boost to the region, saying the ruling has the potential to streamline projects that go through the NEPA process.

Prior to this ruling, NEPA was used by agencies and interest groups to delay or block projects, hindering growth in rural communities. By affirming the projects approval, the Court has empowered local and state governments to pursue development opportunities that directly benefit Utah residents, Kennedy said.

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Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, called the decision a win for Utah and American energy independence.

The Uinta Basin Railway will power our economy by connecting rural Utah to more markets, supporting job creation and energy production, Adams said. Utah already leads the nation with low energy prices, and this project helps secure our states position as a global energy leader, delivering reliable, safe and affordable power for generations to come.

Colorado will keep fighting

In Colorado, where critics of the railway fear for the Colorado River, the Wests most vital water source, and nearby communities, the response voiced frustration but not resignation.

In a statement, Attorney General Phil Weiser maintained that the lower courts ruling was correct in finding NEPA requires a full understanding of potential environmental hazards for projects like the railway.

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The Surface Transportation Board must still decide other environmental issues that werent part of this case. Well remain vigilant and deploy every tool available under the law to protect Colorados land, air, and water and hold federal agencies accountable to their oversight obligations, Weiser said.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, said in a statement that the decision lays the groundwork for an environmental catastrophe.

As the harsh impacts of the climate crisis increase the vulnerability of the Colorado River, the risk of an oil spill along this train route is unacceptable, DeGette said, noting the route travels through Denver. This is a public health nightmare waiting to happen, and I am deeply concerned about how this decision will hamper environmental justice and allow big oil and gas to exploit our public lands.

A train of tanker cars travels the tracks along the Colorado River near Cameo on May 16, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Groups warn of broader NEPA implications

The law at the center of Thursdays ruling, NEPA, has long been criticized by industry and politicians as a hindrance to permitting. The environmental review process  meant to take differing opinions, cultural and environmental impacts and alternate proposals into consideration  can sometimes take years.

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Politicians, including Curtis and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, have advocated for permitting reform to streamline projects like the Uinta Basin Railway. Cox has criticized environmental and public lands groups that he says use NEPA as a tool to tangle controversial projects up in litigation.

Environmental groups worry that expediting the process could result in hasty decisions that ignore public input and environmental risks.

And according to the Center for Biological Diversity, the recent decision from the high court could place further limitations on NEPA.

The ruling, according to the group, could set a precedent where federal agencies arent obligated to review harms, including the downstream, upstream and downline risks that were identified when the appeals court first ruled against the railway.

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According to the center, the supreme courts ruling tells agencies that they can ignore certain foreseeable impacts just because they are too remote in time or space. And even if the agency makes the wrong call about how to draw that line, the court has now said that the agency gets deference.

Todays decision undermines decades of legal precedent that told federal agencies to look before they leap when approving projects that could harm communities and the environment, said Sam Sankar, senior vice president of programs at Earthjustice. The Trump administration will treat this decision as an invitation to ignore environmental concerns as it tries to promote fossil fuels, kill off renewable energy, and destroy sensible pollution regulations.

Cox, on the other hand, called the claim hilarious in a social media post Thursday. A proponent of the railway, Utahs governor said the court didnt scale back NEPA, but rather unanimously stopped an insane idea that doesnt exist anywhere in the law.

Extreme leftist groups have been destroying our ability to do anything in this country and weaponizing what was once simple and straight-forward. The court just read and applied the actual law here, Cox said.

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Cox repeated that sentiment speaking to reporters at a housing event Thursday, emphasizing the ruling was unanimous and maintaining that environmental groups have made it impossible for us to build anything and lowered the quality of life in this country.

Were going to get this railroad built, and were going to continue to build other things, nuclear energy. Its a new day in Utah. Grateful to have an administration thats supporting us in that, Cox said.

This breaking story has been updated.

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Freight trains sit idle in railyards in Grand Junction on May 16, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

This story originally appeared in the Utah News Dispatch.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a controversial railway that would connect Colorado to Utahs oil-rich Uinta Basin, allowing the state to ramp up oil exports.

The unanimous decision released Thursday clears a major hurdle for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway, which has been held up in the courts for several years after Colorados Eagle County and five environmental groups sued in 2022.

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In 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit sided with Eagle County and the environmental groups, ruling that the railways initial environmental review was incomplete and failed to consider certain risks, like threats to wildfire or possible water pollution.

Thursdays ruling overturns that decision, returning the case to a lower court for consideration. While its a win for the railway, the project still faces other regulatory roadblocks before construction can begin.

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The Uinta Basin Railway would transport waxy crude oil  a type of oil that, as its name suggests, is viscous like shoe polish  from the Uinta Basin to national rail lines in Utah, where it would then be exported through Colorado and eventually to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

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Read Colorado Newslines series Down the Line, about the proposed Uinta Basin Railway project and its potential impact in Colorado.

The 88-mile railway extension could transport an estimated 350,000 barrels each day, massively increasing the states oil production  the refineries in Salt Lake City, for instance, currently have a market capacity of 85,000 barrels per day.

Proponents of the project say the railway will help Utahs economic growth and bring jobs to the Uinta Basin.

But in their lawsuit, environmental groups and Eagle County argued that the federal Surface Transportation Board  the agency tasked with the environmental review  fell short in its analysis in 2021, failing to consider the risks of the railroad expansion.

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That includes the upstream risks, like the environmental impact of more oil production in the Uinta Basin; the downstream risks, including potential harms caused by increased oil production on the Gulf Coast; and the downline risks of exporting more oil along the rail line, which the lawsuit claimed could harm wildlife, increase risk of wildfire, and lead to more pollution.

The appeals court ultimately sided with that argument, nullifying parts of the original environmental impact statement and instructing the board to conduct a more detailed analysis of the risks.

In his opinion issued Thursday, Justice Brett Kavanaugh rejected that decision, writing that the boards review of the project only needs to focus on the railways immediate impacts  not the ripple of environmental concerns flagged in the lawsuit.

The Board did not need to evaluate potential environmental impacts of the separate upstream and downstream projects, Kavanaugh wrote. The environmental consequences of future oil drilling in the Basin are distinct from construction and operation of the railroad line.

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Justice Neil Gorsuch did not take part in the consideration of the case.

Colorado will keep fighting

In Colorado, where critics of the railway fear for the Colorado River, the Wests most vital water source, and nearby communities, the response voiced frustration but not resignation.

In a statement, Attorney General Phil Weiser, who had filed a brief with the court in support of Eagle County, maintained that the lower courts ruling was correct in finding NEPA requires a full understanding of potential environmental hazards for projects like the railway.

The Surface Transportation Board must still decide other environmental issues that werent part of this case. Well remain vigilant and deploy every tool available under the law to protect Colorados land, air, and water and hold federal agencies accountable to their oversight obligations, Weiser said.

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U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, said in a statement that the decision lays the groundwork for an environmental catastrophe.

As the harsh impacts of the climate crisis increase the vulnerability of the Colorado River, the risk of an oil spill along this train route is unacceptable, DeGette said, noting the route travels through Denver. This is a public health nightmare waiting to happen, and I am deeply concerned about how this decision will hamper environmental justice and allow big oil and gas to exploit our public lands.

A spokesperson for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he is concerned about the impacts the railway project could have on the states environmental, economy and communities that rely on outdoor recreation tourism.

Going forward, we encourage the project to engage with our western slope communities and the state to ensure the safety of our communities, waterways and the outdoor recreation economy, spokesperson Shelby Wieman said in an email.

A train of tanker cars travels the tracks along the Colorado River near Cameo on May 16, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Welcome news: Utah politicians react

Proponents of the project on Thursday celebrated the ruling, calling it a significant victory, welcome news and a decision that empowered local and state governments.

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The Supreme Courts unanimous ruling poses a firm and a clear message: NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock, said Utah Republican Sen. John Curtis, quoting the decision. For too long, litigious groups have weaponized environmental reviews to stall critical projects  oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, and more. Ill keep pushing for real permitting reform to unlock our full potential to provide affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

Utah Republican Rep. Mike Kennedy said the project will give an economic boost to the region, saying the ruling has the potential to streamline projects that go through the NEPA process.

Prior to this ruling, NEPA was used by agencies and interest groups to delay or block projects, hindering growth in rural communities. By affirming the projects approval, the Court has empowered local and state governments to pursue development opportunities that directly benefit Utah residents, Kennedy said.

Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, called the decision a win for Utah and American energy independence.

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The Uinta Basin Railway will power our economy by connecting rural Utah to more markets, supporting job creation and energy production, Adams said. Utah already leads the nation with low energy prices, and this project helps secure our states position as a global energy leader, delivering reliable, safe and affordable power for generations to come.

Groups warn of broader NEPA implication

The law at the center of Thursdays ruling, NEPA, has long been criticized by industry and politicians as a hindrance to permitting. The environmental review process  meant to take differing opinions, cultural and environmental impacts and alternate proposals into consideration  can sometimes take years.

Politicians, including Curtis and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, have advocated for permitting reform to streamline projects like the Uinta Basin Railway. Cox has criticized environmental and public lands groups that he says use NEPA as a tool to tangle controversial projects up in litigation.

Environmental groups worry that expediting the process could result in hasty decisions that ignore public input and environmental risks.

Advertisement Advertisement

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And according to the Center for Biological Diversity, the recent decision from the high court could place further limitations on NEPA.

The ruling, according to the group, could set a precedent where federal agencies arent obligated to review harms, including the downstream, upstream and downline risks that were identified when the appeals court first ruled against the railway.

According to the center, the Supreme Courts ruling tells agencies that they can ignore certain foreseeable impacts just because they are too remote in time or space. And even if the agency makes the wrong call about how to draw that line, the court has now said that the agency gets deference.

Todays decision undermines decades of legal precedent that told federal agencies to look before they leap when approving projects that could harm communities and the environment, said Sam Sankar, senior vice president of programs at Earthjustice. The Trump administration will treat this decision as an invitation to ignore environmental concerns as it tries to promote fossil fuels, kill off renewable energy, and destroy sensible pollution regulations.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Cox, on the other hand, called the claim hilarious in a social media post Thursday. A proponent of the railway, Utahs governor said the court didnt scale back NEPA, but rather unanimously stopped an insane idea that doesnt exist anywhere in the law.

Extreme leftist groups have been destroying our ability to do anything in this country and weaponizing what was once simple and straight-forward. The court just read and applied the actual law here, Cox said.

This breaking story has been updated.

Utah News Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com.

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)  From Washington, D.C. to the east side of Evansville, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins stops at the VA Health Care Center to honor four employees for their contributions to veterans health care.

First person I walked up to, says Collins, I didnt know him, they were sitting there in a wheelchair, I talked to them and they said they had never been to this VA before. This was their first time and they got good treatment.

Secretary Collins, along with Senator Jim Banks and Congressman Mark Messmer, also met with staff members to discuss what needs to improve at the VA. Senator Banks says employees were not afraid to voice their opinions.

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We heard a lot today from the administrators and some of the doctors about scheduling issues and electronic health records, modernization issues, says Banks.

Where are they on that project: The Vault on Main

Some of the major issues discussed were a backlog in patient care and wait times. Secretary Collins says these issues have persisted for 10 years and wants to remove red tape by making the administration more efficient. Congressman Messmer says outdated policies, like a 6 month consult window, need to go away.

They were in the middle of cardiac treatment and their 6 month window ran out, explains Messmer, and they had to pause their treatment to get re-approved for another 6 months.

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Collins also addressed concerns over federal cuts to the VA and how local veterans and employees could be affected. Yes, when you make changes in a system and we talk about making a reduction in force, and were looking at that, that puts everybody on unease, and I get that, says Collins. But what were trying to do is also tell, if you work in a clinic like this, youre the safest people we have, for the most part, because youre taking care of our veterans in a very practical and real way.

Senator Banks believes Evansville could be an example for other VA clinics across the country. The way this clinic operates, the way that it partners with the community, with Deaconess Hospital, with other local providers, I mean, theres a good story to tell here that could, can be, modeled all over the country, says Banks.

More from Cody Bailey

Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The U.S. State Department is launching a new campaign to warn Americans not to go to Venezuela. Officials say anyone who does risks kidnapping, imprisonment, and even torture.

Christian Castaneda understands those risks painfully well, because he says his brother Wilbert Joseph Castaneda is currently being wrongfully detained in Venezuela.

It was just before Labor Day weekend of 2024 when Christian says he got a strange late-night call from an international number. When he picked up, it was his brother Wilbert.

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He said Christian Im in Venezuela. Its a really really bad situation, Castaneda said.

He was immediately concerned, but it would take some time to discover just how bad the situation was. It turns out his brother Wilbert had been vacationing in Colombia and then traveled to Venezuela, where the Venezuelan government imprisoned him.

The Venezuelan government accuses Castaneda and other foreign visitors of a plot to assassinate President Nicholas Maduro. Christian says thats completely untrue.

They have not provided a single shred of evidence, Castaneda said.

Wilbert is a U.S. Navy Seal and a father of four. Its been months since his family has been able to see or talk to him.

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Christian shared that theyre very worried for his safety, especially after hearing from former American detainees about how dangerous Venezuela can be.

Very rough conditions, including torture. And so absolutely very concerned that that could be the case. Not just for my brother, but for other Americans that are there as well, Castaneda said.

Thats why the U.S. State Department just launched a new campaign to warn Americans not to go to Venezuela for any reason. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston says its critically important for them to spread the word.

No travel is safe right now in Venezuela, absolutely no travel, Houston said. We are asking Americans, dont risk it, dont take the chance. Not even to travel to the border.

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Right now, the State Department says more U.S. nationals are wrongfully detained in Venezuela than anywhere else in the world. Strained relations between the U.S. and Venezuela mean that the U.S. government has no access to American detainees.

The stories that we have heard from detained Americans, theyre horrific. The beatings, the torture. This is not a place you want to spend your summer travel. This is not a place you want to go, Houston said.

The Castaneda family is actively working with hostage advocacy groups, lawmakers, and the Trump administration to get Wilbert back home.

I hope that he knows that were fighting for him. And I know that he does, that his family misses him very much. His kids are looking forward to seeing him again soon, Castaneda said.

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He says hes hopeful.

Theres no doubt in my mind that hell be reunited with us and with his family soon, Castaneda said.

Not a day goes by that we are not thinking about the Americans who are wrongfully detained around the world, and Venezuela is included, Houston said.

While the State Department works to free all Americans, including Castaneda, they want to make sure others dont end up imprisoned in Venezuela.

This is a campaign to ensure that we dont have another name to add to that list, Houston said. There is no trip that is worth the price of your freedom.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
MMA legend BJ Penn found himself in handcuffs over the weekend after a tense and bizarre confrontation with police, and the entire incident was caught on camera.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, the former UFC champion was arrested late Sunday night in Hilo and booked on a charge of abuse of a family or household member: offensive physical contact.

Cops say BJ Penn was taken into custody around 9:40 PM and later released on $2,000 bail just before 2 AM Monday morning.

BJ Penn Shares Bizarre Arrest Footage

Instagram | BJ Penn

The exact details surrounding the arrest remain unclear, but Penn appeared to address the incident in a cryptic Instagram post late Monday, where he uploaded video footage showing multiple police officers in his bedroom attempting to take him into custody.

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The caption referenced impostor theft, a term used in Hawaii to describe individuals who impersonate others, including law enforcement, to commit fraud or other crimes.

In the clip, Penn is seen lying on a bed as several officers stand over him with flashlights. The scene quickly escalates, with police telling him hes being arrested for harassment.

Penn repeatedly questions their presence, at one point asking, Can we call an officer that I know? He resists leaving, appearing confused and frustrated, but is ultimately walked out of the home in handcuffs.

Cameraman Under Fire As Viral Arrest Video Sparks Online Backlash

As footage of BJ Penns arrest spread across social media, viewers werent just concerned with the UFC legends behavior; many pointed fingers at the person behind the camera.

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In the now-viral video, a man is heard filming while Penn lies in bed, visibly agitated as officers attempt to arrest him. But rather than expressing concern for Penns well-being, commenters online say the cameraman may have made things worse.

Whoever is recording this sounds like the one whos manipulating BJ and is making him believe stuff that isnt happening and is adding to his already bad mental state, one user wrote, echoing a sentiment shared by many.

Another commenter didnt hold back, adding, Whoever is recording is the enabler of BJ Penns mental health. The intense scrutiny didnt stop there with someone else questioning the videographers motives altogether: What I wanna know is who is his supposedly friend filming and why is he visiting here from the mainland with no money.

Penn is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday for a hearing related to the arrest. Its unclear if further charges will follow or if more footage will be released.

BJ Penns Mother Granted Restraining Order

Koa Pang / MEGA

As BJ Penns legal troubles deepen, new court documents reveal a disturbing family dynamic playing out behind the scenes.

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According to filings obtained by MMA Fighting, Penns mother, Lorraine Shin, was granted a temporary restraining order this week following a series of alarming allegations. The order, approved by Judge Jeffrey Ng, comes after Penn was arrested on back-to-back days in Hawaii for alleged abuse of a family or household member. He must now remain at least 100 feet away from his mother and avoid all contact until at least a June 10 court hearing.

In her sworn statement, Shin claims she has suffered extreme psychological abuse at the hands of her son,and fears he may be suffering from a rare psychiatric condition known as Capgras syndrome. The disorder causes individuals to believe close relatives have been replaced by identical imposters.

I believe my son [BJ Penn] is suffering from Capgras delusional syndrome, Shin wrote. He believes Im an impostor who has killed his family to gain control of the family assets.

Rare Mental Disorder Adds New Twist To Penns Legal And Family Crisis

Koa Pang/ MEGA

Capgras syndrome is exceptionally rare and often linked to underlying brain injuries or psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. The condition can lead to intense paranoia and delusions, making it difficult for the individual to recognize loved ones as who they truly are.

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With the restraining order in place, any violation by Penn could result in a misdemeanor charge and potential jail time. The news adds another heartbreaking layer to an already complicated and public downfall for the former UFC Hall of Famer, as family members now plead with the courts for safety, and possibly, help.

BJ Penns Troubled Past Resurfaces Amid Latest Legal Woes

Tim Wright / MEGA

This isnt Penns first brush with the law. The former fighter, widely regarded as one of the sports early greats, has been involved in multiple police investigations over the past several years, including alleged bar fights and domestic disputes.

Once a fan-favorite in the octagon, Penn's increasingly erratic public behavior and mounting legal troubles continue to cast a shadow over his legacy.
British officials are reportedly waiting to assess whether Israel allows enough humanitarian assistance into Gaza before taking further steps in imposing the sanctions, the NYT said.

The United Kingdom is considering imposing sanctions on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich have both expressed strong support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus campaign to expand IDF operations in Gaza, which has drawn increasing international criticism, according to the New York Times.

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British officials are reportedly waiting to assess whether Israel allows enough humanitarian assistance into Gaza before taking further steps in imposing the sanctions, the New York Times said.

Last week, Ben-Gvir said allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza was a grave mistake that delays our victory.

On Monday, Smotrich declared that Israel is not afraid of the word occupation and called for the reestablishment of Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip.

We are liberating Gaza  and settling it, he said.

Pause on trade talks with Israel

The UK announced last week it would pause negotiations on a new free trade agreement with Israel, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced alarm over the military escalation in Gaza.

UK PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer delivers a statement at 10 Downing Street earlier this year. Starmer stood staunchly by Israels side after the October 7 atrocities, the writer attests. (photo credit: Leon Neal/Reuters)

While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded Free Trade Agreement with a Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza, the government said in a statement.

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UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking in parliament, highlighted the suspension of trade talks and condemned comments made by Smotrich about relocating Gazans, the NYT reported.

We must call this what it is, Lammy said. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous.

Joint statement condemning Israel

Leaders from the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement last week condemning Israels military operations in Gaza and the ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

If Israel does not stop the renewed military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete steps in response, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.
Russia dramatically intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine this month in an effort to sap Ukrainians morale  but it is also stepping up ground attacks in many areas along the long frontline, according to Ukrainian officials and analysts.

Some of those attacks have succeeded, with Ukrainian units in Donetsk and the north falling back from some positions, while some rural areas in the south have also been lost.

But Ukraines own enhanced use of drones, deployed in several layers on the battlefield, has helped Kyiv inflict heavy losses on the opposing forces with minimal casualties among its own troops. They may become even more critical in the months to come.

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The Ukrainians are trying to expand their own drone industry to create defensive corridors along key sections of the front line, often dubbed the drone wall.

Meanwhile, ignoring US President Donald Trumps efforts to secure a ceasefire, the Kremlin is pursuing a two-pronged strategy aimed at forcing Ukraine to admit defeat  destroying its cities from the sky and whittling away its defensive lines on the ground.

Russia has sharply expanded its own drone and missile production in the past year, allowing for mass attacks using several hundred projectiles at once. The Russian strategy seeks to overwhelm Ukraines air defenses with scores of low-cost drones so that simultaneous missile strikes can succeed.

On the ground, Russian forces are probing Ukrainian defenses along many parts of the frontline simultaneously, from Zaporizhzhia in the south to Sumy in the north, advancing into abandoned villages and across open countryside in small numbers.

Explosions are seen in the night sky as Ukrainian servicemen fire towards drones during a Russian drone strike on May 26, 2025. - Gleb Garanich/Reuters

The Russians are not rolling through Ukrainian defenses but gnawing away at them, using cars and motorbikes and scattered infantry platoons.

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Russian forces have advanced an average of roughly 14 square kilometers (5.4 square miles) per day so far this year, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington. This rate implies theyd need nearly four more years to complete the occupation of the four regions illegally annexed by Moscow: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Those are the Kremlins oft-stated goals, but it is also trying to instil a sense among Kyivs allies of Russian superiority over Ukrainian forces.

Much of the fighting is in Donetsk, with the Russians still determined to seize the entire region  unless it is handed over in peace negotiations, which is a non-starter for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Tuesday that a village south of the key town of Kostiantynivka had been taken. ISW assesses that Russian forces seized roughly 65 square kms of territory - but remain incapable of intensifying offensive operations in several different directions simultaneously.

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The main Russian effort into the summer will once again be against the key towns of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk in Donetsk, according to Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London.

Hundreds of miles to the north, Russian units have edged a few kilometers into the Sumy region.

Zelensky told journalists Tuesday that the Russians are now amassing troops in the Sumy direction. More than 50,000. We understand that. But we are making progress there.

Zelensky said the Russians wanted to build this buffer zone, as they call it, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) deep into Ukraine, but lacked the capability.

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The Russians are supporting these operations with missile and air-launched guided-bomb attacks.

The attacks into Sumy follow a Kremlin directive on May 21 that the military create buffer zones inside northern Ukraine  in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. That came when President Vladimir Putin visited Russias Kursk region across the border, part of which had been seized by a Ukrainian incursion launched from Sumy last summer.

Capturing Sumys regional capital is probably beyond the Russians  the terrain is thickly forested. But through their attacks, the Russian military can prevent the Ukrainians from redeploying units to Donetsk.

Further east theres also been an uptick in fighting around Vovchansk in Kharkiv region in recent days.

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Across the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) frontline, according to analysts, the Ukrainian military has to decide which areas are under greatest threat, where to withdraw, how to redeploy  even as many brigades are seriously under-strength more than three years after the Russian invasion.

The manpower balance is still very much in Russias favor, despite its heavy losses. Putin recently claimed that 60,000 volunteers are being recruited every month. Observers believe this is likely exaggerated but signing-up bonuses that dwarf civilian wages in Russia make military service an attractive option.

Ukraines military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said earlier this month that Kyiv faced a combined enemy grouping of up to 640,000 personnel, higher than at the outset of the invasion. Zelensky said in January that Ukraine had 880,000 soldiers, but 880,000 are defending the entire territory. Russian forces are concentrated in certain directions.

Russian recruitment has exceeded Kremlin targets for every month of 2025, according to the RUSI analyst Watling. Having shuffled commanders and built-up reserves of equipment, Russia is now set to increase the tempo and scale of attacks.

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But for every square kilometer of Ukrainian land that Russia captures, Moscow is probably losing about 100 men, according to Western assessments.

Layers of drones

Above and behind the frontlines as well as in the air campaign being waged by Moscow, the development and deployment of drones will continue to be critical.

The recent Russian advances in Donetsk, while incremental, were enabled by the tactic of isolating the battlefield  cutting Ukrainian units from supplies through drone strikes on supply vehicles up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the front lines.

Ukrainian defenses are heavily reliant on layers of drones. The Ukrainians are developing a concept sometimes dubbed the drone wall, designed to provide a continuous defensive corridor of drones along Ukraines most vulnerable frontiers to inflict significant casualties on Russian forces, according to Mick Ryan, author of the blog Futura Doctrina.

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Konrad Muzyka, a defense analyst at Rochan Consulting, says that Ukrainian forces are increasingly lethal with drone-artillery coordination. Russian assaults  motorcycle-based and armored  were defeated across several fronts with minimal Ukrainian losses in April.

But Ryan points out that an effective drone wall will require integration and probably AI-assisted decision-making and analysis, as well as integration with electronic warfare.

And its a two-way street. Ukrainian drones are guided by small radar, and Russia is now systematically working to locate and target these radar stations, Watling writes.

Zelensky said Tuesday that Russia plans to ramp up production of Shahed attack drones to between 300 and 350 per day. Asked whether there may come a time when Russia fires 1,000 drones in one day, he replied: I cannot say that this will not happen.

A view of an attack on Odesa, Ukraine on May 25, 2025, as Russia tries to instil a sense among Kyivs allies of Russian superiority over Ukrainian forces. - Nina Liashonok/Reuters

Sending drones in their hundreds saturates air defenses, as they accumulate over a target area. Russia has also developed drones that can evade Ukrainian jamming and can fly higher and faster than earlier models. Ukrainian analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko said last week that one Shahed had been observed at a record altitude of 4,900 meters.

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According to Zelensky, Ukraine is now deploying F-16 and Mirage fighter jets to supplement air defenses. We are also moving towards drone-to-drone interceptors, he said Tuesday.

Ukraines former military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, says Ukraine must wage a high-tech war of survival in which drones play a critical role, to make the economic burden of the war unbearable for Russia.

Speaking to a Kyiv forum last week, Zaluzhnyi  now Ukraines ambassador to London - said that his country had failed to exploit innovations where yesterday we were ahead of the enemy. The enemy has already outpaced us.

Analysts cite Russias growing use of short-range fiber-optic drones that cant be jammed as one example of the technological race. Ukraine is yet to scale up the use of such drones, which rely on millimeters-thick, but miles-long, optical fibers.

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Zelensky denied Ukraine was losing the drone war.

We will have the same number of drones as the Russians, 300-500 per day - we are very close to it, he said.

The issue was not production, Zelensky said  it was financial. As Ukraine seeks to produce more of its own weapons  often in association with Western manufacturers, Zelensky added: I would like to see us receive $30 billion to launch Ukrainian production at full capacity.

But that is a long-term goal.

Watling, from RUSI, envisages a tough few months for Ukraine that will place a premium on the efficiency of Ukrainian drone and artillery operations, the ability of Ukrainian commanders to preserve their troops, and the continuity of supplies flowing from Ukraines international partners.

The continuation of US supplies is unsure as Trump blows hot and cold about whether Washington should continue helping Ukraine defend itself.

Putin is desperately seeking to prevent the future supply of Western military aid to Ukraine, according to ISW, as well-resourced Ukrainian forces have consistently demonstrated their ability to inflict unsustainable losses on Russian forces.

Innovation and tactical agility will be as influential as brute force as the war enters its fourth summer.

CNNs Kosta Gak and Victoria Butenko contributed reporting.

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Russia reports 2nd consecutive day of Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, building damaged on the outskirts

Rubio, Lavrov discuss next round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul

'No one has seen it yet'  Zelensky slams Russia for stalling on ceasefire memorandum ahead of Istanbul talks

Russia amassed enough troops to attack Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, Border Guard warns

Next Ramstein summit to take place on June 4 in Brussels

A building was reportedly damaged on the outskirts of Moscow following a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian capital overnight on May 29, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported.

This marks the second consecutive day of attacks on Moscow Oblast, with multiple industrial facilities targeted by Ukrainian drones and several unmanned aircraft reportedly downed on approach to the capital on May 28.

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Videos and photos posted on social media by local residents purportedly show damage sustained by a residential building on Vernadsky Avenue in Southwest Moscow. Explosions were heard in the area around 1:40 a.m. local time.

Sobyanin claimed that no one was injured in the attack that occurred as a result of falling drone debris.

The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. Ukraine's military has not commented on the reported attack.

Russian air defenses shot down 48 Ukrainian drones overnight, including three over Moscow Oblast, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed.

The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify reports or claims made by Russian officials.

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The previous night on May 28, Russian air defenses shot down 296 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions overnight, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed, potentially marking one of the heaviest drone attacks against Russia during the full-scale war.

Read also: How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

Rubio, Lavrov discuss next round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Moscow's "specific proposals" for the next round of peace talks with Ukraine, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced on May 29.

The two diplomats held a phone call on May 28, the day when Russia proposed holding negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2 in a follow-up to the first round on May 16.

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Lavrov also "informed Marco Rubio about implementing the May 19 agreements between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the United States Donald Trump," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Trump and Putin held a phone call on May 19, during which the Russian leader again rejected a truce and pushed for maximalist demands, but also voiced his readiness to negotiate a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."

During the call with Lavrov, Rubio stressed Trump's "intention to quickly bring the Ukraine conflict to an end and expressed Washington's readiness to help the sides to bring their positions closer together," according to the Russian readout.

While initially reluctant to criticize Putin, Trump adopted an increasingly critical tone toward the Russian leader in recent days as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities intensify and the Kremlin continues to reject calls for a ceasefire.

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Kyiv and its European partners have urged the U.S. to impose additional sanctions to pressure Moscow to agree to a truce. Trump has refused to take the step so far, saying he is "close to getting a deal" and does not want to "screw it up" by fresh sanctions.

Read also: Europes Trump shock is opportunity to forge new West, Timothy Garton Ash says

'No one has seen it yet'  Zelensky slams Russia for stalling on ceasefire memorandum ahead of Istanbul talks

President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 29 accused Russia of stalling the peace process by failing to deliver a promised negotiations memorandum, warning international partners that Moscow is trying to deceive those still relying on diplomacy over pressure.

"Even the so-called memorandum they promised and claimed to be preparing for more than a week  no one has seen it," Zelensky said. "Ukraine hasn't received it. Our partners haven't received it. Even Turkey, which hosted the first meeting, hasnt received the updated agenda."

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Russia's Foreign Ministry previously claimed its delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, would present the ceasefire framework at the June 2 talks, proposed by Moscow.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed on May 29 that the same Russian delegation, led by Medinsky, will attend the new round of peace talks in Istanbul.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine has already shared its position paper with Russia.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, Zelensky said Ukraine is maintaining daily coordination with allies ahead of another round of talks in Istanbul.

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Zelensky called for renewed international pressure on Russia, saying, "Words don't work with Moscow. They are doing everything to make these meetings meaningless. That is why sanctions and real pressure on Russia are essential."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, whose country hosted the May 16 negotiations, said Ankara expects Ukrainian and Russian positions to come closer.

"If there's a diplomatic achievement here, it's not just thanks to Turkish diplomacy, but to the fact that both sides have been willing to talk and that these talks have led to tangible outcomes," Fidan said on his way to Kyiv, where he is expected to meet Sybiha and Zelensky.

Read also: Shooting Russia in the back  Serbian companies supplying ammunition to Ukraine, Moscow claims

Russia amassed enough troops to attack Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, Border Guard warns

Russia has concentrated a sufficient amount of forces in Kursk Oblast to potentially launch an attack on Ukraines Sumy Oblast, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on May 29.

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The statement comes amid warnings of a new possible Russian offensive this summer as U.S.-mediated peace efforts have failed to produce a ceasefire deal.

Russia has become increasingly active in Sumy Oblast after mostly pushing out Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian authorities recently confirmed that Russian forces captured four Sumy Oblast villages close to the border: Novenke, Zhuravka, Veselivka, and Basivka.

Speaking on national television, Demchenko said Russia began amassing forces when it attempted to push Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine launched its operation in August 2024.

Russia continues to maintain a force in Kursk Oblast, and Ukraine periodically detects a "certain change in the number of both soldiers and equipment in this area," the spokesperson said.

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Russia "has enough forces there (in Kursk Oblast) to carry out operations against our border and attempt to attack the territory of Ukraine," he continued.

The remarks came days after President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is accumulating 50,000 troops near Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast, seeking to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone in the area.

Read also: Infighting around EU rearmament undermines grand ambitions for European defense

Next Ramstein summit to take place on June 4 in Brussels

The upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in the Ramstein format will be held on June 4 in Brussels under the chairmanship of the U.K. and Germany, NATO announced on May 29.

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The Ramstein summit will take place as Washington is trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to end Moscow's full-scale war.

In the meantime, Russia is amassing forces for a new offensive against Ukraine while continuing its attacks on civilians across the country, straining Ukrainian air defenses.

The last Ramstein-format meeting took place in Brussels on April 11 under the chairmanship of London and Berlin  a position previously held by the U.S.

Leadership over Ramstein transitioned following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the previous meeting, NATO allies committed more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion) in long-term military aid to Ukraine.

The move came amid growing uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine and efforts by European allies to close the gap as Kyiv resists Russia's ongoing war.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

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A Ukrainian citizen disappeared in Russian-occupied Crimea earlier in May after being detained by people who presented themselves as Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on May 29.

Serhii Hrishchenkov was taken in Sevastopol overnight on May 7, and his whereabouts are currently unknown, said Lubinets, who received an appeal from the man's daughter.

Lubinets added that he had appealed to his Russian counterpart, Tatyana Moskalkova, regarding the case. At the time of publication, the Russian ombudsman's office had not issued a public reaction.

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The Ukrainian ombudsman stressed that Hrishchenkov's disappearance is "not an isolated case," with other people being kidnapped by alleged FSB officers.

"This case of a Ukrainian citizen once again demonstrates the inability of the occupation authorities to ensure the implementation of international civil and political rights for residents of occupied Crimea," Lubinets said in a statement on Telegram.

"Cynicism and human rights violations have become commonplace for thousands of Ukrainian citizens!"

Russian occupation of Crimea, ongoing since 2014, has been accompanied by a harsh crackdown on civil and political rights and persecution of Ukrainian activists, Crimean Tatars, and others.

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Read also: How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds

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Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation has completed its probe into Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade, accusing him of knowingly allowing torture and abuse of soldiers under his command to continue unchecked, the officials said on May 29.

According to the official statement, investigators determined that from February to July 2024, Poberezhniuk was aware of repeated instances of torture and cruel treatment carried out by a subordinate officer but failed to take any action. The officer in question, Senior Lieutenant Vladyslav Pastukh, allegedly beat, humiliated, and tortured fellow servicemen.

Pastukh, who is no longer with the unit, is the son of the brigade's chief of staff and a close associate of Poberezhniuk. Authorities say this personal connection likely influenced the commander's decision to conceal the crimes and avoid reporting them to law enforcement.

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Pastukh was charged with abusing his authority in December 2024 after allegedly beating, humiliating, and torturing fellow service members. The commander faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.



"Instead of protecting the rights of his subordinates, the commander effectively became complicit through criminal inaction, enabling further abuse," the bureau said. Such actions, it added, not only violate the law but also pose a serious threat to the internal discipline of Ukraine's Armed Forces during wartime.

Poberezhniuk has been charged with inaction of military authority under martial law, a serious offense under Ukraine's Criminal Code, carrying a sentence of seven to 10 years in prison. The case has been forwarded to Poberezhniuk and his legal team for review before being submitted to court. The Prosecutor General's Office is overseeing the case.

The charges follow a December 2023 Ukrainska Pravda investigation that revealed a pattern of systemic abuse within the brigade, including beatings, extortion, and reports of a soldier being tied to a wooden cross. The report also highlighted widespread nepotism, with multiple family members serving within the same unit.

Following public outcry, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi suspended Poberezhniuk, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov ordered an internal investigation.

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How much does a Russian drone attack on Ukraine cost? The question is more complicated than it sounds Beginning overnight on Saturday, May 24, Russia rained down nearly a thousand drones and missiles on villages and cities across Ukraine in three nights of large-scale aerial attacks, as civilians spent hours sheltering underground. Russias bombardment killed more than a dozen people and injured dozens more, in one of The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta

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(Reuters) -Ukrainian drones launched a night-time attack on Russia's western Kursk region, damaging a hospital and apartment buildings and injuring at least one person, the regional governor said early on Friday.

Across the border in Ukraine's Sumy region, the regional governor reported fresh fighting in villages near the border where Russia has been seizing territory. He said various areas in his region were constantly changing hands.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he wants to create a buffer zone in Sumy, which was used to help launch Ukraine's incursion into Kursk last year.

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In the Kursk region, where Russia's military says Ukrainian forces who staged the incursion last August have been ejected, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said Ukrainian drones swarmed the main town, also called Kursk.

"Drone fragments damaged the No. 1 city hospital in Kursk. Windows were smashed. Fortunately, no patients were injured," Khinshtein wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "Falling drone fragments have also damaged high-rise apartment buildings."

Ukraine's military says its forces remain active in small areas of Kursk region.

Authorities in Sumy region, under constant Russian attack for months, acknowledged this week that Russian forces were in control of at least four villages near the border.

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"Active battles continue in certain border areas, notably around the settlements of Khotyn and Yunakivka," Governor Oleh Hryhorov wrote on Facebook.

"The situation on the line of contact is constantly changing. In some places, we hold the initiative, in others the enemy is proving to be active."

Russia's Defence Ministry on Thursday said its forces had captured three more villages as it slowly advances through parts of eastern Ukraine.

These were Stroivka in northeastern Kharkiv region, where Moscow has long been applying pressure, and Shevchenko Pershe and Hnativka near the town of Pokrovsk, the focal point of Russia's westward drive for months.

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Ukrainian military reports have made no acknowledgement of any of the three villages coming under Russian control. A statement on Thursday evening said Russian forces had launched 53 attacks over 24 hours near Pokrovsk.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Bogdan Kochubey; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
The Ukrainian Embassy in Germany has stated that reports in the German media that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will now not be attending the Charlemagne Prize awards ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a new Russian offensive are "not true".

Source: European Pravda with reference to a statement by the embassy

Quote: "Reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his participation at tomorrow's Charlemagne Prize awards ceremony in Aachen due to the threat of a Russian offensive are not true."

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Background:

Earlier, Spiegel reported that President Zelenskyy would supposedly be unable to attend the event in Aachen on 29 May due to the worsening situation on the front lines and the threat of a large-scale Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast.

On 28 May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings in Berlin with Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Julia Klockner.

During the visit, Germany promised new military aid to Ukraine worth 5 billion.

Among other things, a contract was signed with Diehl Defence for the production of IRIS-T systems and missiles. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov said the total value of the contract is 2.2 billion

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
ODESA, Ukraine  If you ask Julia Gorodetskaya what she thinks of President Trump, she might offer you a candle with Trumps head on top of a penis.

She has one for Russian President Vladimir Putin as well. And another with Putins head on top of a pile of poop. The candles provide an outlet to express her frustration with the war, and she sells them to help raise funds for Ukraines forces.

Her biggest criticism against Trump is his affection for strong men, like Putin, and turn away from Ukraine.

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Id like the U.S. to support the small countries like mine, and we really fight for freedom for independence, those are not just words, she said.

President Trumps whiplash pronouncements in his push for peace in Ukraine are exhausting people here.

Ukrainians were cautiously optimistic when Trump was elected in November, with polls conducted at the end of the year showing that 54 percent of respondents viewed his victory as good for Ukraine. By March, that number dropped to 19 percent.

It followed a disastrous Oval Office meeting where Trump and Vice President Vance scolded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as being insufficiently grateful, and the Ukrainian leader questioned their strategy of diplomacy with Putin.

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Trumps latest remarks calling Putin crazy for launching a massive attack against Ukraine over the weekend werent enough to shift the pessimism surrounding Trump.

On the streets of Odesa in Ukraines south, attitudes generally match the polls. With the war in its third year, people also reflected on their experiences surviving the invasion and at times occupation.

Here are some of their responses in interviews with The Hill, edited lightly for clarity.

What do you think of President Trump?

Valeria, 23, administrator of a nongovernmental organization (NGO) co-working space, Odesa

During the election time, we had big hopes for him, before he became president, because he had strong speeches which we believed in [like ending the war in one day]. Especially me, I believed him. We believed, because first of all, America for us, it was like big hope, so thats why we had this trust.

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Then we start to understand that he tries to sit one ass on two chairs, she said.

Before, we hope that he start to be on our side, and defend us  now we see he is mostly in the Russian side, and he plays by Russian rules, oppress us and try to pressure us to give up our territory because we are less than Russia.

I still believe that American people are our friends  its not about the leaders  because I think the American population is more on our side, because I see the reactions of them.

But now I see Trump leader almost like Putin, maybe not almost, but very close to him, its like he is with imperialistic mood and wants to conquer all the world.

Oleksandr, 59, and Victoria, 53, a refugee couple from Donetsk living in Odesa

Nothing good, Oleksandr responds when asked what he thinks of Trump. He is on the side of our attacker.

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He does not do fair politics, and not wrong politics, Victoria adds. He is friends with Putin.

Anatoly, right, with his friend at the Goncharenko center in Odesa, where volunteers knit camouflage nets for the front-line troops. (Laura Kelly)

Anatoly, 85, volunteer knitting camouflage, displaced from the Donbas

I dont know what to think of Trump because there is a lot of information coming from different sources and its hard to trust. But my opinion and observation is that the U.S. is losing its leading role.

It was a more human-oriented position coming from the U.S. under former President Biden, he said.

If Mr. Trump learns about Ukrainian history, he would probably talk about it in a different way.

Tanya, 35, native of Odesa

Im in the middle of like or dislike of Trump, Tanya said.

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Maybe he is a friend for Ukraine, but it looks like a game  we as Ukrainian people are like dolls, people whom he and [the] American government can manipulate, I think.

Oleksandr, 42, head of an NGO in Odesa

Oleksandr said he was hopeful around the time of Trumps inauguration, because he viewed the incoming president as much more confident and decisive than Biden.

But Trump tired us much more quickly than Biden, Oleksandr said, pointing to the whiplash around Trumps announcements.

What can I say more about Trump? I dont know why but he likes Putin, this is a strange thing.

I know my next car or phone will not be American because of Trump. My next car will be from Germany, but with the phone I only have a choice between a Chinese phone or an American phone produced in China, Oleksandr says, joking that theres no pro-Ukraine choice.

What do you think about Ukrainian President Zelensky?

Trump has at times been highly critical of Zelensky, suggesting the Ukrainian leader is an unpopular authoritarian seeking to avoid elections. Polls have shown that while Zelenskys approval has fallen throughout the war, he remains above 50 percent support, and well above the 4 percent Trump once claimed.

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Ukrainians who spoke to The Hill ranged from frustrated with to supportive of the president.

Julia, 45, journalist and musician

To be honest, Im not a supporter of Zelensky. But we dont have any choice, our constitution doesnt allow us to have any election. (Ukraine declared Martial Law at the beginning of the war and it bars elections.)

Id like to have had a more experienced president at the beginning of the war and the person who was not in denial, she said.

Valeria, 23

I cannot say I totally support his activities, but for me he is not the worst president because we saw really the worst, she said, mentioning former President Petro Poroshenko.

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On the Trump and Zelensky meeting in the Oval Office: If he tried to humiliate Zelensky, honestly he humiliated himself.

Oleksandr, 59, and Victoria, 53

Zelensky is more or less good, but the people around him are not good and their politics are not good, Oleksandr said, accusing his allies of corruption.

Anatoly, 85

I didnt vote for him but I think hes a good leader in these times, because hes young and strong, he can take on all the challenges, respond to things swiftly, and that is the kind of leader Ukraine needs.

Tanya, 35

When Zelensky started, I like him, but now, not, she said. Because I think this war could stop in 2022  now I cant see it finish, now I dont know when it will finish.

Oleksandr, 42

If the elections will be just now, maybe I will elect Zelensky, he said.

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Hes not the best president, he leans to authoritarianism. But he seems to me now, effective.

There is a big chance he will be elected in the next elections.

Oleksandr, 42, head of an NGO in Odesa, speaks to The Hill earlier this week. (Laura Kelly)

How are you coping with the war?

Valeria, 23

I learned to put clothes on very quickly.

In the beginning, it was worse because at that time I lived in the city almost surrounded [by Russian forces]. I learned how to survive in the basement, to have food in one or two to three days, to live without any mobile or internet connection. So now its a little bit better situation here.

One main thing I learned [is] to value the moment with my close people. Because I didnt see my relatives. My grandmother is under occupation in an occupied city. My mother and stepfather are in the military, and my father is also in occupied territory.

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The most [important] thing is life, and other problems go behind.

Julia, 45

Julia started selling her Trump and Putin candles as a fundraising initiative, giving the proceeds to different volunteer efforts, mostly helping repair or buy new vehicles for civilians supporting the war efforts.

The candles are almond-scented and she recommends lighting them  even if they are quite unique to look at.

Its a therapeutic procedure when his head is starting to burn, you feel a bit easier.

Oleksandr, 42

I learned to shoot the gun, put the tourniquets. I survived without electricity for two or three days. Wash myself with wet napkins, very strange things.

Tanya, 35

I learned to live for today  not postpone life to tomorrow, because I dont know if I will be alive tomorrow or not, she said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian armed forces have committed crimes against humanity by deliberately targeting civilians with drones in Ukraine's Kherson Oblast, according to a new report by the United Nation's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.

The commission concluded that the drone attacks, which began in July 2024, were widespread, systematic, and part of a coordinated state policy to terrorize the population and forcibly depopulate the area. The findings were based on more than 300 videos, over 600 Telegram posts, and 91 interviews with victims, witnesses, and local officials.

"From July 2024, Russian forces have recurrently killed and injured civilians in an area stretching over more than 100 kilometres along the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson (Oblast)," the commission said in the report published on May 28.

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Nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more wounded in drone strikes on Kherson city and 16 surrounding localities. Victims include men, women, and children, with many struck while going about their daily routines. Ambulances, which are protected under international law, have also been targeted, resulting in additional casualties.

Drone operators used real-time video feeds to track and strike civilians and civilian vehicles. "They are simply chasing and hunting civilians who are on their way to work or walking their dogs. They drop explosives from drones like it is a video game," a senior Kherson hospital official said. The attacks were often followed by Telegram posts showing the killings and threatening further violence. One message warned, "Get out of the city before the leaves fall, you who are destined to die."

The report notes that these attacks violate the core principles of international humanitarian law, which prohibit targeting civilians. The commission concluded that Russian forces committed the war crime of intentionally attacking civilians and the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity by sharing videos of the assaults online. The constant threat has left residents living in fear, often venturing outside only under cloud cover or near trees for safety.

"The recurrent drone attacks, the widely disseminated videos showing them, and numerous posts explicitly exhorting the population to leave suggest a coordinated state policy, on the part of the Russian authorities, to force the population of Kherson Province to leave the area," the report said.

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Read also: Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul

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By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The United States told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that its proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine was "Russia's best possible outcome" and President Vladimir Putin should take the deal.

The United States wants Russia to agree to a comprehensive 30-day land, air, sea and critical infrastructure ceasefire. A first round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine on May 16 failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire - which Moscow has said is impossible to achieve before certain conditions are met.

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"We want to work with Russia, including on this peace initiative and an economic package. There is no military solution to this conflict," Acting Deputy U.S. Ambassador John Kelley told the Security Council. "The deal on offer now is Russia's best possible outcome. President Putin should take the deal."

U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term in January vowing to swiftly end Russia's three-year-old war in Ukraine. Kelley said the first U.S. step was to put forward a proposal for an immediate, unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire, which had been accepted by Ukraine, pending Russia's agreement.

"Since then, we have been urging Russia to accept a ceasefire," he said.

"If Russia makes the wrong decision to continue this catastrophic war, the United States will have to consider stepping back from our negotiation efforts to end this conflict," he warned, adding that Washington could also impose further sanctions on Russia.

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Kelley said that after Trump and Putin spoke by phone last week, Russia was now expected to provide a term sheet broadly outlining its vision for a ceasefire in the conflict, which began when Moscow invaded its neighbor in February 2022.

"We will judge Russia's seriousness towards ending the war, not only by the contents of that term sheet, but more importantly, by Russia's actions," said Kelley, condemning Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine as not demonstrating "a desire for peace."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow had drafted a memorandum outlining a settlement position in the Ukraine war. But Ukraine said Moscow has not yet shared its proposal.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow intended to continue serious, direct negotiations with Ukraine. Russia has suggested a second round of direct talks take place on Monday in Istanbul.

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"The ball is in Ukraine's court: either talks, followed by peace, or the unavoidable defeat of Ukraine on the battlefield with different conditions for the conflict's end," Nebenzia told the Security Council.

Ukraine's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn said Russia was "not signaling any genuine intention to stop its war" and urged countries to impose stronger sanctions on Moscow.

"Ukraine has consistently demonstrated commitment to diplomacy and remains open to any format that can yield tangible results," she said, but added that Kyiv would never recognize Russia's claim to any occupied Ukrainian territory.

"We will not tolerate interference in sovereign decisions, including our defense or alliances. There must be no appeasement of the aggressor. Such attempts only embolden future aggression," Hayovyshyn told the council.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Cynthia Osterman)
Trump and his "liberation day" poster board. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Most of the tariffs that have been decreed by Donald Trump were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of International Trade Wednesday.

But tariffs can remain in place while the courts examine whether the import taxes reach beyond his presidential authority, the U.S. Appeals Court for the Federal Circuit ruled in an order Thursday.

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While markets rallied early Thursday at the prospect of a halt to Trumps trade wars, it is unclear whether the ruling will mark a dramatic curtailment of Trumps taxes on imports or merely add to global economic chaos and confusion Trumps policies have created.

Trump has claimed his tariffs are authorized by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which was passed by Congress a half century ago. Trump is the first president to cite the act as the legal basis for establishing tariffs.

Trump had declared that fentanyl trafficking was an emergency warranting tariffs against China, Mexico, and Canada, and that trade imbalances with other nations was an emergency warranting his worldwide retaliatory tariffs announced on April 2, which Trump dubbed liberation day.

Trumps assertion of tariff-making authority exceeds any tariff authority delegated to the President under IEEPA, the three member federal court unanimously ruled Wednesday.

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Citing the IEEPA, the court noted the act may only be exercised to deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared, and the law may not be exercised for any other purpose.

Because of the Constitutions express allocation of the tariff power to Congress, we do not read IEEPA to delegate an unbounded tariff authority to the President, the courts ruling said.

Under the Constitution, Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, and also has the power To regulate commerce with foreign nations.

There have been attempts by some members of Congress, including some Republicans, to reassert congressional authority over Trumps tariffs, but those efforts have failed to win the support of a significant number of Republicans who control Congress.

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The courts ruling Wednesday effectively declared congressional inaction an unlimited delegation of tariff authority and an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government, adding simply with separation of powers in mind, any interpretation of IEEPA that delegates unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional.

The case against Trumps tariff authority was led by the attorneys general of Oregon and Arizona, and joined by several other AGs, including Nevadas Aaron Ford.

The president had no legal authority to impose these tariffs, and his unlawful actions would have caused billions of dollars of damage to the American economy, Ford said in a statement Wednesday. This decision is a win for the rule of law and for Nevadans pocketbooks.

But the impact of the Wednesdays court decision remains unclear. In addition to the Trump administrations appeal, economists and analysts note Trump could turn to interpretations of laws other than the IEEP to claim authority to impose tariffs.

This story was updated to reflect Thursdays order from the appeals court.
A collaboration with JetBlue will mark the return of United Airlines to JFK International Airport in two years.

JetBlue will give United access to slots at JFK for up to seven daily round-trip flights beginning in 2027. JetBlue runs approximately 180 daily flights out of JFK.

United last flew out of the New York airport in 2022.

The announcement arrives shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration said that it was extending flight limits at Newark into June due to air traffic controller shortages and technical issues.

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United, which has a hub at Newark, cut some flights out of the New Jersey airport earlier this month. CEO Scott Kirby also issued a letter to customers to discuss the difficulties at Newark.

JetBlue previously had a partnership with American Airlines in the Northeast but announced in 2023 that it was ending the tie up after losing a court fight over the deal.

Under the agreement between United and JetBlue, named Blue Sky, the airlines will exchange eight flight timings at Newark. Some aspects of the partnership will become active later this year.

Uniteds global reach perfectly complements JetBlues East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said in a statement Thursday.

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Customers will be able to access the benefits of each airline's loyalty program when they fly on the other airline. Also, JetBlue and United will each offer flights on one another's website and app. Uniteds MileagePlus customers will be able to earn and use miles on most JetBlue flights.

Were always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule, Kirby said.

JetBlue and United said that they will continue to manage and price their networks independently, including the launch of new routes, frequencies and promotions.

Shares of both airlines climbed before the market open.
(WFRV)  The United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced on Wednesday that it is opening a Title VI and disability-discrimination investigation into the Green Bay Area Public School District.

A release from the Department of Educations OCR said the investigation is based on a complaint from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty. The complaint alleges that the Green Bay Area Public School District discriminated against a student with dyslexia based on their race.

Groups gather outside Senator Ron Johnsons Oshkosh office to voice concerns over possible Medicaid & Medicare cutsA

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According to the release, the complaint specifically alleged that the District prioritizes its special education services to students based on racial priority groups. The complaint also said that the student in question did not fall into the group because he is white, the OCR release said.

The complaint continues, alleging that the District discriminated against the student based on disability and failed to provide timely and adequate special education services.

The statement below is from the Department of Educations press release:

In America, we do not prioritize students for educational access, nor do we judge their worth, on the basis of skin color. Schools must provide special needs students access to supportive educational resources on an equal footing and on the basis of need, not on the basis of race. The Trump-McMahon Education Department rejects the false and patronizing idea that certain forms of discrimination are benign. We will vigorously investigate this matter to ensure that the Green Bay Area Public School District is not discriminating against its students on the basis of race and disability. Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor

The statement below is from the press release, referring to the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty:

We are grateful to Secretary McMahon and the Office for Civil Rights for opening this investigation into Green Bay Area Public School District. It is heartbreaking to think that, in America, a school would consider whether or not to provide services to a disabled student based not on that students need, but on the color his skin. This is not only unlawful  it is an affront to the character of the American people. We are proud to work alongside the Department of Education to hold schools accountable for their antidiscrimination obligations and to ensure that no student is denied their equal opportunity protections under the law. Cory Brewer, Education Counsel at Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty

Menasha school district negotiating to take over Fox Cities childcare center

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The full release can be viewed here. The official complaint is available here.

Local 5 will provide updates on this situation as needed.

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UnityPoint Health  Trinity is going small in order to make a big impact on lung cancer.

Its new acquisition is called the Ion Endoluminal System, a robotic-assisted machine for minimally invasive biopsy in the lung.

Evan Denton, OurQuadCities.com)

(The system) uses an ultra-thin catheter, which has a diameter of 3.5 millimeters and a working channel of two millimeters, said Dr. Abdul M. Rana, a UnityPoint Health  Trinity pulmonologist. It lets us go into more peripheries to help us diagnose lungs that may not have been previously (examined by) biopsy-using traditional platforms.

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A deeper look into the lung means lung cancer can be detected earlier, which Rana said is critical.

Five-year survival is about 90 percent versus someone who is diagnosed with a Stage 4 disease, Rana said. At that point, youre looking at a survival rate of 10 to 20 percent.

The need for the newly acquired system is clear: Both Iowa and Illinois have higher rates of new lung cancer cases than the national average, according to the American Lung Association.

This platform gives us the ability to do multiple lung nodules in different parts of the lung, so its not like you have to come back and get another lung biopsy, Rana said.

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The same-day procedure lasts about two hours, and results come back in three business days.

With the software, we are able to virtually identify the target, Rana said.

The feedback has been positive so far.

Most of the physicians are either trained on it, or getting trained on it, but we do feel like the numbers will increase, and we will be better able to serve our communities, Rana said.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

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An unusual Senate duo is pressing powerhouse chipmaker Nvidia on plans to open a research-and-development center in Shanghai, arguing the company is helping Chinas defense and technology capabilities.

Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said that Nvidias recent decision raises significant national security and economic security issues that warrant serious review.

It is troubling that American firms are helping the PRC build cutting-edge semiconductor capacity, which will aid the countrys defense-industrial complex and techno-authoritarian capacity, the pair wrote in a 4-page letter to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Wednesday.

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The lawmakers are asking Nvidia what research and engineering activities will take place at the facility, which nodes and types of chips will be researched and how much money the chip manufacturer plans to spend on it. They also asked how many and what kinds of researchers will work at the facility.

Huang said to reporters in late April that 50 percent of the worlds artificial intelligence (AI) researchers are Chinese.

This is the industry that we will have to compete for, the executive said.

Given this leading position as an American company, NVIDIA has a responsibility to consider the significant national security implications of the use and misuse of its products, the senators told Huang. This innovation should occur within the sphere of close democratic allies who share our values and commitment to responsible deployment of these emerging technologies.

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An Nvidia spokesperson told The Hill in an emailed statement that the company is simply leasing a new space for existing employees, who need the room in the post-COVID return to work and that the scope of work will remain unchanged.

The effort by the upper chamber lawmakers to press Nvidia marks an uncommon collaboration between Warren, a progressive stalwart, and Banks, a close President Trump ally and an America First conservative.

The two also teamed up earlier this year, opening a bipartisan investigation into the role of private equity in the rising costs of fire trucks.

Nvidia is in a delicate position, looking to preserve its ability to benefit from both Chinese and U.S. markets, along with adhering to new export controls imposed by the Trump administration.

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Huang said last week that the export controls are a disservice to the California-based company and that Nvidia has lost market share to its competition in China over the past four years.

The local companies are very talented and very determined, and the export controls give them the spirit, energy and the government support to accelerate their development, Huang said during an industry conference on May 21 in Taipei, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Nvidia penned a deal earlier in May that would allow the United Arab Emirates to import half a million of the companys most advanced AI chips every year.

Nvidia reported strong quarterly earnings this week, surpassing Wall Streets expectations in light of the export controls in place. The companys revenue went up from $26 billion in the first quarter of 2024 to $44 billion in the first quarter of 2025, jumping by 69 percent year over year. Its data center business revenue rose from $22.6 billion to $39.1 billion over the same timeline. Tighter export controls will end up costing Nvidia $5.5 billion for exporting H20 chips to China.

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NVIDIAs great financial and technology success was built on American innovation, American university research funded by taxpayers, and the capital, security, and freedom we provide  not through collaboration with autocracies, the senators wrote in their letter.

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May 28BEMIDJI  Law enforcement is asking the public to stay away from the 300 block of Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji as authorities work to repair a gas line leak in the area today, May 28.

As of 3 p.m., the gas leak has now been contained, according to a further update from Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood.

"Residents and business owners are welcome to return to the area, but the public is asked to stay clear as Minnesota Energy is working to repair the leak," Sherwood said. "The incident is under investigation, and further updates will be released at a later time."

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According to a 2 p.m. update from Sherwood, Minnesota Energy was still on the scene and currently working to isolate leak.

Crews estimated another 30 minutes of work before monitoring for about 30 minutes, and then hopefully, folks will be able to return to the area.

"That's best case scenario," Sherwood said. "Another 2-inch main was hit at 17th Street and Park Avenue and crews are evacuating that area now."

According to the initial release from Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin, emergency response crews from the Bemidji Police and Fire Departments, Minnesota Energy and the City of Bemidji Public Works Department responded to the area of the leak.

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As of 10 a.m., the 100-200 blocks of Third and Fourth Street, as well as the 300 block of Beltrami Avenue, have been closed and people in the area are being evacuated, the release said.

The public is asked to stay out of the area until crews have repaired the leak.

More information will be released as it becomes available.
Nurses at UPMC Magee Womens Hospital are working to unionize.

An event was held Thursday afternoon as nurses called for a historic union election.

A group of nurses were gathered outside the hospital with and County Executive Sara Innamorato for the event. More than 1,000 nurses support the union in total, the SEIU said.

Nurses say they want to form a union to bring a strong focus on patient care and nursing standards to UPMCs biggest birthing hospital. They said they deliver around 10,000 babies a year and half of all births in Allegheny County.

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They argued that the priorities of executives comes at the cost of the needs of care providers. As a result, they want a seat at the table.

The union would cover registered nurses and advanced practice professionals, including midwives and nurse practitioners.

I love Magee and have a passion for womens health, said Jean Stone, who has been a registered nurse at the hospital for over a decade and works as an obstetrics resource nurse, meaning she floats throughout multiple units. Because we work at the foremost hospital for high-risk women and babies in our region, we experience a lot of beauty and joy but also a lot of loss. In order to support our patients through the toughest of times, its vital to have nationally-recognized staffing standards. Instead, too often we fall short of those standards, and were churning through staff and throwing away many experienced nurses. When I first started, I really dove head first into every opportunity to engage in Magees internal processes to address nurses concerns, including sitting on multiple committees. But its become crystal clear that UPMC executives will never give us a true seat at the decision-making table until we can negotiate a contract with them as a union. We need executives to invest in bedside nursing, not just the relentless drive to expand their insurance business. This matters to everyone in our community because forming our union is all about advocating to make sure Magee can attract, support and keep the very best staff to provide the very best care.

The nurses said they are experiencing a shortage of staff, making it harder for them to do their jobs. They said there are nearly 20,000 empty positions in Pennsylvania and they do not believe anything is being done to solve this problem.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh hospitals suffering from nationwide nursing shortage

The call to start a union came in response to seeing successful contracts come out of Allegheny General Hospital, West Penn, UPMC Western Psychiatric and other hospital across the state.

The nurses said they believe UPMC executives are escalating anti-union campaigns.

UPMC responded to these claims with a statement they said corrects the SEIU claims. That statement shared by a UPMC spokesperson said:

CORRECTING THE SEIU NARRATIVE

TURNOVER:

Current nursing turnover is 4.8% at UPMC Magee, compared to 16.7% at UPMC hospitals where nurses are unionized. The 4.8% turnover rate at UPMC Magee also compares to a national turnover average of 16%.

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Turnover of newly hired nurses at UPMC Magee is 0% in 2025, compared to 50% at UPMC hospitals where nurses are unionized.

VACANCY:

The nursing vacancy rate at UPMC Magee is 1%, compared to 12.5% at UPMC hospitals where nurses are unionized.

NURSING PAY:

Entry-level UPMC hospital nurses can earn over $50.00 per hour in four years with progressive increases through merit, salary structure movement, and career ladder advancement.

UPMCs benefits are much richer than flat nursing contracts and provide more than $13 an hour on top of base salary, far more than others in healthcare. With freedom from mandatory dues and access to superior retirement, medical, and life and disability benefits, UPMC provides employees with a secure and empowering financial journey. Nurses at UPMC Magee can earn up to 20% more than their counterparts at local, unionized competitors.

SALARY CAPS:

There is no salary cap at UPMC Magee. For employees at the max of their salary band, UPMC Magee provides a lump sum merit payment to reward strong performance. In addition, salary bands are reviewed and adjusted regularly in an effort to help mitigate this concern.

STAFFING RATIOS:

To provide high quality, safe patient care, and ensure safe patient assignments UPMC Magee uses flexible scheduling for each shift, based on patient acuity, to make real-time, evidence-based decisions on staffing.

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The UPMC Magee resource pool has 31 nurses who are deployed to areas in need of additional staff for patient care.

COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION:

Multiple opportunities are available for UPMC Magee nurses to share their voices, get involved and suggest solutions to improve the workplace, including 1:1 leadership meetings, engagement surveys, town halls, staff meetings, leader rounds, practice councils, and many more.

INSURANCE LEADERSHIP:

UPMC Insurance Division and UPMC Magee are completely separate divisions within UPMC.

Insurance Division leadership plays no role and makes no decisions regarding UPMC Magee employees.

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UPMC Magee Womens Hospital nurses filed their request with the National Labor Relations Board on May 27.

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UPMC Washington has expanded its pediatric emergency care services through a partnership with UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The partnership ensures children in Washington County and surrounding areas have access to specialty care when in the emergency department, UPMC officials say.

With the new affiliation, pediatric patients at UPMC Washingtons emergency department can connect with more than 400 physicians across 33 subspecialties at UPMC Childrens for follow-up appointments. Appointments can be scheduled before patients and their parents leave the emergency department.

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UPMC Washington providers can now communicate with UPMC Childrens emergency medicine physicians through 24/7 phone consultations.

Washington Hospital became UPMC Washington in June 2024, and officials say this expansion is another development in its affiliation with UPMC Childrens Hospital.

Our affiliation with UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh empowers our team to deliver the right care, in the right place, at the right time for every pediatric emergency patient, said Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington. Our emergency department is staffed by clinicians specially trained in pediatric care and equipped with the necessary resources, ensuring children of all ages receive the high-quality, timely treatment they need.

UPMC Childrens is proud to grow in this community  delivering trusted care for kids, right where families live, said Diane Hupp, president of UPMC Childrens Hospital. The need for pediatric services has increased in Washington County, reflecting both a direct response to community needs and UPMCs ongoing commitment to expanding essential specialty care services locally.

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PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A man from Upper Marlboro was sentenced for a spree of robberies at fast food restaurant drive-thrus.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Maryland (USAO) said on Thursday that Zachary Kinnell, 23, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.

He was found guilty of interference with interstate commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

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Woman shot at CIA headquarters in McLean charged with DUI; court documents

The office said starting on July 28, 2022, through Aug. 3, Kinnel and his co-conspirator, Brian Elzey, would rob fast food restaurants in Maryland and Virginia.

Elzey robbed 11 fast-food restaurants for a total of $3,555.01.

During the spree, the pair would go to the drive-thru window as if they were purchasing food and Kinnell would get out of the car, go up to the window and initiate a transaction with the employee before forcibly removing cash.

Starting on Aug. 1 until Aug. 3, they started committing armed robberies. Kinnell would take out a gun, and he robbed four fast-food restaurants.

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On Aug. 4, Montgomery County Department of Police officers stopped a stolen Chevrolet Cruze near Wheaton.

Prince Georges County police roll out summer crime initiative

Officers searched the car and found a gun and two restaurant cash drawers.

The officers then took Kinnell and Elzeys phones along with $427.01. It was discovered that the pair had tried to rob six other fast-food restaurants.

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GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A Greenville man was arrested Tuesday on three charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors.

The SC Attorney Generals Office charged 50-year-old Shannon Odell Smith with three counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation with the Greenville County Sheriffs Office.

Investigators received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led them to Smith. Law enforcement found the suspect supposedly in possession of files of child sexual abuse material.

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The offense is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count, officials said.

This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney Generals Office.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  A woman convicted to life in prison for beating her foster child to death was refused a retrial on Wednesday.

Foster parents accused of homicide by child abuse in 3-year-olds death in Simpsonville

Autopsy reports showed that Ariel Robinson had beat her 3-year-old foster daughter, Victoria Rose Smith, to death in January 2021. Robinson originally told first responders that the bruising found on Smith was caused by Smiths 7-year-old brother due to anger issues.

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Autopsy findings, during the trial in 2022, showed that the bruising found on Smith were severe, deep injuries that bled throughout the tissue and into the muscle.

Ariel Robinson found guilty, sentenced to life in prison

Jerry Robinson, Ariels husband, testified for the State in court and said that Ariel would become angry with Smith if she took too long to eat or use the restroom, and would be spanked with a paddle, hand, or belt as punishment.

Ariel attempted to appeal for a retrial, arguing that the Smiths injuries shown in court were highly inflammatory, according to the Court of Appeals.

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On Wednesday, the Court of Appeals rejected Ariels appeal, saying that the photographs shown were relevant evidence.

The cause of death in this case was somewhat unique in that the vast majority of Victims bruises were on the legs and the back of the legs, according to the Court of Appeals. Dr. Ward testified that Victim died from blood loss into the tissues of her abdomen and legs caused by the force of the blows. The autopsy photograph of the deep-tissue bleeding helped illustrate to the jury how Victim could have bled to death from a spanking that did not break the skin. We believe that the autopsy photos showing the bleeding deep in the tissues of Victims legs were probative as to the cause of death and probative as to whether Robinson spanked the child in a manner manifesting an extreme indifference to human life.'

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ST. LOUIS  The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is launching its Grill to Glory initiative Saturday, aiming to unite neighborhoods in the wake of a massive tornado that caused significant damage in north St. Louis nearly two weeks ago.

The Grill to Glory initiative, which involves over 320 neighborhood churches, seeks to bring communities together through shared grilling events. The program has a history of reducing crime and bringing neighborhoods together, which Urban League officials emphasize as communities work to recover from the tornados impact.

Watchdog group calls for St. Louis Sheriffs removal over alleged misconduct

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Church leaders will gather at the Urban League headquarters to collect grills and other supplies needed for the events. These gatherings will take place several Saturdays over the summer, beginning this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Missouri National Guard is preparing four locations where people can drop off debris from the tornado, according to the Post-Dispatch. The sites could open as soon as Thursday.

The Missouri National Guard plans for the debris sites to be available for two weeks, although that timeframe could be extended. The debris sites can be found at the following locations:

Marshall Branch School: 4322 Aldine Avenue

Turner Middle School: 2573 Billups Avenue

DeAndreis/Bunche School: 4257 Clarence Avenue

Farragut Elementary: 4025 Sullivan Avenue

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All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Frayed by tariff wars and political battles, the academic ties between the U.S. and China are now facing their greatest threat yet as the Trump administration promises to revoke visas for an unknown number of Chinese students and tighten future visa screening.

In a brief statement Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying critical fields.

Rubios statement threatened to widen a chasm between the two nations, building on a yearslong Republican campaign to rid U.S. campuses of Chinese influence and insulate America's research from its strongest economic and military competitor.

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Rubios announcement has rattled Chinese students and drawn swift condemnation from the Chinese government and some U.S. lawmakers. The Chinese Embassy on Thursday said it lodged a solemn demarche with the U.S. side without delay and urged the U.S. to correct its mistake and protect the rights of Chinese students. The visa policy also raised alarm at U.S. campuses that host more than 275,000 students from China and benefit from their tuition payments.

Chinese graduate student Kesong Cao, 26, decided to abandon his studies in the U.S. because of Trumps policies.

I do not feel welcome anymore, said Cao, a student of cognitive psychology at the University of Wisconsin, who was waiting at Seattle's airport Thursday to board a flight home to China.

Cao spent eight years in the U.S. and once dreamed of staying as a professor. Now it seems like that dream is falling apart, he said. Its a good time to jump ship and think about what I can give back to my own country.

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The scope of the visa crackdown wasn't immediately clear, with no explanation on what would constitute ties to the Communist Party. But the impact could be significant if the government goes after any student with family members in the party, said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center.

Academic ties with China were built over decades

Academic leaders in the U.S. have spent years trying to tamp down growing hostility against Chinese students and scholars, saying the benefits of the relationship outweigh the risks. Collaboration between the countries produces tens of thousands of scientific papers a year, yielding major advancements in fields from earthquake prediction to disease treatment.

The academic alliance has been built up over decades since both sides resumed diplomatic ties in the 1970s. Chinese researchers are the most frequent international co-authors for U.S. researchers in science and engineering journal articles. Both sides are research powerhouses.

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Any move that prevents the U.S. from welcoming the smartest people in the world is an extremely bad idea, said L. Rafael Reif, a former president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who pushed back against anti-China sentiment during President Donald Trump's first term.

This administration will be known historically as the one that began the decline of the U.S. by completely failing to understand the importance of science and technology  and the importance of gathering the most talented human capital from the world to work together towards a thriving United States, Reif said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Erica Zhang, who graduated from George Washington University in December and is awaiting approval of her green card, said the new policy is horrifying.

This is racism, any division based on identity and nationality is racism, Zhang said. It is just a start, it will expand to a bigger group of Chinese, not just Chinese students.

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During his first term, Trump shortened the visas of some Chinese graduate students from five years to one, and he signed an order barring Chinese students from schools with direct links to the Peoples Liberation Army.

More recently, the administration has taken sweeping action against international students. It revoked the legal status for thousands of foreign students in the U.S. this spring before reversing itself. The administration is also trying to block Harvard from enrolling for students, a move put on hold by a judge.

David Lampton, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, is worried the U.S. will lose talent. American universities and society have always successfully relied on their single-minded search for the worlds best brains, he said.

Yet critics say its a lopsided relationship that primarily benefits China.

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Some conservatives say the exchanges are a US security risk

A State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, told reporters Thursday that the U.S. will not tolerate the Chinese Communist Party's exploitation of U.S. universities or theft of U.S. research, intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power, conduct intelligence collection or repress voices of opposition.

House Republicans issued a report last year finding that hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding has gone toward research that ultimately boosted Chinese advancements in artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology and nuclear weapons. The report argued Chinas academic collaborations served as Trojan horses for technology transfer, accusing China of insidious exploitation of academic cooperation.

At least three American schools have ended their partnerships in China, including the University of Michigan and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Eastern Michigan University was the latest to terminate a Chinese partnership, just hours before Rubios announcement.

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Critics also point to the imbalance in student exchange  only a few hundred U.S. students study abroad in China a year, compared to about 370,000 from China who studied in the U.S. in 2018. President Xi Jinping, in 2023, launched a campaign to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit China on exchange and study programs.

U.S. universities themselves have come to rely on Chinese students. Even as numbers level off, Chinese students remain the second-largest group of international students in the U.S. behind those from India. Foreign students are typically charged higher tuition rates, subsidizing the education for American students.

Gary Locke, a former U.S. ambassador to China, said the visa policy would adversely and profoundly affect U.S. higher education, research institutions, scientific discovery and startups.

The real story isn't just about visa numbers  it's also about how this changes the competitive landscape for talent, innovation and economic growth in America. Treating every Chinese student as a security threat distorts facts and fuels discrimination against Chinese Americans, said Locke, now chair of the Committee of 100, a group of prominent Chinese Americans focused on U.S.-China relations and issues faced by Chinese citizens in the U.S.

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___

Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco, Matthew Lee and Fu Ting in Washington, and Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press education 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.
The Trump administration will aggressively revoke the visas of some Chinese students.

The visa crackdown will include those studying in critical fields, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said.

China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind India.

In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up around a quarter of all foreign students in America.

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Under President Trumps leadership, the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the Peoples Republic of China and Hong Kong, Mr Rubio said in a White House statement.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not commented.

Decision will harm image of the US

Reacting to the Trump administrations blocking of international students from Harvard last week, Beijing said the decision will only harm the image and international standing of the United States. The Chinese side has consistently opposed the politicisation of educational cooperation, Mao Ning, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, said.

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The action follows an announcement by Mr Rubio on Tuesday that the visa application process for those wanting to study abroad in the US was to be temporarily halted.

The Trump administration paused international student visa interviews as it considers requiring social media vetting for those wanting to study in the US.

A diplomatic cable sent out by Mr Rubio has instructed embassies to halt visa appointments in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening, according to Politico.

The government has previously announced it would start monitoring immigrants social media accounts for anti-Semitism, which could be used as grounds to revoke visas or permanent residence applications.

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On Tuesday, Donald Trump cut all government funding to Harvard amid an escalating feud between the US president and Americas oldest university.

Mr Trump instructed federal agencies to cancel the final federal contracts with Harvard, which are worth an estimated $100 million, according to a letter obtained by The New York Times.

One administration official said the move represented the complete severance of the governments longstanding business relationship with Harvard.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot delivered a speech reiterating the country's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging "the implementation of a two-state solution."

The United States manifested its support to Israel at the UN Security Council against France by "firmly rejecting any attempt to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state" on Thursday.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot delivered a speech on Wednesday, reiterating the country's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging "the implementation of a two-state solution." Barrot also announced that France will co-host, alongside Saudi Arabia, a United Nations conference in June regarding this topic.

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The American embassy argued in response that the implementation of a two-state solution would constitute a "reward for Hamas' shocking attack on Israel," in reference to the May 21st Washington shooting attack at the Jewish Museum in which Elias Rodriguez killed two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.

"The United States will do its part to help forge this new reality alongside Israel and our Arab partners. But at the same time  the United States stands with Israel in unequivocally rejecting any effort to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state or impose conditions on Israel," the embassy stated.

In response to the French ministry, Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said that any "recognition of a Palestinian state is a reward for Hamas for the atrocities of October 7, and a resounding message to terrorist organizations around the world to murder, burn, rape and kidnap - this is the way."

French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump participate in a G-7 Working Session on the Global Economy, Foreign Policy, and Security Affairs at the G-7 summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President of the European Council Donald Tus (photo credit: ANDREW HARNIK/POOL VIA REUTERS)

Macron says France could recognize Palestinian state in June

French President Emmanuel Macron said in April that France could recognize a Palestinian state in June, adding that, in turn, some countries in the Middle East could recognize the state of Israel.

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"We need to move towards recognition (of a Palestinian state). And so over the next few months, we will. I'm not doing it to please anyone. I'll do it because at some point it will be right," he said during an interview on France 5 television.

"And because I also want to take part in a collective dynamic that should also enable those who defend Palestine to recognize Israel in their turn, something that many of them are not doing," the French president declared.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
US congress members called to sanction several Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, including the Popular Mobilization Forces, in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The United States should sanction Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, including the powerful Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina) and Rep. Greg Steube (R-Florida) said this week in a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The PMF includes numerous militias arranged in dozens of brigades. Most of the militias are linked closely to Iran and have carried out numerous crimes in Iraq.

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The Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of 238,000 Iranian-backed militias, have been legitimized as part of Iraqs state security services and receive over $3 billion annually from the Iraqi government, funded in part by American taxpayer dollars, the letter said.

Since 2015, the US Department of State has provided Iraq with $1.25 billion in Foreign Military Financing, in addition to billions more in aid to Iraqs Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense, despite these institutions being deeply infiltrated by Iranian proxies. These same Iran-backed militias, now operating with legal authority under the PMF, have launched rocket attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends an interview after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, , U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, at Diriyah Palace (photo credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool REFILE )

We write to express our deep concern over the complete subjugation of Iraq to the Iranian regime, Wilson and Steube wrote.

More than 4,400 American service members sacrificed their lives since the start of the Iraq War, yet today, Iraq stands as nothing more than a puppet of Tehran. This outcome is the direct result of disastrous policies that, under previous administrations, empowered Irans control over Iraqs government, military, and economy.

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The National Security Policy Memorandum-2 (NSPM-2) of February 4, 2025, clearly articulates the reimposition of maximum pressure on Iran and its terror proxies, they wrote. However, any campaign against the Iranian regime will require an equally robust campaign against Iraqi institutions, which have become essential clients of the Iranian regime.

They said the US should expand sanctions on the various militias. The US has already sanctioned Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and some other militias and their leaders.

The US should sanction the PMF, as well as the Muhandis General Company and the Badr Organization, as foreign terrorist organizations, the letter said.

The members also called for sanctions on Iraqs importation of Iranian gas

Wilson and Steube also called for sanctions on Iraqs importation of Iranian gas. In addition, a bank in Iraq and a number of individuals who support Iran should be sanctioned, they said, including former prime ministers Nouri al-Maliki and Adel Abdulmehdi, Izzat Shabander, Hadi al-Ameri, Abdul Karim al-Sudani, Abbas Shia al-Sudani, Haider Shia al-Sudani, Abdul Karim al-Faisal, Yasser Suhail al Maliki, Minister of Higher Education Naem al-Aboud, Governor Adnan Feihan, and others.

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This is an important development, and it illustrates how the US is moving to potentially clip the wings of Irans role in Iraq. For instance, Kataib Hezbollah, which is part of the PMF, continues to hold Elizabeth Tsurkov, a researcher who is also an Israeli citizen.

Tsurkov was kidnapped in 2023 in Iraq while doing research. She is a doctoral student at Princeton. Her kidnapping was orchestrated by the Iranian-backed militias.

Reports from Iraq indicate that Baghdad is seeking to harm the autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq by not paying salaries. This illustrates how Baghdad is destabilizing Iraq through its policies.
A U.S. federal court overturned on May 28 President Donald Trump's tariffs on dozens of countries, including those affecting trade with Ukraine, according to the U.S. Court of International Trade's ruling.

Trump announced a new sweeping tariff policy on April 2 as part of what he called "Liberation Day," framing the tariff regime as a bid to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and fight back against foreign exploitation.

Ukraine was hit with a 10% blanket tariff on its exports, lower than the 20% imposed on the European Union. Increased rates targeted countries where the U.S. has the largest trade deficits, notably China.

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Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and Cuba were not included.

The court ruled that the federal law allowing the president to impose tariffs, embargoes, and sanctions during national emergencies "does not authorize the president to impose unbounded tariffs."

The ruling cited the U.S. Constitution, saying that it grants Congress sole authority over international trade, which is not superseded by the presidents emergency economic powers.

The court struck down the 10% tariffs applied to all U.S. trading partners to address the trade deficit, along with Trumps proposed "reciprocal" tariffs of 2050% on over 60 countries. This move means that the court would also block tariffs on trade with Ukraine.

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Additionally, the court overturned Trumps executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods and a 20% tariff on Chinese goods.

A 10% blanket tariff on its exports was still a setback for a country at war. Kyiv's metallurgy sector, a major source of Ukrainian exports to the U.S., was already impacted by a 25% tariff imposed in March.

In 2023, Ukrainian exports to the U.S. totaled just $874 million, while imports from the U.S. reached $3.4 billion. The overall trade volume has declined in recent years, but the tariffs could deepen the imbalance, especially if they trigger broader protectionist measures globally.

Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's Economy Minister, called the U.S. tariffs announced in early April "difficult, but not critical," saying Kyiv remained focused on long-term economic resilience and international cooperation.

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Read also: Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul

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A US appeals court on Thursday reinstated many of President Donald Trumps tariffs, the day after another court blocked them.

The move puts a pause on a trade courts ruling that Trump exceeded his authority in imposing his Liberation Day tariff regime, adding a jolt of legal chaos to the uncertainty surrounding Trumps global trade war.

Trumps advisers, who had condemned the tariff block as a judicial coup celebrated the reprieve, but the possibility of the initial ruling being reinstated weighs heavily on the White House.

Despite the setback, Trump will likely be undeterred in his aim to rewrite the rules of global commerce in Americas favor, The Wall Street Journal wrote.
A US trade court has blocked Donald Trumps tariffs from going into effect in what is a significant setback for the US president.

The Manhattan-based Court of International Trade on Wednesday ruled that the US president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from nations that sell more to the United States than they buy.

The court said the US Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate commerce with other countries that is not overridden by the presidents emergency powers to safeguard the US economy.

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The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the presidents use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it, a three-judge panel said in the decision.

The Trump administration minutes later filed a notice of appeal.

The ruling quashes duties that Mr Trump imposed on Canada, Mexico and China separately using those emergency powers.

It came in a pair of lawsuits, one filed by the non-partisan Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five small US businesses that import goods from countries targeted by the duties and the other by 13 US states.

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The companies, which range from a New York wine and spirits importer to a Virginia-based maker of educational kits and musical instruments, have said the tariffs will hurt their ability to do business.

The White House and lawyers for groups that sued did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff and one of Mr Trumps lead policy advisers, rebuked the court in a brief social media post, writing: The judicial coup is out of control.

At least five other legal challenges to the tariffs are pending.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, a Democrat whose office is leading the states lawsuit, called Mr Trumps tariffs unlawful, reckless and economically devastating.

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This ruling reaffirms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions cant be made on the presidents whim, Mr Rayfield said in a statement.

Mr Trump has claimed broad authority to set tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which is meant to address unusual and extraordinary threats during a national emergency.

The law has historically been used to impose sanctions on enemies of the US or freeze their assets. Mr Trump is the first US president to use it to impose tariffs.

The Justice Department has said the lawsuits should be dismissed because the plaintiffs have not been harmed by tariffs that they have not yet paid, and because only Congress, not private businesses, can challenge a national emergency declared by the president under IEEPA.

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Mr Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on most trading partners on April 2, at a baseline 10 per cent, plus steeper levies on dozens of economies, including China and the European Union. Many of those country-specific tariffs were paused a week later.

The US president had called the trade deficit a national emergency in order to justify his 10 per cent across-the-board tariff on all imports.

The Trump administration on May 12 then said it was temporarily reducing the steepest tariffs on China while working on a longer-term trade deal.

Both countries agreed to cut tariffs on each other for at least 90 days.

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A US federal court on Wednesday denied President Donald Trump the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency law.

The US Court of International Trade, in a case filed by several businesses and 12 states across the country against the US government, including several Cabinet secretaries, ruled that the government's use of the emergency powers act was not consistent with the US constitution and therefore could not be used to impose the tariffs.

In a 49-page ruling, the court said the question it was dealing with is whether the president had the powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) "to impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country."

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It said no.

"The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder."

Widespread tariffs imposed by Trump have sparked market turmoil for weeks and moved several US economists to speculate that their effects might be to push the United States into a recession.
A US federal court on Wednesday denied President Donald Trump the authority to impose sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency law.

The US Court of International Trade, in a case filed by several businesses and 12 states across the country against the US government, including several Cabinet secretaries, ruled that the government's use of the emergency powers act was not consistent with the US constitution and therefore could not be used to impose the tariffs.

In a 49-page ruling, the court said the question it was dealing with is whether the president had the powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) "to impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country."

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It said no.

"The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder."

Widespread tariffs imposed by Trump have sparked market turmoil for weeks and moved several US economists to speculate that their effects might be to push the United States into a recession.

The ruling affects nearly all tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, including the punitive tariffs he introduced on what he referred to as "Liberation Day" in early April.

The decision represents a significant defeat for Trump, who is expected to appeal it.

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The court noted that tariffs are the domain of Congress.

"The Constitution assigns Congress the exclusive powers to 'lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises,'" and to "regulate Commerce with foreign Nations," the three federal judges wrote in their decision.

Trump has argued that trade deficits with other countries pose a national security risk, thereby constituting a national emergency.

In April, a dozen US states filed a lawsuit against the tariffs in the New York court. Ten of these states are governed by Democrats, while two are led by Republicans.

Trump seeks bilateral 'deals'

Trump has repeatedly emphasized his desire to negotiate bilateral agreements with individual countries, frequently shifting his approach. He claims this strategy allows him to secure "better deals" for the US, and he sees the punitive tariffs as a way to pressure partners into making concessions.

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Most recently, the trade dispute between the US and Europe escalated further, when Trump unexpectedly threatened the EU with punitive tariffs of 50% starting on June 1. On Sunday, after speaking with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he postponed the measure by just over a month. Both sides now aim to find a solution by July 9.

The EU has reserved the right to impose retaliatory tariffs in the event of an escalation.
WASHINGTON (AP)  An information technology specialist for the Defense Intelligence Agency was charged Thursday with attempting to transmit classified information to a representative of a foreign government, the Justice Department said.

Prosecutors say Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested at a location where he had arranged to deposit sensitive records to a person he thought was an official of a foreign government, but who was actually an undercover FBI agent. The identity of the country Laatsch thought he was in communication with was not disclosed, but the Justice Department described it as a friendly, or allied, nation.

It was not immediately clear if Laatsch, who was set to make a court appearance Friday, had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

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The Justice Department said its investigation into Laatsch began in March after officials received a tip that he had offered to provide classified information to another nation. Laatsch wrote in his email that he did not agree or align with the values of this administration and was willing to transmit sensitive materials, including intelligence documents, to which he had access, prosecutors said.

An undercover agent got in touch with Laatsch, who began transcribing classified information to a notepad and made plans to drop off information that the foreign government representative could pick up in a park.

At one drop-off this month, prosecutors say, Laatsch left behind a thumb drive containing multiple typed documents marked up to the Secret and Top Secret levels. In return, prosecutors say, Laatsch said that he was interested in obtaining citizenship from that country because he did not anticipate things here to improve in the long term.

He was arrested Thursday at a prearranged location after making additional plans for a drop-off.

___
The fifth round of talks between the US and Iran concluded last Friday in Rome, with Iranian and Omani officials issuing positive statements.

An Iranian nuclear deal could be reached during the next round of talks between the United States and Iran, sources told CNN on Wednesday.

The report said that mediators are "closing in on a broad agreement" that could be achieved next time the countries meet, likely in a Middle Eastern country.

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US President Donald Trump also told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "not to disrupt talks," the report noted.

On Wednesday, the New York Times alleged that Netanyahu threatened to strike nuclear facilities as the US expressed concern that these strikes would disrupt nuclear talks, preferring to exhaust diplomatic avenues. The Prime Minister's Office responded to the report, saying that it was "fake news."

Trump, while speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, said, "I told him [Netanyahu] this would be inappropriate to do this right now because we're very close to a solution now. That could change at any moment."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is welcomed by an unidentified Omani official upon his arrival in Muscat, Oman, May 11, 2025. (photo credit: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

The fifth round of talks between the US and Iran concluded last Friday in Rome, with Iranian and Omani officials issuing positive statements about the future of talks.

Previous round of US-Iran talks led to 'some but not conclusive progress'

During these negotiations, US special envoy Steve Witkoff held more than two hours of talks with the Iranian delegation and agreed to meet in the near future.

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However, the Omani Foreign Minister said in a statement that the fifth round wrapped "with some but not conclusive progress," and that "we hope to clarify the remaining issues in the coming days, to allow us to proceed towards the common goal of reaching a sustainable and honorable agreement."

Amichai Stein and Reuters contributed to this report.
By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will not tolerate "exploitation" of American universities by the Chinese Communist Party or theft of U.S. research and intellectual property, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday.

In a briefing at the State Department, Bruce declined to provide numbers for how many Chinese students would be affected by a new plan to "aggressively" revoke visas announced on Wednesday, but said officials would scrutinize anyone "deemed to be a threat to the country or a problem."

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She declined to detail how those who pose a threat would be determined.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announcing the new crackdown, said it would target students including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or studying in critical fields.

"When it comes to keeping America safe, the United States, I further can say here, will not tolerate the CCP's exploitation of U.S. universities or theft of U.S. research intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power, conduct intelligence collection or repress voices of opposition," Bruce said.

The announcement on Chinese student visa holders came after the Trump administration ordered its missions all over the world to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants.

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Asked when appointments would come back online, Bruce did not say but recommended that applicants continue checking the U.S. visa system for new appointments.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Martina, and Katharine Jackson; writing by Simon Lewis; Editing by Chris Reese and Chizu Nomiyama)
For the first time since 2012, the flag was raised as the new US Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, arrived in Damascus.

The new US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, attended a flag-raising ceremony to inaugurate the US ambassadors residence in Damascus yesterday. The ceremony was important because it shows how the US and Syria are quickly working to improve relations after more than a decade in which there was no US ambassador in Damascus.

Since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, relations between Syria and the US became frayed and basically ended in 2012. Now, a new era is dawning as the Trump administration makes overtures to the leadership in Damascus.

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All of this has happened quickly in six months since the Assad regime fell. US President Donald Trump met Syrias new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Riyadh and then appointed Barrack to be the new envoy to Syria.

Barrack is the US ambassador to Turkey. He traveled to Riyadh and Jordan this week and then went to Damascus.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Asaad al-Shaibani, and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack inaugurated Thursday the US ambassadors residence in Damascus, Syrias state-owned Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported. Minister al-Shaibani attended the ceremony as Mr. Barrack raised the US flag at the residence.

The flag-raising is one of the many important changes taking place in Syria.

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On Thursday, images posted online showed the Syrian authorities had intercepted a shipment of Grad rockets that may have been sent by Iran and destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon. It is one of many similar weapons shipments and smuggling attempts that the new Syrian government has prevented.

This prevention of smuggling is important for the region. It also means that Hezbollah cannot threaten Syria or Israel. In the past, Hezbollah backed the Assad regime and sent forces to Syria.

Israel and Syria still maintain tense relations

Even though the new Syrian government and Israel likely share interests in opposing Hezbollah, there has been tension between the two countries since the fall of Assad.

Israel carried out numerous bombing raids in Syria, claiming to be striking various threats. Some of the strikes hit military assets of the old regime that had been left around.

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Israeli political leaders, however, also bashed Sharaa and accused him of being an extremist. In the wake of Trumps meeting with Sharaa, it appears Jerusalem has changed its tone and modified its approach.

Also, Israel and Turkey appear to be de-conflicting in Syria. The presence of a US envoy in Syria, and also visits by US members of Congress, make it more sensitive for Israel to be bombing a country that the US wants to help stabilize.

It is one of several examples in which Israels political leadership diverges from the policies of the US administration. Israeli leaders made empty threats against Sharaa without first trying to reach out to Damascus and see if the countries could open a new page in ties.

The US has moved forward with those ties, leaving Israel to decide if it wants to change and embrace peaceful outreach to the new Damascus government.

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So far, it appears that rumors of contacts between Israel and Syria continue to be downplayed.

The head of internal security in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria, Ahmad al-Dalati, denied on Tuesday any involvement in direct negotiations with Israeli officials, North Press Agency, a Syrian news agency that is usually linked to eastern Syria, reported.

His statement came in response to a report earlier by Reuters, which cited informed security sources claiming that al-Dalati had recently led direct meetings between Syrian and Israeli representatives, the report said.

In an interview with Al Ekhbariya, an Arabic news channel, Dalati said: I categorically deny participating in any direct negotiation sessions with the Israeli side. These claims are completely unfounded and lack both accuracy and credibility. The Syrian position is clear and unwavering... [it] remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect the Syrian people and to defend the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity.
By Raphael Satter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury is placing under sanctions a Philippines-based company accused of providing internet infrastructure to a swathe of virtual currency investment scams, better known as "pig butchering."

In a statement issued on Thursday, Treasury officials said they were taking action against Funnull Technology Inc., which they accused of buying internet protocol addresses in bulk from other service providers and reselling them to cybercriminals. An alleged administrator of Funnull, Chinese citizen Liu Lizhi, was also placed under sanctions.

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Reuters could not immediately locate contact information for Liu, who the Treasury described as being 40 years old and linked to addresses in Shanghai and Ganzhou. A message seeking comment from Funnull was not immediately returned. Reuters' attempt to locate Funnull in the Philippines' corporate registry was unsuccessful.

Virtual currency investment scams - which typically work by convincing people to put their money into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes - have become a billion-dollar industry, run by organized crime and fueled by human trafficking.

The scams often rely on bogus websites to swindle their victims, and earlier this year researchers from cybersecurity firm Silent Push tied Funnull to a network of such sites, along with thousands of other devoted to suspected gambling or money laundering.

Pig butchering scams, which originated in China, now target people worldwide. Earlier this year, blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis said revenues from the scams were at a record high, likely boosted by the use of generative algorithms to help scammers better tailor their pitches and talk to more people at a time.

(Reporting by Raphael Satter and AJ Vicens; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Israel has accepted a US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, according to the White House.

US President Donald Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that to her knowledge, the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement has not yet agreed to the plan. Talks with all parties are ongoing, she said.

The US hopes there will be a ceasefire so that all hostages can be brought home from the Gaza Strip, Leavitt said.

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She stressed that if an agreement is reached, the White House would announce it. Leavitt did not provide any details about the current ceasefire proposal.

According to Israeli media reports, the plan by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff envisions a 60-day ceasefire. It is reported that 10 hostages held in the Gaza Strip should be released in two stages within a week. Additionally, the bodies of 18 abductees should be handed over, according to several reports.

In return, 125 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment should be released, as well as 1,111 Gaza residents who have been detained since the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.

The reports suggest that during the two-month ceasefire, talks about ending the Gaza conflict should take place. In the event of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, the remaining hostages and the mortal remains of abductees should be handed over.

Hamas has recently rejected a temporary ceasefire and demands the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and an end to the conflict.
Israel has accepted the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, according to the White House.

US President Donald Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that talks with all parties are ongoing.

The US hopes there will be a ceasefire so that all hostages can be brought home from the Gaza Strip, Leavitt said.

She stressed that if an agreement is reached, the White House would announce it. Leavitt did not provide any details about the current ceasefire proposal.

Hamas'studying the proposal'

Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it has received a new ceasefire proposal drawn up by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff from international mediators.

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In a press statement, Hamas said it is studying the proposal responsibly and that any response will be based on the interests of the Palestinian people, with a focus on alleviating humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip and achieving a permanent ceasefire.

Reports reveal details of the proposal

Witkoff's new proposal is for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that includes the release of 10 hostages, according to Israeli media.

In the new draft plan, the hostages are to be released in two groups within a week, several outlets reported.

Hamas would also have to hand over the bodies of 18 abductees still held in Gaza. The bodies of 180 Palestinians would also be handed over.

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In return, 125 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,111 Gaza residents who have been detained in Israeli jails since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, should be released.

The two-month truce is set to facilitate negotiations between Israel and Hamas on an end to the almost 20-month-long conflict, according to the reports.

Proposal calls for hostage release

If Israel and Hamas manage to come to an agreement, the remaining hostages held in Gaza are due to be released under the latest proposal.

The proposal also stipulates that aid distribution in the Gaza Strip will once again be handled by the United Nations and international aid organizations.

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The Israeli army is to withdraw to the positions it held before the start of the latest offensive in March, according to the proposal.

According to Israeli sources, at least 20 hostages are still alive in the Gaza Strip. The fate of three other kidnapped people is unclear, while the bodies of 35 abductees are believed to be held in the sealed-off coastal area.

Witkoff expressed optimism at the White House on Wednesday about a possible ceasefire in the Gaza war. He told journalists that he had "very good feelings" about a ceasefire and a long-term peaceful solution to the conflict.

At least 23 killed in Israeli airstrike in central Gaza

As the Israeli offensive continues, at least 23 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Thursday.

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A building in the al-Bureij refugee camp was hit, according to the report.

In total, some 37 people were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since early morning, WAFA reported.

The Israeli military has so far not commented on the reports relating to al-Bureij. Israel has repeatedly stressed it is taken steps to ensure the safety of civilians as it targets Palestinian extremist group Hamas.

More than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the latest war, according to the Hamas-controlled health authorities, which do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. International organizations including the UN believe the numbers to be largely credible.

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Roughly a third of those killed in Gaza are minors, according to the local health authorities.

UN: Gaza Foundation aid plan puts civilians at risk

United Nations officials have raised serious concerns over Israel's plan to allow only the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) - established in February and backed by private US security firms - to distribute food aid in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

"The plan of the foundation puts people in need at risk," Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said in a statement to dpa on Thursday.

"They have to take long walks through a war zone to reach distribution points, and once they make their way home with food items they may themselves be targeted by looters."

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Laerke emphasized that in a humanitarian crisis as severe as Gaza's, food must be delivered directly to people where they are.

If only small amounts of food are distributed at just a few locations, chaos and violence are almost inevitable, he warned.

Recent reports from southern Gaza have described chaotic scenes at GHF-run distribution points, including overcrowding and unrest. The foundation has denied these accounts.

According to the UN, civilians in the region are now facing extreme hunger and a critical lack of food, clean water, medicine and other essentials.

Israel maintains that there is no shortage of aid and accuses Hamas of stealing supplies to fund its operations - claims the group denies. The UN says Israel has provided no evidence to support this allegation.
BANGKOK (AP)  Thailands attorney generals office has confirmed that it will not prosecute an American academic arrested in early April on a charge of royal defamation, his lawyer said Thursday. The offense is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Paul Chambers, who had been employed as a political science lecturer at Naresuan University in the northern province of Phitsanulok, departed Thailand after the ruling, said his lawyer, Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, who declined to reveal his destination.

The attorney generals office had already announced on May 1 that it did not intend to press charges against 58-year-old Chambers, an Oklahoma native, due to lack of evidence. But it had allowed the police in northern Thailand, which originally handled the case, to review its decision.

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The group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which aided Chambers defense, said on its website that police contested the decision, which was then referred back to the attorney general, who in turn reaffirmed his own offices decision to drop charges.

An appeal of the revocation of Chambers' Thai visa, and another contesting his firing by Naresuan University are still pending, Akarachai said.

Chambers' arrest drew concern from the academic community, especially from Asian scholars around the world, as well as from the U.S. government over free speech restrictions.

Thailands lese majeste law calls for 3-15 years imprisonment for anyone who defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir apparent or the regent. Critics say it is among the harshest such laws anywhere and has also been used to punish critics of the government and the military.

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The monarchy has long been considered a pillar of Thai society and criticizing it used to be strictly taboo. Conservative Thais, especially in the military and courts, still consider it untouchable.

Chambers has specialized in studying the power and influence of the Thai military, which plays a major role in politics. It has staged 13 coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, most recently 11 years ago. He was arrested on a complaint made by the northern regional office of the armys Internal Security Operations Command.

One of its officers told a parliamentary inquiry that it filed the complaint based on a Facebook post that translated words from a website operated by ISEASYusof Ishak Institute, a think tank in Singapore, about a webinar on Thai politics that included as Chambers as a participant.

Chambers supporters said that the blurb for the webinar, which was cited in his charge sheet as evidence, was not written by him.
(QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes discusses this latest decision involving student visas under the Trump administration.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a setback to environmentalists on Thursday by allowing federal agencies to limit the scope of their reviews of the environmental impact of projects they regulate, as the justices bolstered a Utah railway project intended to transport crude oil.

The 8-0 ruling overturned a lower court's decision that had halted the project and had faulted an environmental impact statement issued by a federal agency called the Surface Transportation Board in approving the railway as too limited in scope. The project was challenged by environmentalists and a Colorado county.

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A coalition of seven Utah counties and an infrastructure investment group are seeking to construct an 88-mile (142-km) railway line in northeastern Utah to connect the sparsely populated Uinta Basin region to an existing freight rail network that would be used primarily to transport waxy crude oil.

The case tested the scope of environmental impact studies that federal agencies must conduct under a U.S. law called the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), enacted in 1970 to prevent environmental harms that might result from major projects. The law mandates that agencies examine the "reasonably foreseeable" effects of a project.

The ruling, authored by conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was joined by four other conservative justices. The court's three liberal justices filed a separate opinion concurring in the outcome.

Kavanaugh wrote that agencies need only consider environmental effects of a project at hand and not the "effects from potential future projects or from geographically separate projects," and that courts must offer agencies "substantial deference" regarding the scope of these assessments.

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"NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock. The goal of the law is to inform agency decision-making, not to paralyze it," Kavanaugh wrote.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Dec. 10 in the case, which has been closely watched by companies and environmental groups for how the ruling might affect a wider range of infrastructure and energy projects.

"This disastrous decision to undermine our nation's bedrock environmental law means our air and water will be more polluted, the climate and extinction crises will intensify and people will be less healthy," said Wendy Park, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that challenged the railway.

"It guarantees that bureaucrats can put their heads in the sand and ignore the harm federal projects will cause to ecosystems, wildlife and the climate," Park said.

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Sambhav Sankar, senior vice president of programs at environmental law group Earthjustice, predicted that President Donald Trump's administration "will treat this decision as an invitation to ignore environmental concerns as it tries to promote fossil fuels, kill off renewable energy and destroy sensible pollution regulations."

'A TURNING POINT'

Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, welcomed the decision, saying that it "represents a turning point for rural Utah - bringing safer, sustainable, more efficient transportation options, and opening new doors for investment and economic stability."

Environmental reviews that are too broad in scope can add years to the regulatory timeline, risking a project's viability and future infrastructure development, according to companies and business trade groups.

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The Surface Transportation Board, which has regulatory authority over new railroad lines, issued an environmental impact statement and approved the railway proposal in 2021.

The Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups sued over approval, as did Colorado's Eagle County, which noted that the project would increase train traffic in its region and double traffic on an existing rail line along the Colorado River.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of the challengers in 2023, concluding that the environmental review inadequately analyzed the effects of increased oil production in the basin as well as downstream, where the oil would be refined.

Democratic former President Joe Biden's administration had backed the railway coalition in the case, as did the state of Utah.

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Fifteen other states supported the challengers. Colorado said its economy relies on outdoor recreation, and that the project raises the risk of leaks, spills or rail car accidents near the Colorado River's headwaters.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch recused himself from the case. Some Democratic lawmakers had urged his withdrawal because businessman Philip Anschutz, his former legal client, has a financial interest in its outcome.

The case will return to the D.C. Circuit. Park said that the Supreme Court's decision does not guarantee the railway's construction.

"The last thing we need is another climate bomb on wheels that the communities along its proposed route say they don't want," Park said. "We've been fighting this project for years, and we'll keep fighting to make sure this railway is never built."

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Additional reporting by John Kruzel in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham)
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade has ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed his so-called Liberation Day tariffs on April 2.

The court also struck down the tariffs Trump imposed on Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports with the stated aim of combatting fentanyl and drug trafficking from those countries.

In an unsigned opinion released Wednesday, the judges ruled the tariffs will be vacated, and they permanently enjoined the government from enforcing them.

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They granted the plaintiffs summary judgment, rather than a temporary injuction, because they found no genuine dispute as to any material fact. The judges said the ruling would be enforced nationwide because unlawful tariffs cannot be collected from anyone, anywhere.

The Department of Justice immediately appealed the ruling.

The bombshell decision, which eviscerates major planks of Trumps trade policy, came in response to a lawsuit in which the attorneys general of twelve states and a number of small American companies urged the court to strike down the import taxes on the grounds that Trump had exceeded his authority.

The attorney general of one of the 12 states that successfully blocked the tariffs, Kris Mayes of Arizona, took to X on Wednesday night to celebrate the news.

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Big news! The US Court of International Trade just struck down Trumps illegal tariff scheme as invalid under [the International Emergency Economic Powers Act], Mayes wrote. The president does not have the authority to implement tariffs unilaterally. Glad to have co-led this case with Oregon to protect Arizona families and small biz.

The court noted that Trumps tariffs exceed the authority Congress granted to presidents under his cited International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law which lays out how the executive can impose import taxes in limited circumstances pursuant to a national emergency.

The judges said Trumps Liberation Day tariffs, which set a 10 percent baseline tax on all imports and even higher taxes on imports from nearly every one of Americas trading partners, exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs.

They also rejected Trumps use of the emergency powers to tax Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports because those tariffs dont specifically deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared, as required by law.

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The court rejected the Trump administration's arguments that claimed the president had broad authority in the current situation to impose tariffs under his emergency powers.

An unlimited delegation of tariff authority would constitute an improper abdication of legislative power to another branch of government, the judges noted, noting that any interpretation of IEEPA that delegates unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional.

Attorneys for the government had argued that Trumps decision to declare a national emergency and invoke his emergency economic powers was not reviewable by the courts. The did concede, however, that Congress could, in theory, reverse the tariffs by terminating the national emergency with a new law.

The judges said that the IEEPA requires more than an emergency declaration alone.

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They cited the laws requirement for an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared and its prohibition on using that authority for any other purpose.

They also found that the use of tariffs did not appropriately deal with the drug trafficking problem cited by Trump in his declaration, and rejected the administrations argument that Trump could use the emergency tariff powers to vaguely pressure foreign governments.

The Governments pressure argument effectively concedes that the direct effect of the country-specific tariffs is simply to burden the countries they target ... [to] induce the target countries to crack down on trafficking within their jurisdictions, the ruling states.

However sound this might be as a diplomatic strategy, it does not comfortably meet the statutory definition of deal[ing] with the cited emergency. It is hard to conceive of any IEEPA power that could not be justified on the same ground of pressure, the judges concluded.

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A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, savaged the ruling in a statement in which he claimed that the court had not disputed the fact that foreign countries nonreciprocal treatment of the United States had  fueled Americas historic and persistent trade deficits which had in turn created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base.

Its not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness, he said.

The White House has had some success in convincing various circuit courts of appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily block adverse rulings while litigation continues in lower courts, but Trump lawyers may not have that same success with this court.

The U.S. Court of International Trade is a specialized court charged with hearing cases dealing with trade-related disputes and laws, and the courts decisions must first be appealed to another unique court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

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That court is another specialized court that has national jurisdiction, and it happens to be the only one of the nations appellate courts to which Trump has not appointed a single judge.

The courts national reach means the Trump administration wont be able to ask the Supreme Court to intervene based on a disagreement between circuit courts in different parts of the country. And the high court has often been loathe to intervene when asked to take up appeals of Federal Circuit decisions in the past.
Need ideas for your summer weekend trips? How about relaxing on some of the top beaches in the state.

USA TODAY's 10BEST released its winners for its "Readers Choice Awards," including its ranking of the best beaches in Florida.

The beaches were selected by a panel of travel experts and the final nominations were voted on by readers.

"From the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Coast, the Sunshine State boasts 825 miles of beaches, many of which are ranked among the best on the planet," 10BEST writes. "And an average of 230 days of sunshine a year make Florida's shoreline hard to resist for vacationers looking for sun, sand, and sea."

What is the top beach in Florida, according to readers?

Beach-goers relax on the sand on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Delray Beach, Fla.

Readers have officially declared it  Delray Beach is the best in the state. Housed in Palm Beach County, it is a popular tourist destination with boutique shops and restaurants.

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"Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Delray Beach, known as the 'Village by the Sea,' boasts a serene coastline with crystal-clear blue waters just steps from its vibrant downtown. With 2 miles of pristine sand and natural dunes, the beach was gifted to the city in the 1800s to ensure year-round public access," 10BEST writes.

It also notes Delray Beach is one of just two beaches in the U.S. to earn the prestigious Blue Flag award.

See top 10 best beaches in Florida, according to USA TODAY 10BEST

Delray Beach Clearwater Treasure Island Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Stuart Sanibel St. Pete Beach Siesta Key Destin St. Augustine

Florida is also home to the best beach bar in the U.S. Where is it?

Ocean Deck in Daytona Beach, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Just 218 miles North of Florida's best beach sits the best beach bar in the entire country  Daytona Beach's Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar.

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"This laid-back beachfront bar features daily live music, plus karaoke and DJs to keep you consistently entertained. Their 32-ounce tropical Bacardi buckets are renowned, there's a huge selection of draft and bottled beer, and the crab cakes, fish and chips, and other freshly caught seafood dinners are the perfect accompaniment to the gorgeous ocean views."

Along with the Ocean Deck, two other Florida spots made the top 10:

Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar - Daytona Beach, Florida Flora-Bama - Pensacola, Florida Tiki Hut at Beach House - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Reunion Kitchen + Drink - Santa Barbara, California Copper Bar's Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Waimea, Hawaii Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian - Honolulu, Hawaii Sloppy Joe's on the Beach - Treasure Island, Florida The Crow's Nest - Santa Cruz, California House Without A Key at Halekulani Hotel - Honolulu, Hawaii Edge of Waikiki - Honolulu, Hawaii

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida beaches: USA TODAY 10BEST readers declare this one the best
Report child sexual assault material to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A judges decision on the sentencing of a 22-year-old man convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor has stirred up discussion among lawmakers that resulted in a statement from the Utah State Courts.

Aidan Hoffman, 22, from Maine, was found guilty of two second-degree felony charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. He was initially charged with 10 first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.

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The 22-year-old was accused of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and distributing it while house-sitting for a relative in Moab. Officers found more than 300 images of CSAM on his devices, according to documents.

Man arrested after neighbor allegedly finds sexual videos of minor on his GoPro

Hoffman was sentenced to 1 to 15 years in prison for each charge, but that sentence was suspended for probation. He received 112 days in jail and 48 months of probation on May 20, 2025, by Seventh District Judge Don M. Torgerson.

There were also conditions ordered on his parole, such as no internet access without approval from the Department of Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P), maintaining a full-time job, and completing a cognitive-behavioral course, among other conditions.

Speaker Schultz and Utah GOP respond

On May 24, 2025, Mike Schultz-R, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, posted on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) about the sentencing of Hoffman. He even called for Judge Torgerson to resign.

This is deeply troubling and indicative of a broader pattern within the judiciary. Such decisions not only fail to deliver justice for victims  in this case, children  but also erode public confidence in the legal system. Judge Torgersons comments and decision are a failure of justice, and cannot be ignored. He must resign. He should not be able to continue sitting on the bench and serving the people of this great state. Speaker Mike Schultz on Instagram

Several days after Schultzs post, the Utah Republican Party also responded to the sentencing decision made on May 20.

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On May 27, 2025, the Utah GOP shared a screenshot of Schultzs post on X and added, Speaker Schultz is exactly right. Justice must protect children, and that requires holding those who harm them fully accountable. Judge Torgersons decision is a clear miscarriage of justice. He should resign.

Sex offender arrested for attempting to meet child in Lehi, documents say

Utah State Courts statement

In a statement by the Utah State Courts on May 28, they clarified that quotes from the sentencing omitted several relevant and important facts and were without context and should not be the sole basis for any conclusion.

The State expressly agreed in its written plea agreement that the Defendant would receive probation, rather than a prison sentence. Additionally, the sentence imposed by Judge Torgerson was squarely aligned with the 2025 Adult Sentencing, Release, & Supervision Guidelines promulgated by the Utah Sentencing Commission and unanimously approved by the Utah Legislature during the 2025 General Session. Adult Probation and Paroles probation recommendation was also aligned with the Adult Sentencing, Release, & Supervision Guidelines Part of the Utah State Courts statement on Hoffmans sentencing

A link to the full sentencing video was provided for the public. Those who are interested can watch Hoffmans sentencing in full on the Utah State Courts website.

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The Judiciary is committed to transparency and encourages anyone who has questions about the sentence to listen to the entire audio recording of the sentencing hearing, the Utah State Courts concluded in their statement.

Man arrested for allegedly using cryptocurrency to purchase child sex abuse material, first arrest of its kind in Utah

What was said during sentencing?

This section will contain quotes and a full explanation of everything that happened during the sentencing hearing. As aforementioned, those who are interested can view the full sentencing on the Utah State Courts website.

Two evidence files that were sent from Kik  the app where Hoffman distributed CSAM  to law enforcement were shown to Judge Torgerson at the request of the prosecution. This defense said they would leave it to the courts discretion and would not block the viewing of the files.

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Judge Torgerson reviewed the files and stated that they depicted obvious prepubescent children engaging in sexual activity. He asked the Grand County Attorney, Stephen J. Stocks, to give his sentencing recommendation.

This is where this whole case starts off, we look at the [pre-sentence investigation] and there is a substantial amount of images, a hundred images, and although the defendant didnt plead to all of those, that was what was found, Stocks stated.

Man charged with alleged sexual abuse of human trafficking victim in Duchesne County

Stocks told the judge that Hoffman downplayed his involvement in downloading and distributing the CSAM. Hoffman allegedly claimed to be ill and that his sickness led to his developing a CSAM addiction. According to Stocks, among the images were children from the ages of 3 to 15, and he described them as horrendous.

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The state requested prison, and Stocks stated that jail time would not be sufficient. He said that although Hoffman was seeking treatment now, his desire and intention created a demand for more CSAM to be made.

I think the light amount of jail doesnt really take into consideration the severity of this case. I think there are aggravating factors, such as the distribution. Now, I know hes engaged in treatment but this type of behavior and this type of charge demands, in the interest of justice for the children, that he be incarcerated in the Utah State Prison, Stocks concluded.

Tara Isaacson, the defense attorney for Hoffman, then provided her recommendation. She started by stating that Hoffman is only 22 years old, and was 20 when he committed the offense. Isaacson said that those who are under 21 when committing these types of offenses usually receive a lighter sentence due to their age.

Hoffman completed a psychosexual evaluation and has been involved in intense sex offender therapy while the case was being processed, according to Isaacson. She also stated that since his release, he has been engaged in the community, found a job, and entered an age-appropriate relationship, all things that she claims have prevented him from reoffending.

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Red Rock Canyon School faces lawsuit over employees alleged sexual misconduct

This is not a family, or a defendant, who has downplayed or minimized the seriousness of this. We recognize that these images are terrible, and that this pornography is terrible and these images are awful, but this is someone who has absolutely not attempted to minimize in every single category, he was in the low range, I rarely ever see that, Isaacson told the court.

Isaacson stated that Hoffman acknowledged what he did was wrong during therapy and did not try to minimize the crime that he had committed. She stated that Hoffman would not be receiving a light sentence as he was working hard to turn his life around after being jailed at age 20.

I think this is a situation where Aidan has demonstrated, over the last months hes been out, that he can follow the rules, he can comply, hes engaged and motivated in treatment and hes not given up. Instead, hes really kicked into overdrive to try to be productive and to contribute to society, Isaacson said.

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In AP&Ps review of the sentencing recommendation from the defense, Isaacson said they did not find the aggravating circumstances mentioned by the prosecution and recommended the jail sentence. She asked for an appropriate jail sentence for Hoffmans actions based on this recommendation.

McDonalds employee charged for alleged sexual relationship with 16-year-old coworker

Hoffman then addressed Judge Torgerson to share his statement before sentencing.

Since I was released, Ive been engaged in intensive treatment. In that treatment, Ive worked on being accountable for what Ive done, and also Ive learned about the abuse perpetuated through the viewing and sharing of child pornography and just how awful that abuse is, Hoffman stated.

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He shared that he felt guilty about the images and videos he viewed and regretted the impact it had on those child victims. Hoffman said that he was working hard to build a new life in Utah and completing therapy while complying with all restrictions of probation. He intends to start college in the fall if AP&P allows.

Im grateful, to some extent, that law enforcement intervened, because I needed help for something real. And its something thats not  its not something you can talk about with people, you cant bring it up to your parents, you cant find help normally in society, and unfortunately, I had to confront this problem in the worst way possible, Hoffman said.

Hoffman concluded by saying there was no justification for what he did, but he was committed to being better, and he was willing to do whatever the court sees fit.

Ive done defense work, Ive seen worse. Thats not to minimize at all, Mr. Hoffman, what has happened here. You didnt perpetrate those two videos that I saw what you did was pour all that gasoline on all those fires, because by viewing and sharing those images, you were stoking a problem that just seems to grow, Judge Torgerson stated.

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U.S. Army Sgt. charged with 30 felonies for alleged online sexual relationship with 15-year-old

Judge Torgerson stated that it was a large problem in Utah, and that hes seen it among young adults with access to social media and phones, and that hes also seen it in older adults who dont have that same access.

Mr. Stocks position on this, I think, is well-founded, to say that theres really zero tolerance from his perspective as the county attorney for this kind of behavior. The reality is a little different, and I think the [pre-sentence investigation] takes that into consideration in its recommendation, Judge Torgerson continued.

He clarified that the pre-sentence investigations recommendation is created through reviewing similar cases and comparing how those sentencings were handled.

I cant send everybody to prison who views child pornography. There arent enough prisons. There arent enough prisons for people who are severe, extreme viewers of child pornography, like you, he said. I think its like alcoholism, and you may not, but the compulsion to view child pornography, scientists will say, may or may not be an addiction.

Judge Torgerson stated that he didnt believe Hoffmans addiction began with CSAM, but rather adult pornography, and that Hoffman had escalated that addiction. He said that Hoffman was not yet a 75-year-old Mormon bishop who is perpetrating on children and grandchildren, and hopes that he will never become that.

Utah National Guardsman arrested on suspicion of child sex abuse

The judge told Hoffman that he was young, he had too much time on his hands, and that he had shown an improvement from who he was when he was 20. Judge Torgerson stated that this was going to be a lifelong process, and Hoffman needed to prevent this compulsion and addiction from returning.

Children get raped because of men like you, who encourage that kind of perpetrating, he stated. I truly do hope what your therapist says is true about you and the work that youve done.

Judge Torgerson followed AP&Ps recommendation and sentenced him to 1 to 15 years in prison, the standard sentence for that felony charge. He then suspended the sentences and placed Hoffman on probation, and gave him credit for time served in jail.

Does that mean Im going easy on you here? I dont know. I dont want you to engage in this kind of activity, obviously. You dont want to, I trust. Your parents dont want you to do that if you violate the terms of your probation, I wont hesitate to send you to prison, Judge Torgerson stated.

He concluded by reminding Hoffman that this was an opportunity to correct his behaviors and make a difference, but the right to that opportunity could be taken away. Judge Torgerson said he would not hesitate to give the maximum sentence if he saw Hoffman in his courtroom again.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The office of the Utah Attorney General at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

A Utah man has been arrested in what the attorney generals office says is the states first known case where cryptocurrency was used to purchase child sex abuse material.

Christopher Merritt, 39, was charged in Salt Lake Countys 3rd District Court last week with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, all felonies.

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The case was investigated by the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, stemming from a tip from the electronic trading platform Robinhood. According to Robinhood, cryptocurrency  specifically Bitcoin and Ethereum  had been transferred to a wallet linked to child sexual abuse material, commonly known as child pornography.

A wallet is how cryptocurrency investors store their keys, which are essentially passwords giving the owner access to their investments, and allowing them to send and receive cryptocurrency.

The attorney generals office said the transaction took place on the dark web, a corner of the internet that is not indexed by search engines, like Chrome or Safari, and can be accessed through specialized software. Though not illegal, the dark web is often associated with criminal activities, since its easier to remain anonymous.

An agent with the task force traced Merritts cryptocurrency transactions and found that his cryptocurrency wallet had sent funds to another wallet that the Internet Watch Foundation had associated with child pornography, according to court documents.

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According to a probable cause statement, Merritt sent $321 to sites associated with child pornography. When officers served a warrant on Merritts home, they searched his phone and found hundreds of videos and images of children being sexually assaulted, according to court documents. Officers also found a Tor browser on his phone and computer, which is used to access the dark web.

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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a controversial Utah oil railway expansion that was initially denied in 2023 by the District of Columbias U.S. Court of Appeals.

The decision was a unanimous 8-0, with Justice Neil Gorsuch recusing himself.

In 2021, the federal Surface Transportation Board, a federal agency that regulates rail transportation, approved the northeastern Utah expansion brought by seven Utah counties that would span along the Colorado River to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

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Environmentalists argued that the agency had not adequately considered the environmental impact that the 88-mile railway would create, and that it would have broad implications for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.

Following the Supreme Courts ruling, Wendy Park, a lawyer with the Center for Biological Diversity said it was a disastrous decision and to undermine our nations bedrock environmental law means our air and water will be more polluted, the climate and extinction crises will intensify and people will be less healthy, per The New York Times.

However, the federal agency conducted a more than 3,600-page environmental impact assessment to address any potential environmental effects.

In the Supreme Court ruling, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that the D.C. courts denial of construction was leveraging environmental impact statements mandated by a federal law from 1970 to ultimately control federal agencies.

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NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock. The goal of the law is to inform agency decisionmaking, not to paralyze it, the opinion said, noting that the railway would grow the economy and create jobs on a national scale in the isolated Utah basin.

When reviewing the D.C. Circuits decision, Kavanaugh added that it did not allow the Transportation Board substantial judicial deference required in NEPA cases and ordered the Board to address the environmental effects of projects separate in time or place from the construction and operation of the railroad line. But NEPA requires agencies to focus on the environmental effects of the project at issue.

Citizens may not enlist the federal courts, under the guise of judicial review of agency compliance with NEPA, to delay or block agency projects based on the environmental effects of other projects separate from the project at hand, the opinion concluded, ultimately rejecting the lower courts ruling."

Utah lawmakers reaction: A victory for Utah

In response to the Supreme Courts decision, Utah lawmakers welcomed the decision, including Sen. John Curtis, whose platform generally spans environmental issues.

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The Supreme Courts unanimous ruling poses a firm and a clear message: NEPA is a procedural cross-check, not a substantive roadblock. For too long, litigious groups have weaponized environmental reviews to stall critical projectsoil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, and more," Curtis posted on social media.

If were serious about unleashing American energy, we need to give the sector what it needs most: predictable rules and freedom from arbitrary delays.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox responded to Curtis post that shared a news story by The Associated Press, finding humor in its headline.

The Court didnt scale back a key environmental law, the court unanimously stopped an insane idea that doesnt exist anywhere in the law, he wrote. Extreme leftist groups have been destroying our ability to do anything in this country and weaponizing what was once simple and straight-forward. The court just read and applied the actual law here.

These headlines are hilarious. The Court didnt scale back a key environmental law, the court unanimously stopped an insane idea that doesnt exist anywhere in the law. Extreme leftist groups have been destroying our ability to do anything in this country and weaponizing what https://t.co/oODjPLRQFq  Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) May 29, 2025

Rep. Mike Kennedy, who serves Utahs 3rd Congressional District, said the Supreme Court ruling was a significant advancement to the countrys energy production and a boost to rural economies.

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Prior to this ruling, NEPA was used by agencies and interest groups to delay or block projects, hindering growth in rural communities. By affirming the projects approval, the Court has empowered local and state governments to pursue development opportunities that directly benefit Utah residents, he said on X.

The Supreme Courts unanimous decision to uphold the approval of the Uinta Basin Railway represents a significant advancement for Americas energy infrastructure and a vital boost to rural economic development in Utah. Prior to this ruling, NEPA was used by agencies and interest  Rep. Mike Kennedy, M.D. (@RepMikeKennedy) May 29, 2025

Utah Sen. Mike Lee shared similar sentiments, touting the ruling as a victory for Utah and American energy dominance!
HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A boil water notice has been issued for the Town of Utica.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the notice affects all connections on the drinking water system and was issued due to a well malfunction.

JXN Water aims for self-sufficiency

Health officials recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. The water system will be notified when tests show that the water is safe to drink.

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Neighbors will be notified when the notice has been lifted.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
(Anayansi Prado)

Three years ago, an armed young man entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and killed 19 students and two teachers. Hundreds of law enforcement officials reportedly stood around the school campus for more than an hour without approaching the shooter.

In the midst of the inaction, one mom  Angeli Rose Gomez  pleaded with officers to take action or let her go in to get her two children and nephew. She was apprehended and handcuffed, but ultimately talked her way out of arrest before she sprinted inside the school to grab the kids.

Videos on social media captured the moments that Gomez brought her sons and nephew out of the school. The Texas field worker and mother of two was quickly dubbed a hero in national and local publications for her courage.

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The new documentary film "Uvalde Mom" follows Gomez after becoming nationally recognized  while examining the forces at play in the Uvalde community which allowed for the shooting to take place, as well as the aftermath of such a tragedy.

"All I wanted that day was my kids to come out of the school alive, and that's what I got," Gomez says in one pivotal moment in the film. "I don't want to be called a hero. I don't want to be looked at as the hero because the only job that I did that day was being a mom."

Read more: Abcarian: The pathetic lessons of the Uvalde school shooting in Texas

The feature's director Anayansi Prado was "moved" and "horrified" by what had happened and felt motivated to make a film about the event after seeing members of the affected families on TV.

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"I saw that there were Latinos, they were Mexican American, that it was a border town, that it was an agricultural farming town, and that really resonated with me and with communities I've done film work with before," Prado told The Times.

Prado began reaching out to people in Uvalde shortly after the shooting, but didn't hear back from anyone for over two months due to the inundation of media requests everyone in the city was receiving. The only person to reply to her was Gomez.

Ahead of the film's screening Saturday at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Prado spoke with The Times about the process and the challenges of making her documentary.

This interview has been edited and shortened for clarity.

Was the idea always for this project to be a feature-length film? Or were there talks of making it a short or a series?

I've always thought about it as a feature because I really wanted to dive in and understand Uvalde as a character. I wanted to understand the history of the criminal justice system, the educational system. I knew I wanted to make something that was going to be of a longer form rather than just a piece that was about Angeli or something. And a few people told me this would make a great short, but as I uncovered more about Uvalde, I was like, "No, Uvalde itself has its own history, just like a person."

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Read more: Families of Uvalde school shooting victims are suing Texas state police over botched response

When it came to choosing Angeli, was she the first and only person who responded to your outreach?

I think the people in town were oversaturated with media coverage, and Angeli was the one that got back to me. What was really interesting is that I learned on that first trip [to Uvalde] about her backstory and I learned about how the criminal justice system had failed her. I saw a parallel there of how the system failed the community the day of the shooting and how it was failing this woman also individually. I wanted to play with those two stories, the macro and the personal. Once I learned who she was, beyond the mom who ran into the school, I was like, "I have to tell this woman's story."

How did you go about balancing her personal stuff and the failures that happened on a larger scale?

So much of the way the film is structured is reflective of my own experience as a filmmaker. It was a sort of surreal world, these two worlds were going on: what was happening to Angeli and then what was going on outside with the lack of accountability and the cover-up. So that informed the way that I wanted to structure the film.

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In terms of the personal, it was a journey to gain Angeli's trust. At some point at the beginning, she wasn't sure she wanted to participate in the film, and so I told her, "You don't owe me anything. I'm a stranger, but all I ask is that you give me a chance to earn your trust." And she was like, "OK." From there on, she opened up and, pretty quickly, we became close and she trusted me. I was very cognizant [of] her legal past and even the way she's perceived by some folks. I also didn't want Angeli to come off as a victim and people to feel sorry for her, but I still wanted to tell her story in a way where you get mad at the system for failing her.

What kind of struggles did you have trying to get in communication with some of the officials of the city?

We used a lot of news [archives] to represent that part of the story. The [authorities] weren't giving any interviews, they were just holding press conferences. So access was limited, but also the majority of the time that we were filming, we were very low-key about the production  because Angeli was on probation and there was retaliation for her speaking to the media. We tried to keep it under wraps that we were filming, so not a lot of people knew about it [besides] her family. Obviously other folks in town [were] part of the film, like her friend Tina and family members. Outside of that, it was too risky to let other people in town know what was going on.

Read more: Justice Department report finds 'cascading failures,' 'no urgency' in Uvalde shooting response

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Ultimately I wanted to make ["Uvalde Mome"] a personal portrait. I was just very selective on the people that we absolutely needed to interview. I'm happy with Tina, who's an activist in town, and Arnie, a survivor of the shooting and a school teacher, [plus] Angeli's legal team. I felt like those were people we needed to tell a fuller story. But we just couldn't be out in the open making a film about her and let people know.

What kind of reception have you gotten from people of Uvalde that have seen the film?

We had our premiere at South by Southwest, which was great. A lot of folks came from Uvalde and spoke about how, almost three years later, a lot of this stuff is still going on. Every time Gov. Greg Abbott came on-screen, people would scream, "Loser!" It was really moving to have those screenings.

As was expected from the folks who are not fans of Angeli, there was some backlash. It's the same narrative you see in the film of, "She's a criminal, don't believe her." It's a town that is an open wound. I just try to have compassion for people. Ultimately, Angeli's story is the story of one person in Uvalde of many that need to continue to be told. And I hope that other filmmakers, journalists and other storytellers continue to tell the story there, especially with the lack of closure and accountability. I'm happy that the film is putting Uvalde back into the headlines in some way; that way we don't forget about it.

Had you ever spent an extended amount of time in Texas before?

I had been to Texas, but I hadn't done a project in Texas. Because I'm an outsider, it was very important for me to hire a 100% local Texas crew for this film. My crew was entirely Texas-based, from our PAs to our sound to our DPs. I also wanted to have a majority Texas-born Mexican American crew so that they could guide me. We began production in September of 2022 and the atmosphere was very tense.

This is a story that is deeply rooted in the Latino community and the tension about the law enforcement in Uvalde. What was it like dealing with that tension and how did you personally feel that when you went into the town?

When I got to Uvalde, I saw that the majority of the Latino community had been there for several generations. You would think a town with that kind of Mexican American history, and them being the majority, that they'd be pretty cemented and represented, right? It was really eye-opening to see [how] these folks are still considered second-class citizens. A lot of them are being repressed. And then you have folks that get in positions of power, but they're whitewashed in line with the white conservative agenda. So even those that are able to get into positions of power don't lean towards the community. They turn their back on it.

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I heard from folks that the history of neglect was what led to the response that day at Robb Elementary. And they're like, "Yeah, that's what happens on that side of town. You call the cops, they don't come. Our schools are run-down." You really see the disparity. This was a Mexican American community that had been there for a long time. It's fascinating how the conservative white community, even if they're the smaller part of the population, they can still hold the power.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

A University of Washington (UW) Tacoma director has been charged with several crimes regarding alleged domestic abuse.

Kurt Dayan Hatch, 55, allegedly threatened to kill his girlfriend and drove under the influence, The News Tribune reported Thursday.

Hatch is the faculty director of the Educational Administration Program and Professor of Practice, as stated on the UW Tacomas website.

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He was charged with two counts of a protection-order violation, felony harassment, fourth-degree assault, and DUI, according to the media outlet, citing court records.

UW Tacoma professor arrested after girlfriend called 911

Hatch was arrested on May 12 in Suncadia. Deputies were sent to the Prospector Inn after a woman called 911, yelling, Quit hurting me, The Tacoma News Tribune stated. When deputies arrived, the woman told them everything was fine and she was looking for her dog, however, Cle Elum officers learned the woman had a protection order against Hatch.

Hatch, according to the media outlet, is also accused of assaulting his girlfriend in November 2024, allegedly throwing her phone out a window when she tried to call 911.

The Tacoma News Tribune stated Hatch was booked into the Kittitas County Jail. He was arraigned and released on $50,000 bail.

UW Tacoma sent the media outlet a statement, linking mental health services and information for the Title IX coordinators office, along with the Washington Employee Assistance Programs website and SafeCampus.
A faculty director from the University of Washington Tacoma is facing a number of criminal charges for allegedly threatening to kill his girlfriend and driving under the influence in Kittitas County.

Kurt Dayan Hatch, 55, has been charged by Kittitas County prosecutors with two counts of a protection-order violation, felony harassment, fourth-degree assault and driving under the influence, court records show.

He was arrested at the lodge in Suncadia on May 12.

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Hatch is the faculty director of the Educational Administration Program and a professor of practice at the university, according to the schools website where his employee profile is shown.

He has been in the education field for 22 years. Hatch previously served as principal at Mountain View Elementary in the North Thurston School District and a principal in University Place, according to the Association of Washington School Principals podcast website.

The University of Washington Tacoma has been informed of an employees arrest. We take such matters with the utmost seriousness, and the University is currently responding, according to a university communications representative email to The News Tribune.

Efforts to reach Hatch and the attorney listed as representing him in the criminal case were not immediately successful.

Details of Tacoma professors arrest

Kittitas County deputies were dispatched at about 11:38 p.m. to the area of the Prospector Inn in the Suncadia complex after a woman called 911 yelling, Quit hurting me, while crying. A mans voice was also heard in the background, according to a Kittitas County Sheriffs Office report.

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At the hotel, deputies tried to contact the phone number used to call 911, but the woman said she was looking for her dog and everything was OK, the report said.

Cle Elum police officers later found the womans car parked at the entrance of the lodge, the report said. They also learned she had a protection order against Hatch. Hatch was accused of physically assaulting his girlfriend in November 2024. She had injuries on her body, and he allegedly threw her phone out a bedroom window when she attempted to call 911, according to a probable cause document from Tacoma Municipal Court.

In Kittitas County, officers noted Hatch might have violated the protection order and found him, along with the woman, in her car, documents show. Hatch was in the drivers seat and acknowledged his name when asked. Hatch allegedly said the protection order was not in place. A deputy later noted the restraining order expires in 2029.

Deputies believed Hatch was intoxicated as he had bloodshot, watery eyes, had slow responses and there was a strong order of intoxicants on him, the report said. Hatch submitted to a breathalyzer test and his result came back with .09 and .084 blood-alcohol content result, documents show. The legal limit in Washington is .08.

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The woman had a small cut on her chin, and at first said she was fine, when asked about it. She later told deputies Hatch hit her a few times, documents show. He would allegedly start backhanding her to the face as he was driving.

The woman said she called 911 that day after Hatch allegedly hit her and said he was going to kill them both by crashing the vehicle while driving in Suncadia, the report said. The woman said she felt her life was in danger and told herself she would jump out of the car if she had the opportunity. At one point, she opened the car door but did not jump, documents show.

She said Hatch saw the emergency lights from arriving police officers and allegedly drove to the lodge to get away, the report said.

Deputies booked Hatch to the Kittitas County Jail the next day. He has since been arraigned and released on a $50,000 bail.

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The university spokesperson encourages any members of the community in need of support to reach out.

Students can access confidential support through UW Tacomas Psychological & Wellness Services and the UW Office of the Title IX Coordinator. Faculty and staff can receive assistance through the Washington Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP). Anyone can contact SafeCampus to anonymously discuss concerns about safety and well-being, either for themselves or someone else, the representative said.
Uzo Aduba, Julianna Margulies, Jerry OConnell were among the over 400 Hollywood professionals who signed a letter calling for the end of anti-Israel, extremist rhetoric and the spread of misinformation following the Capital Jewish Museum shooting in Washington, D.C.

The letter in part denounced well-meaning celebrities and public figures who its signatories believed have been manipulated by misinformation and pro-Palestine rhetoric.

Hamas, Iran and their allies and ideological sympathizers in the West have flooded the world with their hateful lies and antisemitic incitement since Oct. 7  lies designed to demonize Israel, the Jewish people and their supporters, the letter, which was released by nonprofit Creative Community for Peace on Wednesday, reads. Some well-meaning celebrities and public figures have been manipulated by this constant stream of misinformation, which they have also helped to amplify.

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The letter came in response to the fatal May 21 shooting in D.C., which led to the deaths of two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgram. Authorities arrested a 31-year-old suspect named Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago resident who confessed to the shooting. Rodriguez has since been charged with first-degree murder and murder of foreign officials.

I did it for Gaza, Rodriguez said at the time of arrest, according an FBI agents affidavit.

Other figures  including Mayim Bialik, Sharon Osbourne, Patricia Heaton, Sherry Lansing, Haim Saban, Rebecca De Mornay, Ben Silverman and Debra Messing  also signed the Creative Community for Peace letter.

Bialik said in a statement through the organizations release of the letter that the spreading and circulation of misinformation about the Jewish community is a case of history repeating itself.

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Peddling lies about Jews has deadly consequences. For the past two years, public figures and influencers with millions of followers have consistently promoted fallacious and menacing anti-Israel propaganda masquerading as advocacy, Bialik said. This stream of lies against the Jewish people and the Jewish ancestral homeland has now  unsurprisingly to anyone watching closely  turned deadly in the United States. This moment requires public figures to use their platforms responsibly. We implore these individuals to lend their voices to those of moral clarity, peace and tolerance, instead of division, distortion and delegitimization.

In a joint statement, CCFP co-founder and chairman David Renzer and executive director Ari Ingel called the sharing of false and antisemitic information a toxic mix of distortion, bigotry and incitement.

For the past 600 days, the anti-Israel movement has espoused an unrelenting stream of extremist rhetoric to demonize Israel and anyone who supports the country  its a toxic mix of distortion, bigotry and incitement, they said. Given the power of social media, its incumbent on entertainers and public figures, with their ability to influence millions around the world, to use their platforms responsibly. Without a course correction, we will only see more hate, more violence, and more innocent people targeted simply for being Jewish.

At the end of the letter, the Creative Community for Peace signees called on their Hollywood peers to push back against extremist rhetoric.

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We call on all our colleagues to reject this extremist rhetoric and the spread of misinformation so that we can all work toward a future in which all Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and dignity, the CCFP letter reads.

Read the letter in full here.





The post Uzo Aduba, Julianna Margulies, Jerry OConnell Slam Well-Meaning Celebrities Manipulated by Pro-Palestine Rhetoric in Open Letter appeared first on TheWrap.
BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday morning in Clay County.

The fire happened around 8:30 a.m. at a house located on North Harrison Street in Brazil. The Brazil Fire Departments Fire Chief Jake Bennett said the house was vacant. He added that no one was at the house and there were no injuries.

The cause remains under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
For the second year in a row, California is on track to have a record-breaking number of valley fever cases, which public health officials say are driven by longer, drier summers.

There have been more than 4,000 cases of valley fever reported statewide from January to April, an increase of more than 3,000 cases compared with the same period in 2024 and 2,000 more cases than in 2023, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Last year's recording-breaking number of cases reached a total of 12,605; in 2023 there were more than 9,000 cases.

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Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a lung infection that people get when they breathe in spores of the fungus coccidioides, which lives in dry soil, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Spores of the fungus that grow in the dry soil are released into the air when the soil is disturbed by wind, construction and other activities.

The fungus is found in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest United States, parts of Mexico, Central America and South America.

Last year in Kern County, the music festival Lightning in a Bottle became a hot spot for the disease; 19 people reported contracting valley fever, with several people experiencing severe symptoms, including pneumonia-like conditions, rashes, headaches and exhaustion.

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Valley fever cases commonly increase statewide in late summer and decline in the winter, but state public health officials say valley fever transmission is starting earlier and lasting longer.

Read more: Pasadena resident tests positive for whooping cough after visiting children's museum

UC Berkeley researchers say climate change is expected to lead to drier spring and fall seasons and heavier winter rains. The prolonged dry seasons can extend the periods of high-risk exposure to valley fever.

Valley fever is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms (cough, fever and chest pains) are similar to those of other infectious diseases, which can make it difficult for health officials to accurately report the number of cases.

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The number of valley fever cases so far this year is trending toward a new record, but public health officials say it's still too early in the year to determine whether this will be a record breaker.

Here are some precautions to help locals, hikers and tourists in counties with high numbers of reported valley fever cases to avoid the disease this summer.

How to avoid contracting valley fever

Public health officials in Fresno County, which includes a section of the John Muir Trail, share the following cautionary tips for hikers:



Stay on well-maintained trails and avoid activities that kick up dust such as digging or biking off path.

Consider wearing a properly fitted N95 mask when hiking in dusty or dry conditions.

Avoid hiking during windy days or right after a disturbance that may increase dust in the air.

Clean any skin wounds well with soap and water, especially if they have been exposed to soil or dust.

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For anyone who lives, works or travels in an area where valley fever fungus grows, the CDC recommends:



Stay indoors when it's windy outside and the air is dusty.

On windy days, keep windows and doors closed to prevent dust and possible spores from entering the home.

When driving through a dusty area, keep car windows closed and use recirculating air, if possible.

Before digging, wet down soil and dirt to prevent stirring up dust into the air.

Consider wearing a properly fitted N95 mask if you must be in dusty air outdoors in these areas.

Read more: Deadly, drug-resistant fungus CDC calls 'urgent threat' is spreading in hospitals

Who is at risk of contracting valley fever

Those who spend a lot of time outdoors and are exposed to dirt and dust in areas where valley fever is common are more likely to contract the disease, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. That includes construction workers, farmers, military workers and archaeologists.

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People who live and work near dry and dusty areas are also at risk of being exposed to valley fever.

People who have an increased risk of contracting the disease include:



Adults 60 years and older.

Those who have diabetes or health conditions that weaken the immune system, which include cancer, HIV, autoimmune illnesses, those with an organ transplant or people who are receiving chemotherapy or steroids.

Pregnant women, especially those in the later stages of pregnancy.

Children who are 5 years old or younger.

People who are Black, Latino, Native American or of Filipino descent, although experts say they don't have a clear answer for why these groups are more susceptible.

What are the symptoms of valley fever?

The fungus infects the lungs and can cause respiratory symptoms that include:



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Cough

Fever

Chest pain

Fatigue

Difficulty breathing

Muscle or joint pain

Night sweats

Weight loss

Rash

Valley fever has many of the same symptoms as other respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, but it takes about one to three weeks for valley fever symptoms to develop, and the illness can last a month or more.

Read more: SoCal officials unleash sterile mosquitoes in bid to curb disease  with promising results

Some people with valley fever may experience only mild symptoms that get better in a few weeks and don't need treatment, according to Los Angeles County public health officials.

However, others could have symptoms that last a month or longer and may need treatment.

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In rare severe cases, the disease can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body.

The disease is usually diagnosed with a blood test.

If you test negative for COVID-19 and have respiratory symptoms that last more than a week, and live in or have recently traveled to an area where valley fever is more common, public health officials suggest you talk to a doctor.

Because valley fever affects each person differently, treatment will be determined based on the severity of the disease. The disease is often treated with antifungal medications.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Editor's note: This column has been modified for clarity.)

The U.S. Department of Education is recalling millions of promised federal dollars from 18 Ohio school districts, including $5.6 million from Middletown City Schools. I wonder if Vice President J.D. Vance will step up and save the day for his hometown school district, considering that 62% of Middletown voters cast their ballots for him and Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

It remains to be seen if Vance is as committed to Middletown. As a Middletown native, count me among the skeptics.

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Unlike so many of my Middletown brethren, I never fully bought into Vance. I didn't like the way he portrayed Middletown in his best-selling book "Hillbilly Elegy," and many other proud residents didn't either.

More: JD Vance's Middletown: What really went wrong

I saw Vance using Middletown's sense of community pride to further his goals. That's the thing about my hometown; the people there are very proud of their own. Middletonians who achieve great success are celebrated, revered, and, most of all, strongly supported and promoted.

Vice presidential candidate JD Vance speaks at his rally inside Middletown High School, Monday, July 22, 2024. The Ohio senator is the running mate of former President Donald Trump.

So, I wasn't surprised when Middletown went all out backing the Trump-Vance ticket. I won't say politics wasn't the main decider, but Middie pride was a big factor in how people there voted, too. Heck, the city put up road signs honoring Vance just a couple of weeks after he was sworn in as vice president. Middletonians stand up for each other that way.

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More: JD Vance blames local deputy's death on leaders who make police officers 'to be enemies'

A new sign is unveiled in honor of Vice President JD Vance, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, outside of Bern's Garden Center in Middletown.

Now, Vance has the chance to do the same  a chance to show that I'm wrong about him. At least on this one thing. Deliver for all those Middletonians who believed in you enough to give you their votes. Who believed that you could help fix the town's "bad rap." Who believed that not only could you and Trump "Make America Great Again," but that, together, you might also help bring about the resurgence of a once All-American City.

Make sure Middletown schools  the district you attended  get to keep that $5.6 million, Mr. Vice President. Pull whatever levers you need to; talk to Trump directly if you have to. Selecting Middletown High Schools marching band to perform at the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. was nice for those students, but securing nearly $6 million for a new transportation center would benefit Middletown students districtwide. The community is counting on that money, and it is counting on you.

You've certainly profited from our hometown. Now it's time to return the favor.

Kevin Aldridge, opinion editor for The Enquirer. Photo shot Thursday June 16, 2022.

Opinion and Engagement Editor Kevin S. Aldridge can be reached at kaldridge@enquirer.com. On X: @kevaldrid.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Middletown's loyalty to Vance meets federal abandonment | Opinion
The Varsity Cinema in Des Moines' Drake University neighborhood is run by Des Moines Film, a nonprofit organization. (Photo by Tom Foley/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Earlier this month, hundreds of art groups across the United States were informed they were about to lose a source of their funding: federal grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The change was in response to a letter from the White House outlining President Donald Trumps recommendations for funding levels in the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year. Among the changes outlined was a recommendation for the elimination of all funding for the NEA.

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The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nations rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the president, an email to grant recipients stated.

Iowa is home to several arts organizations, including dedicated non-profit movie theaters such as The Varsity Cinema in Des Moines and the FilmScene in Iowa City. Both of these organizations have been informed their NEA funding will be terminated for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

To have something like this was really kind of an ongoing support at a substantial level, you know? Theres just not an obvious replacement for that, said Ben Godar, executive director of Des Moines Film, the nonprofit that operates The Varsity Cinema in the Drake University neighborhood.

Godar believes the presence of a nonprofit theater has greatly impacted the local community through community partnership screenings and the accessibility it provides to its audience. Godar says he is proud the Varsity regularly makes accessible screenings, such as open-caption movies every Monday or sensory-friendly screenings.

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The community partnership screenings are one of the biggest areas of impact to the local community, he added. The screenings combine the Varsitys mission to promote film arts with local non-profits to combine their missions in an event that speaks to both organizations audiences. These screenings act as a way to connect local groups with the local film community in a collaborative and organic way, he said.

These are films that are presented to better understand the world we live in, to give us a window into a world outside our own.

 Andrew Sherburne, executive director of FilmScene

According to Godar, without the federal grants the programs may need to be cut back, but the Varsity will not be closing its doors.

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The money from NEA grants accounts for a relatively small amount of total revenue  around 2%, or $20,000. While this loss is certainly a concern, Godar says it is not a catastrophic amount. The larger challenge for arts organizations, he said, is that there are relatively few grant programs that nonprofits can consistently rely on for funding, year after year.

Grant changes align with the presidents priorities

FilmScene, founded in 2011, is another nonprofit film organization in Iowa. They were established to address a missing piece of Iowa Citys cultural community, as there was then no downtown movie theater or full-time, art house, independent cinema.

These are films that are presented to better understand the world we live in, to give us a window into a world outside our own, said Andrew Sherburne, executive director of FilmScene. All of that, I think, is to serve the curiosity that so many of our patrons have to better understand their world.

FilmScene now serves around 80,000 people per year, in part through FilmScene at the Chauncey, a three-screen venue in downtown Iowa City, along College and Gilbert streets, and FilmScene on the Ped Mall, located in the restored 1850s Provisions and Packing Building in downtown Iowa City.

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The NEA has said it intends to prioritize projects that elevate the Nations HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian-American communities.

Sherburne stated the new NEA priorities reflect some other priorities of the administration, but they really dont have anything to do with the arts. Godar also commented on these seemingly random priorities saying its frustrating that funding was terminated not through a change in overall public opinion but because of the presidents priorities.

FilmScene currently has no plans to change its programming. Several programs that FilmScene committed were to be funded by the NEA but FilmScene now plans to find other ways to support the programs and continue as planned. Sherburne says continued funding challenges may impact programming in the years to come, but the community response has left him hopeful for the organizations future.

Just keep showing up, that is the most important way that folks can support whatever cultural institution they care about most, he said.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  Residents upset about a plot of land on York Lane in the Bay Colony neighborhood in Virginia Beach had their day in court Wednesday, with a judge issuing a temporary restraining order against any tree removal on the property until Aug. 1.

Virginia Beach neighbors speak out against building permit

10 On Your Sides Andy Fox first learned about the story as a Bay Colony resident, noticing the protest signs against the purchase of a piece of property at 1212 York Lane. Residents have said they are not happy with a decision by the city to allow a home to be built on whats described as a non-conforming lot. They want someone to be held accountable.

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Thats why they were in Virginia Beach Circuit Court Wednesday, upset that trees are being destroyed on the property to make way for a house to be built on a lot they say is too small for one to be built.

Virginia Beach land dispute on how non-conforming lot handled, stop work order possible on property

Judge Kevin Duffan came to the rescue, hearing the case after another court got backed up, and then there was a fire alarm Wednesday that emptied the courthouse.

Duffan was able to hear the case, and ruled in favor of the temporary restraining order against any tree removal. The move was seen as a calming down period to iron out some lingering issues, and Duffan made it clear he thought destroying trees before the issues were worked out was not a prudent course of action.

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The judge also supported fast-tracking a two-day trial on the issue, with both sides agreeing to a date sometime in July.

Dawn Kohan lives in the house next to the property in question. Her attorney, Kevin Martingayle, said there were three issues to support the restraining order:

A boundary line change on the property

Deciding whether this property is a corner lot and could impact setbacks for a new development

Adverse possession

It came out in court that Kohan has been in her house since February 2022, and two other previous owners took care of the property since 1993.

Her attorney Kevin Martingayle told us outside court,

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Its obviously very important, Martingayle said. Its not typical to adversely possess somebody elses property according to the way land records read, but if you occupy it, you maintain it, you improve it, and you do these things continuously over 15 years or more, then you can adversely possess property.

10 On Your Side also interviewed the current property owner Josh Kinas, who paid $295,000 for the property, and will receive some court established bond benefits to help him during the period of time before the trial takes place sometime in July.

Im just going to trust in the process, Kinas said outside court. I think the truth will prevail. Youll hear about it in July.

It also came out in court that Kinas employer, builder Bishard Homes, would fast track the building of the house to have it complete in about two months time.

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I feel relieved that we can receive some justice in a couple of months, Kohan said, and I know that my team will work as hard as anyone to make sure that happens.

When asked what she would like to say to Kinas, she said I just wish that he had come to the house and talk it over or give a heads up as to what was going on.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
A vehicle crashed into the front of the Starbucks in South Abington Twp. on Wednesday afternoon, damaging the front of the coffee shop.

Virginia Robbins, 75, of Jamesville, N.Y. was parking a 2025 Honda CRV hybrid in front of the building on Northern Boulevard just after 1:30 p.m., Police Chief Paul Wolfe said. When she went to hit the brake, her foot accidentally hit the accelerator, causing the vehicle to hit the glass windows, he continued.

Neither Robbins, the passenger in her vehicle, Robert Van Glick, 76, or any of the customers or employees in the store were injured, Wolfe said. However, he said the shop sustained a decent amount of damage and was closed.

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The smashed glass doors of the Starbucks on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Twp. Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Police said a driver accidentally hit the accelerator in her vehicle, causing it to crash into the buildings front doors. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)

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Caution tape surrounds the smashed doors of the Starbucks on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Twp. Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)

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Caution tape surrounds the smashed doors of the Starbucks on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Twp. Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)

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The smashed glass doors of the Starbucks on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Twp. Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Police said a driver accidentally hit the accelerator in her vehicle, causing it to crash into the buildings front doors. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)

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Yellow caution tape surrounded the damaged building late Wednesday afternoon. Multiple motorists pulled into the stores parking lot and pulled away.

The two people told police they were travelling from Syracuse, N.Y., to New York City and stopped at the store before heading on the next leg of their trip.

Wolfe said Robbins was able to drive the vehicle away after the crash.

Township police are investigating the crash, he said.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced on Thursday that Vermilion Advantage was awarded a grant for economic recovery and resiliency planning throughout the county.

Vermilion Advantage and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Pritzker in the announcement that the nonprofit would be receiving $80,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administrations Local Technical Assistance program.

UPS updates and tackling local obstacles | Meet the Mayor

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The nonprofit organization combines the functions of a chamber of commerce with an economic development agency with the goal of creating and sustaining an environment for successful business and economic growth in Danville, and throughout the rest of Vermilion County.

Additionally, state assistance was able to strengthen the grant application to support private capital investment and create jobs in Danville specifically.

Illinois is committed to investing in projects that leverage that strengthen economic development opportunities while creating jobs, Pritzker said. Thanks to organizations like Vermilion Advantage, and support from the Federal Grant Support Program, businesses in Vermilion County will benefit for years to come from the recruitment plan created through this initiative.

Vermilion Advantage also applied for a received a $10,000 investment from DCEO through the Federal Grant Support Program and contributed $10,000 of local funding support to the project in order to make their federal application more competitive.

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They have to go somewhere; Danville officials trying to regulate public camping, mitigate homelessness

The $100,000 planning project aims to help with the development of a strategy for economic recovery and resilience to target Vermilion Countys business recruitment and retention efforts, including workforce development throughout Danville.

Vermilion Advantage is excited about our partnership with TPMA on the East Voorhees Redevelopment Study, said Mike Marron, President, Vermilion Advantage. This is a critical first step in building a solid plan for the revitalization of East Danville. We start from this point by creating our new economy of the future.

The strategy of the planning project will include the following:

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Assessment of current economic conditions

Industry analysis

Workforce skills assessment

Strategy for targeted outreach

Recommendations for industrial site development

The project will also involve data and other analysis for the entire county, and specific attention will be focused on Danvilles E Vorhees Street corridor. This area is being described as a prime location for future industrial development to bring in new economic opportunities and jobs to the county.

Bresee Babes watch beloved tower fall

Once finished, the project will be part of the roadmap towards future economic sustainability and economic resiliency in the E Vorhees Street corridor area, and throughout the rest of the region.

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DCEOs Federal Grant Support Program continues to give Illinoisans a competitive advantage to secure federal funding that will support Illinois communities, said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. The State of Illinois is investing in Vermilion Advantages plans to create new jobs and economic opportunity for families in Vermilion County.

The Local Technical Assistance program was created to help fill the knowledge and information gaps that could prevent leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors in distressed areas from making the most favorable decisions on local economic development problems.

As a strong partner in Vermilion Advantages work to strengthen the local economy, Im proud to see this important organization receive critical grant funding, said Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). The community in Vermilion County will greatly benefit from Vermilion Advantages plans to support the business environment by boosting economic recovery and resilience.

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ROYALTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  The Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS), which was ranked 4th in U.S. News and World Report this year for its environmental law program, announced Thursday that it had received a $10 million donation to support work over the next three years.

The donor was anonymous, but the university was able to say that the gift came from an international foundation dedicated to solving environmental challenges.

Linsenmeir family receives final settlement years after Vermonters death

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The donation will go towards supporting the schools knowledge of animal protection policy as well as agriculture and food systems. It will also help with advancing a new project in aquaculture, or seafood farming.

Professor Delcianna Winders at the universitys Animal Law and Policy Institute calls the gift an incredible vote of confidence in the VLGS Animal Law and Policy Institutes pathbreaking work to train tomorrows animal advocacy leaders.

$22M available for NY municipalities to fight climate change

VLGS had 690 students enrolled in 2023 in its masters and doctorate programs, including Food and Agricultural Law and Policy, Restorative Justice, and Climate and Environmental Policy. It began classes in an old schoolhouse in South Royalton in the summer of 1973 and gained certification from the American Bar Association five years later.

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The View hosts lambasted Donald Trump Wednesday for pardoning tax cheats and frauds.

The President this week signed full pardons for former reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who have been in prison since they were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022. He additionally signed a full and unconditional pardon for tax cheat Paul Walczak.

Addressing the eyebrow-raising pardons on Wednesdays episode of the ABC talk show, co-host Whoopi Goldberg questioned whether people are going to have a problem with the news or if theyre already numb to this.

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Well, according to this administration, if you are a reality star with a lot of money, and a tax cheat, and you commit fraud, then thats good. Were gonna give you a pardon, co-host Joy Behar said. But poor people on Medicaid or food stamps, according to this administration, those are the real moochers in the country, and that they have to be taken off of healthcare or food stamps.

People in America need to understand whats going on. Thats whats going on, Behar added. Somebody like this guy, Chrisley, whatever his name is. I never saw the show; Ive only seen clips where hes running around being rich  he gets let off the hook. But somebody, like anybody that we might know who needs help, doesnt get help from this administration.

Co-host Ana Navarro stepped in to answer Goldbergs original question, saying: I sure as hell do [have a problem with this]. I think one of the things we as Americans have to do is not normalize this and not get accustomed to this, and not allow this to continue to happen. Because this is not normal, this is honest, this is not ethical.

Whoopi Goldberg addressed the eyebrow-raising pardons of the Chrisleys on The View (ABC/Getty)

Basically, theres a huge for sale sign on the lawn of the White House, and if you are a supporter, and if you are a donor, then you can buy pardons, Navarro argued. This is not just coming in a vacuum, right? This is coming at the same time hes accepting a $400 million jet from the Qataris, at the same time that he has a crypto-grift.

REALITY STARS TODD & JULIE CHRISLEY PARDONED BY TRUMP: After the president pardoned the reality TV stars of their tax evasion and fraud charges, 'The View' co-hosts question if their family's support of Trump helped their case. pic.twitter.com/s0JbLsV5S5  The View (@TheView) May 28, 2025

Todd and Julie Chrisley formerly fronted their show, Chrisley Knows Best, from 2014 to 2023, which followed their familys luxurious, multimillion-dollar lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

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The couple were found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans in 2022. Prosecutors said the couple walked away from their responsibility for repayment when Todd declared bankruptcy.

They were also both found guilty of tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS, while Julie was convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Julie was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, and Todd got 12 years behind bars. The couple was also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution. The couple have been appealing their case since being sentenced in November 2022.

Speaking over the phone to the couples 27-year-old daughter, Savannah, on Wednesday, Trump called her parents imprisonment a terrible thing.

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But its a great thing because your parents are going to be free and clean, and I hope we can do it by tomorrow, he said. I dont know them, but give them my regards.

Savannah later shared her reaction to the news in an Instagram video, saying: I still dont believe its real. I am freaking out. The fact that the President called me. President Trump didnt just commute their sentences, he gave them a full, unconditional pardon. So for that, I am forever grateful.
FRANKLIN, Mass. (WWLP)  A vigil was held in Franklin on Wednesday for a five-year-old girl killed in a deadly crash.

Family of man missing in Connecticut River receive community support as search continues

Krisha Patel died after being airlifted to a hospital when her family car was hit by an alleged drunk driver on Saturday. Her mother is still in critical condition, and her brother is also recovering in the hospital but is expected to pull through.

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The driver, 21-year-old James Blanchard, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to drunk driving and homicide charges.

Relatives say the family was on the way to the brothers birthday party when they were hit.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Starting on July 1, Adult Protective Services in Indiana will be handed over to a private company, moving it out of the public sector.

July 1 is when they take over I dont know, its just heartbreaking, you know, its heartbreaking, said Irene White, Director of Adult Protective Services in area seven.

According to their website, the Adult Protective Services receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults within the state.

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Vigo County man charged with neglect after elderly man found living in shed

However, the service is now going to be run by a private firm, something Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said could cause issues because they dont have the same resources they had while in the public sector.

We are all kind of waiting to see Now, I mean, a private firm will have to decide where they will be located, whether they are still going to have hub offices. I mean, we are hearing a lot of horror stories like it may all be remote, things like that. Then they are going to have to hire attorneys to represent them when they go into court, said Modesitt.

White said she feared the new firm wouldnt have the same knowledge of the Wabash Valley.

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Since they are privatized, Im sure the police will take reports and stuff. Im sure they will do some things the same way. My fear is that the investigators that they hire do not have the knowledge, said White.

Docs: Terre Haute man arrested for alleged rape of mentally disabled adult woman

I just think it make a big difference when you have local people that are doing those jobs, that are acquainted with other people in the community and are familiar with the community, said Modesitt.

Modesitt also said this wont just affect the people who need help from protective services, but will cause the current workers to lose their jobs.

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All of my people now, at Adult Protective Services, are going to lose their jobs, said Modesitt.

Its upsetting because its not just the employees, its not just the employees, we have people that need us right away, said White.

I just think it sad that, you know, people that are committed to trying to help elderly people now are going to without jobs and again I think its a bad decision on the states part, said Modesitt.

WTWO/WAWV has reached out to both state officials and the private company for additional comment, at this time we have not received those comments.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM)  A Village of Horseheads firefighter has been arrested following a child exploitation investigation conducted by the New York State Police.

Alexander W. Lowman, 27, was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, on the charges of promoting a sexual performance by a child (class D felony) and possessing a sexual performance by a child (class E felony), as stated in a release from the New York State Police.

Corning funeral director arrested in Pa predator sting

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Officials say Lowman was charged with the crimes after an investigation conducted by the State Police Horseheads Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Troop E Computer Crimes Unit (CCU), Troop E Forensic Investigation Unit, State Police Horseheads Uniform Force and the Village of Horseheads Police Department after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

As a part of the investigation, officials say state police executed a search warrant on April 18 at a home on Tifft Ave in the Village of Horseheads. At this time, officials say that numerous electronic devices were taken for forensic examination by the CCU.

As a result, Lowman was arrested on the aforementioned charges and processed in court. He was then released pending further court action.

Bath man arrested after child sex abuse materials investigation

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Before his arrest, Lowman served as a volunteer with the Village of Horseheads Fire Department. In September of 2022, Lowman was recognized as Firefighter of the Year by the Horseheads Kiwanis Club, according to a Facebook post on the fire departments page.

In response to his arrest, the Village of Horseheads Mayor Kevin Adams released the following statement:

The Village of Horseheads has been informed of the arrest of a volunteer fire department member on serious criminal charges. Effective immediately, the individual has been suspended from all duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The Village takes these allegations seriously. We cooperate fully with the appropriate law enforcement agencies and will continue monitoring the situation closely. We emphasize that the actions of one individual do not reflect the integrity and commitment of our entire fire service. The Village of Horseheads deeply values the dedication and selflessness of our volunteer firefighters. Their service to our community is essential, and we remain grateful for their continued professionalism and sacrifice. Kevin D. Adams, Mayor of the Village of Horseheads

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
It was a violent night in downtown Seattle with two deadly incidents just five blocks apart in a span of about 30 minutes.

Two people were injured and one was killed in a shooting near Seattles Pike Place Market Wednesday night. It happened around 10 p.m. at the corner of 1st Avenue and Union Street.

According to the King County Medical Examiners Office, the victim was identified as Kale Vaughn Kellen Nusbaum, 16 years old of Seattle.

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Police then responded to a stabbing around 10:15 p.m. near 5th Avenue and Pike Street. One man was killed.

The incidents happened on a busy, warm day in Seattle, right in the city center around the start of the citys busy tourist season.

Its going to take the entire community working with the Seattle Police Department so we can have a safe summer, said SPD Chief Shon Barnes.

Barnes stressed the biggest predictor of violence is a preceding case of violence, such as a fight, and urged people to call 911 early and often when they see altercations. Its a message hes emphasized before.

Barnes also said officers are working the streets to do proactive patrols trying to get weapons off the street.

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Visitors to Seattle had mixed reactions to the violence Wednesday night.

Its a city, said Avi Sage, visiting from New York. Youre not in the burbs anymore. You gotta appreciate it for what it is.

Rodrigo Cisneros, visiting from Vancouver, Canada along with his parents from Peru, said the violence does concern him, and makes him think twice about coming back to Seattle.

Maybe it will make me a little bit hesitate, he said.

Aditi Master, who runs Aditi Chai at Pike Place Market, said the violence is upsetting, but she does not believe it will deter visitors this summer.

I think the tourists, I think they still consider Seattle a great city and a great place to visit, she said. I think the unfortunate events happen, and I think it doesnt deter them.

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Visitors are rebounding in downtown since the pandemic. There were more than 2.5 million unique visitors to downtown Seattle in March of this year, a 5% increase compared to March 2024, according to data from the Downtown Seattle Association.

Were entering a very busy season in downtown Seattle and everyone who visits, works or lives in the heart of the city deserves a safe and welcoming environment, wrote Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes in a statement to KIRO 7.

We must continue to build on the progress thats been made to reduce crime, increase officers and ensure that downtown Seattle is among the safest downtowns in the country.
Update: Brandon Blackburn has been located, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Beach Police Department is seeking the communitys help in locating a missing and endangered 43-year-old man.

Brandon Blackburn was reported missing on Thursday. Police said he was last seen leaving his house located in the Arrowhead area of Virginia Beach.

Brandon Blackburn (Courtesy: Virginia Beach Police Department)

Blackburn is believed to be driving a black 2021 Nissan Maxima with the VA tag UFN2476.

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He is described as 5-foot-8-inches and 220 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a gray Harley Davidson t-shirt, black shorts and black and white Hey Dude shoes.

If anyone has seen him or knows about his current whereabouts is advised to please contact a VBPD Missing Persons Detective: (757) 385-4101.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of an independent Europe on Thursday after receiving the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in the western German city of Aachen.

"An independent Europe - I know this message sounds scary to many people. But this is essentially about our freedom," von der Leyen said.

She warned of the misconception of trusting that everything will return to the way it was before. "That will not happen. Because the geopolitical tensions are enormous."

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"The world is once again shaped by imperial powers and imperial wars. By great powers that are prepared to use all means, fair and foul, to gain an advantage," she said, noting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a striking example of this trend.

The need to invest in European security is therefore becoming ever more urgent, she said.

"A new international order will emerge within this decade," von der Leyen said. She emphasized that Europe must shape this order. "Our mission is European independence."

In the economic sphere, the EU also aims to strengthen its trade partnership with the United States, seeking a more stable and strategic transatlantic relationship, she said.

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"But we also know that 87% of world trade is with other countries that are all seeking stability and looking for opportunities," she emphasized.

Merz: Germany backs stronger, safer Europe

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed support for the strengthening of Europe and its defence, as he honoured von der Leyen during his speech at the award ceremony.

Merz emphasized the need for Europe to now embody peace externally as well. "Germany stands ready to lead the way in this task with all determination in close coordination with our European partners and neighbours."

Turning to von der Leyen, the EU's most high-profile politician, Merz praised her leadership: "You give Europe a voice in the world - a European voice."

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He added that she was being awarded the Charlemagne Prize "most deservedly" for her efforts.

Merz also reiterated the German government's continued support for Ukraine, stating, "We will support Ukraine with all our strength."

Calling for deeper cooperation among European defence industries, he added: "We Germans are prepared to make far-reaching decisions at the NATO summit in June."

Spanish king rejects calls to dismantle the EU

In his speech, Spanish King Felipe VI firmly rejected calls to dismantle the European Union, warning against the rise of "dangerous and misguided voices" advocating for a return to isolated national politics.

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"We need to confront them! Dangerous and misguided voices that argue that Europeans will be freer, more independent and sovereign if they inhabit separate national political communities and work alone to address global challenges," he said.

A reversal of the European Union would leave Europeans powerless to the whims of others, he stated.

"The international environment - I strongly believe - calls for more Europe."

The Charlemagne Prize

The Charlemagne Prize is widely regarded as the highest honour for contributions to European unity. The award committee praised von der Leyen for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action."

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The German conservative-turned-EU politician wants her prize money of 1 million ($1.1 million) which is being awarded for the first time this year, to be used for projects benefitting Ukrainian children.

The award recipient decides jointly with the Charlemagne Prize board how the prize money should be used. The money was donated by a married couple of entrepreneurs from Aachen.

Among former laureates are many politicians - British prime minister Winston Churchill, German chancellor Angela Merkel and US president Bill Clinton - as well as representatives of European institutions and the late pope Francis.

In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people were honoured.

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The last European Commission president to receive the prize was Jacques Delors in 1992, widely regarded as the architect of the European single market and a key pioneer of the euro.

The award is named after Charlemagne, whose Frankish empire extended over large parts of Europe in the early Middle Ages and who is therefore sometimes referred to as the Father of Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to receive the International Charlemagne Prize on Thursday in the German city of Aachen.

The head of the European Commission is being honoured because she "has played a key role in keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action," a statement from the awarding body stated.

The award ceremony takes place in the city hall of Aachen, an ancient city on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands linked to the 8th/9th century European emperor, Charlemagne.

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Speakers include German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and King Felipe VI of Spain.

Among the 700 guests of honour, former laureates, such as the ex-Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker, are expected.

Several smaller demonstrations have been announced in the city centre of Aachen, including those concerning the supply chain law and against the rearmament plans of the EU and Germany.

The Charlemagne Prize has been awarded by the citizens of the city of Aachen for 75 years for services to Europe and European unity.

Among the laureates are many politicians - British prime minister Winston Churchill, German chancellor Angela Merkel, or US president Bill Clinton - as well as representatives of European institutions and the late pope Francis.

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In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people were honoured.

The International Charlemagne Prize consists of a certificate and a gold medal. The award is named after Charlemagne, whose Frankish empire extended over large parts of Europe in the early Middle Ages and who is therefore sometimes referred to as the Father of Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of an independent Europe on Thursday after receiving the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in the western German city of Aachen.

"An independent Europe - I know this message sounds scary to many people. But this is essentially about our freedom," von der Leyen said.

She warned of the misconception of trusting that everything will return to the way it was before. "That will not happen. Because the geopolitical tensions are enormous."

Advertisement Advertisement

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"The world is once again shaped by imperial powers and imperial wars. By great powers that are prepared to use all means, fair and foul, to gain an advantage," she said, noting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a striking example of this trend.

"A new international order will emerge within this decade," von der Leyen said. She emphasized that Europe must shape this order. "Our mission is European independence."

The Charlemagne Prize is widely regarded as the highest honour for contributions to European unity. The award committee praised von der Leyen for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action."

The EU politician wants her prize money of 1 million ($1.1 million) which is being awarded for the first time this year, to be used for projects benefitting Ukrainian children.

The award recipient decides jointly with the Charlemagne Prize board how the prize money should be used. The money was donated by a married couple of entrepreneurs from Aachen.
NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. (WPRI)  People eating at a Block Island restaurant over Memorial Day weekend got dinner and a show when a shark appeared in New Shorehams Great Salt Pond.

In this case, it was about a 20-foot basking shark, said Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute in Rhode Island.

Dodd told 12 News on Wednesday that while the shark caused a stir on social media, the sighting was no cause for concern as the species is a filter feeder that eats plankton.

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It can look a lot like a great white, though. The dorsal fin is shaped very similarly, Dodd noted. If you know what youre looking for  you can figure it out relatively quickly, but it was fun for people to try and figure it out.

WATCH: Sharks, a 12 on 12 Digital Original

While Dodd said its not unusual to see basking sharks in Rhode Island waters around this time of year, it is uncommon to see them in Great Salt Pond. The scientist thinks the shark was able to find its way out of the pond once things quieted down.

These sharks are considered vulnerable. They were in really bad shape a few decades ago. They were hunted pretty extensively, Dodd explained. At this point, its not uncommon, but you usually see them off shore.

Ocean, Bay & Beach // A look at the conditions at the coast 

Dodd said the basking sharks presence is a sign that Narragansett Bay is a healthy ocean environment.

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As the waters continue to warm this summer, the shark will likely head further north, ushering in more species like thresher and blue sharks, and eventually tiger and spinner sharks.

While a basking shark is harmless to people, Dodd stressed that it is still a good idea to try to guess the species from a safe distance.

Get out of the water, he said. You dont want to find out too late that its a white shark, and you may have some interaction that youre not interested in having.

If you spot a shark, you can help the Atlantic Shark Institute by safely snapping a picture or video and sending it to info@atlanticshark.org.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.

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May 29WABASHA  A predatory offender is facing new criminal charges after cybertips claimed he uploaded more than 350 child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) to his Google accounts.

Charles Douglas Harris, 43, is facing two felony counts relating to possession of CSAM with a prior conviction, according to charges filed on Wednesday, May 28, in Wabasha County.

According to the criminal complaint, the Wabasha Police Department was notified of two cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding uploaded CSAM to a Google Photos account.

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Harris, a level two predatory offender living in Wabasha, was identified as the account's user. He was convicted of four counts relating to possessing CSAM in 2016.

The cybertip revealed that Harris uploaded 30 suspected CSAM files. Investigators confirmed that 25 of the files violated Minnesota statutes, though the remaining five files were still "exploitative of minors."

According to the complaint, Wabasha investigators found 17 additional child sexual abuse images uploaded to Harris's Google Drive account.

Harris was arrested on May 27, and law enforcement executed a search warrant of the residence and his electronic devices, the complaint said.

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Wabasha investigators later discovered that 13 more cybertips had been flagged in Harris's Google accounts since 2019. Google's use of CGI and AI did not disclose the tips as CSAM. One cybertip from September 2020 included 473 files uploaded to a Google Drive account using a VPN for Iceland. After reviewing the files, investigators found that 345 depicted sexual abuse against minors.

Harris is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 29, in Wabasha.
Waco, Tx (FOX 44)  UPDATE: Waco Police K9 Officer Andor was shot Wednesday night while trying to apprehend a suspect, but is being treated and is listed as stable.

Waco PD spokesman Bryton Johnson said the incident started about 6:50 p.m. when police were called to the 2700 block of Homan Avenue for a civil disturbance involving a weapon. The caller said a man was there threatening to shoot her husband.

Officers arrived on the scene and began to search for the suspect who had left the location. Johnson said K9 Officer Andor and his handler located the suspect in the 2900 block of Homan Avenue. As Andor approached where the suspect was hiding, he was shot in the chest.

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Andor was transported to a local animal medical facility and was reported to be stable.

The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Darrin King, was arrested and taken to the McLennan County Jail.

An affidavit filed in support of the arrest stated police were told the suspect had been dating a girl who lived at the address where the threat had occurred. The affidavit stated police were told the man had been sneaking into the house. When the victim of the threat confronted him an argument ensued, with the suspect quoted as saying  I have something for you. Fearing he might have a weapon, the family members went outside. The affidavit stated that the man came out into the yard and pointed a handgun in the face of the man and stated  Ill blow your head off. The woman got between them but told police she was in fear that they would be shot. She said at that point the weapon was being pointed at everyone in the yard, A family friend present placed himself between the weapon and the children who were present. At some point the suspect fled.

Arrest made in College Station drive-by shooting

Darrin King, age 18

Other officers found King while information was being taken at the scene and that was when the K9 was shot

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The 18-year-old King remained in the jail Thursday morning on six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, interference with police service animal and possession of a prohibited weapon, all of which are felonies.

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LETTERS: How long does it take?; model the very values you espouse
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Wednesday that his country remained committed to Israel's security, defending the government's position in an interview with US broadcaster Fox News.

"We stand with Israel," Wadephul said. "We are close partners to Israel, not only with regard to our history. We are responsible for the security and the existence of Israel," he added when asked whether Berlin was making a U-turn in its policy.

At the same time, he acknowledged the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

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"This humanitarian situation for the Gazans is very dire and therefore it is our request on Israel to allow humanitarian aid to come to the Gaza Strip," the foreign minister said, adding that this expectation had been expressed "very clearly."

Still, he stressed that Germany's solidarity with Israel remained unchanged.

Wadephul is currently in Washington for political talks, where he met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio. His trip is also laying the groundwork for an upcoming visit to the United States by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Germany has been one of the Israeli government's main supporters since the October 7, 2023, attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which triggered the conflict in Gaza.

However, Merz's new administration has voiced heavy criticism of Israel's conduct this week, amid warnings that civilians in Gaza face starvation following Israel's recent blockade of humanitarian aid.
An upcoming increase in the state hotel room tax of less than 1 %or $3 more per night for a $400 roomwont deter any of nearly two dozen Waikiki tourists from coming back, especially if it provides money to restore beaches, fight erosion and prevent future wildfires, they unanimously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday.

It wouldnt discourage me,  Sam Powell, 33, of Roanoke, Va., said on Kalakaua Avenue in the middle of his first trip to Oahu with his wife, sister, brother-in-law and nephews. Its just another $3 a night.

Visitors up and down Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues unanimously supported the increase in the states Transient Accommodations Tax that begins Jan. 1 and was signed into law by Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday as Act 96.

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The increase applies to everyone who stays in a Hawaii hotel, cruise ship or other paid lodgingincluding local residents.

Green previously told the Star-Advertiser that residents who receive kamaaina discounts would pay less out of pocket compared to tourists who typically book more expensive room rates.

Under Act 96, Hawaiis TATmore commonly referred to as the hotel room taxwill increase Jan. 1 by 0.75 %to 11 % up from 10.25 %.

Before signing Senate Bill 1396 into law Tuesday, Green used a hypothetical $400 a night hotel room rate to say that the higher TAT would add $3 on the current TAT, or $30 for every $4, 000 spent on lodging across the islands.

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The Star-Advertiser on Wednesday incorrectly reported a higher TAT on a $400 a night room.

Green called it the first effort of its kind in the nation to mitigate climate change and the risk of future wildfires that could serve as a road map for other parts of the country that face wildfires and climate change.

Boyfriend and girlfriend Adam Vasquez, 23, and Kaylee Bertolino, 22, came from Long Island, N.Y., for their first trip to Waikiki.

Bertolino said the upcoming TAT increase will go to a good cause  and would not deter them from a future trip to Hawaii.

Vasquez called Greens example of a $3 per night increase on a $400 per night hotel room not too bad.

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Most of the visitors who spoke to the Star-Advertiser had no idea how much they were paying in hotel costs, so they could not calculate how the upcoming TAT increase would have affected their current bills.

But the TAT represents just one of the many fees that visitors and residents already pay for lodging, including the states general excise tax, parking and resort  fees that include internet and fitness center access.

Greens $400 a night example runs on the high side of nightly hotel rates on Oahu, which are generally less expensive than neighbor island hotels, said Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawai i Hotel Alliance.

Waikiki room rates are currently running from $250 to $450 a night, Gibson said.

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Normally, in summer, they go up,  he said. But so far its a weak-looking summer, so I think those will be the rates.

In addition to the state and county TAT rates of 11 % and 3 %, respectively, visitors also pay state and county GET of 4.712 % bringing the total state and county tax on their accommodations to 18.712 %.

In addition, Hawaii hotels also typically charge a parking fee that ranges from $20 to $60 a night, Gibson said.

Separate resort fees also vary from $20 to $50 a day and include about 10 to 15 different privileges such as access to body boards and surf boards and hula lessons, Gibson said.

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Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawai i Lodging & Tourism Association, told the Star-Advertiser in a statement that the organization supports the increase in the TAT because it has a clearly defined and purposeful intent that we can all agree onto protect Hawai is environmental resources, which are vital to our states resilience, sustainability, cultural heritage, and preparedness for climate change and natural disasters. Just as importantly, there is a strong and direct nexus to the visitor industryensuring that this additional tax revenue will help preserve the natural and cultural assets that make Hawai i a world-class destination and support the infrastructure of our states number one economic driver.

Hannemann said the new law reflects transparency and thoughtful balance, and we appreciate that the input of the Hawai i Lodging & Tourism Association and the broader visitor industry was seriously considered by both the Legislature and the Administration.

He agreed with Gibson that the actual cost to guests is often significantly higher once taxes and fees are applied.

Sarah Thomas, 30, and her girlfriend, Selina Ramirez, 41, of San Jose, Calif., have been paying $280 a night to stay at the Park Shore Waikiki on Kapa hulu Avenue for their first trip to Oahu.

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So if they return to the Park Shore after the TAT increases on Jan. 1, their nightly additional TAT cost would fall well below Greens $3 a night example.

But they dont mind paying more to help address climate change in Hawaii.

Were from California, so we understand the need to protect the infrastructure,  Thomas said.

Following this years devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Ramirez appreciates Hawaiis efforts to mitigate future wildfires following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui inferno that killed 102 people, devastated Lahaina and caused $13 billion in damage.

So Ramirez called herself 100 % behind the plan to collect an additional $90 to $100 million annually to restore beaches and prevent further erosion and wildfire risks.

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And the couple would not hesitate  to come back to face the higher TAT in the future, she said.

They have already fallen in love with Oahus beauty and the aloha spirit they feel.

Weve had a gracious welcoming,  Ramirez said.

Natalie Miller, 27, of Chicago, flew into Oahu from Kona on Wednesday morning with her husband and wont mind paying a little extra if and when they take another Hawaii vacation.

I dont think I would even notice,  Miller said.

Her husband, Mitch Miller, 28, said another $3 wont stop me from traveling.

On the makai side of Kala kaua Avenue, Huma Mohammad, 36, of Redwood City, Calif., agreed that a higher TAT wont discourage her and her family from a second trip to the islands.

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I dont think so, if it helps the beaches,  she said. Thats what you come for.

She and her husband, Shawn Mohammad, 35, brought along their 2-1 /2-year-old son, Keyian.

Shawn Mohammad said theyve enjoyed learning about Hawaiian culture, along with the scenery.

Thats why trips like this are good,  he said.

Outside the Park Shore Waikikiwhere shes staying with her husband and four othersArlene Carwile, 50, of Hicksville, Ohio, said she would gladly make her second trip to Hawaii even if it means paying a higher TAT to protect Hawaiis environment.

I would definitely come back,  Carwile said.

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Everyone in the group agreed, especially Carwiles friend, Cynthia Smith, 77, of Ossian, Ind.

Smith has fallen so hard for Oahu that she joked that she wont have to return because she has no intention of leaving.

Theyre going to have to drag me away,  she said.

Correction :In addition to the state and county TAT rates of 11 % and 3 %, respectively, visitors also pay state and county GET of 4.712 % bringing the total state and county tax on their accommodations to 18.712 %. The Star-Advertiser published inaccurate GET rates in an earlier version of this story.
An upcoming increase in the state hotel room tax of less than 1 %or $3 more per night for a $400 roomwont deter any of nearly two dozen Waikiki tourists from coming back, especially if it provides money to restore beaches, fight erosion and prevent future wildfires, they unanimously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday.

It wouldnt discourage me,  Sam Powell, 33, of Roanoke, Va., said on Kalakaua Avenue in the middle of his first trip to Oahu with his wife, sister, brother-in-law and nephews. Its just another $3 a night.

Visitors up and down Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues unanimously supported the increase in the states Transient Accommodations Tax that begins Jan. 1 and was signed into law by Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday as Act 96.

Advertisement Advertisement

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The increase applies to everyone who stays in a Hawaii hotel, cruise ship or other paid lodgingincluding local residents.

Green previously told the Star-Advertiser that residents who receive kamaaina discounts would pay less out of pocket compared to tourists who typically book more expensive room rates.

Under Act 96, Hawaiis TATmore commonly referred to as the hotel room taxwill increase Jan. 1 by 0.75 %to 11 % up from 10.25 %.

Before signing Senate Bill 1396 into law Tuesday, Green used a hypothetical $400 a night hotel room rate to say that the higher TAT would add $3 on the current TAT, or $30 for every $4, 000 spent on lodging across the islands.

Advertisement Advertisement

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The Star-Advertiser on Wednesday incorrectly reported a higher TAT on a $400 a night room.

Green called it the first effort of its kind in the nation to mitigate climate change and the risk of future wildfires that could serve as a road map for other parts of the country that face wildfires and climate change.

Boyfriend and girlfriend Adam Vasquez, 23, and Kaylee Bertolino, 22, came from Long Island, N.Y., for their first trip to Waikiki.

Bertolino said the upcoming TAT increase will go to a good cause  and would not deter them from a future trip to Hawaii.

Vasquez called Greens example of a $3 per night increase on a $400 per night hotel room not too bad.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Most of the visitors who spoke to the Star-Advertiser had no idea how much they were paying in hotel costs, so they could not calculate how the upcoming TAT increase would have affected their current bills.

But the TAT represents just one of the many fees that visitors and residents already pay for lodging, including the states general excise tax, parking and resort  fees that include internet and fitness center access.

Greens $400 a night example runs on the high side of nightly hotel rates on Oahu, which are generally less expensive than neighbor island hotels, said Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawai i Hotel Alliance.

Waikiki room rates are currently running from $250 to $450 a night, Gibson said.

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Normally, in summer, they go up,  he said. But so far its a weak-looking summer, so I think those will be the rates.

Every booking also includes a state general excise tax thats slightly higher on Oahu compared to the neighbor islands.

Neighbor islands lodgings have to assess a GET of.04167 %.

Honolulus GET also includes half a penny for the citys rail project, meaning Oahu lodgings assess a GET of.04667 %.

Each county also has its own TAT of an additional 3 %, meaning the combined state and county TATs and GET starting Jan. 1 will add up to 18.167 % on the neighbor islands and 18.667 % on Oahu, Gibson said.

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In addition, Hawaii hotels also typically charge a parking fee that ranges from $20 to $60 a night, Gibson said.

Separate resort fees also vary from $20 to $50 a day and include about 10 to 15 different privileges such as access to body boards and surf boards and hula lessons, Gibson said.

Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawai i Lodging &Tourism Association, told the Star-Advertiser in a statement that the organization supports the increase in the TAT because it has a clearly defined and purposeful intent that we can all agree onto protect Hawai is environmental resources, which are vital to our states resilience, sustainability, cultural heritage, and preparedness for climate change and natural disasters. Just as importantly, there is a strong and direct nexus to the visitor industryensuring that this additional tax revenue will help preserve the natural and cultural assets that make Hawai i a world-class destination and support the infrastructure of our states number one economic driver.

Hannemann said the new law reflects transparency and thoughtful balance, and we appreciate that the input of the Hawai i Lodging &Tourism Association and the broader visitor industry was seriously considered by both the Legislature and the Administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

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He agreed with Gibson that the actual cost to guests is often significantly higher once taxes and fees are applied.

Sarah Thomas, 30, and her girlfriend, Selina Ramirez, 41, of San Jose, Calif., have been paying $280 a night to stay at the Park Shore Waikiki on Kapa hulu Avenue for their first trip to Oahu.

So if they return to the Park Shore after the TAT increases on Jan. 1, their nightly additional TAT cost would fall well below Greens $3 a night example.

But they dont mind paying more to help address climate change in Hawaii.

Were from California, so we understand the need to protect the infrastructure,  Thomas said.

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Following this years devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Ramirez appreciates Hawaiis efforts to mitigate future wildfires following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui inferno that killed 102 people, devastated Lahaina and caused $13 billion in damage.

So Ramirez called herself 100 % behind the plan to collect an additional $90 to $100 million annually to restore beaches and prevent further erosion and wildfire risks.

And the couple would not hesitate  to come back to face the higher TAT in the future, she said.

They have already fallen in love with Oahus beauty and the aloha spirit they feel.

Weve had a gracious welcoming,  Ramirez said.

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Natalie Miller, 27, of Chicago, flew into Oahu from Kona on Wednesday morning with her husband and wont mind paying a little extra if and when they take another Hawaii vacation.

I dont think I would even notice,  Miller said.

Her husband, Mitch Miller, 28, said another $3 wont stop me from traveling.

On the makai side of Kala kaua Avenue, Huma Mohammad, 36, of Redwood City, Calif., agreed that a higher TAT wont discourage her and her family from a second trip to the islands.

I dont think so, if it helps the beaches,  she said. Thats what you come for.

She and her husband, Shawn Mohammad, 35, brought along their 2-1 /2-year-old son, Keyian.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Shawn Mohammad said theyve enjoyed learning about Hawaiian culture, along with the scenery.

Thats why trips like this are good,  he said.

Outside the Park Shore Waikikiwhere shes staying with her husband and four othersArlene Carwile, 50, of Hicksville, Ohio, said she would gladly make her second trip to Hawaii even if it means paying a higher TAT to protect Hawaiis environment.

I would definitely come back,  Carwile said.

Everyone in the group agreed, especially Carwiles friend, Cynthia Smith, 77, of Ossian, Ind.

Smith has fallen so hard for Oahu that she joked that she wont have to return because she has no intention of leaving.

Theyre going to have to drag me away,  she said.
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY)  Days after 35-year-old Latonya Foster was killed by a suspected drunk driver in Hampton, the man who was an ear witness to the crime was emotional as he spoke on behalf of her parents.

Hampton family mourns life taken by driver suspected of DUI

It just doesnt make any sense; this is not fair, said Johnathan Lynch. She was so beautiful; were not just talking about the look of her. Were talking about who she was as a person.

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Three months later, the tears continue to flow.

April Smith said she was Fosters best friend.

She was the most selfless person  always there for you, always a phone call away, Smith said. She always showed up.

Fosters last phone call, a call with Lynch, took place during the early morning hours Feb. 22 as Foster took the Settlers Landing road exit on Interstate 64 East. According to police, Theresa Tann was driving her Ford Explorer up the ramp in the wrong direction.

I heard a breath, and then I heard people knocking on the window, and Im calling her name like Tonya, Tonya, said Lynch in the interview earlier this year.

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Her loved ones shared pictures of the remains of Fosters Nissan after a head-on collision. The suspect was treated for rib injuries and was charged with DUI manslaughter.

With memories of Foster close to their hearts, loved ones and supporters will gather at Buckroe Beach next Saturday for what they call a Sweet Walk.

For those who dont have nowhere to turn, for those who need therapy, help, whatever it is that you need, just coming together as a community, Smith said. We just invite everybody to come out, take part, whether you knew her personally or simply just believing in a cause, we just hope to reflect on the sweetness you brought to the community, to peoples lives.

The walk takes place two days before the suspect, Tann, is scheduled to face a judge.

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We need justice and my friend needs justice, Smith said. And even her going to jail doesnt bring my friend back, doesnt bring the sister back, the aunt back. I feel that the more that we speak out on it, the more awareness that we raise.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Walmart has been fined after the New York attorney general said third-party sellers sold realistic-looking toy guns to New Yorkers.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday that her office reached a settlement with Walmart for shipping realistic-looking toy guns to the state.

James office found that third-party sellers on Walmarts online store sold realistic-looking toy guns, and the retail chain shipped nine of them to addresses in New York.

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The release from James office said state law prohibits retailers from shipping or selling toy guns that are black, dark blue, silver or aluminum-colored and look like a real gun.

Realistic-looking toy gun shipped by Walmart to New York (Courtesy: New York Attorney Generals Office)

Walmart was fined a total of $16,000 in penalties and fees.

Walmart planning to eliminate nearly 1,500 jobs to simplify operations, report says

Realistic-looking toy guns can put communities in serious danger and that is why they are banned in New York, James said. Walmart failed to prevent its third-party sellers from selling realistic-looking toy guns to New York addresses, violating our laws and putting people at risk. The ban on realistic-looking toy guns is meant to keep New Yorkers safe and my office will not hesitate to hold any business that violates that law accountable.

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Toy guns sold in the state must be made in bright colors or made entirely of transparent or translucent materials, with businesses subject to a fine of $1,000 per violation, according to James office.

An investigation by James office found that between March 2020 and November 2023, at least 46 imitation weapons that violate New York state law were purchased by consumers in the state through the Walmart.com platform.

Walmart said the following in a statement to KNWA/FOX24:

We are committed to complying with all laws, and we have processes in place to ensure products offered for sale by third-party sellers on our marketplace comply with all applicable laws as well.

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As part of the settlement, Walmart is also required to prohibit third parties from offering for sale or selling any of the imitation guns covered by the state law to buyers in New York.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
BOSTON (WWLP)  Massachusetts top leadership on the state and federal levels came together to denounce Medicaid cuts and call for action.

Following the passage of President Trumps so-called big, beautiful bill in the U.S. House, which guts Medicaid funding, Governor Healey and Senators Warren and Markey had a message for Massachusetts residents: if these cuts go forward, people will die.

Healey announces business regulation reductions

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Medicaid cuts would result in the loss of healthcare coverage for a quarter of a million Massachusetts residents, including one-third of all babies and their mothers, and two-thirds of seniors living in nursing homes. Senator Warren says this bill marks the largest transfer of wealth from poor Americans to rich Americans in history.

These guys are actually out there making history by taking away from hardworking families, from people down on their luck, from seniors, from little babies, Warren said.

Governor Healey called on Bay Staters to speak out against this bill.

People have got to understand whats going on so that they can get out and advocate, advocate to Congress, advocate to the Trump administration, Healey said.

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Senator Ed Markey said members of Congress will also do their part in discouraging support for this bill by ensuring political consequences for the bills supporters.

Were not going to back down, and I think ultimately Republicans are going to see that theyre going to proceed at their own political peril, Markey said.

The so-called big, beautiful bill still needs to pass the Republican-led U.S. Senate, and it is not yet clear what, if any, changes will be made to the plan.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
If youve ever timed a letdown to a 10-minute work break, pumped in your car between meetings, or used sick leave to sit in a supply closet and hope no one knocksWashington States new law might make you exhale a little.

On May 20, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5217, a landmark bill that dramatically expands pregnancy and postpartum accommodations for workers in the state. It goes into effect January 1, 2027and its a big deal for breastfeeding moms, postpartum recovery, and workplace equity.

Heres whats changingand why it matters.

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Related: This reporter says she wasnt allowed to pump at work: Find a Target or a hospital

Whats in the new law

Starting in 2027, all employers in Washington Stateeven those with just one employeemust:

Pay employees for lactation breaks during work hours at their regular rate of pay.

Cover travel time to access a lactation space (if its not immediately nearby).

Provide lactation breaks that are in addition to meal and rest breaks already required by law.

Prohibit using paid leave for lactation breaks or related travel time.

Offer flexible scheduling for postpartum medical visits, expanding beyond current law that only covers prenatal appointments.

Ensure access to a private, non-bathroom space to pump. If one doesnt exist, employers must work with the employee to find a solution that works.

This law also removes religious exemptionsmeaning nonprofit sectarian and faith-based organizations are no longer off the hook.

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And in a crucial accountability shift, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries will now enforce these rights. Employees can file complaints, and civil penalties may be assessed.

Why this matters: Breastfeeding, health equity, and finallynot doing it on your lunch break

This bill is a significant step forward for pregnant and postpartum workers. It ensures that workers are not forced to choose between earning a paycheck and nourishing their baby,

Under current federal law, lactation breaks are unpaid. Washingtons new requirement for paid breaks positions the state at the forefront of lactation protections nationwide.

For moms juggling cluster feeds, clogged ducts, and conference calls with the reality of returning to work, this isnt a perk. Its a lifeline.

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Related: 5 effective ways to talk to your boss about pumping rights at work

What moms in other states should know

The federal PUMP Act mandates time and space to pumpbut doesnt require companies to pay for that time. Many states dont exceed that baseline, and smaller employers may be exempt entirely.

To find out what your state offers, check the Center for WorkLife Laws lactation accommodation map. If your rights arent being honored, youre not being difficult. Youre protected.

The bigger picture

This law finally acknowledges what too many moms have had to whisper about in HR offices and bathroom stalls for decades: that postpartum needs are not optional. That the workplace wasnt designed for a new mothers bodybut it could be.

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It chips away at a culture that praises moms who make it work while offering zero structural support to do so. While it is heroic to pump between Zooms in your minivan, its exhausting.

For moms still feeling stuck in outdated expectations and unsupported work environments, this law signals a shift. Not fast enough. Not everywhere. But real.
DENVER (KDVR)  Bears have emerged from a long winters nap and sightings of the creatures around Colorado are becoming a more common occurrence.

The bears are out of hibernation, and Coloradans have been seeing them roaming around the Denver metro area.

Bears spotted in Castle Rock neighborhood

FOX31 viewer Courtney Cain shared footage of bears roaming around her home in Castle Rock on May 18. You can watch the video in the player above.

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Two bears were seen roaming around the home, across the driveway and on the back porch and snooping in the trash cans.

Its one of several sightings in the area recently. After several people reported sightings in Castle Rock last week, FOX31s Jared Dean spoke with Kara Van Hoose of Colorado Parks and Wildlife about why the sightings are a concern.

We dont want bears to become habituated and start to equate people with food because when they do that, they become more comfortable around us, they lose their natural fear of humans, and thats when we start to see conflicts, Van Hoose said.

Wildlife experts say that Coloradans should be aware of bears and make sure homes and cars are protected.

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Caught on camera: Bears spotted in Castle Pines after emerging from hibernation

Be bear aware

Keep bears out of the house with Colorado Parks and Wildlifes bear-proofing tips:

Close and lock doors and windows

Bearproof trash cans

Guard windows with bars

Keep garage doors closed

Have an unwelcome mat

Keep car doors and windows closed and locked

Remove tree limbs near decks and windows

Install round door handles

Play talk radio when you leave home to deter bears

CPW said storing food, dog food or bird feed in the garage can also attract bears. It also said anything with an odor in cars or garages can attract bears, including (but not limited to) scented candles, air fresheners, soaps, lotions and lip balms.

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If a bear comes near your home, CPW recommends scaring it away with a firm yell and loud noises like clapping hands, banging pots and pans or air horns. If a bear enters your home, make sure it can get out the same way it got in. If the bear wont leave, call your local CPW office or, if it presents an immediate threat, call 911.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A recall campaign for three of Palmer Lakes town trustees appears to have had success in triggering an election this week, while figures on both sides claim harassment and surveillance.
A dangerous moment in Medway was caught on camera last week after an E-Bike rider was almost struck by an oncoming vehicle.

Police say the E-Bike rider zoomed through a red light, narrowly avoiding disaster.

"Thankfully, everyone is safe, but it was a close call, reminding us of the importance of road safety," Medway Police wrote in a social media post.

In Massachusetts, e-bikes, mopeds, and bicycles must follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles, meaning:

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Obey all traffic signals and signs.

Yield to pedestrians.

Do not ride on the sidewalks.

"We share this video not to shame, but to educate and prevent tragedy," Medway Police wrote.

Police also said they provide free helmets for any child in need at the station, no questions asked.
As Todd and Julie Chrisley wait to be released from prison after President Donald Trumps pardon, their daughter is vowing to keep fighting for justice reform.

The Chrisleys have spent more than 2  years behind bars at two different federal facilities, one in Pensacola, Florida, and the other in Lexington, Kentucky.

Savannah Chrisley spoke to reporters outside the prison in Pensacola before going into to pick her father up.

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Im just so grateful that Im gonna leave here with my dad, she said. So now I just sit and wait. I have literally been here. I got here at, well, I think it was 2 a.m. last night, and I have not gone to sleep.

Savannah Chrisley has used her podcast to speak out about the inhumane conditions she said her parents were living in while in prison, especially her father. She said she is going to continue to fight for those inmates.

I didnt have to do anything. I didnt have to do anything other than stand firm in my beliefs and my convictions and fight for my parents and fight for what was right, and not only my fighting for my parents, Im literally fighting for every single man thats being left behind here today, Savannah Chrisley said. There are so many here that deserve a second chance.

Once her parents are out, Savannah said they plan to do a lot of celebrating to make up for the birthdays, Christmases, and other big events her parents have missed.

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Were going to make up for the lost time, she said.

ABC News is reporting that their sources familiar with the situation say they expect Todd and Julie Chrisley to be released on Wednesday night.

We just want to get home. We want to be reunited, Savannah Chrisley said.
Eight people were arrested after pro-transgender demonstrators clashed with Christian protesters.

Christian activists with Mayday USA organised a demonstration outside Seattle City Hall on Tuesday that descended into aggressive scenes after it was swarmed by pro-transgender counter-protesters.

Footage of the incident shows a woman and three children surrounded by counter-protesters who heckled and pointed at her.

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The woman, dressed in a blue vest and a hat, is holding a baby in her arms and appears to be with her partner who is holding the hands of two children, one of whom is crying.

As police officers rush in to diffuse the situation, demonstrators can be heard shouting get the kids out of here and accuse the woman of instigating the situation.

A left-wing mob surrounds a woman, her toddler, and her young baby as they try to attend a Pro-Christian event in Seattle: pic.twitter.com/qcHJyNWOWt  TheBlaze (@theblaze) May 28, 2025

The clashes on Tuesday followed a similar incident over the weekend which saw 23 people arrested when counter-protesters clashed with the same Christian group.

Footage from the weekends demonstration shows police attempting to restore calm in the Seattle park as pro-trans protesters descended on the Christian group.

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Dan Bongino, the FBI deputy director, responded to the scenes from the two protests, warning: Freedom of religion isnt a suggestion, and pledged to investigate those accused of acts of violence against the Christian group.

Mayday USA launched Tuesdays protest after Bruce Harrell, the Seattle mayor, called the Christian group extreme Right-wing antagonists in the wake of the weekends demonstrations.

Around 500 protesters gathered in central Seattle to call on the mayor to step down over his comments, bearing signs saying Jesus loves Seattle, apologise or resign and free speech for all, according to the Seattle Times.

This is a unified response to the Seattle mayors false accusations and attempts to limit the freedom of Christian worship, the group wrote on social media.

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We are calling on the mayor to retract his statement, apologise or resign. This isnt a game.

Police attempted to separate the group from around 250 counter-protesters, but footage circulating online shows a number of tussles breaking out.

In one incident, a man can be seen attempting to ram his bike into a de-transitioned activist who was allegedly attempting to attend the rally.

BREAKING: DETRANSITIONER @Transphobe01 was just mobbed by ANTIFA - violently assaulted outside of Seattle City Hall



Follow for updates pic.twitter.com/dJ7X0BsnEZ  Cam Higby | America First  (@camhigby) May 28, 2025

A group of at least a dozen officers rushed in to ward off pro-trans demonstrators who hurled abuse as they attempted to surround the activist.

Seattle police arrested eight people for assault, MailOnline reported.

The White House condemned the actions of the counter-protesters for violating the Christian groups right to freedom of expression.

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Pastor Paula White-Cain, the White House adviser, said: We affirm the fundamental rights to free speech and religious freedom for all Americans, as protected by federal law.

Public officials must protect the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith or religious beliefs.

We urge the City of Seattle to uphold these rights at all faith-based events, safeguarding the ability of people of faith to gather and express their beliefs without fear of harassment or violence.

Mr Bongino said: We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert.

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Freedom of religion isnt a suggestion.

RFK Jr warns against puberty blockers

It comes as Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, warned against offering transgender treatment to minors.

Mr Kennedy wrote a letter to healthcare providers on Wednesday instructing them to no longer prescribe children suffering from gender dysphoria with puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and transgender surgery, warning that the treatments carry risk of significant harm.

Providers should no longer rely on discredited guidelines that promote these dangerous interventions for children and adolescents based on ideology, not evidence, Mr Kennedy wrote.

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Dr Mehmet Oz, the head of the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), added that he was concerned about the profits related to these harmful procedures.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Missouri River is now home to one kind of fish that recently became the last of its species.

SEA LIFE Kansas City says that theyve released dozens of American Paddlefish into the river after caring for them at their Kansas City Aquarium for nearly a year. Now, the Paddlefish will hopefully begin to regrow their population.

Travis, Jason Kelces Garage Beer announce ownership of professional football team

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The American Paddlefish just recently became the last remaining Paddlefish species. Four other species were declared extinct in 2022 due to habitat loss, pollution, overfishing and dams.

SEA LIFE says that the work, in partnership with United States Fish and Wildlife Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, included cutting-edge tracking technology and dedicated rehab and relase efforts in Kansas City.

Also, the aquarium taught the Paddlefish their natural filter-feeding techniques by feeding them small mysis shrimp and live baby brine shrimp.

Public health advisory issued due to sewer overflow near Leawood treatment facility

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In addition to the release, the aquarium will be hanging onto a small number of the fish until they are two years to fit them with acoustic transmitters. Those transmitters help researchers find where the fish are going and is vital to saving the fish from extinction, SEA LIFE says.

The remaining Paddlefish are currently on display at SEA LIFE Kansas City.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
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Confounding the prognostication of oddsmakers and Vatican watchers everywhere, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, becoming the first pope in history from the United States. The new Holy Father served for many years as a missionary in South America and is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Peru. In his first remarks as pope, from the balcony overlooking St. Peters Square, he declared, Together, we must look for ways to be a missionary Church and called on all Catholics to be missionaries.

This is neither a radical agenda nor a new one. Missionary work has been at the heart of the Catholic Church from its earliest days. This has not usually been of the knocking-on-doors sort; Catholics tend to be service missionaries who mingle their faith with an earthly vocation. Catholic movements throughout history have typically formed in response to a pressing worldly need. Some missionaries in these movements have cared for the sick (for example, the Brothers Hospitallers), while others have taught young people (the Jesuits) or fed the hungry (the Missionaries of Charity). The ethos is to treat both bodies and souls. As a lay Catholic myself, I consider my secular writing, speaking, and teaching to be the principal way that I share my faith publicly.

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As the new pope charges Catholics to be service missionaries representing a missionary Church, then, the question is this: What pressing need do we face? Leo named it himself at his inaugural mass: Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love! To bind up the wounds in our families, nations, and Church is the mission we need todaya mission of true love for a suffering world.

[Francis X. Rocca: The conclave just did the unthinkable]

Love is central to the Christian faith. In the Book of Genesis, God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. In the New Testament, the apostle John clarifies that likeness: God is love; thus, we are made to love. As to precisely what that means, Saint Thomas Aquinas provides a compelling answer in his Summa Theologiae, written in the years before his death in 1274: To love is to will the good of the other.

But as they say, the devil is in the details. Willing the good of others can take many different forms. Some might argue that in our messy world, a mission of love should emphasize simple empathy toward others, accepting people as they are without judgment. For psychologists, empathy means adopting another persons emotional state. This is what leads parents to say You are only as happy as your unhappiest child. An attitude of empathy can even imply the coupling of brains through the activation of mirror neurons.

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If empathy were Leos charge, then the mission of love would be to live and let live, without challenging views or behaviors that are at variance with natural law and Church teaching and without criticizing wrongdoing.

Leo is unlikely to take this path. Not that he lacks empathyquite the opposite, based on his work and preaching. But he is also a canon lawyer, with deep expertise in the laws of the Catholic Church, which teach that mercy is incoherent without being accompanied by the recognition of right and wrong. Human suffering is very often the fruit of our own mistakes, and not all viewpoints are consistent with Church teaching. In these cases, what is needed is not just mercy but honesty. A faithful medical missionary would not neglect to give corrective advice about physical well-being; the same goes for moral well-being, even when correction is unwelcome. Getting along is great, but going along is not so great. As the Church has made clear, the salvation of souls is the supreme law in the Church, which is always to be kept before ones eyes.

If you think this simply sounds like inflexible theology, consider that behavioral-science research has found little support for the hypothesis that empathy is the best way to help others. As I have written before, a truer, more effective expression of love is compassion. People tend to use the terms compassion and empathy interchangeably, but their meanings are very different. Compassion encompasses empathy but also requires understanding the source of anothers pain rationally and possessing the courage and forthrightness to name it and suggest a remedy, even if doing so might be difficult or unpopular. To see the difference, think of being the parent of an angst-ridden, rebellious teenager. Empathy imposes no rules. But compassion says, These are the rules that will keep you safe. I insist on them because I love you, even if you hate me for doing so right now.

Empathy is easier than compassion, but not better. In fact, research has found that it is far less beneficial to the helper. It might even cause harm to the sufferer, because it can prejudice us toward some people and against others. As the psychologist Paul Bloom, who has studied the topic exhaustively, puts it, Empathy is biased and parochial; it focuses you on certain people at the expense of others; and it is innumerate, so it distorts our moral and policy decisions in ways that cause suffering instead of relieving it. Love-as-empathy can invite us to share the mission of love only with those who are like us and encourage us to treat others as outsiders. Think of the political my-side bias so many people have today, which makes them very forgiving of the errors of people on their own side of an issue but utterly condemnatory of people on the other side. This is not at all the message of Jesus, and it makes ideological polarization worse.

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True compassion means speaking forthrightly about faith and morality. And thats where things get even harder: Imparting a difficult truth (as you understand it) to someone when you have no love for them is not hard; doing it with love is the challenge. You may have found, as I have, that when you are impelled to criticize someone for their conduct, whatever feelings of warmth you had toward them are diminished, perhaps as a way to maintain your resolve.

To criticize without love also tends to be counterproductivefor both parties. It usually increases unwanted attitudes and behaviors. Think how you are affected when someone with whom you disagree on an issuesay, the environmentcontemptuously tells you how stupid your position is. You are very unlikely to think, Wow, theyre rightI do want to spoil Gods beautiful creation out of pure selfishness! On the contrary, it makes you double down on your own position, a phenomenon psychologists call the boomerang effect.

Missionary work requires using your values as a gift, not as a weapon. That means presenting these values with love and rejecting the culture of contempt that rewards insults with clicks, likes, and eyeballs. And remember: People are extremely adept at reading your feelings, so if you are bringing moral correction but are inauthentic in your claim that you care about others, they will know it.

The key to threading the needle of correction while maintaining love is found in one of the most famous passages in the Gospel, Jesuss teaching in the Sermon on the Mount to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. As a commentary on the problem of feeling that love, Martin Luther King Jr.a man with plenty of experience in moral correction of others based in lovesaid this in a 1957 sermon: If you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption.

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Once again, whats morally right turns out to be empirically correct: Praying for others increases your capacity to forgive them.

[Randy Boyagoda: The fraught relationship between a pope and his home]

Achieving that mission of love will also serve the second goal Leo named in his inaugural mass: to build a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world. To non-Catholics, that might sound like a bromide. I see it differently, as the popes acknowledgment that the Church itself has tremendous division and strife to overcomeas we have seen in the past decades bitter fracturing between its conservative and progressive wings.

If we can learn to love truly, which means to will the well-being of another, we can achieve unity. Some of my most treasured friendships are with people who disagree with me on politics, religion, and social issues but who care deeply about me as a person despite my possibly foolish beliefs. You can surely say the same for someone significant in your life.

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And it all begins at home. My wife and I disagree on many things and even voted differently in the most recent presidential election. But our adoration of, and admiration for, each other; our shared love of our children and grandchildren; and our commitment to the Catholic Church make such differences shrink to insignificance. Love unites.

Judging by his first words as pope, Leo XIV might launch the love mission the Church needs. And a missionary Church of love could be just what the world needs.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Earlier on Wednesday, many of our KXAN viewers sent us pictures and videos asking about a cloud that looked a little suspicious, especially with severe weather looming in the Central Texas area.

The photos and reports were sent in from viewers in parts of Williamson County on what may have looked like a funnel cloud rotation. However, our Chief Meteorologist Nick Bannin explained it wasnt that at all.

Theres not sign that this is actually on the ground, but it came in an area without a strong, or even severe thunderstorm, he said.

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Bannin added that the weather team even checked with the National Weather Service (NWS). However, there was no rotation detected in this thunderstorm.

So we have no definitive reason about what caused this, but we can make some educated guesses based on what was happening in the atmosphere at the time, and our thoughts are that this may have been a landspout funnel cloud, he said.

KXAN First Warning Weather Team landspout tornado graphic

Bannin said the landspout funnel clouds or landspout tornadoes are caused by the convergence of wind boundaries coming together in one place, where air meets and then it is forced up and starts to spin.

He added that these type of funnel clouds are usually weak in nature, but in rare instances can become very strong.

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So while theyre usually weak in nature, then they can still do and cause damage. This one looked to have lasted for about a minute and a half, according to some reports we had from emergency managers in the Georgetown area, Bannin said.

He went on to describe the cloud, saying that the clouds above the funnel or tornado dont rotate, unlike supercell thunderstorms that rotate along with any tornado

Its more of a land generated spin-up, rather than one that is formed from the clouds in the sky, Bannin said. Think about it in some sort of way, like when youre at the grocery store parking lot and the leaves start to spin and they go up. Thats because air masses are colliding and being forced up because the parking lot asphalt prevents the wind from going down so it has to go somewhere.

Bannin said these type of clouds are hard to predict and detect. He said often the rotation is so low down to the ground and so brief that these can come and go without anyone noticing they were even there, specially from a National Weather Service radar perspective.

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All in all, Bannin said this may have been what happened earlier today in parts of Williamson County, Granger, Leander and Georgetown and there is no confirmation of any funnel cloud actually reaching the ground there.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
May 29A Pine City wedding photographer who secretly recorded a woman while she changed in the bridal suite of an Albert Lea wedding venue in 2020 was sentenced Wednesday to two years of supervised probation and stayed jail time.

Mitchell Donald Ringness, 31, pleaded guilty in October to one count of interference with privacy in a hotel, tanning bed or other place tied to installing or using a surreptitious device, a gross misdemeanor.

Court documents state an Albert Lea Police Department detective was contacted in April 2024 by a detective with the Cloquet Police Department regarding an invasion of privacy. The detective had a video recording that contained a dressing room for a bride taken from a low angle and shows a woman as she is getting dressed.

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Authorities later discovered the incident occurred in the bridal suite at The Barn of Chapeau Shores in Albert Lea.

In addition to the probation, District Court Judge Ross Leuning ordered Ringness attend a sex offender program and successfully complete group treatment. Monitoring software is required on all of his internet accessible devices, and he must also follow all recommendations of a mental health evaluation and not possess any pornographic or sexually explicit material.

Ringness was ordered to pay $1,930 in restitution plus fines, for a total of $2,060.
GENEVA (Reuters) -World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab has filed a criminal complaint against the whistleblowers who anonymously alleged misconduct by him, a spokesperson for Schwab confirmed on Thursday.

The forum had launched an investigation in April into Schwab following a whistleblower letter alleging misconduct by him, only a day after the 87-year-old Schwab said he was resigning as chairman, without stating a reason.

"We can confirm the complaint," said a spokesperson for Schwab, adding that it contained allegations of defamation and coercion and had been filed with the public prosecutor in Geneva.

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Britain's Financial Times first reported Schwab's complaint.

The Geneva prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a public holiday.

The WEF, whose annual gathering of business and political leaders in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos has become a symbol of globalisation, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Schwab told the FT that he would fight the "stupid and constructed" allegations.

The FT report said the WEF had declined to comment on Schwabs legal action, saying it was "a matter apparently directed privately against unknown whistleblowers".

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"We will have this public prosecutor investigation now, we don't know how aggressive they will be," Schwab said. "If they find a systemic attempt to undermine my reputation, this wont be comfortable for the board."

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the probe in April, had said the anonymous letter raised concerns about the WEF's governance and workplace culture, including allegations that the Schwab family mixed their personal affairs with the forum's resources without proper oversight.

The Schwab family denied all the allegations in the whistleblower complaint to the Journal. Schwab also denied all allegations against him in his comments to the FT.

The forum has previously stated that it would wait for the outcome of the investigation to comment further.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Gareth Jones)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA)  St. Pete officials raised the LGBTQ+ Pride flag on Thursday ahead of Pride month, which kicks off June 1.

City, state and federal officials and representatives from LGBTQ+ organizations gathered at City Hall for the flag-raising ceremony.

Saharan dust plume heading for Florida: Heres what to know

The city raises the Pride flag each year as a show of support and inclusion for LGBTQ+ residents. Speakers highlighted the need for support in the face of what they called attacks from the state government.

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Were at a place in time that, as a city, we have to be unshakable, because we see folks that occupy somebodys mansion in Tallahassee that want to attack cities like ours, Florida Rep. Michele Rayner (D-St. Petersburg) said. That want to attack cities of progress. That want to attack cities of inclusivity. That want to attack cities that make sure people are loved.

Rayner said the flag raising isnt just a celebration  its a city coming together to tell residents that all are welcome.

Our city, St. Petersburg, Florida, in this moment, we are saying all are welcome here, Rayner said. So its not just a flag raising to say happy Pride, it is a sign. It is a note. It is a warning shot to folks who would say people are not welcome in the state of Florida. Well, guess what? You may not be welcome in some cities, but in St. Petersburg? Baby, you are welcome to be who you are, to love who you love, to be who you want to be.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch read a proclamation designating June as LGBTQ+ Pride month in the City of St. Petersburg. He said that simply raising a flag may not seem significant, but its a powerful symbol.

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Its a simple but powerful act, and it becomes more important every time we do it, Welch said. And this moment, as Rep. Rayner said, is no exception. In fact, its more important than ever that we are clear about who we are in our city and the principles that we believe in and will fight for.

June is recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride month to commemorate the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, a clash between police and LGBTQ+ residents that lasted six days. The event is considered the beginning of the gay and transgender liberation movement in the United States.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Donald Trump officially pardoned Todd and Julie Chrisley on Wednesday, freeing the former reality TV stars from combined sentences of 19 years in prison on tax evasion and fraud charges.

The Chrisleys were the attractions at the center of USA Network's "Chrisley Knows Best," a series that followed the wealthy real estate developers for 10 seasons.

In 2022, the couple were convicted over what prosecutors called a "fifteen-year fraud spree." The couple was found to have duped banks into granting them millions of dollars in loans via the use of falsified bank statements and outright lies. Todd and Julie were sentenced to 12 years and 7 years in prison, respectfully, and ordered to pay more than $17 million in restitution.

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Trump's pardons wipe the slate clean for the pair of former television stars. In a statement, Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields said that the Chrisleys' "sentences were far too harsh."

The President is always pleased to give well-deserving Americans a second chance, especially those who have been unfairly targeted and overly prosecuted by an unjust justice system," Fields said.

The president called the Chrisleys' daughter, Savannah, from the Oval Office on Tuesday to inform her of the pardon.

"Your parents are going to be free and clean," Trump said, in a video posted to X.

BREAKING!



President Trump calls @_ItsSavannah_ to inform her that he will be granting full pardons to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley!



Trump Knows Best! pic.twitter.com/j5WPMOOQ7L  Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 27, 2025

The Chrisleys weren't the only notable prisoners to have their sentences cut short by Trump this week. He commuted the federal life sentence of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover. Hoover will be moved out of federal prison, following the commutation, as he was also convicted on a state-level murder charge.

The federal government has done its part. Now its time for the State of Illinois to finish the job," Hoover's attorney Justin Moore told the Chicago Sun-Times.
BASIC for the Raspberry Pi Pico & Pico 2

The PicoMite firmware for the Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico 2 is a complete operating system with a Microsoft BASIC compatible interpreter and extensive hardware support including touch sensitive LCD panels, SD Cards, WiFi/Internet and much more.

MMBasic is a full featured implementation of the BASIC language with floating point, integer and string variables, arrays, long variable names, a built in program editor and many other features.

Using MMBasic you can use communications protocols such as I2C or SPI to get data from a variety of sensors. You can save data to an SD card, display information on colour LCD displays, measure voltages, detect digital inputs and drive output pins to turn on lights, relays, etc. All from inside this low cost microcontroller.

The PicoMite firmware is totally free to download and use.

Firmware Versions

The PicoMite firmware comes in twelve versions that are intended to be used in three general applications depending on the periphal support included in each version (ie, touch sensitive LCD panels, VGA/HDMI output, WiFi/Internet capabibility, etc). The user manual (at the bottom of this page) goes into this in more detail but, in summary, the three typical applications for the PicoMite firmware are:

Embedded Controller. This is where the Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico 2 is used as the brains inside some device. For example, a burglar alarm, a heating controller, weather station, etc. This application is described in detail below. Self Contained Computer. These have a VGA or HDMI video output and a PS2 or USB keyboard and boot up to display the output of the BASIC interpreter on the video monitor. They make for a simple and fun computer similar to the home computers that were popular in the 70s and 80s, for example the Apple II, Tandy TRS-80, Commodore 64 and others. This is described in more detail here: https://geoffg.net/picomitevga.html WiFi/Internet Connected Controller. These supports the wireless interface on the Raspberry Pi Pico W (and 2 W) and using this you can create an embedded controller which has a miniature web server running on the Pico and can access the Internet to get the time, send emails, etc. This is described in more detail here: https://geoffg.net/webmite.html

The following describes the use of the PicoMite firmware as an embedded controller.

Program Development

When the Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico 2 is used as an embedded controller the program development is done on the device using a terminal emulator on a PC (Windows, Linux or MacOS) connected via a serial over USB interface to the Pico's USB connector. No special software or hardware is required other than the terminal emulator which is free. Over this USB interface the programmer can configure features, test BASIC commands, edit the program and run the program.

When the program is complete it can be set to automatically run on power up and the PC connection removed. The Pico will then independently run its program forever. The terminal emulator and PC can be reconnected at any time to modify or update the running program.

The emphasis with MMBasic is on ease of use and development. The development cycle is very fast with the ability to instantly switch from edit to run. Errors are listed in plain English and when an error does occur a single keystroke will invoke the built in editor with the cursor positioned on the line that caused the error.

Hardware Support

MMBasic supports all the hardware features of the Raspberry Pi Pico (serial, I2C, SPI, CPU clock, ADC, etc) and adds support for:

SD Cards with FAT16 or FAT32 file systems up to 32GB. Files can be created and read/written using both sequential or random access. Directories can be created/deleted and navigated. Long file and directory names are supported and the files written are fully compatible with Windows, Linux or MacOS.

from 0.96" to 9" (diagonal) with resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels. MMBasic supports multiple fonts, loadable images and extensive graphics commands for drawing graphs and icons on the display.

from 0.96" to 9" (diagonal) with resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels. MMBasic supports multiple fonts, loadable images and extensive graphics commands for drawing graphs and icons on the display. Touch Sensitive LCD panels are supported allowing the programmer to implement sophisticated graphical user interfaces with on screen buttons, switches, keypads, etc.

are supported allowing the programmer to implement sophisticated graphical user interfaces with on screen buttons, switches, keypads, etc. Real Time Clocks using the PCF8563, DS1307, DS3231 or DS3232 chips means that the time is always accurately known.

using the PCF8563, DS1307, DS3231 or DS3232 chips means that the time is always accurately known. Infrared Remote Control support allowing a Sony or NEC IR remote control to send signals to the BASIC program.

support allowing a Sony or NEC IR remote control to send signals to the BASIC program. Temperature and Humidity measurement using the DS18B20 or DHT22/DH11 sensors.

using the DS18B20 or DHT22/DH11 sensors. Distance measurement using the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor.

using the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor. Numeric keypads with 4x3 keypad or a 4x4 keypad layout for numeric data entry.

with 4x3 keypad or a 4x4 keypad layout for numeric data entry. Full support for the WS2812 multi colour LED chip which can be daisy chained into long strings.

All these features are built into the BASIC interpreter, there is no need to load libraries or write special code.

Program and Data Storage

The firmware will create a pseudo disk drive in the flash memory of the Pico which acts the same as an SD Card. You can use it to store and load programs and data and access it using the normal BASIC file commands (LOAD, SAVE, OPEN, etc) including random access for database type functionality. This is done automatically and it is always available.

For removable storage SD cards can be connected with full support built into MMBasic including the ability to open files for reading, writing or random access and loading and saving programs. SD cards connect directly to the Raspberry Pi Pico and the firmware will work with cards up to 32GB formatted in FAT16 or FAT32. The files created can be read and written on personal computers running Windows, Linux or the Mac operating system.

Compatibility

MMBasic on the Raspberry Pi Pico implements a large subset of Microsoft's GW-BASIC plus some more modern programming structures documented in the ANSI Standard for Full BASIC (X3.113-1987) or ISO/IEC 10279:1991.

It is also compatible with the version of MMBasic running on the Micromite and most programs written for the Micromite can be run with little or no change.

Example Program

The following is the full program for a three channel temperature logger. Every second it will record on an SD card the date, time and temperature (in C) from three DS18B20 temperature sensors. The file is Excel compatible and it can be read by a PC or laptop computer for analysis or graphing. To terminate the program press any key on the console keyboard.

Open "TemperatureLog.xls" for Output as #1

Do While Inkey$ = ""

Print #1, Date$ "," Time$ "," TEMPR(GP0) "," TEMPR(GP1) "," TEMPR(GP2)

Pause 400

Loop

Close #1

Credits

Peter Mather led the project, ported the MMBasic interpreter to the Raspberry Pi Pico and wrote the hardware device drivers. Geoff Graham wrote the MMBasic interpreter and the manual. Mick Ames wrote the PIO compiler and its corresponding documentation.

Help and Support

Support questions should be raised on the Back Shed forum (http://www.thebackshed.com/forum/Microcontrollers) where there are many enthusiastic MMBasic users who would be only too happy to help. The developers of this firmware are also regulars on this forum.

Explaining Computers has an informative introduction to the PicoMite: https://youtu.be/Cxmjy1nz6MM

New Version

Available below in the downloads section is a new version of the PicoMite firmware (V6.00.02). This includes support for both the Raspberry Pi Pico with the RP2040 processor and the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 with the RP2350 processor. It is a major update that includes many additional features.

Source Code

The compiled object code (the .uf2 file) for the PicoMite is free software: you can use or redistribute it as you please. The source code is available from GitHub ( https://github.com/UKTailwind/PicoMiteAllVersions ) and can be freely used subject to some conditions (see the header on the source files).

Downloads

User Manual (approx 230 pages including a BASIC programming tutorial) DOWNLOAD PicoMite firmware V6.00.02 (includes the above manual). DOWNLOAD Known bugs and issues DOWNLOAD

Previous versions of the firmware can be found in the archive.

Other Downloads
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A felon from West Valley City was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury after he was charged with carjacking a vehicle while the victim was still inside.

Joseph Anthony Kingston, 27, was federally charged with carjacking after an incident that occurred on April 30.

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According to court documents, West Valley City Police officers responded to a call asking for help in getting Kingston to leave a residence in West Valley City. Through a local records search, officers discovered that Kingston had an active felony warrant out for his arrest for state charges of robbery, and he was restricted from possessing a weapon.

When officers arrived on scene, they observed Kingston fleeing on foot over the propertys fence. Police searched the surrounding area by drone and K9 officers, but Kingston was not located.

Man who allegedly held Millcreek family hostage for months charged with 13 felonies

About 20 minutes later, police received a call from an adult man who stated he was the victim of a carjacking. According to the complaint, the man was completing a landscaping job in the area, and when he returned to his work truck, he allegedly found Kingston laying in the back.

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The victim stated that Kingston pulled a knife on him, told him drive and go, and to get Kingston out of the area. Kingston allegedly remained on the trucks floorboards until they had passed the police.

According to the complaint, the victim drove Kingston to a different area, and Kingston allegedly stole food and medical supplies from the truck before leaving.

West Valley City Police arrested Kingston later that same day after a foot pursuit. He allegedly still had medical supplies from the stolen work truck in his possession when he was arrested.

Latest headlines:

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A Springfield man has been found guilty of murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 25-year-old woman during an armed carjacking in the city in 2021, the Hampden County District Attorneys Office confirmed.

A Superior Court jury convicted Kaysone Walters of first-degree murder, armed carjacking and other charges in the death of Chicopee resident Brianne Boisselle, the district attorneys office said in an email to MassLive.

Springfield officers found Boisselle unresponsive with stab wounds on her body on Baldwin Street shortly before 9 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2021, police said previously. They tried to revive her, but she was ultimately declared dead.

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Investigators identified Walters as a suspect and applied for a warrant for his arrest on Aug. 17, 2021, but by then, he had fled the state, police said. He evaded law enforcement for over a month following Boiselles killing, but was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Florida as a fugitive from justice in October 2021.

Walters trial in connection with Boiselles death began May 19, according to Western Mass News. He is set to be sentenced on June 6, the district attorneys office said.

No further information about the case  including a motive  has been released.

More local crime stories

Read the original article on MassLive.






Sherri Papini was born the younger of two girls to her parents, Richard and Loretta Graeff

After she went missing in November 2016, Papini's parents helped lead the search for her

In ID's May 2025 docuseries, Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie, her parents said that they didn't believe her latest claims that she was actually kidnapped







Sherri Papini vanished from her home in Redding, Calif., on Nov. 2, 2016. Her parents, Richard Graeff and Loretta Graeff, were in the middle of organizing a balloon release in her honor when they learned that she had been found.

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My friend gets a phone call from a lady in the gas station on I-5, Sherris father said in the 2025 Investigation Discovery docuseries Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie. The [California Highway Patrol] went into that gas station and said, We found her. We just fell apart.

The mom of two told police that she had been kidnapped by two armed and masked Hispanic women who allegedly chained her in a bedroom and subjected her to 22 days of torture, including branding the word EXODUS on her back. Sherri claimed that one of the women let her go on Thanksgiving Day, when she was found walking along a rural road 150 miles from her home.

Days after her return, Richard told PEOPLE that the family was so thankful to have Sherri back and that she needed time to heal.

But a six-year-long investigation revealed that Sherri had fabricated the abduction and spent those 22 days hiding out in her ex-boyfriends apartment in Costa Mesa, Calif. In 2022, she was charged with making false statements and mail fraud and received an 18-month federal prison sentence.

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Two years after her release in 2023, Sherri claimed in the docuseries that she lied only about her kidnappers identity and that it was her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes, who abducted and held her captive.

She told Caught in the Lie filmmakers that she wanted to keep the details of their prior emotional affair hidden out of fear husband, Keith Papini, would use it to take full custody of their children. Reyes denied Sherris claims, and Richard said in the docuseries that nobody knows what the real truth is.

Heres everything to know about what Loretta and Richard Graeff have said about Sherri Papinis case  and what their relationship is like with their daughter now.

Who are Loretta Graeff and Richard Graeff?

Max Richard and Loretta Graeff, Sherri Papini's parents. Richard and Loretta Graeff, Sherri Papini's parents.

Loretta and Richard Graeff raised Sherri and her sister, Sheila Koester, in northern California. In the 2024 Hulu docuseries Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, Koester claimed that they bonded over shared childhood trauma stemming from drug and alcohol abuse in their home.

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Sherris childhood friend, Jenifer Harrison, told filmmakers that Sherri would come over to her house to escape whatever was going on with her parents. She also alleged that she witnessed Loretta grabbing Sherri by her hair, cursing at her and dragging her down the hallway.

Sherri ran away from home at 16, and in recorded interviews featured in Perfect Wife, Richard, described her to detectives as a couch hopper who drifted between friends homes.

The Sacramento Bee reported in 2017 that 13 years before her disappearance, the family had made multiple 911 calls regarding Sherris behavior. Richard accused his daughter of vandalizing his home in 2000 and of making an unauthorized withdrawal from his bank account in 2003, according to call logs and incident reports obtained by the outlet.

In 2003, Loretta also alleged that Sherri, then 21 years old, was harming herself and blaming the injuries on [her] and called the police seeking advice on how to handle the situation.

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None of the cases resulted in charges or arrests, and the family called the newspapers decision to publish them shameful and victim-blaming in a statement to ABC News.

What have Sherri Papinis parents said about her case?

Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo Sherri Papini Sherri Papini

In Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie, Loretta told filmmakers that she didnt believe her daughter was kidnapped.

"My daughter was very, very unhappy in her marriage, she said. She wanted some kind of happiness. When [Reyes] showed up and Sherri went with him, it wasn't a kidnapping, it was more 'I want to have a little bit of happiness in my life because it's been very, very hard.' "

Loretta also alleged that her daughter needed to get away from Keith and that she didnt abandon her two kids, Tyler Papini and Violet Papini.

Where are Loretta Graeff and Richard Graeff now?

investigation Discovery Loretta Graeff Loretta Graeff

Loretta and Richard have maintained a low profile since their daughters alleged abduction and subsequent arrest. However, they both participated in the 2025 docuseries Caught in the Lie.

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After Sherri was released in 2023, she moved in with her parents. Richard told filmmakers that he and Loretta have lost jobs, friends and family because of how highly publicized and controversial the case was.

Its difficult to explain what theyve been through, Sherri said in the docuseries. Ive watched my parents be crucified in the media  Its horrifying to think that Im even a little bit a part of that.

When asked if they felt like they knew what really happened with their daughter, Richard responded, Youd have to ask Sherri.



Read the original article on People
The White House has sharply criticized a federal court's ruling that deemed large parts of the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump to be unlawful.

The judges of the relevant US Court of International Trade in New York had "brazenly abused their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump," Trump's spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in the US capital, Washington.

The US government, she said, was once again confronted with an example of judicial overreach the previous evening.

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The United States has recorded a trade deficit on goods every year since 1975, she pointed out. "President Trump is delivering on his promise to fix this problem," Leavitt said in defending the US tariff policy.

Trump's justification for introducing the high tariffs was legally sound and based on common sense, she claimed. She said it was right for the president to have declared a national emergency when it came to issues like the drug fentanyl or the trade deficit.

Leavitt suggested that the White House would comply with the judicial order. At the same time, she also said that the government had initiated legal action against it.

In the interest of the country, the US Supreme Court must ultimately put an end to the matter, she said. The government spokeswoman expressed optimism about winning the case in court.

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Nevertheless, she said Trump will continue his trade policy. He also has other legal powers to impose tariffs, Leavitt stressed.

On Wednesday, the trade court in New York ruled that Trump did not have the authority to impose extensive tariffs by invoking an emergency law. The relevant tariffs would be revoked and their application permanently prohibited, the court ordered.

The decision affects almost all tariffs imposed by Trump's administration. The legal dispute is now expected to make its way through the courts.

The European Commission on Thursday declined to comment on the ruling. Trump unexpectedly threatened the European Union with punitive tariffs of 50% starting on June 1, before postponing the measures shortly afterwards to allow for negotiations.

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Talks on a possible deal are under way, with both sides hoping to find a solution by July 9, when Trump's suspension expires.

A spokesman for the German Economy Ministry also said it was not possible to comment on legal proceedings in the United States. "We remain confident that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached in the negotiations between the European Commission and the US government," he said.

The court ruling affects almost all tariffs imposed by Trump's administration, including the punitive levies introduced on what the US president termed Liberation Day in early April, as well as certain tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.

While the decision was a clear defeat for Trump, the legal dispute is set to continue. Observers do not rule out the possibility that an appeals court will temporarily reinstate the measures. In the meantime, the trade situation remains tense.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The White House will fix errors in a much-anticipated federal government report spearheaded by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which decried America's food supply, pesticides and prescription drugs.

Kennedy's wide-ranging Make America Healthy Again report, released last week, cited hundreds of studies, but a closer look by the news organization NOTUS found that some of those studies did not actually exist.

Asked about the report's problems, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the report will be updated.

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I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated. Leavitt told reporters during her briefing. But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government.

Kennedy has repeatedly said he would bring radical transparency and gold-standard science to the public health agencies. But the secretary refused to release details about who authored the 72-page report, which calls for increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the nation's children as overmedicated and undernourished.

Leavitt said that the White House has complete confidence in Kennedy.

Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected, HHS Spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement. He described the report as a historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children.

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NOTUS reported Thursday that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have ever been published. An author of one study confirmed that while she conducted research on the topics of anxiety in children, she never authored the report listed. Some studies were also misinterpreted in the MAHA report. The problematic citations were on topics around children's screen time, medication use and anxiety.

Kennedy's MAHA report had already been stoking concerns among Trump loyalists, including farmers who criticized how the report characterized the chemicals sprayed on U.S. crops.

The report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year. The White House has requested a $500 million boost in funding from Congress for Kennedy's MAHA initiative.



Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Joe Exotic will remain in prison until further notice.

The White House responded to the Tiger King docuseries subject's request to be pardoned by President Donald Trump over his conviction for the attempted murder-for-hire of his rival Carole Baskin, for which he is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence in Florida.

Addressing the inquiry, a White House official told E! News May 28, "We do not speculate on pardons that may or may not happen."

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Prior to the executive branch's statement, Exoticwho was convicted of 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire in 2020 but has long proclaimed his innocencecalled out Trump for issuing full pardons for Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley over their 2022 tax fraud convictions before helping him out.

"I guess being innocent is not enough in America," the 62-year-old wrote in a message on X May 27 before noting that he's also been battling late-stage prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2021. "They all admitted to perjury on world television but yet I'm left to die of cancer before I can get any help."

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He added, "Why is it the entire world can see the evidence but the White House refuses to acknowledge that they did this to me knowing that they were lying."

Following the message, many came out in support of Exotic being pardoned, with one user writing on X, "@realDonaldTrump free the Tiger King."

Another theorized that it would happen soon, saying, "I have a feeling your gonna be on the list of pardons just hang in there."

Netflix

And while Exotic may be looking to get out of his prison sentence, which is currently scheduled to end in 2041, his time behind bars hasn't only been filled with negative experiences.

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After all, last month, the former big cat owner announced that he tied the knot with a fellow prison inmate.

Never been more proud of someone, Exotic wrote on X April 21, alongside a photo of him and his partner in matching suits at the wedding. Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado.

As for the Chrisleys, read on for all the details on their legal case.

Indicted on Tax Evasion and Other Charges

Todd and Julie Chrisley were indicted on 12 counts by a federal grand jury in Atlanta in August 2019 on charges included wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to a document obtained by NBC News. Prosecutors claimed fraud began in the mid-aughtsinclusive of evading nearly $2 million in state taxes between 2008 and 2016 and hiding over $1 million dollars from the IRS. The day before the indictment was issued, Todd maintained he and his wife were innocent, and instead said a trusted employee had been stealing from and blackmailing the couple. "We have nothing to hide and have done nothing to be ashamed of," he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. "Not only do we know we've done nothing wrong, but we've got a ton of hard evidence and bunch of corroborating witnesses that proves it."





Todd and Julie Found Guilty

It wasnt until three years later that the Chrisley Knows Best stars went to trial. Following three weeks of testimonies, the pair, who had pleaded not guilty, were convicted on all counts of tax evasion and bank fraud on June 7, 2022. The U.S. attorney's office had alleged the duo and their accountant Peter Tarantinowho stood trial with themconspired to defraud banks out of more than $30 million over the course of a decade. "As today's outcome shows, when you lie, cheat and steal, justice is blind as to your fame, your fortune, and your position," Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a June 2022 statement. "In the end, when driven by greed, the verdict of guilty on all counts for these three defendants proves once again that financial crimes do not pay."





Sentenced to Multiple Years in Prison

Five months later, the Northern District of Georgia sentenced Todd to 12 years behind bars and Julie to seven years. (Peter was sentenced to three years in prison.) "Over the course of a decade, the defendants defrauded banks out of tens of millions of dollars while evading payment of their federal income taxes," U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in a November 2022 statement. "Their lengthy sentences reflect the magnitude of their criminal scheme and should serve as a warning to others tempted to exploit our nation's community banking system for unlawful personal gain." However, Julie and Todds respective sentences were shortened in September 2023with Julie scheduled to be released a year and three months earlier, and Todd two years earlier than his originally scheduled 2035 release. "Without a doubt, Todd and Julie are model incarcerated individuals who received exorbitant sentences," Jay Surgent, the pair's attorney, told Insider in September 2023. "I believe Todd is down to 10 years and Julie is now at five years."





Starting Their Sentences

The couple started their respective prison sentences in January 2023, with Todd serving his time at Federal Correctional Institution (FPI) Pensacola in Florida and Julie at a different federal prison in Lexington, Kentucky.

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No Contact

Six months after Julie and Todd reported to their respective prisons, their daughter Savannah Chrisley shared insight into how the duo were doing, revealing that her parents did not have contact during their time behind bars. "195 days without a word to each other" she wrote in an August 2023 Instagram story. "My heart is breakingPlease help to bring justice!" She also pushed back at rumors about their time in prison. "It's hilarious because one of them was like, 'Oh, he's let himself go,'" she said on her Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley podcast. "First off, news flash, they don't sell hair color in commissary. So of course his hair is gray! But, you know what, I would tell him today, if he was out, keep it that way. Like, it looks good! He's got a great prison barber."





Todd Details Filthy Prison Conditions

However, Todd spoke out from behind bars about the mistreatment he faced at the federal prison camp in Pensacola, Fla. "The food is dated," he said in a phone interview on a December 2023 episode of Cuomo. "It's a year past expiration." "You've got rats, you've got squirrels in the storage facility where the food is," he continued. "They just covered it up with plastic and then tore the ceiling out because of all the black mold and found a dead cat in the ceiling, and it dropped down on the top of the food." Beyond the horrors in the cafeteria, he alleged that someone also attempted to extort his family members. "There was a photograph taken of me while I was sleeping and sent to my daughter," he noted, "asking for $2,600 dollars a month for my protection."





Savannah Chrisley Speaks Out

Savannah, who has custody of younger siblings Grayson and Chloe amid her parents sentences, has explained how their convictions and their lack of contact with one another has weighed on her. "The last time they spoke was the morning they went into federal prison," she shared with E! News March 2024, alleging that there's "a lot of retaliation going on against my father for how outspoken we've been about conditions." In fact, she alleged that prison officials had been "blocking a lot of his emails correspondence to my mom." And while not wanting to make the experience about herself, she admitted that it was overwhelming at times. "What's tough for me is how Mom and Dad have that feeling that life is just continuing to move on without them," Savannah explained on her podcast Unlocked in April 2024. "In a way, I have that feeling with people in my life because it's like they just continue on living their lives." "I'm still sitting here struggling to catch my breath," she continued. "Whether it's financially with the kids, trying to parent, me in a relationship."





Julie's Prison Sentence Overturned

Julie's seven-year prison sentence was overturned June 2024 following a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Although the panel upheld her convictions, the court ruled the judge in the 2022 trial miscalculated the reality star's sentence. "The district court did not identify the evidence it relied on to hold Julie accountable for losses incurred before 2007, and we cannot independently find it in the record," the judges stated in their ruling. "So we vacate Julie's sentence and remand solely for the district court to make the factual findings and calculations necessary to determine loss, restitution, and forfeiture as to Julie and to resentence her accordingly." Her case was handed to a lower court to determine how her sentencing would be adjusted while Todd's sentencing remained unaffected.

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A Tearful Apology

Three months after her prison sentence was overturned, an Atlanta court ultimately upheld Julies previous seven-year prison sentence. And she made a tearful apologyboth to her children and the court. "I would like to say Ive had years to think about what Ive wanted to say and Im sorry for my actions and situations that let us to where we are today," Julie said before the court, per People, during the Sept. 25 hearing. "Ive had 20 months in prison, but it has been much more leading up to the trial and I apologize for my actions that led to where we are today," "I have done everything I can do to get closer to my family. Ive taken tests for new skills, such as driving a forklift and serving food in proper ways," she continued, "this has been the most difficult part of my life. I cant ever repay my children for what theyve had to go through and for that, I am so sorry," she added.





President Donald Trump Pardons the Chrisleys

The Chrisleys are heading home. They received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, he told Savannah in a phone call May 27, 2025. "For the past two and a half years, Ive done everything in my power to fight for my parents freedom and bring them home," Savannah said in a statement to E! News. "This moment is the answer to countless prayers, and I am beyond grateful to President Trump for seeing the truth and restoring my family." They were both released on May 28, 2025.



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
White House officials claimed to be the victims of a judicial coup amid a battle between federal courts to determine the legality of President Donald Trumps attempts to unilaterally impose potentially economically ruinous tariffs on the bulk of U.S. imports.

On Wednesday, the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade determined that the president had exceed any authority granted to him by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)  a 1970s law that allows the president to implement embargoes and levy sanctions during a national emergency, but has nothing to do with tariffs. Trump has cited the IEEPA as the legal justification to levy steep retaliatory tariffs on the nations biggest trade partners, leading to panic throughout virtually every sector of the economy. The following day, a federal judge in the District Court for the District of Columbia also ruled that Trump lacked the appropriate authority under the IEEPA.

The Trump administration quickly appealed the trade courts ruling on Wednesday, and on Thursday the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the ruling.

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The White House has been livid over the judiciary trying to stop Trump from imposing tariffs.

Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote Wednesday on X, for example, that the judicial coup is out of control.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt elaborated during a press briefing on Thursday, telling reporters that the three judges of the U.S. Court of International Trade abused their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump to stop him from carrying out the mandate that the American people gave him.

These judges failed to acknowledge that the president of the United States has core Foreign Affairs powers and authority given to him by Congress to protect the United States economy and national security, Leavitt argued.

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Meanwhile, Peter Navarro, one of Trumps trade advisers, went on Fox Business to bash the rogue judges who blocked the tariffs, before changing the subject when the host pointed out that one of them was appointed by Trump. Navarro also slammed a reporter as biased when he was asked in front of the White House about he and the administrations criticism of judges who rule against them.

Trump could avoid all of this by simply asking Congress to green-light his tariffs  which isnt likely to happen because even congressional Republicans recognize the damage the tariffs will do to the economy, and would not likely pass legislation allowing them. Trumps only recourse, then, is to circumvent Congress, and then lash out at the judiciary when it tries to stop him.

Fox News asked Leavitt during the press briefing on Thursday why the president couldnt ask the Republican-controlled Congress to pass new laws that the courts couldnt claim he was violating. Leavitt said that these laws have already been granted to the president by the Constitution and by laws that have been previously passed.

They havent, though, and the president and the White House seem determined to strip the federal judiciary of its core function: interpreting the laws passed by Congress and the edicts issued by the president, and determining their legality.

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Trump administration officials are making clear that they wont back down on their global tariff policies without a fight, even after a federal court struck down its emergency tariffs on dozens of countries in a ruling Wednesday night.

Kevin Hassett, the head of Trumps National Economic Council, brushed off the ruling on Fox Business on Thursday morning, calling the decision a mere hiccup in Trumps plan caused by activist judges.

In a month or two, you are going to look ahead and see that countries have opened their markets to American products, they have lowered their non-tariff barriers, they have lowered their tariffs and all the countries that have done that are being treated very respectfully and well by U.S., Hassett said, adding that countries that dont abide by Trumps plan should expect some form of reciprocal tariffs.

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That confident pose contrasts with the position the Trump administration took in oral arguments before the Court of International Trade, which issued the ruling Wednesday against Trumps tariffs, and in other judicial venues.

In a hearing this week in the District Court for the District of Columbia, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said an adverse decision would kneecap the president on the world stage, cripple his ability to negotiate trade deals, imperil the government's ability to respond to these and future national emergencies.

Trump relied on the 1977 International Economic Emergency Powers Act to impose his sweeping reciprocal tariffs on the grounds that the large and persistent trade deficit represented a national emergency. He also imposed separate IEEPA tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico to address concerns about fentanyl and undocumented migration.

The Court of International Trade ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority in imposing the tariffs, but Hassett rejected that argument.

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The idea that the fentanyl crisis in America is not an emergency is so appalling to me that I'm sure that when we appeal, that this decision will be overturned, Hassett said.

Trump delayed the highest reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries for 90 days, or until July 9, to allow time for negotiations, but left a 10 percent baseline duty in place.

Hassett indicated the administration would operate on the assumption the appeals court will uphold the tariffs in order to press on with negotiations, which he suggested would end successfully with many countries by the July deadline.

It's certainly not going to affect the negotiations. Because in the end, people know President Trump is 100 percent serious and they also have seen that President Trump always wins, Hassett said.

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At the end of last week, administration officials had three deals that were basically ready for the president's decision, Hassett said. There are many, many deals coming, and there were three that basically look like they're done.

If the administration does lose on appeal, there are other statutes the White House could use to pursue Trumps tariff agenda, Hassett continued.

He did not identify any by name, but Trump used Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act to impose tariffs on hundreds of billions of tariffs from China during his first term and Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act to impose or threaten duties on various industrial sectors, such as steel, aluminum and autos.

While the administration considered IEEPA the best option, there are three or four other ways to do it, Hassett said.

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Meanwhile, Trump administration officials are lashing out at the judiciary and piling up attempts to discredit judges who issue unfavorable decisions as activists trying to undermine the presidents agenda.

White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai issued a harsh rebuke of the decision, slamming the deciding judges as unelected, an oft-used insult launched by members of the Trump administration at sitting judges.

It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness, Desai wrote.

Longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller similarly decried the decision on Fox Business on Thursday morning as evidence of the workings of the deep state.

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What this really shows is the global deep state is real, this legal deep state. This is their last line of defense  you have these unelected judges who are trying to force their own will when it comes to tax policy, trade policy, and all matters of the economy," Miller said, echoing attack lines on the judicial system  and on individual judges  that have become routine from the president and his allies amid escalating legal battles over several of his policies.

However, some Republican fiscal hawks are praising the ruling.

I have said time and time again that the Founders wanted to prevent one person from having unilateral control and decision-making powers, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has repeatedly criticized Trumps tariff strategy, said in a post to X on Thursday. Thats why the power of the purse and the ability to tax lie with Congress, not the president.

Amanda Friedman contributed to this report.
Israel accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by U.S. negotiators, but Hamas is said to still be considering the proposal.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a ceasefire proposal.

The Associated Press reported the deal includes a 60-day cessation of fighting. Hamas would be required to release 10 living hostages and a number of bodies, while Israel would agree to release over 1,000 prisoners. Hundreds of trucks of food and aid would also be permitted to enter Gaza.

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Wednesday marked 600 days since Hamas militants attacked Israel on what was the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli Jews were celebrating the holiday Sukkot; many soldiers were on leave, spending time with their family on the Jewish holy day. Hamas attack took Israel by surprise, and as many as 1,200 died and hundreds were taken hostage.

As Israel responded to the attack, the war began in earnest. In the past year and half, tens of thousands of Palestinians have died, and even more have been displaced by the fighting.

Five hundred more Israelis have also died, mostly in combat. Hamas still holds 58 hostages, but only around 20 are believed to be alive.

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Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas officials have struggled to agree to ceasefire terms, as the United States and Middle Eastern countries continue to try to negotiate an agreement.

Netanyahu has vowed that the war will not end until Hamas is defeated, Israeli hostages are back on home soil and that Gaza does not present a threat to Israel, reports The Times of Israel. For its part, Hamas says it will not stop fighting or return hostages until Israel withdraws completely from Gaza and Palestinians receive autonomy.

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. | Abdel Kareem Hana

Israels conditions are inching towards completion more quickly than Hamas are. On Wednesday, Netanyahu confirmed that Mohammad Sinwar, Hamas Gaza chief, was killed in an Israeli strike on a Gazan hospital, per Reuters.

Hamas has not corroborated Israels report.

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In the last two days we have been in a dramatic turn toward a complete defeat of Hamas, Netanyahu told the press.

Timeline of the Israel-Hamas war

Heres an abridged timeline of the war to its current point.
The White House deepened its attacks on the judiciary on Wednesday as it hit back at a federal court decision striking down President Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs.

[Trade] deficits have created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told HuffPost in a statement. It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.

And White House senior adviser Stephen Miller went even further, claiming in a post on X that the judicial coup is out of control.

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The statements mark the Trump administrations latest broadsides against the courts after judges have repeatedly paused or blocked White House policies ranging from the rollback of Biden-era immigration programsto the targeting of various law firms. With Republicans in Congress declining to use their power to check the president, the judiciary has become one of Trumps few restraints and has received his wrath  which, in turn, earned the president a rare rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

In the latest blow to Trumps agenda, a bipartisan panel at the U.S. International Court of Trade determined in a unanimous decision on Wednesday that the president had acted beyond his authority in imposing reciprocal tariffs, and that his justification for the import taxes using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act wasnt sufficient.

The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs, the judges wrote in their opinion, which also called for the levies to be vacated.

The administration has signaled that it will appeal the courts decision.

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The White Houses digs on Wednesday at judges add to repeated salvos Trump and others have made when theyve disagreed with actions a court has taken. Previously, Trump has called judges crooked, radical, and MONSTERS, and even personally attacked individuals like U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who issued a court order halting the deportation of Venezuelan migrants.

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has spoken on how this onslaught is designed to intimidate the judiciary, calling the rhetoric attacks on our democracy [that]  ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law. Increasingly, judges have also raised concerns about their safety. A Reuters investigation found that at least 11 federal judges who have ruled against Trump have faced threats of violence and harassment directed at their families.
Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that the conversation with Trump Whitmer referenced did not take place at the White House.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a radio interview May 29 that President Donald Trump had previously told her he would not consider pardons for the men convicted of conspiring to kidnap her  a position he apparently veered from this week, when he told press gathered in the White House "I'm going to take a look at it."

Whitmer, speaking with Michigan Public Radio Network reporter Rick Pluta at the Detroit Regional Chamber Conference on Mackinac Island, said not condemning political violence "does a disservice to everyone."

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"I'll be honest with you, I talked to the president about a month ago and he asked me how I'd feel about this and I said I think it would be the wrong decision, I would oppose it, and he said 'okay, I'll drop it.' Now we see this revelation. So, I'm not sure how to process it," Whitmer said in an interview for the Michigan Public Radio Network that aired May 29.

Whitmer added she would be reaching out to Trump, a Republican, over the weekend. She previously visited the Oval Office and earned Trump's support for a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, as well as for a facility designed to keep invasive carp species out of the Great Lakes. Trump praised Whitmer, a Democrat, during the April visit, saying, "She's really been doing an excellent job."

More: Trump to consider pardoning convicted Whitmer kidnap plotters

Opinion: Democrats better hope Michigan Gov. Whitmer changes her mind about presidential run

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Whitmer, who typically meets one-on-one with reporters at the conference, declined an interview request from the Free Press through her office.

Trump, speaking in the Oval Office May 28, told reporters he was considering a pardon for the convicted plotters. In Aug. 2022, a jury convicted Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. of conspiring to kidnap Whitmer in 2020 after being disgruntled with her government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Its been brought to my attention. I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job, Ill be honest with you," Trump said, of a potential pardon. "It looked to me like some people said some stupid things. You know, they were drinking and I think they said stupid things."

As president, Trump has authority to pardon any individual convicted of a felony under federal law.

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Whitmer noted the July assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, saying it's imperative for leaders to condemn political violence regardless of party.

"I will just point out that when the man shot at the president when he was on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, I was one of the first office holders on either side of the aisle to condemn it. Because anything short of condemnation creates a dangerous space for people that are swornan oath to do the work of the public," Whitmer told Pluta. "We don't take up arms and harm one another. And so, I'm going to make my thoughts on this known to the White House again. And I hope that it's not an action that they take."

During a Q&A session on the stage of the Mackinac Policy Conference, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Tricia Keith asked Whitmer about the possibility of the Trump pardons.

"Oh what are you talking about?" Whitmer said. But after injecting some humor, she became serious. "No one should hesitate to condemn political violence," she said, adding that she hopes Trump doesn't follow through on the pardons he floated.

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Fox received a 16-year prison sentence, while Croft received a 19-year sentence after being convicted of an additional weapons charge. Both are currently serving their sentences at a maximum security federal prison in Colorado. In April, a U.S. 6th Circuit of Appeals panel denied their requests for a new trial.

Whitmer had previously condemned the kidnapping plot and called the convictions of Fox and Croft proof "that violence and threats have no place in our politics and those who seek to divide us will be held accountable."

In total, 14 men were charged for their involvement with the plot. Prosecutors had mixed success across federal and state courts, landing nine convictions while five men were acquitted across state and federal courts.

This story has been updated to add additional information and reflect that the interview aired on a number of public radio programs.

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Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer: Trump said he would not pardon convicted kidnap plotters
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has broken her silence one day after President Donald Trump said he will consider whether to pardon two men convicted of plotting to kidnap her.

Speaking with News 8 political reporter Rick Albin at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday morning, Whitmer said she was very disappointed when she heard the news.

(Im) very disappointed that they are even considering it, frankly, she said. When the president was shot at in Pennsylvania, I was one of the first people on either side of the aisle to condemn it. We have to condemn political violence, no matter who it comes from, no matter who it is aimed at. It does a disservice to everyone if we do anything short of that.

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Trump told reporters Wednesday that he is going to look at it, referring to the convictions of Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr.

The two men were convicted in August 2022 of two counts of conspiracy and attempts to use a weapon of mass destruction. Croft was also convicted on a separate explosives charge.

Croft was sentence to serve nearly 20 years in prison. Fox was sentenced to serve 16.

This combo of images provided by the Kent County Jail shows Barry Croft Jr., left, and Adam Fox. An appeals court is raising major questions about the trial of the two key figures in a plot to kidnap Michigans governor  and putting federal prosecutors on the defensive as the government tries to preserve the extraordinary guilty verdicts. (Kent County Sheriffs Office via AP)

The president told reporters that he followed the trial as it proceeded in 2022.

I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job, Ill be honest with you. It looked to me like some people said some stupid things. They were drinking and I think they said stupid things, Trump said, adding that people from both sides have asked about pardoning the two men.

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Investigators say Croft, of Delaware; Fox, of Grand Rapids; and other militia members were angry about Whitmers orders aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, investigators said, the group wanted to snatch her from her vacation home near Elk Rapids and blow up bridges to slow down the police chasing them. Investigators say the men held training exercises and tried to buy explosives  but the sellers were actually undercover FBI agents. The plot was busted in October 2020.

Croft and Fox were convicted in August 2022 at the conclusion of their second trial after the jury deadlocked the first time around. They were sentenced that December.

Croft and Fox appealed, but the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected arguments they were entrapped by government informants and agents and upheld their convictions.

Between Defendants extremist group affiliations, threatening social media posts, and numerous self-incriminating private communications, it is evident that Defendants were ready and willing to commit these crimes long before being introduced to any government informants, the court wrote earlier this year.

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A total of 14 people were charged at either the state or federal level in connection to the plot. Of those, five were acquitted.

Gov. Whitmer hopes the president will hear her out and take her opinions into account before making a decision.

I will be making my thoughts known to the White House and I hope they take it into consideration, she said.

 News 8s Rick Albin and Cameron James contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Reality TV star Todd Chrisley maintained his and his wife's innocence on Friday during the first public remarks he's made since President Trump pardoned the couple earlier this week.

Todd, 56, and his wife Julie, 52, were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion. The pair, standing alongside their daughter Savannah, 27, addressed reporters from a hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

"Even though this pardon has happened, I still was convicted of something that I did not do," Todd said. "It could be you. It could be you, it could be any of you. And somewhere in this room, someone has had a family member that has been affected by the system."

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The couple reunited for the first time in two years on Thursday. Savannah took a photo of them speaking to each other and posted it to her Instagram Stories alongside the caption Reunited and it feels so good!

Savannah Chrisley/Instagram

Savannah also posted photos and a video of her and Todd after he was released from a minimum-security prison camp in Florida on Wednesday. "To the paparazzi following us looking to pay your bills heres your photo," she captioned one of the Instagram posts.

Julie was also photographed out in public after leaving the facility where she was being held in Kentucky on Wednesday.

Savannah, who has been advocating for her parents to be pardoned over the last two-and-a-half years, told reporters on Wednesday: We just want to get home. We want to be reunited.

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Trump had announced his intention to pardon the couple on Tuesday, telling media outlets that they had been given a pretty harsh treatment based on what Im hearing. That same day, the Chrisleys attorney, Alex Little, told Anderson Cooper that the pardon corrects a deep injustice, arguing that the couple had been targeted because of their conservative values and high profile.

Heres what we know about the Chrisleys and the crimes for which they were just pardoned.

Who are Todd and Julie Chrisley?

The couple is best known for starring on the reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, which ran on the USA Network from 2014 to 2023.

According to the synopsis on IMDb, the show follows Atlanta-based self-made multimillionaire Todd Chrisley, his devoted wife Julie and their five children, who live a seemingly picture-perfect Southern life with everything money can buy. The show was initially filmed in Atlanta and later in Nashville.

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In 2019, the show inspired the spinoff Growing Up Chrisley, which ran on E! and starred the couples eldest children, Chase and Savannah, living in Los Angeles. Todd also hosted a short-lived E! dating series called Love Limo, which premiered around the time of the couples trial in May 2022.

What were they charged with?

From left: Members of the Chrisley family: Chase, Savannah, Todd and Julie. (Richard Shotwell/AP)

The couple was first indicted by a federal grand jury in Atlanta in 2019 for tax evasion, conspiracy and 12 counts of bank and wire fraud. The evasion charge was later dropped, but prosecutors accused the Chrisleys and their former accountant, Peter Tarantino, of submitting fake bank and financial statements to get loans from as early as 2007 until at least 2012.

Prosecutors in the case said the couple had been committing offenses for years before they became famous, and that their show boosted evidence of their fraud and hiding of earnings from tax authorities, the Associated Press reported in 2022. Prosecutors claimed Tarantino helped the Chrisleys hide their income and told the IRS that the couple could not afford to pay a tax debt from 2009 despite the shows success.

The Chrisleys and Tarantino were found guilty on all counts in June 2022 and began their sentences in January 2023. The couple was sentenced to a combined 19 years; Todd served at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Fla., and was expected to be released in September 2032, while Julie was sent to the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Ky., until January 2028.

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Both Todd and Julie filed requests to appeal their cases in April 2024; Todds request was denied in July 2024, and while Julies appeal was granted due to insufficient evidence, the judge overseeing the case still upheld the original sentencing in December 2024.

Tarantino, 62, was sentenced to three years in prison and spent 18 months in custody before being released in November 2024.

He did not receive a pardon from Trump and, in response, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: I think that the prosecution was overly aggressive in charging me. When there are high-profile people involved, theres a certain motivation by the prosecution to make as big a splash as possible.

Why did Trump pardon the Chrisleys?

Savannah Chrisley in Pensacola, Fla., moments before her father was released from prison there on May 28. (Dan Anderson/AP)

The couples attorney, Alex Little, said in an interview with NBC News that he did not know why the president chose to pardon his clients, but that he had supplied Trumps pardon czar, Alice Johnson, with a binder of court documents and testimonials.

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In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Johnson said she found the couple had been overly sentenced.

They both received a combined sentence of 19 years for a first-time nonviolent offense, Johnson said. They dont pose a risk to society.

NBC also reported that Little said the Chrisleys did not attempt to seek pardons from former President Joe Biden. Instead, their daughter, Savannah, who endorsed Trumps candidacy in a speech at the Republican National Convention last July, started advocating for a presidential pardon when she met with some members of the Trump family before his inauguration.

President Trump feels very focused on the issue of criminal justice because he has been a focus of investigations that were directed at him," Little said. "And hes treated it differently because of that.

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White House communications adviser Margo Martin posted a video on X Monday showing Trump on the phone with Savannah. In it, hes heard saying, I dont know them, but send them my regards.

They were given a pretty harsh treatment based on what Im hearing, Trump continued. I hear theyre terrific people. This should not have happened.

The Chrisleys were indicted under the authority of the then U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Byung J. Pak, who was appointed by Trump in 2017.

BREAKING!



President Trump calls @_ItsSavannah_ to inform her that he will be granting full pardons to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley!



Trump Knows Best! pic.twitter.com/j5WPMOOQ7L  Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 27, 2025

Whats next for the Chrisleys?

Following her fathers release on Wednesday, Savannah told reporters outside of the federal prison in Pensacola, Fla., that the family has a new show that will be premiering later this year on Lifetime.

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It will document all of these things, Savannah said. Were excited. We literally could not have done it. Its all God and President Trump at this point.

Deadline reported last week that Lifetime had ordered the still-untitled series after Todd and Julie were sentenced in 2022. The show is set to premiere sometime later this year and will follow the Chrisley children in the aftermath of their parents prison sentences.
[WATCH: In the video player above the I-Team gets a 1-on-1 interview with Governor DeWine on Browns dome plan.]

CLEVELAND  The Fox 8 I-Team has learned the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio is in favor of the Cleveland Browns building an enclosed stadium in Brook Park.

Ohio FOP President Jay McDonald sent a letter to Matt Huffman, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday saying his organization supports the project.

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As a representative of the law enforcement community, we believe this move presents a unique opportunity to promote regional development, enhance community engagement, and foster long-term public safety partnerships, the letter states. Considering the growing scale and complexity of major sporting events, as well as the increased number of events that will take place at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Brook Park, we recognize the need for a coordinated, regional approach to law enforcement that ensures public safety, enhances operational efficiency, and promotes community trust.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio Foundation (ACT Ohio) and the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council (CBCTC) are also backing the project.

Courtesy of Cleveland Browns

The Fraternal Order of Police Ohio is the largest law enforcement organization in Ohio and is proud to support this initiative, McDonalds letter states. We look forward to working alongside community leaders and stakeholders to ensure a safe, vibrant and successful transition for the Browns, their fans, and other visitors who will be attracted to our region by the State of Ohios first dome stadium.

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Cleveland Clinic updates new copay policy after backlash

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, however, has disagreed. He calls the proposed project a boondoggle. He and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb want to keep the Browns playing downtown.

Courtesy of Cleveland Browns

The Browns are seeking $600 million in state bonds, to be repaid with profits from the new stadium, and plan to put up more than $2 billion of their own for the stadium and surrounding development.

Gov. Mike DeWine has said he believes the dome project is a good thing for the state. He, however, has proposed raising the gambling tax to pay for stadium projects.

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The Ohio House approved the Browns $600 million funding plan for the dome. It is now under consideration by the Ohio Senate.

A final decision on state funding is not expected until the end of June.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A village in the Swiss Alps has been buried beneath ice, rock and mud after a massive piece of a nearby glacier collapsed.

On Wednesday, a landslide from the mountain side of Birch Glacier -- located in the Lotschental valley in northern Switzerland -- flattened homes in the Alpine town of Blatten after a large chunk of the glacier broke off, Bethan Davies, a professor of glaciology at Newcastle University in the U.K., told ABC News.

MORE: How penguin poop can help to mitigate climate change

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The collapse occurred as a result of a "cascading disaster," Davies said. There is also concern of flooding in the River Lonza due to the debris from the landslide.

PHOTO: A combo of a picture (top) taken on May 18, 2025, of the village of Blatten, and a picture (bottom) taken on May 29, 2025, one day after a massive avalanche triggered by the collapse of the Birch Glacier demolished the village. (Cyril Zingaro/Jean-Christophe Bott via EPA Shutterstock)

The mountain side of the glacier had been unstable since last week, when millions of pounds of rock debris fell onto the glacier surface, Davies said. The load, along with warm temperatures on Monday, accelerated the glacier's collapse, Swiss Radio and Television reported.

"This is a marked acceleration," Davies said. "Lots of cracks started to form, a sign of the tension in the ice."

MORE: Disappearing glaciers will give way to emerging, 'novel' ecosystems, new research finds

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Emergency managers had been observing increased glacier melt at Birch Glacier, ordering hundreds of villagers to evacuate after debris from the mountain behind the glacier crumbled days before the catastrophic collapse.

The collapse likely occurred as a result of permafrost thawing underneath and along the sidewalls surrounding the glacier, Mathieu Morlighem, a glaciologist at Dartmouth College, told ABC News.

PHOTO: This combo picture shows the village of Blatten photographed on Sunday, May 18, 2025, left, and a view captured one day after a massive debris avalanche triggered by the collapse of the Birch Glacier demolised Blatten, Switzerland, May 29, 2025. (Cyril Zingaro and Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

The permanently frozen soil is the "glue" that keeps the mountain rock stable, but as temperatures warm, the permafrost melts and destabilizes the mountain, Morlighem said, adding that a similar event happened in the Silvretta Alps in Switzerland in 2023.

The Birch Glacier was "much worse" due to the amount of ice and meltwater, which caused a deluge of ice, mud and rock to damage the picturesque village of Blatten.

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MORE: Climate change is making climbing in the Himalayas more challenging, experts say

The dangers of glacial degradation range from a sudden catastrophic collapse to formation of lakes that burst through their natural dams and cause havoc, which has happened in the Himalayas and Andes mountain ranges, Sridhar Anandakrishnan, a glaciologist at Pennsylvania State University, told ABC News.

"I think we can expect more events like this in the future," Morlighem said.

PHOTO: A view captured one day after a massive avalanche, triggered by the collapse of the Birch Glacier, shows the destruction it caused as it swept down to the valley floor and demolishing the village of Blatten, Switzerland, May 29, 2025. (Alessandro Della Valle/EPA via Shutterstock)

Video of the mudslide shows large mounds of debris racing down the mountain before burying the village of Batten.

Satellite images above the town show where mud and debris cover areas where buildings once stood.

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MORE: It may be too late to prevent significant melting on West Antarctic ice shelf that includes 'Doomsday Glacier': Study

Search-and-rescue teams were searching for a missing 64-year-old man, but the search was suspended on Thursday afternoon after authorities deemed the debris mounds too unstable, Reuters reported.

One resident told Reuters that she "lost everything" in the mudslide. Another said, "You can't tell that there was ever a settlement there."

PHOTO: Mud and rocks slide down a mountain after a glacier partially collapsed covering most of the village of Blatten, Switzerland, May 28, 2025, in this screen grab taken from a handout video. (Pomona Media/Handout via Reuters)

While scientists are cautious about attributing single events to climate change, glaciologists have been concerned about the impact of climate change on glaciers in Switzerland in recent decades.

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Mountain landslides are more common in a warming climate, Davies said. In addition, increased rainfall in a warming climate can melt permafrost and change the number of freeze-thaw cycles, which can also exacerbate landslides, Davies said.

Climate change is causing dramatic changes in mountain glaciers in Europe and all over the world, Davies pointed out. At least one-third of European Alps glacier loss will be gone by 2050, even without further warming, according to a 2024 report from the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative.

"What happened to Birch Glacier is what we would expect from rising temperatures in the Alps and elsewhere," Morlighem said.

MORE: Antarctic sea ice has reached a record low for the year, researchers say

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Glaciers in Switzerland have lost almost 40% of their volume since 2000, and the loss is accelerating, according to the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. Record-high summer temperatures in 2022 and 2023 caused a 10% glacial ice loss in the country.

The average temperature in the Swiss Alps has risen by 3 degrees Celsius since the 1970s, Daniel Farinotti, a glaciologist at ETH Zurich, said during an interview in March.

"Switzerland's glaciers could vanish completely by 2100," Farinotti said.

PHOTO: This photograph shows the small village of Blatten, near the Bietschhorn mountain of the Swiss Alps, destroyed by a landslide after part of the huge Birch Glacier collapsed, in Blatten, Switzerland, May 29, 2025. (Alexandre Agrusti/AFP via Getty Images)

The melting of Switzerland's glaciers could result in long-term reductions in the country's water supply, according to the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. Melting may also contribute to rising sea levels in the next century, climate scientists say.

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A quarter of Switzerland's glaciers could be saved if global warming is kept to under a 2-degree Celsius rise, the experts said.

Why glaciologists believe the Birch Glacier collapsed, burying a nearby Swiss town originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, and summer in Tennessee historically means high heat and high humidity.

In previous years, nearly every day has been in the 90s with feels-like temperatures in the triple-digits.

So far in 2025, weve had plenty of humidity and not much heat. Nashville has yet to reach the 90s, and there are no 90s in the forecast for the rest of May. This will be the first time since 2013 that Nashville wont record a temperature of 90 or higher before June.

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Middle Tennessee is experiencing one of the wettest starts to a year on record

In Nashville, on average, our first 90 day is May 27, but the city has hit 90 as early as April 9. Music City averages about two days in the 90s each May, and the most is 16 days, which occurred in 1962.

Temperatures in the 90s during May have been abundant in recent years. Last year, Nashville reached the 90s twice. In 2022, Nashville recorded eight days of 90 or higher in May. In 2019, there were 10 days with temperatures in the 90s.

The craziest part is that cities in North Dakota and Minnesota have already reached the 90s this year. Earlier this month, Fargo, North Dakota reached 95! Minneapolis and Chicago have also made it to at least 90.

(Source: WKRN)

News 2s extended forecast doesnt include any temperatures in the 90s, but the forecast for Tuesday, June 3 is for 89, so our stretch of no 90s will likely end next month.

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It may be hard to believe, but Nashville has gone the entire month of May and June without reaching the 90s. In 1893, Nashville didnt reach the 90 mark until July 5!

The reason we havent reached the 90s in places like Nashville is due to how active our weather has been. All the days with cloudy skies reflect the suns energy back into space, keeping us cool.

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All the rain we have seen has also saturated the ground and the air. When the air is humid, it takes more energy to warm up. On the few sunny days Nashville has seen this spring, the warmest we could get was the mid-80s, thanks to the high humidity.

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Earlier in May, abnormally dry conditions and a warm south wind caused temperatures to reach the 90s as far north as Fargo, North Dakota. Some places in Texas and the desert southwest are also very dry, allowing for temperatures to easily surpass 90 .

If you like the heat, dont worry. Nashville typically reaches the 90s more than 50 days each year.

(Source: WKRN)

Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.

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Grand Junction, COLO. (FOX4)  President Donald Trump pardoned three high profile convicts this week, which has some wondering, will Tina Peters ever make the cut?



The former Mesa County clerk, convicted of participating in a security breach linked to the 2020 Biden-Trump presidential election, has been called a hostage and an innocent political prisoner by President Trump. Still, Peters sits behind bars serving a nine-year prison sentence.



So why hasnt the president pardoned her? According to the Department of Justice, only federal criminal convictions, such as those adjudicated in the United States district courts, may be pardoned by the president.

The chief executive, at whichever level, has pardon authority for the crimes that occurred in their territorial jurisdiction, says District Attorney Dan Rubinstein, the prosecutor in Peters case. So specifically for Tina Peters, she was tried and convicted in state court and, therefore, only Governor Polis would have the authority to commute her sentence or to pardon her.



These limitations have not stopped the president from advocating for Peters, having instructed the DOJ in early May to, take all necessary action to secure her release. But what action, if any, can legally be taken?



The Department of Justice has the authority to file a statement of interest in any case, says Rubinstein. Just sort of giving the governments position  the federal governments position on things.



So, is there any hope for a Peters pardon? Rubinstein speculates, weve heard threats about withholding federal funding. I know the president has, for example, withheld grant funding to Harvard UniversityGovernor Polis has made it quite clear that he will not be responding to coercion or bribery in any way  that he believes that to be some sort of form of extortion.

WesternSlopeNow reached out to Governor Polis office to find out whether Peters has filed for a pardon in Colorado, but we have yet to hear back.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Earlier this week, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in a video posted on X that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would no longer be recommending COVID-19 vaccines for "healthy children and pregnant people."

In the video, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said there is no evidence that healthy children "need" the vaccine. National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya also appeared in the video.

Public health experts said they were surprised by the way the decision was announced.

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MORE: Why are more than 300 people in the US still dying from COVID every week?

"The risks are real of COVID but, in general, for an otherwise healthy kid, the bad stuff is thankfully on the low side," Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president and co-director of the Atria Research Institute, which focuses on disease prevention, told ABC News.

"But you have to keep remembering that the risks of the vaccine are lower still," he continued. "You can get the vaccine and get infected, but your infection will be much less severe, or you cannot get the vaccine and get infected and have far higher rates of illness and complications and even a risk of death."

Risks of COVID in children

The current COVID-19 vaccine, the updated 2024-25 shot, was until recently recommended for all Americans ages 6 months and older.

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While those with one or more underlying conditions are at higher risk of severe COVD, anybody who becomes infected with the virus can be hospitalized, develop severe disease and die.

PHOTO: In this June 21, 2022, file photo, a child gets her Covid-19 vaccination from a nurse at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, Calif. (Jane Tyska/The Mercury News via MediaNews Group via Getty Images, FILE)

When the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), which provides advice and guidance on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases, presented data at its last meeting, it "showed that 152 children died last year of COVID. 40% of those children were perfectly healthy," Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told ABC News.

"So when [Kennedy] says he's not recommending the vaccine for healthy children, that flies in the face of data," he added.

Offit explained that usually it's the ACIP that discusses if there is a benefit to a yearly vaccine and who should get it. The independent advisory committee then makes recommendations to the CDC, which has the final say on who should get what vaccine.

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"That's not the way this played out. You basically had three men standing up in a little Twitter event making this declaration  without any input from the public, without any input from experts, just these three people, specifically RFK Jr. at the center," Offit said.

There is also a risk of long-term side effects even in otherwise healthy children, according to experts.

As of 2023, more than 1 million U.S. children may have been affected by long COVID at some point, a CDC study published in February found.

At the time the survey was being conducted, approximately 293,000 children were experiencing the condition.

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MORE: What we know about the safety, efficacy of mRNA vaccines amid recent scrutiny

"About a million U.S. kids, it's estimated, have [had] long COVID," Poland said. "If you get the vaccine, you can reduce that risk. Getting the vaccine decreases ER visits and hospitalization by about 40%."

A CDC-led study, published in February found that COVID mRNA vaccination lowered the risk of having at least one or two long COVID symptoms in children ages 5 to 17.

Poland and Offit said there is also a community benefit from being vaccinated. When otherwise healthy children are vaccinated, it protects vulnerable members of the community from infection.

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Although immunity wanes, COVID-19 vaccines do, at least temporarily, provide some protection against transmission.

"I would say the primary benefit is to the actual child who gets immunized. There's a secondary, but admittedly transient, benefit to the community," Poland said. "The protection against transmission is short-lived. It's there for a period of time. It's there, but it's transient. But when you do it across a community, you get added benefits."

Questions remain on new policy

Offit said it's unclear if Kennedy's announcement means the CDC will no longer recommend COVID vaccines to healthy children who are previously vaccinated or up to date on vaccines or if the announcement applies to all children regardless of vaccination status.

"I assume what he's saying is that otherwise healthy children who have been fully vaccinated don't necessarily benefit from a yearly vaccine," Offit said. "If that's what he means, that's what he should say. He didn't say yearly dosing. He said 'healthy children.'"

PHOTO: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seen in a post on X where he announced the removal of the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC's immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. (Health and Human Services via X)

Federal health officials also did not elaborate on what "healthy" children means, which the experts said is bound to lead to some confusion.

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Poland said this is because Kennedy has made previous public comments on the growing rate of chronic disease in children, which could mean that he considers many children "unhealthy."

For example, in the White House's Make America Healthy Again Commission report on chronic disease, which was published last week, it cited an unnamed study that allegedly found 77% of young Americans are ineligible for military service due to chronic conditions.

"That's saying, in effect, that 77% of the U.S. childhood population is not healthy," Poland said.

Why healthy children may need vaccination as RFK Jr. cuts COVID shot recommendation for some kids originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Donald Trump is a big fan of El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele and turns a blind eye to his administrations myriad human rights violations and increasing authoritarianism, in exchange for El Salvadors accepting deportees of any nationality.

But why does Bukele also have a fan in Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez?

The Texas moderate is the lone House Democrat to have met with Bukele while visiting El Salvador, and toured the countrys Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, where immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia was once held and where Venezuelan immigrants removed from the United States are currently detained. Other Democrats, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, were unable to visit the prison or meet with Bukele on their visits to the country.

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El Salvador is crucial in helping the United States curb the flow of irregular migration and is an important ally in the western hemisphere, Gonzalez said in a press release after his visit.



Gonzalezs district voted for Trump in 2024 and is 90 percent Hispanic, and also happens to be on Americas southern border. Gonzales has praised Bukele, claiming that the Salvadoran leader has created a model for Latin America with his crackdown on gangs in the country.

I think its undeniable what hes done has been spectacular, in terms of bringing security to over 98 percent of the population that lived in turmoil for over a generation, Gonzalez told Politico Magazine. He clean[ed] up the most dangerous country in the world and turn[ed] it into the safest in the hemisphere.

Along with former Representative Matt Gaetz, Gonzalez is a founding member of the El Salvador Caucus in Congress, and now is only one of two Democrats in the pro-Bukele organization, along with Representative Lou Correa. That may be due to the fact that Bukele has trolled and mocked other Democrats on social media, who have criticized the Trump administrations deal with El Salvador.



That doesnt seem to matter to Gonzalez, who thinks Democrats  shouldnt shy from building a diplomatic relationship with the country of El Salvador, despite the fact that human rights activists in the country have been arrested and journalists have been forced to flee. Perhaps Gonzalez should ask himself how hed feel if Trump acted like the Salvadoran autocrat.
The small town of Troy, Idaho, is facing a major legal problem.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against it based on religious freedom concerns.

The Justice Department alleges that town leaders are discriminating against a local evangelical church by unnecessarily preventing it from holding worship services in Troys business district.

Troy officials say theyre enforcing zoning law, not engaging in discrimination.

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The fact that it was this church had zero to do with the denial, said Todd Richardson, Troy city attorney, to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

New religious freedom lawsuit

The religious freedom lawsuit filed by the Justice Department centers on Christ Church, an evangelical Christian house of worship that holds services in both Troy and Moscow, Idaho.

In late 2022, a leader at Christ Church sought permission from Troy to hold worship services at a former bank building downtown. The congregation needed a conditional use permit because the building was zoned for business, not religious events.

According to the Justice Department lawsuit, the city regularly allows noncommercial activity in its downtown business district, as well as noncommercial redevelopment. But many residents spoke against Christ Churchs plan, including some who complained about the congregations beliefs and practices, and Troy leaders denied the conditional use permit.

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In its denial of the application, the city said the great majority of the city residents opposed approving the permit, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported.

The City Council reaffirmed the denial on appeal.

Religious land use law

In the new lawsuit, the Justice Department argues that Troy violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, or RLUIPA, when it denied the conditional use permit.

The denial stemmed from animus toward the congregation, not legitimate governmental concerns, the lawsuit alleges.

RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups, said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division in a statement.

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The lawsuit also accuses Troy of treating faith-based requests for zoning law adjustments differently than secular ones.

The City Code, on its face, and in the C-1 zoning district where the Subject Property is located, treats religious assembly uses on less than equal terms with nonreligious assemblies or institutions, the suit says.

In an interview with Fox News, Richardson, the Troy city attorney, rejected the Justice Departments claims and criticized it for using bullying tactics.

The case isnt about religion, he said, but about the city preserving the two-block downtown area as a commercial district and resisting the influx of as many as 15% of its population gathering at one location and putting a strain on the citys limited resources, Fox News reported.

Christ Church controversy

Although Christ Church is a small congregation in a rural area of Idaho, this month is not the first time it has made national news.

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In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the churchs members were arrested for violating Moscows mask mandate while singing hymns and protesting the citys pandemic-related public health rules.

President Donald Trump defended their protest in a social media post at the time, according to Idaho News 6.
A new state law aimed at expanding gas and nuclear power plants in Ohio may also provide opportunities for solar developers  if they can overcome other policy and political barriers.

Solar industry advocates say House Bill 15, signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in mid-May, contains several technology-neutral provisions that could benefit clean energy projects, including property tax breaks for siting them on brownfields and former coal mines. The law also loosens restrictions on behind-the-meter electricity generation and lowers the overall tax burden for new power plants.

This is just smart economic development. We need the energy, said Michael Benson, board president of Green Energy Ohio, whose members include a variety of clean energy companies. In his view, a market-based approach should work in favor of renewables and battery storage, which can generally be deployed more quickly and cheaply than power plants that burn fossil fuels.

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Much of the public discussion around the legislation focused on its repeal of coal plant subsidies mandated by HB 6, the 2019 law at the heart of Ohios ongoing public corruption scandal. HB 15 also will end the use of electric security plans, which let utilities add special charges to customer bills without reviewing all revenue and expenses in a full rate case.

But many of the measures in HB 15 are meant to encourage new electricity production in the state.

We should open the market to dispatchable energy generation to address future energy shortages, the bills primary sponsor, Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), said in his February testimony, in which he also noted growing energy demand from data centers and other large electricity users, and energy supply issues raised by grid operator PJM Interconnection. The term dispatchable is often used to refer to power plants that can be turned on or off as demand requires, as opposed to solar or wind without battery backup.

Most of the laws incentives for new energy production are technology-neutral, however.

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Under HB 15, new electricity production on brownfields and minelands designated as priority investment areas will be exempt from property taxes for five years. Grants of up to $10 million each will be available to clean up or prepare the sites for construction. And the Ohio Power Siting Board will speed up its review of energy projects in those areas.

Its a huge opportunity, said Rebecca Mellino, a climate and energy policy associate for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio. Last year the organization estimated that Ohio has more than 600,000 acres of minelands and brownfields suitable for renewable energy production. The sites often have good access to roads and transmission lines, too.

As Mellino sees it, solar in priority areas would avoid objections raised by some people about displacing farmland. And counties with renewable energy bans could presumably modify them to allow development in priority investment areas without affecting other parts of their jurisdictions, she suggested.

The law also removes a restriction that has required behind-the-meter generation to be located on the premises of the customer who is using the power. The change might allow data centers to tap into gas-fired backup generators on an adjacent property, for example. But it could also create new opportunities for clean energy-powered microgrids, in which a group of customers share solar panels and a large battery.

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That is significant, all by itself, because it provides more flexibility, said Dylan Borchers, an energy attorney with law firm Bricker Graydon in Columbus, Ohio. Just as importantly, the law allows essentially a portfolio approach for customers and energy resources.

In other words, multiple businesses could form a shared self-power system with equipment for electricity generation or battery storage on adjacent land or on premises controlled by one or more of them. Such a system could include numerous generation or storage facilities, allowing a cluster of data centers, factories, or other large energy users to combine multiple behind-the-meter resources, whether they be natural gas, solar, batteries, or small nuclear when it becomes available.

The ability to combine resources means customers wouldnt necessarily need lots of land to add renewable energy, said Benson. If you want the most power quickly and cleanly, you can use rooftops and parking lots and build out a lot of small-scale generation.

The law also reduces the overall tax burden for new electricity production. Local governments may collect less revenue but still welcome the jobs and other spending that come with new energy investments. And less stringent requirements might even benefit some communities when new power generation is sited, Borchers suggested.

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Ohios current tangible personal property tax rates have been so high that companies have often used payments in lieu of taxes, also known as PILOT programs, to avoid getting walloped by huge tax bills as soon as energy production starts. But counties face somewhat strict requirements for how they must allocate PILOT payments. Developers that take advantage of the lower tax rates available under HB 15 may have more financial flexibility to be able to fund some projects that local governments want most, such as a new fire station or community center, Borchers said.

Taken together, the provisions in HB 15 promise to make it easier to build more solar in the state, industry representatives say.

The governor and legislature saw the urgent need to expand energy generation as Ohio confronts rapidly increasing demand and the threat of escalating costs and supply shortages, said Will Hinman, executive director for the Utility Scale Solar Energy Coalition of Ohio. House Bill 15 is a critical step towards addressing these challenges by reducing barriers to energy development  including utility-scale solar projects.

Ohio is still not a level playing field for clean energy

The law still requires projects to meet multiple criteria to benefit from its provisions. For example, power-generating facilities and transmission lines exceeding certain thresholds may need approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board. The states director of development must approve local governments designations of priority investment areas. And self-power systems have to be independent of the main power grid.

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The biggest downside is that the new law left in place a 2021 statute, Senate Bill 52, which requires utility-scale renewable energy developments to get local approval, said Molly Bryden, a climate and sustainability researcher with think tank Policy Matters Ohio.

Under that earlier law, 34 of Ohios 88 counties have banned new solar generation in all or part of their territories. Even where the local law doesnt bar a new project, local officials can still block projects before a developer even seeks a permit from the Ohio Power Siting Board. A county representative and a township representative also get to vote with state siting board members on whether facilities get a permit, even for some projects that were in the grid operators queue before the 2021 law.

Another law took effect in early 2023, letting local governments limit small solar and wind projects that connect to the grid but dont otherwise fall within the scope of the 2021 law.

Requirements of the 2021 and 2023 laws dont apply to generation fueled by natural gas, coal, or nuclear power. And Ohios high court has ruled local governments cant ban or regulate gas wells and related infrastructure or even enforce broader zoning laws that would prevent such development.

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Lawmakers also cut out provisions from an earlier version of HB 15 that would have allowed community solar development. Community solar lets residential customers save money by sharing the electricity from a local solar array, which doesnt have to be on their own property.

Theres still a real need for permitting reform, Bryden said.


GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH)  The South Western City School board said joining conservative advisory groups welcomed diverse perspectives to the district. Many parents disagree.

Parents said they were concerned about the conservative policies of the National School Board Leadership Council, one of four advisory groups the board joined on April 28. Although it was one of several conservatively aligned groups the board joined, parents were especially concerned about the NSBLC and said the decision to join groups like it could contribute to them voting against future levies or even leaving the district.

The NSBLCs website says it encourages districts to remove learning-challenged students from general education classrooms, promote competition between public schools and charter or private options, and that non-English speaking students are an unacceptable cost to taxpayers.

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Tiffany Cheney has a daughter in South Western schools with an individualized learning plan, or IEP, for two language disorder diagnoses, and said she is looking to flee the district because of the boards actions.

OSU researcher: $700K grant canceled when DOGE misunderstood use of climate

To hear that our current school board sees my smart, creative and intelligent daughter as a waste of resources, or should be considered to be segregated due to her uniqueness is not only disheartening but many steps back in an equal rights climate, Cheney said.

NBC4 spoke with more than a dozen parents, and only one of whom said joining the group was a positive move. A high schooler with autism has gathered nearly 400 signatures on a petition to stop the district from joining the NSBLC.

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A school board candidate and parent to a student with an IEP, Chelsea Alkire, used to teach English as a second language in the district and thought joining the NSBLC was like a slap in the face.

I was honestly between shocked and one of the highest levels of frustrated and angered I had ever been, Alkire said.

School board member Denise DAngelo and board President Chris Boso addressed public concerns. They said nothing has changed under the new membership and that the district already separates students based on what is best for their learning and approve an English-only curriculum. Both said joining the NSBLC and other groups like it provides increased diversity of thought for the school board, and Boso warned the noise and hysteria would harm the district.

If our finances dont go the way they should, were going to be going for a levy and the people in this community are going to hear all this going on and theyre not going to vote for a levy, Boso said.

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City of Columbus asks court to dismiss cyber lawsuits

Boso was referring to the current Ohio budget plan, which reduces funding for public schools. Board members said the states plan would cost the district $150 million. As Boso addressed community members, several yelled over him that it would be the boards fault if a levy failed.

Calling individuals who disagree with him as hysterical is rude, impolite and shortsighted, said Kelly Dillon, parent to two district high schoolers. How are we supposed to help our children understand civic engagement and American exceptionalism if we do not participate in the process?

Parents acknowledged the states funding changes would put the board in a hard position but worried people would vote against a levy because of the board. Graduates and parents like Kyra Paul, who has two young children in the district, said she would vote in favor because she remembered attending schools under a failed levy. However, she thought shed be in the minority.

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If they put a levy on the ballot, I know that said levy will not pass because our community members and stakeholders believe that the board is not being good stewards of our money, and they are not making good decisions, Paul said.

Anthony Wilson has two students at district schools and said both will attend a new school in the fall, one of several parents who told NBC4 they may leave the district. Tessa Schwabeland said her son will be a freshman in a district high school this fall, but she worries about his IEP and how the decision to join the NSBLC will make students with different learning plans feel.

None of us want to leave our public schools. We want to trust them, Schwabeland said. But if leadership prioritizes ideology over inclusion, families will walk away not because they want to, but because they feel they have no choice.

Why the Short North may soon charge extra for dining, shopping

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Not all parents disagree with the decision. Parent Robing Gorrell said she was worried about what she had seen at school and thought joining the NSBLC was a good step.

I am pleased with the boards decision, Gorrell said. My kids are going to school to learn  reading, writing, math  not figure out their gender with unsolicited pushing or figure out whom they want to have sex with, being made to feel weird/different for being straight.

Spokesperson Evan Debo said joining the groups does not mean the district will make changes. He said the district has no plans to discontinue the English program serving students of more than 81 languages. Debo also said the district received the states highest designation for special education.

There have been no cuts or program eliminations proposed or voted on to eliminate parts of the academic infrastructure, resources or continuity of programming we currently have in place, Debo said. SWCS remains resolute in its unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality education for the 21,000 students we serve annually.

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Overwhelmingly, however, parents told NBC4 they disagreed with the decision.

I am so disappointed in SWCSD, parent Savanna McCoy said. I would think that theyd want to stay away from an advisory board with such extreme ideals and beliefs.  Im not proud to have my son in this district at all.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  In tight-knit, rural Tennessee, a cold case murder is especially shocking. But when its the sheriffs wife in the 1960s, the tragedy becomes a sort of legend.

Today in 2025, the question remains  who killed Pauline Pusser? Was her own lawman husband somehow responsible?

In the last 15 months, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation exhumed Paulines body looking for answers. State officials dug into the hardened, winter soil looking for fresh clues at the Adamsville cemetery in McNairy County back in February 2024.

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It was Pauline Pussers final resting place since 1967 but its also where the TBI is hopeful they can figure out who killed her.

Who was legendary lawman Buford Pusser?

Pauline Pusser

People will say, the persons dead. But the dead person will give a lot of information for us to discuss, explained Dr. Feng Li, Metro Nashvilles Chief Medical Examiner.

Dr. Li explained how it is possible to find evidence on a corpse after all this time. He said the environment, embalming and the quality of the casket are all factors in how well Paulines body was preserved for all these decades.

And so its possible for investigators to find helpful evidence on her remains.

Pauline and Buford Pusser

If it is well-preserved, on the other hand and the person is experienced, we can still see the intact body with the skins, with the organs, and with the tissues, said Dr. Li.

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First, examiners will take a picture and an X-ray looking for any sort of foreign object. Gunshots and signs of pressure can still be visible if the skin is intact while forensic anthropologists can examine the skeleton to find any points of trauma.

Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More

(Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

Sometimes, its very surprising. For example, I had a case where they didnt do autopsy and burial and then some allegation to other party, and they decided to exhume the bodysurprisingly enough, the brain is very well preserved, recalled Dr. Li.

The TBI decided to re-examine Paulines murder after a new tip and the admission that an autopsy was never done on Pauline after her brutal killing.

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The states new investigation could put an end to this cold case and bring peace to Paulines family.

But it can also give a new ending to the story McNairy Countys been telling for decades about the sheriff and his wife.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A new text scam has surfaced in Wichita Falls, and the city has urged residents to remain vigilant.

According to a Facebook post from the City of Wichita Falls, Texas Government, a new scam is circulating with a text that asks you to take a quick Wichita Falls City issues survey, followed by a link.

The post states that the city loves hearing from its residents, but will never send texts asking for information out of the blue.

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Opening unknown links on your phone may allow third-party access to your device, putting your data at risk.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  More flights will be coming in and out of Wichita this summer, according to Wichita Eisenhower National Airport.

The airport announced the following for the summer:

American Airlines

Saturday nonstop flights to Miami begin June 7

Added a fourth daily flight to Chicago; that makes 43 more flights and 3,843 more seats in June-July

Delta Air Lines

Added fourth daily flight to Atlanta in July for 22 more flights

Added a second daily flight to Minneapolis in June for 46 more flights

Southwest Airlines

Will add a second daily flight to Denver in June but will suspend its Phoenix flights during the hot summer. Phoenix flights will return in October.

United Airlines

Added a fifth daily flight to Houston, which will operate 3 days/week

Upgauged from the 50-seat RJs to the 76-seat RJs on the Denver route, an increase of 22% more seats and 24% more flights in June-July compared to 2024

Added a narrowbody aircraft (126-166 seats) on one of the daily Chicago flights; total flights will increase 42% and seats 92% in June-July over 2024.

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For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Wichita lawmaker Patrick Penn is trading in Topeka for Washington D.C. as a Trump administration appointee. He says hes ready to make a couple people cry in his new job overseeing nutritional benefits programs.

On Wednesday, Penn promised to help weed out fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and the 15 other federal nutrition programs managed by the Department of Agriculture. School breakfasts and lunches are also among the programs he will help administer.

Penn will become deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services after he officially resigns his legislative seat on June 13.

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His wife, Talia Penn, had sought to serve out the rest of his term in the Kansas House. But she was narrowly defeated 10-9 on the second ballot of Wednesday evenings special election by Steve Brunk, a former state representative. Only Republican precinct committee people in House District 85 were allowed to vote.

After the vote-counting was done, Penn took to the podium to explain his new post, saying he was recruited by the Trump administration in February.

Were going to have some fun in D.C., Penn said. Were going to break a few eggs, make a few omelettes. Make a couple people cry, and thats what we look forward to doing because America has to change.

He asserted without any evidence that billions and billions of tax dollars are going to benefits for non-citizens and people who are terrorists. He also asserted that many able-bodied people are gaming the system to receive benefits they dont qualify for.

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According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, an estimated 11.7%  or about $10.5 billion  of SNAP benefits payments were made improperly in 2023, meaning they were for the wrong amount or otherwise should not have been made. Federal SNAP spending totaled $112.8 billion in 2023.

This spring, Penn voted for a bill that would have required Kansas to seek a waiver from USDA to prevent people from using SNAP to purchase candy and soda. Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, and although the Senate voted to override, the House did not take the matter back up and Kellys veto was sustained.

Penn said he wants to see the federal government take the initiative and place new restrictions on what underprivileged people can buy using benefits.

I dont want you to have to pay tax dollars to have people buy sugary drinks and sugary foods and have childhood diabetes and then have the same people on the left come to you and say, Hey, you need to pay for their expanded Medicaid coverage so that they can pay for that diabetes treatment, Penn said.

Whos replacing Patrick Penn?

Bel Aire Mayor Jim Benage and former Cox vice president Coleen Jennison each received one vote on the first ballot Wednesday before Brunk emerged victorious.

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He will serve out the rest of Penns term in House District 85, which includes part of northeast Wichita, parts of Kechi and Bel Aire and a small portion of western Butler County.

Brunk was a member of the Kansas House from 2003-2016, leaving to take over as executive director of the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, a social conservative advocacy group.

Brunk now runs his own real estate company and is a member of the City Elders of Kansas, a Christian group with chapters around the country that describes itself as a network of elders charged with governing the gates of every city in America to establish the kingdom of God.

He was endorsed by Attorney General Kris Kobach.

Steve Brunk (center) stands with Kansas Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins (left) and Majority Leader Chris Croft after being selected by Republican precinct committee people to serve the remainder of Patrick Penns term in House District 85.

Theres unfinished business in the state of Kansas, and I know how to get it done, Brunk said.

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He said he plans to support legislation next year expanding school choice options, most likely through a voucher program that would redirect state money spent on public schools.

He indicated that another high priority will be urging voters to support the ballot measure next August aiming to switch from a merit-based selection system to direct election of Kansas Supreme Court justices.

House Majority Leader Chris Croft, an Overland Park Republican who made the trek to Wichita for Wednesdays special meeting, said Penn will be missed.

Its tough when they take our good ones. But thats OK. Thats part of the deal, Croft said. Well train up the next one.

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Penn was raised in foster care. He went on to join the U.S. Army, serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring in 2017 as a captain.

He was first elected to the Kansas House in 2020, ousting fellow Republican Michael Capps in the primary after Capps role in a political smear campaign against then-Wichita mayoral candidate Brandon Whipple came to light.

On Wednesday evening, Penn strode around the room in a red blazer shaking hands and accepting congratulations. He refused to acknowledge a reporter and gave no response to repeated questions about his new job responsibilities.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Weighing what to do after high school graduation is a daunting task.

For Michele Valadez, she already knew her dream by the time she was 15. She wanted to run her own business.

Being my own boss, just being able to grow my own business pivot as I wanted to create the brand that I wanted, she explained.

Valadez had the drive. She just needed help navigating the path.

Im a first-generation student, and when it came to the college process, I really wasnt too sure what to do, Valadez said.

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She connected with the Kansas Hispanic Education and Development Foundation.

Kayvens Helping Hands aims for more little libraries

We then become a whole support network for this student, walk them through every step of the process, explained Pablo Cruz, KHEDF executive director.

The nonprofit has seven programs to help Hispanic students through high school and college, preparing them for their future careers.

When you look at demographics, already in Wichita, youve seen 136% increase in the Latino population, right? When you look at USD 259, theres 40% that are Hispanic/Latino. Thats your future workforce, Cruz said.

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KHEDF offers scholarships and resources to succeed in higher education.

Valadez received two of those, and she says the nonprofit goes beyond providing funds.

Theyre putting you through workshops, kind of learning how its going to be like in my first year of college, and partnering me with a mentor.

Wichita YMCAs Livestrong: Empowering cancer patients

It also connects students to professional mentors in their field.

Its motivational. So being able to be someone that looks like me and is in the workforce, Im like, okay, if they can do it, I can do, and it kind of fuels that seed of like, okay, you know, its an opportunity, its a possibility, Valadez said.

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The seeds planted in Valadez are seeing the fruits of their labor. She is nearing her one-year anniversary of opening City Girlz Liquor.

Shes thankful that her dream has come true and is ready to help others reach theirs.

Thats the beautiful thing about the organization, that theres someone right there willing to hold your hand, and theres a whole community willing to support you, she said.

KHEDFs annual Dream Big Fiesta is Thursday, May 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at WAVE. All of the tickets help support their programs. Forty-five scholars will be awarded at the event.

If you would like to nominate a nonprofit for our Here For You Spotlight, fill out our online contact form.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A Wichita veteran spent nearly 25 years flying high with the Air Force, capturing countless intelligence photos along the way.

Ron Bogard is a native of Picher, Oklahoma, who migrated to Wichita and graduated from Wichita West High School in 1965. He joined the Air Force after getting drafted, and through his training, discovered what would become a lifelong passion.

I didnt know a thing about photography. Nothing. Mom gave me a Kodak Brownie when I was about 10 years old, and I dont think I shot three rolls of film through it. But I went to tech school, and it turned out I had a talent for it, he said.

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Bogard was soon stationed at the base photolab at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, shooting everything from military ceremonies and portraits to medical photography and documenting deadly auto and industrial accidents.

Ive been able to put a lot of things away and keep them away. And Ive done that for my whole career, he said.

Bogard eventually received the call to head to Vietnam, and after completing additional training, including combat photography school, he was on his way, but he didnt stay long.

I reported in, and the 1st sergeant came out and said, Bogard, go back over there, youre going to Thailand. We need aerial photographers in Thailand,' he said.

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Bogard says he didnt mind the safer assignment, where he continued to shoot photos from the air, as well as some impressive ones on the ground.

I was there for President Johnson when he came. I was one of the photographers that took his pictures, he said.

Tune into KSN News at 10 every Wednesday for our Veteran Salute

Bogard was eventually sent back to Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, where he joined a photo mapping unit and soon found himself flying over numerous South American countries, creating aerial maps.

After taking an early discharge, Bogard returned to Wichita to attend Wichita State University. However, after getting married, he chose to re-enlist.

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His second round with the Air Force sent him to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, where he photographed bomb and missile tests for the next nine years.

Loved every minute of it. We raised our kids in the mountains and the deserts. We camped all the time, Bogard said.

But he wasnt done gathering aerial intelligence overseas, and his next mission was a highly classified one in Germany.

Our job was to spy on the East Germans and the Russians. We flew into the Berlin Corridor, flew around the Berlin Circle and then would fly out, Bogard said.

He spent four years taking photos around the Berlin Wall and was eventually sent back to South Carolina, where he was in charge of aerial video and even wrote a training manual. However, when another overseas assignment came up, his wife put her foot down.

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The time came where we got an assignment to Panama. Brenda put her foot down, and Im in Wichita, Bogard said.

And while Bogard wrapped up his Air Force career in 1989 as a senior master sergeant, his love for photography continues to this day.

If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, send an email to connect3news@ksn.com or fill out our online contact form!

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Activists and tenants gather near Housing Authority of Winston-Salem headquarters in April to protest conditions in public housing. (Photo: Greg Childress)

Kevin Cheshire, the executive director and general counsel of the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem (HAWS), is stepping down, effective June 30, after five years in the role.

Kevin Cheshire (Photo: Housing Authority of Winston-Salem)

Cheshire said he will remain with the housing authority in an advisory role to maintain continuity while his replacement is brought up to speed on the workings of the organization.

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This has been in the works for almost two years, at least a year and a half, Cheshire said. My board has known this is the plan and the mayor (Allen Joines) has known this is the plan.

Cheshire said his pending departure is unrelated to the call from some tenants and local housing activists for his resignation over concerns about his management of the citys aging public housing high rises. Tenants have complained that Cheshire is inattentive to their concerns and has failed to maintain safe and sanitary housing at several apartment complexes managed by HAWS.

I had sort of anticipated that the folks who were being the most vocal demanding my resignation had already gotten wind of the fact that my resignation was imminent, and that they were planning strategically to take credit for something they knew was already coming, Cheshire said. Whether thats the case, I still have no idea. But no, it [calls for his resignation] didnt [play a role] because that decision had already been made.

In an online post, the group Housing Justice Now, a tenant advocacy group that has been critical of Cheshires leadership, celebrated the departure as a victory.

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He has ignored needed public housing renovations while pouring millions into the HAWS office building, underutilized Section 8 vouchers, bungled a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant, pursued retaliatory evictions, and pushed through a meaningless rebrand of the agency, the group said. Tenant organizing at Crystal Towers, Healy Towers, Cleveland Avenue, and across our city made it impossible for Cheshire to push through even more bad policies. Make no mistake, this resignation is an organizing victory! And we demand the next executive director be truly dedicated to low-income housing!

Dan Rose, an activist with Housing Justice Now, said Cheshire has not served Winston-Salem well.

The fact that Mayor Joines believes he did shows that the problem is not isolated to one public official, Rose said. Residents that are directly affected by the housing crisis should be selecting the housing authoritys next leader; not the mayors out-of-touch board of commissioners.

Andrew Perkins, chairman of the HAWS Board of Commissioners, said the board will be genuinely sorry to see Chesire step down.

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We have known for over a year that he wanted to transition once he completed some very important initiatives for the Housing Authority, Perkins said. Kevin and his team have worked closely with the board and have accomplished everything we asked of them and more.

Perkins said Cheshire and his team have made great progress in creating more affordable housing. He noted the $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative redevelopment grant Cheshire helped to secure from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  the first to be awarded in North Carolina.

Cheshire joined HAWS in 2013 as vice president of real estate development and general counsel. After a national search following the retirement of former executive director Larry Woods, Cheshire was promoted to the position in January 2020.

Ive been here 12 years, and this was never something I intended to do for 20 or 30 years, Cheshire said. There were some very specific tasks that the board and I discussed when I first stepped into the role. I was committed to doing everything in my power to completing those tasks and then stepping aside to allow someone else to build on that foundation.
The state Supreme Court will soon release a highly anticipated ruling about the legality of abortion in Wisconsin, a complicated question since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision sent the issue to the states.

Wisconsin reverted to an 1849 statute, but the case before the state Supreme Court asks whether that law specifically bans consensual abortions.

The 1849 law has been on hold since a lower court's ruling in December 2023. The state then returned to its pre-Dobbs abortion laws, under which abortion is banned 20 weeks after "probable fertilization."

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"We're just waiting for a final answer on that," said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School. "The current state of the law has been that abortions are legal, subject to other laws we have in the state."

Here's a look back at how the case got to the Supreme Court and why this might not be the end of the road for legal challenges over abortion in Wisconsin:

June 24, 2022: Dobbs decision halts abortions in Wisconsin

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973 that made abortion legal nationwide.

In Wisconsin, there was immediate legal uncertainty about whether the 1849 law was enforceable. Planned Parenthood and other providers stopped abortion procedures.

June 28, 2022: Evers, Kaul file lawsuit in Dane County

Days after the Dobbs decision, Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul  both Democrats  filed a lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court challenging the 1849 law.

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Dane County Circuit Judge Diane Schlipper heard arguments in the case in May 2023.

In a July order, Schlipper signaled she believed the law doesn't apply to consensual abortions but to feticide  a nonconsensual act in which somebody batters a woman, causing her to lose the pregnancy.

September 2023: Planned Parenthood resumes abortions

After that interpretation from Schlipper, Planned Parenthood clinics in Milwaukee and Madison resumed abortions more than a year after pausing them. A clinic in Sheboygan resumed medication abortions in late December 2023.

"No court had ruled on this, so it was understandable that providers weren't sure what the state of the law was," Godar said. "But once you have a court ruling on that at any level in the state, then providers have a concrete answer."

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More: Abortions in Wisconsin halved immediately after Roe was overturned, new CDC report says

Dec. 5, 2023: Dane County ruling puts 1849 law on hold

Schlipper made her official ruling in December, determining the decades-old law doesn't prohibit abortions.

While the 1849 law is not in effect, the ruling meant the state reverted to other abortion laws passed in 1985, 2011 and 2015.

That includes a ban after 20 weeks, a 24-hour waiting period and requiring abortion-inducing drugs to be given in-person by physicians.

Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski appealed Schlipper's ruling later that month. The case jumped past appeals courts and went directly to the Supreme Court.

Nov. 11, 2024: Supreme Court hears arguments

The court heard arguments from attorneys for the parties involved in the lawsuit, which include three county district attorneys, physicians and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and Medical Examining Board.

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The court had a liberal majority at the time of oral arguments, following the election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz in 2023, and kept it in the April 2025 election. Newly elected Justice Susan Crawford, who takes the bench Aug. 1, won't be one of the justices deciding the case.

By end of June: Court likely to issue ruling

It's been more than six months since the Supreme Court heard oral arguments. That timeline is on the longer side for the court, Godar said, but not abnormal.

"It's not unexpected, given the weight and importance of this issue," she said. "It also involves some complicated legal issues, statutory interpretation  it's not surprising that it's taking this long."

The court typically issues its opinions by the end of June, which marks the end of its term, but some have come out in July.

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More: Brad Schimel accused the Wisconsin Supreme Court of slow-walking the 1849 abortion case. Is that happening?

Does this ruling determine if abortion is legal in Wisconsin?

For now, yes.

The court will settle whether the 1849 statute bans consensual abortions. The case is about that narrow question, rather than determining whether there's a broad constitutional right to abortion in the state.

That means the court's decision won't prevent Wisconsin lawmakers from seeking a ban on abortion in the future, Godar noted.

Some Republicans have floated banning abortion after 14 weeks and asking voters to weigh in via referendum, but Evers has said he would veto any effort that makes abortion less accessible.

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More: What to know about referendums in Wisconsin, and why citizens can't petition for them

Could Wisconsin see more lawsuits over abortion access?

Absolutely.

There's a separate case, initiated by Planned Parenthood, asking the state Supreme Court to recognize a constitutional right to bodily autonomy, including abortion. It's not clear if the court will end up taking action on that case.

That case is premised around the 1849 law banning abortion. So, if the court decides that law doesn't in fact ban abortions, the claims in the separate case would essentially go away, Godar said.

"We could see future cases that argue there is a constitutional right to abortion in Wisconsin and challenge other laws that we have in the state related to abortion," she said. "But those would be a bit more nuanced than challenging an outright ban."

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That means groups could file specific legal challenges over rules like insurance restrictions, waiting periods or ultrasound requirements.

"Even after this case, Wisconsin might continue to have uncertainty," Godar said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin abortion law ahead of Supreme Court ruling: Where it stands
By Alexandra Ulmer

(Reuters) -Without billionaire Elon Musk in the Trump administration, his cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency project is likely to sputter out, a former DOGE staffer said in an interview after leaving the team.

Tesla CEO Musk announced on Wednesday evening that he was ending his time as a special government employee but vowed that DOGE would continue without him. Administration media representatives also said in statements to Reuters that DOGE would continue its work.

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DOGE has overseen job cuts at nearly every federal agency as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to shake up the federal bureaucracy.

However, software engineer Sahil Lavingia, who spent almost two months working for the group of pro-Musk technologists, said he expects DOGE to quickly "fizzle out."

"It'll just die a whimper," Lavingia, who was fired from DOGE earlier this month, told Reuters. "So much of the appeal and allure was Elon." He said he expected DOGE staffers to "just stop showing up to work. It's like kids joining a startup that will go out of business in four months."

That would cap a remarkable undoing for DOGE, which Musk initially vowed would cut $2 trillion in federal spending. Instead, DOGE estimates its efforts have saved around $175 billion so far and the group's tallies have been riddled with errors.

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The White House praised DOGE but did not comment on Lavingia.

"DOGE is integral to the federal government's operations, and its mission, as established by the President's executive order, will continue under the direction of agency and department heads in the Trump administration," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said.

Musk did not respond to a request for comment.

Lavingia, the 32-year-old founder and CEO of creator platform Gumroad, said he was recruited by DOGE through a personal contact and joined the team in March.

While he said he was proud of certain achievements at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including modernizing the agency's internal artificial-intelligence chatbot, he said he was often at a loss about what work he was expected to do.

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"I got dropped into the VA with an HP laptop. What are we supposed to do? What is the road map?" Lavingia said he asked, to no avail. "I felt like I was being pranked."

Veterans Affairs press secretary Pete Kasperowicz said in a statement to Reuters: "VA looks forward to continuing to work with its DOGE liaisons to help the department improve its performance, customer service, and convenience to Veterans."

Lavingia said Steve Davis, the president of Musk's tunneling enterprise the Boring Company, ran day-to-day operations while Turkish-born venture capitalist Baris Akis helped with DOGE recruitment and DOGE logistics.

Davis and Akis did not respond to requests for comment sent via the White House.

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When instructions did come through, they were usually communicated through phone calls or small chats on the encrypted Signal messaging app that would typically auto-delete in one day, Lavingia said.

Lavingia said instructions included moving faster to increase mass layoffs at the VA, the federal government's second-largest agency.

The only time he met Musk, Lavingia said, was at an all-hands meeting in March with what he estimated was between 40 and 60 fellow DOGE staffers.

Lavingia said he asked to open-source, or make freely available, some of his computer code, which Musk approved.

He then asked if they could livestream DOGE meetings to increase transparency.

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"Elon said: 'That's a great idea. We'll do it next week.' He then caught himself and said: 'Maybe we pre-record it because of security risks.'"

Lavingia said he never heard back.

In early May, after he spoke to media outlet Fast Company about working at DOGE, Lavingia said his computer access was revoked in what amounted to a firing. He said Musk and team leaders never explicitly told him he should not talk to journalists.

"My DOGE days were over," Lavingia wrote in a blog about his experience.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer in San Francisco; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Jamie Freed)
10 living hostages and 18 hostage bodies would be released for a 60-day ceasefire, minor IDF withdrawal, and aid distribution changes.

US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff haspresented Israel and Hamas with a modified version of his outline for a partial hostage release-ceasefire deal, a source told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

According to the source, his modified proposal would include the release of 10 living hostages. The hostage release would take place in two rounds.

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The proposal included four additional key points.

The first point is the release of 18 deceased hostages alongside the 10living ones. It was not specified when the bodies would be released. This means that in total, the proposal would see the release of 28 out of the remaining 58 hostages still in Gaza.

Additionally, both sides would agree to a 60-day ceasefire. The proposal clarifies that at the end of this period, Israel can resume fighting if it wishes, or extend the ceasefire if meaningful negotiations have been ongoing.

Palestinians seeking aid gather near an aid distribution site in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 27, 2025 (photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)

IDF would withdraw, and aid distribution would change during temporary ceasefire

Finally, the IDF would withdraw from recently captured areas in theGaza Strip, and the distribution of humanitarian aid would return to the United Nations.

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Notably, this would replace aid distribution through centers within the Gaza Strip by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is being facilitated by American volunteers.

The aid division stipulation indicates that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is the driving factor behind the new proposal.

Shortly after Witkoff presented the proposal to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a cabinet meeting to take place on Thursday evening to debate it. Ministers were also invited to the cabinet meeting, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to accept the deal.

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"Israel must publicly and immediately accept the framework presented this morning by the American mediator, Steve Witkoff. I remind Netanyahu that he has my full backing to accept the framework, even if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich try to sabotage it," Lapid said.

Before Witkoff's new proposal, Hamas falsely claimed on Wednesday that it had agreed to the previous version.

A source toldThe Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that Hamass attempt to use the Witkoff framework as a branded concept to promote their own vision will not succeed.

The new proposal is based on discussions held in Washington in recent days between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Witkoff, as well as talks conducted by Bishara Bahbah in Qatar with senior Hamas officials.

The main point of contention between the parties is what will happen on the final day of the ceasefire if no further agreement is reached.

This is a developing story.
Bayne Froney - Fox Weather

Bayne Froney has been hired by Fox Weather as an on-air meteorologist.

Froney comes from WLEX in Lexington, Kentucky. She starts work on June 16 and will be based at Fox Weather headquarters in New York City.

"We are excited to welcome Bayne to our exceptional lineup of meteorologists at Fox Weather, said president Sharri Berg. Her commitment to forecasting accuracy and passion for weather news will be a great addition to our best-in-class weather service."

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"I'm looking forward to working with the talented group of meteorologists at Fox Weather, said Froney. I can't wait to continue exploring my fascination with meteorology and work with some of the best in the industry."

Before working at WLEX, Froney was a meteorologist, anchor, and multimedia journalist at KXXV in Waco, Texas. She started her career as a multimedia journalist and weekend weather anchor in Bakersfield, California at KERO.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A woman is dead after a crash on Lake Avenue in Rochester Wednesday night, according to the Rochester Police Department.

Officers responded to the Riverside Street intersection just before 4:30 p.m. Investigators said one car was traveling southbound on Lake Avenue when it drifted into the northbound lane and crashed into a car driving northbound on Lake Avenue.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was a 63-year-old East Rochester female. She was taken to the hospital, where despite efforts, died Wednesday night.

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A 38-year-old Rochester man was in the drivers seat of the northbound vehicle. He was taken to the hospital after complaining of pain. Rochester Police noted there were no passengers in either vehicle.

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A court hearing for a woman accused of a deadly ambush attack on Lake County deputies has been canceled.

6:40 a.m. update:

Channel 9 has learned that a scheduled court appearance for Julie Sulpizio on Thursday has been canceled.

Its unclear why Sulpizios competency hearing has been delayed.

She currently has no scheduled appearances in court.

Channel 9 has a crew working to gather more details and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Original report:

A woman accused of playing a role in a deadly ambush on law enforcement is expected to be in court on Thursday.

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Julie Sulpizio was arrested last August after a shootout inside a home that left Lake County Deputy Bradley Link dead and two other deputies hurt.

Court records show Sulpizio could appear in front of a judge around 10 a.m. for a competency hearing.

Investigators said Sulpizio, and other members of her family, participated in the deadly attack at the home near Eustis.

Deputies said Sulpizios husband and two daughters took their own lives after the attack.

Investigators said Sulpizio and her family formed their own religious and anti-government cult, and the home was full of guns and propaganda.

Sulpizio was deemed incompetent to stand trial in February and was admitted to a mental health facility.

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However, in April, the Florida Department of Corrections deemed her competent to proceed and return to court.

See more in the video above.

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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  Baldwin County deputies arrested a woman after she allegedly got on a school bus and threatened a student.

Biloxi man sets Mississippi saltwater fishing record

According to BCSO officials, Mallory Hannah Kinsey, 28, was arrested for disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Mallory Kinsey. (Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Jail View)

BCSO Capt. Danny Steelman said the arrest occurred in connection with a May 14 incident involving two children fighting on a school bus. Kinsey boarded the bus in the Vernant Park Community in Foley and threatened one of the children.

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Kinsey later apologized, according to BCSO.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Midland Police Department arrested a woman earlier this week after they said she allegedly assaulted her boyfriend with a pair of scissors. Karleny Alexandra Lugo, 22, has been charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

According to an MPD report, on Saturday, May 24, officers were called to a neighborhood after a man called 911 and said his nephew had been stabbed by his girlfriend who had then run from the scene. Upon arrival, officers found a man with bleeding wounds to his arm and thigh. The victim told investigators he and his uncle had arrived home and that his girlfriend, identified as Lugo, had become angry with them for being late.

Things escalated, the victim said, when Lugo reportedly grabbed a pair of scissors off a dresser and attacked. The victims uncle said he walked into the room when he heard yelling and saw his nephew with his back against the wall and Lugo yielding the scissors; he said she then lunged at him and cut his arm as well. When the uncle said he was going to call the police, Lugo reportedly told them to go ahead and then ran from the house.

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While investigating, officers found Lugo hiding in her vehicle that was parked in the alleyway behind the house. She was arrested and taken into custody and remained in the Midland County Detention Center as of Thursday morning on a $15,000 bond and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

The victim in this case was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  A South Side woman is in Chicago police custody after the department says she stabbed three children in the wrist with a sharp object.

Police say just before 6 p.m., officers were called out to the 7100 block of S. Harvard for someone asking for help. The injured boys, ages 5, 3, and 1, all arrived at St. Bernard Hospital before being relocated to Comer Childrens Hospital in serious condition, however.

The minors all suffered injuries to their right wrist.

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Police add that charges are pending against the alleged offender, who, according to WGN sources, is the mother of the injured children.

Anyone with additional information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Area detectives are investigating.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Police are searching for a suspect who left a woman with gunshots to the head and chest in Los Angeles Boyle Heights neighborhood Wednesday, officials confirmed to KTLA.

Details are limited and detectives continue to investigate the circumstances around the victims death, but officials with the Los Angeles Police Department said officers responded to an area near the intersection of South Grande Vista Avenue and 8th Street at around 3:15 a.m. on reports of the shooting.

At the scene, officers found the woman still inside her vehicle. According to police, the victim was not conscious or breathing.

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Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene and rushed the woman to a nearby hospital.

A woman was found with gunshots to the head and chest in Boyle Heights May 28, 2025. (KTLA) A woman was found with gunshots to the head and chest in Boyle Heights May 28, 2025. (KTLA) A woman was found with gunshots to the head and chest in Boyle Heights May 28, 2025. (Citizen) A woman was found with gunshots to the head and chest in Boyle Heights May 28, 2025. (KTLA) A woman was found with gunshots to the head and chest in Boyle Heights May 28, 2025. (KTLA)

The victims condition was not immediately available, police said.

Footage from the scene shows a heavy police presence in the neighborhood where the intersection was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape.

Violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene at core of lawsuit against Kevin Costner

From a distance, it appeared that the airbag in the victims steering wheel deployed, possibly when her vehicle came to a stop on or near the street curb.

So far, police have not released a suspect description, but did say the shooter fled the scene in a black Ford Mustang.

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Anyone with any information about the investigation is urged to contact detectives at LAPDs Hollenbeck Division at 323-342-4143. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is taking over an officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday night in Bartow County.

Investigators said Carrie Hall, 50, was shot and killed after refusing to put down a gun.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Arrest records show Hall was taken into custody by the Bartow County Sheriffs Office in January.

She faced multiple charges including theft by receiving stolen property, aggravated assault with a gun, terroristic threats and acts, and having a firearm or knife during commission or attempt to commit certain felonies.

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Adrian Michale lives in Carterville. He told Channel 2s Cory James that he has never seen her around here.

TRENDING STORIES:

Michale said he was surprised to hear about the shooting near GA-20 and Conference Center Road.

You never know what someone is going through, but obviously you shouldnt come shooting, Michale said. I pray for everybody involved.

The GBI said deputies and an officer repeatedly told Hall to put her gun down.

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They said before she was shot, Hall drove to a home on Peoples Valley Road in Bartow County and fired her gun. Officials said the homeowner called police.

Authorities said the independent investigation is ongoing.

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MCLEAN, Va. (DC News Now)  A woman who was shot after driving onto the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters property in McLean last week was accused of driving drunk, according to authorities.

Court documents obtained by DC News Now revealed that Monia Spadaro was charged with one count of endangering a person while fleeing and eluding and driving under the influence.

Documents detailed that on May 22, just after 3:30 a.m., Spadaro was spotted driving a Toyota Corolla and going the wrong way when she had crossed onto the CIA grounds, entering a restricted U.S. Government area. Thats when a CIA officer activated the lights on his police vehicle and began driving toward the Toyota.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Person shot at CIA headquarters in McLean, police say

However, Spadaro did not stop and continued driving toward the main gate of the CIA building. During this time, she began changing lanes and driving recklessly, according to officials.

Documents noted that a second CIA police officer was positioned at the security gate with their emergency light on, in hopes of stopping the car.

Spadaro allegedly ignored all attempts and began driving faster toward the main security gate. The officer then fired shots, striking Spadaro, and she crashed into one of the barriers of the gate.

She was detained and taken to the hospital.

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According to the court documents, while at the hospital, Spadaro told a CIA officer that she had been drinking at a restaurant in Vienna. Officers also emphasized that while in the ambulance, she smelled of alcohol.

During their investigation, officials learned that Spadaro was previously convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol in Virginia in 2021.

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A train ride home from work turned into a brutal attack for Jolene Hopper last Thursday.

Hopper said she was getting off the light rail when a man grabbed her and threw her onto the platform.

He strangled me. I couldnt breathe for a little while, Hopper explained. I couldnt really, like, get away. I couldnt yell because I couldnt talk. I went unconscious.

ALSO READ: Security on Charlotte city buses increases amid ridership growth

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According to police reports, the incident occurred at the Interstate 485/South Boulevard light rail station.

Hopper said shes mentally okay, but physically, thats a different story.

I got three stitches over my right eye. I got pretty bruised up here on this arm and broke my left elbow, Hopper elaborated.

She said she doesnt want to see such an incident happen to anyone else.

I would like to see, maybe, a little more security at the actual stops, at all of the stops, because I just dont see it that much, said Hopper.

The Charlotte Area Transit Systems security contractor is PSS. When Channel 9 crews stopped by the light rail station, they only observed one officer patrolling the parking lot.

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When asked if they plan to increase the visibility of security guards, CATS said they were unable to provide that information.

They also stated that they are aware of the incident and are working closely with police as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Hopper said she is certain she will no longer rely on the transportation shes used for the last two years.

Im definitely nervous; I probably wont ride the train again, said Hopper.

Channel 9 has reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department regarding arrests or possible suspects. We are waiting to hear back.

VIDEO: Security on Charlotte city buses increases amid ridership growth
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  An unidentified woman is suing three Charleston-area businessmen, alleging one of them sexually assaulted her when she was unconscious while the others watched and filmed, and that she only learned about it after U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace found video of the alleged incident.

The men accused in the May 29 complaint in Charleston County  Patrick Bryant, John Osborne, and Eric Bowman  were three of the four men named by Mace (R-S.C.) in an explosive February 10 speech on the House floor during which she detailed how she said she accidentally found evidence of rape, nonconsensual photos and videos of women and underage girls, including herself.

Bryant is Maces ex-fiance, and all four men have publicly denied the allegations.

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Mace read parts of the complaint during a Thursday afternoon press conference on Daniel Island. The woman, who was reportedly 23 at the time, is one of the victims she referenced during her floor speech as having found video recordings and photos of.

This young woman didnt know she was raped because she was unconscious when it happened, the congresswoman said. I told her the truth after I found the footage. It was one of the hardest conversations of my life. Her strength in coming forward is immeasurable. And I will stand with her, under oath, every step of the way.

The woman, referred to as Jane Doe, claims she was working for one of Bryants companies in 2018, when she went out drinking with a friend and eventually met up with the defendants before ending the night at Bowmans Sullivans Island home.

The complaint claims Doe was very intoxicated and was barely able to walk or talk at the time and fell into the pool. She allegedly went back into the house, took off her clothes, and passed out on the couch, nearly naked but covered with pillows.

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She alleges that while she was incapacitated, Bowman and Bryant took nonconsensual photos of her and later filmed Osborne sexually assaulting her.

The incident was caught on the homes security camera and witnessed by one of the mens wives, who sent herself an email detailing what she had seen, according to the complaint.

When Doe awoke the next morning, the lawsuit claims she was told that he had fallen into the pool. She reportedly did not know she had been assaulted until Mace told her in April 2024.

The victim further claimed in the lawsuit that she now believes her drink may have been spiked earlier in the night.

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Several months after the alleged incident, the complaint states that Doe became aware of a class-action lawsuit against Bryants company and one of its employees alleging wage theft.

Doe, who had since resigned from Bryants company, joined that lawsuit seeking to recover unpaid overtime, according to the complaint.

It then goes on to detail veiled threats to publicly embarrass [Doe] Bowman made if she did not drop out of the suit, including that he would release security footage of her smashed at his house. She did not remove herself because she did not know what was on the video, and the case was later settled.

I am filing this lawsuit for myself and for other women who fear being publicly shamed if they report what happened to them, Doe said in a statement released by her attorney. While Congresswoman Mace and I do not share the same political ideology, what has been and will continue to be important to me is her courage in bringing this to light and her unwavering support through this traumatic time in my life. I hope this case encourages women to give themselves the permission to trust their instincts and let go of the shame that never belonged to them in the first place.

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The lawsuit is the latest development stemming from the sexual assault and voyeurism claims first made by Mace. Multiple civil lawsuits  one in March against Mace for defamation and an April complaint by Mace against Bowman for the same  have since been filed.

A spokesperson for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said in a Feb. 10 emailed statement to News 2 that it opened an investigation into Bryant regarding allegations of assault, harassment, and voyeurism in December 2023 after being contacted by the U.S. Capitol Police.

This lawsuit is yet another media stunt in Nancy Maces long-running vendetta and blackmail campaign against me, Bryant wrote in a May 29 statement to News 2. It is simply part of a narrative and continuing effort on her part designed to destroy me, and to somehow benefit politically from the publicity.

Bowman also responded to the latest legal filing in a statement, labeling it nothing more than a political stunt.

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My current wife Melissa Britton  who, along with Nancy Mace, has carried out a coordinated vendetta against me as Ive documented publicly on my Twitter feedtheir agenda is personal, not principled and the allegations are 100% false.

An attorney for Osborne also sent a statement to News 2 saying, I want to point to the deposition of Wes Donahue. It is very telling.

This story is breaking and may be updated.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.






NEED TO KNOW

A woman was left in critical condition after a bear attacked her while she walked her dog in a forest

The attack happened on Tuesday, May 27, a few miles outside Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital

If it is necessary to increase the number of hunters in the field, we will do so," local authorities said







A woman is in critical condition after she was attacked by a bear while walking her dog in a forest in Slovenia on Tuesday, May 27.

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The attack happened in the evening, and bears are common around Skofljica, where the incident occurred, according to local authorities. The Associated Press reported that it took place about six miles outside the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.

There are several hunters in the field at the same time, who are responsible for possibly deterring bears from points where contact with humans could occur, officials wrote in an English translation of the statement. If it is necessary to increase the number of hunters in the field, we will do so.

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This month, authorities approved the culling of 206 brown bears as their population continues to rise nationwide, per the Slovenia Times.

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In nearby Slovakia, the government has approved plans to sell culled brown bear meat to the public in an effort to reduce waste, according to the BBC. The outlet also notes that brown bears are protected by strict hunting regulations in the European Union and can only be killed in special circumstances, such as when they pose a direct threat to humans.

Since the state has included bears on the list of protected animals with the Hunting Act, hunters without explicit instructions or permits from the competent ministry do not have any authority to take active action, so they can only observe and monitor the possible movement of bears, Skofljica authorities said in the statement.

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Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power and U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) at the Mackinac Policy Conference's Women in Leadership panel on May 28, 2025. | Kyle Davidson

During the annual women in leadership panel at the Mackinac Policy conference, leaders from the public and private sectors spoke out against growing federal efforts opposing diversity, equity and inclusion practices, emphasizing that diversity remains a value within the state.

The panel, led by Laura Granneman, the executive director of Rocket Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation, hosted U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly); Tina Kozak, CEO of the PR firm Franco; and Angelique Power, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation, which advocates for Detroiters perspectives in education policy.

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Looking across the nation at the push against diversity, Slotkin said theres a narrative circulating that diversity is a bad thing rather than a good thing.

Its sending shock waves of fear through the system and the conversations Im having with Michigan organizations is like, Please dont over index, right? Dont bend over backwards to, like, go the opposite direction. Were in Michigan. You know diversity is a value, Slotkin said, warning that organizations are going too far in responding to anti-DEI sentiments and actions.

While the federal government has taken action to end DEI policies in the federal government, the sentiment goes beyond that, Slotkin said, pointing to President Donald Trump blaming diversity initiatives for Januarys deadly aircraft collision at Washington Reagan National Airport.

This isnt about DEI, right? This is about saying that in order for me to champion one group of people, I have to put down a whole bunch of other groups of people, Slotkin said.

U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) at the Mackinac Policy Conferences Women in Leadership panel on May 28, 2025. | Kyle Davidson

The challenge for us in Michigan, is to say, how do we communicate and call balls and strikes on what we know is right for our state and for our institutions. And you just have to look around at this conference and say, like, there is value in having a different group of voices around a table, Slotkin said.

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Power noted that it had been five years since the murder of George Floyd, and that a tremendous amount of work on diversity, equity and inclusion work followed.

I dont want us to lose that. That the work that was done was different than the DEI work  or the DI the diversity and inclusion work  that was done before, Power said.

These last five years, there was such a introspective lens that institutions took, that individuals took to say, like, What can I do differently? There was a realization that it isnt about solely representation, it was about ownership and agency and voice. It was about creating new tables. And that worked so well that there is this tremendous backlash against it now, Power said.

The issue now is not about defending an acronym, but rather defending American values, Power said.

Skillman Foundation President and CEO Angelique Power at the Mackinac Policy Conferences Women in Leadership panel on May 28, 2025. | Kyle Davidson

In two years were going to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country. We the People. Thats our chance to say, when we first said, We the People, it really meant, like, you know, white men. Now we get a chance to say who we really mean by We the People, Power said.

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While Kozak said she didnt have much to add, she noted it was frustrating to see a resistance to forward motion.

However, she remained hopeful, arguing that the state and businesses understand the importance of diversity.

Investing in women is good business. And I believe that, and I believe that corporations know that. I think theyre calling it different things to your point, to sort of over-correct and protect, but Im hopeful, Kozak.

Franco CEO Tina Kozak at the Mackinac Policy Conferences Women in Leadership panel on May 28, 2025. | Kyle Davidson

Later in the panel Power detailed the importance of coalition building in the philanthropic realm, with foundation presidents working in coalitions all across the nation.

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However, President Trumps executive order opposing DEI has targeted universities and foundations with more than $500 million in assets, accusing these groups of illegal discrimination in order to strip their nonprofit status and fine them into submission, Power said.

This includes Black Lives Matter-oriented organizations and groups working to support climate justice in low income areas and communities of color who are disproportionately impacted by climate change, she said.

Truthfully, I think all of us watched the university presidents and we saw what happens when you go it alone, when an attack comes at you and you try to handle it with talking points that were handed to you, Power said.

Whether its nationally, or whether its locally, whether its within this current context, or whether it has to do with the education system, we have to solve this together, Power said. And thats actually one of the best things about Michigan. Were a proudly purple state. We are not going to make progress unless we have bipartisan ideas that we move through and that we can sustain.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Two Johnson City elementary schools will have new principals for the 2025-26 school year.

Johnson City Schools announced Richard Hutson will be the next principal at Towne Acres Elementary. Hutson has been the principal at Cherokee Elementary since 2018.

I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to join the amazing school community of Towne Acres Elementary School, Hutson said in a news release. I look forward to working with each member during this transition and building on the high level of success they have become accustomed to. Towne Acres has a rich history of academic success, and I am eager to begin working with Dr. Simmons and the faculty and staff to ensure a smooth transition as we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year.

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Bitcoin mining impacts Northeast TN from Limestone to Mountain City

Prior to his time at Cherokee, Hutson was the principal at Church Hill Elementary School for seven years.

Hutson replaces Josh Simmons at Towne Acres, who will now serve as the principal at Woodland Elementary. Simmons took the Woodland role as Karen Reach is retiring at the end of the summer.

I am extremely excited to be joining the Woodland Elementary community, Simmons said. Woodland has a long history of academic excellence and providing wonderful opportunities for students. They have an amazing team of teachers and staff, and I look forward to working with them to continue to provide an excellent elementary school experience for students. I am excited to work with Dr. Reach over the next month to ensure we have a smooth transition to the 2025-26 school year.

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Simmons had been the principal at Towne Acres since 2018.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  In the waning days of New Jersey's contested primary for governor, Democratic and Republican candidates are offering a glimpse of where the general election campaign could go. They're grappling over the package of Trump tax breaks and program cuts recently passed by the House but characterizing it in dramatically different ways.

Each side is using the measure as a cudgel against the other.

Depending on which partys candidates are speaking, Trump is either a tax-cutting hero who is cleaning up the nations broken immigration system and right-sizing the federal government, or a rogue president recklessly rounding up U.S. citizens, driving up federal debt and slashing benefits for older and sicker Americans without regard for the law or who gets hurt.

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That stark contrast in the two respective primaries suggests New Jersey voters will have clear decisions to make in the November general election  and that their choices, even in a state long dominated by Democrats, could signal how President Donald Trumps aggressive second term is playing nationwide.

The wrangling in New Jersey comes before the June 10 primary in one of just two governors' contests this year. The other is in Virginia. Both are being looked at for signs of how Democrats will answer Trump's 2024 victory and his agenda and, for Republicans, as a fresh test of the president's popularity.

The legislation Republicans call a big, beautiful bill is front and center in the argument.

In sparring over social media, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill opposed the bill, while Republican Jack Ciattarelli talked up the benefits of its tax cuts. The two are widely seen as leading contenders for their parties' nominations.

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Sherrill said the bill would drive up costs and attempted to link Ciattarelli, a former state legislator, to health care and food assistance cuts. You are a yes-man for the MAGA agenda, she wrote.

Ciattarelli jabbed Sherrill over opposing what would amount to tax cuts for many residents.

The tax cuts in the bill working its way through Congress are needed in New Jersey, he wrote, thanks to Democrats making NJ the highest taxed state in America.

Turning a page  but which one?

The sniping could persist to the general election, experts say. Democrats are eager to blame the president and his party for unpopular cuts to social safety net programs and the GOP is looking to pin economic difficulties on Democrats, who've been in charge of state government for eight years.

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Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited after winning twice. In a climate where voters can be restless for change, some say it's a matter of what they will decide to be against.

The real question will be do they hate Phil Murphy more or Donald Trump more? said Julie Roginsky, a longtime Democratic campaign strategist, Are they looking to turn the page on Phil Murphy or Donald Trump?

Along with Sherrill, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Mayors Ras Baraka of Newark and Steven Fulop of Jersey City, former Senate President Steve Sweeney and teacher's union executive Sean Spiller are locked in what appears to be a competitive contest for the Democratic nomination. Sherill has the backing of several influential county parties.

But the contest is unfolding in a new era, after the downfall of the county party line, a unique-to-New Jersey practice in which local parties were able to give their preferred candidates favorable ballot placement. And with each of the Democratic candidates marshaling support from different parts of the party base, it can be hard to tell who's in the lead.

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Im looking at the polls with a little more skepticism simply because how the landscape has changed, said Montclair State University political science professor Brigid Callahan Harrison.

The primary field

A common thread among Democrats has been scalding criticism of the president and Republicans in Washington. Baraka made national headlines when he was arrested on a federal trespassing charge that was later dropped when he went to inspect an immigration detention center in Newark. Sherrill, Gottheimer and Spiller went to the site of the arrest later in a show of support and to demonstrate their opposition to the president's immigration crackdown.

On the GOP side, the race changed significantly after Trump endorsed Ciattarelli, giving his seal of approval to the small business owner and former state lawmaker who once called the president a charlatan.

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Ciattarelli has more recently embraced the president, whose endorsement is widely seen as a knockout blow in the GOP primary. Other Republicans in the contest have not, for the most part, disavowed the president, whose influence is hard to miss in the candidates' rhetoric.

Former 101.5 talk radio host Bill Spadea has talked about replicating the Department of Government Efficiency in New Jersey. Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac casts himself as a long-time, true Trump loyalist.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick is alone in criticizing the president, particularly his pardons of those convicted in the Jan. 6 , 2021, Capitol insurrection, but even he has supported Trump's push to end so-called sanctuary policies. Justin Barbera, a contractor from Burlington County, will also be on the ballot for Republicans.

Something about the office of governor

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New Jersey has been reliably Democratic in presidential and Senate contests for decades, but Republicans do better in governors' contests, with each of the last three GOP governors winning two terms.

Democrats have struggled to find a message since Trump's victory last year, with the winner of the New Jersey primary poised to attract a national spotlight as the party seeks to build on special election victories, even among GOP voters. Republicans hope Democrats' eight years of state government control will result in voters taking any frustrations they feel out against the party in power in Trenton rather than on Trump.

New Jersey has seen its Democratic voter registration dip from about 1 million more than Republicans to roughly 800,000 more. Unaffiliated voters  those without a party, sometimes called independents rival the Democrats' advantage.

Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, suggested Democrats can't be complacent.

One of the things we have to remember is theres something about the office of governor, he said. "Voters are looking for something beyond ideology when it comes to our governors. They want executive administration skills  and sometimes they are willing to vote for Republicans."
With school out for Memorial Day, 10-year-old Azaylia Brown and her father, Sheron Brown, were spending an ideal near-summer day together.

The pair grabbed a large pepperoni pizza from Athens Pizza, her favorite spot in their hometown of Leominster, then drove 10 minutes to Lake Shirley in Lunenburg to float, fish and eat the slices on the water in Sheron Browns boat.

But the afternoon abruptly devolved into what Sheron Brown said was his daughters first experience of racism: a man throwing rocks at the family from shore as he screamed racial slurs at them, which Sheron Brown captured on video as he dialed 911.

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The man  identified from court filings as David McPartlan, 66, of Ayer  will be summoned on two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and two charges of assault to intimidate, according to the Lunenburg Police Department.

Attempts to contact McPartlan by MassLive were unsuccessful.

Sheron Brown, 53, said he isnt sure how the apparent racially charged encounter will affect his young daughter emotionally in the weeks and years to come.

I dont want my daughter to have a bad light of white males, or lake residents. I want her to treat people all the same, Brown said.

My daughter witnessed it, where someone calls her father that word ... Im forced to explain things to her when I may not be ready. Im forced to explain something to her, under duress, after I choke back how I feel, what I may want to do, he said, his voice growing thick with emotion.

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Im not prepared. How do you prepare for that situation? Brown said.

What happened?

The incident on Lake Shirley in Lunenburg on Memorial Day happened just before 5 p.m., according to Lunenburg Police. Homes of a few hundred residents dot the 27 miles of heavily developed shoreline on the 354-acre lake, Brown said. Theres a dedicated boat ramp and recreational beach area called Shady Point Beach and Campground.

Brown is a competitive fisherman who also works in IT for a Connecticut biopharmaceutical company, and had been out on the water that day with his 10-year-old daughter in the custom fishing boat hes owned for 13 years.

Brown said hes been a season pass-holder at Lake Shirley for half a decade, often coming to fish and spend time with his children. He said as a competitive fisherman who is a 6-foot, 4-inch, 270-pound Black man, he has become a well-known fixture in the lake community, and has gifted fishing gear to local kids. He also grew up in the nearby town of Shirley.

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Brown said Lake Shirley residents are mostly white, while many visitors are people of color. However, Monday was the first time he had heard of or experienced any racial problems there.

He added that residents have had issues before with fishermen leaving their hooks behind, but he makes a point to never leave his professional, expensive gear.

The late afternoon of Memorial Day, Sheron and Azaylia Brown headed to a spot on the lake that Brown knew well, an area with plenty of fish and no plants or structures to tangle his daughters line.

When they arrived, three other fishermen who Brown said were all white men were already in the area, very close to the dock by a house on shore.

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Brown said he waited until those fishermen left, then moved his boat to a spot between 60 and 75 feet from shore. It was much farther out than where the others had been and away from the dock for Azaylia, he said.

The two hadnt even cast a line before a man  later identified as McPartlan  came outside of a home and began to yell at the father and daughter.

The man asked why Brown was fishing in that spot, and said that I shouldnt be fishing there, Brown said. McPartlan said that I have somewhere else to go fish, and I shouldnt be here, he recalled.

Brown replied, Im here with my daughter. Its Memorial Day. Why are you targeting me?

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He explained they would stay far away from the mans property for the hour and a half they planned to be there, unlike the other fishermen who had just been there for bass under the dock.

Thats when McPartlan began to escalate the confrontation, Brown said, and started swearing at him.

When Brown tried to ask the man to calm down in front of his daughter, McPartlan said he didnt want them there, told them to go somewhere else, and said, You guys think you own the lake, Brown recalled.

Brown said McPartlan grew angrier, even as he tried to explain that the lake resident had ignored the other boats nearby. The man on shore continued to swear at him.

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Brown said he was going to start recording the conversation  and thats when McPartlan threw a large rock that splashed feet away from the boat, Brown said.

In his video of the incident, Brown said, incredulously, Did you just throw a rock at me?

McPartlan yelled back, Yeah, I threw rocks at you, [racial slur].

He repeated the slur again, and Brown said he was calling the police. The video ended before McPartlan picked up a large stick, Brown said.

The aftermath

As her father was verbally degraded for his skin color in front of her, 10-year-old Azaylia Brown sat quietly on the boat, listening.

When the man on the shore grew quiet for a moment, the little girl looked at her father and asked what they had done wrong.

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Sheron Brown told her, We didnt do anything wrong. This guy is being mean.

But Brown, who has yet to explain segregation, diversity and racism to his 10-year-old and what she might encounter as a Black person in life, knows the incident is much deeper than that.

Usually our first experience as a Black person  my first experience as a Black man  was when someone called me the N-word in school, out of the blue, Brown said.

Thats usually your first experience with racism, when someone calls you an (expletive)" Brown said.

But thats usually it, it doesnt escalate into anything else ... you deal with it, you understand it, and then you become an adult and try to avoid those situations, he said.

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In this case, I dont know what kind of impact this is going to have on my daughter, he continued. He said Azaylia talked about the experience with her friends at school, some of whom have already seen the video, and talked about the video with her older brother.

Theyre aged 10. It just ... it upsets me, Im not prepared. How do I prepare for that? he said, crying.

Mondays altercation on the lake finally ended after about 15 or 20 minutes, when Lunenburg police officers responding to Browns call contacted Brown and said they had a hard time finding them on the water. Brown idled his boat away from McPartlans area toward the boat ramp to meet the officers, and he said McPartlan waved at them in the background.

In the days after the incident, Brown said he doesnt believe one person represents an entire community, nor that Lake Shirley has an outright racism issue.

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I dont hold lake residents, white people, white males, anyone that fits within that category, accountable for one persons actions. His actions are solo  he did this on his own, he said.

However, racism does exist, Brown said.

I dont encounter it to this degree. I never encountered it fishing-wise, but its still here ... even in Massachusetts, it still exists, he said.

Brown also wants to raise awareness about sharing the water with fishermen and how often fishermen are harassed. He emphasized that fishing is a great way to develop a bond with your kids in nature.

He added, You should carry yourself around  the utmost, highest level  around kids, because youre trying to set a precedent for them.

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The Chrysler Building, one of the most iconic and recognizable skyscrapers in New York Citys skyline, is up for sale once again.

Back in January, a New York state judge effectively evicted owners RFR Holdings, a real estate investment firm, from the building after not paying their rent. Now, Cooper Union, a private arts and science college that owns the land underneath the skyscraper, has hired British real estate firm Savills to oversee the sale, according to Time Out .

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Completed in 1930, the Chrysler Building briefly held the title of worlds tallest building for 11 months. It stands 1,046 feet tall, with 77 floors. (The Empire State Building, just a few blocks away, surpassed the Chrysler Building as the worlds tallest in 1931, standing at 1,250 feet tall, not including its antenna.) Designed by architect William Van Alen, it was commissioned by Walter P. Chrysler as a symbol of the Chrysler Corporation, with its stainless steel spire and ornamented crown.

Ownership of the building has changed hands a few times already, for as much as $800 million in 2008 when the government of Abu Dhabi bought a 90% stake in the tower. But then it sold for a shockingly low fraction of the cost at $150 million in 2019 to co-owners Signa, an Austrian real estate company, and RFR, a New York-based development firm. But in 2024, according to the New York Times , Signa filed for insolvency, and an Austrian court ruled that it would have to sell its share of the building.

Cooper Union and Savills arent disclosing the new price tag for the Chrysler Building just yet. Even with astronomical property costs in Manhattan right now, its questionable how much Savills might be able to fetch. The aformentioned NYT report paints a more dilapidated picture inside of the shining structure on the outside, with tenants complaining about bad cell service, the lack of natural sunlight, elevator troubles, murky water coming out of fountains, and pest infestations.

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NEW YORK  The New York City Campaign Finance Board sent out over 3.5 million voter guides that incorrectly stated  twice  Mayor Eric Adams would appear on the Democratic primary ballot next month.

He is actually skipping his party's primary to run in November as an independent.

The 2025 Primary Election Voter Guide was mailed to 3,523,795 voters in the city starting May 19, about a month before the June 24 primary, according to Campaign Finance Board spokesperson Amy Lebowitz. The packets were printed in 14 different languages with 96 editions, and each voter guide contained the errors.

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Our priority at the Campaign Finance Board and NYC Votes is to provide trustworthy information that empowers New Yorkers to make their voices heard at the ballot box, Lebowitz said in a statement. In the business of voter education, every error is serious, and we take Voter Guide errors very seriously. NYC Votes will work overtime until Election Day to get accurate information to voters across the five boroughs.

The board also told POLITICO it will be fast-tracking additional mailers to all registered Democrats in the city with a corrected list of mayoral primary candidates. It did not provide a cost for the corrective measure.

In the voter guide's section of Democratic mayoral candidates, Eric Adams is listed second, along with 15 others. It also puts the partisan affiliation under Adams name in his candidate profile.

Adamsannounced in April he'd run for reelection as an independent, and his campaign later confirmed it is gathering signatures to appear on two new ballot lines: EndAntiSemitism and Safe&Affordable.

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Mayor Eric Adams is a Democrat, but hes running this cycle as an independent to bring together a broader coalition of voters, Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for the Adams campaign, said in a statement.

The mayor's decision followed his apparent realization that his path in a Democratic primary would be particularly difficult, given his affiliation with President Donald Trump. The Republican White House successfully urged a federal judge to drop corruption charges against the mayor, in what a now-resigned prosecutor alleged was a quid pro quo.

Adams denies that charge, but seemed to nevertheless realize that the case hurt him with Democrats  as polling has consistently shown.

Shapiro also took issue with the voter guide putting a check mark next to Adams name. The symbol is meant to indicate to voters a candidate is participating in NYC's matching funds program, which helps candidates rely on New York City residents  not special interests  to fund their campaigns," per the guide.

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Adams is suing the board for denying him $3.4 million in matching funds, POLITICO reported.

The Campaign Finance Boards voter guide is incorrect  he is not receiving matching funds, Shapiro said. "The CFBs rules unfairly penalize candidates who choose to run outside party lines. Were challenging this to ensure the system supports participation, not restricts it.

The board  responsible for creating, printing and mailing the packets  ruled Adams was not eligible to receive matching funds in December, following the federal indictment that alleged he engaged in a straw donor scheme and abused the program.

The voter guide also put check marks next to other candidates who have attempted to earn public matching funds, but have not received them.
They had quite a trip.

A pair of New York hikers called police, believing their friend had died on an Adirondacks trail but were discovered to be entirely mistaken and stoned off psychedelic mushrooms, according to authorities.

The hikers were lost near the Adirondacks popular Cascade Mountain. Paul Martinka

State forest rangers near Cascade Mountain received a disturbing call from two hikers who said their friend was dead on the popular Adirondack Mountains trail and that the pair was lost, the Department of Environmental Conservation said in a release about the May 24 incident.

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A ranger was successfully sent to recover the two stranded woodsmen and quickly determined they were in an altered mental state, and later discovered they had ingested the psychoactive substance, according to the release.

The friend they believed to be dead also called park officials and was found alive and completely uninjured, according to the release.

The pair of hikers believed their friend had died but were simply high on psychedelic mushrooms. cppzone  stock.adobe.com

Some mushrooms contain the naturally occurring psychedelic compound psilocybin. Sergei  stock.adobe.com

That third hiker  who was separated from his two pals  was found and escorted back to the groups campsite, officials said.

In a twist of irony, park officials called an ambulance not for a dead hiker but for the loopy duo who were zooted off of the psychoactive fungi.
Watch viewer-submitted footage of the bear in the video player above.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24)  Witness video shows a young black bear being captured in Bentonville around noon on May 28.

Officers with the Bentonville Police Department and Bentonville animal control, with assistance from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), caught the bear after it was seen scaling a tree in Bentonville.

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Its probably a yearling, Keith Stephens with AGFC said. Momma pushes them out to be on their own this time of year.

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K-9 Comeback: Arkansas Highway Police revive dog unit after nearly 20 years, already make major drug bust

Stephens said black bears this age are typically looking for something to eat that is easy to come by, such as trash cans, dog food and bird food.

Some may notice this bears golden hue, despite its name. A cinnamon bear is not a distinct species but rather a color phase of the American black bear, scientifically known as Ursus americanus cinnamomum, a subspecies of Ursus americanus.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Kristen Mitchell and her team have been supporting Utahs youth for the last 10 years.

With overnight shelter, drop-in services and street outreach, Mitchell says the Youth Futures organization has changed countless lives and helped to lessen the cycle of homelessness at no cost to the kids.

As founder, Mitchells involvement began one winter night while working on a mental health hotline for youth. During a conversation with a young boy, she found her new calling.

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He was in a park and wouldnt tell me where he was, but he was feeling suicidal, had no place to go and was very distraught, Mitchell recalled. I talked to him on the phone for hours.  I stayed awake the rest of the night. When my husband woke up, I told him the story and said, If someone is going to do us, its going to be us.

Mitchell immediately got to work developing a homeless youth shelter for kids ages 12-18 and transitional living for those 16-22. In 2015, she opened her first shelter in Ogden. Since then, Youth Futures has opened shelters and transitional living centers in St. George and Cedar City. One of the most important guiding principles of the organization was never turning youth away.

Youth Futures is open 24/7 and provides access to laundry, computer access, overnight shelter, support groups, art therapy, pregnancy prevention and a myriad of other courses.

If you can think about it, we offer it. If we dont offer it, and a kid needs it, we will figure out how to help build it, Mitchell said.

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Youth Futures is made possible by grants, fundraisers, donations and the annual Sleep Out event. The event has attendees sleep outside to raise money and ensure that youth will not have to be on the streets. Other sponsors include Havenwood Academy, a girls trauma treatment facility that consistently donates and brings girls to help with yard work at the facility.

With all the life-changing work that happens within Youth Futures, one of the biggest obstacles has been altering the publics perception of the youth.

There is a lot of stigma that goes on with homeless kids, Mitchell confessed. They get marked as runaways or difficult kids. That is really not what these kids are dealing with. These kids are homeless and unaccompanied for reasons that are not their own.

The stories of what led the youth to homelessness have been heartbreaking to Mitchell and only resolved her drive to help in whatever way she can. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the organization.

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Statistics show that kids are four times more likely to become homeless adults if they become homeless as a kid. If we can intervene early and help these kids build the life skills and resiliency that they need, they will be more likely to be successful and stay out of homelessness, Mitchell explained.

Over the past 10 years, 80% of the youth served by Youth Futures have not entered the adult homeless system, according to Mitchell. The staggering statistics prove to Mitchell and her army of volunteers and employees that they are making a difference.

With many youth-facing programs constantly being rolled out, Youth Futures sets itself apart by consistently providing positive programs.

Our motto is We serve kids no matter what. We check our judgment at our door and meet the kids where they are at, Mitchell explained. We are very youth-centered. When a kid sets their goals, it is their goals, not our suggestions of goals. We will help them down whatever path they choose. We run on positive youth development.

For more information or to volunteer with Youth Futures, visit its website.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who served a prison sentence for several burglaries is wanted for several break-ins on the South Side.

Read next: Window World responds in wrongful death lawsuit

Police are looking for Brandon Crespo, 27, who is known to be homeless. His known address was in the 500 block of Miller Street. A news release from the police department states Crespo is a suspect for break-ins between Indianola Avenue and Midlothian Boulevard.

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First News was on the scene of a reported break-in at Dunkin earlier Thursday morning that police say Crespo was named a suspect in. The series of break-ins on the South Side of Youngstown and just over the line in Boardman look very similar.

Brandon Javier Crespo, Wanted, Youngstown, Ohio Brandon Javier Crespo, Wanted, Youngstown, Ohio

A rock broke the glass window at Nikkis Express and then someone walked in the window. Hours later, the owner found out.

Oh, well a customer called me and said, Miss Nikki you know your window is broken. And Im like huh? Nicole Nixon said.

Nicole Nixon watched a security video on her phone and called the police. She couldnt believe what this person did once inside.

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Walked around like he knew what he was doing. Click the light on, you got a good view of them. And then he went through the kitchen and went to the register. And then, after he seen there was no money in there, because Im not open, Nixon said.

Similar incidents over the past few days happened between Boardman and Youngstown. Someone got in a drive-thru window at Samis Quick Stop. The register was found near the library. A rock broke a window at 4 a.m. Thursday at Dunkin on Market Street, just before the morning crew arrived, and another broken window at Latin Wings.

You know, this is around a lot of people. We never know who is who, said owner Edgar Morales.

Morales says one cash register had a code and couldnt be opened. A second only had small change. Latin Wings has only been open for about four months.

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Its hard to start the business and get hit like that, you know, for everybody here, Nikkis, Sammy, everybody, you know, Morales said.

Youngstown Police issued a Be on the Lookout for Crespo Thursday. Three years ago, WKBN reported he was charged with break-ins at Prepped Wellness Cafe and Greater Ebenezer Church.

The businesses involved now would like to see him get caught again.

Oh, I really hope they catch him so I can sit back and watch him explain what was on his mind for him to want to go and, you know, just destroy so many businesses at one time like it doesnt make no sense, Nixon said.

One of the businesses found blood and believes it could be matched to Crespo, should he get caught.

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Crespo has other theft-related charges in municipal court and Mahoning County Common Pleas Court dating back to 2018.

In 2023, he was sentenced to a year in prison for three separate break-ins he pleaded guilty to committing in 2022.

Court records show he was placed on three years parole when he was released from prison.

Police believe Crespo is responsible for a break-in Thursday at the Dunkin Donuts at East Midlothian Boulevard and Market Street, where First News cameras caught police processing the crime scene.

Crespo is described as a man, 510, 212 pounds with brown eyes and hair. He was last seen wearing a white jacket, black pants and a head covering.

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Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call 911 or CrimeStoppers Youngstown at 330-746-CLUE.

For more updates, check back with First News later tonight.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the possible delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to his country with Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his visit to Berlin.

"The Taurus issue was discussed in a one-to-one meeting between the Chancellor and me," he told the German broadcaster RTL.

Work is being done in this direction, but both agreed not to discuss the matter publicly in the future, Zelensky said, vowing he would adhere to this promise.

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Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years.

It particularly lacks long-range weapons to destroy strategically important military installations in the Russian hinterland and Russian war logistics.

So far, Ukraine has received ATACMS missiles from the United States and the Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles from the UK and France.

In Germany, there has been an ongoing discussion about delivering Taurus cruise missiles with a range of about 500 kilometres, as requested by Kiev. Former chancellor Olaf Scholz consistently rejected this, out of concern that it would make Germany a party to the war.

Merz did not want to rule out the delivery of Taurus missiles in the future. However, it was agreed in Berlin that Germany would assist Ukraine in building its own long-range missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for increased international pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, saying there was still no sign that President Vladimir Putin was ready for peace.

"There is not enough pressure," Zelensky told German broadcaster RTL on Wednesday.

During his visit to Berlin, he criticized what he sees as insufficient commitment from global powers. "The United States is involved, but not 100%. Other countries, like China and those from the Global South, are holding back," he said.

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Zelensky also suggested that a lasting peace may only be possible once Putin is no longer in power. "We will have a just peace  but likely only after Putin," he said.

The Ukrainian president has previously described the war, sparked by the 72-year-old Russian leader, as a generational conflict.

Still, he said a ceasefire could be the first step towards a broader peace process. "Peace, which begins with a ceasefire and then moves towards lasting solutions, could start tomorrow," he said.

Zelensky also emphasized Germany's role in future peace efforts and reconstruction. "I want Germany to be one of the leading nations at the negotiating table, both in diplomacy and in rebuilding," he said.

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russias full-scale invasion for more than three years.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on 29 May that the Russian side has not handed over its so-called "memorandum" to the United States, Ukraine or Turkiye, despite earlier promises to do so.

Source: Zelenskyys address on 29 May

Quote: "Words do not work with Moscow. Even the so-called 'memorandum' they promised and supposedly spent over a week preparing  no one has seen it yet. It has not been shared with Ukraine. It has not been shared with our partners.

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They havent even shared the new agenda with Turkiye  the country that hosted the first meeting. Although they promised the exact opposite, and above all, they promised it to the United States and President Trump. Another Russian deception."

Details: The president added that the Russians are doing everything they can to make the meetings meaningless, which is another reason to strengthen sanctions pressure against them.

Background:

Earlier, it became known that Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov had handed over a document to Russia outlining Ukraines position and was awaiting their "memorandum" in response.

On 23 May, Zelenskyy stated that the fact that Russia had been drafting a so-called "memorandum" on a ceasefire for a week is a mockery of the entire world.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Cissy Strong Reyes tapes up a banner in the Wapato Community Center for a day of remembrance for missing and murdered Indigenous people in Wapato, Wash., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson R-La., speaks to reporters as he leaves a House Republican meeting at the U.S. Capitol on May 20.
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, Villanovans reflect on the moment they learned an Augustinian friar and alumnus of the school was elected Pontiff



The proclamation "Habemus Papam""We have a Pope"holds an extra layer of meaning to the Villanova community and the Order of St. Augustine. Habemus Papam! Cardinal Protodeacon Domonique Mambertis wordsWe have a Pope!echoed from the Loggia of Blessings, reaching with power the ears of the 150,000 eager onlookers packed into St. Peters Square. But they were not loud enough to reach those of Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, 75 CLAS more than 4,800 miles away in a popular Chicago restaurant, where he and a group of Villanovans were having lunch before an alumni event. They were seated just as the white smoke emerged from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, and began to watch it on the restaurants TV. Father Donohue approached a staff member and asked if he would be so kind as to turn up the volume. He happily obliged as Cardinal Mamberti continued on. Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum  The most eminent and reverend lord Father Donohues gaze was fixed to the screen, his ears readyor so he thought to receive the words that would follow. Dominum Robertum Franciscum, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost, qui sibi nomen imposuit Leonem Decimum Quartum. Lord Robert Francis, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV.



Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue embraces Robert Prevostnow Pope Leo XIVafter awarding him an honorary Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, in 2014. Father Donohue was at a restaurant in the Pope's hometown of Chicago when he heard the announcement.



I practically fell off the chair, Father Donohue told TIME Magazine, as his phone began to flood with messages. It wasnt only because Cardinal Prevostnow Pope Leo XIV was the first American-born leader of the Catholic Church. Nor was it just a reaction to the coincidence that at that very moment Father Donohue was dining in Pope Leos birth city. It wasnt even singularly the fact that Pope Leo, a fellow Augustinian, was the first-ever pontiff from the Order. It went even deeper: The Holy Father was a graduate of the same school Father Donohue has led for nearly 20 years, and he calls him a friend. It is difficult to put into words what a joy this is for our Church, the Augustinians and Villanova, Father Donohue said in reflection. And knowing him personally, I can attest to his faith, humility and wisdom, which will make him an outstanding leader for the global Church. Until that moment, no institution in the United States could call itself the alma mater of a Pope. The gravity of it all, and the meaning to the Villanova community, the Order and to him personally, has not left Father Donohues thoughts since. It is remarkable to think that Pope Leo shares values and experiences with many generations of Villanovans, Father Donohue said. And now he is our Holy Father.   

Daylight was waning on the evening of April 25, the day the Rev. Arthur Purcaro, OSA, STD, 72 CLAS, Villanovas assistant vice president for Mission and Ministry arrived in Rome. Father Purcaro was beginning a sabbatical in Italy, and originally he, Cardinal Robert Prevost and possibly even the late Pope Francis had planned to celebrate a private Mass together, recognizing the 50th anniversary of Father Purcaros Ordination to the priesthood. They had not planned for that Mass to be Pope Francis Requiem Massfor which Father Purcaro was a concelebrant along with thousands of others from around the world. That evening, the night before the Requiem Mass, Father Purcaro stood atop the roof of the building that houses The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, facing the Augustinian worldwide headquarters. He was joined by Cardinal Prevost, with whom he had just dined. At one point, the Cardinal took out his phone and snapped a selfie of the two old friends, with St. Peters Basilica positioned in the background. Two weeks later, Cardinal Prevost would retire to the Sistine Chapel, locked in conclave with 132 other electors. The next time Father Purcaro and his other close friends saw him, he was emerging from the Loggia in the papal regalia to deafening applause, introducing himself to the world as Pope Leo XIV.



Days away from being announced as Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Prevost spent time with longtime friend the Rev. Arthur Purcaro, Villanova's assistant vice president of Mission and Ministry.



It was an emotional moment for Augustinians around the world The thrill, the emotion, the hope this choice inspires in me, is that each one of usloyal to our Augustinian values of Truth, Unity and Charitycan make a real difference, Father Purcaro said. To see him walk to that balcony was like seeing a family member step up there," the Rev. Robert Hagan, OSA, JD, 87 CLAS, prior provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Villanova University trustee and friend of Pope Leo XIV, told CNN. They were immediately struck by his presence and his introductory address, which opened with the words, Peace be with you all. Pope Leo is a deeply spiritual, humble man, said Father Purcaro on ABC News. He cares deeply about each and every person. His first words from the Loggia when he came out were so emblematic of who he is. The Rev. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, PhD, vice president of Mission and Ministry, recalls his first time meeting Pope Leo, when he was a novice. The novitiate for Augustinians had been located within the Midwest Provincea province led at the time by then-Father Prevost. Father DePrinzio was introduced to him while on a month-long trip to Rome with classmates. Father Prevost took them all out for pizza. Father DePrinzio has remained in contact ever since. In fact, he exchanged emails with the soon-to-be Pope the day before the conclave, offering prayer, as well as the day after the announcement, with the Pope signing his response, Fraternally, BobAKA Leo XIV. To realize that man was now the Pope was a whole different level of wow, he told Reuters in an interview. Robert Beck, PhD, professor emeritus of Computing Science at Villanova, taught the young undergraduate in his Differential Equations course. Dr. Beck called him a diligent student, and noted he was proud to see him ascend to the ultimate leadership role in the Church. Those leadership qualities have long stuck out to those who know him well, and they have been brought to the forefront of their thoughts as they watched the man they once knew as Father Prevost ascend to Bishop, Cardinal and, two years later, Pontiff. Leo XIV will continue to encourage all of us to be aware of and to do what we can to make this a better world for everybody, said Father Purcaro on CNN. He is going to be a wonderful Holy Father, added Father Hagan in an interview with the same outlet. As Augustinians, we are just overjoyed the world will come to know Leo XIV as the man we already know.   



An early morning train ride from Milan bought Professor of Law Michael Moreland enough time to witness the introduction of Pope Leo XIV from just a few hundred feet away in St. Peter's Square. Michael Moreland, JD, PhD, professor of Law and director of Villanovas Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy, made sure to take an early train from Milan to Rome. He had been in the northern Italian city for more than a week, teaching classes as a visiting professor at the University of Milan. He had no classes scheduled that Thursday or Friday, so he bought a train ticket and took a chance on seeing history. A few hours later, Dr. Moreland found himself just behind the Swiss Guards barrier in St. Peters Square, with a clear view of the Loggia, as black smoke began to rise. The buzz in the square was noticeable, growing with each signal that a Pope had yet to be chosen. He remained in his spot, chatting with some new British friends among the sea of people representing every corner of the world. A few hours later, the smoke rose again. This time, it was white. Dr. Moreland watched the protodeacon walk onto the balcony. When he heard the words Robertum FranciscumPrevost, he could hardly believe it. Seconds later, Pope Leo emerged. He had a beautiful presence about him, he said. It was a powerful moment, being there with the universal Church. And then for the Pope to have this Villanova connection... Youre just in awe of the majesty of it all. Later, after leaving the square, he recalled how his wife, Anna Moreland, PhD, Anne Quinn Welsh Endowed Chair and Director of Villanovas Honors Program, had lunch with now-Pope Leo nearly a decade ago. Its one of so many unique, perhaps nearly forgotten, stories now resurfacing for Villanovans.



Chair of Catholic Legal Studies Patrick Brennan was minutes from going live on FOX 29 to discuss the end of the conclave when he learned the new Pope was Villanova alumnus Robert Prevost. Like Dr. Moreland, Patrick Brennan, JD, the John F. Scarpa Chair of Catholic Legal Studies at Villanova, was also traveling with urgency. He was in transit to the studio of Fox 29 Philadelphia, where he had been on call to discuss the 267th Bishop of Rome at the first sign of white smoke. He was going to stop home to grab a sport coat, but was afraid he wouldnt make it in time. Moments earlier, the employee at the University who coordinated the interview called him to let him know the smoke was indeed white. Im on my way, Professor Brennan said. Ill be about 40 minutes. If you see who it is, text me. He enjoyed a few moments of calm, thinking over his talking points, centered on the final stages of the conclave and the scenarios to which he may have to speak on the live show. He was just pulling into the station when the staff member pinged his phone. Its Cardinal Prevost. Wow. His talking points might as well have flown right out of the window of his car. Professor Brennan reached the television stations set just in time to watch alongside the shows anchors as the Pope was introduced. They learned together the pontiffs chosen name, Leoa name not used in more than 100 years, since Pope Leo XVIII. That Leo, fortuitously for Professor Brennan, was known as the Father of Catholic Social Teachinga subject, and Pope, he has studied extensively. Moments later he was on the air and would remain there a better part of six hours, relaying to viewers across the Delaware Valley his various expert insights, mixed with excitement for the Church and for the school at which he has taught for 21 years, since the days of Pope John Paul II. "I still cant believe it, he said early in the program. I know my colleagues on campus are still just out of their minds excited. There is nothing like this in Villanovas history. He called the day a deeply personal experience, citing not only his feelings as a Catholic, Villanovan and academic, but also the meaningful conversations he held throughout the day off the air. [The day was both] so public, talking about the Pope and the Church and Villanova, but also so private with the joys that people were sharing with me, he said.   



Kevin Hughes, chair of Theology and Religious Studies, takes a moment to himself to watch Pope Leo XIV 's introduction after celebrating the surprising announcement with colleagues.



On campus, the community was alerted immediately by the dulcet tone of the bells atop the St. Thomas of Villanova Church, and the schools alma mater playing melodically from Corr Chapel. Mathew Verghese, director of Liturgy, initiated the alma mater, which played exactly 100 times. Brother Michael Duffy, OSA, longtime liturgical assistant, started the rhythmic tolls at the Church that would continue for four hours in celebration and, by their own accounts, be many students first alert to the news. It was a real thrill, a once-in-a lifetime [experience], knowing that we were doing the same exact thing that they were doing in Rome, Brother Duffy said. The church bells in Rome, they were ringing with joy, and the church bells in Villanova were doing the same. Kevin Hughes, PhD, chair of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, took a moment for himself after watching the news with colleagues in his office. He then sent out a text to fellow professors and headed outside with department colleague Kerry San Chirico, PhD, followed shortly after by Jaisy Joseph, PhD, and Stephanie Wong, PhD.



Jaisy Joseph, assistant professor of Systematic/Constructive Theology, and rising junior Amos Colocho discuss the excitement throughout campus in the hours following the announcement of Poe Leo XIV. For three hours, those professors bounced back and forth in front of the Church, obliging media requestsfirst local, and then increasing in scope. One professorleading papal expert Massimo Faggioli, PhD, who Dr. Hughes called absolutely tirelesshunkered down in his office to field a steady stream of live interviews. We were able to present Villanova as a place where [the] global Church is represented, and do that in front of the public eye, Dr. Hughes said, referencing the mix of participating faculty, and the diversity of topics on which they spoke. And I just thought that was a really great thing. One might think it was difficult to balance the needs of the moment with the needs of the individual, but to Dr. Hughes, they were one in the same. It added, rather than distracted, Dr. Hughes said. It really didn't feel like a missed opportunity to revel in the moment. It was part of the reveling just to say, Hey, let's all talk about this, let's share this moment. Im going to remember this one forever.   

Caroline Pirtle 26 CLAS was crammed into the seat of a connecting Delta Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis. Caroline and her seatmate, a Dutch man she had just met, were watching the Vatican livestream of the coverage on her cellphone once she learned the news of the white smoke. When [Pope Leo] stepped to the balcony, I was freaking out and my hands were shaking. I had to do a lap around the plane, she said. The man next to me asked why, and I told him Its the Villanova guy. I go to Villanova. He shook my hand and bought me a glass of wine, and we celebrated.



Caroline Pirtle and faculty advisor Frank Klassner capture images for a virtual reality tour of St. Peter's Basilica. Caroline spent the semester interning in the Vatican and witnessed the announcement of Pope Leo on the plane ride home. Caroline had a hunch for weeks it might be Cardinal Prevostreaffirmed by a Villanova alumnus who called himself John the Cardinal Expert and carried a binder of notes on the cardinals, whom Caroline happened upon in St. Peters Square a few weeks earlier. It may have been a hunch. It may also have been a wish. Id say a little bit of both, she admitted. The rising seniora Computing Sciences majorhad been in Rome with several other Villanova students since January, as part of the Universitys Vatican and Rome Internship Program, which takes place each semester. That experience was once in a lifetime in itself; Caroline had the opportunity to work in the Vatican Media Office, helping to create a virtual reality tour of St. Peters Basilica. But when Pope Francis passed, and the ensuing conclave began, she found herself immersed in history in real time. It was just really special, Caroline said. It's one thing to read about it, but it's an entirely different thing to live it. Caroline had watched the first round of black smoke from a balcony overlooking the square. It was only smoke she saw in person, as she and her peers all boarded their flights home just before the second round of voting. They were leaving the history they had experienced firsthand when news broke the new Pope had attended their school. It was the longest flight of my life, Caroline said. After arriving home, answering dozens of text messages, and taking a moment to decompress, her phone buzzed once again. It was her on-site adviser from her internship. She pointed out that the last piece I added to the virtual reality tour before I left was the Altar of Leo the Great.



A group of Villanova students, faculty and staff celebrated Mass with Pope Leo, then Cardinal Prevost, at the Vatican in Fall 2024. The Rev. Kevin DePrinzio, vice president of Mission and Ministry (front, left) sits next to his longtime friend. On Villanovas campus, other students recounted their own unique experiences. Peggy Murray 25 CLAS, and several dozen classmates, had been in Rome last fall, taking one of two embedded courses offered by the Universityone in Theology and Religious Studies and the other in History. During the trip, both classes had the opportunity to meet then-Cardinal Prevost, and celebrate Mass with him in St. Peters Crypt. He was humble enough and cared enough about a group of gangly college students that he wanted to say Mass with us, Murray said to the Associated Press. It means the world. "We all couldn't believe what we just heard, added Dr. Joseph, in an interview with CBS News Philadelphia. She was one of the faculty members leading the Theology and Religious Studies group during that trip. Its just really amazing to think [about]. For Murray and the others back at Villanova on May 8, they emerged from the last of their final exams, took breaks from packing their boxes and congregated throughout campus to celebrate the moment. They flooded social media with reactions, comments and memes. During a week that usually begins the transition to summer tranquility, campus exploded back to life. Everybody on campus was walking around somewhat aimlessly and just hugging people, Father DePrinzio said to KYW Newsradio. Just overcome with joy.   
The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.

Link to the newsletter:

https://xpatloop.com/newsletters/2025/29-may.html



1. First are 3 Fresh Interviews with interesting Xpats you may know or want to know about:

 Carlos Alberto Coelho, Owner, Cut & Barrel Restaurant Budapest,

 Richard Glyndwr Roberts, Head Coach, Budapest Exiles Rugby Club,

 Surprising Expats: Heather Szabo, Founder of The Garment Exchange.



2. As always below there's trending Headlines & Insights, plus New Movies & Special Offers

 Top Ice Creams, Longer Metro Hours, New Train & Bus Refunds, Xploring Hungary Videos...



3. Also you can see a great variety of Daily Events - a few from many listed in Xpat Calendar

 'Rosalia Wine Picnic', UNICEF Family Event, Music & Fashion Festival, Modern Ballet Show...



Here's wishing you a great weekend - for insipiration about top trips around Hungary see here.

If you need a car, Budget is giving readers 15% off daily rentals - limited offer, best to book soon!



Yours with best wishes,

Team XpatLoop



Photo by Krenn Imre Photography: Morning lights over the city
Just a few years ago, most of Chinese investment in Europe went to the biggest countries like Germany, France and the UK. But these days its very different...

Now a little more than half flows to Central and Eastern Europe, with one third of Chinese investment going straight to Hungary - as the video below reveals.



Hungary was the top European destination for Chinese FDI for the second year in a row in 2024, the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA) said on Thursday, citing a report by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) and Rhodium Group.



Hungary received 31pc of all Chinese FDI targeting the EU and the UK in 2024, higher than any other country, the report shows. Germany, France and the UK together accounted for just 20pc.



Total Chinese FDI in the EU and the UK reached EUR 10bn in 2024, climbing 47pc from the previous year. That growth was driven by greenfield projects, particularly in the automotive sector, with EV manufacturing playing a central role. Hungary received 62pc of all Chinese EV-related FDI during the year.



Four of the ten biggest ongoing Chinese projects in the region are located in Hungary, including BYD's passenger car factory in Szeged and CATL's battery plant in Debrecen.



HIPA CEO Istvan Joo noted that BYD had also picked Hungary as the location for its European HQ and R+D centre.
The head the Prime Minister's Office "unleashed an outrageous tsunami of lies and deflection regarding the latest scandal in the child protection services" at his press conference on Wednesday, Peter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza party, said, referring to the head of an orphanage accused of committing crimes against children.
New Delhi: The trailer of Abhishek Banerjees much-anticipated film Stolen dropped on social media yesterday, the film has been garnering widespread acclaim from both audiences and the film industry alike.

Stolen has already made waves internationally, earning critical acclaim at several prestigious film festivals including the Venice Film Festival.

Among those who have shown their support are Abhisheks industry friends and co-stars. Kriti Sanon, who previously shared screen space with him in Bhediya, took to social media to express her excitement for the film, she said - Looks amazing Banerjee sahab. Looking forward to watching another amazing performance of yours. Similarly, celebrated actors like Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao, and Faisal Malik have also shared their admiration for the trailer and Abhisheks commanding screen presence. Varun shared, You have poured heart into this and i cant wait to finally watch it, Rajkummar said, Fab film with a brilliant performance by @nowitsabhi.

Directed by Karan Tejpal, Stolen is a gritty and thought-provoking drama that delves deep into the emotional and psychological aftermath of a chilling crime.

With an outpouring of love from the film fraternity and global appreciation already under its belt, Stolen is shaping up to be a landmark moment in Abhishek Banerjees career, and a must-watch for Indian cinema lovers.
New Delhi: A Hyderabad-based startup is winning hearts online after introducing an adorable new team memberDenver, a golden retriever, as its Chief Happiness Officer. In a LinkedIn post that quickly went viral, Rahul Arepaka, co-founder of Harvesting Robotics shared how the company is adding a little more paw-sitivity to the workplace.

Announcing the news on LinkedIn, the company wrote, Meet our newest hire, Denver  Chief Happiness Officer, and added, He doesnt code. He doesnt care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up. Also, were officially pet-friendly now. Best decision. BTW: Hes got the best perks in the company."

The post quickly gained attention online, with over 11,000 views and a flood of heartwarming comments. One user remarked, "CHO seems exausted with responsibility of making everyone happy :)

Another wrote, Lovely hire indeed he would steal hearts

A third added, "Love this post! Denver's role sounds pawsitively perfect! He has got the best job in the company spreading smiles and tail wags, just pure joy our furry friends bring. So happy to see pets bringing happiness to the workplace and official part of the team."

Pet-friendly offices are becoming more popular as companies look for new ways to support employee well-being, reduce stress, and lift morale. Big names like Amazon, Google, and Zappos have embraced this trend for years, with studies showing that having pets around can ease stress, spark conversations, and even boost productivity.
New Delhi: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Thursday announced a new set of rules for the equity Futures and Options (F&O) segment. These changes aim to improve transparency, control excessive speculation, and bring more stability to the market.

One of the major changes introduced by the SEBI is a new method for measuring open interest (OI) in the equity F&O segment. Open interest refers to the total number of outstanding contracts in futures or options.

The SEBI said it will now closely monitor the open interest levels during the day, especially for single stock futures and options, instead of waiting until the end of the day. The capital market regulator has also decided to link the market-wide position limit (MWPL) to the cash market volume and the free float of the stock.

MWPL is the maximum number of contracts that can be open in F&O trading for a particular stock. This move is aimed at preventing excessive speculation in stocks with limited liquidity.

In another key measure, the SEBI has increased the position limits for trading in Index Futures and Index Options, saying that it wants to strike a balance between allowing market participants to take meaningful positions in large indices and avoiding manipulation risks.

For Index Options, the net end-of-day position limit for futures-equivalent open interest (FutEq OI) will be Rs 1,500 crore. In terms of gross positions, neither the long nor the short side should exceed Rs 10,000 crore.

When it comes to Index Futures, position limits will vary by category of participants. For example, for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in Category I, mutual funds, and brokers (including proprietary and client trades), the limit will be the higher of either 15 per cent of the total futures open interest or Rs 500 crore.

For FPIs in Category II -- excluding individuals, family offices, and corporates -- the limit will be the higher of 10 per cent of the open interest or Rs 500 crore. Brokers, including their proprietary and client accounts combined, will have an overall cap of 15 per cent of open interest or Rs 7,500 crore, whichever is lower.

The SEBI clarified that these limits are in addition to any holdings the participants have in the cash market or actual stock holdings. The new rules are expected to make the F&O segment more transparent and efficient, while also keeping excessive risk in check.
NEET UG Answer Key 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the provisional answer key for NEET UG 2025 soon. While the exact date and time have not been officially announced, the answer key will be published shortly on the official website  neet.nta.nic.in. Once released, it will enable candidates to assess their performance and estimate their scores prior to the final result declaration.

NEET UG 2025 was conducted on May 4, with over 20 lakh candidates appearing for the prestigious medical entrance exam. The provisional answer key will contain the correct answers to all the questions asked, and candidates will be given the opportunity to raise objections if they find any discrepancies.

NEET UG Answer Key 2025: Steps to download here

After the release, candidates can follow these steps to download the NEET UG 2025 provisional answer key: Visit the official website of NEET UG: neet.nta.nic.in On the homepage, click on the link labeled NEET UG 2025 Answer Key. Enter your application number, date of birth, and the security pin shown on the screen. Click the Submit button to view the answer key. Download the PDF and save it for future use.

NEET UG Answer key 2025: Marking scheme

 Correct or most appropriate answer: Candidates will be awarded +4 marks.

 Incorrect answer: -1 mark will be deducted for each wrong response.

 Unanswered or marked for review: No marks will be awarded (0 marks).

In special cases:

 If multiple options are found to be correct, candidates who have selected any one of the correct options will receive +4 marks.

 If all options are deemed correct, +4 marks will be awarded to all candidates who attempted the question.

 If a question is incorrect or dropped, +4 marks will be granted to all candidates, regardless of whether they attempted the question or not.

As per the official information bulletin issued by the NTA, the NEET UG 2025 results are expected to be declared on June 14, 2025. Once the results are announced, candidates can view them by logging into the official website using their credentials. The final answer key will be published either alongside or shortly before the result announcement.
SSC GD Constable Result 2025: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is expected to announce the SSC GD Constable Result 2025 soon on its official website, ssc.gov.in. Following the declaration of results, candidates will also be able to view the SSC GD cut-off marks. The computer-based examination was conducted across multiple centres in India from February 4 to 25, 2025. The answer key was released on March 4, 2025. Those who clear this written exam (CBT 1) will proceed to the next phase  the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).

The SSC GD Constable exam was held in a computer-based format at various centres nationwide between February 4 and 25, 2025. The Staff Selection Commission released the SSC GD answer key 2025 online on March 4. Candidates who pass the SSC GD CBT 1 will be eligible to appear for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). The SSC GD 2025 selection process comprises a written examination, followed by PET/PST, and a medical test.

SSC GD Constable 2025: Important dates

Event Dates SSC GD Exam Date 2025 February 4  25, 2025 SSC GD Answer Key Release Date March 4, 2025 SSC GD Answer Key Challenge Window March 4 to 9, 2025 SSC GD Result 2025 Date To be announced

SSC GD Constable Result 2025: Steps to download here

Step 1: Visit the official SSC website at ssc.gov.in.

Step 2: Alternatively, access your respective SSC regional website.

Step 3: Look for the SSC GD Constable Result 2025 link under the Constable-GD section and click on it.

Step 4: A PDF file will appear, showing the names of shortlisted candidates along with the cut-off marks.

Step 5: Press Ctrl + F and enter your roll number to locate your result in the list.

Step 6: Download the PDF and keep it saved for future reference.

SSC GD Constable Result 2025: Selection process

Computer-Based Test (CBT) Physical Efficiency Test/Physical Standard Test (PET/PST) Medical Examination

SSC GD, short for Staff Selection Commission General Duty, is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by the SSC to select candidates for General Duty Constable positions. These roles are offered in various central government paramilitary forces and police organisations.
Los Angeles: Legendary action star Jackie Chan, who is reprising his role for Karate Kid: Legends, has finally opened up about the the long-gestating Rush Hour 4, for which he assured hes still interested in reuniting with co-star Chris Tucker, more than 25 years after the original.

He told ScreenRant: I dont know. Ask the director, ask the studio, ask the writer. Hurry up! Otherwise, Chris Tucker and me (will be) 100 years old. Well be old men doing Rush Hour. In 2017, Chan said he and Tucker had finally agreed on a script for Rush Hour 4, reports deadline.com.

The pair previously starred together in director Brett Ratners Rush Hour in 1998, Rush Hour 2 in 2001 and Rush Hour 3 in 2007, which earned a combined $850 million worldwide. Additionally, Chan said: I want to do a followup to Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights, which will be titled Shanghai Dawn. The script is still going on, he said. Back in 2016, Chan and Owen Wilson were developing another Shanghai Noon sequel for MGM with Jared Hess attached to direct, from a story by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough and a script by Theodore Riley and Aaron Buchsbaum.

Rush Hour focusses on two cops from different cultures, who cannot stand each other, team up to save the kidnapped 11-year-old daughter of a diplomat. With time running out, they must nab the criminals and save the girl.

Talking about Karate Kid: Legends, Jackie Chan has returned to the Karate Kid franchise after a 15-year hiatus, reprising his iconic role as Mr. Han in the new installment. Unlike previous chapters set in China, this sequel takes place in the vibrant streets of New York City, where Mr. Hans path crosses once again with Daniel LaRusso, portrayed once more by Ralph Macchio.
As the sacred Amarnath Yatra prepares to welcome lakhs of pilgrims from across India beginning from July 3, the Centre is turning Jammu and Kashmir into a fortified corridor of faith and firepower.

According to sources in the Union Home Ministry, an unprecedented 581 companies of paramilitary forces are being deployed to ensure foolproof security. The security forces will cover every route, every hill and every temple town pilgrims will pass through.

This massive deployment comes against the backdrop of increased border tension and a renewed wave of anti-terror operations deep inside Kashmir Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir already houses 156 paramilitary units, but the Centre has approved deployment of an additional 425 companies across the region in what officials call the most secure Yatra ever.

Here is the breakdown of the fresh forces: 128 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) that will include five all-women Mahila units, 130 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), 45 companies of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 55 companies of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 67 companies of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Orders have already been dispatched to the director general of J&K Police and the chief secretary of the union territory to ensure rapid coordination for deployment and logistics.

High-Level Huddle, Ground-Level Touch

Highlighting the seriousness of the Centres security posture, Home Minister Amit Shah arrived on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He will chair a high-stakes security review meeting in Jammu with LG Manoj Sinha, senior Army commanders, J&K Police chiefs and top paramilitary officials.

He is also scheduled to visit forward areas in the Poonch sector, where recent border skirmishes and infiltration attempts have heightened local anxiety. He will meet families affected by recent unrest. The move is aimed at boosting morale and reaffirming the Centres commitment to peace and protection.

Anti-Terror Offensive Intensifies

Even as security planning ramps up for the Yatra, the fight against terrorism is surging ahead in the Valley. In a major breakthrough, two hybrid terror suspects allegedly affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were captured alive in a late-night cordon-and-search operation in Shopians Baskuchan area. The operation was carried out by SOG Shopian, 44 Rashtriya Rifles and 178 Bn CRPF, following a pinpoint intelligence tip.

Identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam, the suspects were tracked moving through an orchard. Security forces moved in swiftly and apprehended them before they could flee or engage.

A sizable cache of arms, ammunition and tactical gear was allegedly seized from their custody. It allegedly includes two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 live rounds (7.6239mm), two hand grenades, a mobile phone, a smartwatch, an Aadhaar card and Rs 5400 against cash. Assorted pouches and biscuit packets were also allegedly found in their possession.

An FIR has been registered against them, and preliminary investigations point to the duos involvement in planned attacks on security convoys and soft targets ahead of the Amarnath Yatra.

Deeply spiritual for millions, the Amarnath Yatra has long been seen by terror outfits as a symbolic and strategic target. This year, however, the message is clear  India will not compromise. And therefore, with heavy deployment, real-time surveillance and intensified intelligence sharing, the pilgrimage is scheduled to go forward guarded by the might of the state.
Amid criticism within the Congress party over Shashi Tharoor's support for the government's Operation Sindhuri, the BJP has come out in support of the Congress leader. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a scathing attack on the Congress party over statements against Tharoor, saying, "There's a limit to political desperation."

This comes after Tharoor's comments in Panama, where he led one of the seven teams during the all-party delegation visit.

"What does the Congress party want & How much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister? There's limit to political desperation," Rijiju said in a microblogging site X.

What does the Congress party want & How much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nation and speak against India and its Prime Minister?

Theres limit to political desperation! https://t.co/JiuYqpW2tN  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 28, 2025

Rijiju's reaction comes after Congress leader Udit Raj questioned Tharoor's statement in Panama, alleging that he sounded like a BJP spokesperson.

"Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is the super spokesperson of the BJP, and what the BJP leaders are not saying, speaking in favour of PM Modi and the government, Shashi Tharoor is doing... Does he (Shashi Tharoor) even know what the earlier governments used to do?... They (the Central government) are taking credit for the Indian Armed Forces," Udit Raj had said.

After pledging full support to the Centre following the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, the party has now urged the government to clarify the role of US President Donald Trump in the ceasefire that followed four days of Pakistani aggression.

"Our Prime Minister has made it very clear. Operation Sindoor was necessary because these terrorists came and wiped the sindoor off the foreheads of 26 women, depriving them of their husbands.... We heard their cries and India decided that the colour of the Sindoor, the vermilion colour on the forehead of our women, will also match the colour of the blood of the killers, the perpetrators, the attackers," Tharoor said in Panama.

Tharoor, a career diplomat who previously served at the United Nations before entering politics, was not among the leaders recommended by the Congress for the all-party teams. He was selected directly by the Centre, a move that the Congress openly criticised, expressing displeasure over the governments decision to bypass consultation with the party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack against TMC chief and CM Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of promoting "freedom of hooliganism in the name of appeasement" in Bengal. He further highlighted that West Bengal is surrounded by many crises simultaneously, including the safety of our mothers and sisters, a crisis of extreme despair, and rampant unemployment.

While addressing the public in Bengal, PM Modi exaggerated that the Bengal crisis including the unsafety of Women, unemployment, unemployment, selfish politics of TMC and other.

"... Today West Bengal is surrounded by many crises simultaneously. Second is the unsafety of our mothers and sisters who are being subjected to heinous crimes. The third crisis is of the extreme despair and rampant unemployment spreading among the youth. The fourth crisis is of the continuously unemployment. The fifth crisis is of the selfish politics of the ruling party, that steals the rights of the poor," he said.

Earlier in Sikkim, Modi said improving connectivity remains one of the main achievements of his government, which has, over the past decade, ushered in a slew of rail and road projects, including in the Northeastern state of Sikkim.
A local businessman in Hyderabad is now facing a criminal case for allegedly defrauding an investor of Rs 58 lakh through a food business venture. The Banjara Hills police registered the case on Friday.

The complainant, Kamuni Akshay Nag of Khairatabad, stated that the accused, Kanthi Dutt Thonangi, persuaded him to acquire a 10% stake in Winners Eleven Foods between January and March 2024. Akshay also mentioned that one of the company's outlets in Banjara Hills was on the verge of closure due to financial difficulties, reported ToI.

Akshay alleges that Dutt had already planned to close the Banjara Hills branch in December 2023 but continued to solicit investments. "Dutt provided fabricated bills and accounts when questioned about the business operations," Akshay claimed.

Following the complaint, Banjara Hills police filed a case against Dutt under sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 336(3) (forgery for cheating), and 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) of the BNS.

Dutt has a history of similar charges; the Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) police previously charged him with cheating in February 2025. He was also arrested by Jubilee Hills police last year in a comparable case involving investor fraud.

Banjara Hills Sub-Inspector K Ramesh stated, "We are in the process of collecting evidence."
New Delhi: India has fortified its most vulnerable but strategically important stretch, the Siliguri Corridor, which is also known as the Chickens Neck, by deploying Rafale fighter jets and Russian-made S-400 air defence system.

The 20-22 km wide corridor is Indias only land link to its northeastern states and sits at the crossroads of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China. With Pakistan already rattled, New Delhi has now turned its strategic gaze eastward and is drawing red lines.

While tension with Pakistan eases, Indias eyes are now on Beijing and Dhaka. Recent Chinese military drills near the India-Bhutan border and fast-moving political shifts in Bangladesh, according to The Asia Live, have put New Delhi on alert.

What is worrying is that the interim government in Dhaka, under Mohammad Yunus, is reportedly leaning toward China and Pakistan  a potential axis that is likely to reshape the strategic balance in Indias east.

India, in response, has tightened Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) restrictions within 10 kilometres of its international border and stepped up aerial surveillance across the entire eastern front.

Bangladesh Eyes 32 JF-17 Jets; India Sees Red

Indias anxiety has spiked after reports surfaced that Bangladesh may acquire 32 Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, which are equipped with AESA radar, EW pods and long-range missiles. If stationed in northern Bangladesh, these fighter aircraft could threaten Indian airbases and important infrastructure across the border.

To make matters worse, a Pakistani ISI delegation recently visited Dhaka allegedly to discuss intelligence-sharing and anti-terror cooperation. Led by Major General Shahid Amir Asfar, the visit has only added to Indias unease.

Responding to the shifting ground, India has made its intentions clear. The deployment of the S-400 air defence system, which is capable of neutralising threats up to 400 kilometres away, along with a Rafale squadron at Hashimara Airbase, is more than just tactical positioning. It is a strategic warning.

Indias military has also adopted a multi-zone deterrence doctrine, combining real-time ISR integration, cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, seamless tri-service coordination and fortification of key roads, tunnels and rail links in the Siliguri Corridor for rapid military mobilisation.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India is closely monitoring developments in the region and will take decisive action if needed. This is one of the most direct public acknowledgments so far that India views Bangladeshs recent shifts as a potential national security threat.

Drawing the Line

Indias military posturing at the Siliguri Corridor is not only a show of strength but also a strategic declaration that any misadventure, whether from the north (China) or east (Bangladesh) will be met with full force.

In this era of proxy alliances, grey-zone warfare and tech-driven conflicts, India is sending a loud and clear message that the corridor is not merely a passage, it is a red line as well.
The all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, held an insightful interaction with scholars and researchers from Indonesia-based think tanks and academia and said that India will not make any distinction hereafter between terrorists and countries that promote them.

The delegation sought support to jointly explore ways to combat the menace of terrorism while presenting India's strong and unified message of zero tolerance to maintain peace and regional stability.

Addressing the event, Jha appreciated the Government of Indonesia and President Prabowo Subianto for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressing solidarity with the people of India, highlighting that such atrocities are unjustifiable.

He represented a unified and bipartisan voice of India determined to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"Today, we are meeting with a prominent think tank and member of academia, which serves as an invaluable catalyst in formulating counter-terrorism policies. The purpose of this interaction is to brief India's point of view and our strategy to tackle the menace of terrorism, henceforth emanating from Pakistan. The terrorist attack on Jammu and Kashmir is carried out with nefarious design to disrupt normalcy and to promote communal disharmony in India," said Jha

Asserting India's position on terrorism, Jha stated, "India will not accept any nuclear blackmail, those who shelter and promote terrorists cannot hide behind the so-called nuclear umbrella, adding that any further terrorist incidents in the country will be met with resolute and decisive military actions."

"India, along with other countries like Indonesia, has a zero tolerance for terrorism, and to implement this, India will not make any distinction hereafter between terrorists and countries that promote them," he further stated.

The parliamentarian also stated that the Indian delegation held productive official meetings, including the Vice Chairman of Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, the Chairperson of the India-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship group, the secretary general of ASEAN and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, where the Indonesian side conveyed unequivocal condemnation for the act of terrorism and supported India's policy of zero tolerance for terrorism.

"We have been holding interactions and seeking support from Indonesia in locating terrorism, its backers, and financiers, sponsors at all crucial international forums and intergovernmental organisations. In the fight against terrorism, there is no neutral voice, every country needs to be together to fight terrorism," Jha stated.

"Every stakeholder, including think tanks and academia, has to play its role to counter extremist narrative and combat terrorism in all its forms. Today, we seek support from the think tank community and academia community in Indonesia who influence and enable policymakers to draft strategies for the future," he added.

The delegation led by Jha includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and Former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.

Speaking to IANS, the members of the delegation mentioned the series of positive engagements where they conveyed India's firm stance in combating Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

"We received a very positive response during our engagements here. Indonesia is a multicultural society with a Muslim majority, yet there is great respect here for India's stance," said Jha

Another member, BJP MP Brij Lal, said, "There has been very good engagement in Indonesia. We spoke with the leaders here, then yesterday evening, we interacted with ASEAN ambassadors, and today, we met with think tanks. We shared India's position with them. We said that India is a peace-loving country. We are now the world's fourth-largest economy and aim to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047."

"On the contrary, our neighbour's mindset is not right. From time to time, it engages in terrorist activities, which hinder our development. We conveyed India's position following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent attacks on terror bases in Pakistan when they did not take any action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated any further terrorist activities in India would be considered as a war against India," he added.

Congress MP Salman Khurshid also said that Indonesia has given a positive response to India's action on terrorism.

"Before coming here, we were informed that we should observe how active Pakistan has been in this region and what narratives have been shared. But I am very pleased to see that Indonesia's outlook is very positive. Their experiences and situations closely resemble those of our country. We received a very positive response from here. The people of Indonesia are also concerned about terrorism and have faced it themselves. They fully understand our concerns and challenges," he said.

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi said, "The experience in Indonesia has been very positive. All members of our delegation met with local politicians and interacted with a large number of citizens. It would not be an exaggeration to say that everyone here stands firmly against terrorism. There is a strong desire among all to eliminate terrorism. Everyone believes that India is a peace-loving country and does not tolerate terrorism."

"India remains focused on its development. If Pakistan promotes terrorism, the international community will oppose it. We visited Japan, South Korea and Singapore before coming to Indonesia... Everyone opposed terrorism and vouched for peace and stability. Our visit has been successful till now, and all countries are standing with India in this difficult time," she added.
Kerala Lottery Results Thursday 29-05-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Karunya KN-574" Lucky Draw Result today Karunya KN-574, May 29, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Karunya KN-574" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Karunya KN-574 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 80 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Karunya KN-574 results today.

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Jammu/New Delhi: With nerves of steel and eyes locked on the enemy just 150 meters away, Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari stood her ground as the only Border Security Force (BSF) woman officer commanding a forward border outpost along the International Border (IB) during Operation Sindoor.

Stationed in the Pargwal forward area of Jammus Akhnoor sector, she led her unit bravely and delivered a fierce counterattack that silenced three hostile Pakistani posts across the zero line  the closest area to enemy territory.

But Neha was not standing alone. She was backed by six fearless women constables. Each of them was manning gun positions on the frontlines across the Samba-R S Pura and Akhnoor sectors. Their josh only surged with each retaliatory round fired.

A third-generation officer from Uttarakhand, she carries a legacy of service. Her grandfather served in the Army, her parents in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and now, she stands tall in the BSF. I feel proud to be manning a post along the IB with my troops. It is approximately 150 meters away from the Pakistani post in the Akhnoor-Pargwal area, she told the media.

Neha did not mince words while describing her experience in battle. It was an honour to serve at the forward post and give a fitting reply with all available weapons to enemy posts.

She elaborated on the action-packed moments that defined the operation. I had three posts falling in my area. I pinned down the people at all three hostile locations. We hit them with every weapon we had. They were forced to flee their posts, he said, adding that her troops decimated the positions to ensure silence from across the border.

Even as shells flew and gunfire roared, morale stood unshaken. The josh was quite high. Everyone among us gave their best because everything we did was for the country and its honour, she said with pride.

Nehas roots in service run deep. My grandfather served in the Army. My father was in the CRPF. My mother is in the CRPF. I am a third-generation officer in the force, she said.

During the three days of Operation Sindoor, women proved their mettle. I had 18 to 19 women border guards with me. To be precise, six women were engaged in direct firing at observation post locations. We are proud of them, she added.

Her performance did not go unnoticed. BSF Inspector General Shashank Anand applauded the bravery of Neha and her fellow soldiers. BSF women personnel played an outstanding role in this operation. Although they had the option to move to the battalion headquarters, they chose to stay at forward posts with their male counterparts. They stood at the front lines to protect the countrys sovereignty and borders and responded strongly to Pakistan, he emphasised while hailing their courage and commitment.

Among those on the frontline was Constable Shankari Das, who coolly described their resolve, We have our duties. Just as we are deployed at the border, we carry out our tasks as usual. Our senior commanders briefed us on the situation and warned that firing might take place. We were instructed to respond to fire with fire. So, as soon as firing started, we responded with fire.

Constables Manjeet Kour, Milkeet Kour, Sumi, Anita and Swapna Rath also stood tall at gun positions, returning fire with precision. We feel proud to man gun positions and retaliate. It was an honour for us, said Manjeet.

And their retaliation was no small feat. The BSF launched a devastating counter-offensive and targeted 76 Pakistani border outposts, 42 forward defence locations (FDLs) and three terrorist launch pads. A massive damage was inflicted on 70 forward enemy posts in the offensive by the BSF.

This strong action came in response to Pakistans heavy shelling of 60 Indian posts and 49 forward positions, under the cover of which 40-50 terrorists attempted to infiltrate into Indian territory, officials said.
Indian Air Force: Amid the significant delay in the delivery of the homegrown light combat aircraft system, Tejas Mk1 by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited due to a delay in the supply of engines from American firm GE, the Indian Air Force Chief has once dropped a bombshell saying that not a single defence project was completed on time as promised to the armed force. Speaking at a conference, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said that the industry must adhere to the timeline or shall not promise something which cannot be delivered.

The 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jet deal worth Rs 48,000 crore signed between the Air Force and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in February 2021 remains in waiting with not a single aircraft delivered so far. The delivery was slated to begin in March 2024.

"Timeline is a big issue. So, once a timeline is given, not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So this is something we have to look at. Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved? While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up, but we just sign the contract," said the Air Chief Marshal.

The Air Force Chief said that the character of war is changing with new technologies coming in every day. "Operation Sindoor has given us a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in future. So a lot of work needs to be done in realigning our own thought processes also, which is already going on," he said.

Hailing the approval of the indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet execution programme, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said, "AMCA- advanced medium combat aircraft has been cleared for even participation by private industry, which is a very big step, and that is the kind of confidence that the nation has in the private industry today and I'm sure this is going to pave the way to bigger things coming in the future."
Congress on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the reports that the American administration once again reiterated President Donald Trump's claim that the India-Pakistan ceasefire could be possible only due to a trade bargain offer made by America. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the US tariff issue.

"Our Prime Minister does not want to hear about tariffs; our Prime Minister only wants to hear 'Tareef' (praise). So, the PM is silent on this. The Prime Minister has not said anything," he added.

Ramesh said that Trump had claimed credit for the ceasefire on multiple international platforms, but the Indian leadership chose to stay quiet. "President Trump has said 8 times in 11 days in 3 countries, America, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, that this ceasefire has happened because of me, and I have used tariffs and told both the countries that if you get the ceasefire done, then international trade will increase," Ramesh stated.

The Congress leader expressed strong objection to Trump's remark that India and Pakistan had been placed "in the same boat." "He has clearly said that I have put India and Pakistan in the same boat. India's economy has increased 10 times in comparison to Pakistan's economy but both of them have come in the same boat. How can this happen?" Ramesh asked.

Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not responding to repeated calls for an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session on the recent Pahalgam terror attack. "

"We demanded that there should be an all-party meeting and the Prime Minister should preside over it. Two meetings have been held. It was a formality. The Defence Minister chaired it. Nothing came out of it; no discussion took place. The questions we asked were asked in a constructive, serious, and sensitive manner, but there was no response to that. The atmosphere was one of unity and cohesion," said Ramesh, urging the need for a special session of Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting four states in the next two days starting today. The states include Bihar, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The visits are crucial, especially for Bihar and West Bengal, as the two states will go to the polls in less than one year time. While Bihar assembly polls are likely to be around November this year, Bengal assembly polls may take place around April next year.

Below is the full schedule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit and work agenda:

Today, the Prime Minister will visit Sikkim where he will participate in the Sikkim@50: Where Progress meets purpose and nature nurtures growth programme at around 11 AM. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Sikkim and address the gathering on the occasion.

Later, the Prime Minister will visit West Bengal where he will lay the foundation stone of City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts in Alipurduar at around 2:15 PM.

Further, Prime Minister Modi will visit Bihar and inaugurate the new terminal building of Patna Airport at around 5:45 PM.

On 30th May, at around 11 AM, he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, Bihar. He will also address a public function.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister will visit Uttar Pradesh where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth around Rs 20,900 crore at Kanpur Nagar at around 2:45 PM. He will also address a public function.

PM in Sikkim

Marking 50 glorious years of Statehood, Prime Minister Modi will participate in Sikkim@50: Where Progress meets purpose and nature nurtures growth. The Government of Sikkim has planned a year-long series of activities under the theme Sunaulo, Samriddha and Samarth Sikkim, celebrating the essence of Sikkims cultural richness, tradition, natural splendour and its history.

Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Sikkim. Projects include a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi district; Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing District; Statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at Atal Amrit Udyan at Sangkhola in Gangtok District among others.

Prime Minister Modi will also release the Commemorative coin, souvenir coin and stamp of 50 years of Statehood.

PM in West Bengal

In a significant step towards expanding the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in India, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of the CGD project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal. The project, worth over Rs 1010 crore, aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to more than 2.5 Lakh households, over 100 commercial establishments and industries besides providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to vehicular traffic by establishing around 19 CNG stations in line with the Minimum Work Program (MWP) targets stipulated by the Government. It will provide convenient, reliable, environment-friendly and cost-effective fuel supply and create employment opportunities in the region.

PM in Bihar

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the newly constructed passenger terminal of Patna Airport this evening. The new terminal built at a cost of around Rs 1200 crore can handle 1 crore passengers per year. He will also lay the foundation stone of the new civil enclave of Bihta Airport worth over Rs 1410 crore. The Bihta airport will serve the town which is rapidly emerging as an educational hub near Patna, housing IIT Patna and the proposed NIT Patna campus.

On 30th May, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat.

Boosting power infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II (3x800 MW) in Aurangabad district worth over Rs 29,930 crore, which will aim at ensuring energy security for Bihar and eastern India. It will boost industrial growth, create job opportunities, and provide affordable electricity in the region.

In a major boost to the road infrastructure and connectivity in the region, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for various road projects including the Four-Laning of the PatnaArrahSasaram section of NH-119A, and the Six-Laning of the VaranasiRanchiKolkata highway (NH-319B) and RamnagarKacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and construction of a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli. These projects will create seamless high-speed corridors in the state along with boosting trade and regional connectivity. He will also inaugurate the four Laning of Patna  Gaya  Dobhi section of NH  22, worth around Rs 5,520 crore and four Laning of the elevated highway and at grade improvements at Gopalganj Town on NH  27, among others.

In line with his commitment to improving rail infrastructure across the country, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the nation the 3rd Rail Line between Son Nagar  Mohammad Ganj worth over Rs 1330 crore, among others.

PM in Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects aimed at boosting the region's infrastructure and connectivity. He will inaugurate the Chunniganj Metro Station to Kanpur Central Metro Station section of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project worth over Rs 2,120 crore. It will include 14 planned stations with five new underground stations integrating key city landmarks and commercial hubs into the metro network. Additionally, he will also inaugurate road widening and strengthening work of G.T. Road.

In order to boost power generation capacity in the region, multiple projects will be undertaken. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of a 220 kV substation in Sector 28 at Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), Gautam Buddh Nagar to meet the growing energy demands of the region. He will also inaugurate 132 kV Substations worth over Rs 320 crore at Ecotech-8 and Ecotech-10 in Greater Noida.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate a 660 MW Panki Thermal Power Extension Project in Kanpur worth over Rs 8,300 crore enhancing Uttar Pradesh's energy capacity. He will also inaugurate three 660 MW units of the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project worth over Rs 9,330 crore bolstering the power supply significantly.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate Rail over bridges over Panki Power House Railway Crossing and over Panki Dham Crossing on Panki Road at Kalyanpur Panki Mandir in Kanpur. It will support the Panki Thermal Power Extension Project's logistics by facilitating coal and oil transport while also alleviating traffic congestion for the local population.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate 40 MLD (Million Liters per Day) Tertiary Treatment Plant at Bingawan in Kanpur worth over Rs 290 crore. It will enable the reuse of treated sewage water, promoting water conservation and sustainable resource management in the region.

In a major boost to road infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for widening and strengthening of Gauria Pali Marg for industrial development in Kanpur Nagar District; and widening and strengthening of the road to connect Narwal Mode (AH-1) on Prayagraj Highway to Kanpur Defence Node (4 lane) under Defence Corridor in Kanpur Nagar District which will significantly improve connectivity for the Defence Corridor, enhancing logistics and accessibility.

Prime Minister Modi will also distribute certificates and cheques to the beneficiaries of PM Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojna, National Livelihood Mission and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
New Delhi: The political battleground of West Bengal heated up as Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Operation Sindoor and turned the spotlight on national security while launching a scathing critique of Pakistan. His remarks met a fierce counterattack from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  who accused him of politicising a sensitive military offensive and challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to face the people at the ballot box.

With emotions running high, Modi stirred the crowd with a slogan  Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar (The people of Bengal are crying out, saying they do not want this cruel government).

Turning to Operation Sindoor, the prime minister heaped praise on the armed forces and said they had sent a powerful message to terrorists. Terrorists wiped our sisters sindoor. Our Army made them realise the power of sindoor. We wiped out terror infrastructure and hit targets that Pakistan did not even imagine... Pakistan has nothing positive to offer to the world. Since its inception, it has only housed terrorists, he declared.

But the rhetoric did not sit well in Kolkata.

Mamata, in her fiery rebuttal, said that the prime ministers comments were shocking and a deliberate attempt to score political points at a time when Indias political leadership should be united on the global stage.

The BJP is politicising Operation Sindoor, while our delegations  including Abhishek Banerjee  are representing Indias position before the world, she said.

Without directly addressing the operation, she struck a more personal note on womens dignity. Every woman should be given respect. If your heart is so clean, why have the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack not been caught yet? she asked.

Accusing the BJP of fostering division and inciting violence, she claimed, Our government is humane. The BJPs policies are divisive. The riots in Malda and Murshidabad  those happened because of them.

And then came a bold and unmistakable challenge. I challenge them... If they have the courage, go for elections tomorrow. We are ready, and Bengal is ready. The people of Bengal are with us. Please remember, timing is a factor, she said while throwing down the gauntlet with unmistakable confidence.

As both leaders escalate their war of words, West Bengal once again stands at the center of a national political showdown where governance, security and electoral might collide in full public view.
In a breakthrough for security forces, two hybrid terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were apprehended during a coordinated operation in the Baskuchan area of Shopian, South Kashmir. The operation, conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police in collaboration with the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 178 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), followed specific intelligence inputs regarding terrorist activity in the southern district of the Valley.

The operation began with a strategic cordon and search, effectively sealing off the area. Forces observed suspicious movement within a nearby orchard, prompting swift action that led to the capture of the suspects, identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam. Both individuals were missing from their homes in Zainpora, Shopian, for the past month, and there were reports that they might have joined terrorist ranks.

The operation was executed with precision, ensuring the safety of residents while neutralizing potential threats. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the law, and an investigation is currently underway to ascertain further details and connections related to the apprehended hybrid terrorists.

In addition to the successful apprehension, security forces recovered a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition from the possession of the terrorists, including, 2 AK-56 rifles, 4 magazines, 102 rounds of ammunition (7.6239mm), 2 hand grenades, Rs 5,400 in cash, 1 mobile phone, 1 smartwatch, 2 biscuit packets and 1 Aadhaar card.
A private school teacher in the Budhana area of Uttar Pradesh has been arrested for sexually harassing a 16-year-old girl student, police reported on Thursday.

The suspect, 35-year-old Shehzad, was arrested on Wednesday. He has been charged under Sections 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said Budhana Circle Officer Gajendra Pal Singh.

In reaction to the occurrence, the local education department sealed the school on grounds of several operational irregularities. The authorities disclosed that the school had formal authorization to operate up to Class 8 but was found operating Classes 9 and 10 illegally.

A probe into the institution's regulatory offenses is presently ongoing.
West Champaran (Bihar)/New Delhi: Move over human smugglers, the Bihar Police has just busted two four-legged operatives who were running a solo liquor racket across state lines and doing it better than most humans.

In a bizarre case that took place in Bettiah, the local police did not arrest a gang of smugglers, they seized two horses instead. Why? Because these two clever stallions were carrying liquor worth lakhs strapped to their backs and trotting freely from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar.

The horses would cross the UP border solo in the dead of night, sneak into Bihar undetected and deliver their liquid cargo to waiting contacts. No smugglers in sight, no noise, just hooves and high-value booze.

The Great Horse Heist

Ever since liquor prohibition was enforced in Bihar, it seems even animals have been roped into the underground economy. These two horses, now in police custody, were busted while on a cross-border booze run through the Gandak Rivers diara (riverbed) route.

The cops from Nautan Police Station, acting on a tip, caught one of the horses with a load of four cartons of premium English liquor  roughly 34 litres. These horses, according to reports, were specially trained for smuggling, taught the route and sent off on their own to complete the mission.

Horsepower With a Plan

Liquor smugglers in the region, as it turns out, have upgraded their tactics. They now train horses to memorise cross-border paths. Once trained, the horses are loaded up with boxes of alcohol and sent off alone. With no human handler in sight, they are nearly impossible to stop or trace.

On the night of March 11, 2025, during a routine patrol, Nautan SHO Rajesh Kumar and his team spotted a few horses near the banks of Gandak. Suspicious, they moved in only to discover that the animals were hauling alcohol.

The cops were stunned: each horse had cartons of liquor slung across its back, neatly tied and secure. No smugglers were caught, but the sheer ingenuity of the trick left the police team reeling.

Some Escaped Into the Night

According to officials, a few horses managed to cross the river and escape, successfully completing their boozy border run. Meanwhile, border villages in UP adjacent to Bihar are reportedly seeing a spike in horse purchases. It has raised eyebrows.

While the horses are in custody, the smugglers remain elusive. But the message is loud and clear: in Bihars prohibition-era economy, even animals are being weaponised for liquor logistics.

The case has left locals amused, officials baffled and smugglers  well, galloping free for now.
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed terminal building of Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna on Thursday. Constructed at Rs 1,400 crore, the new terminal spans 65,155 square meters and is equipped with modern facilities.

It features 54 check-in counters, five aerobridges, eight X-ray baggage scanners, five luggage conveyor belts, a multi-level parking facility, a VIP lounge, and a cafeteria.

With this new infrastructure, the airports daily passenger handling capacity is expected to rise to 4,500, while the annual capacity will increase to 1 crore, up from the current 25 lakh. The number of daily flights is also projected to more than double, from 34 to 75.

In addition to the inauguration, PM Modi will also lay the foundation of development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, including a new airport at Bihta, located approximately 35 kilometres from Patna.

The upcoming Bihta airport will be developed across 116 acres, with a terminal building covering 68,000 square meters. It will have the capacity to handle 3,000 passengers per hour and up to 50 lakh passengers annually.

Following the ceremonies, the Prime Minister also held a roadshow from the airport to the BJP office on Veer Chand Patel Path, passing through Sheikhpura Mor and the Income Tax roundabout.

Large crowds gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.

BJP workers showcased cut-outs of Operation Sindoor and the BrahMos missile during the procession.

At the BJP office, PM Modi will also interact with party leaders before heading to Raj Bhavan for an overnight stay.

On Friday, he is scheduled to travel to Bikramganj in Rohtas district to address a massive public rally.

This marks PM Modis first visit to Bihar following the launch of Operation Sindoor. He has visited the state four times, earlier this year.
New Delhi: Actress Tamannaah Bhatia recently took to Instagram to share a candid moment with her followers. She posted a story expressing her confusion with the platforms algorithm, saying it had automatically liked a picture on its own.

Taking to her stories she wrote, Can Instagram pls figure out how it likes pages on it own cause random ppl are making this news and I really have work to do.

What's The Big Deal?

A video featuring Deepika Padukone from the promotions of her 2020 film Chhapaak is going viral. It shows the actress hitting back at at a journalist who implied that her husband Ranveer Singhs money was also invested in the film. Deepika said, Excuse me, yeh mere khud ke paise hain. Kisne bola yeh? Excuse me, It is my own money. Now, netizens noticed that Tamannaah Bhatia liked the post, thus implying that she was supporting Deepika.

The reel comes with the text, Propaganda she is not falling for: Disrespect, men, sexism, gender pay gap, working overtime, unprofessionalism, misogyny, and double standards.

The timing of this reel is important since fans are linking it to Sandeep Vanga Reddy vs Deepika controversy over 'Spirit'.

Later, Tamannaah clarified saying she did not like the Reel. She posted an Instagram Story with a selfie of herself rolling her eyes. While she did not mention the Deepika video, she wrote alongside, Can Instagram pls figure out how it likes pages on its own, cause random people are making it news and I have work to do.

Previously, Virat Kohli found himself at the centre of online chatter after several users noticed that his verified Instagram account had liked a post from a fan page dedicated to actress Avneet Kaur.

On the work front, Tamannaah will next be seen in No Entry 2, Vvan, Ranger and an untitled film with John Abraham
Jammu: Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi reached the India-Pakistan border in RS Pura. She interacted with BSF jawans, BSF women wing, and affected families at the International Border after Operation Sindoor.

While talking to the media, she said, "I thank the tourism department. I was here to encourage our BSF jawans, Army Jawans, and women soldiers. We are proud of our soldiers, and I thank the BSF and Army for their sacrifice. The fact is that I came here to raise the morale of our BSF jawans, army soldiers, and our women soldiers. But you all have given me so much love, and I realised once again how lucky we are that you are protecting us on our borders."

Whatever happened recently made us realise how our defence forces are protecting us. Let the world see love and peace, which truly defines J-K. Peace is the spirit of J-K and India. I appeal to all in India not to let hate win, and I appeal to the people of India to come to J-K," she added.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7, showcased a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose.Operation Sindoor was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, as per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting press release.Multi-agency intelligence provided confirmation of nine major camps that were eventually targeted in the operation.

India's retaliatory action was based on meticulous planning and an intelligence-led approach, which ensured that the operations were conducted with minimal collateral damage.Operational ethics were central to the mission, and restraint was exercised to avoid civilian harm, as per the press release. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan initiated a series of retaliatory drone and UCAV attacks targeting key Indian airbases and logistics infrastructure.

These attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multi-layered air defence architecture. Central to this success was the Integrated Command and Control Strategy (ICCS), which facilitated real-time threat identification, assessment, and interception across multiple domains.
New Delhi: Kajol Devgns upcoming movie Maa has stirred major buzz online with its newly released trailer. The mythological horror thriller is the latest chapter from the world of Shaitaan. In the spine-chilling trailer, Kajol is seen unleashing her fierce Kali avatar to break an ancient demonic curse haunting a village.

The trailer opens with Kajol driving her daughter along a dark road. When the daughter complains of period pain, Kajol reassures her theyll stop soonbut suddenly, a dead body slams into the window. The two then find themselves in Chandanpur, a mysterious village where things quickly take a dark turn.

Directed by Vishal Furia, Maa is set to release in theatres on June 27.

Kajols character warns her daughter not to go anywhere without permission. However, curiosity gets the better of her, and she discovers a cursed tree where evil forces are said to dwell.

Earlier, Kajol shared a new poster of the film in a joint post with Ajay Devgn, captioned:

Rakshak. Bhakshak. MAA. The protector. The destroyer.

Netizens React:

Social media users were quick to praise the trailer:

JABARDAST Bollywood, bring more movies like this. The trailer alone gives full thrill!

Now this is what a real horror film looks like. Cant wait, Queen Kajol! Theres no genre you cant do.

Kajols acting alone is enough to make this a blockbuster.

Total goosebumps! another user commented.

The trailer is really good, and since it looks 100% original, this film will be a big hit. Glad Bollywood is trying new things.

Maa also features Indraneil Sengupta, Kherin Sharma, and Ronit Roy in pivotal roles. Backed by Jio Studios and Devgn Films, it is produced by Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Deshpande, with Kumar Mangat Pathak as co-producer. The films music is composed by Harsh Upadhyay, Rocky Khanna, and Shiv Malhotra.
Chennai: Veteran Tamil actor Rajesh, celebrated for his versatile performances across more than 150 films in South Indian cinema, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 75.

Rajesh breathed his last at his residence in Ramapuram, Chennai. His body has been placed there for the public to pay their final respects.

He is survived by his daughter Divya and son Deepak. His wife, Joan Sylvia, had predeceased him.

Born on December 20, 1949, in Mannargudi in Tamil Nadus Tiruvarur district, Rajesh began his professional journey as a schoolteacher.

However, driven by a passion for acting, he eventually left teaching and made a foray into films  a decision that marked the beginning of an illustrious and impactful career in Indian cinema.

Rajesh made his acting debut in 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai' (1974), a critically-acclaimed Tamil film directed by K. Balachander.

His talent was quickly recognised, and he went on to play the lead role in 'Kanni Paruvathile' (1979), produced by Rajkannu, which marked his breakthrough as a hero.

Over the decades, Rajesh became a familiar and respected figure across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and other South Indian language films.

Known for his expressive performances and commanding screen presence, he seamlessly transitioned between lead, supporting, and character roles.

In addition to acting, Rajesh was also an accomplished dubbing artist, lending his voice to several notable projects.

His deep, distinctive voice and emotive delivery added dimension to many characters.

He shared screen space with several leading stars and worked under the direction of some of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the industry.

His association with director K Balachander remained particularly significant. In 'Achamillai Achamillai', Rajesh delivered one of his most powerful performances, earning praise for his nuanced portrayal of political transformation.

Rajesh also had memorable collaborations with actor Kamal Haasan, appearing in films such as 'Sathya', 'Mahanadhi', and 'Virumaandi', where his character roles left a lasting impression on audiences.

Colleagues and fans alike remember Rajesh not only for his talent but also for his humility and dedication to the craft of cinema. His passing marks the end of an era, and the Tamil film industry mourns the loss of a true artist whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
New Delhi: Filmmaker Mani Ratnam took a moment to express deep gratitude to his long-time collaborator, A.R. Rahman, whose music he credited for breathing life into his cinema.

Thank you, Rahman. You make my film alive. Thank you very much, said Ratnam, with emotion resonating through his words. Speaking to a packed auditorium filled with fans, media, and industry insiders, the legendary director shared an anecdote that underscored Rahmans sensitivity and creative generosity.

I was telling him how nowadays its difficult to keep full songs in cinema due to short attention spans and changing narratives, Ratnam revealed, referring to the evolving dynamics of storytelling and audience engagement in modern cinema. But what happened next was vintage Rahman  an artist who listens not just with his ears, but with his soul.

After listening, he changed the number of songs from originally 5 to 9, Ratnam disclosed, drawing applause from the crowd. Thank you, Rahman. Thank you very much. You make my film come alive.

Their partnership, which began with Roja in 1992, has spanned over three decades, producing some of Indian cinemas most iconic soundtracks  from Bombay and Dil Se to Guru and Ponniyin Selvan.

Produced by Kamal Haasans Raaj Kamal Films International, Mani Ratnams Madras Talkies, R. Mahendran, and Siva Ananth, Thug Life boasts an ensemble cast of stellar performers. Kamal Haasan leads the film as Rangaraaya Sakthivel Naicker, alongside Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Ashok Selvan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, among others. With Mani Ratnam at the helm and A.R. Rahman's music, Thug Life is all set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 5, 2025.
New Delhi: State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) has made a major announcement for its customers, that will impact clearance of cheques.

The public sector bank has asked customers are to provide key details of cheques before handing over to the beneficiaries so that Bank at the time of presentment for payment in CTS clearing / Branch / InterSol (as well as on counter) can pass the High Value cheques without any re-confirmation phone call by their base Branch.

Customers are requested to provide key details of cheques before handing over to the beneficiaries so that Bank at the time of presentment for payment in CTS clearing / Branch / InterSol (as well as on counter) can pass the High Value cheques without any re-confirmation phone call by your base Branch.

Cheque of Rs 50,000 & above can be confirmed through Positive Pay but it is mandatory for Clearing cheques of Rs 5 Lakhs & above. All such clearing cheques are being returned w.e.f.23.01.2023, if Positive Pay Confirmation is not provided. Subsequently, all cheque transactions (including Branch/Inter-sol) of Rs.5 Lakhs & above without Positive pay confirmation are being returned w.e.f.07.07.2023 to prevent frauds.

Bank of Baroda Positive Pay Threshold Reduced

Bank of Baroda has said that to further curb high value cheque related frauds, it has been decided to bring down the mandatory threshold limit of Positive Pay Confirmation for all CTS clearing cheques to Rs 2 lakhs & above from the existing limit of Rs 5 lakhs & above in a phased manner as mentioned below:

1. Rs 4 Lakhs & above: From 01 May 2025

2. Rs 3 Lakhs & above: From 01 August 2025

3. Rs 2 Lakhs & above: From 01 November 2025

Available Modes/Channels for confirmation are bobworld (Mobile Banking), bobworld Internet (Net Banking), through Base Branch, SMS on 8422009988, WhatsApp Banking (8433 888 777) and Banks website, BoB said.

What is Positive Pay System and how it makes Cheques secure

In a bid to check banking fraud, the Reserve Bank of India had introduced the ''positive pay system'' for cheque, under which re-confirmation of key details may be needed for payments beyond Rs 50,000.

This Cheque payments rule of positive pay system will come into effect from January 1 2021. While availing of this facility is at the discretion of the account holder, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheques for amounts of Rs 5 lakh and above.

The concept of Positive Pay involves a process of reconfirming key details of large value cheques.

Under this process, the issuer of the cheque submits electronically, through channels like SMS, mobile app, internet banking, ATM, etc., certain minimum details of that cheque (like date, name of the beneficiary / payee, amount, etc.) to the drawee bank, details of which are cross checked with the presented cheque by CTS.

Any discrepancy is flagged by CTS to the drawee bank and presenting bank, who would take redressal measures.
New Delhi: Have you ever walked through a forest and thought it was silent? If no, think again. The ground under your feet might be buzzing with chatter, not from bugs or birds. We are talking about mushrooms. Yes, the same ones on your pizza.

A new study suggests that fungi might have their own form of language. They use underground electric pulses to talk to each other. According to Professor Andrew Adamatzky from the University of the West of England, these pulses form patterns that look eerily like human words  up to 50.

The secret is in mycelium, a vast web of fungal threads that connects mushrooms and trees underground like natures Wi-Fi. When scientists stuck microelectrodes into four different mushroom species (Caterpillar, Ghost, Split Gill and Enoki), they recorded electrical spikes that were not random. These spikes formed groups like words in a sentence.

These fungal words had an average length of 5.97 characters, pretty close to the average English word. And they were not just zapping around aimlessly. Fungi spiked more when they sensed food or damage almost like they were warning their neighbors.

So are mushrooms actually talking? Well, not exactly. The scientist behind the study is not claiming that the fungi have conversation about forest gossip. But they are suggesting that the way they process and send information looks a lot like how we communicate.

Skeptics say calling it language is a stretch; it might just be a natural reaction, not a real conversation. But one thing is clear that mushrooms are way more sophisticated than we thought.

Why does this matter? If mushrooms really can communicate, it flips the script on how we define intelligence and consciousness. It could reshape the way we approach nature, technology and even artificial intelligence.

Fungi-inspired communication might lead to smarter environmental technology, better AI that works like nature and more sustainable farming tools.

So what is next? Scientists now want to monitor mushroom networks in the wild, see if they talk to plants too, decode syntax of their language and test how they respond to music, light or even human words.

The bottom line is fungal linguistics is real, and it is getting started. So next time you step into a forest, you might just be walking through a conversation.
New Delhi: Has your Android phones battery been draining faster than usual lately? Instagram might be to blame. Google has identified a recent version of the app as the cause of the issue but theres good news. A fix has already been released and users are being urged to update their Instagram app right away.//

Instagram Update Fixes Battery Drain Issue

Google has confirmed that updating Instagram to version 382.0.0.49.84 should fix the battery drain issue affecting many Android users. In a post on the Android Help Community, the company advised users to install the latest version as soon as possible.

Heres how to check if youve got the update:

Step 1: Long-press the Instagram app icon on your Android phone.

Step 2: Tap on App info from the menu that appears.

Step 3: Scroll down to find the app version number.

Step 4: Make sure it shows version 382.0.0.49.84 or later.

Pixel Users Among the Worst Hit by Battery Glitch

The battery drain issue first caught attention earlier this month when users, especially those with Google Pixel phones started noticing problems after a recent software update. A report by 9to5Google revealed that Pixel models from the Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 were affected following the May update. Google later pointed users to a notice about updating Instagram, suggesting the app was at least partly to blame.

Its still unclear whether other apps or Android versions played a role or if Instagram alone caused the battery drain across all affected devices.

Simple Tips to Save Battery Life on Your Android Phone

Besides updating your apps, you can cut down battery usage by making a few quick screen-related changessince the display is one of the biggest battery drainers. Heres how:

- Lower screen brightness: Go to Settings > Display > Brightness level and adjust the slider to a lower level.

- Turn on adaptive brightness: This feature automatically adjusts brightness based on your surroundings.

- Reduce refresh rate: If your phone supports high refresh rates, switch to a lower one in the display settings to save power.

- Shorten screen timeout: Head to Settings > Display > Screen timeout and choose a shorter duration.

- Avoid live wallpapers: Animated wallpapers use more power due to constant motion.

- Use a black wallpaper: On OLED and AMOLED screens, black pixels use less energy, helping you conserve battery.
China has sent H-6 long-range bombers to Woody Island, its strategic military base in the disputed Paracel Islands, in what has been widely interpreted as a show of force ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an influential regional security conference in Singapore.

Satellite photos taken between May 17 and May 23 by the US company Maxar Technologies verified at least two H-6 bombers present on the island, joined by a KJ-500 airborne early warning airplane and Y-20 cargo planes. The deployment reflected Beijing's attempt to assert control over the disputed South China Sea and represented strategic intent directed at regional rivals and the United States.

The timing of the deployment, mere days ahead of defense leaders such as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and French President Emmanuel Macron, who are set to deliver speeches at the Shangri-La Dialogue, has caused suspicion of Beijing's intentional messaging. The action is meant to reinforce China's military presence and deterrence power in light of heightened tensions within the region.

Strategic Stronghold In Dispute

Woody Island, or Yongxing Island in Chinese, is the biggest island among the Paracel Islands and has been a key fulcrum in Beijing's territorial disputes for a long time. The island is home to a 3,000-meter runway, fortified hangars, and radar facilities, which make up the center of China's South China Sea militarisation. The area is partly claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, and Beijing has exercised de facto control since the 1970s.

China claimed sovereignty over all but a few miles of the South China Sea, a claim denied by a 2016 international tribunal decision under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In defiance of global criticism, Beijing has pressed on expanding its military presence through island-building and forward deployment.

Tensions rise in the South China Sea



Chinese H-6 bombers spotted on Woody Island, escalation in China's militarisation of the South China Sea@susanmtehrani reports pic.twitter.com/pkfegLY6Ij  WION (@WIONews) May 28, 2025

H-6: Cold War Relic Turned Modern Strike Platform

The H-6 bomber, developed by Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, is a modernised version of the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-16. First introduced into China's arsenal in 1958, the aircraft has undergone extensive upgrades, transforming it from a Cold War relic into a sophisticated platform for long-range precision strikes, maritime interdiction, and nuclear deterrence.

Modern models such as the H-6K and H-6N are fitted with enhanced D-30KP-2 turbofans, modern avionics, and in-flight refuelling. The H-6K can be equipped to carry seven CJ-10A cruise missiles or YJ-12 supersonic sea-attack missiles, whereas the H-6N model is capable of carrying air-launched ballistic missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles, providing increased operational flexibility.

Military analysts put the range of the H-6K at more than 2,200 miles, which means it can reach strategic U.S. and allied bases throughout the First Island Chain, including Guam and Okinawa.
The rapid, multidomain military campaign Operation Sindoor not only dismantled cross-border terror networks but became a full-scale validation of India's defence transformation, a leading American defence analyst said on Thursday.

In his extensive analysis titled 'India's Operation Sindoor: A Battlefield Verdict on Chinese Weapons  And India's Victory', top urban warfare expert John Spencer reckoned that Operation Sindoor wasn't just a military campaign but a technology demonstration, a market signal, and a strategic blueprint.

"India showed the world what self-reliance in modern warfare looks like  and proved that 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' works under fire," Spencer wrote.

"Operation Sindoor pitted India's indigenously developed weapons systems against Chinese-supplied platforms fielded by Pakistan. And India didn't just win on the battlefield  it won the technology referendum. What unfolded was not just retaliation, but the strategic debut of a sovereign arsenal built under the twin doctrines of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat," he added.

Spencer, currently the Chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute and a Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project, stated that "Pakistan's proxy dependency" was no match to "India's sovereign power" during Operation Sindoor which demolished terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan after the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

"India fought as a sovereign power  wielding precision tools it designed, built, and deployed with unmatched battlefield control. Pakistan fought as a proxy force, dependent on Chinese hardware that was built for export, not for excellence. When challenged, these systems failed  exposing the strategic hollowness behind Islamabad's defence posture," Spencer wrote.

Spencer also detailed how India's transformation into a modern defence power began in 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Make in India' initiative.

The goal, he said, was clear: reduce dependence on foreign arms imports and build a world-class domestic defence industry.

"The policy incentivized joint ventures, opened defence to foreign direct investment up to 74 per cent, and encouraged both public and private sector manufacturers to build sophisticated military hardware at home. Within a few years, systems like the BrahMos missile, K9 Vajra howitzer, and AK-203 rifle were being produced inside Indiamany with technology partnerships but increasing domestic control," he stated.

Heaping praise on PM Modi, he highlighted how 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', or a self-reliant India, became a national security doctrine than just an economic policy following the combined shock of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clash with China.

"India imposed phased bans on key defence imports, gave the armed forces emergency procurement powers, and poured investment into indigenous research, design, and production. By 2025, India had increased domestic content in defence procurement from 30 per cent to 65 per cent, with a goal of 90 per cent by the decade's end," he said.

India's new doctrine, the leading expert reckons, was tested under fire on April 22 when Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 Indian civilians in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran Valley.

Spencer then goes on to explain in detail how India's arsenal proved just too much for Pakistan.

Jointly developed with Russia and now largely manufactured in India, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles was used to strike high-value targets like radar stations and hardened bunkers.

"Its speed and low radar cross-section make it nearly impossible to intercept," says Spencer.

The Akash surface-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indias premier military research and development agency, and Bharat Dynamics, enabled coordinated response to multiple airborne threats - including drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft. It was integrated with the Akashteer Command & Control System, an AI-enhanced air defence network that provides real-time data fusion,

India's first indigenously developed anti-radiation missile, Rudram-1 was also deployed to silence Pakistani ground-based radars and degrade situational awareness in key sectors of the Line of Control (LoC).

Spencer also mentioned how Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), also built by DRDO on an Embraer platform, provided real-time tracking of enemy aircraft and missiles, vectoring Indian jets for deep-strike missions.

"Its effectiveness was evident when Pakistan's Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C was destroyed by a long-range missile," said Spencer.

India also deployed Harop and SkyStriker drones  precision-guided 'Kamikaze' munitions that loiter over the battlefield and dive onto enemy targets. Harop is manufactured under license by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) while SkyStriker is assembled domestically through an Elbit joint venture. They were used to destroy mobile radars, convoys, and high-value enemy infrastructure with minimal collateral damage.

At the same time, India's Drone Detect, Deter, and Destroy System (D4S) neutralised dozens of Chinese-made Pakistani drones. The system reflects Indias transition from reactive air defence to proactive electronic warfare dominance.

Imported from the US but integrated into Indian mountain warfare doctrine, the M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer was used with Excalibur precision-guided shells to strike terrorist camps without crossing the LoC. Spencer mentioned how its airliftability and rapid deployment made it ideal for high-altitude operations.

India also deployed upgraded T-72s along the LoC for overwatch roles. The Zorawar, a new light tank optimized for high-altitude terrain, is under development and these systems signal India's continued investment in mobility and firepower in challenging Himalayan terrain, Specner wrote.

Writing on India's deployment of some of its most advanced fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, Spencer said that the Rafales led deep precision strikes using SCALP long-range cruise missiles to hit fortified enemy positions. It also carried Meteor air-to-air missiles, capable of hitting targets over 100 kilometers awaygiving India a decisive edge in air combat.

Meanwhile, the Su-30MKI, a Russian-designed twin-engine heavy fighter built under license in India, and the Mirage 2000, another versatile French jet, provided firepower and flexibility, launching multiple strike packages and ensuring airspace control.

"These jets flew under the protective umbrella of the Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system, which acted like an eye in the skytracking enemy aircraft and coordinating the battlespace. Meanwhile, Rudram anti-radiation missiles were used in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions, disabling enemy radar and air defence systems to ensure safe air operations," the expert on military operatons detailed.

On the other hand, Spencer gave a detailed Pakistan's strategic failures, also giving a detailed account of failure of Chinese systems.

During Operation Sindoor, he wrote, the JF-17 Thunder aircraft - produced in Pakistan but designed and built by China's AVIC - failed to gain air superiority or contest Indian strikes.

"Their limited payload, outdated radar, and poor survivability were evident under Indian EW and air defence pressure," said Spencer.

With the F-16 Fighting Falcons sidelined by US end-user agreements during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan was left without a frontline air dominance platform.

"Chinese imitations of Russia's S-300 and Buk systems, the HQ-9 and HQ-16 were deployed to intercept Indian air and missile attacks. However, they failed under India's jamming and deception operations. These systems were easily bypassed by BrahMos and loitering drones, revealing critical weaknesses."

The LY-80 and FM-90 air defence systems, also Chinese-made, were unable to detect or stop India's low-flying drones and precision munitions.

This, said Spencer, forced Pakistan to rely on passive air defence rather than any credible kinetic response.

Also used extensively by Pakistan for ISR and light strike roles, the CH-4s were repeatedly downed or jammed, underperforming in terrain and electronic environments dominated by India's D4S system.

"Reports emerged that Turkish drone operators had to be brought in to manage UAVs  revealing both equipment and personnel dependency," said Spencer.

Pakistan's key airborne early warning platform, Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C, was destroyed  likely by an S-400 system  crippling Pakistan's airspace awareness and blinding command and control functions.

"By the end of the campaign, Pakistan had lost key radar stations, its premier AEW&C aircraft, dozens of drones, and its ability to contest Indian airspace," concluded Spencer.

He also mentioned how India's defence stocks surged in May, gaining investor trust while, in contrast, the Chinese defence stocks fell sharply after Operation Sindoor with AVIC, NORINCO, CETC  all taking hits as the battlefield disproved their marketing.
Facing criticism and legal challenges over US President Donald Trump's trade policies, the government authorities are now using the 'India-Pakistan Ceasefire' farce to justify its trade and tariff policies. The US authorities have reportedly told a court that any restriction on President Trump's powers to use trade and tariff among other policy matters could restart the Indo-Pak conflict endangering lakhs of lives. While Trump's trade and tariff policies have been challenged in US courts, his administration is using his Indo-Pak claim, repeatedly rejected by India, to turn the verdict in their favour.

The US court is hearing pleas against the 'Liberation Day Tariff'. Trump had announced a broad set of import tariffs on around 60 nations on April 2, 2025, which he symbolically called 'Liberation Day'. This included India as well.

In a signed declaration submitted before the US court by 4 key members of President Trumps cabinet - Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Lee Greer  the India-Pakistan claim was reiterated once again to defend the Liberation Day tariffs.

Arguing against any dilution of the presidential powers, Lutnick said, This (India-Pakistan) ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war. An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trumps offer, threatening the security of an entire region and the lives of millions."

Notably, Trump had on multiple occasions, reiterated that he used trade as a medium to force India and Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire. "Just days ago, my administration brokered a historic ceasefire to stop the escalating violence between India and Pakistan, and I used trade to a large extent. I said, 'Let us make a deal. ' Let us not trade nuclear missiles. Let us trade the things you make so beautifully. They both have powerful, smart leaders. It all stopped. I hope it remains that way," Trump said.

India has rejected the claim saying that the Pakistan Army's DMO called the Indian counterpart, pleading for a ceasefire. External Affairs Ministry of India maintained that the US was categorically informed that any initiative for a ceasefire should come from Pakistan. India also rejected Trump's claim saying that no mention of trade was made during the ceasefire related talks.
Industrial chain stability sought from latest moves

08:32, May 29, 2025 By Ma Si ( Chinadaily.com.cn

The Ministry of Commerce has briefed Chinese and European semiconductor enterprises on Beijing's rare earth export control procedures, indicating a potential relaxation of restrictions for European chip supply chain companies to further stabilize global industrial chains, people familiar with the matter told China Daily.

The policy clarification occurred during a Sino-European semiconductor industry cooperation meeting held in Beijing on Tuesday, at which the ministry's Bureau of Industry, Security, Import and Export Control detailed compliance requirements for rare earth exports, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

One source familiar with the closed-door meeting said, "Rare earth elements are indispensable in semiconductor manufacturing. The briefing guided companies and their suppliers on export license applications, signaling enhanced cooperation."

Another source interpreted the move as paving the way for "possible easing of rare earth export controls to European Union-involved semiconductor supply chains", reflecting China's reaffirmed commitment to global industrial stability.

Three Chinese companies, including Baotou Tianhe Magnetics Technology Co, received licenses earlier this month to export rare earth magnets to their overseas clients for use in new energy vehicles and consumer electronics, according to a report from Chinese financial media outlet Caixin.

As for Tuesday's meeting, the Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement that more than 40 Chinese and European upstream and downstream semiconductor enterprises had participated. Attendees included officials from central government departments, as well as representatives from the China Semiconductor Industry Association and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

The meeting said that China and Europe occupy critical positions in the global semiconductor supply chain. Strengthening collaboration in this field aligns with the shared interests of both sides.

Against the backdrop of a complex and challenging international landscape marked by rising uncertainties, China will continue to advance high-standard opening-up and create a fair, stable, transparent, and predictable environment for enterprises, the Ministry of Commerce added.

The meeting also stressed that China firmly opposes unilateralism and bullying practices, advocating for the security and stability of the global semiconductor supply chain.

He Hui, semiconductor research director at United Kingdom-based tech research company Omdia, said that China and Europe are highly complementary with each other in the semiconductor industry, and the potential for cooperation is big.

"European semiconductor companies are very strong in industrial chips and auto chips. And China is the world's largest auto market and a major automaker. As a result, almost for any European chip company, China is their biggest market," she said.

Meanwhile, Chinese semiconductor supply chain companies are making progress, which can better support European chip companies to operate factories and offer better services in China, she added.

David Poon, president of Infineon Technologies Greater China, said the German chipmaker sees growing opportunities from "China's focus on green, low-carbon and high-quality development".

He said that new quality productive forces span a wide range of industries, such as intelligent connected new-energy vehicles, renewable energy, new materials and humanoid robots, and Infineon's semiconductors empower innovation across all these fields.

"With our 'In China, For China' strategy, we plan to increase local production of general purpose semiconductors to address customer needs about supply resilience. In the coming years, we aim to expand collaboration with local partners and broaden our local production to cover a wide range of automotive products," Poon said.

As the world's largest semiconductor market, the Chinese mainland consumes more than half of the world's semiconductors, which are then assembled into products to be re-exported or sold in the domestic market, according to research company Daxue Consulting.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Press Release

May 29, 2025 Keynote Address of Senator Loren Legarda Daluyong ng Pagbabago: Adaptation and Resilience for Our Oceans To the Climate Change Commission, to the visionary leaders of the University of the Philippines Visayas - Antique, the resilient communities of Antique, our fisherfolk, scientists, youth champions, fellow advocates, and stewards of our seas: Magandang umaga sa ating lahat! Today, we gather as custodians of a sacred trust: the future of our oceans. Here in Pandan, where the mountains meet the sea, we are reminded that our survival depends on a delicate balance. Let me begin by grounding our discussion in the global framework that binds us all: Sustainable Development Goal 14  Life Below Water. Adopted in 2015 as part of the UN 2030 Agenda, SDG 14 is a covenant to conserve and sustainably use our oceans. Its targets are precise: reduce pollution, protect ecosystems, end overfishing, invest in science, and uphold international law, such as the UNCLOS and Paris Agreement. The 2017 UN Ocean Conference in New York marked a turning point for global action. For the first time, 193 nations united to reverse ocean decline. Out of this came the Nine Communities of Ocean Action, launched by UN DESA and Ambassador Peter Thomson, Special Envoy for the Ocean. These communities, which each deal with an aspect of ocean conservation, from mangroves to marine pollution, became our blueprint. In Nairobi, at the 2017 UN Environment Assembly, we began translating pledges into progress, starting with action against marine plastic, a crisis that still haunts us today. Then came 2022, when Kenya and Portugal co-hosted the second Ocean Conference amid a pandemic that exposed our fragility. It called for green technology, habitat restoration, and justice for coastal communities. Now, as we approach the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, just 11 days from today, we face a stark truth: Global targets mean little without local action. The Philippines, as a Coral Triangle nation and one of the most at-risk countries to climate change, must lead not just by words, but by example. To us Filipinos, the ocean is not just a backdrop. It is our lifeline. With 7,641 islands, our country's identity, food, and survival are tied to the seas. They feed millions of people, absorb humanity's carbon emissions, and produce the oxygen we breathe. Our coastal economy contributes to 3.9%6 of GDP. But despite progress, threats have deepened: Fisheries' catch rates have plummeted in recent years. None of our coral reefs remain in "excellent" condition. On plastic, we remain a top polluter in the world. But let me speak plainly: This is personal. This is the reality of fisherfolks who told me: "Noong bata ako, puno ang lambat ng isda. Ngayon, puno na lang ng basura." (In my youth, nets brimmed with fish. Now, they brim with trash.) This is the story of millions of Filipinos who depend on the sea for their livelihood. When corals die, so do fish stocks. When mangroves vanish, villages lose their shields against storms. When plastic chokes our waters, it chokes our children's future. For decades, we have turned crisis into courage through policy. The Climate Change Act of 2009 created the Climate Change Commission, embedding resilience into our governance. Because of this law, local governments like Antique now have a Local Climate Change Action Plan, ensuring that fisherfolk and farmers are becoming climate-resilient. Moreover, the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act is revolutionary, as it compels us to value nature as our greatest asset. For instance, the mangroves that sequester carbon are now recognized not just as ecosystems but as economic lifelines. Our fight continues. The proposed Blue Economy Act, which I will continue to champion, will redefine our relationship with the ocean. It mandates sustainable fishing quotas, bans destructive practices like muro-ami, and allocates a percentage of coastal zones as protected areas. Internationally, we stand tall. Through the High Ambition Coalition, we've rallied 120 nations to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. With France, we have our "100 Days for the Ocean" mobilization campaign. Just two days ago, at an Ocean Talk in the National Museum of Fine Arts, we assessed progress since the 2015 Manila Call to Action. From that dialogue, one truth emerged: Our policies must now surge from paper to practice. In eleven (11) days, the world will convene in Nice for the Third UN Ocean Conference. The Philippines will be there, not as a victim but as a victor, armed with stories of hope and a demand for justice. We carry these messages: First, we will advocate for climate justice, continuously urging developed countries to honor their pledge of $100 billion per year. Additionally, we will emphasize the need for blue finance. Invest in nations that steward marine biodiversity. Every peso spent on mangroves or coral reefs yields tenfold returns in resilience. We will also highlight the importance of indigenous systems, for example, where ancestral waters guide conservation. The Third UN Ocean Conference is not just any conference, it is a reckoning. We will demand that global ambition translates to tangible support for those who need it most: fisherfolk, coastal women, and Indigenous communities. Mga kababayan, ang daluyong ang ating alon at sandataa force that cannot be ignored. Let us become that unstoppable tide. To local governments: Follow Antique's lead. Pass ordinances banning single-use plastics. Allocate your budgets to climate resilience programs and marine sanctuaries. To businesses: Innovate. Invest in the blue economy that harmonizes profit with planetary health. To scientists: Partner with communities. Let data meet tradition in designing solutions. To the youth: Lead with passion. Your future is non-negotiable. To all: Remember that we cannot prosper if we do not care. Let us care fiercely, act urgently, and rise together. Centuries ago, our ancestors navigated these seas using the stars, the waves, and the wisdom of the wind. Today, we face a new voyage, one that demands we chart a course from exploitation to reverence. As we leave Pandan, let us carry Antique's spirit to Nice and beyond. Let the world know: The Philippines will not retreat. We carry a simple truth: The ocean is a solution. It is our bridge to each other, to survival, to legacy. Duro duro gid nga salamat at isang luntiang Pilipinas sa ating lahat!
New research shows that smartphone shipments into Europe has declined by 2% in Q1 2025 to 32.4 million units, despite an increase in shipments of devices at the premium end of the market.

The significant contraction in the market was largely caused by sluggish entry-level demand, according to research by market analyst group Canalys.

The latest results paint a picture of an emerging story of market polarisation which is starting to cause alarm in the European channel.

While smartphone heavyweights Apple and Samsung have increased their market share, driven by sales of premium end iPhone and Galaxy handsets, it has been at the expense of the rest of the market which has declined markedly.





Samsung was Europes largest smartphone vendor in Q1 as its shipments marginally grew to 12.2 million units, with a record-high volume of the Galaxy S-series and highest-ever quarterly average sales price (ASP) in Europe.

Apple finished second on the ranking table in Q2 as iPhone shipments grew by a strong 10% to 8.0 million units, boosted by sales of iPhone 16e.

Meanwhile Chinese vendor Xiaomi shipments declined 2% to 5.3 million units, reflecting its focus on the poorly performing low-end of the market.

Many smartphone vendors in Europe have had a tough start to 2025, particularly for those dependent upon selling devices priced below 400, said Runar Bjrhovde, Senior Analyst at Canalys (now part of Omdia).

Following last years mild recovery, several vendors overestimated end-user demand toward the end of Q4 2024, resulting in many heading into Q1 2025 with excess channel inventory.

"Entry-level demand has been sluggish in Q1 as well, partly a result of replacement demand saturation being pulled forward last year, with emerging competition driving aggressive promotions.

"Q1 2025 had the lowest volume of sub-200 priced devices shipped in over a decade, highlighting the challenging demand environment.

"Xiaomi and Motorola were the most impacted vendors on the ranking table, although it has been even tougher for many vendors beyond the top five.





According to Canalys, the premium end of the market continued to roar during Q1 2025, to the benefit of both Apple and Samsung.

High-end demand continues to boom in Europe, driven by Apple and Samsung, with the share of devices priced above 800 reaching a record-high 32%, added Bjrhovde.

Apple was the big winner in Q1, growing its shipments by double digits despite heading into Q1 with significant inventory levels of the legacy iPhone 13 and 14 that were discontinued in December 2024 following the USB-C directive.

"Robust consumer and enterprise demand for iPhones continues to benefit Apple in Europe, although regulatory hurdles and fines remain a headache to its wider business in the region.

Samsung delivered its highest quarterly premium volume ever, boosted by a strong reception of the Galaxy S25 series, noted Bjrhovde.

Galaxy S-series shipments grew 12% compared to Q1 2024, boosted by aggressive promotions used across the channel to encourage consumers to refresh and upgrade their devices, including, for example, trade-in discounts, device bundles, complementary spec upgrades, and outright discounts.

"With the recent launch of the Galaxy Club, which guarantees customers 50% trade-in value 12 to 15 months after purchase, Samsung aims to drive quicker upgrade cycles in its most loyal user base.

According to Canalys, the gradual shift toward the two largest vendors has caused caused concern in the European channel.





Partners in the European smartphone channel are getting increasingly concerned about the markets long-term competitive situation, with more market share and influence shifting further toward Apple and Samsung, commented Bjrhovde.

Demand and cost pressures will only increase for all vendors as regulation, such as eco-design and battery directive, will challenge operating margins further and potentially reduce the total addressable market (TAM), particularly in the fiercely competitive budget segments."

Canalys forecasts the European smartphone market to decline by 3% in 2025, but a return to 1% growth in 2026 should provide some relief for vendors.
Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced the rollout of its Security Awareness and Training Service: Education Edition curriculum across all primary and secondary schools in Australia.

Rob Keast, Partnership Development Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Fortinet Training Institute at Fortinet, said, Technology is increasingly embedded in every aspect of our daily lives. Building cyber resilience starts with early education, and Fortinet is committed to equipping students and educators with the skills they need to operate safely and responsibly online. The launch of Fortinets curriculum in Australian classrooms is a demonstration of Fortinets commitment to building a more secure digital future.

The service is offered at no cost and delivers foundational digital safety skills directly into the classroom, equipping students with the knowledge needed to safely navigate an increasingly connected world. The curriculum launch coincides with Fortinets presence at the 2025 Australian Independent Schools (AIS) New South Wales (NSW) ICT Management and Leadership Conference  Digital Directors, where the company is showcasing the initiative and its broader commitment to cybersecurity training in the education sector.

Building Cyber Resilience in the Classroom

The Security Awareness and Training Service: Education Edition service has been specifically developed for classroom delivery, combining expert-led content with an engaging format to drive lasting behaviour change. Key service features include:

Age-appropriate curriculum : modules aligned with primary and secondary education standards.

modules aligned with primary and secondary education standards. Interactive delivery: videos, activities, and assessments designed to capture student attention.

videos, activities, and assessments designed to capture student attention. Educator-ready materials: comprehensive lesson plans and teaching resources for seamless implementation.

comprehensive lesson plans and teaching resources for seamless implementation. Gamified learning: built-in incentives to support knowledge retention and encourage participation.

This nationwide student curriculum rollout will first launch in South Australia and complements Fortinets earlier implementation of its Security Awareness and Training service for all staff in South Australias government schools. Delivered in partnership with the Department for Education in South Australia, the initiative aims to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and capabilities for more than 15,500 users.

In addition, Fortinets Security Awareness and Training service: Education Edition is available at no cost to all public and private school teachers and administrators across Australia, further supporting the development of a safer digital learning and cyber-aware school environment.

Tackling the Cyber Skills Gap Early

Building cyber resilience starts with early education. Equipping students with critical awareness from a young age is a proactive step in narrowing the global cybersecurity skills gap before it impacts future workforce readiness. Findings from the Fortinet 2024 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Report underscore this need:

56% of IT leaders report a lack of organisational or employee security awareness

of IT leaders report a lack of organisational or employee security awareness 97% of decision-makers believe more training and awareness would help reduce cyberattacks.

By building foundational cybersecurity knowledge early, students gain the practical skills to identify and respond to online threats, while schools foster the development of a more secure future workforce.

Training Support for the Broader Education Community

The Security Awareness and Training Service: Education Edition is part of the broader Fortinet Training Institute, which aims to close the cybersecurity skills gap by providing access to industry-recognised training and resources. Initiatives include:

free online Network Security Expert (NSE) certification training for professionals

free cybersecurity technical curriculum for higher education institutions through academic partnerships

education outreach programs to promote diversity in cybersecurity and scale learning across regions and levels.

These programs contribute to Fortinets global pledge to train one million people in cybersecurity by the end of 2026.

Rob Keast, Partnership Development Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Fortinet Training Institute at Fortinet, is attending the 2025 AIS NSW ICT Management and Leadership Conference  Digital Directors. He is onsite to speak with education leaders, share insights from early adopters, and demonstrate the platforms impact in classrooms.

Supporting Quotes:

Cybersecurity is no longer a subject reserved for IT classes; its an essential life skill. Fortinets security awareness curriculum makes it easy for teachers to introduce complex concepts in an engaging, age-appropriate way. It gives educators the confidence and tools to lead important conversations about online safety, while helping students build the digital awareness theyll need throughout their education and future careers.

Sarah Hollinshead, Interdisciplinary Technologies Coordinator, Australian Science and Mathematics School

Fortinets goal is to make cybersecurity a fundamental skill for students, teachers, and school communities. The Security Awareness and Training Service: Education Edition represents a meaningful step toward building digital confidence in the education sector, combining no-cost access with flexible delivery and teacher support.

Rob Rashotte, Vice President, Fortinet Training Institute at Fortinet



About Fortinet (www.fortinet.com)

Fortinet is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere our customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinets solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organisations from both the public and private sectors, including Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinets commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinets elite threat intelligence and research organisation, develops and utilises leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.
COMPANY NEWS: Identity provider Okta has launched a second Australian data centre and introduced local availability of its Enhanced Disaster Recovery (DR) service, offering recovery time of under five minutes. The move is aimed at meeting growing demand for data residency and operational resilience, particularly in highly regulated sectors.

The new region, hosted on AWS infrastructure in Melbourne, complements Oktas existing Australian presence and enables customers to keep identity data stored locally. The disaster recovery capability is being introduced in Australia ahead of other international markets, apart from North America, where it is already live.

According to Okta, the Enhanced DR service reduces the recovery time objective (RTO) from one hour to five minutes or less in the event of a full regional outage. This is particularly relevant for sectors such as healthcare, finance, and government, where downtime can interrupt essential services.

"Organisations grind to a halt when identity systems go down, they cant build, deliver or maintain services or ensure continuity of service for critical infrastructure and operations. With the Australian Data Centre and the availability of Enhanced Disaster Recovery, organisations can feel more secure and confident, ensure faster failover and business continuity," said Stephanie Barnett, Vice President Presales APJ at Okta.

The announcement comes as data residency and sovereignty continue to rise up the agenda for Australian organisations. The new data centre also supports Oktas recent IRAP Protected assessment, allowing it to work with more government agencies and departments that require higher levels of security compliance.

Local implications

Okta said the new infrastructure will benefit Australian customers by:

Improving disaster recovery capabilities with faster regional failover

Supporting compliance with data residency requirements

Maintaining consistent global security standards

Offering greater transparency and control over data location

Australia is the first market outside North America to gain access to the Enhanced DR service, and the launch forms part of Oktas broader expansion strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The company has been investing in local infrastructure, compliance, and customer success to support the uptake of its identity platform, which includes products for workforce and customer identity, governance, privileged access, and security posture management.

Enhanced Disaster Recovery is now generally available in Australia.
Virtual data rooms high-end and advanced artificial intelligence support provider and digital bank D360 has announced that it has reached more than one million customers within the first four months of its official launch, and setting a new global benchmark in digital banking adoption.

The Saudi Arabian Saudi Shariah-compliant digital bank says that since beginning operations, its customers have conducted over 51 million transactions across more than 100 countries, with a total transaction volume exceeding SAR 50 billion (USD13.3 billion).

DD360 says this milestone was made possible through the support of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Derayah Financial, and a number of prominent investors and financial experts - and further strengthening the banks position as a leading digital banking institution in Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Taha Abdullah Al-Kuwaiz, Chairman of D360 Bank, expressed his pride, stating: D360 Bank is proud to lead the charge in reimagining digital banking. This one million customer milestone reflects the trust placed in us by customers and partners. Our mission is to lead in financial innovation, promote inclusion, and help realize the goals of Vision 2030 by delivering modern, Shariah-compliant services at scale.

D360 Bank notes that it offers an intuitive digital banking experience, enabling customers to open an account in two minutes and access personalized financial services designed to meet their individual needs.

With a fully integrated digital banking model powered by cutting-edge financial technologies, customers can manage their finances anytime, anywhere. Through the D360 Bank app, users can easily make fast, fee-free international payments, pay bills, and transfer money, while benefiting from the highest levels of transparency and security, the bank says.

The bank said it has also introduced a range of core services, including Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) infrastructure, now live with three external clients, and the newly launched Sanabil Savings Account, the Shariah-compliant savings product in Saudi Arabia to calculate and deposit profits daily, offering expected annual returns of up to 2%.

Our growth trajectory is clear. Saudi consumers are ready for a seamless, digital-first banking experience, said Eze Szafir, CEO of D360 Bank. Weve built the infrastructure to scale quickly, securely, and in full alignment with regulatory requirements. This is just the beginning.

Szafir added that customers collectively saved SAR 66 million (USD 17.6 million) in foreign exchange spreads and SAR 81 million (USD 21.6 million) in local and international transfer fees compared to traditional banks.

D360 Bank says that Saudi Arabia is "leading the way in financial innovation with an advanced digital banking ecosystem that is expanding the reach of traditional financial services, boosting financial inclusion, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Saudi economy in line with the Financial Sector Development Program".

In 2024, digital transactions accounted for 79% of retail transactions in the Kingdom, indicating a move toward a cashless society. Fintech is projected to contribute SAR 13.3 billion (USD 3.5 billion) to the GDP by 2030, supported by a robust technological infrastructure and a regulatory environment that encourages innovation and investment, concluded D360.

About D360 Bank

D360 Bank is a fully Saudi digital, Shariah-compliant bank backed by PIF, Derayah Financial, and several renowned investors and financial experts. Its mission is to provide inclusive, Shariah-compliant financial services to retail customers by leveraging advanced technology and data, allin full compliance with local regulations. With a team of experienced local and international experts, D360 Bank aims to expand access to credit, enhance financial inclusion, and support Saudi Arabias economic growth in line with Vision 2030.
This partnership will lead to new jobs, cleaner industry, and economic benefits for both nations.The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and The Engineering Academy of Japan (EAJ), led by its Emerging Research Leaders Exchange Programme (ERLEP), launched their joint report The Australia-Japan renewable hydrogen value chain, at an event today in Osaka during World Expo 2025. ATSE and the EAJ have brought together Fellows from both Academies to shine a light on our shared potential.



The report outlines hydrogens emerging role as a clean fuel with potential across two nations economies  in construction, manufacturing, agriculture and fertilisers, and chemical production. It articulates the steps necessary to most expediently produce, transport, store, and use millions of tonnes of green hydrogen across Australia and Japan.



Fuelled by abundant and cheap Australian renewable energy using technologies leveraging Japanese and Australian inventions, green hydrogen is primed to become a critical industry and trade focus in the Asia-Pacific by 2050. Acting as a carrier of energy and a clean, highly useful chemical input, green hydrogen can also set up other sectors for success, including steelmaking and fertiliser manufacturing.



ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said, Achieving this potential requires a sustained focus on skills, infrastructure and financing. Japanese and Australian innovation, working together in partnership, are a force to be reckoned with. Todays report lays out how retrained personnel from existing energy industries could add to their existing knowledge and fill the critical hydrogen roles of the future.



EAJ Chair of International Affairs Yuko Harayama said, Japan and Australia are perfect partners for exploring the complementarity and synergy in their expertise in renewable hydrogen. The key would be to bring together stakeholders from industry and academia from both sides.



The hydrogen industry is global, and so are the technological collaborations that will grow this new field. This report sets a gold standard on best-practice regional collaboration, opening the doors for future cooperation, research and technology development.



This report was led by ATSE Fellows with energy, resources and industry expertise, and by the ERLEP Executive Committee of the EAJ
[Provisional translation]

On May 29, commencing at around 12:25 p.m for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, who is visiting Japan. Following the meeting, both sides attended the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the two countries, followed by a working lunch held from 1:15 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes. The overview of the events is as follows.



In the MOC signing ceremony, the two governments signed an MOC on cooperation in the areas of electricity, water and renewable energy, and an MOC on diplomatic training cooperation. The two sides welcomed the signing of three other Memoranda between related organizations of the two countries in the areas of direct investment, diplomatic training, and international cooperation during the visit of the H.H. the Crown Prince to Japan.



1. Opening Remarks

(1) At the outset, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that the bilateral relationship between the two countries has a long history dating back to before Kuwait's independence, and that the two countries have been friends who have helped each other through historical difficulties, such as the Gulf War and the Great East Japan Earthquake. Prime Minister Ishiba also stated that when he sent the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to Iraq as then-Director General of the Defense Agency, Kuwait provided the SDF with an operation base. He stated that the two countries place importance on areas such as the rule of law, multirateralism and humanitarian assistance, and expressed his hopes to strengthen bilateral relations, by upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

(2) In response, H.H. the Crown Prince stated that he is pleased that the two countries have concurred to upgrade their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, referring to the historical relationship between the two countries and Japan's support during the Gulf War, and expressed his desire to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.



2. Bilateral Relations

(1) The two sides referred to the Kuwaiti pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and expressed their expectations for further promotion of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries on the occasion of this Expo.

(2) Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his appreciation for the stable supply of crude oil from Kuwait to Japan over the years, and expressed his hope that Kuwait would continue to take the lead in stabilizing the global crude oil market. In response, H.H. the Crown Prince stated that Kuwait is committed to the stable supply of crude oil to Japan and to the stabilization of the international crude oil market.

(3) Both sides confirmed that they will cooperate in the fields of clean energy and decarbonization, in addition to the electricity and desalination sectors where Japanese companies have been contributing over the years.

(4) Both sides confirmed that they will cooperate in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on the United Nations Security Council Reform.

(5) In light of Kuwaits presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) this year, both sides confirmed further cooperation between Japan and the GCC, including the acceleration of the ongoing Japan-GCC EPA negotiations.



3. Regional issues

(1) Both sides exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East region.

(2) Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his respect for Kuwait playing an important role in the regional peace and stability through its active humanitarian assistance to Gaza and its role as the chair country of the GCC, and both sides confirmed their commitment to cooperate toward a two-state solution and a long-term peace and stability of the region.



(Reference) Memoranda signed during the visit of H.H. the Crown Prince to Japan

(1) Memorandum of Cooperation on Training of Diplomats between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait

(2) Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy of the State of Kuwait

(3) Memorandum of Cooperation on Direct Investment between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Kuwait Foreign Direct Investment Agency

(4) Memorandum of Cooperation on International Cooperation between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kuwait Arab Fund for Economic Development

(5) Memorandum of Understanding between the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute on Training of Diplomats.
Nebraska lawmakers gave final-round approval Wednesday to a bill that would exclude more than 130,000 workers from the paid sick leave requirements that nearly 75% of state voters approved in November.

But Democrats in the state's formally nonpartisan Legislature blocked an attempt to combine the controversial sick leave limitations with another proposed law that sought to limit future increases to Nebraska's minimum wage, which voters also initiated at the ballot box.

In 2022, nearly 60% of Nebraska voters approved a measure that gradually raises the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour next January and increases it annually with the cost of living each year after.

Then, last year, nearly 75% of voters approved a law requiring employers with fewer than 20 workers to offer at least five days of paid sick leave per year and employers with 20 or more workers to offer at least seven paid days of leave annually.

But citing concerns over what those laws might mean for Nebraska's smallest businesses, conservative lawmakers have moved to scale back both laws this year  over the objections of progressives who have cast their attempts as efforts to undermine the will of voters.

After two hours of debate Wednesday night, neither progressives nor conservatives got all of what they hoped for when lawmakers began mulling changes to the laws months ago.

Joined by Democratic Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, Republicans voted largely along party lines to overcome a filibuster waged by progressives and approved a measure that would exempt businesses with 10 or fewer employees from the paid sick leave law.

Championed by Republican Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney, the proposed law would also exclude independent contractors, seasonal or temporary agricultural workers, and Nebraskans under the age of 16 from being eligible to accrue paid sick leave.

The Legislature voted 33-16 to send the bill to Gov. Jim Pillen's desk. If the first-term Republican signs it, the law would exclude an estimated 132,400 small business employees from the paid sick leave protections approved by voters, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.

But the filibuster prevented lawmakers from taking up a vote on Raybould's attempt to tack on her own measure that would have replaced the scheduled cost-of-living increases to Nebraska's minimum wage with a 1.75% annual bump each year beginning in 2027.

Raybould's bill (LB258) would also have allowed businesses to pay children younger than 16 less than the minimum wage. Lawmakers are likely to take up Raybould's proposal again next year.

The outcome of Wednesday's vote  which sent the paid sick leave carveouts to Pillen's desk and left Raybould's bill on hold until at least 2026  marked a temporary win for progressives who seemed unlikely to prevent either measure from becoming law as recently as this month.

Their fortunes changed when Raybould's bill failed to clear the final hurdle in the Legislature on May 14 when one Republican lawmaker, Sen. Tony Sorrentino of Elkhorn, missed the deciding vote.

Democrats didn't revel in that small victory amid Wednesday's debate, though.

Instead, they spent much of two hours criticizing Republicans  and Raybould, who has joined conservatives on business and labor issues  over both proposed laws that would place limitations on voter-approved laws.

"We have seen, in this legislative session, an all-out attack on the workers of Nebraska," Lincoln Sen. George Dungan said. "And I wish that was hyperbolic. We have seen a continued effort to tell the hardworking people of Nebraska, 'Hey, thanks for going to the ballot box. Thanks for voting, but we're going to take away the thing you voted for.'"

Conservatives, though, pushed back on that notion. Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte said he doubted voters had considered the impacts the laws could have on the state's smallest businesses.

"When we start interfering with employers and dictating what they have to offer for benefits and what they have to offer for minimum wage, we're going well beyond what I think is a democracy," he said. "Employees have always had the opportunity to quit their job and go to work for someone else."

Raybould, who co-owns the parent company of the Russ's Market and Super Saver grocery store chains, called allegations from progressives that she and Republicans are "undermining the will" of voters "nothing more than a prolonged narrative."

Opponents have cast both measures as attempts to "undo what the voters did" dating all the way back to committee hearings in February.

After nearly 75% of state voters approved the paid sick leave law in November  and nearly 300 people wrote letters in opposition to Strommen's proposal to scale it back earlier this year  opponents implored lawmakers to listen Wednesday.

"The voters passed things by ballot because this Legislature failed to act. The voters voted for this overwhelmingly because this Legislature ignored them," Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said. "And what we're about to do here  what 33 of you are about to do  is ignore the will of the voters."

Moments later, lawmakers sent Strommen's proposal to Pillen's desk on a 33-16 vote.
Scientists have known about bird flu (H5N1) for decades as a virus that primarily affects birds. Until suddenly, one day, it didnt. In March 2024, H5N1 showed up somewhere very unexpectedin dairy cows in Texas (and their milk). And then, the virus started jumping to other mammalsgoats, domestic cats, and even dolphinsand to humans who interacted with these animals. While there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission, the speed and trajectory of this cross-species transmission was deeply concerning.

As 2024 progressed, the situation worsened. The virus spread rapidly across continents via migratory birds, infecting mammals worldwide. In the U.S., poultry outbreaks led to widespread illness and death among flocks, along with skyrocketing egg prices. By early 2025, H5N1 had led to nearly 70 confirmed human infections and one death.

And then, on April 28, 2025, a global group of virologists published a call in the Lancet to scale up health security activities related to the bird flu, noting that sporadic human infections with no known contact with infected animals highlight the possibility of viral adaptation for efficient human-to-human transmission. Given the alarming speed of cross-species transmission in the span of a year, the article highlighted an urgent need to increase testing and surveillance in animals and humans, more personal protective equipment for farmers and other key occupations, expedited vaccine development, and campaigns to combat vaccine hesitancy.

Unfortunately, 2025 has also seen a significant dismantling of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies that contribute to the testing and monitoring of milk, wastewater, and other public health surveillance systems. 2025 has also witnessed a rise in vaccine-related misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. In a recent U.S. poll, nearly half of respondents were unable to determine whether claims regarding measles vaccines were true or false. Which may be why we are seeing one of the largest outbreaks of measles, a vaccine-preventable disease, in decades. (Ironically, wed declared measles to be eliminated from the U.S. in 2000.)

In short: Were facing the perfect storm for the next pandemic. We may get lucky, and sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 might never occurbut if it does, we may not detect it in time. Without robust monitoring systems, we could miss the early warning signs until its too late. And even if we do detect it, our population may not accept the vaccines or other preventive measures necessary to stop viral spread.

So, what does this mean? Its time to revisit and update pandemic preparedness plans. But this time, we may have fewer surveillance tools and less data. For health care professionals, this could mean flying blind through the next crisis. And to make matters worse, trust in U.S. physicians and hospitals has plummetedfrom 71.5 percent in April 2020 to just 40.1 percent by January 2024making efforts to promote vaccination and other prevention measures even more difficult.

In these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that we educate our health care community on the basics of public health monitoring and effective health communications to low-trust populations. Without the infrastructure of the public health agencies, our students, residents, and practitioners will need to know where to get data, how to interpret it, and how to explain it to patients. Widespread, easily accessible coursework and continuing education credits on these topics will be key. In addition, we need far-reaching, proactive social media campaigns to combat the rampant disinformation our patients are bombarded with. Federal agencies wont have the funding or staffing resources to meet either of these needs. And state agencies are reeling from federal funding cuts as well. It will be up to individual universities, hospitals, and health care professionals to step up.

The next pandemic may already be unfolding. This is our call to action.

Tista S. Ghosh is an internal medicine physician and epidemiologist.
Law enforcement personnel and the public took time out of their day to remember fallen officers at the Vernon County Law Enforcement Memorial Service.

The service, which was held Tuesday, May 13, featured guest speaker Christian Malanka, retired chief of police, Idaho Springs Police Department, Colorado.

Malanka said he and fellow officers are wealthy.

We, you, have taken up service to others as a chapter in our lives, he said. It is not a wealth measured in silver and gold but one that is intrinsic it is a wealth many of us will realize and others may have been cheated of when they lay down their lives.

Malanka said his journey as a public safety provider began on his 21st birthday when he was sworn in as a United States Park Ranger.

And that day, like many of you, catapulted into this endeavor to make a small corner of the world a better place, a safer space. My journey has brought me from the Badlands of South Dakota to the Shenandoahs, New York City, the Appalachian Mountains and the Austin, Texas, Police Department where I spent just over 22 years, leaving there in 2015 

He said the last legs of his career journey have included the Rocky Mountains, the small town of Idaho Springs, and finally the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Where I am truly easing into retirement.

I cannot think of my lifes chapters and not think of those we memorialize this week around the country or the too often media coverage of a law enforcement officer who has been attacked or killed in the line of duty, Malanka said. We can all find comfort in knowing just how large our community is, how important fostering fundamental relationships are to our health and our success.

He said National Police Week not only provides an opportunity to remember and memorialize law enforcement personnel who lost their lives in service, but also gives members of the public safety community from all disciplines the opportunity to again reminisce about the endeavors, the adventures, the highs, the lows, the triumphs, as well as the horrific things we have witnessed in our careers, including the loss of our brothers and sisters. (If) we are lucky we will also recollect those events that remind us it mattered that we answered the call, that we came, we held the line, entered through dark doorways, and sometimes immersed ourselves in the tragedies of others.

We must recount daily and give thanks that we are safe, and we will return home to our loved ones and pray for those who did not

He said it was our collective duty to ensure fallen officers are not forgotten, and nor should the roughly 160 officers who take their own lives each year be forgotten.

Malanka advised officers to have a best friend and most trusted confidante. Malankas is his wife, Carol Welk, whos a Vernon County native.

Dont take your job lightly; its more than a paycheck, he said. Treat everyone with dignity. Train. Remember respect does not come with the badge, its earned. Remind yourself of the oath you took; do it frequently. Learn to understand that followership is an element of leadership. Respect your superiors and senior peers; absorb what they have to teach you. You may fill their shoes one day.

Become a great listener. Treat everyone as if they are important to someone you are about and convey as much dignity upon them as their behavior will permit. Communicate; dont go to bed or go to work angry. Find meaning to your life that complements your duty; do not let your duty become your life. Keep your faith or look for it.

Family before career and finally, give thanks daily; do not forget those, who like you, put it all on the line but will no longer know the joys of life. We do not need to know their names or recognize their faces to keep them in our hearts.

Vernon County officers remembered

During the service, Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson remembered the countys fallen officers  Deputy Sheriff Bobbie W. Dickson, Vernon County Sheriffs Office, who was killed when his squad car was struck head-on by a vehicle that lost control in a curve near Readstown on Aug. 8, 1986; Chief Michael G. Cook, Viola Police Department, who was involved in a one-vehicle accident while responding to an emergency call on Nov. 24, 1976; and Officer Curtis Starry, Viroqua Police Department, who was killed when his squad car was struck by a semi tanker truck; both vehicle burst into flames upon collision on March 13, 1953.

Other officers honored

Torgerson noted 165 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2024. This year its always sad to say so far 25 have lost their lives in the line of duty.

In 2024 there were 21 K-9 line of duty deaths, Torgerson said, including one from Wisconsin, K-9 Raiden with the Tomah Police Department who was hit and killed by a vehicle east of Tomah on March 4, 2024. So far in 2025 there have been eight K-9 deaths, he said.

Officers from across Wisconsin were also remembered by the sheriff  Corey Proulx and Richard Thayer, who died in 2024, and Erik Lee and Dylan Bellamy, who both died earlier this year.

Let us never forget their service to our communities, Torgerson said.
The International Owl Center in Houston is making progress toward its high-flying $17.3 million goal for a new facility.

So far, over $1.5 million has been raised, according to executive director Karla Bloem.

Still got a ways to go, but hey, itll happen, she said.

The new Minnesota facility is expected to be more welcoming for visitors, improve meeting spaces and will allow the center to house its owls on site. Right now they have to commute to work each day.

This travel time leads to the some ornery owls unwilling to go to work. In fact, one of the owls is expected to be on a continuous strike until the new facility is built.

The new facility will also allow for more types of owls, including those that might not be native or adaptable to the Houston area and its climate.

Its going to be fantastic, Bloem said.

The new center promises some basic, but important upgrades:

A parking lot for visitors

More than one restroom

Additional programing space

Acoustically separated and private office spaces to conduct in-person and online meetings

The new center, which will be at the citys Trailhead Park, will include other features as well.

This is going to be a groundbreaking facility. Its going to be the first-walk through owl aviaries in the United States, said Bloem. Theyve been done in Europe, and I think theres one in Canada, but nobodys ever done it in the U.S.

International Owl Center Address: 126 E Cedar St., Houston, Minnesota Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday Information: www.internationalowlcenter.org, 507-896-6957

The facility will be built on six properties the group owns. Structures on the property have already been razed, and the site is being leveled and will have grass planted on it.

The center now has only one program room, leading to closures on multiple days a week to accommodate different programing. With the new facility, there will be at least two rooms.

Online programming is now done from Bloems home because the facility is too noisy. The new building will offer more acoustic separation. Right now, the only room with a door is the bathroom. So no online discussions or meetings can be done when the facility is open to the public.

She believes the new facility will help build businesses up in the centers small hometown.

We dont have enough people in our community to support everything that we really want to have in our community, and bringing in tourists who also want some of those same things, like restaurants , thats going to support those kinds of businesses so that the rest of the people who live here can enjoy those things also, Bloem said.

She said the citys business scene is already growing with the openings of Owl City Cycles and Money Creek Outfitters.

Donors for the project have come from near and far.

Anybody that walks in the door from anywhere in the world is a potential donor for us, Bloem said.

A person from Nebraska recently stopped by to donate $10,000, she said. The center had never made contact with the donor before.

Another person who passed away earlier this year donated a brokerage and an IRA account totaling about $90,000. The center had no record or previous contact with the person, who had lived in La Crosse.

Exciting is probably a good word for the capital campaign because theres just so many generous people, and they pop out of the woodwork, Bloem said.

The local community has also been supportive, she said. The goal is to finish fundraising before construction begins.

If you build it and then take out a nice, big fat loan, theres not a whole lot of urgency for people to donate, Bloem said.

Construction could be completed in two phases, with the main building completed first and then the aviaries.

The campaign can be supported in many ways. To give funds directly, people can donate online or mail a check.

Theres kind of some creative ways that people can give also, Bloem said.

Legacy giving and stock donations are options. Additionally, Bloem said that a farmer, for example, could donate a load of corn or beans.

Another way to help is just by spreading the word about the center and its campaign to others.

For more information about the project and donating, visit www.internationalowlcenter.org/future.
Country

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An electrical distribution substation that is near the end of its useful lifecycle may now be reconstructed, after about two years of planning and discussion.

Members of the Lake Geneva City Council unanimously approved a precise implementation plan, May 12, to allow representatives from the Wisconsin Power & Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, to reconstruct an electrical distribution substation located near the Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St.

Lake Geneva Plan Commission members unanimously approved the precise implementation plan for the project, April 21.

Wisconsin Power & Light Company officials have said the current downtown electrical distribution substation, which has been in operation for about 88 years, should be replaced because it is near the end of its useful lifecycle and will not meet the city's future electrical needs.

As part of the project, representatives from Wisconsin Power & Light Company plan to construct a 7-foot retaining wall on the south side of the property and a 9-foot fence on top of the retaining wall and around the perimeter of the substation.

Jackie Mich, city planning consultant for Vandewalle & Associates, Inc., said the appearance of the retaining wall is set to coincide with the exterior appearance of the Geneva Lake Museum.

"Right now there is this wire fence enclosing the substation, so I feel this concrete brick pattern will look really nice with the historical museum," Mich said during the April 21 Plan Commission meeting. "It should be a great improvement over what we're seeing right now."

Wisconsin Power & Light Company officials also are set to install two new 48-foot transmission poles which will coincide with a current 70-foot transmission pole.

"Those are three feet taller than what we would normally permit," Mich said of the 48-foot transmission poles. "Wisconsin Power & Light stated they needed those for the operation of the substation and the existing pole that is almost 70 feet. That is not going anywhere. That will remain in place."

The project is set to begin in September 2026 and be completed in the spring of 2027.

Greg Ardey, project manager for the Wisconsin Power & Light Company, said company officials want to be have the project completed before Lake Geneva's summer tourism season.

"We know the traffic situation," Ardey said. "Ideally, we would like to have the project done by the March/April timeframe depending on the ground conditions for installing the underground components."

Jessica Bahr, Alliant Energy representative, said company officials will work closely with representatives from the Geneva Lake Museum to make sure the project does not affect their programs and events, including the Parade of Trees which is conducted during the holiday season.

"We were also trying to plan around the museum's activities," Bahr said. "I notice they have one annual activity during the winter, so there will be coordination for parking if necessary during that timeframe."

Ardey said, during the course of the project, electrical power to the downtown area will be supplied by electrical distribution substations located in the northern and southern areas of the community.

"We will take the substation out of service and back fade from our south Lake Geneva station and our north Lake Geneva station," Ardey said. "We really have to, to have the station up and running in March or April as the loads increase from more people being here. So, things will be a bit compromised, I would say, for a little bit because the station will be out of service."

Ardey said part of the reason why the project will not begin until 2026 is because equipment for the substation still needs to be ordered and the company is still being affected by supply chain issues related to COVID.

"We have ordered nothing for this project. We needed an okay before we can go ordering components," Ardey said. "The system has not recovered from the delays going back to COVID and the supply chain is still struggling to keep up."

What about the birds?

During the Plan Commission meeting, former Alderwoman Peg Esposito said she is concerned that the height of the retaining wall and transmission poles would impact the chimney swifts that fly down the museum's chimney.

"We haven't quite figured out how much of a turning space they use for getting into the chimney at the museum," Esposito said. "But we're hoping that you will work with the museum and look at the placement of the high things that you have and maybe keep them out of the circular motion that the swifts really need in order to come there, because it really could discourage the swifts from ever coming back again."

Victoria Ross, Lake Geneva Avian Committee member, said the swifts often migrate back to the Lake Geneva area around August and September, about the time the project is scheduled to begin, and requested that the project be started later in the fall season.

Ross also said members of the Avian Committee usually conduct their annual Swift Night Out program at the museum in September, and she is concerned that the project could negatively affect the event.

"It's great that it's going to be in September but the swifts are doing their migration in August and the middle of September," Ross said. "So, the construction would be best if it was after that migration because we have a very well recognized program, so we would need access to the museum for that spectacular event at the end of the night."

Ardey said the transmission poles and retaining wall would be constructed so they would not affect the swifts. He also said the poles probably would not be installed until early 2027.

"We are definitely going to work with the Avian Committee to make sure there are no interruptions," Ardey said. "What we're looking at, even in the installation, we're probably talking January and February before those poles go in place, anyway, well away from the August and October timeframe, because we wouldn't be prepared for that actually."

Two-year process

Representatives from the Wisconsin Power & Light Company have been presenting plans for replacing the electrical distribution substation for about two years.

Company officials presented a plan in 2023 to purchase about 2.5 acres of land on the Hillmoor property to construct a new electrical distribution substation. They had requested that the land use for the property be changed from public park and recreation to industrial and community service in the city's comprehensive plan.

Members of the Plan Commission unanimously denied the proposed land use change in November 2023, preventing the substation from being constructed.

Several city officials and residents expressed concerns about the substation being located on the Hillmoor property and near Eastview Elementary School and requested that company officials find an alternative location for the substation.

Officials from the Wisconsin Power & Light Company then proposed, in 2024, to reconstruct the substation near the museum.

Members of the Lake Geneva City Council approved a general development plan, Dec. 9, 2024, to allow Wisconsin Power & Light Company representatives to reconstruct the substation.

Alderman Joel Hoiland said he is pleased that a solution has been determined for replacing the downtown substation.

"I'm excited that we're at this stage because I think this is something we had talked about and wanted," Hoiland said.

Bahr said she is looking forward to working with city officials on the project.

"I think this is our best option, and I think that we've worked really hard with the city to come closer to the final decision," Bahr said.
Three Japanese gunmen have opened fire on crowds at Lod International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, killing 26 people and injuring dozens more.

The three men arrived on an Air France flight from Paris and once their luggage had come through to the baggage hall, they drew out automatic guns and hand grenades and fired randomly at anybody in sight.

One of the men ran out onto the tarmac, shot passengers disembarking an El Al flight and then killed himself with his own hand grenade.

A second man was shot by security guards and a third was arrested.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said they had recruited the gunmen from the Japanese Red Army and said they came from thousands of miles away to join the Palestinian people in their struggle.

In a statement, they said the raid was an act of revenge for killing two Arab hijackers who attempted to take a plane at Lod airport on 8 May.

Among the victims were 11 Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land from Puerto Rico.

A leading Israeli scientist Professor Aharon Katzir, aged 62, was also killed. He was professor of chemistry at the Weizmann Institute of Science and former president of the Israel Academy of Sciences.

All incoming airliners were diverted to Cyprus until authorities had taken control of the situation.

Israels defence minister, Moshe Dayan and Transport Minister, Shimon Peres, arrived at the airport soon after the attack to witness a scene of carnage, with dead and dying people all across the terminal.

Israeli officials are expected to call on all international airports to improve their security measures.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The two gunmen who died were later named as Kyoto university student Takeshi Okudaira, codenamed Giro, and Yasuyuki Yasuda, also a student. All three had been trained in Baalbeck, Lebanon, and had planned to commit suicide after their mission was completed.

The surviving gunman, Kozo Okamoto, was tried in June 1972 and given a life sentence, in spite of his pleas to be allowed to shoot himself.

He spent 13 years in jail in Israel before being released in a prisoner exchange with the Palestinians. He was given asylum in Lebanon where he is regarded as a hero and converted to Islam.

Lod, or Lydda, airport has since been renamed Ben Gurion Airport and has some of the strictest airport security in the world.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai recently met Vice Minister Cao Xuetao of the National Health Commission to discuss the development of the Big Health industry and healthcare professional training. Sam expressed gratitude for the Commissions ongoing support and highlighted the recent opening of the Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. He emphasized plans to deepen cooperation with the Greater Bay Area and enhance medical training and talent exchange to boost healthcare standards in Macau.

Related
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. yesterday (Macau time) announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women  a move immediately questioned by several public health experts.

In a 58-second video posted on the social media site X, Kennedy said he removed COVID-19 shots from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendations for those groups.

No one from the CDC was in the video, and CDC officials referred questions about the announcement to Kennedy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

No other details were released, and HHS officials did not immediately respond to questions about how the decision was made.

Some doctors and public health leaders called the move concerning and confusing.

Theres no new data or information, just them flying by the seat of their pants, said Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

U.S. health officials, following recommendations by infectious disease experts, have been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older.
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045 unveiled on Monday at the 46th ASEAN Summit in the Malaysian capital indicates the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is putting sustainable and inclusive development at the forefront for the next 20 years.

Anwar Ibrahim, prime minister of Malaysia, this years rotating chair of ASEAN, said, The future we seek must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion. ASEANs integration must be genuinely people-centered. That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens.

With that vision for the following two decades, anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust, ASEAN has demonstrated it is clearheaded that seeking common development has been and should continue to be a core mission of all its member states so that they can better respond to emerging challenges.

What gives the blueprint practical meaning is the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, an action plan the grouping adopted on the same day following the declaration, along with its accompanying strategic plans across four pillars, namely political-security community, economic community, socio-cultural community, and ASEAN connectivity.

As ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told the media, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 is meant to serve as a pragmatic 20-year strategic road map to guide the regions development amid global uncertainties. These four strategic plans are designed to guide ASEAN on how to prioritize its work while upholding unity, solidarity, and ASEAN centrality, he said, adding that the road map also recognizes the need to work closely with external partners, including dialogue, sectoral and global partners.

China and ASEAN have been each others largest trading partner for years. With the conclusion of negotiations on Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the two sides look set to promote the China-ASEAN community with a shared future at a higher level.

And the to-do list settled by the summit reflects the potential for the two sides to deepen their cooperation in relevant fields tapping into their structural complementarity.

The four pillars of ASEAN development for the next 20 years also coincide with the major fields in which the two sides agree to strengthen their coordination, collaboration and communication. That is also in line with the joint pursuit of most developing countries, including China, to uphold their strategic autonomy  including in the financial and trade sector  to safeguard their legal rights and interests in the face of the rise of unilateralism and hegemony.

Strengthening across-the-board cooperation with China is of strategic significance to helping ASEAN realize its aspiration of becoming a prosperous single market with a highly skilled and inclusive workforce, productivity and innovation-driven growth, while incorporating sustainability throughout the value chain.

China, along with other emerging market economies, hopes that through the new updated vision ASEAN can develop into a major player in the global economy, anchored on sustainable growth and good governance, empowered by advanced technologies, and responsive to emerging opportunities, becoming an important power maintaining regional peace and stability and contributing to common development and global economic growth.

Taking advantage of its close connection with the world economy as a global manufacturing base, China is also willing to serve as a bridge between ASEAN and the rest of the world.

The inaugural trilateral meeting, proposed by Malaysia, carries special significance and is likely to become a new platform to consolidate the strength of the Global South, promote cross-regional common development and facilitate mutual learning between civilizations.

[Abriged]

Editorial, China Daily
Youd be forgiven for looking around Andrei Kozlovs studio, dotted with paintings inspired by his eight months as a hostage of Hamas, and seeing only darkness  canvases splashed with gray and ocher, guns tucked into waistbands or resting against a wall, moments of angst and disbelief and pain.

He is a free man now, who often lets a wide smile spread across his face, who cant believe his luck of surviving it all, and who urges you to look further.

A painting of a blackened street his captors led him down is drowned in darkness, but in the distance is a sliver of cerulean sky. A screaming mans reflection is caught, but its in a mirror on a bubblegum-pink wall. A house beside barren trees is seen in the desolation of night, but its windows glow with lamplight.

When youre surrounded by something dark, the 28-year-old Kozlov says, standing in a shared art studio he works at in the Hudson Yards neighborhood of New York, there always can be light inside.

Nearly a year after his release from captivity, Kozlov is familiar with juxtapositions.

He is mostly happy and well-adjusted, able to matter-of-factly describe his ordeal, but sometimes returns in his mind to what he went through. He is alive and filled with gratitude but feels the weight of those not yet free. He is no longer a hostage but knows the world may always see him as one.

I will be a former hostage forever, he says. It will forever be a part of my life.

Captured while working at music festival

Kozlov grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia, but had long felt a sense of wanderlust. After serving a mandatory year in the military, he decided he wanted to live in Israel, arriving in August 2022 and taking part in Masa, a gap-year program that included an internship in motion design at a Tel Aviv company. His life was carefree, reflected in Instagram posts of beaches, biking, surfing, road-tripping and otherwise enjoying the days of a relaxed, unemployed 20-something.

That ended on Oct. 7, 2023, the deadliest day in Israels history. Kozlov had picked up a job working security at the Tribe of Nova music festival in southern Israel close to the Gaza border, barely sleeping in two nights keeping watch for ticketless intruders. On his third morning, daybreak unleashed hours of chaos and confusion, the sound of gunfire, mad dashes for escape, scaling down a cliff and ultimately being led to a vehicle that Kozlov believed would bring him to safety. He hadnt been killed, he rationalized, so he would be rescued. He never considered kidnapping.

He sent no messages to his family. He was sure he would survive. Hed be home by night, he thought.

Soon, though, Kozlov was in Gaza, tied with rope. Reality set in. Guns were aimed and blows were delivered. He was certain he knew what would come next.

You are sure that you will spend the last moments of your life like that, he says, and maybe tomorrow they will kill you.

Those first days of Kozlovs captivity were a disgusting, terrible hell. Over eight months, he says he was held in eight different houses, guarded by a rotating cast of two dozen militants who lived beside him.

Some, he said, feigned compassion; others treated their captives as animals. In some holding sites, he slept on a wet, sticky mattress that stunk of mold; others had far better conditions. Ropes were replaced by chains until restraints were removed altogether. He knows it could have been far worse.

They didnt pull out my nails, he says. They didnt torture me with electroshock.

Card games, prayers and drawings

In time, a weird normalcy set in. He spent time picking up Arabic from his captors and Hebrew from fellow hostages. Theyd talk of music and women and life before. Days passed in endless hands of cards or invented games like listing 10 Will Smith movies or 100 songs with the word love in the title.

Hed muse about escaping, but knew hed never make it out alive. Sometimes, he wondered if he could telekinetically send a message to his parents. At others, this agnostic found himself trying to talk to God.

After a few months, his captors provided a small mercy: A pencil and a thin notebook.

Kozlov knew he had artistic talent from childhood, but it was a pastime that came and went. Sometimes, years went by without drawing. Now, with nothing but time, he drew daily  cartoonish aliens and Don Corleone of The Godfather and the summer home in Russia where he spent his happiest days of youth.

He wrote out goals, too. To go home the same person, or maybe better. To use his skills. To be free.

And, on the 247th day, it came. Israeli Defense Forces burst into the house in the Nuseirat refugee camp where Kozlov was held  a dramatic operation that rescued him and three other hostages, and killed at least 274 Palestinians caught in the cross-fire and an Israeli commando. In a moment, he was outside, feeling sun on his face for the first time in months, a Coke in his hand and a cigarette at his lips. A helicopter whirred him to safety.

Euphoria, he says. Youre able to feel fresh air, to see a sea, beach, sand, sky without any clouds.

He calls it the best day of his life.

With freedom, scars and hope

In the days that followed, hed be reunited with his family, crumpling and bawling at his mothers feet at a hospital outside Tel Aviv, and recognized by passersby as that hostage on the news. Some nights, hed wake up thinking he was back on that sticky mattress. Some days he had to pinch himself to believe he was truly free.

Sometimes I feel what it means to have a war and sometimes I feel the pain of every hostage, he says. I feel pain of families who dont know where their loved ones are right now.  I feel pain of people who left their houses in the south. I feel the pain of all the people who lost their houses. I feel pain.

He says the vast majority of the time, he feels fine, but a day or so a month, the darkness returns. He spent his first few months of freedom in Israel, then traveling in the U.S. He was back in Israel for a time earlier this year, but found too many triggers, so he returned to the U.S.

Along the way, hes made good on his goal, working on his art.

In his studio space a block from the Hudson River, hes finalizing a planned exhibition of his work  a series of mostly acrylic paintings showing his capture, captivity and release. He wants to finish a few more pieces influenced by his time as a hostage before pivoting to new inspirations.

Maybe hell flit off to New Zealand, he says. Maybe hell write a book. So many doors are open to him. Maybe art will become his life and his work will be filled with color and happiness.

He sees that joy even in the paintings others might insist are dark.

Its not dark, he says. Its about hope. MATT SEDENSKY, NEW YORK, MDT/AP
The government is considering prioritizing the hiring of local workers in public works tendering procedures.

Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam recently convened a meeting to discuss optimizing public works tendering processes and encouraging young people to join the construction industry, meeting with representatives from six local construction industry associations.

Regarding the optimization of public works tender procedures, a press release from Tams office on Tuesday stated that authorities will explore replacing the traditional lowest bidder wins model with a reasonable price approach to ensure smooth progress and quality completion of public works.

The Secretary noted that this initiative arises from past projects being affected by abnormally low bid prices, which impacted engineering quality and progress.

He believes, as cited by the statement, the proposed measure will improve the bidding process, encourage fair competition among businesses in the industry, and contribute to long-term growth and sustainability.

The statement also emphasized the opportunities for entry, training and promotion provided to local workers, especially young people. In light of this, according to the statement, future tender documents must include requirements to prioritize hiring local workers, set minimum hiring proportions where feasible, and encourage successful bidders to gradually increase the proportion of local workers in technical, managerial and professional roles.

The statement noted that the representatives expressed support for the new measures during the meeting.

In an interview with public broadcaster TDM, Leong Chong In, chairperson of the Macau Architects Association, said he believes these measures will significantly benefit the industrys development.

He also suggested that future processes should incorporate institutional and scientific methods, such as inviting bids and conducting lotteries, to ensure fairer participation in the bidding system.

Meanwhile, during a recent session of the Legislative Assembly, lawmaker Leong Hong Sai raised concerns about the lack of young people entering the local construction industry.

He inquired whether the government would consider leveraging Hong Kongs experience to promote smart construction and train more local talent for the sector.

Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) director Chan Un Tong responded that, in practical efforts to assist young people with job placement, it is clear that the construction industry is not the first choice for many.

He said the DSAL has been collaborating with several public entities to continuously gather information on job vacancies across various positions and make this information accessible to the public through established mechanisms.

Additionally, roles such as safety officers and safety supervisors are being created to attract young local people to the construction industry.
The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) led a local delegation to the 2025 Beijing Live E-Commerce Shopping Festival, co-hosted by Beijings commerce authorities. A cooperation agreement was signed between the Beijing Electronic Commerce Association and the Macau Live Broadcast Association to enhance digital economy collaboration. Major platforms such as JD.com, Meituan, and Douyin launched promotions to boost spending. The event also featured 60 Macau-made products in a dedicated Macau Quality Products Exhibition Zone, promoting local brands to a wider audience.

Related
MGM has once again partnered with the Association for Promotion of Science and Technology of Macau (MAPST) and the Chinese Society of Astronautics (CSA) to launch the 2025 edition of the Macau Space Dream Project.

The initiative officially opened recently at MGM Macau, attracting over 350 local students, teachers, and technology professionals.

As Macaus first educational program dedicated to space science and payload technology, the project includes two key components: a creative design competition for secondary students and an experiential space-themed camp for primary students.

Activities will feature expert-led classes, interactive workshops, and study tours to aerospace facilities in Mainland China.

Outstanding students may also visit the Poly MGM Museum and take part in the Macau 2049 technology show.
Six people remained missing and search and rescue efforts continued yesterday after an explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China shook nearby buildings, killing at least five people and injuring 19.

The blast on Tuesday, occurring in an industrial park in the city of Weifang, in Shandong province, knocked out windows at nearby buildings and spewed a thick plume of white smoke, according to videos shared on social media. It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.

Zhang Liyou, who runs a restaurant about 1 kilometer away from the explosion site, was serving lunch when the blast occurred, shattering the restaurants windows and causing part of its ceiling paneling to collapse.

Fortunately, neither him nor the handful of diners were harmed, he told The Associated Press.

The explosion occurred at a plant owned by Gaomi Youdao Chemical Co., a producer of pesticides and chemicals for medical use with more than 500 employees, according to corporate registration records.

Local fire officials sent more than 230 personnel to the scene, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The owner of another restaurant, located more than 3 kilometers away from the explosion site, said she felt a shake akin to a small earthquake. Some cracks formed in the double-glazed windows of the restaurant, but otherwise, there was no substantial damage, said Zhang, who only wanted to give her surname.

A student at a school about one kilometer away from the plant told state-run news site The Paper that he heard an explosion and saw dirt-yellow smoke, tainted with redness, rising from the plant. He said there was a funny smell, and all students were given masks and told not to remove them.

A staffer at the local environment bureau told The Paper that a team was dispatched to the scene to monitor potential pollution but had yet to report back.

The blast came less than two weeks after the National Ministry of Emergency Management held a workshop on preventing and controlling risks in the chemical industry, as Beijing urged officials at chemical industrial parks to boost their capabilities in managing hazardous chemicals.

Last year, the chemical plant was cited for safety risks at least twice, but in September it was praised by the Weifang Emergency Management Bureau for relying on party members to effectively manage workplace risks.

Specifically, party members at Gaomi Youdao identified more than 800 safety hazards in the first eight months of 2024 and rectified all of them, the bureau said.

Workplace safety has improved over the years in China but remains a stubborn problem. The National Ministry of Emergency Management recorded 21,800 incidents and 19,600 deaths in 2024.

A warehouse complex storing large amounts of hazardous chemicals caught fire and exploded in Tianjin in 2015, leaving 173 dead or missing.

In 2019, 78 people were killed in a blast at a chemical plant in Yancheng in Chinas eastern coastal province of Jiangsu. MDT/AP
The Trump administration asked federal agencies to cancel contracts with Harvard University worth about $100 million, intensifying the presidents clash with the nations oldest and wealthiest university.

The government already has canceled more than $2.6 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school, which has pushed back on the administrations demands for changes to several of its policies.

A letter sent yesterday (Macau time) from the General Services Administration, which oversees contracting and real estate for the federal government, directed agencies to review contracts with the university and seek alternate arrangements.

The New York Times first reported on the letter.

President Donald Trump has railed against Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and antisemitism. The school filed a lawsuit April 21 over the administrations calls for changes to the universitys leadership, governance and admissions policies. Since then, the administration has slashed the schools federal funding, moved to cut off enrollment of international students and threatened its tax-exempt status.

Contracts include scientific research, executive training

The administration has identified about 30 contracts across nine agencies to be reviewed for cancellation, according to an administration official who was not authorized to speak publicly and provided details on the condition of anonymity.

The contracts total roughly $100 million, according to a senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations. The contracts include executive training for Department of Homeland Security officials, research on health outcomes related to energy drinks and a contract for graduate student research services.

Agencies with contracts that are deemed critical are being directed not to halt them immediately, but to devise a plan to transition to a vendor other than Harvard.

The letter applies only to federal contracts with Harvard and not its remaining research grants.

Trump threatens to give Harvards funding to trade schools

Trump laid into Harvard on social media over the weekend, threatening to cut an additional $3 billion in federal grants and give it to trade schools across the United States. He did not explain which grants he was referring to or how they could be reallocated.

The president also accused Harvard of refusing to release the names of its foreign students. In a new line of attack, he argued that students home countries pay nothing toward their education and that some of the countries are not at all friendly to the United States.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but Harvard offers its own aid to foreign and domestic students alike.

We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country, Trump said on social media.

It was not clear exactly what the president was referring to. The federal government already has access to visa information and other records on foreign students at Harvard and other universities.

The Department of Homeland Security has demanded that Harvard turn over a trove of files related to its foreign students, including disciplinary records and records related to dangerous or violent activity.

Harvard says it complied, but the agency said its response fell short and moved to revoke the universitys ability to enroll foreign students. A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the move after Harvard sued.

Harvard rallies against Trump administration

Trump administration officials have said some of Harvards international students are promoting antisemitism on campus. But the ban on international students has nothing to do with combating antisemitism, said Jacob Miller, a former president of Harvard Hillel, who is graduating this week with math and economics concentrations.

Antisemitism is a real problem. Its a problem at Harvard. Its a problem in our country, Miller said Tuesday at a rally outside Harvard Yard. These policies will do nothing to combat this age-old hatred. Instead, they are designed to divide us.  The Jewish community rejects this administrations narrative. We will not allow our identities to be invoked to destroy Harvard.

Harvard President Alan Garber earlier this month said the university has made changes to its governance over the past year and a half, including a broad strategy to combat antisemitism. He said Harvard would not budge on its its core, legally-protected principles over fears of retaliation.

Harvards international students await further court rulings to find out whether they can enroll in summer or fall classes. Some say theyre discussing backup plans.

The governments ban would not apply to students graduating this week, such as Jemma Liu, a Chinese student who studied landscape architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

I hope the situation will resolve, she said Tuesday. Well have to see what happens next. But I do feel a privilege that I can actually graduate tomorrow.

What the international students are caught in right now is just a limbo, said Leo Gerden, a graduating senior from Sweden. DARLENE SUPERVILLE, COLLIN BINKLEY & LEAH WILLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP
Following an incident in which a driver allegedly assaulted a police officer while parking illegally, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak warned the public yesterday that endorsing or glorifying criminal behavior is against the law.

On Sunday afternoon, a local male truck driver in his 60s was stopped by a traffic police officer for illegal parking on Rua do Passadico.

During the stop, he brandished a metal hydraulic jack and drove away.

Footage circulating online shows the police officer pursuing the truck to the intersection of Rua do Padre Antonio Roliz, where he stopped it.

The driver exited the truck in an agitated state and attacked the officers with the hydraulic rod, injuring the officers arm and damaging police equipment.

As the officer approached to issue a warning, the driver used vulgar language and threatened him with the rod, according to a statement by the Public Security Police Force (PSP) that evening.

Despite being warned and asked for identification, the driver ignored the request and fled [] He was eventually subdued by the officer, an off-duty officer nearby, and a member of the public.

The driver was arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution Office (MP), where he has been charged with aggravated assault, causing grievous bodily harm, aggravated damage, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to a statement from prosecutors released Tuesday, the driver is currently subject to mandatory measures, including posting bail, reporting regularly to the police station, and a travel ban.

Amid ongoing discussions on social media about the incident, the Times has observed many comments overwhelmingly supporting the attacker, alleging police officers generally display a hostile attitude.

During a briefing on the first quarter 2025 crime statistics and law enforcement data attended by the Secretary for Security, questions arose about the authorities response to this incident, the effectiveness of Macaus police training system, and measures being taken to restore public trust.

In response, Wong emphasized the gravity of the incident, stating it constituted a serious case and a criminal offense. s

This is not comparable. There is no comparison between the police actions and the enforcement in this case; the enforcement was not problematic, Wong said, referencing Penal Code Articles 286 and 287 to assert that online comments supporting the attackers behavior also constitute a crime.

The Secretary pointed out that, as always, all police officers are trained to be people-oriented, exercising empathy and integrity in law enforcement, with a strong sense of public service and dedication to the community.

This will always be the case, and we will continue to strengthen our people-oriented approach to law enforcement, he stated.

He reaffirmed that police officers have duties such as traffic control, law enforcement, and maintaining order, and urged residents to cooperate. If anyone believes police officers have violated laws, they should report it through official channels, but must not threaten officers or retaliate for their actions.
Since the negotiations to end the Ukraine war began, the liberals and their mouthpieces have been at pains to present Putin as a stubborn obstacle to peace, and Zelensky and his allies as begging for a ceasefire. Now, Trumps remark that Putin has gone absolutely crazy has seemingly vindicated their warnings.

But behind their propaganda offensive is the fact that they are absolutely terrified of peace in Ukraine. For the Europeans in particular, peace  which would inevitably mean acknowledging a defeat to Russia  would be a disaster which would speed up the US withdrawal from the continent, leaving them alone to face a strengthened opponent to their east, and intensifying all of the crises and pressures that are ripping the European Union apart.

Really, they are the warmongers. They would like nothing better than for Trump to see the light, dispense with talks and put the USs weight behind Ukraine again, dragging out this unwinnable war even further. For that reason, they are doing everything they can to pin Trump down and provoke Russia. Friedrich Merz, for example, yesterday announced that Ukraines allies would be scrapping all range limits on weapons sent to Ukraine!

The question is all the more acute for the Europeans because of the political crises facing the entire continent. Last week's elections in Portugal and Romania once again showed the continued rise of right-wing populists, who have been able to ride to prominence on the back of seething anti-establishment hatred.

In response to these blows to the established order, The Financial Times commented that all the centrist governments need to do is deliver. But how can they deliver when the economy is lacklustre and they are having to increase military spending, for which they will inevitably make the poor foot the bill? What they dont understand is that at the bottom of these upsets is the crisis of capitalism, which no capitalist cabinet, no matter how sensible, will be able to solve.

Nor are things rosy for the US economy. Trump has managed to pass his big beautiful bill this week, which cuts taxes for the rich and cuts spending on the poor. It also adds $4 trillion to the US deficit, which has set alarm bells ringing in stock markets all over the world. For decades, the US has been a safe haven for capitalists. Now, amid unprecedented instability, investors are questioning if the US government will be able to repay their debts. This has huge implications for the world economy.

To explain where the world is going, Niklas Albin Svenson and Hamid Alizadeh from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International met for another episode of Against the Stream, the weekly current affairs podcast of the RCI.

Against the Stream premieres weekly on YouTube. Tune in every Thursday at 6pm London time, or catch up on Spotify or Apple Music.
In a solemn and historic moment, Namibia marked its inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day on May 28, 2025, honouring the memory of more than 100,000 Ovaherero and Nama lives extinguished during the brutal campaign of extermination waged by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908.

Held in the capital, Windhoek, the commemoration was led by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who offered a poignant reckoning with the past, denouncing the genocide as a crime against humanity and a stain that continues to demand justice, remembrance, and redress.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke with gravity and grace, invoking the suffering of those who perished in concentration camps and the indignities endured by survivors. She recalled the grotesque act of shipping human remains to Europe for pseudo-scientific researcha wound still felt in the national psyche. Yet, amid the pain, she urged unity and resilience, calling on affected communities to continue pursuing reparative dialogue with the German government. Acknowledging Berlins official apology, the president admitted that consensus on reparations remains elusive, but expressed cautious optimism for a just outcome through continued engagement.

The establishment of Genocide Remembrance Day follows years of national consultation and parliamentary advocacy, culminating in the choice of May 28a day etched in sorrow as the date when German colonial authorities ordered the closure of concentration camps in 1907. The event drew hundreds, including descendants of the victims, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps. Candles were lit, traditional garments donned, and ancestral voices invoked. More than a ceremony, the day stood as a collective pledge: that Namibia will not forget, will not be silenced, and will continue to confront its colonial past with dignity and unwavering resolve.
The grim discovery of a boat carrying 11 lifeless bodies on the shores of Canouan, a tranquil island in St Vincent and the Grenadines, has cast on May 28 a haunting spotlight on the desperate journeys undertaken by migrants fleeing West Africa. Though the exact identities remain unconfirmed, passports found onboard suggest the victims were from Malia nation ravaged by conflict, food insecurity, and economic collapse. The 45-foot vessel, grounded in Little Bay, mirrors a chilling incident months earlier in St Kitts and Nevis, where another boat from Mali washed ashore with 13 bodies onboard.

United Nations officials believe these individuals may have been attempting to navigate the treacherous Atlantic route to reach the Canary Islandsa path increasingly favoured by those fleeing violence and poverty. Eujin Byun, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency, noted the boats modest size rendered a journey to the Caribbean improbable, suggesting the vessel may have drifted off course or been part of a failed smuggling attempt.

As smuggling networks exploit gaps in international monitoring, the Atlantic corridor has become a silent graveyard for many whose voices are drowned in waves of neglect and desperation.

Malis crisis is emblematic of a wider breakdown across the Sahel, where more than 6.4 million people require humanitarian aid and over 1.5 million are food insecure. Since 2012, armed conflict, extremist violence, and political instability have uprooted families and dismantled services. Refugees often find little reprieve in neighbouring countries, pushing them towards increasingly perilous routes.

Desperate people make desperate decisions, Ms Byun lamented, highlighting the need for urgent international focus on the Atlantic migration route, before more ghost boats silently echo their sorrow across foreign shores.
In a rare moment of national introspection, Senegal has opened on May 28 a far-reaching political dialogue aimed at reshaping the countrys democratic futurenot in reaction to crisis, but in pursuit of enduring reform.

Held at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center in Diamniadio, this week-long forum brings together a broad spectrum of societypoliticians, civic leaders, clergy, and citizenswith the shared intent of forging a resilient and inclusive political framework. The initiative marks a symbolic shift from reactive politics to proactive governance, underscoring the leaderships ambition to institutionalise democratic renewal beyond the pressures of electoral calendars.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, speaking at the opening on May 28, positioned the dialogue as a historic opportunity to recalibrate national governance. Framing the moment as one of tranquillity rather than turmoil, he stressed the importance of collective reasoning over confrontation. More than 13,000 citizen proposals, gathered via the Jubbanti digital platform, have been submitted ahead of the sessionsreflecting the appetite among Senegalese for a participatory democracy that listens, adapts, and evolves. The presidents remarks suggested a long-term vision: not merely to reform for reforms sake, but to construct more beautiful pages in the national story.

Charged with guiding the conversation, dialogue facilitator Cheikh Gueye urged participants to embody a spirit of humility and shared purpose. The presence of diverse voicesfrom former prime ministers to grassroots civil society actorsunderscored the inclusive ethos of the process. As Senegal looks toward the future, this initiative offers more than just policy prescriptions; it signals a maturing democracy committed to internal reflection, citizen empowerment, and institutional reimagination. In a region often riven by instability, Senegal is scripting a different narrativeone where reform is not a response to rupture, but a covenant with progress.
A South African courtroom was reduced to tears on May 28 as a video of six-year-old Joshlin Smith laughing was played during sentencing proceedings for her mother and two co-accused, convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the little girl. Racquel Kelly Smith, a drug addict, was found guilty alongside her partner and a friend, all accused of selling Joshlin for a fraction of what Smith allegedly once claimed her children were worth. Despite the conviction, Joshlins whereabouts remain unknown, a haunting truth that continues to grip the nation more than a year after her disappearance.

Powerful victim impact statements, delivered in both Afrikaans and English, painted a devastating picture of the life Joshlin led and the void left behind. From her grandmothers anguish to her teachers tribute, the courtroom heard of a child neglected yet beloved by many, and a community betrayed by those meant to protect her. Family friend Natasha Andrews, who once tried to adopt Joshlin, shared a tender clip of the girl during a holidayan image of innocence that brought the courtroom to tears and underscored the loss felt by all.

The trial, which unfolded at a community centre in Saldanha Bay to allow public attendance, revealed grim details of the environment Joshlin was raised in: a shack, addiction-fuelled chaos, and parental indifference. A state witness recalled how the child was left home without clean uniforms the day she disappearedher absence unnoticed until nightfall. As South Africa confronts the wider crisis of child trafficking, the nation clings to hope that Joshlin might still be found, her memory kept alive in songs, poems, and the collective conscience of a grieving public.
The African Development Banks presidential election on May 29 promises intense competition as five candidates vie for control of the continents premier financial institution, with outcomes largely determined by the voting power of ten influential shareholders.

The candidates include Amadou Hott (Senegal), Swazi Bajabulile Tshabalala (South Africa), Sidi ould Tah (Mauritania), Samuel Munzele Maimbo (Zambia), and Mahamat Abbas Tolli (Chad). Unlike typical elections, voting power corresponds to capital contributions rather than the one-country-one-vote principle.

Nigeria leads with 9.333% of voting rights, followed by Egypt (6.330%), United States (6.092%), Japan (5.443%), and Algeria (5.331%). These top five shareholders, along with South Africa, Morocco, Germany, Canada, and France, collectively control 54.051% of voting rights, essentially determining the election outcome.

The complex voting system requires winners to secure dual majorities: 52.183% from African regional members and 54.05% from all members combined. Nigerias position proves particularly influential, representing 15.806% of regional member votes, making it the ultimate kingmaker in this contest.

Current dynamics show Zambias Samuel Munzele Maimbo claiming support from the Southern African Development Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, though South Africas competing candidacy complicates this backing. Mauritanias Sidi ould Tah reportedly enjoys support from Cote dIvoire, France, and Gulf states, while speculation suggests U.S. backing for Maimbo.

With most major shareholders keeping voting intentions private, intense lobbying continues in Abidjan during the Annual Meetings. The elections multi-round format allows for strategic vote transfers, adding further complexity to an already unpredictable race where regional rotation considerations and candidate profiles will ultimately determine who leads Africas development agenda.
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Credit: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs/CC BY 3.0 AU https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en

Reports of synthetic opioids contaminating Australia's drug supply highlight the concerning pace at which they are entering the country. The Australian Federal Police recently raised concerns after detecting nitazenes in counterfeit pharmaceutical products seized at Australian borders.

Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that are similar to the drug fentanyl, which is a major contributor to overdose deaths in the United States. Some nitazene compounds can be up to 50 times more potent than fentanyl. Nitazenes have a much faster onset of action (within 2 minutes) than opioids like heroin, reducing the time available to respond to overdoses.

To better understand the emerging threat of nitazenes and other new synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl analogs), a new study published today in the Drug and Alcohol Review explores what we currently know about these substances and their related harms in Australia.

The study, entitled "A scoping review of the emergence of novel synthetic opioids in Australian drug markets: what does this mean for harm reduction responses?" outlines several key findings:

Detections across the country: novel synthetic opioids were reported in every jurisdiction in Australia except for Tasmania, at the time of writing.

Mortality: there have been 22 confirmed deaths in Australia attributed to fentanyl analogs since 2013, and at least 22 confirmed nitazene-related deaths just in Victoria since 2021.

Monitoring capacity: Australia has the capacity to monitor harms caused by new synthetic opioids, but more needs to be done to detect these substances before people use them. The rapid evolution of nitazene variants makes it difficult for health and other surveillance systems to keep up.

Supply: availability and harms related to these substances are rapidly changing. There is limited understanding of whether people are knowingly seeking these substances.

Burnet senior research fellow and senior author on the paper Dr. Amanda Roxburgh, said Australia has seen increasing reports of these substances in the last couple of years.

"Public drug alerts are now picking up nitazenes as contaminants in drugs like MDMA, cocaine, and 3C-P, and increasingly in counterfeit pharmaceuticals," she said.

"People may be unaware they are consuming synthetic opioids and may not fully understand their potency or effects. That's what makes them particularly worrying, as people without any history of using opioids may be consuming nitazenes without realizing it."

The paper highlights the importance of harm reduction responses such as drug checking servicesalso known as pill testingwhere people can voluntarily submit drug samples for analysis to check for hidden or dangerous ingredients. It also emphasizes the need to expand the availability of take-home naloxone to a broader group of people who use drugs.

Naloxone is proven to be effective in reversing synthetic opioid overdoses.

The findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen these harm reduction responses across Australia.

Three jurisdictions in Australia have drug checking availablethe Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and New South Wales. The Queensland government closed its drug checking service in April this year.

"We need to be much better prepared to respond to the harms caused by synthetic opioids before these substances become more widespread," Dr. Roxburgh said. "Now is the time to strengthen how we respond on the front line."

More information: Emmanuel Mammoliti et al, A Scoping Review of the Emergence of Novel Synthetic Opioids in Australian Drug Markets: What Does This Mean for Harm Reduction Responses?, Drug and Alcohol Review (2025). DOI: 10.1111/dar.14079 Journal information: Drug and Alcohol Review
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Credit: Laura James from Pexels

For women at higher risk of breast cancer, there is a proven way to cut the risk in half: take an anti-cancer drug such as tamoxifen.

But this approach is more complicated than it sounds. Many women fear these drugs, which target estrogen production, for their reported side effects, such as hot flashes and joint pain. Deciding to go on long-term preventative care can also be an emotional challenge.

A University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Institute study suggests that a relatively new approach may be the secret to boosting the use of preventive therapies for breast cancer. It calls for leadership by nurse practitioners and physician assistantsknown as advanced practice providers (APPs)in concert with breast surgery and oncology physicians.

Kathleen Fitzpatrick, of Pittsford, mulled over preventative treatment with Wilmot nurse practitioner Crystal Regis. "Initially, I said, 'I'm not doing this,'" Fitzpatrick said. "But then I thought about it. If it were my husband, I'd want him to do it, and I realized he probably wants me to take it, too."

Fitzpatrick and Regis discussed several options and decided that a lower dose of tamoxifen for three years was a good compromise. Fitzpatrick would gain benefits while minimizing side effects to treat her stage 0 breast cancer.

"I really wanted to preserve as much capacity in this decade as I could," said the 71-year-old martial artist, who has a second-degree black belt. Being an active person, she was concerned about slowing down due to side effects like achy joints. However, after a year on low-dose tamoxifen, she is feeling well.

This interaction between the patient and her nurse practitioner is a fitting example of an alternative to the classic model of care, where typically an oncologist prescribes the risk-reduction drugs, said Anna Weiss, MD, senior author of the study and director of the Pluta Comprehensive Breast Program at Wilmot.

"Patients see APPs as 'people like them,' and not as a doctor who also gives chemotherapy," Weiss said. "And APPs are trained with the medical oncologists, so the patients are getting the best of everything: a relatable person and a highly skilled provider."

Inside the APP-run breast health clinic at Wilmot

Weiss established a specialized APP-run clinic in 2023. Regis and physician assistant Katie Bates are the primary health care providers at the clinic and co-authored the prevention study, which was published in Annals of Surgical Oncology.

The team analyzed data from more than 500 patients who were considering preventative breast cancer treatment. All women had either stage 0 breast cancer (known as DCIS or ductal carcinoma in situ) or a strong risk of invasive breast cancer. The data included patients seen by APPs at the clinic or medical doctors in the years prior to the clinic's opening.

The results:

40% of patients were prescribed risk-reduction treatments by the current APPs.

31% of patients were prescribed risk-reduction treatments by medical oncologists.

The important message, Weiss said, is not which group achieved the higher usage of preventive medicationsbut that the two models are comparable and that an APP clinic allows for high quality, cost-effective care.

A regional first

The APP-run breast health program at Wilmot is the first of its kind in the Rochester area. Inspired by a similar clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Weiss adapted the model to serve local women with early-stage breast cancer or other breast health concernsincluding a strong family history, dense breast tissue, newly discovered lumps, or prior chest radiation exposure.

These types of breast health clinics are valuable for providers as well as patients. They allow medical oncologists, with growing demands on their time, to focus on individuals with more aggressive cancers.

"Thankfully, women with breast cancer are living much longer, but as survivorship increases there are still many needs that must be met outside of the immediate care and treatment given at diagnosis," Weiss said. "This clinic model should be considered more broadly."

What is stage 0 breast cancer?

Also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), stage 0 breast cancer is an early form of cancer where cancer cells are confined to the breast ducts. It has a nearly 100% survival rate, according to Weiss, but it increases a woman's risk of future invasive breast cancer.

Since 2010, about one in four newly diagnosed breast cancers were DCIS.

To prevent DCIS from evolving, experts recommend:

In most cases, surgery

Regular imaging

Medications

Researchers have not yet discovered biomarkers that predict which DCIS cases are likely to become invasive breast cancer. Until then, prevention is best, Weiss emphasized.

Medications to prevent breast cancer include:

Estrogen modulators Tamoxifen Raloxifene

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) Anastrozole Letrozole Exemestane



More information: Kathryn Paschalis et al, Patients with DCIS Seen at a Specialized High-Risk Breast Clinic Run by Surgical Advanced Practice Providers Have High Rates of Preventive Medication Uptake, Annals of Surgical Oncology (2025). DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-16857-7 Journal information: Annals of Surgical Oncology
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health suggests that parental or caregiver intuition may outperform some traditional early warning systems in identifying children at risk of deterioration.

The new analysis found that caregiver concern for worsening condition of pediatric patients was strongly associated with critical illness in pediatric patients admitted to the hospital, even after accounting for abnormal vital signs (abnormal heart rate or abnormal respiratory rate).

In high-income countries, critical illness in children is rare, and often difficult for physicians to distinguish from common minor illness until late in the disease.

Delayed recognition of deterioration is one of the most common contributing factors to preventable deaths in hospitalized children, and parents or caregivers are often well-positioned to detect early and subtle signs of deterioration, but the relationship between their concerns and patient outcomes is unknown, and many health care systems are not currently structured to support their involvement in clinical care.

The current study is the first to examine this relationship. It was conducted over 26 months (November 2020 to December 2022) and analyzed 73,845 eligible emergency department presentations of pediatric patients in Australia, with 24,239 having at least one documented response for parent or caregiver concern.

The authors assessed caregiver concern by asking the caregiver the question "Are you worried your child is getting worse?" during routine monitoring.

In total, 8,937 (4.7%) respondents out of 189,708 indicated concern for the child's worsening condition. Compared to patients with caregivers without documented concerns, those with a caregiver reporting concern for clinical deterioration were more likely to experience critical illness requiring admission to ICU (6.9% vs. 1.8%) or the need for mechanical ventilation (1.1% vs. 0.2%), suggesting that the diagnostic accuracy of the parent's gut feeling outperformed physiological data.

The authors say that their results suggest parents and caregivers are a resource that can assist clinicians to monitor for deterioration, and they may perform better than some current systems reliant on vital signs alone.

They say this data suggests that parent or caregiver concerns should be proactively sought, and research which incorporates this into hospital systems used to detect deterioration in pediatric patients should be prioritized.

More information: Association between caregiver concern for clinical deterioration and critical illness in children presenting to hospital: a prospective cohort study, The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00098-7
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Researchers from the GCAT project at IGTP. On the left, Dr. Rafael de Cid, last author of the study, and on the right, Natalia Blay, first author. Credit: IGTP

A research team from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), has published a study in the journal Scientific Reports proposing a method to correct selection biases in population-based cohorts. The study represents a significant step forward in improving the reliability of data derived from such studies for public health research and precision medicine.

The GCAT cohort, made up of nearly 20,000 adults from Catalonia, is a unique platform for analyzing the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the development of complex diseases. As the cohort ages, it becomes especially valuable for identifying common patterns in disease incidence.

However, like other volunteer-based cohorts, it is subject to what is known as healthy volunteer bias: an overrepresentation of individuals in better health and with more favorable socioeconomic conditions than the general population. This imbalance can compromise the validity of conclusions drawn when trying to extrapolate findings to the broader population.

The study, led by first author Natalia Blay, under the supervision of Dr. Rafael de Cid, scientific director of the GCAT project, also includes the participation of Dr. Conxa Violan, a researcher from the Primary Care Research Support Unit of the Northern Metropolitan Area (USR-MN). The work is part of the collaborative research group GRIMTra (Research Group on the Impact of Chronic Diseases and Their Trajectories), which is integrated into IGTP's CORE Program (Program in Public Health and Primary Healthcare). It represents a valuable contribution that exemplifies a strategic approach to bridging biomedical research with population data and everyday clinical practice.

The analysis addresses this challenge by comparing data from the GCAT cohort with health records and population surveys from Catalonia.

Using a statistical adjustment technique known as raked weighting, based on key variables such as age, sex, educational level, smoking habits and perceived health status, the researchers achieved a substantial reduction in bias: up to 70% in demographic variables and 26% in disease prevalence estimates. In other words, the sample imbalances are corrected, significantly improving the representativeness of the cohort data with respect to the general population.

This approach enables more accurate and representative findings, enhancing the potential of GCAT as an infrastructure for implementing community-scale precision medicine pilots and for developing health policies grounded in real-world data.

"This work strengthens the value of the GCAT cohort as a population laboratory not only for studying disease mechanisms, but also for generating evidence that is useful for public health and for implementing community-scale precision medicine pilots", says Dr. de Cid.

More information: Natalia Blay et al, Weighting health-related estimates in the GCAT cohort and the general population of Catalonia, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-01284-9 Journal information: Scientific Reports

Provided by Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute
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Scans showing neuronal fluorescence and hemoglobin absorption. Credit: University of Pennsylvania

During his third-year psychiatry clerkship as a medical student, Zach Rosenthal, MD, Ph.D., was part of a team providing care to a young man with schizophrenia and severe catatonia.

"He was stuck frozen in bed and had stopped speaking or eating," recalled Rosenthal, now a third-year resident in Psychiatry at Penn. "His symptoms weren't responding to medication."

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric condition associated with motor dysfunction, behavioral change, and withdrawal. When unresponsive to treatment, it can become medically dangerous, and even fatal.

"After discussing with his family, our team recommended trying ECT," Rosenthal said.

ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, uses brief, noninvasive electrical stimulation of the brain to induce a seizure. Despite an outdated pop culture moniker (electroshock therapy) that often paints the treatment in a negative light, ECT has been proven to be a safe and highly effective treatment, offering rapid relief from severe symptoms when medications have failed.

"People don't think of ECT as 'modern medicine,' but it remains the gold standard intervention for treatment-resistant depression, psychosis, catatonia, bipolar mania, and more," Rosenthal said.

And now, Rosenthal is leading a group that published new findings which challenge a long-held assumption that the seizure induced by ECT is the treatment's ultimate outcome, potentially changing the way the treatment is administered and viewed.

'Hard reset'

The group's findings, published in Nature Communications, found that immediately after a seizure, ECT induces a second major brain event, known as cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), a slow-moving, high-amplitude traveling wave of neuronal depolarization that resets virtually every neuron in its path.

"A CSD wave is a kind of hard reset for the brain and has the potential to explain many of the clinical effects of ECT," Rosenthal said.

Using a modern neuroscience tool called optical neuroimaging (a non-invasive tool that uses light to measure brain activity), the team was able to demonstrate that CSD occurs after ECT in both a mouse model and human patients. The waves had not previously been reported in the entire 86-year history of ECT because they require newly created, specialized tools like optical neuroimaging to detect them.

It's part of an evolution of ECT where institutions like Penn are leading the way.

"ECT is moving toward a precision medicine approach, using brain-based biomarkers to guide individualized treatment decisions," Rosenthal said.

"We've known for decades that stimulation parameters and seizure intensity can predict the therapeutic efficacy of ECT, but we didn't know why. Now we are testing whether modern tools like optical CSD detection, neuroimaging, and computational modeling can guide us towards personalized ECT dosing to target specific outcomes in the brain."

To test what role CSD plays in the clinical effects of ECT, Rosenthal's team is now joining forces with a state-of-the-art ECT clinical trial led by Yvette I. Sheline, MD, the McLure Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Research and Director of the Penn Center for Neuromodulation in Depression and Stress (CNDS).

"This model gives us the opportunity to understand the mechanism of ECT in a radically new way: that it is not the seizure but instead the subsequent inhibition from CSD that accounts for treatment effects. We are looking forward to testing this idea in the combined data from our multi-center trial," Sheline said.

Potential to expand use of ECT

Rosenthal described the early ECT treatments for the young man with severe catatonia from his medical school clerkship as "a seemingly miraculous transformation."

"After a single treatment, he could speak in full sentences and move well enough to feed himself. After a few more treatments, he walked out of the hospital and returned to living independently," Rosenthal said, adding that the experience was part of what inspired him to become a psychiatrist and study why electrically induced seizures are therapeutic.

"As I learned more about ECT, I realized that, despite decades of data demonstrating that it is highly effective and safe across the lifespan, there is so much to be learned about the underlying neurobiology, as well as how we can further optimize and improve treatment," Rosenthal said.

The project took "a village," including mentorship from Ethan Goldberg MD, Ph.D., a pediatric neurologist with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as Sheline, the ECT clinical team led by Mario Cristancho, MD, an assistant professor of Clinical Psychiatry, and Arjun Yodh, Ph.D., the Penn Physics department chair, whose lab developed the optical monitoring technology used for CSD detection during ECT.

Setting a new standard

Rosenthal hopes ECT gains more widespread public acceptance and accessibility as a medical procedure, moving away from its largely negative portrayal in popular media. He noted that ECT is performed under general anesthesia and muscle relaxants. A team of doctors and nurses closely monitors, so patients are asleep, remain still, and do not experience pain during the procedure.

"After ECT, most patients experience rapid improvement from previously severe, disabling neuropsychiatric symptoms when other treatments have failed, yet these outcomes are rarely represented in popular narratives," he said.

"The stigma of mental illness and ECT have real consequences, preventing patients and their families from accessing a treatment that can be life-saving."

More information: Zachary P. Rosenthal et al, Electroconvulsive therapy generates a postictal wave of spreading depolarization in mice and humans, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59900-1 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Male Haemaphysalis longicornis (dorsal habitus). Credit: Journal of Medical Entomology, https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaf040

An invasive tick species in Connecticut has been found to carry the bacteria that can cause ehrlichiosis in humans, a discovery that has alarmed state biologists as the tick continues to increase its spread throughout the state.

Longhorned ticks, an emerging invasive species in the state, have now been found to carry the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. The bacteria, while rare in Connecticut, has been found in the state for a while, according to Dr. Goudarz Molaei, a state entomologist with the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station.

Between 2001 and 2019, the number of cases of the bacteria increased from 142 to 2,093, a roughly 15-fold rise. Only two ehrlichiosis cases were recorded in Connecticut between 2008 and 2018, however, 28 cases were reported in the state between 2019 and 2023, according to CAES data.

"This is concerning because before we only saw this bacteria present in the lone star tick. This is the first case detected in the longhorned tick," Molaei said. "What is concerning about this is that the longhorned tick doesn't need a mate to reproduce. So it has the potential to spread quickly and we are already seeing that as its population increases."

Longhorned ticks primarily reproduce through a process called parthenogenesis, where females can lay viable eggs without mating to reproduce. This means a single female tick can create an entire population without a male partner, increasing the risks of rapid spread, Molaei said.

"This is very unusual and something we don't see too often," Molaei said. "So far, this is the only tick in the United States that has this ability to reproduce without a mate. In other animals, like arthropods and certain vertebrae, parthenogenesis has been reported, but it's still very rare."

Molaei said that a rise in ehrlichiosis cases is expected in the future. The bacterial infection can be a serious illness, though most cases are not fatal with prompt treatment. Untreated, it can lead to severe complications like organ damage, brain problems and even death. There is no vaccine available, but antibiotics are the traditional course of treatment, he said.

The invasive ticks are not native to the United States and are considered an exotic species. They were originally found in tropical environments in Asia before being detected in the U.S. in 2017. Since its initial discovery, the longhorned tick has expanded into at least 21 states, primarily in the East and Northeast, as well as the District of Columbia, according to CAES. The species was first detected in Connecticut in 2018.

In both its native and invasive range, the longhorned tick is known to transmit a wide variety of pathogens, Molaei said. Researchers have found evidence of infection in field-collected specimens in the U.S. with pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bourbon virus disease and theileriosis. However, it is still unknown if the tick can spread many of these disease agents.

"What is also unusual about this species is that we have shown this tick is capable of attaching and detaching with partial blood feeding," Molaei said.

"Most ticks will stay on a host until they are fully engorged, so this increases the risks of disease transmission. Unfortunately, these ticks co-exist with lone star ticks, and to make the matter worse, both of these ticks feed on white tail deer. Deer can act as a reservoir for the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. Longhorned ticks can pick up the bacteria after feeding on an infected deer."

The tick species is now found scattered throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties, according Molaei. However, their range is expected to increase its range further northward. Last year, the ticks were identified in Fairfield, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties, according to data from CAES.

"As the climate changes, we expect to see this species further north into New England and Canada," Molaei said. "We are fortunate that, at least for the time being, the population is rather patchy in Fairfield and New Haven counties. It is not widespread yet, but eventually it will become more widespread, and that is where the concern increases."

2025 Hartford Courant. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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In March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced voluntary recalls of several popular acne products due to contamination with benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical.

The FDA was prompted to conduct its own testing after receiving a report from Valisure, an independent drug quality control testing laboratory based in New Haven, Conn., highlighting concerns about the safety of certain topical products containing the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide (BPO). BPO is a chemical commonly used in acne products for killing the bacteria that is associated with breakouts and inflammation. However, over time, it can break down into the carcinogen benzene, researchers have found.

The Valisure team tested the stability of a variety of acne products containing BPO. They discovered that many violated the conditional FDA limit of two parts per million (ppm), with some containing levels as high as 35 ppm. They published their initial findings in Environmental Health Perspectives in March 2024, and a follow-up study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in October 2024.

The voluntarily recalled products were La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment, Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser, Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzol Peroxide 5%, Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion, and Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream.

"There shouldn't be any carcinogens in any of our acne products," says Christopher Bunick, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at Yale School of Medicine, who is a co-author on both of the studies. Bunick collaborated with Valisure as an independent scientific consultant and did not receive compensation from the company. "The recall is a victory for patient safety," he adds.

What is benzoyl peroxide?

BPO treats acne by killing bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes that contribute to the condition. Some dermatologists believe that BPO also has a direct anti-inflammatory effect, and that it helps prevent pores from becoming clogged.

"Benzoyl peroxide has been incorporated in acne products for a very long time because it has multiple ways that it can target the pathogenesis of acne formation," says Bunick.

When combined with topical antibiotics, BPO can help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. The use of widely used antibiotics such as clindamycin to treat acne alone has contributed to the rise of resistant strains of acne-causing bacteria; any bacteria able to survive the antibiotic will reproduce, leading to strains not susceptible to the antibiotic at all. Many products available today combine BPO with antibiotics to boost bacterial killing power and wipe out any mutated bacteria before they can multiply.

Before its dermatological applications, BPO's use dates back a century when companies utilized it as a plasticizer. Even back then, scientists recognized the instability of the chemical and its potential hazards to human health. As early as 1936, German-Swiss chemist Hans Erlenmeyer described the breakdown of benzoyl peroxide into the carcinogen benzene. Flash-forward several decadesin 1997, the manufacturing company AkzoNobel filed a patent for reducing benzene formation.

Researchers find benzene contamination in acne products

Valisure was founded by a team of Yale entrepreneurs in 2015 to conduct independent testing on the safety of pharmaceutical and consumer products. Since its launch, it has submitted eight FDA Citizen Petitionsa process for requesting the FDA to make regulatory changesafter discovering the presence of carcinogens in various products, including blood pressure drug valsartan, type 2 diabetes drug metformin, and heart burn drug ranitidine (Zantac). All eight of these petitions have led to a product recall.

Over the last several years, the private company has identified a troubling trendmany commonly used dermatological products are contaminated with benzene. These included hand sanitizers, sunscreens, aerosol sprays, and dry shampoos.

"A lot of the precursors that go into forming these products actually are contaminated with benzene," says Bunick. "A lot of these products become contaminated during the manufacturing process."

Benzene contamination can have devastating health consequences. Epidemiological studies, for example, have shown that even trace levels can cause a substantially increased risk of leukemia. The researchers were especially concerned about finding the carcinogen in so many products that are put directly on the skin.

Following these findings, in December 2023, the FDA issued new guidance that called for the reformulation of certain drug products containing gelling agents called carbomers due to high levels of benzene contamination.

Then, in March 2024, the Environmental Health Perspectives study raised concerns about a new group of products: acne treatments. The study investigated 66 BPO-containing over-the-counter and prescription products. By exposing the products to elevated temperatures, which simulates how they break down over time or under certain storage conditions, researchers discovered that they became contaminated with benzene.

"Our analyses found that there were varying levels of benzene in different consumer products that were above the FDA guidelines," says Fabian Menges, Ph.D.

The researchers also sent their samples to three independent laboratories, including at Yale University's Chemical and Biophysical Instrumentation Center (CBIC). The laboratories confirmed that these products had elevated levels of benzene.

"Valisure approached us and asked us for help as a secondary testing laboratory for validating their results," says Menges. "Our analyses found that there were varying levels of benzene in different consumer products that were above the FDA guidelines."

Unlike other products, the benzene in acne medications stems not from contamination during the manufacturing process, but from the breakdown of the active ingredient, BPO, itself. Valisure coupled this study with an FDA citizen petition, which urged the agency to once again take action.

Several months later, the team published a follow-up study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. This time, in response to some criticism of the high temperatures used in their initial stability testing, they tested 111 products for benzene at room temperature. "We tested the products right off the shelfthat any consumer can walk into a store and buy," Bunick says.

One in three products, they found, violated the conditional FDA limit of two ppm. A conditional limit only applies to products that have a substantial therapeutic advance and there are no other ways to make the product. For everything else, there is no acceptable amount of benzene.

"Every large store in America that has these products likely sells at least three benzoyl peroxide medications a day," Bunick says. "That means at least one person per large store per day is walking out the door with a product containing a carcinogen level above the FDA regulatory limit."

These findings prompted the FDA to conduct its own testing of BPO-containing acne products. While their results showed fewer products contaminated with benzene, the testing led to its voluntary recall of six popular acne treatments. The study highlights the importance of complementing FDA regulatory processes with independent analyses for uncovering drug quality issues that may have been otherwise overlooked, the researchers say.

Valisure findings face criticism

Some critics have questioned Valisure's testing protocols and claim that the company's findings overstate the risk of benzene contamination in acne products. Others like Bunick, on the other hand, believe that the FDA's announcement understates the significance of the problem.

Regardless, the FDA recall validates the concern raised by Valisure's Citizen Petition about benzene contamination and that steps need to be taken to fix this issue. "The fact that there were recalls at all shows that the problem is real," Bunick says.

One reason that the FDA may have identified less benzene contamination than Valisure, Bunick explains, may be because there was a significant amount of time between Valisure's initial announcement and the FDA's own testing.

"The products that the FDA tested may not necessarily have been the same products that Valisure was testing," Bunick says. "Companies had time to go back and assess their manufacturing and quality control processes, and fix potential problems."

What does benzene contamination mean for public health?

Because there are many other ways to treat acne that do not involve benzoyl peroxide, there is no acceptable level of benzene in acne products, the researchers say. For example, Valisure's analyses of other acne products including salicylic acid and adapalene did not find any benzene contamination.

And even if the concentration of benzene in many acne products is low, the chemical's pervasiveness elevates its risk to public health. "Many people are saying that a lot of these products have less than two parts per million, so the risk is not that significant," says Bunick.

"But waitbenzene is in your acne products, it's in your dry shampoos, it's in your sunscreens, it's in second-hand or direct cigarette smoke, it's in exhaust from cars. It's all the benzene exposure throughout all of society that adds cumulative risk. And the last place consumers need additional risk is in an acne product."

Because it can take years from the initial benzene exposure to see its health impact, the effects of benzene contamination in dermatological products are still not well understood.

"When you get a sunburn as a kid, that can mean that 50 years later you get skin cancer from that sunburn," Bunick explains. "When you have chemicals like benzene that are carcinogens, that same lag time appliesit can be decades before you have a consequence from that exposure."

Bunick recently collaborated with researchers at the University of Calgary on a pharmacovigilance studyor a study that monitors the safety of medicines after they have been approved for public useon BPO-containing acne products.

Using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, they conducted a disproportionality analysis, which investigates whether the odds of an adverse event for a certain type of drug is higher in comparison to other drugs.

The analysis revealed that BPO-containing products were associated with greater odds of users reporting skin and breast cancer. The FAERS study showed one brand had the highest odds of reports, which is consistent with that brand also being one of the worst offenders in the Valisure study.

While useful for identifying statistical signals, FAERS is a passive surveillance system that cannot establish incidence rates or causality and may reflect reporting bias. Rather, it is a "hypothesis-generating" study, says Bunick. "The study gives us a clue that there may be a problem," he explains.

"Although we can't definitively say there is a causality, we can say this matter needs closer investigation and it highlights the need for comprehensive safety evaluation of products that contain benzoyl peroxide," adds Fatemah Jafarian, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Calgary and the study's principal investigator.

The study emphasizes the need for future epidemiological research. "The story is not closed," says Bunick. "Understanding the health risk of benzene contamination is still needed, and it's really important for us to be thinking forward about what to do next."

What to do if you use a BPO-containing product

In the meantime, the FDA's voluntary recall is an important measure for reducing this exposure and protecting public health, the researchers say. "I think it's a good start," says Jafarian. "I'm really looking forward to seeing the FDA's data and testing methods for the recalled products that they have stated they will publish in the near future."

Users of BPO-containing acne products don't necessarily need to throw them in the trash, the researchers say. Consumers can take steps to protect themselves, including using the product before its expiration date and avoiding storing these products in hot environments such as in the shower or near a heat radiator.

"Don't panic. Benzoyl peroxide in most cases can still be used safely with proper precautions," says Jafarian. "It's important that you talk to your dermatologist if you have a concern and discuss your medication's risk and benefits."
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Over the past few decades, researchers have repeatedly identified loneliness as a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, most of this research has focused on people in the United States and Europe, in which social norms tend to favor the individual over collective identity.

Now, using large data sets from South Korea and the United States, a research team has found that the link between loneliness and CVD appears to exist beyond cultural and social norms. The study, led by Harold Lee, assistant professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State, was recently published online and appears in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

"Initially, I expected the effects of loneliness to be worse for participants in South Korea, as I thought those from a collective culture that values togetherness would experience loneliness more profoundly," said Lee, who is also a faculty affiliate with the Social Science Research Institute.

"However, statistically adjusting for age, income and health behaviors like drinking and exercise, loneliness increased the odds of experiencing CVD by about 15% across both cultures. This says to us that loneliness is bad for heart health, regardless of culture."

South Korea is traditionally a collectivistic culture, in which the group's needs and goals are prioritized over those of the individual, according to Lee. Individuals tend to see themselves as connected and interdependent members of the group, rather than as independent. Collectivistic cultures generally place value and make decisions based on group harmony, cooperation and loyalty.

In contrast, the United States is a traditionally individualistic culture. Individualistic cultures tend to prioritize individual needs, goals and rights above those of the group, which ultimately emphasizes self-reliance, personal achievement and self-expression.

Researchers used data from two large, national epidemiological studies collected between 2000 and 2020: 13,073 participants between the ages of 25 and 105 in the United States-based Health and Retirement Study, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Social Security Administration, and 8,311 participants between the ages of 45 and 97 in the South Korean-based Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Data on age-related health outcomes was collected from participants in each study every two years over an approximately 12-year period. During each wave of data collection, participants self-reported on a multitude of health outcomes, including loneliness and incidents of CVD.

In both countries, participants who identified as lonely were approximately 15% more likely to report an incident of CVD.

While the impact of loneliness on CVD was similar in both countries, the behavioral pathways between loneliness and CVD differed slightly. The researchers examined physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking as mediators between loneliness and CVD.

In both South Korea and the United States, people who experienced loneliness were less physically active and consumed more alcohol, which contributed to their higher rates of heart disease. Smoking played a role only in the United States, where there were nearly 20% more participants who had a history of smoking.

According to Lee, this difference in the behavioral pathways to loneliness suggests that prevention efforts in clinical settings and public policies could be adapted to cultural differences. However, preventing feelings of loneliness can also be intuitive, he said.

"Meeting people and actively engaging in relationships is an obvious way to prevent loneliness," Lee said. "Calling family and friends, scheduling lunch or coffeewhile these things may seem small, they are the most basic, intuitive, and often most effective ways to reduce feelings of isolation and lonelinessand, in this case, decrease the risk of CVD."

For Lee, one of the strengths of this study is the potential to reach conclusions about what it means to be human, rather than about one specific culture or group.

"By analyzing data from two large, population-based cohortsone in South Korea and one in the United Stateswe're able to move beyond localized perspectives and conclusions and capture patterns that may be fundamental to human life," Lee said.

Ruijia Chen of the Boston University School of Public Health and Sakurako Okuzono and Laura Kubzansky of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health also contributed to this research.

More information: Harold H Lee et al, Loneliness and cardiovascular disease incidence: two cohorts of older adults in the USA and South Korea, International Journal of Epidemiology (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyaf050 Journal information: International Journal of Epidemiology
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Most experts and those experiencing the potentially debilitating features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects one in eight women, want greater awareness and a name change to improve care and outcomes.

A new Monash University-led research paper reveals those involved are keen to overcome the misleading implication that it is only an ovarian or gynecological condition.

PCOS carries risks of higher body weight, diabetes, heart disease, fertility issues and pregnancy complications, endometrial cancer, skin and hair changes including acne and excess facial hair, and psychological features including depression and anxiety, that are all exacerbated by higher weight.

Published in eClinicalMedicine, the Monash University-led global initiative involved international online surveys engaging 7708 patients and diverse health professionals from six continents, in 2015 and 2023, alongside face-to-face workshops.

The researchers sought perspectives on awareness of broad clinical features, the name, potential for renaming, advantages and disadvantages of a change, and potential alternative names.

The study demonstrates:

A substantive improvement from 20152023 in awareness of PCOS and its diverse reproductive, cardiometabolic, skin and psychological features, with a positive impact from the Monash led International Guidelines (2018 and 2023), patient resources including the ASKPCOS App, and strong patient advocacy

Overall 76% of health professionals and 86% of patients supported a name change, noting advantages (up to 90%), and minimal disadvantages (<27%).

The field of potential names was narrowed with terms like 'endocrine' and 'metabolic' among the most supported

A robust multi-step consensus process has been agreed to and is now underway with global engagement of health professional and patient societies

Primary author Professor Helena Teede leads the Monash Center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) at Monash University and the NHMRC Center for Research Excellence in Women's Health in Reproductive Life (CRE-WHiRL). She is also an Endocrinologist at Monash Health.

These organizations are ranked as world leaders in PCOS and Monash Health hosts the only holistic public PCOS service nationally.

"PCOS is the most common endocrine or hormonal condition in reproductive-aged women, yet its name does not reflect the broad range of health impacts," Professor Teede said.

"The focus on ovarian cysts, which are not true cysts but rather eggs or follicles that have stopped growing, overlooks the impacts of this multisystem disorder, leading to confusion, missed and delayed diagnosis, and inadequate information provision and care. Research has also been limited to date."

The NHMRC Center for Research Excellence in Women's Health in Reproductive Life (CRE-WHiRL), AE-PCOS (International Androgen Excess and polycystic ovary syndrome Society), and UK consumer group Verity are leading this international process to determine and implement a new name. The Australian patient group polycystic ovary syndrome Association of Australia (POSAA) is engaged in this process.

"Over eight years, global data from patients and health professionals also showed that PCOS knowledge gaps reduced following the launch and widespread dissemination of two Monash-led International PCOS Guidelines in 2018 and 2023, extensive uptake of information resources across 195 countries and strong involvement of patient advocacy groups globally," Professor Teede said. "This survey data also underpinned the global agreement to move to a new name."

Dr. Mahnaz Bahri Khomami, the Monash University co-lead on this work, said the current name was perceived as misleading and confusing, with consistent strong support for a name change, and advantages outweighed potential disadvantages. She also highlighted the extensive engagement with broad cultural groups across geographical regions to ensure any changes are culturally appropriate.

"We aim to more accurately frame PCOS beyond a reproductive disorder with a name change that can improve awareness, diagnosis and management without creating diagnostic inconsistency," Dr. Bahri Khomami said. "It should also enhance research funding, education and services recognizing the broader features of the condition."

Lorna Berry has PCOS and is working with the international team to rename the condition.

"The aim is to improve understanding for both GPs and people with PCOS, leading to early intervention and early diagnosis and better outcomes for women with PCOS across their lifetime," Lorna said.

Lorna said the PCOS community welcomed the change, which was "a long-overdue shift toward respect, clarity, and meaningful progress."

"For decades, those of us living with this condition have had to 'fight' for diagnosis, and even after diagnosis, misinformation is abundant," she said.

"The term 'polycystic ovary syndrome' is misleading, medically outdated, and emotionally invalidating. As a lifelong condition, funding for research is needed, as well as patient-centered care, from a multi-disciplinary team, evolving throughout the lifetime."

A new survey has opened for health professionals and patients in the multistep process to establish the new name. Access it here: PCOS new name survey

More information: Helena J. Teede et al, Polycystic ovary syndrome perspectives from patients and health professionals on clinical features, current name, and renaming: a longitudinal international online survey, eClinicalMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103287 Journal information: EClinicalMedicine
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Using super-resolution microscopy, Assistant Professor Samy Lamouille discovered an association in the brain cancer glioblastoma between the protein connexin 43, shown in green, and parts of cells called microtubules, in magenta, that helps glioblastoma stem cells survive treatments and spread. Credit: Samy Lamouille/Virginia Tech

A lab-designed molecule developed and extensively studied by scientists with Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC could represent a breakthrough in slowing tumor recurrence in glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer.

In a study published in Cell Death and Disease, researchers identified a previously unknown trait of cancer cells that shows promise for therapeutic intervention. The group outlined the mechanism of action and effectiveness of the experimental drug known as JM2, revealing its potential as a peptide therapy to target cancer cells that can renew and regrow, even after chemotherapy and radiation.

Glioblastoma, the most common form of malignant brain tumor, is particularly difficult to treat. The median survival after diagnosis is just over 14 months.

Treatment typically involves surgically removing as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy with a drug called temozolomide. However, glioblastoma always recurs due to the presence of treatment-resistant glioblastoma stem cells. These cancer cells can survive, even after standard therapies, leading to tumor regrowth.

"Glioblastoma stem cells can adapt easily to both their environment and treatment," said Samy Lamouille, corresponding author of the study and an assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.

"These cells can lie dormant, and at some point, they reawaken and then rebuild the tumor. It's critical to find a way to target this population of cancer cells."

The Lamouille lab studies how cancer cells communicate with each other and with their surrounding environment, with a particular focus on connexin 43. That protein plays a key role in forming gap junctions, which enable direct cell-to-cell communication.

"Connexin 43 plays a complex role in cancer," Lamouille said. "Depending on its expression and localization in cancer cells, it can both suppress and support cancer growth."

Experimenting with laboratory-grown glioblastoma stem-like cells, Lamouille turned to super-resolution microscopy, a powerful technique that allows researchers to visualize and localize proteins at the nanoscale.

Associate Professor James Smyth specializes in this technique to study gap junctions and connexin proteins in heart disease. Together, they discovered for the first time that connexin 43 is strongly associated with microtubules in these cells, decorating them along their entire length.

Building on this discovery, Lamouille came up with the idea to use JM2, a connexin 43-derived peptide that mimics the microtubule-interacting domain of connexin 43, to further explore its role in glioblastoma stem cells.

Rob Gourdie, the Heywood Fralin professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, developed the JM2 peptide with his laboratory while at the Medical University of South Carolina.

"When we tested JM2 in glioblastoma stem-like cells, that was the most exciting moment," Lamouille said. "Not only did that efficiently disrupt connexin 43 interaction with microtubules, but JM2 was also toxic specifically for these particular cells, leaving healthy brain cells unharmed."

It achieved the effect without affecting connexin 43's other crucial functions.

Beyond glioblastoma, the work represents a significant step toward identifying a novel tumorigenic function for connexin 43.

"I can remember presentations by the team in which the three-dimensional gliospheres used to model tumors in the culture dish were clearly getting smaller," said co-author Gourdie. "It was surprising to see such a drastic effect on glioblastoma. The JM2 peptide had a killing effect by itself. That was unexpected."

Through further testing in both cell cultures and living organisms, the researchers found that JM2 disrupts the maintenance of these treatment-resistant cancer cells in laboratory experiments and significantly slows tumor growth in animal models. These findings support JM2 as a promising new peptide-based drug for targeting the glioblastoma stem cells that drive tumor recurrence following treatment.

The research also highlights the partnership between Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and Carilion Clinic, a health system in Southwest Virginia.

Co-author Michael Lunski was a Carilion Clinic resident who conducted research in Lamouille's laboratory, which is adjacent to that of Assistant Professor Zhi Sheng.

Sheng provided glioblastoma cells that helped lead to the discovery; these lab cultures were derived from tumor cells donated with the consent of brain cancer patients in Southwest Virginia receiving care from Carilion physicians.

While more research is needed to develop the therapy for use and determine whether it will be safe and effective in humans, preclinical findings suggest that combining JM2 with chemotherapy could improve patients' survival by slowing recurrence.

To advance the approach, Lamouille is now experimenting with novel delivery mechanisms specifically targeting the JM2 peptide to glioblastoma cells, including biodegradable nanoparticles and viral vectors.

Lamouille and Gourdie are co-founders of Acomhal Research Inc., which licensed the JM2 peptide in an effort to bring new therapies to cancer patients.

More information: James W. Smyth et al, Cytoplasmic connexin43-microtubule interactions promote glioblastoma stem-like cell maintenance and tumorigenicity, Cell Death & Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41419-025-07514-2 Journal information: Cell Death and Disease
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This graphic from the Einav Lab shows the "signatures" of strong vs. weak vaccine responders. The left side shows antibody responses from a strong vaccine responder. This strong responder has antibody titers with "jagged" fluctuations in response to different influenza virus variants through the years. The right side shows a typical signature of a weak vaccine responder. This responder still has some response to influenza virus variants, but the overall response decreases through the years. Credit: Einav Lab, La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Flu shots save lives across the United States every year. These vaccines are good at protecting the population from severe influenza infections, but not every person gets the same level of protection.

"Some people have incredibly strong responses to annual flu vaccines, and some people don't respond at all," says Tal Einav, Ph.D., Bodman Family Assistant Professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and member of LJI's Center for Vaccine Innovation.

Einav and his colleagues have developed a machine learning model to analyze massive datasets from multiple flu vaccine studies. The researchers are using this tool to solve a big mystery in science: Can we predict who will be a weak vaccine responder or a strong vaccine responder?

The research team shared their findings in a recent eBioMedicine study. They used their machine learning model to spot trends across 20,000 antibody responses from influenza studies conducted between 1997 and 2021. "From this vantage, with all these datasets, you can start to explore the vaccine response in fundamentally new ways," says Einav, who served as study senior author.

The researchers discovered that the best way to predict a person's response to an upcoming flu vaccine (containing the currently circulating flu strain) is to measure their immune response to the flu vaccine strain used the year beforeand the year before thatand the year before that.

In fact, a person's responses to prior flu strains is an even better predictor of future responses than a person's age, sex, geographic location, or the vaccine dose they receive.

"Many studies have shown that age has an effect. We have just shown that it is a very small effect, whereas you can get far better predictions with antibody responses that can be measured from your blood," says Einav.

Your blood remembers

The influenza virus acquires a few mutations each year, so researchers don't tend to dwell on a person's antibody response to past flu strains. Instead, researchers consider the response to the currently circulating strains.

The new LJI study shows the importance of looking back in time.

When a person gets a vaccine or experiences a viral infection, their body churns out specialized immune cells and antibodies. Some of those immune cells and antibodies stick around for years to provide long-term protection against disease.

Scientists can measure the strength of this immune system "memory" by examining antibody levels, or titers, in a person's blood. Antibody titers are fascinating because they act as a sort of historical record of what your immune system has encountered during your life.

Because influenza mutates quicklyand flu vaccine formulations change each yearscientists can distinguish between your antibody response to viruses from this year, last year, or even earlier. By measuring all of these strains, researchers can assemble a reliable, chronological record of a person's immune responses to the flu from each year.

"Blood doesn't forget," says Einav.

Testing post-vaccination HAI predictions across new vaccine studies. Credit: eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105744

The 'signature' of a strong vaccine responder

The researchers found that strong vaccine responders had "jagged" antibody titers that would be high in one year, low against the prior year's strain, high again the year before that, and continue in this fashion. On a timeline, these peaks create a regular pattern that resembles a row of shark teeth, where each peak indicates a strong response to that specific flu strain.

Einav says these yearly fluctuations are a useful "signature" of an immune system on high alert. "Strong responders tended to have these jagged peaks," says Einav.

Antibody titers looked quite different in weak responders, whose timeline plots tended to be smoother. Some weak responders had antibody responses that more frequently plateaued across years. Their antibody response against this year's flu strain tends to be similar to their response to next year's strain.

"Yet when the virus evolves the next year, and the vaccine changes, these individuals tend to respond poorly," says Einav.

While these results held across over 20 influenza seasons, the researchers further tested their machine learning model on four recent vaccine studies they conducted in 2022 and 2023. These studies included data from a wide swath of study participants in La Jolla, CA, as well as in Athens, GA, who were given one of three influenza vaccine types.

The model held true. It didn't matter what a person's demographics were, or their vaccine type, their antibody response to current and past flu strains was the best predictor of whether they would be weak or strong responders.

What this means for yearly flu shots

Now LJI researchers are wondering: How can we help the weak responders?

"There are multiple different types of flu vaccines that you can get," says Einav. "We want to know if people might respond better or worse if you give them a different vaccine formulation."

Einav and his colleagues are now looking for immune system markers that might show whether certain vaccine formulations can boost immune cell reactions in weak responders. This work is an important step toward more personalized and effective vaccines.

"Our hope is to be able to predict for each person what their response is going to be for each different vaccine," says Einav.

Moreover, Einav adds that this study was possible thanks to the multiple research groups from across the country sharing their data. "There are very generous researchers out there, and I really commend their efforts. We all want for our hard-won data to help make things better for all of us, and that is exactly what we do when we post our data," says Einav. "We cannot even imagine the discoveries and applications that groups will achieve in the coming years using these datasets."

Additional authors of the study, "Leveraging Pre-Vaccination Antibody Titers across Multiple Influenza H3N2 Variants to Forecast the Post-Vaccination Response," included Hannah Stacey, Michael A. Carlock, James D. Allen, Hannah B. Hanley, Shane Crotty, and Ted M. Ross.

More information: Hannah Stacey et al, Leveraging pre-vaccination antibody titres across multiple influenza H3N2 variants to forecast the post-vaccination response, eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105744 Journal information: EBioMedicine
Li: Scope of trilateral ties 'boundless'

08:37, May 29, 2025 By Zhao Jia ( China Daily

Premier Li Qiang addresses the opening ceremony of the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday. (Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily)

Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on Wednesday after attending a trilateral summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, among China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council, in efforts to expand economic engagement and bolster resilience amid global trade volatility.

Speaking on Tuesday evening at the opening of the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum, also held in Kuala Lumpur, Li described the future of trilateral cooperation as "boundless like the oceans".

He emphasized that by pooling their strengths, China, ASEAN and the GCC could unlock greater development potential, foster more dynamic ecosystems of innovation and drive more efficient economic growth.

Li reiterated China's readiness to work with ASEAN and the GCC to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, uphold the World Trade Organization-centered multilateral trading system, and safeguard a stable and orderly global market environment.

"Amid more decoupling practices, supply-chain disruptions and trade barriers, we can create opportunities for transformation and upgrading when we keep sharing resources and empowering one another," Li said.

He urged the three sides to expand high-tech cooperation, safeguard stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains, and continue paving the way for new breakthroughs in common development.

Addressing the impact of heightened geopolitical conflict, rivalry and confrontation, Li called for deeper mutual trust and enhanced solidarity to create opportunities for long-term, steady development.

He also advocated greater market openness and the removal of trade barriers to unlock vast market potential and push back against protectionism and unilateralism.

"China's high-quality development will continue to inject fresh momentum into trilateral cooperation," Li emphasized.

With GDP growth of 5.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, China remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies.

Li pledged that China will continue to expand high-standard opening-up, take more measures to advance voluntary and unilateral opening-up, and enable domestic and international circulation to reinforce each other  steps that will help companies around the world to fully share in the opportunity of China's development.

In an address to the economic forum, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted China's vital role as a key partner to both ASEAN and the GCC.

He praised China's significant role in economic development, peace, stability and the defense of international fairness and justice, while reaffirming ASEAN's commitment to strengthening partnerships with China and the GCC to contribute to regional and global prosperity and stability.

The economic forum took place hours after the leaders from the three sides met in a historic summit, following which a joint statement was issued.

According to the statement, they remain committed to deepening economic cooperation, with a key priority being the promotion of free trade.

They welcome the conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations and look forward to the early signing and implementation of the upgrade, and also look forward to an early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the statement said.

Enhanced collaboration

Against the backdrop of profound geopolitical and economic shifts and mounting common challenges, the engagement among the three sides, which have enjoyed a long-standing friendship, has underscored the growing urgency of enhanced collaboration, experts said.

Together, China, ASEAN and the GCC account for roughly one-fourth of the world's population and economic output.

"Combining China's technology and production capacity with ASEAN's resources and markets and the GCC's capital and energy will spark powerful new growth dynamics," said Du Lan, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies' Department for Asia-Pacific Studies.

"Enhanced cooperation helps foster a vibrant economic circle and growth pole, which is highly important both to their respective economic prosperity and to peace and development in Asia and the world," she added.

Built on complementarity, non-exclusivity and a development-first approach, the new multilateral cooperation model robustly defends multilateralism and offers Global South countries a collective framework to buffer external risks, injecting stability and fresh momentum into shared development prospects of the Global South, Du said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
A former Missoula County jail officer will spend no time in jail for sexually assaulting an inmate while working as a jail officer in 2023.

Justin Christopher Andrews pleaded no contest under a plea agreement in March in Missoula County District Court to one count of felony transfer of illegal articles to an inmate, and pleaded guilty to one count each of misdemeanor sexual assault and misdemeanor official misconduct.

Judge Shane Vannatta sentenced Andrews to a 13-month suspended sentence for the felony and two six-month suspended sentences for each misdemeanor on Wednesday.

Andrews' suspended sentences do not require him to serve time as long as he reports to the parole board and follows the conditions of his sentence.

On March 6, prosecutors reached a plea agreement with Andrews, under which prosecutors could argue for a six-month jail sentence, followed by seven months of probation.

"The state does not feel that six months is disparately harsh," said Missoula County Deputy Attorney Sarah Woolman on Wednesday. "Defense counsel states that in their almost 20 years in this jurisdiction, that they cant recall a six-month jail sentence for a misdemeanor and that to quote, is not the type of sentence we see or expect as Missoulians.' In almost 20 years of looking at various jurisdictions, may they be large cities, small tribal communities or cities similar to Missoula, the people of the community care very much when official misconduct occurs. It is not a misdemeanor we see frequently and it is serious."

Jordan Kilby, Andrews' attorney, brought four people to speak to Andrews' character, including his therapist, a former coworker, and his mother and stepfather as witnesses to speak to his character.

This is not an individual that needs to go to jail," Kilby said to the judge. "He understands the severity of what he has done. He has been tormented by it. He is in therapy. He is getting better. Hes been punished.

Andrews was charged on June 17, 2024, after an investigation by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which started in January 2024 after another detention officer found sexually explicit letters in the female inmate's cell phone, according to charging documents filed by Woolman.

The state investigators reviewed surveillance footage and completed multiple interviews that determined Andrews was the officer involved and was passing notes to the inmate.

According to charging documents, the inmate told investigators she showed Andrews her breasts and performed oral sex on him in August 2023 in the inmate worker closet, which did not have cameras.

The inmate also told investigators that Andrews gave her a cannabis edible and a pen to write the letters, which inmates are not allowed to possess. While Andrews denied providing anything to her, the charging documents included quotes written by Andrews that stated, Im glad you liked your treat, and I will get that edible as soon as I can. Its obviously harder now, but I will get you.

Andrews further denied having sexual contact with the inmate but said she would expose her breasts to him while he was on duty and she once tried to kiss him in the inmate worker closet, according to charging documents.

Andrews admitted to writing the letters and allegedly wrote, That was such a rush and damn you are not joking your skills are unmatched to anyone out there, one of the letters stated in charging documents. When investigators asked Andrews what he meant by that statement, he said he was not 100% sure, according to charging documents.

Andrews submitted his resignation on March 8, 2024. He had worked at the sheriffs office since December 2020.

After the plea deal was reached in March 2025, the inmate filed a lawsuit against the county and Andrews. She alleges in a federal complaint filed on Dec. 23 that Andrews deprived her of her civil rights under the U.S. and Montana constitutions when he coerced [her] into a sexual relationship.

Timothy Bechtold, the Missoula attorney who filed the lawsuit, is alleging negligence by both Missoula County and Andrews for violating the duties of care that were expected when she was incarcerated, according to previous Missoulian reporting.

"I really messed up, I know that," Andrews said on Wednesday. "There's no words that I can say that will convey the sadness and disappointment that I caused the county, my family, my wife. I am sorry for my actions. I am sorry to [the survivor]. I am sorry to my mom. I am sorry to my step dad. I am sorry to all my co-workers that depended on me. I am sorry to my wife."
In the last month, Montanas cannabis industry has been tested in more ways than one.

State regulators recently quadrupled the roster of pesticides for which cannabis products must be tested, and the downstream effects of that change have been, for some, disorienting. Products that once passed laboratory tests have since been recalled from the shelves and one of the only two testing labs in the state saw its license to test for pesticides suspended last month. There is no state-run testing site in Montana, effectively leaving Fidelity Diagnostics in Missoula as the last lab standing.

Inside a former trucking company headquarters tucked into Missoulas west side, black lab coats hang on chemists and technicians mashing marijuana into homogenized plant matter, drawing liquids into test tubes and reading computerized data from the resulting samples. Air conditioning machines hum overhead of testing instruments worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and extracted specimens wait for their turn to be measured by their reaction to beams of light and magnetic fields.

Its the typical, sterile, scientific setting youd imagine in a testing lab but with the occasional tie-dye Star Wars shirt or band stickers that distinguish the increasingly professionalized cannabis industry in Montana. Many components of marijuana products  recreational and medical  are tested here, from potency to molds to pesticides.

"Its one of the most important parts," said Fidelity Lab Director Andre Umansky. "It's what separates us from the black market."

Since legalization came into full bloom in 2022, the marijuana industry has spread out into public view mainly by way of the dispensaries. Before recreational sales began, Montana had 380 licensed dispensaries. When state lawmakers voted to extend the freeze on the number of dispensaries earlier this year, that number was at about 500.

Testing labs, by comparison, have steadily winnowed in numbers.

In 2021, Montana had five testing labs. Last month, Fidelity Diagnostics became the last fully functioning lab in the state when its only competitor, Nordic Labs, was suspended for its pesticide testing procedures falling well outside of validated protocols, presenting an "immediate threat to health, safety or welfare of consumers," according to state document outlining the suspension.

State regulators are working with Nordic Labs to correct their pesticide methodologies, but for now, Umansky understands his operation has become the lone screen to prevent contaminated marijuana products from reaching the shelves.

"We can see that as a concern," he said in a conference room at Fidelity Diagnostics on Tuesday.

The states expansion in February increased the number of pesticide tests from 16 to 59, a huge jump that, despite a six-month notice, caught many marijuana producers off guard.

To keep up with that expansion, Melissa Umansky, co-founder of the lab and Andres wife, said Fidelity Diagnostics began ramping up with staffing and additional testing equipment in case one machine goes down.

"We know what our sample volume is. We look at our trends; we make decisions based on our client needs," she said. "Recently weve had to fast-track that, quickly, without a timeline of how long this is going to go. But we do know the industry needs us."

The chokepoint has even spurred some marijuana producers to circulate a template letter to regulators requesting they be allowed to forego testing so long as their products on the shelves are labeled as such. The Cannabis Control Division, part of the Montana Department of Revenue, isnt entertaining that idea.

"We do not believe that recommendation to be a reasonable solution," CCD Administrator Kristan Barbour told the Montana State News Bureau. "The CCDs mission is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all Montanans. Removing the testing requirement of cannabis products to be safely consumed conflicts with the cornerstone of the programs purpose."

"Theres only a finite group of people that can get this work done, so I think were all going to feel that shift," she added.

Stress test

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's pesticide residue program requires 800 different substances be tested on domestic and imported fruits and vegetables. The state's expansion of pesticide panels to 60 different pesticides required for testing weed was essentially a copy of that in Oregon, Barbour said. Still, it took less than two months for the pesticide panel expansion to halve the testing lab capacity in Montana.

In April, a state audit found four deficiencies in Nordic Labs processes, all related to pesticide testing. According to documents outlining Nordics suspension, the labs methods could not be validated, the scientific director could not ensure compliance with international standards required of testing labs and records had been corrupted or overwritten by the companys recent software implementation. The fourth item dealing in standard operating procedures is entirely redacted; Barbour said this and other information was removed to protect proprietary details.

Nordic, in a licensing modification agreement, was no longer able to test for pesticides as of April 15. Three days later, a third-party laboratory accrediting organization for International Organization for Standardization agreed to investigate Nordics pesticide methods. Once Nordics pesticide testing methods meet the requirements in state rules and of the International Organization for Standardization, the Cannabis Control Division will restore the labs ability to test for pesticides.

A message placed Wednesday seeking comment from Nordic Labs was not returned by press time.

"It is an ongoing situation, and we are working with Nordic through this process," Barbour said.

While Nordic remains a partially licensed lab in Montana, the cannabis industry here has seen fewer and fewer testing facilities while the number of businesses has continued to grow.

Barbour described multiple factors that have troubled the testing component of the states marijuana sector. Labs are expensive investments to start up, often well over a million dollars in equipment, and accreditation is a time-consuming exercise. Compliance has also been an issue for some labs, particularly so since the Department of Revenue, which houses CCD, took oversight of the testing labs from the state health department in 2023.

"Once that shift was made, there was more of an eye toward holding people accountable on compliance and testing methodologies, and we started seeing some challenges for some people," Barbour said. "Some labs had a hard time competing against one another to obtain the market share that was the right level for them to remain successful in the industry."

Andre and Melissa Umansky opened Fidelity Diagnostics, loosely known in the industry as FiDi, in 2017 with a single testing instrument purchased on eBay. Theyve since grown with the industry, with 35 employees today, many of whom work in other parts of the state and navigate the logistics of transporting cannabis and cannabis products to the lab in Missoula.

The dynamic nature of marijuana makes testing difficult work; Umansky said testing soil would be simpler. When it comes to pesticides, the levels set by the state are set in the parts-per-million; some of Fidelitys machines are searching for one part-per-billion. To get such an incredibly precise reading requires very expensive instruments. The machines sitting in Fidelity Diagnostics facility cost $400,000 each and about $40,000 per year to maintain.

Pesticide presence in decline

Andre Umansky said cannabis producers, more broadly, have adapted quickly under the new pesticide list. Where banned substances are found, Fidelitys technicians go out to growing facilities to swab surfaces; Umansky said theyve been able to find about 90% of the root causes. In many cases, people had detonated bug bombs in an empty room where plants would later be stored, not realizing those substances got into their heating and ventilation systems.

"Weve worked really hard and been able to identify those," he said. "Were seeing a steady decline now in these pesticides."

Chad Chambers is a co-owner and grower at Montana Kush and said the states expanded pesticides list should not have caused such a headache for the industry. There are many options, like essential oils or different chemical mixes, that can be used in succession to avoid pesticide use and prevent pests like spider mites from building up a tolerance to a single deterrent, he said.

"You have to have an arsenal of things," Chambers said. "But if you maintain in the proper way, you never have to use a pesticide."

Chambers said pesticides that havent been used in a year can still cling to the buildings features and crop up when a product is tested in a lab. Other times, contamination can happen outside a growers control. Pipes can burst, creating a friendly environment for mold, or neighbors in industrial areas can blast pesticides that seep in through the ventilation systems.

"It can get anywhere, especially inside your AC units," Chambers said. "It gets into every nook and cranny. Its a mist, thats what it does."

Recalls

Since the new pesticide list went into effect, the Cannabis Control Division has issued six recalls on cannabis products, some related to pesticides and contaminants, while other producers had reportedly skipped a step in the testing process.

None of the recalls  totaling more than 150 products  indicated any health concerns or complaints had been submitted to the CCD as a result of pesticides or contaminates.

Barbour, with the Cannabis Control Division, said the roster of recalled products is essentially a result of the industry "catching up" with new state rules and regulations. Many recalled products were still in the supply chain and had not reached dispensary shelves, she added.

Fruit Factory in the Flathead saw by far the most products pulled  102 of the 164 products recalled for excessive contaminate residues are under the companys name on the recall posted April 14.

Fruit Factory has dispensaries in northwest Montana, but a large component of the business is a processing facility that gathers a mass of marijuana from growers around the state and refines it into concentrates or distillate liquids for vaping cartridges, cannabis drinks or edibles.

David Laing, a co-owner of the company, declined to comment further on the recall due to an ongoing dispute with the CCD on the matter.

Laing did, however, criticize how state regulators have handled the pesticide rollout, claiming producers didnt get a long enough runaway to clear their operations of those substances and the resulting compliance enforcement has been hard on smaller operations.

"Just because the panel has changed all of a sudden, its unsafe?" Laing said. "Theres guys out there that are hurting because of this."

Upcoming public meeting

Because of the unprecedented situation of having more pesticides to test for, with fewer labs to conduct that testing, a trade group called the Montana Cannabis Guild has scheduled a public meeting on June 4 billed as a discussion about the uncertain testing environment in Montana.

Legislators will be on hand, as well as state regulators and people in the industry, said Montana Cannabis Guild CEO J.D. "Pepper" Petersen. The regulatory environment, recalls and pesticides are all important factors, but the crunch on labs is the immediate issue that needs to be addressed in an open forum, Petersen said.

"God forbid  were dealing with one lab  what happens if lightning strikes their building?" said Petersen, who also owns the Cannabis Corner in Helena. "Weve got a $400 million-plus industry here that every bit of it is now dependent upon one laboratory, and thats a lot of pressure for those guys."

The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark County Library, and will be available on a streamed video conference. (Link here)

Barbour, who will likewise be in attendance, called the meeting an important opportunity to have a conversation about a new evolution in the industry.

"Our role is to be there and to listen, hopefully come away with solutions for the future," Barbour said.
The Debts Recovery Tribunal-III (DRT) at Delhi on May 28 granted interim reliefs to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) in three separate recovery proceedings against Gensol group entities, collectively involving claims of over 992 crore.

The tribunal froze secured assets, appointed court receivers to take possession of electric vehicles (EVs) and restrained the alienation of intellectual property and technology of Gensol's subsidiary, BluSmart, an all-electric cab aggregator which competes with the likes of Uber, Ola etc.

Additionally, the Gensol group was directed to disclose audited financial statements and was restrained from engaging in related party transactions, as part of a broader asset-disclosure order.

Presiding Officer Shiv Kumar cited findings in SEBIs interim order dated April 15 which alleged misutilization and diversion of funds by the personal guarantors of Gensol, who were also among its primary beneficiaries.

The balance of convenience lies in favour of the applicant, and if ex parte interim order is not granted, irreparable loss may be caused, the DRT held in each of the three cases.

DRT issued, inter alia, the following interim directions:

Freezing of secured movable and immovable assets, including EVs financed under lease agreements;

Appointment of court receivers (Harsh Patidar and Swati Malik) to take possession of electric vehicles (EVs) with police assistance;

Restraint on alienation of BluSmarts intellectual property and technology;

Mandatory disclosure of audited financial statements and related party transactions;

Freezing of DEMAT and bank accounts linked to the promoters;

Submission of tracking data and affidavits of assets by the defendants;

Bar on settlements with unsecured creditors without Tribunal approval.

The counsel for the Gensol group argued that IREDA and PFC failed to disclose pending proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) at Ahmedabad and that SEBIs order already addressed asset protection. It was also contended that the borrower accounts had not been classified as NPAs.

However, the tribunal dismissed these objections, stating that RDB Act proceedings do not require NPA classification, filing of an NCLT petition does not trigger moratorium unless admitted and overlap with SEBI action does not preclude civil enforcement.

On May 23, the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT) at Delhi had directed Gensol Engineering and Gensol EV Lease to maintain status quo on secured assets and vehicles. This, after recovery proceedings were initiated by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) for a combined amount of approximately 992 crore.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) at Ahmedabad on May 16 issued notice in IREDA's insolvency plea against Gensol Engineering over a loan default exceeding 510 crore.

Gensol's troubles began with an April 15 interim order passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) which said that Gensol diverted hundreds of crores of rupees through related parties, used public and borrowed funds for unrelated luxury purchases - including a high-end apartment - and submitted forged No Objection Certificates and conduct letters to credit rating agencies. The markets regulator also found that the company misled investors with inflated EV procurement claims, while actual plant activity was negligible.

Based on these findings, SEBI barred the company and its promoters - Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi - from accessing the securities market and restrained them from holding directorship or key managerial positions.

On May 7, Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) refused to stay SEBI's interim order. SAT directed Gensol to file its reply to the interim order passed by SEBI and further directed the markets regulator to pass a final order within four weeks of hearing Gensol.

Meanwhile, a bunch of lessors have been moving the Delhi High Court time and again seeking to protect their interests in the EVs they had leased to BluSmart.
Elon Musk has announced his departure from the Trump administration, stepping down from his role as a senior adviser and special government employee after months of controversy and internal clashes in Washington.

The billionaire chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla and SpaceX confirmed his resignation on Wednesday evening via a post on X, his social media platform, marking the end of a 130-day tenure leading the department of government efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-era initiative aimed at slashing bureaucracy and reducing federal spending.

As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.



The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025

Mr Musks announcement came less than 24 hours after he publicly criticised the presidents flagship legislation, a sweeping tax and immigration Bill referred to by president Trump as his 'big beautiful Bill'. In an interview with CBS, the Tesla CEO called it a 'massive spending bill' that would 'increase the federal deficit and undermine the work of DOGE'.

Taking a jab at the Bills branding, he quipped, I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful. But I dont know if it could be both.

President Trump responded during an Oval Office exchange with reporters, defending the legislation but conceding that revisions could still be made. I am not happy about certain aspects of it, but I am thrilled by other aspects of it, the president says. We are going to see what happens. It is got a way to go.

White House officials confirmed Mr Musks resignation was in process as of Wednesday evening, with his off-boarding beginning immediately. A source familiar with the matter said Mr Musk did not speak directly with president Trump before making his decision public, and that the departure was coordinated at a senior staff level.

The Tesla CEOs exit brings to a close a turbulent chapter in Washington, during which he led aggressive efforts to reduce the federal civilian workforce. According to a Reuters analysis, the administration succeeded in cutting around 12%, or about 260,000 jobs, through a mix of layoffs, buyouts and early retirement schemes.

Despite the numbers, Mr Musk reportedly grew frustrated with the pace of reform and the resistance he encountered within the federal system. The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised, he told The Washington Post earlier this week. It is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.

He also said DOGE had become a 'whipping boy' within the administration, often blamed for unrelated failures. Mr Musk clashed behind closed doors with senior officials, and publicly called White House trade adviser Peter Navarro a 'moron' for rejecting his proposal for a US-Europe zero-tariff pact.

Tensions with the administration further escalated over a reported artificial intelligence (AI) deal between Abu Dhabi and OpenAI  a direct competitor to Mr Musks own company. According to reports in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, the Tesla CEO attempted to block the deal unless his own company was included. His efforts were unsuccessful.

Mr Musk's growing disillusionment with politics was also influenced by his political setbacks. A failed judicial candidate he had heavily backed in Wisconsin, despite spending US$25mn (million), added to his frustrations, according to multiple sources.

Investors had increasingly raised concerns about Mr Musks dual roles, urging him to refocus on his core business responsibilities at Tesla. Some have criticised his involvement in partisan politics and government restructuring, suggesting it was a distraction from Teslas leadership needs.

Earlier this month, Mr Musk signalled a pullback from political funding, saying at an economic forum in Qatar, I think I have done enough. Though he had pledged to contribute US$100mn to Trump-aligned political groups ahead of the 2026 midterms, no funds had been disbursed as of this week, The New York Times reported.

Mr Musks time in the Trump administrationand at the helm of DOGEmay have come to an unceremonious end, but the initiative is expected to continue. Both Musk and administration officials have said the programme to restructure and slim down the federal government will persist.

While Mr Musk departs Washington, his legacy at DOGE remains mixed: a blend of disruptive reform, political fallout and high-profile criticism of the very administration he was meant to serve. Whether his vision of government 'efficiency' survives beyond his tenure remains to be seen.
In a celestial tribute fit for the Waltz King, Johann Strauss II's iconic "The Blue Danube" will be transmitted into deep space on May 31 to honor the composer's 200th birthday. The European Space Agency (ESA) will beam the classical masterpiece toward interstellar space, marking not only the anniversary of the famed Viennese composer, born in 1825, but also ESA's own 50th anniversary.

Read more: 5 Famous Operas That Explore Dark Themes and Characters

Performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the orchestral rendition will be livestreamed during a special event, with free public screenings in Vienna, Madrid, and New York. Although officials confirmed that the music could be converted into live radio signals, ESA has opted to transmit a pre-recorded rehearsal to avoid technical glitches, while the live orchestra performance serves as a synchronized accompaniment.

The radio transmission will travel at the speed of light  roughly 670 million mph  placing the music beyond the moon in just 1.5 seconds, past Mars in 4.5 minutes, and beyond Neptune in about four hours. Within a single day, the signal will have reached the same cosmic distance as NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft  over 15 billion miles from Earth and counting.

The "Blue Danube" is no stranger to space fame. The waltz gained global recognition after its unforgettable appearance in Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." Now, it will join an elite collection of songs transmitted into the cosmos, including the Beatles' "Across the Universe" in 2008 and Missy Elliott's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)," which NASA beamed toward Venus in 2023.

"Music connects us all through time and space in a very particular way," ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said. "The European Space Agency is pleased to share the stage with Johann Strauss II and open the imaginations of future space scientists and explorers who may one day journey to the anthem of space."

The broadcast will use ESA's deep-space antenna in Spain, aiming the dish directly toward Voyager 1, ensuring Strauss' most famous waltz dances forever among the stars  a poetic sendoff from Vienna to the universe.
A new national survey has laid bare the growing frustration among Kenyans, with most citizens blaming the high cost of living as the biggest failure of President William Rutos Kenya Kwanza administration.

TIFA Research, which conducted the survey between May 2 and May 6, 2025, found that 18% of respondents singled out the governments inability to reduce living expenses as its most significant shortcoming. This issue topped a list of concerns, surpassing criticisms of poor leadership (11%), inadequate health services (8%), and corruption or human rights violations (7%).

The findings come from the TIFA National Public Issues Survey: State of the Nation, Kenya Kwanza Government Performance, 2027 Election Issues, and Foreign Relations, which engaged 2,024 Kenyans across nine regions. The results reveal a widespread sense of economic despair.

A staggering 75% of those interviewed said the country is heading in the wrong direction. Among them, 45% blamed the surging cost of living. Only 14% believe Kenya is on the right track.

TIFAs data also shows that 75% of Kenyans feel their personal or family financial situations have worsened since the 2022 general election. In sharp contrast, only 10% reported any improvement. The cost of living emerged as the leading cause of this downturn, far outweighing concerns like joblessness or human rights issues.

While 14% of respondents acknowledged the governments efforts in infrastructure development, nearly half46%could not name a single tangible achievement by the Ruto-led administration. Only 7% of Kenyans failed to identify any government failure, underscoring how deeply economic frustration has taken root.

The survey also sheds light on waning support for the Broad-Based Government (BBG)a political alliance between President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Only 22% of respondents support the BBG, while 54% voiced outright opposition.

Still, given the fact that together, these two leaders obtained about 99% of the 2022 presidential vote, it is worth summarizing the factors that most likely account for their loss of support, at least in terms of approval of their BBG, the TIFA report stated.

Economic hardships appear to lie at the heart of this dissatisfaction. A massive 85% of Kenyans who oppose the BBG say their financial situations have worsened since the last election. Even among BBG supporters, over half (52%) reported similar struggles. Many supporters, despite aligning with the coalition, still cited the rising cost of living as a major reason for losing faith in the countrys direction.

Corruption and poor leadership also featured prominently, with 42% and 30% of respondents respectively identifying them as the key barriers to national progress. Still, the high cost of living remains the central concern, acting as a political flashpoint ahead of the 2027 general election.

TIFAs findings also reflect regional nuances in economic sentiment. While the majority in all regions reported worsening conditions, slightly fewer residents in Central Rift (61%) and Northern Kenya (63%) expressed economic pessimism compared to the national average.

Researchers conducted the survey through telephonic interviews in Kiswahili and English. They selected participants from contacts gathered during earlier face-to-face, household-based interviews. The survey carries a margin of error of 2.17%.
Kenyas National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have poked major holes in Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburis alleged abduction, accusing him of fabricating the incident to earn political sympathy and spark national tension.

On Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DCI Director Amin Mohamed addressed the press from DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road, revealing that investigators had interrogated three more suspects connected to the case. Their statements, officials said, exposed glaring contradictions that discredit the MPs initial claims of a violent kidnapping.

It is quite, quite inconceivable for an honourable Member of Parliament to go to that extent of state management, his own abduction, creating a lot of tension and fear in the country.

Fortunately, weve been able to expedite the investigations and to expose him to the public that the MP was indeed not abducted, said DCI boss Amin Mohamed.

He added that police tracked Koimburis movements throughout the day in questionfrom attending church to checking into a hotel at night.

We were able to account for all his movements from the time he attended church up to where he slept at night. We even identified the hotel and the specific room where he slept, Mohamed noted.

Police also confirmed they had placed Koimburi under surveillance until he was found in a coffee plantation in Jujaa moment now believed to have been carefully staged. Surveillance records, they said, directly contradict the MPs account of being forcibly taken and held against his will.

Further raising eyebrows, investigators said they were denied access to question the MP while he was admitted to hospital after the alleged ordeal. That denial only deepened suspicions surrounding his version of events.

Koimburis Proxies Involved in Staged Abduction

Digging deeper, detectives uncovered a network of Koimburis close associates believed to have helped orchestrate the fake abduction. The suspects include Juja CDF Chairman Peter Kiratu, supermarket owner Cyrus Kieru Muhia, and a man identified as Karanja Gatana.

According to Muhia, Kiratu called him on May 24 and asked to borrow his Subaru Forester, allegedly to transport additional security for the MP during a church service in Mugutha. The next day, Kiratu directed Muhia to his home in Mugutha, where he met Gatana and three unidentified men.

The group visited the church to scout the area and later returned. Later, Kiratu called and instructed him to drive his Subaru Forester with two men towards the church. Upon arrival, the two men exited quickly, and he heard screams as the MP was forced into the vehicle, police recounted.

They then drove toward Jacaranda Coffee Research via Kambogo Road. At a predetermined spot, Koimburi allegedly instructed them to stop near the Honda CRV driven by Gatana. Muhia was left behind with the two men, who reportedly warned him to remain silent and avoid speaking to authorities.

The third suspect in custody confessed to driving Koimburi to a hotel on May 25, where the lawmaker had refreshments and spent the night with the two men accused of abducting him.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the suspect further admitted that on May 26, while using the CDF chairpersons Honda CR-V, he picked up the MP from the hotel and drove him to the location where Koimburi later claimed he had been dumped.

Before the MP exited the vehicle, he helped him tear his clothes to fake evidence of torture by the alleged abductors, Kanja said.

Police have pledged to take decisive legal action against the MP once investigations are complete. Authorities argue that such deception not only wastes valuable resources but also erodes public trustespecially at a time when Kenya faces deepening political polarization.
Gospel musician and Subukia parliamentary aspirant Ngaruiya Junior has publicly severed ties with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of exploiting loyal allies for personal political gain and pushing divisive agendas in Mount Kenya politics.

In a strongly-worded press statement, Ngaruiya said internal strategies and personal attacks from Gachaguas camp no longer align with his vision for development-centered politics. His remarks follow Gachaguas dismissal of Ngaruiyas political ambitions based on his educational backgroundan accusation the artist says reflects a troubling culture of elitism and disrespect.

It is disheartening for a leader of such stature to engage in personal remarks against someone attempting to chart a new path in public service, Ngaruiya stated.

Gachagua Defends Denial of DCP Ticket to Ngaruiya

While addressing congregants at a church service at AIPCA Kihoya in Muranga County on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Gachagua openly mocked Ngaruiya Junior, saying he had every reason to deny him a Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.

Gachagua criticized Ngaruiya for confronting him in front of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and unflinchingly admitted that he had indeed rejected Ngaruiyas political bid due to what he described as inadequate qualifications.

I was genuinely amused to see an artiste run to Mr. Yes Sir and accuse me of refusing to offer him the DCP ticket. Yes, it is true, Gachagua told the congregation.

He emphasized that both personal and political considerations informed his decision, highlighting Ngaruiyas limited formal education as the primary reason for the rejection.

Gachagua said the DCP aims to shield itself from incompetent candidates, and insisted that the party only wants leaders who reflect professionalism and credibility.

So now, someone who only reached Standard Two is expected to be handed a DCP ticket? Who exactly is he meant to represent as a Member of Parliament? I cannot permit that to happen, especially considering the difficult situation we are in, where people are elected without proper scrutiny. No individual lacking direction will be handed a DCP ticket he asked.

Ngaruiya described the comments as unnecessary and dismissive, especially coming from a political figure he once supported during his most turbulent periodincluding after his impeachment.

I stood with him during and after his impeachment, only to later realise that there were broader intentions that did not align with what we were told, he added.

Ngaruiya Cites Betrayal and Divisive Politics

Ngaruiya claimed he had helped mobilize grassroots support for Gachagua, believing in a shared vision. However, he now believes that many leaders, including himself, were used to further the former deputy presidents personal goals.

According to Ngaruiya, several other leaders are experiencing similar disillusionment. He said many who once rallied behind Gachagua are now quietly distancing themselves, frustrated by what they see as a manipulative and exclusionary approach to regional leadership.

He pointed to the example of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, alleging that Gachagua failed to support Waititu during his legal challenges, despite their past political alliance.

Despite many of us working tirelessly to promote and defend him, especially in the Mt Kenya region, there has been a shift in how leadership and relationships are now being managed, Ngaruiya observed.

He also accused Gachagua of ignoring established Mt Kenya-based political parties in favor of pursuing singular control over the regions political direction. Ngaruiya referenced a closed-door meeting during preparations for the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) unveiling, where he claimed there were plans to undermine other regional parties to centralize influence.

Drawing from his former proximity to Gachaguas inner circle, Ngaruiya said he witnessed firsthand the shaping of these strategies. His departure from the political bloc comes as he carves his own path ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ngaruiya Slams Gachagua Over Artist Remarks

In addition to political concerns, Ngaruiya criticized Gachagua for what he sees as unfair targeting of artists. He cited remarks made during a church event, where Gachagua allegedly said that musicians who perform at certain venues should be banned unless they apologize.

Music is our profession, Ngaruiya said. Not every artist is interested in politics. It is unfair to single us out for criticism based on our engagements.

He clarified that a recent meeting with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was simply about having their voices heardnot an act of defiance.

Meeting the current Deputy President Kindiki was simply a matter of seeking an audience. It should not be framed as betrayal or wrongdoing.
The Tononoka Childrens Court in Mombasa has resumed hearings in the Shakahola massacre case, with a renewed focus on the suffering of child victims.

Principal Magistrate Nelly Chepchirchir presided over the Wednesday session, where five witnessesincluding psychologists and counselorstestified about the trauma the rescued children faced. The mental health professionals told the court they had been called in to offer psychosocial support after the children were rescued from the forest in Kilifi County.

We conducted multiple group therapy sessions with the minors who had presented trauma and traumatic grief-related symptoms in order to gain their trust, one counselor told the court.

The therapists revealed that many of the children struggled with nightmares, intense fear, and emotional numbness. Some expressed feelings of anger and shame, while others spoke of cruelty they had endured during their time in the Shakahola forest.

The court also heard that most of the children had never set foot in a classroomlargely because of Pastor Mackenzies extremist preaching. Counselors testified that Mackenzie used his television platform, Time TV, to preach against formal education and medical treatment. He labeled schools as ungodly and reportedly told followers that even Jesus never went to school.

Charles Anjanja, a boda boda rider from Kiambu County, offered an emotional testimony about how Mackenzies influence tore his family apart.

My wife and I disagreed after she started following the preaching on Time TV, which is alleged to have been teaching against education and going to the hospital, he said.

She left our Eldoret home with all four of our children for Mombasa and came back with only three.

Three days later, she left againthis time with two childrenand vanished. That was the last time I saw her. I later received news of her death, Anjanja said.

The ODPP has charged Mackenzie and his 38 co-accused with 17 counts, including violations under the Childrens Act (2012), the Prevention of Torture Act (2017), and the Basic Education Act (2013). The charges include:

Two counts of child torture, with an alternative charge of assault causing actual bodily harm

Nine counts of cruelty to a child

Six counts of infringing a childs right to education

As court proceedings continue, prosecutors emphasize the lasting psychological harm inflicted on the children. Authorities believe Mackenzies teachings not only robbed children of their basic rights but also inflicted lasting trauma that will take years to heal.
A third-year law student from the University of Nairobi has landed in legal trouble after an Eldoret court ordered him to pay Ksh7.5 million in damages for cyberbullying and defamation.

Kevin Ndungu Kiriga, who was found guilty of defaming Benard Kagia, a driver attached to Prophet David Owuor of the Repentance and Holiness Church, is expected to compensate Kagia following a ruling delivered by Eldoret Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan.

Guilty of Cyber Harassment and Character Assassination

The court ruled that Kiriga had engaged in online harassment and malicious defamation, violating Act No. 5 of 2018 under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. The lawsuit arose from a series of posts Kiriga published on Facebook three years ago, in which he referred to Kagia as a prostitute and accused him of infidelity and family neglect.

The defamatory posts, the court heard, sparked significant personal consequences for Kagia, including the breakdown of his marriage.

Magistrate Mikoyan emphasized the seriousness of the offense and noted the increasing number of cyber defamation cases in the country.

Defamation statements made through online platforms are bound to have serious legal implications, and all users of digital space must be informed of the consequences, he warned.

Court Awards Ksh7.5 Million in Damages

While issuing the ruling, Chief Magistrate Mikoyan affirmed that the defamatory nature of the posts warranted heavy compensation. I accordingly find that the plaintiff is entitled to damages for defamation, including the cost of the suit amounting to Ksh7,512,700, he stated.

He urged social media users to exercise restraint and courtesy, especially when publishing content that could damage someones character and reputation.

Student Begs for Time to Raise Millions

After the ruling, Kevin Ndungu protested the magnitude of the financial penalty. Speaking emotionally before the court, the young law student revealed he had no assets or income to settle the amount.

I have no assets of my own because everything at home belongs to my parents, he said.

Kiriga begged the court to give him a 30-day extension so he could seek help from his family. I beg this court to grant me 30 days during which I can go home and talk to my parents and other relatives about how to pay the fine and settle the plaintiff as per the court order.
President William Ruto on Wednesday led the country in observing the 22nd edition of the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. The event, attended by leaders from across political and religious divides, focused on themes of unity, forgiveness, and national healing.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, who co-patrons the annual gathering, delivered a stirring appeal to religious leaders across Kenya. He urged them to serve as unwavering beacons of peace and reconciliation.

Preach forgiveness, promote unity, and proclaim hope for our country, Wetangula said. He emphasized that the National Prayer Breakfast should go beyond symbolism, urging leaders to transcend personal interests and recommit to Godly service.

Describing the gathering as a national moment for reflection and renewal, Wetangula challenged all Kenyans to embrace values that unite rather than divide.

This national prayer breakfast is not just an important gathering, he stated. It is a clarion call to rise above self-interest, to rebuild our nation with the stones of love and integrity, and to re-anchor our leadership in Godly service.

Wetangula Encourages Ruto to Stay the Course Amid Criticism

Addressing President Ruto directly, Wetangula encouraged him to remain resilient in the face of growing political attacks and criticism. Quoting Isaiah 54:17, he said, No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

God never said that weapons wouldnt be formed, Wetangula noted. He said those weapons wouldnt succeed. They will always be formed, but they will not prosper.

He commended Rutos commitment to long-term national transformation, urging the President to stay focused on the bigger picture.

Plea for National Memory and Humour with a Message

The Speaker also cautioned the nation against what he termed unhelpful amnesia, warning that forgetting hard-won progress and lessons from past challenges could jeopardize national unity.

I urge Kenyans not to suffer from unhelpful amnesia, Weta warned.

To underscore the need for mindfulness and national memory, Wetangula lightened the mood with a humorous story:

A man who was feeling unwell walked into a doctors office and said, Doctor, I have a very serious problem. The doctor asked, What problem? The man replied, Every time I think of something or do something, I forget it almost immediately. The doctor then asked, When exactly did this problem start? And the man said, Which problem?'

The story drew laughter from the audience but served as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering the countrys journey, its resilience, and the values that must guide its future.

The 22nd National Prayer Breakfast ended with renewed calls for patriotism, spiritual leadership, and a united approach to building a better Kenya.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  A decade after the Supreme Courts milestone Obergefell v. Hodges ruling declared same-sex marriage a national right in the U.S., a steady 68% of Americans support it.

Since 2021, the percentage of U.S. adults who think marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized with the same rights as traditional marriages has ranged from 68% to 71% (the trend high in 2022 and 2023). Yet, this stability in Americans backing for same-sex marriage masks shifts in partisans views over the same period. Democrats support has risen to 88%, the record high for this group by one percentage point. Independents backing for same-sex marriage has been relatively stable in recent years and currently stands at 76%, one point shy of the record high.

At the same time, Republicans support, which peaked at 55% in 2021 and 2022, has gradually edged down to 41%, the lowest point since 2016 after the Obergefell decision.

The current 47-point gap between Republicans and Democrats is the largest since Gallup first began tracking this measure 29 years ago.

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Public backing for legalized same-sex marriage was low in Gallups first reading in 1996, with 27% support from Americans. By 2004, 42% were in favor, and in 2011, support reached the majority level for the first time, where it has remained since late 2012. A year after the Obergefell decision, in 2016, public support increased to 61%, and it has been above that level since.

Throughout the trend, Democrats have been more supportive than Republicans of same-sex unions, with independents views closer to Democrats. More than half of Democrats have backed legal recognition of same-sex unions since 2004, and independents have since 2011. Support among both groups has since expanded to larger majorities. Republican support has only reached the majority level twice, with 55% readings in 2021 and 2022. It has since been on the decline.

Consistent Majority of U.S. Adults Say Same-Sex Relations Are Morally Acceptable

Gallups May 1-18 Values and Beliefs poll also finds that 64% of Americans consider gay or lesbian relations to be morally acceptable. This is the third identical reading in as many years and is down from the high point in the trend, 71%, in 2022. Majorities of Americans have considered same-sex relations to be morally acceptable since 2010.

As with their views of same-sex marriage, partisans attitudes have shifted in opposite directions in recent years, and the gap between Democrats and Republicans acceptance has widened to its largest point. Currently, 86% of Democrats (a new high by one point) and 38% of Republicans (the lowest reading for the group since 2012) say gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable. After reaching a high of 56% in 2022, Republicans views of same-sex relations as morally acceptable have steadily declined.

Independents views of gay or lesbian relations as morally acceptable have been closer to Democrats over the course of the trend, but they have been more stable in recent years than Democrats and Republicans. The latest poll finds 69% of independents saying same-sex relations are morally acceptable.

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Majorities in Most Demographic Subgroups Back Same-Sex Marriage, Relations

Majorities of U.S. adults in most demographic subgroups think same-sex marriage should be legal and say same-sex relations are morally acceptable. However, those who attend religious services at least weekly  a group that is more Republican  are an exception. One-third of these frequent churchgoers support same-sex marriage, while 24% of them consider gay or lesbian relations as morally acceptable.

Additionally, opinions about same-sex marriage and the morality of same-sex relations vary by gender, age and education, with women, younger adults and college graduates more supportive than men, older Americans and those without a college degree.

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Bottom Line

Ten years after the Supreme Court established same-sex marriage as a constitutional right, national support remains strong and steady at 68%. However, this ostensible stability masks deepening partisan divides. Although Democrats and independents support continues to rise or hold steady, Republicans support  which initially grew in the years following the Obergefell decision  has fallen each of the past three years. The moral acceptability of same-sex relations shows a similar pattern.

Despite the stable national backing for same-sex marriage and relations, the widening political divide suggests potential vulnerabilities in the durability of LGBTQ+ rights. In 2022, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that the high court should reconsider its past rulings, including those on same-sex relationships and marriage. Since then, Republican lawmakers in some states have introduced resolutions asking the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell. During his second term, President Donald Trump has implemented policies that significantly roll back LGBTQ+ protections, particularly affecting transgender individuals. These occurrences suggest that same-sex marriage in the U.S. could face renewed legal and political challenges.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on X @Gallup.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download).

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Top of Form
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has passed an interim order barring five former and current senior executives of IndusInd Bank from participating in the securities market, alleging their involvement in insider trading that helped them collectively avoid losses worth nearly Rs 19.78 crore. SEBI's ex-parte interim order, issued on May 28, names the bank officials including Arun Khurana (Executive Director and Deputy CEO), Sumant Kathpalia (Managing Director & CEO), Sushant Sourav (Head of Treasury Operations), Rohan Jathanna (Head of GMG Operations), and Anil Marco Rao (Chief Administrative Officer, Consumer Banking). Some of these officials have already resigned from their roles at the bank. SEBI said "The bank accounts of Noticees are impounded to the extent of amount as mentioned in last column of Table 10 above, and Noticees are directed to open fixed deposit account(s) in their names so as to credit or deposit the aforesaid impounding amount with a lien marked in favour of SEBI and the amount kept therein shall not be released without permission from SEBI". SEBI launched a suo motu investigation after observing a sharp fall in IndusInd Bank's stock price following a disclosure made by the bank on March 10, 2025. The bank revealed a discrepancy in its derivative portfolio accounting, stemming from changes mandated by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Master Direction issued in September 2023. SEBI, in an order, said "Vide emails dated December 16, 2023, March 06, 2024 and May 05, 2024, figures of discrepancies Rs 1,572 crores, Rs 1,776.49 crores and Rs 2,361.69 crores for the period ending September 2023, December 2023 and March 2024, respectively, were circulated amongst the employees of IBL" The regulator found that the bank's internal team had discovered the discrepancies as early as September 2023 and had internally communicated the financial impact to top executives, including those now under investigation, by December 2023. Despite knowing the extent of the issue, the bank delayed public disclosure until March 2025. During the period classified by SEBI as containing unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI), from December 4, 2023, to March 10, 2025, the accused officials sold large volumes of IndusInd Bank shares. SEBI's order shows that none of them bought shares during this time, indicating deliberate attempts to offload shares before the negative news became public and the stock price crashed. On March 11, the day after the disclosure, IndusInd Bank shares dropped 27.17 per cent from Rs 900.60 to Rs 655.95. Arun Khurana alone sold 3.48 lakh shares, avoiding losses of over Rs 14.39 crore. Kathpalia sold 1.25 lakh shares, evading losses of more than Rs 5.2 crore. The remaining three officials together avoided additional losses of nearly Rs 19 lakh. In its interim order, SEBI has now frozen the officials' bank accounts to the extent of the avoided loss amounts. The market regulator also directed them to park these amounts in fixed deposit accounts with a lien in favour of SEBI. It also prohibited them from buying or selling any securities until further orders. SEBI also asked them to disclose details of their assets and financial holdings within 15 days. The regulator also clarified that its investigation is ongoing and further actions, including penalties, may follow. (ANI)
PRNewswire Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], May 29: In a landmark achievement, a team of five students from CEPT University have clinched first place in the 2025 ULI Hines Student Competition - Asia Pacific, placing CEPT on the global map as the first Indian institution to win this internationally renowned competition in its 23-year history. The winners were announced today at the ULI Asia Pacific Summit in Hong Kong, where the CEPT team presented their visionary proposal before an audience of global industry leaders, academics, and peers. This year's competition saw participation from 33 multidisciplinary teams across 10 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region. Finalist teams included CEPT University (India), The University of Melbourne (Australia), and Chulalongkorn University (Thailand). CEPT University had first entered the competition in 2024 and secured the first runner-up position. Representing India as the Zoning Out Crew, the winning team included Danish Sikkander, Pooja Save, Pranav Amarnath, and Rishi Kumar from the Master's in Urban Design, and Sriram Soni from the Master's in Urban Infrastructure program. The team worked under the mentorship of Purvi Chhadva, Program Chair of the Master's in Urban Design, and Dr. Mona Iyer, faculty member at Faculty of Planning, CEPT University. As part of their prize, the team will receive ULI memberships, travel and accommodation support, and the opportunity to engage with leading global professionals in real estate, planning, and urban innovation. The proposal 'Kai Tak 2050: The Active Shared City' submitted by CEPT University students reimagined the Kai Tak Waterfront in Hong Kong as a next-generation 'sharing city'--a vibrant urban model where density, integrated infrastructure, and community-driven design foster innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The concept was anchored in five core pillars: shared mobility, green spaces, living, culture, and resources. The team proposed an urban future where sharing is not a compromise but a means to elevate quality of life. By treating density as an advantage, encouraging social interaction and active living, and fostering economic self-sufficiency, the proposal positions Kai Tak as a potential global benchmark for future high-density, livable, and resilient cities. The proposal featured a car-free, multi-level transit system, climate-resilient parks and rooftop farms, co-living and innovation hubs, a cultural corridor for learning and creativity, and a zero-carbon district powered by renewable energy and circular systems. Together, these components formed a forward-looking, inclusive urban blueprint. The jury praised the submission for its originality, financial feasibility, and community-first approach--recognizing it as a scalable and future-forward model for equitable and sustainable urban development. CEPT student Rishi Kumar, who led the Zoning Out Crew, said, "Leading the team in the ULI Hines Competition was an incredible experience of collaboration and growth. Each member deepened their skills--from strategy and storytelling to visualization and practical implementation--allowing us to craft a thoughtful, well-rounded design. Together, we embraced diverse perspectives and sharpened our ability to design beyond conventional boundaries." Reflecting on the significance of this achievement, Prof. Shalini Sinha, Dean, Faculty of Planning at CEPT University, emphasized the global relevance of the students' approach and the academic ethos that shaped it. "This award is not just a celebration of design excellence but a testament to our curriculum that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and socially responsive urban solutions. It reinforces our belief that thoughtful planning, when backed by rigorous analysis and innovation, can drive transformative change," she said. Praising the team's exemplary performance and the global recognition the students have won, Prof Barjor Mehta, President of CEPT University, said, "This win is a proud moment. Our students have demonstrated that bold, people-centric ideas--when grounded in feasibility--can shape global conversations on the future of cities. This achievement is a milestone and a reflection of our growing role in shaping global urban futures." Organised by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in partnership with Hines, the ULI Hines Student Competition - Asia Pacific is regarded as the region's most prestigious urban ideas challenge. It invites final-year undergraduate and graduate students to form interdisciplinary teams and respond to real-world urban development scenarios with innovative, sustainable, and financially viable proposals. Teams are given three weeks to deliver a comprehensive vision--covering planning, design, and financial analysis--for a real site in a major Asia Pacific city. The winning proposal can be accessed online. To view the narrative summary, click: https://asia.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/3_8224_The-Active-Shared-City_NarrativeSummary.pdf About CEPT University CEPT University is a recognized leader in education and research in the areas of architecture, planning, design, technology and urban management. Its teaching programs aim to build thoughtful professionals and its research programs deepen understanding in its areas of expertise. CEPT University also undertakes advisory projects to support the national, state and city governments and large sections of private industry. Through its education, research and advisory activities, the University strives to contribute to enriching the lives of people in India's villages, towns and cities. The University comprises five faculties: viz. the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Planning, the Faculty of Technology, the Faculty of Design, and the Faculty of Management. In December 2023, CEPT University was recognized by the Government of India as a Centre of Excellence in Urban Planning and Design. This comes with an endowment of Rs. 250 Crore to be used towards the research and training on India specific knowledge in Urban Planning and Design over the next 25 years. CEPT University was established by the CEPT University Act of 2005 enacted by the government of Gujarat. It was originally started in 1962 as the School of Architecture supported by the Ahmedabad Education Society. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the Government of India recognizes the University as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO). CEPT University is recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat. CEPT University has over 30 ongoing collaborations and exchange programs with top-ranked universities across the world. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2697904/Zoning_Out_Crew_Presents_Proposal.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2323005/CEPT_University_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 29: Tunwal E-Motors Ltd (NSE - Tunwal), a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India, has delivered an outstanding performance in FY 2024-25 with a 75.17% increase in revenue, totaling Rs184.86 crore, compared to Rs105.53 crore in the previous fiscal year. This significant growth highlights the company's strong foothold in the rapidly evolving electric mobility space.

Tunwal also reported a net profit of Rs11.85 crore for FY25, with Earnings Per Share (EPS) at Rs2.32. The Board of Directors declared a final dividend of Rs0.10 per share, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term growth and profitability.

Strong H2 Performance and Channel Expansion

In the second half of FY25 alone, Tunwal registered Rs109.41 crore in revenue, representing a robust 82.28% year-on-year growth. Net profit for the period stood at Rs6.47 crore. This performance is backed by growing demand, expanding dealer networks, and rising brand trust.

Successful Participation at Auto Cluster Expo 2025 | Strengthens Market Expansion with 200+ units B2B Orders at Auto Cluster Expo

Tunwal's impactful participation at the Auto Cluster Expo 2025, held from 23rd to 25th May 2025, showcased the company's momentum in both consumer and business segments.

Tunwal generated direct and measurable returns. On the B2B front, over 200 electric two-wheeler orders were placed by dealers, with exclusive rewards offered on select volumes. Additionally, 2 vehicles were sold directly to consumers (B2C), validating rising walk-in interest and market pull.

Continued Focus on Growth and Accessibility

Established in 2018, Tunwal E-Motors has introduced over 28 models tailored to India's diverse mobility needs, supported by a network of 330+ dealers across major states pan India.

Tunwal continues to enhance customer experience, product innovation, and operational excellence. As of 27 May 2025, the company's share price stood at Rs32.2 with a market capitalisation of Rs178 crore, reflecting investor confidence in its vision and execution.

(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)
BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], May 29: Apeejay School of Management (ASM) celebrates its remarkable achievements and dedication to academic excellence, securing distinguished positions in the Times B-School Ranking Survey 2025. Renowned for its robust programs and transformative education, ASM continues to set benchmarks among PGDM institutes in Delhi and beyond. Prestigious Rankings ASM's consistent performance reaffirms its status as one of the top private MBA colleges in Delhi NCR. The latest rankings place ASM as follows: -3rd among the Top 20 Private Business Schools in North India -7th among the Top 50 Private Business Institutes in India -12th among the Top 100 Business Schools (private & government) These achievements underscore ASM's commitment to shaping professionals ready to excel in today's dynamic business landscape. Recent Awards & Recognition In addition to its Times B-School Rankings, ASM has added another feather to its cap by being honored in the Education World Indian Higher Education Rankings 2025-26 under two prestigious categories: -Exemplary Researcher of the Year -Best Institute for Providing Industry-Relevant Program These accolades are a testament to ASM's visionary leadership, industry-aligned curriculum, and focus on innovation and research. Cutting-Edge PGDM Program (equivalent to MBA by AIU) ASM offers a thoughtfully designed PGDM Program (equivalent to MBA by Association of Indian Universities) tailored to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications. With a vision to create industry-ready experts, our programs equip students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in challenging, fast-paced environments. Whether you are looking for a PGDM institute in Delhi or exploring opportunities at MBA colleges in Delhi NCR, Apeejay School of Management sets itself apart with a curriculum deeply rooted in experiential learning, fostering practical insights and industry readiness. Discover how ASM's program can help you unlock your potential by visiting the following page: ASM's PGDM Program (equivalent to MBA by AIU). AIU Recognition - PGDM Equivalent to MBA The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) offered by Apeejay School of Management (ASM) is officially recognized as equivalent to an MBA by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). This recognition adds strong academic value to the program and opens doors to: -Higher education opportunities in India and abroad -Enhanced career prospects across industries -Global acceptance of the qualification The AIU, a national-level authority, evaluates and certifies academic programs for equivalence. Its endorsement affirms the academic excellence of ASM's PGDM program, making it a trusted and valuable qualification for students aiming for global success. Advanced Academic Infrastructure Strategically located in the capital's vibrant educational hub, ASM boasts a campus equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. From cutting-edge classrooms to a resource-rich library, everything at ASM is designed to inspire learning and foster collaboration. If you're looking for management colleges in Delhi that blend academic excellence with modern amenities, ASM delivers an unparalleled learning environment. Global Exposure for Future Leaders At ASM, education transcends classroom boundaries. With opportunities for global exposure, collaboration with international institutions, and comprehensive experiential learning programs, students gain valuable insights into international markets while retaining a strong foundation in local business practices. ASM takes pride in providing a top-tier PGDM program (equivalent to MBA by AIU) in Delhi, offering a unique blend of global and regional expertise. Unmatched Career Opportunities ASM's stellar placement record is a testament to its commitment to student success. Partnering with leading organizations, the institution ensures graduates are industry-ready. The support of a vast network of recruiters further solidifies ASM's reputation as a top choice among management colleges in Delhi NCR for career growth and advancement. Elevate Your Future with ASM Apeejay School of Management is committed to advancing its mission to empower individuals with world-class education, innovative learning experiences, and career-defining opportunities. Ranked among the best private MBA colleges in Delhi, ASM is your ideal partner for success in a competitive business environment. Take the decisive step toward your future today. Explore our programs, stay updated on our rankings, and discover why ASM leads the way in management education. Learn more at ASM Admissions.orEnroll Now at https://application.apeejay.edu/higher-edu/login/asm In case of further doubts or queries, you can also reach out to us directly viaEmail: asm.dwk.del@apeejay.eduPhone No.: +91-9560-222-999 Choose Apeejay School of Management - where excellence meets opportunity. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Jakarta [Indonesia], May 29: PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI") reaffirms its commitment to accelerating the energy transition in Indonesia. PT SMI is exploring potential collaboration with PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) ("PT PLN") and HDF Energy. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Exploring Financing Support Related to Hydrogen Utilization for Electrification, signed by the three parties, was announced directly in front of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, the President Director of PT PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, and the Founder & CEO of HDF Energy, Damien Havard, who are the signatories of the MoU, were also present at the State Palace. The announcement of this MoU is one of the series of agendas during President Macron's bilateral visit to Indonesia. Through this agreement, PT SMI further demonstrates its role in fostering collaboration with various parties on climate issues. "Today is a very important day for PT SMI, as our active role in the energy transition has been appreciated by President Prabowo and President Macron. This certainly motivates us even more to enhance our collaborative spirit in helping to address the impacts of climate change. We are interested in exploring support for this project due to several aspects, namely first, support for the implementation of new technology, specifically hydrogen in the energy transition aspect, then the project's location in Eastern Indonesia, which is a priority area for us, and the need for blended finance," said Reynaldi Hermansjah, President Director of PT SMI. Through the newly signed MoU, PT SMI, PT PLN, and HDF Energy are ready to collaborate in developing Hydrogen on Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara. This project will also place Indonesia at the forefront of the Asia-Pacific region in the development of clean energy based on fuel cell technology, leveraging HDF Energy's specialization in hydrogen-to-power technology. HDF Energy is a French company that develops and operates hydrogen infrastructure, focusing on the development of power plants that can continuously generate electricity sourced from renewable energy and Megawatt-scale fuel cells. This project is projected to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 711,946 tCO2e over 25 years of operation or an average of 28,478 tCO2e per year. In addition to environmental benefits, PT SMI also highlights the significant advantages of this project, especially for the socio-economic conditions of the surrounding communities in Sumba Island. "This project will provide access to clean and stable energy for more than 10 thousand households in Sumba, without any negative impact on the environment. Of course, this will benefit the community in providing their electricity needs for daily activities. Moreover, this project will also accelerate local economic growth, as it supports the local agriculture and tourism sectors, and creates new jobs, employing more than 100 workers during its construction and operational phases," added Reynaldi. As of March 2025, PT SMI has financed 96 climate-related projects with a cumulative commitment of IDR 34.1 trillion and a project value of IDR 175.3 trillion. As many as 48 projects have been calculated, resulting in a potential avoided Greenhouse Gas (GHG) of 4.0 million tons of CO2-Equivalent and a potential Carbon Credit Equivalent of USD 14 million. About PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI") PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) ("PT SMI"), established on February 26, 2009, is a State-Owned Enterprise under the coordination of the Ministry of Finance, in the form of a Non-Bank Financial Institution (LKBB). PT SMI plays a role and has a mandate as an agent of sustainable development. PT SMI has 3 business pillars, namely Commercial Financing, Public Financing, and Advisory Service and Project Development. PT SMI has various functions and unique products/features to support the acceleration of infrastructure development, which not only serves as infrastructure financing but also as an enabler through the implementation of the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme involving various financial institutions, both private and multilateral. PT SMI actively supports the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and encourages the acceleration of infrastructure development in the regions through regional loan products. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], May 29: The Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a leading FMCG conglomerateand multi-business corporation, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Rs. 10,000 crore in revenue for FY 2024-25 making it into the list of top 15 FMCG companies in India. This milestone is primarily driven by its F&B segment, which contributes 42% to total revenue, followed by Mouth Freshener segment at 38%, Hospitality at 3%, and the other businesses together contribute to the rest with tobacco being less than 10%. The Group has witnessed consistent upward trajectory with a CAGR of 16% in the last 3 years through organic growth, reinforcing its market leadership and commitment to expansion. The food and beverage (F&B) segment has demonstrated a CAGR of 19 percent over the last three years. The DS Group's sustained market leadership is a testament to its unwavering commitment to meeting a delightful experience for consumers. This commitment is built upon a foundation of deep expertise in flavours and fragrances, a keen understanding of evolving consumer preferences, and a robust distribution network. Together, all businesses account for more than 150 super stockists, over 5000 distributors reaching out to over 15 lakh retail shops directly and over 35 lakh indirectly, pan India. With the changing consumer buying behaviour, DS Group has thoroughly studied and capitalized on the evolving trends in modern trade, e-commerce including quick commerce to its advantage. Continuing to focus on artificial intelligence, automation and other future-focused technologies has enabled the organization to maintain its relevance within the industry while simultaneously driving value for consumers. Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group, stated, "Surpassing the Rs. 10,000 crore revenue milestone is more than just a financial achievement; it signifies our integral role as a significant contributor to India's evolving growth story. The DS Group has been a vital contributor to the FMCG sector's expansion, driven by our diverse portfolio, dedicated focus on quality and innovation and one of the largest distribution networks in the FMCG segment in the country. Food and Beverage segment has been on an accelerated growth in the last three years and this milestone reflects the trust placed on us by Indian consumers, whose evolving needs have constantly pushed us to remain agile and relevant. The dedication of our employees and partners is the foundation of our journey and looking ahead, we aspire to achieve the Rs. 20,000 crore milestone by our centenary year with a commitment to further fuelling India's FMCG sector. Our robust pipeline of innovative products will continue to generate excitement and drive growth embodying the 'Create What is Worth Creating' spirit. We will continue to further expand our distribution network, ensuring our products reach every corner of the nation as well as global markets, thereby strengthening the Indian FMCG sector's overall reach and impact. I also firmly believe that philanthropy and CSR, when integrated into core business operations, drives triple-bottom-line success: people, profit, planet. In alignment with our dedication to sustainable growth, the DS Group is actively pursuing ambitious green initiatives. These include advancing carbon and water neutrality goals, implementing green manufacturing practices, and strengthening our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, thereby reinforcing our commitment to responsible and ethical business practices," he added. Today DS Group is a leading name in the Indian food and beverage industry. It has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, establishing itself as a pioneer across multiple product categories. The Catch brand offers a comprehensive range of table-top and culinary ingredients, including a variety of salts and sprinklers, spices, cooking pastes, and gravies. It introduced India's first free-flowing salt and pepper in sprinklers in 1987. Catch further solidified its position as an industry leader in the spice segment by pioneering low-temperature grinding technology in India and later the advanced cryogenic grinding technology, a process designed to preserve the essential oils, aromas, and flavors of spices. The Group's beverage division, under Catch, provides a diverse selection of products, including water, flavored water, carbonated drinks and juices. DS Group's history of pioneering innovations includes being the first to bottle natural spring water at 5000 feet above sea level from the Himalayas in 1999. Beyond these technological advancements, Catch also holds global recognition for its patented technology used in the production of 100% vegetarian pure gold and silver foils (warq). Using advanced technology and mechanized processes, DS Group ensures that the gold and silver leaves are completely free from animal interface and comply with FSSAI guidelines. In the confectionery sector, DS Group has established itself as the second-largest player in the Indian non-chocolate confectionery market, driven by a series of innovative product launches. Pass Pass, introduced in 1999, holds the distinction of being the first organized Indian ethnic confectionery brand in India. Coupled with Silver Pearls, DS Group is the largest player in the Indian Ethnic confectionery market. The rapid success of Pulse, a market leader in the hard-boiled candy segment since the last 9 years, highlights the Group's ability to create highly successful consumer products. The recent launch of Pulse Golmol, a tangy, tamarind flavoured soft chew , demonstrates DS Group's continued focus on innovation and its ability to connect with consumers through nostalgic flavors. The Group's confectionery portfolio also includes well-known brands such as Chingles, Fru, and Luvit. DS Group's presence extends to the dairy segment, where it operates the Ksheer brand, offering a range of fresh and ambient products. In addition, Ovino, a premium D2C brand, specializes in high-quality, single-origin milk sourced directly from the Group's farms. In the premium Mouth Fresheners' category, Rajnigandha is an undisputed leader in the premium mouth fresheners market. The Group's overall strategy is rooted in a deep understanding of Indian consumer preferences, leveraging cultural marketing, and utilizing its expertise in flavors and fragrances to create market-leading brands. The DS Group has been in the hospitality business since 2000. Presently, its hospitality portfolio encompasses six distinguished properties which include The Namah Nainital in Nainital and Namah in Jim Corbett National Park, which are both members of Radisson Individuals. With a strategic focus on key Indian markets, the projected investment in the hospitality division for the next few years is approximately INR 1000 crores, with a goal of establishing 10-12 hotels within the next three years. The other business also include Agriculture, Luxury Retail which includes food and fashion, and other investments. The Group aspires to be not just a market leader but also a great workplace, committed to sustainability, water neutrality, and environmental consciousness. The DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is a one of the leading FMCG conglomerates and a Multi-Business Corporation with a strong Indian and International presence. Founded in the year 1929, it is an inspiring and successful business story that blends a remarkable history and legacy with visionary growth. It has an extensive and diverse portfolio with presence in Food and Beverage, Confectionery, Mouth Freshener, Hospitality, Agri, Luxury Retail businesses, and other investments. Catch, Pulse, Pass Pass, Silver Pearls, Ksheer, Rajnigandha, Ovino, L'Opera, Le Marche, Society Of Salad, Birthright, LuvIt, Chingles, Golmol, Namah are some of the leading brands, the Group proudly shelters today. As a corporate, DS Group is guided by a clear set of values that are built on a strong foundation of collective good to give back to society and protect the planet. The DS Headquarters has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, under the USGBC (US Green Building Council) existing building O&M (Operation and Maintenance) program version 4.0. The DS Headquarters has also received LEED Zero Carbon Certification, by the USGBC. (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)
NewsVoir Ankara [Turkey], May 29: Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Myanmar in April 2024 and the growing awareness of seismic risk across the Indian subcontinent, Turkish engineering firm TIS has announced its strategic interest in entering the Indian market. The company is known globally for designing, manufacturing, and deploying advanced seismic isolation systems that protect critical infrastructure during earthquakes. "India, like Turkiye, sits on a highly active fault system. We believe the time is right to bring our proven seismic protection technology and project-based engineering approach to this important region," said Ugurcan Ozcamur, General Manager of TIS. "Our goal is not just to supply equipment, but to collaborate with local partners to create lasting resilience across India's infrastructure landscape." From Turkiye to the world TIS began its journey in 2012 with five years of dedicated R&D, rigorous testing, and certification from European bodies. Since launching commercial operations in 2017, the company has completed projects in Italy--home to nearly 30% of its current portfolio--Greece, Azerbaijan, Taiwan, Mexico, and most recently, Chile. TIS gained global recognition after the devastating 6 February 2023 earthquakes in Turkiye, where its seismic isolators kept eight major hospitals and public buildings fully operational during the earthquakes of 7.6 and 7.5 magnitude. "TIS is one of the few companies worldwide that offers fully integrated earthquake protection solutions, combining engineering design, product innovation, and customized implementation - all under one roof. Our technologies, including friction pendulum seismic isolators, have been successfully deployed in hospitals, data centres, metro lines, historical structures, residential, and bridges across Europe, Latin America, and Asia," he added. Tailored solutions for challenging environments TIS stands out not only for the quality of its products but for its ability to adapt to complex structural conditions. In Chile, the company successfully implemented seismic isolation in lightweight, modular data centres. TIS engineers custom-designed the devices for steel structures and delivered a cost-effective, tailored solution in just three months. This achievement has led to six completed projects in Chile, with more underway across the region. "In every country we operate, from Taiwan to Chile, we begin by understanding the local challenges -- not imposing a one-size-fits-all approach," said Ozcamur. "This is why we are confident in our ability to work with Indian architects, developers, and government agencies to build a new level of earthquake resilience." India is the next frontier While TIS has not yet launched a project in India, the company is actively seeking local partnerships. Recent seismic events, such as the April 2024 earthquake in Myanmar felt across northeastern India, have increased public and institutional awareness of the region's seismic vulnerability. India's own history of major earthquakes--like the 2001 Gujarat disaster and more recent tremors in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Assam--reinforces the urgent need for advanced seismic protection. With rapid urbanization in high-risk areas, TIS sees India as a prime candidate for world-class, tailored earthquake mitigation solutions and aims to become a trusted technical partner in both public and private sectors. TIS is a Turkiye-based engineering and manufacturing company specializing in seismic isolation systems. Containing certified product design, proprietary R&D, and a strong international portfolio, TIS offers earthquake protection technologies that enhance the structural resilience of critical infrastructure. (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)
After a federal court of the United States struck down a reciprocal tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that India should proceed cautiously in its ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US. A Manhattan-based federal court on May 28 struck down Trump's move to impose reciprocal tariffs on the trading partners of the US and ruled that he can't use emergency power to impose tariffs on foreign countries; it has to come from Congress. The order of the court determined that the tariffs, including those introduced under emergency economic powers, were unlawful. Analysing the impact of the ruling on Trade negotiations, Ajay Srivastava, founder of GTRI, said that India should resist any agreement shaped by threats or based on unlawful measures. Srivastava said that Trump-era tariffs violate World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules as well as the domestic laws of the US as confirmed by the federal court. "With the Trump tariffs standing on shaky legal ground, India must pause and reassess its negotiation strategy before committing to an FTA that could disproportionately favour U.S. interests," said Srivastava in a statement. ANI on May 23 reported through government sources that India and the United States are poised to sign the first tranche of the much-anticipated Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) before July. The India-US trade deal would mark a significant milestone in economic relations between the two big economies, potentially opening new avenues for bilateral commerce and investment. In 2024-25, for the fourth consecutive year, the US was India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at USD 131.84 billion. India had a trade surplus of USD 41.18 billion in goods with the US in 2024-25. After the landmark ruling of the US federal court, the stock markets globally reacted positively, with excitement seen in major Asian markets of Japan and Korea. Japan's Nikkei and Korea's Kospi surged two per cent after the ruling. In reaction, the Indian stock market benchmark Sensex at BSE also jumped over 500 points but lost steam soon. (ANI)
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], May 29: Safex Chemicals, a leading player in the specialty chemical sector, is proud to announce the commencement of operations at its newest and largest manufacturing facility in Bharuch, Gujarat. Commissioned in April 2025, the facility marks a major milestone in the company's ongoing expansion strategy and will play a pivotal role in enhancing its supply chain efficiency and product availability across key agricultural markets in India. To bolster production capacity, strengthen supply chain resilience, and drive R&D-led innovation in crop protection solutions. The new facility will add approximately 300 direct jobs. The capacity is scalable up to 80 MT per day. The Bharuch facility will manufacture a wide range of liquid and powder crop protection formulations, significantly augmenting Safex's capacity to meet the rising demand from India's key agricultural belts. With the current capacity of 23,335 MT for liquid products and 51,395 MT of overall production including liquid, powder and granules across facilities in India, the new capacity will add an initial production capacity of 30 MT per day for liquid formulations, scalable up to 80 MT per day. This facility is poised to become a major hub for the company's operations, especially across western, central, and southern India. Speaking on the new facility launch, S K Chaudhary, Chairman at Safex Chemicals said, "Our new Bharuch facility marks a significant step in Safex's mission to empower farmers with innovative crop protection solutions. Centrally located, it enhances our supply chain efficiency and responsiveness across key agricultural markets in India. This facility will also act as a dedicated manufacturing base for our agritech platform, Golden Farms. Overall, it represents our seventh largest in India and eighth globally, showcasing Safex's excellence in manufacturing and innovation for both domestic and international markets." As part of Safex's commitment to technology and innovation, the Bharuch facility will feature fully automated production lines and a state-of-the-art R&D centre focused on developing advanced formulations tailored to the evolving needs of Indian farmers. The R&D centre will be pivotal in spearheading product innovations aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. In alignment with the company's green vision, the plant houses a 100 KW solar power unit, contributing to its energy needs through renewable sources. Additionally, Safex has ensured full compliance with environmental regulations, backed by a robust Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) training program that is integral to its operations across locations. With the current workforce of over 1550 globally, Safex will add approximately 300 direct jobs to the overall workforce. The company also remains committed to fostering strong ties with the local community through its CSR-led engagement model with transformative projects focused on holistic education, basic amenities and sports. Looking ahead, Safex plans to continuously assess opportunities for further expansion in response to growing demand. As the company continues to scale, the Bharuch facility is envisioned to be a global showcase of Safex's manufacturing excellence and innovation-led approach, supporting both domestic and international market ambitions. About Safex Chemicals Safex Chemicals is a new-age chemical enterprise redefining agriculture and specialty chemicals through innovation, integration, and scale. From empowering farmers across India with high-performance crop protection products to partnering with global innovators through advanced CDMO solutions, Safex operates across the entire value chain--delivering science with purpose. With operations in 20+ countries and a track record of strategic acquisitions, robust governance, and sustained growth, Safex has evolved into one of India's leading agrochemical platforms--driven by agility, purpose, and a bold vision for the future. For more information, please visit - https://safexchemicals.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 29: Supreme Facility Management Limited (NSE - SFML), one of the leading players in the facility management sector, has announced its Audited Financial Results for H2 FY25. H2 FY25 Standalone key financial highlights: * Total Income of Rs 169.28 Cr, YoY growth of 3.20%* EBITDA of Rs 16.43 Cr, YoY growth of 22.12%* EBITDA Margin (%) of 9.70%, YoY growth of 150 BPS* Net Profit of Rs 2.78 Cr, YoY growth of 12.11%* Net Profit Margin (%) of 1.64%, YoY growth of 13 BPS* EPS of Rs 1.38, YoY growth of 1.47% FY25 Standalone Key Financial highlights: * Total Income of Rs 331.57 Cr, YoY growth of 12.15%* EBITDA of Rs 32.95 Cr, YoY growth of 27.02%* EBITDA Margin (%) of 9.94%, YoY growth of 117 BPS* Net Profit of Rs 6.79 Cr, YoY growth of 95.04%* Net Profit Margin (%) of 2.05%, YoY growth of 87 BPS* EPS of Rs 3.37, YoY growth of 76.55% H2 FY25 Consolidated Key Financial Highlights: * Total Income of Rs 202.72 Cr, YoY growth of 2.62%* EBITDA of Rs 17.67 Cr, YoY growth of 13.05%* EBITDA Margin (%) of 8.72%, YoY growth of 80 BPS* Net Profit of Rs 3.15 Cr, YoY change of -6.47%* Net Profit Margin (%) of 1.55%, YoY change of - 15 BPS* EPS of Rs 1.56, YoY change of -15.33% H2 FY25 Consolidated Key Financial Highlights: * Total Income of Rs 403.49 Cr, YoY growth of 13.04%* EBITDA of Rs 36.29 Cr, YoY growth of 22.49%* EBITDA Margin (%) of 8.99%, YoY growth of 69 BPS* Net Profit of Rs 7.95 Cr, YoY growth of 59.19%* Net Profit Margin (%) of 1.97%, YoY growth of 57 BPS* EPS of Rs 3.94, YoY growth of 44.10% FY25 Consolidated Highlights: Segment-wise Revenue Breakdown: * Integrated Facility Management: Rs298.84 Cr, contributing 74.46% of revenue. * Employee Transportation: Rs85.89 Cr, contributing 21.40% of revenue. * Production Support Services: Rs16.63 Cr, contributing 4.14% of revenue. Commenting on the Performance Amol Shingate, CEO of Supreme Facility Management Limited, said, "I am proud to share that this year, Supreme Facility Management Limited has delivered strong and encouraging business performance, driven by our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and client satisfaction. Our focused efforts on expanding and optimizing our service offerings have not only strengthened our market position but also improved our profitability and efficiency. Sustainability remains central to our business strategy. We are dedicated to implementing environmentally responsible practices across all areas of our operations. This includes green building services, energy-efficient facility management, and eco-conscious transportation solutions that support our clients in reducing their environmental footprint. Looking ahead, I am confident that by focusing on sustainability and operational excellence, we will continue to grow responsibly and strengthen our position as one of the trusted partners across multiple industries." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, the Government, with industry participation plans to develop five prototypes of the 5th generation fighter aircraft, which will later lead to series production. Addressing the Annual Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in the national capital, Singh said the decision should be considered a milestone in the history of the 'Make in India' programme The project, he said, will promote self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in the defence field. Through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme Execution Model, the private sector will get an opportunity to participate in a mega defence project along with public sector companies for the first time. "This is a very bold and decisive decision, which will strengthen India's defence capabilities as well as provide depth and new heights to the aerospace sector in this country" Rajnath Singh said. The Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that Singh has approved the AMCA Programme Execution Model, which will significantly enhance India's indigenous defence capabilities and foster a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to execute the programme through industry partnership. Addressing the plenary event of CII here today, the Defence Minister highlighted the important role being played by the defence sector in India's growth journey by enumerating the feats achieved due to the initiatives taken by the Government in the last decade. "Ten to eleven years ago, our defence production was approx. Rs 43,000 crore. Today, it has crossed the record figure of Rs 1,46,000 crore, with a contribution of over Rs 32,000 crore by the private sector," he said. "Our defence exports, which were around Rs 600-700 crore 10 years ago, have surpassed a record figure of Rs 24,000 crore today. Our weapons, systems, sub-systems, components, and services are reaching around 100 countries. Over 16,000 MSMEs, associated with the defence sector, have become the backbone of the supply chain. These companies are not only strengthening our self-reliance journey, but are also providing employment to lakhs of people" he said Today, the Union Minister said that India is not only producing fighter aircraft and missile systems, it is also getting ready for New Age Warfare Technology. "We are continuously making headway even in frontier technologies. Our progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security is being recognised on the global stage. India has the potential to become a development hub for engineering, high precision manufacturing and future technologies," Singh said. Dubbing the Indian industry as the carrier of the collective aspirations of the nation, the Defence Minister said that only the common efforts and synergy of the Government and the Industry can make India a developed nation by 2047. He also stressed that, in today's times, the strength of a nation is not evaluated just by its economic index like GDP, foreign investment or export figures, it also depends on the confidence a country can inspire in its citizens and the global community. "...Today, an atmosphere of uncertainty is visible in the entire world. Conflicts are going on everywhere. Though there can be many reasons for this, but the fundamental reason for today's international uncertainty is lack of trust. On the contrary, if we look at our country, our endeavour has been to create a strong environment of trust between different regions, communities, and economic segments within the country. We have achieved unprecedented success through these efforts..." "Trust lasts only when a country has the confidence that it can protect its geopolitical interests, ensure the safety of its citizens, and remain stable in the face of future uncertainties. The morale of the nation remains high only when it knows that its today is secure, and tomorrow is safe," Singh said. At the CII event the service chiefs were felicitated post Operation Sindoor. "In Operation Sindoor, the people of the whole country have seen, understood and felt the success of the Make in India campaign. Today it has been proved that Make in India is important for both the security and prosperity of India," defence minister said. The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 29: As homes across India become more than just physical spaces--transforming into reflections of personality, wellness, and identity--one brand has quietly redefined how walls tell those stories. Magicdecor, a homegrown innovation-led decor company, is leading the charge in India's evolving wallpaper industry with a singular mission: to combine personalised home decor with responsibility, and design with depth. At a time when most wallpaper options in the market are either imported, mass-produced, or lack safety certifications, Magicdecor stands out for its commitment to VOC-free, child-safe, and pet-friendly wall coverings. Every product is made with water-based ink, sustainable substrates, and recyclable packaging--making it a rare blend of aesthetics and eco-awareness. From Style to Safety: Rethinking What Wallpapers Should Offer Unlike traditional decor brands, Magicdecor's product philosophy goes beyond surface beauty. Its wallpapers are built to last--with zero toxins, high durability, and thoughtful designs that suit both modern Indian homes and global sensibilities. Whether it's a Japandi-inspired mural for a minimalist flat or a whimsical jungle print for a child's bedroom, Magicdecor's offerings are as functional as they are expressive. What makes their wallpapers different is how they're designed with health, sustainability, and personalization in mind. Each print is tailored using a made-to-order model, significantly reducing waste and ensuring exact fitments--down to the last millimetre. This operational model not only minimizes material wastage (less than 5%) but also ensures every room gets a wallpaper that's truly its own. Tech Meets Design: A Platform, Not Just a Product At the heart of Magicdecor's growth is its tech-first approach. Customers can explore a proprietary online platform that lets them upload their own artwork, browse AI-curated styles, preview wallpapers in 3D room views, and finalize every detail--right from texture to size--before placing an order. This high degree of customization has helped the brand build a loyal audience across 400+ cities in India, where home decorators, first-time buyers, and even interior designers are looking for more flexible and conscious solutions. It stands out for leveraging 100% water-based ink technology, completely free of toxic petrochemicals, to produce vibrant, durable wallpaper murals. With an in-house team handling every stage from design to delivery, Magicdecor has full control over quality, timelines, and customer experience--something that's hard to replicate in a fragmented or outsourced model. Expanding the Vision: Beyond Walls While wallpapers remain at the core of Magicdecor, the brand is steadily growing into a more holistic decor solution. With the introduction of customized canvas prints, sustainable window blinds, and future plans for expanding sustainable deliveries, Magicdecor is building a design ecosystem that helps consumers reimagine their space with ease and intention. Its upcoming innovations include leveraging AI-based image creation engines, and ML-driven design discovery systems to streamline the process of customization, and putting forth an eco-forward product line. Customers can easily upload images, choose from curated galleries, adjust dimensions precisely to their wall sizes, and even preview murals virtually through sophisticated 3D visualization tools. The Face Behind the Brand But how did it all begin? According to Siddheshwar, the idea was sparked by a deeply personal moment. "I saw a mural while travelling that completely moved me. It wasn't just art--it was something I wanted to live with, to wake up to. And I realized how hard it was to find that level of customization in India, especially without compromising on material safety or aesthetics." Magicdecor was founded by Siddheshwar Panda, a tech entrepreneur with a deep love for design and a personal encounter that sparked the brand's inception. After being moved by a mural during his travels, he envisioned a platform where such personalized art could become part of everyday living spaces--without compromising safety or sustainability. While Siddheshwar remains the visionary force behind the scenes, the brand is ultimately customer-first, with every decision rooted in how it improves the user's experience at home. A New Chapter for Indian Homes In an increasingly cluttered decor space, Magicdecor offers a refreshing narrative--one that doesn't chase trends but creates timeless value. It's not about being loud or luxurious; it's about making everyday living more meaningful, safe, and expressive. With technology, sustainability, and personalization as its core pillars, Magicdecor is set to be more than just a wallpaper brand--it's shaping into a lifestyle platform for the homes of tomorrow. In his own words: "At Magicdecor, we don't just make walls look better. We help people feel more at home in their own stories." states Siddheswar Panda. In the coming months, Magicdecor is poised to launch more such print categories, and expand sustainable delivery across rest of the major cities. But for Siddheshwar, scale isn't the only milestone. "We want to be known not just for wallpapers, but for reshaping how people think about home. We're building a community of home-lovers--people who care about how their space feels, not just how it looks." Website and Social Links: Website Link - https://magicdecor.in/ YouTube Link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcE0iSEaF8yYRnkN8tzCjAg Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/magicdecor_com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dmagicd/ Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/dmagicd (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 29: It is no secret that market volatility is a part of the investment journey you take as a mutual fund investor. It can be triggered by many factors. It can happen due to global events, policy changes, economic data or even investor sentiment. Feelings of uncertainty are common during volatile times. But it is essential to remember that your investment choice can make a meaningful difference in how your portfolio weathers the storm. One such option that balances stability with growth potential is hybrid mutual funds. These funds invest in a mix of asset classes, typically equity and debt, making them well-suited for times when markets are unpredictable. Let's break down how hybrid mutual funds work and why they can be a suitable choice amid volatility. What are hybrid mutual funds? Hybrid mutual funds invest in a combination of equity (stocks), debt (bonds or fixed income instruments), and sometimes even gold or other asset classes. The allocation between these assets can vary depending on the type of hybrid fund--some may be equity-oriented, others may lean more towards debt. By combining two or more asset classes in one portfolio, hybrid funds aim to capture growth opportunities while also cushioning the impact of market corrections. There are different types of hybrid mutual funds, including: * Aggressive hybrid funds * Conservative hybrid funds * Balanced advantage funds Benefits of hybrid mutual funds in volatile markets Diversification in a single fund One of the basics of mutual fund investing is diversification. This means that you spread your money across different assets to reduce overall risk. Hybrid mutual fund, by their very nature, are diversified by investing both equity and debt instruments. This means that when one part of the market is underperforming, the other can help balance the impact. Reduced impact of market swings As established before, hybrid funds invest in both equity and debt funds. This ensures that in periods of sharp market swings, the debt allocations in hybrid funds can act as a cushion. While equity markets may fluctuate, the relatively stable returns from debt components help mitigate the volatility. This is particularly useful for investors who are risk-averse but still want some exposure to equities. Dynamic rebalancing Hybrid funds like balanced advantage funds automatically adjust their equity and debt allocations based on the market trends and valuations. This consistent rebalancing helps investors stay aligned with long-term goals without reacting emotionally to short-term market noise. Suitable for medium-term goals When planning for mid-term goals like planning a vacation or buy a car, hybrid mutual funds offer a mix of return potential and relative stability. They can provide better returns than pure debt funds while managing downside risk better than pure equity funds. Who should consider hybrid mutual funds? Hybrid mutual funds are suitable for: * First-time mutual fund investors who want exposure to equities without taking on too much risk * Conservative investors looking to balance capital protection with modest growth * Those with medium-term investment goals * Investors looking for a relatively smoother experience during volatile phases These funds are also useful for retired individuals or those nearing retirement who want a steady income with lower equity exposure. How to get started with hybrid mutual funds? You can start investing in hybrid mutual funds either through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) or as a one-time lumpsum investment. If you're considering the latter, a lumpsum calculator can help you estimate potential returns based on the amount you plan to invest, the time horizon, and assumed returns. For example, if you plan to invest Rs. 5 lakh lumpsum in a hybrid fund for five years, the lumpsum calculator can show you projected growth under various return scenarios. This helps you set realistic expectations and stay invested with confidence. Conclusion Market volatility doesn't mean you have to pause your investment journey, it simply means being more thoughtful about your choices. Hybrid mutual funds offer a practical way to stay invested while managing risk and targeting reasonable returns. They provide the balance, diversification, and adaptability that can help you stay on track, especially when markets are unpredictable. Whether you're investing for the first time or reshuffling your portfolio, hybrid funds can serve as a valuable addition to your investment strategy. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully (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)
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], May 29: Students from Amity School of Fashion Technology participated in the prestigious Delhi Times Fashion Week 2025, presenting 39 intricately designed garments through their collection "Sartorial Symphony - Where Heritage Harmonizes with Modernity." Curated with thoughtfulness and creative depth, Sartorial Symphony is a celebration of India's rich legacy, where the elegance of traditional Indian textiles and craftsmanship is seamlessly fused with contemporary Western silhouettes. The collection reflected a graceful blend of culture, modernity, and sustainability, celebrating individuals who are rooted in tradition yet forward-looking in their expression of style. The platform provided an opportunity for immersive learning, allowing students to exhibit their original creations, engage with industry leaders, and gain real-world exposure to the runway. Mrs. Divya Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity Arts Foundation, attended the event and expressed her admiration for the promising designers, saying, "Witnessing the creativity and workmanship of our student designers on such a prestigious platform reaffirms the power of young talent. Their work reflects not just skill, but the courage to dream boldly--qualities we deeply nurture at Amity, empowering our students to design with purpose, passion, and infinite possibilities." Dr. Pradeep Joshi, Group Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts) said, "Amity School of Fashion Technology endeavors to create design professionals who can lead the Fashion and Apparel Industry and set new benchmarks of success in the fashion field. Through platforms like these, our students inculcate the aptitude and skills to work as professionals in various areas of design, technology, and management of the fashion industry." Dr. Suniti Sood, Head of the Department, Amity School of Fashion Design & Technology, Amity University Haryana said, "It is truly humbling to see the depth of talent emerging from our campus. I am confident that our budding designers will soon take their place among leading names in the world of fashion and design." Driven by a commitment to shaping the future of fashion, the Fashion Design schools of Amity University across Gurugram and Noida are pioneers in design education with a global perspective. With a strong focus on a future-ready curriculum, sustainable design practices, and industry-integrated learning, the schools are committed to cultivating both the artistic sensibilities and technical expertise of their students. The teaching-learning pedagogy emphasizes experiential learning through a Digital-First approach, blending design with technology across key areas such as fashion design, merchandising, visualization, web design, retail, dyeing, printing, weaving, sewing techniques, textiles, and garment construction. Through experiential learning opportunities--including hands-on projects, live showcases, interactive workshops, and participation in esteemed national platforms like Delhi Times Fashion Week--the universities equip aspiring designers to emerge as creative and influential contributors to the evolving global fashion landscape. Fashion design graduates from Amity are placed with top fashion designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani (Tasva), Shantnu & Nikhil, Ritu Kumar, and get opportunities to work alongside renowned celebrity stylists and intern with the likes of Varun Bahl and Rohit Bal, demonstrating the schools' commitment to holistic development and industry readiness. Amity School of Fashion Technology is consistently ranked among India's leading fashion institutes, securing the 20th position out of 56 colleges in the India Today MDRA Rankings 2024 for Fashion Design. Renowned for nurturing a generation of thoughtful, culturally aware, and globally competitive designers, Amity continues to set benchmarks in fashion education. About Amity University Amity University is a leading private university in India, recognized globally for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and research-driven education. With a strong focus on industry-aligned curricula and holistic development, Amity offers over 300 programs across disciplines including engineering, management, law, fashion, and liberal arts. Its world-class infrastructure, distinguished faculty, and global collaborations create a vibrant learning environment that empowers students to become future-ready professionals. Known for fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability, Amity is home to cutting-edge research; with over 2,500 patents filed, and Asia's top-ranked incubator--the university moulds leaders who contribute meaningfully to society and the global knowledge economy. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698806/Amity_University_Students.jpgPhoto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698807/Amity_University_Students_2.jpgPhoto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698808/Amity_University_Students_3.jpgLogo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2698805/Amity_University_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 29: The Cannes Film Festival 2025 showcased global talent, with Indian actress Manya Pathak making headlines for her remarkable hat trick of appearances. Known for her blend of tradition and modern fashion, Pathak captivated audiences not only with her stunning outfits but also as the co-producer of the emotionally charged drama "Singh & Sinha," directed by Mohan Das. "Singh & Sinha" premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, telling the poignant story of two soulmates, Singh and Sinha, whose inseparable bond lasts for over a year and a half. The narrative takes a heartbreaking turn when Sinha passes away, leaving Singh shattered and confronting the devastating truth that he too is HIV positive. This film delves deep into the emotional aftermath of losing a loved one, exploring the complexities of living with HIV while highlighting the resilience of the human spirit. It showcases the enduring power of love, even amidst the harsh realities of mortality. Actor Utkarsh Singh, who plays the role of Singh, described the experience as one of the most emotionally demanding roles he has ever undertaken. Through "Singh & Sinha," the film aims to challenge stigma, encourage empathy, and ignite important conversations surrounding HIV, love, and mental health, making it a significant contribution to contemporary cinema. Manya Pathak's involvement as a co-producer marks a significant step in her career, reflecting the growing recognition of Indian cinema on global platforms. Her talent and commitment to meaningful storytelling resonate throughout this festival, emphasizing the artistry and narratives that continue to emerge from her homeland. As Pathak continues to shine both on screen and behind the scenes, her influence in the industry is undeniably expanding. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Confederation Of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit-2025, Nadda emphasised the pivotal role of the private sector in driving India's healthcare, seeking the private sector to innovate in AI and tech-based innovations to enable mass screenings and telemedicine throughout the healthcare ecosystem.

"Health transformation doesn't happen overnight," the Union Minister said stressing on the need to strategise to build systems that will serve future generations.

In his address to the CII summit, Nadda, emphasised the theme "Building Trust- India First" and called for a unified national effort to strengthen healthcare systems aligned with India's 2047 development roadmap.

He underlining the government's unwavering commitment to healthcare reforms, innovation and accessibility, with a compelling vision for a healthier, more inclusive India, .

The Union Minister lauded the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for prioritising healthcare in its growth agenda and fostering dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders and key stakeholders.

"Such engagements are critical to nation-building and positioning India as a global leader in health innovation," the minister said.

Further, Nadda called for a more humane, responsive and time-bound regulatory environment, especially in the functioning of key bodies.

"While we must uphold the highest standards of quality and safety, we must also avoid unnecessary delays, red tape must not become a barrier to timely progress," the Union Minister said.

India's rise as a hub for pharmaceuticals and medical devices was spotlighted, with the Minister citing India's ability to meet global demand especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence of its growing stature.

"We moved from being dependent to becoming the dependable," he said.

Nadda reiterated the government's commitment to a citizen-first approach, built on innovation, collaboration and compassion. He called on the industry and all stakeholders to contribute to making India a global benchmark in healthcare by 2047. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 29: Onlive Server, a leading Indian web hosting, VPS, Dedicated and cloud solutions provider, today announced a landmark expansion of its cloud portfolio with the launch of its next-generation Cloud VPS Server Hosting platform, now available across more than 30 strategic global locations. With so many providers out there, Onlive Server really stands out by delivering VPS solutions that are easy to customize, dependable, and available in many locations around the world--giving businesses the flexibility and performance they need no matter where they operate. Technological Advancements of Onlive Server's Global Cloud Platform: Onlive Server's newly launched cloud servers are built upon a foundation of state-of-the-art technology, designed for optimal performance, reliability, and security: 1. Latest Generation Processors: The latest generation of processors in cloud servers, Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC, allow them to handle demanding AI/ML, big data and website traffic tasks. 2. Blazing-Fast NVMe SSD Storage: NVMe SSDs are included in all cloud servers which means they access data much faster and perform applications more efficiently than standard SSDs. 3. High-Speed Network Infrastructure: A global network backbone with strong multi-gigabit links (1 Gbps to 10 Gbps uplinks) helps keep latency low and speeds up data sharing between areas and with end-users. 4. Instant Scalability and Flexibility: Thanks to an intuitive control panel or API, customers can easily change their CPU, RAM and storage resources whenever they need to, only paying for what they use and handling changes in their business. 5. Enhanced Security Protocols: With multi-level security, including DDoS protection, dedicated IPs, advanced firewalls and round-the-clock monitoring, important data and applications are defended against new cyber threats. 6. Expansive Global Data Center Footprint: Onlive Server's new cloud platform is now accessible across the following strategic global locations, allowing clients to deploy resources closer to their end-users for optimal performance and to comply with regional data residency requirements: * Americas: the cities are Montreal in (Canada), Sao Paulo in (Brazil) and Missouri in the (USA) * Europe: In Europe, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Auckland (New Zealand - often part of APAC but linked to Western networks), Bucuresti (Romania), Gravelines (France), Helsinki (Finland), Kassel (Germany), Kyiv City (Ukraine), London (UK), Madrid (Spain), Milan (Italy), Moscow (Russia), Oslo (Norway), Stockholm (Sweden), Thessaloniki (Greece) and Zurich (Switzerland) are included. * Asia-Pacific & Middle East: For the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, Bangkok (Thailand), Cyberjaya (Malaysia), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Hong Kong, Istanbul (Turkey), Johannesburg (South Africa - regionally Africa), Noida (India), Seoul (South Korea), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Tel Aviv (Israel) and Tokyo (Japan) are the locations. 7. Choice of Operating Systems: There is a wide range of Linux distributions (such as CentOS, Ubuntu and Debian) and Windows Server versions, plus one-click installers for popular applications and development tools. 8. Comprehensive Control Panel: A user-friendly control panel on the web allows you to fully manage your cloud servers such as setting them up, configuring them, watching their status, backing them up and handling payments. 9. Developer-Friendly APIs: Automation of infrastructure, use with CI/CD and custom development are all possible with strong APIs. 10. Managed Services Option: For businesses seeking to offload server management, Onlive Server offers comprehensive managed cloud services, including proactive monitoring, security hardening, patching, backups, and expert support. Meeting the Needs of a Varied Group of Clients The global growth of the cloud is designed to benefit a wide variety of users: * Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs can use cloud technology just like large companies, without having to buy a lot of hardware upfront, so they can compete, innovate and expand their business worldwide. When you pay as you go, it's easier to predict your costs and complete tasks efficiently. * Large Enterprises: Large corporations can rely on a global presence to set up distributed applications, back up data and keep their operations running smoothly. The platform is designed for hybrid cloud use and provides the security and compliance features needed for enterprise tasks. * Developers and Tech Startups: With a flexible and up-to-date environment, developers and tech startups can create, test and deploy their applications more quickly. Applications on the global infrastructure can serve customers worldwide from their very first day. * E-commerce Businesses: For E-commerce Businesses, customers around the world depend on fast connections, the site being available during shopping peaks and strong security for payments. Onlive Server's cloud platform provides the performance and reliability e-commerce platforms demand. * SaaS Companies: SaaS companies are able to place their applications near their users worldwide, so the performance and experience remain excellent which is key for keeping and attracting customers. Onlive Server: A Summary of Available Services Conversely, international companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the burgeoning Indian market can leverage Onlive Server's local Indian data centers alongside its extensive global network, ensuring seamless operations and compliance with local data protection laws. Why the Right Global Locations and Low Latency Matter The choice of locations for these 30+ data centers is very important for several good reasons: * Less Latency: Bringing applications closer to users allows businesses to reduce the time data travels which improves website speed, application response and makes the experience better for everyone. For online gaming, financial trading and real-time collaboration, this is very important. * Enhanced Reliability and Availability: Geographic distribution makes it possible to have strong disaster recovery and business continuity plans. Should a region go down, the workloads can be shifted to other sites, limiting the time without service and guaranteeing it continues. * Data Sovereignty and Compliance: Where Data Can Be Stored and Processed: Many nations have set rules about where data should be stored and processed. Onlive Server's global network, with clearly defined locations, enables businesses to comply with these requirements by choosing data center locations within specific jurisdictions. * Improved SEO and Local Market Reach: Quick websites and those hosted in the same area as the user are more likely to rank well in search engine results. Hosting your website close to your target audience can help your search results in those regions. * Easy Growth Around the World: By using our extensive list of cloud resources, businesses can quickly provide their expanding customer base with a uniform experience as they enter new areas.Support for Customers Onlive Server has built its reputation on providing exceptional 24/7/365 customer support. The same dedication is seen in its new cloud server services, as expert teams can be reached by phone, chat or email to help with setting up, solving problems and optimizing servers in all listed areas. In addition, the company provides a wide range of knowledge and community forums. "This launch isn't just about new services; it gives businesses in India and globally access to powerful cloud technology for growth," said Naveen Rajput, CEO at Onlive Server. The improvements we made give our customers the speed, dependability and reach essential for a successful business. Onlive Server is here to support them all the way." Usual Ways Cloud VPS Hosting Is Used Cloud VPS hosting can be used for many different applications: * Operating more than one website at a time * Managing stores such as Magento or WooCommerce * Building and testing different software applications * Working with MySQL or PostgreSQL databases * Operating game servers such as Minecraft and CS:GO * Offering email hosting and marketing services No matter if you're working on your own or handling a lot of traffic, Cloud VPS can support you. How to Set Up Your Cloud VPS with Onlive Server Starting with Onlive Server is simple and hassle-free: 1. Pick a Plan - Check the various VPS hosting choices, paying attention to RAM, CPU, the operating system and the location of the server. 2. Register and Customize - Get an account and change the settings on your server as you see fit. 3. Pay for Your Order - Pick from several payment options to finish your order. 4. Server Activation - Your VPS will be set up and running in just a few minutes after activation. 5. Access Your Server - Use SSH for Linux or RDP for Windows to get started with setting up your server. 6. Install Apps - Add the applications you need such as web servers, content management systems, databases and so on. About Onlive Server: Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Ghaziabad, India, Onlive Server Private Limited is a premier provider of web hosting and cloud computing solutions. Customers can choose from cloud servers, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, managed hosting, registering domains and RDP servers. Onlive Server is dedicated to delivering affordable, high-performance, scalable, and secure infrastructure, backed by robust 24/7 customer support. We help businesses of all kinds in over 30 countries achieve their goals in the digital world. Visit our website today to learn more about - https://onliveserver.com/ Contact details Onlive Server Private Limited Location: TF 12, Mahalaxmi Metro Tower, Sector 4, Vaishali, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India Postal code: 201010 India: +91-9990507737 Email: info@onliveserver.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], May 29: KLH Global Business School (KLH GBS), Hyderabad has announced the launch of its pioneering Certificate Program in Digital Marketing with AI. This program is specifically designed to cultivate future-ready professionals equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy, expertly blending the power of artificial intelligence with essential digital marketing techniques. The one-month, hybrid-format program is set to commence on June 15, 2025. It features 30 intensive online sessions, complemented by a unique 4-day immersive campus experience at the modern KLH GBS campus in Kondapur, Hyderabad. The comprehensive course fee is Rs30,000, and the program is open to individuals aged 18 and above, including students, entrepreneurs, freelancers, content creators, and marketing professionals looking to significantly upgrade their digital marketing capabilities with advanced AI tools. Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice President of KLEF Deemed to be University, commented on the strategic importance of this new offering, "In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, practical skills augmented by artificial intelligence are no longer an advantage, but a necessity. This program is a testament to our commitment to bridge the industry-academia gap, ensuring our learners emerge as leaders in the AI-driven digital economy." Dr. Anand Bethapudi, Dean of KLH Global Business School further elaborated on the program's immediate impact, stating that it will enable learners with real-world, AI-enhanced marketing skills that are absolutely critical for success. This initiative aligns with the school's broader vision to foster global business leaders equipped with both sharp technological insight and strategic creativity. The rich and hands-on curriculum covers a wide array of crucial topics, including website building, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), email and social media marketing, influencer outreach, meme marketing, and campaign automation. Participants will gain practical experience using cutting-edge tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, Google Keyword Planner, and Meta Ads Manager. A distinctive feature of this program is its strong focus on AI integration, enabling learners to efficiently generate content, design smarter campaigns, target audiences more effectively, and make data-driven decisions that impact real-world results. Registrations for this pioneering program are now open and are being accepted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early to secure their seats in this high-demand program. KLH GBS of #KLEF Deemed to be University, committed to fostering global business leaders equipped with technological insight and strategic creativity. For more detailed information, call 93984 34621, write at onlinegbs@klh.edu.in or visit https://gbs.klh.edu.in/ (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)
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 29: Elevating its orthopaedic capabilities, Marengo Asia Hospitals has onboarded prominent orthopaedic surgeon Dr. K.C. Mehta at its flagship Marengo CIMS Hospital in Ahmedabad. The onboarding was officially announced at an event by Dr. Raajiv Singhal, Founding Member, Managing Director & Group CEO of Marengo Asia Hospitals. "Marengo Asia Hospitals has a legacy of treating patients like family members. The onboarding of Dr. K.C. Mehta at Marengo CIMS Hospital further strengthens our commitment to outcome-driven care, especially in one of the most demanding and complex surgical specialities," said Dr. Singhal. According to Dr. Singhal, Marengo Asia Hospitals has carved a distinctive reputation in successful heart and liver transplants and works closely with the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Dr. K.C. Mehta is globally acclaimed for thousands of successful knee replacement surgeries and holds ten global patents across the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. He is regarded as one of the most renowned figures in cruciate-retaining high-flex knee replacement surgeries, which allow for enhanced mobility and quicker recovery. Orthopaedic disorders, particularly joint-related issues, are witnessing a rapid rise across the globe due to ageing populations, sedentary lifestyles, and increasing obesity. In India too, the demand for joint replacement surgeries has risen significantly over the past decade. On the cost front, according to Dr. Mehta, a knee replacement surgery costs anywhere between INR 3 lakh to 10 lakh, depending on the level of care and facilities chosen. He also asserts that some of the world's best doctors are Indians and that the Indian healthcare system is fully equipped to offer world-class treatments. "Some of the best doctors in the world are Indians. In this context, inviting doctors from abroad for procedures that can be effectively and safely performed here by highly skilled surgeons may not be necessary," opines Dr. Mehta. Recently, Dr. Mehta became the first surgeon in the West Zone of India to implant the advanced BPK-S Ceramic Knee from Peter Brehm, Germany. This ceramic knee is recognised for its outstanding properties such as minimal polywear and high resistance to infection, making it a breakthrough in orthopaedic implant technology. Moreover, he is also the first surgeon in the Asia Pacific region to use the Attune All Poly knee implant, leading orthopaedic advancements in India. Operating four state-of-the-art hospitals in India, Marengo Asia Hospitals boasts a total capacity of 1,500 beds, supported by a team of 600 highly proficient doctors. The group serves patients from over 50 countries, including the UK, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, and is setting new benchmarks in the healthcare segment. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 29: In a strategic move that reinforces its leadership in fashion, Spykar, India's leading homegrown denim brand, proudly welcomes action star and fitness icon Vidyut Jammwal to its growing community. Bringing his bold, individualistic spirit to the forefront, Vidyut Jammwal headlines Spykar's latest campaign featuring Chico, the most desirable denim in Spykar's portfolio of fits. With a relaxed silhouette and engineered comfort, Chico Fit reflects a generation that values authenticity, movement, and effortless style, making Vidyut the perfect face for this confident new era. This partnership brings together two bold forces driven by a shared commitment to self-expression and effortless style, marking a defining moment in Spykar's journey. At the core of the Chico fit lies a thoughtfully designed, relaxed silhouette that strikes the perfect balance between structure and ease. Made from premium stretch denim and engineered for breathability, Chico delivers a sleek, modern fit that moves with you, without compromising on comfort. More than just a style statement, it reflects Spykar's commitment to reimagining denim for today's fast-paced, purpose-driven lifestyles, where performance, versatility, and refined aesthetics come together to create an everyday essential that feels as good as it looks. Sanjay Vakharia, Co-founder and CEO of Spykar said, "Spykar has always spoken the language of denim i.e. expressive, unapologetic, and relentlessly authentic. With Vidyut joining our community, we're not just adding a face; we're amplifying a mindset. Chico represents everything a denim universe requires - style, performance, and purpose. This collaboration is a powerful step forward in our journey to shape how India wears and owns its identity." Spykar teams up with Vidyut Jammwal to mark a bold new denim era. With his global appeal, fearless style, and stronghold in fitness, Vidyut perfectly embodies the spirit of Chico, desirable, versatile, and unapologetically individual. This collaboration reflects a confident new India, where fashion meets individuality. Actor Vidyut Jammwal said, "Spykar represents a mindset - one that's confident, original, and unapologetically expressive. Joining the Spykar community felt like a natural fit for me, and being part of the Chico campaign is an exciting way to celebrate style with purpose. Chico is not just about denim, it's about freedom, strength, and owning your space with pride." With this collaboration, Spykar continues to strengthen its position as a cultural catalyst in Indian fashion celebrating those who defy convention and dress with intent. Chico, already a standout in the brand's denim portfolio, takes center stage in a campaign that reflects the bold attitude of a generation that refuses to be defined. As Spykar and Vidyut Jammwal come together, the message is clear: when confidence meets comfort, style becomes a statement of purpose. Campaign Video: YouTube & Instagram Spykar is India's leading denim brand, celebrated for its contemporary styles, high-quality craftsmanship, and deep connection with the youth. Rooted in individuality and self-expression, Spykar continues to set trends while staying true to its ethos of celebrating personal style. (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)
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 29: MSG91, India's leading cloud communication platform, today reaffirmed its pioneering position in Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, unveiling a series of enhancements designed to provide secure, intelligent, and engaging customer communication. With end-to-end encryption (E2EE), AI-powered message personalisation, and seamless cross-platform messaging capabilities, MSG91 is now more future-ready than ever--meeting the global benchmarks that are shaping the RCS messaging landscape in 2025. A New Era of Secure, Smart Messaging RCS, often described as the evolution of SMS, has made significant progress in recent years. As global players like Google, Apple, and GSMA continue to invest heavily in making RCS the universal messaging standard, MSG91 has remained ahead of the curve by not just providing RCS as a service but also actively enhancing it with layered functionality that serves both businesses and end-users. In 2025, security and personalisation have become central to messaging. MSG91 has responded with the rollout of end-to-end encryption for RCS traffic. This ensures that all messages exchanged via its platform--whether transactional, promotional, or conversational--are fully encrypted and protected from unauthorised access. In an era where data privacy regulations are tightening across regions, this move ensures compliance, trust, and safety for businesses and users alike. "We believe that secure communication should not be a luxury - it should be the standard," said Shubhendra Agrawal, Co-Founder at MSG91. "Our RCS platform now integrates the same level of encryption used by top messaging apps globally, ensuring that every message our clients send is confidential and tamper-proof." AI-Enhanced Customer Journeys In addition to encryption, MSG91 has deployed new AI-driven features that allow businesses to elevate their messaging strategies. The platform now includes: * Smart suggestions for responses and next steps * Behavioural segmentation to target customers based on how they interact with previous messages * AI-powered content variation for A/B testing at scale * Personalised media-rich messaging, including Photomoji-style reactions and Voice Mood-enhanced audio messages These enhancements allow brands to connect with users in more natural, engaging ways--akin to how friends communicate in modern messaging apps. "Our mission has always been to bring enterprise-grade messaging up to the standards of today's user expectations. With AI-powered personalisation and rich media support, RCS via MSG91 feels as intuitive as chatting with a friend, but with the intelligence of enterprise automation behind it," added Shubhendra Agrawal. 2025: A Turning Point for RCS Adoption This announcement comes at a time when the global RCS ecosystem is undergoing rapid transformation: * Apple has committed to bringing RCS support to iPhones, along with full end-to-end encryption, bridging a major gap in cross-platform communication. * Google has introduced message unsend features and visual indicators to differentiate RCS from SMS/MMS messages. * GSMA is pushing for standardisation of encrypted RCS globally, ensuring consistent functionality across operators and geographies. * RCS business messaging revenue is projected to reach $8 billion globally in 2025, up from $1.3 billion in 2023, according to Juniper Research. These developments point to one clear reality: RCS is no longer an emerging channel - it is a mainstream customer engagement platform. MSG91 is leveraging this momentum by offering businesses a way to harness the full potential of RCS - from marketing automation to customer support, all within a secure and engaging environment. Cross-Platform Compatibility and Developer Flexibility One of MSG91's core strengths is its developer-first approach. With robust APIs and SDKs, businesses can integrate RCS messaging into their CRMs, apps, and marketing workflows with minimal effort. MSG91 ensures compatibility across: * Android devices (all major OEMs) * Google Messages * Apple iPhones (with the upcoming RCS rollout) * Carrier-supported native messaging apps By embracing open standards, MSG91 ensures that businesses can maintain consistent messaging quality regardless of the user's device or platform. Use Cases Across Industries The enhanced RCS Message offering by MSG91 is already powering industry-leading use cases across: * E-commerce: Sending rich product carousels, personalised offers, and real-time shipping updates * Banking: Secure transactional messages and interactive support bots * Healthcare: Appointment reminders with actionable buttons and pre-consultation instructions * Travel & Hospitality: Booking confirmations, dynamic itineraries, and last-minute alerts with map integrations India at the Heart of Global RCS Growth India is one of the fastest-growing RCS markets globally, thanks to high smartphone penetration, affordable data and a mobile-first population. As home grown demand for secure, interactive messaging explodes, MSG91 is uniquely positioned to serve as a launchpad for innovation - not only in India but globally. "Our roots are in India, but our vision is global," said Shubhendra Agrawal. "As Apple and Google expand RCS availability, and GSMA standardises its encryption, the time is ripe for businesses to migrate from SMS and outdated communication methods. With MSG91, that transition is seamless." Looking Ahead With a user base in the millions and clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, MSG91 continues to lead by example in the communication space. This latest RCS enhancement sets the stage for future innovations, including predictive analytics, chatbot integrations, and voice-command messaging. In a digital world that demands secure, rich, and real-time engagement, MSG91's RCS platform isn't just keeping up - it's setting the pace. About MSG91 MSG91 is a leading cloud communication platform empowering businesses to engage with their customers through SMS, Email, WhatsApp, Voice, and RCS. With a focus on scalability, security, and developer ease, MSG91 serves thousands of businesses across sectors including fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, logistics, and more. Learn more at www.msg91.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], May 29: India's local markets are full of choice, but many shops remain hard to find online. Vypzee, a growing hyperlocal shopping platform, is changing that. It helps small businesses be seen by nearby customers and turn online searches into real store visits. A Smarter Way to Shop Locally Vypzee is a location-based shopping platform that brings India's neighbourhood shops online in a simple and effective way. Launched in Delhi NCR, the platform supports small businesses by connecting them with local buyers who prefer to shop in person. It allows people to search online and find trusted stores nearby, saving time and improving the online to offline shopping experience. The Challenge Small Shops Face India has over 63 million small and medium-sized shops. These businesses are the backbone of the country's retail economy, yet many remain hard to find online. While some shop owners set up Google listings or social media pages, they often see little result. These platforms are built for large audiences and don't always support local goals. A person in Delhi might search for a product and find listings from another city--far from helpful when shopping for today. Digital tools like websites and online ads are costly and take time to manage. Many shopkeepers are too busy running their stores to keep up with updates or learn new systems. At the same time, shoppers still prefer in-store experiences. A recent study by Bain & Company found that 60% of Indian urban buyers discover products online but choose to purchase them in person. The tools that connect these two steps--searching online and buying offline--are missing in most markets. How Vypzee Provides a Solution Vypzee fills this gap by focusing fully on nearby results. It is built for the Indian local marketplace and helps people find shops in their own area. Users can search based on what they need and instantly see options from trusted stores nearby. They view offers, check shop details, and visit in person--just like they've always done, only now with more convenience. For shopkeepers, the platform is simple. They only need to add their store name, address, timings, and any available offers. There's no need for digital campaigns, websites, or ongoing updates. Vypzee handles the reach, keeping everything local and easy to manage. What Makes Vypzee Different Vypzee brings real results for real shops. By keeping everything focused on the buyer's location, it makes it easier for people to find what they need without wasting time. It also increases footfall to local shops by improving visibility in their neighbourhood. Main Features and Benefits * Local Listings Only - Buyers see shops and offers from their own city, area, or street. * Easy Discovery - No scrolling through national results. Users find what's nearby fast. * No Digital Skills Needed - Shop owners don't need websites or ads. Simple listing process. * Built for Indian Markets - Works with how people already shop--locally and in person. * Supports Collaboration: Nearby shops benefit from each other's traffic, building stronger local ecosystems. * Free to Use: No upfront cost for listing shops or browsing deals. * Practical Dashboard: Simple tools to manage listings--no tech jargon or complex updates. * Supports Traditional Business - Helps small shops stay relevant and competitive. Already, hundreds of shops in the Delhi NCR region are using Vypzee. From bookstores and bakeries to salons and general stores, the platform brings new interest to long-standing businesses. Supporting India's Shopping Culture India's corner shops and local markets are more than places to buy goods--they are part of community life. Buyers know their shopkeepers, trust their products, and enjoy personal service. Vypzee strengthens this tradition by making it easier to find these shops without changing how they work. It doesn't try to replace in-store shopping. Instead, it makes it easier for people to reach the shops they already trust. The platform plans to help more than 10,000 small businesses go online in the coming year. Future updates will include smart tools to help shopkeepers improve their listings, understand what buyers are looking for, and grow their reach. What to Do Next For customers: Visit vypzee.com to find real shops near you. Browse offers, check shop hours, and plan your next local trip. For shop owners: Sign up and add your store in just a few steps. No fees, no ads, no learning curve. Start reaching more customers today.About Vypzee Vypzee stands not just as another listing tool, but as a hyperlocal shopping platform committed to connecting people to their nearby markets. With a growing presence across Delhi NCR and a goal to expand across major Indian cities, Vypzee is committed to helping small businesses grow through better visibility and local trust. Contact: Email: info@idigizen.com Phone: +91 98187 83337 | +91 84483 38565 Website: https://vypzee.com (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)
Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of the northeastern region, on Thursday said that Guwahati and Agartala are being made gateways to Southeast Asian nations, given their proximity to these countries. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Scindia underscored the significance of the Northeast as a centre piece of India's progress with the decadal growth rate exceeding 12-13 per cent. "You'll be astonished that flying time from Guwahati to Mumbai is the same as the flying time from Guwahati to Singapore. The flying time from Agartala to Chennai is the same as the flying time from Agartala to Bangkok. And so it is our government's resolve that Guwahati and Agartala will be made into international gateways to connect to the rest of Southeast Asia, " the minister said. He added that the eight states of the Northeast would emerge as the engine driving India's ambition of Viksit Bharat. The Prime Minister has transformed the Northeast through landmark initiatives -- gross budgetary support for infrastructure investments has gone up significantly in areas such as airports, national highways, etc. Tax devolution to NER states has grown multifold, while grants-in-aid have nearly doubled. The Northeast is being visualised as the gateway for trade with South-East Asia. The minister alluded that India is leading the revolution in technology and telecommunications space at present. He said that India is seen as a digital-first economy, and there is a telecom revolution currently underway. The minister further added that scalability has reduced the cost of communication, which is among the lowest in the world. He added that the country has achieved 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in telecom and is among the four countries manufacturing the technology stack. Technology is also transforming the postal department with new services being introduced in the postal system, added the Minister. Congratulating CII on the AGM theme of building trust, the Minister stated that CII has made a remarkable contribution to developmental efforts, which impact every citizen in the country and said that building trust is founded on the principle of consistency. India, emerging as the fourth largest economy in the world, is a commendable achievement, he said. Sanjiv Puri, President, CII, while congratulating the Minister for garnering investment interest of Rs 4.3 lakh crore from the Rising North-East Investors Summit 2025, stated that the North-East was transforming into India's strategic gateway to South-East Asia, powering trade, connectivity and our ambition for Viksit Bharat. There is tremendous scope for industry participation in areas such as developing skill hubs in hospitality, food processing etc, which should be leveraged for maximum advantage, he added. (ANI)
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that the talks for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States are on track, and progress is also being made for an FTA with the European Union. "We are well on track in our bilateral trade agreement with the United States of America, making fast progress with the European Union," the Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) Annual Business Summit here. He cited progress on various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including those with the UAE, Australia, the UK, the four EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). The minister said that India has also launched negotiations with New Zealand He said EFTA countries have committed 100 billion dollar FDI to India in the next 15 years. Goyal said India is respected and recognised "for our work around the world". "We are preparing India for Viksit Bharat by 2047 - a developed, prosperous nation where speed, skill and scale will define our growth journey," he said. "Growth through trade, growth through resilient supply chains, growth through innovation, all of it will be incomplete until we promote inclusive growth that encompasses one and all," he added. The minister said India continues to power global growth through its own growth. "It is a moment of pride for us that we are well on track as the IMF has projected that by 2027, India will be the world's 3rd largest GDP. It is also very appropriate that despite all the turbulence, all the volatility, uncertainty & complexities that the world is going through, we continue to be the fastest growing economy of the world. We continue to power global growth through growth in India," he said. "We continue to be the fastest-growing economy in the world, and we continue to power global growth. For the next 30 years, India will continue to be the fastest-growing, largest economy," the minister added India and the US had earlier said that they aim to finalise the first tranche of BTA by the fall of the current year. There is expectation that India and the United States could sign the first tranche of the much-anticipated Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) before July. (ANI)
As per his relatives, the actor passed away on the way to Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MIOT) hospital after he suddenly experienced difficulty in breathing.

Rajesh has worked in over 100 films in his entire acting career. He started his acting journey with a superhit film, 'Aval Oru Thodar Kathai', which also starred Kamal Haasan in prominent roles.

In over 50 years of his acting career, the actor has played several lead and character roles, which were loved by his fans.

The mortal remains of the actor are kept in his Ramapuram residence. As per the relatives, the funeral will be held on Sunday at the Kilpakkam Cemetery.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin paid his last respects to actor Rajesh by visiting his home in Chennai, Ramapuram.

TN Deputy Chief Minister, Udayanidhi Stalin, and Minister KN Nehru also paid their last respects to the actor.

Superstar Rajinikanth also condoled the loss of the actor Rajesh while describing him as a "wonderful man".

"The news of the untimely death of my close friend, actor Rajesh, shocks me and causes me great heartache. A wonderful man, may his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends," wrote Rajinikanth on his X handle.

https://x.com/rajinikanth/status/1927961412556492817

After news broke of his death, actress Radhika Sarathkumar mourned his passing on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote,

"Deeply shocked and sudden to hear of #rajesh's unexpected demise. Shared so many movies together and had a deep respect to his wide knowledge of cinema and life, will be missed by family, friends and film fraternity. #RIP."

https://x.com/realradikaa/status/1927952758402916744?

Veteran actor Rajesh was known for movies like Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Kanni Paruvathile, Andha 7 Naatkal, Ezhuthatha Sattangal and others.

He was last seen in Vijay Sethupathi's starrer 'Merry Christmas.' (ANI)
JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha shared his experience meeting YouTuber Yechan C Lee in Seoul, South Korea. He is also popularly known as 'Korean Bihari' as he speaks in a Bihari accent and grew up in Patna. Taking to X, Sanjay Kumar Jha shared the video of interacting with the YouTuber and wrote in the post, "This meeting was something different and special! It was a pleasure to meet YouTuber Yechan C. Lee aka Charlie in Seoul (South Korea), who is also known as 'Korean Bihari' for his typical Bihari style. Charlie came to Patna with his parents in his childhood and grew up here." https://x.com/SanjayJhaBihar/status/1927553819715465435 In the video, Jha opened up about the purpose of his visit and conveyed India's strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. A nine-member all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha and including BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, has been engaging in diplomatic efforts to combat terrorism in several countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. The delegation's mission is to showcase India's resolve against terrorism and garner international support for a united stand against this global threat. The Indian government's diplomatic outreach efforts aim to strengthen partnerships with countries in East and Southeast Asia, emphasising the need for a collective response to the threat of terrorism. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian armed forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan. After this, on May 10, an understanding regarding the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI)
Actor Yash, who will be seen donning the role of Ravana in the magnum opus, is currently working with popular Hollywood stunt director, Guy Norris, to shoot massive action sequences.

Recent images from the set show Yash in peak physical form -- ripped, intense, and battle-ready.

Take a look.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana Part 1 is slated for release on Diwali 2026, and the second part on Diwali 2027.

Reportedly, actor Ranbir Kapoor will play the role of Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita.

In Novemer, Namit Malhotra, who has previously worked on several high-profile Hollywood projects including 'Dune' and 'Inception', announced on his official X handle, expressing his excitement for the project.

In a heartfelt message accompanying the film's first poster, he wrote, "More than a decade ago, I embarked on a noble quest to bring this epic that has ruled billions of hearts for over 5000 years to the big screen. And today, I am thrilled to see it taking shape beautifully as our teams work tirelessly with only one purpose: to present the most authentic, sacred, and visually stunning adaptation of our history, our truth, and our culture - our RAMAYANA--for people across the world." (ANI)
'Razakar' film producer Gudur Narayana Reddy expressed happiness after the Telangana state government announced three Gaddar Awards for his film. Speaking to ANI, Gudur Narayana Reddy said, "I feel happy and delighted, because this movie Razakar has won three awards from the state, one for the Best Historical film, the other for the best music director, and the third one is the best Makeup man. I'm really happy with my first debut movie. If I could earn this, it would be a real encouragement, and I thank and appreciate for getting this encouragement from the state government." 'Razakar' is a Telugu historical action drama film written and directed by Yata Satyanarayana. It is based on the events leading up to Operation Polo in the former Princely State of Hyderabad. In September 1948, Hyderabad was annexed by India through a military operation code-named Operation Polo, which was dubbed a "police action". As per the press release, the film provides a gripping narrative of the genocide undertaken by the Razakars, a paramilitary group loyal to the Nizam of Hyderabad, which committed mass murders and spread terror among the populace. This dark chapter prompted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister, to initiate swift actions that culminated in the historic Operation Polo, leading to Hyderabad's annexation into the Indian Union. 'Razakar' also explores the political manoeuvres of Hyderabad's last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, and his attempts to maintain independence, providing a comprehensive view of a pivotal moment in Indian history. The film stars 'Jigarthanda' actor Bobby Simha, 'Swades' fame Makarand Deshpande, Raj Arjun, and Vedika in pivotal roles. (ANI)
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi visited Nathatop and Patnitop today, as part of her effort to revive tourism in J&K after a slump following the recent cross-border Indo-Pak conflict. At Nathatop, she did a photoshoot session and also took selfies with tourists while enjoying the scenic beauty. She also had a gondola ride from Patnitop to Kud, where later she held a meeting with local hoteliers led by Vice-President, Patnitop Hotel Association, Lovnish Rai Sathe and other stakeholders. On May 28, Huma reached the India-Pakistan border in RS Pura, Jammu and Kashmir. She interacted with BSF jawans, BSF women wing, and affected families at the International Border after Operation Sindoor. While talking to the media, she said, "I thank the tourism department. I was here to encourage our BSF jawans, Army Jawans, and women soldiers. We are proud of our soldiers, and I thank the BSF and Army for their sacrifice. The fact is that I came here to raise the morale of our BSF jawans, army soldiers, and our women soldiers. But you all have given me so much love, and I realised once again how lucky we are that you are protecting us on our borders." "Whatever happened recently made us realise how our defence forces are protecting us. Let the world see love and peace, which truly defines J-K. Peace is the spirit of J-K and India. I appeal to all in India not to let hate win, and I appeal to the people of India to come to J-K," she added. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Operation Sindoor showcased a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose. Operation Sindoor was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, as per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting press release. Multi-agency intelligence provided confirmation of nine major camps that were eventually targeted in the operation.India's retaliatory action was based on meticulous planning and an intelligence-led approach, which ensured that the operations were conducted with minimal collateral damage.Operational ethics were central to the mission, and restraint was exercised to avoid civilian harm, as per the press release. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan initiated a series of retaliatory drone and UCAV attacks targeting key Indian airbases and logistics infrastructure.These attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multi-layered air defence architecture. Central to this success was the Integrated Command and Control Strategy (ICCS), which facilitated real-time threat identification, assessment, and interception across multiple domains. (ANI)
Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna showed his support for Operation Sindoor and said that it has "not stopped yet, and it is still going on.." He took part in the Bharat Zindabad Yatra, organised by RPI Ramdas Athawale, following the success of Operation Sindoor. The party held a rally following India's successful campaign against terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. While participating in 'Bharat Zindabad Yatra,' Mukesh Khanna told ANI, "All Hindus across the country should do what Ramdas Athwale has done. 'Pakistan Murdabad' should be echoed everywhere. Operation Sindoor is the answer to what Pakistan has done in Pahalgam." "Operation Sindoor has not stopped yet, and it is still going on... There is a lot to do. If you achieve one thing, that is, the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, everyone will praise you," he added. On questions raised by opposition leaders, he said, "I'd say they are not patriots... They have to speak against whatever the BJP does... Vo log murkh hai jo keh rahe Operation Sindoor nahi hona chahiye tha (Those are idiots who are saying that the Operation Sindoor should not be done).." Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7, showcased a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose. Operation Sindoor was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, as per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting press release. Multi-agency intelligence provided confirmation of nine major camps that were eventually targeted in the operation. India's retaliatory action was based on meticulous planning and an intelligence-led approach, which ensured that the operations were conducted with minimal collateral damage. Operational ethics were central to the mission, and restraint was exercised to avoid civilian harm, as per the press release. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan initiated a series of retaliatory drone and UCAV attacks targeting key Indian airbases and logistics infrastructure. These attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multi-layered air defence architecture. Central to this success was the Integrated Command and Control Strategy (ICCS), which facilitated real-time threat identification, assessment, and interception across multiple domains. (ANI)
It is a feature from Brazilian production powerhouse Conspiracao that is scheduled to go into production by the end of this year.

The film will be directed by Torres' husband, Andrucha Waddington, reported Variety.

As per the outlet, the film is described as a real estate tragic comedy. The plot centres on a couple of real estate agents.

Torres plays the female lead, while the male lead is yet to be decided by the makers.

For her internationally acclaimed performance as Eunice Paiva in 'I'm Still Here,' Torres was the first Brazilian to receive a Golden Globe Award for best actress in a motion picture drama.

She was also nominated this year for a Best Actress Academy Award.

According to Variety, Torres is also a writer of newspaper columns and has published two novels.

Her debut novel, 'The End,' sold over 200,000 copies in Brazil and was translated into seven languages and adapted into a 10-episode series.

Torres' considerable writing career also includes the plot for 'The Others,' one of streamer Globoplay's most successful original series to date, reported Variety.

As for Waddington, he has directed 'Me You Them,' selected for Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto.

Starring Torres and his mother Fernanda Montenegro and co-written and directed by Waddington, 'House of Sand,' a successful Sony Pictures Classics release in the U.S., won Sundance's Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Script and Alfred Sloan awards. (ANI)
The Rohini District Court, while disposing of a revision petition, recently directed Delhi police to lodge an FIR against Parsvanath Developers. This direction was given in a matter related to the developers' alleged 17-year delay in building a shop in a Mall in Rohini Sector 10, despite receiving a payment of Rs 33.5 lakh from the complainant. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Dhirendra Rana allowed the revision petition and set aside the order passed by the Magistrate, who had refused to give direction to an FIR. While allowing the revision, ASJ Dhirendra Rana said, "In the present case, this Court is of the considered view that accused persons had dishonest intention since the beginning and they had no intention to construct and deliver the property in question to the complainant." The court said that it is also a matter of record that accused persons tried to delay the proceedings before this court, also under the garb of settling the matter with the complainant. They handed over cheques to the complainant towards settlement, which have also been reported to be dishonoured. "Therefore, considering the facts and circumstances of this case, I am not in agreement with the view of the learned Trial court that no police investigation is required in this case," ASJ Rana said. Judge Rana said that, in the considered view of this court, it is a fit case to exercise discretion in favour of the complainant by ordering the police to register an FIR under relevant Sections of law and to take up the investigation without any further delay. "Therefore, order of 02.01.2024 is hereby set aside and SHO PS Prashant Vihar is directed to register an FIR against the accused persons against the relevant Section of law as per the contents of the complaint," ASJ Rana ordered on May 24. He has directed the police to file a compliance report and a copy of the FIR before the Magistrate court within two weeks of today. Complainant Amrit Pal Singh Malhotra had booked a shop in the mall in 2007. He had made a payment of Rs 33.50 lakh. Despite a long delay the shop was not constructed. He had filed a complaint against the developers and their directors. However, the magistrate court had refused to register an FIR. In 2024, he moved to sessions court challenging the order of Magistrate court. In January 2007, the accused advertised their upcoming project, Parsvnath Mall Twin District Centre, Sector-10, Rohini, Delhi. When the accused persons received the full basic price of Rs. 33,50,904, they started avoiding the complainant's calls. The complainant also visited the site to see the progress of construction and found that the said project was at a complete halt, the judgment reads. The complainant filed a complaint in this regard on 29.03.2023 to SHO PS Prashant Vihar and forwarded the same to DCP Rohini. Since no action was taken by the police against the accused persons, the complainant filed an application under section 156 (3) Cr. PC for registration of FIR. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that the Vimal Negi case should not be used for politics. He further added that the sole objective must be to ensure that Vimal Negi's family receives the justice they deserve. Singh's remarks come after the Himachal BJP Party submitted a memorandum on the Vimal Negi case. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Vikramaditya Singh said, "I believe there is no justification or propriety in the memorandum submitted by the BJP to the Governor today. This is not merely the BJP's demand -- it is the demand of Vimal Negi's family that the case be transferred to the CBI. The High Court has already ordered this, and the CBI will now investigate the matter. The High Court's decision will not be challenged in any forum, whether through an LPA or an SLP. Secondly, once the CBI begins its inquiry, it will be fully supported in every way. We do not want politics over this issue. The sole objective must be to ensure that the family of the deceased, Vimal Negi, receives the justice they deserve." Earlier on Wednesday, the Himachal BJP Party submitted a detailed memorandum to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, raising serious concerns over the suspicious death of Vimal Negi, Chief Engineer and General Manager of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL). Addressing the media in Shimla after handing over the memorandum, former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur demanded justice for the Negi family. "We have presented five key points before the Governor through the memorandum. Our primary demand is to ensure that there is no tampering or destruction of evidence in the Vimal Negi death case. It must be taken with utmost seriousness," Jairam Thakur said. He alleged that officers were working against each other and said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu should resign on moral grounds. "The functioning of the government has collapsed. Officers are working against each other. MLAs don't trust the Chief Minister, and ministers have lost faith in him. In such a situation, this government has no moral right to stay in power. The Chief Minister must resign immediately on moral grounds," Thakur said. He said that affidavits filed in the High Court, including those by the Director General of Police (DGP) and others, contain material suggesting "manipulation of evidence". "Strict action must be taken against the officers involved, and we have urged the Governor to ensure this is done," he added. Vimal Negi, an engineer with the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), had joined the corporation on June 15, 2024. Just two weeks later, on July 1, 2024, he was reportedly under stress and receiving medical treatment for anxiety. Vimal Negi had gone missing on March 10, and his body was recovered ten days later. His family and colleagues had earlier raised concerns about pressure at the workplace. After days of protest and search efforts led by IG Gyaneshwar Thakur, his body was finally recovered, leading to widespread outrage and demands for justice. However, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the state police, failed to provide any clarity about his whereabouts between March 10 and 14, raising serious questions about the credibility of the investigation. (ANI)
From bustling village markets to growing food processing units, women entrepreneurs in Manipur are transforming the local economy while preserving the region's rich biodiversity. Leading this inspiring movement is Catherine Soyamphi, a young entrepreneur from Lungshang village in Ukhrul district. Catherine's journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she returned to her village and helped her parents on the farm. Observing that many wild fruits and vegetables were left unused, she saw an opportunity to make better use of these natural resources. With formal training from the College of Food Technology and citrus-specific training, Catherine launched "SOYAM", a local food processing unit. "Right now, we're producing 37 different items; our range includes pickles, candies, banana chips, fermented drinks, jams, jellies, and chutneys, all made using local ingredients. My mother, who is a master trainer, has been instrumental in guiding us. I've also attended several training programmes, including ones from the College of Food Technology and citrus workshops, to enhance our skills and improve our products," Catherine said. SOYAM is now run by Catherine, her mother, and a team of rural women, offering sustainable employment and helping families earn steady incomes. "Working here, we earn money, which makes us self-employed," said Rose, an employee at SOYAM. "It gives us confidence because we are supporting ourselves and our families. It's very helpful." Catherine's initiative is more than just a business; it's a grassroots movement rooted in community, culture, and ecological awareness. Her model not only uplifts women but also brings attention to the underutilised biodiversity of Manipur, blending tradition with innovation. By turning indigenous ingredients into value-added products, women like Catherine are leading a quiet revolution that is empowering rural communities and inspiring future generations. Their efforts underscore how local knowledge, when nurtured with training and vision, can create livelihoods while celebrating the ecological wealth of Northeast India. (ANI)
In a swift and coordinated joint operation by Military Intelligence and the Pune City Police, a man posing as an Indian Army personnel was apprehended near Bishop's School, Pune, on Wednesday afternoon. The arrest was made jointly by the Southern Command Military Intelligence, the Southern Command Military Police Unit, and the Laskar Police Station of Pune City Police, following a credible tip-off. The suspect, identified as Abhishek Bhosale, son of Shivaji Bhosale, was found to be impersonating a serviceman and had reportedly misled local authorities at Laskar Police Station. Military intelligence units from Pune and the Southern Command Military Police Unit had alerted the police about the fraudulent activities of the individual in the cantonment area of Pune City. Following surveillance and verification of details, a joint team apprehended Bhosale at approximately 1400 hrs on May 28. During the arrest, several military-style items were recovered from his possession, including two sets of combat dress, one pair of DMS shoes, a green belt, a nameplate labelled "Abhi Bhosale," a duplicate identity card, combat T-shirts, a peak cap, a combat cap, and a scarf. The suspect has been booked under Section 168 of the BNS at the Lashkar Police Station of Pune City Police, and a thorough investigation and joint questioning of the suspect are currently underway. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel for allegedly engaging in espionage and sharing sensitive information with Pakistani officers. According to a press release by the NIA on Monday, the CRPF personnel identified as Moti Ram Jat was actively involved in espionage activity and had been sharing classified information related to national security with the Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) since 2023. The agency has further found that Moti Ram received funds from the PIOs through various conduits. Jat was nabbed by the NIA in Delhi and held in custody until June 6 by the Special Court at Patiala House Courts for interrogation on the matter. (ANI)
Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his death anniversary at Kisan Ghat in Delhi on Thursday. Speaking at the solemn occasion, he remembered Singh's lifelong dedication to farmers and rural India, and urged the farming community to move beyond production and enter agricultural trade. While talking to the media, Vice President Dhankhar said, "The entire life of Chaudhary Saheb was dedicated to the farmers and villages. He worked for the farmers even in pre-Independent India... He played a pivotal role in granting the ownership to those farmers working in agricultural fields, but didn't have rights over it..." He called Chaudhary Charan Singh a visionary leader who worked selflessly for agrarian reform, emphasising that his contribution went beyond politics and deeply impacted land ownership and rural empowerment. Meanwhile, highlighting the need for a broader definition of development, Dhankhar added, "Today, it's needed that when we talk about Viksit Bharat, it doesn't mean what the rank of our economy is. To define Viksit Bharat and make it a ground reality, everyone's income needs to be increased 8 times." He also urged farmers to look ahead and not remain confined to just farming activities. "The farmers need to be farsighted. Today, our farmers are limited only to production, but I request them that this is the time to get involved in the biggest trade that is related to agriculture or animal husbandry..." he said. (ANI) Meanwhile, on Tuesday, speaking at the inaugural session of Rajya Sabha Internship Program-phase 7 in Delhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that war is best avoided from a position of strength and emphasised that India needs indigenous strength for national security. The Vice President said that Operation Sindoor has changed the mindset of people massively with regard to national security, national economy and national welfare. "We are now nationalistic as never before," he said. "The recent episode, Operation Sindoor, has changed our mindset massively. We are now nationalistic as never before. And this is reflected in the participation of all political landscape in delegations that have gone abroad to project our message of peace and our complete intolerance to terrorism. And therefore, having seen recent events, well, we have no choice. We have no other option but to remain united and grow stronger," he said. (ANI)
According to officials, the meeting will be attended by senior Rajasthan officials, including Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra and Urban Development and Housing (UDH) Secretary Vaibhav Galeria.

The discussions are expected to focus on key projects, including metro rail initiatives, the e-bus scheme, NCR Planning Board matters, and battery storage projects.

The high-level meeting is anticipated to accelerate Rajasthan's energy, urban development, and housing projects, with potential for central government support and approvals for several major projects or schemes.

The Chief Minister will also visit the Khetda Padawala Bhagwan Mandir in Bhilwara for darshan and worship between 12:25 PM and 12:40 PM. By 12:50 PM, he will depart Udaipur via helicopter, arriving back at Jaipur Airport by 1:05 PM. His journey will continue with a special plane ride to New Delhi Airport at 1:15 PM, landing at 2:30 PM. From there, he will travel by car to Jodhpur House, New Delhi, reaching by 3:20 PM for rest and local engagements, as stated in the official release.

Earlier, the Rajasthan CM participated in the NDA CM conclave on Sunday, where he saw the participation of 20 Chief Ministers and 18 Deputy Chief Ministers from various states.

Sharma presented a resolution, which was approved by Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

The resolution discussed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership skills and the heroic deeds of the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor.

The resolution was passed with a full majority during the meeting, and the strikes conducted by the Indian Armed Forces on Pakistan's terror hideouts were praised. The proposal also discussed the work being done under PM Modi's leadership towards 'Sashakt Bharat, Samarth Bharat, and Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

The NDA CM conclave included a significant discussion on commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, declared on June 25, 1975. Leaders resolved to mark the anniversary in remembrance of the Emergency imposed by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a period that exposed citizens to widespread political turmoil and suppression of civil liberties. (ANI)
The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Morigaon district has emerged as a model of successful rhino conservation, boasting the highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses in India and recording zero poaching incidents for the past 11 years. The sanctuary is home to 107 one-horned rhinos--30 males, 50 females, and 27 calves--within its compact 16-square-kilometre area, making it the highest rhino density among national parks in the country, as per the 2022 rhino population census. Ranger of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Pranjal Baruah, told ANI that since 2014, there had been no incidents of rhino poaching reported in the facility. "We are very fortunate to say that since 2014, we have had no record of poaching in Pobitora. This has happened only because of the continuous efforts of the wildlife sanctuary authorities, police and public," Baruah stated. He highlighted the role of community engagement in this achievement, noting that the local population "Rhino conservation efforts have become successful in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary because of the involvement of the local public. The local public has given a lot of information regarding the movement of rhinos and wild animals around the wildlife sanctuary. Similarly, they also give information about the movement of wildlife offenders, including all kinds of poachers. He added that the sanctuary has seen zero natural or unnatural rhino mortality this year, with several new calves born, raising hopes for a population increase in the coming years. "This year, we have zero mortality by natural or other causes. We have seen many new baby rhinos, calves, inside the wildlife sanctuary, and we are expecting that the rhino population will increase in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary," he stated. The ranger also credited government support for infrastructure development and collaboration with the police department for bolstering conservation efforts in the sanctuary. "From the government side, we are getting lots of support regarding infrastructure development and others. The police department is also helping us to protect wild animals, including rhinos. This success story happened because of the efforts of the local community along with our staff. In the last 8 years, we have been doing lots of activities, including awareness, community programmes, etc. The local people are very much aware of the importance of rhinos and wild animals, and they are providing lots of support and protection to wildlife," Baruah added. With a small but thriving habitat, Pobitora continues to set a benchmark for wildlife preservation in India. (ANI)
Telangana BJP leader N Ramachander Rao objected to Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel's statement calling the Congress party a bigger victim of terrorism. Rao called the former Chhattisgarh CM's statement "foolish". Talking to ANI, the BJP leader said, "Statement of former Chhattisgarh CM Baghel is surprising and it is his foolishness to say Congress is a bigger loser and affected during terror strikes and Naxalite attacks. He is forgetting that not only Congress but the nation has suffered due to terrorism, Naxalites and ultra-groups' activities." "He thinks that only Congress has sacrificed in terror attacks; it is the armed forces... a supreme sacrifice made by them, whether in Maoist areas or terrorism across borders. By making such a statement, he is trying to dissolve and dilute the fight against terrorism," Rao added. The former Telangana MLC said, "Terrorism and any sort of extremism doesn't have any party, religion or politics. The entire nation is suffering because of terrorist activities, Maoists and any kind of extremism." Earlier, Bhupesh Baghel said that if someone has suffered the heaviest loss due to terrorism, it is Congress, while the BJP has gained from it. Commenting on Congress leader Udit Raj's attack against MP Shashi Tharoor, N Ramachander Rao said, "The Congress leaders seem to be frustrated because of the support India is getting due to the all-party delegations going to various countries and explaining Operation Sindoor and India's stand on terrorism." He added that the delegates are speaking the entire nation's voice. Rao said, "The entire nation's voice is that we stand against terrorism and we have our right to defend our country, our sovereignty, and to attack those places or countries sponsoring terrorism." Attacking Congress, he said, "They are frustrated because they are losing in the last three elections, they've lost several states. But this doesn't mean they should curse our nation, insult the nation or insult the army or its operations." This row began when Udit Raj said, "Shashi Tharoor had gone there (leading a multi-party delegation) to expose Pakistan. But it is surprising that he is trying to erase the golden history of Congress, that before Modi's regime, no surgical strike was done, that the LoC and International Border were never crossed before. This is incorrect...Shashi Tharoor should definitely be given some award, because perhaps not even a member of the BJP can lie like this that LoC and International Border were never crossed before." Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party delegation to Panama, on Wednesday (local time) reaffirmed India's firm stance against terrorism and said that the country will not turn the other cheek and will respond to any further attack. Speaking at an event organised by the Indian Embassy, Tharoor emphasised the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi to live without fear. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused the BJP-led central government of consistently spreading misinformation about the economy to cover up its "massive failures." He claimed that over the past eleven years, the government has systematically weakened every sector of the Indian economy. https://x.com/kharge/status/1927926725091942752 In a post on X, Kharge wrote, "The Modi government has made it a habit to spread lies about the economy to hide its gross failures! For 11 consecutive years, this incompetent government has been destroying every sector of the economy. The truth is here." Earlier on Monday, Kharge had launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the government completed 11 years in office. The Congress president alleged that the Modi-led administration had "ruined" the country and that its promise of "achhe din" (good days) had turned into a "dreadful dream." He stated that a promise of doubling farmers' income was not fulfilled, so they had to eat rubber bullets, whereas women's security is currently in "tatters."Mallikarjun Kharge further alleged atrocities against the minorities of the country and believed that their participation in society is lost. Meanwhile, on May 23, addressing a press conference of the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting on 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat 2047', NITI Aayog CEO, Subrahmanyam, said that India has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. Citing data from the International Monetary Fund, the CEO of India's apex think tank stated that India's economy has reached the USD 4 trillion mark." "We are the fourth-largest economy as I speak, a USD 4 trillion economy. This is not my data; this is the data from the IMF. India today is larger than Japan. It's only the United States, China, and Germany that are larger. If we stick to what is being planned, what is being thought through, it's a matter of another two to three years; we would become the third largest economy," said Subrahmanyam. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that pressure has increased to go one notch higher in the ladder of top global economies, surpassing the excitement and happiness of India becoming the fourth-largest economy. The Prime Minister highlighted that the goal is clear: By the year 2047, India must be a "Viksit nation" with no compromise. Addressing a public rally in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister recalled the excitement among the country's youth when India surpassed the United Kingdom, which had ruled India for over 200 years, and became the fifth largest economy. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been able to travel to Gangtok on Thursday to participate in the "Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth" programme, marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's statehood, due to inclement weather, officials stated. PM Modi was scheduled to arrive in the state around 11 AM and lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several key development projects to boost infrastructure, connectivity, and overall growth in Sikkim. Instead, the Prime Minister will address the people of Sikkim through a video conference from West Bengal's Bagdogra. Major initiatives include a new 500-bed district hospital in Namchi worth over Rs 750 crore, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling in Pelling, Gyalshing district, and the unveiling of a statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok district. Additionally, he will release a commemorative coin, souvenir coin, and postal stamp to mark the golden jubilee. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Prime Minister will also visit West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh on May 29 and 30, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 70,000 crore. PM Modi will also be visiting West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 70,000 crore. In a social media post announcing his visit on Wednesday, PM Modi said, "Over the next two days, I will be attending programmes in Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The development works that will commence over the next two days will bring innumerable benefits for people and strengthen our resolve to build a Viksit Bharat." The Prime Minister is to lay the foundation stone of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) project for Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts on Thursday. The Rs 1,010 crore project will supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to over 2.5 lakh households and more than 100 commercial establishments and industries, and establish around 19 CNG stations. (ANI)
After facing a backlash from his party over his endorsement of the BJP-led Central government over Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday slammed his critics for "distorting" his views. In a post on X, Tharoor pointed out that he spoke only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars. "After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight where with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this -- but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past, I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars," he said. "My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB," Shashi Tharoor clarified. Further, welcoming the trolls, the Congress MP said, "But as usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do. Goodnight." Earlier today, Udit Raj sharpened his attack on his counterpart, saying that he has tried to malign the Congress party's image. On being asked if Shashi Tharoor should be suspended from the party, Raj said, "That depends on the working committee, the national president, and Rahul Gandhi. If he makes incorrect statements and tries to erase Congress's history, then I am standing with Congress. I am not worried about personal gain; I am ready to sacrifice myself." Udit Raj further claimed that Tharoor is glorifying Prime Minister Modi's "fake surgical strikes". "He (Tharoor) is trying to malign Congress by saying the party has done nothing. You are glorifying PM Modi's fake surgical strikes. Defending, saying that security lapses happen everywhere, is a crime... The credit that the Army deserves should only go to the Army," the Congress leader said. Recently, Udit Raj criticised Tharoor over his statement in Panama as part of the multi-party delegation and called him a "spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP". Afterwards, Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh also endorsed Udit Raj's criticism, signalling that all is not well within the party. Tharoor, part of an all-party delegation, had stated that India crossed the Line of Control for the first time in September 2015 under the current government. Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation to the United States, Guyana, Panama and other nations, was not among the official choices suggested by the Congress to the government for the outreach delegations. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, and other leaders paid tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his death anniversary in Lucknow on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, CM Yogi Adityanath said, "...As the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the steps he took for land reform, rural development and transparency of governance in Uttar Pradesh can still be heard and seen in our villages... The steps taken for rural development and the upliftment of farmers in the last 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi are proving to be revolutionary. I pay my humble tribute to him on behalf of the people of the state." Meanwhile, Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar paid floral tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his death anniversary at Kisan Ghat in Delhi on Thursday. Speaking at the solemn occasion, he remembered Singh's lifelong dedication to farmers and rural India, and urged the farming community to move beyond production and enter agricultural trade. While talking to the media, Vice President Dhankhar said, "The entire life of Chaudhary Saheb was dedicated to the farmers and villages. He worked for the farmers even in pre-Independent India... He played a pivotal role in granting the ownership to those farmers working in agricultural fields, but didn't have rights over it..." Chaudhary Charan Singh was born in 1902 at Noorpur in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, in a middle-class peasant family. He shifted to Meerut in 1929 and later joined the Congress. He was first elected to the UP Legislative Assembly in 1937 from Chhaprauli and represented the constituency in 1946, 1952, 1962, and 1967. He became Parliamentary Secretary in Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant's Government in 1946 and worked in various departments such as Revenue, Medical and Public Health, Justice, Information, etc. He was a pivotal figure in the Janata Party. He was not only a seasoned politician but also a prolific writer. His literary works, which include writings on land reforms and agricultural policies, reflect his commitment to societal welfare and economic reforms. He was renowned as the chief architect of land reforms in Uttar Pradesh. His efforts led to the enactment of crucial land reform bills, such as the Department Redemption Bill of 1939 and the Land Holding Act of 1960, which aimed to address issues of land distribution and agricultural sustainability. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not responding to repeated calls for an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session on the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He accused the Prime Minister of ignoring urgent national issues and instead focusing on marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh said, "From the night of April 22nd itself, the Indian National Congress has been calling for an all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attacks and their fallout - to be chaired by the PM himself. That has yet to take place." https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1927934989435556234 He further stated that on May 10, the Leaders of the Opposition (LoPs) in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wrote to the Prime Minister, requesting a special session of Parliament to pass a resolution showing the nation's collective resolve against terrorism. "The PM has NOT accepted that suggestion as well," Ramesh added. He also said that the government now appeared to be considering a special session of Parliament on June 25-26, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, which was imposed in 1975. Ramesh sharply criticised the timing and intent behind the proposed session, saying, "This will be yet another classic exercise in diversion and distraction from real and more urgent issues by the PM...the man who has placed the nation under an undeclared Emergency for 11 years and the man who refuses to answer why the Pahalgam terrorists are still absconding, why he allowed President Trump to broker a cease fire, and why he gave a clean chit to China publicly on June 19th, 2020?" On Wednesday, Jairam Ramesh has again urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "break" his silence on the matter of repeated claims made by US President Donald Trump's administration regarding its role in brokering the understanding for the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan following the recent escalation after the Pahalgam terror attack. In a post on X, he questioned the veracity of a statement filed by US Commerce Secretary Howard Luttnick in a New York court claiming the US President is using his tariff power to facilitate a "tenuous ceasefire" between India and Pakistan. He urged PM Modi to end his "silence" on the matter. "The Prime Minister should let the country know whether it is true that the US Commerce Secretary Howard Luttnick filed a statement in the New York-based US Court of International Trade on May 23rd, 2025, swearing that President Trump used his tariff power to broker a 'tenuous ceasefire' between India and Pakistan and bring about a 'fragile peace'?" the Congress MP said. (ANI)
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh appreciated Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar's view on Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He said that the Vice President should be listened to instead of 'throwing slogans and filmi dialogues'. In an X post, the Congress leader said, "The Hon'ble Vice President's wise words on Viksit Bharat are very timely and appropriate. He should be listened to seriously by those throwing out slogans and filmi dialogues, thinking that theatrics is governance. Sadly, he continues to be ignored when he raises concerns of farmers, which he himself is." Jairam Ramesh agreed to Vice President Dhankar's definition of Viksit Bharat, where everyone's income is to be increased by eight times. While paying floral tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his death anniversary at Kisan Ghat in Delhi, Vice President Dhankhar said, "Today, it's needed that when we talk about Viksit Bharat, it doesn't mean what the rank of our economy is. To define Viksit Bharat and make it a ground reality, everyone's income needs to be increased eight times." He also urged farmers to look ahead and not remain confined to just farming activities. "The farmers need to be farsighted. Today, our farmers are limited only to production, but I request them that this is the time to get involved in the biggest trade that is related to agriculture or animal husbandry..." he said. Talking to the media, he said, "The entire life of Chaudhary Saheb was dedicated to the farmers and villages. He worked for the farmers even in pre-Independent India... He played a pivotal role in granting the ownership to those farmers working in agricultural fields, but didn't have rights over it..." He called Chaudhary Charan Singh a visionary leader who worked selflessly for agrarian reform, emphasising that his contribution went beyond politics and deeply impacted land ownership and rural empowerment. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the US President Donald Trump Administration Defending Tariffs In a US Court. He accused Prime Minister Modi of ignoring the matter because he preferred praise over critical discussions about economic policies. "Our Prime Minister does not want to hear about tariffs; our Prime Minister only wants to hear 'Tareef' (praise). So, the PM is silent on this. The Prime Minister has not said anything," he added. Ramesh said that Trump had claimed credit for the ceasefire on multiple international platforms, but the Indian leadership chose to stay quiet. "President Trump has said 8 times in 11 days in 3 countries, America, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, that this ceasefire has happened because of me, and I have used tariffs and told both the countries that if you get the ceasefire done, then international trade will increase," Ramesh stated. Ramesh also questioned the silence of India's top leadership, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "Our foreign minister is silent on this, our Prime Minister is completely silent," he said. The Congress leader expressed strong objection to Trump's remark that India and Pakistan had been placed "in the same boat." "He has clearly said that I have put India and Pakistan in the same boat. India's economy has increased 10 times in comparison to Pakistan's economy but both of them have come in the same boat. How can this happen?" Ramesh asked. Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not responding to repeated calls for an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session on the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He accused the Prime Minister of ignoring urgent national issues and instead focusing on marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. "It is being heard that a special session can be called on 25th and 26th June because it is the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014. He wants to call a special session for what happened 50 years ago? To divert attention from today's questions, they are talking about it. We will also expose the role of RSS, we will put the reality in front of the whole country...These terrorists of Pahalgam were involved in four attacks, and still they are roaming around here and there. Our MPs are roaming, and terrorists are also roaming. We are asking these questions seriously. They do not answer these questions. The BJP only targets the Congress party. Their attack is on the Congress party; it should be on the terrorists. Action should be taken against Pakistan. The terrorists should be arrested. The missiles that are being launched every day are being launched against the Congress party," Ramesh said. "We demanded that there should be an all-party meeting and the Prime Minister should preside over it. Two meetings have been held. It was a formality. The Defence Minister chaired it. Nothing came out of it; no discussion took place. The questions we asked were asked in a constructive, serious, and sensitive manner, but there was no response to that. The atmosphere was one of unity and cohesion. On May 10, both Kharge ji and Rahul ji wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to call a special session of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Why should it be called? So that we can repeat the special resolution that was passed unanimously on February 22, 1994, regarding PoK, regarding the issue of terrorism. In the last 30 years, both countries have become nuclear countries and more than that, the role of China has become deep in Pakistan; it is also a challenge for us. So there should be a debate on this. And a resolution should be passed unanimously, so that the message of a collective resolution is given to the world. He is silent on this, too," he added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the PRAGATI meeting, the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving Centre and State governments, to review critical infrastructure projects and governance initiatives, according to an official release. During the meeting, which took place on Wednesday, PM Modi assessed three major infrastructure projects worth over Rs 62,000 crore in the sectors of Road Transport, Power, and Water Resources, spanning multiple States and Union Territories. The Prime Minister also took to X today and said, "Chaired a PRAGATI meeting yesterday, where projects worth over Rs. 62,000 crore were reviewed, covering diverse sectors like roads, power, water resources, semiconductors and more. Emphasised on ensuring all infra projects are completed on time. Also deliberated on RERA-related grievances. It's our Government's priority to ensure justice for homebuyers." Highlighting their strategic importance, he urged stakeholders to address implementation challenges and ensure timely completion, warning that delays lead to cost overruns and deprive citizens of essential services. The Prime Minister stressed the need for efficiency and accountability to maximise socio-economic benefits, emphasising that timely delivery remains a priority. Highlighting the adverse impact of project delays, Prime Minister reiterated that such setbacks not only inflate costs but also deprive citizens of essential services and infrastructure. He urged all stakeholders to prioritise efficiency and accountability, stressing that timely delivery is critical to maximising socio-economic outcomes. In a review of public grievances related to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), PM Modi called for improved quality and timeliness in grievance redressal to ensure justice and fairness for homebuyers and directed State Governments to enforce mandatory registration of all eligible real estate projects under the RERA Act, underscoring that strict compliance is essential to rebuild trust in the housing sector, the release stated. The Prime Minister also examined best practices in India's Semiconductor Ecosystem, noting their potential as a model for broader adoption across States and Union Territories to bolster the National Semiconductor Mission. As of the latest PRAGATI meetings, a total of 373 projects worth approximately Rs 20.64 lakh crore have been reviewed, reflecting the platform's pivotal role in driving governance and infrastructure development. (ANI)
Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C), Surya Command, held a courtesy meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Sharing an X post, Surya Command, the Central Command of the India Army, said, "Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C, Surya Command, called on Shri Yogi Adityanath, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He discussed various aspects of the security situation in the state and initiatives for the welfare of veterans and Veernaris, undertaken in coordination with the State administration." Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath attended a program organised in Lucknow on the occasion of the death anniversary of former Prime Minister, 'Bharat Ratna' Chaudhary Charan Singh. Paying tribute to the former PM, called him 'messiah of farmers'. He said, "Whole India remembers Chaudhary sahab's name for land reforms, implementing land holdings law, rural development and as farmers' Messiah." He called UP fortunate to get Chaudhary Charan Singh's companionship. "As the CM of Uttar Pradesh, his initiatives for land reforms and rural development and administrative reforms are still heard from farmers in villages. As the nation's PM, he also held responsibilities for the Home and Finance Ministries. Under PM Modi's guidance in the last 11 years, initiatives for rural development and development of farmers are proving to be at their zenith," said CM Yogi. On Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister inspected arrangements in Kanpur ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the city on May 30. The Chief Minister reviewed the preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the event and directed officials to maintain strict security and proper coordination among all departments. Officials briefed him about the logistics and safety measures put in place for the PM's visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kanpur Nagar on May 30 to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate development projects worth around Rs 20,900 crore. Among the key projects is the inauguration of the Chunniganj to Kanpur Central Metro section of the Kanpur Metro Rail Project, developed at a cost of over Rs 2,120 crore. The corridor, which aims to improve urban mobility, includes 14 stations, five of which are underground. (ANI)
Congress leader Pawan Khera has stirred controversy by sharing an excerpt from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's 2018 book, The Paradoxical Prime Minister, highlighting Tharoor's criticism of the "shameless exploitation" of the 2016 surgical strikes as an election tool by the BJP. https://x.com/Pawankhera/status/1927968448849612888 Khera's post on X, captioned, "I agree with that Dr @ShashiTharoor who wrote about surgical strikes in his book in 2018 - 'The Paradoxical Prime Minister'," appears to subtly critique Tharoor's recent remarks praising the Modi government's Operation Sindoor. In the underlined passage from Tharoor's book, reads, "The shameless exploitation of the 2016 surgical strikes along the Line of Control with Pakistan, and a military raid in hot pursuit of rebels in Myanmar, as party election tool--something the Congress had never done despite having authorized several such strikes earlier--marked a particularly disgraceful dilution of the principle that national security issues require both discretion and non-partisanship." Khera's post comes in the wake of Tharoor's statements in Panama, where he lauded India's counter-terrorism measures, including the 2016 Uri surgical strike and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, as marking a shift in India's approach to terrorism. In a post on X, Tharoor clarified and pointed out that he spoke only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars. "After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight where with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this -- but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past, I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars," he said. "My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB," Shashi Tharoor clarified. Recently, Udit Raj criticised Tharoor over his statement in Panama as part of the multi-party delegation and called him a "spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP". Afterwards, Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh also endorsed Udit Raj's criticism, signalling that all is not well within the party. Tharoor, part of an all-party delegation, had stated that India crossed the Line of Control for the first time in September 2015 under the current government. Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation to the United States, Guyana, Panama and other nations, was not among the official choices suggested by the Congress to the government for the outreach delegations. (ANI)
Two police personnel, including a constable, were injured during an encounter in Hapur on Wednesday, where Naveen Kumar, a notorious sharpshooter of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was killed by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police's Special Cell. Additional SP, Noida, Raj Kumar Mishra, stated, "Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) Noida unit and Delhi Police's Special Cell yesterday got information that the absconding accused of a murder case of Farsh Bazar is visiting Hapur. When police intercepted the criminal, he started firing at our team. In retaliatory fire by the Police, the criminal was injured, and later In retaliatory fire by the Police, the criminal was injured, and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. He had more than 20 cases registered against him. He was an active member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. In this operation, two police personnel, including a constable, sustained injuries." A notorious criminal, Naveen Kumar, was wanted in several cases and was also an active member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Kumar was wanted in a murder and MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) case of Thana Farsh Bazar in Delhi. The wanted accused Naveen was an active member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and is a sharpshooter, the officials said. As per the officials, twenty cases, including murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery and MCOCA, were registered against him in Delhi and UP, and he had been sentenced by the court in two cases in Delhi. Earlier on May 28, in a similar case in Uttar Pradesh, wanted criminal Bhupendra Gwalah got injured in an encounter with Jhansi Police. He was shot at by police in an attempt to capture him. Superintendent of Police (SP) of Rural Jhansi, Arvind Kumar, said, "He (criminal) was spotted on a motorcycle when the Moth police were conducting a check. As he saw the police, he fired at the police and ran towards the jungle." The police have recovered the stolen battery, a suspicious motorcycle without a number plate and a pistol along with cartridges from him. SP Kumar informed the media that the criminal had a Rs 25,000 award against him. (ANI)
In a major breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured the deportation of a kingpin behind the trans-national drug trafficking syndicate from Malaysia on May 27, as part of a closely coordinated international operation involving both domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies (LEAs). According to an official statement, the deported accused had been absconding for a long time and was operating a major transnational cocaine smuggling syndicate from Thailand. https://x.com/narcoticsbureau/status/1927925691871547540 The NCB confirmed the operation through its official handle, stating, "In a closely coordinated international operation involving both domestic and foreign LEAs, NCB got a key drug syndicate kingpin deported from Malaysia on 27.05.2025. This absconding accused was operating a major transnational cocaine smuggling syndicate from Thailand. The investigation began with the seizure of approximately 200 grams of cocaine concealed inside a projector in a parcel sent from Mumbai to Australia through a DHL courier on January 21, according to an official release. Following a bottom-to-top investigative approach, NCB subsequently recovered 11.540 kg of cocaine, 4.9 kg of cannabis, and 5.5 kg of cannabis-based gummies from the residence of a syndicate member in Navi Mumbai. The investigation disclosed a well-oiled trans-national syndicate involved in the trafficking of Cocaine from the USA to India and is further distribution within India and outside. It further revealed the involvement of the Clearing House Agent (CHA) and hawala operators. A total of eight persons have been arrested so far, and the kingpin, who had been absconding since 2021 after being named in an NCB case involving LSD trafficking, was initially traced to Thailand and later located in Malaysia. A Red Notice was issued by the NCB, which ultimately led to his deportation to India. The investigation in this case has already revealed that the syndicate was operating for at least one year, and multiple consignments of cocaine to air cargo were received at Mumbai during this period. Interrogation of the kingpin brought from Malaysia is likely to reveal more details of his operations, including the source of drugs in the USA. Financial investigation in the case has already led to the identification of assets, including properties and bank accounts in Thailand. Efforts are on for the attachment of these properties. Earlier this month, NCB was successful in the deportation of an accused from the UAE who was involved in a drug trafficking case in Bengaluru. These operations exemplify NCB's relentless approach to nab members of transnational drug syndicates involved in drug trafficking. (ANI)
Bhartiya Janta Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Congress of attacking its own leaders whenever Pakistan is exposed on global platforms, claiming the party treats those who prioritise national interest over political loyalty as persona non grata. Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, "When Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is unravelling the true face of Pakistan, why is Congress being troubled by this? Pakistan is being exposed, and we are getting a reaction from the Congress party. It means whenever Pakistan is exposed on the international platform, Congress will attack its own leaders...Today, when someone puts national interest above political interests, Congress makes that person persona non grata... https://x.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/1927959643680039046 Poonawalla also posted a strong message on social media platform X," "It is sad that when Dr Tharoor is on national duty as are other MPs - his party led by their official media dept and a failed MP candidate - attack him brutally for putting India above Parivar, Desh Hit above Dal Hit." He further questioned, "Why is Congress so insecure and upset that Pakistan is being exposed?" Earlier today, after facing a backlash from his party over his endorsement of the BJP-led Central government over Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor slammed his critics for "distorting" his views. In a post on X, Tharoor pointed out that he spoke only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars. "After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight where with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this -- but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past, I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars," he said. "My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB," Shashi Tharoor clarified. Further, welcoming the trolls, the Congress MP said, "But as usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do. Goodnight." Meanwhile, the political debate intensified as Udit Raj sharply criticised Tharoor, accusing him of trying to tarnish the image of the Congress party and claiming that Tharoor is glorifying Prime Minister Modi's "fake surgical strikes." This criticism from Udit Raj followed his earlier remarks on Tharoor's statements made in Panama during the multi-party delegation, where he labelled Tharoor a "spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP." Further underscoring the party's internal divisions, Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh also supported Udit Raj's criticism of Tharoor. Tharoor, part of an all-party delegation, had stated that India crossed the Line of Control for the first time in September 2015 under the current government. Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation to the United States, Guyana, Panama and other nations, was not among the official choices suggested by the Congress to the government for the outreach delegations. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that invoking Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru today is irrelevant. While speaking to ANI, Ramesh said, "Pandit Nehru died more than 60 years ago. Pandit Nehru is history; we do not want to go into history...The Prime Minister had given a clean chit to China on 19 June 2020. How is the relationship between China and Pakistan today...The PM does not break its silence on China, President Trump. He is only taking credit for Operation Sindhoor, politicising it, holding rallies here and there, giving filmy dialogues, dialogue-baazi is going on..." Congress leader accused the Prime Minister of diverting attention from China-related concerns by giving dramatic speeches and politicising military operations. "The Prime Minister had given a clean chit to China on 19 June 2020. How is the relationship between China and Pakistan today... The PM does not break its silence on China, President Trump. He is only taking credit for Operation Sindhoor, politicising it, holding rallies here and there, giving filmy dialogues, dialogue-baazi is going on..." he told ANI. He also criticised the lack of a strong parliamentary response to the ongoing threats from China and Pakistan, especially in the context of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said that the government failed to hold meaningful discussions during all-party meetings, and that the Prime Minister had not fulfilled the demand for a special session of Parliament. "We demanded that there should be an all-party meeting and the Prime Minister should preside over it. Two meetings have been held. It was a formality. The Defence Minister chaired it. Nothing came out of it; no discussion took place. The questions we asked were asked in a constructive, serious, and sensitive manner, but there was no response to that. The atmosphere was of unity and cohesion." Ramesh added that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had written to the Prime Minister on May 10, urging him to call a special Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha special session. He stressed that the session was important to pass a unanimous resolution, just like the one passed on February 22, 1994, regarding PoK and terrorism. "On May 10, both Kharge ji and Rahul ji wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to call a special session of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Why should it be called? So that we can repeat the special resolution that was passed unanimously on February 22, 1994, regarding PoK, regarding the issue of terrorism. In the last 30 years, both countries have become nuclear countries and more than that, the role of China has become deep in Pakistan, it is also a challenge for us. So there should be a debate on this. And a resolution should be passed unanimously, so that the message of a collective resolution is given to the world. He is silent on this, too...," he added. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted permission to Delhi Excise policy money laundering case accused Amit Arora to travel to Dubai from June 6 to June 16. Arora had approached the court seeking permission to travel for medical treatment for himself and his minor son. Justice Ravinder Dudeja allowed the application to be moved on behalf of businessman Amit Arora, who is seeking permission to travel to Dubai. The High Court has directed the suspension of the LOC opened against him during this period. Arora moved an application through advocate Prabhav Ralli and sought permission to travel to Dubai, suspension of LOC, and release of his passport. The high court allowed the application subject to certain conditions, including that he furnish an FDR of Rs 20 Lakh. The bench has asked the counsel to appear before the joint registrar to fulfil the conditions. Advocate Prabhav Ralli submitted that the petitioner needs to travel to Dubai for medical reasons and does not pose a flight risk, as all necessary details have been disclosed in the petition. Arora had previously been granted interim bail on medical grounds and was later granted regular bail by the High Court on September 17, 2024. Amit Arora is the director of Gurugram-based Buddy Retail Pvt Ltd and is one of the key accused in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case also accuses political figures, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and AAP MP Sanjay Singh. After completing their investigations, the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed charge sheets. The Supreme Court had granted Manish Sisodia bail in the excise policy matter. (ANI)
Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday raised serious concerns over persistent delays in defence projects, highlighting the systemic issue of unrealistic timelines and their impact on operational readiness. During his address at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Air Chief Marshal pointed at the recurring pattern of delays in project execution and criticised the practice of committing to unachievable deadlines. His remarks come in the context of the reported ongoing challenges with projects like the delivery of the aircraft, which has faced criticism from the Air Chief for failing to meet timelines. "Timelines is a big issue... Not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. This is something that we have to look at," Singh stated, adding, "Why should we promise something that cannot be achieved? While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up. But we just sign the contract. Then the process gets vitiated," said Air Marshal Singh. The Air Chief also hailed Operation Sindoor as a "national victory", emphasising the operation's success as a testament to the collective efforts of the armed forces, agencies, and every Indian citizen in combating terrorism. During his address, the Air Marshal reflected on the operation, highlighting how Operation Sindoor, a precision strike on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, showcased the evolving nature of warfare with the integration of advanced technologies, providing a clear direction for future defence strategies. "I must put on record this operation, Sindoor, that we've been talking about. It is a national victory. My thanks to everyone of you in India here... This was an operation executed in a very professional manner by everybody, all the agencies, all the forces; we all came together, and when truth is on your side, things happen automatically," he stated. He underscored the intrinsic trust within the armed forces, noting that it was a default setting in the armed forces. The Air Marshal also urged all stakeholders--army, navy, air force, industry, and DRDO--to remain strong links in the national security chain, ensuring no weak points compromise the system, and stressed the importance of retaining this trust through consistent performance. "Trust for defence forces is intrinsic. Our default setting is trust... The very first mission that you're flying, you have to trust each other because your life depends on somebody else," he said. "When we talk about a nation, all of us in these groups army, the navy, the air force, various agencies, industry, DRDO - all of us are links in a bigger chain. We all have to make sure that our group is not the weak group because of which this chain will break. And that is what is stressed: that if I am trying to be strong enough not to let this system break, everybody else is also trying equally to be strong enough to be competent enough in that game or at least be aware of where the shortcomings lie and improve that system," Air Chief Marhsal added. The Air Marshal also called for stronger collaboration with private industry, noting the recent clearance for private participation in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme as a significant step. "AMCA- advanced medium combat aircraft - has been cleared for even participation by private industry, which is a very big step, and that is the kind of confidence that the nation has in private industry today, and I'm sure this is going to pave the way to bigger things coming in the future," he said. Expressing confidence that such partnerships will pave the way for future advancements in India's defence capabilities, Air Marshal Singh said, "We cannot just talk about producing in India. We need to start designing and developing in India also... We need to have this trust between the forces and the industry continue, with open and forthright communication." (ANI)
A wave of joy has swept through Lucknow as Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to join Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, set to launch on June 8. Expressing their happiness, Group Captain Shukla's parents shared their excitement about their son's upcoming journey to space. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, extended his best wishes for the successful completion of the mission. "We are delighted. Now, his goal has been achieved. He has been preparing for this since 2019. The mission will start on June 8. I wish this mission to be successful. It is a matter of pride for the nation. He is ready. He will complete his mission. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It is possible because of their help," Shambhu Dayal said, expressing his gratitude for the help from the government. His mother, Asha Shukla, credited her daughter-in-law and Captain Shukla's wife for her role in this achievement. "It is a big achievement. We are proud of him. We wish him all the best and success. Our daughter-in-law has supported him a lot. He could not have done this without her support. That's the reason he achieved this success. We are thankful to the CM," Asha Shukla said. Shukla is set to become the first astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to visit the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. He will also be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984. Rakesh Sharma earned the distinction of being the first Indian to go to space on board Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. The IAF pilot who is among the astronauts chosen for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human space flight, was promoted to group captain in March 2024. He has 2,000 flight hours on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and the An-32. Apart from Shukla, the Ax-4 mission also carries two mission specialists - European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary to stay aboard the space station. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission. Shukla and his three other crewmates will carry nearly 60 science investigations from 31 countries worldwide during their stay aboard the ISS. ISRO is spearheading transformative research on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). (ANI)
Congress leader Pawan Khera, took a jibe at the BJP, thanking them for their recent actions, saying they've unexpectedly made the Congress party more noticeable, and refuted BJP leader Nishikant's claims on Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and US President Regan. Speaking to ANI, Khera said, "We are very grateful to the BJP because we would not have been able to give the kind of publicity to Congress as the BJP is giving." Khera referenced a letter from former US President Ronald Reagan to former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He wrote on X, "If you go through the letter written by US President Regan to Rajiv Gandhi, you will realise that President Reagan is requesting our help in Afghanistan. That was the kind of role India played then. The language used by President Regan was "I offer to assist". But today, President Trump threatens Mr Modi..." Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey launched a fresh attack on Congress, claiming that New Delhi, during former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's tenure, made a nuclear deal with Islamabad in 1988 under America's pressure. In a post on X, Dubey shared a purportedly declassified letter, which, according to him, was sent by then-US President Ronald Reagan to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Dubey also claimed that New Delhi spoke to Former Pakistan President General Zia under US "pressure". He further stated that the agenda of the meeting was also set by the US President Reagan. "Why is Congress angry? When I saw this paper, I felt ashamed. US President Ronald Reagan sent this letter/telegram to the then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Under American pressure, we spoke to Pakistani President General Zia. The agenda for the talks was set by the US President. What we understood after this letter was that Pakistan and we did the nuclear deal in 1988 under American pressure," the Godda MP said on X. "Whatever we talked to our friend Soviet Russia about on the Afghanistan problem was an American agenda. Is this the Shimla Agreement? Is the Iron Lady the mentality of slavery? Were we a sovereign nation at that time? Is Congress abusing Modi Ji to make India stronger?" the BJP leader questioned. Notably, the Agreement on the prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installation and Facilities between India and Pakistan was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 and provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. The agreement also prohibits the two nations from attacking each other's nuclear installations and facilities. This revelation adds a new layer to the ongoing political debate over third-party involvement in India-Pakistan relations, especially in the wake of recent escalations triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded Make-in-India for the Indian Army's success during Operation Sindoor. He also said that those residing in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are India's own and one day, will surely return to the mainstream. "Make-in-India is an essential component in our national security and it played a key role in India's effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor," Rajnath Singh told industry captains, emphasising that through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme Execution Model, the private sector will get an opportunity to participate in a mega defence project along with public sector companies for the first time, further bolstering indigenous defence capabilities. He was addressing the Inaugural Plenary of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit in New Delhi today. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Singh termed the Execution Model for the AMCA programme to build 5th generation fighter aircraft in India as a bold and decisive step, which will take the domestic aerospace sector to greater heights. "Under the AMCA project, the plan is to develop five prototypes, which will be followed by series production. It is a key milepost in the history of the Make-in-India programme," he said. Highlighting the success of Make-in-India during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Armed Forces would not have been able to take effective action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK if the nation had not strengthened its indigenous defence capabilities. The Defence Minister described Make-in-India as crucial for security and prosperity, stating that the use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor has proved that India has the power to penetrate any armour of the enemy. "We destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the military bases. We could have done a lot more, but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint," he said. Rajnath Singh asserted that India has redesigned and redefined its strategy & response against terrorism, and Pakistan has realised that running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective; rather, it may have to pay a heavy price. He added that India has recalibrated its engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan, and now talks will only be held on terrorism and PoK. Rajnath again made it clear that PoK is a part of India, and the people who got geographically and politically separated will, sooner or later, voluntarily return to India. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government is committed to its resolve of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Most of the people in PoK have a deep connection with India. There are only a few who have been misled," he said. The Defence Minister emphasised that the Government has given priority to policy clarity, indigenisation, economic resilience and strategic autonomy, and the success of these efforts can be ensured only when all the stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs & manufacturers, become strong partners in this national mission. "If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma," he said. Sharing his views on the theme of the summit 'Building Trust & India First', Rajnath Singh stated that it is a matter of great pride that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become the fourth largest economy. "It is not just a matter of the economy growing in size; it is also about the world's ever-increasing trust in India and its trust in itself. Today, India is not just a consumer of defence technology, but has also become a producer and exporter. When the world approaches us for high-end defence systems, it is not just a market indication, it is a respect for our capability," he said. According to the official statement by MoD, the Defence Minister highlighted the important role being played by the defence sector in India's growth journey by enumerating the feats achieved due to the initiatives taken by the Government in the last decade. "10-11 years ago, our defence production was approx. Rs 43,000 crore. Today, it has crossed the record figure of Rs 1,46,000 crore, with a contribution of over Rs 32,000 crore by the private sector. Our defence exports, which were around Rs 600-700 crore 10 years ago, have surpassed a record figure of Rs 24,000 crore today. Our weapons, systems, sub-systems, components, and services are reaching around 100 countries. Over 16,000 MSMEs associated with the defence sector have become the backbone of the supply chain. These companies are not only strengthening our self-reliance journey, but are also providing employment to lakhs of people," Rajnath Singh said. Singh added that today, India is not only producing fighter aircraft and missile systems, it is also getting ready for New Age Warfare Technology. "We are continuously making headway even in frontier technologies. Our progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security is being recognised on the global stage. India has the potential to become a development hub for engineering, high precision manufacturing and future technologies," he said. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, CII President Sanjiv Puri and industry leaders were among those who attended the event. (ANI)
A vacation bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih sought a response from DoE and a school body while hearing a plea filed by Naya Samaj Parents Association.

The petition challenged two orders of the High Court passed in April 2024, by which it allowed private schools on government land to increase tuition fees without prior approval.

The parents' association alleged that now private unaided schools in Delhi have also increased fees multifold, mostly by up to 100 per cent and taken penal actions against students, causing confusion and panic in the Delhi education system.

The petitioner sought to set aside the paragraph of the order by which it said private schools situated on government land are not bound to take prior permission from the DoE before hiking tuition fees.

The plea said the April 2024 orders of the High Court are against the previous directions of the division bench of the High Court and the Supreme Court.

"By setting aside this paragraph, clarity and consistency may be maintained in the application of fee hike regulations for schools on government land," the petition stated.

The petition also sought a stay of the High Court orders. (ANI)
In a significant step towards empowering ex-servicemen and their families, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today at Assam Skill University between Subhash Das, IAS (Retd), Vice Chancellor of Assam Skill University, and Brig Ploash Choudhury, SM (Retd), Director, Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Government of Assam, according to a PRO Defence statement. This collaboration seeks to harness the extensive hands-on experience acquired by ex-servicemen during their service in the Armed Forces. By aligning this expertise with the training and certification capabilities of Assam Skill University, the initiative aims to prepare ex-servicemen for opportunities in industry, reserved government jobs, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The program also emphasises the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen, many of whom retire young, with 15-20 years of active work life still ahead of them. A key aspect of the initiative is its focus on supporting widows and dependents of ex-servicemen. The partnership will guide them towards meaningful and sustainable career paths, ensuring their economic independence and integration into the workforce. As per the statement, to ensure the seamless implementation and success of this initiative, Col PN Giri (Retd), ZSWO Darrang, and Dr Jagadish Nath, Deputy Registrar of Assam Skill University, have been appointed as the Single Points of Contact (SPOC) from either side. They will work together to fine-tune the program and drive it toward impactful and sustainable outcomes. Speaking at the event, Subhash Das emphasised the importance of leveraging the unique skills of ex-servicemen to meet the demands of today's workforce. Brig Ploash Choudhury expressed his gratitude for the partnership and highlighted its potential to transform the lives of veterans and their families. This MoU marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to integrate ex-servicemen and their dependents into mainstream economic activities, contributing to nation-building and the socio-economic development of the region. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by British citizen Christian Michel, accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, who challenged bail conditions imposed by the Delhi High Court in a money laundering case. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sanjay Kumar rejected Michel's plea against some conditions imposed by the High Court on Michel. Michel has objected to the High Court's direction which asked him to provide the address where he intends to reside after his release. "You have a permanent address inside the Tihar jail; stay there only. Finished. What to do? You have been granted bail. You don't even want to fulfil a condition of providing a local address," said the bench as counsel of Michel objected to the conditions of the High Court. Michel's counsel contended that he did not have a local address and could not fulfil the condition of giving an address unless released from custody. He further submitted that the High Court does not have the power to issue directions to the British High Commission, which is a foreign authority. Michel had challenged the Delhi High Court's March 2025 order, which modified his bail conditions in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The High Court had allowed Michel to be released without submitting his passport immediately, as his earlier passport had expired. However, it directed that the British High Commission must deposit his new passport directly with the trial court when issued. It further directed that Michel should furnish the address where he intends to reside after release from the jail and the address would be verified by the trial court before his release. Michel is the alleged middleman arrested in 2018 in a money laundering case connected to the Rs 3,600-crore alleged scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. He was extradited in 2018 after India won the extradition case in Dubai. He is accused of being a middleman for the alleged illegal transactions that took place in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal. The CBI had alleged that there was an estimated loss of Euro 398.21 million (about 2666 Crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth Euro 556.262 million. Later ED filed a chargesheet against Michel in June, 2016, alleging that he had received EUR 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland. (ANI)
In a proactive move to curb drug trafficking and strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and the hospitality sector, Delhi Police conducted a focused awareness workshop for hotels in Aero City on Thursday. The initiative, aligned with the Government of India's 'Zero Tolerance' policy against drugs, sought to enhance vigilance and support efforts to build a drug-free society. The workshop was attended by Chief Security Officers (CSOs) from all 11 major hotels in the Aerocity area. Organised by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Crime Branch, the session aimed to educate and equip hotel security personnel with critical information on drug trafficking trends, commonly abused substances, and the major source states involved in the supply of narcotics. Apoorva Gupta, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, ANTF (Crime), said that the session was led by a senior faculty member from the ANTF. He provided an overview of the drug scenario in Delhi and highlighted the severe physical and mental health impacts of drug use. Special emphasis was placed on early detection and prompt reporting of suspected drug-related activity within hotel premises. A key feature of the workshop was the introduction of the MANAS portal (1933), a dedicated and confidential digital platform for reporting drug-related information. The platform, designed to ensure the anonymity and safety of informants, was demonstrated live during the session. Officers encouraged participants to utilise the tool as part of their regular vigilance and security protocols. The initiative received positive feedback from the participating CSOs. Abhirup Banerji, retired ACP and Consultant (Security) at Delhi International Airport Ltd, praised the Delhi Police for taking proactive steps to tackle drug-related challenges in one of the city's most prominent commercial and hospitality zones. Delhi Police reiterated its commitment to making the capital drug-free, underlining that its efforts span both enforcement and public education. "All possible steps are being taken, whether through strict law enforcement or by raising awareness, to achieve the vision of a 'Drug-Free Delhi," the DCP added. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated three major healthcare initiatives at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, which aim to strengthen the capital's public health infrastructure. Addressing media persons during the visit, Gupta said the new Medical Genetics Department inaugurated at LNJP is the first of its kind in Delhi and only the fourth in the country. "Today, we visited Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital and inaugurated three new projects. One, Medical Genetics Department...It is the fourth in the nation, and the first in Delhi, which will treat those children who are born with genetic disorders." She added, " Here, the doctors will be able to diagnose the genetic disorder with just a drop of blood. Second, we inaugurated the NAT testing lab. The testing of the donor's blood used to take 45 days; for the first time in Delhi, the donor's blood can be tested in 2 days. We have also inaugurated the Lactation Management Unit." Meanwhile, Delhi CM visited the SU Block Park in Pitampura on Wednesday, unveiling Rs 25 crore development projects as part of her 'Sewa ke Sau Din' initiative. Marking 100 days in office, she vowed to transform the area with improved facilities and increased hospital beds, promising a new era of progress for the community. Addressing the Public gathering, CM Gupta said, "When I became a Municipal Councillor in 2007, we gradually developed this park. When I was here last year on the 26 January programme, I saw that the condition of this park had deteriorated. I promised that, whether I gain a post or not, I would make sure that work on this park is done." "With your blessings, you have made me not an MLA but the Delhi Chief Minister... Development work of around Rs 25 crore is currently ongoing in Pitampura. This is just the beginning...," she added. Gupta highlighted the completion of 100 days of her government's service and the upcoming presentation of a progress report titled 'Sewa ke Sau Din. "We are completing 100 days of service on 30th May, and on 31st May, we will present our report, 'Sewa ke Sau Din', and I'm proud to present the work we've accomplished in this period," she added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee government on Thursday and said West Bengal needs freedom from "politics of violence, appeasement, riots and corruption" and that the people are looking towards "BJP's development model". Addressing a rally here, PM Modi took several jibes at the Trinamool Congress government, and said West Bengal is surrounded by many crises simultaneously. "First is the crisis of violence and anarchy spreading in the society. Second is the unsafety of our mothers and sisters who are being subjected to heinous crimes. The third crisis is of the extreme despair and rampant unemployment spreading among the youth. The fourth crisis is of the continuously declining trust in the system. The fifth crisis is of the selfish politics of the ruling party, that steals the rights of the poor," he said. PM Modi said the youth and poor families suffer the worst consequences of corruption. He alleged that the education system of West Bengal is being ruined. "We saw how corruption ruins everything in the teacher recruitment scam. The TMC government in their tenure destroyed the future and families of thousands of teachers and left their children helpless. The whole education system of West Bengal is being ruined. The absence of teachers has put the futures of lakhs of students at risk. The TMC leaders have committed such a huge sin. The limit is that even today these people are not ready to accept their mistake. Instead, they blame the courts," he said. PM Modi attacked the TMC government over violence in Murshidabad and Malda. "Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the government's ruthlessness here... In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party running the government identify and burn people's houses, and the police act as mere spectators. I ask the poor people of Bengal, is this how a government runs?... Here, the court has to intervene on every issue. Otherwise, nothing gets resolved. The people of Bengal do not trust the TMC government anymore... 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar'," he added. PM Modi accused TMC government of hostility towards the tribals, poor, Dalits, backward classes and women. "The TMC government is stalling the development of the poor tribal communities... TMC doesn't care about the tribal community's respect. When the NDA government made a tribal woman a Presidential candidate for the first time, TMC was the first party to oppose that," he said. "Why is TMC being hostile towards the poor, Dalits, the backward classes, women, and tribals?... Unfortuantely, the people of West Bengal are not getting the benefits of the Ayushman scheme... The ruthless government didn't let the people of West Bengal get Ayushman cards... Many poor people are not able to get permanent houses because of the TMC government, because their leaders are demanding cut and commission from the poor," he added. PM Modi accused the TMC of being interested only in playing politics. "The West Bengal government was absent from the NITI Aayog Governing Council's meeting in Delhi. TMC only wants to play politics 24 hours. They do not prioritise West Bengal's development or the country's progress. The Central Government policies that have been implemented here in West Bengal are not being fulfilled... The TMC government has stalled 16 major infrastructure projects in West Bengal," he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts in Alipurduar at West Bengal. (ANI)
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting strategised the preparations for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, with a focus on a Whole-of-Government Approach to ensure widespread participation. During the meeting that was held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan on Wednesday, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the government's commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of promoting yoga nationwide, an official release said on Thursday. "The International Day of Yoga is not just a celebration--it is a movement that unites Ministries, institutions, and citizens in a shared commitment to holistic health," Jadhav stated, noting that over 250 events have already been held across India and abroad, including 76 daily countdown events since March 13. The Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush highlighted that IDY 2024 saw participation from 24 crore individuals in India alone, and this year's target is even higher, noting that the the ministry is targeting an even larger engagement this year under the flagship event Yoga Sangam, in which over one lakh yoga events will be held simultaneously on June 21 this year. Prime Minister Modi will lead the national celebration from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, expected to draw over 5 lakh participants, while the Ministries of Tourism and Culture will host events at 150 iconic tourist sites nationwide. The meeting also underscored the theme for IDY 2025, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," aligning with the WHO's "One World, One Health" vision. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Monalisa Dash, remarked, "International Day of Yoga is not just an event--it is a celebration of India's timeless gift to the world. As we mark the 11th edition this year, our focus is on deeper engagement, wider outreach, and lasting impact. Through the Whole-of-Government approach, we are working to make IDY 2025 truly inclusive and transformative." The IMC called for collective action to make IDY 2025 a transformative global wellness movement, reflecting India's leadership in promoting health and harmony. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the nationwide Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in Bishramganj, emphasising the importance of agriculture in improving the country's financial condition. The campaign aims to leverage technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to advance agriculture in the state. Dr Saha highlighted the Prime Minister's emphasis on agriculture and the need to incorporate modern technologies to boost the sector. The campaign will run for at least twelve days, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and aligning with the 'Five Gs' symbiosis concept. "Our Prime Minister repeatedly emphasises that without focusing on agriculture, the country's financial condition cannot improve. In Tripura, we are working together under the guidance of the PM. Incorporating Artificial Intelligence and aligning with the concept of the 'Five Gs' symbiosis, we are initiating its implementation here as well," said the Tripura CM. The Chief Minister assured that Tripura will work under the guidance of the Prime Minister to implement the campaign effectively. By integrating technology, the state aims to improve agricultural productivity and contribute to the country's economic growth. "This campaign begins today and will continue for at least twelve days. By integrating technology, we are committed to advancing agriculture in the state," added Dr Saha. The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan started on May 29 and will continue until June 12 across over 700 districts nationwide. Under this campaign, a team of scientists will travel from village to village, engaging in direct interaction with farmers. The campaign will include participation from 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 113 Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) institutes, state-level departments, and officials from agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, as well as innovative farmers. It aims to reach and interact directly with 1.5 crore (15 million) farmers across the country. On May 24, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while addressing agricultural scientists from across the country at the NASC Complex, New Delhi, affirmed the government's commitment towards advancing agricultural research under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and assured that there will be no shortage of funds for research and innovation. Describing the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan as a result-oriented initiative, he expressed confidence that its outcomes, increased yields and reduced costs, would be visible as early as the upcoming Kharif season. The Minister also urged the country's scientists to showcase their research capabilities on the global stage, asserting that India's agricultural institutions possess the strength and excellence that can earn global recognition. He lauded the dedication of agricultural scientists and stated that the nation would express its gratitude to them following the successful completion of this campaign. (ANI)
Deep depression over North-West Bay of Bengal off West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts moved nearly northwards and crossed West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday. Sharing an X post, IMD said, DD (Deep Depression) over NW BoB (North-West Bay of Bengal) off WB (West Bengal)-Bangladesh coasts moved nearly northwards and crossed WB-Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island & Khepupara and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST 29th May 2025 over WB-Bangladesh coasts close to Raidighi, about 40 km SW of Canning. It is likely to move NNE till evening and weaken gradually into a D thereafter." Earlier in the morning, IMD shared an X post which said, "The depression over Northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts moved nearly northwards with a speed of 20 kmph during past 3 hours, intensified into a deep depression and lay centred at 0830 hours IST of today, the 29th May 2025 over the same region near latitude 21.3 N and longitude 88.5 E, about 60 km southeast of Sagar Island, and 180 km west of Khepupara (Bangladesh)." IMD predicted it is likely to continue to move northwards and cross the West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by the afternoon of May 29. The Meteorological Department has predicted inclement weather over Assam in the next 24 hours, with a likelihood of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall expected across western and southern parts of the State in the next 2-3 days. In a press statement, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said that, as per the IMD forecast, the weather pattern suggests that a well-marked low-pressure area lies over the Northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast at 08:30 hrs IST of today. "Associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height. It is likely to move slowly northwards and concentrate into a Depression over the North Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours. Under this influence of weather, heavy to extremely heavy rain accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning along with gusty wind is expected in the western and southern districts of Assam viz. Cachar, Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, West Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Bajali, Baksa, Tamulpur, Nalbari, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, Darang, Udalguri, Marigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, Sonitpur, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Hailakandi etc," the ASDMA said. (ANI)
DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat on Thursday called on the Indian industry to significantly increase its investments in research and development to strengthen India's indigenous defence capabilities. "We need to invest more in research and development. Today, we spend 5 per cent of our Defence budget on R&D. The Raksha Mantri has promised us that in the next five years, this will increase gradually to 10% of the Defence budget," Samir V Kamat said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. "You can't afford to fight future wars with past technologies. If you have to win future battles, you have to invest in R&D within the country," he added. He congratulated the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor. "Let me place on record the DRDO appreciation of the armed forces' efforts in conducting operations very successfully. I would also like to congratulate the Indian industry for helping us and producing the equipment they (Armed Forces) could use successfully during this operation," he said. "I would like to congratulate the Indian industry for contributing significantly to making India the fourth largest economy in the world," he added. He highlighted the importance of working towards advanced technologies for cutting-edge systems. "Technological changes are galloping. Although manufacturing is required, without the ability to design and develop your systems, you will always have systems that are not the cutting-edge systems. We are not the leading R&D nation in the world at the moment. So we will have to catch up, which can be done by using the new emerging technologies," Kamat noted. He said India's progress in Research and Development will not only strengthen its defence ecosystem but also expand defence exports. "We will work with you closely to make India a leading R&D country where people look to us for new innovations in defence technologies. If that happens, our exports will also increase." "We will be at a position where our enemies would not want to deal with us in any form of war, and we can then grow economically at a much faster rate with our focus on lifting the country to become a developed country, which is the vision of our Prime Minister by 2047," he said. (ANI)
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan on Thursday said that the authorities are keeping a close watch on all types of criminal elements in the district and are monitoring those who pose a threat to national projects. Speaking on the detention of two individuals under the Public Safety Act (PSA), Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan said, "In Kishtwar district, all types of criminal elements are being closely monitored, especially those who pose a threat to national projects." "The two individuals detained include one hardcore criminal involved in anti-national activities, and the other with repeated offences. So far, a total of eight people have been detained under the PSA," said Shavan. On Wednesday, two hybrid terrorists associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) surrendered following an operation launched by security forces in the Baskuchan area of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the Shopian Police, the terrorists were identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam. The joint operation was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) Shopian, 44 Rashtriya Rifles, and 178 Battalion of CRPF based on a specific input. The forces have also recovered various arms and ammunitions from their possession including two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, two hand grenades, and two pouches. The police have registered an FIR, and further investigation is underway to probe their links and activities. Describing tourism as a celebration of diversity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that what happened to tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam is an attack on "humanity" and "brotherhood". The Prime Minister was addressing the "Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth" programme from Bagdogra in West Bengal through videoconference. Prime Minister Modi said that India gave the terrorists a fitting reply through Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a decisive military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others. Indian armed forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said that the government has taken a bold decision to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming decadal census and called it a "transformative" and "game-changing" step. Dhankhar said, "The Government has made a great decision. And the decision is to include caste-based enumeration in the upcoming decadal census. It will be a transformative step, game-changing. It will help bring about social justice. It will be an eye-opener. It will satisfy people's aspirations. It's a very broad decision of the government. There was a caste-based census earlier. Last time, I think it was conducted in 1931. I looked up the census many times to know about my caste. I therefore realise the importance of caste-based enumeration." Addressing the Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Probationers of the 2024 and 2025 batches in New Delhi, Dhankhar said, "Far from being divisive, thoughtfully collected caste data will be an instrument of integration. Some people are debating it. We are mature minds. How can information collected by itself be a source of the problem? It is like getting your body MRI. You will know about it when you stand. People will realise. And this mechanism will transform abstract constitutional commitments to equality into measurable, accountable policy outcomes." The Vice President drew a vivid analogy highlighting the value of precise and current data in governance, saying, "Effective policy planning without robust statistics is like a surgery in the dark. You can imagine how relevant your work is. Every digit in our national database represents a human story. Every trend line charts the trajectory of things. Let me give you a small illustration." "And what it portends for our future is that you will have rich experiences every moment of your service career. What you took for granted, you will find, is on a fragile premise. It's a mirage, because data does not lie," he noted. The Vice President reiterated that India's aspirations for becoming a developed nation are firmly rooted in evidence-based planning. He said, "We, as a nation, are looking for 'Viksit Bharat,' which is not our dream. It is our objective, defined destination, our goal. Bharat is no longer a nation with potential. It's a nation on the rise, and the rise is unstoppable. And therefore, the path to a developed India is built with statistical insights marked by evidence-based milestones. In togetherness, we must create a nation that thinks empirically, as I indicated earlier, but is driven by hardcore evidence." He urged timely and relevant data collection and usage for informed policymaking, saying, "Statistics is not merely about numbers. It is much more than numbers. It is about identifying patterns and drawing insights that inform wise policy decisions. Now, there is always urgency. If your data must be in sync with contemporaneous situations. Otherwise, it has a tendency to be stale. How detailed? It is about identifying patterns and growing insights. Have informed policy decisions based on data that is currently acceptable. A delayed or misguided policy can have serious consequences, and a timely intervention. Well-informed decisions can yield results that are exponential, not just incremental." Affirming the human-centric nature of statistics, he stated, "Numbers are not cold abstractions; they are warm testimonies to our collective aspirations. These are the numbers. The future belongs to those who master the art of reading societies, statistical signatures. And only you make those signatures available. In the convergence of statistical science and democratic values lies the secret to India's continued rise." The Vice President emphasized that statistical accuracy empowers governments to shift from reactive measures to strategic foresight, saying, "This diagnostic precision transforms reactive governance into proactive stewardship. Otherwise, we will always be in reaction mode. Reaction mode is a weakness of policy--it reveals a void in foresight. But proactive stewardship is fundamental." He further said, "We are also required to use data to address demographic trends. Demographic trends are beyond statistics. They are dependent on the analysis of statistics. In several ways, these variations define the pulse of the nation's transformation. And therefore, understanding statistics from the perspective of demographic variation will help policymakers address the security of the nation. Preserve our sovereignty also. Analyse the threat perception. Help us devise policies. You come to know more about demography only from statistical analysis of raw figures. It's a compass that will guide the nation's journey for sustainable development." Encouraging the young officers to see themselves as agents of equality, he reflected on their role in democratizing access and opportunities. Dhankhar said, "You are probationers. Statistical cartography reveals the hidden geometries of inequality. I stressed--I reiterated on a number of occasions--democracy has meaning only if those who cannot help themselves are helped. They don't have to question others that I need help, which means you must bring about equality and sublimity. Your cartography helps. Governance is enabled by your efforts to craft targeted interventions, where interventions are most needed." He then reflected on the vital role of civil servants in India's journey, saying, "In the vast canvas of India's progress, civil servants functioned as the silent yet formidable architects contributing to the socio-economic development and progress of our dynamic nation. Thanks to the vision of the Prime Minister, his mission, that execution has been executed by the bureaucracy. The performance of our bureaucracy will always be optimal if the political leadership is in the right framework. We are living in times, where the political framework is indicating hope and optimism. We are on the right path. And that is why India is a nation at the moment with an unprecedented economic upsurge, phenomenal infrastructure growth. This is a mix of political vision and bureaucratic execution. I therefore say that India takes pride in its bureaucracy. It is the finest in the world. And that is why our aspirations get fructified." Concluding his address, the Vice President touched upon India's linguistic diversity and its role in national unity, "India is uniquely positioned in the world when it comes to languages. We have multiple languages that make us proud -- Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla, Sanskrit, Hindi, and several others (I may forget some), all of them including Odia and other languages. Eight of them are classical languages. Our languages generate unity. Some of them have a global impact; their literature is a goldmine of knowledge. Our inclusivity is reflected in our languages, and if you go to the constitutional scheme of things, it is provided in the Constitution that for official work, there will be a progressive decline in the use of the English language and, similarly, an incremental trajectory for Hindi. Our National Education Policy stands out for giving primacy to the mother tongue. Education in technical subjects like medicine and engineering is now being imparted in the vernacular. Our languages are our spinal strength. Our languages can never be a source of divisiveness. Our languages are a unifying force. I appeal to everyone in the country to have a soothing approach with wholesome motivation toward this fundamental cultural aspect of our nation." Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, PR Meshram, Director General, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
Congress leader and the party's General Secretary (Communication), Jairam Ramesh, took a jibe at the Central government for sending out parliamentarians across the world while the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are "roaming around." "It has been a month since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. Today, those terrorists are roaming around. They had a role in the December 2023 Poonch terror attack; the Ganderbal attack in October 2024; and in the same month, another attack took place--they had their role in that too. This means that the Pahalgam terrorists are responsible for four attacks in 18 months, and they are roaming around. Our MPs are roaming around, and our terrorists are roaming around too," Ramesh told ANI here. Seven groups of MPs have been sent to various countries to present India's stance against terrorism and expose Pakistan's links to it. The delegation of MPs is meeting various political leaders, think tanks and the Indian diaspora in various countries. Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government, he claimed that the government is not answering any question raised by the party but is busy attacking it instead, when it is the terrorists who ought to be attacked. "We are asking these questions seriously. They do not answer these questions. The BJP only targets the Congress party. Their attack is on the Congress party; it should be on the terrorists. Action should be taken against Pakistan. The terrorists should be arrested. The missiles that are being launched every day are being launched against the Congress party," he said. The Congress leader also claimed that there might be a special session of Parliament on June 25 to remember the emergency, hitting out at the Centre for not calling a special session to discuss the terror attack. Saying that an "undeclared emergency" has been going on since 2014 (when the Modi government was voted to power at the Centre), he added, "It is being heard that a special session can be called on 25th and 26th June because it is the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014. He wants to call a special session about what happened 50 years ago. To divert attention from today's questions." Further, Ramesh vowed to "expose RSS" for their role in the emergency if a special session is called. "We will also expose the role of RSS, we will put the reality in front of the whole country, what they had said. But today, our demand is that a special session be called and also reiterate the February 22, 1994 resolution, update it, and to highlight the new challenges especially the 'jugalbandi' between China and Pakistan which was given a clean chit by PM Modi. Show some collective resolve and unity." On February 22, 1994, both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha passed a resolution affirming Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. Congress has been repeatedly calling for a special session in parliament since the Pahalgam attack. On April 22, terrorists killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national in Baisaran valley in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 in response to the attack, which targeted terror bases and led to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistna retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions. India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan as a response. On May 10, an understanding leading to cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced. (ANI)
Chief Minister Naidu will be addressing the Summit themed "Building Trust: India Moment, Global Imperative, Growth & Development."

The CII summit aims to bring together India's top policymakers, business leaders, and thought leaders to shape the country's economic agenda.

The Chief Minister will also be addressing a special plenary session titled "Driving Economic Growth and Sustainability: The Andhra Pradesh Blueprint" from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm on May 30.

His address will highlight the state's strategic roadmap under the Swarna Andhra Vision 2047, focusing on accelerated economic growth, inclusive development, industrial resurgence, and innovation-led transformation.

As per his schedule, the Chief Minister will travel from Kadapa to New Delhi in the late hours on May 29. He will proceed to his official residence at 1, Janpath, and later attend the CII Special Plenary Session at the Taj Palace Hotel. (ANI)
Int'l students attend cultural experience activity ahead of Dragon Boat Festival in Chongqing

Xinhua) 09:11, May 29, 2025

Local residents and international students try to make sachets at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A Russian student (3rd L) and a Kazakh student (3rd R) from Chongqing University try to make Ciba, a traditional glutinous rice cake at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

This photo taken on May 28, 2025 shows a folk dance performance at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

A Russian student (C, front) and a Kazakh student (2nd R, front) from Chongqing University try to make Ciba, a traditional glutinous rice cake, with a local resident at Fengsheng ancient town of Banan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 28, 2025. Over 200 local residents and international students from Chongqing University participated in a cultural experience activity ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Special judge Dig Vinay Singh issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a response. The court listed the matter for further hearing on June 4.

Counsel for Arvind Kejriwal submitted that his passport had expired in 2018. He was using his official passport being CM of Delhi. Now he is seeking a NOC for the renewal of his personal passport.

He is seeking renewal of his passport for 10 years, his counsel said.

During the hearing of the main case related to the Excise policy on Thursday, Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha and other accused persons appeared through video conferencing.

The Central Bureau of Investigation said that it is ready for arguments on framing of charges.

It was also submitted that the court has already said that no new application would be filed for the scrutiny of documents. However, some applications are still pending.

Recently, the court has ordered that the CBI shall include all communications, notices issued and other documents in the list of unrelied documents.

The CBI has already filed a charge sheet and supplementary charge sheets after its investigation. (ANI)
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police detained four illegal Bangladeshi nationals from the Narela area of Delhi after a team from the Inter-State Cell (ISC), Crime Branch, Chanakyapuri carried out an operation. "The team had been conducting surveillance and intelligence-gathering for over a month to identify undocumented migrants residing in vulnerable areas," said an official statement from Delhi police. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Harsh Indora stated that the detained individuals were identified as Hafijul (19), Mominul (21), Shamim (22), and Inamul (38), who are allegedly from the Rangpur district in Bangladesh. The police launched this operation based on multiple intelligence inputs and reports indicating the presence of undocumented foreign nationals in the city. These individuals were believed to have entered the country illegally, bypassing immigration checks, and had been living without any valid documents. "Officers conducted ground-level verifications at makeshift settlements, roadside dwellings, and known labour congregation points in Narela. Individuals were questioned and subjected to identity verification, during which the four were found lacking any legal documentation and admitted to their illegal entry and continued stay in India," the statement read. None of the detainees were able to produce any valid identity proof of either Indian or Bangladeshi origin, DCP Indora added According to police's preliminary investigation, it was revealed that all four individuals had entered India during childhood with their parents, who subsequently returned to Bangladesh. Since then, they had been residing illegally in India, moving across several cities including Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Khurja, Mahendragarh, Ghaziabad, Behror, and finally Delhi to avoid detection. "They had been living secretly on roadsides and informal settlements for years and stated that they had no relatives or legal ties in India. Their families, including parents, siblings, and grandparents, continue to reside in Bangladesh," the statement read. Police said that the four individuals are currently in a detention centre and are being processed in accordance with the law. (ANI)
Rouse Avenue court on Thursday reserved its order on charges in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotel corruption case against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members and others. The court will pronounce the order on July 23. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reserved the order after hearing submissions by the counsel for the investigation agency and the accused persons. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that Yadav and his family members were involved in corruption and conspiracy in allotting maintenance contracts for two IRCTC hotels to a private company. The agency claimed that in return for the deal, Yadav received three acres of prime land through a benami company. On March 1, the CBI concluded its arguments on charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, former Minister Prem Chand Gupta, and other accused persons. The Special Public Prosecutor for CBI argued that there was corruption and conspiracy on the part of the accused persons in the allotment of two IRCTC hotel maintenance Contracts. SPP DP Singh and advocate Manu Mishra argued that there was sufficient material to frame charges against all accused persons, including Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and son Tejaswi Yadav. The agency claimed that the tender was awarded unfairly, and the accused persons benefited from the deal. This case is connected with when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister during 2004-2009. It is alleged that Vinay and Vinay Kochar, a private firm, awarded the maintenance contract of two IRCTC hotels, BNR Ranch and BNR Puri, to Sujata Hotel. The CBI has alleged that in return for this deal, Lalu Prasad Yadav received three acres of prime land through a benami company. On July 7, 2017, the CBI filed an FIR against Lalu. The agency also raided 12 locations linked to Lalu and his family in Patna, New Delhi, Ranchi and Gurgaon. On the other hand, former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav argued that there is no material to frame charges against him in the IRCTC corruption case, and he deserves discharge. These arguments were advanced before the Rouse Avenue court, which is hearing arguments on framing of charges in the IRCTC corruption case. Lalu Prasad Yadav's counsel Maninder Singh argued that there is no material to frame charges against him and that he deserves discharge. The senior advocate claimed that the tender was awarded lawfully, and there are no irregularities on Yadav's part. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Chugh on Thursday hit out at the Congress party over remarks made by its leader Bhupesh Baghel in reference to terrorism, labelling it as "mental bankruptcy". He said that this was the party that failed to act against Pakistan despite the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Chugh further accused Congress of engaging in "politics of lies" on issues like terrorism, which he said was harmful to the country's national security. "This is the same Congress that didn't teach Pakistan a lesson even after the 26/11 (Mumbai terror) attacks. They didn't do anything during their tenure but are now engaging in politics of lies on such sensitive topics. This mentality of the Congress causes harm to the country's national security...This statement by the Congress is mental bankruptcy," Chugh, also the National General Secretary of the BJP, told ANI. He lashed out at former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, stating that his statement was proof of a "shameless anti-national mentality." "Will the Congress view a sensitive issue like terrorism from the lens of 'loss and gain'? Have people from Italy given these instructions? Bhupesh Baghel's statement is proof of shameless anti-national mentality. Why couldn't you stop Naxalism and terrorism?... We have acted against all forms of terrorism with a zero-tolerance policy," the BJP leader added. Meanwhile, Telangana BJP leader N Ramachander Rao objected to Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel's statement calling the Congress party a bigger victim of terrorism. Rao called the former Chhattisgarh CM's statement "foolish". Talking to ANI, the BJP leader said, "Statement of former Chhattisgarh CM Baghel is surprising and it is his foolishness to say Congress is a bigger loser and affected during terror strikes and Naxalite attacks. He is forgetting that not only Congress but the nation has suffered due to terrorism, Naxalites and ultra-groups' activities." This comes after Baghel said that if someone has suffered the heaviest loss due to terrorism, it is Congress, while the BJP has gained from it. Commenting on Congress leader Udit Raj's attack against MP Shashi Tharoor, N Ramachander Rao said, "The Congress leaders seem to be frustrated because of the support India is getting due to the all-party delegations going to various countries and explaining Operation Sindoor and India's stand on terrorism." (ANI)
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested three individuals and seized over 254 kilograms of high-quality marijuana, estimated to be worth over Rs 1 crore in the illegal market. The contraband was ingeniously hidden inside a container carrying bulk soya badi in an attempt to evade detection, as per a statement from the Delhi police. The arrests were made following a two-month-long intelligence-led operation spearheaded by the Anti-Gangster Section (AGS) of the Crime Branch. The operation, aligned with the government's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora, added the statement. Based on specific intelligence and advanced technical surveillance, the police intercepted a suspicious truck on May 27, 2025. The vehicle had travelled from Baharampur in Odisha and was closely monitored throughout its journey to Delhi using toll plaza data and mobile surveillance. Upon search, 254.1 kilograms of marijuana were recovered -- 30.38 kg from accused Anil Kumar and 223.72 kg from the truck. DCP Crime Harsh Indora said, three individuals were apprehended and identified as Bhuneshwar Singh (49), a resident of Bihar, Jang Bahadur Yadav (48), a residence from Faridabad, Haryana and Anil Kumar (30), a resident of Nangloi, Delhi. A case under various sections of the NDPS Act and Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Crime Branch Police Station, read the statement further. Investigations have revealed that Jang Bahadur Yadav is a key figure in the operation, connected with major drug suppliers based in Baharampur, Odisha. He owns four trucks, two of which are believed to be off-road but allegedly used in the trafficking operations by duplicating registration numbers to confuse enforcement agencies. One of his trucks was recently intercepted by Jharkhand Police in a separate drug seizure, and the driver involved is currently absconding. Bhuneshwar Singh, who works closely with Jang Bahadur, is believed to be responsible for transporting the narcotics across states. He has reportedly made multiple trips delivering consignments to Ahmedabad and Delhi, receiving payments of Rs 60,000 per trip. Anil Kumar was identified as the local receiver of the consignment in Delhi, operating under the direction of his brother-in-law, Chhotu Kumar. Chhotu Kumar is a shoe company contractor who allegedly uses his business as a front for drug distribution in Delhi's Nangloi and Dichon areas. He added that Chhotu Kumar is reportedly the key handler and liaison between the Odisha-based suppliers and Delhi distributors, coordinating logistics and payments. The seizure included a truck used in transportation and a motorcycle. The police have also uncovered that identical registration numbers were being used on multiple trucks to deceive law enforcement agencies. The crime branch has emphasised that this bust points to a well-structured, pan-India drug syndicate with roots in Odisha and distribution networks across Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi. Efforts are ongoing to identify additional members of the network and trace the full supply chain. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attacked the Trinamool Congress government over "appeasement, corruption" and last month's violence in Murshidabad, saying that people do not trust it anymore and "Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam Sarkar". Addressing a rally here, PM Modi also said a developed West Bengal is crucial for a developed India and West Bengal needs to reclaim its identity. PM Modi alleged that in the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand in Murshidabad. "Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the government's ruthlessness here... In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party running the government identify and burn people's houses, and the police act as mere spectators. I ask the poor people of Bengal, is this how a government runs?... Here, the court has to intervene on every issue. Otherwise, nothing gets resolved. The people of Bengal do not trust the TMC government anymore... 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar' (there is clamour in Bengal that people do not want a cruel government)," he said. Protests against the Waqf Act had turned violent in the Murshidabad district last month. PM Modi said West Bengal "is surrounded by many crises" simultaneously. "First is the crisis of violence and anarchy spreading in the society. Second is the lack of safety of our mothers and sisters who are being subjected to heinous crimes. The third crisis is of extreme despair and rampant unemployment spreading among the youth. The fourth crisis is of the continuously declining trust in the system. The fifth crisis is of the selfish politics of the ruling party, that steals the rights of the poor," he said. PM Modi said the youth and poor families suffer the worst consequences of corruption. He alleged that the education system of West Bengal is being ruined. "We saw how corruption ruins everything in the teacher recruitment scam. The TMC government in their tenure destroyed the future and families of thousands of teachers and left their children helpless. The whole education system of West Bengal is being ruined. The absence of teachers has put the future of lakhs of students at risk. The TMC leaders have committed such a huge sin. The limit is that even today these people are not ready to accept their mistake. Instead, they blame the courts," he said. "The youth, poor, and middle-class (of West Bengal) are bearing the brunt of corruption. We've seen how corruption leads to destruction, especially in the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam. The TMC government has ruined the future of thousands of teachers and their families. This is not just the problem of few thousand teachers, but the entire education system is deteriorating. Even now, they refuse to admit their mistakes and are instead blaming courts," he added. PM Modi accused the TMC government of hostility towards the tribals, poor, Dalits, backward classes and women. "The TMC government is stalling the development of the poor tribal communities... TMC doesn't care about the tribal community's respect. When the NDA government made a tribal woman a Presidential candidate for the first time, TMC was the first party to oppose that," he said. "Why is TMC being hostile towards the poor, Dalits, the backward classes, women, and tribals?... Unfortuantely, the people of West Bengal are not getting the benefits of the Ayushman scheme... The ruthless government didn't let the people of West Bengal get Ayushman cards... Many poor people are not able to get permanent houses because of the TMC government, because their leaders are demanding cut and commission from the poor," he added. PM Modi accused the TMC of being interested only in playing politics. "The West Bengal government was absent from the NITI Aayog Governing Council's meeting in Delhi. TMC only wants to play politics 24 hours. They do not prioritise West Bengal's development or the country's progress. The Central Government policies that have been implemented here in West Bengal are not being fulfilled... The TMC government has stalled 16 major infrastructure projects in West Bengal," he said. He said the Central government has initiated numerous development projects worth thousands of crores in West Bengal over the past decade. "Whether it's the Durgapur Expressway, or the modernisation of the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, the Centre has made every effort to develop West Bengal," he said. He alleged that the Central Government schemes that were approved and started in West Bengal are not being completed properly. "Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), around 4,000 kilometres of rural roads were sanctioned for villages in West Bengal. These roads were supposed to be completed by last year, but not even 400 kilometres have been constructed so far. This is a complete failure in execution. In addition, 16 major infrastructure projects are facing unnecessary delays. These include highways, metro projects, and hospitals -- part of a broader plan involving over 90,000 construction works across India. Due to the TMC government's negligence and lack of cooperation, the people of West Bengal are being denied development," he said. He also referred to the success of Operation Sindoor launched on the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of Sindoor Khela, it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism -- Operation Sindoor. On April 22, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam shook the nation. The pain and anger felt across West Bengal were deeply understood. I could feel your outrage. The terrorists dared to wipe off the sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters," PM Modi said. "But our brave soldiers made them realise the power of that sindoor. Pakistan, the country that nurtures terrorism, has nothing positive to offer to the world. Since its very inception, it has been a breeding ground for terror and violence. But India has changed. We no longer tolerate such cowardly acts. And Operation Sindoor is our firm answer," he added. PM Modi said Operation Sindoor has not ended yet. He said the Central Government is making every effort to develop West Bengal. "In the past decade, the BJP government has invested thousands of crores. Today, we have laid the foundation stone for the City Gas Distribution project. Thanks to the efforts of the Centre, Kalyani AIIMS has been established, and the New Alipurduar railway station has been redeveloped. The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is being developed to enhance freight transport and support business activities in North India. With the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, the BJP government is committed to the development of West Bengal," he said. "Today, every Indian is contributing towards making India a developed nation. And for a developed India, a developed West Bengal is crucial. West Bengal needs to reclaim its identity. To achieve this, West Bengal must become a hub of knowledge. It must also establish itself as a centre for 'Make in India'," he added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticised Jairam Ramesh and Congress on Thursday, claiming that the party's leaders give statements which are only for broadcasting on Pakistan's TV channels. "Congress has this disease, whether it is Jairam Ramesh or Rahul Gandhi they talk about things which will be shown on Pakistan's TV channels. This statement is not for airing on Indian TV channels, it is for Pakistan's TV channels," Sirsa told ANI. Sirsa is in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district to visit the victims of cross-border shelling in the area, who were affected after Pakistan retaliated post Operation Sindoor. "This is a very absurd statement of Jairam Ramesh ji. Shouldn't there be an Emergency discussion? We are not discussing the Emergency, not the Congress, how the Constitution was strangled, how people were imprisoned. To maintain the rule of one family, they imposed the Emergency and strangled the Constitution. If they feel discussing that is a sin, then doing this sin is important," he added. Sirsa spoke in response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's statement, where, with reference to the all-party delegation, the latter said that "while our MPs roam around, the terrorists roam free too." Ramesh had also criticised the Centre on the speculation of holding a special session on June 25 to remember the Emergency, while not holding one to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack. Further, hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, Sirsa said that the Congress leader is not even ready to listen to the statements of Pakistan PM talking about India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. "Their (Pakistan) Prime Minister is crying, is Jairam Ramesh not seeing that? Rahul Gandhi will not see it anyway, as he collects money from China, speak the language of Pakistan, they will never see it. But their (Pakistan) PM is crying and saying that 150 of our people were killed, they entered our house and killed them, turned off our water. Their CM is saying that he will not be able to bear the brunt of the damage suffered for many years," Sirsa said. Earlier on Thursday, Ramesh took a jibe at the Central government for sending out parliamentarians across the world while the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are "roaming around." "It has been a month since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. Today, those terrorists are roaming around. They had a role in the December 2023 Poonch terror attack; the Ganderbal attack in October 2024; and in the same month, another attack took place--they had their role in that too. This means that the Pahalgam terrorists are responsible for four attacks in 18 months, and they are roaming around. Our MPs are roaming around, and our terrorists are roaming around too," Ramesh told ANI. Seven groups of MPs have been sent to various countries to present India's stance against terrorism and expose Pakistan's links to it. The delegation of MPs is meeting various political leaders, think tanks and the Indian diaspora in various countries. On the speculation whether a special session of Parliament will be held, Ramesh added that an "undeclared emergency" has been in place since 2014. "It is being heard that a special session can be called on 25th and 26th June because it is the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014. He wants to call a special session about what happened 50 years ago. To divert attention from today's questions." On April 22, terrorists killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national in Baisaran valley in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 in response to the attack, which targeted terror bases and led to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the Karnataka government's enactment of an ordinance to ensure the protection of the rights of platform-based gig workers was a "historic step" since it provides social security and ends arbitrary blocking. He said that Congress' vision was to take such initiatives for gig workers to every state, as technology was meant to serve people, drive innovation, and ensure justice. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1927954068473008246 "Karnataka's new ordinance ensures: Social security, fair contracts, transparency in algorithmic pay, an end to arbitrary blocking. This is how technology should serve people -- driving innovation and justice. Rajasthan showed the way. Karnataka has acted. Telangana is next. This is our vision -- and we will take it to every state, and to the nation," Gandhi posted on X. The Congress leader reiterated the words spoken by a gig worker during the Bharat Jodo Yatra earlier, demanding fair rights, "Rating nahi, haq chaahiye. Insaan hai hum, ghulaam nahi." "These powerful words from gig workers stayed with me during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Our Congress government in Karnataka has taken a historic step by issuing an ordinance that guarantees rights, dignity, and protection to gig workers," Gandhi added. He further apprised about the problems being faced by the platform-based gig workers, stating that they are blocked from their platform without explanation and denied leaves. "These workers bring us food, deliver essentials, and drive us safely -- in the heat, cold, and rain. Yet too often, they are blocked from their apps without explanation, denied sick leave, and paid according to opaque algorithms. We are changing that," Gandhi said. He asserted that the workers' rights must be at the centre of opportunities being created by gig and platform work. "Gig and platform work is creating new opportunities and reshaping work relationships. Workers' rights must be at the center of this new arrangement," he added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday admitted the appeals filed by the promoters of Byju's challenging the NCLAT Chennai order which denied the withdrawal of insolvency proceedings initiated by the BCCI, despite a full and final settlement of dues prior to the constitution of the Committee of Creditors (CoC). A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar also issued notices to Pankaj Srivastava, former interim resolution professional of Think and Learn, and US based Glas Trust company LLC. The bench today heard arguments and scheduled the case for hearing on July 21. The apex court also said that the court will consider interim relief on the next date of hearing. Appearing on behalf of Byju's promoters, Senior advocate KK Venugopal contended that "A Rs. 158 crore settlement between BYJU'S and BCCI was fully agreed upon, paid, and formally communicated to the IRP well before the CoC was constituted." Building further on the argument, senior counsel Guru Krishna Kumar sought relief from the Supreme Court, "The Resolution Professional (IRP) handling Think & Learn's (BYJU's) insolvency in India, has withdrawn legal proceedings in the US initiated by Think and Learn against the lenders. This is leading to substantial assets of the company in the US being disposed off." On April 17, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had set aside the appeals filed by BCCI and Byju's Riju Ravindran seeking withdrawal of insolvency proceedings against Byju's. They had challenged in NCLAT, the order passed by the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which had on February 10, directed to place their settlement offer before the new CoC, in which US-based Glas Trust, the trustee for lenders to which Byju's owes $1.2 billion, is a member. Filing the appeal in the top court, BCCI and Ravindran have sought a withdrawal of the insolvency proceedings saying they have entered into a settlement of Rs 158 crore, and this was done much before the constitution of CoC. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the role of the women in Indian armed forces, while attending the flag in ceremony of Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, which was on out at the sea for nearly 8 months on the voyage 'Navika Sagar Parikrama II' for circumnavigating the globe, with a crew of two: Lieutenant Commander Roopa A Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. INSC Tarini arrived on the coast of Goa earlier today, completing its expedition which was flagged off from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, Goa on October 2, 2024. The Defence Minister lauded the bravery of the Navy officers, saying that to travel 45 thousand kilometres while facing the ocean is a feat of its own. "Around 25 thousand nautical miles, meaning around 45 thousand kilometres were travelled in 8 months, that too doing it while in the middle of the sea, is a big feat of bravery on its own," the Defence Minister said during his speech. "The loneliness you might have witnessed cannot be truly put into words. Here people stay with each other and feel lonely, and you people (the crew of INSV Tarini), facing the lonely sea, where one forgets about humans, and cannot see any animals either. In that situation, you have spent 8 months. I understand that you might have faced many problems," Singh said. He highlighted the contribution of women in the armed forces. "Today, the daughters of our country are fulfilling their responsibilities very well from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the sea. The doors of the schools of armed forces have been opened for women," he said. Highlighting the first batch of women who passed out from the National Defence Academy (NDA), the minister added, "This month, 17 girls have passed out from NDA. Women have had an active and effective participation in every part of the Indian Armed Forces. During Operation Sindoor, women pilots and other women soldiers have played an important role in the action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK," he said. Earlier on May 21, the Naval chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, interacted with the crew of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II onboard Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. During that time, the vessel had crossed the northern hemisphere and was homeward bound already. The Navy Chief commended the crew members' exemplary skills and team spirit, and conveyed the pride and admiration of the Indian Navy and the entire nation following their progress. "On 20 May 2025, Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS interacted with the crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama_II onboard INSV Tarini, having crossed over to the Northern Hemisphere and homeward bound on their final leg of the circumnavigation," the Indian Navy said in a post on X. Marking the final leg of the voyage, the vessel was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town, South Africa on April 15, 2025, marking its journey back home. The send-off was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attache of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives from the Indian community in Cape Town, according to an earlier statement from the Ministry of Defence. INSV Tarini started its journey on October 2, 2024, from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, in a statewide launch of the Agricultural Sankalp Campaign on Thursday, said that this developed agricultural resolution campaign would be an important initiative to promote self-reliance and indigenous farmers by increasing agricultural production. He said that under the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the farmers of the country used the time-consuming technology in agriculture, working in the direction of revolutionary change in agriculture by working in the united efforts of value addition, farm mechanism, natural farming is going to happen. The campaign has been initiated by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare of the Government of India, in collaboration with scientists of ICAR and agricultural science centers, and agricultural universities. It is being held across the country from May 7 to June 7, according to a release. CM Patel started the campaign in Gujarat with Anand Krishi University. Under this campaign, there has been widespread planning to reach more than 1.5 lakh farmers through 4 clusters of 5 talukas. During this campaign, scientists, agricultural experts, agricultural department officials and local progressive farmers are visiting villages. During this visit, farmers will be given agricultural information about natural agriculture, modern and watercolor transformation, new modified seeds, nano fertilizers, the use of soil health cards as well as the use of fertilizers. In addition, farmers will also be informed about the farmers' benefit assistance schemes of the central and state government. The Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare of the State Government has intensified to cover more than three and a half lakh farmers under the campaign, with more than 3,000 farmers from the villages. CM Patel described the campaign as an opportunity for the farmers of the state, adding that the use of nano urea and drone technology can be used in agriculture with the best use of modern technology and science by recognizing the demand for new inventions and science in the field of agriculture. "If there is a political will of the farmer and agricultural sector and rural life, then what can be changed, PM Modi has proved by providing adequate water and Narmada water for irrigation. He also adopted an approach to the state government by giving the state government to all the understanding of which crops can be taken in their fields, how to get more cost by paying value editions," the Chief Minister added. The Chief Minister said that agricultural benefits such as Soil Health Card, Lab to Land, Animal Health Fair have met Gujarat with visionary leadership and unique vision of Gujarat, as a result of all this, from 2001 to 2014, when the agricultural growth rate of Gujarat was only 3 percent, The growth rate was growing at double digits. The Chief Minister congratulated the Prime Minister's leadership and the army personnel of the country for the success of Operation Sindoor, saying that as the security of the country is handled with the army, the farmers provide the food security of the country. The Chief Minister also expressed confidence that the farmers of Gujarat will be at the forefront of this developed agricultural resolve campaign for developed India@2047. The Chief Minister also distributed various assistance kits to the farmers on the beginning of the campaign. Dr Manish Das Director of Indian Council Agriculture Research gave detailed information about the ICAR efforts to eliminate the challenges of farmers in the agriculture sector in his occasional address. In addition, he said that this department would provide a new dimension developed by this department to fulfill the vision of the Prime Minister's Lab to Land's vision to the farmers of the state. "Through this campaign, ICAR of the challenges of farmers in their farming attempts will be made by the scientists to reconcile," he said confidently. Speaking on the occasion, Vice -Chancellor of Anand Agricultural University, KB Kathria said, "The developed agricultural resolution campaign is a campaign for mutual education for farmers and scientists." (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh has lashed out at the Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel for making an outrageous and deeply insensitive remark that "terrorism has benefitted the BJP." Chugh said, "This isn't just a slip of the tongue -- it reflects the Congress party's distorted, dangerous, and defeatist mindset. Will Congress now evaluate terrorism -- which has claimed the lives of countless soldiers and civilians -- by calculating who gained and who lost politically?" He questioned whether Congress has sunk to such depths that even an issue as grave as terrorism is now seen through the lens of electoral arithmetic. "What a shame that the party which ruled India for decades cannot rise above vote-bank politics, even while discussing the bloodshed of innocent Indians," Chugh said. Chugh reminded that under the Congress regime, particularly from 2004 to 2014, India faced one terrorist attack after another -- from Delhi to Mumbai, Hyderabad to Bangalore -- yet there was no decisive response, no accountability, and no justice. "After 26/11, the nation expected retribution. Instead, Congress sent dossiers and love letters to Pakistan," he said. Slamming Bhupesh Baghel, Chugh stated, "If he truly believes that the BJP benefitted from terrorism, then he is not just mocking the martyrdom of our brave soldiers -- he is spitting on the pain of every Indian who has suffered from the horrors of terrorism. This is not politics; this is moral decay. For decades, Congress had the opportunity and the mandate to root out terrorism, but it chose silence and appeasement over action. Where there should have been strikes, there were excuses. Where there should have been resolve, there were dossiers. Rahul Gandhi must answer whether this shameful mindset is now Congress's official position." Tarun Chugh expressed his strong support for the all-party delegation that has recently travelled abroad to expose Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism. He said this is a much-needed unified effort to present India's case to the global community. Chugh emphasised that when it comes to national security and the threat of terrorism, political lines must disappear, and the message must be clear: India will not tolerate cross-border terror, and the world must hold Pakistan accountable. Referring to the recent targeting of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor by his own party colleagues -- including Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera, and Udit Raj -- for exposing Pakistan on global platforms, Chugh said, "In today's Congress, if you speak for India, you are branded a traitor. If you expose Pakistan, you're attacked by your own. Is this the Indian National Congress -- or a confused club of Pakistan's blue-eyed boys?" Chugh concluded, "Congress is no longer a mainstream national party. It has become a confused, compromised cartel that sees nationalism as a crime and treats Pakistan -- a state sponsoring global terrorism -- as a friend. That is the stark difference between the BJP's nationalism and Congress's directionless, anti-India politics." After facing a backlash from his party over his endorsement of the BJP-led Central government over Operation Sindoor, Tharoor slammed his critics for "distorting" his views. In a post on X, Tharoor pointed out that he spoke only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars. "After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight where with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this -- but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past, I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars," he said. (ANI)
Around 160 Bangladeshi nationals are being deported from the capital city of Delhi to Bangladesh through the Hindon airbase on Thursday, said sources. The sources added that the Bangladeshi nationals will first be flown to Tripura on a special aircraft, from where they will be deported by road to the Bangladesh border for repatriation. In recent months, after the Pahalgam terror attack, Delhi Police has identified nearly 470 Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in the city and has deported them through the same channel -- via Tripura and then across the Bangladesh border by road. Among these 160 deportees, most of them had infiltrated into India, while many of them did not go back to Bangladesh even after their visas expired. Earlier today, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police detained four illegal Bangladeshi nationals from the Narela area of Delhi after a team from the Inter-State Cell (ISC), Crime Branch, Chanakyapuri carried out an operation. "The team had been conducting surveillance and intelligence-gathering for over a month to identify undocumented migrants residing in vulnerable areas," said an official statement from Delhi police. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Harsh Indora stated that the detained individuals were identified as Hafijul (19), Mominul (21), Shamim (22), and Inamul (38), who are allegedly from the Rangpur district in Bangladesh. The police launched this operation based on multiple intelligence inputs and reports indicating the presence of undocumented foreign nationals in the city. These individuals were believed to have entered the country illegally, bypassing immigration checks, and had been living without any valid documents. "Officers conducted ground-level verifications at makeshift settlements, roadside dwellings, and known labour congregation points in Narela. Individuals were questioned and subjected to identity verification, during which the four were found lacking any legal documentation and admitted to their illegal entry and continued stay in India," the statement read. None of the detainees were able to produce any valid identity proof of either Indian or Bangladeshi origin, DCP Indora added. According to the police's preliminary investigation, all four individuals had entered India during childhood with their parents, who subsequently returned to Bangladesh. Since then, they have been residing illegally in India, moving across several cities, including Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Khurja, Mahendragarh, Ghaziabad, Behror, and finally Delhi, to avoid detection. "They had been living secretly on roadsides and informal settlements for years and stated that they had no relatives or legal ties in India. Their families, including parents, siblings, and grandparents, continue to reside in Bangladesh," the statement read. Police said that the four individuals are currently in a detention centre and are being processed in accordance with the law. (ANI)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, held a high-level meeting with Health Ministers of 8 States and Union Territories to review the progress made on TB and Measles-Rubella elimination and utilisation of funds under PM-ABHIM (Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) and 15th Finance Commission, according to an official statement. Union Minister Nadda complimented states for their enthusiastic participation during the 100-day Intensified TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan where, according to the statement, 12.97 crore people were screened for TB, with over 7.19 lakh TB patients notified across India, including 2.85 lakh patients who were asymptomatic, with the campaign beind extended to all districts across the country. He took cognisance on key metrics like presumptive TB case examination, NAAT coverage, treatment success and uptake of nutrition support schemes for TB patients, and urged state health ministers to review these key metrics on a regular basis. The statement further read that under the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, states are playing a proactive role in screening vulnerable populations for TB, irrespective of whether they present symptoms, using portable chest x-ray machines and patients who are TB-suggestive are tested using a NAAT test (Nucleic acid amplification test). Nadda called for greater Jan Bhagidari to bring about impactful and lasting change in the fight against TB. He urged states/UTs to integrally involve elected representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions, Municipal Corporations etc in the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. He emphasized the urgent need to reduce both the incidence and mortality rates of TB through early and comprehensive screening. "The national goal is to bring down the TB incidence rate to 47 cases per lakh population and the mortality rate to below 3 per lakh population," Nadda said according to the statement. To achieve these targets, the Minister called on states to re-strategize their TB campaigns, placing a sharper focus on vulnerable and high-risk communities. He also stressed the importance of expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools, particularly NAAT testing. In addition, states were encouraged to promote greater uptake of flagship nutritional support initiatives for TB patients and their families, such as the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative. The Union Minister noted that the participation and benefits under these schemes remain suboptimal in several regions and must be significantly improved to ensure holistic care and support for those affected. Nadda commended states on their efforts towards completely eliminating measles-rubella. However, since some districts in many states are still yet to be free of measles-rubella, he underlined the importance of enhancing immunisation to achieve the goal of elimination of measles-rubella. Putting the focus on health infrastructure, Nadda highlighted that health infrastructure under the PM-ABHIM and 15th Finance Commission needs to be implemented under war footing to ensure that the funds that have been commissioned are spent efficiently as only one year is left for their utilisation. The statement mentioned that the states represented their efforts and achievements in the programmes that were discussed. They also shared their best practices. Health Ministers of various states who joined the meeting included N Rangasamy, Puducherry Chief Minister; Brajesh Mishra, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister; Dhani Ram Shandil, Himachal Pradesh Health Minister; Biyuram Wahge, Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister; Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, Goa Health Minister; Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Rajasthan Health Minister; Balbir Singh, Punjab Health Minister, and Irfan Ansari, Jharkhand Health Minister. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were also present at the meeting. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed shock and sadness over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments criticising the TMC-led government's actions during the recent Murshidabad violence. She criticised PM Modi for politicising national issues, particularly when the Opposition is actively representing the country--Operation Sindoor outreach to convey India's unified stance against terrorism and seek international support to hold Pakistan accountable. Mamata Banerjee challenged the BJP to face elections immediately, stating that Bengal is ready to accept the challenge. She emphasised that time is a crucial factor and that the people of Bengal will respond accordingly. CM Mamata Banerjee said, "What Modi ji said today, we are not only shocked but also very sad to hear this, when the Opposition is representing the country at that time, in his presence, his minister said that they will do Operation Bengal, like Operation Sindoor. I challenge them - if they have guts, go into elections tomorrow, we are ready and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge." She highlighted the role of her representative, Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the team actively speaking out against terrorism. Mamata Banerjee criticized Modi for accusing the Bengal government, which is defending the country, while simultaneously being supported by the same government. "But please remember, time is a factor. You must remember the timing. Our representative Abhishek Banerjee is also in the team. And he is speaking every day against terrorism. At that time, Mr Modi, not as the PM but as the BJP president, you are criticising the Government (in Bengal) which is giving you full support, defending the country like anything," added the West Bengal CM. Referring to the BJP as the "Jumla Party", she claimed that the PM was spreading lies and was politicising Operation Sindoor for the party's benefit. She urged the BJP not to engage in politics of lies and misinformation, emphasising that such tactics do not serve the nation well. "You are accusing the Government and you want to blame the Opposition at this time, at this hour, to politicise things just like the leader of the BJP Jumla Party. You are doing garbage of lies. They loot the country and scoot. It doesn't look nice to talk in this manner. Regarding Operation Sindoor, though I don't have any comments but please remember every woman has respect," she further added. Notably, PM Modi during a BJP rally at Alipurduar on Thursday claimed that they had snatched the rights of the poor. PM Modi said, "Today, when I have come to the land of 'Sindoor Khela', I will naturally discuss India's new resolve against terrorism. The terrorists dared to erase the Sindoor of our sisters. So our Army made them realise the power of the Sindoor... Pakistan has nothing positive to offer to the world. Ever since it came into existence, it has only nurtured terrorism... Terror and genocide are the biggest expertise of the Pakistan army. When a direct war is waged, their defeat is certain. This is the reason why the Pakistan army takes the help of terrorists... Pakistan should understand that 'teen baar ghar mein ghuskar maara hai tumhe'. This is the declaration of 140 crore Indians from the land of the Bengal Tiger- Operation Sindoor is not over yet." She further said that during Operation Sindoor briefing, Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi reiterated that India is a secular country, she also alleged that instead of relying on local support, the Prime Minister's team brought people from Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri to attend the meeting. "But what did PM Modi say today? He wants to divide and rule. His policies are divisive. Why did he need to bring people from Assam for his event in Alipurduar? If he had faith in the people of Alipurduar, he would not have had to bring people from Assam. For a small meeting in Alipurduar, he didn't have to bring people from Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. This means that the people of North Bengal have shown that they don't have faith in the Prime Minister," she added. (ANI)
In the meeting that underscored a shared commitment to the prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh and the broader North-eastern region, they discussed the recently held 'Rising Northeast' initiative, organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

The Governor lauded the vision behind Rising Northeast, calling it a turning point in the developmental journey of the region. He said that the event served as an exhibition of the Northeast's diverse opportunities in manufacturing and services and as a platform to build meaningful partnerships across sectors.

Congratulating the Chief Minister Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein for securing memoranda of understanding with business houses and enterprises, the Governor suggested exploring more avenues for expanding business and pursuing new investments in Arunachal Pradesh.

He insisted on seizing the unique opportunity to foster new alliances and long-term collaborations that can transform lives on the ground.

The Governor stressed the importance of youth engagement, skill development, and entrepreneurship as key pillars of the state's future. He said that the idea is to create jobs, and also to nurture job creators and entrepreneurs who can contribute to both local communities and the national economy.

Chief Minister Khandu shared insights from the interactions during the event, highlighting the enthusiastic response from industry leaders and the concrete outcomes already taking shape.

Earlier this week, the Arunachal Pradesh government signed Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 6,357 crore with 16 investors across diverse sectors during the two-day Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, which was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from May 23 to 24, to attract investment in the northeastern Region. (ANI)
Noting that the country's enemy will have a huge cost to pay if there is a terror attack in India, PM Modi on Thursday said Pakistan had resorted to terrorist action against India after partition in 1947 and that the terror it spread ahead of creation of Bangladesh and the rape and murders committed by its army there cannot be forgotten. The Prime Minister, who was addressing a rally here, referred to the success of Operation Sindoor in which precision strikes were conducted on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack. "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of Sindoor Khela, it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism -- Operation Sindoor. On April 22, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam shook the nation. The pain and anger felt across West Bengal were deeply understood," he said. "I could feel your outrage. The terrorists dared to wipe off the sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters. But our brave soldiers made them realise the power of that sindoor. Pakistan, the country that nurtures terrorism, has nothing positive to offer to the world. Since its very inception, it has been a breeding ground for terror and violence. But India has changed. We no longer tolerate such cowardly acts. And Operation Sindoor is our firm answer," he added. PM Modi said Operation Sindoor has not ended. "We are the people of worship Shakti, Mahishasuramardini. From this land of Bengal, this is a declaration of 140 crore Indians that Operation Sindoor is not over yet," he said. "After the Pahalgam attack, India has now told the world that if there is a terrorist attack, the enemy will have to pay a heavy price for it," he said. PM Modi said India had carried out surgical strikes thrice inside Pakistan. He said "terror and genocide are biggest expertise" of Pakistan Army. "When there is a direct battle (against India), their defeat is certain, that is why Pakistan's Army takes help from terrorists. It started attacking India after the partition in 1947. After a few years, the terror it spread in what is now Bangladesh, the way its army committed rape and murder in Bangladesh, no one can forget it," he said. Bangladesh emerged as a separate country in 1971 after the War of Liberation against Pakistan. PM Modi said Pakistan, the country that nurtures terrorism, has nothing positive to offer to the world. "Since its very inception, it has been a breeding ground for terror and violence." Operation Sindoor was India's decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Launched early on May 7, Operation Sindoor led to the death of over 100 terrorists. India also effectively repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. In his speech, PM Modi also launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee government and said West Bengal needs freedom from "politics of violence, appeasement, riots and corruption" and that the people are looking towards "BJP's development model". PM Modi took several jibes at the Trinamool Congress government, and said West Bengal is surrounded by many crises simultaneously. "First is the crisis of violence and anarchy spreading in the society. Second is the unsafety of our mothers and sisters who are being subjected to heinous crimes. The third crisis is of the extreme despair and rampant unemployment spreading among the youth. The fourth crisis is of the continuously declining trust in the system. The fifth crisis is of the selfish politics of the ruling party, that steals the rights of the poor," he said. PM Modi said the youth and poor families suffer the worst consequences of corruption. He alleged that the education system of West Bengal is being ruined. "We saw how corruption ruins everything in the teacher recruitment scam. The TMC government in their tenure destroyed the future and families of thousands of teachers and left their children helpless. The whole education system of West Bengal is being ruined. The absence of teachers has put the futures of lakhs of students at risk. The TMC leaders have committed such a huge sin. The limit is that even today these people are not ready to accept their mistake. Instead, they blame the courts," he said. PM Modi attacked the TMC government over violence in Murshidabad and Malda. "Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the government's ruthlessness here... In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party running the government identify and burn people's houses, and the police act as mere spectators. I ask the poor people of Bengal, is this how a government runs?... Here, the court has to intervene on every issue. Otherwise, nothing gets resolved. The people of Bengal do not trust the TMC government anymore... 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar'," he added. PM Modi accused TMC government of hostility towards the tribals, poor, Dalits, backward classes and women. "The TMC government is stalling the development of the poor tribal communities... TMC doesn't care about the tribal community's respect. When the NDA government made a tribal woman a Presidential candidate for the first time, TMC was the first party to oppose that," he said. "Why is TMC being hostile towards the poor, Dalits, the backward classes, women, and tribals?... Unfortuantely, the people of West Bengal are not getting the benefits of the Ayushman scheme... The ruthless government didn't let the people of West Bengal get Ayushman cards... Many poor people are not able to get permanent houses because of the TMC government, because their leaders are demanding cut and commission from the poor," he added. PM Modi accused the TMC of being interested only in playing politics. "The West Bengal government was absent from the NITI Aayog Governing Council's meeting in Delhi. TMC only wants to play politics 24 hours. They do not prioritise West Bengal's development or the country's progress. The Central Government policies that have been implemented here in West Bengal are not being fulfilled... The TMC government has stalled 16 major infrastructure projects in West Bengal," he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of City Gas Distribution project in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts in Alipurduar at West Bengal. (ANI)
After Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the need for coordination between the Centre, the J-K government, and LG for security operations, RJD MP Manoj Jha on Thursday stated that the security of the tourists should remain the topmost priority for all stakeholders, underlining that the Centre should conduct an open dialogue to address the issues of the territory. Speaking to ANI, Jha said, "If you see, J-K is not a state yet. The Centre should talk about all issues (regarding J-K) openly, and it should not become a Centre vs state thing, but the safety of the tourists should be the topmost priority." This comes after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the need for coordination between three power centres--the elected government, the Union Government, and the Lieutenant Governor's office--to ensure security and law and order in the region after the Pahalgam terror attack. Earlier on Wednesday, J-K CM Abdullah pointed out that the security of tourists currently resides within the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Abdullah said, "The fact is that security and law and order are not the responsibility of the elected government. Whose responsibility is it? The Lieutenant Governor...There are three sets of power centres that need to coordinate to ensure that things go smoothly here... I can promote tourism; I can create infrastructure for tourism... However, the security of the tourists currently resides within the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. That is the point I made that the Union Government, elected government, and Raj Bhavan need to work together to ensure that what happened on 22nd April doesn't happen again..." On April 22, in a dastardly attack, terrorists killed 26 people, including one Nepali citizen, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The attack was one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed. CM Abdullah exhorted that his government is making efforts to restore normalcy in the region, for which the government itself has been conducting meetings here. To restore normalcy in the region, Abdullah has directed the Education Minister to resume picnics in schools and colleges and encourage visits to popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. He also chaired meetings to discuss the situation and plan for the future. He asserted, "Everything was stopped after April 22. Before people from all over the country come here, we should come first here. Hence, a cabinet meeting was called in Pahalgam yesterday and today a meeting of administrative secretaries and senior department heads was held...I have directed the Education Minister to ensure that picnics are resumed in schools and colleges and visits to Gulmarg and Pahalgam are made to move towards normalcy..." (ANI)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the Karnataka High Court has reprimanded the state government for withdrawing the case related to the attack on the Hubballi police station, calling the decision inappropriate. Speaking to the media at the BJP office, he said that the High Court bench on Thursday delivered a verdict regarding the Hubballi riot case. In this case, the Karnataka government had withdrawn a criminal case, and the court ruled that this action was incorrect. "I had earlier said that withdrawing a case related to an attack on a police station is not right. Yet, the government withdrew the case due to political pressure and appeasement politics. The court has rightly reprimanded them," Bommai said. The BJP leader asserted that the state Cabinet must work in the interest of Karnataka and not engage in appeasement politics. He added that action must be taken against those involved in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots. When asked about Tamil actor Kamal Haasan allegedly insulting the Kannada language, Bommai said the actor must apologise. "Kannada is a very old and ancient language. The antiquity of a language can be represented in many ways. Kamal Haasan is not a great expert. One must exercise restraint while speaking about a language. If he wishes to preserve his dignity, he should apologise," he added. The Karnataka High Court on Thursday quashed the state Cabinet's decision to withdraw the criminal cases registered against the accused in the 2022 case of Old Hubballi riots. Advocate Girish Bhardwaj had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the legality of the government order issued in October 2024 to withdraw 43 criminal cases in which former ministers, former MLAs and persons belonging to influential organisations were made accused. Karnataka High Court Chief Justice NV Anjaria , who heard the arguments, and a division bench comprising Justices Anjaria and Arvind has set aside the Cabinet decision and issued the order. In October 2024, the Karnataka government decided to withdraw criminal cases, including those in connection with the 2022 case of Hubballi riots. After this, the BJP leaders along with other party leaders protested against the state government's decision to withdraw the cases against AIMIM leaders accused of leading a mob that attacked the police and threatened to break into the police station in Hubballi in 2022. The unrest began on April 16, 2022, following the posting of a derogatory image on social media depicting a saffron flag atop a mosque that sparked outrage within the Muslim community, leading to a large protest outside the Old Hubballi Police Station. The demonstration quickly escalated into violence, with thousands of individuals reportedly participating in a riot that resulted in the injury of four police officers and significant damage to public property. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan is a significant initiative for farmers and a unique effort to support agricultural development. According to an official release, the Prime Minister highlighted that as the monsoon approaches and preparations for the Kharif season begin, over the next 12 to 15 days, 2,000 teams consisting of scientists, experts, officials, and progressive farmers will travel across over 700 districts and reach millions of farmers across villages. He extended his best wishes to all farmers and participants in these teams, acknowledging their dedication to strengthening India's agricultural sector. Highlighting that agriculture has traditionally been a state subject, with each state formulating policies and taking initiatives for farmers' welfare, PM Modi emphasised that, however, with rapidly changing times, India's agricultural sector also requires significant transformation. He remarked that Indian farmers have achieved record production, filling grain reserves. Still, the market dynamics and consumer preferences are evolving, and asserted that it is imperative to bring modern reforms to agricultural systems in collaboration with states and farmers. PM Modi noted that under this campaign, scientific teams will transition from lab to land, bringing comprehensive data to farmers and equipping them with advanced agricultural knowledge and emphasised that these teams will stand ready to assist farmers before the Kharif season begins. Underlining the significant research advancements made by India's agricultural scientists over the decades and emphasising their positive impact on farming outcomes, the Prime Minister praised progressive farmers who have successfully experimented with new techniques, achieving impressive yields. Underscoring the importance of ensuring that scientific research and successful farming practices reach the broader farming community, the Prime Minister noted that while efforts have been ongoing, there is now a need to accelerate these initiatives with renewed energy. "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan presents a valuable opportunity to bridge this knowledge gap, enabling farmers to benefit from cutting-edge agricultural insights," the Prime Minister stated. PM Modi emphasised that for a Viksit Bharat, India's agriculture must also evolve, highlighting several key focus areas of the central government aimed at transforming the agricultural sector. He outlined critical issues, including ensuring fair prices for farmers' produce, strengthening the agricultural economy, and aligning crop production with national requirements. "India must not only fulfill its own needs but also emerge as a global food supplier," stated PM Modi, remarking that tackling climate change challenges, enhancing grain production with minimal water use, protecting soil health from harmful chemicals, modernising the farming techniques and taking science and technology to the fields are essential. He emphasised that over the last 10-11 years, the government has undertaken extensive efforts in these areas and urged all participants in the campaign to maximise farmer awareness, ensuring they are well-informed about modern agricultural advancements. Stressing the importance of providing farmers with additional sources of income beyond traditional agriculture, the Prime Minister highlighted key initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for farmers. He remarked that installing solar panels along field boundaries can generate additional revenue and noted the impact of the Sweet Revolution, stating that beekeeping is benefiting farmers and must be expanded to involve more participants. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to convert agricultural residues into energy, transforming waste into wealth. He highlighted the significance of identifying suitable areas for cultivating 'Shri Anna' and enhancing value addition in agricultural products. Prime Minister further pointed out that even non-milking cattle are now contributing to the economy through the Gobardhan Yojana, which creates income-generating opportunities. He called for widespread farmer awareness about these innovations to ensure maximum participation and benefits. PM Modi emphasised, "India's agriculture must become a cornerstone of a developed India," underscoring the magnitude of this mission. He urged farmers to actively engage with visiting scientists, encouraging them to ask questions and seek valuable insights. PM Modi called upon scientists and officials to recognise the significance of their mission, stating that their commitment must go beyond routine government work and reflect a spirit of national service. He urged them to address farmers' queries comprehensively while also documenting their valuable suggestions. "Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will open new avenues of progress for India's farmers, driving modernisation in agriculture," said PM Modi, concluding by extending his best wishes to all the stakeholders. (ANI)
The Congress party is set to organise a 'Jai Hind Sabha' on May 30 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, to honour the gallantry of Indian soldiers, veterans, and the families of fallen soldiers. The event is seen as a tribute to India's Armed Forces, while offering sharp political criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly politicising national security issues. Several senior Congress leaders will attend the event, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, AICC Treasurer Ajay Maken, and Rajni Patil, the AICC in-charge of Himachal Pradesh. Former soldiers and families of those who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation will be formally honoured during the ceremony at Peterhoff Grounds in Shimla tomorrow. Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Chetan Chauhan, Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and co-incharge of the Himachal Pradesh Congress, launched a blistering attack on the BJP for what he termed as its "double standards" and "political exploitation of national security," said Chetan Chauhan Co-incharge of party for HP. "BJP is politicising Operation Sindoor, insulting brave daughters of India," he said. Chauhan expressed outrage over derogatory remarks allegedly made by the BJP's Madhya Pradesh minister, Vijay Shah, against Colonel Qureshi, the commander of 'Operation Sindoor', which was led by women officers. "The BJP is attempting to downplay the significance of Operation Sindoor. In Madhya Pradesh, BJP minister Vijay Shah made derogatory remarks against Colonel Qureshi, and the entire party remains silent. Prime Minister Modi hasn't said a word in support of the brave officer under whose leadership the operation was conducted. This silence speaks volumes about the hypocrisy within the BJP," said Chauhan. "A daughter who stood for the pride of the nation is being humiliated, and the BJP does nothing about it. There is a long list of instances where the BJP has used terror attacks to target the daughters of this nation. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Defence Minister has spoken about it. Why this silence? Doesn't the country deserve transparency?" Chauhan also raised questions about the Pahalgam terrorist attack, stating, "There has been no update about the inquiry into the killings in Pahalgam. Isn't it the responsibility of the Defence Minister and Prime Minister to explain what happened and what action has been taken against the culprits? This government only sells lies to the nation," he said. Referring to Congress's broader position, Chauhan emphasised that the party has always supported national security, whether in power or in opposition. "From the times of Indira Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress has remained committed to fighting terrorism. Every Congress worker will stand against terrorism until it is eradicated from this country," he added. Vidit Chaudhary, also an AICC Secretary and co-incharge of the Himachal Congress, told journalists that the 'Jai Hind Sabha' is being organised with the goal of awakening national consciousness and showing respect for India's armed forces. "Congress is committed to honouring our soldiers, not playing politics like BJP," he said. He criticised the BJP for its handling of past terrorist incidents, including Pulwama and Pahalgam. "We still don't know the truth about Pulwama. A month ago, terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam, yet the government has failed to provide any solid information. During the war-like situation that followed, Rahul Gandhi clearly said in the all-party meeting that Congress stands with every decision in favour of national security," he added. Chaudhary accused the BJP government of evading responsibility and using symbolic gestures to hide its failures. "Rahul Gandhi had asked the government to call a special session of Parliament after the ceasefire and initiate a discussion. But Prime Minister Modi neither called a session nor held further dialogue. Instead, BJP leaders are now talking about distributing sindoor (vermilion). I ask, in Indian tradition, if a virtuous woman ever accepts the sindoor given by another man. This is an insult to Indian womanhood," he said. He extended a heartfelt invitation to all ex-servicemen across the state. "Our MLA, Kuldeep Pathania, has reached out to people in all 68 assembly constituencies. We have invited everyone who has served the nation. If anyone has been missed, we request that the media help us inform them. This is a programme to honour their sacrifice," he said. (ANI)
The Indian Army contingent departed on Thursday for 17th edition of India-Mongolia joint military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant', Ministry of Defence said in an official statement on Thursday. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from May 31 to June 13. The exercise is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and Mongolia. Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in July 2024. The Indian contingent comprising 45 personnel will be represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the Arunachal Scouts. The Mongolian armed forces contingent, also comprising similar strength, will be represented by 150 Special Forces unit, as per the ministry. Aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between the two forces while employing joint task force in semi conventional operations in semi urban/mountainous terrain under the United Nations mandate, it added. The scope of this exercise involves Platoon level field training exercise. During the exercise, Indian and Mongolian troops will engage in various training activities to include endurance training, reflex shooting, room intervention, small team tactics and rock craft training, among others. In addition, to enhance complexity of exercise, aspects pertaining to Cyber Warfare are also being incorporated in this edition of the exercise. Soldiers from both sides will also learn from each other's operational experience, the statement said. The exercise underscores the shared commitment of India and Mongolia towards regional security, peace and stability. Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' reinforces the India-Mongolia relationship as a cornerstone of regional cooperation, fostering strong military ties and promotion of cultural understanding. A testament to the enduring bond of friendship, trust and cultural linkages between India and Mongolia, the exercise sets the stage for meaningful professional engagement, highlighting the unwavering commitment of both nations to broader defence cooperation. (ANI)
In a major breakthrough against cross-border espionage, the Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a man for supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), police said on Thursday. The accused has been identified as Kasim, a resident of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. According to the officials, he had travelled to Pakistan twice and was found to have links with ISI agents. As per the police officials, the accused Kasim had emerged during the development of secret intelligence inputs received by the Special Cell and the Northern Division of the Railway (NDR) in September 2024. These inputs indicated that Indian mobile numbers were being misused by Pakistani intelligence personnel to contact Indian nationals via WhatsApp, with the aim of extracting sensitive information related to the Indian Army and key government offices. During the investigation, authorities discovered that Kasim had travelled to Pakistan on two separate occasions, first in August 2024, and then again in March 2025. He stayed there for approximately 90 days in all and is suspected to have met members of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during these visits. The Delhi Police Special Cell said, "In September, 2024, source input was received at Special Cell/NDR that Indian mobile numbers are being used by Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) for espionage activities in India. These SIM cards are being sent to Pakistan by some Indians. One name, Kasim r/o Bharatpur, Rajasthan, had appeared during the development of secret information. It was also found that Kasim had visited Pakistan twice, first in August 2024 and the second time in March 2025 and stayed there for about 90 days and had also met ISI persons." "By using these SIMs on WhatsApp, PIOs were communicating with Indians to extract sensitive information of sensitive installations related to the Army and other Government offices. In this regard, a case was registered under the appropriate sections of law. Today, on 29.05.25, Kasim has been arrested and is on police remand. Further investigation is going on to unearth the conspiracy of espionage by PIOs and their Indian associates," they added. A case has been registered under relevant sections of law, and the accused has been taken into police custody for further interrogation. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared pictures from his rally in West Bengal's Alipurduar and said that the massive turnout reflects the current mood in the state and that the people are placing great hope in the BJP. "These pictures from the BJP rally in Alipurduar give a glimpse of the mood in West Bengal. There is so much fatigue when it comes to TMC. People are looking at the BJP with immense hope," posted PM Modi on X. Earlier in the day, while addressing the rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Trinamool Congress government over "appeasement, corruption" and last month's violence in Murshidabad, saying that people do not trust it anymore and "Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam Sarkar." PM Modi also said a developed West Bengal is crucial for a developed India, and West Bengal needs to reclaim its identity, and alleged that in the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand in Murshidabad. "Whatever happened in Murshidabad and Malda was an example of the government's ruthlessness here... In the name of appeasement, hooliganism was given a free hand. Imagine the horrific situation when the people of a party running the government identify and burn people's houses, and the police act as mere spectators. I ask the poor people of Bengal, is this how a government runs?... Here, the court has to intervene on every issue. Otherwise, nothing gets resolved. The people of Bengal do not trust the TMC government anymore... 'Bengal mein machi cheekh pukaar, nahi chahiye nirmam sarkar' (there is clamour in Bengal that people do not want a cruel government)," he said. Protests against the Waqf Act had turned violent in the Murshidabad district last month. PM Modi said West Bengal "is surrounded by many crises" simultaneously. PM Modi said the youth and poor families suffer the worst consequences of corruption. He alleged that the education system of West Bengal is being ruined. The Prime Minister accused the TMC government of hostility towards the tribals, the poor, the Dalits, the backwards classes and women. PM Modi accused the TMC of being only interested in politics and said that the central government is trying to develop West Bengal. (ANI)
As part of the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched the state-level campaign from Kurukshetra on Thursday. According to an official release, the objective of the campaign is to improve the agricultural sector by connecting farmers with new technologies, schemes, and innovations. It aims to educate farmers on scientific techniques for Kharif crops, highlight the importance of soil health cards, and provide access to government schemes and policies. Through direct interaction with farmers, feedback will be gathered to guide future agricultural research. This campaign, running across the state until June 12, is a testament to the government's commitment to empowering farmers. Addressing farmers from across the state at a joint event organised by Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry along with ICAR at Kurukshetra University campus, CM Saini said that India has achieved self-reliance in food grain production due to the hard work and dedication of its farmers. He emphasised that this campaign will turn every farmer into a policy participant and an innovation partner and it is not just a program, but a public movement that will be a major step toward empowering farmers with knowledge, innovation, and technology. "It is a triveni, where agricultural scientists, officers from agriculture and allied departments, and farmers will engage in direct dialogue," he said. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers farmers the backbone of his vision for a Viksit Bharat. A developed, strong, and prosperous India is only possible when our farmers are self-reliant. He stated that under this mega campaign, more than 2,000 teams of agricultural scientists and officers have been formed across the country. These teams will visit villages and directly interact with around 1.5 crore farmers - making it the largest outreach programme in the history of Indian agriculture. During the campaign, farmers will receive advice based on local climate, soil, and crop conditions. The Chief Minister said that Haryana is an agriculture-dominated state, but faces challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, declining soil fertility, and changing market demands. The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will empower farmers to address these issues. It will act as a bridge from lab to land, bringing agricultural research directly to the farmers' fields. Scientists, officers, and progressive farmers will work together to cover 1,380 villages and 109 blocks across the state. He added that digital tools have revolutionised farming. During the campaign, information about digital technologies will also be shared to help farmers transition towards smart agriculture while retaining traditional methods. The Chief Minister said the Haryana government is consistently launching farmer-friendly welfare schemes. The state has given a bonus of Rs. 2,000 per acre for Kharif crops, amounting to Rs 1,345 crore, a first in Haryana's history. The long-standing colonial-era system of abiyana has been abolished, and pending dues worth Rs133 crore have been waived. He said the compensation policy for high-tension electricity lines passing through farmland. Farmers are now entitled to 200 percent of the market rate for tower area land and 30 percent for land under power lines. Additionally, the government has granted ownership rights to tenant farmers. The Chief Minister called on farmers to switch from water-intensive crops to alternatives and adopt natural farming practices, which are essential for today's environmental needs. He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to conserve every drop of water and promote micro-irrigation. He urged farmers to turn this campaign into a people's movement and take decisive steps toward making India a developed nation once again. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana said that the 15-day campaign aims to boost crop production by providing farmers with land-related information, benefits of government schemes, and a platform for voicing their concerns. Scientists will interact directly with farmers to understand and respond to their needs. Recently, 15 lakh farmers in the state received their soil test reports via mobile, giving them valuable insights into their farm health. He highlighted the success of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which provides Rs 6,000 per year directly into farmers' accounts, with 19 installments released so far. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana ensures compensation for crop losses due to natural disasters, requiring farmers to pay only 1.5 percent to 2 percent of the premium while the government covers the rest. The Minister said that to tackle the issue of declining groundwater levels, the Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme was implemented, under which farmers growing crops other than paddy receive Rs 8,000 per acre. "The government also supports natural farming by offering Rs 30,000 per acre as a subsidy to purchase indigenous cows and providing assistance for drums used to make compost from cow dung," said Shyam Singh Rana. During the event, CM Nayab Singh Saini released five departmental magazines and officially launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan poster prepared by ICAR by signing it. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National spokesperson Guarav Bhatia on Thursday condemned the "MPs are roaming around, terrorists are roaming around too" remarks by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and said that the country sought to know weather Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge agree with what Jairam Ramesh said. Speaking to ANI, Bhatia said, "What Jairam Ramesh said is condemnable and concerning. It puts all Indian citizens to shame that how an Indian leader can compare Indian MPs to terrorists. It won't be wrong to say that after #OperationSindoor, the sole attempt of Lashkar-e-Pakistan Congress, at the behest of Nishan-e-Pakistan Rahul Gandhi has been to see how the successful initiatives by Narendra Modi-Government be weakned internally while being in India. This is another attempt in the same series. He questioned, "I would like to ask Jairam Ramesh, all-party delegation of our MPs which has gone abroad and is presenting India's side strongly by rising above bipartisan politics, should these MPs be compared to terrorists?" The BJP leader accused the Congress of weaking the country. "It should be asked of Jairam Ramesh that he is using such slurs for MPs, but this delegation also includes Shashi Tharoor, Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari and Salman Khurshid. These belong to the Congress. So, you have such hatred for Modi ji that you use such words for your MPs. If someone is attempting to weaken the country, it is Congress party. It is very sad. I condemn it. The country too is asking Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge if they agree with what Jairam Ramesh said," the BJP leader said. Congress leader and the party's General Secretary (Communication), Jairam Ramesh, took a jibe at the Central government for sending out parliamentarians across the world while the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are "roaming around." "It has been a month since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. Today, those terrorists are roaming around. They had a role in the December 2023 Poonch terror attack; the Ganderbal attack in October 2024; and in the same month, another attack took place--they had their role in that too. This means that the Pahalgam terrorists are responsible for four attacks in 18 months, and they are roaming around. Our MPs are roaming around, and our terrorists are roaming around too," Ramesh told ANI here. Seven groups of MPs have been sent to various countries to present India's stance against terrorism and expose Pakistan's links to it. The delegation of MPs is meeting various political leaders, think tanks and the Indian diaspora in various countries. (ANI)
As part of the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative of the state government, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the picturesque Sharchi village of Banjar constituency in Kullu district on Wednesday evening. According to an official release, the villagers brimming with excitement extended a heartfelt and traditional welcome to the Chief Minister. The enthusiasm and hospitality of the villagers radiated their warmth and affection to see the Chief Minister at their doorstep reinforcing his commitment to connecting with the people at the grassroots level. Chief Minister stayed overnight at the residence of retired Subedar Anoop Ram in Sharchi village. During the visit, the Chief Minister interacted with villagers, from children to the elderly and women. The villagers seized the opportunity to inform the Chief Minister about the daily challenges they face. The Chief Minister gave directions to officers to ensure timely resolution of the issues raised by the people of the area. Conversing in the local dialect with the villagers, the Chief Minister assured the villagers that adequate budgetary provisions would be made to fulfill their demands. He also directed the Public Works Department to widen and upgrade the Nagladi-Sharchi road and mentioned that proper drainage would be constructed alongside the road and paver blocks, where necessary, would be constructed to ensure long-term maintenance. Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a grant of one lakh rupees each to five women's self-help groups from the Sharchi Gram Panchayat. On Thursday morning, he had breakfast with villagers and listened to their concerns. He informed the villagers about the schemes and initiatives started by the present state Government and also briefed about the special revenue Lok Adalats being organised at the tehsil and sub-tehsil levels aimed to resolve long-pending revenue cases in a time-bound manner. "It brings me great joy to be among you. Since the formation of this government, I have made it a priority to personally visit remote areas and understand people's problems in order to resolve them. Sharchi is the last village in the Banjar area, surrounded by scenic mountains and forests. I have already visited Dodra Kwar, Kupvi, and Pangi as part of this program and spent valuable time with the people there. My cabinet colleagues are also visiting different areas to address public issues," the Chief Minister said. Retired Subedar Anoop Ram expressed his gratitude. "This is the first time any Chief Minister has visited our remote village. We hope this visit will accelerate development here. I feel honored that he chose my home to stay." His son Naresh added, "Sharchi is a far-flung village in Banjar constituency. The Chief Minister's visit has brought immense joy to the local people. It's a matter of pride not just for our family but for the entire village." Earlier, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the local Gada Durga temple, seeking prosperity and well-being for the state. (ANI)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Thursday made shocking revelations, claiming that a proposal was made to her during her time in jail for her alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor scam to merge the regional party with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "A proposal was brought to me when I was in jail to merge the party into BJP. But I rejected it. BRS is Rama Raksha to Telangana," Kavitha said while talking to the reporters. On her letter to BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) being "leaked", she said that her only demand was to learn who has leaked the letter, which was for internal communication only. "My only demand: who leaked the letter? The letter was for internal communication only," Kavitha said. Taking potshots at the leaders from her own party, without naming anyone, she said that when her father KCR received notices in relation to the Kaleshwaram probe, no plan of action was set up. "When KCR is given notices, there is no action plan. Instead of teaching me, tell me what is your action plan. Twitter tweets are not enough. Shouldn't we be on the ground?" Kavitha said. "During the Delhi liquor policy, when I went to KCR and wanted to resign, he said that they can't face me, and that's why the case has been filed against you," she added. The BRS MLC further criticised people in her party, labelling them "converts." "Is it okay to say there are coverts? Coverts should be controlled, and KCR should be protected," Kavitha said, adding, "If BRS is weak, BJP and Congress will become strong." Meanwhile, BJP MP Eatala Rajender said, "The BJP is a democratic party. Any decision that is taken goes through thorough discussion across all its institutions before being finalised." Amid all the chaos, BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday embarked on a significant overseas tour to the United Kingdom and the United States, according to the official statement. The visit includes a mix of political, academic, and industry engagements, reflecting Telangana's growing global stature and KTR's role in shaping its modern narrative. In the United Kingdom, KTR will participate in India Week 2025, hosted by Bridge India in London, where he will deliver the keynote address. (ANI)
The apprehended individuals have been identified as Md Shaheen (30), his wife Rujeena (26), and their three children: a 14-year-old son, a nine-year-old daughter, and a four-year-old son. All are residents of Shimulbari village, Police Station Phulbari, Kurigram district, Rangpur, Bangladesh.

The individuals had reportedly entered India through unauthorised riverine routes along the Indo-Bangladesh border and were living covertly in the Anand Vihar area of East Delhi to avoid detection.

DCP East Abhishek Dhania said, "The operation was conducted on May 28 by a Special Staff team and the overall guidance of senior district police officials. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the team deployed a mix of human intelligence and technical surveillance to locate the suspects."

Upon being apprehended, the individuals failed to produce any documents establishing Indian nationality. A detailed examination of their mobile phones revealed digital evidence, including photographs of Bangladeshi identity documents, confirming their illegal status in India.

In accordance with legal procedures, deportation proceedings have been initiated in coordination with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi.

This operation forms part of a broader drive launched on November 19, 2024, aimed at identifying and acting against illegal immigrants in the district. Since the launch of the drive, 20 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified and deported, DCP Dhania said.

Delhi Police reiterated their commitment to maintaining internal security and enforcing immigration laws, stressing that efforts to locate and remove illegal immigrants from the region will continue with unwavering focus. (ANI)
Assam Minister for Water Resources, Information and Public Relations Pijush Hazarika on Thursday visited the residence of the family in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, who lost two members in the Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir. According to a press release, the victims--Yatishbhai Sudhirbhai Parmar and his 17-year-old son Sumit Yatishbhai Parmar--were tragically killed in a brutal firing incident perpetrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists on April 22, 2025. During his visit, Minister Hazarika expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Assam. He handed over a condolence letter from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and presented two cheques of Rs 5 lakh each as one-time financial assistance to the bereaved family. This initiative follows a decision taken by the Assam Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Sarma to provide Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. As part of this outreach, Minister Hazarika had visited another bereaved family in Surat yesterday. Today, he was accompanied by senior Assam government official Dr Om Prakash to meet the Parmar family in Bhavnagar. While Yatishbhai and his son lost their lives in the attack, his wife Kajalben Parmar miraculously survived. During the visit, Minister Hazarika interacted with the family, including Yatishbhai's parents, wife, and other close relatives. He conveyed deep sympathy and assured them that the entire nation stands united in their sorrow. Speaking to the media following the visit, the Minister stated, "Losing two members of the same family in a terrorist attack is an unimaginable tragedy. The people of Assam and the entire country grieve with the victims' families during this difficult time." Minister Hazarika was joined by Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Bharatbhai Barad and officials from the Bhavnagar district administration during his visit. (ANI)
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that Diu is a national example in renewable energy adoption, with its entire daytime electricity demand being met through solar energy, said a statement from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on Thursday. The Minister also congratulated Diu on its exceptional milestone as the first district in India to meet its entire power demand with solar energy, achieving 11.88 MW (9 MW ground-mounted + 2.88 MW rooftop) capacity. Joshi visited Diu today to review its remarkable progress in solar energy adoption and assess the implementation of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. The Minister chaired a high-level meeting at Diu, with senior officials of the UT administration to review the status of solar energy generation, its current supply framework, and future expansion prospects. During the meeting, T Arun, Energy Secretary of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, made a detailed presentation on existing solar energy plants, their production capacities, and household-level benefits. He informed the Minister that a large number of families in the UT are now benefiting from solar energy. Later, the Minister undertook a field visit to key solar energy facilities in Diu, including the 9 MW Solar Park located in Fudam. The Solar Park stands as a symbol of Diu's sustainable transition and plays a vital role in meeting the region's clean energy requirements. The Minister noted that the Fudam solar park has contributed significantly to reducing transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and enabled the revision of electricity tariffs, making them more affordable for consumers. He also praised UT Administrator Praful Patel's leadership, stating that his proactive approach and vision have been instrumental in realising this clean energy transformation. Speaking on the long-term impact, the Minister remarked that the capital investments made over the past decade in renewable energy infrastructure in Diu have already been recovered through the supply and sale of solar power. He called for even faster and more effective implementation of the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana to maximise its benefits for the residents of the Union Territory and achieve total household saturation. The visit reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to accelerating clean energy deployment in every part of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)
The Chief Minister described the life and contributions of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar to mark her birth anniversary.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has connected the entire nation with a new jewel from India's glorious past through this exhibition dedicated to Pujya Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. With the intent that more and more people can visit and pay their respects to such a revered Lok Mata, this exhibition has been organised not just here, but at every district headquarters, said CM Adityanath.

Chief Minister Yogi said that the grand initiative will inspire the entire state and serve as a significant milestone in our collective journey toward national integration and innovative societal efforts.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed happiness that a Government Medical College in Auraiya would be named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar.

The UP chief minister slammed the previous Samajwadi Party state government for renaming a degree college in Auraiya.

"There was a degree college in Auraiya named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar. The Samajwadi Party government had changed the name of that degree college. Today, I am happy to announce that in the same Auraiya, we will name the Government Medical College after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar", CM Yogi said.

Last week, CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the National Seminar-2025 on 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development' on Thursday.

The CM stated that achieving the country's goal of net zero by 2070 could not be fulfilled solely by the government but required the collective efforts of everyone.

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was born on 31 May 1725 in a Maratha Hindu family in the village of Chaundi, now in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district. This year marks her 300th birth anniversary. (ANI)
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly bringing Pakistan into the Bihar election discourse and questioned, "What does Bihar election have to do with Pakistan?" Speaking to the media during a public event in Siwan, Kishor questioned the relevance of Pakistan in the context of the election campaign in Bihar, as PM held a roadshow in Patna on Thursday evening after inaugurating the New Terminal Building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in the state capital. "What does Bihar election have to do with Pakistan? Election is in Patna, not of India-Pakistan. Don't fool people. You were made to be the PM to fight against Pakistan...fight Pakistan and China, the country is with you. But currently, the election is in Bihar. We want to know when there will be proper education in Bihar. When will the youths get employment in Bihar?...when will our migration from Bihar stop?" said Kishor. Meanwhile, during the PM's roadshow, people were present in large numbers and greeted him enthusiastically. PM Modi waved to people, many of whom were carrying the Tricolour. They also raised slogans. People, having their homes along the route, came to the rooftops and balconies to have a glimpse of PM Modi. Earlier, PM inaugurated the New Terminal Building of Jayprakash Narayan International Airport, accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu. Built at a cost of around Rs 1,200 crore, the terminal will cater to one crore passengers annually. PM also laid the foundation stone of the new civil enclave at Bihta Airport, a Rs 1,410 crore project aimed at serving the rapidly expanding educational and residential areas near Patna. (ANI)
A political storm has erupted after Congress MP Jairam Ramesh made a controversial remark stating, "our MPs are roaming and terrorists are also roaming," prompting a sharp response from BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla who strongly condemned the statement, calling it "shameful, condemnable, and senseless." He also urged the Privileges Committee of Parliament to take immediate cognisance and initiate action against Ramesh. "This is the most shameful, condemnable, and senseless statement. The Privileges Committee of the Parliament should immediately take cognisance of this and take action," Poonawalla said while speaking to ANI on Thursday. Drawing attention to past instances, Poonawalla accused the Congress of repeatedly undermining India's armed forces and national interests. "Our MPs are visiting partner countries to expose Pakistan and Jairam Ramesh compared them with terrorists. This is the same party which called the Chief of Army Staff a 'goonda'... They are the same people who asked for proof of the Balakot air strikes. They have time and again insulted the forces... After questioning the military strike, they are now questioning the diplomatic strike," He highlighted internal contradictions within the Congress party, citing party leaders' recent comments on senior MP Shashi Tharoor and pointed out that Ramesh's comments could be exploited by Pakistan. "First, they cornered their own MP Shashi Tharoor, and now this comment against their ally MPs is condemnable. This is what Pakistan wants. Pakistan uses statements like these to give a clean chit to itself. Jairam Ramesh is speaking the language of Pakistan's DG-ISPR," he said. Earlier on Thursday, Ramesh took a jibe at the Central government for sending out parliamentarians across the world while the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are "roaming around." "It has been a month since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. Today, those terrorists are roaming around. They had a role in the December 2023 Poonch terror attack; the Ganderbal attack in October 2024; and in the same month, another attack took place--they had their role in that too. This means that the Pahalgam terrorists are responsible for four attacks in 18 months, and they are roaming around. Our MPs are roaming around, and our terrorists are roaming around too," Ramesh told ANI. Seven groups of MPs have been sent to various countries to present India's stance against terrorism and expose Pakistan's links to it. The delegation of MPs is meeting various political leaders, think tanks and the Indian diaspora in various countries. (ANI)
YSRCP State General Secretary SV Satish Kumar Reddy strongly condemned a viral incident showing three youths, two Dalits and one minority youth, being publicly thrashed by police officers in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh. He called the incident "shocking", saying that the nation "cannot excuse" such police brutality. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Reddy said, "The recent incident that happened in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, is a very shocking event. In a democratic country like India, misusing the authorities, misusing the rights, and police indulging in beating of two Dalits and one minority youth on public road. This is something that this nation cannot excuse." Reddy accused the current Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, of targeted victimisation. "The way the government is running here in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Chandra Babu Naidu, it is very evident that they are targeting people whom they want to target. They are victimising people whom they wanted to victimise. And they are clearly sending a message to the common citizens that whoever disobeys them will be treated like this," he said. Calling for nationwide condemnation and institutional action, Reddy added, "This action has to be condemned by everybody. I want this to be taken up by the National Human Rights Commission as well as the SC Commission. My sincere request that these police officers who have indulged in this, have to be immediately suspended and they have to be imprisoned." He also held the Chief Minister politically accountable. "A strong message has to be sent to the Chief Minister. Because I think without his advice, these people would not have done this. The ultimate motive of all this is to threaten people. Keep them under psychological fear. And in that fear these people wanted to do whatever they want," Reddy said. Raising questions over government inaction, he asked, "What is your government doing instead of arresting these people, these police officers who have indulged in such a blatant violation of human rights? What are you doing and what sort of a message are you going to send? I want the nation to condemn this event." Meanwhile, in a strongly worded press statement, YSRCP strongly condemned the escalating attacks and human rights violations against Dalits and minorities, enabling a culture of oppression and lawlessness across Andhra Pradesh. According to a release, addressing the media at the central office in Tadepalli, YSRCP State General Secretary Jupudi Prabhakar highlighted a series of alleged brutal incidents that expose the state's failure to protect its most vulnerable citizens. "The police, entrusted with upholding the law, are attacking the constitutional rights to free speech and life itself," Prabhakar demanded the immediate suspension and prosecution of officers involved in these atrocities. In Tenali, police subjected Dalit and minority youth to brutal third-degree treatment, using casteist slurs and ignoring pleas for mercy. In Rajamahendravaram, dalit youth Puli Sagar was beaten, stripped, and humiliated in a lock-up for social media posts. In Kantheru, Guntur, Dalit MPTC member Kalpana was arrested at midnight without dignity, and in Hyderabad, Paleti Krishnaveni faced similar persecution for online dissent. Pithapuram reports social boycotts of Dalit families, while in Kuppam, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's constituency, Dalits have been killed. "The police, meant to uphold the law, are trampling on constitutional rights to free speech and life," Prabhakar stated. Contrasting this with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's welfare-driven governance--marked by 32 lakh house sites, English-medium CBSE education, 17 medical colleges, and the Family Doctor initiative--the coalition government has amassed Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in debt without delivering a single welfare scheme. Prabhakar criticised their "Red Book" agenda, admitted at Mahanadu, which targets YSRCP leaders with false cases to suppress dissent. "This government's lawlessness is a betrayal of the people," he said. The YSRCP demands the immediate suspension and prosecution of the involved police officers under the 1989 SC/ST Act and an end to vendetta politics. "If justice is denied, we will file private cases," Prabhakar warned, urging the coalition to govern responsibly or face consequences. "The people will not forgive this oppression," he added. (ANI)
A grand welcome celebration for Ayodhya Shri Ram Lalla was organized by the Ayodhya Shri Ram Organisation of Trinidad & Tobago, in collaboration with Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir, New York, and supported by over 40 local organizations. The event coincided with the commemoration of 180 years since the arrival of East Indians to Trinidad & Tobago. Thousands gathered to witness the unveiling of a replica of the Ram Lalla murti from Ayodhya, which had arrived from India especially for the occasion. In a press release, Amit Alagh, Chairman of the Ayodhya Shri Ram Organisation, expressed pride in the massive turnout and the spiritual significance of the event. The murti was jointly unveiled by: Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago, Prem Bhandari, Founder of Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir, New York & Chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, Swami Brahmswaroopanand Ji, who specially blessed the event and Sieunarine Coosal, prominent local leader and philanthropist. Rajpurohit, who served as the Chief Guest, delivered a heartfelt address referencing numerous verses from the Ramcharitmanas and Ramayan, emphasizing the eternal relevance of Shri Ram. He also congratulated newly re-elected Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India was the first global leader to congratulate her on her second term earlier this month, according to the release. In a major announcement, Rajpurohit shared that an artificial limb fitment camp (Jaipur Foot) will soon be organized in Trinidad & Tobago under the "India for Humanity" initiative by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The camp, conducted by Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) -- the parent body of Jaipur Foot USA -- will benefit over 800 differently-abled (Divyang) individuals across the country. Prem Bhandari, who traveled from New York to attend the ceremony, stated, "It doesn't feel like I am in Trinidad -- it feels like I am in Ayodhya. Even after 180 years, the faith of Indians in Trinidad in Sanatan Dharma is as deep and strong as that of Indians living in India or anywhere else in the world." He also highlighted that Trinidad is perhaps the only country where Ramayan chanting takes place daily, and noted the presence of one of the world's tallest Hanuman Murtis, standing 85 feet tall, located right in Trinidad, according to the release. The celebrations included vibrant devotional singing by local groups as well as performers from India, creating an atmosphere of divine joy and unity. The press release also recalled the massive turnout for previous spiritual events organized in collaboration with Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir, New York, including the Ayodhya Pran Pratishtha celebrations in January and Hanuman Chalisa chanting in April, both of which drew thousands of devotees. (ANI)
BJP MP Baijayant Panda, who is leading a multi-party delegation to Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday (local time) highlighted India and Saudi Arabia's "closeness" in their fight against terrorism, noting that both countries have suffered from it. Speaking with ANI, Baijayant Panda said, "Most importantly, Saudi Arabia has faced horrible terrorism in the past and has taken a very principled stand. PM Modi was here in Saudi Arabia when that horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam happened, and the joint statement issued by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince and from our side, strictly speaks against terrorism of any kind and all kinds and especially cross-border terrorism... We are on the same page as Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this closeness that has developed only gets bigger and better and stronger and deeper, and that's a good sign in the fight against cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan." Panda also spoke about the former Jammu and Kashmir CM, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who had to be hospitalised during a delegation visit to Kuwait. "He did stellar work in two countries. It was a gruelling schedule of morning-to-night meetings and late-night flights. Despite all of that, he spoke up very strongly for India, and unfortunately, he had an illness and had to be hospitalised. The good news is that it's all clear, and tests and whatever procedures were to be done have been done," Panda said. Panda further said that Ghulam Nabi Azam will now head back to India and wished him a speedy recovery. "He will not be in a position to join us. He will be heading back to India now, and we wish him a very speedy recovery. His contribution was wonderful in the two countries we were in. We will miss him very much here in Saudi Arabia, and we are also going to Algeria next, but he has contributed phenomenally." Additionally, a delegation member and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said that the delegation clearly conveyed their message to Saudi Arabia that India will retaliate with full force if they commit any terrorist act. "I think Saudi Arabia is aware of the worries that we have. We met with a think tank of the Foreign Ministry here, and we clearly said that they (Pakistan) will have to shut terrorist camps; if they commit any terrorist act, we will retaliate with full force. We have tried to make things better, but it didn't help. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged our concern," he said. Baijayant Panda led-delegation interacted with the Saudi Civil Society, including distinguished guests from the government, think-tanks, business, and media. The all-party delegation includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and former diplomat Harsh Shringla. This diplomatic outreach is part of a wider campaign following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. In its military response, Indian forces struck terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump doubled down on his attacks against Harvard University by suggesting that the institution cap the number of foreign students it admits at 15 per cent. In a fiery remark against Harvard University, Trump suggested that many foreign nationals admitted by Harvard are "troublemakers", disrupting the country. "We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had," he added. Stating that Harvard University admits almost 31 percent of foreign students which some are from "areas of the world that are very radicalised", Trump said, "Why would 31 percent? Why would a number be so big? I think they (Harvard University) should have a cap of maybe around 15 per cent. We have people that want to go to Harvard and other schools but they can't get in because we have foreign students there." "I want to make sure that foreign students are people that can love our country. We don't want to see shopping centres explode. We don't want to see the kind of riots that you had, and I'll tell you what, many of those students didn't go anywhere, many of those students were troublemakers caused by the radical left." Trump added. Amidst the Trump administration's continuous demand to Harvard University to hand over foreign students' entire conduct records, Trump emphasised that the US government wants to know if the students coming to the US are "troublemakers," assuring that the administration "doesn't want them making trouble in our country." "Harvard has to show us their lists. They have foreign students - almost 31 per cent of their students. We want to know where those students come from, whether they are troublemakers, and what countries they come from... You're going to see some very radical people. They're taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalised, and we don't want them making trouble in our country," Trump said. As reported by CNN, Harvard has said in court documents that full-time international students make up about a quarter of its student body. Harvard has broadly refused many government demands, including that it hand over foreign students' entire conduct records and allow audits to confirm it has expanded "viewpoint diversity." Trump further accused Harvard of being "anti-Semitic" and suggested that the money the US invests in Harvard can be used to open trade schools. "Harvard has been a disaster. They've taken $ 5 billion+... And by the way, they're totally anti-semitic at Harvard, and some other colleges too. It's been exposed, very exposed, and I think they're dealing very badly. Every time they fight, they lose another 250 million dollars... I think this is what everyone's coming up to me saying, we love the idea of trade schools with that kind of money and money from others, but money from them. You can have the best trade schools anywhere in the world... They can only be used for trade schools, and they'll teach people how to build AI," Trump said. Earlier, the Donald Trump administration decided to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students. Following Trump's order, Harvard University condemned the decision as unlawful and unwarranted, said that the decision "imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars." The university filed a legal complaint and announced plans to seek a temporary restraining order as it pursues all available remedies. According to CNN, a federal judge had temporarily halted the Trump administration's ban on Friday, after Harvard University filed a suit in federal court. Harvard argued revocation of its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program was "clear retaliation" for its refusal of the government's ideologically rooted policy demands. (ANI)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, said that Pakistan should be put back on the FATF grey list to curb the funding of terrorist groups. He claimed that terrorist organisations are being trained in Pakistan and are trying to create unrest in India. Owaisi also pointed to a photo showing a US-designated terrorist sitting next to Pakistan's army chief, saying it shows clear links to terrorism. Speaking at the interaction in Riyadh, Owaisi said, "...Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control this terror financing of all these terrorist organisations. When this person (Asim Munir) was made a Field Marshal in Pakistan, a US-designated terrorist called Mohammad Ehsan was sitting right beside the Field Marshal. There are photographs of him shaking hands with this field marshal. There is clear evidence of Pakistan's involvement. These terror groups are prospering over there, they are being trained over there, and the whole task is to destabilise India to create more Hindu Muslim riots in India." He further added that Indian investigators had given all the evidence to Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks, but no progress was made until global pressure forced action. Owaisi stated that Pakistan first claimed key accused Sajid Mir was dead, but later admitted he was alive under FATF scrutiny. "After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you'll be surprised to know that nothing moved forward. What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list. One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said he's dead... Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying he's dead, suddenly, he's alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism," Owaisi said. Owaisi added that Indian agencies had recorded conversations between the attackers and their handlers in Pakistan, where the terrorists were told to kill as many people as possible and were promised 'Jannat' (heaven) for doing so. He further added, "...The Indian legal system followed all the due process of law, and Ajmal Kasab was sentenced to death, and he revealed many things. Our agencies were capable enough to record the audio conversations in which the terrorist group, sitting in Pakistan, were having with terrorists who were killing Indians in five-star hotels, and those conversations they were clearly told them not to lose heart, kill as many Indians as you can, and you'll go to Jannat. This was the conversation that was recorded..." The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak; BJP MP Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu MP; Ghulam Nabi Azad; and Ambassador Harsh Shringla. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor-led delegation on Wednesday (local time) met with President of the Republic of Panama Jose Raul Mulino at the Presidential house. The meeting with Panamanian President comes as part of India's efforts to convey its resolute stance against Pakistan sponsored terrorism. Earlier in the day, the delegation met with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha and showed them pictures of Pakistani Army officials attending the funeral of UN-designated terrorists who were killed in Operation Sindoor. Speaking to ANI after the meeting, Panamanian Foreign Minister Acha extended the country's support to India in its fight against terrorism and said, "We cannot tolerate countries sponsoring terrorism." "Regarding terrorism, we stand with India. We cannot tolerate any kind of terrorism. We cannot tolerate countries sponsoring terrorism. We are a democratic country. India is the largest democracy in the world, which values principles, and we will fight against any kind of terrorism together," Javier Martinez Acha said. Additionally, Shahi Tharoor said that the Foreign Minister was very receptive and open-hearted in India's fight against terrorism. Tharoor also highlighted that a number of topics regarding India's collaboration with Panama, particularly in fields of technology, education, and pharmaceuticals, were also discussed. "The Minister received our message on terrorism in a very receptive and open-hearted way. In addition, he raised a number of opportunities for close India-Panama collaboration in the future, particularly in technology, education, pharmaceuticals, and many areas of future cooperation, which shows the commitment of the Minister and his government to closer relations between our countries. So from both grounds, both in terms of our message on terrorism, on the larger picture of our cooperation with Panama, it's been a very successful meeting," Tharoor said. Moreover, Foreign Minister Acha expressed enthusiasm about visiting India soon. Acha stated, "I am looking forward to visiting India soon. We will also try to make an agenda for our President to visit India. We have a promise from my good friend Mr. Tharoor that Prime Minister Modi will come to Panama soon." To this, Tharoor replied, "We will try to persuade him." The delegation led by Tharoor includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. (ANI)
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, leading an all-party delegation, said they highlighted India's suffering from cross-border terrorism by Pakistan during their visit to Greece. Kanimozhi emphasised the need for the European Union and the United Nations Security Council to recognise and hold accountable state-sponsored terrorism. She added that India's strong historical ties with Greece helped convey their message, and they left with a positive sense of support from Greece. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Kanimozhi said, "We have been able to convey that India has been hurt by cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, and now we can no longer distinguish between terror and state-sponsored terrorism. We've also emphasised that the European Union and the United Nations Security Council must take cognisance and ensure accountability... Historically, we have a trade and deep-rooted relationship with Greece, so they have understood where we come from and what we're trying to say. We're returning with a positive feeling that Greece stands with us..." AAP MP Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal, part of the same delegation, said the team received strong support during their visit to Greece. Mittal added that the Indian diaspora in Greece voiced their support for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, affirming India's image as a peace-loving nation. "...We have received a good response. All have said with an open heart that they will support India on all the national and international forums and will also condemn the Pakistan-sponsored terrorsim... The Indian diaspora here said that we support India, PM Modi and will tell the world that we are a peace-loving country," Mittal said. While Capt Brijesh Chowta (Retd) said India and Greece, as ancient civilizational nations, naturally share common values. Speaking about India's outreach under Operation Sindoor, Chowta explained that the mission is not only focused on countering Pakistan but also aims to dismantle the broader terror infrastructure. "...Greece and India are two civilizational nations...and naturally, we would expect a country like Greece to support India's endeavour. What we're trying to do through Operations Sindoor is not just about dealing with a state like Pakistan, which is, of course, our primary target. But Operation Sindoor is also about uprooting the entire terror infrastructure. It's about leading the battle against terrorism, which India is doing in a very Dharmic way," Chowta said. Former Indian Ambassador to the European Union, Manjeev Singh Puri, emphasised that all civilisational nations must unite against terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice. Puri stated that Greece has a deep understanding of terrorism and is fully aware of the role Pakistan has played in spreading it globally. "...All civilizational nations must be against terrorism, must bring terrorists to justice and must ensure that terrorism has no plan. Greece has its own understanding of terrorism, and a very strong understanding. They also know the country from which terrorism has spread all over the world, and I mean strictly. I should say Pakistan. They are well aware of it. They've been strong in telling us that they stand with us," Puri said. The delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, also includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Mian Altaf Ahmad (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Ashok Kumar Mittal (Aam Aadmi Party), and Former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, said Saudi Arabia has taken a strong and clear stand against terrorism and terror financing. Shringla highlighted that both countries issued a strong joint statement condemning cross-border terrorism and the Pakistan-sponsored attack in Pahalgam. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday (local time), Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, "...Saudi Arabia made it clear that their stand on terrorism will be very, very firm... They also believe that there should be very close scrutiny of terror financing. They reiterated the joint statement that was issued when Prime Minister Modi visited Saudi Arabia on 22nd of April, this is also something that is noteworthy that when our Prime Minister was a guest in Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani-sponsored terrorists decided to undertake their very, very ghastly operation in Pahalgam. The joint statement is a very strong one and it refers not only to the condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam but also to cross-border terrorism for the first time..." In addition, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, who is part of the same all-party delegation, said India has taken a united stand against terrorism and will not engage in dialogue with Pakistan until it dismantles its terror camps. Sharma added that India and Saudi Arabia share strong bilateral ties rooted in development and mutual respect, with the local community recognising India as a peace-loving nation. "We jointly talked about India standing against terrorism and India will not talk to Pakistan other than if they finish their terrorist camps... We have brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia, and together we want to march for development, and that's what their people are also saying. They're talking about development. They know that India is a peace-loving nation and they will not create any problems for others. That's why our people in this country are also welcome," Sharma told ANI. The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes Nishikant Dubey MP, BJP; Phangnon Konyak, MP, BJP; Rekha Sharma MP, NJP; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu MP; Ghulam Nabi Azad; and Ambassador Harsh Shringla. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
Foreign Minister Acha affirmed Panama's commitment to fight against terrorism, saying that any country which serves as "safe heaven" for terrorists should be condemned.

"...Your visit here represents more than you can imagine: Panama's commitment to fighting against terrorism and to be together against these terror attacks that would affect anybody. We condemn what happened in Kashmir. Any country in the world that serves as a safe haven for terrorists should be condemned," Acha said.

A multi-party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor (local time) met with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha and showed them pictures of Pakistani Army officials attending the funeral of UN-designated terrorists who were killed in Operation Sindoor.

Earlier, speaking to ANI after the meeting with the Indian delegation, Panamanian Foreign Minister Acha extended the country's support to India in its fight against terrorism and said, "We cannot tolerate countries sponsoring terrorism."

"Regarding terrorism, we stand with India. We cannot tolerate any kind of terrorism. We cannot tolerate countries sponsoring terrorism. We are a democratic country. India is the largest democracy in the world, which values principles, and we will fight against any kind of terrorism together," Javier Martinez Acha said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Tharoor-led delegation met with the President of the Republic of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, at the Presidential house.

The delegation led by Tharoor includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita--all from BJP; Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. (ANI)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday stepped down as a 'Special Government Employee' amid widespread protests. Musk thanked US President Donald Trump for giving him an opportunity to reduce the wasteful spending by the government. In a post on X, he said, "As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government." https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1927877957852266518 Earlier on Wednesday, Musk said he is back to "spending 24/7 at work" and sleeping in conference rooms -- as he hopped back into corporate life after his time in Washington, CNN reported. Musk's favourable attitude "extremely hardcore" work cultures is now coming in handy as the billionaire now has to juggle multiple flailing companies together. Tesla sales are falling. The Cybertruck is shaping up to be a flop for the ages. The social media site X needs "major operational improvements," according to Musk, after a widespread outage over the weekend, which came less than two weeks after xAI's Grok started spinning conspiracy theories about "White genocide." And, late Tuesday, the latest multibillion-dollar SpaceX launch resulted in its Starship rocket spinning out of control and breaking up over the Indian Ocean, as per CNN. Investors appear relieved that Musk is refocusing on his day job(s). Shares of Tesla -- the only publicly traded Musk-owned enterprise -- have shot up 25% in the past month (though they are still miniscule relative to their December peak). That optimism is conditioned on Musk actually fixing the problems plaguing the EV maker while also delivering on his promise to launch an autonomous robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in the coming weeks. Musk flagged concerns about Trump's sweeping tax and spending cuts package, saying in a video released on Tuesday that he believes it would raise the US budget deficit and undercut efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency, as per CNN. "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," CNN quoted Musk as saying. "I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both," he added. DOGE is poised to continue its work even as Musk steps back, with staffers to remain in place, embedded across federal agencies, for months or years to come. (ANI)
A US federal court on Wednesday (local time) ruled against US President Donald Trump's large-scale imposition of sweeping tariffs, deeming that this move exceeds his legal authority and that it would affect a wide range of imported goods, as reported by CNN. The decision, handed down by the US Court of International Trade in Manhattan, determined that the tariffs -- including those introduced under emergency economic powers -- were unlawful; however, the Trump administration has already filed an appeal, leaving the future of the tariffs uncertain, CNN reported. As per CNN, the court's decision halts the enforcement of most of Trump's tariffs, including the 30 per cent duties on Chinese imports, 25 per cent on certain goods from Mexico and Canada, and a general 10 per cent tariff on many other imports. However, the ruling does not apply to tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminium, which were enacted under a different law of the US Trade Expansion Act. The case was brought by Liberty Justice Centre on behalf of several small businesses, including wine importer VOS Selections, which claimed the tariffs caused serious financial harm. A separate lawsuit filed by twelve Democratic-led states was also decided in the same ruling. As per CNN, the panel of judges unanimously found that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose the tariffs was not legally justified. The IEEPA, they noted, does not explicitly allow the president to implement tariffs, and using it for that purpose could represent an unconstitutional transfer of congressional authority. "IEEPA does not authorise any of the worldwide, retaliatory, or trafficking tariff orders... The worldwide and retaliatory tariff orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs. The trafficking tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders," the panel of judges said, as quoted by CNN. The court issued a permanent injunction against the tariffs, giving the government 10 days to respond. If the ruling stands after appeal, it could effectively end the bulk of Trump's tariff policies before final trade agreements with affected countries are completed. Meanwhile, US markets responded positively to the news, with major stock index futures rising significantly in after-hours trading, as reported by CNN. Earlier on April 2, the US President introduced his "reciprocal" tariffs, placing substantial duties on imports from some of the United States' key trading partners. However, just a week later, on April 9, he paused the implementation for 90 days. Despite the delay, a universal 10 per cent tariff on most imported goods remained in effect. (ANI)
Stressing New Delhi's policy of not differentiating between terrorists and its sponsor state, JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, who is leading one of the all-party delegations, Wednesday sought support from the think tank community and academia in Indonesia to influence and enable policymakers to draft strategies for the future against terrorism. The all-party parliamentary delegation, led by Jha, participated in the 'Interaction with Think Tanks and Academia' in Indonesia's Jakarta. Addressing the Think Tanks and Academia of Indonesia, JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha said that the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, was carried out with nefarious designs to disrupt normalcy and provoke disharmony in India. Jha further mentioned that Indonesia's message of unequivocal condemnation for acts of terrorism and its policy of zero tolerance against it have been clear. "In all our interactions, Indonesia's message of unequivocal condemnation for acts of terrorism and its policy of zero tolerance against terrorism have been clear. Today, we are meeting with prominent think tanks and members of academia in Indonesia, which serve as an invaluable catalyst in formulating innovative counter-terrorism policy. The purpose of this interaction is to give India's point of view and our strategy to tackle the menace of terrorism, henceforth emanating from Pakistan. The terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir was carried out with nefarious designs to disrupt normalcy and provoke disharmony in India," he said. "India, along with other countries like Indonesia, has a zero tolerance for terrorism. From hereafter, India will not make any distinction between terrorists and the country that promotes them. We will not accept any nuclear blackmail. Those who shelter terrorists can not hide behind the nuclear umbrella. Today, we also seek support from the Think Tank community and academia in Indonesia to influence and enable policymakers to draft strategies for the future," he added. The delegation, led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid and Mohan Kumar. Congress leader and Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who is a member of the Jha-led delegation, highlighted the similarities between the two countries. "We are a multi-party delegation. Seven such delegations have gone across the globe, and as we speak here, they are presently interacting with their counterparts in the rest of the world. The idea is twofold: one, that we show to the world, to friends like you, that India has a united voice on very critical matters, both for the world and for India," the Congress leader said. "There are many overlaps and similarities between our two countries. you have the largest population of Muslims across the globe; we have the second-largest population. Our enemies want to destroy this very fabric of our society. This is the purpose for which we have come to meet with friends and to speak to those friends who are influential in the world, to see how together we can work on strategies to put an end to terrorism for all times to come," he added. Khurshid said that as a country that has suffered from terrorism in the past, Indonesia understands India's concern. "We are not unclear that you have suffered this in the past; therefore, you understand both our pain and our concern, as indeed you understand what needs to be done in the world. Narratives that sometimes come from the part of the world that may or may not have suffered a similar experience are not necessarily authentic." Earlier, the delegation held a meeting with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, on Wednesday at the ASEAN Headquarters, where Hourn highlighted ASEAN's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India. (ANI)
All-Party Delegation Leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said that terrorism should not be a resort to address international disputes. While addressing the Panamanian side led by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha, Tharoor, referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, said that India will go after the perpetrators of terrorism. "Terrorism should not be a resort of attempting to addressing international disputes. If there are problems, there are other ways of dealing with them; sending terrorists across the border is simply unacceptable, and that should be made clear. We should go after the perpetrators, the killers ourselves, and we will do so," he said. Tharoor said that the countries which provide a safe haven to terrorists should also be held accountable. "But those who give them safe haven, those who protect them, finance them, train them, arm them, dispatch them and guide them, they should also be held accountable. And increasingly it seems to me it will become inescapable for us to face this particular aspect of the challenge," he said. Tharoor also thanked Acha for Panama's support to India with regards to a seat in the United Nations Security Council. "I want to start by thanking you for the very constructive statement that Panama issued on this subject and the very helpful role that you have played in the Security Council. And we certainly hope that your instructions to your ambassador will continue to be to show understanding for India's position. We know that Panama, indeed, the President of the National Assembly said this already, has consistently stood against terrorism," he said. Tharoor explained the motive of the All-Party Delegation, saying that the idea behind it is to explain the Indian narrative on the Pahalgam terror attack and its aftermath. "Our delegation, which covers five political parties and represents all parts of the country. And what we are trying to do is to go to a few countries in this region. The Prime Minister has sent smaller delegations to other regions as well. The idea is to explain to you our perspective on the recent events in our country and to seek your understanding for not just what we did, and what stand we have taken in the event of any future developments of a similar nature. And we certainly would like to seek your understanding," he said. Earlier in the day, Acha backed India for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. Acha, during his address to the All-Party Delegation Group 5, led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, noted the steady bilateral relations between both countries. "It is not the first time that I say this, but probably it is the first time that you hear this. I have said publicly that India deserves to be in the Security Council of the United Nations," he said. Earlier on Wednesday, the Tharoor-led delegation met with the President of the Republic of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, at the Presidential house. The delegation led by Tharoor includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita--all from BJP; Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. (ANI)
Mozambique's Ambassador to India and the Dean of African Heads of Missions, Ermindo Augusto Ferreira, has described ties between Africa and India as "special and strong." He also called India a "good friend" of Africa and emphasised that together they can do things that can benefit the people. Speaking to ANI, Mozambique's envoy expressed happiness over External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's participation in the Africa Day celebrations. On Africa Day celebrations here in Delhi on Wednesday, he said, "We are really very happy that Dr S Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs of the government of India, came and graced the occasion. It's a big honour for us. This is a very auspicious occasion for all of us. We have always to remember those who, since the inception of the organisation it were African." "The African Union up today, they have set the tone for part of the development and between Africa and India, we have a very strong relationship. It's a very special partnership, whereby there is a clear agenda for development, a clear cooperation which also enable us within the South-South cooperation so that we in Africa, we can benefit from the support and help of India in certain areas of development. India is a very good friend of Africa, always with Africa,...We have this strong belief that together we can do things which at the end will benefit our people," he added. Jaishankar participated in Africa Day 2025 celebrations in Delhi on Wednesday. He described the relationship, connect, and empathy between India and Africa as "truly special" and expressed India's commitment to the development of Africa. Ermindo Augusto Ferreira emphasised that people from Africa have suffered a lot due to colonialism, slavery, which has impacted negatively in Africa negatively, and called for changing the narrative. About the theme of Africa Day 2025, he said, "We are talking about repression. I mean throughout those people from Africa, we have suffered a lot, colonialism, slavery, all this has impacted negatively in Africa, and we have to recognise that this is the time that we have to bring about Africa so that we can be in position to compete also globally, to be in position to decide about our own destiny and also to be in position to develop our country using our own resources." "So, we at this stage we realise that the past impacted on us and we have to change this narrative and we hope that with this development international arena that Africa can find the way within very close countries which support Africa that we can together joint effort and try to strive together for development of the continent. We have very huge markets. We are talking about 1.4 billion people, so it's a very huge market and it has a lot of potential, a lot of resources which can be used just to improve the living standards of our people in the continent," he added. He condemned terrorism and called for unity in fighting against terrorism. He said that Africa strongly condemns any kind of terrorist act. When asked about the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and India's Operation Sindoor, he responded, "I mean we have to condemn in a very strong manner the terrorism. This manner of terrorism has to be combated. It has no borders, no geography, so we have to be united as countries to fight against terrorism because it is against development, it is against the development of people. So we strongly believe and we strongly condemn any kind of terrorist acts, and we also believe that within the countries that we have to struggle together, we have to fight these heinous crimes which are committed by this terrorism." As many as 26 people were killed and several others were injured in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Kathmandu is bracing for two opposition rallies on Thursday, one led by the ruling CPN-UML and the other by the royalists as the nation marks Republic Day. The Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) have called for a cultural parade from Bhrikutimandap to Ratnapark in celebration of Republic Day. The rally is expected to be attended by party leaders, cadres, and artists showcasing cultural processions promoting the republican system. The rally has been routed through the venue where the royalists will be starting their indefinite protest starting today, calling for the restoration of the monarchy. The royalist and Hindu nationalist parties, including Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and RPP-Nepal, along with over 45 other aligned organisations, have announced protests against the republic. The main protest is being organised by the Joint People's Movement Committee for the Restoration of Monarchy, led by Navaraj Subedi. The committee has said that the protest will start from Shanti Batika near the iconic "Rani Pokhari" translated as Queen's Pond. Although both sides have pledged peaceful rallies, tensions have risen following a controversial statement by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who claimed that Kathmandu would be "under UML's control" on Republic Day, prompting backlash from royalist leaders. The royalist leaders had announced that the protest would be peaceful, but raised concerns over potential state suppression in light of the Prime Minister's remarks. To manage potential unrest, authorities have prepared to deploy 4,500 security personnel throughout Kathmandu. Traffic disruptions and public inconvenience are expected in the core areas of the city. In the wake of the possible conflict between the parties, the District Security Committee of Kathmandu has scheduled the programs at different times. Kathmandu Chief District Officer (CDO) Rishiram Tiwari coordinated with Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairman Rajendra Lingden, who agreed to start the royalist event only after UML's program ends. Kathmandu Police Chief SSP Bishwa Adhikari stated that a security plan has been prepared in coordination with both parties. Lingden confirmed to the CDO that the pro-monarchy program will commence in the afternoon and that preparations are being made accordingly. UML has also been instructed to conclude its event by the scheduled time. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Thursday reported Chinese military presence around Taiwan, with eight vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and one official ship detected operating in the region. The MND did not detect any flight operations by the PLA during this timeframe. In a post on X, the MND said, "8 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe." "At 01:31 (UTC+8) today, China launched satellites from XSLC, with the flight path over central Taiwan toward the Western Pacific. The altitude is beyond the atmosphere, posing no threat. ROC Armed Forces monitored the process and remain ready to respond accordingly," Taiwan's MND added. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1927892670380192016 Earlier on Wednesday, MND reported a military presence around Taiwan, with 31 aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA), nine vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and one official ship detected operating in the region. Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, "31 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 22 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1927530264399351923 Meanwhile, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) criticised China on Wednesday for organising two summits for Taiwanese participants later this week, claiming these gatherings aim to "lecture" rather than promote authentic exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, as reported by Focus Taiwan. The MAC stated that the upcoming summits are "conducted under the guise of cultural and media exchanges aimed at summoning Taiwanese media and cultural figures to Beijing for lecturing and instruction." The council emphasised that these events do not embody the essence of true cross-strait cultural and educational exchanges and are "not supported by the Taiwanese government". The council remarked that the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) utilisation of various forms of exchanges as tools for united front work does little to bridge differences across the Taiwan Strait and will not earn the acceptance of Taiwanese society, as highlighted by the Focus Taiwan report. (ANI)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Prem Chand Gupta, part of the all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, underscored Pakistan's involvement in global terrorism during a diplomatic engagement in Athens, referencing the recent arrest by Greek authorities of two Pakistani nationals accused of plotting an attack on an embassy. During an interaction with the Indian Diaspora on Wednesday (local time), Gupta expressed his delight at the people outside India understanding the country's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism. "It is a matter of great happiness that people understood our point. These people also understand that terrorism is a disease for the whole world, and if it is not dealt with properly, it will trouble everyone," Gupta said. "They told us that a few days ago, two Pakistani terrorists were arrested here with arms and ammunition, and they wanted to attack an embassy. But Greek police apprehended them... What they mean to say is that wherever there is an act of terrorism, it is linked to Pakistan. Just needed to make them understand that, and they did understand what we said and promised to stand with us in every way," he added. A diaspora member, Paramjeet Kaur, expressed her solidarity, stating, "On behalf of the Indian community, I welcome all the delegates and extend special thanks to the Indian Embassy. We stand with our country." Similarly, another member, Manjeet Singh, remarked, "All religions are respected in India. India is a symbol of peace and wants peace, but some neighbouring countries are trying to disrupt it. We welcome the delegation; we are with India." The RJD MP is part of the delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, which also includes Rajeev Rai of the Samajwadi Party, Mian Altaf Ahmad of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Brijesh Chowta of the BJP, Ashok Kumar Mittal of the Aam Aadmi Party and Former envoys Manjeev S Puri and Jawed Ashraf. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia. The multi-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed deep concerns regarding the ongoing drone and quadcopter strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which are reported to have resulted in civilian deaths, including those of children, and has called for a thorough investigation as well as improved measures to safeguard civilians. "HRCP is deeply concerned over continued reports of suspected drone and quadcopter strikes in different areas across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have allegedly led to deaths and injuries among civilians, including minors. A recent such attack reportedly occurred while young people were playing volleyball. This is a tragic indictment of the region's persistent insecurity. Residents allege that ordinary people become collateral damage in such incidents. HRCP demands an urgent and transparent investigation into such repeated incidents and calls on the state to prioritise civilian protection in conflict-affected regions," according to a post shared by HRCP on X. Earlier, Fazal ur Rehman Afridi, an activist from the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has strongly condemned the recent drone strike carried out by the Pakistan Army in Hurmuz, North Waziristan, which led to the deaths of four young children and their mother. In an interview with ANI, Afridi asserted that the Pakistani military is treating the Pashtun-populated areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a "laboratory" for testing a variety of weapons, particularly drones. He revealed that there have been over 32 drone strikes in the districts of North and South Waziristan and Tank during recent years. "This is not the first occasion where the Pakistani army has attacked innocent Pashtun civilians, especially women and children," he remarked, emphasising that the latest victims were children between the ages of five and eight. Previously, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and the Baloch Advocacy and Studies Centre (BASC) collaborated in a significant meeting in London to draw attention to the ongoing human rights abuses occurring in Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions. The meeting, which took place on Sunday, united key members and activists from both groups who reside in the United Kingdom. The attendees expressed grave concern about the worsening human rights conditions and showed solidarity with the Baloch and Pashtun communities facing systemic oppression in Pakistan. (ANI)
Located on Shikoku Island, one of Japan's four main islands, Tokushima has emerged as the most proactive of the island's four prefectures in advancing global engagement.

Governor Gotoda, who took office two years ago after serving 23 years in Japan's House of Representatives, has introduced bold administrative reforms aimed at transforming the prefecture.

Among his first initiatives was the establishment of the International Affairs Office, a division he oversees directly.

"Deepening overseas relations is not just a policy--it's a necessity in a rapidly changing Japanese society," said Governor Gotoda in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Tokushima's ties with India are already robust, with several major Japanese firms operating in the country. Otsuka Pharmaceutical and its subsidiaries have set up facilities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, while the well-known LED manufacturer Nichia Corporation operates in Gurgaon.

Shikoku Koki, another company from the region, exports shelf-stable, paper-packed tofu -- a unique food product that does not require refrigeration, showcasing Tokushima's innovation in food processing.

Facing Japan's demographic challenges such as declining population and workforce, Governor Gotoda emphasised the need for innovative governance and international collaboration.

A strong advocate of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, he pointed to the success of Kamiyama Marugoto College, where nearly 90 per cent of students come from outside the prefecture.

"This institution is a symbol of our commitment to cultivating future-ready talent," he said.

Governor Gotoda is also championing the acceptance of foreign workers to address labour shortages.

Last year, Tokushima recorded Japan's highest increase in both the rate and amount of the minimum wage.

He believes this competitive wage growth will help attract high-level professionals and visitors from India. "We are committed to creating an environment where international talent can thrive," he said.

Tokushima is not only progressive in policy but also rich in tradition and natural beauty.

The prefecture is home to Awa Odori, Japan's iconic dance festival, as well as sacred pilgrimage routes and lush landscapes. Governor Gotoda's office reflects his pride in local culture, adorned with Tokushima's speciality products.

"Promoting our cultural assets through global partnerships is a vital part of our strategy," he added.

In his concluding remarks, Governor Gotoda expressed hope that India and Tokushima will forge even stronger ties in the coming years--anchored in shared values of innovation, tradition, and mutual prosperity. (ANI)
Indo-Pacific Strategic Intelligence Executive Director, Curie Maharani, has said that Indonesia and India have both been impacted by terrorism and praised India's counter-terrorism efforts, which included limited military operations with clear strategic objectives and no intention to escalate the situation. In an interview with ANI, Maharani praised the all-party delegation for travelling to Indonesia and other nations to communicate India's policy with regard to counter-terrorism. She emphasised that India has clear strategic objectives to uphold their deterrence. After meeting the all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha in Indonesia on Thursday, Curie Maharani said, "First of all, I think similar to the delegations, the Indonesian people share the same concern about terrorism issues and feel that India is impacted as well as Indonesia by this terrorism. The second is I commended the delegations of India's parliaments to not only Indonesia but also other countries as well to communicate India's policy with regards to counterterrorism." "India has clear strategic objectives to uphold their deterrence, but also other preemptive, more ...and peaceful approaches to the counterterrorism issues. Second, we would like to appreciate the way the Indian government approaches these issues by communicating with the world and with Indonesia. We have the largest Muslim population in the world, but in its intention with counter-terrorism efforts, India has shown the world that it has employed limited military operations with clear strategic objectives and no intention to escalate the situation. So I think Indonesia appreciate that restraint from India," she added. All-party delegation, led by Sanjay Kumar Jha, interacted with scholars and researchers from Indonesia-based think tanks and academia on Thursday and conveyed a strong and unified message of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism to maintain peace and regional stability. In a post on X, Indian Embassy in Indonesia stated, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha held an insightful interaction with scholars and researchers from Indonesia based think tanks and academia and conveyed a strong and unified message of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism to maintain peace and regional stability and sought to jointly explore ways to combat this menace." https://x.com/IndianEmbJkt/status/1927947484883734934 The delegation, led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid (Congress) and former Ambassador Mohan Kumar. The delegation also interacted with Resident Ambassadors of friendly countries in Indonesia and shared their insights on India's calibrated and strong response through Operation Sindoor. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Indonesia stated, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, interacted with Resident Ambassadors of friendly countries in Indonesia and shared their insights on India's calibrated and strong response through #OperationSindoor." "The delegation spoke of the heinous attack on innocent civilians with the sole aim of fomenting religious discord in India. the delegation emphasised that India would have zero tolerance to terror and discussed a unified international effort to combat the menace of terrorism," it added. The delegation is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has so far visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and injured several others. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in over 100 deaths of terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), made his second official trip to Vancouver Island, Canada, on May 26. During this visit, he spoke to the local Tibetan community at an event hosted by the Tibetan Cultural Society of Vancouver Island, as reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Sikyong recognised that the struggles undertaken by the first generation established a pathway for future advancement, granting younger generations better access to education, healthcare, and opportunities while maintaining their cultural heritage. He emphasised the increasing significance of population digitalisation as an essential tool in governance, particularly for communities in exile or those that are underrepresented. He pointed out how digitising population data facilitates accurate demographic assessments, improves public service delivery, and leads to better-informed decision-making, according to the CTA report. Sikyong Penpa Tsering also emphasised the relevance of the Middle Way Approach, a visionary plan introduced by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, which aims for a peaceful and mutually beneficial resolution to the Tibet issue within the framework of the People's Republic of China. His Holiness has long highlighted the long-term and reciprocal benefits of this strategy for not only Tibetans but for Chinese society as well. Instead of pursuing independence, the Middle Way advocates for genuine autonomy for Tibetans, allowing them to protect their language, religion, culture, and environment, as noted by the CTA report. He further stated that a nation embodies a collective political identity; however, it is crucial to acknowledge and safeguard Tibetan identity within this context. This recognition is particularly vital for the three traditional regions of Tibet--U-Tsang, Amdo, and Kham, which together constitute the cultural and historical essence of the Tibetan nation. The Middle Way Approach ensures the rights and dignity of all Tibetans from these regions are maintained while fostering harmony and coexistence with the Chinese populace, the CTA report highlighted. Sikyong Penpa Tsering also discussed promoting Tibetan identity through Buddhism and compassion. He contemplated the global acknowledgement of Tibetans, attributing much of it to Tibetan Buddhism, which has acted as an essential cultural and spiritual link between Tibet and the international community, according to the CTA report. Sikyong ended his remarks by urging the Tibetan community to adhere to these principles to secure a promising future for Tibet and its people. During his trip, Sikyong Penpa Tsering engaged with significant US government representatives in Washington DC, and visited nine locations across North America, including various cities in the US and Canada. He delivered speeches and interacted with Tibetan communities and youth in these regions, as reported by the CTA. As per the CTA report, the North American tour wrapped up on May 27, with his departure from Vancouver Island to Japan. Throughout his official visit and engagements, Sikyong Penpa Tsering met with key US government officials in Washington, DC, and conducted visits to nine locations across North America, involving cities in both the US and Canada. He gave speeches and engaged with Tibetan communities and youth in these areas. The North American tour concluded on May 27, as he left Vancouver Island to begin his subsequent official visit in Japan. (ANI)
The III Uyghur National Summit and Uyghur Youth Summit, led by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), announced the successful completion of their three-day event held in Munich, Germany, according to the WUC release. "This summit signifies more than just a gathering; it is a proclamation. A proclamation that the Uyghur people stand united in our struggle, and that no degree of oppression can diminish our identity or silence our mission," stated WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun, as mentioned in the WUC release. The summit attracted over 150 attendees, comprising more than 50 Uyghur organisations, leaders, human rights advocates, community representatives, youth activists, academics, and politicians from over 22 nations, aimed at furthering the shared fight for freedom, justice, and the safeguarding of Uyghur identity, according to the release. The summit acted as a significant platform to enhance solidarity within the Uyghur diaspora and to coordinate international efforts against the ongoing genocide and extensive transnational repression carried out by the Chinese government in East Turkistan, as stated by the WUC release. Initiating with a joint program on the first morning, the Uyghur Summit and the Uyghur Youth Summit fostered intergenerational dialogue and a common purpose. Later, the official opening ceremony of the Youth Summit commenced in the middle of the first day, signifying the beginning of its dedicated sessions, according to the release. The overall schedule of the summit included a vibrant and varied format, featuring two roundtables, a fireside chat, eight Chatham House-style discussions, and four open sessions, providing an avenue for strategic conversation, storytelling, and cooperative planning, as cited by the WUC release. Simultaneously occurring with the main summit, the Uyghur Youth Summit centered on topics such as identity, intergenerational dialogue, storytelling, trauma and healing, transnational repression, cultural revival, and youth empowerment. These sessions established a powerful and secure environment for reflection, connection, and building the capacity of Uyghur youth to guide the movement's next chapter, WUC release indicated. The WUC release underscored that a major result of the summit was the adoption of the Munich Declaration, which reaffirmed the steadfast commitment of Uyghur communities to mutual support, coordinated advocacy, and the peaceful pursuit of justice and freedom for East Turkistan. The WUC expressed its heartfelt thanks to all participants, partner organisations, and volunteers who contributed to the success of this summit. (ANI)
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the all-party delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, called out Pakistan for supporting and nurturing terrorists to destabilise growing economies. He mentioned about involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in the 9/11 attacks, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and 2006 Bombay train bombings and said that "if terrorism is a rabid dog, Pakistan is the vile handler." While addressing a press conference in Jakarta, he stated that India waited for two weeks before launching Operation Sindoor to see whether Pakistan would act against terrorists or not. He also recalled how India allowed Pakistani officials to visit the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot to investigate the Pathankot terror attack. Banerjee said, "They (Pakistan) are the ones who have been nurturing terrorists in their backyard to destabilise growing economies. All of you are acquainted with the fact that India has surpassed Japan and grown to be the fourth-largest economy in the world. We are at number four now, and very soon we will be at number three. So it's a prime, I would say, example of cutting one's nose to spite one's face. We go down, we pull you down. Pakistan is facing a crisis in their economy, trying to address issues in its land, in their own country, and India is growing, developing rapidly, and we have been collaborating with various countries. We consider each one of you as our strategic partners, as our friendly nations." "We share a common goal, a joint goal towards peace, prosperity, and we consider each one of you not only as our strategic partners, but also as one of our moral allies. We want you to stand for what is correct. We want this to be raised in the important multilateral platforms like FATF, UN, ASEAN, and if you look at the net and if you read the circulation that has been published worldwide in the last fortnight, you know India never slid back immediately," he added. Elaborating on how India launched Operation Sindoor, he said, "The attack happened on the 22nd of April. Did we strike on the 23rd? No. Did we strike on the 24th? No. Did we strike on the 26th? No. 28th? No 30th? No 1st? No. We waited for two weeks, 14 days we waited with the hope that the Pakistan government would do something to bring the popular leaders to book and do justice to the enemies. Either you do justice to the enemies, or your enemies need to be acquainted with justice, but justice needs to be done. We waited for two weeks, and then eventually India carried out this airstrike. So, these airstrikes were so precise, non-escalatory, and responsible, and these airstrikes only ended up neutralising and demolishing nine terror infrastructures. We neutralised the terror infrastructure without endangering a single civilian life, that is, India. We are firm in resolve, yet honourable in action." He called out Pakistani generals for attending the funerals of terrorists. He mentioned about presence of terrorists in Pakistan, including Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, who was killed by the US forces in Abbottabad. He said, "I mean, then in the next 24 hours, there were images surfacing from the land of Pakistan that shook the world. There were images of Pakistani or Pakistani high-ranking military generals and the army, and these are not mere pawns, or these are not some small-time officials. They are military generals. Pakistani army generals were seen attending the funeral of terrorists, these pictures are widely reported it's for everyone to see. You know when the 9/11 terror attack was, when the 9/11 terror attack happened, who was the prime accused? Osama bin Laden. Where was he found? He was found in a place called Abbottabad. Where is Abbottabad? Abbottabad is again in Pakistan." "You talk about the 2006 Bombay train bombings. You talk about the 2008 Mumbai attacks, you talk about the 1993 Mumbai blasts, where a series of blasts were conducted. In every terror attack, there was a hand of Pakistan. Where was Ajmal Kasab, who is the prime accused of the 2008 terror attack, from? He was caught red-handed by the Indian law enforcement agencies in Mumbai. There were four years during which he was given a fair trial. He confessed to the law enforcement agencies. He confessed before the trial court, before the judiciary that he was raised, he was born, he was brought up, was nurtured, and he was trained in Pakistan and India ended up destroying that very same terror camp where Ajmal Kasab was raised and trained. We want the world to stand by us in combating terrorism. It's our joint duty." Calling out Pakistan for supporting terrorists, he said, "You talk about Hafiz Saeed, talk about Tahawwur Rana, any terrorist you name, Pakistan is safeguarding them, nurturing them, protecting them. Why? I mean it's like nurturing a snake in your backyard expecting it to bite your neighbour. But, we don't realise when the snake will be unleashed or unchained, it can end up biting anyone. It meets on the way. I have said this time and again, and I will put it again in a different analogy. If terrorism is a rabid dog, Pakistan is a vile handler. Pakistan will end up raising, breeding more rabid dogs till it starts a lesson in the language it understands, and we are not talking about violence here." Noting that West thinks that India has not initiated a dialogue, he said that India has been talking with Pakistan for the past 50 years, and everything has changed in India, like governments, presidents, prime ministers, however, the conflict continues with Pakistan. "People in the West think that we have not started or initiated a dialogue with Pakistan. We have been talking with them for the last 50 years, you know, the government has changed in India, and a lot of things have changed. There have been paradigm shifts in everything. Prime Ministers have come and gone. The government has changed. The President of the country has changed. But one thing that will remain constant is the conflict with Pakistan. They will not change, and we expect all of you to stand by us in combating terrorism. Our stand has been very clear from day one. You fire, we fire. You stop, we stop. We don't want violence," he said. He said that India has not initiated a war and has been engaging in dialogue with Pakistan for the past 50 years. He recalled how India allowed Pakistani officials to come to India for a joint investigation following the Pathankot terror attack and gave them proof of all data, digital evidence. He said, "In the last 50 years, there have been so many incidents of violence, and I want to request all of you that India will never want to wage or start a war. We're the last ones to talk about war. We have been engaging in a dialogue with them. In 2016, there were attacks in Pathankot and Uri. It's again a place in Kashmir. Pakistan wanted to start a joint investigation. We honoured that commitment. But when you give or honour that commitment of a joint investigation with Pakistan, we give them enough proof of call data, records of the terrorist, voice sample, and digital evidence. But, it's like giving a thief the privilege to investigate a robbery which he only has committed," he added. Urging Indonesia to stand by India in the fight against terrorism, he said, "I would leave it to that and I would request every one of you to stand by us as strategic partners in combating terrorism and curtailing terrorism so that we can put an end to this menace once and for all." During the same press conference, former Indian Ambassador Mohan Kumar called out Pakistan for claiming to have won wars against India despite facing defeat. He even recalled Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir's statement before the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "As far as we are concerned, we want to maintain peace. The Director General, Military Operations of both sides are in touch, and that conversation will continue. But if you want to work with us, kindly provide us proof that you are done with terrorism, and that is something we haven't been able to verify. If there is verifiable action by Pakistan that cross-border terrorism will cease, we're happy to do whatever it takes to have good relations with them because I just want all of you, I think the ...diplomatic will understand, for India, Pakistan has to be a side show," he said. "We want to be the fourth largest, hopefully the third largest want to lift people out of poverty, hopefully be a five trillion ten trillion economy and make the transition from balancing power to leading power. This is not our main objective. But if you read the army chief's statement a week before the attacks, he makes it very clear that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. You can see where he's coming from; the raison d'etre for Pakistan's army is enmity with India, otherwise they lose all clout. The Pakistan army was extremely unpopular, including the chief, for putting Imran Khan in jail, etc., etc., just before the conflict. Right now, he's the most popular guy in the world. Why? Because he's rallied the whole nation around India, the news is blacked out, they say we won. In 1971, too, Pakistan said it won. So there is a history of, you know, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat or whatever you want to call it," he added. Mohan Kumar said that India's message against terrorism will resonate with Indonesia. According to him, India's right to defend itself against terrorism was appreciated and endorsed by Indonesia. [{4b15c987-3184-4945-b0a9-1027a0a14fb5:intradmin/ANI-20250529085907.jpg}] He said, "I think you have to see it in this context. Why Indonesia? We think India is a mirror image of Indonesia. In many ways, we look up to Indonesia. It's a great country with plurality, all religions. It's the largest Muslim country. We are the second largest. We think our message will resonate with Indonesia. I will allow the honourable members of parliament to tell you how the conversation went, but from my perspective, there was strong condemnation of terrorism, ...sympathy expressed with the victims and with India, and I think India's right to defend itself against terrorism was appreciated and endorsed." The delegation, led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid (Congress) and former Ambassador Mohan Kumar. The delegation is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has so far visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. (ANI)
The Czech Republic's government has officially linked a malicious cyberattack on its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a hacker group associated with China, known as APT31. As stated in a release from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this attack, which has focused on unclassified networks and critical infrastructure since 2022, has connections to China's Ministry of State Security. Czech officials, supported by NATO and EU allies, have firmly condemned the incident and called for accountability. "Following the national attribution process, the Government of the Czech Republic has identified the People's Republic of China as being responsible for a malicious cyber campaign targeting one of the unclassified networks of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The malicious activity, which lasted from 2022 and affected an institution designated as Czech critical infrastructure, was perpetrated by the cyberespionage actor APT31 that is publicly associated with the Ministry of State Security", stated the release. "An extensive investigation into the incident, which led to a high degree of certainty about the responsible actor, was conducted jointly by the Security Information Service, Military Intelligence, Office for Foreign Relations and Information and National Cyber and Information Security Agency", stated the release. The Czech Republic's government has strongly denounced the harmful cyber campaign targeting its essential infrastructure. Such actions diminish the credibility of the People's Republic of China and go against its public statements. These activities violate the standards of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace that all UN Member states have endorsed. We urge the People's Republic of China to comply with these standards and principles, to stop such assaults, and to implement all necessary measures to resolve this issue, stated the announcement. The EU, along with its Member States and NATO Allies, expresses support for Czechia in light of this cyber incident, according to the announcement. The Czech government has blocked an investment from a Chinese company in a satellite station due to concerns regarding possible espionage, as reported by TVP World. The firm, Emposat, based in Beijing, planned to set up a satellite dish in the village of Vlkos, located in the Moravia region of eastern Czechia, as per the report from TVP World. (ANI)
Eddy Soeparno, Chairperson of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said that the Indonesian side had a good discussion with the All-Party Delegation. Soeparno, while speakg to ANI, said that India encourages countries to build trust, and that Indonesia too condemns terrorism. "Well, we had a good discussion on cooperation on the prevention of terrorism. Indonesia is also was a victim of terrorism attacks ourselves, so we understand the full impact of terrorism. We support peace. We support global cooperation. We are strongly against terrorist activities," he said. Soeparno said that they also discussed about upholding peace and economic cooperation between both the countries. "So therefore we stand strong with countries who uphold the law, who uphold peace and uphold cooperation between the countries and are against terrorism. We also discussed on strengthening economic cooperation. We also discussed on strengthening the cooperation between parliaments, which is very important, and we look forward to continuing this discussion in the future," he said. Soeparno added that as a part of BRICS nations, too, he underscored the need for cooperation among nations. He added that Indonesia stands against terror attack in Pahalgam. "Well, for one, we were somewhat informed firsthand on the effect of the Terrorist attacks that have recently occurred in India and we understand the impact of it and again we stand strong with the people of nations of India and other nations who have a continuous fight against terrorism, but more importantly, secondly is how we can uphold peace and harmony among countries among nations and Indonesia as part of a member of BRICS will also continue to strengthen their ties with BRICS countries, especially India in this case we have participation of Indonesia," he said. Soeparno underlined that cooperation between Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is important and it is imperative that all these nations too condemn terror activities and build trust. "In the interest of upholding again peace, harmony among countries, and close cooperation, we would encourage obviously for countries within the OIC membership to cooperate closely and to build Trust among nations and again terrorist activities is something that we are against for and we will again communicate this in the interest of global cooperation between countries, especially Islamic countries," he said. In a post on X, Indian embassy in Indonesia said, "The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation from India, led by Hon'ble MP Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with the leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN) of Indonesia including Mr. Eddy Soeparno, Vice Chairman of PAN, also Deputy Speaker of Indonesian People's Assembly, Mr. Viva Yoga Mauladi, Vice Chairman of the Party and also Deputy Minister For Transmigration Republic of Indonesia, and other leaders and Members of Parliament from PAN and shared views on India's stance on zero tolerance for terrorism." "The PAN party leadership expressed condolences to the victims of gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam, India. PAN leadership conveyed that they stand with India and categorically stated that religion and race cannot serve as a basis for exporting terrorism. The Members of Parliament joining the meeting from PAN also included Mrs Dessy Ratnasari, Mrs Farah Putri Nahlia , Mrs Okta Kumala Dewi, Dr. Drajad Wibowo, Mr. Slamet Ariyadi and Mr. A. Bakrie," the embassy added. https://x.com/IndianEmbJkt/status/1927998472772538849 The delegation, led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid and Mohan Kumar. The delegation is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has so far visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. (ANI)
India is in touch with Iranian authorities for locating three Indian nationals who went missing in Iran and receiving good cooperation from the Iranian side, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. While addressing a press briefing on Thursday, Jaiswal said that they are extending all possible help to the family members of the three persons who are missing. When asked about three Indians who went missing in Iran and whether the Indian Government is aware that incidents like these have been happening for the last few months and people have been receiving ransom calls from Pakistan, he responded, "You would have seen a statement made by our embassy as well in Iran. The three Indian nationals who had landed there some time back are missing, and we are in touch with the Iranian authorities to locate them for their safety and security and eventual return home. We are in daily touch with the authorities there. We are receiving good cooperation from the Iranian side. And we are also in touch with the families. Obviously, family members in such situations have their own anxiety, etc. So, we are extending all possible help. Hopefully, we'll be able to do our best in this situation." When asked further, he said, "February was a different issue. What we are talking about are three Indian nationals who went to Iran recently in May." The Indian Embassy in Iran said that three Indian citizens went missing in Iran. The Indian Embassy said that the family members of three Indian nationals informed them that their relatives went missing after travelling to Iran. According to the statement released by the embassy, India has urged Iranian authorities to trace the missing Indians and ensure their safety. It said that the family members regularly inform them about the efforts being made by the embassy. https://x.com/India_in_Iran/status/1927663145079738647 In a statement shared on X, the Indian Embassy in Iran stated, "Family members of 3 Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities, and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family- members regularly updated of the efforts being made by the Embassy." (ANI)
A citywide closure occurred throughout the Awaran district in Balochistan on Wednesday, with shops, businesses, and public areas remaining shut down in response to the killings of two civilians, including a woman, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) initiated the strike following the deaths of Naeem Baloch, the son of Sanjar Baloch, and an elderly woman named Hoori Baloch, in the Malaar Machhi region of Awaran. Pakistani forces conducted raids on multiple residences on Tuesday, opening fire as residents attempted to resist the capture of a young man. An elderly woman, Dadi Baloch, sustained critical injuries during the incident, according to TBP. The BWF condemned the deaths, labelling the event as an "extrajudicial execution." They noted that this marked the fifth such occurrence in Awaran within a week. In a statement, the BWF asserted that state institutions had been "given free rein to use force without legal justification." They characterised the circumstances as "extremely alarming," as per TBP's report. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) also released a statement, asserting that Naeem Baloch and his aunt, Hoori Bibi, were "shot and killed" by Pakistani forces. The BYC claimed that this wasn't the first instance of targeting the family. They reported that in 2015, an airstrike resulted in the death of Naeem's other aunt, Gohar Baloch, alongside seven family members. Additionally, Naeem himself was "forcibly disappeared" in 2023. His mother, critically injured in the recent attack, has also been detained before, as cited by TBP. The BYC stated that "dozens of individuals in Awaran and the adjoining Mashkay region have lost their lives in recent extrajudicial operations." They criticised the national media for its silence on the matter and called upon the international community to take notice, according to TBP. Both the BYC and the BWF urged the United Nations and global human rights organisations to perform "independent and transparent investigations" into these events. They cautioned that the killings were "not isolated incidents" but rather part of a greater strategy aimed at "erasing Baloch identity, resistance, and existence," as reported by TBP. (ANI)
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international organisation championing press freedom, has urged Pakistani officials to promptly and openly investigate the murder of journalist Abdul Latif Baloch and ensure that those accountable are brought to justice, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). As per CPJ, masked gunmen entered Abdul Latif's residence in the Mashkay region of Awaran district on the morning of May 24 and fired multiple shots at him. Local authorities have stated that an inquiry is in progress, although the motive for the murder is still unknown, as noted by TBP. Baloch political and civic organisations claimed that Abdul Latif Baloch was killed by Pakistani security personnel. Witnesses have reported that the shooting occurred in front of his family members. Latif was recognised for covering sensitive topics regarding the ongoing independence movement in Balochistan. Beh Lih Yi, Director of CPJ's Asia Program, mentioned that Pakistani authorities need to clarify the motive behind Abdul Latif's assassination and investigate any potential links to his journalistic activities, as reported by TBP. Journalists in Pakistan, especially those operating in conflict zones like Balochistan, are increasingly facing threats and violence from both state and non-state entities. CPJ stressed the importance of the government guaranteeing the safety and freedom of journalists across the nation. The organisation additionally disclosed that Moazzam Jah Ansari, the Inspector General of Balochistan Police, did not respond to their questions regarding the investigation into the journalist's murder. CPJ emphasised that Pakistan continues to be a perilous environment for journalists, particularly for those who critically report on militancy, the military, corruption, and organised crime. Since 1992, at least 75 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in Pakistan due to their professional activities, according to CPJ. Pakistan is ranked 12th on CPJ's 2024 Global Impunity Index, which tracks countries where murderers of journalists remain unpunished. (ANI)
India implemented a new visa module for Afghan nationals on April 29, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. Jaiswal said the new visa module will help to further strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Afghanistan. While addressing a press briefing on Thursday, Jaiswal noted that the old visa module for Afghan nationals has been discontinued. He said that Afghan nationals can apply for Indian visas in six categories--medical, medical attendant, business, entry, student, and UN diplomatic. He asked those who are in India as per the old policy to get it converted as per the new policy. When asked whether India has implemented a new visa module for Afghan nationals, the MEA spokesperson stated, "I would like to introduce you to the new visa module in place for Afghan nationals. This was, I think, put in place last month. The old visa module that we had, a program called E-Emergency Ex-Miscelleanous Visa, has been discontinued, and we have a new visa model for Afghan nationals, which came into effect on 29th April, so last month, 29th April." India has recently resumed issuing visas to Afghan nationals after a four-year hiatus, following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021. This move allows Afghan nationals to apply for various visa categories, including student, business, medical, medical attendant, entry, and UN diplomat visas. "All Afghan nationals can now apply for an Indian visa in six categories: medical visa, medical attendant visa, business visa, entry visa, student visa, and UN diplomatic visa. Afghan nationals who are in India on visas that were issued as per the old policy will have to now get it converted as per the new policy. They will have to approach the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) here in Delhi or any other part of India, as the case may be. The new visa module will help strengthen India-Afghanistan people-to-people ties further," he added. India had previously suspended visa services to Afghan nationals after the Taliban seized power, with concerns over the safety of Indian officials in Kabul. However, India has now re-established its diplomatic presence in Kabul and is actively engaging with the Taliban administration. The decision follows growing diplomatic engagement between India and Afghanistan. Earlier on May 15, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between India and Afghanistan. Jaishankar also expressed his appreciation for Muttaqi's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He also welcomed the Afghan minister's "firm rejection" of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Good conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi this evening. Deeply appreciate his condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack."The post added, "Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports. Underlined our traditional friendship with the Afghan people and our continuing support for their development needs. Discussed ways and means of taking cooperation forward." Both leaders also emphasised the importance of enhancing economic ties, with particular focus on developing the Chabahar Port, facilitating visas for Afghan traders and patients, and addressing the issue of Afghan prisoners in India. Sharing a post on X, the Consulate General of Afghanistan in Mumbai wrote, "The Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a telephonic conversation with Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India. During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on enhancing bilateral relations, promoting trade, and advancing diplomatic engagement." "FM Muttaqi referred to India as a key regional country and highlighted the historic nature of Afghanistan-India relations, expressing optimism that these ties will grow stronger. He also reiterated Afghanistan's commitment to a balanced foreign policy and the pursuit of constructive relations with all nations. In the conversation, FM Muttaqi requested facilitation in issuing visas for Afghan traders and patients, and called for the release and return of Afghan prisoners currently held in India," the post added. The post further said, "EAM Dr Jaishankar echoed the view that India shares historic ties with Afghanistan and reaffirmed India's intention to continue its cooperation with the country. He underlined the importance of collaboration in political and economic spheres. Dr. Jaishankar also assured prompt attention to the issue of Afghan prisoners and pledged to streamline the visa process. Additionally, both sides emphasised the development of the Chabahar Port." (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday informed that India has close cooperation with the United States on migration issues, particularly the deportation of Indian nationals with illegal status. It added that, since January 2025, approximately 1080 Indians have been deported from the United States, with around 62 per cent returning on commercial flights. Speaking in a weekly briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that, "We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues, on deportation of Indian nationals who are either in illegal status there or who travel illegally; we take them back once we receive details about them." "The update on the numbers is that since January of 2025, we have some 1080 Indians who have come back or who have been deported from the United States. Of these, around 62 per cent have come on commercial flights," he added. Jaiswal also noted that India has seen reports suggesting the US government's updated guidance regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants. In response, MEA highlighted that the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of "utmost priority" to the Government of India and India will "continue" to follow further developments in this regard. "While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time," Jaiswal added. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered US embassies and consular offices to stop scheduling new visa interviews for student applicants as the Donald Trump administration is considering strict vetting of applicants' social media profiles, Politico reported. This directive, laid out in a cable obtained by Politico, would broaden the application of existing vetting procedures to restrict foreign students' entry to American schools and colleges. "Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued septel, which we anticipate in the coming days," the cable states. ("Septel" is State Department shorthand for "separate telegram.") While the cable does not detail what social media activity will be reviewed, it refers to executive orders focused on counterterrorism and antisemitism, Politico reported. (ANI)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday informed the Saudi officials that Pakistan is propagating terrorism and targeting Indian citizens, and urged them to bring Pakistan back to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List to curb terror financing. He is part of a multi-party delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Panda under Operation Sindoor outreach to convey India's unified stance against terrorism and seek international support to hold Pakistan accountable. During his visit, Owaisi interacted with Saudi officials and highlighted Pakistan's false propaganda about India. He said that the delegation apprised officials as well as the diaspora members from India about the terrorism propagated by Pakistan against Indian citizens. "27 lakh members of the Indian diaspora reside and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...Whoever the delegation met, we told them how Pakistan is propagating terrorism and how Indian citizens are targeted. We told them that Pakistan should be brought back to the FATF Grey List. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a member of the FATF. They helped us in 2018," Owaisi told ANI. He emphasised that India is home to over 14.5 crore proud Muslims, showcasing the country's rich Islamic heritage and esteemed scholars, thereby refuting Pakistan's claims of representing all Muslims. Owaisi said that the multi-party delegation met with Abdullah ibn Muhammad, head of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, and Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Regarding concerns raised over the issue of talks between India and Pakistan, he added that talks were held after the Mumbai terror attack and Pathankot. Still, they yielded no results and only losses. "It was a good meeting. They, too, had some concerns. They asked us what could be done about the talks. We told them we talked after 26/11, after Pathankot, but it yielded no result. Instead, we suffered a loss. So, all in all, we presented all of this before them. We told them about Pakistan's propaganda - we told them that around 14.5 crore Muslims live in India. And what they (Pakistan) say is absolutely wrong," Owaisi said. Owaisi pointed out that despite receiving significant financial aid from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan's economy is not stabilising, and the funds are not being utilised for the welfare of the poor. Specifically, he mentioned that Saudi Arabia provided $2 billion in aid to Pakistan last year and a $3 billion loan in 2024. He compared Pakistan's defense budget, which is 2.6% of its GDP, to India's 1.9%, highlighting the disparity in military spending between the two nations. Owaisi discussed the recent Pahalgam terror attack and assured the Saudi officials that India is working to resolve such issues, while also exposing Pakistan's alleged role in promoting terrorism. "We told them that Saudi Arabia gave Pakistan 2 billion USD in aid last year. In 2024, Saudi Arabia gave them a loan of 3 billion USD. We told them Pakistan's economy is not stabilising, and the money is not being used for the poor. We told them that Pakistan's defence budget is 2.6% of its GDP, whereas India's is 1.9%. The Ulemas in Pakistan are no match for the Ulemas in India...We told them how work is being done in India, how Ulemas are working there, and how Pakistani propaganda is a lie. What they did in Pahalgam, we said that there are problems in our country as well, but we are trying to resolve this," Owaisi said. In a strong demonstration of India's united political front against terrorism, an all-party parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore avenues of cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. Maj Gen Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the India-Saudi Arabia Council Friendship Committee of the Shura Council, warmly welcomed the delegation. This multi-party delegation includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former diplomat Harsh Shringla. The multi-party delegations, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, have been initiated to counter Pakistan's misinformation on terrorism and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday has reiterated India's stance on bilateral discussions with Pakistan, stating that the only area left for discussion between the two countries is Pakistan's handing over of terrorists and vacating the illegally occupied area of Jammu and Kashmir. "... As far as our engagement with Pakistan is concerned, our stand has been clear. Any engagement has to be bilateral. We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together. They need to hand over to India, noted terrorists, whose records and list we submitted to them some years ago, " MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing in the national capital. "Talks on J&K will be held only on the vacating of PoK and when Pakistan hands over the territory to us. As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism. Just like PM Narendra Modi says, terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together," Jaiswal said. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the country on May 12 had said, "The way the Pakistani army, Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day. If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace. India's stand is very clear... Terror and talks cannot go together... Terror and trade cannot go together.... Water and blood cannot flow together. "Today, I would also like to tell the global community that our stated policy has been: if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on terrorism; and if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India has taken multiple diplomatic steps against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam attack. This includes holding the Indus Water treaty in abeyance. (ANI)
The District of Minnesota on Wednesday (local time) sentenced two men for their roles in an international human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of four Indian nationals, including a three-year-old and an 11-year-old child, in January 2022, according to US Department of Justice press release. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, an Indian national formerly of Florida, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Patel will be removed from the United States following his sentence. His co-conspirator, Steve Anthony Shand, 50, of Florida, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. "Patel and Shand endangered thousands of lives for their personal enrichment and are responsible for the deaths of two small children who froze to death on their watch," said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "This case demonstrates the grave danger associated with human smuggling operations. I thank the prosecutors and our law enforcement partners in the US and in Canada who are working to secure the northern border and end the perilous smuggling of aliens into the United States." According to evidence presented at trial, Patel and Shand were part of a large-scale human-smuggling operation that brought Indian nationals to Canada on fraudulent student visas and then smuggled them into the United States across the northern border. Patel, along with other co-conspirators, organised the logistics of smuggling aliens from Manitoba, Canada, into the United States, and Shand picked up the aliens just south of the Canadian border and drove them to Chicago. Both men were paid for their roles in the conspiracy and disregarded the risks posed to the aliens by the cold weather at the northern border. The US Department of Justice cited the evidence at trial, "the going rate to be smuggled from India through Canada into the United States was USD 100,000." "Every time I think about this case, I think about this family--including two beautiful little children--who the defendants left to freeze to death in a blizzard," said Acting US Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. "As we've seen time and time again, human traffickers care nothing for humanity. I am proud of the work of our law enforcement partners in holding these defendants accountable for their unspeakable crimes." On January 18 and 19, 2022, Patel and Shand, despite repeated warnings about the dangers, organised the smuggling of 11 aliens from Canada into the United States on foot in severe winter weather conditions, including a family of four - two adults, and their 11-year-old daughter and three-year-old son. The release added that on the evening of January 18, Shand sent Patel a screenshot with a blizzard alert warning of wind gusts as high as 50 mph and wind chill temperatures below -45 degrees. The recorded wind chill temperature on the morning of January 19 was -36 degrees. In the early morning hours of January 19, during blizzard conditions in Minnesota, a US Border Patrol agent found Shand's van stuck in the snow and arrested Shand along with two aliens. Contrary to Shand's statement to law enforcement that there were no other aliens out in the snow, five more aliens emerged from the fields, including one suffering hypothermia with an internal temperature below 90 degrees, who was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later that day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) found the dead bodies of the family of four frozen in an isolated area on the Canadian side of the international border. The boy was wrapped in a blanket with his father's frozen glove covering his face. As proven at trial, Patel and Shand had been paid to smuggle the family into the United States, read the release. In November 2024, a federal jury convicted both defendants of conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, conspiracy to transport aliens within the United States causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy, attempted transportation of aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain, and aiding and abetting the attempted transportation of aliens, as per the US department of Justice. "Today's sentencing marks a crucial moment of accountability in a case that revealed the harrowing realities of human smuggling," said Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul. "The callous disregard for life that led to the tragic deaths of an entire family will not be forgotten. At HSI, we remain steadfast in working with our partners across borders to dismantle criminal smuggling networks, bring justice to those responsible, and safeguard human dignity." HSI and US Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. The RCMP and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. This case was also supported by the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a partnership between the Justice Department's Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates with and receives assistance from other US government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities. Notably, trial attorney Ryan Lipes of the Criminal Division's HRSP and Assistant US Attorney Michael P. McBride of the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case. (ANI)
The Free Baloch Movement (FBM) commemorated the anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests conducted in 1998 in Balochistan by organising a protest and awareness campaign in London, advocating for international intervention against the ongoing militarisation and nuclear presence in the area. The gathering was led by FBM Vice President Shahzavar Baloch, who delivered an impassioned speech denouncing the Pakistani government's choice to use Balochistan as a site for nuclear weapon testing. The protest took place outside major international institutions to highlight the enduring suffering experienced by the Baloch people as a result of nuclear fallout. Shahzavar Baloch characterised May 28 as a "terrible day" in the history of Baloch people, reflecting on how the Pakistani establishment, particularly its leadership from Punjab, exploited Balochistan for nuclear tests without seeking consent from the local population. "From the very beginning, the Baloch opposed these nuclear bomb tests. It constitutes a violation of our homeland," he remarked, noting the region's increase in unexplained health issues, despite the absence of any independent investigation. He emphasised that nuclear weapons were not meant for external defence, but rather as a method of internal oppression. "The Pakistani government utilised Balochistan for their military objectives, not to secure the nation, but to intimidate ethnic groups such as the Baloch and Pashtuns pursuing independence." In his address to the international community, Shahzavar called upon global human rights organisations and anti-nuclear activists to urge Pakistan to permit an independent investigation into the health and environmental consequences of the tests. He also demanded the complete withdrawal of nuclear assets from Balochistan. "The recent hostilities between India and Pakistan illustrate that these weapons were not designed for external conflicts. They exist to intimidate subjugated nations within Pakistan. The nuclear program is merely a misallocation of resources and a destructive force for Balochistan," he stated. The FBM appealed to the international community, asserting that the sole path to peace and justice in the region lies in transparency, accountability, and the denuclearisation of Balochistan. At the same time, FBM activists in the Netherlands demonstrated outside the International Court of Justice, calling on the global legal institution to acknowledge the longstanding issue. Demonstrators held signs demanding justice and accountability. (ANI)
The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, which is visiting several countries as part of the government of India's big diplomatic outreach in the wake of Operation Sindoor, interacted with Abdulaziz Al Sager, the Chairman and Founder of the Gulf Research Center, on Thursday. According to its official website, the Gulf Research Center was founded in July 2000 with a vision to conduct scholarly, high-quality research on all aspects of the wider Gulf region, including the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Iran, Iraq, and Yemen. During the delegation's engagements on Thursday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday informed the Saudi officials that Pakistan is propagating terrorism and targeting Indian citizens, and urged them to bring Pakistan back to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List to curb terror financing. "27 lakh members of the Indian diaspora reside and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...Whoever the delegation met, we told them how Pakistan is propagating terrorism and how Indian citizens are targeted. We told them that Pakistan should be brought back to the FATF Grey List. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a member of the FATF. They helped us in 2018," Owaisi told ANI. He is part of a multi-party delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Panda under Operation Sindoor outreach to convey India's unified stance against terrorism and seek international support to hold Pakistan accountable. During his visit, Owaisi interacted with Saudi officials and highlighted Pakistan's false propaganda about India. He emphasised that India is home to over 14.5 crore proud Muslims, showcasing the country's rich Islamic heritage and esteemed scholars, thereby refuting Pakistan's claims of representing all Muslims. Owaisi said that the multi-party delegation met with Abdullah ibn Muhammad, head of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, and Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Regarding concerns raised over the issue of talks between India and Pakistan, he added that talks were held after the Mumbai terror attack and the Pathankot attack. Still, they yielded no results and only losses. In a strong demonstration of India's united political front against terrorism, an all-party parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore avenues of cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. Maj Gen Abdulrahman Alharbi, Chair of the India-Saudi Arabia Council Friendship Committee of the Shura Council, warmly welcomed the delegation. Owaisi is a member of the delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, also includes BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP Phangnon Konyak; BJP MP Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu MP; Ghulam Nabi Azad; and Ambassador Harsh Shringla. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. The all-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter global misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
Congress leader Manish Tewari, who is part of the all-party delegation visiting key capitals including South Africa as part of Modi government's big diplomatic outreach said on Thursday that Pakistan has been behaving and acting like a "rogue state". He also stated that the delegation during their visit to South Africa conveyed the need to isolate states using terorrism as an instrument of state policy, in an apprent reference to Pakistan. "African National Congress and India have a long-standing relationship which is underpinned by the mutual respect for Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The Indian delegation very clearly conveyed it to the African National Congress, our interlocutors, that there is a need to isolate those states which use terrorism as an instrument of state policy...," he told ANI He also said that Pakistan sponsored terorism has been creating "instability" in Aghanistan and Iran as well. "We also sensitised them about the fact that it is not only India which has been hit for the past 4.5 decades by terrorism being sponsored from Pakistan. Pakistan has been creating instability in Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistan has been behaving and acting like a rogue state, now going back many decades... The African National Congress expressed its solidarity, saying that they will not be a party, and will not, in any manner, endorse a state which uses terror as an instrument of state policy...," Tewari added. Earlier today, John Steenhuisen, Federal Leader and Minister of Agriculture of South Africa extended support to India in its fight against terrorism and said that it is important for democracies to stand together, united against terror. "India bought a very important message to South Africa today. We condemn the use of terror anywhere in the world, and it is important for democracies to stand together, united against terror... Any measures to counter terrorism need to be welcomed. As democracies, we need to find ways to combat terror globally... India is a very important strategic partner for South Africa as both are members of the BRICS," John Steenhuisen told reporters. Steenhuisen's comment came after a meeting with the NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule-led delegation in Cape Town. Speaking to ANI after the meeting, Supriya Sule said, "We held detailed discussions. They promised to stand with India. The G-20 Summit is going to be held here. India has deep bilateral relations with South Africa." Sule-led delegation held talks with Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) of South Africa along with Members of the Parliament of South Africa and conveyed India's stance on combating terrorism. In a post on X, India's High Commission in Pretoria stated, "Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Province (NCOP) of South Africa, P (Les) Govender, along with other Members of the Parliament of South Africa, met All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, MPs from India at the National Council of Provinces of South Africa. Delegation members explained the background of terrorist incidents in India, including the Pahalgam Attack, and conveyed India's united message of Zero tolerance for terrorism." The members of the delegation are Members of Parliament Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna devarayalu, Anand Sharma, former Minister of Commerce & Industry, V Muraleedharan, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, and Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent. Representative of India to the UN. On April 22, terrorists killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national in Baisaran valley in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 in response to the attack, which targeted terror bases and led to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI).
The Free Baloch Movement (FBM) commemorated the anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests conducted in 1998 in Balochistan by organising a protest and awareness campaign in Germany, Scotland and Finland, advocating for international intervention against the ongoing militarisation and nuclear presence in the area. The protest drew attention to what the organisers called "enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and extrajudicial killings" carried out by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan. Members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) also participated in the protest to express their solidarity. The organisers called on the international community to pay attention to the situation in Balochistan and to pressure the Pakistani government to halt what they referred to as "a campaign of political repression" In Germany, the Baloch diaspora organised a similar demonstration, urging the international community to take action against Pakistan's human rights abuses in Balochistan. The protesters posed two critical questions to global institutions: "Where were you on 28th May 1998?" referring to Pakistan's nuclear tests in Balochistan, and "Where are you now?" as the Baloch continue to suffer from cancer and other diseases linked to radioactive contamination. They emphasised that Balochistan is experiencing a silent genocide under the occupation of Pakistan and Iran. The protests in Germany, Scotland and Finland serve as a call to action for the international community to uphold its commitments to human rights and environmental justice. The Baloch people continue to suffer, and global institutions must take meaningful steps to address their grievances and hold accountable those responsible for the ongoing repression in Balochistan. These protests are part of the Free Balochistan Movement's ongoing efforts to demand justice and seek international intervention to address the grave human rights abuses faced by the people of Balochistan. The movement continues to raise its voice against the continued suffering of the Baloch people and the environmental and health consequences of Pakistan's nuclear policies. (ANI)
The all-party parliamentary delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, on the second day of their visit to Jakarta, interacted with prominent think tanks and academia, Resident Ambassadors of friendly foreign missions in Indonesia, and the leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN), a Modernist Muslim Party of Indonesia, according to the Embassy of India Jakarta. The delegation had meaningful discussions with researchers and scholars of various think tanks and academia in Indonesia, including the Indonesian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), The Habibie Center, and Indo-Pacific Strategic Intelligence (ISI), Center for Indonesia Policy Studies (CIPS), University of Indonesia, Indonesia Air Power Studies Center, etc. According to the Embassy of India Jakarta, the delegation conveyed a strong and unified national message of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism. There was an understanding of India's position, and the need was expressed to jointly combat false narratives propagated by vested interests. Responding to a query on endgame on this issue, the delegation categorically conveyed that total relinquishment of terror activities by Pakistan, dismantling of terror infrastructure within Pakistan and the vacating of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) was the ultimate endgame. Further, the Indian Embassy highlighted that the day continued with a lunch interaction with the Resident Ambassadors of friendly diplomatic missions of around 20 countries in Indonesia. The delegation shared their detailed insights on Operation Sindoor, clearly explaining the role of Pakistan in the gruesome terror attack and highlighting India's measured, non-escalatory and targeted response. The delegation also conveyed that terror and talks cannot go together; and blood and water cannot flow together. They urged support of the diplomatic community for bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice, recalling the UNSC Statement of 25 April 2025, which underlines the need for concerted diplomatic action against terrorism and its sponsors. The final engagement of the day was a meeting with the leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN), including Eddy Soeparno, Vice Chairman of PAN and also Deputy Speaker of Indonesian People's Assembly, Viva Yoga Mauladi, Vice Chairman of the Party and also Deputy Minister for Transmigration of Indonesia, and other leaders from PAN. They shared views on India's stance on zero tolerance for terrorism. The PAN Party leadership expressed condolences to the victims of the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam and conveyed that they stand with India. PAN leadership categorically stated that religion and race cannot serve as a basis for exporting terrorism. The Members of Parliament joining the meeting from PAN also included Dessy Ratnasari, Farah Putri Nahlia, Okta Kumala Dewi, Drajad Wibowo, Slamet Ariyadi and A Bakrie. (ANI)
The Indian community in Paris organised a vibrant Tiranga Rally on Thursday to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The rally witnessed enthusiastic participation from members of the diaspora, who gathered to express solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces and gratitude for their courage and service. Kavita Singh from the Indian diaspora observed, "I have been living in France for the last 21 years... We have gathered here to thank India, the government, and the administration. Most importantly, we want to thank our armed Forces. We are very proud of our forces. This event is to thank our forces..." Participants draped in the Indian tricolour marched through the streets with patriotic fervour, chanting slogans and singing nationalistic songs. The rally became a striking display of unity and national pride, reflecting the deep emotional bond the diaspora continues to share with India. Community leaders also used the occasion to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm leadership and commitment to national security. They praised the government's strategic resolve and the Armed Forces' operational excellence. Another member of the Indian diaspora said, "We have gathered here to celebrate our victory today. The last time we met here was to protest and demand justice for the victims of Pahalgam. We have full faith in the Indian Army. The India of today is a self-reliant one. This is a victory for us." During the event, Joginder Kumar, member of the Indian diaspora and the President of the Franco-Indian Association, said, "We have gathered here to pay our tributes to the martyrs and celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor. We have taught a lesson to Pakistan and we hope they will not dare to do something like this again..." The event stood as a strong message of support from abroad, underscoring the global Indian community's pride in India's growing strength and resilience. (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday refuted Bangladesh's chief adviser Mohammad Yunus's claims that "Indian media delegitimises transitional leadership." Speaking in a weekly briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Bangladesh's accusations of Indian interference as an attempt to deflect attention from internal issues. "As far as the government there is concerned, the responsibility for law and order and governance issues lies entirely with that government," Jaiswal said. "When statements of this sort come, it seems like you want to deflect in another direction from your own challenges related to governance there -- and to blame others by saying that these extraneous issues caused by others are the reason for these problems -- does not solve the issue," he added. Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, alleged that external factors, including India, might be behind efforts to destabilise the country. Yunus stated that there were "relentless efforts to destabilise Bangladesh" both internally and externally, leading to a "war-like situation." Sharing some links of articles on X, Yunus wrote, "these articles are part of a coordinated disinformation campaign propagated by segments of the Indian right-wing media aiming to delegitimise Bangladesh's transitional leadership." The MEA spokesperson also urged Bangladesh to hold an inclusive, free, and fair election at an early date to ascertain the people's will and mandate. Jaiswal stated, "On Bangladesh, we have articulated our position very clearly, as far as elections in Bangladesh are concerned, and we have done so consistently. Bangladesh needs to ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding an inclusive, fair and free election at an early date." Yunus has announced plans to hold elections between December 2025 and June 30, 2026, and has assured that he will not stay in power beyond that date. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed unease over the continuation of the interim government and has demanded that elections be held by December this year. The political landscape in Bangladesh remains tense, with differing opinions on the election timeline and the role of the interim government. Local media reported on Thursday that Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has expressed a desire that national elections be held by December this year, amidst ongoing political unrest and the interim government's failure to announce a clear roadmap for the next parliamentary elections. Several political parties, including Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been demanding parliamentary elections by December. However, the National Citizens Party (NCP), a new party led by students who overthrew Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, wants fundamental reforms before the elections. Further, Jaiswal noted that India wants a "positive and constructive relationship" with Bangladesh. "I would like to underline once again that we have approached our issues and our relationship with Bangladesh. We want a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one anchored in meeting the aspirations and the interests of the people of both sides," he said. Regarding recent developments in Bangladesh, including cancelling a USD 180 million defense deal, Jaiswal said, "India and Bangladesh have several defence cooperation initiatives under implementation. Regarding any specific example you asked, I will be glad to revert to you after ascertaining more details on this issue." On Bangladesh's efforts to build a humanitarian corridor with Myanmar, Jaiswal mentioned that "India follows such developments closely." Recently, the interim government in Bangladesh proposed the creation of a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar's Rakhine State. On April 27, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh's interim government agrees in principle, subject to conditions, to the United Nations' proposal to create a humanitarian corridor through Bangladesh to send aid to Myanmar's Rakhine, Dhaka Tribune reported. While speaking to reporters at Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 27, Hossain said, "According to the United Nations' proposal, Bangladesh has agreed to allow a humanitarian corridor to Rakhine. It will be a humanitarian passage. However, we have certain conditions. I will not go into details. If the conditions are met, we will certainly assist." "A large population from Myanmar has taken refuge in our country, and we want to repatriate them. We must do whatever is necessary to facilitate their return," Dhaka Tribune quoted him. He said that the entire border is under the control of a non-state actor and there is no control of Myanmar's central government there. "The entire border is now under the control of a non-state actor. There is no control of Myanmar's central government there. Therefore, for our own interests, some form of communication is necessary-- although we cannot formally communicate with the non-state actor, it will not be possible for us to stay entirely disconnected even if we want to," he said. Sheikh Hasina was ousted as Prime Minister in a student-led uprising in August last year. Hasina fled to India, and an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus was formed. (ANI)
The cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan took place on May 10 following contacts between the two DGMOs and while there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving situation since Operation Sindoor was launched, the issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions, the government said on Thursday. Responding to queries at the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's position on the stoppage of military action has been well-articulated. "Our position on this particular issue that you mentioned has been well articulated. I would refer you to our position that was made clear on May 13. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation," Jaiswal said. "The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions. External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan," he added. Asked about US Commerce Secretary submitting a statement in a US court which claimed that the US mediated in the conflict between India and Pakistan and that trade was used as leverage, Jaiswal said he has stated his position. "When I state my position, I do it as spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, with the flags on both sides. That has an implication, means a lot," he said. India launched Operation Sindoor and carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack. India repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. The two countries agreed to stop military action after Pakistan DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart. Answering a query about the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to the US, Jaiswal said he met Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance India-US cooperation on critical and emerging technologies. "He led our delegation, comprising Deputy NSA for the Inter-Agency discussions on the India-US Compact for the 21st century. This meeting happened in the White House and focused on implementing trust initiatives which is about critical and emerging technology partnerships. They also discussed cooperation in area of defence and energy domains as well as strengthening the QUAD, IMEC, I2U2 initiatives," the spokesperson said. "Foreign Secretary also had a meeting with the Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and they discussed all aspects of India-US relationship, In particular they agreed that tech, trade and talent will shape the India-US partnership in the 21st century and they both reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership. All issues of mutual interest were discussed between India and the United States," he added. (ANI)
The all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, part of India's global outreach on Operation Sindoor, landed in Colombia, which is a part of the list of nations in As per the Embassy of India in Colombia, upon arrival, the delegation was received by Ambassador Vanlalhuma. The Embassy noted in a post on X, "Ambassador H.E. Mr. Vanlalhuma warmly welcomes the all-party Parliamentary Delegation to Colombia, marking the start of a meaningful engagement to convey India's resolute stance against terrorism." https://x.com/IndiaEmbBogota/status/1928116393704030681 Earlier while in Panama, Tharoor on Thursday said that terrorism should not be a resort to address international disputes. While addressing the Panamanian side led by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha, Tharoor, referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, said that India will go after the perpetrators of terrorism. "Terrorism should not be a resort of attempting to addressing international disputes. If there are problems, there are other ways of dealing with them; sending terrorists across the border is simply unacceptable, and that should be made clear. We should go after the perpetrators, the killers ourselves, and we will do so," he said. Tharoor said that the countries which provide a safe haven to terrorists should also be held accountable. Earlier on Wednesday, the Tharoor-led delegation met with the President of the Republic of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, at the Presidential house. During their visit in Panama, Tharoor expressed gratitude to the diplomatic corps and Panamian personalities for extending their support in India's fight against terrorism. He wrote on X, "Our trip ended with a spectacular reception hosted by Ambassador @doctorsumitseth for the diplomatic corps and influential Panamanian personalities. The Foreign Minister spoke, as did his Vice-Minister, Carlos Hoyos (second pic) in strong sympathy for India, expressing support for our fight against terrorism and for enhancing the close cooperation between our two countries." https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1928073564957139136 The delegation led by Tharoor includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita--all from BJP; Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. The all-party delegation, consisting of seven groups led by one MP each, has been initiated to counter Pakistan's misinformation and highlight India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, in Delhi and thanked New Zealand for its support and solidarity on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The two leaders reviewed the progress made in India-New Zealand partnership following the recent visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1928115104010350765 In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Delighted to meet DPM & FM @winstonpeters of New Zealand this evening in Delhi. Thank New Zealand for its support & solidarity on the Pahalgam terrorist attack." "Following up from the recent visit of PM @chrisluxonmp, took stock of the progress made by our partnership. Agreed that in a more volatile & uncertain world, it's important that India & New Zealand collaborate closely for a rules-based, peaceful, stable & prosperous Indo-Pacific region," he added. Peters just concluded a two-day visit to Kathmandu, where he was received by Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai at the airport, along with other Foreign Ministry officials. Earlier, in a post on X Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "A warm welcome to DPM & FM @winstonpeters of New Zealand on his arrival in New Delhi for an official visit. This visit reflects the momentum of high level exchanges & will further strengthen the warm and friendly ties between our two countries." On Friday, May 30, Peters is scheduled to meet JP Nadda, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, at the Hotel Taj Mahal at 3:30 pm. His departure is scheduled for 9:55 pm on the same day. India and New Zealand have historically shared close and cordial ties. Similarities such as membership of the Commonwealth, common law practices and pursuing shared aspirations of achieving economic development and prosperity through democratic governance systems for diverse communities in both countries (NZ prides itself as one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with 213 ethnicities officially recorded) provide an excellent backdrop for deepening the friendly ties, according to MEA. (ANI)
The all-party parliamentary delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met with leaders of Indonesia's National Mandate Party and highlighted the Aprill 22 Pahalgam attack, where innocent people were killed based on their religion. Jha emphasised Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism, contrasting it with India's economic growth. The Indonesian leaders acknowledged the involvement of the Pakistan Army in supporting such activities. Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Kumar Jha said, "We explained in detail the incident that occurred in Pahalgam, where innocent people were killed solely based on their religion, in front of their families. We also highlighted how Pakistan is promoting terrorism, while India continues to grow economically. "They acknowledged that the Pakistan Army supports such activities and assured us of their full support," he added. According to the Embassy of India Jakarta, the delegation also interacted with prominent think tanks and academia, Resident Ambassadors of friendly foreign missions in Indonesia, and the leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN), a Modernist Muslim Party of Indonesia. The delegation had meaningful discussions with researchers and scholars of various think tanks and academia in Indonesia, including the Indonesian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), The Habibie Center, and Indo-Pacific Strategic Intelligence (ISI), Center for Indonesia Policy Studies (CIPS), University of Indonesia, Indonesia Air Power Studies Center, etc. According to the Embassy of India, Jakarta, the delegation conveyed a strong and unified national message of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism. There was an understanding of India's position, and the need was expressed to combat false narratives propagated by vested interests jointly. Responding to a query on endgame on this issue, the delegation categorically conveyed that total relinquishment of terror activities by Pakistan, dismantling of terror infrastructure within Pakistan and the vacating of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) was the ultimate endgame. Further, the Indian Embassy highlighted that the day continued with a lunch interaction with the Resident Ambassadors of friendly diplomatic missions of around 20 countries in Indonesia. The delegation shared their detailed insights on Operation Sindoor, clearly explaining the role of Pakistan in the gruesome terror attack and highlighting India's measured, non-escalatory and targeted response. The delegation also conveyed that terror and talks cannot go together, and blood and water cannot flow together. They urged support of the diplomatic community for bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice, recalling the UNSC Statement of 25 April 2025, which underlines the need for concerted diplomatic action against terrorism and its sponsors. The final engagement of the day was a meeting with the leaders of the National Mandate Party (PAN), including Eddy Soeparno, Vice Chairman of PAN and Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People's Assembly, Viva Yoga Mauladi, Vice Chairman of the Party and Deputy Minister for Transmigration of Indonesia, and other leaders from PAN. They shared views on India's stance on zero tolerance for terrorism. The PAN Party leadership expressed condolences to the victims of the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam and conveyed that they stand with India. PAN leadership categorically stated that religion and race cannot serve as a basis for exporting terrorism. The Members of Parliament joining the meeting from PAN also included Dessy Ratnasari, Farah Putri Nahlia, Okta Kumala Dewi, Drajad Wibowo, Slamet Ariyadi and A Bakrie. (ANI)
Nepali royalists on Thursday launched a new phase of protest for the restoration of monarchy, which saw hundreds of people chant slogans on the street on the first day. In defence of the republic, a new political system adopted in 2008 in Nepal, the ruling CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal--Unified Marxist Leninist) also held a counterprotest in the streets of Kathmandu in defence of the republic. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, organised a march in Kathmandu on Republic Day, entitled "Republic Mahotsav." "The public became the rulers from this day onwards, following this pursuit, the CPN-UML today is marking the Republic Day as 'utsav' (grand celebration). The party, as well as I personally request everyone to strengthen the voice in support of the republic," Surya Dhakal, lawmaker from the CPN-UML, told ANI as he participated in the rally. The ruling party cadres and supporters chanted slogans in support of the republic as they marched along the streets of the capital. In the wake of possible tensions, the local administration had designated two different areas and timings for the two groups to converge on the street. But the royalist forces, who claimed to have started a "joint people's movement", forging a committee, attempted to block the roadways for the parading cadres of the ruling parties. Police held the royalists on the side until the ruling party's parade passed by. The royalist right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), the fifth largest party in the lower house of parliament, claimed that it would bring 25000 people onto the streets. As per the estimate of Nepal Police, about 3000 protestors hit the streets of Kathmandu. Encouraged by rising frustration with the incumbent system, the royalist group of about 40 different factions has been demanding restoration of the Hindu kingdom, abolition of federalism, and a directly elected prime ministerial system, among other things. Restoration of the constitutional monarchy has been their bottom line. Nepal, a Hindu kingdom, was declared a federal, secular, and republican state in 2008. "We will reinstate him in Narayanhiti Palace (former royal palace) and coronate him, then only we will return back. Our protest will continue until we achieve it. All of our leaders- Rajendra Lingden, Gyanendra Shahi all are determined. This time we are here with about 40 different factions moving ahead together. We are on this movement unifying the hearts of people, and that would make the heart of the king," Sunita Gajmer, a royalist, told ANI. Formed in the 1990s after the lifting of the ban on the formation of political parties by the then-monarchical system, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has since served as a force always supporting the Kingship. It has also been taking part in periodic elections and presenting its demands. In 2008, right after the overthrow of the monarchy rule in Nepal, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) secured 8 seats in the Constituent Assembly out of the 575-seat parliament. In the 2013 election, it was able to secure 13 seats. In 2017, it fell down to 1 seat, but it bounced back in the 2022 election with 14 seats. Since its inception, the party has supported the Hindu State and Kingship as interdependent in the tiny nation buffered between two giants, India and China. The Himalayan Nation of Nepal has a population of 30.55 million and a Hindu population of 81.19%, as per the census of 2022. The Monarch of the Himalayan Nation, which follows the lineage of the Shah dynasty, was revered as an incarnation of the Hindu god Bishnu. With abolishment monarchy it got limited to a very small group which now again is reemerging. (ANI)
During the all-party delegation visit to South Africa under the government's big diplomatic outreach following the Operation Sindoor, MPs across party lines lauded the country's firm support for India's stand against terrorism. The delegation led by NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, speaking in Johannesburg, described the meeting as "very meaningful and productive," highlighting South Africa's commitment to stand with India in its stance of zero tolerance against terror. "It was a very meaningful and productive meeting, South Africa is committed to supporting India in zero tolerance against terror. This is the land of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, and both our countries have gained independence with the sacrifice of millions of lives," Sule said while speaking to ANI on Thursday (local time). "This is the legacy of these two tall leaders and sons of the world. We appreciate the support given to us. It is extraordinarily encouraging, and I am very sure that in this fight against terror, South Africa is going to stand very strongly with India," she added. Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MP Anurag Thakur emphasised India's peaceful history and the necessity of exposing global terrorism. "In the last 75 years, India neither encroached or attacked any country, neither did it ever intend to. The world knows this. But we have to tell the world about the continuous attacks India faced from Pakistan in which thousands of people lost their lives. South Africa stands with us in solidarity and they also consider terrorism as a global threat..." Meanwhile, Congress leader Manish Tewari, who is also a part of the all-party delegation, said that Pakistan has been behaving and acting like a "rogue state". He also stated that the delegation, during their visit to South Africa, conveyed the need to isolate states using terrorism as an instrument of state policy, in apparent reference to Pakistan. "African National Congress and India have a long-standing relationship which is underpinned by the mutual respect for Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The Indian delegation very clearly conveyed it to the African National Congress, our interlocutors, that there is a need to isolate those states which use terrorism as an instrument of state policy...," he told ANI. He also stated that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has been creating "instability" in Afghanistan and Iran as well. "We also sensitised them about the fact that it is not only India that has been hit for the past 4.5 decades by terrorism being sponsored from Pakistan. Pakistan has been creating instability in Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistan has been behaving and acting like a rogue state, now going back many decades... The African National Congress expressed its solidarity, saying that they will not be a party, and will not, in any manner, endorse a state which uses terror as an instrument of state policy...," Tewari added. The members of the delegation comprises of MPs Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna devarayalu, Anand Sharma, former Minister of Commerce & Industry, V Muraleedharan, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, and Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent Representative of India to the UN. The delegation visited Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, where Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned, and also saw the Mandela-Gandhi Exhibition inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and paid floral tribute at the Gandhi Statue. On April 22, terrorists killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national, in Baisaran valley in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 in response to the attack, which targeted 9 terror bases and led to the death of terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI).
OSAKA, May 29 (News On Japan) - Osaka University has announced it will accept up to 100 medical researchers from the United States in response to a policy by the Trump administration that suspended the acceptance of international students at Harvard University.

Following the U.S. government's move to halt student visa eligibility for Harvard, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has called on domestic universities to consider support measures. In line with this, Osaka University revealed on May 29th that its Graduate School of Medicine will use a university budget of approximately 600 million to 1 billion yen to host up to 100 postdoctoral researchers from the U.S. for a period of one year.

Ishii, Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine, stated: "We hope these researchers will be able to fully utilize their abilities at Osaka University and further advance their research."

In addition to the medical field, Osaka University is also preparing to accept students in other disciplines who are unable to continue their studies abroad and is currently examining concrete plans to support them.

Source: KTV NEWS
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has sent a written message to King Mohammed VI. The message was handed over by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita during a meeting held Wednesday in Rabat.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations, cooperation prospects in various sectors, coordination of stands regarding issues of common interests as well as latest developments on the regional and international scene, including the Palestinian issue, the Libyan crisis, and Egypts water security.

In a statement to journalists, Abdelatty said Cairo supports the sovereignty & territorial integrity of countries, rejects interference in their affairs, and opposes military solutions.

He also expressed his countrys determination to continue strengthening relations with Morocco in all fields, especially in the current regional and global challenges.

The two countries, he said, reject the policy of starvation and call for the resumption of food and medical aid to Palestinians, hailing in this regard the efforts made by Al-Quds Committee, chaired by King Mohammed VI, and by Bayt Mal Al-Quds.

On the Libyan issue, the Egyptian minister praised Moroccos efforts leading to the Skhirat agreement.

Bourita reiterated Moroccos support for Egypts water security as Cairo and Addis Ababa are in loggerheads over the construction by Ethiopia of a large hydroelectric dam at the headwaters of the Nile River, known as the Grand Renaissance Dam.
Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, representing Morocco at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues held in Moscow.

Organized by the Russian Security Council, this meeting has been held regularly since 2010. It serves as a strategic forum for coordination and exchange of views among countries on developing collective mechanisms to address growing global threats and to examine international policies aimed at neutralizing emerging risks, thereby contributing to the consolidation of international peace and security.

This event, chaired by the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, was marked by the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and an opening address via videoconference by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who emphasized that the new global security architecture must be fair and equitable and that all countries should be provided with strong guarantees to ensure their own security without compromising the interests and security of others.

The Russian president also welcomed the participation of security and intelligence services from Eastern and Southern countries, which represent the majority of the global security system. These countries, he noted, support the principle of fair and equitable sovereignty and promote their own development models.

The meeting featured plenary sessions and several thematic conferences that addressed various global security issues, such as the growing threats of terrorism, as evidenced by the emergence of regional strongholds and new hubs of terrorist organizations; the increasing dangers of cybercrime and breaches targeting vital and sensitive state infrastructures; and the transnational intersections and ramifications of organized crime.

Addressing the event, Hammouchi stressed that neutralizing growing strategic threats and dangers requires the establishment of a joint and indivisible security infrastructure, with the assistance of national security and intelligence services in close cooperation and coordination with their counterparts in different regions of the world.

Hammouchi also noted that fair and equitable cooperation between countries is the key to the success of any security structure aimed at confronting current strategic threats and challenges. The duty of vigilance underlying our proactive efforts and shared responsibility requires the exchange of information on all identified or potential security threats, as well as their secure and immediate sharing in the interest of our collective security, based on a win-win principle, he said.

On the sidelines of this international event, which featured a series of multilateral security-focused meetings, the Moroccan official held bilateral talks with the heads and members of several security and intelligence services from brotherly and friendly nations, including the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation.

These meetings focused on numerous issues of common interest and on ways to bolster bilateral cooperation to address emerging risks and threats.

Hammouchis visit to Moscow May 27-29 highlights the prominent role and active presence of Morocco in the field of international security cooperation. It also reflects the credibility enjoyed by Moroccan security services among their international partners as major players in joint efforts to preserve international security and stability.

The security meeting was attended by heads and senior officials from security and intelligence services representing over 100 countries from the Global South, the East, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Numerous international and regional organizations, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were represented at the meeting.
A new report from the African Development Bank (AfDB) warns that 21 out of 54 African currencies are projected to depreciate against the U.S. dollar in 2025, highlighting continued economic vulnerability across the continent.

Major economies like Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana are expected to see currency losses of 6% or more, driven by declining export earnings, global financial volatility, and internal economic pressures. According to the AfDBs African Economic Outlook 2025, geopolitical tensions  exacerbated by sweeping U.S. trade tariffs  have tightened global financial markets and increased borrowing costs, reducing access to dollar-denominated capital for many African nations. The Nigerian naira, still recovering from steep devaluation in 2023, remains under pressure despite recent market reforms. Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso cited reduced volatility and improved investor confidence, but the naira is still forecast to decline further.

Conversely, some currencies are expected to strengthen. Countries like Kenya, Morocco, and those in the CFA franc zone could post appreciation of more than 3%, AfDB said. The Kenyan shilling and South African rand have both rebounded, supported by increased investor inflows and political stability. Kenya, in particular, saw a surge in portfolio investment after a successful Eurobond buyback. Meanwhile, gold has become a strategic fallback for countries like Zimbabwe and South Sudan, seeking to hedge against currency instability. The AfDB urges African governments to enhance macroeconomic fundamentals, diversify exports, and reform exchange rate regimes to curb persistent depreciation trends.
Namibia has officially commemorated its first Genocide Remembrance Day, honoring more than 70,000 Ovaherero and Nama people killed by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908.

The solemn national holiday was marked by a candle-lighting ceremony and war cries, as calls for reparations and justice intensified. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, speaking at the ceremony, described the day as a symbol of unity and reflection, but stressed that Namibia would not forget the emotional, cultural, and economic scars of what historians call the first genocide of the 20th century. The genocide  ordered by German General Lothar von Trotha  included extermination orders, forced displacements, and the establishment of concentration camps decades before the Holocaust. Victims were subjected to executions, starvation, and pseudoscientific experiments; many remains were shipped to Germany for racist studies.

Despite Germanys 2021 recognition of the genocide and a 1.1 billion development aid pledge over 30 years, no binding reparations agreement has been signed. President Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, urging a swift end to ongoing talks. Many Ovaherero and Nama descendants remain excluded from negotiations and demand land restitution, not just aid. Activists say true reconciliation requires direct compensation and the return of ancestral land still owned by German descendants. Money is nothing, town councilor and Ovaherero elder Uahimisa Kaapehi told reporters. We want our land.
A new report from Amnesty International has revealed a grim death toll of at least 10,217 people killed in violent attacks across northern and central Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago, highlighting a deepening security and humanitarian crisis.

The report, released on the second anniversary of Tinubus administration, accuses the Nigerian government of failing to deliver on its pledge to enhance national security. Amnesty documented thousands of deaths from armed group raids, banditry, and communal clashes, particularly in Benue and Plateau states. Benue, the hardest-hit region, accounted for 6,896 deaths, while Plateau followed with 2,630. In Zamfara alone, 638 villages were reportedly sacked by bandits, displacing hundreds of thousands and exacerbating an unfolding humanitarian emergency.

Instead of progress, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country, said Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigerias Director. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubus government are simply not working. The report also identified emerging armed groups such as Lakurawa in Sokoto and Mamuda in Kwara, further complicating Nigerias fragile security landscape. Despite President Tinubus repeated reassurances and new military directives, Amnesty warns that without urgent and effective action, the death toll and humanitarian consequences could escalate further.
A groundbreaking partnership between Casablanca-Settats Cite des Metiers et des Competences (CMC-CS) and Territorial Empowerment and Development (OTED) launched the Nouaceur Territorial Innovation Lab (NOTIL), introducing a revolutionary approach to regional development through collective intelligence and collaborative innovation.

The initiative represents Moroccos first open innovation model designed specifically for sustainable territorial impact, operating on four fundamental principles: collective intelligence for stakeholder mobilization, active co-construction with local actors, innovation through field-tested solutions, and sustainable development rooted in community realities.

NOTIL promises substantial benefits across multiple stakeholder groups. Local businesses gain access to innovative solutions and enhanced competitiveness, while CMC-CS trainees develop technical and cross-functional skills through real-world project immersion, significantly boosting their employability prospects. Communities benefit from improved quality of life and increased citizen participation in local decision-making processes.

The laboratory brings together diverse participants including businesses, local authorities, associations, cooperatives, and educational institutions to address economic, social, and environmental challenges. This collaborative ecosystem leverages CMC-CSs extensive infrastructure, featuring an incubator, digital factory, FabLab, co-working spaces, and professional guidance center.

CMC-CSs Learning by Doing pedagogical approach positions the institution beyond traditional vocational training, establishing it as an innovation hub for skills transformation serving territorial development. The organization specializes in facilitating innovative project emergence through dedicated support systems and co-construction tools.

OTED contributes its expertise as a citizen-driven territorial innovation catalyst, enhancing the partnerships capacity to drive meaningful change. The initiative calls for broad citizen and entrepreneurial engagement, inviting companies, associations, and experts to participate in co-construction workshops and contribute to developing locally-tailored solutions that address specific regional challenges while aligning with national development objectives.
Morocco and Catalonia strengthened their economic partnership Wednesday with the signing of four investment protocols worth 500 million dirhams (approximately 45 million), targeting strategic industrial sectors and promising over 700 direct jobs across Tangier, Tetouan, and Kenitra.

The agreements, signed in Rabat between the Moroccan government and Catalan enterprises, cover high-value sectors including automotive, waste valorization, industrial packaging, and construction materials. The ceremony brought together Minister Delegate for Investment Karim Zidane and a Catalan business delegation led by Josep Sanchez Llibre, president of Foment del Treball, Catalonias main employers organization.

These investments align with King Mohammed VIs vision to position Morocco as a competitive industrial and economic hub for Africa and the Mediterranean region. Zidane emphasized the structural reforms facilitating investment, including digitalized procedures, administrative simplification, and strengthened Regional Investment Centers.

Sanchez Llibre announced plans for expanded engagement, saying Within a year, we will return with a new delegation of twenty Catalan companies. This commitment signals long-term confidence in Moroccos investment climate and potential for sustainable partnerships.

Spanish Ambassador to Rabat, Enrique Ojeda Vila, who attended the signing ceremony, highlighted the significance of these agreements, noting that Morocco and Spain remain each others primary economic partners. He emphasized the geographical, historical, and strategic complementarity between the two countries.

Adil Rais, co-president of the Morocco-Spain Economic Council (CEMAES), characterized these agreements as illustrating shared ambitions to build a solid investment axis, with Spain targeting the position of Moroccos leading foreign investor. The initiative follows successful Morocco Now promotional roadshows in Barcelona and Madrid, demonstrating sustained momentum in bilateral economic cooperation.
Moroccos automotive sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation. After starting as a regional assembly hub, the countrys car industry has grown into a leading player in electric vehicle (EV) and green hydrogen technology, said the London School of Economics in a report.

This North African nation is strategically positioning itself as a global automotive powerhouse, attracting major international players while nurturing local talent and innovation, said the report co-authored by experts Angela Kolongo and Inas El-Aidi.

Morocco has achieved these impressive results amid evolving geopolitical dynamics, including rising protectionism and escalating global competition.

Moroccos automotive journey started back in 1959 with SOMACA, a company that initially focused on assembling cars from imported parts from Italy and France. Moroccos smart policy decisions like the integration-compensation law and targeted free trade agreements attracted major investments and manufacturers such as Renault-Nissan, PSA (Stellantis), and more recently BYD.

These partnerships have boosted production numbers to nearly a million cars a year and have also facilitated vital technology transfers and specialized skills development for Moroccan workers, said the LSE research paper.

The Renault-Nissan plant in Tangier is Africas largest and greenest car factory, exporting 90 per cent of its vehicles to 74 countries. Stellantis, has built a complete automotive value chain in Kenitra, including engine manufacturing. Together, they have helped transform Morocco into a true automotive manufacturing hub.

Today, Morocco wants to go far beyond car manufacturing. The country is building a decarbonized transportation value chain to future proof production, underlined the LSE report, saying the country is embracing the global shift towards EVs and green hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Chinese EV giant BYD has set up shop in Morocco, with plans to build three additional factories focused solely on electric mobility. This expansion fits perfectly with Moroccos ambitious goal to produce one million passenger vehicles a year by 2025, mostly hybrid or electric cars.

According to LSE, Moroccos proximity to Europe, coupled with its free trade agreements with major economic blocs like the EU and the US, provides a significant advantage. The Kingdom is also expected to fully capitalize on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand export markets.

Morocco is navigating the complexities of global trade wars and protectionist measures, leveraging its geographic advantages, skilled labor, and fiscal and financial incentives, said the experts.

With abundant phosphate reserves, notable reserves of cobalt and manganese, and a strong renewable energy production capacity, Morocco is set to play a vital role in the rapidly expanding global EV supply chain, solidifying its position in the automotive industry, underlined the LSE paper.
A Moroccan military delegation, led by Brigadier General Abdelkrim Najjar, took part in the 2025 African Chiefs of Defense Conference co-organized by U.S. Africa Command and Kenya in Nairobi (May 28-29) under the theme: Strengthening African Security, Sustaining Unity of Effort.

The conference was an opportunity for senior military officials from across Africa to discuss topics such as countering transnational threats, terrorism, maritime security, U.S. & African partnerships and expertise-sharing.

Participants reviewed ways of fostering regional stability and dialogue to advance collective security efforts as well as emerging threats, such as the growing influence of malign actors and the evolving terrorist landscape.

The Moroccan delegation took part in various seminars and round-tables, focusing on several topics, including Bilateral and regional relations to promote security and stability.

The delegation highlighted the contributions of the Royal Armed Forces in confronting cross-border threats and combating terrorism, as well as the Kingdoms efforts in military training for the benefit of African countries, contributing to the reinforcement of joint defense capabilities.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Moroccan delegation was received by Chief of Kenyas Defense forces General Charles Muriu Kahariri, who expressed his countrys willingness to strengthen military cooperation with Morocco as Nairobi has just inaugurated its first ever embassy in Rabat, opening up a new chapter in relations between the two countries following Kenyas support of the Kingoms territorial integrity.
Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Moroccos Minister of Economy and Finance, has been awarded the trophy of Finance Minister of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards in Abidjan.

Her leadership has been recognized for driving macroeconomic stability and positioning Morocco as an attractive destination for investment. This accolade highlights her significant contributions to Moroccos economic policies and growth, leveraging her extensive background in finance and business.

She is the first Moroccan woman to head the prestigious Ministry of Economy and Finance. She is a graduate of the Paris Business School (HEC Paris). Nadia Fettah worked for the audit firm Arthur Andersen, in Casablanca, investment fund AfricInvest and Insurance Saham company.

In 2018, she was elected CEO of the year during the Africa CEO Forum held in Abidjan.

She had also served as Minister of Tourism for two years, before joining the ministry of Economy and Finance in 2021.
In a decisive diplomatic move aimed at averting a resurgence of violence in Libya, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday May 28 that Moscow and Ankara will jointly employ their considerable influence over Libyan factions to prevent the outbreak of renewed hostilities. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Moscow, underscoring a shared commitment to stabilizing Libya amidst escalating tensions.

The pledge comes on the heels of fresh deadly clashes in Tripoli, which have heightened concerns of a return to full-scale conflict in the war-torn North African nation. Russia and Turkey have backed opposing sides in Libyas protracted civil war, but now appear aligned in their determination to preserve the fragile peace and support dialogue between the countrys rival authorities. Lavrov noted that their combined leverage could play a pivotal role in de-escalating the situation and fostering a sustainable political settlement.

Observers view this renewed cooperation as a pragmatic step that reflects both nations strategic interests in Libya, including energy, security, and regional influence. As the international community watches closely, the success of this joint initiative could mark a turning point in efforts to move Libya away from the shadow of conflict and toward a more unified and peaceful future.
The European Parliament and Egypt held this week in Cairo the 14th EU-Egypt Interparliamentary Meeting (IPM) that focused on fostering parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.

The EU parliaments delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries (DMAS), led by Chair Laurent Castillo, and Egyptian MPs discussed a wide array of critical issues, including bilateral relations, regional stability, human rights (with a focus on womens rights), climate change, and the European Unions macro-financial assistance to Egypt. Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to a deeper, forward-looking partnership amid the regions volatile context.

The DMAS delegation also met with members of the executive, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other high-ranking officials. The meetings provided opportunity to delve into pressing matters such as migration, the Middle East conflict, with focus on the war in Gaza, counterterrorism cooperation, and democratic reforms. The EU delegation expressed its concern over the humanitarian impact of the Gaza crisis and acknowledged Egypts constructive mediation role in regional affairs.

Emphasis was also placed on supporting Egypts socio-economic reforms and enhancing educational and cultural exchange between the EU and Egypt.

Beyond official meetings, the delegation engaged extensively with civil society actors and visited EU-funded initiatives, including a major wastewater infrastructure project and institutions promoting interfaith dialogue.

Roundtable discussions with organizations such as Save the Children and CARE Egypt highlighted the importance of inclusive development, education, and gender equity.
Morocco and Egypt have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for unrestricted distribution of humanitarian aid to the starving Palestinians.

This came during a meeting held in Rabat on Wednesday between Moroccos Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and his Egyptian peer Badr Abdel Aty, who is visiting Morocco to convey a written message from President El Sisi to King Mohammed VI.

The meeting covered regional and international issues of common interest, highlighting the importance of strengthening Arab solidarity and promoting joint Arab action as a cornerstone of stability and development in the Arab region.

At a press briefing following their meeting, the two officials underlined the two countries close coordination to end Israeli aggression against unarmed Palestinian civilians.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister said he had informed his Moroccan counterpart of the efforts made by Egypt, in cooperation with Qatar and with the United States, to quickly achieve a ceasefire and put an end to the brutal Israeli aggression against defenseless civilians in the Gaza Strip. He stated that as Nasser Bourita mentioned, the policy of starvation must end, and the rapid and unconditional delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza must be ensured.

Badr Abdel Aty also expressed rejection of any attempt to liquidate the Palestinian cause and affirmed support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially their right to establish an independent state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He emphasized that Egypt and Morocco reject all ideas of forced displacement currently being circulated, and he mentioned the Arab-Islamic initiative for the rapid recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, without displacing populations from their land or homeland.

Furthermore, he said he had informed his Moroccan counterpart of Egypts willingness to host an international reconstruction conference in Cairo, as soon as a ceasefire agreement is reached, in accordance with the decision made during the emergency summit on Palestine held in Cairo on March 4.

The Egyptian minister highlighted the alignment of positions between Egypt and Morocco on all discussed issues, both at the Arab and African levels. We observed alignment on the unacceptable aggressions perpetrated against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the destruction of infrastructure, the imposed famine, and the incursions into holy sites, he stressed, reiterating commitment to the two-state solution.

He expressed thanks to the Kingdom of Morocco for its continued efforts, as head of the Al-Quds Committee, chaired by King Mohammed VI, and praised the contributions of Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency established by the committee.

For his part, Nasser Bourita condemned the current policies which, according to him, only fuel the logic of conflict in the region, close the door to peace prospects, and feed extremism and hatred. Morocco and Egypt have been working for years to establish a climate of peace and coexistence in the region, within the framework of clear references and international legality in favor of the two-state solution, with the creation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Moroccan official said.

At their meeting, the two officials praised the excellence and strength of the relations between Morocco and Egypt, and reaffirmed their shared desire to elevate them to a higher level across various fields, particularly in the economic sphere.

In this connection, they expressed their aspiration to strengthen economic relations for greater complementarity, balance, and mutually beneficial interests, within the framework of a win-win vision and to broaden the scope of these ties.

Based on this shared conviction, the ministers stressed the need to consolidate intensive and mutually beneficial cooperation between the private sectors in both countries.

To strengthen the institutional mechanisms governing relations between Morocco and Egypt, the ministers agreed to establish a joint coordination and follow-up commission at the level of the Heads of Government of the two countries. This commission will be composed of ministers from various departments and will meet periodically and alternately in the two countries.

They also agreed to hold, during the current year in Cairo, the 4th session of the mechanism for political and strategic dialogue, coordination, and consultation.